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22nd June 2007

Cape Wrath Range
Cape Wrath range including Garvie Island will be active with various combinations of air bombardment, naval gunfire support and helicopter operations during the following dates: 18 to 22 June 2007, 0800 to 2359 hrs, daily. When the range is active, red flags/lights will be flown or displayed and sentries positioned on the u70 road. All efforts will be made to keep the u70 road open. However due to the nature of some practices and in the interest of public safety, closure may be necessary. Access advice can be sought from the sentries, who will be in contact with the range officer conducting the firing, or by contacting the freephone number. However, whatever the nature of the practice, under no circumstances is any person to leave the road or proceed anywhere onto the land, particularly the land north of the road within the range area, when the red flags are flying. For further information on the opening and closing of the road and military activity telephone the range freephone number 0800 833300

John Lennon Northern Lights Festival

On Friday 28, Saturday 29, Sunday 30 September 2007 Durness is hosting the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival with all kinds of artists performing from lunchtime to midnight all weekend. North Highlands Tourism is promoting the event and the community council have been working alongside to give support where necessary. It is expected that this will be a busy weekend and anyone interested in offering volunteer help should contact Mary Mackay, Graham Bruce or Ronnie Lansley. The festival programme consists of events in various venues in the village, most of the daytime and children's entertainment is free, with all the paying events at the Hall. The community have been asked to provide marshalling provision of light refreshments and other duties at the hall. There are also events in Smoo Cave that require assistance. Tickets are available on line or from Kevin Crowe at the Loch Croispol Bookshop.

Diary Dates

Two events coming up this month. The first is Rachel Walker in Durness Village Hall 8 pm on the 28 June on Summer Tour with Carol Anne Mackay and Ewan Robertson. Rachel was introduced to Gaelic song during her attendance at Kinlochewe primary school, and with encouragement from her teacher Margaret MacLean, she was soon showing a natural talent for giving the songs a style of her own. She continued to sing throughout her time at Gairloch High School, soon becoming much in demand for her performances at local Ceilidhs and concerts, as well as picking up prizes at local mods. She began attending Feis Rois as a pupil, which served to fuel her passion for Gaelic song, and traditional music. Rachel released her debut album to critical acclaim in June 2004. She is much in demand as a teacher throughout the Highlands and has performed among the top names in Gaelic song at events such as the Flower of the West concert in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Blas festival, and the Annual Comunn na Gaidhlig concert in Eden court, Inverness. Rachel also guests with the popular band Skipinnish and has appeared on both of their recordings. Rachel has appeared on numerous television programmes, most lately the BBC’s award winning series on Gaelic song, Aig Cridhe ar Ciuil. Admission is £10 and £8 for concessions.
The second event on Saturday 30 June is Psychedelia Streams BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Solo performance at 8 pm in Smoo Cave. Mark O’Keeffe, principal trumpet with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will perform an hour long concert in the Smoo cave. The programme will include Jonathan Harvey’s “Ricercare” for solo trumpet and electronics alongside works for trumpet and tape from Scotland’s leading electro-acoustic composers. This is a free event but booking is essential. There are still a few tickets left available from Wax and Wine Durness.