Author: Amalia

The following email has been received from Scottish Woodlands: “Scottish Forestry have identified a positive infection of Phytophthora ramorum within the larch trees along the 2 churches walk. This is a fungal disease which kills larch, and to try and slow the spread and impacts Scottish Forestry demand that infected stands be felled. As managing agents, Scottish Woodlands Ltd. are therefore in the planning stages of working out how the impacted woodlands may be felled and extracted while minimising impacts to the community. The current thoughts are to return the ground to native type woodland post felling to avoid the need for future clearfells/disruption and improve views and visual appeal. There would be a short period during which the current walking path would have to be closed, and thereafter re-instated to ensure continued future access. Plant Health notices dictate that the felling must be completed in the autumn/winter of 2023.   At this stage we wished to make the community aware that this is a problem we’re going to have to tackle, and I’d be interested in the communities thoughts as to how impacts might be reduced. Any responses are encouraged by end of May 23 :dingwallenquiries@scottishwoodlands.co.uk”  

Dunvegan Community Trust are excited to be working on a project to redevelop the play park in the village. The current play park has been neglected for some time, and with The Highland Council having no plans to renovate it themselves, we would like to create a new and exciting play park on the current site. Volunteers have commissioned a project design from play equipment specialists Kompan and are working with the council to transfer the site into community use. To help us deliver this project, we are collaborating with Dunvegan Community Council and the Dunvegan school and parent council. As we have now become an incorporated charity, we are formalising a sub-committee to take the project forward and are delighted to have a large number of volunteers on board already. We welcome anyone in Dunvegan who is willing to lend their time and expertise to join the project team and get involved. We are committed to ensuring the new play park meets the specific needs and requirements of our community. In the coming weeks and months, we shall be consulting with residents and Dunvegan Primary School pupils to gather feedback on our project plans to help refine the final play park design. We recognise that we have a significant fundraising challenge ahead of us. We shall be fundraising at local events and applying for grants to deliver the project, with our first funding application already submitted. We are hopeful that we can meet our target through various sources and donations. If you wish to get involved in the project, we invite you to apply to join the play park working group on our updated website. Whether as a full sub-committee member or a volunteer, your contribution will be greatly appreciated!