Ardgay District

ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Price: £1.00 ISSN 2514-8400 = Issue No. 43 = spring 2019 = Ardgay and District Community Plan is now available to the public

Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust and Sutherland Community Partnership have published the findings of a consultation that invited residents to provide their view on what they thought could best improve the community. (Page 6)

“Cherished” and virtually unaltered in the last 200 years Croick church is “arguably the most authentic sur- vivor” of all 32 Thomas Telford Parliamentary Kirks.

In the last issue we published a Rev Mary Stobo has written an ex- letter to the Editor highlighting tensive article which brings invalu- Mac & Wild Falls of how the trees around Croick chuch able insight into the history of the Shin will re-open 23rd were overwhelming the building, building, on what has been done in March with exciting food and the potential damage faced by the past and what is being done now the church (fallen branches, roots, to preserve it in the best possible and events Page 12 clogged gutters, etc). In this issue, way for future generations. (Page 4) Time to join your local Stories of the people of Glencalvie community gym! Page 21 An account of some not so well-known facts Page 16 2019 is the International The abolition of the runrig tenure system Page 18 Year of the Salmon Page 14

The Curlew 20 red squirrels, new a needs all the help residents of Ledmore 36 pages featuring Lettes to the Editor, it can get & Migdale Opening times, Telephone guide, Bus & Train timetable, Page 31 Page 20 Sudokus & Crossword

Sample Menu

Every Monday 11.30am-2pm Bonar Bridge Community Hall Everyone Welcome

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup —00— Chicken Mornay and Rice —00—

Apple Pie with Ice Cream —00—

Toasties - Cheese/Tuna mayo/Ham —00—

Childrens’ Snack Boxes (sandwich, yoghurt, raisins and fresh fruit juice) —OO— Cappuccino, Mocha, Latte or Hot Chocolate Tea/Coffee Fruit Juice, Bottled Water—Still or Sparkling —OO— Takeaways must be ordered before 11.30am and collected by 1pm. Please phone 0798 5626340/01863 766554 to order. ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 3

Contents

9 10 26 29

ARDGAY News =International Year of the Salmon ��14 what’s on in the area ��26 =Past, present and future of Croick =A few stories of the people of Church ��4 Glencalvie �� 16 gearrchoille wood =Ardgay Community Plan ��6 =The abolition of runrigs ��18 =Early Spring ��29 =Message from Ardgay & District =Ardgay Public Hall ��19 CC Chairperson ��7 =Ledmore & Migdale Woods ��20 adult clubs & societies ��30 =How to contact your local =Know more about your local representatives ��8 community gym ��21 Wildlife =The importance of Jubilee Hill ��9 =Bonar Bridge Primary School Eco =Eurasian Curlew ��31 =Royal British Legion’s last WW1 Action Day with KoSDT ��22 graveside services ��10 =Mr Bumble will show local children CHURCHES ��32 =Sneak Peek into Mac & Wild Falls of how to help pollinators ��23 Shin 2019 season �� 12 =How to apply for wind farm funds �24 local services a-z ��33 =Heart of Sutherland Tourism (HOST) launches short films �� 13 letters to the editoR �� 25 puzzles �� 35

Ardgay & District photographs editor’s letter Natural heritage big thank you to our new A(and regular) contributors, and to our distributors. This issue is packed with articles on natural heritage, from the efforts to save a rare plant in Ledmore & Migdale, the Inter- national Year of the Salmon, the Gearrchoille wood, the plight of the pollinators, an Eco Action Day, and the endangered Cur- lew. On top of this, Ardgay & District CC Chairperson Betty Wright writes an op-ed about the global Climate and Biodi- versity challenge faced by our generation, and we are remind- The Great Britain steam train by Gregor Laing ed of the Earth Hour on 20th The steam locomotive The Great Britain on its way out from Ardgay Station. March 2019... a trully environ- We will be able to see the steam train on its way to Dunrobin at the beginning mentally conscious edition! < of May 2019, although this year it won’t be The Great Britain the one passing through Ardgay but its sister steam locomotive the Mayflower. Silvia Muras Editor Page 4 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News u k - geograph.org. © J M B riscoe Built by James Smith, one of Thomas Telford’s surveyors, and completed in 1830, the church and manse cost £1,426 10s 11d. Past, present and future of Croick Church Rev Mary Stobo gives an insight into this iconic church and its compelling history, as well as addressing some of the concerns raised by readers in our last edition. The church at Croick is one of very bringing the congregations of three store the roof, repair other defects few “Parliamentary” Churches still churches together. More recently the and install electricity. The whole in use and still showing its original parish known as Kincardine, Croick project was completed in 1983 and design and internal fittings. At the and Edderton was linked with Creich cost just under £20,000. end of the Napoleonic War the gov- linked with Rosehall to become one ernment voted for the building of charge and is served by one Minister architectural surveys 43 churches and manses in many whose home is the manse in Ardgay. Every ten years a professional sur- remote parts of the Highlands in We are currently looking for a new vey has to be done on all church- celebration of the victory. In com- Minister. owned buildings with a local in- mon with the others, it was built to Croick Church is well known for spection done by the Presbytery a design by Thomas Telford. Com- its association with the Clearanc- in the intervening fifth year. These pleted in 1827 at a cost of £1426 it es of Glencalvie and Gruinyards in reports detail work that needs to be originally served a community of the mid-19th Century. Most of the done and checks are made that this over 200 people. At the Disruption scratches on one of the windows are has been completed. The cost of this of 1843 most of the congregation said to belong to the people removed is borne by the local congregation followed the Minister, Rev Gusta- from their homes from Glencalvie who are expected to cover on-going vus Aird, to the Free Church leav- who took shelter in the graveyard as maintenance out of their own funds ing only two families in the Church they had nowhere to go. although help may be had from of Scotland. In 1977 serious damage to the the national funds in the form of a It remained a separate parish until roof was discovered. Thanks to loan or sometimes a grant for major 1946 when it was joined with Kin- grants from several public bodies work. A recent professional survey cardine as it is today. Later the par- and generous donations from indi- of the church (May 2018) states, ish of Edderton was added, therefore viduals work began in 1980 to re- “The surfaces of the sandstone slabs ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 5

Ardgay & District News of the aisles, and of the pews has been for some time the idea and the long communion table, to research the local Clearances have been left in an immaculate in some depth and highlight the state, […] this also serves to re- change of land use and dispersal inforce the impression that Cro- of the inhabitants that resulted. ick is one of those churches that However, like all good ideas of has been cherished always by its this kind, it needs people to work dwindling congregation.” This on the investigation. Some of this indeed is the case, with regular would involve field walking, tak- maintenance carried out and the ing photographs and other inves- The scratching reads: “Glencalvie people the services on the second Sunday wicked generation Glencalvie.” tigation on the ground but much each summer month continuing would also be desk-based. The in- despite few people attending. has been addressed, probably in the tended end result would be some last round of repairs.” form of display, perhaps in the church, overgrown trees The church is part of the Telford which would enable those interest- The problem with the proximity Trail instigated a couple of years ago ed to find out more about the histo- of trees to the building has meant with the help of ARCH when a group ry of the area. Of course, there’s lots on-going discussions with the of local people investigated the work more history than just the Clearances Highland Council for several years done by Thomas Telford in the area. and Telford in the area including the and we continue to try to resolve There is a display on this and a fold- Broch beside the church. There is an the issue. Our concern is not just er of resources which includes in- open invitation to anyone interested aesthetic but one of possible dam- formation on the church held in the to contact me with ideas or offers of age to the building or people should Heritage Centre at the Old Church of help. Both the folk of the church and branches or the trees become un- Kincardine beside the Cemetery in of the Heritage Society will welcome stable. The roof suffers from a com- Ardgay. your interest. < Mary Stobo, Session mon problem found in Parliamen- The church attracts many visitors Clerk to Kincardine, Croick and Edder- tary churches built to the T-plan each year and, working with the Kyle ton Church of Scotland and Chair of but “almost certainly the condition of Sutherland Heritage Society, there Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society

Not all 32 Thomas Telford’s Parliamentary Kirks are so well preserved

g Acharacle (interiors g Kinlochbervie g Stenscholl (repaired in refurbished in the 1930s) g Kinlochluichart 1856) g Ardgour (refurbished g Kinlochspelve (con- g Stoer (derelict, plans in 1933) verted to a holiday let) to convert into a house) g Berneray (derelict) g Knock (demolished) g Strathy (converted into g g Berriedale (altered and Lochgilphead Stoer a house) refurnished 19th century) (replaced) g Strontian (vandalised g Carnoch (interior com- g North Ballachulish by the insertion of pletely recast in 1899) (rebuilt) modern windows) g Croick (almost origi- g Risabus, Oa (derelict) g Tobermory (replaced) nal condition, unaltered) g Plockton (renovated in g Tomintoul (extensive al- g Cross (demolished) 1961) terations, unrecognisable Risabus g Duror (interior subdi- g Poolewe (disused, list- as a Telford church) g vided and remodelled) ed as ‘Building at risk’) u k Truimsgarry (derelict) g Hallin (now in use as g Portnahaven (re-deco- g Ullapool (restored, an artist’s studio) rated, clock added) used as a museum since g Iona (refurbished 1938) g Quarff (unused, at risk) 1990) g Keiss (partitioned, g Shieldaig (rebuilt on g Ulva (dual use as com- geograph.org. weathervane added) the old wall bases) Tomintoul munity hall since 1950s) Page 6 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News it will be available to download from the kyle of sutherland development trust website Ardgay & District Community Plan publication

Kyle of Sutherland Devel- of Sutherland Community opment Trust and Suther- Partnership. land Community Partner- Silvia Muras, Vice-Chair ship are happy to announce of Ardgay and District Com- the publication of the Ard- munity Council, said: “This gay and District Communi- is a great tool for community ty Plan. The Plan highlights groups to help identify the ar- the findings from a period of eas which residents feel need community engagement that improvement. We would like took place in Ardgay and to thank the Community En- District in the Summer 2018. gagement Team for their ex- People were encouraged cellent work producing the to fill out a questionnaire Plan, that we hope will be of and attend workshops in order use to those working to improve to provide their view on what the quality of life of Ardgay & Dis- they thought could best improve trict residents.” the community. Among the most The Ardgay and District Com- common themes from the community Plan is available from: munity engagement were issues Any individual or community www.kyleofsutherlanddevelop- and proposed solutions around group with an interest in im- menttrust.org/community-en- transport, employment, local proving and developing the area gagement-project economy, tourism, housing, in- are free to use the document to For more information about the ternet speeds, and mobile phone identify project needs, evidence Sutherland Community Partner- signal. Young people from Ardgay funding proposals or use for fur- ship go to: www.highlandcpp.org. also participated in a workshop ther community engagement. uk/sutherland-community-part- at Tain Royal Academy which al- The Plan will also, along with nership. < Martin Thomsen, lowed them to provide input to plans from the rest of Suther- Community Engagement Officer Kyle the Community Plan. land, help to inform of the work of Sutherland Development Trust

Successful bid for Culrain Hall

The Culrain & District Hall Com- mittee have been awarded a grant of £10,000 from the SSE Achany Community Fund. This will fund the cost of a full structural survey of the existing hall and, further to the results, the cost of architectural fees and the various permis- sions needed to progress the reno- vation/rebuild of the hall. < Anne Henderson, Joint Secretary, Culrain & District Hall Committee The hall committee has also organised fundraising events such as last year’s ceilidh. ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 7

Ardgay & District News

Message from the Chairperson by Betty Wright, Chairperson Ardgay & District CC

hen we live Supporters of these by more than 20 other Highland Council to de- in an area as have been taking part in councils. Is it time we clare a Climate and Bi- Wunspoiled as school strikes – locally considered asking The odiversity emergency?< this, the findings of re- each Friday in Ullapool ports which inform on and Fort William - and the global situation can demonstrations in our be difficult to relate to. cities. Demonstrations The October 2018 Inter- do not directly affect ei- Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries governmental Panel on ther climate disruption Protecting Salmon Climate Change (IPCC) or the mass extinction and Sea Trout stocks report on the state of cli- events we are witness- in the Kyle district since 1865 mate and recent global ing around our planet. review of insect studies Their sole purpose is in the journal Biological to raise public aware- MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT Conservation (which es- ness which can lead to timates that 40 percent changing political will. KYLE OF SUTHERLAND of global insect species But who will vote for FISHERIES TRUST are threatened with ex- the tax increases that Thursday 4th April 2019 tinction mainly due to will surely be required habitat loss, intensifying to address these seri- 6.00 p.m. Trust ordinary meeting agriculture and climate ous problems? All our disruption) both indi- politicians will have to cate that we need to take work together and they KYLE OF SUTHERLAND DISTRICT urgent action. will only do this if the SALMON FISHERIES BOARD At the February meet- public tell them to. In ing of Ardgay & District November 2018 Bris- Friday 5th April 2019 Community Council I tol and Manchester city 9.30 a.m. Board annual public meeting mentioned two grass- councils passed motions 10.00 a.m. Board ordinary meeting roots organisations that declaring a ‘climate have emerged in recent emergency’ and setting months to raise aware- targets aiming to be car- Board meetings are open to the public ness of these issues: Ex- bon neutral by 2030 and tinction Rebellion and 2038 respectively. They T: 01863 766702 Youth Climate Strike. have since been joined E: [email protected] W: www.kylefisheries.org Page 8 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News Community Land Ardgay / Bonar Glass recycling bins Ownership guidance Since the glass recycling bins question of the potholes in the for engagement were moved from their original entrance to the site was raised as site in front of the Hub in 2017, a concern by the occupants of the The Scottish Land Commission we have been trying to arrange for Industrial estate. The Highland have published guidance and a their re-siting in a suitable place Council do not want to encourage route map on community engage- within easy reach of all. (They are more traffic to use the site until ment in decisions relating to land currently at recycle point at Inver- the potholes, which could poten- with “practical advice on how an, which has restricted opening tially cause damage to vehicles, landowners, land managers and hours and is not so accessible) are repaired. communities can work together After much discussion, the As we go to press, The High- to make better – and fairer – deci- area in front of the Fire Station land Council informed the CC sions about land use.” was agreed, on condition that the that plans are in place to fix the The guide can be accessed from redundant overhead telephone holes, most likely in March. Once their website: https://landcom- wire was removed. This was ar- the work has been completed, the mission.gov.scot/lrrs/communi- ranged with Openreach and all glass banks will be returned to the tyengagement/. < seemed good to go. Until the Industrial Estate. < ardgay & district community council: Betty Wright, Chairperson, silvia muras, Vice Chair, Marion turner, Treasurer & Secretary, rob pope, andy wright, DR BUSTER CRABB (Co-opted member), leslie pope (Associate member), mary goulder, Minute Secretary how to contact councillors north, west & central sutherland ardgay & district community council Linda Munro 8, Munro Place, Bettyhill KW14 1TD Tel 01641 521 366 [email protected] By phone By post Kirsteen Currie Rowanwood, Lamington, Kildary, Invergordon 01863 766 100 (Marion Turner, Secretary) IV18 0PE Tel 07787 221 572 [email protected] Hugh Morrison Orcadia, Lerin, Durness IV27 4QB By mail Tel 07557 566 543 [email protected] Marion Turner, Secretary A&DCC Oldtown, Ardgay IV24 3DH msps Caithness, Sutherland & Ross Gail Ross M5.13 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Email Tel 0131 348 5927 [email protected] @ [email protected] Donald Cameron M2.18 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Tel 0131 348 6989 [email protected] Website John Finnie MG.16 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk Tel 0131 348 6898 [email protected] Rhoda Grant MG.06 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Facebook Tel 0131 348 5766 [email protected] Ardgay & District Community Council Edward Mountain M3.18 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Tel 0131 348 6143 [email protected] Drop-in Sessions Douglas Ross M2.08 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP We will be holding clinics from 1 to 4 pm at the Tel 0131 348 6140 [email protected] Ardgay Stores on the following dates: MG.05 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP 13th APRIL, 11th MAY & 8th JUNE David Stewart Tel 0131 348 5766 [email protected] Please stop by for a cup of tea/coffee and chat. Maree Todd M4.05 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP In person Tel 0131 348 5784 [email protected] Ardgay Public Hall, at 7 pm. Next meetings: 8th APRIL mp Caithness, Sutherland & easter Ross 10th June (AGM) Jamie Stone House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Tel 01862 892 726 [email protected] ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 9

Ardgay & District News The importance of Jubilee Hill Jubilee hill (or Cnoc Na Griag) is the name of the summit of Ardgay hill, which in turn gave its name to the village of Ardgay, from the Gaelic ‘Àird Gaoith’ or ‘high wind’. It is said that a bonfire was lit there for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and the name stuck.

I have always thought there was something re- assuring about the Ju- bilee Hill overlooking Ardgay, it has been a guardian of the village, a landmark and a way- point which is visible from all routes into Ard- gay, and now, due to the proliferation of forestry, the last, and only, elevat- ed area of open hill land in the vicinity. iron age fort & vantage point Originally part of Dai- sybank Croft, it is now annexed to Poplars Farm and history tells us that the hill has seen various visitors over the years. Formerly the site of an Iron Age fort, it is Looking towards the Kyle of Sutherland from Jubilee Hill. / gregor laing also said that General Wade camped there be- used by the Corps re- hill as grazing ground School who used the hill fore facing Montrose at mains to this day. by a local crofter. Ju- for cross country run- the battle of Carbisdale, bilee Hill was awarded ning practice! while those displaced by wildlife core path status in 2011 It remains the only el- the Clearances took ref- Latterly in more peace- but has always been a evated area surrounding uge there, and it was a ful times it has become popular walking area Ardgay that has not been vantage point to see an- an oasis for wildlife and and has been used by the planted with trees and yone, especially the Mili- has become home to sev- members of the com- has been an integral part tia approaching Ardgay. eral species on the UK munity and the wider of the fabric of Ardgay The hill also served as Red Watch List. There is public, who for genera- and surrounding area a Royal Observer Corps a very healthy and varied tions, have enjoyed the and the affinity between lookout post during the regeneration of trees in tranquillity and uninter- Jubilee Hill and the local Second World War when certain areas of the hill rupted views that the hill community has been re- it was manned continu- ground and these flour- commands, although I inforced by a resounding ously by local volunteers ish in conjunction with am not sure if the tran- rejection by local resi- to warn of any threat to the attention of a small quillity and views were dents to the proposal to the security of the area, population of deer and enjoyed by the pupils plant trees on this iconic the underground bunker the seasonal use of the of Gledfield Primary hill. < Rene Knott Bonar Bridge Post Office SERVICES AVAILABLE: ardgay & district community Council newsletter Cash deposits and withdrawals via chip and pin Postal services Post Office© card account Postal orders Moneygram Electronic bill payments E top-ups Pre-order travel money Car tax Euro and US dollar currency

Ardgay Stores & Highland Café

(From left to right) Donald Aird, David Watson, Heather Watson and behind Lucy Clarke.

graveside service on 29th January 2019 In commemoration of Able OPENING TIMES: Thur 7:30am-8pm Mon 7:30am-7:30pm Fri 7:30am-7:30pm Seaman Donald Stewart Tues 7:30am-7:30pm Sat 8:30am-7pm Wed 7:30am-7:30pm Sun 8:30-5:30pm Last graveside service for a Kyle of Sutherland resident, who died as a result of WW1 and is buried in Tutim Cemetery, near Rosehall.

ARDGAY & DISTRICT Donald was the son of (Maggie) Morrison and Community Council newsletter Kenneth and Isobel Stew- their daughter Dolina Ag- art. Kenneth was him- nes was named after the two Advertising Tariff self in the Royal Navy but brothers. She later married when Donald was born on and was known as Agnes  Design available Contact us to get a quote 9th July 1897, he was a 42 Aird. Agnes’s son Donald  Get help with sizes & ﬁ les Great discounts if  year old crofter and fisher Aird and daughter Heather Reach 100% of your target you book for  Boost your business for less the whole on Islemartin, Lochbroom. Watson, both from Altass, year! Sometime after Donald attended the service along Full Page Book for the whole year was 13, the family moved with Heather’s son David size A4 (4 issues) and get £10 discount! £40 £160 £150 to a croft in Durcha, Altass. Watson and Agnes’s grand- Donald enrolled into the daughter Lucy Clarke. Half Page Book for the whole year Royal Naval Reserve on David Watson said size A5 - landscape (4 issues) and get £5 discount! £20 £80 £75 the 28th of August 1918 at “Thanks to the Royal Brit- H.M.S.Victory. His service ish Legion Scotland my 1/3 Page Book for the whole year record states that “his con- family were able to re- size A5 - portrait (4 issues) and get £3 discount! duct was very good whilst member, and commemo- £20 £80 £75 serving at H.M.S. Victory”. rate, my great, great uncle. 1/4 Page Book for the whole year He was demobilised af- It was an honour to take size A6 - portrait (4 issues) and get £2 discount! ter 5 months, but died the part in the service and it £10 £40 £38 following day of double is something that we will Module Size 100 mm x 55 mm pneumonia and pleurisy, all cherish. Donald is bur- Smallest size The whole year will cost you aged 21. Most likely he had ied in Tutim Cemetery. £5 ONLY £20! Next Spanish flu. He was award- The proper Gaelic name edition: ed the 1914-20 British War for Tutim is Tuiteam Tar- 15th Medal for his Service in the bhach, meaning ‘plentiful June Royal Naval Reserve. Don- slaughter’. This is as a re- ald is remembered in the sult of a battle between the BOOKING & Rosehall Church Roll of MacKays of Strathnaver ENQUIRIES: Honour and the Rosehall and MacLeods of Assynt Silvia Muras War Memorial. & Lewis in 1406. The de- 01863 766 690 One of Donald’s siblings, scription also seems most Angus, married Margaret apt for World War 1.”< [email protected] ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 11

Ardgay & District News

band, father, mother, sisters Annie and Hughina and brother David. The informant on her death certif- icate was neighbour, John Fraser, uncle of Jack and Kathleen who both live in Ardgay. They attended the service and remember Mrs Ma- son. Two of Lizzie’s great nieces also attended; sisters Margaret Ham- ilton and Monica Hutcheson plus Monica’s husband Donald. Branch Secretary Fiona Porter welcomed everyone to the service and read the Eulogy while Margaret From left to right, David Hannah, Margaret Hamilton , Donald and Monica Hutcheson and Rob Pope. and Monica read the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph. The family and Fiona Porter planted crosses. Remembrance service for Serjeant Chairman Tony Osborne played the Last Post and Reveille on the bugle. William Mason in Kincardine Treasurer David Hannah and Com- mittee Member Rob Pope lowered The Creich and Kincardine Branch of Royal British Legion the Queen’s Colour and Branch Scotland held a graveside service at Kincardine Cemetery Standard for the silence. on 25th February on the 100th anniversary of his death. Fiona Porter said “It has been an honour to hold these commemora- William John Mason was born Battalion of the Manchester Regi- tion services to remember the WW1 around 1880, the son of John Ma- ment, based in Suffolk. The Battal- fallen buried in cemeteries in Creich son a sugar dealer, and Isabella nee ion trained young recruits, preparing and Kincardine; this is the last one Thomson. Unfortunately, nothing them for active service. While with for these parishes. We are very grate- else is known about his childhood but them he was awarded the 1914-20 ful to the family for travelling so far William joined the Army at a young British War Medal and Victory Medal. to be with us to remember Serjeant age and served for at least 19 years, William married Lizzie two William Mason. It’s desperately sad mostly in the Cameron Highlanders. months after the end of WW1 in that with his new wife, William did Early on William served in the Sec- Kincardine; he was a Corporal in the not survive to enjoy his well earned ond Boer War with the 1st Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment based future, after such a long and loy- Queen’s Own Cameron Highland- in Inverness. He was aged 38 and al service to his country. We will be ers. He was awarded the Queen’s Lizzie 32. William then returned to holding two more services, one at and King’s South Africa Medals for the Manchesters and was promoted Lairg Cemetery on 18th March and his service. It is believed he was with to Serjeant Drummer. Very sadly, it the other at Rogart Cemetery on the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion was here that William died on 25th 19th April to commemorate the 8 by the start of WW1 when they were February 1919 of influenza and WW1 fallen buried there. We would mobilised in Inverness. Very soon af- pneumonia, most likely Spanish flu. like to invite the local community ter, they moved to Invergordon where He had only been married 46 days. to join us at 11am on these days and they were responsible for the protec- Lizzie was born in Kincardine in would particularly invite relatives to tion of the oil tanks at the Naval Base. 1886, the daughter of Hugh Ross, make contact on 01863 766349 be- William was mobilised to France to Meal Miller for the Gledfield Estate, fore the services.”< Fiona Porter join the 1st Camerons on the 1st of and Isabella. She had nine siblings. November 1914 and was awarded the She lived in the miller’s croft with Fiona Porter 1914 Star. her sisters Annie and Hughina until Secretary In November 1917 William joined she died on 28th March 1965 aged * [email protected] the newly created 51st (Graduated) 79. She is buried next to her hus- ) 01863 766349 Page 12 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News

stocked from the start to end of the visitor season.

From us… We are Andy Waugh & Calum Mac & Wild Falls of Shin: Mackinnon, from Ardgay & Aber- deen respectively. M&W has been What to expect for 2019 our creative passion project since 2012 when we started street trad- ing the Venison from Andy’s family Game Butchery, Ardgay Game. Seven years on, two much loved London restaurants, an array of accolades, an online modern Scot- tish Gift Shop and a range of M&W Scottish Cocktails soon available through major UK retailers, Falls of Shin is the perfect addition to our Scottish Lifestyle collection. <

Sample Experiences & Events As well as our free to use children’s adventure playground, mud kitchens and fire pits for toasting marshmallows or telling stories, below are some Mac & Wild Falls of Shin will re-open on Saturday 23rd highlights of the M&W Falls of March with an all new dining and hospitality offering, and an Shin experiences planned for exciting programme of experiences, workshops and events. the 2019 season. l Wild Cooking by Andy After a brief mid-season opening relaxed café offering of home-made Waugh (M&W co-founder) last year, Mac & Wild at Falls of pies, sandwiches, hearty soups, l Botanical Cocktail Master- Shin will re-open on 23rd March wild bowls of goodness and a well classes 2019 with an all new dining and stocked table of sweet Highland l Haggis Making Classes hospitality offering. Because we are delicacies will be available through l Whisky in the Woods (whis- about more than just the food, this daytimes. At the weekends, as dusk ky tasting in the forest) season we are thrilled to be launch- settles in the forest, the space will l Monthly Supper Clubs (host- ing an incredible programme of transform into evening dining with ed in unique and wild locations experiences, workshops and events the introduction of a more exten- in and around Falls of Shin). < hosted by ourselves plus local ar- sive a la carte menu complete with tisans and creatives. The full pro- our award winning M&W Veni- gramme of experiences and dates Moo plus our signature Butcher will soon be available online. Cut steaks. And finally, no M&W Achany, by Lairg offering would be complete with- IV27 4EE Food & Drink out our signature weekend Brunch ) 01549 402 888 For this season, the food & drink & Roast parties. For the weary www.macandwild.com/fallsofshin offering at Falls will change slightly rambler in need of a pick-me-up, * [email protected] to reflect the changing clientele we our full range of signature M&W @macandwild welcome throughout the week. A Scottish Cocktails will be fully @macandwild_falls_of_shin ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 13

Ardgay & District News HOST presents films to promote tourism in the area

Over 30 members of the tivity providers, tea plan- Heart of Sutherland Tour- tations, glamping sites, a ism (HOST) group attend- look at the Lairg Crofters ed a premiere of local tour- show, the historic Croick ism films at Bonar Bridge Church, how crofts have Hall. During the summer diversified and what it is of 2018 HOST filmed a se- like to be a child growing ries of 12 films promoting up on a croft. These films the central Sutherland area will be released via social for tourism, and featuring media platforms, and it is businesses located there. hoped that they can also Ashley Smith, HOST Sutherland. We had a lot of the area, which had been be used by the business- chairman said: “The aim of fun making the films released on social media es to promote themselves of the films was not only and we have had a lot of during 2018 and has re- and their products. All of to show the beautiful area positive feedback from the ceived over 18,000 views. the films can be viewed on that we live in , but to get evening”. The other films featured a the HOST website www. under the skin of what it The premiere began range of subjects from lo- heartofsutherland.co.uk < is like to live and work in with an aerial tourism film cal businesses such as ac- Tracey Smith

£ £ Page 14 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News

a partnership approach will have the most impact to benefit both the fish and people. Various organisations in each country are holding events to raise awareness of the Salmon’s plight. Here at Kyle Fisheries, we hope to have an open day to invite people to see the annual PIT tagging of smolts on the River Shin.

trap and truck open day Smolts (juvenile salmon on their way to sea) from rivers on Loch to raise awareness of the salmon’s plight Shin have difficulty getting past Lairg Dam. To compensate for this, Kyle Fisheries and SSE have 2019, International an annual “trap and truck” opera- tion where young salmon are cap- tured before they reach Loch Shin Year of the Salmon and are then transported below Salmon are a species which is iconic economies that depend on salm- the dams onto the mainstem of the in many parts of the world, not just on. Scotland, Norway, Canada and River Shin, and then continue their in Scotland. As such, 2019 has been Alaska all have cultures dependant seaward migration. Some of these declared the International year of on different species of salmon, and fish are fitted with a Passive Inte- the Salmon, led by North Atlantic grated Transponder (PIT) tag. A tag Salmon Conservation Organiza- reader is fitted in the fish pass at the tion (NASCO) and the North Pacif- Shin diversion dam, which reads ic Anadromous Fish Commission the tags from adult fish tagged on (NPAFC). the Fiag and Tirry rivers when they As well as raising awareness of return in following years. The tag the plight of this fish, there is also code allows us to trace it back in a focus on the communities and A Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. our records to the day we tagged it; we know its length, weight, the day it was caught and released. This allows us to calculate the percent- age of fish returning from sea. If you would be interested in attending an open day Map of where fish please let us know, either by are trapped and released on the coming into the office or give Shin system. us a call. We are yet to organise the date, but we would be keen to know how many people we may need to accommodate. Addition- ally, you can check the Year of the Salmon website to see what other events are being held across Scotland and the world. < Sean Robertson, Science and Mitigation Officer Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries

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Ardgay & District News

The owners of Glencalvie, 60 years after the clearances. Dr and Mrs Smith and their son, also Mr Cuthbert (far right), in front of the lodge. © donald brown Stories of the people of Glencalvie Glencalvie became (in)famous for the Clearances of 1845, but before those terrible events, and for as long as anyone could remember, the Glencalvie people had been model tenants, living in modest turf cabins where they grew barley and oats and herded cattle and sheep.

On February 1842 James Gilland- The Glencalvie evictions of 1845 Record of longevity ers, factor to Glencalvie estate, ad- were narrated by a Correspondent Alexander Campbell of Glencalvie vertised in the Inverness Chroni- for The Times, whose articles were reached the age of 117 years old. Two cle that Greenyard and Glencalvie quoted during the debate on the newspaper extracts allows us to have were to be let as sheep walks. The Poor Law in the UK Parliament. a peek on his remarkably long life: events that unfolded the following Greenyards was cleared some years Inverness Journal, 24st Feb 1815 years culminated in one of the most later, in 1854. Here are some stories “There is a notice of a veteran notorious Highland Clearances. of the people of Glencalvie. named Alexander Campbell or © donald brown

Dr Smith’s son with the gamekeeper Duncan Macrae standing to right, presenting a gift to Ann Campbell who lived at Garbh Allt. The house is now a ruin and can be found just after Amat Lodge on the road to Glencalvie

Ardgay & District News

Iverach, residing in Glencalvie, Ross-shire who was said to have reached the age of 116 years old. Six Ross-shire gentlemen in London contributed a guinea each to enable him to dress in tartan and refresh himself with a drop of liquor. The Editor was requested by the minister of Kincardine to announce Iverach’s receipt of the bounty and to express his thanks. The veteran is well, and prays for as many days to each of his bene- factors as he has seen, and an equal portion of health. He longs for the weather getting a little milder that he may take a walk © donald brown Duncan Macrae and Master Smith visiting an elderly lady, almost unseen in the door- to see his friends at Gledfield and way, called Peggy Mackay, also known as Peggy Buidhe. the manse and to tell them of the tide of riches that has set upon him. these families had been attached to in the churchyard, “in a make-do He danced two reels at the last the land -it might very well be for as shelter built of birch branches and Kincardine Cattle Fair, and a few long as 500 years-. An attachment turfs.” It goes on to mention “one of days ago entered as a scholar in that the author cannot understand: the slab stones at the north-west the Gaelic School at Glencalvie. “Wonderful is the power of the af- corner” as the actual place of deliv- It is supposed that he is the oldest fections which link human love to ery. Sandy lived to become the fer- Campbell alive.” dark, dirty, turf huts, with earthen ryman at Ardgay. Inverness Journal, 3rd May 1816 floors and heather roofs, half kraals “This is the notice of a veteran and half cowsheds!” solidarity named Alexander Campbell resid- Some landowners were reluctant to ing at Glencalvie, parish of Kincar- literacy give shelter to the people of Glen- dine, Ross-shire who has died lately After their eviction, the people of calvie after the Clearances, as the at the advanced age of 117 years. Glencalvie took shelter in Croick new Poor Law made them respon- He was born in 1698, carried churchyard. As a testament to their sible for the destitute in their land. arms in 1716 under William, Lord misery, they etched messages in the Robertson recounts that, in 1844, Ross, and till his death showed the East window of the church. Some three of the 19 cottages in Glencalv- characteristic hardiness of a High- people question why the messages ie were occupied by old lone women lander to an uncommon degree. are in English if the Glencalvie peo- who paid no rent, and “have a grace Till the storm of snow last winter ple knew only Gaelic, as claimed by from the others for the grazing of a fell he could walk down to Gledfield the reporter to The Times. However, few goat and sheep, by which they and the manse in a day; the dis- the New Statistical Account shows live.” All this was done without the tance being about 11 miles.” that most of the pupils of Croick laird’s intervention. Three decades later, the 1846 parish school could read and write That same community spirit book written by John Robertson both in English and Gaelic. Robert- might have survived at least un- The Rosses of Glencalvie, mentions son affirms that “the people of Amat til the 20th century. Willie Mac- Alexander Campbell, who “saw the and Glencalvie supported a teacher Donald, late of Amat na Tua, re- three hundreds” (17th, 18th and 19th for the education of their children.” membered that his father would centuries): “This old man never had take firewood to Anne Campbell a pair of pantaloons, but wore all his born in the churchyard of Garbh Allt, and Peggy Mackay, days, or centuries, the kilt or phi- According to David Craig’s book On pictured along these lines. < Silvia labeg.” The extraordinary lifespan The Crofters’ Trail, a child named Muras. With information provided by of Iverach comes to show how long Sandy, son of John Ross, was born Donald Brown & Gregor Laing Page 18 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News

tenure. The small holders’ annual rent was therefore payable to the tacksmen and it was usually paid in kind, either by labour or agricultural produce or both.” Every year one third of the rigs were reallocated by drawing lots, ensuring that no-one could permanently keep the best land or get stuck with the worst. This system of land tenure was called roinn-ruithe in Gaelic, which means ‘the common run’.

drawbacks

© jeanette stafford Runrig was an inefficient sys- Runrig remains in Clachtoll. On the Isle of Skye and part of the north west coast, the runrig system was never replaced by big farms. tem. Much of the land was taken up by the drains rather than being used for growing crops. Each fami- The abolition of runrigs ly would be allocated a fair share of the land, but time was wasted mov- Crofting in the Highlands only appeared in the second ing between the rigs -sometimes half of the 18th century, brought by the landowners who far apart-, which were also too pushed forward the Scottish Agricultural Revolution. small for horse-drawn implements to be used. It is estimated that The changes were conceived in- deep furrows or runs in between runrig made effective use of only itially as a rearrangement of the to aid drainage. Seaweed or ma- about 40% of a township’s land. land to create larger and more pro- nure was also added as fertilizer And because people knew that ductive farms and to substitute the to provide nitrogen and increased three years was the longest they dispersed strips of the old runrig the height of the rigs, to around 18 were likely to keep any particular system, but they soon became a inches (45cm). The drainage made piece of ground, there was no in- drastic social experiment. As a con- the soil warmer, so the rigs were centive to spend time and money secuence of these changes, a whole less prone to frost. improving the land. social class of “tacksmen” disap- peared, wealthy peasants were a communal ‘military’ system remnants suddenly impoverished, clan cus- According to Angus “Ease” MacLe- Physical traces of runrig have been toms lost, Gaelic speakers replaced od, the runrig system of land ten- erased in our area (the closest ones by English-speaking tenants who ure was organised on military lines: might be in West Helmsdale and came from the Lowlands to run the at the top of the structure was the Marrel near Helmsdale), but the farms, glens de-populated to make clan chief (supreme commander), communal aspect of the runrig sys- way for sheep, and a sizeable part at the next level was the tacksmen tem continued into the crofting sys- of the workforce encouraged to em- (officers), and then there were the tem. For example, the land around a igrate or to take on industrial jobs. small holders or ordinary soldiers. township was held collectively by all MacLeod explains: “Tac is the old the small holders in the same way as runrigs or “lazy beds” Gaelic word for farm. Tacksmen today’s common grazing. The graz- Due to extensive glaciation during leased large areas of land from the ing clerk is a figure similar to the the Ice Age, the soil in the North clan chief on a long-term basis, village constable who represented Highlands is very thin and difficult usually as a reward for military the small holders, and the designa- to cultivate. To be able to yield sub- service or because of blood rela- tion “lots”, sometimes applied to the sistence crops such as oats and po- tionships. He, in turn, sub-let most croft, comes from the ‘cast lots’ or tatoes, the nutrient-poor peat soil of his land to small holders on an portions of land that changed hands was piled into ridges or rigs with annual lease without security or each year. < Silvia Muras ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 19

Ardgay & District News Fundraising effort at Ardgay Public Hall Due to a reduction in this year’s support grant and increased running costs, hall rental fees will suffer a small increase. It is hoped that this measure, alongside holding events such as this year’s auction, will help bring in enough funds to keep the hall up and running for all.

It has long been a hall committee aim to keep hall rents as low as possible, for as long as possible. It’s to this end that the committee run the fundraising biennial auction, which this year, please note, will be held on Friday, 14th June. And the annual Christmas fair, on the last Saturday of November each year. Unfortunately, although both events are always well supported, the resulting profits do not go as far as they used to. For example, last November the Christmas Fair raised a fantastic £872. But, just the month before the annual support grant from Highland Coun- The last Ardgay Public Hall auction which took place in August 2017. cil had been halved. This meant that £500 of the fair profit had to ing - or rather the maths – on the be reserved to make up the defi- How can you help? wall. Hall rentals will have to be cit. In years gone by this £1,000 increased for everyone from the 1st Here are some of the many ways of April 2019. The committee are you can help support your hall conscious of the fact that many user This year’s biennial too; you can n groups are financially fragile them- auction in aid of hall Volunteer at the hall’s events (selling raffle tickets, serving teas, selves, so are endeavouring to keep funds will take place on etc) – it only costs you your time. the increase as small as statistics Friday 14th June n Select “Ardgay Hall” when you will allow. It’s hoped that the whole buy through Amazon Smile – community understands that a There are no extra costs to you or would have covered the annual your purchase. bankrupt hall would serve no one. insurance premium. But, this is n Participate in the running / However, the committee are no longer the case. So, additional maintenance of the hall, just come determined to continue work- funds had to be found, that swal- along to a hall meeting; the dates ing hard to ensure a secure fu- lowed up the remaining £372 fair are always displayed in the notice ture for the hall and by the time boards and the committee prom- balance and left nothing at all to ise not to press-gang you into this newsletter goes to press it is help with other bills. anything you do not want to do! – hoped to have funding applica- The insurance is but one una- Again, it only costs you your time. tions submitted to enable some voidable running cost Statutory n Make a donation (via any com- of the ongoing maintenance licences, regular fire and electrical mittee member or the post box by and upgrading projects to be the pigeonholes) equipment servicing all have to be completed. < , n Donate a raffle prize at our fund- Rhonwen Copley paid for too. Not to mention the raising events (the auction is next Secretary increased cost of electricity we are on the 14th June) all so familiar with at home. n And finally... Just use the hall! LIke us 0n facebook! So, there’s no avoiding the writ- Ardgay Public Hall Page 20 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News A busy year ahead at Ledmore & Migdale In 2019 we will be progressing with the North Highland Twinflower Project, the translocation of red squirrels, and keeping at bay the invasive plant Cotoneaster.

What a fantastic open winter it has been so far. The dry weather and lack of snow was a huge help to us finishing off the sensi- tive thinning of selected areas of Scot’s pine in improve conditions for blaeberry, and to remove some Norway spruce seeding into the designated Migdale Rock Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), all expertly carried out by Ardgay’s Duncan Wemyss and his team. During the poorer days, it has forced me indoors to pour over a series of drone images taken of Migdale Rock to track down an invasive plant Cotoneaster, which is threatening a very rare plant Twinflower translocated in January. species on the rock. Through these images, we can identify hot- the aim of establishing new patch- on here. If you would be inter- spots and prioritise efforts for a es and, with time, to see these pro- ested in keeping up to date with rope access team to remove Coto- duce seed with patches appearing the goings on in the wood, please neaster and protect the vulnerable elsewhere in years to come. It is an search for ‘Ledmore and Migdale’ native plants that survive there. exciting project to be part of, and in Facebook. If there is anything This drone also took some stun- part of the wider restoration of this in particular you would like to see ning footage of the woods, which beautiful woodland. on this, please do let me know. was compiled into a short video of Following the success of the red After the success of our Taste of the site that can be viewed on You squirrel translocations in parts of the Wild event last year, we plan Tube: https://www.youtube.com/ the Highlands, including nearby to hold another in July, including watch?v=DsjY46WA3xA. Ardgay, Trees for Life have looked a camp out overnight in the wood. at the wider area of South East This family event will be held in twinflower Sutherland to promote the spread July, with dates and promotion Last month saw the first of two of this stunning creature, and in- in local shops and the Facebook translocation projects this year crease the small genetic pool from page. If you wish to find out any coming to fruition. Twinflower, a the existing translocation. In No- more on these topics, or anything rare pinewood plant, has just 15 vember this year, we will become else about the wood, please get in patches through the North High- home to 20 squirrels, with addi- touch using the contact details be- lands. As these are clones distant tional squirrels coming in 2020 to low. < Ross Watson from each other, it is impossible for Loch Fleet and nearby ground. them to produce seed. The North Ross Watson Highland Twinflower Project has new facebook page Nort Scotland collected plant material from five Recently, a Facebook page for Site Manager of these clones and planted them Ledmore and Migdale was set ) 0343 770 5483 together in five separate locations up. When anything interesting ) 07585 995 300 through the pine woodland, with is seen or happening, I will post * [email protected] ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 21

Ardgay & District News

The Kyle of Sutherland Hub Gym has some of the world’s best commercial fitness gear. Check out your community gym There are many reasons to join a gym: get out of the house and socialise, improve your health, loose some weight, get fit... whatever your reason, just go for it!

So Spring is in the air and drop in for a wee peek and ed to a gym induction free and of course we enjoy we are all looking for- meet our friendly team. of charge (and of course the banter too! ward to those long active At the Kyle of Suth- a chance for a good yarn, As the gym begins to Summer days. Sometimes erland Hub Gym we are particularly if you book establish itself we look though the thought of blessed with a variety of with Emma!) and given forward to further de- Summer can send us into Technogym cardiovascu- the opportunity to consid- velopments and services a blind panic, the thought lar, strength and general er membership. available to you, watch of less clothing to hide be- fitness equipment. There There is a wonderful this space. With Emma hind and outdoor activi- is something for everyone social aspect to our facil- having various fitness ties highlighting our fit- regardless of your physi- ity which many weren’t qualifications under her ness or lack of. Yet Spring cal capabilities or previous expecting when joining belt she personally enjoys breaks us in gently and gym experience. Many of a gym. There have been helping members with inspires our renewed mo- our members had never a few friendships formed their goals and if you are tivation and intentions. set foot in the gym envi- and a general sense of now pondering on check- Whether you wish to ronment before ventur- camaraderie between ing out the gym... Ponder supplement your existing ing to The Hub. We un- our regular members. no more and pop by, we fitness routine or embark derstand that it can be a Our staff enjoy seeing look forward to meeting on that new start for your daunting experience! If the commitment and potential gym newbies health and wellbeing, you are a little hesitant at progress in our members and doing our part in up- now is the time to check embarking on your gym wellbeing as they contin- holding our community’s out your local communi- journey, why not pop along ue with their health goals wellbeing. < Jan Burdett ty gym. If you haven’t al- and have a peek. With our ready been impressed by bright airy surroundings Jan Burdett, Co-manager our snazzy Fitness Suite, and tremendous views up Kyle of Sutherland Hub fully equipped with the the Kyle towards Carbis- ) 01863 769 170 world’s best commercial dale you won’t be disap- fitness gear then please pointed. Everyone is treat- www.kyleofsutherland.com Kyle of Sutherland Hub Page 22 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News

Bonar Bridge Primary School’s Eco Action Day On Friday 22nd February, Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust’s Energy Advice Service teamed up with Bonar Bridge Primary School to coordinate an Eco Action Day.

School children, teachers, par- Tony Sergeant, Depute Head added: “We’d really like to thank all ents and local volunteers made Teacher of Dornoch Firth Campus the volunteers and staff who joined the most of the lovely weather commented, “It was so pleasing us on the day – including Ian Pat- and rolled their sleeves up to help to join pupils, parents, staff and erson for his willow weaving skills, clear-up and prepare the school members of our wider communi- and Amanda Morrison for running garden for the growing season. ty coming together in the spirit of the outdoor soup kitchen. We must Throughout the day the pupils sustainability.” thank our partners Lairg Learn- threw themselves into garden- Arabella Kennard from Kyle of ing Centre and their tutors, Emma ing tasks which included weed- Sutherland Development Trust Armstrong, Hugh Moore and Gra- ing, constructing compost bays ham Lonsdale for lending their and seed planting; as well as litter expertise on the day and donating picking and ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ It was great to have time pallets for the compost bays. We are activities. The children took part learning outside. I enjoyed also very grateful to all the people in a circuit of outdoor learning ac- learning about what lives in who donated seeds, compost and tivities such as pond dipping, soil our school grounds.” (P7) manure to get us started…. If an- testing, worm investigations, and It was great to get every- yone would like to donate food or a ‘Bio Blitz’ quadrant study to in- body involved, everyone garden waste directly to the school spect the natural habitat of the helped each other.” (P4) garden’s compost bins please do so. creatures that reside in the school The school has 15 raised beds in garden. They experienced weav- I found out about a plant in total. They are offering the oppor- ing with willow, and also helped our pond. We called it a Lego tunity to ‘Adopt a raised bed’ to any to make a giant pot of delicious plant because it came apart in community member or group who homemade soup using organically sections like Lego.” (P1) want to take on a raised bed and grown vegetables from the newly I enjoyed planting potatoes start growing. Anyone who might launched Dingwall Academy Mar- in the garden.” (P1) be interested is invited to chat to ket to feed the local volunteers. the school about setting this up.”< ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 23

Ardgay & District News Mr Bumble and his ‘Pollination for the Nation’ road trip

Mr Bumble – aka Jim linators. He’ll be distribut- Webster is taking time out ing information cards and from pest management to talking to children about travel the length of the UK how important it is to look to build awareness of the after bumblebees. Kyle of vital role pollinators play Sutherland Development in everyone’s lives - par- Trust has arranged for ticularly the humble bum- Mr Bumble to visit Bonar blebee. He’ll be doing it all Bridge Primary School in his tiny Bumble-mobile. on the 23rd of April. Mr Mr Bumble and his team Bumble is part of Beewise, will leave Land’s End on the BPCA’s special interest 13 April to begin a coun- group on bees. The cam- trywide tour. They’ll be paign will be supported Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust stopping off at a selection by BPCA, Beewise and the The Barn, Drovers Square, Ardgay of garden centres, schools Bumblebee Conservation ) 01863 766 190 www.kyleofsutherlanddevelopmenttrust.org and parks to educate the Trust. < Kirstin Langlois, general public about pol- Marketing Officer KoSDT @KOSutherland Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust

Bonar Bridge SHOP TO RENT Gaelic Playgroup Croileagan a’ Chaolais All Welcome. ARDGAY Free entry 12:30 untiL 2:30 pM (donations every terM tiMe friDay welcome) Library visits, Gaelic Bookbug, Lunch Unit 2 Gaelic related crafts, and messy play. included Dates for your Diary Contact 29th March: st Mac & Cheese for more Vacant 1 April Family Bingo Night info:- Zoe Bonar Bridge Hall - 4-6 pm 07749 134 490 For more details contact: [email protected] Page 24 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Ardgay & District News How to apply for Community Awards

Small projects projects under under £250 £2,000 The Beinn nan Oighrean Windfarm Awards The Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm l Go to Ardgay & District CC website: Community Benefit Fund www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org. l Go to http://ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil. uk where you can find full details and download org.uk to download the guidelines and applica- the application form. tion form. l Send your completed application form to l Send your completed application form to secretary@ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil. [email protected] and to secretary@ org.uk ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk l Next deadlines: 8 April 2019 & 10 June 2019 l Next deadlines: 8 April 2019 & 10 June 2019

between £2,000 between £2,000 and £10,000+ and £25,000+

SSE Achany Community Fund E.ON Rosehall Community Fund

l Visit the fund’s page http://sse.com/communi- l Foundation Scotland administers E.ON Rosehall ties/fundlocations/achany/ for more info and to Community Fund. Visit https://www.foundation- download the application form. Please note that scotland.org.uk/programmes/eon-rosehall.aspx for there are two different forms: £2,000-£10,000 and details. You can apply online or download the ap- £10,000+. plication forms (£2,000-£25,000 and £25,000+). l Complete and return to fiona.morrison@sse. l Alternatively, you can contact Eilidh Gunn by email com or by Royal Mail to: Fiona Morrison, Corporate [email protected] or call 07801 530 Affairs, SSE, 10 Henderson Road, Inverness, IV1 1SN 218 if you require any further information or advice. l Next deadline: 30 April 2019 l Next deadline: 30 April 2019

latest Beinn Tharsuinn fund awards Festive lights (Ardgay)

Letters to the editor

Do you have a strong feeling about something you read? Do you want to share your opinion or point of view? Send your letters to [email protected].

Sutherland Care ables this valued service and the Royal Bank of the Scottish Executive Forum’s Footcare to continue. < Scotland. Mobile Bank of the Lloyds Banking Service receives Isobel Murray vans have been travelling Group is going to meet- award with thanks the rural areas for the ing with me on Tuesday Bank closures and Bank of Scotland and the 26th April 2019 to dis- Sutherland Care Fo- lack of ATMs Royal Bank of Scotland. cuss about my concerns rum are seeing further These mobile Banks only of the Bank and Mobile. growth in the requests I am sure that you will come on once or some- If you too are concerned for their Footcare service be aware that over the times twice a week to the about these closures and and were particularly last two years banks have rural settlement and stay how they are affecting ru- pleased to have recent- been closing their branch- from two to four hours. ral communities to place ly received a generous es in Sutherland and in With all the banking ex- them at a disadvantage, grant for £7,098 from other parts of Scotland, perience I have had with please get in touch. < the E.On Rosehall Com- particularly Bank of Scot- the Bank of Scotland and Michael Baird, Bonar munity Fund which en- land, Clydesdale Bank, its mobile, the Chair of Bridge

Local mini digger

1 hire

Most ground work catered for, ditching, trenching, foundations material handling, rock breaker for stubborn boulders, concrete etc, 3 tonne rubber track machine ideal for sites with restricted access.

Phone Dave 07860675194 Page 26 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

What’s on in the area

until various venues, kyle of sutherland 26 #Digital Kyle To mark Safer Internet Day on the 5 Feb march 2019, Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust launched #DigitalKyle. This involved teaming up with several organisations (including Highlands & Island Enterprise, Business Gateway, SCVO, UHI Stem Hub, dornoch to ullapool Police Scotland, Google, Mhor Collective and Lairg 18 Classic Car Tour Learning Centre) to curate a may series of FREE digital themed Organised by Rotary Club of East Sutherland. events to take place in February Assemble outside Dornoch Castle Hotel, register in the and March at the Kyle of Suth- Carnegie Courthouse and have a cuppa. Inspect other erland Hub in Bonar Bridge. The cars and prepare to leave, the start signalled by the firing events are targeted at different of a canon. Drive to Dingwall and Muir of Ord, then along- groups, with the aim of raising side Loch Glascarnoch. Eat lunch at Ullapool. The route awareness about cyber security home will take you through the UNESCO Geopark. Have risks for both families and busi- afternoon tea at Oykel Bridge and make your way back nesses – but also to help people to Dornoch. To enquire about entries: secretary@east- make the most of being online and sutherlandrotary.org or Paddy Murray 07785 261 110. to encourage people of all ages to enhance their digital skills have fun! For further information see: www.kyleofsuther- until kincardine old church by ardgay landdevelopmenttrust.org/cyber-month 22 Art Exhibition Organised by the Kyle april from eden court, inverness of Sutherland Heritage Society, the art exhibition will be 28 Scottish Ballet: Spring! running from Thursday 18th to Monday 22nd April. Artists are march To kickstart our 50th anniversary year, invited to submit a maximum of Scottish Ballet presents a fresh double four pictures. If interested artists bill fizzing with energy and guaranteed to send would care to contact me by e-mail you home smiling. Resident choreographer Sophie ([email protected]), I will ensure that the full Laplane will premiere her latest work, Dextera, details and entry forms are sent to them in due course. set to the music of Mozart, performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. Sir Kenneth MacMil- lan’s Elite Syncopations is an irresistible carnival until inverness museum & art gallery of colourful characters. This much-loved whirl of 1920s dancehall glitz is set to a series of Scott 4 Beyond Likeness Joplin’s tunes, performed live by an onstage rag- Delivered in collaboration with the National time band. Thurs 28th, Fri 29th & Sat 30th March. may Galleries of Scotland, ‘Victoria Crowe: Beyond 7:30 pm £11-£23 Likeness’ brings together some of the finest works by More info: https://eden-court.co.uk/event/ one of the UK’s most dis- spring-dextera-elite-syncopations tinguished figurative artists, for a captivating and career-spanning exhibition. Image: Victoria Crowe, Large Tree Group, 1975, Oil on board 2015 © Victoria Crowe ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 27

What’s on in the area

ardgay public hall - 6 pm 14 Auction & Grand Raffle june Ardgay Public Hall biennial fundraising event. Come along to view the varie- SPRING CONCERTS ty of donated items at 6 pm, with the auction starting at 7 pm. Donations sutherland sessions: welcome. The Hall will be open for donations on Saturday 8th (3-5 pm), Monday 10th (6-8 pm), Tuesday 11th (2-4 pm), and Wednesday 12th June (6-8 pm). More info: 01863 766 174 or 01863 766 602

doll hall, brora - 7:30pm 21 Calum Alex Macmillan march Calum Alex Macmillan was born and ardross hall, 8 pm brought up in the Isle of Lewis, surrounded by tradi- 22 ‘Tantalus’ and ‘A Pair of tional music and Gaelic song from a young age. He march has gone to become one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic Genes’ by Plan B singers. He is one of the youngest ever winners of the Tantalus’ explores the emotional journey for a man Mod Gold Medal, adding the traditional Gold medal pulled in conflicting directions. ‘A Pair of Genes’ is a and the traditional prize from the Pan Celtic festival to witty and thought-provoking dance theatre duet. One of this.Calum Alex is descended from a long line of dis- the performers exhibits an additional chromosome; and tinguished bards and singers. £10/£8 online at www. with technology ever increasing, the show considers sutherlandsessions.com or on the door. the imperceptible de-population of people with Down’s Syndrome. Tickets on: 01349 880591 or online on: Edderton Hall - 7:30pm https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ardrosscommunityhall. £10 and £8 conc. 6 Andrew Finn Magill april with Seán Gray invershin hall 7 pm International fiddle extraor- 30 Ladies Night and dinaire Andrew Finn Magill march plays in concert with return- Clothes Swish ing guitarist and flautist, Fill a bag full of clothes and get Seán Gray. Raised in an Irish pampered: nails, hand/arm mas- musical household in Ashe- sage, make up & lashes! Cocktails ville, North Carolina Andrew in teacups and truffles (teas too) “Finn the Fiddler” Magill grew £5 entry plus £ for pampering up studying with many of the and a raffle. In partnership with world’s best traditional Amer- Lairg Learning Centre. Having ican and Irish fiddlers at The a wardrobe clearout? Please donate your unwanted Swannanoa Gathering music workshops. £10/£8 - online clothes. Contact Elissa on 01549 421 369 at www.sutherlandsessions.com or on the door Page 28 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

What’s on in the area

strathpeffer pavilion, 1 pm & 3:30 pm 24 Space Race by Funbox march The countdown is on to blast off into the unknown in Funbox’s brand new show for 2019, The Space Race. Packed with classics like ‘Ap- ples and Bananas’ and ardross hall, 7:30 pm ‘Aiken Drum’, Funbox 5 Heroes - All or Nothing favourites and brand april new songs, The Space Heroes is a new show from All or Nothing Race is out of this world and Room 2 Manoeuvre. Light hearted with something singalong fun for all the for all the family, Heroes mixes aerial skills with dance family. Come dressed theatre and contemporary circus. Asking profound for adventure – come as universal questions with humour, straight talking and an alien, a space prin- lots of moving, we follow the journey of the 2 perform- cess or an astronaut – and remember in space every- ers as they navigate their way through the world of one can hear you sing! Adult £12 - Child £7 - babies idolising and being idolised. Advised age 7+ Tickets in arms £2. Tickets on http://www.wegottickets.com/ on: 01349 880591 or https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ event/460912 or by phone: 01997 420 124 ardrosscommunityhall. £10 and £8 conc.

various venues, 8:30 pm 20 Earth Hour march Every year millions of people, businesses and landmarks set aside an hour to host events, switch off their lights and make noise for the Earth Hour movement. This year, Earth Hour takes place bonar bridge community hall 4-6 pm on the 20th March at 8:30pm. The Energy Advice 29 Mac & Cheese & Service will be celebrating Earth Hour - so keep an march eye on their social media to get updates. Family Bingo Night Come along to play bingo and have a delicious dinner of Macaroni cheese and garlic bread, followed by a raffle. £ 6 adults / £ 3 children / £ 12 families. This is a fundraising event in aid of Bonar Bridge Gaelic Playgroup.

invershin hall, 4-6 pm 5 Roller Disco april Any wheels ardgay public hall, 4-6 pm allowed: Roller boots, 3 Kyle of Sutherland in-line skates, heelies, april skateboards and scoot- Development Trust AGM ers!! All ages welcome The Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust AGM will Suggested donation be held on Wednesday 3rd April from 4-6pm at Ard- £3. Includes hot dog, a gay Hall. All welcome. drink and a fruit. ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 29

Gearrchoille Community Wood

(Left) Our volunteers working on the boardwalk. (Top centre & right) A frog and the first frog spawn of the season. (Bottom centre) Fungus growing on a tree. (Bottom right) Hazel catkins. frogs and frog spawn have appeared in the pond after a warm spell in mid february A very early Spring in your community wood

My initial thoughts for writing timing of migration, breeding, shoots, called ramets or suckers, about the Gearrchoille wood in pest avoidance, and food avail- growing from the root systems February were about how exciting ability. Growth and survival are of mature trees which can extend it is to look for the first wee shoots reduced when migrants arrive up to 50 metres from their source which bring hope that spring will at a location before or after food trunk, which means that all the soon be here. But then the wind sources are present. trees in a group are all one organ- changed and suddenly spring was Work on the boardwalk contin- ism. Aspen trees are either male everywhere – bees flying collect- ues – the weather on our work- or female and flower erratically – ing pollen from snowdrops and days has not been very favourable both producing catkins in March winter aconite and toads all over and we have continued with birch or April as the leaves are emerg- the road in the evening. 16C in thinning. A grant from the Beinn ing. The Trees for Life project mid-February! While it’s always a nan Oighrean fund has allowed keep records of when this hap- good to feel the sun on your back, us to print our two leaflets giving pens – so do let us know if you see seeing the seasons being disrupt- info about trees and moths in the any aspens flowering locally. (You ed is not good. Ecosystems are Gearrchoille. Copies are available might need your binoculars!) complicated and interdependent in the shelter in the wood. < Betty Wright and have evolved over hundreds The tallest trees in the Gearr- of years. Dramatic sudden change choille are aspen. Aspen is a fairly gearrchoillecommunitywoodardgay.org.uk can mean that different species rare native tree which provides an *[email protected] can grow out of harmony with important habitat for a variety of )01863755316 each other – These asynchronies lichens, mosses and invertebrates. Gearrchoille Community Wood can include mismatches in the Aspen reproduces mainly by new Page 30 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Adult Clubs & Societies

Pilates Kyle of Sutherland Bonar Bridge Hall, Mondays Cinema Club 10-11 am. Contact: Moira Chisholm Bonar Bridge Hall, 7:30 pm. ) 01862 810 786 Film nights every 2nd and Ardgay Badminton Kyle of Sutherland 4th Friday of the month. Club Kyle of Sutherland Growing Group Free admission / £2 Refresh- Joggers ments. Contact: Silvia At Ardgay Public Hall. Meetings last Monday of the Facebook: Kyle of Sutherland ADULTS: Monday evenings, Facebook page: Kyle of month at Invershin Hall from Cinema Club 8 - 10 pm £2 per night. Sutherland Joggers 7-9 pm. all aspects of grow- ) 01863 766 690 Until Monday 25th March Contact: ing fruit, vegetables and Thursday evenings Elissa ) 07743 228 661 flowers, including garden- Kyle of Sutherland 8 - 10 pm. £2 per night. Naomi ) ing for wildlife. 07818 482 341 Whist Club Until Thursday 28th March. Catriona ) 07929 886 105 25TH MARCH: Propagation From Thursday 4th April, from seed and cuttings. Bonar Bridge Hall. these sessions will continue Sutherland Looking at different Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, with support from KAT. Walkers Club methods. Admission £2 including tea. Contact Gregor Laing 29TH APRIL: Dahlias, Drives: ) 01863 766 223 We meet the 4th Sunday of Chrysanthemums and 20 MARCH Culrain Hall JUNIORS: (P4 upwards): the month, all year round. Gladioli for your garden 17 MARCH KoS Gala Week. Thursday evenings at Ard- 24th march Ben Bhraggie; and containers. 3 APRIL KoS Cinema Club. gay Hall, 7 - 8 pm. £1, until Big Burn and Dunrobin. 27TH MAY: Alpines & 10 april Bonar Bridge Thursday 28th March. 8 miles, circular, tracks and Hypertufa containers. Indoor Bowling Club. Contact Patricia Hannah paths, woodland and open Contact: Jean 17 april CDL Syndrome ) 01863 766 061 ground, views to and from ) 01863 760 190 Foundation. Racquets may be borrowed, hills, the sea and Dunrobin 24 APRIL HOST. and players of all abilities are Castle. Leader: Caroline Edderton & District 1 MAY KoS Joggers. welcome. Alternative ses- Dallman. Enquiries: Fiona Gardening Club 8 MAY Kyle of Sutherland sions by KAT, Wednesdays Macdonald : 01862 810275. Whist Club 10 am - 12 pm. Optional shorter walk First Monday of each month. ) 01863 766 702 omitting Ben Bhraggie. Edderton Community Centre, Tai Chi Leader: Annette Parrott: 7:30 pm. We took a break Ardgay & Culrain 01549 402095. Contact the from serious gardening in Ardgay Public Hall. SWI Walk Leader the day before January, opting instead for Monday 2:30 pm £2 the walk to confirm that it is a very enjoyable lunch. The Contact: Angela All ages welcome. SWI taking place. February meeting took the ) 01549 421 336 meetings on the 3rd Tuesday Contact: David Hannah form of a gardening quiz, won each month. Ardgay Public ) 01863 766 061 this year by Chris Wood and Ardgay Scottish Hall 7:30 pm. Facebook: Sutherland Phil Gurr. Our April and May Country Dancing Contact: Mrs Gillian Glennie Walkers Group meetings may take the form ) 01863 766 674 of visits, details still to be Club Kyle of Sutherland confirmed. Contact: Patricia Tuesdays at 7:30 pm ) in Ardgay Public Hall. Creich & Kincardine Heritage Society 01863 766 061 Art Group £2 per session. The season With Bonar Bridge History Bonar Bridge ends on Tuesday 30th April Meets in Bonar Bridge Hall Group. Tuesdays 7:30 pm at Ardgay Golf Club and Next Season starts on tearoom on Wednesdays the Heritage Centre, Ardgay. Tuesday 1st October. from 10 am to 3 pm. All wel- Contact: Valerie Market Stance, Migdale Contact: David Hannah come. Contact: Doreen Bruce Mackenzie-Harris Road, Bonar Bridge. ) 01863 766 061 ) 01863 766 852 ) 01863 766 700 ) 01863 766 199 [email protected] ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 31

Wildlife

Curlew Numenius arquata

n There is no call more evocative Improvements such as drainage, sedge. If the vegetation becomes too than that of the Curlew in our remote cutting silage early and topping dense then it is not suitable to breed. Sutherland straths. The Eurasian (cutting) of all rushes. Curlew need Studies show that under-grazing Curlew is the largest of Europe’s damp soil for chicks to probe edges poses more harm than over-grazing. wading birds, instantly recognisable of shallow pools and cover such as n Fortunately the shooting of Cur- by its long, downturned bill, brown grass and rushes to nest and hide in lew has been banned in the UK since upperparts, long legs and in flight its from predators. -Loss of upland the Wildlife and Countryside Act of white rump. n From March to July grazing livestock. Upland nest- 1981, but shooting still continues in you might see them on heathery ing Curlew need a mix of moor mat- France. Should this concern you then moorland and grassy croft land, grass, rush, deer-grass, heather and contacting RSPB, SNH or a Member defending their territories and feed- of Parliament should help. n With the ing on earthworms, leather jackets government target of 10,000 hec- and beetles. n From July onwards tares of new forest per year, the fear they can be found in our estuaries is that more upland wader-rich where numbers are boosted enor- land is lost. Environmental schemes mously by wintering birds from Scan- do exist for farmers, crofters and dinavia, Iceland, Finland and Russia. estates, but offer less support than Here food mainly comprises shell- forestry, so with the lack of market fish, shrimp and lug-worm. n Once value for livestock and uncertain common throughout the UK this times ahead with Brexit, it is under- species is almost extinct elsewhere, standable that more are looking to with it now being classed as the forestry to safeguard their future. highest conservation priority There are eight species in So next time you hear or see a Cur- bird species in the UK. n We have the Curlew family and two of lew, stand still and just soak it up. We the last stronghold up here in the them (Eskimo Curlew and Slen- might be the last generation to enjoy Scottish Highlands. The main reasons der-billed Curlew) are suspected them. n Thanks to reports of those for the sharp decline in the rest of to have become extinct from witnessing the decline and through the UK is thought to be: -Forestry. healthy numbers in a matter research of bird population we can Due to loss of breeding sites under of 20 years or so. Three of the piece together why and hopefully forestry plantations, its drainage and species present in the UK, the come up with a plan to prevent the “edge effect” which is crows and Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed God- the extinction or slow its pro- foxes using forestry to predate sur- wit and Black-tailed Godwit, are gress at least. n Further info: https:// viving wader eggs and chicks. -Low- globally Near Threatened. wadertales.wordpress.com https:// land agricultural changes. www.rspb.org.uk n George Ross Page 32 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Churches

The important things that don’t change

n Thursday 21st February a record set 122 years ago Owas broken. The temperature in Aboyne hit 18.3 C - breaking the record for the highest February temperature recorded in Scotland (17.9 in Aberdeen in 1897). Even Sutherland (Kinbrace) hit 17.3, and the Dornoch Firth was not too far behind, reaching 16.1 at Tain Range. What a difference a year makes. Last winter was cold and we got plenty of snow. This winter, by com- parison, has been remarkably mild. Of course, the winter isn’t over yet, and the really snowy weather last bit more travelling, but it also means year was at the beginning of March. bonar bridge & lairg the Bonar folk see more of the Lairg But it feels like spring is arriving. free church folk, and vice versa. And when the And that is something I look l Website: morning service is in Lairg, there is forward to. I prefer it when the www.bonarandlairg.org a lunch in the church hall afterwards weather is warm, and the days are l Elder: John Mann - so it all adds up to getting to know long, and the roads aren’t icy. I 01863 766472 one another better. don’t know what the weather this We continue to have our weekly year will be like, but I am confident getting there just as summer was ar- meetings for prayer on Wednesday that the days will get longer, and riving. (Good timing!) evening, but instead of having an the weather will get warmer over And so, like a few other church- address (sermon) at the meeting, we the next few months. Every year is es in the area, we are looking for a gather around a big table and discuss different - some very different. But new minister. We have a variety of a passage from the Bible together. some things don’t change. Spring preachers at our services. And In- So, while the way we do things comes after winter, and then gives stead of having services in both Bo- does change a bit, the important way to summer. nar and Lairg every Sunday morn- things don’t change. We still get en- Life in churches is a bit like weath- ing, we alternate between them and couraged and challenged by what er. In Bonar Bridge and Lairg Free have a united service in one in the God has to say to us in the Bible, and Church, we’ve seen a few changes in morning, and then an evening ser- we still get encouraged (and chal- recent months. Our minister left in vice in the other - except for the last lenged) by our conversations with early November and thus managed Sunday of the month, when we go to each other as we meet together. < to miss winter this year, since he Rosehall in the evening. (Full details John Mann, Elder of Bonar Bridge & moved to a new charge in Australia, at bonarandlairg.org) That means a Lairg Free Church

kyle of Sutherland Churches EAST SUTHERLAND & TAIN (church of Scotland) SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCh

l Website: www.kyleofsutherlandchurches.org l Website: www.episcopaldornochtain.org l Interim Moderator: Rev John Sterrett l Priest in Charge: Rev James Currall 01408 633 295 01862 881737 l KCE: Rev Mary Stobo 01863 766868 l Assistant Priest: Rev Simon Scott ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 33

Guide to local services

Village Halls & Mobile Library Bonar Bridge Train times Venues for hire Recycling Centre GLEDFIELD, CULRAIN From 09/12/2018 to 18/05/2019 carbisdale Ardgay Public Hall ¨ Monday: 1 pm - 4:30 pm inverness è ardgay Fiona Venters / 01863 766 602 Thursday: 4 April 2019 tuesday: 1 pm - 4:30 pm Monday to Saturday: [email protected] 25 April 2019 / 16 May 2019 wednesday: Closed 07:00 (08:33) Catering serv. available 6 June 2019 The Hub thursday: 8 am - 12 pm 10:41 (12:05) Catering serv. available Gledfield School 9:30 10:40 8 am - 12 pm Jan Burdett / 01863 769 170 friday: 14:00 (15:29) Catering serv. available Gruinards 10:55 11:10 saturday: 9 am - 1 pm [email protected] 17:12 (18:39) The Craigs 11:30 11:50 sunday: Closed Kincardine Heritage Centre Corvost 11:55 12:10 18:31 (20:01) Catering serv. available Braelangwell 13:15 13:30 Valerie Mackenzie-Harris / Sunday: Cornhill 13:40 13:55 01863 766 700 Culrain 14:10 14:45 17:56 (19:23) Catering serv. available Ardgay Church Hall Mr & Mrs Charge 14:55 15:10 Post Office Ardgay ardgay è inverness Mary Stobo / 01863 766 868 Wester Badarach 15:20 15:40 Ardgay Public Hall Monday to Saturday: Housebound service 16:00 16.30 tuesday: 14:30 - 17:00 Croick Church 06:14 (07:43) thursday: 13:00 - 16:00 [email protected] edderton - ardgay 06:43 (08:12)

Bonar Bridge Community Hall Wednesday: 3 April 2019 Post Office 09:07 (10:35) Catering serv. available Sally Thompson / 01863 766 883 24 April 2019 / 15 May 2019 Bonar Bridge 10:54 (12:26) Catering serv. available Bradbury Centre 5 June 2019 monday: Closed 15:30 (17:02) Catering serv. available Lorraine Askew / 01863 766 772 Ardvannie 13:00 13:25 tues: 8:30-13:30 / 14:00-17:30 Oakwood 13:40 14:00 18:52 (20:13) Catering serv. available Invershin Hall wed: 8:30-13:30 / 14:00-17:30 Ardgay Hall 14:10 15:10 19:28 (20:57) Elissa Steven / 01549 421 369 thur:8:30-13:30 / 14:00-17:30 Housebound 15:15 15:35 fri: 8:30-13:30 / 14:00-17:30 Sunday: Rosehall Hall Arabella 16.30 16:50 8:30-13:30 / 14:00-17:30 SAT 14:49 (16:16) Catering serv. available Ann Malone / 01549 441 345

Photocopying Prices May 2017 Ladybird Club

Black and White Playgroup A4 single sided 15p A4 double sided 20p 0-5 years A3 single sided 20p A3 double sided 25p ARDGAY PUBLIC HALL Colour Copies A4 single sided 25p A4 double sided 35p Every term Tuesday A3 single sided 35p A3 double sided 45p 12:15 to 2:15 pm

Laminating A4 60p A3 £1

Price on request for bulk copying.

Snack, toys, tea & coffee, friendship & fun! Birth to 6 months £1 l 6 months+ £2 l Second child £1.50

www.facebook.com/kyleofsutherland.Development Trust. Telephone: 01863766190 Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust is a company Limited by Guarantee Registered in Scotland: SC401019 and a registered Scottish charity: SCO43587. Registered office: The Trust Offices, Dornoch Road, Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, IV24 3EB LADYBIRD CLUB - Scottish Charity No: SC022751 Page 34 = SPRING 2019 ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Guide to local services

B L Stagecoach Bradbury Centre Bus Bradbury Centre LIBRARIES 01863 766 772 Bonar Bridge Libray 67 - mon to sat 920 - tuesday BUSES 01863 760 083 TAIN èLAIRG Bonar Bridge to Dornoch via Spinningdale Bradbury Centre Bus Mobile Libraries Tain Lamington St Tain Lamington St 1 2 2 01863 766 772 01349 852 698 06:45 07:00 08:32 11:48 Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge 08:00 10:11 09:27 14:42* Cherry Grove Cherry Grove Stagecoach Highlands N 13:11* 15:45 17:271 17:42 09:40 10:20 3 3 13:30 14:20 01463 233 371 NHS 16:30 18:45è 17:57 20:12 Edderton Edderton è Spinningdale Spinningdale C Doctors Creich Surgery Layby at Post Box Layby at Post Box 06:551 07:102 08:222 11:38 CAB Golspie 01863 766 379 09:48 è 10:12 08:10 10:20 09:17 14:32* 13:38 14:11 01408 633 000 Nurses Creich Surgery 13:20* 15:55 17:171 17:32 3 3 Clashmore Clashmore

CHURCHES 01863 766 237 16:40 18:55è 17:47 20:02 Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall è

Ardgay Hall Ardgay Hall è 09:54 10:06 Church of Scotland Migdale Hospital 13:44 14:05 01863 766 868 01863 766 211 07:071 07:222 08:102 11:26 08:22 10:33 09:05 14:20* Dornoch Sq Dornoch Sq Scottish Episcopal Church P 13:32* 16:07 17:051 17:20 10:00 10:05 13:50 14:00 01862 881 737 PHARMACY 16:523 19:07 17:353 19:50 D Mitchells Chemist Bonar Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge 920 - wednesday 07:101 07:252 08:072 11:23 Bonar Bridge circular to Dornoch DVLA Inverness 01863 760 011 08:25 10:36 09:02 14:17* via Spinningdale, Tain & Edderton 0300 790 6801 POLICE 13:36* 16:10 17:021 17:17 3 3 Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge E Non Emergency: 101 16:55 19:10è 17:32 19:47 Cherry Grove Cherry Grove ELECTRICITY Emergency: 999 Invershin Invershin è 09:30 14:40 POST OFFICE 07:151 07:302 08:022 11:18 Spinningdale Spinningdale Power Cuts 08:30 10:41 08:57 14:12* Layby at Post Box Layby at Post Box 105 Post Office Bonar Bridge 13:41* 16:15 16:571 17:12 09:38 14:31 01863 766 219 17:003 19:15 17:273 19:42 Clashmore è Clashmore SSE Customer Help Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall 0345 026 2658 PRIMARY SCHOOLS Lairg Post Office Lairg Post Office 09:54 14:19 Gledfield 07:271 07:422 07:502 11:00 F Tain Tain è 01863 766 580 08:42 10:55 08:45 14:00* Bus stop at Co-Op Bus stop at Co-Op Fire Brigade Dornoch 13:57* 16:29 16:451 17:00 10:02 14:08 Bonar Bridge 3 3 01862 810 297 17:12 19:29 17:15 19:30 Tain Tain 01863 766 221 1 2 Lamington Street Lamington Street Fisheries Trust (KoS) 00:00 Mon-Fri when Academy is open. 00:00 Mon-Fri when Academy is Closed. 00:00 Mon-Sat 10:04 14:06 Rosehall 3 01863 766 702 00:00 Mon-Fri 00:00*Does not operate on Fri- Edderton Edderton 01549 441 348 days when Academy is open. Saturday only. Forestry Commission 00:00 10:17 13:53 Edderton 01309 674 004 Ardgay Ardgay 01862 821260 10:39 13:33 G Stagecoach R Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge-Ardgay Golf 167 - MON TO FRI Cherry Grove Cherry Grove Recycling Centre Bonar 10:42 13:30 Club lairg èdornoch 01349 868 439 Operates every Tuesday and 01863 766 199 Lairg Lairg Football Ground Football Ground Wednesday apart from Christmas

S è H and New Year weeks. Scottish Water 24Hr 07:31 16:42 Highland Council Invershin Invershin The minibus has a wheelchair lift

Emergency è Customer service o/s Hotel opp Hotel which will be available as part of 0845 600 8855 07:39 16:34 the service. 01349 886606 Customer Help Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge Bookings: 01863 766 772 Drummuie Golspie Post Office Post Office 0845 601 8855 01408 635 370 07:46 16:29 è T Ardgay Ardgay Service Point Dornoch opp Ardgay Hall o/s Ardgay Hall Ronnie’s Taxis Ardgay è Mobile Banking 01862 810 594 07:49 16:26 01863 766 422 Tain Registration Office Ardgay Ardgay Royal Bank of 01349 886 644 trains o/s Ardgay Hall opp Ardgay Hall 07:59 16:16 è Scotland High schools National Rail Enquiries Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge Tuesday

0845 748 4950 è Tain Royal Academy o/s Police Station o/s Police Station Bonar Bridge War Memorial 08:02 16:13 01862 892 121 V Arrive 12:05 Depart 12:20 Spinningdale Spinningdale Dornoch Academy VETS o/s Post Office opp Post Office 01862 810 246 Rogart Vets 08:10 16:05 è Bank of The Hub 01408 641 352 Clashmore Clashmore Scotland Telephone Kiosk Telephone Kiosk 01863 769 170 Easter Ross Vets Tain è Tuesday 01862 893 142 08:19 15:56 K Dornoch Dornoch Bonar Bridge War Memorial KoS Development Trust Johnston & Farrell Tain Cathedral Square Cathedral Square Arrive 10:00 Depart 12:00 01863 766 190 01862 894 223 08:27 15:40 ardgay & district community Council newsletter SPRING 2019 = Page 35

Puzzles Sudoku Easy Medium Hard

A number may not appear twice in the same row or in the same column or in any of the nine 3x3 subregions.

Crossword Across 5. The art of knotting string in patterns to make decorative articles. 6. To obtain (money) illicitly. 9. Fortification on the top of Ardgay Hill, possibly unfinished. 10. A claw, especially one belonging to a bird of prey. Down 1. Walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous substance. 2. The movement of something / eclipse crosswords.com A&DCCN from one place to another. 3. The point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer. 4. A rank of non-commissioned officer in the army or air force, above corporal. 7. (In Scotland) An official who keeps order in a law court. 8. A narrow raised band on a surface.

Solutions can be found at: www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk D D D D D D D D D D D D D D 01863 766 231 D Anna Patfield D Dog Behaviourist & Trainer D D D Pawsability D D www.PawsAbility.co.uk ® D MOTs on cars and bikes, welding, tyres, D D servicing, diagnostics and much more...

Dog Behaviour Help D D Dog Training Main dealer warranted servicing D Puppy Training & Early Learning D Hours of business: Monday to Thursday 8:30 - 5:30

D Prevent puppy problems arising with puppy early D friday 8:30 - 4:30 saturdays by appointment only learning and puppy socialisation & training. Contact us on Facebook: Ardgay Garage D Sort out lead pulling and jumping with your dog. D Or resolve more complex behaviour problems from D aggression to separation issues or barking. D

D Group Workshops D Group workshops on various topics – Reactivity, D Nutrition, Puppies, Aggression etc. Details at D www.pawsability.co.uk/workshop D D

D For more information please see D www.PawsAbility.co.uk D or call 07906 173993 / 01863 760004 D

D D PLUSFree On-Line Help & Advice pages. D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

ardgay & district community Council newsletter

Editor: Silvia Muras Sanmartin ardgay & district community council: Betty Wright (Chairperson), Silvia Muras (Vice Chair), Design & Layout: Silvia Muras Graphic Design Marion Turner (Treasurer / Secretary), Rob Pope, Andy [email protected] Wright, Dr Buster Crabb, Leslie Pope. Contributors to this issue: Michael Baird, Donald councillors: Linda Munro, Hugh Morrison, Kirsteen Brown, Jan Burdett, Rhonwen Copley, David Hannah, Currie (More details on page 8) Patricia Hannah, Anne Henderson, Rene Knott, Gregor Laing, Kirstin Langlois, Juliette Lowe, John Mann, Next Edition: 15th JUNe Isobel Murray, Fiona Porter, Sean Robertson, George COPY DATE: THIRD WEEK OF may Ross, Tracey Smith, Mary Stobo, Martin Thomsen, Ross Watson, Betty Wright. www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk Distribution: Rhonwen Copley, Brigitte Geddes, Advertising, letters & contributions: David Hannah, Jockie Hewitt, David Knight, Teresa 01863 766 690 Langley, David Mackay, Silvia Muras, Davy Ross, Bob [email protected] Sendall, Jeannie Sparling, Anna Sutherland, Marion Turner, Vicky Whittock, Iain Worthy, Betty Wright. Facebook: Ardgay & District Community Council

Published with support from the E.ON Rosehall Community Fund and The Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited.