Shieldaig byPhoto Peter by Peter Teago Teago
an carrannach The General Interest Magazine of Lochcarron, Shieldaig, Applecross, Kishorn, Torridon & Kinlochewe Districts
NO: 368 September 2018 £1.00
PORTRAIT OF A VILLAGE
Profile: Tony Caminiti
Arrivederci, Tony by Peter Barr
Lochcarron, August 9, 2018: As he sits on his balcony gazing out over the Mediterranean four weeks from now, Tony Caminiti will be raising a glass of prosecco to remember his wife, Carolyn, who died in Lochcarron in December last year. “Three years ago, on this same beach in Sicily, I watched her swimming out to sea until I thought she'd end up in North Africa,” Tony recalls, with a smile. “I knew that I wasn't a strong enough swimmer to reach her but I did wave a towel...”
Maybe after dinner in the local trattoria where they spent so many happy hours together “on vacation,” Tony will return to his apartment and his “children,” cats Doonie and Ellie. Then he will sit down and work until late on his novel – a story set in Heaven which revolves around a season of “fantasy baseball,” in 1941, with a cast of characters including sporting legend Lou Gehrig, who died that same year. “God doesn't have a speaking part,” says Tony, “but Saint Peter has plenty to say for himself!”
The plot may seem fantastic but when you piece together Tony's colourful life from his childhood in Brooklyn (New York) to north -west Scotland via Oregon and next month to his new home in the town of Porticello, near Palermo on the north-west coast of Sicily, it starts to make more and more sense. Like many novels, Tony's tale echoes his own life…
When Carolyn was dying, she talked about the afterlife and how she hoped to find out “all the answers.” And like Carolyn, Tony believes that there must be “something higher at work.”
(Continued on page 2)
1 (Continued from page 1) After looking at houses in England and Wales, Tony and “Carolyn was a spiritual seeker,” says Tony. “As a psy- Carolyn moved to Lochcarron in 2006. Tony had always chologist, she also saw what belief can do for a person,” he been interested in all things British, devouring tales of Robin adds, revealing that Carolyn once spent six months in the Hood and Sherlock Holmes since childhood. His father had Amazon forest, as part of a religious sect called Santo served over here in the Second World War and one of his Diame, which involves lots of singing and dancing – as well uncles had been killed in the Normandy landings on D-Day, as drinking psychoactive compounds which lead to so part of him had always been drawn across the Atlantic. “emotional and physical purging.” For him and Carolyn, Scotland was also their first chance to set up a new home together.
Santo Diame may be hard to beat for spiritual drama, but in “Carolyn fell in love with this place as soon as she saw it,” recent years, Tony and Carolyn also attended Sunday says Tony, admitting it took him a little while longer. “It services at Courthill Chapel, the Episcopalian church in was like America in the fifties – very quiet and peaceful. Kishorn. Religion has been a big influence in Tony's life She loved the views, I loved the privacy, and soon we settled from his earliest days – after leaving high school, he spent down – we only locked the door one night a year when we two years at a seminary run by the Salesians, training for the brought back the cash from the Games.” priesthood. So maybe all of this explains why Tony has an interest in spiritual matters – in real life as well as in fiction. The annual Highland Games were just one of the local
activities Tony and Carolyn threw themselves into – Tony Tony met Carolyn in Oregon, a few years after selling his was treasurer up until recently. Both of them also joined the tax accountancy business and leaving his native New York. writing group and helped out – washing dishes – on At first, he planned to start a new career as a farmer, but one Producers' Day, while Carolyn enrolled in several arts cours- of Tony's other dreams came true soon after settling down in es and also practised yoga. Oregon when he became a sportswriter for the local paper – another “vocation” which must have inspired him when “Carolyn was a great giver,” says Tony, and friends would writing his novel. often call round at their home in Kirkton Road for a chat, or
she would visit their home. “She knew everyone,” adds At Carolyn's funeral, Tony recalled how they met, and in Tony. typical fashion he was totally frank about the personal details, as Carolyn would wish. “Carolyn had no secrets For Tony, Lochcarron has been home for more than a from anyone,” says Tony, as he describes how his second decade, but it's time to move on, leaving behind lots of wife told him he needed to see a psychologist, presenting memories – and their two custom-made pool cues. Sadly, him with what seemed like a thousand names of therapists to Carolyn was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, and although choose from. And out of all those names, by accident, came she went into remission a couple of times, after Carolyn – a therapist who specialised in eating disorders, chemotherapy, “she knew her days were numbered,” says whose biggest attraction for Tony – at least to begin with – Tony, “and I knew my days in the village were numbered.” was simply that she was a woman who lived nearby. “At Deciding not to try more chemotherapy and live her life as first, I was nervous,” says Tony. “When I went round to see normally as possible, Carolyn also tried mistletoe therapy her the first time, I hoped there wouldn't be a Mercedes and was able to go on safari in South Africa last year outside, because that would mean I'd be paying big bucks for “against doctor's orders.” Just a few months later, she was the sessions. But I soon heaved a sigh of relief when I too weak to venture from home. In her final days, she also noticed the Nissan.” planned her funeral and “held court” in bed, looking over
Loch Carron, surrounded by birdsong and trees – and her A few years later, happily married, Tony and Carolyn – a friends. “She also tried to teach me all the household stuff “beach girl” from Laguna Beach in southern California – fell she usually managed herself,” Tony adds, “including how to out of love with their country. “It wasn't the world we grew brush the cats.” up in,” says Tony. “In Oregon, I think we were the only unarmed house around – all our neighbours had guns.” Leaving will be difficult but Tony will remember
2 an carrannach
Published by An Carrannach Society, Lochcarron.
Chairperson: Joanna Macpherson
Deputy Chair Roger Cundiff
Editorial Content Material for publication must be emailed to Michelle Teago at [email protected] or a phone call to 01520 722688
Sub Editor Joanna Macpherson
Area Representatives:
Applecross: Lenore Small 01520 744 337
Kishorn: Carol Cocks 01520 733 213 Shieldaig: Lucy Kerr 01520 755 368 Torridon:
Features: A Word from the Church/On Reflection Gardening – To be confirmed Nature Notes – Hatty Arthur – Lochcarron with fondness because it is where Carolyn found 01520 722 551 Email: [email protected] happiness, and both of them discovered so many new
Advertising: [email protected] friends. On Tony's table is a book which teaches how to
Local Rate: Entertainments, Sales, Services, Trade “read and think Italian,” but until he reaches Sicily, only the Whole Page £28, Half page £18, Quarter cats hear him practise. As a boy, Tony was discouraged page £10 Out of Area Rate: Please email us for prices from speaking Italian, even though both his parents were
fluent and all his grandparents were born in southern Italy. Mailing: Hilary “Post” Rooke “You're an American,” his family told him. “Speak Distribution: Anthea Zell American!”
Treasurer: Alec Cormack Mackays Cottage Strathcarron In recent years, Tony and Carolyn visited Sicily three times IV54 8YX 01520 722603 and took Italian lessons while they were there. Soon after [email protected] she heard the sad news about Carolyn, their language teacher Insertions: Births, marriages, deaths, Maricetta got in touch with Tony and encouraged him to acknowledgements. Congratulations, thanks notices – No charge move there, so when he first arrives in Porticello he will
Subscriptions: 11 issues post paid, U.K. £25.00 have an instant family – in addition to Doonie and Ellie. He Europe £54.00 Australia £66.00 also hopes his daughter Corrie will come from Chicago to Canada and USA £60.00 Contact [email protected] visit, bringing his grand-children with her.
Material intended for publication must include your name and address. Tony signed a six-month lease to rent an apartment during a visit to Sicily early this year. During this initial period, he Please note we can now accept copy in any format.. plans to explore the whole island before he decides where to settle. He has no fixed plans yet, however. “I'll either enter CLOSING DATE FOR THE a monastery or spend my time chasing women!” he jokes. OCTOBER 2018 ISSUE Unlike most other residents of Wester Ross, Tony says he'll MATERIAL MUST BE RECEIVED BY miss the rain here, and has not ruled out the option of NO LATER THAN 15TH SEPTEMBER PLEASE returning to Scotland. But if he does come back, he'll have Errors and omissions excepted. lots of friends here already – and also no shortage of rain. The An Carrannach Society does not accept “Arrivederci, Tony. Till we see you again...” responsibility for the content/accuracy of reports, Ask Tony: articles and advertisements received. The views expressed by contributors are NOT necessarily Q: What one thing would you like to change in Lochcarron? those of the Society. A: Taxi!
3 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND APPLECROSS, LOCHCARRON & TORRIDON Charity No: SCO32334 Times and Places of Worship for September 2018
2nd Sept Lochcarron 10.30am Torridon Community Hall 1.00pm
9th Sept Lochcarron 10.30am Shieldaig 1.00pm Applecross 1.00pm
16th Sept Lochcarron 10.30am Kinlochewe 1.00pm
23rd Sept Lochcarron 10.30am Applecross 1.00pm Shieldaig 1.00pm
30th Sept Parish Communion Applecross 12.00 noon
Minister Rev. Anita Stutter Tel. 01520 722783 Email [email protected]
ALL ARE WELCOME
All Saints (Scottish Episcopal) Mission
(part of the world-wide Anglican Communion)
FREE CHURCH LOCHCARRON & APPLECROSS invites you to its monthly service in Kinlochewe You are welcome at our services Lochcarron Church Street IV54 8YP next service: Sunday 2nd September 2.30pm Sunday 11am and 6 pm (Kinlochewe Church of Scotland (Crèche and Sunday school) building) Midweek Wednesdays 7.30pm Celebrant and Preacher: Applecross Camusterrach IV54 8LU 3 pm every Sunday Revd Pam Shinkins
Other events as intimated. Scottish Charity SC038169 Everyone made welcome
Rev M. Florit 01520 722999 Further info: [email protected] (01445) 781346
www.freechurch.org (Scottish Charity Number: SCO04655)
4 forgiven, if we have doubts, we will be led into all truth, if
we cannot see our way, the Holy Spirit will still guide us unbeknownst. But if we deliberately, and knowingly on embrace falsehood, deny what we know in ourselves to be the case, pursue the lie, call black white and white black, then we are surely “blaspheming against the Holy Spirit”, reflection denying the very light by which we see light. And perhaps that can never be forgiven because the person who pursues such a course is no longer capable of recognising and receiving such a thing.
So there I was, quietly sipping my morning tea, and Charles Williams – a Christian writer I thoroughly approve watching Simon what’s-his-face reviewing the Saturday of – says, somewhere, that “Heaven is built on Facts”. He papers on BBC Breakfast, and he’s talking about the fact might have said Truth, but I think he deliberately chose the that the Daily Mail has got a new editor in chief. I’m only word Facts, as meaning realities that exist, and can be (like!) half listening to this when he says something about shown to exist. “God-given facts”. In his novels – the previous editor, Paul Dacre, that has me pricking up my supernatural thrillers they’ve been called! - the only “no ears. This is what he says: “ Paul Dacre’s approach to jour- hopers” are those who are careless about facts, preferring nalism was based not on the way facts create the story, but falsehoods and illusions. Facts, of course, can be difficult, on the way the story creates the facts.” PA R D O N ME ? awkward, unfortunate! We can trip up over facts! But they DID I JUST HEAR WHAT I THOUGHT I HEARD? So are important because they are what is the case, and then he says it again, telling us that this new editor will therefore have to be accommodated. They form the only have a somewhat different approach, but with George “it true and proper foundation on which to move forward in was not about the facts creating the story, but the story life. When people prefer fudge to facts they court disaster, creating the facts”. Neither of the BBC presenters bats an put off the inevitable, put obstacles in the way of others. eyelid! But………. Well, we hear a lot about “fake news” these days, but it “Knock, and it shall be opened to you. Seek, and ye shall was the sheer blatancy of the way this was said that startled find. Give, and it shall be given to you” for Wisdom, who me. I’d not long finished writing a sermon about the is also the Holy Spirit, loves those who love and seek her. unforgiveable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (see St. Mark 3.28-30), and, to cut a long story short, the Francis Minay conclusion I had reached was that the essence of this sin was calling good evil, and vice-versa. In the passage from St. Mark, the Jewish scribes accuse Jesus of “casting out demons by the power of demons”. Jesus replies, very Lochcarron Bistro reasonably, that this is just nonsense, for if it were true, it would mean that “if Satan has risen up against himself and A big Thank You from everyone at the Bistro for is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come!” He goes on, nonetheless, to warn that although God will forgive your support this season. humanity its sins and blasphemies “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven.” See you again in March 2019.
Now the Scribes may simply have been mistaken, but the implication is clearly that they were of that breed of people who are more than ready to swear that white is black, and black white, if it serves their purposes better. However nonsensical it may have sounded, what this denial of an obvious good did – and does – is to darken a clear blue sky with poisonous clouds, and instill doubt and fear into hearts and minds hitherto unclouded. That’s the power of the lie!
Sadly we live in a world where powerful individuals and corporations abuse facts and information in just this way in order to feed us – the masses – what they want us to hear and believe. “Fake news!” and as often as not, no news, for information can be “lost”, truths “buried” as well as “distorted” in pursuit of a policy, whatever that might be. Most of us know this is so, and compensate for it in one way or another, according to our lights. Lights! Well, there you have it. Isn’t the Holy Spirit the light by which we all practice whatever discernment we can in respect of what we hear, or read, or see in our course through life? “Work while you have the light” Jesus is reported to have told his followers.
We all have a duty to try and see clearly how it is with things, whatever those things are, to report accurately, to be honest witnesses. If we make mistakes, we may be
5 NATURE NOTES descendants of the original birds) nest in the spire or th th ‘Tower’ of the Museum of Science in central Oxford July 16 – August 15 and I have promised myself a visit one day to see the 2018 spectacle of these amazing birds scream-flying around The year is moving on inexorably the Tower. and already there are many autumnal signs. Bracken is turning Wild flowers and their colours continue to stun and brown, the needles on larches and personally, I think that this year’s bloom of Wild leaves on other deciduous trees are changing colour, Angelica is the most abundant that I have ever seen. In rowan trees are laden with berries, various fungi are and around the village I have noticed many individual growing in abundance (chanterelle aficionados will, no plants possibly 2m tall. At the time of sending copy in doubt, have been harvesting these wild mushrooms at for September’s An Carrannach, the heather is looking secret locations!) and blackberries are ripe and ready absolutely wonderful, with its delicate powder-coating for picking. Some bird species are starting to flock of purple-pink sweeping across the hills and as together and in September, we can expect Redwings expected, Devil’s-bit Scabious has brought glorious and Fieldfares starting to arrive (both these species patches of purple in various locations. These flowers were seen in the locality towards the end of August last can sometimes bloom into October. year). In the garden, the deafening sound of silence from birds (even our Sparrows are completely silent at According to reports, Red Squirrels in the locality seem the moment) is occasionally broken by a Wren’s alarm to be doing very well indeed and they are breeding call, a Song Thrush’s flight call, alarm calls from Blue successfully. An article on the BBC News Highlands & and Great Tits or a family of Ravens making contact Islands page (8/8/2018) tells of a rope bridge that has calls as they fly overhead. been slung between trees high over a road near Shieldaig. This was actually done last summer in June On August 13th, a visit to North Strome and then on to as part of the reintroduction of these creatures by Ardaneaskan provided the sight of approximately 25 Trees for Life and camera trap footage reveals it is Twite, 10 Swallows perched together on a telegraph being used. Road traffic is a major risk for wildlife so it wire, a flock of 20 or so Goldfinches and a flittering is good news that the Red Squirrels are using this group of roughly 18 Long-tailed Tits. bridge, encouraged no doubt, by finding feeders at At Ardaneaskan, I could hear Red-throated Divers each end of their safe passage…. a positive calling from two locations on the loch and through temptation! I have yet to see one locally but I know that binoculars I spotted one pair quite a distance away and people are seeing them on a regular basis in Shieldaig, a group of three closer in (possibly two adults and one Attadale and Craig. youngster). According to Birds Britannica, Needless to say, the lunar eclipse on the night of July Red-throated th Divers (VN: Loon, 27 wasn’t visible here in Lochcarron (had it happened Rain Goose – the night before, there would have been a clear view Orkney and as the skies were virtually cloud-free). Where clear Shetland) very enough skies allowed, skywatchers around the world witnessed this, the longest “blood moon” eclipse of the occasionally st appear in large 21 Century and there were some brilliant photos to be concentrations on seen on the internet. Also, cloudy skies thwarted any the east coast. In attempt to watch the peak of the Perseids up here but October 1982, in again, there are some great pictures to be found. the Moray Firth, there was a I spotted a headline on the BBC News website that build-up of 1500 birds, while the winter of 1999/2000 mentioned “5 times rare wildlife and unusual apparently saw a remarkable gathering of about 2000 behaviour” had been spotted around Scotland’s shores birds off Suffolk, one of the largest ever recorded in this summer. North-Western Europe. What wonderful sights those 1.There was a report (and film footage) of around 60 must have been. These assemblies were thought to be seals piling onto a rock in the Pentland Firth in order to triggered by concentrations of sprats in the southern escape approaching Orcas, in particular an adult and North Sea. It is interesting to note that old East Anglian juvenile that circled the group. It is thought that the and East Lothian names for Divers are, respectively, adult was a female teaching her calf about hunting ‘sprat borer’ and ‘spratoon’. technique. 2. Orcas are often found near the isle of Arran in the On August 14th, I counted 21 Pied Wagtails (adults and Firth of Clyde but this year a pod ventured much young) and 30 Twite feeding on the shinty pitch. further inland and into the upper Clyde. The pod was Swallows and House Martins have been congregating spotted off the Dunoon coastline. together in the sky, all busy feeding up in readiness for 3. The Arctic Walrus that I mentioned earlier in the year their departure and there have been some great views seems to have been taking a grand tour. First spotted of large groups of Swallows feeding at low height in the in Orkney, then in Sutherland, it travelled to Harris and early evening over the shinty pitch. Peter Holmes then went back to Sutherland to take in the sights of (Highfield, Croft Road) reported seeing three Swifts in Kinlochbervie. the sky on the evening of July 27th which is lovely 4. One (or possibly two) White-tailed Eagle chicks were news. I have recently bought Dr David Lack’s book spotted in a nest on the island of Hoy. It’s five years Swifts in a Tower, which was first published in 1956 since the species was last seen in Orkney and the first and it offers incredible insights into the private life of time they have nested there since 1873. these birds. The birds referred to in his book (and 5. Two Fin Whales (an adult and juvenile) were spotted (19/6/2018) in the Kessock Channel having last been
6 seen in the area in 2006. Charlie Phillips, a field officer Bealach Mor Cycle Sportve – Saturday 1st September with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), was 2018 able to monitor the animals from the locally-based boat The 95-mile (144km) Bealach Mor sportve takes place on Dolphin Spirit. He said the mammals may have arrived in the area to feed on mackerel. A sighting of the adult Saturday 1st September. was made the next day near Ardersier on the Moray Riders will leave Kinlochewe between 09:00 and 09:30, Firth. following a route via Achnasheen through Lochcarron, over the Bealach-na-Ba to Applecross and around the peninsula I realise none of these are relevant to Lochcarron but before going into Sheildaig, onto Torridon and back to some happened not too far way and they are exciting Kinlochewe. occurrences. A road closure will be in place over the Bealach from On the subject of good sightings – we went up to 10.30 to 13.30. The Applecross peninsula road remains Chanonry Point on August 10th and were lucky enough to see five Bottlenose Dolphins. It was the first time I open throughout. have ventured to this place and we struck lucky within We are extremely grateful to all the local communites in ten minutes of arriving. I know that much greater which we host our sportves throughout the year. Without numbers have and can be seen indulging in playful the support and involvement of the community the event behaviour, breaching completely out of the water but it would not be possible. was a treat just to see these few and so close to the shore. It was especially good to see that one of them was a baby which was pretty small. It kept very close to its parent but three or four times leapt clear out of the water.
As I’ve said before – keep your nature-loving eyes and ears open when you’re out and about. You never know what extra special things you might see on top of all the wonderful day-to-day natural life we have around here.
Happy listening, looking and watching. HATTY ARTHUR Bank House 01520 722551 [email protected]
Lochcarron Community Adopt a Barrel Scheme
Thank you to everyone, especially the new barrel “owners” who have battled with the winds, rain, deer and, this year, the drought, and have made their barrels so attractive. It has also been good to see the new benches in regular use.
We have some new projects for this year: the committee are proposing work to clear the grass that has encroached onto the pavement along Main Street. We are hoping for a grant to cover the cost of this tidying up work.
One or two of our barrel ‘owners’ have had to give up this year and so we are looking for volunteers to look after a barrel and contribute to the attractiveness of the village. Please contact a member of the committee if you can take one on. We are also planning to install a few more benches for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
Thanks to all our supporters, to regular visitor, Kevin Sherrington, for his generous donation towards the scheme and to John Robinson for halving the complete barrels with his band saw again.
Contact enquiries for the scheme to Cathy Geddes, Christine Houser, Jan Overmeer, Audrey Tomlinson and Anthea Zell, Lochcarron Adopt a Barrel, Glais Bheinn, Lochcarron, IV54 8YB Tel: 01520 722951 Email: [email protected]
7 Kishorn Notes Shieldaig Fete & Regatta
Shieldaig hosted its Annual Fete and Regatta on The blackberries are ripening; a bountiful Saturday 11th August. The event was held despite crop awaits us, if we are lucky enough to the community’s sadness at the unexpected death have some late summer sunshine. Cloudy of Duncan Matheson, our friend, neighbour, skies have been the weather pattern this father, brother, son and grandad. A minute’s month and plenty of rain to swell the fruit silence was held and donations were collected to and to keep the grass green. So much of be donated to the RNLI in his memory. Britain has been burnt by the hot sun this Despite appalling weather forecasts earlier in the summer, and is brown. week, we were blessed with dry, calm conditions on the day with a gentle breeze to keep the Chris has mowed the Dell, (invitingly midges at bay. Everyone was able to enjoy the bright green) in readiness for the August usual events from the dog show to the hill race, games session. This month was a shinty archery and face painting. The food offering was session with thanks to Ian and Andrew Jeck as delicious as ever, including homemade who played with great enthusiasm. A most chowder, seafood and the BBQ. The evening’s successful time was enjoyed by everyone. entertainment included a live band and ceilidh There is one more games session to ending with a chaotic strip the willow stretching down the main street. come...with shinty so popular, maybe it will Alongside the fete we hosted our 4th annual be a repeat of this month? rowing regatta. We faced a low tide this year Patterns of Light the shop and gallery in the which reduced the start line to 11 teams. We had village, is open for business as usual, with a a competitive field from all over Scotland colourful collection of new stock to suit all featuring Avoch, Blest, Cromarty, Findhorn, pockets. There is a wide variety of things to Golspie, Lochcarron, Queensferry, St Andrews, buy, which will always remind you of your Sutors Skiffies, Ullapool and our home team. The conditions were perfect with flat waters and holiday in the Highlands of Scotland...well no swell. The picturesque course starts in front of worth a visit! the village, after which the fleet sprint 560m to The Seafood Bar in Kishorn has been as converge at a turning mark at the far end of popular as ever with evenings fully booked Shieldaig island. The skiffs then disappear into and a constant stream of daily hungry the “dark side” around the back of the island, people coming to enjoy the locally sourced holding spectators in suspense, before emerging seafood. for a sprint finish to the beach. The racing was tight and the usual “argy bargy” at the first mark This is the month of exam results and the was mainly avoided with some excellent students in Kishorn and Achintraid umpiring. Boatie Blest took line honours for both have all done so well. Without naming the men ’s decades and men’s open and were individuals, we have students graduating worthy overall regatta champions. Last year’s from university with flying colours and winners, Avoch, won the women’s decades (only children in the senior years at school, who narrowly beating the home team to the local have also achieved entrance to university, crowd’s delight) and came second overall. Cromarty won the women’s open race and St and colleges. We wish all the school Andrews won the mixed open race. Ullapool’s leavers and those embarking on a new consistent performance across all categories gave career good luck in the start of this chapter them third place overall and the Shieldaig and of their lives. A quote to remember Loch Torridon finished a creditable fourth place. 'Success is just the beginning, failure is not All the teams enjoyed the great food and the end'! atmosphere provided by the fete, including the Congratulations evening music and ceilidh. John and Jan MacDonald celebrated their As ever, we extend a massive thank you to all fete Diamond Wedding on August 20th. We and regatta participants, contributors and the trust they enjoyed their very special day event sponsors for their ongoing generous and we all send them our congratulations support. We look forward to welcoming on achieving this unusual milestone. everyone back for next year’s fete and regatta on 10th August 2019.
8 use local food. This started at the point when we were West Highland Dairy, fairly well established, and subsequently demand for the end of an era. our products increased and resulted in the need to August 2018 increase our manufacturing capacity. The Rural A message and reminisce from David and Katherine Enterprise Programme helped us with this and the Biss, we are retiring, and would like to thank all of the most significant items of equipment to be acquired customers, employees, business associates and were the ‘Land Rover’ and a milk tank. Note: David is students, past and present, for their support of our still mourning the loss of his beloved Land Rover. business over the past 30 years. We are retiring from manufacturing, although we will continue with other aspects of the business.
There have been worrying periods; several economic recessions and movement restrictions due to a Foot and Mouth out-break in Cumbria in 2001. The Foot and Mouth outbreak nearly saw us ‘go under’ and we are very grateful to Rory Stone of Highland Fine Cheeses for his support in allowing us to collect milk from his West Highland Dairy was established in 1987 and we premises as we were not allowed to collect milk from have had a very enjoyable and eventful 30 years. Our Arcan Mains Farm on the Fairburn Estate due to the children attended the High School at Plockton and one Foot and Mouth restrictions. The estate had kindly by one have disappeared into careers that have allowed us to park at the farm to meet the main milk nothing to do with dairying. Christine is a systems tanker for loading fresh milk into our milk tank. Parking programmer and trainer and lives in the Midlands, Kate the milk tank at Arcan Mains also enabled us to carry is an Independent Speech and Language Therapist out deliveries in and around, Dingwall, Muir of Ord, and lives locally; and Robert has his own boat yard on Beauly and Inverness knowing that the tank and milk the River Dart in Devon. were safe from interference. The business started life with a flock of Friesland Ewes Kate describes the manufacturing side of our business and with help, from Charlie Begg, a local crofter and as just the tip of the iceberg. the Dingwall veterinary practice, we learnt about sheep and their foibles, they are not so very different from milking cows. Armed with sheep milk, local goat milk and cows’ milk a range of products were established and the business grew rapidly. Our final range of products included fourteen different cheeses, yogurt, crème fraiche, ice cream, cheesecakes and cranachan. The most unusual product was probably the sheep milk ice cream. It was not only delicious it was also suitable for people with lactose intolerance. During the 30 years we have won many prizes; the most prestigious was the Best British Cheese and Hugh Young Memorial Trophy at the World Cheese Awards. We have had students on placement who have come from the U.S.A., Canada, Iceland, Uganda, India, several from Scotland, and from the French Agricultural Universities. We even had a student from Buckinghamshire who wanted to milk sheep on their million pound smallholding: that is another story. They The main part of the iceberg has been dairy training. always contributed a great deal to the business in Katherine taught Dairy Technology at Cannington terms of ideas for products and hopefully they College in Somerset prior to moving to the Highlands benefited from our expertise. They were fun to have and David was employed by the Milk Marketing Board here and we enjoyed their stay. as a financial controller. From a business point of view we have been very Dairy education was in decline at the time that we fortunate; early on in the life of the dairy there was a moved from Somerset. Colleges were closing their push by various agencies and the Scottish dairy departments and dairy research institutes such government, for caterer’s, hotels, and restaurants to as Shinfield in Reading and the Hannah Institute in Ayr
9 were being closed down. We recognised that the loss business opportunity to the local community of skills training was going to be a big issue in the The idea was presented to the many local agencies future and proceeded to set up courses covering the present. Basically, West Highland Dairy would gift the traditional methods of dairy product manufacture. dairy business, and a new dairy building would be built The training element of the business has proved to be and equipped. We would undertake to deliver a two a major part of our activities. The courses were based year training programme to ensure the staff had the at Achmore and sometimes ‘on site’ at the customer’s necessary skills. In turn the local crofters, smallholders premises. Since 2000 Katherine has taught courses and farmers would have the opportunity to produce and workshops all over New England, West Virginia, milk, making the project more sustainable Pennsylvania and Washington State linking in with the Sadly the plans have not come to pass and we are Educational Establishment and cheese making groups now 6 years older. Thank you to all those involved and in each of the states. In the UK we have taught groups for the effort that has been put in to try and achieve the all over England and Scotland and interestingly many goal. of these groups have been on islands, Shetland, Bute, We will continue to act as advisors in the industry, Mull, North Uist, Guernsey and Alderney. technical book writing and lecturing will continue, now Over the years we have taught over a thousand we can enjoy the freedom to visit our family and enjoy the grandchildren when David has fixed the caravan!
Thank you
For visits, telephone calls, cards and many kindnesses shown after the death of my sister in law Sheila. My very sincere thanks to people. They have hailed from all over the world and they have wanted to learn for many reasons. To learn you all to make cheese at home was probably the most frequent reason, farmers wanting to add value to their milk were a large group and then we had those who Elsie Gilmour had an idea to set up in business and were investigating the prospect. Some students were quite memorable. a young man from Bangladesh wanted to make ‘burger cheese’! A businessman from Greece in 2008 was worried about the future and came to learn about cheese and bread making in case of food Action Against Speeding Traffic shortages. Two men from Lebanon wanted to make and record the technical specification of a special type You may have noticed some of these signs appearing in of cream that is used to make sweets during Ramadan. the village (see photo). Lochcarron Community Council Large dairy companies have made use of our expertise has bought a pack of these to remind drivers that the and premises for development work speed limit in the village is 30 mph. You can apply the The more technical demands on our expertise has stickers to the side of your refuse bins. If you live on been in the setting up, over-seeing and staff training of Main Street and would like one of these stickers please small and medium sized businesses all over the UK contact our local policeman, Craig Allen, or Aileen and this includes 16 of the 30 or so cheesemakers in Grant, or Roger Cundiff to get one. Scotland. All the businesses are different and it has been really interesting and satisfying to be involved We think that Lochcarron Main Street should be the and to be able to ‘trouble shoot’ when things go wrong. priority but we’re happy for residents on the main road at Katherine is the education advisor to the Fine the West End/Slumbay to display them. If you live in Cheesemakers of Scotland group and involved with Achintraid, Helen Murchison has a few too. Skills Scotland and in the planning of an NVQ for dairying. Teaching groups such as the Crofting courses, hosting primary school visits, and running a weekend course for the Venture Scouts has been fun, and we have had many overseas interest groups as well as television crews squeezed into the dairy. In 2012 we decided that retirement was inevitable, and in conjunction with Wendy Barrie, Director of the Scottish Food Guide and her husband Boose Lungren, we called a meeting. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the passing on of our skills and to offer a
10 In this issue Lochcarron, although home is in Aberdeenshire. Interview with… Beverley Black My original artistic influence was Heaton Celebrating … Cooper’s watercolours of the Lake District. Greig Hall For many years I painted only in this medium, Seasons changing which was good discipline. I still enjoy using Gallery watercolour (when I’m in a tranquil mood!), Newsleter .... September is one of but I find acrylic allows more freedom for a painting to develop during its creation. Mixed my favourite months, with September media allows even more scope for 2018 the rich range of colours in our landscapes expression. I have fun using various materials like sisal, & with the bounty of hessian, rough papers, harvest, it is crackle paste etc, with possible to smell PVA glue and layers of and feel the paint. I also sometimes use an change in the air. Add to this aerosol spray for a misty effect but this the light & continuing warmth it is a time of much can be very hard to control! inspiration to many artists. With the midge in gradual decline, getting out into our landscape is much to be commended! This My first paintings were mostly of mountains, month we are delighted to be interviewing one of our newest Exhibitors, Beverley Black. We often from a high viewpoint. This is still my favourite subject matter, but I have learned to also want to remind you about the work of the late Greig Hall. His prolific career as a appreciate all landscapes through being an watercolourist, here, across Europe & artist. I find photography creatively enriching, both for its own sake and for composing Scandinavia is a rich seam of art. An Exhibition of his work will be on show paintings. throughout the autumn at the Gallery. My career was really launched through the Thanks to our many talented local makers and artists, the Gallery continues to be a vibrant craft fair scene in Glasgow in the window of inspiration to the ever-growing 1980’s. I still sell like this to get first-hand number of visitors, especially as the season customer feedback, and to meet other creative people. But it is also so nice to see extends. my work well lit and hung in a beautiful gallery. It is a real privilege to sell in Torridon Finding out more about our artists is always a privilege. Chatting with Beverley, a keen hill which is such a special place for me. walker, her artistic journey seems to have more than a few correlations to Greig’s. I would love to paint “en plain air” but for mountain ridges in the snow it’s just not
practical! Even in benign conditions I couldn’t Beverley writes: paint outside because I suffer from a condition called Scleroderma. It’s a complex I grew up in Manchester, and came to paint- ing through my passion for hillwalking. My first illness but causes suffering in the cold when sales were made in 1982 when I spent a year I’m inactive, plus Raynauds in my hands. in the Lake District leading walking holidays. Art had always been a hobby but I chose to I also love to paint the Scottish Islands as well study the landscape itself- geography, botany, as the Alps and Norway, from the Jotunheim and then landscape architecture. While at to Lofoten and the far north. I now have a Durham University in the 1970’s I made my website, which I hope will allow me to reach a first visit to Torridon. For 3 years the 10-day wider base of people who also know these trip to the youth hostel to cook for geologists places. allowed me free time for the hills. I have explored and painted Wester Ross ever since and now have my own house in
11
More of Beverley’s work can be seen at The Gallery as well as her website www.beverleyblack.co.uk
Greig Hall Some of you will have known Greig personally, during his long and happy life. His ability to capture the immensity of the mountains of Wester Ross & beyond, applied with light touches in watercolour are a complete inspiration. His love and appreciation of our wild spaces, its many flowers and colours can be found in every piece of work. We are very fortunate to have this large collection of his work for sale and we hope you can call in soon to enjoy it
A special Exhibition of Greig’s work will run throughout the autumn.
Address Loch Torridon Community Centre Torridon, By Achnasheen Ross-shire, IV22 2EZ Email: manager@lochtorridoncentre. co.uk Tel: 01445 791 361 Website: www.lochtorridoncentre.co.uk Summer 24 March – October 31st Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm Closed Sunday
12 Stromeferry Rock Works - September to November 2018
Road to Rail Diversion Operatng Timetable (issued 10.08.18)
Step 1 From 3 September, the A890 will be closed overnight between the two permanent road closure gates at Ardnarf and west of Atadale between 10pm and 7am. The road will have trafc control in operaton during the day between 7am and 10pm whilst a road to rail bypass road is installed. The Contractor has been allowed up to two weeks for the installaton of the bypass road but may complete this sooner. Step 2 Once the road to rail bypass is installed, a tmetable of opening slots between trains will come into operaton (see below). It will be available for use between 7am and 10pm by trafc which is less than 7.5 tonnes (box vans which are less than 8 metres and mini buses and cars towing caravans which are less than 10.8 metres). Trafc over these limits will not be permited to use the bypass and will have to divert using the A87, A82, A832 and A890. The road to rail bypass will be closed to all trafc between the hours of 10pm and 7am. The rock works are expected to take up to 10 weeks.
Road will be OPEN at the following tmes:
Monday to Saturday - based on published train schedule
*07:10 to 10:30. Times changed to 07:10 to 08:25 and 09:40 to 10:30 on 19/09, 26/09, 03/10 and 16/10
Time changed to 08:10 to 10:30 on 10/10 11:35 to 11:55
**14:25 to 15:20 Road closed at this tme on 18/09, 25/09, 2/10 and 15/10
16:25 to 17:00
***17:50 to 19:35 Road closed at this tme on 9/10
20:40 to 22:00
Sundays untl 30th September - based on published train schedule
07:10 to 10:10
11:15 to 13:00
13:50 to 15:00
16:05 to 19:55
20:45 to 22:00
Sundays from 7th October - based on published train schedule
07:10 to 13:00
13:50 to 15:00
16:05 to 22:00
Please Note: If trains are delayed then variatons may occur Step 3 Once the rock works are completed, the road to rail bypass will be removed. During this tme, the A890 will be closed overnight between the two permanent road closure gates at Ardnarf and west of Atadale between 10pm and 7am. The road will have trafc control in operaton during the day between 7am and 10pm. Road to be fully re-opened by 24 November. More details at Highland Council website search for Stromeferry bypass
13 Lochcarron Sailing Club News WEATHER RECORD - SLUMBAY JULY 2018 Over the summer holidays, sailing has continued with club races, and now the new school term has started, Max Temp Min Temp Rainfall in club sailing is on again on Date: in oC in oC inches Wednesday evenings. All members are welcome to come and sail on club 1 20.60 9.20 ----- nights and during races (juniors stage 2 and 2 24.50 10.80 ----- above for races). 3 26.00 12.70 ----- During the summer, the Sailing club ran the “Sink 4 25.50 10.80 ----- the Fleet” stall, and provided teas, coffees and home baking at the Highland games. Many thanks 5 18.90 8.70 0.01 to the Highland games organisers, and to all who 6 17.10 7.30 ----- helped in anyway. In particular thanks to Iain and Annabel MacLaren-Lee for organising the tea 7 21.40 14.90 0.03 tent, and to George Hendry and Doug Angus for running the Sink the Fleet game. 8 16.60 11.40 0.10 9 18.40 12.60 0.02 We held our regatta on the 18th and 19th of August, and will have the results in next month’s 10 15.90 12.70 0.65 An Carrannach. 11 16.90 12.40 0.03
The club always welcomes new members and if 12 19.60 13.00 ----- you would like to try sailing, or would like to join 13 20.80 11.80 ----- for the end of the season, please contact Angela 722989 or Steve 722870, or come along on a 14 17.30 16.30 0.20 Wednesday evening. 15 18.10 11.80 0.13 Diary: 16 17.60 12.20 0.09
1st September: 17 16.90 10.70 0.06 Gunn trophy - inter club junior team event. 18 18.30 9.80 -----
15th and 16th September: 19 17.10 12.10 0.32 Gairloch Challenge 20 17.80 11.40 0.15
October 8th: 21 15.60 12.60 0.02 Final fling - last night of club sailing - games for all on the water. 22 16.80 14.50 0.68 23 18.90 10.90 0.04 24 18.50 11.30 ----- 25 20.60 12.20 ----- 26 27.20 14.60 ----- 27 22.30 14.40 0.58 28 21.40 10.30 0.32 29 18.90 9.70 0.01 30 17.70 9.10 0.18 31 17.40 10.90 0.62 TOTAL JULY 2018 4.24 RUNNING TOTAL 2018 31.72 TOTAL JULY 2017 6.13 RUNNING TOTAL 2017 38.10 14 Blas Festival - Celebrating Highland Culture
Séamus Begley & Mèabh Begley with Jim Murray and Maggie MacInnes & Calum Park Lochcarron Village Hall Tuesday 11September at 7.30 Tickets at the door £14/£12/£5
The Blas Festival comes to Lochcarron again, celebrating the music, songs, language and culture of the Highlands. We are very lucky to be hosting a concert celebrating family ties with Séamus Begley and his daughter Mèabh Begley and Maggie MacInnes and her son Calum Park.
Accordion player and singer Séamus Beagley is one of the most popular Irish traditional musicians coming as he does from one of the most musically acclaimed Irish families. “He plays with an energy that is alarming, bringing a frisky spontaneity to his box playing, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of reckless ornamentation before making a sudden key change into a bittersweet air, sung or played on accordion.” Seamus’s style is unique and he is considered by many to be one of the finest players of the dance music of West-Kerry.
Seamus’s daughter and accordion player Mèabh Begley has an “emotive ornamentational singing style and accordion playing, rich in the slides, polkas and reels of West-Kerry”. She is committed to passing on the tradition and has taught at festivals around the world.
They will be accompanied by Jim Murray, one of Ireland’s finest guitarists whose formidable reputation has been established both as a melody player and accompanist. Jim plays regularly as a member of Sharon Shannon’s band and has also toured and recorded with Altan, Mary Black, Sinead O’Connor, Steve Earle, Donal Lunny and many other musicians.
Singer and clarsach player Maggie MacInnes comes from a long line of Gaelic singers from Barra in the Outer Hebrides. She learned most of her songs from her mother Flora MacNeil MBE with whom she performs often. Maggie has toured widely in Europe, USA and Canada and in 2004 was voted Gaelic singer of the year in the BBC Scots Trad Music Awards. She has recorded 5 CDs and her sixth is a duo album with Colum Sands called “The Seed boat” inspired by a song which links Barra to Newry.
Maggie will be joined by her son Calum Park who sings and plays guitar and fiddle. As well as performing with this mother he has toured in USA, Canada and China with the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra and he plays regularly around Scotland with the Glen Park Ceilidh Band.
Come along for a night of exceptional music and support this unique festival. The festival runs from 9- 15th September in various locations around The Highlands. For other concerts see www.blas-festival.com
15 16 st LOCHCARRON LIBRARY NEWS Group), is Friday 21 September at 10.30am. The title is Creatures, and no doubt a few interesting ones will assemble on that date! Do also remember Writing September 2018’s Library – all are welcome. News means that 2018 must be three quarters over. How did that happen I have a very quick update to include on the you may ask? Well I’m afraid I can’t chequered life of our Self Issue Unit! It has remained help you there because I don’t know where it has always been, in the HDC reception myself. As I write this, I am owing to the fact that its network connection could simultaneously stretching my mind back over the not be moved. But after a complete overhaul, and summer as well as looking ahead to the next few removal of a faulty fan, I hope it will continue its life months, and of course to the new school year. with HLH libraries without another blip!
So far we have had 4 children finish the Summer And finally, as predicted, the reading of books is Reading Challenge ‘Mischief Makers,’ with again on the ‘up’, no doubt helped by the popularity Vivienne Goodman finishing first, closely followed by of ‘e-reading,’ which seems to have encouraged Cameron Hill, and then Poppy & Lexie Mackenzie. people to discover or re-discover their love of So well done! I am hoping the other 11 children who reading and eventually find their way back to books. started, will also finish so I can present them with If you are one of those people, may I suggest a their shiny, gold medals when I visit the school in great place for you to explore… September. As usual I will be magically extending Tuesday 9.30am-12.30pm 6.00pm-8.00pm the finish date by a few weeks so as to encourage Wednesday 2.00pm-4.30pm all the children. Friday 2.00pm-4.30pm Telephone: 01520 722679 For those that use our free wi-fi here in the library, Email :[email protected] there have been changes to improve its speed and reliability, and the new wi-fi will go live on Monday 3rd September. However, please be aware of the following changes as regards usage: The wi-fi network will change name from HLH- GUEST-WLAN to HLH-Guest. If any customers have the old wi-fi saved to their devices they will need to re-save the new network – it will not automatically replace it.
The landing page (displayed after successful login) will look different. A per-person download limit of 1 MBps (megabytes per second) – this should improve speed for customers.
On a completely different and more sombre note, we have just found out that, on the formal announcement of the death of a Royal Family Member or senior national figure, Lochcarron Library has been chosen as a formal location to hold a book of condolence for the public to sign. There will also be the option to offer the link to the Buckingham Palace e-book of Condolence or to The Highland Council Condolence. Naturally, this information will only be relevant at the appropriate time. SAMARITANS
Once again, I am engaged in planning events for the Whatever you’ve done. remainder of 2018 and amongst other things, I promised another author visit, and hopefully this will Whatever life’s done to you. happen but as yet I have no definite dates. At the end of July, those of you who were not on holiday Call Samaritans. spent an enjoyable 90 minutes in the company of local author Jane Mackenzie ( Catalonia Trilogy) No pressure. listening to extracts of her latest book ‘Tapestry of War,’ published by Allison & Busby. I understand the No judgement. book may have been nominated for the Highland Book prize which will be good news for Jane. We’re here for you any time. While on the subject of writing, the next meeting for our hardy pen pushers (aka Lochcarron Writing 0845 790 9090.
17 Strathcarron Project supporting the Howard Doris Centre
Dear Roddy , (Butcher—as was)
Hope that you and Christine are well and finally finding time to relax, enjoy the grandchildren and keep the fishing rod flexed!
We miss your weekly visits and craic, not much gossip reaches us over here in Applecross these days, I am at the age too when retirement is calling -well to the feet and hips anyway. When life has been so full on for the two of us, it’s a bit of a worry what will become of us when we need a wee bit of assistance with the necessities?
It’s been great for both of us to have insight as to what goes on at the Howard Doris Centre from the recent stays of our nearest and dearests, they really do an amazing job down there. Anyway, I hear rumours that it is all getting a bit tight in the money pot …. what’s new eh? Seems to be everywhere, one of the main funding sources has finished and needs replaced.
So that’s why we are involved in encouraging some of our good local friends to cough up a few pounds, we need to get a list together between us of the folk we know, to ensure it keeps going,
It’s such a shame that Cis has retired …. but I am sure she will keep a beady eye on things …..not that either of us need buns and cake ! I was looking forward to a few lunches and days out from the centre, I don’t mind a bit of mac cheese now and again ….but we are partial to a slice of roast lamb – they will cut back all the good things first. We shall be needing a bit of entertainment too -although I think Tarneybackle may be past it by then -ha ha – maybe a few games of cards and dominoes and we can have a wee flutter! Would be good to get some super- fast broadband by then -after all we will be the new age oldies with all the techno – well if we can remember the passwords!
You even missed the last meeting on how we are going to fill the gap, I’ll try and phone you next time, you missed a good plate of soup and nosy around at Attadale.
The rest of our group seem very switched on, but it’s you and me that know who’s who, so we should put a note together encouraging folk to be generous to the Centre with a regular donation, or to add a bit into the will for them. After all its towards our future, their future or at least somewhere they can get their par- ents cared for locally before we lose it we need to make folk think
Look forward to catching up soon,
Judith / Applecross
P.S The 2.30 at York next week looks a dead cert “It’s all over now”
18 Dates for your Diary The Howard Doris Centre needs your help! Monday 3 September Poetry, Library 11:30am North Coast 50, After Lunch Tuesday 4 September The Strathcarron project which runs Singing for fun with Hatty, Small Lounge 11:30am the Howard Doris Centre is raising Bingo, Lounge 1:45pm Wednesday 5 September funds to cover future shortalls in Games Afternoon, Lounge 1:45pm Thursday 6 September funding. Guided Imagery, Small Lounge 11:30am Shopping in Kyle, Directly after Lunch Friday 7 September Men Shed, Bealach Café Please support us. Become a Friend of Skittles, Lounge 1:45pm The Strathcarron Project with a Monday 10 September Tai Chi, Dining Room 11:30am regular donaton by direct debit Reiki, Dining Room 11:30am Tuesday 11 September Boccia Bowling, Lounge 1:45pm Wednesday 12 September Why are we asking for your help? Pampered Palms, Lounge 11:00am Thursday 13 September Discover your Creativity, Lounge 11:30am Austerity has hit local councils and Craft workshop with Jane, Lounge 1:45pm Friday 14 September integrated NHS services hard. Photography, Lounge 1:45pm Afternoon Whist, Lounge 1:45pm Please email Monday 17 September Gardening Day [email protected] or pick Tuesday 18 September Fit as a Fiddle, Small Lounge 11:30am up a form at Howard Doris Centre Wednesday 19 September Bridge the Years, Lounge 2:00pm recepton. Thursday 20 September Guided Imagery, Small Lounge 11:30am Skittles, Lounge 1:45pm More details are available on Friday 21 September Film Club, Lounge 1:45pm www.strathcarronproject.org Men Shed, Bealach Café Monday 24 September We look forward to hearing from you. Boccia Bowling, Lounge 1:45pm Tuesday 25 September Three Degrees Meeting, Small Lounge 11:30am Singing for fun with Hatty, Small Lounge 11:30am Music by Sandy Ross, Lounge 1:45pm Wednesday 26 September HIGHLAND MALE VOICE Points of View, Small Lounge 1:30pm Games Afternoon, Lounge 1:45pm CHOIR Thursday 27 September Discover your Creativity, Lounge 11:30am Singing for us again Ullapool Trip, All Day th Friday 28 September On Friday 14 September Photography, Lounge 1:45pm Other regular weekly events at 7. 30 p.m. Sunday Praise and worship, Main Lounge, 4.00pm in Lochcarron Church of Monday & Friday Bridge Group, Library, 1.30pm Scotland. Monday Cross Stitch & Tapestry, Lounge, 2.00pm Do join us for the Tuesday Knit and Knatter, Small Lounge, 2.00pm singing, followed by Wednesday Quilting & Patchwork Group, a chat if you prefer. Dining refreshments. Room, 2.00pm Proceeds to Guild
Our website address is www.HowardDorisCentre.org.uk. projects.
19 September @ THE INN
Saturday the 1st – BEALACH MOR cycle race Bealach will be shut from 10.30am tll 1.30pm This event involves the closure of the Bealach, the coast road will be open as normal. Afer the Bealach stage, the cyclists go around the coast road, so it will be busy with cyclists heading North toward Sheildaig. Please take care on the roads during this tme. Good Luck to all the entrants from us. Please check out the organisers website for more details: htp://www.handsonevents.co.uk/bealach-mor/
Saturday 1st – Saturday 15th – SCOTTISH FOOD FORTNIGHT The Inn enjoys partcipatng in this annual food event. Celebratng Scotsh produce, partcularly local, it’s all about the provenance! We will have some great specials available during this tme. 2018 is the ‘Year of the Young people’ and Robert is hoping to be creatng something with our own local young people from the Primary School, should be fun!
Sunday the 5th – LOCAL MUSICIANS – from 3pm-6pm in the bar The local musicians from Lochcarron play a mix of Scotsh traditonal and popular tunes. Other musicians are welcome to join in. A great afernoon of music, food, and drinks! All welcome. Please check our website or Facebook page nearer the tme as it may change.
Saturday the 15th – LOCAL DUATHLON This locally run duathlon covers 9 miles on foot from Hartield through the glen to Kenmore then 15 miles on bicycle round the coast road, fnishing at the Inn. Funds are raised for the local community hall. Please take care of cyclists on the coast road in the afernoon heading South! Good luck to all entrants from us. Please check out the website if you are interested: htps://applecrossduathlon.com/
Applecross Inn-Side Out Our very popular shiny take away food truck is open from 10am to 9pm weather permitng. Serving our famous fsh & chips, freshly made sandwiches, snacks, hot and cold drinks, and ice-creams from Applecross Ices. We now have gluten free cones available and some great new wraps are on the menu too. Check out the Inn on the other side.
Applecross Brewing Company All 3 ales Applecross (Pale Ale), Sanctuary (Red) and Inner Sound (Black) are now available on tap in the pub. We now have Applecross and Sanctuary available in 500ml botles too (Inner Sound will be coming soon…) Admire the lovely art work. They make a great present or souvenir. Please ask at the bar for more info. Check out our events calendar on the website for more info on upcoming events, in the area, and follow us on Facebook for updates!
20 Jonathan (Jonnie) Parkinson 6th July 2003 – 5th March 2018
I have been in a ‘numb bubble’ since my son’s passing. I have only just gained strength to accept and cope with losing my valiant young soldier. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone in Applecross and Lochcarron who sent me cards, kind and supportve words and thoughts. Huge thanks go to sisters Judith, Carolyn, Kate and her daughter, Hannah, for all their help at the funeral. Thank you all so much again Paula Parkinson Upper Toscaig
Wester Ross Tuesday 23rd 10am – 4pm - Achnahaird to Garvie Bay Geology Walk. Step back in time on this geology- Ranger Events themed coastal walk in the North West Highlands th Geopark. www.booking.highlifehighland.com code September:- Tuesday 18 , 10:30 001088ULLA -1pm – Explore the Shieldaig
Peninsula. A relaxed coastal walk in a th stunning location. Wednesday 24 , 6 -9pm - Full Moon Walk, Ullapool www.booking.highlifehighland.com code Hill. A moon-lit walk up a hill to take in the silhouetted 001079GAIR views of Loch Broom. th www.booking.highlifehighland.com code Tuesday 25 ,11am – 3.30pm - Brilliant Bothies & 001083ULLA Beaches, Diabeg to Craig Torridon An undulating route on Torridonian sandstone path leading to a Tuesday 30th , 10:30 -11am - A Wee Walk and a bothy and a pebbly beach.www.booking.highlifehighland.com code Blether, Gairloch. A slow and short walk at Flowerdale 001080GAIR for those wanting a gentle walk for health or social reasons. www.booking.highlifehighland.com code Wednesday 26th , 10:30 -11am - A Wee Walk and a 001105GAIR Blether, Ullapool. A short walk to Ullapool River for those wanting a gentle walk for health or social th November:- Wednesday 7 , November 11am – reasons. www.booking.highlifehighland.com code 001106ULLA 3pm - Wander to Slaggan Bay near Laide. Unwind on a relaxing low-level walk as part of National Stress October:- Thursday 4th October – What’s that Awareness Day. www.booking.highlifehighland.com Fungi? A Walk in the Woods, Lael. Fungi is a code 001094GAIR fascinating form of life coming in all shapes, sizes, colours and smells. This time of year is the best time More winter walks and events will be advertised in to see it. www.booking.highlifehighland.com code due course. Please book to avoid disappointment. TBC Places are limited. For more information about individual walks, please contact Jenny Grant, 01854
Wednesday 17th, 2- 4.30pm - In search of the 613904 [email protected] Cost for Dinosaur’s Nest, Laide Dinosaur walk for children ranger walks is by donation. It costs £9.73 per visitor to and families, looking for tracks and signs that might operate our Countryside Ranger Service. We make no lead us to finding a giant nest! charge for these events but we rely on your donations www.booking.highlifehighland.com code to help us protect our Highland wildlife and heritage. 001082GAIR
21 Tick populations are increasing and so are Lyme disease cases. Lyme is in fact a disease that is caused by bacteria that certain ticks carry. The amount of Lyme disease patients have risen in recent years in the USA and Europe, in some countries more than others. In Scotland, the amount of diagnosed cases has risen at least tenfold in the last 20 years. But what are the causes of this sudden rise? This is what our international team of researchers is trying to find out, and our study site is...Wester Ross! Why you ask? Wester Ross is not only one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, it is also one of the most remote ones, so we simply don’t know much about the tick populations in this area yet. Wester Ross is also an interesting area as it is targeted for woodland expansion. Different woodland schemes have incentivised landowners in the area to plant native woodland. We think that the increase of tree cover might have an effect on tick populations and through the research, we are aiming to learn more about the effect of this reforestation process on tick loads. We expect forested areas to harbour more ticks. The undergrowth in natural forests is perfect habitat for ticks and generally wooded areas harbour more hosts as well, such as birds, small mammals and deer. To test these assumptions, not surprisingly, we collect ticks! You might have seen us around, crawling through Sitka spruce or hopping through heather, covered in midge nets and armed with sticks and blankets. With the sticks we measure vegetation height and density and the blankets serve to pick up ticks that are looking for a host. Little do the ticks know, that when they latch onto our cosy woollen blanket, they are not on a sheep about to taste fresh blood but rather they are destined to end up in one of our containers with 70% alcohol, ready to be shipped to the lab to be analysed for B. burgdorferi - the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. To investigate the relationship between forest types, hosts and ticks, we catch birds with a team of qualified birders, starting at 4am(!) and to get to know more about the role of small mammals we set out live traps and check them every four hours. Finally, to look at the relationship between deer and ticks, we don’t catch deer (that would be quite a challenge!) but rather we rely on the generosity of stalkers in the area to give us skin and ear samples that we take the ticks off. Although you might think the research is totally glamourous, walking around in the beautiful landscape, getting to know the lochs, the glens, the straths of Wester Ross and above all its lovely people has been a very satisfying experience! When we are not out catching ticks, we spend time discovering Highland nature and culture. We had a great time at the Attadale Highland Games, flipping burgers and watching men in
22 kilts throw tree trunks Cargoes and haggis (?!), we are regulars at local Ceilidhs Following last month's article on roads, I have been and we are determined asked which sort of goods went by sea. to try the fish & chips in all cafes, bars and Answer...anything and everything! A look at the old chippies in the area. Lochcarron Estate books shows goods like Wester Ross is such a Ballachulish slate and coal, perhaps as the heaviest. hidden gem and we are Slates of course were not a regular delivery, but lucky to discover its Courthill House used a lot of coal. A Puffer (small beauty and charm every day again! cargo ship) would come in below Pier House on the I would like to make use of this opportunity to thank all the high tide. Once the tide ebbed far enough to make landowners, stalkers, managers and locals who have helped the boat reachable, every horse and cart available us out, by giving us permission to carry out the research, by would be commandeered together with every able taking interest in the research and by making us feel at bodied man, to unload the cargo which for home! I’ll be back next year with a new team, and I am still convenience would have been sorted in the Coal here until the end of September. I will be at the next Shed on the port. The Coal Shed is now a private council meeting in Shieldaig to talk residence. From here, it would be transported as about the research (4 September, required to Courthill. The Puffer would then leave 19:30) and I would love to attend on the next tide. more meetings and events. I’ll There was little demand for coal locally as people make sure to share the results used peat, which could be cut with backbreaking with you all as well. On a final labour but little expense. One thing they did buy note, please protect yourself from Lochcarron Estate was seed potatoes. These when you are outside, tuck those were purchased by the barrel and sold in smaller socks in your trousers and do check for ticks after you have quantities. Those without a croft might rent a strip of spent time outside, the earlier you the potato field on the farm, to grow their own remove the little critters (with a potatoes. tick remover!) the better. If you have any ideas and/or have Local shops bought their supplies in bulk. Any questions, I can be reached by email modern day Health and Safety Inspectors would die ([email protected]) or phone (07731905217) as with shock if he were to see a village shop. Tea came well. Cheers, Fanny loose in chests, butter and cheese in huge slabs, bacon in a roll, which sat on the counter ready to be Lochcarron Community Fund sliced, next to a large roll of Black Twist tobacco, Annual disbursement from the Allt a which was measured out by the yard from a brass Chonais Hydro Scheme to the measure, which was embedded in the counter. Flour, oatmeal and sugar were in sacks. All this had to be Community. weighed by the grocer into paper bags. This was pre The scheme is open for bids. £4600+ plastic pre the electricity age! available! Winter storms could and did interrupt supplies, so Applications to the Lochcarron prudent housewives ordered a sack of flour and Community Fund are encouraged from oatmeal each Autumn, which would be stored in a individuals and groups within the LCC wooden chest in the house. Hopefully it was rat and mouse proof! Perhaps a keg of ale would be bought area. Projects must be for the benefit of too as the cows would not have milk in the winter. residents within the LCC area. Even after the railway arrived, less bulky goods would be delivered to Strome Ferry and fetched by boat. Applications can be made ANYTIME There were other ways of getting supplies. for the LCC to consider at their next Fishermen were of necessity highly skilled boat meeting. Applications MUST BE MADE operators and if they took, a load of fish South there FULLY IN BOTH ELECTRONIC AND was no point in returning with an empty boat. New fishing gear was heavy and bulky. Nets were made of PAPER FORM. Application forms can cotton and had to be preserved and treated regularly be obtained from the Secretary, with a tar mixture. Floats were of glass and the Lochcarron Community Council, Jacob weights were lead. House, Croft Road, Lochcarron, IV54 Undoubtedly, there was a trade in smuggled goods. 8YA or Local boat operators with their skill and knowledge of tides and coastline had a clear advantage over the email:lochcarroncommunitycouncil@hot Customs officers...but that is another story! mail.com: Helen Murchison
23 Ferguson Medical Centre Newsletter Quick Facts
Contacting a Doctor Our phone number is 01520 722215. Mostly you will get a real person answering if you phone between 8am and 6pm but occasionally there is an answerphone, so have paper and pen ready to write down how to contact the doctor if it is urgent.
Outwith those hours please contact NHS24 on 111. There is always a GP available in the Torridon/Lochcarron area. Sometimes you may have to wait a bit to get in touch but please be patient, the system does work
In emergencies day or night phone 999. The ambulance control will involve your local GP if appropriate.
Prescriptions
Acute Prescriptions When you visit the GP, medication may be prescribed for you. This is considered an Acute Prescription and often we are able to dispense this for you on the day of your visit. On completion of your appointment with the GP, if you bring your prescription to the desk, the receptionist will dispense the medication for you.
There are times when we do not have particular medication. We will order these items in for you and they should be available for collection after 2pm the next day (excluding Wednesdays as we close at 1pm).
Repeat Prescriptions Repeat prescriptions are those that you order regularly.
You can reorder repeat prescriptions in the following ways:
Attend the surgery with your repeat prescription sheet and placing it at the front desk (if we are closed, it can be put through the letter box at the front door)
Leave a message on the prescription line (01520 722661). The details required are your name, date of birth and the name of the medication required.
If leaving a message on the answering machine, the messages are taken off at 10am each weekday morning. If you leave your message after this time, it will be the following day before the prescription will be done, which will mean 2 working days from that day. For example, if you leave a message at 2pm on Friday, the message will not be received until 10am the following Monday.
For repeat medication, our normal ordering policy is that you allow us 2 working days. For example, if you order before 10am on a Friday, the medication will be due for collection on the following Tuesday. There may be times when there are delays in ordering one or more of your items. This is usually due to drug production shortages. We will do our best to fill your prescription, but you may need to have a different brand as a substitute.
Flu Vaccine Once again we will be holding open flu clinics in October/November. If you can please come along to these open clinics. The dates will be confirmed in next month’s An Carranach.
24 25 Lochcarron good effort from out wide. McMillan would go on to complete his hat-trick and get his fourth of day, scoring Camanachd twice in five minutes, both from the edge of the ‘D’, taking the score to 7-0. Virtually from the following throw up in Spean Bridge side Lochaber made th the centre, Strathglass would go down the other end of the the trip to Lochcarron on 14 July in pitch to score, David MacCuish having made the initial this North Division 2 fixture. block lost sight of the ball and the Strath’ forward took full Lochaber found themselves at a advantage to smash the ball home from 25 yards out. The disadvantage even before the throw goals hadn’t finished yet though, on the 80th minute Niall up as they arrived at the Battery Park with only eleven Arnott would get his second of the game, a quick series of players. Lochcarron nearly put their player advantage to use passes from midfield to attack was finished well by Arnott in the opening minute, Peter Mackenzie picked up a long on the right side of the goal. The final 10 minutes of the ball from midfield on the edge of the ‘D’, but his shot was game didn’t really offer up much and the game ended after a pushed just wide of the goal. Ten minutes passed and the fairly comfortable afternoon for Lochcarron, a great way to young Lochaber side were showing plenty of fight and round of the home fixtures for the season. Full time score: creating plenty of opportunities for their more experienced Lochcarron 8, Strathglass 1. forwards, though nothing troubling the home goal. The Dates for your diary: deadlock was broken eventually when Niall Arnott was 22nd September – Strathspey (A) played through on goal and found himself one on one with 29th September – Boleskine (A) the ‘keeper, he showed excellent composure to calmly push 6th October – Inverness (A) the ball past the advancing ‘keeper from close range. The home side were pushing hard to increase their lead and were getting plenty chances to do so, but it would be Lochaber who would score next, a couple of poor clearances in the Lochcarron defence saw the ball fall to the visitor’s full MACRAE, forward, who smashed it home from 15 yards to level the game at one goal each. The first half wasn’t over though NORTH STROME and Arnott would get his second of the game, a good flowing move from back to front was received by Arnott on the left, he cut inside and finished well from 12 yards out. Half time Susan would like to thank everyone who score: Lochcarron 2, Lochaber 1. got in touch in person, by phone and by The second half was more comfortable for the home side mail in the wake of her mother Sheila’s who had most of the possession and created plenty of death on 1st August. Your thoughts, opportunities in front of goal. Lochcarron increased their lead 10 minutes after the break, Peter Mackenzie had the ball condolences and support through a very in the net after collecting a good pass from the right and tough couple of weeks were deeply slotting it past the Lochaber ‘keeper from the edge of the appreciated. area, making the score 3-1. Lochaber never gave up on My heartfelt thanks go to all the staff at the getting back in the game and were still creating chances for Howard Doris Centre for their kindness themselves, though ‘Ronnie’ Cameron was equal to their and the unstinting care they showed to both efforts. The game was nearing its finish and not to be Mum and me – we could not have asked outshone by his older brother, Liam Arnott would make the for a more welcoming, compassionate score line look even better for Lochcarron, a powerful strike place to help us through her last days. from the right left the Lochaber goalie with no chance as the To the Rev. Anita Stutter and Danny ball found the roof of the net to make it 4-1 and secure the MacLean of M & D MacLeod Funeral win and both points for the home side. Final score: Services: Thank you both for your warmth, Lochcarron 4, Lochaber 1. empathy, and guidance through the The final home game of the season to be played at the immediate aftermath of Mum’s death and a Battery Park would be against Strathglass on the 28th July. truly moving farewell. The game would be played in some wet and windy To Loch Duich Plants: You did us proud conditions, but it was Lochcarron that started the brighter of with your beautiful sprays of flowers the two teams and they went on the attack from the offset, reflecting Mum’s favourite colours and plenty of chances were being created but some wayward South African heritage. shooting kept the score level early on. Following on from To Lochcarron Hotel: Grateful thanks for his double in the previous game, Niall Arnott would make the soup and sandwiches and expressions the breakthrough again, finding the net with a fine strike on of sympathy. the quarter hour mark. Michael McMillan would be next to To everyone who attended the funeral: get on the score sheet as he made a bit of space for himself Thank you for being there to celebrate to slot home from close range. Strathglass’ young side were Mum’s long life in the community. The still competing well and creating problems for the home defence, but they found themselves three down after a quick collection for the Howard Doris Centre counter attack was finished well by full centre Crisdean taken at the church door, together with Finlayson. With the rain really lashing down, both teams private donations, totalled £725. were glad to hear the half time whistle and get inside for And last, but by no means least, to Aunty some cover. Half time score: Lochcarron 3, Strathglass 0. Elsie and my partner Neil: You have been With the rain having eased, Lochcarron made the best my absolute rocks through the past few possible start to the second half, Michael McMillan getting stormy weeks. Thank you for everything. his second of the game with a close range diving strike, making the score 4-0. Most of the play would be in the visiting team’s half and leading scorer Liam Arnott would be next to play his part, getting his eighth of the season, with a
26 Community Councils’ Minutes Comhairle Choimhearsnachd Gearr-chunntais
MINUTES (draft) of LOCHCARRON Q Banting has taken on the duties of Secretary temporarily. COMMUNITY COUNCIL He can be contacted as follows: th Email: [email protected] Meeting Monday 13 August 2018 Text/mobile: 07917 044518 7:30 pm Village Hall Address: Jacob House, Croft Road, Lochcarron IV54 8YA Members Present: Correspondence received: Mrs Helen Murchison BEM (Chair), Mr Roger Cundiff - Various emails and information on A890 Stromeferry (Treasurer), Mr Alec Cormack, Ms Aileen Grant, Cdr Q Bypass work and closures. Plus Chairman’s letters and Banting RN (Minute Sec.). replies on same. (see Minutes) Also Present: - Email from Gavin Steel with update on Scottish Water “use PC Craig Allan, Mr Mike Bauermeister (Kishorn Ports) water wisely” campaign. (for info) Apologies:Mrs Emma McCallum (Secretary), Mr John - Email from Susy MacAulay (Local Gov. Reporter) any Macpherson, Cllr Kate Stephen, th feedback on “developer contributions”? (None from this Approval of Minutes Monday 9 July 2018: CC) The minutes were agreed unanimously. - Email and enclosure from HC(Policy) asking for views and Matters Arising: feedback on Community Council Review. Contributing Roger Cundiff has established clarification of the planning email from Kenny Maclean on CC amalgamations. (This has consent for the 33Kv power lines which is essentially the been distributed to CC members who may wish to reply planned replacement of the existing poles. individually but will be discussed by CC at Sept meeting The 30mph wheelie bin stickers have arrived. Aileen Grant for a joint response.) agreed to be the point of contact for their distribution. She - Email from Kenny Maclean re Public meeting at Aultbea would liaise with Alec Cormack on an advert in An 9th Aug re: GP Surgery provision difficulties. (for info. Carranach. Roger Cundiff pointed out that the stickers must Probably not relevant to Lochcarron at present) be placed on the sides of the bins to avoid being scraped off - Email from Claire MacArthur on Consultation on proposed when emptied by the bin lorry. PC Allan took several to draft Gambling Act Statement of Policy. (No input from stick up. CC) Chair’s Report: - Email from Tom Stephens of SALAD asking for support Helen Murchison reported that she had eventually got some for Stromeferry Bypass rather than Skye Airport. ( CC answers from HC on the planned works and closures of the appreciate his letter but “could not possibly comment”. A890 Stromeferry Bypass road between Strathcarron and Sec to draft email reply.) Auchtertyre in September. All agreed that the information on - Email from Caroline Vawdrey of Highland Environmental closure times was complicated and difficult to understand. Forum inviting to Ullapool Marine Conference at Macphail There are supposed to be cards about the closures issued to Centre Ullapool High School. (CC will not be attending) local shops for people to use but this is not for another week. It was agreed to scrutinise these as soon as they come out Lochcarron Community Fund update and to publish in An Carranach. This should include some interpretation if the information remains as difficult to There have been no applications received for funding this understand as at present. month. Planning Applications: The Community Council has been notified of the following Q Banting has received a request for help from Dot Ferguson planning applications for at HC about funds for the River Carron Improvement WARD 5 (Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh): Association and whether the LCF could be a conduit. He will - Ref: 18/02437/ADV - Display of non-illuminated adver- take this forward with the RCIA. Roger Cundiff suggested tisement to ATM pod at Lochcarron Filling Station by that if the RCIA had even a simple set of Articles of Cardtronics UK Ltd Trading As Cashzone Association this might suffice. - Ref 18/02438/FUL - Siting of ATM Pod and five bollards
(retrospective) at Lochcarron Filling Station by Cardtronics Police Feedback: UK Ltd Trading As Cashzone - Ref 18/02939/FUL - Siting of Recreational Hut on Land 1460M North Of Lochcarron Water Treatment Works by Mr With the return of the Gypsy Travelling Community, PC Thomas Chetwynd of Califermoss Farmhouse, Forres, IV36 Allan made it clear that any issues were the responsibility of 2RN. land owners with whom he could advise. 27th July list. – Nothing relevant. th He reported on problems with “convoys” of camper vans on 8 August List– Nothing relevant. Skye and also on the Bealach na Ba where advisory signage Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer submitted the financial statement from where remained inadequate. the current balances stand at: Roger Cundiff drew PC Allan’s attention to a possible 65 Community Council: £2261.43 sports car rally to be held on the NC500 next year. (Wheelie Bin Stickers £89 - Poppy Wreath £41 - Hall Hire PC Allan cautioned that there were traders cold calling at £12) doors locally offering to do garden work or take away scrap Community Fund: £4617.24 etc. He advised that they should be politely turned away. He Roger Cundiff said he will be attending a meeting shortly recommended that only accredited local traders engaged “by with all the Parish Ministers to discuss the Memorial Sunday arrangements and wreath laying. appointment” should be used and that a written quote be Aileen Grant said the work regarding improving the notice obtained before any work was undertaken. boards was ongoing. Secretary’s Report: (Continued on page 28)
27 (Continued from page 27) agreed that a short closure in the dead of winter would be the preferred option; Robbie Bain regarding Rural Tourism Infrastructure Any Other Business suggestion of six viewpoints being created on the Bealach; the council supports this in principle; Action: JG to forward Mr Mike Bauermeister representing Kishorn Ports gave a to Archie MacLellan; brief update at the beginning of the meeting. He drew rd Kenny Maclean with Highland Community Councils attention to the Kishorn Liaison Group on 23 August at Scheme Review 2018/19 survey; Action: EG to complete 1000 on site to which the CC had been invited. The Chair the survey on the council’s behalf asked when the planned bus tours for locals were to take Website/email system MS had provided an outline for a place. Mike replied that tours were concentrating on new website. The council welcomed the attractive design, Ministers and Regulators at present but that general and and proposed structure. Action: MS to go ahead with school tours were still intended. creating a site. Mr Bauermeister said that although not very visible continu- Tourism management ing investment in making the Port “shovel ready” had taken Toilets: Cuts to Comfort Funding were discussed; it was place. He mentioned that the Field had seen considerable agreed that in view of increased visitor numbers (partly due expansion in the cage building business. Finally, he to NC500) and the remoteness of Applecross, it is vital to explained that the Stromeferry Bypass closures would have public toilets. Action: SP to write in support of the significantly impact Kishorn Ports even though they had Community Company to protest the cuts. tried to put in place contingency measures. The CC is Bin provision: it was noted that there is not sufficient grateful to Mr Bauermeister for his reports. provision of bins for tourists to use; Action: SP to contact The need for the stone “Welcome to Lochcarron” to be Kate Stephen regarding bin provision. cleaned was raised. The Sec undertook to consult Andrew Road sign: the sign at Tornapress has again been covered MacKenzie. with stickers and is unreadable; this will need to be cleared Aileen Grant agreed to take over the Slumbay noticeboard again by Highland Council. Might the NC500 contribute to and would obtain keys to it from the Treasurer. the cost? Ms Grant asked if any progress had been made on speed Convoy vehicles: It was suggested that the NC500 website limits for Kishorn village. Sec undertook to ask Cllr Stephen should include information about driving on single-track for an update. roads in convoys. The Meeting Closed at 9:10 p.m. Action: JG to invite a Trust member to the next council meeting, so the council can liaise with them about tourism Date of next meeting: management. Monday 10th September 2018 at 7:30 pm Lochcarron AOB Village Hall (Upper) SSE compensation: JG has been in correspondence with Members of the public are most welcome to attend SSE; the money should come in shortly. Community Council Meetings Participatory Budget Scheme: JG and Alison Macleod, the Applecross LDO, submitted an application. Response is expected before the next council meeting. Applecross Community Council Meeting Held at the Community Hall, Applecross Meeting Closed: 21:05 MINUTES (Unapproved) – Tuesday 14 August 2018, Next meeting: Tuesday 11th September 2018, 7.30 pm. 7.30pm Members of the public are warmly encouraged to attend Present: Ali Brown, Ruaridh Cameron, Ishbel Ferguson, these meetings. If you would like to add any items to the Ewen Gillies, Jon Glover, Sarah Paramor agenda please send these to the Secretary by the Friday Apologies: Kate Stephen, Jacqueline Liuba, Mark Stewart before the meeting. Please note our new email address: Future Meeting Date: Tuesday 11 September, 7.30pm [email protected] Minutes of Previous Meeting Approved with one small change Actions from Previous Meeting APPLECROSS FORUM Roads JG has had no response from Highland Council roads The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 12 September, department. Action: JG to forward letter to Kate Stephen. at 6.30 in the Community Hall. Library service A positive response was received from the All who care about Applecross, whether residents, holiday library service confirming continuing support for the mobile home owners or visitors are very welcome at Forum library; a new vehicle has been purchased + a new leasing meetings. The Agenda will be published on local notice system. boards and on the Forum website, Bealach cycle event 1 September: posters have been sent to www.applecrossforum.org. The Minutes of the last meeting the shop + PDF circulated. (below) are also on the website. Path networks: pending Minutes of the Applecross Forum, Thursday 3 May 2018, Fire beaters: JG to speak to Applecross fire service. 6.30pm, Applecross Community Hall Community Company: JG has asked Community Company chairman for a monthly report or minutes to be sent to SP to Attendance: Drew MacFarlane Slack (Chair Applecross circulate prior to council meetings. Forum) (DMS), Tom O’Halloran (Vice Chair Applecross Post Office: AB/SP liaising on a letter to the Post Office. Forum) (TO), Rodger Harvey Jamieson (Chair Applecross Report from the Treasurer Trust) (RHJ), Owen Kilbride (Chair Applecross Community Opening balance: £3798.85 Company) (OK), Jon Glover (Applecross Forum working Closing balance: £3798.85 group) (JG), Archie MacLellan (Applecross Trust) (AM), Police Report None provided. Sue Groocock (Applecross Forum working group) (SG), Correspondence Correspondence received from: Henry Robertson (HR), May MacCuish (MM), Tery Robbie Bain regarding Kishorn Port Liaison Group; McCowan (TM), Arthur Macdonald (Applecross Trust Archie MacLellan of the Applecross Trust regarding Trustee) (AMac), Alasdair Macdonald (Applecross Trust proposed repairs to bridge near the snow-blower hut; it was Trustee) (AMacD), Sarah Paramor (SP), Jackie Liuba (JL), Fiona Mackenzie (FM), Alistair Bruce (AB), Jack Marris
28 (JM), Saara Viitanen (SV), Sarah McCowan (SM), Anne and due within the next two weeks. To draft scaled drawings Macrae (AMacr) and suggest possible usage. Action: AM to provide update Apologies: Gregor Watson (GW), Gerry McPartlin (GM), prior to the next meeting and JW to circulate to the Gill Fairweather (GF), Elodie Matthews (EM) Applecross Forum working group. It was agreed at the meeting that the most efficient way to AP6: it was agreed that the Trust would look at land near make headway would be to run through each action point the village hall as an option for local recreational use. from the previous meeting and update on progress made. Update: RHJ stated that he would need proposals for Additional points/projects would be raised following. individual projects for recreational use to be brought to the AP1: Property sites to be released for sale by the Applecross Applecross Forum and put on the agenda. No action agreed Trust. RHJ to speed up the process and come back with at this point. options (restrictions on sale, selling to Community Company, AP7: Workshop. AM and DMS agreed to discuss this selling at a high price and putting the funds into a community further. pot etc.). Update: JL stated that this had been resolved at the last Update: RHJ confirmed that the process had been slower meeting and that they had space now for the skiff boat. AM than hoped. Both the property sites would be marketed agreed that there could still be a workshop space but this was shortly with priority to the community to bid as soon as tied in with freeing up existing buildings and looking at available. Moving forward, the Applecross Trust would potential use (much as with the laundry). Action: to provide details of the website for more information. consider when looking at existing buildings and what DMS asked what commitment the Applecross Trust could they might be used for. make to ensuring that money from the sale of the two AP8: GM to bring chair options to the next meeting. It was property sites goes into a community pot. requested that the options for the chairs must be RHJ confirmed that there will be a community pot that would aesthetically pleasing to tie in with the look of the building. fund community projects. It would be the job of the Update: GM was unable to come along to the meeting and Applecross Forum to identify projects to take forward with sent his apologies. He confirmed he would update the people needed to take the lead on those projects. The Applecross Forum at the next meeting. Action: GM to Applecross Trust would then direct funds to those projects present at the next meeting. identified by the Applecross Forum. MM stated that she had some ideas for the chairs in Clachan AP2: DMS, Community Company, and AM to set wheels in Church. Action: MM to speak with GM and liaise. motion with the aim to have development land available this AP9: Laundry. OK and AM to discuss options for next year (2018). To include Small Communities Housing Trust at meeting. the beginning of the process. Alison Macleod has report that Update: AM and OK agreed that this needed more work as was undertaken to find out what housing need there is in tied in with use of energy from the hydro. In addition, AM Applecross. Alison Macleod to send DMS a copy of the confirmed that there could be space in existing buildings report. once the agricultural space is centralised. OK stated that they Update: DMS had not yet received a copy of the report. The would have a better idea if this is wanted by the community Community Company had discussed using Planning Aid once the Community Company survey results are in. Action: Scotland to visit Applecross and look at various sites. He OK to update at next meeting. asked if the Forum agreed to invite Planning Aid Scotland to AP10: Paths. All agreed to sit this project to one side until Applecross. the Community Council is back up-and-running again, then OK made the Forum aware that there would be a cost a proposal would be put to them. involved and the Community Company would need to look Update: JG confirmed that nothing had been done as yet as at funding. this was not on the Community Council agenda. Action: JG DMS stated that the alternative would be to go through the to add to the Community Council agenda for discussion. process of sourcing suitable land as a community group He stated that this would be a big project and would which would be mean reduced time taken, and reduced costs. need input from other community groups. Action: All agreed to go ahead. AP11: Allotments. Committee to get together to discuss who JG wanted to make his concerns clear that the community pot will be chairperson, and how it would be managed. should be for projects not social housing. Update: MM stated that as yet the group had not got OK confirmed that, once suitable land was found for social together with ideas. Action: MM to have a plan in place housing, the Community Company would look to other for the next meeting. funding sources, not within the community pot. Action: He AP12: Trustees. Going forward, RHJ stated that there would confirmed that Alison Macleod would circulate a copy of be clarity, inclusion and advanced warning towards the the Housing Needs Survey to DMS. community when appointing a new trustee. He stated that his AP3: AMac to look at the scope for new crofts and woodland marker for success would be that, in the future, the Trust crofts with the crofting communities/common grazings. would be invisible, as just one part of Applecross. DMS Update: AMac stated that he had attended a few meetings stated that over the course of 2018, he would be pitching to and that there was scope for crofts in the Ardheslaig the Trust that future trustees must come from the community. woodland area. Action: DMS asked AMac to provide a He confirmed that he, and the Vice Chair, TO, would be further update at the next meeting. attending the Applecross Trust meetings. AP4: RHJ admitted that, as AM had just outlined, there was Update: DMS and OK attended the Applecross Trust a system in place for allocating housing but nothing written meeting on 3 May. No action. down. RHJ would rectify this and ensure that a rental policy AP13: SSE financial agreement with the Applecross Trust. was produced and available on the website. Agreed to All agreed that AM would discuss this with VH in private as produce document for next meeting and bring/circulate to it was inappropriate to divulge financial information in community. public. Update: AM had produced document and circulated to JW. Update: this was no longer relevant as an agreement had Action: JW to circulate to the Applecross Forum working been made with SSE outside of the Applecross Forum. group. AP14: DMS, OK (as Community Company) and Trust to AP5: Trust agreed to undertake a feasibility study on the have a discussion to discuss the Trust’s asset base. OK steading which would cover possible options for use, confirmed that the Community Company will be undertaking including a recreation space, and safety of the building etc. a consultation to find out what it needs to focus on. The Update: AM confirmed that a surveyor was commissioned (Continued on page 30)
29 (Continued from page 29) consultation should be finished by the next Applecross Forum meeting. To bring findings to next meeting. Update: OK stated that the Community Company survey would be launched at its AGM the following week but there would be copies available in hard copy, and online. No action agreed. Agenda items 1. Recreation space. TO wanted to stress that the multi-use recreational space would be for all people and not just the school. JG stated that the group working on this project already had a good idea of what is required but needed to know what locations might be available/feasible. AM commented that the steading may be dismissed as a possible option because it is too big a job, but individuals should consider a staged plan. AP15: DMS asked that those people interested in recreational space, gym, sports pitch, swimming pool etc to meet together with the Applecross Trust to discuss possible locations and options. TO, JG, SM, TM and JW to come to the next meeting with a plan/proposal. 2. Environmental Policy of the Applecross Forum (and the Shared Vision). GW put forward an argument for reconsidering the environmental policy of the Applecross Forum. GW could not be at the meeting and sent his apologies; he asked JW to raise the issue on his behalf, which was done. OK agreed that the Shared Vision does need updating and so could include an environmental policy at a later date. AP16: it was agreed that this should be discussed at the next meeting when GW is in attendance. 3. Conservation Activity (of the Applecross Trust). JL asked if there was a way to bring greater clarity on what plans the Applecross Trust has throughout the year for conservation. Is there a way of communicating that gorse burning, or tree pruning, for example, is going to take place and what the reasons are for this decision. JG explained that it was not every movement, but when large scale activities are planned that directly impact on the community, it would be beneficial to have some warning. (GF also communicated this point remotely). RHJ stated that the reason for all of the operations being carried out on the land is conservation but was unsure how planned projects can be communicated to the community. However, he confirmed that the Applecross Trust would communicate planned environmental and conservation activity through AM who would happily meet with members of the forum/community every few weeks or whatever is deemed necessary. AP17: DMS agreed that this item Available by ordering should stay on the agenda. AOB online or from local Fire Beaters SP commented that the question had been raised at the retail outlets. Community Council of whether there could be fire beaters provided for the community. Visit DMS asked if wild fires are on the Applecross Trust agenda. AM confirmed that yes, the Applecross Trust has good www.lochcarron.org.uk insurance, and would use spraying if required. The Applecross Trust would like to do moor burning which could for information about include training for fire beaters. AM confirmed that there is a fire plan between the three neighbouring estates. SP asked that this plan be communicated within the local events, where to community so that they are more informed of options should there be a wild fire. stay, eat, shop and visit. DMS confirmed that the first port of call in the case of a wild fire would always be Scottish Fire & Rescue. No action was agreed. UNESCO World Biosphere AMacr wanted to make everyone at the meeting aware that Applecross is now a part of the Unesco World Biosphere. No action required.
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