Who is a Collach

This question seems to have become a burning issue in the last year. We will gladly accept $64,000 for the answers we now give, and pledge to donate the sum to set up a Coll Common Good Fund outwith Strathclyde's clutches.

We suggest there are Collachs, honorary Collachs, and Coll folk. First, of course, are the sadly few remaining Collachs born and bred on the island, of hard working, God-fearing parents whose habitual Gaelic speech was, for many, reinforced by faithful atten. dance at Gaelic church services. Nowadays, you are not allowed to be born on Coll. You may he found under a gooseberry bush in Oban, or brought by the stork from the Vale of Leven, but never in Dr. DeMornay's little black bag. So the birth qualification can no longer be maintained, though parentage and education always will be.

Which brings us to the settlers from all the airts: In some families their period of residence in the island dates from over a hundred years ago when John Lorne Stewart introduced dairy cattle and Ayrshire farming folk together to the island. Their skilled hard work, like lhat of olhers who have come in more recently, with their personal commitment to the island way of life, have made their descendants honorary Collachs today, and will make of their resident families the traditional. Collachs of tomorrow

Then there are Coll folk who come mainly from various urban backgrounds, whose residence ranges from a number of years to much 'briefer periods. They have a longer apprenticeship of assimilation to -serve, and perhaps a more difficult one in the face of traditional rural values. It is certain, however, that given the expected conscientious participation in the working life of the island, and active service within the community, they can assuredly look forward to becoming the respected honorary Collachs of the year 2150!

F.M.R