Crowds flock to Caol Gala Day
MORE than £4,000 has been raised at this year’s Caol Gala.
The annual event saw more than 200 people flock to the Gaelic School in Caol on Saturday June 24 to take part in the community event.
A total of £4,207 was raised which will be put back into the pot for next year’s event.
Among the attractions were performances from cheerleading group Ben Nevis Allstars and Highland dancers, bonnie baby and gala granny competitions, raffles, a strong man competition and appearances by the gala queen.
Kirsty Kyle, who helps organise the event, told the Lochaber
Times this year’s event was a ‘huge success’.
She said: ‘The weather wasn’t great this year. We had to use sandbags to hold the tents down. We thought one was going to blow away at one point.’
All of Kirsty’s hard work and dedication to the gala day paid off as she was shocked to find out she was one of two Caol ladies to receive the Davie McCook Caol Citizenship Award.
Long-time fundraiser Pamela Hendry was awarded the trophy jointly with Kirsty after a community vote - the first time two people have been given the award.
Kirsty said: ‘I didn’t think it made sense to give me the award. Before hand I was just thinking it would be nice for someone else in the community to get it. But when it was announced it was really emotional and such a lovely surprise.
‘The gala day organisers would like to thank Caol Cuts for doing the gala queen and attendants’ hair and McDonald Brothers for their flowers. We would also like to thank Sammy Cameron for driving the cars, Fiona Wallace for running the tea bar and all the volunteers who helped.’