Following is a short overview of Islay news published in the Ileach Newspaper and from various other sources.

Weather: Islay also received some of the snow which caused big problems in Scotland and the high winds of the last week also caused plane and ferry disruptions and delays. Lightning struck on the Bowmore Round Church during a heavy thunder storm on the 31st of January damaging the electrical circuits. Church services will now be held in the Bowmore Baptist Church.

Whisky & Distilleries: Fortune Brands, the US owner of malt whiskies Laphroaig, Dalmore and Ardmore and Teacher's blended whisky along with Jim Beam bourbon, yesterday delivered a record figure for fourth- quarter sales. Also expected is a rise in the prices for Malt whisky according to the Malt Advocate Magazine. The Bruichladdich Blog reports that the first distillation of the year took place on January 28 after finishing the annual maintenance and repairs programme. In the meanwhile Armin writes that Mark Reynier's interview for the BBC4 is also available online.

Islay Lifeboat: Members of the Islay lifeboat crew, along with representatives of the local coastguard service, took part in a cliff rescue exercise at the ?Big Turn?, a precipitous drop to shoreline between Ardnahoe and Bunnahabhainn. Port Ellen coastguard Harold Hastie abseiled down the cliff face to assist the ?casualty? who received first aid from and was eventually ?rescued? by the lifeboat personnel.

Post Offices: It appears that Islay has escaped the latest round of Post Office closures. Argyll and Bute Council have however expressed their: ?disappointment this week at Post Office Ltd?s decision to close seven post offices in Argyll and Bute.?

Islay Pipe Band News: The band have been busy all winter preparing for the new season ahead. On Easter Friday we will hold a concert in the Ramsay Hall, where the draw for our Grand Raffle will take place. There are some magnificent prizes and all contributors will be thanked in due course. This is a great opportunity for all the people in Islay to support the band. Tickets are currently available at Portnahaven Hotel, C&S Monks, Lochindaal Hotel, Port Charlotte Hotel, Bridgend Freezer Shop, Ballygrant Stores, Bowmore Post Office, Iain Lauries and Islay Heathers. We would like to thank all of them and if anybody else thinks they could sell a few, please phone 850 315(Andrew). As well as the raffle, the band is planning to record a CD and hope to have it on sale prior to the whisky & music festival.

Online Islay Shopping: Jane Mitchell of An Gleann Cottage Produce in Port Charlotte, opened her new website and online shop on the last day of January. Her delicious Islay (whisky) Tablet is now available through her online shop and the first ten customers receive an extra gift!

Wildlife and Birding Reports: I received more positive reactions on this initiative by Jeremy Hastings and a new report will be available tomorrow evening. Due to a server switch last Sunday evening the report was online first, then offline again and later it became back online. For those of you who have missed it here is a link to last weeks report.

Tag: news lifeboat bruichladdich snow