Dè tha dol | Monthly round up - June 2026

torcuilcrichtonmp
2 hours ago
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Welcome to my monthly round up of my work both in parliament and in the constituency of Na h-Eileanan an Iar.

IN THE CONSTITUENCY:

Haemochromatosis Events in Uist & Barra

June kicked off with a series of community information events on the Viking Genes project - a lifesaving genetic screening programme run by Professor Jim Flett Wilson of Edinburgh University.

TThe Viking Genes 'Hebrides Study' is highlighting the high prevalence of hereditary haemochromatosis in the Western Isles, a devastating disease that can poison the organs, causing liver cancer, cirrhosis and arthritis.

Haemochromatosis is just one of a number of ‘Celtic Curse’ conditions that can be traced to our Hebridean genes, all of which can have serious health consequences.

As a sufferer of haemochromatosis, this is a project close to my own heart. I was fortunate enough to be diagnosed early, and with regular treatment, have remained in good health. Others may not be so lucky.

Professor Jim Flett Wilson will be returning to present to the Western Isles Health Board later this year.

More information about the Viking Genes Hebrides Study is available on the University of Edinburgh website: Hebrides Community Screening Project | VIKING Genes | Viking Genes

Back the Men of Ness in Guga Harvest

I pledged my support to the men of Ness and denounced the attention-seeking campaign attempting to put a stop to this long-held tradition.

The guga harvest is an essential part of the history, culture and identity of Ness. It is conducted with due reverence to sustainability and importantly to what it means to the continuation of the living tradition of the islands.

The human population of these islands have lived in harmony with the environment for centuries. We don’t need campaigners with a saviour-complex to tell us what is good for us.

Read my full press release here.

Called on Scottish Government to look at health crises in Uist

Following surgeries in Uist where health concerns and poor experiences of patient travel were raised time and time again, I wrote to the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health & Care Angela Constance. I invite her and senior officials to come to Uist to see first hand the scale of the problem in the islands.

I also raised this at a meeting with Western Isles NHS Chief Executive Gordon Jamieson asking for more to be delivered locally and for better patient travel provision.

Uist visits

St Valery Commemoration

I was honoured to have been invited to the St Valery memorial parade by Western Isles Company, 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadet Force at Griminish, Benbecula. A fitting ceremony with promotion presentations afterwards.

The 51st Highland Division fought the rearguard at St Valery to enable the retreat from Dunkirk in June 1940. Surrounded by Rommel’s tanks the British troops surrendered on June 12th and were sent on the long march to be imprisoned in Poland for the next five years.

Mowi Uist Fishfarm Base

I was delighted to visit Mowi's site in Stulaigh in South Uist.

Apprentices Amelia, Alistair and Nicola have been taken on to follow the salmon from smolts to sales and to develop careers in aquaculture. There are 23 people employed at the

Mowi site and many more across the islands chain, according to Duncan MacQuarrie, the area manager.

The Uist operation is expanding from 10,000 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes, (thanks to Labour trade deals with EU, India and the USA). Ruairidh MacQuarrie, farm manager, said the big challenges are seal predation and the rising water temperatures.

Balranald RSPB Reserve

I had great fun with Shona MacLellan at the RSPB Balranald Reserve at Hogha Gearraidh.

We followed the Glasgow School of Art soundscape tour around the machair.

The reserve, a centre for corncrake recovery programme, is a win-win for crofters and conservationists. The light-touch agricultural practices with the co-operation of estate owners and the RSPB have helped make the place a mecca for birdwatchers and makes a significant contribution to island tourism.

IN PARLIAMENT:

Met with Loganair to discuss fare costs and route cuts

I met with Loganair in the Commons this month where I expressed my disappointment and frustration about the expected reduction in service between Inverness and Stornoway. At the meeting I urged the company to work with the UK and Scottish governments to protect our essential routes.

Following the meeting, I raised in parliament my concerns about the route cuts and the soaring cost of fares.

I remain determined that any potential Public Service Obligation designation extends to include the Benbecula link with Stornoway and Inverness.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/f7d0fc_c3f86d388b47437981ec99e1e37973bc/480p/mp4/file.mp4

My contribution in the Commons on high flight fares and route reductions.

Attended and contributed to debate on North Sea Oil & Gas

I took part in a Westminster Hall debate on oil and gas. I highlighted the importance of the North Sea on our island communities and emphasised the importance of not abandoning the sector with the consequences that would have on local and national resilience.

We must have a just and sustainable transition to renewables supporting Scottish skills and jobs.

Click here for full debate contribution.

Release of Energy Security & Net Zero Committee Report on Community Energy

The commons energy committee that I sit on released a powerful report this month which backed my calls for local communities to have a much bigger role in the transition to renewable

energy.

Amongst the recommendations, community-owned windfarms should be given priority connection to the grid and that communities are given a 20% stake in any developments in their locality.

Dè tha dol | Monthly round up - June 2026

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