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strathnairn news • issue 100 strathnairn news • issue 100www.strathnairn.org.uk

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INSIDE THIS ISSUESTRATHNAIRN NEWS REACHES 100

JOHN MACLEOD

RAY COLLIER’S MEMORIAL BENCH

2018’S YEAR OF YOUNG PEOPLE

STONES & STORIES

Strathnairn Community Newsletter Issue 100, October 2018Cuairt-Litir Shrath Narann www.strathnairn.org.uk

strathnairn news • issue 100

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strathnairn news • issue 100 strathnairn news • issue 100

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CONTENTSYour Community Council ________________ 4What’s On ___________________________ 5Minutes Of Strathnairn Community Council ____________________ 6Regular Activities at Daviot Hall __________ 10Mobile Library _______________________ 11Strathnairn Silver Bus _________________ 12Regular Activities at Farr Hall____________ 12Strathnairn News Reaches 100 __________ 13Membership of the SCBF _______________ 14Care in Strathnairn ___________________ 15SSEN Tomatin to Knocknagael ___________ 15St Paul’s Church ______________________ 16Project Strathnairn ____________________ 17Prescription Delivery Service ____________ 17S55+ Lunch Club News ________________ 18

Bus Timetable Changes ________________ 18

SCBF Large Projects ___________________ 18

2018’s Year of Young People ____________ 19

Farr School & Nursery News ____________ 20

Farr Baby and Toddler Group ____________ 21

John Macleod ________________________ 22

Fearnag Growers _____________________ 23

Strathnairn Community Woodlands _______ 23

Daviot & Dunlichity Church _____________ 24

Ray Collier’s Memorial Bench ____________ 25

Highland Country Diaries _______________ 25

Local Walks _________________________ 27

Featured Recipies _____________________ 28

Stones & Stories _____________________ 29

Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund _____ 32

EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome to the 100th issue of Strathnairn News – our community magazine! We are keen to ensure that the contents reflect what you would like to read, so if there is anything that you would like to write for us, or send in for inclusion, please contact me on the details below.

If you would like to receive your copy of the newsletter electronically, please email me your postal address details, so that we can remove you from the mailing list, and your email address. The newsletter is also available online at www.strathnairn.org.uk

Please contact Caroline Tucker on 01808 521464 or email [email protected]

Next newsletter deadline – Friday 30th November 2018

Please note all dates and times published are correct at time of going to print, and please ensure all submissions are non-political and unlikely to offend.

Print: Speedprint, Inverness www.speedprintdigital.co.uk

Front Cover Photograph : Ray Collier’s Memorial Bench overlooking Loch Ruthven

The Cameron’s Tea Room & Farm Shop

Glenlia Farm, Foyers

Open all year round 7 days a week 9-5

Lovely Homemade Food And Local Produce

For more information like us on Facebook, email Morag on [email protected] or phone 01456 486572.


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YOUR COMMUNITY COUNCILThe Community has a website – www.strathnairn.org.uk where full details are available. There is also a closed group <Strathnairn> on Facebook where useful day to day information is posted. As a closed group access is restricted to locals and once you have visited the page you will need to ask to join. That way your Facebook page will enable you to be notified of any disruptions and late news.

Anyone wishing to raise any matter with the Community Council can contact one of our elected Councillors below.

James Murray, Chairperson 01808 521205 [email protected] Christie, Hon. Secretary 01808 521257 [email protected] Wallace, Treasurer 01463 772378 [email protected] Henderson 01808 521323 [email protected] Hunt 01463 772094 [email protected] McQueer 01808 521474 [email protected] Moore 01463 772234 [email protected] Haston, Minute Sec [email protected]

YOUR HIGHLAND COUNCILLORSStrathnairn is part of Highland Council Wards 12 (Aird and Loch Ness) & Ward 19 (Inverness South). Addresses & telephone numbers are available at www.highland.gov.uk

WARD 12 AIRD AND LOCH NESS Cllr Helen Carmichael [email protected] Margaret Davidson [email protected] George Cruickshank [email protected] Emma Knox [email protected]

WARD 19 INVERNESS SOUTH Cllr Carolyn Caddick [email protected] Ken Gowans [email protected] Andrew Jarvie [email protected] Duncan MacPherson [email protected]

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS:Community Police Officer, PC Cathy McGibbon 101Daviot Primary School 01463 772226 Farr Primary School 01808 521246Daviot Hall booking 01463 772228Farr Hall booking 01808 521346SCATA Bus booking 01808 521321 NHS 24 111Police - Non-Emergency 101SCBF 07858 688355 www.strathnairncbf.com [email protected] in Strathnairn:Kathy Collins (Chair) [email protected] Rose (Community Contact Officer) 07800 796106 / 01463 772240

Strathnairn Community Website

www.strathnairn.org.ukStrathnairn Community Benefit Fund Website

www.strathnairncbf.com


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PROJECT STRATHNAIRN / STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY COMPANY OPEN MEETINGSATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 10AM ONWARDS AT DAVIOT HALL

OCT – NOV 2018

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBERJoint Service between Daviot & Dunlichity Churches and St. Paul’s.

STARTING AT DAVIOT WAR MEMORIAL AT 10.15AM FOLLOWED BY A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AT DAVIOT CHURCH

FARR CONVERSATIONSSATURDAY 17TH NOVEMBERA look at settlement patterns, change in land use and what we can learn from the past about the future through maps.

TALK 2PM – 3PMEXHIBITION OPEN UNTIL 5PM THE CABIN, SCHOOL WOODS

CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD COMMUNITY THANK YOU DAY25TH NOVEMBER - FROM 10AMCome and visit us for FREE if you are a resident of Strathnairn!

Crafts, battlefield tours, talks and much more!

ST PAUL’S HARVEST FESTIVAL SUNDAY 21ST OCTOBER11AM AT ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, CROACHY


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STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

GENERAL MEETING NO. 263FARR COMMUNITY HALL • MONDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2018 at 7.30pm

DRAFT MINUTES

SCC MEMBERS PRESENTJames Murray (Chair) [JM], Ian Hunt [IH], Douglas Henderson [DH], Isobel McQueer [IM] Sally Moore [SM] (part meeting)

HIGHLAND COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENTCllr Jarvie [AJ] (part meeting).

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENTPC McGibbons + 1 member of the public.

MINUTESGH

Prior to the meeting a presentation had been given by SEE and Balfour Beatty about planned road closures from 15-26 October on the B851 above Clava Cairns.

1. APOLOGIESApologies were received from Peter Christie (Hon. Sec) [PC], Bea Wallace [BW], Cllr Gowans, Cllr Davidson and Cllr Caddick.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTE 20TH AUGUST 2018 JM advised that the meeting of 20th August had not been quorate so it was necessary to go through decisions taken at that meeting to ratify them now.

Item 7c – a presentation was to be requested, to take place on 17 September 2018, from SSE/Balfour Beatty regarding the planned road closure. Agreed and already occurred

Item 8 – JM was to write to SCBF requesting an extraordinary meeting, to take place on 24 September 2018 at 7pm. Agreed.

Item 11m – it was proposed to invite a talk on bowel cancer. After further discussion it was agreed it might be advisable to widen this out to a talk on general cancer symptoms awareness and to time the talk to coincide with another event such as the seniors lunch.

Ratification of decisions from meeting of 20th August 2018:

Proposed IH, Seconded DH


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Minute of 20th August 2018: Proposed IH Seconded: DH

3. DECLARATION OF INTERESTSIH advised the CC that as Chair of the Community Benefit Fund he would not take part in discussions relating to the SCBF, unless he deemed it appropriate to do so.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTEItems from previous matters:

Item 19 from Feb minute – ROCK vehicles -AJ had been advised that the vehicles were now using a different road but had established that this was not the case. AJ had been unable to make progress with contacting the company and will now pursue the matter through SEPA from a licensing perspective. It was noted that a number plate could also be reported to Police Scotland if a potential crime was involved, e.g. dangerous driving. Action: AJ

Item 7c from the May minute – Inverarnie Long Term Forest Plan - PC was not present at the SNCC meeting so no update was available. Action: PC

Item 12 from May minute – Red Squirrel Kill on Balnafoich Road - This will be raised at the next SSE liaison meeting on 25 September. Action JM

Item 10 from the June minute – Beauly-Inverness-Keith Overhead Line Refurbishment – PC will raise this matter at the next SSE liaison group meeting on 25 September. Action: PC

Item 7c from the August minute – Red John – JM has still to contact Red John.

Action: JM

Item 9 from the August minute – Sunday working near Farr Telephone exchange - MD had taken this up with the company.

Item 13b from the August minute – restrictions on travel times for logging lorries – IH is awaiting responses on this.

Item 13d from the August minute – siting of poles at Tomfat Woods – it was not clear if MD had followed this up but it was noted that the poles had been removed.

Item 14 from the August minute – collection of keys for the Nairnside noticeboard – JM had been unable to do this. SM offered to collect keys instead. Action: SM

5. COMMUNITY POLICING REPORT AND LOCAL ISSUESPC McGibbons reported on statistics for the area which included 13 fixed penalties, 2 minor RTAs, 3 positive alcohol tests, 1 wildlife crime, which is being investigated further, and an act of vandalism to the old tourist information building off the A9. There had also been a 3 car RTA on the road from the A9 to Farr that evening, resulting in 1 minor injury.

After the report SM noted that previously, the Community Policing Report had been given earlier in the meeting, to allow the Police Scotland representative to leave the meeting earlier. It was agreed that for future meeting the Police Report would be taken after Item 3, Declaration of Interests.


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6. FINANCIAL REPORTJM reported that current funds are £3002.18 and the separate Ray Collier memorial fund stands at £640. IM asked if the Highland Council would recoup some of the grant to SNCC if it was unspent. AJ advised that this may be introduced in future.

7. PLANNING APPLICATION AND UPDATESa) Report from IH on applications

IH spoke to his report, listing 7 new planning applications (alterations to roof and formation of dormers and balcony at Greenfields, Nairnside; erection of holiday home east of Achlaschoille House, Farr; Application to amend duration of consent from 24 – 48 months at Aberarder Wind Farm; Use of annexe as separate residential unit at Molehill, Farr; erection of extensions to house, conversion of garage to form self-contained residential unit and erection of summer house at Peponi, Inverarnie; erection of extensions to house, conversion of integral garage and erection of summer house at Peponi, Inverarnie (withdrawn); and formation of forestry access and track west of The Bu, Dores (agreed). There were no comments on these other than the application relating to Aberarder Wind Farm. It was noted that the community was quite opposed to the original application and therefore it was agreed that IH will revisit SNCC’s objection at the time to establish if there are no grounds for further comment. Action: IH

There were 4 updates relating to the erection of a house at An Sabhal, Flichity; demolition of an existing single storey extension and erection of a new single storey extension at Main of Bunachton; conversion of a garage to a holiday unit at Molehill, Farr; and erection of an extension at Lochview, Farr, all of which had been approved.

There was a discussion regarding a previous application at Daviot Farm. It was noted that a building which had been erected for apparent agricultural use was being used as a workshop. AJ advised that he will pursue the matter. Action: AJ

The care of graveyards was discussed further. It was noted that a member of the public had frequently telephoned Highland Council about Dunlichity graveyard after the last meeting but had not received a response. AJ advised that he will pursue the matter. Action: AJ

(b) Aberarder WF negotiation

There was nothing to discuss on this item.

8. KNOCKNAGAEL TO TOMATIN LIAISON GROUPThere was nothing to report on this item as no meeting had taken place.

9. GLEN KYLLACHY WIND FARM CONSTRUCTION LIAISON GROUPThere was nothing to report on this item as no meeting had taken place.

10. REPORT FROM RURAL TRANSPORT CONFERENCE, JURY’S INN 11 AND 12 SEPTEMBERNo one from the SNCC had been able to attend this event so there was nothing to report.


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11. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED(via email unless indicated otherwise.)

a) Scottish Community Council’s web site – As a contribution to the Democracy Matters conversation, the web site will be hosting a Twitter Hour for Scottish community councils. Over the course of an hour on 18th September we’ll post the discussion questions set out in the Scottish Government’s Democracy Matters documents. Link: https://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/05/6780?utm_source=Communi ty+Counc i l s&utm_campaign=7e4189181c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_08_13_10_51&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fa1b078e21-7e4189181c-288688581

This will be discussed further at a special meeting on 8 October 2018 along with item 11b.

b) Community Council Scheme review, the dates for the drop-in sessions for Inverness is 12 September 2018 4.00 – 6.30pm Inverness Town House. The Inverness Community Council Forum will follow directly after this drop-in session.

JM attended the drop-in which was also a CC Forum AGM. There were no issues of note to report. A paper was circulated by JM on the CC Scheme Review and will be discussed at a special meeting of the SNCC on 8 October at 7.00pm

c) Request for committee and members of the public in your area would be prepared to sign the petition that I lodged at the Scottish Parliament to encourage the Government to provide broadband to rural areas that do not have it at present.

It was noted that a message had been posted on the Community Facebook page saying that funding for broadband had been approved by the SCBF, however at this stage approval is provisional only, pending the signing of the contract.

d) HSCHT Conference Event and AGM – 14th of September at the Town House, Inverness.

e) HC Community Services – D & I Bain’ has been appointed to deliver the Bunachton Strategic Timber Transport Scheme (STTS) and they are hoping to commence on site on 10th September. The works on the C1068 should be achievable without any road closures, however it was noted that the works on the U1096 (Dunlichity – Essich) would be much easier (and quicker) with a closure, commencing during the last week in September and running for 3 to 4 weeks.

f) SSE – proposed traffic management plan for a road closure on B851 Cantry Road from Tues. 11th Sept – Tues. 18th Sept.

The dates for the planned works and road closure are now 15-26 October

12. LIST OF EVENTS, MEETINGS AND DATES FOR ATTENDANCE AND INTERESTa) K-T Liaison Group – Date of next meeting will be 25th September.

b) Glen Kyllachy Wind Farm Construction Liaison Group Meeting, Farr Community Hall, Tues. 25 September 16:00 hrs.


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JM will seek confirmation of this date as there had not been previous notification of it. Action: JM

c) Special General Meeting of SNBF on 24th September to adopt the new Articles of Association, Farr Community Hal 7:00 pm.

d) Inverness Community Council Forum 12th September 6.30 for 7.00 pm Town House. This has taken place

e) Rural Transport Convention: Exploring the Future of Rural Transport in Scotland. 11&12 Sept. Jury’s Hotel, Inverness.

This has taken place but there were no attendees from SNCC.

f) Scottish Resilience Communities Conference 30th October 2018 in Cambuslang.

IM may attend this meeting on behalf of SNCC.

16. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLICThere were no questions from the member of the public.

17. AOCBDH questioned the use of public money for re-tarring and chipping a 3 mile stretch of road near Tomatin, which seemed low priority. AJ said he would look into the matter but it was noted that it is outwith the SNCC area.

IM asked about plans for Remembrance Sunday. It was agreed that IM will represent the SNCC at the Inverness commemoration and will lay a wreath. JM advised that the Strathnairn commemoration will take place at the war memorial and at Daviot Church and he will lay a wreath on behalf of SNCC. A pupil from Farr School will also lay a wreath that they will make specifically for the service.

18. DATE OF THE NEXT CC MEETING [264] MONDAY 15 OCTOBER 2018The Community Council is required to issue the agenda 7 days before it’s meeting. To be certain that an item can be included please make sure that it is submitted ten days before our meeting is due to take place.

Copies of this agenda and the minutes of Community Council meetings are circulated by email. If you would like to receive a copy your email address can be added to the circulation list by application to [email protected].

REGULAR ACTIVITIES AT DAVIOT HALLMonday and Thursday evenings (October to May) – Badminton

Tuesday and Friday evenings, 7.30pm – Strathnairn Indoor Bowling Club

If you would like to book Daviot Hall please contact Christine MacPherson on 01463 772228.


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Mondays (Route 9): Farr Primary School - Daviot East - Moy - Brookfield - Sunnyside - Balloch

29 Oct, 19 Nov, 10 Dec 2018.09.30 – 10.50 Farr Primary School11.20 – 11.50 Meallmore Nursing

Home11.50 – 12.05 Daviot East12.20 – 12.40 Moy Forestry

Cottages12.40 – 12.55 Moy Housebound14.20 – 15.00 Culloden Brookfield15.05 – 15.30 Culloden Sunnyside15.45 – 16.30 Balloch Braeside

Park

Thursdays (Route 12): Daviot Primary School - Gorthleck - Stratherrick Primary School - Whitebridge - Errogie - Farr

01 Nov, 22 Nov, 13 Dec 201809.25 – 10.05 Daviot Primary

School10.35 – 11.25 Invernarnie, Farr Hall12.00 – 12.15 Gorthleck Public Hall13.15 – 13.55 Stratherrick Primary

School14.00 – 14.25 Whitebridge Old

Post Office15.00 – 15.35 Errogie Bridge

before “Ark”16.00 – 16.20 Farr Croft Croy16.25 – 16.50 Farr Community Hall

MOBILE LIBRARYMoray Firth Mobile library comes every 3 weeks and carries a range of adult fiction and non-fiction in standard and large print, children’s books, talking books and DVDs.

Full Information about the mobile routes can be found on the High Life Highland Moray Firth Mobile webpage: http://highlifehighland.com/libraries/moray-firth-mobile-library.


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STRATHNAIRN’S LITTLE SILVER BUS

The minibus continues to collect residents to take them to medical appointments in town, Tesco/Aldi for shopping, visiting relatives, and Friendship Group for days spent socialising. The ‘bus has also been booked by residents in Strathnairn for a variety of excursions.

The bus is funded by The Highland Council, Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund and ongoing hire charges paid by those who wish to hire the ‘bus privately at a cost of only 50p per mile.

However, the great success is due to the volunteer drivers who freely give their time to help others in our area – Could you help too?

To find out more on using the bus, or becoming a volunteer driver, please call Donna on 01808-521321

Scottish Charity SCO45251

REGULAR ACTIVITIES AT FARR HALLThroughout the year and during school term-time there are regular weekly activities taking place in the Hall as follows:

Second Monday of the month Strathnairn Community Woodlands committee meeting

Third Monday of the month Strathnairn Community Council meeting 7.30pm

Tuesday evenings from 6pm Highland Budokan Judo

Wednesday evenings from 7pm Boleskine Shinty Club training

Thursday mornings Farr Baby and Toddlers

Thursday afternoons 2pm – 4pm Post Office

Thursday evenings from 6pm to 7pm Community Keep Fit runs October to May

Second Friday of the month S55+ Lunch Club

Last Sunday morning of the month King’s Strathnairn

If you wish to book the football pitch, a room, or the whole Hall please call Maggie on 01808 521346


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STRATHNAIRN NEWS REACHES 100!

Back in April 2002, the first issue of what has now become ‘Strathnairn News’ was published. Initially known as ‘Strathnairn Community Council Newsletter’, it was set up by the then Chair of the Community Council, John MacLeod, as a means of sharing Community Council news with the whole community. In the early days, editing, printing and distribution of the newsletter was undertaken by Community Council members. Sue Fenton was the first Editor, with assistance from Christine MacPherson and Paddy Henderson. In the beginning, the newsletter was posted to 350 households throughout the Strathnairn area and was funded by a grant from the Highland Council.

Kath Wright was Editor for a number of years, opening it up to other community groups. When her husband passed away, Kath moved out of the area and the newsletter returned to the Community Council for a short while under Paul Davies, and it was Paul that instigated the name change from ‘Strathnairn Community Council Newsletter’ to ‘Strathnairn Community Newsletter’ and then to the current title, ‘Strathnairn News’.

Over the 16-year history of our newsletter, the community has had many changes. The most fundamental of these is the growth in population – today, the newsletter is distributed to over 550 households, which is

an increase of over 200 in 16 years!

Shortly after the publication of the first newsletter in April 2002, Farr Community Hall and Sports pitches was officially opened. The hall is now used by community groups for weekly, bi-monthly and monthly get-togethers and has hosted many one-off events over the years. The pitches provide a venue for the home matches of Boleskine Shinty Club and training for their junior members, as well as regular training sessions for football and athletics for the primary school children of Strathnairn.

2003 saw the community buy-out of School Woods and Milton Woods and the foundation of Strathnairn Community Woodlands, and in 2004 Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund was set up to manage funds received from Farr Windfarm. Money is now also received from Farr Hydro Scheme, Dunmaglass windfarm and Moy windfarm, and the Benefit Fund is responsible for fair, equal distribution of these funds throughout the community.

To support the growing population within the community, in 2011 Farr Primary School was extended to include an extra 3 classrooms. A Nursery was also added in 2001.

There have been many other developments within the community over this time – these include the introduction of the SCATA bus,


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the formation of Care in Strathnairn and more recently the creation of Strathnairn Music Initiative.

The Newsletter itself has changed over this time too, from a 4-page, black & white A4 document to an A5 magazine, which frequently fills 40 pages! It is now independent of the Community Council, being run by a separate Editorial Committee, and continues to develop in terms of content. We were also lucky enough to be recognised on a Highland-wide level earlier this year as finalists in the 2017 Highlands & Islands Press Awards in the ‘Community Newspaper of Year’ Category.

Our community has much to celebrate, and thank you to you all for allowing our community magazine to continue to share these successes!

Thanks to all of our contributors (past and present), our advertisers, Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund for financial support, Speedprint for their technical help, printing & distribution and of course the Editorial Committee for all the work they do to put the newsletter together.

In terms of research for this article, thank you to Alasdair Forbes, James Murray, Jimmy & Christine MacPherson, Paddy Henderson, Sally Moore, Angie & Annie MacLeod and Ian Hunt for providing info. Thanks to the previous editors – Sue Fenton, Christina Smith, Kath Wright and my predecessor, Paul Davies, and here’s to the next 100 issues!

Caroline TuckerEditor – Strathnairn News

MEMBERSHIP OF THE STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND (SCBF)At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the SCBF held on Monday 24th September 2018 the Chair of the Community Council acting as the ‘Sole Member’ of the SCBF agreed changes to the SCBF Articles of Association. Residents living in the Strathnairn Community Council area (aged 16 and over) can now become Members of SCBF. You do not need to be a Member to apply for a grant.

Over the past eight months the SCBF Board has been working to implement the changes agreed to at the Dec 2017 AGM whilst at the same time managing the Fund.

It is now your turn to help shape the future of the Fund for the benefit of the community by becoming a Member. Membership does not commit you to doing anything but it does give you the

power to take part – it will also give you the right both to become a Director and to vote on who you would like to be a Director in the event that there are more applicants than posts. It will also give you the right to attend the AGM & other Special General Meetings not just as an observer but to be able to participate in the discussions and decisions.

You have nothing to lose but much to gain.

TO BECOME A MEMBER PLEASE COMPLETE THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM ENCLOSED WITH THIS MONTHS NEWSLETTER.

The application period for Members to apply to become Directors (& Trustees) of the Fund opens mid October. Please check the SCBF website or Facebook Page for more information.


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CARE IN STRATHNAIRN HANDYMAN SERVICESWith winter around the corner it is a good idea to look around your house and garden to see it there are any jobs which need doing. If you live in the Strathnairn Community Council area and are disadvantaged by age, illness, disability or social circumstances then you are eligible to use our Handyman Services. Derek Rose, is happy to discuss with you anything that you feel might need doing. The kind of small jobs you used to tackle yourself but now need a little help with.

As a former policeman he can also advise on home security and safety issues that might be worrying you. All works carried out by Derek are free of charge, you only have to pay for any materials. If the job is outside Derek’s expertise he will be happy to help you find a local tradesman to help. Give Derek a ring to make sure you stay on top of those little jobs. Derek Rose (07800) 796106 or (01463) 772240

FRIENDSHIP GROUPThe Friendship Group are looking forward to enjoying their regular outings in and around the Inverness area for good conversation over a bite to eat at lunchtime. The Group meets every other Wednesday, dates below, 11am at Farr Hall or Derek, our driver will pick you up at home. Please remember that all outings are weather permitting over the winter. Derek will make the call and let you know if he needs to cancel.

• November 7th and 21st

• December 5th and 19th

• January 2019 16th and 30th. There is no Friendship Group outing on the 2nd January 2019

Ring Derek on (07800) 796106 or (01463) 772240 if you would like to join us for a friendly outing.

SSEN TOMATIN TO KNOCKNAGAEL OVERHEAD LINE PROJECTConstruction works in and around your area – Safety is our number one value at Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

We ask that you please remain vigilant of signage or direction around the construction works and do not enter our working areas.

Forestry - Most tree clearance works are now completed with only small areas remaining near the substation at Tomatin.

Overhead Line – Twelve towers have been completed. Foundation works including piled foundations are

progressing at various locations along the route with over 75% completed. Access roads along the route are complete for the construction of the 275kV OHL.

Farr Diversion Works – The wood pole diversion of the existing 132kV OHL through Farr village was successfully completed in August.

Road Improvements – The road improvements required to deliver the project as agreed with The Highland Council (THC) on the B851, U116 and Essich Road are now complete.

The design of the proposed footpath


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in Farr village has been completed by THC. Discussions are ongoing with THC regarding these additional improvements to the footpath through Farr village and we will keep you informed of progress.

KEY CONTACTSIf you have any concerns or queries regarding the works in your area, please do not hesitate to contact;

Overhead Line Project Manager – [email protected]

Local representatives from the Community Liaison Group;

Mr James Murray • 01808 521205 [email protected]

Mr Peter Christie • 01808 521257 [email protected]

Janis Tapley [email protected]

COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUPA CLG meeting took place on 25th September 2018. The CLG comprises of representatives from the local community, representatives from Strathnairn Community Council, Councillors of Inverness South and project representatives from Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc and the Principle Contractor MSVE. Meetings will take place at regular intervals to discuss any matters relating to the Knocknagael – Tomatin project during the construction period.

The project has a dedicated website at - www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/knocknagael-tomatin

ST PAUL’S CHURCH As the church has been open every day during the summer months we have enjoyed welcoming friends from near and far as they visited the strath during their holidays. Some just paused as they passed to have a look inside, while others joined us for the service on Sunday. It is always a delight to have visitors to our lovely church, particularly those we see regularly at intervals during the year. As I write I really feel that autumn has arrived – the weather has delivered rain and winds and night time temperatures have been dipping well into single figures and so we now look forward to our autumn/winter activities which include:

BLYTHSWOOD SHOE BOX APPEALEach year St Paul’s Church collects shoeboxes for this appeal and we would be delighted if you could join

us in this. Information about what to include can be downloaded from http://www.blythswood.org/shoebox/index.php?id=31 and leaflets are available at St Paul’s. If you would like to contribute but don’t wish to do a complete shoebox, how about knitting hats, gloves or scarves (all sizes needed but please label with age/size), or buying a number of combs, toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, soap, small toys, coloured pens/pencils, notebooks or small packets of sweets (not chocolate) - large numbers of these are always useful to the box checkers as often essential items have not been included. Please pass your filled shoeboxes or extra items to a member of St Paul’s Church by 5th November or contact Helen on 01808 521315. Many thanks.

HARVEST FESTIVALOur annual Harvest Festival service will take place on Sunday 21 October at 11.00am. The church will be decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables but


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rather than gifts of fresh produce (which are difficult to distribute while still fresh) we collect specific items for Blythswood Food Bank – this year Jars of Pasta Sauce, Tins of Tuna, Tins of Mince/Stew, Sugar, Cartons of UHT Milk and Washing Powder. Please do come and join us for this lovely service and, if you would like to make a donation, bring any items with you.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY(11th November)

The joint service with Daviot Church of Scotland starts at Daviot War Memorial at 10.15am for the laying of wreaths and then continues at Daviot Church at about 10.50am. All are invited to join the joint congregations of St Paul’s and Daviot Church in this annual act of remembrance.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FAIRAlthough we were looking forward to once

again having a Christmas Community Fair in November, due to the forthcoming renovations Farr Hall will not be available this year and so we have had to make the decision to have a ‘year off’ in order to assist those who have tables with their planning. We hope this community event will be back next year!

150TH ANNIVERSARYSeptember saw the start of the 150th year of the current church building, the building of which was started in 1868 and then consecrated in 1869. As winter weather is unpredictable, to avoid cancellations we are planning to hold a number of special events between Easter and September 2019. If you have any memories or photographs of St Paul’s and past events held at the church, perhaps ones from previous generations, that you could share with us, please get in touch with Kathy Collins on 01808521388 or [email protected].

PROJECT STRATHNAIRN - STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY COMPANYThe setting up of our community development company is progressing well. This heralds a new and exciting time for our Strath.

We need enthusiastic and helpful people

and a variety of skills to get off to a good start. The more the merrier!

Come along to our next meeting at Daviot Hall, on Saturday 3rd November, between 10am and noon to find out more.

PRESCRIPTION DELIVERY SERVICE A prescription delivery service from Foyers Medical Centre to the Shop at Inverarnie is available to all local residents registered with Loch Ness & East Strathnairn Medical

Practice at Foyers.

Prescriptions ordered online by Monday are available for collections at Inverarnie Shop on Friday morning.


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STRATHNAIRN 55+ LUNCH CLUB NEWS It was great to meet up again after the Summer break for our September Lunch and fantastic that 22 members came along to enjoy time together.

We were very sad though that during the Summer break Les Collins had passed away. Les along with his wife Hazel have been members of the Lunch Club for many years and we will miss him a great deal. We loved it when Les recited some of his poems and stories and also sang some good songs, all of which livened up proceedings no end! Hazel

came to our September lunch which we so appreciated and we do send her our heartfelt sympathy.

We are having to be quite ‘creative’ about venues for our lunches in the next few months as Farr Hall is being refurbished and not available for events. As such, we enjoyed our October lunch at St Paul’s Church Hall in Croachy, thanks to all that made it along!

At time of going to print, the date and venue for our Christmas lunch is yet to be confirmed, further information will be provided once we have it.

We look forward to seeing you this Autumn.

Christina, Karen, Moira, Barbara, Ria, Fiona and Liz

BUS TIMETABLE CHANGESD&E Coaches are changing the times on their 301 Service from Whitebridge to Inverness, with the new timetable operational from 29th October 2018. The updated bus timetable will be available as an insert in the December issue of Strathnairn News.

STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND (SCBF) – LARGE PROJECTSThank you to those that responded to the SCBF insert in the August Edition of Strathnairn News in which the SCBF Board set out proposed plans involving the expenditure of over £800,000.

The leaflet gave information on Large Projects and asking residents to let us know if they had any objections. A total

of 20 replies were received in total, not all of which objected, as such the SCBF will now continue to consider/approve these projects.

Ian HuntChair

Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund


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FÈIS FARR AT THE BLAS FESTIVAL!This year’s Blas Festival culminated with an event aiming to bringing together young people and celebrating Gaelic music. Òran Mòr, or ‘The Big Sing’ allowed youngsters from across the Highlands perform alongside some of the current big names in Gaelic music, including Skipinnish and Braebach, as part of the Year of Young People Ensemble. The children of Fèis Farr were lucky enough to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event, much fun was had by all and they sang their hearts out! Well done to all involved!

‘On Saturday 15th September Maeve, Sophie, Isla, Nico, Lachlan, Lily and I went to the Blas festival at the Northern meeting park beside Eden court. We sang Gaelic songs in the stand along with children from schools and other Fèisean across the highlands. On the stage were lots of musicians including some of the bands we had heard earlier in the day. It was great experience for me and my friends.’ Isla Tucker.

‘Chaidh sinn a dh’fhaicinn torr còmhlain sgoinneil air an àrd ùrlair is bha torr de na caraidean againn ann. Cha

dhiochuimhnich sinn idir e. Bha e cho math a bhith a’ seinn òran ùr le ur caraidean. Tha sinn an dòchas gun dèan iad e an ath bhliadhna!

‘It was great singing a new song with friends from the Fèis and seeing lots of people. The bands on the big stage were brilliant and we’ll never forget it. We hope they do it again next year!’ Maeve & Lachlan Sandilands.

‘It was very interesting to listen to Gaelic music and I enjoyed it a lot.’ Nico MacDonald.

HOW CAN I BECOME INVOLVED?If you would like to write something for our Newsletter we would love to hear from you! We know that our community has many young people aged between 8 & 26 who have a lot to share with the rest of us, from competing in local & national sporting events, interesting career choices or apprenticeships to local interests, and we would really like to hear about it!

If you are a budding journalist and would like to interview a member of our community for the newsletter we would also love to hear from you!

2018’S YEAR OF YOUNG PEOPLE!


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FARR SCHOOL AND NURSERY NEWSTHE NURSERY TEAMThe nursery has got off to a great start this term, with everyone settling in well and happy to leave Mums and Dads. We will have fourteen children for the year once everyone has started.

The interest at the moment is construction, the children have had a great time, mixing sand and water to make cement, and building walls etc. we are looking forward to visiting the Kerr’s new house that is being built.

On Mondays, the children are invited to bring in their cycle helmets and we have a bike session. Tuesdays is our Outdoor Learning day, where we use the woods, the river and the park etc. Wednesdays, we join the whole school to have assembly with Miss Dunbar. Thursdays we do music, drama or baking.

Parents have had their first visit of the year, coming to play with their children, and share in their learning.

We are introducing the children back to being more independent this term by making their own snack, choosing their own crockery and cutlery.

P1/2In primary 1/2 we have been looking at

reaching our John Muir award through our study of mini beasts and their purpose within nature. So far we have been keeping a diary of the mini beasts we find in our local woods and finding out where they like to live and why.

A specific focus through literacy has been ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and ‘Incy Wincey Spider’ with lots of hands on activities to apply our new knowledge of mini beasts. We are moving onto looking at the life cycle of a bug before having the highland rangers out to help us build birds’ nests and helping the local wildlife.

P3/4P3/4 have been furthering their map skills and awareness of the world as a community. We have been looking at how we can help decrease global warming by becoming aware of our carbon food foot print.


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Through active play outdoor we read food labels and placed them on the world map to measure the distance they travel from to us. We then used our knowledge of tally charts to make a tally chart of our results.

P3/4 have been doing the River Journey project and this work is part of how we are looking at food chains. They had a superb visit to Abriachan Forest School. When they were there:

• They made a map of our area using forest materials

• They learnt about Electric Fishing and discovered many interesting facts about fish

• They learnt how to measure the rivers flow

P3/4 have also been finding out how we are part of the world community and how by buying / growing our own food helps to decrease global warming by being aware of our food carbon footprint.

FARR BABY AND TODDLER GROUPSince coming back from our summer holidays we have been up to lots of different things.

We spent a lovely morning at Daisy Raven’s house at Brin. One morning the children did some beautiful sponge paintings and on another Tim from the High Life Highland mobile library van came to read us a story about the seasons. There are a range of toys from baby to toddler stage to play with.

Over the next couple of months we are

planning on a few different activities to keep us busy. So please keep your eyes open for updates on this. Also If you have recently had a baby, Julia the local Health Visitor visits us regularly for advice and checks if you require it.

We would like to invite anyone with a Baby or Toddler to come and join us on a Thursday morning from 930 - 1130 in Farr Hall. Its a great excuse to come and meet people and have a cuppa and a chat.

If you would like more information, we have a Farr Baby and Toddler Facebook page or if you would like to contact myself directly by messenger or mobile my contact details are Jennifer Brown 07870 404427.


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JOHN MACLEODwritten by Neil MacLeod

It was with great sadness that John MacLeod, Daviot, passed away on the 14th of June.

Known to many as ‘Iain Uisdean’, John was born on Christmas Day 1940 and raised in Linicro, North Skye, where as a teenager he took over the family croft from his elderly father who was not in robust health.

Initially steeped in the crofting way of life, John swapped the west Highlands for the Black Isle in 1968 when he took up the opportunity to run the 60-acre Ferrytown farm. He eventually settled at his croft at Daviot West, where he made his home with his wife Annie and family of three sons Hugh, Alastair & Ruaridh and a daughter, Kay.

John had a passion for all things mechanical and agricultural, and he became an avid collector and custodian of vintage farming and crofting equipment.

He was instrumental as a co-founder of the Strathnairn Vintage Machinery Working Show – a hugely successful annual event showcasing the working practices of yesteryear. Without his knowledge, and the wide circle of fellow enthusiasts he helped enlist, a precious heritage would have been lost.

Not that John was stuck in the past. He willingly embraced modern technology and won a top national prize for energy conservation.

With the unfailing support of Annie, John was an entrepreneur who became a pioneer in the then fledgling but fragile fish farming industry. In a period when fish farming was growing in popularity he decided to set up his very own hatchery on the croft, producing young salmon which have been exported across the world. John’s company, Bridge of Faille Smolts, became a byword for quality and innovation. It was acknowledged as one of Europe’s largest producers in his time.

At various times he ran a haulage company, a bed and breakfast establishment alongside myriad other duties he had when raising a family and operating a large crofting enterprise.

John’s support for crofting was steadfast and time spent in his company was a link to the past interspersed with a vision for the future. During heady days, he helped to establish the Scottish Crofters’ Union where he became a very effective vice president and an excellent local area chairman and ambassador. Always willing to espouse the crofting interest he was very often the go-to man for an opinion or quote. His work for the media was always well thought out and equally well received.

John’s funeral from Smithton Free Church, Inverness, where he was a faithful member was standing room only.


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It was testament to the man and a life well spent. The cortège left the Church to the strains of what was obviously a favourite family song which was poignant and well suited to the occasion.

Sincere condolences are passed on to Annie and his extended family and grandchildren who were a great source of pride to him. They will miss him

greatly but will be strengthened by fond memories.

Crofting is the poorer for his passing but his contribution will not be forgotten – a luminary with strong links to the past and positive about the future which can best be summarised in his native tongue, “Fior dhuine, caraid dileas agus deagh Ghaidheal.”

FEARNAG GROWERSWe have had a productive 2018 season and are pleased to have gained some new members. The weather has definitely been on our side, with bumper crops of apples, raspberries and some fantastic tomatoes grown by our members.

We have been busy working on our Children’s Garden, funded by Tesco Bags of Help. An area has been cleared and

flattened for 4 raised beds for the children to use for growing fruit, vegetables and flowers. Strawberries have been planted in one, and the others will be fully operational by the spring. We now have a sandpit, filled with sand kindly donated by SSEN and Edward Mackay Contractors – many thanks to them.

Further plans are afoot for a playhouse, and we will be looking to book some family activities for early next year – watch this space for details.

STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY WOODLANDSFor those of you who don’t know where the woodlands are, Strathnairn own two woods:

(1) School Wood, directly behind Farr Primary, with the car park opposite the play park; and (2) Milton Wood, approx. 1 mile further towards Fort Augustus, with its entrance awkwardly placed directly opposite the Charles Rennie Mackintosh houses at the Sockich Bends (about 100m past the Garbole junction). Both woods are wholly owned by Strathnairn community, for the benefit of the community.

To prevent a crisis developing, we are looking for new Directors to assist with the management of the woods. The only

requirements are that you must be over 16, and live in the Strathnairn Community Council area, so nearly everyone reading this is probably eligible, unless you’ve been banned from being a company Director. (The potential crisis is due to a recruitment need as Directors move on for various reasons, not any legal or financial issue.) So that you don’t immediately disqualify yourself you should note that we are not seeking people to work as foresters, cut down trees, dig ditches and mend fences although we sometimes need to get those things done. We need your help to guide the management of the woodlands.

Managing a woodland for the benefit of this community is a chance to make


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a contribution for the wider good of the Strath. All of us can think of at least two dozen reasons why it ‘isn’t for me’, or ‘I can’t, because…’ or that ‘other people’ do that kind of thing. Well, it will involve about 20 hours a year, and you will need to turn up to at least a few meetings,

a 12-month stint is asked for. Life experience is useful, but not essential.

Contact Donald Longden01808 521308 (eve)

ChairStrathnairn Community Woodlands

DAVIOT & DUNLICHITY CHURCHI guess we are now really into autumn, as the leaves turn and the wind blows, sometimes too mightily for comfort! However, we have enjoyed a lovely summer, and even had the rain when we needed it the most, so we can count ourselves blessed compared to many other parts of the country.

Here at Daviot and Dunlichity churches we also count ourselves blessed. We have had a splendid summer of celebration and worship at Dunlichity church, and the final one of the season, (too late for this publication unfortunately), will have been an Agape celebrated by Mrs Joyce Mitchell, Deacon of the Church of Scotland, Moderator of the Presbytery of Inverness, and of course, a Strathnairner! The Agapes we have held in the past have been really uplifting occasions of real fellowship – as actually, have been all our evening services at Dunlichity, especially this summer.

The celebration of 400 years of union which we held at the beginning of June, was also an occasion for worship together for people from a’ the airts, followed by a communal picnic in the sun – a beautiful time together.

At Daviot too, we have had a wonderful series of pulpit supply, with many uplifting and encouraging sermons, which

send us away thinking and praying that we can fulfil at least some of what has been advocated!

On 1 September we had Doors Open Day, at both Daviot and Dunlichity churches. Both had a steady stream of visitors – many visited Daviot as they had so often wondered about the church on the hill and enjoyed seeing inside it. Others visited Dunlichity for its wonderful atmosphere of peace, and its long historical connections – something to be built on for future use, perhaps. We are still under threat of closure but do not yet have a date.

On 14 October, we had our Harvest Thanksgiving at Daviot. You may know already, that most of what is gifted on the day goes to the homeless shelter, and on that Sunday we had a speaker from Blythwood who will explain their work and what happens to our donations.

Then on 11 November, we will have our usual Service and Act of Remembrance, joint with St Paul’s, Croachy. It all begins at 10.15 am at the War Memorial at Daviot, followed by the Service in Daviot Church at 10.45 am. As the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, this will be a special time. There will be a light lunch in the church after the services.

We are blessed indeed in this part of the world – and all are always very welcome to join us at any time in Daviot or Dunlichity – or both!


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RAY COLLIER’S MEMORIAL BENCHA huge thank you to everyone that donated to Ray Collier’s memorial bench fund. It’s finally in place at Loch Ruthven and looks fantastic.

Ian Chalmers of Chainsaw Creations did an amazing job making it, and there was a great team effort from Peter Christie, Roger Croson, Isabel Morgan, Darren Read and the team from RSPB in getting the idea off the ground and the project designed, delivered and installed.

‘HIGHLAND COUNTRY DIARIES’by Ray Collier

Our Editor has recently come into possession of a copy of Ray’s book ‘Highland Country Diaries’, and we are pleased to have received permission to serialise it in the newsletter.

This excerpt is reproduced with kind permission of the publishers, Colin Baxter Photography, and Ray Collier’s family.

INVERNESS – 4TH SEPTEMBER 1995Mushrooms are so uncommon in the Highlands now that I cannot mention exactly where ‘my’ mushroom field lies as others would be out after them. This year I was surprised to find the first crop just before the heatwave ended and I gathered enough for two helpings although I had to search for them. Then there were three days of virtually non-stop rain and on

the third day a quick look revealed large numbers of mushrooms and I was out gathering them in the rain before anyone else saw them! I am a coward as far as eating fungi is concerned as apart from the field mushroom I have only ventured into chanterelles and occasionally shaggy ink caps although I have had unfortunate experiences with both. Many years ago a


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friend of mine in Lincolnshire used to invite me round for proper jugged hare on the dinner menu. It was at one of these that I tried my first shaggy ink caps and I was very ill afterwards with hallucinations which might have resulted from the combination of the fungi and wine. Exactly the same thing happened to me once with chanterelles and I have tried to avoid both ever since.

But of the mushrooms I gathered last week I had some for breakfast and I had forgotten just how delicious they are compared with those from the supermarket which by comparison seem tasteless. I had also forgotten the fragrance of mushrooms and I could smell them even as I was taking black and white photographs of them in the kitchen. Mushrooms have, since ancient times, been regarded as food for the gods and the Egyptian pharaohs thought they passed on magical powers. Many people thought they held health-giving properties but my own feelings about them are that they are as magical as the brown hares which run over the fields where I collected them. Mushrooms were the favourite food of the Emperor Claudius who conquered southern Britain in the first century. He even had a mushroom, Amanita caesarea, named after him.

The Natural Vegetable Company Regular Organic Veg Box – Grown in the Highlands

We have operated for 15 years from our base at Torbreck, Dores road. We grow a complete range of seasonal veg available from field and

greenhouse. Seasonality and organic methods guarentee’s freshness, flavour and quality. Choose from a Regular £10 or Large £15 Box.

Delivery by arrangement or collect from the farm.

Book on Line at our website www.natvegco.com or

call Maggie on 07890 189676 or 01463 250 440


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LOCAL WALKSOCTOBER’S FEATURED WALK IS CARN NA H’EASGAINN, NEAR MOYGrid Reference: (NH765339)

Distance: 6.25km / 4 miles

• Turn off the A9 where signed for Lynebeg, and take a right turn shortly after to reach the houses. Park considerately before the cattle grid, avoiding impeding the turning area. The walk begins by heading across the cattle grid and along the track. Keep left at a fork to head up past the further house at Lynemore. Keep ahead on the track here, passing a waterworks compound.

• The track now reaches an area of beautiful birch woodland. There is a burn to cross - easy when not in spate - and then the track begins climbing steeply. There are good views back over Loch Moy to the windfarm beyond. Continue uphill, leaving the wooded area via a gate in a deer fence.

• The ascent continues, now crossing increasingly bleak moorland. Away to the north there are views to Inverness and the Moray Firth, with the Kessock Bridge visible in good conditions.

• Just before the summit the track reaches another at a t-junction - the trig point is just a few metres straight ahead from the junction. For an undistinguished hill, Carn na h-Easgainn is a very extensive viewpoint.

• There is a shooter’s hut a short distance north of the summit along the track. To return to the start, however, it is best to retrace your steps.

OS Landranger 27 (Nairn & Forres)

Each walk we feature is suitable for all abilities and can be used for cycling, running and horseriding as well as walking.

Please remember to follow the Outdoor Access Code when enjoying our countryside – further details can be found at www.outdooraccess-scotland.com. If you have a particular favourite route that you would like to see included, please contact The Editor.

Image and description courtesy of walkhighlands.co.uk


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FEATURED RECIPESDue to popular demand, we are pleased to include a new Recipes feature. Please send through any recipes you would like us to include.

OCTOBER BAKING!Sent in by Kathleen Matheson

1. CHOCOLATE BALLS (OR ‘SINKERS’)• 4 oz margarine or butter; 4 tablespoons

sugar; 2 tablespoons milk. Melt in pan but do not boil.

• Add 4 oz coconut; 4 oz porridge oats; 2 tablespoons drinking chocolate. Stir all together.

• Form into balls and roll in coconut.

2. CHOC-COCONUT BALLS (BOUNTY BALLS) • 1/2 lb icing sugar; 4 oz margarine or

butter; 6 oz coconut. • Beat together with teaspoon of warm

water. Roll into balls and cover with chocolate.

• (Sometimes rolling in chocolate is a bit messy, so often I just line a tin with chocolate, spread the mixture on the chocolate, then cover with more melted chocolate to make bounty bars)

3. AMERICAN BISCUITS • 6 oz margarine or butter; 2 oz sugar; 6

oz flour; 2 oz custard powder. • Cream marg and sugar; add flour and

custard powder; form into balls and flatten with a fork.

• Bake in a moderate oven till golden. Use butter icing or jam or both to put together.


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STONES AND STORIES: MARCHES ON THE HINTERLAND‘The fourth in a series of brief essays on place names and stories from Strathnairn and places nearby.’ Compiled by R. Sandilands.

For this article I’ve taken one square section of the OS map* to use as a frame and will look at places or stories of interest that fall within. It may look like an empty expanse of heather and rock but this section of moor between Strathnairn and Strathdearn holds a few surprises.

UAIGH AN DUINE BHEÒ / LIVING MAN’S GRAVEThe story as taken down from Andy Cumming, Croft Croy, goes that;

‘The Mackintoshes and the MacGillivray’s had a dispute about land boundaries. It was decided that a very old man Eòin MacGillivray would point out the line of the March. He swore that he was telling the truth “by the head under my bonnet” (a very solemn oath then) and “the land under my feet is MacGillivray land”. For some reason his word was doubted even with his oath. It seems he had under his bonnet a coileach’s head (a cockerel’s

head) and in his brogan (shoes) was ground presumably from the territory of the MacGillivrays. He was telling the truth but not the whole truth. He was sentenced to be buried alive and his grave, a heap of stones is to be seen yet. When this happened I don’t know but at least 300 years ago.’

IF Grant in her book ‘Along a Highland Road’ makes several interesting points about the story. She says ‘It is not as old as one would expect for such a barbarous tale. MacGillivray only got the feu of the


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land from Campbell of Cawdor in 1626 and ... MacGillivrays were members of Clan Chattan and loyal supporters of Mackintosh.’

She also makes mention of ‘other cases

of stories that are re-dated to fit onto later and more familiar facts. There is something quite ancient and primitive about this story that is not quite in character of the kin of society it was ascribed to.’

RUAIG NA MÀIGH / THE ROUT OF MOY (FROM MÀGH; A PLAIN OR LEVEL GROUND)There are several takes on what happened. In IF Grant’s account heard from a great grandson of the hero, she says the Lord Louden, who commanded the King’s troops in Inverness, hearing the rebel Prince was staying at Moy and guest of Lady Macintosh, planned a night attack to capture him. Lady Macintosh heard of this and sent for Donald Fraser, the blacksmith, he with four other men went to watch the road from Inverness. When they heard Louden’s troops come, they took up position behind peat stacks and calling to one another as if they were

from different clans in the Prince’s army and firing their guns. In the darkness the looming peat stacks gave the impression that a large force of men were waiting to attack the column of government troops as it issued from the pass. The number of the King’s soldiers was given as 1500. They retreated to Inverness. Donald Fraser was known as ‘Caiptean nan Còig’ (Captain of the five). He went on to fight at Culloden, survived, and was later buried in Moy churchyard with a fine tombstone made of marble, sent from Rome by Jacobite admirers.

CREAG AN EÒIN / THE CRAG OF THE BIRDS

CISTE CHREAG AN EÒIN / THE CHEST OF THE CRAG OF THE BIRDS“A circular hollow in the mountains surrounded by high rocks and accessible only through one narrow entrance”. The new statistical accounts of 1845 mention that it was used as a place of concealment for their wives and children

“by Highlanders on predatory excursions to the low country.” The place name book mentions hunting ‘forays’. The Statistical account also mentions that Fraser, the blacksmith, made use of this place in his defeat of Louden’s troops.

BEINN NAN CAILLEACH / THE OLD WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN Situated near the boundary between Strathnairn / Srathdearn. The place name books entry reads ‘The name is given to it from several large stones which lie on the top, which the country people say, resemble old women convening.’

There are many references to old men and old women in Gaelic placenaming that remember more generic characters. They sometimes are paired across a valley. Cailleach can also refer to a witch or a hag. I’ve had a look on google earth and

I think I can make them out. If anyone takes a walk up before the snow comes please send me the photos!

For those interested, I’ll expand on this piece with pictures and more content shortly in a blog - see raghnaidsandilands.scot. Thanks to Jessie Dundas for the map.

*Taken from OS Explorer Map 417 using square 7135 to 7435, reading from top left to bottom right.


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INVERARNIE STORES

OPENING HOURSMon - Fri 7am - 6pmSaturday 8am - 5pmSunday 9am - 4pm

Pop along and say hello!

Inverness IV2 6XA

CONVENIENCE STORE

GROCERIES AND FROZEN FOODS, HARRY GOW BAKERY, DUNCAN FRASER

BUTCHERS, ICE CREAM

NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, SECOND HAND BOOKS, CIGARETTES, TOBACCO

CARDS FOR ALL OCCASIONS, WRAPPING PAPER, GIFT BAGS

FLO GAS, SMALL BAGS OF COAL, KINDLERS

REPEAT PRESCRIPTION COLLECTION POINT

RECYCLING, PUBLIC NOTICEBOARD, COLLECTION POINT FOR FARR HALL KEY

OPEN LOCAL HOLIDAYS

CLOSE TO FARR & DAVIOT SCHOOLS


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STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUNDBOARD MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY – AUGUST 2018The August 2018 Board Meeting was held on 27 August in Farr Community Hall. There were three apologies from Board Members. An Interim Board meeting was held on 14 September 2018 in Farr Community Hall. There was one apology from a Board Member.

GRANT ACTIVITY The table below shows the grants that were approved at these Board meetings.

Applicant Award Type of Grant

Strathnairn.org.uk £53.95 General - Towards the running costs of the community website.

Strathnairn.net (Connecting Strathnairn)

£294,825.00

£6,000.00

General - Towards the Total Build Costs; and Towards the costs of a Community Liaison expenses

Farr Community Hall Association

Final amount to be confirmed

General – award in principle towards the second phase of the development of the building.

C MacDonald £500.00 Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant

1 applicant* £500.00 Supplementary Home Heating Grant

1 applicant* £910.00 Hardship/Respite Grant

*the applicant(s) name has been withheld as part of a Board’s decision to protect vulnerable groups

OTHER BUSINESS • To date, 348 Energy Grants have been approved this financial year.

• The Board adopted an Electronic Information and Communication Policy.

• The Strathnairn Community Council had instructed SCBF to call an EGM on 24 Sept to agree updated Articles of Association.

• The Board considered the 15 responses to the Large Projects consultation which closed on 12 September.

• The Board considered the one response to the Articles of Association consultation which closed on 31 August.

• The Board is seeking specialist seeking advice from a VAT specialist on the possibility of reclaiming VAT on large projects.

BOARD MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY – JULY 2018The July 2018 Board Meeting was held on 23 July in Farr Community Hall. There were


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two apologies from Board Members.

GRANT ACTIVITYThe table below shows the grants that were approved at these Board meetings.


Strathnairn Farmers Association

£3,504.00 General - Towards marquee, table and chair hire for the Sept 2018 event.

Strathnairn Music Initiative

£7,712.00 General - Towards costs of 2018/19 activities.

1 applicant* £500.00 Supplementary Home Heating Grant

*the applicant(s) name has been withheld as part of a Board’s decision to protect vulnerable groups


• An article inviting people to comment on the draft Articles of Association will go into the August newsletter.

• Preparation of membership forms and Director application forms and recruitment information was discussed.

BOARD MEETING MINUTES SUMMARY – JUNE 2018The June 2018 Board Meeting was held on 25 June in Farr Community Hall. There were three apologies from Board Members.

GRANT ACTIVITY Representatives from Farr Hall committee were invited to attend the meeting to discuss a future application. The table below shows the grants that were considered at the Board meeting.


Ross County Foundation No award General - To transform the lives of women through sport.

Strathnairn News Editorial Committee

£7,712.00 General - Towards printing and distribution of bi-monthly community newsletter.

Connecting Strathnairn £8,500.00 General - Phase 2 of installing superfast wireless broadband throughout the SCC area.


• The SCBF website now has a security certificate to improve internet security.


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Tel. 01456 Tel. 01456

486729486729

Tel. 01456 Tel. 01456

486729486729

Tim Lucas Forest Tim Lucas Forest

ManagementManagement

Tim Lucas Forest Tim Lucas Forest

ManagementManagement

A local service (Foyers).

Modern, reliable and prompt.

Farms, estates & private woodlands.

Timber harvesting, IACS,

management plans, forestry grants

and more.

[email protected]

Arrange a free, no obligation,

visit today!

• A number of large capital projects expected and the implications for future spend v reserves were discussed.

• The draft Articles of Association are to be passed to the Community Council and published in the next newsletter for comment.

REMAINING 2018 DEADLINES:16 October, 14 November, and 28 November.

For more information on Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund and the Grants that are available, our contact details are as follows:

Website: www.strathnairncbf.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/strathnairncbf

E-mail address: [email protected]; Tel: 07858 688355;

Freepost address: RTTJ-HBSK-RRUU, SCBF, Po Box 5783, Inverness, IV1 9EW.

Remember: Please use SCBF’s Freepost address and not Farr Hall for all correspondence, saving you postage and ensuring a faster response.

J C Landscaping James Craig

01808 521495 / 07715 278039 [email protected]

FREE QUOTES

•Decking •Fencing • Paving •Turfing •Hedge trimming •Grass cutting •Raised beds •Snow clearance/salting

Decking


35

BUILDINGUPTOASTANDARD–NOTDOWNTOAPRICE

EdwardMackayarecurrentlyworkingtogetherwithMSVETransmissiononbehalfofScottishandSouthernElectricityNetworks’(SSEN)todelivertheKnocknagaeltoTomatinOHLProject.

TheKnocknagael-Tomatinprojecthasbeenindevelopmentsince2012withworksonsitecommencingattheendof2017.Theprojectwillseetheconstructionofanew275kVoverheadlinebetweenanexistingsubstationatKnocknagaeltoanewsubstationinGlenKyllachy.

EdwardMackaysundertakeavarietyofworksinScotlandincluding:-

• Transmission/Renewablesinfrastructure• Earthworks• CivilEngineering• Haulage• Quarrying• Utilities• Planthire• ForestryandEstateworks

BUILDINGUPTOASTANDARD–NOTDOWNTOAPRICE

EdwardMackayarecurrentlyworkingtogetherwithMSVETransmissiononbehalfofScottishandSouthernElectricityNetworks’(SSEN)todelivertheKnocknagaeltoTomatinOHLProject.

TheKnocknagael-Tomatinprojecthasbeenindevelopmentsince2012withworksonsitecommencingattheendof2017.Theprojectwillseetheconstructionofanew275kVoverheadlinebetweenanexistingsubstationatKnocknagaeltoanewsubstationinGlenKyllachy.

EdwardMackaysundertakeavarietyofworksinScotlandincluding:-

• Transmission/Renewablesinfrastructure• Earthworks• CivilEngineering• Haulage• Quarrying• Utilities• Planthire• ForestryandEstateworks

SPONSORED BY


36


37

“Tea-room open daily for coffee,tea and home baking”

Emily Evans Mobile Hairstylist

Based in Strathnairn

Unisex cutting, blow drying and

colouring

Competitive rates

07841 030477 [email protected]

A & C Gardens and Landscape

Alan Cadden

01808521509/ 07753 257312 [email protected]

•Garden maintenance •Sheds erected/felted •Tree/hedge cutting •Chips/gravel laid

•Turfing •Fencing •Slabbing •Snow clearance/salting

•All rubbish removed •Free estimates

Gask House Farm Cottages has three, 4* quality properties set around an

attractive courtyard available for hire. Ideal for family or smaller groups.

Gask House Farm Cottages Balnafoich By Farr IV2 6XG

01808 521409 07970 027741

[email protected] www.gaskhouse.co.uk

Professional CV Writing Service

Looking for a new job and would like help to revamp your CV?

We offer an in-‐depth service which will

provide you with a CV perfectly tailored to your needs.

Contact Caroline for more

information: Tel 01808 521464/ 07971 689833

[email protected] www.albacvs.co.uk

Foyers,LochNess

Villagepub–Realales–FabulouslochviewsOpendailyfrom11amto11pm

Foodservedeveryday12-2pmand6-8.30pmTel01456486400

Foyers,LochNess

Villagepub–Realales–FabulouslochviewsOpendailyfrom11amto11pm

Foodservedeveryday12-2pmand6-8.30pmTel01456486400


38

CONSTRUCTIONSOLUTI NSTarmac Caledonian is the leading supplier of aggregates and blocks to all construction industry sectors.

With a UK network of operations we are able to supply high quality, innovative products that also improve the sustainable performance of the built environment by reducing waste, energy usage and carbon emissions.

For more information call our area office at Daviot quarry

01463 772210

Auchnahillin Holiday Park

Daviot East, Inverness IV2 5XQ

Static Caravans available for hire weekly/nightly

Touring Caravans, Motorhomes & Tents welcome

Pitches available for Privately-Owned Static Caravan Holiday Homes

Stockists of

Please contact us with your requirements 01463 772286 /07974 008567

[email protected]

Myles Evans & Co Ltd

Window cleaning Gutter clearing and repairs

A reliable, quality service based in the Stath since 2000


Sam Evans

Grass cutting & general garden jobs Pressure washing slabs/decking Fence and shed treating & painting

Other work also considered

Very competitive rates Tel: 01808 521486

Myles Evans & Co Ltd

Window cleaning Gutter clearing and repairs

A reliable, quality service based in the Stath since 2000


Sam Evans

Grass cutting & general garden jobs Pressure washing slabs/decking Fence and shed treating & painting

Other work also considered

Very competitive rates Tel: 01808 521486

Window Cleaning

A reliable, quality service based in the Strath since 2000

01808 521754


39

CONSTRUCTIONSOLUTI NSTarmac Caledonian is the leading supplier of aggregates and blocks to all construction industry sectors.

With a UK network of operations we are able to supply high quality, innovative products that also improve the sustainable performance of the built environment by reducing waste, energy usage and carbon emissions.

For more information call our area office at Daviot quarry

01463 772210

Andy Taylor

Gloonan Daviot

Inverness IV2 5XQ

07887 915380 01463 771336 [email protected] www.actheritageltd.co.uk

Traditional Stonework

Roads, Tracks and Paths

Ground Works

Fencing

Timber Structures

Timber Structures

George Borthwick JCB Hire

Site clearance Foundations

Drains Septic tanks

Any job considered

Achbain, Daviot, Inverness [email protected]

Tel: 01463 771350/ 07733 445868

WA MacDonald MCIATBuilding Design Consulant

Unit 16, Dalcross Industrial Estate, Inverness IV2 7XB

Email: [email protected]: 01667 461111 / 07889 722463

D.J. Drummond

Fencing and tree workStone work repairs, walls, dykes

Timber wood stores

Tel: 01463 718396or 07881 456627

A & C Douglas-JonesFirewood Sales

Hardwoods and SoftwoodsTractor and Timber Trailer and

Firewood Processor for hirewww.strathnairnfirewood.co.uk

Tel. 01808 521369

authorised


40

CARDON, Balnafoich, Farr,Inverness IV2 6XG

Tel: 01808 521389Fax: 01808 521471

E:www.cardonhome.com

Home Improvements

Kitchens,Bathrooms& Bedrooms...Quality buildingcontractors forover 25 years30

CARDON, Balnafoich, Farr,Inverness IV2 6XG

Tel: 01808 521389Fax: 01808 521471

E:www.cardonhome.com

Home Improvements

Kitchens,Bathrooms& Bedrooms...Quality buildingcontractors forover 25 years30

SPONSORED BY

strathnairn news, issue 100 october 2018 - amazon s3 · strathnairn news issue 100 news issue 100...

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