ARDGAY & DISTRICT Community Council newsletter £1.00 [suggested donation] Issue No. 28 = SUMMER 2015 = THE PROPOSED HOTEL WOULD BRing 90 jobS TO THE AREA A very positive outcome for Carbisdale Castle redevelopment is expected The developers have letters of support from Ardgay and Creich Community Councils, Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, Jamie Mc Grigor MSP, Mary Scanlon MSP and our new MP, Dr Paul Monaghan BONAR BRIDGE, 29TH APRIL. A crowd sultant for the development. This of people gathered at the Commu- was the first time that the attendees nity Hall for a meeting chaired by had first hand information regard- Tim Griffin, Director of Michael ing the exciting plans for Carbisdale Laird Architects and Lead Con- Castle. (Continue on page 4) The castle is in a state of disrepair. / SM One on the drawings of the beautiful building for the new Falls of Shin Visitor Centre. / CH ARCHITECTURE KOS DEVELOPMENT TrusT HAS RECEIVED EXCELENT FEEDBACK FROM THE LOCAL COmmuNITY Success of Falls of Shin project public exhibitions More than 200 visitors admired the plans of the proposed building and gave their views on the project including a cafe, shop and children’s play area (Page 6) What’s on this Tips for sharing our a summer: Kyle roads safely: Events in the area, of Sutherland Think Children’s pages, Telephone guide, Bus Gala Week bike! & Train timetable, events Page 17 Page 12 Crosswords... Pete Andrews Driving School Patient Friendly Tuition Refresher Courses Pass Plus Areas Covered: Ardgay, Bonar Bridge Lairg, Golspie, Tain Dornoch & Alness Tel. 01863 766 884 Mob. 07763 133 922 email. [email protected] ARDGAY & DISTRICT Community Council newsletter SUMMER 2015 = Page 3 Contents 5 6 13 17 ARDGAY NEWS =Windfarm Community Benefits: =KoS Gala Week events ���������������������17 =The wider community supports how to apply �����������������������������������������10 =Sutherland County Agricultural Carbisdale Castle redevelopment and =Royal British Legion Scotland Show in Dornoch ������������������������������������18 a good outcome is expected ����������������4 services in Croick and Creich ��������� 11 =Life of the Duchess of Sutherland, =Sharing our roads: cycling ���������� 12 ADULT CLUBS & SOCIETIes ����������� 19 first owner of Carbisdale Castle, narrated by a 1912 newspaper ��������������5 GEARRCHOILLE WOOD ��������������������13 FROM THE MANSE ����������������������������� 20 =Success of Falls of Shin visitor centre’s public exhibitions �������������������6 KoSDT NEWS CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE =KoSH receives vital funds from =Greening Kyle Pumpkin Festival �� 14 =Gledfield Primary School ��������������� 21 Big Lottery to go ahead with the =New team of the KOSDT project =Hamish, the tartan dragon ����������� 21 Youth and Family Hub project �����������7 “Keep Active Together” ��������������������� 14 =Ardgay Public Hall’s new kitchen ��� 8 LOCAL SERVICes A-Z ������������������������22 =Community Council members WHAt’S ON IN THE AREA contact details ��������������������������������������10 =The Carnegie Story Trail ����������������� 16 CROSSWORDS ���������������������������������������23 Ardgay & District photographs EDITOR’S LETTER Exciting projects n this summer issue we have Ipositive news of three most welcome development projects in our area: Falls of Shin visitor centre’s plans have been very well received by the public, Kyle of Sutherland Hub has secured £1.4 million from the Big Lot- tery Fund, and it is hoped that Carbisdale Castle will reopen as a state-of-the-art hotel. Thanks to all who support and contrib- ute to the newsletter and the community, and of course to our volunteer distributors, who kindly donate their time to deliv- er copies to our homes. I hope Summer sunset over the Kyle of Sutherland by Susan Ross you will enjoy this edition, as This photo was taken in July 2013� It was the first time Susan rode the horse well as some of the great events up the Struie� His name is Ed and he is now 20� He was bred by Pat Macgettigan planned for the summer. < at Achnagart, Culrain� Some of Susan Ross’ photos can be seen at As Seen Through Horses’ Ears and Kyle of Sutherland’s Scenery Facebook pages. Silvia Muras Editor Page 4 =SUMMER 2015 ARDGAY & DISTRICT Community Council newsletter Ardgay & District News NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE TO ALLOW CARBISDALE CASTLE REDEVELOPMENT TO GO AHEAD A five-star hotel with an impressive garden Tim Griffin and his team gave details of the project at a public meeting held in April. Ardgay and Creich Community Councils and the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust have given the developers their support for the purchase of the 56 acres of forestry. (Starts on front page) ty’s stand will result in all parties The plans presented by Tim Griffin achieving a good outcome.” and his team that evening made it On the other hand, the protract- clear that to make the project vi- ed negotiations caused by the posi- able the developer would like to tion taken by the Hall Committee purchase about 56 acres of forest- could put the project in jeopardy or ry land mostly to the north of the delay it by up to a year. castle. The plan is to design a land- scape garden similar to Dunrobin SALE OF ARTWORK Castle, a new car park, and they also When the local community knew expressed their intention of plant- that SYHA was offering at auction ing native species of woodland. The many of the castle’s sculptures, a creation of a five star hotel boasting petition on the website change. the biggest royal suite in the UK org was created to try to stop the has the potential to generate a huge sale. More than 1,000 individuals amount of publicity for tourism in showed their support. SYHA re- the area. The public warmly wel- leased an statement on the 13th comed this and the estimated 90 May saying that, “On several occa- direct jobs which it will bring. The 56 acres of land that the Carbisdale sions over the last 70 years, SYHA Representatives of Culrain & Dis- Castle Ltd. would like to buy, in pink. has sold artwork, farms and forest- trict Hall Committee at the meeting ry land to subsidise the running of raised concerns over the sale of For- and was reminded of the statutory the castle.” and “The proceeds of the estry Commission land to the de- rights of access in Scotland. sale will be used to sustain SYHA’s velopers. Their objections revolved diverse youth hostel network.” around the public access to cycling HIGHLAND COUNCIL MEDIATION A total of 52 pieces of art -sculp- and walking paths in the 2,000 acre Since the beginning of May, High- tures and paintings- were sold at Carbisdale forest, and their plans land Council and HIE representa- Sotheby’s “19th and 20th Century for a community forest. It was made tives have been acting as mediators Sculpture” auction in London on clear that the cycling and walking to find a solution where both pro- the 20th of May. The lots achieved paths were not included within the jects, Carbisdale Castle hotel and a combined price of more than boundaries of the 56 acres. Tim the community forest could coexist. £950,000, which after commis- Griffin also stressed the need for a Culrain & District Hall Committee sion and tax gave a profit of around deer fence to protect the gardens are, “Hopeful that the communi- £600,000 to SYHA. < ARDGAY & DISTRICT Community Council newsletter SUMMER 2015 = Page 5 Ardgay & District News COMMENTS MADE BY THE PARTICIPANTs of “CARBISDALE ACTION group” The local community says on Facebook... < “Let’s start looking to the <“It’s the sale of the artwork <“Nobody against the sale of the future and not stay stuck in the that’s an issue for me. Pleased Castle, just some of the land, but past, the hostel is gone, it will about the plans for the castle if they stick to the plans they now never be a hostel again... let the though!” have not a problem” Castle live once more” <“I think we should be happy <“The loch and the battlefield <“I for one only signed the that something is happening (if are not included or wanted by petition against the sale of the it does) to the building and that the developer? Why are people artefacts from the castle. jobs will be created” determined to think they are I am all for all the other <“In favour of the sale as well, losing precious woodland when exciting plans put forward” would be fantastic to see it the FC could at anytime come <“The reason the majority are in restored to its formal state, but in and clear fell the lot ruining it favour of the sale is that if it isn’t would be fantastic if they could anyway?” Venus sold it’ll be left to crumble.” keep the statues and paintings” <“It’s superb business idea. I Italica, <“The building needs serious <“No one as far as I’m aware is stand by the buyer 100%. If it’s one of the cash spent on it, SYHA don’t have against the new proposal for the turned into a hotel good stuff” statues it so it’s up to the wealthy to do castle, it was the underhand way sold in Would you like to give your opinion? auction. something with it otherwise it will the forestry were going to sell the Please visit Ardgay & DCC website fall down!” land without consultation” or send a letter to the editor. CARBISDALE CASTLE WAS BUILT FOR HER AFTER THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND CONTESTED HIS FAther’S WILL The exciting life of Mary Caroline, ‘Duchess Blair’ SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER of In 1883 the Duchess This act led to proceed- Rev. Richard Michell of died, and the pair went to ings against the Duchess Oxford. Miss Mary Car- Florida, where they were for contempt of court.