We are delighted to announce a free workshop in Cromarty on 18 May, led by Sophy Banks of Transition Training on 'Inner' Transition.  This will explore questions such as - Transition to what? What are the issues for the different working areas like energy, local food, transport etc? What are 'Inner' and 'Outer' Transition, cultural and personal transformation? How can we build our own personal (and group) resilience and avoid the danger of burn-out? And more. We are still finalising details so let us know if there's anything you would like to see included and we'll see what we can do. We are planning a relaxed, enjoyable day in Cromarty with plenty of time for questions and discussion.

The event is free, but please

*let us know you're coming so we can get an idea of numbers

*bring some vegetarian food to share at lunchtime

About Sophy Banks

In 2006 as Transition Town Totnes was coming into being Sophy co-founded the “Heart and Soul” group, addressing the psychological, spiritual and consciousness aspects of Transition. As the Totnes project grew she was involved in many areas of developing and running the organisation. In 2007 she and Naresh set up Transition Training and started to offer the two day “Introduction to Transition”. A year later they took this workshop around the world travelling in 6 countries across 3 continents and visiting many Transition and other community projects along the way. Sophy’s current interest is in supporting, networking and resourcing Inner Transition groups around the movement.

Originally trained in science and engineering, Sophy worked in London for over 20 years as a computer trainer and systems consultant mainly in the voluntary sector. She retrained in inner work – psychotherapy, healing and family constellations – and set up a private practice as a therapist. In 2005 she realised she was too old to carry on slide tackling on the muddy football pitches of Hackney Marshes and moved to Devon, where she now roams the lanes, beaches and moors on foot or bike as often as Transition and the vegetable patch allow.

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

LOCAL youngsters gave Scotland's top biking stars a run for their money at the first ever Black Isle Bike Fest on Saturday.

There were thrills, spills and fun galore as around 600 cycling enthusiasts gathered at the Fortrose Leisure Centre for a mammoth celebration of all things cycling.

Aronn Goode, 14 from Culbokie and 15-year old Derek Linden from Inverness showed ‘amazing promise’ when they took on biking champs Duncan Shaw and Alastair ‘Ali C’ Clarkson of The Clan Team in two-wheeled high jump challenge.

The gutsy young riders both jumped over a metre, and Aronn matched the pros when he cleared 105cm from a standing start.

“These young guys were brilliant - there’s obviously some incredibly promising talent in this part of the world,” said Iain Withers, manager of The Clan.  “I think Aronn and Derek will definitely be names to look out for in the future.

“The community vibe here on the Black Isle is awesome - it’s great to see local people behind such a forward thinking initiative,” he added.

Aronn, a pupil at Fortrose Academy said he was delighted to have held his own against The Clan, which features some of the finest biking talent in the country.

“I’ve never jumped that high before and am really proud to have cleared the same height as Ali C,” he said.  “It was magic. I’ve been practicing for about two and a half years, using pallets set up in the garden.”

His friend Derek, a pupil at Inverness High School, added: “Challenging The Clan guys was great, apart from when I fell over at the end!”

Duncan Shaw, originally from Inverness, was one of two former British Trials champions riding for  The Clan.  The renowned stunt team was formed in 2008 by youtube sensation Danny MacAskill, who went on to become one of the most famous cyclists in the world.

“It’s great to be back in my home area - the Black Isle Bike fest is really cool,” Duncan said. “There are some amazing local riders here and it was excellent to see so many kids of all ages having fun on their bikes.”

A stream of plucky locals had a go at riding into the airbag - a giant inflatable mat which enables thrill seekers to try out new tricks with the reassurance of a soft landing.

From daredevil stunts to tiny tots trying out two wheels, unicycles and tandems to pedal powered smoothies, the festival was a dynamic day out for bike fans of all ages.

“We’re absolutely delighted, it was a great afternoon and the crowd was fantastic,” said Million Miles project officer Marion McDonald.  “It was brilliant to see so much bike activity going on, with folk from toddlers to grannies trying out tandems, unicycles, electric bikes and toddle bikes.

“Special thanks to our funders Awards for All and the Co-operative Membership Commmunity Fund for making it all possible.

“The Million Miles team will be organising a wide range of local cycling events and activities throughout the Black Isle over the coming months,” Marion added. “If you were inspired by Bike Fest but need a little more training or just a bit of company to encourage you to get out on your bike then get in touch.”

The latest events programme is available here.  The Million Miles team can be contacted at millionmiles@transitionblackisle.org tel:07715663781. 

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

The Clan cycle stunt team rolls into Fortrose on Saturday when riders bring their crazy stunt show to the Black Isle’s first ever Bikefest.

The team was formed in 2008 by youtube sensation Danny Macaskill who has since gone on to become one of the most famous cyclists in the world. 

Now his team-mates are coming to the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose to show off their equally-scary talents. Duncan Shaw from Inverness is one of the two the former British Trials champions who will be performing at the free event, which runs from 12 - 4pm on Saturday 20 April, and features a host of exciting activities. 

The stunt team will be performing their 'trials battle' between their champions.  It will consist of competitive challenges between the two riders, stunning displays of skill and balance and fearsome gaps and drops. All of the action will take place on a purpose-build rig which, organisers say, "will test the riders to their limits and a bit beyond sometimes." 

Duncan, 25, a former pupil of Millburn Academy, said: "It's great to come up to my local area to do shows. We do the Fair at Moy and the Black Isle bike fest is even closer to home. I'll have to make sure I beat my rival on home turf and put in a really good performance. We’re hoping to cycle down to the coast to see the dolphins with everyone after our stunt shows as well. It’s going to be brilliant - I can’t wait!"

Black Isle Bike Fest has been organised by Transition Black Isle as part of its Million Miles project, which aims to cut a million miles - or one percent - off car use on the Black Isle.

Among the latest attractions to be added are the Pump Track - a continuous loop that can be ridden on a bike without pedalling which is great for skills and fitness as well as being a lot of fun. Tiny festival-goers will have Toddlebikes to try and for those looking to learn some some mountain bike skills there will be a chance to practise and achieve the Level One Go Mountain Bike award on the day.

Thrill-seekers will be able to have a go at riding their bikes into the airbag, a giant inflatable mat which enables riders to try out new tricks with the reassurance of a soft landing.

Add in unicycles, smoothie bikes, races and loads of other fun and you have an action packed day celebrating cycling. Free bike advice and repairs from Dr Bike, trials of electric bikes, art activities, a cafe and a varied programme of films and talks will also feature.

"Black Isle bike fest is shaping up to be a fantastic day," said Million Miles project officer Marion McDonald, who is co-ordinating the programme.  “We want to boost the profile of cycling and encourage folk of all ages to get on their bikes.  

“We’re really keen for people to cycle to the festival if they can, and join us to cycle to the Firth for some dolphin spotting at the end of the day.  There’s also now the option to cycle one way and take the bus the other by booking your bike on the new Inverness to Cromarty Stagecoach cycle service, which passes through Fortrose.”

Accompanied bike rides to the festival leave from North Kessock School on Saturday morning at 10:30, or Munlochy at 11am.  Another group will leave Fortrose at 9am, cycle to Cromarty for cakes at the Pantry, then back to Fortrose, leaving the Pantry at 11am.

You can download a full programme for the day here. For more details e-mail millionmiles@transitionblackisle.org or phone 07715663781.
 
 

Duncan Shaw from Inverness, one of the Clan's top riders, shows off his two-wheeled skills.

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

YOU can now take your bike on the bus between Inverness and Cromarty.  

In a partnership between the Highland Council, Transition Black Isle's Million Miles project, HiTrans and Stagecoach, special bike racks have been added to the buses allowing up to three cycles to be carried safely and hassle free!   This is the first route in the Highlands to offer this service.

As spaces are limited users are advised to book a space up to three hours prior to travel by phoning 01463 258934 or emailing dawn.rae@stagecoachbus.com.  Bookings are available until 4pm each day.  Cycle carriage is available throughout the summer until late October.

Folding bikes can be carried on all Stagecoach bus services.

In the picture are:

Back: Steve Walker, Stagecoach, Neil MacRae, HiTrans, Highland Councillor David Alston.
Front: Catriona Ross, Million Miles Project and Malina MacDonald, The Highland Council
Photo by Ewen Weatherspoon, ©The Highland Council

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

Tommy Keyes reports that our new website section on Foraging is now live, with advice on making Birch syrup making.  As he says, you'll have to be quick to catch the tail end of the birch syrup season this year,  but 'birch leaves are good to eat up til mid summer'.

Why not join the discussion on this and other foraging matters in our online forum?

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

 The TBI April Newsletter is now out and can be viewed online here

Why not sign up to receive your own regular copy by email?!

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

SOME of the latest recruits to Transition Black Isle's Million Miles team have been sharpening their cycling skills.

The new community cycle trainers have been learning bike safety,maintenance and cycling techniques to help prepare them to organise and lead a host of two wheeled events on the Black Isle.

During the training sessions in Conon Bridge last weekend and this coming one, Brian Salvona, a professional tutor with Cycling Scotland, will lead the group in gaining the nationally recognised Cycle Trainer qualification.

"It's becoming increasingly common for people from community groups to be taking this kind of training and using it to help boost levels of cycling and improve skills and safety of cyclists in the places they live," Brian said. "It's very rewarding meeting so many people and seeing projects like this develop."

Tracy Robertson from Culbokie said: "I'm loving the training!  I've enjoyed everything so far, especially checking your bike at the start of day. This is something that you tend to pick up along the way as you gain experience as a cyclist, so it was good to learn a set comprehensive method to achieve this.  I didn't realise how much we had to check to ride safely and efficiently. 

"I also particularly enjoyed the group cycling. More road based manoeuvres and teaching others in traffic situations helped confidence and ability of all the group."

Fellow cycle trainer Kerry Sinclair from Munlochy added: "It was great to get back to basics with an instructor's eye to identify the skills which are essential for safe and responsible cycling.  We picked up a number of strategies and approaches which will be invaluable to us in developing confidence and capability within the groups we'll lead.

"By the end of the second day the group had gelled really, well with everyone improving skills and consolidating new learning about roadcraft and clear communication.

"The weather has been testing and we've been getting some interesting looks from passers by but I think it's safe to say we all feel more competent than we were at the outset! I am very much looking forward to working with my own group soon."

Rebecca Dunn from Avoch was delighted to discover the training was geared towards cyclists of all levels.

"I was a bit worried everyone would know loads more than me, but it's very thorough and good for folk of all levels - we are all really enjoying it."

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

 AN uplifting film being screened in Fortrose on Wednesday reveals how ordinary people are working across the globe to create stronger, happier communities.

In Transition 2.0 gives a fascinating snapshot of the Transition movement, which has seen thousands of grassroots groups spring up in towns, cities, neighbourhoods, islands and peninsulas across the globe.

From Brazil to the Black Isle, groups have been pioneering schemes to boost local economies and increase community wellbeing, such as printing their own money, growing food, cutting car use, developing community power stations and and encouraging local trade and barter.

The film, which is being shown by Transition Black Isle in Fortrose Town Hall at 7:30pm on Wednesday 20 March, features compelling tales of initiative in a vast range of communities.

All were developed as positive, practical local responses to the global challenges of climate change, economic hardship and shrinking supplies of cheap energy.

‘Transition is happening in highly diverse communities across the world - from towns in Australia to neighbourhoods in Portugal, from cities in Brazil to rural villages, islands and peninsulas in Scotland,” said Catriona Ross of Transition Black Isle.

‘Here in the Highlands we’ve a long tradition of self reliance and helping each other out. In recent decades that’s been eroded, as for example, food has travelled ever more ludicrous distances to reach our plates and the pace of life has become ever more frenetic.

‘Transition is the opposite of sitting at home by the fire grumping about what's wrong - instead it's about getting up and getting together with other folk locally to do something about it.

‘The kinds of things we do may seem like small responses to massive issues, but getting involved in Transition is very empowering and often lots of fun too - it reaps rewards in ways that are not always immediately obvious.’

The screening will be followed by refreshments, delicious home baking and a chance to discuss the film and discover more about the work of Transition Black Isle.

For more information contact Catriona Ross catriona.ross1@gmail.com phone 07824531942.

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

THE Black Isle’s first ever Bike Fest on Saturday 20 April is shaping up to be an action packed day of two-wheeled fun.

The Clan bike display team, founded by world famous stunt cyclist Danny Macaskill from Skye, will be among the highlights of the free festival at the Fortrose Leisure Centre.

Would be daredevils will have a chance to have a go at riding their bikes into the airbag, a giant inflatable mat which enables riders to try out new tricks with the reassurance of a soft landing.

Free bike advice and repairs from Dr Bike, trials of electric bikes, art activities, a cafe and a varied programme of films and talks will also feature.

"The plans are really starting to come together now and it's going to be a brilliant day," said Million Miles project officer Marion McDonald, who is co-ordinating the programme.

"The idea is to boost the profile of cycling and encourage more people of all ages to get on their bikes. Cycling's a great, cheap way to get around and keep fit - and there's loads of fun to be had on a bike as well."

"We're going to be offering a wide range of hands-on coaching activities targeted at all cycling levels and abilities, from balancing bikes for non-cyclists to skills training for the more advanced."

"A programme of fringe events is also being planned, including accompanied bike rides to the event and Cycling Scotland races."

More information is available on our Bikefest page, which will be updated as new events are added. If you'd like to get involved e-mail the team or phone 07715663781.
 

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website

Check out our new Arts and Crafts section, and especially the new page on making Oak Gall Ink, which has gone live today!

This feed was drawn from the Transition Black Isle website