The information sheet of the Glenelg & Arnisdale Development Trust

Renewable Energy

Wind - Great news for the start of 2009. Following a wet and windy March, a break in the weather during Easter week allowed the ground to dry up and the wind to die down for long enough to erect the wind monitoring mast. This was quite an event on Saturday 18^th April, with a crowd turning out to support the crew erecting the mast. Thanks to Chillwind, Duncan Cameron and all those who turned out to get the mast up. The mast will collect data for a year to assess the feasibility of locating a wind turbine at this site.

Tidal The Trust is sending a ballot to all full members about Tidal energy. This is vital to ascertaining whether or not the community wishes to maintain a stake in the tidal asset at Kylerhea. If the community vote yes on Tidal, a mandate from the community is a powerful statement in support of future funding applications, which will be necessary for this project.

Tidal energy is particularly attractive because it is predictable and power can be generated every day of the year. Power output at Kylerhea could also be quite sizeable and with power estimates in the range of 20-100MW, the Kylerhea resource could be equivalent to 8-40 large wind turbines, making a development here very worthwhile in terms of potential revenue generation. Huge progress has been made on tidal power developments in the Pentland Firth area and it may not be long before similar developments are seen on the west coast.

Football Field

Fencing around the football field is now complete, with self-closing pedestrian gates at three entrances; one next to the children’s play area, one in the middle opening onto the avenue and one over towards the forestry houses.

Family Day

Following the success of last year’s family day the Trust are planning to hold another family fun day in June, date to be confirmed by Ruth MacAskill.

Quarry Jetty

Easter Saturday saw diggers and a good crew of folk on the beach working on Quarry Jetty. With fine weather and a low spring tide at 14:30h, great progress was made on getting ladders and fendering onto the steel and concrete structure. Following the withdrawal of a donation of £6000 for the jetty, the Trust was concerned about sourcing funding. Although more funding was found, a further £2000 still needs to be raised to complete the jetty. Quarry Jetty is expected to be fully open this summer, once new life-buoys and handrails have been installed with ladders and fendering fully secured. The Trust thank all those who contributed time, money and equipment to get the jetty to this stage.

Mairead Murnion ldo@glenelg.co.uk

Glenelg and Arnisdale Community Hall, Glenelg, Kyle, IV40 8JD. Tel: 01599 522776

Scottish Company 276605 Registered Office: 28 Queensgate, Inverness

Glenelg and Arnisdale Development Trust is a registered Scottish charity No. SC039874