Ferguson Medical Centre - Contacts Info!

Who are you going to call?             

Getting the right help when you’re unwell.

Lochcarron Medical Partnership is an important part of the community of Lochcarron and the surrounding communities and we are very lucky that, unlike most of the rest of the UK at the moment, we can access GP appointments relatively quickly and easily.  However, in common with everywhere else, the service is in increasing demand and sometimes patients are having to wait a little longer for appointments with GPs than in the past.

There are a number of things that we can all do to help ensure that GP appointments are quickly and easily accessible to everyone who needs them, and the most important of these is to think about who is the most appropriate healthcare provider for your need – it might not be a GP!

We have put together the following guide to help you decide whether to call the GP or someone else (and remember, you can always call us if you’re still not sure, and we will help guide you to the right care).

Toothache, gum abscesses etc – GPs are unable to assess or treat any of these – you need to see a dentist. If you are not registered with a dentist, you can call the Emergency Dental Helpline 0800 141 2362 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 5.00pm)

Musculoskeletal problems – you need to be assessed by the Physiotherapist. There is now a handy online assessment tool called Phio which will ask you questions about your condition and then send your answers to NHS Highland physiotherapists for assessment.  They will then contact you and let you know what you need to do.  Our visiting physiotherapist, Anita Pearce, is at the surgery 3 days a month and we can make an appointment with her for you if necessary. She can refer you for X-rays, prescribe medications and refer you on to secondary care, if necessary. You can access Phio through our website (see below).

Viral illnesses (flu, Covid 19 etc) – antibiotics will not help with viruses.  The best advice for flu-like illnesses (including Covid) is to rest, drink lots of water and take paracetamol.  We do not have any tests at the surgery as the guidance is now not to test, but to treat Covid like any other respiratory illness.  Obviously, if you become seriously unwell or are struggling to breathe, you should contact us at the surgery.

Podiatry – the podiatrist is at the surgery every week, but appointments need to be booked through Portree Hospital.  If you need a referral form, you can find it on our website. To book an appointment, call 01478 613200 and ask for extension 2156

Tick bites – if you have a tick bite, remove the tick using a tick removal took or a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. If you develop a bullseye rash around the bite site or a temperature and flu-like symptoms, contact the surgery for a GP appointment.

Accessing Care Out-Of-Hours

If you are unwell after the surgery is closed or at the weekend, don’t forget that we have excellent out of hours practitioners who are on call to help - so there’s no need to wait until the next day or for Monday morning (when the surgery is often at its busiest) – call 111 and you will be put through to a local practitioner.

Prescriptions

If you need to order a repeat prescription, the easiest way to do this is to call our Prescription line on 722661 – the line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You can also register to order your prescriptions online – please see our website for details. We ask that you give us at least two full working days’ notice for any prescriptions that you need.

Our Website

Please also remember our website – lochcarronmedicalpractice.co.uk – where you can find further information and links to many of our services.  You can also look at nhsinform.scot, which offers advice and information about all aspects of health in NHS Highland.

Kirkton Woodland - Volunteer day on Sunday 15th September

Update from Lochcarron Village Hall

Lochcarron Village Hall Update

Time has flown for the Village Hall this year, we can’t quite believe summer is nearly over!  The good news is that the remedial building works have commenced over the summer and we hope these will conclude in autumn to ensure the building is ready for the winter months.  We’d like to take this opportunity again to send a HUGE thank you to everyone for their wonderful support towards our raise the roof campaign over the past year or so.

We recently were made aware of an unexpected large expense concerning the lift at the hall which had arisen due to the digital changeover which affects the emergency telephone line within the lift.  With the expense of the building works already in the thousands £££, we were very lucky and extremely grateful to Emma and her team from the Spar Lochcarron who kindly put us forward to receive funding from the Spar Scotland Community Fund.  The fund awarded the Village Hall £1,500 which will help us immensely to cover the costs of the lift works.  In addition, we also received a generous donation from the Waterside Café towards the hall which will assist towards the lift – thank you to the team there too!

Upcoming Events

Tartan Week at the Hall - The hall will be taking part in the Tartan Week festivities. All are welcome to come and join in the tartan celebrations.

FAMILY CEILIDH with the Incredible Fling Band – Saturday 28th September

Doors will open 6.30 – 7pm.  Licensed bar, great music from the Incredible Fling Band, lots of dancing, entrance dress code – you must wear something tartan!

THE BIG DRAW – Friday 27th September

Great fun art activities for children of all ages to take part and enjoy for tartan week!  More details will follow  - keep your eyes peeled locally for further information nearer the date.

MARKET DAY – Wednesday 2nd October 10am – 2pm

Our 4th market day for 2024 - The day with feature a range of fantastic local arts, crafts and produce as well as light refreshments.  Come and join us – all welcome to pop in for a browse.

Later in the year, we will have more live music at the hall, and we are very excited to welcome Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson who will perform a concert on Friday 8th November

Volunteers

We are a small team here at the hall, and would welcome anyone who would like to help, support or get involved more with keeping our Village Hall a thriving part of the community. Please contact us directly via our Facebook page, or email us directly at jeckmack@btinternet.com (Claire) or rebecca.evans828@outlook.com (Rebecca).

Community getting involved at The Smithy Woodland

Tartan Week!

LOCHCARRON VILLAGE TARTAN WEEK,

27th September - 7th October 2024

We invite you to join us at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 10th April, in The Lochcarron Centre to discuss a new initiative called Lochcarron Village Tartan Week – a week to put the village on the map and encourage the community to join in the fun.

 Lochcarron Village Tartan Week was one of the most exciting ideas to emerge from the recent 'Press Pause' workshop in Lochcarron. The workshop was facilitated by Carron Tobin of SCOTO (Scottish Community Tourism) and funded by North Highland Initiative.  We shall be applying for the £2500 kindly offered by the North Highland Initiative to get the project off the ground.

Tartan Week has proven a major success in various places including New York, but Lochcarron has a special claim to fame when it comes to tartan because of our historic links with Lochcarron Weavers.

Inspired by this idea, several local businesses and community organisations agreed to take Lochcarron Village Tartan Week forward and organise a meeting involving representatives from across the community to sound out interest and plan the week in more detail. And that's why we want you to join us.

We do hope that as many groups as possible will get involved with this exciting week of events, and we look forward to seeing you all on the 10th .

Lochcarron & District Business Association are acting as co-ordinators for this event and the email address to contact is tartanweek@lochcarron.org.uk

Signposting service - The Lochcarron Centre (Howard Doris Centre)

One of the proposed remits of The Lochcarron Centre (Howard Doris Centre) is to act as a signposting service for groups, activities and organisations operating within our area. We have been working hard behind the scenes to get the necessary permissions from people so that the signposting spreadsheet can be opened up for public access, and we are now nearly there!

The web address is:

https://tinyurl.com/TLC-signposts

Anyone with the link should have read-only access to the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will give you a list of those groups that we are aware of in each of the areas covered by the GP practises of Applecross, Lochcarron and Torridon. If you are searching for something in the list you can press 'Control F' and this will open a text box so you can put a search term in. It does not include days or times of activities as these are subject to change, but it will give you a contact person for each group, along with their preferred means of contact.

For people who are not able, or would prefer not, to access the information this way Anne Mackay at the Howard Doris Centre will be able to access the information for you if you call in or phone her on:

01520 722541

What would be really useful now is if people involved in local activities could go onto the spreadsheet and check that their entry is correct. We would also welcome any further suggestions on groups or services that we have missed out. At the moment the list is pretty strong on what is going on in Lochcarron, but less so for the outlying areas - we would love some more input on this.

One really lovely take-home message from collating all this information is the knowledge that we are a pretty resourceful community!

Please pass all comments to me by email only please on hendry010@btinternet.com

Jenny Hendry

Winter Vaccines Information

LOCHCARRON MEDICAL PARTNERSHIP

FERGUSON MEDICAL CENTRE

Winter Vaccines

Lochcarron Winter Vaccination Clinics for Flu and COVID-19 are by appointment only.

Dates for clinics can be booked online via the Portal - https://vacs.nhs.scot/csp

You can also contact the NHS Highland local Service Delivery Centre on 08000 320 339.

Invitations are also being sent out via letter. If you know you are eligible please phone the Service Delivery Centre on 08000 320 339 to book your appointment.

You can check your eligibility on the NHS Inform Website on www.nhsinform.scot/winter-vaccines/

Lochcarron Clinics are being held on:

Monday 30th October: 10:00 -12:30 & 13:00 – 15:30

Monday 6th November 10:00 -12:30 & 13:00 – 15:30

Monday 13th November 10:00 -12:30 & 13:00 – 15:30

Monday 20th November 10:00 -12:30 & 13:00 – 15:30

Pneumococcal & Shingles Vaccines

When you are eligible for the Pneumococcal or Shingles Vaccine, the vaccination team will contact you with an appointment. If you have missed your appointment and need to re-schedule you can contact the NHS Highland Service Delivery Centre on 08000 320 339.

Baby / Children Immunisations

Parents will receive a letter inviting them to take their baby / child for immunisation. If you be unable to attend or miss an appointment please contact the NHS Highland Service Delivery Centre on 08000 320 339.

All vaccinations are now being done out-with the Practice. For any queries please contact 08000 320 339.

What is happening at the Howard Doris Centre?

 We are entering a new Era!       Enjoy “TLC “ in the heart of South West Ross.

 The board of the Howard Doris Centre charity wishes to announce that on the 1st of February next year NHS Highland will take over the Care of tenants and patients within the Howard Doris Centre. This change is necessary to maintain the very valuable service that has been run by our community charity since 1996.

Some of the original board members (who are now aged between sixty eight and ninety) have served the Centre for over 27 years. On 20th September they were joined by eleven volunteers from our working group. The new board members have widely diverging skills. They will be an asset and rejuvenate the Board which will continue to support the health and well-being of our community.

We are working closely with NHS Highland and Highland Council to deliver a smooth transition of care to the tenants of the Albyn Housing Association

The NHS will be taking over the vitally important part of the service at the Centre which encompasses care of vulnerable, elderly and end-of-life patients. Over the years our staff have gone above and beyond to provide this. The NHS will continue to employ them as before.  

We acknowledge that there are anxieties about the future and we have heard people expressing their concerns.

  The essential facts are:

 •          From February next year the charity will no longer be funded as it has been.

 •          We have been promised financial support from the NHS but this will not meet our overall costs.

 •          Our charity will continue to employ a small number of staff to run catering and to develop new services.

  “The Lochcarron Centre” —A new name and new things happening!

 To mark the change we have renamed the Charity. In future we will be called “The Lochcarron Centre” - enjoy TLC in the heart of SW Ross. As before we will support the three communities of Applecross,  Lochcarron and Torridon. The Howard Doris Centre is where we are based and will remain the name of the building.

 Over time the needs of communities change. We have listened to you and as a result we are in the process of developing new services..

 Although there may not be many obvious changes at the moment, 22 volunteers are striving behind the scenes ,working with common purpose, developing new services and ensuring that the Lochcarron Centre continues the caring traditions and ethos of the Howard Doris Centre.

 Over the coming weeks we will be working together to build plans to enable us to adapt to our new role and continue to be a much appreciated centre for community activities and welfare.

 This will be a developing programme. It will not be static. It will require assistance, innovation and drive from the whole community. We will do our very best to keep you informed as we make progress and will soon be able to explain the changes that this will entail.

Do this for yourself, your elders and for the young people in our communities.

The first few months next year will be important for us. As we contact potential funders for support we will need to show them evidence that people value and are using the Centre. Please come and take part in the new activities which will be springing up over the next few months.

One continuing task will be fundraising.  Looking to the future with a much slimmer organisation we will need support from local and national charities . We also need to look to our own community for support and innovative sources for funding . 

The costs for some services will increase. We will have to start charging for things that previously were taken for granted. This will be done as necessary, not for profit, but to make sure that the organisation will remain a going concern.

 It you value what the Howard Doris Centre has done in the past and want to see it continue in its new form don’t read this and cast it aside for others to act. If you can help financially, by volunteering or to help manage developments please do so now.

 Please see the “Howard Doris Centre Chat” article to see how to volunteer and make donations.

Dr David Murray M.B.E Chair.

The Lochcarron Centre is a Community Led Company with Charitable Status. (Charity No. SC021024, Company No. SC142359)

Neighbourhood Watch Alert - Police Scotland Crime Prevention Newsletter

Police Scotland's Business Crime Team are partnering with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland for the first time. Many of you will be employed by a business, have an interest in business issues or own and run your own business. Please feel free to circulate the attached newsletter to anyone that you feel will be interested and  through any social media channels that you may be involved in.

 “The Business Crime Prevention Team at Police Scotland would like to share our monthly newsletter.  Aimed at businesses it gives a flavour of the work we do in different areas.  We are keen to share our work and raise awareness through keeping businesses informed.  We believe that by working together we can reduce crime and the distress caused to victims” 

Thanks for taking the time to read it – Sergeant Keith Jack

Neighbourhood Watch Alerts - Protecting Your Digital Footprint

Dear Resident, 

Every time you use visit a website, send or receive a message or email, buy or book anything online, comment on a post, upload a photo or find directions on your phone, you’re adding to your digital footprint.  

The internet provides many positive experiences, but we could probably all benefit from thinking more about the trail we leave online. 

Your digital footprint is part of your online history and can potentially be seen by other people, or tracked and held in multiple databases, however careful you are with your privacy settings.

This month the Get Safe Online campaign considers what might happen as a result of your digital footprint, and provides tips and advice on what you can do to protect your digital trail. Please visit the following link for further information: 

https://www.getsafeonline.org/digitalfootprint/?utm_source=nwemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nwmay23

With kind regards, 

the Get Safe Online team

Nature Notes - April 2023

Large swathes of the United Kingdom are deep in snow as I write this, but here in the North West, although the temperatures first thing in the morning and last thing at night have been icy in this second week of March, there’s no denying the strength of the sun mid day, and the continuing sense of our world awakening once again to new life. The Spring flowers know it, many already in bloom, the swelling buds on shrubs and bushes know it, the growing chorus of birdsong proclaims it: “Pleasure it is to hear i’wis the birdes singe”. Those blooming Bullfinches that arrive on the dot each year to rob us of our small amount of blossom know it – quite how I don’t know! I love watching them nonetheless, and they are otherwise not frequent visitors. A pair of Yellowhammers, on their way elsewhere, but calling at our feeders a couple of mornings for a feed up – they know it as well. Spring may not be quite “bustin’ out all over” yet, but April, we hope, will see it putting on its fresh new dress, and how welcome that will be. The Dipper – yes, we have been seeing more of the Carron River Dipper – he knows it is Spring, too, and sang us a soft, sweet, scratchy little song as he boulder-hopped along the bank near Riverside Cottage one afternoon. That was our fourth sighting of this plump, brown little bird this year. And now, at last, I have heard a Dipper sing!

An afternoon walk in Attadale Gardens saw a few early Rhododendrons in bloom, as were the so-called Christmas Roses, a form of Hellebore, and an evergreen, a member of the Buttercup family, with pretty, drooping flower heads. There was much Finch and Tit activity, though nothing out of the ordinary. There have been no further sightings of last year’s Nuthatch. However, we were interested to learn that Jays have been spotted and heard there. Jays are brightly coloured members of the Corvid family, easily identified by their pinkish-fawn body plumage, crested head, black wing and tail feathers, and a startlingly blue flash on the wings. In flight they also display a large white patch above the black tail. Their cry is a harsh screech, once heard never forgotten. I have never seen one locally, but Ingrid reported one in the woods at Coulags last summer.

Talking of Ingrid, I must be one of many Lochcarron folk who admire her beautiful wild-life pictures, and as there must be many who don’t regularly, or ordinarily get a sighting of otters, I thought we should have one of her pictures of these sleek Mustalids enjoying a morning lounge in the morning sunshine. Duffy has also reported seeing them in this same bit of the shoreline, so it must be a favoured spot. It is good to know that throughout the British Isles otters are really making a comeback and can be seen in many places both around the coast and in our rivers – and that despite the appalling pollution suffered by some of the latter.

It would be criminal not to mention the sightings of the Aurora Borealis enjoyed by many people during March, as witnessed by the many pictures uploaded to the internet. We were particularly grateful for the latter, because although we were looking out for the phenomenon, it didn’t appear to be visible from Achintee, except for a lightening of the sky behind A’ Glas Bheinn, but nothing of any colour or movement of light. We were deeply frustrated! As lovely in its own way, though, and visible every night, is the sight of the planets Venus and Jupiter in the early night sky. I must also comment on the beautiful pictures put on by Sue Scott of the co-incidence of the Moon’s setting with the first flush of dawn light on the Cuillin of Skye. What wonderful sights we are able to enjoy here in this wild and beautiful part of the world.

We were briefly visited by what I am pretty sure was a young Kestrel one afternoon. It’s plumage was a light pinky brown, but without the distinctive markings that a female of the species would have sported. It was standing on our stone gate-post in a very upright sort of stance, but flew off before I was able to get a really good look at it in the rather grey light of that afternoon. It certainly wasn’t a Sparrowhawk, or a Peregrine Falcon, and too big for a Merlin. Kestrel, then.

                                                                                                                                     Francis Minay

Growing Group - March 2023

As I write this spring seems to be on it's way and the Growing Group and Lochcarron Barrels Group held a meeting a couple of weeks ago to discuss several possible projects for the next few months.

 The Barrels Group have been overseeing and maintaining the barrels in the village and keeping Main Street tidy for many years and last autumn we discussed the possibility of using the greenhouse at the Howard Doris Centre to sow seeds to supply the barrels. The group have now purchased a lovely selection of low-growing annual seeds with the aim of distributing the plants we grow to all the barrels in the village, including all the barrels along Main Street, some at the primary school and the Howard Doris Centre. Fingers crossed that all goes well and we'll be able to distribute locally grown bedding plants in late spring/early summer. Accordingly, we have cleared the greenhouse and, by the time you're reading this, the seeds will have been sown

 We would very much welcome some help with this project, including watering the seeds and then, once they have started to grow, potting them on.

 We have very kindly been offered more seeds and plants and the use of an irrigated polytunnel as well as a number of other useful items by Sue and Keith Jones (so many thanks to them). We'll be able to move the seedlings there once they are big enough and continue to use the greenhouse at the centre to sow vegetable seeds, etc.

 The Barrels Group would also appreciate some help to tidy the village before the season starts. We are very aware that there are several areas that really need weeding and are planning to hold a couple of work parties in March to do that. Please let us know if you would be able to help. I'll send out possible dates as soon as we've arranged them.

 Ann Mackay has been in touch with estates at the Highland Council and they are relaxed about us using the garden space at the Howard Doris Centre so we are currently investigating purchasing and erecting a polycrub rather than a polytunnel. Whilst initially more expensive than a polytunnel they are longer lasting and would hopefully provide a great learning/training opportunity. They have a stronger base (as can be seen from the photos) and are made of polycarbonate rather than polythene.

 We will need to investigate costs and planning for the polycrub, and by the time you read this, we will hopefully have a bit more information. I have sent for brochures and will update you all on that when I know more. I've included a photo of a poly crub from the Shetland polycrub website as this is where we hope to buy our crub. I've also included a map of the proposed site and a rough drawing that shows where the crub would be sited. We still need to do a more detailed drawing with accurate measurements.  But thoughts, comments and questions prior to that would be welcome.

 Meanwhile, whilst we're waiting for planning permission we hope to move ahead with raised beds and landscaping/tidying/planting other parts of the growing space at the Howard Doris Centre.

We're currently drawing up a wishlist for what we will need and will also be getting advice on costings and then seeking funding for additional raised beds, more paths for the vegetable garden, some benches, maybe a wood chipper (if we can't borrow or rent one), tools, compost, fruit trees and bushes, etc, all of which were requests or suggestions from the consultation exercise last year. We would also welcome donations, so, for example, if you have garden tools in good condition, that you don't need them any more, they would definitely find a good home with us.

The plan below includes the far end of the garden space (at the library end of the centre) and we aim to plant fruit trees and bushes on the slope that leads up to the road.  The flat area is where we hope to site the pétanque pitch and raised beds to create a kitchen garden, but this area will need proper drainage before we do anything with it and I'm seeking advice on that. Again, if anyone locally is able to offer advice or help with that it would be really appreciated.

Meanwhile, things have also been progressing at the Smithy Hub.  Planning permission has been applied for and the team at the Hub are investigating what they need to do to be able to erect the polytunnel down there, the frame of which was kindly donated by John Macpherson last year 

We will be seeking funding support for various aspects of the project, but first we want to try and use everything from tools to experience, as well as materials that might already available in the village, as we know from the pilot project last year how supportive and helpful the community has been. We welcome everyone, whether you have loads of experience or would just be happy to spend the occasional hour just pottering in the growing space

 In the meantime I plan to be at the Centre every Friday in March and April and there are plenty of jobs to be getting on with. In addition to sowing seeds, weeding and generally tidying up, we are currently investigating trimming the trees along the west side boundary again as they have grown considerably since Joe trimmed them last year. We have also been offered some perennials and more seeds which we could use for cut flowers for the Centre and in the sensory areas of the garden. I'm still recovering, but we're blessed with some wonderful volunteers and may well be able to be available at the Centre on other days (including weekends) if that is easier for folk to come along and join us. We also plan to pin up job lists so people could just stop by if they have an hour or so to spare. We will also need people to help us move plants and bulbs from donor gardens ready to plant at the Centre.

We're being optimistic and hoping for lots of plug plants to be available so we're also working towards a spring plant sale/swap, hopefully after Easter.

Finally, we are very encouraged by the enthusiasm in the village for the projects and can now evidence that, but at the moment we are very reliant on our wonderful (but very busy) volunteers). We therefore plan to seek funding for a horticultural officer who could manage the projects at the centre and any future developments with possible polycrubs/tunnels at the woodland and elsewhere.

Please do get in touch if you'd like to know more or have any advice or suggestions and do feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who you think might be interested in joining us. 

Many thanks

Cindie  

cindiereiter@yahoo.co.uk

The images are 

1. a rough plan of the suggested layout of the growing space

2,3,4, volunteers tidying the greenhouse and clearing up a collapsed strawberry bed

5, screenshot of the polycrub we hope to have, from https://www.polycrub.co.uk/

FITNESS CENTRE PROJECT UPDATE

FITNESS CENTRE PROJECT UPDATE

Presented by the Board of Lochcarron Leisure Centre Company

Company Limited by Guarantee no. SC34543

Scottish Charity No. SC0405026

On the 14th March an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Lochcarron Leisure Centre was held to update members and the wider public on the progress of the Fitness Centre Project. The event was well attended despite the cold and snowy weather. The main purpose of the meeting was to gain the authority from the Ordinary Members of the Lochcarron Leisure Centre Company to proceed with the project. We are delighted to announce that the motion to proceed was unanimously supported by those present.

On 16th January the Lochcarron Leisure Centre Company acquired ownership on behalf of the Community in Lochcarron and surrounding area of the Portakabin building which was formerly used as the Lochcarron Playgroup. This was purchased through the Community Right to Buy scheme from Highland Council and will ensure that the building and area immediately surrounding it are maintained and kept for community access and use. The building is insured, has power and the potential to become a really useful and economically viable asset to the community. The proposal is that the space be prepared for use as a Fitness Centre. The building meets all requirements for accessibility for disabled members of the population and will be designed to meet the needs of users of all abilities and capabilities.

We hope to provide a professional grade facility for all the residents of this area.

Premises

There is a plan to completely refurbish the existing premises, decorate it, fit it out with appropriate flooring, equipment and the necessary facilities to open the building as the Lochcarron Fitness and Leisure Centre.

The Fitness Centre will be open to all residents in Lochcarron and the surrounding area through a variety of membership packages. This will enable residents of all ages, abilities and fitness levels to maintain and improve mobility, balance and overall physical and mental health levels. Crucially, it will also be available to patients to assist with rehabilitation after illness or operations (following instructions and medical advice).

Lochcarron residents will have access to an all-weather exercise area equipped to professional standard.

It will be of great benefit to those who are competitors in individual sports as well those participants in club sports such as rowing and shinty. It will enable people to maintain fitness and stamina when alternatives may not be possible due to the vagaries of the local climate. It will be available to visitors and occasional users.

What have we done so far?

Even before the final transfer of ownership we have been working to research requirements and costs and to build a business plan that would allow us to assess the viability from both a business and a community perspective, seek funding and support. We have conducted research visits to three local gym facilities which are similar to that which we hope to provide. The Applecross Gym is featured in our pictures.

Everyone has been very helpful and supportive, sharing their knowledge and experience to assist us to avoid some of the pitfalls and problems. We have received offers of further help from all those we spoke to and will certainly be seeking further information and advice. We are grateful for their openness and support.

Building & Security: Starting with the building itself we have had discussions with Portakabin about its structure and the viability of our plans. They have confirmed that the structural integrity of the building is not affected by removal of partitions. We are therefore able to consider using all the space available in any configuration. The only limitation here will be time and cost.

Equipment: We researched products and providers, gaining knowledge, guidance and support to inform our plans. It is critical for the safety of users, the requirements of insurance and the longevity of the equipment that only items that meet the requirements for a professional gym are introduced to the Fitness Centre. We have a wish list of equipment and have already received offers of three pieces of equipment which meet the standard required.

Capital Funding : To fund the refurbishment of the premises and the purchase of gym equipment we are drafting applications for funding support from a number of sources including

o the Community Fund,

o the Highland Games Fund

o the National Lottery.

We will also be seeking sponsorship from local businesses and conducting fundraising activities locally.

• Local fundraising: We have already held a successful quiz night at the Lochcarron Hotel in February and also supported the Lochcarron Shinty club’s race night. We thank them both for their support for our project.

• Proposed Gym Fees : The gym will be operated to ensure that it is self-funding once the membership is opened to the public. It is our intention to offer a number of packages for residents and visitors including a drop-in rate, as well as monthly, 3 monthly, 6 monthly and annual subscriptions.

There will be a preferential rate for members referred by medical practitioners (G.P.s Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists etc)

Proposal for Gym Access, Facilities: This is an outline of our current thinking and we welcome your views and responses to the following ideas-

• The gym will be open from 0600hrs until 2200hrs and be accessed by datalock codes/electronic keys (for which a deposit will be required).

• Although management representatives will be present at some point during each day the Fitness Centre will be largely unmanned.

• The facility will be equipped to the highest professional standards using equipment that is comparable to professional gyms.

• There will be a range of equipment for cardio-vascular exercises such as a treadmill, cycles, rowing machine , elliptical trainer.

• There will also be equipment for resistance training and weight training.

• All users must be members of the Fitness Centre and be registered under one of our subscription plans and have completed an induction.

• There is currently a disabled toilet in the premises which will remain and be for all users. There are currently no plans for shower facilities.

Requirement for Ongoing Management: Once the refurbishment is complete and the equipment is purchased and installed there will be the need for ongoing daily care and management of the premises and equipment. The Board have a number of responsibilities in this area and proposals need to be developed to ensure that the Fitness Centre maintains high levels of hygiene and safety. Equipment and premises will need to be cleaned and monitored daily and all Health & Safety requirements must be met.

So What now?

It is vital that the Lochcarron Leisure Centre company and the Fitness Centre project can secure the support of the community. Before committing to the major expenditure on building work, equipment procurement and proceeding with funding applications, we had an Extraordinary General Meeting to hear the views of our potential users and to recruit new members to the Company. A members vote was taken and it was agreed that we should proceed broadly as planned. We are now confident that Lochcarron will have a Fitness Centre in operation by the end of the 2023 and that it will provide a first class fitness facility for residents and visitors alike. We have also received many offers of support from those present and this has greatly heartened the Board.

Please do come and join us if you think you can help in any way to make these plans a reality.

If you are interested in supporting your Fitness Centre please complete this questionnaire and drop it in one of the reply boxes that will be available from 1st April in the Spar and other outlets in the village.

Contact Dr. David Murray M.B.E.

Chair of the Lochcarron Leisure Centre Company

SABHAL MÒR OSTAIG RECOGNISES OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO GAELIC AND ITS CULTURE WITH SÀR GHÀIDHEAL AWARD

ENGLISH BELOW

Airson Sgaoileadh sa Bhad

BRATH-NAIDHEACHD

SABHAL MÒR OSTAIG A' TOIRT AITHNE IS URRAM DO SHIANAR SHÀR GHÀIDHEAL

GAISGICH NA GÀIDHLIG A' FAIGHINN AITHNE BHON IONAD NÀISEANTA AIRSON CÀNAN IS CULTAR NA GÀIDHLIG

Chaidh an t-urram Sàr Ghàidheal a bhuileachadh air sianar dhaoine aig tachartas sònraichte aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, agus an t-Ionad Nàiseanta airson Cànan is Cultar na Gàidhlig a' comharrachadh an 50mh ceann-bliadhna aca am-bliadhna.

'S iad na Sàr Ghàidheil ùra: Lachlann MacIllÌosa nach maireann agus Cathaidh NicDhòmhnaill a fhuair an t-urram ann an 2020; Donalda NicFhionghain agus Donnchadh Fearghasdan (2021); agus Julie Fowlis agus Coinneach MacÌomhair (2022).

Am-bliadhna, chaidh sianar Shàr Ghàidheal ùra ainmeachadh air sgàth 's nach b' urrainnear coinneachadh airson na duaisean a thoirt seachad sna trì bliadhna a dh'fhalbh ri linn Covid. Chaidh an t-urram a stèidheachadh ann an 2008 gus aithne a thoirt do dhaoine a tha air cur gu mòr ri cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig.

Thuirt Cathraiche Bòrd Stiùiridh Shabhal Mòr Ostaig, Aonghas MacLeòid:

"'S e urram a th' ann dha Sabhal Mòr Ostaig gun urrainn dhuinn aithne a thoirt do shianar Shàr Ghàidheal a tha air uiread a dhèanamh às leth agus airson cànan agus cultar na Gàidhlig.

"Bha e sònraichte math a bhith cruinn còmhla a-rithist gus an t-urram seo a bhuileachadh air cuid de ghaisgich a' chànain. Tha gach duine aca air bratach na Gàidhlig a thogail an àirde tro iomadh meadhan is gnìomh agus bha sinn uabhasach toilichte gun robh teaghlach Lachaidh MhicIllÌosa nach maireann còmhla rinn gus an t-urram a ghabhail. Bha Lachaidh aig cridhe coimhearsnachd Ghàidhlig an Taobh Sear agus tha ionndrainn mhòr air.

"Am measg an t-sianair Shàr Ghàidheal a chaidh ainmeachadh, tha triùir chraoladairean agus nach iomchaidh sin sa bhliadhna a thathar a' comharrachadh 100 bliadhna bho chaidh a' chiad phrògram Gàidhlig a chraoladh air a' BhBC. Agus nach math a bhith a' dèanamh gàirdeachas ris na Sàr Ghàidheil uile sa bhliadhna shònraichte seo airson Sabhal Mòr Ostaig fhèin, agus sinn fhìn a' comharrachadh ar 50mh ceann-bliadhna."

Fiosrachadh mu gach Sàr Ghàidheal:

B' ann à Stafainn ann an ceann a tuath an Eilein Sgitheanaich a bha Lachlann MacIllÌosa nach maireann, no Lachaidh Gillies mar a b' fheàrr a dh'aithnichear e, a chaochail ann an 2022. Choisinn Lachaidh cliù dha fhèin leis a' bheairteas de dh'eòlas a bh' aige air iomadh diofar chuspair agus bhiodh e tric a' nochdadh air an rèidio agus an telebhisean. Tha ionndrainn mhòr air Lachaidh, a bha thar nam bliadhnaichean gu mòr an sàs sa choimhearsnachd aige, eadar an eaglais, croitearachd, iasgach agus iomadh taobh de dhualchas nan Gàidheal.

'S ann à Ùig ann an Leòdhas a tha Cathaidh NicDhòmhnaill bho thùs agus tha i na craoladair is riochdaire dà-chànanach a tha air cliù mòr a chosnadh dhi fhèin an lùib iomadh prògraim bho thòisich i aig roinn Ghàidhlig a' BhBC. Bidh Cathaidh ag obair air prògraman rèidio agus telebhisein le companaidhean leithid Caledonia TV, MacTV, agus BBC Gàidhlig, mar neach-aithris air prògraman leithid Sàr Sgeòil, am Mòd Nàiseanta agus Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire. Anns na bliadhnaichean mu dheireadh, tha i air a bhith a' lìbhrigeadh "Sunday Morning with" dha Radio Scotland, agus a' dèanamh beagan obair-sgrìobhaidh.

Buinidh Donalda NicFhionghain dha na Hearadh. Tha i air a bhith ann an grunn dhreuchdan stiùiridh aig àrd-ìre aig BBC Scotland o thòisich i ann an 1987. Bha i na Stiùiriche air BBC Scotland eadar 2016 agus 2020, agus b' i a stiùir mar a chaidh an sianal ùr, BBC Scotland, a stèidheachadh ann an 2019 agus mar a chaidh an sianal Gàidhlig, BBC ALBA, a chur air chois ann an 2008, agus bha i os cionn craoladh Gàidhlig eadar 1996-2002. Tha i cuideachd air a bhith na ball air iomadach bòrd aig diofar bhuidhnean san roinn phoblaich agus bha i na Cathraiche air Bòrd Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

'S ann à Ìle a tha Donnchadh Fearghasdan bho thùs, ach tha e a-nis a' fuireach ann an Loch Aillse far an robh e na Cheannard air Àrd-sgoil a' Phluic airson iomadach bliadhna. Tha Donnchadh air a bhith an sàs ann an iomadh buidheann is iomairt Ghàidhlig thar nam bliadhnaichean, aig ìre ionadail agus nàiseanta. Bha e na Iar-Cheann-Suidhe air a' Chomunn Ghàidhealach agus na Iar-Chathraiche aig Comunn na Gàidhlig. Cuideachd, b' e Donnchadh a' chiad Chathraiche a bh' air Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Bha e am measg nan ciad bhall dhen bhuidhinn Clì airson luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig, agus tha e air an t-uabhas a dhèanamh airson cànan is cultar nan Gàidheal a chur air adhart.

Tha Julie Fowlis, a bha uair na h-oileanach aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, air aon de na seinneadairean traidiseanta as aithnichte à Alba agus i air ainm a chosnadh dhi fhèin mar shàr sheinneadair Gàidhlig is neach-ciùil. Buinidh Julie do dh'Uibhist a Tuath bho thùs agus tha i air duaisean is aithne a chosnadh dhi fhèin tron cheòl aice. Chaidh a h-ainmeachadh mar 'Sheinneadair Traidiseanta na Bliadhna' aig na Duaisean aig BBC Radio 2 airson Ceòl Traidiseanta, b' i a' chiad 'Tosgaire na Gàidhlig' aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus tha i air òrain Ghàidhlig a chur fa chomhair an t-sluaigh air feadh an t-saoghail agus i air seinn ann an àiteachan leithid: Talla Charnegie, New York, Talla Consairt Mozart ann an Vienna, Philharmonie de Paris, ann an Globe Shakespeare ann an Lunnainn agus aig fèis eadar-nàiseanta ann am Fez, Morocco.

Tha Coinneach MacÌomhair, no Coinneach Mòr mar as fheàrr a dh'aithnichear e, glè aithnichte mar neach-aithris rèidio a lìbhrig am prògram 'Prògram Choinnich' airson 29 bliadhna air BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. Thòisich Coinneach, a bhuineas do Leòdhas, ann an craoladh sna 70an agus e an sàs ann an diofar phrògraman rèidio. Tha e cuideachd air a bhith an sàs ann an diofar bhuidhnean coimhearsnachd agus Gàidhlig, agus tha e air a bhith na Chathraiche air Urras Steòrnabhaigh agus air Comunn na Gàidhlig. Bha e cuideachd na Chomhairliche aig Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

DEIREADH

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

SABHAL MÒR OSTAIG RECOGNISES OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO GAELIC AND ITS CULTURE WITH SÀR GHÀIDHEAL AWARD

NATIONAL CENTRE FOR GAELIC LANGUAGE AND CULTURE HONOURS SIX CHAMPIONS OF THE LANGUAGE

Six new recipients of the Sàr Ghàidheal Fellowship have been honoured for their outstanding contribution to the Gaelic language and its culture at a special event at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The six new members of the Sàr Ghàidheal Fellowship are: the late Lachie Gillies and Cathy MacDonald who were named Sàr Ghàidheal in 2020; Donalda MacKinnon and Duncan Ferguson (2021); and Julie Fowlis and Kenneth MacIver (2022).

This year, six people were awarded the Sàr Ghàidheal honour, established in 2008, after the event was postponed for the last three years due to Covid.

The Chair of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig's Board of Directors, Angus MacLeod, said:

"Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is honoured to be able to recognise the contributions of these six 'Sàr Ghàidheil' who have done so much for the language and its culture. We were especially pleased that we could gather in person once more to present the awards.

"Each of the recipients have been exemplary advocates and ambassadors for the language and none more so than the late Lachie Gillies, and we were most grateful that Lachie's family could be with us to receive his award. Lachie was at the heart of the Gaelic community in Staffin and he is greatly missed by all who knew him.

"Three of those who received the Sàr Ghàidheal award have made outstanding contributions to Gaelic through highly successful careers in broadcasting, which is most appropriate this year as the BBC commemorates 100 years of Gaelic broadcasting. Indeed, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig itself is marking its 50th anniversary and what more fitting way to celebrate it than by recognising the achievements of six champions of the language."

SÀR GHÀIDHEAL BIOGS:

Lachie Gillies, from Staffin in the north of Skye, passed away in 2022. Lachie is greatly missed by family and friends and all those who knew him. He frequently appeared on Gaelic radio and television programmes sharing his breadth of knowledge on a range of subjects. He was at the heart of his Gaelic-speaking community of Staffin, as a member of the local church, a crofter and a fisherman, and he had a life-long passion for Gaelic and its culture.

Cathy MacDonald, originally from Uig in Lewis, is a well-known broadcaster and producer, having worked on a wide variety of Gaelic and English radio and television programmes. Cathy began her career at the BBC's Gaelic department and now works freelance to produce and present a range of programming. Her latest collaborations include working with Caledonia TV, MacTV, and BBC Gàidhlig and presenting programmes such as Sàr Sgeòil, the Royal National Mòd and BBC ALBA's New Year Ceilidh. In recent years, Cathy has also presented "Sunday Morning with" on BBC Radio Scotland.

Donalda MacKinnon, originally from Harris, has worked in a number of high-profile managerial roles at BBC Scotland and was the Director of BBC Scotland between 2016 and 2020. During her time as Director, she oversaw the successful launch of the new BBC Scotland television channel in 2019, which created over 250 new posts. Donalda also oversaw the successful launch of BBC ALBA in 2008, creating many new jobs and opportunities for the development of the language. She was also Head of Gaelic Broadcasting at BBC Scotland between 1996-2002.

Duncan Ferguson is from Islay originally, but now stays in Lochalsh where he was the Headteacher at Plockton High School for many years. Duncan has been involved in many Gaelic organisations and initiatives over the years, both at local and national level. He was the Vice-President of the Comunn Gàidhealach and the Vice-Chair of Comunn na Gàidhlig. He was also the first Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the national Gaelic development body and he was a founding member of Clì, the Gaelic learners' organisation.

Julie Fowlis, a Sabhal Mòr Ostaig alumna, is one of the best-known traditional singers from Scotland and as a Gaelic singer and musician has been a prominent ambassador for the language. Julie is originally from North Uist and has won international acclaim and several awards for her music. She was named 'Folk Singer of the Year' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2008, and was Scotland's inaugural 'Tosgaire na Gàidhlig' (National Gaelic Ambassador), an honour bestowed on her by the Scottish Government. She has brought Gaelic song to audiences across the globe, singing in places such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Mozart Concert Hall in Vienna, The Philharmonie de Paris, Shakespeare's Globe in London and the World Festival of Sacred Music in Fez, Morocco.

Kenneth MacIver, or Coinneach Mòr as he is best known, is a household name across Gaelic-speaking communities having presented his popular topical radio programme 'Prògram Choinnich' for 29 years on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. Kenneth, from Lewis, began working in broadcasting in the 1970s. He has also taken an active role in his local community and has been a great supporter of Gaelic. He is a former Chair of the Stornoway Trust and Comunn na Gàidhlig, and he was also a Councillor at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

ENDS

Digital Woodland Open Evening

OPEN EVENING:

Please come and join us at Couldoran House on Monday March 27 from 5-7pm to find out more about the DIGITAL WOODLAND and let us know what content you would like to see included. If you can't make it to the Open Evening, please tell us what you think about the idea and what you’d like to see included by completing this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DW-Community.

"It takes decades for forests to grow but a Digital Woodland could make it happen in a matter of seconds..."  The Digital Woodland is a partnership between Lochcarron Community Development Company (LCDC), the Wester Ross UNESCO Biosphere and the Centre for Mountain Studies UHI Perth.

Torridon and Kinlochewe Development Plan - community meeting

Torridon and Kinlochewe Community Development Plan - community event being held on Saturday 25th at Torridon Community Centre in the morning and at Kinlochewe Village Hall in the afternoon.

Sue Whiting, Secretary

Torridon & Kinlochewe Community Council

Local MSP's information

From Liz Kraft:

Your elected representatives are here to help you. Your MP, MSP and councillors can assist with various matters.

I combine my job as a local councillor with my position as a part-time caseworker for Maree Todd MSP, it was in fact this role that inspired me to stand for election in Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh. I realised that many of the issues people encounter daily relate to public services provided by the Highland Council, and that a strong voice in local government is essential to ensuring that people and communities are heard. I will work tirelessly over the next five years to support my constituents and ensure our local communities in ward 5 are well represented.

As a local councillor, I can support you in a number of different areas, including:

• Local transport and road issues

• Council housing

• Supporting local communities access grants and finance

• Play parks

• Local education issues

• Housing insulation grants

• Employment and business grants

• Street lighting issues

• Street signage issues

• Waste management

• burials

In ward 5, we are represented in the Scottish Parliament by constituency MSPs, Maree Todd & Kate Forbes. We are also represented by 7 Highlands & Islands regional MSPs. MSPs can assist in the following devolved areas:

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

• Education and Training

• Environment legislation

• Health and Social Care

• Legislation around housing

• Legislation around land use

• Police and Justice

• Sport and arts

• Transport infrastructure including maintenance of trunk roads.

In Westminster, we are represented by Ian Blackford MP, who can support you in reserved areas, these include:

• Department of Work and Pension benefits

• Broadcasting

• Constitutional issues

• Defence

• Employment law

• Immigration

• Foreign Policy

• Energy companies

• DVLA

Since my election, I have held constituent advice surgeries alongside our local MSP and MP. This is a great opportunity to meet with your local elected representatives to discuss a matter you may need support on. You can contact your local elected representatives to find out about upcoming surgery dates and to book an appointment.

If you need support or advice on any of these areas, or you have another issue you wish to discuss, please get in touch. We will work together to help you.

Contact details

Kate Forbes MSP: kate.forbes.msp@parliament.scot (Kyle and Lochalsh)

Maree Todd MSP: maree.todd.msp@parliament.scot (Wester Ross and Strathpeffer)

Ian Blackford MP: Ian.blackford.mp@parliament.uk

Councillors: liz.kraft.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Patrick.logue.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Chris.birt.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Isabelle.campbell.cllr@highland.gov.uk

Information on your Regional MSPS can be found here

Your MSPs - Highlands and Islands (parliament.scot)

Liz Kraft (Councillor)