Skye U3A news

Issue #22 – July 2017 web: u3asites.org.uk/code/u3asite.php?site=325&page=0

Message from the (arm)chair Contact details

Hello Everyone from the chair. I hope you're all is in a really pleasant location beside Uig Woods Chair enjoying this glorious weather we are having on and the shore. There is also the Uig Pottery Mo MacQuarrie Skye at the moment. So good to be able to get as well as the Brewery for you to ✆ 01470 552286; out and about in the sunshine, especially if you visit just along the road near the pier. These 8 [email protected] know a few secret places off the tourist track. lunches are always a pleasant experience with Vice Chair everyone bringing a gorgeous dish with them Recently we have had two wonderful visits to David Hammond Farm; one with members who are which makes for a great variety to choose from. ✆ 01478 640733 unable to walk a great distance as well as one I hope to see many of you there and would 8 [email protected] with the nature group which included a walk like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Secretary around the farm observing the wild flowers committee members for all their hard work Judy Atherton on the way. Both of these visits were very behind the scenes as well as you, the members, for supporting our U3A group on our wee island. ✆ 01470 521815 enjoyable. 8 [email protected] Two new groups within our U3A have been born Mo MacQuarrie, – The Trundlers (thank you Eilieen (MacDonald)) Treasurer for the name, and the Scrabble Group, held in John Kennedy Atlas Arts and Skye U3A ✆ 01470 532765 the library every fortnight by Christine 8 [email protected] Park. The Turndlers has been formed for those members who like to get out and about but are Membership Secretary unable to, as one member put it, to walk ten Joy Davies (temporary) miles like a steam train! ✆ 01470 511727 8 [email protected] We have had a talk from the Skye and Localsh Council for Alcohol which was extremely informative and, rather ironically, a fascinating The Isle of Skye U3A has presentation by Thomas from the Isle of Skye been in existence for over Distillers who make Misty Isle Gin. Sadly our For our July Nature/Geology Walk we joined six years. It was originally June meeting was cancelled as at least ten forces with ATLAS Arts who have collaborated based around the island’s members were away or unable to attend for with local walking groups and artists to curate capital, Portree, but has various reasons, but, this month we have our a series of walks around the Isle of Skye and extended itself to now annual summer lunch on Friday 28 July. This Lochalsh, called Còig Sgiathan/Five Wings. year it is to be held at Uig Community Hall which Read more about our walk on page 3. include all corners of the island. With members scattered in remote locations around the island travel distances present Isle of Skye U3A special challenges but the Isle of Skye itself is a major compensation, offering rich sources of interest in areas such as summer lunch archaeology, geology, nature, and walking. Given uig community hall the population of Skye we will never approach the size 1.00–3.00 pm on Friday 28 July 2017 of city U3As but we hope to grow and new members are Come along and bring a dish of something to share. extremely welcome. In previous years we have ended up with an excellent spread of food. Looking forward to seeing you all. Skye U3A news is published quarterly. Copy date for the For more information, contact Mo MacQuarrie next issue is 10 October 2017. Please send material tel: 01470 552286; email: [email protected] for inclusion to Ian Burn [8 [email protected]]. Isle of Skye U3A 2017 programme Tuesday 6 June 2017 Walk and Talk at Waternish Farm with Lucy Montgomery

To quote Monty Python, After the talk we went out 'And now for something for a walk around the farm, different'. Instead of our usual with Lucy explaining all monthly speaker meeting about crop rotation and farm at the college on a Friday management. Along the walk afternoon, this month we we went down to the shoreline decided to try something where we could see island different and organized an which the U3A had visited only outing to Waternish Farm for last summer. a conservation talk and walk around the farm.

We met at the farm on an At the end of the tour we overcast day where we looked at some of the old were met by our host, Lucy farm buildings, including the Montgomery. The format of old water wheel, which Lucy the visit was very relaxing. and her husband are hoping We started with a short to restore, and the ruins of We meet at 2.00 pm on the last Friday of each month at the illustrated talk (Conservation the original Waternish House West College in Portree. and Corncrakes) from Lucy – building which was demolished At most meetings there is a guest speaker, but now and explaining the background to in the 1980s. again we hold non-speaker events such as quizzes, group the work of the farm and her presentations, etc. Tea, coffee, and biscuits are available at other life as a children's author. all meetings. Non members are welcome at any of our meetings, but we do ask them to make a small donation towards the cost of the hire of the room (as well as for the tea and coffee).

Friday 28 July 2017 Skye U3A Summer Lunch 13:00–15:00, Uig Community Hall This year’s traditional Skye U3A summer lunch will be held at Uig Community Hall. Come along and bring a dish of Finally, we returned to the something to share. In previous years we have ended up with modern nice warm farmhouse an excellent spread of food. Looking forward to seeing you for a very welcome hot drink all. For those who may not know Uig and the surrounding and slice of cake. area the hall is close to Uig Woods where there are some Our thanks to Lucy for such an nice low level walks to do before or after the lunch! interesting visit.

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #22 | July 2017 Isle of Skye U3A interest groups

Nature group Archaeology group Wednesday 14 June The Nature Group holds outdoor The archaeology group's plan is events every fortnight in the to visit sites of brochs/possible summer months and once a brochs and other prehistoric sties month in spring and autumn. near the broch sites. There are also There are also outings in the occasional indoor meetings to review winter for those U3A members our finds or look at other aspects of archaeology. hardy or daft enough to go with the dodgy weather and the Generally we love 'broch bagging' relative scarcity of creatures but also look at other piles of willing to flaunt themselves in stones – mainly prehistoric. front of our cameras. We are all fascinated by the evidence of life on Skye 2-3,000 Although each event focuses years ago and never cease on a particular area of flora to be amazed at the building and fauna, we keep an eye skills and achievements of our out for anything, from lichen to predecessors, even when so little raptors, from flowers to aquatic visible evidence remains today. animals. Rain and wind can consisted of enjoying wonderful Mid-June was a good time occur quite frequently, and also views over Loch Greshornish Sadly the stones cannot tell to do this walk as we beat unpredictably on Skye, so we and Loch Snizort. Conversation us their stories and very little the main tourist season and are flexible enough to make ranged widely from nesting birds excavation has been done enjoyed a day out amongst last minute changes to dates on the sea cliffs to the merits of here using modern techniques. The Prison, Needle and Table. where necessary. For the most fish farming. Nobody really knows what the Always a stunning walk for the brochs were and why they views the group were keen to part, events are not physically Highlight of the walk was the were built. Even professional return another day to walk over challenging and are suitable for 'burial' of a egg, which had archaeologists cannot agree but the top! anyone wanting to have a good been decorated by Kate, on the we have lots of imagination and day out and learn more about summit of Maol na h-Àirde. Wednesday 23 August have endless discussions about the island's wildlife. Point of Information on other ATLAS our own theories. This group has been renamed Arts walks during the summer Wednesday 13 September (as of 4 March 2017) the and autumn is on their website: Group co-ordinator Nature and Geology Group as Rubha an Dunan https://atlasarts.org.uk/projects/ Joy Davies it now incorporates the former coig-sgiathan-five-wings/. 8 [email protected] Geology Group which ceased Trundlers group activities about two years ago. Thursday 27 June The Trundlers is an all-inclusive Henceforth, most 'nature events' Caisteal Grugaig outdoor group for walking/ will also consider the geological nature, amongst other things – character of the location being to provide the opportunity for visited and the impact of this on everyone in the Skye U3A to the flora and fauna. For a small take part, whatever their level of number of events geology will be fitness and ability. prime consideration. We organise simple outings to Group co-ordinator areas where access and terrain are the prime considerations with John Kennedy timescales in the region of a ✆ 01470 532765 2–3 hour maximum. These can Blog: www.u3a-skye-nature. The group had a very interesting be nature watching, walks/strolls, blogspot.co.uk day visiting Caisteal Grugaig Iron and include a lunch break or café refreshment stop. Wednesday 7 July 2017 Age broch near the eastern end For our July outing we of Loch Alsh (near Letterfearn). Events are be notified by e-mail colaborated with ATLAS Arts and on Facebook about a as part of their Còig Sgiathan/ Walking group week prior to each event and Five Wings programme seeking Walks are planned to vary between a further e-mail will be sent the to promote walking as a healthy North, Central and South Skye night before events in case of activity and an appreciation of and are usually described as all inclement weather forecasts. the arts on Skye. weather walks, involving solid tracks with minimal muddy/boggy Monday 26 June areas, wherever possible. Walks normally start at about 10:30 and car sharing is encouraged when Tuesday 1 August possible with designated pick-up , near Broadford - plants. points on the way to the start. We would love you to join us. If Wednesday 16 August you would like to be added to the Leitir fura - plants and lichen. walking group email list let David or Linda know. You can follow Our outing was to Greshornish Tuesday 5 September Six Trundlers (including Eilidh) Point. We were joined, our exploits on the Skye U3A , at the top of the Facebook page. enjoyed walking along the path from ATLAS Arts, by Rosie peninsula, to see the beside the old railway line to Somerville and printmaker dinosaur footprints (provisional, Group co-ordinators Loch Cuthir. Kate McMorrine. dependent on the tide). David Hammond Not one of the popular walks 8 [email protected] Scrabble group Wednesday 20 September on Skye, apart from two other The Scrable group meet twice a Balmacara – plants and fungi – Linda Shove brightly dressed walkers we 8 month at Portree library, provisional. [email protected] had the Point to ourselves. 14.00-16.00. For the most part our walk

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #22 | July 2017 National U3A news and events

Free digital training on offer. We welcome beginners in our • Aged 50+ and involved with a creative Quick and Easy workshop programme group or project? as well as catering for quilting pros in our comprehensive Academy classes. • Keen to learn new digital skills to help run your group? Watch a quilting demo, attend one of the lectures, and shop from over 300 specialist textile craft exhibitors. There is no better way to immerse yourself in creative talent. Tickets cost £11.00 per person for a group of 10 or more people to the Festival of Quilts For more information call 0844 581 1313 or website: http://www.thefestivalofquilts. co.uk

Wild Side Events This Autumn the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) would like to invite U3A Then register for Voluntary Arts 's groups to events designed exclusively new project, 'Putting the social into social for them. media' to take part in FREE digital training The day will centre around an illustrated The event at Caerlaverock, Scotland aimed at people aged 50+. talk on WWT’s founder, Sir Peter Scott, will be held on 6-8 March 2018. Further If this training sounds useful, please and how his ideas have helped shape the information at wwt.org.uk/Caerlaverock; register your interest by 7 August 2017 at way we protect the natural world today. telephone: 01387 770200. www.voluntaryarts.org/digital participation After the talk and a break for lunch, we’ll or phone 0131 561 7333. take you on a bespoke guided tour of our Dates for Your Diary Wetland Centre, allowing your group to Thursday 16 November 2017 The Festival of Quilts get close to and learn more about some All Scotland Assembly to be held at Groups of U3A members are invited to of the fascinating wildlife that call our Lanark Memorial Hall, St Leonard Street, join us for a celebration of quilting in all its centres home. Lanark ML11 7AB forms. WWT are also hosting a new 'Get Established 15 years ago, The Festival Close to the Wild Side' event at WWT Tuesday 21-23 August 2018 of Quilts is Europe’s leading patchwork Caerlaverock, WWT Castle Espie, WWT Summer School, Dundee. and quilting show. You’ll find breath- Slimbridge and WWT London. Your group taking displays of thousands of quilts in will enjoy a variety of exclusive get close our world-renowned quilting competition; to nature activities, including, for example as well as exceptional quilt art in our at WWT London pond dipping for adults professionally curated galleries from 30 of and a guide to bird watching in our hides the best names in quilting including Dinan – similar activities will be held at the other Harrison, Nancy Crow and Bonnie Smith. centres. There is an opportunity to get involved in one of the many expert-led workshops

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #22 | July 2017