ISLE BE DAMNED

Scots islanders share £3million postcode lottery prize with two from isle with population of 140 scooping £190,000

OVER 100 lucky Scots islanders shared a £3million postcode lottery jackpot today, including winners from an isle of just 140 people.

Two neighbours from tiny Berneray scooped £193,055 each when HS6 5BJ was revealed as the winning location in the People’s Postcode Lottery’s Postcode Millions draw.

Another 99 from the Hebridean island and nearby North Uist - both in the HS6 5 sector - went home with cheques ranging from £21,425 to £64,275 following an event at the local village hall.

Pamela Macaskill, 43, was one of the lucky winners scooping the biggest prize - and is already planning on how to spend it.

She said: "I’m just numb, my mouth is dry. I’m completely speechless. You just don’t believe it will ever happen.

"I mean that’s massive isn’t it?! My palms have not stopped sweating.

"Angus [my husband] didn’t believe me! He wasn’t taking anything in. He’ll get a new quad bike if he’s lucky.’

"I love Disney so I might take my girls to Florida, but I guess I should go somewhere a bit different with this amount. Maybe Finland, or somewhere hot.

"It’s my sister’s fortieth soon so we can take a girls’ trip away. I don’t know, there are so many options!"

Pamela, who works at Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre, is excited for the whole area and has plans to visit one of her pals, fellow winner Caroline Macdonald, later tonight to celebrate.

The mum-of-two said: "The whole place has been buzzing. It’s such a big amount for such a small community.

"I know pretty much everyone here! It means so much to all of us.

"I’m not going home, I’m going to the pub! I’ll be stopping by Caroline’s fridge tonight too. It’s stocked up with all sorts of good stuff so lots of us will be there celebrating!"

Caroline, who won £42,850, has stocked up her fridge full of booze and treats for tonight's partying.

BREAKDOWN OF WINNERS

Two winners took home £193,055

Four scooped £64,275

15 bagged £42,850

80 lucky islanders got cheques for £21,425

She said: "There’s champagne, beer, cider, everything you could possibly think of!

"If people want to then they can come to my fridge. The doors open! They can knock on my door and ring my bell!"

Sharon MacKillop, 59, was the other player to take home almost £200,000 - and she's looking forward to doing some home improvements with the cash, as well as eyeing up a cruise.

The retired teacher, who was at first left speechless after finding out about her winnings, said: "I’m going to take my husband out for dinner!

"The car probably needs replaced, the outside of the house needs painted, a new mobile for my husband. Maybe a holiday, I’ve never been on a cruise!

"We all know everyone here. It’s lovely that it’s not isolated, it’s a lot people in the community that have gotten a substantial sum of money."

The event at Carinish Village Hall today was hosted by former X Factor star Danyl Johnson.

The People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador said it was a unique set of winners as he presented them with their cheques.

"The whole place has been buzzing. It’s such a big amount for such a small community."Winner Pamela Macaskill

He said: “It’s certainly been a day to remember in North Uist. We’ve had prizes in big cities and small villages all over the country, but we’ve never been to place quite like this before.

"The views here are stunning and everyone has been so friendly, you can really feel the sense of community here.

"I am thrilled for all our winners and I know that this prize will not only benefit them, but will have a huge positive impact on everyone on the islands.”

Around a third of every ticket bought in the lottery goes to charity, with players raising over £500million for good causes across the UK, including some locally.

Woodland Trust has received over £11.8million and part of this will enable local island primary, Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, to plant 420 trees to create a new native woodland area.

And Volunteering Hebrides also bagged almost £20,000 to support locals who are housebound due to physical or mental health issues.