Fundraising for the Ewen Maclean Memorial garden has inched closer to its target after being awarded funding from the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Crown Estate Revenues Fund.

The fundraisers welcomed the cash boost, saying: “This brings us closer to our overall fundraising target, and we are so grateful to CnES and our local Councillors for their support.”

Meanwhile, securing the necessary funding continues, with the Uist Committee of Women for Mission at the Free Church of Scotland joining the roll call of local sponsors.

May’s raffle has also brought in £2,063 towards making the memorial garden a reality.

The community memorial garden is to commemorate the late co-founder and chef of Uist culinary landmark Stepping Stone, Ewen Maclean, who passed away in May last year. It is hoped the garden will open later this summer.

His life is being celebrated later this month on Saturday, June 17, by the Stepping Stone 10k race. The proceeds from a raffle on the day will go to the Crohn’s Disease charity.