The Villagers May 2016

MAY 2016

Price 50p

The

The Voice of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre & St Fillans

What a Scoop!

Having been intrigued by a sign for ‘Ice Cream Parlour’ as we drove through Strathyre, I was very happy to go to chat with owners Colin and Sheridan Adams - especially when I was promised a taste of their most popular flavours!

They took over Airlie House last July and had to hit the ground running to make the most of the summer months to reestablish the B&B business.

The B&B had been a long held dream as they were pursuing their busy careers in health care and banking (the kind sort, not the nasty one, according to Colin) down in Cheshire. The arrival of a new granddaughter in Scotland was the final spur to returning home across the border and trying their new venture.

So far their only regret is not having been brave enough to do it five years earlier!

Colin is the cook and Sheridan is the DIY expert in the partnership - useful for bouncing ideas off each other.

They realised that having been used to extremely busy lives, they needed something extra to do once breakfast and the bedrooms were all done and dusted for the day. Colin had wondered about trying to smoke fish - but the logistics of health and safety put at least a temporary halt on that scheme. Ice Cream suddenly was a thought - and this was refined to e2 BLiSS Trail now in place! See pag for more...

Everyone is welcome for ice cream at Airlie House!

become an Ice Cream Parlour, where people can come and sit over ice creams, coffees and shakes and admire the surrounding hills - or recover from the exertions of climbing them.

They opened on Good Friday and have already attracted a variety of ice cream lovers, judging from the photos.

Families are very welcome as are dogs and, as you can see, well-behaved horses and ponies.

All their ice creams are made from fresh natural ingredients in the traditional way, being whisked by hand and then churned. Colin’s favourite is still the Scottish Dairy and Sheridan makes the tablet that is used in their Tablet flavour.

At the moment Bubble Gum is a runaway success with the younger generation, who can also spend time playing with ‘Lubi Lubnaig’ who has come to Strathyre for his summer holidays. More sophisticated tastes are catered for by the ubiquitous Salted Caramel... and more flavours are promised over the next few months.

JJ Photos by Jason Allardyce

Editor’s Bit Bliss Trail Launch This month we wanted to add our congratulations to Kim Proven (who surely would be in line for Businesswoman of the Year award if she lived in Ambridge) for the very successful launch of the BLiSS trail. The new art works are certainly proving to be a talking point and bringing a smile to folks’ faces on their way to work.

Kim would be the first to say it was a group effort - not only to commemorate and celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design - but to give impetus to the concept of the four villages working together, to provide visitors with many reasons to stay for a few days in the area (rather than just passing through or stopping at Callander). We are sure many local people will also enjoy finding out more about some of the new installations and reading the stories associated with them.

We are certainly hoping to include more information and stories over the summer months - and we welcome your own comments.

Our photo of Kim on page 9 shows her with ‘Thistle the Heilan’ Coo’. The story behind the name is that it was a competition set up by Bill and Lesley from the Broch Café with Strathyre Primary School. The winner’s reason for choosing ‘Thistle’ was that it is the flower of Scotland.

JJ

Broch Bikes

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‘Lookout’ where Loch Voil meets Loch Doine ‘Hunting Owl’

New arts trail linking National Park locations will be BLiSS for visitors Unique attraction commemorating the Year of Innovation Architecture and Design aims to provide tourism boost A life-sized, multi-coloured metal bull crafted by the artist behind Edinburgh Airport’s iconic towering thistles and a stunning mirrored sceneryviewing cube which ‘disappears’ into its beautiful surroundings are two of 13 striking installations which form a new arts trail set amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

The unique BLiSS trail – launched on the 27th April - links the villages of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans, deep in the heart of ‘Rob Roy Country’. The initiative is the brainchild of LETi, the Loch Earn Tourism Information group.

LETi has established the innovative arts trail to encourage more visitors to stop at, spend time in, and enjoy the villages and their spectacular settings by creating a new attraction for people of all ages to enjoy – providing a boost to tourism in the area and the local economy.

The group also wanted to create the trail to commemorate and celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016. The name BLiSS suggested by LETi member Kenny Higgins of the Strathyre Outdoors Community Interest Company

‘Airliphant’

- is made up of the first letters of the four villages with the letter ‘i’ representing both innovation and the universal tourism information symbol.

The collection includes works by artists Rob Mulholland, Kev Paxton, Heather Gray, June McEwan, Iain Chalmers, Lynne Schroder and Jeremy Cunningham as well as architects Ruairidh Moir, Daniel Tyler and Angus Ritchie. In addition a group of third year art students from Perth College, University of The Highlands and Islands, is developing a conceptual art team project as part of a new degree course. The artworks will be promoted beside Loch Lubnaig, The Broch Café and recreation area, Airlie House B&B...

Continued on Page 9

The St Fillans Bit

by Isobel Howell

The artist installing her sculpture, “Fish Out of Water”

Our group of intrepid walkers

T HE SUN SHONE over St Fillans on

Easter Monday. I remember this clearly because I’d agreed to meet up with the new St Fillans walking group for their inaugural “Wimps Walk”. With hopes of discovering something new, we assembled at the Field of Hope (soon to be minus the daffodils) full of eagerness and breakfast.

Our “organiser”, Sheila Cramond, provided us with guide notes about what we would see along the way. If we were lucky we may have sightings of osprey, squirrel, beaver and kingfisher, so expectations were high.

As it was Easter, and anticipating that wee ones would be with us (well, Blair was there) the Easter Bunny (in the form of Lorna Kennelly, minus the costume) had been out earlier and hidden “eggs” along the way which we were to find and collect.

Our route took us over the footbridge, past the war memorial and left onto the south shore over the golf course. No extra prizes were awarded for finding stray golf balls but it wasn’t long before the more eagle eyed amongst us found the glittering hidden eggs. Above St Fillans Hill, we were lucky to see peregrines circling. At the old churchyard (burial place of the Stewarts of Ardvorlich since 1586) it was interesting to see the old headstones and one in particular, of a girl and boy holding hands, caught our curiosity. Known as the Adam and Eve stone, on one side it has a tree of knowledge of good and evil carved into it whilst on the other, an angel holding a sword and Adam and Eve is just about visible.

After further egg collecting we headed back into the village via the road bridge

and past the farm. It was mentioned in passing that the lambs were expected to be born on 7th April when it would officially be declared spring. The prospect of a pit stop at the village shop at the end kept us going as we continued behind the A frame houses, along the path to Sandison hall and round the back of the Four Seasons Hotel where a scuffle nearly ensued as Geoff Hardman-Carter spotted an egg at the eggsact same time as my mother in law who’d joined us on the walk. Fisticuffs averted, we carried on and at the shop we declared our loot which was exchanged for

rewards of chocolate Easter treats. The walk passed a few hours of gentle walking with friendly folks. If you feel inclined to join a “Wimps Walk”, the next one is on Monday 30th May, meeting at The Field of Hope at 10 am. Planned walks thereafter are on the last Monday of each month, up to and including 31st October 2016. For further details please contact Lorna Kennelly.

Now, something fishy has been going on outside The Achray House Hotel in the last few weeks. Owners Brad and Zelda Sol have acquired a new bronze sculpture (above) which proudly adorns the hotel’s foreshore which has undergone a major transformation. Based on the cellophane fish which you’d find in a (Continued overleaf)

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The St Fillans Bit

Continued from page 3

Christmas cracker (the sort you place in the palm of your hand which shows your mood) the sculpture was made by the artist Lynne Schroder from Callander. Called “Fish Out of Water”, it is sculptured from copper and was originally displayed in Cockenzie harbour during the Three Harbours Art Festival (East Lothian).

With the hills and loch view as its backdrop, the piece of artwork looks right at home and is now part of the new Bliss Art Trail, created in support of Visit Scotland 2016, Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design. Together with “Still Man” who sits in the loch opposite The Four Seasons Hotel, I think these works of art are wonderful and I think we should encourage more pieces of art installations like these in the area.

Continuing with the water theme, Sunday 17th April saw the return of the Great Loch Earn Boat Race. The weather held out and with a south westerly wind with them, eight boats with teams of four rowers in each, set off to row the seven miles for their chosen charities. I am full of admiration for anybody who volunteers to subject him or herself to spending a couple of hours in the open elements, pulling dead weights for oars in an effort to haul a heavy wooden fishing boat laden with four people (and an outboard motor, minus fuel) for several miles - at times, going backwards due to winds. But these were a plucky lot. From St Fillans three teams took part, covering a wide age range, and not all menfolk! The winning team, The San Fillan Village People, sporting very dodgy looking moustaches, was captained by our own Community Council Chairman, Richard Graham, and included teammates Jonathan Dovey, Mike McGregor and young Professor John Forty.

Together they managed to set a record time of one hour and forty four minutes. Team “Brucey Gal-Oar” put in an impressive time of two hours and sixteen minutes for their first attempt in the race and Bruce Leckie, Louise McGregor, Carol Graham and Katy Light were very pleased with their result. In contrast to the winning veterans, Neve McGregor, Innes Gibson, Joanna Barrack and James Barrack, all had youth on their side and they made up The Retro Rovers team. Congratulations to everyone who took part. Thanks to the Achray House Hotel for providing refreshments and a barbecue for teams and spectators at the end of the race and for hosting the prize giving afterwards. Prizes included a voucher for The Four Seasons Hotel (to the winning team) and a voucher for The Lochearnhead Hotel (to Brucey and His Gals). Thanks goes to those hotels, too, for their generosity. You can see the table of race results on the next page.

And finally (as the Two Ronnies used to say) just a little mention that the St Fillans 4

The winning team, The San Fillan Village People. L-R: Prof John Forty, Mike McGregor, Richard Graham & Jonathan Dovey. Photography courtesy of Johnston Brown.

Team Brucey Gal-Oar. L-R: Louise McGregor, Bruce Leckie, Katy Light and Carol Graham.

Photograph courtesy of Johnston Brown.

Golf Club has a new “caterer” in. Richard Mountain (quite aptly named for these parts) joined in February. According to the Golf Club’s Twitter feed, they’ll be providing meals in the evenings and at weekends too. I’m sorry I can’t report on the food experience so far, as I haven’t tried it myself, but reports on the bacon butties are that they’re good.

On that note, it’s goodbye from me until next month.

THE GREAT LO CH EARN

Boat Race Results

1st St Fillans Village People (1hour 44mins) - Winners and Veteran Cup Winners 2nd Seven Baws (1hour 47mins) 3rd Irn Bru’thers (2hours 14mins) First Ladies Team 4th Only Fools and Boats (2hours 14mins) 5th Where’s the Wallies (2hours 15mins) 6th Brucey Gal-Oar (2hour 16mins) First Mixed Team 7th Retro Rowers (2hours 23mins) 8th Minion Mayhem (2hours 31mins) Members of Crieff Round Table were delighted to organise another successful Boat Race, which this year was helped by a strong following wind - resulting in fast times and an exciting close finish!

As usual all the teams entered into the spirit of the race with an array of colourful costumes and helped raised hundreds of pounds for various good causes. The Round Table would like to thank the Drummond Fisheries for providing the boats and to Achray House Hotel in St Fillans for providing hospitality at the finish line. A huge thanks also to all the volunteers who gave up their own time to make the event possible, including Comrie First Response and the Safety Boat Captains - and to St Fillans Community Council for providing marquees and assistance in the run up to the event. We look forward to receiving team entries for next year’s race!

(Anyone wishing to contact us about the event can do so at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ crieffroundtable ) Many thanks!!

Jamie Russell Chairman, Crieff Round Table

Half Marathon/Fun Run

Dear Residents,

I would like to make you aware of a running event that I am planning in conjunction with Mhor 84, on Saturday 25th June 2016. This is a 10K, half marathon and fun run event that will start at 11am from Mhor 84 and finish at approximately 2pm at Mhor 84. The picturesque route will link the villages of Balquhidder, Strathyre and Lochearnhead offering participants spectacular views of the area.

Participants in the half marathon will run along the road from Mhor 84 towards Balquhidder, past the Church before turning left, crossing the bridge and taking the back road towards Strathyre. Once runners arrive in Strathyre they will run back along cycle route 7 towards Mhor 84, before crossing the road and continuing on route 7. The 10K and second section of the half-marathon will be on the route 7 cycle path between Mhor 84 and Lochearnhead.

Large yellow signs will be placed along the roadside on the route to warn runners and vehicles, runners will be told to keep into the side of the road and that they will be sharing the road with other users. All event signage and litter will be removed immediately after the event.

I would like you to be aware of the date for travelling purposes: if you are travelling by car between 11am and 12pm on the 25th of June, please do so with caution. There will be approximately 100 runners running on the open public roads, on the route as detailed above, between these times. By 12pm all the runners should be back on the route 7 cycle path and off the public road however there will still be a large number of pedestrians around the Mhor 84 car park area.

If you have any questions or concerns over the proposed plan or would like me to clarify anything please send an email to info@runmhor.net. I am very keen to support local community groups who may be willing to donate their time by volunteering in return for a donation from the event to their chosen group. If you would like to find out more about the event, take part or perhaps volunteer to help out please visit the website www.runmhor.net Kind Regards, Pete Waugh, Tay Fitness 5

Strathyre News in brief...

Village Enhancements The Strathyre Village Association would like to set up a development trust to help us with funding applications to facilitate village enhancements. Some examples of potential works which could be completed are recreation ground upgrade, village centre upgrade, hall refurbishments and localised walks and bike trails.

We intend to become members of Development Trust Scotland and their objectives can be found at this website: dtascot.org.uk.

We need the backing of the majority in the village to progress and would therefore request that anyone resident in Strathyre clicks on this link to the new SVA website and responds to a Yes/No poll: strathyrevillageassociation.co.uk .

A paper version of the poll can be sourced from the Old Church, Strathyre, if required.

Stuc Race Night The committee recently held their annual fund raising Race Night on Saturday 2nd of April in the Inn & Bistro and what a wonderful night it was. As always it was well attended by local and visiting patrons (the ever popular Lochearnhead mob!) who always support this event, which keeps our fantastic Stuc Hill Race going.

It was business as usual when it came to generosity with the marvellous sum of £1650 being raised on the night.

I would like to say a few words of thanks to all who made it possible. First of all, I would like to thank all the sponsors of the races who were as follows.

Not forgetting all the lots kindly offered The Villagers (our very own!) for the end of evening auction, which Immervoulin Caravan Park were gifted by: The Inn & Bistro Sula (Catriona) The Broch Cafe Peter and Lindsay Miller Airlie House B&B The Golden Larches The Village Shop Strathyre Outdoors Stirling Stove Centre and Strathyre Outdoors The Inn & Bistro.

Watson Interiors Next, where would we be without the ladies who give their time to be “bookies” for the evening - and the very busy bar staff that kept everyone duly wet!

Thanks also to the technical team - who kept the telly working!

The biggest thanks go to the wonderful people that come along and support this event each year and a special thank you to Steve for hosting the event.

Look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Wullie D (On behalf of the Stuc Committee)

Real Ale - Real Music

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Loch Earn Sailing Club pushes the boat out for Scottish Charity Air Ambulance Loch Earn Sailing Club is hosting a fund raising open day in aid of the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (S.C.A.A.) on Saturday 28th May 2016 from 10am to 4pm at the Club’s premises at Sandy Point, St Fillans, Perthshire.

Everyone is welcome. Stalls will include tombola, book sale, guess the weight of the giant cupcake, grand raffle as well as a ‘duck race’ and much more. Local crafts and small businesses are invited to take a stall.

For more information see website at www.lochearnsc.com or email to event@lochearnsc.com.

Loch Earn Sailing Club has chosen the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance as their supported charity because this time last year there was an accident at the Club. During an Early Season Series Race, club member, John McDonald, was racing his yacht, The Hooligan, with his crew in challenging conditions.

He was struck in the face by the boom, knocked unconscious into the water.

On rescue duty was grandson, Aaron Murray, who transported John safely to shore where he was attended by first aiders whilst the emergency services were called. The Scottish Charity Air Ambulance provided his transfer to Ninewells Hospital where he received surgery on his fractured jaw and stitches to his forehead and mouth, and John has since made a full recovery.

Thankfully this type of incident is very rare, however the S.C.A.A., based at Perth Airport provides a valuable service for the area and relies 100% on donations.

Please come along on the 28th May and help Loch Earn Sailing Club to support the S.C.A.A.

Rangers’ Review

Wildcat

By Gareth Kett

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Easter seemed to punctuate winter this year, but it heralded the start of the summer season for the National Park Ranger Service. As businesses gear up for the arrival of summer visitors we are looking forward to welcoming responsible visitors. We will once again be working with our partners Police Scotland and Forestry Commission Photo by Peter Cairns Scotland to reduce anti-social behavior and to encourage minimal impact camping. The Trossachs and Breadalbane Ranger Team has been strengthened by the addition of five seasonal rangers. We welcome David Cooper, Jenna Coull, Emily Marlton, Emily Platt and Adrian Walters to the team. You are most likely to the progress of nesting blue tits, and at Greylag goose, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Great come across Adrian (returning for his second Crianlarich Primary we’ll soon be promoting black-backed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, season) or Jenna out on patrol as their focus Scottish wildcat conservation through a Common gull, Black-headed gull, Herring is the Breadalbane area, whereas David and wildcat based John Muir Award. It’s a credit gull, Common buzzard and Red kite. The the two Emilys will spend most of their time to our local schools and the staff and pupils records are submitted to the British Trust for patrolling the Trossachs. involved that they are so keen to embrace Ornithology. The national WeBS dataset is The Ranger Service has been out before these projects. used by the Government and conservation daybreak with volunteers from Environmental In March the Ranger Service and National organisations to inform conservation policy Action Killin, monitoring lek sites near Killin. Park Volunteer Steve Roberts (thanks Steve) and management.

The area has been selected by the Central completed the winter season’s Wetland Bird If you have anything you wish to discuss Scotland Black Grouse Study Group as one of Survey (WeBS) on Lochs Earn, Voil, Doine or any wildlife sightings to report you are a series of core areas set up to monitor black and Lubnaig. The combined species list for welcome to drop into the Lochearnhead office, grouse population dynamics. these sites was: Whooper swan, Mute swan or you can contact me by email at gareth.kett@ At first black grouse males (black cock) may , Cormorant, Grey heron, Dipper, Grey lochlomond-trossachs.org, or call me on 01389 seem bizarre birds. They strut around lekking wagtail, Pied wagtail, Mallard, Tufted duck, 722044 (please note the change of number). If in mornings and evening throughout the year, Teal, Goldeneye, Mandarin duck, Goosander, I’m not in the office please leave a message and even though the females (grey hens) only show Merganser, Little Grebe, Canada goose, I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. any interest in the spring. Once the morning or evening’s lekking is finished for the day the competitors fly off to lounge around, feed and/ or roost together before returning to the lek site for another bout. Yet there is purpose to this almost comical behavior. Each lek site is divided into very small territories according to rank. The central territory is the highest ranking spot. The male holding this position in early spring is most likely to be chosen my grey hens to father their chicks. With black cock playing no role in raising chicks, the bird holding the central position will get to mate with up to 80% of females attending the lek. So, if you are a male black grouse, it is worth “training” throughout the year (even in the absence of grey hens) to maximize your chances of holding the coveted central position come spring.

Without doubt we are fortunate to live in area so rich in wildlife. It’s also a fantastic area for children to grow up, but it would be wrong to assume that because children grow up in such an area they will connect with HIGHLAND GLEN TRAVEL the wildlife. An important part of our work as rangers is to work with local schools to Private hire TAXI encourage this connection. Over the past and Tours couple of months the Ranger Service has worked with Killin Primary School on the 07554 195 446 Salmon in the Classroom programme, where Airport transfers pupils learn about the ecology, threats, place at competitive rates in the economy and conservation status of Distance no object Atlantic salmon before looking after salmon eggs until they hatch and releasing the www.highlandglentravel.co.uk alevins (hatchling salmon) into an artificial Contact Stirling Council for DRT redd (nest) in a tributary to the Dochart. At 08452 777 000 Strathyre Primary school we’ve installed a nest-box camera, allowing pupils to observe 7

Pin-Feathers* by Old Nyati *Once in demand by Victorian miniaturists, the tiny pin-feather comes from the leading edge of a woodcock’s wing and only two such feathers occur on each bird (one on each wing). This month Old Nyati puts forward some pros and cons on the subject of rewilding.

It was on board the DFDS ferry to Gothenburg in late October threading its way through the numerous oil rigs in the North Sea. The dining room staff were tying the legs of the grand piano to an upright pillar. This seemed like some sort of joke to the novice voyagers. But then we had not heard the weather forecast! Nor did we know about the North Sea in early winter.

It proved to be a very rough night indeed.

Luckily, travelling with a doctor friend enabled access to some strong sleeping pills which knocked out these two passengers for the whole night and throughout the storm. Next morning there was evidence of much carnage in the dining room, but the piano had survived.

It was the prelude to joining Oke, a great friend in northern Sweden on his extensive farm for the annual Moose Hunt. Sweden has the sensible idea that the moose population has to be managed. After a careful assessment of the annual moose population, each landowner agrees and is allocated a cull figure. Tradition dictates that this is the time for the whole area community to join forces and organise the event.

Local and invited hunters who had to have passed strict tests in shooting and field craft were all allocated a position in the forest whilst beaters with specially trained dogs moved the moose towards the waiting hunters.

Afterwards the local farmers would get the moose back to the farm with tractors and the area butchers would set about the job of cutting up all the meat for the surrounding villagers. In Sweden this arrangement is to control the dynamic moose population in a sustainable and humane way. There are many serious road accidents involving moose in these parts (Every new Volvo car has to be made moose proof to avoid too much damage in the event of a collision).

That night there was to be the traditional gathering of local people in the big Estate House to feast, sing and make merry; even the visiting voyagers had to sing a suitable song. But then the lights went out...

There has been much talk and controversy over the re-introduction of beavers in Scotland. So lets us consider this. Beavers had spread down from the North of Sweden because of over enthusiastic protection and were rapidly damming the small streams that supplied water to the numerous water 8

Callander Rambling Club

The majestic moose

turbines which served most dwellings in the area. It had become a big problem.

It was a rapid response to get a tractor and grappling hook to rip out the newly constructed dam so that the water could reach the turbine and the festivities could continue. By the next morning the beavers had rebuilt that dam (busy as a beaver they say) - but not really where it was wanted.

The same thing also caused flooding of farm land and crops.

Now the beavers are fine up north where there is no conflict with food production

Sponsored by Caledonian Country Wear

The Club consists of a group of enthusiasts who meet regularly throughout the year to participate in a programme of strolls, rambles, hill walks and a Long Distance Path. Details are published on http:// www.incallander.co.uk/r a m b l e r s . htm in the Ben Ledi View and on posters around Callander.

New members and guests are always welcome. Here are some dates for your diary: May 2016 • Sat 7 May 08:30 Hill: Beinn Each & Beinn Bhreac (813m) contact 01877 330059 • Wed 11 May 09:30 Ramble: Cashel & Inchailloch (8miles) contact 01877 382661 • Sat 21 May 08:30 LDP: RRW(2) Aberfeldy to Acharn (10miles) contact 01877 330032 • Wed 25 May 09:30 Stroll: Dam Circular Walk (6 miles) contact 01786 475075 June 2016 • Wed 1 June 09:30 Ramble: Cochno & Loch Humphrey (8.5miles) contact 01786 841240

Inspecting the work of beavers

but when they spread out and start activities such as this there is a problem and a local cull has to be organised in addition to the moose. This is all acceptable to sensible folk and works fine.

Perhaps the powers that be should take heed from this and allow those inconvenienced farmers in Scotland to do something similar. Who remembers the coypu menace in East Anglia back in the sixties? Every gun club in that area was urged by the then Ministry of Agriculture to help with shooting coypu. The destruction of flood defences by the burrowing animals and the extensive damage to farm crops had reached plague proportions.

Now what about the re-introduction of lynx? They are okay in some parts of Scandinavia, but the forest there is fairly open semi tundra - lots of lemmings and a few roe deer for quarry. Compare this with the sterile blocks of Sitka in Scotland which would supposedly support lynx. Perhaps the sheep would not be so happy.

Let’s think about escaped wild boar in Southern England which are rapidly increasing - a worthy hunters’ quarry, and good meat. Are they digging up golf courses though? And a bad tempered boar

We meet in Ancaster Square, unless otherwise indicated. Please bring wet weather clothing, appropriate footwear and a packed lunch.

And please let the walk leader know if you plan to join the walk via the contact number given. Thanks!

Glenorchy Farm

Free range rare breed pork for sale

We sell fresh pork as 1/2 pigs (20kg) and 1/4 pigs (10kg) every 3 months.

Next available - August 2016.

We also sell frozen sausage and bacon packs - £25.

We can arrange drop off points in the local area.

Contact: Fiona MacLennan t: 07783116399 e: fiona.glenorchyfarm@gmail.com facebook: Glenorchy Farm when cornered by a dog can disembowel it with one slash of its tusks. Not good for the weekend dog walk.

Ask about possums in New Zealand, feral mink, and baboons in a Safari Camp; not to mention knotweed and Himalayan balsam. Was it on a TV programme about overcrowding in inner city housing and the increase in bed bugs and tape worms?

Old Nyati Where do we stop?

New arts trail Continued from Page 2 ... Balquhidder Village Hall, Monachyle Mhor, The Golden Larches, Mansewood Country House, The Lochearnhead Hotel, Lochside Cottages, Loch Earn, Briar Cottages, The Four Seasons Hotel and The Achray Hotel.

A number of ornamental features including an “Airliephant”, a miniature mill house, a stag, a totem pole road sign, a cockerel mile marker and an old red phone box are also highlighted along the arts trail route along with food and drink stops, collectively mapped at www. robroycountry.com/blisstrail VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director Liz Buchanan MBE said: “LETi is to be congratulated on this fantastic, inventive achievement - creating this new attraction to connect Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans is a great way of encouraging more visitors to stop off and spend time in and around the the four villages. The BLiSS arts trail capitalises on all three themes of the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design and I am sure it will be a great asset to tourism in the area and will not only attract visitors but will also bring benefits to local businesses.”

Kim Proven, LETi Chair and owner of luxury self-catering Briar Cottages at Lochearnhead said: “We wanted to create something new - an attraction that would capture the imagination of people of all ages and become a talking point. Our BLiSS trail’s diverse, inspirational artworks and installations should, we feel, do just that.

Each of the pieces is interesting, thoughtprovoking and entertaining so we hope the trail will become a real favourite with visitors and make our villages even more attractive as destinations that people will seek out.

“We hope that visitors will recommend the BLiSS trail and our friendly communities to others. We want them to share their experience of it through social media by posting pictures on Facebook using the hashtag #BLiSStrail and on Twitter @robroycountry.”

Artist Kev Paxton, who has three pieces on the BLiSS trail (‘Bill The Bull’, ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘Fraser Briar’) said: “I was delighted that LETi invited me to become involved in this arts trail linking villages around the A84 and A85. There is a story behind all of my pieces and I aim to make people smile through my work, so, I hope that they encourage people to stop and spend time in this stunning area.

I think it’s a fantastic idea and I really hope that the trail brings benefits to the tourism businesses and their communities.”

At the Broch café: Kim Proven with ‘Thistle the Hielan’ Coo’ during the Trail’s launch For further information, photos and interviews contact: Kim Proven, Chair of LETi (Loch Earn Tourism Information group) Tel: 01567 830443 Mob: 07917 416497 Email: briarinfo@btinternet.com / enquiries@robroycountry.com

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A Note from

St Angus’s

As I write this I’m full of anticipation at the many replies I’m going to get in the May issue on the subject of having different faiths represented in the House of Lords! I do hope SOMEONE is going to show an interest...

In the meantime here’s something different to think about.

I woke up very early this morning and found myself pondering a few verses I had been reading in the 7th chapter of St Mark’s gospel. It concerns a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment.

Church News

BalquhiĐĐer •bls Reg. Charity No. SC012316

The financial side of repairs to the church following the damage caused by the storm late last year has now been sorted – i.e. the insurance will pay for the internal repairs to water damage, but we have to pay for the roof repairs when the roofers decide they have time to do the work and the weather is right!

It will cost us well over £5,000. We are grateful to the Clan Society of North America for its recent gift of over £2,000 which is a great help. The rest will come out of savings.

We are sad to report the death on 16th April of Mr Colin Gompertz. He had been ill for some time and died in hospital in Stirling. He and Daphne had moved from Stronvar House to Callander fairly recently. Colin was our Church Treasurer for a short while in the late 1980s, and thereafter audited the church accounts for many years. He was instrumental in putting the accounts in good order whilst Treasurer, and thereafter was always very helpful to us.

Our condolences go to Daphne and all his family.

There is no sign of a new minister on the horizon. It is going to be a long wait, I fear!!

Jean Edwards

The disciples bring him to Jesus - and what does Jesus do but stick his fingers in his ears (if someone attempted to stick his fingers in my ears I know what I would do and it’s not hang around for what happened next) but read on, what Jesus does next is spit (yes, SPIT) and touch the man’s tongue with his spittal (by now I would be running in the opposite direction). As far as we can tell Jesus is a stranger to him and it’s the disciples who brought him. Well, if my best friend tried to do that to me, never mind a stranger, I’d be off. So, feeling not a little irreverent by this time I began to think about it more deeply. What kind of a man can inspire that incredible degree of trust/ faith? To me it’s a double miracle - the man is completely healed of his deafness, speaks clearly and Jesus, even in the briefest encounter can and does inspire enormous confidence and trust.

WOW - that’s some Man!

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EASTER EGG HUNT We had a great day on Easter Sunday with a sponsored egg hunt up the Ben Sheann and would like to thank everyone who took part and donated eggs. We had a fantastic turn out despite the weather and even the Easter bunny joined us.

We also raised over 600 pounds for our xmas party fund so many thanks for all the sponsors and donations it is much appreciated and perhaps this could be the start of an annual event.

At our AGM Wullie Dalziel suggested we could include a space for people to be able to sell unwanted items. As we received a request this month to advertise a couple of ‘like new’ pieces it seems an ideal time to launch our “VBay” column with the proviso we take no responsibility for the articles offered.

Gorgeous dark solid wood table and four chairs in grey coverings.

Like new. £180.

White ‘brass’ style double bed with memory foam mattress.

Like new. £120 Call 01877 384783 (no voicemail) or 07716993021 (voicemail) 11

McLaren High School Rugby - Central Schools U18 Cup Competition The final of the U18 cup competition took place at Falkirk RFC on Wednesday 9 March between McLaren High School and Larbert High School. In what proved to be an excellent end to end game of rugby McLaren eventually ran out 38-27 winners. Try scorers were Charlie Allardyce, Connor Clark, Jack Hill and Logan Trotter. Logan also successfully converted four of the scores. Both teams played some excellent rugby and we were treated to some wonderful scores. Well done McLaren and all the best to Larbert for the remainder of the rugby season.

Hockey Tournament On Thursday 17 March, 9 of our junior hockey players travelled to Helensburgh to play in a tournament against Hermitage Academy, Jordanhill School and Hutchesons’ Grammar School. Most of the McLaren team have only been playing hockey for less than 2 years and were playing against teams with much more experience, some with players who play for Scotland Under 16s. McLaren juniors played extremely well with goals being scored by Reuben Dimmer (2), Ewan McCourt, Mark Hamilton and Samuel Mercer-McCluskey.

Special mention should go to Holly McNaught who was amazing in goals!

Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships 2016 On Sunday 13 March, the recently formed McLaren High School Pipe Band competed at the annual Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships held at the musically prestigious Broughton High School in Edinburgh.

The pipe band was formed by senior pupils in the school six months ago, in time for the 50th Anniversary of the School’s move to Moillands Road and have since played at several school events with members playing at events in Glasgow as well. After well received performances and encouragement Hockey Stars! from the school’s bagpipe tutor, Andrew Wallace, the band decided to enter the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships held in March, at the time only a few months in the future.

The band on the day consisted of pipers Callum Hall (Pipe Major) (S5), Connor Ramsay-Clapham (S5), Rebecca More (S4), Drew Galloway (S4), Cameron McLay (S3), Cameron Dinwoodie (S1), James Douglas (S1), Robin Turnbull (S1) and our debutant Catriona Norman (P7 at Callander Primary) and drummers Jason Derrick (S5), Jamie McAlpine (S5), Aaron Stewart (S5) and Callum Convoy (S5). After warming up, tuning up and waking up, we were ready to go. With nerves jangling all over we marched onto the stage in front of the judges and an audience full of anxious parents and teachers eager for us to do well. Having formed up nicely we played our set almost perfectly and in a flash it was over!

We came away from our performance feeling extremely relieved but more importantly very happy with how it had gone and without any regrets as to how we could have done better on the day. The buzz that we got from performing was amazing and everybody was inspired to do it again!

Overall the event was not only a great success but a massive learning experience for everyone involved.

Callum Hall S5

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Rugby Team on top

Pipe Band

Trad Trio - left to right: Connor, Fergus and Callum

Small Fiddle Group

McLaren High School Music Festival and Concert On 30 and 31 March the annual Music Festival took place in McLaren High School.

Pupils from all year groups took part in the 4 competitions which took place over the 2 days – Junior (S1 and S2), Intermediate (S3 and S4), Senior (S5 and S6) and an exciting new category for this year, the Ensemble Competition.

This year we welcomed Mr Richard Chester as adjudicator of the Music Festival. Mr Chester has had a very distinguished career as principal flautist of the SNO (before it was the RSNO), he has been an international soloist and he is on the Board of NYCOS and the Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust. We were very fortunate to have such a talented and distinguished musician visit us for the Music Festival. Although he had a very difficult job choosing the winners from such strong competition he thoroughly enjoyed listening to the pupil’s performances.

The 1st place winners from each category played on the Thursday evening at the Music Festival Concert in front of an audience of family and friends. The concert opened with a performance from the McLaren High School Pipe Band followed by pieces from the Orchestra, the various ensemble groups, the Trad Group, the choir, the Ukulele Group and the Small Fiddle Group. This concert is always tinged with sadness as it is the final time our S6 pupils will perform with the orchestra – but what a way to go! A great time was had by all involved and the audience enjoyed a brilliant evening of entertainment.

McLaren High School War Memorial Prize This prize, which is awarded annually at McLaren High School, dates back to the period just after the First World War. The aim of the award was to recognise one male and one female pupil from S4 for their service to others in their community. Many of you may well have seen the prize winners’ names on the boards in the main foyer of the school.

During the course of this year, we have been discussing this award and how it can “move with the times”. It is felt that the efforts of those who give readily of their time for others should continue to be something that is recognised by the school community.

However, it has been decided that this award will be open to all pupils, not just those in S4.

We will be encouraging pupils to nominate themselves or their friends for this award, but we recognise that sometimes these pupils may be a little shy about putting themselves forward. I would like to ask you, therefore, as members of the community to contact me if there is a young person you feel should be considered for this award. The PTA have kindly agreed to be involved in the selection process for the winners.

Please email me with the details of any pupil you feel should be considered for the award with some information as to why you think they are deserving of consideration. I will then speak to them to ensure they are happy to be considered.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Susan Chalmers (PT Pupil Support) chalmerss04s@glow.sch.uk

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Tea Making - in Scotland (left) and at Amba Estate, Sri Lanka (above)

Gardening by

Beverly-Claire Wainwright

From the tea hills of Sri Lanka to Tullybannocher

Our love of plants is what attracted us to Riverside Garden Centre and for once we were in the right place at the right time - but our journey here has been a strange one.

I class myself as a home-loving bird and since marrying Neil who hails from deepest Fife, Scotland has been home for over 30 years. However, I woke up one day and decided that I needed a new challenge, as you do! This led to me giving up my job, applying for a post as a VSO volunteer and heading out to Sri Lanka.

My friends knowingly called it my wee “mid-life crisis”, my mother thought I had been kidnapped by aliens and Neil looked upon my temporary departure as an opportunity to indulge in unlimited football, beer and pizza.

My job in Sri Lanka involved working in a remote corner of the island with farmers helping develop rural businesses and farmer trade fairs.

Two days after I arrived, the Tamil Tigers attempted to bomb the airport during the night but missed and blew up the tax offices instead, a cause for celebration in some circles. I was in a guest house a few miles up the road and slept through the whole event!

I’m hoping that life in Tullybannocher will be slightly quieter.

During my time as a VSO volunteer I was lured up into the mountains to Amba Tea 14

Estate with the promise of a hot shower and a cold beer and the rest, as they say, is history. The 110 acre estate was struggling for survival selling only green leaf and a few vegetables. I was offered the job of working out how to turn the place around and create sustainable livelihoods for local people. Neil came out to join me and within 4 years we set up a tea nursery, started a replanting programme, built a small tea factory and developed a line of hand-made teas that were sold in the likes of Fortnum and Mason.

These days, Amba employs around 30 people, has achieved sustainability and has set up a 10% share scheme for its workers.

Since returning home I was amazed to find tea growing in Scotland and America and have been using my tea making skills to help develop tea making in Mississippi and to create a new Scottish tea with a grower in Tayside. I have also been advising and helping a group of 9 intrepid Scottish tea planters to plant over 20,000 tea seeds and to prepare their land for tea planting. In a few years time you may well find yourself reaching for a packet of home grown tea!

Meanwhile, I’m busy sourcing some gift items and a small range of lovely teas to sell at Riverside in the garden centre shop to fuel my obsession. Next year alongside the more usual plants we plan to have a few tea plants for sale so if you are looking for something a bit different you will have the chance to “grow your own”. Tea is produced from a type of Camellia and is a hardy, acid loving little plant that grows well in the Himalayas.

Tea plants take around four years before

they start fully producing and due to the long winter, the Scottish tea picking season will be very short. Tea plants need a lot of ‘babying’ but once established, there’s no reason why they should not grow reasonably well in and around Comrie.

Jonathan has been a huge help showing us the ropes and is quite an inspiration. Neil and I are looking forward to welcoming you back to Riverside and hope to continue to supply your garden needs. Riverside Garden centre will be open again, fully stocked, from 30th April.

Email: beverly.wainwright@gmail.com

Apart from all the courses we run, which are enjoyed by small groups of our members, we arrange events to which all are invited. The Sunday Lunches are popular and we recently had a record 30 members almost filling the dining room at Poppies Hotel in Callander.

Next month there will be an outing to Flanders Moss organised by our Local History Group, at which there will be a talk, time to walk the boardwalk and climb the observation tower for the panoramic view of the Carse, followed by lunch at The Woodhouse.

Later in May a morning’s training session for CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) will be run by the Trossachs Search and Rescue Service.

We feel it is important that as many people as possible know what to do in an emergency.

In June there will be a trip to Pitlochry Theatre for an afternoon play and we hope to have another outing, nearer to home, in July.

Then we all have a well-earned break before our AGM in August, details of which will be sent out at a later date.

SEEING STARS

Ursa Minor

Clan MacLaren Excursion Friday 22 July

by Keith Wilson

The Plough

MAY 2016 Your challenge this month is to spot one of the easiest constellations to find - Leo (The Lion). Its pattern of stars actually resembles the shape of a lion and you can find it midway between horizon and overhead in the south east.

The six stars making up the head of Leo are know as ‘The Sickle’ - they look a little like a reversed question mark. The brightest star is called Regulus (The heart of the lion) and it can be found at the foot of ‘The Sickle’.

Because of its position in our night sky Regulus is one of the few bright stars that the Moon and sometimes a planet passes in front. A close approach between Jupiter and Regulus is one theory behind the story of the Star of Bethlehem.

If you are having difficulty finding Leo and its bright star Regulus then try using ‘The Plough’ to guide you in the right direction. Draw an imaginary line down from the two stars on the left of The Plough’s ‘saucepan bowl’ and it will lead you straight to Leo. Twinkle, twinkle little star…… steady, steady little planet! Stars twinkle because they are so far away from Earth and it’s easy for our atmosphere to disturb these tiny pinpricks of light thus making them twinkle. Planets however don’t twinkle because they are much closer to Earth than stars and so their light appears steady when we look at them.

This is a good way to tell whether you are looking at a planet or star in the night sky.

The Clan MacLaren Society, supported by the Scottish Clan Event Fund, will be running an excursion around sites of interest to the MacLaren clan on Friday 22 July. The excursion will be led by Charlie Hunter, a well-known guide.

Participation will be free and is available on a first-come basis. The excursion will be advertised locally and will be open to interested people living in the area.

Provisional Programme 10 am Depart Lochearnhead car park Our first visit will be to Briar Cottage formerly known as Easter Auchraw and one of the oldest still inhabited cottages in the area. In the 1790s Archibald McLaren moved into the cottage and generations of his family lived there for the next 100 years. We will then visit the historic burial ground at Leckine where the MacLarens had been buried since at least the 1700s and probably much earlier given the antiquity of the Adveich line. After this we will drive to Glen Tarken and see the remains of the farm town where McLarens lived from the 17th century.

We will drive to Killin for a sandwich lunch and there we will see Killin’s McLaren Hall and the interesting burial ground where McLarens have been buried for generations.

After lunch we will drive to Balquhidder where we will visit the Old Kirk, built in 1631, that is looked after by the Clan MacLaren Society. We will look at some interesting memorials to the clan in the churchyard and visit the present Kirk. Then we will walk up the hill to Creag an Tuirc (the traditional rallying place of the clan) where we will get a magnificent view of Loch Voil.

From the lookout we will see the field where Rob Roy McGregor was defeated in a duel against Charles Stewart of Ardsheal (some say it was Alexander Stewart of Invernahyle) in 1734.

Then we will the drive around Loch Voil towards Loch Doine.

We will divide the party into two.

One group will walk (stout shoes recommended) to the ruined Invernenty Cottage where Donald McLaren lived.

Donald was a drover and a farmer. He gained fame as a Captain in the Appin Regiment that fought at the battle of Culloden. Donald was wounded during the battle, and after being captured later made a daring escape from his captors.

This walk may not be suitable for everyone as it involves a bit of a scramble and the crossing of a burn. Participants not wishing to take the walk can go to the nearby beautifully situated Monachyle Mhor hotel for afternoon tea. Please tick the option box below.

5.00pm Return to Lochearnhead To reserve a place on the excursion please email or post the following details to the Secretary: azurite@tiscali.co.uk or Neil McLaurin, Victoria House, Letcombe Regis, Wantage Oxfordshire OX12 9JQ Clan MacLaren Excursion

I wish to reserve ___ places on the

excursion and my contact details are: Name: Address:

Country: Telephone (including area code): Landline: Mobile:

I wish to have lunch at Killin

(price £5.00) Note: drinks are at your expense and I have enclosed £____ with my application. Cheques made out to the Clan MacLaren Society please.

I wish to join the walk to Invernenty

Cottage.

I wish to have tea at Monachyle Mhor

at my own expense.

Special dietary requirements:

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BLS – Where Business Does the Talking

Interview by Iona Mchedliani

‘Strathyre Outdoors’ - part two!

Kenny and Barbara Higgins started their company “Strathyre Outdoors” with the aim to develop and improve the range of activities available to both residents and visitors in the area. Using their experience gained over lengthy and interesting careers, Kenny and Barbara successfully run their business from their home in Strathyre, as well as promoting various local initiatives and upcoming projects.

Which are your most popular activities?

Kenny: The canoe safari is very popular for small groups. We usually cater for up to eight people at a time for safety reasons. We also do “Bush Skills” as part of the mini adventures, which is very popular. It’s basically taking adults and children out into the forest and showing them survival techniques; how to build a shelter; how to protect themselves; educating them on what the poisonous plants and berries are; what’s safe to eat; and how to filter water and many more educational benefits. Jack, who works with us, is very good with all of this. He’s very popular, full of fun and great with children.

We also do orienteering, map reading, and navigation experience for people that aren’t familiar with maps, so that they then know how to read one and learn how to keep themselves safe out in the wild. They can go off on a trek and learn how to survive, how to get themselves safely back home, how to navigate.

That’s quite popular too.

Barbara: We promote historic tours in Stirling. We also did our own special “Picnic Experience” as part of our range of activities last year. It’s not a theme that’s unique to us.

Others have tried the concept. Basically, Jack the ranger dresses up in Highland gear, with the tam-o-shanter and the feather and becomes a personal servant and a guide taking people on a walk and picnic experience with all local produce. He tells guests about our local history and folklore, about the flora and fauna of the area. They spot wildlife, sometimes otters, pine martens, red squirrels, golden eagles, ospreys, and other creatures.

They sit on a tartan rug, have a nice picnic with a glass of prosecco. Then he can leave them to enjoy the tranquil scenery on their own before returning to guide them back again. He’s very good at this, and has even entertained celebrities on this experience.

Is it mainly local people or visitors who take part in your activities?

Kenny: It’s a wide range of people, but very few local people who we guess already know and enjoy the fantastic environment we have here. For many, the village of Strathyre and its beautiful surroundings are an extension of their garden. It’s been mostly visitors to the area taking part in these activities.

Local children attend the football; that’s well attended. But with the canoe safari, the mini adventures, the bike hire and other activities we offer, it’s generally people from out-with the local community.

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Can you offer customized packages for people?

Kenny: Very much so. As an example, we have a family coming up to Balquhidder who will be staying at Monachyle Mhor. They have booked us to organize a long hike, map-reading and navigation experience with wildlife spotting and a little Bush Skills. Next day it’s a canoe safari in the morning. Then in the afternoon they will do a leisurely cycle from Balquhidder up to Killin and back. This is fairly typical of the flexible packages we can offer.

We also work with Slainte Scotland from the West of Scotland, who run very popular tours on various themes such as: Outlander film set visits; Angels Share Whisky Tour; Rob Roy and Loch Lomond Tour; Oban and Glencoe Tour; Scottish Battlefields and much more. Through Slainte Tours we can tap into the Cruise Liner Market where we bring passengers from the Greenock Liner Terminal up to Strathyre as part of a full day Rural Scotland experience.

We also hope to support George and Helen from Highland Glen Travel at Lochearnhead to promote other bespoke tours. So people coming here can actually enjoy the area and then go off on a tour to other parts of Scotland.

In January we had four people who came all the way from Australia to stay in Strathyre.

They saw our website and were so attracted to our way of life and what they’d read on social media, that they decided to make a holiday of it. They’d never been to Scotland before, and yet they chose Strathyre as their base! They had a great time staying at the Strathyre Inn and enjoying local tours with Slainte Scotland.

We also organised some of Balvaig to pop in and entertain them. Ceana Heron offered some coaching on playing the bagpipes, also treating them to a few tunes which they really enjoyed.

Barbara: We had special guests - a lady with her mum and son from America, they came from the Hamptons in New York. She read our website all the way over in New York and then decided to come to Scotland on holiday and based herself here for a couple of days before heading North on our recommendation to the Isle of Skye, then St Andrews and the Fife coastal route. We’ve also had guests from Spain, Italy, Holland and Germany out on bikes, canoe safaris and guided walks. It’s been a good draw for international people to the area.

Is word-of-mouth key to the way you advertise?

Kenny: It’s fantastic. We’ve had very good

Barbara and Kenny

reviews and feedback on Social Media.

Everyone we’ve met has been very positive, with many giving us five-star reviews. We’ve not had anybody upset since we started the business. Most have tried us and vowed to return – some have recommended us to friends.

Is the work quite seasonal?

Kenny: Yes, it is. We would do almost anything at any time, as long as it was safe to do it; even a mountain walk in the snow, or to conquer a Munro. We’ve got people willing to help make these things happen, but predominantly I would say it’s from round about the beginning of April to the end of October – that’s our season.

Do you have any special events planned for the coming spring or summer?

Kenny: Yes, we’re involved in support of a new LETi project. We have a brand new trail being established, due to run from the south of Loch Lubnaig all the way up to St. Fillans. It’s going to be promoted quite widely in the media and we’re going to have a press launch on the 27th of April. It will be a “Year of Innovation Art and Design 2016 contribution”, that’s the easiest way to describe it. Its top secret but news on the launch will be out soon. It’s a small but interesting project and all part of the drive to encourage more people to our area.

We hope to run more Orienteering for the children at Strathyre Primary School. Our son Stephen hopes to restart the football coaching on Saturday mornings in April. Stephen is also competing in several OCR (Obstacle Course Races) and has an idea to try one of these here in Strathyre. We hope to attract some brave local folks to try the idea.

Through our relationship with Slainte Scotland Tours, We hope to promote a wide range of fantastic Scottish Tours departing from Strathyre to support local guests and to draw new visitors to the village.

How are you involved with the Strathyre Music Festival?

Kenny: I started it off with a local chap Cliff Uney over 4 years ago when we formed the folk band Balvaig, which still plays locally.

Through Balvaig we formed a separate Festival Committee. Barbara was also on the committee to help me get it all going.

The music festival has gone from strength to strength. We had three good years. I stepped down as Chairman of the Festival Committee in 2015 to focus on other activities. In 2016 the Festival Committee is going back to the

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Musicians at the Inn at Strathyre practise for the Strathyre Music Festival Continued from page 16

original plan with a Festival Market in the car park next to the village shop. The festival takes place on the holiday weekend 27-29 May. We’ve just had the festival promoted through my Sustrans links on their national events page alongside that other little festival – Glastonbury!

Barbara: The festival is gradually growing in popularity. I help the Festival Committee managing ticket sales and band passes.

It’s always tough trying to get funding, but again, if we get more people up this year and make it even more successful, people will start to see that there’s other things to do in Strathyre. That’s yet another thing we’re keen to help promote.

Kenny: Sustrans will be present at the festival, promoting the Route 7 cycle path, and various others. LETi will be there promoting tourism for the area. It’s helping to draw more people, not just to Strathyre, but to Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and the surrounding area. Those with self-catering cottages, Bed & Breakfasts and hotels are definitely getting some bookings because of the work that we’re doing here in Strathyre.

We also in return, offer a service to those staying locally with a choice of things to do.

Obviously you feel very strongly about promoting tourism in the local area. Do you have any general recommendations either for the National Park or for local businesses in this regard?

Kenny: The National Park are supportive.

Visit Scotland are also supportive. They give us occasional plugs and some help on social media. As a small rural business with a very tight budget, we are grateful for any support.

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The local people are slowly understanding what Strathyre Outdoors’ plans are and are seeing that in helping us with referrals, it can directly benefit the local economy through accommodation bookings at campsite, B&Bs and self-catering outlets, also hopefully benefitting the local shop and food and drink outlets here in Strathyre and beyond.

Supporting the village and our local economy is one of our objectives in our position as a Community Interest Company. However, like all small businesses, it’s important to remember that we need to ensure we earn more than we spend in order to be able to continue our activities and cover all running costs.

We work closely with the Broch Café in the village. They give us great support, and we like to support them. If we’re having activities, we try to encourage people to meet us at the café, so they can hopefully have a coffee. Then maybe after they have enjoyed their activity, they’ll hopefully go back and have lunch or a snack there. That’s one example of how you can share business in a small rural community. Doesn’t happen every time but we hope to do more of this in support of the community so we can all benefit.

In what way does the internet play a role in your business?

Kenny: Through the internet Social Media is very good for us. The reviews we’ve had have been exceptionally good, which has inspired people to come and give us a go. All of our international customers go back and tell their friends how friendly the Scottish people are, but this is just the way we are in

Scotland. We are chuffed to bits when people venture across the border and come here on holiday and have to admit that we are really actually nice people and not running about the hills in kilts catching haggis, waving axes and swords about. They are relieved when we explain we only do this on Tuesdays...

Barbara has good experience of working with people from when she ran a villa rental business in Florida from Scotland and from her sport shop business.

Barbara: We used to promote different rental properties in Florida and at one point ended up managing the bookings for 250 houses!

It was going really well and was quite a successful business, but then 9/11 happened and people just didn’t want to fly anymore.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t keep competing with the massive discounts that quickly became available from big businesses, so we were sadly forced to close that business.

What have been some of the highlights from your career?

Kenny: I was involved with the board of Livingston Football Club in West Lothian and Barbara ran the club sports shop at the stadium. I was assistant club secretary and ran the professional youth football team. I was Chairman of a youth Football Club in West Lothian. It was Scotland’s largest boys’ football club with over 200 players from age 9 to 18.

I was with British Telecom for 31 years. I started off as a clerical officer straight from school and worked up to become a director.

I was head of the wireless data side of BT. In 2004 left BT at a reasonably young age in early retirement and decided to try something different. Barbara and I bought a yacht and sailed off into the sunset.

Through time I discovered I had to work again. Although we enjoyed our 7 years

afloat touring the Hebrides and West Coast between Scotland and Ireland.

I used my former skills and learning from BT to set up my own communications company. I kept that going for a few years.

Then I was approached by another company that became interested in a Flood Monitoring system I had developed. I joined them and further developed a monitoring and warning system for flooding that became quite successful. The systems are now provided to many of the local authorities in the UK wherever there’s significant risk from flooding. We supplied technology to SEPA and other water related institutions internationally from our base at Stirling University. I also helped design a post box monitoring system for the Post Office to help reduce their Post Office Carbon Footprint.

Youngest son Barry continues to run the Technical Lab of this company.

That was the last ‘real’ job I had. As we’re getting a wee bit older Barbara and I thought we’d just settle down and enjoy Strathyre.

Above: on Safari with Strathyre Outdoors; and below, exploring the ‘enchanted forest’

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Mhor Festival

Traffic Management Plan

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To try to minimise any traffic problems on the single track road between Balquhidder Village Hall and Monachyle Mhor, the Festival is implementing a new and improved Traffic Management Plan for 2016. There will be a park and ride system in place from Mhor 84 and guests who park here will take the free bus to the festival.

Buses will leave every 30 minutes from 10am until late on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May. Guests who wish to drive all the way to the Festival will join a queue of traffic at Balquhidder Hall which will be released in waves when traffic travelling the other direction has all passed. By not having traffic travelling in opposite directions at the same time we hope to minimise the likelihood of incidents and also make the journey more straightforward. We do anticipate though that guests will have to wait a short time in the traffic queue. Return buses will also operate every 30min back to Mhor 84 from 11.30am each day. Please note that all residents will have unrestricted access to the glen road but be aware that there will be a high volume of traffic either ahead of you or coming towards you and therefore we ask you to drive with caution. We would like to take this opportunity to thank local residents for their support and patience throughout the weekend and we hope to see you all at the festival. Balquhidder residents get free entry!

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- a view with a room NEW DELUXE BEDROOMS The biggest event was the opening of our new Deluxe rooms overlooking the Loch. They have been designed with the colours of the surrounding countryside - rich purples and greens - inspired by the autumn heather. When you’re looking out on the stunning views, you feel part of the landscape.

There is every conceivable luxury to enjoy: whirlpool baths, steam rooms, power showers, under-tile heating, Nespresso coffee, mini bar, superking beds, luxurious leather furniture and of course, a view to amaze you.

One guest said, “Surely you can’t put a price on the view from here...? It’s outstanding!”

FOOD The spring menu has just been launched - and as the new St Fillans to Lochearnhead walking route has attracted some hungry walkers, there is more emphasis on the ‘light bite’ side. The restaurant has just won another award as the Best Informal Dining Hotel in Scotland.

Try our daily specials: Fresh langoustines simply served with lemon and soda bread or antipasti sharing platter with 3 meats, olives, chilli infused houmous, Highland Perthshire Oatcakes and our very own home grown salad garnish.

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The Clachan has been busy once again!

We’d like you to know what’s happening on the shores of Loch Earn.

Clachan Cottage Hotel Lochside, Lochearnhead, Perthshire FK19 8PU clachancottagehotel.co.uk Email: info@clachancottagehotel.co.uk By telephone: 01567 830247 International: +441567 830247 By fax: 01567 830300 International: +441567 830247

NEW ACTIVITIES FACILITIES Six years ago we transformed an old inn into a boutique hotel with a world class restaurant and bar. This has brought with it an entirely different customer base and a strong leaning towards activities.

Lochearnhead has also changed, with the demise of the water sports centre. We have now geared up to provide our own activities for hotel guests.

Alan has recently sold his engineering business and will now have time to indulge in his passion for water sports and cycling. He can often be seen out and about with his wife Shirley as they are always training for some event, be it a triathlon or road bike race.

So we have started by providing a range of bikes (including electric models) to ensure that even the not-so-fit can get out there and enjoy the local cycling trails.

If you stay in one of our rooms you can access a range of activities: CANOES • BIKE • BOAT TRIPS • WATERSKIING Guided cycling tours can also be arranged for groups or individuals. Take advantage of the amazing variety of bike trails - with either road or mountain bikes.

Farm Forum: Rewilding - ‘the final straw’ Recently there was an article in the paper by

Nancy Nicolson, reporting on the launch of a National Sheep Association (NSA) report on the implications of a reintroduction of the big cat to the UK. Horror stories about the impact of farming alongside the Eurasian Lynx by a Swedish sheep farmer were recounted.

Speaking at the event in London, Tomas Olssen described his experiences with wolves and lynx, both of which are protected species. “First the roe deer go, then your favourite cat disappears without you realising, and then they start to take the sheep,” he said.

“In the beginning you just lose some sheep and you don’t know why, but then you find more and more dead and not even eaten.”

“It’s the pressure of living with it. You wake up every morning, go outside and find dead sheep that you have spent so much time improving through your breeding programme and caring for through lambing time - just in order to feed the lynx.”

NSA Scotland chairwoman and Argyllshire sheep farmer Sybil Macpherson claimed the UK was too small and densely populated to provide the huge roaming

areas needed by a healthy lynx population.

She demanded more consideration be put in to granting any licence to release the lynx than happened with the introduction of the sea eagles.

“Flocks that were removed from the hills in my area of Scotland have been brought back in recent years to overcome the negative impact of under-grazing on biodiversity,” she said.

“It is already difficult to maintain those vital sheep numbers due to predation by sea eagles - add lynx to the equation and the land will become an unmanaged wilderness that is no use to man or beast, domesticated or wild.”

The report by the National Sheep Association is in response to plans by the Lynx Trust UK to run up to three five year pilot projects to introduce the big cat around the country.

It is reported that NSA has compiled information about Lynx projects in other parts of Europe, considered the suitability of the UK and gathered evidence on the full impact such a move would have.

It argues that the consequences would be far greater than just predation on sheep.

NSA chief executive is quoted as saying that around 75% of biodiversity in the UK had a relationship with agriculture and there had

been heavy investment in agri-environment schemes.

“Grassland environments, which are considered to be an attractive and desirable part of our countryside, are largely managed by sheep farming,” he said. “But conditions are tough in the sheep sector, returns are low and, for some farmers, the release of the Lynx would be the final straw and we would lose much more than sheep if these businesses ceased to operate.”

We are in the middle of the hill lambing just now and apart from weather, predation by our present predators is a major factor.

It is therefore sad to see an increase in worrying of sheep and lambs by so called domesticated dogs - I am sure that you will all have read the disturbing reports in the press. It does not seem to matter how many notices that are displayed, some people still take their dogs to the hill at lambing time and although only a few will worry sheep, untold damage is done simply by disturbing ewes with young lambs and lambing ewes. It does not seem too much to ask that walkers keep their dogs off the lambing areas for the short period involved or at the very least keep them on leads the whole time.

Rural Stirling Housing Association The Association is an affordable housing developer and Registered Social Landlord (RSL). We now have almost 600 homes in management throughout the Rural Stirling area – with 22 in Lochearnhead and 18 in Strathyre. We are continuing to build new homes to meet housing needs. See www.rsha.org.uk for more information.

Tender for Repairs Service We regard a high quality Repairs Service as a key element in delivering excellent customer satisfaction. We will shortly be tendering our Reactive Repair and Void Property Maintenance Service.

The intention is to create a Framework of contractors covering all the main trades for a 3 year period, commencing August/ September 2016. By advertising in a range of local publications it is hoped to encourage locally resourced contractors to compete for inclusion on the Framework.

The Framework will also be advertised nationally via the Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) website and this is where all interested Contractors will be able to access the tender documents and submit their bids - www.publiccontractsscotland. gov.uk. If interested, you will require to register with PCS. It is anticipated that the

Framework will be advertised on the PCS website in the next few weeks.

The opportunity will be issued as one tender document and will comprise five separate Lots as follows:

Builder works • Painter works Electrical works • Plumbing works Joiner and Glazier works Contractors will only be permitted to submit a tender for a single Lot. It is intended to appoint 3 Contractors for each Lot to allow selection of the most appropriate Contractor per job. Contractors will be appointed to the Framework on the basis of a price and quality assessment.

If you have any queries regarding the tendering process or operation of the Framework, then please contact Malcolm Lee, Senior Maintenance Officer on 01786 841 101.

Rural Stirling Housing Association Stirling Road Doune FK16 6AA Tel: 01786 841101

A Scottish Charity - Registration No. SC037849

Do you need an affordable home?

Rural Stirling Housing Association aims to support local communities by providing quality homes at affordable rents for families, couples and single people in housing need.

We currently have over 550 rented houses and flats. Around 50 of these become available for rent each year. We hope to have new properties in Strathblane and Balmaha soon and currently have properties in the following communities

Aberfoyle Deanston Gartmore Lochearnhead Balfron Doune Killin Strathyre Buchlyvie Drymen Kinlochard Stronachlachar Callander Gargunnock Kippen Tyndrum

We may be able to build in other communities in the future – please let us know to if you want to live in a village that is not listed above.

Information on local housing need and demand helps us plan for the future.

If you are interested one of our properties become available please

in renting when they contact us:

Rural Stirling Housing Association Stirling Road, Doune FK16 6AA Telephone: 01786 841101 Email: enquiries@rsha.org.uk www.rsha.org.uk

Registered as a Scottish Charity No. SC037849

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Now that the weather has improved, and with the recent holidays, we have seen our roads becoming that bit busier. At present we have a big drive on road safety, both through education and enforcement. On Friday 25th March, our Roads Policing Officers began Operation Zenith, which will run throughout the summer until Friday 30th September.

The operation is predominantly aimed at motorcyclists in a bid to reduce the number of serious or fatal collisions that occur on our local roads.

All the local officers with the Trossachs and Teith Community Policing team are assisting with the operation and we will be doing our bit to educate and enforce. Already we have seen some good results which have resulted from dedicated patrolling of the trunk roads. This included one driver who was stopped in Lochearnhead on the 3rd April during a routine speed check for driving whilst using a mobile phone. The driver was subsequently found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested to appear at court. The driver was also found in possession of class A drugs.

On the 10th April, my colleague and I dealt with an incident on the A85 whereby a motorcyclist decided, for whatever reason, to open the driver’s door of a car whilst it was being driven along the road. Thankfully, owing to Operation Zenith, we had police motorcycles in the area who were able to stop the offender and his associates and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal after the offender was charged regarding the incident. Thankfully no-one was injured that afternoon but the consequences could have been potentially fatal for all involved, as well as other road users.

There have also been a number of motorists who have been dealt with for speeding and other motoring offences, including the registration plates not being of the prescribed size and font. The reason these regulations are in place are two fold; on the one hand it allows our ANPR and Safety Camera Units to read the plates, but on the other, if your vehicle is stolen, there is a higher chance of recovery if the systems can read your plates. Many will not be aware, but if your registration plates are not conforming to the legal requirements, your insurance is not valid and the companies will not pay out in the event of a claim. Definitely food for thought!

Operation Zenith will be running alongside Operation Ironworks within this local area. Again, Operation Ironworks has seen some good results over the last few weeks with persons being found in possession of controlled drugs, as well as a number of persons traced drink driving, or being in charge of vehicle whilst drunk.

Both of these operations address Road Safety and Antisocial Behaviour which are two of the local priorities and these were 24

set last year after consultation with the local community and a number of partners.

Local Policing Consultation Police Scotland consults with the public every year on what their priorities are for policing in their community.

In the past this has always been by hard copy consultation questionnaires which were distributed by police officers within the community they work.

This year Police Scotland’s consultation process is widening and becoming more flexible. The consultation process is moving online to a digital format and consultation will be open all year.

Your View Counts The public consultation is for you to tell us what is important to you in your community.

Your opinion is valued – we need your opinion to inform our policing. Having your say in the decision making process of Police Scotland is a vital tool for residents of Scotland to be able to shape the way their public services should operate.

Everyone’s views across Scotland will be taken on board at a national and local level.

We want you to help us focus on the priorities that will help communities most. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to local policing and all the needs and wants of individual communities will be considered.

This is the first time Police Scotland’s public consultation is being hosted on a digital platform. This allows us to reach a much wider audience than ever before ensuring that everyone can have their say. The online consultation is open all year which allows you to take part when it suits you but also gives the flexibility of being able to re-submit the consultation if your priorities change.

It’s a very simple process that should only take a few moments of your time but will shape the way that policing is coordinated across Scotland and in your local community.

To fill in the survey, please visit

http://www.scotland.police. uk/about-us/decision-making/ public-consultation/local-policingconsultation

As always, I can always be contacted on 101 or for those who prefer email, I can be contacted directly at william.diamond@ scotland.pnn.police.uk.

Regards, PC Will Diamond

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Council Minutes of Meeting held at Balquhidder Village Hall, on 6th April 2016

Please note that these minutes have not yet received formal approval and should be considered as a draft version only.

Present: Malcolm McNaughton (MM), David Johnston (DJ), Paul Hicks (PH), Ruth McLusky (RMC), Richard Eastland (RE), Alice Duncan (AD) and Loraine Telfer (LT). Apologies: Adrian Squires (AS), Karen Methven (KM), Angus Cameron (AC).

In attendance: Cllr Alycia Hayes (AH), Cllr Fergus Wood (FW), Theresa Elliott (TE), Stirling Council; PC Will Diamond (WD), Police Scotland; Owen McKee (OM), Lochearnhead; Billy Ronald (BR), National Park.

1) Approval of Minutes It was proposed by DJ, and seconded by AD, that the minutes of the meeting on 24th February 2016 should be accepted, and this was approved unanimously.

2) Declarations of Interest Nobody present made any declaration of interest.

3) Police Report Between 24th February and 3rd April 2016, one offence of possession of controlled drugs was detected in Lochearnhead. The male offender was also found to be driving whilst drunk, and using a mobile telephone whilst driving. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. No offences of theft or other crimes in our area were reported to the police.

However, two minor thefts occurred in Tyndrum between 26th-30th March. One male was reported for driving in excess of 50mph through Lochearnhead, and a number of fixed penalties have been issued to motorists for offences including speeding, using untaxed vehicles, using uninsured vehicles and driving without an MOT. High visibility patrols and static road checks have continued in order to deter and detect travelling criminals, given the recent thefts elsewhere in the local area. Operation Ironworks began on Good Friday, so weekend patrols will now be carried out until October. There was also a sheep-worrying incident reported at Ledcharrie Farm on 25th March. The dog owner has been traced and charged with the offence. AH mentioned that a resident in Lochearnhead had talked to her about hearing two gun-shots recently. WD stated that he believed it may have been fireworks.

4) Site Improvement - Lochearnhead OM spoke about numerous complaints regarding the site of the former Lochearnhead Hotel. Discussions had been held with the landowner regarding the possibility of having the site cleared and used as a temporary car park. The landowner was willing to grant the community council a year-to-year lease. OM thought that Stirling Council may be able to provide the funding to clear the site. AH confirmed that there is an appropriate fund with no current claim on it, and Lochearnhead is seen as being desperately in need of some development. There is also a desire to clear up the loch-side at the old water sports centre. A message had been sent via Facebook on 8-Mar-2016 to contact the lease-holder (Neil Gregory), asking for permission to clear up the site, and allow visitors and locals to use the grassed area beside the loch. This would be on the understanding that the legal status would remain unaffected, but Stirling Council is willing to clear up the area in order to attract visitors, and make it desirable as a place for further development.

MM asked if the landowner would expect a rent for the former hotel site. OM suggested that this should be declined. There will need to be a ‘claw-back’ clause, but this can be a part of the agreement. The site has been designated for commercial development and, if it looked more attractive, the likelihood is that developers would be attracted to it. AH said there would be a meeting on 15th April to decide on what money to make available. OM offered to undertake further discussions with the landowner.

Action: It was agreed unanimously agreed to go ahead with these proposals.

5) Matters Arising 5a) Flooding in Balquhidder. PH reported that, owing to having been away for some time, he had been unable to arrange a convenient date to meet with the Forestry Commission. He would continue to pursue this in the coming weeks. MM stated that KM was probably best placed to resolve the matter and offered to facilitate a meeting between KM and the Forestry Commission. Action: MM to arrange meeting with Forestry Commission.

5b) Flooding in Lochearnhead. PH reported that he had written to the new regional manager (George Fiddes) at Transport Scotland regarding the continuing problem of flooding on the A85 at Lochearnhead, but had not yet received a reply. He would continue to seek to resolve this matter.

Action: PH to continue liaison with Transport Scotland.

5c) High hedge in Strathyre. The necessary work had been carried out on 21st March and Mr Cameron was delighted with the result.

5d) War memorials. AD reported having contacted a potential contractor, but had yet to actually receive a formal quotation. The work is not expected to be difficult or expensive, so it’s anticipated that the work should be completed before too long. Action: AD will continue to address this matter.

5e) Priority-based budgeting proposals. FW stated that a proposal to dispense with some music teachers had been put forward for the last three years but, on each occasion, objections had been raised from parents, and the proposals had been set aside. FW suggested that this proposal should not be allowed again in future, and this was supported by the meeting.

6) Community Development Trust - Theresa Elliot TE thanked the chair for the opportunity to introduce herself and explained that she is employed, partly by Stirling Council as a contact link with communities in the our area, and partly by the Killin and Ardeonaig Development Trust. She is in regular contact with Strathfillan and Killin community councils. PH asked if there were any proposals to re-convene the Breadalbane Forum, but was told that there were no such plans. FW commented that an equivalent meeting in his own area had become largely a ‘talking-shop’. He suggested that, if a particular matter required consultation, it would be good to organize a joint meeting, but that no regular forum was needed. This was agreed.

7) Deer Management MM stated that he had received a letter from the South Perthshire Deer Management Group which covers the area to the North of Loch Earn. The Scottish Government has talked of putting deer management under statutory control, rather than the existing voluntary control. Consequently, all the groups are reviewing their work, upgrading deer management plans, and seeking to involve local communities. The problem at Lochearnhead is that it is located at the junction of three three different areas, so differing approaches tend to converge there. Our community council is invited to become more involved. MM stated that, as a member of another Deer Management Group, he could readily act as a liaison person.

8) Broadband Update - Balquhidder DJ reported that a public meeting had been held and sufficient people had committed to buying services to make the venture viable. The community broadband group is now working closely with Community Broadband Scotland, Stirling Council, and Leader in relation to funding the capital and non-recurring costs. A suitable internet service provider and contractors have been identified, and various options of laying fibre at an affordable cost are now being explored. The group is confident of achieving its aim of providing a funded, future-proof, fibre broadband scheme which will be the envy of all other communities in Scotland.

9) Stirling Council Event Fund Stirling Council has established an ‘Events Fund’ to help support events across the Council area. Any event organiser can contact one of the local councillors who will put them in touch with the appropriate council officer to obtain an application form. MM has already contacted representatives about the Stuc a’Chroin Race and the Strathyre Music Festival would be an obvious candidate. He has also spoken to AC about the Lochearnhead Sheep-shearing event and the Lochearnhead Games. RE mentioned the ‘Run Mhor’ event as well. Anyone interested in making a claim should contact Cllr Martin Earl in the first instance (earlm@stirling.gov.uk) 10) Strathyre Emergency Plan DJ reported that he and PH had been considering an emergency plan for all three villages, but Kenny Higgins from Strathyre has now produced a separate one for that village alone. WD said that he was very pleased to see the plan, although some of the objectives were rather ambitious. In particular, public liability insurance would be an obstacle to some proposed elements of the plan, but any community organisation is extremely helpful. DJ said that one of the main problems was identifying people who would be prepared to assume responsibility for elements of the plan, and finding suitable premises. However, the intention was for our community council to produce a similar plan.

Action: DJ and PH to work on a plan for all three villages.

11) Replacement Treasurer MM stated that, following AB’s move away from the area, a new treasurer is required. LT offered to take on the post, and this was warmly welcomed and endorsed by the meeting.

12) Bye-law and Clearways PH reported having twice made attempts to contact the new solicitor for Stirling Council (Peter Farquhar) regarding progress with the alcohol bye-law, but without success. FW offered to liaise with Mr Farquhar on our behalf. DJ mentioned that Park Rangers hadn’t been much in evidence recently. WD stated that he understood that they had been concentrating their efforts elsewhere on East Loch Lomond Side. BR mentioned that the National Park had expressed an intention to take on more rangers. Action: FW to follow up on behalf of the CC. 13) Correspondence MM mentioned that he had been notified of an application for permission to hold the Games March - an annual procession at the Lochearnhead Highland Games - had been made. There were no objections to this.

14) Planning Matters Nothing new had been notified.

15) Matters From Councillors 15a) Waste collection. There are proposals out for consultation. The number of operatives is to be reduced from 42 to 16. There will be new vehicles, designed for back-loading rather than side-loading, and the whole system of bins will be changed. LT asked about the Callander Waste Disposal site, and whether its opening hours had changed. LT had heard a rumour that the site was going to close. FW had no information but promised to find out more. The information may be available on the council website. Action: PH to check opening hours on council website.

15b) The Fire & Rescue Service is piloting a new service in Aberfeldy, whereby a local part-time, fire-fighter will spend some time doing local ‘village officer’ work. FW expressed his support for this initiative and reiterated his desire to see this post being reinstated in all rural areas.

15c) Callander is twinning with a village in Provence, France. McLaren High School has been particularly involved in this project.

15d) A large statue by the sculptor, Malcolm Robertson, is to be placed at Stirling Bridge. It will be very large (four metres high) and promises to rival The Kelpies as a tourist attraction.

16) Any Other Competent Business 16a) Wooden carving in Commission Field. AD asked about the wooden eagle at the very bottom of the ‘Commission’ car park. Nobody sees it because it is so well hidden. Could it be relocated? BR agreed to raise this with the National Park. Action: BR to liaise with National Park.

16b) Station Court, Strathyre. AD asked who was responsible for the pathway behind Station Court that leads to the cycle track. The state of the banking is very poor. It is overgrown and people are dumping garden waste there. WD suggested that it would probably be SusTrans. AD will contact SusTrans to find out.

Action: AD to contact SusTrans 16c) BLS Trust. MM asked about the current situation, but DJ suggested it would be more appropriate to discuss matters outside of the meeting at this stage.

16d) Scottish National Heritage. DJ reported that there has been talk of removing some beech trees in Balquhidder Glen, because they are not a native species. He asked if the community council could query this with SNH. FW suggested that we should contact the National Park in the first instance, specifically the planning department which has relevant knowledge and experience of tree preservation. Action: PH to contact National Park re SNH proposal.

There was no other business and, at 9:20 p.m., MM declared the meeting closed. The Annual General Meeting is due to take place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday 18th May 2016 at Lochearnhead Village Hall.

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T H E V I L L A G ERS ’ TRADE DIRECTORY

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S U P P O RT Y O U R LOCAL S UP P LIERS !

Printed by Graphics and Print Services, University of Stirling Tel: 01786 467209 email: graphicsandprint@stir.ac.uk Published by The BLS Newspaper Association

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Other Contacts...

The Villagers’ Contacts Jill Johnston Editor Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227

Gill Allan Waugh Production Manager Stronvar Farm Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384203

David Johnston Production Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227

Andrew Poulter Advertising Coire A Chroine Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384784

Copy Deadline Day is the 21st of the month. Send your contributions to:

contac t@the -villagers.org.uk Please help us to get The Villagers to you as soon as possible!

Lochearnhead Contact:

Ali Ferguson 01567 830 405 St Fillans Contact:

Isobel Howell 07876 031768 Strathyre Contact:

Wullie Dalziel 01877 384 384 Mobile 07768 221661 Mail Order Distribution:

Hilda Astbury 01877 384 681

• DIARY DATES • We e k l y A c t i v i t i e s Monday

Bowling - St Fillans Lunch Club - The Scout Station, Lochearnhead - 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Tuesday

Keep Fit - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.30 to11.30am Gaelic Playgroup - Balquhidder Hall - 10.30am to 12.30pm Country Dancing - St Fillans

Wednesday Yoga - Balquhidder Hall - 11.00am to 12noon (contact Ann Cobbett 01877 376291)

Youth Club - Lochearnhead Hall - 7.00 to 9.00pm Thursday

Choir Occasional - Balquhidder Hall - 7.30pm to 9pm (contact Gill 01877 384203) Darts League - The Inn & Bistro - 7.00pm

Friday

Playgroup - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.00am-12 noon (Contact Mel Brydie 01877 384668)

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St. Fillans CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

Balquhidder Parish Church Registered Charity No. SCO12316

MAY 2016 14 27-29 27-29 28

CHURCH SERVICES

Race Night - Lochearnhead Village Hall - see page 9 MHOR Fest - Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder - see page 20-21 Strathyre Music Festival - Strathyre - see page 17 Loch Earn Sailing Club Charity Day - see page 6

JUNE 2016 11 Dhanakosa Open Day - see page 7 25 Run Mhor 84 - see page 5

The Villagers’ Photographer Jason Allardyce

www.allardycephotography.co.uk facebook.com/allardycephotography 01877 384295 / 07508 595211 Wedding, Portrait, Social, Pet Photography Councillor Martin Earl Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET 01786 443497

Mobile 07881 310 922 earlm@stirling.gov.uk Councillor Alycia Hayes Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET 01786 443497

Mobile 07881 310 924 hayesa@stirling.gov.uk Councillor Fergus Wood Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET 01786 443497

Mobile 07824 496 019 woodf@stirling.gov.uk

Sunday 11.30am Minister: Vacancy Enquiries to Interim Moderator: Revd Terry Ann Taylor 01877 382391 Dundurn Church, St Fillans

Sunday11.30am Minister: Rev Graham McWilliams Tel: 01764 671 045

ROMAN CATHOLIC Callander, St Joseph the Worker Sunday 11.30am Saturday Vigil Mass 5.30pm from May through to September Killin, in the Episcopal Church Sunday 2.30pm Father Jim McCruden 2 Ancaster Square, Callander Tel: 01877 330 702

SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Angus’s Church, Lochearnhead 1st Sunday each month: 11.30am Communion 2nd Sunday 5.30pm Evensong 3rd Sunday 11.30am Communion 4th Sunday 5.30pm Evensong 5th Sunday (if applicable) 5.30pm FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A reflective time to discuss contemporary issues in a spiritual context

(Check with Rector for venue: 01764 655389)

Vestry Secretary - Mary Barclay Tel: 01567 830453