Dee n' Do Magazine - Issue 6 by Dee n' Do Magazine

Autumn/Winter 2015/2016

N W

E S

A magazine for

Royal Deeside & Surrounding Areas

ISSUE SIX

Outdoor Activities Cultural Events + Art Food + Drink Local Business Spotlight Deeside Discoveries History + Tales

Photograph courtesy of Jim Frost

The

dancing Starlings

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Dee n’ Do Magazine Tel: +44 (0)7771 924103 or +44 (0)7837 577338 hello@deendo.com www.deendo.com Produced by Burdie Creative Ltd +44 (0)7771 924103 hello@burdiecreative.com www.burdiecreative.com Editor Kirsten Horne hello@deendo.com Creative Director Mairi MacLeod Gray +44 (0)7771 924103 Ads & Design Director Kelly Whyte +44 (0)7837 577338

Advertising Manager Hilda Stewart +44 (0)7738 262198 hilda@deendo.com Contributing Photographers Jim Frost Neil Donald Will Boyd-Wallis Mairi MacLeod Gray Alan Telford Printers J Thomson Colour Printers Publisher Dee n’ Do is published twice a year by Burdie Creative Ltd. ©Burdie Creative Ltd 2015. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, Burdie Creative Ltd and its editorial contributors accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including and loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication. Copyright All images contained in Dee n’ Do are subject to copyright of the artist, illustrator or photographer as named, but not limited to. Reproduction of any part of this magazine without prior written permission is prohibited. Disclaimer All rights reserved. The views and comments expressed by the authors are not always that of the editor or publisher. Advertise with us Contact us to get your business in the next issue of Dee n’ Do. Call +44 (0)7837 577338 or email advertising@deendo. com and request a media pack.

For the past two years, the team behind Dee n’ Do, along with its readers, contributors, advertisers and readers have lived and enjoyed the adventure so far. With six great issues in print, we have decided that change has to happen if we are to allow the adventure to continue. Change has been felt in many industries throughout the north east in recent times and we’re no different. Our passion and enthusiasm for our great wee magazine has never waned however it has become increasingly difficult for us to maintain the strict expectations we have placed on ourselves in the current climate. So folks, we implore you to continue exploring with us. Dee n’ Do will return to its original frequency of twice a year - Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter. And with this change, we will be introducing a fee for the magazine. You should be able to buy the magazine directly from our website or at a stockist near you. Keen readers may also have noticed that Dee n’ Do are branching into the production of maps. It seemed a natural progression, given our accumulated knowledge and research into the north east of Scotland. The map, in our distinctive signature style, is packed with local information and pins of local attractions and points of interest. The maps will also be available to purchase from our website and local stockists. Quite a few changes afoot then. Are we excited? Yes. Nervous? Yes. Hopeful? Always. As we’ve mentioned a few times in our magazine, adventure awaits. We hope you continue to support us and join us as we continue our adventure together.

Enjoy! Kirsten Horne, Editor

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Issue 6 Autumn/winter 2015/2016

Outdoors + Nature Cairngorms Nature

The Northern Lights

Get Active Tarland Trails

Cycle Therapy

The Illuminator Run

Scottish Dancing Traditions

History + Folklore Archaeological Discoveries at Mar Lodge

Medieval Care Homes & Travellers' Inns in Deeside

Food + Drink Brewdog – Injection of Punk

Food and Fiddle Fortnight

FoodFest15

Creative Minds Lonely Mountain Skis

Creative Corner

A Northern Soul Exhibition

Regulars Deeside Walks: Dunnottar

Tapsalteerie

Spotlight on Business: DWR Architecture

Dee n’ Doodles

Founded in 2013 by Kelly Whyte, Mairi MacLeod Gray & Kirsten Horne

21 R

Burghead 4

Portnockie

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Buckie Findhorn

STOR

Focabers

~ S

AS T LE

A96

Nairn

River Spey

A96

~ C

Forres

Elgin

43 R

A941

Keith

"The castles of Aberdeenshire and GrampianRothes are surrounded by A95

A96

an ambience of awe, a feeling of strength and timelessness" 3

Aberlour

5 R

Dufftown

2 R

River Deveron

3 Lochindorb A95

River Spey

12 R River Avon A920

Grantown-on-Spey A97 A95

Nethy Bridge Boat of Garten

Kildrummy

Tomintoul

Loch Garten

19 R

A939

Loch Pityoulish

22 A97

Glenkindie

River Don

Strathdon

Aviemore

A944

A97

Loch Morlich 8 River Avon

Loch an Eilein

Tarland Loch Builg

Loch Eanaich

Loch Etchachan

Loch Davan

Dubh Lochan

A939

Loch Kinord A93

Cairngorm National Park

Dinnet

Lochan Uaine

Crathie A93

Braemar River Dee

23 R

A93

Loch Callater

Loch Muick

24 R

Ballater

Cullen

41 R 42 R Fraserburgh

Portsoy Banff 20

Macduff

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Pennan

Crovie

9 P

Gardenstown

For centuries, the inhabitants of Scotland have been building fortifications and strongholds, and it has been estimated that there were once about 3,000 castles in Scotland. A90

24 R

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Strichen

New Pitsligo

River Deveron

Aboyne Castle Auchindoun Catle (R) Aberchirder Ballindalloch Castle Balmoral 37 Castle Balvenie Castle (R) Braemar Castle Cluny Castle

Loch of Strathbeg

15 Esslemont Coastle 22 Kildrummy Castle (R) 16 Castle Fraser 23 Kindrochit Castle (R) A90 17 Castle Forbes 24 Knock Castle (R) 18 Fyvie Castle 25 Leith Hall Mintlaw Maud (R) 19 Glenbuchat Castle 26 Slains Castle (R) Longside Old Deer 20 Haddo House 27 Tolquhon Castle (R) New Deer Peterhead 21 Huntly Castle (R)

Corgarff Castle Craigievar Castle A947 Crathes Castle 15 Drum Turriff Castle Cuminestown Drumin Castle (R) Dunnideer Castle (R) Dunnottar Castle (R)

A947

A90

21 R 18

Huntly

Fyvie

Methlick

Cruden Bay

Rothienorman

Tarves 25 A920

A920

Insch

A96

Ellon

15 R

13 R

Collieston

Pitmedden

Rhynie

Oldmeldrum

Pitcaple

Newburgh

A947

Oyne

Inverurie A90

Newmacher

Balmedie Kemnay

Monymusk

Alford

River Don

Dyce

7 A944

Potterton

Kintore

Blackburn

Sauchen Dunecht

A980

B9119 B9119

Echt

A90

Westhill

Loch of Skene

Aberdeen

A944

Lumphanan A93

Torphins

Peterculter 11

Kincardine Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil

Drumoak

1 A93

Aboyne

Crathes River Dee

Ballogie

Banchory

Finzean

A90

Strachan A957

Stonehaven 14 R

26 R

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Opening Hours: 1st April to 30th September 2015 - 9am to 6pm (last entry 5.30pm) 1st October 2015 to the 31st March 2016 - 10am to 5pm or sunset (whichever is soonest). Weather dependent so please call first if the weather forecast is bad. Closed on 25th & 26th December and 1st and 2nd January. Garden & Grounds: Open all year round, daily Entry Prices: Adult £6.00, Child £2.00, Family (2 adults + 2 Children) £14.00, Season Pass £15.00

Spotlight on:

Dunnottar Castle

50m

100m

Gatehouse & Benholm's Lodging Bowling Green

Postern Gate Palace Whigs' Vault

Tunnels Tower House

Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, AB39 2TL T: 01569 762173 E: dunnottarcastle@btconnect.com www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk

Waterton's Lodging

Chapel North Sea

Forge Sentry Box

Stables Cliffs

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Dunnottar Castle, or Dùn Fhoithear in Scottish Gaelic, meaning “fort on the shelving slope”, is one of the most beautiful medieval fortresses in Britain. Surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs 160 ft high and on three by water, Dunnottar Castle holds one of the most spectacular positions of Scotland's castles. What is now a ruin was once an impregnable fortress that was the site of some of the most fascinating and dramatic events in British history. Over the turbulent centuries it has been burned, rebuilt, and burned again. It has been besieged, visited by saints and queens, and been the setting for dramatic escapes. It has been a religious community, a fortress, a terrible prison, and the scene of one of the most famous episodes in the story of Scotland. William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose and the future King Charles II have graced the Castle with their presence. Most famously though, it was at Dunnottar Castle that a small garrison held out against the might of Cromwell’s army for eight months and saved the Scottish Crown Jewels, the ‘Honours of Scotland’, from destruction.

~ 5TH CENTURY ~ Earliest Historical Record

Scottish Crown Jewels ‘Honours of Scotland’

A small garrison held out against the might of Cromwell’s army for 8 months to save the Scottish Crown Jewels

Whig's Vault A Dark Chapter

In 1685 122 men and 45 women were locked in a small vault - many died of starvation and disease

Honours of Scotland Scotland's Crown Jewels are among the oldest in Europe. Also known as the Honours of Scotland, they comprise a crown, made in 1540 of gold encrusted with precious stones and pearls, a sword of state, and a silver sceptre. Today they are on display at Edinburgh Castle, but you can only see them thanks to the bravery of the people who hid them from Cromwell's army. The Scottish regalia had been taken to Dunnottar Castle when Cromwell invaded Scotland. He intended to destroy them as he had done with the English Crown Jewels, and they were spirited away from Edinburgh for safe keeping. Cromwell came to Dunnottar and besieged the castle for nearly a year, but when it finally fell the jewels had gone. They had been smuggled out by the wife of the local minister and her maid, who had hidden the jewels in their clothes. The Honours were then hidden for eight years in the church at nearby Kinneff, and returned to Edinburgh after the Restoration. This wasn't the end of their travails however. Now nominally safe in Scotland's capital, the Honours were hidden away after the Act of Union, and walled up in a sealed room. People eventually forgot where they were and many believed they had been stolen by the English. Sir Walter Scott rediscovered them, locked inside a dusty chest.

OVER 200 Steps! to reach the castle

Purchased by the Cowdray family 90 years ago, and still remains in the family to this today

1925 SINCE

>OVER 80,000< visitors a year!

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Darkest Moments Dunnottar's darkest moment came in May 1685 when 167 Covenanter prisoners, 122 men and 45 women, were locked in the Whig's Vault below one of the buildings in the Quadrangle. Some died of starvation and disease, while others were killed after trying to escape. The survivors were transported to the colonies as slaves (where most died of fever) after two months in the castle.

Earliest History There may have been prehistoric settlements at Dunnottar, but the earliest historic record comes from the 5th century, when the tireless

Celtic saint Ninian established a church on the Rock of Dunnottar, one of the earliest Christian sites in Pictland. Ninian's church was just one of numerous that Scotland's first saint established across the country in a bid to spread Christianity throughout the north. Ninian's church was a simple timber structure built of wattle and daub, with outbuildings of timber and thatch. The early Christian centre at Dunnottar grew and became incorporated into a Pictish fort and small settlement. In the late 9th century King Donald II defended the fort unsuccessfully against a Viking invasion, and the king was killed. The fortress was rebuilt, not in stone, but in earth and timber. In 1276 a new stone church in Norman style was consecrated for worship atop the Rock, probably on the site of Ninian's chapel.

Recent History Dunnottar Castle was purchased by the Cowdray family in 1925 and the 1st Viscountess Cowdray embarked on a systematic programme of consolidation and repair. Since then the castle has remained in the family, and has been open to visitors.

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Getting there Dunnottar Castle lies just off a minor road, itself off the main A92 a mile or so south of Stonehaven. A car park that has been considerably extended in recent years gives access to a path that descends the landward cliffs before climbing up to the castle itself. Reaching the castle involves descending or climbing over 200 steps (with the reverse on the way back) so access for those with mobility difficulties is inevitably problematical. For the modern visitor, Dunnottar Castle is a fascinating place. It is also a very large one. Some of the best views of the castle can be gained, especially in afternoon or evening sunlight, from the nearby cliffs, and it is obvious from a distance that the remains are substantial. It is only when you begin to explore them, however, that you realise just how substantial they are. The main reason for this is that at Dunnottar you have not one castle but, arguably, three different and quite distinct groups of buildings, plus ancillary structures, spread out across an extensive site. Most obvious is the Keep, built in the late 1300s and towering over the landward end of the plateau. This comes complete with a storehouse, a smithy and a stable block, built in the 1500s. Nearer the centre of the plateau is Waterton's Lodging, in

effect a separate residence built in the late 1500s for Thomas Forbes, Laird of Waterton. The third distinct phase of development at Dunnottar is the Quadrangle, built between 1580 and 1650 and of a size and form that in other places in Scotland would be regarded as a palace in its own right. The Quadrangle comprises three ranges of domestic accommodation around a grassy square which is home to a large circular cistern, the castle's main water supply. The fourth side of the Quadrangle is formed by the Chapel. This is the oldest surviving building on the rock and dates back, in part at least, to 1276. Add in a number of other buildings, a superbly restored drawing room in the north range of the Quadrangle, and the opportunity to explore more cellars than you are likely to find anywhere this side of Linlithgow Palace, and a visit to Dunnottar Castle really does make for an excellent day out.

While you're there Further down the coast is Kineff Old Church, where the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden under the church floor in 1651. There's a memorial at the church to the Reverend James Granger who, with his wife, was responsible for hiding the treasures and thus saving them for Scotland. Sometimes they kept them under their bed instead of in the church.

Sources: www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk, www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk, www.visitscotland.com, www.britainexpress.com

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COASTAL ďż˝alKs:

Area: Stonehaven

Dunnottar Castle

Distance: 5km (3.25 miles) Time: 1.5 - 2 hours Terrain: Well marked coastal path; steep ascent near start and dangerous cliff edges by the path. Road walking on the return. Care must be taken on the paths near the castle. Start & Finish: Stonehaven harbour Maps: OS NO874859 Source: www.walkhighlands.co.uk

Stonehaven

START/FINISH

Dunnottar Castle is the most spectacular of all ruined coastal fortresses, perched on a gigantic rocky outcrop almost detached from the mainland. It is the highlight of this coastal circuit which extends southwards from the harbour at Stonehaven.

Stonehaven Bay

E S

Black Hill War Memorial

Strathlethan Bay

Stage 1 Castle Haven

A92

Dunnottar Castle

A92 To Inverbervie

0 0

Miles Kilometres

1 1

If you are coming from the Market Square walk along the road towards the sea then turn right to cross Carron Water via a footbridge. Continue around by a beach and through a public car park at Stonehaven harbour, situated behind the Tolbooth. This sixteenth century building was originally a storehouse, then a courthouse and prison; it now houses a small museum as well as a seafood restaurant. Turn right as you come out of the car park and walk past the front of the Tolbooth, then turn left along Shorehead across the back of the harbour. Look out for a footpath sign that indicates a turn to the right up Wallace Wynd.

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Stage 2 Another footpath sign for Dunnottar Castle now points the way to the left past some modern and older houses, then climbing steeply up steps. Keep left to emerge on the road above; this is Bervie Brae and it gives great views back over the harbour and town. Turn left along the road until there is a small parking area where the road doubles back sharply to the right. Leave the road here and instead follow the obvious footpath uphill between two fences.

Stage 3 As the top of the rise is reached there is a first view of the massive ruins of Dunnottar Castle further along the coast. Before continuing, however, there is an interesting detour to be made through the gate to the right. This soon leads up to an impressive war memorial on the summit of Black Hill. The memorial was deliberately left looking unfinished - as ruined as the lives it commemorates. Return to the main path and continue towards Dunnottar.

Stage 4 The path contours round the coastline behind Strathlethan Bay before a signpost indicates where it turns to the right to cut across the next headland.

As it reaches the coastline there are views of the dramatic cliffs, stacks and arches, home to thousands of seabirds. However the increasingly impressive castle ruins draw the most admiration. Whilst there are various paths worn to different viewpoints, one of the best views is at the top of the steps when the main route to the castle from its carpark are reached.

Stage 5 There is an admission charge to visit the castle which is well worth it if you haven't been before. The large site has eleven distinct buildings, dating from the 13th to 17th centuries; its rich history takes in a victory by William Wallace, a siege when held by the covenanters, and a siege against the English in 1651. On this occasion the Scots surrendered but not before the prize of the Scottish crown jewels had been safely smuggled out. The most scenic way back is to return the same way, which avoids road-walking.

Stage 6 Otherwise, after visiting the castle follow the wide path that leads inland to the parking area by the road. Here turn right and follow the road verge back towards Stonehaven, taking care to watch out for traffic. The outward route is rejoined above the harbour; turn back down the steps to return to the start.

Photograph courtesy of Neil Donald www.facebook.com/neilyphotography

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Lonely Mountain skis Lonely Mountain Skis is a micro ski company based in Birnam, Perthshire. We build hand made custom skis that are a blend of traditional and modern materials and techniques. We currently have five ski shapes in our library and we also do bespoke ski commissions. ~ By Jamie Kunka ~

The Skiing journey began in Aberdeen when I learned to ski in primary school in unfathomably snowy winters at Glenshee. I later got very interested in cross country skiing and always rushed to Hazlehead golf course whenever there was snow. I found the small nuances in skiing fascinating. The shape and flex of the ski, the different waxes, snow types and the never ending pursuit of good technique. I had my first go at ski making after watching a Ray Mears episode where a Swedish ski maker made a ski from dead standing pine. I was studying Product Design at Dundee University at the time and had the perfect workshop environment to prototype some of these simple wooden skis. They were very basic solid pieces of redwood pine, steam bent at the tips and coated in pine tar. It was incredibly satisfying to ski on these traditional skis even if they were a little out of control over the Scottish Ice. I then based my honours project on sustainable materials in skiing and made the most high performance and sustainable ski I could as a showcase of natural materials in a modern ski. Two and a half years of prototyping later and our skis now have an eight layer laminate in which there are natural and synthetic fibers bracing a laminated

hardwood core. The bases of the skis are a racing sintered 7000 ptex and the whole ski is capped in a one-of-a-kind hardwood veneers. The result is a beautifully honest and well crafted product which will perform as well or better than anything you can buy off the shelf. The wood and natural fibers do an amazing job absorbing any shock and vibration and make a really smooth ride.

We want to make skis that will last a lifetime and be beautiful enough to hang on the wall once you have finished with them. We are particularly inspired by the terrain of the Scottish highlands. Two of our models are particularly inspired by the back country ski touring scene in Scotland. The Crua and the slightly wider Sneachda have been designed with Scottish skiing in mind. To be light enough to climb up the gullys and Munros and stable and fun through variable snow conditions you may find on the way down. This winter is the first year our skis are officially being sold, with our product launch at the end of October/ early November. Our workshop is in Unit 6 Birnam Industrial Estate on Station Road in Birnam. Please stop by for a look at our range, a ski service and some of our home brewed Lonely Mountain craft beer.

www.lonelymountain.ski (coming soon) j_kunka@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/lonelymountainskis www.instagram.com/lonely_mountain_skis

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Tapsalte erie as the universe gangs

Tapsalteerie. It’s an old Scots word that’s not used too often nowadays, though you do still find it cropping up sometimes. Its literal English equivalent is topsyturvy, but the Scots word does have more subtlety of meaning than that. Chaotic, upside-down and confusion are all listed in the Scottish National Dictionary. ~ By Duncan Lockerbie ~

Other pamphlets avail able

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make no mistake, despite recent revivals the Scots language is still in decline. For it to survive and thrive people need to experience it in print, as a written language, as well as the spoken one it is usually seen as.

A suitable name for our publishing company then, which has somewhat flown by the seat of our pants so far, and which prides itself on doing things differently. Of course, publishing company is a bit of a grand title – really the “our” or “we” I often use is more of a “royal we”. Aside from the occasional help of Jess the publishing cat, and the welcome support of my wife Hayley, Tapsalteerie is really a one-manpublishing-band.

Not only that, but – unlike most publishers – I believe there is a readership for Scots writing. The recent census figures showed that 1.9 million people (38% of the population) could either speak, read, write or understand Scots. Definitely enough to support a modest publishing industry. I believe that it’s the duty of the publisher to lead the way, to create new readerships and not just to respond to whatever is currently popular. That’s exactly what we’ve set out to do.

A successful crowd-funding campaign in 2013 raised money for the first publication and set Tapsalteerie on its merry way. My aim to begin with was pretty simple – to publish poetry pamphlets, some in English, hopefully the majority in Scots, each one well designed and with something different to offer. In case you don’t know, poetry pamphlets have been quite the thing in Scottish poetry circles recently. In 2001 the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award was initiated, an annual prize for the best Scottish poetry pamphlet. It’s one of the few prizes that award the publisher as well as the writer, and it proved a welcome shot in the arm for the Scottish poetry scene – at once raising the quality and volume of poetry being published. The exact definition might vary, but by pamphlet we generally mean a short publication of around 32-pages. Once upon a time it would have been called a chapbook.

In the next issue of Dee n’ Do, I’ll be going into more detail about our first Doric publication, The Quait Chiel by Bill Thom.

But why Scots? Why start a new publishing company focusing on something that the vast majority of publishers shy away from? Poetry isn’t exactly commercial anyway, and when combined with a minority language it doesn’t really bode well for sales... The answer, however, is straightforward – because Scots is important. Language forms a central part of our humanity, and in the Scots language (called Doric round here) there exists a great deal of the character of the Scottish people and landscape. To lose that is to lose something fundamental, something that makes us who we are. And

www.tapsalteerie.co.uk

info@tapsalteerie.co.uk

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Banchory

’ FARMERS MARKET

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~ Banchory Farmers' Market ~

The success story It’s 12 years since a farmers’ market returned to Banchory, taking its rightful place in a town which would have had markets stretching back to medieval times. The markets of those days would have entailed days of travelling and the sale of livestock rather than hygienically packaged cuts of meat and Mexican street food, but the principle remains the same. On the third Saturday of every month, Banchory’s Bellfield Car Park in the centre of the town plays host to a rising number of excellent quality local producers, in fact 23 stallholders participated in July. These range from meat, fish and game to bread, olives and vegetables, and include artisan macaroons, homebakes and jam. Wark Farm’s excellent pork pies are a must, as is the new stall Fresh Mex – selling Mexican street food. You can get a fresh coffee, an ice cream from a chap in a boater and striped blazer, locally made cheese and quails’ eggs for a posh picnic. The market was begun by Linda and Graham Clark, and was originally held in Scott Skinner Square. After ten years, the Square was designated for an upgrade, so an alternative site was found – and the market has never looked back. “Increased visibility from the main road and easy parking are just two of the advantages of the new site,” says David Ritchie, the Farmers’ Market manager. “We like to say that you can get everything you need for a meal at the market now, along with some great extras such as plants. We now have coffee and street food so there are reasons to stick around a bit longer, plus we plan to have

entertainment whenever we can.” Each market sees new producers eager to take a stall, so the market looks set to keep on improving. There are opportunities for local businesses and community organisations to have a stall, showcasing their wares or cause to upwards of 400 people at each market. Previous successes have included pumpkin carving, ceramic decorating and fundraising for local charities. The market is also planning to commission a design for its own shopping bags in the near future. David runs the market with the help of market assistant Lauren and recently retired from a management position in a major supermarket chain. He says, “The two jobs couldn’t be more different, with the market we’re getting back to basic principles – good produce and good customer service, with a firm focus on fresh and local. People love to be able to interact with the producer of their food, and to be able to build a relationship through a monthly market is something special.” Anyone wishing to find out more should visit the Banchory Farmers Market Facebook page or www.visitbanchory.com. David can be contacted on info@visitbanchory.com

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from the

cupboard DEeSIDE

what alcohol CELEBRATE DrinksEmporium

Craft Beer: Tasty or tasteless labels? The craft beer industry on both sides of the pond has flourished at a time of global financial crisis, a time in which many industries, especially smaller, independent companies, have faced serious hardship. The use of far superior ingredients in the beers and the techniques employed by these breweries has been integral to the craft beer industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success. But in order to get noticed in an industry dominated by giants, brewers have had to be both creative and innovative with their marketing. It is becoming an increasingly crowded and competitive market, and as such to stay in touch or ultimately ahead of the game, brewers must also master the craft of marketing. This is a necessity, which could either make or break attempts to enter this industry, regardless of how great the product is. Telling a good story, adopting an amusing name and experimenting with labeling are just a few of the techniques brewers favour in their attempts to get noticed.

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Does it look as it good as it tastes?

illustration, typography and colour. For many, the enjoyment of a beer is a combination of its taste and its presentation. Ultimately the success of the craft beer is not only in the ingredients and craft that has gone into the bottle, but can also be attributed to the craftsmanship that has gone into showcasing that bottle.

Don’t judge a book by its cover can also be true of the craft beer bottle, however we are probably all guilty of favouring one over another purely on its look alone. When faced with a colourful army of bottles, jostling for position on the shelves, how else do we make purchase decisions (unless of course you know what you’re looking for)? As with any product design, some brewers are simply better at grabbing our attention than others. But what we can say about nearly all craft beer labels is that there’s a definite shift in design from their bigger, older mainstream cousins. Craft beer has spawned a new line of beverage labels which has resulted in some truly fantastic designs that are works of art in their own right. Designers have clearly had fun in creating the perfect blend of

breweries to visit in scotland Williams Bros Brewing Co. Kelliebank | Alloa | Clackmannanshire FK10 1NU | Tel: 01259 725511

Inveralmond Brewery 22 Inveralmond Place | Perth | PH1 3TS Tel: 01738 449448

Harviestoun Brewery Alva Industrial Estate | Alva Clackmannanshire | FK12 5DQ Tel: 01259 769100

Deeside Brewery The Steading | Lochton of Leys Banchory | AB31 5QB | Tel: 01339 883777

Black Isle Brewery Old Allangrange | Munlochy Ross-Shire IV8 8NZ | Tel: 01463 811871

Black Wolf Bandeath Industrial Estate | Throsk Stirling | FK7 7NP | Tel: 01786 817000

Cromarty Brewing Co. Davidston | Cromarty | Ross-Shire IV11 8XD | Tel: 01381 600440

BrewDog Balmacassie Industrial Estate | Ellon Aberdeenshire | AB41 8BX Tel: 0 1358 724 924

Fyne Ales Argyll | Achadunan | Cairndow PA26 8BJ | Tel: 01499 600120

Barney’s Beer 1 Summerhall | Edinburgh | EH9 1PL Tel: 07512 253660 Source: www.visitscotland.com

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ETAPE ROYALE 102 mile closed-road cycle sportive

The Etape Royale is a brand new event set in the regal surroundings of Scotland’s majestic north east. The 102-mile circular route will start and finish in Ballater taking cyclists across Aberdeenshire and Moray’s breath-taking scenery, through the heart of whisky country and Royal Deeside. ~ By Pete Waugh, Wildfox Events ~

The event is organised by Scottish company WildFox Events (www.wildfoxevents.com), which was founded by Scottish adventurer, David FoxPitt in 1999. The company has pioneered some of the UK’s toughest outdoor challenges helping to raise more than £30 million for charity causes, both here in the UK and internationally. The WildFox team are passionate about supporting local communities and charity projects and are working closely with the communities along the 102-mile Etape Royale route to ensure the funds raised from the event prioritise local initiatives. The route will pass through a number of Aberdeenshire villages including Tarland, Muir of Fowlis, Bridge of Alford and Rhynie before heading west into Moray. The route will continue back into Aberdeenshire as it passes over the Lecht and through Corgarff before travelling south to Glen Gairn and returning to Ballater. Managing Director of WildFox Events, David Fox-Pitt, said: “We have taken time to ensure we have engaged with as many people in the area as possible through a series of public town hall meetings and visiting those most affected. The local response has been overwhelmingly positive and we will continue to work closely with the local communities to understand their needs and help

support north east charities and causes. We want those living on and around the route to feel a sense of ownership and pride in their involvement with the event making it a long-term success for all involved. “We see the potential to attract thousands of cyclists to the event, which will have a significant economic impact on tourism for the surrounding area. This part of Scotland will appeal to any cyclist and the opportunity to participate in a 100-mile closed-roads challenge in the Cairngorms is one we expect to be very popular. The September date is designed to be towards the end of the cycle sportive season as a finale giving the less-seasoned cyclist more time to build-up to the magic 100-mile distance.”

Fundraising The Etape Royale fundraising is focusing predominantly on local north east charities with a percentage of every participant’s registration fee being donated to our designated charitable foundation. A committee with representatives from Moray Council, Aberdeenshire Council and WildFox Events will allocate the distribution of the foundation funds.

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taking place on the 27TH SEPTEMBER 2015 TRAVErsing wild landscape

the Mountain Climb f o King

circular route from Ballater or the

steeply upwards over a 1.5 mile stretch

in the most testing climb of the day

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Max

2107 F T elevation

ch al le ng in g as ce nt s.. .

ROUTE Ballater

100

A percentage

DUFFTOWN

TOMintoul

ALFORD

from every rider going towards the

charitable foundation

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Community Involvement Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Peter Argyle, said: “Establishing an Etape specifically in the north east of Scotland would not only be a wonderful opportunity for bike enthusiasts to take part in a new and exciting event but also for local residents to get involved and celebrate the cycling festival atmosphere. Chairwoman of the Marr Area Committee, Councillor Moira Ingleby, said: “Marr boasts some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland and the

event will see many visitors coming to see what the area has to offer. It is encouraging that the event will see the charities and projects that mean the most to the local community being prioritised.” In Moray, Speyside-Glenlivet councillor Fiona Murdoch commended Wildfox Events for having taken on board the concerns of the affected communities. “There was a genuine commitment to find ways around issues for people who would have problems with the event,” she said. “Yes, the event will cause inconvenience to some but overall there is so much excitement around this event and the potential benefits it will bring to the area. WildFox are going to great lengths to make communities feel involved.”

For more information on the Etape Royale, please visit www.etaperoyale.com

spots HOT IN

Royal Deeside and Surrounding Areas

Kincardine O’Neil Village Store  Even allowing for its situation in the heart of the village, there's usually parking to be had at the door and it's well worth stopping by to shop the great range of local produce. Kincardine Castle kitchen bakery goodies, quails eggs, smoked salmon, artisan bread and cheeses as well as locally sourced veg are all on offer. The store makes delicious sandwiches and panninis such as bacon, brie, onion chutney and salad – perfect for lunch on the go!

SUPERIOR HOMES SUPERB LOCATIONS COME TO CALA NOW A typical CALA showhome – upgrades shown at additional cost

A SELECTION OF 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS AND 3, 4 & 5 BEDROOM LUXURY HOMES

Only you can decide when the time is right to make the move of a lifetime, into a spacious, enviably located new home. But the best time to come to CALA is always now.

DEVELOPMENTS THROUGHOUT NORTH SCOTLAND

CALL 01224 947329 CALA.CO.UK

DND_MAG_SEPT Please note that the image shown is taken from The Lowther showhome at The Links at Dubford and features fixtures, décor, flooring and soft furnishings which are not fitted as standard in a CALA home. These are used to suggest possible finishes you could adopt in your own home and would be an additional cost. CALA Homes was voted Housebuilder of the Year (more than 150 units) at the Scottish Home Awards 2015.

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CAI RN G O RMS NATURE

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something lovely about heather. Hillsides of it in bloom have sparked treasured reactions from poets, artists and all of us who cherish the sounds, sights and smells of summer in the hills. ~ By Will Boyd-Wallis, Head of Land Management & Conservation ~

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A single sprig of flowering heather is an entire bouquet in miniature; no wonder it’s so often pinned to our lapels at weddings. Heather has been used for thousands of years for so many things: rope, thatch, baskets, doormats, brushes, brooms, mattresses, fuel, and perhaps still most important today as fodder for livestock, grouse, deer and honey-bees! Fully grown, heather can reach up to about a metre in length; these long stems would have been particularly important for thatching, basket and mat making in the past. Fully grown (some might say ‘rank’) heather can be a rare sight on actively managed grouse moors these days; and yet it is an important resource, especially in winter, when it’s not unusual to find a covey of grouse or deer congregating. It provides nesting ground for hen harriers and hiding places for grouse chicks trying to evade their talons! Areas where heather is allowed to lie ‘fallow’ and unburnt can also be rich in other important scrub species such as juniper and willow. Heather moorland for the last couple of hundred years has been synonymous with Scotland and the Highlands and yet recently it has been getting a bad press. We are in an age, unlike any other in history, when almost every aspect of life is subject to public

scrutiny and opinion. Whether you are a civil servant, farmer, forester, keeper, shop keeper, landowner, doctor or nurse, no one is free from the immediacy of comments and opinions spread via twitter, Facebook and the like. The positive thing to remember is that people have the potential to be much better informed. Currently, moorland managers are getting a hard time, sometimes justifiably and sometimes not. They are blamed for raptor persecution, excessive burning, ‘industrialisation’ of the uplands, eradication of mountain hare, impeding access and bulldozing hill-tracks into ‘wild’ places. It’s a long list of ills and accusations that many good land managers have to shoulder on behalf of the few who don’t seem to care what people think. It’s rare for keepers to be thanked for the good work that they do, but like all of us they have to take the rough with the smooth. It’s time for land managers and for the National Park Authority to respond. The good news is that many estates in the National Park are taking a new look at how they manage their sporting enterprises. In Deeside and round into Strathspey there is a new Moorland Partnership forming. Six estates are working with the National Park Authority, developing principles for moorland

Photograph courtesy of Mairi MacLeod Gray

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management appropriate to a National Park and planning how moorland management for grouse can also do more for other species and habitats. Identifying burn-free areas and controlling grazing on the edges of core moorland and alongside burns will create even more diverse havens for wildlife: willow and juniper scrub, black grouse, ring ouzels and who knows, even in time the magical blue-throat might find a home. It’s early days for the Partnership, but it’s already evident that many good things are happening in our National Park moorlands. Part of the

Photograph courtesy of Will Boyd-Wallis

role of the Partnership will be to make more people aware of that. Grouse moor management, farming, forestry and deer management are all intimately connected. In the twelve years (coincidentally) since the National Park was created there have been extraordinary changes in deer management. When Abernethy and Glen Feshie Estates in Strathspey and Mar Lodge Estate in Deeside began significant deer culls to allow natural regeneration of their threatened native pine woods there was a public outcry, but they rode the storm.

Photograph courtesy of Will Boyd-Wallis

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Today the fruits of their perseverance are there for all to see: habitats which were in danger of disappearing are being restored and the forests are recovering. The fear that deer would be ‘wiped out’ has not been realised. The only place in the National Park where deer are almost entirely absent is on some managed moors where they have been completely fenced out in order to reduce the transfer of ticks to grouse. There are lots of reasons why parcelling up land and partitioning with fences makes practical sense but it is not always the best answer in the context of wider

land management. ‘Integrating’ different land uses and doing things differently is challenging, but in a National Park we have to look at every opportunity to maximise species and habitat diversity, to protect and enhance native woodlands, wetlands, peatlands and moorlands and to ensure they are better connected. Ultimately we depend upon a healthy environment that will support future generations and provide us with food, fuel, flora and fauna. For that to happen all of us need to think about not just what we take from the land, but what we put back.

Photograph courtesy of Will Boyd-Wallis

Photograph courtesy of Mairi MacLeod Gray

Photograph by ???

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~ K I D’S ~

in conjunction with

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Orvis, an international company with 18 stores throughout the UK, is reaching out to the local community of one of its stores. Banchory is home to over 7,500 residents and boasts a very strong heritage and identity. With many historical, recreational and commercial attractions, locals are rightfully proud of their Aberdeenshire town or ‘burgh’. There are also many voluntary groups who manage projects that benefit the wider community. Orvis has recognised that the younger members of the community could benefit from their knowledge and good working relationships with local sporting estates, ghillies and gamekeepers but specifically the Deeside Trust and the Aberdeen and District Angling Association. Scott Macfarlane, Orvis Endorsed Guide and Flycasting Instructor, established a programme to introduce children as young as 7 years to the noble art of fly-fishing. The free beginner’s fly-fishing course aims to teach participants how to cast and tie knots, as well as educate on fish and waters. To help local children better engage with their community and encourage involvement in this outdoor activity, Orvis approached schools, sporting

academies and various groups. Some of the schools approached include Midmar, Lumphanan, Lathallan, Torphins and Strathdon. Working directly with schools will allow demonstrations to be conducted at their premises. Recently Drumoak Cubs and Aboyne Scouts have enjoyed the experience of catching fish. The tuition has to be carried out by a qualified instructor and although help is welcomed it can only be for organisational abilities. The beginner’s course is intended to take parties of children onto fisheries in the short term, and if the individual wishes to go onto more specific parts of the sport then provision will be made via involvement with various associations. Fly-tying and fly-fishing demonstrations were carried out throughout the summer at various events and locations to offer advice to novices and encourage anyone with an interest to join in. Such is the interest and appeal of this activity, Orvis have also joined forces with Mhairi Morriss, the founder of Glad Rags and Cartridge Bags, with a view to holding “Cast and Blast Events” (fishing and clay pigeon shooting) at local venues predominantly for corporate functions.

Please contact Scott Macfarlane, fishing specialist, at the Banchory store for information and an introduction to their activities. Orvis Banchory

2-8 Bridge Street, Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31 5SX

Tel: 01330 824319

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chasing the dark to find the lights A natural wonder that has fascinated mankind for millennia, the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, are natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very own theatrical performance.

Links www.visitscotland.com www.wherecanyouseethenorthernlights.com/northern-lights-scotland www.aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk

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Known as the ‘Merry Dancers’, the playful streaks that snake across the night sky can last minutes or merely seconds. Luck is often involved but once you’ve seen it, it’s an experience that will never be forgotten. What causes the Aurora Borealis?

When does this happen?

These colourful lights are the result of interactions between solar storms from the sun and the Earth’s outer atmosphere; the end result is truly spectacular. During the day, solar storms from the sun blow an array of particles, called solar winds. The solar wind is like a burp given out by the sun from time to time. The Earth comes in between the path of these solar wind particles which are filled with energy. Many electrons and protons from these particles get trapped in the polar regions of the Earth. The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of two main gases, oxygen and nitrogen. These electrons and protons from the solar winds, full of energy, collide with the nitrogren and oxygen atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere and they become electrically charged. The charging produces a display of lights in the sky, which we call Aurora Borealis!

Northern Lights season is between September and March when the earth is tilted so as to cause maximum auroral displays. You need clear skies so it’s best to look to January, February and March to provide this although the Met Office is cautious about identifying months with less cloud cover. Being relatively close to the sea you are always more likely to see cloud cover.

Where can you see it? The best place in the UK to see the Northern Lights is undeniably Scotland. The further north you can travel, the better your chances of spotting the Northern Lights especially around the northern Highlands and northern isles. Shetland and The Outer Hebrides are ideal locations for trying to see the Northern Lights as they have very low light pollution due to the low levels of population.

Although a sighting is never guaranteed and accurate forecasting is difficult, you can sign up for free text message alerts from Aurora Watch UK (www.aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk) to notify you when auroral activity is likely to occur and potentially increase your chances to see this phenomenon where you are.

The Northern Lights Aberdeen was made a part of Aurora legend with the song The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen, a tale of a young boy reminiscing about his mother who called the aurora the Merry Dancers. It is possible to see the lights in the Aberdeen area but don’t underestimate the light pollution from the city. Ambient levels of light need to be low to get the best out of the display so be prepared to travel beyond the city limits as far as you can.

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The sun's burning gases escape from portals on the surface called Sun Spots and enter into space as flying plasma particles named Solar Wind.

RED LIGHTS: Altitude - 150 miles and above

100 miles GREEN LIGHTS: Altitude - up to 1o0 miles

PURPLE LIGHTS: Altitude - 60 miles and above BLUE LIGHTS: Altitude - up to 60 miles Auroras rarely occur below 50 miles

20 miles O-zone Layer

0 miles

d el

200 miles

<< Ma gn et ic

Spectrum of colours - emitted by the various atoms in earth’s outer atmosphere (height from soil surface).

fO Be out between 10pm-2am to have the best chance of seeing the lights. Magnetic midnight is the optimum time to spot them, it usually occurs about an hour before midnight and is when the viewer, the north pole, and the sun are in alignment. Choose a location with dark skies and has little to no light polution. Face northwards. Keep track of aurora forecasts at www.aurorawatchuk.co.uk, they offer a number of ways to keep you informed including Twitter, Facebook, apps and email. Wrap up warm! Take a flask of hot drinks, some handwarmers, and wear plenty layers.

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DID 2.

As the solar wind particles enter the earth's atmosphere they collide with molecules of nitrogen and oxygen which relinquish their agitated energy in the form of light.

yO know?

The aurora borealis is named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas, by Galileo in 1619. Auroras also occur on other planets in our solar system including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Mars. Similar to Earth's aurora, the lights have been seen close to other planets’ magnetic poles. The aurora can either be static or travelling lights and can occur up to 1,000km. Most auroras occur at a height of 80+ km above the Earth. Cameras see it better! Auroras are relatively dim, and the redder light is often at the limit of what human retinas can pick up. Cameras, though, are often more sensitive, and with a long-exposure setting and a clear dark sky you can pick up some spectacular shots.

The Northern Lights are visible from the ground when the particles collide and can be both static and dynamic throughout the night sky.

Auroras occur during the day too but can only be seen by the naked eye at night The aurora can be a variety of colours – red, green, brown, blue or a burst of colours together. The oxygen molecules in the earth’s atmosphere are responsible for the green or brownish colours while the nitrogen molecules are responsible for the blue or red colours. The phenomenon is also called polar light. Latin name Northern Lights Aurora Borealis, which means Northern Dawn. The most intense part of an aurora often lasts less than ten minutes.

AURORA AUSTRALIS The aurora australis (or the southern lights), has features that are almost identical to the aurora borealis and changes simultaneously with changes in the northern auroral zone.

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INJEcTION OF PUNK Once upon a time the beer industry was dominated by bland, fizzy lagers, devoid of flavour and personality. It needed something radical, something bold. An injection of punk. ~ By Sarah Warman, BrewDog ~

This was the birth of BrewDog. Craft beer creators James Watt and Martin Dickie were sick of the stale beer market and knew that beer had so much more potential to be creative and push boundaries. They started a revolution in craft beer from their garage in Ellon, creating the scene-stealing Punk IPA and marched forward with the goal of making other people just as passionate about craft beer as they were. That was in 2007 and the landscape has changed considerably since then. Today the garage has turned into a 100HL brewery and 29 BrewDog bars have opened across the globe. The company employs over 360 people and in 2014 announced its sixth consecutive year of record growth, increasing its turnover by a whopping 64 per cent to over £29.6 million.

How did this happen As Punk IPA attracted the attention of beer lovers and newbies to the revolution alike, it was clear BrewDog needed to expand, and James and Martin quickly became frustrated with traditional business models. They took the same approach to business as they did brewing: innovation. And so in 2009, BrewDog launched its first Equity For Punks, crowdfunding over £7 million through three rounds of funding to help fund the brewery's growth. BrewDog is nothing if not ambitious and in April 2015 kicked off its latest round of Equity For Punks crowdfunding, aiming to raise the audacious sum of £25 million! In its first three weeks the brewery raised £5 million, smashing all equity crowdfunding records. In celebration James and Martin took to the skies in a BrewDog helicopter and dropped taxidermy 'fat cats' over London to promote the alternative finance options available for businesses to grow and the death of the city fat cat.

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breakfast, lunch & dinner

BR E AKFAST

Scotch Bonnet Bistro Bridge of Don, Aberdeen

LUN C H

Café Cognito St. Swithins Street, Aberdeen

DI N N E R

Eat on the Green Udny Green, Ellon

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BREAKFAST

lu n ch

di nner

Scotch Bonnet Bistro

Café Cognito

Eat on the Green

The Scotch Bonnet Bistro is located in the residential area of Bridge of Don, north of Aberdeen and serves modest, contemporary food, showcasing the best of fresh ingredients to produce simple delicious healthy meals.

This popular little cafe opened just over a year ago and has created quite a buzz over its late opening hours, outdoor seating and charming interiors. A lot of care and attention has been poured into this independent eatery and has gained quite a following of regular and new customers. Diners are treated to a large selection of fresh soups, sandwiches and salads. They also cater for gluten free, dairy free and vegetarian diets. There is also a great selection of cakes, pastries and sticky buns, which are presented beautifully at the front counter. And if you’re still after something sweet, they serve the most amazing ice cream (from 'Beckleberrys' who have won countless awards for the quality of their ice cream).

For over a decade, Eat on the Green has continued to earn the respect, admiration and adoration of food lovers in the north east. Housed in a charming old building with views over the village green, the stylish fine dining restaurant produces modern Scottish cuisine using the finest local and seasonal produce.

As my grandparents used to say, you should always start your day with the most important meal – breakfast. This was the king’s meal in our house, the excitement of knowing that the eggs were cooked to perfection, the bacon was crispy and hot, the sausages and tomatoes were soft, crispy and juicy all at the same time. As time went on the pomp and ceremony of this meal all but died. That was until I stepped into the Scotch Bonnet Bistro and all the happy memories from yesteryear came flooding back. I ordered the full Scottish breakfast but I was torn between pancakes, waffles or fresh breakfast rolls. The eggs were white and yellow like good free-range eggs should look, the bacon was crispy, sausages, mushroom and tomatoes all fresh from the grill, not deep-fried, with a puffy scone all for me! Happiness is…breakfast at the Bistro!

This lovely neighbourhood café offers BYOB and antipasti in the winter months (Oct to March) the other months they are open until 9pm every evening for coffee and cake. If you are partial to getting your nails done prior to eating, there is a nail bar tucked away in the back corner – an unexpected addition to a café.

Following the exciting launch of their new tasting menu, the formerly known Post Room has been renamed The Tasting Room (which can seat up to 70 guests). Just like the food, the high standards of service have never wavered. The staff treat all their guests, young and old, equally to ensure that everyone gets the star treatment. It’s also important to Craig the owner and head chef to get feedback directly and likes to take to the dining room to meet his customers regularly. With a charming view overlooking the village green or own garden at the rear, Eat on the Green makes an ideal retreat for a relaxed lunch or dinner with friends and for special occasions.

Monday: 9am - 5pm

Monday - Friday:

Wednesday - Friday : 6pm - 9pm

Tuesday: 9am - 8pm

7:30am - 9pm

Saturday: 5.30pm - 9.30pm

Thursday - Saturday: 9am - 9pm

Saturday & Sunday:

Sunday: 6pm - 8pm

Sunday: 9am - 8pm

9am - 9pm

DINNER: A la Carte

Unit 2, Jesmond Drive Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8UR T: 01224 707194

39 St. Swithins Street Aberdeen AB10 6XL T: 01224 209727

Udny Green, Ellon Aberdeenshire AB41 7RS T: 01651 842337

www.scotchbonnetbistro.wix.com

www.facebook.com/cafecognito99

www.eatonthegreen.co.uk

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Recumbent stone circles are the oldest surviving structures in the north east and amongst the oldest structures in Scotland. They are often thought to be enigmatic spaces and, as such they can stimulate a wide range of thought and discussions, with particular emphasis on people, events and societies of the Bronze Age Scotland; the planet earth and our solar system; religious and moral diversity of beliefs in society, then and now.

extraordinary monuments occur almost exclusively in Aberdeenshire and tend to be smaller than stone circles found elsewhere in Scotland. Their distribution suggests that something unique was occurring in the Bronze Age of the north east, particularly in terms of the construction of communal monuments and possibly in terms of belief and ritual.

A recumbent stone circle comprises a circle of standing stones ranging from around 11m to 30m in diameter. The key feature of the circle is a substantial stone slab, laid recumbent on its edge in the South Western or Southern arc of the ring. Although most recumbent stones weigh somewhere in the region of 18 tons, the largest weighs as much as 45 tons and the smallest as little as 1.5 tons. Each recumbent stone was carefully levered and chocked to ensure that their upper surface was as level as possible. The recumbent is flanked by the two tallest stones of the circle. The other upright stones in most cases are graduated in size, the smallest being the furthest away from the recumbent stone and the largest, the flankers, standing on either side.

Recumbent stone circles date from the Bronze Age, which is roughly the period between c. 2500 BC to c. 800 BC. The Bronze Age saw enormous social changes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; particularly visible in the shift from large communal chambered tombs (in the preceding Neolithic) and large ceremonial monuments to individual burials in stone cairns. The Bronze Age also saw the emergence of roundhouse architecture, which is the standard house form for the next 2000 years. The period also sees the introduction of metal, new forms of pottery (Beakers), climate change (from warm and dry to cold and wet) and the subsequent appearance of hillforts.

Recumbent stone circles belong to the earlier parts of the Bronze Age, although were often reused for burials in the Later Bronze Age. Recumbent stone circles are unique to north east Scotland, with up to 99 examples being recorded. These

Archaeological excavations have indicated that recumbent stone circles often enclose traces of funeral pyres and low burial cairns - so some

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people see them as monuments of ritual, the recumbent stone symbolising a blocked doorway to be viewed from the outside. Others have seen the function of recumbent stone circles as solar or lunar observatories - or as open rings for ceremonies, perhaps involving the movements of the Sun and Moon, with the lighting of fires and rituals (perhaps of fertility) being held at special times of the year. The recumbent stone may have served as an altar and, along with its flankers, perhaps formed a frame through which celestial events could be viewed. The recumbent stone and its flankers are always on the southern arc of the stone circle, framing the horizon and southern sky. Perhaps the long shadows cast by the stones and the low sun at the winter solstice were as important as the stones themselves – and perhaps the space they enclosed was more important to the builders than the structure itself. Perhaps the changing positions of the Sun and the Moon in the sky were important in the lives of the people who built these special places. Stone circles, stone rows and standing stones perhaps formed a link to the ever-changing skyscape of Sun, Moon and stars, defining patterns that confirmed and reaffirmed the changing of the seasons. Others have argued that the recumbent and flanking stones form a kind of false horizon or frame through which to view the rising or setting of the major standstill moon that occurs every 18.6 years. At that point, the moon dips towards the recumbent. On 12 of the recumbent stone circles, decoration in the form of cupmarks (cup-shaped hollows between 10 and 50mm in diameter) have been found, clustering at points (the recumbent, flankers or immediately adjacent stones) where the major standstill moon rises or sets.

appearance of defended settlements. Intriguingly, this later period, around 1000 years after the circles were built, also witnessed a return to the recumbent stone circles, as some are used for cemeteries while others are used as foundations for houses. While we do not understand the motivation behind such acts, they clearly remained important and revered places. This latter use may reflect an attempt to draw authority and power from the past into the contemporary world. Even as late as the 18th century, churches (such as that at Midmar) were being built deliberately on or near the site of these circles. In more recent centuries, while some landowners were fascinated by these ancient monuments (even building protecting walls around them such as at Easter Aquhorthies), many others viewed them as a nuisance, getting in the way of farming Improvements. Many stone circles were completely destroyed, while others were robbed piecemeal for their stones, or gradually became a general dumping ground for the erratic boulders turned up by the plough and cleared from the fields. Recumbent Stone Circles 1 Sunhoney 9 miles NW of Peterculter 2 Berrybrae 7 miles S of Fraserburgh 3 Tomnaverie 4 miles NW of Aboyne 4 Easter Aquhorthies 3 miles W of Inverurie 5 Aikey Brae 11 miles W of Peterhead 6 Midmar Kirk 10 miles NW of Peterculter 7 Loudon Wood 11 miles W of Peterhead 8 Loanhead of Daviot 5 miles NW of Inverurie 9 Mulloch Wood ‘The Nine Stanes’ 3 miles SE of Banchory

Standing Several very impressive single standing stones survive in striking locations. They appear to date from the Bronze Age (second millennium BC). 1 Glassel Dam Wood 4 miles NW of Banchory

It is possible that the introduction of Beaker culture from Europe around 2400 BC roughly coincided with the period of construction and use of recumbent stone circles. Towards the end of the Bronze Age there was a marked change in climate, with temperatures dropping and increased rainfall. These changes put pressures on families living on higher more marginal ground, as it was harder to grow crops and ultimately led to the abandonment of this land and a retreat to the lower lying more fertile ground. Of course, this land was already occupied and it has been argued that this increased pressure led to conflict and there is an increase in the number of weapons and the

2 Cullerlie Garlogie 3 Templestone 2 miles SE of Forres 4 Innesmill 5 miles NE of Elgin 5 Strone Hill Off B951 N of Loch of Linrathen 6 Balkemback 2 miles W of Tealing 7 Brankham Hill 175m W of farm track, which runs N from B951

Henges Henges are ceremonial enclosures with a bank outside the ditch dating from the late third millennium BC. The few known in the north east are small. 1 Quarry Wood 3 miles W of Elgin 2 Wormy Hillock 3 miles S of Huntly 3 Broomend of Crichie S of Inverurie

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I H T C E R C A T U R RE Aboyne W D ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES ~ we believe in everything green ~

We are focused on low energy high quality design. We are registered domestic energy assessors with experience and a proven track record in Passivhaus design as well as other low energy technologies.

Does your company have a signature style? We design to suit individual lifestyles and effective business needs. Each design is unique and tailormade in discussion with each of our clients. What do you see as important issues, challenges or considerations on any project? Listening to our clients, assessing their needs and wants, developing an effective, well considered building design to suit each personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget, that works well and feels really great to live and work in. What is your approach to sustainable design? What do you feel is the greatest challenge when it comes to designing for environmental sustainability? First and foremost, we design to create a positive environment for the occupants (be that home, businesses or both!), followed by a fabric first approach to the construction (i.e. take advantage of solar heat gain, natural daylight and highly insulated building construction), and using renewable heating technologies. We follow the Gaia six principles in our design decision making (manage the process, use resources effectively, create healthy environments, minimise pollution, support the community and enhance biodiversity). The greatest challenge to environmental sustainability is sharing the knowledge (and managing construction costs).

What are the biggest challenges and attractions of this job? The biggest challenge (as a small business owner) is spinning all the plates it takes to keep things running smoothly. The best attraction is getting the chance to create beautiful buildings that will continue to enhance the quality of life of the people that live in them and use them. It has been deeply satisfying to hear our clients consistently tell us how our completed designs have far exceeded their expectations! Do you have a diverse portfolio of projects you have worked on? Over my personal 30+ years in practice, I have designed a very wide range of buildings, initially medical, banking and commercial (office and light industrial). I have 10 years international experience; I have designed multi-screen cinemas in the US and a number of high-end houses in Bermuda as well as multi-million pound class A office buildings for a blue chip client. More recently, our focus has been on smaller scale highly detailed bespoke buildings in Scotland. What are the most important qualities when working with clients? Listening, good communication and trust.

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Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get a little personal ... Name: Duncan Robson Job Title: Architect

Tell us about the house you grew up in I grew up in a small rural hotel in Glenkindie, where I got to know people from all walks of life who came to visit and stay. I find all people deeply interesting and I love getting to know what makes them tick. I also learned first hand how a minor change in design affects living and efficient working every day for the life of that building. Where did your interest in architecture begin? My father worked in construction and I loved seeing the coloured drawings and wanted to do that myself. Who or what inspires you? Designing spaces and places that feel good and work well are what motivate me the most. What is your ultimate goal when it comes to your work? What do you want to be remembered for? I would like to leave a lasting legacy of buildings where visitors and occupants feel good in them and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily know why (but I do)! In other words, excellent design!

10 Station Square, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire AB34 5HX T +44 (0) 1339 885407 info@dwrarchitect.com www.dwrarchitect.com

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food + fiddle fortnight calendar of events This festival showcases the wealth of natural musical talent and stunning local produce available the length and breadth of Royal Deeside.

2- 18

Oct

There's lots going on to see and do including food demonstrations, live music, song & dance, farmers markets, cookery classes and so much more. So come join us to sample the fine food and drink, take part in a workshop or activity, or even take a birl around the dance floor! www.visitroyaldeeside.com

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a taster of fit's on during

FOOD+ FIDDLE ( Fri

2 - Sun 18 October) FORTNIGHT

Week 1 02.10.15 POP-UP CAFE with music AT KINCARDINE CASTLE & Artistic Taste at Butterworth Gallery 03.10.15 Traditional music session with Alasdair johnston + friends at The Deeside Inn 04.10.15 POLKAS + PANCAKES IN THE DRAWING ROOM AT BRAEMAR CASTLE

05.10.15 TRADITIONAL MUSIC SESSION at the coilacreich inn, ballater 06.10.15 traditional music session aberdeen arms tarland at

07.10.15 gourmet burgers + milkshakes at Hilton grand vacations club at craigendarroch 07-08.10.15 sale at the coo Cathedral

08.10.15 River of Fish market at woodend barn by the Heckleburn Quines 09.10.15 Champagne Afternoon Tea at KINCARDINE CASTLE

10.10.15 upload Opera at riverside cafe * Booking essential*

Week 2

11.10.15 Sunday carvery at the deeside activity park & live Music at the boat inn 12.10.15 TRADITIONAL MUSIC SESSION at the coilacreich inn, ballater 13.10.15 pancake tuesday at Hilton grand vacations club at craigendarroch 14.10.15 Eat-in Fish + chips at our new fish shop at the cowshed restauranT 15.10.15 Afternoon of food tasting at the Mains of Drum garden centre 16.10.15 live music night at Hilton grand vacations club at craigendarroch 17.10.15 Food, fiddle + folklore & STeak night at the deeside inn 18.10.15 Sunday at Buchanans bistro WITH LIVE MUSIC & Frua macmillan duo at the woodend barn

ooking forbe B *events may essential *

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T a R LAN d t RA i L

Photograph courtesy of Alan Telford

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Tarland Trails were open for the first time to the public at the end of June this year. Hundreds of cyclists descended on Tarland and Drummy Woods from across Aberdeenshire to try out the latest facilities for mountain bike enthusiasts. The project, which was first inspired by the Aboyne Bike Park Association, was developed by the Tarland Development Group and The MacRobert Trust. Chris Redmond, the project coordinator, has spent the last two and a half years developing the project. This project could have not happened without funding and permissions from a variety of sources. The major funders were The Macrobert Trust, Legacy 2014: Active Places Fund, Marr Area Partnership, The Robertson Trust and Cyclehighlands. A special mention should go to The MacRobert Trust who not only leased the land to Tarland Development Group (TDG) but have also helped to fund the project and have supported TDG in many other ways. Another special mention goes to the Aboyne Bike Park Association for the help with funding, signage and planning permission.

The Tra i ls

The trails are short and together are around 3km long. The Blue trail is known as the 'The Spikey Hedgehog'; the Red trail is named 'The Red Squirrel'; and the Orange trail is known as 'The Slinky Fox'. The pump track is the 'The Puddock Pump Track'.

The names of the trails were selected as part of the 'Name that Trail' competition which all under 18's in and around Tarland had the opportunity to enter. Mhari Gallagher named the pump track and overall winner Elise Beattie came up with the names for the downhill trails. Both girls received cycling goodies for their wildlife themed entries. The trails were constructed by CR Contracting under the supervision of trail designer Paul Masson of Cycletherapy. The trails were constructed fully from the natural material of Drummy Woods allowing them to blend into its surroundings easily (especially when more vegetation regrows). The surface (when dry!) provides a fast trail for mountainbikers to enjoy the thrill of going downhill. It is now possible to walk or cycle The Tarland Way totally off road from Aboyne to Tarland. A riparian buffer has been created from the bridge at Coull to the bridge at Tarland alongside the Tarland Burn. This creates a delightful route between the fields as an alternative to following the Coull Road to Tarland. An illustrated, informative guide to the Tarland Way, including a childrensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; guide, can be purchased from outlets in Aboyne and from local shops in Tarland to add interest to your journey.

R e vi e ws...

~ Ace trails for all the family and easy location for kids to access. ~ ~ Great trails with a good mixture for different technical abilities. ~ ~ Great biking trails where eager kids on balance bikes can tear it up with older kids and even their parents something for everyone. ~ ~ Cyclehighlands: Wee after-work spin at the new Tarland Trails. Really great place to go! ~ ~ ABZ MTB Race Team: The runs are short but definitely sweet, with blue, red and orange runs to suit all abilities and a pump track too. Well worth a visit if you're in the area! ~

Interested in giving the trails a go? Visit www.facebook.com/tarlandtrails for the latest trail info, trail map and photos.

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Paul Masson gave up his day job in a bike shop to pursue his true passion – designing and building cross country mountain bike trails. Way back in 2000, Paul received his first commission from the Forestry Commission to build a cross country mountain bike trail at Badaguish by Aviemore. This gave Paul the impetus he needed, backed by a grant from the Highlands and Islands Development Board, to set out on his own. However, that first project was no easy task – Paul spent the summer building the trail by hand - with no money to pay himself for his labour. His hard work paid off and the Forestry Commission were so impressed with his work Paul was awarded another project at Pitfichie near Bennachie, followed by enough Forestry Commission bike trail projects to keep him occupied for the next seven years. With a healthy portfolio of trails now under his belt, Paul diversified his clients, working with communities and for private clients. It soon became clear that designing and building trails for these new clients, which were more accessible than Forestry Commission trails, had a positive impact on the

local communities in which they were built. Easy accessibility is key to the sustainability of tracks and ensuring they can be reached by bike, without the need to travel by car, makes them much more attractive to a wider group of users. Whilst traditional cross country trails are inclined to be longer – usually in the region of 5–10k, community trails tend to be shorter but packed with features like banked corners, jumps, drop offs and kids areas – all of which make them very appealing to a more varied range of cyclists, including families and children. In his mission to make biking more accessible to all, Paul is keen to work with riders to establish bike trails in their own communities and to share his expertise so local people can develop their ideas for a bike track, ensuring the design will satisfy landowners, planners, potential funders and the wider community. Alongside his build team, who are all mountain bikers themselves and so understand the finer points of creating the perfect track, Paul can often be found

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5 1 2 3 4 5 6

Funpark at Sanquhar Woods in Forres Sometimes extreme measures are called for in remote locations Glenmore Training Centre skills area, north-shore see-saw Jump park at Sanquhar woods Forres Berm building, compacting the aggregate Integrating a natural feature with a manmade single-track

hand-building sections of the track to meet his exacting standards. A crucial component of the construction process is for Paul to ride the track, tweaking it where necessary to ensure the flow is just right. If you'd like to try out one of Paul's trails, you can find them locally at Kirkhill Forest and Aboyne Bike Park with another Jump Park in Tarland under construction this year. Discussions are ongoing around the possibility of a trail in Banchory.

So, now that he is officially living his dream, what next? Paul's ambition is to see a bike centre in Aberdeenshire. Similar to a ski centre, the centre would be home to graded, signposted and maintained trails for all levels of bikers, with a family fun park, a cafe, medical facility, bike and equipment hire and perhaps even a lift system that would do away with a long hard trek to the top of the hill... For more information visit www.cycletherapy.co.uk

All photographs courtesy of Paul Masson

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D E R E E S V I O DE’S C S I D

HIDDEN HERatITtheAGE E N E S D HI R E

DOORS

OPEN DAY

Sat &Sun Sept 19 &20

~ Get into buildings ~

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Residents and visitors have a chance to discover some of Royal Deeside’s hidden heritage as Aberdeenshire Doors Open Days arrive in the area. Have you ever wondered what Ballogie House looks like inside, or wanted to see behind the scenes at Banchory Fire Station?

is an opportunity to explore how the community that once inhabited the settlement actually lived and a guide will be available on-site to answer any queries.

This autumn the chance is on offer to explore some of the architecture, places and spaces right on your doorstep. On Saturday and Sunday September 19 and 20, more than 25 fascinating buildings from Crathes to Braemar will welcome visitors through their doors to discover more about the stories behind these wonderful places: from a restored train station at the Milton of Crathes, to castles and churches, and a traditional highland 'fermtoun'. Estates at Glen Tanar and Ballogie are also offering the chance to see inside some of the buildings not normally open to the public, in majestic surroundings.

Auchtavan is situated about six miles north-east of Braemar. Cars can be parked in the lay-by opposite the turn-off marked Aberarder – it is then a 2.5 mile uphill walk to the settlement. The track passes through birch woods and open moorland and can be quite rough, so walking shoes and outdoor clothing are recommended.

Doors Open Days is a national event run by the Scottish Civic Trust giving access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland, including some normally closed to the public. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime. One of the venues open this year is the Auchtavan township near Braemar. Overlooking Lochnagar, it is situated at the head of Glen Fearder (meaning the ‘Glen of High Water’) and comprises a cottage, threshing mill and the Queen Mother’s Cottage. Auchtavan is built on land purchased from the Earls of Mar by the Farquharsons of Invercauld, who in turn sold the Balmoral Estate Lands to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The buildings are a rare example of a traditional Highland clachan or ‘fermtoun’ and have been renovated by Braemar Community Limited. This

Auchtavan is open to visitors on Sunday, September 20 from 10am–3pm. For more information, see: www. auchtavan.com An Information Hub will operate from the Victory Hall in Aboyne - a grand memorial building by Aberdeen architect A Marshall MacKenzie - where you’ll be able to find out more about what to see and do over the Doors Open Days weekend. You can get detailed directions to venues and see a variety of heritagerelated displays in the hall including Visit Royal Deeside, Mid-Deeside Limited, North East Scotland Preservation Trust, and many more. Given that it’s Scotland's Year of Food and Drink, wherever possible, the venues will be taking the opportunity to showcase local food and drink. A full list of venues taking part in the event and up to date information including details of opening times, any changes to the programme, updates, amendments and additions can be found on the national website, Aberdeenshire Council’s website and on the dedicated facebook page.

www.doorsopendays.org.uk www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/built_heritage/doorsopendays www.facebook.com/aberdeenshiredoorsopendays

Note: Some venues are only open on the Saturday or Sunday, so please check the leaflet or online listings for further details.

Everything for the perfect Christmas

under one roof

Willy Wonka Christmas day family buffet lunch

CHRISTMAS DAY TRADITIONAL LUNCH

CHRISTMAS DAY GOURMET LUNCH

THE BALLROOM

THE MAIN HOTEL

BLAIRS RESTAURANT

Served 12PM - 2pm

Served 1PM - 2.30pm

Served 3PM - 4pm

Bring the whole family to enjoy our Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory themed family buffet with young diners selection and fabulous children’s entertainment such as face painters, magicians, craft tables and a visit to Santa’s grotto with a gift for every child. Our chocolate wonderland includes a working chocolate factory, water wheel and river. Guests will be greeted by the Oompah Loompahs and Willy Wonka himself with plenty of surprises and five lucky golden tickets to be found. After a sell-out 2014 this is an event not to be missed.

Join us for an elegant four course lunch with all the trimmings. Enjoy live entertainment including a visit from Father Christmas, this is a great day for all.

Celebrations start with a champagne and canapé reception in the drawing room.

£69 Per Adult £39 Per CHILD

£79 Per Adult £39 Per CHILD

Under 2’s - £12

(2-12 years)

Whether its just the two of you or the whole family sit back, relax and enjoy the festive surroundings while we do all the hard work.

Before we serve a scrumptious five course Gourmet Christmas lunch in the stunning surroundings of the Blairs restaurant.

£99 Per Adult

(2-12 years)

residential packages are available for Christmas and Hogmanay events

For more information and to make a booking contact

CALL: 01224 860 600 or EMAIL: h6626-sb1@accor.com

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spberry

JAM

a year long

celebration of all things

culinary

in Aberdeen

Aberdeenshire

Six months ago, FoodFest15 was launched to celebrate the feast of produce found in the rich pantry that is the north east of Scotland.

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Fine Food & Drink Coinciding with Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, visitors to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have been eating, enjoying and enthusing over the delights that FoodFest15 have so far had to offer. The year-long initiative aims to showcase the quality and variety of the fresh and seasonal produce which is available in Aberdeenshire throughout the year. The diverse programme of festivals and events encourages locals and visitors to discover and savour new tastes on a gastro tour of the north east. Food producers, restaurateurs, hoteliers and retailers are taking this opportunity to promote and showcase what they’re all about and establish this area as a foodie destination of first choice. Our prime Aberdeen Angus beef is world renowned, as is our wonderful fish and seafood, but there is an abundance of other outstanding produce to be celebrated too. The fertile valleys of the Rivers Dee and Don are home to acres of farmland growing the barley for our whisky, the oats for our porridge, and the wheat for our bread. Specialist farmers, producers, brewers and distillers, alongside farmers' markets, delicatessens and restaurants, are all shining a spotlight on the wonderful food and drink our region has to offer. From farmers’ markets and country fairs to whisky tastings and harvest celebrations, there’s something happening in your area each month for the rest of this year. The programme incorporates a number of well-established events alongside newer food and drink gatherings throughout the region, including the likes of the Deeside Food and Fiddle Fortnight in October, and a number of Highland games and gatherings across the region. To find something that will whet your appetite, visit their website at www.foodfest15.com

FoodFest15

FoodFestFifteen

FoodFest15

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From Farm to Fork

at The Mains of Drum With Scotland having so many excellent places to dine with high quality produce on offer, a new quality assurance has been introduced to help customers choose the best destinations to visit. The ‘Taste our Best’ accreditation ensures you will eat quality ingredients of Scottish provenance and the freshest seasonal produce. Local recipients of the award, The Mains of Drum on Royal Deeside, have a philosophy to keep food miles to the minimum. A great example of this is their supplier of eggs which are laid only 12 miles away on Gordonstone Farm in Torphins. Farmers Katy and Dougie Cruickshank collect the eggs from their free range hens daily and deliver straight to the restaurant. The produce is so fresh it can be from farm to plate in under half an hour.

www.mainsofdrum.co.uk

The Mains of Drum, Drumoak, AB31 5AN

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Exciting

Archaeological Discoveries At

Mar Lodge

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Archaeologists working on the National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire have uncovered evidence that people were active in this mountainous landscape thousands of years earlier than previously thought. Excavations at sites deep in the Cairngorm glens have produced radiocarbon dates which demonstrate a human presence as far back as 8,100 BC, with some places being revisited over many thousands of years. The first evidence that hunter-gatherer groups were living in the Cairngorms was discovered on the Mar Lodge Estate in 2003, when a major footpath repair programme turned up prehistoric worked stone artefacts. Without radiocarbon dates only an approximate date for the artefacts was possible at the time, with initial estimates of around 5,000 BC. A partnership among the National Trust for Scotland and archaeologists and environmental scientists from Aberdeen University, University College Dublin and Stirling University established the Upper Dee Tributaries Project in 2013 to develop our understanding of the Estate’s prehistory. Now entering its third season, the project is casting fascinating light on how early people used these upland landscapes after the retreat of the last glaciers – something about which very little is known in Scotland. Radiocarbon dates of 6,200 - 6,100 BC from a site in Glen Geldie are remarkable because they coincide with the most dramatic climatic deterioration seen since the last ice age, in which permanent snow fields would have been a feature of the Cairngorms, and glaciers may have started reforming. The site is being excavated by a team from University College Dublin. Trust Archaeologist Dr Shannon Fraser said: “It is

incredible to think that what we have discovered at this one spot in a vast landscape may represent a small group of people stopping for only a night or two, repairing their hunting equipment and then moving on. Glen Geldie is a very chilly place today, even with all our modern outdoor clothing – it is hard to imagine what it must have been like in the much harsher climate 8,000 years ago.” The earliest dates come from a site in Glen Dee, at a key stopping point for travellers moving through mountain passes between Deeside and Speyside, with links both to north west Scotland and the North Sea coast. Excavations by Aberdeen University are revealing a complex history of settlement, with people gathering by the riverside as early as c8,100 BC – perhaps only a few hundred years after communities begin to move back into Scotland as the ice retreated. The sandy beach at this ideal salmon-fishing ground continued to attract people for thousands of years, until at least c900 BC – the late bronze age. Aberdeenshire Council is a strong supporter of the project. Council Archaeologist Bruce Mann said: “Not so many years ago we thought we understood the glens of the Cairngorms, as a landscape largely empty of people in prehistory. Now this work has turned such thinking on its head, and shows the importance of why we support these projects. In the future we’ll be better informed about how we manage that land, while providing an amazing story for visitors to the area.”

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The changing landscapes over the autumn and winter months can be both beautiful and fascinating. We go from a leafy wilderness to bear twigs and the snowcapped hills beyond. Why not collect some of the falling twigs and pine cones and try one of our 'sticky' activities?

Stick Crown

This Fancy Stick Crown is fun to make and fun to wear! Spark your imagination with an easy craft you already have the supplies for – right in your garden!

4 3

Materials • Lots of small sticks, approx. 8-10” length • A strip of cotton fabric long enough to wrap around your child’s head • Hot glue gun & sticks • Scissors • Tape measure • Ruler

1 Measure your child’s head and cut a strip of fabric to fit (allow extra for tying a knot!). Lay out your cotton strip and, starting in the middle, place half the sticks in the order you’d like them arranged. Leave enough space in between each stick for another layer later. 2 Once you’re happy with the design layout, start gluing down the sticks about half way down the cotton strip.

Far’s the Skier?

Somewhere hidden in this magazine is oor Amelie’s Skier. Can yo u find it?

3 Then fold over the cotton strip width-wise encasing the newly glued sticks. Glue the fabric strip firmly down in place. 4 On top of the folded cotton strip, place more sticks in the spaces between the already glued sticks and glue them down. 5 Add optional decorative ribbon on top of the sticks. Wrap around your child’s head and let their imaginations run free!

couple of JOKES

make when it sneezes? Q. What sound does a nut A. Cashew! you're cold and angry? Q. What do you eat when A. A brrrgrrr

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Peanut Butter Bird Cones Feed the birds in your garden ! You will need:

Pine Cones

Twine

>>>> YOUR Poem >>>> by

Chloe ogg Aged 8 Strathdon Primary Sch ool

Poldhullie Bridge It’s hard to believe our bridge is 300 years, So let’s celebrate today with lots of cheers. A lot has happened since 1715, So let’s ask the bridge all what it’s seen.

Peanut Butter

eed Bird S 1

Cut a length of twine for each pine cone.

2 Tie the twine around the very top of the cone. Do this first or it becomes really messy. 3 Using a small spatula or butter knife, spread the peanut butter over the pine cone. A little goes a long way so you don’t need a lot. 4 Pour some bird seed into a bowl wide enough for the pine cone and roll it in the bird seed. You can also sprinkle the seed directly onto the cone to make sure it is well covered. Pick your place in the garden and watch the birds come for a yummy treat made by you!

~ It is 25 foot, And it’s still not “Kaput t!” Poldhullie is Gaelic for plac e of enchantment, So let's take a minute to think and be silent. ~ We stand here next to the arch, Waiting for the highland ers to march. Oh how the builder John Forbes would be proud, I am sure he’s above us singing out loud. ~ So let us depart with the sound of the pipes, This bridge is truly a won derful sight. Watch and listen to the Don roar below, Poldhullie Bridge is a rea l Strathdon hero!

Calling all kids! Got a favourite picture you want published in our next issue? Have the most fantastic idea for a puzzle we can share? Got the funniest joke to split our sides? If you think so, please send us your pictures or ideas and you might just see your contribution in the next Dee n’ Doodles! Email: hello@deendo.com

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Whether you’re an enthusiastic hobbyist, eager to launch that second career in the creative industry or you have actually made the leap and are surviving the long and lonely hours, the hibernation season is an ideal time to hide yourself away and hone those creative skills you so desperately want to learn or improve on. ~ By Kirsten Horne ~

Perhaps your interest lies in textiles or floristry or furniture making. Mine is stitched firmly in upholstery. As an upholstery ‘student’ for the past few years, I took up the craft out of a need to fulfill a creative void. I had little knowledge of what it involved and soon learned it was less about pretty fabrics and more about joinery and hammering and staple removing! Despite the steep learning curve, I quickly realised that there is nothing more satisfying than standing back, after hours and hours (and hours) of the proverbial blood, sweat and tears, and finally telling (or is it questioning?!) yourself “I did that! / I did that?” Guiding that final stitch or tack at the end of each project represents the completion of a very fulfilling journey. A creative journey that I’ve since discovered has various checkpoints throughout the process; in my case these include enthusiasm, enjoyment, ignorance, frustration, insecurity, learning, confidence, pleasure, satisfaction! Upholstery, like many traditional crafts, takes many hours to master. With a few years under my belt perhaps I’m just that one step closer to taking my own leap into making my hobby into a living. We can all dream – and my dream is called Kirben Collective! So watch this space folks. If you’re interested in giving your furniture a makeover or looking for that perfect footstool to fit your room size/scheme, drop me a note at kirbencollective@outlook.com In this corner of the country I know I am not alone in the quest for a more creative connection in my daily life. Overleaf are a couple of ridiculously talented people who have etched out successful careers in the creative industry, maybe they'll inspire you to do the same.

Dee n’ Do : 6

Nervous Stitch // Jenny McHardy

LINKS:

www.nervousstitch.co.uk www.notonthehighstreet.com/nervousstitch www.papastour.com SOCIAL MEDIA:

/nervousstitch

I studied Textiles & Surface Design at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen before gaining a Masters degree in Constructed (knitted) Textiles from the Royal College of Art in London. After continuing to live and work in London as a Design Consultant for Rowan Yarns within Liberty’s, I returned to Aberdeen in 2010 to launch my own business Nervous Stitch. The very first item I designed and knitted was my daughter Iona’s bunny rabbit cot blanket with spotted borders. I received lots of positive comments, so produced some more designs and products including cushions, tea cosies and hot water bottle covers. I have just added scarves to the collection and have more fashion accessories planned. I am passionate about knit and keeping traditional Scottish textile skills alive. I try to keep these current by knitting in bright and bold colour combinations. My products appeal to people who want to buy high quality products that are made in Scotland and are looking for something a little bit different. I gather inspiration for my designs anywhere and everywhere. I was awarded a Made in Aberdeen Artist bursary in June towards the research, development and creation of a new innovative body of work, which is very exciting.

You can see Nervous Stitch at: 20 - 22 Nov 2015

14 Nov 2015 - 9 Jan 2016

Flock Design Fair @ Woodend Barn, Banchory

‘Winter Warmth’ Exhibition @ the Park Gallery, Falkirk

Dee nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Do : 6

Obar Packs // Keith Gray

LINKS:

www.obar-packs.com Launching 2016 SOCIAL MEDIA:

/obarpacks

I graduated in fashion from Central St Martins with a BA (Hons) then went on to study a Masters Degree at The Royal College of Art. While studying my Masters I also undertook a Post Graduate course in Innovative Pattern Cutting at Central St Martins. This led on to me working as a menswear designer for global brands including Hardy Amies on Savile Row, LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) Group at Thomas Pink, Aquascutum and Paul Smith. Obar Packs was founded after leaving London to return to my native hometown in Scotland. My vision then was to create an accessories brand with the ability to produce small production runs, creating a self-efficient design studio and workshop. Inspired by the extreme outdoor conditions and beauty of the Scottish Highlands, my products have been developed to be versatile, durable and ergonomic with a minimal aesthetic. I am very particular about the detailing in the packs and it is important to me and the brand that we choose the best materials possible for our bags. We use British vegetable tan leather and 1000 denier Cordura nylon which enables me to produce quality bags and accessories with a strong British provenance.

The Showhome is now open in Aberdeen’s finest location

Luxurious living with Muir Homes Stunning homes in a beautiful Royal Deeside location Choose from 4, 5 and 6 bedroom high speciﬁcation luxury homes, overlooking the River Dee. Prices from £518,950

Call 01224 868 570 or 07946 412 320

Sales and Information Centre OPEN Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat & Sun 11am-5pm South Deeside Road, AB12 5YQ Exterior and Interior images from Showhome at Blairs, any furnishings, upgraded ﬁxtures or ﬁttings are not included in the prices shown.

www.blairs.co.uk

World-class hospitality for exclusive use, catering for groups of 6 or more guests on stunning 3,000 acre private estate

With 16 guest bedrooms, fine dining, spectacular views and fabulous gardens you can look forward to a warm welcome

Superb venue for meetings, business accommodation, conferences and weddings

Kincardine O'Neil, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire AB34 5AE +44(0)13398 84225 enquiries@kincardinecastle.com www.kincardinecastle.com

Looking for a large investment?

We can help you make it grow. Tel: 01224 264999 I www.russellgibson.co.uk

Dee n’ Do : 6

s a t u r d ay 14th November 2015

The idea to set up a 25km night run through a wintery forest in Scotland might sound daft at first – after all, who apart from a handful of gnarly hardcore runners would sign up for that? ~ By Alexandra Lawes, Firetrail Events ~

The first Illuminator Run in Glen Tanar this November has already attracted several hundreds of participants, proving that the organisers were not the only ones who missed a local event during that time of year. “An event to train towards gives you the motivation to keep fit and get out at least for a quick run or walk, even on grey days. Our new event will turn all the off-putting aspects of winter into something exciting - the cold, the wet, the dark ... enter the Illuminator, with a funky dance warm-up, lots of lights, hot juice and a great crowd of fellow runners”, says Alex from Firetrail Events. “We hope the Illuminator in Glen Tanar will become a favourite event in the annual Scottish running calendar.” The night of November 14 will be dark even if the skies are clear, with a new moon only two days earlier. Equipped with a timing chip and the

promise of hot tea and coffee in their very own Illuminator mug, the runners and walkers will have to say goodbye to the warmth and light of Aboyne Community Centre. After the first few hundred meters they will cross the bridge over the Dee and leave the lights of civilisation behind. The participants’ head torches will be the main source of light during their run or walk, apart from when they reach the half-way point: here hot juice and a snack will await them, and some of the ancient Scots pine trees and a picturesque Victorian stone bridge will be lit up with colourful light effects. On their way through the dark, however, participants won’t have to fear getting lost, as unmissable signs will save them from taking a wrong turn and there are marshals stationed along the route. Yet even with this risk taken care of, the unusual circumstances and the potentially hideous weather

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Aboyne s tar t/ f inis h river de e

birsemore hill 333

wat er of tanar

Baudy Meg 488

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Forest Big climb snack station hot drinks/ water station light zone

conditions warrant good preparation both by participants and organisers. The walkers and runners will have to bring sufficient equipment to stay dry and warm in case of an accident, and everyone has to wear a head torch. The organisers Firetrail Events have teamed up with the Braemar Mountain Rescue Association for this unusual race, whose members are more than familiar with rescue situations at night and in atrocious weather conditions. They will provide additional safety support to all participants in partnership with the professional event first aid team. As the Illuminator’s charity partner, the Mountain Rescue Association hope to raise muchneeded funds for their emergency service, where volunteers put their lives on the line during rescue missions in the most inaccessible places of the Scottish wilderness.

The organisers themselves love spending time in Glen Tanar and have for a long time wondered how they could share its magic with others. It’s great for running, walking, berry picking, animal watching or taking small children along to explore nature, but most visitors stick to the easily accessible parts. Or they might only be familiar with the sunny setting we all tend to choose for our Sunday afternoon walk or cycle. But a truly beautiful place has many faces, and being in Glen Tanar at night is something really special. Some of the Firetrail staff have spent endless hours exploring the glen on foot and on bike, both during the day and in the dark, and the Illuminator’s varied and interesting route draws on these experiences. Hopefully the Illuminator will give participants both an opportunity to experience a wild space in an unusual light (quite literally) and to keep fit through winter.

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www.illuminatorrun.co.uk

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Renowned Scottish artist Howard Butterworth is painting twelve images over six months to be exhibited and sold as part of “Painting in fresh air”, an augmented reality exhibition on the 28th October 2015 at the Marcliffe Pitfodels, Aberdeen, to raise funds for the Archie Foundation’s campaign to provide a digital art gallery at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. The #FINDHOWARD event has been a great success with Howard painting in a variety of locations including Ballater, Portsoy Harbour, Crathes Castle and Old Aberdeen. The collection of 12 paintings from the 12 different Scottish locations will go on sale as part of “Painting in fresh air” with a percentage of sales going to Archie Foundation’s project.

The public are given opportunities to watch and paint alongside Howard by following clues published by The Press and Journal, The Archie Foundation, The Butterworth Gallery, and on Howard’s website. For those keen to get out and about there is also the adventure of collecting a Howard’s TravelBug Geocache code unique to each of Howard’s locations.

So go find Howard! And along the way you'll find clues and prizes to be won…

www.howardbutterworth.co.uk/findhoward | www.facebook.com/thebutterworthgallery www.facebook.com/thearchiefoundation | www.archiefoundationhome.org.uk campaign.justgiving.com//charity/archiefoundation/findhoward

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Dance Traditions Beat 1.

Fig 1. Beat 2.

Scotland is alive with traditional dancing. Thousands of people of all ages participate and watch traditional dance in Scotland and throughout the world. TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) have compiled a brief overview of Scottish dance to help you tell a ‘Schottische’ from a ‘Strathspey’. Start tapping your toe to the sound of the pipes or the fiddle and you’re on the way to Scottish dancing. Written material on Scottish dancing dates back to the 1700s and over time, particular styles evolved with many geographical areas having their own unique dance variations. It is commonly accepted that the Reel is the only truly indigenous dance to Scotland. The Reel was for three or more people where steps were danced on the spot, alternating with a travelling step around in a circle or in a figure of eight. Partly due to their location, The Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland all danced their own Reels

late into the 1800s before the introduction of more modern dances. Shetland has particularly invested in keeping their traditional Reels alive and many are danced today. Scottish traditional dance can broadly be described as four different styles – Ceilidh Dancing, Highland Dancing, Scottish Country Dancing or Step Dance – with certain techniques, moves, footwork and patterns common to all. A dance such as the Reel of Tulloch can be performed in a different style, changing the feel and the look of the dance, but regardless of the variations, music and song joins and celebrates it all.

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Ceilidh Dancing

People gather informally to dance popular dances like the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow and Dashing White Sergeant. Ceilidh dancing is popular at weddings, celebrations and festivals, and many communities have a ceilidh dance calendar. Most dances are done in couples or in sets of three, four, six, or eight. They’re easy to learn and often a dance-caller is present to explain what to do, like swing your partner! Ceilidh dancing developed from the Scottish traditional meaning for a ceilidh – when people gathered together for stories and songs. When music was played someone would ‘diddle’ the tune or sing puirt-a-beul (mouth music) and the rhythms meant dancing was inevitable in the mix of the evening. Some dances back then were the Scotch Reel, Reel of Tulloch and Highland Schottische, and versions of these are still done in ceilidhs today, with some geographical variations, for example a Canadian Barn Dance or Schottische is danced a little differently on the island of South Uist than it is in the village of Braemar. Ceilidh dancing has happened – and still does – anywhere people want to get together and dance, from kitchens to large halls. Fun, enjoyment and bringing people together with well-known dances defines ceilidh dancing, and a great Ceilidh is not without a great Ceilidh band. The music plays a fundamental part in the dancing ensuring the right tempo and tunes suited to the dances. Old Time Dancing in Scotland is another social form of dance including dances like the Eva Three-Step, Waltzes, Swing and Ballroom.

Step Dance

Solo Step Dancing developed out of on the spot stepping from old Reels and is probably both the oldest and youngest form of traditional dance in Scotland. Until c. 1992, Step Dance was rarely seen or performed in Scotland and few people knew about it. Its rediscovery partly occurred through the visits and teachings of Cape Breton step dancers, in particular Harvey Beaton and Mary Janet Macdonald. Step Dance was kept very much alive in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia by Scottish immigrants who settled there in the late 1700’s. The style is exciting, percussive footwork danced in hard-soled shoes to music played at a particular tempo on pipes, whistle, fiddle or puirt-a-beul (mouth music). The dancer

then beats their heels, toes and feet in as many ways as possible and imaginable, keeping time with the rhythms of the music in strathspeys, reels and jigs. There are many steps that can be learned which have been passed down through family generations and the style has never been prescribed, except dancing steps neat and close to the floor. Many dancers have their own individual style and steps they like to do to particular tunes. Some of the feet beats from step dancing can be seen in many of Scotland’s other traditional dances, like Flowers of Edinburgh (Highland Reel), Till A-Rithist/ Aberdonian Lassie (Hebridean Reel) and Jacky Tar (Ceilidh Hornpipe).

Highland Dancing

Highland dancing is probably the best known and most easily recognisable Scottish dance tradition throughout the world. It’s easy for all to conjure up an image of a kilted dancer performing the Highland Fling or the Gille Callum (Sword Dance) to the sound of the pipes. Gille Callum is known as the oldest of the Highland dances, historically danced by men and incorporated into Highland regiments’ training. The dance requires strength and stamina to perform

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continuous jumps, high leaps, intricate arms and footwork while maintaining balance and poise. There are many beautiful dances including National dances, Blue Bonnets and the Scottish Lilt that are almost balletic, which highlights the influences from the French courts. Highland dancing plays an important part of Highland Game, with many hosting competitions. The Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon (27th, 28th & 29th Aug, 2015) has hosted both the Scottish and World Highland Dancing Championships since 1934. The Hebridean Dances – so named as they were taught in the Western Isles by the dance master Ewen MacLachlan in the mid-1800s – can also be performed by Highland and Step dancers. The style is more relaxed than Highland, with the arms held lower and the knees more bent, while the steps are similar to footwork in step dance.

Scottish Country Dancing

In the 1700s, many Country Dances were held in grand, elegant halls and attended by prosperous members of society. This social dance is slightly

more formal than Ceilidh dance with techniques influenced by the dance styles of the period and reels danced in the Scottish countryside. Scottish Country Dances are still held in castles, stately homes and in city, town and village halls with dances like the Reel of the 51st Division and Duke of Perth (also known as Broun’s Reel). The dances are made up of four or five couples facing each other to form sets and are characterised by the top couple progressing to the bottom with the dance repeated for everyone to come back to their starting positions. There are numerous intricate formations in Scottish Country Dances and the setting and travelling steps, use of hands, and patterns are danced with a respect for the fine details of the dances. There are also square set dance formations known as Quadrilles, introduced from France in the 1800s with originally four, five or six figures. The Quadrilles danced in South Uist are still greatly enjoyed today and there are literally thousands of Scottish Country dances with new ones being created all the time utilising enticing music blends of strathspeys, jigs, reels, waltzes, polkas, and hornpipes, which all play a significant part in this style.

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Providing care and support in your community Cornerstone is one of Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading social care charities. Each year, the organisation provides care and support services to over 2,600 adults, children and young people with disabilities and other support needs. Founded in Aberdeen in 1980, Cornerstone has since grown to establish offices and operations across the north, east and west of Scotland. Although the charity has continued to grow over the years, its dedication to enabling people with disabilities and additional support needs to enjoy a valued life has never changed. With this goal in mind, the charity is currently working to launch an innovative new service called Cornerstone Connects in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Already successfully established in other regions, Cornerstone Connects aims to provide flexible, creative and inclusive activities to local individuals with support needs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; giving them the

opportunity to have fun, make new friends, discover their talents and become truly active members of the community. The charity is inviting local individuals to show their support and to help them make Cornerstone Connects a reality. Whether you are able to make a donation, fundraise for the charity, attend a Cornerstone event or volunteer some of your free time, there are loads of great ways to get involved. Whatever support you are able to offer, you can rest assured your contribution will make a real and valuable difference to the lives of people with disabilities and other support needs across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

For more information on Cornerstone Connects and to find out how you can get involved, please email katie.watters@cornerstone.org.uk, call 01224 256023 or visit www.cornerstone.org.uk today.

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~NOTES ~ from a

~ By Emma Wood ~

In the autumn of 1842, Queen Victoria and her beloved consort, Prince Albert visited Scotland for the first time. As avid readers of Sir Walter Scott, they were both very taken with his romantic version of Highlands’ tradition. Like so many other members of the new nineteenth century bourgeoisie, they revelled in the North’s natural beauties and the restful privacy a private residence there might provide. More by the author The Hydro Boys: Pioneers Of Renewable Energy Climate Change, Peatbogs, Plague And Potatoes: How Climate And Geology Shaped Scotland’s History Notes From The North

Photograph courtesy of Mairi MacLeod Gray

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During their second Scottish expedition, in August 1847, they thought they had found a suitable property to purchase: Ardverikie Estate on Loch Laggan in Lochaber, originally the territory of the notorious Jacobite chieftain, Cluny MacPherson. Initially Victoria was very impressed with Ardverikie’s refreshing air and fine mountain scenery as she recorded in her private journal. However, the challenges of the Lochaber countryside soon proved overwhelming. The Queen felt uncomfortably conscious of isolation, noting regretfully that Ardverikie’s nearest neighbour was five miles distant; she also found the cold wet weather discouraged her regular walks and outdoor sketching. Then on the 8th of September she complained in her journal about another environmental difficulty: “I am a perfect object from bites I have received from midges, which positively swarmed where we sat yesterday, and seem to be poisonous”. The Royal couple’s favour now switched away from Ardverikie to the Balmoral Estate by Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Surprisingly, Victoria and Albert decided to lease the 17,000 acre estate without ever having visited it. The property came, however, well recommended. Lord Aberdeen, an eminent Tory politician, suggested that Victoria should assume its lease after the death of his brother, Robert Gordon, had left it vacant. Sir James Clark, the Royal Physician, had already suggested a Scottish holiday home for the sake of Royal health and relaxation; he considered Balmoral’s dry climate would be particularly beneficial. Victoria was able to view her prospective property from afar thanks to the sketches of Aberdeen artist, James Giles (1806 -1870), and the Queen’s lease of the iconic location was clinched. Victoria recorded her delight soon after arriving: “[Balmoral] was so clear and solitary, it did one good as one gazed around…All seemed to breathe freedom and peace.” In 1852 Prince Albert bought the estate outright. He decided to build a new castle and employed William Smith, City Architect of Aberdeen, to draw up plans for a modern and more spacious Royal residence; the original castle was demolished, commemorated only by a stone marking the position of its original front entrance. Albert’s purchase may have been enabled by an unusual case of royal funding when the miserly eccentric, James Nield, died having left

Queen Victoria £500,000 in his will. The building was complete by 1856 and the British Royal family have used Balmoral as their private Scottish retreat ever since. Half a century later, Loch Laggan became the centre of commercial hydro-electric power in northern Scotland, providing water for British Aluminium’s Lochaber smelters - an outcome which the Queen’s original preference for Ardverikie would not have allowed. The royal decision to invest in a Highland hideaway proved very successful. Indeed, these were not the first Sassenachs to acquire chunks of northern Scotland for leisure purposes. In the first quarter of the nineteenth century, sportsmen from the industrialised south started to come to the north to hunt and shoot and fish the species which thrived in the relatively unspoilt environment. Red deer stags were particularly prized and although he was not a very gifted stalker, Albert’s example entrenched the fashion: a century after the establishment of Royal Deeside, roughly three million square acres of Scotland had been reserved for sport. Of course, not all wannabe lairds were able to buy property in the north. In 1847 Thomas Cook ran his first “Tartan Tours” of Scotland’s most picturesque stately homes, establishing the start of the mass tourist industry in North Briton. The next key stage in this highly profitable development was triggered by the expansion of the Scottish railway system. After 1870 tourist outings could reach Wick and Thurso in the North and, via a stunningly beautiful cross-country route, Kyle of Lochalsh in the West. Around the Scottish coast an infrastructure for the benefit of these new visitors appeared with the construction of impressive hotels in Oban, Inverness, Ullapool, and Dornoch and the tracing of road links connecting lesser hostelries to the tourist trail. The Royals’ battle with midges continued after their takeover of the Balmoral Estate. The Queen recorded fighting off several attacks by vicious insects in her records from Royal Deeside. Did she really know what she was dealing with? Balmoral’s easterly location would hardly suggest the presence of the same midge species that had plagued Ardverikie. Her diary entry for 15th May 1861, written at Buckingham Palace, describes another attack by midges. As this one occurred at Windsor Castle it seems more than likely that Victoria knew less about Culcoides Impunctatus than she supposed.

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REVIEW GALLERY, THE LIGHTHOUSE GALLERY, GLASGOW

3 Sep – 11 Oct 2015

A NORTHERN SOUL by

Kevin Andrew Morris Based around my own family heritage the works produced for ‘A Northern Soul’ concerns my grandfather who was a fishing ghillie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Exploring objects from his collection, site visits and stories, I feel like I have achieved a connection with a man that I have never met. Moreover I have gained a further understanding of my own practice which centres on making work that engages with craft, material and place. Inspiration for this exhibition comes from a longstanding interest in the idea of object, material and environment, which is central to my work. It can be objects found or placed in a natural environment or within our own manmade habitats. How we interact within our world and our attempts to contain, harness or even contribute to it through objects is exciting to me. ‘A Northern Soul’ refers to both my grandfather and myself. As the work developed it became apparent that I had a much closer connection with aspects of hunting, shooting and fishing through my grandfather than originally realised. Themes of identity and place were explored throughout the making of the work for this exhibition; the works were made during time spent in Scotland and Canada - countries that identify with the idea of the North. The process of making the work spanned over 2014/2015 initially starting with my involvement with the Naked Crafts Network and the Hunting for the Lost Crafts exhibitions. This is my first solo show in Glasgow and

has it also been a long-term goal of mine to show at The Lighthouse. The exhibition has been well received and attracted a diverse audience.

ARTIST BIO Kevin Andrew Morris (b. Aberdeen UK) graduated with BA Hons in Ceramic Design in 2010 from The Glasgow School of Art. He has gone on to exhibit his work nationally and internationally as well as curate and work with a range of artists, institutions and various public projects. He was selected for the Glasgow Life Visual Arts and Crafts Mentoring award (2014) and his work featured as part of the Tallinn Applied Art Triennial The Art of Collecting in Estonia (2013) as well as the Naked Craft exhibition touring Canada and Scotland (over 20152017) He has undertaken residencies at The Scottish Sculpture Workshop (2012) and with Djim Bergner in Eindhoven (2011)

kevinandrew.morris@gmail.com • www.kevinandrewmorris.daportfolio.com www.makeworks.co.uk/companies/kevinandrewmorris

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EDIEVAL CARE HOMES & TRAVELLERS' INNS IN DEESIDE

Visitors to Royal Deeside sometimes pause as they come through the village of Kincardine O’Neil, 25 miles west of Aberdeen, but not many realise that the ruins of the church they pass on the south side of the road tell a story from the time of William the Lion and Alexander II, Kings of Scotland.

St Erchard’s Church, known now as St Mary’s or the Auld Kirk, Kincardine O'Neil

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The ruins seen at the east of the Auld Kirk may be from a hospital or bedehouse. As a “hospital for the soul” a bedehouse provided accommodation for elderly and infirm residents whose duty was to pray for the forgiveness of sins of departed souls of their sponsors, the sponsor’s families and the King. The bedesmen who lived there were cared for in their old age, but in return, they took part in an eighteenhour daily routine of prayer and attendance at Mass. Other hospitals were more akin to traveller’s inns. They served the needs of all who had need to travel – rest, safety and recovery. Taken together, medieval hospitals served a religious as well as a social purpose. St Erchard’s Church, known now as St Mary’s or the Auld Kirk was the site of two such hospitals. Around 1227, Thomas de Lundin or Thomas the Durward (the “door ward” after a position he held at Court) built the first bridge over the River Dee. Shortly afterwards, in a charter dated 1233 - giving 50 hectares of land to support the poor, his son Alan built a hospital for travellers and bedesmen. There is no visible evidence today of either the bridge or the hospital, however, a later extension to St Erchard’s Church appears to be a replacement for the first hospital. It is believed that in the fourteenth or early fifteenth century the original building became derelict and in the spirit of the times a replacement was built adjacent to the Auld Kirk. These ruins have for many years provided a conundrum for antiquarians and historians. The visitor will see at the east end of the church the remains of a building the same size as the Auld Kirk. The walls extend some 25 meters towards the main A93 road. It is likely that the building had two floors with a dormitory on top of rooms for a Master or lay-priest, kitchens, stabling and storage. The eminent antiquarian Douglas Simpson has claimed that: “…there can be little doubt that the eastern ... portion of the building contained the hospital, a two–storied annexe in which the upper room will have formed the dormitory in which bed-ridden inmates could hear services through the westward opening windows …”. Looking at the eastern wall of the Auld Kirk one can see that the lancet windows are internal, not external in construction. The mouldings are well formed and prominent to the east. The adjacent aumbry or wall press, to the right hand side, is another clue suggesting that residents of the eastern building could see and hear what was occurring in the church to the west. There are no records of the building at the Auld Kirk until the nineteenth century when Andrew Jervise, in 1875, sought to identify the field where the original hospital had been built. He called it Bladernach. No reliable records exist of this field.

In 1862 the Auld Kirk was deemed too small for the congregation and was replaced by the more modern parish church on the other side of the A93. As a result both the east-end hospital and the church were allowed to fall into ruins. In 1927, Walter R. Davidson of Dess, an influential member of the parish church and a heritor within the Auld Kirk began an archaeological investigation of the ruins. He was assisted by Douglas Simpson and joined by William Kelly the architectural expert from Aberdeen and Francis Eeles from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Over a period of three years they returned the ivy-clad Auld Kirk to its present state and most importantly reconstructed the east end. The ruins were made a National Monument in 1932. Subsequently it passed through the Kincardine Parish Council to its present custodian, Aberdeenshire Council. We will never know exactly the circumstances that led Alan the Durward to build the hospital. The many Scottish medieval hospitals are reminders of the first efforts by the nobility and the Church to care for the old and infirm, as well as the traveller. As a “hospital for the soul”, most of these establishments disappeared at the Reformation. We are left with a unique site, in spite of questions about its date, its orientation and the reconstruction of the east wall of the church. The Kincardine O’Neil " ‘spitals" offer a reminder of times past and a challenge to our imagination.

1380/1389 cartulary copy of the 1233 charter by Alan the Durward. The charter makes a grant of a “davach/davoch” of land called Slutheluthy to support a hospital. With permission of the National Library of Scotland. © 2014, Trustees of the National Library of Scotland

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s ASK THE VET

Woodside Veterinary Group

I'm thinking about breeding from my dog, what do I need to know? This is a common query we have at Woodside Veterinary Group. We hope the following information will be useful.

I have to have a litter before neutering as I know this is best for my dog, right? This is a very common misconception. It does not do your dog any harm not to have puppies and in fact dogs may be neutered before even having a season without any ill effect.

When is the right age to breed my dog? Generally from the second season onwards as most dogs will be over a year old by this time and skeletally mature. There isn't really a maximum age if your dog is fit and well but as in humans increasing age can increase the risk of complications. If you are breeding a pedigree dog that you wish to register it is advisable to check with the Kennel Club as they have age and litter number limits for registering.

When do I know when my dog is ready to breed? Dogs are notoriously difficult to predict! Traditionally people say 12 days after the onset of bleeding but this is highly variable. There are tests which your vet can carry out involving taking either swabs or blood tests which can help pinpoint the correct timing. This is particularly helpful if you need to travel a distance away to stud.

How long is a dog pregnant? 63 days or 9 weeks from the day of ovulation.

How many puppies will my dog have? That is always the billion dollar question!! It varies highly but your vet can help try to predict. An ultrasound scan can be carried out from 3 weeks after mating to confirm the pregnancy and to try and do a head count. This can be tricky to get accurate but it is especially important to confirm that there is more than one puppy. Singletons can have difficulty being delivered naturally so it is best to be prepared.

Do I need to treat my dog any differently once she is pregnant? Once your dog is confirmed pregnant it is a good idea to discuss with your vet regarding feeding. Just like humans, appropriate nutrition is vital for healthy development. Your vet can also help with planning for the arrival date.

What if things don' t go to plan? If you have any concerns, either about your dog not becoming pregnant, her being poorly during pregnancy or difficulties during or after the birth, do not hesitate to contact your vet at the earliest opportunity as they will be able to offer useful advice and help.

Woodside Veterinary Group “Your Vets, for Your Animals, 7 days a week!” www.woodsideveterinarygroup.co.uk. Find us and like us on Facebook at Woodside Veterinary Group.

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ghostly grampian

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With ghostly tales from centuries past, there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit of things on a day out in Grampian. Just remember the old Scots prayer if you do...' 'From ghoulies and ghosties and long leggety beasties And things that go bump in the night Good Lord, deliver us!' ~ By Mirela Pencheva ~

ardoe house hotel

fyvie castle

Built in the late 19th century as the home of Alexander Ogston and his family. Stories describe the ghost of his daughter, known as the White Lady, haunting the residence after she committed suicide.

The castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of the murdered Dame Lilias Drummond. The main suspect was her husband as she gave him no heir, but only five daughters. The story goes that on the first night of his marriage to his next wife, the newly wedded couple were disturbed by the sighs of a woman outside their bedroom.

castle fraser Believed to be one of the most haunted places in Scotland. The most popular paranormal inhabitant is said to be the spirit of a princess that was murdered in the Green Room. Her body was dragged across the stairs leaving a blood trail that was impossible to remove.

crathes castle The tower house built in the 16th century is said to be haunted by the Green Lady, a ghost often seen carrying an infant in the fireplace. Skeletons of a woman and a child were found at the same spot when the castle was renovated. Queen Victoria is believed to have witnessed the Green Lady when she visited the castle.

dunnottar castle Rumours of various spirits dwelling in the ruins on the cliffs make the castle a ghost hunting hotspot. A girl wearing a green tartan dress is believed to swirl around the brewery. Others claim that a soldier in uniform is looking out to sea for Vikings. Screams of agony and crying are believed to fill the air around the castle ruins at night.

loch of skene Legend says that a local wizard froze the waters of the lake to get home quicker. A villain who also tried to cross the frozen lake on his horse and carriage was drowned there by Auld Nick, the devil himself. His ghost is believed to still ride throughout the area.

slains castle Built in the 13th century, the original castle was completely demolished in 1594 by King James VI as a punishment to the Earl of Errol who revolted against him. The ruins we see today are of New Slains Castle, built some years later and claimed to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel â&#x20AC;&#x153;Draculaâ&#x20AC;?. Bram Stoker was staying in a nearby hotel when writing the first drafts, which included Dracula coming ashore at Cruden Bay. Rumour has it that the ghosts of soldiers from WWII ride around the castle. Other mythical creatures that have been reported in the area are mermaids. It is said that in the 19th century they tempted a small Peterhead boat to crash on the rocks leaving the entire crew, bar one, drowned.

Scots prayer - Ghosts, Massacres and Horror Stories of Scotland's Castles/Margaret Campbell/Lang Syne Pub. Ltd.

BOOK YOUR SEAT NOW

North East Arts Touring

www.neatshows.org.uk Promoting high quality theatre, dance and film events in rural space across the North East

Join our mailing list online to be kept informed of all future events

• • • •

Sketch Designs Planning and Warrant Applications Energy Performance Certificates Construction Documents and Tendering Contracts • Support from Construction to Completion Duncan W. Robson ARB, RIBA, RIAS

At DWR, we take a fresh approach to design by listening closely to what you want, creating an inspiring and functional building that lives in harmony with its surroundings

T 01339 885407 M 07774 481742

www.dwrarchitect.com

AUN CH ED HAVE L

a new product...

£4 each To purchase a map please visit www.deendomaps.com or for more information please email us at maps@deendo.com N W

E S

SCOTLANDS ONLY GEOTOUR HAS ARRIVED! A chance to win collectable geocoins and find dozens of caches through an area steeped in history, with spectacular scenery, threaded by the River Dee. COLLECT A BONUS POINT WITH DEE N’ DO “CATTIE”

Find out more at www.visitroyaldeeside.com

A handy A6 pocket map of the north east of Scotland, highlighting a range of activities and attractions, including: walks, bike trails, recreational activities, shopping, accommodation, historical attractions, dining, and lots more. Folds out to A2 size - 60cm x 40cm.

Specialist Outdoor Clothing

made in Royal Deeside, used Worldwide Ballater Road, Aboyne T: 013398 86062 E: sales@hilltrek.co.uk www.hilltrek.co.uk

Dee n’ Do : 6

OCTOBER

Ca�eNda� Ca�eNda� �f �f E�e�t� September - December Sept - Dec 2015

OCT

�EPTEMBER SEPT

5-7

Huntly Hairst - The Food & Farming Festival

25-26

Inverurie Beer Festival Inverurie

www.facebook.com/InverurieBeerFestival

Tickets £10. Get up close and personal with our brewkit, that aforementioned glass door does open every now and again for our amazing tour. Strictly over 18's. www.techfest.org.uk

OCT JUN

3 14

SEPT

Aberdeen Country Fair

Belmont Street, Aberdeen

www.aberdeencountryfair.co.uk

Apples and Cornkisters Pitmedden Garden Pitmedden

www.nts.org.uk/Property/PitmeddenGarden/Events

SEPT

Six Degrees of Sound

Huntly

OCT

Glencoe Marathon Gathering Glencoe

The Glencoe Marathon, the first marathon to be run through this amazing landscape. Taking in the Devil’s Staircase, a gruelling 500 metre climb over the eastern edge of the truly fearsome Aonach Eagach Ridge. The Mamores Half Marathon and Cornerstone Canter join the marathon route at Kinlochleven. The Glen Nevis 10k circumnavigates and summits Cow Hill behind Fort William adding 360 degree views of highland mountains and coastlines. www.wildfoxevents.co.uk/events/current/ the-glencoe-marathon

6 Littlejohn Street, Aberdeen

Six Degrees of Sound is a monthly event promising great beer, great music and a great time! 3pm - 7pm

SEPT

Huntly Farmers Market

Huntly Square, Huntly, AB54 8BR www.huntlyfarmersmarket.co.uk

SEPT

Ellon

Huntly

Locations around Huntly, Aberdeenshire www.huntlyhairst.co.uk

SEPT

TechFest - BrewDog Tour

Etape Royal Aberdeenshire and Moray

The 100 mile circular route, starting in Ballater and the 65 mile linear route, starting in Rhynie takes you on a traffic-free journey via Dufftown, the Lecht and back to Ballater on the banks of the River Dee. www.wildfoxevents.co.uk/events/current/ etape-royale

OCT

2-18

Deeside Food & Fiddle Fortnight Royal Deeside and The Cairngorms

Venues and businesses up and down the Dee Valley will be proudly showcasing a cornucopia of taste and talent. There will be traditional music sessions featuring local and visiting musicians. Restaurants, hotels and cafes are hosting musicians to accompany fine fare with venison and blaeberries, whisky and atholl brose on the menu, you may be spoiled and there will certainly be choice aplenty. www.visitroyaldeeside.com

Dee n’ Do : 6

OCT

21-25

NO�EMBER

Braemar Creative Arts Festival Various

With a wide range of activities across the week, there must be something for everyone to try. Booking essential details at www.braemarcreativearts.co.uk Here are just a few to tickle your tastebuds:

NOV

Tea Blending & Tea Tasting Class Aberdeen

6-8pm Cost £39.00 downstairs at Teasel&Tweed 85 Rosemount Viaduct

Performing Arts 21st-22nd Fiddle - Orkney Fiddler, Fiona Driver. Classes in all levels. Free Fiddle clinic for fixing and tuning. £10 per session 24th-25th Song with Yvonne Burgess. Choir sessions £10 per session or £20 for all 3 sessions. 21st Story Telling. Work with a partner developing story telling using a variety of stimuli. £10. Visual Arts / Crafts 21st Landscape Photography with Anke Addy. Outdoor class suitable for beginners and intermediate photographers. £30. 23rd Pastels with award winning Dundee artist Gena Wright. 10-4pm £30. 24th Woodwork with Tom Banks. Carve your own Whisky Quaich. 10-4pm £45 inc materials. 24th Floristry Autumn Heart with Chloe MacIntyre. Make a heart shaped wreath using natural materials and floristry wiring techniques. Materials provided but bring any autumnal items you'd like to incorprate. 1 - 5pm £25. 24th Oil Painting with Tom Barron. A full day class on Seascapes. 10-4pm £25. Creative Cooking 22nd Gathering Braemar. Experiment with what can be gathered from the garden, verge, field and hill. A hands on cooking class experimenting with flavours. Bring along some challenging ingredients to create a taste unique to Braemar.

NOV

Aberdeen 7.30pm Cost £11 - 21.50 Music Hall, Union Street. For more info go to www. aberdeenperformingarts.com/events

NOV

Macduff

32 Shore Street, Macduff, Aberdeenshire

Aberdeen

The Waterboys Aberdeen

7:00pm Cost £30.25 Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen

NOV

13-15

Kevin Bridges Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

£33.90 (£30 + £3.90 booking fee) Tickets for the show are on general sale from Ticketmaster on 08444 77 9000 or online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Not to be missed! 14

Macduff Market

Aberdeen Ministry of Crafts

Aberdeen Ministry of Crafts is a monthly makers market that aims to showcase emerging and established local creatives. 11:00am — 4:00pm The Methodist Church, Crown Terrace. Free Entry.

NOV OCT

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra: Schumann's Second Symphony

CandyBelle Village Urban Resort, Prime Four Kingswells

Vintage Furniture, Fashion, Accessories and Homewares. Dee 'n Do will see you in the Design Room with lovely gifts for sale. Pop along between 10am and 4pm.

Dee n’ Do : 6

NOV

The Illuminator Run Aboyne

Look out for the Dee n' Do team!! www.illuminatorrun.co.uk

NOV

4th Cullen Skink World Championships Cullen

The title will be awarded to the competitor creating the best Traditional Cullen Skink made from fresh, local produce. Entry forms and rules are available on www. discovercullen.com. Free Entry

NOV - JAN

28-3

Pantomime - Peter Pan

The Proclaimers Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

£32.21 inc bf The Proclaimers In Concert plus Special Guests

DECEMBER 1

Simple Minds Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

The well-known group are best known internationally for their 1985 hit ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ £44.64 (£39.50 Ticket + £5.14 Fees) Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.

DEC

Ardoe House Hotel

After two sell out party nights in 2014 Ardoe is delighted to once again play host to the Bogus Brothers, an international party band that will thrill with a great selection of floor fillers in the luxurious surroundings of our Ballroom. Ticket Information email: emma.hamilton@accor.com.

DEC

Royal Scottish National Orchestra: Christmas Concert: The Snowman Aberdeen

Music Hall, Union Street Tickets £23 - £11.50 Not one to miss!

DEC

Theodora's invitation to a festive afternoon tea ... Castle Fraser

£13.50. Advance Booking is Essential. The Castle will come alive for Christmas to provide the perfect festive backdrop for your afternoon tea.

MacFloyd The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen

The Scottish Pink Floyd celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s classic “Wish you were here” album.

DEC

Ardoe House presents the Bogus Brothers

Aberdeen

His Majesty's Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct. Tickets £28.50 - £22.50

NOV

DEC

17-19

Texas Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

£39.95 inc bf

DEC

Ardoe House Hotel Family Hogmanay Dinner Ardoe House Hotel

Enjoy an arrival glass of fizz and a fruity cocktail for the kids. Dine from our delicious buffet menu with specialised young diner selections and sweetie table. Entertainment includes Fairground games, face painters, party games, resident disco and a special guest entertainer! Then end your celebratory evening by enjoying the fantastic fireworks extravaganza. £85 per adult £45 per Child (2 - 12 years) £12 under 2's. For more info email: emma.hamilton@ accor.com.

Happy New Year! From us all at Dee n' Do!

~ Belwade Farm Bistro ~ If you’re looking for a unique place to catch up with friends whilst savouring a cup of fresh coffee then Belwade Farm Bistro is a must.

Set in the picturesque rolling hills of Royal Deeside, Belwade Farm Bistro nestles in the heart of this prodigious horse rescue and rehoming centre, which was voted ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ at the 2015 Aberdeen City & Shire Tourism Awards. As well as serving delicious coffee, warming hot chocolate and a choice of speciality teas, Belwade Farm Bistro has a mouth-watering selection of homemade cakes and snacks as well as a full menu of freshly prepared hot food that promises to tempt the whole family. The set menu for over 65s - every Thursday from 12pm until 2pm - allows diners to enjoy a superb value lunch overlooking the breath-taking scenery, before meeting some of our genteel residents, such

as adoption horse and gentle giant Digger or pintsized Shetland Jerry. Centre Manager Eileen Gillen says that visitors of all ages fall in love with the gentle rolling hills edged with stone walls which are home to around 65 horses of all shapes and sizes: “We can’t make any promises about the weather at this time of year but we can promise a warm welcome from our team as well as from our wonderful horses!” World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre – which is a registered charity - has a vibrant year-round calendar of events and this year being its 25th anniversary the diary is busier than ever! For more information visit www.worldhorsewelfare. org/Belwade-Farm or search for us on Facebook.

For a great day out in Aberdeenshire, visit Belwade Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre

l Meet our friendly horses and ponies, including

Digger the famous Clydesdale! l Explore the farm, our beautiful nature walks

and stone circle. l Treat yourself to refreshments or a delicious

meal in our restaurant with stunning views. l Fun for all ages. l

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-4pm (except Christmas Day-3rd Jan).

Signposted off the A93 between Kincardine O’Neil and Aboyne e: info@worldhorsewelfare.org t: 013398 85398 w: worldhorsewelfare.org/BelwadeFarm Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384

FREE ENTRY!

Music & Melody

Dee nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Do : 6

Silver City Soul Revue

Members: John Stewart, Jennifer Ritchie, Andy Christie, Alan Anderson, Hamish McKenzie, David Sim, Kelly Marshall, Julie Smith, James Secombes, Chris Hair. Genre: Classic Soul, Funk and Motown

At Your Fingertips

Silver City Soul Revue is a 9 piece soul band based in Aberdeen. Their line up comprises two vocalists (male and female), a three piece horn section (trumpet, trombone and alto sax) and a rhythm section of keyboards, guitar, bass and drums.

App Reviews All Birds Scotland - A Complete Fieldguide to the Official List of Scottish Bird Species This app describes in detail all the 513 bird species which ever have been recorded in Scotland, including irregular visitors, with 1834 premium photographs and more than 892 bird songs. You can map birds with GPS, make your own lists and browse the species in 5 search modes. To quickly find a bird you are looking for, species can be sorted in several ways: A-Z English names, A-Z Latin names, names in 17 additional languages, browse the groups by gallery view or foldable list. A simple identification key narrows the species down (e.g. by foot colour, bill shape, length of tail etc.) leading to the bird searched for and a choice of similar species. You can also look for fragments of a species name through a search screen the

The band plays a variety of open access public gigs and private functions such as corporate events or weddings. They are a great party band - their music is dance orientated and spans several decades, and appeals to all ages. John Stewart said: "Soul is difficult to define, but has its roots in American gospel music, with added elements of R&B, jazz and funk. It has diversified over the years and is historically associated with certain record labels - Motown, Stax, Atlantic, Chess - or certain geographical areas - Philadelphia, Detroit and even Northern Soul which came to us via the dancefloors of Wigan!! From this rich mix, we play whatever takes our fancy all the usual favourites such as Otis Redding, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder". The Aberdeen band's next open access gig will be held at The Moorings Bar, Aberdeen, on Saturday 28th November, or why not join them at the Stonehaven Town Hall, Bring a Party to a Party on Friday 4th December. Tickets available at: www.tickettailor.com/ checkout/view-event/id/31296/chk/e420 www.silvercitysoulrevue.co.uk or FB page

search for finch, for example, shows all the species which include the word finch in the species name. Despite the abundance of species provided: in order to precisely identify a bird no previous knowledge or ornithological expert skills are required. Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This app is optimised for iPhone 5. Cost : ÂŁ9.99

iDee Using this app you can submit your own records of river conditions in the Dee catchment in the form of a geo-referenced photograph of the river together with simple assessments of water clarity, flow speed and algae cover. Compatibility: iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This app is optimised for iPhone 5. Cost : Free

Dee n’ Do : 6

Nicola Davies and Mark Hearld

Can’t Dance

Cameron: A Scottish Capercaillie Story

The Guga Hunters Donald S Murray

Emma Dodd and Katie Pamment

An exquisite book that evokes a child's first experience of nature. From beachcombing to stargazing, from watching squirrels, ducks and worms to making berry crumble or a winter bird feast, this is a remarkable book – part poetry, part scrapbook of recipes, facts and fragments – and a glorious reminder that the natural world is on our doorstep waiting to be discovered. Mark Hearld's pictures beautifully reproduce the colours of the seasons on woodfree paper, and Nicola Davies' lyrical words capture the simple loveliness that is everywhere, if only we can look.

£14.99

108 pages 264mm x 287mm

Cameron is a capercaillie and capercaillies LOVE to dance – well, all except Cameron! Cameron thinks he is the worst dancer in the Scottish Cairngorms – but his new friend, Hazel the squirrel, has other ideas...Together they travel through the forest, jumping up and down, ducking under branches and kicking pinecones. Then when the dancing begins, Hazel tells Cameron to JUMP, DUCK and KICK. Maybe he can dance after all! Full of fun sounds and actions, this is a brilliant story about learning to believe in yourself by Emily Dodd, with gentle illustrations of a host of loveable Scottish animals by Katie Pamment.

£5.99

24 pages 226mm x 259mm

Every year, ten men from Ness, at the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis, sail north-east for some forty miles to a remote rock called Sùla Sgeir. Their mission is to catch the guga; gannet chicks nesting on the two hundred foot high cliffs that circle the tiny island, which is barely half a mile long. After spending a fortnight in the arduous conditions that often prevail there, they return home with around two thousand of the birds, pickled and salted and ready for the tables of Nessmen and women both at home and abroad. The Guga Hunters tells the story of the men who voyage to Sùla Sgeir each year exploits. They speak of the laughter that seasons their time together on Sùla Sgeir and of the risks and dangers they have faced.

£9.99

256 pages 130mm x 199mm

On The Bookshelf

A First Book of Nature

Dee n’ Do : 6

our feedback yon issue five It’s great to see Dee n’ Do getting around – home and abroad. If you have any photos of the magazine you’d like to share, just send your pic to us at hello@deendo.com, or via www.facebook.com/deendomagazine or www.twitter.com/Dee_n_Do.

Since picking up the first edition of Dee N' Do I have been hooked. I am proud to be Scottish and love returning to the home of my birth so discovering a new and interesting publication which is loaded with information is an absolute treat. from how to Geocache in Aberdeenshire, the importance of Peatland, the beauty of the Cairngorm Gemstones, the history of the first Jacobite rebellion...and so much more, even features for the kiddies! The magazine is both tactile and a joy to the eye, with the turn of each page the reader is greeted with a mixture of excellent photography, beautifully designed pages, with editorial typed in a font which, (I find), is relaxing on the old 'peepers'. Colour has been used thoughtfully and creatively, even the brighter pages (56-57, The O.w.l.s black and yellow spread) have been designed to attract the reader rather than being an assault on the senses...I wonder if you knew that the R.N.I.B recommend black and yellow as the clearest colours, (when together), to read. I am also VERY grateful for the minimum amount of advertising...if I want to find a particular service, I know where to look! However, the way editorial has been used to promote places to visit, eat, or stay is also extremely informative, we look forward to visiting Riverside Cottage when next up. We usually visit in our Motorhome, with our beautiful dog Poppy so We would find it useful to know of places

we can visit where Motorhomes are welcome and dogs are invited into eateries. Linda Duncan, Email

I've just read your magazine and I just wanted to pass on my congratulations on such a beautiful magazine. The design is fab and the content really engaging, you have really exceeded my expectations for a publication like this and it's great to hear you have achieved so much success with the magazine in recent awards. Well deserved! I am staying in Newtonmore this weekend and there was one in the cottage we were staying in and I really enjoyed reading it. I asked for it in the tourist information centre in Aviemore but they had run out. (the staff in there loved it too!) All the best for the future with this exciting and innovative venture!

Just claimed my magazine from my local butcher in Kemnay, can't wait to sit down, ignore the phone, and just enjoy your wonderful magazine, I never tire of reading the previous editions, thank you it's absolutely fab. Evelyn Booth, Email

This morning I was given a copy of Dee n' Do from a friend who contributed an article. It is the first time I have come across your publication and you are to be congratulated on its quality. Creatively it's the best publication being produced in this part of the country. The design, typography, art direction, imaging and content are exemplary. I was astonished however to note that it was free. I know your main source of income will come from advertising but I would happily have paid 2.50 for it, possibly more. Keep up the great work. Mick McKie, Email

Shelagh Mclachlan, Email

if only i could make porridge as good as the DeenDo magazine......due to a wee bump i have been signed off work which has given me all the time i need to read issue 5 from cover to cover. One word springs to mind......SUPERB! Cant wait for issue 6 - keep em coming. Doug Guy, Email

Picked up the latest @Dee_n_Do magazine from Duthie Park Winter Gardens. If only Aberdeen was a bit more dee n' do and a bit less oil n' gas. Stuart Clark, Twitter

Just had a wee read with a cup of tea in the sunshine. Fab...inspired me to get and do stuff :) Pam Findlay, SMS

Do you have something to say? Ideas to promote? Feedback to give? If so, please get in touch, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to hear from you! You can reach us at the following: hello@deendo.com

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