DEAR DIARY !

New Year 2009/2010

The snows started to clear up by the beginning of the year until there were fresh snows, with freezing temperatures overnight.

On Tuesday, 5th January we had heavy snows which froze overnight with fresh snow (8cms) on Thursday morning.

The Highland Council have priority routes that must be treated first, so some minor roads - particularly around outlying Villages - will not be treated for some time.  Please be patient!

See the Traffic Scotland site on our LINKS page for further info (Weather Forecast).

30th March 2010

 A slight change was noticed this afternoon to the Harbour in that the former Tug Boat "Vanguard", on contract to the MOD, has now been removed from the Dolphins where she has been lying abandoned for some years and is currently lying across at Kyle alongside her tow vessel.

9th April 2010

Those avid readers to this page may have noticed that the Kyleakin & Kylerhea Community Company has been removed from the LINKS page.  This is due to the Company having closed down.

18th April 2010

Sunday brought beautiful blue skies, sun and warmth to the Isle of Skye after three days of leaden skies and a distinctly 'smoky ' pong and haze to the Skye & Lochalsh area on Friday.

7th May 2010

At about 1520hrs today a large slick of brown sewage was noted on the in-tide by the Harbour Wall at the Boat Park, whilst I was engaged in Litter Picking.  The slick wasn't evident at 0725hrs when I was in the same area clearing Litter from the Foreshore.

9th May 2010

A gentle dog walking expedition up the Obe yielded oodles of broken bottles and glass jars that were subsequently collected.  A mini Quad bike was noted to have been up there recently, as it added to the tracks left by Deer, Geese and Otters!

10th May 2010

Some twenty Herons, yes I did say 20, were noted at the head of the Obe this morning.  For some reason there doesn't seem to be the explosion of Rabbits that we had last year...

22nd May 2010

Two KEG attended a Site Meeting with Charlie Mac at Bernera by Glenelg to discuss the forthcoming Beach Clean in September.  This was followed by Lunch at the Glenelg Inn and a spot of Butterfly Spotting - an Orange Tip flitting around the Gardens.

Beach Clean at Glenelg View NW towards Beinn Bhuidhe	Beach Clean at Glenelg View SE towards Creag Mhor
Old Kyleakin Youth Hostel Works underway to convert the Old Hostel into Flats - remember the Dining Room?	Old Kyleakin Youth Hostel ... or sitting in the Lounges at the Front?
Restored MACBRAYNES' Coach This coach was formerly serving the Ferry crossing from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin in the 70's	MACBRAYNES Coach Appearing at the 2010 Kyleakin Gala, the coach offered free return rides to Kyle

Saturday, 12th June 2010

It was with great sadness that we learned this afternoon that a person had taken their own life by jumping from the Skye Bridge.

According to the Northern Constabulary website:

"At 1520hrs, members of the public reported seeing a female climbing over the (5ft safety) railings on the Skye Bridge and then seconds later, she was out of sight.

A search was commenced involving Stornoway Coastguard Helicopter, Kyle of Lochalsh Lifeboat and local Coastguard Personnel.

Remains were recovered and taken to Broadford Hospital, Isle of Skye."

Our thoughts and condolences are with her Family at this time.

Saturday, 10th July 2010

Two KEG Members attended at a Clean Up of the Foreshore at the Point of Sleat organised through Sleat Environmental Group.

As the vehicles left, with Flora and First Aid Kit on board, Alasdair elected to walk in and Litter Pick en route! 

Having suffered from a dilemma called "navigationally confused" (Flora had the map with the FA Kit) and a very nice cup of coffee and a blether (thanks Roger) the Litter Collectors were found in the, er, correct bay just as they had finished.  I have always said that timing is essential...

A colossal amount of rubbish was cleared from the Foreshore and, yes, more fishing nets!  Many thanks to the local Shepherd who offered to take the rubbish bags out to the Skip in his 4x4 and to the Residents at Point of Sleat who gave so much of their time to asist in evacuating the Litter Crew at the end of the day, one of whom had performed the run THREE times that day.

For those terrestial viewers reading this - the Point of Sleat and the residences, are along a two mile (extremely bumpy track).  The nearest Petrol Station is in Armadale, Isle of Skye.  A long way away.

Saturday, 7th August 2010

The 2010 Kyleakin Gala started on Friday evening with the Childrens Disco, followed by the "Kings of Haakon" for the over 16s' at 10pm.  An initially wet evening soon dried out.

Saturday was dry and although the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter had been requested to attend, a double booking left it on the other side of The Minch on Exercise with Stornoway Lifeboat, the expected Horses also failed to appear.

However, three new attractions were a definite hit with young and old alike!  'The Big Slide', an inflatable fifteen foot high slide, proved extremely popular with the youngsters as were the Circus Performers with a full height Trapeze erected and various juggling skills being taught, also in attendance was a 'MacBraynes Coach', a restored 1970s' coach that actually worked on the local Ferry crossing and offered free return trips to Kyle.  (See photos above)

As the old saying went:

The evening was rounded off with "Dodgy Ground" in the Marquee.  All in all a very well attended Gala that was well enjoyed by all present!

Sunday, 22nd August 2010

Following up on a report by a KEG Member, the carcass of a seal was located on Kyleakin Foreshore and photographed.

PC Ed Fraser, our local Wildlife Crime Officer was contacted and following his advice we are asking Members of the Public to stay away and not touch the carcass as the animal may have been culled due to a transmittable disease.

It is hoped that the carcass may be removed in the near future.  KEG can confirm that the seal had been shot and had not suffered injuries similar to those found on the eastern shores as have been mentioned in the Press & Media recently.

Tuesday, 24th August 2010

The seal carcass has since floated off the Foreshore with recent high tides and was last seen heading north-west under the Skye Bridge with a Gull hitching a ride.

Saturday, 28th August 2010

Congratulations to all the brave souls that took part in the RNLI Sponsored Walk today in dreich weather conditions, over the Skye Bridge to Kyleakin and back to Kyle for a well deserved BBQ.