Progress with Plans for Banavie Park

Home , Banavie, Blaich, Camanachd Cup, Commando Memorial, Duisky, Glensanda

Issue No 62 September 2018 a huge thank you to all these businesses delivered free to every home and business in Kilmallie for sponsoring the newsletter in this issue

KCC from the chair – p2 FORT challenges and choices - p2 WILLIAM feedback - p2 TYRE KCC meetings – p3 community policing - p4 SERVICES plans afoot - p4 smells from Duisky - p4 slower, safer, smilier - p5 Fort William 2040 - p6-7 NHS in Lochaber - p7 Blar Mor development - p8 war memorial - p9 Corpach Marina - p9 Kilmallie Parish Church - p9 Councillors’ Corner - p10 Banavie quarry - p11 Coire Glas- p11 Corpach Station - p12

Banavie Floral- p12 The final layout and equipment may vary from the draft design shown in these illustrations Corpach in Colour - p12 Canal News - p13 Loch Linnhe -p13 progress with plans High Notes - p14-15 Banavie School News - p15 Community Centre - p16 for Banavie Park puzzling postcards - p16 BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd KCC are delighted to bring you “So, onward and upward - we’re activities to keep the kids busy so Corpach Woods - p17 the following exciting news from now busy raising the extra please do come along and say (HAULAGE) LTD Fort William Ltd Focus on Business - p17 Lisa Wharton, Vice Chair of funding needed from other hello.” Lochaber Ideas Week - p18 Friends of Banavie Park. sources – and we’re delighted to As ever, if you’d like to get Stronelairg - p18 announce that the Moorings “After a quiet few months from involved or have any suggestions Rugby Club - p19 Hotel have started the ball rolling the Banavie Park team, we’re for sources of funding to help the Shinty Club - p19 with an extremely generous ready, set and raring to go again! Friends of Banavie Park create a donation of £1,000. A huge thank Art Lochaber - p20 After the success of securing fantastic new play area for the you to them for this invaluable Xmas lights - p20 funding for the feasibility study, next generation, please drop support. Together with the passing glimpses - p21 taking on a playpark consultant them a message through their £1,500 raised at 2016’s ‘Party in Kilmallie Singers - p21 and getting some fantastic draft Facebook page or call Lisa on 772 the Park’ family fun afternoon, Music for All - p21 park designs drawn up (and 786. They’d love to hear from we are now well on our way to green fingers- p22 vetted by Banavie school kids!) you! securing the remaining £3,500 of fàilte - p22 we were disappointed to find the £6, 000 required. on the croft - p23 that Scottish Canals were unable wild about Kilmallie - p24 to offer us any of the third-party “The Moorings has also kindly carbon papers - p25 contribution needed to access offered to host a ‘Banavie Park hare today - p25 major funding. While Scottish Information Afternoon’ for us on Canals remain very supportive of Sunday 7th October. Join us from tugs & dredgers - p26 improving the play provision at 3 – 4.30pm to have a close-up Puzzles from Pithean - p27 the site, they are fully financially look at the draft plans, find out Sponsors - p28 committed elsewhere. We’re how you can get involved and hopeful that they will continue to have a chat. Complimentary tea/ side snippets support the park project and will coffee and light refreshments will see page 18 hopefully be able to help in other be provided by the Moorings. ways as the project goes forward. We’ll also have some fun You will also read about other voluntary groups in which page 2 page 27 people give their time to make Kilmallie a good place - long may this continue. We give thanks to them and also to kilmallie individuals who give their time and energy to keep Kilmallie clean and tidy. Please think about what you could do to help the community. Over 100 years ago, it was Kitchener who

community said “Your country needs you”, well I would say ‘your “some straight, some cryptic, some easy, some not so easy” community needs you’. Reflecting John F Kennedy more 1 2 3 4 5 6 Across recently, ‘ask what you can do for your community’. 1 Mix for harvester (7) As we go to press I learn that the responses we received 4 Stand in doctor (5) council 7 You can do tricks in this circle (5) from our Highland Councillors on the matter of public toilets Before settling down to write this I thought I would check may need to be updated as the Council will now receive a 7 8 9 9 Burglary (7) what I had written last time in June and then re-read my further report in November as they continue on their quest 10 Is main sea all at sea? It makes me forget (7) September 2017 article and I was disappointed when I to fine ‘viable alternatives to retain as many public 11 Rear I used to dry clothes (5) realised that the same topics are still there to be completed! conveniences as possible, as well as seeking commercial 12 Moth as is a doubting man (6) 14 Upsets sad men and makes changes (6) Such is the lot of a community council it seems. I am sorry aspects to provide future income to the Council and to make 10 11 18 Hard to get up and expensive (5) that these problems and issues have not been sorted but we toilets sustainable going forward’. This is a matter of 20 Dies out, out. Not in the house (7) will ‘Persevere’ - which was my old school motto! KCC is still concern to us all as we travel around the Highlands. keen to work to solve these matters - so on we go! 22 Split the bill (2,5) Well the summer has changed to autumn, the schools are 12 13 14 15 16 23 Pass on - either way (5) You will however see progress on most of these subjects back and some of the community are preparing to compete 24 Change pears into a weapon (5) within this Newsletter - these include our Slower Safer in the Royal National Mod in Dunoon while others might 17 25 Did he have a Lionheart? (7) Smilier Campaign, improving Banavie War Memorial plus the well be planning ahead for Christmas or a special access to it and continuing to contribute to the Health and anniversary or birthday! You will know yourself what is 18 19 20 21 Down Social Care Review including the new Belford Hospital. The ahead for you and I hope it does work out for you. 1 Goes well with bijou! (7) Partnership of Fort William Area Community Councils has 2 She’s mean but with a good centre (5)

I wish all those from Kilmallie who will be competing at the reformed – now expanded to include Spean Bridge, Roy 3 Shall I use war axe? A syringe is a better Royal National Mod - strength to compete, calmness to do Bridge and Achnacarry CC and Ardgour CC, which will give 22 23 treatment (6) the best you can and pride in being part of the great combined support to consider more local strategic projects 4 Zodiac sign represented by scales (5) occasion. that will include a possible Loch Linnhe Harbour Authority 5 V shaped pattern (7) from Corran and the Fort William 2040 Vision which was Best wishes, 6 Ken, Boris and Sadiq (don’t forget Dick!) have highlighted in the centre page of our June Newsletter. Christine Hutchison, Chair 24 25 all been this in London (5) 8 Coast around the Spanish coast (5) [email protected] Thanks as always to Tony Whitelocke for this crossword. 13 Late (7) 15 Look at 17. She’s here again (5) Some people may decide that the UK is no longer a place 16 Guided (7) where they want to live and work, while the proposals by 17 Teresa was one (6) challenges Liberty may bring a large influx of new workers to the area. 18 Tales the same whichever way you look at it(5) So there is a need to plan for many different scenarios within 19 This Pan is a saint? (5) the FW2040 in terms of demographics and population 21 It’s red, but you can't see it (5) and choices change. The core principles that make for a vibrant, pleasant place to live that maintains a healthy natural environment There was a consultation in September regarding the will not change, but there will inevitably be difficult choices FW2040 vision; this is basically an extension of the West to be made. For example, further industrialisation may not picture quiz Highlands and Islands Local Development Plan (WHILDP), be compatible with maintaining the scenic environment that taking into account changes such as the proposals from draws both tourists and residents to the area. However, a no 19 Liberty that only came up after the consultation on the I A _ _ A _ _ _ I _ A A _ _ strategy that reduces the pressure of vehicles on the roads Where in Kilmallie? WHILDP. With the right input, the FW2040 vision could through planning affordable and accessible housing close to provide a strategic planning mechanism to ensure that the amenities, improved public transport and careful controls on Answer to last issue’s Picture Quiz No 18 housing, infrastructure, services, environmental and the impact of developments, can go a long way towards Entrance to the Sports and Drama Centre, economic needs and aspirations of the community are met resolving these conflicts. Lochaber High School _ E _ I _ _ I E across a range of different scenarios involving possible changes to our area. The UK as a whole is facing challenges Russell Leaper, Secretary Answers to these puzzles are on the website and uncertainties that are unprecedented in recent decades. www.kilmallie.org.uk (follow the link on right hand side of the homepage) hear what is going on, and are hungry for the information and will also be published in the next issue of the that we provide and which is not always readily available newsletter for people without internet access. from other sources. We take pride in informing Kilmallie, in feedback encouraging discussion and raising awareness. Thank you Answers to last issue’s crossword: We had more feedback on the June issue of the newsletter for all the encouraging feedback. Across: 1 BAFFLED, 4 DENIM, 7 NEVIS, 8 LEVYING, than we’ve ever had before! So many people told us they 10 BURDOCK, 11 DEIGN, 12 DEGREE, 14 FRAYED, thought it was the best issue yet. It was a slight surprise People have been expressing a lot of concern to us about 18 MELBA, 20 TOURISM, 22 CATCH UP, because a lot of the last issue might have seemed rather many of the changes that are looming in our area. 23 DRAKE, 25 OWNED, 25 ACTRESS boring wordy stuff about plans and proposals, but it Please continue to tell us your views and share your Down: highlighted to us that people are extremely interested to concerns. 1 BUNK BED, 2 FEVER, 3 DALEKS, 4 DAVID, scrievers 5 NOISILY, 6 MEGAN, 8 STOVE, 13 GELATIN, see page 18 15 ROUND, 16 DAMSELS, 17 UTOPIA, 18 MACHO, 19 APHID, 21 IMAGE page 26 _ I _ E _ _ _ A _ _ E _

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In photo 5,she is alongsidethe puffer the Duke Of Normandy, another beautiful heritage working vessel, currently living on the Crinan Canal with VIC32who visits the CaledonianCanal each year (see page 13) 4 and 6 from the National HistoricShips UKwebsite 1 The dredger, originally called Fairway, from 1 and 2 from Canal and River Trust archive 3 and 5 from leithbuiltships.blogspot.com 2 - 7 Scot IIfrom heyday tohard times. lochnessbarge.wordpress.com Clockwise from topleft

Members Treasurer Secretary Chair case changes. of in Secretary the with check Please December. and July excluding month every of Monday 4th the on Centre Kilmallie Community in at 7:15pm held currently are Meetings meetings. our all at welcome most are public Members the of COUNCIL COMMUNITY KILMALLIE 25th Nov, for publication 17th Dec. Deadline for copy for next issue Council. Community of or Kilmallie team newsletter the viewsthe of necessarily not are newsletter this in Views expressed [email protected] us at Email Ketchin Mandy Sue Chadney 772383 MacLugash Jan 772252 Hutchison Christine team: newsletter Your touch. in get do Kilmallie, in folk to of interest or Kilmallie, to relevant or Kilmallie, thatis about anything reminiscences pictures, stories, any or articles, too fromnew people hear to we alsolove but contributors regular our all We love all. you grateful to very We are so much cut been has Council Highland from funding our that now all at newsletter no be would there whom without sponsors., course our of and teams delivery the contributors, issue: the who everyone to as always Thanks workshop. vision theon 2040 report the include could we that presses so the hold to decided we as time We ’ re a bit later than usual hitting the doormats this doormats the hitting usual than later bit re a

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Jim Ramsay Campbell Anne Carol Ketchin Mandy [email protected] 7LY Banavie PH33 Salen, MacLugash Jan [email protected] 7LY PH33 Banavie, House, Canal Russell Leaper [email protected] Hutchison Christine

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Remember you don you Remember we would always try to accommodate one if urgent and and ifurgent one accommodate to try always we would if there is something urgent that you think needs to be be needs thinkto you that urgent something if thereis If you would like to be added to our distribution list to distribution our to added be like to would If you receive copies of minutes via email, please contact the the contact email, please via minutes copies of receive (Please check with Secretary in case of any last minute minute last case any of in Secretary with (Please check Even if less than 20 people request a special meeting, meeting, speciala request people 20 than Even if less request a special meeting, we are obliged to conveneto obliged are we meeting, special requesta We also thank them for all the other grants that they they that grants other the all them for We also thank to community initiatives within Kilmallie and in the in and Kilmallie within initiatives community to If at least 20 people (resident and eligible to vote) vote) eligible to and (resident leastpeople 20 If at towards the annual cost of this newsletter. costof newsletter. this annual the towards Monday 26November Minutes are posted on the noticeboards noticeboards the on posted Minutes are for their recent generous grant to KCC to grant generous recent fortheir Monday 22October Monday 28January meetings Ordinary meetings all at 7:15pm 7:15pm at all meetings Ordinary at Kilmallie Community Centre Community Kilmallie at Lochaber Housing Association Association Housing Lochaber [email protected] changes or cancellations), changes or at Banavie and Corpach. Banavie and at concerns ideas and your unless otherwise noted unless otherwise wider Lochaber area. widerLochaber one within 14 days. days. 14 within one everyone welcome everyone about local issueslocal about the place to share share to place the ’ t have to wait for a regular meeting meeting regular havea to t wait for KCC THANK YOU! THANK practicable. have given have given discussed. discussed. secretary to

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receivelistsplease weeklyby KCCSecretary. email, contact 2014 editionof Kilmallie would Community News.If you liketo For further informationabout WeeklyPlanning Lists, the see Sept have been determined. Lists 02/09/18.Somealready may into threeup last the months, Herewe applications arethat local the afoot plans please hesitate not do me contact viamypolice to email address have you anyanyIf of concerns wish you discussme, that to with transactions. remain coldcalls vigilant and dealingwith when monetary scams, steps safeguardingto reporting andPlease mechanisms. within which branches in provides advice identifying potential Police Scotland, ActionmanyBankingand Fraud websites and viatelephone face, to is Information availableon online. the and campaign in fraud tackling of crimes including occurring those face I would like raise to take to national this opportunity ongoing the when utilisingroadstravel. to clothing andtaking asafety precautions extra along helmet are with arealocal and similar that or ifabicycle on they wearing bright are ensuretheir children safein that being whilstout playing the are nights wouldto creep arethisGiven I in. startingall to urge parents As will you an coming all end awaresummeris to be dark the and incidence headaches nausea. of and thatsmell the linked be may the to intolerable. haveexpressed Concerns been going is outsideopening or awindow dayssmellis the severeso reportedly that loch andOn linger daysbad for atatime. thetheacross still airdrift is thecan stench theblowswhen from SW. S Sometimes or prominent whenit days,on most but most thestench is apparently example smeltFassfern be atfor Locheilside.landfill Duiskysite The can at unpleasantsmells experienced along KCC has the been moreabout hearing Duisky fromsmells 20/06/18 28/06/18 27/06/18 03/07/18 12/07/18 16/07/18 10/08/18 07/08/18 15/08/18

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Erection of house, ofErection formation Tomonieaccess , AchdalieuTias Road, Banavie anof agricultural Erection Tigh Landbuilding,To Banavie Ayr, NE Banavie Quarry Extension Quarry to revised restoration incorporate to working progressive and scheme, LandFassfernFassfern 150MEastOf House of toaccessInstallation track formation intakes of sevenandadditionalAlltInbhir an hydro Corpach 4Guisach , 17/01080/FUL Terrace, of Section(Erection removecondition 42 to a 1.8m 1 Planning of high fence) screen Permission Siting , of glamping pod 71CamaghaelArdeeven, Installationof 2signs,Police Blar Station, Mhor Land Mhor Blar 400MNEIndustrial Of Estate (Classes(Class commercial & 2)and 10), community uses 1 Mixed 9 Glenfern, Fassfern, Kinlocheil officeof Demolition building replacement withand semi no. 2 ’ veon noticed the Weekly

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The commonest reptile in the area is the Slowworms are also lizards and are

common or viviparous lizard. These completely harmless, despite looking at first page 5 page 24 wild about handsome little lizards grow up to 14cm and glance like a snake. They are legless and can be a variety of colours from grey, olive, crawl like snakes, but have no discernible yellowish to brown. The bellies of the males neck and can blink, unlike snakes. A large slower safer smilier In response to the difficulties and stresses publicised in the last newsletter and via able, agile, confident, and probably are generally brighter than those of the female may grow to a length of 40cm. kilmallie that many elderly and disabled people flyers to nearest homes and businesses. travelling by car, then it can be hard to females and can be bright yellow or orange Females tend to be a brown or bronze experience trying to cross the road to the With no objections voiced at the imagine the difficulties that less able people with black spots. colour with dark sides, whilst males are Highland Reptiles village shop, our call for a pedestrian consultation, KCC accepted Option 5 as experience on foot or in a wheelchair. greyer or a dull brown. In both sexes their crossing at Corpach has been running for being the best possible in the circumstances Many folk need the confidence to know that There are only three species of reptile that Lizards are often more frequently glimpsed shiny scales often give a polished look. some time. We are making slow progress. and resolved to report to Transport Scotland the traffic has stopped before leaving the live in the Highlands, one snake and two rather than seen closely, as they scurry for Although slowworms can be seen basking in accordingly. kerb. It is not acceptable that these people lizards, and all can be found locally. Our cover amongst the grass and heather. They the sun, they are susceptible to predation by We reported last issue that a crossing was are unable to move freely and confidently reptiles are cold-blooded and require some are slower and easier to observe when it is a wide variety of creatures from buzzards to only going to be possible with significant However since that meeting, one member around their village. People who don’t yet heat before they become active. As we live cold, and we have seen one making its way domestic cats. They are much more likely to reduction in parking and relocation of the of the community has come back to tell us a appreciate the need for a crossing may in a northerly latitude these cannot afford to rather precariously over a snow patch on be found in dry habitats under stones or bus stop. few neighbours are concerned about the themselves one day become car-less, lay eggs and rely on summer temperatures Drum Fada in April. Lizards can often be logs or benefitting from the heat of compost loss of parking and “questioned the need for We had already discounted Transport disabled, maybe even old! to incubate these, so all our species are seen basking in the sun on rocks but are heaps. These are the reptiles most likely to such a facility and totally against it”. Scotland’s Options 1, 2, 3 and 4, all of which viviparous. Eggs are retained within the quick to disappear into the heather when be found under sheets of roofing tin, often Equally, we know that cars, and parking, are involved an unacceptable level of parking KCC has always recognised that any crossing body, where the temperature can be more threatened. In common with other lizards in the company of toads. Here, they may essential for most of us***. Facing loss due to the obligatory requirement for at this point was likely to have some impact easily regulated, and burst out of the egg they can shed their tails to escape from take advantage of ant nests, which are quick potential loss of a parking place can be just minimum sightlines** at the crossing. We on the homes and businesses nearby, which sac in the process of giving birth. Young of predators and should never be handled by to be established, feeding on the grubs. as stressful. And many older and disabled pressed Transport Scotland to consider is why we have worked long and hard over all species are born in the late summer and the tail. Lizards can be found at surprisingly They are a gardener’s friend, their favourite people are essential car users too. Which is various ways to help reduce the required years to find the most acceptable, least early autumn. As our reptiles grow they high altitudes up to around 1000m, as long food being a white slug, also eating a variety why we pressed Transport Scotland as hard sightlines, such as reducing the speed limit, impactful, solution. must shed their skins and grow a new one, as there is suitable vegetation in which to of insects and worms. as we could for a solution with less parking or narrowing the carriageway, but we were and the cast skins, often in one piece, can hide. They eat a variety of insects including The need for a crossing has been loss. told that these weren’t possible. The only sometimes be found. All three species must flies, moths, ants and grasshoppers and may The adder or viper is our only snake, but is established by widespread community hibernate over the winter, taking cover from further option that Transport Scotland have More discussion seems inevitable and KCC also feed on worms. rather uncommon throughout Lochaber. consultation over the years. KCC continues offered us is Option 5, which involves are considering what action we can take late October until late March or even April. Although poisonous, the bite is extremely to hear of the difficulties that individuals moving the bus stop to save some parking next in pursuit of some resolution. unlikely to be fatal in humans, although face - one disabled person had to leave the spaces. dogs can be at risk if not treated quickly. area simply because of the difficulty of The consultation on 27th August also The adder is much more likely to slip away We wanted to give people a chance to crossing the road. Just last month someone touched on Banavie Swing Bridge. A unseen and will only strike when threatened comment on Option 5 before we went back told us they can no longer travel into town crossing there still seems frustratingly or disturbed before it can escape. Females to Transport Scotland, so we held a because of the difficulty crossing the road to unattainable, again due to sightline issues, can grow well over 60cm, while the males consultation on Monday 27th August, the bus stop. If like many of us, you are fit, and it was agreed to press for a 30mph limit average some 50cm. They are strikingly in that vicinity. patterned with a bold zig-zag along the back Should the current national debate about and a v-shape behind the neck. The head is further introduction of 20mph speed limits small with an obvious neck attached to a allow for the possibility, then KCC will ask thick, muscular body. Adders like to bask in for a 20mph limit over the central part of the early spring sun, but by summer are Corpach, in the vicinity of the Co-op. generally able to hunt throughout the day OPTION 1 without the need to warm up first. The main ** The requirement on a 30mph stretch prey items are mice, voles and lizards, with of road is for a minimum clear sightline young snakes catching insects and small of 65m measured 1.5m back from the amphibia. Courtship and breeding take line of the kerb. place in May, and at this time rival males *** We recently learned from the Scottish may rear up together and entwine necks in Government’s transport consultants territorial battles. A group of our guests AECOM that in Lochaber, 27% of OPTION 2 were lucky enough to witness this once at people don’t have access to a vehicle, the Allt Mhuic butterfly reserve, but I had higher than the national average. unfortunately had to return to the minibus and missed the show! Adders can be found Parking spaces accommodated: on the north side of Loch Arkaig but may OPTION 1 6 westbound 0 eastbound occur elsewhere in the area. I have heard of OPTION 2 6 westbound 0 eastbound OPTION 3 0 westbound 8 eastbound records from upper Glen Loy., but have yet _ A _ U O _ OPTION 4 0 westbound 8 eastbound _ U _ I E _A _ I __ U E _ _ _ to see any here. OPTION 5 6 westbound 3 eastbound OPTION 3 Although not threatened, the slowworm is often mistakenly killed by people who think KEY it is a snake. The adder is declining A Crossing throughout its British range and any local B Bus Stop populations need to be conserved rather C Parking than destroyed (it is a protected species in D Tradewinds law). Sightings of either species are a E Co-op privilege, and both should be left well alone. OPTION 4 F Ard Nevis Any reports of reptiles are welcomed by the G Ben Nevis View British Herpetological Society, and can be H Victoria Cottage passed on by the Lochaber Natural History J Lochiel Villa Society. K Hillview 1-10 Montrose Mansions Jon Mercer Glenloy Wildlife Sketches and parking details are based on drawings and information provided by From top to bottom: Transport Scotland common lizard, adder and slowworm OPTION 5 disappointment in my loss, the youngest of the third page 6 generation announced “We can use dad’s metal detector page 23 and maybe we’ll find it on the ground or in the grass”. Great on the croft idea, or not! Once everything possible was ‘metal detected’, I mean ‘everything’ between the house and the field, before More woolly wanderings we even got to the field, and then everything in the field, it Well, I left you way back in February, earlier this year, during was then the Woollies’ turn, much to their amusement or the ‘wait and see’ stage, way before any Wee Woollies were disgust. They were not impressed at all. It’s surprising how I due to appear. Not having had the Woolly Mums scanned, was being eaten alive by midges and the eight year old in like last year, and with the long, drawn out and pretty awful charge of the metal detector wasn’t being bitten at all. winter we had and then with what the Beast from the East

had hurled at us, I believed I was living in hope of any Wee Clipping time came and went and all my lovely girls were

Highland2040 Council organised a consultation Woollies making it out at all into this fine part of the world. event (Nevis Centre 12/09/18) on the game- once again quite naked-looking but much the better for their changing 2040 plans which are being coats coming off. Thanks again to Davy for this. Lots of lovely pursued for the wider Fort William area. It I did, of course, replenish the lambing box, just in case my fleeces to play with and already the girls’ coats are growing was a high-octane, highly resourced event, help and intervention was needed this year but once again back in, just in time for whatever this winter might hurl at us. planned and presented by numerous the lambing box and myself were not a requirement of our No matter what the weather’s going to do, we’re all ready facilitators, Scottish Government and Shetland lambing. We did have a wee ‘blip’ before lambing and waiting here in Corpach Woolly Land… Highland Council officials, and their started as one of the big, black girls decided to hang onto her consultants, with Highlands and Islands calf until the last possible moment before introducing it to Maisie Dennison Enterprise and other public agency officials the outside world. This little calf, although perfect in every in support. way, didn’t seem to be as lively as we’d have liked, so into The report won’t be published before our one of the lean-to’s he came with mum close beside. Again, print deadline so the following just gives a no chances were being taken and all eyes were on things flavour of the day from a Kilmallie that needed that little bit extra attention. You’ve no idea community perspective. how ‘magical’ these lean-to’s are. A couple of days inside The day was heavily structured, with a with extra care and vigilance and out skips a totally different tightly orchestrated format. Nineteen wee black bundle with his mum trying her best to keep up projects had been selected by the with him. I was so pleased that this turned out well as the organisers in advance, and grouped into 5 lean-to would be in great demand very shortly, if and when, ‘theme’ headings. any Wee Woollies were to arrive. It was not entirely clear how these should become more dependent on fossil Enterprise and Energy outcomes had been agreed or by whom. fuel at a time when the planet was trying to • LNG Energy Network Sustainability and Climate Change was divest from it. Not to be put off by any of the stressful lambing stories I’d (ie gas storage at Corpach and piped perhaps conspicuous by its absence. One heard, I calculated the dates from Jamesy’s (my wee At the end of each session, each table’s network of supply) participant questioned the implication that Shetland tup) arrival from Dornoch and departure from here facilitator (a Scotgov official on the • Corpach Port Expansion “growing communities” meant simply back home. This was around three weeks late due to all the Enterprise and Energy table) presented their • Liberty Smelter Expansion population growth. bad weather and road conditions and lo and behold on the Transport summary to the whole group, and there was date I reckoned my first Wee Woolly bundle should arrive, • Trunk Road Network For the second session, six “Placemaking short discussion from the floor. Principles” under the heading “FW2040 just like last year, out he came. An adorable wee white • Active Travel Network Overall an understanding emerged that eg Delivering Ambition” had been identified in bundle of Shetland boy joy. That was on April 23rd, St • Waterfront Access the smelter expansion was pressing ahead advance: George’s Day, so I just had to name him Georgie. All was well • Other Transport fast for delivery by 2021, while Scotgov and several more followed, much to my delight and Housing ) Consolidate and connect within existing officials acknowledged that it was • Blar Mor Expansion settlement impossible for the public sector to mobilise amazement and because I’d heard stories of stressful • Town Centre Revitalisation ) Expansion of businesses at current and deliver on such a short timescale. lambing times this year for ewes, lambs and owners I was • Lundavra / Upper Achintore locations + associated range of housing There could be 5-7 years before say the counting myself very lucky. • Caol Lochyside Flood Scheme ) Commercial expansion in identified road network is adapted to accommodate Tourism and Education central locations the indirect increase in traffic (or indeed Fourteen little Woolly ‘joy bundles’ arrived, all fine and • Nevis Forest ) Public agency infrastructure supports address the current congestion issues). The dandy, with some of the most amazing Shetland colourings. • Canal Related Projects consolidation and growth hope was that shorter term opportunities to Nine boys and five girls and guess who had the most amazing • Cruise Ship Reception eg improve the active travel network (routes ) Better wildlife and habitat connections / coloured fleeces, well yes, the boys of course. Morag, one of • Tailrace + other projects for pedestrians and cyclists) could be safeguard landscape qualities the Woolly Mums decided to ‘hang on’ for a week or two, so Skills & Talent Attraction ) Every project contributes to cohesive exploited much more quickly to alleviate the we had a wee ‘late’ Woolly this year. I think she might just be • School Expansion and connected Fort William. present difficulties. In any event, even if all • Internet Connection Speeds is wonderful by 2040, residents, businesses, the bonniest of them all, but then they’re all adorable. We • Sports Facility Provision Time had run out on the Enterprise and tourists and services could be in for a bumpy did have mugs of tea and cake out in the ‘lambing field’ • STEM Centre + Hospital (on the Blar) Energy table to discuss whether these were disruptive ride over the next few years. during the night on at least three occasions with the trainee appropriate, or to explore to what extent crofter at my side just in case ‘extra’ help was required. I Participants were divided amongst 5 tables This puts huge pressure on Scotgov to the proposed projects met any of the to focus on just one theme, with 11 or 12 commit the funding to enable action as fast think I’ll always just have to ‘be there’ no matter what time principles. Some desirable principles were people per table. Kilmallie Community as possible. But huge changes implemented of day or night. Better to be safe than sorry. again perhaps conspicuous by their absence Council was allocated to the Enterprise and at speed do not always deliver quality in the - accessibility for all, for example. Energy table. long run. The community will have to live ‘Dosing’ time arrived for the new Wee Woollies at around

for many decades, perhaps centuries, with four weeks old. How hard can that be with lovely wee In the first session, participants were asked For the third session, participants were

any mistakes that are made in undue haste. _ A _ I E _ A _ to consider how the projects delivered 4 asked to comment on ‘When, Who and bundles of joy? Don’t be fooled, all that loveliness is full of _ I _ A _ _ _ U _ _ O _ A _ _ O E O U _ _ _ A I _ A It is important that Scotgov and Highland wriggling, squirming, struggling strength beyond belief. This pre-determined “agreed outcomes”: How” for the delivery of each project. On Council get this right for all our sakes. • Growing Communities the Enterprise and Energy table, the resulted in me losing a rather nice hand-made silver earring. • Employment facilitator chose not to cover the LNG Continued overpage “How on earth” I can hear, but trust me, with Shetland sheep • Connectivity & Transport Energy Network at this point: a number of anything can happen. Before I could show any • Environment & Heritage. people had questioned why Fort William whatever we put out in about an hour. 2040 continued from previous page: page 22 However, they are very entertaining to page 7 green fingers watch, lots of squabbling. Representation amongst participants wasn’t troublesome. We also have parsnips necessarily evenly spread through the event (for example participants over the day at the with tremendous foliage. I think Neil is Getting time to order spring bulbs etc. Enterprise and Energy table were almost aiming to be like the man in the advert Lifting the begonias to store over 70% from Liberty and Bidwells. No list of and will be visiting the neighbours with winter: my problem, as ever, is that I attendees was made available. While there Gosh, it was hot! Too hot to do much all the surplus. He will also distribute write labels telling me how big they are, was a good mix overall, it was apparent that outside apart from watering early leaflets for your Final Removal! what colour etc. then I lose the labels charities, community representatives and morning and late evening. The good so it’s always a surprise the next year. individuals were greatly outnumbered by thing was that the roses and clematis Now the disasters: no black or red commercial stakeholders and public agencies: we hope there will be official

loved it. The nicotiana flourished and currants, only about a dozen Victoria I try and wear gloves in the garden,

awareness that output from the ) the scent in the evening was lovely: the plums and six greengages. Pears were however I often can’t find them. To try consultation may be preferential towards honeysuckle that has popped up in better than last year but won’t be and preserve my nails, I dig them into a The workshop was very professionally run separate villages and settlements... If that their interests and agendas. various places added to it as well. supplying Morrisons any time soon. bar of soap, this works quite well and and good humour and enthusiasm were aspiration for“ high quality place to live” is ☺ maintained throughout. In the evening’s to be honoured, existing issues must be Also had lily beetles for the first time keeps nail clean. The event seemed to achieve its aims. Despite the heat and dry conditions, ever. summing up, 3 themes were spotlighted: addressed: smells from Duisky, noise and There was certainly huge energy, drive, • connectivity - internet and transport light pollution from Annat, a village the potatoes have been excellent, a Till next time, just enjoy the garden in ambition and determination about the day, • waterfront - development dominated by trunk road traffic, and so on. really good crop of Charlotte and King We lost a red oak, planted in spring of every season. unswerving confidence that the identified • a high quality place to live - recruitment. Any negative impact must be genuinely Edwards. We also have some Pink Fir 1985. Think it succumbed to honey projects WOULD be delivered, with fetching minimised, mitigated and compensated. Apples but not tried them yet. Broad fungus. We have lost every lilac we Morag little red lovehearts drawn on all the The chief Scotgov facilitator acclaimed in his Accordingly, KCC intend to submit written beans, best ever. Carrots seem to have ever planted : the telltale signs are Mackell intended projects on the map. final words “This is community comments on the workshop topics before avoided the fly this year: we tried a orange toadstools and black bootlace empowerment in action!” and yes it was, the consultation deadline of 21st ( who?

The idea grew that the quality of change couple of new varieties, Resistafly F1 style fungus under the bark. It but some people are astronomically more September. should be ‘emblematic’ - Fort William can empowered than others. The Fort William and Flyaway, however the usual sometimes only affects one tree among do things differently, can do things well, can area won’t achieve its full 2040 potential if Undoubtedly a 2040 vision can help bring Nantes, Chantenay etc haven't many of the same species. be an exemplar, for instance in delivering the empowerment isn’t more equitably about exciting welcome improvements. In succumbed either. Although we have a universal high speed broadband (like they distributed. an age of rapidly increasing inequality, the net over them, as usual, we used to lose Had a brief visit from the pine marten take for granted in the Faroes). promise of trickle-down benefit won’t a few. The parsley, flat leaf and moss who was sitting on the bird table. Nice Kilmallie stands to bear the brunt of any necessarily wash. Our ambition, our There was widespread relief that A82 curled, also been left alone. Maybe the to see lots of sparrows again. The negative impact from all this development: expectation, must be for equality of benefit improvements were so highly prominent on port expansion, gas storage, increased warmth has kept the fly away, along starlings are a bit of a menace, very derived for everyone. the day’s agenda. Indeed the event itself freight whether by road rail or water, with the midges which seemed less noisy and incredibly greedy. clearing was a vital milestone in securing development of our open spaces, disruption We will try to keep you updated on the next commitment for its funding from the from construction, dilution of our identity as draft of the Masterplan and the draft Scottish Government. delivery programme.

on the need to ensure that services can continue to be provided in the New Belford even in situations of adverse weather, for example

NHS in Lochaber when the main roads may be closed. Emerging frequently during the community event and the steering fàilte KCC was represented at the well-attended gathering in the Nevis group meeting was NHS Management’s plea for assistance with Centre on 9th August: this meeting helped NHS Highland move recruitment. They need the community behind them as they In our Gaelic slot this time we’re delighted to introduce forward with the next stage of developing the case for the new struggle to fill posts. It emerged that NHS Highland no longer use one of our youngest correspondents who lives in Corpach. Belford Hospital. Many thanks to Eliza for her lovely article. the local press to advertise but that recruitment is through Introductory speakers emphasised the familiar topics of geography, www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk where a search for ‘Highland’ can be made. demographic change, rising costs, staff maintaining skills, Fàilte, is mise Eliza. Tha mì ochd bliadhna a' dhaôis. Tha mì a' Worries about the sustainability of the home care sector were also expectations and the history. It was emphasised that sustainability, dol gu Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar, is toil leam a' sgoil bi sinn raised, because of Brexit. On the other hand, we hear of two safety, quality and finance needed to be in balance. a' deanamh tòir obair, bi sinn a' deanamh club ball-coise agus people over the past few months who, after following other career club spòrs. Tha mi a' deanamh còisair agus tha mì a' deanamh While there had undoubtedly been changes over the years in how paths, have transferred to the care sector and ‘wished that they fidheal cuideach bhà mì aig a' fèis agus bha mì a cluich a' bocsa services are delivered, outwith and within the hospital, NHS had done so years ago’. So we shouldn’t only be worrying about agus clarsach. Bha mì cuideach aig a' mòd nàiseanta agus chòrd Highland is committed to building a New Belford on the Blar Mor the implications of Brexit but, more positively, how folk might sin rium. Bhuanaich mì quaich air son seinn. Bi mì a dol gu judo site. Once the changes that had taken place over the years had transfer to the care sector later in their careers, perhaps even agus thà sin glè mhath. An uair a bhitheas ceilidh againn anns an been outlined it was stated that; "we have made all improvements encouraging those whom we know have left this area several years that we can in the present Belford but we need a new building ago, to consider returning. Food for thought. sgoil bi mì a cluich a' fidheal. Aig na làithean saôir bhà mì an Dun now”. There was also some focus on the provision of mental health Readers of this newsletter will have seen the two Q & A papers Dèagh agus ann a' Sasainn chòrd sin rium glè mhath. Is toil leam services. cluich comhla ri mo charaidean anns a' phàirc. already produced by the Communications Group: another is in Sin è an drasda, chi mì rithist sibh. NHS Highland’s target remains for a construction start in 2021. preparation which will concentrate on NHS services in the community, Recently Kate Forbes MSP visited the Belford to check on progress Welcome, my name is Eliza. I am eight years old. I go to Bun recruitment and retention, I A I _ _ _ I _ _ _ O _ _ _ I _ _ I _ _ A I _ _ I_ O first hand and Donald Cameron MSP has also visited the proposed along with what will happen Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar. I like school, we do lots of work. We site, so it is clear that there is strong political support for the next in the process for the do footballclub and sports club. I am in the choir and I play the scheme. fiddle as well. I went to the feis and played accordion and harp. I New Belford. The project Steering Group met a few days after the big community was at the Mod and I liked that, I won a quaich for singing. I go We will continue

event and reaffirmed their appreciation of the large community _ _ E _ UO _ _ to judo and it's really good. When we have a ceilidh at school I to try to keep you turnout at the meeting which would allow their completion of the informed. play my fiddle. In my summer holidays I went to Dundee and Strategic Assessment of need. Staff would press ahead with the England, it was very good. I like playing with my friends at the development of the Clinical Model that defines ‘what’ will be done park. That's it for now, till next time. in the new hospital, together with the Workforce Plan which will define ‘how’ services will be delivered. There was strong emphasis Eliza Rowan Moffat signal boxes at Banavie and Mallaig. Johnny died in 1980 - page 8 members of his family still live in Tomonie. Most of his page 21 Blar Mor masterplan & passing glimpses: poems are about bygone times in Kilmallie. The present Kilmallie Community Council wondered what to do with the remaining booklets but we are happy to say housing development poems by the that The Highland Bookshop in Fort William has taken most of them - some are in The Gallery in Fort William and some Kilmallie Community Council has been engaging with Concerns were also raised at the meeting about the impact in Mallaig Heritage Centre. Highland Council regarding their planning application for two of the development on traffic flows, particularly between the large housing developments on the Blar. Following a Blar and town centre which has had another summer of bard o’ bogmonie consultation event in June, John McHardy from Highland severe congestion. The response that the predicted traffic In 2003 Kilmallie Community Council had a booklet printed Do go and have a look - they were priced at £2.50 in 2003 Council and Stuart Graham from 360 Architecture attended levels are likely lower than they would have been for the containing poems by Johnny Wilson of Tomonie. Johnny and they still cost £2.50! the August KCC meeting to discuss their proposed Tesco supermarket that never happened, are no consolation Wilson was born at Tomonie in 1892, one of a family of six Proceeds to Kilmallie Community Council, which will help us development for land to the east of the Police Station. to those already suffering long delays because the A82 often children. For many years he worked on the railway, in the to fund this newsletter. cannot cope with current levels of traffic. KCC had already submitted comments on the two related planning applications based on input at the consultation Kilmallie Community Council recognises that there are event (18/03314/MSC and 18/03647/PIP). The current people within our area who are having great difficulty in Plans for this session are being finalised at the time of application is for ‘Planning in Principle’ which would finding appropriate housing. We support efforts by Highland writing but will include the traditional Christmas carol normally just cover the strategic issues including transport Council to address this situation if this is done in an concert in the Duncansburgh MacIntosh Church on 15th December and the Spring concert will certainly include implications and environmental impact. Mr McHardy appropriate way, and believe that no-one who wishes to explained that they had provided more detail than usual on remain in the area should be forced to leave because they Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, together with several lighter the design of the individual houses in order to speed up the cannot find somewhere to live. However, there are many works. The plan for the following year will include a full process towards a full planning application. However, there examples from across the country where poorly designed kilmallie Handel’s ‘Messiah’, perhaps with our number being are many major issues associated with the development that housing schemes have created serious social problems that supplemented by choristers from elsewhere. For example, still need to be considered. Many of these issues relate to have affected the area for decades. at the Millennium we sang ‘Messiah’ with 98 on the stage whether the site is an appropriate place for a major housing supported by a full orchestra; a truly memorable experience. We have still yet to see the detail that would reassure us that development, and how it would impact on environmental singers the development will achieve the six qualities of successful obligations, the town and wider area. Perhaps you have had the notion of singing or you may places identified in Scottish Government’s key policy Apart from the fun, the health benefits of singing in a choir simply want to meet new friends. In either case we would It was noted at the meeting that it was strange for Highland statements on design and place-making or be in accordance are becoming better understood: improving mood; reducing be pleased to see folk from Kilmallie joining the Kilmallie Council to be providing details of the individual building with the Scottish Planning Policy or the draft Highland Wide stress, depression and anxiety; deep breathing which assists Singers! As always, men are especially welcome. designs before these wider issues had been considered. KCC Local Development Plan. blood oxygen and blood pressure, etc. The list is actually had previously requested information about the likely There were many suggestions at the meeting for how the quite long. John Hutchison greenhouse gas emissions associated with removing peat development might move closer to achieving these aims. from the site, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Practically speaking too, there is the opportunity to work These included specific provision for play areas for young that would usually be required for a development of this with others to build something bigger than ourselves; much children, more integration of accessible housing, a direct size. Scottish Planning Policy specifically requires the bigger. And if you are in a management or organising job,

route to the medical centre and High School for walkers and developer to assess the likely effects of developments on there’s the humbling experience of simply ‘daein’ as ye are cyclists, efficient heating through communal heating systems carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This information has still not telt’ for a couple of hours! (e.g. ground source heat pumps) and specific provisions for been provided but is of course critical to any decision on bus connections. The Highland Council representative at the So that’s the rationale for letting you know that the Kilmallie whether to develop a large housing scheme on the site. The meeting undertook to consider these suggestions, and we Singers meet in Caol Church of Scotland in Glenloy Street on UK has strict global obligations to limit climate change hope this will happen even though the detailed planning for Thursdays at 7:30pm. The choir has been running for almost through the Paris Agreement. Because building on peat the site already seems surprisingly far advanced. 50 years and we have around 60 members, led by our releases so much carbon, before any further development on extremely talented and welcoming conductor Catherine the Blar there needs to be consideration of what other We look forward to further information that will allow Cameron. There are no stressful auditions. developments might then not be able to go ahead, in order proper consideration of the overall scheme such that any to offset the carbon footprint of houses on the Blar. new housing really does make a positive long-term 18/03647/PIP contribution. _ A _ E _ E _ Our programme for _ E _A A _ I _ A O this season looks very exciting, so you may want to mark the following dates/concerts in your diary right now!

FIDDLESTICKS – MAXWELL STRING KAPTEN TRIO An ‘invigorating’ trio, formed in 2010 at Above: Phasing Plan. MAXWELL QUARTET and QUARTET the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Right: Phase 1 Site Layout (between Police Station (Winners of the Trondheim OWEN GUNNELL featuring piano, violin and ‘cello. and Health Centre). You can see these drawings and International Chamber Music other documents associated with the planning A family concert, celebrating the Year Competition, featuring Roy Bridge’s Thursday 15th November 2018, 7.30pm application at https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ of Young People, to which entry is free) and search for 18/03647/PIP. The area to the NE of Duncan Strachan) St Columba's Primary School, Caol the police station is marked for community use: Sunday 16th September 2018, 2pm Wednesday 17th October 2018, 7.30pm Highland Council have intimated this means car Lochaber High School Lochaber High School parking for the hospital.. Kilmallie Community Council has been keen for a page 20 while to improve the access to Banavie War page 9 Banavie Memorial - this has been a difficult journey, firstly hoping to replace the steps which has proven unlikely, but some progress has been made by an ART LOCHABER begins its new programme of workshops enthusiastic group led by Jim Ramsay which has on 27th October with tutor Kenneth Le Riche from Forres war memorial exposed evidence of an older path that may give and ABSTRACTED STILL LIFE. In November Alan Anderson easier access than the concrete steps. from Benderloch will return to Art Lochaber for his workshop EXPLORING TEXTURED COLOURS. Contact will be made with Highland Council’s Our recent exhibition at Ben Nevis Distillery was a great Planning Service to check whether this could be success attended by many locals and visitors from all over reopened in a sensitive way. the world. One artist’s work has been shipped to the USA. Thank you to all who popped in to browse and those who Race Night We have also been assured by the Council that Banavie War Memorial will be cleaned and supported us with a sale. Art Lochaber depends on commission from sales to subsidise the programme of repointed, and the lettering, which is near-illegible, workshops for that year. Hopefully we will have some new will be repainted before the Remembrance Service members now, inspired by our recent exhibition of work. on Sunday 11th November. The brief service , which

We also have a show of work in the Belford to cheer the this year will mark the centenary of the end of the patients and staff alike. First World War, starts at 3pm. Why not consider attending? Anyone interested in joining Art Lochaber should contact Dorothy on 01855821296 or me on 01397772806. The Thomas Telford Corpach Marina project is the existing Scottish Canal buildings. moving forward as our Project Managers Most recently some test holes were dug in the Lorna Finlayson continue with their efforts to source more bay to establish the composition of the sub-sea funding. The project is now funded to just over ground conditions where the large culvert will to raise funds for £1,600,000 with several large applications still be buried beneath the car park. to mature. Kilmallie Christmas Lights September and October should bring more th At the same time procurement work is news about further funding awards. Saturday 13 October progressing. This is in preparation for Starts 8pm contractors who have already expressed an Chris Strong interest to tender for building the marina, the Thomas Telford Corpach Marina Tradewinds, Corpach car park, the public slipway and refurbishing All welcome

future of Kilmallie Parish Church Members of Kilmallie Parish Church will have received intimation of the potential closure of Kilmallie Parish Church, Corpach and there has been at least one article in the local press. and mark your diaries Kilmallie Newsletter Team and KCC have to remain neutral on the matter of religion and we would advise anyone who for the wants more information about this to contact Rev Dr Richard Corbett at Kilmallie Manse Corpach, 772736, [email protected]

Switch-on Ceremony Fri 16th Nov, 7pm Kilmallie Community Centre.

_ I _ _ A _ _ E _ _ O _ _ I _ A Tea, coffee and cakes

afterwards provided by O _ _ _ I _ _ A I_ I_ E _ STAR for Harris All welcome. Bring a torch!

Eaglais Cill Mhallaidh, Kilmallie Parish Church, March 2006. Photo: Ronald Cameron, page 10 We've recently noticed a number of people in difficulty and distress at two Clubhouse spruce-up page 19 our Highland busy locations within Kilmallie because of lack of access to toilets. So we We took advantage over the off season to carry out some asked our councillors - how civilised is our 21stC society if the local internal and external works to the Clubhouse – it’s now th councillors’ authority can't assure a comprehensive network of public toilets, accessible looking very smart for the new season and our 50 to all, free at point of use and adequately funded via a fair system of anniversary which is next year – 50 years of rugby in taxation? New season Lochaber – isn’t that fantastic? corner Forthcoming home games The answer is perhaps: “Not as civilised as we might like to think”! 2) How comprehensive is the network? Well it isn’t. After Kilmallie Sat 29 Sep Lochaber –v- Police Scot (Glasgow) Kick off 3pm Our clubhouse is available to hire for small private However I should state that Kilmallie Hall is an honourable excep- the next toilet is in Arisaig – and the only reason that is open is Sat 13 Oct Lochaber –v- Shawlands Kick off 3pm functions (60 max) – info is available from our website tion. The toilets are clean, well-maintained, free and a real asset to because the local community took it over some years ago to save it Sat 27 Oct Lochaber –v- Glasgow Uni Medics Kick off 3pm www.lochaberrfc.co.uk. All applications must be via the the community. The question contains a number of separate issues from closure. Ideally the larger communities and all tourist Sat 17 Nov Lochaber –v- Moffatt Kick off 2pm form available on our website. We will try our best to so I address these point by point. hotspots should have one. accommodate, however during our playing season Saturdays 1) Who is responsible? Historically toilets have been provided by 3) Are toilets accessible to all? I am aware of questions over the use Sat 05 Jan Lochaber –v- Cowal Kick off 2pm Sat 19 Jan Lochaber –v- Clydesdale Kick off 2pm may not be available. local authorities. These authorities receive most of their income of radar keys for the disabled but it is to be hoped these can be from the Scottish Government. Much of the balance is made up by resolved on a local basis. Sat 16 Feb Lochaber –v- Hyndland Kick off 2pm Pauline Donaldson council tax – but councils do not have full control over this re- 4) Are they free? I am old enough to know how the phrase source. Council tax was frozen for a number of years. The freeze ‘spending a penny’ came about. You put an old copper penny into a has now been lifted – but the Scottish Government has restricted slot by the handle and turned the handle. I think it fair that those Youth Rugby returns New players of all any increase to 3%. In April the Accounts Commission (an inde- who use them should pay for them. The charge is commonly 20p Summer Holidays are over – that can only mean one thing - abilities are welcome – pendent body) published a report on Local Government in Scotland but Highland Council is moving towards 50p in its toilets. I have “Its Rugby Time Again!” Youth rugby returns to Banavie on if you fancy giving rugby called ‘Challenges and performance 2018’. They state (p 10) never resented paying a charge as long as the toilets are clean and Saturday 25th August – 10am. a try, come and see us at ‘Council revenue funding from the Scottish Government has fallen well-maintained. Banavie. in real terms by 9.6 per cent between 2010/11 and 2018/19’. 5) Are they adequately funded via a fair system of taxation? Not This is for boys and girls from P3 upwards. New players of all We are 1st left after the There are two huge areas of welfare which eat up a large pro- everybody uses public toilets and I think they should be expected to abilities welcome. It’s a great way to get fit and make new Moorings Hotel. portion of council resources. They are Education and Social Care. raise money towards their upkeep. There is an argument for subsi- friends. Mums and Dads welcome to stay and have a cup of www.lochaberrfc.co.uk

Councils cannot easily make economies here. They are governed by dies towards maintaining toilets in rural locations that are only national standards. We are all living longer – which is a wonderful really used in the tourist season. Relative to a meal – or tea or coffee in the Clubhouse. thing – and expectations rise inexorably. Essentially councils are even a cup of coffee - the charges are always going to be being expected to do more with less. Certain areas – such as public modest and I think most people have no quarrel with amenities - are being badly squeezed. Is Highland alone in this? No, paying some charge. Cllr Denis Rixson Here are the fixtures for the rest of September:- Argyll and Bute are facing similar pressures over rural toilets. Scottish Liberal Democrats Saturday 22nd September - Kilmallie Second Team against Lewis at Canal Parks @ 1pm The simple answer is probably not very civilised, but the actual reported 5159, of which Highland have currently 96, along with 28 First Team against Beauly at Canal Parks @ 3pm

answer is much more complex than that. Firstly, there are degrees comfort schemes and Highlife facilities. Edinburgh ,the most highly of fairness and certainly no one has yet devised a taxation system visited city, has none operated by their council! Saturday 29th September Shinty Club that is acclaimed as fair by all. The sad truth is that with the current taxation system, the First Team away to Inveraray @ 3.30pm Kilmallie 1st team is having a great season so far. In July, the This question comes about because Highland Council took a essential and statutory distribution of pared funds to education, its Balliemore Cup came back to Kilmallie after beating Glasgow Mid decision to rationalise the number of toilets across the Highlands buildings, and the local roads network there just is not enough We have a fundraising Prize Bingo on Friday 28th September in Argyll 3 – 2 at An Aird. The 1st team also got to the semi-final of instead of paying off front line service employees such as street money to go round. If the voluntary sector can help by taking on a Caol Community Centre at 7.30pm. There will be a bottle stall and

the Camanachd Cup, which turned out to be a keenly fought cleaners and Special Needs assistants when faced with drastic toilet, assisted with a comfort scheme funding (which needs raffle as well. match with Newtonmore: the game went to extra time and then funding cuts, due to a lack of fair funding for the sparsely populated reviewed and hopefully upwards) then that takes pressure off the to penalties and unfortunately we got beaten 2-1. There are 3 vast size of the Highlands and our islands. Some of these toilets are council budget and ensures a facility for your area, such as Kilmallie Our Annual Dinner Dance is on Saturday 27th October, 6pm for games left to play in the league and Kilmallie just need to get a win in a poor state with under investment over the non-charging years Hall committee have done, along with others in the ward. 6.30pm, in the Moorings Hotel. Music is being to be promoted back to the Premier Division. The boys have and do not show the Highlands in its best light. Rationalising the Perversely our own ward, 11, which this article covers, has only 1 provided by The Robert Robertson played great. The reserve team is playing well too and it is number and increasing charges for the retained network, along toilet still run by the council. Ward 1 claims they still have and Band. Tickets are on sale now, encouraging that former players are coming back to the Club. The with keeping jobs was seen as a much fairer option. The option of wants to retain as council run, 9, which clearly shows the unfairness Adults £25, Juveniles £15 and dance Under 17’s and Under 14’s have had a wee quiet spell with the no charges in the current financial climate is just not possible for a of the historical estate and the need for rationalising. only £15. Tickets are available from school holidays but are now back playing with a few games left STOP PRESS function that is not statutory and receives no specific funding. When Highland gets to the desired network of toilets Cath MacKay, Ann MacDougall before the season finishes. Kilmallie have clinched the Councils across the country need to move to self- sustainable crisscrossing the Highlands, clearly mapped on an App and from me. National Division title with a _ E I _ _ U _ _ U _ _ E I organisations. In ‘old money’ that is - raise income. and augmented with comfort schemes and commercial 3-2 home win against Glasgow Despite this, Highland Council, the sparsest populated council operators, albeit with charges, then that is about as fair Winners of The Balliemore Cup Linda Campbell Mid Argyll and will now move photo: Iain Ferguson has the most public toilets, as well as comfort schemes and Highlife as it can get in our civilised 21st century. into the Premier Division for facilities, in the UK. If all the other councils had a similar ratio to Cllr Allan Henderson next season. _ I _ O _ _ Highland today there would be 23,040 in the UK instead of the (Independent)

Lochaber their ideas to a panel of business Banavie Quarry ‘dragons’ – except this time they also Interested members of the community had the opportunity to have a live Lochaber audience to have a tour of the quarry before the Liaison Group meeting on Ideas Week contend with! With a £10,000 August 21st. investment up for grabs, the pressure is most definitely on. It’s a fun spectator If you have any concerns about the quarry’s operations, or 12- 16 November sport – and who knows, you might get comments about Breedon’s current proposals to expand the ‘Strictly’ is back on TV, the leaves are on inspired to enter yourself next time! quarry, please let KCC know. the turn and the nights are drawing in… it can only mean one thing: it’s almost This year’s Ideas Week features some If you would like to be informed of Quarry Liaison Group meeting Kennedy and visited him at home here dates, agendas and to receive minutes, please contact Gavin time for Lochaber Ideas Week! Yes, it’s big names: Michael ‘Eddie the Eagle’ in Lochaber many times. This very Mennie, Breedon’s Director of Estates, Planning and Geology that time again and it’s bigger and Edwards will be landing at the personal lecture will focus on the [email protected] better than ever for 2018. Now in its Moorings on Monday 12th for what’s importance of friendship when dealing fifth year, ‘Lochaber Ideas Week’ is a sure to be a very entertaining talk on with mental health and addiction. Book packed week of events inspired to his amazing journey to the Winter your ticket to this free event soon – it’s SSE are exploring the options for celebrate ideas and innovation in Olympics as the UK’s unlikely ski already been moved to Lochaber High transporting the rock spoil, and it’s quite likely that it will be taken out by sea from Lochaber. It’s not just for the business jumper. Don’t miss his inspiring true School to accommodate higher Corpach. So how will all the rock be taken world – it’s open to everyone in the story of courage and perseverance. numbers and it’s sure to be a moving coire whole community and features lots of from Coire Glas to Corpach? and insightful evening. great events guaranteed to get you You can find out more and book tickets Road and canal are the two options under buzzing with ideas. consideration. If the maximum anticipated at www.lochaberchamber.co.uk or see One of the modern barges designed to transport glas tonnage is produced in practice, it’s aggregates on the Grand Union Canal. Much of the week’s action takes place October’s ‘Lochaber Life’ for the full just up the road at our very own KCC met with Scottish and Southern Energy interesting trying to envisage the impact on programme. We’re so lucky to have so (SSE) back in July to glean information about the roads. Imagine a 16 metre long truck, understand negotiations between SSE and Moorings Hotel – from ‘Question Time’ many amazing speakers and events how their proposals for a pumped storage gross weight 44 tonnes, carrying nearly 30 Scottish Canals are currently taking place to on Monday 12th to the ‘Shaping coming right here to our doorstep – hydro scheme at Coire Glas might impact on tonnes of rock. Imagine 120 of them, every establish what is feasible, and we hope to

Tourism in Lochaber’ seminar on make sure you grab the opportunity to the Kilmallie community. Although the site day, driving from Invergarry to Corpach. maintain good contact with SSE to ensure Thursday, our favourite canal-side be ‘in the know’ and part of the Ideas is outwith KCC’s geographical area, it is still And back again, every day. Every day for that the impact on the community is venue plays host to a packed schedule Thursday night’s ‘Charles Kennedy Week action. You never know where likely to impact on us indirectly. three whole years. The impact of this on considered, minimised and mitigated at

of events that are open to everyone Lecture’ will be delivered by none other those ideas might take you… our congested potholed roads would be every stage. SSE’s huge 1500MW generation project is severe. who’s interested (and most of them are than author, broadcaster and former Lisa Wharton planned for the hillside on the west side of Aspects of compensatory ‘community gain’ free). government director of Membership & Events Manager Loch Lochy. It involves constructing a dam are inevitably in our minds, and those of communications, Alastair Campbell. Mr This year’s Dragons’ Glen competition Lochaber Chamber of Commerce in the hidden glen to the west to create a other affected Community Councils. One will be held at Ben Nevis Distillery. Just Campbell was a close friend of Charles reservoir to feed the turbines which will be idea we’ve already mooted to SSE is the within an underground cavern within the KCC would prefer to see the rock installation of permanent real-time signs on hillside. There will be a large tunnel transported by canal. This too will involve team and myself I would like to thank commissioning process is completed. the roads (and accessible via a phone app) connecting the cavern to the reservoir considerable logistical challenges, with to let people know when A830 bridge everyone on the delivery routes. The project is expected to be Thank you above and another one connecting it to possibly 4 huge 1000 tonne barges every swings are expected. This would help Reaching this point wouldn’t have been completed and fully operational in Loch Lochy. day down and back up again for 3 years. people plan their journeys without any possible without the continued spring 2019. This brings to a close the There would be many details to resolve to frustrating delays. from the patience and support of the weekly delivery updates however if you SSE are at the early stages of design and ensure disruption was kept to a minimum, communities on the delivery routes would like any detail on the project development. Many details of the geology but it is still likely to be hugely less The hydro scheme itself will not contribute specifically those of Kyle of Lochalsh, please let me know. and the construction are not yet known, but disruptive for us all than if the rock travels to renewable energy generation. Its purpose Stronelairg by road. It would be a much more Corpach, Spean Bridge, Invergarry and up to 2.9 million tonnes of rock spoil might is to even out the peaks and troughs of Many thanks, environmentally responsible solution, and Fort Augustus. be produced from the excavations, and all demand rather than to generate extra I A _ _ A _ _ I A _ _ I A _ that rock will need to be transported away could generate very significant revenue for team Corinna power. It will use conventional electricity The Mcfadyens haulage team have from the site. The destination for the rock is the canal. It would even be something of a during times of low demand (eg in middle of Thank you! done a great job navigating the Corinna Scholes, Corporate Affairs not yet known, but Glensanda Quarry is a tourist attraction, unlike the prospect of all night) to pump water up to the reservoir, that extra HGV traffic on the roads. We challenging route to site and T: +44 (0)7342 027420 realistic storage location. and then use the water to generate hydro The final wind turbine component overcoming some very severe weather E: [email protected] power during times of high demand when made its way to SSE’s Stronelairg wind conditions we have experienced in conventional supplies can’t cope. So if you farm on Wednesday 22nd August from SSE routinely put the kettle on after Strictly Scotland this year. The skill of the SSE’s indicative Corpach harbour, bringing to a close 1 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6AY representation Come Dancing, you are partly to blame! drivers is second to none. the turbine component delivery phase of the

www.sse.com _ _ E _ A I _ _ I E

of the project. Although all the components are now proposed Initial site work is not likely before spring scheme. on site Stronelairg will still be a hive of 2020, with the bulk of the construction On behalf of Dave Sutton, SSE’s Head of expected 2022-2024. Go to SSE’s website activity as the last turbine components UK Projects, the Stronelairg project sse.com/coireglas for more information are lifted into place and the about their proposal.

building at risk as it could continued successfully throughout. Not much work is look if Tom Guisach Pinewood & Cnoc nam Faobh Oakwood Benny MacDonald from the Community Rail restored required other than the occasional work party to litter pick Partnership (CRP) contacted KCC recently to let us Date, Time and Place and do other odd jobs. Many thanks are due to those who know they have been discussing the future of the Below: continue to offer their support. At the meeting we will set a Friday 26th October 2018 at 7.30 pm in the Kilmallie Corpach station building. He tells us that as it has as it is now. date for the next work party which will be some time in been closed for quite a while, ScotRail are considering Community Centre Back Hall. November. If anyone has any suggestions for jobs they think what to do with it, with the possibility of It is approx demolition. CRP are looking into the background and 9.6m long x Members and non-members are welcome. Membership need doing then we can discuss how they might be tackled. history of the building and wondered what KCC’s 3.9m wide application forms will be available on the night for those views were? wishing to join and offer their support. Secretary’s Notes The number of directors shall be a minimum of 5 and a Historic Environment Scotland describes it as “one of Agenda maximum of 9, of which 1 shall be a representative of the the wayside stations on the West Highland Extension community council and 2 may be co-opted. Directors shall Railway, designed by Simpson and Wilson, and built 1. Apologies. by Robert McAlpine and Sons. It is a modest structure, serve no more than 2 terms of 3 years. 2. Minutes of the last AGM. notable for the use of reinforced concrete for the base of the building. The wooden superstructure is 3. Progress Report. The current 8 directors are:

typical of small railway stations of the period.” Simon Wells elected in 2017, to serve until 2020 4. Treasurers Report. Douglas Runciman elected in 2017to serve until 2020 Although it looks sad and uncared for at the moment, it’s a lovely simple building, with historical value and 5. Election of directors Jan MacLugash elected in 2011 to represent the genuine potential. We have four vacancies for new directors. Nominations Community Council.

for directors can be taken at the meeting or made Colin Gray elected in 2012 serving for 3 years till If you enthuse about railways, or about historic 2015. Re-elected in 2015 to stand buildings, or community enterprise, or even all three, known before the meeting. Nominations should include please get in touch with KCC and we could start to the name of the nominee, confirmation that he or she is down in 2018 explore ways to save the building for community use. prepared to stand and the name of a Proposer and John Ireland elected in 2013 to serve for 3 years till Equally do let us know if you have a potential Seconder. Directors will serve for three years. 2016. Re-elected in 2016 to serve until commercial use for the building. 2019 6. AOB. Gill Barnes elected in 2015 to serve until 2018 Other station buildings in the area have community or Notice of any other business Allan Thomson elected in 2015 to serve until 2018 commercial uses, eg Morar Station houses the West must be given to the secretary Word office, Glenfinnan has a restaurant, so does Angela Mercer elected in 2015 to serve until 2018 at least one week before the Spean Bridge, Tulloch has a hostel. It would be great to see Corpach’s station renovated and brought back meeting. Voting is by members present only. into use. After the AGM there will be a Hon. Secretary Paul Biggin

general discussion mainly on the to sponsor this bench and have a plaque, programme of work that might be Hon. Treasurer David Govan perhaps in memory of a loved one, they carried out in the woods. Corpach in Colour should please contact us. Please carry on enjoying the flowers and The tubs and other planted areas in Corpach Corpach in Colour also looks after three plants as you pass them and put your and the station are looking good after a benches. The first one is across the canal focus on business change into the collection tins so that we summer of mixed weather. A big thank you where you can sit and enjoy a view of Ben can continue. If you would like to help or needs to go to the Corpach in Colour team Nevis, the loch and ducks and boats in the would like more information please contact We’re very grateful to Colin ’Woody’ Wood and who kept everything watered regularly canal basin. The second bench is at the top us. Linnhe Lochside for becoming the newsletter’s when it was hot and dry - not always easy of the steps above Kilmallie Community Hall latest sponsor. Thanks to Louise from Linnhe when there is no water supply nearby. Some and has a plaque in memory of Heather Sue and Moira Lochside for answering our usual questions. tubs have been replaced and some additions Robertson, a founder member of Corpach in Corpach in Colour co-ordinators made including over-the-railing baskets at Colour. The third bench is at the foot of Sue Chadney, 01397 772361 email: A _ _ E _ _ E _ _ _ E _ A Drumfada. We have also experimented with Farrow Drive beside the flower bed; this has [email protected] What is your company name? How many people do you employ a few different plants in the centre of tubs, now rotted and we have used some of our locally? the boat and troughs so we will see how funds to replace it so that people can Moira Shearer, email: Linnhe Lochside Holidays Ltd [email protected] Depending on the season our staff well they survive and flourish over the continue to enjoy a seat before walking on. Where are you located? seasons and in different positions. If anyone would like to take the opportunity numbers range from 12-15 core staff to _ _O _ A O _ I _ I _ I On the Road To the Isles in between 20 + in the busy summer months. "Heather's Bench" and the new over-railing tubs at the entrance to Drumfada Corpach and the Outward Bounds What do you like best about What does your company do? being/living in Kilmallie? We are a family run holiday park, with We live in one of the most beautiful chalets, caravans, camping & touring areas in the world along with very pitches. We also have seasonal touring friendly people. It is a pleasure to have pitches, privately-owned holiday homes the best of both worlds: being able to The work of the small group of volunteers and off park sales. meet and greet known as Banavie Floral Improvements makes at social events everyone’s arrival in the village welcoming and How long has your company been and to go off into operating? attractive. the tranquillity of Thanks to them, and also to all the volunteers Linnhe was founded in 1962, so we have the hills. of Corpach in Colour who also do a fantastic job been operating for 56 years now. every year, see page 12 We had a lovely Coffee Morning on Saturday Tel: 01397 600111 volunteers who provide a terrific page 16 4th August and raised £156.80 which will go E-mail: service to the public and in return we page 13 towards the continued upgrade of the [email protected] Towpath users provide them with a free passage. All Centre. A huge thank you to the volunteers other vessels will either pay on arrival and committee members who made the Our thanks once more go to our Centre canal A number of members of the public at the sea-lock or have a commercial delicious soups and cakes and a big thank Manager, Jimmy Milne, for all his hard work have voiced concern about the you to all the folk who came along and and commitment to the Centre. Highland cattle which have appeared on trading agreement or long term canal enjoyed the munch as well as the natter! We hope all readers and users of the the towpath recently. All reports have licence. Kilmallie Community Centre have a lovely news been passed on to Police Scotland. The Kilmallie Community Gardens are in Autumn! As I write this letter, we have been hit Operating hours need of volunteers to help tidy them. Sadly, with a major operations issue. Three of As the autumn draws in, we are often I am unable to commit to arranging a Sarah Kennedy FMAAT FCCA (Treasurer) the lock-gates at Fort Augustus show visited by hotel boats who will carry fee Autumn hours gardening session each month and signs of failure in their flotation tanks. paying passengers through the canal. 3rd September to 4th November 2018 therefore it is up to you – the local Kilmallie Community Centre The issue is so serious that one of the These vessels are the Vic 32, the Glen 8:30am - 5:30pm, 7 days operation community in Corpach – to band together A Company Limited by Guarantee gates has been removed from lock Masson & Glen Tarsan, along with the and keep them tidy. Do contact our Centre Winter hours Station Road, Corpach, regular hotel boats Spirit of Loch Ness, It’s been a steady period at the Centre with Manager should you wish to use the tools in operations. This means we have had to From 5th November 2018 Fort William PH33 7JH Spirit of Scotland, Fingal, Ros Crana and many folk enjoying the summer holidays. the shed for this purpose. lower the maximum draught of vessels 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday to Friday Scottish Charity SC000604 Lord of the Glens. This will mean a busy from 4.1 to 3.0 metres. Company Reg SC404410 Canal closed September. The question I am always

As you may be aware, The Highland Council Our thanks go to all our customers for 7th January to mid-March 2019. have reduced the Comfort Scheme supporting the Centre and using our great CHAIRMAN Boat traffic asked by members of the public is “Do boats pay to come through?” The payments to Kilmallie Community Centre by facilities but in particular our regular post vacant at present Boat traffic this year is slightly down: John Stafford less than half. This has meant that we had to customers who are as follows: answer is yes with one exception - life- SECRETARY after last year’s record figures over the Area Superintendent think very carefully as to whether we could The Mustardseed Fellowship, Mothers & Mrs Norma MacLellan, boats don’t pay as the RNLI crew are all keep the Centre open for offering these vital Toddlers, Zumba classes, Scottish Country three peak months June, July and 12 Hillview Drive, Corpach, Fort William facilities to the local community and our Dancing, NHS Highland, Olde Tyme Dancing, August, we had less vessels passing 01397 772597 many visitors. We did decide to continue Lochaber Beekeepers Association, Sense through the sea-lock. Most of the drop with the service for the next two years but Scotland and Kilmallie Community Council. TREASURER was in the month of June with July & we do need folk to continue to use the A reminder of the contact details for the Mrs Sarah Kennedy August much the same. (World Cup Centre in order for us to be able to keep it Centre which are as follows: 0776 880 5040 year?) going. New facilities at Fort Augustus Scottish Canals have opened a new puzzling shop and café with accommodation at Fort Augustus. This is proving to be very successful and popular. picture Algae warning We have recently put up signage on the postcards shores of Loch Lochy warning people about blue/green algae. Please be Andy Goodwin, source of many extra vigilant with your animals as of our old photos, recently sent drinking water with blue green algae us (top) an old view of Neptune’s can be very dangerous. Staircase and asks if anyone knows which year it is from and Top: Lifeboat passing through Moy Bridge Bottom: VIC32 & Lord of the Glens when was the canal road bridge in Corpach reach placed over the "Y" at the Moorings? He moved to Banavie in about 1961 but can’t remember where the bridge was.

We can help with the second part of your question Andy - you just need to go to the Newsletter Library on our website, www.kilmallie.org.uk, and look up pages 4 and 5 of Issue 45,

March 2014 for the article E _ I_ _ E O _ A O _ _ _ I _ _ I A _ _ _ I _ _ A __ _ IE A __ A I _ “Bridging the past and future”, which plots the history of the Loch Linnhe Following the KCC meeting in March 2018 there has been some discussion of the potential canal’s various road crossings. increased activity in Loch Linnhe which could result from the deep-water port feasibility And perhaps another picture that study, cruise liners and the possibility of gas tankers. To introduce some management, in you sent us last year (below) the interest of safety, it has been mooted that a harbour authority, on the lines of the trust dated 1908 can help a little by port model that has operated successfully in Mallaig for many years, would be appropriate studying how much the trees had for Loch Linnhe. At its August meeting KCC supported the principle of this and will discuss grown. Can anyone offer Andy the idea further with the Partnership of Fort Willian Area Community Councils which could any further clues as to the date result in the Highland Council being invited to revisit its earlier 2015 feasibility study on the of the top picture? matter, given the changing circumstances. The following morning we walked for 15 hottest day of our trip peaking at 34 degrees Below is a sample question from this La Fosca 2018 page 14 year’s Junior Maths Challenge: minutes to another beautiful beach called at one point - thankfully the rest of the page 15 On Friday 15th June, 34 pupils and 4 ‘Castells’. Arriving at the beach we were week was between 24 - 28 degrees.

members of staff set off on a 36 hour split into 2 groups - canoeing and kayaking. Gill scored a goal half way through the journey (it sounds worse than it was) to La Once we were all kitted up, we set off into Day 6 we returned to Palamos beach to take second quarter of a ‘teachers versus Fosca, Spain. We arrived at the Camping the sea, where we paddled around the part in the second session of sailing, in the Lochaber Schools’ band is very grateful to the LMM pupils’ netball match. At that point, Kings campus at around 9am on Sunday coastline and arrived at a small pebble Pico and Fun Boats. Once again we learnt Business Enterprise Trust for a donation what fraction of the whole match morning, where we were greeted by 2 of beach where we left our canoes and went some sailing techniques but due to a lack of Pipe Band of £2000 and Liberty, Fort William for a remained to be played? our group leaders Robyn and Dom. After swimming in and out of coves. After a wind we played a number of fun water Lochaber Schools’ Pipe Band (LSPB) donation of £500. Without such being shown around the campsite we had fantastic day on the water, we returned to games which was refreshing given how hot breakfast - which was a selection of cereal played their final street performance of financial assistance, it would be very A 1/4 camp. After showering and dinner we went and sunny it was. In the evening we visited and fruit, toast and yogurts before going to the 2018 summer season on Thursday hard to open up this opportunity to all to the local town of Palamos. We were given the town of Playa d’aro which was B 3/8 La Fosca Beach where we all took part in an free time to explore the town and absorb lovely. Afterwards we went back to camp 30th August. Mr Steele was in who wished to take part. ice breaker challenge called ‘Splash’. We the culture - we also managed to visit the for our last Disco. We ended the trip as we attendance to present certificates to C 1/2 were all amazed at how beautiful the beach fair and do some shopping. had started it by taking over the our leavers, Megan Campbell and UKMT - Junior Maths D 5/8 was - turquoise waters, golden sand and dancefloor. The final song played was Loch

Amber MacDonald. Both have played sunshine. The rest of the day was spent Day 4 was spent on Palamos beach sailing Lomond and we were joined on the E 3/4 with the band for six years and each Challenge relaxing by the pool (which was nice and the Catamarans and Toppers. After a quick dancefloor by the other school groups.

was given a personalised photo book in warm) enjoying the sun. After a delicious brief on how to set up and execute some of Further information about the Trust recognition of their commitment and Pupils at Lochaber High School achieved dinner we got ourselves ready for the the turning techniques we set sail. Despite On the last day, suitcases were packed and and its activities is available at Disco. This proved popular amongst LHS dedication. Rhian Daly, S6 was this 5 silver and 9 bronze awards in this a lack of wind we still managed to perform a we set off for our last set of activities. Sadly www.ukmt.org.uk. pupils who took over the dancefloor and year’s recipient of the June Standen year’s UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) “Tack” and “Jibe”. A buffet lunch was served Banana Boating wasn't possible due to demonstrated their version of the in a marquee that day - a great selection of strong winds - these would have been shield for dress and bearing. Junior Maths Challenge. Over 260 000 ‘Macarena’. It was a great way to end the pupils from across the UK sat the Junior This year Josef Kocjan-Briggs of S1 and salad items, meats and fruit. welcomed when we were sailing! As a result first night and was a great opportunity to we spent the final day playing games in the The draw for the band’s fund raising Grace Livingston of S2 performed best Maths Challenge with the top 6% socialise with pupils from other schools. On day 5 we travelled to the beautiful city of pool, snorkelling at La Fosca beach and

in their respective years and received raffle also took place. Congratulations receiving a gold certificate, the next Barcelona where we went on a tour of the playing volleyball. £50 each thanks to the Lochaber to Alan Gray, Blaich who won a signed 13% silver and the following 21% Day 2 was spent at Waterworld in Lloret de famous football stadium, Camp Nou - home and framed Celtic Invincibles top and bronze. Housing Association who support the Mar which is one of the biggest waterparks of Barcelona FC. Despite not being much of Getting ready to leave La Fosca, we did our medal. Jeanette Kane, Banavie won competition locally. Josef performed in Spain. The day was spent going on some a football fan I was overwhelmed by the final number off with our group leaders £100 and Lucy Bloom, South Laggan “The Maths Challenges provide material best in school and was the recipient of of the biggest and scariest rides I have ever scale of the stadium which has a capacity of Hannah, Robyn and Dom. Then we set off on won £50. Thanks to everyone who to provoke students’ mathematical the Lochaber Housing Association experienced, including the Hurricane, Speed 99,354 - the largest stadium in Europe. I our 36 hour journey back to Fort Furious and Extreme Mountain. We also bought and sold tickets. Our street thinking and test their problem solving Maths Challenge trophy. was also amazed to find out just how William. The journey home passed in no spent some time chilling in the jacuzzi and successful the club has been over the years - time and before we knew it we were back in parades and activities are needed to skills in an accessible and yet swimming pool. This was a real highlight for We appreciate the generosity and the trophy collection was phenomenal. After Scotland. raise the necessary funds to meet the challenging way. Many congratulations most people on the trip. After a well spent support from Lochaber Housing the tour we were dropped off at Las running costs of the band and enable us to Lochaber High School on their day we headed back to camp where the rest Ramblas where were given free time to This trip has been a fantastic experience. I Association who help to inspire and to offer free membership, instruments success in the Junior Maths Challenge; of the evening was spent down at the beach explore the popular tourist stretch - have loved participating in new activities, and tuition to those wishing to join the it is great to see achievement in encourage the young mathematicians playing a very competitive game of softball renowned for good food and shopping. The learning new skills and experiencing a band. mathematics recognised.” Rachel of Lochaber. (and of course, Mr Beagent’s team won - no streets were packed full of people, markets, different culture. I have made new friends surprises there!!!). Greenhalgh, UKMT Executive Director. stalls and high street shops. This was the and will look back on this experience with Summer 2018 has been a busy time for continued on next page fond memories. Going on the La Fosca trip the band. On the first day of the school has been one of my highlights of my time in holidays, the band travelled to Hull to Lochaber High School. Anyone thinking catch the ferry to Belgium. The band about going on this trip definitely should! performed in De Haan, Belgium on Thank you to the staff of Lochaber High 1st July and in the Jardin de School and PGL staff for making it such a Luxembourg in central Paris on the memorable experience. 2nd July. The travelling group of 24, all students and staff at Lochaber High Korrine MacMillan 6L School also had time to enjoy sightseeing in Paris and Bruges as well as a day at Disneyland Paris. The pipe _ A _ _ _ E _ I

Dear Kilmallie Community Council, The buddies find us very funny and fun to play with. They always look forward A _ I _ _ A I _ _ A _ _ E A _ A _ _ A I I _A _ This week so far we have had lots of to playing with us at lunch and break. fun. The responsibilities we as P7s have had to do include monitoring and This week we also completed some buddying. We also deliver lunches to the assessments for numeracy and spelling. base of our school to help and support staff and pupils. Everyone loved their first week back. We enjoyed our first week because we got We also have councils such as the eco to see our friends and teachers. council, learning council and pupil council. Monitors keep an eye on Yours sincerely, children so they don’t be silly in the Banavie Primary School – P7 corridor. We had a lovely Coffee Morning on Saturday Tel: 01397 600111 volunteers who provide a terrific page 16 4th August and raised £156.80 which will go E-mail: service to the public and in return we page 13 towards the continued upgrade of the [email protected] Towpath users provide them with a free passage. All Centre. A huge thank you to the volunteers other vessels will either pay on arrival and committee members who made the Our thanks once more go to our Centre canal A number of members of the public at the sea-lock or have a commercial delicious soups and cakes and a big thank Manager, Jimmy Milne, for all his hard work have voiced concern about the you to all the folk who came along and and commitment to the Centre. Highland cattle which have appeared on trading agreement or long term canal enjoyed the munch as well as the natter! We hope all readers and users of the the towpath recently. All reports have licence. Kilmallie Community Centre have a lovely news been passed on to Police Scotland. The Kilmallie Community Gardens are in Autumn! As I write this letter, we have been hit Operating hours need of volunteers to help tidy them. Sadly, with a major operations issue. Three of As the autumn draws in, we are often I am unable to commit to arranging a Sarah Kennedy FMAAT FCCA (Treasurer) the lock-gates at Fort Augustus show visited by hotel boats who will carry fee Autumn hours gardening session each month and signs of failure in their flotation tanks. paying passengers through the canal. 3rd September to 4th November 2018 therefore it is up to you – the local Kilmallie Community Centre The issue is so serious that one of the These vessels are the Vic 32, the Glen 8:30am - 5:30pm, 7 days operation community in Corpach – to band together A Company Limited by Guarantee gates has been removed from lock Masson & Glen Tarsan, along with the and keep them tidy. Do contact our Centre Winter hours Station Road, Corpach, regular hotel boats Spirit of Loch Ness, It’s been a steady period at the Centre with Manager should you wish to use the tools in operations. This means we have had to From 5th November 2018 Fort William PH33 7JH Spirit of Scotland, Fingal, Ros Crana and many folk enjoying the summer holidays. the shed for this purpose. lower the maximum draught of vessels 9:00am - 4:00pm, Monday to Friday Scottish Charity SC000604 Lord of the Glens. This will mean a busy from 4.1 to 3.0 metres. Company Reg SC404410 Canal closed September. The question I am always

We can help with the second part of your question Andy - you just need to go to the Newsletter Library on our website, www.kilmallie.org.uk, and look up pages 4 and 5 of Issue 45,

March 2014 for the article E _ I_ _ E O _ A O _ _ _ I _ _ I A _ _ _ I _ _ A __ _ IE A __ A I _ “Bridging the past and future”, which plots the history of the Loch Linnhe Following the KCC meeting in March 2018 there has been some discussion of the potential canal’s various road crossings. increased activity in Loch Linnhe which could result from the deep-water port feasibility And perhaps another picture that study, cruise liners and the possibility of gas tankers. To introduce some management, in you sent us last year (below) the interest of safety, it has been mooted that a harbour authority, on the lines of the trust dated 1908 can help a little by port model that has operated successfully in Mallaig for many years, would be appropriate studying how much the trees had for Loch Linnhe. At its August meeting KCC supported the principle of this and will discuss grown. Can anyone offer Andy the idea further with the Partnership of Fort Willian Area Community Councils which could any further clues as to the date result in the Highland Council being invited to revisit its earlier 2015 feasibility study on the of the top picture? matter, given the changing circumstances. page 12 station page 17 The woods continue much as always. It is now 11 years since Right: Notice of AGM & Agenda we took ownership and the community company has

www.sse.com _ _ E _ A I _ _ I E

As autumn approaches,? scrievers we bring you a quiz in this issue’s side snippets ? to occupy a lengthening evening or two... They’re all names of Scottish authors. Can you solve them? We’ve given you all the vowels to get started. Hint: they’re arranged so their surnames are in alphabetical order. Answers on KCC’s website and in the next issue. page 10 We've recently noticed a number of people in difficulty and distress at two Clubhouse spruce-up page 19 our Highland busy locations within Kilmallie because of lack of access to toilets. So we We took advantage over the off season to carry out some asked our councillors - how civilised is our 21stC society if the local internal and external works to the Clubhouse – it’s now th councillors’ authority can't assure a comprehensive network of public toilets, accessible looking very smart for the new season and our 50 to all, free at point of use and adequately funded via a fair system of anniversary which is next year – 50 years of rugby in taxation? New season Lochaber – isn’t that fantastic? corner Forthcoming home games The answer is perhaps: “Not as civilised as we might like to think”! 2) How comprehensive is the network? Well it isn’t. After Kilmallie Sat 29 Sep Lochaber –v- Police Scot (Glasgow) Kick off 3pm Our clubhouse is available to hire for small private However I should state that Kilmallie Hall is an honourable excep- the next toilet is in Arisaig – and the only reason that is open is Sat 13 Oct Lochaber –v- Shawlands Kick off 3pm functions (60 max) – info is available from our website tion. The toilets are clean, well-maintained, free and a real asset to because the local community took it over some years ago to save it Sat 27 Oct Lochaber –v- Glasgow Uni Medics Kick off 3pm www.lochaberrfc.co.uk. All applications must be via the the community. The question contains a number of separate issues from closure. Ideally the larger communities and all tourist Sat 17 Nov Lochaber –v- Moffatt Kick off 2pm form available on our website. We will try our best to so I address these point by point. hotspots should have one. accommodate, however during our playing season Saturdays 1) Who is responsible? Historically toilets have been provided by 3) Are toilets accessible to all? I am aware of questions over the use Sat 05 Jan Lochaber –v- Cowal Kick off 2pm Sat 19 Jan Lochaber –v- Clydesdale Kick off 2pm may not be available. local authorities. These authorities receive most of their income of radar keys for the disabled but it is to be hoped these can be from the Scottish Government. Much of the balance is made up by resolved on a local basis. Sat 16 Feb Lochaber –v- Hyndland Kick off 2pm Pauline Donaldson council tax – but councils do not have full control over this re- 4) Are they free? I am old enough to know how the phrase source. Council tax was frozen for a number of years. The freeze ‘spending a penny’ came about. You put an old copper penny into a has now been lifted – but the Scottish Government has restricted slot by the handle and turned the handle. I think it fair that those Youth Rugby returns New players of all any increase to 3%. In April the Accounts Commission (an inde- who use them should pay for them. The charge is commonly 20p Summer Holidays are over – that can only mean one thing - abilities are welcome – pendent body) published a report on Local Government in Scotland but Highland Council is moving towards 50p in its toilets. I have “Its Rugby Time Again!” Youth rugby returns to Banavie on if you fancy giving rugby called ‘Challenges and performance 2018’. They state (p 10) never resented paying a charge as long as the toilets are clean and Saturday 25th August – 10am. a try, come and see us at ‘Council revenue funding from the Scottish Government has fallen well-maintained. Banavie. in real terms by 9.6 per cent between 2010/11 and 2018/19’. 5) Are they adequately funded via a fair system of taxation? Not This is for boys and girls from P3 upwards. New players of all We are 1st left after the There are two huge areas of welfare which eat up a large pro- everybody uses public toilets and I think they should be expected to abilities welcome. It’s a great way to get fit and make new Moorings Hotel. portion of council resources. They are Education and Social Care. raise money towards their upkeep. There is an argument for subsi- friends. Mums and Dads welcome to stay and have a cup of www.lochaberrfc.co.uk

I don't believe there is any dispute that public toilets are an commercial businesses - coach tour operators - towards the cost of absolute necessity. There is much debate over what the best operating public toilets at visitor attractions, especially those where system is for operating them. Toilets are expensive: the Council charging gates won't even nearly cover the costs of operating the spends on average £10,000 per public toilet per year in operating facility. One tour operator I'm aware of makes small voluntary costs alone. In many locations there can be better solutions that donations towards toilet operating costs but this is a very rare can give the public a higher standard of facility at a lower overall instance. A voluntary industry regime that all the tour operators cost. There are cases where public toilets would be better used in signed up to could substantially improve toilet provision across the other locations. We need to explore all these options. Highlands in the places where it is most challenging for the public Local businesses and other organisations can benefit from purse to cover the cost. We might even see new facilities being increased footfall by offering toilet facilities to the general public. built, such as at the Commando Memorial, where Spean, An interesting example is Cornwall, where the Council has handed Achnacarry and Roy Community Council tried hard to get a public over 90% of its 200 public toilets to other organisations. Despite toilet installed. With the current system, such a new significant budget pressures in Cornwall, nearly all those toilets facility won't happen, but the current Council review have remained open and many are now in much better condition. offers the chance to change that. Currently the Council is reviewing the provision at 29 locations Cllr Ben Thompson out of 124 public toilets and comfort schemes. One thing I would (Independent) like to see come out of the review is a contribution from Kilmallie Community Council has been keen for a page 20 while to improve the access to Banavie War page 9 Banavie Memorial - this has been a difficult journey, firstly hoping to replace the steps which has proven unlikely, but some progress has been made by an ART LOCHABER begins its new programme of workshops enthusiastic group led by Jim Ramsay which has on 27th October with tutor Kenneth Le Riche from Forres war memorial exposed evidence of an older path that may give and ABSTRACTED STILL LIFE. In November Alan Anderson easier access than the concrete steps. from Benderloch will return to Art Lochaber for his workshop EXPLORING TEXTURED COLOURS. Contact will be made with Highland Council’s Our recent exhibition at Ben Nevis Distillery was a great Planning Service to check whether this could be success attended by many locals and visitors from all over reopened in a sensitive way. the world. One artist’s work has been shipped to the USA. Thank you to all who popped in to browse and those who Race Night We have also been assured by the Council that Banavie War Memorial will be cleaned and supported us with a sale. Art Lochaber depends on commission from sales to subsidise the programme of repointed, and the lettering, which is near-illegible, workshops for that year. Hopefully we will have some new will be repainted before the Remembrance Service members now, inspired by our recent exhibition of work. on Sunday 11th November. The brief service , which

Switch-on Ceremony Fri 16th Nov, 7pm Kilmallie Community Centre.

_ I _ _ A _ _ E _ _ O _ _ I _ A Tea, coffee and cakes

afterwards provided by O _ _ _ I _ _ A I_ I_ E _ STAR for Harris All welcome. Bring a torch!

Eaglais Cill Mhallaidh, Kilmallie Parish Church, March 2006. Photo: Ronald Cameron, signal boxes at Banavie and Mallaig. Johnny died in 1980 - page 8 members of his family still live in Tomonie. Most of his page 21 Blar Mor masterplan & passing glimpses: poems are about bygone times in Kilmallie. The present Kilmallie Community Council wondered what to do with the remaining booklets but we are happy to say housing development poems by the that The Highland Bookshop in Fort William has taken most of them - some are in The Gallery in Fort William and some Kilmallie Community Council has been engaging with Concerns were also raised at the meeting about the impact in Mallaig Heritage Centre. Highland Council regarding their planning application for two of the development on traffic flows, particularly between the large housing developments on the Blar. Following a Blar and town centre which has had another summer of bard o’ bogmonie consultation event in June, John McHardy from Highland severe congestion. The response that the predicted traffic In 2003 Kilmallie Community Council had a booklet printed Do go and have a look - they were priced at £2.50 in 2003 Council and Stuart Graham from 360 Architecture attended levels are likely lower than they would have been for the containing poems by Johnny Wilson of Tomonie. Johnny and they still cost £2.50! the August KCC meeting to discuss their proposed Tesco supermarket that never happened, are no consolation Wilson was born at Tomonie in 1892, one of a family of six Proceeds to Kilmallie Community Council, which will help us development for land to the east of the Police Station. to those already suffering long delays because the A82 often children. For many years he worked on the railway, in the to fund this newsletter. cannot cope with current levels of traffic. KCC had already submitted comments on the two related planning applications based on input at the consultation Kilmallie Community Council recognises that there are event (18/03314/MSC and 18/03647/PIP). The current people within our area who are having great difficulty in Plans for this session are being finalised at the time of application is for ‘Planning in Principle’ which would finding appropriate housing. We support efforts by Highland writing but will include the traditional Christmas carol normally just cover the strategic issues including transport Council to address this situation if this is done in an concert in the Duncansburgh MacIntosh Church on 15th December and the Spring concert will certainly include implications and environmental impact. Mr McHardy appropriate way, and believe that no-one who wishes to explained that they had provided more detail than usual on remain in the area should be forced to leave because they Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, together with several lighter the design of the individual houses in order to speed up the cannot find somewhere to live. However, there are many works. The plan for the following year will include a full process towards a full planning application. However, there examples from across the country where poorly designed kilmallie Handel’s ‘Messiah’, perhaps with our number being are many major issues associated with the development that housing schemes have created serious social problems that supplemented by choristers from elsewhere. For example, still need to be considered. Many of these issues relate to have affected the area for decades. at the Millennium we sang ‘Messiah’ with 98 on the stage whether the site is an appropriate place for a major housing supported by a full orchestra; a truly memorable experience. We have still yet to see the detail that would reassure us that development, and how it would impact on environmental singers the development will achieve the six qualities of successful obligations, the town and wider area. Perhaps you have had the notion of singing or you may places identified in Scottish Government’s key policy Apart from the fun, the health benefits of singing in a choir simply want to meet new friends. In either case we would It was noted at the meeting that it was strange for Highland statements on design and place-making or be in accordance are becoming better understood: improving mood; reducing be pleased to see folk from Kilmallie joining the Kilmallie Council to be providing details of the individual building with the Scottish Planning Policy or the draft Highland Wide stress, depression and anxiety; deep breathing which assists Singers! As always, men are especially welcome. designs before these wider issues had been considered. KCC Local Development Plan. blood oxygen and blood pressure, etc. The list is actually had previously requested information about the likely There were many suggestions at the meeting for how the quite long. John Hutchison greenhouse gas emissions associated with removing peat development might move closer to achieving these aims. from the site, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Practically speaking too, there is the opportunity to work These included specific provision for play areas for young that would usually be required for a development of this with others to build something bigger than ourselves; much children, more integration of accessible housing, a direct size. Scottish Planning Policy specifically requires the bigger. And if you are in a management or organising job,

FIDDLESTICKS – MAXWELL STRING KAPTEN TRIO An ‘invigorating’ trio, formed in 2010 at Above: Phasing Plan. MAXWELL QUARTET and QUARTET the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Right: Phase 1 Site Layout (between Police Station (Winners of the Trondheim OWEN GUNNELL featuring piano, violin and ‘cello. and Health Centre). You can see these drawings and International Chamber Music other documents associated with the planning A family concert, celebrating the Year Competition, featuring Roy Bridge’s Thursday 15th November 2018, 7.30pm application at https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ of Young People, to which entry is free) and search for 18/03647/PIP. The area to the NE of Duncan Strachan) St Columba's Primary School, Caol the police station is marked for community use: Sunday 16th September 2018, 2pm Wednesday 17th October 2018, 7.30pm Highland Council have intimated this means car Lochaber High School Lochaber High School parking for the hospital.. whatever we put out in about an hour. 2040 continued from previous page: page 22 However, they are very entertaining to page 7 green fingers watch, lots of squabbling. Representation amongst participants wasn’t troublesome. We also have parsnips necessarily evenly spread through the event (for example participants over the day at the with tremendous foliage. I think Neil is Getting time to order spring bulbs etc. Enterprise and Energy table were almost aiming to be like the man in the advert Lifting the begonias to store over 70% from Liberty and Bidwells. No list of and will be visiting the neighbours with winter: my problem, as ever, is that I attendees was made available. While there Gosh, it was hot! Too hot to do much all the surplus. He will also distribute write labels telling me how big they are, was a good mix overall, it was apparent that outside apart from watering early leaflets for your Final Removal! what colour etc. then I lose the labels charities, community representatives and morning and late evening. The good so it’s always a surprise the next year. individuals were greatly outnumbered by thing was that the roses and clematis Now the disasters: no black or red commercial stakeholders and public agencies: we hope there will be official

loved it. The nicotiana flourished and currants, only about a dozen Victoria I try and wear gloves in the garden,

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had hurled at us, I believed I was living in hope of any Wee Clipping time came and went and all my lovely girls were

for many decades, perhaps centuries, with four weeks old. How hard can that be with lovely wee In the first session, participants were asked For the third session, participants were

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You will also read about other voluntary groups in which page 2 page 27 people give their time to make Kilmallie a good place - long may this continue. We give thanks to them and also to kilmallie individuals who give their time and energy to keep Kilmallie clean and tidy. Please think about what you could do to help the community. Over 100 years ago, it was Kitchener who