September in the wild

Autumn gets under wAy

Iain Ferguson September is a month when signs of plants and animals making themselves ready for colder weather start to become apparent.

Lush, green ferns and bracken are turning yellow, dark orange and then brown, before they vanish completely as though they were never there. On the hills the deer are starting to rut, so as warned in previous Lochaber Life articles, steer clear and give them a wide berth so that you may not accidentally be a casualty of their high-powered hormones.

Bell heather will be making its own colourful display and many moths, some butterflies, bees and numerous species of insects will be out in force, driven by the need to gather the precious food which remains.

Perhaps, with the colder weather the dreaded midge will start to drop back in number, giving you the opportunity to get out and about without fear of continuous small insect assault. However they do still favour damp, windless conditions around vegetation, so do choose your route with care. As you probably know only the females bite and are attracted by the carbon dioxide that mammals breath out. Once they get your blood they then lay their eggs and the cycle continues.

Underfoot (and do take time to look down) the wood ants will be working away gathering food and material for their nests which are built from twigs and leaf litter to house the all important egg- laying queen. Up to 100,000 ants can call the nest their home. On the water, look out for grey seals which haul themselves on to convenient rocks to rest, perhaps even to enjoy the warm rays of the sun before they fade too much to make a difference. In the garden I’m sure (well, I know, actually), that there is a lot of tidying up to be done, perhaps even thinking about a some of the final grass cuts while the weather is dry. One thing I am sure of, that whatever the season, nature is always on the go and always busy, so never stop looking for all these little things, which make the outdoors so much more interesting.

In Loving Memory of

JOAn (JOAnne) grAnt 1935 – 2021 (Onich) Peacefully in the exceptional care of Abbeyfi eld Care Home, Ballachulish, on Tuesday 3rd August 2021, Joan Grant (Joanne), aged 86 years, Bunree, Onich. A loving and much-loved aunt, a caring relative, neighbour and friend. Sadly missed.

In Loving Memory of

mICHAeL (mIKe) dAVIdsOn 1940 - 2021 (Roy Bridge) Peacefully in the care of Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on Monday 12th July 2021, accepting his last days with stoic humour and good graces, Michael Edwin Ian Davidson (Mike), aged 81 years, Coromandel, The Knoll, Roy Bridge, a well-known and respected Charted Civil Engineer. A much-loved husband to Anne, devoted dad to Andrew, Neil and Fiona, a wonderful grandad to his grandchildren, a caring relative, neighbour and friend of many. So greatly missed everyday.

In Loving Memory of

JeAn mCALLIster 1946 – 2021 (Lochyside) Suddenly at the Belford Hospital on Tuesday 3rd August 2021, Jean Florence McAllister, aged 75 years, Mossfi eld Drive, Lochyside, Fort William, former employee at Woolworths, Fort William High Street and Belhaven Ward. A devoted wife to Billy, a loving mum to Eileen and Kenneth, a wonderful granny and great granny to all her grandchildren, a caring sister, auntie, neighbour and friend to many. RIP.

In Loving Memory of

sAndy wAtsOn 1983 – 2021 (Claggan/Caol) Suddenly at home on Tuesday 20th July 2021, Alexander Kenneth Watson (Sandy), passed away aged 38 years, Polmona, Claggan. A loving dad to Gracie, Chè and Romi, a much-loved son to Lorraine, brother to Ryan, uncle, nephew, cousin and a well-liked friend to many. Sadly missed by all his family and friends.

MANSON & MACBEATH FUNERAL DIRECTORS

10 Ba� lefi eld Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6NB Tel (24 Hour): 01397 701110 www.mansonandmacbeath.co.uk

In Loving Memory of

trACy rOBertsOn 1971 – 2021 (Mallaig) Sadly, at home with her loving family by her side on Friday 23rd July 2021, Tracy May Robertson, aged 49 years. A beloved partner to Colin Macdonald, a much-loved mum to Lewis, Allan and treasured by Iain Sandy, a loving daughter to Bill and Mary, a caring sister, auntie, cousin, relative, neighbour and a good friend to many. So greatly missed and loved everyday.

In Loving Memory of

wILLIAm (wILLIe) wILsOn 1931 - 2021 (Caol) Suddenly at home on Friday 2nd July 2021, William (Willie) Wilson, aged 89 years, Glenkingie Terrace, Caol, Fort William. Well-known local Bus Driver (retired). A devoted husband to Jeanette, a loving dad to Christine, George, Angus and Sharon, a wonderful papa to all his grandchildren, a much-loved brother, brother-inlaw, uncle, a caring relative, neighbour and a friend to many. Sadly missed everyday.

In Loving Memory of

ALAn mCgAw 1948 - 2021 (Upper Achintore) Resignedly, in the early hours of Monday 26th July, with his son David and daughter Elayne at his bedside. Eternally grateful for the support and care off ered by the wonderful staff at the Belford hospital, and professionals in the wider community, during what was a diffi cult year. Very sadly missed by friends and family, but now at peace with his late wife Anne. Ride on.

In Loving Memory of

CArLOs ArAuJO 1956 - 2021 (Plantation) Peacefully at the Belford Hospital, Fort William on Saturday 24th July 2021, Carlos Araujo, aged 65 years. Kitchen Assistant at Nevis Range. A loving father to Carla, Raquel and Sofi a, a much-loved brother, uncle, relative, neighbour and friend to many. RIP.

In Loving Memory of

LACHLAn (LACHIe) rOBertsOn 1959 - 2021 (Mallaig) Tragically at sea on Thursday 24th June 2021, Lachlan Roderick Ewen Robertson, Tigh Solais, Mallaig, aged 61 years, a well-known and highly regarded local fi sherman and skipper of ‘Reul a’Chuain’. A loving and adored dad to Rachael and Kenna, dear brother to Catriona and Donald. So sadly missed by his family, friends and the wider community.

In Loving Memory of

HAnnAH (Ann) mACdOnALd 1949 - 2021 (Kinlochleven) Sadly, but peacefully, at home, with her family by her side, on Sunday 1st August 2021, Hannah MacDonald, known as Ann, Lovat Road, Kinlocheven, aged 71 years. A loving wife to Earle, a much-loved mother to Paul and Mark, a wonderful grandmother to all her grandchildren, a caring relative, neighbour and friend. Forever in the hearts of those who loved her.

In Loving Memory of

CAmP – PAt 1945 – 2021 (North Ballachulish) Peacefully at home, after a short Illness, with her family by her side on Tuesday 6th July 2021, Patricia (Pat) Camp, aged 76 years, North Ballachulish. A devoted wife to the late Tony, a much-loved mum to William and John, a loving granny to Pheobe, a loving mother-in-law, cousin, neighbour and friend. Together again with Tony.

Unearth job and training opportunities with DYW West Highland

Developing the Young Workforce West Highland, hosted by Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, works hard to bring opportunities, key information and supporting young people for the world of work. Over the coming months you will get the chance to hear about the day-to-day roles, top tips for success and what current training and job opportunities are open for you to explore. You will hear from forestry and land, renewables and health and wellbeing sectors and from organisations including SSE, NatureScot, West Highland College UHI and UNESCO Biosphere. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in hearing about, head over to www.dywwesthighland.org today and sign up to our next careers insight session taking place on Wednesday 1 September at 2pm. If you’re in school you can still join, the team will be speaking to all secondary schools in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross as part of their School Coordinator network and get your class access to the session live or recorded.

upcoming events 1 September - Forestry and land career and training opportunities 3 November - Renewables sector overview and career opportunities 15 December - Mental health and wellbeing career opportunities The DYW West Highland team can be seen in schools across the region as the School Coordinator programme continues to build momentum on the return on students as their work to bring benefi ts to young people continues. Keep up to date with the latest advice, events and updates from the team by following them on social media @ DYWWestHighland or online at www.dywwesthighland.org.

OPEN

YOGA FOR HEALTHY B ACKS NLP, CBT, LIFE COACHING

FOOD INTOLERANCE TESTING HERBAL MEDICINE COUNSELLING OSTEOPATHY PHYSIOTHERAPY MASSAGE, REFLEXOLOGY PODIATRY C ALL : 01397 702257

E: INFO @ LOCHABERCLINIC . CO . UK W: WWW . LOCHABERCLINIC . CO . UK

Welding repairs Fabrication Railings & gates Onsite steel alterations Car & van MOT repairs Aluminium, stainless steel & mild steel welding

T 07463 612809 E gwelding@outlook.com

Vickers Flooring – new shop, new era!

Setting up a new shop during a global pandemic is a brave thing to do, but hard work and determination has paid off and Jeremy Vickers now has a shiny new base for his busy carpet and flooring business. It all started 16 years ago when Jeremy undertook 4 years of training at college to become qualified as a carpet and flooring specialist, followed by a year studying business management. ‘That feels like a very long time ago, but I’ve never looked back. I love what I do and it’s fantastic to see rooms transformed from the bare concrete or wood to a beautiful finish. I love a challenge too – there have been many tricky jobs over the years!’ Having a base to work from and a place where customers can come and visit to browse a great range of floor coverings and discuss their needs was the next natural step for Jeremy. He couldn’t do it without the help of his sister Gemah Graham who has joined the business after 22 years in the hospitality industry. Gemah tells us ‘Jeremy is a fantastic carpet and floor fitter – he has a great reputation and always wants to keep his customers happy so with me in the office, I keep the paperwork tidy and his busy diary running smoothly whilst he does what he does best! When the new home-owners in Angus McIvor Way got their keys a few weeks ago, they had 9 jobs come on board in one week! There is no job that Jeremy won’t take on – he loves a challenge. He has fitted carpets in every imaginable space including boats, trains, caravans and hotels. Recent major projects include the Bridge of Orchy Hotel at Inveroran, but he is just as happy transforming a family’s kitchen, lounge or staircase. Vickers Flooring also offers a range of blinds, from measuring up to ordering and fitting; venetian, roller, vertical, pleated, panel and roman blinds which can be co-ordinated with new carpets and flooring if required.

Call into the shop in Caol Shopping Centre or have Jeremy come to you with a portfolio of book samples. LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) are on trend right now but he can supply and fit any type of floor covering you desire! If you need some help and advice, give Jeremy a call on 07740170917.