STRATHDEARN NEWSLETTER November 2012 Volume 12 No 4

Please note the new Strathdearn Community Website is operational at

http://www.strathdearn.org/

The site is still evolving and we hope to shortly train some volunteers to learn the skill of updating the site and adding new materials. If you want to get some website skills let me know. I am told it is not that difficult.

Thanks to Yellow Cherry Digital for their hard work and patience in getting us to this stage; working in a community context ain't always that straight forward!

Duncan Bryden

POLICE CONTACT Any concerns about Law and Order, information on vandalism, requests for advice, or any other police related matter should be passed on to our community policeman, PC McCann, who is based at the Police Station, Alltan Place, Culloden, Inverness. Tel: 01463 715555 (and ask to be put through to Culloden Police Station).

LOCAL NURSING SERVICES Strathdearn nursing services are covered by the Inverness East Community Nursing Team. The Nursing Team’s telephone number is 01463 230850 The NHS24 telephone number is 084 54 24 24 24.

Strathdearn Community Council www.tomatin.org.uk

publishes the "Strathdearn Newsletter" quarterly, delivering it free to every home in Strathdearn. The Newsletter is sponsored by Tomatin Distillery and Mr & Mrs George McLeod. This is a community newsletter, and the views and opinions expressed in contributions submitted by members of the community are not necessarily those of Strathdearn Community Council, nor of the Editor.

No items are written by the Editor unless expressly indicated.

Editor: Mrs Denise Barley, Lauriston, Tomatin, IV13 7YN. Tel. 01808 511733 e-mail [email protected]

Printing: Mrs D.Barley & Mrs D.Usborne Distribution: Mrs S. Mackintosh-Grant

Business adverts £10 per quarter page Next deadline: Wednesday 30th January 2013

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Strathdearn Hall SCO15320

First Monday of the Month For booking or access into the Strathdearn Hall or September to May (ex.December &January) Sports Facility in Tomatin please ring the Hall Manager 7.30pm, Findhorn Room, Strathdearn Hall Steve Culeen 01808 511321 or email WRI [email protected] . Contact: Mrs Margaret Robertson The toilets in the Old Hall are closed for the winter. 3rd Monday of Month 7.30pm Findhorn Room Strathdearn Hall, The Sports Facility is free for local youngsters (under- Gardening Club 18’s) to play ball games. Evening/regular groups of Contact: Alex Don 511729 adults will be charged. Available for ball games and tennis. No cycles, animals or food & drink allowed on the pitch. No blades or studs. Open 9am-9pm. Every Tuesday 7.30pm, Old Hall Light tokens free to under-18’s only, available from Zumba Debbie Mackay 511466, Lewis Macleod 511354 or Contact: Georgie Bell 511214 Gavin Edward 511427.

Every Wednesday 10.30am Findhorn Room, Strathdearn Hall, STRATHDEARN HALL SCO15320 Community Coffee Morning Hire rates (local): Every Wednesday Findhorn Room £8 p/hour 2pm Strathdearn Hall Funtack Room £5 p/hour Walking Group Clune Room £4 p/hour Contact: Mrs Kathy Bonniface 511740 Old Hall £7 p/hour

Findhorn Room/Funtack Room together: £12 Every Wednesday p/hour 6-8pm Old Hall BUDO/KEMPO Double rates for non-locals (ie outside Contact: Lewis Macleod 511354 Strathdearn district) except Old Hall £12 non- local Every Thursday 11.30am – 1.30pm Tomatin Shop POST OFFICE

Every Thursday Mince Pies and Mangers 1.30 – 3.30pm Strathdearn Hall, Art Class Sat 8th December Contact: Mrs Betty Watson 511271 2.30 – 4pm Every Friday Strathdearn Village Hall Exercise to Music group 10.30-11.30am, Strathdearn Hall Come and enjoy an exhibition of Christmas Contact: Mrs Denise Barley 511733 mangers from all around the world and the children of Strathdearn Primary. Refreshments provided. Monthly, various dates Also guess the weight of the Christmas cake. And Natural History Club more! Some indoor, some outdoor, events. Days vary, so look out for posters. Proceeds top Maggie’s Centre (Highland) and Contact: Mr David Bonniface 511740 Action for ME. or Mrs Carol James 531220

2

LOCAL NEWS

Birth Congratulations: To James and Rachel, proud parents of Rufus George Beatty, born on the Glorious 12th of August. A grand-nephew for Mrs Susan Mackintosh-Grant, Balvraid.

Engagement Congratulations: To Miss Lois Cameron-Mackintosh on her engagement to Mr Johnny Scott. The happy couple are now busy planning their wedding next October.

Wedding Congratulations: To Toby Hardwick and his new wife Gift; and to Jodie Paton (formerly of The Old Manse, Moy) and her new husband, Cameron. We wish both couples every happiness.

Deaths: Still very much in our thoughts are Pearl and Charlie Cameron following the tragic loss of their grandson, Ewen, his two little boys, and a little girl who was a friend of the family, on a family day out at Gairloch. Our hearts go out to Katrina and Roddy, and to all the extended families in Strathdearn, Beauly, Muir of Ord and beyond.

We are also sorry to note the passing of Davie MacLennan (formerly of Invermoy Bungalow, Moy), the widower of Helen, the founder of this Newsletter and a dedicated and much valued former community councillor who also worked tirelessly for the Strathdearn Hall Committee. Davie was very supportive to Helen in all her endeavours, in his own quiet way, and our thoughts are with his family in Drumnadrochit and beyond.

And of Mrs Pauline Carson, nee Wolfe-Murray, from Daviot whose funeral to Daviot Churchyard took place on 25th September. Our thoughts are with her family, too.

We were sorry to read in “The Strathy” that Mrs Edythe MacDonald, mother of Douglas of the Carrbridge Garage, also passed away on the 19th October, and our thoughts are also with her family.

Other News: We all wish Mrs Jackie Noble a very Happy 90th Birthday when the big day arrives later this month!

It was such a happy surprise to see Kenny Bell Senior in the Shop at the beginning of October, walking with a stick but driving his car – just amazing! So pleased for all.

And we heard that his granddaughter, Hannah, was in hospital with a burst appendix. We hope that she is now feeling much better – also David MacQueen who is making a good recovery.

The Moy Game Fair has come and gone for another year and was a great success again – and the weather was kind – but not so for the Strathnairn Farmers’ Vintage Show at the end of September which had to be cancelled because of the very wet conditions.There was also terrible rain on Friday 12th October (recorded in photographs on the Strathdearn Facebook page). The river and the burns were all very high – so wondered how the fish were!

Wonderful that the wall at Dalarossie Churchyard was mended at last – and now the question of disabled access is being looked at for Tomatin Church, and also water, etc.

Tomatin Distillery scooped whisky honours at the Edinburgh Fringe. They were awarded this year’s ‘Spirit of Whisky Fringe Award’ at the Whisky Fringe. The Tomatin 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was voted the outright winner by visitors to the event, while the Tomatin 1982 single cask took fifth place. The Whisky Fringe is an annual event held at the Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh, and organised by whisky retailer Royal Mile Whiskies. Now in its 11th year, the sell-out three-day event presents over 200 whiskies to 500 visitors, who vote for their favourite whisky among those they have sampled. Sales director Stephen Bremner said, “What makes this award so special is that it is voted for, not by industry experts, but by customers, so we are thrilled that our whiskies rate so highly.”

Strathdearn Primary School celebrated its 10th anniversary with a reunion of former pupils and staff who were invited to the school to commemorate the event with an evening of entertainment. A new school motto and logo, designed by a local artist, were unveiled by the school’s first headteacher, Kirsteen MacConnell.

And Strathdearn Primary School has donated £150 to charity at the request of Mrs Liz Bishop, who, upon her retirement after eight years as a leaning support auxiliary at the school, asked staff and parents to donate to a charity instead of giving her a retirement gift. What a generous lady! We wish her well in her retirement.

SMG 3 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friendship and concern: Thankyou everyone who sent or conveyed messages of support to Charlie and I on our grievous heartache. It’s such a comfort at times like this. Thanks again! From Pearl and Charlie Cameron

Congratulations to Mark and Kylie MacLeod on the birth of their little daughter Ava Lilly Joy on 15th September in Nelson, New Zealand – a sister for Lucy and Erin.

Congratulations to Charlie Cameron who celebrated his 94th birthday with Pearl and the family at home on the 23rd October.

Congratulations to Neil Cameron on his 80th birthday. Many happy returns.

I'd like to say a big thank you to all the residents in Old Mill Road who donated money to the door to door collection between 27/08/2012 - 01/09/2012 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Together we raised £57.35 so well done to all who contributed. This money will help towards providing free nursing care to more than 22,000 patients in their own homes, and a further 7,000 patients in our hospices every year. Angie Noble

Happy birthday wishes to Molly Noble who will be 90 on the 22nd November 2012.

Lois Cameron-Mackintosh graduated from Napier University, Edinburgh in June this year with a B.A(Hons) in Business Studies. She took up employment with Standard Life in Edinburgh and is happily settled in. Lois has also recently become engaged to Jonny Scott from Edinburgh and they hope to be married sometime in the autumn of next year.

Congratulations to Linda Hendry, who gained the award of Carer of the Year 2012 from Meallmore Care Homes in Scotland.

Congratulations to Ruth Noble who will be 21 on November 23rd (love from all the family). Also well done on passing your driving test.

My name is Jennifer Bremner and I live in Tusitala, Moy. My son Kai Bremner is 10 years old and he attends Inshes primary school.

On Sat 27th October, we took Kai and two other boys (Fergus McWilliam and Daniel Johnston) down to Grangemouth to compete in the Scottish Schools Road Relay. It was a 3 x 1600m (3 x 1 mile). It is the first time they have competed at National level.

The three boys were representing the Highlands (they were the only kids from the whole of the Highlands) and of course they were also representing their school.

They were running against 65 schools, mainly from the central belt and a large majority of them were top private schools.

The boys came first with an amazing time of 15.57 mins! That is an average of just over 5 mins each to run a mile! They did amazing.

They are now the Scottish Champions and very proud! 4 Macmillan Coffee Morning

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Macmillan Coffee Morning held at Sealbh on Friday 26th October. Especial thanks to Rhoann for making her “Glasshouse” available for the event and for hostessing so efficiently, with assistance from Michelle. A total of £180 was raised for this worthy cause. Thank you all again.

Wedding News

Toby Hardwick and his fiancée Gift Perunavin were married at the Minto Hotel, Edinburgh on Thursday 27th September. The weather remained kind and the ceremony was pleasantly conducted outdoors. Thank you to all the members of Ross County Cricket Club and guests from Tomatin who attended, and for the many good wishes received.

The new Mr and Mrs Hardwick must have enjoyed the process as they married again for a second time on Tuesday 9th October. On this occasion it was a Buddhist ceremony performed in Kanchanaburri , Thailand. Many thanks to the nine souls, including Lesley and Rob of Glenan Lodge, who made the long journey to attend and who represented Britain, in a small way, on the guest list of 2500 people.

We wish Toby and Gift and long and happy life together.

Strathdearn Natural History Club

The 2012 – 2013 session got off to a great start with a stroll along the Clune road locating sites of local historical significance. We did not have to go far to find evidence of round houses, a lime kiln, old drove road, abandoned dwellings and a horse mill.

The Club will hold occasional local walks for exploring local history as well as flora and fauna.

The next evening meeting is Thursday November 22nd 7:30 in the Hall, when Jasper Hughes from the Wildlife Park will be giving an interesting talk on the development of the Park. Jasper is the Education Manager of the Park and this will be an opportunity to share views on the direction the Park is going and issues such as species re-introduction and wild cat conservation.

Future planned sessions include an opportunity for the whole community to hear the results of the “Not So Long Ago “ project and a chance to see European endangered wildlife (elk, bison) in the wild from a recent visit to Belarus.

Local History

Since last autumn the Natural History Club has included a number of talks and walks relating to the history of Strathdearn.

This interest was sparked by a series of talks on Scotland's archaeology given by a member of ARCH, an organisation formed to promote interest in history in rural areas. Following this was gathered together a great deal of information on life here from the earliest times and this was collated into a permanent record held by the Natural History Club.

Apart from Bronze Age arrowheads, a neolithic stone axehead and the famous Pictish stone from Moy, now in the National Museum in Edinburgh, few very ancient items have been found. There have never been any official archaeological investigations done here but there is a lot of evidence of early occupation in the strath, with hut circles, cairns, remains of mills and old pathways to be seen everywhere.

More recent history is easier to discover- the churches and schools, the many bridges, Wade's Road and the bomber crash site of 1942 to mention a few.

Activities this year have included a visit to the ruined village of Coignafeuinternich, members of the North of Scotland Archaeological Society have helped with project ideas, basic site surveying and investigating remains of buildings at Drumbain Farm, and the recording of resident's stories and memories of living in Strathdearn, and the changes they have seen, as part of the on-going "Not So Long Ago" project.

If you would like any information on the material we have collected or would like to join in the activities, please contact Sandra on 511 739 or David on 511 740

5 NEWS FROM STRATHDEARN PRIMARY SCHOOL Results of the School Art Competition @ “Art in Strathdearn”

The children enjoyed a Hallowe’en party in school on August 2012 Theme: The Olympics Wednesday 31st October. Ms Beryl Brooks works The competition was judged by Mrs Celia Mackintosh of Mackintosh tirelessly raising funds for the school. Children could Primary 1 & 2 Lois Ferguson choose to take part or not in the games over the extended Primary 3 & 4 Thomas Wrightson lunchtime. Primary 5 & 6 Elle Fraser Highly Commended Catriona Gardner Highland Hospice: The school have been asked to support this very worthwhile cause. Pam Hardwick gave Visitors to the exhibition commented on the talent of our primary school a full tube of Smarties to every child in the school and it children. is hoped that the tubes will be returned to school full of Very well done to all the entrants. coins in time for the coffee morning which will be held in school on Wednesday 7th November from 10. 30 – 12 .00 noon. The children will entertain and there will be CHRISTMAS FAIR the usual bric a brac and cake stalls in the school hall. Light refreshments will be served. Parents have been Looking for something different this year? asked to support the event by making or donating cakes Then come to our CHRISTMAS FAIR in Strathdearn or biscuits. A charge of £2 for adults will go to the Primary School on Saturday 24th November from 10am Hospice. to 3pm.

Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal: The families of Strathdearn have been asked to make this a very special Teas, home baking and raffle as well as cards, pictures, time for someone by making up a shoe box full of jewellery, pottery, dog treats, nursery clocks, bird boxes, essential items. Each family has the important list and creative sewing and much, much more. the boxes need to be in school by Friday 9th November. For more information or to book a table (only a few This year the school will be making items and will run a spaces left!) phone May: 511448 or Diane: 511207. stall at the annual Christmas Craft Fair, which will be held in the hall at Strathdearn Primary School on Saturday 24th November. The upper school will be making table decorations; the younger children will be Roselyn's Barber shop making calendars and for the first time ever, we will be having a full morning of pottery skills run by Penny now open! Weir from Loch an Eilein. The children will make either a coil pot or a plaque and it is hoped that the items will Roselyn Hallam has now opened a be finished in time for the sale. home salon for all the gents in the village. The school has been asked to support the Manger and Mince Pies Coffee Morning, which is to be held in the village hall on Saturday 8 December at 2.30pm. This Monday: 10.30-3.30 year the children will take on an extended homework Wednesday evenings by appointment task, which means that each child can design and make a manger, or they can draw and paint a picture of a Gents £7.00 manger. All the pieces of work will be displayed during O.a.p.’s £6.00 the coffee morning. Boys under 12 £6.50

The Primary 6 and 7 have finished 6 sessions of bicycle Also available for the ladies: training with Jake Williams (Active School’s spray tanning & more beauty coordinator) Mr Hugh Cain and Mrs Jackie Preston. Let treatments to follow. us hope that the children remember what they have learned and are safe on the roads. I am a fully qualified Beauty The school has just begun production of the Christmas Therapist & Gents Barber with show which this year is called The Right Shepherds. over 15 years experience. There will be two shows on Thursday 13th December to which everybody is welcome. We really hope that the Balmenach House, Tomatin weather will be kind to us and both shows go ahead. Tel:01808 511324 to book.

6

CHARITY FUNDRAISER would collapse in a heap and ask for more time to Mount Kilimanjaro. The name springs to mind so rest. The lack of oxygen is lethal. many memories and feelings: joy and pain sharing a Catching the first glimpse of dawn breaking at gold medal at the top of the list. Although I went Uhuru Peak which marks the roof of Africa, through physical and mental strain I never knew surrounded by glaciers and a little crowd of tired existed, I would do it all again. people, and knowing I was actually going to make Having raised a combined sum of roughly £45,000 it, was wonderful. for charity to be invested in Tanzanian Education, Thank you to friends in Strathdearn and the our group of 19 met in London for the first time, Charitable Trust who helped me with my where names were established but not much else. A fundraising and made this incredible challenge week on and Kilimanjaro would bring us together in possible. a way that has left us all with a very special bond. We set off up the Rongai Route on Friday 7th Fraser Manson September. I remember our first few steps as soon as we had started walking; I was near the back and wondered what was holding us up as we were going so slowly. This was to be the theme of the week, the slower we walked the better chance we had of Matthew West Wild Bird Food is back reaching the top, thanks to a little thing called altitude. So our guides were keen to drill this into us Due to popular demand Matthew has decided to start from the beginning with a phrase that will stay with selling wild bird food again. You can call at the house to us all forever: ‘pole pole, slowly slowly’. purchase your bird food or you can phone and place an The African sun beat down on us for a solid three order. If you are unable to collect your order delivery days and as we climbed higher the clouds began to can be arranged. rise from beneath us and the snow-capped summit gave us a chill as we glanced at it. We saw monkeys If you would like Matthew to get other feeds for sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry, pheasants, dogs, caged birds & playing in trees. We were warned to keep our more please phone to enquire about any of these other torches on at night or we might be Wild Dog food. products. We drank water all day every day, and were cooked incredible meals by our team of chefs who had 2012 prices accompanied us to the high heights. Each day we would arrive at our new camp at lunch time and by Peanuts - 1kg £1.80 the time we had decided who got which tent there would be a delicious hot meal ready. Seed - 1kg £1.00 It was on day 4 that things got a bit tougher. As we were arriving into basecamp a wave of queasiness Premium seed - 1kg £1.20 came over me that was hard to explain. The closest thing I could get to describing it was a really bad Black sunflower seed - 1kg £1.20 hangover, but I knew it must be the fact I was about 16,000 feet above sea level. At base camp I slept Fat ball - small 30p each or 4 for a £1 and drank and slept and drank to try to shrug it off before we attempted summit at midnight. But it 20kg/25kg bags and feeders available stuck with me, making the final 9 hours the most difficult but also the most rewarding of my life. Phone 01808 511412 Pitch black, we headed up the final leg in single Sandside Cottage, Tomatin file. I had on more layers than a wedding cake and it still wasn’t enough. People were falling behind, others vomiting around me. Head lights were bobbing way in the distance. It looked like we weren’t getting any closer. Often we’d ask Photo, our guide, to stop to give us a chance to drink some water and put on extra clothes, maybe a third pair of gloves. After a short break he’d rally us all up with words of encouragement, then another 20 to 30 steps and we 7 STRATHDEARN COMMUNITY PLAN Practice, that this would be reinstated. Community (CADISPA) UPDATE Nurses are also to come from Inverness – so that all patients in Strathdearn who qualify for a flu jab will be able to have it in Tomatin, irrespective of whether The next CADISPA Six Month Review is to take place on th they have Inverness or Aviemore doctors. At the Monday 26 November at 7pm in the Strathdearn Hall. time of writing this clinic is being set up for Monday th A brief update on the activities of the sub-groups set up after 5 November (before this Newsletter will be the CADISPA Community Planning Study: distributed). Posters have been put up, but unfortunately it appears that many Strathdearn The Facilities Sub-Group has:- explored the possibility of a residents have already had their flu jabs for this Fuel Station, reported back to the Community Council, and it winter, so it may well be poorly attended. has been decided not to progress this. We have also looked Communication again! We are very grateful for the into the Café as part of the new community centre project, and reinstatement of this valuable service and would like the favoured plans (which need refinement) have been passed to thank Jean-Pierre Sieczkarek and Margaret Walker back to the Community Company Steering Committee of NHS Highland, the Aviemore Medical Practice meantime. George Macleod has obtained planning permission and the Community Nursing Service in Inverness. for his Shop/Pub/Housing Development so there is nothing to follow up there either Kate MacLean of Highland Council has again asked the Community Council if there is any possibility of The Future Planning Sub-Group has:- completed the first getting a lunch club going in Strathdearn – and this part of its task - identifying where the community would has been remitted to the Sub-Group. like/would not like to see development taking place - and this has been fed back to the Community Council and the Planning And we are still looking into the possible Department as a response to the Inner Moray Firth Local employment of a Health Care Assistant. Development Plan. This group has more work to do, once the Community Company is set up - looking into registering an We are also very pleased that Mrs Vikki Cameron- interest in the railway station site at Tomatin with Scottish Mackintosh has agreed to take over the leadership of Ministers / considering options for re-opening the Station this group – and that Mrs Marion Gerlings and Mrs /identifying space in the community for the development of Sophie Dey are joining the group. small businesses, and drawing up an asset register of available space. We’ve also had a letter from the Highland Senior The Steering Group for the new Community Company is:- Citizens Network who want to engage actively with making progress. Representatives from the Steering Group Community Councils to progress improving the recently met with representatives from the Community quality of life for older people, etc – it would be good Council, the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust and the to have them attend a future meeting of the sub- Strathdearn Hall Committee, primarily to consider future group. They may have good advice for us. relationships between these bodies. The date of the next meeting of the Medical The Paths Project is:- ongoing. It is hoped to seek planning Provision Sub-Group has been changed from permission soon. Monday 12th November to Friday 16th November at 7pm in the Strathdearn Hall. Please note this Affordable Housing: Ongoing. Still held up by the need to change of date. finalise an alternative football field before the Raigbeg site can be progressed.

The Communications Group: Has been in abeyance for six MR DUNCAN HENDRY months pending developments re: better broadband cover. Mr Duncan Hendry, our Community Development Worker since 2007, left on 31st October when his The Medical Provision Sub-Group is:- where the action seems to be at the moment! Over the summer post ceased to exist. Duncan was employed under the Community Council (with brilliant input from Liz the terms of the first Strathdearn Community Plan, Campbell) managed to get Strathdearn Community drawn up following a community participatory Charitable Trust funding to keep four elderly appraisal conducted with the help of the Partnership residents at the Glen Centre (paying for their for Rural Inverness & Nairn, to meet the needs of transport) to avoid them being transferred to the MacKenzie Centre in Inverness. Liz also managed the first Community Plan. A new Job Description to get the escort kept on - and negotiated a really for a new post to meet the needs of the Five Year good deal with the taxi owner. (Way to go Liz!) Plan following on from the CADISPA exercise, BUT Highland Council are now saying there are no currently being finalised, will be drawn up in the guarantees that transport will be provided for any next few weeks. We would like to thank Duncan new referrals (our arrangement with the SCCT was to be a one-off) – and so we anticipate future wrangles. for all the work he did for us, and especially for his fundraising skills, and his good humour. We wish We wrote to NHS Highland asking for the Flu Jab him well for the future. Clinic to be reinstated - and after a lot of recent wrangling (Liz at the fore of this again!) - we were 8 told, with the co-operation of the Aviemore Medical

STRATHDEARN COMMUNITY In September Liz Fraser and Keris MacLeod from RWE COUNCIL NEWS Renewables, attended the meeting to talk about Kyllachy Windfarm. The proposal will be for up to 20 turbines. th These are some of the issues that have been raised A public consultation was held in the hall on Friday 28 September from 2pm-8pm, and at the Farr hall on and/or dealt with over the past couple of months: th Saturday 29 Septmeber form 10am-4pm. They have a Strathdearn Community Company Progress newsletter available to view online, showing the displays This is at the draft stage. A meeting between that were at the consultation. Liz Fraser said that they Community Councillors, the Development Company are happy to attend other CC meetings if people require and members of the steering groups to discuss how further information. It was agreed to book the hall for things would work was thought to be a good idea at this around the third week in October for an evening stage. meeting.

Water Testing This is only a handful of the issues dealt with by the Several responses had been received from the Newsletter Community Council – to get the full picture, read the article from people wishing to test their water. It was Community Council Minutes on the Notice Boards – or agreed to purchase 20 kits, and make an Application to better still, come along to our meetings, which are held the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust to meet the on the third Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm in the cost of these. Strathdearn Village Hall. We hope to see you there!

Law and Order If you would like something put on the Agenda, please Mostly Tomatin remains crime free, but speeding traffic get in touch with a Community Councillor. We are:- through the village continues to be a problem. The Old Vivian Roden (Chair) Tel 511355; Edward Usborne Hall ladies toilet window has been broken and replaced, (Vice Chair) Tel 511482; Margaret Saunders and the electric box in the sports facility had also been (Treasurer) Tel 511755; Duncan Bryden (Planning broken into. The overtaking lane at Moy still causes Contact) Tel 511411; John Cameron-Mackintosh (Road concern, especially cars overtaking going southbound on Safety Contact) Tel 511239; Ann Glynne-Percy Tel the overtaking lane. 511210; Tony Gerlings Tel 511222.

The contact numbers for the police, should anyone need them are - 01463 715555 - The Force Control Room - for when a matter is urgent, but not a 999 emergency TOMATIN & MOY SWRI situation. 01463 228488 - the Community Beat Number, manned 8am to 2am - for routine The 2012/13 session has already started. Members have matters. Please let this number ring. It's a busy office heard two excellent talks. The first was from Gavin and it may take time for an officer to answer. Grant of the Stay Safe Project, focusing on how to prevent crime and remain safe in and around the house. Paths Project The second was from Marie Robb of the Grantown on Planning Permission for the whole route is now in the Spey veterinary practice, describing the range of animals process of being applied for. the vets treat. These range from wildlife, through farm

Applications to the Strathdearn Community animals, to family pets. Charitable Trust At the November meeting, Janet Crawford Over the last few months several Applications have been demonstrated gift wrapping, where everyone was able to received. These have been from Elizabeth Campbell on practice wrapping their own square and round gift boxes. behalf of Strathdearn Elderly, Strathnairn Farmers, Members will gather for a Christmas dinner in Strathdearn Hall Committee (Public Toilets) and th Tomatin and Moy Woman’s Rural Institute (WRI). December, and then the next meeting will be on 4 These were all approved and forwarded on to the Trust. February, when the subject will be Quilting/Patchwork Full details of all these applications can be read in the and the competition will be a Valentine card. Minutes. Everyone is welcome to join members at any of their Kyllachy Windfarm meetings. We look forward to greeting visitors and In August, it was reported that the windfarm company prospective new members. wished to set up a liaison group, and were asking for two Community Councillors from Strathdearn to join this. A C James (press sec) public consultation was discussed, and a member of the public asked if the windfarm company could also attend one of our CC meetings. This was thought to be a good idea, and Mr Bryden agreed to Chair a separate meeting, saying that it would involve sticking to an agenda, on key planning issues of these turbines close to our village. 9

Church of Scotland Parish of Moy, Dalarossie and Tomatin Minister: Rev R F Campbell, Daviot Manse, Daviot. Tel: 01463 772242 www.strathsnairnanddearn.co.uk

All Age Worship Services: On the Second Sunday of the month, at 10.30am in the Strathdearn Hall the Service will be an All Age Worship Service with activities for primary school aged children during the Service. All welcome, and especially young families. Tea and Coffee served after the Service. Further information from the Minister, or from Sandra on 01808 511 246.

The Guild: Meets on the second Wednesday each month between September and April, at 7.30pm, usually in Tomatin Church unless otherwise stated. New Members welcome. 14th November: Praise Evening in the Strathdearn Hall 12th December: Christmas Night & Finances (meeting in Strathdearn Hall) 9th January: Discussion Topic: Let’s talk about being a Christian in Today’s World. All welcome. Further information from Sheila 01808 511729.

Breakfast Club: Freshly brewed coffee, bacon rolls and fresh fruit, followed by discussion of a Bible passage and a time of singing and prayer. All welcome to join us on Mondays, 19th and 26th November; and 21st and 28th January from 9.30am onwards – and thereafter on the last two Mondays of each month up until and including June. No charge. Donations, if wished. Further information from Vivian 01808 511355.

Afternoon Tea: Join us at the Strathdearn Hall for a blether over freshly made sandwiches and delicious scones and cakes between 3 and 4 pm on Mondays 12th November, 10th December, 14th January; – and thereafter on the second Monday of the month up to and including June. No charge for this either – donations in cash or baking may be made if wished. Further information from Vivian 01808 511355 or Sandra 01808 511246.

Services (all at 10.30 am unless stated otherwise): November: 4th Dalarossie Church 11th Remembrance Sunday: Family Service at 10.30am in the Strathdearn Hall Service at the Strathdearn War Memorial at 3pm. 18th Tomatin Church 25th Tomatin Church December: 2nd Tomatin Church 9th All Age Worship Service at the Strathdearn Hall at 10.30am 16th Tomatin Church 23rd Tomatin Church Christmas Services: 24th Family Service at 6.30pm in Tomatin Church 24th Christmas Eve Service with Mrs Joyce Mitchell at 11.30pm in Tomatin Church 30th Tomatin Church January: 6th Tomatin Church 13th All Age Worship Service in the Strathdearn Hall

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Sunday Services in Dalarossie Church in December, January or February. Tea and Coffee are served after our All Age Worship Services on the second Sunday of the month in the Strathdearn Hall.

All are most welcome to join in any or all of our Services or Activities

10

SNOWCLEARING

Fairly persistent concerns have been raised about the Glen Road not being cleared and salted early enough, resulting in the school bus sometimes having to do the school run before the Highland Council gritter has treated the road.

John Cameron-Mackintosh and Vivian Roden from the Community Council met with council officials last month to discuss the problem. Highland Council confirmed that there was only one gritter to cover the Strathdearn area. This gritter left the Longman, going into Daviot to clear Daviot School, then along the old A9 through Daviot and Moy to Dalmagarry. When it got to Tomatin, it went along the old A9 through Tomatin (via Strathdearn Primary School), and up to the Slochd Junction, where it turns. Then up the Coignafearn side of the Glen, back down the Glen, and then to Balvraid, and then up the other side of the Glen to Knockandhu.

Highland Council said that in conditions of light ice and snow the Highland Council gritter would be able to get up the Glen before the school bus. (Some parents and the school bus driver question this.) If the weather was too bad, the school would probably be closed and the children wouldn’t be going anyway – and the snowed in conditions would probably remain until the Highland Council gritter cleared the road. In between these two extremes, they asked could the community do some sort of self-help scheme?

Getting a contractor in would be very expensive. We could apply to the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust for funding – a tractor would cost around £39,000 plus a V-blade (around £4,000). A gritter similar to the 1 ton hopper used by the Highland Council would cost around £5,000, and a flail arm (should an attachment to cut verges in the summer be required) would cost around £8,000. All plus VAT. If it was decided to go down the road of buying equipment, a community ballot would be required since the cost would be over £40,000. Highland Council would supply salt, free of charge, but storage would be required for the salt – and some sort of shed for the tractor and the equipment.

The main concerns seem to be lack of snowclearing/gritting on the Glen Road and along the Soilsean Road. Concern was expressed at the October Community Council Meeting that this would be an awful lot of money for one small part of the Strath, although if it was decided to buy the attachment for the verges in the summer, the wider area would benefit from this. After a lengthy debate the Community Council agreed in principle, by a majority vote, that it should go to a community ballot, but firstly a feasibility study of the revenue and running costs, routes covered, and the Highland Council looking at all mechanisms to get the gritter up there, should be undertaken. In the meantime anyone with any views, opinions or concerns, please contact John Cameron-Mackintosh or Vivian Roden.

TOMATIN COUNTRY STORES LTD

On behalf of the Staff and I, we would like to thank all our local customers for their continued support throughout 2012.

The cold weather is here again, so we will be stocking, De-Icer, Salt, Rock Salt and a small range of Kindling.

The Freezers are stocked with frozen A&I Butcher’s Pies, Meats, Sausages and Burgers etc, and also we have the usual Frozen Veg, Chips and Ready Meals. Supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables will continue.

We were able to re-negotiate the prices for milk, with Farmers Dairy and this means 1 litre of milk is back down to £1.00.

We now have in stock individual Christmas Cards supplied by Mrs Jo Irwin and Mr Mark Courtney. We also have a new exciting range of packs of Christmas Cards supplied by the RNLI Charity, with all monies from the sale of the packs, going direct to the RNLI.

The sale of books for the RNLI, has been extremely successful, for the third year running. Mrs Cathy Simpson has been very helpful and we wish to thank her with looking after the Book Display by continually ensuring that new ranges of books are available to keep the selection fresh. The second hand books are available for sale at 50 pence per book.

Christmas and New Year Opening and Closing Hours will be displayed on the Shop Notice Board in due course.

Tuesday late night opening has stopped for the Winter but Thursday late night opening (8pm) will remain until the end of November. Sunday opening hours will remain at 9am through to 4pm, and again plenty of notice will be given if there is a change to the closing time.

The Staff and I wish you all a Healthy Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

11 TOMATIN DISTILLERY NEWS

TOMATIN WINS TOP PRIZE AT EDINBURGH WHISKY FRINGE Press release August 2012

Tomatin Distillery is celebrating having been awarded this year’s ‘The Spirit of Whisky Fringe Award’ at the Whisky Fringe held in Edinburgh 3‐5 August 2012. The Tomatin 30 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky was voted the outright winner by visitors to the event, and the Tomatin 1982 single cask also appeared in the top 10 coming in 5th place. The Whisky Fringe is an annual event held in the stunning venue of The Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh, organised by whisky retailer Royal Mile Whiskies. Now in its 11th year, the sell‐out 3 day event presents over 200 whiskies to 500 visitors who vote for their favourite whisky they have sampled. Tomatin Distillery also had two expressions in the top ten last year, including their limited edition ‘Decades’ release marking Douglas Campbell’s 50 years’ service to the company which came in 5th place. The previous bottling of Tomatin 30 year old came in 9th place, but this year's new bottling clearly took the show by storm. Stephen Bremner, Sales Director, commented: “It is a great achievement and testament to the quality of our spirit that we have had two of our whiskies in the top ten for the past two years at this popular event, and we are absolutely delighted that our new edition 30 year old won the top prize. What makes this award so special is that it is voted for not by industry experts but by customers themselves, so we are thrilled our whiskies rate so highly.” Both the Tomatin 30 Year Old and 1982 Single Cask are available to buy from www.royalmilewhiskies.com.

Tomatin Celebrates Best Drink Accolade Press release October 2012

Tomatin Distillery is celebrating success as winner of the ‘Best Drink’ award at the Highlands & Islands Food and Drink Awards last week. Over 260 people from food and drink businesses in the Highlands and Islands gathered at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness for the eighth annual awards hosted by Celebrity Masterchef finalist and television presenter Kirsty Wark. The core range of Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (12, 15 and 18 year old expressions) was entered into this brand new award category, aimed at identifying businesses that can demonstrate success in the drinks market. Fighting off competition from another distillery and two breweries, Tomatin was announced the winner with Kirsty Wark citing the “smooth flavour” and “bold packaging” as elements of the entry which most impressed the judging panel. Stephen Bremner, Sales Director, said: “We are very proud to have won this award. These Awards showcase and celebrate the contribution that Highland and Islands food and drink companies are making to the UK economy, something we should all be proud of. Our core range of Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky contains multi‐award winning expressions, but this is the first award for the range as a whole. The Tomatin brand has been growing from strength to strength in recent years and we look forward to continuing this in the coming years.”

STEP IT UP HIGHLAND

This autumn has been a very colourful season for walking, despite some rather dull days. The contrast between the golds of the birch and larch with the still dark green of the pines has been, and is still, beautiful. We have made the most of this by some great walks by Loch Moy; in the woods along the Farr Road; by the River Findhorn and in our local woods. Please feel free to come and try out our Wednesday afternoon walks and our group. We still have two levels of walk: a shorter, slower walk for those who feel this is most appropriate for them, and a faster, longer route for those who are fitter. In either case, however, the exercise is excellent for our health and enjoyment, and the really pleasant company all makes for a highlight of our week. If you are interested, please contact Kathy or David Bonniface on 511740 or Carol James on 531220.

12

Art in Strathdearn Winter is drawing in and with that the time of reflection, and we can look back to quite a few enjoyable events since the last edition of the Strathdearn Newsletter. Our annual Exhibition took place on 9th, 10th and 11th of A very big thank you to all my friends in the art club for August 2012. I hope those of you who visited the hall, the lovely cake, flowers and cheque presented to me on my saw and maybe even bought some of our paintings and return from holiday.It was a complete surprise to me but crafts as well as admired the excellent creations obviously there had been a lot of planning and forethought submitted by 3 classes of the Primary School will in my absence! I am still on cloud nine at your kindness and hopefully agree that we managed to produce pleasing a trip to hobbycraft is definitely on the agenda! and interesting work. To keep this variety going we would very much welcome anyone in the community May I say how fortunate we are to have Margrit who is who wants to try their hand in painting. If you are a now our president and is an extremely talented artist with beginner do not worry, we hope to offer sessions for you bags of enthusiasm and an engaging sense of humour which to feel comfortable with different mediums. Be assured keeps us all in balance and able to view our mistakes as a there is never a right or wrong in painting, just have a go and enjoy the fun. If you are interested to join us or learning experience.I know that the club will continue to would like a taster in using watercolour or acrylics then flourish with Margrit at the helm. Thanks for all the help please call Margrit on: 01808 521331 and support I received from the club during my time as In October we enjoyed and excellent workshop in oil president. painting with the well known local artist Allan MacDonald. Allan’s cheerful and calm instructions and Betty Watson. individual support allowed everyone to work to their own pace and level. He pointed out the need for the colour grey in painting, a colour often forgotten with beginners not least because of not knowing which colours best to mix. Well, we now know and can apply newly learned skills to our next piece of work. In November a trip the Highland Print Studio is planned 2012 Blues with instructions in how to do etchings. Further information available from Michelle Bryden Tel: 511411 I know I'm getting on a bit, And finally a big Thank You to Betty Watson for having but it really isn’t fair. run the art club since 1998!!!! We managed to keep our The Jubilee and the London Games planned presentation a secret, even letting her believe have swallowed up the year. that the cakes and flowers carried into the hall might be a belated birthday present for her. Alasdair Wallace Bewitched by royal pageantry summarised her achievement in listing all the events she and blinded by the torch had organised over those years and the fun and learning We're already in November the group enjoyed under her presidency. Thank You when, it really should be March. Betty.

This summer's sun, displaced by rain Margrit Perrin forced most of us indoors, to sit and watch the TV screens and worship millionaires. Betty’s Recipes I hope next year's much longer Chilli Mango Chicken a good summer's overdue with loads and loads of sunshine I tbsp mango chutney and far less ballyhoo. 1 tsp sweet chilli sauce 1garlic clove, crushed DG MacAskill 4 skinned chicken breasts Mix chutney, sauce and garlic and spread over chicken. Roast in hot oven for 20 mins. Serve with basmati rice and greek yoghourt.

13

All Grants Paid by the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust Jan - October 2012

Balance b/f 240,750.10

2012 January Strathdearn Natural History 200.00 Club Strathdearn Primary School 7,250.00 Strath. Comm Council-Dance classes 300.00 February Scottish Budo Assoc-Tomatin Kempo 1,800.00 March Youth Group worker wages and costs (to March 3,500.00 2013) Community Council - Updating community website 2,300.00 April Art Club - All day art workshops held in the hall 1,159.00 Fraser Manson - Blythswood India trip 250.00 Queens Jubilee event - Hog Roast Highland deposit 517.00 Queens Jubilee event - Bouncy Castle deposit 80.00 597.00 May Queens Jubilee - Balance on deposit 2,400.00 returned -490.00 1,910.00 Charlie Fuller - Hockey 1,000.00 expenses Community Council - New printer lease 820.80 Callum Carson - Blythswood Romania trip 750.00 Strathdearn Hall - Re-decorating new hall 1,490.00 Childrens Entertainment Committee- additional misc 475.00 expenses July Strathdearn Hall - Sports facility electricity 59.00 Three Straths Fox Control Assoc 1,470.00 August Strathdearn Hall - Architect fees for new hall 3,600.00 Septembe Strathnairn Farmers Assoc 1,000.00 r returned -1,000.00 0 Strathdearn Hall - Public toilets replacement glass 299.06 October Strathdearn Comm Council - Community water 363.79 testing Tomatin & Moy WRI - Christmas Lunch 1,000.00

Total to date 15 October 2012 271,343.75

14 STRATHDEARN COMMUNITY CHARITABLE TRUST

Financial statement for the period 1 July to 30 September 2012

Income

Bank Interest and dividends 2,552 Increase in value of investments (see Note) -5,959

Total income -3,407

Expenditure

Grants: Tomatin Childrens Entertainment Fund 475 Strathdearn Hall - Electricity 59 Three Straths Fox 1,470 Control Thomas Munro & Co - Hall 3,600 Architect Strathnairn Farmers Assoc 1,000 Strathdearn Hall - Broken window 299 replacement 6,903 Community development worker (June & July 2012) 831 Postage Fees due to Sheila Macleod and Edward Cameron-Mackintosh 86 Administrator's Expenses 142 Deutsche Bank investment management fees 507 Total outgoings 8,469

Excess of expenditure over income for the period -11,876

Funds at 30 June 2012 451,902

Funds at 30 September 2012 440,026

Consisting of: Deposit and current accounts with Royal Bank of Scotland 199,469 Investments managed by Deutsche Bank Private Wealth 238,563 Management Income due at 30 September 2012 2,501 440,533 Less: Payments due at 30 September 2012 507

Funds at 30 September 2012 440,026

Investments managed by Deutsche Bank are at 30 June 2012 as the valuation at 30 September 2012 is not yet available.

15 Tomatin Firewood

Call: 07527 883 606 or for more details & updates - www.tomatinfirewood.co.uk Free local delivery on any order over £30 (Strathdearn only, excluding coal)

Firewood: Softwood loads - 1m³ for £45, 2m³ for £85, 3m³ for £115, 4m³ for £145 Hardwood loads - 1m³ for £75, 2m³ for £135, 3m³ for £195

Wood Briquettes: (Moisture content under 10%, slow burning, ideal for stoves and open fires) £5 per 10kg pack, £35 for 10 packs, £275 for 96 packs (pallet load)

Peat: 5 bags for £30 with a free net of kindling worth £3, £6 per bag

Coal: House Coal (25kg bag) -£8.50 Superglo (Smokeless) (25kg bag) - £10

Wood Pellets - £3.5 (10kg pack), £30 for 10 packs, £220 for 96 packs (pallet load)

Kindling: 2 nets for £5 Sawdust: £10 per cubic meter

Firewood Stacking service - available at £10 per hour

NATURE NOTES

Today, Sunday, has been a beautiful day. I woke to one of the best sunrises I have seen for a long time and the sunshine has continued all day. It was a pleasure to walk out in the warmth and see the autumn colours glowing in the clear light. The remaining leaves on the silver birches were various shades of yellow and gold, the larch needles were golden and the last few rowan leaves orangey red. The rowan berries were a brilliant red. There were large numbers of them this year – far more than last year. They have been rapidly disappearing, however. Since the first week in September there have been increasing numbers of migratory members of the thrush family eating them. Mistle Thrushes, the largest of the family, were the first to arrive, then increasing numbers of Redwings, the smallest, and finally the middle-sized Fieldfares. Mistle Thrush are a larger version of the well-known Song Thrush, Redwings have a pale eye strip and chestnut-red flanks, and Fieldfares have a grey head and dark tail. They all have a speckled breast. Today there have to be flocks of about 100 birds coming and going all day. It won’t be long before all the berries have gone The same day the Redwings first appeared, several Bramblings were feeding on the rowan berries. They are also migratory, coming here from Scandinavia. They look very similar to a Chaffinch but have a much more orangey chest and small white bars on their wings. All these birds are just passing through. When the berries are finished they will be off further south to find more. The resident red squirrels don’t move south. They are all busy burying nuts, seeds and berries in and around the garden to feed themselves during the winter. They are looking very grey now, all having grown thick winter coats. They all seem to me to have thicker coats earlier than usual – does this foretell a hard winter? We shall find out in the next few months. CJ

16