[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Tha aon rud cinnteach mu na bhòtairean, mun duine chumanta. Tha sinn uile ag iarraidh soilleireachadh. Tha sinn airson ’s gun teich na sgleòthean poilitigeach is gum bi fhios againn ciamar a bu chòir dhuinn bhòtadh anns an ‘Referendum’. Tha iadsan a tha a’ tagradh airson neo-eisimeileachd cinnteach gu leòr. Ma tha sinn ag iarraidh barrachd smachd do mhuinntir a’ chinn a tuath eadar ar cùisean fhìn ‘s e Alba neo-eisimeileach a bheir slàinte, sonas is beairteas.
[Art MacCormaig] Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil na Gàidheil agus daoine air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus sna h-Eileanan gu bhith nam pàirt nas motha de shluagh na h-Alba na tha iad na sluagh Bhreatainn is tha sin a’ ciallachadh a-rithist gu bheil e comasach dhuinn a bhith putadh air an riaghaltas rudan a dhèanamh dhuinne anns an sgìre seo, ach tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gur e an rud as motha an-dràsta ged a tha smachd is cumhachd aig a’ Phàrlamaid rudan a dhèanamh mu dheidhinn seo chan eil an t-airgead aca.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Aah, an eaconomaidh. An t-airgead. Cha bu choir dèanamh dheth gum faigh sinn air falbh bho ghearraidhean Westminster ‘s gun toireadh an t-ola is eile beairteas do dh’ Alba neo-eisimeileach a dh’atharraicheas an eaconomaidh is bheir e an t-airgead a tha a dhìth do riaghaltas Hollyrood airson frithealadh air a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-eileanan ann an dòigh nach urrainn dhaibh an-dràsta, ach dhan an taobh eile chan eil cinnt sam bith gun greimicheadh an acair ann am muir garbh neo-eisimeileach. Chan eil an t-airgead mòr a tha na nàiseantaich a’ faicinn air fàire ach faoinsgeul dhaibhsan.
[Ruairidh Moireach] Tha an t-airgead a tha a’ tighinn gu ruige Alba, tha sin air a riaghladh le riaghaltas na h-Alba agus tha deich air fhichead billean not aca an-dràsta tha mi a’ smaoineachadh. Dè na tha iad a’ dol a thogail a bharrachd air an sin airson cosgais sheirbheisean? A bheil ag innse sin dhuinn? Ciamar a tha iad a’ dol ga thogail agus ciamar a tha iad a’ dol ga chosg agus ‘s e ceistean mòra a tha sin a dh’ fheumas iad innse do dhaoine. Cha bhi ionmhas aca mur a bi iad a’ togail tuilleadh chìsean.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Ged a bhiodh Alba neo-eisimeileach na b’fheàrr dheth chan eil luchd an Aonaidh fiù ‘s an uair sin a’ gabhail ris gum bi a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan dualtach barrachd èisteachd fhaighinn. Ceart gu leòr a bhith a’ coimhead romhad ri saoghal brèagha is a’ faicinn na glainne letheach làn, ach dh’ fhaodadh e a bhith letheach falamh cuideachd. Nas fheàrr sgur a bhruidhinn tuilleadh mu Alba neo-eisimeileach, tha iad ag ràdh.
[Comh Dòmhnall Crichton]Dè t-eadar-dhealachadh a tha a’ dol a thachairt às dèidh ‘September’ ma bhriseas sinn air falbh bho Bhreatainn? A bheil barrachd cumhachd no barrachd guth gu bhith againn? A rèir an eisimpleir mar a th’againn an-dràsta, cha chreid mi gu bheil.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Ma tha chan eil gu dearbha Dùn Èideann a-riamh air an èisteachd a dh’ iarramaid a thoirt dhan Cheann a Tuath tha cuid de nàiseantaich ag aideachadh, ach canaidh iad ri luchd an Aonaidh na sgoltadh mionach na cùise ceart chì sibh gur e dìth neo-eisimeileachd as coireach ris an sin. Atharraichidh e le dùthaich bheag bheairteach neo-eisimeileach, na biodh iomagain oirbh.
[Comh Coinneach MacLeòid] Cnag na cùise, ’s e ionmhas agus ionmhas gu leòr ga chumail mu choinneamh nan rudan sin airson gum bi iad air an deànamh agus air an lìbhrigeadh ann an dòigh ceart. Nam bhiodh na comasan agus an cumhachd againne ann an Alba neo-eisimeileach, bhiodh na rudan sin a lìbhrigeadh, chanainn tòrr na b’ fheàrr agus bhiodh tòrr a bharrachd ionmhais ann agus tòrr a bharrachd chothroman dha coimhearsnachdan anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd sna h-eileanan.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] “Glac misneachd 's bidh thu treun”, tha na nàiseantaich a’ moladh. Ach dhan taobh eile, faodadh tu a bhith ro threun uaireannan, coltach ris an fhear-sa. Bha mi a’ togail nan dealbhan-sa o chionn seachdain air là garbh reòthte anns na Hearadh, treun ach a bheil e glic? Eil cinnt sam bith air soirbheas ged a dh’atharrachamaid gu staid neo-eisimeileach. Ach tha aonta air aon rud bho gach taobh; bhòt thu le faiceall. Dòmhnall Moireasdan, BBC An Là.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] One thing is certain about voters, about the common man. We all want enlightened. We want the political vapours to evaporate and to know how we should vote in the referendum. Those who are campaigning for independence are certain enough. If we want more control for the people in the north for our own matters, it is an independent Scotland which will bring, health, wealth and happiness.
[Art MacCormaig] I think that the Gaels and people of the Highlands and Islands will be a bigger part of the population of Scotland than they are of the population of Britain and that means again that we can push our government to do things in this area, but I think the biggest thing is just now that although there is control and power of the parliament to do things there is not the money.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] Ah, the economy. The money. We should not make out that we will get away from Westminster cuts and that the oil and other riches for an independent Scotland will change the economy and the money that is needed will go to the Hollyrood government to serve the Highlands and Islands in a way that they cannot just now, but to the other side there is no certainty that the anchor with take hold in an uncertain sea of independence. The big money that the nationalists see on the horizon is only a legend to them.
[Roddy Murray] The money that comes to Scotland, that is controlled by the Scottish government and they have £30 billion just now, I think. What more are they going to raise for service costs? Do they tell us that? How are they going to raise it and how are they going to spend it and it is that type of thing that they have to tell people. They will not have the finance f they do not raise taxes.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] Although an independent Scotland would be better off the pro-unionists do not agree that the Highlands and Islands would get more attention. It’s all very well looking ahead at a bright world and seeing a half full glass, but it could also be half empty. It’s better to stop talking about an independent Scotland, they say.
[Cllr Donald Crichton] What is the difference that is going to happen after September if we break away from Britain? Are we going to have more power or a voice? According to the answer we have just now, I don’t think we will.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] If there is, certainly Edinburgh has asked the opinion to the north, many Nationalists agree, but they would say to the pro-unionists if you get right down to the heart of the matter is it because a lack of independence is at fault. It will change with a rich little independent country, do not worry.
[Cllr Kenneth MacLeod] The heart of the matter is finance and plenty of finance is kept around those things so that they will be done and presented correctly. If we had the skills and the power in an independent Scotland, those things would be explained, I would say a lot better and there would be a lot more funding and plenty of opportunities for communities in the Highlands and Islands.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] “Catch the confidence and you’ll be strong” , the nationalists suggest. But on the other side, you can be too strong at times, just like this one. I was taking these pictures about a week ago on a tough freezing day in Harris, strong, but is he wise? Is there any certainty of success if we change to an independent state? There is one agreement; vote with care. Donald Morrison, BBC An Là.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Tha aon rud cinnteach mu na bhòtairean, mun duine chumanta. Tha sinn uile ag iarraidh soilleireachadh. Tha sinn airson ’s gun teich na sgleòthean poilitigeach is gum bi fhios againn ciamar a bu chòir dhuinn bhòtadh anns an ‘Referendum’. Tha iadsan a tha a’ tagradh airson neo-eisimeileachd cinnteach gu leòr. Ma tha sinn ag iarraidh barrachd smachd do mhuinntir a’ chinn a tuath eadar ar cùisean fhìn ‘s e Alba neo-eisimeileach a bheir slàinte, sonas is beairteas.
[Art MacCormaig] Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gu bheil na Gàidheil agus daoine air a’ Ghàidhealtachd agus sna h-Eileanan gu bhith nam pàirt nas motha de shluagh na h-Alba na tha iad na sluagh Bhreatainn is tha sin a’ ciallachadh a-rithist gu bheil e comasach dhuinn a bhith putadh air an riaghaltas rudan a dhèanamh dhuinne anns an sgìre seo, ach tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gur e an rud as motha an-dràsta ged a tha smachd is cumhachd aig a’ Phàrlamaid rudan a dhèanamh mu dheidhinn seo chan eil an t-airgead aca.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Aah, an eaconomaidh. An t-airgead. Cha bu choir dèanamh dheth gum faigh sinn air falbh bho ghearraidhean Westminster ‘s gun toireadh an t-ola is eile beairteas do dh’ Alba neo-eisimeileach a dh’atharraicheas an eaconomaidh is bheir e an t-airgead a tha a dhìth do riaghaltas Hollyrood airson frithealadh air a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-eileanan ann an dòigh nach urrainn dhaibh an-dràsta, ach dhan an taobh eile chan eil cinnt sam bith gun greimicheadh an acair ann am muir garbh neo-eisimeileach. Chan eil an t-airgead mòr a tha na nàiseantaich a’ faicinn air fàire ach faoinsgeul dhaibhsan.
[Ruairidh Moireach] Tha an t-airgead a tha a’ tighinn gu ruige Alba, tha sin air a riaghladh le riaghaltas na h-Alba agus tha deich air fhichead billean not aca an-dràsta tha mi a’ smaoineachadh. Dè na tha iad a’ dol a thogail a bharrachd air an sin airson cosgais sheirbheisean? A bheil ag innse sin dhuinn? Ciamar a tha iad a’ dol ga thogail agus ciamar a tha iad a’ dol ga chosg agus ‘s e ceistean mòra a tha sin a dh’ fheumas iad innse do dhaoine. Cha bhi ionmhas aca mur a bi iad a’ togail tuilleadh chìsean.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Ged a bhiodh Alba neo-eisimeileach na b’fheàrr dheth chan eil luchd an Aonaidh fiù ‘s an uair sin a’ gabhail ris gum bi a’ Ghàidhealtachd is na h-Eileanan dualtach barrachd èisteachd fhaighinn. Ceart gu leòr a bhith a’ coimhead romhad ri saoghal brèagha is a’ faicinn na glainne letheach làn, ach dh’ fhaodadh e a bhith letheach falamh cuideachd. Nas fheàrr sgur a bhruidhinn tuilleadh mu Alba neo-eisimeileach, tha iad ag ràdh.
[Comh Dòmhnall Crichton]Dè t-eadar-dhealachadh a tha a’ dol a thachairt às dèidh ‘September’ ma bhriseas sinn air falbh bho Bhreatainn? A bheil barrachd cumhachd no barrachd guth gu bhith againn? A rèir an eisimpleir mar a th’againn an-dràsta, cha chreid mi gu bheil.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] Ma tha chan eil gu dearbha Dùn Èideann a-riamh air an èisteachd a dh’ iarramaid a thoirt dhan Cheann a Tuath tha cuid de nàiseantaich ag aideachadh, ach canaidh iad ri luchd an Aonaidh na sgoltadh mionach na cùise ceart chì sibh gur e dìth neo-eisimeileachd as coireach ris an sin. Atharraichidh e le dùthaich bheag bheairteach neo-eisimeileach, na biodh iomagain oirbh.
[Comh Coinneach MacLeòid] Cnag na cùise, ’s e ionmhas agus ionmhas gu leòr ga chumail mu choinneamh nan rudan sin airson gum bi iad air an deànamh agus air an lìbhrigeadh ann an dòigh ceart. Nam bhiodh na comasan agus an cumhachd againne ann an Alba neo-eisimeileach, bhiodh na rudan sin a lìbhrigeadh, chanainn tòrr na b’ fheàrr agus bhiodh tòrr a bharrachd ionmhais ann agus tòrr a bharrachd chothroman dha coimhearsnachdan anns a’ Ghàidhealtachd sna h-eileanan.
[Dòmhnall Moireasdan – Neach-aithris] “Glac misneachd 's bidh thu treun”, tha na nàiseantaich a’ moladh. Ach dhan taobh eile, faodadh tu a bhith ro threun uaireannan, coltach ris an fhear-sa. Bha mi a’ togail nan dealbhan-sa o chionn seachdain air là garbh reòthte anns na Hearadh, treun ach a bheil e glic? Eil cinnt sam bith air soirbheas ged a dh’atharrachamaid gu staid neo-eisimeileach. Ach tha aonta air aon rud bho gach taobh; bhòt thu le faiceall. Dòmhnall Moireasdan, BBC An Là.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] One thing is certain about voters, about the common man. We all want enlightened. We want the political vapours to evaporate and to know how we should vote in the referendum. Those who are campaigning for independence are certain enough. If we want more control for the people in the north for our own matters, it is an independent Scotland which will bring, health, wealth and happiness.
[Art MacCormaig] I think that the Gaels and people of the Highlands and Islands will be a bigger part of the population of Scotland than they are of the population of Britain and that means again that we can push our government to do things in this area, but I think the biggest thing is just now that although there is control and power of the parliament to do things there is not the money.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] Ah, the economy. The money. We should not make out that we will get away from Westminster cuts and that the oil and other riches for an independent Scotland will change the economy and the money that is needed will go to the Hollyrood government to serve the Highlands and Islands in a way that they cannot just now, but to the other side there is no certainty that the anchor with take hold in an uncertain sea of independence. The big money that the nationalists see on the horizon is only a legend to them.
[Roddy Murray] The money that comes to Scotland, that is controlled by the Scottish government and they have £30 billion just now, I think. What more are they going to raise for service costs? Do they tell us that? How are they going to raise it and how are they going to spend it and it is that type of thing that they have to tell people. They will not have the finance f they do not raise taxes.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] Although an independent Scotland would be better off the pro-unionists do not agree that the Highlands and Islands would get more attention. It’s all very well looking ahead at a bright world and seeing a half full glass, but it could also be half empty. It’s better to stop talking about an independent Scotland, they say.
[Cllr Donald Crichton] What is the difference that is going to happen after September if we break away from Britain? Are we going to have more power or a voice? According to the answer we have just now, I don’t think we will.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] If there is, certainly Edinburgh has asked the opinion to the north, many Nationalists agree, but they would say to the pro-unionists if you get right down to the heart of the matter is it because a lack of independence is at fault. It will change with a rich little independent country, do not worry.
[Cllr Kenneth MacLeod] The heart of the matter is finance and plenty of finance is kept around those things so that they will be done and presented correctly. If we had the skills and the power in an independent Scotland, those things would be explained, I would say a lot better and there would be a lot more funding and plenty of opportunities for communities in the Highlands and Islands.
[Donald Morrison – Reporter] “Catch the confidence and you’ll be strong” , the nationalists suggest. But on the other side, you can be too strong at times, just like this one. I was taking these pictures about a week ago on a tough freezing day in Harris, strong, but is he wise? Is there any certainty of success if we change to an independent state? There is one agreement; vote with care. Donald Morrison, BBC An Là.