Every two months FREE KILLIN NEWS KILLIN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Issue No. 42 January 1998 Never Mind the Grade, Contents Feel the Quality! Tourism 1997 Article Page Killin Community Council 2 Strathfillan Community Council 2 Tim Frost, 4 Health Column 5 Red Squirrels 5 Tourism 1997 1,6 Indoor Riding School 7 Review of Music Recital 7 Review of 1997 8 Glen Dochart Adult Education 10 Killin Initiative A.G.M. 10 Comment II Killin's First Diamond Wedding II Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond. Stirling more advance booking. There is no Obituary 12 and the Trossachs Tourist Board was the question that visitors are becoming Thank you 12 first of all the STB regions to have 1998 more discerning and want holiday Letters 12,13 Accommodation Brochures available accommodation of some quality. All for potential visitors, and with plans to Area Tourist Boards are now insisting Mervyn's Weather 14 invest over £800,000 on its advertising on participation in the Scottish Tourist Clubs and Societies 14,15 campaign for 1998, we must hope that Board's new Grading and Classification this bodes well for tourism in the area. Scheme, as a condition of accommoda- We are lucky that this huge and diverse tion membership. This will not please ness of environmental issues and could area offers almost everything a holiday- everyone but it must be seen as a very encourage local people to take more maker could want. positive move to improve the quality of care of their environment. Litter is a real service offered to the tourist. As an problem around our countryside. In 1997, although our Tourist Board was added incentive for our Board members, the STB waived its joining fee for those second only to the Highlands, in the All the STB schemes, whether we are applying before 30th November, 1997. number of requests for tourist informa- for or against them, are there to improve tion, each smaller area, and each indi- the quality of service for the visitor, in vidual business, must still be prepared to The STB have plans for a similar what is a very competitive market on market its own potential. Depending on scheme to improve the provision of both a national and international level. your honesty, or how much you want Food. The Natural Cooking of Scotland Perhaps there is a case in the future, for your competitors to know, 1997 was seminars have been attempting to all establishments offering accommoda- either a very good year or a poor one! To encourage more use of local and fresh tion to be registered with the local coun- be serious, some areas experienced a produce in the preparation of meals, but cil, as happens in some countries. very poor tourist trade in 1997, as visi- the problem with such a scheme, is that tor numbers to Scotland fell, in general, the majority of those attending are We should also remember, in the end. compared to recent years, with the already "converted" and it does not that all the schemes in the world are no strong pound, the building society wind- reach those who have yet to discover substitute for a friendly smile, good falls, and no "Rob Roy" or what fresh produce is! food, comfortable and clean accommo- "Braveheart", all contributing to the fall. dation, and the willingness to go out of There does appear to have been a notice- A new development is the Green Award, the way to make the visitor feel really able decline in "passing trade" in 1997, which may be given to those establish- welcome, whatever part of the trade you while there was a general trend towards ments that are demonstrating an aware- work in. Killin Community Council dents that have happened recently. The the issue of the recent tap water contam- Chairman suggested that an estimate be ination. He stated that the new water The meeting was held in McLaren Hall obtained and the possibility of a grant be treatment plant was not obviously able on 9th December, 1997 those present applied for from Stirling Council. to cope with what is required. There were: was also the problem of people not Dochart Bridge - Scrub and trees are being informed until hours later. At William Rew (Chairman), F Stewart now obscuring the view across the lease one elderly person was admitted to (Secretary), William Douglas Dochart Bridge. This is hazardous to hospital caused by water contamination. (Treasurer), J McPherson (Vice traffic using the bridge, especially in the The distribution of drinking water was Chairman), P Christie, C Grant, C summer months. Stirling Council are slow and some people did not receive McRae, J Mallinson. coming up after Christmas to advise on any. The priorities of this distribution Three members of the public were pre- which trees should be removed. was all wrong with businesses receiving sent water before householders. C C T V - The proposed installation of Explanations for this to be asked for Park Convenor: Charles Grant was the C C T V at each end of the village is from East of Scotland Water. A report voted on as Parks Convener for a on hold at the moment. The police have on the contamination is also required. period of one year. a mobile unit which will be brought up now and again for use in the area. Planning Application - C MacRae Community Council Meetings - A mini- informed the committee that there had mum of 6 meetings per year as required. Ballechroisk Terrace - A complaint was been four planning applications and no It was decided that the meetings would received from a resident in Ballechroisk objections had been. The Old Esso take place every second Tuesday of Terrace regarding the damage to the Garage - a few months ago the new every month, starting on 10th February. kerb on the corner by the Bin Lorry. owner had applied for planning permis- J Mallinson asked if it was possible to Although the first three houses in the sion to change the garage into a Hot encourage more members of the public terrace are council owned, the others are Take Away. The application had not to attend the meetings. More notices not and therefore the road is not council been approved by the Planning will be distributed around the village owned. The council should be liable for Authority. two weeks before the next meeting. A repairs to the kerb. A letter to be written Walker informed the committee that to the Council regarding this matter. Next meeting - there was a community council notice Tuesday 10 February 1998. board in the village situated outside the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Breadalbane Park for which he has a Park - P Christie brought to the key. Council's attention the proposed Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Strathfillan The committee decided to inform The Boundary Line possible stopping at Community Council Members of the public to address any Lix Toll but a map of the proposed area questions to be sent to the Chairman, Mr to be acquired. A further discussion will Our 'new' Community Council is in fact William Rew, or the Secretary, Mrs take place at the next meeting. the same as the old one. but with the Fiona Stewart. welcome addition of Irene Graham. Bill Wester Lix Holiday Chalets - Enquiries Paulin has resigned after years of hard The Chairman brought to the commit- to be made regarding a Right of Way work as Treasurer and as creator and tees attention the problem of lack of through Wester Lix as the road had been editor of our local newsletter 'Strathfillan By the Way'. The decision was made to progress on housing at the Mart. Work blocked off about halfway through. separate the 'By the Way' from the had started on the flat beneath Mr J Some doubts were raised as to whether Community Council, and we are pleased Gaulds house. The Chairman thought the road went through the Estate. that Bill will continue as Editor. that Stirling did not have much control over the Mart, as it was privately owned. Water Contamination - C Grant raised Toilets in Breadalbane Park - The Films Cards Chairman thought that this issue would be controlled by the Environmental Services. J McPherson thought a letter should be written pointing out that chil- dren using the new play area were expected to cross a busy main road to reach the nearest public toilets. Next day developing service for your Photographs Council to be asked about a Handrail at Colour care, Fuji. Kodak the entrance to the Public Toilets at the Film stocked top of the village. J McPherson said it should be pointed out about the acci- Stationery Rooks Next Issue Vintage Cars Visit Killin The Killin News Production Committee would like to wish all our readers, writers and advertisers the very best for 1998. We especially thank our advertisers without whose support the paper would come to an end. We try to keep our advertising rates from increasing, but we do offer a real positive advantage in that the Killin News is delivered by hand to every household and business in the area - and that beats all the national and provincial papers! This picture shows unusual visitors to Killin this summer. It is not every day that we Copy and advertisements for the next are able to see 6 vintage cars on their way from Northern Ireland to Glamis Castle to issue which will be distributed towards participate in a 3 day vintage car extravaganza. The photograph shows the group the end of March 1998, should be with during an overnight stop at the Dall Lodge.