New GALE boss named and new recycling centre rules

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• ...And have better local public services

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🟡 This week the Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) announced Louise Pearson as their new CEO. Louise has worked for the Wester Ross Biosphere and the Wester Loch Ewe Trust in the past so will be known to many locals already. She is due to start work at GALE in September. Her predecessor, Janet Miles, now works for the Highland Third Sector Interface.

🟡 Highland Council has announced that a new booking system for vans and trailers for householders disposing of household waste and recycling will be introduced into Gairloch and Ullapool Household Waste Recycling Centres from Monday June 29. All the details and the online booking system can be found on the council website. More: Highland Council

🟡 Coincidentally, as well as tyres, ovens, fridges and other waste, it was reported this week that Forestry and Land Scotland staff found seven sheep carcasses in various stages of decomposition at a "biohazard" fly-tipping site at Craig, near Achnashellach. Anyone with information is urged to notify Police Scotland on 101. More: Forestry Journal

🟡 The Gateway Housing Support and Care at Home Service that operates from Gairloch received high praise from inspectors, earning a "very good" rating for its care quality and staff support. More: Philip Murray | Inverness Courier

🟡 The Coastguard is recruiting for new volunteers in Ullapool, Gairloch and Achiltibuie. More: Facebook

🟡 The brain of a Scottish soldier from Gairloch who died during World War Two has finally been buried alongside his remains in Germany. More: BBC News

🟡 A 22-year-old male driver is in critical condition after a serious one-vehicle crash on the A835 near Loch Glascarnoch, prompting police to seek witnesses. The incident occurred on June 13, 2026. More: Ewan Malcolm | Inverness Courier

🟡 Poolewe Village Hall are looking for people who might be interested in learning to knit or crochet in workshops that will run from June 25. For more info email [email protected]

Events

You can add an event to our Wester Ross events calendar for free using this form.
Here are some of the recently added events:

🟡 Creative Writing Workshop: Light & Colour
Join us at Gairloch Museum for this Creative Writing Workshop. Annie Worsley will talk to us about her writing journey and lead us through some simple writing exercises to help craft a piece of writing on the theme of Light & Colour.
Thu 18 Jun | 2.30pm | Gairloch Museum, IV21 2BH | More info

🟡 Guided Walk Kinlochewe
A 1.5-2 hour guided walk through Kinlochewe with local insight from Liz Forrest.
Thu 18 Jun | 3.30pm | Kinlochewe Community Toilets, IV22 2PA | More info

🟡 Community Open Day [Until Sun]
Climbing workshops and activities including climbing techniques, mindset workshops, and a pub quiz. Coffee, cakes provided, and a friendly atmosphere. Weather permitting, activities will happen outdoors.
Sat 20 Jun | 11.00am | Kinlochewe Village Hall, IV22 2PE | More info

🟡 Singing for Fun!
A brilliant, FREE community singing workshop, suitable for all abilities. Love to sing? Come along and join in! No audition. All you need is a willingness to make new friends and have fun! FREE
Sat 20 Jun | 1.30pm | Coigach Community Hall, IV26 2YG | More info

🟡 Film Screening: Herring Stories
Herring - a fish that was once abundant in the Minch - disappeared altogether in the 1970s, with the finger pointing firmly to overfishing. Now, two generations later, there are signs that herring may be returning to the Minch.
Sat 20 Jun | 3.00pm | Gairloch Museum, IV21 2BH | More info

🟡 Applecross Community Hall Committee AGM
Everyone in the Applecross Community is welcome. We are always looking for fresh faces and new ideas, so please consider joining your friendly hall committee!
Tue 23 Jun | 7.00pm | Applecross Community Hall, IV54 8AD | More info

🟡 Ullapool Blood Donation Event
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service are looking for people in the Ullapool area to step up and give blood. Help keep blood stocks at a healthy level and get behind Scotland's patients. Call 0345 90 90 999 to book your appointment or book online at www.scotblood.co.uk
Wed 24 Jun | 2.30pm | Lochbroom Leisure Centre, IV26 2UE | More info

🟡 Plants in the Past
Join our HLH Ranger for an ethnobotanical exploration of our local flora and how these were used in the past for medicines, food and other purposes. Taking place on 27th June at 10am or the 25th July 10am 2026 - Meeting at Gairloch Museum for a walk following the Archaeology Trail at Achtercairn. Booking is essential - limited places.
Sat 27 Jun | 10.00am | Gairloch Museum, IV21 2BH | More info

🟡 Kirsty Law
Beneath the surface of the Scotland you think you know - kilts, castles, tartan and mist - lies a deeper story waiting to be told. Scotland Unsung, a solo show by acclaimed folk singer and storyteller Kirsty Law, invites you to hear that story in full voice. A show made up entirely from Scots traditional tales and songs - like you've never heard.
Fri 03 Jul | 8.30pm | Ceilidh Place Ullapool, IV26 2TY | More info

🟡 Poolewe Cèilidh Partnership - Chailein MacLeod
The Poolewe Cèilidh Partnership (P.C.P.) is a group of volunteers who run a series of cèilidh dances throughout the summer each year to promote traditional music and fundraise for local good causes.
Wed 15 Jul | 7.00pm | Poolewe Village Hall, IV22 2LD | More info

To see all the Wester Ross events we know about check out our people-powered events calendar for the area. Find out more about how it works here.

Jobs

We've got even more job vacancies in the latest issue of the paper.

🟡 Bakkafrost Scotland are looking for a part-time Accommodation Steward at their Applecross facility. More: Bakkafrost

🟡 Highland Council are recruiting for a part-time Pupil Support Assistant at Achiltibuie Primary School. More: Hi-Jobs

🟡 The council are also looking for a Gaelic speaking Early Years Practitioner to work at Ullapool Primary School. More: Hi-Jobs

More News

🟡 Forestry and Land Scotland is to begin a tree felling operation on steep slopes above Loch Carron, removing trees up to 60m tall to mitigate risks to infrastructure, with traffic management in place to minimise disruption. More: Niall Harkiss | Ross-Shire Journal

🟡 On Monday June 22 at 9.30, Toybox have Dingwall Tesco coming along to present the group with a big cheque. Toybox users past or present who would like to come along are "very welcome!" More: Facebook

🟡 The Scottish Government's MyCare.scot app is now available to download. Whilst the Scottish Government has ambitious plans for the app, what you can actually do with it at the moment has been criticised when compared to a similar app available in England. More: Nursing Times

🟡 Bakkafrost are looking for planning permission to add some new buildings to their Applecross hatchery site. More: Highland Council

🟡 Nominations for the Highland Third Sector Awards are open. More: Highland TSI

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