Aird Community Trust (ACT)

Category: News

  • Winter activity in Upper Reelig Community Wood sees installation of new balance trail.

    The winter volunteer season in Upper Reelig Community Wood, managed by Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust, was really successful this year and continued to improve access and amenity in this popular woodland including the installation of a balance trail.

    Around 30 volunteers met over the winter on Saturdays and weekdays to carry out a variety of work. This included path maintenance, cutting and removing wind blown timber, thinning beech trees and removing non-native trees.

    Some the happy volunteers as the start of a session

    The highlight was the installation of a simple balance trail in the Douglas Fir plantation. This gives old and young alike the opportunity to get off the main path, test their balance and pause to enjoy the wind in the trees. You can find it by going to the upper carpark, taking the path directly ahead through the timber stacks and taking a left turn. Follow the path and you’ll find the trail on your left.

    Group members also took part in wood and path-related activities in Newtonhill Woods, on the path between Inchmore and Easter Moniack, and in the Community Park at Kirkhill.

    Tom

    Sadly, this year we lost one of the stalwarts of the Woodland Group with the death of Tom Paterson in early May. Tom had been a member of the group for over 10 years and for many years was our trained chainsaw operator. Happy to work in all weathers, he took a particular delight in heaving around large and awkward logs, and led the way in splitting chunks of wood that most of the group were happy to leave for another day. Tom made a significant contribution and he will be missed.

  • Inchmore School Canteen survey

    The 7th Inverness Scouting Group has been offered the opportunity to acquire the land currently siting the old school canteen in Inchmore for community use. The Scouting Group is considering the option to buy the land, to demolish the existing building (as it is not fit for use) and to design and build a new structure to offer a number of community uses, including storage for Scout Group equipment (which the Scout Group does not have at present).

    This survey of community opinion regarding this opportunity for an additional asset for community use will be central to the Scout Group decision-making on whether to proceed with considerable fund-raising efforts to purchase the land and build upon it.

    Click here to take part in the survey

  • Apple pressing at the community centre

    Bring along your spare garden apples to be crushed and pressed into wonderful apple juice. Windfalls are perfect for this and you can even make cider! 

    Just take along your apples and clean containers to take home your juice.

    Kirkhill Community Centre

    Sunday 28 October 2018, from 13:00 to 16:00.

    No charge but donations welcome

  • Kirkhill Gala Week 2018

    Sun 13th – Sat 19th May

    Our Gala is an annual event which tries to bring our local rural community together to have fun and raise funds towards the upkeep of our Community Centre.

    Events Calendar

    Sun 13th Church Service and crowning
    of Gala Queen and attendants    		 Wardlaw Church 10:00am
      Golf Competition   TBC
      Car Treasure Hunt and
    Kids’ Fun Run    		 Community Centre 4:00pm
    Mon 14th Bingo Community Centre 7:00pm
    Wed 16th Children’s Fashion Show
    by Peacocks    		 Kirkhill Primary Schoool 7:00pm
    Fri 18th Kids’ Football Community Centre TBC
      Quiz Night The Olde North Inn 7:00pm
    Sat 19th Gala Fun Day Community Centre 1:00pm – 4:00pm
    Thu 31st Ladies’ Fashion Show
    Clothes from Victoriana’s and Bridal Boutique
    Tickets go on Sale on Tuesday 1st May
    from Lorraine Macleod-07765 456 666.    		 Achnagairn 7:30pm for 8:00pm

    More details of events will be displayed around the village, on Facebook, via flyers and the School Newsletters as well as on this website.

  • Pitch Project Update

    The aim of the Pitch Project is to refurbish the waterlogged, rutted and unplayable Community Centre Pitch to make it usable again for everyone in the community.

    We have been fund-raising locally for the last couple of years with the 100+ Club (contact christinerebeg@hotmail.co.uk if you’d like to join) and some Community Quiz Nights.

    We’ve held an Open Meeting to find out people’s views and are developing a working partnership with Inverness City Football Club (Junior Scottish League).

    If we can raise the substantial funds needed via grant applications to refurbish the pitch we can give them a permanent home in Kirkhill. Their expertise and rent for the use of the Pitch for training and matches will ensure we can keep the Pitch in good condition, once it is repaired.

    Please contact the Kirkhill Community Group (names and numbers available on Community Centre Notice Board) if you can help or wish to make a donation.

    Thanks.

  • Log Reindeer Workshop

    Following the success of last year’s workshop we’ve been asked to run it again this year.

    The workshop, led by community wood volunteers, will teach the safe use of various tools and how to make a reindeer from small logs and branches found in the woodland. You’ll take home a log reindeer a bit like the one shown here but quite what it looks like is up to you!

    You’ll be working in the woods so warm clothes and footwear are essential. Hot drinks will be provided but bring snacks or lunch to keep you going (we hope to finish by 1pm but haven’t it could take a bit longer).

    We welcome adults and children working together on this project but, as we’ll be using knives and sharp tools, children must be at least ten years of age and they must be supervised by one adult per child.

    There are only five places available so booking is essential. The workshop is free but donations to the community woodland group are welcome.

    Book you place now