Iomairt Nis - Serving the community of Ness in the Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Located at the northern tip of the Western Isles of Scotland, the district of Ness is the most north-westerly community in the European Union (EU).  The current population  – which encompasses 15 small villages that lie along the coastal plain, or ‘machair’ – is approximately 1,300 people.  Ness is one of the foremost rural areas of Scotland where Gaelic is still in its most vibrant living form, being spoken by a large majority of the population in daily life.    

Suidhichte aig fìor cheann a tuath Eileanan Siar na h-Alba, ’s e sgìre Nis a’ choimhearsnachd as fhaide chun an iar-thuath san Aonadh Eòrpach.  Tha àireamh-sluaigh na sgìre aig an àm seo - a’ gabhail a-steach 15 bailtean beaga nan laighe ris a’ mhachair – mu 1,300 duine.  ’S e Nis aon de na prìomh sgìrean dùthchail an Alba anns a bheil a’ Ghàidhlig fhathast air a cumail beò leis a’ mhòr-shluagh, ’s i aca mar an cainnt nàdarra làitheil.

The area, which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and seascapes in the UK, was a major exporter of whitefish during the 19^th century. The early 20^th century saw a rapid decline in this industry as export markets contracted.  Traditional industries on the islands have typically included: seafaring, fishing, weaving (Harris Tweed), construction, the oil industry, and of course, crofting (a distinct form of small-scale tenant farming).  More recently, public and service sector employment has become increasingly important to the local economy.  It is hoped that the Western Isles will continue to benefit from, and take advantage of expanding Information and communications technologies.  Investment in broadband connectivity within the islands should soon offer new and exciting opportunities for rural areas such as Ness.

Bha an sgìre, le tràighean is seallaidhean-mara cho brèagha ’s a chithear san RA, a’ cur mòran den iasg gheal a-null thairis san 19mh linn.  Aig toiseach na 20mh linn chaidh an gnìomhachas seo sìos gu grad le lùghdachadh a’ mhargaid às-bhathair.  B’ e gnìomhachasan traidiseanta nan eilean:  an t-seòladaireachd, iasgach, fighe a’ Chlò Mhòir, togail, obair na h-ola, agus a’ chroitearachd àbhaisteach (seòrsa de thuathanasan-màil beaga).  An-diugh, tha obair sna h-earrannan poblach is seirbheis air sìor fhàs cudromach don eaconomaidh ionadail.  Thathar an dòchas gun lean na h-Eileanan Siar a’ cleachdadh agus a’ buannachd bho leudachadh teicneolas fiosrachaidh is conaltraidh.  Bu chòir gun toireadh tasgadh ann an craol-lìon farsaing sna h-eileanan cothroman ùra inntinneach do sgìrean dùthchail leithid Nis.

Newly discovered North Sea oil reserves, together with substantial investments in wind power generation in the islands, will help stimulate much-needed employment.  This, together with the recent announcement that the Department of Work and Pensions is to decentralise 50-100 jobs from London to the Western Isles by 2005, offers cause for genuine optimism about the future.  We believe that Iomairt Nis can play a key part in taking advantage of these and other opportunities in order to assist our community in improving its social, economic and cultural welfare.

Cuidichidh stòrais ùra ola sa Chuan a Tuath, còmhla ri mòran seilbh ann an cruthachadh cumhachd-gaoithe sna h-eileanan, a’ toirt barrachd obrach air a bheil cruaidh fheum.  Tha seo, còmhla ris an naidheachd gu bheil Roinn na h-Obrach ’s nam Peinnsean a’ dol a ghluasad 50-100 obraichean bho Lunnainn gu na h-Eileanan Siar ro 2005, a’ toirt fìor dhòchas airson nan làithean ri teachd.  Tha sinn den bheachd gu bheil Iomairt Nis comasach air deagh fheum a dhèanamh de chothroman sam bith mar sin gus cuideachadh le leasachadh sòisealta, eaconomach is cultarach ar sgìre.

As a community development organisation, Iomairt Nis Ltd offers assistance and support, where possible, to any public or private interest or agency that aims to further social or economic improvement within the district of Ness. Currently funded by a combination of The Community Fund and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s PEDS scheme, the emphasis of the company is very much upon community capacity building and enabling individuals to acquire new skills that will be useful to themselves and to their communities.