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Variety of schemes in frame for boost via Highland Coastal Communities Fund as Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh committee considers applications


By Scott Maclennan

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Pictured at the Kinlochewe Community Toilets are (from left) Mary Peart, Andrew Peacock, Karen Twist and David Whiteford.
Pictured at the Kinlochewe Community Toilets are (from left) Mary Peart, Andrew Peacock, Karen Twist and David Whiteford.

WESTER Ross projects ranging from a lifeline car service to schemes aimed at improving the experience of visitors come under the spotlight next week.

Almost £200,000 set to be divvied between five projects will be looked at by Highland Council's Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh committee.

The cash comes from around £347,000 allocated to the area from the Highland Coastal Communities Fund via the Crown Estates.

The Gairloch Community car scheme is seeking £12,705 to help towards a total cost of £40,215 to lease a suitable car. The vehicle would continue to take passengers from local communities to appointments or for treatment at any NHS Highland hospital and sometimes further afield if needs be.

It wants funding for a three-year lease to give it a chance to build-up reserves and secure the popular service for years to come.

The Wester Loch Ewe Trust has requested £38,500 for its Old School, New Use project estimated to have a cost of £49,500. It is seeking investment from the fund for the fixtures and fittings for the building and a community design and options study for phase two.

The Applecross Trust wants £6500 for A Brighter Face of Tourism Total Project that comes with a total price tag of £13,000, prompted by the “unmanageable” levels of visitors to the area – a recurring flashpoint during the Covid crisis.According to the report, with the easing of lockdown the Highlands became "the place to visit" but the number of people holidaying in the area was unmanageable.

An emergency pilot scheme eased issues of human and general waste, overcrowding, wild camping, fires, cutting down trees, and negative impact on quality of life for those living in the area. The project aims to build on that by designing a website, introducing dog waste and beach clean campaigns and signage and an information board.

Applecross Community Company wants to restore the natural and cultural heritage of Torgarve Woodland and has sought a grant of £10,472 for the £20,945 project.

The 12-month initiative will deliver the first phase of the Torgarve Community Woodland’s Business Plan, focussing on implementing Woodland Management, enhancing the biodiversity of the area and engaging the community with developing amenities and building volunteer capacity.

The largest request comes from Community Out West: Kinlochewe Community & Tourist Facilities Hub Total which wants £90,350 of a total project cost of £94,000.

The aim is to provide community toilets open 24/7 throughout the year for the local community, whilst also providing a range of much needed facilities for the many visitors to the area.


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