MO
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ALWAYS FREE Is
sUE
F E B R U A R Y 2017
win
ing Tast and r u o rs T acallan Pilla Bijou A 6 at The M from e c kla in Nec r El-g er Dee ail fo s t s k i lean c Co AM mC a u u e t c Va rson Crea der Barn Cylin McPhe h c at ’n s M o o A B B m e A fro t Th rpets wo a ’s Ca for T y d a n e T es m sa High ery oodi g fro of G land Bak A Ru r e p h m ig a H sH lean Mac m o r f
FASHIONABLE
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INTERIORs | MUsIC | FOOD & DRINK T R A V E l | E N V I R O N M E N T | A R T s & C U lT U R E
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Dear all...
Creative
Printers
Alistair Davidson
Graham Payne
When the team mentioned that they were doing a
Tamsyn Dickson
Chris Leil
special feature on St Valentine's Day I jumped up
Adam Thomas Jeff Ho
Finishing
David Banks
Leza Stuart
Rebecca Beaton
Fyona Duncan
Donna Cowie
Emma Fraser
in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago's north
Sales Rhona Patterson
Pre Press
side. It was widely believed that the gang were trying
rhona@mms-publishing.scot
Lynn Stuart
to get into the illicit booze industry currently
Editorial Tamsyn Dickson
Proofing Penny Brown
and down and said “I will do it - I know all about it!” They all sat amazed while I recalled the details. At 10:30am on February 14th 1929 seven men were murdered at the garage at 2122 North Clark Street,
controlled by Al Capone. I proceeded to ramble on finishing with "and the only thing they got him on was Tax Evasion”. There was complete silence. I had
Production Controller Margaret Stuart
obviously impressed. “When do you need the copy?” A cry went out from the back "do you know anything about the romantic Valentine's Day?" “No” I said. “Thought not” was the reply.
Elgin, Moray IV30 1XY. Tel: 01343 55 1234 All material within this magazine is subject to formal
Enjoy this month’s magazine.
Colin
4
MMS Almac Ltd, Unit 6, Tyock Industrial Estate,
copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertising artwork or any other content, without the publisher’s prior consent, will be
Colin Brown, Publisher
magazine
considered a breach of copyright.
content Fashionable Food ....................................................7 The Story of Valentine..........................................11 Extreme Ironing.....................................................20 Aston Martin .......................................................... 27 Facebook Message..............................................32 Edgar Road ............................................................. 37 Moray Sports Centre ...........................................45 Opening of the Spey............................................52 Bookshelves ...........................................................53 Cairngorm to Coast..............................................58 Felix...........................................................................62 Mike Rae - About Nature ...................................64 Historic Forres .......................................................69 Mollie on the Farm ............................................... 77 Just Jorgie...............................................................80 This Month’s Competitions Bijou Necklace .........................................................6 el:gin Cocktail ........................................................10 Sandy’s Carpets Rug............................................ 61 Boat ’N’ Barn Tea for 2........................................ 61 Maclean‘s Hamper............................................... 75 A.M. McPherson Bosch Vacuum .....................79 Macallan .................................................................. 81
magazine
d
The year
of t he fa
s
oo f le b a on i h s
by Mari Acciaioli
THERE’S no doubt that twenty-sixteen
It’s always the same old story; the wicked winter
brought us the good, the bad and the ugly,
weather often encourages the feeling of melancholy.
including the return of the iconic 90s fashion must-have, the choker and
When January rolls around, it brings with it the ‘New Year, New Me’ mentality, where all sorts of detoxing, vegan-eating, juice-cleansing ideologies are hurled
Pokemon Go which invoked a certain
our way - but are the fashionable foods linked with
nostalgia (and actually encouraged us to
these lifestyle trends here to stay?
engage in physical outdoor activity…)
According to This Is Money, sales of avocado
If someone told you that the stuff we consume on a
2016. After dominating the pop-culture scene, not
daily basis, would surreptitiously creep into the
only did the avocado find it’s way onto our plates,
realm of the fashion conscious, you’d think the
but it found it’s way onto our faces and clothes.
world had gone mad.
There are reams of recipes for DIY face masks,
Well, this really is happening, the dawning of quinoa
which include avocado, large high street brands
vodka and International Kale Day is a reality, so we
incorporated them into their designs and of course,
may as well grab the bull by the horns and ride the
the breakfast that made 2016 - smashed avo on
rodeo of yet more eccentric fashion trends.
toast (cheers, Australia).
escalated by over 30% in the run up to January
7
Cerys Rees, a health food enthusiast and nutritional
great all-round product for cooking, moisturising and
advocate, spoke to us about how she thinks
so much more.
fashionable foods have affected what we buy and put
This year, sales have lessened, so you can assume
into our bodies.
that this was more of a phase, because it was
“I work at an independent health food and wellbeing
fashionable and popular at the time.
store, which serves a variety of healthy and hearty
We always sell a lot of supplements and apple cider
foods, both cooked by us and sold on our shelves by
vinegar after Christmas, but, of course, that’s already
some of the market’s giants.
slowed down, because people get back to their
Last year we did see an increase in the sales of
usual routines.
things like kale, general greens and avocados, which
From what I’ve observed in my time working with
tied in with all the talk about it in the media and on
health foods and nutrition, we do get people coming
television.
in asking for the 'flavour of the month', but they
I’d say, in general, at our store, we mostly have
don’t tend to stick to it.
regular customers who come in on a daily or weekly
As a whole, there has been a steep increase in
basis for their fruit and vegetables and tend to stick
people looking for vegan food - and that number
to the same things.
keeps rising. It’s a very popular diet and way of life
When there’s a new craze or fashion around a
at the moment and is definitely the most asked for
product, people tend to buy it for a little while,
thing in terms of the food that we cook and sell at
but it is short lived and they don’t tend to continue
the moment.”
buying it. For example, kale and greens were a massive thing for us last year, the year before, we sold tons of coconut oil – people couldn’t get enough because there was a lot of discussion about it being such a
8
Last year, we saw the rise of healthy, plant-based
antioxidants and catechins. Starbucks briefly dabbled
bakers, which have also influenced the way we look at
in this special type of green tea last year, with the
our everyday vegetables. For whole food, plant-based
release of their Green Tea Latte and Citrus Mint
baking you need to replace dairy and eggs in your
Green Tea, both made with their own secret matcha.
recipes as well as all the processed and refined
You can also use matcha in baking and smoothies,
ingredients. Something that seemed to be popping up
but beware – it has a very bitter and strong taste,
everywhere were sweet potato & pomegranate cakes
almost like seaweed.
and beetroot brownies.
Seaweed’s popularity is also on the rise. Selwyn’s
Deliciously Ella is a gluten, dairy and meat free baker
Seaweed and The Beach Food Company both dabble
and cook, who took the world of social media by
in seaweed-snacking. Popular products include
storm, along with the likes of Oh She Glows author,
seaweed slices, mermaid confetti and seasonings – a
Angela Liddon. These particular bakers focus on
very unusual but intriguing food trend.
healthy and nutritional cooking, incorporating popular
Turmeric: usually found in Asian cuisine and related
ingredients such as chia seeds, almond flour and date
to the ginger root family, has a catalogue of health
syrup, to name but a few, putting an eccentric spin on
benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant,
the world of tray bakes and sweet treats.
anticoagulant, to name but a few.
FOOD TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2017 Gracing our shelves, all the way from Japan, is matcha: a finely ground green tea powder, linked to some pretty great health benefits – containing
2017 will see a rise in the use of this little spice, incorporating it into smoothies, soups and even shots – that’s right, turmeric shots! It seems as though 2017 will be the year of experimentation, with a focus on the positive and nutritional effects of herbs, spices and vegetables. Get adventurous – you may be trendy without knowing it!
9
Cockt Recipail e
WIN
Orange Espresso
Create a Cocktail with el:gin and/or Moray Berry
35ml el:gin
WIN
15ml KahlĂşa 15ml Triple Sec 50ml Mediterranean Fever-Tree Tonic Mix together and serve over ice with flamed orange peel on the rim of the glass
and
a bottle of your choice. Your cocktail will be showcased at an up and coming event in May and used at future events Your cocktail recipe should be emailed to tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot or posted to MMS Almac, Elgin by 3rd March 2017.
Elgin’s 1st and No1 Artisan Gin
The story of Valentine Karen Cox
11
Once upon a time alentine’s Day; the one day a year when we are supposed to be skipping around with hearts beating full of love and excitement, heady with the anticipation of an evening of romance and … well. But why? Who decided this was the day when lovers loved and cynics scowled, whilst roses trebled in price and restaurants bulged with cosy couples. After many hours perusing a variety of websites, including History Online and Catholic Online, I may have gotten to the bottom of it and, surprisingly, it turns out
marriage for young men. Valentine, who was the
Hallmark didn’t invent the concept. In fact, it's been a
Bishop of Terni, felt the injustice of these laws and
heart shaped day on the calendar longer than you would
defied the authorities, continuing to perform
expect; A.D.496 to be precise, when Pope Gelasius first
weddings, minister to Christians and convert
marked the 14th February as a day of celebration to
non-believers. This came to the attention of
honour St Valentine’s martyrdom, and we have been
Claudius and he was put under house arrest with
celebrating it ever since.
Judge Asterius, to whom he continued to pledge
So, let’s go back to the very beginning, or at least what is
his religious beliefs and the validity of Jesus.
generally accepted as the beginning. It’s a tale as old as
The Judge decided to put Valentine’s religion to
time; shrouded in mystery and debate. ... cue romantic
the test and presented him with his blind daughter,
music and wispy clouds.
vowing to become his servant if could restore her
The name Valentine actually comes from “Valentinus”,
sight, which he duly did. Humbled by what he had
the Latin word for worthy or powerful. Between the
witnessed, Asterius immediately destroyed all the
second and eighth centuries A.D, the moniker became
“false idols” around his home, fasted for three days
popular leading to more Valentines being canonised and
and was baptised before freeing all his Christian
to date, there are about a dozen St Valentines, but we
prisoners. Of course, this enraged the Emperor
need to go even further back, around A.D. 270, to learn
and Valentine was taken to Rome, where Claudius
more about the man responsible for all the hearts and
ordered him to renounce his faith or be beaten and
flowers; the patron saint, St Valentine of Rome.
beheaded. Refusing, Valentine was executed on
What I seem to have worked out is that once upon a
14th February A.D.269 having left a farewell letter
time, the mean Roman Emperor, Claudius II, felt single
with the Judge’s daughter signed simply, “Your
men made better soldiers, so he merrily banned
Valentine”. In the eyes of the Catholic church, his
12
actions made him a martyr and he was canonised,
The Lupercalia festival was eventually outlawed by the
becoming known as “St. Valentine of Rome”.
Church, with Pope Gelasius declaring St Valentine’s
That’s just a rough summary and there are many
Day, but it’s not until the Middle Ages that the day
variations to this story, with Valentine being a temple
became associated with the start of the birds’ mating
priest, or falling in love with his jailer's daughter, along
season, that love blossomed. This seems an
with different dates and places. With so little being known
appropriate time to point out that St Valentine is also
about him, the Catholic church removed St Valentine from
the Patron Saint of bees …
the General Roman Calendar in 1969 but, thankfully for
Ok, now we have the man, we have the season and
Hallmark, he is still recognised as a saint. Whatever the
we have the reason, but what’s with the written
story, they all result in Valentine dying at the hands of
declarations of love and endearment in cheesy cards?
Claudius II and, whilst tellings may differ, the fact remains
How did a letter signed “Your Valentine” become a
that Valentine did actually exist in one form or another as
rally cry to express your deepest feelings in poetic
archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an
verse? It seems that the first written Valentine
ancient church dedicated to him.
messages started appearing in the 1400s, with the
And that’s the tale of St Valentine of Rome, but is that the
medieval English poet, Geoffrey Chaucer, long since
start of the story?
being given the *credit/blame (*delete as appropriate)
As with many religious celebrations, it’s believed the
for inventing the Valentine’s Day we celebrate today.
Christian church may have decided to place St Valentine’s
There’s no record of any romantic celebrations on
day in the middle of February to take advantage of
14th February until 1382 when Chaucer wrote
“Lupercalia”, a pagan Roman festival celebrated at the
“Parliament of Foules”. In it he links the tradition of
ides of February, (15th). According to Wikipedia and
courting with holding a feast on Valentine’s Day,
Encyclopedia Britannica, Lupercalia was conducted by
something unheard of before then, but which is now a
priests called Luperci and was associated with the god of
key part of the day’s festivities.
fertility, Faunus. The rite began with the sacrifice of a dog and two goats following which, two young priests approached the altar to have their foreheads touched with a bloody knife. The blood was then wiped off with milk soaked wool, the two men would laugh and the sacrificial feast with salt mealcakes, prepared by vestal virgins, followed. Later, the Luperci created thongs from the hide of the sacrificed animals, dressed themselves in the skins of the sacrificed goats and ran around Palatine Hill, striking any woman who came close enough to the blood soaked thongs. The young women and girls were eager to be slapped with the hide, welcoming it as an aid to
“For this was on St. Valentine's Day, when
fertility in the coming year. Roses and chocolates don’t
every fowl cometh there to choose his mate.”
look so bad now do they?
(Geoffrey Chaucer 1382)
13
By the 18th century we were all over the idea of Valentine’s Day, just in time for Robbie Burns to claim
Since for me you were born too soon, And I for you was born too late. God forgives him who has estranged Me from you for the whole year. I am already sick of love, My very gentle Valentine.
Charles, Duke of Orléans, 1415
Charles, Duke of Orléans, 1415
“And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a' the seas gang dry”. It became more common for people from all walks of life to exchange small gifts and handwritten notes with friends and lovers, although the bar for the perfect message was already set quite high by the 19th century. In 1845, after reading her poetry, a little-known poet, plucked up the courage to write to Elizabeth Barrett for the first time. This letter was the first of nearly six hundred they wrote to each other and ignited one of the literary world’s most enduring love affairs. In 1850 and inspired by love, Elizabeth asked “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways”, in her collection of forty four love sonnets dedicated to that poet; her husband, Robert Browning. Thankfully, the need to be inventive and wordy was finally resolved in the 1900’s when printed cards started to appear; much to the relief of many a dumbstruck gentleman, stuck in an era when a direct
In 1415 Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote a poem to his wife from the Tower of London, where he was being held prisoner following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. This declaration of love is now part of the manuscript collection in the British Library in London, so if you are ever looking for the message that will get you the most bonus points, you know where to head. It seems imprisonment is a great way to get the creative valentine juices flowing, although we don’t recommend our modern star-crossed lovers go to such extremes to improve their prose! In 1597, Shakespeare gave us the biggest love story of them all, with Romeo declaring to his Juliet, “my bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite”. If you are ever stuck for a valentine quote to win over your sweetheart’s love; let the Bard do the writing for you.
14
expression of one’s feelings was positively discouraged. Fast forward to 2017 and the perfect valentine’s message is merely a “Google” away with Amazon on hand to provide anything you need for those last minute “lack of inspiration” moments. Right, to recap. We have the man, the season, the reason, and the rhyme. All that’s left to work out is the big romantic gesture, proposals and roses – mustn’t forget the roses.
St. Valentine is the patron saint of engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers and young people, oh and bee-keepers - bless those wonderful bee-keepers! We will side-step plagues for now, but, with so much responsibility to love, lovers, engaged couples, happy marriages and those greetings, it seems St Valentine of Rome really is worthy of us going that extra mile in his honour. It’s important you put a lot of thought into your starring moment; after all, this is going to set the standard for the rest of your relationship, right? Start off too big and you are going to spend the rest of your Februarys trying to outdo “the best Valentine’s Day ever”. Start off too small and, well you probably won’t have to worry about the second one! But what to do? Well as you sit and ponder your grand moment, it’s worth noting that unless it compares to the likes of King Nebuchadnezzar II building the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, or Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioning The Taj Mahal, then you may just come up a bit short. You could take a leaf from composer Richard Wagner’s music sheet and compose a symphony or, assuming you have one, you could follow the example of Edward VIII and abdicate your throne (N.B giving up your seat on the bus does not count). How about locking yourself in the bathroom and recreating one of Horace Greasley’s two hundred escapes from a World War II Nazi prison of war camp to be with his lover, Rosa Rauchbach? Bit too much? Perhaps the love note in their lunch time piece will do the trick. Finally, on to the roses. Why do we send these blood red blooms to our paramour? St Valentine of Rome is depicted in pictures with birds and roses, but the Greeks and Romans had long since tied the red rose to their goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus.
15
Traditionally, the red rose is the flower of choice
If all this information has filled you with panic, it’s
when it comes to declaring your undying love, but
worth noting that if you get it wrong on 14th
as Shakespeare himself says, "A rose by any other
February, there’s always the option of celebrating
name would smell as sweet" so what are the other
one of the other dozen St Valentines; I mean, who
(and let’s be honest, cheaper) options? Well
says St Valentine of Rome should get all the fuss?
according to the font of all knowledge (Wikipedia)
You could add in that element of surprise and get
asters can be used as symbols of love, as well as
ahead of the game with St. Valentine of Raetia on
chrysanthemums, primrose, lilacs, crocus, gardenia,
7th January, or hold a late recovery on 3rd
forget-me-not and even daisies. It seems red tulips
November, by honouring St. Valentine of Viterbo,
stand for undying love, although these shouldn’t be
assuming your disappointed beau is speaking to
confused with the hopeless love of a yellow tulip.
you by then.
Gorse is a “love for all seasons” kind of flower,
And there you have it. The reason why we not
whilst honeysuckle promises devoted affection and
only celebrate St Valentine’s Day on 14th
even the much maligned and over-looked red
February, but what’s expected of us and why.
carnation implies a deep and passionate love
Perhaps this has filled you with inspiration and you
(although if you receive a striped carnation in return,
are now planning a romance filled day of petals
you may have lucked out).
and prose, or perhaps not. Either way, while you
On the flip side, it’s probably best to avoid narcissus
are pondering your plans, it’s worth remembering
(for obvious reasons) as well as the one-sided love
the wise words of Helen Keller, “The best and
of a white tulip and, as the hydrangea can mean
most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen
frigidness or heartlessness, you might want to leave
or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”.
them off the shopping list too.
Happy Valentine’s Day
16
the end
Welcome to
Alston sofas
One of Moray’s little gems located in Sandy’s Carpets, 13 High St, Buckie. Where good quality, value for money and customer service is first and foremost. With such brands as Cintique, Alston’s, Sealy and Healthbeds you can depend on and enjoy. Forty Winks was founded by Brian 8 years
Sealy beds
ago and with 30 years of experience, he has built up a reputable name for himself.
Free Delivery Within A 60 Mile Radius Mark Webster Dinning
Edge Sculptures
13 High Street, Buckie, AB56 1AL • Tel: 01542 839800 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm • Saturday 9am - 4pm
Tailored Training For Your Business At the heart of the Moray business community,
We work with businesses to provide training
Moray College UHI has many years’ experience of
solutions tailored to specific business needs
working with local businesses and employers to
across a range of sectors including: health and
provide customised training programmes to help
social care; engineering; hospitality, food and
business growth and employee development.
drink; hairdressing, beauty and complementary
At Moray College UHI we offer courses from entry level to HNC, HND, degree and postgraduate at our Elgin campus as part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Our courses are flexible and can be studied full time or part time. We are also committed to supporting businesses and individuals looking to update or develop their skills and knowledge, offering a range of services and training including our Continuous Professional Development (CPD) provision. Our CPD provision focuses not only on developing key emerging sector skills but also to comply with legislation. Courses offered include work-based Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), certificate courses, short (compliance) courses, First Aid and Professional Development Awards (PDA). These courses are nationally recognised qualifications, which can help to enhance the career prospects of candidates.
18
therapies; and supervision and management. Visit our website to view our new suite of catalogues specifying the courses we can offer across the above sectors. At the college, we also operate a highly successful Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme in partnership with Skills Development Scotland offering a range of frameworks across many sectors. The MA programme offers you the opportunity to invest in Moray’s young people by providing them the opportunity to train towards a nationally recognised qualification while working as one of your employees. For your business, the programme ensures that you can have highly qualified and skilled staff to ensure business competitiveness, growth and sustainability. Contact us to discuss your requirements today!
19
THE SPORT THAT IS EXTREME IRONING is an outdoor activity that combines the danger and excitement of an “extreme� sport with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt. It involves taking an iron and board (if possible) to remote locations and ironing a few items of laundry. This can involve ironing on a mountainside, preferably on a difficult climb, or taking an iron skiing, snowboarding, or canoeing.
By PHIL SHAW
20
www.extremeironing.com
21
It all started in the city of Leicester in the UK, in the summer of 1997. I returned home after a long day in the knitwear factory, and the last thing I wanted to do was start on a pile of ironing. The sun was shining and I preferred the idea of an evening out pursuing my (somewhat unsuccessful) hobby of rock climbing. Then it occurred to me to combine these activities into an extreme sport — the result: extreme ironing. From there it was taken all over the country, and when the website was launched EI was taken up all over the world. Budding extreme ironists are advised to start ironing in the safety of their back garden, before progressing to mountainsides, woods, or public places. The basic equipment is an iron and board. Ironists are also advised to take full safety equipment such as harnesses, ropes, and helmets where appropriate.
22
23
Domestic ironing is usually done indoors — fairly boring right? Well, the first step is to take it outside and add a bit of risk. This might mean ironing on a particularly difficult mountain climb, or taking your iron and board 20 metres underwater with full scuba gear. The only limit is your imagination. Just remember to plan your extreme ironing carefully. Pay attention to weather conditions, as they change quickly in the mountains, and never extreme iron on your own. The nature of some extreme iron sessions is such that it would be foolhardy to attempt them without backup. In the beginning, extreme ironists used (very long) extension cords, but soon realised that unless they wanted to be limited by taking a generator with them, a new solution would be needed. Starch and Hotplate are at the forefront of battery powered irons, whilst in Germany, Dr Iron Q has developed geothermics, a method of tapping into the earth’s energy supply to power the iron — with mixed results.
24
For more on this most unique sport, visit...
www.extremeironing.com
25
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DB4 By Barbara Playdon
27
Aston Martin ‘Gives you wings’ Previous issues of the magazine have featured American
But during theBritain 60s Britain launched its secret new secret But during the 60s launched its new
muscle (brilliant on the straight but not too keen on
weapon the world the sports car. They heady weapon on theonworld – the–sports car. They werewere heady
corners) and German excellence (bristling with the latest
days of roads without and cars as the days of roads without speedspeed limitslimits and cars suchsuch as the
in technology and an engineering standard that is totally
E-type, Austin-Healy and Triumph TR. Mass E-type, MGB,MGB, Austin-Healy and Triumph TR. Mass
enviable) but perhaps it is time to turn our attention to
production brought catwalk and hardy performproduction brought catwalk lookslooks and hardy perform-
matters a little closer to home. Let’s hear it for the Brits.
ance within the ordinary motorist andface the face ance within reachreach of theofordinary motorist and the
But not the current models which, to my mind, all look
of driving was changed forever. of driving was changed forever.
the same and the only way you can distinguish one from
be outdone, America responded with their Not toNot be to outdone, America responded with their
the other is by the badges they sport. Rather let’s go
Mustangs, Corvettes, Chargers, Firebirds al. Cars Mustangs, Corvettes, Chargers, Firebirds et al.et Cars with with
back to a time when cars were easily identified and had
so large and lights so plentiful that they fins sofins large and lights so plentiful that they couldcould havehave
distinctive personalities. In other words – the classic cars.
become something of a joke, but they easilyeasily become something of a joke, but they werewere
The term ‘classic car’ has not been around for ever. In the
embraced with gusto and driven with pride. was the embraced with gusto and driven with pride. It wasIt the
50s and early 60s we had ‘old cars’ whose owners
exciting decade a generation its motoring most most exciting decade whenwhen a generation let itslet motoring
sported unkempt beards and baggy corduroy trousers
imagination run riot. imagination run riot.
and could be found in coffee bars putting the world to rights. The really old vintage cars were the province of an insular group of car buffs, who would look after their vehicles as if they were made of spun gold. They had their clubs and organisations which we ordinary mortals could never hope to infiltrate.
28
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
It was not to last and the 70s saw mandatory speed
and deep respect from the onlooker must be the
restrictions and emissions regulations. The motor car
Aston. After all, if the marque was good enough for
was getting too big for its boots in the eyes of the
Jimmy Bond, it’s good enough for me.
legislators. The joie de vivre of the 60s was well and
The arrival of the DB4 heralded the beginning of
truly quashed and wonderful car designs were
the glory years for Aston Martin, ushering in the
replaced with the likes of the Austin Allegro and the
breed of six cylinder cars that would propel Aston
Morris Marina. Truly awful cars painted in truly awful
Martin very firmly on to the world’s stage. Earlier
colours. In desperation, car enthusiasts looked
post-war Astons were fine sporting enthusiasts’
backwards and found that there was a cornucopia of
road cars but with the arrival of the DB4 the
interesting second hand cars that could be bought for
marque acquired a new grace, sophistication and
a fraction of the price of new cars. Old cars and
refinement. With a body designed by Carrozzeria
second hand cars suddenly became, by a stroke of
Touring of Milan, it was both graceful and elegant,
the pen and the substitution of one adjective for
with more than just a hint of the underlying power
another, ‘classic’ cars and a whole new genre was
provided by Tadek Marek’s twin-cam straight-six
born. Old and past-it suddenly became desirable and
engine (which evolved from Aston’s racing
highly collectable. So simple. So clever.
programme). It was, quite simply, drop dead
In the fingers-crossed hope that maybe I will get to
gorgeous. And it went like the bats out of hell.
write about more than one classic car, let’s start at the
The interior was luxurious leather. The rear seats,
beginning of the alphabet. A is for (amongst others)
however, offered little in the way of head room in
AC Ace-Bristol, AC Cobra, Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior
the fixed head models but this was never meant to
Spider and the Aston Martin DB4. All gloriously stylish
be a family charabanc. Put the hood down on the
cars but the one that elicits a quick intake of breath
convertible and feel the wind in your hair and the
29
SPECIFICATIONS MODEL
Aston Martin DB4 (1958/63).
PRODUCTION
1,040 (fixed head); 70 (conv); 95 fixed head DB4 GTs.
BODY SYTLES
Fixed head coupe or convertible.
CONSTRUCTION
Pressed steel and tubular inner chassis frame, with aluminium-alloy outer panels.
sheer driving pleasure that is open-top motoring. There can be nothing finer than that. The dashboard deliberately mirrored the grinning radiator grille and had its gauges scattered all over the instrument
ENGINE
In-line six 3670cc/3749cc.
POWER OUTPUT
240 bhp at 5500 rpm.
TRANSMISSION
panel, a triumph of form over function. There were also small refinements, like the fuel filler being out of sight
SUSPENSION Front: independent by wishbones, coil springs and telescopic
behind a discreet flap on the left hand rear pillar and the
dampers.
dipping rear view mirror. Nothing was ostentatious – it
Rear: live axle located by trailing arms
was, and still is, a quietly confident machine, secure in
and Watt linkage with coil
the knowledge that it will remain a head-turner for years to come.
Four speed manual (with optional overdrive).
springs and lever-arm dampers. BRAKES
Disc front and rear.
MAXIMUM SPEED
225+ km/h (140+ mph).
stance was solid, aggressive, no-nonsense - but at the
0-60 mph
8 seconds
same time refined and, as such, the ideal blueprint for
0-100 mph
20.1 seconds
Mr Bond’s car, the iconic DB5.
A.F.C.
4 - 22 mpg
The DB4 had serious attitude. Its lines may have been Italian but it somehow managed to ooze true-Brit. Its
30
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Karen Cox
February 2017 •
Like most relationships, my love affair with Facebook has its ups and down and the relationship isn't always the most fulfilling, but would I change it for anything else? It's been a long-term partnership and we are well past the honeymoon period, so things are getting tetchy (as they do). Facebook has a lot of little annoying habits which used to be endearing, but now I find myself tutting and rolling my eyes far too often. I would hate for us to fall out completely, so I am taking the advice of a relationship counsellor and writing down all my thoughts and feelings, good or bad, in a letter. Whether this letter is read by Facebook or not doesn't really matter because, as the counsellor says, the important bit is opening up and getting the feelings out in the open, rather than bottling them up.
Photo
I don't know how effective this process will be and I get the distinct feeling that I am probably more invested in this relationship than Facebook is but, as I don't believe in giving up on anything without trying my best to make it right, I have to give it my best shot, so here goes...
Karen Cox
February 2017 •
Dear Facebook, There are so many things that I have never felt able to say to you directly, but I feel the time has come for me to be honest with you. First of all, it feels like you are constantly holding up a mirror to my parenting skills and silently judging my seemingly apparent failures; take Christmas for example. Yes ok, so once again I failed miserably and didn't adopt an elf to sit on our shelf. Whilst other children were waking to new excitement and intrigue every morning of advent, my poor, neglected child only had the odious joy of opening a paper door and eating a bite sized piece of chocolate. As their friends regaled each other with humorous stories of their elf's antics, my child's description of the, once so, exciting advent picture fell on disinterested ears. You thought nothing of snuffing out my triumphant glory of having only taken an hour to wrap all the presents, as you gleefully told me of other parents who had put whole days aside to complete their task. You couldn't help yourself could you. With all the photos you show me of gloriously lain tables, groaning under the weight of a masterfully created Christmas dinner for ten, you can hardly blame me for being too embarrassed to show you my less than exciting Sunday roast for four. I think it's unfair of you to expect me to suddenly find joy in the art of cooking when you have always known my thoughts on kitchens.
32
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Karen Cox
February 2017 •
I am a proud mum, but why do I have to tell you too? I have always thought telling my children directly was the right way to go about it, regardless of whether it was son/daughter week. I do try and include you, but when you have just told me about a 12 year old taking a masters degree, it's hard to think you will be equally as excited over my teenager completing a Lord of the Rings marathon. Do you remember the early days, when you used to like me to speak my own mind; when I was able to express my thoughts and feelings in my own words? Those were the interestingly heady days of meaningful conversation and interaction, but now it feels like you just want me to share somebody else's words. Does what I have to say mean so little to you now or do you feel I can only get my point across using a photo of a minion combined with a few, grammatically incorrect words (yes I know I am picky about grammar, but you knew that when we first connected). It's bad enough that you seem to prefer it when I share the thoughts of strangers, but now you seem to think I can only express my feelings from a limited list of vague emotions? Even then, you only seem to have mastered a small selection of those I can feel on a daily basis. How am I supposed to narrow it down to just one at a time? I really do appreciate that you are trying to grow and have progressed from your usual like, but is it harsh of me to think that a few yellow faces expressing "love" , "haha", "wow", "sad" and "angry" doesn't really cover it? Where's "disappointed" or "confused" and, more importantly, "bored"? I don't understand your sense of humour anymore. Is "20k likes and I will donate my kidney to my dying friend" your idea of a good punchline? Your jokes seem more lame nowadays and although I will admit to giggling when you told me Mars would be the same size as the moon, I do feel the celebrity death hoaxes are getting a little old (2016 was hard enough). Let's face it, you don't always make me laugh like you used to.
ELVIS IS DEAD Please Share You have just WON
And when did you become so gullible and judgmental! What happened to the savvy Facebook I used to know and love? Suddenly you are being taken in by stories of gang initiations and £100 store card giveaways and are asking me to share a photo of someone who you claim stole an ice cream from a child in Australia? Really Facebook; do you honestly believe your boss is going to remove the President elect if he can get 500k likes? Please don't get grumpy with me for not sharing a photo of a teacher who is showing their pupils how far a photo can spread. I did it once, I have done my bit for social media education.
£1,000,000! Click on link
to recieve your CASH
What’s on your mind? Friends
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Karen Cox
February 2017 •
Oh and what is it about you and Ricky Gervais? Is he so important to you that you can't share his thoughts without a close up, deeply pensive photo to get his point across? Why wouldn't I find game trophy hunters abhorrent without Ricky's face telling me? If you knew me as well as you think you do, you would know I will always do what David Attenborough tells me to, not Mr Gervais. You once told me there would only be me and that I was special and unique to you, but now I find you want to copy me and pester all my friends? Well that's what I heard anyway and if it's not true, I am sorry, but the idea of you getting someone to pass themselves off as me, in a sneaky attempt to lure my friends into your ridiculous scams is totally unacceptable and I am making a stand. You have ruined my ability to trust. How can I trust my friends? How will I know the £300 gift voucher isn't one of your traps? I used to love the way you spoke to me, but now you seem to have forgotten where I am. Yes I know you were born over the pond, but our relationship is here and I feel you are constantly trying to make me more like your family. Don't you like the way I spell favourite or colour anymore, and what on earth is a fur baby or a leash? Can I not keep my own language, or will you only truly feel we can go on if I post photos of my new pants and talk about garbage and vacations? I love that we are different, you used to love that too, but I want football, biscuits and Christmas and not soccer, cookies and the holidays. I worry you are becoming bored of my homely "comfortable" way of life and would prefer me to be one of those wonderfully sociable people, who are always out at glitzy places with lots of friends, wearing perfect lipstick and HD eyebrows. I fear I will never be able live up to the perfect world you live in; my Christmas tree was squint last year, I never have a new hairdo to share, I don't bake perfect cakes, I am rubbish at selfies and let's not even talk about birthday parties. Am I still enough for you? I could go on and perhaps you think I am being unkind, but it's fair to say that you are a different Facebook to the one I first set eyes on. With all these constant changes, I worry we are drifting apart, I mean how am I supposed to still "push your buttons" if you keep moving them?
DON’T BE SUCH A DRAMA QUEEN
I have probably said too much and I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to show me an appropriately sarcastic meme about drama queens and tiaras, but I felt it needed saying. Please don't block me just yet though because there's more. Remember what our counsellor said about making a pros and cons list?
What’s on your mind? Friends 34
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Karen Cox
February 2017 •
Well, those were my cons and now here are the pros. You are always there for me Facebook, ready to listen whenever I have something to say. Even in the wee small hours, when I can't sleep, you are there with a silly video for me to watch or an interesting article to occupy my busy mind. I love that you are happy to help me rummage around local vintage shops, no matter what time of the night it is. You have seen me through some rough times; when I have been miserable and sad you have been there with kind words and uplifting messages. You have laughed at my jokes, awwed at photos of my family pets and you have never forgotten my birthday. When I was at my most scared, you were there with words of encouragement. You helped me get over the death of beloved pets and family arguments. You've helped me pick out the right shoes and handbags when I am overwhelmed with choices and you've found me the perfect piece of furniture from someone just round the corner. You do your best to keep me safe and even though I don't really need to know about every "true because it was on CNN" virus story, I do appreciate you looking out for me. When I have achieved my greatest goals, you have been there beside me, cheering me on; congratulating me and making me feel proud. Always beside me and liking what I do. You've helped me make contact with long lost friends and make new ones from all over the country, and even further afield. Somehow, with you around, the world doesn't seem so big. I love that you know all my friends and family and help me keep in touch with them, as well as keeping me up to date with my favourite local news and national news. You help me learn about the lovely town I live in and show me photos of past lifetimes and long gone buildings. You have shared some of the most important times in my life; graduations, weddings and family celebrations. You have come along on my road trips and adventures and you have kept me company on the long and lonely days when I can't leave the house. I think what I am trying to say is that, whilst our relationship may be tricky at times and there's a lot about you that drives me nuts, there's also a lot about you that I couldn't be without, even if you do insist on me checking in with you whenever I am out! You may not be perfect and we may not always see eye to eye, but you are my Facebook and you make me happy. Happy Valentine's Day Facebook
Karen Cox
35
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Q&A The music industry is a competitive business but the stars are definitely aligning for some. Based in Elgin, Moray, Edgar Road are a 5 piece band that have been joyfully creating their own sounds since late 2014. Intent on creating not only a soundscape of unique elements but also a visual delight with personally designed Stage elements and Motion Pictures. 37
Maggie
Mark
Edgar Road spend most of their time writing material and currently have stock of around 17 originals, 10 recorded and another 2 which are recorded but not yet released. So much to look forward to! Making it to the finals of Soundwave UK at the O2 main stage, Glasgow in Jan 2017 was an excpetional highlight for the band and they've have had a No.10 and No.18 and entry in the Scottish New Music Charts Top 40. They were lucky enough to get a slot at the Chairwork’s Studio in Leeds and even more elated to get David Watts, who has finished producing Kaiser Chiefs latest album, to mix and produce their new EP. “We play mostly festivals and have some crackers lined up for 2017” caught up with Mark to find out a wee bit more... Q: What genre of music do you consider your work to be and who are your major influences? A: Alternative Rock with Melodic Pop elements as we have been quoted. Quite hard to tie down tbh as it kind of has its own vibe. We draw influence from the likes of U2, Coldplay, Deacon Blue & Radiohead. Q: Anything cringe in your music collection? A: Not cringe for me but others in the band might if they knew I had an early Kylie album.
38
Mike
Allan
Simon
Q: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together? A: The band was formed in 2014, we all had a passion to start writing our own stuff again and we all gel very well and are musically in tune with each other. The writing process is made so much easier as a result of this and each member has their own unique quality to input into the song writing direction Q: Edgar Road is a new addition to the crayon box. What colour would you be and why? Q: List the name, school, and respective instrument of each band member.
A: Oooooh, nice question. Colour of crayon
A: No ages please
combining lots of things that are there already
Mark Conti – Singer/Guitar (Elgin High)
but very unique in itself.
would be a new Edgar Road tartan colour
Mike Byiers (Binky) – Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals (Elgin High) Allan Hall (Animal) – Drums/percussion (Elgin High)
Q: What makes you blush? A: Watching Salad getting dressed. BOOM BOOM
Simon Watterson – Guitar (Elgin High)
Q: Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues?
Maggie Wellenger – Keyboards/Backing Vocals
A: We played Belladrum last year followed by
(Poland)
Jocktober, both fantastic gigs and a great level
Q: What was the first album each you remembers buying?
of support turned up. We did a gig in a venue through an agent in Aberdeen who obviously
A:
hadn’t done his research as we were on
Mark – In the City by The Jam
alongside some serious, heavy stuff and we
Binky - Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden
don’t quite fit that genre so needless to say the
Si - Joshua Tree - U2
crowd were less than enthusiastic.
Maggie - Seasons End - Marrilion Q: How long have you all known each other? How did you meet? A:Allan, Binky and Mark have been in bands together since 1999 more notably Crannog, since then various cover bands. Simon and Maggie joined early 2015. We came across a youtube video of simon playing an original tune on his guitar then asked him if he fancied jamming with us. Maggie came as a lead given by an Elgin Academy Music teacher.
39
We recently played the main stage at the O2 Glasgow for the UK finals of Soundwave. 13 bands out of 370 got through 4 heats to get to the final. We didn’t win but by 'eck it was a cracker of a gig, playing to over 1k people and the audience were bouncing. (Video is on our Facebook page of the event) Q: Has your music evolved since you first began playing music together? If so, how? A: Massively evolved, the music has taken on a life of its own really. We are night and day from when we started and have drilled down into some of the technicalities of song writing with the help of our keyboard player Maggie who is a qualified music teacher. We have the patience to listen to each other’s ideas and try them, sometimes they work other times they don’t. There is a very clear, comfortable and relaxed working environment with no Egos so no one is embarrassed if they make mistakes or come up with an idea that doesn’t work. Q: What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? A: As an original band in the north of Scotland there are very few places where you can showcase original talent. We have been constantly contacting festivals throughout UK and Europe to get slots and have been quite lucky this year with some excellent slots which will be released very soon. There are so many fantastic original artists/bands within Moray and we know most of them, they all are doing their best to get their music heard but the central belt seems, as always, to be the most viable place to head to get slots at the moment. Inverness & Aberdeen have a few but it would be fantastic if there were more opportunities for original bands North of Perth.
40
Q: What’s your ultimate direction for Edgar Road? Are you seeking fame and fortune? A: We don’t see ourselves as headliners and are quite comfortable writing and doing festivals through the year, but we have, over the past 2 years, built the most fantastic, supportive and inspiring following throughout Social Media and beyond. This gives us the pleasure, sharing our music, experiences and videos with our followers is the way we will grow. I think we shall continue moving forwards and see what comes rather than setting our expectations too high. (Bit of a grown up answer sorry!) We have been lucky enough to have 2 entries into the Scottish New music charts TOP40 with a no18 in October 16 and a no10 in Dec 16 which made us all very happy musos.
Q: What’s the last thing that made you laugh uncontrollably?
Their album “All about everything” is available for download from iTunes.
A: When we were recording at the studio in
A review of their performance at Belladrum:
Leeds last year, we all had a few glasses of
“Next stop was Edgar Road, an alternative rock
Vino. Binky fell asleep in the control room,
band from Elgin, who were playing the Bella Bar
sitting on his chair. I poured water from a
stage. The five-piece band played to a
bottle onto his jeans in a certain area and
dedicated and appreciative audience who
when he woke he believed that he had done a
braved a heavy downpour to see them. They
no1 in his sleep and tried to cover the fact up
were rewarded with an accomplished perform-
from us. (Childish answer)
ance from these talented musicians whose set
Q: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
comprised a mix of covers and original material,
A: They can visit our website where the
new album - Who Turned The Lights On, Stormy
previous EP is for sale or visit our Facebook at
Weather, Fleetwood Mac's Everywhere, Light of
edgarroadband. We are also in all the usual
Love, Kollide and Friday Night.” - efestivals
haunts, iTunes, Spotify, etc. Just search EDGAR
review Belladrum Festival 2016.
including All About Everything - the title of their
ROAD. Our new EP “Looking Glass” will be release in the Spring. ACCOLADES Q: Do you have any upcoming shows?
UK Finalist's Scottish Widows Battle of the
A: We have some Festivals in the summer and
Bands 2016
on the 4th of Feb we have our new EP launch
UK Finalist's Soundwave Music Competition
at Grant Hall Rothes by Ticket only. On 27th May we are playing SSEC17 at Novar Estates
Charted Number 10 Scottish new music charts Dec 2016
and hopefully Belladrum again this year. Any interest can be made via our Facebook page or email us at info@edgarroadband.com
Interview by Tamsyn Dickson
41
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it’s more than sport By Barbara Playdon
45
46
Moray has everything – beautiful beaches,
home. This is why Sandy has generously offered
dramatic mountains, verdant agricultural pastures
his support to Moray Sports Foundation. By
fringed with wonderful forests just inviting you to
teaming his entrepreneurial spirit with the charity,
explore. Vast skies display incredibly beautiful
Moray Sports Foundation have been able to
sunrises and sunsets and the clear night skies of
design and submit plans to the council for a state
winter are host to an amazing amount of stars –
of the art sports centre located in Elgin to serve
not to mention the appearance of the northern
the whole of Moray - the icing on the cake for an
lights from time to time. Moray’s people are warm
already spectacular part of Scotland. The sports
and friendly and it is no small wonder that people
centre has been designed as part of the
wish to relocate to this part of Scotland.
expansion to the South of Elgin, covering
In short, Moray has everything you could possibly
12 acres with four covered tennis courts, a
wish for but there is one thing that is sadly missing.
gymnastics area and one of the largest sports
While it has many sports fields as part of its
halls in Moray.
schools, it does not have a sports centre. A place
It is a well-documented fact that, as a nation, we
where people of all ages can meet and make use
are getting chubbier. And I’m not just referring to
of the facilities, from beginner level right up to
the post Christmas padding here. With the
championship level.
advances in technology we are all spending
In 2015, this is something local business owner,
more and more time glued to iPads, mobiles,
Sandy Adam set out to remedy. Having lived in
laptops and anything else that comes with a
Moray his whole life, with family deeply rooted in
screen and a keyboard. Exercise is being
the area, Sandy wants to fill this gap and give
sidelined, even for our kids.
something back to a place he is proud to call
Some schools do not have the basic facilities to
PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR PLAN Multi-Sport Games Hall
Childrens Soft Play Area
Coffee Shop
Small Gym Hall
Bleacher Seats
Outdoor seating Area
Male and Female Changing
Cafe/Lounge Area
offer the pupils anything like what they need in
Moray Sports Foundation is looking to address
extra-curricular activities. The medical profession
these issues and building a new sports centre is a
constantly reminds us that we are creating a
great place to start.
massive problem for the future with these
To find out more about the concept behind the
ever-increasing obesity issues. We are living
project, I met with Kathryn Evans, the CEO of the
longer and, as a consequence, suffering more
project and advisor to the trustees. Not to be
breaks and fractures, hip replacements, knee
confused with the Lossiemouth athlete of the
replacements and strokes in our older age. If we
same name, Kathryn is from Wales and is an
continue in this cycle we will inevitably spiral out
ex-international heptathlete. She has 20 years’
of all proportion and give the already struggling
experience of operating sports centres, is
NHS more challenges that could have been
Scotland’s U21s’ netball umpire, is supremely fit
avoided if we’d taken better care of our families
and extremely excited about this project. Excited
and ourselves.
is a word that has been very much over-used of
47
PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR PLAN Aerobic Studio
Holistic/Dance
Conference Rooms
Elite Training Gym
Breakout Space
GP Room
48
Male & Female Changing
Meeting Room
Outdoor Excercise Area
Spinning Room
late, for all the wrong reasons, but I can think of
developing long term relationships with key
no better word to describe Kathryn’s approach
partners, including Moray Council and the NHS,
to this project. Just ten minutes in her company
both of whom see the need for such a sports
and you are swept along on a tide of enthusiasm
centre in the region.
that will continue beyond the completion of the
Despite her impressive sporting CV, Kathryn is all
centre, the cutting of the ribbon and into its
too aware that sport isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
operation. She is transforming Sandy’s ideas and
For some, they feel like they have two left feet,
thoughts into reality. Obviously she cannot
they find the equipment in the gym intimidating
achieve this single-handedly and has been in
and the thought of competitive sport is enough to
discussions with the architects and builders,
give them a cold sweat. But she is working to
Halliday Fraser Munro in Aberdeen and Morrison
make Moray Sports Centre a place that everyone
Construction, also in Aberdeen, respectively. She
feels welcome and comfortable. They’ll feel at
is in touch with SportScotland and is also
ease should they wish to take a wander out of
football and rugby pitches. A 1km sensory running trail will skirt the perimeter. An allotment which will be run by local charities, working with people who feel socially isolated and disengaged, will provide for the kitchen inside the centre. Also there is an outside children’s play area with a viewing terrace for the parents. As if all this isn’t enough, you will also be able to enjoy a barbecue! The project will create in the region of 150 jobs and their comfort zone, but it will be a meeting place, a leisure facility, a community space – not just a place to work out. So what will the centre have to offer? Very simply, it will be an inspirational and welcoming venue for one and all. It will be a centre where people can excel at a high level or simply feel comfortable enough to join in. It has been very carefully and cleverly thought out and every space in the centre will have at least three uses. It truly has been designed with the entire community
will take one year to construct. It is looking likely that groundwork will start in July this year with plans to open in August 2018, in time for the Commonwealth Games. The price tag for the project is around £12 million. As the centre is being proposed by a charity, the project will be heavily reliant on donations and funding from private funds and foundations, corporate sponsorship and also the general public through fundraising and legacy gifts. Each and every
in mind. The ground floor will have an 8 badminton court multi sports hall with bleacher seating; a trampoline, gymnastics and martial arts hall; both indoor and outdoor changing rooms; a children’s soft play area; a public coffee shop/restaurant; a kitchen and an external seating area. The first floor will have a 100 station gym; changing rooms; GP referral room; therapy rooms; offices; classrooms sufficient for Moray College UHI; a social space; library; mind and body studio; aerobic studio;
one of us can play a part in this centre and even a
spinning studio and a terrace.
small donation from families can make a huge
The outside space, designed by McCreadie Design,
difference. Sandy Adam is committed to match
will be just as stunning and well thought out as the
funding donations from national bodies and private
inside. Covered tennis courts are planned as well as
trusts and foundations.
49
PROPOSED LANDSCAPING LAYOUT
Covered Tennis Courts
Moray Sports Centre
3G Rugby & Football
g
n Lo p
m
Ju
Rugby Practice
ea Ar 0m
10 k
ac Tr
Running Track, Fitness Trail, Covered Tennis Courts, Quiet Garden, Sports Pitches, Sensory Garden There is no doubt, that once the Moray Sports
Those who are recuperating after illness or isolation
Centre open their doors people from all over will
after bereavement will be able to come and benefit
want to take advantage of the many facilities the
from the social aspect of the centre. They will
centre will offer. Not only will they be able to
also come to enjoy cultural events such as music or
indulge their passion for their particular sport but
outdoor cinema. A veritable wealth of activities and
they will be able to attend seminars and workshops.
events will be on offer and all will be made welcome.
50
It really is a very simple idea – a place to come and feel part of the community, to feel the benefit of sport and social contact, to reverse the couch potato syndrome that is unfortunately a part of modern living and just basically to have a good time with friends or family. So I guess, when Kathryn says Moray Sports Centre is more than a sport centre, she’s not joking. Kathryn Evans can be contacted on 01343 552550 or by email: Kathryn.evans@moraysportscentre.co.uk Further details can be found on their website: www.moraysportscentre.co.uk, on Facebook: Moray Sports Centre or on twitter @moraysports
Moray Sports Centre -
It’s more than sport…
51
Meet the photographer "I’m Andy, a wedding and events photographer based in Elgin. Having always been interested in photography I started my business 6 years ago. I’ve
Weddings Engagements Portraits Events
honed my skills through a wide variety of experiences which have taught me to concentrate on the finer details and offer something unique for my clients. My goal is to produce high-quality images that capture the moment perfectly to be enjoyed forever, something that has gained me international publication. If you’re looking for a photographer for any event please contact me to discuss your bespoke needs and requirements.
Andy Mackenzie Photography Call Andy on 07856 976676 or email: andyc.mackenzie@googlemail.com
Opening of the River Spey The months have rolled round and with Christmas and New Year celebrations barely behind us, it is already time to think ahead to the new Salmon fishing season on the Spey. Although not always obvious to anglers and other observers, work on the river has continued throughout the winter as described in an earlier article. Fishing huts and boats have been refurbished and repainted, fallen trees removed and bank repairs completed, all in time for the opening of the 2017 season on Saturday February 11th. The opening ceremony will take place at 0900 hrs at the Penny Bridge at Alice Littler Park in Aberlour and everyone is invited to attend. Our Sponsors, Aberlour Distillery, Walkers Shortbread and Le Petit Gourmand continue to support us and a dram, shortbread, coffee and pastries will be on offer during the opening ceremony. I hope as many of you as possible will support the event and its sponsors. Traditionally, the angler who catches the first fresh Salmon on the fly and releases it is awarded the
52
PHOTOGRAPHY
February 11th 2017
Anniversary Quaich Trophy. The winner from the previous year is invited to open the new season by pouring a bottle of Aberlour Malt Whisky from the bridge into the river, accompanied by a piper. Our local minister, Shuna Dicks will say a blessing and our guest of honour will say a few words. This year we are delighted to have the Rt. Hon. Angus Robertson MP, leader of the SNP at Westminster, as our guest of honour. Angus is a resident of Speyside and we are delighted that he has agreed to speak at the Opening Ceremony. Once the river is open, Angus, along with other anglers, will have a cast and try to catch the first fish of the season. The Anniversary Quaich will be presented to the angler who catches the first fish at a short ceremony in the visitor centre at Aberlour Distillery at 1730hrs. Again, all are invited to attend. I look forward to seeing you at Aberlour on the 11th. Brian Doran - Chairman Spey District Salmon Fishery Board.
Whimsical bookshelf ideas... 53
ee
A tr
ws gr o
-lyn o ok in B
designer Olivier DollĂŠ
...these aren't your average libraries
54
The move towards everything digital is happening
Then, there is the physical act of turning a page.
at a faster and faster pace. Soon, printed books
These are all the tangible things you are missing
will be nonexistent. Almost everyone owns a
when you read the digital copy of a story.
tablet or an e-reader of some kind. We rarely see
Some avid readers go above and beyond to
people reading from an actual book nowadays. For
maximize their reading experience. They create
bookworms, this is somewhat disconcerting news.
homes for their beloved books or special nooks
Although it will be saving a lot of trees, reading
that help transport them to other worlds. There’s
books from a screen is a completely different
just something beautiful about having your books
experience than reading from a printed page.
lined up. Some of these bookshelf ideas just might
Books are like fine wine; they develop more
bring back a demand for printed books.
flavour and character the longer they age. Old
There are few things as personal as one's book
books have a distinct aroma that makes all book
collection, so why not display them on shelves that
lovers go weak in the knees. It’s very much like
also reflect your personality? Whether you're the
how people enjoy the smell of a new car, puppy
outdoorsy type, modern or something in between,
breath, or a newborn baby. As you read your
you'll find inspiration from these amazing
favourite books over and over, the pages become
bookshelf designs that demonstrate whimsy,
softer and the covers get worn around the edges.
practicality and charm.
Check out these amazing book lovers who created the perfect home for their books...
2.
1.
1. The very giving tree. This creative person simply stood a beautiful log in a corner of a room and installed corner shelves around it, creating a gorgeous touch of rustic that complements the fur rug and sparse decor.
3.
2. For all of your classics. The Pointer family built this stunning bookcase by spending six months carefully disassembling a baby grand piano that had been damaged beyond repair. It is now a stunning entryway piece for the couple.
3. Cantilevered modules stacked upon each other at a single angled point, Equilibrium is a unique furniture piece that immediately catches attention by creating a sense of amusement and surprise.
55
4. Stairs for books. For the boy who lived in a
4.
cupboard under the stairs (Harry Potter fans will know what I mean). Simply extending the step boards of a staircase can take your reading to another level! This sleek design fits right into a modern decor plan.
5. Books are magical ‌ Who needs shelves at all? Introduce a little magic into your home with "invisible" bookshelves. Stacks of books appear to float along the wall! Once you see how it's done, you'll astound and amaze your friends.
6. Something for "The Little Princess." Venezuelan lawyer Veronica shared her amazing bookshelf design with Apartment Therapy. "I needed a library, but it had to be different, so I made one inspired by a mandala. I think the carpenter did a great job, exactly what I designed!" Veronica said.
5.
56
6.
7.
8.
7. Thought Shelf. If only a little light bulb would turn on every time we have a question in our heads… Well, it does, when we have this question mark in our room!
8. The ‘Yule’ Wooden bookshelf for those who need to add new shelves but have no more free space
9.
along the walls. It can be placed anywhere in the room and fixed to the ceiling. ‘Yule’ optimizes limited space you may have in your room.
9. Skateboard shelf is a piece of furniture that every skateboard lover would tell you that it is awesome. Perfect for students and kids, it provides substantial storage space for books, display and even skateboard paraphernalia.
...these are amazing libraries! 57
cairngorm to coast *photo
s court
58
esy of A
lison R ead Ph
otograp
hy
on behalf of the RAF Benevolent Fund Looking for a reason to work off those Christmas
challenge and requires plenty of training and
pounds or do you fancy trying something that little
preparation. The local climate is extremely
bit different in 2017? How about a 100km hike
changeable, which means you could be starting
and bike challenge through the magnificent
the hike in snow and finishing in glorious
Cairngorm National Park and along the beautiful
sunshine, with gales in between! It all adds to
scenery of the Dava Way on 20th May. Go on
the excitement of the day.
admit it, you are tempted!
Cairngorm to Coast is run on behalf of the RAF
Now in its third year, Cairngorm to Coast is a
Benevolent Fund, the RAF's leading welfare
rapidly growing and challenging duathlon that is
charity since 1919. The Fund have a proud
capturing the imagination of people in Moray and
tradition of looking after their own and support
further afield. Organised by Team RAFBF
the whole Royal Air Force family, from out 100
Lossiemouth and coordinated by local outdoor
year old WWII veterans, Falklands, Iraq and
adventure charity, Outfit Moray, it's the first
Afghanistan veterans, as well as current serving
challenge event on the Moray calendar.
members, veterans of all ages and their families.
So, if you think you're up for it, what does it entail?
The work they do supporting these people on
Well, your challenge, should you accept, will see you starting at the Cairngorm Ski Centre carpark where you will hike down to the Sugar Bowl, then
base and within the local community is often life changing, and your 100km adventure will go a long way to helping with that vital service.
on through Glenmore Forest to Glenmore Lodge,
For more information on Cairngorm to Coast,
on to Nethy Forest and Lyngarry towards Nethy
those all posing FAQs and the all-important entry
Bridge, where you join the Speyside Way to the Force Development Training Centre in Grantown-on-Spey. There, the jubilant hikers will hang up their muddy boots and enjoy some hot
form, head across to Team RAFBF Lossiemouth's website: teamrafbflossiemouth.org.uk/c2c17
Early bird entry closes on 28th February
food, whilst the brave/mad duathlon participants will refuel and change into their cycling gear before grabbing their bikes and heading on to the Dava Way. When the Dava Way ends in Forres, you will join a local SUSTRANS route and follows to the RAF Lossiemouth childcare centre, 70km later. It really is as straightforward as that... Do not be fooled though, this is a gruelling 59
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W ho is he? ...the journey continues Felix stared into the dark of the wood. The wind rippled
tailed red squirrel stood before him. Its ears pricked
through his feathers and he realised that for the first
with excitement.
time in his short life he felt truly cold. How he missed
“Oh hello, I’m Felix, I’m just trying to get my compass
the warmth of his nest and the comfort of soft feathers
working. I need to find my home, well… I have a home,
around his back. Stifling a sniffle he searched for a
what I mean is, I need to find where I came from” Felix
place to stay for the night, finally settling into the
stuttered slightly, unnerved by their sudden encounter.
hollowed out trunk of a tree. It was cold, but dry.
“Well I might be able to help you there my friend, I’m
“Just remember my boy, If you ever need to find your
quite good with nuts if you get my meaning!” The
way home, follow the needle South West”
squirrel bounced up next to Felix, grabbing the acorn
Papa Sparrow’s words bounced around in his mind, and
and filling it with water. “I’m Cracker, well I don’t think
Felix searched by moonlight for the pieces of the
that’s the name I was born with but that’s what they call
compass papa had packed into his little red bag. Half
me!” Cracker lay on his back rolling around and
an acorn shell, and a small sliver of metal that looked
laughing in the leaves. Felix snorted a chuckle, allowing
like a needle. Felix had been engrossed as papa had
his feathers to lay back down against his skin as he
taught him and his siblings to use the compass. The
relaxed.
others seemed more interested in trying to catch the
“So little fella, where exactly do you want to go?”
greenflies than the details of navigation, but Felix was
Felix placed the needle in the acorn, watching it settle.
fascinated, he was almost lured to it, like he was meant
“I guess I’m not sure, I was hoping to find more birds
to know.
like myself, I’m a little different you see, and I want to
“There will be fewer branches on the trees to the north.
know where I belong.”
The north side of the tree will be more humid than the
Cracker looked with interest at Felix, cocking his head
south and have more lichens. Ants like to build their
first left and then right. “Well I suppose you are a little
nests on the south side of the tree, and remember
unusual, but then so am I, that’s what makes the forest
the morning he would collect some rain water for his acorn and choose his direction. The sun rose above the canopy, and the first dew of the morning began to steam off the leaves in light gentle plumes. Felix ruffled his feathers, trapping the air inside to warm his body. It had indeed been a cold night, but he woke feeling enthusiastic for the day ahead. Scooping up some water from a shallow puddle Felix heard a rustling from behind him. Dropping his half acorn he hopped in surprise. “Hello there, what you up to then?” A beautiful bushy
62
...with Crack
“I remember papa” Felix whispered inside the tree. In
er
Felix, the needle always lies north south.”
such a wonderful place to live. But if you really want
“How did you get here?” Felix hopped, suddenly feeling
to find some other unusual creatures I know of
slightly frustrated.
some strange looking cow like things on the edge of
“On a big bird with giant metal wings, then… in the back
the forest.”
of a truck I think.”
“Really? Could you take me to them?” Felix hopped
Felix shook his head with confusion, his small tummy
around Cracker with a sudden feeling of anticipation.
churning with worry.
“Sure if you’d like, they’re definitely not birds little fella,
“Look my little friend” the Alpaca turned his head up to
but maybe they might know something that could help
look at the sky toward a flock of passing geese. “You
you. This way then!”
need to be like them, and fly to new destinations, a
Stuffing his compass into his bag, Felix followed Cracker
great many birds migrate to and from our country.”
East along the forest floor. Cracker bounded quickly
Felix stared with wonder at the v – shaped formation of
amongst the leaves and rotting branches, and eventually
large birds, they looked so graceful. He wondered how
Felix took to flight to keep up.
he could ever follow in their path.
“Here we are!” Felix and Cracker sat on the fence post
“Take to the sky my friend, and fly!” The Alpaca offered
bordering a field. Inside were some of the strangest
him a wink with his large eyelashes and Felix nodded.
animals Felix had ever seen. “Holy pine needles! What
Flying was something his papa said he was good at…….
are those?” kind of guys, I haven’t been able to work out what they are saying for nuts nor berries!” “Buenos Dias!” One of the strange creatures bounded up toward them. It looked like a long-legged sheep, but
...with Alp acas
“Beats me kid” Cracker laughed, “but they are sociable
with the biggest eyes and lashes Felix had ever seen. “I’ll be going now Felix, but if you ever need me just ask for Cracker! I’m quite well known around these parts!” The bushy tailed red squirrel bounded off leaving Felix in the company of the long-legged sheep. “Hello, I’m Felix, you don’t look like you are from around here, neither am I, I don’t think, you wouldn’t perhaps know where there are other birds like me do you?” The long-legged sheep batted his long eye lashes, staring curiously at Felix. “Me and my comrades are from Chile, a country far, far away. We are Alpaca’s!” “Alpaca’s?” Felix whispered the name, certainly the strangest name for any animal he had ever heard. “Are there birds like me in Chile?” “Si and No” The Alpaca bent down to nibble some grass. “The roots are not so sweet here, but I suppose they will do.”
63
Mike Rae - About Nature
Winter, deceptively quiet
She is reassuringly predictable, around mid
February is deceptively quiet, the plants are
day the snoring becomes less regular and
well retreated for winter, occasional brave
her eyes start to flicker open. Half an hour
primroses flower in the ditches, the birds
later brown eyes are following me imploring
are focusing getting enough food before
me to move, if I go to the door there is a
sunset, and the brown hares have
rush of excitement only to be countered by
mysteriously vanished. However this does
sighs of disappointment if it is a false alert.
not stop Rye, now a fully awake Springer
When I do finally reach for my boots and
spaniel, from searching hopefully for life in
coat the joy is unbounded; I am implored to
the hedge bottom.
play with one of many furry toys making lacing up boots near impossible.It is clear February day, over-night there had been a frost, in the shadows of the houses and trees in the village it still lingers on the grass. It is lunch time but the sun is low in the south, being a Saturday I decide we deserve a longer walk, once out of the village and on the muddy bridle path it is quiet with no one else about.
64
My eyes are drawn to the sky, wood pigeons in the nearby wood are nervous, flying a few metres en mass finding new trees to perch in. They refuse to settle and eat the blue green oil seed rape plants in the field by the wood. A series of pylons strides across in front of me, these play the part of cliff faces in and otherwise flat landscape. Then I see it, a hunched dot on one of the out flung arms of the pylon. With binoculars the dot becomes a steel backed, front striped moustachioed assassin, a peregrine falcon. I pause, the pause become ten minutes and I ignore Rye’s imploring stare. Then it happens, the peregrine drops from the pylon arm, wings flaps rapidly, instantly gaining height. I follow the increasingly small dot upward with the binoculars, it appears to freeze then drops down dizzyingly fast, there is chaos in the wood. Even half a mile away I can hear the flap of the pigeon’s wings as they scatter in panic, one is targeted laser like but avoids the plummeting peregrine with a desperate side jink. The peregrine drives into the wood low down causing pigeon pandemonium, seconds later it screams vertically out of the middle of the wood becoming a dot again, another plummeting dive and another pigeon avoids destruction. However a careful scan of the huge rape field show small snow like white patches, my binoculars turn these snow patches into feathers, the peregrine has not been going hungry. We walk on, the bridleway is wrapped in a narrow strip of woodland for almost two miles This is Ryes’ favourite part of the walk the wood is packed with smells, evidence of past and sometimes still present animals and birds, especially the “vanished” hares. The recent hard frosts have crisped the oak leaves that are thick on
65
66
the track, rustling indignantly as I kick through them.
into the field by the track, pause momentarily to
Then to the delight of Rye a chocolate patch of frosted
look back at us then glide away with a fluid ground
leaves flies away from under our feet like a manic
eating trot.
drone dodging low through the trees. Woodcock over
At the end of the wood there is a “cross road� with
winter in the wood probing into the mud and leaf litter
another old track, the field in front of us is massive
for earth worms. A detailed Spaniel inspection reveals
and pale green with winter wheat, like a sparse
exactly where the woodcock spent the last few hours
prairie of grass, apart from this it looks lifeless. But, I
before being disturbed.
am not convinced, I can faintly hear distant forlorn
Nearly half way down the track my eyes that have
whistling calls, the small dark wheeling cloud
been watching the frosted leaves at my feet are drawn
appears against the pale blue winter sky. The flock
upwards. Five ghost like shapes form themselves from
of Golden plover rise and fall, disperse and
the woodland, they turn as one, their flashing white
reform over the field a 1000 metres
backsides revealing them as Roe deer. They bounce
away then land to become invisible.
My binoculars instantly shrink the field, revealing the golden plover flock and they are not alone, they land to join Lapwing feeding on worms and probably slugs in the thick clay soil. My gaze lingers but then drifts off to the right towards the three lonely oak trees on the track at the field edge, I find the two awkwardly moving brown shapes walking on the field and scraping in the earth, they have been a fixture here for weeks. They are buzzards at over a 1000 metres it is not possible to see what they are eating but my best guess it is larger earth worms and leather jackets that turn into crane flies in the summer. The noise behind me makes me turn, Rye is digging in frustration at the lack of action pretending there is something under the small wheat plants. There are bright red luminous points in the hedge, the now fast dipping sun is catching the remaining rosehips that the visiting fieldfares will return to eat, it is time to go home. At the break in the hedge at the track cross road I hear the weak piping calls of a flock of more than 20 long tailed tits, we pause. One by one they fly by me so close that we hear the thrumming beat of their minute wings. Approaching the village the sun has turned fiery red and the frost is creeping out of the shadows growing like a white fungus in the bare hedge twigs. Rye is using all her mental powers to pull me home, She knows the glowing wood burner and a dream filled sleep are waiting.
by Mike Rae www.mikerae.com 67
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68
by Jo Mackintosh
69
ON THE SHOULDER OF CLUNY The ancient Scottish Royal Burgh of Forres is one of
Scotland’s oldest towns. Situated on the shoulder of Cluny Hill, Forres looks out to the north over the Moray Firth towards the Caithness mountains. Forres first appeared on a map drawn by the Roman cartographer Claudius Ptolemy two thousand years ago, where he referred to the town as ‘Varis’. Forres has a rich and colourful history, which extends thousands of years, beginning with one of the oldest known artefacts. Found on the eastern outskirts of the town, ‘Sueno’s Stone’ stands six metres tall and is
Sueno’s Stone
elaborately carved on all four sides, ‘Sueno’s Stone’ is a Pictish class III symbol stone. It was discovered buried in 1726, and given the name mistakenly after the Norse
Scottish surgeon who served in the Crimean war. Erected
King Sweyn Forkbeard. On one side of the stone is a
in 1857, the monument honours Assistant-Surgeon James
Christian Cross and elaborate Celtic knot-work, on the
Thomson’s presence in the 54th regiment at ‘the battle of
obverse side are visual depictions of battle scenes
Alma’ and for his subsequent voluntary choice to remain
believed to tell the victory of the first Scottish king
behind with the seven hundred wounded enemy Russian
Kenneth MacAlpin over the Picts.
soldiers, four hundred of which he successfully restored to
Exploring the town’s history in further detail, the
health despite adverse conditions. His efforts finally
flat-topped mound of Castle Hill was of strategic military
culminating in his own death due to excessive hardship
importance since defenders would get a clear view from
and privation.
its summit of the sea to the north and the lands to the
The oldest castle in Forres was a Royal residence. William
south. Today Castlehill is home to the Thomson
the Lyon was said to have dated charters here in 1189 and
monument, an obelisk dedicated to the memory of a
1198, later Alexander II dated a charter from the same place in 1238. It’s very possible that this older castle was originally made from wood, it’s walls and keep rebuilt and strengthened during the reign of David I. It was at this older castle where the 78th King of Scots, King Duffus is said to have suffered at the hands of three witches. Credence was given to these witchcraft rumours due to his ‘unusual sweating, body pining and withering’ No physician could treat his ailments and when news reached the court that ‘night meetings were kept at Farras (Forres) a town in Murray (Moray) for the taking away of the life of the king’
King Sweyn Forkbeard
an investigation was ordered. The governor of the castle captured a young wench who was said to have threatened the King’s life. No doubt suffering at the hands of torture,
70
the young girl eventually confessed that her mother and a coven of ‘devil – worshippers’ were taking the life of the king. A troop of soldiers surprised a company of hags that very night who were apparently repeating ‘mysterious words’ whilst melting a wax image of the king by a fire. The witches were taken into custody and as soon as the image was stamped out, the king’s health returned. The witches stone found at the foot of the hawthorn hedge to the west of the old toll house is the remaining one of three stones where the witches accused of plotting the demise of King Duffus were put to death. It is in this castle where William
Burning Plaque
Shakespeare located his most enduring of tales ‘Macbeth’, not surprisingly, since Forres is notorious for its history of
June 1496. The charter narrates that the king: “understanding that the ancient charters granted to the town of Forres have been destroyed in time of war or by violence of fire, now grants anew in free burgage all the lands and rights formerly belonging to the community, with the power to elect a provost and bailies etc., who are to exercise jurisdiction within the burgh boundaries. Liberty is also given to erect a cross and to hold a weekly market on a Friday, an annual fair
Witches Stone
to begin with the vigil of St Lawrence and to continue for eight days…… with all sundry and other privileges of a free burgh”
witch hunting. A woman unfortunate enough to have been
Interestingly the town still creates burghers, normally as
accused of witchcraft, would have been imprisoned inside
an acknowledgment of contributions made by worthy
a barrel and rolled down Cluny hill. If she survived, spikes
citizens to the life of the town. The town of Forres
would then be driven through the barrel wall, and if this
celebrated the quincentenary of this charter on 23rd
was still not enough to kill her, the whole ordeal would end
June 1996 to the sounds of a Pictish Carnyx trumpet
with the supposed witch being burned at the stake. The last
and Scottish music.
witch to be executed was an old woman called Dorothy
Today Forres high street has been described as a
Calder, who with the aid of fifteen cart-loads of peat, burned
typical ancient market town revived by Victorian wealth.
to death at the top of Drumduan Hill, a common place for
The high street widens where it accommodated the
execution.
market that once took place there. The early wealth of
It is clear that early Forres was a place of great importance,
the town is also evident by the number of grand
although it is uncertain exactly when Forres became a
buildings that give the town its impressive appearance.
Royal Burgh. The early castle was said to be present in the
These buildings include the Tolbooth which has evolved
town around 900AD and it is believed to have been a Royal
through reconstructions and expansions for the best
Burgh in 1140AD. The oldest charter remaining, bringing up
part of eight hundred years. The Tolbooth has an
to date an earlier charter issued by King David I, is one of
impressive court room where the town provosts once
De nove damus, granted by King James IV, and dated 23rd
made proclamations and from where magistrates
71
ordered citizens considered unworthy to the adjacent prison building. The burning of the town in 1390 by Alexander Stewart resulted in the early history of the Tolbooth being lost, the first record of the Tolbooth is a proclamation in 1586 referring to its repair. The building in its present form was established in 1838 when the foundation stone for the new court house and public offices were laid. The Falconer Museum is another testament to Forres’ rich history, founded in 1871, the museum is one of the oldest in the district, named after two brothers, Hugh
St Laurence Church
and Alexander Falconer, the museum was prominent in the scientific community. Hugh Falconer was a contemporary of Charles Darwin, his work in palaeontology
town, including the mercat cross dating from 1844, the
leading to new ideas about the antiquity of man. His
magnificent St Laurence church in the centre of town
older brother Alexander was a merchant in Calcutta and
and St John’s Episcopal church opposite Grant Park. These are just a few of the attractions of the ancient market town which also has many forest walks. To the south east of Forres is Cluny hill, heavily wooded with three distinct hills. Upon the summit of the highest is an octagonal tower built in 1806 to commemorate Lord Nelson and his victories. The tower contains several floors, the top being reached by way of a spiral stair leading to commanding views over the Moray Firth to the distant hills of Ross and Sutherland. Forres consistently hosts popular public events from Grant Park, gifted to the town by Sir Alexander Grant. The park provides huge open spaces where events such as Forres Highland Games, Forres Theme Day and
Falconer Museum
Piping Hot regularly take place. The park is also popular for its traditional gardens and floral sculptures which centrepiece for the towns entries into the ‘Britain in
bequeathed the sum of £1000 to the establishment of ‘a public museum in Forres for objects of art and science inclusive of a library and lecture room’ There is a large display of social history, archaeology, and
Bloom’ competitions from which it has won several awards. Forres remains a town rich in historical history and undoubtedly one of the most attractive towns in Morayshire.
geology amongst other exhibits and the Falconer museum continues to play an active and important role
REFERENCES
within the community hosting new exhibits, events and
www.travelthruhistory.com • visitscotland.com • www.duffus.com
family sessions. There are several other impressive buildings in the
72
• falconermuseum.co.uk• www.moray.gov.uk • www.forresheritage.org www.visionofbritain.org.uk • Forres Heritage Trust www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk • www.scottish-places.info
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73
MONDAY SENIORS CLUB 2 COURSES ONLY ÂŁ8 Every Monday 11.30am until 2pm Our senior guests are invited to enjoy a 2 course lunch in the public bar for ÂŁ8.00 with complimentary tea or coffee We'll be serving up your traditional favourites every week by our warming fire. It can be your choice of starter + main or main + sweet! Our menu will change weekly. Please note this offer will not be available in the restaurant
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75
This Month In History
February
1st: 1793 - France declares war on the UK. 3rd: 1959 - Buddy Holly dies in a plane crash. 5th: 1971 - Apollo 14 lands on the moon. 6th: 337 - Julius I is elected pope. 7th: 1900 - The British Labour Party is formed. 1990 - Collapse of the Soviet Union. 1992 - The European Union is formed.
8th: 1587 - Mary, Queen of Scots is executed. 1910 - The Boy Scouts of America begins.
9th: 1895 - Volleyball is invented.
1965 - First US troops sent to Vietnam.
11th: 1531 - Henry VIII becomes the head of
Fergus Ewing MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity
In Holyrood, we recently debated the future of funding for development in the countryside, in a (mostly) good humoured debate. MSPs contributions from all parties, revealed how important EU funding has been for rural development.
In fishing, £77
Million for ports and harbours to modernise facilities; in communities, funding of community halls and training programmes; support for forestry, new entrants to farming, energy schemes, small business
the Church of England.
– in fact, few areas of life in Moray haven’t benefited
the telephone.
for farming so what will replace CAP? Holyrood
1950 - The movie Cinderella is released.
including quality, productivity, sustainability and
14th: 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell invents 15th: 1903 - The first Teddy Bear is made.
from EU funding. The main area of support has been
agreed to establish principles for future policy,
16th: 1937 - Nylon is invented. 17th: 1867 - The first ship passes through the
diversity. All parties except the Tories agreed that we
Suez Canal.
especially given the considerable differences in our
in Scotland should set our own priorities and policy,
18th: 1930 - Pluto is discovered.
land. Funding matters too. We want the UK to devolve
1953 - The first 3D movie opens.
rural funding to Scotland along with other powers
21st: 1431 - The trial of Joan of Arc begins.
transferring from the EU. And Scotland needs to get
1848 - The first telephone book is issued.
the same level of funding as it gets now –as many
1953 - The DNA molecule is discovered.
advocating Leave promised.
1965 - Malcolm X is assassinated.
gatherin’ votes you were na slack/Now stand as
23rd: 1941 - Plutonium is first produced. 25th: 2004 - The movie Passion of the Christ is released.
26th: 1797 - The Bank of England issues the
first one-pound note.
27th: 1879 - The artificial sweetener saccharin
is discovered
As Burns said:
“In
tightly by your tack/ne'er claw your lug nor fidge your back/ nor hum and haw/. But raise your arm and tell your crack/ before them a'” Now we know the approach to Brexit, UK rural Ministers must bring something to the table to discuss. I will press for fair funding for rural Scotland. So far, there is just no plan for future agricultural funding. With Brexit planned for 2019, this plan is needed quickly, to give everyone in Moray the financial certainty and security you need.
Fergus
76
Mollie on the farm I am 18 years old and I have lived my whole life and
and a bale of straw to then pour into the feeders for the
grown up on the family farm, The Lyne Of Urchany,
cattle to eat during the winter as a meal for them. The
just above Cawdor. I have always been interested in
bedder, which chops up straw bales and sprays them into
helping out around the farm and working with the
the fold for the cows as a bed. I have learnt to operate all
tractors. In our farm we have cattle which I help
of these machines in my dads 6125R John Deere which he
move from field to field and also help feed from
and his pals have named 'Bambi, The Baby Deere'. I have
time to time.
also been taught how to operate a forklift for putting the
Over the summer I worked at Midcoul farms driving
bales into the feeder wagon and bedder and shifting the
an organic weeder, which I really enjoyed, I also
bales around in general.
operated the weigh bridge at Midcoul farms during
At the end of September 2015 I took part in the north east
their silage season.
tractor pulling farming category and was placed 3rd in my
Working with my dad at the farm has taught me how to
dad’s John Deere 6125R "Bambi".
operate lots of different machinery such as the bailer,
I have been part of the Nairn Junior Agricultural Club (JAC)
which takes such things as straw or hay and 'bales'
since I was 15 years old, and have participated in many
them into tightly wrapped round or square bales. The
events with the club such as a sponsored tractor pull for
spreader, which does exactly what it says, spreads the
which we (as a group) pulled a tractor on foot for 7 miles
grass out giving it an air out. You can then either pick
for Marie Curie Cancer Research. The group gets together
the grass up once it's dry enough to go through the
on a regular basis and plans future events.
'forager' ( a machine that pick up the grass and throws
I forgot to mention my dad and grandads names, dad’s
it into a trailer for silage) or you can spread it a couple
name is Mark Mackintosh and grandad is William
times over a period of time and let it dry out to
Mackintosh (Billy). I also drive grandad’s tractor which is a
become hay. The roller, is used to push the stones
John Deere too. Grandad has also shown me how to use
back into the ground out of harms way for the other
machinery about the farm.
farm machines. The feeder wagon, which mixes together silage (grass that has been left to ferment)
I love working on the farm it's a great way of life!
77
dates for your diary...
FEBRUARY
7-8 Menopause the Musical 7:30pm, Empire Theatre, Eden Court.
9 Huntly Live Events presents : Sandi Thom 7:30pm, Ironworks, Inverness.
9-10 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2017 7:30pm, Empire Theatre, Eden Court.
10
Circus Of Horrors @ Strathpeffer Pavilion 6:30pm. Visit
18
strathpefferpavilion.org/whats-on/ for info and booking.
Highland Car Club Snowman Rally. www.highlandcarclub.co.uk
The Classic Rock Show - The A-Z of Rock 7:30pm, Empire Theatre, Eden Court .
17
19 Moray Road Runners Kinloss to Lossiemouth Half Marathon 11am
A Night With Heroes 7pm -
Lossiemouth Community Centre.
10:30pm, Pagoda, Grantown-on-
Online entry only (closes 16th Feb)
Spey. Charity Event with motiva-
For more information visit
tional speaker Jonathon Le
www.morayroadrunners.com
Galloudec, Kinloss Military Wives Choir. Fundraising for Care For
Gok Wan Fashion Brunch Club
Casualties. www.thepagoda.scot
11am - 3pm, Kingsmill Hotel, Inverness. Talk fashion over
Scottish Symphony Orchestra pre
brunch with Gok Wan. For tickets
Rock n Wrestle Present:
concert talk 6:45pm - 7:15pm
and information call 020 3143
Wrestlefest 2017 6:30pm
Concert at 7:30pm, Empire
5221 or visit www.gokfashion.com
Ironworks, Inverness.
Theatre, Eden Court
Sandi Thom LIVE in Huntly Doors Open at 7pm, starts at 8pm in Stewarts Hall, Huntly. Box Office: 07990978732
11 35th Bothy Ballads Champion of Champions Competition 7pm 11pm, Elgin Town Hall. Visit www.elgin.rotary1010.org
78
DECEMBER winners
21
25 Moray Women's Aid Masquerade
Omid Djalili: Schmuck For a Night
Ball 6:30pm, Elgin Town Hall.
8:30pm Empire Theatre, Eden
Tickets are available at ÂŁ75 per
Court.
25-26 Sophie Ellis-Bextor 7:30pm,
individual or book a table of ten for
Ironworks, Inverness.
Everyone welcome. Contact Elle
a discounted rate of ÂŁ70 each.
Johnston on 01343 548549 or
23
ellejo@mwaelgin.co.uk Ticket Sales Close at noon on 19th February 2017.
Oakwood Cookery School with chef Gary Grant. For information visit www.moraysportscentre.co.uk
The Gin Fayre in St Andrews Town Hall. Two sessions 12pm 3.15pm and 3.45pm - 7pm. Bringing you 50+ gins from across Scotland, the UK and the rest of
Now Music presents: Smokie
the world. You'll have the
7pm, Ironworks, Inverness.
opportunity to try a fantastic array of gins, learn more about this
24-25
fantastic drink and mix with other gin lovers! For further information and to book, visit
Groove Cairngorm - the UK’s only resort based snow-sports festival held in conjunction with
Hazel Simpson
The Bank Joan Asher
The Macallan Audrey Gordon
Rings Sue Brodie
Charity Tex Mex 6:30pm 9:30pm. Tex mex evening at The
1629
www.ginfayre.co.uk
26
CairnGorm Mountain. There will be snow-sports and entertainment
The Scottish Wedding Show at
each day up on the mountain,
SECC, Glasgow. The ultimate
followed by apres ski with live
destination for brides and grooms
music and world class DJs. For
planning their dream wedding with
more information and to book visit
up to 300 of the UK's leading
www.cairngormmountain.org/
wedding suppliers and a Cocktail
groove-cairngorm-2017/
Bar & Beauty Zone.
I Like Birds Anji Hancock • Ruth Keir Sheila Forbes • Carrie West Alan Mitchell • Moira Morrison, Anne Ashford • Wendy Coutts Emma Milne • Carol Anne Thomson
A.M.MCPHERSON LTD 154 Mid 5VTGGV -GKVJ #$ $, r Tel: 01542 882736
WIN
Bosch cylinder
vacuum cleaner
worth .99
ÂŁ 59
To Win please email Tamsyn at: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot or Post to MMS Almac, Elgin with the words “VACUUM CLEANER� Competition ends 3rd March 2017
just Winning January is easy! All you have to do is
overstocked cupboards and fridges. Our office has
not eat anything unhealthy, drink anything unhealthy,
been inundated with 'leftovers', but that defeats the
ignore the abysmal weather and push your body to do
object, surely?
things that it really doesn't want to do! Easy! Hahahahaaaa... (I actually did 'lol' writing that!!)
dishes planned, I hit the shops to stock up on all things
Why do we do it??
virtuous, only to be met with a sight that could rival all
Every shop has a sale - I'm focussing mainly on
post apocalyptic depictions. The 'healthy' shelves were
groceries here. It's not fruit, veg and lean meat at a
almost bare with the odd leaf and squished tomato lying
reduced price, oh no, it's all the stuff they couldn't sell
about looking as forlorn as the poor people dragging
at Christmas and New Year! I don't know about you,
themselves around the aisles in a post-festive, bloated
but after the festive splurge there's no money for a
daze and those with the 'new-year-new-me' resolve had
new, half price sofa - even at the 'bargainess' price of
that look of savage withdrawal!
only ÂŁ1299. A 19p bag of chocolate coins, however easy! Not to mention the discounted cheeses and desserts and antipasti platters...
80
Anyway, with extensive lists made and super healthy
I'm so pleased that's over! I don't think I have ever looked forward to February more. Some semblance of normality can resume and we can all stop pretending
In December, you can walk into the living room with a
we're really into the whole 'my body is a temple' thing.
mountainous cheese board, a bottle of wine and a half
There are those that show restraint and dedication all
mauled croquembouche and no one bats an eyelid.
year and do feel guilty for eating that extra Lindt – I am
Not a week later, you do the same and you get looked
not one of them. I sometimes tell myself that I'd like to
at as though you've dragged in a dead body!! And
be more like them, I even toyed with the idea of 'Dry til
there's no shrugging off said behaviour with the, "It's
July' and laughed so hard at the thought that wine
Christmas" excuse anymore either. It would seem that
actually sprayed out of my nose! It does rhyme though
you just cannot justify overindulgence at any other time
so anyone who wants to make it a 'thing' is welcome to.
of the year. Pray tell though, what is supposed to have
But who says you can't have a different slant on being
happened to the things you didn't eat? I mean, in the
good to yourself? Be kind to yourself, love yourself and
lead up, people shop as if the end is nigh and I'm sorry,
ALL your flaws and have that glass of wine and leftovers.
but no amount of overindulgence actually depletes the
If that was the challenge, I TOTALLY won January!
Win
6 pillars tour for 2 with nosing and tasting and a bottle of Amber plus Private entry into our Oak Hall in Easter Elchies House.
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 3rd March 2017
81
An interview with
Nick Savage
Master Distiller for The Macallan 1. When did you start working at The Macallan? March 2016 2. What are you doing for Valentine ’s Day? Hopefully getting treated by my wife but I’m not holding my breath! Alternatively, a trip out as a family around Speyside this year, with a nice evening meal and bottle of wine 3. What is your favourite Macallan? Hands down, Macallan 18 4. What do you do in your spare time? Cycling and spending time with the family. I used to play a lot of basketball before I became too old, so cycling now takes the stress off my weathered body. 5. Tell us about your family. Katie (my wife) comes from Hightown near Southport/ Liverpool. Olivia (3) has now lived in more places than most given our relocations over the past three years, but has started to settle down in her new nursery in Elgin. She takes after her mum and dad and is already a foot taller than the other kids! Dunkley (St Bernard), just wants to play and have fun no matter what time of day.
6. Who is your biggest influence in your life, either in the present or in your past life? My parents and grandparents had / have had a massive influence on me. Just a different generation all together! 7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Aged 46. But on a serious note, I hope to still be very much part of the Macallan Brand within Edrington, and with Project King and the cask supply in Spain. The next ten years will be an amazing journey, no matter what! 8. What do you enjoy the most about your job? The dynamic variability day to day. Aside from the quality ethos behind our whiskies, no two days are the same and more to the point, no two hours are the same, so there’s always something keeping you on your toes!
The Macallan, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie AB38 9RX
The Macallan @The_Macallan @The_Macallan
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