£2 bus fares and Loch Carron marine life recovery

Hello and welcome to this week's Wester Ross Round-up. As ever, we've been raking through loads of news and social media feeds to sift out the useful stuff from the nonsense. This week, the newsletter is being sent to 1142 of you. If there's anything you'd like us to include in the next one, please use this form to tell us.

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🟡 The Scottish Government pilot scheme that will see all bus fares capped at a maximum of £2 in the Highlands is set to start from March 23. More: Scottish Government

🟡 Researchers have found that flame shell beds in Loch Carron have recovered and expanded since the area was designated as a Marine Protection Area in 2017. The flame shell beds support many other species and are a high priority for marine conservationists. More: NatureScot

🟡 Public toilets in Aultbea have re-opened after vandalism forced their closure for a short period. Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum, who manage the facilities, tell us it cost them £850 to deal with the damage.

🟡 Today, Highland Council looks set to agree a 7% rise in council tax when it sets its budget. More: BBC

🟡 The Garbhaig Hydro Power Company Limited are seeking planning permission to divert a number of small burns that feed into the river Talladale catchment, into Loch Garbhaig, near Slattadale, instead. To do this the firm proposes to build 5km of new hill track, a new bridge, a buried pipeline and five new water intakes. Flow in the river Talladale is projected to reduce by up to 9% as a consequence. More: Highland Council

🟡 Pupils from Bualnaluib Primary School have thanked locals who supported their recent pop-up cafe in Aultbea Hall. The event raised £773 for school funds.

Events

These are the latest events we've just spotted, not a comprehenisve list. For a full list of local events see the latest edition of the Gairloch and District Times.

🟡 Today is World Book Day. There is a Book Swap and Strupag planned at Applecross Community Hall to celebrate, from 10am. More: Facebook

🟡 Also today, March 5, Gairloch High School are holding their annual Drama Festival from 18:00. More: Facebook

🟡 It's apparently "mad March" at The Shieling, Gairloch. They've announced a series of new events, starting with an Afternoon 80's disco on March 6. More: GALE

🟡 On Saturday March 7, Gairloch Area FC will be playing Sleat And Strath AFC in Gairloch. Kick off is at 12:00.

🟡 From March 7, The Applecross Community Company are inviting volunteers to come and lend a hand for tree planting week. Details in the flyer below.

🟡 On March 19, The Woodland Trust are holding a public consultation event to gather feedback on their new draft management plan for the Gleann Shìldeag Estate. More: Facebook

🟡 On March 21, The Old Inn in Gairloch are kicking off the season with a free music gig. Durango Blue are playing from 21:00. More: Facebook

🟡 The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) has been working on improving the main path up An Teallach for years. They are looking for volunteers to help with this path improvement work between March 22 and 24. The charity is also looking for volunteers to help with path maintenance on Stac Pollaidh on May 18 and 19. More: OATS

🟡 More Easter events! The Shieldaig Easter Egg Hunt will commence at 13:00 from the village hall. More: Facebook

🟡 Corrieshalloch Gorge are also putting on an Easter Egg Trail between April 3 and April 6. More: Eventbrite

🟡 Also on April 3, National Trust for Scotland Ranger for Torridon Rory Shannon is organising a community litter pick and beach watch survey of the Upper Loch Torridon Coast. More: Facebook

🟡 The Screen Machine Mobile Cinema will be in Ullapool on April 3 - 5, Gairloch on April 6 - 7 and Lochcarron on April 8 - 9. This is the last we'll see of the current facility. After a break of a few months, the service will be back touring Scotland with a brand new Screen Machine. More: Screen Machine

🟡 Registration is now open for the Heart Break Hill running challenge on June 13, organised by Ullapool Forest Runs. More: Ullapool Forest Runs

Jobs

Are you looking to recruit someone new? Reach the right person by advertising your job vacancies with us.

🟡 The Ceilidh Place in Ullapool is recruiting for bar, laundry, housekeeping and restaurant staff. More: [email protected]

🟡 The Midge Bite Cafe at Achnasheen are looking for a full time barista and a cook/baker. More: Facebook

🟡 The National Trust for Scotland are holding a recruitment day on March 7, from 10:30 - 12:00. They're looking for new seasonal Visitor Services Assistants to work at the Corrieshalloch Gorge visitor centre. More: Facebook

More news

🟡 The public toilets in Applecross are at risk of closure due to rising operational costs and insufficient funding, prompting the local community company to seek additional support to keep the facilities open year-round. More: Rachel Smart | Ross-Shire Journal (£)

🟡 All may not be lost however. According to Cllr Kraft, if the council budget is agreed as proposed this week then the amount the council pays to community organisations to run public loos is likely to rise. More: Facebook

🟡 It's a big year for the Loch Ewe Community Skiff Group, as it is ten years since their skiff, the Kay Matheson, first hit the water. If you would like to join them for a row email: [email protected]

🟡 Highland Council has a new website. Radio Skye report that it cost nearly half a million pounds, and there is a second phase of work that is still to be completed. More: Radio Skye

🟡 How will climate change affect our corner of the world? A Highland Climate Change Risk and Opportunity Assessment report has been published by Highland Adapts. More: Highlands Adapts

🟡 Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has criticised Scottish Labour proposals to reduce the number of health boards in Scotland to just three. Halcro says local control would be lost. Labour argue the change would drive more efficiencies. More: Scott MacLennan | Inverness Courier (£)

Correction note: On page 3 of issue 4 of the paper, we reported that Torridon Stores is up for sale. The sale price we reported was incorrect. The online version of this issue has been amended with the correct sale price. The business and attached flat are on the market for offers over £349,000 with ASG Commercial. Full information and particulars may be found on their website. Our apologies for this error.