What's on: Nigg and Kishorn port open days, Alness fair, bug and bee hunt in Culbokie, music in Ullapool and special visitors in Tain...
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CAN they fix it?
Well, if they can't, the Black Isle Repair Cafe team will have a pretty good idea of who can.
A committed group of volunteers, supported by the Black Isle Men’s Shed, Transition Black Isle and the Highland Community Waste Partnership, launched their first ever Repair Cafe in Avoch a year ago and have been going from strength to strength ever since.
It is being held on June 24 in Avoch Community Centre from 1-4pm.
And it’s not just about the repair on the day, the skilled volunteers are there to help show you how you can fix your own in the future as well so it’s a chance to learn a new skill at the same time.
There has been great feedback from the people who have come along to previous Repair Cafe’s.
“Thank you. Couldn’t find this service locally. Men's shed chap was very helpful and friendly and informative! Showed me how to do it myself too” - Annette Greenfield
“So happy to have my jumper fixed!’ - Mairi Taylor
Read more about it here.
An Easter Ross town is setting the scene for a summer street fair this weekend.
The event in Alness promises to be a vibrant affair with a variety of participants and stalls.
It takes place on the High Street on Saturday from 2pm to 5pm.
In addition to 20-plus local stalls, fun fair rides and baking and food offerings, there are scheduled displays from DNA Dance, Anne Noble School of Dance and Fyrish Gymnastics.
There are also expected to be emergency service displays.
The Port of Nigg is opening its doors next month for a family-friendly open day, where visitors will be able to get a glimpse into the future of energy production.
Hosted by the operator of the port, Global Energy Group, the free event on Saturday, June 24, will be an opportunity to learn about the area’s maritime history and to experience the hustle and bustle of one of Scotland’s leading energy ports.
Past, present and future will come together in a series of guided bus tours around the port, revealing the port’s roots and the work taking place today to support a thriving renewables industry.
Attendance is free but tickets are required due to expected high demand. To register to attend, visit here.
Kishorn Port is staging a public open day on Saturday, June 24 running from 9am until 3pm.
Kishorn Port Ltd directors and staff will host the event which includes a chance to have a tour of the port and dry dock.
WATCH: Departure of giant visitor caught on special film
The company said: "We would welcome members of the local community and further afield to visit throughout the day where we will be giving a short, informative presentation followed by a guided tour of the port and dry dock.
The company said: "We would welcome members of the local community and further afield to visit throughout the day where we will be giving a short, informative presentation followed by a guided tour of the port and dry dock."
"Families are welcome to attend but we do request that children be supervised by adults at all times."
Anyone is interested is asked to email marketing@kishornportltd.com to allow the firm to gauge numbers.
It said: "It will be first come first served for yours on the day, which will take around an hour. Bus transport on site will be provided."
Culbokie Green is the place to be a week later on Saturday, June 24 for a bug and bee hunt to which all are welcome.
Organised by High Life Highland, the drop-in event from 1.30pm to 3.30pm doesn’t require booking and is free, although donations are welcome to help with education about and protection of nature in the Highlands.
Organisers say: “Join us to find out what creepy crawlies and bees make Culbokie Green their home! Wildflower areas are an important site for many of our declining insects. How many will we be able to find on the day?”
A group which masterminded the establishment of an off-road route linking Strathpeffer and Dingwall is flagging up its next maintenance work party – with the promise of cake!
The PefferyWay offers a pleasant and safe off-road alternative to get between the Ross-shire communities. A recent upgrade at the Dingwall Mill Street end has dramatically transformed the route which starts at the Old Railway Station in Strathpeffer.
Saturday, June 24 has been pencilled in as the next ‘maintenance morning’ session. The group posted: “We’ll be working on the verdant verges at the Dingwall end of the Peffery Way. Meet Mill Street entrance at 9.30am for a couple of hours. Wear sturdy shoes. Gloves (adult and kids) available. And there will be cake!”
See also: Letting off steam on the Peffery Way
THE sweet sounds of an acclaimed choir making a rare visit to Easter Ross will also be music to the ears of a worthy local cause.
Musica Viva, a highly respected choir from the town of Kranj in Slovenia, will be performing in Tain and Dornoch as part of brief visit to Scotland.
Marilyn Wallace of Tain, who is helping get out word of the visit, said: “The choir are only in Scotland for five days and we are very fortunate that they will be visiting the Highlands.”
She said the local audiences “are in for a treat”.
They will sing at Dornoch Cathedral on Saturday, June 24 at 6.30pm and again in Tain on Sunday, June 25 at 3pm where they will sing in the Gala Marquee at the links.
Everyone is welcome to come along to hear the choir sing a medley of traditional Slovenian songs as well as those from musicals and others that we may well recognise too.
Entrance to both events is free but donations collected will be given to the food banks in Dornoch and Tain
Ullapool will see a weekend filled with live music, all free to attend.
On Friday night Adam Blake is playing at the Argyll Hotel at 9pm, singing bottleneck blues and folk guitar, with a few of his originals too.
On Saturday night Helen McCookerbook will be playing at the Wee Bar, at the Argyll Hotel, at 9pm. The perforamce will be an unplugged, acoustic set with very limited spaces so please be aware that entry is on a first–come basis. Helen McCookerybook is a solo artist who has travelled far from the poppy punk she made with her bands The Chefs in the 1970s and brass–flavoured Helen and the Horns in the 1980s, and she is delighted to be returning to Ullapool to play the Wee Bar.
Sunday night will see a community concert held at the Ceilidh Place Venue from 7pm, with limited seats. The event will feature many local musicians, including: Shrew and the Loveland Frogmen, Jon Miller, Alex Bairstow, Lucy Beattie, and the Bottlers.
Or you could check out 6 of the best attractions in Wester Ross
Something for next weekend? Email hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk
