page 36 Issue No 51, September 2015 a huge thank you delivered free to every address in Kilmallie
to our sponsors A huge thank you to the businesses below who have sponsored the newsletter this year. Our newsletter costs have been met by donations from all the businesses below, from KCC’s limited funds and in
kind from all our many volunteers.
in this issue KCC from the chair – p2 plan to fail - p2
KCC meetings – p3 marina update - p4 community policing – p4 planning applications - p4 CC elections - p5 councillors’ corner - p6 bogus tradesmen – p7 slower safer smilier - p8 the K team? - p8 WHILDP - p8 Kilmallie Playgroup - p9-10 Banavie School- p10 High Notes - p11 more growing together - p12 pictures
let us know via our suggestion boxes suggestion our via know us let Community Centre - p13 & stories Canal News - p13 inside Go Wild on Canal - p14 Bridge swings - p15 Corpach in Colour - p16-17
Go Wild on Canal - p18-19 Corpach on Colour - p20 Green Fingers - p21 Banavie Floral - p21 Two Margarets - p21 Banavie Park - p22 Waterloo Walk - p22 Rugby Club - p23 BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd Shinty Club - p23 Fort William Ltd Art Lochaber - p23 (HAULAGE) LTD Rural Education – p24 poem from Ruth - p24 beekeepers – p24 FOCAL - p25 Corpach Woods - p25 Skellig Michael - p26-27 Wild about Kilmallie - p28 war memorial - p29 letters - p29 newsletter help - p29 flower & produce winners, Luchd-polataics - p30 would you like to become a sponsor too? remembering Badabrie - p31
We rely on the contributions from our business community Energy Fayre - p32 garden champions, for the cost of producing and distributing this free newsletter to every address in our area. spotlight - p33
We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you focus on business - p33 what should KCC’s priorities be? KCC’s should priorities what would you like to see your name or logo in print supporting your community newsletter, please join with our current sponsors. CalAid - p34 & clean winners All donations, big or small, are hugely appreciated. Please contact us at [email protected] for details. puzzles from pithean - p35 sponsors - p36 of the Davy McCook trophy!
increasingly we are faced with the ultimatum of loss of services unless communities take them on. It may be a saving on the local page 2 kilmallie page 35 authority budget, but it is rarely a saving to the community when the true cost is taken into account. But we can’t blame the local community council authorities: their budgets have been repeatedly slashed and their hands are tightly tied by the current political forces. Let’s demand End of term excellent comprehensive public services funded by a fair system of taxation, and then we can start to look at what services our We’re approaching the end of KCC’s four year term (see page 5). community would choose to provide for ourselves. Answers to these puzzles are on the website Has it been worth it? Have we achieved anything worthwhile in the www.kilmallie.org.uk last four years? I hope we have – we have certainly been busy! (follow the link on the RHS of the homepage) Tangible achievements include the newsletter, the website, Thank you and will also be published in the next issue of improvements in the local planning process, a community fund, our Thank you to everyone who has supported KCC over the last four the newsletter for people without access to the slower safer smilier campaign, and getting lots of little things years. It’s a long list but it starts with you the community. Your internet. attended to, including the proverbial potholes. But there have questions, grumbles, problems, ideas. suggestions etc have all been intangible achievements too. A woman who’d moved away 2 posed us challenges that we have (mostly) enjoyed trying to rise to. Answer to Picture Quiz No 7: or 3 years ago, but still reads the newsletter, told us there was so We may not always have succeeded (we are a small band of Clockwise from top left: hare, woodpecker, much more going on in Kilmallie now! Maybe there is, or maybe it’s volunteers after all) but I do know that we’ve tried our best. If you peacock, kingfisher, barn owl and wild cat, all just that she is more aware now, but either way the community think we’re failing anytime, do please come along to help. Without seen close to the canal , yes even the peacock! council hopes to claim a little credit, and the newsletter in the community, a community council is meaningless. particular has played a big part. It’s not just about keeping folk Answers to last issue’s crossword: informed of what’s happening, it’s about raising awareness of the Thank you too to our Highland councillors, the local officials of Across: possibilities, and building our collective confidence for community Highland Council, and all the various government agencies and 1 TRIPLET, 4 MEGAN, 7 BREAD, action. other bodies for the many times you’ve listened, taken notice, 9 COUTURE, 10 COLONEL, 11 EAGLE, offered helpful advice, been supportive, and taken action on our 12 ORKNEY, 14 SEASON, 18 HARRY, community’s behalf. We really do appreciate it. (Although no Lines in the sand 20 ANIMALS, 22 BRONCOS, 23 ANGIE, thanks I’m afraid for the times when a few of you have ignored, 24 THEFT, 25 EARPLUG But sometimes, disguised as furry friendly opportunities for dismissed, or even manipulated the community, but no names Down: community empowerment, there is a growing pressure on mentioned!) 1 TOBACCO, 2 IDEAL, 3 TICKLE, 4 MOUSE, communities to take on local public services. This is where we And to KCC colleagues past and present – we have (mostly ) 5 GRUDGES, 6 NIECE, 8 DANCE, should all be drawing a firm line... succeeded in steering a pretty happy consensual course whilst 13 KARAOKE, 15 ERICA, 16 NESTEGG, Community councils exist primarily to represent the community’s respecting our own diverse views and those of the 1700 people 17 LASSIE, 18 HABIT, 19 YACHT, 21 ANGEL
views to local and national government, to public and other we’ve represented – thanks guys, it’s been a stimulating four years! eBay on sale for Eil Loch of
agencies, and to hold them to account in the interests of our community. We have the power to do almost anything in the Keep ‘em coming Across community interest, but that does not mean we should have the obligation to do so, especially when we are volunteers with little Please keep all the questions, grumbles, problems, ideas, 1 Remark (7) spare time and peanuts for funding. suggestions, opinions, contributions and offers of help coming, so 4 Pastries contained at art school (5) Kilmallie’s common weal can grow from strength to strength over 7 Ben has a GI to start (5) I like the principle of subsidiarity, ie that nothing should be done the next four years. 9 The Lionheart was one (7) centrally if it can be done equally well, or better, locally. But 10 Forgetfulness about main sea (7) communities need to be able to decide for themselves which Mandy Ketchin functions we can do equally well or better. At the moment, [email protected] picture quiz no 8 11 These TV serials should be clean enough (5) where in Kilmallie? 12 Diplomats are confused, so envy them (6) 14 This road in another retest (6) features for which the impact on the view and setting is given “some straight, some cryptic, some easy, some not so easy” 18 Goes down to avoid the birds (5) special consideration when considering planning applications. 20 This has six 6 downs (7) Examples of such features could include the Great Glen Way, West 1 2 3 4 5 6 Failing to plan - 22 It keeps the alternator and water pump turning Highland Way, routes up Ben Nevis, West Highland railway line, (3.4) and the Caledonian Canal. planning to fail 23 15 down is one (5) While different people will like different styles of buildings, there 7 8 9 24 They go up and down - with a bit of help (5) When I tell people I live near Fort William the reaction is often: are some that are almost universally unpopular. Many of these are 25 Do they fly with cups? (7) ‘such a beautiful area, such a planning disaster’. There are no easy as a result of architects trying to make their mark but without a solutions to past mistakes but the new West Highlands and Islands Down good understanding of the local area. It is the buildings that you Local Development Plan (WHILDP) is a chance to try and improve don’t notice which serve their function and fit the landscape in a 1 Greens. But not always (7) planning decisions in the future. Many of the past problems stem 10 11 way that doesn’t stand out or detract from the surroundings that 2 This girl is mean, but good starts inside (5) everyone in Kilmallie is an associate member of the community council community the of member associate an is Kilmallie in everyone from a lack of overall strategic planning for the area which is are a sign of true architectural talent. More recognition needs to something that the plan is intended to try and address. 3 This Scottish design is to be found in the start be given to architects who create sympathetic buildings that suit – and finish (6) the landscape. Planners also have a role to play in encouraging At a time when there are large areas of land which can no longer 4 They might suck your blood (5) coherent building styles in keeping with their surroundings. Many 12 13 14 15 16 be considered natural but still have not been built on, there is little 5 Apparently not all beer is this (4,3) of the new houses appearing across Kilmallie are not unpleasant reason to be seeking to allocate more countryside for 6 A square has 4 (5) buildings in their own right but mix a jumble of styles side by side 17 development. The local plan has an important role to play in 8 Not very nice part of the gymnast you know (5) and the result is a mess. Sprawling urbanisation is almost making the best use of all the land that is available and not inevitable without strict controls and respect for areas such as 13 Opening (7) allowing issues of land ownership and short term economics to 18 19 20 21 designated hinterland. 15 The Lone Star State (5) postcards and pictures of lots drive decisions that affect the long-term interests of the area. 16 Sets of two wheels for two people (7) Keeping the area visually attractive is an important aspect of this. a vision vision a The results of the initial call for sites and ideas for the WHILDP are 17 i.e. (4,2)
now available. The next stage will be comments on a draft plan. A What is often lacking in planning decisions is consideration of 22 23 18 Cartoon character who is one of the 18 (5) wide participation in this process may be one way to avoid aesthetics. The impact of a development on a view is frequently 19 Sliding things were led in the shortened sailing the mistakes of the past. ship (5) not a material planning consideration and yet is the aspect that most people notice. One option would be to designate specific Russell Leaper, Secretary 21 Serious burial place (5) 24 25 Thank you to Tony Whitelocke for another great crossword. page 34 how many refugees could we welcome in Kilmallie?
displaced people in supports CalAid choose to leavechoose to behind and have, you all dangerous would circumstancesyou that Can imagine you beinghopeless such in dangersbehind leave they intolerable. are People flee theirbecause thehomeland suffering shelters. in makeshift or held,left detentioncamps, atbest, in beto treated parasites ascriminals or and recognisepeople help, these need that not 100,000s morepeople they weare: than Other European are taking in countries such dire need. countries, are when in so especially they that we needother people welcome from to in desperate need. ussaying More of are peoplehorror atour country’s of treatment thevoice theirand injustice and prejudice do somethingout against about speak it, to the and humandisaster determined are to But thankfully more people are alerting to playingis and years unconscionable. for out and refugees mistreatmentof been has thatbeen has deaths playing with out the awakento sympathies. tragedy The human some traumaticimages have recently begun It can hardly be to said that be news good callous? and cultural climate it so can be that helped. apolitical What’sgoingwrong with demonised of dehumanised instead and indeedoften are victims the all too be run to aid, much the slower to victims’ whenis disaster the man donate help.to blankets money and Yet to Whenwe all thereanatural disaster,rush is fellow humansinconditions. dire suffering empathy some expressedfor quarters in different suchthespecies,shocking is of lack seekers, would you think we a belong to press about refugees, migrants asylum and hear the someTo of comments made in the areOr weall village? residents one global of Scotland Lochaberor big isHow Is acommunity? it Corpach is human No illegal. Calais refugee camps.
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refugees. proceeds help to struggling going the be with auctioned viaoff Facebook, all havewho offeredwhich will artwork soon Support artists, is local also coming from donationsin directneed. most those to JustGiving, help to deliver them the £500 viathe online fundingwebsite, tackle. They areraise currently trying to inmost need one needsgroup the is to also The problem to getting the supplies those of donations are urgently needed. rain, but arebeing now together, more put thehats, off trousershold tarpaulins to and toothpaste, sleeping woolly shoes, bags, The first aidof includingbatch packs, ScotlandGlasgow. outside Edinburgh and and in theup set was to be hub first LondonShe Aid us affiliated tellsItis toCal living in. the of footage conditions many refugees are volunteers onlineseeing after horrifying Lochaber. Organiser rallying Paul began Liz takenAid by lead the setting up Cal members globaland the community have of community recognisethat all we are Fortunately membersthe of Lochaber seek life them? asafer for andwife childrento behindgo while you governments? have to leave to Or your criminalcompassionless traffickersand uncertain of destinationat mercy the anopen to onahazardous boat journey take the to with children sea your in an the donationscoming. collectingcan things andwhenever keep you there keep to important urgency it’s is also althoughIt is an aid ongoing so programme To lendTo visit support your the to group, information onwhere your information off to drop Arrangements up areset as still being crowdfunding.justgiving.com/calaid or searchor CalAid for Lochaberon we go to printwe to go the for but latest email [email protected]
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Men's shoessize UK7 and there are children. few currently menof to womenratio in the iscamps 10:1 belts 28 trousers size jeans and and small sizeMen's jackets warm and waterproofs What’s needed: Formal shoes Suits Sheets pillows or What’s not needed products otherTampons or feminine hygiene Nappies,etc baby wipes Jumpers sweaters or Children's shoes or clothes Women’s clothes shoes or What’s not needed rightnow kindcomfort words andcan bring. gestures theseand people are what through, going people many care! what of of who Think and acceptance, remindersthere that are lettershope of your to donations, messages cardsAlso, or think attaching notes, about books. anddictionarieseducational English and inBooks varying languages,includingFrench adaptors. Smart phonessim cards,European with and Campingutensils. pots, pansand stoves, generic antibiotics. creams, over suppliesantisepticplasters, like bandages, Vitamins, medicine aid basic and first foam. toothbrushes, tissues,shaving and razors toothpaste, soap, of wash cloths, Basic toiletries bars such hand sanitiser, as equipment that light. used can be for wind Candles, matches, torches batteries, and sleeping mats, blankets towels. and Tents, tarpaulins,sleeping campbeds, bags, Men'shats. gloves, and scarves
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43 32. The
Council. of Kilmallieviews the of newsletter or Communityteam Views expressed are this newsletter the in not necessarily email Mandy Ketchin Kshama Wilmington Jan MacLugash ChristineHutchison newsletterYour team: 4 years. foranother coming newsletters the keep to way team newsletter the join and associate member asan board come on not yourself, why standing fancy don’t you If election. for stand 8 people least makesureat to can you all pleasedo continue, to newsletter like the If you’d community. of the encouragement and support the help, without it do we couldn’t but team, publishing and editorial volunteer a us as for of work amount huge the a readers. It’s you and sponsors staplers, deliverers, folders, printers, photographers, years: contributors, the four over last everyone the but issue, this with helped everyone just who’s not thank to like we’d so elections, the before KCC present ofthe newsletter last and bethe 17th will people. This many so from contributions fantastic some with pages, 36 humungous Another community us [email protected] -
if a goodly number of you join, it will be the best will the it be join, of you number if goodly a
kilmallie especially ifyou are thinking about becoming a community councillor
and would like to see what it is all about before deciding to stand: come alongtoKCC’s meetings
news
“Zero Waste in Kilmallie: inKilmallie: Waste “Zero the place to share your ideas andconcerns for local issues
with guest speakers from Lochaber Environmental Group
the art of thepossible” artof the
772383 772252 772499 we would be delighted to see you and talkto you before KCC is dissolved and a new KCC is elected
Wednesday 21st October. 7:15pm,
Kilmallie Community Centre but only 1 more meeting
do come along,
Associate member member Associate members Other Treasurer Secretary Chair constituted. is new KCC the once set be dates will Further 21 October are: meetingdates ordinary Next casein changes. of Facebook or website the check Please December. and July excluding month every of Wednesday 3rd the on Centre Kilmallie Community in at 7:15pm held currently are Meetings meetings. our all at welcome most are public Members the of COUNCIL COMMUNITY KILMALLIE
[email protected] 7LY Banavie PH33 Salen, MacLugash Jan [email protected] 7LY PH33 Banavie, House, Canal Russell Leaper [email protected] Ketchin Mandy
Chris Pellow Wilmington Kshama Hutchison Christine Heathcote Geoff Campbell Anne Carol
page 3 what topics would you like the next KCC to focus on in their 4 year term?
page 4 brilliant! at last lower speed limits on the Blar
you areyou has instructedbyunexpectedly called someone who you to Police Scotland important adviseis that very remember it to if that offeringtheir removecertain viruses to a computers for from fee. persons contactingresidents local to purporting Microsoft, be from vigilant anumberreports of telephone fraudsters of following of road safety and reduction. casualty Lochaber and including beyond, their A830,commitment the into Fort William regular out carry speedchecks within trunk on roads this PolicingA830. Road based the Group OurTrunk stretch in of residentsfrom regarding at Locheilside out vehicles of on speed the Banavie PrimaryConstable School’s liaisonofficer is Boyd. Mary inschool Lochaberhas police adedicated and liaisonofficer schools, community councilsother and partner Each agencies. theOver renew to coming wewill weeks look links our local with Newsletter thethe for weekthe on back go autumn term. schools writingI am thisthefor KilmallieCommunity article Council policing community plans afoot plans 28/08/15 02/09/15 17/08/15 17/08/15 05/08/15 30/07/15 05/08/15 05/08/15 22/07/15 28/07/15 28/07/15 05/06/15 28/05/15 corpach marina thomas telford
Aspectsbe are that would very welcome expressed. RegenerationCaol asummaryofthewith opinions Company you number comments of about theproposals. Wehaveto written Following feature our newsletter, in June the received KCC a On the safety, would I encourage topic of public thebe to Kilmalliereceivedseveral Council Community has complaints
a shelteredlaunchingsmall for slipway boats. facilities craft small for local launches facilities cruise for ship to disembarkpassengers via availability deep of berthing
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accommodation at accommodation upperlevel,Tarmachan Kinlocheil Demolish& erect existing replacement withsingle garage double garage residential utility, & storage Daylesford Banavie of house Erection (renewal consentOldEmbankmentof Railway 07/00484/OUTLO), Of South Land Keepers 570MNE Of Cottage Achdalieu Form andprivate forest alter maintenance for a way deer management and operations of Alterationsdecking and erection with to house canopy,Wilson Banavie Way Arkaig, anof insulated Erection Doghachalet, Cottage Annat View Land Braeside 70MSE Of Achdalieu Cottage a of new dwellingErection and caravan temporarysiting of house static of shed, Erection Lochybank Camaghael Discharge S75 Agreement, of LandBraeside 70MSE Of Cottage Achdalieu Proposed Hillview alterations 31 extension, & Drive Corpach Alterationsoffice extension to & building of officeErection Of 45MHillcrest, NE building, Land Fassfern of house,LandTigh Erection 155M Of NW A ChuilBadabrie of house,Land BraesideErection Of 70M SE Achdalieu Cottage
Weekly Planning seeSept 2014edition Lists, of Kilmallie News. the Community week endingSome already may been further 04/09/15. For havedetermined. about information Herewe’ve applications areon noticed that local the theLists to sincethe Weekly last newsletter, up
[email protected] secretary Leaper. Russell contributeplease KCC contact informed, have or furtherto views wouldyou likeIf be to kept a furtherdiscuss. meeting to delightedsuggested that have CRC modest proposals weare and number ideasbased of more on KCC have also passeda CRC to on People’s concerns included: feedback comments Policing or local on in KilmallieLochaber the or they will this neverask information. for police.evenor the If be to iftheyclaim caller bank the genuine is telephone. Intell never addition, somebody your banknumber, PIN bankcard or provided detailsnotbe strangers to should the on relation financial your accounts. to Personal credit information, themto in person. Alternatively,wish ifyouadvice, visit further and yourspeakbank telephone as criminals the number will take this. advantage of telephone linemake call. to the phone number otherbe to or bank your trusted use sureanother to Tel. 101 for non Tel. 101for 7GA PH33 Fort William MOR, BLAR Fort William Station Police Police Service Scotland of [email protected] for KilmallieLiaison Officer Community Council Andrew Bilton, Police Sergeant area.
Aswould previous per newsletter I welcome any articles, Be very suspicious calls unsolicited of that receive you in
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Murray and May Webb. by the group's most senior members, Katie Belle Food Stop, and the birthday cake cut was jointly and invited board directors enjoyed lunch at the celebrated itsfirst anniversary inJune. Members William onthe second Tuesday everymonth, of group, which meets atthe AlexandraHotel in Fort Right: Lochaber Sensory Care's re Caol. Left: Lochaber Sensory Care's Drop Abernethy Ian new people... meet and new skills learn to prepared are who volunteers, more welcome accepted! gratefully friends and families their and customers’ from ‘satisfied come these of Some accepted! are gratefully donations charitable largely by is Support Hearing and forSight Care Sensory Lochaber by out carried work the of much that say isto It fair
Meanwhile LSC continues to to LSCcontinues Meanwhile activities. outdoor and indoor of programme comprehensive Social newly created a events fundraising in participation and of, organisation services. outreach and local first class
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page 33 KCC needs to advertise for a snippet writer!
page 32 Have you wondered what it page 5 would be like KCC elections
to drive an electric car Within Highland, the constitution of If there are more than eight nominations, HIGHLAND COUNCIL’S community councils, and the rules for CC and no-one withdraws, there will be a or ride an electric bike? elections are determined and imposed by vote. Everyone living in Kilmallie on the TIMETABLE Highland Council. electoral register will be entitled to vote. Well, you will have the FOR CC ELECTIONS There is special provision for 16-17 year All Community Councils in Highland run for olds (see left). Do please contact Highland chance to experience both at a four year term, ending on Tuesday 17 Council before 2 October if you are 16-17
the Energy Fayre! Monday 21 September November. On that day, all current years old and wish to vote). Publication of Notice of Election Kilmallie community councillors (Mandy, The Arisaig Eco Project will Russell, Jan, Christine, Kshama, Carol Anne The vote will be organised by Highland be attending the Fayre with Tuesday 22 September and Geoff, plus also Chris our Associate Council, full details still to be published by their community-owned member) will stand down and KCC will be them. dissolved. Electric Bikes, and Home Earliest date for receipt of The inaugural meeting of any new Kilmallie Energy Scotland are Nomination Papers Meanwhile nominations for community Community Council will be convened by organising a Nissan Leaf councillors for the next four year term can Highland Council, to take place some time electric car for you to try. be lodged between 22 September and 6 before 18 December. Friday 2 October October (see left). There are no party Closing date for electors to be If you have any queries about standing for politics in community councils, so each Nevis Cycles will also be election, the nomination process, or the included in Supplementary Register person stands as an independent attending, offering help and voting process, please contact Highland for 16 and 17 year olds wishing to individual. advice covering bike vote in the Community Council Council’s Fort William Service Point in the photo: Ness e-bikes Kilmallie Community Centre maintenance and repairs. Election. KCC is allowed a maximum of eight High Street (01397 707290), or go to the community councillors and a minimum website at the bottom of the invitation th Saturday 19 September of four. below. Tuesday 6 October If there are less than four nominations, KCC In the event of KCC not surviving at all after 11am - 4pm Latest date for lodging cannot be reconstituted, and Kilmallie will 17 Sept, or in the inevitable hiatus be without any community council between 17 Nov and 18 December, please Are you feeling the pinch from high energy bills? Do you Nomination Papers (must representation (and without any contact Dot Ferguson, Highland Council think your house is struggling to keep warm? We will be be received by 4.00 pm) newsletters!). Ward Manager, with any local concerns, 01397 707231 offering signups to our free OWL and Thermal surveys as If there are between four and eight [email protected] well as providing additional information on your Thursday 8 October nominations, all nominees will be elected household energy use. Latest date for withdrawal of automatically unopposed, with no need for Hoping to be still alive come December Nomination Papers – notification in a vote. Kilmallie Community Council
Accompanying us at the event will be Home Energy writing must be given by 4.00 pm
Scotland, providing impartial and independent advice and assistance on renewables, energy efficiency and funding Tuesday 27 October opportunities. Post out of ballot papers, where increased opportunities for recycling recycling for opportunities increased Electric car driving - Your chance election is contested Eigg- building a green island
Tuesday 17 November Scotland Fairer a create to how CCs asking Govt Scottish Our guest speaker, John Hutchison will present a talk to give it a try in Corpach Existing Community Councils
about the Eigg electric grid, a system completely dissolved at 23.59 hrs. – Must book in advance with independent of our national grid. Starts at 11:30am Home Energy Scotland WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER (0808 808 2282) Refreshments will be available throughout the day. There ELECTION DAY will be plenty to see with opportunities to try out all on offer. We have lots more planned including a raffle for new members.
Renewable energy advice on
KCC welcomes hand postal ballot papers must be received by 4.00 p.m. We strongly encourage renewable adoption however, we
appreciate that the barrier to entry can seem quite high. If Thursday 19 / Friday 20 November you are interested in adopting renewable technologies, we Counting of the Votes will have professional installers on hand as well as if the number of elections permits householders with systems installed, providing their the counts to be held over 2 days. thoughts and advice.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact by Friday 18 December initiative welcome
us via: [email protected] or tel 01397 Notification issued regarding the
700090. calling of the first meetings of the
new Community Councils
Killean Mackay and Charlotte Hatto 9th (Scottish) division and were a territorial page 6 unit. page 31 our Highland councillors’ corner remembering Badabrie John died in one of the major field church. Katie followed him and asked what hospitals on the western front so it is Many thanks to Alyson Stewart, who This time we again gave our three councillors a one-word topic: LAND. The subject is very much in people’s minds just was wrong. He took her in his arms and told unclear when he would actually have been now lives in Lochyside, for sending us now, with the proposed Land Reform Bill published by the Scottish Parliament, and the Land Festival that has been taking her he was taking in everything so no matter wounded, but we do know that he was this lovely piece about her Badabrie place with events and activities all over Scotland in the last two weeks of August. where this journey took him he would hold evacuated. family. his 'Cuil Na Sithe’ in his heart forever. This He was our great and great great Land is probably one of the most divisive Even community owned land such as before they were all fused together as one. was what he called Lochaber - his little grandfather. He has left behind him 40 male and disputed commodities, even in times Kilmallie Oakwoods and the proposed The records will take teams of lawyers, I am from a very large close family from peaceful corner, and it’s what my granny and 44 female descendants who are so before values were attached to it. It has woodland buyout in Glengarry give rise to years to complete into one register. Badabrie and for this I am eternally grateful. Cathy named our home. desperately proud to keep his memory alive. caused more disagreements than religion, the delicate balance between amenity Even trying to develop something as simple I was brought up with the morals, traditions John was a great letter writer and sent Lest we forget. and beliefs of these previous generations home many letters to Katie. My granny with arguments and wars all across the ground and the requirement to develop, to as “A Way to the West” has aroused Alyson Stewart and hopefully I have handed them down to Cathy destroyed many of his personal letters world. Be it neighbouring countries, defray costs or encourage community use. controversy with some land owners being counties, communities or neighbours, all While there is undoubted need to satisfy the easy to deal with and others completely the next little ones growing up. I am so as she felt they were so personal to the two have potential for conflict over land. Locally housing requirements of a modern society intransigent over permission to traverse proud to be able to say I come from John of them. The others which were for the Pictures of John. a couple of the pieces he sent home from Belgium to his beloved wife and it was bad enough when fences, rivers, and the infrastructure that necessitates, across their patch of land. Campbell's croft in Badabrie and although family she kept. From his letters we can feel family, and one of his letters. streams or significant landmarks were used such as shopping, roads, schools leisure and neither I nor the generation before mine just what was important to him: his family as demarcation, but with digital mapping medical facilities, there is again the delicate We have not really learned a lot from ever met him, we all feel we did. My mum and his home. He was a simple crofter who and her siblings grew up with a grandfather asked for nothing but gave so much. the stakes have been raised, giving many a balance between that and amenity and ancient times with the old grace and favour lawyer grey hairs. One man’s wilderness is leisure open space ground. The recent being overtaken by the rich and determined who had died before they were born but During his time away at war he met another man’s garden, hence the disputes building site preparation of the blanket peat to be landed gentry, who cleared our who played a huge part in their lives many folks from around the Lochaber area over the placement on land concerning wind bog, Blar Mor, is a prime case, with still forefathers off their rocky patch of land. In through the stories and information passed and describes with humour some of their turbines harnessing wind power. Most fractured views. fact it is impossible to précis land. Perhaps on to them. stories. He describes in one letter meeting would agree that renewable power and the new community land bill will John Campbell was a true Highland two brothers who were from the local catching wind power is essential but dispute Highland Council have had a mighty task be the panacea for all ills, but I gentleman and he simply lived for his family. travelling people. Their skills and banter where that should be, even, when it is not trying to ascertain all the land that they have my doubts. It will only be a He was a very hard working man and turned kept him going through many nights in the their land. Planners have an unenviable task currently own, as over the years local land good start. his hand to anything that was required to trenches. to satisfy everyone. deals have been struck, excambions make life easier for them all. His woodwork He was not able to describe in any detail fashioned by local and district councils, Cllr Allan Henderson skills were incredible and he made beautiful where he was or what he witnessed but things from driftwood etc. I am very into instead was able to portray how much he craft work of many kinds and I strongly missed his family and his deep love for them The word “land” can mean so many things to many and the decline in public transport in walkers, climbers and others oppose locating believe that it is an inherited gene as both all. so many people - everything from land many rural areas due to a collapse in wind turbines on wild land or indeed my great grandparents and subsequent The ninth division had been taking part reform to a vegetable patch, grass verges business, it will be next to impossible for the anywhere. Nuclear power stations are an generations made everything imaginable in the 'final 100 days' of the war. This
and playing fields. Land has been a thorny majority of the population to fulfil any alternative power source. Both power from nothing. period was when the allied armies were in on Twitter and Facebook? and Twitter on issue since the days when certain individuals dreams that they may have of rural life. sources provide employment. There are of John met and married the love of his life pursuit of the Germans, pushing them back decided that they wanted to own and course arguments for and against both sides Katie and she came from Ballachulish. She steadily after four years of virtual stalemate. Thankfully, the SNP Government’s Land control the wealth that land ownership gave including costs. already had a son when they met: John The divisional history says that in the month them. Land ownership gave them power Reform Bill is all about fairness regarding the
of a new hospital in Kilmallie? Kilmallie? in hospital new a of helped him and brought him up as his own. beginning 28th September 1918 the division
ownership and access to and use of land. Millions of trees have been planted and
over those who lived on the land, those who They went on to have two little girls - Cathy covers 28 miles of ground, advancing from The Community Empowerment Act will many peatlands have been protected as a wished to develop the land and those who who was my granny Livingston, and her Ypres to the banks of the Scheldt. During decentralise decision making to give people way of helping to reduce Scotland’s carbon simply wanted to travel over the land. Over beautiful younger sister Minnie. Minnie was this time they suffered losses of 188 officers more powers to take ownership. emissions. the past two thousand years, little has a dainty pretty little girl who tragically died and 3,604 other ranks. They captured 3,400 Fracking is the latest issue that will raise the changed. Far too few people own land in in the old Belford hospital at the young age prisoners. The fifth battalion Cameron hackles of people with opposing views. Using land for renewables is Government Scotland. Tom Johnstone, a past Secretary of 18. For five days she lay with her wrists Highlanders were in the 26th brigade of the Land use is a minefield and to do it justice policy to create a carbon neutral community. of State for Scotland, once said that “a and ankles tied to the ends of the bed and a would require covering many headings, According to some statistics, the vast democracy ignorant of the past is not bite stick as she died in agony from many chapters and many books. majority of Scots support the qualified either to analyse the present or to meningitis. How thankful we are nowadays One other controversial issue which has Government’s view on shape the future”. renewables. for the advancement in antibiotics and pain struck a chord with many people is relief. We have now reached the stage where rural renewables, in particular the use of wind John was called up like so many young housing is the preserve of the wealthy. turbines. Residents, who are lucky enough Cllr Bill Clark men and left his beloved Badabrie to go and With the cost of land being prohibitive for to live in rural areas, together with the many fight for his country. Before he left, there The house I grew up in until the age of 7 is in If we want to continue improving our roads interest on the loan comes out of general was a special church service in Kilmallie Annat by Loch Torridon. It was very recently (and playparks, amenity areas, high streets council funds - so everyone pays regardless Parish Church for all the men. During the on the market for well over 1000% more etc) with public money, we need to find new of the extent to which they benefit. If the service John got up and went outside the than what my parents paid for it. Some of and better ways of paying for it. Using the ease of commuting around Inverness
what’s the likelihood likelihood the what’s that increase is general house price increase in land value that is created by improves because the West Link gets built, inflation, but some of it is due to access to better roads or parks or paths is an obvious shouldn’t local residents pay Glen Torridon having been much improved way to do it. Andy Wightman cites Central proportionately more than a non-driving following you KCC are by roadworks over the last 30 years - the Park in New York - it was paid for using the council tax payer from Corpach? Scrapping last section of road from Garve to increase in value of the houses that council tax and replacing it with a land tax as Kinlochewe to be upgraded to double-track surround it. The occupants of those houses proposed by Andy Wightman is a much was finally completed about 5 years ago. got a much better view but they paid for it better way of funding improvements to our in a very fair way. infrastructure. A land tax would financially The several owners of the small patch of motivate Highland Council to install new land on which that house sits have The idea is not dissimilar to the proposed play areas, footpaths, cycleways financially benefitted from road City Deal for Inverness - the UK government etc. as all these would increase improvements. That benefit is possibly is proposing to extend loans for projects surrounding land values just like greater than every penny of council tax or that will generate additional tax income, Central Park did. other local tax they’ve contributed to the which covers the cost of the loan. The upkeep of Highland infrastructure. problem with the City Deal is that the Cllr Ben Thompson speaker, he had a clear vision of what the Highlands page 30 needed. He saw that there was a basic need for page 7 improved transport infrastructure, especially for far better quays in the islands and more support for Luchd - crofting and agriculture. This amounted to a virtual revolution against a government that saw the bogus tradesmen Bogus tradesmen don’t just con other people in other places - we’re aware of them operating here in Kilmallie. Police Highlands as a wilderness only suitable for hunting Scotland and Highland Council’s Trading Standards department have produced a leaflet to warn people of the dangers, and its people as cannon fodder for the army. which we reproduce below. Our advice is NEVER to buy goods or services from unsolicited callers, and NEVER let an
unsolicited caller into your house. Always check the credentials of people claiming to be polataics Aig an àm sin, bha an partaidh toraidheach air leth Chuir buaidh Mairi Nic 'ille Dhuibh ann an Paislig aig an ladir an Alba. Ged a fhuair Mac 'ill a' Bhrataich taic officials. If you are at all uncertain, ask them to come back later when you’ve had a chance tagh Phàrlamaid Seonaidh Mac 'ill a' Bhrataich na mo chuimhne. air leth ann an Eilean Sgitheanach, Lochabar agus àiteachan mar sin to check with their organisation and arrange for someone else to be with you. If this Tha móran a' cumail a mach gur e an ball phàrlamaid as fhearr nach cha do chòrd iomhaidh aige ( A' Ghaidhlig, àiteachas agus makes them cross or impatient the chances are they’re not dh'fhuair Alba riamh a bh'ann agus theap e Paislig a bhuanaicheadh ceilidhean) le daoine òga, treandaidh Inbhir Nis. Bha sinach fada ro genuine - a genuine official should always respect your ann an fo-thag ann an 1961. seann fhasanta dhaibhsan. Nach eil an t-Saoghal air atharrachadh? uncertainty. Do not be bullied on your own doorstep. Thoisich na naimheadean aige breugan ag innse. Thuirt iad gun Mhairi Black’s victory in Paisley at the general election reminded robh e an comnaidh fo buidaidh na dibhe agus gur e misgear a me of Johnny Bannerman, arguably the best MP that Scotland bh'ann. O cho mealt a bh'ann san t-saoghal! Cha mhòr nach robh e never elected. In 1961 he came close to winning Paisley in a by- tt! Seall cho beag 's a tha an t-Saoghal air atharrachadh agus cha election. robh Lynton Crosbie ann, an uairsinn. Cha deach na laithean le Mac 'ill a' Bhrataich ach bha e faisg agus rinn e nas fhasa e airson Rusell Tha cuimhne agam air a' tighinn dhan dachaidh againne, a chuir MacIain ann an 1964. seachad na h-oidche, agus esan a' seasamh airson Siorrachd Inbhir Nis anns na 50an. Mar as trice, bheireadh e Duncan’s Hazel Nut At that time the Tory party was extremely strong in Scotland.
chocolate dhomh. Bha e an comhnaidh Duncans a chionn gun Although Bannerman got strong support in Skye and areas like deach a dhèanamh ann an Alba! 'S e caraid m'athair a bh'ann ach, Lochaber his image (Gaelic, agriculture, ceilidhs) did not appeal to gus an fhirrinn innse, cha robh Seonaidh idir gann de caraidean. Bha the trendy youth of Inverness. He was far too old fashioned for mi air leth proiseil gun d'rainig bannrachd aige, Ray, dhan bannais them. It’s strange how the world has changed. His enemies began agam. to slander him. It was whispered that he was perpetually drunk and that he was an alcoholic. In truth he was virtually an abstainer. I remember him coming to spend the night in our home when he Maybe the world hasn’t changed that much and there was no was standing for election in Inverness-shire in the ‘50s. Usually he Lynton Crosbie around then. Bannerman didn’t win but he came gave me a bar of Duncan’s Hazel Nut chocolate. It was always close and he made it easier for Russell Johnston in ’64. Duncan’s because it was made in Scotland. It seems he was a friend of my father but then he had a huge circle of friends. Years later I Thoisich an aon sgeulachd a dhol mun chuart mu dheidhinn Russell was intensely proud that his widow, Ray, came to my wedding. MacIain ann an 1964 ach sguir e 'sa bhad agus esan a' bagairt a dhol gu lagh. Bha duil aige dè bha tighinn. Rugadh agus thogadh e ann an Glaschu gu teaghlach cliuteach a thaobh na Gaidhlig agus rinn e stri mòr, fad a bheatha, airson na When the drink story began to circulate about Johnston in ’64 he cànain. Ghabh e pairt ann an mòdan naiseanta, bha fàilte mhòr air knocked it on the head very quickly with threats of a law suit. an comhnaidh aig ceilidhean agus bha e na Cheann Shuidhe a' Forewarned is forearmed. Chomuinn Ghaidhealach. Cha do chluich duine sam bith eile barrachd tursan do sgioba rugbaidh na h-Alba airson iomadh Saoilidh mi gum faigheadh Seonaidh tlachd, gu ire, bho mhòran rud bhliadhna. Bha e san sgioba a rinn an gnothaidh air Sasainn ann an anns a' Ghaidhealach l à an diugh, gu h-araid foghlan troimh 1925 anns a' chiad geama aig parc ùr Murrayfield agus a mheadhan na Gaidhlig, rathaidean agus ceangailean comhadail nas bhuaineach an “grand slam”. 'S e duine fior laghach a bh'ann. Thuirt fhearr. Cha bhiodh e idir toilichte mun staid aiteachas agus Herbert Waddell, gaisgeach rugbaidh eile, gun robh e an comnaidh croitearachd. Fhuair e àite ann an Taigh nam Moraran, mar Morar 11? Ward beocme might 12 Ward our that Camaghael means crooked field? crooked means thatCamaghael a' fearachainn nas fhearr as deidh a' tachairt le Mac ill a' Bhrataich, Cill Donan, àite mi-ainmeil airson nan fuachaichean. Saoil nach ged nach dh'fhuair iad ach tri faclan! bhiodh a' Ghaidhealach na àite nas fhearr nam faigheadh e a-steach dhan Taigh nan Cumantan. He was born and raised in Glasgow in a family famous in Gaelic circles and he championed the language vigorously throughout his I believe that Bannerman would derive pleasure from many aspects life. He competed in National Mòds and became President of An of the Highlands today, especially Gaelic Medium Education and
Comunn Gàidhealach. A true charismatic he was always hugely better roads and communications. He would not be impressed by welcome at ceilidhs. Until Hughie MacLeod in the ‘60s, nobody the state of crofting and agriculture. He became a member of the played rugby for Scotland more often. He was a leading light in the House of Lords as Lord Kildonan, taking his title from a place
is it true it is true 1925 team that beat England at the new park at Murrayfield and notorious because of the clearances but wouldn’t it have been looks like looks won the Grand Slam. He was an immensely kind and friendly man. better for the Highlands if he had entered the House of Commons? Herbert Waddell, another Glasgow rugby hero, said that you always felt better for having met him, even if he only said three words to (Chaidh an pios seo a sgriobadh air itealan os chionn a’ chuan siar you. beagan as deidh an tagh naisenta agus mus dh’fhuair sinn naidheachd duilich bas Thearlaich Ceanadaich, fear laghach, Sheas e airson nan Liberalach ann an Siorrachd Inbhir Nis, ann an fo comasach eile a rinn uiread airson na Gàidhealtachd. Bha e coltach -thag, ann an 1954 agus arithist ann an 1955 agus 1959 anns na ri Mac ‘ill a’ Bhrataich ann an iomadh doigh. Tha sinn fada na taghan naisenta. ‘S e òraidiche air leth a bh’ann. Bha leirsinn chomain.) soilleir aige air feumlachdan na Gaidhealtachd. Chunnaic e gun robh feum bunaideach air leasachaidhean comhadail, gu h-araid cidhean (This piece was written in an aircraft over the Atlantic shortly after fada nas fhearr ans na h-eileanan agus barrachd taic airson the recent election and before we received the sad news of the chroitearean agus thuanaich. 'S e seorsa de aramach a bha sin an death of Charles Kennedy, another decent, extremely able man agaidh rialtas a chunnaic a' Ghaidhealach mar fasach lom a bha who did so much for the Highlands. In so many ways he and Johnny direach math airson seilge agus na daoine mar biadh ghunna! Bannerman were alike. We owe so much to him.)
He stood for the Liberals in Inverness-shire at a by-election in 1954 Ronald Cameron and again in the ’55 and ’59 General Elections. An exceptional page 8 page 29 slower safer smilier Delighted to see the 60mph limit finally reduced to 40mph over the Blar. It is a welcome step in the right direction.
But disappointed that the 20mph part time signs at the High School still aren’t working, and we haven’t noticed the light-up speed warning
signs either side of Corpach working
yet either. Why does it take SO long to implement the changes that communities want to see?
We were interested to notice that some places in Scotland We’ve been told of concerns about traffic at Locheilside DO have compulsory 20mph limits on the A-roads through exceeding the 60mph limit. This is of particular concern their centre. The picture above (thanks to Google Earth) where car parking is immediately adjacent to the road. We shows the 20mph signs on the A94 through Burrelton in have raised this with the police, who have agreed to carry Perthshire. The difference is that the road in Burrelton is just out some speed checks. Please do keep raising your a ‘primary’ A-road, whereas the A830 through Corpach is a concerns with KCC if it continues to be a problem. We are ‘TRUNK’ road. Transport Scotland currently decree that on unlikely to persuade Transport Scotland to do anything trunk roads, the vehicles MUST take priority over the about it (like eg installing a light-up slow down sign) unless wellbeing of the communities that they pass through, all for we can demonstrate evidence of widespread concern. After the article about the War Memorial in the June issue, we thought you’d like to see this photo from the Scottish War the sake of a few seconds added to a journey. Memorials website, taken in the ?1930s. We’re having difficulty figuring it out... the route in the foreground seems to be the railway but we can’t make out the railway bridge over the canal? And where is the road? Was the War Memorial originally below the old road? Can anyone throw some light? A few residents, volunteers again, give their time to pick up litter along some of the roadside in Kilmallie and the staff at the K team? The Co-op in Corpach try hard to keep their shop front litter We love to receive letters & feedback. free, but if we want Kilmallie to be cleaner and tidier – then Please let us know what you think about the newsletter, and write to us Keeping Kilmallie clean and tidy more has to be done. letters with your news, views, questions and answers. KCC has been contacted by a resident wondering if
Thanks for your letter John. something similar to the Fort William Town Team could Fort William Town Team does litter picking, flower planting, Dear KCC The Kilmallie Image Library is a great resource for old photos. It has a happen in Kilmallie. some painting and general cleaning – do you think that
few pictures of Annat, many dating back to 40s, but none that we could launch book onnew Cargill toDavid something along those lines could happen in Kilmallie? Are Annat Prefab Village see of the prefab village itself (www.kilmallie.net) I know that the ladies of Corpach In Colour and the ladies there volunteers ready willing and able to come together, driving past houses at Corriebeg and Locheilside and Corriebeg at houses drivingpast and gentleman of Banavie Floral Improvements keep those or work around your street, to tell the people in Lochaber Good Afternoon, my name is John Mackenzie, Other usually useful historical sources we have searched include: the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of areas colourful with the tubs and planted areas and we all that Kilmallie is a clean and tidy place cared for by I lived at Annat from Jan 1946 to 1952 when Scotland (www.rcahms.gov.uk appreciate those bright patches throughout those areas. volunteering residents? we moved to Caol. I am trying to locate old SCRAN (www.scran.ac,uk) We are fortunate to have volunteers willing to do this! photographs of Annat. Any possibility you may What do you think? Are Martin Briscoe has interesting pictures of the Annat Camp, and might be know anyone who may help? able to help more (www.mbriscoe.me.uk). I also acknowledge that The Kilmallie Christmas Lights you up for it? Speak to Group took up the task of brightening Corpach and Banavie your friends and Yours sincerely Otherwise it’s probably down to folk rummaging through old shoeboxes of photos to see if they have anything. If anyone does, please let us know when The Highland Council stopped providing Christmas neighbours and perhaps John Mackenzie and we can share them with John and anyone else who is interested. lights in those areas. They are volunteers willing to give it will happen! their time to brighten the dark nights over Christmas and The New Year. Christine Hutchison merry christmas
The responses to the Call for Sites and Ideas are now congratulations congratulations available to view online on Highland Council’s website. See what has been suggested for Lochaber in general & a good new year and Kilmallie in particular.
please slow down, slow down, please If you have any comments about the ideas proposed, when it comes do get in touch with KCC and let us know - it will help Due to the timetable of the CC elections, we are uncertain community councillor, just able and willing to help with some us be able to represent the community’s views when whether we will be able to produce a December newsletter of the work of planning, interviewing, writing, editing, the Plan gets to consultation stage. this year, so we are getting our festive greetings in early just desktop publishing, photography and so on. It doesn’t have in case! It will be up to the newly-elected KCC to decide to be a big commitment - every little helps and the more the www.highland.gov.uk/info/178/ whether they are able to continue with newsletters next year. merrier. If you fancy it, if you’d like the newsletters to keep local_and_statutory_development_plans/582/ Help them make the right decision by offering to join the on coming, do please get in touch. west_highland_and_islands_local_development_plan newsletter production team. You don’t have to be a full [email protected] them at Ariundle. Since coming to the area Glen Loy (see our Facebook page for Our pre summer term was action had to move really fast to try and page 28 some eight years ago I have yet to see or pictures). This was feeding on suckering packed and consisted of lots of fun escape them, for something so small page 9 wild hear another oak woodland specialist, the aspen – a species which is benefitting from days in and out of the setting. Our they really did have “big nasty teeth”. pied flycatcher, and have only had a couple the lack of verge cutting this year. A couple term was in full swing, we were The excitement was building for our of reports of these from Sunart. Some of rarities were also caught at light at the very interested and had been sports day which we were going to be species of birds that spend most of the year Lodge at the end of August. The barred in Scotland will also have been badly carpet is a national rarity, and the crescent learning about people who help us. having along at the “big school”. This about We had visited the fire station in was very exciting as quite a few of us affected by cold springs, particularly grouse is a rather local species, both new records and waders, whose chicks rely on insects to for Glen Loy. Fort William and now asked if we had visited before with our older feed upon. Cold, wet years here may well could go and see what the brothers and sisters. Although the swallows have been gathering kilmallie impact on breeding success of some of policemen did. This was arranged on the telegraph wires for a week or more these birds, but equally, hot, arid conditions Our sports day was an extension of That was the summer that was now, we were very surprised to see a swift and we travelled in a big minibus elsewhere, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa our transition visit to nursery and our on the Mallaig road on Sunday 30th August, to the new police station. We saw in are having a disastrous effect on parents were already there as they Apparently it is almost certain that 2015 will long past its normal departure date. Young the control room, the interview have been the hottest year globally since populations. had been having a chat with our whinchat are still developing adult plumage room, the cells where we locked one records began. This just goes to show that teachers. It had been very On the butterfly side, chequered skippers prior to migration up Glen Loy. We also saw of our helpers in: we let we should be careful about statistics, as the wet and windy; the outdoor were also very late to emerge, but an osprey over Loch Lochy the following them out later by using our heat certainly seems to have passed us by in individuals were still about in Glen Loy until day, and these handsome raptors will also pitch was too slippy and strong muscles to help open Kilmallie. A cold, wet spring has been the beginning of July. We even saw a pair of soon be gone. The disruption caused by dangerous for our running followed by a cool, damp July and a typically the big door. It was so green hairstreak in the first week of July, climate change is not something that we can activities so our sports would wet August. Snow patches are larger than heavy and had a little door looking rather frazzled, but still flying for far afford to ignore. If there are notable be held indoors. Our hearts usual on the north face of the Ben. This is all longer than they should have been. Scotch changes in weather patterns and wildlife like a peep hole to look supposed to be the result of a disturbance in were beating fast as we Argus still seem to be emerging in numbers here, then this is being repeated in various through. Afterwards we the jet stream which failed to deliver warm entered the huge gym hall for at the end of August, when they really forms almost everywhere. As President went outside into a massive air to the north-east Atlantic, as it would our races. Our teachers should be proving harder to find. We have Obama has finally realised, it is time to take square area where we usually do. Poor weather here has had a even seen a couple of dark green fritillaries, action now, and we can all do our bit in our helped us to sit on the hard looked inside the police car marked effect on the local wildlife. Migrant including quite a fresh specimen at Allt daily lives to save energy and reduce benches in our key worker birds were slow to arrive, almost three and van, the sirens were Mhuic on the last day of August – rather late greenhouse gas emission. It is sadly groups, the excitement at weeks later than usual in some cases. We for a summer species. On the moth front depressing to contemplate a future without extremely loud and some of times was too much for a you without manage couldn’t did not see tree pipits or whinchat locally there were plenty of days in summer when iconic local species such as wood warbler us put our hands over our couple of us and we looked – before May, and even the willow warblers it was just too cold for moths to fly, and and redstart in our oakwoods. ears to shield us from the only just made it before April was out. At for our Mummies and numbers trapped were well down. On a noise. Our parents had the same time plants were slow to flower – Jon Mercer Daddies for reassurance. The more positive note we were delighted to been given information to we still had plenty of bluebells about at the Glenloy Wildlife start line was ready and 2 find a striking puss moth caterpillar along A puss moth caterpillar come and collect us from end of June. There was also a knock-on upside down grownups were holding the effect on the insect life, with many species here. The next day back at finishing tape at the far end. slow to emerge. Local bee keepers have playgroup we made “Peep, peep” went the reported a very poor year, with hardly any pictures of the policemen whistle & we were off as fast honey produced. Some moths and and informed our teachers butterflies did appear later than usual, and as our legs could carry us. about what we had this may have been the saving grace for “Hurray” we all shouted with learned: we really did have some summer warblers, that were still able excitement as we were given a lot of information to give to find an abundance of caterpillars for their stickers by Liz after crossing them. the geocache on the Blar roundabout yet? roundabout Blar onthe geocache the young. Despite the cold the Highland midges the finishing line. We had lots appeared to have a ‘good’ summer, and are We made the most of the of races from running, to biting us still! local woodland, disused balancing beanbags, jumping I have seen some good broods of wood parks and grassy banks and racing with a partner, warbler this year. This is a pretty yellow- nearby for exploration and by the end of sports our green warbler with paler undersides, physical exercise. Our sweatshirts were decorated brighter than the willow warbler. The male wood warblers have a characteristic song in sports day was looming, with numerous coloured the breeding season, which is often we enjoyed a couple of stickers. The culmination of teams delivery newsletter our toall described as similar to a stack of falling practice sessions in the old the day was our Mums and coins, followed by a descending series of Guisach Park area. This Dads race: my! they were single notes. At the height of the season was great fun: we ran, extremely competitive and these little birds become so wound up whilst jumped, balanced and ran very fast. A photo finish singing that they start to quiver violently raced against our friends. was in order to determine and actually rise up in the air a few Some of us even got the the winner. It was such a centimetres above their perch. At least four males were calling in the woods at Erracht in chance to hold the lovely family day finished off the late spring, and another two in finishing line which was a by a presentation of medals, Puiteachan. This is an oak woodland very important job. A art folders and a book of have you spotted you spotted have specialist, and as such should do well in our number of us memories for each child. Our area, but numbers have been declining experimented with key workers had been worryingly over the last few years. Other different types of rolls to working tirelessly to prepare birds of western oak woodlands have been see who could travel the everything for our even harder to spot locally. Redstarts are furthest down the grassy presentation and what a hugethanks
very handsome birds related to thrushes, and once the trees are in leaf, are also easier bank. Gymnastics outdoors fantastic job they had done. to hear than see. There used to be several was a new challenge for us Our parents were delighted pairs by the road to Clunes and along Loch all! At times the midges with all our photos and Arkaig, with a scattering of others were unbearable and we pictures. elsewhere, but this year I have only heard contd overpage
Visitor Risk Management the site in the early 1990s OPW introduced A regular guide service was introduced in page 23 page 10 Its isolated location and difficult access a daily limit of 180 visitors. This is managed 1987 and has operated each season since. page 27 pose considerable challenges in managing by a permit system which controls the The main function of the guide service is to the site. There are significant constraints to number of boats and passengers allowed to protect the site, interpret the history, finding solutions for some quite complex land on the island. archaeology and significance of the Mrs Beck is back and is teaching us in P7. We are We have been busy making different arts and crafts problems. monastic settlement, regulate the numbers enjoying having her back in the school. The last time for the different shows including the Rural Complex Visitors are exposed to significant trip and of visitors within the monastic enclosure, OPW, in managing the site, aims to provide fall hazards. Disembarking from the boats monitor visitor numbers, the number of we had her as a teacher was P2. and the Agricultural Show. Next week we will be a safe environment where the risks are at can be difficult, and once on the island, boats landing and weather conditions. making things for the Corpach in Colour show. We have a new teacher called Miss Cassidy and she is an acceptable level; however a safe access to the monastery is via To further reinforce the safety messages, environment does not imply the absence of approximately 600 steps. These steps, visitors are met at the bottom of the steps teaching P3/4. The pupils in her class like the way Poppy, Mia & Kaiya risk. It is critically important, therefore, that although maintained, are irregular and of by a guide, who gives a brief talk on visitor
she teaches Art because it is different. The pupils visitors are made fully aware of the risks dry stone construction and by their nature safety and protocols to be taken on their think she is funny, smiley, kind, awesome, creative, presented by the nature of the terrain and do not comply with modern safety visit to the Island.
other natural hazards that await them. By standards. Handrails have not been smart, fashionable and fun. applying the VSCG* principles, OPW seeks introduced because they would John Ireland
to achieve a balance between conservation compromise the exceptional heritage value (* Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group) of the built and natural heritage, visitor of the site. However, visitors are advised by access and safety. on-site signs of the intrinsic hazards of visiting the island. Information signs which Notwithstanding the monument’s include safety information are also located archaeological, cultural, spiritual and at all departure ports. Information on environmental importance, it is not OPW’s visitor safety is also provided on websites in
glumly! objective to provide easy access for all, the form of a safe access guide publication
irrespective of levels of fitness and agility. and a safety video. – Due to its location (some 11.6km off Bolus Head out in the Atlantic Ocean) access to A further important issue relating to the Skellig Michael is by boat and is only safety of visitors on the island is the Playgroup, contd from previous page: was very busy as Lochaber Rural education Trust was possible when weather and sea conditions duration of their stay. Boat timetables allow It was getting near to the end of our playgroup year holding a produce competition which we were to make are favourable. Visitors are only allowed sufficient time to climb the steps and tour and we had chosen to go to the Rural Complex for our pictures for. Lots of painting and sticking ensued from late May through to late September. the monastery before descending to take end of term trip. This was great fun as we fed the however some of us were a little bit reluctant to get Following noticeable increase in damage to the boat back to the mainland. rabbit, chickens, lambs and ponies and had our snack our hands dirty but this was a very different story as with Isabel and Linda. We had been learning where we enjoyed playing outside in the garden area. Never wool came from and used some of the brightly dyed had the wheel barrows been so busy! We piled them up Blar to the attention drawing wool to create pictures of colourful cockerels and with soil and bark and continually moved them from woolly sheep. We proudly showed them to our parents one area to another; making roads to drive our at home time. vehicles along .We really were having a great time and Our playgroup term finished with us having a magical had settled in well without our parents. More boys and shorts and shades party. The weather has been so girls have joined us this week for fun and games, our awful that our leaders had created a wonderful beach indoor climbing frame is very popular as is the sand in our centre. What excitement it was as we came pit. We definitely have some budding joiners and through the playgroup door to be met by a sandy builders following in their parent’s foot steps and some beach, a bouncy castle, nets for beach volley ball, a chefs keen to create inspiring cakes and culinary bubble machine and colourful pennants blowing in the dishes. breeze. We had great fun bouncing, building, running, We all look forward to a busy, fun year ahead. We are having tattoos and tucked away in the quiet area was presently looking for members to join our board of a special nail bar. What a lovely way to finish off our trustees, would this interest you? playgroup year. Our Mums and Dads came along for a wee chat with Carole, Liz and Anna before we left for Anyone wishing information please contact Carole our summer holidays. Our teachers wished us well in 01397 772018, [email protected] our move to our new nurseries and schools. or visit our website at kilmallieplaygroup.org
Our new term started in August and saw some familiar and a vast number of new faces coming to join playgroup. Some of our Mums and Dads were very clever and new exactly what to do when dropping us off as our older brothers and sisters had been a playgroup. It was very reassuring to see their photos
on the board and in the photo albums. Our first week campaigners Reform Land
spellcheck for Glenloy comes up with with up spellcheckcomes Glenloy for this is probably the last issue before the referendum before issue last is this the probably John Ireland, who lives in Banavie, Voluntary Action Lochaber on 21 page 23 page 26 tells us about when his work took him August. The group was joined by MSP page 11 to this incredible island off the Margaret Burgess who is the Minister southwest coast of Ireland skellig michael for Welfare and Housing and the dialogue centred around the new As part of my work with the Forestry Commission I got to visit Skellig Michael Scottish Government Campaign, New term - new faces MacMaster (Modern Studies) and Mrs V ‘Creating A Fairer Scotland: What (also known as Great Skellig), which is a MacKinnon (English). towering sea crag rising from the Atlantic The school is now settled in to the Matters To You?’ The idea behind the
Ocean almost 12 kilometres west of the routine of the new session with 156 programme is to bring people across Ivereagh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. new First Years joining the school roll. Volunteering the country together to discuss what The Office of Public Works (OPW) cares for We have also welcomed newcomers in A group of Sixth Years, accompanied by practical steps we need to take to
the island on behalf of the Irish State. S2, 3, 4 & 5. Five new teachers joined Support for Learning Teacher, Mrs create a fairer Scotland. The Minister Located at the western edge of the the staff this term and they are pictured MacAllister, had an opportunity to take was delighted to see young people in European landmass, Skellig Michael was the here (left to right): Mr A Newton part in an interesting and thought- the debate and some of the students chosen destination for a small group of ascetic monks who, in their pursuit of (History); Miss K Boa (P.E.); Miss F provoking discussion about the value of were interviewed for the Fairer greater union with God, withdrew from Keppie (Chemistry/Science); Miss C volunteering when they visited Scotland website. civilisation to this remote and inaccessible place. Sometime between the sixth and Maths Challenge eight centuries, a monastery was founded First and Second Year pupils who on this precipitous rock giving rise to one of achieved success in this year’s UKMT the most dramatic examples of the extremes of Christian monasticism. A visit Junior Maths Challenge were presented to its monastery entails a vertiginous ascent with their certificates at assembly of 600 feet up 618 uneven steps. during the first week of term. Over 250,000 pupils from across the UK took Skellig Michael and its neighbouring islands part in the challenge. Special contain some of Ireland’s most important congratulations go to Alan Hamilton, sites for breeding seabirds both in terms of S2, who had the highest score in the size of colonies and diversity of species. school and Martyn Denny, S1, who had
candle? a orlight the highest score in his year group. The well-preserved monastic remains have retained a strong spiritual appeal. To witness the physical achievements of the We are grateful to Lochaber Housing early monks and experience the solitude, Association for providing the trophy broken only by sounds of seabirds and the and prize money each year.
ocean, evokes a quiet sense of magic. gets bigger and supports more causes next year next causes more supports and bigger gets George Bernard Shaw, on a visit in 1910, In S1 Martyn Denny and Kyle Dignan described it as an ‘incredible, impossible, won silver with bronze awards going to mad place, part of our dream world’. Fergus Berardelli, Cam Clark and Robbie
Murray. In 1996 UNESCO inscribed the island on the World Heritage List as a site of outstanding universal value. In S2, silver awards were won by Alan Hamilton, Scott Lawrie, Daniel Menzies and Erin Nicolson. Bronze winners were Connor Anderson, John Cummings, Gregor Linfield, Amber MacInnes, Orla McDougall, Rebecca MacDougall, Aidan Kane, Beth Robertson, Lachie Shaw and Jodie Standen.
complain about the dark, dark, the about complain
this is probably the last issue before the referendum before issue last is this the probably hope our new community new our hope fund
Friends of page 12 Caledonian Canal page 25 growing together? Lochaber
Interested in growing The new towpath surface northwards from Banavie is proving a joy to walk on, cycle on, push a buggy on, or use a wheelchair on. It is smooth your own produce? and firm, yet soft underfoot. And it looks great too. Just the job, well done Scottish Canals and thank you to the excellent organisation How about a Kilmallie Growers Sustrans (sustainable transport) for funding it. Pity the same can’t be said for the west of Neptune’s staircase, gradually getting worse. Surely Association? there are funding sources available for this to be improved?
The provisions of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill Another Scenic Routes competition for Banavie has been and gone, which was passed in June 2015 require each local authority to Muir of Ord Community polytunnel almost unnoticed (announced 10 Aug, closing date 31 Aug). Steve prepare a food-growing strategy for its area. This strategy Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Canals, said: “Banavie, which sits in needs to identify land that could be used for allotment sites the shadow of Ben Nevis and is home to the iconic lock flight of and land that could be used by the community for the Neptune’s Staircase, is one of the jewels in the crown of the Caledonian cultivation of vegetables, fruit, herbs or flowers. Canal. I can’t wait to see how the competition’s designs celebrate the Consequently, Highland Council contacted KCC to investigate majestic vistas of the area.” local interest in allotments. The canal has been FOCAL is a subgroup of at its best this
Neither can we! Most of us feel that the Staircase itself provides the the Kilmallie Community This has prompted wider interest within the Kilmallie area in a summer with lots of ultimate viewpoint for the canal and the Ben. Telford’s engineering interesting boats, Company community association to promote horticulture. Aside from masterpiece needs no fripperies stuck onto it. But the competition brief old and new, passing (entirely independent from the dismal growing weather of this summer it is an ideal time was more open than last year’s, so perhaps the winning design could through. This is the Kilmallie Community Council) to be thinking about aspirations for growing more. provide a suitably landscaped area to watch the steam train, or a coat of 100 year old Eye of For more info, or to be added to paint for the rail bridge, or Phase 1 of a micro hydro scheme, or an the Wind, a 132 foot our mailing list, please contact Although many people in Kilmallie have their own gardens, brigantine who Jan MacLugash, 01397 772383, underwater webcam to watch the locks opening, or a clean-up of the came through there are many ways we could all benefit from combining email: Knoydart’s Community polytunnel shrubbery that’s used as a public toilet. No news of when the entries will heading for Oban resources. The aims of the association would be to provide a be published and the winner announced, but we will keep you posted earlier this month. [email protected] network of communal facilities that enabled members to and perhaps, just perhaps, we will be pleasantly surprised. maximise their growing opportunities. For those without gardens, access to an allotment would be the first step. For those with their own land and gardens the association would
kilmallie? benefit it can ways what in
aim to provide facilities which benefit from scale and are most
needed to suit the local conditions and climate. –
This could include individual space in community polytunnels,
bulk collection/sourcing of compost, and some form of Notice of AGM & Agenda distribution network for produce. Tom Guisach Pinewood Friday 9th October 2015 at 7.30 pm in the
Kilchoan Community Garden & Cnoc nam Faobh Back Hall, Kilmallie Community Centre. Such an association could adapt and grow to meet the needs of members. Possible initial plans could include; Oakwood Members and non-members are welcome. An area of alloments within Corpach for those houses with Membership application forms will be limited garden space Over a year ago we had quite a lot of gale available on the night for those wishing to An area with community polytunnels in Banavie damage. Much of this has been cleared but join and offer their support. Membership and fundraising to cover a part-time position some still remains to be done, mainly in the Agenda: to maintain all the association facilities, provide limited pine wood. This is likely to be done over the 1) Apologies. care for growers at association facilities (e.g. watering) winter months by contract. 2) Minutes of the last AGM. when members were away, grow seedlings to sell to 3) Progress Report. members or others for onward growing, provide expertise We have some pine seedlings which have 4) Treasurer’s Report. and advice to members to maximise growing success, been grown for us by Neil and Morag 5) Election of directors We have up to four vacancies for utilise any spare growing areas to grow produce for either MacKell and by Allan Colquhoun. These directors. Nominations for directors can ‘pick your own’ or for local sale. might now be large enough to be planted The Edible Estates project in Edinburgh aims to provide community growing but they will need to be protected from deer be taken at the meeting or made known The aim would be to complement rather than compete spaces on underused council land. damage so the plan is to put them in small before the meeting. Nominations should with the garden centre on the Blar and it is expected that fences. The hope is to organise work parties include the name of the nominee, 2015 is International Year of Soils of Year 2015International is business would expand with an increased interest. over this coming winter to do the planting confirmation that he or she is prepared and fencing. Any offers of help or to stand and the name of a Proposer and The first challenge is to identify the level of interest and comments on what needs to be done are Seconder. Directors will serve for three suitable areas of land. We have some ideas but have not yet welcome. years. contacted the users or owners. For now, we would really like 6) AOB. your thoughts on the following questions; Recently the hedge around the graveyard Notice of any other business must be Would you be interested in joining a Kilmallie Growers has been cut down. It was getting given to the secretary at least one week Association? overgrown and like many Leyland cypress before the meeting. If so, what community facilities would you most like to see hedges getting too difficult to control. The After the AGM there will be a general (e.g. allotments, polytunnels etc)? firm Westcontracts Ltd did the work and at discussion mainly on the programme of
Do you have any suggestions for suitable plots of land? the same time cleared some of the trees Bill Empowerment Community work that might be carried out in the leaning over the path which runs through Whatever you thoughts please get in touch via Woods. [email protected] or KCC’s suggestion boxes. the Oakwood and alongside the graveyard - Top: Mushroom in the oakwood made by Great things from Sunny Lochaber United Gardeners’ (SLUG) over the last so many thanks to them for doing a good Paul Biggin Westcontracts Ltd Russell Leaper five years at their brilliant community allotment project on Cow Hill. job; including the mushroom! and below: pine seedlings grown by Neil & Morag Opportunities to work together maybe? MacKell
page 24 spotted in Kilmallie - very rare great yellow bumblebee
Education Trust Lochaber Rural Linda Campbell Linda Arrangement). (Floral MacMaster Heather (Soup), Antonios Margaret cake), (decorated MacLean, Kerry to went awards special Other special awards. alsoreceived Corpach Nash, Callum and High Lochaber Coupland, Drew High. Lochaber MacBain, Ryan and Lochyside O’Lah, Hannah Banavie, Pescod, Banavie, Katie Matheson, Amarah were sections the in The winners one. difficult a task judge’s the schools making Primary and Playgroup fromNursery, entries forward were hundred overa and roses was year this theme Challenge MacLean Marie The class. every almost filled School High Lochaber and Gaelic Sgoil Lochabair Bun Inverlochy, Bridge, Spean Banavie, Lochyside, from entries weather gardening poor the Trust. Despite Education Rural Lochaber for success was another Show Gardening Junior The Sixth abilities. and ages all of children with Trust the work of worthwhile disappointment. invited. tables also are or 01397 700800 BOSS at Linda contact now saleon are event fantastic this for Tickets draw will be made. raffle prize the and held 16. under children available for are price tickets half and VAT £30incl priced event BBC Alba. on presenter a is who Crofter and Lewis Entrepreneur young a MacSween, Donald Centre. Community Caol October. 30th Friday on ceilidh and dinner charity a We are organising
Hopefully the event will be held in the new new the in will held event be the Hopefully
[email protected] All funds raised go towards the the towards go raised All funds
Book now to avoid avoid to now Book
The speaker for the evening isevening speaker forthe The
An auction will also bealso will auction An
Tickets for the the Tickets for
.
Corporate Corporate Beekeepers’ Association,Beekeepers’ cranesbillher checks out larder Banaviemember resident,anapian This ofLochaber the Ruth Miller Ruth wind spray. and sand and and Of sun mountain deer, and swans wayof The play, see at the otters their And go the waythe fishes choose So loveliness. water of A world sail, fernsand you woodedslopes Through Ness, Loch Oich and Lochy, Loch willCanal lochs, widen into seem they the sky, to far reach So abovethe clouds, summitssoar Their reach high so mountains Where snowy soon will locks seven you raise The peacefulness. in along Gliding by, go world Free the towatch toInverness, Banavie From way all theSailing, sailing far you route Greattake Glen can This car train or or bus of Instead countryside, see the Highland To go should staircase you Neptune’s By GLEN THE GREAT
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canal news will report thank not but to everyone it on would who like Kilmallie Council done this I Community have event so anon article Go Wild on the Canal becomes REMEMBER seriously PLEASE ill. is harmful be it grandchild children and could child your to or that theirallow area.Please dogs dog grass foulthe to remember waste Double whereevening Lock duringthe membersthe afew of public thedogs towpaths. places foulour worst to by up One Corpach of is arenumber stillwho aren’t aofpeople their anddiligent so allow thank using for youall thesethere enough Unfortunately facilities. with full! 1100litres capacitywashalf guys the Myselfand can’t using thesewas that facilities thebins afteremptying Euro a empty thedogof decent binslitter .example An and people areas Another possible. astidynicenot so as theis job guys do are lock maintainedbylocal the will be grass seenandvarious cutting scrubat locations: all areas theirWhen locations there lullteam boat pristine. traffic is a thein vessels through inbetween District and the times keep trying to For the haveout worked three the last flat months passing team theourSo for figures busiest are year up6.5%. of the time Total Aug July June Corpach Sea boatingfigures the summer. throughout at Cullochy Weirincrease managedto in wehave March our we have beenthat report to sincebreach fortunate the Canal the in Asan season summer end the autumn approaches comesto and Boat Movements Roddy Mainland, Corpach in Colour tea party, Duke of Duke of tea Colour party, in Corpach Mainland, Roddy by WaterlooWalkorganised The 3songs!, sing the & guitar play where to the centrewas asked party manager 80th Birthday an Council training, parties,Highland Birthday Local residents’ are: the weeks used few theCentre past have over who Customers August. event during for the Wild Lochaber Canal Caledonian to the and Glenfinnan in for wedding a chairs loaning out by our community in organisations other We tohelp pleased were the films. providing Jimmy Smith the for for eventarranging and Henderson to Bobby thanks Our Kinlochleven. in the BA which was about Electric “The Village” mill and the pulp which was all about Lochaber” to called “Return were somefilms toshow able we hall the main in outside and vintagedisplay a car We had Alzheimer local the for charity. raise funds to CoffeeMorning thatthe with day was combined Centre open Community to the came Kilmallie who along toall those you Thank Centre. at the Community on eventslotsgoing of timewith lastmonths over very the few a busy We had have Kilmallie Community Centre
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us. help can you how out 805040 to find 07768 on Kennedy call Sarah Please do requires. community the servicesthat our toprovide able that weare ensure the committee to on assist us to volunteers more We tohave need desperately
892 boats 255 boats 397 boats 240 boats 2014
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BAG IT & BIN IT. BAG &BIN IT. IT 950 boats 272 boats 406 boats 272 boats 2015
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cart
Sarah Kennedy Sarah next months! few over the serve the to community tocontinuing We forward look (01397)712663.Tel (07787)866813 Mobile: [email protected], E on (JimmyMilne) Centre Manager isour bookings making for the details contact Remember that Olde Dancing. Tyme & Toddlers, Mums School, Music Lochaber Council, Community Kilmallie Dancing, Country Fellowship,Scottish Mustardseed The Lightsclasses, Christmas group, Zumba NHS Highland, Centre: the regularto customers our go supporting for thanks Our refreshments. withand launch Cargill book wine David charity, 100cycle Lochaber eventgathering, familyfor Ceilidh Lochaber, Celidh training, minding award scheme, Child Edinburgh Canal Superintendent Canal Stafford John venture. would likeStewart and wish to this Leitchstaffwith his new success somethingneeded theatBanavie some has time and for we canal see to Lovely the atNeptune’s open restaurant Staircase; this is Moorings Restaurant be followingroute. asimilar marathon the course: half hence local marathon reason the could the from also came runners the completing new William Fort greatly used appreciated by it. allhave Favourable who comments please The improvement let me know. been ontowpath the has potential theand funding for betweenBanavie towpaths Corpach greatly funding. thanksexternal improved ifanyone So to knows of National Cycle routecompletedbeen theandsurfacenow has has The towpath between and Gairlochy the Banavieisof part which Towpaths carrying staffbring trainingwithto out new the speed. them up to team’s skilllevels and fall the Winter short over again be we will service few areas a betweenleft wherewith us thisthe has , them Having recently lost three members staff thirtywith of over years’ sorted. defects theover plannedin be beto which next fewmonths will liaising with Leaders&Supervisors Team identifying in canal newlyOperative appointed Iain Lengthbe Donnelly Inspection will thoughts proposed our turn to Winter Our Works programme. As an comesend summer to and the autumn approaches, our cause. mannedbottle areallystallwhich £260for worthwhile the raised Scotland Karenwho Christine, thanksgainfully to and &Maureen charity this year is CHAS contributed avery enjoyable to Canals evening.The Scottish chosen TREASURER TREASURER 772597 William 01397 Fort Corpach, Drive, 12 Hillview SECRETARY CHAIRMAN SC000604 Charity Scottish 7JH WilliamPH33 Fort Corpach, Road, Station Centre Kilmallie Community
Mrs Norma MacLellan, MacLellan, Mrs Norma post vacant at present at vacant post
Mrs Sarah Kennedy 07768805040 Kennedy Sarah Mrs
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The Children’s Hospice Association
- mail:
- Feis
13 page 200 years since Telford House and Canal House were built
page 14 page we highly recommend itsmosblog.tumblr.com couldn’t start without them. It gave folk were Davy’s parents, so the raft race from her free trip Gairlochy.to On board waited for Clyde Cruises’ boat to return rowing race, the excitement built as we After thecanoe race and the Cadet Sea brimming with fishing vesselsin transit. whenof the basin would have been buzzingall about, a modern day equivalent It was great just seeing quite so many boats the decks andof theroofs moored boats. competitors.The best vantagepoints were supportto (or try sabotage)to the and folk more turned out, lining the canal As the races kicked off, the rain dried up, theto water in the boats and kayaks. children, and even toddlers anddogs took just as much by the grown ups as the AssociationThe bouncy castle was enjoyed fundraise for the Children’s Hospice and Scottish Canal’s ownbottle stall to great face painting) as well as a food stall Beekeepers, SAIL, Banavie Playpark (with Lochaber Environmental Group, Lochaber Geopark, Lochaber Common Weal, There were of lots stalls venture out, and were grandly rewarded. canal. But a fair few were brave enough to evening beto dandering aboutthe on finished their tea and decided was anit not have looked out their windows having event was due start. to Many folk would day, the rain on came shortly before the sunny weather.Fat chance! Aftercool a thought they could rely on some drywarm fix another date would not be in vain, so they managed to everyone else had put in preparingto for it determined that the effort that they and John Stafford and StephenWiseman were unintentionally entered the raftrace. But that some theof gazebos might have blustery winds there had beenreal risk a cancelled because theof weather the Wild Lochaber festival, buthad to be scheduled a Saturdayfor in May, as part of auspicious start. It had originally been This year’s event hadn’t had a very year. memory Davyof McCook who died last competingfor a trophy presentedin activities, its grand finale is the raft race, Scottish Waterways Trust.With lots freeof organised by Scottish Canals and the community event at Neptune’s Staircase This was the second year for Go Wild, the Going WildontheCanal
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mid mid August -
Lochaber - when they -
with with
one could catch them, especially not the away in their bathtubs early on, and no the marauders from Oban pulled clean theAt off, marvellousmayhem ensued, but the start. the splendid rafts as theylinedup ready for lots timeof for a good look andlaugh at 3. 2. 1. Raft Race 2. 1. Sea 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Canoe Race ResultsRace fun. Looking forward nextto year already! who worked to make the event such great builders, Davy’s family, and everyone else cruises, theall competitors, all the raft the providers of boats, the provider of bodhran) theto coastguard, the sea cadets, band (Raj pipeson andStephen on theall stallholders, to the canal ceilidh happen,it theand all to local canal team, Huge thanks Johnto and Stevenfor making the best/furthest destination. thefor photo showing the Tshirt reaching throwing out a further challenge presented Tshirts allto the participants, with help from his grandsons. Then John Prizes were presented by parents,Davy’s nudge. giving the oneslast home a wee extra finishingline, with the victorscourteously instead. Each raft was pipedover the ambulance crew who went for a swim Breaking Wind Best Dressed Raft 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4.
- (didn’t finish) Ambulance Team Breaking Wind Girls team Rugby Club Sea Cadet Officers Lochaber Ladies Police Scottish Canals Coastguard Jonathan McCook team Bath Hullto (Oban) Pully Wooly Nelson Coastguard Scottish Canals Kilmallie playpark Rock Lochaber Geopark Team
Cadet Cadet Rowing Race
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hopper –
for the Davy McCook Trophy
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a prize
“Thanks theto sea £260.00 on the night with a bottle stall. Karen, Christine& Maureen who raised Association Scotland and a thank you to charity CHAS, the Children’s Hospice was used raise to money thefor Children’s from the night. The Scottish Canals’ gazebo about the event and hopefully all benefited the“All stalls would have loved to have been involved!! miss the mischievous big so and so. He memory alive cuddle and thanked us keepingfor Davy’s mother Jean came up me to gave me a night was at the end whenMcCook’s Davy “On a personal level what really made my participating addedto the spectacle. laughter that came through from those nine teams taking part: the fun and Raft Race proved to be a great success with make the event a fun night. the As always great success, all of you contributed to part in the WildGo event and made a it “Can I say a big thank you whoall to took And John Stafford said: that?” female teams perhaps? Could we manage maybe two raft races “Already thinking nextof year, thinking or were press ganged. volunteered taketo part in the canoe race trips free on the night and all to those who Julie & John the skipper providing for the next year!! Thanks to too Hamish Munro, give John, Murdo and Sandy lessons for four wee tots was amazing kayaking cover, Rockhopperto for canoeing & and the Coastguard providing for safety food (your soup was lovely Tina), Darrento More photos in centrethe pages,
and LOTS more photos on -
seeing Ben out in a canoe with www.kilmallie.org.uk
- contributed theto local feel
that said all! it - cadets for providing the -
male teams and
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maybe he can -
we stillall
Lorna FinlaysonLorna early summer. throughoutthe and exhibition in year annual our can also seeYou in work our Belford the Hospital www.artlochaber.co.uk 01855821296. on Dorothy 772806 or Lifts are available. alongthe come and to or group join the class. wishing moreabout know theworkshops to and We wouldanyone be hear to delighted from a paintingentitled ‘Palettes’.workshopon colour BarcaldineNovember 7th/8thwith willon return with Anderson amixed media Alan from course. JemmaDerbyshire October 17th/18th the on we Art, have anew of Leith tutor from School HansenLys ‘Wild Wonderful and Paint’. and Then Our newstarts with seasonOctober 3rd/4th on websiteat www.lochaberrfc.co.uk news fromBanavie, ‘Like’ uson Facebookor checkout our the Highlandsand Argyll. keepTo up to datewith all the latest practiceinto when they play friendlygames against other clubs in Our boysand girls get a chance to put their newlylearnt skills attained also its Positive Coaching Accreditation in2013. Saturdayat 10am. giveto rugby atry. fit, get have fun, and make new friends. This is the perfect time recruiting new boys andgirls from P3 upwards.It’s agreat way to summerbreak on Saturday 29thAugust. LochaberRugby MiniRugby Training started back after its Mini Rugby Saturday Sept 26th Saturday Sept 19th Fixtures theto weatherhad. we have that donatedwho items. Club18th July: £500 raised over funds. was all Thank for youto Kilmallie thehadSaturday fundraiser Gala agreat at Caol day on -
Kilmallie Club Shinty
Details from Lorna on 01397 on Details Lorna from
Comeand joinin the funatBanavie every The Club’s coachesare all SRU trained and it
Shinty matches have beenShinty have inconsistent matches due
Kilmallie Glengarry Vs Playing the Cup Aitchison for Iain Memorial Ballachulish Kilmallie Vs CamanachdFinal Cupin Oban
The Clubis actively –
ReserveTeam –
1st team 1st team
Linda Campbell Linda CommunityCaol Centre Saturday November 21st Linda 01397700800 on buy to wouldyou likeor ahorse sponsor to please a Race contact Saturday October 3rd www.lochaberrfc.co.uk Pauline Donaldson Sat20 February Sat16 January Sat26 December Sat12 December Sat21 November Sat14 November Sat24 October Sat03 October Sat19 September Sat5September refreshmentsavailable in the Clubhouse on match days. alongcome and watch the games. Hereisa list ourof homegames thisfor season Fundraisers: RugbySenior
– Lochaber Lochaber ANNUALBOXING DAY MATCH Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber
Horse Night Race in Tradewinds at 8pm.
- –
tickets will tickets this.onbe for soon sale
Annual DinnerAnnual Dance in Awards and ------v v v v v v v v v ------
Deeside RossSutherland KinlossEagles Moray EllonRFV Shetland Garioch Stornoway AberdeenWanderers Thereare always hot & cold
–
pleasefree to
If
page 23 Lord of the Lochs Sportive , through Kilmallie 26 Sept
page 22 good luck kids – go for it with fundraising for Banavie Park
24th October Saturday Banavie Park, tent, EventsNo Fuss in the entertainment children's the Waterloo Walk 3 - 6pm
in the
party
park
nature activities a bouncy castle a bouncy
& anawesome a baking stalla baking face painting
story telling
pony rides hot food disco!
Roddy MainlandRoddy another hundred2115! people the to of Over years. hopefullysecured this structure afuture for for within community. our as in general fundingor and assistance help from monument. thenationally important conservationof this project the music withpipe rounded history appropriate off Monument.A short re Walk' the'Waterloo from Community Hallthe to community. The LochaberSchools Pipeled Band the History Society and members interested the of Cameron, the LochaberLocal Regimental Clan Association, the Gordon Highlanders Waterloo. the of victory battleof Cameron's Monument the and 200th anniversary Colonel John of commemoratedoccasion the On the local 16th apleasant June, dedication that he has put into project this to And all thanks toRoddy for all the work and
conserve and acknowledge one of Corpach’s
Friends page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ us facebook KCCletter viathe our on boxes, would like contact in get to touch can you improvingof the group ayearwith that ago the formed aim Friends Banavie of Parkare acommunity event on the Canal. and supportedour fundraising at the Go Wild Above: the children publicised ideas thefor park [email protected] from Friendsfrom Banavie of ParkTeam spread the See there! you word... bring family, the give all and generously, afternoon.Pleaseevent support this and anovel to forward We look and fun filled any home baking will welcomed. be willDonations and at bethe door asked for
This was supported by This supported was by
Thanks allgave to supportgo who must historical landmarks. -
Of - Banavie -
dedication and summary of summary anddedication We can say that we have
park’s playIf you facilities. - Park or byPark or email:
swings bridge
on the home page of our website www.kilmallie.org.uk. www.kilmallie.org.uk. website of our page home the on colour size in them seefull can delayed. You being of risk the greatest with timesthe people avoid help to thesegraphs produced and us, for statistics the Russell analysed statistics. the all of records who keeps Superintendent) Local Canals’ (Scottish Stafford John traffic with road to delays of the length swings,and of timing and frequency the researched 2012KCC in Back swings. more bridge means inevitably this weather.And summery bring doesn’t it if even traffic, more canal brings summer the Inevitably
page 15 page
Lochaber Ideas Week – 16-22 November
page 16 page any plans for a new year ceilidh after last year’s success?
All entries were of a really high high really a of were All entries schedule. the asin labelled correctly all on so and bee pictures bumble collages; spoons; wooden decorated soup; of flasks knitting; baked; they'd made; they'd jams nurtured; had they vegetables displays; cleverfloral plants; homegrown flowers; colourful their bring to rain the braved children including Kilmallie residents themselves. enjoying everyone was and out turn good There a was Saturday. rainy Centrethat Community the in buzz therewas a and pride feelingof was distinct a There Garden Produce Section Kilmallie Council most Community for points Trophy the in UngoedLorna Banavie Thomas, Section T UngoedLorna Banavie Thomas, The Corpach most infor points Trophy Colour overall 2015 Prizewinners Flower and Produce Show Tom DrysdaleTom ExhibitBest 7 6& Primary Ruby Clark ExhibitBest 5 4& Primary Keiron MacEachan ExhibitBest 1 Primary Kerry Paterson Exhibit ClassBest Nursery Andrew Sharp ExhibitBest Playgroup age Keiron MacEachan Classes The Corpach HotelTrophy bestexhibit for in theChildren’s AnnSmith, Muirshearlich Section The Tradewinds points in Trophy most for Crafts theArts & Jillian Clark, Corpach Produce S & The Dental M points Trophy most for theBaking in and SandraFortune, Banavie Most OutstandingFloral exhibitArt the in SandraFortune,Smith, Muirshearlich Banavie &Ann FloralArt Section Isabel & The Ewen Campbell most for points Trophy the in Banavie Primary School reasures of the Earth Trophyreasures of theEarth for most points theFlower in
Banavie Primary School School Banavie Primary
-
FruitAnimal Vegetable and
tasty cakes and bread bread cakes and tasty - -
-
Flowerpot decorated with shells Paper Plate Mask
Decorated WoodenSpoon
-
Collage Bumble a of Bee
- 3
Flower and Produce Show
pot pot
Kshama Wilmington Kshama event. special very this fororganising Margarets the two to again you show.Thank year’snext for on work could they what for ideas alsogetting mostand the enjoy people that community involvedthe being in and part taking the it's But definitely trophy. a getting was who asto judges the of the decision awaiting particularly of competitiveness hint a tinged with enthusiasm sheer was the impressive really was What rules. follow the to had everyone very strictly, out carried was The judging year. this standard
Best Overall Sunflower Drumfada Estate Business Water Feature Containers/Baskets MaintenanceLow Fruit Veg and Summer Bedding Small Year: All Large All Year: 2015 Prize Kilmallie Gardens Competition and 20. You can also see all the pictures full size size full the pictures all see also can You and 20. pictures pictures Thanks to Christine for taking some great some great taking for Christine to Thanks -
see collages of them all on pages 17 them allon see of collages Joanne, Joan and Margaret and Joan Joanne, work. good the Keep up see. to joy was a garden whose Mrs.Goodall and Dr. winners, overall the mention for special the winners all to Congratulations well. as do not did veg out well. The turned and aspurt took flowers the start late After a of talking. lot a alsodoing and gardens your round seeing werain enjoyed and midges from APART Moy. to Kinlocheil from garden every seen We have www.kilmallie.org.uk on the KCC website on the KCC
Prizes for the Garden Competitionforthe Garden Prizes were also presented at theat alsopresented were Show.
-
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1st 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 winners
st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st
Dr and Goodall Mrs Connal Morrison MrMcKinnon C. MrsMacInnes J. Mr Mooney The Moorings Hotel Mr Ritchie Mr and MacLean Mrs Mrs F. Nisbet Mr Dykes Mr and Collie Mrs Mr Dykes Mr MCalum Mr andMacLean R Mrs Mrs M.Donald Mr Sutherland and T Mrs Mr and Mooney Mrs Mr and Cameron Mrs Dr and JGoodall Mrs
- -
- Banavie Banavie
Canal Basin - -
Corpach - Banavie
Locheil -
Banavie
-
- Banavie
Corpach - -
- Glenloy - Banavie -
-
Corpach
Glenloy
Locheil Torbeg -
Banavie -
Kilmallie
-
a
nesting that Herbaceousbirds. plants have flowered can in be cut diginto far not to theand too be foliage also to about careful hastrim hadwill probably and get alight important it another, is and envelope.in them or put paper bag either hedge The Leylandii again gathered thissome year. seed various Ihave from also plants didn'tthem, lose and them planted miceate the Will lot!! the try the sill. kitchen keptseed the window I from last Beans Broad year, waterflowering or, inof andin jar compost a onshoot it puteither year. PelargoniumsareFuchsias quite and take easy, just anon cakes. some spinachcream and alittle can and make also they used to be think make very soup, good with do they mixed what to them. with certainly Courgettesarewill again. so do goingso need to mad Chard,have it never likeSpinach, isgrown it webut very before will with Charlotte the that best. thing donewell isOne has Swiss tatties grewthemselves.good bags quite The we inones been have theoff tops this and burnthemshouldn’tpossible, affect the if will plantwigwam, fewer next year. plant a them canes put bamboo themI trugsform with to in they mess. a of wedon’t are have As abit astraight fence run of to gettingand themtoo thickly planted almostalthough I picked daily baskets Sweet coming now. out and peas fed tubsso are weekly are favourite clematis been and still have are Hanginggorgeous. Beans,Broad Rasps, Blackcurrants have been my and good start with been awholereally Not but whathas lot reasonable. the Well, where garden the weastart do Better this Summer?? with green fingers weatherwise.seems have to nature Mother thatnot been this has bestsummer the beIt’s gotto sure said, agree, I'm and you'll replacement barrels Banavie. in used flowers, andbulb planting for named Princess.be money the raised All will special star our guest thankyoufrom literally, a is cakes! likehot There also a great baking turnout our and sold, money. Despitethere wet adismal day, was included baking andof both donations £350over atthe This Kilmalliefigure Show. support andhelping raise in to generosity We would like their everyone thank for to stars Margaret M, Louise, Margaret Nicola S, &Jeanette their giftson behalfof KCC. Below: Corpach in Colour Above: The two Margarets with Kshama who presented
tea for two Margarets tea for Banavie Floral Improvements Floral Banavie Now isNow thecan time you takegathercuttings and for seed next arePotatoes reasonableif butblight there signcut is of just any
-
a hen A 15years barrels numbernow our of are displayagain. is quite now stunning yet and out the come now bloomshave the the that time. All however, notwithstanding providingnecessary the irrigation the of rest waterthemto mother once, nature during needed this 'summer' wehave only year produce to display. In afloral fact flower barrelslonger this have much taken The“Banavie planting. Improvements” ouronAll had thiseffect has an adverse autumn. been. and whatit’s wetis Cool skippedstraight went to summer and been likesomewhat confused asit we felt attractive homely attractive to place live. worked hard so an help to make Corpach enthusiastic citizens, active have they community council members just or as more. Whether of theirroles in past reminisce), prizemuch and puzzles, so www.kilmallie.org.uk ifto want you newsletters(nearly on available all Heather’s the Walk, Kilmallie original Produce the Show, Garden Competition, tubsflower the and beds, andFlower but just with Colour’sbeautiful Corpach in community many, over manyyears. Not themthe of have done two the for show their thatwork the appreciation for people congratulate to and them wanted Kilmalliemany Centre. So Community Margarets’two June tea partyin 20th on There the awonderful was turnfor out
Morag MackellMorag gardening an death Opportunity'. is 'Every getelse. something that,in once told was I there adisaster, excuse is agreat what to beennurtured doing well and for and, cared if the seehas to Always results. that ajoy something Hope everyone gardensenjoyed whatever has their the to and forward in surprises look Spring. the what they will I are.them plant However, thegarden throughout theI havebut lost thelabels course, tubs thisof idea year,no so Christmas of be kept the will Hyacinths getting Tulips planted. I out Husband getting tempting October,nervous!! So and, by the the shops.Catalogues regularlyso through dropping door the We triedthegreenhouse inthebut lettuce useless. inwinter was it keep should apinchand keep sowing going it the through winter. the as parsley the the suffered samefate carrots,can you however, seed they last ifnot, the well thisshould year, into Some Winter. of the in shelves greenhouse. the Leeksgoto the Hopefully won't be dry, and harvested to either hanging allowed up on laidout or throughthehave died year.once the tops However will downthey thehas Onionslot. Fly the Carrot small, had are quiteagain cold too wastage feed. of leavesbottom thebelow firsttrussso no there unnecessary is green the out things,removesun.and the enough not tips Pinch feeding. what is for good!! not Now are little pathetic Tomatoes any ordinaryGrass plant liquid feedis isneedsall after so fine. a feedregularly short not too and but it,Gro but weuse Miracle to half and,again. they an flower ifwe get Indianjust might Summer, Soon be getthe timethe for inspent money asBulbswill to be We have nolate carrots!! puttingthe Too fleece so over them The grass growingit so is cut is rate to atagreat important
keepwant to beautiful. Banavie help,your We all evenifonly financially. keepdoing for butnow is it there aneed achievewant to do floral our displays.We appreciatetoo we effortmake the each year We the know Banavie people of and visitors be gratefully received. donationsof barrelsmoneywould or indeed beSo any costly. difficult and perhaps and consternation our to wefind will that need replaceto them of decrepit most the themsome of collapse. in of astate We will old and with signs showing age their of Kshama Wilmington Kshama occasion emotional themfor both. madeparty and the an such enjoyable us all. hugethanks them to behalf on of aswell Louise to now Nicola Pescod Muir, and so passed over Corpach the in helm Colour wateringhave but planting, they and doubt the seehelping still them with theof whole community. We will no giftbehalf thankon and boxes cards you with Highland apresentation Co of Soap the Margarets’ outstanding contribution acknowledge able to delighted be to KCC were And everyone youto thank who
Joanne, Sheena,Joanne, Ronand
page 21 community resilience – now’s a good time to prepare for winter
page 16 page any plans for a new year ceilidh after last year’s success?
All entries were of a really high high really a of were All entries schedule. the asin labelled correctly all on so and bee pictures bumble collages; spoons; wooden decorated soup; of flasks knitting; baked; they'd made; they'd jams nurtured; had they vegetables displays; cleverfloral plants; homegrown flowers; colourful their bring to rain the braved children including Kilmallie residents themselves. enjoying everyone was and out turn good There a was Saturday. rainy Centrethat Community the in buzz therewas a and pride feelingof was distinct a There Tom DrysdaleTom ExhibitBest 7 6& Primary Ruby Clark ExhibitBest 5 4& Primary Keiron MacEachan ExhibitBest 1 Primary Kerry Paterson Exhibit ClassBest Nursery Andrew Sharp ExhibitBest Playgroup age Keiron MacEachan Classes The Corpach HotelTrophy bestexhibit for in theChildren’s AnnSmith, Muirshearlich Section The Tradewinds points in Trophy most for Crafts theArts & Jillian Clark, Corpach Produce S & The Dental M points Trophy most for theBaking in and SandraFortune, Banavie Most OutstandingFloral exhibitArt the in SandraFortune,Smith, Muirshearlich Banavie &Ann FloralArt Section Isabel & The Ewen Campbell most for points Trophy the in Banavie Primary School Garden Produce Section Kilmallie Council most Community for points Trophy the in UngoedLorna Banavie Thomas, Section T UngoedLorna Banavie Thomas, The Corpach most infor points Trophy Colour overall 2015 Prizewinners Flower and Produce Show reasures of the Earth Trophyreasures of theEarth for most points theFlower in
Banavie Primary School School Banavie Primary
-
FruitAnimal Vegetable and
tasty cakes and bread bread cakes and tasty - -
-
Flowerpot decorated with shells Paper Plate Mask
Decorated WoodenSpoon
-
Collage Bumble a of Bee
- 3
Flower and Produce Show
pot pot
Kshama Wilmington Kshama event. special very this fororganising Margarets the two to again you show.Thank year’snext for on work could they what for ideas alsogetting mostand the enjoy people that community involvedthe being in and part taking the it's But definitely trophy. a getting was who asto judges the of the decision awaiting particularly of competitiveness hint a tinged with enthusiasm sheer was the impressive really was What rules. follow the to had everyone very strictly, out carried was The judging year. this standard
Best Overall Sunflower Drumfada Estate Business Water Feature Containers/Baskets MaintenanceLow Fruit Veg and Summer Bedding Small Year: All Large All Year: 2015 Prize Kilmallie Gardens Competition and 20. You can also see all the pictures full size size full the pictures all see also can You and 20. pictures pictures Thanks to Christine for taking some great some great taking for Christine to Thanks -
see collages of them all on pages 17 them allon see of collages Joanne, Joan and Margaret and Joan Joanne, work. good the Keep up see. to joy was a garden whose Mrs.Goodall and Dr. winners, overall the mention for special the winners all to Congratulations well. as do not did veg out well. The turned and aspurt took flowers the start late After a of talking. lot a alsodoing and gardens your round seeing werain enjoyed and midges from APART Moy. to Kinlocheil from garden every seen We have www.kilmallie.org.uk on the KCC website on the KCC
Prizes for the Garden Competitionforthe Garden Prizes were also presented at theat alsopresented were Show.
-
1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1st 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 winners
st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st nd st
Dr and Goodall Mrs Connal Morrison MrMcKinnon C. MrsMacInnes J. Mr Mooney The Moorings Hotel Mr Ritchie Mr and MacLean Mrs Mrs F. Nisbet Mr Dykes Mr and Collie Mrs Mr Dykes Mr MCalum Mr andMacLean R Mrs Mrs M.Donald Mr Sutherland and T Mrs Mr and Mooney Mrs Mr and Cameron Mrs Dr and JGoodall Mrs
- -
- Banavie Banavie
Canal Basin - -
Corpach - Banavie
Locheil -
Banavie
-
- Banavie
Corpach - -
- Glenloy - Banavie -
-
Corpach
Glenloy
Locheil Torbeg -
Banavie -
Kilmallie
-
a
nesting that Herbaceousbirds. plants have flowered can in be cut diginto far not to theand too be foliage also to about careful hastrim hadwill probably and get alight important it another, is and envelope.in them or put paper bag either hedge The Leylandii again gathered thissome year. seed various Ihave from also plants didn'tthem, lose and them planted miceate the Will lot!! the try the sill. kitchen keptseed the window I from last Beans Broad year, waterflowering or, inof andin jar compost a onshoot it puteither year. PelargoniumsareFuchsias quite and take easy, just anon cakes. some spinachcream and alittle can and make also they used to be think make very soup, good with do they mixed what to them. with certainly Courgettesarewill again. so do goingso need to mad Chard,have it never likeSpinach, isgrown it webut very before will with Charlotte the that best. thing donewell isOne has Swiss tatties grewthemselves.good bags quite The we inones been have theoff tops this and burnthemshouldn’tpossible, affect the if will plantwigwam, fewer next year. plant a them canes put bamboo themI trugsform with to in they mess. a of wedon’t are have As abit astraight fence run of to gettingand themtoo thickly planted almostalthough I picked daily baskets Sweet coming now. out and peas fed tubsso are weekly are favourite clematis been and still have are Hanginggorgeous. Beans,Broad Rasps, Blackcurrants have been my and good start with been awholereally Not but whathas lot reasonable. the Well, where garden the weastart do Better this Summer?? with green fingers weatherwise.seems have to nature Mother thatnot been this has bestsummer the beIt’s gotto sure said, agree, I'm and you'll replacement barrels Banavie. in used flowers, andbulb planting for named Princess.be money the raised All will special star our guest thankyoufrom literally, a is cakes! likehot There also a great baking turnout our and sold, money. Despitethere wet adismal day, was included baking andof both donations £350over atthe This Kilmalliefigure Show. support andhelping raise in to generosity We would like their everyone thank for to stars Margaret M, Louise, Margaret Nicola S, &Jeanette their giftson behalfof KCC. Below: Corpach in Colour Above: The two Margarets with Kshama who presented tea for two Margarets tea for Banavie Floral Improvements Floral Banavie Now isNow thecan time you takegathercuttings and for seed next arePotatoes reasonableif butblight there signcut is of just any
-
a hen A 15years barrels numbernow our of are displayagain. is quite now stunning yet and out the come now bloomshave the the that time. All however, notwithstanding providingnecessary the irrigation the of rest waterthemto mother once, nature during needed this 'summer' wehave only year produce to display. In afloral fact flower barrelslonger this have much taken The“Banavie planting. Improvements” ouronAll had thiseffect has an adverse autumn. been. and whatit’s wetis Cool skippedstraight went to summer and been likesomewhat confused asit we felt attractive homely attractive to place live. worked hard so an help to make Corpach enthusiastic citizens, active have they community council members just or as more. Whether of theirroles in past reminisce), prizemuch and puzzles, so www.kilmallie.org.uk ifto want you newsletters(nearly on available all Heather’s the Walk, Kilmallie original Produce the Show, Garden Competition, tubsflower the and beds, andFlower but just with Colour’sbeautiful Corpach in community many, over manyyears. Not themthe of have done two the for show their thatwork the appreciation for people congratulate to and them wanted Kilmalliemany Centre. So Community Margarets’two June tea partyin 20th on There the awonderful was turnfor out
Morag MackellMorag gardening an death Opportunity'. is 'Every getelse. something that,in once told was I there adisaster, excuse is agreat what to beennurtured doing well and for and, cared if the seehas to Always results. that ajoy something Hope everyone gardensenjoyed whatever has their the to and forward in surprises look Spring. the what they will I are.them plant However, thegarden throughout theI havebut lost thelabels course, tubs thisof idea year,no so Christmas of be kept the will Hyacinths getting Tulips planted. I out Husband getting tempting October,nervous!! So and, by the the shops.Catalogues regularlyso through dropping door the We triedthegreenhouse inthebut lettuce useless. inwinter was it keep should apinchand keep sowing going it the through winter. the as parsley the the suffered samefate carrots,can you however, seed they last ifnot, the well thisshould year, into Some Winter. of the in shelves greenhouse. the Leeksgoto the Hopefully won't be dry, and harvested to either hanging allowed up on laidout or throughthehave died year.once the tops However will downthey thehas Onionslot. Fly the Carrot small, had are quiteagain cold too wastage feed. of leavesbottom thebelow firsttrussso no there unnecessary is green the out things,removesun.and the enough not tips Pinch feeding. what is for good!! not Now are little pathetic Tomatoes any ordinaryGrass plant liquid feedis isneedsall after so fine. a feedregularly short not too and but it,Gro but weuse Miracle to half and,again. they an flower ifwe get Indianjust might Summer, Soon be getthe timethe for inspent money asBulbswill to be We have nolate carrots!! puttingthe Too fleece so over them The grass growingit so is cut is rate to atagreat important
keepwant to beautiful. Banavie help,your We all evenifonly financially. keepdoing for butnow is it there aneed achievewant to do floral our displays.We appreciatetoo we effortmake the each year We the know Banavie people of and visitors be gratefully received. donationsof barrelsmoneywould or indeed beSo any costly. difficult and perhaps and consternation our to wefind will that need replaceto them of decrepit most the themsome of collapse. in of astate We will old and with signs showing age their of Kshama Wilmington Kshama occasion emotional themfor both. madeparty and the an such enjoyable us all. hugethanks them to behalf on of aswell Louise to now Nicola Pescod Muir, and so passed over Corpach the in helm Colour wateringhave but planting, they and doubt the seehelping still them with theof whole community. We will no giftbehalf thankon and boxes cards you with Highland apresentation Co of Soap the Margarets’ outstanding contribution acknowledge able to delighted be to KCC were And everyone youto thank who
Joanne, Sheena,Joanne, Ronand
page 21 community resilience – now’s a good time to prepare for winter
page 22 good luck kids – go for it with fundraising for Banavie Park
24th October Saturday Banavie Park, tent, EventsNo Fuss in the entertainment children's the Waterloo Walk 3 - 6pm
in the
party
park
nature activities a bouncy castle a bouncy
& anawesome a baking stalla baking face painting
story telling
pony rides hot food disco!
Roddy MainlandRoddy another hundred2115! people the to of Over years. hopefullysecured this structure afuture for for within community. our as in general fundingor and assistance help from monument. thenationally important conservationof this project the music withpipe rounded history appropriate off Monument.A short re Walk' the'Waterloo from Community Hallthe to community. The LochaberSchools Pipeled Band the History Society and members interested the of Cameron, the LochaberLocal Regimental Clan Association, the Gordon Highlanders Waterloo. the of victory battleof Cameron's Monument the and 200th anniversary Colonel John of commemoratedoccasion the On the local 16th apleasant June, dedication that he has put into project this to And all thanks toRoddy for all the work and
conserve and acknowledge one of Corpach’s
Friends page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ us facebook KCCletter viathe our on boxes, would like contact in get to touch can you improvingof the group ayearwith that ago the formed aim Friends Banavie of Parkare acommunity event on the Canal. and supportedour fundraising at the Go Wild Above: the children publicised ideas thefor park [email protected] from Friendsfrom Banavie of ParkTeam spread the See there! you word... bring family, the give all and generously, afternoon.Pleaseevent support this and anovel to forward We look and fun filled any home baking will welcomed. be willDonations and at bethe door asked for
This was supported by This supported was by
Thanks allgave to supportgo who must historical landmarks. -
Of - Banavie -
dedication and summary of summary anddedication We can say that we have
park’s playIf you facilities. - Park or byPark or email:
swings bridge
on the home page of our website www.kilmallie.org.uk. www.kilmallie.org.uk. website of our page home the on colour size in them seefull can delayed. You being of risk the greatest with timesthe people avoid help to thesegraphs produced and us, for statistics the Russell analysed statistics. the all of records who keeps Superintendent) Local Canals’ (Scottish Stafford John traffic with road to delays of the length swings,and of timing and frequency the researched 2012KCC in Back swings. more bridge means inevitably this weather.And summery bring doesn’t it if even traffic, more canal brings summer the Inevitably
page 15 page
Lochaber Ideas Week – 16-22 November
page 14 page we highly recommend itsmosblog.tumblr.com
fundraise for the Children’s Hospice and Scottish Canal’s ownbottle stall to great face painting) as well as a food stall Beekeepers, SAIL, Banavie Playpark (with Lochaber Environmental Group, Lochaber Geopark, Lochaber Common Weal, There were of lots stalls venture out, and were grandly rewarded. canal. But a fair few were brave enough to evening beto dandering aboutthe on finished their tea and decided was anit not have looked out their windows having event was due start. to Many folk would day, the rain on came shortly before the sunny weather.Fat chance! Aftercool a thought they could rely on some drywarm fix another date would not be in vain, so they managed to everyone else had put in preparingto for it determined that the effort that they and John Stafford and StephenWiseman were unintentionally entered the raftrace. But that some theof gazebos might have blustery winds there had beenreal risk a cancelled because theof weather the Wild Lochaber festival, buthad to be scheduled a Saturdayfor in May, as part of auspicious start. It had originally been This year’s event hadn’t had a very year. memory Davyof McCook who died last competingfor a trophy presentedin activities, its grand finale is the raft race, Scottish Waterways Trust.With lots freeof organised by Scottish Canals and the community event at Neptune’s Staircase This was the second year for Go Wild, the couldn’t start without them. It gave folk were Davy’s parents, so the raft race from her free trip Gairlochy.to On board waited for Clyde Cruises’ boat to return rowing race, the excitement built as we After thecanoe race and the Cadet Sea brimming with fishing vesselsin transit. whenof the basin would have been buzzingall about, a modern day equivalent It was great just seeing quite so many boats the decks andof theroofs moored boats. competitors.The best vantagepoints were supportto (or try sabotage)to the and folk more turned out, lining the canal As the races kicked off, the rain dried up, theto water in the boats and kayaks. children, and even toddlers anddogs took just as much by the grown ups as the AssociationThe bouncy castle was enjoyed Going WildontheCanal
-
mid mid August -
Lochaber - when they -
with with
one could catch them, especially not the away in their bathtubs early on, and no the marauders from Oban pulled clean theAt off, marvellousmayhem ensued, but the start. the splendid rafts as theylinedup ready for lots timeof for a good look andlaugh at Breaking Wind Best Dressed Raft 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Raft Race 2. 1. Sea 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Canoe Race ResultsRace fun. Looking forward nextto year already! who worked to make the event such great builders, Davy’s family, and everyone else cruises, theall competitors, all the raft the providers of boats, the provider of bodhran) theto coastguard, the sea cadets, band (Raj pipeson andStephen on theall stallholders, to the canal ceilidh happen,it theand all to local canal team, Huge thanks Johnto and Stevenfor making the best/furthest destination. thefor photo showing the Tshirt reaching throwing out a further challenge presented Tshirts allto the participants, with help from his grandsons. Then John Prizes were presented by parents,Davy’s nudge. giving the oneslast home a wee extra finishingline, with the victorscourteously instead. Each raft was pipedover the ambulance crew who went for a swim
- (didn’t finish) Ambulance Team Breaking Wind Girls team Rugby Club Sea Cadet Officers Lochaber Ladies Police Scottish Canals Coastguard Jonathan McCook team Bath Hullto (Oban) Pully Wooly Nelson Coastguard Scottish Canals Kilmallie playpark Rock Lochaber Geopark Team
Cadet Cadet Rowing Race
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hopper –
for the Davy McCook Trophy
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a prize
that?” female teams perhaps? Could we manage maybe two raft races “Already thinking nextof year, thinking or were press ganged. volunteered taketo part in the canoe race trips free on the night and all to those who Julie & John the skipper providing for the next year!! Thanks to too Hamish Munro, give John, Murdo and Sandy lessons for four wee tots was amazing kayaking cover, Rockhopperto for canoeing & and the Coastguard providing for safety food (your soup was lovely Tina), Darrento “Thanks theto sea £260.00 on the night with a bottle stall. Karen, Christine& Maureen who raised Association Scotland and a thank you to charity CHAS, the Children’s Hospice was used raise to money thefor Children’s from the night. The Scottish Canals’ gazebo about the event and hopefully all benefited the“All stalls would have loved to have been involved!! miss the mischievous big so and so. He memory alive cuddle and thanked us keepingfor Davy’s mother Jean came up me to gave me a night was at the end whenMcCook’s Davy “On a personal level what really made my participating addedto the spectacle. laughter that came through from those nine teams taking part: the fun and Raft Race proved to be a great success with make the event a fun night. the As always great success, all of you contributed to part in the WildGo event and made a it “Can I say a big thank you whoall to took And John Stafford said: More photos in centrethe pages,
and LOTS more photos on -
seeing Ben out in a canoe with www.kilmallie.org.uk
- contributed theto local feel
that said all! it - cadets for providing the -
male teams and
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maybe he can -
we stillall
Lorna FinlaysonLorna early summer. throughoutthe and exhibition in year annual our can also seeYou in work our Belford the Hospital www.artlochaber.co.uk 01855821296. on Dorothy 772806 or Lifts are available. alongthe come and to or group join the class. wishing moreabout know theworkshops to and We wouldanyone be hear to delighted from a paintingentitled ‘Palettes’.workshopon colour BarcaldineNovember 7th/8thwith willon return with Anderson amixed media Alan from course. JemmaDerbyshire October 17th/18th the on we Art, have anew of Leith tutor from School HansenLys ‘Wild Wonderful and Paint’. and Then Our newstarts with seasonOctober 3rd/4th on websiteat www.lochaberrfc.co.uk news fromBanavie, ‘Like’ uson Facebookor checkout our the Highlandsand Argyll. keepTo up to datewith all the latest practiceinto when they play friendlygames against other clubs in Our boysand girls get a chance to put their newlylearnt skills attained also its Positive Coaching Accreditation in2013. Saturdayat 10am. giveto rugby atry. fit, get have fun, and make new friends. This is the perfect time recruiting new boys andgirls from P3 upwards.It’s agreat way to summerbreak on Saturday 29thAugust. LochaberRugby MiniRugby Training started back after its Mini Rugby Saturday Sept 26th Saturday Sept 19th Fixtures theto weatherhad. we have that donatedwho items. Club18th July: £500 raised over funds. was all Thank for youto Kilmallie thehadSaturday fundraiser Gala agreat at Caol day on -
Kilmallie Club Shinty
Details from Lorna on 01397 on Details Lorna from
Comeand joinin the funatBanavie every The Club’s coachesare all SRU trained and it
Shinty matches have beenShinty have inconsistent matches due
Kilmallie Glengarry Vs Playing the Cup Aitchison for Iain Memorial Ballachulish Kilmallie Vs CamanachdFinal Cupin Oban
The Clubis actively –
ReserveTeam –
1st team 1st team
Linda Campbell Linda CommunityCaol Centre Saturday November 21st Linda 01397700800 on buy to wouldyou likeor ahorse sponsor to please a Race contact Saturday October 3rd www.lochaberrfc.co.uk Pauline Donaldson Sat20 February Sat16 January Sat26 December Sat12 December Sat21 November Sat14 November Sat24 October Sat03 October Sat19 September Sat5September refreshmentsavailable in the Clubhouse on match days. alongcome and watch the games. Hereisa list ourof homegames thisfor season Fundraisers: RugbySenior
– Lochaber Lochaber ANNUALBOXING DAY MATCH Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber Lochaber
Horse Night Race in Tradewinds at 8pm.
- –
tickets will tickets this.onbe for soon sale
Annual DinnerAnnual Dance in Awards and ------v v v v v v v v v ------
Deeside RossSutherland KinlossEagles Moray EllonRFV Shetland Garioch Stornoway AberdeenWanderers Thereare always hot & cold
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pleasefree to
If
page 23 Lord of the Lochs Sportive , through Kilmallie 26 Sept
page 24 spotted in Kilmallie - very rare great yellow bumblebee
Education Trust Lochaber Rural abilities. and ages all of children with Trust the work of worthwhile disappointment. invited. tables also are or 01397 700800 BOSS at Linda contact now saleon are event fantastic this for Tickets draw will be made. raffle prize the and held 16. under children available for are price tickets half and VAT £30incl priced event BBC Alba. on presenter a is who Crofter and Lewis Entrepreneur young a MacSween, Donald Centre. Community Caol October. 30th Friday on ceilidh and dinner charity a We are organising Linda Campbell Linda Arrangement). (Floral MacMaster Heather (Soup), Antonios Margaret cake), (decorated MacLean, Kerry to went awards special Other special awards. alsoreceived Corpach Nash, Callum and High Lochaber Coupland, Drew High. Lochaber MacBain, Ryan and Lochyside O’Lah, Hannah Banavie, Pescod, Banavie, Katie Matheson, Amarah were sections the in The winners one. difficult a task judge’s the schools making Primary and Playgroup fromNursery, entries forward were hundred overa and roses was year this theme Challenge MacLean Marie The class. every almost filled School High Lochaber and Gaelic Sgoil Lochabair Bun Inverlochy, Bridge, Spean Banavie, Lochyside, from entries weather gardening poor the Trust. Despite Education Rural Lochaber for success was another Show Gardening Junior The Sixth
Hopefully the event will be held in the new new the in will held event be the Hopefully
[email protected] All funds raised go towards the the towards go raised All funds
Book now to avoid avoid to now Book
The speaker for the evening isevening speaker forthe The
An auction will also bealso will auction An
Tickets for the the Tickets for
.
Corporate Corporate Beekeepers’ Association,Beekeepers’ cranesbillher checks out larder Banaviemember resident,anapian This ofLochaber the Ruth Miller Ruth wind spray. and sand and and Of sun mountain deer, and swans wayof The play, see at the otters their And go the waythe fishes choose So loveliness. water of A world sail, fernsand you woodedslopes Through Ness, Loch Oich and Lochy, Loch willCanal lochs, widen into seem they the sky, to far reach So abovethe clouds, summitssoar Their reach high so mountains Where snowy soon will locks seven you raise The peacefulness. in along Gliding by, go world Free the towatch toInverness, Banavie From way all theSailing, sailing far you route Greattake Glen can This car train or or bus of Instead countryside, see the Highland To go should staircase you Neptune’s By GLEN THE GREAT
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canal news will report thank not but to everyone it on would who like Kilmallie Council done this I Community have event so anon article Go Wild on the Canal becomes REMEMBER seriously PLEASE ill. is harmful be it grandchild children and could child your to or that theirallow area.Please dogs dog grass foulthe to remember waste Double whereevening Lock duringthe membersthe afew of public thedogs towpaths. places foulour worst to by up One Corpach of is arenumber stillwho aren’t aofpeople their anddiligent so allow thank using for youall thesethere enough Unfortunately facilities. with full! 1100litres capacitywashalf guys the Myselfand can’t using thesewas that facilities thebins afteremptying Euro a empty thedogof decent binslitter .example An and people areas Another possible. astidynicenot so as theis job guys do are lock maintainedbylocal the will be grass seenandvarious cutting scrubat locations: all areas theirWhen locations there lullteam boat pristine. traffic is a thein vessels through inbetween District and the times keep trying to For the haveout worked three the last flat months passing team theourSo for figures busiest are year up6.5%. of the time Total Aug July June Corpach Sea boatingfigures the summer. throughout at Cullochy Weirincrease managedto in wehave March our we have beenthat report to sincebreach fortunate the Canal the in Asan season summer end the autumn approaches comesto and Boat Movements Roddy Mainland, Corpach in Colour tea party, Duke of Duke of tea Colour party, in Corpach Mainland, Roddy by WaterlooWalkorganised The 3songs!, sing the & guitar play where to the centrewas asked party manager 80th Birthday an Council training, parties,Highland Birthday Local residents’ are: the weeks used few theCentre past have over who Customers August. event during for the Wild Lochaber Canal Caledonian to the and Glenfinnan in for wedding a chairs loaning out by our community in organisations other We tohelp pleased were the films. providing Jimmy Smith the for for eventarranging and Henderson to Bobby thanks Our Kinlochleven. in the BA which was about Electric “The Village” mill and the pulp which was all about Lochaber” to called “Return were somefilms toshow able we hall the main in outside and vintagedisplay a car We had Alzheimer local the for charity. raise funds to CoffeeMorning thatthe with day was combined Centre open Community to the came Kilmallie who along toall those you Thank Centre. at the Community on eventslotsgoing of timewith lastmonths over very the few a busy We had have
Kilmallie Community Centre
- lock
us. help can you how out 805040 to find 07768 on Kennedy call Sarah Please do requires. community the servicesthat our toprovide able that weare ensure the committee to on assist us to volunteers more We tohave need desperately
892 boats 255 boats 397 boats 240 boats 2014
- keepers keep try to who their
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BAG IT & BIN IT. BAG &BIN IT. IT 950 boats 272 boats 406 boats 272 boats 2015
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cart
Sarah Kennedy Sarah next months! few over the serve the to community tocontinuing We forward look (01397)712663.Tel (07787)866813 Mobile: [email protected], E on (JimmyMilne) Centre Manager isour bookings making for the details contact Remember that Olde Dancing. Tyme & Toddlers, Mums School, Music Lochaber Council, Community Kilmallie Dancing, Country Fellowship,Scottish Mustardseed The Lightsclasses, Christmas group, Zumba NHS Highland, Centre: the regularto customers our go supporting for thanks Our refreshments. withand launch Cargill book wine David charity, 100cycle Lochaber eventgathering, familyfor Ceilidh Lochaber, Celidh training, minding award scheme, Child Edinburgh Canal Superintendent Canal Stafford John venture. would likeStewart and wish to this Leitchstaffwith his new success somethingneeded theatBanavie some has time and for we canal see to Lovely the atNeptune’s open restaurant Staircase; this is Moorings Restaurant be followingroute. asimilar marathon the course: half hence local marathon reason the could the from also came runners the completing new William Fort greatly used appreciated by it. allhave Favourable who comments please The improvement let me know. been ontowpath the has potential theand funding for betweenBanavie towpaths Corpach greatly funding. thanksexternal improved ifanyone So to knows of National Cycle routecompletedbeen theandsurfacenow has has The towpath between and Gairlochy the Banavieisof part which Towpaths carrying staffbring trainingwithto out new the speed. them up to team’s skilllevels and fall the Winter short over again be we will service few areas a betweenleft wherewith us thisthe has , them Having recently lost three members staff thirtywith of over years’ sorted. defects theover plannedin be beto which next fewmonths will liaising with Leaders&Supervisors Team identifying in canal newlyOperative appointed Iain Lengthbe Donnelly Inspection will thoughts proposed our turn to Winter Our Works programme. As an comesend summer to and the autumn approaches, our cause. mannedbottle areallystallwhich £260for worthwhile the raised Scotland Karenwho Christine, thanksgainfully to and &Maureen charity this year is CHAS contributed avery enjoyable to Canals evening.The Scottish chosen TREASURER TREASURER 772597 William 01397 Fort Corpach, Drive, 12 Hillview SECRETARY CHAIRMAN SC000604 Charity Scottish 7JH WilliamPH33 Fort Corpach, Road, Station Centre Kilmallie Community
Mrs Norma MacLellan, MacLellan, Mrs Norma post vacant at present at vacant post
Mrs Sarah Kennedy 07768805040 Kennedy Sarah Mrs
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The Children’s Hospice Association
- mail:
- Feis
13 page 200 years since Telford House and Canal House were built
Friends of page 12 Caledonian Canal page 25 growing together? Lochaber
Interested in growing The new towpath surface northwards from Banavie is proving a joy to walk on, cycle on, push a buggy on, or use a wheelchair on. It is smooth your own produce? and firm, yet soft underfoot. And it looks great too. Just the job, well done Scottish Canals and thank you to the excellent organisation How about a Kilmallie Growers Sustrans (sustainable transport) for funding it. Pity the same can’t be said for the west of Neptune’s staircase, gradually getting worse. Surely Association? there are funding sources available for this to be improved?
The provisions of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill Another Scenic Routes competition for Banavie has been and gone, which was passed in June 2015 require each local authority to Muir of Ord Community polytunnel almost unnoticed (announced 10 Aug, closing date 31 Aug). Steve prepare a food-growing strategy for its area. This strategy Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Canals, said: “Banavie, which sits in needs to identify land that could be used for allotment sites the shadow of Ben Nevis and is home to the iconic lock flight of and land that could be used by the community for the Neptune’s Staircase, is one of the jewels in the crown of the Caledonian cultivation of vegetables, fruit, herbs or flowers. Canal. I can’t wait to see how the competition’s designs celebrate the Consequently, Highland Council contacted KCC to investigate majestic vistas of the area.” local interest in allotments. The canal has been FOCAL is a subgroup of at its best this
Neither can we! Most of us feel that the Staircase itself provides the the Kilmallie Community This has prompted wider interest within the Kilmallie area in a summer with lots of ultimate viewpoint for the canal and the Ben. Telford’s engineering interesting boats, Company community association to promote horticulture. Aside from masterpiece needs no fripperies stuck onto it. But the competition brief old and new, passing (entirely independent from the dismal growing weather of this summer it is an ideal time was more open than last year’s, so perhaps the winning design could through. This is the Kilmallie Community Council) to be thinking about aspirations for growing more. provide a suitably landscaped area to watch the steam train, or a coat of 100 year old Eye of For more info, or to be added to paint for the rail bridge, or Phase 1 of a micro hydro scheme, or an the Wind, a 132 foot our mailing list, please contact Although many people in Kilmallie have their own gardens, brigantine who Jan MacLugash, 01397 772383, underwater webcam to watch the locks opening, or a clean-up of the came through there are many ways we could all benefit from combining email: Knoydart’s Community polytunnel shrubbery that’s used as a public toilet. No news of when the entries will heading for Oban resources. The aims of the association would be to provide a be published and the winner announced, but we will keep you posted earlier this month. [email protected] network of communal facilities that enabled members to and perhaps, just perhaps, we will be pleasantly surprised. maximise their growing opportunities. For those without gardens, access to an allotment would be the first step. For those with their own land and gardens the association would
kilmallie? benefit it can ways what in
aim to provide facilities which benefit from scale and are most
needed to suit the local conditions and climate. –
This could include individual space in community polytunnels,
bulk collection/sourcing of compost, and some form of Notice of AGM & Agenda distribution network for produce. Tom Guisach Pinewood Friday 9th October 2015 at 7.30 pm in the
Kilchoan Community Garden & Cnoc nam Faobh Back Hall, Kilmallie Community Centre. Such an association could adapt and grow to meet the needs of members. Possible initial plans could include; Oakwood Members and non-members are welcome. An area of alloments within Corpach for those houses with Membership application forms will be limited garden space Over a year ago we had quite a lot of gale available on the night for those wishing to An area with community polytunnels in Banavie damage. Much of this has been cleared but join and offer their support. Membership and fundraising to cover a part-time position some still remains to be done, mainly in the Agenda: to maintain all the association facilities, provide limited pine wood. This is likely to be done over the 1) Apologies. care for growers at association facilities (e.g. watering) winter months by contract. 2) Minutes of the last AGM. when members were away, grow seedlings to sell to 3) Progress Report. members or others for onward growing, provide expertise We have some pine seedlings which have 4) Treasurer’s Report. and advice to members to maximise growing success, been grown for us by Neil and Morag 5) Election of directors We have up to four vacancies for utilise any spare growing areas to grow produce for either MacKell and by Allan Colquhoun. These directors. Nominations for directors can ‘pick your own’ or for local sale. might now be large enough to be planted The Edible Estates project in Edinburgh aims to provide community growing but they will need to be protected from deer be taken at the meeting or made known The aim would be to complement rather than compete spaces on underused council land. damage so the plan is to put them in small before the meeting. Nominations should with the garden centre on the Blar and it is expected that fences. The hope is to organise work parties include the name of the nominee, 2015 is International Year of Soils of Year 2015International is business would expand with an increased interest. over this coming winter to do the planting confirmation that he or she is prepared and fencing. Any offers of help or to stand and the name of a Proposer and The first challenge is to identify the level of interest and comments on what needs to be done are Seconder. Directors will serve for three suitable areas of land. We have some ideas but have not yet welcome. years. contacted the users or owners. For now, we would really like 6) AOB. your thoughts on the following questions; Recently the hedge around the graveyard Notice of any other business must be Would you be interested in joining a Kilmallie Growers has been cut down. It was getting given to the secretary at least one week Association? overgrown and like many Leyland cypress before the meeting. If so, what community facilities would you most like to see hedges getting too difficult to control. The After the AGM there will be a general (e.g. allotments, polytunnels etc)? firm Westcontracts Ltd did the work and at discussion mainly on the programme of
Do you have any suggestions for suitable plots of land? the same time cleared some of the trees Bill Empowerment Community work that might be carried out in the leaning over the path which runs through Whatever you thoughts please get in touch via Woods. [email protected] or KCC’s suggestion boxes. the Oakwood and alongside the graveyard - Top: Mushroom in the oakwood made by Great things from Sunny Lochaber United Gardeners’ (SLUG) over the last so many thanks to them for doing a good Paul Biggin Westcontracts Ltd Russell Leaper five years at their brilliant community allotment project on Cow Hill. job; including the mushroom! and below: pine seedlings grown by Neil & Morag Opportunities to work together maybe? MacKell John Ireland, who lives in Banavie, Voluntary Action Lochaber on 21 page 23 page 26 tells us about when his work took him August. The group was joined by MSP page 11 to this incredible island off the Margaret Burgess who is the Minister southwest coast of Ireland skellig michael for Welfare and Housing and the dialogue centred around the new As part of my work with the Forestry Commission I got to visit Skellig Michael Scottish Government Campaign, New term - new faces MacMaster (Modern Studies) and Mrs V ‘Creating A Fairer Scotland: What (also known as Great Skellig), which is a MacKinnon (English). towering sea crag rising from the Atlantic The school is now settled in to the Matters To You?’ The idea behind the
Ocean almost 12 kilometres west of the routine of the new session with 156 programme is to bring people across Ivereagh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. new First Years joining the school roll. Volunteering the country together to discuss what The Office of Public Works (OPW) cares for We have also welcomed newcomers in A group of Sixth Years, accompanied by practical steps we need to take to
the island on behalf of the Irish State. S2, 3, 4 & 5. Five new teachers joined Support for Learning Teacher, Mrs create a fairer Scotland. The Minister Located at the western edge of the the staff this term and they are pictured MacAllister, had an opportunity to take was delighted to see young people in European landmass, Skellig Michael was the here (left to right): Mr A Newton part in an interesting and thought- the debate and some of the students chosen destination for a small group of ascetic monks who, in their pursuit of (History); Miss K Boa (P.E.); Miss F provoking discussion about the value of were interviewed for the Fairer greater union with God, withdrew from Keppie (Chemistry/Science); Miss C volunteering when they visited Scotland website. civilisation to this remote and inaccessible place. Sometime between the sixth and Maths Challenge eight centuries, a monastery was founded First and Second Year pupils who on this precipitous rock giving rise to one of achieved success in this year’s UKMT the most dramatic examples of the extremes of Christian monasticism. A visit Junior Maths Challenge were presented to its monastery entails a vertiginous ascent with their certificates at assembly of 600 feet up 618 uneven steps. during the first week of term. Over 250,000 pupils from across the UK took Skellig Michael and its neighbouring islands part in the challenge. Special contain some of Ireland’s most important congratulations go to Alan Hamilton, sites for breeding seabirds both in terms of S2, who had the highest score in the size of colonies and diversity of species. school and Martyn Denny, S1, who had
candle? a orlight the highest score in his year group. The well-preserved monastic remains have retained a strong spiritual appeal. To witness the physical achievements of the We are grateful to Lochaber Housing early monks and experience the solitude, Association for providing the trophy broken only by sounds of seabirds and the and prize money each year.
ocean, evokes a quiet sense of magic. gets bigger and supports more causes next year next causes more supports and bigger gets George Bernard Shaw, on a visit in 1910, In S1 Martyn Denny and Kyle Dignan described it as an ‘incredible, impossible, won silver with bronze awards going to mad place, part of our dream world’. Fergus Berardelli, Cam Clark and Robbie
Murray. In 1996 UNESCO inscribed the island on the World Heritage List as a site of outstanding universal value. In S2, silver awards were won by Alan Hamilton, Scott Lawrie, Daniel Menzies and Erin Nicolson. Bronze winners were Connor Anderson, John Cummings, Gregor Linfield, Amber MacInnes, Orla McDougall, Rebecca MacDougall, Aidan Kane, Beth Robertson, Lachie Shaw and Jodie Standen.
complain about the dark, dark, the about complain
this is probably the last issue before the referendum before issue last is this the probably hope our new community new our hope fund
Visitor Risk Management the site in the early 1990s OPW introduced A regular guide service was introduced in page 23 page 10 Its isolated location and difficult access a daily limit of 180 visitors. This is managed 1987 and has operated each season since. page 27 pose considerable challenges in managing by a permit system which controls the The main function of the guide service is to the site. There are significant constraints to number of boats and passengers allowed to protect the site, interpret the history, finding solutions for some quite complex land on the island. archaeology and significance of the Mrs Beck is back and is teaching us in P7. We are We have been busy making different arts and crafts problems. monastic settlement, regulate the numbers enjoying having her back in the school. The last time for the different shows including the Rural Complex Visitors are exposed to significant trip and of visitors within the monastic enclosure, OPW, in managing the site, aims to provide fall hazards. Disembarking from the boats monitor visitor numbers, the number of we had her as a teacher was P2. and the Agricultural Show. Next week we will be a safe environment where the risks are at can be difficult, and once on the island, boats landing and weather conditions. making things for the Corpach in Colour show. We have a new teacher called Miss Cassidy and she is an acceptable level; however a safe access to the monastery is via To further reinforce the safety messages, environment does not imply the absence of approximately 600 steps. These steps, visitors are met at the bottom of the steps teaching P3/4. The pupils in her class like the way Poppy, Mia & Kaiya risk. It is critically important, therefore, that although maintained, are irregular and of by a guide, who gives a brief talk on visitor
she teaches Art because it is different. The pupils visitors are made fully aware of the risks dry stone construction and by their nature safety and protocols to be taken on their think she is funny, smiley, kind, awesome, creative, presented by the nature of the terrain and do not comply with modern safety visit to the Island.
other natural hazards that await them. By standards. Handrails have not been smart, fashionable and fun. applying the VSCG* principles, OPW seeks introduced because they would John Ireland
to achieve a balance between conservation compromise the exceptional heritage value (* Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group) of the built and natural heritage, visitor of the site. However, visitors are advised by access and safety. on-site signs of the intrinsic hazards of visiting the island. Information signs which Notwithstanding the monument’s include safety information are also located archaeological, cultural, spiritual and at all departure ports. Information on environmental importance, it is not OPW’s visitor safety is also provided on websites in
glumly! objective to provide easy access for all, the form of a safe access guide publication
irrespective of levels of fitness and agility. and a safety video. – Due to its location (some 11.6km off Bolus Head out in the Atlantic Ocean) access to A further important issue relating to the Skellig Michael is by boat and is only safety of visitors on the island is the Playgroup, contd from previous page: was very busy as Lochaber Rural education Trust was possible when weather and sea conditions duration of their stay. Boat timetables allow It was getting near to the end of our playgroup year holding a produce competition which we were to make are favourable. Visitors are only allowed sufficient time to climb the steps and tour and we had chosen to go to the Rural Complex for our pictures for. Lots of painting and sticking ensued from late May through to late September. the monastery before descending to take end of term trip. This was great fun as we fed the however some of us were a little bit reluctant to get Following noticeable increase in damage to the boat back to the mainland. rabbit, chickens, lambs and ponies and had our snack our hands dirty but this was a very different story as with Isabel and Linda. We had been learning where we enjoyed playing outside in the garden area. Never wool came from and used some of the brightly dyed had the wheel barrows been so busy! We piled them up Blar to the attention drawing wool to create pictures of colourful cockerels and with soil and bark and continually moved them from woolly sheep. We proudly showed them to our parents one area to another; making roads to drive our at home time. vehicles along .We really were having a great time and Our playgroup term finished with us having a magical had settled in well without our parents. More boys and shorts and shades party. The weather has been so girls have joined us this week for fun and games, our awful that our leaders had created a wonderful beach indoor climbing frame is very popular as is the sand in our centre. What excitement it was as we came pit. We definitely have some budding joiners and through the playgroup door to be met by a sandy builders following in their parent’s foot steps and some beach, a bouncy castle, nets for beach volley ball, a chefs keen to create inspiring cakes and culinary bubble machine and colourful pennants blowing in the dishes. breeze. We had great fun bouncing, building, running, We all look forward to a busy, fun year ahead. We are having tattoos and tucked away in the quiet area was presently looking for members to join our board of a special nail bar. What a lovely way to finish off our trustees, would this interest you? playgroup year. Our Mums and Dads came along for a wee chat with Carole, Liz and Anna before we left for Anyone wishing information please contact Carole our summer holidays. Our teachers wished us well in 01397 772018, [email protected] our move to our new nurseries and schools. or visit our website at kilmallieplaygroup.org
Our new term started in August and saw some familiar and a vast number of new faces coming to join playgroup. Some of our Mums and Dads were very clever and new exactly what to do when dropping us off as our older brothers and sisters had been a playgroup. It was very reassuring to see their photos
on the board and in the photo albums. Our first week campaigners Reform Land
spellcheck for Glenloy comes up with with up spellcheckcomes Glenloy for this is probably the last issue before the referendum before issue last is this the probably them at Ariundle. Since coming to the area Glen Loy (see our Facebook page for Our pre summer term was action had to move really fast to try and page 28 some eight years ago I have yet to see or pictures). This was feeding on suckering packed and consisted of lots of fun escape them, for something so small page 9 wild hear another oak woodland specialist, the aspen – a species which is benefitting from days in and out of the setting. Our they really did have “big nasty teeth”. pied flycatcher, and have only had a couple the lack of verge cutting this year. A couple term was in full swing, we were The excitement was building for our of reports of these from Sunart. Some of rarities were also caught at light at the very interested and had been sports day which we were going to be species of birds that spend most of the year Lodge at the end of August. The barred in Scotland will also have been badly carpet is a national rarity, and the crescent learning about people who help us. having along at the “big school”. This about We had visited the fire station in was very exciting as quite a few of us affected by cold springs, particularly grouse is a rather local species, both new records and waders, whose chicks rely on insects to for Glen Loy. Fort William and now asked if we had visited before with our older feed upon. Cold, wet years here may well could go and see what the brothers and sisters. Although the swallows have been gathering kilmallie impact on breeding success of some of policemen did. This was arranged on the telegraph wires for a week or more these birds, but equally, hot, arid conditions Our sports day was an extension of That was the summer that was now, we were very surprised to see a swift and we travelled in a big minibus elsewhere, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa our transition visit to nursery and our on the Mallaig road on Sunday 30th August, to the new police station. We saw in are having a disastrous effect on parents were already there as they Apparently it is almost certain that 2015 will long past its normal departure date. Young the control room, the interview have been the hottest year globally since populations. had been having a chat with our whinchat are still developing adult plumage room, the cells where we locked one records began. This just goes to show that teachers. It had been very On the butterfly side, chequered skippers prior to migration up Glen Loy. We also saw of our helpers in: we let we should be careful about statistics, as the wet and windy; the outdoor were also very late to emerge, but an osprey over Loch Lochy the following them out later by using our heat certainly seems to have passed us by in individuals were still about in Glen Loy until day, and these handsome raptors will also pitch was too slippy and strong muscles to help open Kilmallie. A cold, wet spring has been the beginning of July. We even saw a pair of soon be gone. The disruption caused by dangerous for our running followed by a cool, damp July and a typically the big door. It was so green hairstreak in the first week of July, climate change is not something that we can activities so our sports would wet August. Snow patches are larger than heavy and had a little door looking rather frazzled, but still flying for far afford to ignore. If there are notable be held indoors. Our hearts usual on the north face of the Ben. This is all longer than they should have been. Scotch changes in weather patterns and wildlife like a peep hole to look supposed to be the result of a disturbance in were beating fast as we Argus still seem to be emerging in numbers here, then this is being repeated in various through. Afterwards we the jet stream which failed to deliver warm entered the huge gym hall for at the end of August, when they really forms almost everywhere. As President went outside into a massive air to the north-east Atlantic, as it would our races. Our teachers should be proving harder to find. We have Obama has finally realised, it is time to take square area where we usually do. Poor weather here has had a even seen a couple of dark green fritillaries, action now, and we can all do our bit in our helped us to sit on the hard looked inside the police car marked effect on the local wildlife. Migrant including quite a fresh specimen at Allt daily lives to save energy and reduce benches in our key worker birds were slow to arrive, almost three and van, the sirens were Mhuic on the last day of August – rather late greenhouse gas emission. It is sadly groups, the excitement at weeks later than usual in some cases. We for a summer species. On the moth front depressing to contemplate a future without extremely loud and some of times was too much for a you without manage couldn’t did not see tree pipits or whinchat locally there were plenty of days in summer when iconic local species such as wood warbler us put our hands over our couple of us and we looked – before May, and even the willow warblers it was just too cold for moths to fly, and and redstart in our oakwoods. ears to shield us from the only just made it before April was out. At for our Mummies and numbers trapped were well down. On a noise. Our parents had the same time plants were slow to flower – Jon Mercer Daddies for reassurance. The more positive note we were delighted to been given information to we still had plenty of bluebells about at the Glenloy Wildlife start line was ready and 2 find a striking puss moth caterpillar along A puss moth caterpillar come and collect us from end of June. There was also a knock-on upside down grownups were holding the effect on the insect life, with many species here. The next day back at finishing tape at the far end. slow to emerge. Local bee keepers have playgroup we made “Peep, peep” went the reported a very poor year, with hardly any pictures of the policemen whistle & we were off as fast honey produced. Some moths and and informed our teachers butterflies did appear later than usual, and as our legs could carry us. about what we had this may have been the saving grace for “Hurray” we all shouted with learned: we really did have some summer warblers, that were still able excitement as we were given a lot of information to give to find an abundance of caterpillars for their stickers by Liz after crossing them. the geocache on the Blar roundabout yet? roundabout Blar onthe geocache the young. Despite the cold the Highland midges the finishing line. We had lots appeared to have a ‘good’ summer, and are We made the most of the of races from running, to biting us still! local woodland, disused balancing beanbags, jumping I have seen some good broods of wood parks and grassy banks and racing with a partner, warbler this year. This is a pretty yellow- nearby for exploration and by the end of sports our green warbler with paler undersides, physical exercise. Our sweatshirts were decorated brighter than the willow warbler. The male wood warblers have a characteristic song in sports day was looming, with numerous coloured the breeding season, which is often we enjoyed a couple of stickers. The culmination of teams delivery newsletter our toall described as similar to a stack of falling practice sessions in the old the day was our Mums and coins, followed by a descending series of Guisach Park area. This Dads race: my! they were single notes. At the height of the season was great fun: we ran, extremely competitive and these little birds become so wound up whilst jumped, balanced and ran very fast. A photo finish singing that they start to quiver violently raced against our friends. was in order to determine and actually rise up in the air a few Some of us even got the the winner. It was such a centimetres above their perch. At least four males were calling in the woods at Erracht in chance to hold the lovely family day finished off the late spring, and another two in finishing line which was a by a presentation of medals, Puiteachan. This is an oak woodland very important job. A art folders and a book of have you spotted you spotted have specialist, and as such should do well in our number of us memories for each child. Our area, but numbers have been declining experimented with key workers had been worryingly over the last few years. Other different types of rolls to working tirelessly to prepare birds of western oak woodlands have been see who could travel the everything for our even harder to spot locally. Redstarts are furthest down the grassy presentation and what a hugethanks
very handsome birds related to thrushes, and once the trees are in leaf, are also easier bank. Gymnastics outdoors fantastic job they had done. to hear than see. There used to be several was a new challenge for us Our parents were delighted pairs by the road to Clunes and along Loch all! At times the midges with all our photos and Arkaig, with a scattering of others were unbearable and we pictures. elsewhere, but this year I have only heard contd overpage page 8 page 29 slower safer smilier Delighted to see the 60mph limit finally reduced to 40mph over the Blar. It is a welcome step in the right direction.
But disappointed that the 20mph part time signs at the High School still aren’t working, and we haven’t noticed the light-up speed warning
signs either side of Corpach working
yet either. Why does it take SO long to implement the changes that communities want to see?
We were interested to notice that some places in Scotland We’ve been told of concerns about traffic at Locheilside DO have compulsory 20mph limits on the A-roads through exceeding the 60mph limit. This is of particular concern their centre. The picture above (thanks to Google Earth) where car parking is immediately adjacent to the road. We shows the 20mph signs on the A94 through Burrelton in have raised this with the police, who have agreed to carry Perthshire. The difference is that the road in Burrelton is just out some speed checks. Please do keep raising your a ‘primary’ A-road, whereas the A830 through Corpach is a concerns with KCC if it continues to be a problem. We are ‘TRUNK’ road. Transport Scotland currently decree that on unlikely to persuade Transport Scotland to do anything trunk roads, the vehicles MUST take priority over the about it (like eg installing a light-up slow down sign) unless wellbeing of the communities that they pass through, all for we can demonstrate evidence of widespread concern. After the article about the War Memorial in the June issue, we thought you’d like to see this photo from the Scottish War the sake of a few seconds added to a journey. Memorials website, taken in the ?1930s. We’re having difficulty figuring it out... the route in the foreground seems to be the railway but we can’t make out the railway bridge over the canal? And where is the road? Was the War Memorial originally below the old road? Can anyone throw some light? A few residents, volunteers again, give their time to pick up litter along some of the roadside in Kilmallie and the staff at the K team? The Co-op in Corpach try hard to keep their shop front litter We love to receive letters & feedback. free, but if we want Kilmallie to be cleaner and tidier – then Please let us know what you think about the newsletter, and write to us Keeping Kilmallie clean and tidy more has to be done. letters with your news, views, questions and answers. KCC has been contacted by a resident wondering if
Thanks for your letter John. something similar to the Fort William Town Team could Fort William Town Team does litter picking, flower planting, Dear KCC The Kilmallie Image Library is a great resource for old photos. It has a happen in Kilmallie. some painting and general cleaning – do you think that
few pictures of Annat, many dating back to 40s, but none that we could launch book onnew Cargill toDavid something along those lines could happen in Kilmallie? Are Annat Prefab Village see of the prefab village itself (www.kilmallie.net) I know that the ladies of Corpach In Colour and the ladies there volunteers ready willing and able to come together, driving past houses at Corriebeg and Locheilside and Corriebeg at houses drivingpast and gentleman of Banavie Floral Improvements keep those or work around your street, to tell the people in Lochaber Good Afternoon, my name is John Mackenzie, Other usually useful historical sources we have searched include: the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of areas colourful with the tubs and planted areas and we all that Kilmallie is a clean and tidy place cared for by I lived at Annat from Jan 1946 to 1952 when Scotland (www.rcahms.gov.uk appreciate those bright patches throughout those areas. volunteering residents? we moved to Caol. I am trying to locate old SCRAN (www.scran.ac,uk) We are fortunate to have volunteers willing to do this! photographs of Annat. Any possibility you may What do you think? Are Martin Briscoe has interesting pictures of the Annat Camp, and might be know anyone who may help? able to help more (www.mbriscoe.me.uk). I also acknowledge that The Kilmallie Christmas Lights you up for it? Speak to Group took up the task of brightening Corpach and Banavie your friends and Yours sincerely Otherwise it’s probably down to folk rummaging through old shoeboxes of photos to see if they have anything. If anyone does, please let us know when The Highland Council stopped providing Christmas neighbours and perhaps John Mackenzie and we can share them with John and anyone else who is interested. lights in those areas. They are volunteers willing to give it will happen! their time to brighten the dark nights over Christmas and The New Year. Christine Hutchison merry christmas
The responses to the Call for Sites and Ideas are now congratulations congratulations available to view online on Highland Council’s website. See what has been suggested for Lochaber in general & a good new year and Kilmallie in particular.
please slow down, slow down, please If you have any comments about the ideas proposed, when it comes do get in touch with KCC and let us know - it will help Due to the timetable of the CC elections, we are uncertain community councillor, just able and willing to help with some us be able to represent the community’s views when whether we will be able to produce a December newsletter of the work of planning, interviewing, writing, editing, the Plan gets to consultation stage. this year, so we are getting our festive greetings in early just desktop publishing, photography and so on. It doesn’t have in case! It will be up to the newly-elected KCC to decide to be a big commitment - every little helps and the more the www.highland.gov.uk/info/178/ whether they are able to continue with newsletters next year. merrier. If you fancy it, if you’d like the newsletters to keep local_and_statutory_development_plans/582/ Help them make the right decision by offering to join the on coming, do please get in touch. west_highland_and_islands_local_development_plan newsletter production team. You don’t have to be a full [email protected] speaker, he had a clear vision of what the Highlands page 30 needed. He saw that there was a basic need for page 7 improved transport infrastructure, especially for far better quays in the islands and more support for Luchd - crofting and agriculture. This amounted to a virtual revolution against a government that saw the bogus tradesmen Bogus tradesmen don’t just con other people in other places - we’re aware of them operating here in Kilmallie. Police Highlands as a wilderness only suitable for hunting Scotland and Highland Council’s Trading Standards department have produced a leaflet to warn people of the dangers, and its people as cannon fodder for the army. which we reproduce below. Our advice is NEVER to buy goods or services from unsolicited callers, and NEVER let an
unsolicited caller into your house. Always check the credentials of people claiming to be polataics Aig an àm sin, bha an partaidh toraidheach air leth Chuir buaidh Mairi Nic 'ille Dhuibh ann an Paislig aig an ladir an Alba. Ged a fhuair Mac 'ill a' Bhrataich taic officials. If you are at all uncertain, ask them to come back later when you’ve had a chance tagh Phàrlamaid Seonaidh Mac 'ill a' Bhrataich na mo chuimhne. air leth ann an Eilean Sgitheanach, Lochabar agus àiteachan mar sin to check with their organisation and arrange for someone else to be with you. If this Tha móran a' cumail a mach gur e an ball phàrlamaid as fhearr nach cha do chòrd iomhaidh aige ( A' Ghaidhlig, àiteachas agus makes them cross or impatient the chances are they’re not dh'fhuair Alba riamh a bh'ann agus theap e Paislig a bhuanaicheadh ceilidhean) le daoine òga, treandaidh Inbhir Nis. Bha sinach fada ro genuine - a genuine official should always respect your ann an fo-thag ann an 1961. seann fhasanta dhaibhsan. Nach eil an t-Saoghal air atharrachadh? uncertainty. Do not be bullied on your own doorstep. Thoisich na naimheadean aige breugan ag innse. Thuirt iad gun Mhairi Black’s victory in Paisley at the general election reminded robh e an comnaidh fo buidaidh na dibhe agus gur e misgear a me of Johnny Bannerman, arguably the best MP that Scotland bh'ann. O cho mealt a bh'ann san t-saoghal! Cha mhòr nach robh e never elected. In 1961 he came close to winning Paisley in a by- tt! Seall cho beag 's a tha an t-Saoghal air atharrachadh agus cha election. robh Lynton Crosbie ann, an uairsinn. Cha deach na laithean le Mac 'ill a' Bhrataich ach bha e faisg agus rinn e nas fhasa e airson Rusell Tha cuimhne agam air a' tighinn dhan dachaidh againne, a chuir MacIain ann an 1964. seachad na h-oidche, agus esan a' seasamh airson Siorrachd Inbhir Nis anns na 50an. Mar as trice, bheireadh e Duncan’s Hazel Nut At that time the Tory party was extremely strong in Scotland.
chocolate dhomh. Bha e an comhnaidh Duncans a chionn gun Although Bannerman got strong support in Skye and areas like deach a dhèanamh ann an Alba! 'S e caraid m'athair a bh'ann ach, Lochaber his image (Gaelic, agriculture, ceilidhs) did not appeal to gus an fhirrinn innse, cha robh Seonaidh idir gann de caraidean. Bha the trendy youth of Inverness. He was far too old fashioned for mi air leth proiseil gun d'rainig bannrachd aige, Ray, dhan bannais them. It’s strange how the world has changed. His enemies began agam. to slander him. It was whispered that he was perpetually drunk and that he was an alcoholic. In truth he was virtually an abstainer. I remember him coming to spend the night in our home when he Maybe the world hasn’t changed that much and there was no was standing for election in Inverness-shire in the ‘50s. Usually he Lynton Crosbie around then. Bannerman didn’t win but he came gave me a bar of Duncan’s Hazel Nut chocolate. It was always close and he made it easier for Russell Johnston in ’64. Duncan’s because it was made in Scotland. It seems he was a friend of my father but then he had a huge circle of friends. Years later I Thoisich an aon sgeulachd a dhol mun chuart mu dheidhinn Russell was intensely proud that his widow, Ray, came to my wedding. MacIain ann an 1964 ach sguir e 'sa bhad agus esan a' bagairt a dhol gu lagh. Bha duil aige dè bha tighinn. Rugadh agus thogadh e ann an Glaschu gu teaghlach cliuteach a thaobh na Gaidhlig agus rinn e stri mòr, fad a bheatha, airson na When the drink story began to circulate about Johnston in ’64 he cànain. Ghabh e pairt ann an mòdan naiseanta, bha fàilte mhòr air knocked it on the head very quickly with threats of a law suit. an comhnaidh aig ceilidhean agus bha e na Cheann Shuidhe a' Forewarned is forearmed. Chomuinn Ghaidhealach. Cha do chluich duine sam bith eile barrachd tursan do sgioba rugbaidh na h-Alba airson iomadh Saoilidh mi gum faigheadh Seonaidh tlachd, gu ire, bho mhòran rud bhliadhna. Bha e san sgioba a rinn an gnothaidh air Sasainn ann an anns a' Ghaidhealach l à an diugh, gu h-araid foghlan troimh 1925 anns a' chiad geama aig parc ùr Murrayfield agus a mheadhan na Gaidhlig, rathaidean agus ceangailean comhadail nas bhuaineach an “grand slam”. 'S e duine fior laghach a bh'ann. Thuirt fhearr. Cha bhiodh e idir toilichte mun staid aiteachas agus Herbert Waddell, gaisgeach rugbaidh eile, gun robh e an comnaidh croitearachd. Fhuair e àite ann an Taigh nam Moraran, mar Morar 11? Ward beocme might 12 Ward our that Camaghael means crooked field? crooked means thatCamaghael a' fearachainn nas fhearr as deidh a' tachairt le Mac ill a' Bhrataich, Cill Donan, àite mi-ainmeil airson nan fuachaichean. Saoil nach ged nach dh'fhuair iad ach tri faclan! bhiodh a' Ghaidhealach na àite nas fhearr nam faigheadh e a-steach dhan Taigh nan Cumantan. He was born and raised in Glasgow in a family famous in Gaelic circles and he championed the language vigorously throughout his I believe that Bannerman would derive pleasure from many aspects life. He competed in National Mòds and became President of An of the Highlands today, especially Gaelic Medium Education and
Comunn Gàidhealach. A true charismatic he was always hugely better roads and communications. He would not be impressed by welcome at ceilidhs. Until Hughie MacLeod in the ‘60s, nobody the state of crofting and agriculture. He became a member of the played rugby for Scotland more often. He was a leading light in the House of Lords as Lord Kildonan, taking his title from a place
is it true it is true 1925 team that beat England at the new park at Murrayfield and notorious because of the clearances but wouldn’t it have been looks like looks won the Grand Slam. He was an immensely kind and friendly man. better for the Highlands if he had entered the House of Commons? Herbert Waddell, another Glasgow rugby hero, said that you always felt better for having met him, even if he only said three words to (Chaidh an pios seo a sgriobadh air itealan os chionn a’ chuan siar you. beagan as deidh an tagh naisenta agus mus dh’fhuair sinn naidheachd duilich bas Thearlaich Ceanadaich, fear laghach, Sheas e airson nan Liberalach ann an Siorrachd Inbhir Nis, ann an fo comasach eile a rinn uiread airson na Gàidhealtachd. Bha e coltach -thag, ann an 1954 agus arithist ann an 1955 agus 1959 anns na ri Mac ‘ill a’ Bhrataich ann an iomadh doigh. Tha sinn fada na taghan naisenta. ‘S e òraidiche air leth a bh’ann. Bha leirsinn chomain.) soilleir aige air feumlachdan na Gaidhealtachd. Chunnaic e gun robh feum bunaideach air leasachaidhean comhadail, gu h-araid cidhean (This piece was written in an aircraft over the Atlantic shortly after fada nas fhearr ans na h-eileanan agus barrachd taic airson the recent election and before we received the sad news of the chroitearean agus thuanaich. 'S e seorsa de aramach a bha sin an death of Charles Kennedy, another decent, extremely able man agaidh rialtas a chunnaic a' Ghaidhealach mar fasach lom a bha who did so much for the Highlands. In so many ways he and Johnny direach math airson seilge agus na daoine mar biadh ghunna! Bannerman were alike. We owe so much to him.)
He stood for the Liberals in Inverness-shire at a by-election in 1954 Ronald Cameron and again in the ’55 and ’59 General Elections. An exceptional 9th (Scottish) division and were a territorial page 6 unit. page 31 our Highland councillors’ corner remembering Badabrie John died in one of the major field church. Katie followed him and asked what hospitals on the western front so it is Many thanks to Alyson Stewart, who This time we again gave our three councillors a one-word topic: LAND. The subject is very much in people’s minds just was wrong. He took her in his arms and told unclear when he would actually have been now lives in Lochyside, for sending us now, with the proposed Land Reform Bill published by the Scottish Parliament, and the Land Festival that has been taking her he was taking in everything so no matter wounded, but we do know that he was this lovely piece about her Badabrie place with events and activities all over Scotland in the last two weeks of August. where this journey took him he would hold evacuated. family. his 'Cuil Na Sithe’ in his heart forever. This He was our great and great great Land is probably one of the most divisive Even community owned land such as before they were all fused together as one. was what he called Lochaber - his little grandfather. He has left behind him 40 male and disputed commodities, even in times Kilmallie Oakwoods and the proposed The records will take teams of lawyers, I am from a very large close family from peaceful corner, and it’s what my granny and 44 female descendants who are so before values were attached to it. It has woodland buyout in Glengarry give rise to years to complete into one register. Badabrie and for this I am eternally grateful. Cathy named our home. desperately proud to keep his memory alive. caused more disagreements than religion, the delicate balance between amenity Even trying to develop something as simple I was brought up with the morals, traditions John was a great letter writer and sent Lest we forget. and beliefs of these previous generations home many letters to Katie. My granny with arguments and wars all across the ground and the requirement to develop, to as “A Way to the West” has aroused Alyson Stewart and hopefully I have handed them down to Cathy destroyed many of his personal letters world. Be it neighbouring countries, defray costs or encourage community use. controversy with some land owners being counties, communities or neighbours, all While there is undoubted need to satisfy the easy to deal with and others completely the next little ones growing up. I am so as she felt they were so personal to the two have potential for conflict over land. Locally housing requirements of a modern society intransigent over permission to traverse proud to be able to say I come from John of them. The others which were for the Pictures of John. a couple of the pieces he sent home from Belgium to his beloved wife and it was bad enough when fences, rivers, and the infrastructure that necessitates, across their patch of land. Campbell's croft in Badabrie and although family she kept. From his letters we can feel family, and one of his letters. streams or significant landmarks were used such as shopping, roads, schools leisure and neither I nor the generation before mine just what was important to him: his family as demarcation, but with digital mapping medical facilities, there is again the delicate We have not really learned a lot from ever met him, we all feel we did. My mum and his home. He was a simple crofter who and her siblings grew up with a grandfather asked for nothing but gave so much. the stakes have been raised, giving many a balance between that and amenity and ancient times with the old grace and favour lawyer grey hairs. One man’s wilderness is leisure open space ground. The recent being overtaken by the rich and determined who had died before they were born but During his time away at war he met another man’s garden, hence the disputes building site preparation of the blanket peat to be landed gentry, who cleared our who played a huge part in their lives many folks from around the Lochaber area over the placement on land concerning wind bog, Blar Mor, is a prime case, with still forefathers off their rocky patch of land. In through the stories and information passed and describes with humour some of their turbines harnessing wind power. Most fractured views. fact it is impossible to précis land. Perhaps on to them. stories. He describes in one letter meeting would agree that renewable power and the new community land bill will John Campbell was a true Highland two brothers who were from the local catching wind power is essential but dispute Highland Council have had a mighty task be the panacea for all ills, but I gentleman and he simply lived for his family. travelling people. Their skills and banter where that should be, even, when it is not trying to ascertain all the land that they have my doubts. It will only be a He was a very hard working man and turned kept him going through many nights in the their land. Planners have an unenviable task currently own, as over the years local land good start. his hand to anything that was required to trenches. to satisfy everyone. deals have been struck, excambions make life easier for them all. His woodwork He was not able to describe in any detail fashioned by local and district councils, Cllr Allan Henderson skills were incredible and he made beautiful where he was or what he witnessed but things from driftwood etc. I am very into instead was able to portray how much he craft work of many kinds and I strongly missed his family and his deep love for them The word “land” can mean so many things to many and the decline in public transport in walkers, climbers and others oppose locating believe that it is an inherited gene as both all. so many people - everything from land many rural areas due to a collapse in wind turbines on wild land or indeed my great grandparents and subsequent The ninth division had been taking part reform to a vegetable patch, grass verges business, it will be next to impossible for the anywhere. Nuclear power stations are an generations made everything imaginable in the 'final 100 days' of the war. This
and playing fields. Land has been a thorny majority of the population to fulfil any alternative power source. Both power from nothing. period was when the allied armies were in on Twitter and Facebook? and Twitter on issue since the days when certain individuals dreams that they may have of rural life. sources provide employment. There are of John met and married the love of his life pursuit of the Germans, pushing them back decided that they wanted to own and course arguments for and against both sides Katie and she came from Ballachulish. She steadily after four years of virtual stalemate. Thankfully, the SNP Government’s Land control the wealth that land ownership gave including costs. already had a son when they met: John The divisional history says that in the month them. Land ownership gave them power Reform Bill is all about fairness regarding the
of a new hospital in Kilmallie? Kilmallie? in hospital new a of helped him and brought him up as his own. beginning 28th September 1918 the division
ownership and access to and use of land. Millions of trees have been planted and
over those who lived on the land, those who They went on to have two little girls - Cathy covers 28 miles of ground, advancing from The Community Empowerment Act will many peatlands have been protected as a wished to develop the land and those who who was my granny Livingston, and her Ypres to the banks of the Scheldt. During decentralise decision making to give people way of helping to reduce Scotland’s carbon simply wanted to travel over the land. Over beautiful younger sister Minnie. Minnie was this time they suffered losses of 188 officers more powers to take ownership. emissions. the past two thousand years, little has a dainty pretty little girl who tragically died and 3,604 other ranks. They captured 3,400 Fracking is the latest issue that will raise the changed. Far too few people own land in in the old Belford hospital at the young age prisoners. The fifth battalion Cameron hackles of people with opposing views. Using land for renewables is Government Scotland. Tom Johnstone, a past Secretary of 18. For five days she lay with her wrists Highlanders were in the 26th brigade of the Land use is a minefield and to do it justice policy to create a carbon neutral community. of State for Scotland, once said that “a and ankles tied to the ends of the bed and a would require covering many headings, According to some statistics, the vast democracy ignorant of the past is not bite stick as she died in agony from many chapters and many books. majority of Scots support the qualified either to analyse the present or to meningitis. How thankful we are nowadays One other controversial issue which has Government’s view on shape the future”. renewables. for the advancement in antibiotics and pain struck a chord with many people is relief. We have now reached the stage where rural renewables, in particular the use of wind John was called up like so many young housing is the preserve of the wealthy. turbines. Residents, who are lucky enough Cllr Bill Clark men and left his beloved Badabrie to go and With the cost of land being prohibitive for to live in rural areas, together with the many fight for his country. Before he left, there The house I grew up in until the age of 7 is in If we want to continue improving our roads interest on the loan comes out of general was a special church service in Kilmallie Annat by Loch Torridon. It was very recently (and playparks, amenity areas, high streets council funds - so everyone pays regardless Parish Church for all the men. During the on the market for well over 1000% more etc) with public money, we need to find new of the extent to which they benefit. If the service John got up and went outside the than what my parents paid for it. Some of and better ways of paying for it. Using the ease of commuting around Inverness
what’s the likelihood likelihood the what’s that increase is general house price increase in land value that is created by improves because the West Link gets built, inflation, but some of it is due to access to better roads or parks or paths is an obvious shouldn’t local residents pay Glen Torridon having been much improved way to do it. Andy Wightman cites Central proportionately more than a non-driving following you KCC are by roadworks over the last 30 years - the Park in New York - it was paid for using the council tax payer from Corpach? Scrapping last section of road from Garve to increase in value of the houses that council tax and replacing it with a land tax as Kinlochewe to be upgraded to double-track surround it. The occupants of those houses proposed by Andy Wightman is a much was finally completed about 5 years ago. got a much better view but they paid for it better way of funding improvements to our in a very fair way. infrastructure. A land tax would financially The several owners of the small patch of motivate Highland Council to install new land on which that house sits have The idea is not dissimilar to the proposed play areas, footpaths, cycleways financially benefitted from road City Deal for Inverness - the UK government etc. as all these would increase improvements. That benefit is possibly is proposing to extend loans for projects surrounding land values just like greater than every penny of council tax or that will generate additional tax income, Central Park did. other local tax they’ve contributed to the which covers the cost of the loan. The upkeep of Highland infrastructure. problem with the City Deal is that the Cllr Ben Thompson page 32 Have you wondered what it page 5 would be like KCC elections
to drive an electric car Within Highland, the constitution of If there are more than eight nominations, HIGHLAND COUNCIL’S community councils, and the rules for CC and no-one withdraws, there will be a or ride an electric bike? elections are determined and imposed by vote. Everyone living in Kilmallie on the TIMETABLE Highland Council. electoral register will be entitled to vote. Well, you will have the FOR CC ELECTIONS There is special provision for 16-17 year All Community Councils in Highland run for olds (see left). Do please contact Highland chance to experience both at a four year term, ending on Tuesday 17 Council before 2 October if you are 16-17
the Energy Fayre! Monday 21 September November. On that day, all current years old and wish to vote). Publication of Notice of Election Kilmallie community councillors (Mandy, The Arisaig Eco Project will Russell, Jan, Christine, Kshama, Carol Anne The vote will be organised by Highland be attending the Fayre with Tuesday 22 September and Geoff, plus also Chris our Associate Council, full details still to be published by their community-owned member) will stand down and KCC will be them. dissolved. Electric Bikes, and Home Earliest date for receipt of The inaugural meeting of any new Kilmallie Energy Scotland are Nomination Papers Meanwhile nominations for community Community Council will be convened by organising a Nissan Leaf councillors for the next four year term can Highland Council, to take place some time electric car for you to try. be lodged between 22 September and 6 before 18 December. Friday 2 October October (see left). There are no party Closing date for electors to be If you have any queries about standing for politics in community councils, so each Nevis Cycles will also be election, the nomination process, or the included in Supplementary Register person stands as an independent attending, offering help and voting process, please contact Highland for 16 and 17 year olds wishing to individual. advice covering bike vote in the Community Council Council’s Fort William Service Point in the photo: Ness e-bikes Kilmallie Community Centre maintenance and repairs. Election. KCC is allowed a maximum of eight High Street (01397 707290), or go to the community councillors and a minimum website at the bottom of the invitation th Saturday 19 September of four. below. Tuesday 6 October If there are less than four nominations, KCC In the event of KCC not surviving at all after 11am - 4pm Latest date for lodging cannot be reconstituted, and Kilmallie will 17 Sept, or in the inevitable hiatus be without any community council between 17 Nov and 18 December, please Are you feeling the pinch from high energy bills? Do you Nomination Papers (must representation (and without any contact Dot Ferguson, Highland Council think your house is struggling to keep warm? We will be be received by 4.00 pm) newsletters!). Ward Manager, with any local concerns, 01397 707231 offering signups to our free OWL and Thermal surveys as If there are between four and eight [email protected] well as providing additional information on your Thursday 8 October nominations, all nominees will be elected household energy use. Latest date for withdrawal of automatically unopposed, with no need for Hoping to be still alive come December Nomination Papers – notification in a vote. Kilmallie Community Council
Accompanying us at the event will be Home Energy writing must be given by 4.00 pm
Scotland, providing impartial and independent advice and assistance on renewables, energy efficiency and funding Tuesday 27 October opportunities. Post out of ballot papers, where increased opportunities for recycling recycling for opportunities increased Electric car driving - Your chance election is contested Eigg- building a green island
Tuesday 17 November Scotland Fairer a create to how CCs asking Govt Scottish Our guest speaker, John Hutchison will present a talk to give it a try in Corpach Existing Community Councils
about the Eigg electric grid, a system completely dissolved at 23.59 hrs. – Must book in advance with independent of our national grid. Starts at 11:30am Home Energy Scotland WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER (0808 808 2282) Refreshments will be available throughout the day. There ELECTION DAY will be plenty to see with opportunities to try out all on offer. We have lots more planned including a raffle for new members.
Renewable energy advice on
KCC welcomes hand postal ballot papers must be received by 4.00 p.m. We strongly encourage renewable adoption however, we
appreciate that the barrier to entry can seem quite high. If Thursday 19 / Friday 20 November you are interested in adopting renewable technologies, we Counting of the Votes will have professional installers on hand as well as if the number of elections permits householders with systems installed, providing their the counts to be held over 2 days. thoughts and advice.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact by Friday 18 December initiative welcome
us via: [email protected] or tel 01397 Notification issued regarding the
700090. calling of the first meetings of the
new Community Councils
Killean Mackay and Charlotte Hatto page 4 brilliant! at last lower speed limits on the Blar
you areyou has instructedbyunexpectedly called someone who you to Police Scotland important adviseis that very remember it to if that offeringtheir removecertain viruses to a computers for from fee. persons contactingresidents local to purporting Microsoft, be from vigilant anumberreports of telephone fraudsters of following of road safety and reduction. casualty Lochaber and including beyond, their A830,commitment the into Fort William regular out carry speedchecks within trunk on roads this PolicingA830. Road based the Group OurTrunk stretch in of residentsfrom regarding at Locheilside out vehicles of on speed the Banavie PrimaryConstable School’s liaisonofficer is Boyd. Mary inschool Lochaberhas police adedicated and liaisonofficer schools, community councilsother and partner Each agencies. theOver renew to coming wewill weeks look links our local with Newsletter thethe for weekthe on back go autumn term. schools writingI am thisthefor KilmallieCommunity article Council policing community plans afoot plans 28/08/15 02/09/15 17/08/15 17/08/15 05/08/15 30/07/15 05/08/15 05/08/15 22/07/15 28/07/15 28/07/15 05/06/15 28/05/15 corpach marina thomas telford Aspectsbe are that would very welcome expressed. RegenerationCaol asummaryofthewith opinions Company you number comments of about theproposals. Wehaveto written Following feature our newsletter, in June the received KCC a On the safety, would I encourage topic of public thebe to Kilmalliereceivedseveral Council Community has complaints
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accommodation at accommodation upperlevel,Tarmachan Kinlocheil Demolish& erect existing replacement withsingle garage double garage residential utility, & storage Daylesford Banavie of house Erection (renewal consentOldEmbankmentof Railway 07/00484/OUTLO), Of South Land Keepers 570MNE Of Cottage Achdalieu Form andprivate forest alter maintenance for a way deer management and operations of Alterationsdecking and erection with to house canopy,Wilson Banavie Way Arkaig, anof insulated Erection Doghachalet, Cottage Annat View Land Braeside 70MSE Of Achdalieu Cottage a of new dwellingErection and caravan temporarysiting of house static of shed, Erection Lochybank Camaghael Discharge S75 Agreement, of LandBraeside 70MSE Of Cottage Achdalieu Proposed Hillview alterations 31 extension, & Drive Corpach Alterationsoffice extension to & building of officeErection Of 45MHillcrest, NE building, Land Fassfern of house,LandTigh Erection 155M Of NW A ChuilBadabrie of house,Land BraesideErection Of 70M SE Achdalieu Cottage
Weekly Planning seeSept 2014edition Lists, of Kilmallie News. the Community week endingSome already may been further 04/09/15. For havedetermined. about information Herewe’ve applications areon noticed that local the theLists to sincethe Weekly last newsletter, up
[email protected] secretary Leaper. Russell contributeplease KCC contact informed, have or furtherto views wouldyou likeIf be to kept a furtherdiscuss. meeting to delightedsuggested that have CRC modest proposals weare and number ideasbased of more on KCC have also passeda CRC to on People’s concerns included: feedback comments Policing or local on in KilmallieLochaber the or they will this neverask information. for police.evenor the If be to iftheyclaim caller bank the genuine is telephone. Intell never addition, somebody your banknumber, PIN bankcard or provided detailsnotbe strangers to should the on relation financial your accounts. to Personal credit information, themto in person. Alternatively,wish ifyouadvice, visit further and yourspeakbank telephone as criminals the number will take this. advantage of telephone linemake call. to the phone number otherbe to or bank your trusted use sureanother to Tel. 101 for non Tel. 101for 7GA PH33 Fort William MOR, BLAR Fort William Station Police Police Service Scotland of [email protected] for KilmallieLiaison Officer Community Council Andrew Bilton, Police Sergeant area.
Aswould previous per newsletter I welcome any articles, Be very suspicious calls unsolicited of that receive you in
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page 33 KCC needs to advertise for a snippet writer!
page 34 how many refugees could we welcome in Kilmallie? choose to leavechoose to behind and have, you all dangerous would circumstancesyou that Can imagine you beinghopeless such in dangersbehind leave they intolerable. are People flee theirbecause thehomeland suffering shelters. in makeshift or held,left detentioncamps, atbest, in beto treated parasites ascriminals or and recognisepeople help, these need that not 100,000s morepeople they weare: than Other European are taking in countries such dire need. countries, are when in so especially they that we needother people welcome from to in desperate need. ussaying More of are peoplehorror atour country’s of treatment thevoice theirand injustice and prejudice do somethingout against about speak it, to the and humandisaster determined are to But thankfully more people are alerting to playingis and years unconscionable. for out and refugees mistreatmentof been has thatbeen has deaths playing with out the awakento sympathies. tragedy The human some traumaticimages have recently begun It can hardly be to said that be news good callous? and cultural climate it so can be that helped. apolitical What’sgoingwrong with demonised of dehumanised instead and indeedoften are victims the all too be run to aid, much the slower to victims’ whenis disaster the man donate help.to blankets money and Yet to Whenwe all thereanatural disaster,rush is fellow humansinconditions. dire suffering empathy some expressedfor quarters in different suchthespecies,shocking is of lack seekers, would you think we a belong to press about refugees, migrants asylum and hear the someTo of comments made in the areOr weall village? residents one global of Scotland Lochaberor big isHow Is acommunity? it Corpach is human No illegal. Calais refugee camps. displaced people in supports CalAid
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43 32. The
Council. of Kilmallieviews the of newsletter or Communityteam Views expressed are this newsletter the in not necessarily email Mandy Ketchin Kshama Wilmington Jan MacLugash ChristineHutchison newsletterYour team: 4 years. foranother coming newsletters the keep to way team newsletter the join and associate member asan board come on not yourself, why standing fancy don’t you If election. for stand 8 people least makesureat to can you all pleasedo continue, to newsletter like the If you’d community. of the encouragement and support the help, without it do we couldn’t but team, publishing and editorial volunteer a us as for of work amount huge the a readers. It’s you and sponsors staplers, deliverers, folders, printers, photographers, years: contributors, the four over last everyone the but issue, this with helped everyone just who’s not thank to like we’d so elections, the before KCC present ofthe newsletter last and bethe 17th will people. This many so from contributions fantastic some with pages, 36 humungous Another community us [email protected] -
if a goodly number of you join, it will be the best will the it be join, of you number if goodly a
kilmallie especially ifyou are thinking about becoming a community councillor
and would like to see what it is all about before deciding to stand: come alongtoKCC’s meetings
news
“Zero Waste in Kilmallie: inKilmallie: Waste “Zero the place to share your ideas andconcerns for local issues
with guest speakers from Lochaber Environmental Group
the art of thepossible” artof the
772383 772252 772499 we would be delighted to see you and talkto you before KCC is dissolved and a new KCC is elected
Wednesday 21st October. 7:15pm,
Kilmallie Community Centre but only 1 more meeting
do come along,
Associate member member Associate members Other Treasurer Secretary Chair constituted. is new KCC the once set be dates will Further 21 October are: meetingdates ordinary Next casein changes. of Facebook or website the check Please December. and July excluding month every of Wednesday 3rd the on Centre Kilmallie Community in at 7:15pm held currently are Meetings meetings. our all at welcome most are public Members the of COUNCIL COMMUNITY KILMALLIE
[email protected] 7LY Banavie PH33 Salen, MacLugash Jan [email protected] 7LY PH33 Banavie, House, Canal Russell Leaper [email protected] Ketchin Mandy
Chris Pellow Wilmington Kshama Hutchison Christine Heathcote Geoff Campbell Anne Carol
page 3 what topics would you like the next KCC to focus on in their 4 year term?
increasingly we are faced with the ultimatum of loss of services unless communities take them on. It may be a saving on the local page 2 kilmallie page 35 authority budget, but it is rarely a saving to the community when the true cost is taken into account. But we can’t blame the local community council authorities: their budgets have been repeatedly slashed and their hands are tightly tied by the current political forces. Let’s demand End of term excellent comprehensive public services funded by a fair system of taxation, and then we can start to look at what services our We’re approaching the end of KCC’s four year term (see page 5). community would choose to provide for ourselves. Answers to these puzzles are on the website Has it been worth it? Have we achieved anything worthwhile in the www.kilmallie.org.uk last four years? I hope we have – we have certainly been busy! (follow the link on the RHS of the homepage) Tangible achievements include the newsletter, the website, Thank you and will also be published in the next issue of improvements in the local planning process, a community fund, our Thank you to everyone who has supported KCC over the last four the newsletter for people without access to the slower safer smilier campaign, and getting lots of little things years. It’s a long list but it starts with you the community. Your internet. attended to, including the proverbial potholes. But there have questions, grumbles, problems, ideas. suggestions etc have all been intangible achievements too. A woman who’d moved away 2 posed us challenges that we have (mostly) enjoyed trying to rise to. Answer to Picture Quiz No 7: or 3 years ago, but still reads the newsletter, told us there was so We may not always have succeeded (we are a small band of Clockwise from top left: hare, woodpecker, much more going on in Kilmallie now! Maybe there is, or maybe it’s volunteers after all) but I do know that we’ve tried our best. If you peacock, kingfisher, barn owl and wild cat, all just that she is more aware now, but either way the community think we’re failing anytime, do please come along to help. Without seen close to the canal , yes even the peacock! council hopes to claim a little credit, and the newsletter in the community, a community council is meaningless. particular has played a big part. It’s not just about keeping folk Answers to last issue’s crossword: informed of what’s happening, it’s about raising awareness of the Thank you too to our Highland councillors, the local officials of Across: possibilities, and building our collective confidence for community Highland Council, and all the various government agencies and 1 TRIPLET, 4 MEGAN, 7 BREAD, action. other bodies for the many times you’ve listened, taken notice, 9 COUTURE, 10 COLONEL, 11 EAGLE, offered helpful advice, been supportive, and taken action on our 12 ORKNEY, 14 SEASON, 18 HARRY, community’s behalf. We really do appreciate it. (Although no Lines in the sand 20 ANIMALS, 22 BRONCOS, 23 ANGIE, thanks I’m afraid for the times when a few of you have ignored, 24 THEFT, 25 EARPLUG But sometimes, disguised as furry friendly opportunities for dismissed, or even manipulated the community, but no names Down: community empowerment, there is a growing pressure on mentioned!) 1 TOBACCO, 2 IDEAL, 3 TICKLE, 4 MOUSE, communities to take on local public services. This is where we And to KCC colleagues past and present – we have (mostly ) 5 GRUDGES, 6 NIECE, 8 DANCE, should all be drawing a firm line... succeeded in steering a pretty happy consensual course whilst 13 KARAOKE, 15 ERICA, 16 NESTEGG, Community councils exist primarily to represent the community’s respecting our own diverse views and those of the 1700 people 17 LASSIE, 18 HABIT, 19 YACHT, 21 ANGEL
views to local and national government, to public and other we’ve represented – thanks guys, it’s been a stimulating four years! eBay on sale for Eil Loch of
agencies, and to hold them to account in the interests of our community. We have the power to do almost anything in the Keep ‘em coming Across community interest, but that does not mean we should have the obligation to do so, especially when we are volunteers with little Please keep all the questions, grumbles, problems, ideas, 1 Remark (7) spare time and peanuts for funding. suggestions, opinions, contributions and offers of help coming, so 4 Pastries contained at art school (5) Kilmallie’s common weal can grow from strength to strength over 7 Ben has a GI to start (5) I like the principle of subsidiarity, ie that nothing should be done the next four years. 9 The Lionheart was one (7) centrally if it can be done equally well, or better, locally. But 10 Forgetfulness about main sea (7) communities need to be able to decide for themselves which Mandy Ketchin functions we can do equally well or better. At the moment, [email protected] picture quiz no 8 11 These TV serials should be clean enough (5) where in Kilmallie? 12 Diplomats are confused, so envy them (6) 14 This road in another retest (6) features for which the impact on the view and setting is given “some straight, some cryptic, some easy, some not so easy” 18 Goes down to avoid the birds (5) special consideration when considering planning applications. 20 This has six 6 downs (7) Examples of such features could include the Great Glen Way, West 1 2 3 4 5 6 Failing to plan - 22 It keeps the alternator and water pump turning Highland Way, routes up Ben Nevis, West Highland railway line, (3.4) and the Caledonian Canal. planning to fail 23 15 down is one (5) While different people will like different styles of buildings, there 7 8 9 24 They go up and down - with a bit of help (5) When I tell people I live near Fort William the reaction is often: are some that are almost universally unpopular. Many of these are 25 Do they fly with cups? (7) ‘such a beautiful area, such a planning disaster’. There are no easy as a result of architects trying to make their mark but without a solutions to past mistakes but the new West Highlands and Islands Down good understanding of the local area. It is the buildings that you Local Development Plan (WHILDP) is a chance to try and improve don’t notice which serve their function and fit the landscape in a 1 Greens. But not always (7) planning decisions in the future. Many of the past problems stem 10 11 way that doesn’t stand out or detract from the surroundings that 2 This girl is mean, but good starts inside (5) everyone in Kilmallie is an associate member of the community council community the of member associate an is Kilmallie in everyone from a lack of overall strategic planning for the area which is are a sign of true architectural talent. More recognition needs to something that the plan is intended to try and address. 3 This Scottish design is to be found in the start be given to architects who create sympathetic buildings that suit – and finish (6) the landscape. Planners also have a role to play in encouraging At a time when there are large areas of land which can no longer 4 They might suck your blood (5) coherent building styles in keeping with their surroundings. Many 12 13 14 15 16 be considered natural but still have not been built on, there is little 5 Apparently not all beer is this (4,3) of the new houses appearing across Kilmallie are not unpleasant reason to be seeking to allocate more countryside for 6 A square has 4 (5) buildings in their own right but mix a jumble of styles side by side 17 development. The local plan has an important role to play in 8 Not very nice part of the gymnast you know (5) and the result is a mess. Sprawling urbanisation is almost making the best use of all the land that is available and not inevitable without strict controls and respect for areas such as 13 Opening (7) allowing issues of land ownership and short term economics to 18 19 20 21 designated hinterland. 15 The Lone Star State (5) postcards and pictures of lots drive decisions that affect the long-term interests of the area. 16 Sets of two wheels for two people (7) Keeping the area visually attractive is an important aspect of this. a vision vision a The results of the initial call for sites and ideas for the WHILDP are 17 i.e. (4,2)
now available. The next stage will be comments on a draft plan. A What is often lacking in planning decisions is consideration of 22 23 18 Cartoon character who is one of the 18 (5) wide participation in this process may be one way to avoid aesthetics. The impact of a development on a view is frequently 19 Sliding things were led in the shortened sailing the mistakes of the past. ship (5) not a material planning consideration and yet is the aspect that most people notice. One option would be to designate specific Russell Leaper, Secretary 21 Serious burial place (5) 24 25 Thank you to Tony Whitelocke for another great crossword.
page 36 Issue No 51, September 2015 a huge thank you delivered free to every address in Kilmallie
to our sponsors A huge thank you to the businesses below who have sponsored the newsletter this year. Our newsletter costs have been met by donations from all the businesses below, from KCC’s limited funds and in
kind from all our many volunteers.
in this issue KCC from the chair – p2 plan to fail - p2
KCC meetings – p3 marina update - p4 community policing – p4 planning applications - p4 CC elections - p5 councillors’ corner - p6 bogus tradesmen – p7 slower safer smilier - p8 the K team? - p8 WHILDP - p8 Kilmallie Playgroup - p9-10 Banavie School- p10 High Notes - p11 more growing together - p12 pictures
let us know via our suggestion boxes suggestion our via know us let Community Centre - p13 & stories Canal News - p13 inside Go Wild on Canal - p14 Bridge swings - p15 Corpach in Colour - p16-17
Go Wild on Canal - p18-19 Corpach on Colour - p20 Green Fingers - p21 Banavie Floral - p21 Two Margarets - p21 Banavie Park - p22 Waterloo Walk - p22 Rugby Club - p23 BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd Shinty Club - p23 Fort William Ltd Art Lochaber - p23 (HAULAGE) LTD Rural Education – p24 poem from Ruth - p24 beekeepers – p24 FOCAL - p25 Corpach Woods - p25 Skellig Michael - p26-27 Wild about Kilmallie - p28 war memorial - p29 letters - p29 newsletter help - p29 flower & produce winners, Luchd-polataics - p30 would you like to become a sponsor too? remembering Badabrie - p31
We rely on the contributions from our business community Energy Fayre - p32 garden champions, for the cost of producing and distributing this free newsletter to every address in our area. spotlight - p33
We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you focus on business - p33 what should KCC’s priorities be? KCC’s should priorities what would you like to see your name or logo in print supporting your community newsletter, please join with our current sponsors. CalAid - p34 & clean winners All donations, big or small, are hugely appreciated. Please contact us at [email protected] for details. puzzles from pithean - p35 sponsors - p36 of the Davy McCook trophy!