Advance warning has been given of temporary road closures in and around Inverness and Loch Ness this weekend to accommodate the Etape Loch Ness taking place on Sunday.
The Etape is the UK’s largest closed road cycling event with over 6350 participants and supporters due to take part tackling the 66 mile route between Inverness and Fort Augustus. The event is in its twelfth year with thousands of pounds being raised for the organisers’ official charity, Macmillan Cancer Support
Road closures on the A82 Loch Ness side start from 5.20 on Sunday morning while several roads are closed in Inverness from 6 o’clock on Saturday evening. All restrictions should be lifted by 3.30 on Sunday afternoon. Full details are on the Etape Loch Ness website.
The Community Transport Association (CTA) is calling on the next Scottish Government to expand community-owned sustainable transport, invest in the transition to zero-emission fleets, and reduce private car use to cut congestion, improve road safety, and lower emissions.
As a registered charity with 75 members across the Highlands and Islands, the CTA is politically neutral. It does not endorse or support any political party or candidate, nor does it seek to influence voters to vote in a particular way. It suggests that voters send its manifesto to election candidates asking whether they will commit to backing community transport if they are elected. Full details of the CTA manifesto are on its website.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the UK’s leading marine mammal rescue charity, is offering a medic training course for the rescue of seals, dolphins and whales in Ullapool this summer.
The course will take place on 11th July with a day’s practical work involving life size seal, whale and dolphin models preceded by online lectures. Participants must have a certain level of fitness due to the physical nature of rescues but there is no requirement to be a certified diver or to obtain any other specific qualifications. Full details are on the BDMLR website.
