A832 closure plans and library vans delayed

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🚫 SSEN Transmission is seeking local views on the proposed temporary closure of a 4.7 mile stretch of the A832 near Dundonnell, ahead of the installation of the underground cable section of the Western Isles HVDC Link. (See Issue 12 for more on the cable plan.)

The proposed closure would take place in two separate phases during the winter, from October 27 to December 19, and from January 5 through to Spring 2026.

More details on the proposals can be found on the SSEN Transmission website.

If you want to speak to SSEN Transmission staff in person there is also a public consultation meeting hosted by SSEN Transmission on the HVDC cable happening tonight, Thursday September 11, in Badcaul Church Hall between 18:00 - 20:00.

📚 Highlife Highland have confirmed that two brand new mobile library vans that were ordered to support services in the North West Highlands are delayed. The new vans are now expected to enter service at some point this winter. More: Highlife Highland.

🍕In local pizza news, the Badachro Inn's Stag and Dough pizza van will only be opening on Fridays. More: Facebook

🍝 Also, The Old Inn are hosting a special pizza and pasta night on September 19. More: The Old Inn

🌲 On September 17, a number of local conservation groups are hosting a "connecting habitats and people" event in Shieldaig Village Hall. More: Facebook

🐑 On September 18, the Farm Advisory Service are hosting a free crofters discussion group at the Myrtle Bank Hotel in Gairloch on the topic of fluke. More: Eventbrite

💷 Speaking of crofting, if you qualify, you have until November 30 to get your application in to the Scottish Upland Sheep Support Scheme. More: Scottish Government

🎵 Applecross Walled Garden have said they're going to organise one more "summer session" on September 21. More details in the flyer below.

💃 The Incredible Fling Band are playing a ceilidh at Lochcarron Village Hall on September 27. Discounted entry if you wear something tartan. More: Facebook

🎭 On the same evening in Ullapool, there is theatre on at the MacPhail Centre, that has been described as "an urgent and entertaining modern retelling of the classic Greek myth Orpheus." More: Highlife Highland

♠️ Whist Nights are back at Poolewe Village Hall. All the dates from now until December are here: Facebook.

🦫 It's quite a way in the future, but nature lovers may want to mark this event in their diaries. Gairloch Museum are hosting a winter talk on "The past, present and future wild mammals of Scotland," on November 28. More details and tickets: TicketSource.

⛏️ Gairloch fencing firm R. Wotherspoon Ltd is hiring for three new roles. More: Facebook

🚨 The Torridon District Community Association are looking for a part-time Community Development Officer to help them with Community Resilience Planning. More: Good Moves

🛍️ The Lochcarron Food Centre Spar is looking for a permanent member of staff to join their team. More: Facebook

🧰 At Kishorn Port, Ferguson Marine are looking for a trainee plant fitter. More: HiJobs.

❄️ Details of the Scottish Government's Pension Age Winter Heating Payment have been released. Most eligible people will receive the payment automatically, but a small number will need to apply to get it. More: mygov.scot

⚡ Across Wester Ross a number of community development trusts have received funding to help locals with their energy bills and cut their household carbon footprint. Radio Wester Ross recently interviewed two newly hired Community Energy Officers to find out more. Listen: Radio Wester Ross

🎉 Torridon Youth Hostel celebrated its 50th anniversary by welcoming Rick Worrell, the first person to stay there as a guest, back to share his memories from its opening in 1975. More: BBC

🚁 Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) have announced that they've taken delivery of the most advanced helicopter air ambulance of its type in the UK. More: SCAA

⛰️ The news comes as an injured walker on Stac Pollaidh had to be airlifted off the mountain after a fall. More: Dundonnell Mountain Rescue | Facebook

🕊️ On September 6, an all-day silent vigil took place in Ullapool. The vigil was described as "an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to peacefully protest against the actions of our government and to stand together for peace in Palestine." More: YouTube

🍷 The Highlands has seen a 20% decrease in alcohol-specific deaths, though its rate of 21.9 per 100,000 remains above the national average of 21.5, according to Police Scotland's annual licensing report. More: Scott Maclennan | Inverness Courier (£)

And lastly, thanks to everyone who sent us photos and video of the Coastguard ship that put on quite a show at Gairloch this week.

And here's a video taken by Alex Gray on Youtube.