The year since March 2020 has been a huge challenge for all and particularly for charities; many of whom find themselves in serious financial straits. But we, at the Scottish Slate Islands Heritage Trust, are certainly not in distress. After funding recent improvements within the museum and allowing for the considerable cost of anti-viral precautions, our reserves have dropped by less than one fifth and your Trust remains financially robust.

Your Vice-Chairman, David Glennie steered us through much of the lockdown and has recently led the team to plan for reopening the museum. We hope to open gradually and cautiously during the month of May. A faithful band of volunteers has agreed to return and greet the visitors, always within carefully planned procedures, appropriate to the developing situation. In short, we emerge from the pandemic well equipped and ready for action.

Very sadly, Jim Watson remains on sick leave and will not be there to lead us; but he does hope to do some more gentle volunteering as his health permits. His energy and hard work will be much missed, so it would be a great help if anyone can recruit some new volunteers.