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30th March

Puffin Link

Another step closer to the radio television Puffin link between the colony on Faraid Head and the Tourist Information Centre was made at the weekend. Thanks to the local coastguards and the civilian MOD workers the second plinth to hold the camera stand was built and the cables laid from the camera platform to the housing for the solar panel and transmitter. The windy wet weather has been the major hold up as the plinth was at the foot of a very steep path and conditions had to be right for safety reasons. The next step is to erect the camera mast and have the equipment installed. This is hoped to be carried out very soon.

Renewable Energy

A second newsletter has been distributed locally regarding the planning and scheduling of a small scale renewable energy scheme for Durness. Currently studies are underway determining what is necessary for a formal scoping opinion. In the near future there will be a public meeting to supply all the known information. Currently moves are afoot for a bird study and Scottish Southern Electricity Board have been asked for a budget line feasibility study to determine the connection options available and line reinforcements that may be necessary.

Lennon Festival

North Highland Tourism Ltd is one of the elements of HRH the Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay's North Highland Initiative. Launched by Prince Charles in August 2005, The North Highland Initiative is intended to assist with the economy of the North Highland's by raising the profile of the area through its quality food and drink products, its tourism and the quality of the built environment. After their successful website launch and the interest generated by highlighting the John Lennon connection and Durness talks have taken place and moves are underway to create a John Lennon Northern Lights Festival at the end of September. Detils are currently being arranged and further information will be made available when performers and the format are finalized. The aim is to spread events out throughout Durness - and if the event becomes annual, next year throughout the region.

THERE IS MANY A MILE FROM DURNESS TO A SUPPER IN KYRGYZSTAN

Kirsty Campbell and Allan Brown pictured with a rep from BA.

Monday 22nd January saw Kirsty Campbell, originally of Durness, receive a very unusual phone call. "We need someone to play the pipes at a Burns Supper this Saturday, would you be interested? The only thing is, its in Kyrgyzstan!" Naturally she accepted, then looked the place up on the internet!

The Kyrgyz Republic was one of the furthermost outposts of the Soviet Union, independent now, it borders countries with China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

The Burns Supper was being organised by Kumtor Corporate Security Manager John McLellan, originally of Mallaig, and his wife Hilary, originally of Chicago. It was a fund-raising evening for the local Rotary Club, to aid in their mission to give support to children and the elderly. One of their major projects is arranging for surgeons to visit the country to perform operations on congenital heart disorders, cleft palate/harelip and cataracts, and train local physicians and surgeons in modern methods.

Leaving Inverness at 3am Friday morning a rather relieved Kirsty finally arrived in Bishkek (the Capital of the Kyrgyz Republic) at about 7am local time on the Saturday morning. Once in Bishkek Kirsty met up with another intrepid piper with a good sense of adventure, Allan Brown of Dunoon who had answered a similar phone call the same week. There was time for a few hours sleep before a quick recce of the venue and then the fun started. Newspapers and television crews gathered to witness the event, along with approx 120 diners.

John McLellan hosted the evening, and invited John Le Roux to address the haggis. John Le Roux, an ex-pat, is currently Vice President of Operations in the Kyrgyz Republic for the Canadian Gold Mining Company Centerra. The haggis incidentally was a 15kg monster from Edinburgh which had raised a few eyebrows at customs but had never-the-less been admitted to the country without its own passport!

The Immortal Memory was given by David Armstrong. James Brown gave the toast to the lassies, and the reply was conducted by Allena Macleod.

Readings were done by Nick Brealey and Ken Arne.

Kirsty and Allan's pipe music went down a storm. Playing firstly for the arrival of the guests, then piping in both the dignitaries and haggis. The evening was concluded with a ceilidh where not only was the music provided by the pipers, but they also helped teach the dancing.

It was the considered opinion of all involved that the evening would not have been the absolute sucess it was without our 2 adventurers.

Thanks goes to British Airways for providing the travel for the pipers and the Hyatt Regency Hotel for the accommodation. Kirsty would like to give a special thanks to the McLellan family for allowing her this opportunity to see a bit of this wonderful country and for making her feel part of their family. And thanks to Band-Jo for the phone call.

Kirsty currently plays with the Northern Constabulary Community Pipe Band in Inverness who will be competing at various events over the summer period. She is also Pipe Major of 1HLDRS Army Cadet Force Pipes and Drums, who are marching through Dingwall on Friday the 6th April and Beating the Retreat Saturday 7th April in Inverness as part of the Massed Cadet Force Pipes and Drums.

Loch Croispol Bookshop, Restaurant & Gallery is reopening on Wednesday 4th April at new, larger premises at 2 Balnakeil Craft Village.

They will be stocking an even wider range of books than before, including Scottish interest, fiction, history, poetry, biography, natural history, religion, arts and crafts, music, food and drink, humour, books in Gaelic and Scots, and for the first time will have a second hand section. Well stocked children's section for every age group from new born to teenagers. Postcards, calendars and diaries will also be available.

The new restaurant will be serving everything from a range of teas and coffess to full meals. And they will also be stocking a range of quality hand made chocolates.

A further addition is that of an art gallery, displaying the work of local artists. This gallery will be launched with atmospheric paintings of Iceland by Durness artist Ishbel MacDonald.

There is also car parking, outdoor seating and disabled access.

Opening hours are:

Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm

Monday - Saturday: 10.00am - 5.00pm