An Appeal from the Community Council

West Ardnamurchan's Community Council meets on the first Monday of every month, and its deliberations are probably one of the best examples of democracy in action anywhere in the world.  The elected representatives take the decisions - occasionally there's a formal vote - but anyone who comes along can speak.  Despite the fact that some of the things that are discussed are very serious - a good example is the ongoing saga of medical provision on the peninsula - it's also a very enjoyable hour or so, because, wherever possible, Chairman Rosie Curtis ensures that there's plenty of opportunity for laughter.

As well as the NHS and other matters, last night's meeting discussed the state of the roads, highlighting not only the monster pothole on the Sonachan road but the state of the roads by the Sanna turn in the village and along Pier Road, and the problems of flooding on roads whose drainage hasn't been cleared in years - the Ormsaigbeg road, above, was quoted as one of the worst.

The Council's members do a huge amount for the community but, occasionally, they do feel the need to appeal for help.  At last night's meeting Secretary Jac Crosbie described the Community Transport Vehicle Fund, a one-off Scottish Government initiative that could provide the community with a brand new bus at virtually no cost - BUT it needs someone to research the opportunity and, if it is felt we should go ahead, push through our application.  The matter is urgent as applications close on 31st January.  If anyone feels they would be prepared to help, please contact Jac at wacckilchoan@yahoo.co.uk

Mud, Mud, Glorious.....

The fact is that living in a sea of mud is no fun, not even for an adventurous piglet.  Betsy and her babies are having a torrid time of the weather, with a further 27mm - that's over an inch - of rain being added to their misery last night alone.

So Hughie came along this morning to move their electric fence so they can access some land which, while no drier, isn't a sea of mud.  Betsy and the piglets were distracted by a hearty breakfast while the electric fence was dismantled and moved, so....

....as the family finished its meal, it was able to walk across into the new area.

Monster Pothole

We knew we were taking a calculated risk when we downsized from a Freelander to a Hyundai i10, but we never thought the danger might be that the little car would disappear completely into a pothole.

This magnificent specimen of the pothole species is to be found on the Kilchoan-Sonachan road, and it's been growing at an alarming rate, both in width and depth.  In heavy rain and at night it's practically invisible, lying in wait like some terrible monster for the first unwary small car to stray within striking distance.

An Old Fish Box

Kilchoan Early Bird has sent in this picture of an old fish box which he found along Ormsaigbeg underneath a large rock.  For some it will bring back memories of the days when fish boxes were made out of wood and belonged to individual trawlers, rather than the plastic versions we find washed up along the shore these days.  But the Early Bird has gone further, looking up the Inverness-registered trawler MV Harmony INS 257 on the internet.  The reference he has found is on the Resources for Learning in Scotland site, and describes the Scottish fishing industry in the 1970s.  Go to the link here, and the MV Harmony is the green boat about half way down the page.  There's another picture of her on the Trawler Photos site, here, showing her on a slipway at Buckie.  From both these sites there's evidence that she used to fish in west coast waters.

Many thanks to Kilchoan Early Bird for picture and story.

Sanna, on a Grey Day

Sanna, yesterday afternoon, from the hills to its south.

Many thanks to Rachael for the picture.