page 32 Issue No 43, September 2013 a huge thank you to our sponsors delivered free to every address in Kilmallie A huge thank you to the businesses below who sponsored the newsleer last year. We are sll trying to raise funds for 2013/2014 so we are always grateful for more sponsorship. The cost of copying this newsleer has again been very generously donated by Lorna and Finlay Finlayson of Crannog Restaurant, Fort William. The paper for this issue has again been generously donated by BSW Timber, Kilmallie Our other newsleer costs have been met by donaons and from KCC’s limited funds. runner-up community newspaper of the year 2012

KCC reports – p2 Lochaber BID – p3 odds on pods – p4 locheilnet - p4 a way to the west - p4 councillors’ corner - p5 the lochaber axe - p5 past present future - p6 mews news - p6 community policing- p6 140 years ago- p7 whitta lotta litta - p8 community heroes – p9 flingin’s mingin - p9 litterature - p9 pearls of wisdom – p10 what a dump - p10 community heroes - p11 Banavie Primary – p12 High Notes - p13 Kilmallie Playgroup – p14 Coastguard - p15 Flower & Produce - p16/17 Canal News - p18 Music for All – p19 Community Centre - p19 Corpach Woods - p20 FOCAL - p20 royal occasion - p21 Many thanks to Iain Ferguson for photo funding fears - p21 Christmas Lights - p21 update from Africa - p22 mega congratulations Morgan! up the watter - p23 Morgan MacIntyre proudly holding her Silver medal she won at the Brish Transplant Games in Sheffield. rugby club – p24 Morgan also has a medal for compleng the 3k Donor run/walk to honour all Donors. shinty club - p24 BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd driftwood drover - p24 wild about kilmallie – p25 (HAULAGE) LTD Fort William Ltd Lochaber art club - p25 dè tha dol – p26 tapestry update - p26 would you like to become a sponsor too? focus on folk- p27 guiding memories – p28 We rely on the contribuons from our business community for the cost of distribung this free newsleer to every address in kilmallie history - p29 even bigger and better with 32 pages! our area. Without further sponsorship this year, we may not be able to meet all our costs. letters – p29

We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you feedback - p29 would you like to see your name or logo in print supporng your community newsleer, please join with our current sponsors. green fingers - p30 All donaons, big or small, are hugely appreciated. outward bound - p30

Please contact us at [email protected] for details. puzzles - p31 sponsors - p32 joan’s tapestry goes to holyrood see page 26 I was delighted to see the wee pepperpot lighthouse on Joan page 2 Kerr’s embroidery panel, what an achievement to have page 31 from the Chair completed such a wonderful piece of needlework that joins Well hello again and welcome to the September 2013 issue the other amazing pieces portraying Scotland’s rich history. of Kilmallie Community News. You will see that it is a wee The tapestry will be touring Scotland at some point so bit thicker this me at 32 pages; we have had great difficulty hopefully it will come to Lochaber. in recent issues trying to fit all the wonderful arcles we receive in to 28 pages, so when you have to grow, you have You will noce on page 5 that there is a newly formed to grow! Lochaber Area Commiee with an explanaon from Dot picture quiz Ferguson, Ward Manager on its role and how it will affect us You will noce a recurring theme of lier in this issue; it is locally. sad that a beauful area such as we live in is tainted by no 1 thoughtless dumping of rubbish, whether locally or arriving Well then, take some me out and enjoy yet another with the des, but heart‐warming that within our fantasc issue of the Kilmallie Community News; a very big where in Kilmallie community we have members who take acon to do well done to our newsleer team, arcle contributors, sponsors and delivery team, it just gets beer and beer! is this chef working?

something about removing it. I just love the beauful driwood drove pony on page 24: Maggie Mackenzie how marvellous it is... an excellent piece of arstry and a great use for some of the many pieces of driwood that [email protected] ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

growing all the time growing all wash up on our beaches. Answers to these puzzles are on the website experience, equipment and infrastructure to potenally www.kilmallie.org.uk (follow the link on the RHS of the homepage) deliver these services much more efficiently than voluntary How can we help and will also be published in the next issue of the groups. They therefore do not seem sensible tasks to ask newsleer for people without access to the volunteers to do. Where community acon can really play an internet Highland Council important role is responding to rare and unusual events that the Council could not realiscally expect to plan for, improve their services? providing the kind of extra assistance that friends and neighbours are parcularly good at. During this summer’s “some straight clues, some cryptic clues, Across Last year Highland Council started a consultaon process on hill fires, the community excelled at checking up on and how the council could save money to address its funding some easy, some not so easy” 1 Top of the head followed by the Spanish blade helping their neighbours, leaving the emergency services to deficit. Some of these cuts will simply be addressing a short‐ (7) tackle the most crical situaons with their specialist skills. term crisis. However, the more important issue is thinking 1 2 3 4 5 6 4 Diamond has 4 (5) Similarly we should all be prepared to change our plans and about what kind of services we all need and would like to 7 Maybe the cat got it? (5) help each other out in response to extreme weather, but 9 Beer (7) see in the longer‐term, and how they can best be provided. that is a very different thing from the regular clearing of 10 Bouquet (7) One of Highland Council’s plans is to recruit volunteers to do footpaths in typical winter condions. 7 8 9 11 He’s part of a small answer (5) jobs that we have always seen done by Council workers. 12 Right in the sng for this e (6) more Kilmallie quiz pictures to baffle us Arguably the most effecve thing we can all do to help Whilst most of us aspire to live in a community where 14 He lives next door to the knight (6)

the Council improve services is to look at all the things we do people play their part looking aer each other and the local 18 Leans (5) which unwingly cause expense. Refuse collecon is an environment, that is not the same as expecng volunteers to 20 Scosh plant (7) obvious example. Whilst recycling is helpful in 10 11 provide services that were previously provided by the 22 Presenter(7) environmental terms, such waste sll needs to be collected Council. There are few that would argue that saving money 23 Robin’s colour from Lincoln (5) and processed, and it would be beer if it were never by cung jobs and then hoping volunteers, who may or may 24 Gomorrah’s partner (5) created at all. In 2010/11 the cost for refuse collecon for 25 Stan gets in the mug ‐ whoa there horsey (7) not have the necessary skills, will fill the gaps is a sensible each household in Highland was £183, and landfill tax is set 12 13 14 15 16 strategy. Similarly, expecng voluntary groups to raise Down to be £80 per tonne by 2014. These costs roughly scale to money to pay the Council for ‘non‐essenal’ services is the amount of waste we produce. Cut our waste by 1% and 17 1 They get out the ring at the start of the round basically a form of voluntary local taxaon which is hard to (7) that would pay for Christmas lights. By composng all food see can be viable in the long term. Whether paid or unpaid, 2 Inially a man eats noodle stew for the endings waste and avoiding items with unnecessary packaging it is 18 19 20 21 everyone’s me is valuable, and their skills need to be used (5) easy to reduce what we put in the bin by 25% without any to best effect. There needs to be a well thought out strategy 3 Cricket extra (6) real effort. The retail industry would also soon get the for how voluntary groups including Community Councils can 4 Dance for a lile Samuel who got a degree (5) message if items in excess packaging simply didn’t sell and a 5 Samson’s partner (7) work most effecvely alongside Highland Council. Roune 25% reducon would save roughly the equivalent of 22 23 6 Temptress (5) services requiring specialist equipment or infrastructure Highland Council’s total winter road maintenance budget. 8 Girl’s Renaults car lose final direcon (5) should be provided by the Council. Community Councils and That would be a good example of a community acng 13 Started again when the sum is in the rering other voluntary groups can provide advice on how best to together and playing to its strengths. deer (7) tailor these to local needs. 24 25 15 It’s oen on the cake (5) Or why not consider helping to make the voice of the For example, Highland Council are currently seeking 16 Old German currency (7) community really heard, by joining Kilmallie Community volunteers to take on jobs such as clearing snow and ice 17 This small river confuses the master 6) Council? As members of KCC, cizens have a real from footpaths, and they have stopped providing Christmas 18 There are lots of these in Scotland (5) opportunity to make long‐lasng improvements in their Thank you to Tony Whitelocke please send us lights. The new voluntary Christmas lights group have been 19 17 Down not right (5) community, using their skills in the best ways, and advising 21 Greek leer (5) very successful in their efforts, but this shows that this is for another great crossword. the Council on how we would really like Kilmallie to look in clearly something that is valued by the community, so the future. arguably should simply remain a Council service. Having Answers to last issue’s puzzle: undertaken these acvies for years, the Council has the Russell Leaper, Secretary Across: 1 MEANDER, 4 MIDGE, 7 MEGAN, 9 DISPUTE, 10 ISLANDS, 11 SPLIT, 12 SAVOYS, 14 SPIDER, 18 ASCOT, 20 UMPIRES, 22 ANNOYED, 23 ARMED, 24 NIECE, 25 EMERALD

over 45 contributors to this issue! issue! to this 45 contributors over Down: 1 MOTHERS, 2 ANGEL, 3 RADISH, 4 MOSES, 5 DOUBLED, 6 ELECT, 8 NANNY, 13 VACANCE, 15 PEPPA, 16 RESIDED, 17 DUNDEE, 18 AGAIN, 19 THYME, 21 RUMBA page 30

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page 3 monster-size thanks to Kaiya Clarke age 9, youngest member of our delivery team There was a good turnout to seeing exactly what the customer base is in Phase 1. Neptune’s The first known date of a version of the The burn already menoned is called Allt page 4 Scosh Canals’ consultaon on Staircase has an under provision of facilies for vising tourists and Kilmallie name was noted in 1296. Cuil a Chiarain ‐ this means the burn flowing page 29 their proposed camping pods at we are focusing on projects that seek to address this issue. As such, Kilmallie Where is/was Kilmallie? All indicaons by St Ciarain’s Retreat. If this is true odds Banavie back in June. Aer the we are working on the feasibility of revitalising the listed buildings point to an area between the Oakwood and Ciarnain could be the ‘maol dubh’ and event at The Moorings, KCC that include the Saw Mill to offer uses such as interpretaon to the East of the old Cemetery as far as the suggests there may have been a monastery welcomed their three facilies, café, shop, toilets and possibly, a hire equipment outlet burn beside Farrow Drive. in this vicinity. The other interpretaon representaves to a KCC meeng (bikes, canoes etc.). I shall update you as our plans develop.” history What does Kilmallie mean ? is ‘the nook of the dusky one’. So what on in the evening., where they gave a This appears to be good news, depending on the nature of any Kil ‐ cemetery or church does ‘mallie’ mean? Take your pick, but further presentaon. actual proposals. Hopefully they will preserve the modest character We remember Hugh Muir in this great There is certainly an old cemetery but the many ‘experts’ choose Maillidh. A small minority expressed of the old buildings which have an important place in the history of collection of history snippets which he earliest readable stone is 1790, a date which From a map of the 16th C, Kilmallie was enthusiasm for the proposed the canal. sent us before he died earlier this gives no indicaon of the age of the the only place of note in the area apart from pods? pods, thinking that they looked KCC have had no specific update from SC about their proposals year. With thanks to Hugh’s family graveyard. However five early Cameron the like of Tor Castle and Inverlochy Castle. interesng and would help support the local economy. But the for Moy: so we don’t know if it is one of the locaons that SC say for permission to publish it, and many leaders are said to be buried here in the In a map of about 1750 is shown the ‘Town majority view expressed was not posive. Concerns tended to fall they are pressing ahead with. This is another locaon where it more still to come. 17th C. of Kilmauly’ (as well as the ‘Town of into the following categories: would be preferable to float the pods rather than spoil the peaceful Being adjacent to Annat, with 6th C base Corpoch’ (but no indicaon of Banavie).  taking business away from exisng local businesses providing beauty of Moy’s landscape seng (there is plenty of space at the Kilmallie? I think that most of us believe for St Columba`s missionaries, would So what happened to the town of accommodaon River Loy basin nearby). Or ideally SC could avoid development at that the word Kilmallie is a parish, a district indicate a close e‐up of Annat / Kilmallie. Kilmallie? We can speculate ‐  lier, noise and general disturbance from a campsite next to a Moy altogether as it is not far for walkers to carry on to Gairlochy. or a local organisaon name ‐ which it is. As an ecclesiascal centre in the most likely  It lost its importance as an ecclesiascal residenal area (There the community are opposing any pods and asking instead for The parish was once the largest in Scotland sense some thoughts of a possible church centre due to the Reformaon (1560‐  inappropriate appearance Telford House Gairlochy to be brought back into use). and stretched from Ballachulish to Loch on the top of the levelled Oakwoods (oh, for 1651) and no known churches were  lack of respect for the historical significance of the site (the So pods may yet appear at Moy, and also at Banavie in the Hourn. However it had a humble beginning a professional dig!) No evidence of early here for about 80 years; pods were going to be placed right on the line of the original future. If you want to see what they would look like, SC have now as a local selement. churches but obvious ruin of a 1499  war‐like mes with Clan disputes; railway line (see arcle on page 7) built a prototype. There is a picture of it under construcon at The word Kilmallie has, over the building. An old map also shows a church  by the early 1770s a surveyor ‘of the A community idea to provide floang pods on a barge or pontoon hp://www.oliverchapmanarchitects.com/news/2013/ centuries, had many variaons in its symbol on one of the islands in the bay. Forfeited Estate’ menons "Kilmallie was met with much greater enthusiasm ‐ it would avoid disturbing SC have already put in a planning applicaon for a 7‐pod spelling, eg Kilmaduff (1304), Kilmalyn, Mallie ‐ Possible origins ‐ Church at Corpach"; the planned landscape of the canal, it would be a great aracon campsite at Laggan Locks. It’s not in our Community Council area, Kilmalde (1372), Kilmalzhe (1472), Kilmalyhe  from virgin Mary  with the building of the Canal, starng for users, and the locaon could be more flexible to address but it is nearby, and it is of interest to anyone who takes an interest (1495), Kirkmalie, Culmally and  an ancient shrine ‐ built 11th C ‐ in 1803, there were a large number of concerns of local residents. Scosh Canals (SC) appeared to in the Canal as a whole. Here too, some floang pods would surely Kilmaddy. built here by a monk called Maolan. incomers to Corpach. This almost welcome this idea, but it remains to be seen whether they will have been much more appropriate. You can see what is proposed Even in more recent mes there is a Hence Cil‐moalin. He was the son of the certainly resulted in expansion and

progress it. on Highland Council ‘s eplanning website (see details below). tombstone in the Old Cemetery of 1830 of Bishop of Dunkeld. absorpon of Kilmallie town. e welcome even critical ones The SC team said they would nofy KCC of any specific Objecons have been submied by various members of the Laggan the Rev Duncan McIntyre, Minister of  from a lile known saint Maillidh proposals before pung in a planning applicaon. So we are community so far. The planning applicaon is scheduled to be Killmalie. Was this the spelling of the me or  from "kil maol dubh" ‐ church of the Hugh Muir grateful to Keith Mackie, Development Surveyor at Scosh Canals, determined on 28 Sept. If, as is likely, it is approved, we will have a could the family / engraver not spell? black monk. who sent KCC this update on 26th August: chance to see what the pods will look like in the flesh fairly soon. “Following our meengs with the community, I thought it would be Let’s hope the minority of people who liked the look of the pods Gold Award by the Duke of Edinburgh worthwhile updang you as to our plans for Banavie. We have are vindicated. himself in 1974: Sorry, KCC knows of no such awards at Highland Council eplanning website: the moment unfortunately. Thanks to

decided to drop Banavie from Phase 1 of the camping pods Margaret Andrew; Moira Collins; Rhona project. We are pressing ahead with 4 other locaons first as these hp://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ letters Cranston; Catherine Hogg; Edith Hope Lucy for highlighting the dedication of other locaons are known over‐night stops in the Great Glen Way Search for applicaon ref 13/02876/FUL Sheena Macrae; Margaret McWilliams. Ann and Billy. It’s great to be able to transit. The market for Banavie needs to be proven, following All the drawings are downloadable under the ‘Documents’ tab. Dear Kilmallie Community News Is there a civic award out there that can publicly acknowledge the valuable be given to this dedicated couple – not only contribution that people have made and Reading Hugh Muir’s detailed account of are making to our community - there for what they did for Kilmallie Guide dedicated IT team will monitor the performance of Kilmallie Cubs/Scouts recalled a very special Rangers, but for their meless effort First are many such people - some well the line as the work progresses. occasion due to the meless effort and Aiding at events throughout Lochaber and known, and many more not so well s through Kilmallie? s through Wrath Trail passe the Cape Locheilnet This is very much a community effort and dedicaon of Ann and Billy MacMillan. This beyond for many years? known. Why not write and tell us we thank everyone who has given us the strength and very special couple led seven guide/rangers your stories about the great Locheilnet has made good progress in the past support to get us this far. and their proud mums to Holyrood to be Lucy Hope contributions people have made? months. Despite a few hiccups out of our control, we You can follow our progress on the website and our presented with their Duke of Edinburgh have been able to do site surveys, order tools and facebook page:: equipment, order the leased line and install a few

www.locheilnet.co.uk/news your letters and emails coming -w more main relays. The newsleer’s fantasc – I love that it’s got lots of in‐depth hps://www.facebook.com/Locheilnet Over the next 8 weeks, Locheilnet members and stuff in it. I really look forward to it arriving each me. (LM)

trained volunteers will do the house to house Chris Pellow A good newsleer again ‐ always brilliant! (DM) installaons in the various areas, while our feedback Are you carrying on prinng the newsleer? I would be happy Please pass on my compliments to the team of people who Plans are moving ahead well, though the precise full route has sll to pay for it and I’m sure other people would be too. Long put the newsleer together. Having produced something to be established. The route will offer an oponal extension to may it connue! (SL) similar myself for my business and for a club, I know how a way walkers planning either the Great Glen Way or the West Highland much work goes into it. The content was interesng, useful Way. Roughly described, the plan is that it follows the Great Glen I really enjoy the newsleer. I love it! (IM) and well wrien ‐ a rarity these days. The layout was Way from Fort William to the canal, then turns le for Corpach through the village to Camusnaha, over the rail bridge onto the You folks are doing a great job with the newsleer (AG) aracve and professional looking. All in all, a very well done to the beach, following the rail line to Drumsallie and on to the Callop job (CJ) You have a truly wonderful gallery of images [from Meall underpass, where it will pick up the public path to Glenfinnan. From Bhanbhaidh] in your Photo Galleries secon [on your Congratulaons on geng the recent award for the here it will follow the new track to the Glenalladale estate hydro west scheme and hopefully follow the west side of Locheilt to Lochailort website]. (NH) newsleer – it is really a very good read! (AR) and Glenmammie. It then follows the coast as close as possible to A very readable quarterly ‐ if you don’t live in or around the My friend loves to read the KCC newsleer, they don't do

did you know you know did Angus MacIntyre has wrien to tell us about this excing iniave Mallaig through Arisaig and Morar. The important part is that no for a new long‐distance footpath. A steering commiee has been Queen of Suburbia then go out of your way to try to obtain a anything like that where she lives! (SS) village along the route is missed out. formed under the umbrella of The Road to the Isles Marleng One of our Ward councillors, Allan Henderson, who is on the copy. (Roamer in Lochaber News a while back) Group to bring to reality the idea of a walking route linking all the Fabulous newsleer. Gold standard. (SC)

steering group, tells us that most landowners have so far been very please keep villages between Fort William and Mallaig, to be named “A Way to The magazine is very good. Keep up the good work ‐ we all helpful although they sll have to get official permission from the West”. Kilmallie Community Council has welcomed the project, enjoy reading it. (IC) we love to get your feedback - others. SNH are also very supporve and will advise on SSSI’s etc. which will bring economic benefit to our area as well as an please keep it coming - together If you have any thoughts on this new footpath, or indeed any enjoyable walking route for local residents as well as visitors to A wonderful magazine – people in the town are jealous! (BA) with ideas ideas for other local walking or cycling routes, please let KCC know. enjoy. for future issues

page 28 MY HIGHLAND HOME IN CORPACH page 5 Does anyone My home in the Highlands is dear to my heart, our Highland councillors’ corner I’ve lived here so long now I feel I’m a part This time we asked Dot Ferguson, our Ward Manager, to explain the recent changes involved in setting up (or re-setting up) remember being a Of the bricks and the stones, of the plants and the trees, the Lochaber Area Committee (LAC). Of the loch and the mountains, the skies and the seas. The newly formed Lochaber Area Commiee will comprise the  develop and work in partnership with Community Planning

When I walk in my garden, each plant is a friend seven Local Members – 3 represenng Ward 12 and 4 represenng partners, including Community Councils, as appropriate, to scout or a girl guide? For each did I nourish and lovingly tend, Ward 22. achieve a co‐ordinated approach to the provision of services You may remember that in issue number 42 we asked if anyone in From seedling or plantlet I saw them all grow The Commiee will meet four mes a year (all meengs will be and to deliver the objecves of the Highland Public Services To the size and maturity now that they show. webcast) and is being established to scrunise and deliver acons Partnership;

Kilmallie had any recollecons of the scouts or girl guides as these and improvements in Lochaber. As well as taking on the  scrunise and monitor the local delivery of services, within organisaons seem to be known to most folk who grew up in this I go down the road and the faces I see area. We were hoping also for relevant and appropriate photos responsibility for local service delivery, the commiee will decide approved resources and strategy; Are those that I know and of friends who know me, how delegated budgets are spent and will work with partners to  monitor the delivery of Capital Projects within the local area, as which we could share. I was delighted to hear from Sheila Suon We laugh and exchange all the news of the day. who as many of you will know ran the shop and post office in promote tourism and boost the local economy, with a focus on agreed within the Council’s Capital Programme; I’m part of the village and here I will stay. providing efficient and effecve services. Corpach for many years with her husband Mick. She was asked to  approve delegated local funcons e.g. Road Traffic Orders, take charge of forty or so very young girls, brownies. Mick was very For here I belong and find infinite pleasure, The Commiee will have the remit to: Road Construcon Consents, and Upholding Access Rights and scepcal… they had two children of their own!! Sheila however likes My house is my castle – a home that I treasure,  appoint the Leader of the Area, responsible for the running of  champion local iniaves which promote and a challenge and she didn’t hesitate for a second to take up the job. I walk in the gate to be met by my cat, the Commiee and the management of its funcons; support the tradional languages, heritage and In fact, she turned out to be so good at her job that Sheila was not And no beer welcome I know of than that.  work with partners to achieve the effecve promoon and culture of the Highlands. future prosperity of the area including tourism and the delivery only appointed District Commissioner but was also given Ruth Miller responsibilies for her girls even when they were at camp abroad. In of efficient and effecve services to its cizens; Dot Ferguson, Ward Manager

doing so, she was volunteering to work for the newly formed World

of We then asked our three Ward 12 councillors for their views on how it will affect their work and the local community Associaon of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts of which Lord and Lady of her generally. The newsletter team decided on this topic in all innocence, weeks before the controversy that exploded after the

Baden‐Powell as well as the Director of the World Bureau in London eye were ex‐officio members. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts with their new first LAC meeting. We had hoped for replies from our councillors that could inspire us all to be more interested and involved eiving

MacBride in local issues - a faint hope it would now seem. Here are their replies... sorry we didn’t receive anything from Eddie.

central organisaon could now plan trips abroad much more freely. The first World Centre, Our Chalet was opened in Adelboden in 1939 rec I advised the SNP led Administraon that I would be subming a The seng up of pilot Area Commiees over the next year will bring 1964:

high in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. The stay was to show watchful the proposal that Lochaber should have its own stand alone Area about further debate on how much influence they have or should Christeen

the girls how to appreciate and value the outdoors and the mul‐ Commiee and that I expected the SNP led Administraon to give have. ntre - about fire and rescue plans Lumsden.” Christeen

cultural world. Sheila remembers with some pride and excitement, under members a free vote, which they agreed to do. That decision swept Creang Area Commiees that will sasfy the aspiraons of February Mrs Award, being allowed to sleep in the chalet reserved at the boom of the like wildfire through the polical groups. With the support of the everyone is an impossible task, just as it is impossible to detail at this shows garden in Adelboden for Lady Baden‐Powell when the Lady herself 255, majority of SNP members together with local Independent Councillor early stage a disnct proposal for Kilmallie without taking into months No visited. Sheila also remembers receiving a postcard in 1957 from Guide Andrew Baxter, the Independent Group was persuaded to drop its account the requirements of the rest of the Caol & Mallaig six n, Suon Park, the site of the Scout Jamboree whilst she was at the support for a Lochaber/Skye and Wester Ross Area Commiee. This Ward or indeed Lochaber. It would be easy enough for support plus that of all Local Members accumulated more than every Lochaber Councillor to produce a wish list. It will be Commissioner, Chalet for the first me and showing it to the Chief Guide. It was photograph Bulle supreme enough votes to win the vote handsomely. more prudent parcularly in the first year to have every Our from the former Brown Owl. This is how Sheila says that she is group for

certain that she knows she was at the Chalet in 1957. the By seng up Area Commiees, we are taking a first step on the road Councillor working together to ensure that both Lochaber County Sheila also has a Naonal Savings Bullen from 1964 (see right) Savings to fulfilling a long held desire of communies to feel closer to Local wards receive an equal slice of any cake on offer. sh Savings the Badge,

Government decision making. Cllr Bill Clark showing on its front cover a photo of Mrs Lumsden, the County onal Sutherland.

Commissioner presenng the Queens Guide Cerficate to Chrisne from B. there is a Kilmallie Farm in Minnesota? Kilmallie Farm in there is a

MacBride, whose Guide Captain is standing next to her. Cllr Allan Henderson sent us an apology power is a dangerous thing. Lochaber News Sco the Na cate Queen’s a

fi Ina I must thank Sheila for sharing her experiences about the girl of saying: and Oban Times will reveal all, or at least guides in Corpach with us and we hope that she gets some joy from the some. Mrs Cer “I will not be commenng on the Lochaber

Cover see below for what Allan sharing her memories too and also we thank her for showing us her gain Area Commiee, as I am not parcularly Regards, Allan operated was referring to Cllr Allan Cllr Eddie precious souvenirs which she has kept for so long. I think she must her disposed to it at this moment. It appears that Henderson Hunter have had a wonderful me with the Brownies and girl guides. Captain,

help her Corpach Kshama Wilmington To You can watch what took place at the first meeng of the Lochaber Area Commiee on 26 Aug via their webcast at the LAC hp://www.highland.public‐i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interacve/111098 Ce 7 Oct, 7pm, Caol Community Mon It’s not the most excing viewing but it’s worth a look to see what KCC were interested to hear the support expressed for circular local councillors are saying (in public at least, though clearly much path routes and for linear routes to be linked in with public more polical business is sll carried on behind closed doors). transport. And we were pleased (or maybe depressed) to hear that There is a menu on the webcast so you can skip straight to any bike racks on buses were sll a declared aspiraon aer more than items that interest you ‐ you don’t have to sit through the whole 10 years. three hours ‐ so for example you can hop straight to the item There was much discussion about the Lochaber Tourism BID where Corpach’s new street name Nevis Mews (as chosen by proposal, which is worth listening to if you run a business and Walter Cameron Way’s residents) was approved ‐ that was where aren’t sure yet if you would be affected by it for beer or worse. we learned that the word ‘homologated’ existed). The next Local Area Commiee is on 25 November.

KCC would like to thank Allan Henderson for his dedicaon to the did you know you know did the lochaber axe role of Provost over the last 6 years. He has been a great ambassador for Perhaps LAC stands for the Lochaber Area Manager Dot Ferguson tells us the our area and has worked relessly for Axe Commiee! LAC have determined that the civic role us all as Lochaber’s civic figurehead. will now be shared between the LAC Cllr Allan Henderson’s comment above Leader Cllr Thomas MacLennan and the It remains to be seen whether relates to the polically dramac other six Ward councillors on an event‐ the new arrangements and the new assassinaon of the role of Provost of by‐event basis. The ceremonial chain,

LAC itself will stand our community in next ward forum Lochaber, which seems to have been used by the Provost, will connue to be such good stead. Our lives are Ronald Cameron sent us a scan of this slide that he found among his father’s stuff. Banavie PS shinty team, June 1972. He engineered aer the Lochaber Area worn at events/funcons as and when improved by beer local services, not wonders if some of the “kids” recognise themselves! Commiee meeng had finished. appropriate. by more local polics. job. I especially enjoy the change to digital page 6 past, images. Wish that had happened forty years page 27 ago. focus on folk What a pity that so many people knock present & Fort William without taking me to find out Glencoe using my mother's Kodak. That what it has to offer. We can only thank the hobby became more a part of oungs and many real people who have become good ?future Many thanks to Alex Gillespie, who Thank you to Gloria Coats, Tesco’s what a place to live in for a photographer. A friends over the years and who all love the lives in Corpach, for telling us Regional & Corporate Affairs change of employment from engineering to area warts and all. We, like many other

Manager for Scotland, who recently about his enduring love of retailer as a member of the Nevisport trio families who moved here in the Sixes and sent KCC a picture of their Ness Side photography and of Lochaber found more uses for photography and I had who have stayed and brought up families store in Inverness, to give us a rough to become more professional in my here, are no different from the many folks idea of what the store on the Blar I first visited Fort William as a 14 year old in approach. Now a member of the Lochaber who came here over the last century to find would look like. She says it would be 1949 on a cycling tour of the highland Rescue team it was important that pictures work at the different types of employment similar design and materials but hostels. A kind butcher in the High Street let were good enough to be used for fund that have evolved over the years. It is “Ness Side is smaller than the Blah the past, June 2012 , a mere 14 months ago me have two chops without taking any of raising and recording incidents etc. encouraging to see many young members of Mhor store will be”. just before the diggers my very scarce raon book coupons. This By 1980 I was ready for a career change these families returning to the area and le a so spot for the area and most years again! It was almost inevitable that finding employment here. However our own Freudian slip in the spelling? for the next 15 saw me “up North” either on photography was a possible way to go and three having been born in Edinburgh and the bike or, as I collected wife and family, on with encouragement from a real brought up in Lochaber are now all living in Anyone else recall the words of motor bike/sidecar. professional friend, and Mary of course, I cies, but what a start in life they had... Joni Mitchell in Big Yellow Taxi? As a mining electrician working Saturday embarked on a new venture. Having both an It is a fact that when we are away on “They took all the trees mornings it was only in the summer holidays industrial and retail background helped to holiday we are never reluctant to return the present, August 2013 And put them in a tree museum that we were able to travel very far from the get going in the days before so many helpful home and are happy when we pass from lush and verdant to a desolate Then they charged the people big city to our favourite area. So when, in agencies were around. We decided right Crianlarach and see the hills of Glencoe and

coming on apace coming on waste... A dollar and a half just to see 1965, while camping at Three Mile Water, I away that we would not do any weddings or know that the Fort and Corpach are only an Nature instantly starts trying to claim 'em managed to visit the site of the Pulp and baby photos and went for industrial and hour away.

land than in any other Scottish area Paper mill at Corpach, there was the commercial clients. Great to work over the back its own, with a colony of herring Don't it always seem to go, Alex Gillespie gulls on the ‘lagoon’ and a dusng of That you don't know what answer! A chat with two friendly ladies in years with Brish Alcan, Ben Nevis Disllery, moss and algae at the water’s edge. you've got Corpach and a look at the view and a month Brish Waterways, HIDB, other local No doubt Nature will be knocked back 'Til it's gone later I was working at the Mill. businesses and lots of interesng me and again on this site, but like They paved paradise is this the future? maybe by 2015? Three months later Mary and our three assignments. A quirk of fate found me back Robert the Bruce, it will never give up And put up a parking lot.” Tesco’s vision, but the Blar version, if it happens, will be sons joined me in the newly built house that in the Pulp mill which was being dismantled trying. bigger we sll stay in 48 years later. The boys got and this led to many visits over the years as the bikes they were promised and were the Paper mill was being upgraded and soon into shinty, football and canoeing etc. developed. That eventually closed as well Mary and I had done some hillwalking and and it was strange to have been in at the some hill tracks with the bikes and were beginning and the end of the very means of mews news soon involved in the mill mountaineering us being able to live and work in this Back in July, Dot Ferguson, Highland Council, And ‘Mews’ was chosen because it used to club and sll geng out cycling. I sll had a fantasc area. asked KCC for suggesons for a name for the be the site of the old stables for the manse, trials motorbike to play with and we were Having collected a fairly large library of new house and 4 flats built at the former and the pony and traps used to come in soon seled into the community. Helping to pictures of Lochaber and the Nevis area in surgery site at Drumfada Terrace. KCC there. fund raise for the village hall, working with parcular it had been at the back of my

thought the best people to ask were the Many thanks to Maureen and everyone scouts and guides and geng to discover mind to produce a book from the many files. residents of Walter Cameron Way, so we got at Walter Cameron Way for all their ideas, the whole area soon had us feeling very With the advent of the computer I was able

in touch with Maureen Fair at Hanover. and for coming up with a great name ‐ all much at home. There was a me when I had to put together things the way I wanted it Maureen asked residents for their within the ght deadline of a week! A great said you would never catch me on the end and with much help from Printsmith it was suggesons and 11 names came forward. At community collaboraon, one that of a climbing rope but workmates soon had produced and seems to have been well active community councils (138) in High

a coffee morning meeng it went to the vote beaufully links the generaons of past, me hooked on steeper stuff and more and received. It sll sells along with a collecon and the name chosen was ‘Nevis Mews’. present and future. more me was spent learning new skills and of prints which help to augment the

‘Nevis’ was favoured because the Ben We are waing to hear what the Gaelic geng new views of Lochaber. pension. Having worked well past can be seen from the properes in Walter translaon will be. Photography had been a hobby from rerement age I sll cannot go out without Cameron Way. school days and I sll have prints of pictures a camera of some kind, but enjoy shoong taken on that first trip by Loch Ness and for pleasure and the occasional small paid photo of Alex by Fin McRae think on your feet. Treang people fairly will be second nature, as new police station station police new will respect for diversity. Many thanks to Ewen Campbell, who was able to community policing If you are interested, visit the recruitment secon of the Police name all the Scouts for us in the photograph from As I write this arcle the ‘heat wave’ we enjoyed this summer Scotland website, or contact Police Sergeant Andy Bilton at Fort Ronald Cameron that we published last issue. seems to be a distant memory and it’s just a few days before the William Police Staon for further details. Fort William young people return to school to start a new term and A good rate of progress connues to be made on the new Fort BACK ROW a new school year. William Police Staon and Ambulance Staon at the Blar. The Bobby McBride, John Iliffe, Ian Munro, Sandy Cameron, Road safety iniaves and other more local iniaves have compleon of this work is sll on target for the end of 2013. Hugh MacDonald, Donnie Stewart, Ewen Campbell, been undertaken without any major issues to report and the local As per previous newsleer arcles, I would welcome any Caley Ross, Nigel MacPhee community appear to have adapted well to the new 101 non feedback or comments on local Policing in the Lochaber/Kilmallie MIDDLE ROW construction of construction emergency number and the 8am to 8pm opening hours of the Fort area as we connue to priorise keeping people safe in the

Walter P Cameron, Donald Robertson, Peter Stewart, William Police Staon. communies we serve. Charlie MacMillan, Alistair MacDougall, Duncan Police Scotland is currently looking for people to join the PS197 Andrew Bilton MacPhee, Calum Ferguson, Hugh Allison, Neil Special Constabulary and volunteer their own me to improve the Liaison Officer for Kilmallie Community Council MacMillan, Michael MacKintosh, John Carmichael safety and wellbeing of the people, places and communies in [email protected] Scotland. FRONT ROW Police Service of Scotland We are seeking movated individuals who are able to speak to Mrs J Cameron, Graeme MacKintosh, Olaf Donaldson, Fort William Police Staon, people from all walks of life. You should enjoy working in a team Ian Paton, Derek Donald, Commander Robb ‐ District High Street, Fort William environment and you’ll need integrity, paence and the ability to Scout Commissioner. there are more Tel 101 for non‐emergency page 26 Dè tha dol ann an saoghal na Gaidhlig? on 16 September 1873, at 8:47am... page 7 Tha sinn uile duilich gu bheil Sarah Shutharlanach a’ dol a dreuch What’s going on in the Gaelic world? mar oifigear leasachadh sgireil CnaG agail. Tha Sarah air a bhith a’ dèanamh obair ionmholta, gu h‐araid le oighrigh, dhan toirt air We are all sorry that Sarah Sutherland is going to leave her job as falbh airson cheann sheachdainn sgitheadh agus air cursaichean CnaG’s local development officer. Sarah has been doing really còmhnaidh a thaobh Duais Iain Muir agus a’ teagaisg clasaichean commendable work, especially with the young; taking groups away Ulpan. ‘S i seinneadair clìuteach th’innte agus chuir i gu feum sin a’ for weekends ski‐ing and for the John Muir award, not to menon cuideachadh oigridh ag ullachadh airson a’ mhòid ionadail. Chuidich teaching night classes. As an award winning singer she has put her i Meur Lochabair taic aigid aighinn bho Bhord na Gaidhlig gus talents to use helping young people prepare for the local mod. She Rionna Whyte a thoirt a‐steach a dh’obair le coisirean ann an coig helped the Lochaber branch of An Comann Gàidhealach obtain a bun sgoiltean air feadh sgire Lochabair, bun sgoil Bhanbhaidh nam grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to bring the renowned singer, Rionna there’s some great detail in this enlarged poron of the photo below of Banavie Basin ‐ the train, the car, and a full line of trees down the Staircase measg. Thuirt a h‐uile daoine aig a’ Mhòid dè cho math ‘sa bha Whyte, in to work with choirs in five primary schools throughout sgoilearan Bhanbhaidh agus cha bu choir dhuinn a dhìochuimh‐ Lochaber, Banavie School included. At the mod everybody was ...140 years ago, saying how well Banavie had done and it is well to remember the neachadh an obair sgoineil a rinn Deirdre Beck còmhla riutha. Bha almost to the day, Queen Victoria set off on impressive work that Deirdre Beck, and Sarah herself, had done Mòd Lochabair air leth soirbhicheil am bliadhna air sgath obair nan her trip up the canal to Inverness on the with them. Lochaber Mod was a much bigger event this year and its curaidh a tha seo, am measg eile, leithid Linda Chaimbeul agus paddle steamer Gondolier. Then, as now, outstanding success was due in large part to these key workers as Joanne McHale. royalty probably got a completely false idea well as a large number of other acvists, notably Linda Campbell Tha Sarah a’ dol dhan Colaiste an Fhoglaim airson bliadhna gus of what real life was like ‐ you can imagine and Joanne McHale. teisteanas aighinn mar dsear bun sgoil Gaidhlig. Tha mi lan how everything that might have offended Sarah is going to College of Educaon to qualify as a Gaelic cinnteach gum bi ise na dsear annabarrach math. Bhiodh sinn her eye would have been died away, fortanach nam gheibheadh i cothrom a theagaisg anns a’ bhun sgoil Medium Primary teacher and we would be fortunate if she gets the chance to work in our new Gaelic medium school as I am certain screened off, or given a lick of paint. ùr Gaidhlig againne. She’d been staying at Inverlochy Castle Fads a tha sinn a guidhe soraidh slan le Sarah, tha againn ri that she will make a great teacher. While we bid farewell to Sarah we have to welcome another the night before, and had been driven to fàilte a chur ri nighean talantach eile. ‘S ann an t‐Eilean Cheap Banavie to embark at the pier (where the Bhreatann a tha Tara NicFhraing agus tha ise a’ dol a leum a steach talented young woman to the area. Tara Rankine, who is about to Ocean Mist jey now is) at the top of dhan brogan Sarah. ‘S e buil den teaghlach, ainmeil, ceòlmhor step into Sarah’s shoes, is from Cape Breton and a member of the famous, musical Rankine Family. I would say that we are lucky to Neptune’s Staircase. PS Gondolier had

sinach, an teaghlach MhicFhraing, no Rankine Family, a tha Tara Campbell in Lochaber News been in service for 7 years, but it had been agus chanainn gu bheil sinn fortanach gu bheil bana‐Chanadianach have this talented young Canadian working among us and specially kied out for the royal occasion òg talantach a ghinn a dh’obair nar measg agus a chuir nar reminding us that Gaelic is sll an internaonal language. with carpeted decks, deerskin rugs, chuimhne gu bheil a’ Ghaidhlig athast na canan eadar‐naistenta. The Lochaber branch of An Comann has offered to hold the armchairs, Victoria tartan everywhere and Tha Meur Lochabar a’ Chomainn air tabhann a chuir a‐steach 2017 Naonal Mod in Lochaber and it seems that An Comann is festoons of flowers. am Mòd Naisteanta a cumail ‘sa Ghearasdan ann an 2017. Tha e more than happy at the prospect of a return to the district. This Twenty years later, passengers would coltach gum bhiodh an Comann barrachd air toilichte a thighinn air would bring in more than £2,500,000 to the local economy. One be able to transfer direct to the paddle‐ ais an seo agus thoireadh sinn barrachd ‘s £2,500,000 a steach dhan thing, however, is certain. If Meur Lochabair succeeds with its bid PS Gondolier (? at Fort Augustus). Thanks to steamer from a steam train standing sgire. Tha rud eile cinnteach, bidh a’ Mheur a’ lorg mòran luchd‐ to hold the Mod, it will be looking for a lot of volunteers to get such Tom Lee’s delighul Paddle Steamer Picture

spotted on BBC’s The One Show on 2nd Sept 2nd on BBC’s The One Show spotted on alongside the canal. The Banavie line was a cuideachaidh soar‐thoilleach airson an tachartais mhòir seo a chuir a big event up and running. Perhaps there is a role for you to play? Gallery for this photo branch off the original West Highland line air doigh. Am bheil sibh airson ghinn air bhòrd? Tha a’ Mheur gun At the moment Meur Lochabair, the local branch of An Comann, is that linked the Fort to Glasgow. The opened in 1901. The original Banavie cathraiche aig an àm seo. Leig Tearlach MacCholla an dreuchd sin without Chairperson. Aer many years of outstanding work Charlie Banavie branch was opened in 1895, staon was then renamed Banavie Pier. seachad, as deidh iomadh bhliadhna de dh’obair sònraichte, agus, McColl is standing down as chair and, although I’m keeping the

(before the West Highland extension to Nearly forty years aer, with the increasing ged a tha mi a’ cumail an cathair blath, mar iar‐cathraiche, bidh chair warm, as Vice‐Chair, the Meur will need a new Chairperson Mallaig) and this greatly increased the supremacy of roads over rail and water, the feum aig a’ Mheur air cathraiche ùr a dh’aithghearr. fairly soon. Ronald Cameron numbers of people using the canal (present branch closed to passengers in 1939, and ‐day policians please note!) closed completely in 1951. The staon sll exists (now a private The story of this railway is an integral thanks to Scosh Canals for this photo from their

house) as does the staon‐master’s house. part of the story of the canal. Wouldn’t it archive, (date unknown, assumed pre 1951) of the pepperpot from Fiona the great tapestry But the train didn’t terminate at the staon: be great if this story could be promoted in it carried on right up onto the canal, and the interpretaon centre that Scosh Slightly further north, the local community you can sll make out the line of it today… Canals are thinking of developing further are taking steps to preserve their railway of Scotland - slowly climbing up to the level of the canal down the hill (see page 4). It would also be heritage at Invergarry. Perhaps something and then reversing back along to the old great if the landscape evidence of the akin is possible here, and could even be to pier. railway could be preserved and enhanced ‐ Scosh Canals’ benefit.

update The Banavie line was effecvely not diminished by lack of awareness, and More about the Gondolier and the

Huge congratulaons to Joan Kerr of Banavie for compleng demoted to a ‘branch‐branch’ line once the hopefully not destroyed by development on railway in future issues, with thanks to her epic embroidery which has now taken its place as one of West Highland Extension to Mallaig was the top of it. Iain Henshaw for reference material the panels in the Great Tapestry of Scotland (see June 2013 issue for full background story). Aer months of working In the past, chains were used link in the chain number 2: link in the chain number 5: into the night, Joan finally completed her panel in July and to open the canal lock gates... Andy’s father Donnie Goodwin was a diver at a different Primary School, Kilmonivaig, sent it off to Edinburgh to be joined up with all the 164 other and a lockkeeper on the canal in the 1990’s, pupils made a video about panels. The enre tapestry has been on display during link in the chain number 1: Queen Vic's visit to Banavie locks and September at the Scosh Parliament where it is aracng Thanks to Andy Goodwin (brought up in link in the chain number 3: called it "Ernie's Big Day" as a thank you to huge crowds. Banavie, now living in Gothenburg) for John, the present canal superintendent, rered Banavie lock‐keeper Ernie Joan has earned herself a place in history. And very sending us a link to some great early film remembers Andy playing shinty for MacLugash for helping them to learn about touchingly, in the small boom right hand corner of her footage showing the train coming right up Banavie Primary School, at Annat Farm how the canal works panel where stchers had a ny square to sign their work, to the canalside to meet the steamer. It where the pitch used to be. Joan chose to include Kilmallie’s own pepperpot lighthouse shows both the paddle steamer and steam link in the chain number 6 as her emblem. engine steaming away at the same me. link in the chain number 4: one of the pupils who remembers making Arrangements are in hand for the tapestry to tour

Brilliant, even if you’re not a steam fanac. not quite the same generaon, but there’s the video with Ernie was Richard ‐ who great picture Scotland next year, so watch out for details of where you can You can see it on YouTube. Search for: a great picture of Banavie Primary School’s sculpted the driwood pony on page 24! go and see it ‐ wouldn’t it be great if it could be Scosh Railways in the 1930's. Film 17032. shinty team on page 28!

joan’s tapestry panel panel tapestry joan’s on display in Kilmallie ‐ at the High School say? The footage of Fort William and Banavie How on earth are you filling your me in the starts 8 mins in to the film. evenings now Joan? 

page 8 whitta lotta litta! wild page 25 A number of Kilmallie residents have approached KCC over the last few months with concerns or complaints about litter. Meanwhile others in the community (including many of our youngest members) have been taking matters into their own hands. So this time we bring you a special 4 page feature - about a thank you to all the local STARS of the war on litter

“Lier... don’t get me kilmallie started... I’ve just The west coast of Scotland is a wonderful picked up 5 vodka place to go to see whales, dolphins and boles, several cans, porpoises. Just by heading west from cigaree lier etc , in Kilmallie, areas off Arisaig, Mull and the same area – Ardnamurchan are great whale‐watching trying to avoid the spots from land or sea. dogs’ dirt while doing

so.“ But if you’re not up for a trip out west, what (from a Corpach whales can you find on your doorstep in resident) Kilmallie? Harbour porpoises, Britain’s smallest whale, can to be found enjoying the shelter and feeding opportunies of Lochs

KCC had Linnhe and Eil. Porpoises are small, complaints about inconspicuous animals, usually to be seen in the amount of small groups of two or three animals, and litter and broken recognisable by their small triangular fin. Beautiful Banavie ??? glass in the Susannah Calderan children’s play This is the sight that greeted me on my dog walk this morning! It is a sad area at Guisach and depressing indictment on today’s society that rubbish like this can be Terrace dropped less than 10 metres from a lier bin. But who is responsible? Is it the unthinking individuals who could not be bothered to get out of the car but thanks to a and walk the short distance to the bins? Is it the fast food company who team of care nothing of the unwanted social consequences of their business and volunteers, it all are only interested in profit making and tax avoidance? Is it Scosh Canals got cleaned up so who should wake up to the possible problems that will arise with further that the children development at the Banavie basin? Or is it each and everyone one of us could play safely that cares for our local community and should take every opportunity not again... huge Lord Sat 28 Sept the Lochs Sportive, of only to pick up our rubbish but to speak out when this sort of behaviour is thanks to everyone encountered. I feel strongly that we should all feel a duty to look aer our who helped community and Keep Kilmallie dy.

Andy Wilmington

Kshama adds - needless to say, Andy and I picked up all the rubbish!

is our litter bees and hoverflies around this year? problem something that the Fort William Community Warden can help with, or the Art Lochaber starts its new programme where to start ? Sll Life ’ is to be held Criminal Justice of workshops on 21/21 September at An Clachan on 23/24 November. maybe we can all Service team? with popular tutor Alan Anderson from If you would like to aend one of the help? Argyll who will be helping solve our above workshops we would be

 by taking our litter painng challenges. This workshop to delighted to hear from you. No need to fewer home? be held at An Clachan is based on join for your first workshop – try and it  by discouraging landscape work and considers issues and see, then decide if you wish to join others from like best choice of medium, in order to aend another. If you do dropping litter? composion and tone, using wish to join, subscripon for the year is  by picking up any photographs and many more. £15, which includes, amongst many watch out for out watch litter that we see? In October Jack Cove from Glasgow benefits, a personal page in the  and by asking returns by popular demand to deliver a members gallery on our new website shops cafes and workshop entled ’Finding the Tonal artlochaber.com. ? pubs to help... Key’. Jack will help us to select and We are pleased to announce that all simplify our lights and darks, and let our weekend workshop fees remain at as Katryn so brilliantly our colours breathe. 26/27 October at the heavily subsidised and very puts it ‐ An Clachan. reasonable cost of £45. PLEASE TRY Thanks to all the Banavie Primary School pupils for their great anti-litter November sees the second workshop All booking enquiries to Catherine on OR DUCKS WILL DIE posters which you can spot in various places. This one has to be our of Alan Anderson’s problem solving 01855 821231. (Menon if you’d like a Don’t Drop Litter favourite EVER! Great graphics! Great thinking behind it! Great work approach, this me with Sll Life as the li too!) Please from Katryn in P7. theme. ‘ Painng Problems – Lorna Finlayson Kick Off Date Teams page 24 page 9 15.00 Sat 21 Sept Lochaber ‐v‐ Moray 15.00 Sat 05 Oct Lochaber ‐v‐ Shetland 15.00 Sat 19 Oct Lochaber ‐v‐ Highland 1ST XV to the unsung superheroes 14.00 Sat 16 Nov Lochaber ‐v‐ Aberdeenshire The team have been training, geng ready for the new season ahead. They have had two pre‐season friendlies against Isle of 14.00 Sat 30 Nov Lochaber ‐v‐ Stornoway

Mull, and have played their first league game which was in of the Blar 14.00 Thur 26 Dec Presidents XV ‐v‐ 1st XV Stornoway. Here is a list of our home games for the forthcoming season– please feel free to come along to our games and support 14.00 Sat 04 Jan Lochaber ‐v‐ Banff your local team. Lochaber ‐v‐ Ross 14.00 Sat 18 Jan The pitch improvement works at Banavie were due to Sutherland start in June, but due to a shorall between the funding 15.00 Sat 08 Mar Lochaber ‐v‐ Garoich allocated and the tender prices submied a submission had to be made to Educaon Services in Inverness to Go to bridge the gap. At a recent meeng held in HQ the extra funding www.lochaberrfc.co.uk required was approved, which is a huge relief to us all. The or ‘Like’ us on Facebook contractors (Soutars) hope to start work at the beginning of to keep up to date with all the latest news from Banavie. September, later than was originally planned – our main concern is that the contractors have missed the best of the weather window YOUTH RUGBY TRAINING – let’s hope we have a dry winter! We are being decanted to our old stomping ground at the Black (P3-P7 & S1-S2) - EVERY SAT – 10AM Parks for this season, returning to Banavie in August 2014 for the (S1-S2) EVERY TUES NIGHT – 7PM 2014‐2015 season. It will mean a bit of upheaval for players and (S3 –S6) – EVERY WED NIGHT – 7PM supporters alike, but It’s a small price to pay to GIRLS RUGBY(S1-S6) – EVERY WED NIGHT – 7PM have a properly drained pitch and we are

a slight tweak to KCC’s boundary! to a slight tweak Come along and give rugby a try very grateful to ECS and Sportscotland for All our coaches are SRU qualified and we are a Positive supporng this project. Coaching Accredited Club Pauline Donaldson Many of you may never even have noced them, but two superheroes from Corpach have regularly been giving up their Sunday mornings Kilmallie’s first team have had a great season winning North to clear lier from the road along the Blar and along to Corpach. Division 1. The last game of the season was played at Strathglass, This is to let them know how HUGELY their work is appreciated. Kilmallie Shinty Club Cannich and it was great for the boys to take the “big” cup th Saturday 9 November – Kilmallie Shinty Club Dinner Dance in Caol home. The second team have sll 1 league game to play. The They have truly ‘made a difference’ in their community in a way that humbles us all. Community Centre at 7.30pm with the Ballochmyle Band. Tickets under 17s and under 14s have had a busy me in August too. on sale now from Linda 700800. Kilmallie jumpers, es and junior tops are on sale now – ideal Linda Campbell, Christmas presents!! Contact Maureen Robertson on 704824. Secretary 01397 700800 if by next issue there was no litter left in Kilmallie Other people who make a difference in a completely negave way Highland Council Environmental Health Officers can issue a £50 on‐ are the people who drop all the lier in the first place. Why does the‐spot penalty noce to anyone dropping lier. It’s not an empty Banavie’s Richard Bracken, arst in residence at Room 13, created it maer? threat ‐ we heard of someone who was recently fined for dropping this beauful driwood pony at Caol Youth Centre. It was a cigaree end in the street. They were outraged as they’d just driftwood transported (by Shela Ryan’s horse box!) across Morvern where it  It looks undy put the packaging from their lunch very responsibly in the nearby was completed with the help of people aending the 'Meet the  it can be a health risk bin, but they’d assumed that cigaree ends didn’t count. They could be back in Kilmallie with just in Kilmallie with could be back Drovers' event at Achnaha, Lochaline (where it should sll be!).  It encourages vermin found out to their cost that that was wrong, and there was nothing drove pony  It injures wildlife they could do about it.  It pollutes the environment  it can cause wildfires (and we don’t need As Highland Council very poecally puts it: any more of them in Kilmallie)  It wastes public money (in short enough supply)  It’s a crime (and you can be charged for it, see story right)  It gives a bad impression to tourists, who so many of our community rely on for a living flingin’s  It gives a bad reputaon to the schools and businesses and other places the lierlouts have come from  and it erodes pride in your community, and encourages other people to drop lier too mingin!

A Keep Scotland Beauful survey showed Studies indicate that the presence of lier that more than half of Scots have dropped can reduce house values by at least 2.7% litterature lier, and almost half do it regularly. The and somemes as much as 11% ‐ that’s 122 tonnes of cigaree ends are dropped survey also showed 62% of 45 to 54 year roughly a loss of between £4,000 and every day across the UK. olds admied to liering. So despite £17,000 on average house prices in teenagers and children being perceived as Highland. On average, a piece of chewing gum costs the main lier louts actually all age groups If you see someone liering from a vehicle, about 3 pence, but the cost of removal is are responsible for the state of our streets about 10 pence per piece. you can contact TEC Services with the and open spaces. locaon, colour of car and registraon The Marine Conservaon Society recorded Fishing lier is the single biggest cause of number almost 1,700 items of (mostly plasc) lier

swan rescues. The cost to the SSPCA is Carr's Corner Depot wouldn’t it be great

kilmallie shinty pitch shinty kilmallie in every kilometre of Scotland’s coastline. esmated to be over £90,000 a year. Tel: 01397 709000, Fax: 01397 705735 clear up. However fresh dung or large quanes of dung on a path,

page 10 especially on a mul‐use path, can be unpleasant. It can even page 23 pearls of completely block access for some other users, eg people in wheelchairs or with pushchairs, and it can be a trip hazard for visually impaired people.” wisdom The leaflet gives the following guidance for riders: Following last issue’s piece about  “If you are aware that your horse has dunged outside someone’s dog fouling, KCC received a driveway, in a car park, or on a very busy path, it is courteous to complaint from a Corpach resident about horses and riders... dismount and kick the dung to the side or to return as soon as “What about horses’ droppings?“ she said. “Horses are less possible to move it.” numerous but the droppings are enormous! The pavement on the  “If you are aware your horse is going to foul, push him over to north side of the main road and the pavement of the Banavie Old the side of the path before he starts.” Road have several piles of horse droppings. To all pavement users, but especially children, pram pushers or wheelchair users, this is The leaflet gives the following guidance for other path users: unacceptable.”  “Be aware that a horse can dung without the rider even knowing While most people are aware that it is an offence to let a dog it is happening.“ foul the footpath, KCC were unclear about the situaon regarding up the  “It is oen not safe or possible for a horse rider to dismount and horses, so we did some research. clear up behind their horse immediately so please respect this.” The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides a right of  “Horse dung is good for biodiversity, totally biodegradable and watter responsible access to a wide variety of land for horse riders, good for the compost bin.” Having friends to stay is a great excuse for doing including paths and tracks, beaches and coastline, most urban things and going places that you don’t usually do at parks, farmland and woodland, and a variety of managed open Hopefully with courtesy and understanding all round, this issue will home. And taking a trip up Loch Eil is a great way spaces. cease to be a problem for Kilmallie’s human and equine residents. to show those friends some unusual sights of We couldn’t find anything published by Highland Council, but One KCC member recalls, in the days long before plasc carrier Kilmallie. Who would have thought that porpoises we did find a really useful leaflet from Fife Council which bags, regular expedions with her mother to fill shopping bags with are members of our community too ‐ but sadly they presumably applies equally here in Kilmallie in terms of law and horse droppings for the garden. If you do spot horse droppings on didn’t come close enough for a picture on that pracce... the footpath, it’s well worth collecng it for the compost heap (if parcular calm July evening. Thanks to Crannog It says “Unlike dog faeces, horse dung does not carry disease. It you don’t mind aracng a few strange looks). Cruises for the paer up the waer. is not a threat to human health. There are no laws against horse Horse dung is apocryphally great on rhubarb, but we prefer fouling in public places and no legal requirements for the riders to custard with ours.

Responsibility for dealing with this sort of thing lies with SEPA who have known about it for years and who seem long on excuses and what a dump! short on acon. They have wrien to the slater but he doesn’t When I was a brat in Banavie Primary School, way seem to be impressed. back in the 50’s, the Glen of the Allt Mòr, So why should we be concerned? Apart from the obvious downstream of the tunnels under the canal, was a problem of not knowing what is being dumped on our doorsteps place of real beauty which had a sort of magic for kids and what effect it might have on our life expectancy there is a clear with a sparkling burn running through a wooded glen. danger to the Lochy and its fish stocks. At the moment most of the Then, in the 60s some lunac had the incredible idea of stuff being dumped is merely ugly and an eyesore, right beside the turning it into a dump. First of all the burn was made to run Great Glen Way; scarcely a good adversement for Lochaber. The through pipes onto which huge quanes of peat and building real threat of uncontrolled, unofficial dumps like this is that Gleann Dubh Lighe bothy re-built after the fire rubbish were dumped and what was once beauful became a blot someday somebody with half a brain and no conscience will dump on the landscape. something really nasty there, rather than pay to have it disposed of since the constructionsince the mill of the pulp Although the pipes used were about a metre in diameter they properly. Just downstream is Caol, Scotland’s biggest village!

weren’t nearly big enough. Nature and a wild burn were quick to Are there any soluons? At the moment building contractors re‐assert ownership of the glen. Anyone who has paddled a kayak need to hire skips to dispose of waste. This works well enough for on a river in big spate, who has felt the power and known the fear, bigger jobs but is prohibively expensive for small ones. Perhaps could have foreseen the contempt with which the pipes and much there should be a building trade skip staoned somewhere, like the of the peat were swept aside. The peat ended up in Loch Linnhe re‐cycling centre, where builders can dump waste in return for an and the pipes were le scaered about like stranded whales. They annual fee. Perhaps we need to lobby our MSPs so that SEPA can lie there rong to this day. The whole sad saga is an appalling be given more powers to deal with a problem that isn’t unique to episode of environmental vandalism for which somebody really Banavie. ought to have gone to jail. The burn never really managed to reclaim all of its domain. Ronald Cameron Much of the peat remained and over the year people have connued to dump all manner of rubbish on the western side of

50 years the glen, at a place which the authories now call Mount Alexander. Much of the material is waste from the construcon industry and its being dumped in this manner is highly illegal. Nasty looking effluent leaks out of the dump and into the River Lochy. During this dry summer the last 50m of the burn shrank to a stagnant pool of reddish brown sludge. One would hope that this consisted mainly of iron rust but, without analysis, there is no way of knowing. Nobody knows what has been abandoned here. It

would be a cheap place to get rid of asbestos and other hazardous pleased to see materials which is why dumping is controlled by law and all such sites are meant to be licensed and supervised. At the moment almost all of the dumping seems to be being done by one roofing company with a Fort William address. There are piles of broken slates and les, half buckets of cement, silicone tubes, damaged blue tarpaulins and much more beside. donors eg UNICEF for use with in the HIV units albeit many of

page 22 these do not use the drugs, but it is at mes difficult to source page 11 update from and it can sit in distribuon centres for months waing for community heroes, young and not so young someone to produce a distribuon list! Very frustrang and Banavie School’s lierpick at Corpach in June (see KCC’s website for full size, full colour pictures) (also more pix on page 18) me consuming. Thankfully, having by now built a network of sub-saharan africa! like‐minded professionals we have gained access to some of It’s hard to believe we are almost 5 months into our Malawian this stock but we are aware of other hospitals/clinics which experience as volunteers with Ndi Moyo Palliave Care in are funconing without access to morphine. On the plus side Salima. I am happy to report that Peter is now feeling well and the whole situaon has demonstrated an increased the cardio‐version, which he travelled to Nairobi again in June awareness of palliave care and an evident increased use of to have, has been totally successful, so the decision to stay this essenal drug. We, along with others, are now trying to here and crack on with the job was the right one. We will source a beer method of gaining a constant supply of return to Nairobi again in October for what we hope to be his morphine into the country to avoid such crisis happening last check up. again. We are very seled and happy here and have become Our other main news is that we have at last moved into more familiar with the work here alongside its many our own home and much as we enjoyed house‐sing for the frustraons and the completely different me zone the Finchs (founders of Ndi Moyo) whilst they were vising UK it Malawian people live in! These people rush for no one – a has been such a joy in the last week to finally unpack our relaxed unstressed pace which I suppose we could all take a suitcases and hang up our clothes for the first me. Our new lesson from I think. One of the clinic staff commented one day home is by the lakeside, parcularly important as the hot that he was pleased to see I had slowed down, as he had been season starts, and although not quite as palaal as out last very concerned at the pace I walked when I first arrived! Peter lodging, it is quite adequate for our needs. Now we just need actually rather likes this slower pace so I have had to learn to to find some friends! adjust. Mind you, the slow pace can be equally frustrang I am constantly amazed at the resourcefulness of the when it spills over into the work place. Meengs rarely start people here, none more so than the children. There are no on me – people dri in up to an hour and more aer the set toys available in this very poor rural area but children me and no one turns a hair. We keep saying we are going to everywhere are seen to be playing, together and alone with take account for this the next meeng we are called to but home‐made toys. Boys play football with balls made from somehow our Brish roots won’t let us and we sit there like a plasc bags and rubber bands whilst girls use the same balls pair of lemons waing for proceedings to begin having been but focus on netball, the ‘nets’ made from rubber tyres nailed on the KCC website sue in colour the first to arrive yet again! In the centre we have introduced to a thick branch sunk into the sand. Skipping and jumping the concept of ‘Scosh me’ whereby the morning gathering games with ed rubber bands is another favourite, while of staff and paents for hymn singing and prayer (a lovely way young children push around the most amazing toys made to start the day) was anyme from 8.30‐9am is now bang‐on from fishing floats and bits of wire. There are no distracng 8.30am and the banging of the drum summons everyone from television or computer games to keep them indoors. Children their clinic/administrave dues to the central dome for a roam free it seems, occasionally seen carrying machetes or mely start. We find now that even if we are not there the ‘slashers’ on their way to cut branches for the fire. We see me schedule is kept to and staff are keen to ensure this them minding these fires, unsupervised, but I also see many stays! children with horrific burns in the hospital because of this too. The work place is a pleasant place to be. We have had two Everywhere one goes there are children playing, laughing, new nurses join the team in June and July and they have running, skipping and as we pass they leap up to wave. They seled well providing me with lots of teaching pracce, as love geng their photos taken and even more to seeing the neither had worked previously in Palliave Care. We at last results! ... and car‐buncles in the landscape... have our full team complement so clinics and outreach work We have enjoyed our weekends off here taking advantage Lier isn’t just small stuff like sweee papers and drink cans: it’s big stuff are much easier to run. A number of new developments have of the lovely climate and travelling fairly widely throughout too like fridges, maresses and cars! been introduced and are working well. A new database has the country camping in some beauful areas. Tourism is not Four well‐rusted vehicles have been disgracing the bonny banks of the piece was read out on Talk Lochaber by Sheena McIntyre - thanks Sheena! McIntyre Sheena by read out on Talk Lochaber piece was been iniated and ensures that the informaon entered well developed as the infrastructure is so poor but selfishly Lochy for many years. They are now gradually geng chopped up and regarding paents, treatments etc can be pulled to help write this ensures that we oen have campsites to ourselves! taken away to be disposed of properly, thanks to one acvist who is you can see all the photos in this is last reports, something the rather clunky anquated system Waking up to the sound of birdsong is wonderful and sing volunteering his me, hard gra, and even the cost of some plant hire. previously used has not done for some me. New paent round the campfire at night watching the huge African skies A very big thank you to the not‐so‐young Local Hero concerned, for his records have also been piloted, amended and accepted so all with their myriad stars and constellaons makes us appreciate much appreciated services to the community and our environment. in all things are progressing apace. Peter has been mainly how blessed we are to be here at this me. No thanks to the original dumpers, or to the authories who are either developing the Strategic Plan and for one who knew lile Further updates will be made as we connue this work. If powerless or reluctant to help. about palliave care he has taken it all in his stride and anyone would like to follow the process more closely, there is produced a very good report. The economist in him has at a group seng on facebook which I try to add to on a weekly mes baulked at the cost of end of life care but he is much basis. Type Ndi Moyo into the FB search bar and you should more aware of the very real benefits this brings to so many get an ‘open group’ opon. Otherwise with advanced disease and he has become a real advocate in my email address is spreading the palliave care word at regional and naonal [email protected] and I meengs. do so enjoy hearing tales from The morphine crisis I reported in the last edion, has Corpach and surrounds! Our become much more of a reality again as the country has run fundraising webpage remains open for out of morphine powder completely! This of course was not anyone who would like to contribute: reported unl there was no stock le. Everyone blamed www.everyclick.com/ remember Kathryn’s Kathryn’s someone else and it went back along the chain so that no one peterandkathryn . would take responsibility. Thankfully we had a reasonable

stock and judicious use has enabled us to keep pracsing. Kathryn Hamling There are some morphine products in the country from large

page 12 a right page 21 Eco News Glasgow with 13, followed by Edinburgh and Inverness with 11. Elsewhere in the UK, Oxford and Alton Towers On the Thursday the 27th of June, Banavie Primary royal were top destinations. School was awarded its third eco flag, thanks to all the Everyone agreed that they had enjoyed their summer hard work put in by pupils, supported by staff and holidays. parents alike. During eco week in school, we had a lot of Maria Halliwell, Millie Jackson, Cam Clark and Robbie occasion work to do, such as weeding around the beds and we held Murray Marine Harvest’s factory isn’t quite in different focused eco days, such as a no-paper day, a healthy eating day, a no-packaging day and a no-energy Macmillan coffee Kilmallie - it’s on the other side of the day, which was fun. tracks, technically in Caol, and their nearest farm is at Gairlochy. But At our Eco Assembly that Friday, we discussed what morning nevertheless we knew you’d like to still needed to be done and parents came in to help, which We are holding a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan read about their trip to the palace, From L to R: th we really appreciated and allowed us to gain our third Cancer Support, on Friday 27 September 2013 at especially since some of their staff Angus MacKay, Calum MacDonald, Davy Corrigan, Dave MacEwan, Jayne MacKay, Steve Bracken flag. 11.00am in Banavie School Hall. Please come along and live in Kilmallie, including Steve Jack Steer and Rhiann Dempster support this extremely worthwhile charity and all the Bracken and Jayne & Angus MacKay Royal Warrant Holders at this unique event. the stand. We had maps showing the

valuable work that it does. who are in the photo The Fesval was open to members of the locaon of our farms, a rolling video of the public, aer a Royal Preview on the salmon life cycle, iPads with the new Marine Holiday 2013 Jo Barr Moir and Ria Watson. The Gardens at Buckingham Palace were the Thursday for invited guests, including Harvest Scotland apps with recipes and We surveyed every class in the school and asked each venue for a one‐off event this summer for members of the Royal Family, charies, Sam’s Slide game. pupil about their summer holiday destinations. Of those My Summer by Matthew McKeown holders of the Royal Warrants to celebrate patronages, media, armed forces, inward A fish chiller held our gued salmon and who went abroad, Spain was definitely the most popular the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s investors and overseas trade missions, and what we supply to Her Majesty ‐ 125g with 11 pupils going there. This was followed by France My Summer was great, the Coronaon. Marine Harvest Scotland took guests of the Royal Warrant Holders skinless, boneless porons known as with 6 and America and Poland with 2. Other countries Yellow sun shining. part in the four day celebraon between the Associaon and the Royal Household. Queen’s Porons. We gave visitors a taste of visited were Egypt, Cyprus, Germany, Greece and 11th and 14th July 2013. In the evenings, on a stage that had our salmon with pre‐prepared canapés, and Seaside full of people Royal Warrants are a mark of recognion to been erected at the back of Buckingham an opportunity to learn how to cook salmon Portugal. Umbrellas out of sight individuals or companies who have supplied Palace, there was music from Dame Kiri Te in the Kitchen Theatre with a cookery In Scotland, the most popular place visited was goods or services for at least five years to Kanawa, Kae Melua, Katherine Jenkins, demonstraon from Chef Sophie Wright. Magnificent meadows full of flowers the Households of The Queen, The Duke of Russell Watson and The Feeling. New For our team it was an absolutely unique Magnums melting in the sun. Edinburgh or The Prince of Wales. They Adventures and the English Naonal Ballet experience but also very importantly, an Everyone’s happy in summer but it’s have always been regarded as hallmarks of also performed. occasion to proudly fly the Marine Harvest Rubbish autumn has come quality, excellence and service. Our team comprised 22 staff flag before 60,000 people. We were awarded our presgious Royal represenng a range of departments within Warrant in 1990 and joined over 200 other the company and we took it in turns to man Jayne MacKay, Tomonie My Summer by Neilie Clark will all risk beleaguering the same businesses with requests for

My summer was an exciting trip to Glasgow financial help. This would be unfortunate for the askers and very irritang for the businesses, especially when some of them will You should see the new guitar I bought! funding fears be struggling to survive in difficult mes. At the same me, have any questions they’d like to put to our Highland Councillors? Highland put to our they’d like to have any questions KCC heard that one or two local businesses sources of money like Highland Council’s Ward Discreonary School shoes are Kickers. were a bit fed up receiving requests for Fund are increasingly under pressure, and it is oen hard to apply

Under the hot sun. money from KCC (for the newsleer) and for a New Year ceilidh in Kilmallie this year? for grants for ny projects and ones that run on year aer year. Macdonalds, it was lovely! from the Christmas Lights Fund within a few days of each other, thinking we were one and What is the soluon? Mum shopping the same. We apologise for any upset this may Some community councils are wealthy, or potenally wealthy, Erin’s birthday havet caused. Bu just to explain, KCC and the Christmas Lights thanks to community benefit funds from eg Glensanda quarry, or Really exciting! Fund are two completely separate organisaons ‐ and we were major hydro schemes. But Kilmallie is not in that enviable not aware that we would be approaching Kilmallie businesses at posion. around the same me. In this instance the Christmas Lights Maybe a Kilmallie Community Fund? A common pot like this Funds happened to get in first, and enthusiasm for sponsoring would mean that businesses would only get one request a year, Kilmallie Community News may have suffered as a result. and the pot could be divided out equitably each intrepid Unfortunately this is likely to happen more and more oen as year between all the deserving community groups public services are curtailed and as more community groups set and causes that applied, and all duly accounted up to try and deal with the gaps, needs and shoralls that ensue. for. KCC are unable to take on all these things ourselves, so it is fundraisers probably inevitable that separate groups will proliferate, and we Let us know what you think, or if you have any other ideas.

Owen Pescod and Fraser Clark, both 9, and Rosie Clark, any plans age 12, wanted to raise money towards a new off‐road buggy for Rowan Macleod (age 14). Rowan has cerebral KILMALLIE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FUND palsy and is a former pupil of Banavie Primary School.

school pupils pupils school Since the publicaon of the last Community More informaon along with a list of our supporters Rowan and Rosie are both former pupils and Owen and Newsleer, members of our small fundraising group will appear in the Christmas edion of the Newsleer. Fraser currently aend Banavie School. have met on several occasions. We have now Meanwhile any member of the community who With support from their dads they successfully circulated leers to local businesses asking for would like to contribute financially should contact our climbed Buchaille Eve Mor in September and raised a financial support and have been reassured by the treasurer Sue Hood (tel 722400). There are also total of £339 through sponsorship and the selling of home generosity of the response. Accordingly we are now collecon boxes sited in local shops and businesses. baking made by Fraser and Rosie's granny. do Banavie hopeful that we will be able to provide Christmas

lights in the tradional manner at the two usual sites Paul Brian Pictured is Rowan in her new off‐road buggy which will allow her and her parents the freedom to explore many more places. at Banavie and Corpach. Chairman, Kilmallie Christmas Lights Fund admin offices, staffroom, toilets, Sixth Year page 20 room and – most importantly – a large page 13 library/resource area. Once we occupy this new building, the current admin block at the Our aenon was drawn to our limited funds, barely enough to front of the school will be demolished. The pay next years bills. At some point we will have to raise addional coming session will, I’m sure, bring some funds. Also membership requires aenon; we need to keep August/September 2013 Lochaber 21 refurbishment and rebuilding challenges and inconveniences as the recruing new members in order to support our claim to represent Pupils and staff returning to Lochaber High project and I can only praise the efforts that building work progresses but the end aer the summer break could have been were made to ensure the school was ready product will be well worth the effort and will The AGM for Kilmallie Community Company was held on Tuesday the community and bring in new blood. forgiven for thinking that a bomb had gone to open at the start of term. The first and really transform the way our school looks 23rd July. As usual the main jobs were to review progress, look at David Govan explained our accounts copies of which were off at the school; classrooms had most obvious change is the new car park, and funcons. the accounts and elect directors. circulated. He said that the level of expenditure was very low but disappeared, corridors were boarded up and neatly lined and soon to have the addion Our pupils received their SQA results on we had only sufficient balance to cover this and next years Paul Brian welcomed all to the meeng and thanked everyone there were piles of rubble all around! of much need lighng. Re‐cladding and re‐ 6 August and many did extremely well; a expenditure. If we had any sort of emergency then addional funds for their support. He explained that the AGM was necessary and an However, closer examinaon revealed a roofing the three‐storey block is underway testament to the hard work of both pupils would need to be raised. The chairman thanked David for his work. opportunity for any quesons. He gave a summary of the well‐organised construcon site and there and new Guidance offices have been and staff. Next year pupils in Fourth Year companies formaon up to date. Since the last AGM a few Two directors rered. Paul Brian having served 5 years and was widespread amazement at how much created. Rooms G26 and 27, the canteen, will be sing the new Naonal individuals have kept a watching eye on the woods and have Roddy Mainland having served three. Roddy was prepared to stand had been achieved over the summer kitchen, chimney/water tower and the hall examinaons which will replace the current cleared away lier. In August we invited John Dye to come and do again. John Ireland was prepared to stand. Denis Barnes was holidays. Robertson Construcon staff, foyer/corridor have all been demolished to Standard Grade and Intermediates. These some tree bores in the pine wood. The result is that we now know proposed as a co‐opted director. along with a host of sub‐contractors, have make way for a new central block which will examinaons are part of the naonal the trees are about 180 years old. We had only one work party in Secretary proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing chairman really got to grips with phase 3 of the include a new main entranceway, recepon, Curriculum for Excellence iniave and, as May in the oak wood when we cleared lier, pulled up holly Paul Brian. He in turn said he had enjoyed his 5 years as director well as making the assessments more seedlings and removed one or two hanging branches. To save and thanked his fellow directors, secretary and treasurer for their relevant, will make the range of money we closed our web site but transferred all the informaon interest and work. He thought we had the right approach low key qualificaons easier to understand for to the Kilmallie Community Council site. This combined with regular and a minimum of interference but hard work when the need parents and employers. Geng to grips with contribuons to the council news leer has given us a much beer arose. these new qualificaons is the main focus of profile. our improvement planning for the coming Paul Biggin year. The new session, as always, sees new Cnoc nam Faobh is a delight in summer, with the sunshine dappling faces arriving at the school: 144 new first through the canopy of oak leaves. And usually the woods are prey years along with a number of new wotta shi**a much free of lier, thanks to the dedicaon and hard work of the enrolments further up the school means Corpach Woods volunteers who clear up aer other people. So it that our roll has risen slightly to 873 pupils. was ironic that while the newsleer team were preparing the feature There are new faces on the staff too, chucking litta! on lier for this issue, we noced this sad juxtaposion of fast food pictured le to right are: Miss Leanne Blair adversing and lier lout acvity. In this case it wasn’t the snack (Art & Design); Mr Husayn Al‐Khairulla bar’s fault: someone must have travelled a fair distance to very (Chemistry); Miss Mariann Couper (Biology); consciously chuck their MacDonalds’ packaging into our own Mr David Rankin (Art & Design) and Miss community woodland. Lynsey Rankin (English). But ooops sorry, having spoed it, the photographer intended to Miss Elizabeth Gow take the lier home, but got far o’er absorbed in taking pictures of has taken up post as oak leaves and sunlight and completely forgot to go back for it. If Acng Depute Head you’re passing, or especially if it was your lier in the first place, Teacher, replacing Mr please can you pick it up and put it in a bin. Thanks! Reynolds who has moved to Ross High to all Kilmallie winners agricultural at this year’s show School, Tranent as Head Teacher. We are currently adversing vacancies for teachers of Compung Studies and Technical. Events this term include the annual fundraising ‘High School Hike’; an Outward Bound trip to the Lake District for a group of S2 pupils; a senior Art & Design trip to Edinburgh; University Open Day trips for S6;

a ‘Driving Ambion’ course for S6 and ‘The of KCC meetings are posted on the Corpach and Banavie noticeboards Big Photo’ (a formal photograph of all the pupils and staff). The absence of a hall this term will restrict our acvies somewhat but pupils from our Higher Drama class will be staging "I read the news today, oh boy..." (Friends of Caledonian Canal Lochaber) on Tuesday 1 October 2013. Five short is a subgroup of plays, wrien and directed by pupils, will be the Kilmallie Community Company. For more info, or to be added to our mailing list, contact performed in the Drama Studio. A limited Jan MacLugash, 01397 772383, number of ckets will be available. email: [email protected] The session ahead will undoubtedly be busy with many opportunies for our young

 news of pods at Banavie being on hold  great to see some of the trees we  pleased to hear that the ‘no pedestrian people to parcipate and to achieve. minutes for the me being and proposals in the planted earlier in the year are thriving, access’ sign at Moy Bridge has been taken Further details of what’s happening at Lochaber High School can be found on our

congratulations congratulations pipeline for visitor facilies at Banavie. though quite a lot of them at Neptune’s down: thank you Scosh Canals.  wondering what the plans are for the Staircase car park have been killed ‐ there  see new Towpath Code of Conduct website at www.lochaber.highland.sch.uk empty Scosh Canals’ houses at Banavie ‐ are telltale signs of nibbling all round the www.scoshcanals.co.uk/media‐centre/ hope they’re not empty as long as Telford base of the protecve sleeves. press‐releases/new‐towpath‐code‐of‐ Jim Sutherland House at Gairlochy Rabbits! conduct‐unveiled Head Teacher The boys & girls at Kilmallie Playgroup down with delight filling the air with laughter. It was a page 14 all enjoyed an action packed last term brilliant day and all the children were presented with a page 19 in a centre that had become very medal and a book of memories from their key workers. Wu Quartet Saturday 26th October, 7.30pm familiar to them. The outdoor garden All aboard, the request for the end of term trip, off we Many classical musicians consider the was in full flourish with the vegetable headed on the train to Mallaig where we consumed our string quartet‐ two violins, viola and patches growing well and the tasty picnic and chatted and played games with our friends. cello ‐ to be the purest form of music. strawberries proving too much of a Arriving at the station the group were met by 2 lovely No other combinaon of instruments temptation for some. The children were all very enthusiastic Mallaig lifeboatmen who took them on an interesting tour of can pack such depth and passion into when it came to pulling the strawberries off the plants and the building and lifeboat. Navigation was put to the test by so small a space. The Wu Quartet, some commented on the smell and sweet taste at snack using maps and steering wheels while others worked their winner of several internaonal prizes, Music For All is a local music club certainly epitomises this perfecon. time. Our budding gardeners really did take the job seriously strong muscles by pulling ropes from the safe area. We really series in Lochaber which holds around taking on the responsibility of weeding and planting. The did learn so much and could not believe how clean the boat five concerts a year between the water butt proved to be very popular and served many was. Four boys and girls went with their parents on a boat months of October and April.

purposes from “making cups of tea”, forming puddles to ride around the harbour in search of seals. The journey back Prices Rachel Hair Trio jump in and feeding the plants. on the train was filled by colouring in and sharing stories. Annual adult membership £38.00 Friday 15th November, 7.30pm During the time at Playgroup we had enjoyed music sessions Kilmallie Daycare was open all summer during the school Senior cizen membership £30.00 One of the leading bands on Scotland’s vibrant folk scene, the Rachel Hair Trio led by Clare Reynolds and the excitement was building for holidays. Children aged 2½-6 years old had a fun filled, Adult per concert £10.00 presents a sparkling blend of melodic the summer concert. Throughout the year we met and productive time spending the majority of it in the great Senior cizen per concert £8.00 harp mastery, rootsy songs and made new friends from other centres and we were all outdoors. All the children enjoyed the wonders of skimming Child per concert (under 18) £1.00 sophiscated rhythmical drive. coming together at Kilmallie Free Church to perform our stones in the river up at Annat, pond dipping culminating in All concerts are taking place at Fronted by acclaimed harpist‐ mass concert. The children had been working really hard a wonderful picnic. Den building was very popular in the Kilmallie Community Centre. composer Rachel Hair and featuring learning all their words and actions as well as how to play local woods as was developing climbing skills on stones at Tickets are available at the door the much‐in‐demand singer‐guitarist the instruments. The boys and girls at Kilmallie, in keeping Kilmallie Hall. The wondrous weather really complimented News of further concerts from our Jenn Buerwirth and top Scosh 2013/2014 programme in next with the concert theme ‘Weather’ had been given songs our activities around the local area. double bassist Euan Burton, the group newsleer has honed a repertoire drawn from relating to the sunshine to practice. The way the children We would like to take this opportunity to welcome back our tradional, contemporary and sang and played up on the stage was amazing and all returning families and to say a warm welcome to all families AGM at Bidwells’ offices, North Road, internaonal sources to create parents and staff were extremely proud. They had a joining the centre for the first time. We hope that Kilmallie Fort William Wednesday 2nd October 2013 7.30pm performances that crackle with fantastic time and showed this with big sunny smiles! Playgroup and Day Care provides an enjoyable experience character, passion, verve and joie de for all children attending and look forward to the fun-filled The children had lots of visits to and from the setting and it Beryl Ausn vivre. was great to see how everyone’s confidence had grown. It is year ahead. proving very handy having a bus stop right outside our door At present we are fully subscribed as we certainly have made good use of it. One of our latest in the morning, spaces are available trips was into Fort William library on the bus. The children for Day Care from 12 noon excitedly waited at the bus stop and watched for the onwards, if you are interested call number 46 bus coming. Everyone climbed aboard and belted the centre on 01397 772016 Kilmallie Community Centre in safely before we set off. At the library the children Carole listened to stories of pirates and treasure and joined in with The last of the modificaons have been completed and the Last December when we had the Christmas Tree action songs and rhymes. This had certainly given us all an relevant compleon cerficates have been received, dare I Fesval we displayed 48 decorated trees, this took a fair bit

appetite and off we set to enjoy a lovely snack in the say we require some strong winds along with some heavy of me and resources to get the trees and lights ready, so to Glen Mor Pipe Band on their success at the Worlds surrounds of the Alexandra Hotel finished off by practicing rain to test the last work re‐done by the roofing contractor, we are looking for some our sports day races on the parade. and this before their period of liability has expired. Sorry assistance this year and The majority of children had received an invitation to visit about this request!!! We have had very good reports of hope to get the trees Banavie School, as this would be where they were going approval about the disabled toilets and the new disabled ready , starng the first after the summer holidays. Not only were they going on a parking bays. We have had some repairs done to the car‐ week in December, we visit to the “big red school” but they were to have their park potholes with sll some of them to do and now that would like to hear from sports day in the big sports field. It was really exciting the darker nights are coming in we will have to intensify anybody or groups the car‐park lighng. willing to help or take on especially when the children’s brothers and sisters came to We have started to have a raonalisaon regarding hall a tree and dedicate it to a watch at break time. The large number of Mums and Dads equipment which has led to the disposing of 43 group, someone or some business to promote the made lots of encouraging noises as they ran, skipped hopped shabby looking chairs and some other community spirit, we could even have a compeon for and jumped up the field. The last event of the day was a redundant equipment being the best dressed tree be it by group, family or street. Food Mums and Dads race and all the children jumped up and considered for the p. for thought, all construcve suggesons will be considered. We have an upright piano This is the latest update. which is free to a good home, All the Best any takers can contact any John Macdonald, Chairman commiee member. Every week night has a Kilmallie Community Centre booking ie Monday and Friday Staon Road, Corpach, Fort William, PH33 7JH Muay Thai (kick boxing) 6 ll 8, Scosh Charity SC000604 Tuesday Scosh Country Dancing 8 ll 10, CHAIRMAN Mr John Macdonald, Merchiston, Badabrie, Banavie, Fort William. 01397 772443

Wednesday starng 5th September Contemporary Dancing congratulations 7 ll 8, Thursday Old Tyme Dancing 8 ll 10 starng 19th SECRETARY Mrs Norma MacLellan, September plus Music for All who have various dates, see 12 Hillview Drive, Corpach, Fort William. 01397 772597

KCC - still calling for lower speed limits limits speed for lower calling - still KCC posters. TREASURER Mrs Sarah Kennedy. 0776 880 5040 page 18 page 15 Children’s Holiday Club canal news at An Clachan M A M J J A S O N D J F Total Monday 7th October to Thursday 10th October 2010‐ West 27 60 72 171 206 120 44 34 15 1 1 4 755 for children 4 - 8 years old East 19 38 67 140 173 117 61 60 19 2 1 4 701 10am – 2pm 2011‐ West 24 78 83 142 260 138 33 28 16 6 2 0 810 For more information or to book a space East 11 43 84 132 175 121 79 71 14 2 2 0 734 contact Linda 01397 700800 2012 ‐ West 16 68 79 134 205 125 30 29 14 5 4 8 717 East 12 43 50 129 191 118 86 57 13 4 5 3 711 2013‐ West 25 65 85 135 276 107 693 HM

East 14 37 77 127 172 138 565

COASTGUARD Boat movements for 2013 slightly up this year. Figures for the last four years above: Corpach Sea‐lock ‐‐‐‐March to December. AT CORPACH

A reasonably quiet quarter for your local Coastguard. One very interesng point picked up by the team is the June is typically the Month when our presence is requested at number of different naonalies transing the Canal this school fetes. We aended Banavie and Upper Achintore schools year. As well as the large number of visitors from the and of course the increasingly popular Heather’s Walk. Scandinavian countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden &

2.30, meet bottom Neptune's Staircase bottom Neptune's Staircase 2.30, meet Also in June, myself and the team gave a talk and demonstraon of Finland) and Western European naons (Germany, France, water rescue techniques to the Cubs and Beavers at Spean Bridge. Holland & Belgium) we have also had visitors from Japan, Along with the other Emergency Services we aended, for the 13th Estonia, Argenna, USA, Canada, Poland, Spain, Malta, year, the “Safe Highlander” event at the Nevis Centre. This is aimed Australia & New Zealand. at Primary 7s from throughout Lochaber not just to give out safety advice but for them to acvely parcipate in scenarios.

All of which proves the aracon of the Caledonian Canal Compared to the start of the year, May, June and July were quieter The vessel is a 42 General Patrol cra. Fully Coded to the and the West Coast of Scotland sailing grounds to our than usual. We aended and assisted at the helicopter landing site workboat Standard.

on 7 occasions, and we assisted persons and vessels aground on 3 Tomonie is an anagram of emotion! friends from overseas. General speed: 17 knots cruising and 23 Knots Max. occasions. We also responded to a request to search for a missing Vessel normally Carries a Crew of 3 / 4. Max. 8 POB, but in a SAR child who fortunately was found before we reached the scene. A This also benefits the Highland economy: whether they are situaon will carry more. Capable of working 60 miles from a safe classic rescue was that of a Highland Calf stuck at the boom of a buying groceries, having a meal, or vising the local haven in moderate to rough seas. gorge at Mucomir resulng in one very pleased croer. Disllery, it really must help to sustain the area. The vessel is SAR Capable. Fully fied with GMDSS/VHF radios. HM Coastguard was also involved in a major exercise with Fort Seamaster Radar. Electronic chart / Mapping and Paper charts. William Fire and Rescue and the Scosh Ambulance Service at the All search Equipment includes, Full First Aid Equipment, all staff are Many of the visitors have no transport so they are always Underwater Training Centre. looking for something to do that can be reached by public qualified to a high standard. The vessel has No Night Limitaons Also in June the Coastguard and Mountain Rescue were given “The and has a full Satellite GPS Navigaon system with Backup. transport or taxi. Many will visit Aonach Mor chair li, climb Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award”. A roundel is now Range of the vessel is 120 miles at Normal Cruising speed. Ben Nevis, visit Treasures of the Earth or Ben Nevis on each vehicle and a pin badge awarded to every Rescue Officer. Hunter carries a small RHIB capable of speeds of 18 Knots. Disllery. Finally, we now have a dedicated patrol vessel operang off the There is accommodaon for 4 on board including Full Galley, Toilet Sat 28 Sept, 10.30 - 11.30, and 1.30 to 10.30 - 11.30, and Sat 28 Sept, shores of Kintyre, Argyll and Lochaber: MCA Hunter now based at and Shower. If any other aracons/services wish to be menoned in Dunstaffnage, see details opposite and picture below. Phil Wren, Sector Manager our Skippers’ Guide (given to every vessel that enters into the Canal) please get in touch with us so you may be included in future publicaons.

AOB

Banavie school Primary 7 John Muir Trust award clean up at As the end of August approaches we will be programming Corpach foreshore June 2013 along with Scosh Canal staff our Winter Works programme. Jobs to be tackled: and Kilmallie Community Council volunteers (see photos)  Fencing Strone & Banavie  Ditching work Moy Farm On the maintenance side of the business we have  Electrical points for boats Gairlochy had you noticed encountered a number of issues:  Pontoon re‐furbishment Corpach visitor & Gairlochy reach Gairlochy Cross‐lock pipe work sll ongoing, contractor’s  Towpath repairs Gairlochy to Banavie job overrun.  plus various other small jobs. Caol in Bloom have had problems geng volunteers from guided walks walks guided the CJS as they are ed up on other jobs hence the grass John Stafford along Kilmallie Road is not up to the usual standards.

page 16 corpach in colour page 17 flower and produce show 2013

Winners this year were... I thoroughly enjoyed helping out in the Treasures of the Earth Trophy (flowers) raffle and learning ps on growing from Marion Malcolm all the experts who had displayed their KCC Salver (garden produce) produce. I felt proud to live in Kilmallie. It Banavie School was lovely to see people receiving their Ewen & Isobel Campbell (floral art) trophies and also to meet the many Anne Smith children and adults who had taken part. M&S Dental Care (baking & preserves) I must menon Jillian's wonderful Louise Pescod winning gingerbread: it smelt gorgeous Tradewinds Shield (arts & cra) and I think I am dying to know how to Marion Malcolm make it myself having had a sneaky wee Margaret Cameron Memorial Trophy taste. (Can we print the recipe please (best exhibit in arts & cra) Jillian? But I understand if you don’t want Anne Smith to divulge your secrets of baking Corpach in Colour Trophy (most points overall) success!) Louise Pescod I’d like to encourage Kilmallie residents Children's Trophies to try their hand at producing and Drew Drysdale (playgroup), Kalina (nursery), showing something at next year’s show. I Primary 1, Abby MacKay, Ciara Muir, feel truly inspired myself as I do every Catrin Muir. year and must thank the two Margarets Corpach Hotel Trophy for a memorable day in Kilmallie. (best exhibit in children's secon)

Ciara Muir Kshama Wilmington Judges Allan and Vic (flowers and garden produce) Sandra Fortune (floral art) Thanks to Christine for taking pictures - Isobel Campbell (baking and preserves) you can see them all in colour on KCC’s Margaret Antonios (children's work) website. £312.30 was raised for Corpach in Colour funds. If you have more pictures of the event A BIG THANKYOU to all who helped and that you’d like to share, of people, exhibited on the day. See you all next year! produce and handiwork, please email them to [email protected] Margaret MacIntyre

page 16 corpach in colour page 17 flower and produce show 2013

Winners this year were... I thoroughly enjoyed helping out in the Treasures of the Earth Trophy (flowers) raffle and learning ps on growing from Marion Malcolm all the experts who had displayed their KCC Salver (garden produce) produce. I felt proud to live in Kilmallie. It Banavie School was lovely to see people receiving their Ewen & Isobel Campbell (floral art) trophies and also to meet the many Anne Smith children and adults who had taken part. M&S Dental Care (baking & preserves) I must menon Jillian's wonderful Louise Pescod winning gingerbread: it smelt gorgeous Tradewinds Shield (arts & cra) and I think I am dying to know how to Marion Malcolm make it myself having had a sneaky wee Margaret Cameron Memorial Trophy taste. (Can we print the recipe please (best exhibit in arts & cra) Jillian? But I understand if you don’t want Anne Smith to divulge your secrets of baking Corpach in Colour Trophy (most points overall) success!) Louise Pescod I’d like to encourage Kilmallie residents Children's Trophies to try their hand at producing and Drew Drysdale (playgroup), Kalina (nursery), showing something at next year’s show. I Primary 1, Abby MacKay, Ciara Muir, feel truly inspired myself as I do every Catrin Muir. year and must thank the two Margarets Corpach Hotel Trophy for a memorable day in Kilmallie. (best exhibit in children's secon)

Ciara Muir Kshama Wilmington Judges Allan and Vic (flowers and garden produce) Sandra Fortune (floral art) Thanks to Christine for taking pictures - Isobel Campbell (baking and preserves) you can see them all in colour on KCC’s Margaret Antonios (children's work) website. £312.30 was raised for Corpach in Colour funds. If you have more pictures of the event A BIG THANKYOU to all who helped and that you’d like to share, of people, exhibited on the day. See you all next year! produce and handiwork, please email them to [email protected] Margaret MacIntyre page 18 page 15 Children’s Holiday Club canal news at An Clachan M A M J J A S O N D J F Total Monday 7th October to Thursday 10th October 2010‐ West 27 60 72 171 206 120 44 34 15 1 1 4 755 for children 4 - 8 years old East 19 38 67 140 173 117 61 60 19 2 1 4 701 10am – 2pm 2011‐ West 24 78 83 142 260 138 33 28 16 6 2 0 810 For more information or to book a space East 11 43 84 132 175 121 79 71 14 2 2 0 734 contact Linda 01397 700800 2012 ‐ West 16 68 79 134 205 125 30 29 14 5 4 8 717 East 12 43 50 129 191 118 86 57 13 4 5 3 711 2013‐ West 25 65 85 135 276 107 693 HM

East 14 37 77 127 172 138 565

COASTGUARD Boat movements for 2013 slightly up this year. Figures for the last four years above: Corpach Sea‐lock ‐‐‐‐March to December. AT CORPACH

A reasonably quiet quarter for your local Coastguard. One very interesng point picked up by the team is the June is typically the Month when our presence is requested at number of different naonalies transing the Canal this school fetes. We aended Banavie and Upper Achintore schools year. As well as the large number of visitors from the and of course the increasingly popular Heather’s Walk. Scandinavian countries (Norway, Denmark, Sweden &

2.30, meet bottom Neptune's Staircase bottom Neptune's Staircase 2.30, meet Also in June, myself and the team gave a talk and demonstraon of Finland) and Western European naons (Germany, France, water rescue techniques to the Cubs and Beavers at Spean Bridge. Holland & Belgium) we have also had visitors from Japan, Along with the other Emergency Services we aended, for the 13th Estonia, Argenna, USA, Canada, Poland, Spain, Malta, year, the “Safe Highlander” event at the Nevis Centre. This is aimed Australia & New Zealand. at Primary 7s from throughout Lochaber not just to give out safety advice but for them to acvely parcipate in scenarios.

All of which proves the aracon of the Caledonian Canal Compared to the start of the year, May, June and July were quieter The vessel is a 42 General Patrol cra. Fully Coded to the and the West Coast of Scotland sailing grounds to our than usual. We aended and assisted at the helicopter landing site workboat Standard.

on 7 occasions, and we assisted persons and vessels aground on 3 Tomonie is an anagram of emotion! friends from overseas. General speed: 17 knots cruising and 23 Knots Max. occasions. We also responded to a request to search for a missing Vessel normally Carries a Crew of 3 / 4. Max. 8 POB, but in a SAR child who fortunately was found before we reached the scene. A This also benefits the Highland economy: whether they are situaon will carry more. Capable of working 60 miles from a safe classic rescue was that of a Highland Calf stuck at the boom of a buying groceries, having a meal, or vising the local haven in moderate to rough seas. gorge at Mucomir resulng in one very pleased croer. Disllery, it really must help to sustain the area. The vessel is SAR Capable. Fully fied with GMDSS/VHF radios. HM Coastguard was also involved in a major exercise with Fort Seamaster Radar. Electronic chart / Mapping and Paper charts. William Fire and Rescue and the Scosh Ambulance Service at the All search Equipment includes, Full First Aid Equipment, all staff are Many of the visitors have no transport so they are always Underwater Training Centre. looking for something to do that can be reached by public qualified to a high standard. The vessel has No Night Limitaons Also in June the Coastguard and Mountain Rescue were given “The and has a full Satellite GPS Navigaon system with Backup. transport or taxi. Many will visit Aonach Mor chair li, climb Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award”. A roundel is now Range of the vessel is 120 miles at Normal Cruising speed. Ben Nevis, visit Treasures of the Earth or Ben Nevis on each vehicle and a pin badge awarded to every Rescue Officer. Hunter carries a small RHIB capable of speeds of 18 Knots. Disllery. Finally, we now have a dedicated patrol vessel operang off the There is accommodaon for 4 on board including Full Galley, Toilet Sat 28 Sept, 10.30 - 11.30, and 1.30 to 10.30 - 11.30, and Sat 28 Sept, shores of Kintyre, Argyll and Lochaber: MCA Hunter now based at and Shower. If any other aracons/services wish to be menoned in Dunstaffnage, see details opposite and picture below. Phil Wren, Sector Manager our Skippers’ Guide (given to every vessel that enters into the Canal) please get in touch with us so you may be included in future publicaons.

AOB

Banavie school Primary 7 John Muir Trust award clean up at As the end of August approaches we will be programming Corpach foreshore June 2013 along with Scosh Canal staff our Winter Works programme. Jobs to be tackled: and Kilmallie Community Council volunteers (see photos)  Fencing Strone & Banavie  Ditching work Moy Farm On the maintenance side of the business we have  Electrical points for boats Gairlochy had you noticed encountered a number of issues:  Pontoon re‐furbishment Corpach visitor & Gairlochy reach Gairlochy Cross‐lock pipe work sll ongoing, contractor’s  Towpath repairs Gairlochy to Banavie job overrun.  plus various other small jobs. Caol in Bloom have had problems geng volunteers from guided walks walks guided the CJS as they are ed up on other jobs hence the grass John Stafford along Kilmallie Road is not up to the usual standards. The boys & girls at Kilmallie Playgroup down with delight filling the air with laughter. It was a page 14 all enjoyed an action packed last term brilliant day and all the children were presented with a page 19 in a centre that had become very medal and a book of memories from their key workers. Wu Quartet Saturday 26th October, 7.30pm familiar to them. The outdoor garden All aboard, the request for the end of term trip, off we Many classical musicians consider the was in full flourish with the vegetable headed on the train to Mallaig where we consumed our string quartet‐ two violins, viola and patches growing well and the tasty picnic and chatted and played games with our friends. cello ‐ to be the purest form of music. strawberries proving too much of a Arriving at the station the group were met by 2 lovely No other combinaon of instruments temptation for some. The children were all very enthusiastic Mallaig lifeboatmen who took them on an interesting tour of can pack such depth and passion into when it came to pulling the strawberries off the plants and the building and lifeboat. Navigation was put to the test by so small a space. The Wu Quartet, some commented on the smell and sweet taste at snack using maps and steering wheels while others worked their winner of several internaonal prizes, Music For All is a local music club certainly epitomises this perfecon. time. Our budding gardeners really did take the job seriously strong muscles by pulling ropes from the safe area. We really series in Lochaber which holds around taking on the responsibility of weeding and planting. The did learn so much and could not believe how clean the boat five concerts a year between the water butt proved to be very popular and served many was. Four boys and girls went with their parents on a boat months of October and April.

purposes from “making cups of tea”, forming puddles to ride around the harbour in search of seals. The journey back Prices Rachel Hair Trio jump in and feeding the plants. on the train was filled by colouring in and sharing stories. Annual adult membership £38.00 Friday 15th November, 7.30pm During the time at Playgroup we had enjoyed music sessions Kilmallie Daycare was open all summer during the school Senior cizen membership £30.00 One of the leading bands on Scotland’s vibrant folk scene, the Rachel Hair Trio led by Clare Reynolds and the excitement was building for holidays. Children aged 2½-6 years old had a fun filled, Adult per concert £10.00 presents a sparkling blend of melodic the summer concert. Throughout the year we met and productive time spending the majority of it in the great Senior cizen per concert £8.00 harp mastery, rootsy songs and made new friends from other centres and we were all outdoors. All the children enjoyed the wonders of skimming Child per concert (under 18) £1.00 sophiscated rhythmical drive. coming together at Kilmallie Free Church to perform our stones in the river up at Annat, pond dipping culminating in All concerts are taking place at Fronted by acclaimed harpist‐ mass concert. The children had been working really hard a wonderful picnic. Den building was very popular in the Kilmallie Community Centre. composer Rachel Hair and featuring learning all their words and actions as well as how to play local woods as was developing climbing skills on stones at Tickets are available at the door the much‐in‐demand singer‐guitarist the instruments. The boys and girls at Kilmallie, in keeping Kilmallie Hall. The wondrous weather really complimented News of further concerts from our Jenn Buerwirth and top Scosh 2013/2014 programme in next with the concert theme ‘Weather’ had been given songs our activities around the local area. double bassist Euan Burton, the group newsleer has honed a repertoire drawn from relating to the sunshine to practice. The way the children We would like to take this opportunity to welcome back our tradional, contemporary and sang and played up on the stage was amazing and all returning families and to say a warm welcome to all families AGM at Bidwells’ offices, North Road, internaonal sources to create parents and staff were extremely proud. They had a joining the centre for the first time. We hope that Kilmallie Fort William Wednesday 2nd October 2013 7.30pm performances that crackle with fantastic time and showed this with big sunny smiles! Playgroup and Day Care provides an enjoyable experience character, passion, verve and joie de for all children attending and look forward to the fun-filled The children had lots of visits to and from the setting and it Beryl Ausn vivre. was great to see how everyone’s confidence had grown. It is year ahead. proving very handy having a bus stop right outside our door At present we are fully subscribed as we certainly have made good use of it. One of our latest in the morning, spaces are available trips was into Fort William library on the bus. The children for Day Care from 12 noon excitedly waited at the bus stop and watched for the onwards, if you are interested call number 46 bus coming. Everyone climbed aboard and belted the centre on 01397 772016 Kilmallie Community Centre in safely before we set off. At the library the children Carole listened to stories of pirates and treasure and joined in with The last of the modificaons have been completed and the Last December when we had the Christmas Tree action songs and rhymes. This had certainly given us all an relevant compleon cerficates have been received, dare I Fesval we displayed 48 decorated trees, this took a fair bit

appetite and off we set to enjoy a lovely snack in the say we require some strong winds along with some heavy of me and resources to get the trees and lights ready, so to Glen Mor Pipe Band on their success at the Worlds surrounds of the Alexandra Hotel finished off by practicing rain to test the last work re‐done by the roofing contractor, we are looking for some our sports day races on the parade. and this before their period of liability has expired. Sorry assistance this year and The majority of children had received an invitation to visit about this request!!! We have had very good reports of hope to get the trees Banavie School, as this would be where they were going approval about the disabled toilets and the new disabled ready , starng the first after the summer holidays. Not only were they going on a parking bays. We have had some repairs done to the car‐ week in December, we visit to the “big red school” but they were to have their park potholes with sll some of them to do and now that would like to hear from sports day in the big sports field. It was really exciting the darker nights are coming in we will have to intensify anybody or groups the car‐park lighng. willing to help or take on especially when the children’s brothers and sisters came to We have started to have a raonalisaon regarding hall a tree and dedicate it to a watch at break time. The large number of Mums and Dads equipment which has led to the disposing of 43 group, someone or some business to promote the made lots of encouraging noises as they ran, skipped hopped shabby looking chairs and some other community spirit, we could even have a compeon for and jumped up the field. The last event of the day was a redundant equipment being the best dressed tree be it by group, family or street. Food Mums and Dads race and all the children jumped up and considered for the p. for thought, all construcve suggesons will be considered. We have an upright piano This is the latest update. which is free to a good home, All the Best any takers can contact any John Macdonald, Chairman commiee member. Every week night has a Kilmallie Community Centre booking ie Monday and Friday Staon Road, Corpach, Fort William, PH33 7JH Muay Thai (kick boxing) 6 ll 8, Scosh Charity SC000604 Tuesday Scosh Country Dancing 8 ll 10, CHAIRMAN Mr John Macdonald, Merchiston, Badabrie, Banavie, Fort William. 01397 772443

Wednesday starng 5th September Contemporary Dancing congratulations 7 ll 8, Thursday Old Tyme Dancing 8 ll 10 starng 19th SECRETARY Mrs Norma MacLellan, September plus Music for All who have various dates, see 12 Hillview Drive, Corpach, Fort William. 01397 772597

KCC - still calling for lower speed limits limits speed for lower calling - still KCC posters. TREASURER Mrs Sarah Kennedy. 0776 880 5040 admin offices, staffroom, toilets, Sixth Year page 20 room and – most importantly – a large page 13 library/resource area. Once we occupy this new building, the current admin block at the Our aenon was drawn to our limited funds, barely enough to front of the school will be demolished. The pay next years bills. At some point we will have to raise addional coming session will, I’m sure, bring some funds. Also membership requires aenon; we need to keep August/September 2013 Lochaber 21 refurbishment and rebuilding challenges and inconveniences as the recruing new members in order to support our claim to represent Pupils and staff returning to Lochaber High project and I can only praise the efforts that building work progresses but the end aer the summer break could have been were made to ensure the school was ready product will be well worth the effort and will The AGM for Kilmallie Community Company was held on Tuesday the community and bring in new blood. forgiven for thinking that a bomb had gone to open at the start of term. The first and really transform the way our school looks 23rd July. As usual the main jobs were to review progress, look at David Govan explained our accounts copies of which were off at the school; classrooms had most obvious change is the new car park, and funcons. the accounts and elect directors. circulated. He said that the level of expenditure was very low but disappeared, corridors were boarded up and neatly lined and soon to have the addion Our pupils received their SQA results on we had only sufficient balance to cover this and next years Paul Brian welcomed all to the meeng and thanked everyone there were piles of rubble all around! of much need lighng. Re‐cladding and re‐ 6 August and many did extremely well; a expenditure. If we had any sort of emergency then addional funds for their support. He explained that the AGM was necessary and an However, closer examinaon revealed a roofing the three‐storey block is underway testament to the hard work of both pupils would need to be raised. The chairman thanked David for his work. opportunity for any quesons. He gave a summary of the well‐organised construcon site and there and new Guidance offices have been and staff. Next year pupils in Fourth Year companies formaon up to date. Since the last AGM a few Two directors rered. Paul Brian having served 5 years and was widespread amazement at how much created. Rooms G26 and 27, the canteen, will be sing the new Naonal individuals have kept a watching eye on the woods and have Roddy Mainland having served three. Roddy was prepared to stand had been achieved over the summer kitchen, chimney/water tower and the hall examinaons which will replace the current cleared away lier. In August we invited John Dye to come and do again. John Ireland was prepared to stand. Denis Barnes was holidays. Robertson Construcon staff, foyer/corridor have all been demolished to Standard Grade and Intermediates. These some tree bores in the pine wood. The result is that we now know proposed as a co‐opted director. along with a host of sub‐contractors, have make way for a new central block which will examinaons are part of the naonal the trees are about 180 years old. We had only one work party in Secretary proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing chairman really got to grips with phase 3 of the include a new main entranceway, recepon, Curriculum for Excellence iniave and, as May in the oak wood when we cleared lier, pulled up holly Paul Brian. He in turn said he had enjoyed his 5 years as director well as making the assessments more seedlings and removed one or two hanging branches. To save and thanked his fellow directors, secretary and treasurer for their relevant, will make the range of money we closed our web site but transferred all the informaon interest and work. He thought we had the right approach low key qualificaons easier to understand for to the Kilmallie Community Council site. This combined with regular and a minimum of interference but hard work when the need parents and employers. Geng to grips with contribuons to the council news leer has given us a much beer arose. these new qualificaons is the main focus of profile. our improvement planning for the coming Paul Biggin year. The new session, as always, sees new Cnoc nam Faobh is a delight in summer, with the sunshine dappling faces arriving at the school: 144 new first through the canopy of oak leaves. And usually the woods are prey years along with a number of new wotta shi**a much free of lier, thanks to the dedicaon and hard work of the enrolments further up the school means Corpach Woods volunteers who clear up aer other people. So it that our roll has risen slightly to 873 pupils. was ironic that while the newsleer team were preparing the feature There are new faces on the staff too, chucking litta! on lier for this issue, we noced this sad juxtaposion of fast food pictured le to right are: Miss Leanne Blair adversing and lier lout acvity. In this case it wasn’t the snack (Art & Design); Mr Husayn Al‐Khairulla bar’s fault: someone must have travelled a fair distance to very (Chemistry); Miss Mariann Couper (Biology); consciously chuck their MacDonalds’ packaging into our own Mr David Rankin (Art & Design) and Miss community woodland. Lynsey Rankin (English). But ooops sorry, having spoed it, the photographer intended to Miss Elizabeth Gow take the lier home, but got far o’er absorbed in taking pictures of has taken up post as oak leaves and sunlight and completely forgot to go back for it. If Acng Depute Head you’re passing, or especially if it was your lier in the first place, Teacher, replacing Mr please can you pick it up and put it in a bin. Thanks! Reynolds who has moved to Ross High to all Kilmallie winners agricultural at this year’s show School, Tranent as Head Teacher. We are currently adversing vacancies for teachers of Compung Studies and Technical. Events this term include the annual fundraising ‘High School Hike’; an Outward Bound trip to the Lake District for a group of S2 pupils; a senior Art & Design trip to Edinburgh; University Open Day trips for S6;

a ‘Driving Ambion’ course for S6 and ‘The of KCC meetings are posted on the Corpach and Banavie noticeboards Big Photo’ (a formal photograph of all the pupils and staff). The absence of a hall this term will restrict our acvies somewhat but pupils from our Higher Drama class will be staging "I read the news today, oh boy..." (Friends of Caledonian Canal Lochaber) on Tuesday 1 October 2013. Five short is a subgroup of plays, wrien and directed by pupils, will be the Kilmallie Community Company. For more info, or to be added to our mailing list, contact performed in the Drama Studio. A limited Jan MacLugash, 01397 772383, number of ckets will be available. email: [email protected] The session ahead will undoubtedly be busy with many opportunies for our young

 news of pods at Banavie being on hold  great to see some of the trees we  pleased to hear that the ‘no pedestrian people to parcipate and to achieve. minutes for the me being and proposals in the planted earlier in the year are thriving, access’ sign at Moy Bridge has been taken Further details of what’s happening at Lochaber High School can be found on our

congratulations congratulations pipeline for visitor facilies at Banavie. though quite a lot of them at Neptune’s down: thank you Scosh Canals.  wondering what the plans are for the Staircase car park have been killed ‐ there  see new Towpath Code of Conduct website at www.lochaber.highland.sch.uk empty Scosh Canals’ houses at Banavie ‐ are telltale signs of nibbling all round the www.scoshcanals.co.uk/media‐centre/ hope they’re not empty as long as Telford base of the protecve sleeves. press‐releases/new‐towpath‐code‐of‐ Jim Sutherland House at Gairlochy Rabbits! conduct‐unveiled Head Teacher

page 12 a right page 21 Eco News Glasgow with 13, followed by Edinburgh and Inverness with 11. Elsewhere in the UK, Oxford and Alton Towers On the Thursday the 27th of June, Banavie Primary royal were top destinations. School was awarded its third eco flag, thanks to all the Everyone agreed that they had enjoyed their summer hard work put in by pupils, supported by staff and holidays. parents alike. During eco week in school, we had a lot of Maria Halliwell, Millie Jackson, Cam Clark and Robbie occasion work to do, such as weeding around the beds and we held Murray Marine Harvest’s factory isn’t quite in different focused eco days, such as a no-paper day, a healthy eating day, a no-packaging day and a no-energy Macmillan coffee Kilmallie - it’s on the other side of the day, which was fun. tracks, technically in Caol, and their nearest farm is at Gairlochy. But At our Eco Assembly that Friday, we discussed what morning nevertheless we knew you’d like to still needed to be done and parents came in to help, which We are holding a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan read about their trip to the palace, From L to R: th we really appreciated and allowed us to gain our third Cancer Support, on Friday 27 September 2013 at especially since some of their staff Angus MacKay, Calum MacDonald, Davy Corrigan, Dave MacEwan, Jayne MacKay, Steve Bracken flag. 11.00am in Banavie School Hall. Please come along and live in Kilmallie, including Steve Jack Steer and Rhiann Dempster support this extremely worthwhile charity and all the Bracken and Jayne & Angus MacKay Royal Warrant Holders at this unique event. the stand. We had maps showing the

valuable work that it does. who are in the photo The Fesval was open to members of the locaon of our farms, a rolling video of the public, aer a Royal Preview on the salmon life cycle, iPads with the new Marine Holiday 2013 Jo Barr Moir and Ria Watson. The Gardens at Buckingham Palace were the Thursday for invited guests, including Harvest Scotland apps with recipes and We surveyed every class in the school and asked each venue for a one‐off event this summer for members of the Royal Family, charies, Sam’s Slide game. pupil about their summer holiday destinations. Of those My Summer by Matthew McKeown holders of the Royal Warrants to celebrate patronages, media, armed forces, inward A fish chiller held our gued salmon and who went abroad, Spain was definitely the most popular the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s investors and overseas trade missions, and what we supply to Her Majesty ‐ 125g with 11 pupils going there. This was followed by France My Summer was great, the Coronaon. Marine Harvest Scotland took guests of the Royal Warrant Holders skinless, boneless porons known as with 6 and America and Poland with 2. Other countries Yellow sun shining. part in the four day celebraon between the Associaon and the Royal Household. Queen’s Porons. We gave visitors a taste of visited were Egypt, Cyprus, Germany, Greece and 11th and 14th July 2013. In the evenings, on a stage that had our salmon with pre‐prepared canapés, and Seaside full of people Royal Warrants are a mark of recognion to been erected at the back of Buckingham an opportunity to learn how to cook salmon Portugal. Umbrellas out of sight individuals or companies who have supplied Palace, there was music from Dame Kiri Te in the Kitchen Theatre with a cookery In Scotland, the most popular place visited was goods or services for at least five years to Kanawa, Kae Melua, Katherine Jenkins, demonstraon from Chef Sophie Wright. Magnificent meadows full of flowers the Households of The Queen, The Duke of Russell Watson and The Feeling. New For our team it was an absolutely unique Magnums melting in the sun. Edinburgh or The Prince of Wales. They Adventures and the English Naonal Ballet experience but also very importantly, an Everyone’s happy in summer but it’s have always been regarded as hallmarks of also performed. occasion to proudly fly the Marine Harvest Rubbish autumn has come quality, excellence and service. Our team comprised 22 staff flag before 60,000 people. We were awarded our presgious Royal represenng a range of departments within Warrant in 1990 and joined over 200 other the company and we took it in turns to man Jayne MacKay, Tomonie My Summer by Neilie Clark will all risk beleaguering the same businesses with requests for

My summer was an exciting trip to Glasgow financial help. This would be unfortunate for the askers and very irritang for the businesses, especially when some of them will You should see the new guitar I bought! funding fears be struggling to survive in difficult mes. At the same me, have any questions they’d like to put to our Highland Councillors? Highland put to our they’d like to have any questions KCC heard that one or two local businesses sources of money like Highland Council’s Ward Discreonary School shoes are Kickers. were a bit fed up receiving requests for Fund are increasingly under pressure, and it is oen hard to apply

Under the hot sun. money from KCC (for the newsleer) and for a New Year ceilidh in Kilmallie this year? for grants for ny projects and ones that run on year aer year. Macdonalds, it was lovely! from the Christmas Lights Fund within a few days of each other, thinking we were one and What is the soluon? Mum shopping the same. We apologise for any upset this may Some community councils are wealthy, or potenally wealthy, Erin’s birthday havet caused. Bu just to explain, KCC and the Christmas Lights thanks to community benefit funds from eg Glensanda quarry, or Really exciting! Fund are two completely separate organisaons ‐ and we were major hydro schemes. But Kilmallie is not in that enviable not aware that we would be approaching Kilmallie businesses at posion. around the same me. In this instance the Christmas Lights Maybe a Kilmallie Community Fund? A common pot like this Funds happened to get in first, and enthusiasm for sponsoring would mean that businesses would only get one request a year, Kilmallie Community News may have suffered as a result. and the pot could be divided out equitably each intrepid Unfortunately this is likely to happen more and more oen as year between all the deserving community groups public services are curtailed and as more community groups set and causes that applied, and all duly accounted up to try and deal with the gaps, needs and shoralls that ensue. for. KCC are unable to take on all these things ourselves, so it is fundraisers probably inevitable that separate groups will proliferate, and we Let us know what you think, or if you have any other ideas.

Owen Pescod and Fraser Clark, both 9, and Rosie Clark, any plans age 12, wanted to raise money towards a new off‐road buggy for Rowan Macleod (age 14). Rowan has cerebral KILMALLIE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FUND palsy and is a former pupil of Banavie Primary School.

school pupils pupils school Since the publicaon of the last Community More informaon along with a list of our supporters Rowan and Rosie are both former pupils and Owen and Newsleer, members of our small fundraising group will appear in the Christmas edion of the Newsleer. Fraser currently aend Banavie School. have met on several occasions. We have now Meanwhile any member of the community who With support from their dads they successfully circulated leers to local businesses asking for would like to contribute financially should contact our climbed Buchaille Eve Mor in September and raised a financial support and have been reassured by the treasurer Sue Hood (tel 722400). There are also total of £339 through sponsorship and the selling of home generosity of the response. Accordingly we are now collecon boxes sited in local shops and businesses. baking made by Fraser and Rosie's granny. do Banavie hopeful that we will be able to provide Christmas

lights in the tradional manner at the two usual sites Paul Brian Pictured is Rowan in her new off‐road buggy which will allow her and her parents the freedom to explore many more places. at Banavie and Corpach. Chairman, Kilmallie Christmas Lights Fund donors eg UNICEF for use with in the HIV units albeit many of

page 22 these do not use the drugs, but it is at mes difficult to source page 11 update from and it can sit in distribuon centres for months waing for community heroes, young and not so young someone to produce a distribuon list! Very frustrang and Banavie School’s lierpick at Corpach in June (see KCC’s website for full size, full colour pictures) (also more pix on page 18) me consuming. Thankfully, having by now built a network of sub-saharan africa! like‐minded professionals we have gained access to some of It’s hard to believe we are almost 5 months into our Malawian this stock but we are aware of other hospitals/clinics which experience as volunteers with Ndi Moyo Palliave Care in are funconing without access to morphine. On the plus side Salima. I am happy to report that Peter is now feeling well and the whole situaon has demonstrated an increased the cardio‐version, which he travelled to Nairobi again in June awareness of palliave care and an evident increased use of to have, has been totally successful, so the decision to stay this essenal drug. We, along with others, are now trying to here and crack on with the job was the right one. We will source a beer method of gaining a constant supply of return to Nairobi again in October for what we hope to be his morphine into the country to avoid such crisis happening last check up. again. We are very seled and happy here and have become Our other main news is that we have at last moved into more familiar with the work here alongside its many our own home and much as we enjoyed house‐sing for the frustraons and the completely different me zone the Finchs (founders of Ndi Moyo) whilst they were vising UK it Malawian people live in! These people rush for no one – a has been such a joy in the last week to finally unpack our relaxed unstressed pace which I suppose we could all take a suitcases and hang up our clothes for the first me. Our new lesson from I think. One of the clinic staff commented one day home is by the lakeside, parcularly important as the hot that he was pleased to see I had slowed down, as he had been season starts, and although not quite as palaal as out last very concerned at the pace I walked when I first arrived! Peter lodging, it is quite adequate for our needs. Now we just need actually rather likes this slower pace so I have had to learn to to find some friends! adjust. Mind you, the slow pace can be equally frustrang I am constantly amazed at the resourcefulness of the when it spills over into the work place. Meengs rarely start people here, none more so than the children. There are no on me – people dri in up to an hour and more aer the set toys available in this very poor rural area but children me and no one turns a hair. We keep saying we are going to everywhere are seen to be playing, together and alone with take account for this the next meeng we are called to but home‐made toys. Boys play football with balls made from somehow our Brish roots won’t let us and we sit there like a plasc bags and rubber bands whilst girls use the same balls pair of lemons waing for proceedings to begin having been but focus on netball, the ‘nets’ made from rubber tyres nailed on the KCC website sue in colour the first to arrive yet again! In the centre we have introduced to a thick branch sunk into the sand. Skipping and jumping the concept of ‘Scosh me’ whereby the morning gathering games with ed rubber bands is another favourite, while of staff and paents for hymn singing and prayer (a lovely way young children push around the most amazing toys made to start the day) was anyme from 8.30‐9am is now bang‐on from fishing floats and bits of wire. There are no distracng 8.30am and the banging of the drum summons everyone from television or computer games to keep them indoors. Children their clinic/administrave dues to the central dome for a roam free it seems, occasionally seen carrying machetes or mely start. We find now that even if we are not there the ‘slashers’ on their way to cut branches for the fire. We see me schedule is kept to and staff are keen to ensure this them minding these fires, unsupervised, but I also see many stays! children with horrific burns in the hospital because of this too. The work place is a pleasant place to be. We have had two Everywhere one goes there are children playing, laughing, new nurses join the team in June and July and they have running, skipping and as we pass they leap up to wave. They seled well providing me with lots of teaching pracce, as love geng their photos taken and even more to seeing the neither had worked previously in Palliave Care. We at last results! ... and car‐buncles in the landscape... have our full team complement so clinics and outreach work We have enjoyed our weekends off here taking advantage Lier isn’t just small stuff like sweee papers and drink cans: it’s big stuff are much easier to run. A number of new developments have of the lovely climate and travelling fairly widely throughout too like fridges, maresses and cars! been introduced and are working well. A new database has the country camping in some beauful areas. Tourism is not Four well‐rusted vehicles have been disgracing the bonny banks of the piece was read out on Talk Lochaber by Sheena McIntyre - thanks Sheena! McIntyre Sheena by read out on Talk Lochaber piece was been iniated and ensures that the informaon entered well developed as the infrastructure is so poor but selfishly Lochy for many years. They are now gradually geng chopped up and regarding paents, treatments etc can be pulled to help write this ensures that we oen have campsites to ourselves! taken away to be disposed of properly, thanks to one acvist who is you can see all the photos in this is last reports, something the rather clunky anquated system Waking up to the sound of birdsong is wonderful and sing volunteering his me, hard gra, and even the cost of some plant hire. previously used has not done for some me. New paent round the campfire at night watching the huge African skies A very big thank you to the not‐so‐young Local Hero concerned, for his records have also been piloted, amended and accepted so all with their myriad stars and constellaons makes us appreciate much appreciated services to the community and our environment. in all things are progressing apace. Peter has been mainly how blessed we are to be here at this me. No thanks to the original dumpers, or to the authories who are either developing the Strategic Plan and for one who knew lile Further updates will be made as we connue this work. If powerless or reluctant to help. about palliave care he has taken it all in his stride and anyone would like to follow the process more closely, there is produced a very good report. The economist in him has at a group seng on facebook which I try to add to on a weekly mes baulked at the cost of end of life care but he is much basis. Type Ndi Moyo into the FB search bar and you should more aware of the very real benefits this brings to so many get an ‘open group’ opon. Otherwise with advanced disease and he has become a real advocate in my email address is spreading the palliave care word at regional and naonal [email protected] and I meengs. do so enjoy hearing tales from The morphine crisis I reported in the last edion, has Corpach and surrounds! Our become much more of a reality again as the country has run fundraising webpage remains open for out of morphine powder completely! This of course was not anyone who would like to contribute: reported unl there was no stock le. Everyone blamed www.everyclick.com/ remember Kathryn’s Kathryn’s someone else and it went back along the chain so that no one peterandkathryn . would take responsibility. Thankfully we had a reasonable

stock and judicious use has enabled us to keep pracsing. Kathryn Hamling There are some morphine products in the country from large

clear up. However fresh dung or large quanes of dung on a path,

page 10 especially on a mul‐use path, can be unpleasant. It can even page 23 pearls of completely block access for some other users, eg people in wheelchairs or with pushchairs, and it can be a trip hazard for visually impaired people.” wisdom The leaflet gives the following guidance for riders: Following last issue’s piece about  “If you are aware that your horse has dunged outside someone’s dog fouling, KCC received a driveway, in a car park, or on a very busy path, it is courteous to complaint from a Corpach resident about horses and riders... dismount and kick the dung to the side or to return as soon as “What about horses’ droppings?“ she said. “Horses are less possible to move it.” numerous but the droppings are enormous! The pavement on the  “If you are aware your horse is going to foul, push him over to north side of the main road and the pavement of the Banavie Old the side of the path before he starts.” Road have several piles of horse droppings. To all pavement users, but especially children, pram pushers or wheelchair users, this is The leaflet gives the following guidance for other path users: unacceptable.”  “Be aware that a horse can dung without the rider even knowing While most people are aware that it is an offence to let a dog it is happening.“ foul the footpath, KCC were unclear about the situaon regarding up the  “It is oen not safe or possible for a horse rider to dismount and horses, so we did some research. clear up behind their horse immediately so please respect this.” The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides a right of  “Horse dung is good for biodiversity, totally biodegradable and watter responsible access to a wide variety of land for horse riders, good for the compost bin.” Having friends to stay is a great excuse for doing including paths and tracks, beaches and coastline, most urban things and going places that you don’t usually do at parks, farmland and woodland, and a variety of managed open Hopefully with courtesy and understanding all round, this issue will home. And taking a trip up Loch Eil is a great way spaces. cease to be a problem for Kilmallie’s human and equine residents. to show those friends some unusual sights of We couldn’t find anything published by Highland Council, but One KCC member recalls, in the days long before plasc carrier Kilmallie. Who would have thought that porpoises we did find a really useful leaflet from Fife Council which bags, regular expedions with her mother to fill shopping bags with are members of our community too ‐ but sadly they presumably applies equally here in Kilmallie in terms of law and horse droppings for the garden. If you do spot horse droppings on didn’t come close enough for a picture on that pracce... the footpath, it’s well worth collecng it for the compost heap (if parcular calm July evening. Thanks to Crannog It says “Unlike dog faeces, horse dung does not carry disease. It you don’t mind aracng a few strange looks). Cruises for the paer up the waer. is not a threat to human health. There are no laws against horse Horse dung is apocryphally great on rhubarb, but we prefer fouling in public places and no legal requirements for the riders to custard with ours.

Responsibility for dealing with this sort of thing lies with SEPA who have known about it for years and who seem long on excuses and what a dump! short on acon. They have wrien to the slater but he doesn’t When I was a brat in Banavie Primary School, way seem to be impressed. back in the 50’s, the Glen of the Allt Mòr, So why should we be concerned? Apart from the obvious downstream of the tunnels under the canal, was a problem of not knowing what is being dumped on our doorsteps place of real beauty which had a sort of magic for kids and what effect it might have on our life expectancy there is a clear with a sparkling burn running through a wooded glen. danger to the Lochy and its fish stocks. At the moment most of the Then, in the 60s some lunac had the incredible idea of stuff being dumped is merely ugly and an eyesore, right beside the turning it into a dump. First of all the burn was made to run Great Glen Way; scarcely a good adversement for Lochaber. The through pipes onto which huge quanes of peat and building real threat of uncontrolled, unofficial dumps like this is that Gleann Dubh Lighe bothy re-built after the fire rubbish were dumped and what was once beauful became a blot someday somebody with half a brain and no conscience will dump on the landscape. something really nasty there, rather than pay to have it disposed of since the constructionsince the mill of the pulp Although the pipes used were about a metre in diameter they properly. Just downstream is Caol, Scotland’s biggest village!

weren’t nearly big enough. Nature and a wild burn were quick to Are there any soluons? At the moment building contractors re‐assert ownership of the glen. Anyone who has paddled a kayak need to hire skips to dispose of waste. This works well enough for on a river in big spate, who has felt the power and known the fear, bigger jobs but is prohibively expensive for small ones. Perhaps could have foreseen the contempt with which the pipes and much there should be a building trade skip staoned somewhere, like the of the peat were swept aside. The peat ended up in Loch Linnhe re‐cycling centre, where builders can dump waste in return for an and the pipes were le scaered about like stranded whales. They annual fee. Perhaps we need to lobby our MSPs so that SEPA can lie there rong to this day. The whole sad saga is an appalling be given more powers to deal with a problem that isn’t unique to episode of environmental vandalism for which somebody really Banavie. ought to have gone to jail. The burn never really managed to reclaim all of its domain. Ronald Cameron Much of the peat remained and over the year people have connued to dump all manner of rubbish on the western side of

50 years the glen, at a place which the authories now call Mount Alexander. Much of the material is waste from the construcon industry and its being dumped in this manner is highly illegal. Nasty looking effluent leaks out of the dump and into the River Lochy. During this dry summer the last 50m of the burn shrank to a stagnant pool of reddish brown sludge. One would hope that this consisted mainly of iron rust but, without analysis, there is no way of knowing. Nobody knows what has been abandoned here. It

would be a cheap place to get rid of asbestos and other hazardous pleased to see materials which is why dumping is controlled by law and all such sites are meant to be licensed and supervised. At the moment almost all of the dumping seems to be being done by one roofing company with a Fort William address. There are piles of broken slates and les, half buckets of cement, silicone tubes, damaged blue tarpaulins and much more beside. Kick Off Date Teams page 24 page 9 15.00 Sat 21 Sept Lochaber ‐v‐ Moray 15.00 Sat 05 Oct Lochaber ‐v‐ Shetland 15.00 Sat 19 Oct Lochaber ‐v‐ Highland 1ST XV to the unsung superheroes 14.00 Sat 16 Nov Lochaber ‐v‐ Aberdeenshire The team have been training, geng ready for the new season ahead. They have had two pre‐season friendlies against Isle of 14.00 Sat 30 Nov Lochaber ‐v‐ Stornoway

Mull, and have played their first league game which was in of the Blar 14.00 Thur 26 Dec Presidents XV ‐v‐ 1st XV Stornoway. Here is a list of our home games for the forthcoming season– please feel free to come along to our games and support 14.00 Sat 04 Jan Lochaber ‐v‐ Banff your local team. Lochaber ‐v‐ Ross 14.00 Sat 18 Jan The pitch improvement works at Banavie were due to Sutherland start in June, but due to a shorall between the funding 15.00 Sat 08 Mar Lochaber ‐v‐ Garoich allocated and the tender prices submied a submission had to be made to Educaon Services in Inverness to Go to bridge the gap. At a recent meeng held in HQ the extra funding www.lochaberrfc.co.uk required was approved, which is a huge relief to us all. The or ‘Like’ us on Facebook contractors (Soutars) hope to start work at the beginning of to keep up to date with all the latest news from Banavie. September, later than was originally planned – our main concern is that the contractors have missed the best of the weather window YOUTH RUGBY TRAINING – let’s hope we have a dry winter! We are being decanted to our old stomping ground at the Black (P3-P7 & S1-S2) - EVERY SAT – 10AM Parks for this season, returning to Banavie in August 2014 for the (S1-S2) EVERY TUES NIGHT – 7PM 2014‐2015 season. It will mean a bit of upheaval for players and (S3 –S6) – EVERY WED NIGHT – 7PM supporters alike, but It’s a small price to pay to GIRLS RUGBY(S1-S6) – EVERY WED NIGHT – 7PM have a properly drained pitch and we are

a slight tweak to KCC’s boundary! to a slight tweak Come along and give rugby a try very grateful to ECS and Sportscotland for All our coaches are SRU qualified and we are a Positive supporng this project. Coaching Accredited Club Pauline Donaldson Many of you may never even have noced them, but two superheroes from Corpach have regularly been giving up their Sunday mornings Kilmallie’s first team have had a great season winning North to clear lier from the road along the Blar and along to Corpach. Division 1. The last game of the season was played at Strathglass, This is to let them know how HUGELY their work is appreciated. Kilmallie Shinty Club Cannich and it was great for the boys to take the “big” cup th Saturday 9 November – Kilmallie Shinty Club Dinner Dance in Caol home. The second team have sll 1 league game to play. The They have truly ‘made a difference’ in their community in a way that humbles us all. Community Centre at 7.30pm with the Ballochmyle Band. Tickets under 17s and under 14s have had a busy me in August too. on sale now from Linda 700800. Kilmallie jumpers, es and junior tops are on sale now – ideal Linda Campbell, Christmas presents!! Contact Maureen Robertson on 704824. Secretary 01397 700800 if by next issue there was no litter left in Kilmallie Other people who make a difference in a completely negave way Highland Council Environmental Health Officers can issue a £50 on‐ are the people who drop all the lier in the first place. Why does the‐spot penalty noce to anyone dropping lier. It’s not an empty Banavie’s Richard Bracken, arst in residence at Room 13, created it maer? threat ‐ we heard of someone who was recently fined for dropping this beauful driwood pony at Caol Youth Centre. It was a cigaree end in the street. They were outraged as they’d just driftwood transported (by Shela Ryan’s horse box!) across Morvern where it  It looks undy put the packaging from their lunch very responsibly in the nearby was completed with the help of people aending the 'Meet the  it can be a health risk bin, but they’d assumed that cigaree ends didn’t count. They could be back in Kilmallie with just in Kilmallie with could be back Drovers' event at Achnaha, Lochaline (where it should sll be!).  It encourages vermin found out to their cost that that was wrong, and there was nothing drove pony  It injures wildlife they could do about it.  It pollutes the environment  it can cause wildfires (and we don’t need As Highland Council very poecally puts it: any more of them in Kilmallie)  It wastes public money (in short enough supply)  It’s a crime (and you can be charged for it, see story right)  It gives a bad impression to tourists, who so many of our community rely on for a living flingin’s  It gives a bad reputaon to the schools and businesses and other places the lierlouts have come from  and it erodes pride in your community, and encourages other people to drop lier too mingin!

A Keep Scotland Beauful survey showed Studies indicate that the presence of lier that more than half of Scots have dropped can reduce house values by at least 2.7% litterature lier, and almost half do it regularly. The and somemes as much as 11% ‐ that’s 122 tonnes of cigaree ends are dropped survey also showed 62% of 45 to 54 year roughly a loss of between £4,000 and every day across the UK. olds admied to liering. So despite £17,000 on average house prices in teenagers and children being perceived as Highland. On average, a piece of chewing gum costs the main lier louts actually all age groups If you see someone liering from a vehicle, about 3 pence, but the cost of removal is are responsible for the state of our streets about 10 pence per piece. you can contact TEC Services with the and open spaces. locaon, colour of car and registraon The Marine Conservaon Society recorded Fishing lier is the single biggest cause of number almost 1,700 items of (mostly plasc) lier

swan rescues. The cost to the SSPCA is Carr's Corner Depot wouldn’t it be great

kilmallie shinty pitch shinty kilmallie in every kilometre of Scotland’s coastline. esmated to be over £90,000 a year. Tel: 01397 709000, Fax: 01397 705735

page 8 whitta lotta litta! wild page 25 A number of Kilmallie residents have approached KCC over the last few months with concerns or complaints about litter. Meanwhile others in the community (including many of our youngest members) have been taking matters into their own hands. So this time we bring you a special 4 page feature - about a thank you to all the local STARS of the war on litter

“Lier... don’t get me kilmallie started... I’ve just The west coast of Scotland is a wonderful picked up 5 vodka place to go to see whales, dolphins and boles, several cans, porpoises. Just by heading west from cigaree lier etc , in Kilmallie, areas off Arisaig, Mull and the same area – Ardnamurchan are great whale‐watching trying to avoid the spots from land or sea. dogs’ dirt while doing

so.“ But if you’re not up for a trip out west, what (from a Corpach whales can you find on your doorstep in resident) Kilmallie? Harbour porpoises, Britain’s smallest whale, can to be found enjoying the shelter and feeding opportunies of Lochs

KCC had Linnhe and Eil. Porpoises are small, complaints about inconspicuous animals, usually to be seen in the amount of small groups of two or three animals, and litter and broken recognisable by their small triangular fin. Beautiful Banavie ??? glass in the Susannah Calderan children’s play This is the sight that greeted me on my dog walk this morning! It is a sad area at Guisach and depressing indictment on today’s society that rubbish like this can be Terrace dropped less than 10 metres from a lier bin. But who is responsible? Is it the unthinking individuals who could not be bothered to get out of the car but thanks to a and walk the short distance to the bins? Is it the fast food company who team of care nothing of the unwanted social consequences of their business and volunteers, it all are only interested in profit making and tax avoidance? Is it Scosh Canals got cleaned up so who should wake up to the possible problems that will arise with further that the children development at the Banavie basin? Or is it each and everyone one of us could play safely that cares for our local community and should take every opportunity not again... huge Lord Sat 28 Sept the Lochs Sportive, of only to pick up our rubbish but to speak out when this sort of behaviour is thanks to everyone encountered. I feel strongly that we should all feel a duty to look aer our who helped community and Keep Kilmallie dy.

Andy Wilmington

Kshama adds - needless to say, Andy and I picked up all the rubbish!

is our litter bees and hoverflies around this year? problem something that the Fort William Community Warden can help with, or the Art Lochaber starts its new programme where to start ? Sll Life ’ is to be held Criminal Justice of workshops on 21/21 September at An Clachan on 23/24 November. maybe we can all Service team? with popular tutor Alan Anderson from If you would like to aend one of the help? Argyll who will be helping solve our above workshops we would be

 by taking our litter painng challenges. This workshop to delighted to hear from you. No need to fewer home? be held at An Clachan is based on join for your first workshop – try and it  by discouraging landscape work and considers issues and see, then decide if you wish to join others from like best choice of medium, in order to aend another. If you do dropping litter? composion and tone, using wish to join, subscripon for the year is  by picking up any photographs and many more. £15, which includes, amongst many watch out for out watch litter that we see? In October Jack Cove from Glasgow benefits, a personal page in the  and by asking returns by popular demand to deliver a members gallery on our new website shops cafes and workshop entled ’Finding the Tonal artlochaber.com. ? pubs to help... Key’. Jack will help us to select and We are pleased to announce that all simplify our lights and darks, and let our weekend workshop fees remain at as Katryn so brilliantly our colours breathe. 26/27 October at the heavily subsidised and very puts it ‐ An Clachan. reasonable cost of £45. PLEASE TRY Thanks to all the Banavie Primary School pupils for their great anti-litter November sees the second workshop All booking enquiries to Catherine on OR DUCKS WILL DIE posters which you can spot in various places. This one has to be our of Alan Anderson’s problem solving 01855 821231. (Menon if you’d like a Don’t Drop Litter favourite EVER! Great graphics! Great thinking behind it! Great work approach, this me with Sll Life as the li too!) Please from Katryn in P7. theme. ‘ Painng Problems – Lorna Finlayson page 26 Dè tha dol ann an saoghal na Gaidhlig? on 16 September 1873, at 8:47am... page 7 Tha sinn uile duilich gu bheil Sarah Shutharlanach a’ dol a dreuch What’s going on in the Gaelic world? mar oifigear leasachadh sgireil CnaG agail. Tha Sarah air a bhith a’ dèanamh obair ionmholta, gu h‐araid le oighrigh, dhan toirt air We are all sorry that Sarah Sutherland is going to leave her job as falbh airson cheann sheachdainn sgitheadh agus air cursaichean CnaG’s local development officer. Sarah has been doing really còmhnaidh a thaobh Duais Iain Muir agus a’ teagaisg clasaichean commendable work, especially with the young; taking groups away Ulpan. ‘S i seinneadair clìuteach th’innte agus chuir i gu feum sin a’ for weekends ski‐ing and for the John Muir award, not to menon cuideachadh oigridh ag ullachadh airson a’ mhòid ionadail. Chuidich teaching night classes. As an award winning singer she has put her i Meur Lochabair taic aigid aighinn bho Bhord na Gaidhlig gus talents to use helping young people prepare for the local mod. She Rionna Whyte a thoirt a‐steach a dh’obair le coisirean ann an coig helped the Lochaber branch of An Comann Gàidhealach obtain a bun sgoiltean air feadh sgire Lochabair, bun sgoil Bhanbhaidh nam grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to bring the renowned singer, Rionna there’s some great detail in this enlarged poron of the photo below of Banavie Basin ‐ the train, the car, and a full line of trees down the Staircase measg. Thuirt a h‐uile daoine aig a’ Mhòid dè cho math ‘sa bha Whyte, in to work with choirs in five primary schools throughout sgoilearan Bhanbhaidh agus cha bu choir dhuinn a dhìochuimh‐ Lochaber, Banavie School included. At the mod everybody was ...140 years ago, saying how well Banavie had done and it is well to remember the neachadh an obair sgoineil a rinn Deirdre Beck còmhla riutha. Bha almost to the day, Queen Victoria set off on impressive work that Deirdre Beck, and Sarah herself, had done Mòd Lochabair air leth soirbhicheil am bliadhna air sgath obair nan her trip up the canal to Inverness on the with them. Lochaber Mod was a much bigger event this year and its curaidh a tha seo, am measg eile, leithid Linda Chaimbeul agus paddle steamer Gondolier. Then, as now, outstanding success was due in large part to these key workers as Joanne McHale. royalty probably got a completely false idea well as a large number of other acvists, notably Linda Campbell Tha Sarah a’ dol dhan Colaiste an Fhoglaim airson bliadhna gus of what real life was like ‐ you can imagine and Joanne McHale. teisteanas aighinn mar dsear bun sgoil Gaidhlig. Tha mi lan how everything that might have offended Sarah is going to College of Educaon to qualify as a Gaelic cinnteach gum bi ise na dsear annabarrach math. Bhiodh sinn her eye would have been died away, fortanach nam gheibheadh i cothrom a theagaisg anns a’ bhun sgoil Medium Primary teacher and we would be fortunate if she gets the chance to work in our new Gaelic medium school as I am certain screened off, or given a lick of paint. ùr Gaidhlig againne. She’d been staying at Inverlochy Castle Fads a tha sinn a guidhe soraidh slan le Sarah, tha againn ri that she will make a great teacher. While we bid farewell to Sarah we have to welcome another the night before, and had been driven to fàilte a chur ri nighean talantach eile. ‘S ann an t‐Eilean Cheap Banavie to embark at the pier (where the Bhreatann a tha Tara NicFhraing agus tha ise a’ dol a leum a steach talented young woman to the area. Tara Rankine, who is about to Ocean Mist jey now is) at the top of dhan brogan Sarah. ‘S e buil den teaghlach, ainmeil, ceòlmhor step into Sarah’s shoes, is from Cape Breton and a member of the famous, musical Rankine Family. I would say that we are lucky to Neptune’s Staircase. PS Gondolier had

sinach, an teaghlach MhicFhraing, no Rankine Family, a tha Tara Campbell in Lochaber News been in service for 7 years, but it had been agus chanainn gu bheil sinn fortanach gu bheil bana‐Chanadianach have this talented young Canadian working among us and specially kied out for the royal occasion òg talantach a ghinn a dh’obair nar measg agus a chuir nar reminding us that Gaelic is sll an internaonal language. with carpeted decks, deerskin rugs, chuimhne gu bheil a’ Ghaidhlig athast na canan eadar‐naistenta. The Lochaber branch of An Comann has offered to hold the armchairs, Victoria tartan everywhere and Tha Meur Lochabar a’ Chomainn air tabhann a chuir a‐steach 2017 Naonal Mod in Lochaber and it seems that An Comann is festoons of flowers. am Mòd Naisteanta a cumail ‘sa Ghearasdan ann an 2017. Tha e more than happy at the prospect of a return to the district. This Twenty years later, passengers would coltach gum bhiodh an Comann barrachd air toilichte a thighinn air would bring in more than £2,500,000 to the local economy. One be able to transfer direct to the paddle‐ ais an seo agus thoireadh sinn barrachd ‘s £2,500,000 a steach dhan thing, however, is certain. If Meur Lochabair succeeds with its bid PS Gondolier (? at Fort Augustus). Thanks to steamer from a steam train standing sgire. Tha rud eile cinnteach, bidh a’ Mheur a’ lorg mòran luchd‐ to hold the Mod, it will be looking for a lot of volunteers to get such Tom Lee’s delighul Paddle Steamer Picture

spotted on BBC’s The One Show on 2nd Sept 2nd on BBC’s The One Show spotted on alongside the canal. The Banavie line was a cuideachaidh soar‐thoilleach airson an tachartais mhòir seo a chuir a big event up and running. Perhaps there is a role for you to play? Gallery for this photo branch off the original West Highland line air doigh. Am bheil sibh airson ghinn air bhòrd? Tha a’ Mheur gun At the moment Meur Lochabair, the local branch of An Comann, is that linked the Fort to Glasgow. The opened in 1901. The original Banavie cathraiche aig an àm seo. Leig Tearlach MacCholla an dreuchd sin without Chairperson. Aer many years of outstanding work Charlie Banavie branch was opened in 1895, staon was then renamed Banavie Pier. seachad, as deidh iomadh bhliadhna de dh’obair sònraichte, agus, McColl is standing down as chair and, although I’m keeping the

(before the West Highland extension to Nearly forty years aer, with the increasing ged a tha mi a’ cumail an cathair blath, mar iar‐cathraiche, bidh chair warm, as Vice‐Chair, the Meur will need a new Chairperson Mallaig) and this greatly increased the supremacy of roads over rail and water, the feum aig a’ Mheur air cathraiche ùr a dh’aithghearr. fairly soon. Ronald Cameron numbers of people using the canal (present branch closed to passengers in 1939, and ‐day policians please note!) closed completely in 1951. The staon sll exists (now a private The story of this railway is an integral thanks to Scosh Canals for this photo from their

house) as does the staon‐master’s house. part of the story of the canal. Wouldn’t it archive, (date unknown, assumed pre 1951) of the pepperpot from Fiona the great tapestry But the train didn’t terminate at the staon: be great if this story could be promoted in it carried on right up onto the canal, and the interpretaon centre that Scosh Slightly further north, the local community you can sll make out the line of it today… Canals are thinking of developing further are taking steps to preserve their railway of Scotland - slowly climbing up to the level of the canal down the hill (see page 4). It would also be heritage at Invergarry. Perhaps something and then reversing back along to the old great if the landscape evidence of the akin is possible here, and could even be to pier. railway could be preserved and enhanced ‐ Scosh Canals’ benefit.

update The Banavie line was effecvely not diminished by lack of awareness, and More about the Gondolier and the

Huge congratulaons to Joan Kerr of Banavie for compleng demoted to a ‘branch‐branch’ line once the hopefully not destroyed by development on railway in future issues, with thanks to her epic embroidery which has now taken its place as one of West Highland Extension to Mallaig was the top of it. Iain Henshaw for reference material the panels in the Great Tapestry of Scotland (see June 2013 issue for full background story). Aer months of working In the past, chains were used link in the chain number 2: link in the chain number 5: into the night, Joan finally completed her panel in July and to open the canal lock gates... Andy’s father Donnie Goodwin was a diver at a different Primary School, Kilmonivaig, sent it off to Edinburgh to be joined up with all the 164 other and a lockkeeper on the canal in the 1990’s, pupils made a video about panels. The enre tapestry has been on display during link in the chain number 1: Queen Vic's visit to Banavie locks and September at the Scosh Parliament where it is aracng Thanks to Andy Goodwin (brought up in link in the chain number 3: called it "Ernie's Big Day" as a thank you to huge crowds. Banavie, now living in Gothenburg) for John, the present canal superintendent, rered Banavie lock‐keeper Ernie Joan has earned herself a place in history. And very sending us a link to some great early film remembers Andy playing shinty for MacLugash for helping them to learn about touchingly, in the small boom right hand corner of her footage showing the train coming right up Banavie Primary School, at Annat Farm how the canal works panel where stchers had a ny square to sign their work, to the canalside to meet the steamer. It where the pitch used to be. Joan chose to include Kilmallie’s own pepperpot lighthouse shows both the paddle steamer and steam link in the chain number 6 as her emblem. engine steaming away at the same me. link in the chain number 4: one of the pupils who remembers making Arrangements are in hand for the tapestry to tour

Brilliant, even if you’re not a steam fanac. not quite the same generaon, but there’s the video with Ernie was Richard ‐ who great picture Scotland next year, so watch out for details of where you can You can see it on YouTube. Search for: a great picture of Banavie Primary School’s sculpted the driwood pony on page 24! go and see it ‐ wouldn’t it be great if it could be Scosh Railways in the 1930's. Film 17032. shinty team on page 28!

joan’s tapestry panel panel tapestry joan’s on display in Kilmallie ‐ at the High School say? The footage of Fort William and Banavie How on earth are you filling your me in the starts 8 mins in to the film. evenings now Joan? 

job. I especially enjoy the change to digital page 6 past, images. Wish that had happened forty years page 27 ago. focus on folk What a pity that so many people knock present & Fort William without taking me to find out Glencoe using my mother's Kodak. That what it has to offer. We can only thank the hobby became more a part of oungs and many real people who have become good ?future Many thanks to Alex Gillespie, who Thank you to Gloria Coats, Tesco’s what a place to live in for a photographer. A friends over the years and who all love the lives in Corpach, for telling us Regional & Corporate Affairs change of employment from engineering to area warts and all. We, like many other

Manager for Scotland, who recently about his enduring love of retailer as a member of the Nevisport trio families who moved here in the Sixes and sent KCC a picture of their Ness Side photography and of Lochaber found more uses for photography and I had who have stayed and brought up families store in Inverness, to give us a rough to become more professional in my here, are no different from the many folks idea of what the store on the Blar I first visited Fort William as a 14 year old in approach. Now a member of the Lochaber who came here over the last century to find would look like. She says it would be 1949 on a cycling tour of the highland Rescue team it was important that pictures work at the different types of employment similar design and materials but hostels. A kind butcher in the High Street let were good enough to be used for fund that have evolved over the years. It is “Ness Side is smaller than the Blah the past, June 2012 , a mere 14 months ago me have two chops without taking any of raising and recording incidents etc. encouraging to see many young members of Mhor store will be”. just before the diggers my very scarce raon book coupons. This By 1980 I was ready for a career change these families returning to the area and le a so spot for the area and most years again! It was almost inevitable that finding employment here. However our own Freudian slip in the spelling? for the next 15 saw me “up North” either on photography was a possible way to go and three having been born in Edinburgh and the bike or, as I collected wife and family, on with encouragement from a real brought up in Lochaber are now all living in Anyone else recall the words of motor bike/sidecar. professional friend, and Mary of course, I cies, but what a start in life they had... Joni Mitchell in Big Yellow Taxi? As a mining electrician working Saturday embarked on a new venture. Having both an It is a fact that when we are away on “They took all the trees mornings it was only in the summer holidays industrial and retail background helped to holiday we are never reluctant to return the present, August 2013 And put them in a tree museum that we were able to travel very far from the get going in the days before so many helpful home and are happy when we pass from lush and verdant to a desolate Then they charged the people big city to our favourite area. So when, in agencies were around. We decided right Crianlarach and see the hills of Glencoe and

coming on apace coming on waste... A dollar and a half just to see 1965, while camping at Three Mile Water, I away that we would not do any weddings or know that the Fort and Corpach are only an Nature instantly starts trying to claim 'em managed to visit the site of the Pulp and baby photos and went for industrial and hour away.

land than in any other Scottish area Paper mill at Corpach, there was the commercial clients. Great to work over the back its own, with a colony of herring Don't it always seem to go, Alex Gillespie gulls on the ‘lagoon’ and a dusng of That you don't know what answer! A chat with two friendly ladies in years with Brish Alcan, Ben Nevis Disllery, moss and algae at the water’s edge. you've got Corpach and a look at the view and a month Brish Waterways, HIDB, other local No doubt Nature will be knocked back 'Til it's gone later I was working at the Mill. businesses and lots of interesng me and again on this site, but like They paved paradise is this the future? maybe by 2015? Three months later Mary and our three assignments. A quirk of fate found me back Robert the Bruce, it will never give up And put up a parking lot.” Tesco’s vision, but the Blar version, if it happens, will be sons joined me in the newly built house that in the Pulp mill which was being dismantled trying. bigger we sll stay in 48 years later. The boys got and this led to many visits over the years as the bikes they were promised and were the Paper mill was being upgraded and soon into shinty, football and canoeing etc. developed. That eventually closed as well Mary and I had done some hillwalking and and it was strange to have been in at the some hill tracks with the bikes and were beginning and the end of the very means of mews news soon involved in the mill mountaineering us being able to live and work in this Back in July, Dot Ferguson, Highland Council, And ‘Mews’ was chosen because it used to club and sll geng out cycling. I sll had a fantasc area. asked KCC for suggesons for a name for the be the site of the old stables for the manse, trials motorbike to play with and we were Having collected a fairly large library of new house and 4 flats built at the former and the pony and traps used to come in soon seled into the community. Helping to pictures of Lochaber and the Nevis area in surgery site at Drumfada Terrace. KCC there. fund raise for the village hall, working with parcular it had been at the back of my

thought the best people to ask were the Many thanks to Maureen and everyone scouts and guides and geng to discover mind to produce a book from the many files. residents of Walter Cameron Way, so we got at Walter Cameron Way for all their ideas, the whole area soon had us feeling very With the advent of the computer I was able

in touch with Maureen Fair at Hanover. and for coming up with a great name ‐ all much at home. There was a me when I had to put together things the way I wanted it Maureen asked residents for their within the ght deadline of a week! A great said you would never catch me on the end and with much help from Printsmith it was suggesons and 11 names came forward. At community collaboraon, one that of a climbing rope but workmates soon had produced and seems to have been well active community councils (138) in High

a coffee morning meeng it went to the vote beaufully links the generaons of past, me hooked on steeper stuff and more and received. It sll sells along with a collecon and the name chosen was ‘Nevis Mews’. present and future. more me was spent learning new skills and of prints which help to augment the

‘Nevis’ was favoured because the Ben We are waing to hear what the Gaelic geng new views of Lochaber. pension. Having worked well past can be seen from the properes in Walter translaon will be. Photography had been a hobby from rerement age I sll cannot go out without Cameron Way. school days and I sll have prints of pictures a camera of some kind, but enjoy shoong taken on that first trip by Loch Ness and for pleasure and the occasional small paid photo of Alex by Fin McRae think on your feet. Treang people fairly will be second nature, as new police station station police new will respect for diversity. Many thanks to Ewen Campbell, who was able to community policing If you are interested, visit the recruitment secon of the Police name all the Scouts for us in the photograph from As I write this arcle the ‘heat wave’ we enjoyed this summer Scotland website, or contact Police Sergeant Andy Bilton at Fort Ronald Cameron that we published last issue. seems to be a distant memory and it’s just a few days before the William Police Staon for further details. Fort William young people return to school to start a new term and A good rate of progress connues to be made on the new Fort BACK ROW a new school year. William Police Staon and Ambulance Staon at the Blar. The Bobby McBride, John Iliffe, Ian Munro, Sandy Cameron, Road safety iniaves and other more local iniaves have compleon of this work is sll on target for the end of 2013. Hugh MacDonald, Donnie Stewart, Ewen Campbell, been undertaken without any major issues to report and the local As per previous newsleer arcles, I would welcome any Caley Ross, Nigel MacPhee community appear to have adapted well to the new 101 non feedback or comments on local Policing in the Lochaber/Kilmallie MIDDLE ROW construction of construction emergency number and the 8am to 8pm opening hours of the Fort area as we connue to priorise keeping people safe in the

Walter P Cameron, Donald Robertson, Peter Stewart, William Police Staon. communies we serve. Charlie MacMillan, Alistair MacDougall, Duncan Police Scotland is currently looking for people to join the PS197 Andrew Bilton MacPhee, Calum Ferguson, Hugh Allison, Neil Special Constabulary and volunteer their own me to improve the Liaison Officer for Kilmallie Community Council MacMillan, Michael MacKintosh, John Carmichael safety and wellbeing of the people, places and communies in [email protected] Scotland. FRONT ROW Police Service of Scotland We are seeking movated individuals who are able to speak to Mrs J Cameron, Graeme MacKintosh, Olaf Donaldson, Fort William Police Staon, people from all walks of life. You should enjoy working in a team Ian Paton, Derek Donald, Commander Robb ‐ District High Street, Fort William environment and you’ll need integrity, paence and the ability to Scout Commissioner. there are more Tel 101 for non‐emergency

page 28 MY HIGHLAND HOME IN CORPACH page 5 Does anyone My home in the Highlands is dear to my heart, our Highland councillors’ corner I’ve lived here so long now I feel I’m a part This time we asked Dot Ferguson, our Ward Manager, to explain the recent changes involved in setting up (or re-setting up) remember being a Of the bricks and the stones, of the plants and the trees, the Lochaber Area Committee (LAC). Of the loch and the mountains, the skies and the seas. The newly formed Lochaber Area Commiee will comprise the  develop and work in partnership with Community Planning

When I walk in my garden, each plant is a friend seven Local Members – 3 represenng Ward 12 and 4 represenng partners, including Community Councils, as appropriate, to scout or a girl guide? For each did I nourish and lovingly tend, Ward 22. achieve a co‐ordinated approach to the provision of services You may remember that in issue number 42 we asked if anyone in From seedling or plantlet I saw them all grow The Commiee will meet four mes a year (all meengs will be and to deliver the objecves of the Highland Public Services To the size and maturity now that they show. webcast) and is being established to scrunise and deliver acons Partnership;

Kilmallie had any recollecons of the scouts or girl guides as these and improvements in Lochaber. As well as taking on the  scrunise and monitor the local delivery of services, within organisaons seem to be known to most folk who grew up in this I go down the road and the faces I see area. We were hoping also for relevant and appropriate photos responsibility for local service delivery, the commiee will decide approved resources and strategy; Are those that I know and of friends who know me, how delegated budgets are spent and will work with partners to  monitor the delivery of Capital Projects within the local area, as which we could share. I was delighted to hear from Sheila Suon We laugh and exchange all the news of the day. who as many of you will know ran the shop and post office in promote tourism and boost the local economy, with a focus on agreed within the Council’s Capital Programme; I’m part of the village and here I will stay. providing efficient and effecve services. Corpach for many years with her husband Mick. She was asked to  approve delegated local funcons e.g. Road Traffic Orders, take charge of forty or so very young girls, brownies. Mick was very For here I belong and find infinite pleasure, The Commiee will have the remit to: Road Construcon Consents, and Upholding Access Rights and scepcal… they had two children of their own!! Sheila however likes My house is my castle – a home that I treasure,  appoint the Leader of the Area, responsible for the running of  champion local iniaves which promote and a challenge and she didn’t hesitate for a second to take up the job. I walk in the gate to be met by my cat, the Commiee and the management of its funcons; support the tradional languages, heritage and In fact, she turned out to be so good at her job that Sheila was not And no beer welcome I know of than that.  work with partners to achieve the effecve promoon and culture of the Highlands. future prosperity of the area including tourism and the delivery only appointed District Commissioner but was also given Ruth Miller responsibilies for her girls even when they were at camp abroad. In of efficient and effecve services to its cizens; Dot Ferguson, Ward Manager

doing so, she was volunteering to work for the newly formed World

of We then asked our three Ward 12 councillors for their views on how it will affect their work and the local community Associaon of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts of which Lord and Lady of her generally. The newsletter team decided on this topic in all innocence, weeks before the controversy that exploded after the

Baden‐Powell as well as the Director of the World Bureau in London eye were ex‐officio members. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts with their new first LAC meeting. We had hoped for replies from our councillors that could inspire us all to be more interested and involved eiving

MacBride in local issues - a faint hope it would now seem. Here are their replies... sorry we didn’t receive anything from Eddie.

central organisaon could now plan trips abroad much more freely. The first World Centre, Our Chalet was opened in Adelboden in 1939 rec I advised the SNP led Administraon that I would be subming a The seng up of pilot Area Commiees over the next year will bring 1964:

high in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. The stay was to show watchful the proposal that Lochaber should have its own stand alone Area about further debate on how much influence they have or should Christeen

the girls how to appreciate and value the outdoors and the mul‐ Commiee and that I expected the SNP led Administraon to give have. ntre - about fire and rescue plans Lumsden.” Christeen

cultural world. Sheila remembers with some pride and excitement, under members a free vote, which they agreed to do. That decision swept Creang Area Commiees that will sasfy the aspiraons of February Mrs Award, being allowed to sleep in the chalet reserved at the boom of the like wildfire through the polical groups. With the support of the everyone is an impossible task, just as it is impossible to detail at this shows garden in Adelboden for Lady Baden‐Powell when the Lady herself 255, majority of SNP members together with local Independent Councillor early stage a disnct proposal for Kilmallie without taking into months No visited. Sheila also remembers receiving a postcard in 1957 from Guide Andrew Baxter, the Independent Group was persuaded to drop its account the requirements of the rest of the Caol & Mallaig six n, Suon Park, the site of the Scout Jamboree whilst she was at the support for a Lochaber/Skye and Wester Ross Area Commiee. This Ward or indeed Lochaber. It would be easy enough for support plus that of all Local Members accumulated more than every Lochaber Councillor to produce a wish list. It will be Commissioner, Chalet for the first me and showing it to the Chief Guide. It was photograph Bulle supreme enough votes to win the vote handsomely. more prudent parcularly in the first year to have every Our from the former Brown Owl. This is how Sheila says that she is group for

certain that she knows she was at the Chalet in 1957. the By seng up Area Commiees, we are taking a first step on the road Councillor working together to ensure that both Lochaber County Sheila also has a Naonal Savings Bullen from 1964 (see right) Savings to fulfilling a long held desire of communies to feel closer to Local wards receive an equal slice of any cake on offer. sh Savings the Badge,

Government decision making. Cllr Bill Clark showing on its front cover a photo of Mrs Lumsden, the County onal Sutherland.

Commissioner presenng the Queens Guide Cerficate to Chrisne from B. there is a Kilmallie Farm in Minnesota? Kilmallie Farm in there is a

MacBride, whose Guide Captain is standing next to her. Cllr Allan Henderson sent us an apology power is a dangerous thing. Lochaber News Sco the Na cate Queen’s a

fi Ina I must thank Sheila for sharing her experiences about the girl of saying: and Oban Times will reveal all, or at least guides in Corpach with us and we hope that she gets some joy from the some. Mrs Cer “I will not be commenng on the Lochaber

Cover see below for what Allan sharing her memories too and also we thank her for showing us her gain Area Commiee, as I am not parcularly Regards, Allan operated was referring to Cllr Allan Cllr Eddie precious souvenirs which she has kept for so long. I think she must her disposed to it at this moment. It appears that Henderson Hunter have had a wonderful me with the Brownies and girl guides. Captain,

help her Corpach Kshama Wilmington To You can watch what took place at the first meeng of the Lochaber Area Commiee on 26 Aug via their webcast at the LAC hp://www.highland.public‐i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interacve/111098 Ce 7 Oct, 7pm, Caol Community Mon It’s not the most excing viewing but it’s worth a look to see what KCC were interested to hear the support expressed for circular local councillors are saying (in public at least, though clearly much path routes and for linear routes to be linked in with public more polical business is sll carried on behind closed doors). transport. And we were pleased (or maybe depressed) to hear that There is a menu on the webcast so you can skip straight to any bike racks on buses were sll a declared aspiraon aer more than items that interest you ‐ you don’t have to sit through the whole 10 years. three hours ‐ so for example you can hop straight to the item There was much discussion about the Lochaber Tourism BID where Corpach’s new street name Nevis Mews (as chosen by proposal, which is worth listening to if you run a business and Walter Cameron Way’s residents) was approved ‐ that was where aren’t sure yet if you would be affected by it for beer or worse. we learned that the word ‘homologated’ existed). The next Local Area Commiee is on 25 November.

KCC would like to thank Allan Henderson for his dedicaon to the did you know you know did the lochaber axe role of Provost over the last 6 years. He has been a great ambassador for Perhaps LAC stands for the Lochaber Area Manager Dot Ferguson tells us the our area and has worked relessly for Axe Commiee! LAC have determined that the civic role us all as Lochaber’s civic figurehead. will now be shared between the LAC Cllr Allan Henderson’s comment above Leader Cllr Thomas MacLennan and the It remains to be seen whether relates to the polically dramac other six Ward councillors on an event‐ the new arrangements and the new assassinaon of the role of Provost of by‐event basis. The ceremonial chain,

LAC itself will stand our community in next ward forum Lochaber, which seems to have been used by the Provost, will connue to be such good stead. Our lives are Ronald Cameron sent us a scan of this slide that he found among his father’s stuff. Banavie PS shinty team, June 1972. He engineered aer the Lochaber Area worn at events/funcons as and when improved by beer local services, not wonders if some of the “kids” recognise themselves! Commiee meeng had finished. appropriate. by more local polics. There was a good turnout to seeing exactly what the customer base is in Phase 1. Neptune’s The first known date of a version of the The burn already menoned is called Allt page 4 Scosh Canals’ consultaon on Staircase has an under provision of facilies for vising tourists and Kilmallie name was noted in 1296. Cuil a Chiarain ‐ this means the burn flowing page 29 their proposed camping pods at we are focusing on projects that seek to address this issue. As such, Kilmallie Where is/was Kilmallie? All indicaons by St Ciarain’s Retreat. If this is true odds Banavie back in June. Aer the we are working on the feasibility of revitalising the listed buildings point to an area between the Oakwood and Ciarnain could be the ‘maol dubh’ and event at The Moorings, KCC that include the Saw Mill to offer uses such as interpretaon to the East of the old Cemetery as far as the suggests there may have been a monastery welcomed their three facilies, café, shop, toilets and possibly, a hire equipment outlet burn beside Farrow Drive. in this vicinity. The other interpretaon representaves to a KCC meeng (bikes, canoes etc.). I shall update you as our plans develop.” history What does Kilmallie mean ? is ‘the nook of the dusky one’. So what on in the evening., where they gave a This appears to be good news, depending on the nature of any Kil ‐ cemetery or church does ‘mallie’ mean? Take your pick, but further presentaon. actual proposals. Hopefully they will preserve the modest character We remember Hugh Muir in this great There is certainly an old cemetery but the many ‘experts’ choose Maillidh. A small minority expressed of the old buildings which have an important place in the history of collection of history snippets which he earliest readable stone is 1790, a date which From a map of the 16th C, Kilmallie was enthusiasm for the proposed the canal. sent us before he died earlier this gives no indicaon of the age of the the only place of note in the area apart from pods? pods, thinking that they looked KCC have had no specific update from SC about their proposals year. With thanks to Hugh’s family graveyard. However five early Cameron the like of Tor Castle and Inverlochy Castle. interesng and would help support the local economy. But the for Moy: so we don’t know if it is one of the locaons that SC say for permission to publish it, and many leaders are said to be buried here in the In a map of about 1750 is shown the ‘Town majority view expressed was not posive. Concerns tended to fall they are pressing ahead with. This is another locaon where it more still to come. 17th C. of Kilmauly’ (as well as the ‘Town of into the following categories: would be preferable to float the pods rather than spoil the peaceful Being adjacent to Annat, with 6th C base Corpoch’ (but no indicaon of Banavie).  taking business away from exisng local businesses providing beauty of Moy’s landscape seng (there is plenty of space at the Kilmallie? I think that most of us believe for St Columba`s missionaries, would So what happened to the town of accommodaon River Loy basin nearby). Or ideally SC could avoid development at that the word Kilmallie is a parish, a district indicate a close e‐up of Annat / Kilmallie. Kilmallie? We can speculate ‐  lier, noise and general disturbance from a campsite next to a Moy altogether as it is not far for walkers to carry on to Gairlochy. or a local organisaon name ‐ which it is. As an ecclesiascal centre in the most likely  It lost its importance as an ecclesiascal residenal area (There the community are opposing any pods and asking instead for The parish was once the largest in Scotland sense some thoughts of a possible church centre due to the Reformaon (1560‐  inappropriate appearance Telford House Gairlochy to be brought back into use). and stretched from Ballachulish to Loch on the top of the levelled Oakwoods (oh, for 1651) and no known churches were  lack of respect for the historical significance of the site (the So pods may yet appear at Moy, and also at Banavie in the Hourn. However it had a humble beginning a professional dig!) No evidence of early here for about 80 years; pods were going to be placed right on the line of the original future. If you want to see what they would look like, SC have now as a local selement. churches but obvious ruin of a 1499  war‐like mes with Clan disputes; railway line (see arcle on page 7) built a prototype. There is a picture of it under construcon at The word Kilmallie has, over the building. An old map also shows a church  by the early 1770s a surveyor ‘of the A community idea to provide floang pods on a barge or pontoon hp://www.oliverchapmanarchitects.com/news/2013/ centuries, had many variaons in its symbol on one of the islands in the bay. Forfeited Estate’ menons "Kilmallie was met with much greater enthusiasm ‐ it would avoid disturbing SC have already put in a planning applicaon for a 7‐pod spelling, eg Kilmaduff (1304), Kilmalyn, Mallie ‐ Possible origins ‐ Church at Corpach"; the planned landscape of the canal, it would be a great aracon campsite at Laggan Locks. It’s not in our Community Council area, Kilmalde (1372), Kilmalzhe (1472), Kilmalyhe  from virgin Mary  with the building of the Canal, starng for users, and the locaon could be more flexible to address but it is nearby, and it is of interest to anyone who takes an interest (1495), Kirkmalie, Culmally and  an ancient shrine ‐ built 11th C ‐ in 1803, there were a large number of concerns of local residents. Scosh Canals (SC) appeared to in the Canal as a whole. Here too, some floang pods would surely Kilmaddy. built here by a monk called Maolan. incomers to Corpach. This almost welcome this idea, but it remains to be seen whether they will have been much more appropriate. You can see what is proposed Even in more recent mes there is a Hence Cil‐moalin. He was the son of the certainly resulted in expansion and

progress it. on Highland Council ‘s eplanning website (see details below). tombstone in the Old Cemetery of 1830 of Bishop of Dunkeld. absorpon of Kilmallie town. e welcome even critical ones The SC team said they would nofy KCC of any specific Objecons have been submied by various members of the Laggan the Rev Duncan McIntyre, Minister of  from a lile known saint Maillidh proposals before pung in a planning applicaon. So we are community so far. The planning applicaon is scheduled to be Killmalie. Was this the spelling of the me or  from "kil maol dubh" ‐ church of the Hugh Muir grateful to Keith Mackie, Development Surveyor at Scosh Canals, determined on 28 Sept. If, as is likely, it is approved, we will have a could the family / engraver not spell? black monk. who sent KCC this update on 26th August: chance to see what the pods will look like in the flesh fairly soon. “Following our meengs with the community, I thought it would be Let’s hope the minority of people who liked the look of the pods Gold Award by the Duke of Edinburgh worthwhile updang you as to our plans for Banavie. We have are vindicated. himself in 1974: Sorry, KCC knows of no such awards at Highland Council eplanning website: the moment unfortunately. Thanks to

decided to drop Banavie from Phase 1 of the camping pods Margaret Andrew; Moira Collins; Rhona project. We are pressing ahead with 4 other locaons first as these hp://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ letters Cranston; Catherine Hogg; Edith Hope Lucy for highlighting the dedication of other locaons are known over‐night stops in the Great Glen Way Search for applicaon ref 13/02876/FUL Sheena Macrae; Margaret McWilliams. Ann and Billy. It’s great to be able to transit. The market for Banavie needs to be proven, following All the drawings are downloadable under the ‘Documents’ tab. Dear Kilmallie Community News Is there a civic award out there that can publicly acknowledge the valuable be given to this dedicated couple – not only contribution that people have made and Reading Hugh Muir’s detailed account of are making to our community - there for what they did for Kilmallie Guide dedicated IT team will monitor the performance of Kilmallie Cubs/Scouts recalled a very special Rangers, but for their meless effort First are many such people - some well the line as the work progresses. occasion due to the meless effort and Aiding at events throughout Lochaber and known, and many more not so well s through Kilmallie? s through Wrath Trail passe the Cape Locheilnet This is very much a community effort and dedicaon of Ann and Billy MacMillan. This beyond for many years? known. Why not write and tell us we thank everyone who has given us the strength and very special couple led seven guide/rangers your stories about the great Locheilnet has made good progress in the past support to get us this far. and their proud mums to Holyrood to be Lucy Hope contributions people have made? months. Despite a few hiccups out of our control, we You can follow our progress on the website and our presented with their Duke of Edinburgh have been able to do site surveys, order tools and facebook page:: equipment, order the leased line and install a few

www.locheilnet.co.uk/news your letters and emails coming -w more main relays. The newsleer’s fantasc – I love that it’s got lots of in‐depth hps://www.facebook.com/Locheilnet Over the next 8 weeks, Locheilnet members and stuff in it. I really look forward to it arriving each me. (LM)

trained volunteers will do the house to house Chris Pellow A good newsleer again ‐ always brilliant! (DM) installaons in the various areas, while our feedback Are you carrying on prinng the newsleer? I would be happy Please pass on my compliments to the team of people who Plans are moving ahead well, though the precise full route has sll to pay for it and I’m sure other people would be too. Long put the newsleer together. Having produced something to be established. The route will offer an oponal extension to may it connue! (SL) similar myself for my business and for a club, I know how a way walkers planning either the Great Glen Way or the West Highland much work goes into it. The content was interesng, useful Way. Roughly described, the plan is that it follows the Great Glen I really enjoy the newsleer. I love it! (IM) and well wrien ‐ a rarity these days. The layout was Way from Fort William to the canal, then turns le for Corpach through the village to Camusnaha, over the rail bridge onto the You folks are doing a great job with the newsleer (AG) aracve and professional looking. All in all, a very well done to the beach, following the rail line to Drumsallie and on to the Callop job (CJ) You have a truly wonderful gallery of images [from Meall underpass, where it will pick up the public path to Glenfinnan. From Bhanbhaidh] in your Photo Galleries secon [on your Congratulaons on geng the recent award for the here it will follow the new track to the Glenalladale estate hydro west scheme and hopefully follow the west side of Locheilt to Lochailort website]. (NH) newsleer – it is really a very good read! (AR) and Glenmammie. It then follows the coast as close as possible to A very readable quarterly ‐ if you don’t live in or around the My friend loves to read the KCC newsleer, they don't do

did you know you know did Angus MacIntyre has wrien to tell us about this excing iniave Mallaig through Arisaig and Morar. The important part is that no for a new long‐distance footpath. A steering commiee has been Queen of Suburbia then go out of your way to try to obtain a anything like that where she lives! (SS) village along the route is missed out. formed under the umbrella of The Road to the Isles Marleng One of our Ward councillors, Allan Henderson, who is on the copy. (Roamer in Lochaber News a while back) Group to bring to reality the idea of a walking route linking all the Fabulous newsleer. Gold standard. (SC)

steering group, tells us that most landowners have so far been very please keep villages between Fort William and Mallaig, to be named “A Way to The magazine is very good. Keep up the good work ‐ we all helpful although they sll have to get official permission from the West”. Kilmallie Community Council has welcomed the project, enjoy reading it. (IC) we love to get your feedback - others. SNH are also very supporve and will advise on SSSI’s etc. which will bring economic benefit to our area as well as an please keep it coming - together If you have any thoughts on this new footpath, or indeed any enjoyable walking route for local residents as well as visitors to A wonderful magazine – people in the town are jealous! (BA) with ideas ideas for other local walking or cycling routes, please let KCC know. enjoy. for future issues

page 30

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page 3 monster-size thanks to Kaiya Clarke age 9, youngest member of our delivery team I was delighted to see the wee pepperpot lighthouse on Joan page 2 Kerr’s embroidery panel, what an achievement to have page 31 from the Chair completed such a wonderful piece of needlework that joins Well hello again and welcome to the September 2013 issue the other amazing pieces portraying Scotland’s rich history. of Kilmallie Community News. You will see that it is a wee The tapestry will be touring Scotland at some point so bit thicker this me at 32 pages; we have had great difficulty hopefully it will come to Lochaber. in recent issues trying to fit all the wonderful arcles we receive in to 28 pages, so when you have to grow, you have You will noce on page 5 that there is a newly formed to grow! Lochaber Area Commiee with an explanaon from Dot picture quiz Ferguson, Ward Manager on its role and how it will affect us You will noce a recurring theme of lier in this issue; it is locally. sad that a beauful area such as we live in is tainted by no 1 thoughtless dumping of rubbish, whether locally or arriving Well then, take some me out and enjoy yet another with the des, but heart‐warming that within our fantasc issue of the Kilmallie Community News; a very big where in Kilmallie community we have members who take acon to do well done to our newsleer team, arcle contributors, sponsors and delivery team, it just gets beer and beer! is this chef working?

something about removing it. I just love the beauful driwood drove pony on page 24: Maggie Mackenzie how marvellous it is... an excellent piece of arstry and a great use for some of the many pieces of driwood that [email protected] ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

growing all the time growing all wash up on our beaches. Answers to these puzzles are on the website experience, equipment and infrastructure to potenally www.kilmallie.org.uk (follow the link on the RHS of the homepage) deliver these services much more efficiently than voluntary How can we help and will also be published in the next issue of the groups. They therefore do not seem sensible tasks to ask newsleer for people without access to the volunteers to do. Where community acon can really play an internet Highland Council important role is responding to rare and unusual events that the Council could not realiscally expect to plan for, improve their services? providing the kind of extra assistance that friends and neighbours are parcularly good at. During this summer’s “some straight clues, some cryptic clues, Across Last year Highland Council started a consultaon process on hill fires, the community excelled at checking up on and how the council could save money to address its funding some easy, some not so easy” 1 Top of the head followed by the Spanish blade helping their neighbours, leaving the emergency services to deficit. Some of these cuts will simply be addressing a short‐ (7) tackle the most crical situaons with their specialist skills. term crisis. However, the more important issue is thinking 1 2 3 4 5 6 4 Diamond has 4 (5) Similarly we should all be prepared to change our plans and about what kind of services we all need and would like to 7 Maybe the cat got it? (5) help each other out in response to extreme weather, but 9 Beer (7) see in the longer‐term, and how they can best be provided. that is a very different thing from the regular clearing of 10 Bouquet (7) One of Highland Council’s plans is to recruit volunteers to do footpaths in typical winter condions. 7 8 9 11 He’s part of a small answer (5) jobs that we have always seen done by Council workers. 12 Right in the sng for this e (6) more Kilmallie quiz pictures to baffle us Arguably the most effecve thing we can all do to help Whilst most of us aspire to live in a community where 14 He lives next door to the knight (6)

the Council improve services is to look at all the things we do people play their part looking aer each other and the local 18 Leans (5) which unwingly cause expense. Refuse collecon is an environment, that is not the same as expecng volunteers to 20 Scosh plant (7) obvious example. Whilst recycling is helpful in 10 11 provide services that were previously provided by the 22 Presenter(7) environmental terms, such waste sll needs to be collected Council. There are few that would argue that saving money 23 Robin’s colour from Lincoln (5) and processed, and it would be beer if it were never by cung jobs and then hoping volunteers, who may or may 24 Gomorrah’s partner (5) created at all. In 2010/11 the cost for refuse collecon for 25 Stan gets in the mug ‐ whoa there horsey (7) not have the necessary skills, will fill the gaps is a sensible each household in Highland was £183, and landfill tax is set 12 13 14 15 16 strategy. Similarly, expecng voluntary groups to raise Down to be £80 per tonne by 2014. These costs roughly scale to money to pay the Council for ‘non‐essenal’ services is the amount of waste we produce. Cut our waste by 1% and 17 1 They get out the ring at the start of the round basically a form of voluntary local taxaon which is hard to (7) that would pay for Christmas lights. By composng all food see can be viable in the long term. Whether paid or unpaid, 2 Inially a man eats noodle stew for the endings waste and avoiding items with unnecessary packaging it is 18 19 20 21 everyone’s me is valuable, and their skills need to be used (5) easy to reduce what we put in the bin by 25% without any to best effect. There needs to be a well thought out strategy 3 Cricket extra (6) real effort. The retail industry would also soon get the for how voluntary groups including Community Councils can 4 Dance for a lile Samuel who got a degree (5) message if items in excess packaging simply didn’t sell and a 5 Samson’s partner (7) work most effecvely alongside Highland Council. Roune 25% reducon would save roughly the equivalent of 22 23 6 Temptress (5) services requiring specialist equipment or infrastructure Highland Council’s total winter road maintenance budget. 8 Girl’s Renaults car lose final direcon (5) should be provided by the Council. Community Councils and That would be a good example of a community acng 13 Started again when the sum is in the rering other voluntary groups can provide advice on how best to together and playing to its strengths. deer (7) tailor these to local needs. 24 25 15 It’s oen on the cake (5) Or why not consider helping to make the voice of the For example, Highland Council are currently seeking 16 Old German currency (7) community really heard, by joining Kilmallie Community volunteers to take on jobs such as clearing snow and ice 17 This small river confuses the master 6) Council? As members of KCC, cizens have a real from footpaths, and they have stopped providing Christmas 18 There are lots of these in Scotland (5) opportunity to make long‐lasng improvements in their Thank you to Tony Whitelocke please send us lights. The new voluntary Christmas lights group have been 19 17 Down not right (5) community, using their skills in the best ways, and advising 21 Greek leer (5) very successful in their efforts, but this shows that this is for another great crossword. the Council on how we would really like Kilmallie to look in clearly something that is valued by the community, so the future. arguably should simply remain a Council service. Having Answers to last issue’s puzzle: undertaken these acvies for years, the Council has the Russell Leaper, Secretary Across: 1 MEANDER, 4 MIDGE, 7 MEGAN, 9 DISPUTE, 10 ISLANDS, 11 SPLIT, 12 SAVOYS, 14 SPIDER, 18 ASCOT, 20 UMPIRES, 22 ANNOYED, 23 ARMED, 24 NIECE, 25 EMERALD

over 45 contributors to this issue! issue! to this 45 contributors over Down: 1 MOTHERS, 2 ANGEL, 3 RADISH, 4 MOSES, 5 DOUBLED, 6 ELECT, 8 NANNY, 13 VACANCE, 15 PEPPA, 16 RESIDED, 17 DUNDEE, 18 AGAIN, 19 THYME, 21 RUMBA

page 32 Issue No 43, September 2013 a huge thank you to our sponsors delivered free to every address in Kilmallie A huge thank you to the businesses below who sponsored the newsleer last year. We are sll trying to raise funds for 2013/2014 so we are always grateful for more sponsorship. The cost of copying this newsleer has again been very generously donated by Lorna and Finlay Finlayson of Crannog Restaurant, Fort William. The paper for this issue has again been generously donated by BSW Timber, Kilmallie Our other newsleer costs have been met by donaons and from KCC’s limited funds. runner-up community newspaper of the year 2012

KCC reports – p2 Lochaber BID – p3 odds on pods – p4 locheilnet - p4 a way to the west - p4 councillors’ corner - p5 the lochaber axe - p5 past present future - p6 mews news - p6 community policing- p6 140 years ago- p7 whitta lotta litta - p8 community heroes – p9 flingin’s mingin - p9 litterature - p9 pearls of wisdom – p10 what a dump - p10 community heroes - p11 Banavie Primary – p12 High Notes - p13 Kilmallie Playgroup – p14 Coastguard - p15 Flower & Produce - p16/17 Canal News - p18 Music for All – p19 Community Centre - p19 Corpach Woods - p20 FOCAL - p20 royal occasion - p21 Many thanks to Iain Ferguson for photo funding fears - p21 Christmas Lights - p21 update from Africa - p22 mega congratulations Morgan! up the watter - p23 Morgan MacIntyre proudly holding her Silver medal she won at the Brish Transplant Games in Sheffield. rugby club – p24 Morgan also has a medal for compleng the 3k Donor run/walk to honour all Donors. shinty club - p24 BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd driftwood drover - p24 wild about kilmallie – p25 (HAULAGE) LTD Fort William Ltd Lochaber art club - p25 dè tha dol – p26 tapestry update - p26 would you like to become a sponsor too? focus on folk- p27 guiding memories – p28 We rely on the contribuons from our business community for the cost of distribung this free newsleer to every address in kilmallie history - p29 even bigger and better with 32 pages! our area. Without further sponsorship this year, we may not be able to meet all our costs. letters – p29

We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you feedback - p29 would you like to see your name or logo in print supporng your community newsleer, please join with our current sponsors. green fingers - p30 All donaons, big or small, are hugely appreciated. outward bound - p30

Please contact us at [email protected] for details. puzzles - p31 sponsors - p32 joan’s tapestry goes to holyrood see page 26