LentranKirktonClunesReeligInchberryKirkhillInchmoreEnglishton Muir DrumchardineAltnacardichNewtonhillKnockbainBunchrewCabrich LentranKirktonClunesReeligInchberryKirkhillInchmoreEnglishton Muir DrumchardineAltnacardichNewtonhillKnockbainBunchrewCabrich LentranKirktonClunesReeligInchberryKirkhillInchmoreEnglishton Muir DrumchardineAltnacardichNewtonhillKnockbainBunchrewCabrich LentranCrannogKirktonClunesReeligInchberryKirkhillInchmoreEnglishton Muir SpringDrumchardine 2009 ReadAltnacardich it first online atNewtonhill www.kirkhillandbunchrew.org.ukKnockbainBunchrewCabrich Community Councillors In this issue Foul Play - football players hit out Ian Weir, Groam Farm, Kirkhill 831750 against selfish dogwalkers p2 Chris Heaton-Armstrong, Kirkhill 831779 Ally MacNeill, Tigh Cala, 4 Newtonhill 831339 Achnagairn House - 200 years on p3 Fred Geddes, Newtonhill 831324 Cameron Kemp, West Altnaceardaich, Lentran 831552 Karen Young, Glen Rowan, Bunchrew 234128 Crannog is published four times a year Iain Urquhart, 58 Newton Park, Kirkhill 831278 by Kirkhill & Bunchrew Community Council. The next Ian Cowan, Tigh-na-Beithe, Kirkhill 831344 meeting is on 24 March, then 12 May and 23 June Caroline Crawford, Gardener’s Cottage, Achnagairn, Kirkhill 2009. All meetings of the community council are usu- 831503 ally held in the Old North Inn on a Tuesday evening at Arthur Lacey, 26 Newton Park, Kirkhill 831785 7.30 and are open to members of the public. If you have any concerns you would like raised please come along or alternatively speak to one of the councillors. J RUSSELL Doggie Daycare GARDENING SERVICES EST. 1969 Whinbrae, Lentran, IV3 8RJ ALL TYPES OF GARDEN WORK EXPERTLY UNDERTAKEN vHEDGE and TREE SURGERY vFENCING, SLABBING, WOODCHIPPING vLAWNS UPLIFTED & GRAVELLED vGRASS CUTTING vPATIO and PATH LAYING vGARDEN TIDY-UPS KENNELS & DOG WALKING RUBBISH REMOVED ON COMPLETION Out to work all day - dark mornings/nights would you like your dog walked in the NO JOB TOO SMALL - middle of the day? CALL NOW FOR A KILTARLITY - BEAULY - KIRKHILL - MUIR OF ORD FREE ESTIMATE PLEASE PHONE 01463 831070 Tel. 07851 744590 (Shona) OR MOBILE 077 808 62035 Crannog Spring 2009 1 Coaches have to clear half sack of excrement before kids’ Saturday football can begin Young players give dog foulers a red card Kirkhill dog owners are “Dog excrement is that are causing a public please keep away from receive a fixed penalty of being urged to be more building up on all the health hazard to our the playing fields.” £40, which rises to £60 if responsible and pick up grassy areas in Kirkhill,” children. Toxoplasmosis not paid within 28 days. after their dogs after a explained one Mum. (carried in the worms’ Highland Council is Dog excrement should Saturday morning foot- “Problem areas are eggs found in dog excre- reminding dog owners be picked up, placed in ball nightmare. across the a bag and deposited in area that a dog waste bin, litter bin Coaches at the they must or owner’s own bin. Bags regular training clean up are available from Coun- session for pri- after their cil Service Points. mary school chil- dog has dren had to lift fouled any Apart from being unpleas- over half a sack public open ant to look at, there are of dog excrement space - this health risks attached to from the pitches i n c l u d e s dog excrement, and it is at the community pavements, particularly disappoint- centre in the vil- footpaths, ing that dog owners are lage before it was r o a d s , allowing their pets to safe to let the chil- parks, rec- foul in parks and other dren play. r e a t i o n a l recreational areas where p i t c h e s , children play. And if this hap- cycle ways, pens again foot- communal Please, please be a ball training may have to the grassy strip on the ment) can cause blind- land and open land which responsible dog owner be abandoned for health right walking towards ness and brain damage the public has access to. and ensure that your dog and safety reasons. the pedestrian crossing in children, never mind does not foul in these (from Inchmore), which the food poisoning bac- Under the Dog Fouling areas. Parents were horrified is covered in excrement, teria! (Scotland) Act 2003, the that some dog owners and Newton Park pave- council can issue fixed If you have informa- could be so irresponsible ments. However it is the “If you can’t stop your penalty notices to offend- tion about offenders or and it’s not just a prob- people who “walk” their dog pooing on the grass, ers. Anyone identified require more informa- lem at the playing fields dogs on the playing fields please take a pooper as failing to clean up tion, contact the Council which cause concern: at the Community Centre scooper with you...and after their dog is liable to on 01463 702000. ROWANHILL NATURAL CRAFTS GARDEN TREE SURGERY WORKSHOP (in the former candle workshop, between Lentran & Ardfearn Nursery) HANDMADE PAPERS & CARDS H & H Brown HANDMADE PHOTO ALBUMS Bunchrew Bespoke Service available for all special occasions HANDMADE PRESERVES Tree Felling & Topping Also available in Gift Baskets Removal or Make Safe Damaged Trees Fruit Tree Care HANDMADE SILK SCARVES Tree Management & Advice HANDMADE CANDLES Free Quotations Open Easter to Christmas Public Liability Insurance Usually 12 – 5 Tuesday – Saturday (please check before making a special trip) Phone: Hugh on Open any time by appointment 01463 713245 please contact Sue Blaney mob 0774 844 6609 tel 01463 831334 07845 468540 Email on www.rowanhillnaturalcrafts.com 2 Crannog Spring 2009 Achnagairn House ready for another 200 years by Sheila Endersby As I’m sure most of you know, Achna- Throughout its development, the house gairn House in Kirkhill has recently has acquired unique and superb exam- been restored to its former glory and ples of architecture and interior design now is open for business as a wedding/ features. For this reason, Achnagairn is family party/corporate event venue. currently a listed heritage building with I became involved in the business as Grade B classification Bookings Manager in the summer of last year and am aware that there is In recent times, it’s been owned by the a lot of local interest in the house. I Ogden family (1901) and was used as thought the Crannog would be a good a hospital during the second world war way of communicating what is happen- - one of those soldiers, Bill Grant, who ing and how things are progressing! was only 16 at the time, recently came back to Firstly, a bit of background. Achna- Achnagairn and told the Providing A Quality, Reliable Service gairn House has ancient origins, the present owners how the word Achnagairn meaning “Field of the ballroom had always been Cairns” and there has been a house on referred to as “the jungle” STEWARTS CARPETS the site for the past 400 years. A date because there had been stone which is now incorporated into heads of wild animals Choose Your Floor Coverings In The the fireplace in the library within the adorning the walls. Comfort Of Your Own Home Or Business estate now proudly reads 1663 and the house as it now stands was built circa In the last decade Achna- Contract & Domestic Flooring Specialists 1812. There is a crest on the exterior gairn passed from owner wall outside the reception hall which to owner, changing hands bears the Latin inscription ‘Peaceful frequently. It was placed • Carpets & Vinyls but Prepared for Battle’ - possibly an on the “at risk” register • Wood/Laminate Flooring apt description when it comes to wed- of important houses. The dings! current owners, Gillian • Karndean Floors and Michael Lacey-Soly- • Repair Work Undertaken The original part of the house was built mar, have lovingly restored to three storeys with fabulous architec- the house over the last • Distance No Object tural features such as the conical main two years and the jour- • All Floor Coverings Supplied & Fitted entrance tower and the two bell-shaped ney has been a long one. towers that overlook the garden. Other However, even on a short • Wide Choice Available typically ‘Scottish’ features are the visit, guests get a strong crow-stepped gables. Additions and sense of the history which • Fit Only Service alterations to the house were made by still emanates from the All Work Guaranteed u Free Estimates Ross and Joass (Inverness architects) mansion’s wood-panelled in 1864 and substantial redesigns walls. The refurbishment Tel/Fax: and extensions in the Arts and Crafts has been difficult at times, 01463 831008 style, were probably made between particularly given today’s Mobile: 1905 and 1910. A different architect, strict building controls, W. L. Carruthers in 1912, added the and I’m sure must have 07785 344992 ballroom and rear service quarters caused many a sleepless with inner court. The breathtaking ball- night but the result has Clashaidy, Inchmore room with its timber braced ceiling and been worth it. Gillian and IV5 7PX magnificent oak panelling was a 21st Mike have successfully birthday present from a previous owner merged the old with the to his daughter, the enormous fireplace new and the luxurious e: kevin@stewarts in the room bearing the date 1912. carpets.freeserve.co.uk Continued on p7 Blooming Marvellous Working to help you enjoy your garden • Regular garden care • Planting and pruning • Spring and autumn tidy up • Flowerbed and border makeovers Elizabeth Shiach, Gardener, RHS Cert. in Horticulture Call 01463 831591 or 07733 421039 “a thorough job to a high standard” • “reliable, friendly and very knowledgeable” • “excellent at giving ideas” Inverness, Beauly & Kirkhill areas Crannog Spring 2009 3 Kiltarlity Post Office, Village Store & Coffee Shop Tel: 01463 741284 Post Office Opening Hours Monday 9.00am – 5.30pm • Euro currency on demand. Tuesday 9.00am – 5.30pm • Free Cash Withdrawal facility. Wednesday 9.00am – 5.30pm • Bill Payment (Telephone/Electric/Gas). Thursday 9.00am – 5.30pm • Council Tax/Rent Payment.