www.hasteltd.co.uk THE WEE GOIL

Loch Goil Community Newspaper

£1 May 2012 Issue no. 13 £1 Sport Relief 2012

In our second year holding this event at , (with the closest other mile event being the flagship mile in Glasgow) we had some fifty entrants take on the challenge of running or walking 1, 3 or 6 miles. We had fantastic sunshine and some real personal achievements on the day, with our village legend John Egan (winner of the Steeple run 2011) coming home in first place closely followed by Jim Cairney who has recently started a new way of life with nutrition and exercise bringing a new sense of health and well being and his first medal award. Michelle Nobes completed her first event and 3 mile run and finished with a big smile and a medal worn with pride for the rest of the day. Continued on page 3 1 LETTER FROM THE EDITORS DATES for your DIARY Dear Readers, MAY We hope you like the revised front page to Saturday 5th bring you a bigger photograph. (And that Watersports Club Muster you will not miss the list of contents! - but also let us know if you do!) There are also Peace and Global Philosophy Study changes afoot in two of our local clubs, the Seminar Burns Club and the Women’s Rural, read all Castle of the Muses about them in this issue. 1.00 - 5.00 pm A very big thank you to Roger Brook for his Sunday 6th four part series on the River Goil, the final Carrick Castle Daffodil Tea instalment is on page 11. To mark the end of 1.00 – 3.00 pm the series, there is a fantastic opportunity for Monday 7th budding young anglers to win a half day of Early May Bank Holiday fishing instruction from the author himself, so turn to page 12 to find out how to enter. Saturday 12th As always we thank you for your support in Lochgoilhead Primary School sending in your club news and reports. Gardening Morning Please let us know if you have any ideas for 10.30 am future articles! Sunday 13th - 20th Chistian Aid Week Lindy Thomson & Duncan Findlay Monday 28th Community Council Meeting Village Hall Highland Drive 7.30 pm

A very warm welcome to the new residents JUNE in Highland Drive. Some of you are Saturday 2nd ‘Goilies’ whilst others are new to the area. Watersports club trip to It is hoped that you are all settling into Rothesay /Holy Loch your new homes and will enjoy getting to also know everyone in the community. In the Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop near future The 10th Anniversary events in Wee Goil is hoping (see article in this issue) to come around and also introduce ourselves, Charity Bash for the Mongoilians give you some Lochgoilhead Car Park information which we hope will be of Sunday 3rd help to you. If you Diamond Jubilee Barbecue want to know what (bring your own food and drink!) a ‘Goilie’ is, just On the Green at Carrick Castle ask! 2-6 pm Jimmy Sim 2 Continued from front page Some of our team members at Drimsynie enjoyed the day, with Lucy Millns achieving great health and lifestyle changes. Lucy has a life story to tell which would motivate and inspire us all. The day was made by young and old of all abilities being part of an event that brings tremendous personal achievement as well as helping 9Th & 23RD people less fortunate than ourselves all over the world. Starts 9pm IN THE BAR A big thank you to Holidays and the £2 PER PERSON AND WINNER marshals on the day for making this event TAKES ALL possible and with over £400 raised makes it NO MORE THAN 6 IN A TEAM ! all worthwhile. *** Thank you all for those that entered and hopefully see you in 2014 for the next Sport Relief mile. Well done everyone, without you it does not happen. 12TH & 26TH Submitted by Craig Nobes FROM 9pm *** Derek Prescott Photographic

From 9.30pm and SP Framing FRI 4TH - MIKE MICHAELS FRI 18TH - STEVIE DURRAND Creaganiver, FRI 25TH - STEVE COWAN Inverlounin Road, *** Lochgoilhead

LOOK OUT FOR We have for sale INFORMATION ABOUT THE “Loch Goil Past and Present” BIG CHARITY BASH ON THE DVDs at £8.00 Great presents for family and 2ND JUNE friends IN AID OF THE Contact Derek or Sue Prescott MONGOILIANS TRIP Tel: 01301 703 222 ***

3 Lochgoilhead Burns Club The Rural

A New Era The Lochgoilhead Women’s Rural held their AGM on 11th April. It was decided at The AGM of the Burns Club was held in this meeting that for various reasons, we the Village Hall library on Sunday 1st would opt out of being a Women’s Rural. April. The well attended meeting heard It was agreed that we would still like to president Jimmy Sim regret the death of have a ladies night and as a result, we will member Jack Lavender but was able to now be known as the LOCHGOIL welcome new members, Steve Bailey, Alan LADIES GROUP. We will be having our Howden, Bob Gilchrist and Matt first meeting in September, so will keep Montgomery. In every club there are you all informed nearer the time. resignations and as a result of failing health Cecilia Ferguson we say good-bye to Jack Conn and Margaret Brodie. Also, due to moving Events in Carrick away Jim MacFarlane and Jim Paterson. We wish them all well. Carrick Castle Amenities Association will It has been perceived in some quarters that be holding their annual Daffodil Tea on the the Lochgoilhead Burns Club has been Green at Carrick Castle on the 6th May. elitist and does not welcome all to the ranks. Perhaps this idea has come about because also for catering in the village hall, the number of members had to be restricted to 40. It We will be holding a Jubilee BBQ (bring was never intended, certainly in the past 10 you own food and drink) on the Green on years, that the supper should be anything Sunday 3rd June. The charcoal will be hot other than a village community event. and ready to use, 2-6 p.m. We are In order that there is no doubt of eligibility circulating this to Lochgoil & Carrick Boat the AGM decided to waive the 40 member Clubs as well as the usual posters. We rule and open the club to everybody who hope boat owners will enjoy the sail to wishes to join. There is a proviso however Carrick and we will be erecting a couple of that all subscriptions must be paid by the large gazebos to provide shelter from the AGM or membership will default. sun! Additionally we have a new secretary in Terry McConville who is keen to see younger people take part in our celebrations. Robert Burns is our national Don’t Forget! bard and when we gather to celebrate his life we are honouring a great Scotsman and Daffodil Tea by joining together giving an example of the friendship and conviviality that formed Sunday 6th May so much of his writing. For membership please ask any member, in On the Green at Carrick Castle particularly Jimmy Sim, Terry McConville 1pm - 3pm Davie Moffat, George Gordon or Ewan tea/coffee - raffle - bookstall - cake Hardy. and candy floss

4 Come to The Goil and try our fantastic NEW MENUS!

If you haven’t eaten with us for a while, then come and taste our new dishes! We’re sure you’ll love them as much as we do!

LUNCH

The Goil Inn offers a great lunch menu of the finest home-made Scottish produce. Eat al fresco as the summer arrives with stunning uninterrupted views directly up the Loch.. great combined with a few drinks for a lazy Sunday afternoon! Food served: 12pm – 2.15pm.

DINNER

we also serve up a great choice of traditional homemade pub grub, always producing a large selection of specials made with the freshest local ingredients. There is no shortage of variety here.. Keep a look out for theme nights and delicious ‘Tapas’ style dishes coming soon!

Pop in to see our menus, or check them out online at www.argyllholidays.com

Call ahead to reserve a table on 01301 703 208

5 Haste Along! For those who wish to contribute this way the website is The Mongoilians are getting their fund www.justgiving.com/mongoilians. raising caps on and are proposing with the All raffle donations for the event are assistance of The Loch Goil Hotel to hold a welcome and prizes can be handed in to fun charity day on Saturday 2nd June. The Goil. Wheelbarrow Race The day will start at the village car park, SATURDAY 2nd JUNE 2012 which will be cordoned off to allow for a A date for your diary! BBQ and a chance to take part in your own wheelbarrow race from Goodwood to Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop, founded Mongolia, by means of a specially drawn in November 2002, invites you to join us in race track around the car park. Anybody celebrating our 10th Anniversary. Junior who likes a ‘flutter‘ will be able to join a and Adult Traditional Fiddle Workshops sweepstake where two intrepid would- be will take place in Strachur Memorial Hall / mechanics, or should I say Pit Stop Strachur Primary School on Saturday 2nd specialists, namely Kirsty Perkins and our June 2012. Tutors include Amy Geddes, own Karen from the Goil, will attempt to performer, composer and first LFW tutor; change a wheel on the HASTE rally van in Mike Vass of the Paul McKenna Band and record time. present tutor of LFW; Fiona Dalgetty, Rally Van Chief Executive of Feis Rois and former The Rally van will be on display and the LFW tutor; and Rona Wilkie, Young crew will be selling off sponsored squares Traditional Musician of the Year 2012. which will enable you to create your own The Adult workshop suits all levels, apart message or logo and have the results from very beginners. Depending on demand, exposed to the international audience there may also be a mixed instrument class. whom will gather along the way to Ulan The Junior workshop is an afternoon Bator. session. It is suitable for children with at As if all this excitement were not enough, it least one year’s fiddle playing experience. will be followed in the evening by an 80’s Admission fee to workshop includes BBQ disco in the Goil Hotel where all in fancy and country walks. dress will be very welcome although this is To celebrate our anniversary there will also not mandatory. be an evening Recital and Family Ceilidh in Boy Band Strachur Memorial Hall. Open to the public, Your correspondent has had an inside tip all welcome. that at 9.30pm there will be a once in a To guarantee your place in the workshops, lifetime chance to see a retro special ‘Boy book by Wednesday 2nd May 2012. Band’ who will be making an appearance For more information please contact for their one and only gig ever. This alone Evie Campbell, Secretary, is something to be able to tell your children, 01369 860499 your grandchildren and as yet unborn [email protected] families. There will be a full report in a later addition of The Wee Goil but better 50-50 Draw still, come along see for yourself and The APRIL draw will be made at the support the ‘Team’. Community Council meeting on 30th April, People have been asking if they can donate too late for publication in this issue. Look online and the answer is a resounding yes! out for the results in the June issue. 6 Lochgoilhead Bowling Green Secretary – Mr David Long Opens for 2012 Treasurer – Mrs Cecilia Ferguson On Saturday, 21st April, Lochgoilhead Committee – Mr Bob Fletcher, Ms Ann bowling green was opened for the 2012 Taylor, Mr Jack McFeeters, Mr Martin season. McLean and Mr Andy Hammon. Taking over as president of Lochgoilhead Bowling Club, Robert Ferguson promised a busy year with four Open Competitions as well as the usual Club Competitions. However Robert stressed that the club needed its members to play in these competitions, especially the Opens and asked for the help of members in keeping these matches going. The Tuesday afternoon Ladies Day is being revived but not just for the ladies, anyone can come along at 2pm and join in. After the game there will be a chance for a bit of chat in the clubhouse and there will be tea and The president’s wife, Cecilia then threw the coffee available. This social gathering in first bowl of the 2012 season and the green the clubhouse on Tuesday afternoons is was opened for play. An eight end open to anyone, whether bowler or not, wappenshaw was followed by a convivial village resident or holiday maker. If you evening’s entertainment. have enjoyed the refreshment, just make a The Wee Goil wishes our bowling club small donation to help club funds and every success and looks forward to reports enjoy the chat and sport. The timing of this as the season progresses. has been arranged to allow the newly formed walking group to finish their walk Lochgoil Horticultural Society

Many readers will recall the annual flower shows that the horticultural society organised for many years. Sadly this village event ceased to be, owing to a lack of gardening interest. Allan Harper who was secretary of the society has asked The Wee Goil to request that all prize cups and trophies are returned to him so that they can be stored for the future. It may be possible for these to be put on display if enough are returned. Please get in touch in the clubhouse if they desire with Allan Harper, Glen Goil (01301 Robert then introduced his committee for 703296) 2012: Past President – Mrs Margaret Paterson Vice-President – Mr Alec Burgess

7 Church News for collection. Our thanks to Rod and Trish for extending us this courtesy. As notified in the last edition of The Wee Board and Session please note that the next Goil the induction of our new minister, Rev. meeting will be held in Church Robin MacKenzie will take place on Friday at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 1st May at which 27th April at 3pm. This is an open service we expect to be joined by members of the to which the community are invited to Strachur/ Strathlachlan Board and Session attend. After the 27th April Sunday worship at Jean Campbell and Jimmy Sim, Lochgoilhead will be at the new time of representing the church in Lochgoilhead, 9.45 am and services at Cairndow will be went along to the School awards day, prior on a fortnightly basis. to the school closing for the Easter break. Submitted by Jimmy Sim The children were awarded swimming certificates and Head Teacher’s awards. To close this special assembly, Argyll’s Village Tidy Up Church liaison officer and our own Interim Moderator Paul Beautyman had the On Sunday 15th April on a glorious day a children enthralled and participating in his small group of volunteers gathered to pick version of The Easter Story. The morning up litter in selected spots of the village. was enjoyed by all who were there. The main areas were the Surgery surrounds, We have been asked by Presbytery to the Play Area, the Arboretum, the War submit a return on how the church can be Memorial and adjacent wooded area, the more effective in the future and to the local frontage of the village from the Pier and community. Our reply has highlighted the the Village Green. Residents Vic Allen and importance of having a dialogue with the Rosemary Dolan had made a start earlier young people of the village and their on in the month on the Green but our parents by trying to foster closer ties. An group still found plenty of rubbish to example could be the formation of a young collect in the untouched, as yet, ground mums group with a crèche and a chance to adjacent to the Shorehouse Inn. If there relax for a while, chat and have a coffee. had been more volunteers, we could have Over the next months we will investigate extended our reach further afield. Having this possibility. noted the folk who were missed, credit The coffee morning on Easter Saturday must be given to the people who did come raised the respectable sum of £950 and along and I acknowledge the efforts of the thanks must go to all who contributed and Littles + grandsons, the Bolts, the all who attended. It was encouraging to see Prescotts, the Thomson family, Steve visitors, residents and chalet/caravan Bailey with Rufus and Anne Sim with 2 owners all gathering together to support year old Katie. Litter will always be with this worthy cause. us as we cannot control the winds and tides This coming month, 13th – 20th May and but we can all help by making sure we and bearing in mind last month’s plea for our children do the simple thing of taking stewardship giving, is Christian Aid Week. litter home or making sure we deposit it in All the houses in the glen will be visited by the appropriate containers. Thanks must go volunteers who will leave an envelope if to Argyll & Bute for their support but you are not available. People who wish to brickbats to Loch Lomond & Trossachs make a donation to this charitable cause National Park who said they would support can leave their envelope in the Post Office us but sadly were found wanting.

8 Lochgoilhead and Carrick First Responders

Some of you may remember late last year we put up adverts for volunteers to become First Responders and we now have eight members of the community undertaking training run by the Scottish Ambulance Service. I have had some members of the community not sure what volunteering involves, so they weren't sure whether to get involved. This is how First Responders help to improve emergency health care in the community: When a 999 ambulance is called to the village in response to a medical emergency, a Scottish Ambulance Service First Responder will also get called by the ambulance service so that they can provide treatment until the ambulance arrives. This will provide long term benefits to the patient and the community. In the future we would like to provide WILLIAM MORRIS cover 24/7 but realistically, to start with we will cover times when the surgery is & SONS LTD closed. Coal Merchants I hear you ask what will I have to commit? The initial training is two days over a weekend and then we will have a rota of Keeping you warm what time you have to spare whether it is winter and summer! just two hours in the evening or a full day. For the time being I am coordinating the set up of the responders and we would like Regular and reliable to hear from anyone who would like deliveries to Loch Goil further information. Please get in touch by phone ( between 3-5 pm) or preferably, by email. For all types of fuel: We will keep you all in touch with development of the responders in future edition of the Wee Goil. Tel: 01324 851746 Submitted by Jeremy Game Mobile: 07889 241 977 6 Viewfield Terrace Lochgoilhead 01301703510 [email protected]

9 Lochgoilhead Golf Club event that they have booked and they would not be able to provide their usual April Results high level of service for our Open Thursday 5th Medal Competition. Winner Pat Brown Thank you for your time, and I hope to see Saturday 7th Medal you all either on the course or in the Gents Jim Gilmour 19th… Ladies Helen Cuthbert Saturday 14th Medal Gents John Perkins Craft Fair at The Goil Ladies Dianne Paton Juniors Kyle Egan On Saturday 14th April a well-attended May Fixtures and very successful Craft Fair was held in 3rd May Thursday Medal (Q) Loch Goil Hotel. 5th May Saturday Medal (Q) The event was organised by the 12th May Foursome Cup management of the hotel and was enjoyed 19th May Saturday Medal (Q) by all who attended. 26th May Ann Trail Texas Scramble The money that was raised from this function is going towards the purchase of hanging baskets which will be suspended Captains Report April along the frontage of the hotel and for And we’re off! The new season has started floral decoration across the patio area. and thus far the weather has been pretty This is to be the hotel’s contribution in fair, which compared with the last couple helping the village entry in the Beautiful of seasons, is a pleasant change. Long may Village in Bloom campaign it last. Our first three medals of the season which will be taking place in August. have been fairly well attended but as usual Residents and householders are reminded we would like to see more members on the that this prestigious event got us a Silver 1st tee on a Saturday morning. We are Medal for small villages in last year’s also open for any new members. If anyone competition and we can all help by making wishes to come along and join in, please sure our patch, internal and external is neat feel free to contact myself Mike Durward and tidy and free of litter. Your (Captain) on 07725267350 or by email Community Council will be discussing [email protected] or the club this coming event and looking at ways to secretary Dianne Paton on 07900992628 enhance the beautiful village we live in. or by email [email protected]. We will be only too happy to let you have all the information that you require. Our joining fee is only £15 plus the annual D. Nicolson subscription of £20. We are a very friendly Plumbing and Heating Engineer club, so please come along. One important piece of news for all OIL FIRED BOILER SERVICING, members, our Lochgoilhead Golf Club REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT Open which was scheduled for the 30th Free estimates OFTEC Registered June has been moved to Saturday 7th July. Mob: 07775873836 This has been requested by Argyll Holidays as the 30th clashes with a large www.dnicolson.co.uk

10 Fishing the River Goil caught on the fly. Almost all the successful fishing is done when the river is high and The fishing rights to the River Goil are falling after rain. At least the fishers are owned by the Forestry Commission. Years happy with the rain we get here. ago they employed a Ranger in the glen The season and he managed the fishing. This was The fishing season starts legally on 11th uneconomic and the Forestry decided to February but we are fishing for adult lease the fishing. The Ranger at that time, migratory fish and there are unlikely to be Robin Kennedy, got together his regular any of the returning mature fish in the river customers and helped them get organised to so early in the season. By April, given the take on the lease of the river. The River right conditions, sea trout can be caught Goil Angling Club was born. and from May onwards the fishing gets progressively better as more sea trout come into the river. The salmon probably start returning from June onwards. In order to conserve fish which are getting ready to spawn, Repairing the footbridges days tickets There are about 25 members who mainly are not sold come from the West of Scotland. Very few from live in the glen. They not only fish the river September but they form voluntary working parties to but club maintain the banks, repair the footbridges members fish Maintaining the banks and carry out minor habitat improvements. on until the Their enthusiasm for our local river and its end of the environment is something for which we season on 31st October. should all be grateful. Sea trout are the main catch with a few Angling Club salmon taken every year. In a normal Membership of the Angling Club is season up to 100 hundred fish are caught. currently set at £100 a year and any one These days anglers are very conscious that can join. Junior membership up to age 16 they need to help conserve the dwindling is set at £25. Visiting anglers can buy stocks of migratory fish and many of the weekly or day tickets through the Post caught fish are returned unharmed to the Office. The price is £15 per day or £40 per river to preserve stocks for the future. On week. Juniors under age 12 can accompany such a small river, the most productive a paying adult for free. Anyone interested method of fishing is to carefully trot a in joining the Angling Club can apply for worm downstream whilst trying to remain membership by contacting me on 703 203. hidden from view. A few fish are also Roger Brook

11 Fishing Competition Result The answers are not difficult if you read the four articles, so if you want a chance to win Congratulations to Jack Forrest of a lesson in fishing by our local expert, then Banchory, who was the winner of the enter the competition by emailing your competition set in the March issue of The answers along with your name, age and Wee Goil. As there were no other correct address to [email protected] entries, the cash equivalent of the second You can find previous copies of The Wee and third prizes has been donated to the Goil on our blog theweegoil.wordpress.com charity raising funds for pancreatic cancer. The first correct entry received will win but There was an appeal for this charity in the there may be an chance for more entrants to March issue in memory of the late Anne join in the tuition. So look out those past Goudie. issues and get emailing and good luck. The Jack and Margaret Forrest were long time closing date for entries is the 20th of May. residents in Lochgoilhead living at Battery Point before moving to Banchory a few years ago. Jack, who is a subscriber to The PEACE AND GLOBAL PHILOSOPHY Wee Goil commented in his entry to the STUDY SEMINAR competition: "my solution is that it is the creature that caused the demise of King Saturday 5th May 2012 1-5 pm John when he ate a surfeit of them – a Castle of the Muses, Carrick Castle Lamprey! Regards to all." Thank you for entering the competition and In this special symposium, we will be taking best wishes to you and Margaret in stock of the work of the Castle of the Muses Banchory. and IIPSGP, and all our various projects and programmes and asking the following Children’s Fishing Competition questions: 1) Are we using this space successfully and Jack Forrest has donated the prize of a half creatively enough? day’s fishing tuition in the Loch Goil area 2) What more can we be doing with this to be used to encourage children to develop marvellous centre for spirituality and an interest in the sport. Consequently The education for peace in the ? Wee Goil is setting up another competition 3) What conflict and violence and turbulence solely for children aged 16 and under. is going on in the world and what more can we Please ensure that your parents are aware be doing to help contribute to solving them? you are entering as their permission will be What overall explanatory models can make needed before you can make use of the sense of it all ? prize, if you win. There are four questions 4) What can academics, educators and to be answered and these are based on the spiritual visionaries do, specifically. four articles on the River Goil in the 5) What are the critical challenges facing February, March and April issues together humanity at this time in world history? How with this one. Here are the questions can we make sense of them? How can we help 1 How long is the River Goil? heal them? 2 What is the official name of both Brown The seminar event will be chaired by Dr. and Sea Trout? Thomas Daffern, who will be reporting on 3 What are Smolts called after ‘one sea work underway at the Castle and in the winter’? International Institute of Peace Studies and 4 How much does it cost a person 16 and Global Philosophy and its various projects, under to join the angling club? both in the UK and globally. 12 . Physiotherapy

FIONA CHARLTON CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST LOCHGOILHEAD

01301 703628/ Naoya Taniguchi presented the winners 07796 830691 with their certificates and prizes and told [email protected] the audience: "The goal of the competition PILATES was to create opportunities for children to have fun drawing their dream car of the SPORTS INJURIES future. We wanted to see how their BACK & NECK PAIN imaginations could run wild and inspire ARTHRITIS creativity. Dreams and how we can inspire the young people of tomorrow are very SPRAINS & STRAINS important to Toyota.” SPORTS MASSAGE The event was hosted by John Thomson, MANIPULATION Toyota Marketing Director, who said: "This was the first year we held the ELECTROTHERAPY competition in the UK and it proved very popular with hundreds of entries across Toyata Dream Car Art each age category. The judging panel was impressed with the level of creativity, Competition originality and, above all, imagination from everyone who entered." Children at Lochgoilhead Primary School All fifteen short listed finalists will now go and from schools all over the UK were forward to the global competition. Well invited by Toyota to design their dream car done Kristina and good luck in the next for the future. There were some wonderful stage of the competition! and very imaginative entries submitted from Lochgoilhead and Kristina von Kaehne was chosen as a winner from entries throughout the UK. Kristina's dream car was called the Future Pooper Powered Combi Camper and runs on animal waste. She was flown down with fourteen other finalists to Toyota UK headquarters in Epsom where there was an awards ceremony. Kristina came fifth in the 10 to 12 age group, receiving an i-pod shuffle and a whole lot of other goodies. Prizes were presented by Jon Williams, President of Toyota GB and Naoya Taniguchi, Toyota Chairman. 13 RECIPE of the MONTH MUSHROOM SOUP This soup is much loved by the Monday Lunch Club and is adapted from a recipe in Sarah Brown’s Vegetarian Kitchen

Ingredients 3oz butter or oil (or a combination of the two) 1 large onion peeled and chopped ½ teaspoon salt 12oz mushrooms, button or flat 1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, ¼ teaspoon mild chili powder 1 pint vegetable stock ¼ pint cream, creme fraiche or milk 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Fry the onion gently and without browning in the butter and the salt for ten minutes add the mushrooms, dill, thyme, paprika and chili powder and cook slowly for a further ten minutes with the lid on, to extract the juices. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for a further five minutes. Cool and liquidise. Return to the pan adding cream and lemon juice and season to taste. Do not boil otherwise the cream may curdle.

Lettermay March 2012

14 QUALITY DECORATING by RONALD McGEACHY 4 VIEWFIELD LOCHGOILHEAD

including roof work MEMBER OF THE PAINTING AND DECORATING ASSOCIATION All aspects of painting and decorating carried out; industrial, commercial, domestic, graining, marbelling, paint effects, wallcoverings etc. 45 years experience in the trade CONTACT RONNIE ON 01301703321 / 07789663297 [email protected]

ARAY FISH LOCHGOIL HAIR DESIGN Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Fish Every Friday in the Loch Goil area Carrick - 9am to 10am Lochgoilhead Village Hall 10am - 11am Paul & Laura Blyth 01499 302 412 Mob: 0778 7113746

GENERAL PLUMBING David & Son Bathrooms, Central Heating Installation, Service and Repairs: Scrap Metal Recycling 1Kg - 1Ton Oil, Electric, Gas and Leadwork. Old Wire Cables, White Goods, 24 hour Emergency Service Cars No call out charge Engines, Garage Cleanouts etc. K. Carmichael & Son Ltd Cash Paid for Certain Metals! 10, Upper Riochan PA32 8UR Tel: 07528 610048 Tel. 07795224994 Prompt Service

15 Stuckbeg Walk winds upwards passing some huge boulders but there is a seat to rest awhile. Cross a This walk takes in some forest roads and wooden bridge and the view opens up down higher level paths in the area around Loch Goil toward the village of Carrick Stuckbeg. Some paths are steep but well Castle. Shortly on the right of the path are maintained although will be muddy in the remains of an old dwelling or sheep fold. places in all but the driest of weather. There The foresters have carved ‘Home Sweet are also tarmac parts and forest roads, Home’ and ‘No 1’ on tree stumps and together with a short but steep descent thoughtfully provided a bench in what must down a clear well trodden path. The walk is be one of the best viewpoints in the area. around 7km (4.5m). Allow up to 2 ½ hours, even more if you wanted to picnic or linger awhile to enjoy what the forest and countryside has to offer. Starting at the car park opposite the post office in Lochgoilhead village, walk along the pavement in a southerly direction keeping the loch on your right. Continue onto the unadopted public road known locally as Inverlounin Road. About 15 mins walking will bring you to where a forest path veers off the tarmac road to the left and uphill. If you are watching the house Another wooden bridge with a nice names as you go the last one before turning waterfall is the next stopping point. In this off is Nuthill. This path is on the route of area where the trees have been cleared, wild an old drove road known as The Duke’s flowers can be seen later in springtime, Path (note that some of the forestry signs primroses, violets and clementine. Look out incorrectly call it ‘The Duke Pass’). Before for a dead tree about 10 feet tall on the right you start the ascent take a look at the of the path. Maybe it was struck by coppiced hazel trees on your right. There lightning but it now provides a place for were some very small flower heads fungi to grow. This is bracket or shelf appearing at the time of this walk (mid- fungus so called because of the way it March). After about 10 minutes climbing grows on still standing dead trees. Quite up this good forest path, the forest road is tough, it can survive a long time feeding off reached. Cross it and continue up a slightly the wood and is infinitely variable in form less well used path where there were some and colour. After about 5 minutes, look out hoof prints left by red deer. Shortly join for a quartz stone outcrop to the left of the another path coming in from the left and path by a small burn. About 2 or 3 feet continue uphill. across it sparkles in the sunlight. Scottish There is much uphill walking but at least it wildcats have been seen in this area, is in the first third of the walk. At various normally shy creatures they are difficult to points along the path edge notice how the spot. The strain is being diluted with rhododendron ponticum spreads by readily intermingling with feral or domestic cats seeding itself and causing immense and they are an endangered species. 10 problems. It may look attractive in flower minutes brings us to where two gates cross but it is a menace and an unloved weed and the path and the descent towards Stuckbeg smothers other plant growth. The path 16 begins. Mid way between the gates and on Scotland. The distinctive red berries the left is evidence of a forestry constructed appear much later in late summer, early path not much used. Perhaps it was an autumn. Further on, Lodgepole pines, abandoned project. However our route takes which are common in North America us downhill on a rough path where care is where they were used for teepee needed especially if wet. The burn on the construction, are growing happily here on left leads into the main Stuckbeg Scotland’s west coast. In the pools at the watercourse. edge of the road, frogspawn was seen. The female frog returns to the pool to lay her eggs which are surrounded in a jelly like substance protecting them and floating to the surface to catch any sunlight to keep them warm before emerging as tadpoles. The tadpoles feast on the remaining frogspawn as they grow into frogs. The burn flowing over the spectacular waterfall on the right of the road is on its way to Loch Goil at Inverlounin. In Soon the forest road is reached for easier times of heavy walking and a short diversion to the left is rain, there will worthwhile. More hazel, willow and oak be 3 or more trees can be seen around here and the main separate falls Stuckbeg burn can be viewed from where it combining to goes under the road. This area is a good blow around the place to spot wildflowers at the right time of overhanging the year. Turn back along the forest road rhododendron. In and pass the sign which assures us that we freezing are on the way back to Lochgoilhead. An conditions, this area of whin can be seen beside the road. waterfall must Known as gorse in other places, whin is an make a fine photograph. After all this evergreen shrub related to broom but is excitement, you may be lucky enough to much more prickly. The yellow flowers spot some wood sorrel and golden were in bloom at the time of this spring saxifrage beside the Duke’s Path as it walk. It has a distinctive mild smell, veers off to the left. Descend the same perhaps peppery. Some people seem to be path you came up to rejoin Inverlounin able to notice it more easily than others. Road and the tarmac surface back to the The forest road makes for easy walking, so car park. Alternatively continue on the stride out while keeping an eye out for a forest road and drop down to the village at boulder on the right which was blasted out a later stage. This walk will vary at of the way when the road was constructed. different times of the year and there will There are 2 vertical drill marks where the always be something of interest to see explosive was packed. Not of great interest along the way. The more often you take it, perhaps but it identifies an area where the the more you will spot. pace can be slowed. Just opposite observe 3 fine specimens of Rowan, a tree native to Walked by Duncan Findlay and Jimmy Dewar on 10th March 2012 17 REGULAR EVENTS WHIST BINGO Takes place in the bowling clubhouse every Bowling Clubhouse every fortnight Tuesday evening at 7.30 all the year round. on a Friday at 8.00pm £9.00 for the evening Cost is £2.00 with prizes and a cuppa Andy Hammon 703545 half way. Fae Peters 703528

MONDAY LUNCH CLUB COFFEE AND CHAT Is held every week in the Village Hall First Wednesday of every month except Library at 11.30am for our senior citizens. January and December. All welcome. Tea/coffee and cake are served, followed by 10.30am to 12 noon. Village Hall Library homemade soup and sandwiches, followed Jean Campbell 703320 by more tea/coffee, cake and convivial chat. Anne Sim 703460

CHURCH Sunday worship COUNTRY DANCING 9.54 am Lochgoilhead Closed for the summer. 12.00 noon Cairndow (fortnightly) Restartss Thursday October 11th Norma Findlay 703260

MONTHLY LUNCH CLUB Held in the Lochgoilhead Hotel at 12.30pm SURGERY WALKING GROUP on every third Friday of the month. Every Tuesday at 1.30 pm. Meet at the Everyone is welcome. Soup and sandwiches Medical Centre for short walks for all levels £6.00. There is an annual membership fee of fitness. £1 only. Just turn up or contact in aid of village hall funds. Pat at the surgery for more information. Iain MacInnes 703250 Please send in details of any other regular club event to [email protected] COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Held in the Village hall Library on the last The Wee Goil Monday of the month. All welcome is sold at your local Iain MacInnes 703250 COSTCUTTER (caravan shop) Mick Eves Joinery & Small Building Works All joinery work undertaken including:Double Glazing Wood / Laminate Floors Fitted Kitchens / Decking Wooden / UPVC Fascias Free no obligation quotation Tel. 07789 274996 (01301) 703522

18 CHURCH SERVICES THE WEE GOIL May The Wee Goil is a Loch Goil Community Council sponsored newspaper intended to Sunday 6th improve communication in the area while Lochgoilhead 09.45 am raising funds for local projects. Everyone Minister – John Challis involved is a volunteer. Beadle – John Leyland Flowers – Mrs M. Paterson If you would like to help please contact Kilmorich 12.00 noon Duncan Findlay or Lindy Thomson: [email protected] Minister – Rev. Robin MacKenzie Flowers - Christine McCallum ADVERTISING RATES Sunday 13th Full Page £50 1/2 Page £25 Lochgoilhead 09.45 am 1/4 Page £15 1/8 Page £10 Minister – Rev. Robin MacKenzie Small Ads or Wanted Items FREE Beadle – Alex Burgess Flowers – Mrs McGeachy WE WELCOME YOUR Kilmorich – no service CONTRIBUTIONS Local news items, sports reports and club Sunday 20th information published free of charge. (Sunday after ascension) Letters to the editor are welcome but must Lochgoilhead 09.45 am not be anonymous. Contact The Wee Goil Minister – John Challis at [email protected] or c/o Ardglas, Beadle – Duncan Findlay Inverlounin Rd, Lochgoilhead, PA24 8AH Flowers – Mr H. McGuire Copy deadline is the 20th of each month Kilmorich 12.00 noon Minister – Rev. Robin MacKenzie SUBSCRIPTIONS Flowers – Christine McCallum If you would like to take out a subscription th Sunday 27 for twelve copies of The Wee Goil and (Pentecost) have them delivered each month to your Lochgoilhead 09.45 am door, please send a cheque for £12 made Minister – Rev. Robin MacKenzie payable to ‘The Wee Goil’ to The Wee Beadle – Allan Harper Goil, c/o Wildwings, Inverlounin Road, Flowers – Mrs M. Forrest Lochgoilhead, PA24 8AH and don’t forget Kilmorich – no service to include your name and address! If you would like to subscribe for an electronic Please note new services times (PDF) copy please send a cheque for £6 with your email address. Your The Reverend Dr. Robin MacKenzie, subscription will run from June 2012 until The Manse, Strachur tel - 01369860246 May 2013 inclusive. will become the minister of the Parish of Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich from Lochgoilhead Post Office 27th April 2012, when the linkage with the Parish of Strachur and Strathlachlan sells The Wee Goil will be complete. 19 The Shore House Inn

Good food! Great view! Gorgeous rooms!

Savour the beautiful view from our lovely loch-side restaurant while enjoying home cooked dishes, carefully prepared with fresh ingredients. Our menu includes prime matured Scottish steaks, local seafood and speciality pizzas cooked in our authentic wood fired oven. We have a children's menu and special diets can be catered for. See our web site www.theshorehouse.net for sample menus

In our cosy bar you will find real ales, a good range of malt whiskies and, perhaps, an impromptu music session. (over 18's only in the bar). On fine days enjoy the amazing view from our loch-side garden and terrace and maybe try a game of petanque. We have four lovely en-suite rooms from £35pp b & b and free wi-fi access.

Spring opening hours: Wednesday - Sunday 12 noon - 11pm Lunch 12 - 2.30pm Evening meals 5.30 - 8.30pm Please call 01301 703340 for reservations www.theshorehouse.net email: [email protected]