With Christmas just over 2 months away, the Struan shopping trip to Inverness is upon us again, this time in the new Community bus, with DJ Morrison having bravely volunteered to be our driver again.

There are currently two possible Saturdays – 5^th and 12^th December – but we will need to grab one of these two dates speedily to be assured of the trip actually happening.

Please select one of the following options if you wish to have a seat.  As the bus is a little bigger than the old one I am asking Dunvegan CT for their estimation of difference so that possibly one or two people more could go than in previous years (max 10) and still leave plenty of room for shopping.

Option 1 – 5^th December

Option 2 – 12^th December

Option 3 – 5^th or 12^th December

Looking forward to receiving your choice by return and we can then make a firm reservation for the bus.

Replies please to : 

sarah@theoldmanseskye.com OR

text to 0777 611 6920

A reminder that recruitment is now open for members of SSEN Transmission’s new West and Mid Highland Local Investment Forum, which will be responsible for assessing and deciding on applications to our community benefit funds across this part of the Highlands. Find the full details of the role and how to apply here. Applications close on 27 October.

The forum’s initial focus will be the Skye Reinforcement Local Fund, which will launch on 4 November 2026 and will invest £5.46 million into local communities over a minimum three-year period. Applications for the Local Investment Forum are especially encouraged from anyone living in the communities hosting infrastructure associated with the Skye Reinforcement Project, including Skye and Raasay, Glenelg and Arnisdale, Glengarry, and Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston. No previous fund decision-making experience is required. We want to build a diverse forum who bring knowledge of the areas covered by the fund and fund themes.

Residents who work for or sit on the boards of community organisations are welcome to apply to join Local Investment Forums.  You can still apply to join a forum if your organisation or group plans to apply for funding.  All forum members will be expected to abide by a conflict of interest policy to ensure that they are not involved in decisions about applications from groups they may be involved in. Please note that community councillors, local authority staff and elected members are not eligible to join the forum, as per UK Government guidance on community funds for transmission infrastructure. FAQs can be found towards the bottom of this page Our approach to Community Benefit Funding – SSEN Transmission.

The restoration workshop will be taking a summer break in July and August The next one will be on September 25th 2026. Details closer to the event.