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Diardaoin, 16/Dec/2010
Mixed Islay News and Links
There's a rumour on the internet today that the the bookmark service I'm using, delicious (also known as del.icio.us), is going to be closed by their owners Yahoo. As this is the service where I store many of the links to Islay news and other topics I find interesting, I thought it's a good time to mention some of them before they disappear (assuming the rumour turns out to be true).
To start with some sad and worrying news, as the Machrie Hotel seems to be in trouble and according to the Islay Golf Club website has gone into administration. Quite a bit of discussion about the topic on The Machrie In Trouble? on Geoff Shackelford's blog. Fingers crossed a solution can be found!
I'm not sure yet what the implications will be for Islay, but there is Anger as Clyde coastguard centre faces the axe (The Clyde coastguard service covers Mull of Galloway to Ardnamurchan Point, including the islands of Jura, Gigha, Islay, Arran, Coll, Tiree, Mull, Bute and Cumbrae).
Moving on to more positive news: Islay High School received a mention in Schools in Highlands outperform rest of country in the Press & Journal:
Islay High School in Bowmore was one of the best performers in the Argyll and Bute Council area. The percentage of sixth-year pupils gaining more than three higher qualifications rose from 15 to 41 in the past year and those achieving more than five highers rose from 4% to 17%.
Fortune Brands, the parent company of Islay's Laphroaig distillery has announced plans to split into three businesses, one of them Premium Spirits. While there are rumours of a take over of the drink business I doubt that we will see Laphroaig in Diageo's or LVMH's hands, keeping in mind the distilleries they already own.
Not directly Islay news, yet very important for Islay: Graham Wins Scottish Pier Contract. The pier in question is Kennacraig, obviously the mainland terminal for the Islay ferries.
Islay residents are pretty much used to extortionate delivery surcharges, in Highlands and Islands in uproar at Prince Charles' delivery bill for goods it is pointed out how ridiculous some of the charges are when ordering a bottle of the Highgrove Laphroaig bottling (which I mentioned here unaware of the surcharge).
To finish a good bye (kind of, as she of course won't disappear from Islay): Ella Retires All the best, Ella!
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