Happy ducks and heating oil support
Read to the end to learn the difference between the Equilux and the Equinox.
Welcome to another Wester Ross Round-up, in a week when we passed the Equilux - the point in the year when there is 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. From now on there will be more light than dark. You are one of 1150 people who now receive this weekly email. If you know someone who'd probably enjoy it, please do encourage them to sign up.
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🟡 It was a good week for Ullapool Museum as it was announced they'd been awarded a £50,000 grant. The museum was just one of five Scottish venues to gain a share of £2m funding from a dedicated Scottish Government grant scheme. More: Museums Galleries Scotland
🟡 It's also a good week for the Gairloch Harbour ducks. They have been filmed enjoying the amazing display of daffodils at the Pier Road Car Park. The flowers were planted by Sitooterie volunteers. The purchase of all the bulbs was funded by money raised from people voluntarily paying to use the car park. Watch video proof of duck enjoyment: Facebook
🟡 The Scottish Government has announced it will "more than double" the amount of cash provided by the UK Government to support Scottish households facing large bills for heating oil because of the Iran war. The Poverty Alliance said that the £4.6m allocated by the UK Government for helping Scottish households equated to just £35 per home. The combined Scottish fund will have a total budget of £10m and will open on April 1. It will be administered by Advice Direct Scotland and it will target low income households, but the exact eligibility criteria haven't been finalised yet. The Poverty Alliance estimates that about 24% of oil-heated homes in Scotland are in fuel poverty. More: Scottish Government
🟡 Meanwhile, Police Scotland are warning households that use heating oil to lock their tanks and install CCTV over concerns thieves may be tempted to steal fuel now that prices have risen so much. More: BBC
🟡 A rare opportunity to purchase an affordable home in Gairloch has appeared. More: Facebook
🟡 Artist William Mather will be hosting a portrait sketching workshop at the Lochcarron Centre this Saturday March 21. More: Facebook
🟡 Also this Saturday, local High Life Highland Rangers are organising a community clean-up event in Ullapool. Meet at the Primary School at 10:00 to take part. More: Facebook
🟡 Got stuff to sell? There are still tables available at the Aultbea Hub Spring Sale event this Saturday. Tables cost £10 and funds raised go to Hub funds. Details in the flyer below.
🟡 On Thursday March 26, there will be a fundraising curry night at Lochewe Community Church, Aultbea. More: Facebook
🟡 More local Easter events have been announced. On Friday April 3, from 14:00 there will be an Easter Egg hunt at Aultbea Hall. You must let organisers know you're coming by March 27. Details in the flyer below.
🟡 The following day at 14:00 on April 5, there will be egg-rolling, an egg and spoon race, and a prize for the best painted egg at Poolewe Village Green. There's no age limit, and no entry fee, but you must bring your own egg...
🟡 On Monday April 6, there will be an Easter Strupag held along at Applecross Hall between 12:00 and 14:00 with proceeds going to The Applecross Healthcare Association. More: Facebook.
🟡 From Saturday May 3, it looks like there will be a monthly market in Aultbea Hall. They will be on the first Saturday of the month until October. If you'd like more info or a stall email: [email protected]
Jobs
If you are hiring, reach the right people by advertising your vacancies in the Gairloch and District Times. Book online: Gairloch and District Times
🟡 There are three Seasonal Access Ranger jobs in Wester Ross going with Highland Council. More: HiJobs.com
🟡 The Ardmair Campsite at Ullapool are looking for seasonal staff. More: Facebook
🟡 The Gille Brighde at Diabaig are looking for a part time seasonal kitchen superhero with a bit of oomph. More: Facebook
🟡 The Loch Maree Hotel need a full time seasonal hotel assistant. More: Facebook
More news
🟡 GALE are looking for more volunteer befrienders. More: GALE
🟡 The Applecross Community Company have thanked everyone - especially local primary school pupils - who turned out last week to plant trees. 610 trees were planted. More: Facebook
🟡 If you receive any farming subsidies, or hope to in the future, the Scottish Government has published a timetable showing when you might expect to get the cash. More: ruralpayments.org
🟡 The Coastguard have opened a new seasonal helicopter base in Oban in order to improve search and rescue capabilities on the west coast of Scotland over the summer months. More: UK Government
🟡 Nicola Jackson, Chair of Torridon Mountain Rescue, was profiled recently by Scottish Mountain Rescue to coincide with International Women's Day.
More: SMR
The most popular links from last week:
🟡 Did you know 71% of people living in our corner of the world can't afford to buy an average price house in the area? If you are interested in local housing policy, Wester Loch Ewe Community Council have shared links to two presentations on housing affordability from Highland Council. More: Google Drive
🟡 In an odd move for an independent regulator, Ofcom have said they will delay a decision on whether to allow STV to cut its northern news output until after the Scottish Parliament elections. They say the delay is because they received such a large response to a public consultation on the proposals. The NUJ trade union sounds sceptical. More: Jamie McIvor | BBC
🟡 Spring may be on they way but do you know the difference between the equilux and the equinox? The Met Office explain in the video below:
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