Ross-shire Journal review of the 2023 in words and pictures – July to December
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July
The Royal Bank of Scotland announced plans to close its Dingwall branch in a move described as "another nail in the coffin" for the town by local councillor, Sean Kennedy.
RBS cited a trend towards online banking claiming the branch saw just four regular personal customers a week and had been used by just 131 business customers regularly since 2022.
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Miss Lossie Mouth and Venus Guytrap paid a visit to Eilean Dubh care home in Fortrose.
The drag queens entertained residents and staff with a medley of hits from the likes of Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland bringing back happy memories for many guests, according to the care company's Donald Morrison. Urray House and Innhis Mhor were also on the tour schedule.
Thousands turned out for a programme of fun and games as Dingwall Gala got in the swing.
Avoch and Killen Community Council was pulling out the stops to prevent public toilets at Avoch Harbour from closing. They had been hit by a series of blockages and repair bills, proving unsustainable and blamed in part on a minority of selfish campervan owners disposing of waste in an infrastructure not capable of coping with it.
The community council secured backing from locals and outlined plans to encourage donations, including use if a a QR code, to help meet costs.
Ross County chief executive Steven Ferguson joined ICT counterpart Scott Gardiner in lobbying for full dualling of the A9 between Inverness and Perth.
Ferguson said the first team spent hundreds of hours on the road on up to 25 away trips every year with supporters taking their lives into their hands travelling down independently.
High profile publisher Sandstone Press, which started in Dingwall, collapsed into liquidation.
Vertebrate Publishing acquired its assets in a deal announced in The Bookseller.
August
Thousands flocked to the Black Isle Show in Muir of Ord.
The Ross-shire and Sutherland Federation of the SWI launched an appeal for missing silverware, lost down the years due in part to the forgetfulness of winners failing to return trophies. We published a list of trophies no longer in the hands of organisers as an appeal was made to relatives of former members.
Fans of Invergordon strongman brothers Tom and Luke Stoltman flocked to Waterstones for their personal appearance to sign copies of autobiography, Lifting. Book shop manager said people felt a real connection to the duo: "It isn't just about getting a book signed it's about supporting people from the Highlands who have made a success of things."
A reader shocked by the number of empty business premises in the heart of Dingwall. Ian Mackenzie Telfer, a former economic development officer, suggested a theme be adopted to attract investment and visitors. MSP Maree Todd and MP Ian Blackford voiced sympathy. Blackford cited sky-high energy bills, the fallout from Brexit and recruitment difficulties and backed calls for a new approach.
The disappearance of Genghis Cat, a local celebrity in Ullapool 'owned' by many residents prompted a variety of theories. One local said he thought the ginger charmer famous for doing the rounds of the village and dropping in on public places from library to gym might have been cat-napped by a passing admirer.
King Charles popped in to visit the Nigg Yard whilst in the Highlands. Global chairman Roy MacGregor hailed it an excellent chance to showcase the port's achievements, community commitments and plans for innovation.
North Kessock residents unhappy about plans for a food and drink hub in the village cited concerns over the loss of green space and increased traffic. West Coast Estates promised a community drop-in.
Dingwall Primary head teacher Sara MacAskill outlined plans to make it the best in the Highlands after a good report recognised significant improvements. She said the support of the local community played a huge part in improvements which included academic performance and outreach facilities including a family centre.
September
Murals in Invergordon were at the heart of a community event bringing the history of the town to life for primary pupils. Hundreds of pupils visited the iconic artwork, listened to local enthusiasts talking about the town's rich history and sharing their own tales about what it means to them.
There were front page calls for action over the empty Commercial Bar in the middle of Dingwall with Kate Forbes MSP amongst those calling for movement. Her constituency office is next door and she said the eyesore building was noticed by all visitors and could ultimately represent a danger.
Hopes for quick progress a new build to replace 'Dickensian' St Clement's special school in Dingwall were being hampered by uncertainty over funding. Kate Forbes MSP shared the frustration of campaigners, one of whom felt she had been lied to over the past eight years.
A van blaze in Cromarty brought out the best in locals who rallied to support two women whose travel plans came to an abrupt halt in the town. No one was hurt but the alarming incident sparked concerns over stretched fire response cover in the area.
Police in Alness issued CCTV images following a "significant theft" at a Morrisons ATM in the town.
BT put 100-plus jobs on the line after announcing proposed closure plans at a contact centre in Alness. It said it was part of wider plans to ensure all its buildings were fit for purpose. MSP Rhoda Grant cited the possible loss of hundreds of years of experience and a devastating impact on the community.
October
Ullapool celebrated the grand opening of newly redeveloped Shore Street. Transport Scotland representative |Marco Bardelli said he was a big fan of the local community: "I love the way they get together, have an idea and just make it happen." The shorefront development increases the amount of promenade space and pontoon improvements.
Catriona Lockhart told us her search for answers about the workplace death of her long-time partner Clive Hendry (58) wouldn't stop after a fatal accident inquiry was confirmed. Mr Hendry died after being crushed after stepping from a moving work boat to a feed barge at Mowi's Ardintoul fish farm at Loch Alsh.
The death of Kirsteen MacLennan after a courageous battle with illness sparked an outpouring of love for the well-known choir leader from Dingwall. A chilhood friend told us how she could "light up a room" and was a consummate professional and perfectionist loved by all. She followed in the footsteps of her late dad, Hamish Menzies.
Flooding fears flagged a year previously over the new build campus at Craighill in Tain resurfaced after another bout of heavy rainfall associated with |Storm Babet.
November
A funding bid for Highland school projects proved unsuccessful in the latest round of Scottish Government funding leaving campaigners for Park and St Clement's Primary schools, amongst others, feeling severely let down.
Joanne Ross stormed to victory at Ness Factor in an event which raised over £86,000 for Highland Hospice. The Dingwall woman admitted she would have run out the door rather than perform in public before starting the process. Bookings for more gigs quickly followed...
A shortfall in care at home provision on the Black Isle was predicted as one provider announced plans to pull out from the peninsula.We threw the spotlight on the issue and efforts by another provider, Eilean Dubh Home Care, to step up a recruitment drive. Wheelchair-bound Iain Roy told us of the life-changing difference good home carers can make to living a life as independently as possible.
Black Isle designer Siobhan Mackenzie spoke of her strong feelings of support for Mikeysline after being unveiled a new ambassador for the mental health charity. It has significantly expanded its activities in Ross-shire and already counts on the support of figures ranging from Ross County's Steven Ferguson to strongmen Tom and Luke Stoltman.
Campaigners concerned about the loss of green space in Invergordon flagged fears over proposals for a 79-house development. But the demand for affordable housing was also cited - bolstered by the impending impact of the Cromarty Firth freeport.
December
Tony Rotchford and his wife Eileen were caught in a holiday horror accident on the A835 near Garve en route for Gairloch when a falling tree struck them. Mr Rotchford (68) raised questions about roadside maintenance and also hailed the remarkable response of other road users – amongst them medics who happened to be in the queue of traffic stopped there – and staff at Raigmore. His face was hit by the tree coming through his windscreen following a mini landslide.
We reported how the River Peffery is to be at the heart of a £1.2million restoration project thanks to support from the Nature Restoration Fund. The main aim is to restore habitat and natural river processes, resulting in improvements for wildlife and a reduction in flood risk at certain points. There are plans to improve Pefferside Park pond too.
Residents living between Bogallan and Munlochy along the B9161 won the support of local MSP Kate Forbes in calls for speed reductions and signage improvements after statistcs produced by Highland Council revealed the extent of speeding on the accident-prone route. One vehicle was clocked at 120mph and half of all vehicles surveyed at one point exceeeded the 60mph limit. One local described jumping out of the way of oncoming cars.
Community story or photo to share from Ross-shire? Email us at hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk
