Back to school, VJ poppies and fog bows

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☀️ We've had an lovely run of summer weather in Wester Ross, timed perfectly for when the kids have to go back to school. Gairloch High School shared this photo of the new cohort of first year pupils on their first day at the big school.

🌺 To commemorate VJ Day the bench opposite the Morrisons store in Gairloch at Achtercairn was temporarily adorned with a beautifully made poppy display, as the photo at the top of this newsletter shows. The display was made by the needles and pins group. There will be two VJ Day commemoration events at the Aultbea Hub over the last weekend of August. On Friday August 29 at 19:00 the film In Which We Serve will be shown. And on Saturday August 30 at 14:00 the Inverness Military Wives Choir will perform. Both events are free but tickets must be booked in advance by calling (01445) 781454 or 781337.

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🌈 We've also seen lots of locals sharing some great photos of haar and fog in the morning. Thanks to Mark Littlejohn and Rob Worsley for letting us share these photos of a fog bow, as seen from Opinan.

📚 The start of the new school term means the Gairloch Library is back to regular opening hours. These are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 16:00 to 18:00. Friday 14:00 - 17:00.

🍵 At the Gairloch Museum, the regular Whatever the Weather Wednesday's sessions have also re-started. More: Facebook

🛖 The Gairloch Museum have put a call out for anyone who has knowledge or memories of local traditional thatching skills too. More: Facebook

🚗 This Saturday, August 23, there is a charity car wash being held at Aultbea Fire Station, organised by Sudz Autocare. Proceeds will be split between the Fire Fighters’ Charity, Air Ambulance, Highland Hospice and Bualnaluib Primary School. More: Facebook

🎉 The Sitooterie Community Garden at Gairloch is celebrating 10 years since the Sitooterie started. On Saturday August 30 from 10:30 until 15:00 volunteers are holding an Open Garden with free refreshments, and an opportunity to meet the people who develop and maintain the garden. The group is also previewing a Sitooterie Calendar which has been produced to mark the milestone anniversary. Organisers said: "Please come along to celebrate with us - we hope to see as many of you as possible."

🍰 Also on on August 30, at 14:00 - 16:30pm, there will be a fundraising event at Pool House, Poolewe, where "fabulous strawberry cream teas," will be on offer. Proceeds will go to Breast Cancer Now. More: Facebook

🎨 Ullapool-based arts organisation An Talla Solais have released details of their Art Week Studio Trail. Taking place between September 5-14, there are artists participating from across North West Ross, including creatives based in Gairloch, Poolewe, Aultbea and Loch Broom. More: An Talla Solais

🚴 On Saturday September 6 The Bà Sportive & Duathlon event takes place. This means the roads around Applecross and Torridon to Kinlochewe will be busy with around 350 cyclists. The Bealach will be closed to traffic between 10:00 and 13:00. More: Facebook

⚡ Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) have appointed Simon Spare as the local Community Energy Officer for the Highland Energy Community Partnership. If you are concerned about rising heating bills, or interested in cutting your energy use, Simon may be able to help. More: GALE

🏠 A recent council report (pdf) has revealed that there are more than five applicants for every council house that becomes available in the Wester Ross area. The council is to hold a public consultation on how it allocates housing later in the year. More: Gregor White | Inverness Courier (£)

🏘️ A planning application for two new glamping pods and the associated parking and infrastructure has been submitted to the council for land 160M south east of 15 Melvaig. Comments on the plans can be submitted until September 2. More: Highland Council

🏫 High Life Highland are recruiting for a piping instructor to work at schools up and down the west Highlands, including Gairloch and Ullapool. More: MyJobScotland.com

📕 Kinlochewe Primary School is closed for good. Scottish Government Ministers gave Highland Council approval for the move this week, after council officials started the formal closure process in June of this year. The school has been mothballed since July 2022. More: Highland Council.

🧹 There are jobs going for part-time cleaners at Gairloch High School. More: Facebook

📐 Ullapool High School are still on the hunt for a Maths Teacher: MyJobScotland.com

🛏️ Corriness Guest House in Poolewe is looking for a part-time general housekeeper. Email [email protected] if interested.

🗣️ Fèis Rois are hiring a part-time Gaelic Development Officer. Although the role is based in Dingwall, hybrid working options are possible. More: Fèis Rois

🦖 And lastly, here's a video showing the start of the 2025 Ullapool Oddballs charity fundraising event. There are even dinosaurs... Watch: Facebook