HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO WEST WORD!

It's 30 years this month since West Word first appeared in the shops, with a cover story entitled 'Lovat Estate Sold' and a photograph of the estate's new owner, Cameron Mackintosh. It's wonderful that the paper is still going strong, 360 issues later. Much has changed in the area but much remains the same. Crofting, tourism and Mallaig's harbour are as fundamental as ever; and housing, fishing, local events, the environment, music, art, local history and sports are all still topics covered regularly in the paper.
We've got a few special articles in this issue to celebrate our 30th birthday. We always want to hear what our next generation of readers and contributors think, so we asked the primary schools in Knoydart and the islands to give the adults a break and write the 'Round and About' columns this month! Read all their news from page 10 onwards. There's also a look back at the articles by one of our first columnists on page 14.

MACKINTOSH CENTRE REOPENS

After closing temporarily due to staff shortages in September 2023, Mallaig's Mackintosh Centre finally reopened its doors this week.
The first two residents arrived on 13th November, and another two will be moving into the home next week. Admissions will be capped at four until staff recruitment is completed. Staff have been working hard over the last week to get the home spruced up and extra training has been delivered with the support of the Professional Leadership team.
There's been more good news locally regarding care homes, as Moss Park in Fort William has been saved from closure. Agreement in principle has been reached for The Highland Council to purchase the care home from current owners HC-One, to be operated by NHS Highland, in the medium term.
A transfer of service provision from HC-One to NHS Highland is likely early in 2025. NHS Highland will seek to operate the home in the medium term, until alternative sustainable models of provision in Lochaber can be established in the long term.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

It's great to be able to put the good news about the Mac on the cover this month after over a year of uncertainty.
A wee quiz question for our 360th edition - which columnist has contributed 360 articles to West Word? Have a read through, and you'll find out!
Hope you enjoy this issue. I've received loads of 'World Wide West Word' photos this month which has been great - please keep them coming! Thank you to Kenny and to Allan for contributing extra articles, and extra specially, to the primary school children on the islands and Knoydart for sharing all the things they love with us. Always a highlight.
And lastly thanks to Simon for feeding the printer again!
Kirsty Bloom

KNOYDART

Goodbyes and Welcomes
Ivy and Rannoch
We have had quite a few people leaving Knoydart and one or two arriving. At the end of September Bruce, Hamish and family left Knoydart to go and live in their new house. We now have seven children in the school and three in the nursery. Some staff from the Old Forge left at the end of the season and Will excitedly left with his new van to go on a winter holiday. We happily welcomed Caitlin, Connor and Finlay to Knoydart. Caitlin started work in the Primary School which is so exciting for the school children.

Dillon's 3rd Birthday
Bronwen and Ellie
At the start of the month Dillon turned three. At his party we played tag, ate lots of food and then it was time for the pinata. We all enjoyed it lots. "My friend turned three. I was very happy for him and the party was very fun." (Bronwen)

Storm Ashley
Rossa and Faraquhar
Storm Ashley hit us hard on Sunday 20th October with high winds and severe rainstorms that caused quite a bit of damage to the roads and woods which was not expected to that level. The waves were so huge that they even washed right over the pier! A couple of weeks after the storm the community came together and organised a gigantic and certainly well needed beach clean to help our shores heal. As part of our Eco-Schools flag renewal the Primary School and Nursery have also organised a litter pick for Thursday 7th November.

Halloween at The Old Forge
Rossa and Faraquhar
On Saturday 26th October the pub had a crackin' Halloween party that everybody went all out for and had great fun. The food was incredible as one of Knoydart's great cooks made a fantastic spread of Chinese food. There were loads of party games that the kids all enjoyed along with the toffee apples and pizza. There was an amazing range of different costumes that were all unique in their own ways. The trophy of the kids Best Dressed was awarded to Marlin with his fantastic costume of three dogs combined and he said he was very happy to win his trophy. The winner of the adults Best Dressed was given to Sammy and her showstopping costume as she went all out and dressed as Ursula which everybody thought was very entertaining! "For Halloween I dressed up as a bat and Eevee had a little bat costume on too. We had a great party in the pub with some nice watermelon. I enjoyed running around outside too." (Ossian)

Sheep on the loose!
Ivy and Rannoch
On Wednesday the 30th of October a rogue sheep was running wild through the village and the woods. It then went to Glaschoille and decided she would go for a cold dip swimming around in circles. It was one of Ian Wilson's sheep, so he had to go out on his boat and rescue it. He then took it to the pier and tried to get it off the boat. Luckily, the sheep wasn't too badly behaved so it was alright and Ian took her home in his truck.

School Halloween and Guising
Bronwen and Ellie
On Halloween we had a school party. All pupils helped to carve pumpkins, P6/7 made witchy green soup and Nursery and P1-3 iced Halloween cookies that the Nursery pupils made the day before. We all enjoyed our group lunch, and we are very grateful for the sweets Miss gave out. "I enjoyed icing the cookies and I was dressed as a ladybird." (Ellie). At night we enjoyed going guising. We started at the East End, then went through the village to the West End. We ended at the hall where we watched a five-minute Mickey Mouse movie. We told jokes and sang songs. Thank you to everybody who gave sweets and party bags.

School News
Rossa and Faraquhar
Our P6 and P7 pupils participated in the Cluster Cross-Country race in Arisaig that they all enjoyed and will hopefully remember for a while as one of the few races that was on a day that was cool and dry! We also took part in a basketball tournament that took place in the Mallaig High School P.E. Hall, it was great fun and a quick thank you to the High School for allowing the Primary Schools to use their facilities. This term we have the wonderful Eilidh Shaw teaching the P6/7 pupils YMI, and currently they are working on learning a Gaelic song to sing and play on tin whistle. "YMI is very enjoyable, and I have loads of fun learning our new song on the whistle and singing it." (Ivy)

Ranger activities
Ivy and Rannoch
Throughout the summer and autumn terms, the Primary and Nursery pupils did ranger activities with Costi the Knoydart Foundation Ranger. We did a range of things including beach survival, map reading and coordinates, archaeology and tree identification: "It is good fun, we all enjoy it and it is a great learning opportunity". (Rossa)

Bonfire Night
Marlin
On Saturday 2nd November there was a bonfire night at Long beach. The fire was big and the fire was hot. Some children had toffee apples. Some children played in the dark. The fireworks were loud!

Bits and Bobs
On Thursday 17th October Tom McClean gave a talk about his life and amazing adventures. Roli and Bettina hosted their annual Sandaig October Fest on Saturday 19th October. Knoydart Movie Nights have started up again and there's weekly fitness classes for the fitness fans. The Old Forge have started on their winter opening hours and their fortnightly pub quizzes are back. There were some very excited people in the village when the Western Isles brought over the shop's delivery of ice-creams!

We hope you enjoyed reading about what's been happening on Knoydart.
Inverie Primary School: Rossa, Ivy, Bronwen, Marlin, Rannoch, Faraquhar and Ellie

ISLE OF RUM

Rum Primary School: A Community at the Heart of the Isle of Rum
On the captivating Isle of Rum, where red deer roam freely and the night sky dazzles with stars unspoiled by light pollution, Rum Primary School is emerging as a beacon of innovation and community spirit. With just six pupils, the school serves as a vital centre of activity, creativity, and learning for the island. Since joining as the new headteacher, I've been inspired by the enthusiasm of our children, the dedication of our staff, and the generosity of our parents and supporters. This article offers a glimpse into our school's journey, our connections to the wider community, and how we're harnessing the wonders of our natural environment to enrich our students' education.

Celebrating 30 Years of Community
This year marks the 30th anniversary of West Word, and we are proud to be part of this journey. Reflecting on the past, it's heartwarming to see how the community has grown, and we at Rum Primary are excited to share our experiences and stories, just as we did for the 25th anniversary. This year, our pupils are taking on the role of reporters, capturing the essence of life on Rum through their eyes and sharing their stories with the community.

Embracing the Dark Skies
One of the most exciting achievements for our community has been the Isle of Rum's designation as Scotland's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary. This prestigious status celebrates the pristine quality of our night skies, free from urban light pollution. At Rum Primary, we're weaving this natural wonder into our curriculum. Our students are exploring space, astronomy, and flight, connecting what they learn in the classroom to the beauty above their heads each night. As part of our Dark Sky initiative, we're thrilled to offer a live "Ask the Astronomer Royal Anything!" session with Catherine Heymans, Scotland's Astronomer Royal. This unique opportunity allows our pupils to engage with an expert, learn about the wonders of space, and understand the importance of preserving our incredible dark skies.
A P5 pupil shared his excitement: "I can't wait to find out about space-time! That's the question I've asked the Astronomer Royal, and she's going to answer it in a special video for us at Rum Primary."

Hands-On Learning and STEM Adventures
Hands-on experiences are at the core of our curriculum, and this autumn has been full of opportunities for our students to explore and experiment. Recently, the island hosted the Cosmos Planetarium, giving our pupils an immersive look at the universe. Students engaged closely with the stars, planets, and galaxies, sparking a profound curiosity about the cosmos and our place in it.
We partnered with the Science Skills Academy's Newton Room for a series of engaging STEM activities, including creating LEGO land yachts and exploring the microscopic world through art. During one of our STEM lessons, the pupils designed and built their own sailboats and tested them in the sea. A curious seal even swam over to investigate - not many schools in the world have seals joining their science and technology lessons!
A P2 pupil was thrilled: "The seal was so funny! I think it wanted to race with our boats!"
Thanks to generous donations from local businesses, we are continuing to develop our school, installing new facilities, and expanding our outdoor equipment. We are also proud to partner with ZipGrow Inc. as part of the "Food for Thought" project, using hydroponics to grow our own food and teach students about sustainable agriculture. This initiative, funded by a £3,000 grant from the Food for Thought Education Fund, enables our pupils to gain hands-on experience with plant biology and sustainable food production.
A P5 pupil commented: "Growing our own food is really cool! We get to see how plants grow without soil, and I can't wait to taste what we grow."

Connecting with Nature
Rum is well known for its rich wildlife, and we're fortunate to connect our students with the island's natural wonders. Recently, the school took part in a trip to Kilmory to witness the annual deer rut, in collaboration with the local Nature Reserve. It was an awe-inspiring experience, allowing our students to observe the majestic red deer in their natural habitat and connect with the rhythms of the island's ecology.
Our collaboration with NatureScot included a moth trapping and identification activity. This hands-on session helped students learn about local insect life, and we are looking forward to a geology and mapping session soon.
A P3 pupil shared her excitement: "The moths were beautiful! I liked learning about them and drawing all the different patterns on their wings."
Sophie Smith from the RSPB led a biosecurity session for the school, including a presentation on seabirds and a fun, interactive "Race the Rat" activity with Reid, a detection dog. These hands-on learning moments help our students understand the importance of protecting wildlife and preserving the unique biodiversity of our island.
Dr Hallis from the University of Glasgow also visited to share her work on igneous rock samples, including those similar to ones gathered by NASA's Perseverance Rover on Mars. She brought along rock and meteorite samples, offering our students an exciting opportunity to learn about planetary science and geology.
A P1 pupil added: "I loved seeing meteorites! They were really heavy."

Celebrating Gaelic Culture and Music
Our cultural heritage is something we treasure deeply at Rum Primary. This year, we're proud to bring traditional Gaelic music into our classrooms through online sessions with Fèisean nan Gàidheal, supported by the Youth Music Initiative. The students are learning traditional songs, enhancing their language skills, and connecting with Scotland's rich cultural history. Additionally, our partnership with Highlife Highland provides students with Kodály music education, a method designed to develop musical skills through singing and rhythmic exercises.

A Close-Knit Community
What makes Rum Primary School truly special is the sense of community that permeates everything we do. Despite our small size, we are able to forge close relationships between students, parents, and the wider island population. One of the highlights of my time here has been seeing all of our pupils settle in so well during their first term. Their enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, and resilience - even in the face of typical Hebridean weather - have been truly inspiring. It is this collective spirit, filled with joy and determination, that reminds us why Rum Primary is such a wonderful place to learn and grow.

Looking Ahead
We have much to look forward to as we head into the rest of the year - from our upcoming online Taekwondo sessions to a special visit from Pam MacDonald of Highlife Highland, who will be helping our older students develop leadership skills. As we move towards the festive season, preparations for Christmas will begin, with pupils creating decorations and rehearsing for our annual Christmas concert.
Rum Primary may be small, but our aspirations are vast. We strive to give our students not only academic knowledge but also a deep connection to their environment, culture, and community. On this unique island, amidst the rustle of deer in the forest and the sparkle of an unspoiled sky, we are nurturing the next generation of learners, thinkers, and custodians of this incredible place.
Andrew McCallum and Rum Primary School

ISLE OF EIGG

Highland Hoolie
The Highland Hoolie is an art competition that takes place every year and it has a different theme each year. This year we were doing orca art. We painted backgrounds and we cut the orcas out from paper and put them on the backgrounds. We used toothbrushes to spray lots of cool textures on the paper.
The poems were really fun. We did acrostic poems with orca down the way. The poem was called Orca.
Freya was in third place of the poem competition. Oran got first place in the P3 category and Colm got second place in the art competition. We are really proud of everyone who took part and especially our winners who received certificates.
Every year we look forward to the Highland Hoolie.

Halloween
At Halloween we went guising at different people's houses. We went to Maggie and Wes', Camille's, Peggy's, Babette's and Jacky Brett's. We also got sweeties from the tea room and Catherine. The houses were decorated with pumpkins and scary Halloween decorations.
We had really cool costumes. There were glowing skeletons, murderers, zombies, a pumpkin and batman costumes.
We also had lots of fun in the pheasantry. We played apple bobbing where we had to dook our heads and tried to catch apples. We also put sweets in, so we had to try to get them as well and we were not allowed to use our hands. There were scary decorations but we weren't scared.
We also had a Halloween disco. We ate lots of sweets and we did lots of dance moves. We also did musical statues. It was really fun.

Community larder
We want to get a new community larder with a fridge and a freezer, because people are wasting too much food. We could get lots of food in there. It is going to be a shed. Then people can eat and be healthy. It is going to be at really low prices and some of it is going to be free. It is for everybody.
We made signs to put on fridges and doors. We are also designing a logo and are helping to find a name.
We came up with "Food for all" or "Find it, eat it, love it" as possible names. We will do a vote on which one we like more.
We think it is a great idea because it is great to have space where people can eat and where the prices are low. We look forward to learning more about it and to helping out.
Isle of Eigg Primary School

ISLE OF MUCK

Our Halloween Party and Scary Halloween Walk . . .
I had fun playing games in the hall. My favourite game was apple dunking. I liked going on the bouncy castle. I did play musical chairs, but I didn't play musical statues. Magnus
On Halloween we always have a scary walk. Adults scare the children. We started at the hall. We played games. My favourite game was apple dunking. I dressed up as a skeleton. My brother Hugh threw flour during the scary walk. We tried to find him, but he got away. As a reward for doing the Halloween walk, Bruce had chocolate donuts in The Tearoom. Alex
Ruth walked with us. Colin was a werewolf. Hugh threw flour at us. I ate a chocolate donut at The Tearoom. Lily
The Tearoom was creepy, but I had fun. Bruce carved a pumpkin. He dressed as a scarecrow. He gave us donuts. Marian
On Halloween, I ate lots of chocolate and a sweet. I ate juicy, juicy Haribo first. Next, I ate yummy Milky Way. Then Galaxy third. Last of all Twix. Daisy
Isle of Muck Primary School

News from Mallaig Harbour

October seems to have passed by very quickly, possibly because I had ten days off work, and a week in the sun! The flip side is that I have returned to winter, and the first named storm of the season, Storm Ashley on Sunday 20th October. This coincided with 5.1m tides which resulted in the pontoons being horizontal to the pier and the water washing over the pier. Thankfully the only damage in the Harbour was to some fendering at the entrance to the Outer Harbour, although West Bay car park took a bit of a pounding, and the road around the back of the Community Centre was blocked for a short while.

We are now on the Winter timetable for CalMac, so we are down to just the Loch Nevis operating from Mallaig at the moment. The Lord of the Isles was due to be operating from Mallaig between 21st October and 5th November, but due to ongoing challenges with other vessels, this has not been possible. The next period that the Lord of the Isles is due to operate from Mallaig is from 1st December until 4th January. CalMac are currently consulting on the timetable for Summer 2025, with forms to be submitted online by 8th November. The guidance attached to this consultation indicates that timetables are to be maintained at their current level, and that changes will be by exception only. The process has again flagged up the need for a local Ferry Users Group. This will be especially important as Rob Ware, who has for many years collated responses on behalf of the Sleat and Mallaig communities, is leaving the area, and will no longer be able to do so. We'll be working with Rob to put something together, and looking for local representation, so watch out for this over the coming months.
Although I had some annual leave in October, I also had a day and a half in Kilkeel at the British Ports Association Fishing Ports Group meeting. Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie Harbours are all operated by the Northern Irish Fishery Harbour Authority, which is effectively owned by DEARA, the Northern Irish equivalent of DEFRA, and operated as an independent, arms-length organisation. This is quite different from the way we operate as a Trust Port, although still with an emphasis on supporting the wider community. We had presentations from the RNMDSF in Kilkeel, and the Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation (NIFPO). There has been quite a bit of work being done in Kilkeel around foreign crew and their rights, and this has resulted in a Modern Slavery statement being published on the 18th October. This coincided with the British Ports Association launching a guide for Ports and Harbours on Modern Slavery, People Trafficking and People Smuggling in the Westminster Parliament. The recent media coverage of the treatment of some foreign crews has brought this issue to the forefront, so it's good to see efforts to ensure that crews are treated fairly and with respect.
While in Kilkeel, it was interesting to see that their vessels still have a Herring quota - the fishmarket was full of insulated bins awaiting Herring landings. While there are no Herring landings in Mallaig now, Herring and the Herring Girls are very much part of our history. 35,000 people were employed in the industry in the 1900s with around 14,000 of them being women. They would travel from port to port from June to September following fleets of boats to gut and pack fish into barrels for export. Highlife Highland's Archive Service, in partnership with Suffolk Archives, the Norfolk Record Office, and Tasglann nan Eilean (the Hebridean Archives) have been awarded funding to capture the stories of the Herring Girls, and are looking for anyone who has stories of them to get in touch. You can email archives@highlifehighland.com or call: 01349 781130 to share your stories.
While we may have lost the larger ferries for the winter, we seem to have made up for it with larger Aquaculture vessels this week. The Ronja Commander has been berthed in the Outer Harbour for most of the week, and the Isaac McKinnon has been in and out each day discharging. We also have the Ocean Aquila in for a few days, and the Eloise Eslea, which is a new vessel for us in Mallaig. She is owned by Inverlussa Marine and on contract to Scottish Seafarms to provide thermo de-lousing treatment to their farms. The vessel is fitted with diesel electric propulsion and a battery hybrid system to lower fuel consumption and emissions during standby or overnight. Although she is only 27m long, her height means that she's quite an imposing vessel coming out of Loch Nevis and into the Harbour each day!
We're still awaiting a decision from Transport Scotland on the overnight ferry berth so no news on that this month, and also no news (despite lots of people asking us!) on what might happen to the boatyard site.
Finally this month, it would be remiss of me not to mention the deaths of three people who each had a long connection with the Harbour; John Henderson, Toby Robinson and 'Sparky' Longmuir. Our condolences to each of their families.
Jacqueline McDonell 01687 462154

On and Off the Rails

West Coast Railway Company news
The one evening train into Mallaig from Fort William, diesel hauled, on Monday 14th October seemed surreal - lit up in the darkness, with a planned short time turn around just to allow the locomotive to change ends, with approximately 50 people on board. I guess it was done to prove the evening slot timings with authorised track access by the ORR and test the water for a possible evening service. Mallaig had already shut its eateries for the night, but I believe passengers dashed across to the Co-op to buy takeaways and beverages in record time!
On Friday 25th October the last Jacobite operated for the 2024 season. It was a muted departure. Gone are the days when the end of the season was marked by celebrating on the platform to thank WCRC for coming to Mallaig each year. We had children from the nursery waving flags. Bunting and banners, soup, sandwiches, pies, cakes galore, plenty of balloons etc. Now we have to placate the customers who appreciate the traditional Mallaig welcome that any visitor gets when they arrive in Mallaig, whether it be by road, rail or ferry. Now there seems to be little interaction between the Jacobite crew and guests, except for tannoy announcements. Mallaig exists to trade and keep people returning to the area. We are open and welcoming and my column last month was from the heart. The day after West Word came out I was congratulated for saying what I did, and comment after comment followed on for days that 'It was about time that someone stood up for us' instead of hearing WCRC customers berating and complaining day after day of their disappointment in their Jacobite experience and dreading the journey back, buying window cleaner and wipes to clean their own carriage windows. WCRC seem to operate on the fact that guests on board only travel once - take it or leave it, not encouraging guests to travel again.
We, in Mallaig, want to encourage WCRC to interact with us and share our passion for where we live and what we do for all visitors.
I invite WCRC to reach out to us as a community and rebuild trust that Jacobite guests are arriving having had a great journey. Maybe an open evening meeting between all parties in the new year at Mallaig Heritage Centre, where management of WCRC could share their future plans for the area. I know they read my column. We have so many local traders, community councillors, Road to the Isles Marketing Group, and Chamber of Commerce members who would welcome the chance to hear WCRC's plans for the future - not to be left in the dark. Mallaig is proud of what we achieve. Let's move forward together and coexist.
WCRC has acquired an extension from the ORR to its Track Access Charges pathing contract between Fort William and Mallaig for The Jacobite services from October 2024 to October 2029, with Network Rail Infrastructure Limited. Longer term WCRC will also have to either fit dual brakes to some of its steam locomotives or acquire suitable dual-braked locomotives either on hire or by purchase, to use with the central locking doors on the Riviera coaching stock mark 2 coaches they obtained last month, or revert to using the existing Ian Riley owned Black 5's with a diesel to supply the air braking required.

Network Rail - breaking news
Whilst working at the railway station in Mallaig last Saturday I spotted a Highland Council planning application notice: Network Rail have applied for approval to extend the length of the south end of the island platform.
The application was submitted on 15th October on behalf of ScotRail, who are finally seeking to introduce, on a permanent basis, the Highland Explorer carriage which was first trialled on the line from Glasgow over a year ago. The application can be viewed online at https://wam.highland.gov.uk - reference number 24/04396/LBC. The closing date for making comments online is 29th November 2024. As well as extending the platforms they plan to put up a barrier, gate, hand rails, and steps.
ScotRail are seeking to introduce the additional coach on passenger trains to increase line capacity by providing additional space for bicycles and the leisure market on the West Highland line.
Platform extensions have already been completed at Tulloch, Bridge of Orchy, Upper Tyndrum, Crianlarich, Ardlui, Arrochar and Tarbert, Garelochead and Helensburgh Upper on the West Highland main line. Mallaig is the first station to be extended on the West Highland branch line and is included in a group of three that planning permission is currently being sought for, the other two being on the West Highland main line. There will be further stations requiring alterations on the West Highland branch line. Happy news.
Network Rail has awarded Volker Rail its first major contract to work on Scotland's Railway. This company will deliver up to £150 million of signalling power and communications works as part of the new £1.3 billion Scotland Civils Framework. The wider programme covers buildings, civil engineering structures, earthworks, drainage, renewals and enhancements. Other lots awarded are up to £150 million of minor civils work to Taziker Industrial, building and civils work up to Amco Giffen and Story Contracting of up to £730 million. Amco of course, have been abseiling around Glenfinnan viaduct recently and photographed millions of times as they make safe the viaduct for many years to come. They are expected to finish this aspect of the contract in December 2024.
A minor civils and geotechnical works contract of up to £420 million has been awarded to QTS who we see frequently working in our area at stations. Each of these contracts will run for five years, with potential three-year extensions based on performance. We wish them all a vote of thanks for keeping us all safe on Scotland's Railway in all weather conditions throughout these Network Rail contracts. It just goes to show where revenue raising eventually pays dividends along with government contract procurement.

West Highland Pullman operated by Locomotive Services Limited
The latest three day, two nights first class deluxe travel - this time departing from Potters Bar - with every attention to detail from superb comfortable seating, high end catering, staff that are proud to see to your every need - whether it is being helped by the door stewards or being offered help to put your coat on in Mallaig - visited us for the final time this year on Saturday 2nd November. Heralded by the resident piper who has toe-tapping requests on demand, and many, many photos taken, they left us carrying shopping bags a-plenty vowing to return again and again. The smiles and stories shared came freely. As do the farewells from guests and staff alike. More visits are planned for 2025 with the first one into Mallaig on Saturday 25th January.
As they departed saying 'Merry Christmas and a happy Hogmanay' having attempted a Highland dance around the piper, the piper and I dived over to the Jacobite café, warmed up with toast and hot chocolate, before we too departed knowing that a hospitality moment had been well achieved.

Stop Press - season tickets on the West Highland line!
Season tickets are now available for travel between Mallaig and Fort William offering substantial savings if you're travelling to and fro on a daily basis. A weekly season ticket costs £73.80, or just £36.90 with a Highland Railcard. Available to purchase at Mallaig booking office. See www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/weekly for details.
See you on the train,
Sonia Cameron

Birdwatch October 2024 by Stephen MacDonald

October was fairly typical bird wise, with continual passage of Pink-foot Geese during the first half of the month, with birds reported from Morar, Arisaig and Loch Ailort. Whooper Swan reports increased and continued throughout the month, with birds seen overhead or sometimes resting for a few hours on sheltered sea lochs like Loch Ailort and Loch nan Ceall. On several occasions birds were seen resting on Loch Morar.
Greenland Whitefronted Geese were seen flying over from mid month, including a group of 60 seen over Arisaig on the 23rd. Great Northern Divers were first seen offshore at Traigh from the 12th. By the month end there were reports from Glasnacardoch and Loch nan Ceall. Both Red and Black-throated Divers were reported from the latter location.
Single Common Scoters seen at Loch nan Ceall on the 12th and offshore from Traigh on the 13th were the first reports of the autumn.
Moorhens were seen on Loch nan Eala on several occasions. A Water Rail was heard calling from the reed beds opposite the health centre, Arisaig on the 17th.
Wader passage petered out as the month progressed. Most birds seen were birds that will probably now winter in the area. Redshank, Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Turnstone and Dunlin were reported from Traigh, Back of Keppoch and the Morar Estuary. A flock of 25 Golden Plover were seen at Traigh golf course and adjacent fields on the 12th. Still a few Great and Arctic Skuas to be seen offshore in the Sound of Sleat. Good numbers of Kittiwakes and Gannets reported some days, also in the Sound of Sleat.
The first Redwings of the autumn were seen and heard at Arisaig and Morar during the first week. By mid month larger flocks of Redwings were arriving and the first Fieldfares were reported. On the 30th a mixed flock of Fieldfares and Redwings in excess of 2000 birds was seen near Millburn, Arisaig.

On the 5th two late Sand Martins were seen flying south over the Rhu peninsula.
A Kingfisher was seen on the Morar River, upstream of the hydro dam on the 9th and 14th. On the 21st a Kingfisher was seen on the Brunery Burn, Arisaig.
A Short-eared Owl was seen on the hillside near Carnoch, Arisaig on the 12th.
The most surprising sighting of the month was of a Hoopoe, first seen on the 25th near Arisaig Marina. Despite extensive searching over the next two days, it was not relocated. However on the 30th, presumably the same bird appeared in a garden at Back of Keppoch. It fed on the lawn for about 10 minutes, enabling several photos to be obtained.

Hoopoe photo by David Morris