2000-2001
In 2000, GALE introduced the idea of setting up community markets for our local area, with the aim of providing an outlet to sell and an opportunity to buy locally made products.
It started off with 10 weekly markets and at that time there wasn’t a huge interest. However, popularity gradually increased and by 2016 we had 30 stallholders plus a waiting list to attend each week.
As a result, one year round part time job was created. The markets are still continuing to this day – even though we are no longer involved.
The popularity of these markets saw similar communities across Highland and beyond start their own, often asking us for advice on how to set them up.
As well as craft and produce stalls there was a pop up community cafe at each market serving local home baking and refreshments throughout the day. This helped to make the markets an important social centre attracting locals and visitors from across the whole area.
In 2016 the community markets were handed over to a local person to run and are now known as the Poolewe Markets which is held every Tuesday at the Poolewe Village Hall throughout most of the year.