WE at the Yes DIY page know that so many individual members of the Yes movement sacrifice so much of their time and effort for the cause of independence.
The National could fill these pages for a year with tales of the monumental dedication of Yessers, but sometimes we just have to single out one person for their achievements. Today, that person is Callum Macdonald of Skye.
We also pass on an urgent appeal for help from Yes Skye and Lochalsh, who are organising a very special ceremony tomorrow to mark a landmark achievement by Callum.
This weekend marks the 100th crossing of the Skye Bridge for Callum, who has kept the flag flying for Scottish independence by crossing from the Isle of Skye to the mainland and back every Sunday for the last two years. Callum, a resident of Breakish near Broadford, originally hails from Harris but has lived on Skye for more than 20 years, retiring from his NHS post in 2015.
A keen member of Yes Skye and Lochalsh, Callum took part in the All Under One Banner march in Inverness in July 2018 and three weeks later began his own personal journey to raise awareness of the campaign.
For the past 99 Sundays, he has walked back and forth across the bridge between Kyle of Lochalsh and the Isle of Skye, usually accompanied by small groups of equally determined Yessers.
Callum said: “I was increasingly furious at the goings-on in Westminster and the total abuse of power by the UK Government. It was clear that Scotland would be disadvantaged by Brexit, and finding myself with a bit more time on my hands, I decided to raise the profile of the local campaign.
“I started walking on my own and gradually others joined in, with a core of stalwarts who walk with me wind, rain or shine. We’ve had great support.
“Yes Skye and Lochalsh promote the walk on Facebook, locals and visitors alike toot their horns as they pass us and we’ve had the welcome company of many nationalities.
“Once, we had to shoo on a carload of Catalans who wanted to park on the bridge and join us. We managed to persuade them that it might not be a great idea with the local police station half a mile away, even though we often get a friendly toot from them as well!”
Yes Skye and Lochalsh is looking for 100 people to come along and support Callum’s 100th bridge crossing tomorrow.
We suspect that the coronavirus restrictions will reduce the number of people who would have wanted to attend, but there are surely plenty of Yessers who can still take part.
The walk will leave Kyle of Lochalsh at 11am – meet at the Old Tollbooth at The Plock – and return back across the bridge by 12.30pm.
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