Lochcarron locals rally round after house fire and Oktoberfest

Another week, and another freshly-baked Wester Ross Round-up newsletter for you. This week our email newsletter is being sent out to 1274 people. If you're new to the newsletter, welcome! If you've just found us, you can sign up and get on the list for free simply by tapping the button below.

🟡 Chris McFadyen and his family lost all of their belongings and a family cat at the weekend, when a huge blaze destroyed their home on Sunday October 4. Friends and locals have rallied around and raised more than £13,000 to help the family in just two days. More: Federica Stefani | Press and Journal (£) and Go Fund Me

🟡 Congratulations to Wester Ross accordion player Eòin Cumming, who has been shortlisted for BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician Award 2027. More: Hands Up For Trad

🟡 The Guardian have published a nice long-read covering recent community celebrations marking ten years of the Wester Ross Marine Protected Area. More: Karen McVeigh | The Guardian

🟡 Zoey the Parrot is still missing. The bird's owner has posted an update for Gairloch locals, explaining more about how Zoey went missing, where Zoey might be, and what to do if you see the bird. More: Facebook

🟡 Ullapool Golf Course has announced that they're going to be installing In-Post Parcel Lockers at the club house, giving locals a new option for sending and receiving packages. More: Facebook

🟡 Due to unforeseen circumstance there will be no Croft Fresh Café at the Aultbea Community Hub this Thursday October 8. Organisers say they apologise for any inconvenience.

🟡 It's the first ever Oktoberfest in Poolewe this weekend. All the details are here: Ewebrew.beer

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. 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.

🟡 Bualnaluib Primary Bingo Night
Bingo fundraiser in aid of Bualnaluib Primary's Loch Eil trip for P6&7. Come along for a fun evening with great prizes! Refreshments included. Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. A full bingo book is £9 or £1.50 per strip. Raffle tickets £1 per strip.
Thu 08 Oct | 7.00pm | Aultbea Hall · Aultbea & Laide | More info

🟡 30th Anniversary Celebration
Come along and be part of a very special milestone as we celebrate 30 years at the heart of the community. Enjoy some fizz, tasty nibbles and a warm, friendly party atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to chat, reminisce, connect, and look ahead to the next chapter.
Fri 09 Oct | 10.00am | The Howard Doris Centre · Lochcarron & Strathcarron | More info

🟡 Cearcall Còmhraidh
Join us for these engaging Gaelic language conversation sessions aimed at both fluent speakers and learners of all ages. Using material from the museum collection, Bria Mason leads the conversation, helping to develop your Gaelic language skills.
Fri 09 Oct | 2.00pm | Gairloch Museum · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Madam Hot Chilli Gamelan @Oktoberfest!
Madam Hot Chilli Gamelan - Indonesian gong orchestra - hits up Ewebrew's Oktoberfest. A relaxed, informal evening, part concert, part workshop, plenty of chance for audience participation! Grab a pizza and pint at Ewebrew next door and join us!
Fri 09 Oct | 7.00pm | Poolewe Village Hall · Poolewe | More info

🟡 Malcolm Le Maistre and Friends
An evening of song, storytelling and Americana music featuring former member of The Incredible String Band.
Fri 09 Oct | 7.30pm | Applecross Community Hall · Applecross & Shieldaig | More info

🟡 Writer talk: Jim Carruth
Jim will be reading from and talking about his new novel-in-verse Knockan which is set in Assynt. He will be chaired by Lewis poet/author Ian Stephen. Free admission. Unticketed.
Fri 09 Oct | 8.00pm | Ceilidh Place Ullapool · Ullapool | More info

🟡 Do Not Pass Go
We heart Lizzie Magie! Feminist, economist, disruptor, and games designer who wanted to show the world there was an alternative to capitalist greed. But her beautiful brainchild was stolen, repurposed, and made a man a millionaire. Discover the hidden truth behind one of the world's most popular board games.
Sat 10 Oct | 7.30pm | Macphail Centre · Ullapool | More info

🟡 Lego Club
Lego Club at Gairloch Library. All primary school age children are welcome. Come and be creative with Lego & Duplo. For children under 8 years old we need a responsible adult to come along too.
Mon 12 Oct | 11.30am | Gairloch Community Library · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Let's Hunt Fungi
Join HLH Ranger Katie and mycology expert John Hedger on a hunt for the fabulous fungi of Applecross Community Woodland and Carnach! A treat for the senses and a walk into nature! Book by contacting the Community Woodland.
Thu 15 Oct | 11.30am | Applecross Community Woodland | Coille Coimhearsnachd na Comraich · Applecross & Shieldaig | More info

🟡 Nature CSI: Owl pellet dissection workshop
Join the NW Scotland Mammal Network for a hands-on guided dissection of barn owl pellets, learning how pellet analysis reveals owl diets and helps scientists monitor local small-mammal populations and non-native species. All equipment is provided; all ages are welcome, and children under 8 must be supervised.
Sat 17 Oct | 10.30am | Gairloch Museum · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Destitution Road: Drama Workshop
Inspired by the "destitution roads" built during the Highland potato famine, this workshop explores how history resonates in modern rural Highlands. Working with improvisation exercises, delve into local history experimenting with text from a new play.
Sat 17 Oct | 1.00pm | Gairloch Museum · Gairloch | More info

🟡 Frozen Fun: Ice, Glaciers & Climate Science for Little Explorers
Get ready to splash, touch, and explore the frozen world! Glaciologist Siobhan Killingbeck leads an interactive, sensory-filled workshop all about ice, glaciers, and climate change. For young minds aged 3 and up, mess-friendly clothing recommended!
Fri 23 Oct | 10.00am | Gairloch Museum · Gairloch | 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.

🟡 FEATURED JOB ADVERT: The Torridon Hotel are looking for a Maintenance Manager. Email [email protected] to find out more.

🟡 Gairloch Museum are hiring a Roundhouse Build Project Manager. More: Gairloch Museum

🟡 R.Wotherspoon Fencing is looking for new fencing staff, including trainees. See Facebook

🟡 Highland Council are looking for a cook to work at Shieldaig Primary School. More: Hi-Jobs.net

🟡 SSEN are looking for a Local Investment Forum member to help them decide which projects should get community benefit cash in West and Mid Highland. More: SSEN

More News

🟡 Ullapool dad Tony Hindhaugh is taking part in a drug trial that could lead to better treatments for Parkinson's. More: STV News

🟡 Pat Munro, the firm that operates the quarry at Gairloch, has been fined £32,100 by government regulator SEPA, for filling a pond near Alness with an estimated 20,000 tonnes of waste without a licence. More: SEPA

🟡 MSP Maree Todd has launched a new attempt to get the UK Government to do something about unfair delivery charges in the Highlands and Islands, following the publication of a new report from Consumer Scotland. More: Facebook

🟡 The CalMac Community Fund is open for new applications. More: CalMac

🟡 Gairloch Pharmacy say they might be able to get your pet meds at better prices than your vet charges. More: Facebook

🟡 It's Great Scottish Squirrel Survey Week. If you see a red (or a grey squirrel), report it here: Scottish Squirrels

🟡 And finally, here's a time-lapse video of folk getting the Gamelan ready to play as part of Poolewe Oktoberfest. More: Facebook