Lifestyle Moray - November 2016 by Lifestyle Magazine

N OVE M B E R

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WIN ‘Tyre Track’ Designer T-Shirt DINING EXPERIENCE for two at the ‘GINgle Bells’ Christmas Evening at Gordon Castle, Fochabers ‘SHONA CAMMACK’ Framed Print from Still Life Gallery, Aberlour

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

F A S H I O N | H E A LT H | B E A U T Y F O O D & D R I N K | T R A V E L | A R T S & C U LT U R E

OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND at The Showhome

Strathisla Park, Keith AB55 5JS

Prices from £115,950 Thinking about how you’re going to buy your own home? Whether your first home, or a larger home, Help to Buy can help you find the key to a brighter future.

Come and speak directly to our Help to Buy experts.

Help to Buy - How does it work? BASED ON HOUSE PRICE OF Your mortgage 80% Your deposit 5% Help To Buy Equity Loan 15%

£115,950 £92,750 £5,800 £17,400

• Free Mortgage Advice Friday 11th to Monday 14th November • Coffee and Refreshments 11am - 5pm daily YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTSON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. See website for details, subject to contract and status.

www.deveronhomes.co.uk Call: 01592 880117 / 07876 413723 For further information email: sales@deveronhomes.co.uk

DEVERON homes

Thinking about buying your own home? Whether it’s your first home or you’re just hoping to move up to larger home, you can find assistance to buy a new-build home with Help to Buy (Scotland). With Help to Buy you could find the home that’s right for you at Strathisla Park, Keith.

HOMES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION If you have a 5% deposit, the Scottish Government will lend you up to 15% of the property value through an equity loan and you’ll only need to secure up to a 80% mortgage. The current scheme applies to homes up to a value of £230,000 and must be ready for occupation before end March 2017.

Want to find out more? Deveron Homes is playing host to a special Help To Buy Weekend from 11th to 14th November when visitors can talk to the Help To Buy experts. Among the properties available with Help To Buy is a range of 2 and 3 bed starter homes and 2 and 3 bed bungalows.

Prices from £115,950 to £195,950. Plus, reserve in November and you’ll receive a fabulous free flooring package for your new Deveron home. The Strathisla showhome is open: Thursday - Monday: 11am - 5pm

The key to a brighter future . . .

DEVERON homes

Thank You : ) All the team involved in the magazine would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their fantastic support

Creative

Printers

Alistair Davidson

Graham Payne

Tamsyn Dickson

Graeme Donaldson

Adam Thomas

Chris Leil

Jeff Ho David Banks Rebecca Beaton

of the first issue. The positive comments

Donna Cowie

from all sources have been quite

Sales Rhona Patterson

humbling. It has been a massive success and firmly puts the pressure on the team to maintain this high standard or, as we intend to do, continue to raise it. For that we need your help in suggesting themes

Finishing Leza Stuart Fyona Duncan Emma Fraser

rhona@mms-publishing.scot

Pre Press Editorial Tamsyn Dickson

Lynn Stuart

Production Controller Margaret Stuart

Proofing Penny Brown

and potential articles. Remember - it’s YOUR magazine.

Colin

Colin Brown, Publisher

moray

MMS Almac Ltd, Unit 6, Tyock Industrial Estate, Elgin, Moray IV30 1XY. 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.

Last month’s front cover photograph: Craig Ramsay - craigramsay.co.uk

content Steampunk.................................................................6 Caravanning ............................................................13 3D Street Art........................................................... 17 Dog Rescue............................................................20 The Mad Piper.......................................................26 This Month’s Artist ...............................................32 BMW ‘Future to present’......................................39 Red Hot Chilli Pipers............................................48 Salmon Life Cycle................................................. 57 Paris Fashion Week ..............................................62 Fochabers ............................................................... 71 New Hobby ............................................................ 77 Women in Farming............................................... 81 What Zara did next...............................................86

This Month’s Competitions Smadug ‘T-Shirt’.................................................... 31 Still Life ‘Art’............................................................34 Gordon Castle ‘Party Night’............................... 76

mora

It’s not everyday you find yourself in the midst of a crowd of Steampunk fanatics, however, like any other paucity, if you know where to look, you’ll have the chance of absorbing one of the more peculiar cultures of this century. Steampunk is incredibly fascinating, as it picks, pinches and pieces together an array of manners, clothing and accessories and transforms it into a way of life. It is being adopted by various parts of everyday life, from catwalk fashion to coffee houses and even virtual reality. Over the last couple of years, the phenomena has catapulted onto the radar of today’s popular culture, despite the fact that it has been around since the late 80s. For many, it has become a core part of everyday life and makes up some of the fundamentals that compose their identity. So what exactly is Steampunk? On the surface, steampunk is a sub-genre, deriving from both science fiction, historical fiction and fantasy, which integrates technologies with aesthetically pleasing designs, drawing inspiration from 19th century industrial and steam-powered equipment. It has also been described as “Victorian meets the future”.

But how about we dig a little deeper…

hough most of the works now considered influential to the subculture were published between the 1960s and 1970s, the term Steampunk originated towards the end of the 1980s. It was a flippant alternative of cyberpunk and was created by the science fiction author, K.W.Jeter, Some people have also likened it to cyberpunk, but critics argue that Steampunk is based on the more quirky side of 19th century British Victorian era and America’s “Wild West” set in a “post-apocalyptic future”, as opposed to the more futuristic characteristics of the cyberpunk. Steampunk, in literature, is mostly recgonised as featuring retro futuristic and anachronistic inventions, as people of the 19th century would have imagined and is also a mirror of the century’s perspective of culture, fashion and art. The inspiration behind this is most commonly drawn from literary works from authors such as H.G.Wells, Jules Verne, Mary Shelley and Stephen Hunt, with specific emphasis on scientific romances. Multiple works of art and fiction that were of great significance in the development of the culture were actually produced prior to the identification of Steampunk. The film Brazil, 1985, was an extremely influential piece of film that helped form a clear collection and arrangement of the aesthetics belonging to the genre. Steampunk might also merge additional components from genres such as horror and alternate history.

Many have adopted the Steampunk culture, from their ensemble to their persona, or ‘Steamsona’ as some call it. Ryan Anderson, a passionate Steampunk, lets us into his world, shedding light on some of the characteristics and happenings of a Steampunk. “There’s definitely no middle ground when it comes to Steampunk, it’s a little bit like Marmite – you either like it or you don’t. You get some people that are constantly in roleplay mode and have researched their chosen character so meticulously, that they know them inside out. You often get to know some of these types of Steampunk when you go to conventions and festivals around the country and sometimes you can pick up and share tips with each other on how to dress and create accessories for cosplay. It’s so interesting and exciting to see other people’s interpretation of the Steampunk, how and what they build their weapons from, using old, broken materials and turning them into works of art. I love being recognized as a steampunk, it just makes me feel unique and creative. It gives me a sense of belonging that nothing else could, or has done. It gives me the opportunity to express myself in so many different ways and I can experiment with accessories, materials and concepts to really personalise it. The best thing about the Steampunk culture is we’re all very much a family, you know you’ve always got a friend, a support system, it’s great. The more popular Steampunk has become, the more comfortable I’ve become in my own skin, I hate to admit that I was always a little self conscious or embarrassed but knowing how big it’s getting and having met so many others like me, it has given me that little boost needed to happily walk down the street in character.”

ome of the biggest designers of this century are drawing inspiration from Steampunk, presenting modernised versions on the catwalk. Some trends even draw inspiration from art nouveau designs and films from the mid-20th century. This culture has even transitioned into the world of coffee; with North Berwick opening up Steampunk Coffee Roasters. The coffee house is an old steel framed warehouse, which is believed to have been originally built as a joinery workshop and warehouse, and is now home to both a roastery and cafĂŠ. They offer unique and intriguing Steampunk inspired dĂŠcor and also an array of products, both online and in-store, from freshly roasted beans to merchandise. These days there is a festival for just about anything, from music to food and now includes Steampunk. The Asylum Steampunk Festival is the longest running and leading Steampunk festival in the world. It takes place over the August bank holiday in the City of Lincoln, lasting four days. During this time the streets are filled with oodles of eccentrically styled Steampunks taking part in the festival that brings art, literature, music, comedy and fashion to the table. The festival also displays an array of Steampunk activities, such as tea dueling, derived from Victorian times and offers traditional food and drink. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever considered doing something boldly different, why not keep an eye out for any events near you and really take in an astonishing culture that may just have you hooked.

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...still enjoy camping. by Ian Smith

tent to... small villa in Tuscany, I was resolutely cheerful and allowed the family to wait in the car and watch, as I built our home from home with nothing but Norwegian instructions, effort and a pair of crocs. All this did pay off though. A handful of enjoyable fortnights have been spent as a family, under canvas that was unbelievably weather-proof, in some of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes; albeit accompanied by every single one of the creature comforts that modern living can provide (mobile WiFi, anyone?)

As the summer seems to have well and truly drawn to a

This changed last year. Boyed by recent successes, we arrived

close, it seems time to reflect on a few life changing

at the campsite to dark clouds and a mild drizzle starting. I

decisions that were made in the recent past. Holidays in

was adamant that I would be alright erecting the tent on my

Britain, ‘staycations’ if you must, are more and more

own as wife and child waited in the in-law’s caravan. The

popular in these days of economic downturn, recession,

ground underfoot was getting soggy; I say ‘soggy’ but there

Brexit, and a whole host of other reasons that people like

were fish watching me - at shoulder height. The trainers I wore

me use to not spend gargantuan amounts of hard-earned

for the herculean task were written off for the whole holiday

mortgage repayments, to fly somewhere too hot for my

and the tent had to be literally bailed out before it was able to

pasty skin and offer my body up to the exotic and

be ‘got comfy’. They watched, as the rain got progressively

aggressive insects that inhabit ‘foreign parts’.

old-testament. This was when, via a shouted conversation

In the carefree, enjoyable and youthful years pre-kids

from her comfy reclining chair in her parent’s awning, that my

(PK), we would have thought nothing of spending drizzly

wife admitted she always preferred caravans to tents. I felt

weekends on the west coast in a two-person tent,

betrayed. I had always mentally scoffed at Caravanners,

wrapped in duck-down and dog fur, sleeping off too

pulling their homes behind them like fossil-fuelled

much cheap wine as the condensation dripped onto

crustaceans; and now here was my considerably better half,

our faces.

admitting that she’d always been envious of them.

Once the patter of rain was replaced by the ‘tiny feet’

After a few quiet, polite discussions on the subject, while the

variety, I was determined that we could still enjoy

festering, hateful canvas grew a magnificent, mouldy coating

camping. Although the bigger tent, bigger camp beds,

after being dumped in the garage on our return, I considered

mobile kitchen, gas bottle and stove, folding wardrobes,

her viewpoint and admitted there were benefits to being a

not to mention the sterilising equipment and travel cot,

mockery among motorists and owning a ‘van.

and a car big enough to carry it all cost the same as a

After picking our chosen home-from-home, we tested it out in

...towing. Ullapool, during a balmy, late-autumn weekend. The difference was immeasurable; within minutes of parking up and unhitching, we were enjoying our first argument over a steaming cup of tea, with the sounds of Cbeebies in the ‘living-area’. Once the younger member of the crew had retired for the night, we watched the sun go down over the magnificent view, sharing a bottle of (cheap) wine and eating dinner cooked on our caravan-connected-gas-BBQ, before turning in for the night on beds that could not possibly deflate.

I loved the novelty of nipping out for a stroll on the

with amusement my efforts to move the caravan,

beach and instead of zipping the door closed, locking it.

only for a team of about 8 people to then amble

Windows that could be opened to the sea breeze or

over and after a quiet “need a hand”, helped me

locked against the wind and rain, and carpets, an actual

muscle the ‘van up the slope and re-hitch it.

oven, a shower big enough to wash one leg at a time, a

I am absolutely sold. If we’d have had a caravan

non-collapsible wardrobe…

when we got married, I can’t promise that I wouldn’t

I did feel a bit self-conscious towing the thing, and felt

have taken it away for our honeymoon. My new

myself sinking lower into the seat when being

bride may have lamented the lack of sun and sand

overtaken, but really, these were small beer when

and, er … sightseeing but, I would have at least,

compared to the simple joys of things like a light switch.

probably, offered to take my turn emptying the

One minor set-back that I blame entirely on my own

chemical toilet.

lack of experience, was that I had unhitched the caravan and pulled it by hand into a position that meant it was physically impossible for me to move it, and re-hitch it at the end of the weekend. This is where I come to my final benefit – buying a caravan genuinely and immediately includes you in ‘the club’; people could not be more helpful; from helping you get the ‘van level, to helping you changing gas bottles, even helping understand the workings of a chemical toilet (it is possible, sometimes, to be too helpful). This particular morning saw people in neighbouring pitches watching

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You don't need special glasses to view 3D

birds flew down from the sky to peck at the

street art, but you do need to approach it from

painted grapes.

just the right vantage point to see or

The magic of 3D is created by painting a 2D

photograph the full effect.

picture and viewing it from a specific angle to

The mind-bending images are inspired by

capture the right perspective. In the twenty first

anamorphism, a centuries-old technique used in

century 3d street art has become incredibly

frescoes and other drawings to create the

popular, fuelled by the internet’s capability to

illusion of height and width - as such, 3D street

distribute photographs around the world at

painting is sometimes called anamorphic or

lightning speed and the use of the art by

illusionistic. 3D Street Art paintings have been

Brands to create innovative and talked about

around since the sixteenth century when Italian

subtle advertising. 3D Street Artists like Edgar

Renaissance Madonnari and French trompe

Mueller, Manfred Stader, Julian Beever & Tracy

l’oeil (French for ‘deceive the eye’) painters

Lee Stum have become famous for producing

created stunning murals to decorate the interior

breathtaking designs. Marvel at the vivid

walls of luxurious villas. 3D art can also trace its

imagery that turns 2D asphalt into amazing 3D

roots further back to ancient Greek days when

art. Sadly, you won't be able to step up to these

painter Zeuxius ( born around 464BC )

ephemeral works in person - most have long

painted a still life painting so convincing that

since been washed away by the rain.

...itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Last Chance Animal Rescue is a registered charity based in Malaga, Spain and was founded by Jacqui Ross in 2011. It all started when she saw a tiny dog posted on Facebook that was in the local killing station (perrera). It only had a couple of days until its time was up and many people were posting pleas to save it. Jacqui had no idea why no one was helping or what she, herself, could do, so she went along to the pound and was astounded by the amount of dogs, several to each pen, all different breeds and mixes and all crying to get out. They knew what was going to happen to them, they could smell it in the air!

Camarón Before

Camarón After In her broken Spanish, Jacqui asked what the situation was and was told that stray dogs were brought in as well as dogs confiscated from the most horrendously abusive conditions! It turns out that being starved, beaten and chained up isn’t quite bad enough to warrant intervention, it has to be worse than that! What Jacqui wasn’t prepared for was finding out that owners willingly surrendered their dogs to this this terrible fate too! Their reasons? Too old, too ill, they couldn’t be bothered any more, or they were moving and not taking their loyal family

It’s the realisation of the incredible cruelty some humans

member with them! Rather than having the decency

are able to inflict on another living, breathing, feeling

of taking them to their vet to have them humanely put

being that is most disturbing. The shock of seeing how

to sleep, they choose the free, and to most of us, the

the ‘brave' hunters in Spain treat their hunting dogs,

unthinkable option!

breeding to ensure at least one of the 12 or so puppies

As the pound didn’t advertise the dogs, very few were

is ‘good’ enough to use and abuse, starving them so

rescued. Most were kept for a few days or weeks and

they run faster to their prey, rarely using vets ‘because

then, as space was needed for more intakes, dogs

they have so many if one gets ill it doesn’t matter’ and at

were put to sleep - and not at all humanely!

the end of the hunting season how they abandon or

Trying to take all this in had a tremendous effect on

dispose of their dogs, breaking their legs so they can’t

Jacqui. She took some photos of these helpless

walk to get food, ramming sticks into their jaws so they

creatures and posted them on Facebook in the hope

can’t eat, hanging them from trees with their back paws

that this would give them a better chance of a life, and

just able to reach the ground… This is just a small part

slowly people became aware of their plight.

of the reality of what goes on.

Jacqui really had no idea what was to unfold in the

Breeding dogs became big business a few years ago

years that followed.

when the boom was on. Everyone wanted a nice cuddly

Harmony Before

Harmony After fluffy Retriever or waterdog, but the parents were awfully abused, kept in tiny pens, hardly fed, forced to mate – the list goes on. And once Jacqui saw all this she couldn’t sit back and just let it happen. She vowed to do all that she could. And so the Last Chance Animal Rescue was born. Out of fear and pain came hope. And she collected other like-minded individuals on the way. Mandy Weston was one of them. She saw Last Chance on Facebook and was so saddened by the pictures of the wet dogs in the pound that she joined the group.

taking on all sorts of cases. Last Chance was rescuing

There weren't so many members then. Jacqui was

several dogs a week from the pound and, back then,

stressed and she offered to meet her at the pound and

fosters were in abundance with funds being raised per dog

help with whatever she needed - it was a Monday,

or by the adopter via the group with everyone chipping in

which is always a massive day at the pound, lots of

to help. Mandy used to go to the pound each Monday,

dogs in and out. Mandy found Jacqui in the middle of

moving dogs to foster. And also after work in the evening -

the compound crying, bewildered, angry and

and she had her own 5 dogs to take care of! Now Mandy

completely overwhelmed by the noise of the dogs.

can't commit as much time to do that as her own pack has

She gave her a big hug, consoling her as she just kept

tripled and she cares for 8 other dogs nearby, plus she has

saying, "how can we help them all?", over and over.

a family to take care of. But Mandy loves what she does,

That was when Mandy committed herself to the Last

and once you have been involved in rescue, it’s impossible

Chance Rescue. There was some really good banter in

to unsee the horror facing these poor animals.

the group, lots of laughs and fun in between sharing the

A few other people jumped onboard then left to follow

plight of the dogs. Humour helped the pain.

their own hearts in rescue. Some specialising in certain

Admin would often stay up chatting until the early hours

breeds, others moving to help with other pounds and

of the morning, discussing dogs, how to raise funds and

sometimes love presents itself, not just as a companion for

life, but one with more than 60 dogs who also need homing.

reports of dogs and cats needing help and we cannot turn

Inez Robinson became involved in the rescue in 2013.

our backs on them. We get no funding, no sponsorships or

She got added to the Last Chance Facebook group,

businesses supporting us. We have to beg for every penny.

where she saw the most beautiful cream retriever-looking

We pay what we can from our own pockets for the love of

dog who had 48 hours to find a home or be put to sleep.

these beautiful creatures that man abuses so badly.

She couldn’t believe it and gooey-eyed showed the

We are always indebted (and in debt) to our caring vets

picture to her husband. They already had two rescue

who do so much for so little cost and the caring residences

Golden Retrievers, one was from a puppy farm that they

we place dogs in when we cannot find fosterers. Many

had nursed back to life. The inevitable happened, Spirit

dogs get adopted to the UK and all over Europe and we

was saved and so started the relationship between Inez

have a high rate of success. We home check and we offer

and Last Chance.

full back up if things don’t work out, but 99.9% of the time

Seeing a request for help to place charity collection tins

they do and it’s wonderful getting the updates from the

out in the Marbella area, Inez responded and then found

new owners loving their broken dogs back to life.

herself representing the charity at a local Fayre that a

www.lastchanceanimalrescue.es

lovely lady, Kaye Springthorpe, had organised in her bar. Jacqui reached out to Inez offering her official status as admin, which was accepted gleefully. From then Inez has helped with moving dogs around, but has settled more into the fundraising role, arranging events to bring in much needed funds to help the dogs under our care. Inez and her husband adopted their 5th dog from the pound, a gorgeous but abused Flat Coated retriever, who is the apple of her husband’s eye.

George was rescued 3 yrs ago and now lives in Elgin

And last but by no means least is Vanessa Burrell. Based in Norwich, Vanessa, who has rescued before, took on two of Last Chances older doggies whom no one wanted. Dobby had been kept in an awful pound for 4 years, bare concrete for a bed and only fed raw chicken carcasses. Dogs there are lucky to survive, no walks, no vet treatment and no care. Vanessa’s son fell for a gorgeous German Shepherd we had taken under our wing and Vanessa’s friends have also adopted from us. Vanessa started to help out, sharing our posts and then organised a very successful online auction raising much needed funds - it was only right to ask her to join the group. So, here we are! A bunch of caring ladies, with passion in our hearts to keep us going, being the voice for the ones who have no voice. The Charity is growing very quickly. There are daily

There are many local animal charities that also need your help, eg: B.A.R.R.K, Scottish S.P.C.A etc.

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THURSDAY 29TH DECEMBER 2016 n

Mulled wine and Home Made Mince Pie arrival between 2pm and 5pm

Enjoy a three course set menu in Pagodas Restaurant

FRIDAY 30TH DECEMBER 2016 n

Whisky Dinner with Robin Laing from 7pm. Includes whisky tasting, three course meal, storytelling and live music

A day to yourself, relax in the comfortable surroundings of the hotel, or take a stroll down to the River Spey and enjoy the majestic scenery Take advantage of an exclusive discount voucher for Johnstons of Elgin. This is valid for one day only

SATURDAY 31ST DECEMBER 2016 n

New Year five course Black Tie Dinner, with traditional entertainment to finish

Complementary Glass of Prosecco at ‘The Bells’

Bar open through the night and into the wee hours of the morning

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Sunday Brunch served between 10am and 2pm – eat all you want

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The Mad Piper November is a time we think of those who fought in war for our freedom, but this year’s Remembrance ceremonies hold an even deeper meaning for one Moray man. This is the year he said goodbye to his father, the war hero... The Mad Piper. Lee Kirkpatrick, who lives in Elgin, is a former RAF man himself and plays in Lossiemouth’s military pipe band. He has piped since the age of seven, and he couldn’t have had a better teacher – a parachute jumping, pipe playing SAS hero.

ay Fraser by Sarah M

Except he didn’t know that’s who his father was. Not until the age of 44. And if he hadn’t secretly opened a letter addressed to his dad from an Italian journalist he would never have stumbled upon the truth – that his father was a hugely celebrated icon in Italy. Lee’s father, David Kirkpatrick, lived a humble life in Ayrshire, never

giving away the secret of what a pivotal

part he played in saving hundreds of Italian lives in the Second World War.

David Kirkpatrick 26

Lee Kirkpatrick in North Africa this time, when his leader said ‘I know just the guy for this job’. He had the grit and character they needed for this task, and was a renowned bagpipe player. He was perfect.” But growing up, Lee never heard tales of this extraordinary tale. “His job was basically to play

“Dad never spoke about it. Like a lot of veterans,

the pipes whilst getting shot at

he saw a lot of horrible things. He wanted to get

by the Germans,” said Lee.

on with his life. They didn’t really talk about post

“There are still bullet marks in the tree he took

traumatic stress disorder back then, turning to

shelter behind and on his set of pipes, the drone

drink instead.”

which was closest to his head actually got shot off.”

The people of Albinea have never forgotten his

David’s SAS task was to parachute into the Italian

bravery, however. There is now a cult following of

town of Albinea – wearing a kilt, which led Nazis to

The Mad Piper there, with two books written on the

believe he was a woman - and stir up a motivating

subject, a third commissioned, a museum being

soundtrack for the attack on 500 Nazi troops

planned in The Mad Piper’s honour, a folk song

stationed there, whilst also fooling the enemy into

penned about him and hopes for a Hollywood

thinking it was a solely British army. The Nazi policy

blockbuster, Tarantino-style. A wedding dress and

at the time was to kill ten local civilians for each one

bloomers were even fashioned by locals from

of their soldiers killed in a partisan attack. The locals

David’s parachute after the war, in honour of his

would have been wiped out had it not been for this

important role.

bit of trickery.

The remembrance events in Italy continue to grow

What David did took real strength of character, and

with plans to plant a forest of 123 trees - one for

according to Lee, he had that in sack loads – tattie

every person involved in the operation to save the

sack loads, to be precise.

town - and German representatives visited recently

“My dad was a bit gobby as a young soldier,” Lee

for reconciliation talks.

said. “He was always on potato peeling duty as

When Lee, who works in Moray Council’s housing

punishment for getting into fights – even with

department, learned of his father’s iconic status

officers. When the SAS were looking for a piper for

over in Italy, from Roman news reporter Matteo

this mission, my dad was on yet another potato stint,

Incerti, he was astonished.

“They invited us over to Italy for one of the re-enactment ceremonies, but dad wasn’t keen. He was frail by this stage and could barely walk. Me and two of my brothers went on his behalf and piped during the event. It was a very emotional, amazing experience.” Lee has now visited twice, forging strong links with Matteo and has also hosted Italians who made a pilgrimage to his father’s grave. David died on January 6, this year, aged 91. “It’s sad that dad died before he could see all this

A Song written about David Kirkpatrick ‘Al Pivarol C'al Vin Dal Ciel’ (The Brave Scottish Piper) Modena City Ramblers

interest in his life and have his bravery honoured. I feel it’s now my job to keep this going for him. To keep the lines of communication open and help build this amazing story. What he did was incredible. I certainly couldn’t do it. What they say about the enemy troops never shooting at pipers

Through his strong bonds with Italy and his work as an assistant Cub leader in Elgin, raising awareness and funds for veterans with the younger generation, Lee looks set to do his father’s legacy justice, now that the story of The Mad Piper is out in the open.

out of respect is a load of rubbish. He could have

And has Lee continued his own father’s tradition of

died. But he just played on.”

teaching his sons to pipe? “I’m trying,” he said with a laugh. “I have three sons. Two of them play wind instruments – oboe and clarinet – so it’s obviously in their blood. I gave my oldest son a practice chanter, so we’ll see....”

David Kirkpatrick - ’The Mad Piper’

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wear the story

Robert William Thomson... who? He was only 23 when he invented

I loved this story so much that

and patented the Pneumatic

I decided to do a t-shirt about it.

Rubber Tyre or ‘Aerial Wheel’ as he called it in 1845, but with no

After drawing a recognisable tyre

cars and very few bicycles around,

tread that looked clean and simple

his invention had no demand.

I picked a Tri-Blend American Apparel® t-shirt in coffee colour

It was another 43 years later that

and then mixed a brown ink to

John Dunlop, also from Scotland,

compliment the t-shirt to give

re-invented the tyre as now the

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world had finally caught up. It comes packaged up with the So it was Dunlop that made the

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history books and sadly Thomson has been forgotten about. Until now.

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WIN the tyre tshIrt All you need to do is comment ‘Thomson’ on Smadug facebook page and a winner will be selected on November 30 2016.

The Gallery in Aberlour This month I would like to introduce a Dufftown quine by the name of Andrea Dear (nee Greenlees). I first met her in the mid 90s in our gallery in Dufftown. Andrea, who was born and bred in Dufftown, came into our shop with some of her paintings and asked for advice. Though she was a capable enough artist, her work wasn't at a particularly sellable standard. In 2008 she enrolled at Moray College and began juggling family life with becoming a student and following a lifelong dream of being a professional artist. She completed her degree in 2012 and within a couple of years became one of the most competent, capable and sellable artists in the area. She now has a range of limited edition prints in stock with us and is extremely busy painting commissions including

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

pet portraits, pipers, coopers and local landmarks like the Craigellachie Bridge for wedding gifts and retirals, so it is very rare that we are able to exhibit one of her original paintings - a very good sign! I'm not writing about unmade beds and other weird and wonderful things conceptual artists might come up with, I'm writing about what sells in our gallery in the wee village of Aberlour by some of the amazingly talented people of Morayshire.

This Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Artist Andrea Dear

Andrea loves different textures and enjoys

When she gets time from her hectic schedule

raking aboot old buildings for inspiration. She

she hopes to focus on a Men At Work series

likes bringing old things back to life hence

inspired by the local culture & industries here

her fascination with painting on slate. Her

in Speyside and also paint more of the iconic

uncle in Inverurie worked in a paper mill so

landmarks and landscapes that make our

always had plenty of scrap sheets of paper

area such a desirable place to stay.

and she remembers him giving her lots of it

As I sit here writing this a customer has just

which encouraged her to draw from a very

popped in and purchased "Out of Reach"

young age. Growing up on a remote farm in

her beautiful image of a trout being chased

the Cabrach until she was about 7 she loved

by an otter...

all the animals and was constantly drawing them on the paper from her Uncle.

Kerry Stewart Still Life, The Gallery in Aberlour.

WIN

this beautiful

limited edition print called "Anticipation"

Still Life Gallery in Aberlour, in conjuction with Shona Cammack, are giving away this gorgeous piece to one lucky reader who can answer this question: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;What type of birds are these?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Email your answer to tamsyn@mms-publishing.scot by 5th December 2016 Like their Facebook pages to see more wonderful pictures 34

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you’re never too old... Advent calendars are now as much a part of Christmas

chocolate surprise? What if, as an adult, you could relive that

traditions as turkeys and trees. Gone are the days of opening

festive excitement? You can...

the door on a simple cardboard advent calendar to find a

Now you can countdown the days to Christmas with the help

Christmas wish, festive character or chocolate waiting behind

of all manor of alcohol 'minis', candles, Lego, jewellery, toys

it. Do you remember, as a child, excitedly peeling, or in some

and make-up too. They'll cost a bit more than your average

cases, ripping open Advent Calendar doors to get to that

chocolate one, but they are certainly more impressive.

24 Treats of Tincmas Advent Calendar £25

Molton Brown Scented Luxuries Advent Calendar £150

Yankee Candle Advent Calendar £25

The Very Old & Rare Whisky Advent Calendar - Walnut £9999.95

Lego Friends £20

Lego City £20 - £25

Charbonnel et Walker Chocolate Advent Calendar £50

Bomb Cosmetics Countdown To Christmas Advent Calendar £20 Craft Beer £80

Chase '24 Days of Christmas Spirit' Advent Calendar £130

MAD Beauty £20

MARENJA Advent Calendar Jewellery Gift Pack £13 Play-Doh Advent Calendar £15

These can all be sourced online.

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Bringing the future to the present

0 0 1 0 1 T T X X E E N NN N O I O S I I S V I V d a r d r a o r t r o o t M BM WWMo BM The Great Escape

Munich/Los Angeles. In 2016, its centenary year,

“The BMW Motorrad embodies the BMW Group’s

the BMW Group is looking further into the future

vision of biking in a connected world – an

than ever before and developing a series of Vision

analogue experience in a digital age. Motorcy-

Vehicles to address people’s mobility needs in

cling is about escaping from the everyday: the

about three decades from now. Its solutions are

moment you straddle your bike, you are

based on the assumption that mobility is set to

absolutely free. Your bike is The Great Escape,”

become increasingly multifaceted and connected.

says Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design at BMW

Following the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Vision

Motorrad, outlining the core principles

Vehicles, the BMW Group has now revealed its

underlying his brand’s Vision Vehicle.

next progressive solution, this time for the world of

The BMW Motorrad stands for the ultimate riding

motorcycling: the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT

experience. Liberated from the need to wear a

100. It was unveiled on 11 October at the “Iconic

helmet and protective clothing, the rider is able

Impulses. The BMW Group Future Experience”

to enjoy the forces. Acceleration, wind and

exhibition in Los Angeles.

nature as in touch with the surrounding world,

Viewed from the side, the frame of the BMW Motorrad lends it the character of a naked bike, with ergonomics to match and a seat in the roadster position. The clever arrangement of surfaces protects the rider from wind and weather as effectively as a full fairing. The surface of the frame is covered in matt black textile, its silky sheen and fine lines highlighting the characteristic forms and representing a contemporary reinterpretation of this classic BMW detail. The BMW logo is optimally displayed on the dark frame. It is illuminated in the familiar blue and white colours while driving. Flexframe – frame-assisted steering The Flexframe appears as a single, integrated whole that extends from the front to the rear wheel of the BMW savouring every moment. The design of the BMW Motorrad represents the essence of the motorcycle: the perfect synthesis between human and machine. Every detail is of the highest quality and the design incorporates all the most striking visual aspects of BMW Motorrad bikes across the ages. These elements, however, have a contemporary twist, both visually and in terms of function. The iconic elements in the BMW Motorrad make it immediately recognisable as a “genuine BMW” and include the black frame triangle, white lines and classic, boxer engine forms. The bike itself, however, is powered by a zero-emissions solution. The BMW Motorrad unites the past of the BMW Motorrad brand with its future and is a powerful expression of both. The frame triangle – a classic icon reinvented The black frame triangle of the BMW Motorrad is a deliberate

Motorrad. Being flexible, it allows the bike to be steered

reference to the first ever BMW motorcycle, the R32, made in

without the various joints found on today’s motorcycles.

1923. On the vision bike, however, it has been reinterpreted

Turning the handlebar adjusts the entire frame, changing

to form a functional sculpture linking the front and rear

the direction of the bike. The amount of strength needed to

wheels with a dynamic sweep. Bearings and joints are

steer depends on the situation: at standstill, the Flexframe

nowhere to be seen; instead the frame appears as a single,

allows a light steering whereas at higher speeds it remains

integrated whole.

very rigid.

Self-balancing - intelligent assistant systems In certain situations, the active assistance systems of the future will also enhance stability and safety by automatically balancing the motorcycle, both out on the road and when stationary. Novice riders will benefit from additional guidance in all riding situations and from a bike that will never tip over. The BMW Motorrad rights itself while even stationary, remaining upright when the rider has dismounted. The balancing systems also work out on the road to ensure a particularly agile and dynamic riding experience with even lighter handling, which seasoned riders will appreciate, and all the benefits of assistance systems to enhance their

freedom and is both fashion statement and weather-wear.

capabilities even further.

Depending on conditions, it warms or cools the user. While the diagonal zipper across the chest is reminiscent

The visor – information at the right time Information exchanges between rider and bike take place largely via the visor. This essentially consists of a pair of data glasses that extends across the wearer’s entire field of vision. As well as providing wind protection, it shows relevant data in one of four designated display areas. These are controlled by the rider’s eye movements: looking up or down changes the content that appears, and looking straight ahead switches the information off completely, leaving the rider to focus even more fully on biking experience. Information is only projected onto the visor on request, or to alert the rider

of traditional motorcycle clothing, the flexible, banded structure of the suit and shoes is inspired by the muscle areas of the human body and provides body support and relief whenever needed. At higher speeds, the neck section inflates to provide extra support for the upper vertebrae and improve overall comfort. The suit also delivers navigation instructions via the vibrating elements in the arms and legs, and alerts the rider when the banking angle is becoming critical. Rider and machine form a single functional unit to offer a more intense riding experience than ever before.

to the fact that action is needed. Looking upwards activates the rear-view function in the visor, allowing the rider to see what’s happening on the road behind. Lowering the eyes to normal levels opens a menu from which the rider can select an option by pointing a finger. Looking further down opens the map view showing the rider’s chosen route. Smart. Active. Flexible – rider’s equipment The rider’s gear accompanying the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 is integral to the unique overall experience. In classic black and white, the airy suit enhances the sense of

In April 2016, Tom Adamson Motorcycles became Scotland’s newest Honda Off Road Dealer. Covering all the kid’s bikes, the Motocross and Enduro ranges, prices start at a very affordable £1,399.00. 0% finance is available on every model, which should hurt the bank balance a little less at this time of year. A full range of HJC, MSR, ANSR & Leatt Helmets are stocked, alongside MSR, ANSR, Alpinestars, Ixon and Oxford clothing accessories and boots. A large range of Leatt protection products are also on display with an excellent choice of Apico spares and accessories. TOM ADAMSOn Motorcycles, perfect for the lITTle kIDS and the bIg kID in your life this Christmas...

Tom AdAmson motorcycles

NEW AND USED MOTORBIKES & SCOOTERS SALES . SERVICE . MOT PREPARATION CLOTHING . HELMETS . ACCESSORIES UNIT 14 . LINKWOOD PLACE . ELGIN . IV30 1HZ Tel/Fax: 01343 550600 Mobile: 07818 420051 (after hours) www.tomadamsonmotorcycles.co.uk email: ta_dallas@yahoo.com

One Day Like This We had a very successful open day on Saturday 22nd October. Our doors opened at 12 until 4pm and in that time we had lots of people in for a look and received lots of cards, flowers and bottles of bubbly. We are so grateful for all the present and well wishes. We will be open Monday - Friday, 10am to 4pm and also available for evening appointments. We will be opening Saturday and Sunday for appointments if that is the only time brides can make it to us.

We can be contacted by phone at the shop on 01542 888460. Through our Facebook page or pop in passed and we will get you booked in for an appointment.

91 - 93 Mid Street, Keith Ab55 5AE. E: onedaylikethiskeith@outlook.com

The Dawning

The Age

Of The Cover Band “Their love for music and performing is so crystal clear with patriotism that shines through like a bright diamond”.

over bands, or tribute acts, are becoming increasingly popular, from the Australian Pink Floyd Show to Beatlemania, and all the weird

and wonderful in between. We’re not talking about the ones you’re subjected to at your Aunt’s wedding, or the ones you find yourself painfully head banging along to at the late night dive bars around town. It would seem that some musicians have such an influential and inspiring quality to their music that people want to be able to mirror and perhaps re-live their favourite rock-god’s music by transforming into them on stage. For the average consumer, it allows you to fall in love with The Beatles all over again, or be captivated by a sweet sounding Freddy Mercury. Music

enthusiast

and

teacher,

Alexandra

Biggs,

expresses her thoughts on how cover bands have changed music over the years. “I think they’re a really fun and different way of getting everyone involved in music and in bands. It allows you to encounter some of the bigger, more popular bands of your parents or grandparents time, that you wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to go and see. Cover bands are bringing an experience to people and that’s what I think the key word here is. Experience.

“You’re guaranteed to be able to have a slice of the Scottish arts”. I also strongly believe that they could inspire the children of the future to perhaps want to pick up an instrument and learn a new skill, which is just absolutely wonderful. It keeps things lively and entertaining - you never know what to expect when it comes to a live performance from a cover band.” These bands don’t necessarily need to stick to one specific sound, genre or person. There are no rules and the creativity of reimagining and reinventing knows no bounds. When you think of The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, some may think they’ve misheard you and imagine that you’re describing the Californian funk-rock band, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers - I can assure you, it’s most certainly not a typo. In fact, it is a collaboration of pipers, keyboards, drummers and guitarists who formed in Scotland at the beginning of the millennium and could not be further away from a cover or tribute band inspired by the Peppers, in fact, they don’t just stick to one genre or artist. They’re a

quirky infusion of bagpipe riffs and rock melodies which captivates a sea of music enthusiasts from all walks of life. At the beginning of their career, they were very often mixed up with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, with people taking to social media claiming they had bought the wrong tickets for live concerts – ingenious! On paper, it’s easy to prejudge and ponder - how do bagpipes work with a full band of rockers? You really do need to witness this for yourself! It’s one of those things that leaves you wanting more and it definitely isn’t

“There are no rules and the creativity of reimagining and reinventing knows no bounds”.

branded as a guilty pleasure anymore after developing rather a concrete reputation over the last couple of years. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers’ music never fails to put a grin on any music lovers’ face. Their love for music and performing is so crystal clear with patriotism that shines through like a bright diamond. The band have expressed that they draw inspiration from the likes of AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, to name but a few, successfully setting and creating the most eccentric spin on your classic rock-god aficionado. It would be incredibly difficult to place the Red Hot Chilli Pipers into a genre box as they have covered everything from DJ Avicii to the classics of Queen, which is one the factors that makes them so popular.

In 2004, two years after the group had formed, they appeared on the main stage at the festival, T in the Park, with the headlining band and rockers, The Darkness. Describing their own personal style as “Bagpipes with Attitude, Drums with a Scottish accent, a blazing rock band and a show so hot it should carry its own health warning”, it’s easy to see how the Chillis have had such a strong impact, besotting and entertaining the masses. They also hold their own when it comes to their way of doing things, which puts an exciting spin on your traditional and stereotypical cover band. The Chillis were voted Scotland’s “Live Act of the Year” in 2007 and again in 2010, in amidst winning the BBC talent show, “When Will I be Famous”, which skyrocketed them into the musical stratosphere. Performing their signature ‘bagrock’ to oceans of crowds, the band have become well-known all over the globe, playing their pipes from Australia to the USA with a varied set-list that steals the hearts of all who are lucky enough to see and hear them.

“Bagpipes with Attitude”

With a total of four degrees obtained from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, otherwise known as Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the group members have also been competing musicians at incredibly high levels for years. The founder and musical director of the Pipers, Cassells, received the BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year award in 2005, before later becoming the first ever person to attain a degree in bagpipes.

They are currently sitting on a total of five albums, one entitled Music for the Kilted Generation, incorporating covers from The Who, War and AC/DC, to showcase their flamboyant flare. As the band is becoming more

recognized, so are their talents, with one member being acknowledged and shortlisted by the BBC for the Young Traditional Musician 2017. Red Hot Chilli Pipers super fan, Max Remington, explains how listening to their music had changed his perspective. “To be honest, I used to think bagpipes were just noisy and not so easy on the ear, but a friend of mine really wanted to go and check them out, so I agreed to go along. At first, I wasn’t sure, but then they covered an AC/DC track and from then on in, I was hooked. I don’t know what it was, it couldn’t be more different to walking down the street and listening to someone busking on the pipes, it’s more captivating and more intriguing, it makes you want to be a part of it.

bagpipes into popular music and making it more known, whilst also working their way up from the bottom to where they are now.” The Red Hot Chilli Pipers have also had both an album and a DVD of their BLAST live performance go triple platinum here in Scotland in 2009, and their album Bagrock To The Masses, 2008, recently achieved gold status in the UK. Between 2010 and 2011, the band spent most of their time tinkering away at their live presence, performing

“Drums with a Scottish Accent”

After that concert, I began following them on Twitter, catching any live performances I could and was getting into the merchandise too – I never thought I’d be such a fan to be honest. I think one of the reasons I like them so much is because they came out of the blue with this rad idea of bringing

solidly with sell-out shows across the world. They began their tour in April, spending eight weeks travelling through mainland Europe, before coming home in August to perform at the ever popular, Edinburgh Fringe Fest and Glasgow’s Piping Live. Their tours of Scotland,

Germany and America were all sold out, and before having time to digest their hectic and lively schedules, they began their six-week excursion to Australia, showcasing their Scottish heritage. With further trips to Saudi Arabia, UAE and the USA, the Chillis had strengthened and cemented their reputation as one of the quirkiest rock-bands around. It’s great to see such passion and energy injected by the Scottish into the music industry, showing that being a little on the quirky side is never a bad thing. With their new album, Octane, on the horizon there’s no doubt that the boys will be releasing new tour dates and exciting plans for the future. No matter where you are on the globe, you’re guaranteed to be able to have a slice of the Scottish arts.

Church Rd, Keith, Banffshire AB55 5BR â&#x20AC;˘ 01542 887671

About... Mhorag & Robbie Martin took over as managers of the hotel 6 years ago and are now the proud owners of Ugie House. They have both lived in Keith all their lives and are always keen to promote local produce. Ugie House Hotel is the perfect venue for weddings, parties and functions and the hotel rooms are being revamped with a 'touch of Keith' in each. The public bar - Bertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar - has had a major facelift and is now a very modern, comfy bar with all sports channels, pool table and a dartboard. It is a hub of excitement at weekends, especially! Meals are served from 12 - 8:30pm every day in either the conservatory or in the bar.

RESTAURANT - WEDDINGS - FUNCTIONS

Classic Menus from Ugie… Ugie serve the best Scottish Cuisine, our four highly recommended Chefs create very special ‘Scottish’ menus. The menus reflect the freshest ingredients, all of which are locally sourced. Ugie Scottish cuisine likes to follow a specific set of cooking traditions, practices and cuisines associated with Scotland. Whatever the occasion, call Ugie House Keith for your next conference/ meeting, birthday celebration or anniversary. Why not give us a call to book your table… Telephone 01542-887671 and our team of dedicated and professional staff will make your dining experience a truly memorable one.

01542 887671

ugiehouse@freeuk.com www.ugiehousehotel.co.uk

The Bank Café & Restaurant situated in The

quality food in Scotland with their menus creatively

2015. The former Clydesdale Bank, built in

Our aim, explains Fiona, was to create a bistro

1846 and designed by the prominent architect

style cafe and restaurant in the centre of Huntly,

Archibald Simpson, was completely renovated

where guests from near and far can enjoy great

and restored to ensure the integrity of this ‘B’

locally sourced and produced food with first class

listed building remained. After just 6 months of

service in comfortable and stylish surroundings.

98mm deep by 70mm wide Square in Huntly opened its doors in December reflecting the ever-changing seasons.

trading it was awarded runner up in the prestigious North East of Scotland Restaurant of the Year 2016 which Managing Partner, Fiona JD Pearson, attributes to Executive Head Chef,

“We hope everyone who visits The Bank Cafe & Restaurant has a truly memorable experience" Fiona JD Pearson, Managing Partner

David Mutter and Sous Chef, Neil Hudson and the front of house team. Executive Head Chef David Mutter started his

Enjoy exceptional food service in comfort and style in Huntly

career 34 years ago and has extensive experience at AA 3 Rosette Level, an award held at his former position, for 17 consecutive years at Royal Deeside’s top hotel, The Darroch Lairg. David’s real focus is on fresh exciting cuisine using great local produce and has been recognised by The Good Food Guide, The AA Restaurant Guide and the famous Michelin Guide. He was nominated and awarded Fellow of the Masterchefs of Great Britain in 2004, one of only three Fellows in Scotland. He was also awarded Hotel Chef of the Year in 2005 at the Scottish Chef awards and was a finalist at the same awards in the Chef of the Year category in 2006. Together with his Sous Chef, Neil Hudson, they create and produce food which showcases the abundance and diversity of 56

North East of Scotland Restaurant of the Year 2016 RUNNER UP

Cafe open 10am - 4.30pm (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays) Restaurant open, Friday Saturday & Sunday 6.30pm till late

No.2 The Square, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 8AE

Reservations 07955 710755

www.thebankhuntly.co.uk

Like us on

The Life Cycle of the Atlantic Salmon 57

Last month I described the River Spey, its origins, the industries that it supports and the people that earn their living working on it. The Spey is one of the finest Salmon rivers in the world and one of the “big four” in Scotland alongside the Tay, Dee and Tweed. Anglers from around the globe come to Scotland to fish for the wild Atlantic Salmon with the ultimate prize being a fresh run Spey fish. This iconic fish leads an extraordinary and challenging life and in this article I will try to describe the life cycle of the Salmon that run up this great river every year.

has laid her eggs the cock fish will fertilise the eggs with

Named Salmo Salar (the leaper) by the Romans, the

their sperm known as Milt. Fertilisation takes place very

Atlantic Salmon has an extraordinary and very

quickly, often within seconds! The hen will then bury the

remarkable life cycle, much of which is not yet fully

eggs in the gravel, again using her tail.

understood.

The eggs hatch in the gravel as Alevins during the following Spring, depending on water temperature. The Alevins have a yolk sac which they use for food whilst buried in the gravel. They emerge from the gravel, again dependant on water temperature, after 4-6 weeks. After the yolk sac has been used up they must start to forage for food and start feeding for themselves. They feed on tiny water organisms and grow quickly in their first year. At this stage they are known as Fry. Once they are over 1yr old the Fry, now called Salmon Parr can be identified by the distinctive “finger print” marks on their sides. As Parr they remain in fresh water for between 1 and 4 years feeding on small insects and

This incredible life cycle begins in late Autumn with the

growing larger. Their rate of growth will depend on water

adult hen Salmon laying her eggs, in a depression in

temperature, availability of food and competition from

the gravel of the river bed known as a Redd. She

other Parr. Survival during these early stages of life is not

makes this depression by turning on her side and

good with over 95% of fry dying in their first year. This is

fanning the bed vigorously with her tail. Fish will often

why Mother Nature provides adult hens with so many

make one or more trial Redds before finally settling on

eggs thus ensuring the future of the species.

the one which will become the maternity ward and

Availability of food is a factor but a more major threat to

delivery suite for her many eggs. A single hen Salmon

their survival probably comes from the level of predation

will, on average, produce between 2,500 and 5,000

in the river. This predation is by other larger fish, Herons

eggs depending on her age and size. While on her

and other piscivorous birds including mergansers, and

Redd and preparing to deposit her eggs she will be

Cormorants which can eat their own weight in juvenile

accompanied by one or more male fish. Once the hen

fish each day!

Having survived this far the young Parr embark on a process often referred to as “Smoltification”. This is a critical time for the young Parr and usually starts in the Spring of their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year, usually the 2nd, and this process prepares them for the next stage of their life which is at sea. The first thing that happens is that the Parr, which at this stage look like small brown trout with darker finger marks on their sides, change colour to the more typical silver

Fish Louse caligus rapax

colour of the adult salmon. They also change physiologically to enable them to live in salt water.

These Sea Lice are an inevitable result of intensive fish

These Smolts, as they are now known, make their way

farming around our coasts and as few as 11parasites

steadily down river starting in the Spring. Smolts from

attached to a seagoing Smolt can prove fatal. Sea Lice

different parts of the river start their journey at different

represent a real threat to the long term viability of wild

times so that they all arrive at the estuary around the same

Salmon and the Aquaculture industry, hopefully

time. Smolts from the higher altitude upper reaches leave

encouraged by the Government, must come up with an

first with fish from the lower stretches leaving much later.

acceptable solution to Sea Lice infestation if Salmon are

This is known as “run timing” and allows the Smolts to go to

to have a future.

sea in large shoals thus providing safety in numbers. This is

Once those that have survived arrive at the feeding

Mother Nature’s way of ensuring that the maximum number

grounds they start to feed voraciously on Sand Eels,

survive to return as spawning adults. After a period of

Capelin, Krill and crustaceans such as prawns and

acclimatisation in the brackish waters of the estuary the

shrimps. The shells of these Crustaceans contain a

Smolts set off on the first half of an incredibly long and

substance called Keratin which gives the flesh of the

hazardous journey to the feeding grounds in the cold North

Atlantic salmon its distinctive pink colour. The fish spend

Atlantic. They have to survive predators such as other

between one and four years at sea and gain considerable

larger fish, large colonies of sea birds and parasites

weight. A Salmon which spends just one year at sea is

called Sea Lice which abound in the waters around offshore

known as a Grilse and will be typically 4-6 lbs in weight

fish farms.

with multi sea winter fish anything between 6 -25 lbs depending on the time they spend in the feeding grounds. Some 3- 4 sea winter fish can be even larger. At some point during their life at sea, and we do not yet fully understand why, the adult Salmon feels the urge to reproduce and begins the long journey back to the river or burn where it was born. We do not know precisely how it achieves this incredible feat of navigation but one credible theory is that for the first part of the journey, at least, it interprets the earth’s magnetic field. This brings it close to the mouth of the river where it was born, known as its natal stream, close enough for the fish to actually taste the water coming from that river. Many scientists

believe that this memory of taste is “imprinted” in the fish’s memory during its journey downstream as a Smolt. Once safely back from sea the Salmon stops feeding and does not feed again in fresh water until it spawns much later in the year. The Spey is a Spring river which simply means that the main run of fish, Spring Salmon, come into the river in the early part of the season, starting around February in small numbers with the numbers increasing until the end of May. Numbers then reduce slightly until run of Summer fish which arrive throughout June, July and August. The one sea winter fish known as Grilse usually arrive around Wimbledon fortnight and can provide some very exciting fishing especially on light tackle. As the season progresses the Salmon gradually make their way up river ending up at the exact place they were born some years before. It is during this journey to fulfil their destiny that they can often be seen trying to scale waterfalls often trying many times before they succeed. As they progress upstream they gradually change from the bright silver that identified them as a fresh run fish, “straight off the tide”, to their spawning colours of red and brown. Some people describe them as “having their kilts on”, others, less generous, describe them as “old kippers”. At this point, similar to other species, the males become aggressive and very possessive of their mates. Once the female is ready to deposit her eggs she will make a Redd and deposit her eggs. Once fertilised she will cover them over in the gravel and begin a slow and difficult journey back downstream, hopefully to make it back to sea to feed again and repeat the whole remarkable cycle. At this stage in the Salmon’s life, both cocks and hens are known as Kelts and generally in poor condition following the rigours of spawning. Very few survive and make it back to sea, due to their depleted condition, with some estimates of success being as low as 5%. Any angler catching a Kelt in early season will carefully return it to the water and wish it “bon voyage” for the rest of its journey back to the sea. I hope I have given you some insight into the extraordinary and hazardous life cycle of “Salmo Salar”, in my view one of the most iconic creatures on our planet. by Brian Doran

Cosy Knit Nails

Matches Perfectly With Your Winter Sweater When the weather outside gets chilly, there's nothing we look

use 3D gel, which is slightly thicker than the polish you're

forward to more than pulling out our cosiest jumpers. Now

used to. This is one of the more complicated nail designs

your nails can also experience the joy of bundling up in a

we've seen, but we think it poses the perfect challenge

warm knit, too: The latest nail art trend mimics the cable knit

for an experienced crafter. The results will make your

texture of your favourite sweater.

The "sweater nail"

nails look like they're wearing tiny sweaters. With winter

technique uses a dotting tool to delicately apply gel nail

on our doorstep, we can already imagine sitting by the

polish in a cable pattern on your nail, which is sure to please

fireplace, sipping hot chocolate, holding the cup with our

anyone who loves to crochet or knit. To really nail the effect,

beautiful cable knit nails, of course.

le aF

s i r a p J By

Fashion Week

Spring & Summer 2017

Fashion A word which has so much meaning all over the world. Clothes need to leap out of your flatscreen and assert themselves like never before. Today especially, every brand is in it to win it. Grabbing the attention globally with future trends. Collections that designers produce leave underlying messages that can encourage indulged purchases.

"Buy me,'they say,'and I'll make you happy'.

... 63

Karl Lagerfeld As for the Fashion cities, each had their defining moments. In Paris: Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld sure admires a spectacle. The attention in the detail of the Collection was inspired by the 21st Century-complete with super computers, iconic tweed suits and some rather awkward down-withthe-kids reversed baseball cap. Every brand has a

story to tell and miraculously we can unveil the concept

It goes without saying that the scale and ambition of

though the fashion shows beginning to end. What do

today's Chanel shows are a reflection of the brand's

you think Chanel's enduring message is trying to

size. They also fuel every aspect of the Chanel

convey? Maybe a modern twist on a younger audience

fashion business, from the advertisement to the

conveyed with a futuristic approach, containing the key

visual merchandising and the window displays in

vintage Iconic garments.

every boutique.

Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton was the show that brought my admiration. Nicolas GhesquiĂ¨res is a big sci-fi fan and his futuristic inspiration reflects in his latest Collection. Many of the jackets were slit along the sleeves, skirts slit to the thigh, a gold embellished jacket and black trimmed trousers

that had a futuristic Michael Jackson vibe as well as

legacy and inspiring history that looks to the future

exotic prints. Overall very luxurious and most importantly

that highlights Innovation is an understatement when

very wearable.

it overlooks the designers reign.

On March 5th 2014, Nicholas GhesquiĂ¨re left a message

"Theatrical showboating that indulges in the

on every cream, padded seat at his first show for Louis

euphoria of dressing up".

Vuitton enlightening his vision. Two years in the proud

The Balmain Army The creative director at Balmain Olivier Rousteing has transformed the fashion house since he took over the French brand 6 years ago. At 30 years old he is renowned for his right body-con/net,mesh ensemble which almost leaves nothing to the imagination.

The Balmain show in Paris was a tropical rainforest, with

include a giant python coat with huge safari

an accompanied orchestra indulged amongst the

pockets in emerald green, sequinned mesh party

audience. An army of Amazonian women strode out in

slips. If the key to smashing fashion today is to

cut-out jump suits, caped mini dresses, silk gowns and

give people what they want, Roustieng deserves

veiled sheer combinations of trouser splits at the sides to

a congratulations.

resemble skirts. 80 garments in total and expanded to

Everything for everyone... ...garden ...gifts

...restaurant

...lifestyle

The Nurseries, Fochabers IV32 7PF 01343 820362 www.christiesoffochabers.com â&#x20AC;˘ info@christiesoffochabers.com

fochabers a small village with big ambition With awards and attractions to rival a big

has actually given the village back its serenity, which only

city, Fochabers is punching well above its

enhances it as a destination.

weight in the business world.

It may be peaceful, but there is a lot going on beneath

Sarah May Fraser takes a wander through

the surface. A stroll down the straight line of the main

the Moray village.

street reveals a hub of commercial success from The

There aren’t many villages with as much commercial

Sewing Machine Shop and Avorio Bridal, to Just Art and

success to boast of as Fochabers. What looks like a

Watt’s Antiques.

sleepy, quaint little place, with its beautiful fountain

The sights and smells are sure to have you drooling, as the

square and Georgian church with clock tower as a centre

food here is officially the best in the land. Don’t believe me?

piece, is actually a buzzing hub of successful business.

Just take a look at their award shelves if you need proof.

How many other villages can claim to be home to one of

Dean’s butchers just won gold and silver awards in the

the country’s biggest food producers, Scotland’s best

2016 Speciality Sausage Awards, by Scottish Craft Butchers,

chip shop and best ice cream parlour – it’s official – a

The Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour was voted Scotland’s best

castle with its own gin brand, a garden centre which

parlour in this year’s Entertainment and Hospitality Awards,

draws visitors from all over and a rich history full of

and the village’s chippy, Fochabers Fish Bar has come out

entrepreneurial spirit? I would bet my new autumn hat on

on top in the National Fish and Chip Awards, voted best in

the answer being ‘none’. Or ‘not many’ (I really like my

Scotland and will go on to compete for the UK title in 2017.

hat. I’ll play it safe).

If I ever go missing, look for me in delicious Fochabers.

Since the bypass was completed in 2012, costing more

The linear layout is thanks to Fochabers’ very first

than £31million and diverting the steady stream of lorries

forward-thinking resident Alexander Gordon, the fourth

and traffic along the new stretch of the A96, Fochabers is

Duke of Gordon, who founded the village in 1776. He

more peaceful than ever. But rather than deter visitors, it

followed the linear fashion of the time, giving tenants more

spacious homes, whilst conveniently removing the riff

But it’s not all business and sales in Fochabers. Its beauty,

raff from hovels on the doorstep of Gordon Castle.

on the banks of the River Spey, makes it a big hit with

Another prominent Alexander of the time was

walkers and anglers. The 65-mile walk, The Speyside Way

Alexander Milne, who was employed as a footman of

travels through Fochabers, making it an ideal coffee stop,

the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. It is said that he

or indeed, stopping for a hearty meal or a dram, as there’s

refused to powder his red hair, and with a rebellious

plenty to choose from there with the Gordon Arms or the

fire in his gut he upped and left to America where he

Gordon Castle restaurant (where we started out on this

built a brick-making empire and became very wealthy.

exploration of the village and its creators. One could sip on

The absurdly ornate Milne’s Primary School with its

a Gordon Castle gin whilst imagining ol’ Milne rebelling

pillars and turrets - it looks like the kind of magical,

against powdering his hair, or the noise and sights of the

boarding school Harry Potter and co would

villagers at the door of the castle, before the Duke built the

attend - is Milne’s gift to the town - the legacy of his

houses just along the road).

business prowess.

If walking and eating are not on your agenda, perhaps

Then of course, the village has the Baxter family to

you’re a mountain biking adrenaline junkie. The Moray

thank for its infamy on the international food scene.

Monster Trails are world-class bike paths set in Winding

Who doesn’t love their luxury soups? Or their

Walks in the woodlands on the outskirts of the village.

enormous freshly, tossed pancakes.

Fochabers is one of our area’s strongest assets, as a pretty,

The dynasty began from a seed when 25-year-old

relaxing place, with a rich heritage of entrepreneurial spirit.

gardener George Baxter borrowed £100 from family members and established a grocery shop in Fochabers in 1868. The business grew, with the help of his wife Margaret who made jams and jellies. In 1916 their son William bought land from the Duke and with his wife Ethel, they built the Baxters factory, launching the next chapter of the major family success story, and son Gordon, with wife Ena took the success and ran with it, expanding the brand even further across the globe, royal warrant and all. Today, Audrey Baxter is at the helm of the ship, a mighty vessel her great grandparents would be proud of. Christies is the other major retail success story, beginning almost 200 years ago when Thomas Christie rented some land to begin growing trees for sale. He became Britain’s largest producer of trees – all sprouting from one bold idea in this tiny village in Moray. Today, the business sells everything from gifts, to meals, flowers and tools with a children’s activity zone. Still going strong, almost 200 years later.

Freshly prepared meals served daily... ...from a spoil yourself full Scottish breakfast to a friends or family get together lunch or dinner. Catering for Baby Showers, Weddings, Anniversaries.

G Gordon Arms Hotel A

Fochabers IV32 7DH T: 01343 820508 www.gordonarmshotel.com Email: gordonarmsfochabers@live.co.uk

M A P L E SCOT TISH AWARD WINNING BUTCHERS

QUIRKY GIFTS most under

£15

TIC ECLECLERY L E W JE veryone for e

HOUS WARE from E S a the wlol over rld

High St, Fochabers IV32 7HX 01343821481 • moragmaple@yahoo.co.uk Open Mon - Sat 12-5.30. Sun 2-5. (Other opening times available on request)

1 Duke Street, Fochabers IV32 7DN

01343 821194

Mon - Sat 8am - 5pm www.scotsmeat.scot Dean's Country Butcher Free Deliveries

@deansButcher

FREE delivery on orders over £20

@ the snug

CafeS & Cake HOP SEWING MACHINE TRADE ASSOCIATION

Delicious Meals served throught the day

Cakes made to order for special occasions Wednesday to Monday 9:30pm - 5pm 59 High St, Fochabers IV32 7DU 01343 821090 73

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“I HAVE A NEW HOBBY” By Fred Trey

This fickle, non-committal approach can make one the target, deservedly, of gentle (and sometimes not-sogentle) mockery, by family and friends. I seem not to be able to see past the necessary investment in time, years often, necessary to become even competent, let alone proficient or even the dizzy heights of ‘skilled’. I can understand the term ‘jack of all trades’ and its merits better than most, but that said, I never seem to reach even the status of ‘jack’. The most recent noble activity to receive my attention is Photography. I once bought a camera, a long (pre-digital) time ago, and was dismayed at the effort required to take a film of previously unseen images to be developed only to receive a set of blurred, over-exposed prints that bore a startlingly unfamiliar New hobbies are enjoyable, improving and self-

likeness to the images I had intended to capture with

affirming. They add a soupçon of structure to our

my second-hand Nikon Single Lens Reflex (SLR)

downtime and allow us to have something better to

camera.

talk about at the weekend than the latest quarterly

The revolution of digital photography brought with it the

spreadsheets. I have a new hobby. I am the kind of

ability to see the image you had captured immediately,

person that tends to throw themselves into

and therefore condensed the learning process

something whole-heartedly, completely absorbed

considerably. The only problem was that by the time

and obsessed with all aspects of the pastime, visiting

Digital SLRs had reduced enough in cost I was

internet forums, learning as much as I can about all

probably absorbed by either fishing or cycling and my

the different facets and nuances of it and buying the

enthusiasm had waned.

best ‘beginner sets’ that I can afford after taking into

With the digital revolution, also came the advent of

consideration all the information and advice that I

social media, and the ability to open your home to a

can glean.

bombardment of some of the world’s most stunning

There is one small, tiny, infinitesimal and unimportant glitch in my hobbyism; I’m never any good at it. I look enviously at people who can commit themselves to one particular activity from youthful enthusiasm through to post-retirement obsession, whether its golf, kayaking, cycling, fishing (sea, course or fly), rock climbing or the Ukulele, all these things I have been thoroughly obsessed with at some point in my life; I can see the whole-life benefit to them and the pleasure they can provide through mastery of the requisite skills.

imagery on an hourly basis, every scroll of the screen

to the best specific lenses which allow you to capture

brought yet another image of a beauty spot from the

landscape or wildlife and can be purchased second hand

Caribbean to the Arctic to the Himalayas, all captured by

and set you back as little as a small detached house.

enthusiastic amateurs or the world’s best professional

The only problem I can see is that, no matter how many

photographers and, thanks to the efforts of some

times it is explained to me, it is still witchcraft. I expect and

incredibly gifted people in the local area, Moray has been

need a new hobby to be easy to pick up but difficult to

shown in its best light, year round, from shoreline sunsets

master, photography is neither; as soon as I wander from

and rises, to long exposure shots of the Northern lights

the safe haven crèche that is ‘full auto’ setting, the images

or the night sky. It was these particular images that again

that come out seem to be like flashbacks to some awful, Cold War, mind-control experiment. My respect therefore, goes out to that particular kind of single-minded individual who is capable of attaching all their focus (ahem) to one particular pastime and sticking with it. They provide us with a view of some of the most visually stunning locations around the world that we may otherwise not have the opportunity to see. They allow us a perspective on the ordinary that makes it seem breathtaking. They know what ‘f-number’ means. I plan, nevertheless, to persevere with my new hobby, each small victory will stoke the fires of interest and at

rekindled my interest in photography; l thought that it would be fun to try to capture some of the Northern lights to which we are lucky enough to be exposed

some point, in the future, I may have something to hang on a wall that doesn’t look like one of Jackson Pollock’s drunken accidents.

occasionally, and also to take advantage of our dark skies and capture the Milky Way, the Galaxy which can be seen spanning out in a huge ribbon of stars across a clear night sky. Luckily, social media also brings with it the ability to interact with skilled amateurs who are willing to pass on their expertise to enthusiastic beginners and often offer their own ‘beginner outfits’ at reasonable prices as they update their own kit (God bless ‘Moray Buy Swap and Sell’). Enthusiasts are generally extremely generous with their time and experience and will spend hours explaining to you the finer details of ISO, ‘f-numbers’ and exposure times, along with the best tripods and remote shutter controls (which together, allow you to capture long exposures without shaking the camera), even down

Don ’t w or I’ll f ix i ry t in Phot osh op! 79

This Month In History

November

Fergus Ewing MSP Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity

1st: 1512 - The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo, shown for the first time.

2nd: 1936 - The BBC Television Service launches. 3rd: 1954 - The first Godzilla movie is released in Japan.

4th: 1948 - T.S. Eliot wins the Nobel Prize for Literature.

5th: 1935 - The board game, Monopoly, is

first released.

9th: 1989 - Berlin Wall Comes Down 11th: 1989 - Jaguar becomes a subsidiary of

the Ford Motor Company.

13th: 1990 - The first known World Wide Web

page is written.

14th: 1994 - Eurostar Service Launched 18th: 1307 - According to legend, William Tell

shoots an apple off his son's head

19th: 1994 - The UK lottery operated by

Camelot has it's first lottery draw in UK

20th: 1984 - McDonald's makes its 50 billionth

hamburger

21st: 1974 - Pub bombing by the IRA in Birmingham, UK

22nd: 1963 - John F. Kennedy is assassinated 23rd: 1897 - The pencil sharpener is patented. 24th: 1991 - Freddie Mercury dies 25th: 1940 - Woody Woodpecker first appears on film.

26th: 1983 - Brinks Mat robbery 30th: 1872 - The first-ever international football

match takes place between Scotland and England.

If there is one certainty in life for us all in rural Scotland at the moment it is that these are the most uncertain of times. Rural Scotland - Moray included - faces many unknowns thanks to the EU referendum outcome. I have very much welcomed the guarantee from the UK Government of EU funding for direct payments to farmers and crofters, as well as Pillar 2 monies which help

protect

jobs,

investment,

facilities

and

businesses in rural and coastal communities all around Moray. But what happens beyond then? And what will become of the many EU nationals who have come to live and work in Moray - on farms, in food processing, in fishing, in hotels, restaurants and in distilleries - and upon whom so many of our businesses now depend? Giving them the right to stay and work in Scotland is a moral imperative and an economic necessity. We also need straight answers about the single market. Access to the EU is vital to the health of our food and drink sector - it is the biggest market for fish and seafood alone, worth £438 million to Scotland’s economy. As Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy, I am working closely with government colleagues to press for answers, to protect the interests of farming, fishing, food and forestry in Moray and elsewhere. But I am also getting on with the day job. Just this week, I have announced £6.5 million to plant new commercial forestry, £4.1 million investment in ships, equipment, projects, services and businesses involved in fishing and a further £2 million in farmed fish projects. My focus is on protecting jobs, businesses and livelihoods and seeking to build growth in the rural economy – in Moray and elsewhere. Most of all, it’s about providing greater certainty and security whenever possible.

Fergus

Today a rising number of women in Scotland are choosing farming as a career

In 2008 there were 13,000 women working in farming

that there are many active women in the small

in Britain, in 2014 the figure rose to 23,000.

holding community. Caron has been involved with

At the Glasgow Food Assembly many of the farmers

the pig section of the Scottish Smallholders and

are women. The Food assembly is an online farmers

Growers Festival for many years and was actively

market which promotes sustainably and ethically

involved with the Scottish Government working

produced food from local farms and the farmers who

group looking at pig diseases and control measures.

produce it. Over 80% of the purchase price at the

Arlene McKenzie who farms at Nethergate, a

online market goes to the farmer as opposed to

community farm with her husband Thomson

20-30% that they would typically receive from

believes that smaller - scale farmers are more in

supermarkets. At the weekly collection the farmer

touch with nature, the seasons and the produce they

delivers only what has been ordered so that no waste

rear. Arlene is a strong advocate of the principles of

is produced.

the slow food movement in that food production

Women are most strongly represented in the smaller

should be Good, Clean and Fair; that is fair to both

family farms, bringing innovative agricultural farm

the producer in the return they receive and to the

management and diversity to Scottish farms. Often with

consumer purchasing it.

a vast understanding of sustainability and traceability.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women lead the way in the promotion of ethically

Ruth Harris rears rare and native breeds of goat, sheep

produced animalsâ&#x20AC;? says

and pigs on her farm in Strathhaven with the help of

Ruth whose aim is to offer

her five children. She says that most smallholders and

her consumer an end

rare breed farmers she works with are female and their

product that she can

knowledge is incredible. She goes on to say that female crofting, farming and artisan food production within the farming community is huge. Caron Kennedy-Stewart has a pedigree herd of saddleback pigs at her farm in Port Logan. She says

personally guarantee. She feels that by offering her

only skill they may lack in farming is physical strength.

animals high levels of animal welfare it will result in

AJ Morris who breeds free range poultry on her family

a good end product. This is echoed by Arlene who

farm, St.Brides in Strathhaven, believes there are no

believes the welfare of animals is in line with how

specific barriers to women except the physicality of

we produce good food.

the heavy work. Ruth agrees that “The whole damsel

Caron works hard to produce a quality product and

in distress doesn’t quite go with my green wellies and

believes that providing the traceability and

overalls”. Arlene maintains that women do not need to

provenance of the food that ends up on a

match men for strength but must be willing to do the

customer’s plate is of the utmost importance.

tasks, farming is no place for designer wellies and

However, she acknowledges that the larger

painted nails.

commercial operations which are predominantly

Caron can remember the more traditional roles taken

run by men, are still considered “proper farms.”

on by her grandparents at their farm, where men did

Why is this? Ruth believes that women chose

the hard work and women tended to do the more

farming as a lifestyle choice that allows them to

mundane tasks and domestic duties.

juggle family life and social life with a job they love

“Grandfather would be outside working the land and

rather than for business or financial reasons.

machinery whilst her grandmother would feed the

Certainly all the farmers agree that women provide

calves and lambs and provide food on the table”.

a valuable balance in farming, more instinctive and

Today as Ruth says, times are changing, Women are

empathetic. Where farming becomes more

taking the bull by the horns and getting stuck in!

industrial and based on economic outputs, women help rebalance the outlook of farming. All the Women farmers that I spoke to believe the

By Geraldine Pitt Glasgow Food Assembly

This Year’s Festive

FUN

Live Entertainment with Weekend

Christmas Party Package Prices

Fri 2nd & Sat 3rd December

Available from 28th November with Rodeo Reindeer

Dine & Bowl Packages Midnight Paciﬁc

Fri 9th & Sat 10th December

3 Course Weekend Dine & Bowl Package £27pp with live entertainment

Midnight Paciﬁc

2 Course Weekend Dine & Bowl Package

Fri 16th & Sat 17th December

3 Course Weekday Dine & Bowl Package

The Scenix

£24pp with live entertainment £24pp Sunday -Thursday

2 Course Weekday Dine & Bowl Package £21pp Sunday - Thursday

TRADE DAY SPECIAL

£16pp Wednesday 21st – Friday 23rd December Package includes Haddock, Scampi or Chicken Fillet basket meal, pint of draught lager or cider and 2 games of bowling. All packages include 2 complimentary games of bowling. Weekday packages run Sunday – Thursday Weekend packages run Friday and Saturday and all include live entertainment.

Starters

Prawn Cocktail - Cold cooked

prawns in a creamy sauce, on a bed of crisp lettuce topped with diced tomato and cucumber. Melon - A selection of melon balls topped with a sorbet drizzle. Soup - Homemade Scotch Broth served with a crispy bread roll.

Main

Turkey - Traditional hand carved turkey

with all the trimmings. Gammon - Baked gammon served with roast potatoes and a selection of vegetables. Filo Bundle - Filled with mushrooms, French brie, rocket and redcurrant filling served with roast potatoes and selection of vegetables.

Dessert

Strawberry Pavlova - Delicate

meringue nest filled with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Christmas Pudding - Traditional currant, sultana and raisin pudding served with brandy sauce. Ice Cream - Mackies of Scotland luxury dairy ice cream topped with a fresh strawberry.

fun tastic!

2 Moycroft Industrial Estate, Elgin IV30 1XZ • 01343 541444 • www.pinzbowling.co.uk 84

KEITH Boogie Woogie is known for its quirky gifts, good coffee

At this time of year Boogie Woogie is stuffed full of

and wholesome, hearty, home-cooked food - along with

Christmas decorations, cards, candles and interesting

its relaxed atmosphere and laid-back music. I'ts an

gift ideas.

ideal stopping off opportunity on the A96 and we have

We're open on Sundays right through until Hogmanay

parking right outside our front door.

- Sundays are a great day for a calm, relaxed

Over recent years our ladies clothing upstairs in the shop

shopping excusion. You can read the Sunday

has become even more of an attraction to women who are

newspapers, drink coffee and buy Auntie Mary's

looking for clothes that are stylish, affordable, gorgeous but

Christmas present - without the hassle of queues and

also, comfortable. We stock mostly tops and tunics - ideal

crowds elsewhere.

for work or play - and we have an array of co-ordinating

We're often busy over lunchtimes so, if you can,

scarves, bags and jewellery to finish off your outfit.

please phone and reserve a table.

Cafe • Gifts • Boutique

Also Jewellery, Scarves, Bags, Toys, Games, Soaps, Candles, Christmas Decorations and Cards.

For special offers and our daily menu: www.facebook.com/boogiewoogieshop

OPEN Monday -Saturday 10-5.30pm • Sundays 11-5pm Easy parking • Regent Square, Keith • T: 01542 888077

www.boogiewoogieshop.com E: boogiewoogieshop@gmail.com

what Zara did next...

Just after sunrise on a Monday morning in Münster, I

and spend it in a classroom learning German? Me.

met my new wheels for the week.

I quickly made friends with Monika from Czech

Barbara, the woman I would be staying with for seven

Republic, who would go on to become my cappuccino

nights in Germany, wheeled Colossus out from the

and beer buddy in the afternoons after class.

cellar and bounced it up the concrete steps onto the

Every morning I used up all my intelligence tokens for

street. My lips said “danke schön” through a forced

the day, thinking so hard about every word in my

smile, but my heart sank as my dumpy legs couldn’t

conversations, which were solely in German, then my

touch the ground from sitting position on the ancient

afternoons were my own to sightsee and relax in the

bike. Still, it was better than walking the distance to

sunshine. Well, it’s me we’re talking about, so relaxing

the city centre – especially, here in the city of bikes.

involved bringing a tiny little laptop to the nearest cafe

Around Münster’s centre is a tree-lined promenade

and typing up some chapters of the latest romance

for cyclists, which is as fast and furious as a

novel I’m due to hand over to a US publisher. I must

motorway. On the first day I accidentally cut up an

have looked an interesting sight, tapping away on what

elderly lady who whizzed past me on her bike

looks like Baby’s First Laptop. It honestly was real work.

grumbling something about the need to look “links”

The gadget is only seven inches wide and baby pink. I

before moving. I couldn’t find the words quick

thought it was a genius solution to working while

enough in German to explain that if I had slowed

travelling. I didn’t factor in the fact the keys are so close

down, I would have fallen off and sprawled right

together my words come out like a completely new

across her path - and that of the oncoming stream of

language altogether – cue hours of typo corrections

bike traffic.

when I got home.

My second and final faux pas was when I rolled out

I bought a post card in a shop that reads: Leben ist das

onto the zebra crossing in front of a big, black BMW.

was einem begegnet, während man auf seine träume

Oops. That was before I learned that in order to not

wartet (life is what one encounters while waiting for his

get killed, I was going to have to develop a technique

dreams). The following week, while nursing three poorly

of slowing then leaping off the moving bike and cross

children with a pile of mounting work waiting on my

by foot. This bike was made for a tall, German

boudoir desk, I looked at this card and realised how

woman, not little ol’ me from Moray.

true it is. As much as the wonderful week before had

You might wonder what I was doing there. And so did

been a life experience, so, too, was this - wiping

my classmates when I introduced myself at the Kapito

bottoms and rinsing sick bowls. It’s all part of the same

language school. When I uttered the word ‘holiday’,

long adventure.

their faces screwed up in comedic confusion. Who in

But let’s just hope that next week brings a little less sick

their right mind would go on holiday for one week

and a little more glamour...

Zara X

ery), Brew Valley ), (Spey es Brewery g Co) ld a on win oth MacD (The R ept Bre David art Harris y (Windsw Stu Tidd Nigel ad & Al Re

Busy Bar Staff

Pau la & Jo Pearso Mor n rin

Band mem

bers from Northern Shore taking a br eak

ein Brass

Moray St

More B Grah usy Bar am L S eadb taff & etter

Mark Page

y Pirie, son, Barr ence, ale-John Jody Sp Tanya D h Wiles, os nt cI ver lo Lorna M G en Eile

T (lead he Unforg singe iv r Stu en art E van

Chris Grant

ray

Ste

in B

rass

Photo snap highlights at last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Morayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Moktober Fest 87

dates for your diary...

NOVEMBER

Nominations for the latest

programme of festive events

Princes Street Gardens. The Light

Moray Young Citizen awards

includes Glasgow on Ice and the very

Night, the Traditional German

Run jointly by Moray Council,

special Glasgow's Hogmanay

Christmas Market, Santa’s Reindeer

Police Scotland, Elgin Rotary Club

celebrations. The Christmas markets

Garden, The Edinburgh Wheel, The

and Diageo. Recognising the

will also be open for the first time on

Great Scottish Santa Run and Winter

outstanding contributions made

George Square. For more info visit

Wonderland and more, for the

by the area’s young people.

www.glasgowloveschristmas.com

ultimate festive experience.

Details of the award categories, along with nomination forms, are

available at www.moray.gov.uk Nominations close Jan 31, 2017.

MBW 10th Anniversary Ball

www.edinburghschristmas.com

Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin. Showcases

Buckie Christmas Kracker & Lights

and celebrates the achievement of

Switch On

women in business across Moray in

A fun filled family day for all the

Colours of Cluny

all sectors.. Call Shell Waters on

family. Santa will be in his grotto.

Starts 7:30 pm and closes at

07793 868198, or any of the

Craft stalls, funfair, inflatables,

10pm on 20th. Cluny Hill,

committee via the Facebook page.

climbing wall, catering, parade,

9 - 20

Forres. A brand new sound and light show taking place amidst the

stunning setting of Cluny Hill. Visit www.coloursofcluny.com for info.

10 Stronger Together - Moray Remembers 7pm at Elgin Town Hall. Featuring Kinloss Military Wives Choir & Elgin City Brass Band. Tickets from Sound & Vision Elgin. Glasgow Loves Christmas Starts 10am until 31 Dec. Magical

kertie race & live bands and demonstrations. Toni & Ziggy will close the day alongside our

Allergy Awareness Christmas Fayre

amazing firework display.

2pm, Victoria Park Function Hall, Buckie AB56 1BJ. To raise funds for the Archie foundation - immunology

department in Aberdeen to help people in Moray get better treatment for their allergies. Join us for a fancy piece and a mulled wine. Raffles and lucky squares will also be available on the day.

Inverness Christmas Lights Switch On High Street, Inverness. Christmas parade from Crown Primary School to the High Street from 5:45pm. Special guest Santa Claus will lead

the parade and the traditional Christmas light switch on from 6pm

Events, Shopping and Festive Fun

Edinburgh’s Christmas

at the Town House

in the Heart of the City. The

Until 8th Jan 2017. Centred around

www.invernessfestivals.com

DECEMBER

in brief....

24 Jamie Raven Live 7:30pm at Eden Court - Empire Theatre, Inverness.. For tickets and info visit www.eden-court.co.uk

24-26

Elgin Christmas Lights Switch On 10am - 4pm on the Plainstones.

3-4

Witness the beautiful Elgin Christmas

Brodie Castle Christmas Craft Fair

Lights being switched on to start the

We welcome you for a truly festive

festive season. Santa & his reindeer

treat! The Castle and the stables will

will be back in town and there will be

host this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Fair.

loads of activities and market stalls

www.nts.org.uk

on all day. Keep an eye on the event page and Elgin BID Facebook page.

10 Stars for Thought Christmas tree

Dundee Mountain Film festival An international programme of speakers, award winning films and exhibitions, held in Discovery Point, and Bonar Hall, Dundee. www.dundeemountainfilm.org.uk

26-27 Scottish Kids Show From 10am at AECC, Aberdeen. Featuring over 100 brands, family entertainment including live shows. Seminars with leading parenting experts, free advice and one-on-one consultations from the professionals

Moray Chamber Christmas Market

plus demonstrations, making this a

5:30pm - 8pm at the Old Railway

fun day out for you and your family.

Station, Maisondieu Road in Elgin.

www.scottishkidsshow.com

lights switch on 4pm North Church, Mid St, Keith. Carol singing, hot chocolate and star shortbread. All monies to the Sunshine Playgroup.

14 Ian Rankin - Rather be the Devil 7pm, Elgin Library. Talking about his latest Rebus novel. Copies will be available to purchase and Ian will be signing these after the event.

www.moraychamber.co.uk

26 Alison Johnston Art Studio Open Day 10am - 5pm at Smiddy Studio, Hopeman Road, Duffus, IV30 5RR Pop in and see the paintings and cards for sale direct from the artist. Light refreshments provided. www.alisonjohnston.co.uk

maga 89

N OVE M B E R 201 6

Morlich homes have a great range of 3 bedroom detached and semi detached villas offering flexible living in a convenient central location only a few minutes walk from the Lossiemouth Marina. Finished to Morlich Homes high standard each home features an opportunity for clients to fully customise their home to an exact design and specification. n

Oak internal doors and finishings

Choice of kitchens and bathrooms

To enquire about our homes today

01542 836510

Prices starting from £169,950

or Email: enquiries@morlich.co.uk

Contact our sales team today

To find out more... Visit our showhome at: 4 Fairway Road . Buckie . AB56 4HJ Open Tuesday to Friday 12noon to 5pm Saturday - 12noon to 4pm

and find out how we can help you realise your dream home.

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