Wanted: Poolewe posties and health walk leaders
Read to the end to watch a video of musicians in the Old Inn, Gairloch.
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🟡 This week, Coigach locals celebrated the opening of ‘Lorg na Còigich’, a memorial land sculpture to a successful resistance to clearance in Coigach in 1852-3. More: Facebook
🟡 Ullapool athlete Stephen Mackenzie won bronze in the Commonwealth Games long jump final.
🟡 After growing his hair for 4 years, 13-year-old Aiden from Aultbea has donated it to cancer charity, The Little Princess Trust. The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs to young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or to other conditions. The charity is also one of the largest funders of childhood cancer research in the UK. You can help Aiden raise cash by donating here: JustGiving
🟡 The Scottish Crofting Federation says it has asked the Scottish Government for urgent clarity over delayed grant payments from the Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme (CAGS). More: Radio Skye
🟡 As part of a green prescriptions initiative free training is on offer to people who would like to join a network of trained health walk leaders in Ullapool, Lochbroom, Coigach and Assynt. More: Facebook
🟡 A Californian competitor on a “bucket list” trip to Scotland lifted the first ever heavy event trophy for women at this year’s Lochcarron Highland Games. Women competed in the heavy events at the games for the first time this year. Rachel Tice, 33, from Yuba City, California, took first place, throwing the hammer 80ft. More: Bakkafrost Press Release
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.
🟡 Author event: Gareth Halliday
Have you been gripped by the new ITV series The Dark? On Sunday nights this new series, based on the novels by G.R. Halliday has captured our viewing! Well, now you can meet the Author Gareth Halliday in an exclusive event at Ullapool Bookshop. The event lasts approx 1 hour and if you would like to guarantee a seat, call us on 01854-612918.
Thu 30 Jul | 5.30pm | Ullapool Bookshop · Ullapool | More info
🟡 Tì agus Cèic
Join us on Friday 31st July for tea and delicious home baking as you learn, listen or practice Gaelic in a relaxed and friendly setting. It doesn't matter if you're a complete beginner, currently learning or a native speaker, come along and join the conversation. No need to book, open to all ages, just drop in when it suits.
Fri 31 Jul | 2.00pm | Old School Inverasdale · Poolewe | More info
🟡 The Speakeasy Sessions
A free community 'round the kitchen table' style open music session. Bring an instrument! All welcome to play, listen or dance!
Mon 03 Aug | 8.00pm | Ceilidh Place Ullapool · Ullapool | More info
🟡 Arm Knit A Throw
Learn how to knit an on-trend arm knitted throw perfect for any interior, great to snuggle under on those chilly evenings or the perfect present for a loved one! Suitable for Complete Beginners You will make and finish a whole throw in the session!
Tue 04 Aug | 6.00pm | Old School Inverasdale · Poolewe | More info
🟡 Peer to Peer Support Group
Sometimes the hardest step is walking through the door. Whether you're living with addiction, isolation, substance misuse, grief, or just need someone to listen, you're welcome. Join us in a safe, confidential and judgement-free space where people support people who truly understand.
Tue 04 Aug | 7.00pm | Lochcarron Village Hall · Lochcarron & Strathcarron | More info
🟡 Poolewe Cèilidh Partnership - Michael & Joanie and Friends
The Poolewe Cèilidh Partnership 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. Tickets on the door.
Wed 05 Aug | 7.00pm | Poolewe Village Hall · Poolewe | More info
🟡 Wester Loch Ewe Community Council
The next Wester Loch Ewe Community Council meeting will be held on 5th August 2026 at 7.30pm in Inverasdale School. Items for the agenda should be sent to: [email protected]
Wed 05 Aug | 7.30pm | Old School Inverasdale · Poolewe | More info
🟡 Tiny Wings Trail
A fun, nature-themed trail activity focusing on insects and other small wildlife as part of the Active Schools Summer Camp. Booking code SOS003983. Booking required at Highlife Highland Schools Out Activities booking page.
Thu 06 Aug | 11.00am | Gairloch Leisure Centre · Gairloch | More info
🟡 The Oldest Munro Bagger
In 2022, Nick Gardner from Aultbea completed all of Scotland's 282 Munros. A new film about Nick's achievement has recently been released and is being screened in Aultbea. Nick will also attend to give a short talk.
Fri 07 Aug | 7.00pm | Aultbea Community Hub · Aultbea & Laide | More info
🟡 Lochbroom & District Sheepdog Trials and Hill Race
Ullapool Forest Runs will be at Inverbroom Farm near Ullapool for Lochbroom & District Sheepdog Trials and Hill Race. All proceeds from the day will be split between Highland Hospice and LoveOliver Childhood Cancer Charity. Distance approximately 4.2km with 330m ascent. See also: https://www.facebook.com/Lochbroomsheepdogtrial/
Sat 08 Aug | 8.00am | Inverbroom Farm · Ullapool | More info
🟡 Bualnaluib Beasties Hunt - Schools Out event
Join the Ranger for a mini-beast hunt and wildlife adventure around the school grounds, with plenty of opportunities to discover and identify local wildlife. Meet at Bualnaluib Primary School. Booking required through the High Life Highland Schools Out programme. Booking code SOS003998. Parents or carers must accompany children.
Tue 11 Aug | 1.30pm | Bualnaluib Primary School · Aultbea & Laide | More info
🟡 Oddballs
Oddballs is a "three legged fancy dress fundraising pub crawl quiz." The aim is to use fancy dress, general knowledge, athleticism & the copious watering holes in Ullapool to raise money for charity.
Sat 15 Aug | 6.00pm | Ullapool | 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.
🟡 Royal Mail are looking for a new delivery driver to join their team, working from Poolewe. More: Angard Staffing
🟡 Harbour House in Ullapool are looking for a kitchen porter to take on the morning shift. More: Facebook
More news
🟡 12,000 lambs are to go up for auction at the first sale of the season in Dingwall on August 30. More: Facebook
🟡 A letter that Maree Todd has received from Transport Scotland about problems with the traffic lights at the Check Rail Corner roadworks has been published on social media. More: Facebook
🟡 Local Ranger Katie Grant shares some stories about Pine Martens in Inverewe Garden. More: Highlife Highland
🟡 The Ranger team are also encouraging volunteers around The Highlands to help them count pollinating insects. More: Facebook
🟡 Bac Dubh in Poolewe received a mention on Radio 4's Thought for The Day this week, following a visit from Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg. More: BBC
🟡 Members of the Loch Ewe Community Skiff group gathered recently to celebrate ten years of their skiff, the "Kay Matheson." More: Facebook
🟡 This year's Great Wilderness Challenge will be held on August 15. Places are still available for some events. Organisers have just published a newsletter with lots of useful info that might be of interest even if you are not taking part. More: Great Wilderness Challenge (pdf)
🟡 From August 1, Highland Council tenants have new rights. Changes to the tenancy agreement mean that victim-survivors of domestic abuse can more easily stay in their homes, tenants can request to keep pets, and the rules around succession have been clarified. More: Highland Council.
🟡 A report from the River Carron Conservation Association (RCCA) and UHI suggests carefully managed early-stage stocking could support recovery of collapsing wild salmon populations. More: RCCA
🟡 A new "Remote Scotland" report by Angus MacDonald MP welcomes plans to devolve more powers to the Highlands but warns that Ministers must begin with addressing the unique cost of living pressures facing rural communities, and the necessity to focus on severe demographic challenges. Download it from the link below (pdf).
🟡 Radio Wester Ross have received funding from Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust to enable them to upgrade the Braes transmitter that covers Ullapool. More: Facebook
🟡 And finally, here's a nice video of some young Fèis Rois musicians treating folk at The Old Inn in Gairloch to a free music concert: Facebook
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