ISLAY is welcoming National editor Callum Baird, Paul Kavanagh and the Wee Ginger Dug to the island next week for a National Roadshow.
The Roadshow will take place at the Show Field at Bridgend on the island on August 9. It coincides with the 172nd Islay Show which celebrates agriculture within the islands of Islay, Jura and Colonsay.
Jenni Minto, Islay’s SNP branch convener and one of the Roadshow’s organisers said: “When The National first promoted the roadshow we felt it was important it comes to Islay to underline independence support across Scotland.”
The majority of the island’s 3000-strong population is expected to attend the Islay Show, which will feature talks with MSP Mike Russell, SNP councillor Anne Horn and MP Joanna Cherry, who is spending her summer holiday on the island.
Russell and Horn will host a talk discussing local issues, which Minto says “is useful in giving people an insight into the challenges the island faces”. Russell and Cherry will talk about Brexit and constitutional affairs.
The 172nd annual Islay Show includes a Dog Show, which Minto described as “one of the toughest competitions on the island”.
Sadly for the Wee Ginger Dug, there is no prize available for immigrant Spanish mongrels but Minto said she hopes he will be given a tartan ribbon.
Minto believes the Roadshow “ really does have something for everyone” with local charities and tourist and agriculture organisations attending the event and promoting what they do.
She spoke of the importance of having independence events in the highlands and islands. “Those of us on Islay know and want to highlight what is great about the island,” she said.
“As soon as we heard about The National roadshow we wanted the paper to come to Islay. It will boost The National’s circulation as the only newspaper supporting Scottish independence.”
Minto also discussed how events like this are crucial in supporting Scotland the Brand. She continued: “People say Islay and whisky in the same breath but we want to show that there is more to the island than whisky and the roadshow will highlight what it has to offer the Scottish food and drink industry.
“This will also support what The National is trying to do in supporting the brand of Scotland’s food and drink.”
“We want the roadshow to demonstrate that independence is an issue which is far-reaching in Scotland, and make sure the cause is not just represented in the central belt.”
The National Roadshows have been going on for 18 months. The Roadshow will next go to the East Neuk of Fife on October 3, then Bannockburn on October 9.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here