It has been a busy few weeks, here are a selection of the community events I have been attending and the issues that have been raised and which I am currently working on: Feb 17th - Mar 1st

1. It has been a busy few weeks, here are a selection of the community events I have been attending and
the issues that have been raised and which I am currently working on:
Feb 17th
 I visited the practice nurses at the surgery in Fort Augustus to discuss home care. We are very short
of home care in the village and we are looking for both short term and long term solutions. I would
be very interested to hear if anyone has any problems regarding this subject.
 I have discussed the issue with Christine McFarlane slack Highland Council Home care manager and
will report back here. Soon.
Feb 18th
 Community Surgeries at Drum and Fort Augustus, I was only able to get to Drum due to the snow.
Feb 20th
 Continuing on from the Ward Forum in September on timber transport.
At our Ward Business Meeting we were presented with new protocols for
informing community councils about timber extraction. Colin MacKenzie; a
consultant on roads issues; presented a report on timber extraction strategy
for South Loch Ness.
I will be in discussion with Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council and will
put up the new protocols and further information shortly.
Key Issues
 Timber Lorries using small single tracks roads and causing significant damage to the road and
the edges.
 Lorries traveling in convoy.
 Speeding.
Feb 21st
 South Highland Planning Applications Committee (Webcast)
Included the granting of an application for a simple pull in campsite for the new
Great Glen Canoe Trail.
Knockie and Lower Foyers will have this site, canoe security stands and compost
toilets for use by the canoeists.
 I was in Cannich to discuss amongst other things new sites for recycle bins, potholes, potholes,
potholes and other issues of importance to the village.
Feb 22nd
 Met with local group in Drumnadrochit to progress an application to
Leader regarding the further exchanges and links between
Drumnadrochit and Hausgauen.
We plan to help them with their Highland Games, start piping tuition
and continue the promotion of Loch Ness. Fingers crossed we get the
money.

2.  Visited two burial grounds in New Kilmore, Drumnadrochit and Strathoich in Fort Augustus after
reports of poor maintenance.
There are issues with sinking graves and poor condition of the grass.
I talked with Jeff Fridge; head of burials and cremations; and he has agreed that some “lifting” of graves
will be done. However I believe I need to discuss this at management level to understand if the
deterioration of the standard of the burial grounds is caused by insufficient resources or something
else.
Feb 23rd
 Fort Augustus community council
one of their key problems is the very poor digital TV reception, so I am taking this
issue up on their behalf.
Feb 24th
 Emergency meeting of community representatives from Dalchreichart including Alan Phillips and Mike
Stevens from TEC Services regarding the road damage from the very heavy traffic and large tractor
wheels involved with the two hydro schemes that are in construction.
There have been complaints of driver behavior and speeding.
Eugene Craig from DULAS. Who are installing the hydro schemes had replied
Feb 25th
 Community surgeries at Farr and Gorthleck
Feb 26th
 Met with Stagecoach to discuss further issues.
The bus on South Loch Ness has not been going to Knockie in the
middle of the day, at a time that was used by many older residents.
I am taking this to the Ward Forum tonight 1st March.
DID YOU KNOW:
You are unable to travel all the way all the way around Loch Ness by public transport!! – There is a
missing link between Whitebridge and Fort Augustus.
Really odd. I am raising this to see if we can get it filled for this summer. I hope to address this.
 Met with Iain Reid from TEC services, and we visited Play parks in Invermoriston and Fort Augustus.
All need work on them and new pieces.
I will be working with a group of folks to make funding applications and get some improvements.
Iain is preparing some ideas and quotes to get us going. Thanks Iain.
Iain has been a great help with improving play parks all across ward 13.
 Beauly Community Council

3. Feb 28th
 Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council at Foyers Primary School
Very lively meeting much discussed regarding buses, roads, timber ….etc
Feb 29th
 Meeting at Milton, Glen Urquhart to discuss a bank collapsing into the stream, at the back of the
village.
Alan Johnstone; foreman for TEC services; said the council has a duty to keep the water courses clear
and he estimates that it will be 2-3 days work to repair the bank.
 Returned to Strathoich burial ground for further consultation with community members and the
cemetery manager who promised to work on solutions to the issues.
 Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Council
Discussed the results of the recent community questionnaire
I will attach an action sheet soonest.
March 1st
Ward forum BUSES!!!!!
March 3rd
Community surgeries at Invermoriston (Millennium Hall) 10 -11 and Fort Augustus (Service point) 11.30 –
12.30
Mar 10th
Community surgeries at Abriachan (Village Hall) 10-11 and Beauly
(Phipps Hall) 12-1