Ors New Life for Community Gardens

page 24 Issue No 57, June 2017 a huge thank you to our sponsors delivered free to every address in Kilmallie A huge thank you to all the businesses below who have sponsored the newsletter this past year. Our newsletter costs have been met by their sponsorship donations, from KCC’s limited funds, from donations from the community and in kind from all our many volunteers.

in this issue

KCC from the chair – p2

whose problem? - p2

KCC meetings – p3

WestPlan consultation - p4

plans afoot- p4

Councillors’ Corner - p5

missives from MSPs - p6-7

noise at Annat - p7

community policing - p7

ELLCT - p8

Christmas Lights - p8

HillBurn Big on the buses - p8

High Notes – p9

Friends of Banavie Park - p10

Corpach Marina - p10 BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd Banavie School News - p10 Corpach in Colour - p11

(HAULAGE) LTD Fort William Ltd Banavie Floral - p11

Community Centre - p12-13 FORT Canal News - p14 WILLIAM Community Company - p15 TYRE Rugby Club - p16 Shinty Club - p16

SERVICES wild about Kilmallie - p17 Allt an Torr Mhoir Allt an

CREEL - p18

collected works of burns- p18

Green Fingers - p19

wikipedia on kilmallie - p19 We rely on the contributions from our business community for the cost of producing and distributing this carbon papers - p20 free newsletter to every address in our area. We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or letters - p21 with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you would like to see your name or logo in print supporting spotlight - p22 your community newsletter, please join with our current Puzzles from Pithean - p23 sponsors. Kshama Wilmington All donations, big or small, are hugely appreciated. would you like to become 07557 051205 Sponsors - p24 Please contact us at [email protected] for details. a sponsor too? 01397 772499. new life for community gardens see centre pages days’ notice and has been re-scheduled for Monday 12th June, too page 2 late for this newsletter. Having kept the May date clear, I now find page 23

kilmallie that I am unable to attend on the 12th June, but we will have a pre- meeting to prepare. I do hope those who can attend will voice the frustration felt with the lack of progress.

community At our last meeting, 22nd May, Graeme Corner attended. Graeme

is the Senior Environmental Health Officer, Community Services, “some straight, some cryptic, some easy, some not so easy” Across The Highland Council. He came to hear the concerns of Kilmallie 1 Parliament House (7) residents about noise nuisance from Annat Industrial Estate. 1 2 3 4 5 6 council 4 Is she an aunt? 5) Any resident who has concerns about the noise can contact I hope you have recovered from the tension of the two elections. 7 Angela loses a letter to become a higher being KCC congratulates the three councillors elected by Ward 11, Graeme and he will give you a diary to keep, you will then return it (5) namely Allan Henderson, Billy MacLachlan and Ben Thompson and to Graeme and he will decide what the problem is and will organise 9 Stringed guitar-like instrument (7) 7 8 9 we will welcome them and you to our meetings throughout the recording the noise and taking action if it is above the acceptable 10 Greedy birds (7) year. At the same time we also thank Bill Clark for the support and level. By being involved you will be backing up the representations 11 The doctor, me and Ed worked together to get advice he has given us over many years. we have been making and I would urge you to do so. His contact rid of the water (5) details are: 12 The other half (6) Sitting here in this ‘chair’ I feel that I am writing a serial - the topics Graeme Corner, Senior Environmental Health Officer, Community 10 11 14 The legman was all over the place when are the same as last time- one has moved on a bit, one is moving Services, Fulton House, Gordon Square, Fort William. PH33 6XY. forward and one feels as though it has stalled. The biggest squashing things (6) Phone: 01397707014 Email: [email protected] frustration concerns the lack of progress made by the Steering 18 Saint Pan (5) Group on the New Belford. I appreciate that an ‘uncomfortable chair’ is minor discomfort 20 Sole cat makes sugar (7) compared to endless sleepless nights due to noise, more so when 12 13 14 15 16

22 Colourful arch (7) OK - are you sitting comfortably? Slower, Safer, Smilier Campaign - the weather is ‘warm to hot’ and the bedroom windows need to be 23 Diluted ether makes a number (5) David Devine of Transport Scotland came to our KCC meeting on open to keep cool. 17 27th March 2017 and after a good discussion he announced that 24 This Bridge is nearby(5) Transport Scotland would hold feasibility studies at Banavie Swing I hope you have a good summer and the next newsletter will be 25 Come again (7) 18 19 20 21

Bridge and near the Co-op at Corpach. This involves speaking to with you in September. Down members of the community and businesses near these locations - I 1 Rushes on for fees (7) Best wishes, hope you will participate if you are asked. 2 She’s an endless French car (5) Christine Hutchison, Chair 3 Dilute this to taste and crush it (6) There have been no further meetings of the New Belford Steering [email protected] 22 23 Group - the proposed meeting of 18th May was postponed with 7 4 Solid noise (5)

5 Smirking (7) Croft Fern Burn

6 Give way (5)

8 This castle isn’t there (5) 24 25

13 Out out ides not in (7) whose 15 Headless talisman ends up at the racecourse (5)

Thank as always to Tony Whitelocke 16 Appears periodically in the table (7) 17 Bloom river (6) for giving us this crossword. problem? 18 Pa begins, sir comes up to the capital city (5)

Black Water (Torrent) At KCC’s April meeting, we were pleased to 19 Garden bird or up, bin down (5) hear from one of our local Community 21 Monsters (5) Wardens. One of the warden’s responsibilities is litter, and this got us thinking about this problem in general: what is classed as litter, and whose responsibility picture quiz no 14 is it to clear it up? Where in Kilmallie?

Some types of litter are obvious: the crisp and what was it before? packets in the park, the drinks bottles in the Answers to these puzzles are on the website gutter. Some are less clear-cut: is an advertising trailer dumped at a roundabout www.kilmallie.org.uk litter? It certainly degrades the area and We realised how unusual it is for people to made. Whilst those of us currently treading (follow the link on the RHS of the homepage) and will also be would put me off buying anything from that voluntarily pick up others’ litter when we did the earth do bear responsibility for published in the next issue of the newsletter for people Dubh Lighe company; is a dog-poo back left tied to the a bit of it ourselves a couple of months ago. contributing to climate change, much of the without access to the internet. fence actually worse than just leaving the There’s a real litter problem around the damage was done by people who are no poo where your dog first deposited it? bench on the footpath by the Lochy Bridge longer alive to sort it out (or at least say roundabout. We collected six black bags of sorry!). Answers to last issue’s crossword: Then whose problem is it? The most obvious litter- mostly beer cans and food wrappers. Across: Croit Allt na Rainich What do we do? Avert our eyes, and carry point to make is that nobody should drop The reactions of people walking past as we 1 ARMBAND, 4 HEART, 7 ALGAE, 9 PORTENT on walking? Expect the council (or litter or fly-tip in the first place. But if they did this were very interesting: they actively 10 AT NIGHT, 11 YODEL, 12 ADMITS, 14 BUNSEN government) to fix things? Or get out our do, is it the council’s job to clear it up, or avoided looking at us or making eye-contact, 18 MADAM, 20 OAK TREE, 22 CASCADE, 23 TIBET climate change bin bags and accept that, should we as individuals get on and do it and some gave us quite disapproving looks. even though we didn’t make the problem, 24 EVADE, 25 EXACTLY 1 ALABAMA ourselves? Most of us probably don’t drop Far from being pleased to see us tidying the we still have to solve it. Like leaving 2 MEGAN litter. But we probably don’t expect to pick place up, people seemed suspicious of what someone else’s litter on the pavement, Down: up other people’s either, however much we we were doing. It seems like it’s so unusual we’re only making thing worse for ourselves 3 DEPOTS, 4 HARRY, 5 AGENDAS, 6 TOTAL dislike seeing it in our environment. Why is to see members of the public picking up this? other people’s litter that they assumed we if we don’t clear it up. 8 EIGHT, 13 MADONNA, 15 UPSET, 16 NO ENTRY 17 ICE AGE, 18 MAPLE, 19 MOOSE, 21 ABBOT The extremely good work done by must be up to something. Russell Leaper, Secretary

volunteers in Corpach, who litter pick But we are going to have to get used to regularly and efficiently is very much the clearing up the mess that other people have Answer to last issue’s Picture Quiz No 13 exception. Banavie Signal Box, 21st June 1971. No-one’s told us the name of the signalman!

page 22 Allt an Inbhir Confluence Burn for for food. children,adultsto unable to findmoney unableadequatelyto feedtheir theto possibility of parents being issues,domestic violence... allleading homelessness,sickness, healthmental hourszero contracts, debt, sanctions, lowseasonal remainstoday – needThewas identified then and Scottish Hydro shop theon High Street. opened inNovember 2013 inthe old Wales.and Lochaber Food Bank throughoutScotland, Northern Ireland nowwho run400 food banks povertyinthe UKand elsewhere and actively worked to alleviatefood TrustTrussell who, for20years, have FoodLochaber Bank partis of the alongfindto out amore. bit receivedby the Food BanksoKCC went Foodthe Bank.This was gratefully donatedHeroes their Co Newsletter that our anonymousLocal Youwill have read the in March Food More and 26 people who need food aid to put a is at is record levels and continuing households turning to food banks We We wish communities didn’t need A A recent report shows well over 1.1million ‘three day emergency people in such basic need, they people in crisis by the UK Food compared to 41,000 parcels in Food Banks, but while we have food parcels’ were provided to write about the local one that Thanks to Sue for offering to enough to feed their families. increasing numbers of working -fold increase in the number of people who simply aren’t paid provide an essential lifeline. The number of families and to to rise rapidly. It includes Bank network in 2015-16,

meal on the table. 2009 serves Lochaber.

spotlight - benefit delays and 10: that’s a - paid work paid and - op vouchersop to

by 200.by thereAnd appears little parcelsfood distributed hasincreased Year on yearthe number of Lochaber everywherethe in UKis – increasing. the of food bank here asitis – Lochaber includingKilmallie. The usage althoughclients come from allover recipientslive inthe Fort William area andkept statistics show that most variousorganisations and servicesis ofrecord the vouchers distributed by person inneed,is they will be helped. A hasnowthis been abandoned: ifa maximumof 3 parcelswere previously limitedto a someonewho hasbenefitted. Food asbank clientswill often know potentialthe stigma goingof to fooda a of small communityhelps to reduce manager,The Alex, feelsthat being part self with helptheto recipientslive normally and soall – these essentials are also offered sanitaryprotection for girls and women cleaningproducts, soapor shampoo, equallybe no moneybuyto house householdbuyto food, there will isn'tenough money cominginto a doesn'tBank only provide food!thereIf orperson familyinneed. But the Food accordingto the circumstances of the parcelswhich provide a balanced diet who,Bank inturn, distribute food donate way) food ormoney theto Food vulnerableinour communityinthis fooddonate (and who wish helpto the unequalsociety those who can afford to principleThe is simple: inour deeply - respect. - 4 in4any one year but

Sue Chadney 503276) youfrom (01397 700212 or 07778 canyou spare Alex it wouldloveto hear community.A fewhours a month... if apart,but are membersof our themfeel theythat arenot isolated and spendingtime with theclients to help sortingis out the stockin the back or spendtime in Foodthe Bank, whetherit importantly, we couldvolunteer to top tothe up donations.food And, time. Monetary donationsare welcome the into dedicated boxTescos in at any Wednesdaysand Fridays) orput items (1200 times foodstuffs to the shop during opening canhandwe non in poorfood our in community? Obviously couldHow Kilmallie residents helpthe rentthe forthe shop hasbeen paid up. donated togoes buying essentials once some charities, every single penny Alexitems. assured methat, unlike teamcan go out and purchasethese monetary donationsmean that the includedinevery parcel sothe bagstea can runshort as theyare thanksout to donations. Milk, juice and school in holidaysbut they never run that.know The Food Bank usage peaks Lochaber folksarevery generous we – poor. economy givingriseto the working Lochaber'srelatively low implementation of Universal Credit and changeslocally with the futurethe given further benefits likelihoodof the need becoming lessin

- 1400Mondays,

- perishable - waged

teamorof Kilmallie Community Council. necessarilynot the viewsof the newsletter Viewsexpressed inthis newsletter are Emailusat [email protected] Mandy Ketchin ChadneySue JanMacLugash 772383 Christine Hutchison 772252 newsletterYour team: widerthe community, soplease keep itall coming! we But couldn’tdo it withoutthe help and encouragement of producedprofessionally). So we’re quite chuffed about that! (bettered they say only by onein the WesternIsles that’s amongstloads theythat acrossdo the Highlands and Islands service,and tell usthat KCC’s newsletter theis theybest print printing our has been done by Printsmith. They give us a great athings but easilymore of so late, inthe last couple of years leastat two very longvery hard days even toused do allthe photocopying ourselves too ourvariously of onerous work and family commitments. We organise,write,and desktop publish, all done voluntarily on top eachhelp, issuestill takes us hugea amount of our own time to coststhroughsponsorship and donations. Even with somuch pictures,and orhelping with deliveries, or helpingus meet our producethis newsletter, whether by sending us your articles Asalways, enormous thanksto everyone who helps the team Members Treasurer Secretary Chair December. Please checkwith the Secretary in ofcasechanges. Centretheon 4th Monday of every monthexcluding July and Meetings arecurrently held 7:15pmat inKilmallie Community Membersthe of publicare welcomemost at allour meetings. COUNCIL COMMUNITY KILMALLIE

community community

kilmallie

Jim Jim Ramsay AnneCarol Campbell Mandy Ketchin [email protected] Salen,Banavie PH33 7LY JanMacLugash [email protected] House,Canal Banavie,PH33 7LY RussellLeaper [email protected] Christine Hutchison news

but we’vebut had to take

that took

KCC meetings think needsthink to be discussed. atIf 20least people meeting, we are obliged toconvene one within Rememberyou don’thave to wait fora regular (residentand eligiblevote)to request a special (Please checkwithSecretary incase of any last meeting if there is something urgent that you 14days. Even iflessthan 20 people requesta Monday 26 June (8:15pm) accommodateone ifurgent and practicable. community consultation your ideasconcerns and special meeting, we would always try to Monday 25 September Monday 26 June, 8pm All at All Kilmallie Community Centre. All at 7:15pm unless Monday 23 October minute changesorcancellations), everyonewelcome Monday 28 August Ordinary meetings the place to share about local issues otherwise noted Monday 26 June (see page 4) KCC AGM WestPlan 7- 8pm

page 3 Allt an Eireannaich Irishman’s Burn page 4 Fionn Lighe White Water (Torrent)

have beendetermined. months,up to 02/06/17. Some may already noticed on the Weekly Listsin the last three Hereare the localapplications that we’ve plans afoot Closing date12noon 21ston July consult.highland.gov.uk commentsifyou wish through Highland Council’s portal. Youcan also viewthe Planonline and submit individual consultation.the HighlandCouncil, informed by the comments expressed at your views. KCCwill be amaking representation to the proposals,the hear otherswhat havesay, to and letusknow comeDo along to KCC’scommunity consultation tolook at Westthe Highland and Islands area. andshould should not occur overthe next 10 20to years in CouncilThe will WestPlanuse to guide where development consultation. WestPlanproposed on 5 MainIssues Report,Highland Council published the resulting Followingearlier consultations on andsites ideas, and their Development ( Plan WestPlan ) HighlandWest and Islands Local 13/03/17 13/03/17 01/04/17 06/04/17 19/04/17 26/04/17 05/05/17 09/05/17 15/05/17

17/01038/FUL 17/00469/FUL 17/01169/FUL 17/01624/FUL 17/01804/FUL 17/01946/FUL 17/01953/FUL 17/02101/FUL 17/02128/PIP

th May 2017 8foran week public

Changeofuse ofnursery school to 2form houses, Office To E Of Rosarnach, Corpach Erection of dwelling house, Land 60MTo NW BenlochyOf Cottage, 76 Camaghael Erection of extension, 26 DrumfadaTerrace, Corpach Erection of extension andinstallation decking, of 16 Farrow Drive, Corpach Changeofuse ofgarage to holiday let and erection extension,of Taormina,Banavie Proposedalterations & extension, Station Cottage, Kinlocheil Of 72W Camaghael Renewalof Planning Permissionin Principle (Ref:13/04744/PIP) forerection of a house, Land 50M Storageand Distribution, Workshop, Camaghael Alterations and change of use to units:4 Class 4Business, Class 5 General Industrial and Class 6 roof windows,10Guisach Terrace,Corpach Replaceflat roof porch with pitched roof,Increase width ofsitting room window,Install two new

FUL = FullFUL= Application PIP = Permissionin Principle contact Secretary.KCC liketo receive weekly lists by email, please KilmallieCommunity News. youIf would PlanningLists, see theSept 2014 edition of Forfurther information aboutWeekly

Community Centre Mon 26th June Consultation Community 7pm WestPlan

Kilmallie Drop alreadygranted) typicallyfollow MSCMatters= Specified Conditionsin (ie ADV = Advertisement OHL= Overhead Electricity Line, PNO= PriorNotification, LBC Listed= Building Consent

- 8pm - - up details a to permission

travelledto Kinlocheil to pay homage to this pile ofrocks. generations the extendedRoss family inNew Zealand have whatremained ofCharles and Isabella'shome and over the of theMission/Meeting House/Old Sunday School building was Isabella'shome. We weretold that thepile ofrocks inthevicinity (croft 6) homes are still there but I could not find Charles and Stewartfamily. know I Donald Stewart’s (croft 4) and Alex Stewart’s Rosschildren orphans. Theywere takenin by theneighbours, the thatmy great finding in where exactly the house wassited but alsoI discovered wayany she can ownerFlorence Nisbet has been an enormous help inassisting us I visited I Kinlocheil in2008 to find the house of my great great DearKCC in in Kinlocheil 1840from until Charles‘s deathin 1866 grandparentsCharles and Isabella Rosswho farmedcroft number 7 father,Donnie Goodwin. theladder, half hidden by thefishing boat mast is actually my BigIan). Wewere about 6 years oldat thetime. The person holding eye. wouldlike to share a couple of picturesthat brought a tear to my noticed I that Gairlochyis included in the Kilmallie networkso I I feel privileged. Thanksagain for showing another ofmy pictures inthe newsletter, Helloagain Achnacarryprimary school. There were only verya fewhouses in leftis my play lock,the one on the right holding a stick is andme the one onthe picturesenclosed. Inthepicture oftwo wee boys standing by the acrosstwo slides, which when made into photos, are the two Wehave recently donea family treeand itrenewed my interest Nearlyeveryone stayedat Dailanna Bedand Breakfastand the I spent I thefirst 7/8 years of mylife in Gairlochy and wentto Nowinmy search for Lochaber pictures from thepast Icame

- - great pal, IanMcLaren (knownas wee Ian as his dadwas

- even visiting the cemetery totake photographs. letters letters - great

- grandparentsDonald and Mary Ross (nee - which left the

- NewZealand. BrendyrGrierson (nee Ross) Manymany thanks theon road front oftheir property. have5 any oldknowledge of theera/history of theold stonebarn “Charlie Ross's”house prior to demolition andifthe owners of croft Wouldyou pleaseask your readers ifanyone has a photo of houseonce stood which iswhat we all believed. haveand since beenremoved but clearly thatwas notwhere the othersremain insome formor other. Ross'shome and itwould explain why itisno longer there as allthe A830. Lookingat thecroft map,that hadto be Charles and Isabella theother side'which was demolished duringthewidening ofthe roadand with big iron gates across therailway lines to thefields on toldme about 'lovelya old stonehouse with barn, levelwith the the1840s. McPhee)were on croft No 5from the 1820s until theirdeaths in Gothenburg Andy Goodwin Cheers and to find yourselfshown as weea boy 56 years ago! theone lived I in. thearea at thattime andthe onefeatured in the second pictureis them in one of our suggestion boxes, and we will forward forward will and we boxes, suggestion our of one them in Thepile ofrocks thatwe have beenvisiting were crofton No 6 have I been in touch withFlorence Nisbetand onlyrecently she If you have any pictures or info to share with Brendyr, Brendyr, with to share info or any pictures have If you Nowwhat are theodds offinding these 2 slidesfor sale onEbay please email them to us at [email protected] or pop or pop at [email protected] us to email them please

them to her. Thanks. Thanks. her. them to

page 21

Allt na Coille Mòire Big Corrie Burn The speed at which the air is moving around you, as well as Congratulations to Allan and Ben on their re-election and congratulations page 5 page 20 its temperature, also affects your heat loss. People who our Highland to Billy on being newly elected at the local elections on 4th May. We spend time in the mountains know this effect, wind-chill, asked them what their priorities would be for Highland in general and carbon very well. For a given air temperature, it’s much harder to Kilmallie in particular during their five year term in office. stay warm on a windy day. While it never gets properly councillors’ corner windy indoors, the same rules apply; air moving fast around Having been a councillor for the last 10 budgets can be devolved to local exchangeable tickets to be resolved. you means the layer of air next to your skin/clothes that you years, most of you probably have an idea of communities. While a lot of this work will be Now that the Blar Mor has been prepared I papers who I am and what I am about. So I would done by the Lochaber Area committee I’d would certainly like to see it populated with have just warmed up is replaced with colder air more like to take this opportunity to thank you all also like to explore the possibility of buildings, starting with a new hospital and frequently, increasing your rate of heat loss. Es Tresidder, who lives in Banavie, runs a building-energy for returning me again to represent this involving community councils in the process. university of the Highlands & Islands consultancy called Lean Green Consulting. There was a Air moving quickly in a building can obviously be diverse and beautiful ward 11 Caol & In Kilmallie the priorities are again many development, to capture the demand for very good turnout for the talk that he gave to the from draughts of outside air, which bring the added risk that Mallaig, of which Kilmallie (the parish that I and varied, as the area, especially Corpach, Science, Technology, Engineering and Lochaber Environmental Group at the Moorings Hotel back the air moving past you is colder than the rest of the room, was born in) is an integral part. continues to grow as a business hub. Here Maths, as we all look forward to the Being an Independent councillor means the conflict between industry and domestic consolidation and expansion of the Liberty/ in April. In layman’s language he explained a lot of the but even in a well-sealed building cold weather can generate interesting science behind Passivhaus (passive house) that my broad priorities for the Highland dwelling needs to be addressed, with noise Simec factory. Shopping opportunities fast-moving air indoors. Cold surfaces such as single or design - how to keep houses warm and comfortable region are very similar to those for Kilmallie pollution mitigating factors to be explored would also be a good start. This will bring (excellent thermal comfort and indoor air-quality) with double glazed windows, especially large ones, cool the air and are governed and listed under the and possibly installed. Traffic calming on the new pressures on existing housing provision, minimal energy use (80-90% less compared to standard adjacent to them and cause powerful down-draughts that Highland First Priorities- which Council very busy A830 corridor is a main priority so I will be looking at the quandary of how UK practice). set the air moving too quickly for comfort around the rooms officers are directed by, and adhere to. and while work has been done at Banavie to protect valuable green space, yet find they are in. These are: Community led, Well served school road end, with 20mph at school room for new homes. We asked him if he could write something for us on the Highlands and a Fairer Highlands. If I’m back times, I will continue to work with Transport In the centre of Kilmallie as we move As well as losing heat through conduction and convection to subject. In what we hope might be just the first of a on community services I will continue to Scotland and colleagues to achieve safer towards the opportunities created by the series of articles relating to energy efficiency and our the air next to us, we also lose heat through radiation, lobby for more funding for road repairs, pedestrian road crossings and a reduction to marina proposal bringing increased tourism, transition to a zero-carbon economy, Es talks about regardless of the air temperature, to the solid surfaces winter maintenance and work towards a steady 30mph, instead of all the current I will be focussing on capitalising these. surrounding us. This radiative heat loss depends on the integrated public transport, whether rail, variable speeds. 20mph in all the residential Linking up all the walks and my factors that influence how warm (or otherwise) our houses feel in winter. temperature of those surfaces and how close we are to bus, ferries or even air travel. A huge areas will be another priority. Retaining and dream of the ‘ A way to the isles them. The warmer they are the less heat we lose in this way, priority for me will be to help deliver local even growing the use of public transport path’ through Kilmallie, is not democracy in accordance with the which includes the train option will be one dead. the colder they are the more heat we lose. This radiative Why Do I Feel Chilly? commission for local democracy and how of my priorities with integrated company Cllr Allan Henderson (Independent) effect is very noticeable in extreme situations – a campfire I live in a 70’s house that has had double glazing installed but on a cold night warms you mostly through radiation, which is  little else in the way of thermal improvements since then. why you feel colder instantly when someone stands It's a great privilege to have been elected to represent Caol & Make the Council more accessible and more responsive to us, Mallaig Ward at the Highland Council. I appreciate the support and including return decision making powers on Lochaber issues to Imagine the following situation. Yesterday was a mild between you and the fire. The same effect is true in trust from those who voted for me and I'll work my hardest for all Lochaber House. winter’s day, temperatures around 10°C, and I was buildings, when the internal surfaces of external walls, residents of the Ward. My top priorities for the Kilmallie and the  Build better services and support for the disabled. This is one of comfortably warm working at home. Today the weather’s windows, floors and ceilings are colder, we lose more heat to Highlands are to: the most pressing issues for many local families - Lochaber lacks changed, it’s been cold all night and now it’s hovering them through radiation.  Improve the fabric of our schools and make sure we retain and the facilities available elsewhere and it is beyond time we

around zero and cloudy outside. Wearing the same clothes, attract the best teachers. addressed this. ????? Burn

Burn ?Oak The humidity of the air is the final piece of the thermal- and with the thermostat set at the same temperature, I feel  Protect public spending on our most vulnerable adults and Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I will be an easily comfort jigsaw. The drier the air is, the more easily moisture chilly. After spending the morning cradling numerous cups of children, especially in the face of reductions to Council budgets. accessible Councillor, responsive to my constituents' evaporates from our skin, taking heat with it. So, for a given  Invest in our roads and streets so that they are safer and needs and an effective campaigner on their behalf. tea and still not warming up I finally turn the thermostat up air temperature, a room at 60% humidity will feel warmer a degree. Why, if the air temperature inside my house is the friendlier for communities and better maintained. Please get in touch. than a room at 40% humidity. Cold air holds less moisture same on both days, do I feel colder today? Get the right kind of new housing for Lochaber needs, not what is Cllr Ben Thompson (Independent) than warm air, so ventilating a room (either deliberately or foisted upon us by central government targets.

through leaks) with cold air tends to bring less moisture My first task is to apologise to all constituents in Kilmallie for my that a ‘hold’ should be put on these. As stated I do not agree that indoors than ventilating with warm air, resulting in a lower lack of presence, pre-election. Unfortunately I took ill with a power and decisions should be taken by departments and officials relative humidity. severe flu and bronchial infection and whilst I did struggle out, to nearly 100 miles away. endeavour to assist the marvellous team of ‘leafletters’, I ended As mentioned in my campaign leaflet, these are exciting and Going back to the original question of why I might feel colder up laid low for 4/5 days. Suffice to say that it was not the most progressive times in Lochaber which affect us all. We could see a

indoors when it is cold outside, even with the thermostat set auspicious start to my campaign. I did manage to attend Kilmallie huge influx of people if the superb projected plans for a large at the same temperature, all of these factors play a role: Community Council’s hustings but soon realised that I should production plant by the Liberty Industries Group (LIG) reaches Allt Lourie  the air in a room may be moving faster on the cold day, probably have sent my apologies as I doubt, looking back, if I was fulfilment. It will put huge pressures on our infrastructure but I am all that coherent. Again my apologies to all present that night. confident that, whilst it will cause a few head scratching moments, Allt an DaraidAllt an due to windows and other poorly-insulated surfaces Anyway a huge thank you to all who voted for me but I can assure Lochaber can rise to the challenge. We are used to thinking about how warm we feel indoors being colder when the external temperature is lower, you that I will endeavour to be available to assist, help and advise With the move by Ferguson Transport to their new site and the purely in terms of air temperature – it is, after all, the only and thus generating more powerful down-draughts; ALL in the Ward. proposed new Marina plans on the table it will be an interesting thing displayed on the thermostat. Yet our thermal comfort,  external draughts due to leaky building fabric or trickle One of my main priorities will be to press for a much stronger time for Kilmallie so I and hopefully all of us are looking forward to whether we feel too cold, too hot, or just right, is vents will be colder, even if the average internal air Lochaber Area Committee so that power and decision making is these outcomes and more good things happening. dependent on much more than just the temperature of the devolved locally. Lochaber was always known as having a strong Obviously I have just touched on a minuscule number of temperature is the same on both days; air around us. group of Councillors who put politics aside to fight for the area to issues, but with attendance at your Community Council  the surfaces surrounding me in the room will be colder the benefit of its constituents, so this is an issue where I hope ALL Meetings , plus getting out and about in the months Models of thermal comfort are pretty well developed but are on the cold day, so heat loss via radiation will be Lochaber Councillors come together. ahead, I will get a flavour of the personal and local issues poorly understood by most people outside academia. I’ll Whilst I was of the understanding that some Departments had that you will wish me to be involved in. increased; focus in this article on feeling too cold, but broadly the same been ‘centralised’ to Inverness I am becoming more aware, daily, Cllr Billy MacLachlan (Scottish National Party) principles apply in reverse for overheating in the summer.  the humidity of the air in the room may be lower on the colder day, making the same air temperature feel colder. Whether we feel warm or cold depends on how fast our Our Highland Councillors’ contact details And our thanks to Bill Clark bodies are losing heat to the world around them. This I hope to take a look in the next article at how very- low- Allan Henderson, The Gantocks, Achintore Road, Fort William PH33 6RN KCC bids farewell to Bill who stood down as Highland depends on the air temperature in part; if the air next to our energy buildings can increase how comfortable we feel in Tel: 01397 705954, Email: [email protected] Councillor at the last election. He’d represented us for 14 years variously as either Independent and bodies, or on the outside of our clothing, is cold then we lose cold weather. Ben Thompson, 2 Erracht, Banavie, Fort William PH33 7PD Mobile: 07833 687278 Email: [email protected] Scottish National Party. KCC extends many thanks to heat to it more quickly than if it is warm, but this is only part Es Tresidder Bill for his longstanding work on behalf of the Billy MacLachlan, Woodside, Roy Bridge Road, Spean Bridge PH34 4EU of the story. Let’s look at the other factors affecting how fast [email protected] residents of Caol and Mallaig Ward, and wishes him we lose heat to our surroundings. www.leangreenconsulting.co.uk Mobile: 07787 177061 Email: [email protected] well in his retirement from Highland Council political life. Early potatoes will be almost ready to harvest, keep them earthed page 6 up and if you have some growing in bags, make sure they are well page 19 missives from MSPs green watered.

It’s the turn again for our regional MSPs - one from each party. The Scottish Government has stated that no private Tomatoes are a bit hit and miss, depends on how much sunshine companies should be involved in the assessment of disability in relation to devolved Disability Benefits. We asked the MSPs we get and if the greenhouse gets lots of light. Pick the side shoots for their comments on the processes envisaged to replace ATOS / Maximus etc, and the timescale for same. fingers off regularly, feed them once the first little tomatoes are visible and Because of my background working in mental health, it’s an area I Dr Alan McDevitt from the BMA will chair a group with Garden in Summer keep your fingers crossed, We also have chillies, hopefully, have a keen interest in. Seeing firsthand the impact of welfare representatives from many health and social care professions and cucumbers perhaps, and courgettes in grobags outside. If they are reform on vulnerable people I worked with helped motivate me to their job will be to make the system workable. Work has begun on very prolific you can make courgette and spinach soup, or use them get into politics. this, but the process needs to be right by the time the Scottish Well, here we are in the middle of what we hope will be a good in cakes. I see the trendy way to cook them is to peel them into Under the Scotland Bill, limited new powers over social security Government takes over these benefits - March 2020 at the latest. summer, lots of rain through the night and lovely warm, sunny very thin strips and do whatever you like with them. will be transferred from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament. Until now, the UK Government has contracted in private firms days. The Scottish Government has stated that no private companies such as Atos and Capita to carry out assessments. Early this year it This is the time of year to get sheds, fences etc repaired and should be involved in the assessment of disability in relation to was revealed that these outsourcing giants have been paid £578 All the bedding plants should be growing strongly, if you can be treated with paint, creosote or any wood treatment. Make sure devolved Disability Benefits. million so far for assessing people for Personal Independence bothered to dead-head, it will make them last longer. A liquid feed compost bins are secure: we have hens and forgot to put a good Scottish Social Security Minister, Jeanne Freeman, told MSPs at Payment (PIP) - since it launched in 2013. Both firms have been now and then will also keep them going. Hanging baskets, tubs etc 'front' so the compost is all over the place - hens are ecstatic Holyrood that one of her fundamental principles is that profit heavily criticised by disability rights campaigners. The DWP’s own will need to be watered daily, especially baskets. If you are unsure, though! should never be a motive nor play any part in assessing or making statistics revealed that between December 2011 and February water them twice, the first water will just run straight through so decisions on people’s health and eligibility for benefits. 2014, 2,380 people died after their claim for employment and do them again. If you remember, feed them regularly, we use If the midgies allow, sit outside and enjoy the fruits of your The plan for future disability assessments is that when you support allowance (ESA) ended after they were found fit for work. tomato fertilizer. I try and make it the same day every week, labours. Lots of lovely smells from sweet apply, the starting point is your own evidence. Supporting evidence As Scotland designs a new social security system, we are probably half strength should be all right Keep picking sweet peas, peas, roses, tobacco flowers, will be sought – with your permission - from your health and social heralding in a new age of compassion. We are building if not they will go to seed. honeysuckle and night scented care records. An assessment will only be required if the evidence is a system based on dignity and respect – which means stock. contradictory or if your records can’t be accessed – fewer an assessment process which isn’t demeaning or The vegetables will need to be weeded to stop them getting assessments will be needed. deliberately difficult. overwhelmed. We had an Enviromesh over the carrots last year, Happy gardening. forgot to check them, and when I did it was a sea of very tall weeds, Morag Mackell If one is needed, we hope it will happen in your own home or in Maree Todd MSP a local health facility. It will be carried out by a local professional, Scottish National Party no wonder I had to buy carrots. already employed by public services. I would always support public services being provided by public The Smith Commission recommended the devolution of some Both men were natives of Lismore and servants, especially in such a sensitive area as Disability tax raising powers and responsibility for some welfare benefits, Clerk’s mother was a Carmichael. I Benefits. That said, the terms of the contract do inform the which gives us a real opportunity to do things differently. Wikipedia on wonder if they were related and I’d like outcome of the assessment. It is clear that the Conservative Those that need help should get it. However, I am disappointed to hear from anybody with information Government in Westminster wanted to cut the cost of Disability that Westminster will continue to preside over devolved benefits Burn ofBurn the OldCaves Benefit and therefore charged their contractors to do just for some time to come because the Scottish Government say they Kilmallie on the matter. that. Sadly, the cost of administering these assessments rose, while are not ready to take over their delivery. They have asked the UK (or vice versa) RavenBurn Wikipedia is rather dismissive of Mary those who needed the benefits had them withdrawn. Government to keep these powers until 2020 to "minimise risk." MacKellar’s poetic skills and, sadly, I Therefore, I welcome the Scottish Government announcement Therefore, in reality, the SNP Government are allowing Scottish Most of us will be used to getting guess this is justified. I think her long that no private companies will be involved in these assessments claimants to run the gauntlet of these assessments for another Wikipedia entries at the top of most when they administer them. However, I wonder how the outcomes three years because of their inability to deliver. internet searches that we run. As an term significance is as a campaigner for

will be decided and what will be the parameters set down by What does this tell us about the risks of an independent Scotland? If internet encyclopaedia written and Highland culture rather than as a poet. government. If the budgets are the same as they currently are then they cannot take over one devolved power in four years, it seems to edited by its users, many are sceptical She worked with Prof John Stuart there will be no change to the outcomes, regardless of whether me incredible that they thought they could achieve independence in of its accuracy, however a 2005 article Blackie for the establishment of a Chair they are publicly or privately delivered. Obviously you save some eighteen months. in the authoritative journal Nature of Celtic Studies in Edinburgh University cost by cutting out a profit margin to a private company. However, I It would appear that either they do not want these powers over reported that its levels of accuracy are and was asked to translate Queen believe the whole ethos of the assessments needs to change. benefits or that they are unable to deliver for Scotland - either Victoria’s Highland diaries into Gaelic. I Auditors said that nearly one in ten of the applications for scenario is unacceptable. similar to print encyclopaedias such as gather that the Queen then gave £300 disability benefit have been rejected by the Government. This Given the delay we will have to wait and see what the Britannica. Later studies tend to compared with around one in twenty-five before Atos left its Scottish Government will offer disabled peopleI – confirm this view. towards the Chair but I cannot find any contract. Therefore, the UK Government have employed two sincerely hope it is based on need and is shaped with written confirmation of this. Help me if At this point I should probably confess private firms to deal with disability assessments and they both compassion. Benefits allow people to live life to the you can. to a considerable Wikipedia habit, Mary MacKellar’s grave stone in Kilmallie ended up causing chaos and these assessments have caused a lot of full, access work and leisure – things that many of us churchyard needless suffering to the very people that the system should be take for granted. Rhoda Grant having written or initiated several It was once said on the Gaelic radio that designed to help. Scottish Labour articles and added substantially to quote your sources in the approved she and the great Skye bardess, Mairi manner. Mhòr nan Oran were good friends. They FhithichAllt an The current Social Security system is excessively complicated with I am clear that profiteers should have no role within our social many more. Kilmallie features in a billions going unclaimed every year. People are often treated with security system and therefore welcome the announcement by the number of entries. Readers might like The article on Archibald Clerk, a were both avid admirers of the contempt and threatened with sanctions for minor infringements of Minister for Social Security that private companies will have no role to check out the following pages: Victorian minister of Kilmallie, was my aforementioned Prof Blackie but I rules. Greens believe that respect and dignity must be put at the in the new Scottish system. cannot find any written confirmation  Kilmallie first full Wikipedia venture and I think fore of the new Scottish social security service. Ensuring claimants In order to have a Social Security system that lives up to the I’m still its only contributor. There are a that they know each other or were are supported through the process, rather than demonised. name we must ensure it works to enrich the health and wellbeing of  Kilmallie Shinty Club Allt Seann Uamhachan Allt Seann couple of things I’d like to add to it and friends. Can you help me? One interesting way of providing support, proposed by my Green citizens, rather than stigmatise and demonise as is currently the  Banavie colleague Alison Johnstone MSP, is to ensure that when someone case.  Corpach perhaps readers could help: Clerk and Ronald Cameron his wife Jessie were buried in Kilmallie claims for one welfare payment they are considered for them all. Removing private interests from the heart of the welfare state  Caol As an afterthought, the Kilmallie Shinty This would save time, reducing duplication and laborious form- will also improve accountability. When outsourcing to ATOS and Churchyard but I cannot find the grave.  Loch Eil Club Wikipedia article doesn’t have a filling. others it is all too easy for Ministers to hide behind commercial  Col John Cameron of Fassiefern I’d like to add a photo of the Perhaps one of the most undignified aspects of ‘welfare reform’ confidentiality agreements, scandalous though that is. photo of the 1964 team that won the  (The Rev) Archibald Clerk gravestone. Does anybody know where in recent years has been the disability assessments. This has put The new Scottish system, operating on a nationalised basis, leaves Camanachd cup. Somebody really  Mary MacKellar. it is? If so, you could take a photo and private companies such as the infamous ATOS at the heart of the no doubt where the buck stops. I very much welcome add it to the article or otherwise just ought to put one up. I have one but it social security system, with incentives ensuring profit comes before the work the Scottish Government and the Scottish might be complicated sorting out the You might find something there that tell me. people. Sick, disabled and terminally ill people have been forced to Parliament’s Social Security Committee have you feel could be improved in which copyright issues to satisfy Wikipedia endure harrowing assessments to determine eligibility for specific undertaken so far to ensure that, unlike the system it case you can create a user name and Clerk collaborated with Alexander rules. welfare payments. In many instances the whole assessment process will replace, the new model is fit for purpose. start editing, but be aware, you are Carmichael, author of Carmenica has proven to be a traumatic experience and often resulted in John Finnie MSP Gaedelica, on matters of Celtic folklore. Ronald people being inappropriately declared ‘fit to work’. Scottish Green Party likely to be challenged if you do not refresh their knowledge of any condition with which they are not page 18 missives from MSPs contd fully familiar. HPs make recommendations to “Decision Makers” page 7 Our next concert is definitely one As the main opposition, the Scottish Conservatives will be from the Department for Work and Pensions (“DWP”), who will scrutinising Scottish Government policy, offering our support take into account all available evidence, including evidence not to be missed - a real treat! where we agree and constructively criticising where we disagree. provided by the claimant's GP or consultant. HPs and Decision Born on Colonsay in 1953, On the issue of devolved disability benefits, the Scottish Makers do not have performance targets with regard to the Donald MacNeill has lived and Government position is that no private companies should be number of people qualifying. worked on the island for most of involved in the assessment process. However, we believe this could The PIP assessment process has been extensively reviewed to potentially put ideology above effectiveness. An assessment of an ensure it is robust, that the claims process is as straightforward as his life. Influenced by the Gaelic applicant’s need for personal independence payment (or any possible, and that decisions are made based on the evidence culture he grew up in, and the benefit) should be based on what is most effective and who can provided. Since PIP was introduced, only 6 per cent of initial external influences from beyond provide the most expertise – not whether the assessor is in the decisions have gone to appeal and only 3 per cent have been the Island shores, he has been public, private, or voluntary sector. PIP assessments are designed overturned. When cases are overturned, it is usually because new chronicling island life in song for to properly reflect the impact a person’s disability has on their evidence is submitted which was not previously supplied. The DWP over 40 years. everyday life. Assessments must be performed by trained Health expects the highest standards from the contractors who carry out Professionals (“HPs”), who must be fully registered doctors, Level 1 PIP assessments and works closely with them to ensure In an unexpected but stunning nurses, paramedics, occupational therapists or physiotherapists, PIP is working in the best way possible. For all these collaboration with renowned and have at least two years’ experience after becoming fully reasons, I support a system which does not assess the Sardinian multi-instrumentalist registered. They also undergo comprehensive training in disability disability, but rather assesses the needs of that Roberto Diana, Donald weaves analysis, which includes a ‘functional evaluation’ as to how medical disabled person. Colonsay stories into a wonderful conditions affect an individual’s ability to perform day-to-day Donald Cameron musical scrapbook of island social activities. Before carrying out assessments, HPs must routinely Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party history, with an impact far beyond the Hebridean shores. from Annat. They are investigating another site at Annat (not BSW) for possible breach of planning conditions. We’re planning another two or  BSW’s consultants AECOM are currently preparing a three gigs before the end of the noise at Annat ‘post-completion assessment’ of noise. They have

year and we’ve already booked Graeme Corner, Senior Environmental Health Officer in completed their noise survey and are currently the amazing Poozies for May next Highland Council’s Community Services department preparing their analysis and report. year. attended the KCC meeting on 22nd May (see ‘From the  Environmental Health can do their own noise Chair’ on page 1. Here are a few notes from the To find out more, to join our assessments if necessary after the consultant’s report. discussion: mailing list, or share ideas, please  Graeme has a list of complainants (approx 12 plus 3  There are only 1.5 full time equivalent officers in email Susie or me at added at meeting). He will send diary sheets to the Lochaber, to cover all environmental health issues. Noise SnoutBurn [email protected] is just one of many issues they get involved with. complainants for recording noise disturbance. He Mandy Ketchin Colleagues in Inverness have specialised expertise in doesn’t need more complaints to build a case - he only noise. needs 1 complainant to justify an investigation.   Noise issues are mostly dealt with through the planning If actual noise is proven to be greater than the predicted CREEL is the local not-for-profit process - at planning application stage officials try to noise allowed by the planning consent, then action must community group bringing gigs and be taken - operator must reduce noise to meet the protect against amenity loss. entertainment to small venues in offew (a these) Boundary Burn conditions of the planning consent. and around Kilmallie  There is a Statutory Nuisance provision within the  What happens if there is cumulative noise from more Environmental Protection Act- the test is whether noise than one development? If two neighbouring is a nuisance and a danger to health. Authorities can only act if there is a criminal act or a breach of planning developments are each producing say 50dB of noise, the sum total of noise produced is approx 53dB (not just conditions. 50dB but not 50+50dB either). It is the responsibility of the collected works of burns, vol 1  There has already been a meeting between Planning and developers to work together to ensure that the overall The contours on a map of Kilmallie are crisscrossed Environmental Health officers about noise disturbance by possibly thousands of burns. permitted limit is not exceeded. Only a few are given names on the Explorer OS map, so we thought we’d recite as many as we could that members of public continue to be vigilant and to report any Allt na SròineAllt na in our side snippets. persons or vehicles acting in a manner they consider to be community suspicious. We rely heavily on information provided to us by the In this issue we plot, from west to east, public and could not do our job without your support. all the ones feeding into Loch Eil I trust you all have a good summer, whether on vacation or a from the westernmost reaches of Kilmallie policing staycation and by the time I’m due to pen another article for the to just east of Fassfern. Can I firstly apologise for not submitting an article in time for last next newsletter I’m hoping we will all have access to new shops CricheAllt na How many do you personally know by name? quarter’s newsletter, for which I have no excuse; particularly as I and supermarkets on North Road! How many have you crossed on foot on the hill? am cutting it fine for the deadline for this quarter’s edition! As per previous newsletter articles, I would welcome any Can you complete, or correct, any of the translations for us? With the mountain bike world championships looming and the feedback or comments on local Policing in the Kilmallie or Lochaber Do you have different names for any of them? crescendo of tourists arriving in Lochaber building, these next few area. months are routinely the busiest few months for local policing and I Andrew Bilton, Do you have your own names for any of the ones in-between? would like to encourage all the locals to be patient as I’m sure we Police Sergeant Do you have any stories to share about any of them, will have to endure longer than usual travel times in and out of the Liaison Officer for Kilmallie Community Council or stories about their names? town. [email protected] (Who was the Irishman?) Kilmallie CC raised concerns regarding the number of break ins, of both commercial and residential property in the Banavie and Police Service of Scotland Vol 2 next time will cover the rest of the burns Corpach area at the beginning of this year. I was delighted to be Fort William Police Station feeding into Loch Eil east of Fassfern, able to report back that an individual was charged with breaking in BLAR MOR, and all the ones feeding into the Loy The Allt a' Choire Reidh on the right joins the Fionn Lighe on the left. to a number of commercial premises in this area; the investigation Fort William PH33 7GA and our side of the Lochy. (photo Chris Eilbeck) into the residential housebreakings is still ongoing. With the temporary increase in local population I would ask Tel. 101 for non-emergency There is plenty of food available for of a pine marten’s diet, but squirrels are page 8 East Lochaber and Laggan Community Trust squirrels in terms of wild raspberries, not a significant component of their page 17 wild brambles, fungi, hazel nuts and acorns prey here. in the area, so there is no reason why squirrels should not be doing well here. Red squirrels are rather smaller than There is a natural limitation of the greys, and so able to use thinner about amount of food that can be gleaned branches. Although reds can look very from spruce plantations in the winter, dark in the winter, they have prominent as the seeds are very small. Squirrels, ear tufts then. In the summer the red which do not hibernate as such, but coats are much lighter, and in this part last year, which gave us the confidence to go forward with our bid. may stay dormant in cold weather, of the world a large proportion have Progress Faye has much experience of working with community landowners kilmallie in the islands and is very highly regarded across the sector. Part of mainly visit stores of food over the blond tails. Although this is probably and Community Land Issues Faye's talk included the recently-launched video from Stòras winter. It is therefore important that prejudice, our native red squirrels look Uibhist, celebrating their achievements over the first 10 years of Red Squirrels they create a sufficient stash to last much more attractive than the ‘tree- Since my last update in March we issued a call for directors their ownership. All inspirational and a pleasant evening of in Kilmallie them through the lean times. rats’ that thankfully have yet to make it amongst the membership and, there being seven vacancies, the fellowship! north of the Great Glen. following were nominated for appointment at an Extraordinary Another possible limitation is predation General Meeting: We continue to engage with SIMEC/Liberty’s representatives and We have been fortunate enough this by pine martens. Recent work, mainly As always, more information is needed the Scottish Government to press our case for community year to have had red squirrels visiting • Andrew Baxter, Kinlochleven ownership. from Ireland, has suggested that where on the distribution of squirrels in the • Alex Farquhar, Fort William the garden in Glen Loy. both red and grey squirrels are both Highlands (particularly greys, should

June sees the 20th anniversary of the highly successful Eigg • John Hutchison, Badabrie found, pine martens will predate the you see any), and the Highland community land buyout and by the time this newsletter reaches • Patricia Jordan, Fort William As a result, I quickly installed a squirrel larger, less agile greys, which has led to Biological Records Centre would be • Flora McKee, Inverlochy you, local and national media will have been reporting stories from feeder and baited this with hazel nuts. I an expansion in the numbers of reds. grateful for any records. I would be very • Campbell Slimon, Laggan the Island. There have been many visits by international television am now busy trying to wean them off crews over the past weeks. For me it has been one of my greatest After all martens and red squirrels co- interested to hear of anyone else • Ben Thompson, Erracht these and onto something cheaper, but privileges to have been part of the Eigg story over the past 20 evolved in the Highlands, and it is highly regularly feeding reds in and around Approaching 130 from Laggan to Kinlochleven to Inveraray years. the original intention was to provide likely that the reds have developed Kilmallie, or indeed other records of attended our EGM on 25th April in Fort William which allowed the food that the pine martens would not strategies to avoid predation. Seeing local sightings. formality of appointing the directors nominated by the On other fronts I am hearing of current efforts by several be attracted to. them race along very thin branches that membership. The meeting also heard a report from the board on communities to buy land, on the islands and the mainland. Along with the new Land Reform Act, the Community Empowerment Act even martens would find a challenge Jon Mercer activities over the past year. A normal AGM will be held around We now have at least one persistent October. 2015 is designed to give new hope and we should be thinking about tends to support this theory. No doubt Glenloy Wildlife

squirrel visiting the feeders most days, CorrieFawn’s Burn this in Kilmallie. young, naïve or sick squirrels form part Following the EGM we were privileged to hear from Faye MacLeod and providing us and our guests with Squirrel on feeder at Glenloy Lodge

?Smooth Corrie Burn on “Why Community Ownership?” Faye is a partner with Campbell John C Hutchison, Badabrie much enjoyment. At least one of ‘our’

Stewart MacLennan & Co in Portree and Benbecula, who carried Chair - ELLCT squirrels is a youngster, and initially was out the financial analysis on the Rio Tinto Aluminium Estates for us far from adept at climbing down to the feeder. It was strange watching a

squirrel fall off a tree! It now scampers

KILMALLIE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FUND much more confidently around the The AGM of the organisation was held in The committee will keep this under review. support which we receive throughout the garden and can use even the thinnest Kilmallie Community Centre on Wednesday community. In particular he drew attention branches, performing death-defying There has been some concern recently 10th May 2017. There were 10 people in to the generosity of staff and customers at leaps to bridge the gaps. Initially it regarding the new lamp standards currently attendance. Reports were provided by the Tradewinds in fundraising and also to “STAR spent quite a while caching nuts in the being installed by BEAR and we will Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. for Harris” for making the switch-on continue to monitor this. bark chippings on the ground, and no ceremony such a convivial affair. It was generally agreed that the lighting doubt will do so again as autumn In accordance with our constitution, three equipment had performed rather better in Members of the public are approaches. members of the committee stood down at 2016, due perhaps to our increased welcome to attend our the meeting but then stood for re-election. expertise in maintenance and repairs. Some meetings or, indeed, to join Seeing squirrels in the garden leads to Some changes to office bearers and remits minor repairs have already been carried out our group. If interested, will be discussed at our next committee questions of where they have come this year but more work will be required please contact our meeting on 21st June. from. It seems likely that these have over the summer. Secretary, Andy been displaced from clear fell of a The chairman closed the meeting by Wilmington on Although finance will be required for repairs mature stand of Norway spruce across thanking committee members for their work 772499. and replacements, we do not anticipate any the glen at Erracht. We have seen the over the past twelve months. He also major purchases in the immediate future. Paul Brian, Chairman expressed appreciation for the considerable occasional squirrel racing through the Allt a’ Choire Rèidh Allt a’ Choire

garden over the years, and up Glen Loy LaoghAllt Coire nan as far as Puiteachan, but sightings have Thanks to Roger Boswell, Annat, who recently sent KCC before going to print, but we very much take his point been rare and always a red-letter day. an email drawing attention to the fact that we now on board and hope to give you the benefit of his work We also know that there is a population need two multi-page timetable catalogues to find when in the form of an A3 poster in the centre pages of next in the woods around Torcastle. Other the next local bus is due. As Roger pointed out, Shiel newsletter. Thanks very much Roger. Buses have won a major slice of Lochaber's local bus mixed woodland both in and around Bus Users Scotland held a ‘Your Bus Matters’ event in routes, previously operated by Stagecoach; but neither Corpach, including the community Fort William on 13th June to allow passengers to publishes the other's timetables. woodland, also has squirrels. Similarly, discuss local bus services in partnership with Scottish squirrels are occasionally seen up at He thought “Methinks, if you don't like it, do something Citylink Stagecoach North Scotland, Shiel Buses and Achnacarry and across to Chia-Aig about it.” so he set to and created his own 2 page A4 Highland Council. Unfortunately the timing meant that on the comprehensive & complete roundup of all the we could not give you a report in this newsletter as we (where there used to be a squirrel trail timetables, and sent it to us to share with everyone via had already gone to print. If you would like maintained by the Forestry the newsletter. Unfortunately we couldn’t read the file information about what was discussed, please get in Commission). buses formats he sent us, and we didn’t have time to sort it touch. near Glenloy with his brother Ronnie towing page 16 his bike and his friend Joshua Balcombe page 9 carrying his bag. The Berardelli brothers also put in some good team work when Fergus and Georgio rode to school Inter School Tag Rugby Tournament The Big Pedal 2017 - LHS was 4th in Scotland together. On Wednesday 3rd May the club hosted their Annual Inter-School The project was a great success and is Tag Rugby Competition in brilliant sunshine at Banavie. This Lochaber High School finished 4th in To be in the draw, pupils at the school had sure to become an annual event at the tournament has become a firm favourite with the local schools and Scotland in the Big Pedal, a national to cycle to school at least once during the 2 school. So impressed with the momentum their pupils. This year we gave approximately 300 local boys and initiative organised by Sustrans. Primary and weeks. The more times you cycled, the built throughout the project, the volunteers girls the opportunity to play Tag Rugby, some for the first time. The Secondary schools around Britain had 2 more chance you had to win. Each morning who worked on it were keen to continue to local pupils all played with great enthusiasm and team spirit and weeks to encourage as many pupils and staff the registration team, made up of a number promote cycling to school by starting a new there were some players who showed great natural ability. The to cycle to school as possible. This year’s of volunteers including S5 pupil Shaun scheme – ‘Wheels on Wednesday’. The idea winners of the Primary School Competition in the morning went to event took place in March and our MacLeod, were there to meet and record is to encourage pupils and staff to cycle at Inverlochy PS (P4/P5) and Lundavra PS (P6/P7). participation was the idea of two local the pupils and staff who had cycled that day. least once a week. This scheme will also In the afternoon we were treated to some excellent competitive parents, Lyndsey Shaw and Nix Forster. The On the first day there were 24 cyclists, have prize draws each week, and a Big Prize matches by the S1/S2 pupils who gave us a very entertaining project was supported within the school by which was a brilliant start to the project. Draw before the summer holidays. ‘Wheels afternoon of rugby. The final was Lochaber HS- V- Mallaig HS and Mrs Meldrum who, as well as being involved However, as the days went on, the numbers on Wednesday’ will tie in with the after the victors this year were Lochaber HS. with the after-school biking club, was able to rose steadily. The most popular day was school MTB club that meets each week. Congratulations to all the winning teams and thank you to all the take on the marketing of the event with her during the second week when there were There are a huge number of thanks to go Active School Co-Ordinators who helped the day run very smoothly. S2 Business Studies class. 66! During the two weeks, Lochaber was out to those people who made the project Event in the Tent Before the project began the number of enjoying a very sunny spell, which certainly such a success – firstly to Mrs Meldrum’s S2 bikes in the school bike shed never encouraged more pupils and staff to get on class who did such a great job of marketing We had perfect weather to enjoy our Event in the Tent at Banavie exceeded 10, even in good weather. So, in their bikes. But even when the weather the project; Nevis Cycles for the great prize; on the Saturday 6th May. This event was organised to celebrate January, the work began to promote the started to change and the rain arrived on Off Beat Bikes for offering a free

our current Clubhouse building being open 20 years. We wanted to project and to encourage as many pupils the last couple of days, numbers remained maintenance day before the event kicked make our celebration a ‘family affair’ so the ‘Event in the Tent’ was and staff to cycle as possible. Incentives at almost double the number achieved on off; Mrs Clark who rallied and encouraged duly organised by one of the Clubs Directors Ally Rowantree. He were a hot topic. Nevis Cycles were quick to the first day and over four times the number the staff within school to cycle; Lyndsey, Nix organised Frazer Copland’s large tent, and a Hog Roast with Buffet seen cycling to school before the start of the and Shaun for being at registration every was supplied by Strathmore Caterers. It all started at 4pm in the recognise the importance of the project and very kindly donated a specialized bike for project. Over the course of the fortnight a morning; Shaun also for creating a great afternoon so that players and members with young children could the Big Prize Draw. This brilliant prize was total of 460 journeys were made to school, promotional video and for helping with the take them along to join in the fun. Some took games with them so awarded to Raghnall MacKinnon who covering a total distance of 1050 miles! At after school bike club; Cecilia and Roz from there was lots going on in the tent and on the pitch. Live certainly worked hard for it by cycling to the end of the project LHS finished 4th in Sustrans; No Fuss Events for the loan of CorrieRowan Burn music was provided by the Lochaber Feis seeing at one point an

school twice from Bohuntin – a journey Scotland and 25th in Britain. some extra bike storage and, of course, no Orcadian Strip the Willow taking up the full length of the tent with which took him and his younger brother 1.5 There were some very impressive matter how far you cycled, a huge ‘Thanks young and old taking part. journeys being undertaken with pupils riding and Well Done’ to all the cyclists who took WhiteGrove Burn hours to complete! Other prizes were two Pauline Donaldson Fit Bits and some cycle lights which were from as far away as Roy Bridge, Gairlochy part. won by Rebecca Lesley, Emma Jane and Onich. There was some brilliant team New players of all abilities are welcome – Donaldson and Gabrielle Campbell. work shown, not least when Ronnie Fulford Keep Pedalling! if you fancy giving rugby a try, come and see us at Banavie. suffered a puncture and ran to school from Fiona Beattie, Active Schools Coordinator We are 1st left after the Moorings Hotel

www.lochaberrfc.co.uk

The Annual Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony is going to be held in the Moorings Hotel, Banavie on Saturday 18th November. The Kilmallie music to be provided by the Ballochmyle Band. Tickets will be on sale soon.

Shinty Club Upcoming fixtures Kilmallie has had a difficult start to the season with players being unavailable. Dugald MacPhee announced his resignation to the 1st Team Club as Reserve Team Manager in March after 26 years’ service and 24th June To be confirmed Ken Kennedy stepped down as assistant after many years. Kilmallie 1st July To be confirmed would like to thank Dugald and Kenny for all their hard work and 8th July To be confirmed commitment to the Club over the years. Andrew MacAlister and 15th July Oban Camanachd Vs Kilmallie

Allt Fionn Doire Allt Fionn Ross MacKenzie have taken on the job as joint Reserve Team 22nd July To be confirmed Managers and look forward to each game. Both teams have been 29th July Kilmallie Vs Lovat enhanced with new players and whilst the start of the season has 5th August Kinlochshiel Vs Kilmallie been a challenge the next few weeks are looking exciting! 12th August Kilmallie Vs Kyles Athletic Allt Coire a’ Chaorainn Allt Coire a’ Chaorainn

the park, or don’t at the moment but would like to, please News from our complete our quick online survey on our Facebook page. You’ll find it at community wood - www.facebook/Friends-of-Banavie-Park Tom Guisach

Thanks to everyone who has supported the project so far. Pinewood If you’d like to get involved now that On Saturday 22nd April we had a very we’ve reached this successful work party. Thank you to all Banavie Park Committee are delighted to announce that we exciting stage, those who came. have recently secured ‘Awards for All Scotland’ funding please drop us a through the Big Lottery Fund to start the ball rolling on message through We had a fleet of wheelbarrows and an improving the play facilities at Banavie Park. our facebook page excellent turnout with 14 adults and six The Awards for All grant is to cover the cost of the feasibility or call Lisa on 07799 youngsters. We managed to improve study that we need to apply for funding for the play area 747375. We’d love to the access to the community pinewood upgrade. welcome some new faces above Guisach Terrace by laying gravel into our group. on boggy sections of the path. That’s where we need your help! The first part of the feasibility study is to get an up-to-date survey of what the Friends of Banavie Park Thanks to all those who helped community wants for the area. If you and your family use Committee including Banavie Quarry. Other jobs included a litter pick and

tending young pine trees planted just over a year ago. Thomas Telford Corpach Marina Ltd There will be more to do – watch this 7th May was a Red Letter Day for the is being progressed, including further space! Paul Biggin Thomas Telford Corpach Marina project, local consultation the format of which Cross BurnCross with the award of planning permission by will be publicised in due course. Highland Council after a lengthy and The promoters of the marina, Caol ????? Burn rigorous assessment. This is a crucial Regeneration Company Ltd., are grateful milestone in the development, and clears to the many individuals and the way now for construction funds to be organisations in Kilmallie and Caol who sought - a task entrusted to project have offered their support and managers Northern Light Consulting, who encouragement, without which it would will also organise procurement and not have been possible to reach this supervision of contractors once the exciting stage in the project. necessary finance has been raised. In Up to date information can be parallel with this work, an application to obtained at any time by clicking on Marine Scotland for a development licence www.corpachmarina.co.uk

Leth Allt Allt na Croise Allt na

 Facility maintenance - Replacing

Can’t believe we are into June already! Works completed: toilet seats; clearing choked drains; in Colour Boat figures throughout the Canal are  Vehicle electricity charging points fixing locks

much on par with last year although Corpach – Work starts 5th June 17.  Towpath repairs, painting new Huge thanks there has been a massive rise in the  New pontoon Banavie – Work was control boxes.

usage of the hire vessels: we reckon a completed at the end of April – We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank

lot of this is down to the filming last Electrics to the pontoon has gone As Corpach Basin area is a small port, you to Isobel MacCallum who so generously left us money in

year of Prunella Scales & Timothy West out to tender. part of our duties involves working her will. Isobel was a supporter of Corpach in Colour from

when they cruised the canal for the  Collapsed culvert Gairlochy – Work alongside immigration, customs & the the start and her kind donation will allow planting for

Channel 4 series Great Canal Journeys. completed by Corries end of May police as often Corpach can be the first another year. Our warmest thanks and deepest sympathies

2017. port of arrival for people coming from are extended to her family.

Over the last month we have been  Towpath North side Gairlochy Basin abroad.

working one short in the team: we lost new surface – May 2017 Handing over the popular lock-keeper at Gairlochy  Removal of silt Gairlochy pond &

Alan Douglas who was with us five basin area. May 2017 Events There have been lots of things going on behind the scenes of

years. He has gone to Marine Harvest  Replaced two control boxes on June sees the 40th Anniversary of the Corpach in Colour recently and we are now handing over the

in Mallaig which will save him travelling Neptune's staircase. Three Peaks Yacht Race. They set off reins to others who will run it. As always we would like to

an hour each day to & from Arisaig from Barmouth on the 17th June and say a huge thank you to our volunteers for helping to weed,

where he lived. He was a great support Works planned: we would expect most yachts to be water, plant and prune.

to me, the team and the residents at  Lining of Quays / Parking bays at arriving on Wednesday 21st & Thursday

Gairlochy and will be sadly missed by all Corpach-Banavie on completion of 22nd. We would appreciate it if last year’s Flower and Produce Show trophy winners could hand their trophies in to us but we wish him all the best in his new electric charging area June 2017

job. The replacement for Alan should  Corpach Lighthouse – Roof re- June also sees the construction of the (phone or email below) as soon as is convenient. Thank you. grateful to all who have volunteered to plant, weed, water be in post by mid-June as we are sealed; walls scraped back & Biggest Railway in the world ; it will run and talk to the plants! We'll be in touch when the plants carrying out interviews on the 1st of the painted. from Fort William to Inverness some Nicola and Louise arrive. month time between the 20th June & 1st July. (01397 772870 or [email protected])

Ben Nevis charity challenge rafted Unfortunately the Corpach in Colour Flower and Produce canoes on Loch Lochy – 17th June. Present & Future Floral Plans Show will be in abeyance for the meantime. It has been a

Burn ofBurn the SnowyBen Waterfall ?Burn Willow splendid showcase for local floral talent, amazing veg and A small group of flower-loving residents will now take over

produce, and children's creativity. Perhaps at some time in Baptist Church Sponsored cycle 17th the running of Corpach in Colour to make sure that the June. the future another group may come forward to reinstate this village continues to have a summer bedding display for the popular event? enjoyment of locals and visitors - as well as some welcome

As you can see always something spring bulbs. The collecting cans will be available as usual in the Co-op, happening on the canal so come down Treasures of the Earth and Harbro for any very welcome for a visit. We have made the decision to reduce the number of tubs to donations to purchase plants, bulbs and compost and to make it more manageable. Some of the tubs have become John Stafford mend the tubs. Thank you. old and battered and will be removed. We will be planting up Canal Superintendent the main tubs in June with lots of colour and we are very www.facebook.com/CorpachInColour Greenpeace Boat Rainbow Warrior & Dinghies in Sail Caledonia 2017

An t-Suileag Banavie Floral Improvements Allt Eas an t-SneachdaAllt Eas an

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the small band of volunteers who are Banavie Floral Improvements, we had a glorious display of daffodils in the spring, and recently some fascinating ornamental trees! These beautiful pompoms are the same family as chives, onions, garlic and leeks. In the last few days we’ve seen the tubs getting filled with all the new bedding plants that will give us such pleasure throughout the summer. page 12 Kilmallie Community Centre page 13 It’s been a busy first few months of the year! Forbes Fund), £250 from Volunteering Matters Action Earth Grant and £45 that was from the raffle of the Scotmid On 22nd April we were delighted to welcome so many folk vouchers for Semichem towards this project. These funds to our Coffee Morning. We raised £305 including £90 from have been used to purchase a lovely shed from BSW Timber, the raffle which included £100 worth of Semichem vouchers lots of tools from Highland Industrial Supplies and once the split into 5 prizes and caused a lot of excitement. The raised beds have been made more manageable we have Semichem vouchers were donated by ScotMid to raise funds funds to pay for flowers. A huge thank you to James for the Kilmallie Community Gardens and so the raffle funds Kennedy for putting the shed together and hanging all the were split equally between the Centre and the Gardens. tools up in it, BSW Timber for donating a lorry load of wood chip to be used in the gardens and a big thank you to This leads on very nicely to the Kilmallie Community Gardens Campbell Plant Hire for delivering it all free of charge! Revitalisation day that we held on Saturday 20th May. The Kilmallie Community Gardens were originally opened by This is quite a major undertaking to bring these gardens back Princess Anne on 14th October 1999 but sadly have got into to a semblance of their former glory and therefore we are a very poor state of repair. There were a group of locals carrying out a second session on 17th June from 10am so if

devoted to keeping them tended but were aging and the anyone would like to help then please do come along! main coordinator (Dr Sen) was in poor health for a number There is a display in the foyer of the Centre showing how the of years and sadly passed away a couple of years ago. This gardens used to look – do pop in and have a look! The has meant that the gardens have become untended and challenge is to name all the folk in the photos from 18 years become rather wild. The Community Services Team have ago so do add to the list on the board.

done a fantastic job over the past few weeks to repair the bridge, paint the seats, fence and picnic benches and cut We are very pleased to announce that Kilmallie Community down the wild overgrown areas. The focus is now to start Centre is going to be the base for the start of Love clearing the weeds from the raised beds and on Saturday Productions’ project to lay a model train railway all the way 20th May 15 volunteers including Dr Sen’s daughter and along the Great Glen Way – from Fort William to Inverness! grandson who braved the drizzle and midges to start doing It is a project that they hope will be as popular on Channel 4 this. as the Great British Bake-Off. Filming will be during June Rowan BurnRowan 2017 so look out for the crew as they start their challenge!! We are delighted that in order to assist with this project the

Kilmallie Community Centre has been awarded £1,860.57 Customers who have used the Centre over the past few ?Riverof Littlethe One from Foundation Scotland’s Express Grants (in particular the weeks are: Children’s Birthday Party, Love Productions,

Commando Speed March, Lochaber Beekeepers Association, Scottish Beekeepers Association, George Rodger Band, Lochaber Music Festival, 60th birthday party, Lochaber Wind Band, Ballet West Dancing, Aye 2 Aye, Young at Heart, Lochaber Cinema Club, Kilmallie Community Council’s Local Election hustings, Wedding, Christmas Lights AGM, Scottish Country Dancing Class, Sail Caledonia.

Our thanks go to our regular customers for supporting the Centre: NHS Highland, Olde Tyme Dancing, The Mustardseed Fellowship, Parents & Toddlers, Zumba classes, Scottish Country Dancing, Kilmallie Community Council.

Our thanks once more go to our Centre Manager, Jimmy

Allt a’ Chaorainn Milne, for all his hard work. We wish all readers and users of the Kilmallie Community Centre a very happy Summer!

Sarah Kennedy FMAAT FCCA (Treasurer)

Contact details for the Centre as follows: BheagaigAbhainn Tel: (01397) 600111 E-mail: [email protected]

Kilmallie Community Centre CHAIRMAN post vacant at present A Company Limited by SECRETARY Guarantee Mrs Norma MacLellan, Station Road, Corpach, Fort 12 Hillview Drive, Corpach, William PH33 7JH Fort William 01397 772597 Front page , top picture: Scottish Charity SC000604 TREASURER Dr Sen’s grandson planting a tree in memory of his grandfather. Company Reg SC404410 Mrs Sarah Kennedy Front page, bottom picture, and on this page: 0776 880 5040 our volunteers braving the drizzle and midges! page 12 Kilmallie Community Centre page 13 It’s been a busy first few months of the year! Forbes Fund), £250 from Volunteering Matters Action Earth Grant and £45 that was from the raffle of the Scotmid On 22nd April we were delighted to welcome so many folk vouchers for Semichem towards this project. These funds to our Coffee Morning. We raised £305 including £90 from have been used to purchase a lovely shed from BSW Timber, the raffle which included £100 worth of Semichem vouchers lots of tools from Highland Industrial Supplies and once the split into 5 prizes and caused a lot of excitement. The raised beds have been made more manageable we have Semichem vouchers were donated by ScotMid to raise funds funds to pay for flowers. A huge thank you to James for the Kilmallie Community Gardens and so the raffle funds Kennedy for putting the shed together and hanging all the were split equally between the Centre and the Gardens. tools up in it, BSW Timber for donating a lorry load of wood chip to be used in the gardens and a big thank you to This leads on very nicely to the Kilmallie Community Gardens Campbell Plant Hire for delivering it all free of charge! Revitalisation day that we held on Saturday 20th May. The Kilmallie Community Gardens were originally opened by This is quite a major undertaking to bring these gardens back Princess Anne on 14th October 1999 but sadly have got into to a semblance of their former glory and therefore we are a very poor state of repair. There were a group of locals carrying out a second session on 17th June from 10am so if