AN CARRANNACH The General Interest Magazine of Lochcarron, Shieldaig, Applecross, Kishorn and Torridon & Kinlochewe Districts NO: 352 APRIL 2017 £1.00 One of the top accolades for any quality Garden is to be recognised as a Partner Garden by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – and Wester Ross has not one but two to boast! The National Trust for Scotland Inverewe Garden in Poolewe and Attadale Gardens in Strathcarron are now both official Partners to the world respected RHS. Attadale has just achieved this status and joins Inverewe who obtained theirs two years ago through the efforts of Head Gardner Kevin Ball. And now, both gardens are working closely together to share expertise and knowledge to mutual benefit. Inverewe Property Manager Kevin Frediani is delighted with the fact that Attadale has now joined this prestigious group of Gardens. He says: ‘All Partner Gardens offer inspiration to keen gardeners through high standards of design and/or planting. Many are well known, some less so, resulting in a stimulating mix of styles that visitors should find interesting throughout the gardening year. We certainly have a great amount here in Wester Ross, particularly as there are now two in this beautiful part of the North West Highlands for visitors and locals alike.’ Adds Kevin: ‘We are both on the North Coast 500 touring route which is bringing visitors to this part of the Highlands, and both Attadale and Inverewe are great stopping off points along the way. By working together and sharing our top quality expertise in all aspects of horticulture and the visitor experience, we are confident that all our visitors will have a truly memorable time, and hopefully want to return. Our two garden teams are very proud to be recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society in this way.’Cont’ Page 5 AN CARRANNACH NOT an Editorial but IMPORTANT INFORMATION Published by An Carrannach Society, Lochcarron. Everyone related to the publishing of An Chairperson: Joanna Macpherson Carrannach was stunned to receive Mavis’ email telling of her decision to retire. Editorial Content: [email protected] Mavis has, in her own inimitable way, BECOME An Carrannach. Her devotion, skill and expertise, Treasurer: Tony Caminiti cheerful spirit amidst ALL difficulties, and ability 10 Kirkton Road to work with a huge range of personalities have Lochcarron IV54 8UF been astounding, indeed legendary. 01520 722 148 We owe Mavis a debt of gratitude that can never [email protected] be properly paid. No one could or would put in the many hours of labour each month that Mavis Mailing: Hilary “Post” Rooke happily provided. Thus the role of Editor is retiring along with Distribution: Anthea Zell Mavis. Area Representatives: As is befitting, 4 people will attempt to fill her Applecross: Lenore Small 01520 744 337 shoes: Kishorn: Carol Cocks 01520 733 213 Peter Teago is handling Design and Layout, Shieldaig: Lucy Kerr 01520 755 368 dealing with IT issues and the printer in Inverness. Torridon: Glyn Meredith 01445 791 270 Angela Goodman is the Sub Editor and is the delivery point for copy. Her bespoke email is: Features: [email protected]. A Word from the Church/On Reflection Alec Cormack is the new contact point for Gardening – Maureen Lyon – 01520 733 488 advertising. The dedicated email for all ads is: email: [email protected] [email protected]. Nature Notes – Jean Stewart – 01520 722 238 Carolyn Caminiti can be contacted for information email:[email protected] or if you have questions. Her email is: Advertising: [email protected] [email protected]. Local Rate: We apologise in advance for any blunders during Entertainments, Sales, Services, Trade – Whole this transition as we attempt to carry on the Page £24, Half page £14, Quarter page £7 publication of An Carrannach to the high standard Single items for sale or wanted - £4 with advert or £5 that Mavis has established. if invoiced Out of Area Rate: Please email us for prices Mavis, we will ALL miss you enormously. Insertions: CLOSING DATE FOR THE Births, marriages, deaths, acknowledgements. MAY 2017 ISSUE Congratulations, thanks notices – No charge MATERIAL MUST BE RECEIVED BY NO LATER THAN 15TH APRIL 2017 PLEASE Subscriptions: 11 issues post paid, U.K. £25.00 : Australia £66.00 Canada and USA £60.00 Contact [email protected] The An Carrannach Society does not accept responsibility for the content/accuracy of reports, Material for publication must be emailed to articles and advertisements received. The views [email protected] or a phone call to expressed by contributors are NOT necessarily reserve space on 01520 722 148 those of the Society. For general information or enquiries email [email protected] Material intended for publication must include your name and address. Please note we can now accept copy in any format.. Cover photograph by Annie MacDonald. 2 how God answers prayer. All we need is trust in the Lord. Bishop James Harrington and his Companions had trust (together with fear ON and hope and despair all jumbled up together) as they went with the Church REFLECTION Missionary Society, about their task of bringing God to Africa. It is unlikely that any of us will be asked to step up to the plate as did they, through the grace of God. On Reflection However, there are tasks we can undertake I don’t know about you but my ego seems to in our small ways to make the world a better get in my way more than it assists me. I place. They are so simple, we are amazed by mean, I readily agree that the ego is needed their simplicity: a ready smile for all we so that we can have the strength and courage meet, remembering to say our prayers for to stand up and be counted sometimes in our troubled world every day and to be lonely debates. However, it is a very thankful deep down in our hearts for the exposed place to be when we find ourselves grace we are each given to serve right up to expressing a particularly controversial the time when we shall be called to glory. Christian view of a problem. It is at first quite alarming to discover that As Eastertide approaches and we try to make our Lord is not impressed by one person sense of suffering and resurrection and the more than another when I so want him to be notion of being ‘born again’, let us not get impressed by me rather than, say, you. We ahead of ourselves. Let us be calm and are sometimes such judgemental souls are trusting and hopeful even though the world we not? How can God approve of someone tries to embroil us in inappropriate action who crosses us so badly when we know we towards one another which we shall surely are right? Some people are so unlovable, regret quick sticks in our quieter moments. how come God loves them and worse –loves Perhaps Easter this year could be rest time them as much as God loves us? It’s a for our galloping egos and a joyful love mystery. towards one another could burst out amongst Scripture says ‘the first shall be last and the us...... last shall be first’? Are we comforted by It is not said anywhere that being a Christian that? Well only if we know in our hearts that is easy! we occupy the last position at present and Does any of this sound good to you as I wish can therefore look forward to better ranking. you all the joys of the season? In my experience those who occupy spiritually and worldly boggy ground don’t often know it at the time or are so sucked Revd Pam Shinkins into bad behaviour that the notion of hope for better times is a non-starter. So when sinners (that’s us –I’m sorry to SAMARITANS remind you) clean up their acts a bit, I imagine no one is more surprised than them that suddenly they feel in their hearts, with deep gratitude, the love and forgiveness of Whatever you’ve done. God. Another mystery! Whatever life’s done to you. Call Samaritans. Will we ever know how God ‘works’? No we won’t. Will we ever understand how No pressure. God answers our prayers? Probably not. So No judgement. if we don’t know and we don’t understand – well, where does that leave us? It leaves us We’re here for you any time. brothers and sisters as people of faith for whom ‘not knowing’ and ‘mystery’ are acceptable under the reign of a loving God. 0845 790 9090. We do not need to know the mind of God or 3 Scottish Episcopal Church Courthill Chapel, Kishorn FREE CHURCH Services for April LOCHCARRON & Sunday Service 10.30 a.m. APPLECROSS You are welcome at our services Lochcarron Church Street IV54 8YP April 2 Holy Communion Jan Overmeer Sunday 11am and 6 pm 10.30 a.m Lent 5 (Crèche and Sunday school) Midweek Wednesdays April 9 Eucharist Rev. John Searl 7.30pm 10.30 a.m Palm Sunday Applecross Camusterrach IV54 8LU 3 pm every Sunday April 13 Maundy Thursday Rev. Francis Minay Other events as intimated. 7.00 p.m. in Village Hall & Rev. John Searl Scottish Charity SC038169 Rev M. Florit 01520 722 999 April 14 [email protected] Good Friday Rev. John Searl 2.00 p.m. www.freechurch.org April 16 Eucharist Rev. John Searl 10.30 a.m Easter Sunday CHURCH OF SCOTLAND APPLECROSS, LOCHCARRON and April 23 Eucharist Rev. Heather TORRIDON 10.30 a.m Easter 1 Widdows Times and Places of Worship April 30 Holy Communion Marcus Given nd 10.30 a.m Easter 2 2 April Lochcarron 10.30am Torridon Community Hall 1.00pm May 7 Eucharist 9th Apri Palm Sunday Rev.