Water works on hold to stop it preventing 102-year-old birthday party

04 March 2024 , 13:37

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CWA site agents Alistair Purvis (left) and Omer Satmis (right) surprised Dolan MacAskill (centre) with a cake for his birthday, alongside SHE advisor Jana Brady (Image: Scottish Water/SWNS)

Work to upgrade miles of water mains was put on hold - to stop it preventing a 102-year-old sailor's birthday party.

Scottish Water had planned to temporarily shut down 8km of water pipes on the Isle of Skye. But it was put on hold - as retired CalMac Sea Captain Dolan MacAskill was set to turn 102 and welcome family and friends to the local care home where he lives.

Officials decided to delay the works which were planned as part of work to upgrade around 8km of water mains across Broadford and Breakisk. Dolan was over the moon with the news and said he would be really keen to see the works that are being carried out. The project is being delivered on Scottish Water's behalf by alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA) and contractor Global Infrastructure.

CWA site agent Alistair Purvis said: "We were really happy to be able to change the date of the shutdown to make sure Dolan's birthday went smoothly." Donald MacAskill, nicknamed Dolan, was born on February 6 1922 at Flesherin on the Isle of Lewis. He worked alongside his father making Harris Tweed and before later joining the Merchant Navy.

Members of the project team popped past the care home the following week to wish Dolan many happy returns, complete with cake, candles and card.

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Rom Preston-Ellis