Local History Project Thanks to the diligence and "stickability" of two ladies, four areas of Gairloch Parish have been surveyed and researched. These are Lonemore, Porthenderson, the Heights of Kinlochewe and Naast.
Following the results of these projects, it is now felt that a lot more investigation needs to be carried out in other parts of the parish before old buildings, croft patterns and people's memories fade and disappear. In view of this, two initial meetings will be held shortly - the first in Aultbea Hall on Wednesday, November 2 at 2pm and a second meeting in the annexe of Gairloch Community Hall on Friday, November 4 at 2pm. All are welcome at either meeting.
It is hoped that various groups will be set up in order to research every corner of Gairloch Parish, which, roughly, stretches from Glen Docherty to the bottom of Gruinard Hill. The meetings will be led by the initiators of the project and when the research groups are set up, there will be the opportunity for regular meetings in Gairloch Museum where advice will be given. More information is available from Janet MacLean (712045 or j.maclean@gairlochheritagemuseum.org), Anne MacInnes (712447 or anneslioch@hotmail.com) or Dorothy Malone (712577 or dorothygairloch@mac.com).
No Bank! At the last meeting of Torridon and Kinlochewe Community Council, there were complaints that the mobile unit from the Bank of Scotland in Gairloch did not turn up in Alligin and Diabaig on their due days on two separate occasions and no notification was given. The council decided to write to the manager asking why this had happened and asking if, in such eventualities, they have a policy in hand to notify people.
Shieldaig Community Council: The council was delighted to learn that sufficient nominations had been received to enable the formation of a new community council. The names of the nominated candidates have been posted on the village notice boards.
School Playground Equipment Lynn Frost updated the council on the excellent progress which had been made with the scheme to provide playground equipment for the school. The intention was that this would be open for use by other young children when not required by the school. The council expressed its full support and agreed to make a contribution of £500 from its community development funds.
Pontoon Richard Munday updated the council on progress with the new pontoon.
It was agreed that this had significant potential for developing Shieldaig's marine based tourism, as well as providing a more convenient and safer landing facility for local recreational boats.
Thanks to the tremendous amount of work put in by Stephanie Ash, the application for Leader funding was ready for submission. The Highland Council had confirmed its contribution of £5,000.
Funding decisions were awaited from HIE and the Crown Estate. If all goes smoothly, the plan is to have the pontoon installed and operating by May 2012.
Sea-Eagle Project Again good progress has been maintained. The community council had received a grant of £1,000 from the Hugh Fraser Foundation, making a total of over £3,200 in locally raised funds. A meeting of the steering group for the project will be held at Alice's at 11am on Thursday, October 25.
Scottish Water The key issues which needed to be resolved between the Kinloch Woodlands Trust and Scottish Water appeared close to resolution so should not delay entry to the site. The proposal for a community meeting will be followed up with Joanna Peebles.
Gates on School Brae There was discussion about the new green metallic gates which had been installed on the school brae at Shieldaig. Lynn Frost explained that these had been intended as a straight replacement for the old wooden gates but had clearly caused some confusion to walkers and motorists.
The intention was to have the gates closed, but not locked, during school hours and open at all other times. It was agreed that Norman Cameron would put an informal sign on the pedestrian gate making clear that this was the route to the "peninsula walk" and the school would be asked to prepare wording and a sign for the vehicular gates which would make clear that there was no intention of impeding authorized access at any time.
