What's on in Ross-shire this weekend – things to do for gardeners, culture buffs, fitness fiends and...typewriter fans!
Green-fingered gurus will be heading for the Black Isle this weekend for one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the active peninsula's calendar.
The Black Isle Horticultural Society’s popular Plant Sale will again be held in Rosemarkie on Saturday (May 20).
All the plants are raised locally by interested gardeners, so it's regarded as an ideal opportunity to buy interesting plants that are suited to the climate and conditions.
As well as common ornamental and edible plants, keen gardeners will be able to find some special herbaceous and alpine plants, wild flowers, tomatoes and chilis for the greenhouse, soft fruit, and some unusual vegetables.
The fundraising plant sale will be held on Saturday, May 20 on the grass outside the Gordon Memorial Hall in Rosemarkie. It will run from 11am until 1.30pm.
Read more about the event here.
And while they're at it, the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose is staging an open day on Saturday offering residents a chance to see what's behind the doors and the fitness and gym equipment and classes available there.
Operator High Life Highland says ahead of the open day: "As well as the new gym, people using the Black Isle Leisure Centre enjoy access to adult group fitness classes, children’s activities in term time with an extensive holiday activity programme and our main hall is available for indoor sports such as 5-a-side football or badminton."
The programme can be viewed online at hlh.scot/BILC-Open-Day to find out more and book places.
Read more about what's planned here.
Well under way is Dingwall's Word on the Street festival which runs until Sunday.
Dingwall Town Hall is being used for a number of events on Saturday – amongst them a typewriter exhibition – and Dingwall Players will perform their version of Every Brilliant Thing which they describe as 'unlike anything we have ever done before'.
Read more about the event here.
Dingwall Gaelic Choir is holding its well-known soup and pudding lunch again in
St Clements Church Hall in the town on Saturday (May 20).
Admission at the entrance is £7 and £4 for school children. Vegetarian and gluten free options are available. It is followed by teas, coffees and shortbread with lunch served from noon until 2pm.
All are welcome and they do always have some magnificent home baking. Support your local choir!
Meanwhile in Ullapool...
Renowned local folk band, Shrew and the Loveland Frogmen are playing at Ullapool's Argyll Hotel on Friday, May 19.
The band will be playing folk, Americana, and bluegrass inspired songs with intricate harmonies.
Admission for the live music gig is free, and starts at 9pm.
Ullapool Bookshop this Friday (May 19) hosts a visit by author and poet Mandy Haggith between 2pm and 3pm
on Friday, May 19.
Books will be signed, discussed and dedications can also be made. All are welcome. Mandy will be introducing her new poetry collection, Briny, as well as her fiction titles too.
See also: Bookshop manager reveals why a bicycle courier got chased down the street in Ullapool...
And fans of local food, arts and crafts will have the chance to buy some lovely goodies when the latest Tain Community Market Day takes place on Saturday (May 20).
The event runs from 10am to 2pm in the Rose Garden on Tain's Lamington Street.
Stallholders will be selling a range of locally-produced food, arts and crafts.
Do you have an event you'd like to share with us for next weekend? Get in touch by emailing hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk
