Ballater & Crathie Eagle, Issue 71, Autumn 2013

Ballater & crathie Community magazine no. 71 autumn 2013 ÂŁ1 Donation

THE DEESIDE INN

BALLATER (ROYAL DEESIDE)

Join us for entertainment

at The Deeside Inn from 8pm onwards on the following dates Friday 27th September

ONLY

£NT3RY

Every Wednesday evening

The Mad Ferrets

Energetic contemporary folk music band

Pop Johnson & Friends

ber

Saturday 30th Novem

LIVE open sessions in our comfortable lounge

Jetsonics

Perfect way to kick the festive season off

E

All in aid of local charities

For full details of our winter programme call 01339 755 413 or pop in and see us

Quiz nights take place on: 5th September

17th October

19th September

7th November

3rd October

28th November

Quiz starts at 7.30pm

Festive Friday Dinner & Dancing 6th, 13th & 20th December

ONLY

£24.95 per person!

To book or for more information please call 01339 755 413

THE DEESIDE INN Victoria Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5RA

Telephone: 01339 755 413 Email: deeside@crerarhotels.com

WWW.CRERARHOTELS.COM

Full Crerar Hotels terms and conditions apply.

3

Inside Your Autumn Eagle:

Your Autumn Eagle continues in glorious technicolour following the great comments about the last edition. We hope it brings colour as the nights draw in

Diary

4-5

Ballater Caravan Park

14

Ballater Bowling Club: 9

The Crathie Pages

22

Ballater Halls Indoor Bowling Club: 8

Aberdeenshire Council 25

Ballater (RD) Ltd: 11

National Park Update

28

Ballater RHS: 10 BRHS Floral Art Group: 8

Deeside Donside Development Project

Local Groups

34

A Skate Park in Ballater 35 Expedition of a life time 36

Ballater Songsters: 9 Ballater Victoria Week Photo special: 54 K & D Befriending: 17 Library News: 13

Take me back

37

Haunted Abergeldie

41

Vertically Challenged

42

My Scotland

43

A trip to China

45

Tullich Kirkyard

47

Dying Birches

49

Perusing Plants

50

Handy to have

Besom Jamie

59

Advertisers Index: 63

Pottering About

60

Advertising

Old People & Over 50s Associations: 12 Rainbows, Brownies and Guides: 18 Rotary Club: 16 Upper Deeside Art Society: 19 Upper Deeside Music: 8 V&A Memorial Halls: 29

Donations

Full page: £100; Half page: £50; Quarter page: £25; Eighth page: £12

Thanks to Liz and Richard Frimston, and to Caroline Campbell for their generous donations to the Ballater Eagle

Discounts on 4 issue series copy can be changed each issue contact Faye Swan at info@swandesign.uk.com or Tel 55345

Donations are gratefully received, and acknowledged. You can also put money into our tins in the Library or Yules Newsagents.

The Eagle Diary

...so you know What’s Going On September Mon 16 Wed 18 Thu 19

Mon 23 Tue 24 Fri 27

1st Ballater Brownie and Rainbows Open Evening, Ballater School, 5-6.30pm SWRI Talk on Photography by Amy Muir, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Floral Art: ‘Mixed Blessings’ by Mrs Audrey Buchan of Montrose, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Traditional Music Sessions at Coilacriech Inn, 8pm Quiz in aid of selected local charity, Deeside Inn, £5 per table, prizes Post office closed Ballater Indoor Bowling starts in Victoria Hall One-man Play: “Fit Like” by Paul Hughson, Victoria Hall, 7.30 for 8pm Tickets £10. Bring your own refreshments The Mad Ferrets, energetic contemporary folk music, Deeside Inn

October

Tue 1 Wed 2 Thu 3 Fri 11

Sat 5

Sun 13 Mon 14 Wed 16 Thu 17

Sun 27 Mon 28 Wed 30

Crathie Bowling Club, new season starts 7-9pm in Crathie New Hall BBA meeting, time and venue tba BSPC Autumn Bingo, Ballater School Hall, doors 6.30pm Ballater School term ends Quiz in aid of selected local charity, Deeside Inn, £5 per table, prizes Ballater Films: Monsters University (U), Mike Sheridan Room, 3pm, Tickets priced £5 will be available in advance from Yule’s newsagent and on the door from 2.30pm.

Upper Deeside Music – Maxwell String Quartet, St Kentigern’s Church, 4.30pm Ballater & Crathie Community Council meeting, Mike Sheridan Room, 7pm SWRI Talk by Krafty Neuk of Tarland, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Floral Art: AGM and Demonstration - ‘Autumn Splendour’ by Mrs Mary Wright, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Quiz in aid of selected local charity, Deeside Inn, £5 per table, prizes Ballater Boules Challenge begins, Monaltrie Park, 10.15am Ballater School term starts Crathie Parish Guild winter session begins in Crathie Kirk Hall at 2pm

Sat 2

BSPC Car Boot Sale, Ballater School playground, from 11am

Mon 4

BRHS AGM followed by Colin Blackhall from TLC Potatoes, Mike

Sheridan Room, 7.30pm.

November

Are Your Dates Here?

For inclusion in this FREE section of the Eagle, please contact Cat Houston on 55243, 07805 731401 (texts welcome) or catrionahouston@yahoo.co.uk Wed 6 Thu 7 Sun 10 Mon 11

Tue 12 Thu 14

Wed 20 Thu 28

Sat 30

Mon 2

Wed 4

Sat 7 Sun 8

Mon 9

BBA meeting, time and venue tba Quiz in aid of selected local charity, Deeside Inn, £5 per table, prizes Ballater Boules Challenge, Monaltrie Park, 10.15am Ballater & Crathie Community Council meeting, Mike Sheridan Room, 7pm Ballater School in-service day Ballater School in-service day Floral Art: Christmas Charity Demonstration by Mrs Sandra Halkett of Elgin, Victoria Hall, 7.30pm Quiz in aid of selected local charity, Deeside Inn, £5 per table, prizes SWRI – Talk by Gemma Powell of CLAN, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Ballater Boules Challenge, Monaltrie Park, 10.15am Quiz in aid of selected local charity, Deeside Inn, £5 per table, prizes Book Fair and Coffee Morning, Ballater School, times tba Jetsonics – post-punk, new wave, noisy guitar band, Deeside Inn

December

BRHS Open Night: quiz, mulled wine and mince pies, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm SWRI Christmas Lunch, Ballater Golf Club, celebrating our 80th birthday BBA meeting, time and venue tba Christmas Fair, Ballater School, times tba Upper Deeside Music: Amanda – a string trio at Darroch Learg Hotel, 4.30pm. Dinner with committee – please phone hotel on 55443.

Ballater & Crathie Community Council meeting, Mike Sheridan Room, 7pm

Post Office Opening Hours

Mon, Tues, Wed: 9am - 5.30pm Thursday - 9am - 12.30pm Friday - 9am - 5.30pm Saturday - 9am - 12.30pm

Ballater Library Opening Hours Sun, Mon & Wed: Closed Tuesday: 10am-1pm, 6.30-8pm Thursday: 2-4pm, 6.30-8pm Friday: 2-5pm Saturday: 10am-12noon

Contact the Eagle

Hand in to the Library  Post to Ballater Eagle, c/o Ballater Library, Ballater, AB35 5QB

 email to: ballater.eagle@btopenworld.com

Contributions of any kind (ideally in Word format) always welcome.

Keep in Touch with an Eagle Subscription

Contact Your Representatives

Scottish Parliament

Dennis Robertson MSP email: dennis.robertson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

 0791 955 7152 (mobile)

Westminster Sir Robert Smith MP  01330 820330, Fax: 01330 820338, email: robert.smith.mp@parliament.uk

Aberdeenshire Council

A subscription can be a very welcome gift to farflung friends and relatives. Simply provide the name and address to whom the issues should be sent, with a cheque or postal order for ‘Ballater Eagle’ for the relevant amount and drop off your request to Ballater Library. Betty, our Subscriptions secretary, will do the rest. Easy!

Peter Argyle:  013398 82973 email: cllr.p.argyle@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Geva Blackett:  013397 41541 email: cllr.g.blackett@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Katrina Farquhar:  07876 475403 email: cllr.k.farquhar@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

For the rates below, four issues will be posted.

UK: £12.00 EU: £16.00 Overseas: £20.00

Cairngorms National Park Katrina Farquhar email: cllr.k.farquhar@aberdeenshire.gov.uk  07876 475403

Eagle Who’s Who & Where Editor: Ian Hay  55941 Treasurer: Dr. Sheila Sedgwick  55292 Subscriptions Secretary: Betty Wilson  55791 Advertising Manager: Faye Swan  55345 Distribution: Andy and Julie Bloor Diary Secretary: Cat Houston  55243 Design: Ollie Ross, Stella Potter, Cat Houston, Karen Major email us at: ballater.eagle@btopenworld.com Eagle Online: http://www.ballatercommunity.com

If you would like a large print version of the Eagle, please contact Ballater Library on 55628.

7

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable summer, whether they ventured to foreign parts or remained in Ballater to enjoy the delights of Deeside in the sunshine.

Certainly Victoria Week and Ballater Highland Games enjoyed excellent weather, and the organisers of both are to be congratulated on the success of these events after all their very hard work. Both Victoria Week and the Games bring tourists to our village, and put Ballater on the list of “must visit� places in Scotland.

The experimental first full-colour issue of the Eagle was received with much acclaim from our readers and the Eagle Team appreciated the feed-back. In the light of the very positive comments received, we have decided to continue with that format. We have learned some lessons from that initial experience, and some slight adjustments will be made to this issue, mainly relating to the weight of paper used.

One of the principal draw-backs of full colour however, is the increase in costs, and as a consequence, we have altered our pricing structure for advertising, and made some small increase to subscription rates. We hope that advertisers and subscribers will understand our position and be prepared to continue to support what is a very popular, and now very colourful community magazine.

In the past, the Eagle Team has tried to encourage younger readers from the post Primary School age bracket to submit articles, art work, poems or photographs but with not a great deal of success – until now! I am very grateful to Hope Simmers from Aboyne and Sasha Potter from Ballater who have written articles describing their recent experiences in far-flung foreign fields, and to Sammy Wilson, a frequent visitor to the village, who describes his initiation into life in his first year at University. I hope that their efforts will encourage others from that age range to consider contributing items. Mind you, the Golden Oldies are still providing copy, with our nonagenarian Subscription Secretary once again providing an amusing poem, this time about her life in a challenging world.

Betty is a real treasure, and she has made readers laugh over many issues of the Eagle.

Long may she continue to amuse us!

Ian Hay

Portrait: Eilidh Gow

Letter from the Editor

8

Local Group News

A round-up of news from our local groups Got something to say about your group – get in touch ballater.eagle@btopenworld.com

Upper Deeside Music

by Maura Erskine

We are looking forward to our new season of concerts, beginning with High Heels and Horsehair – a string duo - in St Kentigern’s on Sunday 8 September. Last season the emphasis was very much on the piano and maybe not surprisingly our piano tuner has said that a bit of extra attention is required. He estimates that this will cost in the region of £300 so we are looking at ways of raising this.

Disappointingly our choral concert at Glenmuick has been cancelled but other means are being considered to establish the kirk as an additional venue. Meanwhile, details of our autumn events are contained in the Eagle Diary.

Garden & Landscaping

For all your maintenance & garden projects Member of Gardeners Guild Bradstome Assured Contractor TradesAdvisor Awards Finalists Friendly & Professional Service Free Estimates Contact Moira - 013398 82496

www.classicabode.co.uk

Ballater Halls Indoor Bowling Club

by Sheila Rumbles

Our indoor bowling commences on Tuesday 24th September in the Victoria Hall. The sessions are 2 - 4pm and 7 - 9pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We welcome new members so please do not hesitate in coming along and try it out.

Ballater RHS : Floral Art Group

by Maria Franklin

What a busy couple of months it has been for us and it is hard to believe that Autumn is hovering just around the corner.

The visit in May to the Aberdeen Beach Ballroom for afternoon tea was a great success.

Amidst this wonder ful setting, NAFA S demonstrator Sandy Bailey, presented a theatrical display of flower arranging. It was a marvellous showcase of her talent and artistry, a flower and party extravaganza. A day to remember!

June had Maureen Manning demonstrating in Ballater for a second time. She arranged flowers while chatting away and entertaining us

Forbes Duguid Painter & Decorator Tel .55816 el.55816

in a refreshingly relaxed style. It was a pleasing invitation to share her memories of canal life. Her observations of plant life along the waterways were incorporated into her designs.

In July there was an outing to Drum Castle and walled garden which features a fine collection of historic roses. The grounds are extensive and a wide variety of flowers are grown throughout the season many of which are used for display in the castle. The BRHS annual show in August continued the event programme.

Photographs of all these events can be seen in the Floral Art Group Albums Autumn begins with a demonstration and the AGM. (See diary for more detail.) The new Floral Art Group Committee will organise the Christmas Charity demonstration.

9

the friendly matches against Cove Rangers and Seafield (Aberdeen) the Ballater teams included a few players from the Deeside Indoor Sporting Club (DISC) at Banchory. Sadly, at the time of writing the future of DISC is uncertain as the facility will shortly get new landlords who plan to use the building for other purposes.

Ballater Bowling Club

By Mike Franklin

September marks the end of the Lawn Bowls season and it has been a busy and successful one for Ballater Bowling Club. The Ballater ladies team won the Deeside Donside league, losing just a single match. Skip Pat Downie and Second Sheila Rumbles were a constant presence while Maria Franklin, Evelyn Rattray, and Davina Russell each played in two or more matches.

Congratulations to them all. The Men’s team finished exactly in the middle of the league.

The league matches were supplemented by knockout competitions and friendly matches. In

Carnelian

“Feel Good Factor”

Lynn Park – Massage Therapist Swedish Remedial Massage Thermo Auricular Therapy 1 Netherley Place, Ballater Tel 07793 354249

In July and August Ballater played hosts to the Deeside Donside inter-club knockout competitions. The pairs competitions were held in July and the singles competitions in August.

The Pairs competitions, coming at the end of the heatwave, experienced the ups and downs of weather with play on Saturday 27th July in glorious sunshine and no play possible on Sunday 28th July because of rain. Looking after the needs of players and spectators over several days is a demanding task and the committee is grateful to all those who provided help.

Ballater Songsters We had a most successful concert during Victoria Week and a most enjoyable time was had by all.

We raised £1,000 and this will be divided equally between Victoria & Albert Halls Refurbishment Account and CLAN Research, Ballater.

Thank you for your support.

Ballater Royal Horticultural Society The summer got off to a great start after the long winter with our Plant Sale on 8th June taking just over £1000, our best ever! The sunny day helped greatly and enticed both locals and visitors to venture out, spend their money and grab a bargain. Like all groups, our society requires funding to ensure its continuation and of course finance the Annual Exhibition and Flower Show.

As usual, Aberdeenshire Council generously provided a selection of vibrant annuals which Jim Clark and Colin Wilson planted in the tubs in front of the Church, War Memorial and Station Square. The entrance to the Caravan Site too looks colourful and welcoming, thanks to the many tubs they also planted up.

All being well, our 137th Annual Exhibition and Flower Show on the 17th and 18th August will have taken place by the time this issue appears in print. At least we have had a summer this year!

If we’re not complaining about late frosts, it’s been non-stop with the hose and watering can, or cursing the heavy rain battering our plants we’ve so carefully nurtured! Hopefully the show will have had many varied entries from participants of all ages. This year the winning Scarecrows from Victoria Week will have been displayed on the stage. Following the success of last year, the Mini-Scarecrow competition was again included in the Children’s Challenge section.

Raffle ticket sales on the Green attracted a lot of interest. Thanks must go to Nicki Grant of Rowan Antiques for kindly displaying the Laphroaig 12 Year Old Whisky & Tumblers Set, gifted by HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, and for selling tickets on our behalf. Local businesses and Garden Centres were most generous in their donations; these were also much appreciated.

We certainly chose the right day for our annual outing in July to Glamis Castle and Gardens. It was a scorcher! We had an excellent guide who took us round the castle, then a delicious lunch followed by a tour of the extensive and varied

by Elizabeth Wilson

gardens by the Head Gardener. The day was very much enjoyed by all.

Our programme for the coming session has just been finalised. We have a range of speakers covering various subjects such as Seed Potatoes, Pelargoniums, The Eden Project, Honey Bees and Scotland’s Garden Scheme. Information about forthcoming meetings will be published in the Eagle diary and on the posters displayed throughout the village prior to each meeting. Bad weather last session meant two meetings had to be cancelled due to the speakers being unable to travel, so this session the Quiz Night will be held in December along with mince pies and mulled wine and the May meeting will have a speaker.

It is virtually impossible to find “local” speakers to stand in and many members are not keen to venture out in such conditions with the result that a decision to cancel at short notice had to be made.

We do our best to let as many members know if a meeting has had to be cancelled. Hopefully this winter will be kinder.

Our AGM takes place on Monday 4th November at 7.30 pm in the Mike Sheridan Room in the Halls and will be followed by an illustrated presentation by Colin Blackhall of TLC Potatoes Ltd. Refreshments will be available afterwards to give members, both new and old, a chance to catch up. All are welcome.

Moira Melrose Kiltmaker since 1992 Quality Hand Sewn Kilts

013398 800 74 8007 Email: kiltmaker@hotmail.co.uk

Ballater (Royal Deeside) Ltd

by Jack Coull

Work continues on the various projects undertaken

by BRD but funding is proving more difficult and will remain so until the new LEADER organisation is up and running which might not be until 2015. The Dalmochie lumberjack heritage project is progressing and, apart from a minor legal matter, purchase of the land from the Forestry Commission is virtually complete.

BRD will then initiate the process of leasing the land to The Ballater Historic Forestry Project Association. Planning application will then be submitted for the reconstruction of two of the original cabins, aided both financially and practically by relatives of the Canadian workforce who carried out the logging work during WW II. In the light of the success of the granite Welcome stone at the east end of the village, a further boulder has been identified for similar inscription at the west end and planning permission has already been obtained.

Support continues for The Learning Centre and for the Self-build housing project at Birkhall.

11

The Community Bus continues to be popular and well used but it is now approaching 5 years old and thought must be given to raising funds for a replacement in another 4 years.

We are always most grateful for the willingness of our volunteer drivers but would welcome other offers to participate in such a valuable community asset.

Plans are already afoot for the 2014 Walking Festival following the very successful Week this year despite the variety of weather conditions encountered.

BRD is very aware of the success of its subsidiary company, Ballater Community Enterprise in running the Caravan Park and is most grateful for the hard work put in by all the Committee.

The replacement of the existing office and shop will benefit the Park and provide a more pleasing welcome to arriving caravaners.

Work continues into the provision of a Heritage Centre and efforts are ongoing to acquire funding support for an initial feasibility study which would include community consultation.

We are a well-established family-owned business. We work hard to ensure we offer our customers a warm welcome, competitive prices and great customer service. We look forward to meeting you.

Carpets Wooden flooring Vinyls Karndean Blinds Made-to-measure curtains Beds and bedding Soft furnishings Haberdashery Log baskets/companion sets New gift section

Station Square, Ballater, AB35 5RB www.edwardjemsliecarpets.co.uk

013397 55005 info@tedemslie.com

Ballater Old People’s and Over 50’s Association by Ruth Burrows 9 th May saw over 40 members of the Association enjoy an outing to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. We were ver y fortunate and grateful to receive from CNPA Staff and Board Social and Charitable Fund a grant of £200 which they awarded to our Association to make the experience possible. Following a sun-filled couple of hours on the mountain – no skiing involved it was made to the Heather

Centre, then high tea was taken at Grantown-onSpey before the journey home.

The Association`s current membership fee is £4 per year and in order to support the upkeep of The Hut on the Green, a 100 Club is run. New members are always welcome and our annual AGM is held during March, so look out for details.

Stopping for a welcome break in Grantown-on-Spey

Cindy Adams

Person-Centred Counsellor We all have the potential to grow and change I offer you a safe, supportive, respectful, trusting and confidential space, enabling you to find your way forward through whatever is troubling you

The best choices are those you discover for yourself Counselling can help you focus on the choices you have and how you are going to . life implement them into your

Addictions Living with illness Anxiety Disability Abuse Low Self-Esteem Anger Issues Relationships Bereavement & Loss Trauma Depression Domestic Abuse Eating Disorders Alcohol Issues 1 Netherley Place, Ballater 07969 495399

The Hair Loft Ballater Hairstyling Sarah, Sarah jane, Corrina & Sylvia all stylists have had training at vidal sassoon, London and Cheynes of Edinburgh

Open Tues - Sat Please call for an appointment Netherley Place Tel: 013397 56317

POLICE SCOTLAND (Ballater station)

by P.C. Donald Macleod Hopefully at the time of reading this, we are still enjoying the good weather we have had over the summer months. We have been kept busy here in Upper Deeside especially on the roads where we continue to deal with matters of poor driving standards and speeding issues. Operation Zenith once again continued through the summer months, assisted by our Roads Policing colleagues. This was aimed at motorcyclists with a view to educating them, and to promote road safety.

Fortunately at time of writing, crime has remained relatively low in the village area.

However I would still urge people not to leave things lying about outside when not in use. A common sight we are seeing around the village are vehicles parked insecurely, some with the keys still in the ignition!

If any person wishes a free home security survey then please contact us here at the Police Office by either calling 101 or popping in. Local Officers continue to carry out their day to day duties with a focus on our local priorities Our local Priorities here in the Upper Deeside area are; Community Focus Antisocial Behaviour Safer Roads Wildlife Crime.

Library News 13

by Sabine Muir

Bookbug Rhymetimes Ballater Library has started doing a series of Bookbug Rhymetimes for babies and toddlers up to two years old.

Please come along with your child on Tuesday mornings. Sessions start at 11am on and last for about 30 minutes.

Story Times We will also be hosting Story Times for two to five year olds on Friday afternoons from 2.303.00pm starting on 13th September.

Books on Legs If anyone would like to borrow books, but are unable to come to the library, please ring Ballater Library on 55628 and we will do our best to deliver books by your favourite authors, or books on CD or cassette tapes.

Bill Yule PGA Golf Professional Tuition available £20 per 1/2 hour - 5 Lessons for £80 Non Members Welcome! *Gift Vouchers Available*

Stockist of:

Ping / Titliest / Nike / Glenmuir / Srixon

Ballater Golf Shop

*Open 7 Days a Week* Ballater Golf Club

Victoria Road, Ballater AB35 5QX Tel. 013397 55658 Email: shnyule@aol.com

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Ballater Caravan Park - Ballater Community Enterprise Ltd

Easter came early this year but winter forgot to stop in time for Good Friday when the Caravan Park was due to open. Despite the use of a plough to clear about 9� of snow, many bookings for the Touring section were lost. However, bookings at this point are about 50% up on last year, probably due to good weather since Easter. We still have a long waiting list for statics. We hope that the improvements which were carried out over the winter, and the new management have also contributed to the increase. Members of the Horticultural Club very kindly planted out tubs which look very attractive around the entrance.

The on-line booking system is working well although a few minor modifications have been needed. The website at ballatercaravanpark. com is much used.

Planning permission for replacement offices

C.S.M. Handyman J.Lanigan All the little jobs you can’t get any1 to do

general maintenance inside and out, gutter cleaning, garden tidying, chimney sweep, etc.

Strathgirnoc Farmhouse South Deeside Road Ballater Tel. 013397 56227 Mobile 07506951506 Email: C-S-M_Aerials@hotmail.co.uk Web: csmhandyman.co.uk

by Paddy Wright

on the site has been granted, and the project will shortly go to tender. It is hoped to have the new timber-clad building operational by the start of the 2014 season. Electricity from photo voltaic roof panels will be fed into the national grid, thus reducing our high energy costs.

Most of the healthy trading surpluses from this season and last will be used to finance the replacement offices. Once complete, funds should be available for community projects. BCE was set up to provide the parent charity, Ballater (RD) Ltd with funding. Now that the Caravan Park is up and running, it may be time for BCE to consider other community enterprises.

Although at present we have a full complement of 7 directors, there may be some vacancies in the near future, when we will be seeking replacements from members of the community.

FRASER & MULLIGAN Your local solicitor and estate agent

Buying and Selling Property Wills and Powers of Attorney Trusts and Executries Notarial Executions Resident Solicitors 24 Bridge Street, Ballater, AB35 5QP Tel No. 013397 55633 Fax No. 013397 55564 ballater@fraser-mulligan.co.uk

Open 7 Days 12-2pm 5pm-11pm          

   Monkfish baked in a charcoal fire Marinated whole tandoor poussin Dulhaniya special, made with beef, venison or duck Call to reserve your table for an evening that sets the standard in unrivalled cuisine and attention to detail

013397 55701

   Incorporating The Green Inn Bed and Breakfast

Menu established by Chef Raj 1996 9 Victoria Rd, Ballater, AB35 5QQ

16

Aboyne & Upper Deeside Rotary – a brief update from your local Rotary Club by Mike Powell

By the time you read this we will have completed our annual round of the highland games and local shows, which are our main source of fund raising to support local groups, good causes and international charities.

I hope we met many of you at our stall at the Ballater Games, which was, as always, well supported. We were delighted that the total income on the day was nearly £1,000 - more than for a number of years, although we still have to pay for all the bottles that were won on the day!

We are very grateful to all the local people and many visitors who contributed by playing our whisky games.

This year, the President of the Rotar y Club of Aboyne and Upper Deeside is John Halkett, Tarland. The Senior Vice President is Andrew Brown, Ballater, who will be next year’s president.

The handover to the new president took place at the end of June at a social evening in The Commercial Hotel, Tarland, with partners and guests.

The latest new member of the Club is Diane Fyffe, who lives in Aboyne and works as a locum pharmacist in the dispensing chemists in both Ballater and Aboyne.

Marie Chapman Soft Furnishings, Tarland Hand and machine work available for curtains, pelmets, tiebacks, cushions, Roman blinds. curtain alterations etc.

A large collection of fabric samples.

Also supply Curtain rails, poles, roller blinds and foam.

Complete job taken care of from measuring to fitting.

Free Estimates.

Tel. 07833 175470 mariesfurnishings@aol.co.uk

Rotary members Mike and Ernie welcome visitors to the whisky stall at the Ballater Games

New members are always welcome, so if you would like to know more about what we do, and how to join, or if you would just like to come along to one of our meetings as a guest, please contact me; Mike Powell on 013398 86369 or mike.powell21@tiscali.co.uk

K & D Befriender diced with the Devil by Sheena Watt

17

On Saturday 3rd August, runners from across the world gathered in the Scottish Highlands to take part in a footrace with a vengeance: The Devil O’ the Highlands. Fundraiser Claire MacAskill has signed her soul to raise money for Kincardine & Deeside Befriending charity by taking part in the Devil O’ the Highlands. This 43 mile footrace started in Tyndrum and finished in Fort William, with a total ascent of around 6000ft.

This was not a race for the faint hearted. The Devil O’ the Highlands has been rated as one of the top 10 ultra distance races in Britain by Runners’ World magazine. Runners have hailed from some 15 countries - eager to push their limits. Battling against persistent horizontal rain, while most of Scotland was basking in sunshine, Claire completed this ultra marathon in 8 hours and 42 minutes.

After the race Claire said “It all still feels quite surreal. Did I really just run that distance/elevation in that time? I thought 10 hours was a sensible

goal, who was I to know that I would be flying that day! I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me. Your generosity has been incredible and K&D Befriending will certainly be able to put the funds to good use.”

Running in aid of K&D Befriending, Claire is delighted to have raised over £1000. She has been personally involved with the charity - as a volunteer befriender she visits older people in the area and offers support and companionship to those who are at risk of social isolation. She said: “Having been matched with my befriendee for more than eight months now, I can see the huge benefits our charity plays in the lives of older, isolated and lonely people in our locality.”

If you would like more information regarding K & D Befriending please visit their website www.kdbefriending.org.uk or call the K&D Befriending office on 01569 765 714 or 01330 823368.

Wee Jim Landscapes

Celicall Crafts G. Cowie, Workshop,

3 Braemar Road, Ballater Telephone: 013397 55699

James Anderson Bridgefoot, Glenmuick, Ballater Aberdeenshire AB35 5SN

Firewood Available Call for details Tel: 013397 55997 Mobile: 07821 746756 Email: weejim03@live.co.uk

By Appointment to H.R.H.The Prince Of Wales The Duke Of Rothesay Picture Framer Celicall Crafts, Ballater

Bespoke Picture Framer established over 25 Years.

Tapestry & Needlework framed.

Supplier of framed Fishing Flies, framed River Maps and local Pen and Ink Sketches.

1st Ballater Brownies and Rainbows currently have places within their happy pack for girls between 4 ½ and 10 years old.

We meet each Monday evening between 5.00pm and 6.30pm in Ballater School Hall, where we participate in a wide variety of activities.

Rainbows (4 ½ to 7yrs) is all about developing self-confidence, building friendships, learning new things and having fun. Girls get their hands dirty with arts and crafts, trying out new things and playing games. Rainbows is all about learning by doing.

Brownies (7 to 10 yrs) become a member of a Six, a unit with a name such as Pixies or Kelpies and follow a programme called the Brownie Adventure. The name reflects the world of exciting opportunities, challenges and fun that is Brownies. Through regular meetings and

Deeside Books

Quality Books Bought & Sold Antiquarian, second hand & a good selection of new Scottish books and bestsellers New Books by local authors available to order from www.deesidebooks.com T-Shirts, Hats, Scarves & Gloves, Jewellery, Jellycat Toys & Puzzles, Railway Prints, Cards, Gift Wrap & much more!

Open: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 12-5pm 18-20 Bridge Street Ballater Tel. 013397 54080 Email: deesidebk@aol.com

special events e.g. day trips, sleepovers or camps, Brownies learn new hobbies, play music, explore other cultures and get adventurous outdoors. Girls can also extend their knowledge and abilities by working towards Brownie interest badges covering many different hobbies and activities from Booklovers to Science investigator.

We will be holding an Open Evening for potential new members on Monday, 16th September during our regular meeting time.

Should your daughter wish to come along for a trial session, please contact Helene on 013397 55957.

For further information about Girlguiding, please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk where you will find full details of the programme we follow and the types of activities your child is likely to participate in.

Morven Veterinary Practice Opening Hours: Monday 2pm - 6pm Tuesday 10am - 2pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday Closed Friday 2pm - 5pm

Tel. 013397 - 55134 24 Golf Rd Ballater Aberdeenshire AB35 5RS

Upper Deeside Art Society

by Helen Jackson

Thank you everyone who attended and supported the 17th annual Ballater Exhibition and for all the complimentary comments received.

The first Ballater Exhibition took place in 1996 and over the years it has gained a reputation for its exciting diverse range of art. With over 40 members showcasing their work, of not only paintings and original prints but also crafted items such as woodturning, willow weaving, mosaics and cards, there was something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.

For the second year running visitors were able to enjoy two more of HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay’s own watercolours which were kindly loaned for the Exhibition; Beinn A Bhuird painted in 2005 and a more recent one painted in 2012 entitled Huna Mill, John O’Groats. This act of kindness and support is greatly appreciated.

The AGM in June saw a number of long standing members step down from the Committee to earn a well earned rest and we thank them for all their hard work over the years to help make the Society what it is today. Jane Williams who had served for nine years, stood down as the current President but had also held the positions of Membership Secretar y and Programme Secretary. Ruth Powell joined the Committee in 2005 as Exhibition Secretary and held office as President for three years. Alison Day stood down from the Committee but continues to run the courses and drop-in sessions for the Printing Press housed at Aboyne Academy’s Art Department.

Sandra Allstaff stepped down from the position of Membership Secretary to enjoy time off with her newly retired husband. We are grateful to her for setting up and running the newly acquired UDAS laptop which has become the hub of all information. Our thanks go to Ian Ritchie who has taken over the task of temporary Secretary, (who continues to be our excellent but undervalued Treasurer) until a replacement can be found.

Workshops and talks continue to inspire and stretch members’ talents and imagination.

Roy Benzie’s workshop brought a fresh approach

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to watercolours and his enthusiasm rubbed off on all of us - lots of sound advice, tips and guidance to help us achieve our best work. A dozen members attended Rebecca Park’s workshop at Aboyne Academy on a beautiful summer’s day in May. The morning session consisted of Rebecca demonstrating a technique involving painting on three sheets of differently coloured paper. Members enjoyed a two day oil-painting workshop with Mike Samson. Some of us were new to oils while others wanted to explore more techniques. Over the weekend Mike demonstrated a range of approaches on a large canvas, which inspired us all.

Michael Kitchen’s workshop was a great success and everyone produced some wonderful work in different mediums. Those of us who tried pastels for the first time were pleased with the finished effect. Michael also gave us a quick demonstration on using watercolours and

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The Keiller Brasserie and Lounge Named after the Keiller’s of Dundee, who originally built the main house in 1891, The Keiller Brasserie and Lounge is part of the newly re-opened facilities for Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Craigendarroch. Boasting relaxed comfort and elegance, with our Chef focusing on seasonally selected menus based on local produce, and a blend of traditional and modern cuisine. This is the ideal location to get together, relax and celebrate with great food and conversation. Open to non-residents year round.

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produced simple scenes which you could hang on a wall immediately. Jane Milloy’s workshop explored the ways in which watercolours and pastels may be used together as complementary mediums to stunning overall effect. Members worked through a number of exercises following Jane’s demonstration of techniques, before employing these techniques in larger paintings.

Donald Murray’s workshop provided a great introduction to gouache and landscape and gave an excellent step by step demonstration, sprinkled with anecdotes and humour giving a refreshing insight into the use of this medium.

Alison King returned for the second year to a joint venture with The Aboyne and Deeside Festival and UDAS. Last year the workshops focused on 2D mixed media work but this year we expanded into a 3D workshop entitled Colourful Exposure. The two days were great fun with lots of interesting people attending, and Alison’s excellent tuition enabled some incredible works to be made. We are all hoping that we can persuade her back next year for another great couple of days!

A fascinating and very well attended talk, in association with the Aboyne and Deeside Festival, was given by Christopher Andreae on the life and art of Joan Eardley, who is well known for her paintings of children in Glasgow and landscapes in and around Catterline.

Another joint venture with the Aboyne and Deeside Festival was Alison Brown’s mono printing workshops which were well attended by both members and non members, with everybody having fun, learning and creating some lovely work.

“The Weavers’s Choice” was the title of the talk given by Belinda Rose in the Aboyne Bowling Clubhouse. Belinda outlined the background of weaving development over the years and explained how she can use computer image editing software to create files which instruct the digitally operated part of the hand loom, thus creating intricate woven photographic images The Upper Deeside Art Society was once again invited to mount the Spring/Summer Exhibition at Balmoral. This ran from the end of

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March to the end of July during the visitor opening season. The Visitor Restaurant walls were duly decorated by an eclectic mix of framed paintings all with a Scottish theme. This year there was also a browser with unframed artwork for those with ‘limited space’ in their suitcases.

The response from the Balmoral Estate, holiday makers and local visitors was very positive and judging by the sales, appreciative. Sue Thornton, the Balmoral Exhibition Secretary said, “The members of the Society enjoy exhibiting in such a prestigious venue and thank those who supported them and hope to do it all again next year.”

UDAS is open to everyone who lives in the AB31, AB34, AB35 and AB36 areas. Members must be 16 years or over. Talks are free to members and just £3 to non members.

For details about joining UDAS please email the Membership Secretary on udasmemsec@btinternet.com. The UDAS website www.udas.org. uk is full of interesting information and photographs of members’ work, past workshops and talks.

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Crathie News

Crathie Book Group Since the last edition of the Eagle we have been sad to say farewell to Jackie, one of the founder members of the group, who has moved on to pastures new. We will miss her enthusiasm and also her skills in searching out interesting books for us to read, and wish her well in finding (or founding!) a new group of reading friends.

Meanwhile we have tackled a number of different titles with varying results. “After You’d Gone” by Maggie O’Farrell was a safe choice as she is a firm favourite with the group and we had a lively discussion of an interesting plot which had some intriguing twists and well drawn characters – an accomplished debut for her first novel. Our next choice, “The Kashmir Shawl” by Rosie Thomas received a unanimous “thumbs up” There were two strands in the book, one following a present day character and the other taking place in India during World War 2. All were agreed that we

by Marion MacIntyre

preferred the one taking place in the past, finding the characters more interesting and sympathetic.

Unfortunately our most recent read “The Sealed Letter” by Emma Donoghue failed to rouse a great deal of interest and reactions were luke- warm to say the least! The characters generally did not engage our sympathies and it was therefore difficult to care what happened to them. Our next book however should prove more enjoyable as it is by Maggie O’Farrell (surprise!), - her latest offering - “Instructions for a Heatwave”

Update on Anna’s Challenge

The final amount Anna Cairns raised in May this year for Leuchie House, which provides high quality care for individuals with long term conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, was £850.

She is most grateful to all those who sponsored her making it possible for her to reach such a worthwhile total.

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Crathie Bowling Club After a summer break, the Club starts bowling again on Tuesday 1 October and as usual there will be twice weekly sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays from 7pm to 9pm in Crathie New Hall. If you would like more information about the Club, you can contact Jean Young on 42415

Clan Strawberry Tea Clan Cancer Support held a Strawberry Tea in Crathie Village Hall on Saturday 22 June. Despite indifferent weather, there was a terrific turn out and a magnificent £617 was raised. Thank you to everyone who came along to support it and who helped raise such a wonderful amount. The Clan Fundraisers particularly appreciated the efforts of the Hall volunteers who worked so hard to refurbish the Hall, which looked so attractive with its fresh paint and new curtains etc, in time for the event – it was much appreciated.

Church News Crathie Kirk and Braemar Church will remain open to visitors up to the end of October. Opening times are 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm to 4pm on Sundays.

The Crathie Kirk Monday morning café will also continue into October. All are welcome to come and sample the delicious home bakes, from 10am to 12.30pm. The now traditional Monday café at Christmas is being planned and details will be published in due course.

After closure of the Crathie café in October, tea/ coffee and pancakes will be available at Kindrochit Court, Braemar, on Monday mornings at 10.30am.

The Parish Guild will commence the winter session on Wednesday 30th October in the Kirk Hall Crathie at 2pm. Continuing the three-year, themed cycle of work which has seen record levels of giving nationally, even in these straitened economic times, the focus of the Guild’s work moves this session into looking at faith and how members reflect that in their daily lives. Our first speaker will be the Rev. Ken Mackenzie who has long ties with Romania, and cycles with Suits on Bikes on behalf of Scottish charity Blythswood Care, having completed a gruelling 350km Transylvania bike ride in June. We are

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putting together our new syllabus of speakers and venues – some in Crathie, some Braemar - which will be available at the beginning of September. Everyone is welcome to come along and share an afternoon with us – companionship and home baking guaranteed!

As part of engaging with the community, it is proposed to set up a badminton club in Crathie Kirk Hall, starting in October. A weekday evening, probably from 7 to 9pm, is suggested. If anyone is interested in joining such a club, please contact Karen Garioch on 013397 42344 or Allan Harrison on 013397 55061.

Crathie Opportunity Holidays (COH) Crathie Opportunity Holidays would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in becoming a Friend of COH. This could involve helping out at some of our events, or joining the team who host our coffee mornings for guests, or just a bit of gardening. These are not onerous tasks and Friends come along when they can. If you would like to join us, please phone Maggie MacAlpine on 013397 42100 We have had a very busy 2013 season so far and our guests have enjoyed our newly refurbished garden area which was financed with donations from the Ballater Boules Club and the Ballater Floral Art Group.

Our next major event is our Golf Day in October which is already fully subscribed. All we need now is good weather!

As always, thank you to all our local friends and supporters.

Music lessons at Crathie School

Dear Editor...

Ballater Highland Games We have heard that questions have been raised by some about the traditional concert, dance and disco no longer being organised by the Games Committee in the Halls on Games night, and thought it appropriate to explain the situation to everyone through the Eagle.

Firstly, concerning the concert and dance, attendances had been dwindling in recent years, suggesting there was no longer sufficient support in the community to justify the cost involved, and to justify asking members of the Committee to give their time and effort to running these events after a long and tiring day on the Games field.

Secondly, concerning the disco, there had been ongoing problems with damage to the Halls, and therefore members of the Games Committee were being asked again not only to attend after a long and tiring day, but also the following day to return to clear up mess and repair damage.

Thirdly, this year the Games Committee decided to organise a Beating Retreat ceremony on the Church Green on Games evening. Time and effort is required by members of the Committee to organise and run that event.

With all that in mind, we looked at other ways of organising entertainment on Games Night. In recent years we have had close cooperation with the Victoria Week Committee, and they were happy to help this year by organising a function in the Halls.

Last year the Glenaden Hotel helped by organising a Games Night disco in the hotel as an alternative to the one in the Halls, and a disco took place in the Glenaden again this year.

We hope this helps everyone understand the changes made to Games Night entertainment.

The thanks of the Games Committee go to all our volunteers for their invaluable help on Games Day, and to you, the Ballater community at large, for your continuing support. It all resulted in a memorable 2013 Games.

Ron Drever (Acting Secretary )

Chairman John Sinclair, Vice Chairman Scott Fraser, Captain Alwyne Farquharson and Madam Farquharson of Invercauld, at the presentation to the Chieftain in recognition of his 65 years in the position.

Photographer Amy Muir.

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Aberdeenshire Council

by Katrina A Farquhar

I hope everyone has had a great summer - we certainly managed to get some nice weather for a spell. Ballater Games had an excellent turn out and the rain stayed off until 6pm which made such a difference. A tremendous effort by all who work, help and contribute to the event well done!

I hope you have all heard about the “Be part of the Picture” project promoting Aberdeenshire as a region of beauty, quality and innovation. You can join the conversation on Facebook and you can also send in favourite photographs to the picture gallery on Aberdeenshire Council’s website www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Exam results this year show a rise in pass rates across Aberdeenshire. Congratulations to

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all students. The results show the hard work that takes place in schools at every level as well as the support provided at home and wider network of friends and family.

Tourism in the area is set to receive a major boost from Aberdeenshire Council with the launch of a new fund to develop events to celebrate Homecoming Scotland 2014. The £60,000 scheme is to support community groups and organisations to expand a programme of Homecoming events. Established events can also apply if they can demonstrate additional features promoting Homecoming 2014 to visitors.

To fill in an application form for funding, please visit the council’s website and go to Homecoming 2014 web pages. For further information please e-mail economic.development@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

DARROCH LEARG Dinner is served in the conservatory restaurant.

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Aberdeenshire Council has extended the range of magazine titles available from its libraries as part of the free eMagazine service, allowing local library members to access around 140 titles that can be read on a computer, tablet or phone.

Library members can create an account online using a library number and email address and join within minutes. For the full range visit: http:// www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/libraries/readers/ Zinio_mags_190613.pdf

There has been a lot of work carried out this year to repair roads and potholes. However if you have any to report, remember the online service which can be used to report anything from a pothole to blocked gully, faulty street lighting, road markings, manhole cover problems, fallen trees, grass cutting. Just go online www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads/faults.asp

Phone: 08456 08 12 05 Text: 07624 82 07 22

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Post Office and Other Matters

Fo r e v e r y o n e i n Ballater, the future of the Post Office and – with talks of privatisation ongoing – the Royal Mail are of real concern.

We all depend on the sorting office being in Ballater and for many, the Post Office is a vital part of their business with parcels being sent out daily to a multitude of destinations. I am not at all impressed with the lack of communication from the Royal Mail in particular! Ballater & Crathie Community Council has been working extremely hard to get answers but none seem forthcoming. Under the legislation, the Royal Mail has to deliver daily but we all know that with the ridiculous forms of transport provided to our wonderful posties, the winter months can pose a serious challenge for even the most dedicated!

We must have a sorting office in Ballater and please be assured that any attempt to move it away will be fiercely fought by me on your behalf!

Relationships with the Post Office are better – at least they communicate! They are working hard to find a suitable location and then we have to ensure that it continues to provide the services Ballater folk need! I am now working with Parliamentary colleagues to try and sort out the Royal Mail!

Watch this space.

It just isn’t possible to write a column for the Ballater Eagle, without mentioning my whole family’s sadness at Edward Anderson’s premature death. For many years, Edward was our Postie here at Clunie Cottage. He was unfailingly reliable and I always enjoyed our chats as the familiar sight of his red van swung into our drive whatever the weather. He will be sadly missed not just by the Blackett family but by all those to whom he delivered mail here in Braemar. His loss to the Ballater Games Committee will be hard to fill and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

by Geva Blackett

It hardly seems possible that another Games season is upon us – and by the time you read this, will be over. The (mostly) great weather has been good for visitor numbers but they still don’t seem to be spending all we would like them to! Many of our beleaguered small businesses have been telling me they have to work twice as hard as they did ten years ago just to stay afloat. I recently attended the ‘Grand Opening’ of the new Craigendarroch Suites. I am pretty impressed by the new décor downstairs (the Oaks and the Clubhouse and bar have been transformed into light airy spaces) and if the canapés we were served are anything to go by, the food will be of a far higher standard – thank goodness! The Director who came over from the United States assured us all that this new venture was not for business folk to hide away in meeting rooms, never venturing into Ballater but for families who WILL come and enjoy all

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the great things Ballater has to offer. The suites themselves are tempting, I haven’t dared look at the prices! So hopefully there will now be an increase in visitor numbers and an increase in what they spend with you. Fingers crossed.

The Editor tells me I am not ‘allowed’ to write about Braemar here… But… (and yes, this does affect Ballater) You may be aware that St Margaret’s Church is being transferred to the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust and the plan is to transform it into a local ‘Arts Hub’. Over the last 18 months the committee overseeing the project has staged a number of musical events to bring the building and its acoustic characteristics to the attention of the wider public. The project has been supported by the Prince’s Regeneration Trust and HRH Prince Charles attended an event staged earlier in the year. Very recently the venue hosted a Youth Orchestra from Rijnstreek in the Netherlands as part of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival programme – all I can say is “It was brilliant”. There can be few venues in

27

this country with acoustics to beat St Margaret’s! Many of you will already know our own renowned traditional Scottish fiddler Paul Anderson from Tarland - he plans to establish an international centre for Scottish fiddle music in the building where there will be workshop, teaching, archive and performance space. So how does this impact on Ballater I hear you ask.

Well firstly, there is nowhere better to spend a few hours than at this venue, listening to superb music! So please come along next time there is a concert! Long term, the visitors attracted to this hub will need places to stay, places to eat and shops to spend their money in. I sincerely hope the benefits will be felt far and wide in Upper Deeside not least in Ballater.

I am always here to help you. Please feel free to email me at cllr.g.blackett@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or phone me on 013397 41541. I look forward to hearing from you.

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Cairngorms National Park Authority by Katrina A Farquhar When the e-mail came in from the Eagle seeking an article for the autumn issue, I couldn’t believe it was that time again! It has been another hectic few months.

The CNPA is beginning to see a few changes now that Grant Moir, our new Chief Executive has settled in. The Park Board is to have a more direct role with the residents, businesses and visitors to the park. I think this is very important and for us to listen to what everyone wants of the park.

There will be more evening meetings to meet members of the public to get their opinions and views on the park. Members of the CNPA from all over the park will attend these meetings so the public can meet more than just the local members.

The first meeting in Braemar will have taken place by the time the Eagle is printed but I will update you in the next issue as to how it went.

There have been various events all over the park this year, celebrating our tenth anniversary. If you would like to join any of the huge range of activities, visit www.visitcairngorms.com for details. There is everything from an Equine extravaganza, to a street gallery exhibition, a mushroom meander and the Half Braemarathon!

I’m sure you are just waiting to hear where my adventures have taken me since the last Eagle! We spent a weekend at Blair Atholl in the last weekend of May which also coincided with Blair Atholl Highland Games on the Sunday. We had our golf clubs, mountain bikes and walking boots with us for a full weekend! On the Sunday morning three of us set off on our bikes from Blair Atholl Caravan site heading towards Old Blair. This was quite a steep climb for a start off but after a bit of huffing and puffing we all made it! Then we set off up an old track which was even steeper, so it took us a fair while and yet more peching! As we hadn’t really read the map correctly, we had missed Old Blair and headed straight uphill towards the whin plantation following the Banvie Burn. We eventually got

to the top and headed straight down hill through the Baluain Wood. This was great and pretty fast but well worth it as the views looking down past Blair Atholl towards Killiecrankie were fantastic.

We then started another climb which took us to the Falls of Bruar. This is a popular walk for visitors from the House of Bruar. The path is really good but we decided as we were on the bikes to take the land rover track down the opposite side of the Bruar Water. This was a steep run down onto the B8079 road which led us back into Blair Atholl.

Though it only took about two hours, we covered around 15 miles. We then had our lunch and off to the Games for the afternoon. It was a glorious sunny day, with lots to watch in the ring but we made sure a visit to the CNPA stand was included, and a glass of beer from the Cairngorms Brewery was enjoyed by everyone.

A view from the Falls of Bruar, west of Blair Atholl

ROY MITCHELL JOINER TELEPHONE:

07792 117963

Victoria & Albert Halls

By Bell Macaulay

WE ARE ON OUR WAY! When you read this, after five years of plotting, planning consulting and heavy duty fundraising, the first stage of our refurbishment will have started. This will see the entrance hall and stairs, kitchen and toilets of the Albert Hall upgraded from top to bottom. It has taken longer than anticipated to start the work, and we envisage completion by the end of October. This will mean that the cooperation of all Halls users is essential, but we will try to keep disruption to a minimum, and we owe a huge debt of thanks to those user groups who have accommodated us.

Fundraising – we have been very lucky to access considerable public funding from several sources – in particular from the Cairngorms National Park Authority Leader funding, and from Aberdeenshire Council. The Estate of

29

the late Mike Sheridan has offered substantial support, and Hilton Craigendarroch has recently handed over a cheque for £884 – money raised by staff as part of the Hilton in the Community Foundation which helps children and young people. (see photo on page 30) User groups such as Ladies’ and Men’s Probus, Ballater Songsters and Victoria Week have all contributed not only towards match funding, but also for specific items of equipment.

In addition the Halls Development Association has several events planned over the coming months – 2013 Lottery Draw – will have commenced by the time you read this through to December - contact treasurer Willie Meston at Coilacriech Inn for information.

Paul Hughson – Paul was a popular entertainer

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last year. He has offered to stage his new production of “Fit Like?” on 27th September. The same format as last time will be used with tickets priced at £10, bring your own refreshments. See the advertisement in the Eagle for further information.

Pre-Christmas Table Sale – early December – date to be confirmed. Make a start on your presents!

Summer Ball for the Halls – Jenny Gow has agreed to help us with an event in 2014, possibly using our newly refurbished Function Suite in the Albert Hall. Discussion later in the year.

Films – the large screen in the Victoria Hall makes a huge difference to viewing - “The Great Gatsby” was shown during Victoria Week. We do have to work on sound quality, but watch this space – Ade Scripps has a plan!

Website – www.victoriaandalberthalls. co.uk – information about all the Halls

including floor-plans is available on-line, but

we have not transferred bookings to the system until the refurbishment is complete and we are reasonably confident that the system works.

Contact – The hall-keeper now has a dedicated mobile phone to receive messages about the Halls. Please only use in an emergency - Mob. 07786 449759. The nominated duty member can be contacted on 07598 808018 for any other queries.

Finally – the reorganisation of the Halls management arrangements are nearly complete.

Once everything is in place, we will have a public meeting to launch the new Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation – The Victoria and Albert Halls (Ballater) Trust. A Board of Directors will be needed to carry on with the next stages of refurbishment, manage the Halls and keep them in good order for the community into the future.

Please consider seriously what you can do to help.

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Cairngorms Bike Festival HUNDREDS of families enjoyed the best of biking on Sunday 4th August at the first ever Cairngorms Bike Festival at Glenmore Lodge in the Cairngorms National Park.

The Cairngorms National Park – the UK’s largest – is one of the best and most stunning places in the country to enjoy cycling from high adrenalin mountain biking to something more leisurely between and around the Park’s communities.

The festival was part of the C a i r n g o r m s N a t i o n a l Pa r k ’ s 10th anniversar y celebrations and also National Parks Week.

Local medal winning Paralympian Dave Smith MBE opened the event and was one of the thousands of people who turned up to enjoy a range of activities and performances including mountain biking, trials bikes, road bikes, BMX, the Cairngorms Electric Bike Project and The Clan Stunt Display team – Scotland’s leading trials and dirt bike stunt display team. There was also a round of the Scottish Trials Bike Championships as well as mountain bike races for various ages, a static road bike challenge along with various other cycling activities and attractions.

Speaking at the event Dave said: “There’s no better place in the country for biking than the National Park.”

With the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games only a year away it’s an excellent time to celebrate the strength of biking in Scotland, both recreational and competitively, with Scottish Cycling hopeful for medal success at the Games.

The first ever Cairngorms Bike Festival was supported financially by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Sportscotland, Glenmore Lodge, the Cairngorms Business Partnership, Event Scotland and Celebrate Lottery Fund and was one of the Year of Natural Scotland events.

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Photograph L-R: Dave Smith MBE, Bob Kinnaird, Principal of Glenmore Lodge, Alan Rankin, chief executive of the Cairngorms Business Partnership and Duncan Bryden, convenor of the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

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Pupils have been working hard learning about and enjoying life to the full. Thank you for all your comments and photos!

Ballater

Ballater Prize Giving June 2013 Back row L to R - Louise Grant; Shaun Lanigan; Fraser Carroll; Calum Mitchell; Zoe Duckworth; Holly Johnson; Lucas Whitehead Front row L to R - Jemma Shand; Orla Meechan; Lily Croll; Katie Hendry; Jack O’Halloran

P1 - What have we done?

ELLIS – I have done PE and maths MAX – We have done phonics and reading ISLA R – I have done PE and time in maths CONNAN – We have done electricity in science ISLA M – We have done science, reading and phonemes NATHAN- I’ve done science. I made a clown face that lit up FINN – We have done reading and I like reading because it is fun RYSZARD – We have done maths with money, phonics and science WYNN – Phonics with our phonemes and some of our phonemes were tricky P3/4 - What have we done?

CIARAN – Sports Day! The Parents race was very funny. The cross country was very tiring and breath-taking CLAIRE – We made a jaw out of clay. Some people did the jaw pink and the teeth blue.

Some people did it the other way round JOSHUA – We walked through the forest to find the John Brown statue. There was loads of slugs!

ROBYN – In reading we have 4 reading groups. The names are Stripey Platypus, Hungry Chickens, Spotty Dog and Spikey Zebras KENZIE – We learnt about how to make news paper. We are making our own class news letter

r School P2/3 - What have we done?

We learned about fossils, rocks and volcanoes We planted geraniums and looked after them We went to Tarland and tried circus skills We learned about electricity We made a kindness quilt We practiced using money We played tennis

P5/6 - What have we done?

EILISH AND LESLEY – This term we have been learning how to play the guitar. We learnt 4 chords. We also learnt the different parts of the guitar IONA – We learned how to keep safe from fires. We had to do a diagram of our house and check all our smoke alarms to make sure they were all working ELISE AND KATIE – Most days at school we do maths. We always start with a game such as Buzz, Around the World, The Hot Seat and Contender. Our class really enjoys maths

P6/7 - What have we done?

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Primary 7 pupils enjoyed raft building as part of their Activities week at Loch Insh near Aviemore. The pupils are given this opportunity at the end of P7 and thus their time at Ballater The pupils took part in a week long activities programme.

The programme which has instruction built in included: Wild life tour by boat Problem Solving Raft Building Wind Surfing Orienteering Canoeing Kayaking Walking Archery Sailing Skiing (Malcolm Duckworth, Mountain Safety & Training, Tarland)

SOPHIE AND HANNAH – We all enjoyed first aid and are looking forward to next year. Roll on level three of Young First Aider!

KATIE AND ABIGAEL – At netball this term we had a netball tournament in Torphins. We all played really well and came fourth.

SOPHIE AND KATIE – We all enjoy the running club and we are going to miss the primary sevens, and we hope we get lots of newcomers.

ORLA AND ROWAN – On our full science link day our first task was to build a tower out of paper with only 30cm of sellotape. We were not allowed to sellotape it to the table.

ZOE AND KATIE – Loch Insh – The first activity as Kayaking. The boat trip was really good and Jeremy, the tour guide, told us lots of facts about the Loch and its history.

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Deeside Donside Development Project by Nick Mardall

Here is a brief overview of some of the things going on in Ballater Housing Partnership The Princes Trust and the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust have submitted a site proposal to the Cairngorms National Park Authority which is a pre planning application document for the Balmoral site. This pre planning document will determine whether a full planning application may be viable. If it is a viable proposition, the site will provide opportunities for several housing options for the community.

Community Website Assistance As always a reminder about the small fund available from the Cairngorms National Park Authority to help local groups establish or improve their group or project websites. If anybody is interested in applying for this fund please contact me on the details below as I have the guidance and application forms. Several groups in Ballater have already taken up the offer and received funds up to nearly £1000 so don’t let the opportunity pass for your group to benefit.

Ballater learning centre The learning centre business plan and proposed (tentative) curriculum will be complete by the time you read this. The task now is to set up a coordinating body or structure which encompasses and represents the areas that will benefit from the centre, Ballater, Aboyne, Braemar and Donside.

The Victoria and Albert Halls committee who have supported and helped this process from the outset, have always been keen to get the centre going in a low key fashion, learn from experience and slowly build on what is working. To make a learning centre work there needs to be a certain ‘critical mass’ of usage.

This means throwing the net wide for potential users of the centre. This is why the proposals have always been for an Eastern Cairngorms Learning Centre and not just a Ballater Centre. We are looking at becoming a viable enterprise providing a learning facility for the community with some training linked to the local business community, offering

opportunities for young and old. We will need committed individuals to work on the organisational side of the centre, starting first with the actual business structure. If you want to offer your input please let me know as we will be forming a working group before the end of the year.

Dalmochie The land transfer drags on due to the Forestry Commission’s wrangling. I can only hope that by the time this goes to print the land will be owned by the community. A partnership between BRD and the Historic Forestry Project Association is taking shape with the draft terms of a lease agreement completed.

Only once we have the land title can we apply for funds to restore the two original log cabins.

I would ask folk to contact me if they have any project or funding they would like me to help them pursue Nick.dddp@ btconnect.com or tel 013397 53775

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A Skate Park in Ballater?

by Jono Tosh (age 15)

The young people of Ballater have not many activities to do. A skatepark would help teenagers, young adults and young children to socialise more, and has been shown to drop crime rates involving young adults by up to 67%. This means it would help keep us youths off the streets.

The first stage in our plan was to get as many people as possible to sign a sheet of paper supporting our idea of a skate park and to give us an idea of how many people would like a skate park in Ballater. We got a couple of hundred signatures in total which was very pleasing. We then started to look at several possible locations where we might put the skate park. We looked at the Monaltrie Park area and the Sluievannachie car park area.

We thought these would be two of the most ideal places in Ballater to put a skate park.

Hopefully, if this project continues and we get the support of the residents of Ballater, we will

35

be getting involved in fundraising, as well as getting the local community involved.

In addition, we have spoken to BRD who have offered some support if we can show them that getting a skate park would be worth it.

Readers may have heard about the recent refusal to build a skate park in Aboyne. This shouldn’t affect anything to do with a skatepark in Ballater, as hopefully it will be in a completely different setting to the one proposed in Aboyne.

It would be great and very pleasing to get the support of our local community, and to see the young and old working together to obtain a new highlight and attraction in Ballater. We hope the residents of Ballater will take this into consideration and if you have any thoughts or ideas on how to bring this project to fruition, then we would be pleased to hear from you. (email toshj@rocketmail.com or tel 01339 55373)

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Expedition of a Lifetime

by Hope Simmers

Hola Amigos!

On June 27th this year I embarked on an expedition of a lifetime to Mexico with 11 other students from Aboyne Academy. For a month we travelled the country where we completed a 59k trek, worked on a community project and finally we got to see some of the culture and find out about the history of the country.

The trek took place in the Sierra Notre Mountains, northeast of Oaxaca, Mexico, where we saw wildlife I’d never even dreamed of seeing, including rainbow coloured lizards and some large birds that were so big they could have gobbled me up!! We were trekking for 5 days. Each night after trekking we’d reach a village where we all got involved in helping cook meals, playing games with the children and we even taught them some English. I believe it was a great insight into the way people live as well as a personal challenge.

After the trek we travelled to a small community, “Vanilla”. During 2012 the community was hit by a hurricane and everything was destroyed! When we arrived we took the time to meet and greet the people. Whilst doing this we discovered that the leader of the community, Ruby, was an albino and was therefore unable to see during the day due to it being too bright for her eyes. This was a huge disadvantage for the community, as without Ruby things wouldn’t run as smoothly and so the first thing we did was take her to the optician where we bought her special glasses. At first she wouldn’t

accept because “it was too much”. It was all very overwhelming as we changed her life! Due to the hurricane, the people had nothing and were slowly rebuilding homes and getting the community back in order. We built a sanitary block for them and painted it bright colours. We also built two shelters as they only had one which they crammed everyone into. Just the look on their faces when we completed the projects left a lump in my throat as they were so happy with these things which we here in Scotland take for granted. It made us realise how little some people have, and made us appreciate what we do have.

Overall it was a fantastic trip! It is good to know we made a difference and it wouldn’t have been possible without you! I’d just like to thank everyone who supported me and helped me raise £3600. A huge shout out for Phoenix Chip Shop, The Charitable Chiels , A.B. Yule, Faye Swan, Cat and Aid , Linda Grassick, Ballater Primary School and also to the Ballater and surrounding communities in general! Thank you!

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Take Me Back

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by Ian Mitchell

I don’t think my childhood was exactly boring — I’d have remembered that at least! It was, or so it seems in retrospect, just — well, ordinary.

Which, I suppose, may go some little way towards explaining why Ballater is the major account-holder in my childhood memory bank.

I cannot imagine even the most seasoned, worldweary traveller finding the village of Ballater anything less than totally charming. Its situation, cradled in the embrace of an elegant curve of the Dee, for my money a hot favourite in any ‘World’s-Loveliest-River’ contest, and nestling in the hollow between Craigendarroch and Craig Coileach, is idyllic.

The fact that it was my father’s birthplace is not mentioned in any travel brochure, of course, but it was the main reason for our annual visit.

What he said, went, and where he went, we followed, and that, when the summer holiday fortnight came around, was always Ballater.

The holiday really started at Buchanan Street station in Glasgow. Although we had already set out from Ayr at eight in the morning, Buchanan Street, with its ornate canopy and the (then) exotic odours from the early morning fish trains just in from the North East, was immediately a world away from the more prosaic St. Enoch terminal where we had decanted from the Ayr train. The 10 o’clock for Aberdeen stood ready to take us, via stations with beautifully tended gardens (I can still hear the cry of ‘A-a-chtera-a-arder’), deeper into that other world. Then, a couple of hours in Aberdeen, a walk up the platform to inhale the aromas of the nearby fish-smoking plants, and it was time to board the 3 o’clock to Ballater. At every stop, we would let down the window and listen to the bees busy in the lineside heather and ‘smell the honey’.

(Well, naturally, the sun was always shining!) At last, Craigendarroch would come into view as we

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rounded the bend at Tullich into the long straight to paradise.

I have to admit that, in those early years, it was not Ballater’s picturesque setting that most stirred my love of the place. I have no clear memory of my earliest visits other than the sounds which came to the ears of the child awakening to a new day in Birch Cottage: the bell of Glenmuick Parish Church announcing eight o’clock and, almost immediately after, the high-pitched whistle of the first train of the day leaving for Aberdeen. For years, these two elements, the bell and the train, dominated my days in Ballater. The clock’s chiming every quarter-hour kept me accurately informed as to how long it would be before my next obligatory visit to the station. (The compensation for not seeing the first train off was generous: a breakfast of fresh baps and butteries from Leith’s bakery.)

There was a train coming in at ten and leaving again at twenty- past, there was the twelve-thirty, which did not go out again until three, then the twenty-to-five, leaving on the hour (rush home

for tea!), and the last one of the day, coming in at eight. Oh yes, and the midday goods, which always had an intriguing little bit of shunting to do. Its departure, loaded with timber from the saw-mill on the other side of the line, unfortunately sometimes coincided with the daily chore of sitting down to lunch.

The main attraction of Ballater station, quite apart from the sheer prettiness of the canopied wooden building itself and the majestic curve of its platform, was the fact that it was the end of the line.

This required the locomotive to come off one end of the train, run round to the sheds to be turned on the turntable and then come back, refreshed and pointing in the right direction to take its four wood-panelled LNER coaches to Aberdeen, some forty-odd miles away. All fascinating stuff for a wee boy. And here I have to thank good Queen Victoria for so much of my childhood joy.

As is well known, the line was originally intended to run right on to deliver her directly to Balmoral Castle. However, once work had started on this, reaching as far as the River Gairn, the old dear

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decided that neither the smoke and steam nor the noise would be welcome in her close vicinity. That, quite frankly, I could never understand. So the line ended at Ballater, and the extension was now the Old Line, that beautiful walk among the oaks and birches along the banks of the Dee. This walk, and the various spots along the river where my younger brother and I spent happy hours building dams and harbours and throwing stones and skimmers, had the added advantage of being close enough to Station Square to allow me to sprint back for my next round of duties ensuring that all went off correctly and according to schedule. If our day’s activities took us farther away, such as to the top of Craigendarroch, my frustration could be relieved only if I had reached a suitable vantage point to enable me to observe proceedings from a considerable height.

If this was unsuccessful, the perky, proprietar y shriek of the whistle echoing around the valley became sheer torture. Any parental plans for venturing even farther away from my obsession were usually met with tearful protests and, since these usually failed, complied with in sulking silence.

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The rewards for such regular platform attendance were, of course, considerable. Soon, I developed an intensely personal attachment to those long-chimneyed little locomotives, especially the ones bearing a proud local name, like George Davidson, Sir David Stewart, Andrew Bain, Benachie, Hatton Castle, Glen Grant and, of course, Gordon Highlander (with which I can still, after all these decades, commune silently in the nearby Glasgow Museum of Transport). Not only that, but the local footplate crews always had a wave and a kind word for the wee, self-appointed Assistant Station-Master, who was eventually, on a few occasions, able to complete his duties by being taken round, when the last train had arrived at 8p.m., to the sheds to watch the engine being turned, having its fire-box cleaned out in a shower of sparks and glowing cinders and being put to bed for the night. The crowning glory came in the form of an invitation to ride on the footplate when the family went on a picnic trip to the next station down the line,

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Cambus O’May. (The picnic?

More baps and butteries — and Hay’s ‘Dazzle Beer’.)

December 30, 1966 was a black day. Taking advantage of my absence in Germany, that infamous butcher, Dr. Beeching, put an end to the beautiful Deeside Line and, by having the tracks torn up and bridges removed almost before the rails had cooled after the passage of the last train, made sure no perverse preservation society could ever revive it. Magical little places such as Lumphanan and Torphins and those strange monosyllabic triplets, Drum, Dess and Cults, became wholly dependent on Alexander’s Bluebird buses for contact with the outside world, the red and black ones of Strachan’s Deeside Omnibuses sadly having long since ceased to offer competition.

Ballater station still stands as a listed building, but from the sweep of the platform, the view is filled with an estate of cosy little houses. However, I can still draw comfort from memories and from

the pictures in several books on the Deeside Line. Besides, on our return from Germany, the next version of the Mitchell family, with its own two little boys, resumed the tradition of Ballater holidays, with father sitting dreaming as Andrew and Douglas built their harbours and dams and threw their stones into the Dee on top of the ones he and his brother had dispatched thirty years before, and little else had changed.

Visits to Ballater are still a delight, because some of the old friends, apart from the railway, are still there, as warm in their welcome as ever.

The church bell still rings, and I can still hear that whistle, still smell the grease and the steam, even if no one else can. © 2003 by Ian Mitchell (Editor’s Note - The above article, written in 2003, contains, by the author’s admission, some anachronisms and inaccuracies, but he has indicated that he would prefer to “- leave the whole thing as it is” and the Eagle is happy to comply with this request.)

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HAUNTED ABERGELDIE

by Sheila Sedgwick

Deeside, and particularly the south side of the river, was through the ages noted for its belief in the supernatural and its acceptance that characters from the past – usually those with unhappy lives or endings, came back to the site of their misfortune. As a result, belief in ghosts and witches was accepted. Today, with our more rational approach, we think of these things as amusing incidents from the past.

Abergeldie Castle, pink washed and in the Gordon family since just after 1482 when they obtained the estate, has had some colourful characters as Laird. There was constant feuding with the traditional enemy, the Forbes.

A very colourful Laird had a son by his first wife - what happened to her we can only guess and when the Laird remarried, the relationship between the son and the new Lady were anything but cordial. The Laird himself was a bit of a

philanderer and spent much time on the Continent in company with various lady friends.

His wife could stand it no longer. She had a maid, French Kate, who was reasonably skilled in the occult arts. The Laird was on board a ship coming back from France in dubious company, so French Kate was asked to stir up a storm, not to wreck the ship, but to give the Laird a real fright.

So thought the scorned wife!

Kate went down to the dungeon, hit a wet cloth on a stone and uttered some magic words.

She was either inefficient or she was too good at her job. The water around the ship became a vast cauldron of monster waves. The ship was lost with all hands.

Eventually news of the disaster reached Abergeldie. The widow, whose relations with her stepson were not of the best, accused Kate of

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witchcraft. Unfortunately the new Laird was the man responsible for stamping out the art on Deeside and carrying out punishment. Kate was thrown into the dungeon – the shackles are still there - then condemned to death by burning.

On the hill opposite Abergeldie Castle, Creag nam Ban, the Hill of the Women, she was tied to the stake with more shackles and burned. At the time this might have seemed preferable to being dragged to the stake behind horses, as in Aberdeen victims were expected to pay for the wood used in the burning, the carter’s wages and other incidentals. If that was not possible, the parish paid.

The shackles were found on the hill around 1960s but have now disappeared.

It is said that on a moonlight night, Kate’s screams can be heard as she wanders around seeking vengeance on the family that betrayed her.

I pass the hill regularly at night, but so far have had no encounters!

Do you believe in ghosts?

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Vertically Challenged

by Betty Wilson

I am vertically challenged. I am only four feet nine.

To be of normal stature is a heartfelt wish of mine.

At school, they called me “Titch” and “Squirt” and bullied if they dare, But when we were up to mischief, I admit it to my shame, I’d hide behind the normal ones and let them take the blame.

I tried the Coue method, every single day, I’d stand before the mirror, and to myself would say, “Every day, in every way, I’m getting taller and taller.”

As other people grew, it seemed, I smaller got and smaller, The butcher’s counter was so high, it really made me swear.

The butcher said “I’m sorry, dear, I didn’t see you there.”

My talents lay in sporty things, the choice was bound to be On leaving school, I would become a teacher of P.E. Alas! The application form eliminated me, To be accepted to the course, you had to be five feet three.

The A.T.S accepted me, but I very quickly found That the Army issue kitbag, I could not lift off the ground.

I had all the credentials to join the Victory Parade, But they said I was too little, and I didn’t make the grade.

When a speech was called for, my nerves were far from steady.

The compere said “Stand up! Stand up” – I was standing up already!

A history teacher I became, it soon was plain to see I looked up to the pupils, and they looked down on me.

My Scotland

by Sammy Wilson Even God preferred tall men, with Saul he was impressed, And made him King of Israel, a head taller than the rest.

But Jesus liked Zacheus, the wee man up the tree, And although he was a sinner, he went home with him for tea.

Everything is geared for tall, skirts are far too long, Shelves are always too high up. To discriminate is wrong.

Try to board a local bus with legs that are too short.

Advantages of height are clear in every kind of sport.

And yet outstanding shorties in history are seen – Napoleon, Ronnie Corbett, Adolf Hitler and the Queen.

Sofas too deep, chairs too high, but one exception there, Toilet seats are quite low down – oh well, it’s only fair.

When I had a hip replacement, my pleasure was complete, Unlike the rest, I didn’t need a polystyrene seat!

If I had power to make the laws, the first two would be these: Top shelves would be left empty, tall folk would be cut off at the knees.

I take that back, a change of mind, live and let live is best!

Tall people have their uses – I’m just jealous I confess.

I’ve walked in crowds, my head in line with other people’s thighs.

I’d know what they were looking at, if I were normal size.

Next time you see me in a crowd, my frustration you could quell.

Just put me on your shoulders, so that I can see as well.

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Growing up, I always linked the word ‘Scotland’ with the annual holiday to Royal Deeside, along with several excursions to the Western Highlands and islands.

It stood for mountain adventures; leaping salmon and lazy picnics beside the loch. It conjured up images of exploring long-abandoned castles; paddling in the freezing North Sea and careering down heather-clad hillsides whilst barely in control of a bike.

It was therefore something of a contrast to be heading to the metropolis of Edinburgh to begin my first year of university. Suddenly trips to ‘my Scotland’ meant city living: constant streams of buses and taxis, sirens wailing into the night, national museums and libraries and tourists who don’t wear walking boots.

Even at its very busiest, Ballater High Street has nothing on Princes Street with its piper heroically attempting to keep himself heard over the roar of traffic, pedestrians and tram works. The sweet aroma felt walking past Deeside Confectionery is replaced, when the wind is blowing in the right direction, by the indescribable yet luscious smell of the Caledonian Brewery. Where in Ballater one might expect to see the swelling waters of the Dee, Edinburgh gives you the Firth of Forth, the famous metal rail bridge just a tiny bit bigger than that at Cambus O’May. Whilst the railway line on Deeside has long fallen silent, save for the bikers and dog walkers,

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trains rush in and out of the centre of Edinburgh twenty-four hours a day. Instead of the Old Station with its tea rooms and tourist information, you have the mighty Waverley with its Burger King and general lack of information.

How foolish it was, remarked one loud American tourist, for the owners of the Castle to build so close to the noisy railway.

The imposing peak is not snow-capped Lochnagar but tourist-capped Arthur’s Seat.

Both are impressive in the way they dominated the surrounding areas, but on only one are you likely to find a group of foreign exchange students having an impromptu barbeque.

Much like Deeside’s wealth of secret gems hidden off the beaten track, I find that Edinburgh offers new surprises on a constant basis. For instance, the day my flatmate and I ventured that little bit further into Holyrood Park and discovered the delights of Duddingston Loch or the time that I was present in Murrayfield when

Scotland actually won a rugby match.

All this contributes healthily to my local knowledge, which is steadily growing: be prepared to climb hundreds of steps wherever you go, avoid the Royal Mile on a Saturday, the buses accept EXACT change only, Edinburgh Bargain Stores has a very inaccurate name, etc. etc.

As far as university life in Edinburgh is concerned, I doubt there is anywhere better to be. The institution itself offers everything this enthusiastic history student could hope for, along with the chance to write newspaper articles, present radio shows and play sport to my heart’s content.

The contrasts between rural Ballater and urban Edinburgh are, of course, huge, yet I have grown to love both places and feel totally at home in both. When a break is needed from the hectic city lifestyle and academic studies I know I can head north to Ballater to relax and unwind.

Whether in the bustle of the capital or the slowerpaced surroundings of Deeside, I will continue to enjoy ‘my Scotland’ at its very best.

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A Trip to China

by Sasha Potter

As I stood in Glasgow airport at 10am on a tepid July morning facing a group of unfamiliar teens, the reality that I would be in China in a matter of hours hadn’t really sunk in. I’m not sure that it ever really did. It was by sheer good fortune that I found myself on the other side of the world this summer, a friend mentioning to me in passing about a trip to China thanks to Strathclyde University and the Chinese government. My interest was sparked immediately and an uncontainable desperation to be chosen for this fantastic opportunity followed. Another stroke of luck was that I applied the day before the applications were closed, meaning I was told the following week that I, along with 72 other Scottish pupils would be going to study Mandarin and experience the foreign world of China for 3 weeks. I felt a bit of a cheat having only to pay £550 for the whole trip when the flights alone cost more than £1000 but who’s complaining?!

Prior to the trip I had not found meeting new people the most enticing of prospects but after standing in the airport with a group sleepy but friendly looking peers for a couple of hours we were all happily chatting away and great friends before we even boarded the plane. It must have been by complete luck that all the nerds ended up in one group but we were all extremely happy with our like minded company!

It was a surprisingly enjoyable 10 hour flight from Amsterdam which was punctuated by an endless succession of foods, notably a tub of icecream at 3am. An odd notion I’ll admit but not at all an unwelcome one! Three things I was initially surprised about Beijing were firstly the smell; old, warm, wet bread is the only thing I could think of that came close enough to describing the unfamiliar scent. Second was the food; I hadn’t imagined I would enjoy it so much, even if I did go a bit hungry the first few days until I got the hang of chopsticks!

Thirdly was how westernised the city was. If it weren’t for the occasional old traditional Chinese temple or the plethora of Chinese people you could

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think yourself in any modern city.

After settling into the student accommodation at the host university, one of our first stops in Beijing was the beautiful Forbidden City. Constructed as a residence for the Chinese royalty, with more than 8,700 rooms this was no Buckingham Palace! The place is breath-takingly huge with an endless array of beautiful yellow, red and blue buildings as well as vast courtyards.

Other highlights in Beijing included a rickshaw ride round an ancient area of the city and a trip to the now, it seems, redundant Olympic stadium. We then left for Tianjin, a city south of Beijing to the Foreign Studies University where we would begin our language and cultural classes.

Ever y morning we were greeted by an exuberant Kung-Fu teacher who tried his very best to teach us his art but many found being enthusiastic at 7am a little challenging! Language classes were enjoyable if a little longer than we were used to at an hour and a half. However everyone was keen to learn and all picked up the basics quite quickly. A trip to a museum and concert hall was a particular favourite day of mine where we saw a spectacular programmed musical water fountain which was huge in size and rivalled any fountain

46

I’ve ever seen! We also experienced Chinese tea art and a mildly stressful test to gain our qualification in Mandarin.

Back in Beijing for a few days before our return included a visit to Tiananmen Square, the place which gave me the most cause for thought. I had been expecting something similar to Trafalgar Square but what we experienced was quite different. Visitors were filed around the perimeter of the square by armed guards, so we were unable to reach the centre. We were all surprised to learn that the younger of the Chinese teachers with us had no knowledge of the student protests that had occurred there and was confused by our questions about it. An older teacher told us no one discusses the events which took place, which I found fascinating. I was impressed and horrified that it had been kept hidden so well from the younger members of the population. However politics rarely impacted the trip and everyone we met seemed surprisingly happy and content with their lives for people who can’t vote.

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It was the day before we reluctantly returned to Scotland that we got the opportunity to visit the Great Wall of China. Leaving the best for last, this was by far my favourite part of the trip. With the two hours we were given, a friend and I were determined to reach the highest point of the section we could, so scaled the awesome structure with as much haste as is possible when trying to navigate through hordes of tourists. It was worth it to get to the top, a great expanse of tree covered mountain stretched out in front of us in a mass of never ending green until it dissipated into the faint mist. You can be told all these numbers and facts about amazing places like that but you never really appreciate the sheer scale and feat of human engineering that it is until you’re standing on it, looking at it trail away into the distance.

We departed with some notable reluctance to come home again but one thing I was looking forward to was the lack of presence of rice at every meal. That is one food I have had more than enough of for the moment!

My trip to China this summer has been undoubtedly the most fun, fascinating and useful experience of my life so far. I would absolutely love to go back someday but it has also given me the inspiration to visit as many countries and places as possible because those are often the most valuable and fun bits of life. Until I have a substantial sum of money with which to finance a world tour I suppose its school, exams, University, job. Paying bills, doing your own washing, tax returns, - adult life just beckons doesn’t it? 我爱中国！(Wǒài zhōngguó!) (I love China!)

Tullich Kirkyard

by Ian Cameron

Increasingly, I find my quarterly contribution to the Ballater Eagle becoming a reflection of my activities in the previous three months. Almost exactly a year ago I wrote of the Fit ‘o Gairn Kirkyard and now, quite by chance, I have cause to visit Tullich.

At school, we were divided into ‘Houses’ for the sports day.

Quite ingeniously, the staff had taken inspiration from our unique parish arrangement where-by the three parishes of Glenmuick, Tullich, and Glengairn came to worship in a new central church built on the ‘muir o’ Ballater’ in 1798.

Thus the Houses of Glenmuick, Tullich, and Glengairn came into being. I can remember my consternation at being allocated Tullich House, as our family had originated in Glengairn.

We always thought of Tullich as being a cold, windy place and not to be compared with the

47

neat graveyard at the Fit ‘o Gairn to which we made Sunday afternoon walks up the ‘Old Line’.

But Tullich kirkyard had undoubtedly been a special place for a very long time; in “Plant and Roots” I briefly describe how the early Christian Church simply annexed the old pagan sites to set up their first chapels, and at Tullich we are going back to the 7th Century. AD. There is nothing to be found in writing about these days, but Tullich was unique in having three sculptured stones propped up against the wall of this last ruined church, protected by a wrought iron railing. There was some alarm a few years ago when our stones disappeared, but Aberdeenshire Council had decided to take them into ‘safe keeping!’

I have included an illustration of the stones.

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Left to right we have first: an example of a preChristian pagan or Pictish carved stone.

Next is the early Celtic or Iona cross.

Last is the Papist Roman cross.

Only at Tullich churchyard, has this progression of religious relics survived.

At this point I am able to give an update on Tullich Churchyard.

Historically, all burials were accommodated within Tullich’s oval boundary wall, but since the 1960s, and the loss of space at Glenmuick

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and Glengair n graveyards, Tullich Churchyard has expanded westwards out with the wall and is rapidly filling up the extra space

allocated.

Aberdeenshire Council had then to enter into negotiations with the land owners to buy more ground just east of the graveyard, to allow expansion for graves, crematorium ashes urns and a much needed new car park.

Today, before any new development can be started near o b v i o u s l y historical ground an archaeological sur vey is called for.

Initial geo-physical scans had shown up structures to the east of the present graveyard boundary wall. Castle Plant was employed by the firm of archaeologists to strip the topsoil to allow hand excavation and examination of the ground.

A massive 4 metre wide by nearly 2 metre deep ditch was exposed; the digging was limited by the graves of the past 50 years, but all indications are that the original site had been completely ringed by these earthworks.

I have included a general view of the dig.

There is record of the Knight Templars of St. John holding patronage of the 13th century church, and The Rev. John Grant Michie, writing in 1888, is of the opinion that the ditch dates from the 13th century and is characteristic of the defensive works that the Knight Templars set up around their buildings.

According to Fenton Wyness, the Knight Templars built the present Tullich church before 1275, and they also built a similar chapel at Maryculter in 1287-88.

In the course of their dig the archaeologists

unearthed two stones inscribed with Celtic crosses. When you actually find tangible artefacts in the course of a dig it makes it all the more worthwhile. The plan is that after the graveyard extension and car park is complete all the Tullich relic stones will return home to be housed in a secure enclosure where they will be on show, with a now more enlightened interpretation panel.

Cross Section of ditch by Ian Cameron.

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Dying Birches at Muir of Dinnet

By Catriona Reid, Reserve Manager Earlier in the spring, Gordon Cowie, a retired forester, contacted SNH at the Muir of Dinnet to ask about defoliation of birch trees on the Muir. A photograph of the trees is shown below, as is the reply from Catriona Reid of SNH. Dear Mr Cowie Thank you for your query regarding birch at Dinnet.

There probably isn’t a simple answer to this question, as a variety of causes are likely to have contributed. I suspect it’s a combination of climatic (harsh winters) and a couple of particularly good years for insects- especially birch sawfly- and delayed die-off of the birch.

There may also be contributing factors like competition (tree density), age etc. as well.

The defoliation began about 3 years ago after the first very harsh winter we had 2009/10. This may have been in part due to the leaves and insects emerging at exactly the same time- ideally the trees want to get into leaf before the main insect emergence so they have time to build up defensive chemicals before the main flush of caterpillars.

New leaves are very vulnerable to insects and

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the timing may have just led to the trees being badly stripped of leaves. That spring/ summer there was a lot of evidence of “epicormic” growth- where trees sprout leaves from nodes on the trunk- which is a classic stress sign in birch.

The following winter was also harsh, further weakening the trees, and again, there was significant stripping of leaves in early spring and evidence of epicormic growth. A variety of caterpillars are likely to have contributed to this but in both years there seemed to be a significant emergence of birch sawfly. These are known to create localised defoliation and death in birch across the northern hemisphere, in areas of Scandinavia and Canada - where harsh winters are the norm.

There was some stripping of leaves last spring and I’d say actually a relatively limited defoliation this spring - but the weakened trees have finally succumbed over the winter and there are dead stands of often quite dense young birch. These may appear defoliated but I suspect have actually died off over the winter. Certainly, good numbers of these never appeared to come into leaf at all this year.

As far as I understand, from reading about this, it’s part of the natural system/cycle in birch woods - but I agree, I’ve never seen it on the scale of 2010 and 2011. I think most of the apparent defoliation thereafter has been the gradual dieback of over-stressed trees.

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Perusing Plants by Natasha Lloyd

The Elder, (Sambucus nigra), is a very versatile tree. It grows in many areas, although we don’t have many in and around Ballater or Crathie. It has stalked, toothed leaves that are opposite and consist of five to seven leaflets which smell pungent and some folk find offensive.

The flowers on the other hand smell sweet. If given enough light and space the Elder will grow from a shrub into a small tree. It still has its bush shape with its stems growing from ground level.

This shape sets it aside from the Rowan, the only other tree locally that has white flowers at roughly the same time of year, which do not smell as sweet at all.

The Elder flourishes in nitrogen rich soils hence it is often found in abandoned buildings

and graveyards. The seeds are dispersed by birds in their droppings. It grows very vigorously and has had a close link with humans for a long time.

In 1644 a book dedicated entirely to the virtues of Elder was translated from Latin into English.

The author sings the praises of the Elder tree in no less than 230 pages. The booklet became so popular that it ran through several editions in both the English and the Latin versions. Every single part of the plant was mentioned as medicinally useful. Although these days it is known that the roots are poisonous, the stalks contain cyanide and the leaves are purgative, so best left on the tree!

Despite that, Elder Flowers and Elder Berries have long been used in the countryside for making home-made drinks and preserves that are almost

as great favourites now as in the time of our greatgrandmothers. The berries make an excellent home-made wine and winter cordial, which improves with age, and taken hot with sugar, just before going to bed, is an old-fashioned and well established cure for a cold. This is due to its high vitamin C content and anti-viral properties.

Modern studies have backed this up. e.g. ZakayRones in 2004. And an earlier study by the same team in 1995 to show how ‘Sambucol reduced hemagglutination and inhibited replication of human influenza viruses in a double blind study’.

These mean that science has shown the berries to have some safe, antiviral properties. Although it is agreed that larger studies should be conducted, elderberries have a long history of safe use. Just don’t include the stalks in your syrup!

I should point out here that many drugs come from plants and they can interfere with orthodox treatments. With plant/drug interactions quite common, this can make plants dangerous. If you wish to use plants for medication, you should seek the advice of a professional Medical Herbalist.

I could have written loads on the wonderful Elder but I wanted in addition to look at Hawthorn (Cratageus spp) a more familiar shrub in this area. A shrub often used for hedging with good reason, it grows quickly, is strong and thorny.

It lives for a long time so doesn’t need replacing frequently. The berry is called a Haw and this comes an old German word for hedge. The leaves are alternate with deeply divided lobes and paired stipules at the base of each leaf. It flowers

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in May hence one of its common names May Blossom. Dioscorides mentioned hawthorn in his work in the first century AD. He called it

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krátaios, which is thought to derive from the Greek krátys ‘hard’ or ‘strong’, in reference to the plant’s hard wood. Its modern uses are as a heart herb and there is no gentler or safer plant to help treat the heart, under supervision from a medical professional, as it will interfere with heart medication. Scientific studies on Hawthorn are extensive and the Germans have conducted a lot of the research. A meta analysis done in 2005 by Pittler et al shows a Hawthorn extract as treatment of chronic cardiac insufficiency. Another study by Koch et al in the same year also shows Cardio- and vasoprotective actions of standardized Crataegus extract. Not just a hedging plant!

A local berry that is seen up on the hills and extensively at Muir of Dinnet, is the county emblem for Aberdeenshire, Bearberry (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi ). Often confused with the Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) they look very similar and flower at roughly the same time. A point of good identification comes on the underside of the leaves. Bearberry leaf has a deep distinct veining not seen on the Cowberry leaf. Its medicinal use comes from astringency of

52

the leaves. In consequence of this, Uva-Ursi has a place not only in all the old herbals, but also in the modern Pharmacopoeias. There are records that it was used in the thirteenth century by the Welsh ‘Physicians of Myddfai.’

It was described by Clusius in 1601, and recommended for medicinal use in 1763 by Gerhard of Berlin and others. It had a place in the London Pharmacopoeia for the first time in 1788, though was probably in use long before then. It is official in nearly all Pharmacopceias, some of which use the name Arbutus. The usual form of administration is in the form of an infusion, which has a soothing as well as an astringent effect and marked diuretic action. Of great value in diseases of the bladder and kidneys. It strengthens and imparts tone to the urinary passages. The diuretic action is due to the glucoside Arbutin, which is largely absorbed unchanged and excreted by the

kidneys. During excretion, Arbutin exercises an antiseptic effect on the urinary mucous membrane.

This has to be done under very close supervision as it is also a purgative at large doses.

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Victoria Hall, Ballater Friday 27th September doors open 7.30pm, show starts 8.00pm Tickets £10 – proceeds towards hall improvements bring your own drinks and snacks tickets available from:

deeside deli & garden shop, 47 bridge street, ballater fraser & mulligan, 24 bridge street, ballater

Or phone bell on 013397 55745

BVW creates Ballater Buzz!

Louise Hendry, holder of the winning ticket of the duck race

Ballater simply buzzed this year during Victoria Week as visitors and locals took delight in the good weather, countless fun events both inside and out, plus a record number of imaginative scarecrows (on the map and off!).

BVW has been hailed a resounding success by those involved and by many who were amused during the nine-day fiesta in August.

Most ticketed events sold out while those entered by donation were also packed to the rafters. All outdoor events were well attended, with the Vehicle Parade, Duck Race, Picnic, Pet Show, Giddyup Pony Party and Cat Boot Sale seeing huge crowds.

Evening events sold well compared to last year (when the Olympics proved a tremendous rival!) with the Comedy Night, Astronomy Night, Band Night, CLAN Quiz and Discos all proving

by Cat Houston

The Business winner ET at the Bike Station

54

well-appreciated and worthy diversions. The 4x4 BBQ Safari and the Ghost Tours were as popular as ever.

Sunday’s Vehicle Parade witnessed over 70 interesting and classic cars and agricultural vehicles take to Bridge Street. This year’s parade was admirably organised by Malcolm and Lilias Lovie and a decision to move the fayre to the green paid off, as many parade-watchers stayed to enjoy the delights on offer, including a memorable visit from the Banchory Morris Men. Games night saw the first Ballater Victoria Week Family Ceilidh, again well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all present. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Victoria and Albert Halls. Other groups raising funds during BVW included CLAN Cancer Support (with a busy Quiz and Afternoon Tea at The Deeside Inn; The Ballater Songsters, who gathered over

Louise and Paige Middleton, winners in the Fancy dress competition at the Picnic £1,000 for The Halls and CLAN, and Crathie Opportunity Holidays, who hosted the Great Gatsby film to mixed reviews of the flick itself, but no doubt about the greatness of the spread provided! In all BVW 2013 is estimated to have raised over £4,000 through its own events, but the figure is nearer £7,000 if that raised by other groups during the week is included. Donations will be made to various local groups and nominated charities at the BVW AGM later in the year. Any local groups or organisations who would like to receive a share of the BVW profits are urged to get in touch with the committee asap.

Worthy of special mention is another new event, the Victoria’s Got Talent show, in which a truly amazing array of talent from home and abroad wowed a packed Victoria Hall. Amy Lofty - Winner of the Society Scarecrow with members of the Ballater Fire and Rescue Service

Banchory Morris Men

Nessie takes cover

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Double Trouble at Messy play

Muir’s Victorian Photo Studio was again a great success and the results can be seen at www.amymuir.com.

Coordinator Adrian Scripps said: “We could not be more pleased with how things went this year. The sunny smiles and great atmosphere around the village this week makes all the hard work worth it. Many thanks to everybody who helped or took part in any way; we couldn’t do it without you. Thanks also to our sponsors this year: Salus Controls Plc, Lucy’s Leisure The Lovebirds - winner in the Home category of the Scarecrow competition and Lifestyle Clothing, The Netherley Guest House, The Ballater Business Association, India on the Green, Carol Downie, Ted Emslie House Furnishers, the Co-operative Netherley and Bank of Scotland. Thanks also to the Royal Guard, whose help and enthusiasm for our events this year was invaluable. There are always things we can improve on so if you’d like to help out next year then please get in touch.”

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The Stig - at Victoria Garage

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Scarecrow Competition Winners: Home Category: 1st – Love Birds (Joss and Jerry Atkin); 2nd – Twitcher (Ian Halliday); 3rd – Humpty Dumpty (The Lovie Family) Business: 1st – ET (Bike Station); 2nd – Sheryl Crow (McEwens of Perth); 3rd – The Stig (Victoria Garage) Society: 1st – Lofty (Scottish Fire and

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Car-boot bargains

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Besom Jamie

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by Mary Munro

“I’ll get Besom Jamie till ye, gin ye dinna stop tirranesin me!” The late Betty Grant fae Tomidhu, near by Balmoral, mynt fine thon bein a threat fae her mither fan she wis a young geet, jist like my ain mither eased tae threaten us wi the local Bobby.

Besom Jamie, Jamie Sim, wis a “gaein-aboot mannie”, a tinker or a tramp, fa wis weel-kent in the Crathie area. Ye niver see their like nooadays bit at ae time in Ballater there wis a narra park alang the Dee doon the Tullich road, aye ca’ed “The Tinkies’ Park”, far traivellin fowk set up their tenties an fires at certain times o’ the year.

Mither wid tell foo they cam roon the doors, wi a birn o’ bairns trailin at their skirts an files a girny baaby swaddled tae their back. They wid sell pints for sheen, pirns an preens, pot scrubbers, Kaims an a kine o’ trock ye werena really in need o’, bit Mither aye bocht a something aff them, for she vowed they micht pit the “evil ee” on ye, gin ye contered them!

In 1895, there wis a Royal Bazaar held on the Monument Park near the Castle, tae raise siller tae bigg a bonnie new kirk, the verra same ane that stauns on the brae tae this day. This Bazaar, sponsored by the Royalty, wis a big event an fowk flocked fae a the airts tae hob-nob wi the Princesses an even see Victoria hersel. Jist the hint o’ Royalty brings oot the fowk like bees fae a byke! The story goes that Besom Jamie, in a his “finery” arrived at the pey-in gate, an they were set tae turn him awa, for he maun hae lookit a gey track. They thocht he couldna pey, bit, wi a dignified air, Jamie is said tae hae produced his half-croon fae his moleskin-trooser pooch. “I can easy pey my wey, for I wint tae see foo ma pot-scrubbers are sellin – they’re on sale at the Balmoral stall at a penny each!” I sweir he got a deal o’ snooty stares that day, bit Jamie didna

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care a docken – his siller wis as gweed as the neist body’s.

Jamie bade on amun the braes o’ Crathie till he wis a gey auld stock. We can bit imagine fit his life wis like, fine in the bonny, saft days bit gey harsh files in ill weather. Time mairches on, an age taks its toll, an sae it wis wi peer, auld Jamie. He ended his days in the Peers’ Hoose in Aiberdeen, for he hid nae close kin tae tak him in fan he wis nae langer in his potestatur.

Fit richt hiv we tae say his life wis wrang?

He bade hert-close tae Nature an lived the life he socht. Siller disna aye bring contentment, an maybe Besom Jamie wis mair content wi his lot than mony a body nooadays. A newsie at the roadside wi Jamie an his ilk micht hae been fine, for they werena clones o’ ither fowk, nae willin tae conform tae the set weys o’ the herd. Ye need characters like Besom Jamie tae gie life a bit o’ spice!

Pottering About...

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by Stella Potter

Hasn’t it been just wonderful to have a summer? There’s been an almost Mediterranean buzz around the village.

Sunshine, streetchat, al fresco eating and our fabulous Victoria Week. I hope all the VW volunteers are polishing their well-deserved gold stars.

You may remember a few issues back I wrote about taking a jar of my annual marmalade to Italy. I had a wonderful few days in - or rather, perhaps, on or by! - the Italian northern lakes, in gloriously warm spring sunshine. I promised my Italian friend there would be a jar for him from the next batch that he was welcome to collect.

So a few weeks ago I collected him from Edinburgh airport, as sadly there are no direct flights between N Italy and Aberdeen or Inverness.

He very kindly came bearing gifts for my daughters and me: much yummy chocolate and cheap tobacco – hugely appreciated as we have the most taxed baccy in Europe. He’d only been to

Scotland once before, many years ago, for a few days in Edinburgh. He enjoyed the glorious drive over Glenshee, albeit surprised at how gentle our more ancient mountains are as he is used to the far younger jagged Alps.

After a few days visit, I came to the conclusion that there’s nothing quite like having non-UK visitors to see things differently in one’s own country.

When I profusely thanked him for the baccy, explaining that it costs an arm and a leg here, he was bemused. I explained the idiom. I soon realised how many idioms we use in our day-today language, and nearly all had to be explained, often to much mutual amusement.

Passing the sign stating ‘Welcome to the Burgh of Ballater’ he looked a little shocked and asked me what a burgh was. In subsequent conversation I discovered that Italian is a language that is spoken exactly as it is written. Try doing that in English. Hence some Italian tourists tie

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themselves in knots - another idiom! - trying to pronounce words with our eclectic spellings.

What is it about our language? Why does ptarmingan have a silent p? Under the influence of what did some linguist decide that the combination of G and H can sometimes be pronounced F? Why do we have so many odd rules that have exceptions, like ‘I before E except after C’? I gather that one is not even taught in schools any more. No wonder Italian tourists are bemused.

Even the natives are.

At least now so many of us use computers with spell-checkers it’s no longer so difficult to spell correctly, although that still doesn’t help the hapless Italian tourist in pronunciation.

And then, is it pronounced pronunseeation or pronounseeiation? Oh dear I think my spellchecker has just overloaded…

And then, of course, there’s our weird grammar.

I will admit to being a tad of a pedant on this front too, despite realising it’s not exactly that important in the great scheme of things. For instance: the difference between less and fewer. It’s not actually that complicated, but seems to frequently trip folk up. The ’10 items or less’ sign should, of course, be ’10 items or fewer’ as items are plural. I gather a Waitrose in Bromley had this correct for a while but folk didn’t like it. Shrug.

Perhaps “fewer” is a word that is becoming archaic, as suggested by the wrapper on recycled toilet paper I bought recently that stated ‘less lorries on the road.’ And I very much hope it was just the paper that was recycled! Even on

Radio4, where I frequently startle the cat by exasperatedly exclaiming: “It’s fewer, not less”, or visa versa. Grr. Do folk now really not know the difference between there, they’re and their?

And it seems only scientists now understand the singular of data is datum.

Some folk will say it doesn’t matter a jot provided one communicates. That’s all well and good I suppose but it still fulsomely irritates me when our language is not used ‘correctly’.

We are very lucky in the Eagle Team to have an apostrophe pedant in our esteemed Editor, Ian. I understand the wrongness of the grocer’s apostrophe, but do become confused when the apostrophe indicates belonging rather than a missing letter as there are, again, those darn exceptions.

There’s even a pedants joke: Who led the Pedant’s Revolt? Which Tyler, of course. Groan!

Perhaps we should eschew all the spelling and grammar, follow the Italian example and just rite how stuff is pronownsed. My blood pressure would dowtless be lower.

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62

Some updates from The Eagle team

Grateful Thanks from the whole team

A note from our Subscription Secretary

The Eagle Team is always pleased to know that their efforts to produce an interesting and informative community magazine are appreciated. It was however with some surprise that a letter was recently received from an Aberdeen solicitor enclosing a substantial bequest to the Eagle from the estate of the late Douglas Andrew, who resided in the village. Obviously he had enjoyed reading the Eagle, and his way of indicating this enjoyment is very much appreciated.

Between seventy and eighty subscribers from all over the country and abroad, receive the Ballater Eagle and their continuing support is much appreciated. One gentleman has kept every issue from Number One, and we are much encouraged by the many donations and kind letters which accompany the renewal payments.

Ian Hay

Betty Wilson

Brian Smith Funeral Services Ltd The only family run and owned funeral director in Aboyne, Banchory and Peterculter

Pre-Paid Funeral Plans Available 317 North Deeside Road, Peterculter Tel: 01224 732530 Huntly Road, Aboyne Tel: 013398 86625 85A High Street, Banchory Tel: 01330 825400

Contact Brian or Angela Smith (24hrs)

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Glen Lui Hotel Graham Stuart H M Sheridan Ltd Hilton Craigendarroch H.P.S. (Aberdeen) Ltd Icare4Pets

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India on the Greeen Invercauld Lodges Kevin Reid PAT Testing La Mangiatoia Larks Gallery Laurie and Company Lochnagar Indian Brasserie Marie Chapman McEwens of Perth Moira Melrose Moon Magic Morven Veterinary Centre Natasha Lloyd NPC Mole and Pest Control Roy Mitchell Shanghai Takeaway Short, Bark and Sides Speedwell Framing Spencer’s of Crathie Station Restaurant Stuart Esson Techbox The Hair Loft The Inver Hotel The McEwan Gallery The Oven Valet The Silver Thistle Total Building Services Ultimate Hair Wee Jim Firewood Wee Jim Landscapes

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Smiling horse and owner - both enjoying the fun of the show

Sheryl Crow makes an appearance in Victoria Week

Thanks to Loraine Barlow for this great photo of The vehicle parade

Fun and games at the family disco The Ballater & Crathie Eagle is made possible by:

Advertising, Donations, Sponsorship, Fundraising, “Awards for All” Lottery funding, and Cairngorms Leader + European Funding.

Thank you to everyone who supports us.

We deliver FREE from Crathie to Cambus O’May. Thanks to Friends of the Eagle for delivering to some outlying areas.