Other Groups

This page will provide information about and links to other Transition and Community groups, mainly those closest to the Black Isle, but also some further afield.

Highland Environment Forum

The Highland Environmental Forum (HEF) was established to provide an arena for discussion, networking and action on environmental subjects. 

To do this we:

• Foster and coordinate activity on environmental matters
• Take forward relevant actions identified in the Highland Outcome Improvement Plan and be a valuable source of practical advice
• Identify, and respond to, emerging environmental agendas
• Provide a link between local groups and national strategies, action plans and reporting
• Raise awareness and promote good practice on environmental issues

We hold two full Forum meetings a year, organise annual biodiversity and invasive species conferences, and set up working groups as required.

Visit the HEF website at  http://www.highlandenvironmentforum.info/

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Culbokie Community Trust

January 2018 Newsletter

From: Richard Fyfe
Sent: 14/01/2018 16:15:29
Subject: Culbokie Community Trust News Bulletin
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"Dear CCT members and supporters,

The Christmas and New Year holidays are already beginning to seem like a distant memory and, for many of us, it is back to the business of regular routines. For CCT 2018 promises to be a busy year with lots to do, particularly with the Glascairn project and the land deal with Tulloch Homes which, we hope, is nearing completion. We have our first Board meeting on 22 January and we will be discussing our priorities for the coming year.

At the AGM in November we gave a summary of some of the highlights of the year which Penny had divided into two parts, before and after Tullochs. There is no doubt that the approach from Tullochs has moved us into a new phase of work with an even greater sense of urgency for 2018. The conclusion of the deal with Tullochs, which we hope will happen very soon, will no doubt ratchet things to a higher level still. Consequently you can expect to hear more from us in the coming months.

As we have said on a number of occasions, none of this would happen without the support of our community. This was evidenced again recently when we saw that the collection box in the shop had received donations totalling £224 during 2017. These regular donations help to contribute to the running costs of CCT and this amount is roughly equivalent to the cost of insuring and maintaining the Glascairn site. So thanks to all of you who drop your loose change in this box and please continue to support us in 2018 and beyond.

Richard Fyfe
CCT Chair

Culbokie Community Market

In April and May CCT will have the usual plant stall, where you will be able to pick up a wide range of plants both indoor and out at reasonable prices.  Maybe, you are you a grower with a few spare plants, or maybe you could plant a few extra.  It would be great if we could increase the range available.  All proceeds go to CCT for use in the Community.  Please get in touch if you can help.

Markets continue throughout the year on the 3rd Saturday of each month. This year the market celebrates its 10th Anniversary on 19th May.  We hope to have some special activities and events so be sure to make a note in your diary.

You can keep up-to-date with news and events on the Facebook Page – Culbokie Community Market.

If you wish to take part in a market please contact Sylvie on:  market@culbokie.org or telephone 07926  044064

Mailing on behalf of Culbokie Community Trust Limited
Scottish Charity Number SC 045867
www.culbokiect.org
info@culbokiect.org
01349 877822
 

MOO Food,  Muir of Ord

(information from Facebook,  October 2017)
https://www.facebook.com/MOOFood/

Story
MOO Food is a social enterprise based in Muir of Ord with a vision to create an inclusive hub for producing environmentally conscious food that sustains a healthy, empowered, low carbon community.

Mission
To inspire healthy, environmentally friendly living and give the Muir of Ord community opportunity to reduce carbon footprint and contribute to the production of affordable, chemical free food. Whilst providing hands-on learning opportunities and increasing social capital.

MOO Food Aims

• to improve access to affordable, local, seasonal, chemical free fruit and vegetables.
• to inspire healthy, sustainable, green living
• to provide opportunities for the community to be active
• to empower the community by increasing knowledge and confidence through delivering a suite of courses on growing fruit and veg, food preparation, nutrition, waste reduction and composting, and ongoing support
• to increase social capital by bringing people together and facilitating sharing of knowledge and skills within the community and to prepare the younger generation for the future
• to facilitate an organic waste collection service and community composting
• to be inclusive

For information about  MOO Food contact Emma Whitham at   MOOFood@mail.com

 

Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE)

14 October 2017       GALE  'Social Saturday'  newsletter

More about  'Social Saturday'  and similar events.

GALE, or Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action forum, is a community owned and managed charitable development company.  Its key aim is to develop and improve the way of life and standard of living in the Gairloch and Loch Ewe area of Wester Ross.  This involves working with a range of community groups and volunteers to develop sustainable community projects that tackle important issues within our community, such as improving the social life, the local economy and the environment.

GALE is based in a new purpose-built centre in Gairloch, which includes a cafe, offices and community shop.  The aim of the shop is to provide a permanent outlet for local people to sell their products and in many cases launch new product ideas.  It also creates valuable year round local employment opportunities for both the shop staff and for those who supply the shop with their locally made products.

GALE has been running community markets in the Gairloch and Loch Ewe area for over 10 years.  They have grown significantly in size and frequency and have become a regular fixture in local diaries.

The Community Markets are currently held in Gairloch, Poolewe and Aultbea and feature a wide range of products and producers.  As well as offering local people an opportunity to buy and sell local products they are of great social benefit to the community, offering a friendly meeting point over a hot drink and local homebaking.

For more information visit GALE's website at   www.galeactionforum.co.uk  or their  Facebook page.

Transition Town Forres

This is an article contributed by TTF's Treasurer and Company Secretary Carin Schwartz. Transition Town Forres .

You can of course find out more about the activities of Transition Town Forres by visiting their website at  www.ttforres.org

Soirbheas

Soirbheas is a community development organisation for Glen Urquhart and Strathglass, receiving income from a part share in the locally-owned Corrimony wind farm to re-invest in the community through a variety of projects, in conjunction with other community groups.  One of these is a year-long 'Tattie Project' - one of several offshoots from our own potato days - and another is a High Speed Broadband project in conjunction with Community Broadband Scotland, with the aim of extending fast broadband coverage to all households and businesses in the area.

Find out more about Soirbheas by visiting their website at  http://www.soirbheas.org.

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust 

Based in Bonar Bridge, the Trust aims to ensure that long-term, sustainable benefits are achieved throughout the Kyle of Sutherland area, by focussing on how best to utilise funding from local wind farms and renewable energy projects and identifying match funding opportunities.

A priority of the Trust is to oversee the implementation of a local development plan, with the aim of strengthening and uniting the local community through a range of projects. These include increasing leisure and outdoor activities available to residents and visitors, supporting local businesses and industries including tourism, fishing and food production and increasing education and training opportunities.

Find out more at  www.kyleofsutherland.co.uk.

Lochaber Environmental Group

LEG is a registered Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Its aim is to encourage the development and the desire to take action on the environment locally and to help local communities and people to realise this. The company runs various projects throughout Lochaber - more information can be found in the current projects section of thir website.

http://lochaberenviro.org.uk/

Highland Biodiversity Partnership

The Highland Biodiversity Partnership comprises around 30 representatives of local groups and key organisations committed to understanding, safeguarding, restoring and celebrating biodiversity within the Highland Council area.

Its purpose is to provide guidance and support to the existing network of local biodiversity groups, and to make progress on the key strategic biodiversity issues in the Highlands.

Since the Highland Biodiversity Project was started in 2002, over £700,000 of new funding has been spent on biodiversity action and planning in Highland. Over two thirds of this money was targeted towards local biodiversity projects. Seven Local Biodiversity Action Plans have been produced, over 130 projects delivered and over 250 awareness-raising events held across the seven LBAP areas.

http://www.highlandbiodiversity.com/index.asp

Highland Biodiversity Officers
Janet Bromham and Jonathan Willet  (job share)
The Highland Council, Planning & Development Service
Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX

Tel:  01463 702 274
Fax: 01463 702 298
Email:  janet.bromham@highland.gov.uk            jonathan.willet@highland.gov.uk
 

Ross-Shire Voluntary Action

Ross-shire Voluntary Action exists to support voluntary groups across Ross-Shire, working to build communities which are safe, strong and sustainable for the future.
As one of the partners of the Highland Interface, The Highland Third Sector Interface, we work collaboratively across the area to ensure that the voice of the voluntary sector right across Highland is heard.

Valerie Cameron, Chief Executive Officer
Ross-Shire Voluntary Action, Thorfin House
Bridgend Business Park, Dingwall  IV15 9SL

Tel:  01349 862431      Mob: 07739 071365
E:    val@rossvolact.org.uk
W:   www.rossvolact.org.uk

www.facebook.com/RossVolAct
www.twitter.com/RossVolAct

Scottish Charity No. SC006582   Registered in Scotland No. 234092
 

The Dùthchas Project - Our Place in the Future

The Dùthchas Project was a demonstration project funded by the EU Life Environment Programme from 1998-2001. Focused on the Scottish Highlands and Islands, the Project worked with 3 communities and 22 public agencies to explore ways of sustaining fragile rural areas – the natural heritage, the people and the economy. North Sutherland, North Uist and Skye’s Trotternish peninsula were chosen as the 3 Pilot Areas.

The Duthchas website  www.duthchas.org.uk  is packed with still really ground breaking and useful information for the kind of things that TBI are seeking to achieve.
 

Transition University of St Andrews

Transition St Andrews came to our attention in October 2014 when Anne Thomas went to their two-day Transition Roadshow, which included a talk by Transition co-founder Rob Hopkins.  A quick look at their website shows them to be engaged in activities similar to some of TBI's, with bike maintenance classes in May, a report on one member's first experience of an electric car, and a whole section of the site devoted to re-using and re-economy, including training in repair skills.

Check out Transition St Andrews at  http://www.transitionsta.org.

Transition Network

For the main Transition Network website go to   www.transitionnetwork.org/