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5th May 2006

Laid Residents’ Association AGM:

The Annual General Meeting of the Laid, Polla and Port-na-Con Residents’ Association was held at Port-na-Con on Wednesday, 26^th April. Eddie Meyer was re-elected as Chairman and Lesley Black as Secretary/Treasurer. Ken Black resigned as Vice-Chairman, but accepted the position of Member-at-large on the Executive Committee. Andrew Marsham was elected as new Vice-Chairman. Caroline McCowan was confirmed as Auditor for the Association. Eddie Meyer informed the meeting of the Association’s activities over the previous 12 months and Lesley Black gave an update as Secretary and Treasurer. The meeting noted that it was unlikely that a Super Quarry would come to the Laid area. The two written statements (made in 2003) by Ian Wilson, Durness Estate, and Councillor Francis Keith regarding a Super Quarry are still valid. Ian Wison will visit Laid in May and has invited question on any subject to be put to him. Following a two year campaign confirmation was finally received from the Post Office that the Laid postal address is now Laid, Loch Eriboll, Lairg. The meeting also decided to contact HIE to help having Broadband installed in Laid. It will be available as far as Port Chamuill, but not Laid. Concern was raised regarding the quality of water in Laid. This should improved, not inferior, since the new system had been installed. The problem will be taken up with the water board.

Bird Sighting

A Common Crane has been taking residence around Durness for over the last week. Reporting of sightings has been made covering from Balnakeil to Borlaie. At rest, Cranes are rather stork-like but with big bushy tails and grey bodies; even from a great distance you'll also see the white stripe through the black head. Some reports have been of a stork.  The attached picture was taken at Brivard Possibly on rout from Southern Spain to Scandinavia. Unusual for this area but not unheard of, vagrant birds turn up occasionally. Although not in its usual locality the bird       has been residing in areas of marsh and bog habitat similar to what it would be used to.