Fallen trees and disappointment after funding knockback

Good morning. Hopefully it's a bit less blowy where you are now, and you can take five minutes out to read our latest round-up of local news in peace. This week we're sending to a record breaking 1278 people. If you have anything you'd like us to include in the next paper or the next round-up — photos, news, announcements — then send it all to us here.

🟡 Some pretty hefty wind gusts hit Wester Ross yesterday amid a yellow weather warning. The Met Office recorded a 109mph gust at the top of the Bealach na Bà in the afternoon. Inverewe Garden was closed over safety concerns, whilst a tree down between Kerry Bridge and Shieldaig blocked the overside road for a short time in the early afternoon. A caravan at Shieldaig village was also blown over. Fortunately the caravan has been tied down and calmer weather is forecast for the weekend.

🟡 People at Wester Loch Ewe Trust are understandably "disappointed" after a funding bid that would have supported the purchase of a parcel of land at Poolewe was unsuccessful. In an email to supporters they said: "We were notified that our application to the Scottish Land Fund to purchase the land in Poolewe had been unsuccessful... we expect to receive feedback on the application shortly. Once we have that, we’ll review our options and decide on the best way forward, with community support and involvement. We understand that another funding round is expected next year and will consider applying again if appropriate. Naturally, we’re disappointed by the outcome.

"However," they added, "even if a future application is successful, we don’t anticipate this affecting our plans for affordable housing, as that work was not scheduled to progress before 2028."

🟡 Highland Council says it is ready for winter, but is keen to hear from community groups, volunteer organisations, and individuals who would like support from the council by, for example, having local grit bins topped up before the snow and ice arrives. More: Highland Council

🟡 Highland has been named as the worst local authority area in the UK for 4G mobile phone coverage, in news that will surprise nobody who lives here. More: Martin Williams | The Herald

🟡 Oktoberfest was such as success last weekend that the Poolewe Village Hall has all ready been re-booked by Ewebrew for the 2027 event. Put October 1-3 2027 in your diary! More: Facebook

🟡 Check the eggs in your fridge. If they have the code 3UA1012066 on them, bin them. Here's why: Highland Council

🟡 The Kinlochewe Filling Station shop has closed and it will operate unstaffed "until a buyer is found." More: Facebook

Events

This is just a selection from all the events that have been posted to our people-powered Wester Ross events calendar. There are many more events to check out here, now including all the activities at Gairloch Leisure Centre. If you know of an event that is not listed on the calendar yet you can help by adding it using this form. It's the best way to get something listed in this newsletter and in the What's On section of the Gairloch and District Times.

🟡 The Travelling Imaginarium: View Roy the Humpback Whale
Open invitation! Come along to the Ferry Terminal building this Thursday at 6:30pm for an opportunity to view our community-built puppet of 'Roy' the Humpback Whale whilst it's on display. All are welcome. For more on the Travelling Imaginarium Project and the puppet build, please visit our website: https://travelimaginarium.wixsite.com/imaginarium
Thu 15 Oct | 6.30pm | Ullapool Ferry Terminal · Ullapool | More info

🟡 Fungi Foray at Corrieshalloch Gorge
Join the Ranger team at Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve for a fascinating Fungi Foray. We will be joined by local expert John Hedger, who will take us on a walk around the reserve, and share interesting facts and identification tips about all the marvellous species of fungus we have here at Corrieshalloch Gorge and in the Highlands.
Fri 16 Oct | 10.30am | Corrieshalloch Gorge National Nature Reserve (National Trust for Scotland) · Ullapool | More info

🟡 The Old Inn's End of Season Finale: A Taste of Senegal & Homemade Pasta
Join us for our end-of-season grand finale featuring a dual menu of fresh, handmade pasta specials alongside the absolute West African favourite of the year: Demba's Signature Chicken Yassa. More than just a fantastic meal, this evening is a project with a purpose. Every order of Chicken Yassa directly supports the Nio Far ("We Are One") project.
Fri 16 Oct | 5.00pm | The Old Inn Gairloch · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Family Fun / Soft Play
Bouncy castles and soft large toys for children and their parents
Sat 17 Oct | 10.00am | Gairloch Leisure Centre · Gairloch | More info

🟡 3 Lochs Cinema: Tuner
Tuner is a 2025 crime thriller film directed by Daniel Roher and written by Roher and Robert Ramsey. The film stars Leo Woodall, Havana Rose Liu, and Dustin Hoffman. It follows a piano tuner, Niki White (Woodall), with hyperacusis, a hearing condition that gives him heightened sensitivity to sound, who gets embroiled in a criminal gang. Rated 15.
Sat 17 Oct | 2.00pm | Aultbea Community Hub · Aultbea & Laide | More info

🟡 Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People)
Rob MacNeacail embarks on a road trip across Scotland and Ireland to explore the tradition of Gaelic psalm singing. An entertaining and heart-warming film about the power of community, family and the resilience needed to keep a language alive.
Sat 17 Oct | 7.00pm | Loch Torridon Community Centre · Kinlochewe & Torridon | More info

🟡 Iain Dall Mackay Memorial March
Celebrating the blind piper of Gairloch, a procession led by pipers will leave the assembly point and walk the mile to the memorial stone which marks his house. Words will be said, tunes played and a dram or soft drink taken before retiring. All welcome, especially if you are a piper or other musician. more info from [email protected]
Sun 18 Oct | 1.30pm | Flowerdale Glen Car Park · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Queer in the Wild
The first meet-up for local LGBTQ+ outdoor and social group 'Queer in the Wild' is happening on the 18th of October! Meet: Links Cafe at 2pm for tea/coffee and a chat. Afterwards, we'll head out for an easy-going walk around Flowerdale (but this is totally optional). Bring suitable footwear/waterproofs if you're coming along for the walk.
Sun 18 Oct | 2.00pm | Links Café Gairloch · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Aultbea Community Council Meeting
Join us in person or online for the Aultbea Community Council meeting. If you cannot attend you can email us if you have anything to add to the Agenda: [email protected] Location within the hall: Crow's Nest.
Mon 19 Oct | 7.00pm | Aultbea Hall · Aultbea & Laide | More info

🟡 Ceilidh House Gathering
Our Ceilidh House gatherings meet once a fortnight and are a welcoming group who enjoy making music, singing or the spoken word. Come and sing a song, tell a tale, read a poem, play a tune, bring knitting or just sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.
Mon 19 Oct | 7.00pm | Gairloch Museum · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Waxcap Watch
Waxcaps are indicators of rare, unimproved grassland rich in biodiversity. Join the ranger to learn more about these colourful fungi and how to get involved in waxcap watch to help conserve them.
Tue 20 Oct | 10.00am | Mellon Udrigle Beach Car Park · Aultbea & Laide | More info

🟡 Three Brothers in a Boat
A true story of adventure and purpose rowing the Pacific. Author talk, refreshments and book signing. The event is free, but spaces must be booked, as seating is limited. FREE
Wed 21 Oct | 5.30pm | Ullapool Bookshop · Ullapool | More info

🟡 Torridon and Kinlochewe Community Council
Minutes of previous meetings can be found at: https://www.tkcc.scot/minutes.
Wed 21 Oct | 7.00pm | Kinlochewe Village Hall · Kinlochewe & Torridon | More info

🟡 An Evening of Antiques with TV Auctioneer James Lewis
Join us from 7pm for an evening of antiques with James Lewis, one of the antique world's most recognised faces, appearing on numerous TV shows, including Flog It!, Antiques Road Trip and Dickinson's Real Deal.
Wed 21 Oct | 7.00pm | Poolewe Village Hall · Poolewe | More info

🟡 David Green MSP: Constituent Surgery
No appointment is necessary, but if you would like to meet, please send an email to [email protected]
Thu 22 Oct | 4.30pm | The Lochcarron Centre · Lochcarron & Strathcarron | More info

Jobs

Do you have a job vacancy you are trying to fill? Reach even more local people by advertising in the Gairloch and District Times. You can book space here.

🟡 At Kishorn Port they are looking for a chef, cleaners, a kitchen porter and gatehouse / security staff. More: kishornport.co.uk

🟡 Ferguson Transport are also looking for a Port Receptionist/Office Administrator at Kishorn Port. For more info, email: [email protected]

🟡 DMK Motors in Lochcarron are urgently looking for a MOT Tester. More: HiJobs.net

🟡 West Coast Taxis are still on the hunt for local drivers. More: Facebook

More news

🟡 We've received notice that the Croft Fresh Cafe in Aultbea will not run for three weeks from October 15 to October 29. The Cafe will Return on Thursday November 5 11:00–14:00. Organisers apologise for any disappointment.

🟡 Deli-ca-sea Fish and Chips in Ullapool are celebrating after being shortlisted for three different categories in the Scottish Fish and Chip Shop awards. More: Facebook

🟡 Chris Packham is fronting a new campaign calling on M&S to stop selling farmed Scottish Salmon. More: Katherine Hay | Scotsman

🟡 UHI North, West and Hebrides are running a one day REHIS Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders training course on November 3. More: Eventbrite

🟡 On October 30 Highlands and Islands Climate Hub are offering free online training for community groups putting together a local resilience plan. More: hiclimatehub.co.uk

🟡 Free mental health first aid training for farmers and crofters is on offer from RSABI at Coigach Community Hall on October 18. See: rsabi.org.uk

🟡 The Highland Third Sector Interface are looking for new voluntary board members. More: highlandtsi.org.uk

🟡 And finally... after we went to print with out last issue of the paper we realised that we had got the dates about a planned road closure in Torridon Glen wrong. In the print issue we said the road closure would take place on November 5. In fact, it will take place from November 9 - 12. The digital version available for download here includes the correct dates. Apologies for any confusion caused.