New Minister Gairloch Free Church was comfortably full last Friday evening for the induction of Rev Alasdair MacLeod, formerly Minister of the congregation of Lochs in Lewis, to the pastoral charge of Gairloch and Kinlochewe. The service was presided over by Rev Jeremy Ross, Moderator of Skye and Wester Ross Presbytery, who also preached the sermon. Rev Donnie G MacDonald, Portree, addressed the new minister encouragingly and Rev Alasdair M MacLeod, Lochbroom, spoke in warm terms to the congregation.
After the service, most of the congregation repaired to Gairloch Community Hall to enjoy light refreshments. Presentations were made to Mr and Mrs MacLeod by Roddie and Alice MacKenzie respectively and to Rev Alasdair M and Mrs MacLeod, Lochbroom by Kenny MacKenzie and Mrs Elizabeth Morrison. Complimentary speeches were given by Rev Ivor Martin, Stornoway and Rev Dr Malcolm MacLean, Inverness. Thanks to all those who had helped to make the evening so enjoyable were expressed by Kenny Morrison. The evening closed with the singing of metrical Psalm 133, which expresses the spirit in which Mr and Mrs MacLeod are welcomed into the parish and to his new congregation; thereafter, Mr MacLeod pronounced a benediction.
Issues discussed at the last meeting of the Gairloch Community Council's included Toilet Closures: Highland Councillor Richard Greene reported that Ian Hay from TEC services had agreed to his recommendation for transfer of the toilets at the Gairloch Community Hall to the hall committee; however, this will now have to go before the TECS committee before a final decision is taken. The Gairloch Hall Committee has yet to apply to the Highland Comfort Scheme, and without that financial support it is unlikely that the toilets would be available for public use.
Richard is of the opinion that even with the transfer of the toilets for hall functions only, sufficient savings should be generated in the TECS budget to allow the golf course toilets to open on an April to October basis. He stressed that nothing had been settled, but he was trying to achieve the best overall outcome for the village with the reduced funding available. Members thanked Councillor Greene for his support in pushing for the retention of the public toilets in the area.
Community Project: At the meeting held on May 24, various options were discussed, including all suggestions from the responses received to the community council's open letter to residents. It was agreed to proceed with looking into the possibility of creating a small hydro scheme, this being the preferred option due to sustainability over the longer term, and with the least impact on the rural environment. After discussions with the landowner, a further meeting will be held to take the matter forward.
Ward Forum: At the meeting in Poolewe on June 13, the first session discussed the plans for integrating the care services of NHS and the Highland Council.
The meeting felt that the timeline for the changes to take place had not been established, making it difficult for people to follow progress. Councillor Greene, who chaired the ward forum, advised that he had asked NHS and HC personnel to provide a resumé of actions to date at the start of each meeting in future, so that those attending can clearly see where progress is being made.
The second topic was the Council's winter roads programme. Richard was highly commended for his hard work in relaying public concerns over the poor road conditions last winter.
The lack of salt was the main problem. He has requested that when salt is being transported by sea, it be delivered directly to Kishorn for quicker distribution.
He advised that covered storage facilities are to be set up to keep the salt dry, which should improve efficiency.
One such facility, able to store approximately 1,000 tonnes, will be based at the new Council depot north of Gairloch.
He also suggested that plastic salt bins be put in place on grade 3 and 4 routes where gradients were well known to cause problems. It was pointed out that it is all very well clearing the main route, but no use if you can't get access to it. In response, it was explained that there is not enough money in the budget to cover all routes and fewer gritters
ploughs are being used to cover greater distances. However, the meeting was assured that private contractors would be employed if there is another bad winter.
Grass Cutting: Some tenants in sheltered housing have reported that their grass has not been cut. It was advised that those who get their grass cut through Garden Aid have to reapply annually and this may be the reason that they have been missed out. Richard Greene is contacting housing and social work in this regard.
