Monday 4th November 5.30-9pm, Durness Village Hall A series of workshops that are taking place across the Highlands with different communities asking themselves the same questions, with very productive results. This is a special, funded, opportunity to take stock and discuss what kind of tourism destination we want to be, and what we'd like to change in the interests of our community. We are inviting a wide range of local community and business stakeholders to discuss what is and isn't currently working and what could be done differently or better in the interests of Tongue and the wider area. The workshop will be delivered by SCOTO the Scottish Community Tourism Network CIC and is being funded via the North Highland Initiative and Fauna and Flora.
Tourism is a factor in many aspects of rural life - affordable housing; employment; protecting our environment; community wellbeing; active travel and transport. This workshop will help us as a community of residents, businesses and community groups to discuss how we would like tourism to develop, who we would like to see visit and how we would like to promote ourselves to the outside world. The workshop will help us explore what matters to us and also hear about experiences from elsewhere in Scotland. We will consider various aspects of being a destination - our strengths and weaknesses (which may be more about managing visitors and visitor expectations) to start to define our place brand - what makes us unique and differentiates us.
By taking part we are also eligible for a small grant to progress early actions that emerge from the workshop. You can read more here. https://www.scoto.co.uk/resources/press-pause
The workshop is facilitated by SCOTO Executive Director Carron Tobin, a leading light in community-led tourism in Scotland. Carron sits on the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group and is driving forward a mission focused on recalibrating tourism to deliver for Scotland's communities and the environment first. This is the approach we will be exploring at the workshop.
Press Pause has already been delivered in Plockton, Lochcarron, Thurso, Wick and Brora in the highlands and in more than 25 communities elsewhere in Scotland. It will shortly be delivered in Tongue, Ullapool and Dornie. To attend please RSVP to this email address to ensure we have numbers for catering. If you are not able to attend, you may nominate someone else to take part but please note that we can only accommodate one person per business/organisation. Yours ..Don Campbell ,Chair DCC.
Can you help to solve a local mystery? We are looking for a missing historic artefact, the plaque of HMS Hood. In 2019, Wildland completed the refurbishment of the historic Loch Eriboll Church. A service was held in the church, late that year, post the refurbishment, at which was mentioned the importance of an historic artefact known to be held in the building – a plaque in memory of the 1415 sailors who had lost their lives in the World War II sinking of Britain’s largest 20th century warship, HMS Hood. Hood was the most famous warship of her time, and her sinking brought with it the largest loss of life in the sinking of any single RN warship, Hood’s sinking was a hammer blow to national morale at the time and there is a local connection: Hood, like other RN warships before and since, had visited Loch Eriboll, and her name is still visible, in painted stones, up the hillside on the loch’s western shore. In recent years the stones' white paint has been renewed, at various times, by Durness Primary School pupils and by sailors from HMS Sutherland. The plaque had been made, on behalf of the HMS Hood Association, by surviving former shipmates of those lost sailors. It is made of wood, bears the Hood’ crest, has an inscription on a brass plate in the middle, and is decorated by intricate ropework, highly-skilled craftmanship carried out by the sailors themselves. It looks like this: A recent inspection of the church has revealed that the plaque is missing – almost certainly through error or misunderstanding. It is important that this tribute to Hood’s lost sailors be replaced in the church, where it belongs. Have you seen this plaque recently? Do you know its whereabouts? If so, please let us know by emailing lana@wildland.scot or calling 07957629703
HMS Hood 17 March 1924
The stones' white paint has been renewed, at various times, by Durness Primary School pupils and by sailors from HMS Sutherland.
Military programme for 2024
2-13 Sep RAF Bombing. Timings TBC. 6 bombs 10-21 Sep Apache gunnery. 0900-2330 with a potential refuelling site at Lerinbeg 30 Sep – 4 Oct RN Merlin helicopter flying training. No range restrictions. 7-11 Oct RAF Bombing. Timings TBC. 6 Bombs 14-27 Oct Ex JOINT WARRIOR. Exact schedule TBC but expected to be both bombing and Naval gunfire 4-5 Nov USS Bulkeley Naval gunfire. Timings TBC but expect 0830 -1800.
Cape Wrath Ultra This year’s Cape Wrath Ultra will take place between 19th – 26th May. The route follows the Cape Wrath Trail with slight deviations for overnight camps. Darren Graham, the new race director for Ourea Events, says they are expecting about 200 participants this year.
The Cape Wrath Ultra running race will finish in Keoldale, with an Overnight Camp in the field behind the lodge. The tents etc will come in on Saturday (25th), the majority of the crew and the participants will arrive on Sunday (26th), and mostly leave on Monday (27th), with the last infrastructure leaving on Tuesday (28th). Ourea have made their Certificate of Liability Cover and Event Safety Management Plan available to the Community Council.
Childrens’ Play Park The Durness Community Group are delighted to share that we have been successful in our application for £56,899.01 to the Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund for improving and replacing the play park on School Road, Durness. This brings us to our target total of £114,355.60. It is hoped that new equipment will be in place this summer. Durness Community Group especially wishes to thank Yvonne MacRae for her hard work on this. Thank you to everyone who has supported us with donations! There are too many people to thank individually but special thanks to: - Our local councillors for supporting our application (Hugh Morrison and Marianne Hutchison) - The Westminster Foundation - Scottish Sea Farms Ltd - Loch Duart Salmon - The Durness Bus (Neil Fuller and Sarah Fuller) - Sango Sands Oasis (James Keith, Carol Keith, Tia Keith) - K MacRae and Sons Ltd - Mudness Ceramics - Durness Active Health - Emma Williamson and family - Iain and Tricia Morrison in memory of Charlie And many many more
Proposed Telecommunications Installation Loch Eriboll, A838, Lairg, Highlands, IV27 4UL E: 239143 N: 952896 A description of a 1.8 metre deer fence round a 25 meter tower for 4G at the bottom of Eriboll between the water and Strathbeg bothy has been issued to the Community Council. If you have any comments you believe the Community Council should address please contact them via the chair, Don Campbel. But please read the attached documents first, and note the Community Council has no more information than that given here. __________________________________________________________ "The Shared Rural Network is a telecommunications programme which sees the UK Government working in partnership with the four UK mobile network operators-EE, O2, Three and Vodafone-to increase mobile connectivity in rural parts of the UK. The programme will make 4G available to 95% of the UK, offering significant improvements to mobile coverage in rural communities. The operator VMO2 has identified a suitable location near Land East of Strath Beag River to host the proposed critical infrastructure. The attached documentation therefore invites you, in accordance with planning policy guidance and Best Practice Commitments, to enter into pre-application discussions with regard to our preferred site option prior to a formal planning submission. Finally, we would be interested in any local stakeholders or groups that you consider would like to know more about our proposals. We look forward to receiving your response within 14 days of the date of this letter. Should you have any queries regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me (quoting EE TNS_85663 ‘Land East of Strath Beag River’ Shared Rural Network Project). Caitlyn Richmond, Graduate Acquisition and Planning Consultant WHP Telecoms Ltd, Building 8, Unit 6 Carryduff Business Park, Comber Road Carryduff BT8 8AN Switchboard: 01925 424100 Direct: 02891 240990 C.Richmond@whptelecoms.com www.whptelecoms.com Three documents accompany this note: a Programme Summary, a Community Consultation Letter and Planning Drawings
Cape Wrath Training Centre Firing The MoD conducts live firing on Cape Wrath, at which time much of the area is closed. Dates are announced on the official government site: Scotland Firing Times
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MoD Update 22-11-22 with an apology for the football pitch damage.
First an apology to the community for the damage to the football pitch. The site is clearly unsuitable for the use it was planned for but for the tanker to have driven where it was, was both avoidable and inexcusable. Clearly an inexperienced operator but the incident showed a lack of forethought and testing by the driver in this instance. I understand that the claims process is in hand and hopefully we will be able to go to some means to repairing, or paying for repairs, to the pitch.
Exercise activity. Both of the JOINT WARRIOR exercises have been much smaller in scope than in recent years, although the deployment of artillery in October made up for deficiencies in other areas. It is my understanding that Ex JOINT WARRIOR will not take place at Capoe Wrath in the spring. Bombing from RAF jets has been at normal levels and I expect will continue at a similar level next year. I have noticed a significant rise I the number of Army units wanting to use Cape Wrath next year for low level exercises, and possibly some live firing. The impact on the community will be minimal but I will need to liaise closely with the community with regards when and if access to the Cape will be reduced, I am hoping that the impact will be low and mostly contained to the early part of the year. Finally Naval Gunfire, which has been almost completely absent from the major exercises, seems to be becoming a ‘thing’ again, and I have a number of bookings, or potential bookings for 1 day exercises from NATO warships. I will continue to pass on the information as I get it.
Conservation. Our deer managers have managed to fit in some successful trips to the cape in between firings, and have largely completed their cull targets, which continue to be set in concert with the NWSDMG. The annual bird observation activities reported a healthy population of birds across the range, particularly the divers, but also the White Tailed Eagle. The MoD has let a contract out to start scoping areas for peatland restoration. Initially this is to determine what areas would benefit from help, with the intention of restoring back to peatland the areas on the cape that have the worst erosion.
And finally, I have managed several coastline clear-up walks this year, focussing on the head of the Kyle around Grudie collecting plastic waste, particularly from parachutes, and will continue to do so next year. As the advert says, every little helps.
Training Safety Officer Highlands North Training Facilities | UK Defence Training Estate Scotland & Northern Ireland | Defence Infrastructure Organisation | Tain Air weapons Range |
Ongoing concerns about provision and delivery of ambulance services in the Northwest Highlands * letter from Durness Community Council to North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust 10 November 2022 * Dear Mr Mochrie I am writing to you on behalf of the Durness Community Council to express our concerns about the provision and delivery of ambulance services here in the Northwest Highlands. While our concerns focus on the Durness area, we are assured that these experiences and concerns are felt in communities across the Northwest Highlands. We would draw your attention to the following: Overall lack of provision – There is no resident ambulance in Durness. Given that Durness has a broad demographic in terms of population, this means that neither our younger residents nor our adult or older residents are being well served. Unacceptable waiting times for ambulances – An ambulance must itself make a journey of at least 45 minutes to respond to an emergency in Durness (assuming that our nearest ambulance in Kinlochbervie is not already in use). It is not unknown for an ambulance from Bettyhill – almost an hour away - to have to link up with an ambulance from Kinlochbervie in order to proceed. Staffing levels – Many ambulances are currently operating with only a technician/driver and no paramedic or medical support. This is unacceptable in terms of pressure of responsibility on the technician and the potential for the deterioration of an untended patient en route. It would seem that provision for the Northwest Highlands is decided using the criteria which apply to city demands and accessibility. Unfortunately, these criteria are of little relevance to residents here. We accept that times are tight and that services are constantly under review. However, the provision for Durness and the surrounding area has been in decline and unaddressed for some time. We would ask that you consider and then respond to our concerns re provision and manning levels and offer suggestions as to how our residents and community can be better served by the Ambulance Service. Yours sincerely Ron Tucker Secretary, Durness Community Council
Near Me - NHS Highland Near Me video appointments Near Me, also known as Attend Anywhere, is a safe and secure NHS video calling platform that helps us, the NHS, to offer video call access to our services from wherever you are, without travelling - bringing care closer to you. Video consultations offer the chance to reduce your travel time, or time away from home, work or school to attend your appointment. Near Me may also make it easier for you to have a member of your family or carer with you, who may not have been able to travel to your appointment with you. To use Near Me you will need a reliable internet connection; broadband or 3G/4G, and a suitable device for making video calls such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer with webcam and speaker. This poster advertises the service. (large download) Please send any queries to Anita Wilson at a.wilson17bat btinternet.com Or for more information see: www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/NHSNearMe
Are you looking after your mental health?
Feel anxious, depressed or have low mood? Are you drinking too much? Counselling sessions are available FREE for people living in Scourie, Kinlochbervie and Durness Sessions are provided by the Scottish Counselling Service which is based in the Highlands To access the service please call Helen on: 07507 759842 The CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE is available to anyone over the age of 10. Funding for the service has been provided by Foundation Scotland
Physiotherapy First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) who assess, diagnose and guide the management of patients with musculoskeletal conditions are taking up posts in GP surgeries across the country. These Physiotherapists in NHS Highland are advanced practitioners who have or are working towards MSK injection skills and non-medical prescribing. They cover all the GP surgeries for people to access, without the need to see their GP first. In the smaller practice's patients will often still see the GP first, as their allocation is small, but GP feedback has shown when a patient has multiple presentations being able to say “the FCP will deal with your shoulder/knee/hip/back etc!” has been especially helpful. The FCP is also an expert in MSK presentations and has all the latest knowledge, resources and information from their wider physio networks. First Contact Physiotherapy has been shown to provide fast access to an expert physiotherapist for patients with common musculoskeletal problems like back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, ligament and muscle problems, aches pains and strains. After initial assessment, if required, the FCP can refer the patient onto secondary care services, including further rehabilitation, Orthopaedics and Radiology (x-ray). Covering the Armadale, Tongue and Durness practices Elspeth Mather is providing both the first contact assessment and can also continue with the patient's rehabilitation in her wider caseload. Primarily aimed to reduce GPs workload the FCP service creates closer working relationships with practice staff including advanced nurse practitioners and Pharmacists. FCPs also input their clinical care record directly into the same place as the GPs - this approach is enjoying enhanced patient care by joining up the patient records and is providing a collaborative overall management of the persons MSK condition.
Durness Household Waste recycling Centre From August 10th 2020 the skips will be available Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:00-14:00
ONLY THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE ACCEPTED * Bagged household waste * Glass bottles and jars * Electrical appliances * Cardboard, paper, cans and plastic bottles
** Strictly no commercial waste accepted **
Cars only : no vans or trailers. Please maintain social distancing. DO NOT VISIT THE SITE IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS OR HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH AN INFECTED PERSON OR SUSPECTED INFECTED PERSON