D E C E M B E R
ALWAYS FREE
2016
D E C E M B E R 2 01 6
win
One of 10 Prizes from ILikeBirds A set of Stacking Rings from asterlingidea Dinner for Two at The Bank Cafe & Restaurant VIP Tour of Macallan plus a Bottle of Amber Whisky
P R O D U C E D A N D P R I N T E D I N M O R AY
FA S H I O N | M U S I C F O O D & D R I N K | T R AV E L E N V I R O N M E N T | A R T S & C U LT U R E
Spoiled for choice 1629
The
New Winter 2 or 3 Course Early Evening Menu now being served: Sun - Fri 6pm till 7:30pm
Moray’s No.1 Continental & Seafood Restaurant
2 Course .....................................................£14.50
20 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth 01343 813 743
3 Course ......................................................£17.75
Caverna
La
Pizzeria, Ristorante & Bistro 20 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth 01343 813 027
3 Course Express Lunch, for a quick lunch get 3 small plates (starter, main and dessert) served at the same time, choices change daily. Mon - Fri 12pm - 2pm 3 Courses.....................................................£8.95
Friday Night is Steak Night, 2 Sirloin Steaks served with sauce flight and all the trimmings, mention this advert and get a free Ice Cream Dessert! 18 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth 01343 815 944
Guidi’s
Pizzeria, Italian Tapas Bar & Ice Cream Parlour 20 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth 01343 815 944
Per Couple..................................................£39.95
New 3 Course family Feast including dipping dough balls, Macaroni Cheese and an 8 scoop sharing Ice Cream Bowl, see our Facebook page for full menu of this incredible offer. Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) .................£32.00
New 2 or 3 Course Early Evening Winter Menu now being served: Sun - Fri 5pm till 7pm Hotel & Restaurant Mill of Tynet, Buckie 01542 850 395
2 Course .....................................................£14.50 3 Course ..................................................... £17.50
For futher information you can find us on the web at: www.the1629co.uk • www.millhousehotel.com or email us at: 1629restaurant@btconnect.com • info@millhousehotel.com
Gift Vouchers available for all our venues, please ask a member of staff for details.
ALL VENUES
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS
75 Guest Wedding Meal 150 Evening Buffet Full drinks Package* Hall Hire FREE Honeymoon Suite
Limited dates available, book early to avoid disapointment
16 Rooms available for guests (ask about our special rates)
*Arrival and Toast Drink and wine with meal.
WITH STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING, TEA/COFFEE GUIDI’S & SMUGGLERS
BOOK YOUR
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SELECTION OF MENUS AVAILABLE
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Book your Wedding before 30th January 2017
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TIPSY TEA PARTIES
FOR YOUR DIARY 2017
January February March April
CHARITY
Dinner Casino Night & Disco Friday 10th - Sunday12th
Valentine’s Weekend Sunday 26th
Mother’s Day Lunch Saturday 8th
Grand National Ladies Day Sunday 16th
Easter Sunday Lunch
WIN A 3 COURSE FAMILY FEAST (family of 4, 2 adults and 2 children)
To win please answer this question: WHAT NIGHT IS STEAK NIGHT AT GUIDI’S? Email your answer to: Tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot including your name and contact detail. Competition ends Friday 6th January 2017
Dear all...
Creative
Printers
Alistair Davidson
Graham Payne
The team would like to thank all the people who
Tamsyn Dickson
Graeme Donaldson
were so generous with their comments on the
Adam Thomas
Chris Leil
second edition of Lifestyle Moray.
Jeff Ho
There are some excellent free magazines available in the North East of Scotland. While we do not claim to be the only publication of its type or the original but, Lifestyle Moray is unique. Why? It is the only magazine of its type which is published and printed in Moray. The others are not even printed in Scotland but south of the border! We are passionate about supporting this area and hope you are too. So with Christmas and New Year coming, I would like to thank all our readers and advertisers and to
David Banks Rebecca Beaton Donna Cowie Sales Rhona Patterson
Finishing Leza Stuart Fyona Duncan Emma Fraser
rhona@mms-publishing.scot
Pre Press Editorial Tamsyn Dickson
Lynn Stuart
Production Controller Margaret Stuart
Proofing Penny Brown
coin a phrase of the great Irish comedian, Dave Allen - “May your God go with you” and we hope you all have a healthy and prosperous 2017.
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
Colin
Colin Brown, Publisher
4
moray
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.
content You and Shoes .........................................................6 Bijou Ladies Night .................................................14 Holidays are Coming ...........................................16 Mercedes 4Matic..................................................23 Photography on Wildlife .....................................28 Wonderful Beaches..............................................34 A True Story (?)......................................................46 The Good Old Days ............................................. 51 Unique Jewellery..................................................56 Beasties, Bugs & Berries.....................................63 Christmas No1 ......................................................68 River Spey............................................................... 72 Christmas Trees..................................................... 76 Food Waste.............................................................80 The Gallery in Aberlour ......................................84 What Zara did next...............................................86 This Month’s Competitions Macallan Whisky & Tour .....................................22 Meal for 2 at The Bank ......................................33 asterlingidea Jewellery.......................................59 ILikeBirds Give-away ...........................................66
mora
SHOES. DOES BUYING LOTS OF SHOES MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON
?
By Simon Doonan
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QUITE POSSIBLY... A fashiony pal of mine was standing at a stop light on Madison Avenue and 57th Street when a similarly fancy broad alighted right next to her. The stranger looked down at my pal’s Prada-clad feet and, with an air of breathy reverence bordering on creepy, whispered one word: “Congratulations.” Yes, she was actually lauding my pal’s ability to own a pair of designer shoes! Back in the last century only the shoe fabricator or the shoe designer would have been eligible for that kind of felicitation. “Oh! Monsieur Hermès, your top stitches are perfection. They are like kitten’s teeth!” The notion of blowing hot air up any gal’s dirndl simply because she bought something did not exist.
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SHOES ARE TODAY’S
ULTIMATE STATEMENT OF CRAFT AND WEARABLE ART... Times have changed. What constitutes an accomplishment has now become very elastic— as elastic, in fact, as the logo’d waistband on my Calvin Klein underwear, the ownership of which will doubtless, ‘ere long, elicit a spontaneous ejaculation such as, “Congratulations on your undies.” But back to footwear: In today’s world, purchasing a pair of nifty shoes, or better yet, multiple pairs of nifty shoes, is seen as a headline-making, gasketblowing, praiseworthy accomplishment. I came, I saw, I snagged—and am therefore fabulous! In the current everything-about-me-is-fascinating age of Twitter, acquiring those Tabitha Simmons peep-toes, Reed Krakoff slingbacks, Alaïa ankle booties, and Givenchy stilettos is the ne plus ultra of achievement. Shoes are the new Nobel Prizes, or they would be if people were allowed to Nobel laureatise themselves. How did we get ourselves into this seemingly ludicrous position? When did the vaunting and flaunting of designer shoes, shoe closets, and shoe collections become so vital to any gal in pursuit of social currency? It all started back in the late ‘90s with Carrie Bradshaw. Of course, much has been written about Carrie’s fashion influence, but a key component of Carrie’s idiosyncrasy was her surprising and mysterious interest in footwear. She could just as easily have had an obsession with vintage brassieres, bejewelled Hungarian snoods, or Bakelite bangles. But, no, it was Blahniks or bust for Carrie. Shockingly, improbably, Carrie and her addiction spawned a million imitators. Why? Here’s the deal: Carrie was a new breed. She was an eccentric waif whose craven addiction to luxury gave gals permission to be both bohemian and wildly materialistic—at the same time. Not only did Carrie’s shoe addiction coexist alongside her unconventional grooviness, it conveniently (for retailers) became a significant component thereof.
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Before Carrie came along, the notion of combining the hippie and the material girl was unthinkable. Alternative indie chicks would rather die than skip down Madison Avenue toting a luxury shopping bag. After Carrie that’s all they wanted to do. By adding this unexpected wrinkle to the character of the free-spirited Carrie, the writers created a monster with massive appeal: “Wait! You mean I can be a groovy bohemian writer chick and still cultivate a wildly expensive, superficial addiction to shoes? I thought I was going to have to wear Mephistos for the rest of my life. I’m so there!” Initially, back in the noughties, I had a real problem with this aspect of the Carrie persona. Could the act of buying designer shoes in and of itself render one a more interesting, nuanced, idiosyncratic person? Preposterous, right?
Wrong! Now, more than a decade later, I am a raging convert. I have drunk the Carrie Kool-Aid. Here’s the deal: Have you taken a good look at shoe designs recently? They have never been more mind-blowingly insane and imaginatively bizarre. While designer clothing seems to have settled into some kind of comfy holding pattern - nothing seismic, earth-shattering, or influential has happened since Jean Paul Gaultier introduced tattoo prints back in the ‘90s - shoes are becoming ever more innovative and surprising. Spiked, barbed, fluorescent, cartoony, spangled, kinky, and fantastically unwearable … and that’s just the shoes for men! Shoes are today’s ultimate statement of craft and wearable art. Every season they become spectacularly more intriguing. Shoe connoisseurship is, therefore, a mind-expanding and legitimate hobby, and collecting shoes has become a bona fide form of creative expression. Having reached this zenith of ingenious fantasy, shoe design is outstripping everything else on the cultural landscape. Why would you collect cookie jars, Damien Hirst dots, superannuated Barbies, Civil War muskets, kitchen witches, Beatrice Wood finger bowls, Joan Crawford-abilia, Mormon underwear, Nana Mouskouri CDs, Thomas Kinkade glowing cottages, or novelty Pez dispensers when you could collect shoes? Answer me that!
COLLECTING SHOES HAS BECOME A BONA FIDE FORM OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION... 11
Bijou Elgin held the first of its Trilogy of event nights on Wednesday, 9th November, highlighting a number of its key jewellery brands, Orli, Coeur de Lion and Miss Dee. These nights have grown in stature and popularity over the last five years, with the 70 ladies in attendance being treated to Prosecco, canapÊs and entertainment from Jason Porter, otherwise known as Scotland’s No.1 Michael Buble tribute act.
Each night consists of a fashion show / product showcase / quiz and of course lots of shopping with our staff and other experts on hand to help you find that perfect gift for someone special or to treat yourself. There were also limited tickets for the events on the 23rd November and 1st December with further coverage in your Number 1 free Lifestyle magazine in January.
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15
by Fred Trey
“I love deadlines; I love the whooshing noise they
crackle and spit, you will sip a peaty whisky from a
make as they go by” wrote Douglas Adams,
cut glass tumbler and enjoy Carols from Kings,
author of The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
before wrapping the one or two expensive, small
Clearly, Adams was a man who didn’t allow
and classy presents you and the family will swap,
himself to feel rushed and indeed, the words that
sat around the tree, before strolling off through the
were plastered over the front of the titular Guide
crisp snow on Christmas morning, probably
were: “Don’t Panic”.
wearing tweed, to walk to church or to visit some lovely ancient relative.
This is all well and good, but I would bet a goodly portion of my drinks cabinet that Douglas didn’t
Later on, after the Christmas Dinner has been
write these words in the run up to Christmas.
gratefully eaten and older generations sit dozing
Buddhist levels of calm are no use in the face of
and burping in comfortable tipsiness, you hum
an impending depletion of the stocks of this year’s
‘Good King Wenceslas’ as you pour yourself
‘must have toy’, the logistical headache of making
another sherry and quietly clear the pots away, tidy
sure you have enough milk and bread and other
the kitchen (dimly lit), and sigh a smug, self-satisfied
consumables for the day (half-day?) that the shops
sigh, as you return to kith and kin for a game of
actually shut for these days, or the dreaded arrival
Charades (NOT ‘give us a clue’).
of blood-relatives. But this is not the case; this is not There is the pressure to persuade everyone on
what Christmas is like for is it?
your social media contacts list that you and your
This is the Ghost of Christmas
family are just a small social step away from
Celebrity, made worse by adverts
Nigella Lawson and Co. with delicate fairy lights
for John Lewis, Yardley’s Lace
twinkling in your cosy, dimly lit kitchen as you sip
perfume and the Coca Cola
sherry on Christmas Eve, listening to Mickey
Lorry.
Bubbles, whilst making mince pies from scratch and then filling a table with a banquet fit for the
They peddle an
Tudors, ready for the most beautiful set of friends
unobtainable ideal that
to turn up and laugh and smile at each other.
only people with either infinite patience or money
Maybe afterwards, as you sit in your Elizabethan
can enjoy. People whose
high wing-backed chair as the logs on the fire
children have the
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same levels of moral fortitude and humility as
would stop even the most committed safe-cracker?
Tiny Tim, and therefore understand that they can’t
There’s a reason that most dads get power-tools,
have everything they see in every shop window
it’s so they can open their children’s presents in
(“you don’t even play with the two that you
under an hour. And have you ever got the right
already HAVE”).
batteries? No.
Nigella Lawson never buys a Turkey that won’t fit
Christmas is more accurately described as a
in her oven, she never accidentally buys a jar of
frenetic, frantic dash to the finish, involving military
goose fat instead of apple sauce, and she never
precision shopping trips, heartburn, fights to the
steps on Lego. I’ve never bumped into her in
death over the last Ninjago kit in the shop, not
Poundland or Aldi at 7 pm on Christmas Eve
enough sticky tape, arguments over how many
when I search for whatever it is I forgot to buy in
bottles of Baileys is really enough; what did
November when it would have actually been
Grandma drink last year that made her aggressive?
in stock.
Do we go for a turkey or a crown? Does anyone like parsnips? Or brandy sauce for that matter? Shall we just go away this year? It is more than enough to make you welcome the drizzly, January depression that always follows the forced high.
But I’m a natural cynic and I know how unattractive a trait it is; Christmas really can be fun, and enjoyable, mainly for those for whom it is intended. I feel this way every year and the hype never lives up to its expectation and I always get stressed but the bottom line is you don’t need to cook like Then there are the run-up-to-Christmas events;
Jamie Oliver, and if you can’t find the small plastic
the Santa Express train ride, the Reindeer visits,
Toy that was £9.99 in April but now has been
Christmas markets, the perfect families that flaunt
subjected to an inconceivable 800% inflation in
their pictures of a sleigh ride under the Northern
December, the children generally don’t mind and
Lights, the endless competition over who can
play with the empty boxes instead because for
remain the calmest as the Christmas songs start to
them, the magic is still real. Despite the very real
play one in every two on the radio, and you still
belief that someone actually broke into their home
haven’t found that Furbee.
the previous night and deposited toys made by elves around a tree, and then ate the biscuits (NOT
How many times have you imagined Nigella
cookies) and drank the milk you left out, they
struggling with the wrapping of a kid’s toy that
remain unfazed.
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For none of the reasons above, we actually are going away for Christmas this year – en masse. Three separate but related families meeting in a neutral, impartial self-catering facility, with mercifully separate living accommodation, a de-militarized zone if you will. The thought of this at first was slightly stressful but the upsides are enormous; pack the car and you’re done. What you’ve forgotten is forgotten. Granted, excitement levels for the kids do increase exponentially, but any carnage you create, you drive away from, back to a nice tidy home. Beat that Nigella.
To make things better we’ve capitalised on the kids’ excitement by explaining that as there will be three families together, Father Christmas will only be able to carry a certain amount of toys to the one place and so they might not get the ‘full complement’ and they need to draft their lists accordingly. It’s a win-win. Bring on the Coke Lorry!
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Dear Santa , this year i wo Iphone, IPad uld like an , computer. Itouch and a I also want a xbox on e and a ps4, If you give me mone would like y some too I .
johnny
Aye Right!!!
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An interview with
Russell Anderson The Macallan Distillery Manager
When did you start working at The Macallan? I have worked for the Edrington group since 1995. I have had a fruitful career being Distillery Manager at both Highland Park and The Macallan. My second sortie at The Macallan started in 2012 until present day. What do you do in your spare time? I have a passion for football. I am currently the Vice Chairman of the Rothes Football Club. I am an avid Hibernian Football fan too. I enjoy spending time with my family and relaxing in my garden.
How long have you worked at The Macallan? I started my career at Glenrothes Distillery in 1987, moved to Highland Park Distillery in 1995, to The Macallan Distillery in 1998, back to Highland Park Distillery in 2000, back to The Macallan Distillery in 2012. What has been your favourite experience since joining the team at The Macallan? I was given the challenge of producing and warehousing more The Macallan than ever before. This has successfully been
What do you want for Christmas? Well if you wouldn’t mind, a bottle of The Macallan 18 Sherry cask would be nice please?
achieved in 2013.
Tell us about your family. I have been married to Joanne for the past 26 years (I had better get this right or she will kill me – Yes 26 Years). I have 3 children. Rory (who is a trainee solicitor), Natalie (who has just graduated with a degree in textile design) and Matthew (who is a trainee manager at a local hotel in Aberlour).
Highland Park Distillery, however I really enjoy the mashing
Who is your biggest influence in your life, either in the present or in your past life? I would have to say my parents. They gave me a firm grounding and confidence to deliver high standards in life and in my work place.
What is your favourite part of the production process? I enjoyed the challenges working with a floor maltings when at process, watching the mash ‘going in’ and enjoying the wonderful malty aromas! What is your favourite The Macallan dram to enjoy? The Macallan sherry oak – 18 year old. The wonderful spicy and fruity aromas are an early treat before you taste the most sensational whisky, beautiful flavours, remind me of a rich fruit cake. This dram makes me realise how lucky I am to work in such a fantastic industry! Do you have many whiskies in your personal collection?
What was it that made you want to work in the whisky industry?
I have a number of different whiskies in my collection, e.g. The
I’m a baker to trade, but always wanted a career in the
these bottles to keep unopened. Most of my bottles have been
whisky industry. My Dad and most of my family worked in
opened in the company of friends – one of my favourite
the whisky industry, so it just seemed natural to progress
past-times is to enjoy a dram or 2 in the company of my
that way.
closest friends!
Macallan, Highland Park, Glenrothes, however I don’t collect
The Macallan, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie AB38 9RX
The Macallan @The_Macallan @The_Macallan
Win a VIP Tour for 4 people with coffee at Easter Elchies House and A Bottle Of MACALLAN AMBER whisky 70cl
To enter answer this simple question: When does the new distillery and visitor experience open? Please send your answer with name and contact details to: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot Closing date 6th January 2017
22
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When driving in a straight line, all four
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In April 2016, Tom Adamson Motorcycles became Scotland’s newest Honda Off Road Dealer. Covering all the kid’s bikes, the Motocross and Enduro ranges, prices start at a very affordable £1,399.00. 0% finance is available on every model, which should hurt the bank balance a little less at this time of year. A full range of HJC, MSR, ANSR & Leatt Helmets are stocked, alongside MSR, ANSR, Alpinestars, Ixon and Oxford clothing accessories and boots. A large range of Leatt protection products are also on display with an excellent choice of Apico spares and accessories. TOM ADAMSON Motorcycles, perfect for the LITTLE KIDS and the BIG KID in your life this Christmas...
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PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE HIGHLAND WILDLIFE PARK
Steve Murkin Photographer The first photographs I sold were pictures I had taken earlier that same year of some of the animals at the RZSS’s Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie. That was in early spring 2011 and it had taken me the best part of 30 years from taking my first picture to achieve that milestone. My customer was HWP themselves and I have since supplied them with images of their animals on cards, postcards and posters for their shop. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to get my photographs into the public domain. My interest in photography started in my late teens, with the purchase of my first point and shoot camera. Anyone of a ‘certain age’ will recognise the type of camera I’m talking about if I tell you that the controls consisted of nothing more than an on/off switch and integral shutter actuation button on one side of the camera and an ISO (film speed) setting dial on the other. Apart from that, there was also a wheel to wind the film on to the next frame and a flash that fired automatically whenever the camera decided there wasn’t enough light to take a picture. I seem to remember that the cost of a 24 exposure film and the subsequent processing was somewhere in the region of £10, which was a lot of money to me then. So it always grieved
28
me to find when I collected my photographs from the chemist that most of them were rubbish. I can still see myself flipping them into the bin one by one as I went through them: too light, too dark, too grainy, out of focus, poor framing, too light, too dark, out of focus… In fact, a good photograph was such a rarity that I decided early on to buy myself a decent camera as soon as I could afford one. By the mid 1980s I had bought myself a decent camera and learned how to get the best from it, thanks largely to the patience of a couple of friends who were professional photographers. Those same friends also showed me how to print and develop my pictures and let me make use of their studio facilities, so I quickly gained a reasonable level of expertise. Sadly though, at the beginning of 1993 work and career intervened and a forced move (one of many) meant that access to studio facilities was no longer available and opportunities to pursue my hobby became few and far between. So my interest waned and the cameras began to spend more and more time in the bottom of a cupboard. It was only the prospect of a visit to the Falkland Islands in 2002 – and the knowledge that I would have the opportunity to photograph some fantastic wildlife – that rekindled my enthusiasm. Of course, technology had moved a long way in the intervening period, so I also had to convince my better half of the need to invest in a DSLR camera. And what a difference that made. I’m sure I wasn’t the first and won’t be the last person with a new camera to fill a memory stick full of pictures, only to find that they were all rubbish. And it has taken me a little while to find out how to get the best from the new technology - truth be known, I’ve still got a lot to learn! But if experience has taught me anything at all it’s that good pictures don’t always come easily – it often takes a lot of time, effort and loads of patience to get it right; or I have to be very lucky! But I am getting better.
29
As far as possible, I plan ahead and try to picture the shot I am
that the public don’t normally get to and that can make all the
after in my head. I then try to capture that same image. There
difference - though having been sprayed with tiger urine on
will be times when the weather makes it next to impossible to
more than one occasion, I can honestly say this isn’t
get the picture I am after. For instance, I know the Polar Bears
necessarily all it’s cracked up to be! But I get a great deal of
look filthy during the summer months - more brown bear than
satisfaction just sitting and watching the behaviour of the
polar - so I only photograph them when there is snow on the
animals anyway.
ground or when they are in water. I also know that it is a waste of time trying to photograph the Scottish Wildcats under the
A lot of the animals I photograph (too many, sadly) are
thick canopy of trees at HWP on a cloudy, damp day – the light
endangered in the wild and organisations such as the RZSS
levels just won’t be good enough. So as I don’t like to
have evolved in recent years to become de facto guardians
Photoshop my pictures, I will put off taking the photograph until
of those species. For HWP, their ‘guardianship role’ focuses
I stand a good chance of getting it right first time.
on species that live in highland regions all over the globe, from animals such as the South America Vicuna and
That said, photographing animals at the Park is a lot more
Przewalski's Horse, to more exotic species such as Amur
straightforward than taking pictures in the wild (though as with
(Siberian) Tigers and Leopards and our own Scottish Wildcat.
all photography it is still important to get the basics right: an out
Even HWP’s herd of European Bison are part of a
of focus or incorrectly exposed picture is going to be unusable
reintroduction programme and earlier this year a small
whatever the subject). One of the biggest differences with HWP
number of these animals were transported to Romania to
is that I know the animals are going to be there - they may not
bolster the wild population there.
be visible all the time, but if I sit still for long enough I should eventually get to see them.
I am conscious of the fact that I might sound like an apologist for zoos and for keeping animals in cages. However, I am
I might have to spend a lot of time waiting to get the ‘right
anything but that and, like most people with an interest in
picture’, and I might need to visit several times before I achieve
wildlife, would much rather wild animals were protected in
that. But as one of HWP’s photographers I get access to areas
such a way that they were able to thrive in their natural
30
environment without any interference from us. However, we
human contact), the aim eventually being to reintroduce
have only to look at the predicament faced by the Scottish
any young that are born back into the wild. The only way
Wildcat population to realise how difficult it sometimes is to
visitors to the Park will be able to view the cats will be via a
achieve this. So I have become a relatively recent and
remote camera feed in the visitor centre.
reluctant convert to the idea that zoos and their like might still have a place in the 21st century.
It would be nice to think that conservation work to protect the Scottish Wildcat in its natural environment might also
How this works in reality is perhaps best demonstrated by the
be successful.
work HWP is doing with the critically endangered Amur Leopard. Estimates put the number of adults remaining in the
Steve Murkin
wild at around seventy, mainly because of illegal hunting but also because of habitat loss to logging, farming and industrial development. In recent years a lot of work has been going on
sdm photographic
to bring this beautiful cat back from the brink and conservation work has now progressed to the point where a programme of reintroduction can be started. To this end, HWP have recently taken delivery a breeding pair of Amur Leopards, which will be kept in a purpose-built enclosure ‘off show’ (to minimise
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Local family firm Maclean’s Highland Bakery have been busy developing a new range of Speciality Biscuits especially for the cold weather. Under their new design these Speciality Biscuits have been based on traditional puddings recipes: Sticky Toffee • Rhubarb & Custard Cherry Bakewell • Chocolate & Ginger Whilst these biscuits are great cold, with a little bit of heat they will give a different flavour profile. All you need to do is heat them up in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. They can even be served with custard, sauce and ice cream to create a great treat in just seconds. Embrace the winter months with these delicious biscuits.
LUXURY BISCUITS Hand-baked with the finest ingredients at our bakery in the Scottish Highlands. MacleansBakery.com
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North East of Scotland Restaurant of the Year 2016 - Runner Up Throughout December 2016
Christmas Lunch
3 courses 19.50 / 2 courses 15.50 Served Wednesday – Sunday (Noon – 2.30pm)
Christmas Dinner
3 courses 34.50 / 28.50 Served every Friday / Saturday & Sunday (6.30pm – late) For full menus please visit www.thebankhuntly.co.uk or find us on facebook
We would like to wish all our Customers Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
ENTER OUR CHRISTMAS COMPETITI
ON
Which town centre is The Bank Cafe & Restaura nt in? a) Huntly b) Elgin c) Keith Dinner for two worth £69 (excludes drinks) email tamsyn@mms-publishin g.scot by 31st December 2016
Closed for our annual break 1st January and will re-open Wednesday 25th January 2017 Like us on
No.2 The Square, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 8AE Reservations 07955 710755 • www.thebankhuntly.co.uk The Larder ...fine food and wines.
CHRISTMAS TREATS & GIFTS FOR ALL THE FAMILY A Spey Larder Hamper is the Perfect Christmas Gift for Family & Friends!
Visit our charming Victorian Shop in the heart of the Whisky Country
Tel: 01340 871243
96-98 High Street, Aberlour AB38 9QA info@speylarder.com www.speylarder.com
Scottish and Continental Fine Foods Scottish and International Cheeses Quality Hams and Antipasti Fine Wines, Malt Whiskies and Beers Picnic Lunches and Gourmet Sandwiches Cookery Books, Quality Gifts and Linens Gift Hampers available all year 33
Beaches you may never have heard of...
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Do you think that beaches are blasé tourist destinations with nothing unique or interesting to offer? Well, you’re only partly correct. Many of them are overcrowded and boring, but none of the beaches featured here will disappoint. A glass beach, a glowing beach, even a beach with hot water...
Here are ten of the most offbeat seaside destinations you’ll find on Earth.
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1 2 3 4 5
PIG BEACH Location: Big Major Cay, Bahamas Big Major Cay is an island in the Bahamas that’s populated by 20 or so feral pigs who are often seen lounging about and swimming in the clear waters around the island. No one really knows where they came from, but they sure are bringing more and more curious travellers to their island.
BIOLUMINESCENT BEACH Location: Maldives It’s an ocean of stars! Bioluminescent phytoplankton, which glows when agitated, can be found in many shores all over the world, but it seems they’re found more often in Maldives.
WHITEHAVEN BEACH Location: Whitsunday Island, Australia Not only is Whitehaven Beach visually spectacular, it’s also actually awarded as the most eco-friendly beach in the world by CNN. Local sands are bright white containing a large amount of silica, which does not retain heat, enabling visitors to walk around the silky shore comfortably while barefoot on a sunny day.
BOWLING BALL BEACH Location: Schooner Gulch State Beach, Mendocino County, California, USA Large spherical rocks, like over-sized bowling balls, are scattered across the shore of this beach in Schooner Gulch. The boulders are said to have been caused by millions of years of erosion and “concretion” a rare geologic phenomenon also observed in the Moeraki and Koutu Boulders in New Zealand and Cannonball River in North Dakota.
SCALA DEI TURCHI Location: southern Sicily, Realmonte, Italy Scala dei Turchi is a set of stairs formed out of natural white rock by years of wave action. Beach-goers are often found covered in white paste made from the mineral Marl that’s abundant in the area and is said to be good for the skin.
No one really knows where they came from, but they sure are bringing more and more curious travellers to their island... Pig Beach, Big Major Cay, Bahamas
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Aircraft fly over the beach at less than 100ft. above ground level... Maho Beach, Saint Martin Island, Sint Maarten
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HOT WATER BEACH Location: East coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
6 7 8 9 10
Drive down to this beach armed with a shovel, because the best thing to do here is to dig your very own DIY spa. This geothermal beach can get as hot as 64°C (147°F), its heated water spouting from two nearby underground springs. Check out their website for updates on the water conditions before you drop by.
MAHO BEACH Location: Saint Martin Island, Sint Maarten With the beach’s location adjacent to the Princess Juliana International Airport, vacationers can actually jump up and touch a flying airplane.
GLASS BEACH Location: Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii
Though it’s regular rock is basalt, the Glass Beach in Kauai is blanketed with millions of sea glass particles which came from years of discarded glass washed up on shore. Similar beaches include Fort Bragg and Benicia, which are both in California.
A SANDY BEACH IN THE MIDDLE OF A MEADOW Location: Playa De Gulpiyuri, Llanes, Spain
If you’re walking in a meadow and suddenly find yourself in a beach, it’s likely you’ve come to Playa De Gulpiyuri. Though the ocean is nowhere in sight, the beach is actually connected by a network of intricate underground waterways to the Atlantic where its water is sourced.
BEACH OF THE CATHEDRALS Location: Playa de las Catedrales /Praia de Augas Santas, Ribadeo, Spain Magnificent geological formations form a cathedrallike effect across this idyllic beach in Spain. The beach can only be easily accessible during low tide.
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It’s been a busy few months for the team behind Elgin’s first gin - El-gin, after launching in May this year, the brand has been going from strength to strength. El-gin was the creation of Paul Hooper & Leah Miller, with Leah being local to the area the idea of creating a local gin had been spinning around for some time and why would you call it anything else other then El-gin. The momentum in to creating this dream became a reality at a family BBQ where Paul came on board with the “we can do this” attitude thinking ,well why not give it a go and pushed into action. With both Leah & Paul having more than 20 years experience in the drinks industry between them, it seemed the right thing to do. From the beginning the guys have heavily relied on support & guidance from friends and family. The El-Gin gin was designed around a “Cranachan in a glass”, taking local fruits and combining them with Scottish oats with traditional botanicals to create a unique liquid on the nose and taste. The gin is produced in very small batches using a copper pot still, probably the smallest in Speyside, which is directly fired to allow total control of the distillate in a truly craft fashion. Now the team are on the verge of their second liquid release - Moray Berry, a wee sister for El-gin. Moray Berry is an infused liqueur using local raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and uniquely fuchsia berries blended with El-gin to give a liqueur that can be used in cocktails, mixed with fizz for that festive feeling or simply enjoyed alone.
CRAFTED IN THE HEART OF MALT WHISKY COUNTRY. BATCH DISTILLED IN A TRADITIONAL COPPER STILL.
The team have developed a few cocktails using El-gin and Moray Berry, whisky and honey and will be available on the el-gin website Elgin-gin.co.uk and Facebook when Moray Berry launches early December.
MORAY BERRY CHRISTMAS RECIPE Gary Grant
50ml moray berry liqueur 10ml triple sec 10ml El-gin 50ml lemonade dash grenadine syrup In a cocktail shaker add a few cubes of ice then add the moray berry ,el-gin, triple sec & grenadine Syrup and give a good shake. Strain in to a sugar frosted martini glass adding lemonade and garnishing with cinnamon stick & berry fruit stick. Enjoy with friends.
EL-GIN CRANACHAN 50ml Moray Berry Liqueur 20ml El-gin 20ml Malt Whisky 50ml Double Cream Dash of berry sugar syrup 1 tsp honey Shake up all ingredients, except the double cream, in a cocktail shaker with ice. Then add the double cream and shake up again. Pour into a martini glass with fresh crushed ice and garnish with freeze dried raspberries.
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A MORAY BERRY CHRISTMAS!
A COMBINATION OF LOCAL STRAWBERRIES, RASPBERRIES AND BLUEBERRIES FUSED WITH FUSCHIA BERRIES.
One Day Like This 91 - 93 Mid Street, Keith Ab55 5AE. E: onedaylikethiskeith@outlook.com
One Day Like This is a brand new bridal
We also have our facebook page where
boutique in Keith. We are lucky to work
people can keep up to date with our offers
with some great designers and have 40+
and what dresses we have in stock.
wedding dresses in all different styles to
You can have a look over our reviews on
flatter all different shapes and sizes. We
there aswell. If you would like to book an
have a large selection of plus size bridal
appointment to find your dream dress or
dresses which we have found to be a big
bridesmaid dresses, shoes, veils or
hit since opening our shop 1 month ago.
accessories please give us a call on
We also have a great selection of
07484098716 • 01542 488460
bridesmaid dresses we have 30+ dresses
to make your appointment.
in store. We stock 3 of the biggest names in bridesmaid dresses again in all different styles and over 100 colours. We offer a private appointment for our brides to be and bridesmaids. You will have the full use of the shop and no one else will come in during your appointment. We have our private changing rooms then take our customer out to the main shop floor where everyone will be sitting waiting to see them. We have a good knowledge in what dresses suit what figures.
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Rod and Todd. So were named the two lucky
"Santa Claus is very busy. You'll only be able to see
children chosen to go and see Santa Claus himself
him for a short while, so make the most of it."
up at the North Pole. A magic sleigh was sent to
Rod and Todd waited a long time, in silence,
their homes to collect them, and they flew anorth,
thinking of what to say. But they forgot everything
pirouetting through the clouds, as Christmas music
when the hall began filling with lights and colours.
played. Everything they came across was
Santa Claus appeared on the big chair, and as soon
marvellous, never in their wildest dreams could
as he did so, the large desk became covered with
they have imagined it all, and they excitedly waited
all the toys the two boys had ever wanted. How
to see that loveable red figure who had spent so
exciting! While Todd ran to hug Santa Claus, Rod
many years bringing them gifts every Christmas.
went over to the bicycle he had always dreamed of
When the moment finally arrived, they entered a
having. Santa was only there for a few seconds, just
great hall and were left alone. The hall was dark
enough for Todd to say "thank you", and for him to
and empty: all there was was a large desk right at
feel like the happiest boy in the World, and Santa
the back, and a big chair behind it. Some elves
disappeared before Rodd had even looked at him.
came in and said:
Rod felt like he'd wasted his great good fortune,
and he had done so by first looking at the toys. He
him without being grateful to him. And, one
cried and complained, demanding that Santa come
Christmas, while he was sleeping, he felt someone
back, but within a few hours the two boys had
tugging his leg. Rod opened his eyes and saw the
been returned to their homes.
long white beard and the soft red suit, and he sank
From that day on, every time Rod saw a toy he felt
into the big, warm embrace. And so they were,
the excitement of receiving a present, but he
together for a while, until Rod spoke, in a quiet
would instantly look around to see what else of
voice, accompanied by tears.
importance he was missing. And in this way he
"Forgive me. I didn't know how to choose what was
came to see the sad eyes of the lonely, the poverty
most important."
of children whose greatest gift would be a piece of
But Santa Claus answered with a smile:
bread, or the suffering of others who had gone for
"Forget that. Tonight it was me who had to choose,
years without a hug or hearing "I love you". And,
and I chose to spend some time with the best boy
unlike that night at the North Pole, when he hadn't
in the World, just before I leave you the great gift
known how to choose, Rod learned to go in the
you've earned for yourself. Thank you!�
right direction, helping those who had nothing,
And the next morning, there were no presents
giving love to those who almost never received it,
under the Christmas tree. That Christmas, the
and putting smiles on the faces of the unhappy.
gift had been so big that it couldn't fit down the
All by himself, he managed to change the
chimney; the only place it could fit was in
atmosphere of his town, and no one could know
Rod's heart.
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Modern Living Country Style
Strathisla Park Keith | AB55 5JS
The Braeval
New home in 2017? Thinking about how you’re going to buy your own home? Whether it’s your first home, or you’re hoping to move up to a larger home. We can help you find the key to a brighter future.
Speak directly to the experts.
Prices from £115,950 - £242,950 Call: 01542 880117 / 07876 413723 Email: sales@deveronhomes.co.uk
The Macallan
£242,950 King-size 4 bed bungalow
Ready Jan 2017 95% mortgages available 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.
DEVERON homes
Nestled in the foothills of The Balloch, Strathisla Park, Keith is all about being part of a lively community abuzz with energy. A place where there’s always an open invitation to connect with neighbours, friends and nature.
THE KEY TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE . . . The development offers a wide range of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom bungalows, villas and starter homes. These spacious residences highlight fresh, new designs and exciting interiors, with open-plan dining kitchens, generous master suites and king-size plots that effortlessly invite views of the surrounding landscape. Currently on release are The Macallan, a king-size 4 bed detached bungalow on a large south facing plot. Priced at £242,950 this plot comes complete with a garden makeover package. Meanwhile for first timers there’s a superb range of 2 and 3 bedroom starter homes with prices from £115,950. What’s more, by using Help To Buy, buyers could move into a brand new 2 bed villa with a mortgage deposit of just £5,800.
Prices at Strathisla Park start from £115,950 to £242,950. The Strathisla showhome is open: Thursday - Monday: 11am - 5pm
For more information: visit www.deveronhomes.co.uk.
DEVERON homes
BISHOPMILL P H A R M A C Y
Owned from 1999 by
Alastair & Jacqueline Smith Elgin's only private, independent pharmacy
Bishopmill Pharmacy has a team of 3 pharmacists and
Stockists of:
staff whose prime objective is to give our customers
Moogoo - Have you got problems with your skin? Trust
the very best care before profit. This has and will
Moogoo to defeat that irritating itch, scales on the scalp
always be our intention.
and dry skin patches.
We are a Kodak Express outlet: Using the Kodak Moment app, customers can print from
Yankee Candles - extensive range of candles and accessories. (Price rise in Jan 17 due to Brexit)
mobiles, PCs or any other connected device. You can print in shop and help is always on hand, if required, by trained staff.
Homebrew - full range of wine & beer equipment. Range of suppliers of independent living aids.
We are able to print from all digital sources - print from print or print from slides. We still print 35mm films and
We offer BP checks, cholesterol, diabetic and weight
have the ability to print from mini to canvas size prints
loss clinics with Lipotrim.
(24”x36”), photo books, collages, invitations, thank you
We are always making improvements to our shop and
cards and coming soon banners.
investing in technologies to help us help you - Why not
We stock a range of frames and photo albums - and if
visit us and ask what we can do to make your day
we don't have what you want, we will try our best to get
better. We can't promise to always achieve it, but we
❄ ❄
what you're after from our many suppliers. Passport and visa prints available for all countries worldwide.
BISHOPMILL P H A R M A C Y
For all your health, beauty & pharmaceutical needs
NATURAL SKIN CARE
HOME BREW Also Stockists for
20 North St, Bishopmill, Elgin IV30 4EF 01343 547374 / 547393 • bishopmillpharmacy.co.uk
50
are willing to try.
Quick, efficient and personal service - ALWAYS!
great gift ideas made easy
this christmas
Check out the Kodak Momments app
Things our kids can’t believe we had to do as a child For as long as there have been parents, we have
totally outlandish by today’s standards. (I’d be
delighted in telling our kids just how hard we had it
livid.) But back then, every pupil trembled at
at their age. “Back in my day,” ancient cavemen
the thought of the cane hanging on the wall in
probably grunted to their offspring, “We no have
the principal’s office.
fancy stone arrowhead. We had to
That’s just one of the many things I tell my kids
take down a wooly mammoth
that makes them look at me with a mixture of
with our bare hands.”
amazement and skepticism. It’s also fun to bring up other old-fashioned hardships we faced, such as having to…
From our own parents, we heard (and subsequently rolled our eyes at) tales of hardships such as walking
Look up information from actual books in the actual library. None of this worldwide web nonsense for us
to school in the snow, barefoot, uphill both ways. It’s
when it came to doing a school project. No, sir!
our obligation to let our kids know not only how
We had to haul ourselves to the library, rely on
tough and hardy we are, but also how lucky their
the Dewey Decimal System to help us locate the
generation is to have all these modern luxuries at
right books, page through said books until we
their disposal.
had the proper information, and then
I’m just in my early 40s - not exactly
document our sources - all without a single iota
ancient - but things have changed
of help from Google. THE HORROR.
a lot since I was growing up.
Handwrite things.
The world looks different now than it did in the ’80s and ’90s, and some of the
Those essays and projects didn’t write themselves. We had to write them with actual
things that were a normal part of my childhood sound absolutely primitive to my own children. For example, when I was in primary school, you could get an actual smack by the principal if you were really acting up - a custom that everyone now realises is
51
Get a busy signal.
The worst sound after all that dialling was the annoying “errr-errr-errr” of the busy signal screeching into your ear. Call waiting was a thing, at least in the ’90s, but not everybody had it. So if you were trying to get an urgent message to your bestie, but her teenage sister got on the phone first, you’d have better luck actually biking to her house to tell her in person. pencils until our muscles cramped and the side of our hand was smudged with lead. If we were really lucky, we got to use a typewriter or a word processor, which was cool until the printing process, during which you had to tear off all those paper edges.
Pick up a phone without knowing who was calling. It could have been Granny. It could have been our best friend. It could have been the neighbour asking Mum to babysit (again). It could have been the police. When the phone rang, we never knew beforehand what we were getting into - we just had to go into it cold.
Manually roll down a car window. Rewind movies.
There was no such thing as 'on-demand' when we were growing up. In fact, we couldn’t even be sure our movies were going to start at the right place. There
Why did we all have arms of steel? Because we had to use old-fashioned manpower to wind down our car windows, that’s why! No cushy one-fingered button pushing for us!
was hardly a bigger irritation than popping a newly rented video into the VCR, only to have it start playing at the end credits and having to wait five minutes for it to get to the beginning. “Be kind, please rewind” became every video store’s motto.
Dial a rotary phone.
I don’t know why kids these days are so appalled at the thought of dialling a rotary phone. It only took half an eternity to dial all the digits (as long as it was a local call with fewer numbers, that is) - unless you made a mistake. Then you had to start the dialling process all over again. Okay, so maybe I do see why they’re so appalled.
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Wait for film to be developed. “Instagram” just has a ring to it; “Drop-Off-the-Film-and-Wait-a-Week-agram” does not. There was no such thing as instant gratification when it came to old-school photography. Unless, of course, you count Polaroids, but the film was so expensive it would take an entire month’s pocket money. And you still couldn’t guarantee you’d get a pic where your eyes weren’t closed.
Pay without swiping.
No use being impatient in the checkout lines back in the day, because everybody took forever. First, the cashier had to manually ring up EVERYTHING. Then our parents had to either write a cheque or count out the money. Christmas shopping was a nightmare.
Wait for the internet. When we finally did gain access to the internet, it wasn’t as easy as turning on the computer and pulling up a website. We had to dial in, and then wait for the telltale screech
Wait until Saturday to watch cartoons.
that let us know the modem had connected.
Kids these days will never know the joy of Saturday
phone somewhere in the rest of the house, it
morning cartoons - or the agony of having to wait until
booted us off and we had to do it all again.
then to get our animation fix. We couldn’t just turn on
Secretly, I’m thrilled that my kids have the
the TV and watch ‘The Smurfs’ or ‘He-Man’ and ‘The
modern conveniences I didn’t - because let’s
Road Runner’ at a moment’s notice. We had one day on
face it, can you even imagine parenting
the weekend to view our favourite cartoons. And if we
without the Internet?! - but preaching about
missed out, tough luck.
how tough we had it is just part of a parent’s
Get up to change the channel
job description. We may not have had to walk
Our parents probably had kids for two reasons:
someone to carry on the family legacy, and someone to get up and change the channel on the TV - because remote controls didn’t always come as standard.
Travel without a gadget or DVD player
And then we had to wait for the screen to load. And if someone decided to pick up the
to school “barefoot in the snow uphill both ways,” but we had to drag around a boombox, stay tethered to a wall via a telephone cord, and live without online shopping. And that’s almost as horrifying.
It’s hard for today’s kids to imagine, but when we had to be on the road for an extended period of time, there were no minivans with built-in DVD players. There were no tablets or iPods. If we were lucky, we had a Walkman (which we probably had to share with a sibling). This meant for the rest of the time, we had to -
Folks! t’s all a h T
gasp! - play games like I Spy and have actual conversations.
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Everything for everyone... ...garden ...gifts
...restaurant
...lifestyle
The Nurseries, Fochabers IV32 7PF 01343 820362 www.christiesoffochabers.com • info@christiesoffochabers.com 54
Spey Valley Brewery is based in the heart of Speyside, overlooking the iconic Ben Rinnes - it's an inspiring place to be, home to the finest whiskies in the world. In 2007, a distiller and a local farmer decided to take the same barley and famous Spey water that goes into those whiskies, and use their knowledge and skills to create world class beers.
This year, the brewery moved from a tiny plant in a shed, to a dedicated unit with an awe-inspiring view. Not only has this expanded production, but it’s created space for a brewery shop, giving you the opportunity
The first product, Spey Stout, was enthusiastically received by consumers and critically acclaimed throughout the brewing world. David’s Not So Bitter, Stillman’s IPA, Sunshine on Keith, and 1814 soon followed to give the brewery a delicious and diverse core range of beers appealing to all tastes.
So why not pop in and take a look at the new, bigger, better and more beautiful brewery? Pick up a bottle or two of your favourite beer, try the latest batch of our hearty winter warmer and festive favourite, Spiced Oot, or find the perfect gift for the craft beer fan this Christmas.
to buy beer direct from the brewery, as well as catch a glimpse of the magic as it happens.
MADE FROM THE BEST WATER IN THE WORLD. UNEQUIVOCALLY. POP IN AND SEE OUR BRAND NEW BREWERY Spey Valley Brewery Malcolmburn, Mulben, Keith, AB55 6YB www.speyvalleybrewery.co.uk 55
is the pseudonym of jewellery designer
Hannah Morris. Based in Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, Hannah specialises in creating one off 'odd and unique' pieces using recycled and
h a n n a H
Fairtrade metals with ethically sourced gemstones.
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I adored the bright, colourful stones and the polished richness of the gold that surrounded them. I tried my hand at many weird and wonderful jobs including journalism, cheffing, sales and there was even a stint as a Loch Ness monster extraordinaire one summer, before I finally found my calling with jewellery design at 23. I enrolled in a metalworking course at college and knew straight away that jewellery was for me. But around 6 months into the course I hit upon a pretty major stumbling block – I didn't approach design from a normal viewpoint. In layman terms, I design 'in my head' and find drawn design an obstacle to my creative process. For me, design ideas slowly transpire over a period of weeks whilst I consider their form and often they will just come to me fully formed from nowhere. It's not that I don't consider the comfort or wearability of my jewellery before I make it, it's just something that I find easier to tackle as it comes up rather than painstakingly planning out it's every last detail. To me the most beautiful and eclectic pieces are made when materials are allowed to react organically. I've been captivated by clashing colours and unusual textures since I was a wee girl and this certainly shows in my work where I try to create juxtapositions between the beauty refracted in faceted gemstones and that of the rough, industrial feel of raw, molten metal. However, this is quite different to how design is taught and after some frustration, I took a leap of faith and dropped out of college to teach myself and embrace my own way of designing. This was 7 years ago now and it has been through online resources such as YouTube and different online jewellery forums that I've been able to continue learning new skills and develop experimental techniques within my work. It's this ongoing and never-ending learning that I love the most about working with jewellery, there is always something new to discover and a new technique to hone. Recycling and using materials from sustainable and ethical I didn't come to jewellery from a standard art
sources has always been important to me. The process of
background, I was more interested in music, writing
mining and creating precious metals and stones is a very
and finding the ideal pink to brown hair colour ratio
traumatic one, workers often risk their lives in incredibly unsafe
at school. Jewellery was a love I inherited from my
conditions, with little access to safety equipment or training. All
Gramma, whose big and beautiful gold jewellery
this for a terrible wage at the end of the week. If I was going to
collection I would pour over whenever I visited her.
make a living from using these mined materials, I wanted to do
57
miners, safe responsible use of chemicals and freedom of association. Fair-trade and Fairmined gold miners are organized in cooperatives or associations which are owned and democratically governed by the miners. It also offers mining organizations and their communities a better deal. Miners get market access and a fair price for their gold. So for me, it was a no brainer to register and it gives me access to the Fairtrade gold that is not regularly available through normal avenues. Unfortunately though, this only extends to gold and as the majority of my work uses silver, I made the choice to only use recycled silver where I can. Most of the silver I use in my work is sterling that I have melted down from scrap and old jewellery and then hand draw into wire or sheet. The process for this is intense and involves a lot of physical, hard work. I also buy in 'Eco-Silver' from my metal merchant, for jobs that require components I can't draw myself. As for sourcing my gemstones, I use smaller companies who only deal with ethically and responsibly mined stones. A large part of my work at the moment involves re-purposing customers old jewellery into new, wearable pieces. Often they will inherit bits and bobs from family that won't be in their style and they lie dormant in the back of a drawer somewhere for 15 years, never being worn. A guilt will set in at some point and that is usually when I'll get an e-mail asking if I can transform their goodies into something lovely. The stories behind these pieces are often emotionally charged and bittersweet. It's an honour to be part of the story that unfolds as I work old pieces into new jewellery and is probably my favourite part of my work – connecting with the customer and helping them to see what might be possible, whilst still honouring their loved ones memory. For many people, the relief and joy at finally being able to wear so in the least harmful way possible which is why I decided to become a Fairtrade Goldsmith. The Fairtrade standards for gold ensure that the gold has
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something with such history and meaning can be overwhelming and sometimes the final part of the grieving process for them. It's lovely to be able to do this.
been extracted, processed and traded in a fair and
I run asterlingidea primarily online meaning that other than
responsible manner. This includes mandatory use of
a local shop in Kirkcudbright, run by an artists collective that
protective gear, health and safety training for all
I am part of, I don't sell in galleries. It's an unconventional
way to run a jewellery business but for me it has worked very well. Not only as it meant that I have an international audience that I would not have otherwise had, but it's allowed me to connect to my customers through social media in a way that I wouldn't have been able to do by selling in shops and galleries. By not selling in these places, I don't feel the need to compromise my work or designs. Meaning, I create from heart without worrying about the saleability of my work in a certain outlet. My jewellery is not for everyone, it's not fine or entirely conventional, some people find it bulky and ugly. But the uncontrollable bumps and ridges, unusual textures and contradictions ; I find these things the most beautiful in jewellery, and in life. In 2017 I will begin to run jewellery making classes from my studio again, something that I have been unable to do for several years but that I enjoy doing very much. I'm excited to start teaching again and seeing what the students will create with their new found skills. I'll be offering a series of 1 day workshops on jewellery making basics such as how to make a ring or a bangle. Students will learn how to make the item with step by step instruction and then go home with their finished, handmade piece at the end of the day. I'll also be running a 12 weeks Beginners, evening course where I'll be teaching the fundamentals of working with metal. My hope is that once I pass my driving test in the next few months, I'll be able to travel around Scotland and run workshops in remoter areas of Scotland that don't usually have access to jewellery making classes. Watch this space... www.asterlingidea.co.uk
Win
hello@asterlingidea.co.uk facebook.com/asterlingidea
Win a set of Recycled Silver Stacking Rings with Sapphire, White Zircon and Emerald handmade to your own size. To win email contact details, quoting ‘Ring Competition’ to: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot. Draw closes 6th January 2017
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Not just for Summer When James, founder of Balvenie St. Ice Cream moved to Dufftown to work initially as a Chef, specialising in traditional home cooking at guest house Tannochbrae he saw an opportunity to create and partner whisky & ice cream, as James says “Whisky & ice cream, I believe are a marriage made in heaven” from this Balvenie St. Ice cream was born in 2013 Before moving to Dufftown, as James recalls his whisky knowledge was poor, but since arriving in the ‘whisky capital of the world’ he has met a great network from all over the world who have helped with his education in malt whisky. What he has always known was the balance of flavours and that many malt whisky flavours would shine in ice cream, as he comments “the real fun has been the trial & error of finding the best whiskies to complete the marriage” Whisky offers so much in food, its richness, cask finish and undertones and the carefully and purposefully selected
ones are showcased so well when balanced with fine vanilla dairy ice cream. I recommend for more people to use whisky to elevate food to a higher level, finding the right whisky for the balance they want and remembering there is great fun to be had in finding that perfect whisky to compliment a dish! During May 2016 whisky festival it was great to receive feedback and endorsement form Sean Murphy of www.scotchwhisky.com “…it may have been built on seven stills, but Dufftown is also renowned for its whisky ice cream…some of the tastiest whisky ice cream on earth.” The home of whisky ice cream, our shop on Balvenie St. has been supplying our exclusive recipe artisan, handmade ice cream since 2013 and over the last 2 years you may have come across James, Louise and Ben at a Highland show or gala event in Moray. In response to the many times we've been asked where our ice cream could be purchased we decided on our 3 Whisky Characters that could be supplied to retailers and restaurants. We're happy to announce this distribution has been launched and we can now reach a wider audience all year round.
Meet our Cask of Characters SWEET & SEXY This recipe started our ‘Home of Whisky Ice Cream journey’, perfect dairy vanilla ice cream is paired with a typical Speyside single malt born in part from oloroso sherry cask with a hint of nuttiness & sweet spices. Perfect with dessert or enjoyed on its own
RICH & FRUITY Aged in sherry casks it gives an intense flavour with notes of honey and richness of fruit. This whisky blends impeccably with the perfect dairy vanilla ice cream to give us a delicious and smooth finish, enjoy!
SMOKY & PEATY Our recipe combines the perfect dairy vanilla ice cream with an Islay whisky, resulting in a great balance and an exceptional, lingering taste. One for the whisky lover and novice alike, it’s superb with rich puddings. Whisky ice cream is a great accompaniment at this time of year to a piping hot winter crumble – why don’t you experiment with different fruit, pairing it with a different whisky character to create a new taste experience
How to: 1. Pre-heat oven to 170C Fan for cooking crumbles (190C or Gas mark 5). 2. Peel, core and cut apples in small chunks, no larger than 2cm is best. Melt the butter and sugar together over a medium heat. Cook for 3 mins until the mix turn to a light caramel. Stir in the apples and cook for another 3 mins (will need slightly longer if your apple chunks are not 2cm). Add in the raspberries and cinnamon (or star anise) and cook for another 3mins. Put a lid on pot and remove saucepan from heat, leave the mixture for another 2-3mins to continue cooking in the residual heat of the pan. 3. Blend Dean’s shortbread in a food processor as easiest method, alternatively place in food bag and crush with rolling pin. 4. To serve spoon the warm mixture into individual ramekins, or one ovenproof dish, top with the crumbled shortbread. Heat in the oven 7-10minutes. 5. Serve with your favourite Balvenie St. Ice cream whisky character. Strong contenders are also rich Sticky Toffee Puddings and a festive Christmas pudding.
Sticky Apple & Raspberry Crumble recipe Preparation 10-20 mins • Cooking 25-30mins • Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 300g Apples (Braeburn recommended, best not to use cooking apples) 120g Raspberries 30g Brown Sugar 30g Butter (un-salted) ¼ tsp Cinnamon (or can swap this for star anise) Crumble Topping Crumbled Shortbread, enough to give a good layer over crumble - we recommend Dean’s Shortbread for this. Balvenie St. Luxury Whisky Ice Cream to Serve!
Where to find Balvenie St. Luxury Single Malt Scotch Whisky Ice Cream: Gordon & MacPhail 58-60 South Street Elgin
Billingtons of Lenzi 114 Kirkintilloch Road Glasgow
Alternatively contact James or Louise at balveniest.co.uk to arrange samples and supply for your business.
£147
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62
As Forrest Gump famously said: “I’m not a smart man, but I can identify three different types of heather, and have an easy way to identify conifers”. Well, it was by Fred Trey
something along those lines anyway, film quotes were never really my strongest quiz subject. The countryside that surrounds us is abundant in every type of flora, fauna and fungi imaginable and with a little bit of knowledge, has more opportunities to impress friends and companions than you could shake a stick at. Even an average dog walk in our neck of the woods, within half a mile of your house can reveal natural treasures that wildlife obsessives would give their eye teeth to see, from otters, red squirrels, ospreys, herons, kingfishers, seals, dolphins (ok, maybe not the latter on Keith High street but you get my drift). Even if you are unable to actually see the animals that are there, there are easy ways to tell if they have been in the vicinity, red squirrels can leave trails of massacred pine cones that they dismantle to reach the energy rich pine nuts inside When I was really young an uncle with whom we regularly ‘rambled’ would occasionally bend down and pick something from the ground, hold it aloft, and then pop it in his mouth and eat it, grinning. All the children would obviously think this was the height of rugged outdoorsmanship, having been raised in the generation of “don’t touch that, it’s been on the floor”, or “a dog’s probably peed on that”. He even had a particularly cruel, favourite trick, involving a field of sheep and a surreptitiously hidden bag of chocolate raisins. Whilst it remains the easiest way to impress the kids when out and about in the outdoors, picking and eating things like wood sorrel or blackberries are the tip of the iceberg in ‘cool’ things that grow around us. One plant which, if seen at the wrong time of year and not in fruit, will look like a non-descript, forest carpeting shrub of no importance. However, when seen in bloom, the
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Blaeberry (or Bilberry to our Southern neighbours) is a banquet. The fruits of this shrub are easily one of the most abundant, nutrient dense and pleasant tasting wild fruit in in the UK. So much so that in 2014, the James Hutton Institute were asking keen nature spotters to report sightings of Blaeberry stands so as to understand better its more favoured growing conditions and so enable us to grow them commercially and not rely so heavily on imported Blueberries. Scotland’s mountains are also home to some fairly impressive flora – the insectivorous cousins of the Venus Flytrap’s that grow in and around the small streams all over the uplands, Common Butterwort and Sundew are as pretty as they are gruesome, leaves and nodules seeping with sticky bait, covered in midges that they slowly devour. Of the hundreds of lichens that grow on the boulder fields on the upper slopes of our highest mountains, the devil’s matchstick is without doubt the most striking (sorry), with its iridescent red tip and mint-green stalk, it can be found in the dark crevices between rocks. From map lichen which grows on the surface of boulders and looks like a political map of the world, to sphagnum moss which is full of antiseptic, water purifying iodine and has famously been used through history for anything from baby’s nappies to field dressing for battle casualties; Reindeer moss, which was brilliantly and grossly eaten, already semi-digested out of the stomachs of butchered deer by the Telemark heroes in Norway during the second World War, even though it had almost zero nutritional value when eaten raw by humans, it was nonetheless supposedly eaten by Vikings as a means to fill the stomach and stave off hunger on long journeys. All these things can be seen with great regularity, at the right time of year, if one only stops and looks around a bit. Many people see the hills and trails of Scotland as a physical challenge, and there is a certain type of person who enters the Scottish wilds with the sole intent of gaining shin splints,
64
blisters and personal best times up massive mountains.
Although this may seem like a slight contradiction of what
The fact remains however that these spaces are places of
has been previously written, this really has nothing to do
beauty, indeed many are Sites of Special Scientific Interest
with impressing or boring family and friends; some of us
(SSSI), and they deserve to be absorbed properly. There is
enjoy the world we live in without ever sharing it with
much to be said for the ability to slow things down; fitness
groups of easy-to-impress kids, without ever feeling the
is an attractive element of hillwalking and getting out and
need to impress upon other people the difference between
about, but if you breathlessly trudge, head down for hours
two different trees.
on end, you could miss a vast treasure trove of interesting
Names too, are relatively unimportant in the grand scheme
conversation pieces.
of things, you can certainly enjoy a flower without knowing
I’ve never been accused of being someone you would
its Latin name but the truth is that not understanding, or
want to be stuck in a lift with, but it’s always pleasant to be
being completely unaware of your surroundings in the
able to bore your friends with trivia about the landscape.
natural world is an unnecessary ignorance.
My favourite way to do this is with easy ways to identify
There are many small, pocket size guides available in
two particularly common plants and their different types,
garden centres, newsagents, even petrol stations that can
that are hard not to trip over or bump into in Scotland.
be carted along on walks to aid in plant, animal track, wild
Firstly, Heather. There are three main types that can be
food or bird recognition. Once you begin to subcon-
found in the woodlands and hill slopes all around the
sciously put a name to a particularly interesting plant or a
highlands, the most widespread is Ling, or Common
birdsong that you have heard for years and can now
Heather, which can be identified by the profusion of small
identify, enjoyment of the outdoors increases.
flowers up and down the stem whilst the Bell and Crossed Leaved Heath’s flowers are much more bulbous and, well, ‘bell like’. On the Crossed Leaved Heath, the flowers are bunched at the top and are quite droopy-looking, while the plants’ green leaves are arranged in whirls, regularly spaced up the length of the stem. Bell Heather on the other hand has a similar clump of bell flowers at the top, not quite as droopy, but has shorter, green leaves all over the length of the stem. The final, easily remembered plant trivia titbit, is useful all over the north of Scotland, it allows you to identify coniferous trees into their family groups really easily:
NATURE NATURE
Spruce trees have Single needles that come out of their follicles. Pine trees have needles that come out in Pairs. Larch trees have Lots of needles coming out of
NATURE
each follicle.
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Has the Christmas The Christmas number one;
like Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey, Jona Lewie, The Pogues
time-honoured as Christmas
and start humming their way through a whole list of much
Crackers and Santa and as timeless
loved Christmas songs that never actually reached that
as the festive jumper and party hat.
exalted spot. Turn the tables and ask people what’s wrong
That special moment when a year
with the Christmas number one now and they will
of musical professionalism and artistic dedication is
immediately tell you it’s been ruined by a television
randomly punctuated with a bizarre tradition, that
programme.
means anything from pony-tailed school girls and
When Al Martino serenaded us about
cartoon builders, to oversized pink blobs, will share
his loneliness in 1952, with his hit
our seasonal celebrations and take
“Here in My Heart”, he was probably
their place in history.
unaware he would go down in history as
So, what's the last Christmas number
the first official Christmas number one. He was merrily
one you remember? The last one that
followed by musical royalty, with the Beatles, Tom Jones,
stuck in your head, for whatever
Cliff Richard and even the King himself all topping the
reason, and could give a recognisable
charts on Christmas day, but it wasn’t until 1973 when
rendition of at least three lines, if the
Slade released their quintessential festive tune, "Merry
moment arose? My guess would be that how many
Xmas Everybody", that the true commercial contest for the
years you have gone back depends very much on
yuletide slot took off.
your current television viewing habits.
There’s much to be contested and many records still to be
Ask anyone what the Christmas number one means to them and, after some pondering, they will smile and tell you it’s about the likes of Cliff Richard, Slade and Wizard. Many will then reminisce happily about artists
68
broken; The Beatles are still the only act to have four Christmas number ones, as well as having the Christmas number two at the same time – pop
#1 gone off key? quiz, can you name them? Septuagenarian, Paul McCartney has been the star at the top of our Christmas charts eight times in various guises, and our Cliff has
excitement; in fact, it seems we may be unique in our drive to lock-down a firm favourite on Christmas Day and, since 1973, the record buying generation of the time
spent four Christmases at number one with the
has shaped our Christmas, with the artists and bands
Shadows, Band Aid II and with his solo musical carols.
succumbing to the allure of being forever linked with
Adding to the royal line-up, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” is the only song to have reached the number one spot twice, when it was re-released in 1991 to
thoughts of tinsel and turkey. In days gone by, younger members of the household eagerly tuned in to Radio 1, or begged for the
mark the sad passing of Freddie Mercury.
television to be turned over to Top of the Pops.
For the twenty-something generation, The
They listened and watched intently to hear if
Spice Girls will be remembered for equalling the three consecutive years record and, of course, who can forget (no matter how
their favourite record had made it to the coveted spot. Excitement mounted as they climbed through the charts, song by song, urging
hard we try) “Do They Know It’s Christmas”,
on their favourite tune, like a horse at the Epsom
which has been our festive front- runner for three
Derby; praying it wasn’t mentioned until that final,
generations and is the biggest selling Christmas single
glorious moment when then (and only then) they could
of all time.
take their finger off the pause button and record the
Whilst having the number one song in the UK Christmas
moment on a battered cassette, to be
chart is a celebrated event for us, it would appear even
enjoyed over, and over again.
our cousins across the pond don’t share in our
These were the people who had saved up their wages, collected their pocket money and purposely held
69
off buying their favourite single until the week
So, what is it about this annual blatant appeal
that counted, they were ones who were
to our sense of tradition that feels more brutal
shaping our future Christmases and they
now? Do we want to hang on to the naïve
were proud.
belief that our festive number one is
But then it all seemed to change and we
somehow down to the goodwill of man and
began to feel our beloved tradition was being
the magic of Christmas, or are we simply disillusioned
overtaken by manipulative music moguls who were
with, what appears to be, the further loss of seasonal
timing the release specifically to galvanise their viewing
spirit that seems to be percolating from every aspect of
public into clinching the number one prize for them.
the yuletide period?
Since 2005, only four songs not related to a certain TV
In the past, the Christmas number one has often felt
talent show have made it to the top and, such is the
like a lottery; you never really knew who the winner
prohibitive nature of the show’s dominance during the
would be. Who would have guessed that a cartoon
lead up to Christmas that, in 2007, bookmakers started
builder would beat beloved boyband Westlife and that
taking bets on which song would be the Christmas
Take That would be trumped by Mr Blobby with, what
number two instead!
is generally accepted as, the worst song ever
These days, the excitement and anticipation seem to
recorded. But now, the whole process seems to have
have been replaced by frustration and resignation, with
lost its innocence and, whether or not you make it to
our festive tunes appearing to become yet another
the coveted slot seems to be more about Facebook
victim of the over commercialisation of Christmas, and
shares vs viewing figures, rather than the popularity or
we don’t like it. But hasn’t this been the case for over
quality of a song.
forty years now? Didn’t Slade specifically release their
It feels like, what has traditionally been a bit of fun and
classic purely to make sure it was unequivocally linked
a light-hearted way to end the year, has turned into a
with Santa and Christmas stockings until the end of
tinsel-fuelled battleground, with both sides equally as
days? Was it an accident that E17 begged us to “Stay
determined to shape the music industry’s
Another Day” dressed as polar explorers in a
record books and go down in the annals
snowstorm and was it totally coincidental that Cliff
of history and that, nowadays, the talk is
Richard released the seasonally named “Mistletoe and
more about who we don't want to be our
Wine” and “Saviour’s Day” in November?
seasonal chart topper. Before a song
has even been recorded by an, as yet
world where media and hype has more influence
unknown, artist, the annual social media
over our choices than we care to admit.
campaign to topple them has already
So, are we destined to repeat the likes of 2009,
begun. Random songs, from years gone by are
when a 1992 song written about the revolution against
chosen as the obvious, if not bizarre, alternative to the
institutional racism and police brutality was chosen as
unabashed, money-making, fame-winning option.
the only obvious alternative to the talent show winner?
These days, waiting for the big reveal hasn’t felt part of
Or does our only hope lie with the current choir culture
the traditional build up to Christmas, and instead is has
giving us a suitably uplifting charity single to make us
become something else that “youngsters these days”
all victorious about robbing a wannabe popstar of their
can be blamed for, which seems harsh to say the least
ultimate fifteen minutes of fame?
A Christmas number one straw poll among my family
I fear the traditional rivalry for top slot has lost its
and friends seemed to indicate a leaning towards a
sparkle for good and that seems incredibly sad. Gone
negative view of cheesy rubbish and talent show hype,
are the frivolous sensations of anticipation and
rather than the Christmassy response you would
innocent fun, easily replaced with seemingly more
expect to hear, which, I must admit, is a little
acceptable feelings of resentment and cynicism. It
disappointing. Surely if there was ever a time to be
seems we will never again feel that sense of relief when
silly and cheesy, it’s at Christmas – the season of silly
a popular girl band’s farewell to a fellow member beats
jumpers and bad cracker jokes. In the wake of the
a cartoon chef and his “Chocolate Salty Balls”; and that
media hype and a corporate drive for fame, we need
our festive favourite is doomed to become as unloved
to take back cheesy, or it feels like we are in danger of
and disappointing as the annual pair of sensible socks
losing that childish sense of fun and excitement.
Will our “Millennium Prayers” be answered, will we ever
As a nation, we don’t like change; we like tradition and
get back our “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool” or is it
that cosy feeling we get from familiarity, but is this the
simply “Goodbye”, “Mad World” and “Merry Christmas
way our tinselled tune is going to be chosen for
Everyone”. I fear the only way to “take back” our
generations to come? Will our festive favourite simply
Christmas number one is to erase the chart history
become another victim of the wanton over commer-
from the past few years and, in the words of Elvis
cialisation of Christmas and, if it does, can we change
Presley from1962, “Return to Sender”, so we can start
it? Or is this the new way forward in an ever-changing
all over again. by Karen Cox
71
River Spey Stocking Programme
This natural spawning represents the vast majority of spawning which takes place. There are situations, however, where natural spawning is not possible and this is usually where man has created some form of barrier which prevents spawning Salmon from reaching the spawning
In my last article I described the life cycle of the Atlantic
grounds. These barriers can be fish passes or dams which
Salmon from birth in the gravel bed of one of the
may have deteriorated with age and make the upstream
spawning streams somewhere in the 13 million square
passage of fish difficult or in extreme cases impossible.
metres of “wetted area� which make up the Spey
The Spey Board works closely with the owners of these
catchment area. Many of these streams are high altitude
obstructions, often well-known distilleries, or large Hydro
burns South of Kingussie and many miles from Spey Bay
Generating plants. In most cases the owners are very
where the Spey enters the Moray Firth. Some fish will also
happy to cooperate with the Spey Fishery Board and effect
spawn in the Main Stem of the river where they can be
improvements to ensure that Salmon can reach their
easily seen from the many bankside walks accessible to
spawning grounds.
the public. Salmon can also be seen spawning on some of
Unfortunately, in some places the natural stock of fish has
the major spawning burns such as the Fiddich or the Lour
dropped below sustainable levels and in these areas the
Burn in Aberlour. The Speyside Way from Craigellachie
natural stock can be supported by the use of a hatchery
runs alongside the Fiddich and this is an excellent place to
such as the one operated by the Spey Board at Glen Livet.
observe spawning fish. Walking towards Dufftown there
Stocking is a very controversial topic in Salmon husbandry
are several access points where you can leave the track
circles and is very tightly controlled by the scientific
and walk down to the river.
community including Marine Scotland Science, the Scottish
72
Once the season has ended on the 30th of September, Jimmy Woods, the manager of the Spey Board’s hatchery starts to plan how he will obtain the broodstock necessary to provide the eggs which will be incubated and hatched in the hatchery. The Board will have decided how many juvenile fish they will need for their carefully planned stocking programme and from this information the Board’s biologist, Brian Shaw, and Jimmy Woods will calculate how many Salmon they will need to produce the required number of eggs and milt (sperm). They will agree how many hen fish they
Atlantic Salmon Life Cycle Government’s major scientific advisor, and Scottish National
need based on the number of eggs required and how many cock fish will be required to fertilise those eggs. A hen Salmon typically produces somewhere between 500 and 750 eggs per pound of weight.
Heritage. There is concern that stocking may, in time, alter the genetic characteristics of the native populations which could ultimately result in the demise of the species. There are many very diverse opinions on the value and efficacy of a stocking programme and these are hotly debated every time fishermen get together over a dram! It is not the purpose of this note to come down on one side or the other of the debate but simply to describe the methods used to produce juvenile fish in a hatchery ready to be put into the river and continue their development until they finally leave the river for the feeding grounds in the North Atlantic as described in last months’ article.
With help from the ghillies, who volunteer their time willingly, and other Board staff, the Hatchery Manager will start to catch up these broodstock from spawning tributaries such as the Fiddich, the Dulnain and the Avon. The methods used are by netting or by rod and line. Netting is more effective but is not possible in the larger tributaries or the main stem as the water pressure is too great for the net to be handled safely. In these areas rod and line, usually spinning, is the method used. Once caught and safely landed the fish are carefully put into an aerated tank for transportation to the hatchery. At the hatchery the fish are inspected for condition or
73
hatchery produced fish are as close as possible, genetically, as the fish from the natural population of that part of the river. Some rivers put fish back at different stages of their development, some go in as “eyed Ova” just after they have hatched and others keep them in tanks until they are Smolts and ready to go to sea. The Spey hatchery fish go in as “fed fry” at the end of their first summer following hatching. These fish are reasonably well developed and should be strong enough to survive but they have not been in the hatchery damage and then transferred into a holding tank. Once
long enough to become too domesticated.
in the tank, Jimmy will inspect them regularly to decide when they are ready to release their eggs. When this time comes the hens and cocks are removed from the tanks and carefully “stripped” of their eggs and milt. The eggs are placed into a bucket and mixed with the milt. After a very short time, often as short as 15 seconds, the eggs are fertilised. They are then carefully washed (this process is illustrated in the photograph below) and placed into an incubator where they will remain for several months until they hatch. Once hatched the juvenile fish are placed into tanks where
An interesting point to note is that natural mortality in the
they are closely monitored and fed. Hatching takes
wild is over 95%. Mortality in the hatchery is only around
place in April and the juvenile fry are kept in the tanks
5% thus many more juveniles are available for release into
until they are ready to be planted back into the river the
the river from the same number of eggs.
following Autumn. They are put back in the same place
From that point on, the hatchery fry will continue to develop
the broodstock were removed from. This is an extremely
in exactly the same way as naturally produced fry. They
important part of the process and ensures that the
have to learn quickly how to forage for food for themselves and to keep out of the way of predators. As I mentioned earlier, the entire hatchery debate has been ongoing for many years now and I suspect that debate will continue for some time yet. Hatcheries provide a very useful means of producing juvenile salmon, particularly to restore populations where natural production has become impossible due to man’s intervention.
by Brian Doran
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Large selecton of furniture available for delivery before CHRISTMAS
• Beds • Sofas • Chairs • Recliners • Dining Furniture • Pictures • Occasional Furniture • Bedroom Furniture & much more! FREE DELIVERY WITHIN A 60 MILE RADIUS
We would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
13 High Street, Buckie, AB56 1AL • Tel: 01542 839800 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm • Saturday 9am - 4pm
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Planning this Christmas Fresh Christmas Tree Considerations. ✯
Obligatory
2Mtrs
Take mesh off
❄
Decorate
❄ ❄
❄ 1 - 2 Ltrs Water
If you’re heading out to find your perfect fresh cut Christmas tree, there are a few things you can do before you even leave home. Make sure you measure the space where your tree is going to be displayed. You don’t want to end up cutting valuable inches off your tree because it is too tall or wide. Secondly, look out a good pair of gardening gloves. Finally, make sure you clear the space where your tree is going. Clear it of clutter and if it’s going inside, give yourself a clear path to carry the tree to its chosen spot. Be careful not to place your fresh tree near radiators or fireplaces as these can needlessly dry out your tree and affect its lifespan.
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When you go to purchase your tree you need to know
A few things definitely worth considering once your
what variety is most suitable for you. If your Christmas
tree is home:
tree is going to be displayed outside, a Norway Spruce
1. Remove the netting as soon as you get home – heat
is highly recommended. A truly traditional choice, its
will build up inside a netted tree and cause needles
strong branches make for easy decorating. The
to drop sooner.
needles do tend to be fairly sharp and for best
2. Make a fresh cut of about half an inch into the base
retention on this prickly pine, the Norway Spruce does
of the trunk – this will help it absorb water and
prefer the cooler December Moray air!
stay fresh.
However, as the majority of trees are now displayed
3. Stand your tree in a water holding tree stand – these will provide a good size water reservoir (trees thrive
inside, where the decorating can be carried out in
on approximately 1-2 litres of water a day) and also
much kinder conditions, the best selling Christmas tree
offer stability for your tree.
is The Nordman Fir. Its reputation for excellent needle
4. Keep your tree as cool as possible –
retention makes this variety a year on year favourite. Its
keep outside until you are ready to bring it indoors
wondrously lush, glossy and rich green needles are soft
and decorate it.
and dense, making it easy to decorate. Additionally, this
The final thing you might want to consider if you are
variety of tree has a first-rate fragrance that is instantly
purchasing a Christmas tree is what you are going to
identifiable with Christmas. Finally, Nordman Firs have
do with it after the festive season. There are many
strong branches which will support your lights and
Christmas tree recycling sites throughout Moray, details
decorations, even if you get a little carried away.
of which can be found on the Council’s website.
An alternative variety is the Lodgepole Pine. Another
Whatever Fresh Christmas Tree you choose this year
tree with excellent needle retention and strong
may it be surrounded by family, friends and fun.
branches, the Lodgepole Pine has been favoured in
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Moray for its extreme hardiness, able to cope with windy, exposed and elevated sites. The Lodgepole Pine
By Caroline Overton
has a unique scent, often described as ‘spiced orange’
THREAPLANDS
which is another reason people choose this variety over the Nordman Fir. So why isn’t this the first tree of choice? The Lodgepole Pine’s shape isn’t what
Landscaping & Garden Centre Lhanbryde, Elgin IV30 8LN www.threaplands.co.uk
everyone would consider to be a traditional Christmas tree silhouette. Another option worth considering when purchasing a Christmas tree is a pot grown and pot sold Christmas tree. The advantage of this is that it can then be planted out into the garden after Christmas (if you can get a spade into the winter soil!) and there is no wastage. Additionally, they can be easier to look after and are almost guaranteed not to drop their needles if properly cared for.
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#ChooseMoray
Study from entry level to HNC, HND, degree and Masters across a range of subjects as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. e. mc.registry.moray@uhi.ac.uk t. 01343 576000 www.moray.uhi.ac.uk 78
10 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG of casual and ocassional wear to suit all ages and tastes. Our sizes range from 8-20, with a good variety of independent designer brands. We also have the perfect accessories including footwear, head wear, handbags and jewellery to compliment any outfit.
Lisas of Keith is going into its 10th year of business and is situated at the top end of Mid street. Lisa prides herself on service,
Why go with the crowds when you can stand out?
Visit Lisas of Keith today - a boutique not to miss!
quality and style, which is reflected in the boutique itself which is light, warm and
Open 10am - 5pm Monday - Saturday Closed Wednesday & Sunday
welcoming. We stock a fabulous range
Why go with the crowds when you can stand out from
Casual to Occasion
01542 880479
81 Mid Street, Keith AB55 5AF
Open10 - 5 Monday to Saturday closed Wednesday and Sunday
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Losing the food to live by Joanna Mackintosh
‘Food. A material many of us take for granted, coming in either animal or vegetable form, it contains the essentials for the maintenance of life. It’s a simple concept yet in the world today The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that nearly 795 million people lack the food required to lead a healthy and active life, of that 795 million nearly 12.9% of those living in developing countries are undernourished. It can be easy to ignore an issue not in your back garden, but how about one on your doorstep? Scotland wastes £1 billion every year on avoidable food waste, to break this down it means that every household in Moray wastes at least £430 per year and even more for families with children. In terms of greenhouse emissions, Earthtime suggests stopping the waste of food would equate to 1 in 4 cars being removed from the road. We are all guilty of it, ordering that extra tray of yoghurt because it’s on offer despite knowing that there’s a good chance it will sit at the back of the fridge until it is out of date. Discarding that loaf of bread in the bread bin because it’s been squashed by the bagels and won’t make those perfectly square cheese and ham sandwiches you put into your kid’s lunchbox. In our modern way of life, the food we consume often needs to meet some unforgiving criteria. Convenience, aesthetics and cost. So, do you throw away those left-over Sunday lunch morsels or not? Well before you lift the lid of the wheelie consider this. Approximately a third of the planet's food goes to waste every year, enough to feed two billion people, not just once, but twice. Life is manic, between work, school, child commitments and the search for some resemblance of
80
a social life, it’s incredibly easy to take the everyday things
every morning in the front of the bathroom mirror, the
like ‘food’ for granted. The facts remain that we live on a
supermarkets are the doing same... with our fruit and veg! It’s
planet with finite resources. Jonathan Bloom, author of
these two food groups that are most at risk. Easily bruised and
‘American Wasteland’, states that if food waste were a
damaged when dropped, they are the first to get thrown into
country, it would be the third largest producer of
the bin at home, but their plight doesn’t end there. A large
greenhouse gases in the world. This staggering waste of
percentage of produce is abandoned or lost during
produce is made obscener by the expectation of at least
harvesting, shipping and processing. An estimated 20% is lost
two billion more mouths to feed by 2050.
during picking, a further 3% in storage and 2% lost in
Don’t go blaming this entirely on yourself though. The
production, 9% is discarded by wholesalers and supermarkets
wasting of food is not restricted to our own fridges and
and finally 19% is left uneaten and thrown away at home. This
cupboards. 2.9 trillion pounds is lost every year. In
leads us to the following shocking statistic, only 47% of fruit
developing countries, produce is wasted due to lack of
and veg grown and harvested is consumed. 53% is wasted. In
storage facilities and refrigeration. In developed countries,
industrialised, developed countries, such as Scotland, fewer
the causes are much more self-inflicted. The excessive
fruit and veg is lost during production and yet as consumers
ordering, displaying and serving of food by retailers is as
we throw away more. The opposite applies in developing
much of a problem as the wasting of food by consumers
countries where less is thrown away but more is lost in
themselves.
production due to adverse climatic conditions and poor
What? Is your banana lacking that traditional curved shape?
storage. It seems that the more disposable income we have
Your satsuma larger than average? As much as 30% of a
the more we are likely to squander our food.
producer’s crop may be discarded due to scratches, scars,
All is not lost however, in America many businesses dealing
size and colour, so as much as we like to preen ourselves
with the processing, handling and servicing of food have put
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means that there wouldn’t be a single malnourished person in the world. By 2050 food production will need to increase by 60% and food waste, as identified by the UN, is one of the great challenges to achieving food security. Around the world the worst waste offenders are Canada, US, Australia and New Zealand where 39% of food purchased is wasted. In Europe, 31% of food bought by consumers is thrown away and the United Kingdom wastes on average 11.7% mostly consisting of bread, vegetables, fruit and in place steps to counter this waste. The optimisation of purchasing, portion sizes and the saving of excess food for charity has gone some way to mitigating the problem. In France, the organisation of public feasts produced with potatoes, carrots and other vegetables too small to harvest mechanically, has helped raise awareness and encourage local solutions. Furthermore, the opening of non-profit supermarkets for the sale of fruit and vegetables too ‘ripe’ for
milk. The United Kingdom has made significant progress in the past ten years to reduce waste with a five year decrease of 21%. This reduction is largely due to concerted campaigns such as Wrap’s 'Love Food Hate Waste' drive. The greater awareness obtained as a result of this campaign and others like it has enabled grass roots campaigns around the world to gain traction, the hope now being that in a further ten years there will be significant global results.
sale by profit organisations and the inexpensive sale of surplus goods not only helps those struggling in low income brackets, but also combats waste. Of course, there’s no point worrying about what you're chucking in the wheelie bin if the planet providing the food is no longer fit to do so. The food waste we send to the landfill produces large quantities of methane during its decomposition, a greenhouse gas twenty times more potent than CO2. Ironically, food waste itself can be useful when
82
properly recycled, providing compost, fertilizer and
There are some simple measures which can be put in place to
renewable energy. In Scotland, The Waste (Scotland)
reduce the amount of food we waste. Writing a shopping list
Regulations Act 2012 enforces businesses to separate all their
before we go to the supermarket reduces the likelihood of impulse
waste for recycling and a report by CESA (Catering Equipment
buying. Only purchasing food on multibuy offers if we know for
Supplies Association) offers a guide to the hospitality sector
certain that it will be consumed before the sell by date. Storing our
on purchasing, ordering and Menu design. CESA estimates
food correctly and monitoring the ‘best by’ date allows us to use
that up to 53,500 tonnes of food waste is disposed of by the
up the food with a shorter life first preventing it from spoiling. We
Scottish hospitality sector every year, two thirds of which
can also avoid preparing too much food therefore reducing the
could have been eaten. We are all (myself included)
amount of leftovers and if leftovers are available, ensuring that we
occasionally guilty of our eyes being too big for our stomachs,
use them to cook with the following day.
the consequences of which end up in the restaurants bin, and
If you are like me and discard your chicken carcass after Sunday
subsequently the landfill.
lunch, it might be worth considering popping it into a pan and
The UN argues that cutting food waste by a quarter would
boiling it up for some chicken soup instead… reckon those
mean enough food for everyone. To hammer this home, that
left-over veggies might add a bit of extra flavour too!
Fergus Ewing MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity
This Month In History
December
1st: 1835 - Hans Christian Andersen publishes first book of fairy tales.
New entrants are essential to any industry, bringing boundless enthusiasm, ideas and approaches. The fact that the average age of farmers is 58 provides an urgent impetus and has certainly focused my mind on the issue. I recently hosted a mini-summit with industry representatives and key people from public bodies with significant land holdings all around the country. The discussions were encouraging with people very much in “can do” mode, which by itself makes a difference. The result is a new group, Farming Opportunities for New Entrants which will take forward a 10 point action plan that has just been published. It aims to kick start a new generation of farmers by dramatically increasing the number of starter farms on public land. Providing land is key but so too is attracting a more diverse range of farmers. A remarkable co-operative of organisations and individuals is raising the profile of Women in Agriculture in Scotland, to acknowledge the role they already play and to attract more to farm in their own right or as partners in a family business. Encouraging more young people into farming is also important. We have invested £7 million to support 140 new farming businesses, and fund SRUC and Lantra to provide training and skills opportunities for young people all over Scotland. And last month I provided funding to Scotland’s Young Farmers so that they can provide information and support to young people in their communities to encourage more to see farming as a rewarding career. All these activities will help to ensure farming has a bright and sustainable future. And I am
2nd: 1982 - The first person receives a permanent artificial heart.
5th: 1932 - German-born Swiss physicist Albert Einstein is granted an American visa.
6th: 1768 - The first edition of the Encyclopedia
Britannica is published.
8th: 1980 - Beatle John Lennon is killed in New
York City.
10th: 1901 - The first Nobel Prizes are awarded. 12th: 1979 - Northern Rhodesia changes its name
to Zimbabwe.
13th: 1577 - Sir Francis Drake sets out from
England on his round-the-world voyage.
14th: 1542 - Princess Mary Stuart becomes Queen
Mary I of Scotland at the age of only six days old.
16th: 1915 - Albert Einstein publishes the General
Theory of Relativity.
17th: 1843 - Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is
first published.
18th: 1892 - The first performance of
Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker is held.
21st: 1913 - The first crossword puzzle is published.
23rd: 1954 The first successful human kidney transplant is performed by Dr. Joseph E. Murray.
24th: 1818 - The classic Christmas song, Silent
Night, is composed by Franz Xaver Gruber.
26th: 1933 - FM (frequency modulation) radio is
patented.
29th: 1891 - Thomas Edison patents the radio.
determined to do all I can as the Rural Economy Cabinet Secretary to achieve that.
Fergus 83
The Gallery in Aberlour 'Effervescent' is the word that comes to mind when I am thinking of how to describe artist Mandi Beard - A delightful, talented artist who is definitely on the right track for major recognition. Our first meeting in the gallery was only last year when she presented me with her colourful humorous and uplifting Horny Coo paintings. Highland Coos are all the rage in the art world. It is almost impossible to walk into a gallery in Scotland and not find a Highland Coo in some shape or form but Mandi's interpretation of them is one of the most jolly I have seen. They are available as original paintings, canvas prints and paper prints and would make a wonderful gift this Christmas. Our new mixed exhibition starts on the 2nd of December and will include originals and prints by the best of Moray &
The Gallery in Aberlour
Scotland. Mandi Beard, Ian Bashford, Lesley Boyd, Shona
FINE ART & FRAMING Scottish landscapes, wildlife, fishing & whisky Exquisite wood turning, pottery & cards
pens are available as Ballpoint, Roller Ball or Fountain Pens
Still Life Studio Picture Framer & Gallery
126 High St, Aberlour AB38 9NX 01340 871457 or 07766 704910
84
Cammack, John Cannavan, Andrea Dear, Ron Lawson, Alan Paterson, Graham Pook, Maggie Reigler, Chris Sharp, Elizabeth Strath, Jonathan Wheeler, Jessie White and many other talented artists all feature. In addition we have, exclusively, a new exciting range of pens locally handcrafted in Speyside wood incorporating the finest mechanisms available. These
and are finished to a very high standard.
This Month’s Artist Mandi Beard
“I only began to paint five years ago when my
Mandi Beard is a self-taught artist originally from
daughter started school.
My dad died in the
Elgin, Morayshire with a passion for painting
January and he had all his brushes in his shed as
those wonderful beasts... The Horny Coos! She
he was a painter and decorator by trade. Mum
has sold her artwork worldwide, from Inverness
let me have them because I'd had an idea to buy
to Essex, throughout America, Australia, Europe
an easel and some canvases and 'have a go at
and just recently, even to the Falkland Islands!
art!'... a couple of years later I started painting
She paints her Horny Coos in a style that will
highland cattle and just couldn't stop! I love the
bring a smile to your face and some joy to your
big noble beasts and I'm never happier than
wall. If you would like a canvas delivered direct
when I have a paintbrush in my hand! I used to
to an address, then it can be delivered free of
be a hairdresser so I've swapped hairbrushes for
charge within the UK or, for a charge, anywhere
paintbrushes and the coos never complain if
in the world.
their fringe is too short!!�
85
what Zara did next...
86
“So, what are we looking for when we get to this
number), and in need of a serious make-over inside
caravan?” my partner asked as I navigated the winding
(again, like its new owner). The lower half is covered in a
Grantown Road.
thick, dirty brown carpet (no comments there, please).
“Well... somewhere good to hang bunting... the perfect
The sofas, brown, again, are enough to make me long for
spot for my desk...”
a sick bowl. It was crying out to be reincarnated as my
Rodge rolled his eyes. “You need to look, and smell, for
stylish office.
dampness, check the frame is solid and the windows
I paid a deposit and launched Project Office there and
are watertight.”
then. The caravan would be delivered to my door in a few
“Oh, yeah, those things too,” I agreed, nodding
days... well, I don’t yet have a tow bar. I’ll admit, I’m not
enthusiastically, before adding internally: and check
your typical caravan owner.
which window is the best size for my gorgeous ivory
The reason I need this insulated box in my life is that my
skull-patterned lace as a net curtain.
work-life has taken on a whole new urgency recently.
When we arrived, the kids in the back seat of my car
There are simply too many books, magazines and
squealed with excitement to see the old, rather tired
newspapers piling up in my little corner of the bedroom.
looking caravan parked in the drive of a wonderfully
The boudoir office is no longer sufficient for this
leafy rural retreat. They ran off to look at the fluffy
workaholic. I’m moving my creative bubble a few metres
chicks in the shed while I did my best to look at the
out to the driveway, where I’ll have a sea view from my
important factors of what was going to become my
desk, and a whole load of cupboards to keep me satisfied
brand new place of work. While Rodge got busy with
in my own little Zara world of journalism.
his measuring tape and lying on the ground to inspect
As soon as I got a moment alone, I went on a shopping
the chassis, my mind wandered to colour schemes, a
mission. I was like a ball of giddy energy, tearing down the
string of fashionable bulb lights pinned up above the
aisles of Elgin’s DIY and home stores. If you saw a woman
long sofa, red cushions... It would do just fine.
with a crazed grin and a trolley buckling under the weight
“Well, it seems in good shape,” Rodge said, hands on
of lamps, tins of paint, candle holders, a white board, a
hips, having manoeuvred in all manner of positions
pin board and much much more, that was me. I was
under, over, through and round this vessel. I nodded,
beyond happy.
giving the wall a light knock with my knuckles, as if
And after a few days of scrubbing, painting, covering the
checking for strength and nodding with pretend
disgusting carpet with lush rugs and treating the caravan
satisfaction. In all honesty, I was sold as soon as I saw
like a posh poodle at a parlour, I was finally able to sit at
the retro green stripes around the outside, fickle
my new desk area, watching the waves with a coffee
woman that I am.
steaming in front of me and my laptop powered up,
It’s about as old as I am (but I won’t be telling you that
waiting for my assignment.
Zara X
Saturday 31st Dec 2016 8pm - 3am Countdown to Bells • Free Unlimited Bowling Free Planet Pinz (under 12’s) • Stovies after the Bells Entertainment: ‘The Scenix’ Tickets: £40 family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Kids under 16) £12 Adults / £10 Kids / Under 3’s Free
fun tastic! 2 Moycroft Industrial Estate, Elgin IV30 1XZ • 01343 541444 • www.pinzbowling.co.uk 87
dates for your diary...
DECEMBER
3
4 p.m. North Church, Mid St, Keith.
festive charity fun run. Entry fee
Carol singing with hot chocolate and
includes a Santa suit which you will
Cinderella Pantomine
star shortbread plus a raffle in the
receive on the day: No age limits -
until 3 Jan at Macdonald hotel,
Church Hall after. Stars for Thought
children under 8yrs should run with
Aviemore. £12 per person / £40
labels will be for sale, £1 each, with
an adult. Call 01479 861272 or visit
per family of four. For info visit
all monies raised going to the
www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
Sunshine Playgroup.
6
14
Elgin Ice Festival until 7 Jan, Plainstones, Elgin. Glide on the ice with family and friends.
Dick Whittington - Panto
Ian Rankin - Rather be the Devil
Ticket covers one hour of skating
until 8 Jan at the Empire Theatre.
7pm. Moray Libraries present, in
and skate hire. Private Hire sessions
Eden Court’s ‘Purrfect’ Family
association with Waterstone's
are available at various times
Panto. For information visit
booksellers, bestselling crime writer
throughout the event. Christmas
www.eden-court.co.uk
Ian Rankin talking about his latest
Day is only available for private
7-10
Rebus novel. Copies of this new book
bookings. For times and prices visit
'Rather be the Devil' will be available
www.elginicefestival.com
Cinderella Pantomime 7:30pm - 10pm, Elgin Town Hall. Hosted by Elgin Amateur Dramatic Society (EADS). See Facebook for more info.
to purchase and Ian will be signing these after the event.
15-17
17-18 Meet Cinderella 10am - 4pm at Brodie Castle. Come
Holly At Christmas 2016
9
and meet one of your favourite
8pm, OneTouch Theatre. Another
princesses, Cinderella, and take
favourite in the Eden Court festive
home a magical present. £ 6 per
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
calendar guaranteed to have the
child. For info call 01309 641371
+ Special Guests Scooty & The
audience singing along and dancing
Skyhooks
in the aisles. For information visit
7:30pm at Ironworks, Inverness.
www.eden-court.co.uk
visit www.ironworksvenue.com
10
17
19-20 Out of the Darkness presents Jack and the Beanstalk
Aviemore Santa Run
Curtain up at 7.30pm at St Giles
Stars for Thought Christmas tree
10:30am - 1pm around Aviemore
Church in Elgin. For details and
lights switch on
Macdonald Resort. 1 mile or 5k
bookings call 01343 559653
88
WINNERS October
20-22 A Christmas Carol 8pm at the OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court. Warning: It is a sad tale...but expect laughs! www.eden-court.co.uk
Burghead Boxing Day Swim 2:30pm. Annual Charity Swim across
AVVA
Burghead Harbour, hundreds turn out on this cold day to watch brave
Karen Gray
volunteers dive one at a time into the harbour, to swim from one side to the other. For more information visit
22 Let It Snow
www.burgheadboxingdayswim.co.uk
27
7pm for 7:30pm at St. Giles Church. An evening of festive favourites and
Red Hot Chilli Pipers
big band classics in aid of Lucy’s
7:30pm at Ironworks, Inverness.
Fight. tickets from sound & vision &
visit www.ironworksvenue.com
black dog financial services in elgin or call 07545 845303
24 Aviemore Christmas Parade 6pm - 8pm.The parade leaves the School and Health Centre Car Park at
31 Rythmnreel - Hogmanay Bash 9pm at Ironworks, Inverness. visit www.ironworksvenue.com HAPPY NEW YEAR!
ILikeBirds
Katie-Joe Thompson
Colours of Cluny Eileen Rennie Anne-Marie Hayward Kathryn Allan
and makes its way along the main road, finishing at the Cairngorm hotel.
26 Nairn Turkey Trot 11am start. Held every Boxing Day, and this year we start and finish at the Maggot Sports Ground in Nairn. It is a great way to burn off all those extra calories from Christmas Day. www.nairnroadrunners.co.uk
maga 89
Christmas Gifting at
G len fi d d i c h Distillery Speyside Visit The Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Speyside this festive season to enjoy a tour, shop for handcrafted gifts or relax with a warming meal or drink in the Glenfiddich Malt Barn Café and Bar Open daily 7 days until December 23rd Re-opens on January 2nd
Visitor Centre
Providing a range of tours with masterclass whisky tastings
Luxury Gift Shop offering Gift Vouchers for Glenfiddich Tours Beautiful handcrafted giftware Exclusive whiskies
Stylish Malt Barn Café and Bar Delicious hot drinks, light meals and cakes World’s largest pouring collection of Glenfiddich whiskies plus wines and speciality drinks
Diary Date Special Event January 24th Night Afore - Alternative Burns Supper Our beautiful Malt Barn Café and Bar will play host to rising Canadian folk star Carly Dow as part of special evening celebration featuring a bistro-style Burns supper. For more details call 01340 820 373.
THE GLENFIDDICH DISTILLERY Tel: 01340 820373 SKILFULLY CRAFTED, ENJOY RESPONSIBLY
D E C E M B E R
2016
Morlich homes have a great range of 3 bedroom detached and semi detached villas offering flexible living in a convenient central location only a few minutes walk from the Lossiemouth Marina. Finished to Morlich Homes high standard each home features an opportunity for clients to fully customise their home to an exact design and specification. n
Oak internal doors and finishings
n
Choice of kitchens and bathrooms
To enquire about our homes today
01542 836510
Prices starting from £169,950
or Email: enquiries@morlich.co.uk
Contact our sales team today
To find out more... Visit our showhome at: 4 Fairway Road . Buckie . AB56 4HJ Open Tuesday to Friday 12noon to 5pm Saturday - 12noon to 4pm
and find out how we can help you realise your dream home.
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