Thursday, 22 August 2024

Thank you to everyone who expressed concern regarding incidents at Foyers Bay over the summer, this is much appreciated.  We would like to provide a little more context on the nature of these incidents, and also use this opportunity to give you a clearer picture of what the Foyers Bay steering group have been working on this summer.

Criminal Activity

In early July, it was reported that one or more individuals forcibly removed the access gate to Foyers Bay from its hinges to enable access.  Although the gate was put back, damage was done to the hinges, on top of the fact that this method of entry is illegal.

At some point between the dates of 20th July and 9th August, someone has damaged the padlock on this gate to such an extent that it is no longer possible for any of the existing keys to be used to open it, thus preventing community members with authorised access entering the facility. 

Both of these incidents have been reported to the police. 

On the back of the most recent incident, given that no community member now has access to Foyers Bay, it is now necessary to replace the keys for all existing users.

Steering Group update

The Foyers Bay steering group have been working very hard on a number of improvements at the site this year – the floating moorings have been installed and we hope to finalise the contractor for the next phase of landscaping works next week.  We have also been reviewing membership, terms and conditions and other associated documents so that we can run the Bay in a more controlled and professional manner.  As part of this, we have reviewed the current cost for use of and access to the Bay of a one-off deposit for a key of £6 and the decision has been taken that this needs to be adjusted.  As this is a deposit we cannot use this to invest back into the facility, so an annual membership fee was discussed and the principle agreed as follows:

• £200 refundable deposit paid on registration of membership.  This will be used to cover boat recovery if terms of use are not followed. 

• Annual membership fee of £10 per year paid in advance of membership renewal.
• Access to book the floating moorings at £5 per day with a maximum stay of 1 week unless mooring is not booked by another user then an extension can be granted.

This information is included in the Terms and Conditions of use, and the minutes of the meeting where this was discussed are available on the Foyers Bay project page on the Trust website.

In order to continue the improvements that the community would like to see happen at Foyers Bay, we need to raise money on top of the funding we receive from Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust.  We have reviewed the costs of similar facilities in the Highlands and these prices are competitive.  By investing in this community-run facility, it increases the sense of community ownership and responsibility and in turn this will help prevent incidents such as the ones mentioned earlier from occurring again.  Running such a facility has its own costs – maintenance, inspections, security, electricity, to name a few, and we need investment to help cover these.

On completion of the above works, we hope next season to create a lochside picnic area and begin planning towards the provision of changing facilities and a boat maintenance shed on site.

Impact of the criminal activity on Foyers Bay improvements

Having to notify the community of incidents such as these is disappointing.  Many volunteer hours have been put into improving this facility for everybody’s continued use and enjoyment.  The impact of this behaviour now means that we have to invest in further security and replace damaged equipment. It is now important to us that those who previously held keys are able to have them replaced, and in order to do this in the most efficient manner we have brought forward the rolling-out of the new membership scheme.

We do take on board the concerns raised about the new charges and will discuss them at our next steering group meeting in two weeks’ time.  All are welcome to attend this meeting – date, time, location and agenda will be shared next week.

If you have any further concerns or would like further information on what has been outlined here please get in contact with either Malcolm (Malcolm-dir@sfctrust.org.uk) or Caroline (pc@sfctrust.org.uk).

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 ...