War and wildlife on Abbie is a the Moray Firth star karter Active Outdoors Page 20 Page 4

AND WEEKLY JOURNAL FOR AND THE NORTH

FOUNDED 1899 FRiDAY, ApRiL 25, 2014 www.northern-times.co.uk £1 subscription price: 75p

INSIDE THIS WEEK’S NORTHERN Fresh fight TIMES PETS over wind farm plan By Caroline McMorran reports the Tressady develop- either individually or cumu- [email protected] ment would be visible at all latively with other operational points of the compass within a developments.” OBJECTORS to the controver- 3km radius. But members of the coun- sial Tressady wind farm project Those against are concerned cil’s north planning committee are gearing up for a fresh fight. about the visual impact, noise went against planners’ recom- The plan to erect 13 - tur nuisance and effect on tour- mendation, and voted seven to Pip is Pet of Month bines, each 115 metres high, ism, among other issues. two against the development Page 19 to the north west of , Alastair Gilchrist, East following a site visit. was rejected earlier this year Langwell, objected to the origi- Councillors were swayed by by Council’s north nal Tressady application. East Sutherland and Edderton planning committee He said: “We’re within a mile member Graham Phillips who ARTS But the power company from the nearest turbine to our had demanded a visit be made behind the project, Wind house. to the area before a decision Prospect Developments, are “When I look out my house was taken. now appealing that decision, just now I can see three tur- Councillor Phillips said he You don’t have to be it was officially confirmed this bines at Lairg. If I look out the could not support the wind week. other side I can see Kilbraur farm because of its potential The company’s appeal has and from the garden I can see effect on local residents. He quackers for this race been lodged with the Scottish Gordonbush and Rosehall. maintained its only supporters ENTRIES are mounting for East Sutherland Rotary Club’s Government’s Energy Consents We’re pretty surrounded.” were those who could make annual charity duck race on June 1st. But also in training and Deployment Unit. Mr Gilchrist said there would money out of it. for the big day are some land-lubbed competitors who will The move is a blow to the 33 be an “enormous amount of Councillor Phillips added race alongside the ducks to the finishing line, including, objectors, most of whom live disruption” from construc- that the area would probably pictured here, Rowen (6) and Daniel (9) Gullick from . close to the proposed location tion traffic which would access have been left untouched as (Full story page 7). on Tressady Estate 4km north the site by leaving the A9 at designated wild land if previ- of Rogart, but they have vowed Drummuie and travelling along ous developments had not Lorraine presses to “fight back hard”. the Dunrobin Glen route. taken place. Rogart action group No More Rogart Community Council He also told how a local resi- wrong button! Wind Farms is planning a leaf- did not object but raised con- dent had pleaded with him in let and poster campaign. cerns, saying there was a dis- tears not to support the project, Page 15 The group is also investigat- proportionate share of wind stating that noise from other Floral group taps into flow of kindness ing whether Wind Prospect farms in the area. nearby turbines was blighting AN East Sutherland floral group whose water supply authority is reluctant to turn the supply back on be- is legally allowed to send its Four letters of support were his life. has been cut off, had an urgent appeal for help an- cause the system has been drained and the concern is HEALTH AND FITNESS development officer, Sophie received and it is understood However in its application swered this week. about the possibility of leaks in an empty building.” Niche, to Rogart to drum up a number of residents in the Wind Prospect Development Other floral groups in the area rallied round to help The floral group was coping by bringing in water from support. area have reached financial said the scheme would be a in Bloom, which is currently nurturing thou- elsewhere until this week when a further 2200 plants No More Windfarm chairman agreements with wind farm “visually coherent and com- sands of plants in a polytunnel at the community were delivered. More are expected today. David Graham, , developers. pact development within the garden. Mrs Collings said: “We put out an urgent appeal on said: “No one wants to come Local authority plan- open landscape” and while it The delicate plugs need watering daily and volun- Facebook and the Golspie website this week for help on holiday to a part of the ners supported the scheme, would have a impact on prop- teers previously used a garden tap connected to a unit with water.” Highlands that is covered in with planning chief Ken erties, it would not make any of in the nearby industrial estate. Other East Sutherland floral groups were quick to re- huge, white turbines. That’s McCorquodale acknowledging them an “unattractive” place But the water supply has been shut down because spond with sending a water bowser to Golspie not the image holiday-makers the development would be- to live. the unit has been vacant since the demise in October of and Brora also offering its bowser. Golspie resident and have of the north.” come a “significant feature” of n Representatives from Wind Golspie Recycling Environmental Network (GREAN). former GREAN manager Fergus Morrison arranged Tai chi The area is already dominat- the local area but the proposal Prospect will be attending the Golspie in Bloom began negotiating six weeks ago with Scottish water to have 40x20 litre water containers group ed by two existing wind farms was acceptable in terms of de- Rogart Community Council with Highland Council, which owns the community delivered. at Kilbraur and Gordonbush. sign and layout. monthly meeting on Monday garden site, to turn the supply back on. Mrs Collings said: “Everyone has rallied round and back on Further afield are the Struie, He said: “The application is to provide an update and an- East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor we’ve had so many offers of help but our aim is to have Rosehall and Lairg wind one that can be seen as being swer any questions. The meet- Deirdre Mackay and ward manager Phil Tomalin have our original supply reconnected and we are still in dis- the floor farms. sited such that it will not be sig- ing will be held at 7.30pm at become involved in the issue. cussions with the council.” Page 6 According to background nificantly detrimental overall, the Inn. Golspie in Bloom secretary Carol Collings said: “The

COMMONWEALTH GAMES Get on the right track for steam journey to Dunrobin A RARE opportunity has arisen for local people to enjoy a stop owned by Sutherland Estates, is to be specially opened trip on a steam train from to Dunrobin railway stations from 11.30am to 4.30am to welcome the train. and back on Monday, 12th May. The museum contains various relics of the Highland The Cathedrals Express, operated by commercial rail tour Railway Line including the original Act of Parliament company Steam Dreams, will be stopping at both stations as granting the Duke of Sutherland permission to build a part of its nine-day 2014 Highland Explorer tour from King’s railway on his estate from Golspie to Brora. Rogart’s Cross, . Loth Antiques will be running a stall on the platform It is thought to be the first time a steam train has puffed selling railway antiques plus other memorabilia. Souvenirs Rona its way as far north direct from the capital since the Second will be on sale at the museum including platform tickets, runs World War. It is also unusual for steam tour companies to mugs, fridge magnets and tea towels. allow local passengers to board. Daniel Brittain-Caitlin, who looks after the station on with The opportunity is there because a number of those on the behalf of the estate, said: “The arrival of the Cathedrals tour are set to disembark at Tain for an outing, leaving space Express is going to be an absolutely great day for the station. baton for anyone interested in making either a single or return trip I doubt a steam passenger train has arrived from London to Dunrobin. Page 3 The six-carriage Cathedrals Express is scheduled to arrive since at least the Second World War.” at Tain at 10.50am and leave just after noon. It is expected to Mr Brittain-Catlin is appealing to anyone who might reach Dunrobin at 1.35pm, returning to Tain at 4.32pm. know when steam trains last made the direct journey to get A second-class return ticket is priced at £39 and half- in touch. 17 price for a single. First-class tickets, which will include He added: “I am particularly grateful to Steam Dreams for complimentary tea and coffee, can be purchased for £59 agreeing to local journeys on the steam train from Tain to return and half-price for a single. Dunrobin. Anyone who takes up the opportunity will find themselves “It’s a great opportunity for people in Sutherland and transported back to a bygone age, with the 1950s’ Pullman Easter Ross. I do not remember any recent steam or diesel carriages boasting wood panelled walls, elegant table lamps charters which allowed local journeys like this.” 9 771362 911013 and window curtains. Details of how to book your ticket will be in next week’s The Cathedrals Express. The museum at the private Dunrobin Station, a request Northern Times.

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