In a continuing stand off on Easdale Island, testifying to the troubled relations between the Eilean Eisdeal company and the landowner, a consignment of slate skimming stones from Easdale appears to be on its way out of the country without the permission of the landowner.
DFDS Seaways seems to have been contacted to ship the stone out of Newcastle for Amsterdam for the use of the Durch Stoneskimmers organisation.
Solicitors acting for the Easdale Island Company, which owns the island, have advised DFDS Seaway that the stones have a value and that they have been collected and removed from the island without the approval or permission of the owner.
The Dutch Stoneskimmers’ website – on the Facebook page linked from its homepage, carries a communication and a photograph from Keren Cafferty, Chair of Eilean Eisdeal, suggesting that she may be the agent of the transmission of the stones.
Keren Cafferty caused a major row in September by imperiously refusing to disclose to the landowner the public liability insurance certificate for the annual World Stone Skimming Championships on Easdale, anually mounted by the Eilean Eisdeal company.
This stand off left the event – right to the last minute, likely to suffer cancellation until two third parties stepped in to the rescue.
A holiday home owner on the island paid for, acquired and submitted the insurance certificate – which had not been arranged; and a local newspaper which paid the event fee the landowner had requested and which Ms Cafferty, on behalf of Eilean Eisdeal, had refused to discuss.
Today the solicitors for the island’s owner, E Thornton & Co of Oban, have advised the shippers that the stones are to be regarded as ‘stolen goods’ and that they should be held until a resolution of the matter has been agreed.
The only comment from the landownber is: ‘Easdale Island Company Limited are currently investigating the matter’.
