Abbie Stewart Wins 'Award for Outstanding Achievement' from The Donald Stewart Memorial Trust

After considering all nominations received for this year’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, Trustees were unanimous that the award be made to Abbie Stewart.  The Trustees were overwhelmed with the number of distinguished athletics’ competitions and titles Abbie had won over the years.  They particularly congratulated Abbie on winning the silver medal in the 1500m final at the World Island games, followed, later that same week, with a bronze medal in the 800m final.  They commented that this amazing achievement had to be the pinnacle of Abbie’s young career to date.  This not only put Abbie on the world stage, but it also the Nicolson Institute and indeed, the Western Isles. The Trustees were bowled over with this achievement.  

The Trust was delighted to learn of Abbie’s prowess and successes across many different distances, including, being placed 5th overall in the UK British Cross Country Championships Series,  currently being the Scottish U20 mile champion, Scottish schools 1500m champion (4 seconds of the championship record), Scottish schools 800m silver medalist, Scottish Schools cross country champion, Scottish National 3000m Bronze medalist, Scottish athletes national road race bronze, Scottish Nationals Cross country Bronze, Scottish Inter Districts Cross country Bronze, Scottish Nationals track 1500m Second u20/4th overall, along with many north district gold medal and championship records. They also learnt that Abbie had gained nine different Scotland National selections and is currently ranked 9th in the UK over the mile. What particularly pleased the Trustees was that Abbie had managed to maintain her school studies to a very high standard whilst travelling regularly to the mainland to attend these athletics competitions. Presenting the Award to Abbie, Comhairle Convener, Cllr Kenneth MacLeod said:

“Abbie was a worthy winner of this years award. She has proved herself at local and national level over the past few years through her athletic achievements. Abbie has shown dedication and ability at a high level which has been rewarded with this award.” 

Frances Murray, Chair of the Donald Stewart Memorial Trust said, “We were delighted with the calibre of submissions received this year. We had nominations from three of the four schools, and they were all of an extremely high calibre.  Having considered the many submissions received, it is evident that we have a wealth of young talent based here, in the Western Isles. It is inevitable that some of our talent will go to the mainland to continue their education, and that is a natural progression, but, it would be pleasing to see many of them returning to the islands to regenerate the islands’ economies.  I am certain that if employment opportunities are created on the islands, our young people will return.   I wish to thank the schools for their continuing support for the Donald Stewart Memorial competition, without whom, the competition would not exist. “                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

The Donald Stewart Memorial Trust

The Donald Stewart Memorial Trust was set up following a fund-raising campaign to establish a Trust which would disburse awards to young people in the Western Isles to commemorate the outstanding work of the late Donald Stewart MP. The Trust makes an annual award to an individual 5th or 6th year pupil from any of the secondary schools in the Western Isles for, “Outstanding Achievement”. The “Outstanding Achievement” can be attained within the school, perhaps an academic achievement which has been recognised as outstanding at a national or indeed inter-national level or it can be for someone who has attained, “Outstanding Achievement” in their own community, perhaps an act of outstanding community service or an act of bravery or other self-sacrifice.  In 2019, the Trust established a new, second award for, “Significant Contribution to Gaelic Development” in recognition of the late Mr Stewart’s support of the Gaelic language and to link this to current developments in Gaelic, especially amongst young people, throughout the islands. 

Current Trustees of The Donald Stewart Memorial Trust are Francis Murray, Western Isles SNP Constituency (Chair), Marina Murray, Comunn na Gàidhlig, (Secretary), Lesley Graham (Treasurer), Donald Macleod, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Iain Macaulay, Lord lieutenant of the Western Isles.            

Contributed by Press Release: The Donald Stewart Memorial TrustUrras Cuimhneachaidh Dhòmhnaill Stiùbhairt 30th June 2026