Speeches at the event were given by Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Angus Campbell, former Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Donald Martin, former Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles. Cllr Kenny Macleod, Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar took on the role of Master of Ceremonies.
Notably present at the event were four Conveners of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Alexander Matheson, Alex Macdonald, Norman Macdonald and Kenny Macleod) three Leaders of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Angus Campbell, Roddie Mackay and Paul Steele) and three Chief Executives of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Roy Maciver, Bill Howat and Malcolm Burr).
The event also served as the official launch of the Comhairle’s 50th anniversary publication “50 Years of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar”.
The book is now available for sale to the public at Museum nan Eilean (Stornoway) and the reception of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Sandwick Road Offices. The book will also be available for sale in other outlets across the Western Isles over the course of the next couple of weeks.
In his speech Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said:
“For those of my generation it is easy to take for granted the fact that we live on a chain of islands with its own Local Authority and the accountability of local elected representatives. It is all my generation have known but many in this room bore witness to genuine transformational change. It is therefore important that we all look back and understand the massive achievements of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar since 1975 and the huge improvements made for individuals living in our islands over that time.”
A gallery of excellent photos taken by Esther Chlad Photography can be viewed by visiting the Comhairle at 50 photo gallery.