AN CARRANNACH The General Interest Magazine of , Shieldaig, , Kishorn and Torridon & Kinlochewe Districts

NO: 353 MAY 2017 £1.00 Rowing Skiff

The end is in sight, at least of the boat building side of the project, as we’re now on the final stretch and getting ready for the water! The hull is painted inside and out and the gunnels and thwarts (seats) are oiled as hopefully you can see on the attached photograph. We still have to attach the rudder, build footrests for the rowers and fit thole pins for the oars but, with luck, we hope to be ready for launching early in May. It’s been a huge effort with around 1500 hours spent working on the boat since the 1st of November. The build will have taken six months which is considered to be quick – let’s hope she is as quick on the water as she has been in the build! The build team have worked throughout in great good humour despite the many hurdles to be overcome, so hats off to Sue Robb, John Murphy, Rob Teago, Doug Angus, Joe Burton, Angus MacKenzie and everyone else who has been involved over this time – this is definitely a boat of which you can all be proud. It hasn’t all been boat building however – the research has also been interesting. On 6th April a group returned to Ullapool to meet with Topher Dawson – the oracle of oars and all things skiffy – who had kindly agreed to let us test the latest oar design awaiting approval by the SCRA. As it was blowing a steady force 5/6 with a good sea running we suspect he was really looking for guinea pigs to see how the oars would handle conditions at the rough end of the spectrum for rowing. The answer was that they worked very well and the exercise demonstrated what a great sea boat the St Ayles Skiff is. We never shipped any water and could make real progress into gusts of 30 knots which was both reassuring and impressive. She is also surprisingly quick and great fun to row evidenced by broad grins as we returned to shore – or perhaps it was grimacing… We can’t yet say when launch day will be but as soon as it’s known we will put up posters around Lochcarron and a note on our facebook page (Loch Carron Coastal Rowing Association). Finally, huge thanks to everyone who has supported the project – The Church of for the best boatshed we could have asked for; Lochcarron Community Fund, Lochcarron Games Committee, LaDBA, Strathcarron Hotel and Scottish Sea Farms Heart of the Community Fund for financial support; LCDC for stalls at the market days and numerous individuals for (Continued on page 3)

1 AN CARRANNACH Just a Word

This is issue 353 and only the second by the Published by An Carrannach Society, Lochcarron. new team. We had a few glitches with our Chairperson: Joanna Macpherson first issue last month. Our thanks go to all

Editorial Content: [email protected] those who work to distribute the magazine and many apologies to them for the extra Treasurer: Tony Caminiti 10 Kirkton Road work involved in getting the April issue out. Lochcarron IV54 8UF 01520 722 148 We are very lucky that our area is rich with [email protected] people who are prepared to help the many Mailing: Hilary “Post” Rooke organisations and causes based here. As you

Distribution: Anthea Zell will read in this issue the Lochcarron Highland Games are again looking for Area Representatives: volunteers to help ‘on the day’ and in the Applecross: Lenore Small 01520 744 337 Kishorn: Carol Cocks 01520 733 213 preparation in the week leading up to the Shieldaig: Lucy Kerr 01520 755 368 event. The Games attract tourists and Torridon: Glyn Meredith 01445 791 270 returning locals alike, the events Features: surrounding the games themselves are well A Word from the Church/On Reflection attended and the buzz of the weekend is Gardening – Maureen Lyon – 01520 733 488 email: [email protected] impressive. But in order to make everything Nature Notes – Jean Stewart – 01520 722 238 run as smoothly as possible more people email:[email protected] are needed, in fact, more young people are Advertising: [email protected] needed. Local Rate: Entertainments, Sales, Services, Trade – Whole Page £24, Half page £14, Quarter page £7 Please think about helping the Highland Single items for sale or wanted - £4 with advert or £5 if Games even for just a few hours, or helping invoiced Out of Area Rate: Please email us for prices any of the many local organisations that we all benefit from. They are what makes our Insertions: Births, marriages, deaths, acknowledgements. area what it is and why we want to live Congratulations, thanks notices – No charge here.

Subscriptions: 11 issues post paid, U.K. £25.00 : Australia £66.00 Canada and USA £60.00 Contact [email protected] CLOSING DATE FOR THE JUNE 2017 ISSUE Editorial Content MATERIAL MUST BE RECEIVED BY Material for publication must be emailed to NO LATER THAN 15TH MAY 2017 PLEASE [email protected] or a phone call to reserve E&OE. space on 01520 722148

Material intended for publication must include your The An Carrannach Society does not accept name and address. responsibility for the content/accuracy of reports, articles and advertisements received. The views expressed by contributors are NOT necessarily For general information or enquiries email those of the Society. [email protected]

Please note we can now accept copy in any format.. Cover photograph by Rob Teago

2 (Continued from page 1) The Highland Games are, of course, donations and other support. Without your emblematic of traditional Highland Culture help this would still just be a good idea – and important in their own right for thank you! preserving our history. We are fortunate in Once we’re launched we will take a little time having a great piping band, wonderful Scottish dancing, a full programme of heavy events, and a wide variety of track and field events. The Games provide a venue for crafts people from the surrounding area to sell to a wide audience. Indirectly the whole area is helped by the influx of tourists happy to spend money. Even more importantly, the money raised on the day has over the years provided grants to literally every organisation and cause in Lochcarron and the vicinity. to get used to the boat and the style of rowing There is an enormous need for help in setting but it won’t be long before we’re entering up the many tents, equipment, and stalls regattas and looking for rowers. If you’re before the big day and breaking down and interested in taking part or being a supporter please get in touch. Many clubs have “putting to bed” everything for the next year numerous teams - juniors, women, men, at some time the week after. The old maxim, mixed and veterans – we would like to do the “Many hands make light work,” has never same. It is, after all, a boat that has been been truer. With plenty of people, the job is sponsored and built by the community – the not hard--and can even be fun. greater the number involved in rowing the better. It takes a huge number of volunteers ON the For further information please contact either day to enable the Games to flow smoothly Nick on [email protected] or and efficiently. We need people to help in the Steven on [email protected] – car park, to cook or serve food, and to assist 07584 229405 in the drinks tent. The athletic events need timers and organisers. There are countless little chores to be done. You ARE able to choose what suits you best, and you will Help DESPERATELY Needed have the satisfaction of being part of a truly important day in the community.

IF the Lochcarron Highland Games Volunteering DOES NOT mean you are are to Continue!! “stuck all day.” We are asking for only a 2- hour commitment, and that GIVES you free 3½ years ago it was uncertain if the admission to the Games and a free meal. Lochcarron Highland Games would Aside from the 2 hours, the day is yours to continue because several key committee enjoy. PLEASE give a good think as to what members needed to retire. Happily, a few you can do and your preferred hours to competent people stepped forward to fill the volunteer and contact Carolyn Caminiti at vacancies. Today we are facing another 01520 722148 ([email protected]) crisis. A number of folks who have happily A preliminary schedule will be worked out, volunteered their time and, in some cases, and you will be contacted well before the day done hard physical work are now getting to to confirm your job and the hours of service. an age or place in their lives where they Thank you in advance. cannot continue. They are happy to supervise and train, but it is time for a younger generation to step forward.

3 Scottish Episcopal Church Courthill Chapel, Kishorn FREE CHURCH Services for May LOCHCARRON & Sunday Service 10.30 a.m. APPLECROSS You are welcome at our services May 7 Eucharist Rev. John Searl 10.30 a.m Easter 3 Lochcarron Church Street IV54 8YP May 14 Eucharist Rev. Heather Sunday 11am and 6 pm 10.30 a.m Easter 4 Widdows (Crèche and Sunday school) May 21 Eucharist Rev. John Searl 10.30 a.m Easter 5 Midweek Wednesdays 7.30pm May 28 Holy Communion Marcus Given Applecross Camusterrach IV54 8LU 10.30 a.m Easter 6 June 4 Eucharist 3 pm every Sunday Rev. John Searl 10.30 a.m Easter 7 Other events as intimated. Scottish Charity SC038169 For more information, ring: Rev M. Florit 01520 722 999 Marcus Given Rita Sykes [email protected] 01520 722 617 01520 722 995 www.freechurch.org

Rev. Heather Widdows or Rev. John Searl 01445 712 176 01445 741 231 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Roman Catholic Mass Father William MacLean Monthly on Saturday 1 p.m. APPLECROSS, LOCHCARRON Contact 01478 613 227 and TORRIDON Urgent 07881 956 660 Charity No: SCO32334 Are you looking for occasional Times and Places of Worship th Sunday Worship? 7 May Lochcarron 10.30am The Scottish Episcopal Church Torridon Community (Part of the Anglican Communion) Hall 1.00pm meets in Kinlochewe (Church of th Scotland Building) 14 May Lochcarron on the first Sunday each month at 2.30pm 10.30am Shieldaig 1.00pm A traditional upbeat service with Holy Communion and Sermon Applecross 1.00pm st Celebrant and Preacher: Revd Pam Shinkins 21 May Lochcarron 10.30am Next service Sunday 7th May 2017 Kinlochewe 1.00pm Tel: (01445) 781346 th (Scottish Charity Number SCO20389) 28 May Lochcarron 10.30am Same warm welcome Applecross 1.00pm (Spotted on a church notice board: Shieldaig 1.00pm “Faithbook: You have one new friend request Interim Moderator from Jesus!) Revd. David Kellas, Buarbach, Glenelg Tel. 01599 522257

4 Lochcarron Lochcarron in against Camanachd Caberfeidh 2nds. The opening 20 minutes were an evenly fought contest, but losing Saturday 18th March we Lochcarron full centre Peter Mackenzie to met Strathglass 2nds in injury after 10 minutes, hurt the visitors. Cannich. Lochcarron got Cabers started to take a grip on the game off to a good start with and were creating plenty of opportunities. Liam Arnott scoring just after the ten They then were rewarded with two goals in minute mark. Strathglass quickly countered quick succession just before half time. this a few minutes later with a goal for the Caberfeidh came out strongly in the second home side. It remained even until the half half with the Lochcarron side showing little time whistle. Lochcarron came out strongly fight about them. The home side increased at the start of the second half, Peter their lead on 58 minutes, taking the score Mackenzie finding the net after seven to 3-nil. With Lochcarron’s heads dropping minutes and Liam Arnott grabbing his further, Cabers monopolised with another second of the game a few minutes later. two goals taking them to a comfortable The visitors were causing the home side’s 5-nil victory. All in all a disappointing day defence some difficulty, Peter Mackenzie for the Lochcarron side getting another goal to make it four for Lochcarron. A fine strike from Sean On the 7th of April, we were to host MacCuish secured the Lochcarron win. Glasgow Mid Argyll in the first of our cup Strathglass kept going until the end and games. They were not able to field a team managed to pull a goal back with ten so we were given a bye to the next round of minutes remaining. Final score: Strathglass the Sutherland Cup, where Newtonmore 2nds 2-5 Lochcarron. 2nds will be waiting. Dates for your diary: 6th May – Lochaber 2nds (H) 13th May – We were at home for our next game on the Kingussie 2nds (H) – The 25th March against Lovat 2nds. 20th March – Glengarry (A) 27th May – Lochcarron created plenty of chances in Kilmallie 2nds (H) the opening period of the game but failed to convert them to goals. The deadlock was Lochcarron 0 - 5 Gaelic Group eventually broken in the 28th minute when Lance McCuish scored with a low strike into the bottom corner. The home side kept creating opportunities but then found Bha sinn trang a deanamh ealain themselves level after some poor mu dheidhinn as t’earrach. Bi sinn a’dol dhan defending, as Lovat scored 5 minutes from taigh croabh mus an t-samhraidh. the end of the first half. Straight from the throw up, Crisdean Finlayson found himself in plenty of space and took a We have been busy with spring related chance on goal which somehow found activities, and hope to visit the Tree House for Itself past the Lovat keeper. Half time an outing before the summer break. score, Lochcarron 2-1 Lovat 2nds. The second half saw chances at both ends but Lance McCuish scored for the home side to extend their lead. Peter Mackenzie We usually meet in the upper hall, Lochcarron, completed the scoring for Lochcarron Wednesday afternoons 1 - 3pm for play, continuing their 100% start to the season. singing craft, and tea. You are welcome to Final score: Lochcarron 4-1 Lovat 2nds. bring a packed lunch to eat at the start of the session. All children under school age are welcome with a parent or carer, no need to April Fools day was no laughing matter for speak Gaelic.

5 Lochcarron Leisure Centre –- Tribute to WEATHER RECORD - SLUMBAY Beryl Weighill MARCH 2017 The Board of Lochcarron Leisure Centre wish to pay tribute to our long serving Secretary who passed away so suddenly last Max Temp Min Temp Rainfall in month. Date: in oC in oC inches 1 5.70 0.30 0.22 Beryl had been a founding member of the 2 7.70 -0.80 0.02 Leisure Centre Committee and was dedicated to helping this small community to 3 8.90 -0.80 ----- achieve an indoor Sports facility. She 4 4.80 0.80 0.08 worked efficiently and cheerfully to keep 5 8.60 1.00 0.01 our affairs in order and to manage and arrange our meetings. Over many years she 6 9.80 3.00 0.26 kept meticulous minutes, liaised with 7 7.80 3.20 0.67 lawyers, accountants and Companies House; 8 8.40 1.90 0.55 all the unseen work that takes us, step by step, closer to our goal. 9 10.10 2.70 0.01 10 10.90 6.20 0.17 Over the last twelve months or so her health 11 10.60 3.70 ----- was failing. She felt it necessary to stand down as secretary but continued to 12 10.30 5.50 0.13 contribute to our meetings until very 13 10.50 6.70 0.17 recently. We are feeling her loss deeply but 14 10.00 5.10 0.06 will redouble our efforts to achieve our aim. 15 10.30 8.20 0.12 Sadly Beryl has not lived to see this but hopefully her recently born great- 16 8.60 2.10 0.36 grandchildren will be frequent users in years 17 4.20 1.30 0.63 to come. 18 9.10 2.70 0.26

David Murray, Chairman. 19 9.20 4.50 0.52 20 7.90 0.70 0.55 LOCHCARRON LEISURE CENTRE 21 4.40 -0.10 0.24 Company Limited by Guarantee 22 8.00 -0.20 ----- No. SC345431 - Registered Scot- tish Charity No. SC040502 23 10.80 1.30 ----- 24 9.70 0.50 ----- Registered Office: MacLeod & MacCallum, 25 14.20 -0.50 ----- 28, Queensgate,. IV1 1YN 26 18.90 1.00 ----- 27 17.40 2.30 ----- Bank Vans at the Howard Doris Centre 28 12.90 4.90 ----- 29 12.90 6.00 0.28 We have noticed that sometimes there are queues forming outside the visiting Bank 30 14.60 6.50 0.05 Vans. We would like to extend an 31 11.60 7.40 0.58 invitation to those standing outside the TOTAL MARCH 2017 5.94 vans to take shelter in the foyer of the Centre while awaiting service. Please feel RUNNING TOTAL 2017 17.93 free to take advantage especially in TOTAL MARCH 2016 4.70 inclement weather. RUNNING TOTAL 2016 20.38 6 Floating Wind Farm to create up to 200 jobs at Kishorn

Kishorn Dry Dock will come out of a 23 year long hibernation after an agreement was signed today to use the site during the construction of the world's largest floating wind farm.

Last used to work on the Skye Bridge in 1994, the dry-dock is one of the largest in Western Europe and will now be used to help build the floating turbines for Kincardine Offshore's development of eight turbines off the coast of Aberdeen.

The exclusivity agreement between Kishorn Port Ltd and Kincardine Offshore means work will start at the site in August, with the first turbine of the 50MW array expected to be in the water in the second quarter of 2018.

Director of the project, Carlos Barat, said: "This is a significant development for the people of Kishorn and will directly lead to the creation of up to 200 much-needed jobs in the area.

"We are proud that we are able to support local business as we progress towards bringing this important development forward. Today's agreement to use Kishorn dry-dock will herald a new era for offshore renewables and, of course, for this area as the terrific potential this facility offers the country is realised."

Simon Russell, a director of Kishorn Port Limited, said: "In signing this deal, Kincardine has demonstrated the significant strategic and technical strength of Kishorn's dry dock.

"The combination of Leith's on-site quarry at Kishorn with one of the largest dry docks in Western Europe makes the yard an ideal location for manufacturing large concrete structures. This, combined with the expertise of Ferguson Transport and Shipping in operating and managing the port, will breathe new life into an area that has suffered for many years from a lack of commercial investment."

Kishorn Port was historically an oil and gas fabrication yard, used for the casting of the 600,000-tonne Ninian Central platform in the late 1970s. The last time the port's two 13,000 tonne dock gates were moved was in 1994, when the two concrete foundation caissons for the Skye Bridge were floated out.

The agreement with Kincardine Offshore will see Kishorn Port used for the fabrication of the semi-spar substructure for the 6MW turbines, which will operate 15km off the coast of Kincardineshire.

When in operation, the development will prevent 94,500 tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere every year.

Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse, who attended the ceremony, said: "I am delighted to be here in Kishorn today to witness the signing of the exclusivity agreement between Kishorn Port Ltd and the team developing the Kincardine Offshore wind farm - a key, newly consented floating offshore windfarm. This agreement paves the way for work to begin at Kishorn Dry Dock for the first time in 25 years, constructing the Kincardine Floating Offshore Windfarm, which will produce enough electricity to power almost 56,000 homes.

"As outlined in our new draft Energy Strategy, both fixed and floating offshore wind technologies are set to take an increasingly important role in the generation of renewable electricity. With 25% of Europe's offshore wind potential, and through development with due regard to our natural environment, Scotland is strongly positioned to maximise the economic and environmental benefits that both technologies can deliver. The Scottish Government is determined to ensure projects deliver supply chain jobs in communities across Scotland and we have been encouraging developers to do all they can to maximise their economic impact, so today's agreement is very welcome."

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has invested £158,932 in the £450,000 costs of upgrading the dry dock in readiness for new contracts. HIE's area manager for Skye, Lochaber and , Robert Muir, said: "It is great to see Kishorn coming to life again. The dock has huge potential, not just for renewables, but for oil and gas and aquaculture too. "The site will provide valuable rural jobs and contribute to both economic and community growth, and wider competitiveness of the region. We very much welcome this milestone today." Once completed, power from Kincardine Offshore will be brought ashore to an Aberdeen operations centre and will connect to the grid at Redmoss sub-station. L to R Iain Leith(KPL), Simon Russell(KPL), Allan MacAskill (KOWL), Carlos Barat(KOWL), Alasdair Ferguson(KPL), Carol MacKinnon(KPL).

7 GARDENING have changed, almost out of recognition. One If April is the busiest month in the garden I think question, long ago, was about bindweed and how perhaps May is the most exuberant. The soil is to eradicate it. The answer was to use a weak really warming up now and there is plenty of solution of the weedkiller 24D and to apply it with moisture – some would say more than enough your hand wearing a rubber glove with a woollen after 2” of rain fell recently in twenty four hours. glove on top. At the time it was not known that As a result plants are visibly growing by the day, the chemical could penetrate through both gloves perennials are bulking up nicely and leaves are to reach the gardener’s skin. Nowadays the advice beginning to expand on the trees. Similarly the would emphatically be ‘Don’t do it!’ weeds are flourishing so any neglected bits of the garden need taking in hand now before they are In general attitudes to the use of pesticides have swamped by the plants we don’t want. changed dramatically over the years. There are far Those of us who love gardening may well have fewer available because so much more is known developed the enthusiasm from a parent or another about the long-term effects on both people and the family member, and we may have learned the environment. In 1947 DDT was widely used as an ‘how to’ aspects of it from them as well. Some of insecticide by both farmers and gardeners but later us use books too, but it was discovered that it accumulated in body the chances are that tissues, was very persistent in the environment and most of us owe at could travel long distances in the upper least some of our atmosphere. It was banned in Britain in 1984 and knowledge to radio worldwide in 2001 but it is still found in bodily and television tissues now and may be associated with a number programmes. In of health problems. Scotland the favourite is ‘The Beechgrove Some of the older advice makes it sound as if Garden’ which has gardening was a constant war against much of the been running since living world. We all still need to protect our 1978 but it is a precious plants whether from deer, caterpillars or relative newcomer compared with ‘Gardeners’ slugs, but most people seem to give more World’, now in its 50th year. Even longer-running, consideration to the wider effects of their actions is ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’ ( affectionately and try to find ways of living alongside wildlife. known as GQT) which sprang out of the wartime ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign and has been on the Gardening programmes now emphasise the radio since April 1947. importance of gardens to wildlife, especially in cities where they provide the main habitat for Anniversaries such as these lead to comparisons birds, small mammals and insects. Once upon a between ‘then’ and ‘now’, uncovering the time it was probably only birds that most people extensive changes there have been in gardens and fed in their garden. Now hardly anyone can be gardeners in the last seventy years. The chairman unaware of the plight of bees, partly as a result of of the first ever GQT remarked that the audience intensive agriculture, and questions are often included “a fair sprinkling of women”, clearly not asked about which flowers help to keep pollinating something he took for granted. Nowadays there is insects fed throughout the year. often a majority of women present at the recording of the programmes. For the first thirty five years So much more equipment is available to the the panel answering the questions consisted amateur now, making many tasks much easier. At entirely of men: well-loved names from days gone this time of year some of us have the benefit of by include Fred Loads, Bill Sowerbutts, Alan small heated propagators enabling us to germinate Gemmell, Geoffrey Smith and Geoff Hamilton. seeds much more reliably. Parsley used to be The first female panellist was Daphne Ledward in notoriously difficult and questions about it used to 1982 and now the panel regularly includes Pippa recur regularly (and still crop up occasionally). Greenwood, Anne Swithenbank, Bunny Guinness With a propagator the and Christine Walkden. problem disappears. By the

end of the month parsley, Some things do not change; questions that were asked decades ago still crop up: how to deal with and most other things, will potato and tomato blight, how to prune/get be outside (or at least in the wisteria to flower, what to plant in a shady border polytunnel) and the and, of course, every year the battle against slugs propagator will be packed goes on. But so many approaches to gardening away for another year.

8 Brilliant bothies 2 - Shenavall, Torridon Meeting place Walks & given out on booking. Grade D. Adults £9.00, conc. £5.00, Event in family £24.00. Wester Ross Tuesday July 04; 11am – 2pm Ranger Animal tracks and signs, Garve Jenny Grant Meeting place given out on booking. Grade A. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00.

Thursday July 06; 11am – 1pm Minibeast safari, Laide [email protected] Tel: 01854 613904 Meeting place given out on booking. Grade A. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00.

Tuesday July 11; 1.30pm – 4.30pm Seashore extravaganza, Gairloch Meeting place given out on booking. Grade A. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00.

Tuesday July 18; 10am – 3.30pm My first mountain, Stac Pollaidh Meeting place given out on booking. Grade D. Adults £9.00, conc. £5.00, family £24.00.

www.visitwester-ross.com

Thursday May 11; 11am – 2pm Identifying and drawing birds at Loch Kinellan, Strathpeffer Meeting place given out on booking. Grade A. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00.

Wednesday May 17; 10.30am – 4pm Brilliant bothies 1 - Uags, Applecross Meeting place given out on booking. Grade D. Adults £9.00, conc. £5.00, family £24.00.

Monday May 22; 10am – 4pm Beach clean at Red Point, Gairloch Meeting place given out on booking. Grade B. FREE.

Wednesday May 31; 10:30am – 3pm Achnahaird to Garvie Bay geology, Achiltibuie Tuesday July 25; 1pm – 4pm Meeting place given out on booking. Grade C. Adults Seashore safari, Dundonnell £9.00, conc. £5.00, family £24.00. Meeting place given out on booking. Grade B. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00. Monday June 12; 10.30am – 4pm Explore Tanera Mor, the Summer Isles Thursday July 27; 2pm – 4pm Meeting place given out on booking. Grade C. £30 per Minibeast mayhem at Beinn Eighe National Nature person (includes boat trip and hot drink). Reserve, Kinlochewe Meet at Beinn Eighe visitors centre car park. Grid Ref: Wednesday June 28; 10am – 5pm (Continued on page 10)

9 (Continued from page 9) Thursday September 28; 10am – 4pm NH 020630. Grade A. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family The Mountain Trail, Beinn Eighe National Nature £15.00. Reserve, Kinlochewe Meeting place given out on booking. Grade D. Adults Wednesday August 09; 10am – 4pm £9.00, conc. £5.00, family £24.00. Mountain walk - Beinn Ghobhlach, Badralloch Meeting place given out on booking. Grade D. Adults Thursday October 05; 10am – 1pm £9.00, conc. £5.00, family £24.00. Knockfarrel iron age hill fort, Strathpeffer Meeting place given out on booking. Grade C. Adults Wednesday August 16; 10.30am – 4pm £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00. Explore Tanera Mor, the Summer Isles Meeting place given out on booking. Grade C. £30 per Wednesday Oct 11; 10.30am – 4pm person (includes boat trip and hot drink). Over the hill from Dundonnell to Clachan Meeting place given out on booking. Grade D. Adults Tuesday August 22; 10.30am – 1pm £9.00, conc. £5.00, family £24.00. Shieldaig peninsula, Shieldaig Meet at the car park by the public toilets. Grid Ref: NG Thursday Oct 19; 11.30am – 2.30pm 816543. Grade B. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family The coral beaches, Applecross £15.00. Meeting place given out on booking. Grade B. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00. Friday August 25; 8pm – 9.30pm Bat and moth night, Ullapool Thursday October 26; 4.30pm – 7.30pm Meeting place given out on booking. Grade B. Adults Ullapool hill sunset walk, Ullapool £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00. Meeting place given out on booking. Grade C. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00.Wednesday Novem- Wednesday Sept 06; 10am – 12noon ber 01; Fungi foray, Lael Forest, Ullapool 11am – 3pm Meeting place given out on booking. Grade B. Adults Mellon Udrigle coastal circuit, Laide £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00. Meeting place given out on booking. Grade B. Adults £4.50, conc. £3.50, family £15.00.

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Monday 8 May Howard Doris Eurovisual Foyer Display, all week - Take part in our ‘Down Memory Lane’ Eurovision Song Centre Chat competition. Display in foyer all week. Reiki, Small Lounge, 10.45am - Frances Pearce does mini Reiki sessions. Ne’er cast a clout till May be out’…….. Despite this well Tai Chi, Dining Room, 11.30am known proverb we already have our garden furniture in - Let Frances Pearce show you how to combine deep place waiting for warm days in May! It is always lovely to breathing and relaxation with slow & gentle movements. be in the garden enjoying the different areas– patio, pond, Tuesday 9 May rose walk, greenhouse and our raised vegetable beds. Points of View, Small Lounge, 11.30am We are always grateful to our volunteers who give time to - Discussion at its best! News articles, opinions, ideas help out on our monthly ‘gardening day’. flow! Much appreciated! Boccia Bowling, Lounge, 1.30pm

The Lochcarron Drama club had to reschedule their April - Another session of our popular sport. planned production at the Centre. Its now taking place on Wednesday 10 May Tuesday 2 May. Pampered Palms, Lounge, 11.30am - Pretty and Pampered! Let your hands enjoy a treat! Paul Swan’s short talk on Tuesday 23 May about the Skittles, Lounge, 1.45pm Archaeology of Lochcarron Corn Mill sounds really - Enjoy a game or two of indoor skittles. interesting. Thursday 11 May Discover Your Creativity, Lounge, 11.00am What about trying our Silk Scarf Painting on Friday 19th - Iona Lister joins us to give support and help with art May! Jane’s craft workshops are proving popular with our General Health Wellbeing, Dining/Treatment Room regular clients. - With Sarah Almond 1.30pm Massage (Treatment Room) - 2.00pm Yoga (Dining Room) Friday 12 May Dates for your Diary Craft Workshop, Lounge, 2.00pm Craft Workshop We hope you will find something in our ‘Dates for your with Jane Burns Diary’ below which will entice you along to the Centre. Friday 12 May, Lounge, 2.00pm

Silk Scarf Painting Monday 1 May Poetry, Small Lounge, 11.30am - Enjoy poetry? Join our group to share your favourites. Tuesday 2 May Singing for Fun, Small Lounge, 11.30am - Another fun session singsong with Hatty. Lochcarron Drama Club, Lounge, 1.45pm - One of the plays that took part in the recent Local SCDA Festival. Wednesday 3 May Tuesday 16 May Bridge the Years, Lounge, 2.00pm Singing for Fun, Small Lounge, 11.30am - Some Lochcarron Primary pupils join us for a beetle - More fun sing song with Hatty. drive. Thursday 18 May Thursday 4 May Guided Imagery, Small Lounge, 11.15am Guided Imagery, Small Lounge, 11.15am - Another guided mental tour of a beautiful place. - Go on a guided mental tour of a beautiful place, feel Applecross Outing, All Day stress-free and comfortable under the guidance of Iona - All day outing to Applecross and back round the coast Lister road. Shopping in Kyle, departing HDC directly after lunch Being the tourist ……. Following the HDC made tour - Join us for lunch & afterwards enjoy free trip to Kyle. brochure. Friday 5 May Photography Workshop, Lounge, 1.30pm - Join our photography group in the small lounge today. Continued on page 12

11 Continued from page 11 Other regular weekly events Friday 19 May Exercise Class, Dining Room, 11.45am Sunday - Another chair based exercise time. Praise and worship, Main Lounge, 4.00pm Bingo, Lounge, 1.30pm Monday & Friday - Its ‘full house’! Join us. Bridge Group, Conservatory, 1.30pm Monday 22 May Monday Gardening Day, 11.30am – 3.00pm Cross Stitch & Tapestry, Lounge, 2.00pm - Join us to assist in the garden. Tuesday Tuesday 23 May Three Degrees Meeting, Small Lounge, 11.00am Knit and Knatter, Small Lounge, 2.00pm - Our three degrees committee meets to discuss Day Wednesday Care. Quilting & Patchwork Group, Dining Room, 2.00pm Pass your suggestions and ideas to the committee. Please contact us on 01520 722012 / 541 or Fit as a Fiddle, Small Lounge, 11.30am email [email protected] re Day Centre queries or - Our healthier living programme continues. any of our events. You can pop in to the lounge for a Short Illustrated Talk, Lounge, 1.45pm chat if you prefer. Our website address is www.HowardDorisCentre.org.uk Lochcarron Corn Mill A mystery short Illustrated Talk on Archaeology of Corn Hill AL ANON FOR FAMILIES AND A short Illustrated Talk FRIENDS OF PROBLEM DRINKERS.

CONTACT NO: 020 7403 0888

by Paul Swan Emma’s cleaning services

Howard Doris Centre Professional | Reliable| Affordable Tuesday 23 May, Lounge, 1.45pm Hectic work life? Busy working? Wednesday 24 May Other priorities? Skittles, Lounge, 1.45pm Family to look after? - Enjoy a game or two of indoor skittles. More to life than cleaning? Thursday 25 May Unable to clean your house? Discover Your Creativity, Lounge, 11.00am - Iona Lister joins us to give support and help with art My name is Emma, I live in Lochcarron and I Film Club, Lounge, 1.00pm - A monthly film club run by Rob Smith. Enjoy films? Be am here to take the burden and strain part of this club – suggest titles, watch classics, discuss away…… viewing. Friday 26 May I offer a complete affordable home/office/ Boccia Bowling, Lounge, 1.30pm holiday let cleaning service which can be tai- - Another session of our popular sport. lor made to suit you. Wednesday 31 May North Coast 50, leaving am - Another adventure on our North Coast 50 outing. Contact me to discuss your requirements A destination ‘Selfie’ for our North Coast outing map! and for a quote on 07961791000 or email me on [email protected]

12 LOCHCARRON LIBRARY NEWS so thank you again. It has now been organised that any book donations from the It is quite frightening that I find myself community will be used to become part of penning May’s article and thinking that our own library stock, so don’t be surprised summer is almost upon us. The library if some of the books adorning our shelves pretty well swings into action and gets into look strangely familiar to you! its summer routine, starting off with Book- The next time you are visiting us, please bug Week Scotland which runs during the also take a minute to look at our virtually w/c 15th May and whose main theme this new ‘Sale’ books, priced at £1 for non- year is the BIG GIGGLE. So jokes aside, fiction and 50p for fiction books. These are we have scheduled a pre-school Bookbug situated in the stand opposite the Teenage event here at the library for 3-5 year olds section and are definitely well worth a on Wednesday 15th May at 10am, so if look! this is your age group, please tell your To those of you out there, who still do mums and dads, grannies and grandpas etc. not hold a library membership or do not to bring you along to have a laugh (and a have one of one of the new smart High Life giggle of course) with plenty of rhymes Highland cards, then please be aware that and stories! these cards can in fact offer various Our next Chatterbooks for May for discounts across the Highlands! So with Primary 4’s upwards, will be held either on various benefits including 10% off at High the 11th or 18th May at 3.30pm. In Life shops and cafes and 10% off at previous years we have had held our selected local businesses, as well as annual boys v girls summer Treasure Hunt priority booking at HLH talks, classes, around the library in May, sometimes with events and more, and also 10% off all as many as 22 little darlings trying to family history consultations, maybe now is decipher my clues, and find the books that the time to consider joining! So please just will lead them to the library’s ‘Magic’ key. pop in to the library to join or to collect Over the years, the month of June has some more information! become far too busy with having to dodge Finally, those famous or should I say all the various sporting events and school infamous pen pushers, more commonly visits, so we have found running the known as Lochcarron Writing Group are Treasure Hunt in May quite successful that riding high on their third publication of is, of course assuming the possible dates I short stories entitled ‘Tidelines’. Available have selected don’t clash with something to purchase at a variety of places around as well! Anyway we’re looking forward to the village (including the library) this fun seeing if the girls’ team can steal the crown group meets again for its next literary (and the key!) this year after two straight offering entitled ‘Over’ on Friday 5th May wins for the boys! So come along and add at 10.30am. All welcome. to the fun! As always our important contact details Some of this age group have been busy are as at the end of this article if you need with their school projects and the list of to get in touch with us as are our opening books requested, is growing daily with hours which are: China, Trees, Crufts, Bagpipes, Working Dogs, Kickboxing to add to the list! Thank you to all of those people who Tuesday 9.30am-12.30pm have donated books and/or money to 6.00pm-8.00pm Lochcarron Library. It is quite heartening Wednesday 2.00pm-4.30pm to see people’s incredible generosity in Friday 2.00pm-4.30pm these very straightened times, and to know Telephone: 01520 722679 that still having a library in and amongst Email : lochcarron.library@ our community remains important to them, highlifehighland.com

13 REVIEW OF LOCHCARRON DRAMA’S Murray, took centre stage in every sense as the NIGHT OF COMEDY IN THE VILLAGE Director of the annual Panto, a performance that HALL from the beginning made a big impact as he proceeded to abuse poor Joyce, played wonderfully A packed hall full of people anticipating a good by Heather Sharp, a newcomer to Lochcarron evening were well-rewarded last week. Sandy Drama. Margaret, as an equally powerful MacVarish did an excellent job introducing each personality, was played tremendously well by Amy play and making sure everyone who contributed to Askham, acting as a foil to Gordon’s increasingly each performance was given due recognition. He outrageous demands and always giving as good as paid particular tribute to Ray Bright and all he had she got. Joyce found life a challenge throughout, done for the Drama over many years. Ray had whether due to her minimal shorthand or similarly directed Rita Sykes and Pam in Cupboard Love, poor singing, the inadequacy of which she hardly which started the evening off with panache. This realised; nonetheless her essential role as Treasurer play had come second in the Divisional Finals in meant in the end that she had to be accommodated. , and then managed to come second in the Indeed much of the humour of the piece built up Highland Divisional Finals in Wick. Over Easter it through the frustrating compromises, which had to went on to take part in the Scottish Finals at be negotiated between the protagonists. Bernard, Pitlochry, which proved fun and exciting and played by Peter Barr, another newcomer to the earned praise from the adjudicator but as a short Drama, was superbly grumpy and put-upon by play, it could not win. other cast members, but very happy to give as good as he got when he felt required to do. His Two ladies of a certain age arrive in the throes of initial appearance was certainly dramatic as their new exercise regime under their personal apparently concussed, he appeared bloodied but trainer Samantha who remains out of sight. It soon unbowed from beneath a piece of scenery. Indeed became clear that both ladies were suffering con- much of the humour came from the basic premise siderably from their recent change in lifestyle. that it was a local dramatic society attempting to Nonetheless they were attempting to fulfil their organise a performance against great odds, and personal trainer’s demands driven by the by setting it locally increased the funniness of the appearance in both their lives of a new and entire situation. The finale culminated in the total appreciative admirer. Humour was initially collapse of the entire enterprise and Joyce caused by their total lack of fitness when required attempting to entertain with her singing. to run and increased further, as the two ladies chatted together and entered into a competition We should all thank both the casts, their directors, about their cooking skills. As they continued to stage crews, prompts and stage manager, not to share their recent life experiences, we learn not forget lighting and effects, which were excellent. only about their new cooking skills but also their It was an excellent evening of entertainment which consequent success in attracting the attention of a was much enjoyed. gentleman admirer with the results of their cook- ery classes. It did not take long to realise what appeared to be happening, and before too long it was confirmed. As Peggy, played by Rita Sykes, spoke enthusiastically to her new found friend Jane, played by Pam Bright, about the joy of TREE SURGERY preparing an evening meal for a friend who so en- joyed his food, it gradually dawned, firstly on the Tree Surgery carried out audience, and eventually even on the two by an experienced and participants, that the gentleman in question was fully insured operator. Up the same man. With this growing realisation, the -to-date test certificates. audience enjoyed the mounting pathos of their situation. Despite the pathetic situation as their Lop and top can now be hopes of a potential suitor were dashed, the mood chipped on site. grew upbeat at the end, when the two new friends began to envisage a new way forward which All aspects of garden would see the two of them opening a restaurant work carried out, grass cutting, hedge with a small number of tables, where they could trimming, strimming etc. continue to enjoy cooking for a different clientele. Also fencing undertaken. The second performance, Last Panto in Lochcarron, involved a larger cast and a more Phone DAVID THOMSON on complex tale. Gordon, played by Kenneth Lochcarron 722347 (evenings)

14

Gallery In this issue • Newsletter Profile - Sam Bannister Spotlight on Alison West

May 2017

Summer Season Exhibition – “Wild for Colour” opens 16th May 2017 Submissions welcome – please go the Centre’s website exhibitions page for details. Sam Bannister, mixed-media artist "Poetic abstraction rendered with innovative and masterful technique" Hal Walter, collector, Australia.

I was thrilled to be asked to feature in this edition of the newsletter, so let me introduce myself. I'm a mixed-media artist living and working from my studio on the banks of Loch Maree. Although Stunningly beautiful, I have a love hate relationship with the Highlands; its bleakness and isolation is both compelling and forceful. It embraces you with a gentleness, yet has no compunction in spitting you out dropping you into the deepest ravine once it has a hold of your soul. It is precisely this which informs and shapes the way I work. Whilst I sometimes struggle with my feelings I shall be forever grateful to the Highlands. Each season has its own personality up here in this remote corner of North West Scotland and I love it most when it is overcast, for it is then that the big grey skies contrast sharply with colours and contours of the landscape, pulling out each individual tone and hue. Soft greens and pinks in the spring, the purple haze of the heather in summer; brilliant oranges, deep reds, golden ochres and plummy accents in autumn and stark deep silhouettes in winter - I love how the shadows dance and the light bounces of the trees, the element of surprise once the mist lifts and landscape reveals itself, layer by tantalising layer; nature's subtle rhythms observed from the many hours spent behind the wheel ferrying my equine-loving daughter up and down the A9. A snapshot in time, a moment

Continued on page 16

15 Continued from page 15 glimpsed before it disappears for eternity.

I admire the work of Casper David Friedrich and other great landscape painters, but I could never hope to emulate their skill. Instead my passion lies in the minutiae rather than the whole, finding a landscape within the landscape. I'm captivated by the nuance of line and pattern if we stop and allow ourselves the luxury of really seeing. These tiny details often overlooked, are to me anyway, the most alluring - the rough bark of a tree, the layers of lichen on rock, the texture of the sand and seaweed at low tide. An attempt to convey the essence of a place or object is of paramount importance rather than a straight representation. My objective is to find a way of mark-making to build a language and encourage a dialogue between the viewer, my work and nature. Highland jigsaw My work is abstract, based on the landscape. I like to work with acrylic, and mixed

media. Acrylic dries in an instant so it forces you to work fast and think out of the box. It can be restrictive but therein lies the challenge as you can layer, subtract and be as brutal as you like. Latterly I have been experimenting with beeswax and encaustic which means I can push the boundaries to manipulate and sculpt the paper so that it ripples and dances off the wall, interacting with light and shade. Nature’s Bar Code I love working with encaustic and I'm very much looking forward to exploring this ancient technique more with an American artist later this year. I have also recently taken part in the global #twitterartexhibit , #TAE17 a charity based project set up by a Norwegian Artist David Sandum, to encourage artists worldwide to come together to support local charities through the sale of postcard sized original works. This year it took place in Stratford, next year it takes place in Canberra Australia. In addition, I am currently working on a series of mini blocks that can be displayed as single piece or in a series, somewhat like a random jigsaw and a private commission in Spain. If only I could take a break from the A9! Continued on page 17

16 Continued from page 16 My work can also be seen at the Doubtfire Gallery, Edinburgh, Gallery Loch an Eilein, Rothimurchas, the Loch Torridon Gallery and at www.sambannister.com

‘ Spotlight On’ – Alison West, Textile artist

I grew up in Surrey and followed a career as a scientist in Histopathology, a discipline which is highly technical and visually creative. The technical aspect involves the preparation of the tissue, the art, in staining particular aspects of the tissue and getting the balance correct. Much as I loved my job, work life became very stressful, so nearly 12 years ago we (myself, my husband Graham, 6 guinea pigs and a puppy) decided to up sticks and move to Lochcarron, a place we had often stayed in for holidays. We now run a small B&B and 2 self catering cottages, enough to keep us busy. I’ve always been creative: I made my own clothes, knitted and loved embroidery, and I love colour and patterns, so I started making Tartan Bears for Lochcarron Weavers, and knitting for the Hand spinner on Skye as I needed a creative outlet. This got me back into textiles and exploring the wonderful yarns now available and fabrics, such as Tartan, Harris Tweed and batik cotton. I eventually had enough stock and started selling at Producers Day in Lochcarron and found I enjoyed interacting with the visitors. I’ve always loved Scotland, the landscape, colours and textures. I carry my camera with me to capture photos of colour or patterns in nature and use them to develop ideas for shawls or scarves and occasionally needle felted pictures. There is always so much to inspire me, cloud patterns, sunsets, rain, trees in winter, the list is endless. There are so many luxury yarns available now, space dyed in glorious colours and which I can use to represent the colours and seasons of the landscape. I love combining colours and textures, I think that is my strength. The modern colours of the Harris Tweeds I particularly like and I mix them with beautiful batik cottons to make accessories. I tend to play a bit safe. Continued on page 18

17 Continued from page 17 with the items I make, but the exhibitions at the Torridon Gallery have made me try out some more experimental ideas, which I find very rewarding, especially if the item sells! My mind is always full of ideas that I would like to try out, but sadly time does not always allow me that luxury at present. One day though it will. My work can be found at the Torridon Gallery, the Carron Pottery and at local craft fairs in Dornie, Plockton and Lochcarron. This, and previous issues of the newsletter, are available to download from the Centre website via the Exhibitions page. Address Contact Loch Torridon Community Centre Email: [email protected] Torridon Telephone: 01445 791 361 By Achnasheen Website: www.lochtorridoncentre.co.uk Ross-shire, IV22 2EZ Summer Opening Hours Winter Opening Hours April - October November - March Monday to Saturday Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am - 4pm 11am - 3pm Closed Sunday Closed Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday REMEMBER: Summer Season Exhibition – “Wild for Colour” opens 16th May 2017 Submissions welcome – please go the Centre’s website exhibitions page for details.

18 Pre-Lambing advise for dealing with livestock THANKS NOTICE worrying

If a dog worries livestock on any agricultural land then the owner and, if different the person A very big THANK YOU to in charge, is guilty of a criminal offence. The legislation relating to this is contained in the Lochcarron Hotel for the really Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and excellent Mother's Day meal, this “worrying” is defined as: - Attacking livestock also included delicious home- - Chasing livestock in such a way as may made shortbread, tied reasonably be expected to cause injury or suffering to the livestock or abortion or with a tartan ribbon, to take home. diminution in produce. - Being at large, not otherwise under close control or on a lead, in a field or enclosure where there are sheep.

Local and Visiting Mothers. To protect the livestock, the farmer has the right to kill the offending dog. Additionally, under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, the Pam & Tony owner and the person in charge of a dog can be charged with an offence and if convicted be fined say thank you for all the cards up to £1000 and made to pay a compensation and good wishes on the order. The Local Authority can also apply for an order to have the dog destroyed. occasion of their Lochcarron and Applecross branch Scottish Golden Wedding Anniversary Crofting Federation many thanks to you all!

LOCHCARRON PRIMARY SCHOOL

ANNUAL FUND RAISING COFFEE MORNING

Christian Aid Week FRIDAY MAY 19TH 1030AM TO 1230PM th th 14 – 20 May LOCHCARRON VILLAGE HALL

Special events to look out for. WE ARE APPEALING FOR DONATIONS FOR SHIELDAIG CHURCH HALL OUR UPCOMING COFFEE MORNING WHICH RAISES MUCH NEEDED FUNDS – SOUP & SANDWICHES FOR THE SCHOOL. BRIC A BRAC, PLANTS, 12.30 – 2 p.m. Tuesday 16th May BAKING, ITEMS FOR A BOTTLE STALL AND RAFFLE PRIZES WILL BE VERY LOCH TORRIDON GRATEFULLY RECEIVED. PLEASE COMMUNITY CENTRE – CONTACT THE SCHOOL 722445 OR EMMA 722854. WE ARE HAPPY TO COME AND STRUPAG COLLECT ITEMS. WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU th IF YOU CAN COME ALONG FOR A CUPPA 12 – 2 p.m. Friday 26 May. AND CAKE .THE CHILDREN WILL BE Also house-to-house collection. PERFORMING SOME DANCING.HOPE YOU CAN MAKE IT

19 Lochcarron Sailing Club News NATURE NOTES MAY 2017

Following the AGM in February, David April’s notes seem to have disappeared into Murray has stepped down after many cyberspace so by the time these notes years as Commodore. The club is very appear winter should have well and truly grateful for the considerable time and passed. energy that David contributed as Mergansers and Shellduck are nesting as Commodore and wish him fair winds for well as the more frequently seen water birds; his yachting adventures. Although no Greylags, Eider and Mallard to name but longer Commodore, David is still a senior three. instructor and an active member of the Hatty has the knack of seeing and reporting club as demonstrated by winning two the rarities such as a Golden Plover on the races on Sunday 9th April! spit at the beginning of March and then – and New additions to the committee include then – on Monday 10th April – an Osprey Angela Goodman as Commodore, catching a fish at Strathcarron. Frances Westerduin as Secretary and After a couple of gulls tried their luck a Steven Proudfoot as Vice Commodore. Golden Eagle, no less, harried the Osprey as it flew away east. So it’s all happening if Angela is keen to encourage members to only we are in the right place at the right make full use of the club and the excellent time to view and recognise it! facilities we have. Free sailing continues Back on 4th March Angus Robins reported on Wednesday evenings and racing on his first sighting this year of a Sundays and we’re keen to see as many Grey Wagtail over at Applecross and by now as possible out on the water using the we should have a variety of returning extensive fleet of dinghies that are now migrants to enjoy. raring to go after a busy rigging weekend A flock of Redwings has been up and down at the end of March. and round about feeding for the first half of We are particularly keen to welcome new April. An unprecedented event by all members and if you would like to know accounts and they seem to have found rich more about what we do then please look pickings in our soft soil – we just haven’t at the web site had the expected frosts. (www.lochcarronsailing.com) Now, in mid-April we can expect a Facebook page wonderful Dawn Chorus if we are up and out (www.facebook.com/Lochcarron-Sailing- early enough and a couple of resident Wrens Club) or call either Angela 722989 or on Croft Road are singing their little hearts Steven 722870. out as they proclaim their territories. They There is a busy programme for the year never cease to amaze me with the strength including the Topper Tournament on 3rd and sweetness of their songs. June; Training Week on 3rd July and the Tawny Owls have been regularly calling near Annual Regatta on 26/27th August. Off the Camp Site – I haven’t heard them here the water plans include a Coffee morning before and another distinctive voice will to be held in late May/early June and we shortly be heard, I’m sure – that of the will be starting work on building the new Cuckoo. boatshed in the Autumn. After an absence of a couple of years the Another development is that the Rooks are back on Croft Road but only two Lochcarron skiff will be based at the club nests so far – one year there were nine. after launching in early May with the Ravens are over at Achintee where they Loch Carron Coastal Rowing Association previously nested in the gorge but are maybe becoming an affiliated body. disturbed by all the recent mechanical As you can see there is lots going on – if activity there. you’ve ever been tempted to sail or want May should bring out the Bluebells – the to join a friendly and sociable club then ‘village’ patch to enjoy is above Main Street please get in touch. on the path up to the west end of Croft Road. Catch the perfume if you can!

20 21 News from Lochcarron Primary!

School trip: The school trip in May to The Shieling Project near Beauly has been given a huge funding boost with a donation of £500 from Scottish Sea Farms. Thank you very much to Scottish Sea Farms for their generous donation. The school would also like to thank Niall McCallum for his help in securing the donation.

Photo: Niall McCallum and Hayley Eccles presenting the cheque from Scottish Sea Farms to pupils Mia Carvill, Izzy Furness, George McCallum, Vivienne Goodman, Orla Macpherson Raffell and Mischa Fraser. The whole school are going to The Shieling Project to learn about crofting activities past and present, and to take part in activities such as building walls, weaving willow structures, wool dying and felting and much more. We’re very grateful to Scottish Sea Farms for making this possible. Thank you to Spar: The school would like to thank Emma and Hector MacLean and everyone at the Spar shop for their continuing support for the school. We’ve received regular donations from the noticeboard and carrier bag collections. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. The money has helped us pay for activities we would otherwise not be able to do as we don’t get a budget for them. Huge thanks. Swim gala: The school sent a team to the Inter-school Swimming gala at Kyle. The children did very well but lost out this time to Auchtertyre Primary School. Badminton: In the Badminton Scotland Highland competition recently, Eleanor Strath was runner up in the girls’ singles, and James Brown (Kishorn) in the boys’ singles. Eleanor and Cara Strath were runners’ up in the girls’ doubles. All three go through to Perth for the finals. If Evie Stubbs and Zoë Robins are chosen to go through the school will be informed, if not they

22 came 5th in their doubles just missing out on Perth. Well done to them all. In the Under 12s competition in Fortrose in March against Orkney, the Western Isles, and North East schools Eleanor, James and Cara were runners up, and Evie and Zoë played very well but just missed out losing 23/25 in their last match. Fire station visit: As part of the Gaelic class project on ‘People Who Help Us’, Mr Urquhart’s class and the P1s and 2s from Mrs MacLennan’s class visited the fire station in Lochcarron. They had a great time trying on the uniform, helping to use the hoses and pretending to be firemen. Thank you to Duncan Ross for organising it, and thank you to Donald Stewart, Andrew Stewart and Oriel Woods for their patience and time in showing the children how everything works.

P1-4 Festival: The P1-4s were invited to take part in a games and sports festival at Plockton High School in March. The day was run by Daniel Steele, sports co-ordinator. It was a packed day and the children had a really great time. A number of schools were there and it was a chance to meet other children and to take part in some fun activities.

23 Kishorn notes May 2017 Patterns of Light , the Seafood bar and the Last month, when the notes for An Bealach cafe have all sprung into summer Carrannach were due, we were exploring timetables so we wish them another busy the Spanish hills above Ronda. The moun- and successful season, and hope that our tain roads were longer, steeper and visitors stay and enjoy Kishorn on their considerably wider than our own Bealach travels. which seemed as if in miniature by For those of us who are interested in the comparison. The attractive white villages night sky, I have been reading about ‘Dark which lie on the mountainside were Skies’ and some places in Britain which pristine, with markedly no litter and civic have been awarded ‘Dark Sky’ status. pride well to the fore. We hope that litter We have wonderful starry nights here and will not become a problem with NC500 on even the Northern Lights can be seen if we our patch here in Kishorn, or indeed on are lucky. How difficult would it be to any of this scenic route. achieve Dark Sky status here in Kishorn? It is now well past Easter Day, but it is It would be inspirational to have such worth recording that we had forty people opportunities to see more stars, in the church at Kishorn. This has to be constellations, meteors and planets. It applauded especially as the press reports would be another feather in Kishorn’s cap, falling numbers in church attendance in and if anyone is interested please get in Scotland. Indeed, some of our touch. The body responsible for awarding grandchildren who went to church on the status is the IDA (International Dark Easter day in England, found just two Sky Association). others in the congregation with them. Not a very inspiring start to a joyful Easter! Hopefully the weather will have warmed up by now. A scattering of snow accompanied our first sighting of a swallow on 14th April. He or she will not be lingering if there are no insects to feed on. The stags on the other hand are much in evidence and not welcome visitors, as usual at this time of year. The grass has yet to appear on the hills and the hungry beasts have munched their way through the tulips in Achintraid, and made short work of our bluebells. An ordinary cattle grid no longer deters them from green grass; we have watched the stags with dismay as they leap across into our gardens. The painters have been back in the village being tutored by Eleanor White at Brynaport. Eleanor is an exceptional teacher and the display of her students work at the end of her course was of a remarkably high standard. The Pattinson’s daughter Fiona, and her daughter Sophie, ran the course as Mark and Gillian were away. They must have been pleased with such a successful result.

24 BEALACH BEAG CYCLE SPORTIVE SATURDAY 6TH MAY 2016

The 43-mile Bealach Beag sportive takes place on Saturday 6th May. Riders will leave Shieldaig between 10:30 and 11:00, following a route straight towards Tornapress, over the Bealach-na-Ba to Applecross and around the peninsula back to a finish in Shieldaig.

A road closure will be in place over the Bealach from 10.30 to 13.30. The Applecross peninsula road remains open throughout.

We are extremely grateful to all the local communities in which we host our sportives throughout the year. Without the support and involvement of the community the event would not be possible. We are delighted to be supporting Applecross Community Company www.applecrosscommunitycompany.org . By donating £1 for every rider that enters the Bealach Beag event, in addition to donations that riders make when entering - See more at: https://www.sientries.co.uk/admin/events/view_event.php?event_id=3244

25 26 27 Community Councils’ Minutes Comhairle Choimhearsnachd Gearr-chunntais

MINUTES (draft) of LOCHCARRON £6.00 (Hall hire) COMMUNITY COUNCIL Current Balance: £1350.61 th Community Fund: Meeting Monday 10 April 2017 Balance c/f: £47.64 7:30 pm Village Hall Amounts received: Nil Members Present: Grants made: Nil Mrs Helen Murchison BEM (Chair), Mr Roger Cundiff (Treasurer), Current Balance: £47.64 Mrs Emma McCallum (Secretary), Mr John Macpherson, Mr Alec Secretary’s Report: Cormack, Miss Hannah Cundiff, Cdr Q Banting RN (Minute Sec.). Correspondence received: Also Present: (email) (5/4/17) Big bike revival in 2017 – events running in May Cllr Biz Campbell, Mr M Pattinson Apologies: and June PC Craig Allan (email) (5/4/17) Robbie Bain – Year End Accounts, AGM and Mrs Beryl Weighill Yearly Grant. Thank you to all CC’s for considerable time The Chair opened the meeting with a tribute to the late Beryl Weighill. and effort put into activities during year. (At AGM: Need to She said that Beryl had been a long standing and valued member of complete office bearer details sheet for file update – note many organisations in Lochcarron including this Community Council. any resignations or co-options on second sheet) Helen Murchison then read out a letter from Mr R. Bain, our Ward (email) (4/4/17) Community Planning Partnership Roadshow Manager, expressing his condolences on behalf of the HC and praising her contribution and commitment to this community. Beryl will be April/May 17 much missed in the community. (email) (4/4/17) PCS-UK Make your community safer campaign. Approval of Minutes Monday 13th March 2017: Only 1 in 10 people who suffer from cardiac arrest in UK The minutes were unanimously agreed without amendment. will survive. Find out how to protect your community. Matters Arising: (email) (2/4/17) Kenny Maclean – made CC aware that Lochcar- There has still been no reply from BT about the adoption of phone ron Garage had placed a message on FB regarding local bus; boxes. Roger Cundiff undertook to pursue BT over the matter. Garage has been asked to continue Applecross to Inverness The Chair reported that her letter to SNH does not appear to have th elicited any action to address the damage being caused by Red Deer bus run up to 30 June. They are not sure what will happen around the area. From the floor, Mr M. Pattinson said that the SW Ross after this date. (NB there are mutterings elsewhere that Deer Management Group (of which he is a member) have been service might be reduced to one bus per week, and queries if conducting deer counts and culls. However, he said that this had the bus will be changed to a much larger bus to seat more revealed about 40 deer in Kirkton Woodland at the time. He has people) suggested to Kirkton Woodland Ltd that they should become members (email) (19/3/17) Kenny Maclean – Joint CC UPDATE. Meeting of the SW Ross DMG and that they should fence the woodland area. He said that they had told him that they did not wish to become members possibly in June (as after elections) and in Kyle or Plockton neither did they have the money to undertake the fencing. Helen (as previous meetings were north of ward). The Murchison drew attention to a public meeting that was being held in the Commission for Democracy in Highlands would like to Howard Doris Centre on Wed 19th April at 7 p.m. and suggested the attend the joint meeting. council awaits developments. (email) (15/3/17) Business Improvement Districts Scotland : Chair’s Report: BIDS Annual Scotland Gathering - was 28th March in Perth The Chair attended the Skye Hospital Meeting in Kyle on 3rd April. The meeting was worthwhile and enabled her to point out that this Ward is – missed! directly affected by the plans. The new hospital at Broadford should be Views of children and young people on the proposals in Places, People finished in 2019. It will have state of the art facilities but will not be and Planning. Working with YoungScot, an online survey to seek performing surgical procedures. views of young on where they live, they work and go to school – how Helen Murchison had an informal meeting with Aly Ferguson for an they should change for the future. http://www.surveygizmoeu/ update on the refurbishment of the dry dock at Kishorn. The old seals s3/90029151/05e0182d3299 from the caissons have been replaced. In the process of clearing the dock a lorry-load of old tyres and a car had been removed. Also, the LOCHCARRON COMMUNITY FUND conger eels and crabs are reported to be huge! They are hoping for an All Quarterly reports have now been received. The hall committee announcement on work for the dock shortly. report that they may have £250 of grant left over once the defibrillator Planning Applications: project is complete. If this is confirmed this should be returned to the The Community Council has been notified of the following planning LCF. application. Police Feedback: Ref Number 17/01531/FUL None. Application Type Change of use Any Other Business: Validation Date 05/04/2017 A letter concerning dog fouling has been received and passed on to the Description of Works The building formerly known as the “Meeting Public Dog Warden. Meanwhile, Councillor Biz Campbell will request House” to be converted to single detached dwelling house. an extra bin to be placed at the bottom of Park Road near the playpark. Location of Works Kishorn, During recent power outages the residents at Kishorn, Achintraid etc. Applicant Name Mr Alistair Baxter were without water. Scottish Water has refused to supply a generator Applicant Address Kishorn back up. The Secretary will now write to SSE to ask them to provide emergency power to the water pumps in the event of an outage on their Helen Murchison has received no response from Graham Sharp with electrical distribution system. regard to her query over a possible breach of planning procedure at The increased incidents of excessive speeding on local roads, Kishorn. She has left another message urging him to respond. particularly on the approaches to Kishorn was discussed. The Council may contact the Traffic Division of to see what can be Treasurer’s Report: done. The Treasurer advised the accounts will be forwarded to the auditor The Meeting Closed at 8:30 p.m. shortly after the latest bank statement, ready for the AGM next month.. Date of next meeting: ANNUAL GENERAL and ORDINARY MEETING He intends that the account for the LCF will be a simple financial th statement. Monday 8 May 2017 at 7:30 pm Lochcarron Village Hall (Upper) The Treasurer submitted the financial statement: Members of the public are most welcome to attend Community Council Community Council: Meetings which are held on the second Monday of each month. Balance c/f £1708.36 (email: [email protected]) Amounts received Nil Expenditure: £240.00 (Sec’s Expenses) £111.75 (Chair’s Expenses)

28 Applecross Community Council SHIELDAIG COMMUNITY COUNCIL Meeting on 14.03.17 Minutes of meeting 4th April 2017 at 7.30p.m. At 7.30pm At Applecross Community Hall Present: Duncan Carmichael (acting Chairman), Lucy Kerr (Secretary), Lisa Fraser (Treasurer), Claire Munday, Kalie Present; Ali Macleod, Ali Brown, Ewen Gillies, Henry Robert- Wilkinson, Audrey Sinclair son, Tim Daplyn Apologies: Susan Holmes, Beverly Hill, Donald Gillanders, Craig Audrey Sinclair HC and three members of the public. Allan Apologies; Annie Fletcher and PC Craig Allan 1. Minutes of the last meeting Minutes; Proposed by Ali Brown and seconded by Ewen Gillies Approved Matters Arising; Alison Macleod, as LDO, attended the 2. Police matters Inverness City Region Development Brief and gave the Chair a Nothing to report. short account of the meeting. Although the amount of money 3. Matters arising coming into the Highlands is welcomed it does appear that most if Cost of generator – a new quote has been obtained for the not all is directed to Inverness. It was pointed out that it was provision of a generator at the hall. The cost is now more than Inverness and Region but the counterpoint was that we get the original SSE funding and does not take into account the installa- tourists. When asked if there was any money to help improve our tion and maintenance of the generator. It was agreed that Lisa infrastructure it was pointed out that spending money on Fraser would contact SSE and ask if the fund could be increased Inverness Castle would bring more tourists our way so the and if SSE would be willing to pay for the installation, upkeep and question was not answered to any great satisfaction. insurance of the generator. The car on the Bealach has been police taped and is now in the Emergency plan – Kalie Wilkinson was thanked for all the work hands of both the Police and HC. she has done on finalising the survey questions. The cost of Finance; printing the survey was discussed and it was agreed that the Opening balance; £3622.90 Council would reimburse whoever undertook this job. Health care for Defib; £500.00 HSCHT survey cost – The SCIO AGM had been postponed so no Closing Balance; £3122.90 update as yet. Correspondence; Historic windows and doors: Planning Changes to post holders – An election of office bearers will be guidance for listed buildings and unlisted…… held at the AGM in June. Survey of Community Councillors’ information literacy. 4. Correspondence Local Fire Plan Review None. Community Council Insurance 5. Planning Matters Community Consultation carried out by the Applecross Trust. No new applications. Letter regarding Traffic on Shore Street. 6. Finances Community Consultation; Chair gave a brief overview of the Balance £12,651. Consultation to date. A carefully worded statement of two of the 7. AOB Community’s main concerns was sent to the Trustees. These were De-fibrillator – it was agreed that it would be a good idea to have the communications between the Applecross Trust need to be a de-fibrillator in the village and the Lucy Kerr would contact improved, and access to land and the Trust’s position regarding “Lucky to be Here” to enquire about possible installation. the sale of land to the Community. There was a desire for clarity Marine Scotland – Claire reported back that she’d had a reply to of the Trust’s position regarding it’s relationship with the her letter to Dr John Armstrong, Freshwater Programme Director, Community. Marine Scotland Science at Pitlochry. She’d asked him if Marine Post Meeting Note; The statement has been made public through Scotland (MS) were satisfied that the environmental management noticeboards, social media and email. plan for the Sgeir Dughall fish farm site in Loch Torridon is likely A letter about Shore Street traffic was discussed and although to be adequate for assessing the impacts on wild fish and the some of the suggestions were talked through there was doubt as to natural environment. Also how were MS to be involved in the whether they would be allowed as it is a main through road. It was plans’ operation. Dr. Armstrong’s reply was very disappointing. agreed that the Chair will write a letter to Craig Allan asking Anyone wishing to see it please contact Claire. about the viability of some of the suggestions. Included in the Thanks – Audrey Sinclair will not be standing again to be a letter will be the request to shift the 30 mile sign coming down councillor. Thanks was given to her for the time and effort she has from the Bealach to be at the corner before the Smiddy as there put in over the last 10 years. are often children playing on the second corner. Another request, Wester Ross Biosphere – Audrey Sinclair reported that a board backed up by a member of the public, to be included is to ask the has been formed for the Wester Ross Biosphere and that she will crofter to stop feeding cattle on the North Coast road as they are be chairing the board. A Development Officer has been appointed an accident waiting to happen. Finally the letter will include a to prepare a 10 year plan for the Biosphere and she hopes to meet request for police bike presence for the Bealach Mor and Beag with as many groups in the area as possible to identify projects. cycle Challenge as there is now a huge increase in traffic due in Roads update – nothing to report. part to the NC500 advertising campaign. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd May at 7.30 p.m. Publishing Minutes in An Carrannach; It was noted that Minutes will miss the same month’s publication as the meeting often takes place only 2/3 days before the new acceptance deadline. A discussion took place regarding the proposal to close the Primary school to tie in with Highland Secondary School hours. The Chair spoke to both the acting head and Tom to gain an SAMARITANS understanding of the reasons behind the proposals. With the agreement of Audrey we decided that there was little point in Whatever you’ve done. discussing this as it will be HC education policy. The CC acknowledge that the change of hours will have a knock on effect Whatever life’s done to you. to working parents. A short conversation ensued about First Responder Kits and Call Samaritans. coupled with the SSE Resilience Fund and it was agreed that both these items were the work of the Health Care Association and the No pressure. Community Hall Committee. AOB; The chair of the Applecross Skiff noted that the fundraising No judgement. and work was now underway at the Campsite Polytunnel and everyone was welcome to participate. We’re here for you any time. Next Meeting 11th April at 7.30pm Meeting closed 8.35pm. 0845 790 9090.

29 30 31 SEASONAL STAFF VACANCY RETAIL SALES ASSISTANT A vacancy has arisen for a Sales Assistant to join our team here at The Lochcarron Weavers Shop

Full training will be given. Applicants should have a pleasant and mature personality, be able to converse well with the general public and be customer service minded. A proficient knowledge of working with IT and have own transport is essential. Hours of work 5 days per week - 9am to 5pm To commence immediately to end of October Please email or contact Joy Moran at the address below

Joy Moran, The Lochcarron Weavers Shop, Mid Strome, Lochcarron, Ross-Shire, IV54 8YH 01520 722212 - [email protected]

32 The Applecross Inn Shore Street, Applecross, Strathcarron, Wester Ross. IV54 8LR Tel: 01520 744262 [email protected] www.applecross.uk.com/inn MAY @ THE INN You may have heard, its open Applecross-Inn-Inn-Side-Out, and is back in all its former glory with even more flavours of Aron’s handmade ice creams and gelatos, our famous fish and chips , a new range of salads , sandwiches and snacks, all you need for a picnic on the beach, plus fresh ground coffee, teas and cold drinks

Sat 6th Bealach Beag Cycle Challenge, Good Luck to all competitors….remember Bealach closed 10-30am to 1-30pm for safety

Sun 7th Music Session @ the Inn 3pm to 6pm led by the local musicians, all welcome.

Sat 20th Applecross Hall …Great Music and Dance don’t miss our friend Matthias with his band “Hegg Mac“, they are six guys from Germany, playing Blues / Rock Music from the last decades. All proceeds from the entrance fee, raffle and Bratwurst hot dogs will go to Applecross Primary School. Sun 21st A repeat performance at the Inn, hopefully on the decking weather permitting

Cannot believe it’s already May! It seems that….Scotland is THE destination this year …whatever the weather. We are struggling to cope, but with my team of great staff who are working extremely hard and many hours we make it happen. And so …..

We are delighted to have again been nominated as finalist in the Country Inn of the Year 2017 & Real & Local Food 2017 at The Scottish Food Awards this will be announced on the 7th May in Edinburgh.

We are also delighted to have been awarded The National Pub & Bar Awards County Winners for the Highlands 2017 and will be going to London on the 23rd May to collect our award at the Bafta Theatre. Where they will then announce the Scottish Regional Winner and National Winner.

Thanks to all our local customers who support us at such busy times, we look out for you

33 Lochcarron Bistro HOLIDAY COTTAGE TO LET - ELMBANK, LOCHCARRON Open 5 till 9 Monday-Saturday Situated in a quiet lane and enjoying 01520 722799 stunning views across Loch Carron, Elmbank is a traditional detached stone cottage set in its own delightful country gardens. This attractive cottage is beautifully presented throughout. The pretty living room has wood effect floors with lovely rugs, and a welcoming wood-burning stove. There is a separate dining room with comfortable seating as well as a sofa bed for extra guests. The three bedrooms on the first floor are bright and cosy and all rooms have superb views across to the sea loch and the surrounding hills. The gardens are a real feature of the cottage with masses of flowering shrubs.

07960 443475 [email protected] www.lochcarroncottage.co.uk Elmbank Cottage, Church Street, Lochcarron, Ross-shire IV54 8YQ

Angus Robins George Macleod Chimney Sweep Funeral Director APICS, HETAS & SFA - Registered Sweep HETAS Registered Installer 3 Braes, Inverasdale, Poolewe, £5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance Achnasheen, Ross-Shire. IV22 2LN Chimney Sweeping Chimney Surveys and Reports

Solid Fuel Appliances Installed, Serviced and Maintained

Tel. 01445781434 HQ Camera Inspections Mob.07909946715 Video Capture for insurance purposes

Applecross ALL 01520 744366 / 07774 631970

ARRANGEMENTS

UNDER PERSONAL

SUPERVISION windiesweep@gmailcom

34 ADVERTISEMENT FOR SUMMER HOLIDAY RENTAL IN LOCHCARRON FOR 2017 Robin Lodge: A newly prepared summer let.

Robin Lodge at 4 Kirkton Avenue, Lochcarron is a newly prepared self-catering lodge. It consists of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with showers. There are options of double and single beds between the three different rooms. Robin Lodge is on a quiet and strategic hillside plot. It is placed above the tree-line with panoramic views from the lounge over Lochcarron to the Attadale Estate. The Lodge is available for a minimum of 7 days at a time from the 1st of May 2017 until September 2017. It can sleep 6 people, 5 beds: one double and four single (one fold down bed). It is a fully equipped, modern, comfortable, well decorated home with a relaxing homely ambience. It has up to date tech- nical facilities with a Wi Fi internet connection. In addition, Robin Lodge has a modern fully equipped kitchen consisting of glass top cooker and micro wave / convection oven. The laundry facility is in the form of a washing machine and dryer. Robin Lodge is close to all amenities in Lochcarron such as the restaurants, hotels, golf courses and shops. It is an ideal base for exploring the North West of Scotland, now one of the gateways to the popular North Coast 500 tourist route. Robin Lodge offers a garage for one car and off street parking for two cars. If you are interested in renting for the com- ing summer contact: David Fraser Brown by email: [email protected] or on 07565239518 UK mobile.

Regards

David Fraser Brown Lochcarron.07565239518

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Ladies Open Competition LADIES Saturday 3rd June 2017 Come and try

Entry open to Ladies and girls golf for free! with handicap up to 36 th Entry Fee: Sunday 14 May Members £10 11.00 -12.00 at Non-Members £12 Lochcarron Nearest the Pin/Longest Drive: £1 Golf Club

Golf basics for Voucher Prizes will be awarded with trophies for the overall handicap beginners winner, and the best Lochcarron Lady. No equipment needed For more information con- tact Lochcarron Golf Club 01520722744 Or just turn up in your trainers on the day.

Please call June Miller on 01445 791445 to confirm and with preferred tee time.

36 HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION music teaching Broom Cottage is a detached bungalow in Lochcarron available throughout the year as Piano, keyboard, theory. self-catering accommodation on a weekly ba- sis; part-weeks are also offered. Exam specific coaching - Broom Cottage sleeps up to four people in one all instruments. double bedroom and one twin-bedded room.

A modern property, equipped to a very high standard, it has everything required for a com- fortable stay. Free use of an Internet link is in- cluded in the accommodation price.

Broom Cottage offers ample off-street parking and a pleasant garden.

No smoking is allowed in the property. Pets are welcome by prior arrangement. www.broomcottagelochcarron.co.uk Joy Pedley B.A. (hons), ARCM., tel: Louise Martin 01520 722607 PGCE

Acarsaid, Kishorn  : 01520 733372 Mob : 07827338967

WATERSIDE CAFE Are you stressed out at Main Street the thought of Lochcarron Telephone: 01520 722 303 MOVING Regional winner of Britain’s HOME? Best Café 2016 It is reckoned to be one of life’s PLEASE NOTE most stressful events. WE WILL BE CLOSED 5/6/7 MAY due to Would you like to have a our daughters wedding. stress free move? On our return we will be open longer hours Then call us NOW From Monday 8th May Monday- Saturday 9am -7pm Sunday 10am-4pm SCOTTISH REMOVAL Call in and have your favourite from a SERVICES bacon roll to the Ultimate Breakfast. Homemade soup to fresh Haddock PHONE : 01471 822777 and chips. A wee stick of homemade shortbread or visit our Web site to a large wedge of Cheesecake. www.scottish-removals.co.uk All our menu and cakes are available to take away. or e-mail us We look forward to serving you. [email protected].

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A. L. J Plumbing and Roofing

Primrose Cottage Main Street Lochcarron

Pitched Roofs Bathroom Suites Lead flashing Soil Pipes Fascia soffit Drains Guttering Sinks Windows fitted Cold and hot water tanks Flat roofing And all plumbing work carried out And all general repair work carried out

Telephone: 01520 722 886 Mobile: 07952 869 962

Road Haulage Shipping Storage & Warehousing Craneage

Ferguson Transport & Shipping offers a comprehensive range of distribution services by road, rail and sea, covering the whole of the UK for general haulage, distribution and plant and machinery movements. Extensive storage and warehousing facilities throughout Scotland are also available, 365 days a year. Superb service from a long-standing family run business, whether for long-term, short-term or ad hoc contracts.

HEAD OFFICE: KISHORN PORT Integrated Freight Facility, Annat, Corpach, Sea Freight & Logistic Services Inverness-shire, PH33 7NN Kishorn Base, Kishorn, Strathcarron, IV54 8XA T: 01397 773 840 F: 01397 773 850 Operations Manager: Alec Cameron Email: [email protected] Contact: 01520 733 358 or 07554 456 540 www.fergusontransport.co.uk

Joint venture between Ferguson Transport and Leiths Group www.kishornport.co.uk

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A & J BROWN LICENSED GROCER & POST OFFICE CAMUSTEIL, APPLECROSS (Branch Right at Fire Station) TEL Shop: 01520 744421 TEL P.O.: 01520 744491

AGENTS FOR CALOR GAS AND CAMPING GAZ

** NORMAL HOURS **

SHOP HOURS POST OFFICE HOURS

MONDAY: 9AM – 5.00PM MONDAY: 9AM – 12 NOON TUESDAY: 9AM – 5.00PM TUESDAY: CLOSED WEDNESDAY: 9AM – 5.00PM WEDNESDAY: 9AM - 12 NOON THURSDAY: 9AM – 5.00PM THURSDAY: 9AM - 12 NOON FRIDAY: 9AM – 5.00PM FRIDAY: 9AM - 12 NOON SATURDAY: 10AM - 5.00PM SATURDAY: CLOSED Lunch 12 -1

SUNDAY CLOSED SUNDAY CLOSED

SCOTT’S GARDENING SERVICE RONALD ROSS GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE Funeral Director

4 Camusnagaul TREES: FELLED OR PRUNED AS REQUIRED BY FULLY DUNDONNELL INSURED AND Ross-shire CERTIFICATED OPERATOR.

GRASS: FULL GRASS CUTTING ALL ARRANGEMENTS MADE SERVICE INCLUDING SCARIFICATION TO FOR BURIAL AND ERADICATE MOSS FROM CREMATION. LAWNS.

24 HOUR PERSONAL HEDGES: TRIMMED AS REQUIRED. SERVICE. ALSO

PAINTING: INSIDE AND OUT. Tel: 01854 633 237 TEL: 01520 722526 or MOBILE NO: 077997 52175 01854 633 380

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ASHBOURNE David Whittingham JOINERY Cabinet Making and Joinery

All types of work undertaken - Kitchens Bedrooms • Cupboards Bathrooms • Chests of Drawers ALSO • Hand Made Kitchens Tiling • Staircases Plastering • Bookcases & Shelving Roofing, etc. • Wall Panelling • Internal & External Enquiries welcome Doors & Frames • Old Joinery Refurbished • Casement & Sash Windows John Ward • Floorboards Taobh-an-allt, Lochcarron • Experience with Reclaimed Timber Telephone : (01520) 722377 Phone Dave on 07900 957371 Mobile : 07768 894891 01520 722867 [email protected]

Kiki’s M & D MACLEOD FUNERAL DIRECTORS Craft Corner Station Road Kyle of Classes & Workshops Ross-shire IV40 8AE

Over 40 years local service Hand - made 24 hour availability Gifts Home Visits

Spinning & Felting Funeral Plans Memorial Stones Patchwork & Quilting

Knitting & Embroidery Tel. 01599 230 355 Notions & Accessories

Smithy Heritage Centre, Lochcarron, IV54 8YS www.kikiscraftcorner.co.uk, Tel. 01520 722919 Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm Crafty Saturday: every last Saturday of the month 2 – 4:30 pm.

40 NEW SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTIONS COMING SOON

If you are looking to buy Highland wear then look no further. We can provide you with a full 8yrd hand sewn kilt in the tartan of your choice.

We also sell a full range of accessories including tartan ties, jack- ets, belts, buckles, socks, flashes, bow ties and sgian dubh’s.

Why not come along and treat yourself to one of our beautiful new scarves. There are a variety of colours and styles to choose from. Whether it’s for a formal occasion or just for everyday wear.

We have a new range of candles, diffusers, soaps and hand lotions.

SALE on knitwear galore – including cashmere

Summer hours (Easter to end of October) – Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm (out of hours appointments available on request) TEL: 01520 722212 Email: [email protected] www.lochcarronweavers.com

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Book Catering CHRIS HINGLEY TREE SERVICES Home Farm B & B Genuine Home Cooking and Baking Catering for all events

PAT Testing

Linda Hoejlund Attadale

079587 44410 All aspects of tree surgery & [email protected] felling undertaken by certified and www.bookcatering.co.uk insured operator.  Chris on 01520 744452 Or email K and A CAMERON GENERAL CONTRACTORS [email protected] AND HAULAGE and CAMERON CARRIERS Achintee STRATHCARRON IV54 8YE SP BUILDING & We operate a DAILY collection and delivery PROPERTY MAINTENANCE service from Inverness to local areas including: TRADESMAN WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE • APPLECROSS • ACHNASHEEN • KINLOCHEWE GARAGES & SMALL EXTENSIONS • TORRIDON • ALLIGIN KITCHENS & BATHROOMS • SHIELDAIG • KISHORN TILING • LOCHCARRON • STRATHCARRON TIMBER & UPVC DOORS AND • • ACHMORE WINDOWS • DORNIE • KYLE ALL ENQUIRIES • PLOCKTON WELCOME NO JOB TOO SMALL WE ALSO OPERATE A LIGHT REMOVALS SERVICE - ENQUIRIES WELCOME. Simon Phillips, For all enquiries please Ardrock, Lochcarron Telephone/Fax 01520 722450  : 01520 722 126 Mobile 07876233717 Mobile : 07971 081 568

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