Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry
Our Projects
Projects We Have Assisted
Although our SCIO’s recurring annual income is modest at around £7,500 or so, we have been very pleased to be able to support a wide range of projects across our community in the years since we were established in 2012.
Recently we have helped:
Roy Bridge to Spean Bridge Cycle and Footpath
A grant to assist in the formulation of the 2021 Feasibility Study into a safe and sustainable foot and cycle way alongside the A86 between Spean Bridge and Inverroy, and improvements to the existing path onwards to Roy Bridge. This Active Travel Spean project is being championed by a separate SCIO and has our full support. Our Holyrood constituency MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Kate Forbes has also recently publicly endorsed the proposals.
The project has its own website where you can check out progress or sign up to become a member: www.activetravelspean.wordpress.com
Covid-19 Response
Responding to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic dominated our activities over 2020 and early 2021. Our first task was to ensure our communities were safe from the ravages of the pandemic, and we committed all our funds unconditionally to support this aim. The achievements of our 30 volunteers won universal acclaim. We provided over 120 Oximeters to give early signs of a drop in oxygen saturation, collected and delivered over 150 prescriptions throughout our huge territory and provided packed lunches to all primary schoolchildren. We supplied free food packs to over 30 people weekly and laid on a shopping service. We also provided a telephone service for the lonely and isolated, and enabled electricity and mobile phone top-ups.
The Braes Magazine
Although mothballed during the pandemic, The Braes was an extremely well received community magazine, published periodically as funds allowed. Run on a not-for-profit basis, the SCIO’s annual subsidy helped keep this popular journal viable. It was last published in March 2021.
Roy Bridge Gardens
An annual grant to enable the beds and planters around public open spaces in Roy Bridge to be refreshed each year
Spean Bridge Tubs
Purchase and stocking of tubs, planters and hanging baskets in prominent positions within Spean Bridge.
Over 2022 we plan to help:
Repair of Footbridges on the Highbridge Circular Path
This riverside route is very well trodden by residents and visitors alike and takes in Kilmonivaig Kirk, the Commando Memorial and General Wade’s High Bridge as well as a short section of the Military Road and the disused Spean Bridge to Fort Augustus railway. A few years after it was first laid out, some of the footbridges now urgently require repair or replacement. We have set aside £1,500 towards this work.
A link to a description of the path’s points of interest and route is at:
Spean Bridge Primary School Extracurricular Outings
With funding for events and outings beyond the school curriculum extremely limited, our SCIO is making £5,000 available over the coming months to enable young horizons to be broadened on out-of-area trips accompanied by school staff. Without our support these excursions would simply not be possible.
Roy and Spean Bridge Gardens
Continued support to the established Roy Bridge Gardens scheme, as well as purchase and stocking of tubs, planters and hanging baskets in prominent positions within Spean Bridge.
Lochaber Camanachd Club Clubhouse Extension
The Shinty Club in Spean Bridge has recently gained planning consent for an extension to the clubhouse to enable club, member and community events to be hosted in all weathers. The club is a year-round social focal point for the village, across all age groups, whilst the sport draws support from a huge rural area.
