Success of the Saint Barr Statue Fundraising Campaign

That the Parliament congratulates the Saint Barr Statue Fundraising Group on the success of its campaign to replace the deteriorating statue of Saint Barr in Northbay, Isle of Barra; notes that the campaign, which was launched in July 2024, has surpassed its £100,000 target following a major donation of £85,000 from Barra-raised Captain Iain Macneil MNM DUniv and his wife, Kat Heathcote Macneil MBE, alongside £20,000 raised through community crowdfunding and merchandise sales and a £10,000 grant from Crown Estate Scotland; recognises that the new statue, to be created by the sculptor Stephen Tinney, and cast by Black Isle Bronze, will replace the existing 1970s concrete statue designed by the artist Margaret Somerville; understands that it will be 50% larger to ensure greater visibility from the shore; applauds the generosity and community spirit shown by those who contributed to the campaign, which reflects the enduring cultural, historical and spiritual significance of Saint Barr, a sixth-century saint long associated with the Isle of Barra, most notable in the island’s eponymous hagiotoponym, and commends the voluntary project team for ensuring that what it sees as this important symbol of island identity and heritage will be preserved for generations to come. The Member has provided the following Gaelic translation: Gu bheil a’ Phàrlamaid a’ cur meal-a-naidheachd air Buidheann Togail-Airgid Ìomhaigh Naomh Bharra airson soirbheachas an iomairt aca gus ìomhaigh ùr Naomh Bharra a chur an àite na seann tè, a bha air crìonadh, ann am Bàgh a Tuath, Eilean Bharraigh; a’ toirt fa-near gu bheil an iomairt, a chaidh a chur air bhog san Iuchar 2024, air targaid £100,000 a ruighinn às dèidh tabhartas mòr de £85,000 bhon Chaiptean Iain MacNìll MNM DUniv, a thogadh am Barraigh, agus a bhean, Kat Heathcote NicNìll MBE, cuide ri tabhartasan luach £20,000 bho mhaoineachadh sluaigh agus reic bathar, agus £10,000 bho Oighreachd a’ Chrùin an Alba; ag aithneachadh gun tèid an ìomhaigh ùr, a chruthaichear leis an deilbhear, Stephen Tinney, agus a mhòlltaichear le Black Isle Bronze, an àite na h-ìomhaigh choncrait a th’ ann mar-thà bho na 1970an a dhealbhaich an neach-ealain, Margaret Somerville; a’ tuigsinn gum bi e 50% nas motha gus dèanamh cinnteach gum bi e nas fhaicsinniche bhon chladach; a’ moladh fialaidheachd agus spiorad coimhearsnachd a sheall an fheadhainn a chuir ris an iomairt, a tha a’ nochdadh na fiach mhaireannaich – a thaobh dualchais, eachdraidh, agus na Crìosdachd –  aig Naomh Barra, a bha beò san t-siathamh linn agus aig a bheil ceangal buan ri Eilean Bharraigh, a tha ainmichte na dhèidh, agus a’ moladh sgioba shaor-thoileach a’ phròiseict airson an cuid dìorrais gun tèid an samhla cudromach seo, mar a thuigeas iad, de dh’aithne agus de dhualchas an eilein a ghleidheadh ??airson ginealaichean ri teachd.