TEN YEARS AGO
Thursday April 3 2014
Fed-up ferry users demand free crossing
The campaign to secure a long-term free crossing for Loch Linnhe was launched on Tuesday morning at the Corran ferry slipways - as ferry operators Highland Council imposed a third price rise in 12 months on the service.
Supporters of the newly-formed Free Crossing for Corran (FC Corran) group gathered on the Corran and Nether Lochaber slipways of the ferry to make the first official call for a radical solution to the spiralling cost of using the lifeline link.
The ferry, which serves the fragile rural economies of Loch Linnhe, the Ardnamurchan and Morvern peninsulas and connects to the islands of Mull and Iona, carries around 300,000 vehicles a year and enjoys the unenviable reputation as one of the most expensive ferry services for its distance in the UK.
FC Corran was formed in response to public demand by the area’s five community councils and is committed to securing a free crossing for the Corran Narrows.
The campaign has attracted widespread support, with more than 1,100 ‘likes’ on the FC Corran Facebook page.
Around 60 demonstrators, including representatives from Acharacle, Ardgour, Morvern, Sunart and West Ardnamurchan community councils, gathered for a protest on both sides of the Narrows.
Protesters carried placards bearing the campaign’s logo STOP (Stop Taxing Our Peninsulas) as well as ‘WTF’ (Waive The Fares) and ‘FFS’ (Free Ferry Service).
Adding a touch of fun to proceedings to tie in with the April 1 date, campaigners also cut a ribbon to open a fictional, underwater ‘A825 Linnhe Ford Road’ between Nether Lochaber and North Corran, described as the ‘last link in the long-neglected Inverness to Lochaline trunk road’.
But, that joke aside, the issue of ever-rising ferry fares is no laughing matter for the campaign group and its supporters.
FC Corran interim convener Tony Boyd, chairman of Ardgour Community Council, said: "The 25 per cent average price rise in ferry fares in the past year is more than our communities and businesses can withstand.
"We are dealing with real issues of rural deprivation, declining population, fuel poverty and social inequality and the businesses that sustain our communities are likewise suffering.
"The cost of fares on a service that we value and appreciate is having a visible and adverse effect on the quality of life on the peninsulas.
"It’s time Highland Council met its responsibilities in standing up for communities in the remote parts of the rural Highlands.
"We are ready to work with the council - if it stands up to be counted. Otherwise, we will be looking for alternative solutions as the current situation is no longer tenable."
Highland councillor Andrew Baxter took part in Tuesday’s demonstration.
He said: "It was no joke as Highland Council put up the fares, for the third time in a year, on April Fool’s Day.
"It is the fool if it thought local people were going to accept another increase quietly.
"This campaign now goes beyond the demand for ‘fair fares’. Council officers and administration councillors were unwilling to engage with businesses and residents about how we achieve that, instead pushing through increase after increase.
"This campaign is aimed at Scottish Ministers, to highlight what is in essence a peninsula tax, penalising those who have no choice but to use the ferry.
"The only way of removing that tax is to treat the crossing of the Corran Narrows as part of the trunk road network and make the ferry free or build a fixed crossing."
Runners shape up for charity event
Entrants for the Lochaber Together for Cancer Research charity fun run are getting in trim at Lochaber Leisure Centre for the big event at the end of this month.
The centre has put together a programme of exercises to tone up the body for the 5k and 10k fundraiser on Sunday April 27.
With four weeks of the programme remaining, it is not too late for people to attend and get themselves in shape for the charity challenge.
Leisure centre manager Gary Davidson said: "We are delighted to have been asked to put together this programme for the big event.
"Cancer affects almost all families and we are happy to help by getting the entrants in shape and showing them how changing a few things in their diet and introducing a few gentle exercises can make all the difference."
Spaces for the fourth annual Run Together are filling up quickly. This year, the event will start and finish at the shinty park in An Aird, Fort William.
Entertainment will include a strongman contest, bouncy castle, science experiments, children’s entertainers and a balloon launch.
Organiser Adam Ramsey, chairman of Lochaber Together for Cancer Research, said: "We anticipate we will not be able to take entries on the day because of the high number of people registering online and through the Cancer Research shop.
"We have double the amount of entries we had at this time last year, so if anyone wants to register, we would advise they do it now."
TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday April 3 1999
Kilmonivaig’s kindness
During this year’s first term at Kilmonivaig Primary School, pupils in Miss MacLachlan’s primary three, four and five class were studying the human body for their project and at the end of the term Miss MacLachlan received a letter from Sight Savers International which said it was possible for just £25 to give 50 children all they wanted for Christmas - protection from river blindness.
Miss MacLachlan read the letter to the children and the accompanying information and asked if any of the class would like to raise money for the cause.
After letting their parents know about the project and getting their permission, four children from primary three Kimberley, Thomas, Kate and Emma; three children from primary four - Kate, Catriona and Emily; and six children from primary five - Carly, James, Ashleigh, Emily, Jamie and Grant decided to raise money for the project by doing something helpful at home for a donation of 20p from Monday to Friday. They are aiming to raise £1 per week and a total of £5 each.
Everyone was successful in raising money; the total reached by the group was £60. As the letter which started the ball rolling had been sent to the class teacher, she matched her pupils’ efforts pound for pound so £120 was raised. This means 240 children can be protected from river blindness.
SEVENTY FIVE YEARS AGO
Saturday April 2 1949
Transfusion service
It cannot be stressed too often that the need for blood donors is urgent.
Fort William has always given generously when the blood bank comes to town and it is hoped the call for donors next Tuesday will be met.
Each donor is medically examined before blood is taken and is sent home by car.
British Legion
At the monthly meeting of the Fort William branch of the British Legion, Councillor D Grant presided.
The main part of the business was taken up with the question of pensions.
Mr W J Cuthbert gave a résumé of recent decisions made at conferences at headquarters, to which he had been the branch delegate.
In a debate ‘Should One Emigrate?’, the positive was taken by Mr Paxton, while the motion was opposed by Mr H S Russell, branch secretary.
Mr Cuthbert summed up and the motion was carried on a vote.
Bonus petrol for Highland tourists rejected
A suggestion by Sir Murdoch Macdonald, MP for Inverness-shire, that addition petrol coupons be given to motorists staying at any Highland hotel for not less than a week has been rejected by the Ministry of Fuel and Power.
Mr Alfred Robens, Parliamentary Secretary, on behalf of the Minister, stated in reply that Mr Gaitskell could not consider the Highlands alone in such a scheme, but would have to include Cornwall and other holiday areas.
"In view of the additional petrol which would be required," said Mr Robens, "the Ministry cannot adopt the plan."
Mr Robens pointed out, however, that standard ration coupons saved from the December 1948 to May 1949 period could be used in the holiday months and that from May 1 supplementary rations would be granted in full in addition to the standard ration.
Serious condition of roads
When Lochaber District Committee of Inverness County Council met on Tuesday, the Reverend Dr Alexander MacKinnon, Kilmonivaig, said because there was a lack of proper access roads and inadequate water supplies, rural parts of Lochaber were becoming uninhabitable.
Declaring that young people would not put up with such conditions, Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel instanced where he had been trying to get a shepherd for his estate at Locharkaig, but when the applicant saw the condition of the road he refused the job.
In addition, it was revealed people of Inverroy have to carry their goods from the main road a quarter of a mile from their homes.
The reductions in government grants were having a disastrous effect, it was stated.
Main roads in the Highlands, in particular where hydro-electric schemes were being built, were seriously deteriorating.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Saturday April 5 1924
Ballachulish news
Under the supervision of Mr Crichton, Glencoe Gardens, a large number of men are employed laying out and altering the grounds in the vicinity of Glencoe House, making new roads, footpaths and fences.
Trees have been cleared so that a better view of the stately Mansion House and its beautiful surroundings can be obtained. These improvements, which give constant work to tenants of Glencoe estate, are carried out alongside the ordinary works of the gardens, all under Mr Crichton’s charge.
Island of Muck
Mr MacEwan has returned to his Highland estate of the beautiful island of Muck.
The laird, having his people under his immediate view, is attentive to their happiness and his return is greatly welcomed.
The building of the new school and dwelling house has been completed and the school children are enjoying the comfort and convenience of the modern school.
These buildings on a beautiful hillock overlooking Portmor, add a pleasing and cheerful aspect to the now sparsely populated island where at one time about 200 people lived.
1924: A group of those whose long service on Ardtornish Estate entitled them to the Medal and Certificate of the Highland and Agricultural Society. There was a pleasant ceremony connected with the bestowal, by the hands of Mrs Christison, of the honour. Many congratulations and good wishes have been extended to these most worthy and honourable ‘men of the Land’. Back row: James Scoular, 40 years’ service, ploughman; Archibald Henry, 34 years, shepherd; and Samuel Henry, 43 years, shepherd. Front row: Neil MacGillivray, 37 years, ploughman; James Moffat, 41 years, shepherd; and Duncan MacKenzie, 42 years, ploughman.
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