Wild Lochaber Blogs
The latest bleats from the sheep on the street...
Blogs (web logs) and blogspots provide a unique insight into Highland life and nature in Lochaber and The West Highlands.
We have put together a collection of Lochaber blogs to highlight the traditions, culture and wildlife in the various regions, including the West Coast Islands.
We show entries from the last 100 days, organised by region, topic and blog. The titles and text snippets give a taste of each entry with direct links to the main blog entry on the host website. We hope you will find time to explore the full articles and further information on the host blog sites.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions for blogs you would like to see here.
West Highland Museum
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During 1832 an epidemic reached the shores of Lochaber, an epidemic that bears a gruesome resemblance to our present-day struggle against the Coronavirus. This mysterious new disease also arrived from the east and brought both panic and confusion to the population. Mistakes were made by the...
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Andrew Belford 1799-1864 was founder of the Belford Hospital in Fort William (pictured above) On 22nd November 1865 the Belford Hospital admitted its first patient. A hospital was first mentioned by the Rev. Archibald Clark of Kilmallie recording that “An hospital in Fort William...
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“I went as a gunner to Fort William … in 1726 I fought a clean young man at Edinburgh. I gave him seven wounds and broke both his arms. This I did at the request of several gentlemen. But now being 63 years of age, resolves to fight no more, but to repent for my former wickedness………….” So wrote...
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This is the first completed reproduction of the sword of Big Duncan MacKenzie. As well as crafting form, dimensions, weight and balance of the original, the exact battle damage on the blade has also been exactly reproduced. Grip wood has been sourced from the Jacobite lines on the battlefield...
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The Lochaber Curling club celebrated its 150th Anniversary on 28 January 2020. In 1870 a group of Fort William’s townsmen gathered in the Caledonian Hotel (now MacIntyres solicitors opposite the Museum) where it was resolved that a Curling Club should be formed. The club has been continuously...
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The Museum’s permanent Commando Exhibition opened in early 2013. In 2012, to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the start of Commando training at Achnacarry in 1942, Donald Cameron of Lochiel, President of the West Highland Museum, kindly agreed to tell us a little about life at...
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One of the principle reasons for the failure of the ill-fated Jacobite Rising of 1745 was lack of finance. From the very outset, money problems dogged Prince Charles Edward Stewart and his army. Expected gold from France failed to arrive. The army had to fall back on its own...
The Oban Times
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After eight years as a crofter on the Isle of Rum I returned to the mainland in 2019 with my husband and our teenage children. The post The Croftless Crofter: Nic Goddard appeared first on The Oban Times.
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COVID-19 halts work on Fort cinema and soap factory developments The post COVID-19 halts work on Fort cinema and soap factory developments appeared first on The Oban Times.
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The Caring for People helpline brings together partner agencies and covers a wide range of issues including help for those who are experiencing difficulties accessing food or prescriptions, business advice including access to grants and anyone who has financial or personal concerns. The post...
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The changes include earlier and later services for NHS workers at hospitals after consultation with health boards, and through feedback from customers on the services that are still being well used. The post Support for key workers with timetable changes appeared first on The Oban Times.
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COVID:19: Highland Council to launch e-vouchers for free school meals The post COVID 19: Highland Council to launch e-vouchers for free school meals appeared first on The Oban Times.
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Innovative island distilleries are coming up with creative solutions to bring a bit of light relief from self-isolation The post Say cheers to online whisky tasting tonight appeared first on The Oban Times.
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Today's numbers takes Scotland's death toll to 33. The post Latest Coronavirus cases and deaths appeared first on The Oban Times.
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During a meeting of the boad which runs the area’s health and social care partnership, convened via Skype on Wednesday, a motion was lodged to register thanks to workers. The post Council pledge support for healthcare staff appeared first on The Oban Times.
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The Knapdale ward, at Mid Argyll Hospital in Lochgilphead, was initially earmarked for closure in January as part of a redesign of dementia services in Argyll and Bute. The post Knapdale dementia ward will shut appeared first on The Oban Times.
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NHS Highland has made the move as part of its battle plan to reduce the virus spreading. The post COVID-19 suspends visiting times appeared first on The Oban Times.
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COVID-19: Unite union welcomes Scottish Government instruction to close down construction sites The post COVID-19: Unite union welcomes Scottish Government instruction to close down construction sites appeared first on The Oban Times.
Plants of Skye, Raasay & The Small Isles
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Recent days have been fine and sunny so I have spent a lot of time gardening. More digging and tidying have resulted in several more caterpillars but they have looked too difficult to identify for me to try. A single click beetle larva (wireworm) in one of the vegetable beds does not concern me ...
The Sunart Diaries
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Wordless Wednesday posts are images from Ardnamurchan and the surrounding regions – Sunart, Morvern, Ardgour, Moidart and the Rough Bounds. No description is necessary but further details may be provided with the linked full-size image. I will try and ensure they were photographed in the same month...
