Scottish Government blunder invites people to the wrong isle of Iona
One is renowned as the cradle of Christianity in Scotland while the other is an uninhabited wildlife sanctuary at Bear Mountain, in New York State, USA.
And the Scottish Governmen th as issued an apology after an online advert, for a consultation meeting on its National Islands Plan, invited people to the wrong isle of Iona.
The American island, some 3,200 miles away from its Scottish namesake, is currently closed to the public.
Back in Iona, Argyll, there was disappointment that the afternoon timing of the actual meeting meant most workers couldn’t attend, while a lack of advertising on the isle of Harris meant only three p eople turned up for a separate consultation meeting there.
Argyll and Bute Councillor Roddy Mccuish, whose ward covers Iona, said: “I was unaware of this meeting and it doesn’t surprise me that there were ver y few p eople at the consultation event, given the fact that the location was given as almost 3,500 miles away at Bear Mountain, New York.
“The Islands Bill is one of the most impor tant things that has happened to the islands for years, so it’s vital this consultation is done right.
“To have the meeting during the day at this time of year is just impossible with crofting, farming, fishing and tourism which, as everybody knows, is the islands’ way of life.”
None of Iona’s community councillors were free to attend the 30 April meeting, one of 50 the government team is hosting to consult residents over plans to address Scottish island problems and depopulation.
Harris resident Bob Chaffer only found out about the second meeting, held in South Harris, by chance. He said: “I was more than a little disappointed that it hadn’t been more widely publicised. I am extremely interested in the environment and how we manage it.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Iona event, which was well attended with 18 participants, was incorrectly advertised on Eventbrite due to the auto - matically generated location finder and we apologise.”