29 May 2026 Issue 2680 © ULLAPOOL NEWS
An update on the construction of Lorg na Coigich, or ‘An Lorg’ as we informally know it.
The Gaelic word Lorg (pronounced Lorrog) means ‘footprint’, as in a trace of something that has gone before. The principal stone elements of the monument are now complete, with the tall stone representing the community in the centre guarded and protected by three stone women.
All of these stones were cut from a single slab of rock locally, underlining how closely the people and the place are bound together. The two circular drystone walls, constructed from croft ruins around Coigach, are now capped with flagstones, five of which are inscribed with the outlines of boats and pointing to the beaches where the attempts to serve the eviction orders were repelled by local resistance led by the women. Next on the construction schedule is installation of the bronzes naming the five ‘Achs’ of Coigach, siting the information panel, completion of the car park and landscaping, ready for the opening event later in the summer.
*****
CONGRATULATIONS …. TO ULLAPOOL HIGH SCHOOL
Ullapool High School has achieved the Gold sportscotland School Sport Award — the highest level of national recognition for school sport and physical activity in Scotland.
A spokesman for the High School said: “This award recognises the strength of sport, physical activity and wellbeing across our school community, including participation opportunities, pupil leadership, inclusion and partnership working. It reflects the commitment of our staff, Active Schools partners, coaches, volunteers and, most importantly, our young people, who continue to represent the school with enthusiasm, teamwork and pride.” A huge well done to everyone involved in achieving this fantastic recognition.
Sportscotland Ullapool Active Schools
*****
Twilight Astronomy
June demonstrates that astronomy is not entirely dependent on darkness. While deep-sky observing largely pauses during this period, twilight conditions remain excellent for observing:
The Moon and its surface features
Bright stars and constellations
Planetary Conjunctions and movements
The brighter background sky can also make constellation learning easier for beginners, as only the most prominent stars remain visible. Here are some notable dates for observing various phenomenon this month.
9th – Venus and Jupiter conjunction, they will be close together low in the western sky after sunset.
12th – A waning crescent Moon and Mars, pre-dawn sky in the east.
15th – Mercury, Jupiter and Venus, low in NW sky after sunset.
17th – Moon, Venus and Jupiter, low in NW sky after sunset.
29th – The full ‘Buck’ moon.
June is also one of the best months to observe noctilucent clouds. These high-altitude clouds form in the mesosphere at around 80 kilometres above Earth’s surface, making them the highest clouds in Earth’s atmosphere. Because of their extreme altitude, they remain illuminated by sunlight long after sunset. They appear as delicate electric-blue or silver structures low in the northern sky, often showing ripples and wave-like patterns. Unlike ordinary clouds, noctilucent clouds can appear luminous against the darker twilight sky.
(extract from M Washer article on Night Skies)
An update on the construction of Lorg na Coigich, or ‘An Lorg’ as we informally know it.
The Gaelic word Lorg (pronounced Lorrog) means ‘footprint’, as in a trace of something that has gone before. The principal stone elements of the monument are now complete, with the tall stone representing the community in the centre guarded and protected by three stone women.
All of these stones were cut from a single slab of rock locally, underlining how closely the people and the place are bound together. The two circular drystone walls, constructed from croft ruins around Coigach, are now capped with flagstones, five of which are inscribed with the outlines of boats and pointing to the beaches where the attempts to serve the eviction orders were repelled by local resistance led by the women. Next on the construction schedule is installation of the bronzes naming the five ‘Achs’ of Coigach, siting the information panel, completion of the car park and landscaping, ready for the opening event later in the summer.
*****
CONGRATULATIONS …. TO ULLAPOOL HIGH SCHOOL
Ullapool High School has achieved the Gold sportscotland School Sport Award — the highest level of national recognition for school sport and physical activity in Scotland.
A spokesman for the High School said: “This award recognises the strength of sport, physical activity and wellbeing across our school community, including participation opportunities, pupil leadership, inclusion and partnership working. It reflects the commitment of our staff, Active Schools partners, coaches, volunteers and, most importantly, our young people, who continue to represent the school with enthusiasm, teamwork and pride.” A huge well done to everyone involved in achieving this fantastic recognition.
Sportscotland Ullapool Active Schools
*****
Twilight Astronomy
June demonstrates that astronomy is not entirely dependent on darkness. While deep-sky observing largely pauses during this period, twilight conditions remain excellent for observing:
The Moon and its surface features
Bright stars and constellations
Planetary Conjunctions and movements
The brighter background sky can also make constellation learning easier for beginners, as only the most prominent stars remain visible. Here are some notable dates for observing various phenomenon this month.
9th – Venus and Jupiter conjunction, they will be close together low in the western sky after sunset.
12th – A waning crescent Moon and Mars, pre-dawn sky in the east.
15th – Mercury, Jupiter and Venus, low in NW sky after sunset.
17th – Moon, Venus and Jupiter, low in NW sky after sunset.
29th – The full ‘Buck’ moon.
June is also one of the best months to observe noctilucent clouds. These high-altitude clouds form in the mesosphere at around 80 kilometres above Earth’s surface, making them the highest clouds in Earth’s atmosphere. Because of their extreme altitude, they remain illuminated by sunlight long after sunset. They appear as delicate electric-blue or silver structures low in the northern sky, often showing ripples and wave-like patterns. Unlike ordinary clouds, noctilucent clouds can appear luminous against the darker twilight sky.
(extract from M Washer article on Night Skies)
