The year coming to its conclusion in just a few days has, as ever, been one of contrasts: for some people, it has been a good year, whereas for others it has been one they will be glad to put behind them. There have been very many high points and positives but 2017 has also been a year marked with tragedies and sudden loss.
We have had to report on dreadful events such as the appalling suicide bomb attack at the Manchester Arena that claimed the life of Eilidh MacLeod from Barra and badly injured her best friend, Laura MacIntyre. Thankfully, Laura is now back on Barra and returned to school at Castlebay.
Similarly, we had to report on the death of eightyear- old Kayla MacDonald, who was killed following a logging accident near Benderloch.