No 61, June 2018

Issue No 61, June 2018 become a sponsor and see your logo here too? delivered free to every address in Kilmallie A huge thank you to all the businesses below for sponsoring the newsletter. Our newsletter costs this year have been met by their sponsorship donations, from KCC’s limited funds, from a grant from Lochaber Housing Association, from donations from the community and, most of all, in kind from all our many volunteers. We rely on the contributions from our business community for the cost of producing and distributing this free newsletter to every address in our area. We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you would like to see your name or logo in print supporting your community newsletter, please join with our current sponsors. All donations, big or small, are hugely appreciated. Please contact us at [email protected] for details.

FORT in this issue WILLIAM TYRE SERVICES KCC from the chair – p2 for better or worse - p2 KCC meetings – p3 action on noise - p4 plans afoot - p4 slower, safer, smilier - p5 community policing - p5 new Belford Q&A - p6 missives from MSP- p7 Councillors’ Corner - p8 Banavie quarry - p9-11 Blar masterplan - p12-13 in memory - p12 Liberty Q&A - p14-17 2040 vision p18-19

High Notes - p20 Banavie School News - p21 Canal News - p22 Community Centre - p23 wind loads - p24 BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd Corpach in Colour - p24 Fort William Ltd Rugby Club - p25 (HAULAGE) LTD Shinty Club - p25 Corpach Woods - p26 Xmas lights - p26 summer strolls - p27 art lochaber - p27 carbon papers - p28-29 CREEL - p29 green fingers - p30 letters - p30 thig an t’earrach - p31 wild about Kilmallie - p32 focus on folk - p33 Holiday Clubs - p33 fasten your seatbelts focus on business- p34 Puzzles from Pithean - p35 Sponsors - p36 we’re about to take off

We are starting to see tangible development on the Blar, an Corpach, a summary of Liberty’s side snippets indications of just some of the update about plans for the new responses to community’s see page 34 dramatic changes that could be Belford, sight of Highland questions, some strategic and taking place in Kilmallie soon. Council’s 2040 vision which Breedon’s proposals for quarry In this issue we bring you news of includes gas storage and an expansion. A lot to look at and a substantial housing expanded deep water port at think about! From our Community Council meeting in April you will be page 2 page 35 aware of the possibility of gas being landed and stored at kilmallie Corpach for use in the new alloy wheels plant. Close to our print deadline I discovered that research is being conducted for SGN (Scotia Gas Network, the gas network in Scotland) community which has been requested by the Scottish Government to

ascertain demand for a gas supply in the greater Fort “some straight, some cryptic, some easy, some not so easy” William area. Here is the lengthy link: Across council 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 Confused (7) When we meet at the shops or in the street the weather https://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90080444/SGN-Local- 4 Material found in the den. Impossible! (5) usually comes up early in the conversation - but haven’t we residents-online-survey 7 This Ben is nearby (5) been spoilt recently. The gardeners probably won’t agree At the time of writing, I am afraid that I do not know when 9 Taxing (7) but, even as I write, we seem to be in for another mainly dry 7 8 9 10 Rob duck and then stir it up and go with the survey closes. week. I can’t remember such a hot, dry spell in recent dandelion (7) years but encourage those who keep a diary to correct me! We are also hearing that the Highland Council will likely be 11 Condescend (5) running public workshops on the Fort William 2040 12 Celsius or Fahrenheit (6) We are still trying to find a solution to our Slower Safer Masterplan on Monday 20th August. I don’t know the 10 11 14 Red Fay, tatty, worn (6) Smilier campaign, particularly to establish a pedestrian venue yet but can confirm that part of Kilmallie is included in 18 Peach or toast. Take your pick! (5) crossing near the shop in Corpach and aim to arrange a the area. You need to watch for publicity. 20 Our mist rearranged for holidays (7) consultation soon at which Transport Scotland will be 22 Cup all over confused chat - Hurry up! (5,2) represented. Our next Community Council meeting on 25th June at 12 13 14 15 16 23 Male duck was an old comedian (5) 7:15pm will be the AGM, followed by our usual business Noise from Corpach Harbour/Industrial Estate is being 24 Had (5) meeting. I am pleased to intimate that Maimie Thompson, monitored by noise meters sited in the homes of three local 17 25 SS react about Marilyn Monroe - she was one Head of PR and Engagement at NHS Highland will update us residents. By the time you read this the information may be (7) on the Lochaber Health and Social Care Redesign, including collected and assessed, hopefully for our next Community 18 19 20 21 the New Belford Hospital. Please come to listen and ask Council meeting. Down questions; it should be interesting. You will see the most 1 Top or bottom. You can sleep in either (4,3) Some members of our community are trying to find a better recent Q&As on the project on page 6 of this paper. I hope 2 Excitement may give you high temperature (5) route to access Banavie War Memorial – scrub cutting has you have a pleasant summer! 22 23 3 Dr Who’s enduring enemies (6) been an exhausting task in this weather! We are hopeful Christine Hutchison, Chair 4 He fought the big man - and won (5) that the memorial will also be cleaned and names repainted 5 Makes a din when done this way (7) [email protected] before Remembrance Sunday. 6 This girl will nag me when at sea (5) 24 25 8 Votes for kitchen equipment (5) successful places for new developments; they should be 13 Elating about setting agent (7) Thanks as always to Tony Whitelocke 15 Do run about and end up circular (5) distinctive, safe and pleasant, easy to get around, for giving us this crossword. 16 They might be in distress (7) for better or worse? welcoming, adaptable, and resource-efficient. 17 Is it a paradise? (6) Whatever you feel about further industrialisation and According to the Plan, new developments should be Answers to last issue’s crossword: 18 Manly (5) urbanisation of our area, it is likely that the proposed alloy designed to make a positive contribution to the architectural Across: 1 POTHOLE, 4 BOOST , 7 MEGAN, 9 SAUSAGE, 10 KARAOKE, 19 It will eat your plants (5)

daisy wheel factory adjacent to the aluminium plant will bring and visual quality of the place in which they are located, 11 TAGUS, 12 NAPLES, 14 BEDSIT, 18 SUSAN, 20 MUG SHOT, 22 ELM TREE, 21 Game I mismanaged. What a picture (5) substantial changes to Kilmallie. should focus on the quality of places and living environments 23 RABBI, 24 LUNCH, 25 EQUATES Down: 1 PUMPKIN, 2 TIGER, 3 EASTER, 4 BLUNT, 5 ORANGES, 6 TRESS, Most new factories are sited close to their potential work for pedestrians rather than movement of vehicles, and have regard to the historic pattern of development and landscape 8 NOOSE, 13 POSTMAN, 15 EAGER, 16 TATTIES, 17 IMPEDE, 18 STEAL, force. However, in this case the workers would all be new to 19 NORTH., 21 HABIT in the locality.

the area and they and their families would need housing and meadowsweet Answers to these puzzles are on the website www.kilmallie.org.uk (follow the link on right hand side of the homepage) associated infrastructure including schools, transport and Whilst aspects of a development such as visual impact can and will also be published in the next issue of the newsletter for people without internet access. medical facilities. be subjective, the environmental aspects are more This raises big challenges for future planning and particularly straightforward to assess. No development on the Blar could for cash-strapped Highland Council. ever be considered resource-efficient, since it has been Answers to last issue’s estimated that the destruction of peat on the 40 hectare site The developer has been given planning permission, so it is could release as much carbon dioxide as heating all the Placenames Quiz Part 2

now their decision whether to go ahead with the factory or homes in Kilmallie for ten years. This will not be an issue if FORFAR, GALASHIELS, HADDINGTON, INVERARAY, not. But the prior investment in infrastructure to support the the development is limited to areas where the peat has KEITH, KIRKWALL, LAIRG, LAUDER, LAURENCEKIRK, coming work force will have to come from public funds. It is already been disturbed, but any further disturbance of peat MACDUFF, MELROSE, OLDMELDRUM, PAISLEY, hard to justify spending public money until new people would mean housing had a large environmental footprint. PORTSOY, SALEN, STIRLING, STORNOWAY, actually come to the area, particularly in such difficult and Similarly, the lack of infrastructure and facilities around the TONGUE, TORRIDON, ULLAPOOL, WALLS, uncertain times for the economy, but on the other hand WHITHORN there will be serious problems if extra facilities are not in Blar would mean it will be difficult to encourage people to place if or when they arrive. walk rather than use their cars.

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Remember you don you Remember Highland Council will be presenting their masterplan for masterplan their will presenting be Council Highland 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 ifless request a special meeting, we are obliged to conveneto obliged are we meeting, special requesta the Blar including proposals for a major new housing new major housing a for proposals including Blar the about progress with the new Belford Hospital on the the on Belford Hospital progress new the with about Come and share your views about options for a new a for options about views your share Come and

If at least 20 people (resident and eligible to vote) vote) eligible to and (resident leastpeople 20 If at Maimie Thompson of NHS will also be updating us updating also be will NHS of Thompson Maimie Ordinary meetings all at 7:15pm Ordinary meeting 7:30pm at Kilmallie Community Centre Minutes are posted on the noticeboards noticeboards the on posted Minutes are Blar. Come along to ask your questions your ask to along Come Blar. Monday 24 September Monday 22 October your ideas and concerns meetings unless otherwise noted Monday 27 August pedestrian crossing at Corpach. Corpach. at crossing pedestrian Monday 25 June [email protected] about local issues everyone welcome changes or cancellations), changes or the place to share at Banavie and Corpach. Banavie and at AGM 7:15pm one within 14 days. days. 14 within one ’ t have to wait for a regular meeting meeting regular havea to t wait for development. KCC practicable. discussed. discussed. secretary

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KCC Secretary. contact please email, by lists weekly receive like to would News.you If Community of Kilmallie edition 2014Sept the see Lists, Planning Weekly about information further For determined. havebeen already may 10/06/18. Some to up months, three last the in Weekly Lists we that applications Here local the are afoot plans Boyd on Notice Condition of Breach served Council a Highland May 7th on Health, Environmental and Planning KCC Following from Annat. noise nuisance action to relation in progress regarding Department Council Highland in Hindson Simon from news KCC received has on noise action welcome 19/03/18 29/03/18 23/04/18 04/05/18 16/05/18 17/05/18 23/05/18 23/05/18 29/05/18 01/06/18 01/06/18 05/06/18

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page 33 broom

unimproved grassland, with some good, showy species such as page 32 greater butterfly orchid, northern marsh orchid and even common page 5 wild about spotted orchid found locally. Yellow rattle is another good indicator of unimproved pastures. This requires relatively poor soils, and depends on a supply of nutrients from grasses, which it parasitises, slower safer smilier leading to the suppression of some more vigorous species. Neutral We reported last issue that: kilmallie Dear KCC fields may also contain knapweed, oxeye daisy and sorrel, while • a crossing at an appropriate more acidic pastures often have a variety of eyebright species, I read with anger and dismay that Transport Scotland can't see the nose on their own faces place at the canal is not Wildflower meadows under threat devil’s-bit scabious and tormentil. Many arable ‘weeds’ such as with regard to a much needed pedestrian crossing at the Banavie Swing Bridge. It angers me going to be possible It might come as something as a surprise to learn that perhaps the poppies and the increasingly rare cornflower only thrive in that they can be so short sighted, that it will take a fatality before something is done. It most threatened habitat in the whole of Britain is the wildflower disturbed land that is not subjected to application of excess • a crossing at an appropriate annoys me that motorists’ safety is being put before pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, meadow. There has been a greater than 97% loss of wildflower fertiliser or weedkiller. place at the Co-op is only canoeists and children's safety. meadows nationally, with an attendant reduction of floral diversity Fortunately, around Kilmallie we still have some nice areas of going to be possible with I moved here a year ago and it was one of the first things I noticed when I walked along the and the invertebrate species that depend on this, particularly wildflowers. Mary Elliott and others have worked hard to preserve significant reduction in canal. Why no zebra crossings where the paths so obviously cross the road? A few years ago pollinators such as bees. the road verges along the A697, which have a spectacular display of parking and relocation of the in my home town a new pedestrian crossing was installed at a "safe" point for drivers but not The loss of flowers in the wider countryside has come about orchids in early June. The banks of the canal are also a fantastic bus stop. where pedestrians crossed the road. Within weeks a young girl had been struck by a car and through many reasons, but primarily through agricultural refuge for wild flowers, with the variety of species increased by killed. The crossing was subsequently moved and there have been no incidents since. lime-rich areas arising from stone used in the canal construction. improvement and changes in practice. Development has also The option for There is only one place a crossing can be put at the bridge and that is where the canal paths We also have several small patches of unimproved grassland, played its part, particularly around settlements. We can rarely now cross the road. Anything else will be a waste of time and money as they will not be used and largely as a consequence of crofts falling into disuse. Some contain enjoy fields ablaze with a rich mixture of colours, and flowers have Corpach at some point someone, probably a child of a tourist, will be killed. melancholy thistle and, in damper areas, produce spectacular become marginalised to neglected land, nature reserves and road KCC want to hear what the verges. displays of meadowsweet and marsh marigold. There is no need for the stretch of road from the Blar Industrial Estate to Tomonie to be 40 community thinks before miles an hour and there is no justification not to put in a proper crossing at the bridge. There A few years ago, a very rare orchid, the Irish lady’s-tresses, was As well as having important aesthetic value in their own right, wild confirming to Transport Scotland are already signs informing drivers of a swing bridge ahead and cyclists crossing so how discovered near Annat, although this site has since disappeared flowers play an important part in ecosystems, providing food and whether the layout is acceptable. difficult is it for Transport Scotland to put signs up warning of Pedestrians Crossing and paint through the ill-placement of cattle feeders and the construction of shelter for many birds, animals and insects. Bees depend on the some white lines across the road. We don't need a Pelican Crossing, a Zebra with beacons will a hydro track. If you have difficulty crossing the nectar they produce, and a lack of flowers has important economic suffice as pedestrians still have right of way on any pedestrian crossing. implications in terms of the pollination of agricultural crops, as well Within the middle of Banavie, the field adjacent to the rugby club is road, if you manage or work in If Transport Scotland won't do it then maybe a few volunteers armed with paint brushes and as the production of honey by beekeepers. Lowland meadows, a fine example of lowland unimproved neutral grassland, the shop or the pub, or if you live whitewash could "guerrilla" install the crossings in the dead of night? including those representing flower-rich neutral grassland types containing a wealth of orchids, knapweed and other plants such as nearby, you might have views on such as that found in pockets around Kilmallie, are a national UK yellow rattle. Sadly, this is scrubbing over, and needs some TLC in what is desirable or acceptable. I urge the KCC not to give up the fight to get a crossing at both ends of the bridge installed Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitat and also feature on order to conserve it. Given that meadows are such a rare resource with suitable and sufficient signage warning drivers there may be pedestrians crossing and to the Scottish Biodiversity List. it would be nice to think that we could cherish and preserve any Come along to our SLOW DOWN. We must not let someone die before action is taken. Although we often consider that our area of Scotland is relatively remaining patches within our community. There is no better time than early summer to enjoy our local wild flowers, and the same consultation Your sincerely wild and untouched, we have not been immune to the loss of Keiron Shatwell,

pleasure should be available to future generations. flowers. Neglect and change of use of croft land has contributed to 26th August 7:15pm Tomonie this, as has a widespread shift to using fields for sheep pasture and Jon Mercer Kilmallie Community Centre Nice thought Kieron but please don’t try it - a guerrilla crossing could cause more away from mixed farming, including cereal production. The most Glenloy Wildlife accidents than it saved and you might risk imprisonment. recent 2011 survey of flower-rich grassland sites within Lochaber We hope that any reservations showed that in the past 20 years there has been a 24% loss of Clockwise from top: A zebra crossing could be dangerous without adequate sightlines and we think it melancholy thistle, globeflower clump, and butterfly orchid about the layout can be previously surveyed sites and that 40% of other sites have since wouldn’t be allowed by Transport Scotland in any case. addressed in the interests of deteriorated to be in an unfavourable condition. Kieron wrote again to query the sightlines at the canal bridge, and we also had an those who have difficulty interesting suggestion from Paul Biggin that it might be possible to modify the In Lochaber, sadly, there are no current protected areas such as crossing the road. If the layout is railings on the bridge to improve sightlines. However the rules state that the

Sites of Special Scientific Interest that have been specifically not acceptable, we may never sightlines must be measured from a fair way’s back from the kerb line which might bluebell designated because of their lowland grasslands. Restoration of see a crossing installed at scupper the idea. wildflower meadows is both a Highland and Lochaber Local We share your exasperation, frustration and ongoing real concern. Corpach. Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) priority. This was reinforced in the Do let Transport Scotland know how you feel! recent (2017) revision of the Living Lochaber LBAP document. Only one ‘new’ wildflower meadow has been created publicly under the Coronation Meadow scheme by Forestry Commission Scotland at Drimnin.

northern northern marsh orchid The species to be found in a typical meadow depend on the soil community policing conditions, the degree of moisture and underlying geology. The Since the last newsletter in March we have seen the summer [email protected]. more basic the soil, generally the more diverse the flora. So-called weather starting to appear along with an increase in tourists and upland hay meadows, relics of which can be found in this area, As always if you wish to speak to police urgently then use 999, or seasonal workers visiting this beautiful part of the Scottish often contain spectacular species such as wood anemone, 101 for a non-emergency. Highlands. melancholy thistle and globeflower. Orchids are a good indicator of Best wishes to all in the community and I hope everyone has an With this increase we have seen a rise in road-related incidents and enjoyable and safe summer. I would ask everyone to stay alert and focused when out and about or driving on the roads. Ross McCartney Police Sergeant There has also been a noticeable increase in incidents involving Liaison Officer for Kilmallie Community Council drink/drug driving in the Lochaber area and I would ask for your [email protected]. support in our mission to crack down on this behaviour by contacting us if you notice anything suspicious on our roads at any Twitter– ‘Lochaber&SkyePolice time of the day or night. I would urge anyone who even considers driving a vehicle whilst Fort William Police Station under the influence of alcohol or drugs, prescribed or otherwise, to BLAR MOR, stop and really think of the consequences it will have for the safety Fort William PH33 7GA of themselves and everyone else! #NOLIMITISSAFE Tel. 101 for non- emergency If any of you have any concerns that you wish to discuss with me, please do not hesitate to contact me via my police email address – -sgi aig an àm seo den bliadhna, a’ fagail and bracken. Perhaps somebody else has a service. Senior medical staffing is provided WORKFORCE page 6 through a combination of locally based bearnan ‘san chlàr. A barrachd air sin, chan similar record and the two could be com- page 31 consultants (anaesthetist and surgeon), with What is being done to ensure that Thig an t- eil barantas ann gum faic mi a h-uile rud, ‘sa bined. consultant physicians and surgeons working enough staff can be recruited to the bhad , am mionaid a thachair e! Thathar ag in the hospital but rotating from Raigmore. hospital? radh gu bheil duileagan a’ tighinn air craob- Gaelic names han daraich nuair a tha an aimsir blàth gu A lot of thought is going into this national reathream climate There is also a small team of Rural earrach leor agus gu bith duileagan air craobh problem. There is no single or easy answer aimsir weather. Practitioners based in the hospital. Locum Eu-coltach Dòmhnall Iain, ar caraid neònach uinnsinn nuair a tha na laithean fada gu leor and it will require different solutions over dìthean flowers consultant cover is used to cover any gaps. Ameireacanach, tha mi a creidsinn gu bheil agus gun bi na daraich a’ tighinn gu duileag the short, medium and longer term. Senior duilleagan leaves Rural Practitioners have enhanced skills in an t-saoghail a’ fas nas blàithe agus nas nas triathe agus nas traithe fad ‘sa tha an clinicians and managers are looking at blàth blossom emergency care and resuscitation. They are blàithe agus gur e sinne a tha coireach, gu reathream againne a’ fas nas blàithe. Gu mi- different options as to what the best way to blàth-sneachda snow drop usually GPs who have had extended training ire mhòr. Tha mi air faicinn na èigh-shruthan fhortanach, chan eil clàr agam iomlam a the latest staff the hospital will be. lus a’ chrom cinn daffodils or consultants in Emergency Medicine. air feadh an t-saoghail a’dol air ais agus a’ thaobh nan craobh a tha seo. S’docha gu seòbhrag primrose While recruitment is a challenge, retention fas nas lugha thar iomadaich bhliadhna agus bheil e direach a’ sealltainn na bliadhnicean Is there a possibility that the pleantrainn plane tree or sycamore on the new is also problematic. This is because of the an aimsir againne a’ fas nas ropaiche. anns an robh an geamradh beagan nas hospital won’t be built at all? uighean losgainn frog Spawn onerous on-call arrangements. Work is also Thathar ag radh gu bheil na geamhraidhean cruaidhe na càch. Tha mi air fàillig faire a fiadh-ubhal crab apple While nothing can be 100% certain, underway to look at how this might be nas giorra na bha iad agus gu bheil an t- chumail air na craobhan mu dheireadh air Belford Hospital cuthag a gairm cuckoo calling everyone is working towards building a improved. earrach a’ tighinn nas tràithe, rud a tha am bheil duileagan, na critheann agus fèar- sgithich hawthorns replacement hospital as part of wider duilich do luchd-sgì agus streapadairean. na. Am bheil fear no tè eile aig am bheil clàr seillich willows redesign of services. This is subject to the HOSPITAL SERVICES mar seo? Dh’fhaodadh e a bhith inntinneach Background craobh-mhalpais maple trees business case being prepared, and approved Tha mi air a bhith a’ cumail clàr air na h- gan chuir ri cheile no coimeas a dhèanamh This should be read in conjunction with the What services will be provided in the learag the larch by the Scottish Government. àmanan aig am bheil na tachartasan eatarra. Tha mi’n dochas gun toir sibh uile Question and Answer (Q&A) Document Q&A hospital? beithean birches The five year capital plan (funding for future sònraichte a’ tachairt gach bliadhna airson mathanas air an droch Ghàidhlig agam! No 1, available on NHS Highland website. These will be similar to those provided at calltean hazel buildings) which was considered by the greis, fheuch am faic mi pàtran sam bith Eu- NHS Highland has confirmed that a board of NHS Highland on 27 March includes present but more detail should become coltach Dòmhnall Iain arithist tha mi a’ tuig- Summary in English callaid fhaidhbhile beech hedge replacement for the Belford Hospital in Fort indicative funding for the replacement for clear in the next few months. sinn nach eil amsir agus reathream an aon For a number of years I have been noting in teile lime tree the Belford. rud. Feumaidh sinn clàran a chumail airson my diary when things happen in spring. This craobh shiris cherry tree William is required as part of a wider Can we improve the appointment ùine mhòr a bhith cinnteach gu bheil an has been partly to see if climate change has darach / daraich oak/ oaks redesign of local health and social care system in Raigmore to take into services in Lochaber. The redesign will look SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS reathream air atharrachadh fad ‘sa tha an any influence. My records are very incom- craobh-uinnsinn ash tree account local individual aimsir ag atharrachadh bho là gu là, no raineach bracken at the balance between services provided at Is building the new hospital a chance plete and based purely on what I see near circumstances? mionaid gu mionaid. Ma cumas mi a’ dol a’ my house. Additionally, I invariably go away meanbh-chuileagan a biteadh home, in the community, in care homes as to do things differently and improve Yes. This already happens in a number of clàradh dh’fhaodadh e a’ sealltainn atharra- on a ski-mountaineering trip in early spring, midges biting well as in the hospital. efficiency and access? specialities in Raigmore where patients are chaidhean ‘sa reathream ach tha iomadh which leaves gaps here and there. The table faidhbhile dhubh copper beech

Question & Answer No. 1, published in Definitely, but we don’t need to wait for a given some choice around their laigsean’san iomairt a tha seo. Anns a’ chiad shows flowers coming to blossom, trees Ronald Cameron

Well, it has been a long The veg garden is ok at the like his! We have two and do our best required will be determined as part of the general health and well-being of the local Sandy Stoddart, Vice-Chair cold winter and spring moment. Broad beans are looking fine but they just end up like garden planning application. population. We will also actively engage [email protected] not much better. and we have taken the tips out to stop soil. We put kitchen waste, grass Will there be a bus stop, taxi rank, with younger people to hear direct from 01631 740 285 However the gardens them getting too tall and to stop black cuttings and the hens’ bedding onto waiting area, bike shed close to them about their views on services.

are now looking good and we are able fly. The carrots are tucked under them. The afore-mentioned hens then entrance with covered seated area? It is often the case that we all focus on Ross Mackenzie, Area Manager – West to enjoy the fruits of all the hard work. Enviromesh against carrot fly. We have eat all the kitchen waste which sort of Yes that is what is being proposed. There is services provided in hospitals. Thankfully [email protected] tried two new varieties this year, defeats the purpose. We do however a Transport and Access Group overseeing most people spend only a tiny amount of 01349 869268 Like most of the gardens round here we Resistafly and Flyaway. No idea if they get a constant supply of lovely fresh this part of the plan. time receiving hospital care. Thinking about the range of local services and support is Maimie Thompson from NHS have been battling the rabbit will taste good or if their supposed fly eggs. If you put tea bags on the Will it be possible to have live really important and will be the focus of is attending KCC’s meeting invasion. This has resulted in the resistance will work. The climbing compost heap make sure they don't information bus displays outside and Q&A No.3. Please send in any questions you on Monday 25th June whole garden being rabbit-proofed with French beans have survived so far but a have plastic in them. in waiting areas? netting. We tried a humane cat trap, gale will put paid to them I think. We have and the Communications and Kilmallie Hall 7:30pm Yes. Engagement Group will seek answers on chasing them etc, but nothing worked have three varieties of potato, Have a good time in your gardens. Do come along if you want to ask behalf of the local community. her any questions and short of letting the whippet loose, Charlotte, Pink Fir Apple and King Is there a plan to have a helipad at about the new hospital. netting wire, hammer and nails and lots Edward: some of them are in bags and Morag Mackell the new hospital? We plan to publish the next Q&A No 3 around June 2018. All welcome of hope was our solution. we need to keep an eye on water and Yes. keep topping them up with soil. We All the bedding plants are in and seem planted parsnips in a large plastic tub to be doing well; hanging baskets, last year and this worked very well and window boxes and tubs need regular they were nice and straight. Courgettes missives from MSPs watering. If I remember, they also get are in grobags outside: we tried them in It’s the turn again for our constituency MSP, Kate Forbes. This time we asked her two questions... fed with tomato fertilizer. I am told the greenhouse but they got too big dead-heading is a good idea but never and we had to hack our way in. Need Has Liberty been offered any To balance their budget, Highland Each council receives its share of funding according to a formula, which is agreed seem to get round to it. Oh well! to remember to pick off the side shoots assurance of supply of energy at a Council increasingly have to: of tomatoes. between the Scottish Government and the subsidised rate, either routinely • cut public services Coalition of Scottish Local Authorities. In or in contingent circumstances • cut their funding to other addition to the main grant, there is also a (such as non-availability of its organisations who provide special islands needs allowance which is provided to local authorities which have own hydro and windpower)? public services, and island communities, such as Highland • introduce higher direct Council. This aims to compensate

When Rio Tinto first announced the letters charges for public services. authorities for any additional costs of island strategic review of the smelter, there was communities. widespread concern amongst employees This impacts on us all in Highland, Dear KCC, and local residents. I know it was a period of but most heavily on those most in The only taxes which Highland Council

uncertainty and I remember saying at need and already struggling. collect directly are Council Tax and Non I first discovered sea sickness at about hustings prior to the election that neither Domestic Rates income. Last year, the the age of 5 or 6 in Loch Lochy on board the Government nor I would leave any How are Local Authorities funded Government lifted the freeze on Council

by the Scottish Government? pignut thistle the canal tug, Scot II. My mother’s stone unturned in trying to find a solution. Tax. The freeze protected hard-working

uncle, Alec Grant, was the skipper and it Since then, we’ve had the brilliant news that How and why does the Scottish families who were already struggling to may have come as a surprise to him that not only would the smelter continue, but make ends meet during the financial crisis. Government curtail Local I was clearly no sailor when my family that the new owner planned to expand During the freeze, Highland Council was was packed with seafarers and master operations and employ more people. The Authorities' freedom to adjust compensated in full for any revenue they smelter is not just important for Fort would have received if Council Tax had not mariners. At the time the Scot was taxes to help meet their budget William, but for the West Highlands and been frozen and so there was no financial pulling the vessel in the photo (top shortfall? Scotland as a whole. In terms of the hit to local services because of the freeze. In right), the canal dredger. At that time it technicalities of the Government’s support, Does the UK Government curtail fact, independent sources suggest local didn’t have that superstructure, rather a I think it is better that I quote in full: the Scottish Government's authorities were over-funded. Since the big steam driven dredge. In the middle of freedom to adjust funding for freeze was lifted, Highland Council has Loch Lochy they opened doors in the “The underwriting arrangement that exists, increased Council Tax by 3% every year. agreed on commercial terms and for which bottom of its hull and dumped the silt Local Authorities, and if so how? Anything higher than 3% would hit families the Government charges a commercial fee, extremely hard. All of the increased Council and muck that had been dredged from is designed to guarantee long-term Tax revenues go straight into Council the floor of the canal. I was too busy predictable energy costs for the Lochaber Local authorities, including Highland Council, are funded largely by a grant from coffers. being sick to pay much attention. Smelter. The guarantee provides long-term Recently the dredger has re-appeared at predictable energy costs for the Lochaber the Scottish Government. In addition to this, The UK Government has cut funding to the Banavie. Sold by the canal it became a Smelter due to a Power Purchase they also keep all Council Tax and Non- Scottish Government since the Domestic Rates income raised in the area. floating restaurant and now it has Agreement (PPA) existing between two Conservatives came to power in 2010 as companies, SIMEC Energy (which runs the The grant to Highland Council this year was part of their austerity agenda. Over the ten become a floating home and support very fair, and included slight increases in vessel for events. AD Cameron’s history GFG Alliance’s energy production facilities) years to 2019/2020, the Scottish and Liberty British Aluminium (who run the both revenue (for day to day spending) and Government’s day to day spending will have of the canal has a photo of Scot II, the smelter). Prices over the lifetime of the PPA capital (for infrastructure). Despite cuts to been cut by £2.6 billion by the UK hulk of which now lies at Fort Augustus are fixed at the outset according to the the Scottish Government budget, Highland Government. This of course has an impact but I wonder if any readers of the forecast of a leading energy industry Council has been relatively well-protected. on the grant that can be passed on to Local Despite this, it is clear that newsletter have a photo of either the consultancy. The PPA guarantee involves Authorities. dredger or the lock lifter that she used to the Government guaranteeing to meet the budgets are tight across the Kate Forbes MSP tow? future power purchase obligations of the board and so it is imperative that Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Photo of the gate lifter from John Stafford’s collection of old photos. aluminium smelter at Fort William in the Highland Council’s priorities Constituency office: 01349 863 888 Ronald Cameron More stories of the canal tug Scot II In next issue hopefully event of a default.” reflect the greatest needs. Mobile: 07825532230 Passive House levels of insulation and air- energy buildings that perform better in page 8 With community concerns about the potential impact of impending change, tightness, without taking other measures to winter and in summer, through careful page 29 our KCC put the following to our Highland Councillors. reduce the overheating risk, will make the attention to reduction of summer heat problem worse still. gains, but current building regulations do not do enough to ensure this. If you are in We understand that as Highland Council taxpayers, we are still Highland But it doesn’t have to be like this. By the process of having a home built for you, paying off the loan taken out to build houses for the influx of pulp designing our buildings carefully, or thinking of it, ask your architect/designer thinking about summer comfort as well as about overheating. If you get the impression mill employees 50 years ago? winter comfort, we can move away from they haven’t thought very much about it councillors’ How much is Highland Council going to have to pay for the housing, our ‘warm jumper’ analogy and back to our then be concerned and seek expert advice. services and infrastructure needed to enable Liberty's planned ‘thermos flask’ one. I’d say this even if your house is being built ‘only’ to current building regulations. The corner expansion? How will it be funded? For the next two models I reduced the size Passive House standard includes a criterion How will it impact on Highland Council's budget, on the people of the southern glazing to 30% of the wall for overheating. I’d recommend trying to do area, added a 1m deep overhang above the much more than merely just meeting those who are already suffering the impact of heavy service cuts and on In the top graph, the bottom wavy line window, reduced the gains from appliances criteria. Low-energy buildings that are future generations? shows the external air temperature and can by 30%, the gains from lighting by 50% robust to summer overheating risk will be seen to be reaching above 30°C on three (equivalent to switching to LEDs from old become increasingly important as our of the days (peaks are daytime style ‘low energy’ CFL lighting) and allowed climate warms. Expansion of the smelter should not directly impact the Council's There may be valid reasons for the Scottish Govt to want to keep temperatures, troughs are night time). The windows to open during the night time. The finances negatively, but the way Councils are currently funded tight control of the purse strings. But making Councils almost very dark line shows the operative temperature temperatures, over the same week of The modelling I’ve done here was quick means there is the potential for it to impact negatively. The largely dependent on central government for funding isn't (the average of the air temperature and weather, for the two improved models are and approximate, merely to illustrate the needed investment in housing, for example, is ring-fenced from efficient. One of the biggest issues is that Councils have no direct internal surface temperatures to measure shown in the second graph. Note that the point. Further improvements in the summer the financing of day-to-day Council services so should not harm return from economic growth in their areas. To take Liberty comfort) for the typical existing building, scale has changed from the first graph. performance of the highly insulated building Council finances. However, economic growth will create more specifically, the new wheel plant and all the economic activity that which looks pretty uncomfortable; almost could have been made. Internal heat gains demand for Council services and this extra demand cannot be met goes with it will increase tax receipts substantially. Fort William always above the outdoor air temperature The measures I’ve taken to reduce could have been reduced further still (by fully from the Council Tax the extra houses will generate - it's will become a bigger economic area. The Council will not receive and reaching a maximum temperature of overheating are effective for both the poorly specifying all A+++ rated appliances, simply not a large enough proportion of Council income to pay for direct return from the investment that is necessary to support 35°C. But the model with Passive House -insulated and the well-insulated buildings, daylight/occupancy control on the lighting the schools, road use and other services. This extra demand will that growth. standards of insulation and air-tightness with peak internal temperatures (dark line and a well designed hot water system), and have to be met from increased grant funding from the Scottish (the top grey line) is much worse; above 38° for the poorly insulated building, grey line a smart ‘summer bypass’ mode could have This is the argument that is often cited for an increased Government. C for the whole period and reaching a peak for the well insulated building) now being been implemented on the heat recovery proportion of Council income to come from local taxation, of 46°C. below peak external temperatures (lower ventilation (MVHR) so that cool air would be The broad issue raised by this question is how local infrastructure including ideas like a land value tax, local sales or income tax, So in a really poorly designed building, one thin line) for both buildings. But the ventilated into the house when the outdoor is funded. Councils can fund infrastructure from Council Tax tourist tax etc.. Such measures would mean the Council's income in which the designer has given no thought improvement is much bigger for the well- air temperature was low but that the heat

receipts but they do not do this explicitly. Council Tax makes up a from taxation grows directly with the economic value that is

to overheating at all, and in which the insulated building (grey line), which now is recovery would still work to keep the cool in very small proportion of Council income and the rest is Scottish created. Currently we have a system where the occupants don’t think to, or can’t (security, experiencing peak temperatures more than during the hotter periods. All of these things Govt grants, so most local infrastructure - be it roads, housing, increased tax receipts go to the Scottish Govt first and noise, midges) open the windows to cool 2°C lower than those of the poorly would be a good idea in the real world, and schools etc. - is funded from the Scottish Government either then we have to hope we get a fair share back. off, insulation and air-tightness can indeed insulated building. The equilibrium would further increase the summer directly or through grants to local councils. Cllr Ben Thompson make overheating much more severe. temperature in the middle of the day for the performance advantage shown by the well- (Independent) well insulated building is still much higher insulated building.

Buildings with big, unshaded glazing facing than for the poorly insulated one, but south, east or west are surprisingly because the building is gaining heat so Es Tresidder The planned expansion of Liberty will not impact on Highland Revenue Account belongs to the householders but is common. Insulating and sealing buildings to slowly it doesn’t get near to it before cooler [email protected] Council's budget, as Highland Council does not pay for that type administered by the council. current building regulations will cause these night-time temperatures arrive and the www.leangreenconsulting.co.uk of work through the revenue or capital budgets. The Highland Council and Scottish Government anticipate buildings to have severe a overheating building can cool down once more. However the Highland Council is building affordable housing problem (yes, even in Scotland!). Putting in In summary it is possible to design low-

red clover red spending over £60 million in new affordable housing over a 5 (subject to planning) to meet the needs of people in Lochaber

year period in Lochaber, however there is no additional impact dandelion who cannot afford to compete in the open market. Affordable on the Highland Council budget as the rent from the new houses housing includes, social rent, mid-market rent and low cost home covers the cost of the prudential borrowing. Of course Liberty ownership. No housing is being built by Highland Council for may build housing themselves for sale or direct rent to their own Liberty, rather it is for an assessment needs in Lochaber, in workers and private developers may also decide to build partnership with Scottish Government and its housing partners. speculative housing for sale due to the expansion of the smelter The housing needs and assessment takes account of the and increased demand for homes, but that will be a commercial economic activity in the area which obviously includes the A fantastic gig from the fantastic Poozies back in May - decision for those companies to make. smelter expansion. great music, great craic, and some brilliant interaction There inevitably will be extra demand and pressure on services, from the younger folk in the front row! Unfortunately we Any council housing built as part of the affordable housing and infrastructure, when the planned expansion goes ahead, but had to cancel our June gig with the Rubber Wellies at the programme is funded through the Scottish Government grant, that will also be mitigated by extra commercial and domestic last minute due to bereavement. But another really great prudential borrowing (which is repaid through the rents rates being collected in Lochaber. All this has also to be night coming up... collected for all the council housing) and the Highland Council balanced and judged against the economic prosperity Landbank Fund (gathered from second/holiday homes extra developments such as these bring. Saltfishforty are must-see musicians singers - the very rates). Highland Council does carry traditional housing debt best of the vibrant contemporary traditional Orkney which is also paid from rents (not Highland Council budget) as Cllr Allan Henderson scene. the houses still belong to Highland Council having not been (Independent) transferred in the 80's due to the wishes of tenants. The Housing Don’t miss them. Thursday 16th August I would like to apologise for not producing anything for your cur- - but I promise to be more diligent and timely in the future. rent newsletter. I am sorry but I had completely misunderstood Hoping for your indulgence - on this occasion! Ben Nevis Distillery the format - not realising we should make individual contribu- Best wishes 7:30 for 8pm tions. By the time I discovered it was too late to submit anything Email [email protected] for ticket info well-researched. Cllr Denis Rixson and to be added to our mailing list Scottish Liberal Democrats Susie and Mandy As an ex-schoolteacher I am aware that this excuse may strike some as very lame - along the lines of 'the dog ate my homework' CREEL is the local not-for-profit community group bringing small scale gigs to venues in and around Kilmallie.

page 28 page 9 carbon

papers

Do low-energy

buildings have an

overheating

problem?

object. Most residents do not In this issue I take a quick look at the physics Why not go along to behind summer overheating problems and object to it happening occasionally unpack claims that high levels of insulation Banavie for short times - we all benefit if Quarry Liaison Group make the problem worse or more likely. local road repairs can be carried out at night to minimise delays, closures meetings New homes, even those built merely to and inconvenience. But increasingly The quarry liaison group generally building regulations standard (otherwise Quarry frequent requests from BEAR, and known as the worst performing home you meets twice a year. Breedon The current consent for quarry for longer periods, are causing can legally build) are much better insulated emphasised that individual residents residents significant concern. and much more airtight than the vast operations at Banavie runs until 2023. are most welcome to attend - Gavin • majority of homes built in the past. Homes Well in advance of this expiring, desire for local ecology and species Mennie said he would encourage built to Passive House standard are even Breedon intend to submit a planning to be reflected when the back face everyone who feels affected by quarry better insulated, and radically more airtight. application in the autumn for consent of the quarry is restored operations to attend these meetings. If It is sometimes claimed that all this to continue operations until 2043 and • desire for a condition that the back you would like to be informed of attention on improving the winter to extend the footprint area of the face of the quarry is regraded and meeting dates, agendas and to receive performance of homes is causing them to example. In these conditions insulation and poorly insulated, leaky house the restored before further extraction is quarry. For applications of this nature, overheat more often, or more severely, than air-tightness will slow the rate of heat flow equilibrium temperature will never be minutes, please contact him. they are obliged to hold a community permitted The next meeting will also include a the leaky homes of old. from the hot outside to the cool inside, very much higher than the outside • concern about the threat to the consultation prior to submitting the tour of the quarry. Do go along if you which is exactly what we want. Just as a temperature because there is so little to ecological and environmental value On the face of it this seems obvious – in the thermos flask can keep a drink hot by stop the heat flowing out of the house. In a application. This they did on 7th May at want to see on the ground the of the unimproved pasture land SE winter you put on warm clothing to stay slowing the rate of heat flow from inside to very well insulated house the equilibrium the Rugby Club, which about 50 people implications of Breedons’ proposals to warm, but do the same on a warm outside, it can also keep a drink cool by temperature can be much higher since it is attended. of the quarry, either through neglect extend their working area. Please let summer’s day and you’ll get too hot. slowing the rate of heat flow in the other so well insulated and air-tight. It takes a big or inappropriate development. Some of the information that they them know if you would like to attend. Indeed, that is the slant taken by the Daily direction. temperature difference for the heat losses If you have any comments about

Mail (so it must be true!). It’s not quite so to match the heat gains. We are back to our presented at the consultation is Breedon’s proposals, please contact simple as this, but the claims are not But houses are not thermos flasks and very warm-coat analogy. included on the following two pages. If Gavin Mennie, Breedon’s Director of Next meeting: completely unfounded either. Let’s take a well insulated homes do sometimes you would like larger scale colour Estates, Planning and Geology, see 3pm, August 21st quick look at the physics involved. overheat. They sometimes overheat very To illustrate this I built a simple model versions of these and additional display email below, but also do please let KCC badly. Why? A house on a hot day gains using DesignBuilder – a dynamic simulation boards, please email us at know so that we can represent the at Banavie Quarry Insulation and airtightness are good at heat from several sources, some from inside tool that allows us to model the [email protected]. community’s views when the planning slowing the flow of heat from a warm place the house (appliance use, hot water use and performance of a building over time. My

this - then turn right onto the track just the oakwood trail and you could push page 27 about opposite the turn up to the oaks. an all-terrain buggy (except for the Summer This track descends gently towards the oakwood path). There is lots for River Loy. Turn left to follow the track children to look out for – red squirrels, back to where you started, walking acorns, wild flowers. The bottom path parallel to the river, watching out for can be a bit muddy at times - but that's strolls dragonflies – also for the odd cleg! Kilmallie for you! While we have hills a-plenty in Kilmallie to walk up, we are also fortunate to This is a lovely walk for an early You can look this walk up online for have many lower level walks to enjoy as summer day, when the trees are further details on the flora and fauna – an outing with the family, or on your clothed in bright, fresh green, or of Walkhighlands.co.uk and own to enjoy the beauty and course to enjoy the autumn colours of Wildlochaber.com tranquillity of our area. the woodland. Actually, it's a delightful Sue Chadney and easy walk at any time of year. The Thanks to Wild About Lochaber One such walk is the Erracht Oakwood for permission to use this photo walk. To get there you go up the back road from Banavie towards Gairlochy, turn left after the bridge over the River Loy and park at the small car park by the forestry track. Go through the gate and carry on along the flattish track, ignoring tracks going up to the right or down to the left. If feeling energetic you can turn up to the right after about ¾ mile onto a steepish path that leads up, along, then down through the mature oakwood. Our Scottish oaks are sessile oaks (quercus petraea)– they are characterised by being taller and narrower than English oaks and have no stalks on their acorns which are instead attached directly to the outer twigs. Check this out!

After descending this narrow path

return back along the main track until you reach where you turned uphill a bugle

40th Annual Exhibition ART LOCHABER is going back in time for the 2018 Annual Exhibition, 40 years in fact, and the show this year is to be held 27th July – 11th August, 10am - 6pm daily. Founder member of the group of artists, and former Head of the Art Department at Lochaber High School, Alistair Smyth, will be doing the honours on the Opening Night. The Exhibition will take place in the delightful space at the Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William, the show’s venue since 2000. There have been various venues over the 40 years but the distillery is self-contained, spacious and very popular. Art Lochaber is a lively innovative group whose members hail from all over the Lochaber area, often travelling great distances to attend events. The artists look forward to welcoming you to their 40th annual show, which will include a broad range of work in mixed media, oil, watercolour, pastel, batik and wood. All are welcome to browse or buy. Lorna Finlayson page 26

names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. All

News from Corpach Woods our communications are by email or by news items in this Thanks to the volunteers who came to our successful work community newsletter. If you have any questions, if you are party in the Cnoc nam Faobh oak wood at the beginning of not sure if you are a member, or if you wish to become one, May. then you can contact the secretary or any of our directors. Our directors are: John Ireland, Simon Wells, Angela Mercer, Our main job was to go along the main path cutting back Colin Gray, Jan MacLugash, Alan Thomson and Gill overhanging vegetation. We also completed the usual litter Barnes. Our members' data is not used for pick which amongst other things produced an old rusty any purpose other than making sheet of corrugated iron, lengths of rope and also lots of bits contact. If you are a member and of plastic, the remains of artificial flowers blown from the do not receive emails about our neighbouring graveyard. We also removed an old rope meetings or work parties, then swing which had become dangerously frayed and we you can add your email finished off by removing a few alien species, rhododendron address to our mailing list by and sitka spruce. emailing me at Along with all other organisations we are having to cope [email protected] with the new data regulations. We have a membership list Paul Biggin which is kept by the company secretary. It has members'

The Switch-On Ceremony was held on 17th November 2017 KILMALLIE and was once again well attended and a very convivial affair. Three youngsters from local primary schools performed the CHRISTMAS ceremony in front of about 80 people and afterwards we were all treated to an amazing array of cakes and refreshments from Tanya Ross and her team from STAR for LIGHTS Harris. Many thanks to them and to all who turned out on the night. We now seem to have an established format for FUND this occasion and will probably stick with it in future - all very

weather dependent of course! The AGM of the Christmas Lights Fund was held in Kilmallie Finance - our main source of finance this year has been, Community Centre on Tuesday 17th May 2018. The once again, the Race Night at the Tradewinds and we are chairman delivered a short report of the group’s activities extremely grateful to Linda and Duncan for their continuing over the last year. The main priority of the group over the support. Linda’s brother, Brian, was a terrific announcer for last twelve months has been to maintain and, where this event which was held in October. Duncan has been possible, to improve the quality of the Christmas displays unwell recently and members of the group send him our and we feel that we have been fairly successful in this. very best wishes. The Pole Lights operated well with very few failures Future activities for the Group will include an assessment of although we do recognise that some of the older lights are ox eye daisy ox eye the pole lights and any necessary repairs. We also need to past their best. We will attempt to freshen these up by keep a close watch on our finances to ensure that we always replacing some lengths of the fluorescent tubing over the have a working reserve of funds in case of last minute summer. Unfortunately two of our best lights could not be problems or repairs. displayed due to the fact that, despite several requests from us, BEAR have not replaced the fittings on two of the new We are always on the lookout for new members to join the lamp standards. We will continue to pursue this with BEAR. group. If interested please contact our secretary, Andy Wilmington, on 772499, or any members of the committee. Our biggest problem with the pole lights has been getting them up and down each year. This is due mainly to the In conclusion we must acknowledge the help and support we inexperience (and decrepitude!) of our construction team. receive from members of the community. Without them Consequently we were immensely grateful to Robert Skinner there would be no Christmas Lights: • (Thistle Access) for coming to our rescue this year and for Tradewinds staff and customers • completing both tasks so safely and quickly. Robert has Robert Skinner (Thistle Access) • offered to help again next year if pressure of his other STAR for Harris • Stuart Hood and Gary Servant commitments allow. • Robbie Milne and Council Lighting Dept The Christmas Trees were greatly improved and much • Gordon Penman, Slipway Autos admired this year. The trees were larger and more shapely • MacPhersons Welding than in previous years and the purchase of some new low • Joy Biggin voltage LED lights made a huge difference. The recurrent • Jimmy Milne. problem with the Corpach lights failing seems to have been solved by the installation of a more highly-rated circuit On a personal note, the chairman thanked fellow committee breaker. Thanks to Robbie Milne and Dougie Dykes for this members for their hard work and support over the last latter. The stabilizing gizmo devised by Willie Fortune and twelve months. constructed and donated by MacPherson Welding has Paul Brian resolved the problem of the tree blowing down. Chairman page 12 Annual Inter School Tag Rugby page 25 Blar Mor Competition We held our annual Inter School Tag Rugby Competition on notice of planning application Wednesday 9th May , unfortunately the weather wasn't as kind as the previous year, but all the boys and girls attending gave their all Highland Council have served notice of their intended forthcoming The proposals are shown in the plan opposite. and showed off their newly acquired skills - there was some great application for Planning Permission in Principle for mixed use rugby played and hopefully some of the players will have caught development, comprising 200-250 residential units, commercial, Some of the things KCC will be considering are: the Rugby Bug...and come along and join us at our regular training hospital, education and community use. on the Blar Mor. • does the design adequately address the needs of pedestrians Sessions at Banavie. and cyclists? As part of the statutory process they are required to carry out a pre A massive thank you to all the schools who attended and to Bridget • does the layout adequately address the needs of children? -application consultation with the community. Thomas and her band of Active School Co-ordinators - we couldn't This took place on Monday 11th June, unfortunately too late for our • how will pleasant public spaces be created? run this without their support. Thanks must also go to Ryan Davies, copy deadline to report on in this issue. • how will the loss of peat as a carbon store be compensated? Community Coach, Stevie & Ailsa McAleer and all the Rugby Club • how are low energy principles addressed in the layout? volunteers who came along to help with refereeing the games.

However a representative from the Council has been invited to • when will Highland Council start spelling Blar Mor correctly? ☺ KCC’s meeting on 25th June. If you weren’t able to get to the The winners in the morning were: • what impact will the housing development have on the present consultation on 11th, you are welcome to come along and P4-P5 - Caol PS and P6-P7 Lundavra PS housing list? contribute your views at that meeting. The winners in the afternoon were • if the houses are intended to serve an increase in population in S1-S2 - Mallaig HS 'B' Team. the area, is the capacity of existing roads, schools, medical, social Monday 25th June, 7:30pm and leisure facilities adequate? We also had a surprise visitor on the same day - The Calcutta Cup. This was brought up to the Clubhouse for all the boys and girls to • does the plan hint at an intention to create a road link to a new see and have the photograph taken with it. The kids loved it....even Kilmallie Community Centre bridge over the River Lochy? the big ones got in on the act!

See you all next year ☺

Pitch Repairs We at currently off our pitch at Banavie as it is going under its

annual maintenance - all rugby training has been moved to the King George V Park (next to the leisure centre). The Youth Awards/last day is on Saturday 16th June.

1XV End of Season Result Well that's the season finished for the 1XV - this year we played in a new league - BT West Division 3. We have enjoyed our first year in the league and finishing in 5th place. We look forward to improving our position next season. We hope our players enjoy their summer break. If you fancy giving rugby a try next season, come and join us when our pre season training starts. Watch out for announcements on our Facebook page and website. www.lochaberrfc.co.uk

Pauline Donaldson New players of all abilities are welcome – if you fancy giving rugby a try, come and see us at Banavie. We are 1st left after the Moorings Hotel in memory of the blar www.lochaberrfc.co.uk meadow vetchling meadow

3000BC - 2012AD Kilmallie are through to the Semi Final of the Balliemore Cup and it is being played on Saturday 23rd June against Beauly.

field mouse ear chickweed Kilmallie Here are the fixtures for late June and July:

Shinty Saturday 23rd June Beauly Vs Kilmallie (Semi-final of the Balliemore Cup) Boleskine Vs Kilmallie (2nd) Club Saturday 7th July Inverness Vs Kilmallie Kilmallie 1st team has been playing well and is currently top Lewis Vs Kilmallie of the National Division. The team played Ballachulish on the 12th May in the 1st round of the Camanachd Cup and Saturday 14th July Kilmallie Vs Caberfeidh (2nd) the teams also played for the Iain Aitchison Cup (this cup wasn’t played for in 2017 to due to weather) and Kilmallie Saturday 21st July Kilmallie Vs Inveraray beat Ballachulish in this game. Both teams met again on the Lochaber Vs Kilmallie 26th May in a Balliemore Cup game and played for the Iain Aitchison Cup for the 2018 year, once again Kilmallie came Saturday 28th July Kilmallie Vs Fort William out on tops. It was nice for both teams to get together to remember Iain who was connected to both clubs. Linda Campbell

A82 trunk road heading north, finally page 19 page 24 turning right onto the B862 to the site entrance.

wind A police escort ensures the safe movement of these large delivery vehicles, access is maintained for emergency vehicles and vehicles are enabled to pass the delivery vehicles loads safely at a number of points along the route as guided by the police. The Since February this year the yellow harbour at Kyle of Lochalsh is also onto the SSE website (sse.com/ warning notices referring to the used as a landing point for the stronelairg). Scroll down the page to Stronelairg wind farm have been in components. find > deliveries then > schedule. evidence in Kilmallie. As the abnormal Alternatively you can call the Project loads are to be using our roads until Kilmallie residents can check on the Liaison Manager on 07342 027420. the summer, here is an overview of schedule of planned abnormal load this project and how it affects Kilmallie movements through Corpach by going Chris Strong residents.

Stronelairg Wind Farm is a 66 turbine SSE project located on the Garrogie estate south east of Fort Augustus; it will utilise some of the existing infrastructure at the nearby Glendoe hydro scheme. Construction work started in April 2017 and is expected

to be completed in October 2018. The huge vehicles transporting turbine and components were first seen travelling through Corpach in September 2017. After a winter construction break the road movements have recommenced for a

further period of 20 weeks.

The trucks leave Corpach harbour

using the local road network - the A830 from the harbour, then onto the organ Corpach in Colour After our long winter it was good to see the bulbs along the road

creeping creeping buttercup when they came up to provide some colour. Unfortunately, most of the cordylines didn't survive the snow and ice over the winter this year. We have been consulting on possible alternatives for the centre of the tubs and the general feeling is that we should use more native species. So we are trialling a mixture of plants including small Pieris and Box together with some golden evergreen trees and will monitor how good they look and how well they survive.

Summer planting is later this year because of the late Spring but should be in place by the time the newsletter comes out. Our plants come from local business, Garden Stop, who are very helpful and source their plants from a west of Scotland grower.

We are adding a few more roadside tubs this year and over railing displays opposite the sawmill. Of course all this costs money so please continue to pop your change into the collecting tin at the Co-op.

Sue Chadney and Moira Shearer Corpach in Colour co-ordinators Five areas of activity with Highland Council who have some £660 was raised to be split 50/50 Toddlers, Zumba classes, Scottish page 14 1) Development of alloy wheels factory on sites already with consent for between Kilmallie Community Centre Country Dancing, NHS Highland, Olde page 23 site adjacent to smelter development - Liberty might choose to and MacMillan Nurses. Tyme Dancing and Kilmallie Community • has gained planning consent end Jan, put some of their houses within those Liberty Council. detailed development and design now developments. Customers who have used the Centre ongoing • ground conditions are the biggest • will start to go live in 2020 challenge from a technical perspective over the past few weeks are: A reminder of the contact details for the • will use aluminium produced on site to with the obligation to deal with a lot of Children’s Parties, Lochaber Music Centre which are as follows: Q&A produce wheels. (In UK at moment, all peat Festival, Lochaber Wind Band, George Tel: 01397 600111 automotive wheels are imported, so • they want to think carefully where to Rodgers Band, The Highland Council, [email protected] KCC invited Liberty to attend our meeting on ambition is to become significant build so they provide houses that are Ballet West, Lochaber Federation WRI, 26th March. Rumours had begun to abound supplier to UK automotive industry) affordable for the people who work Aye to Aye, SNP, Music for All and Our thanks once more go to our Centre about developments related to operations • at peak production. aim to produce there, with mortgages fundable at a Scottish Canoe Association. We were Manager, Jimmy Milne, for all his hard at the smelter and the proposed alloy about 2M wheels per year, about 20% market rate. delighted to welcome a new regular work and commitment to the Centre. wheels factory, so we felt we needed some of volume required by UK 3) Wind energy booking from Sense Scotland for their firmer information from Liberty themselves. • Liberty recently acquired another The estate (114,000 acres) is effectively the We hope you have been seeing the Senstronic Music Workshops. We hope We hope all readers and users of the We were pleased that Duncan Mackison, aluminium smelter in France at Dunkirk, water catchment area for the hydro system improvements to the Kilmallie they enjoy using our super facilities! Kilmallie Community Centre have a Chief Executive of Jahama Estates accepted which provides power for the smelter. To and is currently preferred bidder**** Community Gardens from each of our lovely Summer! our invitation. for French alloy wheels business, the eastern end of the estate at Laggan they monthly sessions. New bushes have Our thanks go to our regular customers advantageous to Liberty here because are at the preplanning stage for a windfarm: It was a measure of the intense curiosity been planted, the raised beds painted for supporting the Centre: Sarah Kennedy FMAAT FCCA (Treasurer) it creates links to distribution of wheels • approx 40 turbines to generate approx about Liberty’s intentions that other nearby in W Europe and provides greater 170 MW electricity with creosote and the bed alongside the The Mustardseed Fellowship, Mothers & community councils came along to listen, expertise availability and flexibility • the area is adjacent to the Stronelairg picnic area has been tidied. and there was a good turnout from Kilmallie • wind farm, so from a technical residents and businesses. advantage of wheels production next to smelter - can use liquid aluminium and perspective a good area, high wind We had a great time at the recent ceilidh The session, chaired by Christine Hutchison, take it straight to product, rather than speeds, adjacent to the Beauly Denny held on 21st April 2018. A huge thank was intended solely for information producing ingots, cooling, and line and the large substation at Melgarve you to Bobby and Jessie Henderson for gathering, to learn about Liberty’s plans transporting them. A huge amount of to feed the energy into the grid. all their hard work in arranging the event over the next 5, 10, 20 years that might energy is required to remelt the ingots • the energy produced there will be and we were delighted to announce that impact directly or indirectly on Kilmallie. It and then process. So there are consumed by Liberty themselves was not a forum for gathering community significant benefits to generate energy • they see themselves as landowner, opinions - there will be further opportunity locally to smelt aluminium and then producer and consumer of electricity for this once we are better informed. convert straight to product. • it is green energy - they want to • impact on distribution and transport consume renewable energy Duncan Mackison (DM) was accompanied by infrastructure – 2M wheels pa needs • it enables them to control the pricing

Alastair Nicholson (AN) from Highlands and approx 7-8 articulated lorries to leave that they pay for the energy for the Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Tim Stott (TS), the factory each day. No option other smelter. Principal Planner, Highland Council, who than road transportation at present 4) Hydro supported with further information on • alloy wheels factory will employ about They’re also looking at hydro schemes in a strategic development and masterplanning 400 staff. number of locations respectively. We were grateful to them all • a modern highly automated • it’s a post-subsidy era so making returns for their contributions. manufacturing process, so most of roles out of hydro is more difficult

After Duncan’s short summary of Liberty’s are high level providing jobs for • looking at a number of sites throughout activities, KCC asked some questions, and qualified and aspirant engineers, so the area, eg around Leanachan, just majority need to be attracted into the received consent for a scheme at Laroch

then the session was opened to some lively dog rose area from elsewhere, Bridge, and looking at a couple of other

speedwell questions from the floor. Cllr Allan Henderson (AH) and Sue MacFarlane (SMF) 2) Housing ones as well. (Vice Principal West Highland College) also Housing capacity is an issue in this area, so • hydro schemes are an opportunity to contributed some information from the Liberty have to create about 300 houses for generate green energy to consume floor. the people who will come to work at the themselves alloy wheels factory. • in Scotland they’d like to be able to For those who couldn’t make the meeting • Liberty are looking at this from a number generate all the electricity needed to we summarise here the main points of of different angles supply all their activities, If they couldn’t Liberty’s presentation, the questions that • working closely with Highland Council, consume it all here, it would be were asked and the answers we heard. We looking at areas where there is already consumed at either their Dalzell Steel came away feeling much better informed, consent to build new houses Plant or at Clydebridge. but with many other questions forming! • focussing on a number of different 5) The estate streams of housing provision; people Overall not been well cared for in recent Summary of Liberty’s activities are unlikely to move here and buy a years. A lot of properties on it, most of Clarification of names house on day 1 - more likely to work for which are in need of some attention: • GFG** Group - parent company, a few months and then move the family • 41 properties ranging in size from privately owned up. Looking at ownership models that former sporting lodges, eg Mamore • Liberty - metals production, producing will allow people to come and work in Lodge and Killiechonate Lodge through aluminium and steel (elsewhere) area for a while and then possibly to small houses, cottages and bothies • Jahama Estates - property management choose to buy further downstream. • they’ve completed a structural survey of • SIMEC – energy • considering a number of locations – the buildings and are starting to work • Liberty, Jahama and SIMEC all part of from sites which Jahama Estate owns up a financial model to renovate them the GFG Group. itself, through to working with third for residential letting or holiday parties who own land that already has accommodation ** Gupta Family Group consent for housing, and also working • will require a significant amount of *** JAHAMA Estates is the 5th largest private investment: they are working on the landowner in Scotland. They own Highland **** update at 29/05/18 - Liberty won its bid business case at the moment. Estates, over 114,000 acres located around Fort for the last remaining French manufacturer of William, Kinlochleven and Laggan. aluminium wheels, AR Industries (ARI) Laggan Avenue reduced draft due to a build Warm weather musings • have to have stalking to manage the environmental health regulations to get needs somebody to pump-prime the site to page 22 up of silt meaning vessels’ maximum deer population, also looking at other planning consent. get the peat off and put the access road in. page 15 I am now going to take off my supervisor hat canal draught at present is 3.5mtr instead of our sporting developments A (TS) The developer would have to It takes major investment to do that but if and thinking to myself after many days of usual 4.1mtr. • some farming, fairly limited, tends to be employ a consultant to produce a report to there are all these extra jobs and glorious sunshine how much joy I get from just sheep on inbye land: don’t have any be lodged with any planning proposal. I government funding as well now, then this Number of bridge issues at Aberchalder, seeing folk use the canal and how important other farming aspirations know that there are noise issues there now is an opportunity to open up all these sites. news Tomnachurich & Laggan: these also had an it is to the Highlands, even if you are not a • and Highland Council are beginning to take A peat survey has been done in the last few Just as the season started we were hit with impact on road traffic. The bridges are part boater. Locally we use it to kayak; walk/jog a significant amount of forestry: potentially looking at it as source of fuel action against various parties there. weeks: there are issues about where the a couple of serious defects that had to be of the National Road Network and are (sometimes sponsored); cycle; exercise Q There was a Noise Assessment Study peat is going to be moved to, but the Blar is repaired immediately as this would affect BEAR’s responsibility but often it is the canal dogs: feed the ducks: walk the prams; sit for biomass projects but will have to sit within a broader planting plan, likely to undertaken for BSW but nevertheless noise one of the major housing sites that you will navigation. Firstly the jetty at Gairlochy maintenance team who are called out to back relax & sunbathe; horse ride; fish: so nuisance is still causing a lot of concern. see proposals for soon. bearers gave up and the jetty was no longer carry out repairs in an emergency. many other uses that although we do not take place out towards Glenshero. A (TS) If the noise assessment report states Q Presumably the Highland Council houses fit for purpose - this jetty was built in 1997 get revenue are so important to the local a max permitted noise level and if you can that are built won’t be for Liberty’s with a 20 year life expectancy and its Events community. Questions and Answers prove that they haven’t met that, then you employees but for people on the housing collapse meant we were restricted in the Sail Caledonia, Corpach to Moray Firth 26th John Stafford Q Is it your intention to bring raw materials can take action against them at that point. list? berthing availability for large craft. May to 2nd June. (17 dinghies + support Area Superintendent in, and product out, by sea, road, or rail? To Q That only works if the permitted noise A (TS) It will be up to the housing agencies vessels) Then at the beginning of the year Corpach what extent do you plan to use the existing level isn’t actually causing a nuisance. In the to open up a site but most of the big sites Three Peaks Yacht Race, Corpach 12th to jetty fendering timber was ripped off by a transport hub facilities at Corpach? Will case of BSW they probably are complying will be a mixture of private housing and 14th June. (9 - 10 yachts this year) visiting craft after rope became entangled there be a need to create new facilities and with their consent but we’re still hearing a affordable housing. It needs the public behind the timber and attached itself to the what would be the implications for lot of complaints. purse to open up the site, put in the road, vessel’s prop. Both these were a danger to Works Prioritised Kilmallie? A (TS) If you think the max permitted noise put in the sewers, and take out the peat, vessel movements and had to be fixed Embankment protection at Woodend A (DM) At the moment the plan is that level has been set too high then you would and then it becomes a viable option for a immediately. Accommodation Bridge. materials would continue to be brought in have a fresh chance to ask the council to private house builder. We haven’t seen a Sunken Drain and road work Shengain by rail and that that product would leave by reduce it. lot of private house builder interest in the The canal is an old structure - it is Aqueduct. road. If the port is developed and became town at all but you might see that change if constantly in need of repair. Defects are Disabled access Corpach Sea-lock gates an option in the future then we might take Q We noted a change between the first all these jobs happen very soon... we’ve always prioritised by our engineering/asset (subject to Historic Scotland permission. advantage of that but at the moment we’re and second drafts of the Local Plan - it now already had some private house builders teams. This can be frustrating at times Sorry John, we can only afford to not planning on using it. The one exception shows industrial development on Eilean nan taking an interest. because I think the West should always print your great pictures in black and to that is that the wheels factory will require Craobh. Is that because of a proposal that come first but in the bigger scale of things Opening times white, but readers can see them n gas so there is potentially a requirement to Liberty has? And are there any plans that Q Given that the current road network and other areas have higher priorities. As from 28th May we will be open from colour in the online newsletter on our bring in LNG (liquified natural gas) by sea - 8:00am until 6:00pm – 7 days a week. website, www.kilmallie.org.uk Liberty have that would conflict with the particularly the A82 is operating at full The season has been slightly slower than that’s not the only route it could come in by second draft of the Plan? capacity, what plans does Liberty have for last year as we have encountered a number but that would be something that we might A (DM) Liberty didn’t ask for that change. supporting public transport to avoid any of issues. Top: Work on new Gairlochy jetty & Corpach jetty before local maintenance team repaired it. need to look at. We’ve discussed that to a increase in congestion? Below: Key sites- Corpach, Banavie, Moy Bridge & Gairlochy all looking pristine. certain extent with Highland Council and I Q Would the additional housing that you A (DM) I don’t think we’ve got any plans to know HIE are looking at that more broadly.

need be tied to employment? support public transport at the moment A (AN) An engineering study has been A (DM) I don’t know who’s going to We’d like to locate houses where there’s a commissioned to see if a deepwater facility provide it yet but we’re looking at lots of sustainable transport option for people to could be developed with the capability to different options. ’We re coming up with a commute to work, trying to take commuter handle inbound raw material. Once that’s specification and a volume for the houses, traffic off the road and give people the complete if it looks feasible then there’ll be then looking at a location and then we’ll opportunity to come in through a different a full masterplanning exercise of the whole look for a potential partner. It’s likely that route. We are obviously aware of the Corpach industrial area which would involve the model we follow is one where we are pressure on the A82 and what that’s like in much wider consultation. prescriptive about the designs: we’ll control the summer so choosing sites somewhere it as opposed to the developer. We need to that won’t add to that problem makes foxglove Q if gas is brought in by sea,. how would it provide houses for the people who work at sense. columbine be transported from Corpach to the alloy the factory. Tim can talk about the Council’s A (AN) HIE are working with HITRANS and wheels factory? parallel exercise to produce houses for the Highland Council and have commissioned a A (DM) Different options are being looked broader population but it is likely that the transport study with an extensive evidence at the moment. two things could be mixed on the same site gathering exercise which has been ongoing A (AN) A number of other pieces of work and there’s potentially a benefit of doing so. over the past 4-6 weeks to understand the are going on in the background at the A (TS) The Council’s going to be lodging a issues and challenges of the transport moment: Scotia Gas will be carrying out a Permission in Principle planning application network. That will produce a long list of gas demand study in the next few weeks. soon for the north side of Blar Mor. We’ll potential solutions some of which will be From the public sector perspective we undertake community consultation in June sustainable transport solutions, some will be thought could we develop a gas network for before we launch the application. Planning different forms of public transport, and other local businesses and households, so permission is already in place for non-food some will include proposed changes to the we’re looking to see if a gas grid could be retail development there. Highland Council road network itself. We’re working through feasible. Initially gas could be tankered bought Miller Development’s land holding that process just now and the output should from port to site and in the longer term there and this new application is going to be in the public domain in the summer. I’m possibly develop a pipe network. look at the new Belford, a science and acutely conscious that a development of this Q So the gas that the factory would use is technology centre and housing, probably a scale changes the town, and its the same gas that people would use in their first phase of about 80 or 90 houses and a infrastructure needs to expand to homes for cooking and heating? second phase after that, so probably 200 accommodate it. A (AN) Yes houses on the Blar Mor. With all these new jobs there’s a queue of landowners and Q Will the houses you build for employees Q Given that for some years we’ve been affordable housing agencies with sites that be ‘tied houses’ so if a person was to leave a dealing with public complaints about noise have lain dormant for years. The total job they would have to give up their home? disturbance from Corpach Harbour area, number of houses built in the urban area is A (DM) We wouldn’t want to get a what assurance can you give that activities 13 a year so rates of house building have situation where if you didn’t have your job from development at the port would not been very low. We’ve had land earmarked any more you’d have to move out of your increase the noise? for housing for an awful long time: it’s just continued overpage A (AN) Any viable development on the site sat there, often because of the peat. It will have to comply with all planning and house. The ownership model is quite tricky estate. We recognise the issues about extra medical facilities, and so on - all the page 16 though, especially when someone rents for capacity in the construction industry: the extra facilities and infrastructure - has the page 21 a while and then chooses to buy, but we scale of activity is potentially going to council even started planning for all the would want them to own their houses. require construction companies on a scale required secondary expansion? That’s why a big concern for us is making that haven’t had to operate here before. So A (TS) We don’t have the funding for it but sure that we can produce houses that sit eg at Stronelairg windfarm, Melgarve we are reserving the land so eg the Planning within the market value so that people do substation etc there is a massive level of Permission in Principle for the Blar, due feel able to buy. construction activity taking place at the soon, safeguards a site for a primary school. moment – some of the people work on site The Gaelic school was built in such a way Q If you’re talking about bringing liquefied during the week and go home at weekends, that it can be extended. Inverlochy Primary gas in by ship, there’s going to have to be a other people travel in and out each day - I has got room for expansion. The High School storage facility on shore for that. Storing don’t think that’s ideal but we need to start has underused land at the back that could high pressure liquified gas close to a asking the construction companies when be used . We’ve looked ahead to see residential estate where 5-600 people live? we’re talking about the spec - where will roughly how many new houses will be built How will the storage and pipeline be your people come from and where will they every year and projected the existing accommodated around existing housing live? They may say ‘don’t worry we’ve got Primary and High School rolls, but you’re developments? this cracked’ or we may need to offer them right there is an issue… the existing schools A (AN) That’s the purpose of the a solution – we’re looking at this at the can’t cope after about year 7 or 8. engineering study, to see whether it is moment. Q And the extra 700-800 school runs per possible. If a proposal does come forward it day? will be in the public domain to debate, and Q We haven’t heard the West Highland line A (TS) I don’t have an easy answer on the gather views and make sure it meets Health mentioned, but if you’re considering transport issue I’m afraid. The AECOM & Safety Executive requirements. bringing in high volumes, it needs major study that will be ready by end of May/ Q If the engineer’s report concludes investment to maintain it for everyone to early June will sift options on how the something is not possible there, then what use. It has been threatened in the past… transport network (including rail and active do you do? A (DM) It’s certainly an option. I know that travel) can be improved. And it will A (DM) Can we bring the gas in by a the line is an area of focus at the moment recommend further detailed work on one or different route? I need to check and get because of the forestry extraction that’s two options. We are going through the back to you on that. taking place - it’s part of the discussion at transport appraisal process, gathering as the moment. much detail as possible to build a cogent Q With the new hospital and other argument to justify asking the government

developments, there’s at least 1000 houses Q The plan to put more heavy vehicles on for money. We have had a VERY eventful term here at Banavie. for light in some places and even managed our water by being talked about being built within the the A82 is a concern when there hasn’t been A (AH) It might appear that nothing has From salmon releases to residentials, it was a full on using a composting toilet. This meant that we saved next 4-5 years. If we’re jumping from 13 to any action yet about the existing problems. been done about the traffic but a lot of work 200 houses a year, where is the workforce Now there is yet another study but is there was done last year which has contributed to term! water as well as made compost for the veggies! for that going to stay? Where is the any assurance that something is going to be the current study just finishing. If you infrastructure to allow all these houses to done? travelled within that corridor last year you’ll We have had salmon eggs in our classroom for a few Primary 7 also walked to the High School to take part happen? A (AN) Sorry I can’t give you any assurance. have had numberplate recognition and your

weeks and on the 11th May went to the river Lochy to in a transition day. The Fifth Years showed us around A (TS) Not all the jobs will occur at once, It’s a while since there was a serious look at journey time recorded. Transport Scotland not all the new workforce will need a brand upgrading the town’s infrastructure. It aren’t keen to pay for all this - they want the release the newly born fish. We got to witness Electro- the school and we got to meet some of the teachers. In

new house. There’ll be existing houses takes a long time to get from initial evidence Council to bear the cost. It’s trunk traffic fishing (a way of sending an electric current through the one of the classrooms there was even a Bearded Dragon which people can buy or rent, and the hope -gathering and reviews to the road rollers and the times that are lost per journey water. This doesn’t hurt the fish but does make it easy to called Spyro! is to retrain people who live here to take on getting out there - but we have to go through the whole area that matters when it count them) and got to identify several fish and water whin some of these jobs so it’s not a direct through that process. comes to getting funding. The whole thing is life. We found salmon, trout and a stickleback. We are The whole school are even going on two school trips this translation of 400 new jobs = 400 new Q But meanwhile in 4 years the alloy being modelled to the nth degree, at this homes. There’ll be a slow pace of wheels factory will be increasing the freight moment. The study is what’s termed a pre very happy that we have got to help the fish. term! One to the Mountain Bike World Cup and the expansion. But there are up to about 1000 traffic on this road that is already far from STAG appraisal, compulsory before we can other to Landmark! The school is looking forward to houses that we could bring forward, 200 at adequate for basic car drivers... get to the Strategic Transport Appraisal Also this term was the P6 buddies. The primary 6s got going. least on the Blar Mor, the Housing A (DM) - We expect the net increase to be Guidelines. If we don’t get it to that stage paired up with a nursery pupil each and will help them

answer a lot of the questions that people with also potential for further developments training. Fergus Ewing chairs the Lochaber have here if we’d had sight of that? The for either inbound materials or outbound Delivery Group - underneath that there are public needs to inform the masterplan as freight. The study is to establish the a series of groups set up to enable us to Big Bang well as having a right to see what is being engineering feasibility and an indication of work with public sector bodies: one of these A few weeks ago we hosted a planned. If we’d had the opportunity to be cost. When the study is complete it can be groups is looking specifically at recruitment successful ‘Big Bang’ STEM consulted, some of these questions would discussed more widely, and if the idea is and training. event. S2 were learning about already be included in the plan. feasible, there will be a full masterplanning A (AN) HIE, Highland Council, Skills some of our local employers and A (TS) You will see it – but it’s not going to exercise for the whole port area. Development Scotland, and Lochaber attempting a range of different provide every answer. If Liberty’s job Chamber of Commerce are also in that expansion happens, then yes you’re right, as Q We need a harbour authority for this group so we’ll be looking to raise the profile STEM activities that had been Shinty set. All of the companies did a most people in the room have raised, issues area so it is under public/community of the area generally as a fantastic place to S1/2 pupils from Lochaber High School attended a shinty of schools, housing, roads etc need a longer control, not controlled by private interest. live, work and study. great job working with our pupils and explaining the type of festival in Plockton on at the end of May. This was a friendly term vision of how we cope with all these Will HIE and Highland Council jointly think challenges that they come across on a daily basis. tournament for both girls and boys to get experience playing things. Highland Council together with a lot about that? Q Caol Regeneration Company have We would like to thank all of those that contributed to the in a competitive environment. Our pupils played remarkably of other agencies and government are A (AN) I will take have to that away and recently been granted £1m funding for the event. Photos overpage. well in very hot conditions. Big thank you to Aiden Love who working on basically a large map which discuss it. Corpach Marina. If the port is to be sums up what Fort William will need if all Q There is a need for a genuine expanded we’re looking at a big industrial Liberty Aluminium set an engineering challenge during the stepped in last minute to help us out, and to Miss Boa and these jobs and growth happens. It sums up consultation on all the issues raised here. A development right beside the marina. Will Mrs Meldrum. event Those that completed it successfully were entered all the major ideas, but it is only ideas: the noise assessment was carried out before the port study take that into account? into a draw to win an iPad. The lucky winner, Kai Menzies, next job will be to secure the funding from extension of the jetty in 2002 based on 2 A (AN) I don’t think so at this stage - it’s was handed this fantastic prize by Tom Uppington (Power S1-6 girls shinty is on every Thursday after school - all all the agencies. and to co-ordinate the vessels a month whereas there’s now 2-3 a just looking at the engineering, but it Operations Director at Liberty Aluminium). abilities welcome and equipment is provided. funding to ensure we do get investment in day. We’re experiencing serious certainly will in the ‘planning in the round’ ports, houses and roads. Highland Council’s disturbance with noise levels of over 112 dB, in the next phase. Area Committee will be considering a draft 20db and more above background noise English at Barrhead High School n the same authority. At on 11th April and it will go public 3 days levels. We’ve raised complaints repeatedly Q What plans do you have for community Barrhead, a town where you do not need to look far to before. There will be a commitment to with Environmental Health and Planning. consultation about any of your proposals? introducing encounter significant social and economic challenges, no consultation on it during the summer. So The company is operating regularly outwith A (DM) We have to go through the there is a vision. You will see it. We will permitted hours, up to midnight and planning process for everything we’re doing young person left us without a raft of qualifications, albeit at consult on it. But I don’t want to raise any through the night. There were 12 and that includes a process for community a basic level sometimes, and a skill set to prepare them for false hopes - there is a huge amount of objections on the first draft local consultation, driven by Highland Council. I’m Lochaber High’s life. This was achieved because we worked together funding that is needed to go with it. development plan on that issue. Yet the very happy to come along to things like this effectively in teams on agreed goals. current draft shows LNG development on to hear what people’s concerns are and Q Why are you not training more local the island and further industrial respond to them as best we can. new head... Once again my passion for education took me to people up to take these jobs? development. Making wheels on site from A (AN) I do get the sense that people Berwickshire High School set in the small rural town of Duns, A (DM) We take a serious approach to the molten aluminium is a superb idea and would like to know a lot more about what’s It was Wednesday 21 February 2018, a day that I will never the home of the famous racing driver Jim Clark. Although apprentices and bringing people through. makes absolute sense, but we need to make actually going on. An awful lot’s happened forget, because this was my first day as Head Teacher of the town was small, the high school takes in young people We are heavily involved in the industrial sure that the existing problems such as A82 very quickly and there’s lots of work strands

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Highland Council’s 2040 Vision The current draft has been through a long The vision is not going to be subject to the same process of consultation and revision. Highland consultation process as the West Plan. Details Local Authorities have a statutory obligation to Council have submitted it to the government’s have not yet been confirmed but we believe it A vision for the Fort William area for the next 20 Liberty’s activities undoubtedly requires rapid Keep an eye out for the brief consultation on this prepare strategic and local development plans appointed ‘Recorder’ for ‘Examination’, a will have a 1 day drop-in opportunity to respond years should perhaps start by asking its action from Highland Council to manage and important vision. It often feels like community for their area, and to follow strict procedures for required part of the process that is likely to take to what is already in print. Date and venue as communities what our aspirations are, what mitigate the impact on us all for our collective concerns are never taken account of, but if you consultation during their drafting and adoption 6-9 months. The Recorder will consider any yet unknown (we understand it will be this qualities of place do we want to preserve or benefit, but establishing a 20 year vision without don’t register your concerns at all then they will process, to try and ensure planning decisions are outstanding unresolved objections. summer, with possibly short notice at a time create. Ideally it should be responsive to first fully exploring the aspirations of the people definitely be ignored. made on the basis of a shared vision for an area. when many of us might be away or occupied concerns raised about the draft West Plan. most affected seems perhaps unfitting. The Council have also recently published what, with tourism businesses). Our local Highland to the layman, feels like a revised plan - their We are covered by the West Highlands and councillors hope to be able to approve the vision Should a vision be primarily a reactive response There are a number of things implied in the vision Is 2040 to be a vision of Island Local Development Plan (WHILDP or West vision for 2040, see above. Its status in relation at their next Area Committee meeting on 30 to help meet the objectives of a global company above that KCC knows are already causing Plan) . to the West Plan seems a little equivocal. August. and other commercial interests? The pace of concern within our community. Community Disempowerment? page 18 page 19

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cadetship programme elsewhere in the UK - congestion and the serious pollution issues ongoing. I think that a requirement for a Lochaber High School. This was the destination to a journey I from across the authority as well as across the border from we’ll continue to do that - we’ve got a are dealt with before there is any further steady stream of information in the public began some time ago. England. As Depute Head Teacher I really understood the relationship between well-resourced national educational foundation which promotes apprentices. It development considered. This is the year of domain in an organised fashion would be I started my educational career in East Renfrewshire as an policies, and their potential impact on young people and will take time to get to that point, it will be Community Empowerment. I fully support helpful and that’s something that HIE and part of the solution but it won’t take us all the idea for a Harbour Order. It would be Highland Council can work to provide over English Teacher at Eastwood High School before moving communities. However, with my interests in hillwalking and the way. inconceivable that operations at Mallaig the summer and for the rest of the year. over the hill to Mearns Castle High School not long cycling, I was forever leaving the Borders at the weekend bush vetch Q So what plans do you have to train would be down to the commercial whims of A (TS) As I said we will consult on the 2040 thereafter. My first promoted post was Principal Teacher of and driving west, and west is where my heart lies. people in this area? various operators. It is managed not only on vision over the summer, the Blar Mor A (DM) There is a recruitment group that is behalf of the people who use the harbour masterplan will be consulted on over the heath bedstraw heath It was n one such trip that I discovered the impressive looking into it at the moment. There will be but also the wider community. We seriously summer: any big planning application we building of Lochaber High School. It was the day that a friend a proportion of the workforce that will be need to address the current problems and will consult on. and I decided to go to the Caledonian Canal to cycle after the able to be recruited locally and we will be need a major consultation about these previous day’s long walk in the Mamores. I can remember aiming to do that. We want to be able to future commercial proposals Q Do you have any plans for a Community saying to him that I would love the opportunity to serve and create opportunities for people locally. A (TS) There are objections pending to the Liaison Forum. If so, when do you intend to work in such a wonderful setting, and I never thought much A (SMF) West Highland College are working industrial allocation in the draft WHILDP establish it and how often will it meet? more about it until I saw the post of Head Teacher with Liberty to look at the recruitment which will be reported to the Area A (DM) I’m perfectly happy to come along advertised. needs so we‘re able to start building a local Committee on 11th April. The committee and speak to Community Councils and other skills pipeline to keep the jobs local instead could make changes to it at that point but existing groups as I do in the evenings. My I was really humbled by the welcome and support I received of having to import some of the skills in. It’s even if they don’t it is a government- sense is we should work with structures that from the previous Head Teacher Jim Sutherland and his wife a long term partnership. We’re hoping to appointed person who looks at all the exist rather than reinvent the wheel - that’s Gill. Jim spent a number of days and evenings explaining to establish our STEM Centre for science, objections, so there will be a hearing by certainly how I would approach it. technology, engineering and maths on the someone other than the Council. my wife, Val and I how much the school had moved forward Blar. We certainly hope we can work with Q Considering Liberty’s commitment to the to where it is today. Liberty to ensure a solution. development, and GFG’s planning in the early stages, surely you had a plan A for gas ***** Duncan gave KCC his answer the My wife and I have recently moved into our new house and Q Can you clarify if HIE is funding the port storage and transportation? Why are you following day as to whether the alloy we are settling in well. Val will continue her work in the study and what the commercial interest is? looking at options now? wheels factory requires a gas supply hospitality and tourism industry while pursuing her interest There are rumours about links with A (DM) It’s a question for the factory. I brought by sea: in traditional upholstery. In fact she is busy preparing and Fergusons facilities at Kishorn. How is the don’t want to say something that is (DM) No, gas by sea is not required for converting our garage which will soon serve as her public interest to be safeguarded? technically incorrect. I’d like to take that the factory to open. We will have our workshop. Both of us are looking forward to establishing A (AN) The port study is being led by one away and come back to you with an own gas terminal on site that is fed by road tanker for all site needs. If however ourselves and becoming active n the community. Boyd’s with support from HIE and some answer. ***** support from Liberty. We’re looking to Q 400 extra houses in 4 years time - we all a local network was built we would be Scott Steele explore development of a deep water port love living here but it’s going to be a bit of a keen to use that instead. house. The ownership model is quite tricky estate. We recognise the issues about extra medical facilities, and so on - all the page 16 though, especially when someone rents for capacity in the construction industry: the extra facilities and infrastructure - has the page 21 a while and then chooses to buy, but we scale of activity is potentially going to council even started planning for all the would want them to own their houses. require construction companies on a scale required secondary expansion? That’s why a big concern for us is making that haven’t had to operate here before. So A (TS) We don’t have the funding for it but sure that we can produce houses that sit eg at Stronelairg windfarm, Melgarve we are reserving the land so eg the Planning within the market value so that people do substation etc there is a massive level of Permission in Principle for the Blar, due feel able to buy. construction activity taking place at the soon, safeguards a site for a primary school. moment – some of the people work on site The Gaelic school was built in such a way Q If you’re talking about bringing liquefied during the week and go home at weekends, that it can be extended. Inverlochy Primary gas in by ship, there’s going to have to be a other people travel in and out each day - I has got room for expansion. The High School storage facility on shore for that. Storing don’t think that’s ideal but we need to start has underused land at the back that could high pressure liquified gas close to a asking the construction companies when be used . We’ve looked ahead to see residential estate where 5-600 people live? we’re talking about the spec - where will roughly how many new houses will be built How will the storage and pipeline be your people come from and where will they every year and projected the existing accommodated around existing housing live? They may say ‘don’t worry we’ve got Primary and High School rolls, but you’re developments? this cracked’ or we may need to offer them right there is an issue… the existing schools A (AN) That’s the purpose of the a solution – we’re looking at this at the can’t cope after about year 7 or 8. engineering study, to see whether it is moment. Q And the extra 700-800 school runs per possible. If a proposal does come forward it day? will be in the public domain to debate, and Q We haven’t heard the West Highland line A (TS) I don’t have an easy answer on the gather views and make sure it meets Health mentioned, but if you’re considering transport issue I’m afraid. The AECOM & Safety Executive requirements. bringing in high volumes, it needs major study that will be ready by end of May/ Q If the engineer’s report concludes investment to maintain it for everyone to early June will sift options on how the something is not possible there, then what use. It has been threatened in the past… transport network (including rail and active do you do? A (DM) It’s certainly an option. I know that travel) can be improved. And it will A (DM) Can we bring the gas in by a the line is an area of focus at the moment recommend further detailed work on one or different route? I need to check and get because of the forestry extraction that’s two options. We are going through the back to you on that. taking place - it’s part of the discussion at transport appraisal process, gathering as the moment. much detail as possible to build a cogent Q With the new hospital and other argument to justify asking the government

Associations have about 400 they could about 7-8 trucks a day. My sense is that the we’ll never get anything done about the bird’s foot trefoil bring forward, and a developer wants to challenge won’t be around heavy vehicles, if road. It’s at a very early stage but it is being and play with them through the transition from nursery We have also been doing a lot of work in our Eco build about 150 houses at Lundavra Road. anything the challenge will be around peak fast-tracked I assure you. Highland Council, to P1. Garden. We have planted trees and vegetables and hope Q Lochaber Housing Association know how times with commuter type traffic. HITRANS and HIE have put the money that they will grow well. We are trying to make the Eco many we want to build, we know the spread Q Over the whole of the summer period...? together to get this bit done and if Fun Night! The primary 7s got to organise their own Garden into a place that the nursery children can play of affordable rent, rent to buy, and so on, A (DM) It’s certainly something we need to Transport Scotland come on board, but if the factory is to be up and running in 3 look at. Highland Council guarantee that they’ll pay stalls which included: slime, sand art, nail painting and safely and happily. -4 years, it’s a very short time to build those Q The journey from Corpach to town takes 50% of the STAG appraisal (probably about tattoos, punching balloons and many more! Fun night houses - we know there’s the land, we know 8 mins, but in summer it can become 60 £0.5M). There’s a lot of work to be done was a big success! Along the side of the school we have made mini habitats there’s the will to do it but I don’t think mins - that’s the kind of disruption we face unfortunately. in containers. We have made: there’s the infrastructure to do it. We know almost daily. With new houses on the Blar, One of the many highlights of our term here at Banavie - an Alpine Garden there is already full employment within the the place is just going to come to a full stop. Q There’s an awful lot of detail planning to building industry in Fort William - we can’t We think you’ve really under-estimated how be done by Liberty, rightly so commercially was the primary 7 residential! All of the P7s went to - a Butterfly Garden build these houses with the existing tricky it will be to get around this place. driven. But the project’s happening really the Shieling Project, Struy near Beauly. We got to stay - a Bee Garden workforce - we’ll have to bring the A (AN) The study is drawing on data that’s quickly. The work required by the rest of in new modern bothies in groups of up to 6, feed the - a Woodland Garden. workforce in - where are they going to stay? been captured over the last summer and the public agencies may be happening but animals, make our own food and wash up our own We hope that these will attract autumn. are we going to see it in time? Are we going A (DM) We’re starting to profile how many to get a chance to see those plans, STAG plates, go in a hike, enjoy the blazing sunshine in our wildlife and also teach people about bednights we’d need at each stage of the Q With 400 jobs that’s approx 1000 people appraisals and the rest of it? We live in an free time, learn about the history of the Shieling and how different plants grow in evolution. We recognise getting hotel beds including families and children - that’s about area that had temporary traffic lights on the much, much more! We had amazing weather and all of different places and help different in the season is nigh on impossible, so we’re 20 more children a year, another class in A82 for 35 years. Is enough progress being the staff were very helpful and happy. minibeasts and species of animal . looking at a number of options ranging from every year at the High School, probably the made fast enough for the dramatic amount temporary accommodation for people to equivalent of 2 new primary schools, plus of work that needs to be addressed? live in while building is taking place - to possibly 800 school runs a day adding to The Shieling Project was all about being sustainable. We By Megan Pescod, Anna Gray and Jackson Lee converting some of the properties on the traffic congestion. And we’re going to need grew vegetables, managed our waste, used solar panels Banavie Primary 7 Laggan Avenue reduced draft due to a build Warm weather musings • have to have stalking to manage the environmental health regulations to get needs somebody to pump-prime the site to page 22 up of silt meaning vessels’ maximum deer population, also looking at other planning consent. get the peat off and put the access road in. page 15 I am now going to take off my supervisor hat canal draught at present is 3.5mtr instead of our sporting developments A (TS) The developer would have to It takes major investment to do that but if and thinking to myself after many days of usual 4.1mtr. • some farming, fairly limited, tends to be employ a consultant to produce a report to there are all these extra jobs and glorious sunshine how much joy I get from just sheep on inbye land: don’t have any be lodged with any planning proposal. I government funding as well now, then this Number of bridge issues at Aberchalder, seeing folk use the canal and how important other farming aspirations know that there are noise issues there now is an opportunity to open up all these sites. news Tomnachurich & Laggan: these also had an it is to the Highlands, even if you are not a • and Highland Council are beginning to take A peat survey has been done in the last few Just as the season started we were hit with impact on road traffic. The bridges are part boater. Locally we use it to kayak; walk/jog a significant amount of forestry: potentially looking at it as source of fuel action against various parties there. weeks: there are issues about where the a couple of serious defects that had to be of the National Road Network and are (sometimes sponsored); cycle; exercise Q There was a Noise Assessment Study peat is going to be moved to, but the Blar is repaired immediately as this would affect BEAR’s responsibility but often it is the canal dogs: feed the ducks: walk the prams; sit for biomass projects but will have to sit within a broader planting plan, likely to undertaken for BSW but nevertheless noise one of the major housing sites that you will navigation. Firstly the jetty at Gairlochy maintenance team who are called out to back relax & sunbathe; horse ride; fish: so nuisance is still causing a lot of concern. see proposals for soon. bearers gave up and the jetty was no longer carry out repairs in an emergency. many other uses that although we do not take place out towards Glenshero. A (TS) If the noise assessment report states Q Presumably the Highland Council houses fit for purpose - this jetty was built in 1997 get revenue are so important to the local a max permitted noise level and if you can that are built won’t be for Liberty’s with a 20 year life expectancy and its Events community. Questions and Answers prove that they haven’t met that, then you employees but for people on the housing collapse meant we were restricted in the Sail Caledonia, Corpach to Moray Firth 26th John Stafford Q Is it your intention to bring raw materials can take action against them at that point. list? berthing availability for large craft. May to 2nd June. (17 dinghies + support Area Superintendent in, and product out, by sea, road, or rail? To Q That only works if the permitted noise A (TS) It will be up to the housing agencies vessels) Then at the beginning of the year Corpach what extent do you plan to use the existing level isn’t actually causing a nuisance. In the to open up a site but most of the big sites Three Peaks Yacht Race, Corpach 12th to jetty fendering timber was ripped off by a transport hub facilities at Corpach? Will case of BSW they probably are complying will be a mixture of private housing and 14th June. (9 - 10 yachts this year) visiting craft after rope became entangled there be a need to create new facilities and with their consent but we’re still hearing a affordable housing. It needs the public behind the timber and attached itself to the what would be the implications for lot of complaints. purse to open up the site, put in the road, vessel’s prop. Both these were a danger to Works Prioritised Kilmallie? A (TS) If you think the max permitted noise put in the sewers, and take out the peat, vessel movements and had to be fixed Embankment protection at Woodend A (DM) At the moment the plan is that level has been set too high then you would and then it becomes a viable option for a immediately. Accommodation Bridge. materials would continue to be brought in have a fresh chance to ask the council to private house builder. We haven’t seen a Sunken Drain and road work Shengain by rail and that that product would leave by reduce it. lot of private house builder interest in the The canal is an old structure - it is Aqueduct. road. If the port is developed and became town at all but you might see that change if constantly in need of repair. Defects are Disabled access Corpach Sea-lock gates an option in the future then we might take Q We noted a change between the first all these jobs happen very soon... we’ve always prioritised by our engineering/asset (subject to Historic Scotland permission. advantage of that but at the moment we’re and second drafts of the Local Plan - it now already had some private house builders teams. This can be frustrating at times Sorry John, we can only afford to not planning on using it. The one exception shows industrial development on Eilean nan taking an interest. because I think the West should always print your great pictures in black and to that is that the wheels factory will require Craobh. Is that because of a proposal that come first but in the bigger scale of things Opening times white, but readers can see them n gas so there is potentially a requirement to Liberty has? And are there any plans that Q Given that the current road network and other areas have higher priorities. As from 28th May we will be open from colour in the online newsletter on our bring in LNG (liquified natural gas) by sea - 8:00am until 6:00pm – 7 days a week. website, www.kilmallie.org.uk Liberty have that would conflict with the particularly the A82 is operating at full The season has been slightly slower than that’s not the only route it could come in by second draft of the Plan? capacity, what plans does Liberty have for last year as we have encountered a number but that would be something that we might A (DM) Liberty didn’t ask for that change. supporting public transport to avoid any of issues. Top: Work on new Gairlochy jetty & Corpach jetty before local maintenance team repaired it. need to look at. We’ve discussed that to a increase in congestion? Below: Key sites- Corpach, Banavie, Moy Bridge & Gairlochy all looking pristine. certain extent with Highland Council and I Q Would the additional housing that you A (DM) I don’t think we’ve got any plans to know HIE are looking at that more broadly.

need be tied to employment? support public transport at the moment A (AN) An engineering study has been A (DM) I don’t know who’s going to We’d like to locate houses where there’s a commissioned to see if a deepwater facility provide it yet but we’re looking at lots of sustainable transport option for people to could be developed with the capability to different options. ’We re coming up with a commute to work, trying to take commuter handle inbound raw material. Once that’s specification and a volume for the houses, traffic off the road and give people the complete if it looks feasible then there’ll be then looking at a location and then we’ll opportunity to come in through a different a full masterplanning exercise of the whole look for a potential partner. It’s likely that route. We are obviously aware of the Corpach industrial area which would involve the model we follow is one where we are pressure on the A82 and what that’s like in much wider consultation. prescriptive about the designs: we’ll control the summer so choosing sites somewhere it as opposed to the developer. We need to that won’t add to that problem makes foxglove Q if gas is brought in by sea,. how would it provide houses for the people who work at sense. columbine be transported from Corpach to the alloy the factory. Tim can talk about the Council’s A (AN) HIE are working with HITRANS and wheels factory? parallel exercise to produce houses for the Highland Council and have commissioned a A (DM) Different options are being looked broader population but it is likely that the transport study with an extensive evidence at the moment. two things could be mixed on the same site gathering exercise which has been ongoing A (AN) A number of other pieces of work and there’s potentially a benefit of doing so. over the past 4-6 weeks to understand the are going on in the background at the A (TS) The Council’s going to be lodging a issues and challenges of the transport moment: Scotia Gas will be carrying out a Permission in Principle planning application network. That will produce a long list of gas demand study in the next few weeks. soon for the north side of Blar Mor. We’ll potential solutions some of which will be From the public sector perspective we undertake community consultation in June sustainable transport solutions, some will be thought could we develop a gas network for before we launch the application. Planning different forms of public transport, and other local businesses and households, so permission is already in place for non-food some will include proposed changes to the we’re looking to see if a gas grid could be retail development there. Highland Council road network itself. We’re working through feasible. Initially gas could be tankered bought Miller Development’s land holding that process just now and the output should from port to site and in the longer term there and this new application is going to be in the public domain in the summer. I’m possibly develop a pipe network. look at the new Belford, a science and acutely conscious that a development of this Q So the gas that the factory would use is technology centre and housing, probably a scale changes the town, and its the same gas that people would use in their first phase of about 80 or 90 houses and a infrastructure needs to expand to homes for cooking and heating? second phase after that, so probably 200 accommodate it. A (AN) Yes houses on the Blar Mor. With all these new jobs there’s a queue of landowners and Q Will the houses you build for employees Q Given that for some years we’ve been affordable housing agencies with sites that be ‘tied houses’ so if a person was to leave a dealing with public complaints about noise have lain dormant for years. The total job they would have to give up their home? disturbance from Corpach Harbour area, number of houses built in the urban area is A (DM) We wouldn’t want to get a what assurance can you give that activities 13 a year so rates of house building have situation where if you didn’t have your job from development at the port would not been very low. We’ve had land earmarked any more you’d have to move out of your increase the noise? for housing for an awful long time: it’s just continued overpage A (AN) Any viable development on the site sat there, often because of the peat. It will have to comply with all planning and Five areas of activity with Highland Council who have some £660 was raised to be split 50/50 Toddlers, Zumba classes, Scottish page 14 1) Development of alloy wheels factory on sites already with consent for between Kilmallie Community Centre Country Dancing, NHS Highland, Olde page 23 site adjacent to smelter development - Liberty might choose to and MacMillan Nurses. Tyme Dancing and Kilmallie Community • has gained planning consent end Jan, put some of their houses within those Liberty Council. detailed development and design now developments. Customers who have used the Centre ongoing • ground conditions are the biggest • will start to go live in 2020 challenge from a technical perspective over the past few weeks are: A reminder of the contact details for the • will use aluminium produced on site to with the obligation to deal with a lot of Children’s Parties, Lochaber Music Centre which are as follows: Q&A produce wheels. (In UK at moment, all peat Festival, Lochaber Wind Band, George Tel: 01397 600111 automotive wheels are imported, so • they want to think carefully where to Rodgers Band, The Highland Council, [email protected] KCC invited Liberty to attend our meeting on ambition is to become significant build so they provide houses that are Ballet West, Lochaber Federation WRI, 26th March. Rumours had begun to abound supplier to UK automotive industry) affordable for the people who work Aye to Aye, SNP, Music for All and Our thanks once more go to our Centre about developments related to operations • at peak production. aim to produce there, with mortgages fundable at a Scottish Canoe Association. We were Manager, Jimmy Milne, for all his hard at the smelter and the proposed alloy about 2M wheels per year, about 20% market rate. delighted to welcome a new regular work and commitment to the Centre. wheels factory, so we felt we needed some of volume required by UK 3) Wind energy booking from Sense Scotland for their firmer information from Liberty themselves. • Liberty recently acquired another The estate (114,000 acres) is effectively the We hope you have been seeing the Senstronic Music Workshops. We hope We hope all readers and users of the We were pleased that Duncan Mackison, aluminium smelter in France at Dunkirk, water catchment area for the hydro system improvements to the Kilmallie they enjoy using our super facilities! Kilmallie Community Centre have a Chief Executive of Jahama Estates accepted which provides power for the smelter. To and is currently preferred bidder**** Community Gardens from each of our lovely Summer! our invitation. for French alloy wheels business, the eastern end of the estate at Laggan they monthly sessions. New bushes have Our thanks go to our regular customers advantageous to Liberty here because are at the preplanning stage for a windfarm: It was a measure of the intense curiosity been planted, the raised beds painted for supporting the Centre: Sarah Kennedy FMAAT FCCA (Treasurer) it creates links to distribution of wheels • approx 40 turbines to generate approx about Liberty’s intentions that other nearby in W Europe and provides greater 170 MW electricity with creosote and the bed alongside the The Mustardseed Fellowship, Mothers & community councils came along to listen, expertise availability and flexibility • the area is adjacent to the Stronelairg picnic area has been tidied. and there was a good turnout from Kilmallie • wind farm, so from a technical residents and businesses. advantage of wheels production next to smelter - can use liquid aluminium and perspective a good area, high wind We had a great time at the recent ceilidh The session, chaired by Christine Hutchison, take it straight to product, rather than speeds, adjacent to the Beauly Denny held on 21st April 2018. A huge thank was intended solely for information producing ingots, cooling, and line and the large substation at Melgarve you to Bobby and Jessie Henderson for gathering, to learn about Liberty’s plans transporting them. A huge amount of to feed the energy into the grid. all their hard work in arranging the event over the next 5, 10, 20 years that might energy is required to remelt the ingots • the energy produced there will be and we were delighted to announce that impact directly or indirectly on Kilmallie. It and then process. So there are consumed by Liberty themselves was not a forum for gathering community significant benefits to generate energy • they see themselves as landowner, opinions - there will be further opportunity locally to smelt aluminium and then producer and consumer of electricity for this once we are better informed. convert straight to product. • it is green energy - they want to • impact on distribution and transport consume renewable energy Duncan Mackison (DM) was accompanied by infrastructure – 2M wheels pa needs • it enables them to control the pricing

then the session was opened to some lively dog rose area from elsewhere, Bridge, and looking at a couple of other

further period of 20 weeks.

The trucks leave Corpach harbour

using the local road network - the A830 from the harbour, then onto the organ Corpach in Colour After our long winter it was good to see the bulbs along the road

Sue Chadney and Moira Shearer Corpach in Colour co-ordinators page 12 Annual Inter School Tag Rugby page 25 Blar Mor Competition We held our annual Inter School Tag Rugby Competition on notice of planning application Wednesday 9th May , unfortunately the weather wasn't as kind as the previous year, but all the boys and girls attending gave their all Highland Council have served notice of their intended forthcoming The proposals are shown in the plan opposite. and showed off their newly acquired skills - there was some great application for Planning Permission in Principle for mixed use rugby played and hopefully some of the players will have caught development, comprising 200-250 residential units, commercial, Some of the things KCC will be considering are: the Rugby Bug...and come along and join us at our regular training hospital, education and community use. on the Blar Mor. • does the design adequately address the needs of pedestrians Sessions at Banavie. and cyclists? As part of the statutory process they are required to carry out a pre A massive thank you to all the schools who attended and to Bridget • does the layout adequately address the needs of children? -application consultation with the community. Thomas and her band of Active School Co-ordinators - we couldn't This took place on Monday 11th June, unfortunately too late for our • how will pleasant public spaces be created? run this without their support. Thanks must also go to Ryan Davies, copy deadline to report on in this issue. • how will the loss of peat as a carbon store be compensated? Community Coach, Stevie & Ailsa McAleer and all the Rugby Club • how are low energy principles addressed in the layout? volunteers who came along to help with refereeing the games.

See you all next year ☺

Pitch Repairs We at currently off our pitch at Banavie as it is going under its

annual maintenance - all rugby training has been moved to the King George V Park (next to the leisure centre). The Youth Awards/last day is on Saturday 16th June.

3000BC - 2012AD Kilmallie are through to the Semi Final of the Balliemore Cup and it is being played on Saturday 23rd June against Beauly.

field mouse ear chickweed Kilmallie Here are the fixtures for late June and July:

page 26

names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. All

After descending this narrow path

return back along the main track until you reach where you turned uphill a bugle

page 28 page 9 carbon

papers

Do low-energy

buildings have an

overheating

problem?

to a cold one. In winter this means that a storage, body heat) and some from outside model was a simple 10 m by 5 m medium- KCC attended the consultation. Views application is submitted. STOP PRESS stinging nettle well-insulated, airtight home needs less the house (conduction through the walls/ weight building in London. I made four we heard being expressed to Breedon KCC have asked Breedon for some cross Also... special meeting heating to maintain a comfortable floor/roof from the warm outside or from versions of the model. The first two were included: temperature than a poorly-insulated, leaky sections to show the difference sun-heated surfaces of walls and roofs, deliberately designed to overheat – with • relief that no extension of working of the Liaison Group home. The insulation is slowing the flow of ventilation/infiltration bringing warm air in large (80% of the wall area), unshaded between the existing and proposed hours was involved heat from the warm inside of the house to and the sun shining through the windows). glazing on the south aspect and no attempt back face of the quarry, and also for an 4pm, Wed 27th June • the cold outside. The same is true of a warm Insulation and air-tightness help to reduce to reduce internal gains and no window concern that their need to extend image to illustrate the impact on the coat on a cold day, it is slowing the flow of the gains shown in bold but do nothing to opening. One of these versions was the quarry was to some degree a at Banavie Quarry unidentified little yellow job appearance of the quarry as seen from heat from your body to the cold outside reduce the others. (In fact triple glazed constructed to represent a ‘typical’ existing consequence of their failing to meet the Blar. Breedon have been asked by BEAR and world, meaning you need to burn less windows also reduce solar gains a little, but building (100mm insulation in the loft, no the conditions of the present Transport Scotland to arrange this energy in order to stay warm. I’ve ignored this here for simplicity’s sake If insulation in the walls or floor, basic double consent to landscape the back face Interesting things KCC learned special meeting to discuss the regional these heat gains are high enough, for glazing, poor air-tightness), the other was • concern over dust and noise at the consultation: road maintenance programme and the The warm-coat analogy doesn’t work so well example on a sunny day in a house with lots constructed to represent a building with • concern over lorry speeds planning constraints that are in place at in summer. UK temperatures during hot of glazing, then a house can become Passive House levels of insulation, glazing Breedon is the ‘E’ not the ‘B’ in • concern over increased requests for the quarry. Contact Gavin Mennie for weather reach the high 20s, and warmer than the outdoor air temperature. and airtightness (although not a Passive night time working. BEAR (because they used to be occasionally the low 30s, which is still below When that happens insulation and air- House standard building, since in order to final confirmation of date and time. The quarry ‘s current consent does called Ennstone. BEAR stands the temperature of your body. The tightness go from being your friend (keeping reach the standard summer comfort criteria for Babtie, Ennstone And Contact details for Gavin Mennie: insulation in a coat is no longer useful when the heat out) to being your foe (keeping the must be met (The Passive House standard not permit night time working. But Ringway, the original companies Director of Estates, Planning and we are trying to stay cool because, unlike in heat in). includes a requirement that buildings must with significant recent road repairs in the consortium. BEAR is now winter, we want the heat flow from our not exceed 25°C more than 10% of the time, and alterations in and around Fort Geology an alliance of Eurovia, Jacobs body to the outside world to be high. A house that is gaining heat much more so this building wouldn’t actually meet the William, they frequently receive Breedon Northern Limited and Breedon Group plc. Conversely, temperatures in a house should quickly than it is losing it will warm up until Passive House standard, I’ve just chosen requests from Transport Scotland Ethiebeaton Quarry, be in the low-to-mid 20s, which is below Monifieth the gains match the losses (heat losses typical Passive House values for insulation and BEAR to service night time road The rock from Banavie is temperatures experienced outside during increase as the difference in temperature and air-tightness for illustration). They were Angus , DD5 3RB works. Breedon cannot accede to typically used on projects within heatwaves. The heat flow should be in the between inside and outside increases). We both simulated during two weeks of very these requests if local residents a 25mile radius of the quarry. opposite direction to our ‘warm jumper’ call this the equilibrium temperature. In a hot summer weather. contd overpage [email protected] Passive House levels of insulation and air- energy buildings that perform better in page 8 With community concerns about the potential impact of impending change, tightness, without taking other measures to winter and in summer, through careful page 29 our KCC put the following to our Highland Councillors. reduce the overheating risk, will make the attention to reduction of summer heat problem worse still. gains, but current building regulations do not do enough to ensure this. If you are in We understand that as Highland Council taxpayers, we are still Highland But it doesn’t have to be like this. By the process of having a home built for you, paying off the loan taken out to build houses for the influx of pulp designing our buildings carefully, or thinking of it, ask your architect/designer thinking about summer comfort as well as about overheating. If you get the impression mill employees 50 years ago? winter comfort, we can move away from they haven’t thought very much about it councillors’ How much is Highland Council going to have to pay for the housing, our ‘warm jumper’ analogy and back to our then be concerned and seek expert advice. services and infrastructure needed to enable Liberty's planned ‘thermos flask’ one. I’d say this even if your house is being built ‘only’ to current building regulations. The corner expansion? How will it be funded? For the next two models I reduced the size Passive House standard includes a criterion How will it impact on Highland Council's budget, on the people of the southern glazing to 30% of the wall for overheating. I’d recommend trying to do area, added a 1m deep overhang above the much more than merely just meeting those who are already suffering the impact of heavy service cuts and on In the top graph, the bottom wavy line window, reduced the gains from appliances criteria. Low-energy buildings that are future generations? shows the external air temperature and can by 30%, the gains from lighting by 50% robust to summer overheating risk will be seen to be reaching above 30°C on three (equivalent to switching to LEDs from old become increasingly important as our of the days (peaks are daytime style ‘low energy’ CFL lighting) and allowed climate warms. Expansion of the smelter should not directly impact the Council's There may be valid reasons for the Scottish Govt to want to keep temperatures, troughs are night time). The windows to open during the night time. The finances negatively, but the way Councils are currently funded tight control of the purse strings. But making Councils almost very dark line shows the operative temperature temperatures, over the same week of The modelling I’ve done here was quick means there is the potential for it to impact negatively. The largely dependent on central government for funding isn't (the average of the air temperature and weather, for the two improved models are and approximate, merely to illustrate the needed investment in housing, for example, is ring-fenced from efficient. One of the biggest issues is that Councils have no direct internal surface temperatures to measure shown in the second graph. Note that the point. Further improvements in the summer the financing of day-to-day Council services so should not harm return from economic growth in their areas. To take Liberty comfort) for the typical existing building, scale has changed from the first graph. performance of the highly insulated building Council finances. However, economic growth will create more specifically, the new wheel plant and all the economic activity that which looks pretty uncomfortable; almost could have been made. Internal heat gains demand for Council services and this extra demand cannot be met goes with it will increase tax receipts substantially. Fort William always above the outdoor air temperature The measures I’ve taken to reduce could have been reduced further still (by fully from the Council Tax the extra houses will generate - it's will become a bigger economic area. The Council will not receive and reaching a maximum temperature of overheating are effective for both the poorly specifying all A+++ rated appliances, simply not a large enough proportion of Council income to pay for direct return from the investment that is necessary to support 35°C. But the model with Passive House -insulated and the well-insulated buildings, daylight/occupancy control on the lighting the schools, road use and other services. This extra demand will that growth. standards of insulation and air-tightness with peak internal temperatures (dark line and a well designed hot water system), and have to be met from increased grant funding from the Scottish (the top grey line) is much worse; above 38° for the poorly insulated building, grey line a smart ‘summer bypass’ mode could have This is the argument that is often cited for an increased Government. C for the whole period and reaching a peak for the well insulated building) now being been implemented on the heat recovery proportion of Council income to come from local taxation, of 46°C. below peak external temperatures (lower ventilation (MVHR) so that cool air would be The broad issue raised by this question is how local infrastructure including ideas like a land value tax, local sales or income tax, So in a really poorly designed building, one thin line) for both buildings. But the ventilated into the house when the outdoor is funded. Councils can fund infrastructure from Council Tax tourist tax etc.. Such measures would mean the Council's income in which the designer has given no thought improvement is much bigger for the well- air temperature was low but that the heat

receipts but they do not do this explicitly. Council Tax makes up a from taxation grows directly with the economic value that is

red clover red spending over £60 million in new affordable housing over a 5 (subject to planning) to meet the needs of people in Lochaber

by the Scottish Government? pignut thistle the canal tug, Scot II. My mother’s stone unturned in trying to find a solution. Tax. The freeze protected hard-working

uncle, Alec Grant, was the skipper and it Since then, we’ve had the brilliant news that How and why does the Scottish families who were already struggling to may have come as a surprise to him that not only would the smelter continue, but make ends meet during the financial crisis. Government curtail Local I was clearly no sailor when my family that the new owner planned to expand During the freeze, Highland Council was was packed with seafarers and master operations and employ more people. The Authorities' freedom to adjust compensated in full for any revenue they smelter is not just important for Fort would have received if Council Tax had not mariners. At the time the Scot was taxes to help meet their budget William, but for the West Highlands and been frozen and so there was no financial pulling the vessel in the photo (top shortfall? Scotland as a whole. In terms of the hit to local services because of the freeze. In right), the canal dredger. At that time it technicalities of the Government’s support, Does the UK Government curtail fact, independent sources suggest local didn’t have that superstructure, rather a I think it is better that I quote in full: the Scottish Government's authorities were over-funded. Since the big steam driven dredge. In the middle of freedom to adjust funding for freeze was lifted, Highland Council has Loch Lochy they opened doors in the “The underwriting arrangement that exists, increased Council Tax by 3% every year. agreed on commercial terms and for which bottom of its hull and dumped the silt Local Authorities, and if so how? Anything higher than 3% would hit families the Government charges a commercial fee, extremely hard. All of the increased Council and muck that had been dredged from is designed to guarantee long-term Tax revenues go straight into Council the floor of the canal. I was too busy predictable energy costs for the Lochaber Local authorities, including Highland Council, are funded largely by a grant from coffers. being sick to pay much attention. Smelter. The guarantee provides long-term Recently the dredger has re-appeared at predictable energy costs for the Lochaber the Scottish Government. In addition to this, The UK Government has cut funding to the Banavie. Sold by the canal it became a Smelter due to a Power Purchase they also keep all Council Tax and Non- Scottish Government since the Domestic Rates income raised in the area. floating restaurant and now it has Agreement (PPA) existing between two Conservatives came to power in 2010 as companies, SIMEC Energy (which runs the The grant to Highland Council this year was part of their austerity agenda. Over the ten become a floating home and support very fair, and included slight increases in vessel for events. AD Cameron’s history GFG Alliance’s energy production facilities) years to 2019/2020, the Scottish and Liberty British Aluminium (who run the both revenue (for day to day spending) and Government’s day to day spending will have of the canal has a photo of Scot II, the smelter). Prices over the lifetime of the PPA capital (for infrastructure). Despite cuts to been cut by £2.6 billion by the UK hulk of which now lies at Fort Augustus are fixed at the outset according to the the Scottish Government budget, Highland Government. This of course has an impact but I wonder if any readers of the forecast of a leading energy industry Council has been relatively well-protected. on the grant that can be passed on to Local Despite this, it is clear that newsletter have a photo of either the consultancy. The PPA guarantee involves Authorities. dredger or the lock lifter that she used to the Government guaranteeing to meet the budgets are tight across the Kate Forbes MSP tow? future power purchase obligations of the board and so it is imperative that Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Photo of the gate lifter from John Stafford’s collection of old photos. aluminium smelter at Fort William in the Highland Council’s priorities Constituency office: 01349 863 888 Ronald Cameron More stories of the canal tug Scot II In next issue hopefully event of a default.” reflect the greatest needs. Mobile: 07825532230 -sgi aig an àm seo den bliadhna, a’ fagail and bracken. Perhaps somebody else has a service. Senior medical staffing is provided WORKFORCE page 6 through a combination of locally based bearnan ‘san chlàr. A barrachd air sin, chan similar record and the two could be com- page 31 consultants (anaesthetist and surgeon), with What is being done to ensure that Thig an t- eil barantas ann gum faic mi a h-uile rud, ‘sa bined. consultant physicians and surgeons working enough staff can be recruited to the bhad , am mionaid a thachair e! Thathar ag in the hospital but rotating from Raigmore. hospital? radh gu bheil duileagan a’ tighinn air craob- Gaelic names han daraich nuair a tha an aimsir blàth gu A lot of thought is going into this national reathream climate There is also a small team of Rural earrach leor agus gu bith duileagan air craobh problem. There is no single or easy answer aimsir weather. Practitioners based in the hospital. Locum Eu-coltach Dòmhnall Iain, ar caraid neònach uinnsinn nuair a tha na laithean fada gu leor and it will require different solutions over dìthean flowers consultant cover is used to cover any gaps. Ameireacanach, tha mi a creidsinn gu bheil agus gun bi na daraich a’ tighinn gu duileag the short, medium and longer term. Senior duilleagan leaves Rural Practitioners have enhanced skills in an t-saoghail a’ fas nas blàithe agus nas nas triathe agus nas traithe fad ‘sa tha an clinicians and managers are looking at blàth blossom emergency care and resuscitation. They are blàithe agus gur e sinne a tha coireach, gu reathream againne a’ fas nas blàithe. Gu mi- different options as to what the best way to blàth-sneachda snow drop usually GPs who have had extended training ire mhòr. Tha mi air faicinn na èigh-shruthan fhortanach, chan eil clàr agam iomlam a the latest staff the hospital will be. lus a’ chrom cinn daffodils or consultants in Emergency Medicine. air feadh an t-saoghail a’dol air ais agus a’ thaobh nan craobh a tha seo. S’docha gu seòbhrag primrose While recruitment is a challenge, retention fas nas lugha thar iomadaich bhliadhna agus bheil e direach a’ sealltainn na bliadhnicean Is there a possibility that the pleantrainn plane tree or sycamore on the new is also problematic. This is because of the an aimsir againne a’ fas nas ropaiche. anns an robh an geamradh beagan nas hospital won’t be built at all? uighean losgainn frog Spawn onerous on-call arrangements. Work is also Thathar ag radh gu bheil na geamhraidhean cruaidhe na càch. Tha mi air fàillig faire a fiadh-ubhal crab apple While nothing can be 100% certain, underway to look at how this might be nas giorra na bha iad agus gu bheil an t- chumail air na craobhan mu dheireadh air Belford Hospital cuthag a gairm cuckoo calling everyone is working towards building a improved. earrach a’ tighinn nas tràithe, rud a tha am bheil duileagan, na critheann agus fèar- sgithich hawthorns replacement hospital as part of wider duilich do luchd-sgì agus streapadairean. na. Am bheil fear no tè eile aig am bheil clàr seillich willows redesign of services. This is subject to the HOSPITAL SERVICES mar seo? Dh’fhaodadh e a bhith inntinneach Background craobh-mhalpais maple trees business case being prepared, and approved Tha mi air a bhith a’ cumail clàr air na h- gan chuir ri cheile no coimeas a dhèanamh This should be read in conjunction with the What services will be provided in the learag the larch by the Scottish Government. àmanan aig am bheil na tachartasan eatarra. Tha mi’n dochas gun toir sibh uile Question and Answer (Q&A) Document Q&A hospital? beithean birches The five year capital plan (funding for future sònraichte a’ tachairt gach bliadhna airson mathanas air an droch Ghàidhlig agam! No 1, available on NHS Highland website. These will be similar to those provided at calltean hazel buildings) which was considered by the greis, fheuch am faic mi pàtran sam bith Eu- NHS Highland has confirmed that a board of NHS Highland on 27 March includes present but more detail should become coltach Dòmhnall Iain arithist tha mi a’ tuig- Summary in English callaid fhaidhbhile beech hedge replacement for the Belford Hospital in Fort indicative funding for the replacement for clear in the next few months. sinn nach eil amsir agus reathream an aon For a number of years I have been noting in teile lime tree the Belford. rud. Feumaidh sinn clàran a chumail airson my diary when things happen in spring. This craobh shiris cherry tree William is required as part of a wider Can we improve the appointment ùine mhòr a bhith cinnteach gu bheil an has been partly to see if climate change has darach / daraich oak/ oaks redesign of local health and social care system in Raigmore to take into services in Lochaber. The redesign will look SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS reathream air atharrachadh fad ‘sa tha an any influence. My records are very incom- craobh-uinnsinn ash tree account local individual aimsir ag atharrachadh bho là gu là, no raineach bracken at the balance between services provided at Is building the new hospital a chance plete and based purely on what I see near circumstances? mionaid gu mionaid. Ma cumas mi a’ dol a’ my house. Additionally, I invariably go away meanbh-chuileagan a biteadh home, in the community, in care homes as to do things differently and improve Yes. This already happens in a number of clàradh dh’fhaodadh e a’ sealltainn atharra- on a ski-mountaineering trip in early spring, midges biting well as in the hospital. efficiency and access? specialities in Raigmore where patients are chaidhean ‘sa reathream ach tha iomadh which leaves gaps here and there. The table faidhbhile dhubh copper beech

August 2017, largely focussed on what will new hospital to make improvements. Local appointments. dol a mach, tha mi dualtach a dhol air falbh coming into leaf, the cuckoo calling and the be provided in the new hospital. This has staff are always striving to carry out airson cola deug air thuras streapadaireachd appearances of old friends such as midges prompted a number of follow up queries improvement work. The current building, How many hospital beds are there which we summarise below. however, limits some developments and the currently in the Belford? Caismeachd an earraich new building will make it easier to improve There are 44. The combined assessment unit Questions and Answers access and deliver modern services. has 17 beds; Ward 1 has 15 beds; there are 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 10 day case beds and two beds in the High What is being put in place to avoid No 2 Dependency Unit. Blàth-sneachda 23/1 30/1 people having to travel long Lus a’ chrom cinn air toiseachadh a thighinn 18/2 6/2 8/2 28/1 29/1 SERVICE PLANNING distances for very short How many hospital beds will there be appointments? in the future? Dìthean air seòbhrag 20/2 19/3 29/3 20/3 2/4 Will the predicted changes in the A number of things including the roll out of It is likely to have around the same number. Duilleagan a’tighinn air phleantrainn 9/4 25/4 population be allowed for in plans? NHS Near Me. A detailed assessment will be made of Yes. A number of planning assumptions will future needs. This is likely to become clear Uighean losgainn 12/3 13/4 herb robert white clover be made including any new local What is NHS Near Me? in the next few months. developments, population predictions, age One element of NHS Near Me is to use Dìthean air lus a’ chrom-cinn 9/4 14/3 21/3 26/3 10/3 30/3 Will there be specialist mental profile of the workforce, recruitment technology for remote consultations with Duilleagan air fiadh-ubhal 9/4 11/4 15/4 7/4 27/3 16/4 challenges as well as advances in medicine specialist staff. It includes the use of the health beds incorporated in the new and technology. For instance NHS Highland most up to date technology to reduce the hospital? Cuthag a gairm 14/4 16/4 1/5 23/4 22/4 10/5 1/5 27/4 need for people to travel. NHS Near Me is aware of planned expansions at the No. Duilleagan air na sgithich 19/4 11/4 19/4 31/3 16/4 Smelter. appointments will initially take place in the Belford, and you will see your consultant or It has been suggested that all the Duilleagan a’tighinn air seillich 19/4 7/4 22/4 31/3 19/4 Given all the pressures will the other specialist via a video link. It will also be beds will be located in single rooms? Duilleagan a’tighinn air chraobh-mhalpais 19/4 10/4 24/4 6/4 10/4 16/4 hospital be down-graded? possible for some people to have their This is correct. It is current Scottish No. That is not what the plan is. But there appointment in their own home or in local Government Policy that all new build Learag le dealgan 21/4 6/4 4/3 23/4 17/4 are challenges to overcome particularly health and social care facilities. hospitals will be built with single en suite around senior medical staffing such as rooms. Beithean air toiseachadh a’ thionndadh uaine 26/4 15/4 28/4 6/4 23/4 3/4 18/4 Testing this out does not need to wait for consultant surgeons and physicians. Duilleagan a’tighinn air calltean 26/4 8/5 4/5 the new hospital, and we hope to confirm a Have any concerns been expressed Is there a possibility that the new plan for local use in the next few months about single rooms? Duilleagan a’tighinn air callaid fhaidhbhile 29/4 21/4 5/5 21/4 26/4 6/5 30/4 22/4 Belford will be staffed like once initial testing has been evaluated. While the majority of people tend to be in Duilleagan a’tighinn air teile 29/4 21/4 9/5 23/4 3/5 7/5 1/5 25/4 Caithness General Hospital and be favour of single rooms some people do have Use of technology Rural Practitioner-led and not some concerns. This is mostly around a fear Blàth air craobh shiris 3/5 22/4 8/5 23/4 10/5 30/4 30/4 will not replace consultant-led? of being isolated, not having other patients hands-on care Duilleagan air a’chiad craobh daraich 7/5 23/4 20/5 29/4 1/5 6/5 to look out for them and fear of not seeing As set out in Q&A No. 1, the plan for senior and will only staff so much. Such concerns will be medical cover in the new Belford Hospital is be used when Duileagan air craobh-uinnsinn 8/5 17/5 11/5 13/5 6/5 addressed through the design of the that it will be consultant-led. Exactly how it appropriate. Raineach a’ nochdadh 12/5 18/5 29/4 9/5 8/5 17/4 10/5 will be staffed is still being considered. building, including communal eating areas It is worth pointing out that Caithness and spaces. Meanbh-chuileagan a biteadh 27/5 27/5 17/5 2/6 17/5 General Hospital is also a consultant-led contd on next page Duilleagan a’tighinn air fhaidhbhile dhubh 4/5 28/4 +9/5 27/4 10/5 7/5 2/5 unimproved grassland, with some good, showy species such as page 32 greater butterfly orchid, northern marsh orchid and even common page 5 wild about spotted orchid found locally. Yellow rattle is another good indicator of unimproved pastures. This requires relatively poor soils, and depends on a supply of nutrients from grasses, which it parasitises, slower safer smilier leading to the suppression of some more vigorous species. Neutral We reported last issue that: kilmallie Dear KCC fields may also contain knapweed, oxeye daisy and sorrel, while • a crossing at an appropriate more acidic pastures often have a variety of eyebright species, I read with anger and dismay that Transport Scotland can't see the nose on their own faces place at the canal is not Wildflower meadows under threat devil’s-bit scabious and tormentil. Many arable ‘weeds’ such as with regard to a much needed pedestrian crossing at the Banavie Swing Bridge. It angers me going to be possible It might come as something as a surprise to learn that perhaps the poppies and the increasingly rare cornflower only thrive in that they can be so short sighted, that it will take a fatality before something is done. It most threatened habitat in the whole of Britain is the wildflower disturbed land that is not subjected to application of excess • a crossing at an appropriate annoys me that motorists’ safety is being put before pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, meadow. There has been a greater than 97% loss of wildflower fertiliser or weedkiller. place at the Co-op is only canoeists and children's safety. meadows nationally, with an attendant reduction of floral diversity Fortunately, around Kilmallie we still have some nice areas of going to be possible with I moved here a year ago and it was one of the first things I noticed when I walked along the and the invertebrate species that depend on this, particularly wildflowers. Mary Elliott and others have worked hard to preserve significant reduction in canal. Why no zebra crossings where the paths so obviously cross the road? A few years ago pollinators such as bees. the road verges along the A697, which have a spectacular display of parking and relocation of the in my home town a new pedestrian crossing was installed at a "safe" point for drivers but not The loss of flowers in the wider countryside has come about orchids in early June. The banks of the canal are also a fantastic bus stop. where pedestrians crossed the road. Within weeks a young girl had been struck by a car and through many reasons, but primarily through agricultural refuge for wild flowers, with the variety of species increased by killed. The crossing was subsequently moved and there have been no incidents since. lime-rich areas arising from stone used in the canal construction. improvement and changes in practice. Development has also The option for There is only one place a crossing can be put at the bridge and that is where the canal paths We also have several small patches of unimproved grassland, played its part, particularly around settlements. We can rarely now cross the road. Anything else will be a waste of time and money as they will not be used and largely as a consequence of crofts falling into disuse. Some contain enjoy fields ablaze with a rich mixture of colours, and flowers have Corpach at some point someone, probably a child of a tourist, will be killed. melancholy thistle and, in damper areas, produce spectacular become marginalised to neglected land, nature reserves and road KCC want to hear what the verges. displays of meadowsweet and marsh marigold. There is no need for the stretch of road from the Blar Industrial Estate to Tomonie to be 40 community thinks before miles an hour and there is no justification not to put in a proper crossing at the bridge. There A few years ago, a very rare orchid, the Irish lady’s-tresses, was As well as having important aesthetic value in their own right, wild confirming to Transport Scotland are already signs informing drivers of a swing bridge ahead and cyclists crossing so how discovered near Annat, although this site has since disappeared flowers play an important part in ecosystems, providing food and whether the layout is acceptable. difficult is it for Transport Scotland to put signs up warning of Pedestrians Crossing and paint through the ill-placement of cattle feeders and the construction of shelter for many birds, animals and insects. Bees depend on the some white lines across the road. We don't need a Pelican Crossing, a Zebra with beacons will a hydro track. If you have difficulty crossing the nectar they produce, and a lack of flowers has important economic suffice as pedestrians still have right of way on any pedestrian crossing. implications in terms of the pollination of agricultural crops, as well Within the middle of Banavie, the field adjacent to the rugby club is road, if you manage or work in If Transport Scotland won't do it then maybe a few volunteers armed with paint brushes and as the production of honey by beekeepers. Lowland meadows, a fine example of lowland unimproved neutral grassland, the shop or the pub, or if you live whitewash could "guerrilla" install the crossings in the dead of night? including those representing flower-rich neutral grassland types containing a wealth of orchids, knapweed and other plants such as nearby, you might have views on such as that found in pockets around Kilmallie, are a national UK yellow rattle. Sadly, this is scrubbing over, and needs some TLC in what is desirable or acceptable. I urge the KCC not to give up the fight to get a crossing at both ends of the bridge installed Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitat and also feature on order to conserve it. Given that meadows are such a rare resource with suitable and sufficient signage warning drivers there may be pedestrians crossing and to the Scottish Biodiversity List. it would be nice to think that we could cherish and preserve any Come along to our SLOW DOWN. We must not let someone die before action is taken. Although we often consider that our area of Scotland is relatively remaining patches within our community. There is no better time than early summer to enjoy our local wild flowers, and the same consultation Your sincerely wild and untouched, we have not been immune to the loss of Keiron Shatwell,

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From our Community Council meeting in April you will be page 2 page 35 aware of the possibility of gas being landed and stored at kilmallie Corpach for use in the new alloy wheels plant. Close to our print deadline I discovered that research is being conducted for SGN (Scotia Gas Network, the gas network in Scotland) community which has been requested by the Scottish Government to

Highland Council has recently been consulting about its We all have different opinions, but it is clear that the proposals for large housing developments on land to the Highland Council proposals represent a major change to the picture quiz east and north of the Police Station on the Blar Mor. The size and character of our area. We all need to input into the new Highland Wide Local Development Plan contains process to make sure that the changes which come to our no 18 aspirations for such developments to avoid the planning community are positive. Where in Kilmallie? mistakes of the past. In particular, it lists six qualities of Russell Leaper, Secretary Answer to last issue’s Picture Quiz No 17 The hydro electric scheme at Fassfern Issue No 61, June 2018 become a sponsor and see your logo here too? delivered free to every address in Kilmallie A huge thank you to all the businesses below for sponsoring the newsletter. Our newsletter costs this year have been met by their sponsorship donations, from KCC’s limited funds, from a grant from Lochaber Housing Association, from donations from the community and, most of all, in kind from all our many volunteers. We rely on the contributions from our business community for the cost of producing and distributing this free newsletter to every address in our area. We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you would like to see your name or logo in print supporting your community newsletter, please join with our current sponsors. All donations, big or small, are hugely appreciated. Please contact us at [email protected] for details.