Every two months FREE KILLIN NEWS KILLIN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Issue No. 19 March 1994 Alien Species Overruns Loch Tay Killin News 3 Years old! It seems no time at all since we were tentatively putting together the first (small!) issue of the Killin News. That was April 1991. Three years later our problem seems to be mainly trying to stop the thing getting too big! This issue, in fact, is the biggest at 16 pages! But do not worry, we The shattering surprise of the opening Association held in Killin. There was, are not trying to compete with the day of Loch Tay's salmon fishing was of course, talk of compensation and giant Sunday Times! the discovery that sometime earlier, some indeed, some attempt may be made along these lines, if only to provide cash for hundreds of large alien rainbow trout got That we have been able to progress into the loch. These fish were caught by angling clubs to restock with brown trout. and grow over these three years is the salmon fishers and averaged about 7 to 8 pounds in weight. The salmon catch, Public Enquiry very largely due to the loyalty of our on the other hand, was three fish. The advertisers - without whom we rainbows came from the trout farm at We are reminded of the application made simply would not exist. Our artwork, the Kenmore end of the loch. Anglers to Stirling District Council for a trout layout and printing costs money and and environmentalists are angry at the farm at Ardeonaig, which the Council so we are deeply grateful to those who likely damage to the loch's native species, turned down. The Killin News covered have advertised in the Killin News brown trout and salmon. Rainbows are that story and the subsequent Public over these three years; you have predators of smaller brown trout and Enquiry, which, after much evidence allowed us to pay our bills. young salmon and if your salmon right, from both sides, upheld the Council's (which alone allows you to fish for decision. During that Enquiry, trout salmon), cost in the region of £15,000 to farmers made light of people's fear of buy, you are naturally going to be very rainbows escaping, implying that the Many thanks indeed to all of you angry! Trout fishers, come 15 March, management system would be so good for your unfailing support. may find the stocks of "brownies" that the escape of fish was a small risk! somewhat reduced! How wrong can you be? We congratulate Stirling District and the Public Enquiry NOTICE Hopes of Compensation for their decision. The requirement of planning permission for trout farms is Annual Much of this anger and dismay was relatively new and did not exist when General Meeting expressed at the recent meeting of the the Kenmore one was started. Rainbows pose a serious environmental problem. West Loch Tay Salmon Fishers' The AGM of the Killin News will be held in the Lesser McLaren Hall on Wednesday 6 April 1994. We cordially invite our readers and advertisers to attend. Apart from hearing from us, it should be an opportunity for you to let us know how the paper might be improved, We are sure you have got plenty of ideas, so come along on that date and join us! The Culprit! Kames Fish Farm KILLIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL Changing Roles of Meeting on 10 February chaired by Rubbish Skip - Community Council Community Councils Dr E M McCoIl and with Councillor writing to urge provision of a skip (yet I Martin (SDC) and Constable again). Set up in 1973, the Councils have Ian Donaldson in attendance. Among traditionally acted as groups representing other matters discussed, the main items Donations - £100 was donated to the local needs and concerns to the Local of business were:- Senior Citizens' Bums Supper and £300 Authority. They have no statutory will be donated to the proposed Highland powers. The Government in 1993 The Mart - It would appear that some Games. £100 will be donated towards proposed that the local Community forward planning has taken place between the cost of the restoration of the War Councils should: 1. Have the right to be the owner and the Planning Department Memorial Window. consulted on local planning issues; 2. of the District Council. Representatives Have a statutory right to consultation on of the Community Development Services AOCB - included:- (a) the flooding in schemes of decentralisation put forward are coming to brief the Community front of the Parish Kirk. Community by the new local authorities (in power 1 Council on the present state of affairs. Council will offer a donation of £100 April 1996); 3. Licensing Boards to keep towards remedial work. Letter to be sent the Community Councils informed of Street Lighting - The Community to Session Clerk; (b) action to obtain a local developments. Council will be contacting the authorities handrail for the footpath down to Ballechroisk Court (Kirk Care); (c) letter vis a vis the poor street lighting between Stirling District Council recently Atholl Cottages and the Capercaillie to be sent to Bank of Scotland Head organised a conference for representatives Restaurant, also the Fingal Road parking Office regretting the downgrading of the of Community Councils to seek ways of area. local Branch; (d) Dr M McColI and improving relationships with the District. A Walker attended a Conference/ It also proposed a forum to handle School Bus - Following a letter from the Workshop on Saturday 29 January about common concerns rather than each Director of Education, stating that the the future of Community Councils in the double decker would not be withdrawn, changing Local Authority set up. It was Community Council working piecemeal. the Council will write to the Convener recommended that Killin join the Such a forum could consult with the of Education pointing out the grave National Association. Local Authorities vis a vis, grant aid to disquiet of parents concerning this mode Community Councils and keep then of transport in wintry conditions. A Walker informed about Government reforms. Thanks are due to the District Council and staff for concern that grass roots STRATHFILLAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL Community Councils be kept informed and involved in the changing scene. The major issues on the current Gold Mine, Tyndrum - The gold mine Community Council programme are will now probably get the go ahead. The progressing satisfactorily as reported in Sub-Committee of the District Council the last Killin News. Meetings were held has now re-examined the tailings done with officials of Central Regional Council with reference to the safety aspect . Bridge of Roads Department and Forth Valley Given that this is satisfactory, it may be Lochay Hotel Enterprise. It is proposed to hold a public that at last things will start to move. meeting to outline the specific measures envisaged in the Crianlarich Centenary of the West Highland Railway, Enhancement Scheme. arising from the disinterest of ScotRail Head Planners, some members of the Tenants' Association - The Community Council have been involved in setting up Council will be supporting this proposal an adhoc Committee to make plans for a as initial soundings were positive from celebration of the Centenary of the West the people to whom a Tenants' Highland Railway. Association apply. Paul Kelly, Convener Killin Tel: 0567 820272/820230 MR. STEAM Open everyday Tel: Killin (0567) 820624 from Friday 25th March All your cleaning requirements for stonework *paths *patios *roofs Bar Meals 12.00 - 2.00pm car and boat valeting 6.30-9.00pm ARTIST carpets and upholstery Restaurant 7.00 - 9.00pm Speciality Animal Studies paint removal and much more. Table D'Hote The Old Schoolhouse Ardchyle, by Killin STEAM CLEANINGS HIGH Our speciality is on Perthshire FK21 8RF 0567 - 820535 PRESSURE WASHING our home cooking 2 Bank of Scotland COMMENT Killin The Demise of a Bank? Bank of Scotland's Killin Branch will be linked to the Bank's We reproduced on page 3, the press Branch in Callander from June this year. The existing hours of statement issued by the Bank of business remain unchanged and to further enhance the present Scotland. One could be forgiven for service, a Cash Dispenser is to be installed. thinking that nothing of any consequence was happening! We are The new Banking Manager at Killin will be Mr Tom Tracey who to be "linked" to the Callander Branch. will succeed Mr Angus J F Inglis in March this year. Mr Tracey What a nice comradely idea! And - will be in charge of normal day to day operations but the Branch wait for it - the present service is to will be under the overall control of Mr George N Duffy, Manager be "further enhanced" by the addition at Callander Branch. of a Cash Dispenser. It would seem that they cannot do enough for us! But the reality behind this bland, Chernobyl almost dishonest statement is that the Bank of Scotland, Killin, is to be Readers will remember Stewart Christie's earlier article in Issue No 2, June downgraded. With effect from the 1991, about the Chernobyl Nuclear accident. Stewart has now brought us up close of business on 17 June 1994, to date with the current situation - things are looking slightly more hopeful. all the accounts held at Killin Branch AW will be "administered by the nearby office in Callander". Not so much Eight Years On a link, more a subordination. It is now nearly eight years since the Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor in Russia This is indeed a sad story; not only exploded, a fact probably long forgotten by most people, but not by local sheep is the Bank downgraded, the Village farmers.