After Storm Amy

Hello, we hope you're warm and cosy. This week our community newsletter is wending its way to a record 1043 inboxes. If you've just signed up, welcome 😄!

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🌬️ The first named storm of this season turned out to have quite an impact. In Wester Ross, Storm Amy was the windiest October weather event since Storm Aidan in 2020, according to the Met Office.

The area was practically cut off for a while on Saturday morning, as trees and debris blocked many main routes and public transport was disrupted. South West Ross was hit hardest, with thousands in Kinlochewe, Lochcarron and Applecross left without power for much of the weekend. In turn, this brought disruption to internet, mobile phone connections, food and fuel supplies, businesses, and even drinking water in some places.

If you were without power for 48 hours or more you can expect a compensation payment. You may also be able to claim for food if you have kept the receipts. More: SSEN

🏦 The fallout from the Lloyds Banking Group decision to close the Gairloch branch of the Bank of Scotland continues. Local MSP Maree Todd is challenging the decision by LINK not to require the banks to fund a replacement community banking hub for the area. More: Hector MacKenzie | Ross-shire Journal (£) or Facebook

💉 Gairloch Pharmacy have announced that they are to offer an NHS flu jab service from October 13. This service will be available for anyone who has received an NHS flu vaccination invitation but is unable to attend the vaccination clinics at the Gairloch Community Hall. They are also considering a private vaccination service for those who wish to receive flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines but are not eligible under the NHS programme. More: Facebook

🍺 The Loch Ewe Brewing Company have announced that they plan to open a tap house serving beer and pizza in the Poolewe Village Hall annexe, provided they can get all the right permissions from officials in place. More: Facebook

📚 A five week block of Bookbug sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers at Strathburn House has been announced. For more details call Olivia MacLennan, Community Early Years Practitioner on 07798796188.

🍛 On Friday October 10, The Barn Cafe at Sands, Gairloch is holding a curry night. Takeaway will also be available. More: Facebook

🍝 Also in Gairloch, The Old Inn have announced that their last night of the season will be October 22. They intend to close off 2025 with a pizza and pasta night. More: TheOldInn.net

🥪 Crumbs takeaway are taking a well earned end of season break from October 11 - October 27. More: Facebook

❓Shieldaig Community Association are holding a couple of community consultation meetings later in October so that locals can feed in their thoughts on proposals for extending and refurbishing the village hall. More in the flyer below.

🎉 And while we're on the subject of Shieldaig - organisers of the 2025 Shieldaig Fete have announced the event raised a stunning £7001.83 for village funds. More: Facebook

🍰 Everyone who supported the Macmillan Cancer Care coffee morning in Gairloch recently has been thanked too. The event raised £1,692.94 for the charity. More: Facebook

🎦 Applecross Cinema Club have revealed their listings from October - March next year. More: Facebook

🕷️ In Aultbea, they're planning a special Halloween party for kids. More details below.

👨‍🍳 Congratulations to Danny Young, of the Torridon Hotel, who has been named National Chef of the Year after seeing off competition from 10 other finalists in a cook-off in London. More: The Caterer

🎣 Also congratulations to conservationist Bob Kindness, who has been awarded the Conservation Award at the Scotland-wide Helping It Happen Awards for his transformative work in salmon and sea trout restoration on the River Carron. Read more: Hector MacKenzie | Ross-shire Journal. (£)

🐟 The Scottish government is investigating after two boats were filmed allegedly scallop dredging, where they are not supposed to - in the Loch Alsh marine protected area (MPA). More: Kevin Keane | BBC

👩‍🍳 Highland Council are looking for a new cook to work at Ullapool Primary School. More: MyJobScotland

🦌 The Coigach Development Company are looking for someone to work with them on a deer management plan for the Badentarbat Estate. They've also published an update on other management work they've undertaken. More: Coigach Development Company

💧And finally, here's a video of some hardy souls from the Torridon Mountain Rescue Team practising their water awareness skills during Storm Amy. Watch: Facebook