Queen Carla reigns over successful Caol gala day
Caol residents put on their finery at the weekend for the annual gala, with large numbers turning out.
A Gala Queen from the 1980s, Donella Lamont, placed sashes on 2018 Queen Carla Donaldson and attendants.
She also presented a specially-made canvas with a poem about gala Chieftain James Russell, who has led the parade since the gala was re-started three years ago.
The queen was driven to the event by Sammy Cameron in his Chrysler ‘wedding’ car and was piped into the community hall by Andrew Orr.
The crowning took place in the Caol community hall following demonstrations by Nevis All Stars cheerleaders and Nevis School of Highland Dancing.
The day also saw Damian MacDonald of the Caol play park project presented with a citizen award.
In the car park, the gala committee had hired Herchers fun fair and in the adjoining sports field were bouncy castles, Segway machines and other attractions.
Emergency services took part in a road traffic accident demonstration with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service cutting open a car. The fire service’s mobile museum was also open in the car park.
There were the usual burger stalls and bar with outdoor seating.
Craft stalls were set up in the hall and there was a table with details of the survey about how the community would like to see the village develop.
Organiser Kirsty Kyle said it had been the best gala yet: ‘It all went really well. The weather was just right without being too warm and the new venue provided a lot more space,’ she told the Lochaber Times.
‘The feedback we got was that it was the best gala yet. There were big numbers out in support and it was just the perfect day.’