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The seventh Avoch Race Day was held on 19th September. The turnout of Avoch-based boats was not as good as it might have been, but those who did take part had a thoroughly enjoyable day - despite one or two mishaps caused by the weather.

Two races were run. The first was for the slightly more serious sailing competitors; the course took the yachts from the start at the harbour across the firth to leave the Petty Bank buoy on their starboard side, round the Meikle Mee buoy and returning to cross the finish line back at the harbour.
The wind got up a bit as the boats approached the Meikle Mee buoy and resulted in one boat, Circe, shredding its spinnaker and tearing its mainsail. But despite these mishaps the crew still managed to take full honours for the seventh consecutive year.
In the same race another boat suffered a broken mast, but she still managed to cross the finishing line under jury rig.

The other race was, as usual, purely a fun race, in which anything goes. Only four boats took part in a straight dash across the firth, round the Munlochy buoy and back home to the finishing line at the harbour. Unfortunately one boat retired early and a second went round the Petty Bank buoy instead of the Munlochy buoy. All the competitors had a thoroughly …

THE need to create a vibrant Black Isle which can thrive when oil is scarce is the driving force behind an exciting new project taking root in the area.
Transition Black Isle is all about taking practical, positive steps towards tackling some of the most serious issues facing people both locally, and across the globe, today.
Soaring fuel prices, global warming and laws to reduce the amount of damaging greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere mean all our lifestyles are going to change.
And as well as being prepared to face up to, and tackle, the issues, Transition Black Isle is drawing together people of all kinds to work together to make their local communities stronger and more resilient.
On 5th September at 10.30am, starting at Munlochy Village Hall, Transition Black Isle, along with the Energy Saving Trust and Rowan (Ross-shire Waste Action Network) are organizing a Greening Homes and Gardens day…

“Applicants from Cromarty and the surrounding area have been invited to produce a piece of work suitable for exhibition, using the Fishertown as a basis for their entry.
The winner will be the person who most eloquently encapsulates the spirit of Fishertown. Work was invited in the form of drawing or painting, a piece of specially composed music, tune or song, mixed media or sculpture, a poem, collage or textiles, a piece of writing, printmaking or photography (digital or 35mm)…

News emerged on Tuesday 18th August that Post Office Ltd. has taken a decision to re-open the Avoch branch on a full-time basis as and when a new Sub-postmaster can be found. Advertisements for the position have been issued and are on display in and outside the Avoch P.O.
The wording of the advert. displayed includes the following-
“Post Office Ltd is seeking applications from people who are interested in running this agency branch.”
However, Charles Gillespie confirmed this morning (20th August) that there is no intention…

Caroline Dobson, Secretary of Avoch Amenities Association, distributed messages and posters some while ago about registration for membership of the new AAA, which is now a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. This is the normal format for such voluntary bodies and has considerable advantages for all involved. However, it makes more formal organizational work necessary and Caroline’s most important message is that people will not have a voice in the future of the Association and its assets unless they register as members.
All this commits one to is attending the AGM (because AAA will have problems if they do not have enough members present) and £1 if the Association goes bankrupt.
Groups can register as members and are entitled to one vote as a group. However…

by Diane Agnew
Following the Sea Scouts’ recent inspection by the Royal Navy, concern was raised that the stores were in a poor state of repair, with a leaking asbestos roof and damp throughout. Local Black Isle Councillors, Billy Barclay, Craig Fraser, Isobel McCallum and David Alston, unanimously agreed to support the refurbishment of the Council-owned building by a grant from the Ward’s discretionary fund and a contribution from the Education, Culture and Sport Service. With help from local contractors, members of the community, parents and friends, the building received a new roof, had repairs carried out to the stonework and had new windows, doors and electrics fitted. The refurbished stores, comprising a garage, quartermaster's store, engineer's workshop and bosun's store, are back in use as the youngsters, aged 10 to 18, learn how to look after a fleet of 15
boats.
Billy Barclay, speaking on behalf of the Black Isle Councillors, said…

Courtesy of Kate MacPherson (first printed in Ross-shire Journal)

Two old soldiers with much in common took part in the inaugural Armed Forces Day Parade in Dingwall.
Pictured in the wheelchair is Dingwall man Duncan Mackenzie, and confidently striding along behind as his help-mate, against the odds, is Neil Wilson of Avoch, both members of the 51st Highland Division, laid waste by leadership ineptitude - it is said - at St.Valery en Caux in Northern France in June 1940. They were both Seaforth Highlanders.
Thousands of men in the prime of life were trapped in the blazing - nowadays calm and pretty - little port, in turmoil, with no possible. means of escape.
They were captured and force-marched across a parched Europe into largely inhospitable captivity for five long years of WW2.
Duncan's story has already been well recorded in these pages over the years.
For Neil, the experiences at St VaIery were somewhat different…

The Rev. James Smith, parish minister of Avoch, writing in 1793, stated that there were 58 farmers and 42 crofters in his parish. The main crops were oats and peas, barley and bere. He stated that farming methods were very backward, and that short leases did not encourage farmers to improve their land.
I wonder what he would have said if he could have seen the Black Isle now, with field after field of golden grain.
Weeds were a problem then, but after the use of mechanical means, such as the grubber and the harrows, and, later, chemical weedkillers, they have been banished from fields.
Given the chance, weeds will still grow on road verges and there is a striking display of tall Willow Herb on the Avoch to Killen road, and of this plant and Ragwort on the road from Tore to Conon. The brilliant yellow Ragwort was once called “Stinkin Willie” in the north, reputedly after William, Duke of Cumberland.
Visitors to Scotland in medieval times noted that crops were often overrun with weeds of all kinds…

CORONATION PARK
Historically the Avoch football field, along with other amenities, belonged to the village. However, it was handed back to Eagle Star (succeeded by Broadlands Properties) in 1982 and a lease was arranged to Ross and Cromarty District Council (succeeded by Highland Council). This was the only basis on which the Council would cut the grass and generally maintain the area.
However, lack of funding now only allows inclusion in the budget for cutting the grass once per week, and whilst the football pitch has been kept in excellent condition by Highland Council, parts of the surrounding areas have been allowed to grow wild.
Avoch Football Club has become concerned about this state of affairs and a meeting was arranged on 29th July to review these areas surrounding the football park. The meeting was co-ordinated by Di Agnew, the Black Isle Area Ward Manager, and was attended by…