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ULLAPOOL NEWS
POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICE INCREASE
Since the last price increase for Royal Mail franked mail on 1st July, 2024, the Ullapool News has retained the postal subscription charge at the previous rate.
We are unable to continue to absorb that extra cost and therefore, regrettably, have to increase the annual subscription to £172.50 (£86.25 for 6 months).
Our subscription rates are calculated on the cost of franking, an envelope and the cover price of the paper only.

***please note the website form for postal subs has not yet been updated***

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Royal National Mod
Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2024
Our very own Còisir Ghàidhlig an Iar Thuath / North West Gaelic Choir are off next week to compete in two competitions at this year’s Mod which will be held in Oban.
They are competing in the Puirt à Beul Competition in the morning and the Sheriff MacMaster competition in the afternoon of Thursday 17th October.
The latter competition is going to be streamed live on BBC Alba and the choir are sitting near the end of the programme – timed to be on at 4:15pm – please join in if you can!
Full report on choir’s return!

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ROYAL NAVY MEDIA RELEASE
26 UN 11 October 2024
SCOTTISH WATERS TO HOST MAJOR
NATO EXERCISE
EXERCISE STRIKE WARRIOR 24 is set to start on Monday, October 14, and will see warships and submarines in the waters off the east and west coasts of Scotland.
Running until Sunday October 27, the Exercise will also involve 35 aircraft and around 2,000 Armed Forces personnel, with maritime activity also including movement of vessels around the North through the Pentland Firth.
This UK led Exercise, which is also part of the NATO training programme will bring together ten allied nations and will include the Carrier Support Group (CSG), which is led by Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier, HMS Prince of Wales.
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Drivers urged to plan ahead as Garve level crossing undergoes maintenance work.
Network Rail have begun vital maintenance work on Garve level crossing later this month. Engineers will carry out a full corrosion inspection while replacing rails, sleepers and ballast on the crossing during two phases of work which began overnight on Monday 30 September.
To allow safe access for engineers, the crossing at the A835 will fully close overnight on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October.
During the full closures, access will be enabled for the emergency services however there will be no access over the crossing for all other traffic.
Temporary traffic lights will be in place overnight on 21 and 22 October, as well as during daytime and evening hours on Saturday 19 October.
Full details of the closures and temporary traffic management arrangements are as follows:
Phase 2
• Full Road closure 9pm – 6am each night on October 19 & 20
• Half Road closure 4am – 9pm on Saturday October 19
Half road closure 9pm – 4am each night on October 21 & 22
Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained via the station footbridge at all times.
David MacLean, Network Rail’s level crossing manager for the Inverness area, said: “The work we’re completing at Garve level crossing is essential to the safe and reliable running of the railway.
“The crossing equipment and surrounding track is regularly monitored as part of Network Rail’s rolling maintenance and inspection programme to make sure it’s safe and operating as designed.
“The route is important for traffic heading for the ferry to Stornoway, so we’re encouraging everyone to plan
ahead, particularly when the road is closed fully, as longer alternative routes will need to be taken on those dates.
“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while we complete this project, which will reduce overall disruption for both passengers and road users for years to come.”
It is part of Network Rail’s ongoing commitment to maintain and renew over 20,000 miles of track and 6,000 level crossings across its portfolio.
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