Islanders stunned by first crime in decade
WITH a population of just over 100, it has never needed its own police officer.
But now the Isle of Eigg, considered to be one of the safest places to live in the UK, has witnessed its first crime in more than a decade.
Police were called to the Hebridean island after reports of a fire-raising incident at one of its community buildings.
Officers crossed over in the Mallaig lifeboat on Sunday evening to find islanders stunned by the rare shattering of their peace.
Maggie Fyffe, of the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, said: ‘We are all a bit shocked by this incident. It is the first crime here anybody can remember for many years.’
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: ‘A 40-year-old man will be reported in connection with an alleged fire-raising offence at the Isle of Eigg Community Centre. The incident happened around 9am on Sunday.’ It is believed the man arrested was taken by police to the mainland.
Miss Fyffe said: ‘The person who was taken away is not from the island. I believe he was found in the waiting room area.’
She said ‘several thousand pounds of damage’ had been caused by the fire, adding: ‘It was confined to the waiting area on the outside of the building.
‘It damaged the floor and other parts. We are insured. Part of it is now cordoned off.’
The Isle of Eigg Community Centre – An Laimhrig – combines a shop, tea rooms, public toilets, community gathering area and ferry waiting room.
Around five miles long by three miles wide, Eigg lies ten miles off the West Coast, south of the Isle of Skye, and is home to 109 people.
The island is owned by the community-led Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, which bought the island for £1.5million in 1997, largely funded by a mystery donation from a millionaire.
Eigg is one of the Small Isles, along with Rum, Muck and Canna.
Canna, with a population of around 18, has been the victim of a number of thefts in recent years. In one incident, between June 6 and 9 last year, a thief made off with a 7ft broadsword from the former laird’s house.
Police confirmed no one has been arrested and the case remains open.
That robbery came three years after the community shop – run on an honesty basis with money left in a box – was ransacked.