WESTERN ISLES

❚ Trading Standards is warning residents in the Western Isles that telephone scammers are now using 01851 area codes as an attempt to make their calls appear local.

The automated calls state that your internet is about to be disconnected due to non-payment of your account, and you are instructed to press 1 to reinstate the service or press 2 to cancel the service.

A spokesperson, said: ‘Our advice is to put the phone down and ignore the call.’

❚ Two Western Isles project have received more than £2 million.

Cnoc Soilleir has been awarded £1.8 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund to build a state-of-the art modern building for Gaelic and cultural heritage in South Uist.

The building has been designed to become a local focal point for the community and visitors. It is an innovative joint venture between Ceòlas and Lews Castle College UHI.

And the Grinneabhat Project was awarded £368,338 to redevelop the former school in Bragar, which closed in 2013.

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said: ‘I am really pleased that both of these projects have been able to secure this funding.’

❚ Islanders planning a summer holiday should ensure they are prepared for a potential no deal Brexit, warns Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus Brendan MacNeil.

With less than a month until the planned Brexit date, Mr MacNeil says a no deal scenario could mean passports with less than six months’ validity may not be accepted for travel to EU countries.