Gairloch High School - The High School reports, "Despite some unsettled weather, five S5 and S6 pupils and one former pupil (Carianne Johnston, Callum Vickerstaff, Gemma Urquhart, Ian Paul, David Roberston and Jake Bulmer) successfully completed their silver qualifying expedition on August 30.
Having walked from Redpoint to Achnashellach via Diabaig and Inveralligin over three days, the groups were slightly tired and a bit sore on their arrival back at school on Tuesday evening, although one member of the group, at least, still had enough energy left to sing!
However, the organised way they coped with each challenge they faced proved they are worthy of getting their silver award in the near future. A second silver group will hopefully undertake their expedition in the summer term.
Thanks go to Mrs Newman and the other staff who helped to supervise and assess this expedition." Well done, boys and girls!
Keep up the good work.
Military Exercise - Notification has been given of a large NATO maritime exercise to be held off the West Coast of Scotland between October 1 and 17.
For the Loch Ewe and Gairloch areas, it will include amphibious landings, and there will also be a considerable amount of fast jet and helicopter flying as well as the deployment of ground troops. Use will be made of privately owned land where permission has been obtained to do so.
The ground element of the exercise will be made up of NATO troops - approximately 230 personnel - who will deploy in conjunction with helicopter and amphibious operations.
Troops will carry weapons and blank ammunition.
The Challenge - The organisers of the Great Wilderness Challenge, which this year took place "away from home" in Kintail, report that the success of the day exceeded expectations.
More than 600 walkers, runners and marshals were involved in the one-day event, which was based at Morvich Farm.
The winners in the races were: 18 miles - Matt Sullivan (Shettleston Harriers) and Claire Gordon (Hunters Bogtrotters); 8 miles - Calum Macleod (Inverness Harriers) and Kathleen Henderson (Edinburgh) both newcomers to the Challenge; local runners who were first home were Colin Meek in the 18-mile race and Ritchie Macrae in the 8-mile race.
Congratulations to one and all. While the organisers thank all who helped in any way, and all who participated, special mention is made of the help given by Bruce Alexander, Gairloch, who went far beyond the 'second mile' in various ways and deservedly won the marshal's award.
Prizes were presented by Alexandra Thomson, Gairloch., with Christine MacLennan, Aultbea and Andrew Tallach, Badachro, receiving special medals in recognition of their 25 years' participation.
Shieldaig Community Council:
Police Cover - Sergeant Susan Hunter and police constable Glenn Tucker were welcomed to the meeting and confirmed that they had no issues to raise associated with the recent Shieldaig Fete. The Shieldaig area is currently being policed from Kyle and Gairloch.
However there is no proposal to close the Lochcarron station. The Community Council emphasised the value it attached to close and good community/police relations and the importance of a local police officer with whom the community can identify.
General police issues were discussed and the Crime Stoppers number 0800 555 111 was given.
This enables members of the community to report any concerns anonymously.
Village orderly - This scheme has proved effective. Bracken is encroaching in some areas of the village and has been identified as a potential task for next year.
There was agreement that paperwork should be kept to a minimum but that accountability required an invoice specifying the tasks which had been carried out.
Scottish Woodlands - Scottish Woodlands offered to come to a Community Council meeting to discuss a possible scheme for tree planting in Glen Shieldaig.
The community council and others present at the meeting supported the scheme in principle and a letter to this effect will be sent to Scottish Woodlands.
A full public presentation will be arranged as soon as the main elements of the proposal are settled and before final decisions are taken.
Core Path - Improvements have been made to the path from the School Brae to Drumacosh.
A gap in the safer routes for school area has led to cars attempting to use this as access to camp site. Norman Cameron will check how the gap can be narrowed.
Sea Eagle Camera - The fund held in the Community Council account now stands at £2,178.45. The Secretary has another £94 in hand and the RSPB a further £5,000.
Decisions are awaited on other funding applications.
A meeting will be held in early October with representatives from the National Trust, Shieldaig and RSPB to formulate agreements and to progress plans.
Noise in Village - The Community Council received what it regarded as a balanced complaint about unacceptable noise levels emanating from the local pub.
The person responsible for monitoring noise levels is the local licensing officer and his number has been given to the complainant.
