Poolewe Tap Room plan and Lugger Fest returns

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🟡 Plans for a "tap room and eatery" from The Loch Ewe Brewing Company in the Poolewe Village Hall annexe have taken a step forward. A planning application (Ref: 26/00289/FUL) lodged with the council reveals that the company hopes to operate from 09:00 - 23:00 up to six days per week. There will be space for 25 diners indoors and 10 people eating outside. It also suggests that the venue may be used for "small-scale, infrequent music events" during the off-season only. You have until February 23 to submit comments to planners.
More: Philip Murray | Ross-Shire Journal (£)

🟡 There's also another live planning application in Poolewe. There are proposals for a new house on land 25m west Of Shorefield House (ref: 26/00262/FUL). You have until February 24 to send you comments to planners for this one. More: Highland Council

🟡 The Met Office have announced a yellow warning for snow and ice from 16:00 today, February 12, until midday Friday February 13. They say: "Snow showers and icy roads could lead to some travel disruption." Stay safe, and check prior to travel. More: Met Office

🟡If the cold conditions have you hankering after a warming soup or sweet treat, today's the day for Bualnaluib Primary School's Pop up Café. They'll be serving up homemade goodies at Aultbea Hall from 11:00 to 14:00.

🟡 Congratulations to Head Chef at The Torridon Hotel Danny Young. The 1887 restaurant at the hotel has just been awarded a Michelin Star, as well as a Green Star for sustainability. More: BBC

🟡 A photograph of the Yacht Betsy B at Gairloch Harbour has won 2nd place in the BBC Countryfile Close-up Photographer of the Year Awards in the Intimate Landscapes Category. Congratulations to Grant Bulloch who got the shot.
More: Countryfile

🟡 Local Community Energy Officer Simon Spare will be at the Gairloch Coop on Friday, February 13 from 10:00. He’ll be available for informal chats about home energy as part of Energy Awareness Month. More: Facebook

🟡 Nearly 4km of the A890 near the Lochcarron avalanche shelter is to close overnight between 22:00 Thursday February 19 and 06:00 Friday February 20. Exemptions will be in place for cyclists, pedestrians and emergency vehicles. More: Facebook

🟡 The Isle Martin Trust is holding its AGM in the Ullapool Village Hall on February 24 at 19:30. More: Isle Martin Trust

🟡 Louise Quinn is organising a clothes sale on Friday February 27 in the Gairloch Community Centre. Details in the flyer below.

🟡 Lochbroom FC are organising a "Night at the Races" fundraiser in the Arch Inn, Ullapool on February 28. More: Facebook

🟡 Mountain Coffee, in Gairloch, have said they are planning to re-open on March 2. More: Facebook

🟡 On Saturday March 28, there is a Baby and Child First Aid Course running in Ullapool. More: minifirstaid.co.uk

🟡 Inverewe Gardens are organising an Easter Egg Trail to run from April 4 - April 6. To take part you need to buy a ticket in advance. More: Eventbrite

🟡 The maritime themed festival Lugger Fest is coming back to Ullapool on May 22-24. Keep an eye on their website for details of the events, talks and music as they are announced. It's not too late to register a boat to take part.
More: Lugger Fest

🟡 If you have a hidden talent, Aultbea Hall want to hear from you ahead of their Talent Show on June 20. Details in the flyer below.

🟡 Highlife Highland Council Access Rangers have revealed that "black water" dumping from camper vans increased significantly in 2025, compared with the previous year, with Wester Ross among the areas in Highland worst affected by the issue. "Surprisingly," North Wester Ross was also the area where rangers found the most abandoned tents. More: Highland Council (pdf)

🟡 If you receive your broadband from Highland Community Broadband, there's some good news. The social enterprise was going to close, leaving all its customers to find a new provider. It has since received an offer from Inverness-based company Scotnet to take over the whole business and keep everyone online from May 1. More: Facebook

🟡 Following local consultation, council officials are proposing to include all of Wester Ross in a much larger "Highland Rural" Short Term Let Control Zone. Should councillors approve the idea on Thursday 12, then a further phase of formal public consultation is required before any new rules can come into effect.
More: Highland Council (pdf)

🟡 Highland Council is inviting "businesses across the Highland Council area to join us in hosting a Paid Summer Placement," for a local young person. More: Highland Council