Lifestyle Magazine - April 2017 by Lifestyle Magazine

A P R I L 2 0 17

A P R I L 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

Weddings INSpIRATIONAL

WIN

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in a b E A U T I F U L SETTINg

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

INTERIORS | MUSIC | FOOD & DRINK TRAVEL | ENVIRONMENT | ARTS & CULTURE

Modern Bungalows Strathisla Park

Keith | AB55 5JS SHOWHOME NOW OPEN

The Strathisla 3 bed bungalow

Thursday - Monday

11am - 5pm

Prices from £155,950 to £242,950

A quality development of 2, 3 and 4 bed bungalows

The Aberlour

Quality 2 bed semi-detached bungalow

The Tormore

Luxury 3 bed bungalow

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTSON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. See website for details, subject to contract and status.

www.deveronhomes.co.uk Call: 01542 880117 / 07876 413723 For further information email: sales@deveronhomes.co.uk

DEVERON homes

Strathisla Park, Keith is a lively community abuzz with energy. A place where there’s always an open invitation to connect with neighbours, friends and nature.

HERE’S TO A GENTLER PACE OF LIFE . . . Our 2, 3 and 4 bed bungalows are located on quiet avenues in a beautiful new development where we’ve created a real sense of community. All homes share the same high quality of construction and have been designed to maximise your enjoyment of single-level living with spacious dining/kitchen, relaxing lounge and large master bedrooms with ensuite. Among the remaining bungalow plots are the 2 bed Aberlour with garage option and the 3 bed Tormore that comes complete with it’s own single garage. Both house types have generous garden grounds with wide-open views of the countryside.

But if you’re searching for the ultimate retirement home with the wow-factor, then look no further than the stunning Macallan 4 bed bungalow. Here is a king-size, luxury dwelling on a grand scale. Priced at only £242,950 the property is situated on a large south-facing plot with fabulous open views from a sunny, south-facing garden. The Macallan comes complete with turfed garden to the front and what’s more, a free flooring package is also included in the price. Bungalows at Strathisla Park start from

£155,950 to £242,950 Showhome and completed properties available to view: The Macallan

Thursday - Monday: 11am - 5pm

www.deveronhomes.co.uk For more information: visit www.deveronhomes.co.uk

DEVERON homes

INVERNESS

FRIDAY 5th & SATURDAY 6th MAY 2017 10am - 5pm

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Dear all... And now for something completely different … The team at Lifestyle are constantly evaluating every issue and we decided to do an environmental audit on the whole process. Due to the method of binding we had chosen, the magazine needed to be sent to Edinburgh since there are no finishing facilities closer in Scotland. So a round trip with in excess of 1200kg, 348 miles and 8 hours driving we calculated would create a third of a ton of CO2 and this is surely not good for the environment. Therefore we decided to opt for a different method of binding which means that all the work is now completed in Keith. The team are confident you will appreciate our reason for doing this as we all feel we have a responsibility to this lovely area. With Easter fast approaching it is now time to make careful preparations for your egg. Choosing the exact specimen is highly important, the correct choice of paint and a suitable incline. It pays to make all these preparations and, if I may suggest, an ostrich egg gives far more eating and far more chance of finding it in the long grass. Happy rolling ! We hope you like the changes and would like to thank all our advertisers for their continued support.

Colin

Colin Brown, Publisher

Editorial

Finishing

Alistair Davidson

Tamsyn Dickson

Leza Stuart

Adam Thomas Jeff Ho David Banks Rebecca Beaton

Production Controller Margaret Stuart Proofing Penny Brown

Bob McIntyre.............................................................7 London Fashion Week .........................................12 Red Craig ................................................................18 Celebrity ..................................................................20 Mars..........................................................................29 Sally Gunn...............................................................34 Footerin’ Aboot .....................................................36 Comfort Food......................................................... 47 Wedding Feature ..................................................52 Mike Rae - Wild about Nature ..........................62 Still Life.....................................................................68 Shadey Bird Houses ............................................ 70 Inner Crone ............................................................ 73 Just Jorgie............................................................... 77 Fergus ...................................................................... 78

Creative Tamsyn Dickson

content

This Month in History.......................................... 78 Dates for your Diary ............................................80

Fyona Duncan Emma Fraser Pre Press Lynn Stuart

This Month’s Competitions Shadey Birdhouse - Bird House ....................... 72 Dowans Hotel - Stay for 2..................................79 Pinz - Bowling for 4..............................................79

Donna Cowie

Printers

Sales Rhona Patterson

Graham Payne

Bishopmill Pharmacy - Box Canvas Print.......79

Chris Leil

El:gin - Bottle of Moray Berry............................79

MMS Almac Ltd, Unit 6, Tyock Industrial Estate, Elgin, Moray IV30 1XY. Tel: 01343 55 1234 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 breach of copyright.

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Bob McIntyre clyde built, made of steel By Derek Stewart-Brown, Editor Of 'Motorcycle Sport Scotland'

Italian-built machine, without the hi-tech, computerised systems which propel today's TT riders to apeeds approaching 200 miles per hour on the lethal, twisty mountain circuit. McIntyre was a shipyard worker at Scotstoun, before his weekend hobby, riding scrambles bikes and riding fast at Scotland's many club events, led him to take a job as a mechanic with motorcycle dealers, Coopers of Troon. In the fifties, Scotland boasted countless racing circuits, offering riders' the relatively rough prospect of trials and scrambles across muddy farmland to former WW11 airfields, where the concrete runways provided the SCOTLAND has produced many motorsport heroes - but few could claim to have created a single moment in history that remains a cause for celebration 60-years later! Yet both at home and on the Isle Man, during this year's famous TT races, motorcycle sport will mark the moment a Scotsman finally broke the 100mph barrier on a lap of the world-famous bike circuit. This year will be the 60th anniversary of the Glasgow-born rider's achievement and it will be dramatically re-created on the Isle of Man at the Classic TT Races, when another Celt and member of the famous Irish racing dynasty, Michael Dunlop, climbs aboard a near-perfect replica of McIntyre's record-breaking Gilera 500cc racing machine in a bid to do it all over again. The 'new' bike, created by Black Eagle Racing in the South of England is a ÂŁ100,000 homage to the Scot. Dressed in the 'dustbin-fairing' bodywork that was at the cutting edge of aerodynamics back in 1957, it retains the period mechanicals, handling and performance of the original

near-perfect conditions for speed on two wheels. 'The Flying Scotsman' as McIntyre became known across the world, was a master of both on and off-road. Within five-years of his first race at Balado Airfield, near Stirling (where he won three out of the four races he entered) the young Scot had collected numerous championships at home and abroad, become a works rider for AJS and won

his first major TT title. the Clubmans Championship. Motorcycle sport attracted thousands of spectators in the fifties, Bob was accorded the fan worship and popularity that many of today's top footballers could only imagine. Yet, there was no big money, luxury motorhomes for riders' or the millionaire lifestyle for any of these two-wheeled champions. It was often a bone of contention that his English and foreign fellow riders, such as Geoff Duke and John Surtees, fared better in landing better commercial and personal deals to support their racing careers. Indeed, Duke later commented that: 'If Bob Mac had

Gilera machine into the record books. For no fewer

the opportunities I had,I'm sure he would have been

than four laps, he exceeded the magical 'ton' and it was

a world champion. He was an outstanding rider.'

a demonstration of man and machine in perfect

Ironically, when Duke was recovering from an

harmony.

accident, it was McIntyre that the Gilera Factory

He was credited with a record-breaking 101.12mph

Racing Team turned to as a replacement for their

record-breaking lap - and had won both the Junior and

top rider. It wasn't long before he rewarded the

Senior TT titles that week into the bargain. Thousands

Italian team's faith in his abilities.

upon thousands of fans swamped the finish line,

That year, on the Gilera 350cc, he took the Junior

cheering Bob's ton-up achievement.

TT Championship, taking the chequered flag almost

He was at the top of his game and back on the

four minutes ahead of the second-placed rider. And

mainland, he contested race after race - this time on his

he had more to give.

beloved Norton motorcycles. Win after win followed -

It was the TT's Golden 50th year and expectations

although luck deserted him again on the international

of records being broken were high. It seemed the

circuit, when a crash in the Dutch GP unknowingly at

whole world was on the island that year to celebrate

the time,put him out of contention for the 1957 world

the golden anniversary of the world's toughest road

championship.

racing circuit.

What had been thought to be a simple concussion had

'The Flying Scotsman' was in top form, confident

far-reaching consequences. He was forced to cancel

after his earlier Junior TT win and determined.

various race meetings due to severe headaches, He

For all his mild-mannered charm, humility and

missed out on two GP appearances in Belgium and the

warmth to all his fellow riders,' Bob Mac was a hard

British round.

and fast rider. When the flag dropped, he was the

He finally returned to international racing in August at

most competitive rider in the field.

the Ulster GP. His health was still a cause for concern

Many years later, another famous Scottish TT rider

and he raced on condition that he would immediately

and good friend, Ewen Haldane, recalled - without a

retire should he feel unwell.

hint of criticism - 'Winning was everything to him.'

His Gilera gave him problems from the start of the race

Geoff Duke acknowledged that Bob was 'outstand-

and he languished at the back of the field in the early

ing,' but added that he felt he was a 'hard rider -

stages. However within a few laps, he had urged his

hard on himself and his machine.'

350cc bike into 10th position from starting last. Then,

But on June 7, 1957, Bob McIntyre rode his 500cc

to the delight of the crowd, he moved up into fifth.

However the engine 'gremlins' returned and he was

He experienced mixed fortunes with the Japanese

forced to retire - he had lost out on the 350cc world

machine - a few wins, a few failures to finish for

championship.

mechanical reasons and some stunning Grand Prix

In the 500cc race, he managed to pull off second place

performances, including a win in Belgium. He was in

but it was clear the racing was taking a toll on his health.

second place for the world 250cc championship.

In the last GP of 1957 at Monza, Bob rode for all he was

At the TT that year, Bob's luck with the Honda continued

worth in the 350cc class. His determination saw him

downward. Retired with mechanical failure in the

scythe through the pack, a clear winner. However,

lightweight TT, he failed to start the Senior race, due to

according to reports, he was violently ill afterwards. The

continued mechanical problems.

Gilera team boss insisted on medical treatment in

Back home, he was celebrating the birth of his daughter,

hospital - where doctors discovered that his earlier crash

Eleanor, before heading off to England few weeks later

in Holland had left him with a previously undiagnosed

and Oulton Park for the British Championships.

broken neck !

On the Manx Norton machine in deplorable conditions in

He failed to ride the final 500cc race but still had

driving rain, it seemed at first that Bob was in his element

accumulated enough points to be the runner up for the

- cutting from the back of the pack and fighting for the

world championship and celebrated with a lengthy stay

front. However as conditions deteriorated, 'The Flying

in an Italian hospital.

Scotsman' came to grief a few laps after mid-race. He was initially described as having serious head, arm and other injuries and was rushed to hospital- but nine days later, he succumbed to his injuries. The tributes were many, from fellow riders on the international scene to those he raced alongside on the domestic scene. His death ended a 12-year career although hugely successful, was cut short before he was able to secure a world championship. The first Bob Mac Memorial Races were held in 1985 and will be held this year at East Fortune, organised as ever by Agnes and Bill Cadger of the Scottish Classic Motorcycle Club.

When Gilera dramatically pulled out of international racing, 'The Flying Scotsman' was a privateer again, riding with the Potts Team over the next few years on Norton, AJS, and NSU machines At the end of the fifties and fully recovered, he was a force to be reckoned with. Dicing weekly with the likes of John Surtees, Mike Hailwood and fellow Scot, Alastair King, to name just a few. By 1960 he was a Honda rider, aboard a 250cc bike. It was the dawn of Japanese machines dominating motorcycles sales in the UK and around the world. Despite a crash which put paid to his hopes for the 1961 season, Bob was now a a full Honda Works rider for 1962.

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London Fashion Week 2017 began on Friday, 17th February and ended on Tuesday, 21st February. In the wake of the incredibly impressive men's shows, London was buzzing with greedy anticipation. Eyes were ready to devour all that this year's Autumn/Winter collections had to offer. And what a feast it was!

Each offering was so completely different. The coats, the styles, the textures, the colours... there was definitely something for everyone.

The queue outside the Julien Macdonald show was a spectacle of its own, with stars arriving in style, wearing striking clothes to catch the attention of the paparazzi and queueing just like everyone else! 45 mins is always worth the wait when it comes to Julien Macdonald's

Georgia Fowler

Winnie harlow

exquisite collection.

This show was certainly a show stopper with Winnie Harlow, of America's Next Top Model fame and Georgia Fowler, who just got off the runway for Victoria's Secret and closed Kayne West's show in New York, among the few who graced his extraordinary runway. The attention to detail was phenomenal with gorgeous Swarovski sparkles

You may want to hit the gym though if you are planning on wearing one of his numbers to your Christmas party!

Gigi

throughout the collection.

After a quick catch up and swig of champagne at The Globe-Trotter presentation we were whisked away to catch the Donatella Versace fashion show - and made it just in time... I was sat with a good view, just behind the vogue editor Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of U.S. Vogue and next to the A-list inviter who pointed out all the A-listers in attendance Will.i.am, Madonna's son, Rocco Ritchie with his girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, Ellie Goulding - so many I couldn't keep track... The Olympia was a fabulous location - a huge space and enormous layout for the fierce power walk that complimented the designs perfectly. Statement Versus collars through the collection stood out beautifully bringing the black textured garments to life. Jagged edges and definitive zips made the designs 'pop' even more giving that super cool grunge look. The lovely Gigi and Bella Hadid graced the Donatella Versace runway with true style. We all left the show hyped up wanting more. The DAKS show saw an exquisite level of class with great calmness and grand entry through the courtyard gates at the Langham Hotel. The venue was beautiful but more importantly, the designs were tasteful with short, sharp bursts of blue on selected garments. You know there are A-listers about when you see Dave Bennet of Getty Images flashing away. Best dressed star, for me, had to be Tallia Strom. She looked really feminine in her black floral midriff and long gypsy skirt certainly complimented the event and venue. Fashion Scout is the international showcase for fashion pioneers and the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest independent showcase for emerging and established design talent during London Fashion Week. It was a real treat having the opportunity to work back stage with a few of the designers. I was thoroughly impressed with the high standards founder and creative director, to commend him on his vision and understand the dynamics of this fantastic

Daks

achieved and look forward to meeting Martyn Roberts, the

fashion venture.

talented and hard working PR team of HPR London.

Harry XU

...and some of the few I got to see with the highly

Harry XU

PHOTOGRAPHER : VANESSA HASTINGS @ness_photographyx PR - mayconcepts

A touch of class and young glamour. PHOTOGRAPHER : VANESSA HASTINGS

Barrus

@ness_photographyx

Intricate, interesting lines and use of eyecatching colour..." A special mention to the creative hair and makeup team who brought an international competitive Theo Annderstand

PHOTOGRAPHER : JOYCE ALLEN

Theo

standard to the fashion scout off show schedule...

Annderstand

A BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE CAT WALKS AT THE FASHION SCOUT VENUE 16

"Some very tasteful designs..."

Understanding the female anatomy. Keeping it simple, cute, chic and wearable. " PHOTOGRAPHER : TEEGAN EGERTON

"Great use of fabrics and textures with definitive lines allowing softness to tipper through.. With the assistance of the black synthetic fur..." Ceci

Ceci

Milo Maria

PHOTOGRAPHER : SIMON ARMSTRONG

When fashion defines the mind of the designers impression in human and real form.. Use of solid and wool trims.. crafted with painted leather to give it that tad bit of sophistication... PHOTOGRAPHER : SIMON ARMSTRONG

All in all it was a hectic few days with a lot of ground covered and quite a few glasses of champagne and cocktails to smooth the way... The one to watch is definitely Harry Xu, whose second collection represented the start of the youth prisonerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey in adulthood. For the main shows, it has to be Julien Macdonald, whose star-studded, Swarovski-jewelled, cut-out dresses sure have inspired me to hit the gym right away!!

Till we meet again next month with some fitness fashion ideas to entice you back into the gym to

Christine Ann de Agostini VSO models UK

Harry XU

bag that Georgia Fowler Victoria Secret figure!!

Red Craig

He kept a little for himself but gave the surplus back to the less fortunate and those whom he knew had suffered at the hands of the local tyrant. He knew he couldn't reinstate all their losses but a little helped restore some faith in humanity among the terrified folk. His benevolent reputation made him well respected but his physical presence coupled with his skill at arms meant none would deliberately tangle with him. Despite numerous attempts to locate him by Alexander Stewart's men he evaded them through constant relocation and false rumours put about by townsfolk to spoil the trail. He lived this way for nearly two decades during which time he'd become a firm favourite with the monastic communities at Kinloss, Roseisle and Pluscarden who sometimes offered him sanctuary in the hard winter months. He proved to be a hard working and willing participant in their efforts to repair their ravaged buildings. What he lacked in skill with chisel

The first mention I heard of Red Craig was made by

and trowel he made up for in his innate physical

Blackie, the local undertaker and publican in 1980

strength. Like other figures in Scottish folk history such

when I moved to the Forres area. He explained that

as Rob Roy and The Red MacGregor, Red Craig had the

he'd lived long ago and was at one time a member

characteristic mane of red hair - long associated with

of Alexander Stewart's (Earl of Buchan aka The Wolf

Celtic genes.

of Badenoch) murderous entourage but had been

His later years were spent almost entirely among the

outcast from the group after a bitter disagreement.

cloistered walls where dressed in the brown habit of a

Blackie claimed that he'd lived in a series of caves

Cistercian lay brother he was indistinguishable as his

that exist in the sandstone cliffs along the River

stature diminished with age. His earthly remains were

Findhorn to the south of Forres. From there he

finally interred at College of Roseisle, the small, almost

ventured out alone under cover of darkness and

hermit-like offshoot community that suited his natural

would plunder the stragglers of the Wolf's clan as

temperament. Sadly almost nothing exists of the

they returned from raiding one of the local towns.

Columban chapel they occupied and there's nothing to

He'd pick off one man and relieve him of whatever

mark the grave of Moray's own local folk hero. His

valuables he'd borne away from the good citizens

name lives on in a street bearing his name in the

of Moray.

Mundole area, a few houses remote from the town of Forres by the River Findhorn - so fitting. by Tez Watson

#ChooseMoray

Study from entry level to HNC, HND and degree across a range of subjects as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands starting August/September 2017. e. mc.registry.moray@uhi.ac.uk t. 01343 576000 www.moray.uhi.ac.uk

Are you a

Celebrity ?

Ever wondered if you could be a celebrity?

time when our celebrities were the untouchable Gods

What if you were one already and didn’t know about it?

and Goddesses of the silver screen or our

There’s a chance you could be held in this esteemed

heart-throbbing pop idols who serenaded us through

status and not even realise, after all these days, it seems

our televisions on a Thursday evening. A time when

that almost anyone can become a ‘celebrity’ for the

our favourite, weekly magazines were filled with gossip

oddest of reasons. The gossip magazines are filled with

about people we adored and we preciously prised

unknown faces who are either too fat or too thin, getting

their images from the staples to adorn our bedroom

married, splitting up or putting their bins out in their

walls. Of course, this could all be an ‘age’ thing, and I

jammies. There are people out there spending

am just not keeping up with the times, but I prefer to

thousands of pounds to be the next media sensation; to

think society’s standards have slipped, rather than

claim their promised fifteen minutes of fame in the vain

acknowledge my advancing years!

hope it brings them the riches and glory they yearn for,

The first people I remember being ‘famous’ for the

but are you already there?

sake of being famous were the ‘IT Girls’ in the late

The world of celebrity is definitely ‘diversifying’ (some say downwards), but when did all this start? When did we become so casual with our golden celebrity standard? There was a

nineties. Tamara Beckwith and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson began to appear on the scene, famously cavorting with royals and other celebrities on their nights

out – their only claim to fame being their family’s

what I did there) programmes of this type aren’t really that

connections and money. Socialites blinged our

new, in fact, they first popped up in the USA in 1948 with

screens and magazines and it seemed a new type of

Allen Funt's hidden camera show Candid Camera. Here in

celebrity was being born; suddenly it seemed to be

the UK, we had Granada Television’s documentary Seven

about who you knew, rather than what you did, a

Up! in 1964 and the BBC aired The Family in 1974, a

tradition that carried on with the likes of Paris Hilton

programme which followed the fortunes of a

and Nicole Richie who ended up with their own, ironic

working-class family from Reading, but nobody from there

television show about living the simple life.

went on to appear on the front cover of OK magazine.

Whilst these perfectly coiffed princesses had their

Of course, some of today’s most well-known, and

time, it doesn’t seem to explain where the

acceptably labelled, celebrities owe their own rise to

likes of Jedward or Katie Hopkins fit in? Clearly not heiresses or socialites, what was their contribution to the world of entertainment that earned them the ‘celebrity’ label? Well, it would appear that the blame for this particular breed of celeb lies fairly, and squarely, with the phenomenon that is ‘reality tv, a genre that seems to have seeped

fame to the early talent show programmes in the 60’s and 70’s, such as Opportunity Knocks and New Faces and the little-remembered The Big Time from the 80’s and, although it seems hard to believe that Honey G could be the next Sheena Easton, we probably shouldn’t rule it out. Without

its way into our daily lives,

these shows, we wouldn’t have the likes

without us even realising we

of Paul Daniels, Les Dawson, Roy

were letting it in and normal,

‘Chubby’ Brown, Little and Large, Su

every-day strangers were becoming

Pollard, Lenny Henry, Victoria Wood, Les

the topic of conversation in our break

Dennis, Jim Davidson or the awesome,

rooms and around dinner tables.

Showaddywaddy, to name a few. In the

Scour the (not-so) glossies and the label

late 80’s New Faces and Opportunity

‘reality-television personality’ crops up

Knocks were briefly re-aired, with Lee

more often than film star or musician

Evans and Joe Pasquale being among

and they even seem to pop up on the

the ‘losers’, so we can’t really knock

news with the nation seemingly

Jedward for making the most of their

completely engrossed in this new

deferred success (sounds a bit

celebrity culture. But in reality (see

kinder than failure).

plummet quicker than the FTSE Index on Black Monday. TOWIE, as it needed to be shortened to, was rapidly followed by Geordie Shore and Made In Chelsea (posher option for those who couldn’t understand the Geordie or Essex accents) and suddenly the floodgates opened and our television screens were inundated by everyday people looking for their step-up to stardom. The list is endless, but to name a few we have had; Love Island, Ex On the Beach, Life on Marbs, Shipwrecked and The Bachelor (thankfully, we were spared Bachelorette) and some slightly higher-browed shows with The Apprentice, Bring on the noughties and the new century rolled in with

Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model, First Dates,

a new breed of reality tv as Big Brother opened its front

Project Catwalk, The Restaurant and yes, even the

door in July 2000 and, along with Popstars, Pop Idol and

beloved Great British Bake Off.

The X Factor, they started pumping out a queue of

Before we knew what was happening, Pandora’s box

fame-hungry wannabes who were soon working hard to

had been opened and our world was filled with freshly

extend their fifteen minutes into a career. Admittedly,

spawned reality tv personalities and there was no way

some succeeded and their talent shone through, with the

to get them all back in. Our magazines were bulging

likes of Alison Hammond and Brian Dowling forging

with their news and gripping life stories, their latest

successful presenting careers and Craig Phillips enjoyed

on/off relationships, fashion line, perfume and other

a long run with Changing Rooms and still pops up every now and then to show us a bit of DIY. Will Young and Girls Aloud are now accepted as true music stars and Shayne Ward went on to have a successful music and acting career, and is currently starring alongside fellow talent show participant, Kim Marsh, in Coronation Street. So clearly something works sometimes and the tv personalities do eventually warrant their celeb status. But then, somebody, somewhere decided we needed a UK version of the popular American show, The Hills, and The Only Way is Essex was born which, albeit coincidently, is when the celebrity label status seemed to

You money making schemes. As if proof was needed, whilst

Mastermind, Celebrity Fit Club, Celebrity Scissorhands,

researching for this article, I fell upon a Daily Mail

Celebrity MasterChef, or Celebrity Wrestling (I swear I am

‘showbiz news’ article about Jade Goody’s boyfriend’s

not making that up), some are so desperate to appear

girlfriend talking about how hard it is bringing up Jade’s

on television that they will even take part in Splash and

teenagers – news indeed! Of course, being a tv

Jump or run off to stay at the Sugar Free Farm.

personality is a full-time job and soon all these newbies

Another apparent route to stardom is the acclaim found

were all looking for a way to keep their budding fame

with a large social media following, with apps like

status growing and, thankfully, television once again

YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Vine and Snapchat all

provided them with their own genre of programme,

enabling people to find fame from the comfort of their

saving them from having to peruse the wanted ads.

own living room. Life’s too short to start scouring these

Enter the celebrity reality tv show. It’s so simple in its

sites for our budding internet sensations, so a quick

concept but a stroke of absolute genius – take a normal

check on Wikipedia gave me Perez Hilton, DanTMD (it’s

programme and stick the word ‘celebrity’ in the title and

a Minecraft thing), Charlie Barker, Brian Whittaker, Olivia

voila, you have a career boosting, viewer grabbing hit on

Knight-Butler and, of course, Grumpy Cat, and it would

your hands. Of course, we have the classics like I’m a

be remiss of me to exclude my daughter’s favourite

Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Strictly Come Dancing

YouTubers, Dan and Phil and Inthelittlewood.

and Dancing On Ice but what self-respecting celeb

So, with the celebrity status standard at an all-time low,

doesn’t want to appear on Celebrity Come Dine With

just how many of us are missing out on the opportunity

Me, Celebrity Take Me Out, Celebrity First Dates,

to grab our moment in the headlights and earn the big

Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity Pointless, Celebrity

bucks? Well, using the following criteria as a guideline,

I have decided to see if I can use this glorious label and catapult myself into the world of superstars and rock icons. • I have over twelve hundred followers among whom are some famous people, including; Ben & Jerry’s, STV’s Sean Batty and Nicola McAlley, Scotland rugby players, John Beattie and Jim Hamilton, footballer Robbie Savage, Sheridan Smith, Carol McGiffin, Lorraine Kelly and Jonathon Ross - Twitter • I have a video that has had over 1,200 likes YouTube. • I have been on Sky News and BBC News appeared on television.

• Another high school was announced as having one a choir competition when, in fact, ours had - been involved in an award mix up. • My husband got my Flying Scholarships for Disabled blog made into a book for my birthday and, well you are reading this - published author. • Spent time with someone famous - I once shared an ashtray with Ozzy Osborne – hangs out with the rich and famous. Whilst I am not sure where all that leaves me on the celebrity scale or what it means for my potential fifteen minutes of fame, I am, nonetheless, going to employ an agent so I don’t miss out on starring in Celebrity Crocheting or Celebrities Go to Tesco. With any luck,

• I joined a group of friends in a rousing rendition of Sweet Caroline in the International Student Hostel, a busy London establishment - sung on stage to a live audience. • I received the best fundraising team award from the RAF Benevolent Fund and was close to being given a Milly, apparently -won an award. • I have the phone numbers of three Premier Division Scotland football players plus a Scotland rugby player. Plus, Ewan McGregor once tweeted me and so did the Gadget Show’s, Jason Bradbury - know other celebs. • I appeared on page 3 (of the Daily Record) been in the newspapers • I had a two-page spread in a women’s magazine for the RAF Benevolent Fund - been in a magazine • I am known by broadcaster Prof Iain Stewart, who has referred to me in conversation (albeit with my son) and I have a photo of F1 driver, Jarno Trulli, holding a poster I created - known to others.

my new-found celeb status will be the start of stardom beyond my wildest dreams, just like the famous Sada Walkington, who was the first ever person to be evicted from the Big Brother house. Remember folks, you knew me when …

by Karen Cox

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the next frontier

Jo Mackintosh 29

Mars, that infamous red planet in the sky was first

200lbs on earth, on the surface of Mars you

discovered by Egyptian astronomers in the 2nd

would only weigh 76lbs and experience 62.5%

millennium BC. Named after the Roman god of

less gravity than our own comfortable planet

war, it is the second smallest planet in the solar

provides. Mars is also home to the tallest

system and is described as the ‘red planet’ due to

Mountain in our solar system.

the rock and dust on its surface being rich in iron.

Olympus Mons is a shield

Mars is 142 million miles from the sun, orbiting the

volcano and is over

sun at an average speed of 14.5 miles per second.

21km high

Smaller than the earth at 4,220 miles in diameter it tilts at 25 degree’s, taking 687 earth days to complete one year. With an average temperature of -81 degrees Fahrenheit and an atmosphere of mostly carbon dioxide and some water vapour, it could be considered completely inhospitable to human life; or is it? Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, and the

and possibly still active, alongside this Mars is

composition of the planet is similar to that of our

home to the largest dust storms encountered which

own earth. The crust and surface of Mars is

can last for months and shroud the entire planet.

comprised mostly of iron-rich basaltic rock, the

There have been over 40 missions to Mars,

mantle silicate rock and to the best of our current

including orbiters, landers and rovers. Some of the

knowledge, has a core made of probably iron,

more recent arrivals include the Mars Curiosity

nickle and sulphur, whether this is made up of hot

mission in 2012, the MAVEN mission in 2014, the

liquid or cooled metal is still not known. Whilst the

ExoMars mission and NASA’s InSight robotic lander

earth has one orbiting moon, Mars has two.

in 2016. Of the 40 missions to Mars however, only

Phobos is 13.8 miles in diameter and Deimos a

18 of those have been successful.

much smaller 7.8 miles. Gravity on earth is 2.66

The first close up picture of the red planet was

times that of Mars, this means that if you weighed

taken in 1965 and since that time our perceptions and expectations of the planet have dramatically changed. Mars is undeniably similar to earth in many ways and yet its surface conditions vary drastically to what we are accustomed too on our planet. Of all the discoveries in the past fifty years made on Mars, one stands out above all the rest. Water. Where there is water there is life, and whether that life was in the planet’s distant past or hiding today beneath the planet’s subsurface, it has

fuelled an exciting era of exploration. Exploration

investigate what the effects of long term space flight

that may one day lead to humanity becoming ‘the

and habitation will have on the human body. A round

life on Mars’

trip to Mars would be expected to take in the region

A mission to land the first human colony on Mars

of around three years, and the results of this recent

maybe closer than we think. A private company

study suggest that getting humans to the red planet is

SpaceX owned by Elon Musk plans to do exactly

going to be far more complicated than solving some

that. The reality of such a mission came another

technological problems. A year of persistent

step closer in December 2015 when SpaceX

weightlessness caused weak lung and chest muscles,

successfully landed the first re-usable orbital class

and after landing, Kelly and Korimenko could barely

booster rocket. Elon Musk described this success

walk. Living in zero gravity causes bones to waste at

as “a critical step along the way toward being able

an average of 1% every month, on top of that the

to establish a city on Mars” Musk announced in

body’s inability to drain fluid at zero gravity caused

June 2016 that SpaceX aims to dispatch its first

puffy faces and visual impairment. Jennifer Fogarty,

astronauts to Mars in 2024, landing (softly, he

deputy chief scientist for the human research

hopes) in 2025. NASA also has mission to Mars

program at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston

plans but at the more conservative date of 2030,

suggests that it presents a huge problem, stating

but NASA’s aims are not for colonisation, but to

simply that “They’re going to be sick when they get

orbit the planet in a manned spacecraft. Whilst

there” Further problems arise with protecting the

Elon Musk’s SpaceX seems primarily driven by

crew from harmful cosmic radiation and issues

creating a habitable city on Mars, NASA is more

surrounding the recycling of water and the removal of

preoccupied by the welfare of the crew it sends. A

carbon dioxide from the air. In low earth orbit the

recent one year mission on the International Space

replacing of spare parts such as carbon dioxide

Station by cosmonaut Mikhail Korimenko and

scrubbers is relatively easy, but on a journey to Mars

astronaut Scott Kelly was part of a study to

the life support equipment on board would need to

of the reality TV show finally vote for the final crew in 2025, which will comprise of only four people. Every two years Mars One will aim to send another four people until there are forty people inhabiting Mars. These people, if all goes to plan will be the first people to colonise another world and will bring forth a new age in humanity and space exploration. The sacrifices are huge, the trip to Mars will be one way, and the dangers are not only extreme but also largely unknown, these people will literally be testing the boundaries of human survival. Regardless of how humanity finds its way to the be essentially unbreakable. While NASA has been accused of being slow, bureaucratic and cautious, it’s clear that SpaceX will need some of NASA’s expertise if it wants to achieve its goal of setting up a permanent colony on Mars. The financial costs of sending humans to Mars is in a word astronomical. In the region of around 6 billion dollars for the first mission. It’s hardly surprising then that the race to Mars has grown to include private companies working alongside the government funded NASA initiative. One such company Mars One has selected 100 candidates from thousands of applicants to take part in a reality TV show which will ultimately help fund their own planned mission to Mars. These 100 candidates are being trained in a copy of the Mars outpost to assess their suitability for the mission. After this process, those 100 will be reduced to 40 and will endure an eight-yearlong training process before viewers

red planet, human settlement on Mars will undoubtedly be the next giant leap for mankind. Our presence on Mars will aid our understanding of the universe around us, our place in that universe and perhaps ultimately pave the way for an incredible new future, a future that reminds us that with time, perseverance and sacrifice, we can achieve anything. REFERENCES Independent.co.uk/news/science/mars-one Wired.co.uk/article/health National Geographic Nov 16 ‘Mars Race To The Red Planet’ Washington Mars.nasa.gov Space-facts.com/mars

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Great Moments in Art:

Sally Going Solo!

involved. They initially settled in Nairnshire in 1992. Although life here still did not leave much time for painting, and more moves followed, Sally steadily honed her skills and started to sell her art in galleries in London and Scotland. Returning to Nairn in 2000 Sally worked on capturing the varied and beautiful landscapes and townscapes of the Moray Firth, West Coast of Scotland, and East Neuk of Fife. She worked in varied media including gouache and pen and ink, but her favourite medium became watercolour. Sally developed a unique style of working, often very finely detailed, with a vibrant colour palette that reflects the way she sees both the natural world and the built

There is a pivotal point in any professional artist's career that brings with it equal measures of excitement and fear: their first Solo Exhibition. Just getting ready is a huge task, and not just about having enough artwork. You need a venue, and everything framed and hung. Publicity and marketing is vital, and you want to invite everyone you know to the opening event! A solo exhibition can be fraught

environment. She looked closely at how colour really works and changes with the ambient light - and realised that she really does see colours differently to most. She picks out hues that at first sight can be missed, but on closer inspection emerge, if you are willing to discard your normal â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;filtersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and look afresh at what is to be seen.

with ego-fraying, confidence-testing questions: Will anyone come to the opening? Will they like the paintings? Are the prices reasonable? Will people buy? Even if you have been successfully selling your work for years, a solo show leaves you nowhere to hide. But if you want to be taken seriously as an artist then eventually you have to go solo. For Nairn artist Sally Gunn that leap into the unknown happens at 7pm on the 7th of April, in the Nicholson Building Art Gallery in Forres. In 2006, with original paintings selling well and commissions coming in, Sally began to sell limitededition signed prints. She initially made prints because many of her favourite paintings had sold and she wanted copies for herself, to hang at home. Print sales grew - with buyers as far afield as Australia - so she expanded the range of prints and brought out a collection of fine art cards. In 2012 Sally had over 30 different prints and cards on sale, with originals selling in galleries and hotels. With her two youngest children then still in Primary School, and a husband Sally trained at the world-renowned Duncan of Jordanstone

deployed to the Middle East for six months, things

College of Art in Dundee that schooled many famous

were busy! But Sally kept painting and even found

artists. The next twenty years saw Sally devoted to raising

time to experiment with acrylics, a medium that

her seven children, moving around the UK and Europe with

behaves very differently to watercolour and allows

husband Mark and coping with the many absences his job

work on much larger canvases.

After a decade successfully

were finished! Another challenge was working on

building up a brand you might

canvases over two metres long, not easy in the spare

think twice about a major

bedroom that served as the studio. Nonetheless, on

relocation. But in early 2014,

Sally’s return to the UK in 2016, the basis of a solo

Mark asked Sally whether she

exhibition was taking shape, still with much exciting

wanted to move to Norway for

work to do in Scotland to be able to fill a gallery. Nine

a few years: it was a surpris-

hectic months later the show is about to open!

ingly easy decision to say yes!

Graham Cryer, who has long been selling Sally’s work,

So in summer 2014, with three

kindly offered The Nicholson Building Art Gallery in

children in tow, Sally moved to

Forres as the venue. The framing frenzy has continued

Stavanger and a whole country

through March, and the works to be raffled during the

became available as inspiration. A thousand miles long,

exhibition in support of Marie Curie and Children 1st

Norway has amazing scenery. Fjord shorelines and

are ready. Posters have been printed, invitations sent,

islands are dotted with colourful wooden buildings, and

adverts booked - and a frantic first week of April used

deep verdant valleys nestle between glacier-covered

for hanging 40 or so paintings. With prices for

peaks. The outdoor lifestyle is popular in Norway, so

originals starting at around £100 there is something

painting had to compete with cross-country skiing,

affordable for every budget, with Sally’s prints and

hiking, sea kayaking and fishing trips. But early starts

cards available too. If you cannot make it to the

and long school days for the children gave time to paint

opening evening on 7 April, Sally will be in the gallery

more and start creating a collection for an exhibition.

regularly, and would love to meet anyone buying her

This was complicated by people wanting to buy so

art or thinking about a commission. For more

many of the new paintings – some even before they

information see www.sallygunnart.co.uk.

Footerin' Aboot are THE up & coming new ceilidh

Lifestyle caught up with the boys to get to know a bit

"with a twist" band on the Moray music scene.

more about them.

#NotJustACeilidhBand, they perform jumping, upbeat material guaranteed to get you of your seats and on the dance floor. Incorporating original songs, vibrant compositions, traditional tunes, popular covers and ceilidh dances into their sets makes them the band to choose for any occasion, be it your special day, a

Introduce yourselves and your role in the band Calum on Drums / Cajon / Guitar & Vocals Lewis on Guitar / Ukulele & Vocals Macaulay (Jocky) on Fiddle Rowan on Bass Guitar

charity fundraiser, a corporate event or the biggest

Why did you pick your band name?

festival in town.

Calum: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we first got together we had some

2016 saw them really take their performance to the

random name like Trainwreck, or something equally

next level showcasing their talent at some fantastic

ridiculous, so we figured we needed something more

events, Speyfest, Belladrum & The Lochness

appropriate. We were looking for something Scottish so

Marathon, to name a few and his year is already

googled Doric words and liked Footerin' Aboot because

promising to be even bigger and better for the lads.

of the double meaning i.e. messing about and fiddling.â&#x20AC;?

How did you form? Lewis: “Myself, a fiddler called Amber and Calum got together and played our first gig on the busking truck at

Macaulay: “I went on a trip to Canada last year to perform at loads of events. It was brilliant to meet new people and see a great place.”

Speyfest in 2014. It went pretty well so we started

Rowan: “Playing on the Danny Kyle Stage at Celtic

performing at little ceilidhs, fundraisers and stuff. Rowan

Connections last month. We only found out the morning

came on board as Bass player in 2015 and Amber left

before so spent 6 hours that night practising. Early start

the band after Speyfest last year. Jocky, who we all knew

and long road trip later we hit the stage and really

well, just slotted in as our new fiddle player. We debuted

impressed them. Got a highly recommended, which was

our new line-up on the Free Range Stage at Belladrum

fantastic for our first trip to Glasgow. So worth it.”

last year and since then we have just gone from strength

Who or what inspires you (generally) and why?

to strength.” If you knew today was your last day on Earth, how would you spend it?

Calum: “My mum - she's such a driving force. Her mantra is, 'There's no point doing something if you're not going to give it your best shot and if that fails it wasn't meant to happen in the first place.' It's kind of a good way to think

Calum: “Putting on a massive gig in the garden with all

of things and makes me want to try my best, but not give

the amazing musicians I know taking part. All our friends,

up if it doesn't work out first time round. Just think of it as

family and supporters would be there, having the best

a learning curve and try something different.”

time and there would be loads and loads of food and the big surprise act would be The Foo Fighters.”

Lewis: “Generally, I take inspiration from sport, especially football and my family. I'm a big Aberdeen fan so I love

Lewis: “I'd get up early, have a big breakfast, play my

listening to Alex Ferguson talk about his determination

guitar, go to the fitba, meet my pals and then go to gran's

and winning mentality that saw him become so

for tea. I'm good at procrastinating though so I'd probably

successful. In my family, I look up to my dad, my grandpa

end up only doing a couple of those things.”

Jocky and my sister. They're all strong-minded people

Rowan: “With my family and mates, partying.”

and great folk.”

Macaulay: “Sitting with the family having a tune.”

Macaulay: “Muhammad Ali - because he came from

What is the most rewarding experience you have had and what made it so? Calum: “Belladrum last year. It was top of our list of

nothing to become the greatest and he stood up for what he believed in.” Rowan: “People who are not sheep, have their own opinions and stick to them.”

places we wanted to play. We spent six months getting ready for it and at one point didn't think it was going to happen. Loads of people we didn’t know came to hear our set and were literally dancing in the rain - it went down so well it even surprised us. It was such a fantastic

And musically? Calum: “Dave Grohl - because he started as a drummer and now fronts the Foo Fighters.”

experience and what a great way to introduce our new

Lewis: “I was brought up on AC/DC and bands that my

line-up.”

dad listened to, but nowadays I like listening to new and

Lewis: “Definitely going away to Africa for a month last summer. I went as part of a 'world challenge' expedition to Tanzania with a few school mates and gained so much from it. What made it for me was seeing the young kids out there. We helped paint a primary school and the kids

interesting stuff and genre doesn't really fuss me. I'd say that being in a band like this has made me listen to more folk and acoustic stuff, a genre which I never thought I'd like before, and I try and take what inspires me into the band.”

were meant to be on holiday but they turned up every

Macaulay: “My fiddle teachers, James Alexander and

day just to see us. They were all so happy as well which

Mhairi Marwick.”

makes you appreciate what you have.”

Rowan: “Catfish and the Bottlemen and Arctic Monkeys.”

Which of you is the naughtiest, funniest, shyest, loudest? Calum: “Rowan is definitely the naughtiest, he's always up to something. Jocky's the funniest, he's got a really dry sense of humour. Lewis is the loudest and I mean that literally, we always have to turn him down on the mic, and none of us are particularly shy. What am I ??? Let's stick with 'just the drummer'.” Lewis: “Rowan's the naughtiest, there's something about him that makes him look a bit shifty... Jocky always manages to make me laugh, so he's the funniest and Calum's the loudest on those drums! That would leave me as the shy one... As if!” Macaulay: “Rowan is deffo the naughtiest - not sure about the rest, ha ha. Me? I'm the laid back one definitely not the naughty one Rowan Duncan!!!” Rowan: “Shyest - Jocky, Naughtiest - Jocky, Funniest Lewis and Loudest - (on drums) Cal. Me??? I'm the inappropriate one.” If you had a snail that could magically grant wishes, what would you name it?

If you could only eat two foods for the rest of your life, what would they be? Calum: “Got to be Haggis, Neeps & Tatties. Yeah, I know that’s three things, but it's just not the same unless you've

Calum: “Timothy, because, well why not? I think

got them all.”

everyone should have a magic snail called Timothy.”

Lewis: “Any one dish of my gran, Heather's cooking and

Lewis: “I'd name my magic snail Keith. No reason really

my dad's chilli probably. One big pot of chilli would

... but I wouldn't expect my wishes to be granted

probably keep me going for the rest of my days...”

quickly, I hear snails are quite sluggish (rim shot)”

Macaulay: “Steak & Kebabs.”

Macaulay: “Colin.” Rowan: “Well, it's slow, like Jocky and yet magical, like Jocky, so it would have to be Jocky.”

Rowan: “Stovies & Bacon.” What direction do you want to take your music? Calum: “With the band, I would love to incorporate more

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

Celtic Rock. I love the festival scene and that just fits. The

Calum: “What me? I'm never in trouble! Did I not just

more jumping and upbeat the better as far as I'm

say Rowan was the naughty one? Or Jocky, ask

concerned, but then, I am the drummer. Personally -

Jocky...”

every direction. I plan to make a career of it.”

Lewis: “I was a wee thug in primary school and I almost

Lewis: “One Direction. As a band, because our influences

got excluded for fighting a boy in my class who stole

are so wide, we can take lots of different directions. I love

my 'lucky' mouldy orange peel.”

that we can be a touring band, getting on the festival

Macaulay: “I was always in trouble as a kid. I got stuck in the tumble dryer once and was actually going round and round.” Rowan: “Having a party when my mum and dad were out. Shhhhhhh! I try not to remind them.”

circuits whilst still being a function/ceilidh band. Personally, I'd love a future in the industry in any form.” Macaulay: “Definitely plan to stick with the traditional music.” Rowan: “I'd like to be a sound engineer.”

Do you have groupies? Rowan: “Yeah we've got our Number 1 Fan Club - The Portgordon Posse. They have literally bought the T-shirts and they come to most of our gigs.” Having already announced that they are supporting Skerryvore at the Speyside Whisky Festival and a late night slot on The Rabbies Tavern Stage at Eden Festival, they still have numerous Big Gig Announcements to divulge. They are currently in the recording studio putting together their first EP, which will be available in What has been your favourite gig? Where would you love to play? Calum: “Got to say Belladrum again. It was amazing. Or the Albert Hall. It was amazing on a different level. Singing 500

May and are working on some fantastic new songs and jumping tunes to introduce later in the year. Keep an eye on their facebook page for all the latest info: www.facebook.com/footerinaboot/

miles away to more than 5000 people and it's such an

Check out some of their music on soundcloud:

immense building - can't decide either/or. I Would love to

soundcloud.com/footerinaboot

play at Oban Live. We're supporting Skerryvore at The

and contact them via their website:

Glenlivet Distillery next month and we're really hoping they

footerinaboot.wixsite.com/ceilidhband

like us enough to invite us down there in June.” Lewis: “Favourite gig was when we played with the Fochabers Fiddlers in the Royal Albert Hall but, as a band, my favourite gig so far was Belladrum last year. Then again, we've got some great gigs coming up this year. There's not a specific venue I'd like to play at, but a foreign tour would be great.” Macaulay: “Same as Lewis, my favourite gig is The Albert Hall. I would love to play in The Reel in Orkney.” Rowan: “Yep, totally agree, Bella was the best. I would love to play at Glastonbury.” If you could open up for any artist on tour right now who would it be? Calum: “Elephant Sessions, Skippinish & Blazin' Fiddles are currently top of our bucket list since. We've already ticked the Skerryvore box and I'd love to support RUNRIG - that would be unbelievable.” Lewis: “Tough question. I'd say Ed Sheeran at the minute but, supporting Skerryvore next month sounds just as good...” Macaulay: “I'd love to open for Blazin' Fiddles.” Rowan: “Catfish and the Bottlemen or Arctic Monkeys for me.”

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01309 671000 or email: mail@mieles.co.uk Supplying, restaurants, hotels, cafe’s, shops and many more local retail outlets. Ask for Miele’s - the Ice ‘Cream of Moray’

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It started, as many Italians did in those days, with an Ice Cream Parlour and Fish & Chip shop. Michael worked in the business from 1930 and handed over the reigns to the second generation, Alex and Vince in the 1960s. In September 1997 Carlo purchased the business and is still at the helm.

Miele's are able to cater for large events and can produce personalised packaging for weddings and corporate events, as long as we have sufficient notice. We also have an ice cream trike available, as well as display cabinets, should customers wish to display products at the event. Our flavours include natural fruit pulp, cocoa, toffee etc, some of which is sourced locally and dependent on time of year.

As a family run firm, our recipes have been passed down through three generations, making our delicious desserts famous among ice cream aficionados everywhere. Our artisan principles remain as important to us now as they were in 1930.

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We pride ourselves on our innovative, quirky and natural flavours and only use the finest, locally sourced produce – including lashings of fresh milk and from Scottish dairy farms (so local we can almost see the cows from our window).

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01309 671000

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28 High Street Forres IV36 1DB www.mieles.co.uk mail@mieles.co.uk

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The company is now 87 years old and is still run by the Miele family and three generations later are still producing high quality products.

We take satisfaction in being able to offer our wholesale customers flexibility in meeting their needs and, where possible, being able to replenish stock at short notice on hot summer days. We are also able to work with creative customers needs and try to create personal ice cream flavours to complement their dishes.

Mor ay

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Quality Ice Cream made for you...locally!

Sandy’s Carpets

13 High Street, Buckie

01542 834400

E L A S S T N A N REM Why not start your Spring Cleaning with a visit to Sandy’s Carpets We have a large selection of Remnants for all sizes of rooms.We have priced these remnants to sell so grab

Carpet Tiles

yourself a bargain.All remnants can be viewed at our warehouse. Call in past our shop and our staff will take you along to view them all. This offer ends 28th April For every Thursday and Friday ‘til mid May the store will be open at the Douglas Centre, Marchmount Crescent, Buckie store will be open for viewing remnants. We have selected MODULEO, Karndean luxury vinyl flooring at reduced prices, also selected carpet tiles to clear! 44

Vinyl Flooring

Sandy’s Carpets Fantastic flooring at great prices

April at the Bank

Starting Saturday 1 April & then every following Saturday & Sunday from 2.30pm – 4.00pm

Afternoon Tea at The Bank Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with sandwiches, homemade scones, cream & jam, delicious cakes, tea& coffee £12.50pp

Local and Independent for over 16 years

Open daily for coffee, tasty treats, fresh pizzas and lots more

(Booking essential minimum 24 hours in advance please)

Easter Sunday 16 April Enjoy a special all day lunch Served Noon-4.00pm

The Bank Café & Restaurant No. 2 The Square Huntly AB54 8AE

(Only 10 mins walk from Huntly Train Station) Café Open: Wed – Sun 11am – 3.30pm (Closed Mon & Tues) Restaurant Open: Fri & Sat 6.30pm till late

Reservations: 07955 710755

North East of Scotland Restaurant of the Year 2016 - Runner Up www.thebankhuntly.co.uk Like us on

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Rothes

Pharmacy 26-28 High Street, Rothes 01340 831233

There is a smart, shiny black car with very distinctive white signage zipping around Speyside. It is a new kid on the block and is the latest addition to the team at Rothes Pharmacy. The little car’s purpose is to deliver prescriptions to those persons who find it difficult to get to the pharmacy and it provides a much-appreciated lifeline. Deliveries are free of charge and are all part of the service provided by Kevin Herbert, his wife and the staff at Rothes Pharmacy. Since taking over the pharmacy Kevin and his team have made several changes to the look of the business, renovating the premises both internally and externally. The results are fresh and inviting.

A firm believer in the pharmacy not only dispensing medications but also good, sound advice to those whose needs do not necessarily involve a trip to the Health Centre, Kevin is always available to discuss customers’ concerns and nothing is too much trouble. Whatever the concern, Kevin’s time is yours and his advice is always down to earth and not shrouded in medical jargon. But this is just the beginning. More innovative changes are on the cards – changes that will benefit Speyside and its surrounding areas in many ways and will make the pharmacy very much a hub of the community. The little car is just the first of Kevin’s plans.

Rothes

Pharmacy

“

26-28 High Street, Rothes 01340 831233

Unable to collect your prescription? Having to rely on friends or family? Free Prescription collection and delivery service now available. Will also deliver toiletries and other healthcare products along with your prescriptions. Delivering to: Rothes, Aberlour, Elgin and all surrounding communities.

”

Tel : 01340 831233 e-mail : nhsg.rothescp@nhs.net 46

Sometimes you need

that yummy food hug! by Fred Trey

What could be nicer, I thought one Saturday morning after a relatively ‘social’ evening, than a plate of steamed curly Kale, washed down with a wheatgrass shot thrown into a carrot and cabbage juice? Except perhaps, to quote Dave Lister prior to his tenure aboard the deep space mining vessel RED DWARF, having your whole body vigorously rubbed by a man with a cheese grater. There is nothing, NOTHING, nice about Kale. Nobody ever sat down after a hard day at the coal face and said “you know what I fancy for tea tonight love. I’ll tell you – Kale, and plenty of it”. Don't get me wrong, a healthy diet has its place in society, but so does colonic irrigation and root canal surgery to a certain extent, but only when expressly ordered by a medical professional. That doesn't mean it should become the norm. ‘Healthy people’ wax lyrical about the endorphin release following an hour of gruelling, machine assisted exercise in an air conditioned gym, but shun any talk of chocolate providing the same release. I know people who get borderline depressed if they do not manage to fit strenuous exercise into their daily routine. Which is definitely a sign of an addictive personality. And what about the labelling? Junk food, now there's a misnomer if ever there was one, what could be ‘junk’ about something that provides comfort to millions? Fast food? Now that's a far better moniker; we know that we should use our weekend to studiously plan our weekend ‘big shop’ then spend the remainder of our precious two days off work preparing and cooking healthy lunches and snacks for the week. But come Thursday, when the salad has wilted in its tupperware, the organic almonds have all been thrown in the bin and the bananas have turned black (perfect for a banana cake BTW), it's so much easier to call the curry house on the way home, or pick up a pizza from the supermarket. But why the guilt trip? Only a couple of

generations ago our grandparents were grateful for what they could get and most of them were leaner than commandos. And therein lies the rub, as long as you don't glut on it, any food will do! Take the humble hamburger. My personal favourite is the one that is made beneath the Golden Arches. Other purveyors of fine meat based sandwiches are available but that is my favourite. Rumours abound that they can be left untouched on a forest floor and will neither decompose

Apparently there is a magical formula; no one would

nor be eaten by the wildlife. That's absolutely fine in my

really enjoy polishing off the sugar bowl with a

book, I would never do anything so foolish as to leave one

teaspoon, just as not many folk would thank you for a

lying around for someone else! If anyone left one around

pint glass full of cream. Mix the two together and you

for an experiment and I was in the vicinity, I can categori-

have the recipe for heaven â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ice cream, chocolate,

cally state that it would not last five minutes. That delicious

glazed donuts, they all tick the special combination

blend of ketchup, onions and mustard - I even love the

box. Primal/paleo diet advocates will tell you the

gherkin, meaning, I generally get everyone else's in my

recipe for health is to eat only things that grow in the

family. Bonus!

ground or swim, run, or fly. Of course it is, we all know

Balance is an important aspect in life. I've got nothing against healthy, wholesome food, I eat quite a bit of it. It's just that occasionally, you just find yourself hankering after say, cheese, or sugar, or pigs, or kebabs, curries, ice cream, anything really, that didn't grow in the soil or run in the field. Reheated curry or pizza for breakfast? Why not. Food tastes nicer reheated anyway.

that deep down. It's called real food. But where is the comfort? There is a reason it's called comfort food, it's a hug on a plate. The sort of people who eschew fast food in its entirety are the kind of people that would rather self flagellate and sit in a gorse bush naked than have a hug from a chubby person in a cashmere sweater. We are now made to feel guilty by celebrity millionaires. Jamie Oliver has a real hang up about turkey twizzlers. He thinks we shouldn't be feeding them to our children. I kind of get where he's coming from but chicken nuggets are fantastic with ketchup or bbq sauce. It's easy to eat like a yogic guru when you have a job you love that pays you millions and your kids are straight from the pages of a happy families catalogue (and you're a chef!). But really, I think his problem is with the more generic forms of reconstituted meats. Wikipedia has this to say about reconstituted meats: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A meat slurry, reconstituted meat, or emulsified meat

is a liquefied meat product that contains fewer fats,

ultimately, moderation – binge once in a while. If we

pigments and less myoglobin than unprocessed dark

lived a life of monastic discipline, eating only quinoa

meats. Meatslurry is more malleable than dark meats

and wearing shirts woved from the back-hair of farm

and eases the process of meat distribution as pipelines

workers, we may well add a couple of miserable, grain

may be used.”

munching weeks to our lives, but like every committed

Hmmmmmmm, Bisto!

fat, couch potato knows, they won't really be worth the sacrifice. Junk/fast/comfort food is a part of life, a

The fact is, we are biologically and genetically set up to

reward for the stress filled lives we have wrapped

eat whole animals, bones, skin and organs, the lot, not

ourselves in. It doesn't need to mean that we live every

just tender chicken breast or the finest prime cuts of

day, sedentary and quaffing double-thick milkshakes

beef. So really, once in a while, what's wrong with a bit

and pushing burger after burger into our gobs. A brisk

of meat slurry, pressed and stamped into a drumstick

walk, a few interests external to our work, a few veggies

shape and deep fried? Surely there are worse things out

for good measure and you have a nice balanced life.

there? Like Kale.

Why make it difficult? Yes, a diet of fast food alone will

The biggest demonising factors seem to be various agents that even children know the names of: trans-fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, simple sugars, complex carbs. The list goes on but the old axiom remains true, everything in moderation – including

Tell me

“Eat everything in moderation”

one more time...

mangle your internal organs faster than an invitation to Oliver Reed’s Stag do, but who eats like that? It's all well and good for a best selling documentary but in real-life, everyone needs an occasional treat.

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One Day Like This One Day Like This offers you a unique experience through personal assistance and attention to detail in preparation for one of the most important and memorable days of your life. 91-93 Mid Street, Keith AB55 5AE 01542 488460 07484 098716

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Everything

Weddings

When us girls got together we had no idea the

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we do, together we have turned a vision into

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We want you to get some Inspiration from our images

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those looking for a quaint, non traditional and

from small, independent local suppliers. 53

THE CREATIVE TEAM LOCATION - The Dowans Hotel, Aberlour - 01340 871488 For a perfectly intimate wedding venue, look no further than the Dowans Hotel. Set in the heart of the malt whisky capital and ideally positioned looking down over the Spey Valley, their spacious grounds and hotel will offer you a location that is unrivalled in the area. This family run business have a dedicated and passionate team than can cater for 45-50 guests and are ready to make your day everything you wished it would be and more.To make an enquiry give them a call or check out their Facebook page. FLORIST - Lotus Petal, Keith and Aberlour 01542 887425 / 01340 881777 Lotus Petal are a bespoke florist based in Keith and Aberlour aiming to provide you with the best possible service. From bridal bouquets and buttonholes to church and venue flowers , what ever your floral requirements Kerry and Karren will work with you to create and design stunning floral arrangements for your big day. Check out their fabulous work on Facebook or give them a PHOTOGRAPHER - Linzi Lou Photography, Keith -

call to arrange a consultation.

07841 417834 Lynsey is a natural light photographer based in the Keith, Moray area. Specialising in newborn, families, small intimate weddings and elopements. You'll find her on facebook or at www.linzilouphotography.com Linzi Lou Photography | Blog I love capturing moments, moments that may only have lasted a split second and making an image for my clients to keep forever. I know with my boys how precious these memories are to me. linzilouphotography.com HAIR- Kirsti Ingram @Fife Keith Hair and Beauty, Keith 01542 886866 Kirsti is a friendly, professional stylist with over 10 years experience based in Fife Keith Hair and Beauty, trained in all aspects of hairdressing including occasional hair-ups and smoothing treatments. She offers a wide range of products such as Wella, Olaplex, Alfaparf and Moroccan Oil. Call the salon to arrange a consultation or to book an appointment.

MAKE UP - KayV Makeup, Inverurie - 07876376979 Kay trained over 4 1/2 years ago at The Academy of Makeup, Glasgow. Specialising in Bridal and occasion makeup, she travels through out Scotland to deliver her services. Check out her work on Facebook, KayV Makeup Artist or call to make an enquiry.

BRIDAL WEAR - One Day Like This, Keith - 07484 098716 One Day Like This is a small bridal boutique based in Keith with a varied range of stunning wedding, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, shoes and accessories. They aim to provide you with the best experience possible for finding the perfect dress. Give them a call to book an appointment or find them on Facebook.

CAKE - Alison's cakes, Keith - 07979 821960 Decorated by Lotus Petal Alison's cakes which is based in Keith creates bespoke cakes for all occasions ,birthday's, anniversary's, weddings, retirements, the list is endless. Every cake has its own special story to tell. Cakes have become an artwork and more people are looking for the taste and smell of homemade with a perfect artistic finish for special occasions, you'll find all of this at Alison's Cakes. Check out her fabulous work on Facebook.

CAR HIRE - Saltire Wedding and Executive Hire, Craigellachie, Aberlour - 01340 881795 Saltire provide luxury wedding cars, corporate hire ans TABLE LINEN - Seating Styles, Keith - 07787 402941

special occasion car hire at very competitive rates.To

Whether you want to take a lead role in your venue styling

make an enquiry give them a call or check out their

or want the full service Seating Styles has everything you

Facebook page.

will need and more for your big day.To make an enquiry call Gail or check out their work on Facebook

MODELS - Amy Morrison and Emily Clair.

The

place to be

Whatever your reason for visiting speyside, whether you’re here to relax and enjoy the scenery, sightsee the castles and take the ‘whisky trail’, walk the mountains, fish the spey, play some golf, enjoy a romantic weekend away, celebrate a special occasion or entertain your business clients. At The Dowans we source all our fresh ingredients locally, preparing seasonal menus that mix traditional scottish fare with cuisines from around the world. Our Whisky room, The Still, is stocked with over

The Dowans Hotel is a fully refurbished boutique hotel in the heart of Speyside that has 16 en-suite bedrooms. The Dowans is a perfect intimate wedding venue where we specialise in small bespoke weddings. We can cater for groups up to 45-50 guests in our private function room. We have a dedicated and passionate family team that are ready to make your day everything you wished it would be and more.

five hundred single malt whiskies from

Two restaurants Spé and 57 with private dining available.

around the world, including for the

Cocktail Bar, Whisky room.

Connoisseur, a 1940 Macallan and a 1953 Glen Grant, whilst MBar offers beers from local micro-breweries, the largest selection of cocktails to be found in Speyside and a very wide range of gins, vodkas and rums.

Range of events bringing in the stars of the distilling industry. The Murray family invite you to join us here at the dowans hotel and let us make your stay all that you could wish for.

DOWANS HOTEL ABERLOUR SCOTLAND

Dowans Road, Aberlour AB38 9LS • 01340 871488 56

Seating Styles WEDDING

PLANNING

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At White Shadow Wedding Films we strive to work with you to give you a wedding film that you will want to treasure forever.

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Whether you want to take a lead role in your venue styling or want the full service we have everything that you will need and more Contact details

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Range of Videography packages also various photobooths available Book now forever hold your place ‘If love is blind let us be your eyes’

1 Station Cottages, Newmill Road, Keith. whiteshadowweddingfilms@gmail.com 07825 229237 • whiteshadowweddingfilms.com

At Saltire we provide Luxury Wedding cars, Corporate Hire, Executive Hires, Airport pick-ups & Special Occasion Car Hire at very competitive rates

T. 01340 881795 • 07768 172567

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Wedding Gifts

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the bride and groom…

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At Aberlour Bespoke Catering we pride ourselves on providing food and services of the highest quality whilst ensuring that all your personal requirements are met.

Special Occasions Private Chef Corporate Events

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81 Mid Street, Keith AB55 5AF Open10 - 5 Monday to Saturday closed Wednesday and Sunday

Nikki

Singer/Songwriter

The perfect Ambient Music for the earlier part of your Special Day Chris is a young singer/ songwriter from Moray North East Scotland who has been writing and performing live since he was a child. Not just a solo performer Chris can be seen playing at bigger venues and larger music festivals with his band not only projecting different sounds and vibes to the shows, but once again emphasises the sheer versatility of this outstanding original artist!

White

Wedding & Events Planner Nikki White is a wedding and events planner working in Moray. It goes without saying that it is YOUR DAY, and she will do whatever is needed to ensure your day is exactly how you both want it to be. Nikki will take care of the frustrating, stressful and time-consuming bits, leaving you to enjoy the best parts of getting married; on the day and during the days, weeks and months running up to it. For a free consultation please telephone Nikki on

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Perfect Scents Beauty, cosmetic & personal care in Aberlour

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Home Comforts by Sandra

we specialise in Made to measure Bespoke Lampshades & Matching Cushions

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We make sure that you buy the right

Mike Rae - About Nature

indulging OBSESSIONS by Mike Rae • www.mikerae.com

The second pillow means I can safely drink the hot coffee

the water and swim south out of sight, it is time I got

I have just made, it also allows me to see out of the huge

out of bed.

picture window to the left of the bed. The sun is just

We all have faults and obsessions, one of mine is

touching the roofs of the little settlement of Balmacara

otters, I have been coming back to Kylerhea for years

and even at 6km distance I can see the early morning

and never failed to see them here. The fierce tides that

traffic heading west to Kyle of Lochalsh and east past

race back and forth through Kyle Rhea constantly

Eilean Donan Castle. In early March, day light is still short,

brings the fresh food that otters need to survive. Otters

the steep hills either side of Kylerhea ration the sunlight at

need to eat for much of the day as they are relatively

Kylerhea and the House on the slip is still in shade. The

small and don’t have an insulating layer of fat like the

water is funnelled past frantically by the tide in the middle

seals that also feed in these waters. The otters at

of the channel but by the rocky shore the currents are

Kylerhea have not read the guide books on when they

more subtle and the surface deceptively smooth and inky,

should be out and can be seen at any time of day,

this is where I am looking.

when the tides are slack they will swim across the

The first sign is a heron that abandons it’s fishing post in

straights to the mainland and back but, I see them most

the shallows and flaps lazily south past the house.

often close to the rocky shore diving up and down in

Seconds later the low v shaped ripple comes round the

the kelp looking for fish and crabs.

point, the back arches, the pointed tail shows for an

The conveyer of food driven back and forth by the tide

instant - then nothing. I realise that I am holding my

is also a magnet for other wildlife, seals are always

breath. Then, the otter breaks through the surface and

present, a flock of cormorants are constantly fishing,

busily eats the small fish she has caught, shakes her head

swimming down with the tide flow only to fly back and

and dives again. Almost instantly another otter appears

repeat. Gulls provide a constant sound backdrop and

seemingly from nowhere, possibly a cub from last year

rough weather in the Minch west of Skye draws in

and waits, still on the surface. A movement below me, I

gannets that dive spectacularly for fish just off shore

lean across the bed to see the female bring a larger eel

from the house. But, the star of the show are a pair of

like fish ashore. The second otter comes to join her but

sea eagles that nest near the long gone cottage at

she refuses to share her catch threatening with bared

Sandaig where Gavin Maxwell lived and could look

teeth and ached back. Two minutes of frantic eating

north west to Kylerhea from the mainland. An eagle can

and the fish has gone, both otters slide oil like back into

be seen most days either high over the sound or

occasionally scooping fish off the surface. Stay a

almost tame bringing fish up on the shore just

week at Kylerhea and golden eagle and peregrine

a few metres away and eating in clear view.

falcons are very likely to glide over the hill tops and

Others will vanish if they see me, only to

small groups of porpoise swim through Kylerhea.

resurface a hundred metres away. I have seen

Food is not the only reason for the constant otter

an otter lying still in thick seaweed with only its

presence at Kylerhea, the coast line here is

nose above water seemingly afraid of the

“difficult”. Walking along the shore is almost

noise of a boat passing through the straight a

impossible, the rock strata runs at 45 degrees. The

kilometre away. A few days at Kylerhea allows

coast is a series of small deep inlets separated by

me to identify the different otters from their

steep rock walls, small but enthusiastic streams

behaviour and more certainly from their face

tumble into the sea. The distorted rock provides

and nose markings, no two are the same. They

countless shelters and the fresh water allows the

also tend to appear at the same time of the

otters to wash the salt from their coats. Just above

day, like the pair that come past during early

the shore line the coast is thick with bracken and

morning coffee, they often return heading

bramble, get down to otter level and an intricate

north towards the forestry commission “otter

network of paths can be found. In the years I have

haven” after sun set. Probably the most

been coming to Kylerhea I have widened some of

reliable place to seen an otter at Kylerhea is

the otter paths to get out to many of the small

not from the “otter haven” hide but by looking

points, summer growth tries to close these, but

over the wall by the road that runs down to

walking through reopens them in the winter. The

the ferry and the house on the slip where I

best way I know to watch the otters here is get out

have stayed. A calm day, a very quiet voice

to the points between the small inlets and wait for

and an hour waiting will very often be

an otter to come past.

rewarded.

It sometimes feels like I need eyes in the back of

Winter at Kylerhea is almost people free, the

my head, even with constant scanning an otter can

constant drip feed of traffic using the summer

just appear in front of me, a small head or arched

ferry is gone. Of course the price to be paid

back. They are all different, some otters appear

for a winter’s day of solitude with the otters

and other wildlife are the shorter days and often interesting ever changing weather but there are evening compensations. Some people claim it is the Skye bridge giving a path to the island, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, but the pine marten population on Skye has grown in the last few years. Several of the barns and house roofs in Kylerhea show evidence of pine marten occupation, they leave more evidence on the roads in the autumn when they have been gorging over night on rowan tree berries. The large picture window in the bedroom of the house on the slip extends down to the day room below. As daylight fades in winter a bedside lamp pointed outside through the glass highlights a large stone on the gravel. Peanuts, patience and an armchair are required, most evenings at least one pine marten will come to eat off the stone, their robust dimension indicate that I am not the only person feeding them. After a long damp day sitting on rocks I think this is how all wildlife watching should be.

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A.M.MCPHERSON LTD A.M.MCPHERSON LTD

154 MID STREET , KEITH., KEITH. AB55AB55 5BJ 5BJ 154 MID STREET 882736 Email: mcphersons@btconnect.com Tel:01542 Tel:01542 882736www.ammcpherson.co.uk Email: mcphersons@btconnect.com Website: Website: www.ammcpherson.co.uk

*T&C’s apply. Sold as an agent for Euronics Limited. All rights reserved. All offers are subject to availability while stocks last. Delivery & Installation charges may apply. Exclusions and Radius Apply. Prices correct at time of print but can be subject to change. See in store for full details. Images for illustration purposes only. Copyright Euronics 2017. January E&OE 2017. Saving compared to a higher price charged for 28 days in the last six months unless otherwise stated. 66

A.M.MCPHERSON LTD

FAMILY RUN FOR OVER 60 YEARS A. M. McPherson Ltd started up in business in 1955 as an electrical contractor owned and run by Mr Ally McPherson and his wife Nora connecting farms and crofts in the Knock area to the new electricity supply. Due to the demand for electrical goods they began selling appliances and moved into their first shop at the bottom end of Mid Street, Keith in 1958. After 10 years there they then moved up to the larger present shop at 154 Mid Street which after an extension now has an extensive showroom area of 3800 sq ft. In 1993 after the sudden death of Ally his two sons took over the business until 2016 after which Ivan McPherson who has over 40 years experience in the electrical goods trade along with his wife Isobel became the joint owners of the A. M. McPherson Ltd, with their daughter Geraldine having a major role in the day to day running. Deliveries cover many parts of the north-east of Scotland and can include connection and removal of most old appliances. A large range of top brand goods are in store for fast delivery or collection and they also supply and install built-in appliances. Being a member of the Euronics buying group means the white goods they stock are competitively priced. They employ a local workforce of staff who are all friendly and helpful and aim to make your purchase and delivery as much of a pleasure as possible. Being the longest running, original family run retail business on Mid Street, Keith, they aim to continue to provide excellent local customer service whilst modernising and moving forward with the times.

The Gallery in Aberlour When April arrives it is always a bit of a shock as we are already a third of the way through the year, but also a relief to finally be enjoying the warmer weather. Even more so, a relief this year, as the never-ending roadwork saga on the Aberlour high street will finally be in the past. It has been an incredibly difficult time for all the businesses resulting in the closure and near closure of some of our neighbours and now some very tough years ahead to recover. Fortunately the village has many assets and now a wonderful new high street with the couple of empty shops quickly filled. It has always been a vibrant, picturesque and welcoming village. The whisky festival is the major event at the end of April, attracting the first

The Gallery in Aberlour FINE ART & FRAMING Scottish landscapes, wildlife, fishing & whisky Exquisite wood turning, pottery & cards

Still Life Studio Picture Framer & Gallery 126 High St, Aberlour AB38 9NX 01340 871457 or 07766 704910

large influx of tourists to the area this year. We have been involved in the festival since its inception. I was reminded of this when I found an old catalogue earlier today whilst continuing the gallery spring clean. We hope to hold another Whisky Festival Art Prize in the future but will be holding our regular exhibition of Scottish & whisky themed paintings and prints throughout the festival.

This Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Artist Lesley Boyd

I was an interior designer and illustrator for an

When painting in oils, I use photos taken

architectural practice for most of my working

while wandering around the Spey and Moray

life and have been a Fellow of the Royal

area. I like close landscapes with easily

Society of Arts for over 40 years.

missed details, the smoky colours of autumn

When my sons were in their teens I went back

and winter and the amazing skies, that

to college and took a degree in printmaking

closeness to the Grampians gives us with low

and in 2008, after retiring, I moved up to

sun and stormy skies. When I print, it's the

Moray into a Distillery cottage, close to the

details of gnarled, old trees, bark and

River Spey and the Speyside Way. I came to

branches that I find interesting. I couldn't live

Moray for babysitting duties, looking for a

anywhere that didn't have trees, so I'm in the

house big enough for a studio but bought a

best possible area.

small cottage and had to build a workshop in

Lesley D. Boyd BA hons FRSA

the garden!

Oil Painter & Intaglio Printmaker

DAVE DEWHURST Grand Avian Designs By Barbara Playdon

When it comes to choosing our accommodation, we humans are a funny lot. It is not a case of one size fits all. Some of us will opt for a cosy studio flat with everything (apart from the bathroom) open plan while others will want so much space that it necessitates a ball of string to negotiate your way from front door to back door. Some will want to be at ground level; others will want an eyrie twenty floors up in the sky. Both our native and visiting wild birds are similar to us inasmuch as they have their preferences too, which range from wetlands and marshes to forests and high mountain peaks. It is worth taking time out to learn more about the nesting and breeding habits of birds for by so doing we can come to a better understanding of how important birds are in our everyday lives. Dave Dewhurst has done just that. Originally from Preston in Lancashire, Dave is now firmly rooted in Elgin. A trained joiner, Dave specialised in suspended ceilings and travelled the length and breadth of Britain being based – albeit temporarily – wherever his contract work took him. One of those contracts was a five week stint in Elgin at Curry’s and it was during this contract that he met his future wife, Pam, an Elgin resident. In 1995 Dave moved up permanently to Moray and joined the staff of an Inverness firm. He was offered work in Elgin and became involved with projects at the Elgin library, where he stayed for a good few years. An injury to his shoulder took care of any future suspended ceiling work and Dave moved on to working as a joiner with the Council. He retired in August 2015. With time now on his hands, Dave obliged folk by doing various odd jobs and it was while in the middle of one of these jobs that his life took a 90 degree turn. The job in question involved popping down to B&Q for a tin of paint – on that tin of paint was a picture of a birdhouse and Dave thought “I could make that”. So he did. Being a qualified joiner, the design and construction of the prototype birdhouse was no great hurdle. What had to be researched was the

houses with glue and nails and, voila! a row of desirable residences lined up on his workbench, awaiting the finishing touches. It is all very carefully controlled, as he does not want to be cutting and sanding when there is wet paint around. Thought has to go into where your birdhouse is sited. Never put it in a south-facing position as it will receive all-day sun, keep it away from the prevailing wind associated with wet weather and try not to have too much foliage surrounding the birdhouse as this could make it difficult for the residents when entering or leaving. Birds like to have a clear, direct flight path. Obviously you need to exclude predators, so chose a preference that different birds might have for the size

spot roughly 1.5 metres above ground and you would

of the opening of the box and where they would best

also need access to the birdhouse if you intend to

want their new residence sited. After extensive

watch the comings and goings of the residents. It is

research Dave had all the answers he needed and

best not to include a birdhouse that is incorporated in

work on the birdhouses could start in earnest.

a bird table – for obvious reasons – you don’t want

Let’s start with the essential material – wood. Wood

mum and dad to be constantly on red alert chasing

provides good insulation, ensuring that the eggs and

away any intruders when they should be caring for

resulting chicks inside the birdhouse do not become

their young.

too hot in the midday sun or too cold at night. The type

The opening of the birdhouse is also important, as

of wood used is not too critical but obviously

some species prefer a ‘letter-box’ opening, while

hardwoods will outlive pine. The wood should not be

other species are particular about the size of the

too thin otherwise there will not be sufficient insulation

round opening. As a guide, Dave suggests the

and it could possibly warp.

following :

Dave is most particular about the thickness of the wood that he uses – it must be 18mm thick to deter the attention of woodpeckers, who would make short

Hole dia

25mm

28mm

32mm

45mm

Open

Blue and Coal Tit

work of a birdhouse with thin walls. All the recycled

Blue/Coal/Great Tit & Tree Sparrow

wood for his birdhouses is donated and, as a

House/Tree Sparrow, Great Tit and Nuthatch

thank-you, Dave donates a sizeable percentage of all

Starling

his sales to a cancer related charity. He is a firm

Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush

believer in what comes around goes around: people have been kind to him and this is his way of repaying

Any time of year is fine for putting up a new

that kindness. The garden shed at the bottom of his

birdhouse, but autumn and early winter is best as

garden has become Command HQ and he spends

many species will start searching for a nest site as

many hours cutting the wood, assembling the houses

early as January. When not in use for nesting birds, a

and customising the outside (never the inside) in all

birdhouse put up in advance of the cold weather can

manner of colour combinations and decorative finishes.

provide a warm shelter for roosting birds. There is no

All the paint is water-based and is either Cuprinol or

guarantee that a new birdhouse will be used in its first

Ronseal – any other paint type would be harmful to the

season but if it isn’t taken during the following year

birds. Dave works in batches and will first cut and sand

there is a good chance it will not be taken and a move

the wood so that he has a dozen or so fronts, backs,

to another part of the garden is recommended.

sides, floors and roofs. Then he will assemble the

Once the family has left the birdhouse it has to be

cleaned out thoroughly for the new tenants. If it is not cleaned out species such as blue tits and great tits will not use it again. After all, you wouldn’t be happy to move into a new house if it was a midden, would you? Dave’s birdhouses come with a floor that have four removable screws for ease of cleaning. Once clear of the old nest, they are easily screwed back together again. Dave not only makes birdboxes but he caters for squirrels as well. In addition he has bug condominiums and bird tables. So why not create your own mini nature reserve in your garden and help our wildlife. Did you know that National Nest Box Week starts each year on Valentine’s Day? We are a bit late for this year but put a note in your diary for next year – get in touch with the British Trust for Ornithology and get involved in their surveys. Contact them on their website: www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/nbc You can contact Dave by email: shadeydew@sky.com or through his Facebook page: Shadey Birdhouses. Or why not give him a call on 07976 873698, tell him what you would like and he will make it for you. Alternatively, you can visit the following outlets: Footprints at the harbour at Hopeman Be So Crafty on Mid Street in Keith The Dolphin Centre - Spey Bay Ewe ‘n’ Me on the High Street in Aberlour Hello - Cullen Or you can catch him at the following Craft Fairs: April 29th

Junior Highland Games at Gordonstoun

May 1st

Spey Bay Dolphin Centre

May 14th

Banff Springs Hotel

July 8th

Seafest at Lossiemouth Esplanade

WIN

To win please email: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot or Post to MMS Almac, Elgin with the words “Shadey Birdhouses” Competition ends 5th May 2017

A BIRD HOUSE OF YOUR CHOICE 72

Shadey

Birdhouses Birdhouses, Nesting Boxes, Bird

Tables, Squirel Boxes & Feeders, Bug Boxes etc. Contact Dave at email: shadeydew@sky.com or call: 07976 873698

the

inner crone Unnervingly, and far too quickly, I appear to have reached

tion. Often accused (probably correctly so) as being

"that" age as March saw me turning fifty. Unsurprisingly,

an over-thinker, it will come as no surprise to learn

approaching this golden milestone birthday (still doesn’t

that I have analysed these concerns (some would say

make it sound any better) prompted a great deal of navel

over analysed) again and again. To help me

gazing and life evaluation. For some reason, this

understand, I have had discussions with many peers

particular number felt more significant as I certainly didn’t

to ascertain their thoughts and talked with trusted

feel this reflective or disturbed when I turned thirty or

matriarchal figures in my family. None of them

forty. It got me thinking as to what is it about the half

seemed to share the same emotional meltdown that

century digit that caused me such a kerfuffle. Each

I was experiencing.

birthday marks a passage of time and I do remember

Right, so I am turning fifty. That’s no biggie, right? Of

turning twenty-five and thinking "oh my goodness I am

course, I have heard all the placations; ‘fifty is the

halfway to fifty", but little did I know middle age would be

new forty’ (which was the new thirty - or the old

upon me before I knew it and twenty-five would seem a

twenty, I can never remember which), ‘age is just a

lifetime ago!

number’ (albeit a fairly large one), and I am ‘only as

Being one of those people who likes to have a handle on

old as I feel’ (let’s not go there). Now don’t get me

their thoughts and emotions, I've spent a great deal of

wrong, I know I am lucky to have reached this age

time pondering why this birthday brought such consterna-

and still be in reasonable working order – heck, I still

have my appendix AND my tonsils! There are many who haven’t been as lucky, including a very dear friend of mine who died in February, within just a week of receiving her cancer diagnosis. In the days

The ‘Motherhood’ Celtic Trinity Knot

before she died, the phrase ‘life is short’ was said again and again, and I intend to live by those words from now on to honour this amazing person. Caroline, this one’s for you! Back to my navel gazing then … As a lover of Celtic knots and designs, I had the Celtic symbol for motherhood tattooed on the inside of my right wrist

grown up were real and there was a sense that I was at

and often considered getting another one. During

the beginning of something new; a brand-new phase of

my research, I settled on the Triquetra, or Trinity

my life was about to begin. Life would never be the

Knot which is symbolic of the threefold nature of the

same again, although little did I realise that within six

female; as mother, maiden and crone. The maiden

months I would be wishing it all away again!

as a goddess is representative of innocence, the

Then I entered motherhood (probably my most favourite

mother of creation and the crone is representative

phase) and with maidenhood a fading memory, I

of wisdom. The Triquetra also represents the forces

watched my own little people grow and thrive. As with

of nature (earth, fire and water) and the three

maidenhood, this phase of life seemed to be about

interlocking circles are symbolic of female fertility.

discovery, peppered with learning and adventure, fun

In Christian religion, it represents the Father, Son

and laughter, tears and tantrums. No one day or child

and Holy Ghost, but not being religious, it’s the

was the same and the learning curve never seemed to

pagan meanings that I connect to.

lessen, no matter how much experience I gained. The

The maiden, mother, crone image symbolism stuck

rest of my life seem to stretch out before me as the

with me and I think that’s where my ‘issues’ stemmed from. Bear with me here … As a maiden, you are on the cusp of your female potential and I vividly remember the day I entered 'womanhood'; the feelings of excitement and pride that I had

passage of time was marked in pencil on our kitchen wall and the number of coats hanging in the hallway.

age 17

age 15

age 12

age 8 age 7

age 4

Then, all too sudden, that time began.

fellow women, I should point out that

Biologists call it post-reproductive

I am not referring to my role in society, I

lifespan. We call it the menopause and

am talking about our basic gender-

refer to it as our ‘time of life'. The time

specific reasons for the evolution of

of life? Why? Surely your time of life is

mankind – reproduction (or at least the

when you are at your most productive,

choice to). When you strip it all back to

when nothing seems to be a challenge

bones and DNA, that’s basically what it

and you are ready to take on the world,

comes down to, right? After all, we are

not when you are older and no longer

simply part of Earth’s circle of life.

productive as a female? Regardless of

For me, there’s nothing like a good bit of

what they call it, it does mark your

science to help me understand things,

progress into the next phase of

so here’s some handy theories courtesy

womanhood: the crone, and whilst

of Prof Darren Croft, from the University

maiden and mother sound equally as

of Exeter and Dr Dan Franks, from the

fulfilling and enjoyable, the word 'crone'

University of York, via a BBC article

implies anything but!

dated 11 Aug 2016. Only three known

It’s easy to imagine the crone phase

mammals experience the menopause

really doesn't have that much to look

and that’s orcas, short-finned pilot

forward to. Unlike maiden and mother,

whales and us. Great, now I can

there is no beginning, simply an end.

compare myself to a killer whale. Whilst

This is it, you are in your final throes of

other female mammals’ fertility peters

womanhood. How depressing does all

out with age and doesn’t survive beyond

that sound! But is it an end? Yes, of

their childbearing years in the wild,

course there is an end that's

female orcas and women evolved to live

non-negotiable, but does it have to be

long, active, post-reproductive lives.

doom and gloom? To me the word

Ok, so being a killer whale or a human

conjures up images of haggard, old,

has its up sides! According to Croft and

warty witches, tempting innocent

Franks, the question is ‘whether an older

children with breadcrumbs or delicious

female brings a measurable benefit to

apples. How can I put a spin on this

her existing family, which outweighs the

and turn it into something positive,

genetic cost of having no more babies’.

before I felt the need to purchase a black pointy hat and take broomstick lessons? As an over-thinker, I have always felt a connection to the planet and, as a female of a mammalian species, I know I am genetically programmed to fulfil certain roles in life. (It may seem like I am going off on a tangent here, but bear with me, you will see where I am going with it! ) Now before I upset my

In basic terms, what do crones bring to the family table?

one? If you think I am over sensitive about this, stick

With orcas, it was apparent that the old females were

crone into Google image search and imagine yourself

leading from the front, guiding their groups and families

being associated with that, honestly, it’s not exactly a

around to find food, particularly in leaner years when

glamorous look and I am pretty sure my hairdresser isn’t

food supplies were low – a clear case of ‘granny knows

up for that kind of makeover. I lay the blame soundly on

best’. As well as that, adult males stay with their

Mr Disney’s doorstep.

mothers for years and studies show how much they

So, where has all this thinking got me and have I

depend on the older matriarchs for survival, with the

managed to put a spin on the whole fifties business?

risk of their death increasing eightfold in the year

Hell yes! I now feel I can enjoy the next years of my life

following their mother’s death. By not having any more

unhindered by rushed shopping, dentist appointments,

calves later in life, the mother orcas can look after their

parent teacher interviews and those dreaded school

sons, enabling them to go on and mate with females

reports. I can use my years of gained wisdom to help

from other pods.

guide my adult children through their own life phases

Another study questions whether ‘menopause helps

and to clothes shop without stressing about size labels,

the orcas survive by reducing the chance of mothers

to shrug off the judgement of others and to find inner

and daughters having babies at the same time - and by

peace with who I am in this world. No longer will the

this means, perhaps, avoiding competition for

negative thoughts and actions of others influence how I

resources such as food, or even parental care, a job

feel about myself. In fact, this new phase pretty much

that a pod's female orcas often share among

rocks and, once I have scoured the internet and

themselves.’ Whilst an ongoing census will help the

airbrushed all the crone photos; removing warts,

scientists answer this question, I think it makes a lot of

softening chins, brushing hair and replacing the pointy

sense. After all, there’s a limit as to how many people I

hats with pom-pommed beanie hats, I think I will be

am willing to share my chocolate with!

quite happy embracing my inner crone.

Ok, so the science bit explains a lot and makes a lot of sense. Two out of three of my children have now left home and the youngest is merrily flapping her wings on the edge of the nest, determined to fledge at any minute. Being a mother is the most important thing to me and I wasn’t ready to let that go, but I realise my role now is to help teach and nurture the next generation (I hope you are reading this kids) and I understand the role of mother never really ends as the ‘grandmother effect’ is a vital part of our species’ survival. But what has all this to do with turning fifty? Absolutely nothing I guess! I think it just so happens that I am at a change in my phase of life and I felt the need to stop and take stock, which is what we all do from time to time. I am happy with my transition and feeling positive that I still have a lot to give and live for, but there’s still that one word to deal with – CRONE. Seriously, could they not have come up with a better

by Karen Cox

just 'Sense of humour failure' does not discriminate. I've witnessed it in all ages, and most definitely in myself, too often.

school the next day as if nothing has happened. You see, this is not the first or the last time. I've been up until all hours making all manner of 'things'

Being a mum of two boys you have to have a sense

that were remembered last minute. And I've lost my

of humour (in bucket loads) and not be easily

mind that many times that they're used to it. The

offended (ever). I like to think I check both of those

storm will pass – they know this. And the sense of

boxes – most of the time. But there are those times

humour does return – eventually.

when it's just not that funny!

Leading up to Mother's Day, we were in the car and

9:23pm on a school night. One thing or another and

my boys (still 12 &10) tried to make sense of what it

they're still up... waaaay past their bedtime... Surely

is that I am;

they'd realise this is an exception to the rule and fly

I watch (and thoroughly enjoy) all manner of 'boy'

under the radar. Oh no! They become beyond

movies and can talk the talk when it comes to

annoying and with a renewed energy find every last

Transformers, Fast & Furious and Superheroes,

raw nerve you have... and you snap. OR, they morph

even arguing their good and bad points with some

into floppy rag dolls that can't find it in themselves to

authority. Blood and gore does not phase me, on

move from downstairs, up to bed, in any human-like

the big screen, that is, and I will happily pet snakes

manner. I've seen snails perform the task quicker.

and bravely remove spiders from the house. (The

And then there's the thing that they remember at the last minute. That minute between the goodnight kisses and switching off the light. “Mum, do you know where my cricket kit is?” “Your what?”

spider bravado is totally fake, by the way. I shudder quite violently when no one is watching after a spider incident.) I also have the sense of humour of a 9 year old boy and have some rather cool magic tricks up my sleeve. On the flip side, I'm a real girly girl that loves all

Let me just say, neither of my boys have EVER had a

things pink and glittery. My boys are no strangers to

cricket kit!!

the world of Unicorns and Hello Kitty – unwillingly,

“I have cricket tomorrow and I need to take my kit.”

but they appreciate my fascination with it all and will

And all hell breaks loose! The air turns blue with obscenities and I have gone past the point of being a rational human being! Nevertheless, I manage to put together some sort of 'cricket kit' and son goes off to

indulge my 'girliness' on such days as Mother's Day and my birthday and sometimes, just coz. They 'get' me and I 'get' them – for now...

Fergus Ewing MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity

Someone above was listening. For a cloudless clear blue sky and sparkling early spring sunshine greeted us at Fort William. In the lee of the snow-capped Ben Nevis, Sanjeev Gupta, boss of the steel and aluminium company Liberty and I met to celebrate the first investment in the Smelter. They purchased the Lochaber and Kinlochleven assets from Rio Tinto late last year. They plan to invest £120Million in these assets to create jobs and opportunities. They have saved the 150 smelter jobs, and announced that they will create a factory to make alloy wheels for cars from the molten aluminium on site. They have established 18 1MW biodiesel generators, and I inaugurated them with a ceremony which involves cracking a coconut over one of them. This is an Indian ceremony to confer good luck on the project! Liberty are the company who purchased the steel works at Motherwell and Clydebridge, and have created an integrated steel business in the UK. Liberty announced that they will create up to 1000 direct new jobs in Lochaber, with as many more indirect jobs to support them. I chaired a delivery group working with The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise which aims to help the company by working

April

3rd: 1968 - Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his mountaintop ʻspeechʼ. 1972 - The first ever mobile phone call is placed.

4th: 1968 - Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated. 1969 - Dr. Denton Cooley implants the first temporary artificial heart.

5th: 1614 - Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe.

7th: 1906 - Mount Vesuvius erupts and devastates Naples.

10th: 1912 - The Titanic leaves port on its ill-fated voyage.

11th: 1970 - Apollo 13 is launched. 12th: 1606 - The Union Jack is adopted as the

national flag of Great Britain.

14th: 1927 - The first Volvo is manufactured. 19th: 1919 - The first successful parachute

jump and free fall is made

20th: 1926 - Sound is added to film for the first time.

22nd: 1970 - First Earth Day celebrated. 23rd: 1616 - William Shakespeare died. 25th: 1953 - The double helix structure of DNA is first described.

with the private sector to deliver the new housing and

26th: 1933 - The Gestapo is established.

provision of new skills required. It is early days yet. But it

1994 - South Africa holds its first

is good to see this project proceed after working on it with Sanjeev Gupta and his colleagues for most of last year. The chorus of the Proclaimers famous song about loss of industry in Scotland was: "Lochaber no more." What a terrific thing for Lochaber and indeed Scotland to see us regain an industrial base, and using our own green natural resources to power it. Those green resources are increasingly valued by industry so the Highlands and Islands will, I expect, play a part in this industrial renaissance.

This Month In History

Fergus

multiracial elections.

27th: 1981 - The computer mouse is introduced. 28th: 2003 - Apple's iTunes Music Store opens, selling 1 million songs in its first week.

29th: 1975 - The US army pulls out of Vietnam. 30th: 1938 - Bugs Bunny 1st appears in a cartoon.

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DOWANS HOTEL

2 Moycroft Industrial Estate, Elgin IV30 1XZ 01343 541444 • www.pinzbowling.co.uk

ABERLOUR SCOTLAND 2 Moycroft Industrial Estate, Elgin IV30 1XZ

Dowans Road, Aberlour AB38 9LS • 01340 871488 01343 541444 • www.pinzbowling.co.uk

dates for your diary...

April

Brooke will be having her hair curt short

Acfa Pipes And Drums Present Cadet

to donate to thePrinces Trust. Donations

Force Pipes And Drums In Concert @

Boxing Dinner Night

greatly appreciated. See Facebook for

Ironworks

7pm for 7:30pm, Longmore Hall, Keith.

more info.

7pm. www.ironworksvenue.com

In association with Keith Football Club. To book a table call 07500 958405 or email

FUN! Fundraising Day for Children's Cancer Charities

10am – 2pm at Rainbow Castle, Elgin.

Alice In Wonderland Mad Hatters Tea

Face Painting, Bottle Stalls, Raffle Stalls,

Party

Sally Gunn's Solo Exhibition of

Craft Tables, Bouncy Castle, Refresh-

Hosted by Charms Treats at the snug

Original Paintings

ments & Homemade Cakes. Suggested

12pm at eats and treats @ the snug. Eat

7pm - 9pm at the Nicholson Gallery,

donation of £1.50 per child.

all you like buffet. Prizes for best Alice

andy@andytroupconsultancy.co.uk

Forres. Original watercolours and acrylics. Includes raffle for a print in aid of Children 1st and Marie Curie. Wine, tea and coffee served. All welcome!

12 DF Concerts present - Amy Macdonald + Special Guest Newton Faulkner @ Ironworks 7pm. www.ironworksvenue.com

12-15 Fochabers Fiddle Week Adam Sutherland, Lauren MacColl, Mhairi Marwick, Jack Smedley & Ewan Macpherson. Tickets & info at www.fiddleweek.eventbrite.co.uk

The Arc Sessions: Old Blind Dogs 7:30pm - 10pm at Fochabers Institute.Tickets from www.eventbrite.co.uk Lioness - Amy Winehouse Tribute @

in wonderland fancy dress, raffle with great prizes and all proceeds going to Buy Benaiah. Booking only. Tickets available at Eats and Treats

Ironworks 7:30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com

Stuart MacBride - A Dark So Deadly 7pm at Elgin Library. Stuart MacBride

15 Elgin Easter Family Fun Day 10am – 4pm, Elgin City Centre. A day

talks about his latest standalone crime novel A Dark So Deadly.

19-22

filled with fun for all the family. There'll

St. Giles' Theatre Group presents

be lots of fun and games for the kids,

Fame, The Musical

including Crazy Golf and Bubbles the

7:30pm Elgin Town Hall. Tickets at the

Clown. Take part in the Great Elgin

Box Office @ St Giles’ Church (door

Easter Egg Hunt for a chance to win

opposite the St Giles Centre) .

some Easter chocolate. See Facebook for more details.