Donation saves World Stone Skimming Championship

A WORLD Stone Skimming Championship will go ahead thanks to a £1,000 donation to settle a dispute between the organisers and a landowner.

The 15th annual hosting of the event on the island of Easdale, near Oban in Argyll, was under threat because the island owner, Jonathan Feigenbaum, demanded a fee for use of the land.

Organisers of the weekend event, the Eilean Eisdeal Trust, have their own insurance certificate but were unable to pay the fee.

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Mr Feigenbaum has now accepted a £1,000 donation and said the money will be spent on projects designated by the Easdale Island Residents and Property Owners Association.

Earlier this week Mr Feigenbaum published an open letter to island residents, which said legal action could be taken if the event takes place without the relevant insurance.

He said: “I’m all for it and anything that helps the economy of the island. No organisation would allow anybody to use their property without adequate insurance.”

The competition is held in a disused slate quarry on the island, where stones are said to be the ideal shape for skimming.

Keren Cafferty, chair of the event organising group, said: “It’s a big relief to know we no longer have the threat of legal action hanging over us. This is a fantastic community-run event that really boosts the island. We have had a huge amount of inquiries so we think it’s going to be the biggest and best one yet.”

The stone skimming competition was listed by travel guide Lonely Planet as one of the “must-see events in Europe”.

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