Skye U3A news

Issue #18 – January 2016 web: u3asites.org.uk/code/u3asite.php?site=325&page=0

Contact details

Chair Tony Livesey ✆ 01470 511207; 8 [email protected] Vice Chair Vacancy Secretary Judy Atherton ✆ 01470 521815 8 [email protected] Treasurer Chad Killington ✆ 01470 582384 8 [email protected] Membership Secretaries Barbara Macdonald ✆ 01470 521576 8 [email protected] Message from the (arm)chair Peggy Hunter ✆ 01470 521324 There have been some considerable changes for and passionate voluntary worker in Slatina, 8 [email protected] the Skye U3A in recent times, not least of which Romania. You will struggle to comprehend the Group Co-ordinators is that Judy Atherton has become our secretary, circumstances in which she helps and supports Pola and Tony Livesey following on from all the good work done by orphaned and abandoned young people in ✆ 01470 511207 Jo-Ann Cherry, for which we owe a great debt Romania. 21st century Europe, but not as we 8 [email protected] of thanks. know it. The U3A has We have also changed our meeting Friday 26 February 2016 been in existence for over place, and for the future meetings in Portree West College, Struan Road, Portree four years. It was originally we will enjoy the superb facilities of the West (2.00 - 4.00 pm). A social/catch-up with all the based around the island’s Highland College UHI, Struan Road, Portree, events and possibilities available through Skye capital, Portree, but has Isle of Skye, IV51 9EG. This building may be U3A, including new directions we might pursue. extended itself to include known to some of you as an art gallery, some Friday 25 March 2016 Broadford. These two time ago, and is situated across the road from West Highland College, Struan Road, Portree centres are separated the Shinty Hall. (2.00 - 4.00 pm). Our AGM. More details nearer by 26 miles and many I must also let you know that the Archaeology the time, but it is never boring nor tedious, members are scattered in Group has been reformed and will be led by Joy and if you don’t come, you might find yourself remote locations around Davies (tel: 01470 511727; email: joydavies@ 'volunteered' in your absence (joke). the island. This presents btinternet.com), so let her know if you would Finally I cannot close without mention of the special challenges but want to join the group. (See page three for current situation facing us. Being a very small the Isle of Skye itself is further information on the group's activities.) group, yet covering a vast area, we are faced a major compensation, The immediate dates for your diary include: with issues quite different from those faced offering rich sources of interest in areas such as Friday 15 January, Hall by U3A groups in large conurbations. Our archaeology, geology, (1.00 - 4.00 pm). Our traditional Christmas income is small, and yet our costs are not. So nature, and walking. Given get-together – otherwise known and our we desperately need more members if we are the population of Skye we 'shared table'. We have booked Edinbane to remain financially viable. Please consider how will never approach the size Community Hall between 13.00 and 16.00. we might aid recruitment, and how we might of city U3As but we hope to on Friday 15 January. Between 1.00 – 2.00 pm develop to remain relevant and attractive to a grow and new members are we will be setting things up (tables, food etc) larger membership. extremely welcome. and between 2.00 – 4.00 pm we will have our Wishing you all a peaceful, and joyous 'shared table'. It is an ideal way to start the New New Year. Skye U3A news is published irregularly. Copy date for the Year, catching-up with fellow U3A members. Tony Livesey next issue is 10 February 2016. Friday 29 January, Breakish Hall Send material for inclusion to (2.00 - 4.00 pm). Gael Dunan, ex Head of the Ian Burn [8 [email protected]]. Maths Department at Portree High School, Isle of Skye U3A 2015 programme Friday 27 November 2015 meeting The Isle of Man and the Isle of Skye by Phil Walker

On Friday, 27 November we down to the Isle of Man had our last monthly meeting were once part of the Norse for this year at our new Kingdom of the Isles. It is Portree venue – West Highland generally believed that the College, Struan Road (on the Macleods are descended from opposite side of road from the the kings of Man and Phil Shinty Hall). pointed out that well known The symbol of speaker the Isle of was Phil Man, the Walker, 'three legs originally of man' from occurs the Isle twice in of Man the coat of but now arms of the living in Macleods. Kildonan Phil is a with speaker his wife of Manx Norma. Gaelic and Norma’s currently family are all originally from studying . From Skye and Norma has close the examples he showed us, connections with Glendale. it seems that written Manx Phil explained to us the long is much, much easier than connections between the Isles written Scottish Gaelic. of Skye and Man. Many of us will be aware that all the islands from the Hebridies

The Three Legs – Yn Tree Cassyn The Isle of Man Coat of Arms The MacLeod Coat of Arms

We meet at 2.00 pm on the last Friday of every month, with the venue alternating between the West Highland College in Portree and Breakish Hall. At most meetings there is a guest speaker, but now and again we hold internal events such as quizzes, group presentations, etc. Tea, coffee, and biscuits are available at all meetings. Velyn Gaelg ayd? – Do you speak Manx? Moghrey Mie = Good morning Friday 15 January 2016 Fastyr mie = Good afternoon Christmas shared table lunch Oie vie = Goodnight Christmas/New Year 'Lunch', or rather shared table. Bring Kys t'ou? = How are you? food, eat everyone else’s food, and catch up with folk you Feer vie = Very well might not have seen in ages. 1.00 pm set up, 2.00 pm for the main event. Mie dy liooar = Well enough West Highland College UHI, Struan Road, Portree IV51 9EG. Goll as gaccan = Going and grumbling! As oo hene? = And yourself? Friday 29 January 2016 Gura mie ayd = Thank you Gael Dunan, ex Head of the Maths Department at Portree High School, and passionate voluntary worker in Slane lhiat = Goodbye Slatina, Roumania. Hee'm ou = I'll see you Breakish Hall, Breakish. Isle of Man map by Eric Gaba – Wikimedia Commons user: Sting.

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #18 | January 2016 Isle of Skye U3A interest groups

Walking group folders all gone soggy. In any out some strange curried spicy at the base could be 15 – 20 The Walking Group presently case, as it was high tide there snacks, which Linda refused m and the thickness of those organizes one walk each were very few birds around on the grounds that if they walls up to 4m at the base. month, on the 16th (date and we had even resorted to were procured on the internet The cavity walls contained altered if it coincides with the counting hooded crows and they might be all virused up, staircases and galleries and weekend), though in summer blackbirds. before falling to the ground the height of the structure two walks are held each As soon as the rain eased and struggling to get up again could have been 13m or month. Short walks alternate off we were away up the (Linda always entertains us more. Mousa on Shetland is with longer walks and track (what used to be the with a fall or two, though this the only one anywhere near locations alternate between Road many moons time she failed to break any its original height and that the north and south of Skye. ago) and on to the bones or coat herself in mud stands at 13m. and slime). Tuesday 15 December Cemetery where we could look out over the River Snizort as Yes, a somwehat uneventful The last of the year, the it meandered in large loops day but it was actually quite group had a really good walk towards the loch. And we saw enjoyable and we did finish today through the forest and – a raven and a mallard. up on a natury note, with an then a short walk up to the identification by Steve of a trig point at Ghlinne Bhig. In what was turning out to be Porcelain fungus, which was Clear skies and an easy walk. a very unnatury nature trip we another first for the nature Then the intrepid explorers thought it best to switch to a group. tried to find Loch a Ghlinne bit of archaeology and crossed Curiously, brochs are only Bhig, which is located deep in the foot bridge to the tiny St. found in a very limited area: the unexplored forest. Failed Columba’s Isle. Back in the in what is today the area on that one! Then down to good old days this used to be of the Highland Council, in the Skye Bakery in Portree for the site of Snizort Cathedral, the Western Isles, in Orkney a warming hot winter spiced which was founded within the and in Shetland. A few chocolate (scrumptious). Archdiocese of Trondheim, Norway, and a monastery, scattered examples elsewhere near to a rock on which St. in seem to be of a Columba had supposedly later date. preached. At one time the Who built these 'prehistoric Skeabost diocese (Diocese cooking towers'? How and of the Isles) stretched from U3A nature blog: http://u3a- why? These are some of the northern tip of the Outer skye-nature.blogspot.co.uk the questions we hope to Hebrides to the Isle of Man but investigate. Group co-ordinator the bishopric was later moved John Kennedy Our first trip was spoilt by Group co-ordinators to Iona. ✆ 01470 532765 A Big Gale (Storm Abigail) David Hammond Ophir had brought some so was rescheduled for 8 [email protected] weird sticks with him and had Geology group December only to be Linda Shove placed them in the ground in The group normally makes postponed again due to bad a certain conformation. I’ve no weather. It is now planned to 8 [email protected] a monthly field trip on idea what he was up to but, Skye. We try to read up on take place in January 2016. Nature group as it is thought the isle may an area before and after The group has a field trip have originally housed a pagan our trip as some of us are each month to see what Skye Pictish centre, he was maybe complete beginners. As well as has to offer in the realm of testing for ley lines, that sort broadening our knowledge of nature. Although each event of stuff – I don’t know if he geology in a practical ‘eyes-on’ focuses on a particular area found any. manner, the outings are also of flora and fauna, we keep We had to negotiate some great fun and always involve a an eye out for anything, very boggy ground to access mini-picnic. Claigan souterrain – OK, it just from lichen to raptors, from the eastern shore of Loch U3A geology blog: http:// looks like a wet damp stone flowers to sea mammals. Snizort where we could u3askyegeology.blogspot.co.uk/. tunnel (and that's exactly what have our lunch and observe it is), but it was built 2,000 years Tuesday 15 December all the birds that weren’t Group co-ordinator ago. 'Why?' or 'What for?' are The turnout of eight for the there. Gill withdrew some Jo-Ann Cherry the sort of questions the group will be considering. nature walk to Skeabost was distance from the rest of ✆ 01470 542777 excellent, especially in view the group and hunched We intend to visit Dun of the dull, damp weather somewhat secretively over Archaeology proup – Fiadhairt (also known as but, contrary to the forecast, her comestibles. We actually the Broch Baggers Dun Iadhard) near Dunvegan we had no sooner begun think she was accessing the A U3A archaeology group has and also time permitting, observing and trying to count mini-bar which we knew had re-started. The plan is to visit to look at another potential the bird population on Loch been secreted into one or sites of brochs/possible brochs broch site and a souterrain Snizort Beag, than the rain more of her walking poles. In and other prehistoric sties near near Claigan. Sadly, none decided to join the party in an apparent effort to cover up the broch sites. of the brochs on Skye are a big way and we were soon her sneakiness or to mollify Brochs are massive iron age remotely like Mousa in terms sheltering under a leafless her indignant fellow walkers, structures, built with cavity of preservation so some tree, with our forms and she then proceeded to hand walls. The external diameter imagination is required!

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #18 | January 2016 National U3A news and events

U3A Scotland new website into England; the Duke of Cumberland; ways: U3A Scotland have just launched a new defeat at Culloden. • Health and well being of the older website. The aim is to update the U3A's person as perceived by society/societies; image and fit in with many other regions • Health and wellbeing as perceived by of the Third Age Trust. The new site is at: older people themselves. www.u3asites.org.uk/scotland These strands will be expanded in the following two workshops: Workshop 2 Health and Wellbeing What do we mean by these much overused phrases? How can we improve / influence our health and well being? Day Three Workshop 3 The aftermath of Culloden; the legacy of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Having previously looked at the perception The site is still under development and of the needs of the elderly, this session will new features will be added over the attempt to answer the question 'What is Folk Music – for the people by the months. For example, a 'Trustee Page' it that we really want from our Health and people will be added in the New Year where you Care systems?' can access information from our Scotland Anne Hamilton Dundee U3A The final feedback session will outline Trustee and their latest news. On this short folk music course you will the outcome of the workshops and The aim is to make the site a key part of have the opportunity to participate in our hopefully will provide some valuable communication with U3A members so ‘mini folk festival’. recommendations and suggestions which please check it regularly. Day one One hour session, we will can be utilised to improve the health and get to know each other and share our wellbeing of our ageing society. Dates for your diary knowledge and ideas about folk music. Tuesday 22 March 2016 Day two We will learn about the origins International Politics All Scotland Assembly in Haddington on and history of various types of folk songs Tony Black Communication, web sites and massive from Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales How do states and nations relate to each open on-line courses (MOOCs). and America. We want you to join in – other? Are there universal human rights? sing, bring along instruments, or just listen Summer Schools The United Nations. and enjoy the music. Tuesday 30 August 2016 How much do we depend on other Day three Our last hour, we will recap The Committee are currently organising countries? Globalization. and look at how and where the study a Summer School for August 2016 to be of folk music can be continued, possibly Turbulence in the Middle East: Muslim held in Dundee. opening up new areas of interest for the views of international relations. group and hopefully devising ways for The economic rise of China: Chinese views Summer School 2016 keeping in touch and continuing to share of world order. our love of folk music. Climate change: what can and should the international community do about it?

Forensics Abertay University Names to be confirmed This topic will be an introduction to forensics, including DNA, fingerprinting and crime scene analysis. There may be an opportunity to visit the Scenes of Crime room at Abertay to search for clues to a 'crime'. Scottish History – The Jacobite Risings Helen Oram Aberdeen U3A Day One Health and Well being Introduction. Brief historical background. Kath Payne The first Jacobite Rising 1689. Workshop 1 Day Two The perceived needs of the older person The Fifteen Rebellion. The Earl of Mar; the in relation to health, health care and Old Pretender; the Battle of Sheriffmuir. wellbeing. The Forty-five Rebellion. The Young This session will revolve around the word Pretender; victory at Prestonpans; March 'perceived' and we will explore it in two

Isle of Skye U3A newsletter; issue #18 | January 2016