First North Coast Market of the year at Halladale Inn, Melvich, looks set to be a success
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A craft and food fair is to be held at Halladale Inn, Melvich, tomorrow (Saturday) from 11am to 3pm.
It is the first North Coast Market of the year and organiser Fiona Macfarland is hoping for a good turnout.
Fiona Macfarlane, of Lighthouse Crafts, has been organising the fairs for a while now, formally known as Bettyhill Markets.
"This is the first one for this year," she said. "It is quite exciting. It is really to bring local people who do beautiful crafts and things together – it is an opportunity for them to sell.
"We are full of tables at all of the markets which are usually quite busy and well supported by crafters and local people."
Previous markets have attracted visitors and exhibitors from throughout Caithness, including Thurso, Wick and John O'Groats. During the summer the fairs also draw in a good number of tourists.
"We try to do as much local produce as we can get, which is quite hard early in the year," said Fiona. "Hopefully as the season goes on we will have more produce as well as crafters. I am always looking for people who grow vegetables, that is the one thing I always struggle with."
Although a crafter herself, Fiona does not have a stall at the events and is really interested in building on the food side of things at the markets. At the moment she is on the look out to find someone who makes bread.
"This time I struggled to find a baker," she pointed out. "I have a few people who have said they will come maybe the next time."
She explained that Melvich does not have a hall at the moment and that is why they are using the Halladale Inn for this first event of 2022.
"Quite a few people in Melvich have been talking about," Fiona said. "It will be a nice social gathering, fingers crossed the weather stays good."
There is usually a good cross section of crafts and produce at the fair with a selection of baking, cheeses, salami, smoked products, gin and rum, as well as knitted items, tweed crafts, cushions, candles and jewellery destined for this event.
Teas and coffees will be available, and any profits made from the markets going back into the community.
A list of dates for the other fairs can be found on the North Coast Markets Facebook page. The next market is set to take place in Armadale Hall on March 19.
Plans are in the pipeline for markets at the halls in Durness and Strathy.
