Eriskay Home Page

Western Isles Map

Eriskay - Iomairt aig an Oir
(Initiative at the Edge)

More details about the project are available at

http://www.initiative-at-the-edge.org.uk

The Eriskay development officer is

Seonag Campbell

Telephone: 01878 720717
email: seonagcampbell@eliomairt.idps.co.uk

Eriskay - Iomairt aig an Oir
(Initiative at the Edge)

Tourism was seen by 85 per cent as something which should be encouraged and by 76 per cent most as becoming more important in the future. A cultural tourism initiative for the area, under the Failte (Welcome) banner, is being devised for April-October 2001.

Sixty per cent of respondents thought that the community was the most important thing to them, with 23 per cent saying the environment a number said they were of equal importance.

Eriskay - Iomairt aig an Oir
(Initiative at the Edge)

Around 20 per cent of the Island's houses are second homes while around 25 per cent of those surveyed were found to have moved from Eriskay in the past five years, 71 per cent to find work and rest for educational reasons.

Overall 65 per cent of those who responded (around 60 per cent of the total) were born in Eriskay. Most of those working away said they would return if work was available.

Fishing is the most common local skill with tourism-related activity being the second most influential sector.

Eriskay - Iomairt aig an Oir
(Initiative at the Edge)

A community appraisal was conducted which gave everyone on Eriskay and some Islanders living on the mainland a chance to give views on every aspect of Island life. The appraisal report gives an insight into the social make-up of the Island.

The population has disproportionately more older people than the average for the Western Isles with 32 per cent over 60.

Under-16's make up 20 per cent of the population, similar to the rest of the Islands, so it is the number of people of working age that is particularly low.

Eriskay - Iomairt aig an Oir
(Initiative at the Edge)

Eriskay along with neighbouring Lochboisdale is one of the four areas on the Western Isles which is covered by the Initiative at the Edge/Iomairt aig an Oir project.

This is a development programme which aims to help some of Scotland's most distant and fragile communities. It was launched by Mr Brian Wilson, now a minister at the Scotland Office who has a home in Uig on Lewis, in 1997 and is intended to bring the full range of development agencies closer to the communities they serve.

A range of projects are being pursued under the Iomairt aig an Oir/Initiative at the Edge scheme for Eriskay.

Eriskay - Iomairt aig an Oir
(Initiative at the Edge)

There was strong backing for the Eriskay Pony Heritage Centre proposed by Coman Each nan Eilean/Eriskay Pony Society.

Wide support was shown for developments at the harbour of Acarsaid Mhor, both in terms of pier and mooring improvements and in provision of industrial units.

There is a plan to convert the former Island Stores on Eriskay into the base for an archive collection which would be brought together by landowner South Uist Estates.