By Douglas Gibson
Here is a list of whats happening for the weekend!!
Friday 28th, daytime: (Please note that this is not a public event) Under professional tuition and guidance, Gairloch High School pupils will be spending the day learning how to prep and serve game and other foodstuffs. This will be a valuable training ground for the pupils in food preparation, customer service, and understanding exactly what visitors to the area are looking for in local restuarants and hotels.
Friday 28th, evening: From 4pm until 8pm (ish), there will be a range of local producers and products showcased at the Myrtle Bank Hotel, including smoked fish, real ale, black pudding & haggis, Wester Ross – grown vegetables, baking and cakes. There will be demonstrations of seafood preparation and cooking, and if you have ever wondered exactly how you make haggis or black pudding – this is where you can find out! (Demonstration times to be confirmed)
Saturday 29th: Shieldaig Lodge Hotel will be holding a “Gourmet Evening”. This will focus on locally caught / farmed produce including fresh venison and Scottish Wines. The menu for this will be published in full shortly, but includes locally caught venison – fish – local cheese, fruits and berries. Booking details from Shieldaig Lodge Hotel. 
Saturday 29th: Foraging expedition into the woodland area around Shieldaig – discover more about the amazing supply of edible foodstuffs (including mushrooms) that grow in and around the forest
Sunday 30th: How about trying some deer stalking with a camera? Local photographer and stalker Eoghain Maclean will be taking folk out on to the hills for the day to see deer and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Think you know how to get up close to them? Eoghain does! This MUST be booked in advance – call 01445 760258 and reserve a place now.
Sunday 30th: “Beer and Bees” at the Old Inn, Gairloch, from 2pm until 4pm. Come along during the afternoon and learn more about our valuable friends, the “Bees”. Listen to our informal presentation on them, have a look at our demonstration Hive, taste some honey, try some of the Old Inn’s real ales. This is free, but donations to the local “Beer and Bees” club will be welcomed – these will go towards equipment and a “beesuit”
Each day: Local restaurants “Na Mara” and “The Shieling” will both be running special menus based around the wonderful food of the area.
Each day: Weather permitting, local fisherman Ian McWhinney (Shellfish Safaris) will be taking people out in his creel boat to haul up the catch – you catch it, take it home, cook it!
For the youngsters: Gairloch’s “Sweet” will be holding a fun morning on the Saturday where the kids can entertain themselves with cake and sweet decorating. The event will be on the 29th September 9.30am-11.30am. This will have to be pre-booked, and will cost £4.00 per child. For more details, contact Julie at Strath Stores on info@strathstores.com OR 01445 712499