by Joan Michael
HOW the year goes round! Tomorrow it's time for the winter Soup and Pudding Lunch in aid of funds for the Ross-shire branch of the MS Society. This twice-yearly event is always hugely popular so don't miss it. It is also a chance to catch up with old friends and, indeed, meet new ones. As usual, there will be a selection of four soups including a vegetarian option, fruit crumbles, shortbread and tea of coffee. And all this for the lowly sum of £4. The lunch will be in Ullapool Village Hall and will be served between 12.30pm and 2pm. See you there!
THERE is another new initiative in Ullapool (let's face it, we're full of them). This is the Market Street Collective, a shop selling quality local arts and crafts, operating from Room 2 of an talla solais Ullapool Visual Arts. It is a collective of initially seven local artists and crafts makers. On show and sale will be their work alongside the work of other artists and crafts makers of the area. The Market Street Collective will open for four weeks from November 17 till December 17 this year, with the intention of reopening again next spring/summer. The Market Street Collective gives you the opportunity to shop locally for distinctive Christmas presents made by local artists and craft makers. Beautiful jewellery, ceramics, tweed products, paintings and felts are amongst the items for sale. They are having an opening next Thursday, November 17. This will also coincide with the opening of an talla solais's 3D members exhibition.
THIS is a great opportunity to shop locally. Why put yourself through the grief of travelling to town when you can just pop round the corner. Another super chance will be in the village hall a week on Saturday (19th) when there will be an indoor market between 10am and 3pm. Among the stalls will be horncraft, baking, knitwear, jewellery, smoked salmon, home made sausages, paintings, cards, candles, feltwork and CDs.
I HEAR that although VisitScotland had said that they would open the Ullapool tourist office over the Hogmanay period that this will not now happen. This is a time when there are lots of visitors who would be looking for information so it is a real shame that the office will not be open. I believe though that they have given a commitment for the following year. So let's keep them to that!
