Wester Ross goes to the polls

Another week, and another Wester Ross Round-up. This one is sliding its way elegantly through the digital ether to 1185 of you. Thanks to all of you for reading and taking part in last week's poll on Second Home Council Tax rates. We'll be publishing the results and a selection of your thoughtful comments in the next issue of the Gairloch and District Times - out on May 8.

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🟡 It's polling day today for the next Scottish Parliament. We aren't going to tell you how to vote, but if you haven't voted yet, here are some useful links:

• If you aren't sure where to vote see: WhereDoIVote.co.uk
• If you aren't sure who you can vote for see: WhoCanIVoteFor.co.uk
• If you aren't sure how to vote see: Electoral Commission (pdf)
• If you aren't sure about the party policies see: Compare Party Policies - BBC Scotland
• If you want to vote tactically on your constituency ballot paper, you can get a feel for what the polls say about each seat here: electionpolling.co.uk
• If you want to know more about some of the more dubious claims made by the parties see: BBC Verify
• If you want to know more about who is bankrolling the candidates see: The Ferret
• For a national perspective, Survation dropped a last minute MRP poll yesterday evening. More: Survation
• Votes won't be counted until Friday, starting at 9am. To watch a live broadcast from Inverness where all the Highland votes will be totted up, the council has shared this link: YouTube

🟡 A UK Government watchdog is now investigating animal welfare at the Ardessie fish farm in Loch Broom, after campaigners released video footage from the facility showing salmon in poor health. The farm is operated by Wester Ross Fisheries, a subsidiary of Mowi. More: James Walker | The National (£) and Facebook

🟡 A 2 Bedroom house at 23 Melvaig has gone on sale for offers over £285,000. More: Harper MacLeod

🟡 The Toybox Children's Centre has been notified that there is currently no Health Visitor serving the Gairloch area. They "have written expressing our concerns to Liz Kraft our local councillor and Angus MacDonald our MP." More: Facebook

🟡 The Bistro Lochcarron have gone public with frustration over repeated incidents of vandalism to their building. More: Facebook

🟡 A new BBC Alba series called Scotland Underground kicks off with a visit into the cave system on Applecross. More: BBC Alba

🟡 The Applecross Trust are seeking planning permission to build a three bedroom house at the site of a former sawmill. More: Highland Council

Events

Check out the latest issue of the Gairloch and District Times for a more comprehensive local What's On guide. If you want us to promote an event, tell us about it here. These are just some of the latest events we've spotted.

🟡 On Saturday May 16, The Bealach Na Ba Cycle Sportiv event will be taking place. Expect the area to be busy and local road closures or delays, as there will be around 500 cyclists taking part in the sold-out event. The road over the Bealach will be officially closed to traffic between 10:00 and 12:30 More: Facebook

🟡 Also on Saturday May 16, there will be a ceilidh at the Loch Torridon Community Centre. Details in the flyer below.

🟡 On Monday May 18, two University of Edinburgh PhD students are putting on a talk about their research into red squirrels and woodland restoration around Shieldaig. More details in the flyer below.

🟡 The talented folk from Create Inspire Projects CIC have launched the Travelling Imaginarium. It will bring a series of creative workshops to Achiltibuie, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Contin and Garve, and Ullapool, from June to September. Find out more: Travelling Imaginarium

🟡 There is still time to enter the "extreme triathlon" Celtman XTRI Solo Point Five 2026 event on June 20. Entries close on May 17. More: RaceID.com

Jobs

Are you looking for the right person for your business? Reach locals you won't find on Facebook by advertising with us.

🟡 Ullapool Medical Practice are hiring a new practice nurse. More: Facebook

🟡 JoJo's Cafe in Ullapool is looking for a new Barista. More: Facebook

🟡 The Torridon District Community Association are looking for an Operations & Events Manager. More: Good Moves

🟡 Kishorn Port are still looking for a Cleaner, a Breakfast Chef, and an Accommodation and Office Manager. More: Kishorn Port

🟡 Nannys in Shieldaig are looking for someone interested in weekend shifts. More: Facebook

More News

🟡 An analysis of ratings data from the Walk Highland website has found that the Torridon Corbetts are the best Corbetts in Scotland. More: Facebook

🟡 A new partnership between Highland Hospice and Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes aims to enhance healthcare access across the Highlands by using volunteer riders to transport urgent medical items, improving timely treatment for patients in remote communities. More: Lauren Cameron | Inverness Courier (£)

🟡 A small garage size building on Pier Road in Aultbea may be avaialable to rent. More: Facebook

🟡 The Strathcarron Hotel can be yours for a guide price of £695,000. More: ASG Commercial.

🟡 Ullapool Laundry Services has gone on sale for £87,500. More: The Business Partnership

🟡 Staffing issues at Inverness Airport may cause flight disruptions for weeks, as temporary closures are planned around flight schedules, according to Highlands and Islands Airports (Hial). More: Rachel Covill | The Business Desk

🟡 And lastly, here are some more lovely photos from Wester Ross that our readers have shared with us recently. If you have taken a photo that you'd like us to share, send it to us here. Credits:

• Sheep | Blasta Bakes and Cakes
• Loch Broom Highland Cattle | Loch Broom Highlanders
• River Ewe | Ann Pilkington
• Spring flowers at the Gairloch Sitooterie, and Boat Club activity | Sitooterie Paul
• Flying Dutchman in Loch Ewe | Graham Rogers