27 October 2023 Issue 2551 © ULLAPOOL NEWS
The Gaelic Choir of the North West asked in Ullapool were on BBC Albe last week much to their delight. Performing at the Royal National Mod which has been held annual since 1892 they all enjoyed the camaraderie of the Gaelic choirs from all over Scotland and took part in 2 competition classes.
*****
Jill’s Letter from Scoraig A Tale of Three Hens.
I think last week could be described as elemental. Here we are on a beautiful gentle morning, sun playing on the last of the Autumn colours. We have lost several of our noble trees. An oak and a tall larch amongst them. Lots of logs. But it is a sad sight to see the trees.
We ordered some hens from the Hen Man in Skye. Several neighbours ordered them too. Sounded easy enough. Meet the Hen Man at the lay-by near Garve with separate boxes for each family. Son No2 was meeting from the east coast. A neighbour agreed to ferry the hens and drive to Garve. But along came a gale. Neighbour decided, too rough to cross. What to do? Phone helpful man from Badcaul. Yes, he could pick up hens. Ah! What about boxes. I know, ask No2 son to bring them. Sorted!
But there were floods and No 2 Son was late. So Hen Man and Helpful Man had left taking No2 Son’s hens westward in a large crate with the others. So he had to brave floods at Inchbae twice only getting through by the skin of his wheels before the road was closed. In the meantime, that capricious Little Loch Broom was calm as a mill pond so neighbour ferried the hens in their crate to Scoraig. The Man set off to collect our hens but our track was blocked by two trees so he had to change route. After a slight tussle with transferring hens from one container to another and one escaping into the shed, The Man arrived and settled our hens into a smart hen house made specially by him. ‘Whew’, he went as he poured himself a beer.
The next morning, I set out, excited to see the new hens. I made a point of making my special hen greeting cry to acclimatise them to their new surroundings. But, what was this? A dead hen lay in the doorway and the rest of the hens had disappeared leaving a trail of feathers but absolutely no clue as to how the predator had got in or taken its prey out. ‘The Wicked Pine Martin ‘, we said.
Later, we were discussing this with some friends. ‘Set a trap and catch the b…..’, said one. Then what?
Then I’d shoot it, said another. ‘But that’s illegal. Pine Martins are a protected species’. Someone suggested taking it to Glasgow and relocating it in George Square. So the discussion went on until someone said that it was wrong to kill a predator. That it had its place in the grand scheme of things. Of course Man is the top predator and look what happens when one group of people kills another out of revenge. Wars start with each side thinking they have a right. Just as we might think when we consider killing our hen murderer. Hm! So confusing.
Jill
*****
*****
WINTER MARKETS AT ULLAPOOL VILLAGE HALL
Ullapool Village Hall is opening up its bookings for our winter markets including the Xmas fair.
If you would like a table for the following dates please email ullapoolvillagehallbookings@outlook.com stating which dates you would like, what you will be selling and if you will need an electric socket.
Xmas Fair – 17th and 18th November Xmas lights switch on 1st December Winter market – 16th December.
*****
Highland Council Leader expresses thanks to staff who dealt with the recent extreme weather events in our area.
*****
Inverness Bonfire and Fireworks spectacular
The Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group are excited to confirm that Highland Council’s Civic Bonfire and Fireworks display will be held at Bught Park, Inverness on Sunday 5 November 2023.
The evening will start at 5pm with the opening of Hornes Funfair and catering village, followed by a performance around the base of the bonfire by Fly Agaric Fire Display Team at 5.30pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6pm followed by 20-minute spectacular fireworks display at 7pm.
Provost of Inverness and Area Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair who Chairs the City of Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group said: “It is a real pleasure for the Working Group to provide a community bonfire and fireworks display which is a key event supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund and which is free to enter.”
“Scottish Fire and Rescue Service bonfire safety advice ‘is to always attend an organised bonfire and firework display’ and we are pleased to be able to provide this event in Inverness which supports SFRS advice.”
She added: “We hope the many thousands of anticipated spectators have a fun-filled, safe and enjoyable evening; and we look forward to seeing you again at the Christmas Lights Switch on and Red Hot Highland Fling events – details of which will be announced at a later date.”
Constructed by The Highland Council, the bonfire is one of the largest erected in Scotland, thanks to support from the local business community who donate hundreds of pallets. This year the pallets have kindly been donated by Whyte and Mackay.
The 20-minute musical fireworks display will be staged by the award winning Fireworx Scotland team and will start at approximately 7pm, after a short delay to allow spectators to move from the Shinty Field to the main Bught Stadium Field. It’s important that children get the best possible view of the show and final safety checks are undertaken.
Pedestrians are asked to note that the Infirmary footbridge will be closed on bonfire night (Sunday 5 November) at 4pm and will reopen at 9pm. Infirmary Bridge is routinely closed during events for public safety and to reduce the likelihood of serious damage to the footbridge.
*****
GLOBAL EFFORT SECURES RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE MV HEBRIDEAN ISLES
MV Hebridean Isles, a vital lifeline vessel for CalMac, has made a return to service this week after an extensive ten- month repair period. This comeback, which at times in the process looked increasingly unlikely, showcases the tremendous effort and investment made to restore her seaworthiness and reintegrate her into the CalMac fleet.
The decision to proceed with the repairs and explore every option to return the vessel to service demonstrates CalMac’s commitment to exhaust every available option within its fleet.
Six initial attempts were made to address issues with the controllable pitch propeller, with the final option seeing the tailshaft and pull push rod removed from the vessel and sent to a specialist machining company in Denmark. Fortunately, this was successful and MV Hebridean Isles has now carried its first passengers and freight for nearly ten months, supporting the Islay route during the weekend and into the week ahead.
The final stages of redeployment will see MV Hebridean Isles continue to support the network in extended passenger and freight trials over the coming weeks, before going for annual maintenance, which was delayed during dry dock due to the large investment required at a time it looked unlikely that she would re-enter service. She will then be redeployed to support delivery of CalMac’s winter timetable.
The repairs involved a large number of specialists in Scotland and Norway and the final cost for repairs was around £2.5 million.
The Gaelic Choir of the North West asked in Ullapool were on BBC Albe last week much to their delight. Performing at the Royal National Mod which has been held annual since 1892 they all enjoyed the camaraderie of the Gaelic choirs from all over Scotland and took part in 2 competition classes.
*****
Jill’s Letter from Scoraig A Tale of Three Hens.
I think last week could be described as elemental. Here we are on a beautiful gentle morning, sun playing on the last of the Autumn colours. We have lost several of our noble trees. An oak and a tall larch amongst them. Lots of logs. But it is a sad sight to see the trees.
We ordered some hens from the Hen Man in Skye. Several neighbours ordered them too. Sounded easy enough. Meet the Hen Man at the lay-by near Garve with separate boxes for each family. Son No2 was meeting from the east coast. A neighbour agreed to ferry the hens and drive to Garve. But along came a gale. Neighbour decided, too rough to cross. What to do? Phone helpful man from Badcaul. Yes, he could pick up hens. Ah! What about boxes. I know, ask No2 son to bring them. Sorted!
But there were floods and No 2 Son was late. So Hen Man and Helpful Man had left taking No2 Son’s hens westward in a large crate with the others. So he had to brave floods at Inchbae twice only getting through by the skin of his wheels before the road was closed. In the meantime, that capricious Little Loch Broom was calm as a mill pond so neighbour ferried the hens in their crate to Scoraig. The Man set off to collect our hens but our track was blocked by two trees so he had to change route. After a slight tussle with transferring hens from one container to another and one escaping into the shed, The Man arrived and settled our hens into a smart hen house made specially by him. ‘Whew’, he went as he poured himself a beer.
The next morning, I set out, excited to see the new hens. I made a point of making my special hen greeting cry to acclimatise them to their new surroundings. But, what was this? A dead hen lay in the doorway and the rest of the hens had disappeared leaving a trail of feathers but absolutely no clue as to how the predator had got in or taken its prey out. ‘The Wicked Pine Martin ‘, we said.
Later, we were discussing this with some friends. ‘Set a trap and catch the b…..’, said one. Then what?
Then I’d shoot it, said another. ‘But that’s illegal. Pine Martins are a protected species’. Someone suggested taking it to Glasgow and relocating it in George Square. So the discussion went on until someone said that it was wrong to kill a predator. That it had its place in the grand scheme of things. Of course Man is the top predator and look what happens when one group of people kills another out of revenge. Wars start with each side thinking they have a right. Just as we might think when we consider killing our hen murderer. Hm! So confusing.
Jill
*****
*****
WINTER MARKETS AT ULLAPOOL VILLAGE HALL
Ullapool Village Hall is opening up its bookings for our winter markets including the Xmas fair.
If you would like a table for the following dates please email ullapoolvillagehallbookings@outlook.com stating which dates you would like, what you will be selling and if you will need an electric socket.
Xmas Fair – 17th and 18th November Xmas lights switch on 1st December Winter market – 16th December.
*****
Highland Council Leader expresses thanks to staff who dealt with the recent extreme weather events in our area.
*****
Inverness Bonfire and Fireworks spectacular
The Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group are excited to confirm that Highland Council’s Civic Bonfire and Fireworks display will be held at Bught Park, Inverness on Sunday 5 November 2023.
The evening will start at 5pm with the opening of Hornes Funfair and catering village, followed by a performance around the base of the bonfire by Fly Agaric Fire Display Team at 5.30pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6pm followed by 20-minute spectacular fireworks display at 7pm.
Provost of Inverness and Area Councillor Glynis Campbell Sinclair who Chairs the City of Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group said: “It is a real pleasure for the Working Group to provide a community bonfire and fireworks display which is a key event supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund and which is free to enter.”
“Scottish Fire and Rescue Service bonfire safety advice ‘is to always attend an organised bonfire and firework display’ and we are pleased to be able to provide this event in Inverness which supports SFRS advice.”
She added: “We hope the many thousands of anticipated spectators have a fun-filled, safe and enjoyable evening; and we look forward to seeing you again at the Christmas Lights Switch on and Red Hot Highland Fling events – details of which will be announced at a later date.”
Constructed by The Highland Council, the bonfire is one of the largest erected in Scotland, thanks to support from the local business community who donate hundreds of pallets. This year the pallets have kindly been donated by Whyte and Mackay.
The 20-minute musical fireworks display will be staged by the award winning Fireworx Scotland team and will start at approximately 7pm, after a short delay to allow spectators to move from the Shinty Field to the main Bught Stadium Field. It’s important that children get the best possible view of the show and final safety checks are undertaken.
Pedestrians are asked to note that the Infirmary footbridge will be closed on bonfire night (Sunday 5 November) at 4pm and will reopen at 9pm. Infirmary Bridge is routinely closed during events for public safety and to reduce the likelihood of serious damage to the footbridge.
*****
GLOBAL EFFORT SECURES RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE MV HEBRIDEAN ISLES
MV Hebridean Isles, a vital lifeline vessel for CalMac, has made a return to service this week after an extensive ten- month repair period. This comeback, which at times in the process looked increasingly unlikely, showcases the tremendous effort and investment made to restore her seaworthiness and reintegrate her into the CalMac fleet.
The decision to proceed with the repairs and explore every option to return the vessel to service demonstrates CalMac’s commitment to exhaust every available option within its fleet.
Six initial attempts were made to address issues with the controllable pitch propeller, with the final option seeing the tailshaft and pull push rod removed from the vessel and sent to a specialist machining company in Denmark. Fortunately, this was successful and MV Hebridean Isles has now carried its first passengers and freight for nearly ten months, supporting the Islay route during the weekend and into the week ahead.
The final stages of redeployment will see MV Hebridean Isles continue to support the network in extended passenger and freight trials over the coming weeks, before going for annual maintenance, which was delayed during dry dock due to the large investment required at a time it looked unlikely that she would re-enter service. She will then be redeployed to support delivery of CalMac’s winter timetable.
The repairs involved a large number of specialists in Scotland and Norway and the final cost for repairs was around £2.5 million.
