Wednesday, 24 March 2021

The Directors at the Community Trust have been working hard with the Community Benefit funders to put together a package of financial help for families struggling with their household bills. The results of a recent survey, carried out with the Brolly Group to establish how the support could be best targeted, showed that many people in the area are struggling with household expenses made worse by the recent extreme weather. The details are as follows:

Loss of Earnings

The financial assistance that ran this time last year has been re-opened. This provides regular payments to households who have seen their income severely reduced. It is available to people who fall into the following categories: Currently awaiting payment of Universal Credit, receiving Universal Credit, furloughed and earning £10 an hour or less and have lost 20% of your income, self-employed but not eligible for Self-Employment Income Support or in receipt of SEIS but receiving the equivalent of £10 an hour or less, pensioners who have lost part time earnings:

If you fall into anyone of these categories then please contact the administration team at the Community Trust using this email address: admin@sfctrust.org.uk.

The deadline for applying to this scheme is Friday March 26th.

Household Expenses

A new scheme has opened for people that are finding it extremely difficult to meet their household expenses, which have for many people been a lot higher because of the lockdown and the extreme weather. This takes the form of one-off payments to help towards fuel and utility bills. This scheme is being managed by The Knockie Trust and if would like help then please get in touch using this email address: fionahbateman@icloud.com

The deadline for applying to this scheme is Friday March 26th.

Financial Hardship

The long-standing scheme run by the Knockie Trust for people suffering severe financial hardship has been extended. Individuals will receive up to £500 to pay for household items that are beyond your reach.

If would like help then please get in touch using this email address: fionahbateman@icloud.com

Please be assured that all applications will be kept in strictest confidence.

2024

April (16 stories)

15 April Showcase those posters!!

Did you know the back page of the new Spring Magazine has a perfect Walk the Walk poster which could be used in your local business to advertise our local walks?  Or...

15 April 2024 Etape Loch Ness - Information

The 2024 Etape Loch Ness is taking place on Sunday 28 April this year with over 5600 cyclists coming from across Scotland, the UK and overseas. Every year the Etape raise...

15 April The Hospitals of Inverness by Stephen Leslie

South Loch Ness Heritage Group are hosting another fascinating talk this Thursday, the 18th of April at 7:30pm in Stratherrick Public Hall, Gorthleck. The Ho...

15 April The Spring Magazine is HERE!!

The Spring 2024 Magazine has landed!!!  Thank you to everyone for your contributions in making this publication possible!  The deadline for articles for the&nbs...

12 April 'The Wildside Centre' launches a new booking system!

We are thrilled to launch our new Booking System for ‘The Wildside Centre’. The system is LIVE and ready to use NOW!   It has been weeks in the ...

11 April You named the rooms!

Thank you for all the suggestions to help us name the two function rooms at The Wildside Centre. We are happy to announce that the carpeted room will now be known as &...

8 April Loch Ness - Litter Pick, 14th April

** Event Cancelled ** We are sorry to announce that due to a lack of volunteers signing up, this year’s Loch Ness Litter Pick scheduled for the 14th April has be...

8 April Invitation to Tender – Foyers Bay stage 1 landscaping works

We are looking for a local contractor to undertake the next phase of non-water/ onshore landscaping works at Foyers Bay.  If you would like to tender for these works...

5 April FIVE THINGS TO BEGIN APRIL

5 THINGS FOR A FRIDAY Friday afternoon – late with my regular column.  Went from emails to contacting people about Riverside Field to conversation with anot...

3 April JOB OPPORTUNITY! 3 Glens

Are you looking for a job in the local area?  3 Glens Community Care are looking for a Development Officer & Services Coordinator for Glengarry, F...

3 April The hedgerow is in!

Last month, work was completed in planting a hedgerow along the road at Hillhead in Inverfarigaig. This will provide a wildlife habitat for 250 metres along the road...

3 April JOB OPPORTUNITY!

Due to our Community Action Plan Officer accepting another role we now have a job opportunity available at the Trust.  The CAP Officer is a 2 year contract...

2 April Community Pamper Evening!

Come and enjoy an evening of pampering at the Wildside Centre on Saturday 20th April at 7:30pm with beautiful Medditerean inspired, Temple Spa products, join in with a st...

2 April TRANSPORT SURVEY! WE NEED YOU!

The Community Trust hope to introduce a new transport initiative.  We have funding for this. We are currently working with stakeholders from the Community Council, B...

2 April Have you Walked the Walk?

Spring is sprung!  Have you checked out our local walks?  Did you know the Pathways Group are working very hard to map as many local walks in our area.  Yo...

2 April Local Produce Day! - TOMORROW!

TOMORROW!! Jane from Lyne Mhor Croft will be at the Wildside Centre with local produce straight from the croft in Gorthleck from 11am - 12:30pm! (be early to get what ...

March (31 stories)

28 March 3 Things For Easter

THREE EASTER THINGS FOR A THURSDAY With Easter around the corner and people off on well earned breaks over the next four days (and beyond) this week its Three Things F...

27 March 3 stalls left!

We already have some fantastic local businesses joining us for our food and craft market at this year's Highland Gathering on the 20th of July at Corriegarth Est...

27 March It's over to YOU!

Thank you to everyone who has sent in suggestions to help us name the two function rooms at The Wildside Centre. We are keen to name these rooms before launching our new ...

27 March The new stained glass window continues to take shape

Over the last week, two more workshops have taken place to help us create a design for the new stained glass window for Errogie Church. On Monday Caroline and Jacqueli...

26 March Warm Wednesday - continues!

It is officially the last Warm Wednesday tomorrow!  However, we would like this to continue and keep our doors open on a Wednesday morning from 9am – 12pm...

26 March Kingussie top North Two this week!

Maybe the North Two table was a bit too easy to predict last week.  There are no surprises after last Saturday’s round of four matches.  Kingussie II m...

26 March Statkraft take control at ‘Red John’.

The Norwegian state energy company, Statkraft is now the owner of the proposed new hydro electric scheme based around Loch Ashie.  This is just outside the Stratherr...

26 March Well done to the Luvvies!

The Loch Ness Luvvies were treading the boards at Nairn last week with their own play, ‘Revenge Scam’ by Michael White.  The Luvvies were competing again...

26 March Annual Loch Ness Litter pick – volunteers needed!

The Loch Ness litter pick which unites communities from Dores to Foyers in a spring clean up is scheduled for Sunday 14th April 2024.  Volunteers meet up afterw...

26 March Name that Room!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit their 'name' suggestions so we can name the function rooms at The Wildside Centre, the closing date has passed. ...

22 March 5 FUTURE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

5 Future Things For A Friday I retired to the Highlands in 2036.  I bought a house here, the elderly gentleman who owned it moving into one of the affordable rent...

20 March Caledonian Canal re-opens!

Scottish Canals has announced that the Caledonian Canal will re-open for sea-to-sea transits from Monday 25th March 2024.

19 March Have you filled in the wood survey?

For the second and final year we are able to make firewood available to the community.  If you require firewood please give us your details in this survey https...

19 March Warm Wednesday postponed!

Warm Wednesday is cancelled this week due to essential maintenance on the water supply.  We will be back up and running next week! 

18 March Shinty’s North Division Two is where every game matters!

Even with just two matches played last Saturday, the impact on the early rankings in North Two has been quite marked.  Boleskine lost to Lewis at home at Inverarnie ...

15 March FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

5 THINGS FOR A FRIDAY It’s been a busy week with several projects on the go. WOOD SURVEY Details about the survey are here if you wish some free unseasoned...

14 March Foyers Bay Radio

Did you know that we have a budding radio presenter in the area?   Gary Fentiman has been running his Radio Station from Foyers since 2020 or so. We have ad...

14 March Do you want wood? - SFCT Survey!

For the second and final year we are able to make firewood available to the community.  If you require firewood please give us your details in this survey https...

12 March 3 DAYS TO GO!

It's the final countdown!  This Friday (15th) is the final day to submit your articles for the Spring Magazine 2024! Do you have anything you woul...

12 March Shinty Report – Two weeks In

The opening two weeks and seven games in Shinty’s North Division 2 have not been short of excitement.   The league of eight teams will be keenly conteste...

12 March SPRING PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION!

The Spring Photography Competition is now LIVE!  This season we are focussing on 'New Beginnings' so interpret as you like! Please send your photos over to c...

9 March We need your help!

SFCT are shortly going to be launching a new online booking system and calendar for The Wildside Centre. Soon you will be able to book any of the spaces and utilities wit...

8 March FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

5 Things For A Friday Firstly Happy International Women's Day and Mother's day on Sunday.  i hope you also had a great World Book Day this week! 1. Gre...

8 March SAVE THE DATE!

The Highland Gathering will be back this year on Saturday the 20th of July between 12pm-4pm at Corriegarth Estate.  We are well into the planning of this event so lo...

6 March Amazing turnout for wood!

On Sunday there was a really good turnout for the rounds of wood that the trust offered to the community – everything was gone by 1.30pm! This wood came from sto...

5 March Sunday Social Success!

Thank you to all that came along to the Sunday Social at the Wildside Centre this weekend, it was great to see lots of members of the community who were interested in gro...

5 March Winter Photography Competition! WINNER!

Well!  What a fantastic response to this competition! With over 90 entries, we narrowed it down to 12 (it could have been more) and we left it up to you! The Winner ...

5 March Open Boot Produce Day! March!

It's March and it means Jane will be back at the Wildside Centre tomorrow selling their local produce!  From 11am - 12:30pm Jane will be here with burgers, sausa...

5 March The Biodiversity Group are busy!

The Biodiversity Group enjoyed pretty perfect weather for the first work party of the year at a Forestry and Land Scotland site (close to Ault na Noire road) on Sunday 25...

5 March Potato Day!

After the success of the Sunday Social at the Wildside Polycrub, some of you might be interested in attending Potato Day at Green Drive Hall, Inverness, this Saturda...

1 March FIVE THINGS FOR THREE YEARS

FIVE THINGS FOR THREE YEARS It’s been three years since I became Trust Manager, so a moment of reflection. We are the first Trust in the Highlands to submit o...

February (37 stories)

27 February Are you a self-catering or accommodation provider in our community? 

Are you a self-catering or accommodation provider in our community?  If so, the Pathways Group would love to hear from you! To support the promotion of the very p...

27 February Spring Magazine Countdown!!

Spring is almost here!  So that means it's time for you to send us your content for the Spring Magazine.  We want to hear about individual achievements,&nbs...

27 February Sunday Social THIS Sunday!

This Sunday there will be a fun get together at the Wildside Polycrub between 12-4 pm.  We are lucky to have Toni from the Highland Good Food Partnership c...

27 February Rounds of wood available at the Wildside Centre!

Unseasoned rounds of wood are now ready to be picked up from The Wildside Centre for those that might like them.  Collection will be available this Sunday from 12-4p...

23 February FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY I’ve been away most of this week, so a very short Five Things For Friday this week. LOOKING AFTER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS We are unde...

21 February School Term Dates Available!

If you have children at school and are planning to attend an Adele concert in Munich this autumn or going to Reading Festival you’d better check your dates now. ...

21 February Wood available soon!

Our Trust director Malcolm Stewart has successfully obtained a quantity of wood from the felling that took place along the B852 at the end of last year. Our&nbs...

21 February Website Feedback!

We have another survey we would love you to take part in!  We know they are boring but we rely on the feedback you provide to make the changes required!  This t...

20 February Caman McCash has this weeks shinty update!

The new season has yet to start so the 2024 shinty leagues are the topic for this article.  It can take a wee minute to get your head around. In the men’s g...

20 February Optician service available! BOOK NOW!

Community Optician Service! Boleskine Community Care have arranged another visit to the Hub from Hall Opticians on Wednesday 6th March from 10am. If you are ...

20 February Loch Nan Laan and Knockie 'Boat House'

The Pathways group have brought us a fantastic looking walk this month!  This one kick starts from a small car park near Knockie Estate.  Spring is almost upon ...

20 February Fantastic turnout at Eagle talk!

The biodiversity group organised a wonderfully informative evening by inviting Stuart Benn, retired from the RSPB and widely acknowledged as a Golden Eagle expert. A free...

16 February A GOODBYE FIVE THINGS

FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY SAD NEWS I’m sad to announce that Steven Watson, our Community Liaison Officer, will be retiring in March.  He is our longest se...

14 February Health and Social Care Plan – Your chance to comment

A new strategic plan for adult health and social care has been produced by Highland Health Board and Highland Council.  The plan is now open for comments.  T...

14 February Stratherrick Clay Target Shoot

Weather permitting the Stratherrick Clay Target Club will be holding a shoot at Abersky, Torness on Saturday 17th February at 11am.  All welcome!

14 February Book the Community Van

Did you know we can take bookings for the community van?  We are busy in the background working on the online booking system but in the meantime if yo...

14 February Sunday Social at the Polycrub!

Interested in getting involved in the Whitebridge Polycrub?  Keen to get our community growing, build new relationships and meet new people? There is an exciting ...

13 February 2024 Forres win for Alex Sutherland

Alex Sutherland, Ault na Goire competed and won in the Scottish Athletics Cross Country Championships held at Grant Park, Forres last Sunday, 11th February.  Alex...

13 February SPRING MAGAZINE! - We need you!

Spring is (hopefully) just around the corner and it is time for us to start collating content for the Spring Magazine!  We are looking for local news, even...

13 February Potholes – give Highland Council a call!

Here’s a screenshot of the Highland Council’s web page about reporting potholes.  You can phone Highland Council - day or night -  on the numbers gi...

13 February Have you tried cooking with pheasant?

Loch Ness Rural Communities have organised an evening at the Wildside Centre where you can have a go at cooking pheasant if you haven't already!  It will be held...

13 February Fancy some FREE porridge?

For many Stratherrick and Foyers residents the Inverness ASDA store on the Distributor Road is a regular stop.  It is also on the Whitebridge bus route, so is more c...

13 February The new play area at Wildside takes another step closer!

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the updated plans for the new play area at the Wildside Centre.  We are very pleased to share with you that the new eq...

12 February We can highlight your job vacancies!

Whether a local business is looking to recruit staff now, or maybe in a couple of months’ time getting the word out to local people, not just in Stratherrick and Fo...

9 February BE POSITIVE THIS FRIDAY

GOLDEN EAGLES IN THE HIGHLANDS Great to see a talk on the Golden Eagles Past Present and Future in the Wildside on Thursday 15th February at 7pm with Stuart Benn. ...

8 February Shinty News – Sutherland Cup Draw 2024

The draw has been made for shinty’s Sutherland Cup.  This competition attracts the largest number of clubs of any of shinty cup competitions, with the early ro...

7 February Great Glen Energy Co-Operative Fund!

Read about it all HERE!

7 February Have you heard of the Family Fund? 

Have you heard of the Family Fund?  This is a national organisation which offers grants to families on low income who are raising a child with serious disabilities o...

6 February We know you can help!

Interested in creating a positive impact in your community? Boleskine Community Care is looking for volunteers for various roles. These positions offer flexibility, allow...

6 February Energy Support & Advice Presentation

A presentation by the citizens advice bureau for anybody in the Community looking for help with reducing and/or getting help with your energy bills. Please come alon...

6 February Communications 2024!

We are making a few improvements in the way we communicate information to the community in 2024. The SFCT Board and communications team have made the decision to adjust o...

6 February University of the Highlands and Islands Student Development Fund 2024

The Student Development Fund is now open for applications of up to £1,000.  The fund has recently been backed by a further donation from renewable energy firm ...

6 February February Newsletter 2024 is here!

The first newsletter of 2024 has landed!  You can read about the new Communication updates for 2024, our Chair's first bulletin, pulse survey results and da...

5 February Local Produce Day, Warm Wed & Mobile Library

Lyne Mhor Croft will be back at The Wildside Centre from 11am-12:30pm this Wednesday (7th)  selling some fabulous produce straight from the croft!   ...

2 February GOSSIP FOR A FRIDAY

GOSSIP FOR A FRIDAY The Communications Team have been tweaking things at the start of the year to help improve Communications between the Trust (and other groups) and ...

1 February The children of Stratherrick & Foyers show off their artistic talents

On Monday 22nd January, Caroline from SFCT, along with local Artist Jacqueline Briggs, went in to Stratherrick Primary school to run the first in a series of worksho...

1 February Sunflower Home Care are recruiting in our area!

Sunflower Home Care are recruiting carers in the Stratherrick & Foyers area.  If you are interested, please see all the information in the poster below. ...

January (29 stories)

31 January Do you meet the criteria for this £106 Winter Payment from Highland Council?

Highland Council’s Inverness Area Winter Payment for 2023 is £106.  If you meet the criteria, the payment is made direct into your bank account.  Th...

31 January Look out for the Monkey if you’re on the A9 near Kincraig!

Stratherrick and Foyers residents travelling on the A9 are asked to look out for the Japanese Macaque monkey that has freed itself from the Highland Wildlife Park at Kinc...

31 January Updated playpark plans available to view

Further to our previous playpark consultation in October, we fed your thoughts back to Caledonia Play, our chosen supplier, and we now have a finalised plan.  They w...

30 January Scottish Canals are currently advertising seasonal jobs at Fort Augustus.

Scottish Canals are currently advertising seasonal jobs at Fort Augustus. The closing date for these is the 4th of February 2024. For more details click here.   ...

30 January Walk the Walk!

The Pathways Group is kick staring the year with another fabulous local walk!  If you're are feeling motivated then head out and give the Inverfarigaig...

30 January Open Boot Local Produce Day is BACK for 2024!

Next Wednesday (7th Feb), Jane from Lyne Mhor Croft will be back at The Wildside Centre from 11am-12:30pm selling some fabulous produce straight from the croft!  We ...

30 January There’s help to get a start in the Construction Industry.

Two of our local Highland Councillors have welcomed a construction skills course for unemployed people under 29 years of age.   Cllr David Fraser, HC Co...

26 January FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY Normal service is resumed this week as my Thursday update disappeared into world wide web heaven!  We are working on the website and the ...

26 January 'Golden Eagles In The Highlands. Past, Present and Future'

The Biodiversity Group have organised an evening with Stuart Benn, where he will present a talk about 'Golden Eagles within the Highlands, Past Present & Future&r...

24 January Local Shinty Update!

The Camanachd Association has announced the draws for the Strathdearn Cup and the single Team Cup competition for 2024. Boleskine’s cup ties commence on 27 April...

23 January Riverside Plans – Available to view

Following last week’s cancellations due to weather, we are happy to confirm that the plans are available to view as of now. The revised landscape consultations h...

23 January Loch Kemp Pump Storage Scheme

Brian Shaw of Ness District Salmon Fishery Board will be holding a talk at The Wildside Centre on Thursday 25th January at 7pm titled 'Saving Loch Ness' in relati...

23 January Warm Wednesday returns tomorrow!

Do you fancy a change of scene, would you like to chat and work with other members of the community?  Then pop along on Warm Wednesday at The Wildside Centre!&n...

17 January New customers secure a permanent stop for the Mobile Library!

As demand has reached sufficient numbers the mobile library is starting a new stop in Gorthleck from the end of this month. Mark will be stopping at Stratherrick Pub...

17 January The Screen Machine Returns

The Screen Machine, is making a comeback to the area this week.  It will be stationed at it’s usual spot at the main carpark in Fort Augustus from tomorrow ...

17 January *Warm Wednesday Postponed!*

Unfortunately due to weather conditions, we are unable to open The Wildside Centre for Warm Wednesday this week.  Hopefully we will be up and running next week! ...

16 January Warm Wednesday’s are back at Wildside!

Like previous years during Wintertime, we are delighted to bring back Warm Wednesday at Wildside, running from 17th Jan – 27th March - (Weather Dependent), between ...

16 January *New Class Alert*

DanceFit is a brand new fitness class kicking off on Monday evenings at Stratherrick Public Hall at 7pm!   Do you want to: * improve the condition of y...

16 January **Postponed ** Riverside Liaison Group Meeting

Due to the current and forecast weather conditions, tomorrow's Riverside meeting has been postponed until Wednesday 24th January. We do still hope to go ahead with...

15 January Riverside Landscaping plans available for review

The Landscaping plans for Riverside Field have been available for viewing online since December.  We now have hard copies of these plans, and these will be available...

12 January HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIDAY

Happy New Year Friday Happy New Year 2024.  I hope you all had a relaxing festive season.  The team have been packing away all the Christmas decorations as w...

12 January **FREE STRAW**

**FREE FOR COLLECTION** We have some spare straw leftover from Winter Wonderland, should anyone like to make use out of. They are small rectangular bales. &nbs...

11 January **Important Info**

Sharing this, in case anyone hadn't heard about the forecourt being temporarily out of service until March.   You can keep upto date on the Great Glen Face...

11 January Sunday Social 14th - Event Cancelled

**Event Cancelled**   The Sunday social event, scheduled for the 14th Jan at the Polycrub - (Wildside Centre) has been cancelled. We are disappoin...

10 January Stratherrick Indoor Carpet Bowls

Fancy trying something new in 2024? Take a look at this short video of the group, perhaps you'd like to take part too. They will be at Gorthleck Hall, next Tuesday...

10 January Weave A Willow Bird

Weave a willow bird on the 17.02.2024 at Inspiration Scotland in Gorthleck Weave a beautiful willow bird (or two) in this workshop. It is a project that is suitable fo...

8 January Foyers Bay Steering Group meeting

The next Foyers Bay Steering Group meeting is to be held tomorrow, Tuesday 9th January, at 7pm at The Hub in Lower Foyers.  If you are interested in being involved i...

8 January What's On 2024

Now that we're getting back to work for 2024. we thought it is time to update the calendar with any upcoming events.    Do you have an event which you...

1 January Happy New Year 2024

The Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust New Year Resolutions include a playpark at Wildside, after school support at Stratherrick, funding for phase 2 of Errogie Chur...