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Finnies holds one of the largest collections of jewellery and watches in Scotland including some of the world’s finest brands. Our extensive collection ranges from under £100 to whatever your heart desires!
Dear all... Well it's March again and we now have produced our 6th issue which I hope you will enjoy. The response has been humbling and we are so glad that it is proving popular. Recently I was asked why we are producing a product that cannot be recycled and therefore goes into landfill. I was delighted to be able to reply that, not only is Lifestyle the only magazine of its kind to be produced and printed in the area, but it
content London Fashion Week Men’s ..............................7 Mike Rae - Wild about Nature ..........................16 For the love of Mummies ...................................22 Chris Grant..............................................................28 Peugeot 3008 .......................................................34
is fully recyclable as it does not have a laminated cover - a decision
Winging It! ...............................................................40
that was taken because we care about the environment.
Festivals ................................................................... 47
March is also significant as my mum's birthday was in March, as well as my sister's and my mum-in-law's, not forgetting my brother-in-law too! The clocks go forward on the 26th taking us into Spring but, most importantly, it is Mothering Sunday on the 26th. So for all you mums out there, all the team at Lifestyle wish you a great day and thanks for everything you have done.
Colin
Colin Brown, Publisher
Finishing
Alistair Davidson
Tamsyn Dickson
Leza Stuart
Jeff Ho David Banks Rebecca Beaton
Speyfest ...................................................................66 This Month’s Artist ...............................................69 Aberlour - Business as Usual............................ 71
Production Controller Margaret Stuart Proofing Penny Brown
Fergus ...................................................................... 78 This Month in History.......................................... 78
Editorial
Adam Thomas
Opening of the Spey............................................62
Felix........................................................................... 74
Creative Tamsyn Dickson
The Problem with Food.......................................56
Just Jorgie............................................................... 79 Dates for your Diary ............................................80
Fyona Duncan Emma Fraser Pre Press Lynn Stuart
This Month’s Competitions 6 Months Free Coffee .........................................39 Clifton - Meal for 2 ............................................... 61 Still Life - Framed Print ........................................73
Donna Cowie
Printers
Sales Rhona Patterson
Graham Payne
Horizon Blinds - £100 Voucher....................... 81
Chris Leil
The Bank - Mother’s Day Lunch for 2 ............ 81 Front cover photograph - Mike Rae • mikerae.com
MMS Almac Ltd, Unit 6, Tyock Industrial Estate, Elgin, Moray IV30 1XY. Tel: 01343 55 1234 All material within this magazine is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertising artwork or any other content, without the publisher’s prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright.
magazine
magaz 5
& it’s what we do. full graphic design studio . 5 colour litho print department logo design . business start-up packs . letterheads compliment slips . business cards . whisky labels . packaging menus . brochures . leaflets . magazines . newsletters annual reports . raffle tickets . postcards . direct mail . flyers invoice pads & books . exterior panels . NCR pads property schedules . fine art printing . calendars . posters laminations . large format printing . exhibition panels... and everything in between...
mmsalmacltd. design&print 6 Tyock Industrial Estate . Elgin . IV30 1XY Tel: 01343 551234 Unit F . Islabank Mills . Keith . AB55 5DD Tel: 01542 886409 Email: info@mms-almac.co.uk www.mms-almac.co.uk
250
F11
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+ 50
200 7
the lens ehindbehind the lens
at london t london
fashion ashion week week
men's aw17 en's aw17 8
Lights camera
action
BOOM! ...And less than 10 minutes later, it's all over! There is such a buzz when you attend live shows at an international fashion week and London Fashion Week Men's did not disappoint. All the hours of preparation that go into these shows; clothes, hair, make up, venue styling, and in seconds as soon as the show is over the huge crowd disperses. Guests were replenished with mineral water, an endless supply of popcorn, champagne and Lavazza coffee all laid on by the key sponsors (you do get fabulous little treats for attending). The world renowned fashion weeks in all the fashion capitals London, Milan, Paris and New York are probably the most expensive 10 minute shows on the planet!
OLIVER SPENCER 9
You would probably be stood in the queue longer than sat on the bench watching the show - if you don't have a backstage pass... London Fashion Week Men's is strictly by invitation only and mainly for press and buyers plus a few
ASTRID ANDERSEN
celebrities get invited along to add that extra bit of glamour.
KTZ OLIVER SPENCER
We were privy to a few shows this season; Oliver Spencer, Barbour International, Nigel Cabourn, KTZ, Astrid Andersen, Harry's of London, Michiko Koshino and Songzio The Oliver Spencer show saw a vibrant and masculine collection of pieces that included tartan tailoring, zig zag-print knits and velvet bomber jackets for all men of all shapes and sizes. Normally this is a trend reserved for the ladies and
BARBOUR
NIGEL CABOURN
consumers are always looking for products that don't discount anyone. This years' collection gave us a taste of diversity at its best, not only with colours and fabric textures but in their presentation too with models of different looks and ages. Let's break the trend Oliver, why not - especially if it sells your clothes. The Barbour International showcase brought diversity too, showing the brand being worn by all ages and looks and proving that you are never too old to hit the runway. A walkthrough of their past, present and future collections of their
10
OLIVER SPENCER
famous motorcycle clothing the iconic brand magically created something that is of high quality, timeless and represents the 1960 era. Barbour international's creative director
SONGZIO
wore the original Barbour jacket ever so proudly and shared a wonderful story with us about how the oil look on the jackets originated. Fish oil from the inner skin of
SONGZIO
the fish was rubbed onto the jackets by the fishermen to make their jackets water resistant. So it's not always about the glitz and glamour but a touch of history too.
OLIVER SPENCER
The key elements in the Nigel Cabourn collection, that we look forward to
HARRY’S
showcasing here in Scotland and on editorial location shoot, are the cool oversized dungarees. There was a strong use of tweed throughout his collection with a retro world war feel, I felt it was a
BARBOUR
rather interesting take on fashion from an older designer. Keep it up we just love the coolness Nigel. Astrid Andersen is a London based brand that creates premium casual wear with a sports inspired aesthetic that leads a new generation in menswear. Comfort, decadence and urban grit were the order of the day in this innovative interpretation of modern-meets-tradition. KTZ - Marjan Pejoski must have visited Scotland to get the inspiration for tasselled socks. He has been operating his own label since 2000, gaining both
BACK STAGE
national and international acclaim. 11
Pejoski’s unique style, coupled with his
I definitely need some KTZ in my wardrobe and I
appreciation for high quality, has produced
can't wait to style my next clients with these
garments that have become a huge
trends - all bands and artists start queuing up!
commercial success. Pejoski’s design philosophy encourages pieces that stand
Every collection seemed to have some sort of
out, look individual and continually inspire
skirt in it. Now who's influencing who? Young or
the imagination of those who both see and
old? The last man in a skirt that changed the
wear them.
world's perception and got the okay was Will
Marjan Pejoski designs garments for those
Smith's son, Jaden Smith with his collection. I
who are not afraid to express themselves.
guess this time it's the young influencing the old.
He creates a clothing language that allows the wearer an additional possibility to
It was great to see some strong Scottish
display their individuality. His customers do
influences appearing in many of the collections.
not belong to a certain class or specific age-group. Most of them have a creative
And my overall winner has to be Harry's of
background; they are graphic designers,
London - a contemporary Mens footwear and
photographers, stylists, professional models,
accessories collection that is always one step
actors, art or design students, musicians etc.
ahead. We received a wonderfully warm
These clothes are dedicated to the
welcome with loads of yummy canapés and
consumer who loves exploring life's
champagne. The presentation was second to
richness.
none with something for everyone.
HARRY’S
12
Oliver Spencer BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL NIGEL CABOURN ASTRID ANDERSEN HARRY’S OF LONDON MICHIKO KOSHINO KTZ SONGZIO There will be some designers that you've never heard of so don’t be afraid to look them up. Get a feel for what inspires them. Every designer has that little silver lining which is why they design a collection in that way. "It’s an expression of one’s inner being displayed through visual fashion designs” They have amazing stories and ideas and are not afraid to push the fashion boundaries. They all put on amazing shows and we had a fabulous time.
All news from our local fashionista Christine Ann De Agostini (Stylist / Fashion Editor) Photographer: Gareth Bryant
KTZ
Women's AW17 collections coming soon! 13
We are an independent, privately owned property developer who strives to achieve the highest quality; bespoke, new build homes in desirable locations across the North East of Scotland. We have over 50 years combined experience and for more than 5 years the company has been building beautiful bespoke homes that people love. As a locally run company, we have developed our dedicated small team to ensure we all work to meet our customers varied requirements. Morlich Homes appreciates that each house build is very important to its clients, quite often lifetime dreams. With each house build clients can expect personal service with honest and uncompromising attention to detail. Each client can be assured that with Morlich Homes, each bespoke build is in the best hands. Clients will already have many thoughts on what they want in a new home and all of these are personal decisions which we at Morlich Homes strive to deliver, and are what will make a home special. Clients have many choices to make to customise their new home. Individual choices such as kitchens, bathrooms, tiles, interior oak doors, external doors, paint colours, garden arrangements and many more. What makes Morlich Homes stand apart from our competitors is that we embrace 14
these individual choices, whilst our design team work closely with customers to make their home their own. Thinking outside the usual parameters customers can, for example, add an extension, if the plot allows, change the interior layout, change the exterior; in fact, they are only limited by their imagination. Morlich Homes can take someone’s dreams and make them a reality. If you have been thinking you would like to build your own home somewhere in the North East of Scotland, think Morlich Homes. We are building homes in fantastic locations such as Spey Bay overlooking the golf course and the Moray Firth; Nairn which also overlooks the beautiful Moray Firth; we also build in the pretty inland town of Fochabers, the seaside town of Lossiemouth and the lovely ďŹ shing town of Buckie. All close to great transport links, amenities and services. If you are thinking of a new bespoke home give us a call or an email today and we will be more than happy to give you more information about our exciting developments in Scotland.
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Mike Rae - About Nature
by Mike Rae www.mikerae.com 16
population in Scotland is growing and young ospreys in new nests are not always found before they learn to fly. I have seen the same ospreys fishing year after year on the loch. By September nearly all ospreys have flown south but a few young birds remain, their mothers long gone but the males wait with any young birds guiding them in how to fish. I spent a few days watching these
Osprey country The first time is a physical shock, like a sharp unexpected slap on the back. The violently loud splash of the brown and white missile transforms the dark still loch surface into a mass of bright white turbulent spray. A deep yellow eye attached to hooked beak is suddenly revealed in the centre of the almost blinding spray. Two enormous white and brown splayed wings heave against the air and spray levering the body out clutching a large trout in black tipped white foot. A few wing beats, a feather drying shake and it is gone turning the trout head forwards and holding the stunned fish with both feet.
young birds with their fathers last September, it will be at least 2 years before the young birds return but I will watch out for the teaching males this summer to see if they have survived their delayed migration. When a pair of ospreys started breeding at Loch Garten in 1954 the attitudes that had resulted in them being shot, egg collected, and driven out of Scotland by the beginning of the 20th century were changing. The Grant family, owners of the Rothiemurchus estate exemplify why ospreys are such a strong conservation success. The Spey river runs through the highland Rothiemurchus estate and is perfect “osprey country”. The has commercial fishing lochs near Aviemore where tourists pay to fish for trout. When the growing osprey population started fishing for trout on the fishing lochs
The more experienced ospreys can dive, catch a fish and
“for free”. Johnny Grant was delighted to see the ospreys
leave the water in under two seconds. It is deeply
and did nothing to stop them. Ospreys would fish before
impressive and even after witnessing it hundreds of
9am and after 5pm, people paid to fish during the day.
times over the years I am still drawn back every spring by the experience. The small loch draws ospreys from across the Cairngorms and Spey valley. The different ospreys have varying fishing skills, habits and characteristics. Some birds always fish in the same place waiting for fish to swim in to “their patch”. Some appear incompetent, diving several times before catching a fish. A few “dominant birds” delight in driving other ospreys away from the loch frustratingly preventing them from fishing. The individual ospreys can be identified by the coloured numbered rings on the their legs and in flight by behaviour and feather patterns. Over the years the number of un-ringed birds has increased, the osprey
17
ospreys before 9am. For many years this was successful but frustrating. Often the ospreys were diving too far from the hides and the birds stopped fishing when people came in to fish at 9am. A few years ago the Rothiemurchus estate made a new fishing loch just for the ospreys away from where the people fish. The new Loch is quite small, has three water level hides that catch the dawn and evening light perfectly. This is probably the best place anywhere in the world to see ospreys fishing at eye level just a few metres away. Julian Orsi the Countryside Manager at Rothiemurchus has worked with Osprey experts and wildlife photographers changing the loch and hides This fishing almost guaranteed local breeding ospreys daily
every winter making them even better for fishing
food for their young despite the challenging weather of
ospreys and watching people. Early mornings in June
some Scottish “summers�. Although ospreys were driven
and July it is not unusual to have more than 30 dives
out of the UK in the last century they remained widespread
from ospreys that are feeding up to 4 growing young
in other parts of the world. One Pair of ospreys’ decision to
birds in their nests. The most serious photographers are
nest at Loch Garten in 1954 was a vote of confidence in a
in the hides by 4.30 in the morning to take advantage of
changed Scotland, a vote that has been vindicated by the
the ospreys fishing in the golden dawn light. A Guide
success we see today.
keeps watch from a distance letting people in the hide
Then one of the fishing instructors who is also a very accomplished wildlife cameraman Keith Collins had the idea of putting up mobile hides very early in the morning so people could pay to watch and photograph the fishing
know by handheld radio when the birds are about to dive. For the less fanatical the hides are available during the day, as many birds will fish later, especially when they have hungry young to feed. Most of the Scottish ospreys spend the winter on the salty lagoons and estuaries of the African west coast. In recent years birds have been fitted with GPS trackers so much is now known about their migration routes and where they spend most of the winter. After their first migration south young birds spend at least two years before coming back to Scotland, it is thought that there is too much competition for food and nest sites for ospreys to breed in Africa. In the northern European spring the warmer water and longer days brings fish to the surface, this and available nest sites draws the Ospreys north. Favourite nest sites are in crowns of Scots pine trees on old crows nests. Ospreys will pair for many years or life and return to the same nest adding
18
new material every year building up large platforms. Increasingly people are putting up new nest platforms
Top 12 Osprey Facts
high in suitable trees, wooden pallets are used and
1. Once known as the fish hawk, the osprey lives on
covered in branches and twigs, a final touch is white paint
fish that it catches by snatching them in a shallow
to simulate osprey droppings. These new sites are
dive from the surface of the water.
attracting newly breeding pairs. April is the time when ospreys return in numbers, old pairs meet up for the first time since they migrated south. Young birds look for new mates and possible breeding sites.
2. Though fish are by far the most important part of the diet, ospreys have been recorded catching a wide variety of other prey, including birds, reptiles and even crustaceans.
Ospreys can live for over 20 years and when one partner
3. Though almost all British ospreys nest close to
does not survive their migration there is competition from
freshwater lakes or lochs, they will readily fish in
younger ospreys to partner with an older bird. April and
the sea.
early May is the time to watch for aerial displays and
4. All British-bred ospreys move south to Africa after
jousting, winter battered nests are repaired, ospreys can be
the breeding season, with most wintering in Senegal
seen carrying sticks and other material in their feet.
and the Gambia.
During the long summer days in Moray it is always worth
5. Young ospreys remain in West Africa until they are
keeping an eye on the sky, the characteristic bent wings
three years old, when they fly north for the first time.
with splayed ends of a high flying osprey can be seen at any time of the day. But, an early morning trip to Findhorn
6. These young birds seldom breed until the following year.
bay or Spey bay almost guarantees seeing ospreys, they haunt these areas looking for fish in the shallow tidal waters. And, although you will not get as close as you can at Rothiemurchus the opportunity to see ospreys is always a privilege.
7. In Britain collectors exterminated ospreys in the early years of the 20th century, and the birds didn’t return to breed until 1954. 8. Today there are more than 200 breeding pairs in Scotland, and almost all suitable territories are occupied. 9. Ospreys are early migrants, and returning birds are regularly seen in Scotland in late March, with the males arriving a week or two before the females. 10. Pairs do not remain together outside the breeding season, but the same pair will often breed together at the same eyrie in subsequent years. 11. Unlike most birds of prey, ospreys like to breed in loose colonies, and the presence of one successful pair will often attract others in following years. 12. Ospreys are long-lived, and many birds are still breeding aged 10 or more.
19
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21
Ma Jo by
h os int ck
“I love you mummy” Words to make your heart melt in a puddle at your
changes the way we view the world - forever. Terrorism?
feet. They are beautiful, perfect little human beings.
Yeah, I thought about that before I became a mum,
Tiny hands, tiny toes, that cute little button nose… A
now… I think about it a lot. Where are my children? Are
mummy couldn’t want anything more in the world.
they safe? Does the school have enough security?
Well, maybe some sleep - better add a locked room
Where are we going on holiday this year? Oh, wait let’s
full of wine and chocolate to that list. Perhaps a
just check the security threat alerts before we decide. As
caffeine IV drip, oh and wait, a prescription drug you
a mum, I don’t say these things out loud, but my mind is
can get at Boots that will make those precious little
working ten to the dozen to make sure I am keeping my
bundles sleep for more than twenty minutes!
little angels safe.
The truth is, being a mummy is hard! There are days
Whilst we’re talking about safety - Grapes! My kids love
when you wish you had tasers in your eye sockets -
grapes. Do I let them eat them? Yes of course, they are a
one glance and they are out cold, right? Yep, one
fantastic source of vitamins. Do I let them eat them
minute you’re plotting revenge tactics and the next,
whole? No! Are you crazy? Didn’t you read about the
“Hey did you just look at my child the wrong way?”
poor little boy In McDonald’s that choked on a grape!?
Nobody better mess with your babies or all hell will
It's the most dangerous fruit in the supermarket, so yeah,
break loose! Being a mummy is one of the most
you can eye me with wonder as I carefully cut all the
challenging and complicated phases a woman will
grapes in half before giving them to my 8-year-old. I
ever go through. It changes everything, and it also
know I’m right so back off!
22
footed, you think to yourself as he kicks you in the face with a poopy heel. Then the heel drags down the cushion of your couch, but you will deal with that later because you must get him changed and dressed. Seven hours later, your friend comes around to visit and sits down comfortably on said couch. “Err, fancy sitting in the kitchen?” You ask encouragingly with a bright red face, hoping that smear has dried and is not lingering on the back of your friend’s jeans. But that’s not all there can be said about it, because after baby stage comes toddler stage and the dreaded potty training. Problem is that, to a toddler, anything remotely shaped like a potty is fair game. In my experience that can range from finding POOP! Let’s talk about it. Before motherhood I didn’t talk
a poop in the hyacinth pot to my shoe! Then there’s
about it much, I mean, what is there to talk about? Now?
art - who said you can’t make art with poop? I
Well, how long have you got? I’m typing this at 4am on a
believe it’s been done, but nobody does it better
Tuesday morning, my gorgeous little baby boy has decided
than a toddler with a good imagination. “Aww, he’s
that 4am is now his normal ‘poop time’ but, of course,
put little handprints on my magnolia wall…. with
babies don’t have a regular easy clean up poop, do they?
brown paint... is that paint?” And the look on his little
Noooooo... it’s bright red in the face with a forced upturned
face! Pure pride!
lip smile and WHAM! It's everywhere! Not just in the nappy but all up their back, in their hair and running down the sides of both legs. Now here’s the predicament. The wipes are in the corner of the room. You're holding your baby as far away from yourself as safely as possible. You need to get the nappy, the wipes and the baby to the changing mat… but damn, he pooped all over it last night and it’s in the kitchen… and now it's dripping from his leg onto the carpet. Stuff it, on the couch he goes whilst you run to get the wipes. Nappy off, a second later, his heel goes in the poop, then in his excitement to finally have his nappy off he starts kicking like a football pro. Hmmmm, left
23
The room was full of people, mostly of the older generation, many of them grandparents themselves. Concerning myself with ensuring my children were quiet and respectful whilst waiting for our appointment, I gave them a wee ten-minute lecture on how to behave properly. It was all going swimmingly, the three of them sitting swinging their legs in complete silence from the chairs – a proud mummy moment. Then… “Mummy, it smells of cat wee in here, do you think someone has a cat?” My sweet, gorgeous blonde little girl looks up at me with a voice like a fog horn. I sit there, my eyes wide, The challenges just get more complicated the older
my face red. “Shhh!” I implore her.
your precious bundles get. The more they grow the
“No, but really mummy, it does smell of cat wee,
more they realise how to wind you up good and proper.
remember when you forgot to clean Fern’s litter tray
Problem is, that most of the things that wind us up as
and it smelled really, really, bad?”
parents are our own fault. Kids have the most amazing
I look up aghast at the dozens of elderly faces, I can
memories, for all the wrong things. A swear said in a
almost hear them in my head. “Is she talking about
sudden rage because you stubbed your toe is instantly
me?” all the while my eldest boy is buckled up in his
remembered and then the little darling spends the rest
chair in a fit of giggles, trying not to fall off because
of the day innocently repeating the swear whilst looking
he’s laughing that hard. All I can do is sit there, smile
at you sweetly because they KNOW they are not
and pretend it’s not happening. I mean, some of them
supposed to say it, and you find yourself repeating,
are going to be deaf in at least one ear, right?
“please don’t say that at nursery” over and over in your
I lost my mum when I was twenty-seven. I had two
own head.
very small children under two at that point, but I still
When I was a kid I remember quite plainly telling my
hadn’t fully understood what it meant to be a mummy,
mother that I was never going to be like her when I was
or the challenges I would face in the future. Now I
a mum. Oh noooooo! I wouldn’t be strict and shout, I
have four and my understanding has reached a whole
wouldn’t say no to my kids, when there was no good
new level of awareness. I hope that when your
reason. Guess what? I am my mother’s double, and no
children are grown up and have children of their own
doubts about it. Now, my little girl tells me that I am
that, as a granny, you are still around, because it’s only
boring, and I need to ‘lighten up’ and that she won’t be
now that I understand those bizarre memories of my
like me when she’s all grown up. Ha! Just you wait my
own mum re-appearing from the cupboard under the
beautiful, headstrong, little lady, just you wait!
stairs with a box of Kleenex in one hand and a
Perhaps one of the best things about kids, once they
smudge of Cadbury’s Fruit and Nut melted to her
reach talking age, is the completely frank and innocent
chin…
way in which they speak. A few years ago, I was sitting
So, this one’s for you mum, now I understand! And,
in the doctors waiting room with three of my children.
“I love you mummy”
24
25
Treat your mother to breakfast in bed this
Mother’s Day
Freshly made croissants, rolls, scones and many more delightful treats can be purchased from Maclean’s Highland Bakeries
Why go with the crowds when you can stand out from
Casual to Occasion
81 Mid Street, Keith AB55 5AF • 01542 880479
Open10 - 5 Monday to Saturday closed Wednesday and Sunday 26
Tel: 01343 870226 Mobile 0777 2402 451 www.speysidecoffee.co.uk info@speysidecoffee.co.uk Garmouth Hotel, South Road Garmouth, Moray, IV32 7LU
March 2017 will see the official launch of the Speyside Coffee Roasting Co. A small batch Coffee Roastery based at the Garmouth Hotel in the village of Garmouth in Moray. We will be roasting daily, using our 5kg Roaster which has been specially built and imported from Turkey. Little and often will be the emphasis on our roasting as we aim to offer the freshest beans in the local area. Simplicity will be key, we don’t want to overcomplicate matters. You can visit the Roastery and see where it all happens. We will be closed on Mondays but open every other day serving our Coffee, Hot Chocolate and Specially Selected Teas. Home-Made Soup, Freshly Prepared Sandwiches & Home Bakes from local bakeries will also be available. Sit in and chill out or Take Away! Our Coffee will be available to buy from the Roastery in either 250g or 1kg Bags, as whole beans, or as a fine or medium grind, depending on your individual requirements. We also hope to introduce a range of quality branded merchandise, plunge pots, mocha pots, and tableware… If you have a local café or business and are interested in using our coffee, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you.
by Barbara Playdon
A winter’s evening on Speyside. A pretty sunset of pale peach, pink and blue has given way to an inky-dark night sky, peppered with thousands of twinkling stars. There is no moon and the breeze has died away. Smoke from many chimneys rises vertically into the night sky. It is not an evening to linger outside any
A corner of the room has been specially set
longer than you have to.
aside as his stage. While setting up his
By contrast, inside the Craigellachie Hotel’s
equipment, Chris chats to those people closest to
Copper Dog restaurant everything is warm and
him – it is a mini-performance before the actual
mellow. A boisterous log fire crackles and
musical evening gets under way. Already the
dominates the open fireplace, the ceiling lamps
atmosphere is relaxed and the expectation of
have been dimmed and individual candles in
what the evening will become is palpable. A few
copper mugs adorn each and every table.
chords and riffs on the guitar to warm the fingers
The place is full to the brim with people
and it is pretty obvious to all that this man knows
enjoying themselves.
his way around his craft.
The scene is now set. We await the principal player...
28
He is a consummate musician, a singersongwriter who manages somehow to get to the nub of every song he sings. Anyone with a good
The inner door opens and a small gust of cool
voice can sing a song but it takes someone
air heralds the arrival of Chris Grant, the
special to become the song and to wring every
person we have all come to listen to. You don’t
last drop of emotion from it, so much so that the
so much see his arrival as sense it. He is not an
hairs on your arms stand to attention.
over-tall person but there is something about
It is a true gift.
him that commands your attention. Call it what
With such talent you could be forgiven for
you will – presence or aura or charisma – but
believing that Chris comes from an exceptionally
Chris has it in spades and it comes over in
musical family but this is not really the case. His
each and every performance.
father, a highly respected photographer, played
...a
profile. So who would have influenced his style? From his father Chris has a love of anything by The Eagles, Neil Young and Bob Dylan. More contemporary musicians include Paul Weller and Ewan MacFarlane, a singer from East Kilbride, who Chris saw perform live at a gig in Keith. The kind of songs Chris sings include blues, rock and country and when not covering the greats aforementioned he will perform his own self-penned compositions. Inspiration for his own compositions comes from everyday life, his family and friends and from the world around him. Sometimes the words will be first, sometimes the melody. Chris finds that being still and receptive often results in thoughts and emotions being channelled into his songs. Whatever his method the results are impressive, especially
the guitar and his mother who was in the Keith
for someone like myself who has Van Gogh’s
Philharmonic. But, apart from that, Chris received
ear for music.
no formal tuition at school, which he left at the age of 16. An advertisement placed by Scottish Enterprise in the musical press caught his eye. It was asking for aspiring musicians to submit a 15 page business plan and the lucky ones would be in the running to receive a grant to take their aspirations further. Chris was lucky and the result was the release of a solo album when he was 18 years old. 29
In lots of ways his talent is wasted on people in a restaurant who are sitting with their backs to him. You cannot possibly connect with the back of someone’s head. You need to see the person who is singing and to catch every nuance of their performance and to live through each and every song with them. In this way you feel as if the singer is singing for you and you alone and you are the only person in the room that matters. Chris has made five studio albums to date and his next one will lean more towards country than blues or rock. This is due for release in May 2017. Copies, at £5 each, will be available from Sound and Vision on South Street in Elgin or through his website. In April he intends to organise a tour of the local art galleries where his albums will be played as background music. As well as his regular evenings at the How wonderful it must be to stand behind a microphone and captivate an audience in such a way that you could hear a pin drop. To describe his voice you would have to take a dash of Gerry Rafferty, a fairly hefty dollop of Chris Rea, a measure of Bob Dylan and sprinkle a touch of Van Morrison to round things off. Blend all the ingredients together and you have the perfect
Craigellachie Hotel, Chris has also performed at The Drouthy Cobbler in Elgin and the Beach Bar in Lossiemouth. Wherever he is playing, catch him if you can – you won’t be disappointed. I think he deserves to appear on shows such as the Jools Holland Show, where his talent will receive the widest of audiences. Who knows, this may just well happen.
voice for the songs he sings, be they happy or melancholy. He is also very funny. The wonderful thing is that he is not aware of this as some comedians are, with their constructed pregnant pauses designed to elicit laughs from the audience on cue. There is no repetition of his comedic comments either; if you don’t catch the humour immediately there is no replay button. As a consequence his performances are highly entertaining one-offs – an evening of exemplary guitar playing, great songs and comic gems. 30
07969 338282 • c.grant66@yahoo.com chrisgrantmusic.co.uk
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
SEALY HYBRID BEDS NOW IN STOCK
on and enjoy. Forty Winks was founded by Brian 8 years 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
1629
The Moray’s No.1
20 Clifton Road,
Continental & Seafood
Lossiemouth
Restaurant
01343 813 743
Caverna
La
Guidi’s
Pizzeria, Italian Tapas Bar & Ice Cream Parlour 20 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth 01343 815 944
18 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth 01343 815 944
STEAK NIGHT Served every evening at Smugglers, Guidi’s, La Caverna, The Mill
MENU - from £13.75 to £15.50 Grilled Rib Eye (8oz) Steak Garni... £15.50 Grilled Rump (8oz) Steak Garni .... £14.95 Double Pork Chops with apple chutney £14.50 Gammon Steak with pineapple .......... £13.75 Cajun Chicken Breast...................... £14.50 8oz Scottish Steak Burger............... £13.75 all above served with fried onions, mushrooms, tomato, peas & skinny fries SIDES £2.50 Pepper Sauce, Whisky sauce, Blue Cheese sauce, Cafe De Parie Butter, Mushroom. Baked Potato, Onion Rings, Mushrooms, Thick Cut Chips, Continental Salad.
When booking quote FF3 for FREE Dessert Pre-Book tables of Ten or more receive 3 Complimentary Bottles of Wine
BOOK YOUR
PRIVATE PARTY SELECTION OF MENUS AVAILABLE
ALL VENUES
Pizzeria, Ristorante & Bistro
Hotel & Restaurant
20 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth 01343 813 027
Mill of Tynet, Buckie 01542 850 395
SUNDAY SPECIALS At - SMUGGLERS
STEAK MENU
To Finish: Cakes, Scones, Pancakes, Tea & Coffee.........£17.95
FOR YOUR DIARY 2017 March - Sunday 26th
Mother’s Day Lunch
book early to avoid disapointment
April - Saturday 8th at
1629
SOLD OUT
Grand National Ladies Day April - Sunday 16th
Easter Sunday Lunch
TIPSY TEA PARTIES ALL VENUES
For futher information you can find us on the web at: www.1629lossiemouth.co.uk www.millhousehotel.com or email us at: 1629lossiemouth.co.uk@btconnect.com • info@millhousehotel.com
Mother’s Day Special Treat for 26th March
1629 RESTAURANT
THREE COURSE SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH MENU SERVED ALL DAY..................£21.00 LA CAVERNA
GUIDI’S & SMUGGLERS
Family Lunch
Mother’s day
served all day
served all day
GUIDI’S & SMUGGLERS
Afternoon tea.... £10.50 Add prosecco..... £15.50
2 Course £13.50 3 Course £15.95
Mother’s day
Carvery Lunch 2 Course £15.00 3pm - 5pm
The Lion continues to go from strength to strength
LIFESTYLE TEST DRIVE THE 2017 PEUGEOT 3008
34
The newest cat purring around town is the much
on the steering wheel too. Its digital instrument display
anticipated Peugeot 3008. It steps away from the
replaces the analogue dials and can be configured
original 3008, which was a very practical car, but its
with a range of information including speed and speed
mix of MPV and SUV looks meant that it never really
limits, fuel economy, available range and sat-nav
knew its place in the market. This new model is a true
instructions. It was spot on with the speed limits, even
SUV and since launching in the UK on January 28th, it
through some of the remotest places. Dual climate
is flying off the forecourt! When it was released in France last year they anticipated orders of about 4000 and got 10 000! We were lucky enough to get to drive around in it for a day and were so taken by the swish interior and latest technology that we didn't even consider the breathtaking scenery that Moray always has to offer! Part of Peugeot’s new design is its small, 'not round' steering wheel, which the driver looks over rather than through to view the dials. We loved the i-Cockpit, which, as well as an electronic screen in front of the driver, has a secondary touchscreen in the centre of
control and rear parking sensors also come as standard
the dashboard for the radio, air-con and sat nav
on the entry-level model. With an aerial view as well as
controls, operated via the smart toggle switches on the
rear cameras, there is no excuse for parking badly
dashboard. Some of these functions can be controlled
ever again!
35
safety equipment and driver aids, including automatic emergency braking as standard. Extras include blind spot detection, lane keep assist, driver attention alert and adaptive cruise control. The lane assist can be quite unnerving when you first experience it because it really does 'insist' that you keep in the middle of the lines so it feels like the car is driving itself - which, I suppose, it essentially is. You can override this when overtaking though, but it's a really useful addition to help keep you safe on the road. Euro NCAP awarded the car five out of five stars in its full crash test. The 3008’s 591-litre boot space dwarfs many of its rivals. We tested its size and a 6'2" male can actually fit in it - semi sitting up. The seats fold down flat and there’s only a small loading lip, so getting longer items in the back is a bit easier. The boot has a fully The Peugeot 3008 also has fabulous connectivity, with
removable floor and a full-sized spare wheel.
technology including a wireless smartphone charging
This is a fun and capable family car, it’s economical,
plate and MirrorLink compatibility (a system that
practical and upmarket and all at a reasonable price.
mirrors your smartphone’s screen on the car’s own
It should definitely be at the top of your list!
screen). Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard across the range, allowing you to control many of your
For further details or to book your own test drive
smartphone’s apps from the car’s touchscreen. So
call Alan Milne Ltd on 01343 542254
much to play with and all from a comfortable seat. The interior doesn't disappoint with the quality of materials, which range from soft-touch plastics on top of the dashboard, to beautifully textured cloth running along the inside edge of the doors. While we were not about to throw the 3008 around corners Le Mans style, it did have plenty of grip and little body roll, plus not much engine, wind or road noise enters the car either, which adds to the smooth driving experience. The use of the latest weight-saving materials ensures fuel economy is decent too, despite it being a reasonably large SUV. It does purr beautifully around town and on country roads and opens up smoothy and quickly on main roads - the six speed gearbox does help too! Where this car has more than proved itself is with its safety rating. The 3008 features a whole heap of
36
ALAN MILNE LTD
4 Linkwood Place, ELGIN, IV30 1HZ
01343 542254
www.alanmilne-elgin.co.uk
Offi cial Fuel Consumption in MPG (l/100km) and CO 2 emissions (g/km) for the all-new 3008 SUV Range are: Urban 37.2 67.3 (7.6 - 4.2), Extra Urban 55.4 - 80.7 (5.1 - 3.5), Combined 47.1 - 70.6 (6.0 - 4.0) and CO 2 136 - 103 (g/km). MPG fi gures are achieved under offi cial EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only and may not refl ect actual on-the-road driving conditions. Visit Peugeot.co.uk for more information. Information correct at time of going to print.
£269 £331 ALAN MILNE LTD 4 Linkwood Place, ELGIN, IV30 1HZ
01343 542254 www.alanmilne-elgin.co.uk
Offi cial Fuel Consumption in MPG (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the 308 Range are: Urban 34.9 – 80.7 (8.1 – 3.5), Extra Urban 57.6 – 97.4 (4.9 – 2.9), Combined 47.1– 91.1 (6.0 – 3.1) and CO 2 139 – 82 (g/km).
MPG fi gures are achieved under offi cial EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only and may not refl ect actual on-the-road driving conditions. Terms and conditions apply, excludes new Peugeot 308 GTi by Peugeot Sport models, participating dealers only or visit peugeot.co.uk. 48 hour test drive subject to availability at participating Peugeot Dealers.(ALAN MILNE LTD) is acting as a credit broker and is not a lender. To fi nance your lease we may introduce you to a limited number of lenders. #Passport Personal Lease: A guarantee may be required. Over 18s only. Finance is subject to status. Finance provided by and written quotations available from PSA Finance UK Ltd t/a Peugeot Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. All offers available on qualifying vehicles ordered and registered between01/02/17 and 30/03/17 or until such time as they may be withdrawn by Peugeot at its complete discretion. Model shown is a 308 GT Line in Magnetic Blue, initial rental contribution £1000, customer initial rental £1700, optional fi nal rental £ 8699. 35 monthly rentals payable. 6000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charges may apply. This is a fi nance lease, you will not own the car at the end of the contract. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Calls charged at local rate. All information correct at time of going to press. Visit peugeot.co.uk for more information.
37
Mollie Powney, has become the country's youngest qualified Personal Trainer, undertaking the course at only 16 and passing her final written and practical exams just after turning 17 years old. She currently works at Life & Sole, Health, Fitness & Performance facility in Forres, Moray. She becomes the youngest PT in the country after successfully passing her CYQ Level 3 Personal Qualification through an apprenticeship scheme, shortly after passing her Level 2 Gym Instructor exams. Mollie, plans further studies in Sports Science and Biomechanics having just completed and passed her UKSCA Strength & Conditioning level 1 qualification. A UKSCA Coach qualification would allow her to specialise and work with young and upcoming athletes and professional sports teams. Initially Mollie will continue to work within the gym alongside more experienced trainers to further develop her skills, in order to become proficient in her role before embarking with personal training clients of her own and her strength and conditioning career.
Life & Sole is a new health, fitness and performance facility based within the Enterprise Park in Forres. It is a modern, 3000ft2 personal training, rehabilitation and group exercise conditioning facility. Run by highly qualified, knowledgeable and experienced staff. The facility is unlike any other. There are very few machines, everything is about movement and function – coupled with strength and conditioning at the core, the essential elements of physical training for both rehabilitation and sporting performance.
Physiotherapy Personal Training Cardiac Rehabilitation Sports & Remedial Massage Group Fitness Classes Call us to arrange your visit today.
Life & Sole • Unit 8, Enterprise Park, Forres IV36 2AB • 01309 676632 38
ty Coffee Lounge i l a i c e p S at Dava School House
COFFEE ROASTERS
Cairngorm Leaf & Bean Coffee Roasters in the Highlands of Scotland are now serving their artisan coffee in the Speciality Coffee Lounge at Dava School House. Visit the restored 1854 School Room to enjoy the unique experience of tasting coffee with a difference served by the Master Roaster and owners Andy and Sharon. Andy and Sharon select 100% Arabica beans for the Roastery, so coffee lovers can choose from premium single origin beans, carefully selected from the Americas, Africa and Sumatra to provide an interesting balance of flavour and nose, fabulous mountain wash decaffeinated, the locally renowned Café or Dava blends or new Macallan Blend developed specifically for The Macallan Distillery. The coffee will be served with a difference as you choose from pour-overs, Chemex, filter, AeroPress and Pezzetti Moka all in keeping with today’s artisan coffee roasters and designed to give a different level of flavour and intensity
WIN
For non-coffee drinkers hot chocolate supplied by Cairngorm Leaf & Bean’s Scottish chocolatier partner, the Cocoa Tree Cafe in Pittenweem, will be available along with a selection of teas from Jenier World of Teas. The coffees, hot chocolates and teas are offered with a range of homemade accompaniments. The Coffee Lounge will offer an opportunity to ‘try before you buy’; whole beans or freshly ground coffee, to suit your specific requirement, will be available to purchase and enjoy at home. To enhance your visit Andy and Sharon are working with local artists and photographers to provide a range of artwork for display and purchase. The Coffee Lounge will officially open on the 11th March featuring photographs by Mike Crutch from A9 Birds and artwork by Dan Fairbairn of Coast.
Opening Hours will be 10:30am to 3:30pm Thursday – Sunday (and Bank Holidays)
6 MONTHS FREE SUBSCRIPTION
WIN
1 X 250g whole bean or ground Highland Roasted Speciality Coffee will be sent each month To win please email: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot or Post to MMS Almac, Elgin, with the words “Leaf & Bean.” Competition ends 7th April 2017.
Dava School House, Military Way, Grantown on Spey PH26 3PU 01309 651265 • www.cairngormleafandbean.co.uk • sharon@cairngormleafandbean.co.uk 39
Stand by for a cliché… last year, my life was
deteriorating mental and cognitive skills had
turned around by the amazing charity, Flying
previously left me with self-doubt and anxiety,
Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP). To be able
even driving the five miles to our local town, filled
to quantify the difference they have made to my life
me with panic in case I got lost. I finally resigned
is very difficult to put into words, but I will give it a
myself to long term health issues a few years ago,
go; in the hope that my story encourages someone
and had adapted my lifestyle accordingly, but that
else to take up the baton and apply for their own,
brought with it its own anxiety-ridden issues, with
life-changing scholarship. As clichéd as this all
every activity involving lots of planning, anticipat-
sounds, it cannot be more heartfelt and honest, and
ing every eventuality. Overthinking was paralysing
here’s why.
me more than my health issues did.
My story begins in the “Jewel of Moray”, Lossiemouth
Before FSDP however, a big issue for me was
where I have been blessed to live for the past
whether I should identify myself as disabled? That
twenty-two years. I am fifty years old (still getting
may sound daft, but think about it; what do we
used to saying that) and have a condition called
class as disabled? If someone is missing limbs,
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – Joint Hypermobility type,
paralysed or diagnosed with MND for example,
with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis joining in the
we would immediately understand that person
party. It has slowly reduced my mobility, plus
was “disabled”. But what about illness/pain/fatigue/cognitive issues? These are equally disabling, but without the physical proof of, let’s say, a wheelchair or prosthetic limb, it’s a lot harder to identify.
by
40
Karen Cox
So, in December 2015 I struggled with the dilemma
During selection, I was among people who had clear
of filling in a Flying Scholarships for Disabled People
physical disabilities, as well as those who had been
application form. Would I be taking a chance away
through mental illness or had illnesses that affected
from someone who actually deserved it; someone
them physically, and there I was, merely in pain,
who was really disabled? Would they think I was a
fatigued and mentally foggy. However, as much as I
fraud? Even after I sent the application off, I
felt I wouldn’t receive a scholarship, I was equally
continued to question my validity and, needless to
determined to make sure I made the most of the
say, I was fairly certain in the knowledge I wouldn’t
gifted experience and gave the process my best
be picked up for their candidate selection; confident
efforts. I had my medical, told the Trustees about me
I wouldn’t have to leave the safety of my
and my life, proved I could clamber in and out of an
Lossiemouth comfort zone.
aircraft safely and took a test I had been struggling for
Well that wasn’t to be the case and at the end of
months to “revise” for. I spent three days with some
January 2016 I received a letter saying I had been
incredible people and came away with a new
accepted – I was to attend the selection board at
understanding of what “disabled” meant but, more
RAF Cranwell in February, along with eighteen other
importantly, what it meant to me.
candidates. This was scary to say the least! I was going to have to spend three days, on my own, among “strangers”, trying to convince people that I was worthy of a scholarship that I still wasn’t sure I deserved or qualified for.
41
42
Cranwell gave me the courage to “come out” as
was I going to learn to fly – what had they done?
someone with disabilities; I used my mobility scooter
I tried to ready myself for the scholarship, but how
locally and risked bumping into people who only
can you prepare yourself mentally for the complete
saw me in my role as a capable fundraiser for the
unknown? I may as well have been planning a
RAF Benevolent Fund. I found peace in understand-
camel ride across the Sahara, which seemed more
ing it was ok to class myself as disabled; accepting
achievable than what I was about to do! All the
that I wasn’t stealing anything away from anyone
time knowing there was no way I was going to
else. FSDP’s selection process taught me that it’s not
come out of the scholarship unchanged, but not
about how disabled someone is, for them it’s about
grasping how. One thing was sure though – I was
what that person will get out of a scholarship. For
going to wring every last drop out of the opportu-
me, that wasn’t the physical act of learning to fly, it
nity. Worst case scenario, I would have some cool
was about overcoming my fear of being without my
stories to tell any future grandchildren.
support network, the fear of not being able to learn
In the weeks before I left, I began to realise that my
and rediscovering a person I used to be and that is
comfort zone wasn’t just a place, it was the people
what I had told them.
within that zone too. The ones who laughed at me,
Three days after returning home, the phone rang
put up with me forgetting stuff, rolled their eyes
and I waited for the gentle let down and explanation
when I came out with stupid words and the ones
as to why this scholarship wasn’t for me. I still felt
who loved me, despite my many flaws. I needed
that others were more deserving, not because of my
these people around me, they were like a warm
disability level now, but because I would never
blanket or my favourite slippers, they kept me safe.
expect to be given such an opportunity. But I was
The worry of being so far away from my family,
wrong, very wrong!
home and friends started to weigh heavily on my
I had been chosen for a scholarship and would be
mind and butterflies the size of gannets made
spending three weeks with John Griffin of Gryphon
themselves at home in my belly. All I could think
Aero Club at Kemble airfield in Gloucestershire.
about was not seeing my husband/daughter/dog/
How on earth was I going to manage that! I had
parrot/ garden/ house/ friends/the
never been away from home for more than a week,
sea/beach/Lossiemouth for three weeks. I was
and even then, never alone. The idea of packing for
heading into unchartered territory, unknown towns
three weeks freaked me out even more than the
and incomparable experiences, without even so
idea of taking off in a light aircraft. The thought
much as a pair of safety specs or a compass, and I
processes of trying to work out how much
was terrified.
medication I would need, what sort of shoes and
So, it was with bitten nails and shaking hands that I
how many pairs to take, finding a hat (yes, ridiculous
arrived at Kemble and met my instructor, John
I know) and worrying if the aircraft would be cold
Griffin. Little did I know just how much this
and to take gloves threw me into such a frenzy that I
unassuming, kind and amusing man was going to
had a cognitive meltdown and couldn’t even work
turn my life around, all with one simple phrase
out how many pairs of socks to pack. How on earth
“stop overthinking”. It takes a patient man to get in
PHOTO ALBUM
Cockpit Controls
ee Aircraft: Piper Cherok
tiful Flying above the beau yside ntr Gloucestershire cou
ship winners. Fellow 2016 scholar
ffin, Chief Flying Instructor: John Gri n Aero Club. Instructor, Grypho
daughter Natalie Cox Husband, Rob Cox,
43
an aircraft with a woman who struggled every flight
the perfect co-pilot and hands off throughout the whole
to remember how to make the cows get bigger or
flight, allowing me to show off my skills to my
smaller, how to go faster or even how to slow
green-gilled passengers – little did my poor husband
down. It takes an even more patient man to repeat
know that this was the first of many bumpy flights he
instructions again and again, as if they were the
was to endure, as we learnt to adjust our home-life with
first time of telling! Over the weeks, John shouted
my newly found independence!
and pushed me to challenge myself daily, picked
In December 2015 I was too anxious to drive to Elgin.
me up when I felt I had failed and dragged me
In December 2016 I flew down to Bristol to attend not
kicking and screaming from my social comfort
one, but two Christmas parties. Once again, with
zone. When he first asked how far I was from it, I
no-one to help me, I travelled alone, except this time I
grumpily replied that “I may as well be on the dark
thoroughly enjoyed it. With no wingman, I collected my
side of the bloody moon”.
hire car and drove to Cirencester. I would be lying if I
Not once during those hours of flying with John
said it all went to plan; my first SatNav and hire car
did I feel inadequate, panicky or anxious. I learnt to
experience certainly made for an interesting journey
take instruction and criticism and I learnt how to
and I will admit to phoning my husband from a petrol
adapt the learning to my abilities. John’s patience
station in the middle of Bristol, sobbing my heart out
was unending and his understanding of my needs
because I was lost and scared. As well as that I will
was incredible, so, when I had to be helped into
admit to forgetting my walking stick, leaving my
my wheelchair because my legs had given up on
mobility scooter key in the hire car and not packing all
me, I felt no judgement. I felt safe.
the clothes I needed - but do you know what? The
Slowly, the changes began to happen. They crept
worst happened and I survived. I wasn’t paralysed or
up on me and it wasn’t until I found myself in
scared anymore, I was living.
completely new situations did I spot them as an
Nine months on and my life is unrecognisable;
“FSDP moment”. These moments would appear
overthinking is a thing of the past and I approach every
when I least expected them: in conversations, I
aspect of my life in a calm and practical manner. Of
would find myself making decisions and wonder
course, my disability hasn’t changed; I am still in daily
where they came from, I offered suggestions and
pain, lack mobility and can’t remember what I watched
would wonder “did I just say that”? Actions and
on television last night, but none of this scares me now.
activities that once seemed impossible were
As well as that, I am promoting and selling my
happening with little thought or anxiety and life
crocheted items and writing articles for a magazine
began to feel that bit lighter.
(yes, you have them to thank).
Soon, my scholarship had come to an end and I
Flying Scholarships for Disabled People have literally
was ready to be reunited with my family. My
opened the doors to my world and just in case you
ultimate goal had been for me to take my husband
didn’t get the message… they change lives!
and daughter on a flight, without John shouting instructions and, although they were less excited about the idea than I was, they agreed. John was
44
Yours could be their next success.
Dark suit: Lieutenant General His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Light suit: Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Douglas Pulford, GCB, CBE, ADC is the retired Chief of Air Staff (boss of the RAF)
Charity Objectives: Flying Scholarships for Disabled is a charity that provides a ‘once in a lifetime’ challenge for disabled people to help them realise their abilities through the medium of learning to fly. Whilst not a direct objective of the scheme most scholars do fly solo (or ‘ghosted’ solo) by the end of their training programme and some go on to achieve their Private Pilot’s Licence. All students who can satisfy their Chief Flying Instructor during a general handling flying test that they have reached an acceptable standard of competence, compatible with the nature of their disability, are awarded the FSDP “Wings”, based on the logo of the Royal International Air Tattoo. For more information visit www.fsdp.org.uk
45
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46
The Wonder of World festivals 47
Holi 13March 2017
Festival of Colours
The festival of colours, as it is better known, is the most awaited festival for people of all ages. Not only the Indian states, but also countries all across the globe are seen drenched in vibrant and dynamic colours. Marking the beginning of the spring season, Holi is celebrated every year in the month of March. This festival tries to break the shackles of convention to free ourselves from all the obligations that weigh us down. One of the most spirited festivals in India, the celebrations of Holi take place for many days all over the country and people are seen tossing ‘gulaal’ (coloured powder) on each other and rejoicing. Colours connect with the emotions and moods of all human beings and as the red mixes with the green, blue with pink, orange with purple and a hundred other colours blend with each other,
48
it simultaneously teaches us the power of unity and oneness. Like any other festival in India, Holi has a very prominent part in history dating back to February 1701. There was once a demon king named Hiranyakashyap who was also an immensely egotistic and pompous person who wanted everyone to worship and become his true believer rather than devoting themselves to some other deity. To his disappointment his own son, Prahlad, became an ardent follower of Lord Shiva – one of the three gods responsible for the creation, upkeep and destruction of the world. Holika, Hiranyakashyap's sister, had a blessing bestowed upon her that if she enters fire, she will come out unharmed. With unpleasant intent and instruction from her brother, she took place in the pyre with Prahlad in her lap. Little did she know that her 'blessing' would only have worked in her favour if she jumped in the fire alone! Holika was burnt to ashes and Prahlad came out unharmed as he kept reciting the name of Lord Shiva who saved him from turning into ashes. Truth and innocence won. Lord Vishnu- another of the gods, appeared as half-man, half-lion and killed Hiranyakashyap at dusk, on his porch steps. Prahlad declared that Holika would be remembered every year at the time of Holi. Since that day, in many parts of India, the celebration of Holi is initiated by the ritual of Holika Dahan, a pyre is set off symbolising the end of evil and the emergence of good. The arrival of spring and the celebration of Holi walk hand in hand. To witness happiness, jovial exuberance, unconditional human spirit and an entire country drenched in fun-smashing colours, accompanied with scrumptious food and drink, you must really visit India during the festival of Holi.
49
Nyepi Bali Day of Silence 28th March 2017
Bali’s major festival pushes one year noisily out the door and very quietly ushers in the next one, so, if raucous New Year events are not your thing, then Bali has the celebration for you. Nyepi preparations begin three days ahead of the New Year, with all the statues of gods removed from temples on this day and paraded to rivers, where they are washed and bathed before being returned to the temples. The day before Nyepi, Tawur Agung Kesanga, is when you’ll see most action around the island. This is the ‘Day of Great Sacrifices’, with ceremonies held at town squares and sports grounds throughout the island. At about 4pm villagers dressed in traditional garb gather in town centres playing music and offering gifts of food and flowers to the ogoh-ogoh, which are huge monster dolls with menacing fingers, bulging eyes and faces fit to give a child nightmares. This is followed by the ngrupuk, a grand procession in which the ogoh-ogoh figures are lifted on bamboo
50
poles accompanied by gamelan music and
that when the evil spirits descend they will decide
paraded through the streets to frighten away all
that Bali is uninhabited and leave the island alone for
the evil spirits. After prayers and speeches, the
another year. They call it the ‘Day of Silence’ and all
ogoh-ogoh dolls are burnt with torches and
human activity stops – all shops, bars and restaurants
bonfires in a final symbolic gesture to be rid of
close and no-one is allowed to leave their home or
the evil spirits for the year ahead. Wherever you
hotel. Roads are closed and even Bali’s international
are in Bali, you’ll almost certainly find a ngrupuk
airport closes down. No fires are permitted and at
procession in the nearest large town, with the
night all buildings must be blacked out – only
island capital, Denpasar, staging the most
emergency services are exempt.
impressive parade.
On the day after Nyepi, the youth of Bali practice the
The day of Nyepi itself officially lasts for 24 hours
ceremony of Omed-omedan or 'The Kissing Ritual' to
from sunrise and is one of complete inactivity, so
celebrate the new year. Youths take to the street as water is splashed and sprayed by villagers, and the highlight being two throngs of boys and girls, in a tug-of-war-like scene. Successive pairs in the middle are pushed to a smooch with each shove and push. Interested in experiencing these rare highlights in Bali? Don't worry if you missed out on this year's. Plan ahead for next year’s Saka New Year 1940, on March 17, 2018.
51
Other Festivals in March
AUSTRALIA Port Fairy Folk Festival 10-13 March 2017 So-called because it takes place in the artsy little town of Port Fairy, a stop on the stunning Great Ocean Road, this four-day folk-music fest combines delightful scenery with hundreds of acts ranging across roots, Celtic, folk, country, bluegrass, blues, jazz, rock, crossover and world music, as well as children's entertainment, workshops and fringe acts.
NETHERLANDS The European Fine Arts Fair 10-19 March 2017 The historic city and Holland's foodie capital hosts TEFAF, one of the world's leading art and antique fairs. TEFAF features everything from Chinese antiques to paintings by French impressionists to Helmut Newton prints, all displayed in a large expo centre, beautifully decorated with fresh flowers. tefaf.com
MOROCCO Beyond Sahara 3-6 March 2017
52
ST MARTIN THE CARIBBEAN - SXMusic 15-19 March 2017 Underground house and techno for the kind of discerning dance-music-lovers you would normally find riding a tandem through Burning Man Festival, handing out bindis at DC10 or grinning ear-to-ear at
Beyond Sahara is an adventure-travel party for 250
BPM in Mexico; SXMusic is a new boutique festival
people, where adrenalin-rush activities include
taking place for five sunshiney days on St Martin.
sand-boarding, a 5km desert run and a camel
Sort of Ibiza vibes in the Caribbean, only the
convoy. There is also traditional Moroccan cooking
beaches are even better, the drinks cheaper, and
and a mix of street-food stars from London, and
there's a whole summer's worth of DJs packed
four-posters in which to bed down when you're all
into one short, spectacular burst. Names to get
partied out. Best of all there's none of the usual
excited about include Lee Burridge, Jamie Jones,
festival angst when your phone goes dead - you're
DJ Tennis, Psychemagik, Adriatique, Dubfire
miles away from mobile reception anyway.
and Blond:ish.
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The problem with food!
I don’t like food. There, I have said it! It frustrates
only what you consume, but whether you are alone
me that life revolves around eating and every day I
or with friends and family when you do. Mealtimes
struggle to find the enthusiasm I need for an
are seen as a reason to gather around a table and
activity that is, apparently, fairly critical to my
hold conversations, whilst adverts are constantly
survival. It’s a constant treadmill of food thought
trying to tempt us to eat out or order in and cookery
processes; first you have to decide what you want
programmes show us how to make a simple seven
to eat, shop for it (if you don’t already have it in),
course banquet in 30mins, so we can wow our
and then, if you are that way inclined, cook it. All
friends with our wizardry in the kitchen.
this performance, just to fill your belly and make
Honestly, can’t I just have some toast
your body work - it’s all so boring. I tell you, when
in front of the television on
space food hits the supermarket shelves, I will be
my own?
first in the queue for my week's worth of powdered food sachets and I can spend all those wasted hours of thoughts trying to work out important things, like how ships float and planes stay in the air. It's not just about the food either, I can’t be doing with all the talk about where and how you eat it. These days it seems that you are judged on not
56
I have never been a foodie; if someone were to offer
much of each food group must be included in every meal.
me my last meal, it would probably be a jacket potato
Conversely, constantly being told that certain foods were
with baked beans and a sprinkling of cheese - I might
bad for me took the shine off a family roast, especially
even go all out and ask for a poached egg with it.
when my roast potatoes might be nudging me one step
I don't yearn for specific dishes and definitely don't
closer to death. Ok, I may be exaggerating there, but it
have a 'just like mum makes' family favourite that I
certainly feels like that at times!
whip up as a special treat when the kids come home (although I do make a mean crumble). In fact, cooking
My lack of interest in food and low boredom threshold for
has always been my most hated household chore and
cooking meant motherhood brought its own culinary
I would much rather clean the toilet, or hoover, than
challenges. Countless simple meals were served with a
cook a meal.
Sounds a great way to be though doesn’t it? Surely it
sprinkling of pine nuts or sesame seeds, in a vain hope
must be so easy to be me as I could just live off
that my home economic style offerings would suddenly
takeaways and ready meals? Well no, sadly not,
become super foods, bursting with life extending
because I don't like them either. When I say I am not a
goodness. From the very start, I felt the overwhelming
foodie, I don't mean that I am not a lover of gourmet
responsibility and pressure to not only grow a healthy
food and fine dining, I mean I am not a lover of food full
child, but to also instil a "healthy attitude towards food”
stop. Present me with a café menu of sandwiches,
so, for me, the correct nourishment was a big challenge,
soups, hot meals etc. and I am just as likely to ask for a
knowing that what I did in those early years would
slice of toast!
shape their adult lives and bodies. Thankfully they all seem to have grown into reasonably functioning adults
I don’t know what turned me off food, perhaps it was
with a sensible attitude towards food, but to be honest, I
the constantly changing information on what we should
think that’s more down to nature than nurture.
be eating, what a healthy portion looks like and how
Like most mums and figure-conscious eaters, I have
57
LOW
MED
tried to take on the Government’s advice about which foods we should and shouldn’t eat, but I always feel like the new kid in class who doesn’t
HIGH
stare at my short shopping list and ponder if I could afford a private nutritionist, personal shopper and a chef so I didn’t have to try and work it out anymore!
have all the course notes. The daily-changing headlines about which grocery shelf product is going to kill me and what the latest superfood is leaves me completely baffled and bewildered; I am still trying to work out if we should be eating alfalfa sprouts and ginkgo biloba and what they are. The news said my family shopping list needed to include foods with Omega 5, a splash of antioxidants, a handful of fibre, something to stop our bones crumbling and keep the blood running, and not forgetting the all-important brain food to prevent dementia. On top of that I needed to remember whether butter was good or bad, if I should or shouldn't eat chocolate (yeah that’s always a should), decipher traffic lights and remember where the sugar and salt could be hidden, never mind trying to decide if I had to start drinking red wine and coffee that week! As for the magic phrase, “five portions of fruit and veg a day”, well I think I should have that engraved on my gravestone as it still rings in my ears every day. Now, I am sure the Department of Health thought they were being extremely helpful by providing us with all this healthy eating information, but it would simply fill my confused brain up with yet more information that I needed to digest, understand and remember whilst navigating my way around the culinary minefield on a family budget. I would often
58
As a mother, I also had my ingrained food hates; products that caused an uncomfortable ache in the pit of my stomach. When my kids were younger I had a strong aversion to sugar, sweets, fast food and fizzy drinks (the 'c' word in our house was a certain American drinks manufacturer) and I don’t know if this was down to the drip feed of information or my blind acceptance of something I had read in a magazine somewhere. To this day, I still feel a twinge when I see my grown children drinking fizzy drinks, let alone a sugared doughnut. In fact, my fear of hidden sugar was probably my No1 enemy as a mother; its covert mission to rot my children's teeth by sneakily hiding amongst even the healthiest of cereals, meant I had to be on permanent high alert. I also had to be on the lookout for MSG (remember that bad boy), a whole host of e-numbers and those pesky, hidden trans fats (hence the lack of trust in takeaways and ready meals).
Of course, achieving a “healthy balanced diet” and avoiding all those nasty additives is easy; you simply avoid supermarkets, grow everything you eat in your back garden and construct every element of the meal from scratch, with your own fair hands. Unfortunately for me, our wee garden didn’t offer enough space for the chickens, cow, vegetable patch, fruit garden, orchard, wheat field and mill needed to keep our family fed to Government standards, so I spent my kids’ childhoods listening avidly to the news for the latest updates on how
Of course, there is an upside to all
to nourish my family safely, desperately hoping one of
this. The lack of interest in food and no
them would be a child prodigy and win MasterChef, so I
kids does make grocery shopping a bit
could retire from the kitchen.
easier and a lot cheaper; a week of jacket
Now I am 50 and for the first time in 25 years, I find
potatoes must cost less than a trolley full of
myself at a point where the food we eat is no longer
meat and vegetables? However, like big brother,
served with the sole intention of nourishing and teaching
the Department of Health is always watching (or so
the kids. We have reached the stage in our lives where
I think) and even though I am more than happy with
we have less mouths to feed and a bit more money;
my limited selection of ingredients from the one food
opening us up to experimenting with wild flavours, exotic
group (two if you count chocolate), there's still a little
dishes and fine dining... right? Wrong! In my case, we
voice that gives a judgemental tut when a random
have reached the stage where it’s just about what we can
(but carefully selected) ready meal skulks its way
be bothered to eat and prepare, and that still rarely
down the conveyor belt, and I find myself pondering
involves the urge to use the oven, so more often than not,
whether or not there's enough vegetables in its wake
we can be found in our favourite local cafe, where I don't
for my shopping to appear acceptably "healthy" and
even need to read the menu anymore.
"balanced' to the person behind me.
I will spend weeks eating the same meals, with little
One day, I will be able to empty a sachet into a bowl,
variation until I reach my (very low) boredom threshold
add some hot water and will be instantly provided
and introduce something else. I am quite happy in my
with all the vitamins, nutrients and minerals I need to
little ruts, although I do sometimes worry about the
sustain my body and keep me going, but until then,
phrase “you are what you eat”. If this is true, then I have
I will have to continue to stumble my way around a
a problem because I currently resemble something that
food-orientated world, clutching my green tea and
is a cross between a jacket potato and a Magnum, rolled
dark chocolate lovingly to my breast, in the vain
in porridge oats and baked beans. Not an attractive
belief they are both the “healthy option”.
image by any means and probably very difficult to buy clothes for.
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Opening of the Spey In anticipation of the opening of the Spey on February 11th anglers have been preparing their equipment for many weeks now. Rods and lines have been checked and fly boxes topped up with flies that cannot fail! Waders are checked for leaks and all the equipment and paraphernalia considered essential for a successful outing on the river is eagerly made ready for opening day. This year the new fishing season on the Spey was opened on February 11th by the Rt Honorable
enjoy on Speyside and thanked all those who
Angus Robertson MP, at a ceremony by the Penny
worked so hard to maintain it for the benefit of
Bridge at Aberlour, in line with tradition. Anglers
residents and visitors alike.
from Speyside and much further afield attended in
Again, in line with tradition, Graham Ritchie,
greater numbers than usual with the date falling
2016 winner of the Anniversary Quaich, the
on a Saturday this year.
trophy presented to the angler who catches
Refreshments, including a Speyside dram, were
and returns the first Salmon of the season on
provided by the sponsors Aberlour Distillery,
the fly, poured a bottle of Aberlour single malt
Fishpal, Walkers Shortbread and le Petit
whisky into the river. Local minister, Shuna
Gourmand.
Dicks said a blessing and the season was
Angus Robertson, in his address, commented on
officially underway. Piper, David Grant, also
the magnificent environment we were fortunate to
played during the ceremony.
62
Opening day marks the start of a very busy year, not only for the ghillies and others directly involved in looking after the anglers but also for the local businesses who rely so much on the success of the river. Salmon fishing contributes around ÂŁ15m to the Speyside and wider Moray economy every year and supports over 370 full time jobs. I hope that this note and other recent articles on the Spey will encourage more people to visit the area and hopefully enjoy all that Speyside has to offer including the chance of catching a fresh Anglers quickly got to work and the first fresh fish of the year, a sparkling 7 pounder, was caught in
Salmon from this great river. by Brian Doran
the Junction Pool at Rothes by Evie Glass. Evie has become something of an opening day specialist having won the Quaich in 2011 and also caught the heaviest fish on opening day in 2009! The prize for the heaviest salmon caught was won by Arty McKerron with a fish of 8lbs from the Piles at Arndilly. Both fish were returned safely to continue their journey upstream to spawn later in the year. The winners, together with the Ghillies who assisted them, were presented with their prizes at a ceremony hosted by Aberlour Distillery at their visitor centre later in the day.
63
win luncah fo see rp821
is almost a year old See next month’s Lifestyle Magazine for celebration details
Mother’s Day at The Bank
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SPEYFEST FRIDAY 28TH TO SUNDAY 30TH JULY 2017
‘the best in traditional and contemporary celtic music’
red hot chilli pipers blazin’ fiddles manran talisk the elephant sessions tidelines findlay napier trio nordic fiddlers bloc the claire hastings band scott wood band plus many more... traditional music workshops young entertainer competition craft and food fair with tastings ecumenical celtic kirk service to find out more:
visit www.speyfest.com
programme may be subject to change without prior notice . for more information and terms and conditions visit www.Speyfest.com . Speyfest Association SCIO, SC046959
65
SPEYFEST 28TH - 30TH JULY 2017
THE BEST IN TRADITIONAL & CONTEMPORARY CELTIC MUSIC
At the end of July, the playing fields on East Street in the Moray town of Fochabers will be home to the 22nd annual Speyfest, three days of the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music. The tented village hosts a variety of seated and standing events including the Friday and Saturday concerts and stomps, the music marathon that is Speyfest Sunday, a craft and food fair with taster sessions and an ecumenical Celtic Kirk service. The event is fully licensed and offers a wide range of hot foods and a variety of drinks from a number of onsite concessions.
2017
Already a stunning line-up of bands has signed up for the 2017 festival
Blazin’ Fiddles - Main Stage concert, Friday Blazin' Fiddles, formed in 1998, comprise some of the finest fiddle players from the Highlands of Scotland. Like rare single malts, each member of Blazin’ Fiddles showcase the Highlands and Islands distinct regional traditional fiddle styles. The group have been described as “The Led Zeppelin of the folk world” The Scotsman. From small town halls to the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, fiddlers Jenna Reid, Bruce MacGregor, Rua Macmillan and Kristan Harvey alongside Anna Massie on guitar and Angus Lyon on piano deliver an energetic musical evening for all. Trends are ever-changing in the folk scene but what Blazin’ Fiddles produce is 100% authenticity regardless of who is in the line-up. Over the last 18 years no other band have captured the excitement of Scottish fiddle music like Blazin’ Fiddles. With a hot new line up the band’s 8th album ‘North was released in 2015. Having put all of their musical skill and energy into recording the bands album was nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ in the MG ALBA Scot’s Trad Music Awards. Blazin’ Fiddles have appeared all over the world including Cambridge Folk Festival, Lorient, Tønder Festival and Celtic Connections. We are looking forward to welcoming Blazin’ Fiddles back to Speyfest in July!
Blazin’ Fiddles
Elephant Sessions - Main Stage Stomp, Friday Also making a return visit will be Elephant Sessions who were a hit with the crowds on their last appearance. The quintet formed in the Highlands of Scotland in 2012. Creating a neo-trad sound through engulfing guitars, fiddle, bass and drums, their music combines a new flavour of music to the Scottish traditional music scene. Gigging around Scotland and further afield, they soon built a fan base and went on to release their debut album in 2014 ‘The Exclusive Highlands Beauty.’ This album alongside tours and festivals saw the band become winners of the Scots Trad Awards ‘Up and Coming Act of the Year’ in 2014. Already well established 66
Elephant Sessions
for their energetic shows, the Elephant Sessions have been invited to many high profile international festivals as well as being nominated as Live Act of the Year at the BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards 2016. The neo-trad quintet are due to release a second album in early summer 2017 - just in time for the festival! The Elephant Sessions will appear at the Speyfest late night ‘stomp’ on Friday 28th July. “Quite possibly the best instrumental debut since ‘Venus in Tweeds’ by “Shooglenifty” - Bruce Macgregor, BBC Radio Scotland, Travelling Folk.
Nordic Fiddlers Bloc - Main Stage Concert, Saturday We are also delighted to announce that The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc will be making their debut appearance at the festival. Comprising Olav Luksengård Mjelva (Norway), Anders Hall (Sweden) and Kevin Henderson (Shetland Islands), each regarded as leading exponents of their respective traditions, they have found themselves in great demand. Having appeared on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1 the trio have swiftly gained a reputation for their unique blend of fiddle music. With their main focus on traditional music from their own parts of the world, they have developed a sound that has been described as “meaningful and invigorating”. Kevin Henderson, stated: “We are really excited to be coming to play at Speyfest this year. I have many fond memories of my previous visits to the festival over the years with Fiddlers' Bid and Session A9. It really is a highlight on the festival circuit. It's a very welcoming festival and the audience is so appreciative.It's big fiddle country and they really know their stuff so we are looking forward to performing there with The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. I think the blend of styles and how we arrange the music should hopefully be something new for the Speyfest audience. Roll on July!”
Manran Nordic Fiddlers
Mànran - Main Stage, Sunday Making a return visit will be Mànran who were particular favourites of Ewan McGregor when he made a surprise visit to the festival in 2012. Mànran is one of the best-known and best-loved Scottish bands on the scene today. The 2011 launch of their debut single, “Latha Math” heralded a meteoric rise to the top of the Scottish music world that quickly saw them playing many of the most prestigious festivals in Europe despite having only been in existence a few short months. From then, a multi-award-winning debut album followed as the band set about living up to the hype surrounding their early release while establishing their characteristic sound and distinctive approach to musical arrangement. Variously tagged as “folk-rock”, “trad-rock” (that one coming from former First Minister, Alex Salmond), “Celtic-rock” and even “grown- up folk-rock”, Mànran’s music has always defied easy labelling due to the eclectic mix of influences on the band and the alchemy that melds them. With a central ethos built around the band’s traditional Celtic roots, fiery tunes from fiddle, accordion, flute, uilleann and Highland bagpipes bind powerfully to a rhythm section awash with elements of funk, jazz and rock to create some of the most innovative and uplifting instrumental music around. Coupled with songs in both Gaelic and English that under go the same musical mixology, it’s easy to understand why Mànran are in such high demand as a live act. Weekend Tickets are on sale now priced at £75 General Tickets for Speyfest go on release at the end of April. www.speyfest.com
Mànran
Facebook page for further details.
67
The Gallery in Aberlour
March is finally here and in the gallery/framing business it is usually a fairly busy month. People emerge from their winter hibernation and want to freshen up their surroundings. The famous Spring Clean can be a great time to have a look at your pictures and make sure they are in good order and still fitting in with your decor. Clean the glass and dust the frames especially the tops and take them off the wall hook and make sure that the cords on the back have not deteriorated and the taping is still secure. Also make sure there is no mould on the backing board as this can ruin a picture and damage your wall over a very short period of time. We regularly reframe pictures that have fallen off walls so following this advice can save you some money in the future. We sell diy kits for replacing cords and screw-rings or we can do it for you if you are pressed for time or inclination. Oil
The Gallery in Aberlour FINE ART & FRAMING Scottish landscapes, wildlife, fishing & whisky Exquisite wood turning, pottery & cards
Still Life Studio Picture Framer & Gallery 126 High St, Aberlour AB38 9NX 01340 871457 or 07766 704910
68
Paintings can collect grime over the years. We offer a gentle cleaning service. More in depth cleans of valuable work and restorations should be undertaken by a professional conservator who we are happy to recommend for you. Fashions change and over time you may think a particular picture just doesn’t suit anymore. Alternatively you may still love the picture and decide to have it reframed. You would not believe the difference a change in frame can have on a picture.
This Month’s Artist Jessie White
Where were you born? I was born in Buckie in 1944, at
International Churchill society sponsored by the daily
the end of the war and raised in Burghead.
Telegraph, along with Daler Rowney. The presentation
Why do you mostly paint seascapes? I think because
of prizes in London was an honour. In 2013 Aberdeen
my father and mother's grandfathers were all North East
Artists Society award from Gallery 55, Stonehaven.
fishermen and I feel at home by the sea and have always
What sort of painter are you? Probably an
lived near the sea. Its part of me.
expressionist. I usually paint in oil, but like watercolour
What did you do before you became an artist? After a
and acrylics. I don’t like painting from photographs,
career in the civil service working in London, Moray, and
preferring painting ‘en plein air’. I love using a palette
lots of travelling I met my husband skiing in Aviemore. I
knife. Its so easy and I really enjoy it. My application of it,
then helped him with his dental practice in Forres.
though, is in uncontrolled heavy impasto, which needs
When did you start painting? Seriously in my mid 30s
to be tamed down a bit. Its the total lack of control that I
encouraged by the Moray Arts Society and my husband.
like. Maybe the way ahead will introduce more
After he died, I applied to Moray College for a BA in Art.
discipline, as well as patience with brushes. Sounds a
It took a while to confirm so I thought an alternative might
good title "Patience with brushes " for the future.
be in law. It was a major life changing moment, for me
Who are you inspired by? David West, local
when I was accepted for a BA degree in Fine Art on the
Lossiemouth painter, the Canadian Tom Thomson, Joan
basis of a portfolio.I completed my degree in 2001 at
Eardley. Always inspired by the creativity of painters
the age of 54.
living or deceased. Its a great privilege to be part of the
Any awards? Yes I became 2nd equal in a UK
artistic community.
competition held by association of Colleges, the
69
BUSINESS AS USUAL
by Barb
ara Play
don
Aberlour
Aberlour – or Charlestown of Aberlour to give it its full
amount of traffic without becoming weary and in need of
name – is situated in an enviable position 16 or so
repair and upgrading.
miles south of Elgin. On one side the village is
And so it has proved for the village. The inhabitants have
bounded by the fast flowing waters of the River Spey,
seen a mammoth rejuvenation project over the recent
the nemesis of many an angler’s dream and on the
past. The normally steady moving traffic has been
other by fairly steep wooded hills, a walker’s paradise.
reduced to crawl and then dead stop thanks to three way
Aberlour’s history dates from 1654, when it was
traffic lights, stop/go controls, convoy systems, contra-
shown on maps in Joan Blaeu’s ‘Atlas of Scotland’. The
flows and all the other attendant horrors that are an
current village was founded by Mr Charles Grant of
essential part of road-works.
Elchies in 1812 and was named Charlestown of
And just as everyone thought that things were settling
Aberlour after his son Charles. The village was granted
down, the road-works are here again but, thankfully, not
its feu charter in 1814 and began to operate its own
as intense or disruptive as they had been when the entire
markets. Whisky was a major industry then and it
High Street was ripped up and restructured. The villagers
continues to this day.
have had to put up with disruption once again – but they
Over the years Aberlour has thrived and is now home
are philosophical about it and just simply get on with their
to many an independent business, most notable
daily business.
amongst which is Walkers, the internationally
Have things had a detrimental effect on business? Most
renowned shortbread manufacturers. The greater
emphatically so, especially during the previous intensive
proportion of the shops in the village are situated on
works. Some businesses have admitted that, with
the High Street, which sees almost non-stop traffic
hindsight, it may have been better to close or to trim their
being, as it is, on the main road south from Elgin to
opening hours whilst the works were on-going. But they
Grantown and thence to Aviemore and, ultimately, to
are all still there, undefeated and indefatigable.
Perth and beyond. No road can sustain such a vast
A sign at the north end of the village indicates that all
71
businesses are open. And what an assortment of businesses they are. You can satisfy all your daily needs in one go, on one High Street – and chat with the friendly locals while you shop. As well as the stalwart of any modern day community – the supermarket – there is the butcher (fresh, fresh, fresh meat and veg); the chemist (prescriptions filled and humour liberally dispensed); the marvellous emporium that is Gammacks (everything from a single galvanised nail to enough paint to do the Forth Bridge); the huntin’-fishin’-shootin’ clothing and equipment shop; the gift shop with enough browseability to keep you there for ages; the delicatessen that defies description (you just have to visit it and I’ll bet my last pound that you will not leave empty-handed) and the wool shop up the outside stairs at The Square where every colour in the rainbow (and then some!) is on display. In addition, there are eateries that cater for all tastes, from toasted sandwiches at The Byre (highly recommended) or a Croque Monsieur (ooh decadence) at Le Petit Gourmand, to fine dining with all the trimmings at The Dowans. If informality is your preference try the bar meals at The Aberlour Hotel or The Mash Tun and chat with the locals while you are about it. It’s true what they say about eating and drinking where the locals go – they live here, they know. They are all unique shops, owned by people who are passionate about what they do. And after all that shopping, how about a tour at The Aberlour Distillery, with extensive tasting to follow. This has to be one of the best and most informative tours I have ever been on (and I have done a lot, believe me) as it combines the art of distillation with anecdotal social history. Brilliant! So, all in all, it may be a village partly under siege by traffic cones at the moment, but it does offer an awful lot and is worthy of a visit. Don’t be put off by the fact that you possibly cannot park right outside the shop of your choice; there are plenty of parking spaces down by the river or at the northern end of the High Street. Abandon the car and use your legs!! It’s well worth it.
72
ewe & me M
TS I U Q
G
N OKI
A shop filled with beautiful things, chosen with care for you to give on Mother’s Day or any day!
If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day, quitting will save around £2,912 a year! Aberlour Pharmacy provide free friendly advice and support to help you stop smoking, save money and make you feel better! No appointment is needed, just pop in. 112 High Street, Aberlour, Moray, AB38 9NX
Phone 01340 871 279 or email nhsg.aberlourcp@nhs.net
79 High Street, Aberlour Tel: 01340 871283 82-84 High Street Grantown-on-Spey Tel: 01479 872911
YOU CAN
WIN
This Beautiful Framed Print Supplied by
Still Life Studio Picture Framer & Gallery 126 High St, Aberlour AB38 9NX 01340 871457 or 07766 704910
To win please email: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot or Post to MMS Almac, Elgin, with the words ‘Aberlour Gallery’. Competition ends 7th April 2017.
73
Who is he? ...the journey continues migrating was. There was another bird in the sky however, one that made Felix hide his beak underneath his wing. The Starlings were terrified, when it appeared in the sky, the flock darted. Tiddler didn’t want to talk about the bird much, just that it was the reason he was on his own in the flock. Felix flew close to his new friend, occasionally brushing wing tips to comfort him. “It’s a bird of prey” Tiddler finally whispered into the wind. Days passed, then finally something appeared on the skyline. “We’ve made it!” Tiddler flapped his wings excitedly, “Look!” Felix squinted, rotating his head to look at what had emerged below them. Great grey and silver monsters,
FELIX AND THE LITTLE MERMAID Flying above the canopy was much harder than Felix had anticipated. The wind was much stronger than under the protection of the tree’s in the forest, and he struggled with the prevailing wind. Felix had been lucky enough to come across a flock of Starlings as they made their annual migration from southern Europe to Scandinavia. They weren’t particularly chatty however, and Felix had begun to feel a little unwelcome as he brought up the rear. One bird just ahead of him was smaller than the rest and also seemed to struggle. Felix caught up with him. “I’m Tiddler” The little Starling gasped between gusts of wind. “I’ve never done this before can I fly with you?” Felix gasped back, and the pair took it in turns to fly in front. Felix and Tiddler flew together for weeks. It was exhausting and Felix came to realise how dangerous
74
as tall as the tree’s in the forest; and the noise was terrifying. “I’m not sure I like it, it’s so strange, what is it all?” Felix blinked his large eyes wide like saucers. Felix and Tiddler flew with the flock down into a large grassed area in the centre of all the noise, and cars and buildings. It was called ‘The King’s Garden’ and it was indeed beautiful, full of welcoming tree’s and lush green grass.
Felix took in a great gulp of air, everything around him
“Come on! Up here!” Tiddler beckoned to Felix and
was different. “Is it okay if I stick with you for a while
the pair stood on the head of the little mermaid.
Tiddler, I’m not sure I like it, and I don’t know where to
“You can see a lot of birds from here”
start to look for other birds like me”
Felix and Tiddler perched on top of the mermaid’s
Tiddler hopped over to his friend, the rest of the
head for two days. They saw many different birds of
Starlings had already begun to disperse into the park.
different varieties, but none of them looked like Felix.
“I’d like that, I haven’t really had a friend before, I’ll help
“Maybe they’re not here” Tiddler whispered to a
you look for your flock, and I think I know just the place
dejected Felix, “We should try somewhere else”
to do it!”
Felix flapped his wings sorrowfully, “But where?”
Tiddler took Felix to a wonderful place, the little Starling
Tiddler flew into the sky, and shouting down excitedly
called it Copenhagen and it was full of beautiful stone
he chirped, “Anywhere! The sky’s the limit!”
statues. They were all so different, and as Tiddler
Felix stared up at him, and slowly his sorrow turned to
brought him up to a statue of a giant stone man, Felix
hope. The sky really was endless, and they were out
shuddered. “This human really needs to put some
there… somewhere.
feathers on” “There’s one very special statue here Felix, and I’m going to take you there” Tiddler led Felix to the banks where a women with a long tail sat elegantly on a rock. “Who is that?” Felix stared his beak ajar with wonder, “What kind of animal is she?” “That my friend is the little mermaid, these shores are fabled to have been full of them. They have a long life and live for three hundred years! But this little mermaid wanted to have an eternal life, so she sits here on this rock and watches”
75
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76
QUALITY LADIES FASHIONS EXCITING NEW SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTIONS IN STORE AND ONLINE IN STYLISH SIZES FROM 8 TO 22
17 Victoria Street, Craigellachie AB38 9SR (15 mins from Elgin on the A941)
Fergus Ewing MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity
This Month In History
March
1st: 1912 - The first parachute jump is made from a moving airplane.
When the late Ray Tomlinson sent the first ever email in 1971, little did we realise how technology would transform the way we communicate and live our lives today. Digital infrastructure is key to creating a fairer Scotland with a more prosperous economy. Especially in rural areas like Moray. We have purposely set the bar high with ambitious targets to give every home
have an atomic bomb.
9th: 1959 - The first Barbie doll debuts. 10th: 1977 - Astronomers discover rings around Uranus.
and business in Scotland access to superfast
12th: 1894 - Coca-Cola is sold in bottles for
broadband by 2021. This demonstrates our determi-
the first time.
nation to give Scotland the digital platform it needs –
13th: 1781 - The planet Uranus is discovered
even though telecoms is actually a matter reserved to
by William Herschel.
the UK Government. We are building on a solid foundation of investment of over £400 million in the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme,
17th: 1845 - The rubber band is invented. 18th: 1965 - First person walks in space. 20th: 1727 - Sir Isaac Newton dies.
one of the largest broadband infrastructure projects
1969 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono get
in Europe, which is on track to deliver fibre
married.
broadband to 95% of premises across Scotland by the end of this year. The programme is providing connectivity to premises across the length and breadth of Scotland, none of which would have been connected had it been left to commercial providers. That matters in Moray and all across the Highlands and Islands which would only have had 21 per cent broadband coverage without our intervention. But the current programme won’t reach everyone and, even when connected, around one in ten premises are still currently unable to receive superfast speeds. It can be incredibly frustrating to those households and businesses without access to superfast broadband, and particularly those dealing with very slow speeds or no connectivity at all. Realising Scotland’s full potential in a digital world is critical to our ambitions to become a fairer, more inclusive society and a more prosperous economy. And I am determined to make those ambitions a reality.
78
3rd: 1938 - Oil is discovered in Saudi Arabia. 5th: 1960 - Elvis Presley gets out of the army. 8th: 1950 - The Soviet Union first claims to
Fergus
21st: 1980 - J.R. Ewing is shot on Dallas leading to the catchphrase "Who Shot JR?"
22nd: 1960 - The laser is invented. 23rd: 1933 - Adolf Hitler becomes Dictator of Germany.
25th: 1807 - Slavery is abolished in Great Britain
and Ireland.
27th: 1914 - The first successful blood
transfusion is performed.
29th: 2004 - Ireland becomes the first country
in the world to ban smoking in all work places, including bars and restaurants.
30th: 1842 - Anaesthesia is used for the first
time in an operation.
31st: 1889 - The Eiffel Tower is inaugurated.
just Eeeeeew! The response from my youngest son
have clocked up some steps with my running up
when I asked if he had an eye on anyone at
and down the stairs delivering and replenishing.
school that he wanted as his Valentine. The
And then the endless 'shenanigans' that carried
response from the eldest (just turned 12) was
on in the bedroom next to ours until it was time
that pre-teen look of disdain (that I'll have to
for me to get up for work, without so much as an
get used to for a while!) Both quickly declared
eyelid closing - in either room! I thought I'd be
their undying love for me, only me. My boys,
able to escape to work from a sleeping house - ha!
my angels, my perfect little Valentines.
I left them eating breakfast, bouncing off the walls
I thought February was supposed to be one of the least busy months - not in our household
and in the terrified hands of my darling husband. That was only on night one!
though and definitely not THIS February. We're
By day 4, on the eve of the 3rd and last 'event',
talking births, deaths and birthdays - on top of
a bleary-eyed husband, cat & dog looked at me
all the other 'life' stuff that rolls on, regardless.
with the same pre-teen disdain that they must've
My boys celebrate being born in February. This year they wanted sleepovers to mark the occasion. As it was half term, I thought it a perfectly wonderful way for them to celebrate. Easy. No activities to organise, party bags to make up, games to play - besides the Xbox... Pffft! When did sleepover 'rules' change? And
learned from my 12 year old. The 12 & 10 year olds had glazed eyes and ashen faces - zombielike is the most accurate description. I'm not sure any of us (me) will be THAT ambitious (stupid) ever again! Thankfully sleepover 3 was a more acceptable affair and everyone got sleep, like the sleepovers I remember from the olden days.
what part of sleepover do kids not get anymore?
They are growing up too quickly, something I
We're talking straight-through-crew here. Tears
witness almost daily as they outgrow shoes and
of tiredness run down my cheeks at the very
trousers overnight. Plus, there's the 'growing up'
fresh, traumatic memory. Our 2 bedroom,
- and who is ever prepared for THAT? When my
terraced abode saw 3 sleepovers in 5 days. What
eldest brought home the 'Living & Growing'
lunatic would agree to that?? This lunatic, is who!
consent form I didn't feel ready, so when the
My oven must've thought that we were running a
youngest recently brought his home my heart
pizza parlour and I became quite efficient at the
broke! My innocent little boys are soon to be
put in, time, remove, replace, slice and serve
replaced with big, smelly, hairy men! But they will
malarkey. If I'd had a fitbit, or the like, I would
always be my little boys...
dates for your diary...
MARCH
9-11
15-19
19
Elgin Musical Theatre present Oliver!
Aberdeen Jazz Festival 2017
The 35th Alloa Round Table
in Elgin Town Hall. Performances are at
Organised by Jazz Scotland. More info
Half Marathon
7.30pm nightly with a matinee on
at www.aberdeenjazzfestival.com
The race starts at 10am. Visit
Saturday at 2pm. Tickets and info www.elginmusicaltheatre.com
9-12
16 Curtis Stigers - One More For The Road
Aviemore Adventure Festival
Eden Court, 8pm. For more info and
Annual outdoor festival in the heart of
tickets visit www.eden-court.co.uk
the Highlands with a programme of outdoor activities, taster sessions,
17-19
www.alloahalfmarathon.co.uk
22-23 Russell Howard “Round the World” Tour AECC. www.russell-howard.co.uk
22-25
in-store gear testing events, workshops,
Fibre Fest
film screenings and guest lectures from
Sutherland Road, Dornoch. Annual
adventurers and outdoor sportspeople
Festival of everything to do with wool,
Eden Court, Inverness 7:30pm, plus
www.aviemoreadventure.org
yarn, fabric, textiles, spinning, felting,
matinee on 25th at 2:30pm. Visit
knitting, sewing. www.fibrefest.org.uk
www.eden-court.co.uk
11 Scottish Chamber Orchestra
17
9 to 5 The Musical
24-26
Eden Court, Inverness. Pre-Concert Talk
Scottish Folk Promotions Presents
The Scottish Golf Show
6.45pm, concerts starts at 7:30pm.
St Patrick Day Party @ Ironworks
SECC, Glasgow. Top exhibitors, putting
Visit www.eden-court.co.uk
7:30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com
areas, lessons from professional golfers
TwentyTen presents - Lee Scratch Perry @ ironworks 7:30pm. Visit www.ironworksvenue.com
11-12
18 Table Top Sale 10am - 2pm, Grantown-on-Spey. £10 per table, free entry, refreshments
and trick-shot demonstrations. Visit www.thescottishgolfshow.co.uk
25
Portsoy’s Fourth Book Festival
available. For info call 01479 873877 or
Neville Staple Band + Bombskare
Upstairs in the Salmon Bothy, Portsoy.
visit www.thepagoda.scot
@ Ironworks
Tickets are available at the Ice Cream
Stiff Little Fingers + Theatre of Hate
7:30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com
Shop, Seafield Street, Portsoy, or
@ Ironworks
reserve by calling 01261 843822
7:30pm. Vsit www.ironworksvenue.com
12
18-19
25-27 Vallelujah Enduro
Inverness Half Marathon and 5K
The Elvis Years
Scottish Borders. Endurance mountain
A course suitable for all levels of ability
Eden Court, Inverness, 8pm. Visit
bike race around the Tweed Valley. For
www.invernesshalfmarathon.co.uk
www.eden-court.co.uk
more info visit www.tweedlove.com
80
WIN £100 VOUCHER
No. 2 The Square Huntly AB54 8AE
To win please email: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot or Post to MMS Almac, Elgin, with the words ‘BEST BLINDS’ Competition ends 7th April 2017.
BLINDS, CURTAINS, SOFT FURNISHINGS
UNIT 1,TYOCK, ELGIN IV30 1XY www.horizonblinds.co.uk
WINNERS January
Mother’s Day Bubbly Brunch 12 noon - 2pm at The Pagoda. Treat
el:gin
your Mum to a delicious buffet
Amanda Macallan
accompanied by a sparkling Prosecco
Moray Berry
or Mimosa. U5s are free. For info and
22
to book visit www.thepagoda.scot or call 01479 873877
Lunch for two
To win please email: tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot or Post to MMS Almac, Elgin, with the words ‘THE BANK’ Competition ends 23rd March 2017. Prize excludes drinks.
(01343) 552 555
26
WIN Mother’s Day
Bill Smith
Maclean’s Hamper Ronnie Coull
Al Murray:
SHY & D.R.S CD
Lets Go Backwards Together
John Reid
Ecen Court, Inverness 7:30pm. Visit www.eden-court.co.uk
28 YAMATO The Drummers of Japan Eden Court, Inverness, 7:30pm Visit www.eden-court.co.uk
Bijou Lunch for 2 Michael Donnison
Vintage Champagne Sarah McAllister
Christie’s High Tea Heidi Marjoram
81
An interview with
GILLIAN BREMNER The Macallan Visitor Centre Manager
1. When did you start working at The Macallan? I started working at The Macallan in 2001. That was when the new visitor centre opened. I was employed as a tour guide.
5. Tell us about your family. I have been married for 13 years to my husband, Willy. He is a process operator at Craigellachie distillery. We have two children, a son, Thomas, who is 11 and our daughter, Jodi, who is 9.
2. What is your favourite Macallan I love the 25 year old Sherry Oak. Sherry Oak is my favourite because of the natural colour and the hint of smokiness.
6. What do you do in your spare time? As well as running our busy visitor centre I am a full time mum which does not leave me with much spare time. However, there is always time for a dram of Macallan.
3. Who is the biggest influence in your life, either present or past? My parents have moulded me and shaped me into who I am today. They have always supported me and guided me. My Macallan mentor is Margaret Gray. She took me under her wing when I first started and instilled in me a passion and love for our wonderful brand.
7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself still here, at the home of The Macallan, continuing to exceed guest's expectations. I am excited about building new relationships and showcasing our wonderful whisky to the world in our new visitor experience.
4. What did you do on burns night? I went to Craigellachie School and I was entertained with poems, singing and highland dancing. Sustenance was served by the children in the form of Haggis, neeps and tatties. I then went home, Macallan in hand and toasted the great Baird. The Macallan, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie AB38 9RX
The Macallan @The_Macallan @The_Macallan
M AR C H
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morlich homes have a great range of 3 bedroom detached and semi detached villas offering flexible living
l I f E s T Y l E M A g A z I N E - M O R AY I s s U E
in a convenient central location only a few minutes walk from the lossiemouth marina. Finished to morlich homes high standard each home features an opportunity for clients to fully customise their home to an exact design and specification. n
oak internal doors and finishings
n
choice of kitchens and bathrooms
To enquire about our homes today
01542 836510
Prices starting from £169,950
or Email: enquiries@morlich.co.uk
contact our sales team today
showhome coming soon at highfield Gardens buckie sales open: monday-Thurday 9.30am-5pm Friday 9.30am-4pm
and find out how we can help you realise your dream home.
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