SCF Head Office
Lochalsh Business Park
Auchtertyre
Kyle of Lochalsh
IV40 8EG
SCOTLAND
Tel: 01599 566 365
Fax: 01599 566 375
Events
Slow Food Event
Monday, February 25, 2008
Slow Food East Highland and Moray Convivium
invites you to an evening of droving tales, music and food at Bogbain Farm on Thursday March 6th
The programme starts at 7 pm and will include:
• An introduction to Slow Food, by Pam Rodway, convivium leader and member of Slow Food UK Ark of Taste Commission
• A supper of soup(V), Highland beef, stovies(V), cheese and oatcakes, prepared by Charlie Lockley of Boath House and the chefs at Bogbain
• An introduction to the Knockie collection of Highland airs, with music, by Bruce MacGregor, Blazin' Fiddler
• A talk on the songs and routes of Highland drovers by Rob Gibson, local SF member and MSP
Cost (including supper) - Slow Food members £10.00 - (you can join on the night); non-members £12.00
not including drinks, but there will be a selection of local beer, whisky, wines and fruit juices
(V) soup, stovies, cheese and oatcakes will be available in vegetarian options
For more information or to book, contact: Pam Rodway - 01309 676566
or Bruce MacGregor at Bogbain - 01463 772800
Courses at Strathcarron Centre
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
STRATHCARRON CENTRE
March/April Courses and Workshops
BASIC FOOD HYGIENE
March 6th – Lochcarron Hall £55.00
Full Day Course
BASIC CHAINSAW –LANTRA CERT
Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cut/Fell to 15”
March 17th -21st inc
5 Day Course – From £165.00
Tourism - BUILDING A POSITIVE WELCOME
March 26th – Lochcarron Hall - £25.00
Half Day Workshop (Sponsored by Lochcarron Business Association)
TRANSPORT OF LIVESTOCK BY ROAD
NPTC ASSESSMENTS
March 27th £50.00 (Short Journey)
Short training session followed by the NPTC Assessment
Choose from any of the three times (assessment averages 30mins)
First Session 9.00am / Second Session 10.00am / Third Session 11.00am
PESTICIDES AND KNAPSACK SPRAYING (PA1 PA6)
April 16th – 17th – £220.00
Two day course with assessments to follow on a separate day
For further information on any of the above contact:
STRATHCARRON CENTRE
Tel; 01520 722882 - E. info@strathcarron-centre.com
Carbon Footprinting
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Workshop on carbon foot printinting for food and drink producers
Many businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of carbon footprinting and Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Forum wants to address this and help food and drink businesses gain a competitive advantage.
Workshops will be held in the following venues:
Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall on Wednesday, 5th March at 9.30am
• Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway on Thursday, 13th March at 1.30pm
• The Aqualibrium Centre, Campbeltown on Monday, 17th March at 9.30am
workshop_for_food_and_drink_producers.pdf
Cross Complience Open Days
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate invite people to attend a training day on cross-compliance. Supported by NFUS, SCF and the SRPBA the day will give an overview of Cross Compliance and will focus on the areas where problems have been found during official inspections.
For dates please see attachment.
Woodfuel workshop
Monday, January 21, 2008
Woodfuel Workshop
Following their success in south Scotland last March, the Scottish Forest Industries Cluster is pleased to announce that it will be staging another series of Woodfuel Workshops throughout Scotland in February and March this year. The February series will be a repeat of the 'Wood Biomass Harvesting & Supply Chain' workshop (Day 1)
A second series of workshops in March entitled 'Forest to Fire' (Day 2) take a closer look at the decision-making process which might cause consumers to favour woodfuel over other fuels. The workshops will equip delegates with an understanding of energy auditing, energy demand assessment, boiler sizing, layout planning, project costing and woodfuel specifications. They will also cover pellet production, quality and delivery.
The workshops will be presented by Pieter D. Kofman (Senior Consultant Wood for Energy, Danish Forest Extension) who is hugely experienced in the woodfuel industry and is currently assisting COFORD in developing the industry in Ireland.
Workshop will be held from 9.30-16.30 in Drumossie hotel,Inverness on the following dates:
Day 1 Thursday 7th of February
Day 2 Thursday the 6th of March
SSFIC_Woodfuel_Workshops_4_-_8th_February_2008.pdf
SRDP Meetings
Thursday, November 29, 2007
SCOTLAND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2007 - 2013: PUBLIC MEETING FOR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS
A public meeting on the new Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) will be held at the Perth Racecourse, Scone on Tuesday 11th December, from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Syd House, Chair of the Tayside Regional Proposal Assessment Committee (RPAC) will be chairing this first event.
This is the first in a series of 21 evening public meetings to give possible applicants an overview of SRDP, with more detail on the new Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities scheme, how to seek funding from the scheme and what makes a proposal worthy of support.
Local Food Workshop
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Second annual Local Food Group workshop
13 and 14 December 2007, Ullapool
The workshop will be an informal meeting of local food production groups from across the Highlands and Islands, and is the annual opportunity to meet and share experience with other groups growing and selling local food from across the region. The programme is attached, and includes sessions on best practice, recent innovation, and collaborative working. Speakers include producers, producer groups, national researchers and agency contacts. There will be plenty of time for discussion.
The workshop runs from lunch on Thursday 13 December to lunch on 14 December, and accommodation and catering will be provided in Ullapool. The cost is £50 per person and we are limiting places to 2 people per group, so that as many groups as possible can attend.
Certificate of Competence
Friday, November 09, 2007
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE NEW EU REGULATION FOR WELFARE OF ANIMALS DURING TRANSPORT? NO? THEN HBS CAN HELP!
· Do you transport animals over 65km, (40miles) but under 8 hours, for commercial purpose?
· Do you transport animals on journeys longer than 8 hours for commercial purpose?
If the answer is yes to either question and you are a haulier or an attendant then you must be certified competent from 5th January 2008 by means of an independent assessment.
How can we help?
There is no legal requirement to undergo formal training, although some may choose to do so. There are two Certificates of Competence which are needed and are categorised by the length of journey;
· Those transporting animals over 65km, but under 8 hours can take the NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Transport of Animals by road (Short Journeys)
· Those transporting animals on journeys over 8 hours can take the NPTC Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Transport of Animals by road (Long Journeys)
The test is relatively straightforward for those with practical experience of livestock transport plus a basic understanding of the relevant legislation. The NPTC test consists of multiple choice questions, which can be completed online and HBS Ring Ltd can book you onto a course, which will cost £17.00 for the NPTC Registration Fee (this covers for 2 species and sheep and cattle are classed as 1 species) plus the relevant Assessment fee.
(Please note that no Certificate of Competence is required if transporting animals under 65km)
Course in Stornoway
Monday, October 29, 2007
A one day course for growers on
SOIL MAINTENANCE AND FERTILITY and
CONTROLLING PESTS AND DISEASES
with emphasis on organic and sustainable methods
Tutors Audrey Litterick and Norman Stephen of SAC
FRIDAY 16th NOVEMBER
at VOLUNTARY ACTION LEWIS, FRANCIS STREET, STORNOWAY starting at 10.00
Charge for this event is £10 including a light lunch.
Please register in advance by contacting Ruaraidh Ferguson on 01851 704021 LHHPdevelopment@aol.com
or Donald Murdie on 01851 612484 donald@crofting.org
Training Event on Benbecula
Monday, October 29, 2007
INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE
For Crofters and other Small Producers
“Meeting the increasing demand for fresh, local produce”
A one day training and information event
Saturday 17th November at
Nunton Steadings, Benbecula
Starting at 10.00
Tutors Audrey Litterick and Norman Stephen, Scottish Agricultural College
This event is free of charge including a light lunch.
To book a place contact Donald Murdie, Scottish Crofting Foundation on
01851 612484 donald@crofting.org
Strathcarron Centre Courses Oct-Nov
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
STRATHCARRON CENTRE
RURAL SKILLS
TRAINING COURSES
October/November 2007
Basic Chainsaw (LANTRA Cert)
Jams and Preserves
Veterinary Medicines
Strained Wire Fencing & Gate Hanging
courses_at_strathcarron_Oct-Nov.pdf
Oban Horticulture Event
Monday, October 15, 2007
INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE For Crofters and other Small Producers “Meeting the increasing demand for fresh, local produce” A one day training and information event Friday 2nd November at Falls of Lora Hotel, Connel Starting at 10.00 Tutors Audrey Litterick and Norman Stephen, Scottish Agricultural College This event is free of charge including a light lunch. Assistance with travel and accommodation costs may be available for those travelling from the islands. To book a place contact Donald Murdie, Scottish Crofting Foundation on 01851 612484 donald@crofting.org
Sheep Event In Lewis
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tuesday 30th October at Long Island Auction Mart, Steinish, 10.30
Lamb Grading Workshop - Quality Meat Scotland
Fluke Protection – Sandy Clark, Scottish Agricultural College Vet
Scottish Sheep Strategy – Rod McKenzie
Followed by visit to Stornoway Abattoir
Wednesday 31st October at Aird Hall, Point,
10.30 Butchery Course
Scottish Rural Development Progarmme - Policy Seminars in Inverness and Oban
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Scottish Government is running a series of meetings on the broad policy direction of the Scottish Rural Development Programme;
These seminars will cover :
- the strategic outcomes that the SRDP aims to deliver;
- how these outcomes will support delivery of the Government’s 5 strategic objectives of ‘greener’, ‘wealthier and fairer’, ‘safer and stronger’ and ‘smarter’; · how the new Programme will differ from the Programme for 2000-06.
- how the SRDP has developed with input from Stakeholders and light of the public consultations held in 2006 on the Strategic Plan and on the Programme itself
It is important to note this is not about how to apply for support through the Programme. Staff within the Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate will be holding a series of capacity building seminars through out Scotland for internal staff and external stakeholders focusing on the implementation aspect of the SRDP later in autumn.
The meetings in the crofting area will be:
Best Western Inverness Palace - Inverness 28th September, 9am - 1pm
Corran Hall - Oban - 11th October, 9am - 1pm
Open Day - 3 Eynort, Carbost - 29th September
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Open Day on Saturday 29th September (despite F&M) at 3 Eynort, Carbost and we will be open from 10 am - 4 pm and will have a range of stalls selling fresh veg, preserves, local baking and mushrooms. Refreshments and soup and sandwiches will be provided by MacMillan Cancer Support as part of their "World's Biggest Coffee Morning" fundraiser. There will also be a "tattie tasting" and identification opportunity as well as a "Walk and Talk" croft tour.
Visitors are welcome and if you wish to go on the Walk 'n Talk, make sure you have suitable footwear (wellies, if this weather continues!!!). Strict bio-security measures will be in place.