Media UK

Isles FM

The idea for Isles FM came about in 1986 after the BBC's Gaelic radio service was centralised in Inverness and became a national service. Previously, there had been opt-out programmes, in Gaelic and English, specifically for the islands.

A group of enthusiasts met led by local Episcopalian minister Reverend Stanley Bennie and decided to explore the possibilities of a community station. They had several temporary broadcast licences, for just a few weeks at a time - and broadcasting from Mr Bennie's dining room.

A company was formed and Mr Bennie, as managing director, led the many and protracted negotiations until the Radio Authority eventually granted a standard eight-year licence to begin broadcasting to the Isle of Lewis area mainly. a mix of rising local talent, international artistes, informal chat shows and news of all kinds

Isles FM went on air from its current home at a former boatshed in Newton Street in March 1998.

Its mix of rising local talent, international artistes, informal chat shows and news of all kinds has been drawing a good audience and advertisers are continuing to be very willing to support it.

Plans are now being drawn up to extend the service south to Uist and Barra and groups of volunteers have been formed in these islands and are beginning their own training.

Although the founder, Mr Bennie, is now no longer with the station, the work that he did in the early days to establish the station is a lasting testimonial which is much appreciated by his successors and in the wider community.

During the massive storms which hit the islands and part of North West Scotland during the early part of 2005, Isles FM sustained some damage to its premises. This included minor losses such as their IRN dish, but also major losses like their second studio. However, despite all this, Isles FM remianed on air with a constant rolling news service and local information updates from their team of volunteer presenters. This true community effort was rewarded with a donation of £50,000 from Scottish and Southern Energy, who found the information Isles FM were broadcasting eneabled them to respond faster to emergency situations. There was also the promise of £ for £ match funding to what ever Isles FM could fundraise during the year.

So, much fundraising has taken place during 2005 to enable the station to achieve its full reach of the Western Isles as well as building new studio facilities to broadcast to its community.