Vol. 16 Issue 2 August/September 2020 £2 Facal a’ Bhraighe

Theof lochaberbraes Your Community Newspaper & Guide to What’s On

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BBC Weather Watchers – Mark is finalist in Pic of the Season

Deliveries with a smile

From time to time we have featured a selection of our local BBC Weather Watchers’ pictures in The Braes. There has been some appreciative response to these and requests to see more of them. So today we feature some more local shots that made the tv screen. Special congratulations go to Spean Bridge Weather Watcher Brass in Community thanks the Braes who may need little identifying after his article similarly named. Mark’s stunning image of Glencoe was voted into the final ten in the Pic of the Season Marianne & Liam national competition. (Continued on page 5) We are now 18 weeks into lockdown. In the last Roy Bridge issue we showed how the community rallied to local needs. This issue looks at some of the ways Garden – individuals have been coping, many doing projects recreating - in the garden, art room, music room, kitchen, garage – wherever people find a focus on using and restoring - time and skills to advantage. Many have a lockdown exercised: walking, running, cycling, whilst others project spent more hours enjoying nature: all ways of achieving a sense of wellbeing. (Pages 18-19) Page 2 Friend of The Braes - Friends of Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge the Braes & Achnacarry SCIO Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry Scottish Charitable We would like to thank the following for their Incorporated Organisation SCIO was set up in 2013 principally to ensure our residents benefitted from the Community generous support as Friends of the Braes Benefit paid by renewable energy schemes. Initially our SCIO struggled to attract members and funding, although the industrious Trustees did manage to carry out a feasibility study into toilet provision at the Commando Memorial. The innovative proposal foundered due to a lack of funding. Great Glen Since 2019 our fortunes have changed considerably. We Cattle Ranch now have 43 Members, 9 Trustees, and a regular and future income stream. Local and National Public Agencies recognize our Charity as one committed to supporting our residents and SSE has appointed us to administer their Stronelairg Wind Farm Micro Grant Scheme locally following the abeyance of Achnacarry the Community Council. The Trustees felt it appropriate at the start of the COVID19 Sporting & Country Lockdown to offer our funds unconditionally to those who Pursuits Ltd were volunteering to support those in need in our Communities. To avoid duplication and confusion we co- ordinated the response locally and so far have contributed £14,513 to the effort, and have received 43 separate donations from individuals, charities, and the Scottish Government to support our endeavour. R E Campbell Although our present priority is to maintain the support to (Joinery) Ltd those in need until the pandemic is over, the Trustees are Kinchellie Croft already looking forward with a community consultation to Self Catering formulate a community plan and the appointment of a development officer planned. It is important to us that we build on the community spirit so ably demonstrated by those Spean Bridge selfless volunteers who have supported us all. Roy Bridge If we can help in any way and you need support or you and Achnacarry would like to volunteer or to join our charity please contact SCIO 01397 470960 or email [email protected] and we will endeavour to assist. If you would like to apply for an SSE Micro Grant please request an application form.

The Stonelairg Community Fund, an amount of money secured for the community by the previous Community Council, will be AB&C administered by Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and GROUP Achnacarry SCIO, until the formation of a new Community Council. To get an application form and apply for a Micro Grant of up to £500, contact Smiddy House John Fotheringham. Tel: 01397 712779 Keppoch Farm Spean Lodge Or email: [email protected] If you would like to find out more about or become a Friend of the Braes please contact Janet Sidgwick at [email protected] Page 3 The Braes - Your Community Magazine How to buy The Braes

The Braes is well established in the area as a vehicle for local news, information Printed Paper Copies: and historical articles. It is produced every two months by a small core group of volunteers with articles supplied from a variety of other sources. At the moment £2.00 - From local outlets the magazine is being produced by the absolute minimum number of people £18.00 - Annual Subscription, possible, this leaves it vulnerable. If being part of this group is something you feel posted to you 6 times a year. you would enjoy please don’t hesitate to contact our editor Margaret Sargent, Please contact: 01397 712371. It is important that The Braes continues to cover the whole community and this will only be possible if we have input from the whole area. Karen Venn 01397 712361, Prior to the Covid-19 lockdown we would print between 250-300 copies of the [email protected] magazine for sale at local outlets around the area. We also sent out digital pdf subscriptions to approximately 35 people. Digital Pdf Copies: The lockdown meant we had to change how £5.00 - Annual Subscription, we delivered the magazine. For the last two editions we took the decision to offer the digital emailed to you 6 times a year. pdf free of charge for anyone to download and Payment via Paypal enjoy and we were delighted to see so many Visit: www.thebraes.online people taking advantage of it. We also printed a and follow the link - Subscribe Here small quantity of magazines specifically for people who were unable to access the digital copy. This was also delivered free of charge thanks to financial help from the SCIO fund. Now that things are returning to a version of normal we need to make decisions based on how you, the reader, want to receive your copy of The Braes. Have you become used to receiving a full colour digital copy or would you prefer a printed version? This is the last issue of The Braes that will be available as a free of charge pdf copy, going forward you will still be able to access The Braes digitally but you will need to purchase a subscription.

Thank you for Lockdown Braes

I’ve just finished reading The Braes. Wonderful, well done! Lovely idea to From subscribers What a nice surprise! And what a good send it for free! I love the weather page! I have been a regular reader for some idea to send it out as a PDF. IS years now and am frequently up in the Congratulations to all! JM Thank you so much for sending this. It is area but the online edition makes sure I Thanks for your efforts, not just at the a very good publication and must have don’t miss out! AR moment but over the year. This looks a been quite a nightmare to put together Thanks for continuing to email The very nice edition of The Braes and very with all the changes in society, so close to Braes, it is much appreciated! clear and easy to read online. It is good to trying to get it published. Well done! be kept in touch. KG Family and friends are very impressed. We do enjoy reading it. ML Your magazine offered great reading. I Readers’ thanks for printed copies: discovered something about a village I Really enjoyed a read of The Braes, many expressed their gratitude verbally. didn’t know anything about. And thank thanks, especially the historical articles you for including us two ladies among and the lovely piece about Fr Tom. KK I thought it was a very good production such a dear group of people. We are very with lots of interesting articles. I’ve given Great read, how surprising to have a fortunate to have met you and now we my copy of The Braes to friends. So it Lovat Scout piece too! Well done for feel a little like part of your community. should now circulate locally. CC pulling this together. A.MD AF (Spain) So to see a copy of The Braes on my Thanks for The Braes. You do a great Wow, you have done a fabulous job on doorstep – the recent edition!! WAS a job! C.MK The Braes!..... Love your photos in the lovely surprise and fair lifted the old spirit! So this is to say “MANY thanks” last pages…. you should print them more I’ve read it in great detail. There’s to whoever thought of the exercise…..…. often. RN certainly a lot of interest in it. It clearly Really, surprised but delighted to get The emphasises the strong community the Thanks, Margaret, much appreciated. BL Braes copy and read all its news. Will publication represents. Lots of fun things check with neighbours to see if anyone Many thanks for The Braes. A touch of going on to keep up morale. who hasn’t seen a copy would like to normality in these strange times. KH Thank you! Brilliant read!!! Really have mine. BML enjoyed it! T.C Page 4 Farewell to Head Teacher Commando Memorial site Spean Bridge Primary violated by campers School and Invergarry Primary School have a new acting Head Teacher, Ms Emily Brown who has taken over from Mrs Kim Bentley who has taken up a new role as Head Teacher at Kilchattan Primary School on the Isle of Colonsay. At the close of the school summer term there was a virtual Photo: courtesy of Iain Ferguson assembly where staff The recent invasion of the Commando Memorial car park by presented Mrs Bentley a 30-strong group of bikers on Friday, 3rd July, caused outrage with a presentation in Spean Bridge and beyond. More than 600 people expressed made by the staff, their anger after seeing pictures of the tents and campsite set parents and pupils of up close to the iconic monument and the nearby Garden of both schools along with Remembrance where the ashes of Royal Marines are gifts and cards to mark scattered. The site, overlooking the terrain where commandos the occasion. We wish trained during World War 2, is Category A listed and Mrs Bentley well in her regarded by the Royal Marines as hallowed ground. The new role and thank her Garden of Remembrance is owned jointly by the Royal for the time and energy Marines, RMA, Royal Marines Charity and Highland she has given to the Council. education within our Although it appears that there was no malicious damage area. done to the memorial or the Garden of Remembrance, the bikers clearly showed a lack of respect, ignoring the several signs forbidding camping or overnight parking. Having been spoken to by the police, the bikers left in a long line the following morning heading down the A82. Former chairman of the local Community Council, John Fotheringham described the incident as “totally unacceptable” and said: “Highland Council should be doing something. There should be byelaws to prevent this sort of behaviour.” Local MSP Kate Forbes received many complaints about the campers and is in discussion with the police about the Cartoon by Rocco Berardelli matter.

Bridge Café still serving people

The Bridge Café, Spean Bridge, throughout the four months of lockdown, has been the hub of local volunteers, Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge & Achnacarry Community Support, who have been making and packing meals for delivery to homes in the area, acting as a pickup point for the Food Bank and delivering essential supplies and donations to the vulnerable, including oximeters and prescriptions. More than 1500 lunches have been provided for local children. Most recently 100 Green Health Home Packs have been delivered from the hub. All this and more has been led and co- ordinated by Marianne and Liam Fraser-Stewart at the family The Braes: “We have been very busy since opening. We have owned café. A huge thank you is extended to them for their a bar now too and people can come and enjoy a drink outstanding contribution to the community. without having to have a meal.” With the relaxing of lockdown measures and along with We wish the Bridge Café every success with the new other eating establishments in the area, the Bridge Café is arrangement during the second half of summer and indeed now open for business. This has involved considerable all the businesses in the Braes for whom this period of changes allowing 20 people now to eat outside in a pleasant lockdown has meant loss of work and income. Let us setting whilst the café caters for 14 inside. Marianne told sincerely hope for better times ahead! Page 5

BBC Weather Watchers – Braes Graduates celebrate Mark is finalist in degree success

Pic of the Season Traditionally this is the time when Graduates are celebrating their successes at Graduation Ceremonies throughout the country but sadly, Mark explained I take snaps of the local this year these have been unable to take place as they fall victim to the landscapes to try and show the rest of the country restrictions imposed by the CoronaVirus. Nevertheless, local students what a beautiful part of the world we live in, as well have completed their degree courses with flying colours, and it is hoped as taking time to observe the ever changing light that at a later date there will be formal presentations of their degrees. that we have here. I often take the pictures on my Congratulations to Fiona and Helena. work commutes around Lochaber and I especially Helena describes other problems enjoy the views around the Highbridge path as well regarding taking degree exams. in as the trips to Kinlochleven and Mallaig. It was on Lockdown. one such trip to Kinlochleven that the photograph was taken which was shortlisted for the BBC FIONA YOUNG Weather Watchers Pic of the Season for this Spring.” Fiona has been awarded a BSc. Professional Practice Paramedical Science from the University of Stirling. A former pupil of Roy Bridge Primary School and Lochaber High School, Fiona is a well known Traditional musician from Upper Inverroy who began her training as a Paramedic in December 2013. From April 2014 to January 2019, Fiona was based in Fort William, where she began to study for her degree. She now works in Glasgow for the Special Operations Response Team (West Team).

HELENA ROSE I have recently graduated with first class honours from my four years BMus (Hons) Performance degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. I was also awarded the John McNulty Prize for Orchestral String Playing, which was a huge honour, and, given that I am hoping to go down the road of professional orchestral playing eventually, gave me a lot of confidence that I should be able to achieve this! It was very strange completing my final 40 minutes recital from home, when it should have been a public concert for all my family and friends to have attended. It was very sad not to have that opportunity, but it was also very special to have recorded my recital on my own in St. Margaret’s church, which at least made it feel more like a performance! We have also been unable to have our graduation ceremony, but all being well this will go ahead next year and we will have a chance to celebrate our achievements properly as an RCS family! Luckily, I was able to have some of my family round for a socially distanced barbecue, which was most special and the perfect way to celebrate under the circumstances. I have also been incredibly lucky to be taught by Donald Grant for the last 5 years. It feels so very special to have a teacher from the same tiny village of Roy Bridge, and who went to the same primary school; something I think is quite rare, even unique! To have been taught by him has made my degree even more exciting and inspirational, and there has always been a wonderful sense of “home” about it, even from down in the big city! Helena Rose Page 6 Chapel House lockdown projects Rebuild, restore, renew - all in a day’s work for Fr Danny!

Lockdown prevented normal parish run into a productive vegetable garden! me today!” activities and with church services Fr Danny, who has a horticultural Once here, it was a big job to restore banned and the visiting of parishioners background, was delighted to get stuck it. “The wood was rotten, hundreds of not allowed, Fr Danny at St Margaret’s into the digging (with the help of a nuts and bolts had to be removed, the found he had more time on his hands to friend’s rotovator) and cleared the area. back door was damaged but I wanted to devote to some of the planned projects Yet another parishioner kindly brought keep as much as I could of the original he was keen to get off the ground. He 5 tons of soil from his farm and in no wheels, chassis and metal roof,” had already made a good start on the time at all, seeds were sown and rows of explained Fr Danny, And so the skilled hen house (a new year’s resolution!) but potatoes planted running the width of mechanic set to work stripping it down wintry weather, days of limited daylight the plot. A gate was needed. Always back to basics before rust proofing, then and long dark nights had slowed down one to make do and mend and reuse priming and painting the chassis, frame progress. Not to mention the arrival of a unwanted material, Fr Danny created a and roof. Siberian larch wood arrived trio of beguiling puppies born to Grace novel but fully functional gate into the next from another generous parishioner. in January. Life took on a new garden, which one visitor called a More bars had to be welded into the dimension for the next couple of months “crofter style gate”, with Landrover frame for extra strength and the tongue as the growing Labrador pups hinges welded on to a metal mesh gate and groove panels for the sides were demanded more of his attention and turned on its side. treated. Axel, brakes hubs – all were energy! The lively three went to their The garden is now burgeoning with stripped down. new homes shortly before lockdown fine crops of potatoes, peas, onions, Adept at internet surfing, Fr Danny came into force, providing breathing carrots and strawberries already tracked down the exact make of brake space and opportunity for plans to take delighting the palate, and cabbages and he was needing made in 1950! - a brake shape. turnips not far behind. rod extender from the 1950 Landrover A man of purpose and action, Fr Now, even while the vegetables and series. The parts were made in 1951, Danny lost no time in getting down to fruit were growing, the multi-skilled and he again managed to find a replica work. The basic shed had already been priest had already embarked on a project number plate light going cheap online. constructed. Recycling pallet wood for particularly dear to his heart. As The trailer lights from Axles of Watford the door and main structure, OSB board lockdown was extended, the longer days were beyond repair but he sourced LED for the sides and two narrow double of daylight were a God-given lights of a similar style. Then everything glazed windows donated by a opportunity for Fr Danny to tackle the was put back together, and bearings, parishioner, plus roof felting and trailer. This though was no ordinary brakes and wheels set up. tarpaulin on the roof, Fr Danny had trailer but a vintage livestock trailer, a “I had a problem putting the door managed to have it wind and watertight survivor from the 1950s era! It was back, so I consulted a higher authority and painted a subtle grey-green looking somewhat worse for wear now, from up the glen to sort the door,” undercoat by early March. Now for the with tattered paintwork, but still chuckled Fr Danny. Finally, the wood finishing touches…. he was hoping to showing the hallmarks of a strong, well- was stained with a special external paint have hens a-laying and his own Easter made vehicle of quality, handsome in its hard to source. And there stood as fine a eggs in a few short weeks! time. Fr Danny tells the story himself: restored vintage trailer as you are ever The interior was completed, the “I was working at a Retreat Centre in likely to see, magnificent in its glowing space being divided into tool shed and Berkshire, part of a Youth Project. The golden wood and shiny black house for the chickens. The builder- project was aimed at bringing young chassis….. the result of many, many priest was to be seen by passers-by people to know and experience the hours of work; a true labour of love. kneeling on the roof, wielding a paint beauty of God’s creation for themselves. There is an unexpected ending to brush and fixing guttering before the One aspect of this was to take different this story. The man who had originally whole hut was given a final coat of animals to school assemblies, which we sold the trailer to Fr Danny’s friend smart glossy green. did in a trailer borrowed from a friend. Steve, had an estate in Swindon. Every At the same time, stakes were We took pigs, sheep and other animals summer the family would take their erected on the ground outside and and all was well until one day a pig Shetland ponies up to their other estate chicken wire attached to provide a safe pushed its nose through the trailer side. in Scotland, the ponies travelling in this coop for the hens. True to his word, Fr That was that. I came back up to very trailer. The trailer had travelled to Danny’s latest building project was Scotland and when, at a later time, I Scotland many times and, thanks to the finished, 4 hens installed in their went back down there was the trailer vision and skilled work of our priest, is comfortable well-made house…… and sitting sadly, no longer used. To my back here for the rest of its days – which beautiful fresh eggs provided for Easter! delight, the farmer friend said I could could be a very long time now that it This led quite naturally to the next keep the trailer as he no longer had a has been given a brand new lease of lockdown project – to turn the rough, use for it. I brought it up with me to life! overgrown ground around the chicken Scotland and that is how it is here with MS Page 7 Page 8 Power to the people Reflections There was a hive of activity in the trees around the sub- station at Bunlossit on July 16th when several SSE vehicles a regular article from our local churches plus a crane and a contingent of yellow coated engineers were busy at the scene. Following the sudden loss of electricity at Bunlossit when “When you walk through a storm….” the transformer blew, the residents of the area had been “When you walk through a storm hold your head up resupplied with electricity using a temporary mobile high and don’t be afraid of the dark….” And so the song generator. Now the replacement transformer was installed goes on to describe troubled times in people’s lives. and a permanent power supply was reinstated. We will go on and show our love for each other. Love is the place that makes us care and share when things are hard going. Often, you have to try hard to love, to be patient, to understand. Often you need to remember that you can be hard to love too. Jesus well understood the premise of love and of sacrifice. Yes, love goes hand in hand with sacrifice. Jesus died on a cross so that we who believe in him – who believe in loving sacrifice - will have access to God and be forgiven for our sins.

The NHS have been doing noble work as have care Angus MacDonald with his trilogy of Ardnish novels. The workers and many others doing their everyday duty. most recent, Ardnish, is now on sale. See review back cover. You see how involved the staff of hospitals are when they clap a patient who has recovered from Covid 19. There have been sacrifices there in plenty. There will be in our lives more problems and troubles to come, no doubt. But…. as the song continues: “With hope in your heart, you will never walk alone.” May God be merciful and guide us while we are in this darkness.

Achnacarry Church from FT

Scott Andrews Heating Services Oil Boiler Servicing & Maintenance • Tank replacement • Radiator replacement • Heating system upgrade JOINERY AND BUILDING CONTRACTOR Telephone: 01397 712373 Ally: 07779 196 196 Mobile: 07884 185 279 T: 01397 712475 [email protected] Based in Spean Bridge SPEAN BRIDGE Page 9 Room 13 Art Boxes reach out across Lochaber

Room 13 International, the art charity based in Caol, has expanded its reach during the last few months with distributing art boxes to children across Lochaber. Many families within the Braes area have received one and the artwork being generated from these is very exciting. These boxes contain art materials, watercolour paints, pens, pencils, art papers, wax based modelling clay, and several project ideas to get started with along with postcards to create and send. Also child can upload via a QR code to included are prompt cards to help Room 13; these artworks will be them get young artists started with curated into a virtual gallery. ideas and some of these include “Draw Generously, STV has since been in your Granny” to encourage children to touch with the charity to offer further Lila and Livia lend a hand create a portrait of an relative who they funding to help with another 150 boxes have been speaking to via video call for which have now been made up with The boxes are intended to be free but if the past few months and “Botanical the help of Lila and Livia Berardelli and anyone would like to help by making a Illustration”, to draw a wildflower or are awaiting distribution. There is a donation this would be very gratefully plant that they have seen during daily priority for the next 150 boxes to be received. If you would like an art box or walks. made available through third sector to make a donation please get in touch The success of the Room 13 Art interface organisations, mainly with Richard Bracken at Room 13 Boxes has been widespread and the Voluntary Action Lochaber, so that they Studios Caol first 150 boxes were delivered as can be distributed to people who don’t richard.bracken@room13international. quickly as they were made. Once have access to art materials which is a org or Ali Berardelli at artwork has been made, the parent or great initiative. SB13 [email protected]

troops on account of the weather and Highland Heroes the proximity of German artillery. As a of St Valery Battle result, thousands of soldiers who had spent weeks fighting gallantly, went on remembered at to spend years as prisoners of war….. The loss of so many of our young fighting Commando Memorial men was felt keenly across the Highlands and Islands, with few The 80th Anniversary of the Battle at St communities left untouched. Five years Valery was marked at the Commando later, the reformed Highland Division re- Memorial in a commemorative event led entered as liberators – appropriately to by the West Highland Museum Team. the sound of the pipes.” The battle on the 12th June 1940 saw the sacrifice of thousands of Highland Photos courtesy of Iain Ferguson soldiers who surrendered to overwhelming German forces at St.Valery-en-Caux on the French coast. Roy Bridge piping brothers Sandy and Finlay Cameron played The Heroes of St Valery in tribute to the 51st Highland Division. A number from the Braes were present including Sandy and Finlay, Ian Peter MacDonald, Chris Robinson, David MacFarlane and former Braes co-editor, Vanessa Martin. Donald Cameron, MSP for the Highlands and Islands said earlier that St Valery was in some respects the “forgotten Dunkirk” as, “…unlike at Dunkirk, a few days earlier, it proved impossible at St Valery to evacuate the Page 10 Brass (and Woodwind) in the Braes Groundbreaking work in Lockdown Music

The closure of all schools as a response to the COVID 19 pandemic brought about a very real sense of uncertainty and concern for all involved in education from primary, secondary and into further education establishments. The welfare of our students and their families, as well as a willingness to provide stability and continuity, was of course top of the list of priorities for all teachers and school staff alike. These concerns were felt too amongst the High Life Highland instrumental impressive social media campaign which music staff who provide lessons to the has seen Drew Hendry, MP for schools in the Braes and wider Lochaber students had with another adult teacher Inverness, raising this and the other area. and it provided a much needed sense of positive aspects of the HLH online During the COVID 19 lockdown it structure to the week. tuition scheme in an early day motion in was the aim of all HLH instrumental Lessons were held on the same day as the Houses Of Parliament. staff to try and engage with students and they would have been if the child had We also showcased young musicians where possible, continue providing been in school and it was attempted to who had really worked hard during music lessons. This was greatly enabled continue having the lesson at the same lockdown, by making small individual by the technological support we had in time. performance videos which allowed their the form of new laptops which we were From a teacher’s perspective we great work to be shared with the wider given long before lockdown happened. noticed that the students were wholly public. These included Braes locals These computers allowed us access to engaged in their lessons with a real sense Osian Bellshaw and Daisy Place on the Google classroom platform where the of concentration and focus being seen Trombone and French Horn music staff were able to quickly contact and heard in their music making….. as respectively. parents and students alike and keep them well as the odd interruption as they had It became obvious though, that we all immediately up to date with the various to run off to the bathroom or an over were missing the social side of group options that HLH were offering for excited pet got involved in the music music making so Karen Thomson and I music instruction. too! decided to use the Lochaber Wind Bands By far the most popular option was The worldwide phenomenon of Google classroom sites to create ‘meets’ the ‘one on one tuition’ with video links online group music making and where more than one person could have being held on the secure Google interviews posted on social media sites lessons together as well as just chat and classroom site. The one on one lesson such as Facebook and Twitter provided meet socially. One such virtual meeting was arranged on a weekly basis with the us with the idea of creating a series of had many of the Lochaber High School student and teacher agreeing to a time in interviews with the young members of Big Band discuss recording a version of which they would ‘meet’ on the the Lochaber High School Wind Bands Neil Diamond’s classic ‘Sweet Caroline’ classroom site. This involved both but from their home setting. but in a virtual setting. The band had logging in and opening up a site very I created a template of questions for played this piece last year and knew it much like the popular Skype or the young musicians to answer on video. pretty well but it would be an incredible FaceTime options available on most The questions ranged from what do you test to try and put such a performance phones or tablets. This was, however, enjoy most about being in band? to what together with the players separated by so done on a secure website to which only advice would you give to younger many miles! teachers and students have access. players? Fifteen of the band agreed to get Parents were encouraged initially to The initial series was so successful involved, with some of the others simply observe the lessons but then it was felt that it was ‘liked’ and retweeted by MPs not having the technical support to get that once everyone was comfortable with and MSPs alike after being posted on all involved, as well as not feeling the different procedures then the lessons the social media sites associated with comfortable seeing and hearing should be held with only the teacher and LHS Wind Bands and Highland Young themselves online. The Braes was very pupil present. Musicians. strongly represented in this project with This proved a very popular method of The second series had very much a six of the band coming from the area – teaching but also allowed a real sense of Braes feel about it with contributions Mark and Chloe Reynolds, Sarah continuity within the very uncertain from the Knight, Groves, Berardelli and MacDonald, Fraser Anderson, Sofia period of lockdown. It was noted by Reynolds families and focused more on MacDonald and Ruaridh Poll. many pupils and parents alike that the siblings involved in all our bands. I initially recorded the bass line with music instructors were, in many cases, The success of these videos has been the help of a metronome which I had the only other visual contact that the a major contributing factor to a very playing in my headphones. That video Page 11

was then shared on Google classroom to Invergordon who very cleverly edited dedication and a whole set of new IT the rest of the band and they then had to them together and I added the starting skills, the music can still go on! record themselves on their phones or video as well as the credits which feature Mark Reynolds tablets playing their individual parts. the beautiful new logo designed by Braes They were at the same time listening to local artist and lecturer at UHI, Ali me playing, which in effect gave then the Berardelli. beat to keep in time. This video was then the grand finale Many new skills had to be learned in of a longer video which marked the end this process; for example, microphone/ of the most extraordinary term, in which mobile phone positioning so that it was we did a virtual Wind Band concert at an appropriate volume and also where we described the term’s activities camera position, so that they could be from lessons to the interviews, as well as seen without background glare etc. the very important chance to say thank Another major skill was getting everyone you and goodbye to our band leavers. to play perfectly in time with all the right This included guitar player and Roy notes from top to bottom in one take! Bridge resident Joe Lennon who left This caused great frustration for one school this year. band member who got the last note These recordings offer a lasting wrong on 14 occasions and had to redo memory of what was, and may still be, a the whole thing! very unusual period in the educational I then collated all the videos and sent lifetime of our young musicians but it them to a sound engineer friend in does show that with will, determination, Page 12 Charlotte’s Story

In our last issue we featured the story of Charlotte Grant of Spean Bridge who put her photography skills and artistic talents to good use in the village, creating all sorts of creative opportunities to keep the children busy and entertained and families supplied with photographic memories of the 2020 Lockdown. As if not busy enough in and about the village, the mother of Jack aged 5 and 1-year old Lily has engaged the whole family in a lockdown project at home. On the first day of lockdown, Charlotte and her partner Grant began the project of building a polytunnel. Situated in the back garden, the structure quickly took shape as the wood planks were put in place to form shallow walls. The arched supports followed, before black plastic sheeting was spread over the floor surface and firmly secured. Next the layout of the planting area emerged, edged in wood and filled with gravel, bricks and topsoil. Now it only needed the polythene cover to be fixed in place and, hey presto, a fully functional and handsome polytunnel had appeared – all ready for action! Time for hands to get dirty and seedlings to be planted out: a great variety of vegetables, including Sugar snap peas, Mangetout, Courgettes, Cucumbers, Cauliflower, Salad leaves, Broccoli, Purple sprouting broccoli, tomatoes and carrots!! The children lent a hand with the planting, and green shoots were soon popping up everywhere. Warm weather in May encouraged growth and peas were climbing at a great rate of knots. Already the family are enjoying the fruits of their labours and there will be many more fresh vegetables for tasty meals in the weeks to come. Incredibly, another polytunnel has been installed but this time acting as a chicken run. The four chickens are called Henneth Paltrow, Ruby, Peggy, and Bridget. Said Charlotte: “We also have some new chicks, that don’t have names, which are 6 weeks old.” The chickens are laying well and there are often some fresh eggs to be found at the honesty box near the front gate. The polytunnels have been a tremendous family project – educational, enjoyable and beneficial at all levels. Page 13

Neil Adams, Geography teacher at Lochaber High School has an immense love of the outdoors, recognising the benefits to such an extent that he is prepared to travel to his work 11 miles away in a bid to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer en route and fulfil personal challenges regarding the manner in which he undertakes these journeys. His is an incredible story and an inspiring one…..

Commute to School I could just sense that the great outdoors was fast becoming the great indoors. No matter that I live in the Scottish Highlands – a young family and a full time teaching job meant that personal time and space was being squeezed from all angles and that, to get my weekly fix of fresh air, I would need to be more inventive with my time. early June by a sea of blue lupins covering the River Lochy shingle beds. Oh, and lowlights include cycling through driving rain and heavy snow! As my children grew older, I realised I could steal a little more time at the start and end of each day on my commute to work, and the idea slowly came about that this journey in itself could harbour some great outdoor adventures. So this would be my challenge, to What if I could use the long hours of commute to work in five different ways: daylight in May and June to climb a walk, cycle, swim, kayak and ski! What I would start with a daily cycle to Munro before or after work? What if I fun I would have doing this and work. Now the A82 is not necessarily the could complete my own “Lochaber moreover, what a source of inspiration best or the worst road for cyclists, but Round” and walk to work via the seven for the teaching day. alternatives such as The Great Glen Way Munro tops of the Grey Corries, the and Witches Trail read like a guide book Aonachs, Carn Mor Dearg, and Ben to mountain biking in Scotland. Nevis? Highlights include early spring when And hang on, what about swimming the snow-capped summit of Carn Mor down the River Spean, less than 200m Dearg shines like a diamond as the first from my back door, and following it into rays of sunlight catch its very tip; autumn the River Lochy which flows right past when the sun emerges from the valley the school where I teach? That would be mist and casts its magic in the form of some challenge (no, I wouldn’t be Brocken spectres and fog bows; and in swimming home!) Come to think of it, if I glorious summer when I share the trails could swim to work I could also kayak. and back roads with an array of wildlife Not for me though the thought of white On a trial run of my Lochaber Round, and flowers. This last summer alone I’ve water kayaking downriver, but the I headed for the upper slopes of Stob seen roe deer, pine marten and red Caledonian Canal could provide a gentle Coire Gaibhre on a Saturday just in time squirrels from the saddle. Each May I alternative. To round things things off, for a 5:00am explosion of a sunrise. I look forward to the return of the sand why not use my old Russian army continued SW along the Alpinesque ridge martins, nesting in their hundreds along country skis next time there’s a decent that links all the Grey Corries, taking a the sandy river banks, to be followed in fall of snow! photo of my right foot for the pupil that I taught who would always ask me for evidence! Twelve hours after I set out I was on top of The Ben, having completed five energy sapping ascents totalling nearly 10,000 feet over the course of the day. Three hours were all I needed to get down from Britain’s highest mountain top to the High School. So that was it then: to walk to work via 7 Munros I should need to allow 15 hours, which would mean an “all-nighter” – leaving at 5:00pm in order to arrive for 8:00am. (To be continued) Page 14

Garden Tiger Moth Dark green Fritillary Butterfly Pink Elephant Hawkmoth Health and Nature go hand in hand

The benefits of Nature have long been recognised as having the ability to raise sprits, blow away the cobwebs and bring new energy to life and living; which is one reason why the Scottish Highlands, where Nature is seen at its most magnificent, is and has been for so long such an eagerly sought holiday haven. We who enjoy these benefits on an all-year-round basis can sometimes overlook the wonderful natural therapy that surrounds us and become unseeing of the little miracles on our doorstep. Think Health Think Nature is a Scottish initiative which helps to show how Scotland’s natural environment is a resource that can be used to help tackle some of our key health issues. The project is managed by several partners including NHS Highland, SNH and High Life Scotland who all share one vision: providing opportunities and building on existing resources that can support individuals and communities throughout the Highlands with improvements to their health and wellbeing through engaging with the natural environment around them. Here in the Braes, Marianne Fraser-Stewart and Sue Grant have been working on the project with High Life Highland to provide 100 people with Green Health Home Packs. “The aim,” said Marianne, “is to encourage them to be outside, grow things and to connect with nature.” Taking time to enjoy your local green space could bring you huge health benefits – getting outdoors is good for your physical, mental and social well-being. The free health packs include several engaging activities for individuals and families, with resources encouraging achievable tasks and opportunities. The Green Health Pack encourages interaction with nature and the outdoors and includes bird seed, soil, plant pots and seeds and a selection of Nature Identification cards (courtesy of The Woodland Trust) plus several other useful and attractive aids. Tania Alliod, Green Health Project Officer, Highlife said: “We hope the packs not only provide enjoyment but encourage people to consider their health and well-being, get their hands dirty and explore some green health activity in a very accessible way.” MS Page 15 The Big Butterfly Count PLANNING If you have 15 minutes to spare, the BBC Big Butterfly Count would welcome your help. The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide citizen Erection of house Land 60M West of 3 science survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our Stronaba, Spean Bridge. environment simply by counting the number and type of butterflies we Mr Stephen MacTavish, Alltonside, see. They are asking people to remain in a sunny spot outdoors for 15 Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6WR minutes and see how many different butterflies they might spot. A previous survey showed the number of butterflies was sadly declining. Demolish store, erection of storage building, With more people involved in the 15-minute count, it is hoped to “pace the pulse of nature”, as butterflies are vital parts of the ecosystem and change use of Steading from house to restaurant declines are also a warning sign for other wildlife losses. The survey with staff accommodation, part change of use was launched in 2010 and has rapidly become the world’s biggest of Brewery Cottage to office/shop, siting of 3 survey of butterflies. To take part in the survey, please go to timber cabins, erection of bike shed, fire pit and bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org. associated parking. Glen Spean Brewing Company Per: Mr Ian Peter MacDonald, Tirindrish Steading, ROY SPEAN LINK (Active Travel Route) Spean Bridge PH34 4EU Do we need a pedestrian/ cycle Erection of house Land to North East of Holly track between the House, Gairlochy, Spean Bridge villages of Spean Mr Alasdair Fraser, A N Fraser Joinery & Bridge and Roy Building Contractor, Innishail, South Laggan, Bridge? By Spean Bridge Families with small children would almost certainly Erection of 30 houses, commercial unit welcome the (Class 1, 2, 3, 4 & 10), sports pitch and chance to cycle or associated infrastructure. Development site walk to Spean opposite Spean Crescent, Spean Bridge. school and cyclists R.E.Campbell (Joinery) Ltd, Office Building, would be happy to Station Road, Spean Bridge PH34 4EP have the chance of accessing the shops and cafes at Erection of house Land 40M South of Invergloy Spean Bridge without the hazards of the dangerous bends on the A86. House, Spean Bridge PH34 4DY They would also be able to reach the many tracks in the Leanachan Mr Douglas Cairns, Invergloy House, Forests safely. Invergloy, Spean Bridge PH34 4DY A local group is considering setting up a charity company to explore the idea and to liaise with SUSTRANS (the government body responsible for providing "Places for Everyone" tracks). Sustrans will Erection of letting unit, Grounds of Caman only accept applications from a constituted group. If an application View, West Tirindrish, Spean Bridge were successful, SUSTRANS would pay for a feasibility study. Mr & Mrs A. Ferguson, Caman View, West Tirindrish, Spean Bridge PH34 4EU Ideas include: Erection of house Land 70M NW of Braeburn, 1. a route parallel to the A86 between Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge Upper Inverroy, Roy Bridge 2. a bridge from Roy Bridge at Bunroy to the south side of the River Mr R Cameron & others, Croft 7, Spean, linking to tracks to Spean Bridge Upper Inverroy, Roy Bridge PH31 4AQ 3. a connection from the golf course at Spean to the Leanachan crossroads on the south side of the railway to connect with tracks Erect a new span 33Kv spur off new pole 203A to Fort William on the existing 33Kv line in the vicinity Land 100M SE of Ardechive House, Achnacarry, To set up the charity, the group needs to know that the wider Spean Bridge community supports this idea (which has the support of Kate Forbes Mr Ian Nicoll, SSEN, Unit 4, Ben Nevis MSP) and is looking at ways to find the views of local people. It would welcome ideas and participation from the communities of Spean Industrial Estate, Fort William PH33 6PR Bridge and Roy Bridge and you could show your support by writing a short message to [email protected] Page 16

White clover magic of contented ponies munching the lawn, it also stays greener longer and honeyed grass as delightful as it was needs less water than conventional unforgettable. grasses, although this is scarcely a So it was with astonishment and a problem in our area! We enjoyed our flashback in memory to our Shetland clover lawn, just one large, roughly field, that one morning in June I looked square area on a much greater expanse out of the window to see a large patch of of green grass, for several weeks. The white clover at the top of the lawn by the bees buzzed around collecting nectar house, that had not been there before! from the white clover heads and the An overnight appearance? Well, so it purpley-blue selfheal that sparkled in seemed! amongst the white. In these times of environmental Interestingly, we discovered similar awareness, many people choose to have clover lawns had appeared elsewhere: clover lawns - how they would envy ours on the common grass at Spean Crescent, that had popped up without invitation! just in front of the tiny village of Before chemical pesticides and synthetic Spoonsville (which also sprang up a few As we wandered along the coastal path fertilizers, the humble clover plant was a weeks ago!) and another smaller one at the southern tip of Shetland, the scent common resident in lawns across the replacing the green sward of the doctor- of wild white clover wafted across from country. Some lawns were entirely made with-the-creaking-shelves at Nursery the white-speckled meadow alongside of clover, and with good reason. Not only Park! us, where Shetland ponies grazed on the is clover a leguminous plant, meaning I wonder what will pop up where next sweetest grass imaginable. The delicious that it can fix nitrogen from the air and year? fragrance was intoxicating and the scene release it slowly to other plants in the MS Page 17 Wildflower verges the first that a local boy might have on leaving school. There were not many in the Braes telegrams indeed. Maybe the job was a bit of a sinecure. But an early 1930’s We have some wonderful ‘waysides’ photo shows the current boy messenger in this part of Lochaber. For example, complete with uniform and bike. st a particular feature of the verges In 1939, on 1 September, the Lovat between Spean Bridge and Roy Scouts were ordered to mobilise for war. Bridge is the abundance of Wood From the Roy Bridge area, 13 men and Cranesbill (Geranium sylvaticum) one officer volunteered, with another 7 with its beautiful purple flowers, Living memories caught before loss… men from slightly further afield. The officer was 2/Lt Andrew MacDonald partly reflecting the limestone which a fifth article on Roy Bridge Memorial (who became Major subsequently), a cuts across the area. The displays Hall and Roy Bridge Post Office were particularly fine this year – until grandson of the nineteenth century an untimely mid-flowering cut. The volunteer company captain (DP Lochaber Biodiversity Group is The Roy Bridge troop became in 1922 MacDonald) and a son of the better- rd trying to persuade our road managers the 3 Troop Lovat Scouts “A” known Lovat Scout officer of the South - BEAR Scotland and the Highland Company and remained as tenants of the African Wars and of World War 1: Col. Council - to delay cutting of verges, Hall here. However, some spirit did W. MacDonald of Blarour, Spean unless for safety reasons, until late remain! In 1922, the first Scout camp Bridge. summer to allow flowers to set seed. since the war was held at Beaufort During World War 2, Roy Bridge Hall Many other attractive species grow Castle: nearly 400 -strong with 150 was used by the Home Guard, with, it so on our verges, such as Ox-eye horses. happened, the veteran soldier in charge Daisies, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Yellow Meanwhile, on a humbler note, it being at that time owner of Roy Bridge Rattle, the purple-flowered Tufted should be said that the local troop was Hotel: Major William Mackintosh. Vetch, Meadowsweet with its frothy renowned socially for its dances. One According to local opinion, it was he white blooms, and Wild Angelica. elderly woman remembered the little who commissioned the small coat of Greater Butterfly-orchids are dance-engagement cards that the ladies arms that is still above the doorway of something of a local speciality, with would fill up with the names of the the hotel: Mackintosh! Meanwhile, the fine displays of their delicate white- menfolk who wished to dance with them; fabric of the Hall must have been in great flowered spikes on the A82 near another remembered how every young need of repair by this time. There was Spean Bridge, at Upper Inverroy and woman tried to be the “belle” of the ball! one anecdote told of an over-enthusiastic this year on Braeroy road, not far up Children’s parties were held too though Home Guard man grounding his rifle so the glen. not at the instigation of the Scouts! vigorously that it made a hole in the Hall A delay in cutting would also Rather, the priest or the schoolmaster. floor. benefit the huge diversity of insects, The children might be given at any After the World War 2, the including many important pollinators, December party: fruit, hot pastry holding Mackintosh estates were broken up. The as well as other animal life, that rely meat and buns. Nothing surprising there! Lovat Scouts were disbanded and so no th on the vegetation. Our verges provide And from 29 April 1928 until April longer had the tenancy of the Hall. an important ‘reservoir’ for grassland 1929, the Roman Catholic congregation Briefly, our Hall and the land it stands on wildlife. Flower-rich meadows and of the area worshipped in the Hall, belonged to an Ernest Vintner. But in other grassland habitats have suffered during the construction period of the 1947, the Hall and the accompanying greatly across the country with huge current beautiful St Margaret’s church. parcel of land were bought for the areas lost since the war through There are photographs extant showing community with money from a variety of agricultural ‘improvement’ by the once-familiar figures of priests and sources, not a little from the aunt of ploughing, reseeding and fertilizer the childhood faces of those who were Major Andrew Macdonald: Mrs. application. Indeed, this has recently the pensioners of the 1990’s and the Elizabeth Ryan whose portrait is in the happened to several of the wonderful smiles and looks of men and women who West Highland museum in Fort William; meadows in Glen Roy, which were are long gone in the life of the village. In and not a little from the local people featured last year in The Braes. one photo the Hall walls behind the themselves; and not a little from the Sympathetic management of our group look weather-stained and in poor Carnegie Trust (UK). verges could make a huge condition. Thus, because people in 1948 contribution to biodiversity – but also Meanwhile, the Post Office went on remembered men and women who had greatly enhance our enjoyment of the as always. Many tales drive from the two served their country in two World Wars countryside. Wildflowers add so interwar decades. For example, the and because of the long military tradition much to the experience of travellers researcher was told that, during the time embodied in the building, the Hall was along our roads and lanes, whether when big dams were being built at renamed as Roy Bridge Memorial Hall. by car, bicycle or on foot, for locals Laggan and Loch Treig, Sarah (getting And because people in the 1990’s and visitors alike. So let’s give our old now) and Mary Ann had the counter remembered; we can cherish the stories verges a chance! It’s happening in raised in the shop because of their fear that they told. other parts of Scotland, so why not that the rough-mannered navvies might Next issue: The very last article on Roy here? steal goods. They still had a telegraph Bridge Memorial Hall Ian Strachan boy to help their work; the job was often Helen Critchley Page 18 Page 19

Roy Bridge Garden – Let local Architects Kearney Donald Partnership realise your “Grand Design” project, big or small. recreating and restoring - Visit our website: a lockdown project www.kd-partnership.co.uk for more info.

Many years ago, the layout of the Village Square was altered to make the road leading to Glen Roy more separate from the shop area and a keen band of helpers established the various planted areas. You would often see people weeding the beds, trimming bushes or planting bulbs. Even the local school was involved at one stage and won a national award for its gardening efforts. Gradually, the workforce has diminished as the years have taken their toll on strength and energy. A few individuals, however, have come together in lockdown to restore a tidy and nurtured appearance to what has become a rather untidy and neglected island bed in the village centre. Spearheaded initially by Mrs Helen Critchley, who contacted a local Councillor for advice on getting the “square” redesigned and functional, a group of interested Glen Nevis Place folk started to plan and begin work. Fort William PH33 6DA Karen Venn, a faithful and regular worker in the Tel: 01397 702727 (24 hours) garden, led the assault on the centre bed in a determined www.crownvets.co.uk effort to transform it. First, the area was cleared of most [email protected] of the weeds and then weed killer was applied. A membrane was ordered and laid before being covered with gravel from the quarry; around it edging stones were Caring vets for precious pets re-aligned to make a firm and attractive edging. Wooden planters, now wasting away at Roy Bridge School, were Call and ask about our Pet Health Club. emptied and brought to the site where they were filled Spread the costs over the year for boosters, with compost before being planted by Karen with plants worm and flea treatments, microchipping, from her own and other gardens. nurse checks and get discounts on food. Karen is grateful to the group who so willingly formed Save upto 50% - A Great Deal! the workforce: Helen, Catrina, Charlie, Alan, Lizzie, Heather, Graham and Hugh. Thanks also go to the local www.crownvetsfortwilliam.co.uk SCIO and Roy Bridge Memorial Hall for help with funding Find us on Facebook the project. We look forward to a colourful and attractive focus in the village centre as the summer progresses. Sammy’s The well-travelled Polyanthus Fish ‘n’ Chip Shop

My friend’s mother who was a keen gardener, dug up a Gluten -free polyanthus and gave us half each for our first garden. The Fish & plants were always left behind when either of us moved Chips Fast, Friendly but a replacement would soon appear. Mine finally died available Service Phone to out a few years ago, but a replacement arrived from my order friend in Nuneaton in the spring. I think a part of the plant has made at least five journeys from Scotland to the KILMALLIE ROAD, CAOL, FORT WILLIAM Midlands and vice versa over the last 40 years! Karen V TEL: (01397) 701078 If you have a special plant with a story to tell, why not Monday - Friday 5.00 - 10.30pm share it with The Braes? S aturday 4.00 - 10.30pm Page 20 Lockdown Mini-garden

When lockdown arrived I decided that I’d only go to town for groceries every 3 weeks, so I needed a quick way to grow some veg using whatever was to hand, and what’s more the new ‘veg garden’ needed to be rabbit-proof but I didn’t have any suitable fencing. A raid on our junk pile produced containers and above- rabbit-height platforms and I happened to have a couple of old bags of compost - more about that in a minute - and some rocket, radish, spinach beet, nasturtium and pea seeds, so salad leaves would soon be on the menu!! Neighbours very day and too cold at night because they kindly supplied courgette plants and kale, were in pots rather than in the ground?? I and I decided to experiment with growing couldn’t do anything about the weather so pak choi and lettuces from the bases of I bought fertiliser in case the compost shop-bought veggies too, so the mini- lacked nutrients. The plants aren’t likely to garden was looking very hopeful indeed. make much more growth now and the But… one night the courgette situation nasturtiums are already flowering took a turn for the worse when something profusely even though they’ve made very quite a few leaves, so I’m trying this chomped two of the plants. Then the little foliage, so my little garden hasn’t technique with lettuces and leeks too. rocket bolted due to the hot weather, and worked as well as I’d hoped. Whatever happens, I’ve had fun with my then I realised that the remaining plants There is some good news though. The mini-garden, and I’ll definitely try it again weren’t thriving. Was it the weather?? pak choi experiment is showing some next year. Were the plants getting too hot during the success with some of the bases producing Lizzie Rogers Starting from scratch with Linda

When Margaret came to my door the other week asking if I’d show her my garden and what I was growing in it, I was immediately filled with embarrassment at how uninspiring my garden looked... but I graciously conceded and ushered her round to the back of the house. You see, I only moved into this house in Spean a couple of years ago and all I had to work with was a level, thin area of earth with rubble underneath so it was left to grass over. In my last garden at Inverroy, I was lucky enough to have a sizeable polytunnel, which was my pride and joy and is still sorely missed. Friends have given me cuttings of plants from their garden and this adds a special touch. Lockdown provided me with the opportunity to get started on making a couple of raised beds, determined to fulfil the urge to get my hands into soil again and nurture seedlings.... it's the simple things in life! So I rolled my sleeves up and got together odd cuts of wood left beans get established. I'm picking lettuce over from my fence. A friend also donated leaves, baby spinach leaves, rocket and wood from a pallet that her partner had now the courgettes are showing up. broken up, which helped to finish off which I had started off indoors, I got to A bonus is that I'm seeing more birds raised bed no. 3. The beds are very rough task transplanting them out after the cold come into the garden since developing the and ready, but the satisfying part is to spell. I'm surprised at how much more veggie patch, turning what was once a have succeeded in enthusing my teenage slowly the plants take to grow compared bland space into a more vibrant area.… son to help out! with in the polytunnel. However, I'm slowly and we're having more rain to water it! It is I acquired topsoil which I mixed with seeing the runner beans creep up the proving a very productive lockdown! some compost and so, with the seedlings support canes and the peas and French Linda Poll Page 21 Grave of the Unknown Children

Brunachan is empty now, the old cottage and barn sit beside the Brunachan burn at the top of Glen Roy beneath Coire Dubh, the Black Corrie, where thousands of little stones, known as querns, were hacked from the hillside in days gone by to be used for grinding corn. Generations of Glen Roy folk have lived here, Campbells, Camerons, MacDonalds, MacIntoshes, MacArthurs and many more – descendants of these people are still scattered around Brae Lochaber, but, legend has it, two still remain, buried in an unmarked grave behind the house. Probably the last time Brunachan was occupied by a large amount of folk was back in December 1998 when Roy Bridge Primary School spent a night there as part of their local history project. We had a wonderful time exploring the quern stone quarry, cooking over the open fire and listening to stories of bothy. Well! we days gone by from the local shepherd, Ronnie Campbell. searched and In preparation for the trip, I arranged for some of the pupils searched - to no to interview Anne MacDonald, a fabulous old lady, well into avail. No sign of a her 90s and then living at Druimandonich, below Inverroy, grave or anything though she had been born at Braeroy in the early 1900s. She like it, and, as the had wonderful stories to tell, one of which was of the two little years went by, the children who were buried behind what was now Brunachan story faded from my memory – until 2016. The gable end of the barn had fallen down and Braeroy Estate asked if I would rebuild it in the traditional style with the original stones and stones from the burn. I spent a beautiful couple of weeks tripping across from barn to burn before literally tripping over an unusual pile of stones, and there it was, the grave of the unknown children. Anne MacDonald had told us only that two children were buried there and that they died of an ‘illness’. No names, no dates, and extensive enquiries have sadly failed to glean more information – please get in touch if you know more of the story. Mick Tighe

AL’S TAXI TOP OF THE RANGE CAR, LICENSED TO CARRY 4 PASSENGERS. FOR ALL LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE WORK. PLEASE PHONE AL ON: 07733 896163 01397 705599 TOURS & SHOPPING TRIPS, ALL JOINERY NEEDS WEDDINGS & COURIERS WORK. New Build - Extensions - Renovations - Decking IF IN DOUBT Kitchens: supplied and fitted ASK FOR A QUOTE. Unit 9A Ben Nevis Industrial Estate, Claggan, Fort William Page 22 Eating out, IN AND Bridge Café Spean Bridge AROUND THE BRAES Sunday – Thursday 9am - 8pm Friday & Saturday 9am - late Fed up of cooking? How about a takeway or a meal out? Old Pines Restaurant Please book / order well ahead Spean Bridge Every night 6 - 9pm Glenspean Lodge Hotel Booking essential Tel. 01397 712324 We are open and looking forward to welcoming Russell’s, you all again. Spean Bridge Meals served Phone to book daily Tel. 01397 712335 5pm - 8.30pm Old Station Restaurant, Due to Covid-19 we are asking everyone to make bookings for evening meals so we can stick to the government guidelines. Spean Bridge Phone to book Tel: 01397 712223 for reservations Email: [email protected] Tel. 01397 712535 Roy Bridge, Highlands PH31 4AW Roy Bridge Hotel Open every day for breakfast, Aonach Mor Hotel lunch, dinner and takeaways Spean Bridge Tel. 01397 712236 Tel: 01397 712351 The Whispering Pine Lodge, Bar meals served from 6pm Spean Bridge in the Lounge Bar Daily: Lunch 12.00am – 2.30pm Take away meals available Last orders 2.45pm 6pm – 9pm seven days a week Dinner 6.00pm - 9.00pm ******* Last orders 9.45pm www.aonachmorhotel.co.uk Tel. 01397 713966 / 07903082501

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Tel: 01397 732 236 Page 23 DIARY DATES - August and September 2020 COMMUNITY NOTICES Despite the lockdown people are still finding ways to entertain If you have a fundraising event that you would like themselves and below we've compiled details of some of the us to publicise. Please email the information to: people that have switched to providing their activities online as well as links to some of the Facebook pages where new events [email protected] are being advertised. With the restrictions gradually being lifted Twelfth page (90 x 43mm) - free of charge some attractions and activities have begun to reopen and some Sixth page (90 x 86mm) - £ 15.00 of those are also included below. Third page (186 x 86 landscape) - £ 30.00 Daily - Nevis Range Mountain Resort - Nevis Range has begun to reopen and are now operating Wednesday through Sunday, 0930 - 1630. Both restaurants are open and the gondola is running for both people and bikes. Elderly and Vulnerable https://www.facebook.com/NevisRange/ Priority Shopping Hours Various - Zumba Fitness Lochaber - An excellent way of getting Tesco – Monday, Wednesday and Friday some exercise without leaving your home, Zumba Fitness from 9am until 10am. Lochaber have been running a variety of classes online including family classes. Full details can be found on there Morrisons – Monday to Saturday Facebook page detailed below. from 9am until 10am. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1576982972529523/ Marks and Spencer – Monday to Saturday Various - Mountain Yoga - Another good home exercise from 8am until 9am, Sunday 9am until 10am technique. When Mountain Yoga Kinlochleven were forced to stop doing in person classes they switched to online and have been holding sessions via Zoom. Their Facebook page OXI PULSE METERS https://www.facebook.com/mountainyogakinlochleven/ still available for those who might Lochaber Mindfit – Keeping mentally well at the moment is at least as important as physical fitness. During the lock down benefit from them: Lochaber Mindfit have been providing support online via Zoom Those with respiratory conditions and Facebook. The Facebook links for both the men's and whatever age, and those with underlying women's groups are below and if you are struggling at all I'd highly recommend taking a look. health conditions. Lochaber Mindfit Women's Group Contact: 01397 470960 https://www.facebook.com/lochabermindfitwomensgroup Lochaber Mindfit Men's Group https://www.facebook.com/lochabermindfitmensgroup/ The Braes Team Fort William Mobile Library Margaret Sargent, Editorial – 712371 Highlife Highland are currently working on returning their Janet Sidgwick, Treasurer – 712208 services to normal including the mobile library, details can be Sharon Donald, Production – 712147 found on which services are reopening, and when, at https://www.highlifehighland.com/coronavirus/ Alan Baird, What’s On - 07530514761 The library will return to the normal schedule as below. Anne McLoone, Advertising – 01414162008 Tuesday 4th August, 25th August, 15th September Karen Venn, Distribution & Sales - 712361 Roy Bridge: Bunlossit 4.00pm - 4.15pm, Karen Venn, Subscriptions - 712361 Mulroy Terrace 4.20pm - 4.30pm Christine Clephan - 07910939687 Tuesday 18th August, Tuesday 8th Sept, Tuesday 29th Sept Email your enquiries & articles to: Achnacarry Clunes 1.45pm - 2.15pm [email protected] Spean Bridge: Spean Crescent 2.45pm - 3.05pm, West Tirindrish 3.10pm - 3.20pm, Altour Road 3.25pm - 4.00pm Copy and advertisement deadline: 20th of the month Church Services have resumed at: St Margaret’s Roy Bridge, Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The Braes Community Newspaper Editorial Sun. 11.30am, Wed. & Fri. 10.00am Team. While we try to ensure that the information we provide is St Joseph’s Spean Bridge, correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy Sat. Vigil 6.30pm, Tues. & Thurs.10.00am of our material. If you do notice any mistakes then please let us know. The design of the printed newspaper is copyright of The St Finnan’s Invergarry, Sunday 9.15am Braes Community Newspaper and material from the newspaper should not be reproduced without prior permission. Page 24 Osprey News from Loch Arkaig July 2020 Ardnish Loch Arkaig osprey pair, Louis and Aila, and their three chicks have become by Angus MacDonald international celebrities thanks to numerous appearances on national news bulletins, BBC Breakfast and social media over the last few weeks. Viewing figures for the webcam have rocketed over the lockdown period with around 290,000 people tuning in to watch not only from the UK but also France, Germany, Netherlands, Vietnam, Argentina, South Africa, Russia, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, UAE and Turkey. Viewers have been enthralled by the daily lives of this lovely osprey family with many saying it has helped them through the isolation of lockdown. At the end of May the first egg hatched and over the next five days the first chick was joined by two more. Louis proved himself to be a brilliant provider catching so many fish that at times the nest was littered with half eaten remnants.

Angus MacDonald never fails to surprise. Many twists and turns in his novels keep the reader in suspense to the very last pages and Ardnish, the third book in the trilogy of that name, is no different – it is compelling reading. The story swings between Donald John’s homeland of Ardnish and the hot Too many fish! © Woodland Trust Ospreycam plains of South Africa where, as a young man in 1901, the highlander fought with the Lovat Scouts in the Boer War. An old man now, DJ looks back on his long life and is haunted by a secret from the past. It was reading about the activity of the Lovat Scouts during the Boer War (so much part of Brae Lochaber history) that inspired Angus to visit South Africa Doddie (JJ6), Captain (JJ7) and Vera (JJ8) © Woodland Trust Ospreycam to research and write this third novel. He The chicks have grown at a phenomenal rate and were ringed at the beginning of July uses real historical people in his books with blue rings numbered JJ6, JJ7 and JJ8 to enable easy identification if they’re ever and in Ardnish these include his own spotted in the future. During the ringing process they were measured and weighed ancestors: his great-grandfather and and from these measurements it’s possible to determine the gender of the chicks, grandfather who served in the Boer War. although this isn’t always foolproof, and it’s thought that there are two males and Also featured are well known characters one female. from the Braes area; a certain ‘famed The Woodland Trust launched a nationwide appeal to name the chicks and the beauty’ called Mary MacInnes serves tea names Doddie (JJ6), to honour Scottish rugby legend and charity campaigner Doddie after a funeral at Roy Bridge! Weir, Vera (JJ8) in honour of Dame Vera Lynn and Captain (JJ7) in honour of Captain The work moves seamlessly from one Tom Moore, the WW2 veteran who raised millions for the NHS, were voted as the scene to the other: from the idyllic winners. Ardnish peninsular, though life there is The chicks have now started fledging with the oldest chick Doddie the first to take tough and uncompromising in so many the leap at 50 days old. The other two should be joining him any day now. They’ll ways, to the exciting but equally continue to visit the nest for food and to sleep but these visits will become less uncompromising battleground of the frequent over the following weeks as they gain independence in readiness for Boer War with its heavy toll on life and migration at the end of August or early September. appalling atrocities. One learns much Aila will be the first to head south around the middle of August as her job will be over about this war. and Louis will continue to bring fish for the chicks. One by one the chicks will leave to Throughout runs the wealth of under- take the epic journey alone to their wintering grounds most likely in West personal love the author holds for the Africa although some ospreys overwinter in southern Spain and Portugal. Hopefully Highlands. It colours all his writing. they’ll have a safe journey and will be spotted at some point in the future when they Angus is a master of bitter-sweet; of return to Scotland to breed. mingling the sad, the heart-breaking with The webcam can be viewed here: that which gives hope, relief and final https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/ peace. This book has it all. LB MS