page 28 Issue No 42, June 2013 a huge thank you delivered free to every address in Kilmallie to our sponsors A huge thank you to the businesses who have sponsored us for 2012/2013. The cost of copying this newsle er has again been very generously donated by Lorna and Finlay Finlayson of The Crannog Restaurant, Fort William. The paper for this issue has been generously donated by BSW Timber, Kilmallie runner-up community newspaper 8
of the year 2012 page
inside on
KCC – p2 christmas lights fund – p3 the great fire – p4 ‐ story
community policing - p4 councillors’ corner - p5 a starring role - p6 non-developments - p6 defibrillators - p7 Corpach in Colour - p7 Community Centre - p7 poo and poo bags – p8 FOCAL - p9 Corpach lighthouse - p9 coastguard – p10 Banavie Primary - p11 High Notes – p12 Kilmallie Playgroup - p13 Heather’s walk – p14/15 Canal news - p16 Rugby Club - p17
Room 13 - p18 update from Africa - p18 calling all B&Bs – p19 green fingers - p19 shinty club - p19 the great tapestry - p20 plus a free gift with this issue! BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd wild about Kilmallie - p21 Fort William Ltd Corpach Woods - p21 (HAULAGE) LTD mearachdan - p22 focus on folk - p23 remembering scouts – p24 k would you like to become a sponsor too? scouting snippets – p25 al
We rely on the contribu ons from our business community for the cost of prin ng and distribu ng this free newsle er to every spotlight – p26 w es address in our area. Without further sponsorship this year, we may not be able to meet all our costs. focus on business - p27 ’s g a scottish history p We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you puzzles – p27 e ertr would you like to see your name or logo in print suppor ng your community newsle er, please join with our current sponsors. sponsors – p28 n it’s getting hard to fit it all into 28 pages! h e All dona ons, big or small, are hugely appreciated. t c e in the making a se Please contact us at [email protected] for details. story on page 20
He another memorable community event to raise funds for Highland Heat treatment and mechanical separa on gives us the finished page 2 Hospice. You will find many more photos in the photo galleries at products. We sell to customers who use it in pig and poultry feeds page 27 www.kilmallie.org.uk. focus on and in dog food. We are also working on the development of From the Chair We are delighted to learn that the small group of members of Well hello there and welcome to your June edi on of the Kilmallie extrac ng chrondi n sulphate for use in veterinary applica ons, the community, who rallied to the call and came forward to take on News. Put the ke le on and se le down in to your comfiest chair such as for allevia ng sore joints in older dogs and horses. Salmon Kilmallie’s Christmas Lights, have set themselves up with a by‐products are also used to make fish feed for non‐salmonids, eg with a nice cup of tea for the great treat to come with this fantas c cons tu on and will be ac vely seeking grant funding in order to business issue; a real stoater! A very well done to the Newsle er team and sea bass and bream. The by‐products from them can be used to con nue the tradi on of Christmas lights in Kilmallie. See page 3 to all our ar cle contributors, one of whom, Hugh Muir, sadly This time we interviewed Chris Jones, managing director of feed the salmon. Nothing is wasted! Smaller fish producers can for more details. Scanbio in Corpach. store their conserved fish by‐product un l it can be transported to passed away recently and will be sorely missed. Hugh’s ar cle this Next to this you will find some very good reasons to come along edi on is on scou ng. I remember the wooden hut in Caol he What is your company name? a central processing plant; this co‐ordina on makes the whole and be a member, associate member or all‐round helper with KCC. men ons as I went there in the late 50’s when I was in the It’s Scanbio Scotland Ltd. We are a division of Scanbio Marine manufacturing process more efficient and more economical. Please do consider it, we need as much help as we can get! Brownies. Do any other readers have memories of going there or to Group based in Norway, which conserves by‐products from fish‐ How long have you been opera ng in Kilmallie? You may remember my plea in the March newsle er to be liked on the Corpach hut for scouts, cubs or brownies? packing plants and trawlers and uses it to make fish protein We have been opera ng here since 2005. Facebook at Facebook.com/KilmallieCC and followed on Twi er at What a striking picture on the front page of one of the Great concentrate and fish oil. We import the finished products at our Twi er.com/KilmallieCC. Thank you to the 3 people who liked us on How many people do you employ locally? Tapestry of Scotland panels being embroidered here in Kilmallie by opera onal base in Inverness. Facebook, taking our number of likes up to 27 and the 5 who There are only two people employed here. Joan Kerr. If you would like to see this, and any of the many other followed us on Twi er ….. it is a wee bit lonely for us at the Where are you located? photographs in this edi on, in colour, then please go to What do you and your business like about being in Kilmallie? moment... surely there are more people in Kilmallie who would like At the Corpach Harbour, near Slipway Autos. We operate an office www.kilmallie.org.uk and look for the newsle er under “what’s It’s a convenient loca on with a great view from the window, and to join us, go on, go on, you know you want to! opposite the old Pulp Mill club building. hot” on the right hand side of the home page. above all, low‐cost. We’re part of a large American owned private Enough of me, enjoy your news. In the centre pages you will find some wonderfully cheerful What does your company do? equity business now, so we have to watch the pennies! On a lighter Maggie Mackenzie photos of the recent Heather’s Walk; the sun came out again for Our primary role is sales and marke ng of the salmon oil and note, our low‐key premises mean that we can bring our dogs to [email protected] protein imported at Inverness. The oil and protein products are work with us without having to worry about muddy paw prints on conserved by a process very similar to pickling, but which u lises the floor. A walk a er lunch in the oak woods opposite, or along the gut enzymes present in the fish to digest the protein right down the beach is a terrific safety valve to relieve the tensions of a hard into amino acids and pep des, so that it is very easily digested as day. an animal feed ingredient. The process itself is called ‘hydrolysis’.
“some straight clues, some cryptic clues, some easy, some not so easy” 1 2 3 4 5 6 Across
1 Me and hesita on to go round corners (7) 4 Highland li le summer pest (5) 7 Nutmeg and sugar has this girl (5) 7 8 9 9 Li le Diana’s put east for argument (7) 10 Skye and Lismore are these (7)
Sco sh Canals’ proposals for camping pods and camp site 11 Short Sco sh Premier League ‐ it may be put asunder (5) at Moy Bridge and Banavie Basin. 12 Cabbages (6) 10 11 See insert for details of their consulta on event, 19 June. 14 Not Miss Muffet’s friend (6) 18 Royal race course (5) It will also be discussed at KCC’s mee ng on 19 June. 20 Judges tennis (7) 22 Angry (7) Please come along to either or both to find out more. 12 13 14 15 16
23 And dangerous! Ready to go (5) your own puzzles, quizzes and to share in future issues word games 24 East is in a nice place for this rela on (5)
we’ll be looking at litter - unless it's all been picked up by then... it's all been at litter - unless we’ll be looking 17 25 Green diamond (7)
images: Sco sh Canals/ Down Oliver Chapman 18 19 20 21 Architects 1 Female parents (7) 2 Gabriel was one (5) 3 Salad ingredient (6) 4 Biblical character (5) 22 23 5 How duo became four (7) 6 Vote for from selec on (5) 8 Ann is in New York to get the goat (5) 13 Holiday in France (7) 24 25 15 Pig popular with children (5) 16 Stayed a er taking sides again (7) 17 Does a cake come from this Sco sh city(6) Thank you to Tony Whitelocke for another great crossword. 18 Cooker is at home. Repeat! (5) Answers to this puzzle are on the website www.kilmallie.org.uk (follow the link on the RHS of the homepage) 19 Herb (5) and will also be published in the next issue of the newsle er for people without access 21 This dance is a bachelor a er a Caribbean to the internet drink (5)
Answers to last issue’s puzzle: next issue - issue next Across: 1 COMPANY, 4 DOPEY, 7 PIGGY, 9 GAZELLE, 10 EUNUCHS, 11 NOTED, 12 SPORTY, 14 CABERS, 18 MOTOR, 20 UMPIRES, 22 SPINACH, 23 ERODE, 24 CREAM, 25 REVISED Down: 1 COPPERS, 2 MEGAN, 3 YOGISM, 4 DOZEN, 5 PALETTE, 6 YIELD, 8 YACHT, 13 OUTSIDE, 15 APPLE, 16 SUSPEND, 17 AUTHOR, 18 MUSIC, 19 REALM, 21 ROOMS please send us People are wary of compos ng other types of food waste th for the next newsle er is 15 August, for publica on in mid page 26 especially if it contains meat, fish or dairy products. With the right September. page 3 equipment anyone can compost all food waste ‐ whether fresh kilmallie community If anyone would like to help with delivering the newsle ers spotlight peelings, cooked food, meat or fish. please contact the newsle er team below. And last but not least, With funding from the Highland Leader Programme, Lochaber as ever we would like to thank the sponsors for their generous Environmental Group (LEG) is running a project to promote home news Two pieces from the Lochaber Environmental Group this dona ons. composters that can take all types of food waste. We have been Welcome to Issue 42, our eighth since we started! time: thanks to Anne Nelson who gave a presentation at Kshama working with households, small businesses and schools and trialling We hope you enjoy reading it, whether it arrives hand KCC’s March meeting about composting food waste, and three models of composters. They all differ from each other apart delivered by one of our volunteers, or by the postman. We would to Kendra Turnbull for sending us info about Green Deal Your newsle er team: from the fact that they can take all types of food waste. Each love to hear from you, and we’d especially like to receive energy assessments. Chris ne Hutchison 772252 par cipant in the trial is supplied with a composter, a kitchen caddy material from younger members of the community! We are Jan MacLugash 772383 in which to collect kitchen scraps, some scales and sheets for encouraging everyone to put pen to paper or fingers to Kshama Wilmington 772499 Compos ng ‐ all types of food waste weighing and recording the caddy before emptying the contents keyboards if you have a spare minute. We know how busy Mandy Ketchin
Anyone who has visited a large scale AD (Anaerobic Diges on Plant) into the composter. everyone is, so we are really grateful for all contribu ons.
will remember the sight and smell of large amounts of food waste The choice in composters gives households the opportunity to Our readers love to hear about Kilmallie folks’ experiences, email us at newsle [email protected] choose the one that best suits their requirements. The main thing lying in the recep on halls wai ng to be processed which lingers on adventures and achievements, bold and daring or not. I have is that it enables them to divert food scraps and peelings away from the clothes and hair long a er your visit has ended. Food waste is enjoyed reading all the ar cles this me, especially about Joan’s Views expressed in this newsle er are not necessarily the views the general bin and so reducing the amount of biodegradable waste smelly no ma er where it is, in a treatment plant or si ng in the Great Sco sh Tapestry and about the Corpach lighthouse. of the newsle er team or of Kilmallie Community Council. bin wai ng for collec on. In the UK, households throw away huge being sent to landfill at source. Findings from the trial show that Perhaps, you can send in similar stories of interest. The deadline amounts of food ‐ £7.8 million tonnes every year: that’s a lot of households are diver ng between 100‐200kg per year of food food waste especially since much of it would have been edible. waste away from the general bin. This combined with recycling Investment in infrastructure for dealing with and processing other waste materials such as plas c, paper and cardboard means Do you know of any Kilmallie residents and businesses who are not receiving their free large amounts of food waste has increased in recent years that they can reduce the number of black bin bags going into the copy of Kilmallie Community News? New houses and businesses especially may not be on especially in the Central Belt and more populated areas of Scotland. bin by at least one a week. It’s unlikely that food waste collec ons will be introduced in Ideally it’s best not to waste food at all if we can help it and we our address list yet. Please let us know if you, or people you know, are missing out. Lochaber in the foreseeable future. So how do rural households in can get into the habit of reusing our le overs and be er checking places such as Kilmallie deal with food waste in a safe and hygienic “use by” dates on food labels. The fact is that most households way other than pu ng it into the bin and it going to landfill? produce some food waste even if it’s le over scraps and fruit and KILMALLIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL do you run a local group A good strategy would be to tackle the situa on on a smaller vegetable peelings. Compos ng isn’t difficult so give it a try, the Members of the public are most welcome at all our mee ngs. Mee ngs that could benefit from scale and encourage households in rural areas such as this to benefits outweigh the nega ves. are currently held at 7:15pm in Kilmallie Hall on the 3rd Wed of every compost food waste themselves at home. With this in mind LEG is You can find more informa on about the composters and month excl July and Dec, but please check the website in case of some help from volunteers? running a food compos ng project to promote the possibili es and compos ng on the Lochaber Environmental Group website or changes. Next ordinary mee ng dates are 19 June, 21 August, 18 if so, contact Voluntary Action benefits of home compos ng. Many people in Lochaber especially contact me directly at LEG by email or phone (details at foot of September 2013. Lochaber 01397 706044 those with gardens, already compost raw veggie and fruit peelings page). Next AGM is 19 June 2013. and this is great because it means the raw peelings don’t go into and ask to be added to their Anne Nelson, Food Waste Project Officer the bin ge ng le to decompose in landfill. Chairman Maggie Mackenzie, database of volunteering
throws away £550 worth of food every year of food £550 worth throws away 42 Hillview Drive, Corpach, PH33 7LS opportunities. were to move on you would not take the debt with you and would [email protected] Group booking only have paid for the improvements that you have used. Secretary Russell Leaper Once you have had the assessment there is no obliga on to go on Canal House, Banavie, PH33 7LY do you fancy to get Green Deal finance. You could use the report provided to [email protected] doing some volunteering locally? Green Deal assessments access other funding sources such as the Green Homes Cashback Treasurer Jan MacLugash Salen, Banavie PH33 7LY You may be aware that the Green Deal was launched in January of Scheme (which provides up to £1200 worth of grant money if so, you can check out VAL’s list [email protected] this year. This is the new government scheme to try and increase towards insula on, a new boiler, LED lights, hea ng controls and of local volunteering other energy efficiency measures) or the Renewable Heat Premium the energy efficiency levels of the Bri sh housing stock (currently opportunities at some of the most inefficient in Europe), ul mately making them Payment (which offers financial assistance towards installing Other members Chris ne Hutchison renewable heat technologies). Mandy Ketchin http://valochaber.org/ warmer and cheaper places to live in. Kshama Wilmington The individual assessment reports clearly show what savings could volunteering-opportunities/ The process works by a registered assessor undertaking an energy Associate member Chris Pellow audit of individual buildings and their use, then providing a specific be made and es mated costs alongside (which will be unique to report with recommenda ons for improvements. If, at this point, your building) so are therefore an assest to anyone thinking of trying to cut their energy bills. the household or business wants to proceed they can choose a Green Deal provider to undertake the selected energy efficiency Currently prices for the assessments are at £100 + VAT and there measures work with no upfront costs to themselves. The provider are no assessors registered to the Lochaber area. However a KILMALLIE CHRISTMAS pays for the ini al installa on costs and then seeks to reclaim their number of assessors are willing to come as long as they have a few costs through the specially created Green Deal Finance Company. houses/businesses to do in one area at a me. Lochaber They then, in turn, ask for repayments from the household/ Environmental Group are therefore trying to assist those interested business via their electricity bill thus spreading the cost over many in having an assessment done by co‐ordina ng interested par es. If LIGHTS FUND years. you are interested or would simply like to chat about the The newsle er last December carried the We hope to raise funds in various ways. No loans will be given unless the work being undertaken meets the possibili es for your home please get in touch ‐call Kendra on informa on that the Highland Council will no We will be approaching several grant ‘Golden Rule’‐ which should mean that you never end up paying 01397 700090 or email life@lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk. longer be able to provide Christmas trees or awarding bodies in the near future and more on your bills than you do now because of the savings made More informa on is available on the website www.lochaber‐ fes ve ligh ng from 2013 onwards. The following this we intend to contact local environmental –group.org.uk from having a more efficient home. Addi onally the loan is Council will however offer the service but companies and businesses with requests for a ached to the building rather than to a person. Therefore if you Kendra Turnbull, LIFE Project Officer will be required to pass on the costs to local help. Councillor Bill Clark has also indicated communi es. Responses to a recent that he hopes to be able to help from his Lochaber Environmental Group Anne Nelson: ques onnaire indicate that most Kilmallie discre onary budget. the average family family average the An Drochaid, 01397 700 090 residents are keen to maintain this tradi on Of course, contribu ons from individuals
Claggan, info@lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk and, accordingly, a small group has been set will also be very welcome and anyone over 40 contributors to this issue! Fort William up in order to consider possible solu ons. wishing to donate may do so by contac ng Kendra Turnbull: PH33 6PH We now have a cons tu on and have our Treasurer, Sue Hood, at 01397 722400. life@lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk www.lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk 01397 700090, m 07436 814725 opened a bank account in order to accept dona ons. Paul Brian
8 The Kilmallie Troop won the Connaught Trophy four mes page 4 (Competed in rifle shoo ng throughout the Commonwealth!) page 25 and some Kilmallie Instructor Ralph McPhee.
9 In August 1939 WP Cameron restarted the Kilmallie Scouts. He a sthuge thank you Monday, 1 April 2013 will long be remembered Scouting history had previously assisted with the Mallaig Troop. by many in Kilmallie ‐ not for being April Fool’s Day – but for the hill fire above Banavie, 10 A er 50 years the Colours were rededicated in 1963 in Kilmallie Badabrie and Corpach. This turned out to be a snippets Church. very frightening me for many – star ng in the a ernoon with smoke
spreading and flames quite far away. As evening came the smoke got Hugh Muir has been our enthusiastic and regular 11 Kilmallie had a mee ng place at Banavie. It was in part of the thicker and the flames got a bit closer but, as darkness fell, the danger contributor with history articles since the start old stables of the ruined Banavie Hotel. Next they had a hall became more acute and frightening. of our newsletter in September 2011. close to the GSC Hall (demolished c 1967 for road widening). The fire got to within yards of a number of houses, but the residents
were very grateful to the members of the Fire and Rescue Service who 12 District Commissioners (DCs ) ‐ for Lochaber prevented the flames actually reaching their homes. The fire did get We were saddened to hear of Hugh's death on into a garden in Badabrie but any other damage, we believe, was Friday, 17th May 2013. 1950 WP Cameron (Banavie) limited to the hillside. 1957 Dr Barclay (Ft W) On this occasion, as well as the Fire and Rescue Service and Police Although failing in health, Hugh always had a 1973 Terry Payne (Corpach) Scotland, it was a me for neighbours to be there for each other and great interest in local issues and contacted us if 1975 Major Munro (Corpach) help where needed. We should also remember that the 1st April 2013 he felt we could help or give an issue a wider 1980 Roger Tatler (Roy Bridge) was the first day of the Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland audience. 1995 David Thomson (Ballachulish)
a er their reorganisa on. What a first day! Thank you to everyone Andy Holmes (Spean Bridge) Hugh was so interested in local history and has who volunteered help in so many ways. ? Commander Robb (Pinegrove, Ft W) given us more articles which he was happy to The Highland Council held a Community Resilience Workshop two ST have published when he was no longer with us. weeks later – perhaps the 1 April was the me when we first realised 13 Known Kilmallie Troop Leaders ‐ what community resilience was about. Things could have been much His family are also pleased that we should do
is on KCC’s website Scouts Cubs worse if the wind had been a li le stronger. The fire came really close to a number of houses: in this picture you can see this - so you can look forward to them in future it approaching a garden fence and an oil tank in the garden issues. WP Cameron Mrs WP Cameron g fantastic US Golf Scholarship Frank Clough Norma Nicholson The fires caused We send our sympathy to Elizabeth, their sons Tom Pa erson June Payne considerable Donald and Alastair and their daughter Sheila. Terry Payne Anna Gardener environmental damage. We also remember the extended family and Ian Petrie Jim Galsworthy Although burning is hope they all find comfort knowing that Hugh is Jimmy Vaughan Eliz Muir common prac ce in an no longer suffering and that he will be Senga Lindsay 1980‐1993 a empt to improve grazing remembered fondly by many in Kilmallie, Hillary Hemm land in Lochaber, a recent Lochaber and further afield. discussion panel of experts Hugh's funeral, a service of celebration for 14 In 2008, apart from cubs/beavers in Mallaig, Kilmallie is the only at a public mee ng on Hugh's life, was held in Kilmallie Parish Church ac ve troop in Lochaber. Lochaber biodiversity all in Corpach, when the large turnout reflected agreed that such fires are the affection the community had for Hugh. 15 In Oct 2009 Mallaig s ll had cubs/beavers but Kilmallie had only harmful to the natural 8 scouts with no cub pack. environment. In addi on Thank you so much, Hugh. to all the natural 16 On the occasion of Alastair Whitehead (Spean Bridge) leaving 1 In 1911 BP visited Fort William ‐ a Ft W troop had already been vegeta on and animal life the area a get‐together of about 20 people who had been formed. In Nov 1911 a Banavie and Corpach troop was formed that are destroyed, the soil involved in local scou ng was held at Le erfinlay Hotel on 17 by Mr Gooch of Torcastle. His assistant was Hugh Cameron, a is o en le impoverished Oct 2009. porter at Banavie Sta on. A er Gooch, Walter Newcombe, a er an intense fire. Gooch’s butler, took over. Alastair Ross, Tomonie, for winnin 17 Early 2010 a revival at Kilmallie. Now has 10 Scouts & 14 Cubs!
More locally, most residents in the Kilmallie area will have 2 In 1913, in a ceremony outside Corpach Hotel, the troop was no ced the steady progress being made on the new Fort William 18 Oct 2011 ‐ 10 scouts, 14 cubs and 21 beavers. community policing Police Sta on and Ambulance Sta on at the Blar. The comple on presented Troop Colours by Lady Margaret Cameron of Locheil. Colours dedicated by Rev Crawford. Colours accepted by his son Well, this is my first newsle er since the inaugural merger of the of this work is s ll on target for the la er stages of 2013. Reginald and Donald B McCulloch (author of Roman c 19 On 8 Oct 2011 a dinner was held at the Moorings Hotel to legacy eight Sco sh Police Forces into the single Police Service of The recent six day trials event was a success as far as policing was commemorate the Centenary of Scou ng in Lochaber. 23 Scotland. As I in mated in my last newsle er, this year had the concerned and the event passed by without any incident; it’s hard Lochaber). They ran the Wolf and Kangaroo patrols. a ended. Noted that new troop being formed at Stron an and promise to be a year of change for the face of the Police in to believe that in just a few weeks’ me we will be welcoming hope of restar ng at Spean Bridge. Troop recently restarted at Scotland and that is certainly looking to be the case with a li le contestants and visitors alike for the World Mountain Bike 3 In 1914 had three patrols. Fort Augustus. the muirburn code code muirburn the over 6 weeks into this new era. championships, another event which historically has been an all‐ With the new 101 non emergency number now fully up and round success from the point of view of the organisers, local 4 Troop became the Kilmallie Scouts. Later became the 2nd 20 Corpach Scout Hall ‐ Built as a United Free Church in 1904. On running a er its launch in late February, feedback from the general businesses, visitors and emergency services alike. Inverness‐shire and then the 33rd. st the 21 Oct 1931 ‘linked’ with the Kilmallie Church of Scotland public has on the one whole been very posi ve. By early April, Despite all these organisa onal changes, as has been said and became its church hall. With the building of a new Hall Police Scotland’s call‐handlers had taken over 100,000 ‘101’ phone before, it’s just ‘business as usual’ as far as local policing is 5 There was a 29th at Kinlocheil. behind the Church the old hall became redundant. Believed calls! concerned, but we are keen for the local residents of Lochaber and nd used by military / naval personnel during 2 World War. Force wide ini a ves have been undertaken with Police Kilmallie especially to provide feedback or voice any concerns they 6 There was a 31st at Annat. It was formed by J McLean
Scotland’s commitment to keeping people safe at the forefront. have in respect of policing either through the community council (dairyman) assisted by McIntosh (Ft W sanitary inspector). 21 In 1977 Kilmallie Scouts were given a 50 year lease. These such ini a ves included a week‐long road policing ini a ve or directly through Police Scotland’s phone, internet or social Operated late 1940s ‐ 1950s. Met in a Nissen Hut close to the
useful info in with a focus on reducing casual es on Scotland’s roads by media contacts. old Annat Recrea on Hall. posi vely influencing driver behaviour, a ‘Campaign Against 22 In the early 1980s the hall was upgraded ‐ a front porch, rear PS197 Andrew Bilton storage area, toilet, pain ng, etc. This work cost over £1000 Violence’ day on May 3rd and more recently a Motorcycle 7 About the 1950‐1960s there was a Caol troop. They had a Liaison Officer for Kilmallie Community Council and Lochiel acted as a guarantor un l all the money was raised! Awareness Weekend which sought to ensure that motorcyclists Wooden Hut ‐ near Canal, off road down to Canal Parks ‐ hall [email protected] understand they have a responsibility to do everything possible to burned down. Police Service of Scotland keep themselves safe including proper bike maintenance, suitable 23 2011 ‐ hall rewired Fort William Police Sta on, protec ve clothing and riding appropriately for the road and congratulations Tel 101 for non‐emergency Leaders Scouts: GH Faulkener Cubs: Mrs A Carnie weather condi ons. Hugh Muir
in Torcastle. This time we asked our three Ward 12 councillors (who represent everyone from page 24 During Walter Cameron’s me as Scoute Master, th our Highland Caol to Mallaig) what they’d like to see happen in Kilmallie in the next three years. page 5 Does Anyone Kilmallie troop won the pres gious Duke of Connaught This is what they each replied, precis-ed very slightly due to tightness of space. Trophy for small bore rifle shoo ng twice: this was a councillors’ corner Remember Being a compe on open to Scout troops from across the This is a big ques on and difficult to answer specifically, as Kilmallie that the 2 new roundabouts have been established I will con nue to Commonwealth. Another highlight was a Scout trip to is such a thriving area and so much of what I do crosses the press for the A830/A82 link road reducing local travelling mes, as community council boundaries. Firstly I have to look back as so well as pressing for a constant 30mph throughout Corpach. I will Denmark when they enjoyed the hospitality of a Danish much has happened in my first 5 years and many businesses also lobby for the phase 4 money to complete Lochaber High.
Scout or a Girl troop (circa 1962) con nue to be developed. I s ll promote the use of boat and bus service on the canal/B8004 to Ronald Cameron remembers how at the age of 16 years,
The local Banavie school has been secured and the Paper Mill tower provide a tourist a rac on and local public service: I’m delighted he led the en re troop on the Danes’ return visit, right up disappeared. Now many private companies have developed on the that the Lady Kathryn is pilo ng this route this summer. Corpach Guide? the Ben by the Allt a’Mhuilinn and the arête even before he site with BSW’s magnificent towering building domina ng. Ferguson Marina also offers an opportunity to create a hub in the centre and Have you ever wondered about the old Scout Hut in got his Mountain Leadership Cer ficate! Transport has also moved in and I con nue to support their quest use of sea and canal, which could capture the fast expanding kayak Corpach? I have always wondered about the characters that Yet another highlight was the Blair Atholl jamborees for an inter modal freight terminal which would help take traffic off market. Exploring funding streams is the key to this. must have been involved in scou ng and guiding around when the Kilmallie Scouts acted as quartermaster. our roads. ClydeBoyd, Bowmans and Corpach Boat Building have I am involved in promo ng the long distance route “Away to the matured into large valued companies. Annat Point Industrial estate Isles” from Fort William to Mallaig through all the villages including here. A er speaking to Ronald Cameron of Whinknowe, I A er Walter Cameron, the troop was also led by Billy con nues to expand with a great number of companies offering a Corpach, which will help local business. have learned some interes ng facts about our local scout MacMillan. st group and I am sure there may be others in our local variety of employment opportuni es. As a result of this, new Working together will help us get 21 C facili es for leisure along Another interes ng fact that I gleaned from Ron was that affordable rental accommoda on for young families is a priority in with reten on of useful open spaces. I will be suppor ng local community that could share their memories. Sheila, his wife, was the very first Guide in Lochaber to be my second term. groups who labour to keep the community bright and a rac ve in Ronald tells us that the first scout group in Kilmallie was awarded the pres gious Queen’s Guide Award (she was in The shi west has been hampered by Tesco’s decision to postpone summer and winter. I will also work closely with Kilmallie started by Major Gooch from Torcastle. He had been a the Fort William Guides). Chris ne MacBride and her twin but my instant reac on of landbanking has been dispelled as that Community Council and the community centre commi ee. soldier in the Boer War. One of his first scouts was Donald brother were in the same class as Ronald in Banavie School would only benefit Morrison. I will con nue to lobby for a new As and when opportuni es arise I will work with my fellow MacCulloch, author of “Roman c Lochaber”. Major Gooch and Chris ne was the first actual Kilmallie Guide to win the Belford hospital on this site coupled with the blue light brigade councillors for the mutual benefit of Kilmallie and Lochaber currently building here. The introduc on of the new traffic incident and con nue to be available 7 days of the week. died in 1915 of wounds received in Gallipoli. His wife also Queens Guide Award; she was presented with it at the same unit will help clear our roads quicker when accidents occur. Now Allan Henderson Tel 01397 705954 started the first Guides in Kilmallie. They are both buried in ceremony as Sheila. St. Andrew’s Churchyard in Fort William. Later, the Scouts Are there any more recollec ons about scouts or guides The future of Kilmallie is intertwined with Lochaber, indeed with standard that will enhance the lives of our residents and our were re‐formed by Ronald’s father, Walter Cameron. He as which seem to be an important part of growing up in Highland. All Councillors in Lochaber have to work within young people. we all know was the head teacher at Banavie School and also Kilmallie? Perhaps you too have some photos to share? parameters. In my third term of represen ng the Kilmallie area on Ensuring that our children are educated in modern and Highland Council, I intend to con nue to put the interests of the ran the Kilmallie Scouts for 30 years. It was actually Ronald’s structurally sound schools. Caol & Mallaig Ward first. When it comes to the issue of educa on, Ensuring that our elderly residents are cared for in modern and mother who had been impressed with Major Gooch when Kshama Wilmington Kilmallie like the rest of Lochaber has done extremely well in acceptable care homes.
she stayed with her grandparents in Canal Co age, this was issues in future Highland Councillors t to acquiring budget monies to bring our schools up to a more Ensuring that damage to council property is repaired quickly acceptable standard and to provide our children with new schools. and to a high standard. Following on from that, there is s ll much more to accomplish in I’ve found that being able to help individuals or groups to resolve this field. Community facili es for our young people have yet to be issues, however large or small, can make a huge difference to their realised. In this regard, Highland Council is replacing the present all lives. weather pitch at Lochaber High School with an all weather 3G pitch. I will of course con nue to help local clubs and organisa ons Highland Council intends to support the proposals from Sports achieve their poten al and to support local businesses where Lochaber and all sports clubs in Lochaber for an indoor training possible to con nue with their ambi ons. facility which will be located at the High School. It is also a priority Notwithstanding the Sco sh Government proposed new to bring about a maintenance programme that will benefit the two planning policy to safeguard our na onal parks, countryside, towns grass pitches at the High School and Banavie Rugby Pitch. Indeed, and villages from the worst excesses of wind turbines, I will all other sports pitches require an acceptable maintenance con nue to judge each planning applica on on its merit taking on programme, something which has been neglected in the past due board the above safeguards. to lack of monies. While it may be desirable to provide major facili es and new Residents look for basic services to be provided. Those include: build like a new hospital on the Blar Mor, the provision of Keeping our streets clean. this much needed facility is not within the power of Ensuring that our communi es are free of vandalism. Councillors. Nevertheless, it would have our support. Providing playing fields with leisure and spor ng facili es to a Bill Clark Tel 01397 773150
Well, that is some ques on but let me have a go at answering it. our local economy and that is, of course, Tourism. We all must do Firstly the economy. Like most people I was bi erly disappointed our utmost to ensure our area is a desirable, exci ng and welcoming when Tesco announced their ‘ mescale’ for opening their store on place for people from all over the world to come to see and enjoy. the Blar Mor; obviously I want to see this progress as soon as Secondly, educa on. I feel it is vital that Banavie Primary School,
since the Camerons of Erracht revolted against Allan MacDonald Dubh Cameron Dubh Cameron Allan MacDonald revolted against Camerons of Erracht since the possible. Over at Corpach we have the brand new state of the art for which I have a certain personal affec on, receives its fair share
sawmill recently opened by BSW, surely an indicator that their of monies for upgrading and improvements to the building and the you’d like us to pu if there are any questions massive investment will signal an upturn in the markets that their sports field. Also long before 2017 and not before me, the final various products supply. Con nued growth and produc on to upgrading of the High School to full 21st century specifica ons is maintain and increase employment opportuni es is something I completed, including works on their sports field. would like to see at the sawmill in the future. Thirdly, transport issues ‐ a regular item on KCC agendas. I would Si ng next to the sawmill is another important cog in the wheel like to see a 30 mph limit from the Caol side of the Banavie Swing of the local economy, Corpach Boatbuilders, whose excellent Bridge to Annat Industrial Estate. This would greatly enhance the reputa on for high quality work makes it a leader in its field. I would safety of all people, not least pedestrians, including our like to see the boatyard expand its range of services, again schoolchildren. Also, I would like to see a more coherent and maintaining and increasing employment. regular opera on of the Swing Bridge at Banavie, giving everybody Thanks also to Ronald Cameron for this photo taken by Bill Thomson (a well‐known photographer of the late 1950's and 1960's) of the Making up the third main cog in our local economy is Ferguson the knowledge of when and how long the bridge will be open. Scouts and Cubs at the me of presenta on of the Duke of Connaught Trophy. Transport with its major transport hub, u lising road, rail and sea. And finally, as I go on my exercise walks around our area, I am so Ron has iden fied some of the people in the photo as follows: With the recent acquisi on of Caroline Harvester II and upgrade in pleased and proud to see the care and a en on that most people Back row (?), (?), Iain Munro, Sandy Cameron, Hugh MacDonald, (?), Ewan Campbell, Calum Ross, (?) familiar Ferguson livery, surely also a sign of another local pay to their environment, with lovely gardens, well trimmed Middle Row Walter Cameron (Scouter)(?)(?)?(?)(?) Calum Ferguson,(?)(?)(?)(?) company’s confidence in the future wellbeing of the economy. hedges and generally a pride in their community. I hope and Front Row Jessie Cameron (cub akela) Graeme MacKintosh, Olaf Donaldson, (trophy) Ian Paton, Donnie Stewart (might be MacLean I would hope to see development and growth in markets and am sure that this strong sense of community will gather let us know
400 years 400 of Duart presen ng trophy. jobs. strength and flourish in the future. Can you iden fy any of the others? Maybe one of them is you? And finally on the economy I must men on the other mainstay of Eddie Hunter Tel 01397 703918 RAF Leuchars became available for page 6 mountain incidents. This was the start of a page 23 beau ful, not to men on successful, friendship with the helicopter crews from kilmallie’s landscape focus on folk the RAF and the Royal Navy. I have no doubt in my mind that without their help we Many thanks to Terry Confield, who lives in Corpach, could not cope with the number of rescues for telling us about his work with and searches we are now involved in. Lochaber Mountain Rescue On a modern day rescue there are many in a starring role... differences but the job is fundamentally the over the last 50 years The John Muir Trust, the leading UK charity that advocates for the care of wild land all over Scotland including Ben Nevis, same. A par cularly memorable example
has recently released a stunningly beau ful and moving video about the value to humans of wild land. was when two climbers were overdue on As well as a glimpse of Kilmallie in one of the beau ful opening scenes, the Blar stars in a drama c role later in the I actually became a member of the rescue gentleman who had set out to walk from the Orion Face. We had a full team call out team by default when I joined Lochaber Kinlochleven to Fort William via Glen Nevis. for first light and had also requested the use video, sending out a powerful message to all Scotland and beyond. It’s well worth a look. Mountaineering Club in 1964 as the club He was overdue and it was quite dark so the of a helicopter. The Royal Navy helicopter Watch it at h p://vimeo.com/64554290 or go to the home page of the John Muir website www.jmt.org formed the backbone of the mountain team was split into two groups: one group arrived and went straight to the scene rescue team back then. At this me, the to go in by Glen Nevis, the other by where the crew managed to locate and li call‐out system consisted of the village Kinlochleven. The first group was off one of the climbers. The other person policeman arriving at your door at any me transported up to the top car park in the could not be found on the face and so team to alert you that somebody was in trouble police van and then the van returned to pick members were deployed onto the summit on Ben Nevis. The team would then meet up the second party and take them to and in Observatory Gully. By this me the at the main Police Sta on in Fort William Kinlochleven. We quickly found the missing mist had come in covering the upper part of where we would be given the details of the person at the old Steall ruin, which meant the mountain. We tried shou ng but did incident or search. we needed to alert the other team so that not get a response. In the mean me the Loch Eil looking west from Linnhe Lochside holiday park. Photo: Ian Rainey, licensed for re‐use under the Crea ve Commons Sharealike license We’d then start the climb up the Ben they wouldn’t leave (and, more importantly, team down in the gully below came across from the dis llery, carrying absolutely every to get the van to return for us). climbing equipment and quite a bit of bit of kit we had as we did not know how Communica on to our base was the avalanche debris. The summit party paid when work had started). In his view Highland Council had many hours, or days, the rescue would take. telephone box at the Glen Nevis Youth descended to meet up with the bo om already accepted, when the Blar was designated as a mul ‐use area This included a stretcher and ropes which Hostel a good five miles away. I was party and a major probing and digging non-developments in the local plan, that the loss of natural assets was inevitable. Thus we would leave at the CIC Hut un l they selected because of my youth and off I exercise was started. Nothing was found Last Sunset” by Bob Atkinson he did not believe a developer contribu on should be paid to were required. went. I remember feeling quite chuffed and because of the first climber’s insistence compensate for loss of natural assets in this case. While everyone has mobile phones now, walking through the gorge when this that his colleague must be on the same on the Blar So Miller argues there was no case for Highland Council to have it’s important to remember that in those appari on flew over my head. It may have route we decided to head for the summit via KCC have been concerned to hear that ed the developer contribu on to star ng the development, and it days communica on with the town was only been a sheep but I took off and in what the Arête. We were forced to retreat Tesco may not have any firm plans to would therefore now not be appropriate to pay the contribu on almost non‐existent once on the mountain, seemed like no me I was at the youth because of the high avalanche risk and develop a supermarket on their Blar site before the store opens. However, even if there is technically no with the only contact with the police sta on hostel phoning the police sta on. A li le headed back to Fort William. We had in the foreseeable future. This raises a legal obliga on on Miller to pay the developer contribu on now, being through the CIC Hut radio. The slower than radio waves but thankfully s ll something to eat and then started back up number of issues for our area and our community ‐ KCC believes Miller and Tesco owe something to the local greatest danger of this was that we could in me to prevent the other party having to the Ben by Coire Giubhsachan to the the site will be blighted, and will remain a wasteland, un l its community of which they hope to be a part. Miller has made its not be alerted should the missing climbers start their search! summit. We lowered one of our team future is se led one way or another; money on the sale, but it does not look like the community will turn up safe and sound. On quite a few One of the great benefits of a rescue on members over the top of the North East Fort William’s retail economy will stagnate while there is benefit in the way we had expected. occasions we found ourselves on the hill all the Ben though was placing the casualty on Bu ress where he located the other missing uncertainty about Tesco’s ac ons; The risk that the payment could be seen as a bribe is no longer day despite the missing party having turned a trolley on the Bri sh Alcan small gauge climber below the Mantrap. Sadly, he was if no store is ever built, the environmental damage will have relevant. Planning consent was granted well over 2 years ago. up at 8:30 that morning! On one call out railway a er the long carry down the Allt a’ dead and encased in snow and ice. The been to no avail; and Miller would not benefit directly from paying now, other than we were tasked to search for an elderly Mhuilinn. For the rescue team, but body was pulled up and evacuated off the no orchids on the Blar verges so far this year so far this year on the Blar verges no orchids the developer contribu on of £400,000 that was to accrue to considerable goodwill generated by doing the right thing towards thankfully not the casualty, the trolley was mountain. This highlights the Highland Council when the store opened will never be realised. the community, and behaving as a responsible developer. known as the “dead man’s bogie”. In all determina on and self‐sacrifice required by To try to address the last point at least, KCC wrote to the local press Colin Graham maintains that what the community has gained is honesty, it would probably have been just as all members of the team to carry out sugges ng that pressure might be put on Miller Developments the infrastructure leading to an area of land on the Blar that is now fast to take the casualty down to the rescues. (who developed and sold the land to Tesco) to pay the developer owned by the council. However, he acknowledges that the Blar is dis llery but the long struggle with the The greatest change in mountaineering I contribu on now, as although the supermarket has not even been very expensive land to build on. Nonetheless he says that if it is stretcher meant that we could not wait to have no ced in the last forty years is the Gleann Laragain featured in “The built let alone opened, the damage to the environment and local uneconomic for Highland Council to use this land that is not Miller’s get rid of it. However, with only one foot equipment. Now we have clothing that retail has already been done. KCC also wrote to Miller direct with problem. He’s obviously right about this, but he would have to brake pedal, it’s a miracle that no team keeps us warm and dry (hence the reason the same request. admit that this somewhat diminishes the gain to the community of member was injured ge ng a li on the we have not had a vic m suffering from Colin Graham of Miller responded that the legal situa on with the infrastructure. And it does raise the ques on of whether they bogie. hypothermia in years), be er designs of the developer contribu on is that it can only be paid a er the store knew the land (and infrastructure) was effec vely worthless to In 1969 Lochaber Mountain Rescue crampons and ice axes, and GPS. So we has been built, otherwise it could effec vely be seen as a bribe to a Highland Council. Miller of all people would presumably be well Associa on was set up to promote a more have to ask ourselves what goes wrong council in return for gran ng planning permission: the idea of the aware of the costs of developing the land. formal approach to mountain rescue and we apart from the normal accidents? Well, developer contribu on is that it should compensate for some kind He did add that if nego a ons had been delayed by even just a became a registered charity to enable us to these haven’t changed over the years. The of impact associated with the development. few months, then the Blar development would probably have never go out and raise funds. A cons tu on was old classics of not allowing enough me, His view was that the impact that was being compensated for happened. It all relied on Tesco buying the site, and the Blar was put in place and a commi ee was formed to tackling routes that are too hard or out of here with the developer contribu on was on local retail businesses their last purchase of land or buildings in Scotland before pu ng a manage the team. The most significant condi on, and naviga on errors are s ll as and par cularly Fort William High Street. He was not prepared to freeze on all further spending. Perhaps this explains a lot. But change at this me was the number of dangerous as ever. And when that happens accept the argument that Tesco’s ownership of the site, with what a tragedy if the Blar, the community, and local business are rescues we were called out on. Instead of the rescue team will always a end. planning permission for a store, was likely to have just as much the casual es of this circumstance, while a global retailer and an the handful of the past few years, we were I re red as team leader three years ago impact on other local retailers (by discouraging investment in interna onal property developer have profited from it. Is this what now a ending over forty per year. To assist a er twenty‐four years in leadership, first as late or lost? or lost? late par cular) as having the opera onal store itself. Indeed this is a local planning decisions should be about? us the Police supplied us with various all‐ deputy to Donald Wa and then as leader. common prac ce, known as ’land banking’, which is used by KCC appreciates Miller’s dialogue, but our appeal to them s ll terrain vehicles. First of all a Snowtrack, My own deputy, John Stevenson, then took supermarkets to stockpile land in order to restrict new entrants stands. then a Garron and lastly a VP8, all driven by over as leader supported by Donald into the market. Tesco came under the Compe on Commission’s a police constable. Looking back, we spent Pa erson. I’m s ll a team member and s ll spotlight 6 years ago for this prac ce. **
more me rescuing these contrap ons and enjoy the “craic” on the hill every bit as great to see Colin Graham was also not prepared to accept the argument ** There is an interes ng recent ar cle about Tesco’s land banking pu ng tracks back on than carrying out the much as I did fi y years ago. that there was an impact on the local area in the form of loss of the prac ces in a Financial Times ar cle of 17/04/13. actual rescue. natural environment (in which case he would have conceded that it h p://www. .com/cms/s/0/478ca30a‐a73e‐11e2‐bfcd‐ Thankfully help was on the way and the Terry Confield would have been appropriate for the developer contribu on to be 00144feabdc0.html#axzz2T0h7gaHP Wessex helicopters that were sta oned at programme. We have had to make the difficult decision to page 22 withdraw from a number of projects, but we are s ll commi ed to page 7 inves ng in communi es throughout the UK, including at Blar mearachdan (mistakes) tesco update Mor. Unfortunately build programmes for our developments have “Some mes I think you aren’t as stupid as you seem. I think you some cows that were, allegedly, nicked from our southern Tesco’s Corporate Affairs Manager gave us an update on to be considered against other developments in the UK, and as part do this to annoy me”. The techie teacher glared down at my neighbours hundreds of years ago. Gaelic road signs in Lochaber 23/05/13 - here’s an extract: of our current store build programme, we are working towards a empt at an engineering drawing and I cringed, knowing that he contain mistakes bordering on the incredible, and occasionally dark opening our new store at Blar Mor no earlier than 2015. In April we announced that over the last year we have been under‐ was wrong: my mistakes were 100% genuine! Some mes I have thoughts pass through my ny brain, inspired by the frustra on of taking a comprehensive review of our UK development Gloria Coats, Corporate Affairs Manager, Tesco Sco sh Office similar dark thought about the people who produce the Gaelic my late techie teacher. It was therefore a cause of rejoicing that the language road signs. Having been given perfectly good text to copy big, new signs on the Blàr, for the supermarket that may never be by Ainmean‐Àite na h‐Alba, a commi ee of experts, how do they built, contain only 3 mistakes each. Here, then, is a brief Highland councillor Thomas MacLennan told me the cost of one of manage to screw up so o en? Can’t they do simple copying? explana on of some of the signs on the Blàr, and elsewhere, which these life‐saving machines is £1000 but the communi es would be
The Gaelic language has many enemies. I have never really might have been puzzling you. given help of £500 towards a Defibrillator.
defibrillators understood why but it is thought to have something to do with The Lochaber News covered this story on the front page of their . I a ended the launch of the recently established Community Public paper on May 2nd. We need to expand this throughout the whole Access Defibrillator project for Lochaber, which was held on May Ist This is one of the earlier signs to appear. Caol is shown as Caol of Lochaber and bring these defibrillators as close as possible to the at the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William. Nine speakers outlined the Loch Abar to dis nguish it from other Caols such as Caol Loch Aillse people who may need them. progress of the programme, which is co‐ordinated by a partnership (Kyle of Lochalsh). There is some controversy among Gaelic scholars of the Sco sh Ambulance Service, Lochaber Pubwatch and the Libby Williamson as to whether Lochabar should be one word or two. Bri sh Heart Founda on. Mary MacKellar, of Kinlocheil, who was asked by Queen Vic to The aim is to make defibrillators more accessible in pubs, hotels translate her Highland Journal, favoured one word but in “Place Where are there defibrillators in Kilmallie already? and throughout the communi es. One of the speakers at the Names of Cel c Scotland” Prof W J Watson went for two, explaining Presumably there is one at the Health Centre? Are there launch was Alan Knox who is Area Service Manager for the Sco sh that abar is the Gaelic corrup on of the Welsh Aber, meaning the more? If you have suggestions or offers about other places Ambulance Service covering Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh. He said mouth of a river. The name Lochaber probably originally referred to that could usefully keep one, please get in touch with KCC. the project was an excellent example of 'community resilience'. Loch Linnhe, and of course the surrounding lands (Loch of the River Mouth). There are other explana ons of this but if Watson is right The tulips have put on a great show this spring, albeit a brave one, the name will go right back to Pic sh mes. The Picts are thought as the weather is so cold. The flowers in the tubs at the railway to have spoken a language akin to early Welsh. corpach in colour sta on are magnificent and must give lots of pleasure to train travellers. There's been lots of favourable comments about the Some me later the same sign appeared but in a slightly sta on from local folk. different form. The Gaelic Loch Abar had been Pic fied, or During March, the containers outside the cemetery were Anglicized, to Loch Aber and something weird had happened vandalised and have had to be replaced. Thanks to Mar n Munro to the accents. In the original there is a grave accent over the who supplied 3 large metal cylinders which are just what we ‘o’ in Lòchaidh while in the second this has become an acute needed. Margaret S sanded and painted them and they are ready (Lóchaidh). This would have been a fairly minor error even to be planted. A few years ago, in an effort to prevent parking on t growing your prizewinning vegetables now! before the acute accent was dropped in Gaelic about 25 years the grass verge outside the hotel, we placed a small tub there. It ago. was wrecked for the 3rd me earlier this year and now it has been thanks to Corpach in Colour for this great display of tulips replaced by a couple of tyres. We'll do the same with the one at at KCC’s Corpach no ce board the other end. Inspired by this triumph, the sign makers became even more innova ve. When we started 8 years age we only had 14 tubs... now we are The piéce de resistance can be seen on the B8004.
plan ng about 45 containers plus a boat! Some me in June, In this work of astounding originality a circumflex (^) appeared twice flower & produce show summer bedding will replace spring bulbs and we look forward a in Geàrr‐Lòchaidh (Geârr Lôchaidh), even though Gaelic has never used colourful show. The Flower and Garden Show will take place on circumflex accents. Can we, in future look forward to signs for A’ programme included Saturday, September 7th and we hope to see you all there with lots Çhorpaich, introducing the cedilla to a language that has no previous of exhibits. experience of it? Margaret MacIntyre This sign also shows another problem for the sign makers. Gaelic with this newsletter spelling some mes omits to represent vowel sounds that are present in the spoken word. Thus Banavie is wri en Banbhaidh but pronounced on RnG only 7% of Scots are opposed to bi-lingual road signs, opposed to bi-lingual 7% of Scots are on RnG only Scotland be used throughout thought they should and 48% more or less as it is in English. In this sign an extra ‘a’ has crept into the name, where you would expect it in English, but not in Gaelic. Kilmallie Community Centre I think my late father would be pleased that the school where he worked now has a Gaelic sign which points to Sgoil Bhanbhaidh (Skol By the me you read this, at long last the disabled toilet dogs and some small children, was standing allowing the children to Vanavay). The ‘h’ has crept in behind the first ‘b’ of Banbhaidh to show modifica ons will have been completed. Both will be in service, the pick the daffs bordering the pathway: when challenged she said you that ‘it possesses’ the school (school of Banavie). It isn’t an alterna ve, outside toilet will be accessed using a radar key, which is a s ll have plenty more!! ‐ not if their are more people like you going op onal spelling of the name. na onwide facility available 24/7, keys are available to purchase by about. Now that the grass cu ng has restarted, I hope the contac ng any of the hall commi ee. The hand rails have been incidences of empty drink cans/bo les being discarded on the grass Back to am Blàr Mòr. Outside the High School one can see a sign for a’ Ghearasdain (Inud slancha uh gherasdyne) Health Centre of Fort completed and it just remains to dy up the access edging. will stop. The bo les smash into pieces and the cans get shredded Ard Sgoil Lochabair. Is this yet another way to spell Lochaber? Well, William. This is another example of changes of meaning being Two young lads spoke about the small bike track with some with edges like razor blades, a danger to pets and children. no. The sign favours the single word name and an ’i’ appears at the indicated by the use of the le ers ‘i’ and ‘h’, together with thoughts of improving it and s ll making it available to the smaller The hall is going from strength to strength with fresh enquires end to indicate a slight change of meaning. Lochabair means ‘of varia ons of the word for ‘the’. It’s not a spelling mistake and less experienced, I told them that the commi ee is very keen regarding availability of our facili es. The most recent outdoor to all Flower & Produce Show entrants - star to all Flower Lochaber’ and is pronounced Lochabyre. H’s and I’s are o en used (incidentally, don’t try this at home!): the pa ern men oned here to help any person/persons form a new sec on to take advantage event star ng from the centre was Heather’s Walk ‐ a very to make slight changes of meaning. In Gaelic ‘the Blar Mor’ is Am only works with masculine nouns star ng with the le ers b,c,g,m of any facili es. A bike club could be formed and an approach made enjoyable and worthwhile day. Blàr Mòr. ‘On the Blar Mor’ would be air a’ Bhlàr Mhòr (air uh vlar and p so if you want to give your home a Gaelic name get the to all of the bike retailers to apply for a discount for members, we All the best voar). This form is used a er preposi ons, words like ‘in’, ‘under’, transla on checked by somebody who can read and write the would like to hear from any interested par es. John Macdonald ‘through’, ‘by’, ‘from’ etc, which give some idea of place or language. Recently some disappoin ng things have happened inside and direc on. The Blar Mor road (road of the BM) is Rathad a’ Bhlàir Gaelic language road signs have generated incredibly strong outside the centre and the grounds. A few dog owners ‐ either Kilmallie Community Centre Mhòir (Ra‐ad uh vlyre voeer). It’s the Blar’s road, shown in English feelings. Coming from Gaelic speaking Lochaber families, my they don’t clean up a er the dog or they throw the pooper scooper Sta on Road, Corpach, Fort William, PH33 7JH by the apostrophe before the ‘s’. The new supermarket signs miss pleasure in them is tempered only by frustra on due to the silly under a bush or into a hedge. A small number, who throw Sco sh Charity SC000604 out a couple of accents and perpetuate the nonsense of using Blar wee mistakes that have occurred too o en. I can only seek comfort suspicion onto all dog owners. The ladies’ toilet has had the hand CHAIRMAN Mr John Macdonald, in a recent survey: in a recent Mhor for the English name. Who ever calls it the Blar voar? in the classic defence of learners Gaelic ‘S eàrr Gàidhlig briste na wash bo les emp ed (making the floor very slippy) and pu ng Merchiston, Badabrie, Banavie, Fort William. 01397 772443 handfuls of toilet paper down the loo. This ac on blocked the toilet SECRETARY Mrs Norma MacLellan, In Gaelic, Fort William is called An Gearasdan, the Garrison or Gàidhlig ‘sa Chiste (be er broken Gaelic than Gaelic in a coffin).
Fort. As you cross The Blar you may no ce a sign for Ionad Slàinte leading to a plumber and eventually the water board having to be 12 Hillview Drive, Corpach, Fort William. 01397 772597 good luck Ronald Cameron called: these services have to be paid for. A lady with two large TREASURER Mrs Sarah Kennedy. 0776 880 5040 KCC have received a complaint about dog fouling locally: “I wonder pavement, like it is for dogs. There is excellent Angela and I joined Crannog Cruises for a wildlife cruise along Loch
page 8 if you could highlight the problem of dog‐fouling. Most dog guidance available for responsible horse Eil aboard the Soutars Lass. It is hoped that this will be a regular page 21 owners are responsible and “pick up” but some are not! Several owners, as well as awareness‐raising evening trip during the summer. Despite a cold and wet start to the walk their dogs round the Sta on Road / Corpach shops loop and informa on for the public about the status of wild about cruise we all had a good me spo ng, and managed a total of 25 along the shore road on a daily basis and the mess is disgus ng!” horses and riders as co‐road‐users. But more of different species of bird from the boat. As we passed through the If you are a dog owner, please don’t allow your dog to foul the this anon, including the delights and merits of Narrows we had good views of the heronry, with birds stood on footpath. It’s not just a ma er of good manners, it is a punishable collec ng wayside ‘pearls’! their nests; we passed large numbers of seals, huddled up on the offence. But even allowing your dog to foul the verges and green islands; and we were joined by a curious seal on the return leg.
spaces, especially if it’s on a regular basis, can also be really Highlight of the trip was undoubtedly an osprey, which flew right If you are aware of people who let their dogs foul rou nely kilmallie unpleasant for other people. Remember too that dog faeces, via across the boat with a fish in its talons, no doubt heading home to roundworm infesta on, can transmit the disease toxicariosis to at the same me and the same place, Wild Lochaber Fes val 2013 its nest. humans: children are especially vulnerable. Symptoms of this do let the Dog Warden service know. The next morning saw an early rise to look for blackcock and the disease can include abdominal pain, coughs, headaches, fever, They have authority to watch, wait, and issue £40 Fixed By the me you have read this the Wildlife Fes val will have been o ers at Lochy Mouth. Glenloy Wildlife were successful with both, shortness of breath, and even permanent loss of vision. Penalty no ces on the spot to the culprits, with the risk of and gone, but we hope many of you par cipated, and that you all although the black grouse are at the tail end of the lekking season, So in this issue we are pleased to highlight the Green Dog Walkers’ large fines for non‐payment. enjoyed the experience. This is not the end of the story, however, and were becoming decidedly unenthusias c by 5.30am! We Scheme, see below, and we’re delighted to bring you a free gi . Phone 01349 886603 or email [email protected] as this year saw the launch of the OCUK Wild Lochaber Trails – a watched an o er fishing for about thirty minutes, and were If you’re a dog owner, please use it. If you’re worried about to report incidents. series of self‐guide leaflets designed to show visitors and residents distracted by an osprey also fishing in the same area. Other early dogs fouling the pavements and verges near you, please pass it on! Knowing this will hopefully be a deterrent to rou ne the best of the region’s wildlife and landscapes. The trails indicate morning goodies included a pair of twite on the fence before the We’ve also received a complaint about horse droppings, which offenders, who will now rush to join the Green Dog Walkers’ the best places to stop and admire the scenery and look for shinty pitch, wheatear on the pitch, a cuckoo, and a pair of roe deer we plan to talk more about in a future newsle er. As far as we’ve Scheme rather than risk repeated penal es. wildlife, with an indica on of what you might find there. There are by the path to Inverlochy Castle. been able to ascertain, it’s not an offence if your horse sh*ts on the eight trails in all, four of which touch on a part of Kilmallie. Trail 3, Loch Arkaig, follows the road from Banavie to Gairlochy and on to Other events that had a bearing on proceedings locally included a Loch Arkaig. Trail 4 covers the Road to the Isles, and Trail 7 covers press trip from the BBC. Chris Sleight from BBC Scotland’s Out of Morvern, but starts off from Kinlocheil and carries along the south Doors joined me for a look at the ospreys on Loch Lochy and then side of Loch Eil. These are all intended for use with a car, but could returned to Glen Loy to watch the pine martens being fed. If free gift with this issue! equally be used someone on a bike, or as an indica on for se ng anyone caught the programme then you will have heard the sound We thought it would be a construc ve way off places for walks. Trail 8 cover Fort William as far west as of a pine marten chomping on bread and peanut bu er! For once Corpach, and is intended for use by walkers and cyclists. The Wild the wildlife behaved beau fully with a good view of the male to highlight the issue of dog‐fouling Lochaber Trails leaflets are free, and are either available from the osprey joining the female on the nest, and the pine martens by giving everyone in Kilmallie a couple of free poo bags! local Tourist Informa on Centres, or as a download from the OCUK appearing on cue. We also talked about Lochaber as a wildlife website (www.outdoorcapital.co.uk). tourism des na on, the Fes val and the Wild Lochaber Trials, so llaig is 2%, in Scotland overall it is 4% in Scotland overall llaig is 2%, These bags have kindly been donated by hopefully someone will be inspired to visit. There was also a very A number of events locally featured loca ons in and around good discussion on local biodiversity in the Alexandra in Fort the Green Dog Walkers’ Scheme, Kilmallie. Sadly the weather put paid to an intended Bu erfly Hunt, th William on the Monday night, with a lively panel debate, following but sunshine the day before, 19 May, produced the first via the Highland Council Service Point in Fort William. a presenta on by Ian Strachan. Local topics of interest included the chequered skipper of the year for Sue Hood at Corriebeg, and perennial problem of li ering up Loch Arkaig, muirburn and its long If you have a dog, please use them with our compliments. Green Hairstreak were on the wing in Glen Loy, along with lots of term effects (the consensus was that in this area it is largely heath moths. Glenloy Wildlife also held a bat and moth night at If you don’t have a dog, please pass them on inappropriate to be burning at all), and the issues rela ng to large Glenfinnan with Dan Watson of the NTS. We watched pipistrelles birds of prey in the region. The Fes val Shop in Fort William High to a friend or neighbour or passer‐by in Kilmallie who does. emerging from the roost in the Visitor Centre, and later heard Street also featured much interes ng and relevant local If you don’t know anyone at all, and never meet anyone locally who has a dog, Daubenton’s passing under the Callop bridge. Although the night informa on about wildlife. If you missed out you do not have to was cool, a total of 44 moths of 11 different species were caught please post them back (unused!!!) in one of KCC’s sugges on boxes (at Corpach and Banavie) wait un l next year. Come along to the Lochaber Natural History overnight, including the beau ful Clouded Silver, and the cryp cally Society mee ngs this winter, or join us for one of the popular and we will pass them on to dogs in need in appropriate loca ons! camouflaged Early Thorn. Even more exci ng was the sigh ng of a outdoor excursions. Please contact me on [email protected] large feline, tabby with a thick stripey tail, that crossed the road And to dog owners ‐ for details. between Kinlocheil and Corriebeg on the way back from the event. if you can’t see a proper dog li er bin nearby, please take your used poo bags home! Has anyone else seen any possible wildcat in this area? Jon Mercer. Glenloy Wildlife
“pledge” and encourage others to do the same, the ul mate aim is for everyone to be a “Green Dog Walker” and an end to dog “poo”! To adopt the GDW in your area you need to: of Kilmallie has been included in SNH’s map of wild land (April 2013) be a cons tuted community group Our AGM is on Tues 23rd July, in the back room of Kilmallie Community Centre at 7:30pm. administer the project e.g. distribu on of materials, mee ng If you’re already a member of the Kilmallie Community Company, or are interested in joining us please come along. mailing costs, etc. Everyone welcome. Paul Biggin Many thanks to Mandy MacLeman for sending us this info on help with promo on of the campaign in your area the Green Dog Walkers’ scheme. run or take part as a volunteer in at least 3 pledge booths or
GDW events annually. If dog fouling is an issue in your area, maybe the “Green Dog The Highland Council have created a GDW starter pack, free of the unemployment rate in our Ward (Caol & Ma rate in our the unemployment
, Walkers” scheme can help? charge, for cons tuted community groups who wish to adopt the The Green Dog Walkers Scheme, which originally started up in scheme. the Falkirk Council area, is described as “a non confronta onal way For further informa on see of changing people’s a tudes towards dog fouling” and aims to www.highland.gov.uk/greendogwalkers/ make indiscriminate dog fouling socially unacceptable. The scheme or email [email protected] has been running in Falkirk for almost three years and has proved a great success, with over 1500 people signing up to it, and some areas repor ng a 99% decrease in dog fouling! The scheme is designed to be run by community groups, with support from The Highland Council. Dog owners and dog walkers sign a pledge to always clean up a er their dog, always to carry extra “poo” bags to give to people who need them, and to Lochaber District Canine Society (the dog club) are already
encourage others to clean up a er their dog in a friendly, non members of the Green Dog Walkers’ scheme. a vast chunk Why not join them, or set up your own local group to help confronta onal way. Green Dog Walkers are iden fied by a green Friendly, fun, fresh air, frui ul, and fizzical exercise! ‐ everyone’s welcome at the Corpach Woods’ work par es which help maintain the woods and paths at April 2013 at April wristband, snood or a green dog collar. As more people sign the make a difference locally. for the whole community to enjoy. idea. Tapestry as a means of recording forward very much to seeing her panel page 20 history has never gone out of style. completed, though she is expec ng to have page 9 the great Joan is embroidering a panel depic ng to burn the midnight oil rather a lot to meet Sir Hugh Munro, founder member of the the June deadline. We hope to bring you Sco sh Mountaineering Club. In the more pictures of her finished work, and also background of her panel are the highest news of when the full tapestry will be on tapestry of Latest news is that Sco sh Canals Sco sh Canals propose a further We’re pleased to hear that The mountains of Scotland. The hills which are show locally. The pictures here show Joan’s intend to develop clusters of glamping Waterways Trust have extended their over 3000 high became known collec vely handiwork in progress. drop‐in consulta on session on 19 pods (ie for ‘glamorous camping’) at Caledonian Canal heritage project for as Munros a er Sir Hugh listed them all in The completed tapestry will be June about the pods at Banavie. scotland - 1891. The sport of Munro‐bagging has displayed first at the Sco sh Parliament in Gairlochy, Moy and Banavie Basin (see See the insert in this newsle er for another two years. Looking forward to driven many a hillwalker since then: it’s a autumn 2013. Then the organisers will tour pictures on page 2). details. news of their forthcoming ac vi es. a Kilmallie fantas c way to keep fit and get to know the it round Scotland before se ling on They have already held a drop‐in Please go along if you want to see
geography and landscape of Scotland at the somewhere to house it permanently. They consulta on at Gairlochy, and on 4th what is being proposed or make any embroiderer’s same me. are looking for dona ons to fund the tour June they presented their proposals to comments. If you can’t make it, let us The content of each panel has been and find a home. a mee ng of Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge know and we can keep you informed contribu on designed by Andrew Crummy, and each it will take 50,000 sewing hours (Friends of Caledonian Canal Lochaber) and Achnacarry Community Council. of what happens. FOCAL doesn’t have is a subgroup of needleworker has to work with a limited (equivalent to sewing 24 hours a day for Numerous concerns about the to history pale e of colours to provide visual 6 years!) any official collec ve opinion on the the Kilmallie Community Company. proposals were expressed at both proposals at the moment: we just Along with hundreds of other volunteers consistency over the whole work. But apart it will use over 30 miles of yarn (enough For more info, or to be added to our from all over Scotland, Joan Kerr of Banavie from that, the volunteers are free to use events by members of the Gairlochy want everyone who lives near the to lay up and down Ben Nevis 37 mes) mailing list, please contact is contribu ng to a community art project of what colours and s tches they feel are most it’s covering 12012 years of Sco sh community. Please get in touch if you’d canal or uses it or cares for it to have Jan MacLugash, 01397 772383, enormous historical consequence. As a appropriate to their par cular panel. Joan history like further info on the discussions that a chance to express their views. skilled needlewoman, she is a volunteer has to decide whether to fill each area in; when it’s finished it hopes to be the took place. email: [email protected] taking part in the project known as The with what colour and with what s tch. longest tapestry in the world (bea ng Great Tapestry of Scotland. This is very Embroidery is a highly skilful pa ent task the present 120m Kieskamma tapestry much a team effort which seeks to tell the ‐ a fusion of art and cra . Joan started as a which hangs in the South African th history of Scotland using 160 individually girl and has been has been embroidering parliament building). The Bayeux embroidered panels, which will all be ever since. Being invited to take part in tapestry is 70m long. happy 100 individually framed. The panels are being this powerful and emo onal project is a There’s lots more informa on at embroidered in a variety of s tches which fantas c accolade for her. Whether or not www.scotlandstapestry.com, where you can include simple and composite s tching; independence is regained a er 2014, this also donate online to support this great birthday! s tches like stem, running and chain sewing tapestry is des ned to become a project. and filling s tches like sa n s tching. cornerstone of Scotland’s cultural tradi on, st Unlike the celebrated Prestonpans depic ng the soul and stories of the na on. tapestry, which Joan also worked on a And if Scotland does become independent, or 101 ? couple of years ago, this one will not tell a the tapestry will acquire even greater power as it would have looked sister lighthouse at pot lighthouse on Amazon for £16.99! con nuous story. It will convey the iden ty and poignancy, not least because so many Corpach lighthouse soon a er it was built Gairlochy, built 1913 of Scotland by illustra ng “snapshots” of people have contributed to the making of it. (image Sco sh Canals) (image © John Allan, The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses history to portray the character of the Joan can jus fiably be hugely proud of the licensed for reuse under agreed in the 1840s to provide a light in Sco sh people today. part she has played in its crea on. the Crea ve Commons Loch Eil to guide mariners at the approaches The idea for this par cular work came Joan is the only person in Kilmallie working to the Canal (1). Presumably they only accurate but I haven’t been down at night to from author Alexander McCall Smith. He on the tapestry, though there are other provided buoys at the me, as it was to be check! – he describes it as having a “focal above ‐ as it is today collaborated with historian Alistair Moffat s tchers in Caol and elsewhere in Lochaber. 70 years before the present lighthouse was plane 6 m (21 ); white, red, or green light, new long-distance footpath planned for Kilmallie footpath new long-distance and ar st Andrew Crummy to develop the Kilmallie is proud of her, and we are looking depending on direc on, 2 s on, 2 s off.” (3) right ‐ built. sister lighthouse The lighthouse isn’t a listed building, but Corpach’s simple but elegant pepperpot at Fort Augustus lighthouse is one of three similar ones built it is specifically included in the descrip on (image © on the Caledonian Canal – the others are at of the Corpach Locks and Basin as a Nilfanion, Gairlochy and Fort Augustus. Scheduled Monument, and as such it is licensed under Architectural historian John Hume protected as a building of na onal the Crea ve describes it as a “Short circular‐sec on importance. Commons A ribu on‐Share concrete block‐work tower with conical Along with its two sisters further east on the canal, at 6m high they are probably the Alike 3.0 roof. Rectangular window facing across Unported license canal entrance”(2). He states that it was built smallest lighthouses in Scotland, though in 1913, as do all the other reasonably Berry Head in Devon pips them to the post reliable references I’ve found. But you for the smallest lighthouse in the UK: it is might have no ced that the date cast into only 5m high. the lintel above the door says 1912! As a local beacon of communica on, it le ‐ elegant original roof ven lators and Lockkeeper Alec tells me that the lintel on seemed a highly appropriate icon for the community council to use for its logo, tappe ytoorie: the Gairlochy lighthouse does however say does anyone know when 1913. Who now knows the real truth? Was especially as it is sited on the axis of our two these were removed? the Corpach lighthouse built in 1912 and all main centres of popula on where the (image Sco sh - you can buy a jigsaw of Corpach’s pepper the references mistakenly assume all three Great Glen meets meet the shore Canals) lighthouses were built the same year? Or of Loch Eil. maybe it was started in 1912 but not Mandy Ketchin finished ll 1913? Notes And to add to the confusion, one online 1 The Caledonian Canal,
a way to the west - to the west a way reference even gets the date wrong by more A D Cameron, p120 than 100 years! Russ Rowle , a lighthouse 2 Royal Commission on the enthusiast in North Carolina, who is Ancient and Historical wow compiling an online catalogue of the world’s Monuments of Scotland, lighthouses, mistakenly assumes it was built www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk at the same me as the canal and dates it as 3 www.unc.edu/~rowle / lighthouse 1819. Hopefully his technical info is more
Incidents the Fort William Chamber of Commerce. One of our members sits page 10 on the OCUK Board and another on the TBID Steering Group. In page 19 HM Unfortunately casualty sta s cs are showing an increase in this calling all short tourism is our business and we are involved in tourism. area for this, the first part of the year, than in previous years. This is only the start. However our most recent project has been Twenty one incidents to date of which 4 were fatali es. There has COASTGUARD the addi on of “real me” availability checking and commission been an unhealthy rise in canoe/kayak incidents on inland waters. B&Bs and free online booking on our Group website for those members
wishing to take advantage of it. This has been a natural AT CORPACH Phil Wren progression of our highly successful “Enquiry Sharing” ac vity whereby we passed guest enquiries we are unable to Community Resilience guest houses The Fort William Accommoda on Marke ng Group (FWAMG) was accommodate on to other members, successfully keeping The vast majority of Lochaber folk missed out on a golden formed in October 2011 by a small group of local independent thousands of pounds of business within our membership. We opportunity to have their say on what concerns them about where regularly receive emails of thanks for this help in finding
B&B and Guest House owners. The Group is non‐profit making and they live with regard to safety, crime, medical care, roads and u lity run by its members for it’s members. accommoda on for visitors. New members to FWAMG Group companies. The event which was the brainchild of Dot Ferguson, FWAMG aims include helping members maintain occupancy levels, would have access to this facility as well. Senior Ward Manager of Highland Council, was well adver sed but increase repeat bookings, work to maintain and improve visitor We currently have 4 members in the Kilmallie Community Council the turnout was disappoin ng. It ran from 3pm to 8pm in Lochaber numbers, ensuring the best possible guest experience, working area and would welcome contact from other B&Bs, Guest Houses House. with others to promote Fort William as a year round des na on and local businesses to discuss how we may be able to work Organiza ons taking part were : and other non‐accommoda on tourism based businesses together and help each other. The days of independent working Police Scotland providing ac vi es and services to visitors. In short we collaborate are on the way out and the new era of collabora ve working is Sco sh Fire and Rescue and work together for the benefit of members and their visitors. here now. B&B and Guest House owners in the Kilmallie CC area Sco sh Ambulance Service Fort William and its immediate area has lacked a cohesive may well feel on the edge of Fort William and somewhat side lined Mari me and Coastguard Agency organisa on that works for the benefit of its members and visitors on the “other” side of the canal, just as those, for example in Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team to the area for many years now, all the surrounding areas, Glen Torlundy do, the same distance from the town centre as you are. Highland Council Tech Services Spean, Ardnamurchan, Road to the Isle and Glencoe, have well Coming together with a group can help with this, offer support in Highland Council Children’s Services established Groups doing similar work and are effec vely star ng areas such as IT, and of course we do have the occasional social Sco sh Environmental Protec on Agency to erode visitor numbers to the greater Fort William area. get together as well. Red Cross Since incep on the Group has: Corpach, Banavie and other parts of the Kilmallie CC area have a Women’s Royal Voluntary Service lot to offer visitors including the guests of our members outside doubled its membership numbers. Sco sh and Southern Electric your area. We can all benefit from each other. If you want to talk developed a website showing all members proper es which Zurich Insurance more or ini ally want to talk to a member in your area first then now features well up the Google search rankings for Fort I have never known all of these representa ons under one roof get in touch. Your ini al contact points are: William. before, sadly an opportunity missed. To my knowledge only two the Group website at www.fortwilliam‐guesthouse.com. arranged several discount schemes to include a discounted Community Councils a ended. One was Kilmallie – Hooray – Well Please use the “Contact Us” link to email us. hea ng oil purchase scheme, discount scheme for domes c done Kilmallie. Telephone: appliance repair and PAT Tes ng and a discount scheme for Guest speakers at the event were Mo MacDougall of SSE, Nigel Andy Keen (Chairman) on 01397 702583 member’s guests with a local ac vity provider. There are many Stafford of Red Cross, Brian Powell of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Michael Dunham (Secretary) on 01397 703320 others to be worked on and added in the future and the and yours truly. stronger we are as a Group the be er collabora on and I hope the link is s ll there for anyone to look at, giving Michael Dunham discounts we can nego ate. informa on on how to build your communi es resilience. FWAMG is now recognised and ac vely involved in consulta ons Check : www.readyscotland.org/my‐community with other tourism bodies such as the Tourism Forum, Outdoor
- Country Walking magazine want to do a feature on it want to do a feature Walking magazine - Country Capital of the UK and some of our members are also members of More training A er many weeks of planning, two local rescue organisa on’s there is a place called Annat in the South of France? recently got together for a weekend of joint training. HM Coastguard and Lochaber Mountain Rescue. The venue was green fingers Kilchoan. Coastguard’s from bases at Corpach, Salen, Mallaig and Kilmallie Kilchoan took part. The weekend was an outstanding success. Everything from the workshops to rescue and medical scenario’s geraniums went without a hitch. The accommoda on and especially the food Geraniums of all kinds can do much to enhance your garden, and I (prepared by David from Glenborrodale Castle) was mouth don’t mean the colourful non hardy ones that are grown o en in Shinty Club wateringly brilliant. pots. They have their place too but they are really pelargoniums The Saturday sessions (all on the shore and sea cliffs) included All Kilmallie teams have been playing well since the start of (though commonly called geraniums) and show at their best with a the season in March. crea ng anchor points for rescue equipment, abseiling, basic life bit of protec on from wind and rain such as a porch or greenhouse. support during an incident, casualty packaging and water rescue techniques. Saturday night was made up of a hot buffet fit for The hardy perennial geraniums appear in June and grow in profuse Here are the provisional dates for home games for the rest Royalty followed by a quiz which was hilarious as you would expect circular clumps that spread each year given room. Perhaps the most of June. (Please check with us as they are subject to date common well known one is Johnson’s Blue which looks lovely next to change). when 50 Coastguards and Mountain rescuers get together. th nd a white climbing hydrangea by my pa o wall. There are many other Saturday 15 June: Kilmallie vs Strathglass (2 team) Sunday began with many hangovers which were soon blown nd nd varie es, sizes and colours though to please all tastes. I have a vivid Saturday 22 June: Kilmallie vs Lochbroom (2 team) away by a cold wind up on the hill outside the village. The first th scenario was the teams being tasked to a light airplane crash across pink elsewhere that takes up more room than I want to give it, a Saturday 29 June: Kilmallie vs Caberfeidh (1st team) a gully. The group were being shown how to rig a system to transfer beau ful li le mauve one and several others. Though not as low The training for all ages is now held at Canal Parks on a personnel across a wide gully (Tyrolean) Personnel and equipment growing as most ground cover plants they could be described as this Tuesday and Thursday night. including stretchers were soon making a mid air transfer to the because of the increasing circles they make as they cover the ground. other side. Casual es made up to have various injuries were in Fundraising is an ongoing ac vity in the Club and we are Perennial geraniums don’t need any special care. They like sun but nd various loca ons and had to be treated on scene and transported holding a Prize Bingo on the 2 August in Caol Community Meall Banbhaidh Banbhaidh Meall will grow and bloom in half shade and of course cut them right down Centre and our annual dance is going to be held in back to base. in autumn when they are finished for the year. Some of the smaller The make up was so realis c. Picture a ached not for the November. A collec on is also taken at home games. We varie es bloom in late summer but the one drawback of Johnson’s are also always looking for volunteers so anyone who would
squeamish. did you know – Blue is that blooming only lasts about a month. Nevertheless its like to get involved please get in touch with me. Back in February, another 8 Coastguard Rescue Officer’s beauty and because it is a carefree plant it may “fit the bill” for you qualified in water rescue at a new loca on on the River Lochy near Don’t look at this picture if you are squeamish ‐ but don’t worry, it is all just and be very decora ve in your garden. Linda Campbell,
fame for Torcastle, an ideal loca on on our doorstep and the Corpach team make‐up, to make the pretend casualty look more realis c for training have embarked on a rope rescue opera ons qualifica on. Secretary 01397 700800 purposes. Ruth Miller
page 18 Room 13’s Inside Out Project page 11 Thanks to everyone who contributed and came along to view the Inside Out Project. The community worked BLAS Clay work Fitness Testing together to produce an exhibi on which was a great On Wednesday the 1st May, a lady called Helen came in to work On Tuesday the 14th of May, everyone in P7 went to the High success. with the Primaries 4/5, 5/6 and 7 to make emotion masks out of School for Fitness Testing. We were with Inverlochy Primary.
clay. We all had a great time and hope that we will get to do There were 6 stations of fitness, they were; Flexibility, Strength, Sarah Hughes, Banavie
something similar in the future. Jumping, Sit-ups, Long Jump and Bleep Test. We all were really Fish Tasting tired at the end, but had good fun talking to people from the other school! On Wednesday the 1st of May, Primary 7 went to the High School to take part in a Fish Tasting workshop. We were split into 3 Seed to Supper mixed groups so in your group there would be about 8 from your Every second Thursday, the Primary 4s go up to the Rural Complex school. We got the bus to the High School at 10:30am and arrived and take part in a project called ‘Seed to Supper’. The Primary 3s at about 10:45. The first workshop was all about looking at from St Mary’s Primary also take part in the project. They plant different types of fish and people from Marine Scotland told us seeds each week and then at the end of the project, they will be all about different types of fish. There was another man who told eating the fruit and vegetables that they have planted. us about how to measure different fish when they have been Netball Tournament/League caught and are ready to go to the fish markets. A lady called Cat On Thursday the 16th of May, the A and B Netball teams from was there to tell us about diets and then we got to taste Banavie went to the High school for the netball tournament. different types of fish. We tasted smoked mackerel, trout, Banavie A team played against Lochyside, St Mary’s and Caol A salmon and herring. The last workshop was led by a man called and so did the B team. In the tournament the B team came 3rd and Stuart who is a chef at the Crannog Restaurant in town. First of the A team came 2nd. all he made us mussels marinated in garlic and a sauce. The next
thing he made was fried mackerel sandwiches. If we wanted we Morgan MacDonald could have plain or we could have it with mustard. The next thing Samantha Runcieman he made was salmon pasta with a cheese sauce. The last thing he made us was langoustines. We really enjoyed our day and the main frustra ons of the job. A er many phone calls, emails and chasing people up we have managed to avert a near crisis in the recommend it to anyone who wants to try fish. update from supply of liquid morphine, so needed in caring for our pa ents. John Muir er Art Club exhibition at the distillery in May exhibition at the distillery er Art Club What is really needed is that this very cheap, easily acquired drug is On Wednesday the 1st of May, we started our John Muir added to the list of essen al drugs for the country which would Discovery Award down at the canal. We will be carrying on this sub-saharan africa! make acquisi on of it so much easier. That is going to have to be project until the summer holidays. next weeks task! We are now 6 weeks into our two‐year journey and it has not been Ini al reflec ons of this part of Africa are of a friendly, Shinty without its frustra ons and dramas! Just as we se led into the welcoming and peaceable people, the majority of whom live in On Sunday the 5th of May, Banavie Shinty Team went to slower pace of life, the gentle hum of ac vity, the sunshine every abject poverty, managing with next to nothing yet always managing Ballachulish to take part in a tournament. There were 6 teams day and the new jobs, Peter ran into a problem with the sudden
to smile when greeted. Disease, in a more advanced stage than I involved in the tournament. Banavie won all of their games apart in Lochaber News a while back for his ski-ing success!
onset of a cardiac arrhythmia which arose totally out of the blue have ever witnessed in the UK, is evident everywhere but is borne from 1 that they drew. Overall, they won the tournament having and within 48hrs became an increasingly worrying event eventually with such for tude and acceptance. Death is seen as inevitable beat St Mary’s in the final. resul ng on us being medi‐vacced to Nairobi to the Interna onal even when the person dying is young or is leaving many young Aga Khan Hospital’s cardiac unit. It was a frightening experience all Glen Nevis children without a parent. Children are never shielded from the round and I have never felt so lost and alone as I did those first few th dying process although are o en displaced to a different village/ On Friday the 10 of May, all the Primary 7s went up to Glen days with Peter being unwell and I being in a strange and unknown town and carers they may not know very quickly a er a death Nevis to do Bushcraft activities. A man called Sam was there to part. Our support agency, the Voluntary Mission Movement (VMM) occurs in the family. Only very basic drugs are rou nely available lead the day. We made wooden photo frames out of sticks and were great in suppor ng us, both through daily phone contact from but what li le there is does seem to make a difference in managing rush. We also made needle tea on our campfire inside the tepee. Ireland and in ge ng their field support worker to us in just over 24 symptoms of advanced cancer. Ndi Moyo has made such a huge We all really enjoyed our day and would recommend it to anyone hours. The outcome of this nightmare I am happy to report is that difference to the people of Salima district in ensuring those who who gets the opportunity in the future. 11 days later we were able to fly back to Malawi and on that same need help get it but for everyone they treat there are hundreds day went straight back to work. We came here to do a job so we Fun Night who don’t get help, living outwith the catchment area. One of my th were keen to get on with that. On Friday the 10 of May, we had our school Fun Night. At Fun tasks is to set up and run teaching courses to train health It was pre y poor ming all round as the Finchs, founders and Night we had lots of different stalls such as face painting, nail professionals in the outlying clinics so that some of the good work drivers of the centre, were leaving for a well deserved 3 months painting and lots of different things. We also had Segways, Body Ndi Moyo does can carry on and reach many others. But the with their family in UK and we were to be taking over the running Zorbing and pony riding. We all had a great time and we can’t wait challenge goes beyond teaching as these individuals will need of the centre. We did make it back with only a day late and for the till next year. We would like to give a huge thanks to those who supported and mentored to allow them to build competence and
work from lots of Kilmallie artists at the Lochab lots of Kilmallie artists work from last week or so have been busy establishing ourselves properly into helped out with stalls and contributed in lots of things. We raised confidence in what they do. the lead roles at the Pallia ve care centre. This is working well. a magnificent £2800!!! We did a lot of fundraising and awareness raising sessions Peter has been busy with all things of a borehole and solar power before we travelled here and our thanks goes to all those in supply nature in an effort to get the water shortage and con nued Transition Visit Kilmallie who par cipated in that. I can assure you the monies On Wednesday 13th May, P7 went to the high school and got a tour
to see fluctua ng power outages be er managed. The borehole is almost raised are being fully used and making such a difference. there and should start func oning in the next few days. The round it by the fifth year pupils. We got to see all the different Further updates will be made as we con nue this work. If gardens of Ndi Moyo host a large collec on of plants which are classes around the school that we might be in and we got to meet anyone would like to follow the process more closely, there is a used in the treatment of many of our pa ents symptoms so this is a some of the teachers like Miss Barr and Miss MacNeil. We all group se ng on facebook which I try to add to on a weekly basis. very important aspect of the centre. Water shortages have made can’t wait till high school next year!!!!!!!! Type Ndi Moyo into the FB search bar and you should get an ‘open the care of these at mes very difficult so the water from the group’ op on. Otherwise my email address is borehole will make a huge difference. I have been working with the [email protected] and I do so enjoy hearing tales from clinical team looking at ways we can keep the pa ent flow going on Corpach and surrounds! Our fundraising webpage remains open for our busy clinic days. They are a great team and o en work well Children’s Holiday Club, 16-19 July and 23 – 26 July anyone who would like to contribute: beyond their allo ed hours for a pi ance when compared with
great great www.everyclick.com/peterandkathryn nursing salaries in UK. I learn something new everyday about the at Lochaber Rural Education Centre.
culture and working of the medical suppliers locally – this is one of Kathryn Hamling For more information contact Linda on 01397 700800 loved photo of Archie (age 7) a fine win. Two outstanding saves from the
page 12 goalkeeper thwarted Lochaber in the next page 17 match as they were held to a 0‐0 draw by a strong Portree High team who would
emerge as runners‐up in the tournament. Having dropped two precious points, the Lochaber Win Their Own Sevens The start of Phase 3 of the Lochaber 21 improved facili es for learning and teaching. games did not get any easier and Lochaber We adver sed our Sevens in this newsle er as ‘Fun in the Sun’… school refurbishment and rebuilding As part of the on‐going improvements, faced Kingussie in the next match. The boy did we get that wrong! However we may have been programme meant that this year’s we’ve had to move in to a temporary Badenoch boys struck the bar and the post unsuccessful in ge ng the weather forecast right, but we were
Gradua on for Sixth Years had to be held canteen. Many thought we’d be lowering but were defeated 1‐0 when Findlay successful in winning our own Sevens tournament – the first me earlier than usual; just before senior pupils our standards but, if fact, everybody has MacDonald made no mistake in hi ng the in 12 years….yeah!!. started their study leave and SQA been pleasantly surprised by the comfort, target to give Lochaber a vital win. The We had eight teams compe ng for the coveted Quaich; two from examina ons. It’s always great to see our warmth and bright, spacious interior… and team really clicked into top gear by London (Quin n RFC), Aberdeen‐shire, Bannockburn, Strathspey, Sixth Years dressed up in posh frocks, kilts the food is just as good. Wait un l they see disposing of Glenurquhart B 7‐0, courtesy of Oban and we entered two teams ourselves. The weather and suits; looking grown‐up and ready to our new canteen… or should I say hat‐tricks from Gregor Cameron and condi ons were atrocious, but it was the same for all the teams face the world. The Gradua on ceremony “Restaurant”? Seumus Gall. They followed this up with a 4‐ and they all showed great grit and determina on to make the has been run in the school for a number of In addi on to bidding farewell to school 2 victory over Glenurquhart A, with the Glen tournament a success. years and is an opportunity for those leavers and working with builders, the having the dis nc on of being the only Following the tournament the celebra on Ceilidh kicked off comple ng secondary educa on to normal life of school goes on. SQA team to score against an otherwise excellent with music provided by Andrew MacDonald and Hugh MacCallum celebrate their achievements, reflect on examina ons are currently taking place and Lochaber defence of Robbie Hall, Calum on the drums – a great night was had by all, including the players their experiences and bid farewell to what is pupils have been working hard to get the MacDougall and team captain, Calum from London who can now do a strip the willow! already their ‘old school’. results they need to move on. New courses MacDonald. In the last match, Lochaber The evening started with musical are being developed in line with the na onal needed a win to take the cup and Kyle Success for P4‐5’s entertainment from the LHS Ceilidh Band ini a ve, Curriculum for Excellence. We’re Michie provided them with an early lead The Youth Sec on recently hosted a Mini Rugby Tournament with before Sixth Years were piped in by Ewen also working through the transi on process before Cameron, MacDonald and Gall teams from Taynuilt, Glen E ve and Helensburgh taking MacQueen and Ruaraidh Shaw. A short for Primary to Secondary: 140 pupils from completed a 4‐0 victory. Strong play in part. Helensburgh filled two coaches with players and were résumé was read about each member of the our associated primary schools, who will midfield by Lorne Ross and Gregor Cameron fantas c visitors, very friendly and good sports. The P6‐7 group before they crossed the red carpet on join us in August, have been visi ng the saw Lochaber dominate most of the games compe on was won by Helensburgh and Lochaber won the P4‐5’s stage to receive their Gradua on cer ficate school and will undertake a full induc on so it was no surprise when Cameron the picture above shows how much it meant to the players and the in front of a hall full of proud parents and week star ng 17 June. Mee ng new pupils received the player of the tournament P6‐7’s who are congratula ng them. This sort of support for one friends. There was a musical interlude is always a pleasure, although there are an award. Team captain, Calum MacDonald
of Wind Band Scottish Champions Scottish Champions of Wind Band another is what we like to see at our club. where a group of Sixth Years performed awful lot of names to learn! Pupils’ received the Robertson Cup from Paul ‘Skyfall’. A er the ceremony, the vote of emo ons vary from excitement and Milton, Head Teacher at Glenurquhart High Posi ve Coaching Award thanks was delivered eloquently by Deborah enthusiasm to trepida on and even fear. School at the end of a very enjoyable day. Our club received its Posi ve Coaching Award on Saturday 4th May. Degelaen before the group moved on to the However, the transi on programme run by All teams thanked Alan MacLeod for his We are the 16th club to receive this award. Gary Hendrie, Lochaber Ben Nevis Hotel for dinner and dancing. A Mrs Yvonne Clark, Principal Teacher of organisa onal skills and refereeing du es PCS programme leader said: “Lochaber Rugby Club are pleased momentous evening for a fine group of Guidance, allays fears and ensures that which were fundamental to the success of and commi ed to work in conjunc on with the Bill McLaren young people… and for me! I’m very proud anxie es are addressed before the summer the tournament. Founda on and Posi ve Coaching Scotland, to deliver the values of of what our pupils have achieved break. When pupils start in August they’ll Jim Sutherland sportsmanship, teamwork and enjoyment. academically, in sport, music, drama and become part of a great school where they Head Teacher “We want to build and sustain Lochaber Rugby Club for future other ac vi es as well as in service to the will have so many opportuni es to thrive. genera ons through commitment and hard work. In the future we
school and the wider community. I hope Lochaber High Win the aim to set achievable goals and work hard to achieve these, then that, in the years ahead, the 90 young Robertson Cup set new targets, but never forget where we have come from." people who graduated from Lochaber High Beth MacLeod, lead manager for PCS at sportscotland said: “It’s Lochaber High produced some excellent School on 26 April will look back on their fantas c to see Lochaber achieve their PCS accredita on and take a shinty to win the Robertson Cup at me with us with equal pride and that they posi ve coaching ethos into the heart of their club. “The Drumnadrochit. This year’s compe on was will maintain an interest in the school for programme is designed to get everyone involved in clubs to create played as a League with the seven teams many years to come. a posi ve environment for young people par cipa ng in sport. We mee ng each of their opponents. Lochaber One great achievement for a number of wish them luck on their PCS journey.” were given a tough task in the first game, our Sixth Years, and others, was to be part The Posi ve Coaching Scotland programme in associa on with facing Charleston Academy, but an early of the school’s Senior Wind Band which took The Bill McLaren Founda on operates as a partnership between
goal from Findlay MacDonald gave them the have stories of the Corpach engine house - it was demolished in 1968? part in the Sco sh Concert Band Fes val in sportscotland, the Winning Scotland Founda on, the Bill McLaren edge and MacDonald added a second to seal Perth Concert Hall in March. The band, Founda on and Sco sh Rugby and has the main aims to build and conducted by Mark Reynolds (Brass sustain a strong and posi ve rugby culture in order to develop Instructor), which had already won the young rugby players and develop young people through the sport. Regional heats in Inverness in December, This programme forms part of sportscotland’s na onal roll out of was awarded a Gold Plus cer ficate; best in the Posi ve Coaching Scotland programme through governing Scotland in their category. This is a bodies and local authori es. tremendous achievement for the 32 members of the band and great credit must Inter School Tag Rugby Compe on go to Mr Reynolds who has led the band to Lochaber Rugby Club hosted its Annual Inter School Tag Rugby th accomplish such success. Tournament at Banavie on Wednesday 15 May. This was re‐ Robertson is the contractor who will arranged from the previous week, as the pitch was waterlogged. undertake the next stage of our All four secondary schools took part, and entered two teams refurbishment programme. They are due on each. The compe on was split in to two leagues with the winners site at the beginning of June and will have to of each league playing in the final for the trophy. All schools work to a ght schedule to take full provided a good a ernoon of entertaining rugby, quite a few girls advantage of the forthcoming summer showing the boys a clean pair of heels! holiday ‘window’ to carry out demoli on The final was an all Ardnamurchan affair, with Ardnamurchan work and prepara on for re‐cladding, over‐ HS (A) –v‐ Ardnamurchan (B), with Ardnamurchan (A) winning 5‐3. roofing and building which will go on for the They played some excellent compe ve rugby and were worthy we’re all hugely proud proud hugely all we’re next 18 months or so. The £11 million winners of the trophy . The event was sponsored for the second contract will really transform the way the year by Sportsafe UK Ltd and their Regional Manager for Scotland, does anyone school works and will give us much Charlie Donaldson presented the winning team with their prize. Events The boys and girls at Kilmallie soup out of our home grown vegetables – yum! We also page 16 Playgroup have had a very busy and grew some cress over the course of the week at playgroup page 13 Sail Caledonia 17 Boats par cipa ng plus 7 support vessels. fun term so far, from being kept which we were very proud off. We have also enjoyed many th canal news Saturday 25 May at Corpach, ETA 5:00pm. busy outdoors planting and walks up to the woodlands behind us, particularly one Sunday 26th May Corpach to Gairlochy Opera onal – Boat Figures ‐ through Corpach Sea‐lock. exploring the outdoor environment, morning when Hilary brought in moths which we released Monday 27th May, Loch Lochy finish Laggan March 2012 ‐ 28 boats: March 2013 – 39 boats to experimenting with hair styles back into their natural environment. We handled them Tuesday 28th May , Loch Oich finish Fort April 2012 – 111 boats: April 2013 – 102 boats and appliances in our very own carefully and chose suitable spots to release them. Totals so far – 2012 – 129 boats: 2013 – 141 boats Augustus Wednesday 29th May, Loch Ness finish Foyers hairdressing salon, ‘Kilmallie Cuts’. Our role play area has We have also set up our own eco-committee, focussing A small rise on boat movements so far this year hopefully we th taken on a number of exciting purposes. Following a keen on two topics – litter and water. We have had meetings and can maintain these figures as the season progresses because : Thursday 30 May, finish Loch End. st interest in Postman Pat, the children created their own come up with action points which we are now working What is a canal without boats? Friday 31 May, Dochgarroch to finish N Post Office, where they worked very hard to parcel up towards achieving. We were delighted when we recently Kessock. Harvest Caroline 2 packages, stamp and address mail, and get deliveries out on received our Eco Schools bronze award. Our aim is to ‘Keep Heather’s Walk in Aid of Highland Hospice time. We had a lovely visit from Alan, the local postman, Kilmallie Clean – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!’ Many of you would have seen the transforma on of Ferguson th Transport’s new vessel to their fleet as much of the work took Corpach to Banavie Sunday 26 May 2013 who told us all about his job and let us have a look at some Our most recent venture was an exciting trip to Fort place in Corpach Basin. The vessel arrived at Corpach under of the equipment he uses. We had lots of questions to ask William Fire Station. The children decided where they would th Three Peaks Yacht Race, Barmouth to Corpach, arriving at the name Vi n on the 7 April 2013, exited stern first from the th him. We also paid a visit to the post office along the road like to visit by filling in questionnaires which were sent th Corpach from Tuesday 18 June. basin on the 13 April and came back in stern first the same where we paid for stamps to put on the Mother’s Day Cards home. The Fire Station came out a clear favourite, and the
day. This vessel exited the basin under the name Harvest we had made, and then we posted them in the big, red post children helped to make arrangements for the day. A big th Caledonian Challenge RBS, sponsored walk Gairlochy to Caroline 2 on the 28 April having had a complete paint job , re th box in time for Alan to deliver them for Mother’s Day. thank you to Raymond and Alexander for taking the time ‐registered and tested by the MCA to be sea‐worthy. A three Tyndrum 15 June 2013 We have made the most of the dry weather and busied and effort to tell the children all about being a fireman, and week turnover. We were able to accommodate the vessel in ourselves in the playgroup garden. So far we have planted explaining about the equipment and uniforms they have. the basin as we hadn’t reached our busiest me of year. Staff Changes Unfortunately because of events & lack of space (we need to We have lost two popular members of our full me staff and I flower seeds and also some vegetables which we are The children were delighted to have the chance to sit in a
events this year events this posi on vessels in such a way as to allow transit vessels a safe would like to thank them for their support over a number of watching grow. Some of the boys have suggested making real fire engine, and particularly enjoyed each getting a turn passage through) we cannot always accommodate vessels of years. Toni has moved home to Thurso and Raymond has of the hoses to spray water all over the car park – an this size (50mtr, 798 ton unloaded). re red to Arisaig. umbrella would have come in handy that day! Day Care will continue to be open throughout the whole of the Summer Holidays, at very competitive prices. Sessions again - sadly this time not for orchids can be tailored to meet individual requirements. Open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, give us a call on 01397 772016 or email [email protected].
Carole
Waterways Trust Trust Waterways roadside verges is makingour headlines
Before & A er photos of Harvest Caroline 2 Toni (above) and Raymond (below) hope to see more hope to
Diving Opera ons. Tree plan ng We have had a number of diving opera ons already this year A big Thank‐you to all for the support received from the local mostly on the hydraulic pipes that work the gates; a er being community & schools in in the water since before the millennium we are star ng to plan ng hundreds of trees at find they are deteriora ng and are reaching a stage where various loca ons along the they need to be replaced. We have had to carry out diving canal. opera ons to accomplish this work at Gairlochy , Banavie and Cullochy . John Stafford the state of
page 14 page 15 heather’s walk, 2013 Once again the sun shone for the 200 people that completed the walk. Sarah the Bumble Bee, Raj the Piper and Phil the Coastguard led everyone off. A BIG thank you to all the helpers who manned the stalls and kept us all refreshed with food and drinks. Tradewinds at night was very busy for Linda and staff. The auc on was brilliant and we all danced and sang to the great music by Dynamic Duo. And yes we did the Strip the Willow out on the street! It's great that so many turn out and make it a super fun‐filled community day. We’d already raised about £50,000 and at wri ng this, we think we have raised about a further £6000 this year (fantas c!). We plan to keep going ll we reach £100,000! Sarah had the idea of the Temperature Chart on the Co‐op door so everyone can see how much money we have all raised. All Round Signs made the sign for us and very kindly donated it to the walk. Thank you all again for your con nuing support.
See you all next year. Margaret and Sarah
Now in its sixth year, another fantastically successful and enjoyable event to raise funds for Highland Hospice. Huge thanks to Margaret and Sarah and everyone who helped organise it, and everyone who helped on the day, and everyone who took part. See all these pictures in colour, and loads more, in the photo gallery at www.kilmallie.org.uk.
unwell. We need support: to manage anxiety; to share experiences; to express ourselves; to socialise; and Ian says quite rightly that we need most Highland Hospice importantly to laugh with each other to make illnesses bearable some mes. Please contact Jenny McCall at Highland Hospice or the Admin Secretary Thanks to Ian James for updating Kshama with the following info Carol Leiper for further informa on. before he retired: Jenny can be e‐mailed at J.McCall@ highlandhospice.org.uk The Outreach Day Hospice Community Support Group used to meet in the Carol can be e‐mailed at [email protected] MacMillan Sec on of the library every fortnight, but they’ve moved now to The sessions are supported by an Occupa onal Therapist and a Kilmallie Free Church in Caol. The group is delighted with the incredibly MacMillan Nurse from Fort William. We some mes have support also from warm welcome from Chris, Anna and Emily, and really impressed with the Physiotherapist and Complimentary Therapists and the Chaplain. At the fabulous building and its fantas c view across the loch. The premises are so moment referrals come from District Nurses, MacMillan Nurses and GPs but light and airy that they upli one’s spirits. They have level disabled access, this is under review. Ian thanks the Lochaber Community Transport Service an easy to use kitchen and there is video conferencing to communicate with and of course the able and enthusias c local volunteers. group members who are too unwell to a end. This Audio‐Visual facility has The Highland Hospice Shop in town has recently been refurbished and been used already. The group feels that the facili es in Kilmallie Church go has now reopened. part‐way to helping us cope with everyday rou nes when we are seriously
page 14 page 15 heather’s walk, 2013 Once again the sun shone for the 200 people that completed the walk. Sarah the Bumble Bee, Raj the Piper and Phil the Coastguard led everyone off. A BIG thank you to all the helpers who manned the stalls and kept us all refreshed with food and drinks. Tradewinds at night was very busy for Linda and staff. The auc on was brilliant and we all danced and sang to the great music by Dynamic Duo. And yes we did the Strip the Willow out on the street! It's great that so many turn out and make it a super fun‐filled community day. We’d already raised about £50,000 and at wri ng this, we think we have raised about a further £6000 this year (fantas c!). We plan to keep going ll we reach £100,000! Sarah had the idea of the Temperature Chart on the Co‐op door so everyone can see how much money we have all raised. All Round Signs made the sign for us and very kindly donated it to the walk. Thank you all again for your con nuing support.
See you all next year. Margaret and Sarah
Now in its sixth year, another fantastically successful and enjoyable event to raise funds for Highland Hospice. Huge thanks to Margaret and Sarah and everyone who helped organise it, and everyone who helped on the day, and everyone who took part. See all these pictures in colour, and loads more, in the photo gallery at www.kilmallie.org.uk.
unwell. We need support: to manage anxiety; to share experiences; to express ourselves; to socialise; and Ian says quite rightly that we need most Highland Hospice importantly to laugh with each other to make illnesses bearable some mes. Please contact Jenny McCall at Highland Hospice or the Admin Secretary Thanks to Ian James for updating Kshama with the following info Carol Leiper for further informa on. before he retired: Jenny can be e‐mailed at J.McCall@ highlandhospice.org.uk The Outreach Day Hospice Community Support Group used to meet in the Carol can be e‐mailed at [email protected] MacMillan Sec on of the library every fortnight, but they’ve moved now to The sessions are supported by an Occupa onal Therapist and a Kilmallie Free Church in Caol. The group is delighted with the incredibly MacMillan Nurse from Fort William. We some mes have support also from warm welcome from Chris, Anna and Emily, and really impressed with the Physiotherapist and Complimentary Therapists and the Chaplain. At the fabulous building and its fantas c view across the loch. The premises are so moment referrals come from District Nurses, MacMillan Nurses and GPs but light and airy that they upli one’s spirits. They have level disabled access, this is under review. Ian thanks the Lochaber Community Transport Service an easy to use kitchen and there is video conferencing to communicate with and of course the able and enthusias c local volunteers. group members who are too unwell to a end. This Audio‐Visual facility has The Highland Hospice Shop in town has recently been refurbished and been used already. The group feels that the facili es in Kilmallie Church go has now reopened. part‐way to helping us cope with everyday rou nes when we are seriously Events The boys and girls at Kilmallie soup out of our home grown vegetables – yum! We also page 16 Playgroup have had a very busy and grew some cress over the course of the week at playgroup page 13 Sail Caledonia 17 Boats par cipa ng plus 7 support vessels. fun term so far, from being kept which we were very proud off. We have also enjoyed many th canal news Saturday 25 May at Corpach, ETA 5:00pm. busy outdoors planting and walks up to the woodlands behind us, particularly one Sunday 26th May Corpach to Gairlochy Opera onal – Boat Figures ‐ through Corpach Sea‐lock. exploring the outdoor environment, morning when Hilary brought in moths which we released Monday 27th May, Loch Lochy finish Laggan March 2012 ‐ 28 boats: March 2013 – 39 boats to experimenting with hair styles back into their natural environment. We handled them Tuesday 28th May , Loch Oich finish Fort April 2012 – 111 boats: April 2013 – 102 boats and appliances in our very own carefully and chose suitable spots to release them. Totals so far – 2012 – 129 boats: 2013 – 141 boats Augustus Wednesday 29th May, Loch Ness finish Foyers hairdressing salon, ‘Kilmallie Cuts’. Our role play area has We have also set up our own eco-committee, focussing A small rise on boat movements so far this year hopefully we th taken on a number of exciting purposes. Following a keen on two topics – litter and water. We have had meetings and can maintain these figures as the season progresses because : Thursday 30 May, finish Loch End. st interest in Postman Pat, the children created their own come up with action points which we are now working What is a canal without boats? Friday 31 May, Dochgarroch to finish N Post Office, where they worked very hard to parcel up towards achieving. We were delighted when we recently Kessock. Harvest Caroline 2 packages, stamp and address mail, and get deliveries out on received our Eco Schools bronze award. Our aim is to ‘Keep Heather’s Walk in Aid of Highland Hospice time. We had a lovely visit from Alan, the local postman, Kilmallie Clean – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!’ Many of you would have seen the transforma on of Ferguson th Transport’s new vessel to their fleet as much of the work took Corpach to Banavie Sunday 26 May 2013 who told us all about his job and let us have a look at some Our most recent venture was an exciting trip to Fort place in Corpach Basin. The vessel arrived at Corpach under of the equipment he uses. We had lots of questions to ask William Fire Station. The children decided where they would th Three Peaks Yacht Race, Barmouth to Corpach, arriving at the name Vi n on the 7 April 2013, exited stern first from the th him. We also paid a visit to the post office along the road like to visit by filling in questionnaires which were sent th Corpach from Tuesday 18 June. basin on the 13 April and came back in stern first the same where we paid for stamps to put on the Mother’s Day Cards home. The Fire Station came out a clear favourite, and the
day. This vessel exited the basin under the name Harvest we had made, and then we posted them in the big, red post children helped to make arrangements for the day. A big th Caledonian Challenge RBS, sponsored walk Gairlochy to Caroline 2 on the 28 April having had a complete paint job , re th box in time for Alan to deliver them for Mother’s Day. thank you to Raymond and Alexander for taking the time ‐registered and tested by the MCA to be sea‐worthy. A three Tyndrum 15 June 2013 We have made the most of the dry weather and busied and effort to tell the children all about being a fireman, and week turnover. We were able to accommodate the vessel in ourselves in the playgroup garden. So far we have planted explaining about the equipment and uniforms they have. the basin as we hadn’t reached our busiest me of year. Staff Changes Unfortunately because of events & lack of space (we need to We have lost two popular members of our full me staff and I flower seeds and also some vegetables which we are The children were delighted to have the chance to sit in a
events this year events this posi on vessels in such a way as to allow transit vessels a safe would like to thank them for their support over a number of watching grow. Some of the boys have suggested making real fire engine, and particularly enjoyed each getting a turn passage through) we cannot always accommodate vessels of years. Toni has moved home to Thurso and Raymond has of the hoses to spray water all over the car park – an this size (50mtr, 798 ton unloaded). re red to Arisaig. umbrella would have come in handy that day! Day Care will continue to be open throughout the whole of the Summer Holidays, at very competitive prices. Sessions again - sadly this time not for orchids can be tailored to meet individual requirements. Open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, give us a call on 01397 772016 or email [email protected].
Carole
Waterways Trust Trust Waterways roadside verges is makingour headlines
Before & A er photos of Harvest Caroline 2 Toni (above) and Raymond (below) hope to see more hope to
Diving Opera ons. Tree plan ng We have had a number of diving opera ons already this year A big Thank‐you to all for the support received from the local mostly on the hydraulic pipes that work the gates; a er being community & schools in in the water since before the millennium we are star ng to plan ng hundreds of trees at find they are deteriora ng and are reaching a stage where various loca ons along the they need to be replaced. We have had to carry out diving canal. opera ons to accomplish this work at Gairlochy , Banavie and Cullochy . John Stafford the state of a fine win. Two outstanding saves from the
page 12 goalkeeper thwarted Lochaber in the next page 17 match as they were held to a 0‐0 draw by a strong Portree High team who would
emerge as runners‐up in the tournament. Having dropped two precious points, the Lochaber Win Their Own Sevens The start of Phase 3 of the Lochaber 21 improved facili es for learning and teaching. games did not get any easier and Lochaber We adver sed our Sevens in this newsle er as ‘Fun in the Sun’… school refurbishment and rebuilding As part of the on‐going improvements, faced Kingussie in the next match. The boy did we get that wrong! However we may have been programme meant that this year’s we’ve had to move in to a temporary Badenoch boys struck the bar and the post unsuccessful in ge ng the weather forecast right, but we were
Gradua on for Sixth Years had to be held canteen. Many thought we’d be lowering but were defeated 1‐0 when Findlay successful in winning our own Sevens tournament – the first me earlier than usual; just before senior pupils our standards but, if fact, everybody has MacDonald made no mistake in hi ng the in 12 years….yeah!!. started their study leave and SQA been pleasantly surprised by the comfort, target to give Lochaber a vital win. The We had eight teams compe ng for the coveted Quaich; two from examina ons. It’s always great to see our warmth and bright, spacious interior… and team really clicked into top gear by London (Quin n RFC), Aberdeen‐shire, Bannockburn, Strathspey, Sixth Years dressed up in posh frocks, kilts the food is just as good. Wait un l they see disposing of Glenurquhart B 7‐0, courtesy of Oban and we entered two teams ourselves. The weather and suits; looking grown‐up and ready to our new canteen… or should I say hat‐tricks from Gregor Cameron and condi ons were atrocious, but it was the same for all the teams face the world. The Gradua on ceremony “Restaurant”? Seumus Gall. They followed this up with a 4‐ and they all showed great grit and determina on to make the has been run in the school for a number of In addi on to bidding farewell to school 2 victory over Glenurquhart A, with the Glen tournament a success. years and is an opportunity for those leavers and working with builders, the having the dis nc on of being the only Following the tournament the celebra on Ceilidh kicked off comple ng secondary educa on to normal life of school goes on. SQA team to score against an otherwise excellent with music provided by Andrew MacDonald and Hugh MacCallum celebrate their achievements, reflect on examina ons are currently taking place and Lochaber defence of Robbie Hall, Calum on the drums – a great night was had by all, including the players their experiences and bid farewell to what is pupils have been working hard to get the MacDougall and team captain, Calum from London who can now do a strip the willow! already their ‘old school’. results they need to move on. New courses MacDonald. In the last match, Lochaber The evening started with musical are being developed in line with the na onal needed a win to take the cup and Kyle Success for P4‐5’s entertainment from the LHS Ceilidh Band ini a ve, Curriculum for Excellence. We’re Michie provided them with an early lead The Youth Sec on recently hosted a Mini Rugby Tournament with before Sixth Years were piped in by Ewen also working through the transi on process before Cameron, MacDonald and Gall teams from Taynuilt, Glen E ve and Helensburgh taking MacQueen and Ruaraidh Shaw. A short for Primary to Secondary: 140 pupils from completed a 4‐0 victory. Strong play in part. Helensburgh filled two coaches with players and were résumé was read about each member of the our associated primary schools, who will midfield by Lorne Ross and Gregor Cameron fantas c visitors, very friendly and good sports. The P6‐7 group before they crossed the red carpet on join us in August, have been visi ng the saw Lochaber dominate most of the games compe on was won by Helensburgh and Lochaber won the P4‐5’s stage to receive their Gradua on cer ficate school and will undertake a full induc on so it was no surprise when Cameron the picture above shows how much it meant to the players and the in front of a hall full of proud parents and week star ng 17 June. Mee ng new pupils received the player of the tournament P6‐7’s who are congratula ng them. This sort of support for one friends. There was a musical interlude is always a pleasure, although there are an award. Team captain, Calum MacDonald
of Wind Band Scottish Champions Scottish Champions of Wind Band another is what we like to see at our club. where a group of Sixth Years performed awful lot of names to learn! Pupils’ received the Robertson Cup from Paul ‘Skyfall’. A er the ceremony, the vote of emo ons vary from excitement and Milton, Head Teacher at Glenurquhart High Posi ve Coaching Award thanks was delivered eloquently by Deborah enthusiasm to trepida on and even fear. School at the end of a very enjoyable day. Our club received its Posi ve Coaching Award on Saturday 4th May. Degelaen before the group moved on to the However, the transi on programme run by All teams thanked Alan MacLeod for his We are the 16th club to receive this award. Gary Hendrie, Lochaber Ben Nevis Hotel for dinner and dancing. A Mrs Yvonne Clark, Principal Teacher of organisa onal skills and refereeing du es PCS programme leader said: “Lochaber Rugby Club are pleased momentous evening for a fine group of Guidance, allays fears and ensures that which were fundamental to the success of and commi ed to work in conjunc on with the Bill McLaren young people… and for me! I’m very proud anxie es are addressed before the summer the tournament. Founda on and Posi ve Coaching Scotland, to deliver the values of of what our pupils have achieved break. When pupils start in August they’ll Jim Sutherland sportsmanship, teamwork and enjoyment. academically, in sport, music, drama and become part of a great school where they Head Teacher “We want to build and sustain Lochaber Rugby Club for future other ac vi es as well as in service to the will have so many opportuni es to thrive. genera ons through commitment and hard work. In the future we
school and the wider community. I hope Lochaber High Win the aim to set achievable goals and work hard to achieve these, then that, in the years ahead, the 90 young Robertson Cup set new targets, but never forget where we have come from." people who graduated from Lochaber High Beth MacLeod, lead manager for PCS at sportscotland said: “It’s Lochaber High produced some excellent School on 26 April will look back on their fantas c to see Lochaber achieve their PCS accredita on and take a shinty to win the Robertson Cup at me with us with equal pride and that they posi ve coaching ethos into the heart of their club. “The Drumnadrochit. This year’s compe on was will maintain an interest in the school for programme is designed to get everyone involved in clubs to create played as a League with the seven teams many years to come. a posi ve environment for young people par cipa ng in sport. We mee ng each of their opponents. Lochaber One great achievement for a number of wish them luck on their PCS journey.” were given a tough task in the first game, our Sixth Years, and others, was to be part The Posi ve Coaching Scotland programme in associa on with facing Charleston Academy, but an early of the school’s Senior Wind Band which took The Bill McLaren Founda on operates as a partnership between
goal from Findlay MacDonald gave them the have stories of the Corpach engine house - it was demolished in 1968? part in the Sco sh Concert Band Fes val in sportscotland, the Winning Scotland Founda on, the Bill McLaren edge and MacDonald added a second to seal Perth Concert Hall in March. The band, Founda on and Sco sh Rugby and has the main aims to build and conducted by Mark Reynolds (Brass sustain a strong and posi ve rugby culture in order to develop Instructor), which had already won the young rugby players and develop young people through the sport. Regional heats in Inverness in December, This programme forms part of sportscotland’s na onal roll out of was awarded a Gold Plus cer ficate; best in the Posi ve Coaching Scotland programme through governing Scotland in their category. This is a bodies and local authori es. tremendous achievement for the 32 members of the band and great credit must Inter School Tag Rugby Compe on go to Mr Reynolds who has led the band to Lochaber Rugby Club hosted its Annual Inter School Tag Rugby th accomplish such success. Tournament at Banavie on Wednesday 15 May. This was re‐ Robertson is the contractor who will arranged from the previous week, as the pitch was waterlogged. undertake the next stage of our All four secondary schools took part, and entered two teams refurbishment programme. They are due on each. The compe on was split in to two leagues with the winners site at the beginning of June and will have to of each league playing in the final for the trophy. All schools work to a ght schedule to take full provided a good a ernoon of entertaining rugby, quite a few girls advantage of the forthcoming summer showing the boys a clean pair of heels! holiday ‘window’ to carry out demoli on The final was an all Ardnamurchan affair, with Ardnamurchan work and prepara on for re‐cladding, over‐ HS (A) –v‐ Ardnamurchan (B), with Ardnamurchan (A) winning 5‐3. roofing and building which will go on for the They played some excellent compe ve rugby and were worthy we’re all hugely proud proud hugely all we’re next 18 months or so. The £11 million winners of the trophy . The event was sponsored for the second contract will really transform the way the year by Sportsafe UK Ltd and their Regional Manager for Scotland, does anyone school works and will give us much Charlie Donaldson presented the winning team with their prize.
page 18 Room 13’s Inside Out Project page 11 Thanks to everyone who contributed and came along to view the Inside Out Project. The community worked BLAS Clay work Fitness Testing together to produce an exhibi on which was a great On Wednesday the 1st May, a lady called Helen came in to work On Tuesday the 14th of May, everyone in P7 went to the High success. with the Primaries 4/5, 5/6 and 7 to make emotion masks out of School for Fitness Testing. We were with Inverlochy Primary.
clay. We all had a great time and hope that we will get to do There were 6 stations of fitness, they were; Flexibility, Strength, Sarah Hughes, Banavie
something similar in the future. Jumping, Sit-ups, Long Jump and Bleep Test. We all were really Fish Tasting tired at the end, but had good fun talking to people from the other school! On Wednesday the 1st of May, Primary 7 went to the High School to take part in a Fish Tasting workshop. We were split into 3 Seed to Supper mixed groups so in your group there would be about 8 from your Every second Thursday, the Primary 4s go up to the Rural Complex school. We got the bus to the High School at 10:30am and arrived and take part in a project called ‘Seed to Supper’. The Primary 3s at about 10:45. The first workshop was all about looking at from St Mary’s Primary also take part in the project. They plant different types of fish and people from Marine Scotland told us seeds each week and then at the end of the project, they will be all about different types of fish. There was another man who told eating the fruit and vegetables that they have planted. us about how to measure different fish when they have been Netball Tournament/League caught and are ready to go to the fish markets. A lady called Cat On Thursday the 16th of May, the A and B Netball teams from was there to tell us about diets and then we got to taste Banavie went to the High school for the netball tournament. different types of fish. We tasted smoked mackerel, trout, Banavie A team played against Lochyside, St Mary’s and Caol A salmon and herring. The last workshop was led by a man called and so did the B team. In the tournament the B team came 3rd and Stuart who is a chef at the Crannog Restaurant in town. First of the A team came 2nd. all he made us mussels marinated in garlic and a sauce. The next
thing he made was fried mackerel sandwiches. If we wanted we Morgan MacDonald could have plain or we could have it with mustard. The next thing Samantha Runcieman he made was salmon pasta with a cheese sauce. The last thing he made us was langoustines. We really enjoyed our day and the main frustra ons of the job. A er many phone calls, emails and chasing people up we have managed to avert a near crisis in the recommend it to anyone who wants to try fish. update from supply of liquid morphine, so needed in caring for our pa ents. John Muir er Art Club exhibition at the distillery in May exhibition at the distillery er Art Club What is really needed is that this very cheap, easily acquired drug is On Wednesday the 1st of May, we started our John Muir added to the list of essen al drugs for the country which would Discovery Award down at the canal. We will be carrying on this sub-saharan africa! make acquisi on of it so much easier. That is going to have to be project until the summer holidays. next weeks task! We are now 6 weeks into our two‐year journey and it has not been Ini al reflec ons of this part of Africa are of a friendly, Shinty without its frustra ons and dramas! Just as we se led into the welcoming and peaceable people, the majority of whom live in On Sunday the 5th of May, Banavie Shinty Team went to slower pace of life, the gentle hum of ac vity, the sunshine every abject poverty, managing with next to nothing yet always managing Ballachulish to take part in a tournament. There were 6 teams day and the new jobs, Peter ran into a problem with the sudden
to smile when greeted. Disease, in a more advanced stage than I involved in the tournament. Banavie won all of their games apart in Lochaber News a while back for his ski-ing success!
onset of a cardiac arrhythmia which arose totally out of the blue have ever witnessed in the UK, is evident everywhere but is borne from 1 that they drew. Overall, they won the tournament having and within 48hrs became an increasingly worrying event eventually with such for tude and acceptance. Death is seen as inevitable beat St Mary’s in the final. resul ng on us being medi‐vacced to Nairobi to the Interna onal even when the person dying is young or is leaving many young Aga Khan Hospital’s cardiac unit. It was a frightening experience all Glen Nevis children without a parent. Children are never shielded from the round and I have never felt so lost and alone as I did those first few th dying process although are o en displaced to a different village/ On Friday the 10 of May, all the Primary 7s went up to Glen days with Peter being unwell and I being in a strange and unknown town and carers they may not know very quickly a er a death Nevis to do Bushcraft activities. A man called Sam was there to part. Our support agency, the Voluntary Mission Movement (VMM) occurs in the family. Only very basic drugs are rou nely available lead the day. We made wooden photo frames out of sticks and were great in suppor ng us, both through daily phone contact from but what li le there is does seem to make a difference in managing rush. We also made needle tea on our campfire inside the tepee. Ireland and in ge ng their field support worker to us in just over 24 symptoms of advanced cancer. Ndi Moyo has made such a huge We all really enjoyed our day and would recommend it to anyone hours. The outcome of this nightmare I am happy to report is that difference to the people of Salima district in ensuring those who who gets the opportunity in the future. 11 days later we were able to fly back to Malawi and on that same need help get it but for everyone they treat there are hundreds day went straight back to work. We came here to do a job so we Fun Night who don’t get help, living outwith the catchment area. One of my th were keen to get on with that. On Friday the 10 of May, we had our school Fun Night. At Fun tasks is to set up and run teaching courses to train health It was pre y poor ming all round as the Finchs, founders and Night we had lots of different stalls such as face painting, nail professionals in the outlying clinics so that some of the good work drivers of the centre, were leaving for a well deserved 3 months painting and lots of different things. We also had Segways, Body Ndi Moyo does can carry on and reach many others. But the with their family in UK and we were to be taking over the running Zorbing and pony riding. We all had a great time and we can’t wait challenge goes beyond teaching as these individuals will need of the centre. We did make it back with only a day late and for the till next year. We would like to give a huge thanks to those who supported and mentored to allow them to build competence and
work from lots of Kilmallie artists at the Lochab lots of Kilmallie artists work from last week or so have been busy establishing ourselves properly into helped out with stalls and contributed in lots of things. We raised confidence in what they do. the lead roles at the Pallia ve care centre. This is working well. a magnificent £2800!!! We did a lot of fundraising and awareness raising sessions Peter has been busy with all things of a borehole and solar power before we travelled here and our thanks goes to all those in supply nature in an effort to get the water shortage and con nued Transition Visit Kilmallie who par cipated in that. I can assure you the monies On Wednesday 13th May, P7 went to the high school and got a tour
to see fluctua ng power outages be er managed. The borehole is almost raised are being fully used and making such a difference. there and should start func oning in the next few days. The round it by the fifth year pupils. We got to see all the different Further updates will be made as we con nue this work. If gardens of Ndi Moyo host a large collec on of plants which are classes around the school that we might be in and we got to meet anyone would like to follow the process more closely, there is a used in the treatment of many of our pa ents symptoms so this is a some of the teachers like Miss Barr and Miss MacNeil. We all group se ng on facebook which I try to add to on a weekly basis. very important aspect of the centre. Water shortages have made can’t wait till high school next year!!!!!!!! Type Ndi Moyo into the FB search bar and you should get an ‘open the care of these at mes very difficult so the water from the group’ op on. Otherwise my email address is borehole will make a huge difference. I have been working with the [email protected] and I do so enjoy hearing tales from clinical team looking at ways we can keep the pa ent flow going on Corpach and surrounds! Our fundraising webpage remains open for our busy clinic days. They are a great team and o en work well Children’s Holiday Club, 16-19 July and 23 – 26 July anyone who would like to contribute: beyond their allo ed hours for a pi ance when compared with
great great www.everyclick.com/peterandkathryn nursing salaries in UK. I learn something new everyday about the at Lochaber Rural Education Centre.
culture and working of the medical suppliers locally – this is one of Kathryn Hamling For more information contact Linda on 01397 700800 loved photo of Archie (age 7)
Incidents the Fort William Chamber of Commerce. One of our members sits page 10 on the OCUK Board and another on the TBID Steering Group. In page 19 HM Unfortunately casualty sta s cs are showing an increase in this calling all short tourism is our business and we are involved in tourism. area for this, the first part of the year, than in previous years. This is only the start. However our most recent project has been Twenty one incidents to date of which 4 were fatali es. There has COASTGUARD the addi on of “real me” availability checking and commission been an unhealthy rise in canoe/kayak incidents on inland waters. B&Bs and free online booking on our Group website for those members
wishing to take advantage of it. This has been a natural AT CORPACH Phil Wren progression of our highly successful “Enquiry Sharing” ac vity whereby we passed guest enquiries we are unable to Community Resilience guest houses The Fort William Accommoda on Marke ng Group (FWAMG) was accommodate on to other members, successfully keeping The vast majority of Lochaber folk missed out on a golden formed in October 2011 by a small group of local independent thousands of pounds of business within our membership. We opportunity to have their say on what concerns them about where regularly receive emails of thanks for this help in finding
B&B and Guest House owners. The Group is non‐profit making and they live with regard to safety, crime, medical care, roads and u lity run by its members for it’s members. accommoda on for visitors. New members to FWAMG Group companies. The event which was the brainchild of Dot Ferguson, FWAMG aims include helping members maintain occupancy levels, would have access to this facility as well. Senior Ward Manager of Highland Council, was well adver sed but increase repeat bookings, work to maintain and improve visitor We currently have 4 members in the Kilmallie Community Council the turnout was disappoin ng. It ran from 3pm to 8pm in Lochaber numbers, ensuring the best possible guest experience, working area and would welcome contact from other B&Bs, Guest Houses House. with others to promote Fort William as a year round des na on and local businesses to discuss how we may be able to work Organiza ons taking part were : and other non‐accommoda on tourism based businesses together and help each other. The days of independent working Police Scotland providing ac vi es and services to visitors. In short we collaborate are on the way out and the new era of collabora ve working is Sco sh Fire and Rescue and work together for the benefit of members and their visitors. here now. B&B and Guest House owners in the Kilmallie CC area Sco sh Ambulance Service Fort William and its immediate area has lacked a cohesive may well feel on the edge of Fort William and somewhat side lined Mari me and Coastguard Agency organisa on that works for the benefit of its members and visitors on the “other” side of the canal, just as those, for example in Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team to the area for many years now, all the surrounding areas, Glen Torlundy do, the same distance from the town centre as you are. Highland Council Tech Services Spean, Ardnamurchan, Road to the Isle and Glencoe, have well Coming together with a group can help with this, offer support in Highland Council Children’s Services established Groups doing similar work and are effec vely star ng areas such as IT, and of course we do have the occasional social Sco sh Environmental Protec on Agency to erode visitor numbers to the greater Fort William area. get together as well. Red Cross Since incep on the Group has: Corpach, Banavie and other parts of the Kilmallie CC area have a Women’s Royal Voluntary Service lot to offer visitors including the guests of our members outside doubled its membership numbers. Sco sh and Southern Electric your area. We can all benefit from each other. If you want to talk developed a website showing all members proper es which Zurich Insurance more or ini ally want to talk to a member in your area first then now features well up the Google search rankings for Fort I have never known all of these representa ons under one roof get in touch. Your ini al contact points are: William. before, sadly an opportunity missed. To my knowledge only two the Group website at www.fortwilliam‐guesthouse.com. arranged several discount schemes to include a discounted Community Councils a ended. One was Kilmallie – Hooray – Well Please use the “Contact Us” link to email us. hea ng oil purchase scheme, discount scheme for domes c done Kilmallie. Telephone: appliance repair and PAT Tes ng and a discount scheme for Guest speakers at the event were Mo MacDougall of SSE, Nigel Andy Keen (Chairman) on 01397 702583 member’s guests with a local ac vity provider. There are many Stafford of Red Cross, Brian Powell of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Michael Dunham (Secretary) on 01397 703320 others to be worked on and added in the future and the and yours truly. stronger we are as a Group the be er collabora on and I hope the link is s ll there for anyone to look at, giving Michael Dunham discounts we can nego ate. informa on on how to build your communi es resilience. FWAMG is now recognised and ac vely involved in consulta ons Check : www.readyscotland.org/my‐community with other tourism bodies such as the Tourism Forum, Outdoor
- Country Walking magazine want to do a feature on it want to do a feature Walking magazine - Country Capital of the UK and some of our members are also members of More training A er many weeks of planning, two local rescue organisa on’s there is a place called Annat in the South of France? recently got together for a weekend of joint training. HM Coastguard and Lochaber Mountain Rescue. The venue was green fingers Kilchoan. Coastguard’s from bases at Corpach, Salen, Mallaig and Kilmallie Kilchoan took part. The weekend was an outstanding success. Everything from the workshops to rescue and medical scenario’s geraniums went without a hitch. The accommoda on and especially the food Geraniums of all kinds can do much to enhance your garden, and I (prepared by David from Glenborrodale Castle) was mouth don’t mean the colourful non hardy ones that are grown o en in Shinty Club wateringly brilliant. pots. They have their place too but they are really pelargoniums The Saturday sessions (all on the shore and sea cliffs) included All Kilmallie teams have been playing well since the start of (though commonly called geraniums) and show at their best with a the season in March. crea ng anchor points for rescue equipment, abseiling, basic life bit of protec on from wind and rain such as a porch or greenhouse. support during an incident, casualty packaging and water rescue techniques. Saturday night was made up of a hot buffet fit for The hardy perennial geraniums appear in June and grow in profuse Here are the provisional dates for home games for the rest Royalty followed by a quiz which was hilarious as you would expect circular clumps that spread each year given room. Perhaps the most of June. (Please check with us as they are subject to date common well known one is Johnson’s Blue which looks lovely next to change). when 50 Coastguards and Mountain rescuers get together. th nd a white climbing hydrangea by my pa o wall. There are many other Saturday 15 June: Kilmallie vs Strathglass (2 team) Sunday began with many hangovers which were soon blown nd nd varie es, sizes and colours though to please all tastes. I have a vivid Saturday 22 June: Kilmallie vs Lochbroom (2 team) away by a cold wind up on the hill outside the village. The first th scenario was the teams being tasked to a light airplane crash across pink elsewhere that takes up more room than I want to give it, a Saturday 29 June: Kilmallie vs Caberfeidh (1st team) a gully. The group were being shown how to rig a system to transfer beau ful li le mauve one and several others. Though not as low The training for all ages is now held at Canal Parks on a personnel across a wide gully (Tyrolean) Personnel and equipment growing as most ground cover plants they could be described as this Tuesday and Thursday night. including stretchers were soon making a mid air transfer to the because of the increasing circles they make as they cover the ground. other side. Casual es made up to have various injuries were in Fundraising is an ongoing ac vity in the Club and we are Perennial geraniums don’t need any special care. They like sun but nd various loca ons and had to be treated on scene and transported holding a Prize Bingo on the 2 August in Caol Community Meall Banbhaidh Banbhaidh Meall will grow and bloom in half shade and of course cut them right down Centre and our annual dance is going to be held in back to base. in autumn when they are finished for the year. Some of the smaller The make up was so realis c. Picture a ached not for the November. A collec on is also taken at home games. We varie es bloom in late summer but the one drawback of Johnson’s are also always looking for volunteers so anyone who would
squeamish. did you know – Blue is that blooming only lasts about a month. Nevertheless its like to get involved please get in touch with me. Back in February, another 8 Coastguard Rescue Officer’s beauty and because it is a carefree plant it may “fit the bill” for you qualified in water rescue at a new loca on on the River Lochy near Don’t look at this picture if you are squeamish ‐ but don’t worry, it is all just and be very decora ve in your garden. Linda Campbell,
fame for Torcastle, an ideal loca on on our doorstep and the Corpach team make‐up, to make the pretend casualty look more realis c for training have embarked on a rope rescue opera ons qualifica on. Secretary 01397 700800 purposes. Ruth Miller idea. Tapestry as a means of recording forward very much to seeing her panel page 20 history has never gone out of style. completed, though she is expec ng to have page 9 the great Joan is embroidering a panel depic ng to burn the midnight oil rather a lot to meet Sir Hugh Munro, founder member of the the June deadline. We hope to bring you Sco sh Mountaineering Club. In the more pictures of her finished work, and also background of her panel are the highest news of when the full tapestry will be on tapestry of Latest news is that Sco sh Canals Sco sh Canals propose a further We’re pleased to hear that The mountains of Scotland. The hills which are show locally. The pictures here show Joan’s intend to develop clusters of glamping Waterways Trust have extended their over 3000 high became known collec vely handiwork in progress. drop‐in consulta on session on 19 pods (ie for ‘glamorous camping’) at Caledonian Canal heritage project for as Munros a er Sir Hugh listed them all in The completed tapestry will be June about the pods at Banavie. scotland - 1891. The sport of Munro‐bagging has displayed first at the Sco sh Parliament in Gairlochy, Moy and Banavie Basin (see See the insert in this newsle er for another two years. Looking forward to driven many a hillwalker since then: it’s a autumn 2013. Then the organisers will tour pictures on page 2). details. news of their forthcoming ac vi es. a Kilmallie fantas c way to keep fit and get to know the it round Scotland before se ling on They have already held a drop‐in Please go along if you want to see
geography and landscape of Scotland at the somewhere to house it permanently. They consulta on at Gairlochy, and on 4th what is being proposed or make any embroiderer’s same me. are looking for dona ons to fund the tour June they presented their proposals to comments. If you can’t make it, let us The content of each panel has been and find a home. a mee ng of Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge know and we can keep you informed contribu on designed by Andrew Crummy, and each it will take 50,000 sewing hours (Friends of Caledonian Canal Lochaber) and Achnacarry Community Council. of what happens. FOCAL doesn’t have is a subgroup of needleworker has to work with a limited (equivalent to sewing 24 hours a day for Numerous concerns about the to history pale e of colours to provide visual 6 years!) any official collec ve opinion on the the Kilmallie Community Company. proposals were expressed at both proposals at the moment: we just Along with hundreds of other volunteers consistency over the whole work. But apart it will use over 30 miles of yarn (enough For more info, or to be added to our from all over Scotland, Joan Kerr of Banavie from that, the volunteers are free to use events by members of the Gairlochy want everyone who lives near the to lay up and down Ben Nevis 37 mes) mailing list, please contact is contribu ng to a community art project of what colours and s tches they feel are most it’s covering 12012 years of Sco sh community. Please get in touch if you’d canal or uses it or cares for it to have Jan MacLugash, 01397 772383, enormous historical consequence. As a appropriate to their par cular panel. Joan history like further info on the discussions that a chance to express their views. skilled needlewoman, she is a volunteer has to decide whether to fill each area in; when it’s finished it hopes to be the took place. email: [email protected] taking part in the project known as The with what colour and with what s tch. longest tapestry in the world (bea ng Great Tapestry of Scotland. This is very Embroidery is a highly skilful pa ent task the present 120m Kieskamma tapestry much a team effort which seeks to tell the ‐ a fusion of art and cra . Joan started as a which hangs in the South African th history of Scotland using 160 individually girl and has been has been embroidering parliament building). The Bayeux embroidered panels, which will all be ever since. Being invited to take part in tapestry is 70m long. happy 100 individually framed. The panels are being this powerful and emo onal project is a There’s lots more informa on at embroidered in a variety of s tches which fantas c accolade for her. Whether or not www.scotlandstapestry.com, where you can include simple and composite s tching; independence is regained a er 2014, this also donate online to support this great birthday! s tches like stem, running and chain sewing tapestry is des ned to become a project. and filling s tches like sa n s tching. cornerstone of Scotland’s cultural tradi on, st Unlike the celebrated Prestonpans depic ng the soul and stories of the na on. tapestry, which Joan also worked on a And if Scotland does become independent, or 101 ? couple of years ago, this one will not tell a the tapestry will acquire even greater power as it would have looked sister lighthouse at pot lighthouse on Amazon for £16.99! con nuous story. It will convey the iden ty and poignancy, not least because so many Corpach lighthouse soon a er it was built Gairlochy, built 1913 of Scotland by illustra ng “snapshots” of people have contributed to the making of it. (image Sco sh Canals) (image © John Allan, The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses history to portray the character of the Joan can jus fiably be hugely proud of the licensed for reuse under agreed in the 1840s to provide a light in Sco sh people today. part she has played in its crea on. the Crea ve Commons Loch Eil to guide mariners at the approaches The idea for this par cular work came Joan is the only person in Kilmallie working to the Canal (1). Presumably they only accurate but I haven’t been down at night to from author Alexander McCall Smith. He on the tapestry, though there are other provided buoys at the me, as it was to be check! – he describes it as having a “focal above ‐ as it is today collaborated with historian Alistair Moffat s tchers in Caol and elsewhere in Lochaber. 70 years before the present lighthouse was plane 6 m (21 ); white, red, or green light, new long-distance footpath planned for Kilmallie footpath new long-distance and ar st Andrew Crummy to develop the Kilmallie is proud of her, and we are looking depending on direc on, 2 s on, 2 s off.” (3) right ‐ built. sister lighthouse The lighthouse isn’t a listed building, but Corpach’s simple but elegant pepperpot at Fort Augustus lighthouse is one of three similar ones built it is specifically included in the descrip on (image © on the Caledonian Canal – the others are at of the Corpach Locks and Basin as a Nilfanion, Gairlochy and Fort Augustus. Scheduled Monument, and as such it is licensed under Architectural historian John Hume protected as a building of na onal the Crea ve describes it as a “Short circular‐sec on importance. Commons A ribu on‐Share concrete block‐work tower with conical Along with its two sisters further east on the canal, at 6m high they are probably the Alike 3.0 roof. Rectangular window facing across Unported license canal entrance”(2). He states that it was built smallest lighthouses in Scotland, though in 1913, as do all the other reasonably Berry Head in Devon pips them to the post reliable references I’ve found. But you for the smallest lighthouse in the UK: it is might have no ced that the date cast into only 5m high. the lintel above the door says 1912! As a local beacon of communica on, it le ‐ elegant original roof ven lators and Lockkeeper Alec tells me that the lintel on seemed a highly appropriate icon for the community council to use for its logo, tappe ytoorie: the Gairlochy lighthouse does however say does anyone know when 1913. Who now knows the real truth? Was especially as it is sited on the axis of our two these were removed? the Corpach lighthouse built in 1912 and all main centres of popula on where the (image Sco sh - you can buy a jigsaw of Corpach’s pepper the references mistakenly assume all three Great Glen meets meet the shore Canals) lighthouses were built the same year? Or of Loch Eil. maybe it was started in 1912 but not Mandy Ketchin finished ll 1913? Notes And to add to the confusion, one online 1 The Caledonian Canal,
a way to the west - to the west a way reference even gets the date wrong by more A D Cameron, p120 than 100 years! Russ Rowle , a lighthouse 2 Royal Commission on the enthusiast in North Carolina, who is Ancient and Historical wow compiling an online catalogue of the world’s Monuments of Scotland, lighthouses, mistakenly assumes it was built www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk at the same me as the canal and dates it as 3 www.unc.edu/~rowle / lighthouse 1819. Hopefully his technical info is more
KCC have received a complaint about dog fouling locally: “I wonder pavement, like it is for dogs. There is excellent Angela and I joined Crannog Cruises for a wildlife cruise along Loch
page 8 if you could highlight the problem of dog‐fouling. Most dog guidance available for responsible horse Eil aboard the Soutars Lass. It is hoped that this will be a regular page 21 owners are responsible and “pick up” but some are not! Several owners, as well as awareness‐raising evening trip during the summer. Despite a cold and wet start to the walk their dogs round the Sta on Road / Corpach shops loop and informa on for the public about the status of wild about cruise we all had a good me spo ng, and managed a total of 25 along the shore road on a daily basis and the mess is disgus ng!” horses and riders as co‐road‐users. But more of different species of bird from the boat. As we passed through the If you are a dog owner, please don’t allow your dog to foul the this anon, including the delights and merits of Narrows we had good views of the heronry, with birds stood on footpath. It’s not just a ma er of good manners, it is a punishable collec ng wayside ‘pearls’! their nests; we passed large numbers of seals, huddled up on the offence. But even allowing your dog to foul the verges and green islands; and we were joined by a curious seal on the return leg.
spaces, especially if it’s on a regular basis, can also be really Highlight of the trip was undoubtedly an osprey, which flew right If you are aware of people who let their dogs foul rou nely kilmallie unpleasant for other people. Remember too that dog faeces, via across the boat with a fish in its talons, no doubt heading home to roundworm infesta on, can transmit the disease toxicariosis to at the same me and the same place, Wild Lochaber Fes val 2013 its nest. humans: children are especially vulnerable. Symptoms of this do let the Dog Warden service know. The next morning saw an early rise to look for blackcock and the disease can include abdominal pain, coughs, headaches, fever, They have authority to watch, wait, and issue £40 Fixed By the me you have read this the Wildlife Fes val will have been o ers at Lochy Mouth. Glenloy Wildlife were successful with both, shortness of breath, and even permanent loss of vision. Penalty no ces on the spot to the culprits, with the risk of and gone, but we hope many of you par cipated, and that you all although the black grouse are at the tail end of the lekking season, So in this issue we are pleased to highlight the Green Dog Walkers’ large fines for non‐payment. enjoyed the experience. This is not the end of the story, however, and were becoming decidedly unenthusias c by 5.30am! We Scheme, see below, and we’re delighted to bring you a free gi . Phone 01349 886603 or email [email protected] as this year saw the launch of the OCUK Wild Lochaber Trails – a watched an o er fishing for about thirty minutes, and were If you’re a dog owner, please use it. If you’re worried about to report incidents. series of self‐guide leaflets designed to show visitors and residents distracted by an osprey also fishing in the same area. Other early dogs fouling the pavements and verges near you, please pass it on! Knowing this will hopefully be a deterrent to rou ne the best of the region’s wildlife and landscapes. The trails indicate morning goodies included a pair of twite on the fence before the We’ve also received a complaint about horse droppings, which offenders, who will now rush to join the Green Dog Walkers’ the best places to stop and admire the scenery and look for shinty pitch, wheatear on the pitch, a cuckoo, and a pair of roe deer we plan to talk more about in a future newsle er. As far as we’ve Scheme rather than risk repeated penal es. wildlife, with an indica on of what you might find there. There are by the path to Inverlochy Castle. been able to ascertain, it’s not an offence if your horse sh*ts on the eight trails in all, four of which touch on a part of Kilmallie. Trail 3, Loch Arkaig, follows the road from Banavie to Gairlochy and on to Other events that had a bearing on proceedings locally included a Loch Arkaig. Trail 4 covers the Road to the Isles, and Trail 7 covers press trip from the BBC. Chris Sleight from BBC Scotland’s Out of Morvern, but starts off from Kinlocheil and carries along the south Doors joined me for a look at the ospreys on Loch Lochy and then side of Loch Eil. These are all intended for use with a car, but could returned to Glen Loy to watch the pine martens being fed. If free gift with this issue! equally be used someone on a bike, or as an indica on for se ng anyone caught the programme then you will have heard the sound We thought it would be a construc ve way off places for walks. Trail 8 cover Fort William as far west as of a pine marten chomping on bread and peanut bu er! For once Corpach, and is intended for use by walkers and cyclists. The Wild the wildlife behaved beau fully with a good view of the male to highlight the issue of dog‐fouling Lochaber Trails leaflets are free, and are either available from the osprey joining the female on the nest, and the pine martens by giving everyone in Kilmallie a couple of free poo bags! local Tourist Informa on Centres, or as a download from the OCUK appearing on cue. We also talked about Lochaber as a wildlife website (www.outdoorcapital.co.uk). tourism des na on, the Fes val and the Wild Lochaber Trials, so llaig is 2%, in Scotland overall it is 4% in Scotland overall llaig is 2%, These bags have kindly been donated by hopefully someone will be inspired to visit. There was also a very A number of events locally featured loca ons in and around good discussion on local biodiversity in the Alexandra in Fort the Green Dog Walkers’ Scheme, Kilmallie. Sadly the weather put paid to an intended Bu erfly Hunt, th William on the Monday night, with a lively panel debate, following but sunshine the day before, 19 May, produced the first via the Highland Council Service Point in Fort William. a presenta on by Ian Strachan. Local topics of interest included the chequered skipper of the year for Sue Hood at Corriebeg, and perennial problem of li ering up Loch Arkaig, muirburn and its long If you have a dog, please use them with our compliments. Green Hairstreak were on the wing in Glen Loy, along with lots of term effects (the consensus was that in this area it is largely heath moths. Glenloy Wildlife also held a bat and moth night at If you don’t have a dog, please pass them on inappropriate to be burning at all), and the issues rela ng to large Glenfinnan with Dan Watson of the NTS. We watched pipistrelles birds of prey in the region. The Fes val Shop in Fort William High to a friend or neighbour or passer‐by in Kilmallie who does. emerging from the roost in the Visitor Centre, and later heard Street also featured much interes ng and relevant local If you don’t know anyone at all, and never meet anyone locally who has a dog, Daubenton’s passing under the Callop bridge. Although the night informa on about wildlife. If you missed out you do not have to was cool, a total of 44 moths of 11 different species were caught please post them back (unused!!!) in one of KCC’s sugges on boxes (at Corpach and Banavie) wait un l next year. Come along to the Lochaber Natural History overnight, including the beau ful Clouded Silver, and the cryp cally Society mee ngs this winter, or join us for one of the popular and we will pass them on to dogs in need in appropriate loca ons! camouflaged Early Thorn. Even more exci ng was the sigh ng of a outdoor excursions. Please contact me on [email protected] large feline, tabby with a thick stripey tail, that crossed the road And to dog owners ‐ for details. between Kinlocheil and Corriebeg on the way back from the event. if you can’t see a proper dog li er bin nearby, please take your used poo bags home! Has anyone else seen any possible wildcat in this area? Jon Mercer. Glenloy Wildlife
“pledge” and encourage others to do the same, the ul mate aim is for everyone to be a “Green Dog Walker” and an end to dog “poo”! To adopt the GDW in your area you need to: of Kilmallie has been included in SNH’s map of wild land (April 2013) be a cons tuted community group Our AGM is on Tues 23rd July, in the back room of Kilmallie Community Centre at 7:30pm. administer the project e.g. distribu on of materials, mee ng If you’re already a member of the Kilmallie Community Company, or are interested in joining us please come along. mailing costs, etc. Everyone welcome. Paul Biggin Many thanks to Mandy MacLeman for sending us this info on help with promo on of the campaign in your area the Green Dog Walkers’ scheme. run or take part as a volunteer in at least 3 pledge booths or
GDW events annually. If dog fouling is an issue in your area, maybe the “Green Dog The Highland Council have created a GDW starter pack, free of the unemployment rate in our Ward (Caol & Ma rate in our the unemployment
, Walkers” scheme can help? charge, for cons tuted community groups who wish to adopt the The Green Dog Walkers Scheme, which originally started up in scheme. the Falkirk Council area, is described as “a non confronta onal way For further informa on see of changing people’s a tudes towards dog fouling” and aims to www.highland.gov.uk/greendogwalkers/ make indiscriminate dog fouling socially unacceptable. The scheme or email [email protected] has been running in Falkirk for almost three years and has proved a great success, with over 1500 people signing up to it, and some areas repor ng a 99% decrease in dog fouling! The scheme is designed to be run by community groups, with support from The Highland Council. Dog owners and dog walkers sign a pledge to always clean up a er their dog, always to carry extra “poo” bags to give to people who need them, and to Lochaber District Canine Society (the dog club) are already
encourage others to clean up a er their dog in a friendly, non members of the Green Dog Walkers’ scheme. a vast chunk Why not join them, or set up your own local group to help confronta onal way. Green Dog Walkers are iden fied by a green Friendly, fun, fresh air, frui ul, and fizzical exercise! ‐ everyone’s welcome at the Corpach Woods’ work par es which help maintain the woods and paths at April 2013 at April wristband, snood or a green dog collar. As more people sign the make a difference locally. for the whole community to enjoy. programme. We have had to make the difficult decision to page 22 withdraw from a number of projects, but we are s ll commi ed to page 7 inves ng in communi es throughout the UK, including at Blar mearachdan (mistakes) tesco update Mor. Unfortunately build programmes for our developments have “Some mes I think you aren’t as stupid as you seem. I think you some cows that were, allegedly, nicked from our southern Tesco’s Corporate Affairs Manager gave us an update on to be considered against other developments in the UK, and as part do this to annoy me”. The techie teacher glared down at my neighbours hundreds of years ago. Gaelic road signs in Lochaber 23/05/13 - here’s an extract: of our current store build programme, we are working towards a empt at an engineering drawing and I cringed, knowing that he contain mistakes bordering on the incredible, and occasionally dark opening our new store at Blar Mor no earlier than 2015. In April we announced that over the last year we have been under‐ was wrong: my mistakes were 100% genuine! Some mes I have thoughts pass through my ny brain, inspired by the frustra on of taking a comprehensive review of our UK development Gloria Coats, Corporate Affairs Manager, Tesco Sco sh Office similar dark thought about the people who produce the Gaelic my late techie teacher. It was therefore a cause of rejoicing that the language road signs. Having been given perfectly good text to copy big, new signs on the Blàr, for the supermarket that may never be by Ainmean‐Àite na h‐Alba, a commi ee of experts, how do they built, contain only 3 mistakes each. Here, then, is a brief Highland councillor Thomas MacLennan told me the cost of one of manage to screw up so o en? Can’t they do simple copying? explana on of some of the signs on the Blàr, and elsewhere, which these life‐saving machines is £1000 but the communi es would be
The Gaelic language has many enemies. I have never really might have been puzzling you. given help of £500 towards a Defibrillator.
defibrillators understood why but it is thought to have something to do with The Lochaber News covered this story on the front page of their . I a ended the launch of the recently established Community Public paper on May 2nd. We need to expand this throughout the whole Access Defibrillator project for Lochaber, which was held on May Ist This is one of the earlier signs to appear. Caol is shown as Caol of Lochaber and bring these defibrillators as close as possible to the at the Alexandra Hotel in Fort William. Nine speakers outlined the Loch Abar to dis nguish it from other Caols such as Caol Loch Aillse people who may need them. progress of the programme, which is co‐ordinated by a partnership (Kyle of Lochalsh). There is some controversy among Gaelic scholars of the Sco sh Ambulance Service, Lochaber Pubwatch and the Libby Williamson as to whether Lochabar should be one word or two. Bri sh Heart Founda on. Mary MacKellar, of Kinlocheil, who was asked by Queen Vic to The aim is to make defibrillators more accessible in pubs, hotels translate her Highland Journal, favoured one word but in “Place Where are there defibrillators in Kilmallie already? and throughout the communi es. One of the speakers at the Names of Cel c Scotland” Prof W J Watson went for two, explaining Presumably there is one at the Health Centre? Are there launch was Alan Knox who is Area Service Manager for the Sco sh that abar is the Gaelic corrup on of the Welsh Aber, meaning the more? If you have suggestions or offers about other places Ambulance Service covering Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh. He said mouth of a river. The name Lochaber probably originally referred to that could usefully keep one, please get in touch with KCC. the project was an excellent example of 'community resilience'. Loch Linnhe, and of course the surrounding lands (Loch of the River Mouth). There are other explana ons of this but if Watson is right The tulips have put on a great show this spring, albeit a brave one, the name will go right back to Pic sh mes. The Picts are thought as the weather is so cold. The flowers in the tubs at the railway to have spoken a language akin to early Welsh. corpach in colour sta on are magnificent and must give lots of pleasure to train travellers. There's been lots of favourable comments about the Some me later the same sign appeared but in a slightly sta on from local folk. different form. The Gaelic Loch Abar had been Pic fied, or During March, the containers outside the cemetery were Anglicized, to Loch Aber and something weird had happened vandalised and have had to be replaced. Thanks to Mar n Munro to the accents. In the original there is a grave accent over the who supplied 3 large metal cylinders which are just what we ‘o’ in Lòchaidh while in the second this has become an acute needed. Margaret S sanded and painted them and they are ready (Lóchaidh). This would have been a fairly minor error even to be planted. A few years ago, in an effort to prevent parking on t growing your prizewinning vegetables now! before the acute accent was dropped in Gaelic about 25 years the grass verge outside the hotel, we placed a small tub there. It ago. was wrecked for the 3rd me earlier this year and now it has been thanks to Corpach in Colour for this great display of tulips replaced by a couple of tyres. We'll do the same with the one at at KCC’s Corpach no ce board the other end. Inspired by this triumph, the sign makers became even more innova ve. When we started 8 years age we only had 14 tubs... now we are The piéce de resistance can be seen on the B8004.
plan ng about 45 containers plus a boat! Some me in June, In this work of astounding originality a circumflex (^) appeared twice flower & produce show summer bedding will replace spring bulbs and we look forward a in Geàrr‐Lòchaidh (Geârr Lôchaidh), even though Gaelic has never used colourful show. The Flower and Garden Show will take place on circumflex accents. Can we, in future look forward to signs for A’ programme included Saturday, September 7th and we hope to see you all there with lots Çhorpaich, introducing the cedilla to a language that has no previous of exhibits. experience of it? Margaret MacIntyre This sign also shows another problem for the sign makers. Gaelic with this newsletter spelling some mes omits to represent vowel sounds that are present in the spoken word. Thus Banavie is wri en Banbhaidh but pronounced on RnG only 7% of Scots are opposed to bi-lingual road signs, opposed to bi-lingual 7% of Scots are on RnG only Scotland be used throughout thought they should and 48% more or less as it is in English. In this sign an extra ‘a’ has crept into the name, where you would expect it in English, but not in Gaelic. Kilmallie Community Centre I think my late father would be pleased that the school where he worked now has a Gaelic sign which points to Sgoil Bhanbhaidh (Skol By the me you read this, at long last the disabled toilet dogs and some small children, was standing allowing the children to Vanavay). The ‘h’ has crept in behind the first ‘b’ of Banbhaidh to show modifica ons will have been completed. Both will be in service, the pick the daffs bordering the pathway: when challenged she said you that ‘it possesses’ the school (school of Banavie). It isn’t an alterna ve, outside toilet will be accessed using a radar key, which is a s ll have plenty more!! ‐ not if their are more people like you going op onal spelling of the name. na onwide facility available 24/7, keys are available to purchase by about. Now that the grass cu ng has restarted, I hope the contac ng any of the hall commi ee. The hand rails have been incidences of empty drink cans/bo les being discarded on the grass Back to am Blàr Mòr. Outside the High School one can see a sign for a’ Ghearasdain (Inud slancha uh gherasdyne) Health Centre of Fort completed and it just remains to dy up the access edging. will stop. The bo les smash into pieces and the cans get shredded Ard Sgoil Lochabair. Is this yet another way to spell Lochaber? Well, William. This is another example of changes of meaning being Two young lads spoke about the small bike track with some with edges like razor blades, a danger to pets and children. no. The sign favours the single word name and an ’i’ appears at the indicated by the use of the le ers ‘i’ and ‘h’, together with thoughts of improving it and s ll making it available to the smaller The hall is going from strength to strength with fresh enquires end to indicate a slight change of meaning. Lochabair means ‘of varia ons of the word for ‘the’. It’s not a spelling mistake and less experienced, I told them that the commi ee is very keen regarding availability of our facili es. The most recent outdoor to all Flower & Produce Show entrants - star to all Flower Lochaber’ and is pronounced Lochabyre. H’s and I’s are o en used (incidentally, don’t try this at home!): the pa ern men oned here to help any person/persons form a new sec on to take advantage event star ng from the centre was Heather’s Walk ‐ a very to make slight changes of meaning. In Gaelic ‘the Blar Mor’ is Am only works with masculine nouns star ng with the le ers b,c,g,m of any facili es. A bike club could be formed and an approach made enjoyable and worthwhile day. Blàr Mòr. ‘On the Blar Mor’ would be air a’ Bhlàr Mhòr (air uh vlar and p so if you want to give your home a Gaelic name get the to all of the bike retailers to apply for a discount for members, we All the best voar). This form is used a er preposi ons, words like ‘in’, ‘under’, transla on checked by somebody who can read and write the would like to hear from any interested par es. John Macdonald ‘through’, ‘by’, ‘from’ etc, which give some idea of place or language. Recently some disappoin ng things have happened inside and direc on. The Blar Mor road (road of the BM) is Rathad a’ Bhlàir Gaelic language road signs have generated incredibly strong outside the centre and the grounds. A few dog owners ‐ either Kilmallie Community Centre Mhòir (Ra‐ad uh vlyre voeer). It’s the Blar’s road, shown in English feelings. Coming from Gaelic speaking Lochaber families, my they don’t clean up a er the dog or they throw the pooper scooper Sta on Road, Corpach, Fort William, PH33 7JH by the apostrophe before the ‘s’. The new supermarket signs miss pleasure in them is tempered only by frustra on due to the silly under a bush or into a hedge. A small number, who throw Sco sh Charity SC000604 out a couple of accents and perpetuate the nonsense of using Blar wee mistakes that have occurred too o en. I can only seek comfort suspicion onto all dog owners. The ladies’ toilet has had the hand CHAIRMAN Mr John Macdonald, in a recent survey: in a recent Mhor for the English name. Who ever calls it the Blar voar? in the classic defence of learners Gaelic ‘S eàrr Gàidhlig briste na wash bo les emp ed (making the floor very slippy) and pu ng Merchiston, Badabrie, Banavie, Fort William. 01397 772443 handfuls of toilet paper down the loo. This ac on blocked the toilet SECRETARY Mrs Norma MacLellan, In Gaelic, Fort William is called An Gearasdan, the Garrison or Gàidhlig ‘sa Chiste (be er broken Gaelic than Gaelic in a coffin).
Fort. As you cross The Blar you may no ce a sign for Ionad Slàinte leading to a plumber and eventually the water board having to be 12 Hillview Drive, Corpach, Fort William. 01397 772597 good luck Ronald Cameron called: these services have to be paid for. A lady with two large TREASURER Mrs Sarah Kennedy. 0776 880 5040 RAF Leuchars became available for page 6 mountain incidents. This was the start of a page 23 beau ful, not to men on successful, friendship with the helicopter crews from kilmallie’s landscape focus on folk the RAF and the Royal Navy. I have no doubt in my mind that without their help we Many thanks to Terry Confield, who lives in Corpach, could not cope with the number of rescues for telling us about his work with and searches we are now involved in. Lochaber Mountain Rescue On a modern day rescue there are many in a starring role... differences but the job is fundamentally the over the last 50 years The John Muir Trust, the leading UK charity that advocates for the care of wild land all over Scotland including Ben Nevis, same. A par cularly memorable example
has recently released a stunningly beau ful and moving video about the value to humans of wild land. was when two climbers were overdue on As well as a glimpse of Kilmallie in one of the beau ful opening scenes, the Blar stars in a drama c role later in the I actually became a member of the rescue gentleman who had set out to walk from the Orion Face. We had a full team call out team by default when I joined Lochaber Kinlochleven to Fort William via Glen Nevis. for first light and had also requested the use video, sending out a powerful message to all Scotland and beyond. It’s well worth a look. Mountaineering Club in 1964 as the club He was overdue and it was quite dark so the of a helicopter. The Royal Navy helicopter Watch it at h p://vimeo.com/64554290 or go to the home page of the John Muir website www.jmt.org formed the backbone of the mountain team was split into two groups: one group arrived and went straight to the scene rescue team back then. At this me, the to go in by Glen Nevis, the other by where the crew managed to locate and li call‐out system consisted of the village Kinlochleven. The first group was off one of the climbers. The other person policeman arriving at your door at any me transported up to the top car park in the could not be found on the face and so team to alert you that somebody was in trouble police van and then the van returned to pick members were deployed onto the summit on Ben Nevis. The team would then meet up the second party and take them to and in Observatory Gully. By this me the at the main Police Sta on in Fort William Kinlochleven. We quickly found the missing mist had come in covering the upper part of where we would be given the details of the person at the old Steall ruin, which meant the mountain. We tried shou ng but did incident or search. we needed to alert the other team so that not get a response. In the mean me the Loch Eil looking west from Linnhe Lochside holiday park. Photo: Ian Rainey, licensed for re‐use under the Crea ve Commons Sharealike license We’d then start the climb up the Ben they wouldn’t leave (and, more importantly, team down in the gully below came across from the dis llery, carrying absolutely every to get the van to return for us). climbing equipment and quite a bit of bit of kit we had as we did not know how Communica on to our base was the avalanche debris. The summit party paid when work had started). In his view Highland Council had many hours, or days, the rescue would take. telephone box at the Glen Nevis Youth descended to meet up with the bo om already accepted, when the Blar was designated as a mul ‐use area This included a stretcher and ropes which Hostel a good five miles away. I was party and a major probing and digging non-developments in the local plan, that the loss of natural assets was inevitable. Thus we would leave at the CIC Hut un l they selected because of my youth and off I exercise was started. Nothing was found Last Sunset” by Bob Atkinson he did not believe a developer contribu on should be paid to were required. went. I remember feeling quite chuffed and because of the first climber’s insistence compensate for loss of natural assets in this case. While everyone has mobile phones now, walking through the gorge when this that his colleague must be on the same on the Blar So Miller argues there was no case for Highland Council to have it’s important to remember that in those appari on flew over my head. It may have route we decided to head for the summit via KCC have been concerned to hear that ed the developer contribu on to star ng the development, and it days communica on with the town was only been a sheep but I took off and in what the Arête. We were forced to retreat Tesco may not have any firm plans to would therefore now not be appropriate to pay the contribu on almost non‐existent once on the mountain, seemed like no me I was at the youth because of the high avalanche risk and develop a supermarket on their Blar site before the store opens. However, even if there is technically no with the only contact with the police sta on hostel phoning the police sta on. A li le headed back to Fort William. We had in the foreseeable future. This raises a legal obliga on on Miller to pay the developer contribu on now, being through the CIC Hut radio. The slower than radio waves but thankfully s ll something to eat and then started back up number of issues for our area and our community ‐ KCC believes Miller and Tesco owe something to the local greatest danger of this was that we could in me to prevent the other party having to the Ben by Coire Giubhsachan to the the site will be blighted, and will remain a wasteland, un l its community of which they hope to be a part. Miller has made its not be alerted should the missing climbers start their search! summit. We lowered one of our team future is se led one way or another; money on the sale, but it does not look like the community will turn up safe and sound. On quite a few One of the great benefits of a rescue on members over the top of the North East Fort William’s retail economy will stagnate while there is benefit in the way we had expected. occasions we found ourselves on the hill all the Ben though was placing the casualty on Bu ress where he located the other missing uncertainty about Tesco’s ac ons; The risk that the payment could be seen as a bribe is no longer day despite the missing party having turned a trolley on the Bri sh Alcan small gauge climber below the Mantrap. Sadly, he was if no store is ever built, the environmental damage will have relevant. Planning consent was granted well over 2 years ago. up at 8:30 that morning! On one call out railway a er the long carry down the Allt a’ dead and encased in snow and ice. The been to no avail; and Miller would not benefit directly from paying now, other than we were tasked to search for an elderly Mhuilinn. For the rescue team, but body was pulled up and evacuated off the no orchids on the Blar verges so far this year so far this year on the Blar verges no orchids the developer contribu on of £400,000 that was to accrue to considerable goodwill generated by doing the right thing towards thankfully not the casualty, the trolley was mountain. This highlights the Highland Council when the store opened will never be realised. the community, and behaving as a responsible developer. known as the “dead man’s bogie”. In all determina on and self‐sacrifice required by To try to address the last point at least, KCC wrote to the local press Colin Graham maintains that what the community has gained is honesty, it would probably have been just as all members of the team to carry out sugges ng that pressure might be put on Miller Developments the infrastructure leading to an area of land on the Blar that is now fast to take the casualty down to the rescues. (who developed and sold the land to Tesco) to pay the developer owned by the council. However, he acknowledges that the Blar is dis llery but the long struggle with the The greatest change in mountaineering I contribu on now, as although the supermarket has not even been very expensive land to build on. Nonetheless he says that if it is stretcher meant that we could not wait to have no ced in the last forty years is the Gleann Laragain featured in “The built let alone opened, the damage to the environment and local uneconomic for Highland Council to use this land that is not Miller’s get rid of it. However, with only one foot equipment. Now we have clothing that retail has already been done. KCC also wrote to Miller direct with problem. He’s obviously right about this, but he would have to brake pedal, it’s a miracle that no team keeps us warm and dry (hence the reason the same request. admit that this somewhat diminishes the gain to the community of member was injured ge ng a li on the we have not had a vic m suffering from Colin Graham of Miller responded that the legal situa on with the infrastructure. And it does raise the ques on of whether they bogie. hypothermia in years), be er designs of the developer contribu on is that it can only be paid a er the store knew the land (and infrastructure) was effec vely worthless to In 1969 Lochaber Mountain Rescue crampons and ice axes, and GPS. So we has been built, otherwise it could effec vely be seen as a bribe to a Highland Council. Miller of all people would presumably be well Associa on was set up to promote a more have to ask ourselves what goes wrong council in return for gran ng planning permission: the idea of the aware of the costs of developing the land. formal approach to mountain rescue and we apart from the normal accidents? Well, developer contribu on is that it should compensate for some kind He did add that if nego a ons had been delayed by even just a became a registered charity to enable us to these haven’t changed over the years. The of impact associated with the development. few months, then the Blar development would probably have never go out and raise funds. A cons tu on was old classics of not allowing enough me, His view was that the impact that was being compensated for happened. It all relied on Tesco buying the site, and the Blar was put in place and a commi ee was formed to tackling routes that are too hard or out of here with the developer contribu on was on local retail businesses their last purchase of land or buildings in Scotland before pu ng a manage the team. The most significant condi on, and naviga on errors are s ll as and par cularly Fort William High Street. He was not prepared to freeze on all further spending. Perhaps this explains a lot. But change at this me was the number of dangerous as ever. And when that happens accept the argument that Tesco’s ownership of the site, with what a tragedy if the Blar, the community, and local business are rescues we were called out on. Instead of the rescue team will always a end. planning permission for a store, was likely to have just as much the casual es of this circumstance, while a global retailer and an the handful of the past few years, we were I re red as team leader three years ago impact on other local retailers (by discouraging investment in interna onal property developer have profited from it. Is this what now a ending over forty per year. To assist a er twenty‐four years in leadership, first as late or lost? or lost? late par cular) as having the opera onal store itself. Indeed this is a local planning decisions should be about? us the Police supplied us with various all‐ deputy to Donald Wa and then as leader. common prac ce, known as ’land banking’, which is used by KCC appreciates Miller’s dialogue, but our appeal to them s ll terrain vehicles. First of all a Snowtrack, My own deputy, John Stevenson, then took supermarkets to stockpile land in order to restrict new entrants stands. then a Garron and lastly a VP8, all driven by over as leader supported by Donald into the market. Tesco came under the Compe on Commission’s a police constable. Looking back, we spent Pa erson. I’m s ll a team member and s ll spotlight 6 years ago for this prac ce. **
more me rescuing these contrap ons and enjoy the “craic” on the hill every bit as great to see Colin Graham was also not prepared to accept the argument ** There is an interes ng recent ar cle about Tesco’s land banking pu ng tracks back on than carrying out the much as I did fi y years ago. that there was an impact on the local area in the form of loss of the prac ces in a Financial Times ar cle of 17/04/13. actual rescue. natural environment (in which case he would have conceded that it h p://www. .com/cms/s/0/478ca30a‐a73e‐11e2‐bfcd‐ Thankfully help was on the way and the Terry Confield would have been appropriate for the developer contribu on to be 00144feabdc0.html#axzz2T0h7gaHP Wessex helicopters that were sta oned at
in Torcastle. This time we asked our three Ward 12 councillors (who represent everyone from page 24 During Walter Cameron’s me as Scoute Master, th our Highland Caol to Mallaig) what they’d like to see happen in Kilmallie in the next three years. page 5 Does Anyone Kilmallie troop won the pres gious Duke of Connaught This is what they each replied, precis-ed very slightly due to tightness of space. Trophy for small bore rifle shoo ng twice: this was a councillors’ corner Remember Being a compe on open to Scout troops from across the This is a big ques on and difficult to answer specifically, as Kilmallie that the 2 new roundabouts have been established I will con nue to Commonwealth. Another highlight was a Scout trip to is such a thriving area and so much of what I do crosses the press for the A830/A82 link road reducing local travelling mes, as community council boundaries. Firstly I have to look back as so well as pressing for a constant 30mph throughout Corpach. I will Denmark when they enjoyed the hospitality of a Danish much has happened in my first 5 years and many businesses also lobby for the phase 4 money to complete Lochaber High.
Scout or a Girl troop (circa 1962) con nue to be developed. I s ll promote the use of boat and bus service on the canal/B8004 to Ronald Cameron remembers how at the age of 16 years,
The local Banavie school has been secured and the Paper Mill tower provide a tourist a rac on and local public service: I’m delighted he led the en re troop on the Danes’ return visit, right up disappeared. Now many private companies have developed on the that the Lady Kathryn is pilo ng this route this summer. Corpach Guide? the Ben by the Allt a’Mhuilinn and the arête even before he site with BSW’s magnificent towering building domina ng. Ferguson Marina also offers an opportunity to create a hub in the centre and Have you ever wondered about the old Scout Hut in got his Mountain Leadership Cer ficate! Transport has also moved in and I con nue to support their quest use of sea and canal, which could capture the fast expanding kayak Corpach? I have always wondered about the characters that Yet another highlight was the Blair Atholl jamborees for an inter modal freight terminal which would help take traffic off market. Exploring funding streams is the key to this. must have been involved in scou ng and guiding around when the Kilmallie Scouts acted as quartermaster. our roads. ClydeBoyd, Bowmans and Corpach Boat Building have I am involved in promo ng the long distance route “Away to the matured into large valued companies. Annat Point Industrial estate Isles” from Fort William to Mallaig through all the villages including here. A er speaking to Ronald Cameron of Whinknowe, I A er Walter Cameron, the troop was also led by Billy con nues to expand with a great number of companies offering a Corpach, which will help local business. have learned some interes ng facts about our local scout MacMillan. st group and I am sure there may be others in our local variety of employment opportuni es. As a result of this, new Working together will help us get 21 C facili es for leisure along Another interes ng fact that I gleaned from Ron was that affordable rental accommoda on for young families is a priority in with reten on of useful open spaces. I will be suppor ng local community that could share their memories. Sheila, his wife, was the very first Guide in Lochaber to be my second term. groups who labour to keep the community bright and a rac ve in Ronald tells us that the first scout group in Kilmallie was awarded the pres gious Queen’s Guide Award (she was in The shi west has been hampered by Tesco’s decision to postpone summer and winter. I will also work closely with Kilmallie started by Major Gooch from Torcastle. He had been a the Fort William Guides). Chris ne MacBride and her twin but my instant reac on of landbanking has been dispelled as that Community Council and the community centre commi ee. soldier in the Boer War. One of his first scouts was Donald brother were in the same class as Ronald in Banavie School would only benefit Morrison. I will con nue to lobby for a new As and when opportuni es arise I will work with my fellow MacCulloch, author of “Roman c Lochaber”. Major Gooch and Chris ne was the first actual Kilmallie Guide to win the Belford hospital on this site coupled with the blue light brigade councillors for the mutual benefit of Kilmallie and Lochaber currently building here. The introduc on of the new traffic incident and con nue to be available 7 days of the week. died in 1915 of wounds received in Gallipoli. His wife also Queens Guide Award; she was presented with it at the same unit will help clear our roads quicker when accidents occur. Now Allan Henderson Tel 01397 705954 started the first Guides in Kilmallie. They are both buried in ceremony as Sheila. St. Andrew’s Churchyard in Fort William. Later, the Scouts Are there any more recollec ons about scouts or guides The future of Kilmallie is intertwined with Lochaber, indeed with standard that will enhance the lives of our residents and our were re‐formed by Ronald’s father, Walter Cameron. He as which seem to be an important part of growing up in Highland. All Councillors in Lochaber have to work within young people. we all know was the head teacher at Banavie School and also Kilmallie? Perhaps you too have some photos to share? parameters. In my third term of represen ng the Kilmallie area on Ensuring that our children are educated in modern and Highland Council, I intend to con nue to put the interests of the ran the Kilmallie Scouts for 30 years. It was actually Ronald’s structurally sound schools. Caol & Mallaig Ward first. When it comes to the issue of educa on, Ensuring that our elderly residents are cared for in modern and mother who had been impressed with Major Gooch when Kshama Wilmington Kilmallie like the rest of Lochaber has done extremely well in acceptable care homes.
she stayed with her grandparents in Canal Co age, this was issues in future Highland Councillors t to acquiring budget monies to bring our schools up to a more Ensuring that damage to council property is repaired quickly acceptable standard and to provide our children with new schools. and to a high standard. Following on from that, there is s ll much more to accomplish in I’ve found that being able to help individuals or groups to resolve this field. Community facili es for our young people have yet to be issues, however large or small, can make a huge difference to their realised. In this regard, Highland Council is replacing the present all lives. weather pitch at Lochaber High School with an all weather 3G pitch. I will of course con nue to help local clubs and organisa ons Highland Council intends to support the proposals from Sports achieve their poten al and to support local businesses where Lochaber and all sports clubs in Lochaber for an indoor training possible to con nue with their ambi ons. facility which will be located at the High School. It is also a priority Notwithstanding the Sco sh Government proposed new to bring about a maintenance programme that will benefit the two planning policy to safeguard our na onal parks, countryside, towns grass pitches at the High School and Banavie Rugby Pitch. Indeed, and villages from the worst excesses of wind turbines, I will all other sports pitches require an acceptable maintenance con nue to judge each planning applica on on its merit taking on programme, something which has been neglected in the past due board the above safeguards. to lack of monies. While it may be desirable to provide major facili es and new Residents look for basic services to be provided. Those include: build like a new hospital on the Blar Mor, the provision of Keeping our streets clean. this much needed facility is not within the power of Ensuring that our communi es are free of vandalism. Councillors. Nevertheless, it would have our support. Providing playing fields with leisure and spor ng facili es to a Bill Clark Tel 01397 773150
Well, that is some ques on but let me have a go at answering it. our local economy and that is, of course, Tourism. We all must do Firstly the economy. Like most people I was bi erly disappointed our utmost to ensure our area is a desirable, exci ng and welcoming when Tesco announced their ‘ mescale’ for opening their store on place for people from all over the world to come to see and enjoy. the Blar Mor; obviously I want to see this progress as soon as Secondly, educa on. I feel it is vital that Banavie Primary School,
since the Camerons of Erracht revolted against Allan MacDonald Dubh Cameron Dubh Cameron Allan MacDonald revolted against Camerons of Erracht since the possible. Over at Corpach we have the brand new state of the art for which I have a certain personal affec on, receives its fair share
sawmill recently opened by BSW, surely an indicator that their of monies for upgrading and improvements to the building and the you’d like us to pu if there are any questions massive investment will signal an upturn in the markets that their sports field. Also long before 2017 and not before me, the final various products supply. Con nued growth and produc on to upgrading of the High School to full 21st century specifica ons is maintain and increase employment opportuni es is something I completed, including works on their sports field. would like to see at the sawmill in the future. Thirdly, transport issues ‐ a regular item on KCC agendas. I would Si ng next to the sawmill is another important cog in the wheel like to see a 30 mph limit from the Caol side of the Banavie Swing of the local economy, Corpach Boatbuilders, whose excellent Bridge to Annat Industrial Estate. This would greatly enhance the reputa on for high quality work makes it a leader in its field. I would safety of all people, not least pedestrians, including our like to see the boatyard expand its range of services, again schoolchildren. Also, I would like to see a more coherent and maintaining and increasing employment. regular opera on of the Swing Bridge at Banavie, giving everybody Thanks also to Ronald Cameron for this photo taken by Bill Thomson (a well‐known photographer of the late 1950's and 1960's) of the Making up the third main cog in our local economy is Ferguson the knowledge of when and how long the bridge will be open. Scouts and Cubs at the me of presenta on of the Duke of Connaught Trophy. Transport with its major transport hub, u lising road, rail and sea. And finally, as I go on my exercise walks around our area, I am so Ron has iden fied some of the people in the photo as follows: With the recent acquisi on of Caroline Harvester II and upgrade in pleased and proud to see the care and a en on that most people Back row (?), (?), Iain Munro, Sandy Cameron, Hugh MacDonald, (?), Ewan Campbell, Calum Ross, (?) familiar Ferguson livery, surely also a sign of another local pay to their environment, with lovely gardens, well trimmed Middle Row Walter Cameron (Scouter)(?)(?)?(?)(?) Calum Ferguson,(?)(?)(?)(?) company’s confidence in the future wellbeing of the economy. hedges and generally a pride in their community. I hope and Front Row Jessie Cameron (cub akela) Graeme MacKintosh, Olaf Donaldson, (trophy) Ian Paton, Donnie Stewart (might be MacLean I would hope to see development and growth in markets and am sure that this strong sense of community will gather let us know
400 years 400 of Duart presen ng trophy. jobs. strength and flourish in the future. Can you iden fy any of the others? Maybe one of them is you? And finally on the economy I must men on the other mainstay of Eddie Hunter Tel 01397 703918 8 The Kilmallie Troop won the Connaught Trophy four mes page 4 (Competed in rifle shoo ng throughout the Commonwealth!) page 25 and some Kilmallie Instructor Ralph McPhee.
9 In August 1939 WP Cameron restarted the Kilmallie Scouts. He a sthuge thank you Monday, 1 April 2013 will long be remembered Scouting history had previously assisted with the Mallaig Troop. by many in Kilmallie ‐ not for being April Fool’s Day – but for the hill fire above Banavie, 10 A er 50 years the Colours were rededicated in 1963 in Kilmallie Badabrie and Corpach. This turned out to be a snippets Church. very frightening me for many – star ng in the a ernoon with smoke
spreading and flames quite far away. As evening came the smoke got Hugh Muir has been our enthusiastic and regular 11 Kilmallie had a mee ng place at Banavie. It was in part of the thicker and the flames got a bit closer but, as darkness fell, the danger contributor with history articles since the start old stables of the ruined Banavie Hotel. Next they had a hall became more acute and frightening. of our newsletter in September 2011. close to the GSC Hall (demolished c 1967 for road widening). The fire got to within yards of a number of houses, but the residents
were very grateful to the members of the Fire and Rescue Service who 12 District Commissioners (DCs ) ‐ for Lochaber prevented the flames actually reaching their homes. The fire did get We were saddened to hear of Hugh's death on into a garden in Badabrie but any other damage, we believe, was Friday, 17th May 2013. 1950 WP Cameron (Banavie) limited to the hillside. 1957 Dr Barclay (Ft W) On this occasion, as well as the Fire and Rescue Service and Police Although failing in health, Hugh always had a 1973 Terry Payne (Corpach) Scotland, it was a me for neighbours to be there for each other and great interest in local issues and contacted us if 1975 Major Munro (Corpach) help where needed. We should also remember that the 1st April 2013 he felt we could help or give an issue a wider 1980 Roger Tatler (Roy Bridge) was the first day of the Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland audience. 1995 David Thomson (Ballachulish)
a er their reorganisa on. What a first day! Thank you to everyone Andy Holmes (Spean Bridge) Hugh was so interested in local history and has who volunteered help in so many ways. ? Commander Robb (Pinegrove, Ft W) given us more articles which he was happy to The Highland Council held a Community Resilience Workshop two ST have published when he was no longer with us. weeks later – perhaps the 1 April was the me when we first realised 13 Known Kilmallie Troop Leaders ‐ what community resilience was about. Things could have been much His family are also pleased that we should do
is on KCC’s website Scouts Cubs worse if the wind had been a li le stronger. The fire came really close to a number of houses: in this picture you can see this - so you can look forward to them in future it approaching a garden fence and an oil tank in the garden issues. WP Cameron Mrs WP Cameron g fantastic US Golf Scholarship Frank Clough Norma Nicholson The fires caused We send our sympathy to Elizabeth, their sons Tom Pa erson June Payne considerable Donald and Alastair and their daughter Sheila. Terry Payne Anna Gardener environmental damage. We also remember the extended family and Ian Petrie Jim Galsworthy Although burning is hope they all find comfort knowing that Hugh is Jimmy Vaughan Eliz Muir common prac ce in an no longer suffering and that he will be Senga Lindsay 1980‐1993 a empt to improve grazing remembered fondly by many in Kilmallie, Hillary Hemm land in Lochaber, a recent Lochaber and further afield. discussion panel of experts Hugh's funeral, a service of celebration for 14 In 2008, apart from cubs/beavers in Mallaig, Kilmallie is the only at a public mee ng on Hugh's life, was held in Kilmallie Parish Church ac ve troop in Lochaber. Lochaber biodiversity all in Corpach, when the large turnout reflected agreed that such fires are the affection the community had for Hugh. 15 In Oct 2009 Mallaig s ll had cubs/beavers but Kilmallie had only harmful to the natural 8 scouts with no cub pack. environment. In addi on Thank you so much, Hugh. to all the natural 16 On the occasion of Alastair Whitehead (Spean Bridge) leaving 1 In 1911 BP visited Fort William ‐ a Ft W troop had already been vegeta on and animal life the area a get‐together of about 20 people who had been formed. In Nov 1911 a Banavie and Corpach troop was formed that are destroyed, the soil involved in local scou ng was held at Le erfinlay Hotel on 17 by Mr Gooch of Torcastle. His assistant was Hugh Cameron, a is o en le impoverished Oct 2009. porter at Banavie Sta on. A er Gooch, Walter Newcombe, a er an intense fire. Gooch’s butler, took over. Alastair Ross, Tomonie, for winnin 17 Early 2010 a revival at Kilmallie. Now has 10 Scouts & 14 Cubs!
More locally, most residents in the Kilmallie area will have 2 In 1913, in a ceremony outside Corpach Hotel, the troop was no ced the steady progress being made on the new Fort William 18 Oct 2011 ‐ 10 scouts, 14 cubs and 21 beavers. community policing Police Sta on and Ambulance Sta on at the Blar. The comple on presented Troop Colours by Lady Margaret Cameron of Locheil. Colours dedicated by Rev Crawford. Colours accepted by his son Well, this is my first newsle er since the inaugural merger of the of this work is s ll on target for the la er stages of 2013. Reginald and Donald B McCulloch (author of Roman c 19 On 8 Oct 2011 a dinner was held at the Moorings Hotel to legacy eight Sco sh Police Forces into the single Police Service of The recent six day trials event was a success as far as policing was commemorate the Centenary of Scou ng in Lochaber. 23 Scotland. As I in mated in my last newsle er, this year had the concerned and the event passed by without any incident; it’s hard Lochaber). They ran the Wolf and Kangaroo patrols. a ended. Noted that new troop being formed at Stron an and promise to be a year of change for the face of the Police in to believe that in just a few weeks’ me we will be welcoming hope of restar ng at Spean Bridge. Troop recently restarted at Scotland and that is certainly looking to be the case with a li le contestants and visitors alike for the World Mountain Bike 3 In 1914 had three patrols. Fort Augustus. the muirburn code code muirburn the over 6 weeks into this new era. championships, another event which historically has been an all‐ With the new 101 non emergency number now fully up and round success from the point of view of the organisers, local 4 Troop became the Kilmallie Scouts. Later became the 2nd 20 Corpach Scout Hall ‐ Built as a United Free Church in 1904. On running a er its launch in late February, feedback from the general businesses, visitors and emergency services alike. Inverness‐shire and then the 33rd. st the 21 Oct 1931 ‘linked’ with the Kilmallie Church of Scotland public has on the one whole been very posi ve. By early April, Despite all these organisa onal changes, as has been said and became its church hall. With the building of a new Hall Police Scotland’s call‐handlers had taken over 100,000 ‘101’ phone before, it’s just ‘business as usual’ as far as local policing is 5 There was a 29th at Kinlocheil. behind the Church the old hall became redundant. Believed calls! concerned, but we are keen for the local residents of Lochaber and nd used by military / naval personnel during 2 World War. Force wide ini a ves have been undertaken with Police Kilmallie especially to provide feedback or voice any concerns they 6 There was a 31st at Annat. It was formed by J McLean
Scotland’s commitment to keeping people safe at the forefront. have in respect of policing either through the community council (dairyman) assisted by McIntosh (Ft W sanitary inspector). 21 In 1977 Kilmallie Scouts were given a 50 year lease. These such ini a ves included a week‐long road policing ini a ve or directly through Police Scotland’s phone, internet or social Operated late 1940s ‐ 1950s. Met in a Nissen Hut close to the
useful info in with a focus on reducing casual es on Scotland’s roads by media contacts. old Annat Recrea on Hall. posi vely influencing driver behaviour, a ‘Campaign Against 22 In the early 1980s the hall was upgraded ‐ a front porch, rear PS197 Andrew Bilton storage area, toilet, pain ng, etc. This work cost over £1000 Violence’ day on May 3rd and more recently a Motorcycle 7 About the 1950‐1960s there was a Caol troop. They had a Liaison Officer for Kilmallie Community Council and Lochiel acted as a guarantor un l all the money was raised! Awareness Weekend which sought to ensure that motorcyclists Wooden Hut ‐ near Canal, off road down to Canal Parks ‐ hall [email protected] understand they have a responsibility to do everything possible to burned down. Police Service of Scotland keep themselves safe including proper bike maintenance, suitable 23 2011 ‐ hall rewired Fort William Police Sta on, protec ve clothing and riding appropriately for the road and congratulations Tel 101 for non‐emergency Leaders Scouts: GH Faulkener Cubs: Mrs A Carnie weather condi ons. Hugh Muir
People are wary of compos ng other types of food waste th for the next newsle er is 15 August, for publica on in mid page 26 especially if it contains meat, fish or dairy products. With the right September. page 3 equipment anyone can compost all food waste ‐ whether fresh kilmallie community If anyone would like to help with delivering the newsle ers spotlight peelings, cooked food, meat or fish. please contact the newsle er team below. And last but not least, With funding from the Highland Leader Programme, Lochaber as ever we would like to thank the sponsors for their generous Environmental Group (LEG) is running a project to promote home news Two pieces from the Lochaber Environmental Group this dona ons. composters that can take all types of food waste. We have been Welcome to Issue 42, our eighth since we started! time: thanks to Anne Nelson who gave a presentation at Kshama working with households, small businesses and schools and trialling We hope you enjoy reading it, whether it arrives hand KCC’s March meeting about composting food waste, and three models of composters. They all differ from each other apart delivered by one of our volunteers, or by the postman. We would to Kendra Turnbull for sending us info about Green Deal Your newsle er team: from the fact that they can take all types of food waste. Each love to hear from you, and we’d especially like to receive energy assessments. Chris ne Hutchison 772252 par cipant in the trial is supplied with a composter, a kitchen caddy material from younger members of the community! We are Jan MacLugash 772383 in which to collect kitchen scraps, some scales and sheets for encouraging everyone to put pen to paper or fingers to Kshama Wilmington 772499 Compos ng ‐ all types of food waste weighing and recording the caddy before emptying the contents keyboards if you have a spare minute. We know how busy Mandy Ketchin
Anyone who has visited a large scale AD (Anaerobic Diges on Plant) into the composter. everyone is, so we are really grateful for all contribu ons.
will remember the sight and smell of large amounts of food waste The choice in composters gives households the opportunity to Our readers love to hear about Kilmallie folks’ experiences, email us at newsle [email protected] choose the one that best suits their requirements. The main thing lying in the recep on halls wai ng to be processed which lingers on adventures and achievements, bold and daring or not. I have is that it enables them to divert food scraps and peelings away from the clothes and hair long a er your visit has ended. Food waste is enjoyed reading all the ar cles this me, especially about Joan’s Views expressed in this newsle er are not necessarily the views the general bin and so reducing the amount of biodegradable waste smelly no ma er where it is, in a treatment plant or si ng in the Great Sco sh Tapestry and about the Corpach lighthouse. of the newsle er team or of Kilmallie Community Council. bin wai ng for collec on. In the UK, households throw away huge being sent to landfill at source. Findings from the trial show that Perhaps, you can send in similar stories of interest. The deadline amounts of food ‐ £7.8 million tonnes every year: that’s a lot of households are diver ng between 100‐200kg per year of food food waste especially since much of it would have been edible. waste away from the general bin. This combined with recycling Investment in infrastructure for dealing with and processing other waste materials such as plas c, paper and cardboard means Do you know of any Kilmallie residents and businesses who are not receiving their free large amounts of food waste has increased in recent years that they can reduce the number of black bin bags going into the copy of Kilmallie Community News? New houses and businesses especially may not be on especially in the Central Belt and more populated areas of Scotland. bin by at least one a week. It’s unlikely that food waste collec ons will be introduced in Ideally it’s best not to waste food at all if we can help it and we our address list yet. Please let us know if you, or people you know, are missing out. Lochaber in the foreseeable future. So how do rural households in can get into the habit of reusing our le overs and be er checking places such as Kilmallie deal with food waste in a safe and hygienic “use by” dates on food labels. The fact is that most households way other than pu ng it into the bin and it going to landfill? produce some food waste even if it’s le over scraps and fruit and KILMALLIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL do you run a local group A good strategy would be to tackle the situa on on a smaller vegetable peelings. Compos ng isn’t difficult so give it a try, the Members of the public are most welcome at all our mee ngs. Mee ngs that could benefit from scale and encourage households in rural areas such as this to benefits outweigh the nega ves. are currently held at 7:15pm in Kilmallie Hall on the 3rd Wed of every compost food waste themselves at home. With this in mind LEG is You can find more informa on about the composters and month excl July and Dec, but please check the website in case of some help from volunteers? running a food compos ng project to promote the possibili es and compos ng on the Lochaber Environmental Group website or changes. Next ordinary mee ng dates are 19 June, 21 August, 18 if so, contact Voluntary Action benefits of home compos ng. Many people in Lochaber especially contact me directly at LEG by email or phone (details at foot of September 2013. Lochaber 01397 706044 those with gardens, already compost raw veggie and fruit peelings page). Next AGM is 19 June 2013. and this is great because it means the raw peelings don’t go into and ask to be added to their Anne Nelson, Food Waste Project Officer the bin ge ng le to decompose in landfill. Chairman Maggie Mackenzie, database of volunteering
throws away £550 worth of food every year of food £550 worth throws away 42 Hillview Drive, Corpach, PH33 7LS opportunities. were to move on you would not take the debt with you and would [email protected] Group booking only have paid for the improvements that you have used. Secretary Russell Leaper Once you have had the assessment there is no obliga on to go on Canal House, Banavie, PH33 7LY do you fancy to get Green Deal finance. You could use the report provided to [email protected] doing some volunteering locally? Green Deal assessments access other funding sources such as the Green Homes Cashback Treasurer Jan MacLugash Salen, Banavie PH33 7LY You may be aware that the Green Deal was launched in January of Scheme (which provides up to £1200 worth of grant money if so, you can check out VAL’s list [email protected] this year. This is the new government scheme to try and increase towards insula on, a new boiler, LED lights, hea ng controls and of local volunteering other energy efficiency measures) or the Renewable Heat Premium the energy efficiency levels of the Bri sh housing stock (currently opportunities at some of the most inefficient in Europe), ul mately making them Payment (which offers financial assistance towards installing Other members Chris ne Hutchison renewable heat technologies). Mandy Ketchin http://valochaber.org/ warmer and cheaper places to live in. Kshama Wilmington The individual assessment reports clearly show what savings could volunteering-opportunities/ The process works by a registered assessor undertaking an energy Associate member Chris Pellow audit of individual buildings and their use, then providing a specific be made and es mated costs alongside (which will be unique to report with recommenda ons for improvements. If, at this point, your building) so are therefore an assest to anyone thinking of trying to cut their energy bills. the household or business wants to proceed they can choose a Green Deal provider to undertake the selected energy efficiency Currently prices for the assessments are at £100 + VAT and there measures work with no upfront costs to themselves. The provider are no assessors registered to the Lochaber area. However a KILMALLIE CHRISTMAS pays for the ini al installa on costs and then seeks to reclaim their number of assessors are willing to come as long as they have a few costs through the specially created Green Deal Finance Company. houses/businesses to do in one area at a me. Lochaber They then, in turn, ask for repayments from the household/ Environmental Group are therefore trying to assist those interested business via their electricity bill thus spreading the cost over many in having an assessment done by co‐ordina ng interested par es. If LIGHTS FUND years. you are interested or would simply like to chat about the The newsle er last December carried the We hope to raise funds in various ways. No loans will be given unless the work being undertaken meets the possibili es for your home please get in touch ‐call Kendra on informa on that the Highland Council will no We will be approaching several grant ‘Golden Rule’‐ which should mean that you never end up paying 01397 700090 or email life@lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk. longer be able to provide Christmas trees or awarding bodies in the near future and more on your bills than you do now because of the savings made More informa on is available on the website www.lochaber‐ fes ve ligh ng from 2013 onwards. The following this we intend to contact local environmental –group.org.uk from having a more efficient home. Addi onally the loan is Council will however offer the service but companies and businesses with requests for a ached to the building rather than to a person. Therefore if you Kendra Turnbull, LIFE Project Officer will be required to pass on the costs to local help. Councillor Bill Clark has also indicated communi es. Responses to a recent that he hopes to be able to help from his Lochaber Environmental Group Anne Nelson: ques onnaire indicate that most Kilmallie discre onary budget. the average family family average the An Drochaid, 01397 700 090 residents are keen to maintain this tradi on Of course, contribu ons from individuals
Claggan, info@lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk and, accordingly, a small group has been set will also be very welcome and anyone over 40 contributors to this issue! Fort William up in order to consider possible solu ons. wishing to donate may do so by contac ng Kendra Turnbull: PH33 6PH We now have a cons tu on and have our Treasurer, Sue Hood, at 01397 722400. life@lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk www.lochaber‐environmental‐group.org.uk 01397 700090, m 07436 814725 opened a bank account in order to accept dona ons. Paul Brian
another memorable community event to raise funds for Highland Heat treatment and mechanical separa on gives us the finished page 2 Hospice. You will find many more photos in the photo galleries at products. We sell to customers who use it in pig and poultry feeds page 27 www.kilmallie.org.uk. focus on and in dog food. We are also working on the development of From the Chair We are delighted to learn that the small group of members of Well hello there and welcome to your June edi on of the Kilmallie extrac ng chrondi n sulphate for use in veterinary applica ons, the community, who rallied to the call and came forward to take on News. Put the ke le on and se le down in to your comfiest chair such as for allevia ng sore joints in older dogs and horses. Salmon Kilmallie’s Christmas Lights, have set themselves up with a by‐products are also used to make fish feed for non‐salmonids, eg with a nice cup of tea for the great treat to come with this fantas c cons tu on and will be ac vely seeking grant funding in order to business issue; a real stoater! A very well done to the Newsle er team and sea bass and bream. The by‐products from them can be used to con nue the tradi on of Christmas lights in Kilmallie. See page 3 to all our ar cle contributors, one of whom, Hugh Muir, sadly This time we interviewed Chris Jones, managing director of feed the salmon. Nothing is wasted! Smaller fish producers can for more details. Scanbio in Corpach. store their conserved fish by‐product un l it can be transported to passed away recently and will be sorely missed. Hugh’s ar cle this Next to this you will find some very good reasons to come along edi on is on scou ng. I remember the wooden hut in Caol he What is your company name? a central processing plant; this co‐ordina on makes the whole and be a member, associate member or all‐round helper with KCC. men ons as I went there in the late 50’s when I was in the It’s Scanbio Scotland Ltd. We are a division of Scanbio Marine manufacturing process more efficient and more economical. Please do consider it, we need as much help as we can get! Brownies. Do any other readers have memories of going there or to Group based in Norway, which conserves by‐products from fish‐ How long have you been opera ng in Kilmallie? You may remember my plea in the March newsle er to be liked on the Corpach hut for scouts, cubs or brownies? packing plants and trawlers and uses it to make fish protein We have been opera ng here since 2005. Facebook at Facebook.com/KilmallieCC and followed on Twi er at What a striking picture on the front page of one of the Great concentrate and fish oil. We import the finished products at our Twi er.com/KilmallieCC. Thank you to the 3 people who liked us on How many people do you employ locally? Tapestry of Scotland panels being embroidered here in Kilmallie by opera onal base in Inverness. Facebook, taking our number of likes up to 27 and the 5 who There are only two people employed here. Joan Kerr. If you would like to see this, and any of the many other followed us on Twi er ….. it is a wee bit lonely for us at the Where are you located? photographs in this edi on, in colour, then please go to What do you and your business like about being in Kilmallie? moment... surely there are more people in Kilmallie who would like At the Corpach Harbour, near Slipway Autos. We operate an office www.kilmallie.org.uk and look for the newsle er under “what’s It’s a convenient loca on with a great view from the window, and to join us, go on, go on, you know you want to! opposite the old Pulp Mill club building. hot” on the right hand side of the home page. above all, low‐cost. We’re part of a large American owned private Enough of me, enjoy your news. In the centre pages you will find some wonderfully cheerful What does your company do? equity business now, so we have to watch the pennies! On a lighter Maggie Mackenzie photos of the recent Heather’s Walk; the sun came out again for Our primary role is sales and marke ng of the salmon oil and note, our low‐key premises mean that we can bring our dogs to [email protected] protein imported at Inverness. The oil and protein products are work with us without having to worry about muddy paw prints on conserved by a process very similar to pickling, but which u lises the floor. A walk a er lunch in the oak woods opposite, or along the gut enzymes present in the fish to digest the protein right down the beach is a terrific safety valve to relieve the tensions of a hard into amino acids and pep des, so that it is very easily digested as day. an animal feed ingredient. The process itself is called ‘hydrolysis’.
“some straight clues, some cryptic clues, some easy, some not so easy” 1 2 3 4 5 6 Across
1 Me and hesita on to go round corners (7) 4 Highland li le summer pest (5) 7 Nutmeg and sugar has this girl (5) 7 8 9 9 Li le Diana’s put east for argument (7) 10 Skye and Lismore are these (7)
Sco sh Canals’ proposals for camping pods and camp site 11 Short Sco sh Premier League ‐ it may be put asunder (5) at Moy Bridge and Banavie Basin. 12 Cabbages (6) 10 11 See insert for details of their consulta on event, 19 June. 14 Not Miss Muffet’s friend (6) 18 Royal race course (5) It will also be discussed at KCC’s mee ng on 19 June. 20 Judges tennis (7) 22 Angry (7) Please come along to either or both to find out more. 12 13 14 15 16
23 And dangerous! Ready to go (5) your own puzzles, quizzes and to share in future issues word games 24 East is in a nice place for this rela on (5)
we’ll be looking at litter - unless it's all been picked up by then... it's all been at litter - unless we’ll be looking 17 25 Green diamond (7)
images: Sco sh Canals/ Down Oliver Chapman 18 19 20 21 Architects 1 Female parents (7) 2 Gabriel was one (5) 3 Salad ingredient (6) 4 Biblical character (5) 22 23 5 How duo became four (7) 6 Vote for from selec on (5) 8 Ann is in New York to get the goat (5) 13 Holiday in France (7) 24 25 15 Pig popular with children (5) 16 Stayed a er taking sides again (7) 17 Does a cake come from this Sco sh city(6) Thank you to Tony Whitelocke for another great crossword. 18 Cooker is at home. Repeat! (5) Answers to this puzzle are on the website www.kilmallie.org.uk (follow the link on the RHS of the homepage) 19 Herb (5) and will also be published in the next issue of the newsle er for people without access 21 This dance is a bachelor a er a Caribbean to the internet drink (5)
Answers to last issue’s puzzle: next issue - issue next Across: 1 COMPANY, 4 DOPEY, 7 PIGGY, 9 GAZELLE, 10 EUNUCHS, 11 NOTED, 12 SPORTY, 14 CABERS, 18 MOTOR, 20 UMPIRES, 22 SPINACH, 23 ERODE, 24 CREAM, 25 REVISED Down: 1 COPPERS, 2 MEGAN, 3 YOGISM, 4 DOZEN, 5 PALETTE, 6 YIELD, 8 YACHT, 13 OUTSIDE, 15 APPLE, 16 SUSPEND, 17 AUTHOR, 18 MUSIC, 19 REALM, 21 ROOMS please send us
page 28 Issue No 42, June 2013 a huge thank you delivered free to every address in Kilmallie to our sponsors A huge thank you to the businesses who have sponsored us for 2012/2013. The cost of copying this newsle er has again been very generously donated by Lorna and Finlay Finlayson of The Crannog Restaurant, Fort William. The paper for this issue has been generously donated by BSW Timber, Kilmallie runner-up community newspaper 8
of the year 2012 page
inside on
KCC – p2 christmas lights fund – p3 the great fire – p4 ‐ story
community policing - p4 councillors’ corner - p5 a starring role - p6 non-developments - p6 defibrillators - p7 Corpach in Colour - p7 Community Centre - p7 poo and poo bags – p8 FOCAL - p9 Corpach lighthouse - p9 coastguard – p10 Banavie Primary - p11 High Notes – p12 Kilmallie Playgroup - p13 Heather’s walk – p14/15 Canal news - p16 Rugby Club - p17
Room 13 - p18 update from Africa - p18 calling all B&Bs – p19 green fingers - p19 shinty club - p19 the great tapestry - p20 plus a free gift with this issue! BOYD BROTHERS CLYDEBoyd wild about Kilmallie - p21 Fort William Ltd Corpach Woods - p21 (HAULAGE) LTD mearachdan - p22 focus on folk - p23 remembering scouts – p24 k would you like to become a sponsor too? scouting snippets – p25 al
We rely on the contribu ons from our business community for the cost of prin ng and distribu ng this free newsle er to every spotlight – p26 w es address in our area. Without further sponsorship this year, we may not be able to meet all our costs. focus on business - p27 ’s g a scottish history p We welcome sponsorship from all businesses located in Kilmallie, or with principal key personnel resident in Kilmallie. If you puzzles – p27 e ertr would you like to see your name or logo in print suppor ng your community newsle er, please join with our current sponsors. sponsors – p28 n it’s getting hard to fit it all into 28 pages! h e All dona ons, big or small, are hugely appreciated. t c e in the making a se Please contact us at [email protected] for details. story on page 20
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