Isle of Barra - 2008 Winner for Scotland and the UK

Isle of Barra wins Calor Village of the Year 2008

Islanders on the Isle of Barra have been celebrating since the remote community was crowned the Calor UK Village of the Year 2008 in London at the beginning of December 2008.

The island community scooped the overall UK and Scottish competition titles at a prestigious awards ceremony at London’s Guildhall.

“This is a massive achievement for the Western Isles community,” said Calor Village of the Year Manager Suzanne Weir.

“Barra has beaten hundreds of rural communities from the length and breadth of the UK to be crowned the first ever Calor UK Village of the Year 2008. The community is an excellent example of how to make the most out of rural living.”

The Isle of Barra secured the Calor Scottish Island Community of the Year 2008 title in September, by impressing judges with its wide variety of community activities, how it works to protect and enhance its environment and the efforts made to include people of all ages in its activities. 

The islanders also demonstrated how they are constantly striving towards ensuring Barra’s own sustainability by growing their own vegetables for local consumption and installing a community owned 900kW wind turbine. 

“The standard of entries throughout the UK was very high, with communities displaying huge acts of community spirit," said Suzanne Weir, who accompanied the judges to the island during the judging process.

"What made it for Barra was how the population work together to address the challenges of living in such an isolated location, the wide range of community projects being undertaken and the genuine desire to work as a team to create the best working, living and social environment possible.

"I feel genuinely privileged to have had the opportunity to visit Barra. The island has a great atmosphere and the community made our time on the island very enjoyable – we didn’t want to leave! I’m in no doubt the islanders will celebrate their successes tonight – well done to them, it’s a great achievement.”

As the winners of the Scottish competition Barra received a total £4,000 of prize money to invest in the community and as the UK winner they will receive a one-off commissioned mosaic piece of artwork for their community by Plymouth-based artist, Sarah McCormack.

Gerard MacDonald, representative for Isle of Barra commented: “Words can’t really describe how delighted we are to have won such a significant competition. This is a massive achievement, and it is so nice to be chosen in first place.

"We are proud to belong to the UK Calor Village of the Year 2008! The Isle of Barra is a beautiful place, with brilliant people – this competition has put us on the tourism ‘map’ and we look forward to welcoming anyone who wants to come and experience a slice of island life in the best community in the UK.”

The Calor Village of the Year Awards are organised by gas supplier Calor, with the competition in Scotland receiving support from Rural Gateway and the Association of Scottish Community Councils (ASCC).

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Photo 1, Isle of Barra representatives collecting the UK award - Gerard MacDonald (centre left) and Eoin MacNeil (centre right), community members from the Isle of Barra, receive the UK Village of the Year Award from BBC Breakfast News presenter Bill Turnbull (far left) and Alex Davis, MD for Calor (far right) at the Awards Ceremony in London.

Photo 2, Community members collecting the award on behalf of the Isle of Barra - Gerard MacDonald (left) and Eoin MacNeil (right), community members from the Isle of Barra pose along with Angus Brendan MacNeil, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar at the Calor Awards Ceremony in London.