Lifestyle June 2017

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J U N E 2017

L I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E - M O R AY I S S U E

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P R O D U C E D A N D P R I N T E D I N M O R AY

W H AT TO W E A R | WA L K I N G | F O O D & D R I N K G A R D E N I N G | A RT | F I T N E S S | W H AT ' S O N

Modern Living Country Style

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CONTENTS FEATURES

REGULARS

6

39 In the garden Just hangin'!

Get on your bikes and ride Etape Loch Ness Cycle in style Upcycling

16 Meet the Whisky Bug The tiny insect that saved the whisky industry

51 Feel-good fitness with Petra 53 Drinking The Moray Berry cocktail!

20 Driving Rrrrallyee event and the new concept bubble car

55 Fergus

26 What to wear with the Speyside Wardrobe

THIS MONTH’S COMPETITIONS

30 Volunteering The Sandpiper Trust's Wildcat project Meet the team at Moray's Foodbank 36 Art with Mandy Anderson 42 Out & about Steve Bate overcomes his worst nightmare. Plus Sam Dowdall's Challenge Editoral & Production Fiona HIll Distribution MMS-Almac Ltd Advertising Rhona Patterson Barbara Playdon Publisher Colin Brown

58 What's On guide

57 Win, win, win...

Two night's glamping Carvery lunch for two A Flopro compact hose Colour consultation for two Dinner for four A bottle of Benromach

Creative Team Adam Thomas Jeff Ho David Banks Rebecca Beaton Donna Cowie Production Controller Margaret Stuart Proofing Penny Brown

Printing Graham Payne Chris Leil Finishing Leza Stuart Fyona Duncan Pre-Press Lynn Stuart

MMS ALMAC LTD Unit 6, Tyock Industrial Estate, Elgin IV30 1XY Tel: 01343 551234 All material within this magazine is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertising artwork or any other content, without the publisher’s prior consent, will be considered a breech of copyright.

Lifestyle MAG

Welcome As I sit today writing this in tropical weather, hoping it will last until the weekend, I must remember not to be too happy. I have a few friends who are farmers and they need the water. The fishermen who frequent the Fiddichside Inn in Craigellachie are not happy – there's no water, what water there is is too hot there are lots of fish but none are taking. It’s safer to nod at the right time and agree.

Then again, there are the Whisky Trail tourists who love the weather, the scenery, the people and of course the whisky.

So as the old war-time phrase goes 'be like dad, keep MUM!' good advice!

Talking about dads, Sunday 18th June is your day. Relax, take control of the remote and watch your favourite TV show - or simply put your feet up and have a read of our latest edition of Lifestyle. It’s your day so just go for it.

COLIN BROWN - PUBLISHER

... enjoy!

Life 5

CYCLING ETAPE LOCH NESS

Thousands of cyclists get in the saddle for Etape Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands Thousands of cyclists descended upon the Highlands as Etape Loch Ness – one of Scotland’s most popular sporting events – returned to the roads around the iconic loch on Sunday, April 23.

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he sportive sold out of 5,200 places in just 50 hours, with cycling fans travelling from far and wide for the rare opportunity to ride through some of the country’s most stunning scenery on traffic-free roads.

The fastest male rider around the 66-mile course was Andy Cunningham of All Terrain Cycling in a time of 2 hours, 48 minutes and 20 seconds. The fastest female cyclist was Carol Hinchcliffe from Stonehaven CC in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 06 seconds.

A red polka dot jersey was also awarded to the fastest

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male and female participants to reach the top of the Glendoe summit outside of Fort Augustus. Andy and Carol were also crowned King and Queen of the Mountain for their efforts on the monstrous 4.8-mile climb.

Andy completed the King of the Mountain stage in 18 minutes and 12 seconds, while Carol took 24 minutes and 24 seconds.

Event director Malcolm Sutherland says, “The fourth Etape Loch Ness has been the biggest yet, bringing thousands of keen cyclists to the Highlands to ride through

Lifestyle MAG

5,200 RIDERS 66 MILES 1 LOCH

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our glorious countryside.

“Months of planning and many volunteers go into organising an event on this scale, and to see so many participants – many raising an incredible amount of money for charity – instils a great sense of pride in everyone involved.

“We would like to offer a huge thank you to all of our partner agencies, communities along the route and the public, without whose support Etape Loch Ness would not happen.”

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ETAPE LOCH NESS

‘The fourth Etape Loch Ness has been the biggest yet, bringing thousands of keen cyclists to the Highlands to ride through our glorious countryside...’

Event director Malcolm Sutherland

Many participants used the opportunity to raise much-needed funds for good causes across the country. Official charity Macmillan Cancer Support has received a welcome boost from charitable riders, who have raised around £200,000 – a figure which will rise in the coming weeks. Local businesses – including hotels, restaurants and shops – have also enjoyed an off-season rise in trade.

Jessie Longhurst, challenge events programme manager at Macmillan Cancer Support says, “We’d like to offer a massive thank you to all our riders for their 8

fantastic support at Etape Loch Ness this year. As our biggest Etape team so far with almost 1,000 riders, we have raised around £200,000 to help people living with cancer – and this is set to rise. Thank you also to Caledonian Concepts for organising such an amazing event, and for allowing us to be a part of it.”

The first cyclists set off at 6.15am, following a route which began and finished in Inverness, passing through Drumnadrochit, Invermoriston, Fort Augustus and Dores.

The second fastest male was Lewis MacFarlane from Moray Firth CC in 2 hours, 48 minutes and 59 seconds,

while the third was James Higgins from Moray Firth CC in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 05 seconds. Marie Meldrum from West Highland Wheelers was the second fastest female around the route in 3 hours, 02 minutes and 37 seconds, and Claire Connelly was third with a time of 3 hours, 13 minutes and 11 seconds.

Etape Loch Ness is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. Stuart Turner, head of EventScotland, said: “Etape Loch Ness is a fantastic event and it’s great to see its continued success, with the closed-road sportive attracting thousands of keen cyclists again this

Lifestyle MAG

year. Scotland is the perfect stage for cycling events and the 2017 Etape Loch Ness will no doubt deliver strong benefits to Inverness and the surrounding area.”

A welcome sight for all riders at Glendoe summit

Registration of interest for the 2018 Etape Loch Ness can be made on the website at www.etapelochness.com 9

ETAPE LOCH NESS ALL ABOUT ADAM

A Castle... A Loch... and A ‘Monster’ Hill...

Time:

6.19am

Date:

April 23rd 2017

Venue: Inverness ‘We’ll cycle as a team’ announced a ‘former’ friend... Well, ‘cycling as a team’ lasted until the ascent to Urquhart Castle... He didn’t even look back, not even a wave - ‘a simple acknowledgement of his superior cycling fitness’, nothing... absolutely nothing... and with that, as far as I am concerned, saw the end of our 30 year friendship... It’s a male pride thing you see, being beaten is one thing, but being beaten by a friend in such a cold-hearted manner is entirely another...

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rquhart Castle arrived and I found myself on my own, caught between two packs, one comfortably accelerating into the distance and one a few hundred metres behind. It felt a little surreal to be a lone cyclist, in an event with over 5,000 cyclists, but alone I was, perhaps only with ‘Nessie’ for company. It would be ‘just my luck’ I thought, to catch a glimpse of our elusive ‘national treasure’ and have no one to share it with. Within seconds, I was swallowed up by the chasing group... aaaaah... an epiphany, perhaps cycling as a group was the answer to achieving an easier and faster ‘pace’ to the finish, and hey, you can never have enough cycling friends...

And so it began... a 50-mile group ride to the finish line... and not just one group either, a multitude of new ‘faster’ friends came and went, some even stayed, all with varying degrees of smiles, grimaces and everything in between...

We passed a fluorescent sign informing us of ‘food stop ahead’... Now, I had definitely remembered reading about this in the event brochure... traybakes were going to

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be available, chocolate brownies, millionaires shortbread, dream rings et al... what better way to refuel and swap racing tactics with my new friends in such beautiful surroundings??? but no, nobody stopped, they didn’t even raise their heads, whaaaaaaaaaaaat? well I was part of the ‘group’ now, so it would have been poor etiquette for me to stop... a small tear rolled down my cheek as I imagined how good that delicious ‘sugar rush’ would have been...

I was still ‘sulking’ as I headed through Fort Augustus to begin the loop back home... suitably buoyed by the approaching ‘half-way’ point I quickly forgot about the traybake debacle... and decided to try and pick up the pace, the newly paved, smooth roads helping immensely... legs felt good, bike felt good, lungs felt good, heart rate comfortable... and then... THE HILL...

At 4.8 miles, a climb of 380m with a 12 per cent gradient (this makes sense to cyclists) THE HILL is a ‘world of pain’... lungs screaming, legs burning, I looked around and to my relief... everyone looked and sounded the same... Surely we won’t/can’t cycle all the way to the top? Surely somebody/anybody will get off their bike and walk? But again, no.... this was obviously a battle of wills and nobody wanted to be the first to dismount and make the dreaded ‘walk of shame...’ The miles crawled by... and then a sound was heard... a definite sound... the sound of ‘pipes’... the sound of bagpipes!!! they got louder and louder until, finally, the piper was in sight... this could mean only one thing... the ‘Glendoe Climb’ was nearly over, we had made it... one last push and our group passed the piper... (remembering to smile for the official photographer

. at the top... obviously...)

With the wind on our backs, it was ‘onwards’ and sometimes ‘upwards’ back to Inverness... with the closed roads, Loch Ness on one side and beautiful countryside on the other, it was a truly unforgettable experience, Dores came and went (another hill) and Loch Ness dissappeared behind us... We were soon in Inverness, a nice downhill section to the river, across the bridge... and there it was... the ‘finish line’... where ‘former friend’ was waiting!!!

He still thinks we’re friends!!!

The Etape Loch Ness... to coin a well known sporting slogan... © Adam finally reaches the top of ‘THE HILL...’

Lifestyle MAG

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CYCLE IN STYLE

What to wear on that special ride?

How many budding cyclists plan months ahead...

We bet all of you do

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s a volunteer-marshall supporting the Etape, I see the style of the cyclists getting stronger and stronger every year. It is a race to the finish, but spotting the best-dressed cyclist is one of my favourite hobbies and pastimes.

Who cares about comfort? Let's get the best coloured helmet with matching gloves! I sure have seen a fair few interesting helmets with matching shoes, socks, gloves – all sorts of interesting combinations.

Shop locally using resources close to home. For one, Alpine bikes in Inverness is the main supplier of cycle gear and bikes within an hour's drive. Shop local and get a warm welcome along with knowledge of the staff... they will know the cycling conditions, the terrain you're in for and, most likely, what the weather will be like. So if you don't know your bikes or you are considering Etape next year study my style ideas and pop into Alpine Bikes for sound advice.

Christine Ann De Agostini

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For Her...

Matching pink and black Endura top, helmet and Pearl Izumi cycle pants with matching Bontrager shoes. (right) Sitting on a graphite Whyte cycle with elements of cerise pink cutting through picking up the elements of pink in the Endura limited edition cycle top.

Black cycle glasses best worn by Him and Her.

PHOTOGRAPHY Gareth Bryant STYLIST and SET DIRECTOR Christine Ann De Agostini MODELS Alison McRitchie Ross MacDonald Andrew McKenzie LOCATION Alpine Bikes within Tiso superstore.

THANKS TO Alpine Bikes: David and Sam

atch m g ike ylin b t s r u le mp o yo i t s r , l ea Coo le g c y rc you

For Him...

Shorter pants men's look (left) Grey streamlined striped top and matching Trek short cycle pants with red, white and black Smith helmet.

Colour co-ordinated matching gloves and Bontrager red and white shoes.

On a Trek Domain matte black cycle.

Longer cycle pants look (above) The rough and edgy cyclist with elements of grey and black.

White short-sleeved top with Endura men's lightweight vest. Matching Kask helmet and Botranger cycle gloves.

White Shimano cycle shoes. Lifting a graphite grey and black Cannondale synapse disc Tiagra cycle.

Lifestyle MAG

13

UPCYCLING

Wander into the steading workshop of Aberdeenshire-based artist Darren Farquhar and walk into his brain...

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olourful characters, welded words, symbols and cartoons are spread out over the concrete floor thick in metal dust in Darren's old grain loft. Discarded bits of bikes mix with steel rod and find themselves part of a fresh statement on the walls and surfaces.

From his workshop, you could assume two things about Darren: he is a sculptor, and he loves bikes. You’d be right about both. Originally from Glass, Darren graduated with a Masters in sculpture from Edinburgh College of Art. Back working in Aberdeenshire, he is also a keen supporter of Huntly Community Cycling, Huntly Bike Week and Networks of Wellbeing’s Bike Shack.

Like a womble, Darren is always making good use of the things that he finds (the things that the everyday 14

Love sculpture, love bikes...

Hooks from brakes and pedals, faces from saddles give you a flavour of Darren Farquhar's brain

folks leave behind!). His business, beSpoke, turns them into playful sculpture, upcycled household objects, and attention-grabbing word-art. If you’d like a totally unique gift or truly bespoke item for your house or garden, get in touch through his facebook site www.facebook.com/beSpokeWeldArt Petra Pennington

Lifestyle MAG

15

WHISKY

What's the Bug? The bug that saved the whisky industry Few whisky drinkers would guess that the contents of their glass might have been very different, had it not been for the interference of a tiny insect native to North America. 1mm long, 0.5mm wide, and listening to the name of daktulosphaira vitifoliae, this bug does not sound like much of a superhero. Yet it played a huge role in popularising whisky, at a time when the industry’s future looked far from bright. Report by Laurens Golverdingen - life-long whisky fan!

D

uring the Victorian era, the UK spirit market was a very stratified place. As a general rule of thumb, the working classes drank gin, while Britain’s high society enjoyed brandy. Towns with a strong naval tradition would typically drink rum, leaving whisky to fight an uphill battle, particularly outside of Scotland. Yet help arrived from a very unexpected corner, in the form of a tiny unassuming aphid called Phylloxera.

It is well known that the French have always had a love of wine. So when French colonists went to settle in the New World, they naturally brought their grapevines with them. Yet they quickly found out that European strains 16

simply would not thrive in America, as the plants invariably withered and died. Desperate for a taste of their national drink, they turned instead to grapevines native to North America, which did bear fruit. Such became the popularity of these New World wines that the reverse process became a reality: North American grapevines being imported into Europe. While this development had been going on for some years previously, Phylloxera was not introduced to France until around 1860. Some argue that the advent of steamships was a major factor in allowing the Phylloxera aphid to survive the voyage across the Atlantic, as it greatly reduced the journey time.

Either way, in the early 1860s, French vineyard owners started noticing some of their vines dying, for reasons little understood at the time. Yet within a few years, it became clear that a serious new problem was ravaging the vineyards of southern France. The culprit was of course Phylloxera.

When feeding on the roots of grapevines, the Phylloxera aphid secretes a poison that damages the root system.

Over time, growth of the vine becomes stunted and it will eventually wither and die. While North American strains developed a resistance to this pest, European varieties decidedly did not. Although the problem was identified at last, a solution took even longer to materialise.

With the epidemic initially confined to France’s southern départements, Phylloxera was not given much national attention. It was not until 1870 that the French government became sufficiently concerned to establish a research commission and offer a reward to whoever found a cure.

In the meantime, sheer desperation gripped vineyard

“

industry were slashed to less than half their pre-Phylloxera levels. The loss to the French economy stood at over 10 billion Francs, while the price of wine soared. Among the worst hit areas were the vineyards of Cognac and Charente, the traditional heartland of brandy production. Such was the destruction that for a few years in the 1870s, brandy was all but unavailable on the market, except at prices that only the very rich could afford.

This in turn caused some merchants to resort to fraud, and a steady stream of fake brandy permeated the market.

This was particularly true for imports into Britain. Much of this fake spirit was quite undrinkable, if not outright poisonous, and severely blemished the stellar reputation that brandy enjoyed. Coupled with extortionate prices and low availability, the British upper classes began to search for alternatives. While this was the perfect chance for Scotch to step in and save the day, many English were quite wary of Scotland and knew little of the whisky produced

Don't forget to raise a glass to that tiny insect! ”

owners further south. All but powerless in the face of such destruction, farmers employed the strangest methods to deal with the outbreak. These included burying a live toad under each vine, spraying fields with urine, irrigating with holy water from Lourdes, and even hiring marching bands to drum the aphids from their subterranean hideouts.

While several chemical treatments met with some success, they could not prevent re-infestation. The turning point came in 1881, when it was accepted (oh so reluctantly) that the best solution would be to graft French vines onto American rootstocks. This involved swallowing a great deal of national pride and was not welcomed in all quarters. As such, the response to Phylloxera remained slow, but by the 1920s, virtually all French grapes grew on vines with American roots. By then, however, the damage was done.

It is estimated that over 40% of all French vineyards were devastated between 1860 and 1875. Many businesses were forced to close and wages in the wine

Lifestyle MAG

there. Such was the unawareness that writer Alfred Barnard was commissioned by a London-based magazine to visit every whisky distillery in the UK and report on his experiences. The resulting book The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom has become an absolute classic and helped create a more nationwide interest in Scotch. Nevertheless, many brandy drinkers found the comparatively rough flavours of whisky quite unpalatable, and turned to sherry instead. This was imported from Spain in large oak casks, which were impractical to be shipped back to their country of origin.

Scottish whisky makers pounced gratefully and started ageing their whiskies in these ex-sherry casks. Resulting in a smoother, more complex drink, whisky matured in this way tasted more acceptable.

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WHISKY

The bug that saved the whisky industry Many brandy drinkers who were initially reluctant to drink Scotch were won over by this new style of maturation and remained loyal whisky drinkers when brandy returned to the market a few years later.

Although it did not happen overnight, whisky had become fashionable and the industry was set for an unprecedented boom.

Responding to the spike in consumer demand, 33 new distilleries opened their doors in the 1890s alone. Existing distilleries ramped up their production and investors were more than happy to speculate with huge quantities of whisky. Even the popular Wine Trade Review declared that “the future of the wine trade is whisky”. Indeed, the amount of whisky stored in warehouses rose from 2 million gallons in 1891 to 13.5 million gallons in 1899. While this Golden Age of whisky is a classic example of a bubble (not at all dissimilar to the dot-com bubble of a century later) which did eventually pop, it is undeniable that the Scottish whisky industry underwent a period of immense growth at the turn of the 20th century. It had gone from a localised industry without a large home market to a global player in the international spirits arena.

These early successes are a large part of what

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allowed Scottish whisky to survive the combined setbacks of the First World War, Prohibition and the Great Depression. Even so Scotch hung on only by a thread, and at some point in the 1930s the number of active distilleries actually dropped into the single digits. We cannot be sure, but under the conditions of the pre-Phylloxera epidemic, the Scottish whisky industry might not have survived such a slump. In comparison, the much smaller Irish whisky industry fared far worse, and is only now starting to recover from the devastating blow.

Although brandy did eventually return to the market, Scottish whisky went on to become the international premium spirit of choice. It is now enjoyed in over 200 countries and generates over £4 billion in export earnings each year. Although breakthroughs such as the invention of the Coffey still and the introduction of blending have also had a huge impact on whisky’s success story, do not forget to raise a glass to that tiny insect from North America next time you pour yourself a dram!

Local and Independent for over 16 years

NEW MENU starts Thursday 1st June

Our delicious new menu includes:

The passion, the pride...

James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail opened their ‘centrical and commodious premises’ on South Street, Elgin, on 24th May 1895 guaranteeing their grocery store offered ‘a superior article at a popular price’.

Buying, bottling and selling malt whisky became a mainstay of the business, exporting around the world.

But it was not until 1993 that the firm acquired its own distillery, Benromach, the Forres distillery that had fallen on hard times. From this pocket-sized and almost lost distillery was to emerge a unique single malt that reflected its handmade credentials.

After a major overhaul, Benromach, which kept its distinctive brickwork chimney, a local landmark, was reopened by the Prince of Wales. Today, just two men are allowed to create Benromach with Scottish barley and spring water from the nearby Romach Hills.

Distillery Manager, Keith Cruickshank – ‘the man behind the malt’ – takes time out to show visitors how he makes the world’s first fully certified organic single malt and explains the process that gives a traditional Benromach its 21st century appeal. Even better, after the museum tour they let you fill your own bottle of Benromach Single Malt Scotch Whisky – from the wood.

HOW TO FIND BENROMACH Look for the red brick chimney on the north side of the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness road, Forres bypass.

Exit at ‘Waterford’ and follow the road over the railway.

Free parking. For more information, call t 01309 675968 or visit www.benromach.com

Lifestyle MAG

...and much, much more!

152 - 154 High Street, Elgin IV30 1BD 01343 542 835 19

DRIVING

¨

Rrrrallye R �

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very one of us at some point in our early years has been inspired by something they love which in one way or another shapes the rest of our lives. For some it’s music, for others it’s sports or art or books but for others…it's cars!

It can be the look of them or the sound they make... but if you get bitten by the car bug there’s no cure. We dream about super cars, hang pictures of them on our walls and imagine racing them round a track. Stuart Harper was one of these guys.

Stuart loved cars. He loved being around cars, he loved speaking about cars, buying cars, selling cars or stripping them down and selling the parts. He lived for cars... cars were his passion. Cars were so much of a passion that Stuart decided that he wanted to be a mechanic and so began studying. Like every teenager with the car bug the day had arrived when his heart was set in the shape of a Limited Edition Bianca (yep that’s the shade?!) White Series 2 Peugeot 106 Rallye.

106 Rallyes were originally developed to satisfy international motor sports regulation and only limited numbers were made. Peugeot never intended to release the car in the UK but after some mounting pressure they reneged and imported a small number to meet demand.

It’s pretty clear that this car is for the true driving enthusiast.

Based on the fundamentals of the 106 GTi, the Rallye had its frills replaced with thrills. Just like the 106 Rallye Series 1 before it, the Series 2 has little use for luxuries - just the bare essentials. A high power-to-weight ratio of 119bhp/

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The charity event Rrrrallye has been raising funds in Stuart Harper's name since 2008.

All proceeds support the safety of today's young drivers.

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tonne helps give it a top speed of 121mph, 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds and fantastic mid-range figures which little of its rivals could match. It’s little wonder with credentials like those that the 106 Rallye was selected to be Harper's ride of choice. With only 500 Rallyes imported to the UK this makes it the most exclusive Limited Edition 106 Peugeot ever produced, which kind of explains why Stuart and his dad Raymond had to set off to Whitley Bay to get one. On their way home they decided there would be no better way to see what she could do than to take a turn in by Crail for a wee blast along the track.

Tragically, only 6 days after he got the Rallye, Stuart was a passenger in a friend’s car which was involved in an accident. A day later on the 31st of May 2008 he passed away at the age of just 17. Each year around the time of his birthday a special event called Rrrrallye is held up in Keith.

Money from the event goes towards vouchers for Skid Car Courses, money off Pass Plus or Advanced Driving

e Round

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}

Rrrrallye 2017 12th of June 10am-4pm.

If you’d like to enter a car please contact rrrrallye@live.co.uk or find them on Facebook.

Harper's Rallye will be on display at our car show so be sure to have a look in past and see what a beauty she is in the metal.

Don't Judge today by the harvest you reap But by the seeds that you plant Robert Louis Stevenson

Twelve Keith youngsters took part in the Rrrrallye Youth Drive on Sunday 7th May: Connor Runcie, Jack Allan, Aaron Skinner, Niamh Taylor, Craig Gordon, Lee Scott, Fergus Webster, Jay Morrison, Connor Porter, Scott Barron, Brandon Laird and Sam Donald

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lessons. Attendees come away with a better knowledge of how to drive and handle their cars on any road surface.

Already Rrrrallye has helped two hundred 17-25 year olds in the area. They have also managed to fund over two hundred 14-17 year olds through their Rrrrallye Youth Drive, which provides youngsters with the opportunity to get behind the wheel.

What a fitting tribute to a much-loved and missed family member and friend.

Lifestyle MAG

21

Microlino

Reinventing the bubble

DRIVING FEATURE BUBBLE CAR

From refrigerators to a small car – a quantum leap. In the 1950s the Italian firm of Iso SpA decided to make that leap and create a small car for mass distribution. The Isetta was born – and caused a sensation when it was introduced to the motoring press in November 1953. Seven-and-a-half feet long and four-and-a-half feet wide but with a two-stroke motorcycle engine giving a fuel consumption of 94mpg. German car giant BMW took the Italian design and tweaked it to their own specification, thus creating what must be the strangest car ever to roll off its production lines.

Two examples of the BMW Isetta are on display at the Moray Motor Museum in Elgin.

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In 1999 Wim Ouboter formed the idea of urban mobility when he invented the Microscooter and Kickboard.

He wanted to create products that were fun and practical. It became an enormous success and Micro Mobility Systems is now a leading brand, distributing in more than 80 countries. Will Microlina be the new fad?

1956

2018 to be affordable, as people after World War II did not have a lot of money. We became obsessed with this concept and asked ourselves: how can we make this concept modern, while maintaining its retro spirit?

The birth of an icon

Birth of the idea “I remember seeing a report about an electrified ISO Rivolta on TV together with my father and brother. We knew from that moment, that those bubble cars from the 50s would be perfect for practical urban mobility”, says Wim Ouboter, founder of Micro Mobility.

In collaboration with ZHAW university and Design Work, several studies were created on what needed to be adjusted to transform this old concept into a car for the future. For testing purposes an old Isetta was electrified to analyse the results and get the feeling of such a small car.

“We just knew right then, that this could become something big. So we made the decision to make our first prototype of our Microlino”, explains Ouboter.

Rethinking urban mobility with Wim Ouboter When designing the Microlino we thought about the density of cities nowadays. Is it really necessary to have a car with five seats, when normally you sit inside alone? And what about finding a parking space? Do you need 200hp outside of the racetrack? We looked at all the cars on the market today and found that every single one of them was over-engineered.

The average daily distance is only 35km, the average speed less than 40km/h.

Later, we discovered a car, which was only produced until 1954 called ISO Rivolta. It was originally developed

Lifestyle MAG

After having designed uncountable versions of the Microlino, we finally found the perfect design for it. It is futuristic, while still maintaining its retro charm. The Microlino has two seats, a kerb weight of 450kg, a range of 120 kilometres and a maximum speed of 90km/h, which is more than enough for an urban environment. It is just 2.4 metres long, which enables the Microlino to cross-park, without risking to be too close to other cars, as it has a front entrance. Inside, the smart phone is the main gadget through which one can control navigation, charge status and music. There are also no built-in speakers, but portable Bluetooth speakers, which can be used outside of the vehicle if required.

“

We knew right then, that this could become something big! ” 23

DRIVING

Wim Ouboter with sons Merlin and Oliver

Production will begin in early 2018 The selling price is around 12,000 Euros - less than a car but a bit more than a motorbike. The Microlino can be recharged at any conventional domestic power socket in just four hours.

Eco-friendly to the max Due to its small size and light-weight construction, 40 per cent less parts are required. That’s also why it needs far less energy than a normal electric car when driving. An electric car is only sustainable if it does not consume too much energy. So the Microlino might just be the world’s most eco-friendly car.

Even if you might only use it as your second car, its low energy consumption in both production and usage will lessen your CO2- emission in total.

Finding a parking- space has never been this easy! In summer the roof can be opened to let the sunlight in, in winter the heating can be turned on to keep you warm.

Oh, and one more thing: it will make you and everyone else smile.

Production will begin in early 2018 at the Tazzari facilities in the heart of the Motor Valley in Italy. The focus will be on the European market first, but other markets will follow soon thereafter.

A happier driving experience Driving a Microlino is not just eco-friendly, it is also fun.

The short length and lightweight construction make it extremely nimble and perfect for cities around the world.

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www.micro-mobility.com/en

& it’s what we do. full graphic design studio . 5 colour litho print department logo design . business start-up packs . letterheads compliment slips . business cards . whisky labels . packaging menus . brochures . leaflets . magazines . newsletters annual reports . raffle tickets . postcards . direct mail . flyers invoice pads & books . exterior panels . NCR pads property schedules . fine art printing . calendars . posters laminations . large format printing . exhibition panels... and everything in between...

mmsalmacltd. design&print 6 Tyock Industrial Estate . Elgin . IV30 1XY Tel: 01343 551234 Unit F . Islabank Mills . Keith . AB55 5DD Tel: 01542 886409 Email: info@mms-almac.co.uk www.mms-almac.co.uk

WHAT TO WEAR

DRESSING WITHOUT GUESSING It can be so easy to become overwhelmed when buying clothes. It is something we all do, but when we get it wrong, it can be so disheartening and very costly. However, choosing a great outfit that fits well and makes us look good can be one of life’s great pleasures. Speyside Wardrobe in Craigellachie has some some simple, easy-to-follow tips...

F

eel more confident and knowledgeable about what and why we suit certain colours, shapes, textures and cuts and why we should avoid others.

Five simple guidelines: Colour Find out which colours best suit your own skin tones.

Shape Know your body size and shape and discover how to create body balance.

Personality Know how to convey and express your character through your choice of clothes and how to wear them.

Lifestyle There's no use filling your wardrobe with cocktail dresses if you rarely go to functions.

Budget Balance your budget on a cost per wear basis.

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Let's start with colour Knowing your individual skin tones means that you can wear colours that will enhance your natural look. You can reduce subtle redness and shadows that can 'age' you when you wear the wrong colours. Equally, you can brighten and lift your look by wearing the ‘right’ or ‘best’ colours.

Speyside Wardrobe in Craigellachie will take the time to carry out an individual colour analysis using their precision dyed drapes to ascertain individual colouring.

They aim to involve the customer with their analysis by pointing out what they are looking at, so you can really understand the process.

The seasonal palette is the basis for their analysis.

Those with warm skin tones (yellow undertones) will fall into the autumn and spring palettes. Those with cooler skin tones (blue undertones) will fall into the summer and winter palettes.

'Once colour toning has established which palette the customer belongs to, we will further assess whether the individual is best in bright or muted tones.' says Speyside Wardrobe.

Fashion can be bought, style can be learned

...women wear just 20 per cent of their wardrobe 80 per cent of the time

The Summer Palette Soft and cool like the colours of a hazy summer day.

This is a naturally feminine look, and people with this soft, cool colouring will look their best in pastels and soft neutrals. Like a vase of sweet peas and other late summer blossoms.

Black, gold and vibrant colours will be too harsh for this complexion, and will overwhelm their soft, summer features.

Examples of famous faces with summer tones include Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz.

Lifestyle MAG

The Winter Palette Cool, clear and sharp like the winter landscape.

People with winter coloured complexions will look their best in clear, vibrant or icy cool colours. Like the winter landscape, they wear the drama of contrasting colours well. Black and white, emerald, cobalt blue, fuchsia, magenta, purple - and icy tones rather than pastels.

Pastels, gold and beige will drain this complexion.

Famous examples of winter colourings include Courtney Cox, Catherine Middleton, Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Kardashian.

The Spring Palette Just like the warm, bright landscape of the season, when the sun is low on the horizon.

Spring types will look their best in warm neutrals, with a “splash� of bright warm colour. Golden yellow, warm turquoise, coral and apple greens, like the distinctive spring coral red of tulips and the bright strong yellow of daffodils. Black, white, silver and any cool blue tones will drain this complexion and should be avoided.

Famous examples with spring colouring include Goldie Hawn and Jennifer Aniston.

27

WHAT TO WEAR certainly not dull they have a warmth and depth and are not light or bright, like the distinctive spring palette.

All autumn types should avoid black, white, cool blue tones and cool pinks.

Famous examples include Lyndsey Lohan, Julianne Moore and Catherine Tate.

To further enhance all the colour palettes the hair colour, make up, shoes and accessories should complement one another accordingly.

The Autumn Palette Warm and deep like the unmistakeable autumnal colours of the majestic peacock and pheasant.

People with this warm, deep complexion will look their best in the deeper autumn palette, which includes rust, mustard yellow, burnt orange, teals, greens, browns, golds and even deep limes.

The subtle blending of these colours will enhance this complexion and although these colours are

Anyone interested in having a colour analysis, including make up and accessory choices should call to make an appointment, or alternatively feel free to simply have a leisurely browse.

Speyside Wardrobe: www.speysidewardrobe.co.uk tel: 01340 871943

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Create your Dream Bathroom Oakwood’s 20 years of experience in the bathroom industry means we can take the smallest of spaces and turn it into something special. Our hassle-free and creative approach can adapt to all budgets, whether we are taking control of the entire design process or providing your goods on a supply only basis.

Visit Our Moray Showroom Our unique showroom sits in an idyllic location in The Oakwood on the A96 between Elgin and Forres. This once historic cottage is now home to one of the most innovative bathroom design specialists in Moray. If seeing is believing then visiting is a pleasure in itself ...

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OAKWOOD BATHROOMS Lifestyle MAG

01343 555007 enquiries@oakwoodbathrooms.co.uk www.oakwoodbathrooms.co.uk 29

VOLUNTEERING

Just a minute...

The Sandpiper Wildcat project aims to save 50 lives every single year in Grampian

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I

n a perfect world we would have ambulance response times of no more than a few minutes – crucial minutes that can make the difference between life and death, as survival chances reduce by 10 per cent every minute without intervention. Without a quick response needless lives are lost.

The Sandpiper Trust was set up in 2001 and it is dedicated to saving lives. To take its services to a new level, the Sandpiper Trust Wildcat campaign – focusing on cardiac arrest emergencies – was launched on the 31st January and they aim to save 50 local lives every year in Grampian.

Thanks to extensive fundraising and recruitment drives almost 90 per cent of Wildcat's £850,000 target has been reached and they have 200 volunteer responders primed and ready to respond to a suspected cardiac arrest emergency in their area.

These volunteers have Sandpiper bags which contain all the necessary equipment required in an emergency.

The volunteer responders include doctors, nurses and even individuals with no previous medical backgrounds.

Each and every responder has been rigorously trained and is equipped with defibrillators, Vehicle Locator Systems and other necessary supplies.

The Wildcat cardiac arrest initiative has been created in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service and is the first of its kind in the world. Never before have defibrillators been strategically placed based upon historic

. cardiac arrest data. This sets a new standard for out-ofhospital care and will no doubt have an impact, which will be felt both locally and further afield.

At the Wildcat launch, Keri Fickling, project leader, said that “it's important that we thank everyone who has helped us get to this point. All those who fundraised, community groups, businesses, local bodies, NHS Grampian Endowments, emergency services and all of our volunteers who have been wonderfully supportive, having recognised the need for our work in their own communities and the life-saving role that we play�.

Although 200 responders have already been recruited, in order to reach the goal of 24-hour coverage throughout 50 communities, the charity is asking for more people to join its team of volunteers. It does not matter if you do not have any previous medical background, as a willingness to get involved and to make a difference in your community is all you need.

Lifestyle MAG

If you have spare time to give please get in touch through their website www.sandpipertrust.org, by email info@sandpiperwildcat. co.uk or by giving them a call on 07856 687873.

The Trust also has a Facebook page www.facebook.com/ SandpiperTrust 31

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With Nick love and knowledge for Joinery. With Nick having1111years yearsJoinery Joineryexperience experiencebehind behindhim, him, having whichwere wereself-employed self-employedyears yearsand andSteven Steven 7 7ofofwhich havinga atotal totalofof8 8years, years,4 4ofofthese thesebeing being having self-employed,setting settingupupGrampian GrampianJoinery Joinery self-employed, Contractorswas wasa away waytotobring bringtheir theirstyle styleand and Contractors passiontotothe thearea. area.Having Havingnow nowbeen beenset setupupfor for passion justover overa ayear, year,Nick Nick&&Steven Stevendecided decidedtoto just branchout outand andstart startspecialising specialisingininsomething somethinga a branch littlemore morespecific. specific.This Thiswas waswhen whenGrampian Grampian little AdventurePlay Playand andGrampian GrampianTimber TimberBuildings Buildings Adventure werethen thenborn. born.We Webuild buildeverything everythingfrom from were scratchand andspecifically specificallytotoyour yourwants wantsand and scratch needs.Meeting Meetingwith withyou youisisallallpart partofofour our needs. gettingtotoknow knowyou youand andwhat whatit itisisyou you getting specificallyrequire, require,whether whetherit itbebea aSummer Summer specifically House,newly newlyFitted FittedWardrobes Wardrobesorora aPlay PlayPark Park House, forthe theChildren, Children,anything anythingand andeverything everythingis is for considered‌.we welove lovea achallenge! challenge! considered‌.

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Lifestyle MAG

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VOLUNTEERING

FREE TIME Many people are giving up their own time to help with the Moray Foodbank. Not only do they learn new skills - they are giving something back to the community too.

V

olunteering is alive and well in Moray. Sue Davies, volunteering officer with Third Sector Interface Moray (tsiMoray) says the number of people giving up their time has increased this year. According to Sue, there has been a change in how organisations are engaging volunteers. ‘So many community groups and charities need volunteers. The successful ones offer flexibility and the organisations which really know what their volunteers want to get out of an experience and are flexible to volunteers needs.’ Sue says that Moray Foodbank is one organisation that is matching volunteer needs with the needs of the charity.

Carrie Marlow, Volunteer Development Officer at Moray Foodbank, says ‘here at Moray Foodbank we want everyone to have the opportunity to volunteer, whatever their age or ability. We try to offer more flexible volunteering opportunities, whether that’s young people working towards their Saltire or Duke of Edinburgh Awards, or school groups coming in for a one-off volunteer experience. We also have our buddying programme, where volunteers who have additional support needs are paired up with someone who can support them to get the most out of their time with us. This means that people who would normally find the day-to-day volunteering tasks difficult have help and support to complete them, and are encouraged to push themselves to try new things.’

Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience for those involved. One of the volunteers summed it 34

A R Y O VO M

L

For more information on volunteering with Moray Foodbank contact Carrie on 01343 208293 or carrie@morayfoodbank.org.uk.

For wider volunteer opportunities contact Sue at tsiMoray on 01343 541713 or susan@tsimoray.org.uk

U

T N

WE E K R E E

1st-7th June

up by saying that she joined the Foodbank to give something back to the community but, in working with the team, helping the community and learning new skills, volunteering had given a lot more back to her.

Lifestyle MAG

So many volunteering opportunities use skills and experience to help others. It’s normal people giving their time that is making the difference in our community. Would you be part of that?

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ART

A renewed passion

Mandy Anderson rediscovered her passion for painting when she moved to Moray adoring its pace of life, beaches and easy access to the countryside.

M

andy Anderson was born in Edinburgh and was brought up in the fishing village of Musselburgh, East Lothian. At school Mandy was a talented art student. She considered attending art college but took the decision to take up a career in the financial industry, which lasted for over 22 years.

Mandy and her husband made the decision to relocate to Moray to bring up their family for the different pace of life, the beaches and easy access to the countryside, which would become a real inspiration for Mandy’s renewed passion in painting.

Once settled in Moray, Mandy joined a course at the Moray Art Centre, in Findhorn. This ‘me time’ turned into a way to relax and ultimately resulted in a new career path being able to make a living from her talents.

A neighbour approached her about commissioning an acrylic painting for his wife. The very first painting was a Highland Cow called “Gingerbread”. This was the catalyst to Mandy launching her own business, ‘Mandy Anderson Art’, as she received further commission requests and 36

others asking for prints from originals.

Mandy, inspired by the level of interest, sought advice on how to create prints from her original acrylic paintings in order to expand her business.

Brodie Countryfare, the Storehouse, Cloudhowe, the Wee Gallery, Mountain Cafe, Washington’s and MacKenzie & Cruikshank, were confident that Mandy’s style of art would be popular.

Mandy Anderson Exhibition The Gallery, Logie Steading, near Forres.

7th - 28th July

Mandy was delighted to then secure the opportunity to display her paintings and prints at Inverness Airport. This has led to her work now going international.

The next step was for Mandy to venture further afield; she decided to take a stall at the Glasgow SECC Trade Fair in January. Like all new ventures, you never know who will want to sell your product, but Mandy was able to make a success of her first Trade Fair securing a number of new outlets.

In addition to galleries and shops, social media has proved invaluable providing instant feedback and an alternative way for people to request commissions or prints. Mandy loves the interaction from those that follow her online, taking requests for what she should paint next.

Mandy now has her first exhibition which is being held in The Gallery, Logie Steading near Forres from 7th to 28th July. Open 7 days a week from 10am til 5pm. A must for any local or visitor who enjoys a day out in a gorgeous setting.

For more information contact Mandy at www.mandyandersonart.co.uk or find her on Facebook.

Mandy Anderson Art mandy.anderson123 @btinternet.com t. 07936793614

Lifestyle MAG

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Enjoy the Outdoors this Summer!

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IN THE GARDEN

Just hangin' Hanging baskets brighten up a sunny or shady wall providing colour at eye-level. Choose vibrant bedding plants for a summer-time show or herbs and shrubs for a longer-lasting display.

N

ow the sun is eventually shining it's time to start thinking about being outside more. Whether you have a large or small garden or concrete back yard, with the right plants and a bit of creative thinking you can create an attractive space to enjoy all summer long.

Hanging baskets and containers are a great option for instant colour that, if planted well and with the right compost, can give you blooms throughout the season; they don’t need to be complicated or expensive.

A good quality multi-purpose compost and the right basket is the most important bit! Remember, the larger the basket the more water it will hold which means a little less watering.

Add to your compost a good quality slow-release food and this will feed your basket each time you water, alternatively you could use a compost with all the ingredients in.

Place upright plants in the middle and trailing plants around the edge try pansies, fuchsias, marigolds, ivy, geraniums, lobelias, petunias - they are all great plants to give you an abundance of colour and variation... all you need to do is work out the colour scheme - it can be a little crazy otherwise!

When the basket is planted keep it in a relatively wind-free area until it has settled and watch

Lifestyle MAG

'Pansies, fuchsias, marigolds, ivy, lobelia and petunias make the perfect basket'

39

IN THE GARDEN

Things to do outside...

Hoe and weed borders ready for planting bedding.

Trim up bushes, but check for nesting birds first!

Lift and divide overcrowded daffodil clumps and other spring flowering bulbs Prune spring flowering shrubs (later in the month) Give the lawns a good mowing

out for late frost, you may need to protect your plants with a little fleece overnight if the temperature drops. Remember to feed and water your basket regularly and you will be rewarded with colour and excellent displays right through the summer until the first frosts of autumn.

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Water early morning and later evening to get the most out of your resources Get out your BBQ and garden furniture!

Great day out for all the family

...garden

...gifts

...restaurant

...play

r

The Nurseries, Fochabers IV32 7PF 01343 820362 www.christiesoffochabers.com • info@christiesoffochabers.com

OUT & ABOUT WITH STEVE BATE

20/20 driven We who take 20/20 vision as a given cannot imagine what it must be like to suddenly be deprived of perfect sight and to see the world through a narrow tunnel. And to know that, over time, things could only get worse and not better.

This has happened to Moray-based Steve Bate and his reaction to his condition is an inspiration.

B

orn in New Zealand in August 1977 Steve has spent his adult life in Moray, becoming a very 'well-kent' face in the outdoors sports scene. In 2011 he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa which would change his life completely and would necessitate a complete change of direction.

Retinitis pigmentosa is the name given to a group of inherited conditions of the retina that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision. It starts with difficulties with night vision and peripheral vision and later progresses to reading vision, colour vision and 'straight ahead' vision – anyone suffering from this condition would only be able to see roughly 10%, condensed into a 'tunnel'. There is no fixed age at which this happens as it varies from individual to individual, as does the rate of deterioration but, generally speaking, it is over years rather than months.

For an active outdoors person such as Steve to receive this diagnosis and also to be told that he could ultimately

42

go blind must have come as a devastating blow.

At the age of 34 he would have to say goodbye to his way of life, no longer being able to drive, nor to be able to participate in his beloved outdoor sports. Or would he?

With the support of his wife Caroline and his close friends, Steve decided to take life by the horns and to fight back – he refused to let his condition limit his love of the outdoors.

Just two years after his diagnosis Steve became the first visually impaired climber to solo El Capitan, a sheer 3000ft rock face in the Yosemite Valley in California. All-in-all he

PICTURE: ANDY KIRKPATRICK

Moray-based Steve became the first visually impaired climber to solo El Capitan - a sheer rock face in the Yosemite Valley in California

Lifestyle MAG

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OUT & ABOUT WITH STEVE BATE

climbed El Capitan three times, twice with British climbing legend Andy Kirkpatrick, who said that Steve's climb with his disability could possibly be the most audacious climb on El Capitan. It is a daunting task for anyone with perfect vision but for someone who sees only about 10 per cent it commands deep respect.

And then Steve headed in a completely new direction.

Up to this point in his life he had never raced a road bike, never ridden in a velodrome and had never raced a 44

tandem. Despite this, he set himself a goal – some might say an impossible goal – of making it to the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games as a visually impaired cyclist. He was paired with Adam Duggleby as sight pilot; together, and in a remarkably short space of time, the pair became double Paralympic champions in Rio. Steve returned home with two gold medals, one bronze and a world record in the 4km individual pursuit.

Notwithstanding his current achievements, Steve's

Hear Steve talk in his old stomping ground at Elgin Town Hall on 17th June as part of the Moray Walking & Outdoor Festival

journey is far from over and the question has to be asked as to what he intends to do next. He is returning to his old stomping ground and will be speaking at the Elgin Town Hall on the 17th June where his remarkable story will undoubtedly inspire all those who come to listen to him.

From adversity to amazing accomplishments – Steve's last six years are nothing short of incredible and are a testimony to his strength of spirit.

He rightly deserves our deepest respect.

Lifestyle MAG

Blow away those cobwebs: don sensible walking boots and comfortable clothes and explore the great outdoors.

Now that the weather is favourable it is time to seriously consider your physical well-being.

Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival 16th-25th June The perfect opportunity to indulge in a spot of gentle ambling or some serious challenging walks.

There is something for everyone – visit their website, contact them by email or call to discover what Moray has to offer. www.moraywalkingfestival.co.uk info@moraywalkingfestival.co.uk 07764 615517 45

Keep on r OUT & ABOUT CHALLENGE 100

A year ago, Sam Dowdall from Christies Garden Centre in Fochabers came up with an idea to raise money for Lupus UK. Challenge 100 would see Sam run 100 miles in the UK and trek 100km through the Sahara Desert.

L

upus? What’s that? It’s an autoimmune disease that can affect people in different ways, it can be debilitating and life shortening. I had never heard of it until my Director and friend was stopped in her tracks by it. I wanted to do something that would help support others and assist in the funding of research… enter Challenge100.

Am I a runner? ‘No’. Am I an explorer? ‘No’. Am I a trekker? ‘No! But I was about to become all three in the space of a year.

I started my run training 12 days before my first 10km race at Glenlivet imagine my despair when I realised that this was going to be one of the hilliest 10ks in the North East. But I did it, and I went on to do several more, Forres Highland Games, Jean Carr Challenge, Glen Moray to name a few... Then came the first half marathon, The Scottish Half Marathon held at Mussleborough. Oh me! What was I thinking?

13.1 miles, that’s a long way! But I did it…

Then came the greatest challenge so far, Glencoe half marathon, 13.1 miles starting at Kinlochleven and ending at the foothills of Ben Nevis, with an elevation in excess of 1800ft – but

46

n running what a beautiful day (thank goodness!). All this running was adding to the training for the final ‘big’ run, London Marathon 2017, so it continued over the winter, ah! The amazing Scottish winter! But wait, in the middle of the marathon training the Sahara was calling. In February I packed my rucksack and flew off down to Heathrow to meet 8 others that I had never met but would soon get to know very well!

Anyone who tells you that there is just sand and nothing more in the desert is wrong, the views were awe-inspiring, I was not prepared for what I was about to encounter,

Lifestyle MAG

'Am I a runner? ‘No’.

Am I an explorer? ‘No’.

Am I a trekker? ‘No’!

But I was about to become all three in the space of a year.'

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CHALLENGE 100

Distance: 100miles + 100km Money raised: £9,000 every rush of emotion came flooding in the first couple of kilometres, the biggest being ‘what am I doing?'

Each day saw a new challenge, coping without washing, keeping my hair tidy, getting dressed in a sleeping bag and… oh yes, using the toilet where there weren’t any toilets!

On day three we climbed the largest dune in the Sahara. Wow, just amazing and we spent time at the top reflecting on why we were there and what had been our motivation - it brought a tear to my eye. I was achieving something that I never thought I could for a cause I had never heard of until 6 months before.

Keeping the Jebel Sarhro on our right we continued our trek, through dunes, erg Chigaga and over the Hamada until finally the final camp was in sight… we had made it, and completed the trek with an additional 17km.

Before leaving for the Sahara I had achieved 14 miles of continuous running, never before had I run this distance.

But London was only 7 weeks away so I needed to get going. Over the next few weeks I trained hard, trying to forget how tired and achey I was but my body soon decided enough was enough and had to rest. Would I ever make London?

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YES I would! And what an experience. London was buzzing, thousands of people visiting the capital for this world-renowned event, one of the biggest marathons in the world and I was going to be part of it. I must admit, on Sunday morning I was more than a little nervous, but this was it, the final fling. I had been raising money through sponsorship, donations, raffles and cake bakes for a year now and this was the end to the challenge, if I didn’t make it over the finish line, I hadn’t earned all of the sponsorship I had collected and we were close to £9,000.00.

There was a real buzz in the start area, everyone was full of high spirits, 5 minutes to go, ...4,3,2 and we were off!

What am I doing here? Can I do this? Is that a man dressed as a postbox? I'm running with the green fairy, he’s getting lots of attention... As I made my way through the streets of London toward Tower Bridge I realise that this is the half way point, yey! On I ran, amazed at the amount of people that were actually running and the diversity of age and ability. Then there was the man carrying a tumble dryer!

Yes, a fully functional (well maybe not when he crossed the finish line) tumble dryer. If he can do it, so can I. A year ago I was running 2 miles and stopping several times, today I am a marathon runner... how on earth did that happen?!

Twenty two miles – it was getting tough but I had to push on, 23,24… the crowds were amazing, another little reflection on my ‘Why’ and there it was, Big Ben, 1 mile to go, oh no here come the tears again… 400 yard, 200 yards, I can see the finish line… Woohoo! The feel of that amazing, heavy medal and the ribbon on my neck, amazing, I am a marathon runner and I have raised a lot of money for Lupus UK. But without the help and support of so many others this could never have been possible.

Someone said to me at a low point in my training ‘some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it’.

How very true.

m

Welcome to

Alston sofas

One of Moray’s little gems located in Sandy’s Carpets, 13 High St, Buckie.

Where good quality, value for money and customer service is first and foremost.

With such brands as Cintique, Alston’s, Sealy and Healthbeds you can depend

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Forty Winks was founded by Brian 8 years ago and with 30 years of experience, he has built up a reputable name for himself.

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WELL-BEING

Feel-good fitness The thing about feeling good is that the route there shouldn’t make you miserable. Fitness should be fun; an excuse to get you out in the fresh air and to enjoy life.

Firstly, what qualifies me to write this?

Nothing – I’m just an ordinary person who enjoys exercise and has a giggle getting there through different activities. But it wasn’t always like that.

There was a time when I found those folk running purposefully through parks and towns intimidating; I just didn’t think ‘that could be for me.’

However, there’s always a way in, a first hook that leads to other things.

So that’s what you’ll find in this page in editions to come – wee tasters of activities, gentle suggestions, or easy things to try in a few minutes. Before you know it you’ll be enrolled in a dance class, telling someone about a great walk you discovered, or taking part in a local challenge…

Petra Pennington

Look for Feel-good fitness in the July issue.

Lifestyle MAG

t ou ce ep fa st ur !' , h o ir at n y ha e r br n o ou u p y e s n de the d i a n e eel wi k f e a 'T nd th a nd a

…by the way, Ming the Merciless is a great running and cycling event being held in Gartly, Aberdeenshire on 3rd June. It’s super-friendly, supports local upcoming Olympians, and its flexible entry options make it an ideal first challenge or duathalon, whatever level you feel you’re at. Oh, and it’s renowned for having some of the best post-challenge cake you’ll find! www.facebook.com/events/164969384014727/ 51

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18 Clifton Road, Lossiemouth, Moray

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Hotel & Restaurant

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La Caverna Pizzeria, Ristorante & Bistro

Tel: 01343 813 027

DRINKING

Shake it... shake it baby Cocktails should be easy. Cocktails should be fun... and most of all cocktails should taste great! The joy of the cocktail is not all about the drink but in the ritual that surrounds its creation and consumption. It is about enjoying something simple or something sublime with those

that are close to you. It is relishing a moment of peace in the crazy fast-paced world we all live in. It is much needed therapy after a stressful day or a well-deserved celebration after a successful one. It is about strengthening old friendships and creating new ones.

Moray Berry Passion 25ml Moray Berry gin liqueur (from El-Gin) 25ml Passoa 75ml passionfruit juice Lemonade

Add Moray Berry, passoa and passionfruit juice to cocktail shaker. Shake. Fill a hurricane glass with ice add the cocktail shaker contents and top up glass with lemonade. Add a straw along with one or two friends... and enjoy!

Crafted in the Heart of Malt

Pou ove Ad ma the coc Ga

Whisky Country.

Batch Distilled in a Traditional Copper Still.

Lifestyle MAG

53

Just Delici us!

Tea-room and Take-away

Cream Teas with Vintage China Light Lunches • Home Baking Homemade Soups Enjoy the little things!

54 High St, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3EH 01479 873692 Email: eat@justdeliciousgrantown.co.uk www.justdeliciousgrantown.co.uk

B A K I N G G R E AT P R O D U C T S F O R F O U R G E N E R AT I O N S I N T H E S COT T I S H H I G H L A N D S

Scotland at its best.

WWW. MACLE ANS BAKERY.COM

O UR D E L IC IO US STR AWBE R RY TA RTS WILL B E AVA IL A B LE AT T H E E U ROP E AN P I P E BAND CHA MP IO NSHIP S IN FOR R E S

of the year 2017

of the year 2017

ST R AW B E R R I E S SO U RC E D LO C AL LY FROM WESTER HARDMUIR FARM, 3 MILES FROM THE BAKERY SBYA17 Retail baker.indd 1

11/04/2017SBYA17 20:35 Regional Bronze Biscuit.indd 11/04/2017 1 20:20

FOOD

It's all about the bass...

A flavoursome summer treat in minutes Ingredients 2 fillets of seabass 6 Maris Piper potatoes peeled/halved 2 langoustine tails Capers Garden peas 1 packet of pancetta slices 1 block of unsalted butter 1 fennel - finely chopped Rapeseed oil 50ml cream 2 lemons cut in half Teaspoon garlic puree Grapes & pea-shoots to garnish

Method Boil and mash the potatoes with cream and butter. Put half the butter in a bowl and mix with capers, lemon and garlic. Combine the peas, fennel and pancetta in a pan with a cube of butter. Cook for 3 minutes and keep warm. Use the lemon caper butter to marinate the langoustine tails. Place under grill for a few minutes. Cut the seabass into four pieces. Cook the seabass in a pan with oil (skin side up) and leave it for 3 minutes. Do not flip seabass. Add a squeeze of lemon

and two cubes of butter. Grill until fish is white. Remove from heat then flip seabass to skin side up. Assemble the dish: pea/pancetta mix at the bottom, then creamy mash followed by seabass. Top with the langoustine tail and butter. Garnish.

Serves 2

The Sun Dancer, Bar and Restaurant is a two storey building which includes a restaurant with breath taking views looking over the firth, that has a range of drinks including cocktails and an a la carte menu to suit all tastes, a small cafÊ on the lower level with lovely treats. Located at Nairn’s Harbour.

Harbour Street, Nairn IV12 4PH 01667 370037 http://sun-dancer.co.uk/contact/4591830913 info@sundancer.uk.com

Lifestyle MAG

To book call 01667 370037

or email info@sundancer.uk.com

55

FERGUS EWING MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity

Finding treasure in the forest My Uncle, David Woodburn, returned to Scotland after the Second World War and married a girl from Inverness. He had been imprisoned in the notorious Changi camp in the Far East. He rarely talked of his experiences there perhaps because they were so dreadful. He chose to spend his working life in "the Forestry" as it is known, perhaps because of the freedom of the outdoors after the awfulness of his incarceration.

Forestry is now vital for the Highland economy. It covers nurseries, planting, harvesting, saw mills, fencing and is essential for house building and construction. It

56

supports 25,000 jobs in Scotland with an annual revenue of one billion pounds.

We have introduced a Bill to make forestry accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Here we have an industry which is vital both for the economy and jobs it sustains but also the environment for the carbon it captures.

I hope what we do in the Scottish Parliament carries on my late uncle's life’s work - to support the Forestry as a national treasure.

Kind regards, Fergus Ewing MSP for Inverness and Nairn

COMPETITIONS

Closing Date for all competitions - 3rd July email: competitions@mms-publishing.scot

WIN, WIN, WIN...

We have some fantastic giveaways this month from a glamping experience at The Loft, Forres to a colour consultation donated by Speyside Wardrobe - both for two people. There's also a Flopro compact hose for those awkward-to-getto plants in your garden donated by Christies of Fochabers. Or if food's your thing then there's a Carvery Sunday Lunch for two at 1629 in Lossiemouth or an exclusive dinner for four at the Sundancer in Nairn.

And if you can guess where Felix is this month then a bottle of Benromach Single Malt could be yours donated by Piping at Forres.

DINNER FOR FOUR! LUNCH FOR TWO!

Where's Felix?

Win a bottle of Benromach Single Malt kindly donated by Piping At Forres

Glamping for two: GLAMPLOFT Colour consultation: CONSULTSPEY Garden Hose: HOSECHRISTIES Carvery Lunch: LUNCH1629 Dinner for four: DINNERSUNDANCER Simply email competitions@ mms-publishing.scot with your name and address or send a postcard to: Lifestyle Magazine, MMS-Almac, Unit 6, Tyock Industrial Estate, Elgin, IV30 1XY - remember to state your competition code!

One entry per email...

Lifestyle MAG

Our furry-friend Felix is on his travels again - can you guess where he is? If you recognise this place then email or send your answer using the address left.

57

WHAT’S ON SEAFEST

Seafest will be back bigger and better than before. Since 2014 the community of Lossiemouth and visitors from all over the country have come out in force to celebrate our fishing heritage and the importance of seafood to the local economy. Seafest supports Lossiemouth Community Development Trust and local projects. Local groups, charities and businesses have benefitted from Seafest over the years.

A

marquee will be sited at Station Park from Saturday 1st July. This will be home to most of the Seafest events until Sunday 9th July.

Seafest will open on Saturday when Strictly Lossiemouth will come to Seafest. A delicious buffet will be served which will include locally sourced seafood.

An evening's entertainment will follow by the ever popular Strictly dancers led by Ian and Fiona Sneddon.

Limited tickets will be available from Committee members.

Another new addition to Seafest 2017 will be the Seafest 10k run on Sunday 2nd July. There will be a shorter fun-run for the children with prizes for everyone.

Details will follow.

Monday 3rd July will start with kick boxing taster sessions and Zumba run by Sfear. All families can head to the West Beach Lossiemouth for our sandcastle competition at 2pm, a fun afternoon for all the family.

There will also be a Gin Tasting event in the evening.

A coffee and buttery morning will be held in the marquee from 10.30am on Tuesday 4th July with a display of old photographs.

A welcome addition to Seafest is a football event to be held at Marine Park and run by Action Marine Park on

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Wednesday 5th July. Action Marine Park supported by Lossiemouth Tennis Club will hold taster tennis sessions at Marine Park on Saturday 1st July. This proved a very popular event last year.

Our Posh Afternoon Tea is back by popular demand on Wednesday 5th July in the marquee. Proceeds from the afternoon tea will be shared with Lossiemouth OAP Christmas party group and Seafest. In the evening, the pet show will take place at Station Park, all pets and their owners are welcome.

Thursday 6th July is the Kids' Day in the marquee. Story telling, teddy bears' picnic, arts and crafts concluding with a kids' disco and a visit from Bubbles the clown.

The climax of the Seafest Festival will be the Family Day at Station Park on Saturday the 8th July from 11am to 5pm. Cookery demonstrations, craft stall, charities, a sports area, children's amusements and rides, face painting, a visit from the lifeboat, afternoon tea in the tent, local seafood, licensed area and a range of food and drink – lots to entertain the family.

Seafest will close on Sunday 9th July with a Songs of Praise Service in the marquee when all local churches are invited to take part. An opportunity for the community to come together in a service of praise and a blessing of the sea.

Further information on a detailed programme, timings and tickets will be announced in the local press and our Seafest Lossiemouth Facebook page.

For any other information please contact: donnamilne35@btinternet.com helenbalmer29@gmail.com or emmaflett@hotmail.com

Programme of events (unless otherwise stated all events to take place at the marquee in the Station Park)

SATURDAY 1 JULY

• Tennis Taster Sessions at Marine Park, run by Action Marine Park and Supported by Lossie Tennis Club – see Marine Park for details • Strictly Lossiemouth comes to Seafest – 6.30pm

SUNDAY 2 JULY

• Seafest 10k and Fun Run (10k starts and finishes at the marquee, Fun Run to start and finish at the Playing Fields) – 10am start

MONDAY 3 JULY

• Taster Sessions – Sfear Kickboxing and Zumba on behalf of Seafest 9.30am-10.15am and 10.30am-11.15am • Sandcastle Competition at West Beach – 2pm • Surf Club run by New Wave Surf School – See New Wave Surf School for details • Gin Evening with El:gin – 7.30pm

TUESDAY 4 JULY

• Coffee Morning with local photos and exhibits from Lossie Fisheries Museum – From 10am • Family Quiz Night – 7pm

WEDNESDAY 5 JULY

• Football Event run by Action Marine Park at Marine Park – See Marine Park for details • Posh Tea in conjuction with OAP Christmas Party Group and Seafest – 2pm • ‘The Pet Factor’ Pet Show – 6pm-8pm in Station Park

THURSDAY 6 JULY • • • •

Kids Day in the Marquee Storytelling, Teddy Bears Picnic, Face Painting and Colouring In – 10-12noon Seafest Arts and Crafts run by Little Crafters – 2pm-4pm Kids Disco, Fancy Dress Parade and Bubbles the Clown – 6pm-8pm

FRIDAY 7 JULY

• Judging of Shop Windows

SATURDAY 8 JULY

• Seafest Food and Fun Fayre – 11am-5pm

SUNDAY 9 JULY

• Songs of Praise Service – 3pm

We look forward to welcoming you to what will be an action packed fun filled week!

A CELEBRATION OF THE FISHING HERITAGE OF LOSSIEMOUTH

S ATU R DAY 1 S T J U LY T O SU N DAY 9 T H J U LY 2 0 1 7

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

June 3

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CORNHILL HIGHLAND GAMES Cornhill Playing Field, Cornhill Lots to see and do for all the family Call 01466 751407 or visit www.cornhillgames.spaarks.com

THE DIME NOTES Universal Hall, Findhorn The Dime Notes dig back into the blues-drenched sounds of clarinetdriven 1920s New Orleans jazz, unearthing a repertoire of stomps, blues, and forgotten gems of the era.

The Dime Notes present a fresh take on a timeless style, emphasising the propulsive grooves and sultry melodies which made early jazz revolutionary, controversial, and wildly popular.

For more information call 01309 690110

4 MARAFUN AND SHOW ‘N’ SHINE The 14th biennial Marafun around the streets of Elgin. For car enthusiasts throughout the area Show 'n' Shine returns this year to the Centre of Elgin, located in and around Moray Council Car Park on the High Street.

7 THE MORAY FOREST RUN Spynie Hall, Quarrelwood, Elgin Each run is approximately 4-5 miles along forest trails and is suitable for runners of all abilities. Entry £5 per person per run. More information can be found on Forres Harriers or Moray Road Runner websites.

11 RRRRALLYE CAR SHOW AND FAMILY FUN DAY Keith Sports & Community Centre 10am - 5pm. Car Show, family fun day and craft fair. Public Entry is free.

More information on facebook.

See article page 20

9-11

16-25

KEITH TMSA 42ND FESTIVAL Keith Traditional music, song, poetry and dance across a platform of competitions and spectator events, ending with a Farewell Concert/ Ceilidh to leave revellers with fond memories and the desire to return next year. For tickets and information visit 175 Mid Street, Keith

MORAY WALKING AND OUTDOOR FESTIVAL 2017 Various locations throughout Moray This year’s festival - Friday 16th June to Sunday 25th June 2017 has 50 plus events over 10 days during Midsummer! Whether it’s a gentle amble or an outdoor challenge there’s something for

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everyone - wildlife and history strolls, watersports, wild swimming, family events, navigation skills, long distance walking and a film night! www.moraywalkingfestival.co.uk

17 LOCAL HERO - STEVE BATE Elgin Town Hall In 2013 Steve became the first visually impaired climber to solo El Capitan, a sheer 3000ft rock face in Yosemite Valley, California.

For more information visit www.moraywalkingfestival.co.uk See article page 46 GOING OFF THE RAILS Keith and Dufftown Railway Meet: 10.50am at Dufftown Railway Station (train leaves 11.10am) Join the enthusiasts of the Keith and Dufftown railway and the Moray Council Ranger Service for a train trip from Dufftown Station to Drummuir.

FAMILY FUN DAY Marine Park, Lossiemouth Come along and enjoy the fun tennis, putting, target golf, bouncy castle, zorbing, stalls, tea tent, BBQ, football fun & much more. www.marineparklossie.org.uk

17-18 1940s WEEKEND Keith and Dufftown Railway

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THE MORAY FOREST RUN Rosesle Forest Picnic Site Each run is approximately 4-5 miles along forest trails and is suitable for runners of all abilities. Entry £5 per person per run. More information can be found on Forres Harriers or Moray Road Runner websites.

20

PIPING AT FORRES, THE EUROPEAN PIPE BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 Grant Park, Forres Thousands of pipers and drummers from far and wide, over a hundred bands, will compete to be European Champions in their grade. Drum Majors and Highland Dancers will also compete in this event, run under the auspices of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA). For more information visit www.pipingatforres.com.

ON HELIAN’ WINGS Dava School House, PH26 3PU A fully illustrated take on the birds that live in, and visit, Moray and Highlands - during the evening you might be lucky and have an opportunity to view the local birds which visit the garden and surrounding area of Dava School House. Refreshments provided by Cairngorm Leaf & Bean.

THE MAGGIE FAIR Garmouth We are delighted to welcome Beatrice Low from Garmouth to open this year’s Fair – Around the Park there will be crowd-pleasing attractions for all ages such as Land Train; Speyside Falconry; Bouncy Castle; Ice Cream Van; Huskies, Children’s Activities Tent; Face

See military displays, board the train and be entertained by our Spiv, copper and even MI5.

For more information visit www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk/ events/1940s-weekend

18 40TH BURGIE HORSE TRIALS Burgie Estate, by Forres One Day Event - the ultimate challenge of horsemanship. Watch dressage, show jumping and the thrilling cross country. Trade stands and food stalls available. 8am-6pm.

Lifestyle MAG

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Painting and much more, Admission: Adults £3.00 children £2.00. Further information available at www.maggiefair.co.uk

24 ICE DANCE CAMP Moray Leisure Centre, Elgin Introduction to Ice Dance with Ann Cronin at the Moray Leisure Centre on Saturday, 24th June @ 4pm!

Suitable for skaters (Skate UK Level 6 and above). All skaters = £15 per x 2 hours of ice-time and group tuition.

For tickets visit icedancecamp. eventbrite.co.uk

24-25 SCOTTISH TRADITIONAL BOAT FESTIVAL, Portsoy With our combination of history (maritime and rural), creativity (crafts, music and art), activity (sailing, rowing and so much more), food and drink (the very best of the region), all in the superb natural setting of Portsoy’s harbour, there’s no better place to celebrate Scotland’s rich cultural heritage. For more information.

Tel: 01261 842951 Email: contact@stbfportsoy.com Website: www.stbfportsoy.com

25 ATWEEN TWA KIRKS - 1500 YEARS OF MYTH AND LEGEND Aberlour Village Meet at the War Memorial in the Square, Aberlour at 2pm. This circular walk starts from here and proceeds at a leisurely pace over level terrain by the banks of the River Spey and Lour burn from the Parish Church to the auld kirk o Skirdustan.

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Meet: The War Memorial, Duration: 2 hours Distance: 1½ miles (2km) Difficulty: 1 (Easy) Note: The terrain is suitable for mobility scooters.

Competition winners...

July 1-8

LOSSIEMOUTH SEAFEST Lossiemouth Seafest will be back bigger and better than previous years. Since 2014 the community of Lossiemouth and visitors from all over the country have came out in force to celebrate our fishing heritage and the importance of seafood to the local economy.

Seafest supports Lossiemouth Community Development Trust and local projects. Local groups, charities and businesses have benefitted from Seafest over the years. www.facebook.com/lossieseafest

1-31 GRAEME NAIRN EXHIBITION Whale & Doliphin Centre, Spey Bay A small exhibition of recent paintings

by Graeme Nairn will run from the 1st to the 31st of July 2017, at the Whale and Dolphin Centre,Tugnet, Spey Bay. The focus of the work is the mouth of the Spey, the villages of Kingston and Tugnet and the ever-changing sea.

Do you have an event for July's edition?

If so, please email details to: diary@mms-publishing.scot and we will try and include it next time.

Congratulations to all of our April winners. We have received hundreds of responses and have been over-whelmed by your letters and emails... but keep ‘em coming - who knows, your name might be on the list next month.

Pinz Bowling Dawn Harper - Turriff Shadey Birdhouses Elaine Pearce - Elgin Dowans Hotel Anne Sorrie -Elgin Moray Berry Best Gin Liquer Karen Millar - Elgin Best Pharmacy Barbara Walker - Garmouth

As ca wh

Di AG AG

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Fry. Roast. Slow-cook. Griddle. Toast.

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As anyone who owns an AGA cooker will tell you, the food it produces just tastes better. This is because the AGA cast-iron ovens cook using gentle, radiant heat to retain the food’s natural goodness and flavour. To discover why an AGA is one of the easiest and most versatile cookers to use, why not book a personal demonstration.

Discover AGA cooking at an in-store demonstration.

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9 carat white gold diamond set open circle freshwater pearl pendant

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Finnies holds one of the largest collections of jewellery and watches in Scotland including some of the world’s finest brands.

Our extensive collection ranges from under £100 to whatever your heart desires!