Lochaber Life #340 February 2022

At the heart of your community 15

Ice Caves

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Saltire Award

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An Gearran

Beatha Lochabair

Big Birdwatch

February 2022 – Issue 340

Church organ refurbishment appeal

ore s m e to

m ree ho es t 0 ess hou 0 e v 0 li n ug , De 12 usi thro d n b h an tha nd ont ber a ry m cha ond e Lo ey ev b f red

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Ardrhu House New Year, new hopes and new experiences Here’s something to try in February with the most romantic day just around the corner. Give yourselves the most precious gift of all, some quality time together at Ardrhu House.

There’s so much to choose from for a truly special day away reconnecting with each other. Let us pamper all your senses in the spa, spoil you with our Valentine dinner menu and invite you over to snuggle up in our exquisite beds for an overnight stay. We have special rates for locals available up to February 28.

Our gift vouchers never expire and can be used towards the spa, afternoon tea, dining, rooms or entertainment making them the perfect gift to share for Valentine’s Day. Buy them online directly from our website shop: www.ardrhuhouse/online-store Start your day here with a visit to our spa. Our therapists have picked out for February Chakra Wellbeing as the ultimate ritual for restoring mind, body and soul either for yourself or for a couple’s connection embracing love and happiness.

As exquisite as it is holistic, this bespoke treatment is based around seven blends of chakra balancing oils. It involves deep relaxation of the nervous system, sensuous lymphatic drainage, subtle healing of the chakras and the pouring of warm oil over the third eye to restore and relax your every sense. Pure bliss.

We then welcome you by the fireside for our Champagne Afternoon Tea - £50 for two Or you can stay for cocktails, dinner and a snuggle up in our exquisite beds. Our chef has a couple of surprises in store for Valentine’s, guaranteed to leave you smacking your lips and, luckily for you, this menu is all about sharing. See page on left. Oysters, Chateaubriand, Lobster, Sole Meuniere and a socially-distanced classic, the one-metre Truffled Spaghetti... all irresistible and wonderfully balanced by a delicate rosewater panna cotta. Or why not a straight dive for the hot chocolate fondant? All your secrets are safe with us.

Get in touch to book your room, dining and spa for Valentine’s Day: www.ardrhuhouse.com enjoy@ardrhuhouse.comArdrhu LOCHABER LIFE

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contents

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LOTS OF LOVE IN FEBRUARY A major event in February is Saint Valentine’s Day. Forgetting to send your message of love and admiration could well result in an unpleasant outcome, so Monday February 14 should be set up in whichever device you use to remind you of special dates. Also checkout the recipe on page 12 for a dish often served in top restaurants on this day. Turning to another special thing in this issue, congratulations to Lochaber High School on being awarded the title of Scottish school with the most scenic setting photograph page eight. Former pupils with longer memories will perhaps marvel at the difference made by demolishing one side of the infamous ‘quadrangle’, often described as looking like a ‘state penitentiary’ but now with spectacular views out to Ben Nevis and its foothills. Iain

FRONT PAGE PHOTOGRAPH: Reverend Richard Baxter of Fort William

Kilmallie Church at the 116-year-old organ which is in need of refurbishment and funding. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos

EDITORIAL Iain Ferguson Email: iainpics@ googlemail.com

ADVERTISING Nicky Murphy Email: nmurphy@ wyvexmedia.co.uk

PRODUCTION Kevin McCubbin Email: kmccubbin@ wyvexmedia.co.uk

Church organ appeal

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Fit Like?

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Reader’s picture

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Recipe

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Birdwatch

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Bike from the Dead

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Ice Caves

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Then and Now

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Gemma’s Saltire award

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Community Connections

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Thought for the Month

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15 years ago

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Where in Lochaber?

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Iron Therapy

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Published by Wyvex Media Limited Tel: 01397 703003 Website: www.obantimes.co.uk We hope to publish a wide range of interests and opinions. However, our contributors’ views are not necessarily our own. Material in Lochaber Life must not be reproduced without our written consent or that of the copyright owner. A statement of our terms and conditions for accepting advertisements is available on request. Published by Wyvex Media Limited.

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Church organ appeal Iain Ferguson The organ in Fort William Kilmallie (Duncansburgh Macintosh) Church has been at the centre of worship since 1906, providing the musical accompaniment to regular Sunday services, weddings, funerals and numerous special occasions including visits from choirs both local and from across the world.

Now it is in need of special care to ensure it will carry on these important roles well into the future and a fund has been launched to help meet the £11,361 cost of the work.

During its lifetime it has been converted from the original water engine to an electric blower and has undergone tuning and maintenance. It had a major overhaul in 1983 when over a period of six weeks it was dismantled and thoroughly cleaned and rebuilt by specialist organ builder and restorer Michael MacDonald from Glasgow.

Unfortunately, only 16 years later, more intervention was needed as problems with the wall behind the organ allowed the penetration of dampness and dust, causing deterioration of the leather and rusting of some metalwork. This was quickly dealt with and the organ restored to full working order by the same company.

Ironically the work which now needs to be undertaken is due to an improvement in the church environment which saw air source heating being fitted in 2019 to maintain a constant

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temperature in the building.

This has caused much of the old leatherwork to dry out and no longer fit properly.

An appeal is currently under way to fund the work and this has raised just over half the total needed, much of this coming from bequeaths, other sources and members of the congregation. There is not a specific online funding page but information can be found on the church website www.thedmac. co.uk Reverend Richard Baxter said: ‘It is an interesting instrument built by Messrs Forster and

Andrews of Hull in 1906 to the specification of Dr Hollins, the blind Edinburgh organist. The quality of materials, construction and workmanship rank them among the best of all the Victorian organ builders.

‘The organ is widely appreciated not just by the church, but by visiting choirs and musicians often come to play the instrument. The wider community appreciates the instrument for weddings, funerals, concerts and a range of community events and hopefully the work will be carried out early in the new year.’

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FIT LIKE Several Lochaber Life readers were surprised when the new telephone directory popped through the letterbox. Not because it is only a shadow of its former self, being thin, light and not very big, nor because that a strong set of glasses may be needed for any search of person or number. No, it was because on the front cover is a photograph of a happy gentleman with a spanner saying ‘Fit like?’ It’s your local Phone Book’. It goes on to say it is The Highlands and Islands Edition, which many have observed as a slight anomaly, given that the expression of enquiry into one’s well-being is generally confined to the Aberdeen area. We do, of course, have a few residents who hail from across the Grampians - welcome home!

The spectacular view from Lochaber High School which earned it the title of most scenic school in Scotland. Photograph: Neil Adams, geography teacher.

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to I enjoy being able ill sk learn new s on a regular basis and the atmosphere here is fantastic!

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FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL – A STUNNING LINE-UP FOR 2022 Organisers of the 18th Fort William Mountain Festival are delighted to announce they will once again stage a live, multivenue event in and around the bustling Highland town of Fort William, at the heart of The Outdoor Capital of the UK (OCUK), a location known for its adventure roots, its global provenance, stunning landscapes, peaks, glens, waterways, beaches, history and culture.

The programme, from Wednesday February 16 to Sunday February 20 2022, comprises a stunning lineup, packed full of inspiration, education and entertainment, action and adventure. It includes presentations from world class

outdoor adventurers; winter mountain adrenaline filled skills and skiand thoughtmountaineering provoking films workshops, from the festival’s philosophy walks, own International yoga and running Film Competition workshops. entries and the Banff Visitors and Centre Mountain residents can Festival World Tour, celebrate everything plus a number the great outdoors Ali about to tackle the of award nights, including The Scottish crux cave pitch of Darth has to offer at the Fort Vader on Ben Nevis. William Mountain Awards for Excellence Photograph: Omega Guiding. Festival, which is in Mountain sponsored by Ellis Culture and The Brigham, Lochaber Photographer of the Chamber of Commerce, Jahama Year Award, celebrating a range Highland Estates, John Muir of outstanding achievements; Trust, and the University of the thought provoking Highland and Islands (West environmental discussions and quality fringe events including Highland College).

FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL ‘22 16 - 20 FEB 18 years of celebrating world-wide adventures from the Outdoor Capital of the UK (OCUK) through a diverse and inspirational programme.

DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE www.mountainfestival.co.uk SPONSORS

MEDIA PARTNERS

FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS

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Alexandra Hotel

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Council tax: check to save In an attempt to improve the take up of Council Tax reductions, exemptions and discounts, Citizens Advice Scotland has created an online tool where people can answer questions to help find out whether they are exempt from having to pay council tax or are eligible for a discount or reduction in their bill.

This can be found at www. checkmycounciltax.scot

Lochaber

If you get an exemption from council tax, you normally also won’t have to pay any water and sewerage charges, unless you are on a water meter.

If you get a discount on your council tax, you will have to pay something to both your council tax and water and sewerage charges, for example, for a single occupancy discount you may have to pay 75 per cent of the council tax charge and

75 per cent of the water and sewerage charges.

If you get a council tax reduction, the amount you will have to pay depends on your savings and income. Even if you get a council tax reduction because of low income and savings, you will still have to pay for at least 75 per cent of the water and sewerage charges.

For further information or advice call Lochaber CAB between 10am and 2pm Monday to Friday on 01397 705311 or email adviser@ lochabercab.casonline.org.uk

DURING OPENING HOURS 10am-2pm, TELEPHONE 01397 705311 Message can be left EMAIL – adviser@lochabercab.casonline.org.uk

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Valentine’s Day ETON MESS A dreamy, creamy, easy to make recipe with which to spoil - and hopefully impress - the love of your life.

• INGREDIENTS • 2 tablespoons of icing sugar

currants or even more strawberries.

600ml double cream

Five readymade meringue nests. You could also make your own - check online for a recipe.

600g of strawberries 200g of berries such as raspberries, blueberries, cherries,

• METHOD • Put 150g of strawberries in a food processor, blender or just mash them up thoroughly with ½ tablespoon of the icing sugar to make a smooth paste. Carefully chop up the rest of the strawberries into bite-size pieces.

With a fork or whisk, whip up the double cream and remaining 1½ tablespoon of icing sugar together until they form peaks when you pull out the stirrer.

Loosely crumble four of the meringues and fold them into the cream mixture along with the berries and cut up strawberries. Gently but quickly stir in the strawberry purée to make swirls in the cream, which should then form ripples as you spoon it into separate bowls or champagne glasses.

Crush the remaining meringue over the surface.

This will make more than enough for two, so cover the rest with an airtight seal and place in fridge.

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JOIN THE BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH Iain Ferguson Although this is the February edition of Lochaber Life, you should be able to read this in late January, which leaves time to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch from January 28 to January 30.

Organised by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) its purpose is to identify and record the numbers of birds we see every day and possibly take for granted. It is especially important to help identity any species which may be in decline so that this can be highlighted and steps taken to explore the reasons for this and take action which can help stop it

happening. What can you do?

It is a simple process of getting the form from the RSPB which has photographs of the birds you are likely to see and a box to fill in how many you have seen in a one-hour period. Take up a position where you can see the birds in your garden, bird feeder or wherever you usually watch them and set aside an hour to record what you see.

Signing up to take part is also a simple process which can be done online - I have already done so - or you can get a printed copy though the post. It costs nothing and can be a great activity for the whole family.

The RSPB website says: ‘In 2021, more than one million people

took part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, all coming together to look out for birds. Shockingly, we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 50 years so it is vital we do all we can to look after our birdlife.

‘As a conservation charity, we depend on your support to save nature and to look after places where wildlife can thrive. By taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch, you can make a difference. Wherever you are, whatever you see, it counts.’

To take part, search the internet for the Big Garden Bird Watch or go to www.rspb.org. uk/rspb/birdwatch22

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In Loving Memory of JAN KLOSKOWSKI 1969 – 2021 (Fort William) Suddenly and unexpectedly at work on Tuesday 28th December 2021, Jan Kloskowski, aged 52 years, Wallace Place, Plantation, Fort William. A beloved husband to Anna, a much-loved dad to Aleksandra and Justyna, a wonderful grandfather to his grandchildren, a loving son and relative, a wellrespected colleague and friend to many. RIP.

In Loving Memory of FRANK HATCH 1940 – 2021 (Fort William) Peacefully at Moss Park Care Home, on Wednesday 29th December 2021, Frank Angus Duncan Hatch, aged 81 years, formerly of Minard, Achintore Road. A devoted husband to the late Rose, a loving dad to Frank, Alan, Christine and David, a wonderful granda to Frank, Tracy, Ashleigh-Ann, Cal, Robbie, Iain, Philip, Sophie and a proud GG to all his great grandchildren, and dearly loved by all in the extended family, a caring neighbour and friend. RIP.

In Loving Memory of MARY COATES 1937 – 2021 (Mallaig) Peacefully, in the compassionate care of the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Thursday 2nd December 2021, Mary Frances Coates, aged 84 years, Abbeyfield Care Home, Ballachulish (formerly of Marine Place, Mallaig), former employee at the Harbour Shop (known previously as Buchans). A devoted wife to the late John Victor Coates, a much-loved sister to Iain and the late Donnie, Dougie and Alistair, a loving aunt to all her nephews and nieces, a caring neighbour and a friend to many. RIP.

In Loving Memory of COLIN MACMASTER 1980 – 2021 (Claggan/Caol) Sadly, in the care of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, with his loved ones by his side, on Friday 3rd December 2021, Colin MacMaster, aged 41 years, Achariach, Claggan, Fort William (formerly Caol), long serving employee with Royal Mail. A loving partner to Caroline, a wonderful dad to Evie and Rosie, an adored son to Anne and Willie, a much-loved brother to Lynn and Susan, and so dearly loved by the wider family, a well-liked and respected colleague and friend. So greatly missed and loved.

MANSON & MACBEATH FUNERAL DIRECTORS

10 Ba�lefield Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6NB Tel (24 Hour): 01397 701110 www.mansonandmacbeath.co.uk

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In Loving Memory of JULIE MACKINNON 1973 – 2021 (Claggan) Sadly, in the care of Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on Sunday 5th December 2021, Julie Kerry Anne Marlyne MacKinnon, aged 48 years, Belhaven Drive, Fort William, former employee at The House of Scotland, Crannog Restaurant and Nevisport. A wonderful mum to Kieran, a loving daughter to Cathy and the late Gourkey MacKinnon, a much-loved sister to Gordon and Jane, and loved and treasured by the wider family, a caring neighbour, colleague and friend.

Sadly missed.

In Loving Memory of SAMMY MACKENZIE 1932 – 2021 (Inverlochy) Peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday 14th December 2021, Samuel Waters MacKenzie (Sammy), a former long serving employee at Lochaber Smelter (British Alcan) as Shop Steward and Shift Foreman. A devoted husband to the late Jeanie, a loving da to Ann, Maggie, William, Iain and Sam, a wonderful grandad and great grandad to all his grandchildren, so dearly loved and treasured by the wider family, a caring neighbour and friend.

In Loving Memory of CATHIE BROGAN 1939 – 2021 (Caol) Peacefully, at the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Monday 20th December 2021, Catherine Brogan (Cathie), aged 82 years. A much-loved mum to George, David, Gavin and Kevin, a wonderful gran to Amanda, Lee, Kian and Joel and GG Cathie to Liam and Leah, loved and treasured by all the family, a caring neighbour and friend. Sadly missed.

In Loving Memory of JENNY WELDON 1946 – 2021 (Spean Bridge) Peacefully and comfortably at home surrounded by those who loved her, on Friday 17th December 2021, Jennifer Weldon (Jenny), aged 75 years. She touched the lives of many and will be sadly missed especially by Lindsay, Nic, Claire and Stu. Rest well our beautiful girl.

In Loving Memory of MARY LEISHMAN 1931 – 2021 (Banavie) Peacefully, in the loving care of Abbeyfield Care Home, Ballachulish, on Monday 20th December 2021, Mary Flora Leishman, aged 90 years. A loving mum to Carol, a wonderful gran to Angus, treasured and loved by the wider family, a caring neighbour and friend to many. Sadly missed.

In Loving Memory of ROSELEEN KAY 1947 - 2021 (Fort William) Peacefully, at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, on Friday 17th December 2021, Roseleen Kay (Curran), aged 74 years.

Much-loved wife of the late Michael Kay, Mum to Michelle & Jacqueline and Grandma to Luis, Owen, Michael & Sophie. She will be sadly missed.

MANSON & MACBEATH FUNERAL DIRECTORS

10 Ba�lefield Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6NB Tel (24 Hour): 01397 701110 www.mansonandmacbeath.co.uk

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BIKE FROM THE DEAD, DON’T RETYRE - RECYCLE Iain Ferguson If you find the heading interesting, the facts behind it will fascinate you. The words come from primary seven Inverlochy Primary School pupils who took up a Young Enterprise challenge and came up with an incredible idea of making products from old bicycle parts.

Inspired by the COP 26 Climate Change Conference, the school took part in a ‘Circular Community Challenge’ set by the charity Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) to highlight climate change and what can be done to counter this by recycling materials into useful new products.

Another objective was to give early experience of working together to set up a business, from identifying and manufacturing a product through to marketing and sales as well as how it could benefit their community.

The school produced

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and put them on sale.

Part of the project was to give a presentation on their business concept and development to a representative of YES, which they did with great confidence after rehearsal and advice from Ilona and David from Dramafish.

some exceptional ideas and products but primary seven youngsters excelled themselves with an extensive product range made from used bicycle parts provided by local company OffBeat Bikes.

Old chains were cleaned up to become attractive key rings, gears of different sizes became pot stands, coasters and Christmas tree baubles, while inner tubes were sewn into wallets and coin holders, all exceptionally well planned and carefully manufactured by the children.

They also devised their company name ‘Bike from the Dead’ and its slogan ‘Don’t retyre - recycle’, decided on prices, designed a website

Richard Cormack Corrigan of the charity visited the school in December to discuss the projects with everyone taking part and was delighted with how fluently the children explained the ideas they had come up with.

He said: ‘I was very impressed by all of the presentations.

The primary seven group in particular was extremely professional and responded to questions with great confidence, which I can genuinely say was superior to many of the adult groups I have worked with.

‘My congratulations to the head teacher and staff whom I know have been powerful advocates of each project and a great source of encouragement to all of the pupils.’

Products created by Bike from the Dead are available from their website at https://sites.google. com/lochaberhigh.org.uk/bikefrom-the-dead

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Dè a-nis 2021 saw the local food landscape grow with

(What’s Next)

Food Lochaber

‘The only producer led collective in the region’

Support our small

Lochaber producers to *Help prevent climate & ecological breakdown, *Build a new sustainable local food system.

foodlochaber.org @foodlochaber

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THEN

NOW

SHIEL BUSES

A long-standing and successful family-owned business in Lochaber – join us.

Shiel Buses was founded by Donald and Alistair MacGillivray, Acharacle, in 1978 when they acquired four buses to run services from Moidart and Ardnamurchan to Fort William.

Over the last 40 years, the fleet and workload has steadily grown and Shiel Buses is now one of the most long-standing and successful family-owned businesses in Lochaber. Today, Shiel Buses runs 50 vehicles and employs approximately 80 staff. The company prides itself on providing services to outlying communities in the family’s homeland, as well as a Fort William town service.

An abundance of touring work is undertaken in the summer months and Shiel Buses can be seen all over the UK providing luxury transport for outings, day trips, cruise ship excursions as well as extended tours for domestic and international travel companies and private groups. Since 2014, Shiel Buses has had a close working relationship with Scottish Citylink and provide vehicles for their services between Glasgow and the Isle of Skye and Fort William and Inverness.

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Our services The rural services providing lifeline links to Kilchoan, Lochaline, Acharacle, Strontian and Mallaig are at the heart of the business. The routes are served by state-of-the-art PSVAR compliant vehicles and our dependable drivers will always go the extra mile, often helping residents with shopping bags and any other goods. Our rural services can be summed up easily luxury vehicles, reliable and helpful drivers, a relaxed journey and beautiful scenery.

Fort William is served by the N46 and N47 services which run half-hourly across the town from Corpach to Upper Achintore. These services offer frequent stops at the medical centre, retail park and town centre. The N44 Kinlochleven service runs every two hours and is a popular choice for locals and tourists. Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge are connected via the N41 service, which also calls at Nevis Range and Glen Nevis. During the summer there is a dedicated hourly service from Fort William Bus Station to Glen Nevis. This helps ease conges-

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tion and protect the stunning environment of the glen. We run fully PSVAR compliant ultra-low emission low-floor vehicles on our town services.

All our services were massively impacted by the lockdowns of the covid-19 pandemic with patronage taking a 90 per cent hit in most cases. Passenger numbers are steadily increasing and we are delighted to be welcoming passengers on-board once again. Single and return tickets are available to purchase from the driver, as well as discounted weekly passes for frequent travellers or daily commuters. Payment can be taken in cash or made by contactless card transaction. As already featured in Lochaber Life, we are offering half-price tickets through

January and February and in early 2022 a new government backed scheme offering free travel to under 22s is being introduced.

Our touring fleet is made up of Vanhool and Plaxton bodied coaches running on proven Volvo and Daf chassis, maximising comfort and reliability. We also have Mercedes and Temsa midi-coaches for groups of up to 30 and 40 and Mercedes Sprinter mini-buses for groups up to 19. Comfort is optimum in all vehicles with reclining seats, climate-controlled air conditioning and the latest additions have USB charging points.

The entire touring fleet meets Euro 6 standards for emissions, meaning we have no issues entering clean air zones in all major cities.

HALF PRICE

fares on all services in January and February

FOR TIMETABLES AND UPDATES VISIT WWW.SHIELBUSES.CO.UK

YOUR ROUTE TO A NEW OPPORTUNITY IN 2022!

Drivers are the frontline of the company and we want you to join our team. We have had our council contracts renewed for the next five years and are in as secure a position as we can hope for during these times.

If you are qualified, of smart appearance, punctual and dedicated we have immediate starts available on local service work, or if you are a tour driver our season kicks off in April with a wide variety of work. If you are willing to relocate, this is also something we can assist with. You will need a full Cat D licence, Digicard and DCPC card.

WHY WORK FOR SHIEL BUSES?

‘Shiel Buses put me through all my training and I am now a fully qualified driver. You will not find a better company to work for. Shiel Buses are family owned and the doors to upper management are always open. I highly recommend becoming a driver as your future will be secure.’ - Fraser Munro, Kilchoan.

‘I’ve always loved driving and became a professional driver in my 40s after deciding on a career change.

Driving coaches is interesting and fulfilling and no two days are ever the same. The longer drives and their amazing views are my favourite and I really enjoy the daily social interactions with the passengers. I can highly recommend working for Shiel Buses. There’s a lot of job satisfaction. The job pays me well and my employers and colleagues are supportive and responsive and I feel part of a team. For anyone thinking of a career change and wondering what it’s like…it’s great, come and join us.’ Donna MacDonald, Fort William.

START YOUR CAREER JOURNEY WITH SHIEL BUSES…

If you are looking for a career change, we can put you through all the training to become a fully qualified driver. Ts and Cs apply. In-house training and development will continue afterwards to make sure you are doing okay

For further information please call 01397 700700 or email angus@shielbuses.co.uk LOCHaber LIFe

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EXPLORING LOCHABER’S ICE CAVES Neil Adams It is a common misconception that most snow and ice is to be found on the tops of mountains. Even during the Ice Age, this was never really the case. Although more snow might fall on the tops, due to a combination of wind and gravity most of this snowfall ends up just below the peaks, plateaus and ridges.

It is in the high level corries and gullies that most of the wind-blown and avalanched snow ends up. Here it gets trapped in shaded hollows, nooks and crannies and, as more snow builds up over the course of a Scottish winter, this snow gets compacted into ice. Under its own weight, the upper layers of snow squeeze out air from the lower

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layers forming blue or névé ice. The beautiful turquoise and sky-blue tones in this ice result from the fact that blue light has a shorter wavelength, meaning it can penetrate the ice more deeply than other colours of the spectrum with longer wave-lengths.

This is as close to a glacier as we will ever see in present day Scotland. It is, nonetheless, a special sight to behold. It is also a sight that can be hard to find, difficult to get to and impossible to see if we have a mild winter.

Ice caves are

actually better in summer than winter. Although heavy winter snowfall is obviously essential for their formation, so is the spring and summer thaw, as meltwater streams carve out substantial tunnels beneath the compacted snow.

The warm spring air then takes over, swirling around the caves and forming the stunning, yet characteristic, scalloped pattern of the ceiling.

Great care is needed in getting down into a cave and I’m always much happier if the bed of the gully is not too steep, so I’m looking for the clefts which extend well down the mountain.

Getting wet comes with the territory, although it can be surprisingly warm

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in the caves as spring air is drawn up through the tunnels.

And so it is that, over the years, I have found numerous ice caves in the mountains I look up to every day from my garden.

Moreover, last spring yielded two new special discoveries.

The first was to come across thousands of frogs.

In itself, this is not an unusual spectacle in the lochans and streams at this time of year: I’ve seen otters up this high feasting on the frogs. What made this unique, though, was that they were clearly sunbathing on the snowy slopes and just as comfortable sliding down on their bellies as hopping up on their feet.

The second discovery was a phenomenon known as red or watermelon snow. This is an algae that grows on the snow pack at high altitudes and blooms only when the surface starts to melt. So if you see a scarlet tinge to the snow pack, you don’t have to rub your eyes in disbelief.

Winter brings with it a completely different type of ice cave: not so much caves of ice but glistening rock caverns and overhangs decorated with frozen water. The freeze-thaw cycle, so loved - and feared - by ice climbers, produces miniature ice sculptures in the damp, shaded spots where modest winter mountaineers like myself can more safely wander. Frozen waterfalls might only happen once every five years in Lochaber, but droplets of water seeping

down rock faces freeze more readily and form fingers of blue and clear ice. Standing behind these icy curtains in the mouth of a cave or the shelter of a projecting rock brings to mind prehistoric man - yet here I am with a hot flask of tea and a view of my classroom in Fort William.

A summer visit to an ice cave is not complete, of course, without a cooling dip in water that is near zero in temperature. Well, if top athletes are recommended to take an ice bath after performing, who am I to question the benefits of an icy dip after a hard uphill slog?

That theory was just fine, until I tried to convince my wife...

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Delivering All Aspects Of Civil Engineering.

New Build & Extension Groundworks Sewers & Septic Tanks Concrete & Steel Work Kerbing & Paving Works Bell Mouths & Access Roads

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| February 2022

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The changing face of Fort William’s West End from the bustling1900s to its destruction by fire in 2019.

LOCHaber LIFe

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10/01/2022 16:46:18

M&L PAINTERS * All types of UPVc work * Exterior Painting * Cladding * Gutterings * Down Pipes * Windows and Eaves * Facias and Soffits Tel 01397 712120 or 0755 311 1093

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Mob 0780 335 7221

Tel 01397 703893 Established 1988

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| February 2022

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LOCHaber LIFe

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10/01/2022 16:46:36

Chlaram Computer Services For all your Laptop/PC repairs and upgrades, wireless/internet setups and custom builds Distance no object - covering all areas from Oban to Mallaig to Fort Augustus.

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johnferguson-mortgages.co.uk as a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments

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| February 2022

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Gemma flies high with Saltire Award Dani Drummon One evening in December, Voluntary Action Lochaber and the Highland Third Sector interface hosted an online meeting to present the Saltire Summit Awards. The purpose of this event was to recognise the voluntary work carried out by young people aged between 12 and 25 across the Highlands who have made an outstanding contribution to the people and organisations they support.

Guest speaker at the event was MSP Kate Forbes who has been a long-term supporter of the awards and shows a great interest in the work carried out by young people in the community.

One of the recipients was Gemma Macleod of Fort William who was recognised during the meeting for the incredible work and the amount of her free time she has given over the last ten years.

Gemma has been volunteering for the Tuesday Social Club every Tuesday for nine years, latterly while also working full time. The Tuesday Social Club is a group of senior ladies who meet for tea, cake, games and day trips. Gemma

always makes the ladies laugh and smile and she is one of the main reasons they attend the Tuesday Club. The ladies have described her as a ‘ray of sunshine’ and ‘such a kind soul’.

All the ladies at the club nominated her for young volunteer of the year in 2019 and she won an award at Voluntary Action’s VOSCARS. During lockdown, the club had to close and Gemma went the extra mile and delivered hampers at Christmas to the ladies and stood socially distanced and chatted to the ladies in all weather conditions.

On St Andrew’s Day 2020 she delivered afternoon teas as the club was unable to meet in person and this Easter she

handed out gifts and had socially distanced chats, making lockdown more bearable for the ladies who were shielding and not able to leave the house.

She would often be the only person the ladies would see and always brightened up their isolation while shielding.

The panel of judges highlighted that Gemma has shown outstanding commitment over the years, especially during the pandemic.

Dani Drummon, Volunteer Development officer for Voluntary Action Lochaber who hosted the event, said: ’It is clear Gemma has a genuine, caring nature with a passion for volunteering and is an excellent role model and mentor for all young people.’

Due to Covid restrictions Gemma’s award certificate was posted to her and she was delighted to receive it just before Christmas. She said: ‘I was really thrilled to see that it had been signed by Nicola Sturgeon and to hear the nice words from Kate Forbes during the meeting.

‘Thank you to everyone at the Tuesday Club for nominating me. I always love helping out and will be happy when everyone can get back together for our usual meetings.’

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Interna�onal Women’s Day - Break the Bias Grace MacIntosh On March 8, Lochaber Women will be joining people across the world to celebrate International Women’s Day. This global day takes place annually and aims to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women as well as acting as a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. With the first International Women’s Day gathering taking place in 1911, the celebration remains just as significant in 2022 as it continues to represent the continued fight for equality.

This year’s celebration centres around the theme of ‘Break the Bias’ and calls on people to imagine a genderequal world; a world that is diverse and inclusive and where difference is valued and celebrated. To work towards eliminating discrimination and bias between genders

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we are encouraged to take responsibility for our own thoughts and actions so we can collectively come together to break the bias in our communities, workplaces, schools and in our homes.

As a feminist organisation, Lochaber Women’s Aid wants to contribute to breaking the bias in our community by raising awareness of bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

We will be celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness of gender equality, and fundraising for our femalefocused organisation.

Keep an eye out across the Lochaber Women’s Aid social

media accounts for updates on how we are celebrating International Women’s Day this year.

You can find us on Instagram and Twitter on @lochaberwa and on Facebook on @ LochaberWomensAid. For further information about International Women’s Day, visit www.internationalwomensday. com For further information about Lochaber Women’s Aid or for confidential and specialist support, contact us on 01397 705734, at lwa@ lochaberwomensaid.org or visit our website at www. lochaberwomensaid.org

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47kg Propane 19kg Propane 13kg Butane 2nd hand caravans and lodges available for off site sale delivery can be arranged anywhere in the UK. Available to view by appointment 5

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Another bit of Irish philosophy heard on a TV gardening programme struck me: ‘If you can’t stand the winter you don’t deserve the spring.’ Is it just me, or has it seemed a long winter, with mask wearing and other Covid restrictions on top of our inclement weather? I should be grateful - after all, despite the rain, flooding is rare here and currently flood prevention work is taking place to protect Caol and Lochyside.

But winter seemed wetter than usual, even for Lochaber,

so I checked official statistics. 2021 was drier than average - and not only due to that lovely summer. November was a bit drier than usual.

So it must just be me! I don’t like rain.

If we get a bit of snow at sea level in February, most people my age will worry about falling over and stay indoors.

I may stay indoors, but shall rejoice with the children. We enjoy watching them building snowmen and throwing snowballs, and the hills look lovely.

Israel/Palestine rarely has snow. It has a rainy season and a dry season. Aquifers and irrigation make the desert blossom in modern

Israel. However, on a visit to a boarding school for blind children in Bethlehem I heard that, as well as limiting people’s access through the notorious wall, the Israeli government also controls water supply.

Sometimes the school did not have enough water for laundry.

We know that other countries are suffering severe life threatening weather episodes due to climate change, so I tell myself to be grateful and say with The Psalmist: ‘You pour out rain in buckets, O God; thorn and cactus become an oasis for your people to enjoy.’

[The Message] - and, please God, soon it will be a well deserved spring.

The loch was lit by an extravagant light show on the hill behind it, with pupils from Fort William Primary School helping in its design. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, The Write Image

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FORT WILLIAM Operating in Highlands area including Small Isles

ALL ASPECTS OF PLUMBING CENTRAL HEATING RENEWABLES FREE ESTIMATES Highly recommended snipef registered

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Stokes Memorials Serving Argyll, the Highlands & Islands for over 35 Years

• New Memorials • Additional Inscriptions • Cleaning & Renovations • Work carried out in all areas

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Competitive Rates Carpentry Plumbing Glazing Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling Doors & Windows Free Estimates

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Spectacular snow covered hills with their ‘mini-me’ version. but where?

LaST MONTH: bridge used by old puggy line at Inverlochy.

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IRON THERAPY FOR BODY AND MIND Iain Ferguson Towards the end of last year keen strongmen and women from across the country descended on the new Iron Therapy Gym on Fort William’s Ben Nevis Estate to flex their muscles and show their skills against fellow novices in the sport.

Organised by Lochaber strongman Stuart Whyte, himself a participant and champion on the international circuit, the ethos of his new gym is to encourage physical and mental health through regular, directed activity.

Eight competitors including local men Calum Morrison and Tom Baillie, took part in each of the events, held inside the gym and outdoors in the yard where extra room was needed.

Starting indoors with a ‘log lift’ of a metal ‘log’ on a pole, the action moved outside with the ‘medley’ event comprising carrying first a granite block a set distance, dropping it and returning for a weighted beer

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keg, then heavy sack, all against the clock.

Inside, the competition continued with muscles straining at the deadlift, lifting two heavy weights on bar from ground to waist height, holding it there for a set time and repeating as often as possible within a specified time limit.

Rain did not put off spectators or competitors for the van lift using a vehicle supplied by local company NewCo, lifting it by its rear wheels and holding it aloft under the careful eye of the timekeeper.

The final and one of the most challenging feats moved indoors with competitors lifting large, smooth globe shaped stones and dropping them over a bar at around head height - a very demanding exercise which would have

been made all the more difficult by water.

When points were counted, Calum was overall third and Tom fouth, great results as they built up experience of competition.

Stuart said: ‘Everything went well, even with the rain.

They all enjoyed taking part and showed great spirit in encouraging each other during the events.

‘After a long period of lockdown which for many totally disrupted their training routines, this was also a great strain on mental as well as physical health. In recognising this, all proceeds went to Lochaber Hope and Lochaber Mindfit.’

Stuart’s new gym is up and running for members day and night 24/7 in keeping with its ‘Iron Therapy’ aims. It is also hoped to make this a regular on the ‘Strongman’ circuit, expanding into bigger local venues.

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T: 01397 712373 M: 07884 185 279

scottmandrews@tiscali.co.uk

K

Trees

Ktrees Ltd offers a professional and comprehensive Arboricultural and tree surgery service With over 10 years experience in the business No job too big or too small Give us a phone for a free quotation Available in Lochaber & surrounding areas 07827 515023

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Say ‘I do’ on the banks of Loch Linnhe, toast to turning 60, or treat your colleagues to a scrumptious seafood dinner at our FISH restaurant. The perfect spot for events, weddings and celebrations.

www.ballachulish-hotel.co.uk/events

H I G H L A N D H I D E AWAY W E L L N E S S R E T R E AT 2 3 – 2 5 F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 2

It’s time to unwind. Wake up in glorious Glencoe and join renowned fitness and life coach Barbara Griffin as she guides you through three days of workshops and classes designed to wash away the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Spaces are limited, so go to WWW.KINGSHOUSEHOTEL.CO.UK to find out more

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