Speeches at the Ceremony

It was wet and windy but most people were smiling. The money was being handed back to the Scottish Land Fund! There were speeches, of course! Mrs Lorna MacAlister, Secretary to the Trust Board, welcomed everyone to The Ceremony. Alan Hobbett, Development Manager, made a compelling case for the success of the community buy-out. He pointed out many of the things that have and are about to happen during the last two years, things that would not have taken place if we had not bought our Island. Other speeches were made by:-

George Lyon, our MSP, who brought greetings from Baroness Michie, our former MP, who has been very supportive of our efforts from the start, as has George himself.

David Campbell CBE, Chairman of the Scottish Land Fund spoke briefly on how well Gigha had progresses and how the £1 million could go to assisting other communities in other regions of Scotland.

Brian Wilson MP spoke of his pride at seeing an institution he helped create, the Community Fund, blossom into the body capable of helping Gigha achieve its independence.

William McSporran, Chairman of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, who handed over a suitcase, full of money, to David Campbell while asking for a discount for cash!

Finally, the children from the Primary School, ably assisted by Archie MacAlister raised a new flag with “£1000000 paid back” written on it in Gaelic and English.

Susan Allan