Thursday, 12 October 2023

FIVE THINGS FOR A THURSDAY

It’s a holiday week for most people.  A chance to recharge the batteries.  I’m even having a long weekend from Friday! 

Residents should all have a copy of the Place Plan (sent with the magazine) and Highland Council ran a story on their website about validating the document here First Local Place Plan registered in Highland | The Highland Council

This week on Five Things For A Thursday I take a look at the big legacy hubs and where we are up to.

1) Errogie

Aim: Errogie will be a uniquely designed, supportive and inspirational multi media venue for crafts, music, heritage and biodiversity and a meeting space in Stratherrick and Foyers that promotes learning and creative confidence for all. 

We recently opened the doors so people could see what has been completed during Phase 1 Wind and Watertight for the Archaeology Weekend Festival.  Over 50 people attended and were impressed about the work that has gone into this venue.  Plans for Phase 2 were on display and that is currently in planning.

2) Sports Field and Slipway

Aim: To be to be a world class sporting facility near the banks of Loch Ness. It will bring local sports clubs together to work collectively to further enhance sporting opportunities in the area and to support and improve the health and wellbeing of the Stratherrick and Foyers community. 

Conditions of planning in principle for Riverside Field are being worked through (and, in some cases, almost complete) and local residents advised on the landscaping for the area.  This will be taken to the wider community for comment before being submitted.

The Slipway has been tendered and we hope a twelve week programme of works will take place in March 2024.

3) Inverfarigaig Land and Forest School

Aim to provide a facility and area to encourage life long learning and teach people of all ages new skills, an appreciation of their natural highland environment and environmental responsibilities. 

The land for Inverfarigaig residents has been purchased and they are working through some of the initial ideas they have for that land.  The proposal for the Forest School has been sent to the Forestry and we have met with them on site to explain this further.  You can read more here Farigaig Forest School Building and Fasnagruig Paddock - Forestry and Land Scotland

4) Aim: The Wildside Centre is a multi purpose community venue where members of the Stratherrick and Foyers can meet and support each other.  The Wildside Centre provides an area for study, work and social activities inside and outside the building.  It aims to be a destination venue and will be suitable for family friendly, training or conference activities with local accommodation providing a welcome place to stay.

The playpark has planning and a 12 week programme to build is expected to start early next year.  Land has been purchased next to the Wildside and an independent risk assessment has been undertaken and will be shared with local residents to help improve safety and the environment there.  Landscaping at the Wildside and preparing the Polycrub for growing from Spring next year is about to be undertaken.  New lights have been installed in the main room used by crafters

5) Our aspirations far exceed the funds we have available to us.  A lot of the projects above will be funded from external sources as well as our own community funds. Our fundraisers are working hard on this and the following projects too.  BCC are still pursuing the shop, the Trust are working on after school care, pathways, transport, investment in wind energy and housing projects and hope to have some updates on those Community Action Plan and Place Plan objectives soon.  

2026

February (2 stories)

3 February 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library is rolling into the area tomorrow, Wednesday 4th February, so pop along and say hello to Mark! Stop & time: • The Wildside Centre &ndash...

3 February RSABI Fundraising Event

Don't miss out on an incredible evening of music and laughter with the talented Farmers Choir performing in Aviemore late February in aid of RSABI and SAYFC.  ...

January (12 stories)

28 January Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wildside

💘 This Valentine’s Day, find someone who loves you as much as you love rugby 🏉   We’re streaming Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wil...

27 January 🌳 Development of Inverfarigaig Forest School 🌳

A community member has been in touch about the possibility of setting up a Forest School within our community. With the support of the Community Trust, a short survey has...

26 January 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library will be in the area tomorrow, Wednesday 27th January, so pop along and say hello to Mark!   📍 Stopping points & times: • Errogi...

22 January 🔥 Free Firewood Available – Whitebridge Area 🔥

A member of our local community, has been in touch with Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) to let us know that he has a significant amount of larch firewood...

21 January Large grant application from BCC for Foyers Stores Acquisition - Update

A Board meeting is taking place this evening in order for Directors of SFCT to consider the application and agree their recommendation. As the Chair of SFCT explained at ...

20 January Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the public meeting at the Wildside last night. We had a fantastic turnout, with 110 people attending in person and 26 joining u...

19 January Agenda for Public Meeting - Regarding the Foyers Stores Acquisition

Please find the agenda for tonight’s public meeting at the Wildside Centre regarding the proposed community acquisition of Foyers Stores.   1. Welcome &n...

14 January Apply for our Project Coordinator role

👋 Friendly reminder!   There’s still time to apply for our Project Coordinator role at Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust ...

8 January Notice to the Community: Change of Date for Public Meeting on Foyers Stores

Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) would like to update the community regarding the previously announced public meeting relating to the proposed purchase of F...

7 January 🌟 New Year, New Opportunities! 🌟

Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust is here to support your projects with our grants! 💡✨ 📅 Next application deadline: 21st March 2026 Learn more about ...

6 January 🎉 Calling all community organisers! 🎉

Do you run a class, group or one-off activity in one of the local buildings? We’d love to help spread the word! 💛 Our SFCT Community Calendar is looking a ...

6 January Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday 7th January 2026

👋 Hello and welcome to 2026 from SFCT! 🎉 We bring news from the Mobile Library as our first update of the year. 📚 Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday ...