Aird Community Trust (ACT)

Author: SH

  • Fancy an even lower energy bill?

    Home Energy Scotland are keen to liaise with Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust, helping Trust members and the wider community to benefit from free home visits by a specialist energy advisor who will provide confidential and impartial energy advice tailored to your home.

    If you own your own property and want to find out how to lower the cost of keeping warm and the best energy solutions suitable for your property, Home Energy Scotland can help.

    Your free home visit will cover:

    • How to get the most out of your heating and hot water system including how best to use heating controls
    • What energy efficiency measures and renewables systems suit your home
    • What financial incentives are available to help
    • Energy and money saving tips
    • How to combat condensation or dampness.

    Book your free home visit now by calling Rabia Arooj on 01463 259714 or email Rabia on rabia.arooj@hi.homeenergyscotland.org

     

     

  • Litter Pick Sat 17th January – Snowed Off

    In light of the fresh snow this week, the litter pick has been postponed and will take place later in the spring. 

  • Support for improvements to boggy sports pitch needed

    Views from anyone in the community are invited on the proposed renewal of the boggy sports pitch at Kirkhill Community Centre.
    You are invited to a meeting about the Sports Pitch at Kirkhill Community Centre to be held in the Williamson Room at Kirkhill Community Centre on Wednesday 3rd December 2014 at 7.45pm.
    The pitch is often unusable due to poor drainage and the KDAA which owns the land is looking at a major project to have the pitch renewed. This would involve a new drainage system and a new playing surface which we expect to cost in the region of £100,000.
    In order to raise the funds to complete this project the KDAA needs to give evidence to funding bodies of the need for the pitch to be renewed and of its significance to the life of the community. We will also need the assistance of those with an interest in seeing this happen to help drive the project forward.
    The meeting on Wednesday 3rd December will be an opportunity for you to meet with members of the KDAA to hear about the advice already received regarding improving the playing surface, ask questions, provide comments, and indicate what support you may be able to give to take the project forward.
    If you are in touch with any others who may have an interest in this project please mention this meeting to them and encourage them to come along as well.
    For further details or comments please contact Alasdair Morrison on 831185.

  • Kirkhill craft and gift fair

    The annual Kirkhill Craft and Gift Fair will take place on Saturday 8th November from 10 am to 1:30 pm in Kirkhill Community Centre.

    This is a great chance to get an early start on Christmas shopping with a fantastic range of local products, crafts and gifts as well as local vegetables. Refreshments will be available and there will be a Raffle Prize Draw.

    There’s still space for some more stalls so if you’re interested contact Wilma on 831737.

    Admission £1.00, refreshments available.

     

  • WARDLAW MAUSOLEUM PROJECT

    A PROJECT BY KIRKHILL & BUNCHREW COMMUNITY TRUST TO TAKE OVER THE RUNNING OF WARDLAW MAUSOLEUM

    Mausoleum 1

    The mausoleum is in Wardlaw Graveyard at the top of Wardlaw Road in Kirkhill, 8 miles west of Inverness. It was built in 1634 as the burial place for the Lovat Frasers on the end of the original parish church. The roof of the mausoleum was raised and a tower added in 1722 by the then Lord Lovat, the ‘Old Fox’ of the Jacobite Rebellion who was later buried in the crypt. It was used by the Lovats until the early 19th century. The building then fell into disrepair until the 1990’s when the Wardlaw Mausoleum Trust was formed to rescue it. This led to a restoration project with Historic Scotland and Lottery funding. The mausoleum is listed as Grade ‘A’ by Historic Scotland, the highest level of importance.

    The 2 remaining trustees have been looking for a new body to take it over so they can retire. Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust is preparing a business plan for the project and is managing the building for the WMT in the meantime. The KBCT Mausoleum Group is looking at ways to promote the building to encourage visitor numbers and other means to raise funds to pay for its running costs and future repairs. One of these is the current interest in the Outlander series of books and TV series whose main character, Jamie Fraser, is a grandson of the ‘Old Fox’. This has already brought fans of the books to the mausoleum and this is expected to increase over coming months. A Twitter account has been set up @WardlawMaus and already has 260 ‘followers’ from around the world.

    The KBCT Mausoleum Group has now been formed. If you would like to join it, help with fund raising  or simply arrange a visit please contact Erik Lundberg on 01463 831742 or erik.lundberg@btinternet.com. The mausoleum is an important asset for our community with a fascinating history. With your help it can be protected for future generations to enjoy

     

  • Beauly Cares

    Most elderly people want to live at home for as long as they possibly can. For many of us that should be perfectly feasible – with a little bit of support.

    We believe statutory services are important – particularly for addressing practical issues such as adaptations to your home or help with cleaning and cooking. But we also feel communities can take the initiative and help themselves and their neighbours and friends.

    One of the single biggest issues for older people is social isolation and our aim is to find ways to develop social networks which help people live happily at home for as long as they wish.

    The project encompasses Beauly, Kiltarlity, Kilmorack and Kirkhill.

    What we’ve achieved so far

    • a weekly Lunch Club with entertainment on Mondays in The Royal British Legion, Beauly,  attracting around 35 people each week
    • monthly Teas in Kilmorack, Kirkhill, and Kiltarlity  for 12 to 25 people
    • a transport scheme for those who have difficulty attending events

    What we aim to do next

    • continue to explore opportunities for the establishment of a Day Centre
    • expand the travel scheme, when we take delivery of a mini-bus with wheelchair access which has been gifted by the Highland Cross
    • develop a walking group which will help keep people mobile
    • create a Men’s Shed in the village – a community version of a space for men.

    We are also working with other organisations to provide support and events for carers and people with dementia who face particular challenges.

    We are committed to doing what we can to help people stay where they want to be – in their local community.

    Membership

    If you would like to become a member, either to register support for the project or to get involved, please contact Zane Wright (Co-ordinator) as follows

    Tel. 07747 312396 – I am not always able to answer phone so please leave a message and I will contact you as soon as possible

    or email bdcareproject@yahoo.com