Gairloch Coop to open this year and Sitooterie celebrates

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🛒 There has been some speculation locally about whether the proposed new Co-op store at Achtercain will ever materialise. The Ross-shire Journal recently managed to get a new statement out of the Co-op confirming that the retailer, "has ambitions to open the new store before the end of the year." The full news report can be found here.

🌼 Gairloch Sitooterie volunteers have celebrated (see the photo at the top of this post) the completion of a new sea wall that will help to protect the award-winning community garden from high tides and storm surges. Built by local contractor, Roddy Bain, the stone for the wall came from the Gairloch Quarry owned by Ross-shire company Pat Munro, and it was totally funded by the Pat Munro Foundation. A donation of £750 from the Great Wilderness Challenge also helped.

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🕳️ A pothole of note on the road between Achnasheen and Kinlochewe caught the attention of the local press after photos were shared in a local social media group. Within 36 hours, Cllr Kraft reported that the suddenly infamous hole had been fixed, and blamed "years of underfunding" by previous council administrations for the problem. Locals will know that there are many other similar spots that could do with a repair. You can report them to the council using fixmystreet.com - let us know if they get fixed as quickly!

🚦Speaking of roadworks, the "temporary" traffic lights at Check Rail Corner on the A835 between Garve and Contin look set to be in place until at least November 3, according to a post on the Garve and District Community Council Facebook Page.

🥚 There's an Easter Hunt planned at Autlbea Village Hall on April 25. Details in the flyer below.

🦈 Meanwhile, Gairloch Marine Wildlife Centre & Cruises are laying on an egg hunt with a difference over the Easter Break. Your last day to take part is April 20. More info here.

🏃 Leigh Sedgley is looking for people to sponsor her. She is hoping to complete the "Race to the Base" trail run and raise funds for British Divers Marine Life Rescue in Wester Ross, so that the group can buy more safety kit. Here's the Just Giving link.

⛏️ Gairloch Museum are looking for volunteers to help them with an archeological dig. The plan is to excavate the largest round house at Achtercairn between May 3 and May 9. More details and how to book a place here.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Gairloch Community Council is on the hunt for at least one new person to join them. If you are interested you can email them for more info. The next scheduled meeting, which will also be their AGM, is on Monday 12 May in the Gairloch Community Hall.

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 And Aultbea Community Council have published the agenda for their next meeting, on Monday April 21.

👽 Wester Loch Ewe Community Council are hosting a special meeting at the Old School House Inverasdale about aliens. Alien invasive species in fact.

🧒 Highland Council is looking to recruit a Youth Convener. The successful candidate can work from home - with some travel and evening work - and will act as a representative for young people and Highland Youth Parliament in various council and public meetings discussing issues, policies and developments which have an impact on young people. More here.

🧹 The Council is also hiring a part-time cleaner for Gairloch High School. More here.

🛶 It's not a raft race, it's a flotilla! Whatever it is, organisers are asking you to save the date for the annual Aultbea watery shindig. It'll be held on Saturday August 2.

🎢 Meanwhile details of Kinlochewe Fun Day have been revealed. Organisers are also looking for volunteers and donations to help the day go smoothly.

💰 If you live in the Loch Broom area and fancy an interesting volunteering role, you could apply to join the EDF Renewables Corriemoillie Education and Training Fund grant panel. More info here.

📶 Home Energy Scotland are urging people to check whether they have an RTS electricity meter. You may have one if you have electric heating. The radio signal that controls RTS meters is being switched off on Monday 30 June 2025. If you have an RTS meter after this date your heating may not work properly, or you could be charged more than you should be. If this affects you, your supplier should be in touch before the cut off date and they should offer to install a new meter for free, but you may need to chase them. Find out more here.

🦜 And lastly, here's a video of Mojo The Macaw who was unfortunately mobbed by corvids at Gruinard Hill viewpoint and was temporarily separated from his owner. Happily, he's now been reunited with his people.

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