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Villagers
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The Voice of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre & St Fillans • AUGUST 2018
Lochearnhead
Games
2018 ! g n i w s a ith goes w
Read the report on page 18
Mhor Marathon Sunday 12th August 2018
Editor’s Bit It’s fantastic that, as I write, the sun is still shining, and the Highland Games revelled in the temperatures and dry conditions. I am sure that some farmers and others dependent on water will be grumbling and the runners entered in the Marathon might be casting anxious glances to the sky, but hopefully St Fillans can also have their weekend in the sun at the end of the month. No one got the correct answer to last month’s competition - in fact no one entered at all! So the prize remains intact for another time. We do have some entries so far for the A Day in the Life Of - so please remember there are only another four months to get your articles in for the Sunday Brunch prize. Thanks this month go to Michael Cowie for sending us another very interesting tale from the past - about Suffragettes and St Fillans (page 4) and also to Owen for his pece from the records of Balquhidder’s early angling fraternity. I wonder what people will make of all the current political goings-on if they read articles in another 100 years! In holiday mode at the moment so that’s your lot from me this month! JJ
My name is Pete Waugh and I organise the Run Mhor events alongside Tom and Lisa Lewis at Mhor. The inaugural Mhor Marathon is being held on the 12th August 2018. Runners will start at 0900 in Callander and make their way along route 7 into the glen and finish at Monachyle Mhor. Runners are expected to be in the glen around 1030 hours and will make their way down the south side of the lochs and cross the river to finish at Monachyle Mhor. Although runners will not be running down the Glen road from Balquhidder Village Hall to Monachyle Mhor Hotel, there will be increased traffic between 11am and 5pm. I recognise that the Glen road is single track and I do not want cause annoyance to local residents. I am putting in place a traffic management system to ease any congestion on the road. We would like to ask local residents to, where possible, make use of the traffic management system between these times in order to avoid any inconvenience. I hope that I am giving sufficient notice of the event but If travel between these times is essential please contact me directly on the email below and I will make every effort to facilitate your journey within the Glen with minimal inconvenience. A road sign will also be displayed in the week before the event. This year Run Mhor will be making a donation to Balquhidder Playgroup, but we are looking for other local charities or groups which we could also support so please get in touch. With this prior warning I hope the event will not inconvenience you too much. Kind Regards,
Pete Waugh Run Mhor • Tay Fitness Events
CLACHAN COTTTAGE HOTEL ONE OF SCOTLAND’S ICONIC SETTINGS ON THE SHORE OF LOCH EARN
carer
required for stand by at night times 8pm to 8am minimum wage paid - even while you sleep! Must be strong/fit. Please call Ronnie on 01877 384715 for details
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The Clachan has been here for a long time, tending to travellers and residents alike - and is now the largest hotel in the area, boasting deluxe bedrooms and amazing loch view rooms. Summer’s here at last - but after sundown when the evenings get chilly, snuggle up in front of our blazing log burner... Try our ‘smoked venison with grilled wild mushrooms’ accompanied by one of our 20 trendy gins. Sample our fresh scallops from Loch Broome - and finish off with an old favourite: home made sticky toffee pudding, smothered with butterscotch sauce. Hotel residents can take advantage of our free bikes or canoes to really explore the surrounding countryside. This gives our overseas visitors the chance to see Cycle Route 7 without the hassle of travelling with bikes. Weddings and small functions are hosted by the Clachan. Our stunning setting provides the perfect backdrop for those all important videos or photos.
Clachan Cottage Hotel • Lochside, Lochearnhead • Perthshire FK19 8PU info@clachancottagehotel.co.uk • 01567 830300
Clockwise from top: Concentration on getting the ‘coos’ right; a finished result! Participants in the Coo Class show off their efforts; Kirsten gives a demonstration.
Strathyre News Crafterno on!
Crafternoon on Sunday in Strathyre village hall was hosted by artist Kirsten Mirrey who took us through the steps of how to paint a Highland coo and what a fantastic afternoon we had. We started with a sketch, then built up the background colour, then tackled the hairy coo and ended up with a fantastic painting. All the results were amazing with really handy tips from Kirsten, who was a great teacher. We all feel inspired to pick up a paintbrush again! Crafternoon is every second Sunday at Strathyre village
hall from 2pm and next time we are having sewing machine lessons while making tote bags.
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The
St Fillans Bit Festive Weekend
17 – 19 August 2018
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by Tullybannocher. We look forward to an enjoyable weekend. Saturday and Sunday all Inclusive adult tickets (for clarity before anyone asks – that does not include bar purchases!!!) are only £28, but for those who cannot manage the whole weekend, tickets for individual events are available. For all tickets, contact the Festive Team of Ruth Graham • Ulrika Hollas • Norman Butter • Gordon McDowall • Pete Rickhuss • Bruce Montgomery Finally, I have been asked what happens to the funds raised by the Festive Weekend. Nothing secret about it. The figures are advised widely to the village
via the Community Council. After costs incurred, in each of the last few years a significant donation has been made directly to the Air Ambulance Service and the balance passed to the St Fillans Community Trust. Some of it is then quickly recycled back to Community Entertainment to support our wonderful Bonfire Night with the balance retained by the Trust to be used within their terms of Governance for the benefit of the St Fillans Village Community. See you at the Festive Weekend. If you haven’t already got them, better get your tickets now! Bruce
‘CaledonCol’
As I write this, we are exactly one month away from the Festive Weekend and tickets have been on sale for a couple of days. Ticket take up for the Festive Showing of “The Village on the Loch” on Friday 17 August has started strongly, with a quarter of the limited number of seats in Sandison Hall already filled. If you would like a flavour of the Film, you can find trailers online. Just go to “YouTube” and search for “The Village on the Loch” and links to the series of trailers will appear. I am sure you will be entranced by the quality of production (as well as the silver screen debuts of many weel-kent Villagers). It captures St Fillans in so many ways and on so many levels! Remember that all moneys from these Tickets (which are only £5 each) will be donated directly to Scottish Charity Air Ambulance service. A second Children’s’ showing (tickets free of charge) of a shortened version will be shown on Saturday morning at 10am also at the Hall. The “Mousehole Film” Gang from the Village are to be congratulated for their work and thanked for allowing us to use it as a fund-raising medium for the Air Ambulance service – a service for which the Village has many reasons to be grateful. Arrival on Friday night will see you served with a complimentary glass of bubbles to help make this is a truly Gala Occasion. While optional, dressing to capture the spirit of this red-carpet event will be appreciated. Saturday and Sunday take the normal Weekend format but adapts the Saturday afternoon Children’s event just a bit. That whole day has a Cowboy theme so after our BBQ meal, for the young villagers and guests there will a western linked game, and opportunity to be creative. More on that to be revealed on the day! Tickets for under 16 are only £5 each with under 6 free. Saturday evening will bring us the Edinburgh group Rocka-Hillbillies, so it is sure to go with a swing! Stetsons and boots are optional but will add to the fun. Our evening meal will be provided by the Catering Team from St Fillans Golf Club. Sunday brings the long-awaited return of the Allandar Jazz Band to entertain us while we enjoy our traditional quality buffet meal provided
The Four Seasons is well into its summer season now and is delighted to announce that it has been recognised by the “Travel and Hospitality Awards” as the winner of “Restaurant of The Year, United Kingdom - Scotland,” a result of the many positive feedback reports that our guests have been providing. Thank you to all. Brunch will be featuring on Sunday 5th August as the first Sunday of the month plus we are sharing in the knowledge of student, Ariadna from Spain who is with us for 10 weeks. Her mum has provided us with some recipes for some traditional tapas and we will be partnering with Great Grog for “Thursday Tapas nights” in August where you will be able to sample some of the delights of Spain here on the sunny shores of Loch Earn. Tickets for these evenings are £25 per person and include 3 drinks and a selection of tapas per person. Afternoon tea is proving to be a popular gift voucher experience and at £17.50 per person to include sandwiches, fresh scones, cakes, shortbread and petit fours, we think is an absolute bargain. Reservations are essential for all of the above so please contact The Four Seasons Hotel on 01764 685333 or email on info@thefourseasonshotel.co.uk The also continue to introduce new Gins to our Gin shelf every week! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Suffragettes in St Fillans As always I have enjoyed reading The Villagers magazine - and I was particularly interested in the articles about the Suffragettes, which reminded me of a tale my grandmother would often relate. Incredibly, several properties in the St Fillans and Lochearnhead area were targeted by the Suffragettes with the aim of burning them to the ground. That night, back in February 1910, one of the cows was giving birth in the field in front of Dalveich. The two aunties of Andrew Dow, Kirstie and Jeanine McPherson, were tending to the animal as the suffragette sped past on their bicycles followed by the local bobby. One of the houses in St Suffragettes and the only reason we Fillans belonged to the husband of could think of was the 1st Marquis the Anti-Suffragette Vice President, of Breadalbane, Sir Gavin Campbell, Mrs Stirling Boyd, and the significant who owned the Glen Beich estate and damage in the St Fillans area as a result half of Scotland wouldn’t have found of these arson attacks was referred to it in his interests for women to be as the “Bonfires of the West”. given the vote and he was part of the Whether the suufragettes got establishment that was opposed to away - or who they were - we never the Suffragettes. He died in 1922. knew, but an historian doing research As children, we loved that story for her book on the Suffragette my Gran told us. In our mind’s eye movement visited Dalveich to talk we could imagine the excitement to my grandparents. Unfortunately, of being chased by the police in the they only knew what was common black of night. knowledge at that time. It would be interesting to hear According to my gran, Dalveich from anyone that knows the details was the next house on the list. But of these arson attacks and who these why Dalveich should be a target women were. remains somewhat of a mystery. We I hope this is of interest to all those used to wonder what the inhabitants that celebrated the 100 years since of Dalveich had done to anger the (some) women got the vote. Michael Cowie
SEEING STARS by Keith Wilson
AUGUST Have you seen a shooting star? August is a good month to see a meteor shower which looks like stars shooting across the sky. On the night of 12/13 August the Perseid meteor shower is at its maximum and it should be possible to see at least 50 meteors every hour. The later in the evening you look - the more meteors you will see. The Earth ploughs into several dusty trails from comets and asteroids at regular intervals as it orbits the Sun and it is this that creates the shower of meteors. Meteors are dust sized particles which we see burning up in our atmosphere. Sometimes, larger particles enter our atmosphere creating a fireball which is a larger than usual meteor. Large particles can sometimes make it all the way to the surface where they are known as meteorites. Only four meteorites have been found in Scotland, the most recent being in 1917.
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Lochearnhead Village Hall Race Night Lochearnhead Latest
Annual Villages’ Football Match 2018 The annual charity fundraising football match between the married and single men from Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and Strathyre took place on Sunday 22nd July on the Lochearnhead games field. For the second year running the weather was kind, so the crowd was treated to an afternoon sitting out in glorious sunshine, and the BBQ and bar did a roaring trade. It was great to see players from all the villages taking part but, yet again numbers were down – fortunately a couple of ladies agreed to bolster the flagging men’s numbers. The match was played with great spirit and the single men were the eventual winners 4-1. The referee awarded the ‘person of the match’ to Carly who was playing (very skilfully) for the married men’s team, congratulations to Carly and thanks to Alex Gargolinski for ensuring fair play! The ladies half-time five-a-side match was abandoned this year as the only ladies keen to play had been seconded to the married men’s team to boost the
The annual race night was held in the Lochearnhead village hall on Saturday 12 May. The evening has developed a reputation for being a ‘good night out’ and this year was no exception with great support from local residents and a ‘lively’ crowd from Strathyre. The noisy crowd appeared to enjoy risking their money on the tote and enjoyed the banter when cheering on their chosen horses – win or lose! As in previous years the entries for the jockey outfit were limited and Ollie won - again! The ladies hat was more hotly contested and was won, for the third year running, by Theresa with Moira taking second prize and Helen coming in third. As always, the success of such events depends on the good humour and generosity of the ‘punters’ who come along on the night and give so generously. The village hall committee would like to thank everyone for making the evening such a lot of fun and a big thank you to all the individuals and local businesses that provided generous sponsorship for each race. The race night raised close to £1000, which will be spent on the upkeep of the hall over the next year; so thanks again to everyone who supported the event. numbers! Maybe next year, ladies..? After the winning captain was presented with the trophy, the charity raffle and auction got underway hosted by Tom, Shuggie, George and myself. This year the raffle and auction were extremely well supported with donations of many, many amazing and generous prizes from local businesses and individuals. The proceeds from the afternoon raised a massive sum of over £1200; as always this will be used to support Strathyre Primary School, local good causes and a donation to Marie Curie. The organisers would like to thank everyone who donated a prize to the raffle and auction (too many to mention individually) and local supporters Cathy Borland and Jimmy McSkimming (driving the BBQ - nice BBQ Jimmy!), the ‘Team’ on the raffle/auction and last but not least, our ‘professional’ barmaids, Fraser Proven and Graham Galloway (good job lads!)!
LOCHEARNHEAD LADIES SUPPER CLUB The ladies from the Supper Club meet every three months in the Lochearnhead Hotel for a two-course evening meal (main and sweet) followed by coffee and mints. It is a great opportunity to meet and make new friends with other ladies from the village, especially for anyone new to the village and also to catch up with existing friends. If anyone is interested in joining us, please contact Janette Curle, either by email at jcurle@btinternet.com or by telephoning 01567 830490 for further details. 6
Once again, a big thank you to everyone who came along on the day to make this such a successful and fun event, it wouldn’t be possible without you all! Next year’s match will be held the day after the BLS Highland Games; we hope you will continue to support this community event which raises important funds for our primary school and cancer research. Martin Sanders Treasurer
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Quiz Night
Lochearnhead Village Hall Saturday 11th August 2018 Doors open 7pm quiz starts 7.30pm Teams of up to 4 (£3pp or £10/4 person team) All funds raised go towards the upkeep of the hall Test your knowledge against your friends and neighbours! Everyone welcome - no need to bring a team - just come along and join in!
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Animal Man On Sunday 24th June 2018 Lochearnhead Village Hall became a mini zoo!
Fiona Starr
To celebrate the end of the school year we invited the local children to attend a party which gave them the opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide variety of animals including snakes, bearded dragon, chickens, ducks, rats, tortoises, rabbits, and guinea pigs to name but a few. The children had the chance to touch some of the animals and learn all about them. At the end they received a certificate and refreshments. The event was enjoyed by both children and adults alike and the entertainment provided by Tommy from Mini Zoo was second to none. Our next event will be a music night taking place in the village hall on Saturday 20th October 2018 – more details to follow soon!
Two Ways There were always two ways Back from school: Follow the pavements down Through lampposts Past the traffic wheeling down Brooms Road Then home-easyOr slip through the Electric Yard Over the ancient wall Through forests and nettles swollen headed And greasy grass belt high Trace a path Past accents of birds And rhythms before combustion. There are always two ways, One fast, One best. We’re always looking for words about your favourite walks and, as the poem shows, they do not always need to be very long or detailed. Local walks or from further afield all are welcome.
Stephen Kerr MP has pledged his support to the “Rural Crime Reporting Line”, a new service for farmers and the public to give information anonymously about rural crime. Launched by the National Farmers’ Union in partnership with the charity Crimestoppers, farmers, rural businesses and the public can ring 0800 783 0137 or visit www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk to anonymously give information about crime relating to:
• large-scale, industrial fly-tipping • machinery theft; or
• hare coursing • livestock theft
Rural crime is a serious issue for farmers, rural businesses and those who live in the countryside, and it can have significant impacts on a farm or another rural business. Stephen Kerr MP said: “Rural crime can have devastating impacts and I recognise that is a very important issue for many of my constituents in Stirling. I fully support this new initiative by the NFU and commend them for their ongoing work to tackling these serious issues. “I am committed to working with the NFU in our efforts to tackle rural crime and begin to rid this blight on our countryside.” 7
Summer Cookin’... CHILLED YOGHURT AND CUCUMBER SOUP WITH MINT This deliciously light and subtle soup is incredibly easy and quick to make. However - it does need some fresh British cucumbers and not the rather tasteless imported ones! INGREDIENTS 1 medium, firm, young cucumber 5 oz (150 g)natural yoghurt 2½ fl oz (60 ml) soured cream 1 small clove garlic, crushed
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1 teaspoon lemon juice a few slices of lemon, cut very thinly a little milk 1 level teaspoon chopped fresh mint salt and freshly milled black pepper
First of all peel the cucumber thinly with a potato peeler so as to leave some of the green, then slice it. Reserve a few slices to garnish the soup, then place the rest in a liquidiser along with the yoghurt, soured cream and crushed garlic. Switch on and blend at the highest speed until smooth. Add a seasoning of salt and pepper and lemon juice, then pour the soup into a tureen and if it seems to be a little too thick, thin it with some cold milk. Now stir in the chopped fresh mint, cover with foil or with a lid and chill very thoroughly for several hours before serving. To serve, ladle the soup into individual soup bowls and float a few thin slices of cucumber and a thin slice of lemon on each one. DS
Are you looking for funding? Then SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2018 Stirling Council and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise (SVE) will be holding a funding fair in Bridge of Allan Parish Church Halls on Tuesday 2 October. You can drop in and meet a variety of funders between 3 pm and 6.30 pm. Funders include the Big Lottery, Foundation Scotland, Robertson Trust, Corra Foundation, Climate Challenge Fund and many more. If you work with a community or voluntary organisation, social enterprise or charity and you are looking for funding to deliver projects within your community here is your chance to meet potential
funders face to face to discuss your project and what sort of funding might be available. Appointments are not necessary, just come along when it suits you between 3 and 6.30 pm. In addition, a Gift Aid workshop will be taking place to answer all your questions about Gift Aid and its relevance to your organisation. This workshop will have limited places and must be booked in advance. Further details will be available closer to the time from Jean Cowie at Stirling Council cowiej@stirling.gov.uk and from Lee Stevenson and Rachel Johnston at SVE: leestevenson@sventerprise.org.uk racheljohnston@sventerprise.org.uk
Please keep in touch with us. Jean Cowie Funding Officer People, Planning and Performance Community Engagement & Participation Team Old Viewforth, 14-20 Pitt Terrace Stirling FK8 2ET cowiej@stirling.gov.uk Tel: 01786 233143
To keep up to date with funding opportunities register on our Funding Stirling website: http://stirling.fundingscotland.com
Balquhidder Church News MUSINGS FROM THE MANSE
A Note from St Angus The early summer is the time for Assemblies and Synods of the governing bodies of the different Churches. For many Christians the Bible is the ultimate authority in the Church but I wonder...... does that mean the Holy Spirit stopped guiding Christians the moment the last sentence of the Bible was written? That does not seem possible so surely, He/She must be the ultimate authority. There are so many ethical questions nowadays which were never heard of in biblical times and even, dare I say, things in the Bible which hardly seem relevant today. So, when the General Assembly or the Synods meet how are they to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit where there is no biblical point of reference? For several years I sat as a lay person on the Provincial Synod of the Episcopal Church and this question concerned me then as it does now. Just how much prayer goes into these important meetings and to what extent are people prepared to lay aside their personal prejudices and preferences and truly seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit? We are all fallible and imperfect people, but these meetings are the best we have for deciding Church policy so maybe we should all be taking seriously the prayer support we in the local churches can offer. All comments welcome.... I miss Paddy, our retired Rector, to keep me on the straight and narrow! An ancient heritage commemorated
St Angus Service
Balquhidder Church Wednesday 15th August 2018 6.30pm All welcome Come and join us in our beautiful church for the annual celebration of St Angus - with words, music and song in English and Gaelic
a special place • a special time • a special person Come and connect with history and with a living tradition
Hope Springs Eternal! As I write this, the Highland games are about to take place again in Lochearnhead and by the time you read this they will have passed. Once more the clans MacLaren, MacGregor, MacNab and Stewart will gather and a great time will be had. Now as a lowland Scot I am somewhat bemused by all this. That said we Moffats do have our own tartan and I proudly wore my kilt at my daughter’s wedding in 2016. I must say it is a pretty classy tartan too – black and grey with a red stripe. Of course I know this is all nonsense as my ancestors would not have been seen dead in tartan as that was the dress of the Highlanders, the people they certainly would not have seen as friends or even fellow countrymen. The legacy of Sir Walter Scott’s romantic imagination and Queen Victoria’s idealism has a lot to answer for. The Moffats were border reivers once upon a time and if the historian James Webb is right about the Scots-Irish we were “born fighting.” Our clan motto is spero meliora which is often translated as “I hope for better things”. However, another translation has it as “I aspire to better things.” I like both versions. One thing I learned a few years ago was that the computer spellchecker had no record of my name. On writing a Christmas newsletter to friends informing them we were moving (in this case from Aberdeen to Edinburgh) the computer suggested the following alternatives to my surname – Muppet; Muffin; and best of all Mafia. If only my new congregation knew what they were getting! Returning to my clan motto I believe that both versions speak to me as a Christian. First, “hoping for better things” has been part of the human condition from time immemorial. It was Karl Marx who identified religion as a protest against oppression and alienation and in many respects he is right. The Bible certainly is a book of protest. But emerging out of that protest is hope. Now hope is not optimism. There is a story of parents who had two sons one was a pessimist and the other an optimist. One Christmas they tried an experiment. They placed a large amount of presents in the bedroom of the first son and a pile of manure in the bedroom of the second. In the morning, they looked into both bedrooms. In the first one the pessimist son was looking around at all the presents in his room with a pensive expression wondering what the catch was going to be. In the other bedroom the son was shovelling away with a big smile on his face muttering to himself “with this amount of crap there has to be a pony!” However, Biblical hope is not optimism. The latter is often influenced by mood or temperament whereas hope is an active virtue. Prime examples of this are the lives of Martin Luther King and Bishop Desmond Tutu. Hope is a deliberate attitude towards life and reality and it requires courage, conviction and commitment. Hope also requires a foundation and means of inspiration. For Christians, Easter is the springboard for our faith. Because of what we believe God has done in and through Christ, we are called to anchor our lives in that. The Bible hope is grounded in the past but future orientated. This infuses the present with meaning and purpose. Martin Luther King spoke of the work done “this day” (present) being seen in the light of “that day” (future) when God’s Kingdom is established on earth. That meant that the struggle for human rights which he was involved in, was placed within a larger context of the flow of history and its final outcome. That is Biblical hope. It is that hope which can be a springboard for our action and involvement in the things that matter here and now. It can also be the means whereby we aspire to become better people and live more productive and creative lives. As the Apostle Paul reminds us there are three things which last Faith, Hope and Love (1 Corinthians 13: 13). For Paul the greatest of these is love. But we wouldn’t get very far without hope. So whoever you are and whatever your situation in life may you discover a hope that sustains you, nourishes you and inspires you. God Bless
Russel Moffat
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“The white van man gets through from Stroneslaney”
Callander Rambling Club
Sponsored by Caledonian Country Wear
Pin-Feathers* *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 gets a bit gloomy...
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 incallander.co.uk/ramblers.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: AUGUST • Sat 4th 8:30 Hill: Ben Chonzie (931m) Contact 01877 331067 • Wed 8th 9:30 Stroll: Arivurichardich (4 miles) Contact 01877 339323 • Sat 11th 8:30 Stroll: Wrightpark and Dasher Bridge (41/2 miles) Contact 01786 825682 • Sat 18th 8:30 Ramble: The Drumardoch Hills (6 miles) Contact 01877 339938 • Wed 22nd 9:30 Cycle: Callander to Stank or Balquhidder return (9 or 28 miles) Contact 07950 046913 • Sat 25th 8:30 LDP: TLW4 - Tarbet to Inveruglas (6 miles) Contact 01877 330032 SEPTEMBER • Sat 1st 8:30 Hill: Ben Our (733m) Contact 01877 382924 • Wed12th 9:30 Stroll: Walk in the Park, Drymen area (4 miles) Contact 01877 330055 • Wed 19th 9:30 Stroll: Strathyre Forest (5miles) Contact 01877 384227 • Sat 22nd 8:30 Ramble: Cochno, Slacks & Loch Humphrey (81/2 miles) Contact 01786-841240 OCTOBER • Wed 3rd 9:30 Stroll: Historic Stirling (5miles) Contact 01877 330444
What a phenomenal Summer! Does anyone remember another like this? My archive photos show that, as sure as night follows day, it WILL start raining one day, and freeze up. There are two recent dates on the calendar that are worth a mention: 12th August, (“The ‘Glorious’ Twelfth” ) and 15th July, St Swithin’s Day. Let’s talk about August the12th first. Grouse shooting. So far this year there have been no press comments from so called “do gooders” - and celebrity endorsed hate campaigners - who know nothing and don`t want to know what really goes on; what of the hundreds of thousands of country people involved in game shooting? Preserving the heather moorland which in turn creates habitat for many other birds. The alternative would be the loss of heather moorland to more deserts of Sitka spruce. An old hill farmer I have known for many years is not happy with the continuing attack on grouse shooting. “If it is ever stopped “he says, “it will lead to the loss of heather moor and the and the biggest wildlife calamity ever seen”. Just before the 12th last year Scottrail announced that they would no longer allow passengers to carry a licenced shotgun, even though it was in a We meet in Ancaster Square, unless otherwise locked case with no ammunition. Was it coincidence - just before indicated. Please bring wet weather clothing, the 12th ? Passengers are of course allowed to carry a carving appropriate footwear and a packed lunch. And knife and washing up bleach in their luggage! Then there is the please let the walk leader know if you plan to join controversy over culling ravens in order to protect curlews etc. the walk via the contact number given! There is an appeal for advice regarding beavers in Glen Artney. Visitors and non-members welcome. An established Burnside conservation area is there, planted with birch and aspens which are being felled by the beavers. Ask the Swedish farmers what they do when the streams supplying their water turbines are damned up by beavers and the lights go out. And... eh! What about protecting the Scottish wildcat before it becomes extinct... instead of all those reintroductions. Now what about that other date, July 15th, the legendary St Swithins day. Does it still hold good? There is the old saying, thinking of the fact that it did not rain that day. St Swithins day, if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain. St Swithins Day, if thou be fair, For forty days “Twill rain nae mair “. Loch Occasional (Voil) over the road by the Balvaig Bridge. And the country gardener with his watering can who said something that sounded like “Oh bugger!!” Old Nyati And then it all froze over. Walking out on Loch Voil on the ice.
Jane and CD just past Gart` farm.
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Less than a month now to get your entries ready for the Annual Horticultural Show!
GROW
•
BAKE
•
MAKE
BALQUHIDDER, LOCHEARNHEAD AND STRATHYRE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
A Heap of Trouble I was not over-keen on the smell or the look of the Stirling Council compost but I have always found it to be first-rate in the past, so I thought I was being hypersensitive... Before I went away for a late Easter break, I used the compost on three of the polytunnel beds and one outside, and in one of the inside beds I planted four courgettes. When I returned, all four were dead (I put it down to slugs!) and I did a late planting of tomatoes and watered them in. Next day they were also dead, and there were signs of a white
Annual Show SATURDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2018 LOCHEARNHEAD VILLAGE HALL 2-4pm
...dropped from Mars crystalline fungus. The same day my husband asked me ‘what I was growing in the outside bed’. When I looked, there was nasty looking rubbery fungus all over the bed that looked as if they were rotting tops of carrots or some nasty things that had been dropped from Mars. All four beds were stripped of contents and put into plastic sacks. I thought I would let Stirling Council Compost Department know they had a problem so that they could rectify it. If this happened to me it must have happened to many others. This was the reply: “With reference to your comments we now supply a soil improver that is produced for the agricultural industry but is fully accredited with the Pass100 standard.” To say I was incandescent doesn’t nearly go far enough! All I needed was someone to take their problem on board. The next email went higher and included some very attractive photographs (like the one shown above). To be fair to Stirling Council, I had an instant reply - and action. I sent them soil samples and they have since delivered a lorry load of “good” compost (I hope) and uplifted the 20 – 30 half sacks of trouble. I have recently heard that a lady in Glen Ogle had the same problem... and I’m sure she won’t be the last! In the interest of economy and efficiency Stirling Council have outsourced their compost making. Personally, I don’t think it’s a patch on the compost they have made themselves. AP
This Year’s Theme: ‘Shoreline’ Presentation of Trophies 3.30pm Admission £1 Refreshments with Cream Tea £3.00 Children Free Entrance
Flowers, Fruit & Veg • Arts and Crafts • Photography • Baking and Produce
Schedules are available at Strathyre and Lochearnhead Village Shops - Get yours now!
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BOOK REVIEW The English Patient Michael Ondaatje There is only one book I have read over and over again and it is The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. I read this the first time before the film was released and was bewitched by the lyricism of the prose. The multiple story lines run for a time in parallel then become intertwined before breaking off once or twice before coming together again. It is a book about war and the damage it does to lives and loves. It is also a book about spies and trust and the importance, or not, of belonging to a place or nation. The descriptions of the desert are superb, we feel the heat, and can hear the tinkle of the sand shifting, before it becomes a deafening roar in a storm. But we also learn about the ancient civilisations who learnt to survive in this hostile environment. The characters are likeable, complex and mysterious and the reader wants to know where their stories are going while at the same time the author drip feeds us with intriguing backstories. We learn about the English Patient, if that is who is he is, through entries in his diary which Hana his Canadian nurse reads to him. In essence, as portrayed in the film, it is a love story, but whilst the film concentrated on the relationship between the English Patient and Catherine Clifton the wife of an English explorer he met before the war, it is the love affair between Kip and Hana, which is described so tenderly and which I re read with so much pleasure. The story takes place in an Italian Villa which has been partly destroyed by shell fire from advancing allied forces and booby-trapped bombs left by the departing German army. Hence the arrival of Kip the Sikh sapper. The war is over but Hana refuses to leave her English Patient as he cannot be moved because of his severe injuries. The other characters arrive by design or accident and together their stories blossom and die. There is history, art, politics and race in this book asking questions of us all and carried along on a wave of the nature of friendship and love. I was delighted when The English Patient was voted the best Booker Prize winner of the last 50 years. Definitely worth reading.
Travels with a Donkey Turning off the A84 recently at Kingshouse we were surprised to see a walker heading for the forest track - complete with big boots, rucksack, all the gear - and a donkey, who was carrying large saddle bags and camping equipment. We couldn’t resist stopping to find out who they were and where they were headed. Adam Lee, a photographer and walker based in Liverpool, documents long walks and his experiences while travelling. Ten years ago he travelled extensively in the Americas, heading almost entirely overland from New York to Tierra del Fuego and then back again. In 2016 he walked 600 miles from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan via Tajikistan and more recently 200 miles from Liverpool to Stranraer. He and his donkey Martin are Adam and Martin stop for a breather at Kingshouse currently walking the length of Western Britain: from Cape Wrath on the north coast of Scotland to Dorset’s Portland Bill - totalling something like 700 miles. The trip is entitled Lighthouse to Lighthouse (as there is one both at the beginning and at the end of the walk) and will hopefully raise money for the charity Centrepoint which focusses on supporting homeless young people throughout the UK. They are following footpaths, bridleways, canal tow paths and small roads and sleeping under the stars when the weather permits. Follow their progress at facebook.com/AdamsWalks, Instagram @ adamswalks, or Twitter @adamswalks. Good luck to you both!
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Scottish Wildlife Trust CALLANDER LOCAL GROUP TALKS PROGRAMME 2018-19 Meetings start at 7:30pm, Kirk Hall, S Church St, Callander FK17 8BN Tuesday 11th September ‘18 Scottish Wildcat Conservation David Barclay, RZSS, Cat Conservation Project Officer Tuesday 9th October ‘18 50 for the Future Susan Davies SWT Director of Conservation Tuesday 13th November ‘18 Curlew Conservation Irene Tomankova RSPB, Conservation Scientist Tuesday 11th December ‘18 Drumardoch Estate – Environmental Stewardship on an Upland Business Neil Cameron, Drumardoch Estate Tuesday 8th January ‘19 Trossachs Water Vole project: how are they doing? Steve Willis, FES Project Officer Trossachs Water Vole Project
Tuesday 12th February ’19 Red Kites in Scotland Duncan Orr-Ewing RSPB Scotland’s Head of Species and Land Management Tuesday 12th March ’19 Management of Healthy River Systems Jonathan Louis River Forth Fisheries Trust Project Officer Tuesday 9th April ‘19 Gardening with Wildlife + very brief AGM Suzanne Burgess, Buglife Scotland Manager Suggested donations to cover costs: Members £2, non-members £2.50 students free incl. tea/coffee & biscuits Local Contact: Lesley Hawkins 01877 339080 mlhawkins@tiscali.co.uk General information available on swt.org.uk
Local History:
The Balquhidder Angling Club by Owen McKee
Ross McLaren, who is the nephew of Mary Malcolm and Tina Twaddle - two (now deceased) natives of Lochearnhead, has passed to me a hand-written minute book for The Balquhidder Angling Club which was instituted in 1913. It makes interesting reading! Below are the minutes of the inaugural meeting on 31st May 1913. Balquhidder Angling Cub; Reading Room, Balquhidder, 31st May 1913.
A meeting of those interested in Angling was held here on the above date. Mr D. Fergusson, Auchleskine, was called to the chair. On the motion of Mr McIntyre, Stroneslaney, it was agreed to form a club. Mr J McLaren, Schoolhouse was appointed Secretary and Treasurer. Mr Smith, Gamekeeper, intimated that there was a balance in hand of 13/- from the boatmen’s competition recently held and this sum he handed over to the newly formed club. It was unanimously agreed to ask James Carnegie Esq., Stronvar to become president of the club and John McNaughton Esq, Inverlochlarig and Angus McNaughton Esq., Craigruie to become vice presidents. The following Committee was then appointed. Messrs D. Fergusson, Auchleskine (Convener). R. Graham, Auchtoo, D. McIntyre, Stronslaney, Hugh McLellan, Strathyre, W. Smith, Kirkton, Robt Fergusson (Jr) , Muirlaggan, James Page, Strathyre, James Stewart, Laggan and George Brough, Stronvar. The following constitution and rules were drawn up. 1) The name of the club to be “The Balquhidder Angling Club” 2)Residents of the Parliamentary district of the Parish only eligible as members 3)Candidates for admission must be proposed and seconded by two members and a majority of votes to admit. 4) The annual subscription shall be 2/- each member, to be paid at the General Meeting in March each year and 2/- entry money at each competition. 5) The Office Bearers shall consist of President, two Vice Presidents, ten ordinary members and secretary. Office Bearers being members of the Committee ex officio at General meetings and also at Committee meetings five to form a quorum the two ordinary members at the head of the list to retire annually and their places filled up at the Spring meeting. Retiring members may be re-elected. 6) The General meeting of the Club shall be held early in March to hear the report of the Committee of Management on the state of the funds, to elect Office Bearers, for time and place of first competition and transact any other business brought before it. 7)The President at all meetings to take the Chair, whom failing a Vice President, Secretary or member of the committee. 8)Any member in debt to the club for two consecutive years ceases, ipso facto, to be a member. Rules of Competition. 1} The number of prizes and times of fishing to be fixed by the Committee. 2)At all competitions of the club, fly fishing and trolling only allowed - fly fishing to have the preference if either of the parties balloted together wish it. 3) Boats and boatman to be balloted for. Ballot must be strictly adhered to and no extra boatman allowed in any case but the one balloted for. 4) Parties giving boats for the day have the option of providing a boatman for that boat. 5) Members having once entered for any competition shall require to pay their share of the expense incurred whether they compete or not but if unable to come forward they may send another member in their place 6) Fish to be weighed at Landing Place by two members of Committee, &) Trout and Char of seven inches or over only to count. It was agreed to hold a competition on Loch Lubnaig on Saturday 5th July.
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Over the past few weeks we’ve been lucky to enjoy some nice summer weather, which makes up for the long cold winter we had. With the nicer weather comes more people, and that makes my job a bit busier. The increase of visitors to the loch sides brings the traditional issues, and more traffic on the roads leads to more hold ups and collisions. On the 20th May, two males were found breaching the camping management byelaws and they have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for camping illegally. On the 26th May, a male was stopped on the A85 in Lochearnhead and found to be in possession of a quantity of controlled drugs. He is now subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal. On the 27th May, a collision between a campervan and a motorcycle occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and St Fillans. As a result of enquiries, the driver of the campervan has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for careless driving. On the 29th May, a male was found on South Loch Earn Road in possession of a small quantity of controlled drugs and was issued with a Recorded Police Warning. On the 2nd June, a group of campers were found illegally camped on Loch Voil. During enquiries, it revealed that one the group had caught and killed two European Eels which are a European Protected Species and are critically endangered. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. On the 3rd June, a motorist was detected speeding through Lochearnhead within the 30mph zone. Whilst speaking to the driver, it transpired that he had no driving licence so as well as being reported to the Procurator Fiscal for the motoring offences, his car was seized by Police. On the 16th June, an incident occurred on the A85 between Lochearnhead and St Fillans. The incident resulted from information that was received that suggested a motorist was driving under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle was stopped, and a number of offences were detected which resulted in the driver being taken into police custody and a report being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. On the 23rd June, two males were found camped on Loch Voil and were found in possession of a small quantity of controlled drugs. Both males were issued with Recorded Police Warnings. On the 1st July, an incident occurred at The Lochearnhead Shears event, whereby a male vandalized the marquee and was acting in a threatening manner. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. 14
Report from the Killin and District Volunteer Car Scheme
European Eel - a protected species
On the 14th July, an incident occurred on Loch Voil where a male became threatening and abusive towards Police Officers. The male was apprehended and taken into police custody and he will appear at court at a later day. The group were found to be camped illegally and are being reported for offences under the camping management byelaws, as well as littering as they failed to tidy up their mess when they left. Overnight between the 17th and 18th July, five outboard motors were stolen from Drummond Fish Farm, Lochearnhead. The engines were all attached to the rear of the boats which were tied onto the jetty. Efforts were made to try and remove some of the other engines, and some of the boats were set loose from their moorings. Any information, please get in touch with me. If anyone has any information surrounding any of the crimes of note that I’ve highlighted, please get in touch. 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
We are delighted to be able to announce that the car scheme has been awarded Charity Status by OSCR the Office of the Charity Register and a bank account opened, which means that we are now working towards preparing to start taking passengers. The organisation is registered as a two tear Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), which means that it is made up of a board of trustees and members. Membership is free and open to everybody. A very successful, well attended meeting of trustees, drivers, members and escorts took place on 12th July, at which Don Fraser explained the work that has been done, so far, to get the scheme off the ground and the registration of drivers began. We were delighted to see so much interest and support from our community and hope that as we develop others will come forward to join us as members and supporters. The intention is to charge users of the car scheme 20p a mile and subsidise the drivers so they receive 45p a mile, to cover the cost of petrol and wear and tear of their vehicles. The extra money will come from grants, fundraising and donations. The Co-op have kindly agreed to put a collection bucket on the check out and we have received some donations already, for which we ae very grateful. If you are interested in finding out more about the Car Scheme, or thinking about joining us as a volunteer driver, escort or member please contact Don Fraser: 01567 820690 dfraser3610@gmail.com
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Council Minutes of a meeting held at Balquhidder Kirk on Wednesday 27 June 2018 Please note that these minutes have not yet received formal approval and should be considered as a draft version only. Present: Malcolm McNaughton (MM), Paul Hicks (PH), Loraine Telfer (LT), Adrian Squires (AS), Ruth McLusky (RM), Karen Methven (KM), Jeanette Stewart (JS). Apologies: David Johnston (DJ), Angus Cameron (AC), Richard Eastland (RE). Billy Ronald (BR), National Park. In attendance: Cllr Martin Earl (ME), Theresa Elliot (TE), Stirling Council; PC Will Diamond (WD), Police Scotland. No members of the public were present. 1) Approval of Minutes It was proposed by AS and seconded by LT, that the minutes of the meeting on 16th May 2018 should be accepted and this was approved unanimously. 2) Declarations of Interest No declarations were made. 3) Police Report During the period from 16th April to 26th June, there were six incidents of anti-social behaviour. On 19th May, two males were reported for offences at The Broch car park in Strathyre. They had camped illegally, set a fire causing damage and abandoned litter. One of them also gave false details and was subsequently charged with attempting to pervert the cause of justice. The following day, two males were reported for illegal camping, just South of Immervoulin. On three occasions, offences of possession of cannabis were detected. One male was reported to the Procurator Fiscal, whilst three others were given Recorded Police Warnings. On 2nd June, a male was found to have illegally caught and killed two eels at Loch Voil, Balquhidder. These eels are a critically endangered and protected species under European law. Regarding motoring offences, there were five incidents of note. During May, one car driver and one motorcyclist were reported for speeding through Lochearnhead at 52mph and 51mph respectively. On 27th May, a motorist was reported for careless driving, following a collision with a motorcyclist on the A85 between Lochearnhead and St Fillans. The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries. On 3rd June, another motorist was stopped for speeding in Lochearnhead. Further enquiries revealed that he did not hold a driver’s licence so he was reported and his vehicle was confiscated. On 16th June, officers were advised of a male driving his vehicle on the A85 near Derry Farm at Lochearnhead whilst under the influence of alcohol. When traced, the driver refused to comply with several legal requirements and was arrested. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Between 1-16th May, a house at Strathyre was broken into and property to a considerable value was stolen. Also, during the reporting period, PC Diamond was present at the Monachyle and Strathyre Music Festivals. Both were well attended with no incidents reported. On 1st June, WD attended the annual ‘Dream Night at the Zoo’ at the Blair Drummond Safari Park. This is an evening for children with terminal or lifelong illnesses who can visit the park with their families. On 11th June, WD organised a Water Safety Day at The Meadows in Callander. It was designed for all primary school children in the Trossachs & Teith catchment area and pupils from McLaren High attended in the afternoon. Over three hundred young people attended the day and were given various inputs and practical demonstrations, dealing with water and outdoor safety. On 24th June, a joint exercise with the Killin and Lomond Mountain Rescue Teams, the police and ambulance services had been organized, but had to be abandoned in order to deal with a report of a missing person at Tyndrum. Finally, on 25th June, WD spent the day with children from Strathyre Primary School, giving an input on road safety before the start of the summer holidays. He also carried out speed checks on the A84 in Strathyre with the older children. ME also commented on the Water Safety Day and congratulated WD for his hard work in organising the event, saying how successful it had proved to be in communicating some important safety information to youngsters. WD mentioned that the event would be repeated at the Lochearnhead Games on Sat 21st July. 4) Matters arising Road signs. PH reminded members that this referred to a complaint from a resident in Balquhidder about the proliferation of road signs in the area. PH had liaised with Stirling Council and drew attention to the ‘Supplementary Guidance on Advertisements’ in the Local Development Plan, where it states that: ‘there will be a presumption against any advertisement that detracts from the visual amenity of the countryside’. However, some advertisements have what is known as ‘deemed consent’. In other words, they are normally allowed without the need to obtain special permission. This provision applies to the sale of ìgoods and livestockî on land where occasional sales are held. It also applies to events of a religious, educational, cultural, social or recreational character, provided that the event is not ‘promoted or carried on for commercial purposes’ and signs are removed within two weeks. Furthermore, where significant projects - such as building a group of houses - are undertaken, signs must be posted to advise people of the nature of the project, who has been given permission to undertake the project and so on. PH advised that the situation in Balquhidder is complicated by the fact that it lies within the National Park. He suggested that any complaint would need to focus on individual signs, providing photographic or other descriptive evidence of any problem. After some discussion, it was decided that it would be more appropriate for individuals to bring complaints about specific instances, rather than for the community council to make an all-encompassing, ìblanketî complaint. 5) Stickers on Waste Bins WD stated that a pilot study had been running in Strathyre at the instigation of the Safety Cameras Unit. This involved placing stickers, reminding road users of the 30mph speed limit, on waste bins at properties immediately adjacent to the A84 main road. The study will evaluate the effect of the stickers to see if there is any correlation with the number of drivers being reported for speeding offences in Strathyre. WD said that he had been asked about extending the initiative to Lochearnhead, but pointed out that funding for this project had come from a national source and was insufficient to provide stickers for every village. However, WD suggested that the community council might like to sponsor the cost of some additional stickers for Lochearnhead. He had calculated that less than forty households would be involved and that the cost of stickers should not exceed £200. The proposal was discussed at some length with various comments made, both for and against the idea. It was also suggested that we should wait for the outcome of the formal study to see whether or not it had been effective. Eventually, MM pointed out that the cost of the stickers was very small, but that the impact could be substantial, given that people were regularly being caught speeding in Lochearnhead at over 50mph. He proposed that the community council should pay for sufficient stickers for those premises in Lochearnhead that wished to participate. This was seconded by PH and agreed by all present. 6) EE Telecommunications Masts MM reported that he had been asked about the new EE telecommunications masts that were being erected in Balquhidder Glen as part of the preparations for the new Emergency Services Network (ESN). He understood that these masts would provide some capacity for standard networks, in addition to the ESN. WD replied that he did not expect the ESN to be operational for at least another two years. In the meantime, they might be available for commercial use on the mobile telecommunications network. 7) Sale of Picnic Area at Strathyre MM reported that the Forestry Commission was intending to sell a parcel of land at Strathyre that might be of benefit to the local community. The land in question included the field immediately behind The Broch café. He suggested that it might be best if this was handled by the BLS Trust. RM added that the community would need a plan in respect of the land and its continuing maintenance. Questions were asked about what would happen if the community did not buy it, but nobody had an answer to that. TE advised that it was important to register an interest in the sale, even if it was subsequently decided not to proceed. ME added that Lynne McKinley (Communities Manager, Stirling Council) could provide additional help and guidance. MM asked RM to liaise with the chair of the BLS Trust regarding the sale, with a view to the Trust taking on the project. RM agreed to do so and to report back in due course. Action: RM to liaise with Chair of BLS Trust. 8) Planning Matters 8a) Installation of Smart Meter Network, Strathyre. AS explained that this would be a relatively small but important installation, just opposite the telephone exchange. He suggested that it was unlikely to be contentious as it would provide an important facility. ME concurred and AS added that neighbouring properties would be notified as usual for such a development and could make their own representations, if desired. It was agreed that no comment was required from the community council. 8b) Demolition of property on Glen Beich Estate. AS reported that this concerned a semi-derelict property adjacent to the A85 trunk road, near the entrance road to Glen Beich. The application was to demolish the property and return the location to agricultural use. There was some discussion regarding the value of preserving older properties, but the general consensus was that this particular property had little to recommend it and would be very expensive to restore as a habitable dwelling. The concern was expressed that if the property was not properly demolished, it would simply degenerate further and become an eyesore. It was eventually agreed that no objection to this should be raised. 8c) Erection of single-storey extension to Cul Bheag at Stroneslaney, Balquhidder. AS reported that this was unlikely to raise any concerns in the local community and it was agreed that no comment was required from the community council. 8d) Holiday Lodge at Balquhidder. MM asked if there was any further news about the application that had been discussed by the community council on 16th May (item 5a). AS replied that nothing had yet been decided. The matter was discussed again at some length and it was decided that the Secretary should write to Cllr McDonald to ascertain whether or not Stirling Council had been included as a statutory consultee regarding the proposed road access. Action: PH to liaise with Cllr JM regarding road access. 9) Correspondence 9a) Letter from Stephen Kerr, MP. MM reported that Mr Kerr had written to the community council regarding the City Region Deal that had been awarded recently to the City of Stirling. Mr Kerr was at pains to reassure the community that the rural areas would not be neglected. His intervention was welcomed. 10) Matters From Councillors 10a) ME reported that there would be a full council meeting on 28th June, immediately prior to the summer recess. He proceeded to itemise some of the more important items on the agenda. 10b) Waste bins: road-end collections. This referred to a proposal that had been made a couple of years previously. It related to properties located on private, unadopted roads, often in very poor condition. The Waste Services department of the Council wanted to establish collection points for all properties at the point where the private road met a public highway. ME expressed deep-seated reservations about this policy and suggested that it might be helpful for the community council to ask whether the revived proposal would affect any properties in our area. It was agreed that the Secretary should make enquiries about this. Action: PH to contact Waste Services at Stirling Council regarding properties affected. 10c) Review of the Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils. This is part of a national review, but is proposing some fairly radical new ideas, such as the establishment of a system for dealing with complaints against community councils. He advised members to keep an eye on the progress of this review. 10d) Participatory Budgeting. This was a new proposal to divide the Stirling Council area into several large districts, each of which would be overseen by a thirty-strong committee that would decide on the distribution of considerable sums of money within the district. He envisaged that each area would have about £250K to spend. Our own area would be part of a wider district known as ìRural Northî. Again, ME expressed some serious reservations about this proposal, notably the likelihood or otherwise of such a large committee being able to make any realistic progress, given the level of detail that would be required. 11) Any Other Competent Business 11a) JS reported that she had been asked about progress on the building of a pavement beside the A85 trunk road in Lochearnhead, along the stretch in front of the Lochearnhead Hotel. ME replied that he was aware of a similar request having been made recently to Stirling Council. A letter had already been sent to Transport Scotland requesting an update on this project. He would advise the community council of the result in due course. 11b) JS said that, in relation to item 13a of the previous minutes on 16th May, she had spoken with the owner of the Clachan Hotel in Lochearnhead regarding overhanging branches and other spreading vegetation at the rear of the hotel, beside Auchraw Brae. He had responded positively by clearing some vegetation and applying some weed killer, although JS wasn’t sure whether this would entirely resolve the problem. There was no other business and, at 9:20 p.m., MM declared the meeting closed. The next meeting is due to take place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday 8th August 2018 at Lochearnhead Village Hall.
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McLaren High School
School Show – Sister Act This year’s school show, Sister Act, took place on the 20, 21 and 22 June. Each night the audience were treated to the hilarious story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco diva who, when she witnesses a murder, is forced into protective custody in the one place she’ll never be found – a Convent! When she is asked to participate in the convent’s choir she reveals her true self. Sister Act is a tribute to the power of friendship, sisterhood and music. The performances each night sparkled with brilliant singing and dancing and the audience were truly entertained. Well done to everyone involved both on stage and off – brilliant!
Duke of Edinburgh Gold During the final week of June, a group of five sixth year students successfully completed their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition on the Outer Hebrides. The trip spanned over five days and saw the team, with their kit packed into little yellow trailers, cycle from Vatersay to Hushinish Beach in Northern Harris. The weather was unusually nice throughout the trip – which made the hills needing climbed more manageable! The group would like to thank Chris Clark, Emily Holl and Andrew Littlejohn for accompanying them on this journey and to all the other volunteers who have helped all the way through our Duke of Edinburgh experience at McLaren. Lachie Fingland, S6 Leaver Sports Day 2018 Sports Day took place on the last Monday of term, in glorious sunshine (see above!) and a great time was had by everyone. At the end of the day Leny were crowned winners of Sports 2018.
visit our website: www.mclarenhigh. co.uk
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Doune on the Farm In May, S2 pupils went on a Science trip to Meldrum Farm in Doune to learn about dairy cow husbandry and milk production. The farmer, Mr Hamilton, and Mrs Brisbane from the Royal Highland Education Trust RHET led incredibly interesting and fun tours of the farm. Some thought that the highlight was meeting the adorable new born calves. Our other favourites included finding out facts about how the cows are kept and how much they eat, watching the cows getting milked and seeing the machines in action – especially the rotary dairy. A huge thank you to Mr Hamilton and RHET who planned the trip as well as sponsoring 50% of the transport cost. We would love to be back next year.
Senior Prom 2018 The Senior Prom 2018 was held at Dunblane Hydro on Wednesday 13 June. A great time was had by everyone - it was a fitting end for a great S6 and we wish them all the best for their futures. Thanks to Miss McCormick and the Events Committee for organising the evening. Photos by Russell Boyd Photography, Dunblane. McLaren High School 125th Anniversary The School Community has been celebrating our 125th Anniversary during the 2017/18 school session. The final event to celebrate this milestone was the burial of a time capsule on Friday 29 June 2018 in glorious sunshine. We were delighted that current and former pupils could participate in this event, along with Bob Johnson and Aileen Green who retired following many years’ service to the school. We started with a minute’s silence to remember former staff and pupils who are no longer with us. The new flag was then raised by former pupils Robert Vanhegan and Jean Fergusson. The outgoing Pupil Leadership Team placed the Time Capsule in the ground (pictured left), then former and current staff and pupils took turns filling in the earth.
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Highland Games Lochearnhead 2018
It is usually about the third week in July for my grandson to visit and each morning to ask, ‘what are we planning today?’ Well, it’s time for a Highland Games, the 70th since they were resurrected after the Second World War and going now for more than 200 years around the Loch.
How to go about it? With a group of enthusiastic volunteers, one can usually achieve anything, but can we exceed our expectations? Hadn’t we just had laid a few hundred tonnes of planings that we bought from the road resurfacing gang in the Spring? Hadn’t we just bought a refurbished big trailer from last year’s surplus? Was the weather man optimistic? So, we destuffed our container stores and laid everything out. We hit a few stobs with a fencing mell and pulled some ropes and sheets and lifted the odd rail.
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By Friday evening we had built our event arena and established our car parking. We were diligent on planning and keeping within the guidelines approved by our good friends at Stirling Licensing, Environmental Health, Infrastructure and Regulatory Services. So, we were ready to begin. It’s not an exaggeration to say that we had a marvellous spectacle for all of the visitors to our villages. A large and generous crowd helped us to enjoy our traditional events. Many pleasing comments were passed on about our welcome and the area’s hospitality, not least from the Provost of Stirling Christine Simpson who had never seen Lochearnhead in all its finery, who loved our tradition and being met by the Clan Chiefs and their families. Together we joined the parade to the Games with a much-extended group of followers from many different parts of the world. A real Gathering in every sense.
The sport is classic Scotland. Heavy events where our own local Stuart Anderson won athlete of the day over all of the traditional events. I remember in particular one hammer throw so smooth and seemingly effortless that almost achieved a long-standing ground record. It will fall to you one day soon Stuart I’m convinced. Highland Games are synonymous with piping and highland dancing and these skills were well demonstrated throughout the day. Our judges commented on the particular high standards they met. Athletes on foot raced in the oldfashioned way and as events drew on we had the spectacle of our gruelling Hill Race to contemplate. What stamina and determination our boys and girls runners showcased, and we were delighted to see local victories for Steven Rawlinson of Killin and Lottie Cameron of Lochearnhead repeating her winning run from last year.
During the day we heard of one of our team who had found that age was one competitor that wouldn’t give up. Our announcer Ian Robb had decided that this would be his finale as the voice of the games. Ian has been with us for 33 years and has been one of our finest supporters. He never sought the limelight and is unfailingly helpful to all as he imparts his knowledge of the history of highland events here and over Scotland. Always patiently taking visitors’ questions and smiling at interrupting officials who are never as relaxed as Ian appears to be. Thank you, Ian, for your years of service, your friendship and mentoring. We look forward to you attending as our guest in future. The 2018 Games were very well attended indeed. The field was full, and many stayed to enjoy our sing song at close of play. That’s when the many volunteers and stewards were able to come in from the gate entry, the car
parking, the many other behind the scenes jobs without which no Games day could run smoothly, to enjoy a cold drink with us. This year we were lent a welcome helping hand by our friends in Strathyre and from Killin. Your marvellous gesture complemented our local parking and bar services and was appreciated by us all. The President and I want to extend our sincere thanks to one and all for your hard work, your patience and your good humour in the busiest times. It really has to be a team effort and your friendship is valued by us. I mentioned that we continue to invest in your Games experience and will continue to do so. Events are expensive to set out and service. We are most grateful to our many Patrons who support us with donations every year. Stirling Council too are recognising all of our efforts and have begun sponsorship in their way.
If you are thinking of becoming part of the team it’s easy. We don’t interview volunteers so much as grab their hand off. Likewise, if you have any ideas for changes and improvements please don’t hesitate to let any of us know. Remember too we’re on Facebook for any postings and you’ll find footage to share with friends and family atwww. lochearnheadhighlandgames.co.uk Lastly but not least we’ve been handed some lost property, so if you are missing spectacles, a large lens hood, an earring or a wee purse, please get in touch. We did have a grand day, didn’t we? And we hope we can continue to improve our event for the future. Alex Gargolinski Secretary July 2018
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A Day in The Life of... Ranger Gareth Kett It was good to be asked to write one of the ‘A Day in the Life of...’ articles, although PC Will’s great piece last month is a tough act to follow. I am part of the Trossachs & Breadalbane Ranger Team based in Callander, although the area I cover stretches north to south from Killin to Callander and east to west from St. Fillans to Tyndrum. I am the only Ranger based in the Lochearnhead National Park satellite office. The nature of the role of National Park Ranger work is very varied. During the ‘summer season’ (from the beginning of March to the end of September) our work is dominated by patrolling and camping bylaw enforcement, but we also fit in a fair bit of environmental education. Much of this is down at Balmaha Visitor Centre, at Luss or on Inchcailloch NNR on Loch Lomond, but I’ve built up strong working relationships with Strathyre, Crianlarich and Killin Primary schools locally, where we’ve been working on climate change and sustainability, salmon conservation and beaver ecology projects, leading to pupils achieving their John Muir Awards. A typical bylaw enforcement day would start with a cursory check of emails, which annoyingly are becoming ever more numerous. Most of my patrols are in the Breadalbane area starting from the Lochearnhead Office. For safety reasons we patrol in pairs. I use the time waiting for my patrol partner for the day to arrive keeping on top of other work such as planning education work, answering queries from members of the public and liaising with organisations such as Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Central Scotland Raptor Study Group. It’s good to be in the office for a couple of hours each day as it gives people a chance to drop in if they need any information/ advice relating to the area. One day a week is allocated to work other than patrolling and education delivery. Once my patrol partner arrives we print out the camping bookings for the day and set out on a patrol route that covers Loch Earn, Balquhidder Glen and Loch Lubnaig, although on a busy day with several groups of campers breaching the camping bylaws we may only manage to cover part of the patrol route. Fortunately there are often two ranger patrols and a Police patrol so between us we normally manage cover the entire area. Data from the patrols is stored 20
Gareth’s typical day - if indeed he has one - can ‘range’ from environmental education, keeping an eye on the wildlife - and just getting from A to B!
on a tablet and downloaded at the end of the patrol. The bylaws appear to be working; while there are still issues with toileting and litter, wildlife is more evident, vegetation is recovering and the lochshores are becoming more family-friendly. During patrols I keep a lookout for wildlife. Wildlife can be an indicator of changes occurring due to bylaw enforcement (eg. increasing wildlife abundance along lochshores), climate change (eg. species such as speckled-wood and comma butterflies moving into the area), disease (eg. ash dieback) or pollution (eg. changes in species composition). Keeping a check on these things also allows me to keep an eye out for wildlife crime, which is still an issue in our area. On returning to the Lochearnhead Office around 1600 my patrol partner will return to Callander or Balloch while I complete a patrol report and hopefully have time to continue with other work. With a marked reduction in patrolling, work in winter is more diverse including biodiversity surveys, education, site and trail maintenance, storm damage clearance, guided walks and leading volunteers in practical conservation and maintenance tasks. Mercifully there are no late shifts in the winter! At any time during the year incidents can occur which need my attention such as fallen trees, wildlife rescues, access issues, deer injured in road accidents or people needing advice on wildlife related issues. I am one of those fortunate people able to pursue their childhood ambition, although
I hadn’t anticipated so much patrolling. As I child I saw myself wondering through the wilderness protecting wildlife! Other things I hadn’t anticipated in my younger years were climate change, plastic pollution and the Anthropocene extinction concept; these three demons now loom large, necessitating a global approach to education work rather than simple National Park-centric approach. I represent the Ranger Service on the National park Climate Change Working Group. Conservation underpins all my work. I incorporate natural history, climate change, sustainability and plastic pollution into all education programmes; people are more likely to make decisions to help protect the environment if they understand it and how current and past issues and land management have and are impacting our landscapes and ecosystems. It is my hope that people visiting the National Park will be inspired by its wilder areas and wildlife and so be more likely to consider the environment on a wider scale when making lifestyle choices. I have a great job and am grateful for it but considering the current environmental climate, it comes with a fair bit of responsibility. That said, at the end of the day I hop on my bike, cycle along the picturesque NCR7 through Edinchip Estate, forget about work and look forward to seeing my family.
The Villagers’ Contacts Jill Johnston Editor Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227
Gill 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: c o n t a c t @ t h e - v i l l a g e r s . o r g . u k
Please help us to get The Villagers to you as so on as possible!
Other Contacts...
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: Andrea Poulter 01877 384784
DIARY DATES We e k l y A c t i v i t i e s Monday
Dynamic Meditation - Lochearnhead Village Hall - 10-11am - see page 18
Tuesday
Keep Fit - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.30 to11.30am Gaelic Playgroup - Balquhidder Hall - 10.30am to 12.30pm St Fillans Music Circle - Sandison Hall - 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Light lunch included. Contact John Light (01764 685307) / Malcolm Gregory (01764 670493). 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
Darts League - The Inn & Bistro - 7.00pm Choir Occasional is closed for the summer. Meeting again in September!
Friday
Playgroup - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.00am-12 noon (Contact Mel Brydie 01877 384668)
AUGUST 2018
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Quiz Night - Lochearnhead - see page 6
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St Angus Service - Balquhidder Church - see page 9
17 -19
St. Fillans Festive Weekend - see page 5
SEPTEMBER 2018
1 11
Horticultural Show - Lochearnhead Village Hall - see page 11 SWT Talk - Callander - see page 13
Stephen Kerr MP 49 Borestone Crescent, Stirling FK7 9BQ 01786 475034 Councillor Martin Earl Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET earlm@stirling.gov.uk 01786 233114 Councillor Evelyn Tweed Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET 01786 233101 Councillor Jeremy McDonald Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET 01786 233117
CHURCH SERVICES Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St. Fillans CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
Balquhidder Parish Church Registered Charity No. SCO12316
Sundays 11.30am Minister: Rev Dr Russel Moffat The Manse, Main Street, Killin FK21 8TN revmoffat@gmail.com Dundurn Church, St Fillans Sundays 11.30am Minister: Rev Graham McWilliams Tel: 01764 671 045
ROMAN CATHOLIC Callander, St Joseph the Worker Sundays 11.30am Saturday Vigil Mass 5.30pm from May through to September Killin, in the Episcopal Church Sundays 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 - Maureen Lipscomb Tel: 01567 830234
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S U P P O RT Y OUR LOCAL S UP P LIERS !
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 560 rented houses and flats. Around 40 of these become available for rent each year. We are in the process of building a further 23 flats in Callander and 12 flats & houses in Killearn. We currently have properties in the following communities: Aberfoyle • Doune • Kinlochard Stronachlachar • Balfron • Drymen Kippen • Tyndrum • Buchlyvie Gargunnock • Lochearnhead Callander • Gartmore • Strathblane Deanston • Killin • Strathyre We may be able to build in other communities in the future – please let us know 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 in renting one of our properties when they become available please contact us: Rural Stirling Housing Association Stirling Road, Doune FK16 6AA Telephone: 01786 841101 Email: enquiries@rsha.org.uk Registered as a Scottish Charity No. SC037849
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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School girls tell BLiSS Stories on LETi’s Geotourist Smartphone Audio Tour ‘Thistle, the Hieland Coo’ is Ruby’s story
A new audio tour has brought BLiSS trail art and architecture to life including contributions from young villagers Abby Todd and Ruby Douglas during this Year of Young People 2018. BLiSS trail has won three awards for working together and innovation, including the coveted Scottish National Thistle Award. Building a reputation as a forward thinking and collaborative holiday destination group, LETi’s latest partnership is with Geotourist, a GPS based travel app enabler for audio tours on smartphones. McLaren high school pupil Abby Todd tells the story of the Miniature Mill house in her home village Strathyre. Lochearnhead based Ruby Douglas who goes to Strathyre primary school, tells the story of Thistle, the Heilan Coo at the Broch Cafe, encouraged by her mum Sarah and by the promise of a Mentos sweetie for completing the task! Year of Young People 2018 represents young talent under the age of 26. LETi also recorded the voice of 22-year-old art degree student Shayna McLean from Perth College UHI for The Three Sisters sculpture on Loch Earn as well as stories from two young architects. You may also recognise the voices of Andrea Hudspeth, Alan Sneddon, Graeme Courtney, Gus Cameron, Emma Richards, Sheridan Adams, me (Kim Proven) and The Villagers designer, Gill Waugh. Other partners include artists Kev Paxton, June McEwen and Lynne Schroder. Also, Cosmo Blake and Laura White on behalf of Sustrans Scotland Cycle Charity and Charlie Croft, - Tourism Advisor at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
VisitScotland hopes that the Geotourist global audio tour will encourage even more visitors to explore and spend time in the region by following the innovative trail in the heart of Rob Roy Country. Kim Proven, Chair of the Loch Earn Tourist Information Group said: “Loch Earn Tourism Information (LETi) businesses and communities are incredibly proud of their regional and national Scottish Thistle Awards for BLiSS trail innovation and working together. Our latest collaboration with Geotourist has been fun in the making and it enhances the BLiSS trail story further. The new audio tour helps LETi to improve its BLiSS trail attraction, plot the trail’s naturally beautiful location on the world map and talk to global audiences via mobile app and GPS technology. Geotourist - an innovative audio guide enabler - has given us the opportunity to collaborate with sculptors, students, business members and other partners who have recorded unique stories surrounding the art installations. Listen to a range of speakers including pupils and students aged 7 to 26 who volunteered to contribute in celebration of this tourism Year of Young People 2018. We look forward to welcoming more visitors to see our award winning innovative art trail and now to hear a variety of fascinating BLiSS trail stories too.” Shaon Talukder, CEO at Geotourist said: ““The celebrated BLiSS trail tour is an important addition to the Geotourist map. The Geotourist BLiSS trail tour underpins the opportunities that exist when communities with a common goal come together - and as this is how the BLiSS trail came into being, we’re delighted to see the trail tour extend across the Loch Earn region and Rob Roy Country, taking in the communities of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, St. Fillans and Strathyre. “Driven by the inimitable Kim Proven, Kim intuitively understands how individuals and small businesses can work together to create something where there was nothing. A true gift from the community that brings smiles to locals and visitors alike. In this case, the BLiSS trail and physically draws visitors through the region ensuring that they can access all the sculpture and public art as a whole piece, while the Geotourist trail tour means that people can digitally immerse themselves
in the tour, whether they are right in front of any of the pieces or on the other side of the world and listen to the stories in many cases shared by the artists themselves or local community members involved in the project. We are delighted that BLiSS won the Thistle and truly enjoy working with Kim, as we do with all the regional Thistle winners. Making great things happen is worthwhile and always easier through collaboration and we are proud to share all of their stories.” Neil Christison Regional Director at VisitScotland, said: “The BLiSS trail is a fantastic asset to tourism in the area and we hope this complimentary audio trail will inspire visitors to enjoy the fun and exciting installations along the trail as well as explore the surrounding area. “Scotland’s reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment and innovation, which is celebrated by the Scottish Thistle Awards, and trails such as this will only strengthen our world-class visitor experience.” To follow and hear the BLiSS trail tour on your smartphone download https:// itunes.apple.com/ua/app/geotourist/ id948290494 for Apple and https://play. google.com/store/apps/details?id=com. mlsdev.geotourist for Android then open the BLiSS trail tour. Each recording lasts from 1 to 3 minutes. To listen from a computer go to https://geotourist.com/tours/2040. Try the free app on your local BLiSS trail installations and hear what guest speakers like Abby and Ruby have to say. Please share this information with friends and family around the world.
Abby Todd tells the story of Strathyre’s Mill House