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The blossom is out in Market Street and elsewhere

making our village springlike in spite of the colder winds over the last week.

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Why not keep in touch with a postal subscription to the Ullapool News. Just download and complete this form and send it to us with your remittance.

Click here for a form : POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION APRIL23 onwards 

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MAREE TODD MSP INVITES CABINET SECRETARY TO MEET WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN ULLAPOOL OVER HPMA PROPOSALS 

Caithness, Sutherland & Ross MSP Maree Todd has invited the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Just Transition, Màiri McAllan to Ullapool to meet with local stakeholders to consult on the Scottish Government’s proposals for Highland Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). 

The proposal would see at least 10% of Scotland’s seas designated as HPMAs by 2026. These sites will provide high levels of protection by placing strict limits on some human activities, such as fishing and aquaculture, while allowing non-damaging recreational activities to take place at carefully managed levels. 

The Scottish Government undertook a public consultation on its proposals for HPMAs from the 12th of December to the 17th of April. The Cabinet Secretary, Màiri McAllan has committed to ongoing engagement and to visiting coastal and island communities to hear directly from those affected. 

Maree Todd MSP said: “With marine species in decline, we cannot shy away from the fact that intervention is required to protect our marine environment. The coastal communities I represent recognise the need to protect and enhance our seas, but they also depend on the right action being taken to sustain livelihoods and the local economy. 

“It’s important that these communities have the opportunity to speak directly with government representatives to provide local insight and knowledge to help shape government policy. 

“I have therefore invited the Cabinet Secretary, Màiri McAllan to Ullapool – a community built on fisheries and marine activity – to hear from local stakeholders. 

“I know that the Cabinet Secretary is strongly committed to close and meaningful collaboration with our coastal and island communities on this issue. I look forward to receiving her response to my invitation.” 

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New women’s groups for the North West Highlands 

Scottish Women’s Institutes have recently experienced a revival of women’s groups geared toward meeting the needs of 21st Century women. These groups bring women together to have fun, make friends, learn new skills, and support one another. 

The past few months have been busy for the SWI as new groups have sprung up across the country and this May we are hosting Prosecco launches for new groups in the following locations: 

Lochinver – Tuesday May 2nd at Lochinver Village Hall from 7-9pm 

Achiltibuie  – Wednesday May 3rd at Coigach Community Hall from 7-9pm 

Dundonnell  – Thursday May 4th at The Dundonnell Hotel from 7-9pm 

Ullapool – Friday May 5th at The Ceilidh Place from 7-9pm 

To book a place at one of the upcoming launches, go to http://bitly.ws/Di3n – all women welcome! 

The new women’s groups are shaped by the women in each community and have their own character, with everything from wine tasting to wild swimming on the list of activities the women are enjoying. 

These new North West Highland groups are funded by Inspiring Scotland’s Rural and Island Communities Ideas into Action fund, for which the SWI is hugely grateful. The groups will join the 500+ groups as part of the SWI which is Scotland’s leading women’s membership organisation. 

Find out more about the SWI at www.theswi.org.uk 

#dosomethingyoulove 

#doitwiththeswi 

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Shore Street Project Update

Excellent progress across the works.  Dredging to deepen the inner harbour and all fishing berths was completed in mid-April.  The Caithness promenade slabs are being laid west to east and the same material is being fitted east to west as copes for the now fully constructed natural stone seawall.  Tarring has started in earnest with a large section of Shore St. surfaced with the base coat to ensure traffic flow whilst the north side pavement kerbs are installed.. The three interconnecting lanes between Argyll St and Shore St. have been resurfaced with new railing fitted to improve access.  Pontoons and breakwaters will arrive in May which should herald the completion of the inner harbour section of the works.

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