When the storm caused Tiree Music Festival 2015 to have to evacuate their campsite, the island community of Tiree opened their doors to welcome the wet, cold campers. Groups of young people were transported to a variety of locations, from individual homes to the school, airport and the church. The local Church of Scotland were pleased to be able to help, opening our church to the festival refugees. Rev MacLean said "It was a great opportunity for us to show our faith in action, providing shelter, warmth, food and drink for these young people, along with the rest of the community".

The photos were taken late on Friday night as the campers were settling down to sleep on the floor and pews of the church.

Tiree Parish Church are continuing with concentrated efforts to repair Heylipol church and make internal improvements to make the building more flexible and comply with the requests from the General Trustees who own the building.

Having removed 18 pews from the rear of the church, we are now hoping to have permission to begin the external repairs before the end of this Summer.

At the same time, we are proceeding with preparing and costing plans for the internal changes to provide the necessary accessible toilet, Sunday school/meeting room, kitchen, and space for fellowship, at the rear of the church.

It was decided at a recent meeting that we will retain 8 of these pews in the hope that they can be incorporated into the new area in some way.

The total costs for the repairs and renovations are £240,560. We already have £176,138 (from the sale of Kirkapol, fundraising and central fabric funds). We are asking the General Trustees for a grant of £22,102 which would enable us to begin the exterior repairs now. We will then only need to raise a further £52,320. We are applying to various places for funding, and will again be asking the Tiree Community to dig deep to ensure that we have a church fit for both the present and the future.

As a beginning of this last big push of fund raising, we are offering 10 wooden pews for sale, and suggest a minimum price of £150 each. The pews are in good condition, but please note that because they used to be attached to the wall, they only have one end, and a leg in the middle, so are not free standing without some modification.

Anyone who is interested in buying a pew, please contact Rev Elspeth MacLean on 220377 (please leave a message) or any of our elders.

Tiree Music Festival 2015 – special Sunday morning worship service at 10.30 am in the Community Village Tent. Refreshments and singing from 10am, with refreshments after the service too. All ages very welcome.