DATES CONFIRMED FOR WAVE CLASSIC

Dates for the 2010 Tiree Wave Classic have been confirmed as
9th - 15th October by Gordon Richie of Dialogue Marketing. As yet
no further details are available.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE.... July 2010

SCOTTISH WATER MAINTAINS TIREE SUPPLY DURING DRY SPELL

Scottish Water is taking action on the Argyll island of Tiree to ensure drinking water supplies are maintained to local residents and visitors following months of extremely dry weather.

The prolonged conditions have resulted in groundwater levels lower than normal for this time of year in the six boreholes that supply the island.

Scottish Water is monitoring the borehole levels daily and is raising awareness of the situation among residents and visitors by writing to the island's 400 households, giving advice on how to use water wisely. Businesses will be also kept informed to ensure Tiree's important visitor economy is sustained during the extremely dry weather.

Residents will receive a Save-a-Flush bag, a special device which when placed in a toilet cistern can greatly reduce the amount of water needed in the bathroom.

John Rae, Scottish Water General Manager, said: "Our priority is to ensure customers continue to receive clear, fresh drinking water at all times. The extremely low rainfall and Tiree's particularly dry and sunny microclimate mean behind the scenes we are taking action to manage supplies so our customers are not affected. This has been the driest first six months of the year since 1941."

Mr Rae added: "We constantly monitor leakage on the island and are doing a thorough sweep of the network to see if any further savings can be made."

HOW TO USE WATER WISELY

There are many small changes customers can make in their daily routine that make a real difference - simple things like taking a shower instead of a bath or installing a water butt in the garden to collect rainwater for plants. Scottish Water's website provides lots of tips on water efficiency: www.scottishwater.co.uk/savewater.

FERRY TROUBLE - June 2010

The Clansman, which usually operates on the Tiree route, has had to be withdrawn for repairs. It suffered major mechanical failure on Thursday 17 June and is likely to be in dry-dock for several weeks. Its replacement, the 'Hebridean Isles' is an older and smaller vessel and the crossing will take a little longer. The 'Isle of Mull' will be making an additional crossing on Saturday evening.
CURRENT CALMAC AMENDED TIMETABLE click here

TIREE FEIS 2010 | 11-16 July

Fèis Thiriodh 2010 will be our 20th anniversary and we hope to make it a special year. We are currently working on the programme and tutors for this year’s and will post details when we get them. As part of our anniversary celebrations, BBC Scotland's L.A.B. will be on Tiree from Monday 12 to Thursday 15 July, giving everyone, young and old alike, the chance to develop their digital media skills.
www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/lab/

The first Fèis Thiriodh was held in 1990 as a group of islanders, following in the footsteps of the Barra Fèis, sought to find a way to
re-invigorate the old ways of Tiree. Every July we promote this
week-long festival of traditional culture with classes for young and old, and evenings filled with dances, cèilidhs, lectures and walks.

To find out more visit the Fèis Thiriodh website.

WAVERLEY VISITS TIREE | 31 May

The Waverley, the last sea-going Paddle Steamer in the world, will
be visiting Tiree on Monday 31 May. There will an opportunity to experience an hour cruise up Gunna Sound on this unique steamer.
The Waverley is expected to arrive at Tiree at 2.15pm and the cruise should last one hour. www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/

TIREE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 | 24 & 25 July

Some of the biggest names from Scotland and Ireland’s traditional music scene including Sandi Thom, Skerryvore and Crooked Reel are set to rock residents on the western isles at the first ever Tiree Music Festival on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July.
www.tireemusicfestival.co.uk

Celebrating the best of celtic music, the Tiree Music Festival is a two-day open air event suitable for all ages. As well as an array of celtic music artists, the festival will include interactive workshops, a children’s ceilidh, whisky tasting, BBQs amongst many other activities and events – all of which will take place on the grounds of An Talla, Tiree’s community hall.

FLIGHTS TO TIREE

Hebridean Air Services as now operating flights to Tiree and Coll
from Oban. The same schedule is offered as the previous timetable although new flights will be added soon. For details and timetable
visit their website www.hebrideanair.com/

NEW POLICE OFFICER ARRIVES

Tiree's resident population increased by two recently with the arrival of Stephen Tanner and his partner Lorna MacArthur. Stephen is Tiree's new resident police officer and comes from Erskin. The couple are no
strangers to the island, having been here numerous times in the past on holiday and to visit Lorna's family.

NEW LOOK CO-OPERATIVE

The Co-operative Store in Scarinish has been re-fitted at a cost of £350,000. The 'new look' includes the new green corporate identity now widely used on mainland stores. The interior has been modernised and re-furbished giving a lighter and more spacious
feel. Local children will perform the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday 2 July at 10am.

CALMAC INTRODUCE NEW LOW FARES FOR TIREE

Calmac have introduced a new fare structure beginning on
Sunday 19 October. These new fares - which are a described as a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) - will be in operation as a pilot scheme for the next three years and are aimed to relate ferry fares to the cost
of travelling by road. These new fares make travelling to Tiree more affordable and the hope is that they will act as a boost to visitor numbers and the island economy generally. The new fares are
detailed below.

TO VISIT CALMAC WEBSITE click here
TO MAKE A RESERVATION WITH CALMAC click here