News Naidheachdan

[Innes Rothach – Preseantair] Bha sealladh ri fhaicinn ann an Loch Baghasdail an-diugh agus soitheach mòr turasachd a’ cur a-steach airson a' chiad uair bhon a dh'fhosgail caladh ùr a’ bhaile. Ghabh a' mhòr-chuid de na 400 neach-siubhail a bh' air bòrd an cothrom a dhol air tìr agus cuairt a ghabhail timcheall Uibhist - a' toirt togail do ghnìomhachasan turasachd aig deireadh an t-seusain. Tha an aithris seo aig Shona NicDhòmhnaill.

[Shona NicDhòmhnaill – Neach-aithris] Bha a’ ghaoth a’ sèideadh gu math làidir tràth sa mhadainn. Ach a dh’ aindeoin sin, thàinig air an Saga Peal II ceangal aig acaire far chladach Uibhist a Deas, a’ chiad bhàta luchd-turais a th’ air a chur air dòigh airson tadhal air an eilean bho chaidh an caladh ùr aig Loch Baghasdail fhosgladh.

[Dòmhnall Eàirdsidh MacMhuirich] Chan eil ann ach dìreach beagan làithean bho fhuair sinn cead airson na bàtaichean seo a thoirt a-staigh. So à seo a-mach bidh sinn a’ dol air adhart. Bidh e fàs nas fheàrr fad an t-siubhail, bidh iad a’ fàs nas trainge chanainn.

[Shona NicDhòmhnaill – Neach-aithris] Tha 450 duine air an t-soitheach agus chaidh na bha airson a dhol air tìr a ghiùlain chun a’ chala ann an eathraichean beaga. Cha do chuir an aimsir bacadh sam bith orra.

[Raibeart Lovie] We’ve got pretty adventurous passengers and they love a challenge and things so where some cruises might come along and think, no it’s a bit choppy, it’s our cruise it’s the National Trust for Scotland cruise and they love that adventure and that bit of excitement. So our captain and the officers today do everything they possibly can to get us off and we’re here and it’s great.

[Shona NicDhòmhnaill – Neach-aithris] Dh’ fhalbh iad an uair sin air cuairtean air feadh nan eileanan bho Bheàrnaraigh gu Èirisgeigh, a’ tadhal air làraichean eachdraidheil, taighean-bidhe agus goireasan luchd-turais.

[Tomaidh Dòmhnallach] Tha feadhainn ann is tha ùidh mhòr aca ann, a rèir nan ceistean a tha iad a’ faighneachd. Tha iad gu math fiosrachail mu chuid a ghnothaichean ’s tha iad airson barrachd fhaighinn a-mach. ‘S tha feadhainn ag innse dhomh an-dràsta gun do dh’ ionnsaich iad tuilleadh mu dheidhinn an eilein ged a bha iad an seo uaireigin roimhe so tha sin math.

[Eilidh NicThòmais] I’ve never been on the outer islands before, although I’ve seen lots of pictures. But there’s nothing like standing on the place that you’ve seen the pictures of so yes I wanted to see what it was like.

[Shona NicDhòmhnaill – Neach-aithris] Gun iad sgìth de sheòladh, ghabh cuid cuairt mu na cladaichean ann an eathair-luath fosgailte.

[Raibeart Lovie] I’ve seen us going to some of the big ports and things and they don’t have facilities as good as what we’re seeing in Uist today so it’s amazing to get here and see this wonderful set up. And we’ve had the most wonderful welcome this morning so we’ll definitely be back.

[Shona NicDhòmhnaill – Neach-aithris] Leis a h-uile duine air ais air bòrd, ’s e Hiort an ath phort air an tadhal iad. Shona NicDhòmhnaill, BBC An Là, ann an Loch Baghasdail.

[Innes Munro – Presenter] There was a sight to behold in Lochboisdale today as a large cruise ship was taken into the new port in the town for the first time since it was opened. Most of the 400 passengers on board took the opportunity to go on to land and take a trip around Uist – giving a boost to the tourist industries at the end of the season. Shona MacDonald has this report.

[Shona MacDonald – Reporter] There were quite strong winds early this morning. But despite that, the Saga Pearl II came into anchor off the shore of North Uist, the first organised cruise ship to visit the island since the new port at Lochboisdale opened.

[Donald Archie Currie] It was only a few days ago we received permission to have these boats come in. So from here on out we’ll be moving forward. It will continue to improve and things will get busier I reckon.

[Shona MacDonald – Reporter] There are 450 on board the vessel and those who wished to come on to land were taken to the port in small boats. The weather didn’t hold them back one bit.

[Robert Lovie] We’ve got pretty adventurous passengers and they love a challenge and things so where some cruises might come along and think, no it’s a bit choppy, it’s our cruise it’s the National Trust for Scotland cruise and they love that adventure and that bit of excitement. So our captain and the officers today do everything they possibly can to get us off and we’re here and it’s great.

[Shona MacDonald – Reporter] They then went on trips across the islands, from Berneray to Eriskay, visiting historic sites, restaurants and tourist facilities.

[Tommy MacDonald] There are some who are very interested in it, according to the questions that they ask. They are very knowledgeable about some things and they want to find out more. And some informed me there that they have learnt more about the island although they had already been, so that’s good.

[Helen Thomas] I’ve never been on the outer islands before, although I’ve seen lots of pictures. But there’s nothing like standing on the place that you’ve seen the pictures of so yes I wanted to see what it was like.

[Shona MacDonald – Reporter] Not tiring of sailing, some took a trip around the shores in an open top speed boat.

[Robert Lovie] I’ve seen us going to some of the big ports and things and they don’t have facilities as good as what we’re seeing in Uist today so it’s amazing to get here and see this wonderful set up. And we’ve had the most wonderful welcome this morning so we’ll definitely be back.

[Shona MacDonald – Reporter] With everyone back on board, St Kilda is the next port they’ll visit. Shona MacDonald, BBC An Là, in Lochboisdale.