OUTER Hebrides islanders have scooped a whopping £3.4 million in the Postcode Lottery since 2020.
A winning postcode on the island of Benbecula scooped 15 residents at least £1000 each earlier this month.
Twelve people won £1000 in Aird, a settlement on the southeast outskirts of the town of Balivanich, while another three doubled their win to £2000. One winner netted £3000 thanks to playing with three tickets.
The island is made up of only 58 postcodes with a population of around 1300 people.
It’s not the first time Outer Hebridean locals have celebrated large cash wins as a £3m lottery jackpot landed in North Uist and Berneray in February 2020.
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The island community hit the jackpot in the Postcode Millions draw, with two neighbours winning £193,055 each.
Ninety-nine other residents received cheques ranging from £21,425 to £64,275.
Pamela Macaskill, 46, juggled three jobs in a post office, holiday home and art gallery when she scooped £193,055 and became the island’s joint biggest winner.
The couple, both born and bred on North Uist, appeared on the Channel 4 documentary The Scottish Island that Won the Lottery.
As seen on the show, they struggle with the happy dilemma of how to make a dent in their surprise fortune.
“We are not materialistic,” said Macaskill.
“If you have never had much money there is a massive reluctance, on my part, to spend it.
Moving to a swanky mainland place is out of the question for them.
She added: “I’ve got nothing but good memories growing up here.
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“Everyone knows everyone and if something really good happens, or really bad happens, people will celebrate with you or pick you up again. Honestly, it’s phenomenal.”
Customer services supervisor Nataliya Nedkova received a knock on the door in February 2022 after netting £30,000.
Shortly after winning she said: “It’s just massive and quite surreal, the whole experience has been amazing since the lottery knocked on my door.”
Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson said: “Congratulations to the 15 Benbecula neighbours each bagging a lovely cash sum.
“I fondly remember visiting the Outer Hebrides and having the pleasure surprising winners in North Uist, Berneray and most recently a trip to Stornoway last year.”
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