Photo by Peter Teago AN CARRANNACH The General Interest Magazine of Lochcarron, Shieldaig, Applecross, Kishorn, Torridon & Kinlochewe Districts NO: 370 November 2018 £1.00 Loch Carron Coastal Rowing Association The highlight of the season so far has undoubtedly been the 13 mile Castle to Crane race on 15th September. The longest rowing race so far in Scotland, it runs along the Clyde from Dumbarton Castle to the Finnieston Crane on the riverside in central Glasgow. Despite only being the second year the race has been run it already attracts over 75 boats of all shapes and sizes. As long as you have a seaworthy craft you can have a go so, early in the summer, we decided to enter both skiffs to see how we would get on. As it happened the fleet this year ended up with 50 St Ayles Skiffs, the largest number ever assembled, so we were in good and very challenging company. Crews (four rowers and one cox for each skiff) were selected in July and training started in earnest as neither crew wanted to be tail end Charlie or worse still not actually finish the course. We expected the row to take up to 3 hours and as well as sore muscles, navigation channels and low flying planes we also had to face the perils of skiff bot - don’t ask for details but the waddle gives it away. Training runs gradually lengthened as the crews gained fitness with Strome regularly in reach on a midweek evening and one lucky crew made it all the way to Plockton and back on a perfect summers day. By the time September arrived we were ready – some logistical challenges to overcome in getting two skiffs to the starting point at Dumbarton and hotels to be booked but all was managed and Friday 14th saw a dozen local residents heading south. Having safely delivered the skiffs to the Marina we assembled in central Glasgow for a pre race dinner and early next morning boarded a fleet of buses hired to transport the crews back to the starting point. The organisation was impressive with the boats starting in groups of 20 depending on category (Over 50, Open etc). The Maid of Lochcarron was early away with the over 50s and Black Raven started some 30 minutes later in the open category. There was a bit of tide to help on the early part of the row but after that it was just about finding a rhythm and keeping going. The skiffs quickly crossed the estuary and entered the River Clyde passing wrecks, light buoys and a surprising amount of wildlife which helped to distract thoughts of weariness and soon the Erskine Bridge was in sight. Black Raven carried a passenger equipped with a music system and for a while the beat of ‘heave away’ from Skipinnish set a good pace however fast jigs were not helpful and rebellion threatened when Abba turned up! (Continued on page 2) 1 (Continued from page 1) AN CARRANNACH In truth the constant pressure to hold position in the race was Published by An Carrannach Society, Lochcarron. all the motivation required and the scenery soon changed from trees to buildings as the skiffs entered the industrial Chairperson: Joanna Macpherson part of the city. By now muscles were aching and the finish Deputy Chair Roger Cundiff was in sight but where exactly was it? Black Raven had just been holding off a chasing boat for three miles and the crew Editorial Content Material for publication must be emailed assumed it was under a footbridge where a pipe band was to Michelle Teago at stirring up emotions and supporters waving – but no, after [email protected] or a phone easing the oars it became apparent there was another 200 call to 01520 722688 metres to go and the chasing boat was now only 10 feet behind. A mad sprint for the line followed and honour was Sub Editor Joanna Macpherson held but how that last section hurt… Area Representatives: The aches are soon forgotten however in the glow of achievement and both crews can be proud of a great effort Applecross: Lenore Small 01520 744 337 with Maid of Lochcarron finishing in 2 hours 18 minutes and 31 seconds and Black Raven in 2 hours 19 minutes and 54 Kishorn: Carol Cocks 01520 733 213 seconds. Shieldaig: Lucy Kerr 01520 755 368 Torridon: It was a great event and we’ll be back next year – if you’re tempted please get in touch as competition for places will be Features: A Word from the Church/On Reflection Gardening – To be confirmed tight. Nature Notes – Hatty Arthur – 01520 722 551 Email: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] Local Rate: Entertainments, Sales, Services, Trade Whole Page £28, Half page £18, Quarter page £10 Out of Area Rate: Please email us for prices Mailing: Hilary “Post” Rooke Distribution: Anthea Zell Treasurer: Alec Cormack Mackays Cottage Strathcarron IV54 8YX In other news, we will have held a mini regatta by the time 01520 722603 this article is published so hopefully 5 or 6 skiffs will have [email protected] been seen in the bay in a series of informal races planned as a taster for a larger event early next year. Insertions: Births, marriages, deaths, acknowledgements. Congratulations, Finally, Dee Gilks took over as Chair of the Rowing thanks notices – No charge Association at a well-attended AGM in September and a number of new committee members are now in place. The Subscriptions: 11 issues post paid, U.K. £25.00 Europe £54.00 club is in excellent hands and can continue to go from Australia £66.00 strength to strength We may even start to creep up the Canada and USA £60.00 rankings at regattas as well as undertaking some longer and Contact [email protected] more adventurous rows and if you want to be part of it then please get in touch with secretary Nick Reiter on Material intended for publication must include your name and [email protected] or give Dee a call on 722376. address. Please note we can now accept copy in any format.. Do you have a drinking CLOSING DATE FOR THE DECEMBER 2018 ISSUE problem? MATERIAL MUST BE RECEIVED BY NO LATER THAN 15TH NOVEMBER PLEASE Do you want help? Errors and omissions excepted. Ring The An Carrannach Society does not accept responsibility for the content/accuracy of reports, Alcoholics Anonymous articles and advertisements received. The views expressed by contributors are NOT necessarily those of the Society. 0800 917 7650 2 3 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND APPLECROSS, LOCHCARRON & TORRIDON Charity No: SCO32334 Times and Places of Worship for November 2018 4th November Lochcarron 10.30am Torridon Community Hall 1.00pm 11th November Lochcarron Community Service of Remembrance and Wreath Laying in Lochcarron Village Hall 10.15am Shieldaig 1.00pm Applecross 1.00pm 18th November Lochcarron 10.30am Kinlochewe 1.00pm Services to celebrate Guild Week 25th November Lochcarron 10.30am Applecross 1.00pm Shieldaig 1.00pm Short Memorial Service Lochcarron 7.00pm Minister Rev. Anita Stutter Tel. 01520 722783 Email [email protected] ALL ARE WELCOME All Saints (Scottish Episcopal) FREE CHURCH LOCHCARRON & Mission APPLECROSS invites you to its monthly service You are welcome at our services Lochcarron Church Street IV54 8YP Sunday 4th November 2.30pm Sunday 11am and 6 pm (Kinlochewe Church of Scotland building) (Crèche and Sunday school) Celebrant and Preacher: Midweek Wednesdays 7.30pm Revd Pam Shinkins Applecross Camusterrach IV54 8LU 3 pm every Sunday 2nd December service 2.30pm come and sing your favourite carols for Other events as intimated. Advent and Christmas Scottish Charity SC038169 Everyone made welcome Rev M. Florit 01520 722999 Further info: (01445) 781346 [email protected] (Scottish Charity Number: www.freechurch.org SCO04655) 4 On the first day of that week when Peter was told about the resurrection of Jesus, his outlook on life changed forever. From that day onwards, Peter may have ON doubted, like we do, a number of things. He may have doubted his own suitability as an apostle; he may have doubted the strength of his faith, or his commitment to REFLECTION Christ. But there was one thing he could not doubt; in the same way he could not doubt that he had been at one time fishing on the Sea of Galilee. When he went to see the tomb where Jesus’ body had been placed, after John had already gone in, he saw it. Or maybe we Certain Uncertainty, or Certain Hope? should say, he did not see it. The body of Jesus was not there. As Jesus had told them, he had conquered death. I think that one of the words that particularly describe From that moment on, his living Lord became his the circumstances in which we find ourselves, living hope! especially at the present time, is “uncertainty.” This is where our hope for time and beyond time lays. We look at the situation the UK finds itself in with the The one who said, “I am going to prepare a place for Brexit process, and as we think about the outcome of it you,” has done exactly that. He defeated death; and in all, we say “it’s certainly uncertain.” We look at the doing so, has assured for all those who trust in Him, an European scene and ponder how the challenges of inheritance, “a salvation ready to be revealed.” It’s immigration may be solved; the many who come from there; it’s ready; it’s for all who have their certain hope Africa and the Middle East, some fleeing war-torn in Jesus Christ.