SIX Lochaber High School pupils made waves at a recent young engineers competition run by the Royal Navy.

RETIRING after 40 years of dedicated service to young people in the Highlands, Lochaber-based Gaelic early education and childcare officer Catriona MacIntyre was given a warm send-off by friends and colleagues at a party in Highland Council's education offices at Camaghael last Friday.

LOCHABER Sea Cadets held their Royal Naval parade and inspection on Tuesday evening at the cadet centre in Fort William.

NOT a mountain in sight for Fort William servicewoman Iona MacDonald, who is presently serving as an RAF medic in Iraq.

A MEMBER of the Lochaber Air Cadets is feeling sky high after learning she has secured a trip of a lifetime to Nepal.

PUPILS at Lochaber High School have raised hundreds of pounds for charity by taking part in a sponsored walk.

SIXTY-EIGHT Lochaber High School sixth year pupils turned city slickers to enjoy a full weekend of sightseeing and activities in London.

A KINLOCHLEVEN youngster has been recognised as a top learner at a national awards ceremony celebrating Scotland's land-based industries.

THE Rotary Club of Lochaber, founded almost 60 years ago, inducted its first ever female member at last Wednesday's weekly meeting.

FORMER world champion boxer Scott Harrison spent two days in Lochaber recently and took time to pass on tips to keen youngsters at the newly-established Lochaber Phoenix Boxing Club in Caol.

ORGANISERS of a forthcoming event to celebrate the history of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT) have been bowled over by the response to their plea for material.

KINLOCHLEVEN High School pupil Lynsay Michie has booked a place in the grand finals of a young chefs' national competition, after proving to be a cut above the rest in Highland heats.

THE history of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team will be celebrated during the forthcoming Fort William Mountain Festival.

A SOUTH Lochaber care complex has taken delivery of a brand new bus, thanks to participants who took part in a record-breaking endurance race in the Highlands last summer.

KINLOCHLEVEN brother and sister Andrew and Elizabeth Gibson picked up free tickets to all 2008 events at the Lochaber Rural Complex in Torlundy, and a pocket diary to put them in, when they took top prize in a competition by a countryside walks firm.

A HIGHLAND man who has had more than his share of tragedy to contend with in recent years is appealing to people who have been bereaved and may feel down over the festive season to find someone to talk to.

A ROYAL Navy recruit from Upper Achintore, Fort William, is now one step closer to a life on the ocean wave after completing his basic training course at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall.

A NEWLY completed path connecting Forestry Commission Scotland's recently acquired Chapman's Wood with Ben Nevis was officially opened this week.

ROY Bridge Memorial Hall was packed to the rafters on Friday evening as villagers gathered for a surprise bash to mark the retirement of much-loved local school teacher and community stalwart, Margaret Sargent.

Organisers of the RBS Caledonian Challenge welcome a new member of the team this month, having appointed fundraising event specialist John Mercer as event director for the UK's premier endurance walking event.

THE management and staff at a Lochaber hotel are celebrating after landing a top industry accolade.

TWO Lochaber High School pupils are on countdown for an out-of-this-world experience next year.

A DEDICATED West Lochaber bus driver was crowned a "local hero" at a prestigous gala dinner event in Fort William.

A TRAIN driver from Fort William has picked up another accolade for his unstinting service to the rail industry.

AN ABBEYFIELD House resident celebrated her 100th birthday in fine style last week.

A COUPLE from Fort William have taken on a double challenge to raise valuable funds for the British Red Cross.

A LOCHABER estate manager has been honoured for his commitment to training and development within the game and wildlife industry.

THE outstanding dedication of two Kinlochleven firefighters was recognised at a ceremony in their fire station on Saturday evening.

LOCHABER Rotary Club is hosting five Australian female Rotarians this week as part of a study trip.

THE gloves are on at Lochaber's newest club, as boxing makes a comeback to the area's sports scene after an absence of more than 15 years.

GAELIC stalwart Chrissie MacEachen, who has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to tutoring youngsters, will have Lochaber's highest civic title bestowed on her at next month's Royal National Mod.

A PRESENTATION of certificates took place last Thursday (August 28) at the Greenfingers Project in Claggan, Fort William – a venture run by Lochaber Action on Disability and The Highland Council.

A CAOL woman took the plunge earlier this month, jumping 10,000ft from an aeroplane for charity.

A SPECIAL sit-aside bike has been bought by the Lochaber High School Support for Learning department after three of its pupils reached the summit of Ben Nevis – without leaving the school building.

STAFF at Lochaber College bade a fond farewell to their Clan Cameron colleague Kim Walker recently, with a special New Zealand themed menu.

A LOCHABER hotel has joined an elite band of organisations by receiving a top industry rating.

A FORT William couple hope Lochaber News readers can put them in the picture after an amazing chance discovery.

A NEW “rail” ale is the toast of passengers travelling on the world famous West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig.

I ARRIVED in Scotland at the beginning of June 2007 from Palmerston North, New Zealand. I had been studying at Otago University and after completing my Masters of Entrepreneurship, was awarded the First Light Award by the Clan Cameron.

BANGERS to Mongolia! No, not Scots sausages, but a trio of lads with Lochaber connections, linking up with scores of other groups who will be driving bangers to Mongolia.

THIRTY-FIVE years after starting as “a fresh-faced young teenager” at the Mastrick branch of the Clydesdale Bank, Gordon Westwood, now manager at Fort William, received a presentation last week to mark that career milestone.

WHEN Elaine Malcolm was growing up, she was fascinated by the sign language a friend used to communicate with her deaf brother.

THERE was rejoicing throughout Lochaber and Lorn at the weekend as well-loved local priest, Monsignor Thomas Wynne, celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination.

RESIDENTS of Eigg this week celebrated the tenth anniversary of the island’s historic purchase by their community.

FORT William man Robert Penny hopes the sale of his collection of toy cars will provide many pounds for the Lochaber Hydrotherapy Pool.

A WELL-KNOWN Lochaber photographer has put his passion into print with the publication of his first book.

TV reality fashion series Project Catwalk catapulted Fort William design student Gemma Carver (24) into the spotlight before she had even finished her degree.

INVERLOCHY man John MacLeod, who is severely physically disabled, struggled out of his wheelchair on Saturday afternoon – to stand proudly on the snow covered summit of Ben Nevis.

A SPEAN Bridge man has beaten off the country’s biggest and best to carry off the trophy as Scotland’s Strongest Man.

EVERY parent knows the constant demands of children to be taken here, delivered there and picked up from yet another location.

NANCY spends her spring and summer days working in her big garden, she dances, goes to exercise class, enjoys Nordic walking and campaigning.

JUST over one year ago little Hannah Sinclair, now three-years-old, was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent life-saving major surgery.

HIGHLAND Council has appointed a new corporate manager for Ross, Skye and Lochaber. He is Bob Cameron, currently area manager for Ross and Cromarty.

ON Sunday, March 31, 19--, well, 50 years ago actually, two girls, aged 21 and 19, sat together nervously at the organ of the MacIntosh Memorial Church of Scotland, Fort William, to provide the music for the morning service.

NORTHERN Constabulary police constable Bradley O’Neill has been recognised by the force for making an outstanding contribution to the community which he serves.

GROUPS of smokers standing outside office buildings and public houses are now a common sight on the streets of towns and cities across the country.

NETHER Lochaber nursery pupils have returned “home” after a major refurbishment at St Bride's Primary School at Onich.

A KINLOCHLEVEN High School pupil who is battling a life-threatening illness has been honoured for her bravery.

THE guiding hand behind Lochaber Life is changing with the retirement of its first and until now only editor, Margaret Muncie, who steps down with the March edition.

THE Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Outdoor Education Response Team (OERT) delivered an adventurous weekend to 11 young people from the Lochaber area last weekend.

AGE is no barrier to creativity, as an innovative arts group have been demonstrating.

JUST moments after his chips came home for him in a prestige poker challenge, Lochaber businessman Ian Smith found himself “hustled”.

AN artist who has received wide recognition within art and mountaineering circles is to hold his first solo exhibition at the 2007 Fort William Mountain Festival.

THE development of a new boxing club in Lochaber is likely to prove a knock-out attraction for locals of all ages.

POPULAR Nevis Radio presenter Lachie “Mor” MacDougall has scored a hat-trick with his Monday evening show The Hoolie by taking a prestigious trophy for the third time.

DEDICATED environmental volunteers were honoured this week for their work with the Refurnishings project, which ran from 1994 to 2006.

SPEAN Bridge postie Catriona Andrews received a special package of her own when her 20 years of dedicated service in the village was marked by Royal Mail.

A CAOL man, whose quick thinking prevented a serious house blaze ending in tragedy, was honoured by fire chiefs this week.

DEDICATED taxi driver May Wardle completed her final drop off recently after more than 25 years safely delivering Torlundy children to and from primary schools in Fort William.

FORT William man Robbie Robertson has retired after a 40-year career with motoring giants Volkswagen — 22 of which were spent in the driving seat of his own dealership business in Lochaber.

A FORMER Lochaber High School pupil from Inchree, Onich, is preparing to embark on six months’ voluntary work in Port Shepstone, South Africa.

WITH the current trend of hotels tending to change hands every few years, it is unusual to find one which has been in the same family for the past 43 years.

THE work and commitment of Ronnie MacKellaig – who for over 60 years has organised the Glenfinnan Gathering – was honoured by fellow members of the committee by the presentation of a specially commissioned and engraved wooden bowl.

THE Lochaber Geopark Association moved another step forward recently with the appointment of a full-time project officer.

STAFF from The Royal Bank of Scotland in Fort William have been helping to raise £1 million for a range of charities as part of a community initiative across Scotland.

GILLIAN Moore, daughter of Charles Moore, Fort William, was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Music from Brunel University at its special 2006 Cadogan Hall Concert.

ISABEL Campbell MBE is to step down as director/administrator of Lochaber Rural Complex at the end of the year.

FORTY-FOUR miles and three and a half hours on their bikes brought in more than £500 for the Children In Need charity as Marc Harper from Caol and John Macintyre from North Ballachulish took the road from Ardgour to Kilchoan in a fundraising venture.

EVERY Saturday morning, starting at 5am when the alarm goes off, it is the same routine for 12-year-old Saskia Sansom and her mum Anna.

AN intriguing chain of events surrounds the renovation of a very old crofthouse near Kinlochbervie in Sutherland.

A SUGGESTION that a 60-year-old cairn erected on the summit of Ben Nevis in the cause of world peace should be removed to sea level has run into a storm of protest.

FOR many people Timbuktu conjures up thoughts of one of the most mysterious and farthest flung places in the universe.

A NEW state-of-the-art business facility, Lochaber Business Hub, will open its doors at Lochaber College in January, 2007.

LOCHABER'S Fergie MacDonald, genius of the button key accordion, marked his 50-year career with the launch of a new CD at the Royal National Mod in Dunoon.

TOMMY Sheridan MSP, star of the defamation court, loves football analogies. Well, his visit to Inverness on Monday for the launch of the Highland branch of the new Solidarity Scotland party was very much a home game.

GRANNIES and grandads in the Highlands could soon have a chance to grab more jobs and pass on the wisdom of their years.

TWENTY "Cleanliness Champions" at Belford Hospital and Belhaven Ward have been recognised at a celebration tea held in the Postgraduate Centre.