The Council’s Magazine Summer 2016 Highpoints Issue 5 Sàr Phuingean Cash for Rock Challenge Alness Academy win Scottish Final communities of UK Rock Challenge in , , Inverness, Skye and Raasay

3 Highland Pipe Bands’ success

Pupils plant for the futurereees PupilsP from Kinmylies Primary School are learning about trees

www.highland.gov.uk Contents 3 Freedom of Grantown on Spey and 4 Success for Highland youth pipe bands 4 Highland Young Musician of the Year 5 Rock Challenge 6 BLAS Festival 6 Student teachers graduate Welcome 7 Leugh is Seinn le Linda Welcome to the summer edition We are working hard to improve 8 Lundavra Primary School of our magazine Highpoints connectivity for the region and I 8 Pupils get bus-savvy (Sàr Phuingean). am delighted that we now have 9 Royal opening for refurbished improved air access through the footbridge It has been a busy few months new Heathrow and Amsterdam 10 Big Clean Up Day for , with links. 11 Improvements to Slattadale the Scottish Parliament Elections, 11 Jetpatcher EU Referendum and the setting The city of Inverness will soon 12 Cash for community projects up of the Redesign Board. Work reap the benefi t of an additional is progressing well on major tourist attraction in the opening 14 West Link commences projects such as the West Link of the North Tower later this year 15 Pupils plant for the future Road and the new Council offi ces and exciting plans for the castle 16 Torvean Golf Course in Fort William and Kingussie. We are now within sight. 16 Making maths count have also got many events going 17 Tower with a view The start of the West Link road on throughout the Highland area. 17 Call for new powers also heralds a brighter, cleaner There has never been a better future for the city in the reduced 18 Mountain Bike World Cup time to come to the Highlands for congestion and better transport 19 Inverness Highland Games leisure or business. connections that this will bring. 20 Reach Out: loneliness campaign As a key partner in the Seven 20 New north coast marine plan We have had the opportunity to Scottish Cities Alliance, we will 21 Former school gets new lease of life showcase our stunning scenery be seeking a stronger voice for 21 Kingussie Council Offi ces and our new Global Geopark Inverness and the region. 21 New homes in Fort William status, our history, culture and the many other attractions that make Localism and community 22 Global Geopark status the Highlands such a tremendous participation continue to feature 23 National Award for 12 Highland beaches place to visit. in this issue as we report back 23 Corran Ferry on the peoples’ votes from 24 Listed building restored We have enjoyed an infl ux of the successful participatory 25 Double football success visitors to the Scottish Open, the Mountain Bike World budgeting events that took place Championships, the Blas Festival in recent months. Contact us and the various summer Highland I hope you enjoy reading this issue Write to: Games across the area. of Highpoints as much as I have. Corporate Communications The Highland Council HQ Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX Email: corporate.communications @highland.gov.uk Phone: 01463 702020 Highpoints will be published online and some hard copies will be made available in service points and libraries. The magazine is produced in-house by our Corporate Communications Team and printing costs are sponsored by advertising. Isobel McCallum Highland Council Convener Listening ~ Open ~ Valuing ~ Improving ~ Supporting ~ Partnering ~ Delivering Page 2 Local sporting twins receive Freedom of Grantown on Spey Twins Suzanne Grant and Shelley Cowie (nee Grant) have been presented with the Freedom of Grantown on Spey in recognition of their contribution to the sport of football, and to their local community. The twins have represented their sport at the highest level with both having played for the Scottish Women’s National Football team. Shelley has now stepped back from the professional game to concentrate on family, however Suzanne Photo L-R: Chair for Badenoch & Strathspey Cllr Bill Lobban, Shelley Cowie, Convener Isobel McCallum, Suzanne Grant and Councillor Jaci Douglas continues to play, currently with Ladies, and has now achieved 104 caps for her country. The presentation was made by The Highland Council Convener, Freedom of Lochaber Councillor Isobel McCallum at a ceremony in Grantown Courthouse for over 40 years’ service on Saturday 9th July. She congratulated Suzanne and Shelly The prestigious honour and who were awarded the honour in title of ‘Freeman’ is rarely recognition of their achievement and presented by The Highland dedication to the sport of Women’s Football. Council to Highland residents, The awarding of this prestigious however, the Freedom honour of the Freedom, which of Lochaber was recently is rarely presented, has been bestowed upon Mr Colin granted by The Highland Council Neilson for over 40 years’ of in recognition of services to sport and was strongly supported by the outstanding service to the community and by the Badenoch community. and Strathspey Ward Councillors. Presenting the Freedom at a small © Iain Ferguson, Write Image Write © Iain Ferguson, Councillor Jaci Douglas described ceremony of family and friends, the twin’s early lives in Grantown on Lochaber Area Leader Councillor and sport in the Lochaber area and Spey saying: Thomas MacLennan paid tribute to beyond. Not many people can claim Mr Neilson saying: to have served their community Suzanne and Shelly have for over forty years, and it is in played an inspirational role in the Colin is a well-known and recognition of this service that The community for many youngsters respected Fort William resident Highland Council is pleased and looking to develop their own who has carried out a signifi cant honoured to confer the Freedom of sporting aspirations. number of roles in local government, Lochaber to Colin Neilson. health and sport sectors, on local, national and international stages. There have been just 12 previous His unstinting enthusiasm and recipients of the Freedom of dedication have contributed greatly Lochaber since 1947. to local government, healthcare Page 3 Cover Story Success for Highland youth pipe bands

Three Highland school Pipe Bands achieved success in the European Pipe Band Championships in June in Forres. Junior Pipe Band was placed 2nd in Novice B; Pipes and Drums School (RACPADS) pipe band were 5th in Novice A; and City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band 9th in Novice B. Cover photo: Lochalsh Junior Pipe Band

These three bands are run as an extension to The Council’s Music Development Offi cer, Norman the work of The Highland Council’s Instrumental Bolton, says: Tuition Service. Piping in Highland schools is well supported in addition to the many other Competing at this level is a great instruments available to pupils. Many other experience for the band members and their Highland pupils were also competing in community successes are certainly well deserved. bands at the Championships. Highland tuba player blows judges away Antony Hook, tuba player weekend and presented music City Music School, Dyce received and pupil at Lochaber to the judging panel at a prelim the runner-up prize. High School, was awarded round of the competition. The judges then invited fi ve of Highland Young Musician of the musicians to perform their the Year 2016 at a competition complete 15 minute programme held in Inverness on 19th June. at the evening’s public fi nal. Eight competitors representing The fi ve fi nalists were: Antony a wide range of instruments, Hook (Lochaber High School); worked over the course of the Zoe Hodi; Neavan Lobban (Music School of Douglas Academy); Rosie Clark (Lochaber High School) and Rhona Mackintosh. In addition to Antony being awarded the winners accolade and the Richardson Trophy for Musical Excellence, Rhona Mackintosh (violin), also from Lochaber High School, took the Highland Young Musician of the Year, ‘most promising talent’ award. Anthony Hook from Lochaber High School,

Zoe Hodi (violin) from Aberdeen Weatherspoon Ewen pictured with his trophy © Page 4 © Ewen Weatherspoon Alness Academy WINNERS comes top of Rock Challenge Five Highland schools won awards in the Scottish Final of UK Rock Challenge at Dundee’s Pupils from Alness Academy received the Scottish Champions th 2016 award at Caird Hall Dundee in the UK Rock Challenge with Caird Hall on 17 June, with Alness Academy Bill Alexander, Highland Council Director of Care & Learning winning fi rst place and becoming the Nick Scott Scottish Champions for 2016. © Another Ross-shire school, Dingwall Academy, also scored highly, coming fourth. All of the Highland schools won awards on the night, recognising excellence in various aspects of the competition, such as community participation and inclusion. Two of the fi ve Highland teams were the winners from the heats held at Eden Court in Inverness in April - Alness Academy and Invergordon Academy. Three other teams qualifi ed with ‘wild Dingwall Academy performing at UK Rock Challenge Scottish Finals cards’ from the heats, as the judges Nick Scott © identifi ed them as being amongst the strongest performing from across win marked Alness Academy’s – Thurso High, Dingwall sustained success in the Nick Scott Academy and Millburn Academy. competition. © The UK Rock Challenge is the Head Teacher, Laura said: British arm of the Global Rock I’m very proud of our young Challenge. The Rock Challenge people and staff . We must is an anti-drug and crime- recognise the immense work put prevention celebration that takes in by our staff , youth team and the form of a dance and drama others over the years. Their eff ort, Nick Scott

performance by the participating commitment, hard work and belief © schools. have won out at the end. Caird Hall was sold out for the The Highland Council’s Director of performance, which involved Care and Learning, Bill Alexander eleven schools from across said: Scotland. Each school had 4 Twenty Highland schools minutes to get their set on to performed in the heats at Eden months before. It was enormously the stage, and then 8 minutes to Court, showing the depth of encouraging that fi ve of our show off their dance prowess to talent across the authority, and schools qualifi ed for the Scottish the judges and large audience. the incredible support of parents, Final in Dundee. It is just fantastic Having been the highest volunteers and staff . More that Alness and Dingwall did Highland-placed team at the than 1,000 young people were so well, and all of our schools Scottish Final in previous years, involved over three nights, and all performed tremendously on the coming fourth in 2015, this of them had been rehearsing for night. Page 5 Taste the best of Highland culture at BLAS 2016 Blasad Dha-rìribh de dhualchas na Gàidhealtachd aig feis BHLAS 2016

The opportunity for and Western Isles Councils, Chilli Pipers, Nuallan from Cape communities to celebrate Bord na Gaidhlig and Creative Breton, as well as Aly Bain & Highland culture has been a Scotland, have outlined an Phil Cunningham. There will be exciting programme with cèilidhs, appearances from newer artists, hallmark of the Blas Festival concerts, school visits, music in as well as Gaelic writers and since it began, and this year’s hospitals, performances in care poets. nd festival, taking place from 2 homes, drama performances, The Council supports traditional th to 10 September, will be no family events, and walks and talks. music and Gaelic song through exception. Young people from the a number initiatives and Organisers, Fèisean nan Gàidheal, Highlands will feature widely, organisations based in the who receive funding from alongside some of the best Highlands. bodies, including The Highland international artistes including Council, Council Sharon Shannon, the Red Hot

Full festival program me and tickets: www.blas-festival.com

Bill Alexander, Highland Council’s Student teachers graduate Director of Care and Learning said: through distance learning The Highland Council is working with its partner Eleven Highland students techniques, while remaining in authorities in the north to graduated in June through their home towns and current address the shortage of teachers the University of Aberdeen in employment. aff ecting us all. Our partnership partnership with The Highland These students enter their with the University of Aberdeen and the creation of DLITE is a Council, following an eighteen Probation year in Highland schools this August and another very successful way in which we month distance learning eight students began the third can enhance the profession, by PGDE (Primary) Programme. phase of DLITE in January this opening doors to people with The strong partnership between year, qualifying in June 2017. talent who have a passion for the Local Authority and the teaching and working with young University of Aberdeen has people. created The Distance Learning Initial Teacher Education (DLITE), with opportunities for local people to train to become teachers via distance learning

L-R: Bill Alexander with Graduates Jessica MacLennan, Siobhan Millar, Yvonne Stoddart, Elizabeth Fuller, Sara Riach, Roddie Jamieson, Ann Stewart, Melanie McKay,

Nicola Cope, Catriona Smith and Louise Chisholm. Weatherspoon Ewen © Page 6 Leugh is Seinn le Linda

’S e iomairt chom-pàirteach nàiseanta air a chur Leugh’s Seinn le Linda is a national partnership air dòigh leis An Lòchran agus Comhairle nan initiative organised by An Lòchran and the Gaelic Leabhraichean a th’ ann an Leugh is Seinn le Linda. Books Council, giving children under 5 years of age Tha an iomairt a’ toirt cothrom do chloinn fo aois the opportunity to enjoy fun-fi lled reading and 5 bliadhna tlachd is spòrs fhaighinn à seiseanan singing sessions in Gaelic. leughaidh is seinn sa Ghàidhlig. Sessions recently took place in Fàs Mòr, the Gaelic Chaidh seiseanan a chumail ann am Fàs Mòr – Child Care Centre, Sleat Primary School, the Sgoil an t-Ionad Cùraim-chloinne Gàidhlig, Bun-Sgoil Araidh in Primary School, Fort William and Shlèite, an Sgoil-àraich ann am Bun-Sgoil Phort Inverness, led by the Gaelic Books Council’s Young Rìgh, sa Ghearasdan agus ann an Inbhir Nis. Tha Reading Ambassador and well-known singer and na seiseanan air an stiùireadh leis a’ Bh-uas Linda TV presenter Ms Linda MacLeod. NicLeòid a tha na Tosgaire Òg airson Leughadh Ms Shona Masson, An Lòchran Arts and Culture Gàidhlig agus na seinneadair is na preasantair TBh Development Offi cer said: ainmeil. It has been fantastic to take Leugh ’s Seinn to Thuirt a’ Bh-uas Shona Masson, Oifi gear Leasachaidh schools, nurseries and community groups across Ealain is Cultair aig An Lòchran: the Highlands on our fi rst Leugh ’s Seinn tour. The Tha e air a bhith sgoinneil a bhith a’ toirt Leugh children have had lots of fun reading and singing is Seinn gu sgoiltean, sgoiltean-àraich is buidhnean in Gaelic and we are very grateful to funders Bòrd coimhearsnachd air feadh na Gàidhealtachd air a’ na Gàidhlig and Tasgadh, as well as all the schools, chiad thuras aig Leugh is Seinn. Tha e air còrdadh community groups and The Highland Council’s gu mòr ris a’ chloinn a bhith a’ leughadh is a’ seinn Gaelic Team for helping us to arrange the Tour. sa Ghàidhlig agus tha sinn fada an comain an luchd- maoineachaidh againn aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig agus Tasgadh, a bharrachd air na sgoiltean, na buidhnean coimhearsnachd agus Sgioba na Gàidhlig aig Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd airson ar cuideachadh gus an Turas a chur air dòigh.

Children at Sleat Primary School PaPPageagege 7 Lundavra Primary School

With panoramic views over Loch Linnhe, the Councillor Drew Millar, Chair of Highland Council’s new Lundavra Primary School replaced Upper Education, Children and Adult Services Committee Achintore and Fort William Primary Schools, said: opening its doors to pupils after the October Lundavra School is another example of the break on in October 2015. Highland Council’s commitment to providing 21st The current pupil roll is 237 Primary and 50 Nursery century schools to enable our children to enjoy a fi rst pupils. Head Teacher, Nick Thomson says: class learning environment. This latest facility brings the Council’s investment in Education and other The new school provides a fantastic learning projects in Lochaber to over £40 million in the past 5 environment in a beautiful setting for our pupils and years and over the next two years there will be other staff to work in. signifi cant capital investments by The Highland Lundavra Primary School was offi cially opened at a Council in the area. ceremony in June by former pupil, Dr Finlay Wild. He said: Lochaber Area Committee Leader, Councillor Thomas MacLennan added: As a former pupil of Fort William Primary School I was delighted to be It’s another wonderful new school for invited to meet the pupils of the new Lochaber and will be a real community asset Lundavra Primary. As a runner and GP for this part of Fort William. I’m sure the setting it was great to speak to the kids about and beautiful views will inspire local children for running and keeping active, and to join generations to come. them in their Daily Mile run. Some of the community groups also using the school include: The Stepping Stones project for toddlers and parents run by Health Visitors; a baby massage class; High Life Highland sports groups and the parent-led weekly Youth Club. Pupils get bus-savvy PupilsPil at MiMiltonlf of LPiSLeys Primary Schoolh in Inverness have been taking part in sessions to learn about using public transport in a safe and responsible way. The work forms part of the HItravel programme, delivering classroom workshops and on-bus sessions with primary schools in the Inverness and Nairn area. The campaign highlights that there are good alternatives to the car for many local journeys. For more information about HItravel, visit: www.hitrans.org.uk/hitravel Page 8 Royal opening for refurbished footbridge Mark Janes LRPS © Ian Rhind © HRH The Princess Royal visited Tain on Thursday 21st July and her fi rst engagement of the day was to offi cially re-open Alexander Bridge at Tain Links which has been restored to its former glory. The B listed suspension footbridge was built in 1902 and provides a crossing of the River Tain at the junction of three popular footpaths, providing walkers access to the foreshore and areas east of the town. Thanks to a funding package from Tain Common Good, with contributions from Historic Scotland, the Council’s Capital Discretionary Fund and Ward Discretionary Budget, as well as support from Tain Community Council, this landmark has been fully refurbished, giving it a new lease of life so walkers will be able to enjoy the routes in the area for many years to come.

HRH Princess Anne receiving a bouquet from Etta Brown who Ian Rhind received a Member of the British Empire medal in the new year © honour’s list, with the Lord Lieutenant Janet Bowen looking on. Mark Janes LRPS © Page 9 Many hands make light work and it was great to see people pulling together. Tain residents muck in to spring clean local community

Residents take part in Mansfi eld Big Clean Up

Local residents in Tain came Sandra Grant, Chair of the lend a hand. Councillor Fiona out in force to take part in the Residents Group and Tain Robertson said: Mansfi eld Estate Big Clean Up Co-operative Community The Community raised their Champion did a great job rallying concerns about how the estate Day in May, which brought volunteers and at the end of a together volunteers, employees was looking and it has been great busy day said: to see people working together from the Tain Co-op and A big thanks to everyone to make a diff erence. Future council staff , to work side by who turned up to help and plans include developing a local side, to spruce up the area. for the council on backing our hub on the estate, which will not Leading up to the spring clean, community’s tidy-up scheme. only bring people together, but the residents group worked Many hands make light work and build on the enthusiasm and hard closely with the local councillors it was great to see people pulling work of the volunteers. and council staff to draw up an together. With the bins emptied, Councillor Jamie Stone added: action plan on jobs to be tackled weeds removed, a lick of paint It’s been so encouraging and then put out a request for and gardens emptied, the whole to see the estate pull together people to come along and lend a area looks a lot better. We worked like this and I’m sure all this hand. hard to get the new playpark opened last year, so it’s good that enthusiasm bodes well for future Skips were provided and were the surrounding area now looks community projects. soon fi lled with unwanted items, better and somewhere people while other volunteers tackled will want to spend time in. the weeds along the footpaths, collected litter and painted the All three local councillors came communal bin stores. along to show their support and Page 10 Improvements to Slattadale section of North Coast 500 route

The fi rst section of a three-phase programme of works to complete a twin track road from Kinlochewe to Gairloch has been offi cially opened. This 900m section of the A832 Phase 2 will be the next 600m of joined by representatives from by Slattadale costing £1.4 million twin tracking to the dam at Loch the local community and staff began in October 2015. Working Bad an Sgalaig and works are from the council and UBCivils throughout the winter the works currently planned for 2018-19. Limited for a ribbon cutting were completed 6 weeks early Phase 3 will involve the creation ceremony. and within budget. of a completely new section of Leading a piped procession The completion of this phase road, almost 5km in length, from along the new road was Piper takes another step forward in Loch Bad an Sgalaig across the Louis Peteranna, a fourth year twin tracking the important hills and preliminary design work pupil at Culloden Academy, who A832/A835 loop which is for this is currently underway. played The High Road To Gairloch. hugely important for tourism Local Councillors Richard Greene Gairloch High School Head boy development in Wester Ross. and Audrey Sinclair, Chair of Lucas Jackson and Head Girl This section is also part of the the Planning, Development and Christie Wilson helped councillors North Coast 500 Route. Infrastructure Committee, were to cut the ribbon.

The Highland Council is responsible for the Jetpatcher just the job maintenance of an incredible 6,752km of roads. The extensive road on Highland roads networks and periods of severe weather conditions make it very challenging to keep up with pothole repairs across the patch. Following trials with neighbouring Local Authorities, the Council’s Community Services Committee approved the purchase of a Jetpatcher with £150,000 from the capital programme in February this year. Over a 10-year period the cost of purchase and in-house delivery will provide a saving against the contracted cost of jetpatching. Councillors Richard Greene and Jaci Douglas recently viewed a ‘Jetpatcher’ in operation at Grantown on Spey. (Jetpatcher operator Shaun Melia of NU-Phalt air blasted out a pothole, then lined and sprayed it with emulsion L-R: Councillors Richard Greene and Jaci Douglas, and Jetpatcher operator Shaun Melia

(bitumen) and fi lled it with 6mm stonechip.) HighlandThe Council © PagePaP ge 1111 Cash for community projects Local people have cast their votes for community projects as part of The Highland Council participatory budgeting events, held across the Highlands. The Community Empowerment Act 2015 requires councils and other public bodies to support communities, giving them more infl uence over what matters to them. It requires the public sector to work in partnership to support the development of local action, helping communities take part in decision-making.

Cllr Roger Saxon, who co-chaired • M.S. Therapy - upgrading this event, said: of chamber oxygen systems, Cash for £3,000 We believe handing • Caithness Sight Impairment decision making to the Group - respite break and Caithness community it is a great equipment, £3,000 way to support community • Thurso in Bloom - fl ower empowerment and helps build purchase/xmas tree purchase/ community cohesion. This event equipment, £2,700 Local people cast their votes in is an opportunity for Caithness groups to meet new people • Latheronwheel and May at an event held in Thurso Improvement Group High School. Eleven, out of the 19 and fi nd out what is happening locally. - upkeep and repairs at projects bidding for local causes, Latheronwheel harbour, £3,000 were awarded a slice of £30,000 The successful bids are as follows: • 1st Wick Scouts - upgrade of community funding by over 120 Scout Hall including toilets people who registered to vote on • Connect Carers - training for refurbishment, £3,000 the day. carers/stress relief sessions for carers/day out for carers, • Ormlie Community Applicants were given a 3 minute £1,200 Association - Silver Sightseers slot to sell their project with a • AMD Caithness trips, £2,920 further 2 minutes allocated to - Development of local group, • Wick Society: Oral History allow any questions from the £3,000 Section - recording audience. • Wick Players - roof equipment, £2,889 refurbishment of club rooms, • Thurso Heritage Society £3,000 - Scanning equipment, £2,874

Sutherland The successful bids were: • Scourie Community Hall • Silver Rock Foundation projects get Association - Refurbishment - Soundwaves Music/Drama of Scourie Village Hall Workshops for deaf youngsters • Lairg Eco Group - Outdoor • Sutherland Youth Forum £15,000 Classroom - Sutherland Youth Forum • Rogart Cinema - Upgrading to bi-monthly meetings larger screen size for Cinema • Sutherland Sessions Around 50 people in Sutherland - Sutherland Sessions Presents chose 9 projects out of the 33 • Lairg Pupil Council - School groups, who put their projects Sign • Lairg Table Tennis Club - Lairg forward for a slice of £15,000, • Kinlochbervie Community Tennis Court improvements at an event in Lairg community Company - Regeneration of 17 centre. Manse Road in Kinlochbervie

A video of the event is available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=teVbCSsQJZ8

Page 12 received funding to put their • Way Forward Group - Way Skye and ideas into action. Forward Group To Meet The successful applications for Fortnightly To Reduce Isolation Tags by Freepix.com by Tags Raasay Skye and Raasay are as follows: • Tarskavaig Communities Hall • The Skye Youth Pipe Band - Association - Save Energy & Your Island, Pipe Band drumming Save an Accident Your Cash, • Skye Stroke Friends - Skye • Crossroads Care - Skye Stroke Friends Outings and Lochalsh - Crossroads Your Choice Connecting Communities • Pipe Band - Isle of Skye Pipe Band • Isle of Skye YMCA - YMCA Skye Outdoors • Staffi n Lunch Club - Enhancement of Activities for • Viewfi eld Garden Collective (VGC) - Therapy Through Residents in Skye and Raasay Lunch Club Members Gardening had the chance to cast their vote • Dannsairean an Eilen in May at the “Your Island, Your Sgitheanaich - Strictly Skye • Broadford Youth Club - Cash, Your Choice” Event held in 2016 Summer Trip Portree. • Clann Throndairnis - After • St Columba’s Church - Bread Basket Over 90 people attended to school Gaelic Club focusing on choose which projects should Gaelic singing/drama/music. • Friends of An Acarsaid benefi t from the £15,000 • Skye and Lochalsh Care Home - Otago exercise available. 15 out of the 45 groups Gymnastics Club (SLGC) - sessions who put their projects forward Growing SLGC with coach development

Councillor Graham Ross, a • Kinmylies Primary School Inverness West member of the Inverness West Active Schools - Outdoor Organising group said: Opportunities Ward awards • Kinmylies United Football It was a superb showcase Club - Provision of a new £11,000 of all the great work that Storage Container voluntary and community • High Life Highland - groups do in the area. Having Muirtown Primary School an event like this is more than Gymnastics Club just a new way of allocating funding. The real benefi ts are • High Life Highland - People in Inverness West (Ward Charleston Summer Camp 14) cast their votes for local engaging local people, reaching • Highland Boxing Academy projects on 24th June. Inverness new groups, funding new and - Boxing as a diversionary West Councillors agreed to diff erent projects, and creating an activity use a participatory budgeting opportunity for the community to process to distribute £10,000 come together. • Muirtown Explorer Scout of the local ward discretionary Unit - A new Gazebo budget, Charleston Community The successful bids were as • City of Inverness Foundation then agreed to follows: Championship - Highland donate £1,000 to the fund. • Charleston Community Dancing Championship/ Competition Over 40 people took part in Complex - Gala Fun Day deciding the projects that would Committee - Gala Fun Day - • Inverness Polish Association be funded from the £11,000 that Gala Tents - Friends in the West was available. Eleven out of the • Charleston Seniors Club - • Inverness Shinty Club 19 groups who put their projects Annual Senior Citizens Activity - Summer and Autumn forward were successful. Programme Inverness Shinty Camp A video of the event is available on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s6-H6f5sMw Page 13 Councillor Audrey Sinclair said: The West Link is a major contribution by the Council to the City-Region Deal and the benefi ts will be felt much wider than Inverness, with easier links and improved journey times for those coming from and going to Lochaber and other areas in the west. The economic return of £4 for every £1 spent on building the road will benefi t the whole region.

Andy Little Chairman of Highland

Turfcutting: Leader of the Council, Provost of Inverness and Chair of the Planning, Rugby Club commented: Development and Infrastructure Committee and local members were joined by The Commencement of the representatives from the Highland Rugby Football Club, Scottish Rugby Union, the Phil Downie © Civic Trust, sportscotland, contractors Wills Bros, and local elected members for a West Link and the redevelopment turf cutting ceremony. Pupils from Holm and Kinmylies Primary Schools on either of Canal Park will provide a long side of the River Ness, were also present to celebrate this landmark occasion. overdue link over the river and canal and the enhanced sporting facilities at Canal Park will provide West Link commences excellent facilities for our sport and for the wider sporting Work began on building new cycling and walking routes. community in Inverness and the Stage 1 of the West Link in The scheme will also provide wider Highland Region. May. This will provide the construction jobs and will enable housing development, with link between the southern Developer contributions of some distributor and the A82, £3.75 million. including the Canal Parks In order to allow for the Enhancement works, all due construction of the new for completion in late 2017. Clubhouse and artifi cial pitch at The initial works is the A82 the Canal Parks, the Highland Glenurquhart Road at its junction Rugby Club, will relocate to the with Bught Drive. The new Inverness High School in 2017. River Ness Bridge construction Stage 2 of the project will be involving works in the river will completed in 2020 following take place on two occasions the relocation of the golf course. during the periods July 2016 to This stage, which involves an October 2016 and July 2017 to additional canal swing bridge The HighlandThe Council October 2017, with completion of © crossing and roundabout, where Leader of the Council and Head of Stage 1 of the project in late 2017. the Golf Club is currently located, Infrastructure talk a walk-though of the site is programmed to commence in and inspect the works starting in the river in The West Link will reduce traffi c July to prepare for the bridge. congestion in the city centre, 2019 to coincide with the move of improve journey times and the Golf Club to the new course support active travel through and facilities. www.highland.gov.uk/invernesswestlink Page 14 Pupils plant for the future Phil Downie © Pupils from Kinmylies Primary School will be Bailey McArthur aged 8 and Rose Munro aged 5, from Kinmylies Primary learning about trees and their importance to School, with Provost of Inverness Helen Carmichael planting a Silver Birch. the environment, as they take part in a special project by looking after three young trees which are destined to be planted beside the new West Link road. Pupils, aged 5 to 7 from P1 to P3, Teacher Lorraine Innes said: help to integrate the road and were assisted by land based skills The children are learning associated projects into the local students from the Scottish School about trees at the moment as landscape and the saplings will be of Forestry, Inverness College, to part of their science lessons, so managed to ensure the continuity plant three trees in the grounds this is a great project for them of tree cover in Inverness. of Kinmylies Primary School. The to be involved in. Pupils from Provost of Inverness Helen children helped to plant a silver diff erent classes get together Carmichael said: birch, a wild cherry and a beech once a month to work together as tree with the students and their part of community orchard and The West Link is about lecturer, who had tended the gardening groups. connecting communities and trees in their nursery. this is a wonderful project where The trees were planted in such children can be really involved P1 to P3 Pupils from Kinmylies Primary a way, with assistance from the School with Provost of Inverness Helen in their environment and their Scottish School of Forestry, so Carmichael with the Silver Birch and future. As the children grow, Wild Cherry trees. that they can be easily moved they will be able to see the trees to their fi nal location by the grow and have a real connection West Link in 2019. They will be with the project and their amongst 3000 saplings and over environment. 170 large trees planted to provide instant `greening’ and screening. Over time they will mature and

P1 to P3 Pupils from Kinmylies Primary School with Teacher Lorraine Innes, Provost of Inverness Helen Carmichael and Students and Lecturer Neil Cleland from the Scottish School of Forestry, Inverness Phil Downie Phil Downie © © Page 15 Work on Torvean Golf Course swings into action

Construction of the new Torvean Golf Course additional funding from Sports Scotland for the and Torvean Housing site preparation works clubhouse junior room, includes land purchase commences in August 2016. The new course and Golf Course design as well as construction of the Clubhouse and maintenance facility. The is part of the project plans for enhanced sports construction of the associated access road and facilities in the city and will be playable in Clubhouse and maintenance facility will commence 2019. in 2017, timed for completion to coincide with the The construction of the West Link requires a golf course opening for play. reconfi guration of the Golf Course and additional Award winning global golf course architect, Stuart enhancements to the golf course were agreed in Rennie, has been chosen to design the new Torvean a greater ambition for the City of Inverness. The Golf Course. expanded golf project of over £9million, with As highlighted in the approved Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief, this relocation of the golf course will also release residual existing golf course land to the East of General Booth Road and land to the South of the A82 will be freed up for informal public open space and a mixed use development adjacent to the canal at this important gateway to Inverness. Convener of the Council, Councillor Isobel McCallum said:

Golf tourism is very important to the Highland economy. This project will deliver substantial long term assets for the City of Inverness which L-R: Kevin Mackintosh (Vice President of Torvean), Colin Howell (Head will further economic development in of Infrastructure THC), Hamish Spence (President of Torvean), Cllr Graham Ross, Jim Kelly (Coff ey), David Knight (Capita) and the area. Declan O’Malley (EGS). The drawing shows the golf course layout. Making maths count at the Scottish Open Aberdeen Asset Management together with the Scottish Government and VisitScotland came up with a novel idea to help encourage greater enthusiasm for maths amongst the country’s children – by printing mathematical expressions, or sums, on the 18 pin fl ags on course. The expressions were provided by pupils from Ardersier and Balloch Primary schools in Inverness.

Pupils Ossian Maclellan (10) of Ardersier Primary and Harry Ratcliff e (12) of Balloch Primary are joined by Aberdeen Asset Management ambassador Russell Knox at Castle Stuart Golf Links ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Page 16 Work is well underway to convert the North Tower of Inverness Castle from offi ce space into a visitor attraction and viewpoint. Views from the top are Tower spectacular, looking both south over the River Ness and beyond and north over the with a view Ness Bridge towards the Black Isle. The Council, Inverness Common Good Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have all contributed to the cost of the project, which includes a shop and viewing platform. City Region Deal money was also made available to improve the approaches to the North Tower and the castle and environmental improvements to the grounds. The project is being carried out with every eff ort to minimise any disruption to visitors who can look forward to visiting the attraction when it opens later this year. Darroch McNaught Darroch © Kirsty Foster, The HighlandThe Council Kirsty Foster, © Director of Development and Infrastructure Stuart Black and Programme Manager John Robertson survey the progress at the top of the North Tower. Call for new ...to shape economic future powers The local authority leaders of Scotland’s seven main cities have issued a collective call for a new working relationship with the UK and Scottish governments to allow them to reach their full economic potential.

In a report, ‘Empowering City Government’, the city Scotland, Scottish Water and Zero Waste Scotland. leaders say only a fundamental shake-up of existing Leader of The Highland Council, Margaret Davidson, arrangements will allow them to “compete with added: other cities close to home and globally”. By working together with the other cities in The city leaders have published a four-point plan Scotland, Inverness will have a stronger voice in which, if given the go-ahead, would see the councils securing new powers to drive the economy forward secure historic new powers over tax, spending both in the city and the wider Highland region. and the development of massive infrastructure The report, ‘Empowering City Government’, is projects. In its blueprint for unprecedented change, available on the Scottish Cities Alliance website: the local authority leaders call for a new cross-city partnership with national bodies such as Transport www.scottishcities.org Page 17 Record crowds for Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup

As well as being a top sporting event, it’s been a great weekend away for anyone wanting to get close to the action and soak up some of the thrill and buzz of the sport in a spectacular location and I’d like to thank the community for making everyone feel so welcome. A bonus this year was the weather which was hot and sunny and really capped a successful weekend. Greg Minnaar in action Charne Hawkes

© Fort William has developed an international reputation as Atherton and South Africa’s Greg A record number of fans the spiritual home of the sport, th Minnaar storm to victory in the attended the 15 year of off ering some of the best and women’s and men’s fi nals. downhill mountain bike racing most gruelling courses in the in the Scottish Highlands in More than a quarter of a million world. We have been delighted what is being described as fans have descended on Fort to work with the organisers to William since the UCI Mountain the best ever Fort William make sure the Highlands benefi ts Bike World Cup came to the from the increased number of Mountain Bike World Cup. Highlands 14 years ago, delivering visitors during the event, as well Organiser Rare Management say a £33m boost to the Highland as showcasing our spectacular almost 22,000 fans attended the economy since 2002. scenery to people across the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and The multi-award winning world through the global media BUFF® 4X Pro Tour, over the course event, which is supported by coverage the event attracts. rd th of the weekend (3 - 5 June), EventScotland and Highland The economic benefi ts are well making it the most well attended Council, was the third stage on the recognised and have fi rmly placed UCI World Cup in Scotland yet. UCI World Cup Downhill calendar the Highlands and Scotland on Taking place on the and this year marked the last the world map for mountain uncompromising slopes of competitive appearance of former biking and the organisers should Aonach Mor and the Nevis Range, Downhill World Champion and be congratulated for once again riders and fans enjoyed glorious mountain bike legend, Steve Peat. delivering a top world-class event. We look forward to welcoming sunshine as part of a thrilling Leader of The Highland Council’s weekend of mountain bike action back competitors, their supporters Lochaber Committee, Councillor and spectators. which saw Great Britain’s Rachel Thomas MacLennan, said: Charne Hawkes ©

Crowds enjoying the event www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk Page 18 10,000 strong crowds at Inverness Highland Games

Sinclair Patience, 2016 Inverness Highland Games Champion

July’s signifi cantly expanded The event is sponsored by the to fundraise, and kept admission Inverness Highland Games Inverness Common Good Fund. prices as aff ordable as possible. and Gala Weekend attracted This enabled support for Everything staged on Saturday numerous local charities, by evening and Sunday was free of over 10,000 spectators to giving them a free opportunity charge. Bught Park and provided a signifi cant boost to the Highland Capital’s economy and profi le. This year’s event included the biggest ever new attraction of a 700m long TruckNess (featuring 70 trucks), along with Boxing, a Wheelbarrow Grand Prix, the Highlands’ Strongest Man and Strongest Woman competitions, a Veterans Parade, a Primary School age Shinty Sixes Tournament, an Eve of Gala Party and, last but not least, a Highland Games within a Highland Games for the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The line-up involved something for everyone to enjoy.

Page 19 Partners pledge support for loneliness campaign

The Highland Community Planning The Board, made up of representatives from The Partnership Board members have given their Highland Council, NHS Highland, , full support to a campaign running across Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, the the Highlands to reduce loneliness and social Third Sector and a number of other organisations isolation. have all agreed to sign up to the campaign launched Community factors that infl uence loneliness and by NHS Highland to reduce loneliness and isolation. social isolation can include access to transport, The organisations will encourage 1 in 3 of all their neighbourhood safety and personality. staff to make a pledge to take action. Chair of the Board Cllr Margaret Davidson said: Loneliness and social isolation is a signifi cant issue that impacts on individuals, communities and services across the Highlands. There is increasing evidence about the eff ects on health and wellbeing and the impact on demand for services which is why all Board members are very supportive of this worthy cause. Any breakthrough achievement must make a signifi cant diff erence to our communities and there is huge potential to make a real diff erence by harnessing the eff orts of our staff both in their professional roles and in supporting them to take action within their communities. The NHS ‘Reach Out’ Campaign encourages members of the public, companies and other organisations to complete a ‘pledge’ in which they will undertake to carry out a task of their choosing to address There is increasing evidence about the loneliness. These tasks can include anything from eff ects on health and wellbeing and the chatting to an elderly neighbour twice a week to impact on demand for services organising a social event for lonely people.

The pledge form is published at: www.reachout.scot.nhs.uk New north coast marine plan

To support north coast local This collaborative project with Marine Scotland and Orkney communities, a new marine plan for Islands Council and The Highland Council will support the the North Highlands’ coast has just Council’s aim for biodiverse marine and coastal waters that support thriving and resilient local communities. been completed. Details can be found on the Marine Scotland website. www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/3696

Page 20 Fort William’s Kingussie former school Council Offi ces

The £2.3m refurbishment and conversion of the gets new lease grade B listed former courthouse in Kingussie, and new extension to the rear to provide new Council of life offi ces is shortly to be completed, with staff moving in from late summer. Work started in June on the £5.7 million major project that will bring The Highland Council’s administrative and professional staff from diff erent locations across Fort William into a single building, providing a year-on- year revenue saving of around £400,000. Highland Council Architects Highland Council © Director Stuart Black views progress The new council offi ce will redevelop the former Fort William Secondary school site. The project breathes new life into the empty listed building, owned by the local authority. Space within the new building will be created for other public sector Creating new homes partners in a move to help with revenue costs. This latest project takes the total spend invested in Fort William in Fort William over the last fi ve years to over £40 Work has begun to transform the site of a former million. In addition to these investments, the medical centre in Fort William into aff ordable rental Council has also invested a further £2 million in accommodation. the purchase of the Blar Mor site to make provision for a new hospital and potentially a new science A partnership between Lochaber Housing academy for the West Highland college and Association and The Highland Council will see the has directed and enabled fi nance of £7.35m for site of the former Belhaven ward, which closed its housing association projects in the town over the doors in 2013, redeveloped over the next 12 months past 5 years. to create a mixture of bungalows and fl ats for rent. Five wheel-chair fully accessible bungalows will be rented to tenants by The Highland Council while the Lochaber Housing Association will rent out the 8 new fl ats. The project is being part funded by a Scottish Government Housing Grant with the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust acting as agent for both Highland Council Architects Highland Council

© the Council and Lochaber Housing Association. Page 21 Global Geopark status for North West Highlands © Jenny Grant

Ben Mor Coigach and Beinn an Eoin in

The North West Highlands was recently awarded status as a UNESCO Global Geopark. UNESCO recognition is excellent news for the Highlands and North West Sutherland and underlines the worldwide importance of our geological and cultural heritage in the Highlands. The UNESCO brand is expected to further enhance the work of the North West Highlands Geopark, helping to create new international funding and partnership opportunities, attract national and international visitors, and raise awareness of the North West Highland’s unique geological heritage. The North Coast 500 Route runs through the Geopark, showcasing some of the most outstanding scenery in the world. What sets UNESCO Global Geoparks apart is that they encourage locally-led partnerships that work to support sustainable economic development of the area. They do this primarily through geological and eco-tourism. Activities such as developing geo- trails and other projects bring geodiversity to life for people and, holding festivals and events, including education projects in schools and communities, Laing © Lucy inspire engagement in the earth sciences. Shegra Beach Page 22 National Award for 12 Highland beaches

Twelve Highland beaches The Highland beaches have been recognised recognised in this year’s as amongst the best awards are: managed beaches in the • Achmelvich Bay country. • Brora Beach The Highland beaches • Dornoch Beach have, for the fi rst time ever, received the prestigious • Durness, Sango Bay Scotland’s Beach Award - a newly launched accreditation • Embo Beach for beach management • Golspie in Scotland run by the Environmental charity, Keep • Loch Morlich Scotland Beautiful • Melvich From litter free sand, to • Nairn Central information provision and toilet provision to • Portmahomack maintaining beautiful promenades and secluded • Shandwick Bay bays, all the recognised • Strathy Bay beaches focus on improving and enhancing local All the award winning environmental quality. beaches are featured on © Iain Sarjeant Iain © The award is designed an online map that Keep to complement Scotland Beautiful have the work currently produced along with undertaken by the directions and details of the Scottish Environment facilities available. Protection Agency on bathing water quality and the RNLI on beach safety. www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/local-environmental- © The© Highland Council quality/beach-awards/beach-guide/map-of-winners

Follow @corranferry to keep up to speed with any service disruption. Corran Ferry The @corranferry twitter feed is also now live on the transport page on our website: www.highland.gov.uk The HighlandThe Council © Page 23 Thurso listed building restored to use

An iconic 200 year old Category B listed building, in Princes Street Thurso, has been restored and brought back into use as much needed living accommodation. The property sits a prime position within the conservation area of the town. Originally constructed and preserved. These include repairs to sash and case in the early 1800s, over a period of time, lack of windows, the original timber doors, skirtings and maintenance led to the demolition of the chimney facings, the ornate plaster cornices and the original head and the rear stair tower. The building became an roofi ng slates had been removed are now replaced. eyesore and, in order to save it, The Highland Council Stone repairs have included rebuilding the original acquired the building by Compulsory Purchase. window openings at the shopfront and rebuilding Renovation works started in May last year and now the gable chimneyhead. The external walls have the property has been transformed into three, one been lime rendered in keeping with how the building bedroom fl ats. During the works, where possible, the would have been rendered from early in its history. original features of the building were repaired

Build your Digital Skills and Confi dence At Digital Highlands... Being digitally capable can make a signifi cant difference to people we can help you do day to day. more online For individuals, this can mean • Keep in touch with friends and cutting household bills, making family online payments, fi nding a job, or maintaining contact with distant • Get the information you need friends and relatives. when you need it • Shop and save money For more information on how we can • Access government and local help, contact: Judie Holliday authority services [email protected] • Find work 07920 791 781

Page 24 The Highland Council celebrated the historic event of holding two Highland Council celebrates national football cup trophies in the Highlands double football success for a short period in the for Highland teams spring of 2016, with a photograph to mark the occasion. Iain Auld, Commercial Manager for Inverness Caley Provost of Inverness Helen Carmichael and Thistle Football Club said: Councillor Margaret Paterson from Dingwall and It is a fantastic achievement for the Highlands Seaforth Ward greeted Club Representatives and to hold both national cup trophies for the fi rst time. examined the silverware. Provost Carmichael said: We enjoyed our day in the sunshine at Hampden This is an historic day for the Highlands and last year and we are delighted to see our Highland I’m honoured and privileged to have held both of neighbours also experience success at Hampden in the cups herein Inverness. Congratulations to both March. Clubs. Alastair Kennedy, Director of Ross County Football Councillor Margaret Paterson added: Club said: This is absolutely amazing for both Ross It was a great day in the Club’s history to win County and Inverness and the whole of the the League Cup for the very fi rst time. It was a great Highlands, because history has been made occasion for all our fans and we are very appreciative having the two cups here in the Highlands! of the support we have received from Highland It is a tremendous achievement Council. by both teams.

Pictured with the trophies L-R: Provost of Inverness Helen Carmichael, Iain Auld (ICTFC), Cllr Margaret Paterson, Lorraine Christie (RCFC) and Alastair Kennedy (RCFC) Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 CC1617-36