Warm Mondays return and Highland - Inverness City of Culture bid falls
Read to the end to watch a video of local seals making some remarkable sounds.
Welcome to another Wester Ross Round-up. This week we've got our usual crowd-sourced events listings and all the useful local news with none of the annoying pop-up ads or snarky social media comments. There are now 1,280 of you on this mailing list. Can you help us make it to 1300 by forwarding this email to a friend, relative or colleague who might like it too?
And if you've just discovered this newsletter, you can sign up to get it sent directly to your own email inbox by tapping the button below. It's free.
🟡 The Highland - Inverness bid to become the next City of Culture has not made the UK Government shortlist. Beò! 2029, meaning ‘alive’ or ‘living’ in Gaelic, had been the only Scottish bid to make the competition longlist and the first ever bid to represent an entire region. Convener of The Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban, said: “We are naturally disappointed," but pledged to build on the bid work that had already been undertaken in the area.
🟡 Bakkafrost Scotland, a significant employer in Wester Ross, announced a £58.1m loss last year. It blamed lower global salmon prices and reduced production volumes for the losses. The firm has invested tens of millions of pounds in a freshwater hatchery at Applecross - and it has also received millions of pounds of government funding for the facility too. More: fishfarmingexpert.com
🟡 Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) has announced that it plans to open The Shieling Community Pub with more regular opening hours over the winter. They've also shared a report on everything that's happened in the venue since it came into community ownership. More: Facebook
🟡 The Co-op has selected Wester Loch Ewe Trust as a local cause to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund. If you are a Co-op member you can choose to support Wester Loch Ewe Trust. More: Wester Loch Ewe Trust
🟡 The Gairloch soup ladies (and gentlemen) are getting ready to welcome folk back to another season of Warm Mondays at Gairloch Community Hall. The first one will be on November 2 at 11am. More: Facebook
🟡 Details of the 2026 Ulluminate Festival have been finalised and online ticket sales have begun. The two-day event will take place on November 6 & 7. More: Ulluminate.org
🟡 Highland Council was forced to take its website offline following the discovery of a security threat that affected it. It has published emergency phone numbers that people can use on social media whilst officials work to get it back up and running safely. They are:
Births, Deaths, Marriages emergencies - 07818 588203
Housing & Homelessness emergencies - 01349 886691
Public Building emergencies – 01349 886691
Roads, parks, flooding, and street lighting emergencies- 01349 886690
Social Work - 0808 175 3646
More: Bluesky
⚠️ We are aware of a worldwide security incident affecting web services. There are no indications of any of this impacting Highland council. However, as a precaution we are temporarily taking our website offline while our systems are reviewed.
— The Highland Council (@highland.gov.uk) 2026-10-21T16:39:56.116Z
Events
This is just a selection from all the events that have been posted to our people-powered Wester Ross events calendar. If you added an event – thank you! 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 other people learn about it 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.
🟡 Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Expect an afternoon of fun, games and delicious food made by our fantastic Youth Kitchen. Pot of tea (or another hot drink) + 3 food items - £9.50. Extra food items - £2.65 each. To book your place, please email Fergus at [email protected]. Come along and join us for a wonderfully mad afternoon!
Fri 23 Oct | 2.00pm | The Shieling Community Pub · Gairloch | More info
🟡 Fundraiser Board Game Nights!
Join us for an evening of fun and collective games. All ages welcome. Refreshments included.
Fri 23 Oct | 7.00pm | Poolewe Village Hall · Poolewe | More info
🟡 Tattie Pickers Dance
Dance the night away with music from the band Recovery. Over 18's only. Licensed Bar.
Fri 23 Oct | 9.00pm | Aultbea Hall · Aultbea & Laide | More info
🟡 West Fest
Come along and chat to our very own local groups, charities and societies! Workshops, talks and more with Gairloch Museum, Arctic Convoy Museum, Mammal Society, High Life Highland Countryside Rangers (& more) Bualnaluib Parent Council Pop-up Cafe serving a delicious selection of cakes, soups and drinks. Free entry, all ages welcome
Sat 24 Oct | 10.00am | Aultbea Hall · Aultbea & Laide | More info
🟡 Charity Fundraiser Bingo for Defibrillators
Bingo Night in Poolewe Village Hall, raising funds for the defibrillators in Poolewe, Cove and Inverasdale. Tea and refreshments also available and a great prize raffle draw!
Sat 24 Oct | 7.00pm | Poolewe Village Hall · Poolewe | More info
🟡 Mountain Song
An acoustic guitar bluegrass duo of Will Greenway and James Hickman, performing music from the golden era of bluegrass and the Appalachian mountains. "The real thing! High voltage, golden-era Bluegrass delivered with expertise, panache and authenticity"
Sat 24 Oct | 7.30pm | Applecross Community Hall · Applecross & Shieldaig | More info
And also: Wed 28 Oct | 7.30pm | The Lochcarron Centre · Lochcarron & Strathcarron | More info
🟡 Astronomy of the Odyssey
We're delighted to welcome back Dr Vassilios Spathopoulos, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and who specialises in bringing the skies alive through storytelling and interdisciplinary insight.
Sun 25 Oct | 7.00pm | The Old Inverasdale Schoolhouse Tearoom · Poolewe | More info
🟡 AGM & Winter Talk: The Crannog Centre, After the Ashes
Following Gairloch Museum's Annual General Meeting, 7pm - 7.30pm, we will hear from Katie Morrison and Laura Taylor. Sharing the story of the skilled workers who rebuilt the Iron Age Village following the fire that destroyed Crannog on 11th June 2021
Mon 26 Oct | 7.00pm | Gairloch Museum · Gairloch | More info
🟡 Pre-application Public Consultation Event on proposed new quay
Kishorn Port Limited (KPL) is proposing to construct a new quay at Kishorn Port. KPL are holding a public pre-application consultation event to give the community an opportunity to understand the proposed development and provide feedback. All are welcome.
Tue 27 Oct | 2.00pm | Lochcarron Village Hall · Lochcarron & Strathcarron | More info
🟡 The Annual Public Meeting of the Wester Ross Area Salmon Fishery Board
The meeting will be open to members of the public and held at the office of the Wester Ross Fisheries Trust, Harbour Centre, Pier Road, Gairloch, IV21 2BQ as well as by Zoom. Documents will be available on the website in advance of the meeting.
Wed 28 Oct | 10.00am | Wester Ross Area Salmon Fishery Board · Gairloch | More info
🟡 Digital Skills Afternoon
Kevin and Donna shall be on hand to answer your questions, and give general advice on staying safe online. Bring your device. WiFi, tea and coffee provided.
Wed 28 Oct | 2.00pm | The Shieling Community Pub · Gairloch | More info
🟡 Dark Skies Night
Join Wester Ross Biosphere at Gairloch Museum during Dark Skies Festival 2026 to chat with experts on astronomy and nocturnal wildlife over hot chocolate. There will be the chance to wander under the stars, hear stories and view the Museum Collection
Wed 28 Oct | 6.00pm | Gairloch Museum · Gairloch | More info
🟡 Exhibition Launch: Forgotten Fleece Tales
Come and help launch and celebrate "Forgotten Fleece Tales". This exhibition is a combination of wearable clothing, wall hangings, home textiles, sculptural pieces and interactive experiences, highlighting the enduring value of Scottish fleece.
Fri 30 Oct | 6.00pm | 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.
🟡 Highland Council are looking for a part-time cleaner to work at Achiltibuie Primary School. More: MyJobScotland
🟡 UHI North West and Hebrides are recruiting a Work Based Assessor in Aquaculture. More: UHI
More News
🟡 The Dundonnell Hotel has announced that it is to hold regular acoustic music sessions on Friday and Monday evenings. More: Facebook
🟡 Ullapool Medical Practice say they are still looking for local accommodation for a trainee GP and his family who are set to move to the area in February. Can you help? More: Facebook
The most popular links from last week:
🟡 Would you be interested in buying freshly milled flour from Ullapool Unpacked? They want to know... More: Facebook
🟡 Ullapool film club Reel to Reel have announced the films they are showing between now and Christmas. More: Facebook
🟡 The Land Reform (Scotland) Act introduces new responsibilities for landowners to engage with communities about decisions affecting land. The Scottish Government is now consulting on the details on how this should work, and the Scottish Land Commission are holding an online event to explain what it all means and how you can share your views. More: Eventbrite
🟡 And finally, local artist Alison Dunlop was fortunate enough to hear some local seals making absolutely captivating sounds whilst out kayaking. Here's the video: Facebook
Comments ()