0:00:04 > 0:00:07This is one of Britain's remotest communities -
0:00:07 > 0:00:11the tiny island of Barra on the southerly tip of the Outer Hebrides,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14off the northwest coast of Scotland.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Whilst fishing underpins day to day life,
0:00:18 > 0:00:23most families still have pride in farming their ancestral crofts.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25You don't earn a good living from it,
0:00:25 > 0:00:29but it's in your blood and what's in your blood you can't change.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31You like doing it.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36Religion and the Church remain at the very heart of island life.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41For his first year in the new job, the local parish priest,
0:00:41 > 0:00:45Father John Paul MacKinnon, kept a very low profile.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Now, he's decided it's time to speak up on some controversial issues
0:00:49 > 0:00:53threatening the future of his island parish.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54If these proposals go ahead,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57they're going to be drastic for the community.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00The heart's going to be ripped out of the community,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02and what are you left with?
0:01:02 > 0:01:05You're just left with a rock, the people have all gone.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43FERRY HORN
0:01:44 > 0:01:50The ferry arrives every day, after a five-hour voyage from the mainland.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53It's early spring, so there are a few tourists
0:01:53 > 0:01:56alongside the arrival of the supplies
0:01:56 > 0:02:01that Barra's tiny population of 1,200 completely rely on.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09This is Castlebay on the south of the island,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12the only settlement of any size.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15It's named after the famous 15th century Kisimul Castle,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18the traditional seat of the Clan MacNeil.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Above the little main street, the towering Roman Catholic church
0:02:23 > 0:02:27of Our Lady Star of the Sea, built in 1888.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Attached to the side of the church is the home
0:02:30 > 0:02:35of Barra's new young parish priest, Father John Paul MacKinnon.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Oh, hole in one!
0:02:37 > 0:02:42After a quiet and low-key first year,
0:02:42 > 0:02:47Father John Paul believes it's now time for a change of approach.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Well, this year I do have to take it up another level for me.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00I'm working my way right through the gears
0:03:00 > 0:03:02and I have to take it to another level for me.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05And what it is, is to be seen more about.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08I've sat back, I've watched, I've listened
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and now, the next thing is getting out and about.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16So yeah, at times you have to, not be too controversial, because...
0:03:16 > 0:03:18You don't want to be too controversial.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22But up to a point, you do put your head above the parapet and say,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25"Well, if something has to be said, let's say it."
0:03:25 > 0:03:28I've got my club in hand and I'm going around using it!
0:03:28 > 0:03:32This is one of the most God-fearing communities in Britain
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and unlike the more northerly Hebridean islands,
0:03:35 > 0:03:3895% of people are Roman Catholic.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Most still go to church every week
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and the priest is still at the heart of daily life.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
0:03:54 > 0:03:58be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02One of Father John Paul's most loyal parishioners is Maggie MacKinnon,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05better known to the locals as Scraggie Aggie.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08She's always worried about his welfare.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12You know the best thing for you, Father? Dandelion tea.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Oh, I thought you were going to say, "Get out and mow the grass!"
0:04:15 > 0:04:17And nettles!
0:04:24 > 0:04:29At low tide, Scraggie Aggie can often be found down on the beach
0:04:29 > 0:04:30close to her home.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34She's recently come out of hospital after being treated for rheumatism
0:04:34 > 0:04:39and has told everyone she's cutting right back on the booze and giving up smoking completely.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42MUMBLES TO HERSELF
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Loads and loads and loads, down here.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55What are you looking for today?
0:04:55 > 0:05:02I am looking for, um, I'm going to get more of the mussels and cockles.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Cockles and mussels, alive, alive-o. There you go.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Wow, you've got quite a few.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10No, there's not all that many. I want to get some more.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Does Father John Paul... Would he like some?
0:05:12 > 0:05:15He's crazy about them anyway, isn't he?
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Mussels? Father John Paul?- Yeah.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- Are you collecting some for him? - Well, hopefully, and the cat.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28- He hasn't got a housekeeper, has he? - No.- He's all alone in that big house.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30That's right, aye. He does have a big house.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- So you look after him a little bit. - Ah, a wee bit.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Because he's such a nice soul and a young one at that.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Scraggie Aggie is not one to just sit back and do nothing.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02So, worried about Father John Paul, she's embarking on a little scheme
0:06:02 > 0:06:06to try to make his life a wee bit more comfortable.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Islanders have self-sufficiency in their blood.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Most families across Barra and the neighbouring islands
0:06:18 > 0:06:21have inherited small crofts, allowing them to put food on their tables
0:06:21 > 0:06:25as well as earn some much-needed extra income.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32With the recent increase in the price of lamb,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35crofters have actually seen their incomes rise a little,
0:06:35 > 0:06:40which is why Ronald MacKinnon has some concerns on his hands today.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50LAMB BLEATS
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Something strange about this one, not making his feet properly.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Come on.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Is there a problem with that one?
0:07:02 > 0:07:04There's something not right with him.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07It's the way he's trying to get up.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09It's a huge lamb.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13But it's an hour since it's been born
0:07:13 > 0:07:15so he should be making his feet by now.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17It's the way his head's going to one side.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Maybe the way he was lying in the womb or something.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24And you're sure enough when you see the sheep kicking like that.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Because she knows. He should be up by now.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30See? Even she knows.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35I need to get a second opinion on this one, I think.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41If the lamb can't walk, it'll have to be put down.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46In fact, Ronald is the shepherd in charge of the flock
0:07:46 > 0:07:50belonging to the church in the next-door parish to Barra
0:07:50 > 0:07:51on the island of South Uist.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59The parish priest is Father John Paul's colleague and mentor,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Father Roddy MacAuley.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05The two priests have become firm friends, with Father Roddy,
0:08:05 > 0:08:09along with the retired Father Callum McLellan, always on hand
0:08:09 > 0:08:13to help and guide the rookie priest through his first year here.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16If we both go down the church, and I'll go in...
0:08:16 > 0:08:18OK, OK, I'll come give you a hand.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23And to provide companionship to what can be a very lonely job.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- 70, plus VAT. Cheers! - Cheers!- Slainte.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30That's why some news, which has just leaked out across the islands,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33has come as a bit of a bombshell to everyone
0:08:33 > 0:08:37and particularly, Father John Paul.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39No, I just wanted to say that...
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I don't know.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45It's been a bit of a surprise, I'm a bit stunned myself, but...
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Yes, I thought that initially that there will be a bit of a shock
0:08:50 > 0:08:55when the news starts spreading when he has to announce in the masses.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Yes, he's a bit sad but he's trying to keep himself,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01trying to keep himself going because...
0:09:01 > 0:09:04I know exactly how he's feeling.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09It is, we're going to be, we're going to miss him,
0:09:09 > 0:09:13all the parishioners and priests, we're going to certainly miss him.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Sunday morning service over in Father Roddy's parish
0:09:27 > 0:09:30should, normally, be a joyful affair.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54What's the news?
0:09:54 > 0:09:58Well, actually, the news is that the Bishop's making some changes
0:09:58 > 0:10:01within the diocese, clergy changes, and asked me
0:10:01 > 0:10:05to move to the mainland, to move to Cuillin Lochaber.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07So I'll be leaving the islands,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10after 11 years between Daliburgh and Benbecula.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- Did you have any idea this was... - No, I didn't, I didn't.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18It's, you know, a surprise as well but we all know that this is the way
0:10:18 > 0:10:20that things work in the priesthood.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24GAELIC:
0:10:28 > 0:10:32When I stand out in the church and I look down to the pews,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I will say to myself so-and-so sat there,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37and I was here for the funeral of so-and-so,
0:10:37 > 0:10:42and I've been present at the marriage of so-and-so and so-and-so,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47I've baptised their children and whatnot.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49But there's always the fear of the unknown.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51One of the phrases that has come to mind
0:10:51 > 0:10:57is that of lifting the anchor of the boat and putting out to sea again.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01It's always hard to leave the security of the parish here.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I know all of the people here very, very well.
0:11:04 > 0:11:11It's a chance for me to trust, to entrust my life to God again,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14and to say, well God, you've got me this far, help me now.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Father Roddy's a very popular figure in the community
0:11:19 > 0:11:22and a much-loved parish priest.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Look at the tan you've got there! Is that a real tan or a fake tan?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Is it a fake tan? Hello there and welcome.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Oh, he's going to be missed. That's definitely.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33It will be a shock with Father Roddy.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36A bit of a shock to us all.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38But I'm afraid that's the profession he's in.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41They know when they begin, when they become a priest,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44they could be moving anywhere.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Father Roddy's part-time American housekeeper, Sandy,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50who also looked after the previous priest,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53has already started packing up for him.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57I think I shocked him, I went, "No!" like that, "You can't go!"
0:11:57 > 0:12:00And, you know, and he just kind of looked at me, so surprisingly
0:12:00 > 0:12:03because I've been through this before,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06but it was just the shock of the moment, you know?
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Then, after a wee bit of a calm down I just said, "When?"
0:12:10 > 0:12:14And, you just, you automatically resign yourself to the fact
0:12:14 > 0:12:18that this is what happens, you know, in parishes.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29He only spoke to me just for a few minutes, because I could really sense in his voice,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34he was really struggling to say, "Well, I'm moving."
0:12:34 > 0:12:37And yeah, I'm pretty sad about it.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Knowing what a blow Father Roddy's departure is to JP,
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Scraggie Aggie's busy on her little project to cheer him up.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Scraggie's hard work comes to the attention of her friend,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Rohill Barry, who runs the only restaurant on the main street.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- Hi, Maggie, how's it going? - Not too bad.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- I see you're busy there. - Yes, I am.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- What's this you're up to? - It's for Father JP.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Right. A jumper for Father JP? - A jumper for Father JP.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- Right.- So he'll be nice and cosy if the weather gets colder,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- so there you go.- And what colour is it going to be?
0:13:22 > 0:13:26A mixture. It's, uh, sort of a tweedy style, isn't it.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Right, yeah, it is indeed.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- So have you got all his measurements, then?- I have.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Have you?- But I think he's expanding all the time.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37He's expanding! It's all these curries he's eating in here!
0:13:43 > 0:13:48In such a remote place, earning a reliable living is often a struggle.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53Islanders have to be resourceful and make the most of what they have.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Angus MacLeod is one of Barra's best-known crofters.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01And wherever Angus is, his sons Mickael and little Seamus
0:14:01 > 0:14:03are never far away.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Yeah, I've just given them some left-over potatoes.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15We had a good crop last year, more than we need,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19so rather than let them go to waste we just feed them to the cattle.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23It helps, up here, having a bit of land to work.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27Whether it's sheep or cattle or just vegetables, you know.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29And do they boys give you much help?
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Yeah, Mickael planted the potatoes with us the last couple of years.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Um, this fella, he's watching and learning.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41He certainly helps himself to the lettuce and the strawberries.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44We haven't had many strawberries the last couple of years
0:14:44 > 0:14:46because Seamus has had them all, haven't you?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52It's mostly salad veg,
0:14:52 > 0:14:54plenty of sage,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57and we've got the chillies growing a little bit early this year.
0:14:57 > 0:15:03Celery, lettuce, cabbage, turnip, radish, leeks, cauliflower...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Like most of the locals, his croft is an absolute necessity
0:15:06 > 0:15:09to help him make ends meet.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13We can't go to the supermarket or the gardening centre
0:15:13 > 0:15:16and buy what we would like to buy, just to put in the ground.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19It's quite often we have to plant it ourselves
0:15:19 > 0:15:25and we can't come back from the mainland with boot-loads of plants.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29You can come home with the seeds but not the plants.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34Like most islanders, Angus can't survive on just one job.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39He's a leading member of the island's fishing industry,
0:15:39 > 0:15:44which in recent years has just about managed to keep its head above water.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Barra has a fleet of seven trawlers which work around the clock.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Just as vitally, right beside the quay is a fish factory
0:15:54 > 0:15:57which processes the catches for export.
0:15:57 > 0:16:0135 people work here, Barra's biggest employer.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05The cash this generates has a trickle-down effect
0:16:05 > 0:16:07to virtually every family.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18Angus's one wish is to hand his boat down to his sons.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23But for that, fishing in these waters needs a reliable future.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29My older son, Mickael, he's ten, and he's just fishing-boat crazy.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33He's on the internet downloading pictures of all types of trawlers
0:16:33 > 0:16:35and fishing vessels.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40And he's pretty sure he's going to take over the family business,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43but even in the last 27 years I've been fishing,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46there have been doubts at times whether we can continue
0:16:46 > 0:16:51because of various legislations and restrictions and quota available.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55But now there's a further shadow hanging over the industry.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59The Scottish Government is considering creating a conservation area
0:16:59 > 0:17:03close to Barra's southern coastline which the island fisherman say
0:17:03 > 0:17:08is completely unnecessary and will severely restrict their catches.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12They fear it could dramatically affect their whole way of life.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23The three priests and good friends are putting a brave face
0:17:23 > 0:17:26on the shock news of Father Roddy's departure.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29In two weeks, he leaves for his new parish on the mainland,
0:17:29 > 0:17:33which is near the Highland skiing resort of Fort William.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37You know what I'm going to look out for, I think,
0:17:37 > 0:17:42- I think I can see you skiing down Ben Nevis...- No!
0:17:42 > 0:17:45..and trying to play the bagpipes at the same time.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Could you give that a bash?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Do you know the other thing, I'm actually petrified of heights.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52I do take sugar in my coffee.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54Well, I asked you and you didn't say anything(!)
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- You should know by this time.- You always change when you take your...
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- No, I always... - You're always changing!
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- Change like the weather! - Put it in yourself, then!
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Well, that's all right, you know, I don't mind. I can manage that.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Are you going to miss Father Roddy?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Yes, I'll miss you and your moods.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Yes, yes, because you are quite moody at times.
0:18:16 > 0:18:23And I'll miss your sense of humour, which will be difficult at times.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29Yes, I'll miss all of that and I'll miss your fantastic enthusiasms.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33The good thing is that we can talk about anything and everything
0:18:33 > 0:18:35and often we do.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39And that's the beauty of it, we can have our ups and downs,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43we can have our rows, but at the end of the day we're brother priests
0:18:43 > 0:18:47and we do the best we can to support each other
0:18:47 > 0:18:48and encourage each other too.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05Just outside, most of the season's new lambs look in fine fettle.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07But Ronald has been keeping a careful eye
0:19:07 > 0:19:10on the dangerously weak newborn.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- A change. - Is he going to be OK?
0:19:19 > 0:19:24I think so, I just... He's getting there.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- He's definitely firmer on his legs. - Oh, he's firmer now.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- Because you were a bit worried before.- I was.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Sometimes there can be something wrong with them,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36but, he's still not 100% but he's getting there.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39I've seen lambs being born and everything's perfect
0:19:39 > 0:19:43but the brain's not there, or something wrong with their legs,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46they're not functioning right, and you've got to put it down.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- And you were worried?- I was worried that, for a while there.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- But you think he's going to be OK? - Hopefully he'll be all right.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Father Roddy is also preoccupied by his livestock.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03He won't be able to take his much-loved and award-winning chickens
0:20:03 > 0:20:06with him to his new urban parish on the mainland.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Come on! Come on!
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Come on! Come on! Here, my birds!
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Come on! Come on!
0:20:16 > 0:20:18People are being very, very kind.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22The interesting thing, the first thing they heard when I was moving,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25people didn't say, "Oh, how do you feel" or anything,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28"What are you going to do with the hens?" That was the reaction!
0:20:28 > 0:20:31"What are you going to do with the hens?"
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Thankfully I've got homes for them all and they're all going to good homes.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39What about your prize-winning cockerel, Clarence, that won at the county show?
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Well, what I'm going to do, I'm going to have a good feed on Sunday,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47and I'm going to cook and carve Clarence on Sunday.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49No, I'm not! I'm not! I'm joking. No.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51A cruel, a cruel joke!
0:20:51 > 0:20:56One of the parishioners is taking Clarence as well. Yeah, yeah.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59There's real sadness amongst his parishioners
0:20:59 > 0:21:02at Father Roddy's sudden departure.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06He's not aware of it yet, but they're busy preparing
0:21:06 > 0:21:10for the mother of all farewell parties to see him off in a couple of weeks' time.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Balance, balance, pas de basque.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15One and two, three, to the back!
0:21:17 > 0:21:20To the left!
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Aware that he's about to be left very much alone,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Father John Paul throws himself into work.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Today he has an appointment at the main fishing harbour,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32at the north end of the island.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Although he's not quite sure what kind of a reception he'll get.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39There's always one of those daft little things
0:21:39 > 0:21:40about clergy and boats.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42I don't know what, how superstitious it is
0:21:42 > 0:21:46but sometimes they don't like the clergy to be aboard your boat.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51I don't know if it's like a, some say it's bad luck or something,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54so he might just say, "Well, just stay on land, Father,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56"I'll stay on the boat."
0:21:56 > 0:21:58And, so I just don't know how he's going to...
0:21:58 > 0:21:59What he's going to say.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05The man he's come to see is the leader
0:22:05 > 0:22:07of a key island campaign group.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- Anyone on board? - Hello, Father! How are you?
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Angus MacLeod.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Ah, not too bad, not too bad. Getting there!
0:22:14 > 0:22:17I was just wondering, is it all right for me to come aboard?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Certainly, aye, I'll put the kettle on.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- You don't mind me, with priests now coming aboard?- Not at all, no.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24That's what I like to hear,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27a man who doesn't care, who trusts in the priest.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30You need to go down backwards there.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Excuse the mess, we're mid-painting.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- It's all dry at the moment. - Do you need a hand?
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Oh, always! Always. A hand of God.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Come in, Father. Mind your head.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Oof. Oh, it is tight coming in, but oh, my!
0:22:51 > 0:22:53This is a lovely bit of space.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58Oh, my, my, this is fairly far advanced from what I thought.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- Well... - You're technologically gifted here.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04That's the problem, it's all very electronic based now,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08the navigation side of it at least, and so's the catching.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Father John Paul wants to find out more about the growing row
0:23:11 > 0:23:14over the future of the fishing industry here
0:23:14 > 0:23:16which has been sparked by a rare coral.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23It's found on the seabed around the uninhabited island of Mingulay,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26just off Barra's southern coast.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Under pressure to meet EU targets, the Scottish Government's
0:23:29 > 0:23:35considering imposing a conservation area here and a ban on fishing.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39This has infuriated the local trawlermen, like Angus.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43- This is the proposed area. - That's huge!
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- It's a massive area. - Look at the size of that area.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48What are we catching in that area?
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Well, certainly, the trawlers it's, it's, prawns,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- it's the tiger species.- OK.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57You know it's a mixed fishery, you can't just select prawns
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and press a button on the net that says "Prawns Only Please".
0:24:00 > 0:24:02It's a very productive area.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06And are people saying huge areas are just coral everywhere?
0:24:06 > 0:24:10No, no, there's very small amounts of coral.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12The fishermen don't touch that, you know that fine.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Well, firstly, you don't catch fish in coral
0:24:15 > 0:24:18and secondly, it can do huge amount of damage to the gear.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20The island fishermen argue
0:24:20 > 0:24:24since they want to hand their boats on to future generations,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28it's in their long-term interests to self-police the fishing.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32If you designate an area like this, it's going to have a huge
0:24:32 > 0:24:34financial impact on the local community.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Oh, it's going to.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40It's a huge area to not be getting any produce from there, no, it's...
0:24:40 > 0:24:42It's just another nail in the coffin.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47Oof. That's what it sounds like. Just, no, no, no. It's ridiculous.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53It's just a big huge knock-on effect for the fishermen
0:24:53 > 0:24:56and for the island, for every walk of life, even for me.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58I could be thinking people will be leaving,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01parishioners moving on and the parish is going down
0:25:01 > 0:25:05because people have to move on, maybe move on to the mainland.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10And school numbers go down and the threatening of schools, and jobs.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13It's just the knock-on effect could be massive.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18If I can write a letter or an e-mail to somebody high up in authority,
0:25:18 > 0:25:21if I can add a bit more pressure, then I'm happy to do that.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23You might upset a few politicians, then?
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Oh, I don't mind that. I'm not big into politics.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29What's important to me is my parishioners,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32many of them are fishermen and I support them.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37They are important to me first and foremost, before any politician.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Father Callum, who was born and brought up on the islands,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43and has lived here for over 80 years,
0:25:43 > 0:25:48is pleased to hear John Paul's entering the fray of local politics.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51It's an essential approach
0:25:51 > 0:25:54for anyone who's going to be a parish priest
0:25:54 > 0:25:57in an island community.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00A parish priest has to take up causes that his parishioners
0:26:00 > 0:26:03need to be helped along with.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08So, I'm very, very pleased to hear that Father John Paul
0:26:08 > 0:26:13is waking up, well, maybe that's the wrong word,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17is realising that he's in a very special place.
0:26:18 > 0:26:24It is right that he should consider himself to be a leader of men.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Scraggie Aggie knows how isolated a priest can feel up here
0:26:29 > 0:26:33and that Father John Paul's bold new approach is coming
0:26:33 > 0:26:38just at the moment he's losing the support of his best friend, Father Roddy.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41TALKS GAELIC TO CAT
0:26:41 > 0:26:45She thinks it's time for a radical change in church thinking.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50I think that priests should be allowed to marry.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54It's only human nature, that's all.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Animals... You don't see a bull going around on its own
0:26:58 > 0:27:02and you don't see any other male animal going around on its own.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06So, why should priests be exempt?
0:27:06 > 0:27:11Why are they to go on their own? They should be allowed to marry!
0:27:11 > 0:27:16It's only human nature. Why have them being celibate all the time?
0:27:16 > 0:27:19It's no life for a man.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23And again, if they were married, the wife could be the housekeeper.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26As you say, John Paul hasn't got anybody in the house.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Well, having a wife could save him getting a housekeeper.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Do you really think the rules should change?- Oh, definitely.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Definitely, I think so.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38- Is that likely to happen? - I sincerely hope so.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40I would love to see it happen.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Have you spoken your mind to people about this?
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Mm-hm. Umpteen times.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07In the days to come, with Father Roddy's sudden departure,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10there are some hasty last-minute preparations
0:28:10 > 0:28:13for what promises to be the ceilidh of the year.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17With growing concerns over the future of Barra's economy,
0:28:17 > 0:28:22the ever-resourceful islanders look for new ways of generating cash.
0:28:22 > 0:28:27I shouldn't mention this to you but I do dig the graves here.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32But I came up with another idea. I'm opening a mini-campsite.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37Father John Paul gives his thoughts on Scraggie Aggie's suggestion
0:28:37 > 0:28:40that he should be looking for a wife.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42You have to be comfortable in your own self,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44comfortable with who you are.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48It's a brave woman that can take me on and look after me.