At Random with Martin Laing - 7.11.24

This, of course, happened to me the other day when I read of a development project on Benbecula, a wee island in the Outer Hebrides. 

Every time I come across Benbecula, I am whizzed back to 1980 and the escape on the island of Hercules the bear, a very large grizzly belonging to wrestler Andy Robin, during a promotional exercise. Andy was also mine host and landlord of the somewhat remote Sheriffmuir Inn, a braw wee pub in the hills north of Stirling. It was a favoured destination for some of us because of the novelty of sitting beside the giant bear while having a drink.

More seriously, the story the other day said: “Work is underway to create seven new business units at Eabhal Business Park in Benbecula … Benbecula company, D Macdonald (Building Contractors) Ltd has been appointed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to develop the units. Designed by Benbecula firm, Fraser Architecture, to meet modern building standards that reflect well on the environment, the units will be around 30-60m² each in size and will suit the commercial, office or industrial sectors … It is expected that the development will be completed by the end of 2025.”

The contract is apparently worth around £2 million. Forgive my cynicism, but that seems a huge sum and overly ambitious for business development on such a tiny isle, I hope sincerely that I’m wrong.