An Cafaidh Mara (café by the Sea) is Lochaber’s newest eating and meeting venue which has already established itself as a popular destination since opening at the end of January. Located at the soon to be commissioned Thomas Telford Corpach Marina beside the Caledonian Canal basin, the business is operated by local man, Robert Coull, who has many years of experience in catering and offering hospitality to high standards.
The café literally fills a gap in the market as the only easily accessible food outlet between Fort William and Glenfinnan and is being greatly welcomed for meeting this need, with easy parking right at the door and a great menu to choose from for sit in or take away.
In designing and thinking though the menu of snacks and full meals, Robert has harnessed his extensive industry knowledge by offering a wide range of dishes from plain, simple and traditional to the occasional exotic dish (see the recipe on page 11), combining his vision with the specialised abilities of staff in producing a choice to suit every taste, including vegetarian and vegan meals.
By using as much local produce as possible every dish offers only the finest, freshest ingredients, carefully prepared and cooked to bring out the best in them for maximum customer satisfaction.
Another part of Robert’s vision is to pay staff fairly, with no difference made between youngsters and adults doing the same job in receiving the same rates. Also, being very conscious of these difficult financial times for customers, he is helping families to economise while still enjoying an outing by fixing children’s meals at just £2.50, with no loss of quality, but certainly reducing the bills.
Adults, too, benefit from the An Cafaidh Mara philosophy of ‘home cooked’ feel at an affordable price on all dishes, including cakes and scones, freshly made in the kitchen every day to ensure the best possible taste. Since opening, the café has been extremely busy, sometimes even with people queueing for a short time to get a seat, such is the reputation of quality and value.
Disabled access was also built in from an early stage,
with no steps anywhere and an area specifically set aside for wheelchair users. The café is also pet friendly, so any passing dog walkers can happily pop in for a coffee, cake (and maybe a bit of shelter) in warm, welcoming surroundings to watch the weather pass through the large windows overlooking the loch.
In the coming heady days of spring and summer a large outdoor seating area will also be a very popular addition to the café, described by Robert as “sitting in a postcard”, with spectacular views across the marina, loch and onward to the distant hills.
Great local food, beautifully and freshly prepared in an ethically run café, easily accessible to all and in a fantastic location, with really attractive prices – An Cafaidh Mara – Dè a bharrachd a dh’ fhaodadh tu a bhith ag iarraidh?
What more could you want?
The first thing to note about this month is that the clocks go forward by an hour in the wee small hours of Sunday March 26 with the potential of late appearances at Sunday events for those who miss the changeover. Whatever the time, don’t miss anything in this Lochaber Life where you will find lots of information of things to do and exhibitions to see. A new feature, which will be appearing every couple of months, will be photographs taken by members of Lochaber Photographic Society, who, like many organisations are keen to welcome new members to share their interest and take part in their activities. While they are happy to explore the world of photography in almost all weathers, personally I am hoping for some nice, even warm weather to spend some time outdoors. Have a good time in March. Faigh deagh àm sa Mhàrt. Iain
The group from Fort William’s Smelter who took 10,000 steps a day, walking the equivalent of Fort William to Athens in just a month.
What does nearly 100m of material, 5,000m of thread, many hundred bags of fleece, fabric pens and paint, over 900 people, approximately 700 miles, 10 ferries, hundreds of hours of creativity and over 40 volunteering hours have in common?
Together with support from the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund, they make up the 21panels of the Lochaber Story quilt. The aim of the project was to bring together all ages and ethnicities, genders, abilities etc, living and working in Lochaber to create a community story quilt, each square representing something special about the area to its creator.
From Rum to Kilchoan, Duror to Lochaline, Mallaig to Glencoe, Spean Bridge to Acharacle, and Fort William to Kinlochleven, over the last six months we have been out on the road visiting nurseries, primary and High Schools, ESOL classes, adult groups and local Scouts, as well as running holiday drop-in sessions where members of the public could drop in to create their own square, there was no age limit, no set stories or
techniques for square creation, this project was for the people of Lochaber and was individual to each person taking part.
Scottish Author and Storyteller Jess Smith came along to Rum nursery and Primary, and Duror Primary schools to share some of her stories and tales about her life.
The quilt tells our stories, the stories of Lochaber whether they are ancient tales retold or new tales being aired for the first time, old storytellers mingled with new, weaving together our rich traditions and recording them for this and future generations, after all there is a story in every one of us that begins at birth and continues after death (through the retelling of a story).
Around 900 children and adults have taken part in this project. Each square is unique and represents
the makers favourite place, wildlife, sport, hobby, whatever is special about the area to them. Workshops provided fabric paint and pens, and the option to learn how to needle-felt, which proved very popular with all ages – one participant said it was a great form of stress relief.
As the squares were created there was a few surprises such as a tiger roaming the roof of Kinloch Castle on Rum and a kelpie holding children captive on its back as well as a chambered cairn and Viking ship, which was found near the artist’s house. Wildlife stretches from stags to pine martens, herons to orcas, butterflies to frogs and the odd tur tle (Leatherback turtles have been spotted off Lochaber’s coast).
The exhibition of panels that make up the Lochaber Story quilt opened in Fort William Library on February 6th and they can be viewed there.
NHS Highland Care at Home Service are recruiting for carers for various areas of Lochaber and Fort Augustus.
For more details please contact Care at Home on 01397 709826 and ask for Sarah Traynor, Care at Home Manager sarah.traynor@nhs.scot
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a bright, passionate and self-motivated reporter to join the Lochaber Times’ busy team. You should be bursting with ideas and have a track record of delivering engaging news and be capable of working on your own initiative as well as part of a team. You should also be able to demonstrate sound journalistic practice, such as balance, careful sourcing and a practical understanding of Scots Law. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
For full job description go to:
https://hijobs.net/jobs/wyvex
PLooking for a KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Approx. 30hours/week
Tuesday-Saturday
Experience welcome but not essential. Pay negotiable, Great tips. Please send applications to info@thewhitehouserestaurant.co.uk
• 3 tbsp virgin olive oil
• 4 eggs chopped
• 3-4 vine tomatoes
• 1/2 pepper , red or green chopped
• 1 small onion
• 1/2 bunch spring onions
• 2 cloves garlic finely sliced
• Handful spinach leaves (optional)
• Small handful chopped coriander
• Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp Harrisa powder spice (optional)
• Pinch Ras el hanut
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Pinch hot or mild paprika
• 1 tsp pepper or tomato paste (I use Salcasi here, which is a hot turkish pepper paste)
In a frying pan, heat the olive oil on a medium setting, add the onions, garlic, and pepper and gently soften for a few minutes.
Add the chopped tomatoes and leave on medium heat until soft (roughly 5 minutes).
Add the spices, salt and pepper, pepper paste, and mix together. If a little dry, add a little water, creating a thick sauce. Stir in the spinach.
Make one well at a time with the back of the spoon, crack your egg, repeating this until all 4 eggs are used. Put a lid on to allow eggs to gently poach until cooked (roughly 5 minutes) or cook for less if you like them runny.
Finish with some coriander leaves.
We hope that we will be able to submit our application to the Scottish Government for permission to develop Culachy Wind Farm, located on the Culachy Estate south of Fort Augustus, in the near future.
Our plans have changed as a result of the feedback we have gathered as part of our consul tation process. The plans now consist of eight wind turbines up to 200m to tip, capable of generating up to 57MW of clean electricity and providing more than £9million in community funding throughout the lifetime of the project.
Culachy Wind Farm will be
able to support community projects and we hope to work with local residents to identify initiatives that will benefit from this funding. If you have
any ideas or questions about the community benefit fund, please contact communities@ fredolsen.com or visit www. culachywind.co.uk
1943 – 2023
(Fort Augustus)
Suddenly but peacefully, in the care of the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Tuesday 10th January 2023, Mary MacDonald, known to all as Mhairi, aged 79 years, Jenkins Park, Fort Augustus (originally of Lochaline, Morvern, Argyll), sadly only 8 weeks after her beloved husband Allan MacDonald (The Carter), a loving mum to Linda, Alexander and Gordon, a wonderful granny to Fraser, Isla, Alanna, Laura, Alexander and Brooke, a muchloved sister and a caring relative, neighbour and friend.
Mhairi and Allan together again.
1941 – 2023
(Banavie)
Peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday 17th January 2023, John Robert Disher, aged 81 years, Tomonie, Banavie, Fort William (formerly of Leverburgh, Harris), retired from the former Pulp and Paper Mill, Corpach and latterly Kishorn Port. Beloved husband to Mary, a loving dad to Angus, Margaret and John and father-in-law to Jenny, Paul and Amanda, a wonderful grampa to Steven, Liam, Fraser, Ellie, Shaughn-Paul and Darcey and great grampa to Logan, a much-loved brother, uncle, great uncle and a good friend to many. RIP.
1934 – 2023
(Upper Achintore)
Peacefully, after a short illness, in the loving care of Invernevis House, Fort William, on Monday 16th January 2023, Sarah MacPherson Stevenson, known to all as Monie, aged 88 years, formerly of Nairn Crescent, Upper Achintore, Fort William. A loving wife to the late Arthur, a treasured mum to Margaret, Aileen and Archie, a wonderful grandma to Shelly, Louise and Freya and great grandma to Jack, Tommy and Hallie and also a step-grandma to Jordan and Rhonan, a caring relative, neighbour and a special friend to many. So greatly missed.
1935 – 2023
(Fort William)
Unexpectedly at home, on Wednesday 18th January 2023, May Catrine Wineberg, aged 87 years, Sutherland Avenue, Fort William, sadly only 7 weeks after her beloved husband David Wineberg, a loving mum to Abigail and Martine and mother-in-law to Henry and Chris, a proud granny May to Oskar and Corran, a caring neighbour and friend. Sadly missed.
1936 – 2023
(Fort William)
Sadly, in the care of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, on Friday 20th January 2023, Mary Amelia MacLean, aged 86 years, Renfrew Place, Fort William. Beloved wife of the late Billy MacLean, a loving mum to Gavin, Lesley, a dear mother-in-law to Anita, Sandy and Donna, a wonderful gran to Jodie, Zoe, Adam and a proud GG to Liam and Rhys, a caring neighbour and a special friend. Greatly missed.
1938 – 2023
(Kinlochleven)
Peacefully, in the loving care of Abbeyfield Care
Home, Ballachulish, on Thursday 5th January 2023, James Peacock Ballantyne
Scott (Scotty), aged 84 years, Kinlochleven. A much-loved dad to Jim, John, Margaret, Sharon, Lynda, Jamie and Neil, a wonderful grandad and great grandad to all his grandchildren, a loving relative and a good friend to many. Rest In Peace.
1966 – 2023
(Fort William)
Peacefully, in the loving care of Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Thursday
19th January 2023, George Knox, aged 56 years, Belhaven Drive, Fort William. A loving dad to Argyll, partner to Anna, brother to Douglas and a good friend to many. Rest In Peace.
1935 – 2023
(Strontian)
Peacefully at home, on Wednesday 18th January 2023, Morag McMillan MacDonald (née Brown), aged 87 years, Anaheilt, Strontian. Beloved wife of the late Archie MacDonald, a much loved mum to Mairi and Gilleasbuig and a dear mother-in-law to Shona, a wonderful granny to Kyle, Aaron, Eibhilin Rose and step-granny to Bruce, Fraser and Kirsty, a loving sister to Davina and a caring neighbour and good friend to many. Greatly missed.
1954 - 2023
(Plantation)
Peacefully at home, surrounded by those closest to him after a very short illness, on Tuesday 17th January 2023. Devoted husband for more than 40 years to Viv, caring father of Noel & Danielle, loving grandad to Madison, Hannah, Alexander, Roman, Kaya & Kobie.
Avid biker and well known observer for the SSDT (Scottish Six Days Trials) for over 20 years. Sadly missed.
1952 – 2023
(Falkirk)
Sadly but peacefully, in the care of the Fourth Valley Royal Hospital, Larbert, on Wednesday
18th January 2023, Bernard John Boyle, known to all as Bernie, aged 70 years, Dunning Place, Falkirk. A good friend and neighbour to many. RIP.
1931 – 2023
(Spean Bridge)
Peacefully, in the care of the Belford Hospital, Fort William on Saturday 28th January 2023, Kathleen Huntley, aged 91 years. A loving mum to Christopher and Michael, a mother-in-law to Jane and Susan and a wonderful grandma to Rachel and Catherine. Sadly missed.
1948 – 2022
(Corpach)
Suddenly, at home, on Saturday 31st December 2022, Donald Chisholm (Chizzy), aged 74 years, Hillview Drive, Corpach, Fort William, worked at the former Pulp and Papermill, Corpach, latterly at Glencoe Ski Centre, a loyal supporter of Rangers Football Club. A loving dad to the late Scott, a much loved brother to Nigel, a caring uncle, great uncle, relative, neighbour and a good friend to many. Sadly missed.
1956 – 2023
(Letterfinlay)
Sadly, but peacefully, in the loving care of Moss Park Care Home, Fort William, Linda Slade, aged 66 years, Letterfinlay, by Spean Bridge, Fort William, a long serving employee of over 20 years with Spean Bridge Woollen Mill. A beloved wife to Anthony, a loving mum to James and Samantha, a wonderful nanny to Connor, Morgan, Charlie, Honey, Harper and Ellis, a much loved relative, neighbour and friend. So greatly missed.
1953 – 2023
(Fort William)
Peacefully at home, on Saturday 28th January 2023, John Addison, aged 69 years, former forestry contractor. A Beloved husband to Dorothy, a much loved dad to Deborah, Caroline and Susan, a caring granddad to Ben, Paige, Jessica, Megan, Martin and Ryan and a great grandad to Logan and Reuben. So greatly missed.
1947 – 2023
(Arisaig)
Peacefully at home, with all his family present, on Monday 2nd January 2023, Peter Laurence Bridge, aged 75 years, Hilbre, Arisaig. A beloved husband to Rosemary, a loving dad to Stephanie and Olivia, a wonderful grampa to Laurie and Roddy, a much loved relative and a good friend to many. RIP.
1948 – 2023
(Fort William/Kingussie)
Sadly, in the exceptional, loving care of the Wades Centre, Kingussie, on Thursday 26th January 2023, Isobel MacKellaig, aged 74 years, former Registrar in Fort William for over 20 years. Beloved wife to the late James MacKellaig, a loving mum to Stuart, Rosemary and Anna and so dearly loved and missed by all in the extended family. RIP.
1997 – 2023
(Spean Bridge)
Sadly, in the care of ICU – Raigmore Hospital, Inverness with his loved ones by his side, on Thursday 5th January 2023, Liam Fraser-Stewart, aged 25 years, Station Road, Spean Bridge, Plumbing and Heating Engineer with Grant Boyd Plumbing and Heating, a talented musician (A’Hooligan), accordion tutor and agent for Manfrini Accordions, a keen shinty player for Ballachulish Shinty Club. A loving husband to Marianne and dad to Soren, a treasured son to Jean Ann and Ally and Robert, a much-loved brother to John, Katie, Erin and Michael, a cherished grandson to Christina, Nancy and Yvonne, a loving nephew, cousin and so dearly loved by all in his wider family, a great friend to many. Always loved and remembered.
(Garvan by Fort William)
Suddenly and unexpectedly, while snorkelling in the Red Sea by Hurghada in Egypt, on Monday 16th January 2023, Donald Norman Kennedy MacInnes, known to all as Donnie, aged 60 years, Garvan, by Fort William, former long serving employee with Scottish Water for over 40 years and latterly a self employed Taxi Driver. A loving husband to Marion, a much loved dad to Andrew and father-in-law to Lynsey, a wonderful papa to Donald, a treasured son to Betty and stepson to Andy, a caring brother to Christine, Betty and Roselyn, a dear brother-in-law, uncle, relative, neighbour and a good friend to so many. Forever loved and missed.
Beavers are amazing ecosystem engineers that were once widespread in Scotland before they were hunted to extinction around 500 years ago.
The good news is that beavers have been returned to Scotland and, one day, they will hopefully be as widespread as they once were. In 2019, beavers were granted European protected status in Scotland, and in late 2021 the Scottish Government finally agreed to actively support the expansion of Scotland’s beaver population, which will help spread the huge environmental benefits these ecosystem engineers bring to new areas.
Beavers are our key allies in tackling the nature and climate crises. The dams they build create nature-rich wetlands that benefit many different species; the dams and wetlands reduce the impacts of floods and droughts, and improve water quality. The presence of beavers also benefits local economies through eco-tourism.
Beavers have only legally been introduced to two sites in Scotland: at Knapdale Forest in Argyll in 2009, and more recently at Argaty in Perthshire. But they have also been spreading naturally within the River Tay catchment for a few years now.
In February, the audience attending Lochaber Natural History Societies talk by Tom Bowser “Beavers and Bureaucracy: The story of the Argaty beaver project” were enthralled. Tom’s family farm, Argaty, now has 12 beavers, relocated from sites in Tayside where they were not wanted. The process to secure the translocation licence was cumbersome and time-consuming,
but in his talk, Tom described the benefits he is already seeing on the farm.
He said: “Wrens, robins and blackbirds dart between felled, coppicing trees. Dragonflies egglay in floating gnawed wood. Frogs and newts breed in beaver-dug canals. In this winter’s rainstorms, beaver dams held back water. For the first time in five years the outflow stream did not burst its banks, our dirt tracks did not wash away, our farm did not flood.”
Despite being protected, around 100 beavers (10% of Scotland’s beaver population) are still being shot every year on Tayside due to their perceived impacts on farmland. Moving beavers from where they are not wanted to areas where they are will help reduce, and hopefully eliminate, this licensed killing.
Seven beavers were reintroduced to Loch Lomond at the end of January and Cairngorms National Park will begin consultations this year about returning beavers to the park. So, could 2023 be the year that we also see beavers being reintroduced to Lochaber? I certainly hope so.
Fort William Photographic Society meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at 7-9pm in the Salvation Army Hall, and also organises regular outings. All are welcome and no one needs to be an expert to join. Members are all keen photographers with many interests, as demonstrated by the photographs on this page, which is the first of a regular Lochaber Life feature.
To find out more about the society go to their social media page.
John Ferguson & Caroline Ferguson
Big changes are afoot at Glencoe Museum thanks to £1.4million funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards their redevelopment project. This will allow plans to begin which have been worked on plans for the past few years and will also unlock further funding from other sources.
This work will see a new building behind existing historic cottages which will house a new reception, gift shop, exhibition space and – most importantly, the first ever toilet facilities. This will transform the museum into a fully indoor attraction, provide a warmer and more comfortable space for staff and volunteers and allow our fantastic collection to be displayed and interpreted in a purpose-built, environmentally-controlled space.
The Byre – currently the Medical Room – will become a free Community Gallery space which can be used for research, group meetings, intimate events, school projects and community
exhibitions. The cottages themselves will be restored and re-thatched (thanks to funding from Historic Environment Scotland and the Pilgrim Trust) and the exhibitions inside will be redesigned. Visitors and locals alike love the charm and quaintness of our the cottages, so they will be working hard to retain this while also creating a museum that is accessible to all, suitable for the display of objects and providing an indoor space for growing events and engagements.
It has also been a big year for the museum in other ways, too, with the arrival of the first Learning and Engagement Officer, Parris Joyce, and additional funding from Museums Galleries Scotland to extend the post for another two years.
Several successful talks – both onsite and online have been held with local schools, community groups and families throughout 2022, which have seen many locals visiting the museum for the first time, or for the first time
in many years. More events are planned throughout the year, with several guest speakers already confirmed and these can be seen on the museum website and social media.
This year, a lot of focus will be on researching content for the new exhibitions, including an oral history project – chatting to local people and recording their memories of the area. The team would love to speak to as wide a range of people as possible, so if you have a story you would like to share or know someone they should be speaking to, then please do get in touch – you can contact the team at curator@ glencoemuseum.com.
There is a lot of work ahead but everyone at the musuem is excited to get started. It will be open as usual this season from April with free entry for locals –this year will be the last chance to see the museum in its current form before building work begins at the end of the season, so make sure you pop in for a visit or come along to one of our events with your friends and family.
Veteran Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team member, mountain guide, renowned outdoors man and now historian, Mick Tighe is appealing for people with a good eye and great memory to help identify the people in these pictures.
Mick is compiling a history of the team and their many rescues, and is hoping to name as many people as possible who were involved right from the earliest days.
A fascinating project which will definitely be revisited in future editions of Lochaber Life. Should you have any information please contact Mick by email on nevismick@ yahoo.co.uk
Spring is just round the corner and with brighter days and warmer temperatures it’s the ideal time to consider volunteering outdoors. Being the outdoor capital of the UK, Lochaber has many different and exciting volunteering opportunities to offer with something to suit everyone no matter what their fitness level.
Volunteering and being outside has many proven health benefits, therefore it’s a great way to socialise and reap all the rewards while giving back to the community.
Voluntary Action Lochaber (VAL) can help you begin your volunteering journey if you are new to the sector and provide you with the support you need to get you started.
The Community Fridge team secured funding to create a community garden. They have been given a small piece of ground at Kilmallie Community Centre where they hope to install
some raised beds to grow fruit, vegetables, and herbs, then getting together at the end of the season to create a meal with their harvest.
Caroline Campbell said: “We really hope to be able to create a community of growers where we can learn and pass on new skills and have some fun!” New volunteers are always made welcome.
Fort William Town Team are a small group of volunteers who do their very best to keep the High Street and Parade looking lovely throughout the year. The team get together between March and December
to plan gardening days, litter picks and the annual hanging basket project to brighten up the town. The team are hoping more people can join them one Sunday afternoon a month for a hardworking social get together from April onwards.
These are only two of the many projects in the community – if you would like to find out more information about these roles or any other volunteering opportunities within Lochaber, call VAL on 01397 706044 for an informal chat or email volunteering@valochaber. org
Lochaber cycling clubs West Highland Wheelers and Fort William Foxes are excited to co-host a free-to-everyone family cycling festival on the weekend of 24-26th March. The local groups were approached by Event Scotland, Sport Scotland and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to host the event in the run-up to this year’s event in Scotland.
The aim of the festival is to create a day of community enjoyment within cycling and encourage participation of new and existing riders in biking adventures just in time
for spring. On Friday 24th there will be a ‘Why I love cycling’ film contest, when the audience will be invited to vote for their first, second and third favourites, with prizes provided by local businesses.
The following day the fun continues at Caol Community Centre between 10am and 3pm, with stalls from local cycling shops, community organisations and clubs, with the chance to take part in various challenges or view demonstrations of mountain bikes, adaptive cycle bikes, ebikes and trikes. There will also be the opportunity to have a go on the Dirt Factory’s airbag,
show off your stunt skills or buy new gear at the kit sale.
Alongside the cycling there will be music from Nevis Radio, fun inflatables and a bucking bronco, with a free evening ceilidh in the community centre featuring musicians ‘Wee Cal’ and Louden MacKay.
Bringing the weekend to a conclusion, local mountain bike clubs will be holding social rides around the area with all welcome to come along. Lochaber Trail Association will also be holding a ‘dig day’ where you can learn how to create, maintain and improve your local trails.
More information on the weekend can be found on the social media pages of West Highland Wheelers and Fort William Foxes, with leaflets also available and various local cycling businesses, as well as Lochaber Environmental Group. Posters will also be on display throughout the area with QR codes to give immediate access to information.
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“Colours of day come into the mind, the sun has come up, the night is behind”.
(Songs of Worship)
As always, l look forward to March. We turn the clocks back, the sun comes up earlier and we look forward to longer, more colourful days. Amid Lochaber’s grey skies, sight of the first snowdrops in January felt like a message from heaven – “spring is coming”.
This was even more welcome than usual as two funerals gave our family a hard start
to the year. At one we sang familiar, ancient words of Psalm 23, ‘The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want’, which have comforted mourners for centuries. Yet perhaps a modern translation by Eugene Peterson makes it clearer why this Psalm still speaks to grief today.
“God my Shepherd! I don’t need a thing…Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I am not afraid when you walk by my side.”[The Message]
Both of those we lost had strong Christian faith. Neither were ‘angelic’, but were loved as much for their weaknesses and eccentricities as their strengths. Both were teachers
and had a positive influence on many youngsters. They would approve of the message in the other song we sang, quoted above. Here are some more of the words:
“The light of the world is risen again; The people of darkness are needing our friend. So light up the fire and let the flame burn, Open the door, let Jesus return.
“Take seeds of his Spirit, let the fruit grow, Tell the people of Jesus, let his love show”.
In March we hope seeds start growing in the garden. I pray also that “seeds of his Spirit” grow Jesus’s love in our churches and communities this year.
T: 01397712373
M: 07884185279 scottmandrews@tiscali.co.uk
A team from the Fort William smelter were amongst nearly 900 people from across the world-wide GFG company in Australia, USA, Czech Republic, Italy to Alvance British Aluminium who formed 175 groups to take part in an eight-week challenge to walk 10,000 steps a day.
It has been proven that being active each day helps prevent chronic disease, as well as improving mood, concentration, and mental health. Most people spend a third of their working lives at work, and for many, a lot of that time is spent sitting. Combining busy work lives, commuting, social activities and home duties that don’t require us to be very active, we don’t often reach the recommended level of physical activity for optimum health and wellbeing.
The Fort William walkers were lucky, living and working in the Outdoor Capital of the UK, so were more able to get outside, and that there is a gym onsit for use when they weren’t mountaineering, running up Ben Nevis
or tak ing a simple stroll. The health challenge encouraged team members to develop healthy habits to be active while having a bit of fun and friendly competition along the way, and the peer pressure from colleagues to keep the steps high also helped.
Team Lochaber ranked as one of the top teams within this global competition, managing to achieve over four million steps, the equivalent of walking from the site in Fort William to Athens (2,479.6 mi).
They did experience a refreshing amount of rain which the y might have avoided if they were in Athens, but having an
ultra-marathon runner in the team certainly helped.
Tom Uppington, managing director of Alvance British Aluminium said: “It is promising to be an exciting year ahead and the health and wellbeing of staff is what will continue to make the business a success.
“We are delighted to be able to offer a wider variety of benefits to staff, including but not limited to our latest offer to staff where possible a 4.5 day week. Studies show there are real benefits to this working pattern, for employees it offers greater work-life balance and for the business, increased engagement, retention and attraction. As the Social Committee plans events for the year ahead – the next walking challenge will be ‘Move it in March’, hopefully having Friday afternoons off can promote better health and wellbeing for the team.”
The outline of a famous dagger in a recently installed handrail. But Where?
LAST MONTH:
Poster in Fort William railway station which won a competition between local schools to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the West Highland Line.
Karen Williamson
Organised by ‘The Garry Girls’ (members of the Invergarry Ladies Shinty Team), the Nevis Centre in Fort William saw the return of the indoor Johnstone Shinty Tournament after a twoyear Covid break.
Other than the suspension due to Covid, this tournament has been running annually since 1998, making it possibly the longest running competition in Ladies shinty and we are indebted to our sponsor Mrs Ailsa Johnstone.
This year, 10 teams took part; Glengarry, Badenoch, Kinlochshiel, Lochaber, Skye, Glenurquhart and Inverness and Ardnamurchan entered two teams each being placed in two leagues picked entirely at random. The top two teams of each league qualified for the semi finals.
This year saw Badenoch
come through unbeaten in League A scoring 22 goals, with Glenurquhart qualifying as runners up. In League B Skye came through unbeaten scoring 17 goals, and Inverness B were runners up.
The first semi final saw Badenoch pushed to the final whistle by Inverness B, it was a very close game, however Badenoch secured their place in the final with a 6-3 win.
Our second final saw Skye take on Glenurquhart, again
another great battle, this time Skye coming out the winners with a 5-1 win.
The 2023 final saw National Leagues rivals Badenoch take on Skye. Skye’s Holly MacLean pulled out all the stops and helped her side be crowned the Johnstone Tournament winners, with a convincing 8-3 win. Skye’s captain Rhainna Kirk, pictured below left, was presented the Johnstone Cup.
The tournaments player of the day was Ardnamurchan’s Ellen Munro, she impressed throughout the day and was presented with the shield.
Glengarry are indebted to our two referees, Greame Cameron and Ian Kennedy, who officiated throughout our day, to our sponsor Ailsa Johnstone and to all the teams who entered. The tournament is provisionally booked for its return on the last Saturday in January 2024.
“Scruples*” is here to make it easier to do what is good for us, others, wildlife and your pocket.
We Have Got Scruples* is giving you the opportunity to take control and reduce the amount of washed single use plastic that we put into our recycle bin. We are wasting time, water and electricity in some instances which all means money up in smoke or buried. Not to mention the legacy we will leave behind us.
Scruples* supply hard working Eco friendly cleaning products, body and skin care from the Friendly Chemical Company to your door so that you can reuse your single use plastic. Just like the milkman – put out a note in email or text and you will get your delivery before you run out.
Price Comparison:
Here’s how the closed loop system works - Purchase a 5L container (with a pump if required) and re-fill your plastic soitheach (containers) again and again. When you have decanted your 5L for the last time into your beag (smaller) reused containers then send SCRUPLES an email or phone/text Scruples and we will come and lion (re-fill) your 5L unit for you. Simple. Keep using the same sturdy plastic containers over and over. This is referred to as a Closed Loop System meaning there is no waste. To reduce your plastic wastes even further why not refill a washed up 5L container that you may already have and save even more money!
Sensitive Skin? Our refills are all natural and plant based. Ingredients are derived from fermented
plant sugars, fruits, Aloe Vera, rapeseed oil, shea butter, vegetable oils, coconut oil and food spoils. This has to be good for us all and our eco systems.
Fabulous Natural Flavours available such as Pink Grapefruit (fresh and exhilarating) and Aloe Vera to cleanse your body. Cucumber & Aloe Vera or Basil, Lime and Clementine for your hands. Rhubarb & Lemon for washing your dishes. French Lavender to clean bacteria, viruses and fungi from your hard and soft surfaces (tested to European standards). Spearmint and Peppermint will make your toilet sparkle. Almond to give your home and floors that special homely scent. Treat your clothes with the clean smelling scent of Fresh Linen or Tropical Coconut.
When refilled from your first 5L: Save even more from a 2nd 5L refill.
Prices correct at date of printing.
10% discount on all 5L orders over £30.00
Purchase 100ml sample bottles £2.00-£2.50 and get a refund when you hand them back empty and purchase a 5L container with pump.
Find out more: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/plastic-recycling-export-incineration/
