The Heartland Buzz - Issue 8

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February 2016 | Issue No.8 | FREE

YOUR

BIG

ING BOONKTS K C O BL ISCOU D

JENNY CHARLES CERAMICS Plus...

Breadalbane Community Garden The Old Aberfeldy Library J&H Mitchell 2016 NEW

iOtNe! s b e O W ING S COM

MON MAGATHLY ZINE

MALCOLM APPLEBY AT

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THE ARDEONAIG HOTEL

Banff

MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

The 2016 World Tour comes to Pitlochry

Spirit of

WOOD

The ultimate source of inspiration for all your home furnishings

Find The Heartland Buzz on

A New Look for a New Year.

February 2016 | Issue No.8

elcome to the first issue of The Heartland Buzz for 2016. We have decided to make some new design changes to the magazine this issue; I am sure you will already notice a few!

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NEW WEBSITE The longer than normal break over the holidays allowed us to put some work into our new website. Our current website was always a stepping stone and we are about to launch something new very soon! We are currently making some final tweaks so keep an eye out over the coming weeks and things will be updated shortly.

CHEAPER ADVERTISING We are now offering more cost effective advertising for advertisers that wish to make

block bookings. Big savings can be made with block bookings of three, six and twelve. Turn to page 62 to see our all our new advertising rates for 2016.

DEADLINE DATES We have had a number of individuals ask us for deadline dates throughout the year and we thought it was about time to commit to a one year schedule!

We have listed all our deadline dates throughout the remainder of 2016 so we can all plan things that little bit easier.

EDITORIAL FOR 2016 Finally, if you are interested in booking out some FREE editorial this year then we would like to hear from you. All we ask is that it is informative, entertaining and positive!

As always, enjoy the magazine.

Colin

CONTENTS

Looking to Chat?

If you are looking for further information, you can contact us during office hours Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm. Alternatively email us at hello@ heartlandbuzz.co.uk anytime or visit our website.

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T 01887 840 736 M 07850 991 254 www.heartlandbuzz.co.uk

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Read Online You can read all our previous issues online on mobile, tablet and desktop for FREE!

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issuu.com/theheartlandbuzz

Kind Words " Dear Heartland Buzz team, Congratulations on your excellent publication.

In a culture that spawns so much that is secondrate, with acres of newsprint devoted to controversy, alarm and empty celebrity, it is so refreshing to come across a magazine that is full of creative juice and the honest efforts of really talented crafters. I read it from cover to cover and find it endlessly inspiring.

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Well done and may you enjoy ever greater success in 2016!"

Nick Halpin - thanks Nick, glad you enjoy it.

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N RTISI ADVEATES R

Deadline Dates G

March • Issue 09 April/May • Issue 10 June • Issue 11 July • Issue 12 August • Issue 13 September/October • Issue 14 November • Issue 15 December • Issue 16

26 February 04 April 12 May 20 June 28 July 05 September 13 October 16 November

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t. 01887 840760 info@theinnonthetay.co.uk www.theinnonthetay.co.uk The Inn on the Tay, Grandtully Perthshire, PH9 0PL

Mum’s the Word Sunday 6th March

Treat your mum this Mother's Day to a delicious meal in our river view restaurant, then relax in our cosy bar in front of the log burning stove.

What better way to spend a Sunday with all the family.

STARTERS Light Spring Vegetable Broth with Unsalted Butter and Chargrilled Ciabatta Wild Mushroom and Soft Herb Fricassee on Toasted Brioche with Balsamic Reduction Poached Salmon Ballontine with Lemon Crème Fraîche, Dill Pollen and Caviar Stornoway Black Pudding, Poached Hens Egg, Serrano Ham Crisp and an Onion & Chive Cream MAINS Pan Fried Fillet of Sea Bream, Buttered Jersey Royal Potatoes, Samphire and a Crayfish and Tomato Beurre Blanc Roast Leg of Spring Lamb or Breast of Corn Fed Chicken (Rosemary Roast Potatoes, Buttered Roast Vegetables, Spring Greens and a Red Wine Jus) Beetroot and Goats Cheese Risotto with White Truffle Oil, Game Chips and Micro Herbs DESSERTS Selection of Stewart Tower Ice Creams Rhubarb Crumble with a Stem Ginger Crème Anglaise Baileys Crème Brûlée with Homemade Pistachio and Apricot Biscotti Chocolate and Cherry Mousse with Fruit Coulis

2 Courses £19.95 3 Courses £24.95 New Menu Coming Soon

GRANDTULLY STRATHTAY

ABERFELDY

BAR | RESTAURANT | ROOMS

LOGIERAIT

SPIRIT OF WOOD

SPIRIT OF WOOD

Spirit of

Wood

Situated in an elevated position, overlooking Aberfeldy, is the family business Spirit of Wood.

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wners Calum and Nicky McDiarmid have tastefully converted an old mill on their farm to create a truly unique environment in which to display premium quality furniture & homewares. Manager Conor Cronin is a key driving force in moving the business forward and alongside great local support, it continues to grow from strength to strength. A trip to Spirit of Wood is rewarded with a treasure trove of bedroom, kitchen, dining & living room furniture, as well as an extensive range of soft furnishings.

Since opening 15 years ago, Spirit of Wood has seen considerable investment and undergone a remarkable transformation which should really be experienced at first

local business

We're not here just to sell customers a piece of furniture - we want to find out what they want to do with the furniture."

hand to be appreciated. Spirit of Wood is more than just a furniture shop; from cushions to candles or lamps to rugs, there is something for everyone.

Calum is also a farmer producing lamb, redcurrants, blueberries, gooseberries and raspberries. “A farm shop wasn't for me,” Calum explains.

“I've been interested in wood since I was small, and was always involved in making furniture, turning wood and joinery. I wanted to have a completely independent retail space that wasn't anything to do with agriculture.” The couple had also spotted a gap in the market after being unable to find the kind of quality "antique of the future" furniture they wanted while furnishing their own holiday lodges.

Furniture was the natural choice.

“We learned a lot about furniture and made several contacts when we kitted out our holiday lodges, “ says Nicky.

"I had a friend in Staffordshire who made bespoke furniture for export to America and we thought, why not sell it here?" Nicky admits that Spirit of Wood benefits from its rustic setting at the centre of one of Scotland’s most beautiful fruit farms. “Visiting us is a unique experience; it is about more than just visiting a furniture shop.”

“We're not here just to sell customers a piece of furniture - we want to find out what they want to do with the furniture and offer choices and options.

We are delighted to have customers who have purchased from us for over 15 years and are still amazed at the value for money. Many people are

SPIRIT OF WOOD

SPIRIT OF WOOD

If you haven’t been to Spirit of Wood before don’t miss out on the joys and delights of a fantastic showroom.

The Spirit of Wood sale starts 1st February

extremely surprised to find that not only the prices are better than the high street but our customer service is more efficient” says Conor.

The business offers a free design and consultancy service for made to measure furniture, upholstery, curtains & soft furnishings. Spirit of wood also supplies contract quality furniture to numerous hotels & guest houses throughout Scotland and the UK. Recent projects include: the Jura Hotel, Boat of Garten Hotel, Moness Resort, Glen Mhor Hotel & the Knockendarroch Hotel.

Find Spirit of Wood on Facebook

Plans for the future include extending the showroom further to allow more space for new ranges and to enhance the customer experience.

While still working full-time as a farmer, Calum enjoys his foray into retail. “Farming is a lonely job and you don’t have the interaction with the customer, but here you can see the smiles on people's faces.”

OPENING TIMES Monday to Sunday, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Find out more about Spirit of Wood by calling 01887 829899. Shop online by visiting spirit-of-wood.com

THE OLD ABERFELDY LIBRARY

THE OLD ABERFELDY LIBRARY

what's buzzin'

the Old Aberfeldy Library

It has so many interesting details; have you noticed the statues on the roof or the curved windows?"

You may have noticed the activity at the old library in Bank Street, Aberfeldy and wondered what was going on?

WE DISCOVERED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TALKED TO THE OWNER TO FIND OUT HER PLANS FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS IMPRESSIVE BUILDING.

change and the internet. Tightening of budgets meant that the library building had to close, so now this stunning building is getting ready for a new use.

ANGIE ANDERSON

The new owner is Angie Anderson, who has a number of property interests in Perthshire and Aberdeen. We asked her about her plans for the building and why she had bought it. She told us how much she admires this building. “It has so many interesting details; have you noticed the statues on the roof or the curved windows? I hate to see such a fine old building be neglected”.

THE RESTORATION

t the turn of the last Century, Scottish banks were a very fundamental part of the establishment. Highly respected and playing an important economic role, they were pillars of respectability and economic life. Bank buildings had to reflect that role and responsibility, so bank buildings radiated prestige. The

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bank manager was an important local figure; consequently, his house had to stand out as something rather grand.

As a result, an enormous effort went into constructing something rather special that would have been seen as dignified and in good taste. The Old Library is a perfect example.

Nowadays things have changed dramatically, as banks have had to work hard to regain their respectability, and we now do our banking with

Watch for details of the planned Open Day in spring 2016."

our laptops. Nonetheless, one lasting heritage of their history is this splendid building that was at one time the bank.

The council had recognised the value of this fine building and when it was no longer needed as a bank they took the opportunity to find a new use as a public library. For many years they took advantage of its position and prestige as a seat of learning as the local library.

But councils, just like the banks, have also had to deal with technological

She explained that she had some experience of bringing new life to old buildings and saw great potential for new uses for the Old Library.

"It has magnificent open space on the ground floor and some amazing rooms on the upper floors. There is also a large stone built store next to the main building that has many possible uses. It is well positioned and was crying out for some TLC, and the reality was that the roof needed repair and water penetration had caused interior damage. The only remedy was to carry out comprehensive work to restore the integrity of the building.

Prospective purchasers or tenants had been put off by not knowing how much work was needed and the likely cost. What you have noticed is the roof being repaired and at the same time repainting of the outside. Local tradesmen have been hired and have worked hard to restore the building. As well as repairing the roof, the affected

timbers have been stripped out and are now being replaced. Painters are currently decorating a few of the rooms to demonstrate that they would make ideal office/work space for users who would appreciate elegant accommodation with a touch of history.

The renovations have been very satisfying; for example, the removal of the library shelves revealed some wonderful original plasterwork".

Angie continued, "It was good to get rid of the problems and have a sound base for new uses. Now the building has to start to earn its living again."

Early discussions have suggested a variety of possible uses – gym, tearoom, gallery, boutique, consulting rooms etc. At the moment, the building presents as a blank canvas. It is ready for someone with imagination and drive to develop the potential of this classic piece of history.

She has said ”it is a great pity, but I am too busy with my other interests to be able to maximise the opportunity myself. So I want to lease or even sell this amazing building to someone who can capitalise on its potential”.

THE POTENTIAL

The main building has three floors. On the ground floor is the original banking hall with two offices, safe room and toilets. The banking hall is a large, bright open space that is crying out for a retailer to make use of the position.

Situated on a busy corner, there is lots of pedestrian traffic and the traffic lights mean that motorists have time to notice the window space. The first and second floors comprise several large

Initial enquiries can be made to Angie on 07717 618129

rooms that were originally the bank manager’s house. There is a separate entrance to the upper floors, so they are ready to be used as workshops or as offices. They present an ideal opportunity for a business startup.

There is also the large stone outbuilding with potential as a workshop or for storage.

Work is progressing well and in the spring of 2016 The Old Library will be ready for its brand new future.

INTRODUCING ACUPUNCTURE AND JILL STORSTEIN

new business

Acupuncture in Aberfeldy he Aberfeldy Acupuncture Clinic has recently opened at Offizone on Kenmore Street and is run by Jill Storstein. Jill moved to Aberfeldy from Edinburgh with her husband and three children in August 2015 and is thrilled to be able to follow her passion in her new hometown. Jill also continues to run her successful practice two days a

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they have come in for, but about all aspects of their health because often symptoms that may appear to be unrelated can provide the key to an accurate diagnosis. That is one of the beautiful things about acupuncture – you come for one thing and in addition to seeing an improvement in that, you have the lovely side effect of feeling better in yourself. You may find your sleep improves, your digestion seems to work better and you feel generally more energised”.

HELPING BACK TO HEALTH

Jill has been delighted by the changes she has seen in her patients. She says “I love getting to know people, hearing their stories and supporting them in their journeys back to health. Some symptoms can be all consuming.

Other people, even those close to us, don’t always seem to get how difficult seemingly minor symptoms can be and the impact they can have on your daily life. It can really start to grind you down. Being able to really listen to people and treat them with acupuncture can make such a difference. It is so rewarding to see people returned to their formal selves and I feel so privileged to be able to support them through it”.

Jill Storstein works at her clinic in Aberfeldy Wednesday to Friday, with evening appointments available on Thursdays.

KIND WORDS

week in Edinburgh where she has worked with hundreds of patients over the years who have come to see her for all sorts of conditions, including chronic pain and injury, fertility support, pregnancy support, stress, anxiety, insomnia, irregular periods, migraine and various emotional issues.

The list goes on!

Jill says, “I really enjoy the eclectic nature of my work – people come to see me with all sorts of conditions and symptoms. Sometimes they will have a formal diagnosis, others may come with a collections symptoms that they don’t have a formal name for yet. Whatever they are coming in for, I will take time to ask them about their problems and how it is affecting their lives. Acupuncture is a holistic mode of treatment so I’ll ask patients not just for the details of the main symptom

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is a mode of treatment that stimulates the body’s own healing response and helps to regulate its delicate balance of hormones and chemistry. It evolved in China over 2000 years ago and has been increasing in popularity in the West over the past 60 years or so. Modern practice of traditional acupuncture has its roots in the ancient Chinese philosophy and theories but is based on empirical analysis and rational, evidence-based research and practice. It works by placing extremely fine, sterile needles into carefully selected points of the body. Acupuncturists, including Jill, don’t just use needles but also massage, acupressure, heat through moxibustion and other techniques to help restore healthy function and to halt, sometimes even reverse, illness.

An example of a patient Jill was able to help was a new father who came to see her last year. He had been suffering from excruciating shoulder pain. It had got so bad that it was waking him regularly through the night and was severely restricting his range of movement. He had gone down the conventional route of treatment with no improvement. He said in his testimonial: “I was at my wit’s end as the lack of sleep was intolerable. I have been fairly skeptical of acupuncture in the past, but was willing to give anything and everything a go”. After treatment he had this to say: “6 months after commencing treatment through Jill, I am 100% pain free. I have virtually no restriction in terms of range of movement, and other than a very slight stiffness it is almost as if I have never had a problem. It has been a quite miraculous turn of events, and I am now sold on acupuncture. I would wholeheartedly recommend anyone suffering from a similar problem to get in touch with Jill”. You can read his full story on Jill’s webpage along with other comments and recommendations.

Get in touch with Jill Find out how acupuncture could help you by visiting jillstorstein.com, call 07772 501810 or email jillstorstein@ gmail.com

BREADALBANE COMMUNITY GARDEN

BREADALBANE COMMUNITY GARDEN

local community

BREADALBANE

COMMUNITY GARDEN n land donated by local farmers, Alex Murray and family, Breadalbane Community Garden was opened by John Swinney in 2006. The project was designed by Beechgrove Garden with support from the local Young Farmers Group & Willie Grieve, North Perthshire Horticultural Society and Roddy Kennedy alongside a willing committee.

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The initial aim was to show youngsters how food was produced and to allow them the opportunity to learn the practical skills required.

Breadalbane Academy pupils, under

the guidance of Mr Cannon and Mr McVicar, built a shed and erected a polytunnel. The garden was cared for by the local horticultural society members and Tommy Campbell who has grown vegetables on a small allotment since day one. The Rural Skills Group began concentrating on agriculture and horticulture in 2008 and took over the maintenance and development of the Community Garden. Sandy Thomson has been a massive help with the agricultural elements of the course and regularly guides groups of youngsters as they learn in a working environment.

Pupils numbers have increased to over 30 per annum studying for National 4 Rural Skills Awards offered

The initial aim was to show youngsters how food was produced."

by the Scottish Qualification Authority.

Younger pupils also visit the site to study other aspects of education; the local Scout Group, under the guidance of Joanna and Roger, also utilise the site to extend their learning and enjoyment of open spaces.

Much of the development has been supported by local volunteers including: Peter Grigor, Ida & Archie Warren, Stuart & Nicola, the ladies from the local Horticultural Society and the Talosi family. Karoly and Kristina Talosi have assisted the project immensely. Kristina grows vegetables on her own patch and has helped to a great extent with general maintenance. Karoly is a multitalented tradesman who has skills

which have maintained machines and buildings, as well as, constructing our recent Pagoda from mainly recycled timber. Kornel and Dora Talosi have also been of considerable assistance.

Connor Riley was a terrific help, as a school pupil who dedicated weekends to help develop the site.

Local Farmers have also been a great help and recently recommended us for a financial award from the National Farmers Union Award Fund. The project appreciates the assistance from Drew Kennedy and Victor Clements. We also appreciate financial help from Perth and Kinross Community Fund and the Griffin Wind Farm Fund. The project has won the Lantra School Learners Award on two occasions in the last 3 years and was awarded the highest commendation from Keep Scotland Beautiful Scheme last year. Balfour Beattie have donated lots of timber which we have used in many areas.

skills, ground maintenance, crop production, footpath & flower bed making and basic fencing skills.

We have recently opened up a Facebook page to advertise the site and we hope many locals will view future developments and enjoy the photographs we post. We are keen to increase the number of volunteers to help maintain and to develop the site.

The project continues to blossom due to the efforts of pupils from Breadalbane Academy Rural Skills Department and dedicated locals.

We have observed a significant increase in local, national and international visitors who appear to enjoy the facility and respect the work of the school and volunteers.

Beechgrove Garden highlighted the project in 2006 as the site was being developed and they returned with a television presentation in 2010.

The National 4 Course concentrates on many elements of horticulture including: employability

HELP US GROW If you wish to join us or even take over a patch to grow your own produce please get in touch.

FIND OUT MORE Call Peter Butter on 07799 640149 or email pabutter@ pkc.gov.uk

J&H MITCHELL

J&H MITCHELL

local business

jandhmitchell.com

J&H Mitchell

provide a welcoming environment for sellers and purchasers to view properties and chat to our staff.

Redesigned brochures, with a more modern feel, have also been launched.

to know the person behind that piece of business, so as to understand their hopes, expectations and concerns. This approach leads to a high degree of client loyalty, and we have some clients who have been coming to us for several generations!”

& H Mitchell WS is the only legal firm to have lawyers working full time in Highland Perthshire, and they have plenty of experience at it, having been in Pitlochry since 1836.

Surprisingly, over that period, there have been only ten partners in the firm, with four of them being the current partners, Colin Liddell, Lesley Gray, Alan Innes and Paul Keith. They are joined by Consultant Duncan Thomson,

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Associate Sarah Rennie and Legal Assistant Jenny Temblett. Senior Partner Colin puts the longevity of the practice, as well as the small number of partners over the years, down to hard work and enthusiasm for the job. This, with a healthy work/life balance, allows partners and staff to enjoy the benefits of living and working in such an idyllic location.

As with many rural firms, the core of the business is in providing property and private client services to the local community. This includes estate agency, conveyancing, wills,

There has been a sharp move towards searching for properties online."

trusts, executries, powers of attorney and planning for retirement and later life care. The firm sees it as important to provide high quality services to the local community in these core areas because they are the services that most people will require at some stage in their lives, and people like to have the reassurance of knowing there is someone on their local high street in Pitlochry or Aberfeldy to whom they can turn when they need assistance.

Colin comments, “we work hard to ensure we are not only dealing with the business in front of us, but also getting

Of course, the practice is not limited to these core areas, and over time, the firm has developed expertise in a wide range of more specialist areas. Colin was the first Accredited Specialist in Charity Law in Scotland, and remains the only one outwith Edinburgh and Glasgow. He regularly gives presentations on charity law, governance and practice throughout Scotland and beyond. This has led to a number of charities of all different types and sizes turning towards this wee firm in Highland Perthshire for their legal advice, where both Colin and Sarah are

on hand to assist.

The firm has also developed a high degree of expertise in commercial property law, small business advice, housing developments and, inevitably in this part of the world, rural and agricultural law, including renewables projects.

The firm’s thriving estate agency is a part of the business that has seen significant changes over recent years. This has been fuelled by various factors, including a tumultuous property market since the recession, but more importantly, technological advances which have changed the way in which people shop for properties. There has been a sharp move towards searching for properties online, so it has been important for the firm to utilise its modern and user-friendly website, as well as be attached to Perthshire’s largest property portal www.pspc.co.uk and a great national portal www.onthemarket.com.

In addition to their strong online presence, J & H Mitchell WS have also invested in recent years to redevelop the reception area and property gallery in their Pitlochry office and also the Aberfeldy branch office, both of which

Nonetheless, the most important part of a successful estate agency business is the people. A knowledgeable, friendly and local person at the end of the phone can be just what is needed to reassure you that the sale of the most valuable thing you own is in safe hands. J & H Mitchell WS have been delighted recently to welcome Tracyann Innes as their new property manager and Caroline Clark as property assistant. Tracyann lives locally, so knows the local area, and has made it her number one priority to concentrate on ensuring clients’ expectations are met and that they achieve a successful sale at the right price, as quickly as possible. Tracyann commented; “although only a part of what we do at J & H Mitchell, the estate agency is often the most visible part, as people recognise the J & H Mitchell brand every time they see our For Sale Board, website or window displays. I see my role as being there, often as the first point of contact, to welcome existing and new clients and ensure they have as positive and stress-free selling experience as possible.”

Traditional wisdom is that the Spring is the best time to market a property for sale, and the partners and property team are excited about the prospect of another busy period ahead. They already have an excellent stock of top quality properties on their books, which can be viewed at www. jandhmitchell.com. The firm will be showcasing these properties, as well as having solicitors and property staff on hand to answer any queries at open mornings in Aberfeldy on 20th February and Pitlochry on 27th February. Whether a client, interested purchaser, or just fancy a chat and a cup of coffee, please feel free to drop in.

Traditional wisdom is that the Spring is the best time to market a property for sale."

Opening Mornings Aberfeldy on 20th February and Pitlochry on 27th February.

Contact J&H Mitchell To have a chat with J. & H. Mitchell you can contact them on 01796 472606 or email j@hmitchell.co.uk

JENNY CHARLES CERAMICS

art + creativity

JENNY CHARLES CERAMICS

JENNY CHARLES CERAMICS

Situated on the edge of Pitlochry, Jenny Charles is a local artist that creates using thrown and hand-built elements, which are predominately vessel based.

JENNY ALSO WORKS WITH SLABS MAKING BOTH SCULPTURAL AND PAINTERLY PIECES.

I want my work to be beyond clay and glaze evoking emotions, memories and reactions."

s a child I was always a bit of a dreamer, and I suppose I still am. Time passes while I appear still, but inside my mind is constantly buzzing.

There are seemingly long periods of inactivity and then a great burst of energy, with me working flat out until exhausted. A sort of controlled explosion of ideas translated into form.

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HELPING CREATIVES STAY CREATIVE!

Over the last 20 years or so, I have spent a lot of my time practising Tai Chi and I feel that this relates well to how I work with a quiet and controlled energy. This quietness then translates into a burst of power. Tai Chi also relates well to the softness of the clay, which on firing transforms into hardness. Incredibly yin and yang.

THE EARLY YEARS

I never expected to become a potter.

At school in my late teens, during my lunch break, I would watch a friend throw endless pots, cutting each one through to check the thickness.

Although I found the process hypnotic, I could not imagine myself doing that. In my mind I was “a painter, a printmaker”.

My parents didn’t approve of the idea of Art School. They could not see how a living could be earned that way.

Maybe they were right. Anyway, I went to Goldsmiths College in London and attempted to train as a teacher. I say attempted as I ended up leaving after two years to get married and start a family.

A move from West Sussex to Hampshire put me into the path of a sculptor (Greta Berlin whose work I

greatly admire) and I enrolled in her pottery evening classes. Later, with money inherited from my grandmother and on advice from Greta, I enrolled at the local Art College to do a Dip.AD. These four years were not without their own difficulties as during that time my marriage broke down, I had to move at least four times, and I ran out of money in the fourth year. Fortunately, the college paid those final fees for me.

Time passed yet again; a life was lived, and all the while I was still dreaming.

Then both my parents died within a year of each other. Boy does that make you sit up and take stock. No more dreaming. I took the plunge and started the life of a ceramic artist.

ALL PART OF THE PROCESS

The early years were all about learning the skills needed to become a potter.

Working with clay was very satisfying and eventually I found my voice. I also discovered a blue glaze that worked well with my work and soon it was to become my signature colour. It is a blue that is neither quiet nor reflective, but I hope in combination with the forms I make, that there is an element of mediation. My approach to clay is more as a sculptor than a potter and I enjoy making small intimate pieces as well as large statement pieces. The desire is that my work is beyond just clay and glaze.

Over the next 20 years my work sold well throughout England, a gallery in France and also a solo exhibition in Germany. Hampshire County Council

JENNY CHARLES CERAMICS

JENNY CHARLES CERAMICS

After graduation, I pursued this career for 10 years, but the pull of making became too strong.

ALL CHANGE

Almost three years ago, I fulfilled a long held desire to live in Scotland, home both of my birth and my family.

Leaving close family and old friends behind we started our new life here in Highland Perthshire.

bought several pieces as prizes for the Drama awards at the Edinburgh Fringe, and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Company commissioned three large pieces for their Egyptian themed spa.

But I was beginning to burn out. I was selling at many selected fairs whilst

also supplying several galleries. The feeling that I was on a treadmill was getting stronger and stronger. It was time for a change, so I applied to West Dean College in West Sussex for a place on their post graduate Conservation/Restoration Course.

Setting up a new studio was not without it’s difficulties getting a new work shop “work” ready, kiln exploding on the first firing, finding a new supplier of raw materials, discovering what cold weather did to clay and to myself. But the joys of living here far outweigh any of the problems that have thrown themselves at us. My work has taken on a new quality. It is quieter, stiller. I continue to use the same vibrant glaze, but I am being more than subliminally influenced by the wonderful scenery changing every season. I might even be tempted away from my vibrant blues and find more subtle shades to reflect the greys and greens of the slate roofs and the ever changing sky, or some warm russet tones from the Autumn months.

The observer will find references to weathered buildings, scars on the landscape, reflections and shadows; also influences from folklore, fairytales, poems and song."

MORE ABOUT JENNY. Details of Jenny's work are on Scottish Potters Association, The Arts Council Index of makers, Craft and Design in Hampshire and Craft Gallery Guide.

Who knows? Time for some more dreaming?

To contact Jenny for commissions or to find out more information call 01796 481217

LOCAL NEWS

WHAT'S BUZZIN'

what's buzzin' Success Stories

COMMUNITY

Pets Etc wins Best Aberfeldy Business Award

The Black Watch unveil plaque for iconic tree

When over 180 Perth and Kinross businesses were nominated by the public back in August, Pets Etc in Aberfeldy was one of the first added by the public during the voting stage of the competition.

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nternational tree conservation efforts have a new patron in The Black Watch Castle & Museum, which has unveiled a plaque on Wednesday 2 December celebrating its new Giant Redwood.

The plaque commemorates both the 40th National Tree Week and the memory of Black Watch soldiers who fell during WWI.

They then went on to join over 150 finalists and guests at the Salutation Hotel in Perth for the inaugural Perth Business Awards on Sunday 6th December. The evening featured the 33 award winners in the various business sectors of Perthshire and Kinross.

Thyme at Errichel Restaurant & Rooms Restaurant open Thur - Sat evenings. © Photos By Zoe

Mother’s Day Lunch Sunday 6th March Private parties & Functions also available.

Make your celebration weekend extra special with our 4* Luxury Bed & Breakfast Accommodation.

To book telephone 01887 820 850 or email fionasloan@errichel.co.uk Errichel, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, PH15 2EL

www.errichel.co.uk

Stay Dine Celebrate Create Shop

Pets Etc in Aberfeldy won the Best Aberfeldy Business Award for 2015 based on their nomination by the public, public votes and a mystery shopper test. Whether you’ve just got a new pet and need some supplies, or you’d like to pick up some treats for your loyal companion, Pets Etc will have what you’re looking for.

They are a well-established pet shop, with knowledgeable staff that are always happy to advise you and help you get what you are looking for.

Based on Dunkeld Street, Aberfeldy, they are proud to serve the local community, including Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Bankfoot and all towns and villages surrounding Perth.

Success at the Perthshire level now means Pets Etc have the option of competing in Scotlands Business Awards, the next stage of the competition in Edinburgh next year to find the country’s national winners.

That stage is only open to those who win at the regional level.

Following the Californian tradition of naming special Redwoods, the Museum’s new tree has been named ‘The Great War’ in honour of all those that fell in WWI. Although it stands as a poignant reminder of some of the darkest days in our history, it is also a reminder that the Great War eventually led to the founding of the United Nations, without which international conservations efforts like those for Giant Redwoods would not be possible.

The Redwood was gifted to the Museum by Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) as part of its iCONic (International Conifers in our Care) conservation project.

Chief Executive of The Black Watch Castle and Museum, Anne Kinnes explains, “We are pleased to provide a home for our new tree, The Great War’ this tree will stand as a permanent tribute to all those who fell during the First World War. As an organisation we are grateful for the opportunity to support the iCONic conservation project.”

Morag Watson, Manager of PKCT, said: “We are very proud to be working with The Black Watch Museum to highlight the often forgotten role that WWI played in establishing international cooperation between nations. By replacing their

Redwood, we were happy to help them commemorate the fallen through participating in a project that brings nations together.”

“Together with thousands of conifers the iCONic project is planting across Perthshire, ‘The Great War’ makes a vital contribution to ongoing international cooperation to save rare and endangered conifers from extinction.”

Giant Redwoods (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are the world’s heaviest trees. The first trees were brought to the UK in 1852 and caused a sensation.

The Perthshire Victorians loved them, and Balhousie Castle planted them in its grounds.

Redwoods thrive in the Perthshire climate, which is well-suited to growing conifers. First mounted in 1975, The Tree Council’s National Tree Week is the UK's largest tree celebration annually launching the start of the winter tree planting season.

Redwoods thrive in the Perthshire climate, which is well-suited to growing conifers.

For more details of The Black Watch Castle & Museum and the iCONic Project, please visit theblackwatch. co.uk and iconictrees.org

LOCAL NEWS

what's buzzin' CHARITY

Aberfeldy Freemasons donate to good causes.

LOCAL CLUBS

Aberfeldy Bowling Club President

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embers of the Masonic Lodge in Aberfeldy, Lodge Breadalbane No: 657, raised a total of £1115 for charities and good causes during 2015.

Local organisations Age Concern, Dalweem Comfort Fund, The Horizon Lunch Club and the 17th Perthshire Scout Troop were awarded £150 each, Prostate Scotland and the Scottish Air Ambulance received £200 each and further donations were made to Scottish Masonic Homes (£50), Poppy

Scotland (£40) and the Armed Forces Charity SSAFA (£25). At a recent event, Master of the Lodge, Jimmy Center, presented cheques to representatives of the local organisations. Mr Center said “Charity and benevolence are a large part of every Freemason’s life. As in previous years, we are delighted to have been able to support a number of both local and national charities during 2015. We wish them well.” On behalf of the local organisations, May Brown thanked the members of Lodge Breadalbane for their donations and best wishes.

Further details for Lodge Breadalbane can be found at lodgebreadalbane657.co.uk

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t their recent AGM, members of Aberfeldy Bowling Club appointed Billy Devlin as President for 2016.

Billy has been a successful, long standing member of the club and was previously President in 2002. He is photographed with Anne Woolley, last year’s President, receiving the President’s chain of office. Mr Devlin thanked the members for the honour of being their President once more and wished the club well for another good year of bowling.

He thereafter presented Anne with her Past President medal.

The green will open on Saturday 9th April and new members are always welcome. See aberfeldybowlingclub.co.uk for further details.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

food + drink

Partridge Terrine

Ardeonaig Hotel

On the southern shore of Loch Tay, amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, Ardeonaig is a very special hotel in a spectacular location. et within the Highland Hills and nestled on a single track road, The Ardeonaig Hotel and Restaurant has been described on Trip Advisor as “A well hidden gem in the middle of nowhere” and “Quiet and peaceful but with more than a touch of class”.

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With its sash windows, a log burning stove in the foyer as you enter the hotel and a lounge with open fire, this 16th century inn has kept its country charm whilst providing luxury accommodation and excellent food.

The main house has eight bedrooms, four with a loch view.

Walking out to the gardens you are greeted with two cottage suites and five self contained Shieling suites positioned along the stream, providing picturesque views across the grounds, guaranteeing no visit will be the same with its ever changing landscape.

The restaurant sits with unrivalled idyllic views overlooking the Loch Tay & Ben Lawers. It is the perfect setting to enjoy the creative offerings from the highly

experienced kitchen team.

With an ever changing menu firmly rooted in classical cuisine, it mixes handfuls of Scottish produce and creative wizardry that will treat your senses to a little culinary euphoria.

The small dedicated team, with their many years of hospitality experience, endeavour to provide the highest standard of customer service to their guests. Whether you are looking for that peaceful break from the city, enjoying the surroundings and quiet or stopping over to break up a walking holiday we have something to suit everyone. That home from home feel with some little extra touches allows you to rest and rejuvenate at the Ardeonaig Hotel.

For that special celebration, whether it is a wedding, birthday or anniversary, we have various rooms that can be used for ceremonies and dining and with the breath taking views you would find it difficult not to find something that would make your special day even more memorable.

with Pear & Pomegranate Recipe for 4 People

Chef's Tips • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 whole partridges 1 egg white 8 slices smoked streaky bacon ½ pt of cream 1 tbsp of sultanas 2 pears 2 tsp of sugar 1 pomegranate 1 shallot 1 tsp sea salt 1 oz popping corn 2 tbsp walnut 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil 1 onion 1 carrot A few sprigs of herbs such as rosemary, thyme or sage

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emove the legs and breasts from the partridges.

2. Place the legs, diced onion, carrot and herbs in a pan. Just cover with water & simmer gently till cooked.

Remove from liquid and cool.

3. Place three partridge breasts into a food processor with some salt and 1 egg white, then blend. Once smooth slowly add the cream, remove and place in a mixing bowl.

4. Pick legs and place into the mixing bowl along with the sultanas and season.

5. Cut the last breast into long 1cm strips, and seal in a hot pan (don’t cook them fully at this point). Once cooled add to mixing bowl.

6. Gently incorporate all of the ingredients in the bowl making sure there is an equal distribution.

7. Lay out a sheet

of cling film, place the streaky bacon on it so you have large sheet, place the partridge mix in a line approx 1/3 from the edge, then roll using the cling film (this can be a bit tricky).

8. Once rolled, place into a deep tray cover with water and place into an oven at 160o for about 45mins (I would recommend the use of a temperature probe set to 85o) once cooked remove from the water and cool.

9. Finely chop the shallot, peel and slice the pear and gently sauté in a pan adding a little sugar to help caramelize.

Remove from heat.

10. Remove pomegranate seeds (rolling them before cutting loosens them) and add to the pears and shallots. Add rapeseed oil & chill overnight.

11. Prepare popcorn in a hot pan and dust with crushed sea salt and walnuts.

NB. We thinly slice pears, dust with icing sugar and dehydrate them as a garnish. This can be done in a domestic oven at a low temperature setting.

The Ardeonaig Hotel - Quiet and peaceful but with more than a touch of class."

When eating out try and find an independent restaurant.

As a whole most are run by people that are passionate about what they do, more likely to source ingredients from local suppliers. Be more concerned about how they treat you rather than how much/how little you’ll spend and generally, more likely to put quality over profit. _ When doing your monthly shop, always buy an unfamiliar item for the cupboard, this might be a new seasoning, a different fish or even a new vegetable.

Experimentation & creativity are some essentials that will boost your confidence in the kitchen, & turn the ordinary into the sublime.

Is your business interested in the Recipe of the Month?

If so get in touch, it's FREE!

1.27kg

lace mash, 1/2tsp caraway seeds, egg & yolk, cream, melted butter and flour in a mixing bowl. Work till smooth.

of grapes

3. In a sauce pan place the other 1/2tsp of caraway seeds and heat gently. Add a little water, simmer to extract flavour, then add meat stock. Reduce to sauce consistency.

5. Remove venison, from the pan and rest before slicing. Replace the pan back on heat keeping the butter & meat residue.

Add the winter greens, leeks & shallots and gently stir fry.

6. Place potato cake on the plate, spoon on vegetables and the sliced venison. Drizzle with caraway sauce.

N.B. We use dried sweetened leek and shallot to garnish. It can be made simply by finely slicing, coating in a little icing sugar and placed in a very low temperature oven for 4-5 hours.

DI SC O UN T

£9.99 75cl - 12.5%

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Babich Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015

2. Preheat a small oiled pan and cook a large spoon of the potato mix till golden brown on both sides. Repeat and place on lightly oiled tray.

4. Preheat a frying pan, season and oil Venison, then sear all sides of steaks till brown. Add 1oz of butter and place in the oven at approx 160o for 6-8mins, depending on size of venison, basting with butter every 2-3mins. At the same time place potato cakes in the oven.

This wine is made from the grape Sauvignon Blanc, which is grown all over the world but makes really great wines in New Zealand. It has aromas of passion fruit, and flavours of crisp citrus and green fruits.

Great with Goats Cheese, White Fish & Chicken Dishes.

£

P

One bottle of wine contains about

Tokomaru Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014

AV 17 AI .9 LA 9 BL 75 E O cl NL - 1 IN 4% E

4 x 4.5 oz venison loin steaks Finely shredded winter greens, one leek & three shallots 1/2 pt of reduced red wine meat stock 1 tsp caraway seeds ½ kg of mash 1 egg & 1 yolk 2oz butter 3 fl oz cream 45 g plain flour

by Th eH ou se IS A of M TH STA en E LW zie PI A s

Recipe for 4 People

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W M in M o e ar n o S lb t W OM O E or h f t R TH LD ou H h I R NG E gh uia e D OF S

with Caraway Potato Cake & Sauté Winter Greens

• •

• • • • • • •

U H R U N IA E . W

N Pi ew n ot Z N R ea No O T T A N M la ir O O IR N nd , FR GS .

O TO

Local Venison

US ET HE FO CO R DE A

WINE OF THE MONTH

“B 10UZ % Z”

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

uia is a small biodynamic operation based in Marlborough, owned & run by husband and wife duo Mike & Claire Allen.

They create delicious wines in small quantities, so there’s not much to go around!

All the grapes are biodynamically grown, and from 2012 onwards all their wines have been certified organic. Huia have officially been awarded Carbon Neutral status by the CarboNZero programme and are members of the MANA scheme (Marlborough Natural Winegrowers - a group of five artisan producers including Huia that are working together to promote biodynamic

H

Get in touch with The Ardeonaig Hotel Ardeonaig Hotel South Loch Tay Side, Near Killin, K21 8SU Call 01567 820351 or email info@ ardeonaighotel.co.uk Visit ardeonaighotel. co.uk for more information.

viticulture and respect for terroir).

Their Pinot Noir is a brilliant example of elegant Kiwi Pinot, offering up smooth, rich red berry fruits, alongside lots of smoke and spice. All the grapes here are handpicked from two sites, one in Marlborough’s Rapaura sub-region and the other on the upper terraces of the Brancott Valley. Once picked, the grapes spend eleven months in French oak before being bottled.

What really stands out with this Pinot is the balance Claire and Mike have created, with extremely well integrated oak and silky tannins. A fantastic food wine with an elegant structure and fresh character.

Visit houseofmenzies.com to buy online.

This wine has flavours of white stone fruit, with spice and citrus. It has aromas of Danish pastry and spicy pear tart. It has generous mineral flavours with hints of ginger and lemon zest. Great with white fish, smoked ham or on its own as an aperitif!

£12.99 75cl - 14%

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Millton Crazy by Nature Cosmo Red 2013 A blend of Malbec, Syrah and Viognier, this year joined with the supple embrace of Merlot.

Dark and brooding as a late night kiss, with a lifted spice, tingling aromas quite unique to this wine and its own natural surroundings.

The taste is dense but still alive, mint, chocolate, Asian spice, and warmth of feather pillow for a fatigued head.

£13.99 75cl - 13.5%

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Wines start at £5.99 and are available online, by phone or email.

Delivery in The Heartland Buzz area is free.

The House of Menzies was established in 1999 and has built a strong reputation for stocking and selling an eclectic range of New World Wines not readily available on the High Street.

The House of Menzies, Castle Menzies Farm, Aberfeldy. PH15 2JD Call 01887 829666 or email info@ houseofmenzies.com

ABERFELDY COMMUNITY PUTTING GREEN

ABERFELDY COMMUNITY PUTTING GREEN

local community

Aberfeldy

Community

Putting Green Did you know that one in four people in Scotland will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives and that depression affects around one in twelve?

VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED WITH THE ABERFELDY COMMUNITY PUTTING GREEN AGREE THAT LAST SEASON DEFINITELY INCREASED THEIR WELLBEING.

ental Wellbeing includes feelings of life satisfaction, feeling in control, having a purpose in life and a sense of belonging and support. The Putting Green is run by local volunteers including people recovering from long term mental health problems; this attracted 2,485 visitors from April to October last year, and in spite of poor weather, only closed for a few days.

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The Wellbeing Support Team (PKC, NHS, Cornerstone) now based at Breadalbane Campus provided initial support for the initiative; they believe that running a community enterprise could give clients with long term mental health problems an opportunity to challenge some of the stigma around mental health. They recognise that it could also help people in their recovery by giving them purpose, learning new skills, boosting confidence and having a sense of belonging. PKC Estates agreed to let the team try and awarded

the tender until March 2016.

We can now report that in December the Putting Green was given charitable status . "

Volunteers from all parts of the community came forward and with help from PKC Community Capacity Worker, Community Greenspace and the local Golf Club the real work began. Volunteers are trained to use grass cutting machinery, to paint and perform various ground and kiosk duties such as tidying up, selling tea and ice cream, organising new signs, cleaning up mountains of dog poo and litter and getting the green ready to open to the community. The Aberfeldy Golf Club organised for

volunteers to use their grass cutter and one volunteer diligently cut the grass every week and was complimented by a professional greenkeeper from Dunkeld on one visit. First aid and health & safety are concentrated on also.

People have been supportive and have shared many stories of happy childhoods spent at the Putting Green enjoying an ice cream and a game. As well, individuals have come from all over the world leaving comments in the visitor’s book about trips to this special place thirty years ago. Some people just came to have a cuppa and enjoy the company of both the co-ordinator’s and the views. Connections have been made with Breadalbane Academy, and as a result, young people came to help tidy up as part of Activities Week and celebrations were organised as part of World Mental Health Day and Wellbeing Week.

Volunteer confidence continues to grow; three individuals have received volunteer awards for services to the community. As well, a micro grant from the Community Council and money from the NHS Community Innovation Fund has inspired volunteers to think of a future running the Putting Green themselves; thought was given to approach the Council requesting permission to run it for the next three years, and the Common Good Fund has happily agreed.

In addition, we can now report that in December, the Aberfeldy

Community Putting Green was given charitable status. This success story shows that people with mental health problems can be part of their community by running a community enterprise that supports not only their own wellbeing, but that also of their local communities.

The Putting Green can now look forward to welcoming new volunteers and visitors in April 2016

t. 01887 840760 info@theinnonthetay.co.uk www.theinnonthetay.co.uk The Inn on the Tay, Grandtully Perthshire, PH9 0PL

Love is INN the Air...

Sunday 14th February 2016 STARTERS Smoked Salmon Roulade, Celeriac Remoulade, Bitter Lemon Purée and Caviar Cider and Bramley Apple Veloute with Unsalted Butter and Chargrilled Ciabatta Smooth Chicken Liver Parfait, Red Onion Marmalade and Arran Oatcakes Champagne Sorbet with Candied Lemon MAINS Fillet of Beef Medallions with Truffled Mash Potatoes, Confit Cherry Tomatoes, Green Beans and a Silverskin Onion Jus Roast Breast of Corn Fed Chicken with Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Fondant Potato and a Smoked Pancetta Jus Butternut Squash Risotto with Toasted Seeds, Roast Garlic Oil and Vegetable Crisps DESSERTS A Trio of Stewart Tower Dairy Ice Creams Warm Chocolate Brownie with Seasonal Berries and Fresh Honeycomb Highland Cheeseboard with Oatcakes and Chutney

£35 per person

MEL'S HILLTOP DIARY

MEL'S HILLTOP DIARY

life in the glen

over-wintering in there goes mouldy and falls over. The best thing to be doing now is start poring over the seed catalogues.

BY MELANIE BONN

Mel's Hilltop Diary

With the garden in hibernation, outside there were only tidying up jobs to be done. As January drew to a close I put a bucket over a clump of rhubarb to force up some early pink shoots in the dark.

It was a mucky, rotten start to 2016. We got soaked for a fortnight and then the glen languished under a blanket of snow.

to the letter. By substituting margarine for butter we got a very sticky cake batter which had to be scraped off the table top, nothing like the 'smooth dough' we were promised.

“No matter,” I told the kids as I wielded my palette knife hopefully. We weren't trying for perfection, the baking blitz had been just to pass another rainy Saturday afternoon. Somehow I got the gloopy batter and apple sandwich into the tin and smoothed the top layer on as best I could. During 40 minutes in the oven a miracle occurred and everything come right in the end. The cake was delicious - if a little different from the picture in the book.

On another day our kitchen smelled deliciously of oranges, as Jason capitalised on the short Seville orange season. There are only two weeks in January when you can buy them from the fruit guy in Perth, so you have to have a plan and stick to it. As the man in the shop sold me my 6lb of frankly ugly looking oranges, he joked that you could buy wonderful marmalade for 50p a jar from Lidl without any of the bother.

He might be right, but the satisfaction of labelling your own row of finished jars is worth it.

ust after Storm Frank, I was walking my dog Torrin along the riverbank, fascinated by the bits and pieces scattered along the tide line. The field had been under water and was strewn with bridge sleepers, sticks and even part of a sign (“Danger of Electrocution Do Not Cast Under Power Cables”).

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We got through a wild few weeks

with the glen road submerged for furlongs not feet. Many a time I'd crossed myself steering my hatchback through long arching tunnels of flood water. Despite my best efforts at dodging an assault course of submerged potholes, I still got a flat tyre and bust suspension. Ouch.

Back home deep rocky channels were gouged out of our track, and the roof gave up on one of the hen houses.

My greenhouse bloomed mould.

Mushrooms started to flourish on the

No wonder everyone thinks about booking summer holidays this time of year. "

seats of our leaky old truck. No wonder everyone thinks about booking summer holidays this time of year.

Confined to barracks by the nasty weather, we dug out our trusty pasta machine and got busy making ravioli and linguine with the kids. Before long we'd wrung out enough ribbons to open our own Italian diner. We also called on a trusted recipe for teatime comfort – a Crofter's Apple Cake. The instructions called for butter and we learnt, to our expense that recipes should be followed

I like to think there can be few B&Bs that can, as we do, offer bread, jam, eggs for your breakfast, all produced on the property. We just have to hope that all that rural charm makes up for the pitiful broadband and the long drive to find a mobile signal.

Sad to say though, despite our emphasis on home-made, it will be a while before we can use anything home-grown. Every year I mean to keep salads on the go in the poly tunnel through winter, but the earth floor draws in the moisture and anything

WELCOME TO OUR LITTLE LIFE ON OUR CROFT l live in Glenlyon with my husband Jason, daughters Alice and Sarah and a whole lot of animals.

Along with running a B&B and holding down a job on the paper, I indulge in a bit of the 'Good Life'. We're on a constant journey to make the best of our beautiful surroundings.

Tansy and St John's Wort threatened to swamp the flower border so probably way too late, I lopped off last year's tall flower heads in a bid to discourage any more self-seeding.

Next I pruned the fruit bushes and used the cut raspberry canes to add to a section of wind-breaking. By weaving these smooth straight lengths in and out of the wire perimeter fence I am gradually making an attractive natural barrier.

Each year now, instead of putting last season's dead canes on the muck heap I set them aside and on a dry day in March or April turn my hand to hurdle-making, the cheat's way.

The bristling willow hedge also got a hard prune. I brought in bundles of short willow branches to give to Meadow and Dandy, the pet rabbits.

They pushed each other out of the way to get at the treat first, loving a change from their boring winter diet of hay and pellets.

I was musing later that like many of us sun-deprived humans, the bunnies might have a touch of SAD, so I planted up grass seed in trays to give them a supply of fresh nibbles until spring returns. When I lived in London in the 90s the same thing was all the rage in organic juice bars, but pulped wheat grass was never my thing.

Crofter's Apple Cake A lovely, sticky apple cake with its origins in Ireland. In mid winter it's one of our favourite comfort foods on the croft.

• • • • • • • •

225g self raising flour 115g butter 1 large egg 115g caster sugar 75ml milk 2 cooking apples, peeled & sliced 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 50g soft brown sugar

Topping • Beaten egg for brushing • 1 tablespoon of caster sugar Cream the butter and flour. Work in egg, sugar and milk and make a soft dough, then cut the dough in half.

Place one half into a deep cake tin and press down to cover the surface.

Put the apples over the base and sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar. Roll out the rest of the dough and press over the apples. Cut several slits on the top, brush with egg and sprinkle the caster sugar.

Bake in an oven for 40mins at 180C.

Homemade Pasta • • • •

500g white flour 3 large eggs 2 egg yolks pinch of salt

Sieve the flour, turn onto the table and make a well in the centre. Add eggs and extra yolks by hand and work into dough. Kneed and fold for 5-10 mins. Roll into a ball, cling film it and leave in the fridge for one hour.

Use a pasta machine or if you don't have one roll thin with a rolling pin.

The internet is full of ideas of how to cut, shape and fill you pasta.

MALCOLM APPLEBY AT 70

MALCOLM APPLEBY AT 70

art + creativity

BY ELIZABETH MOIGNARD

70

MALCOLM APPLEBY AT

Throughout January, the Scottish Gallery in Dundas Street, Edinburgh hosted an exhibition to celebrate Malcolm Applebyʼs 70th birthday, marking over 50 years of a “creative tour de force”. itself in a wide-ranging series of small objects, including bowls, tumblers and various items of jewellery ... A group of Crystal, Spiral and Star Textured Tumbler Bowls, made of silver with gilt, appears to possess an inner luminosity. Under careful lighting, the gold surfaces exude an exotic warmth while the external silver surfaces, finely engraved with intricate patterning, are thrown into sharp relief. Such objects invite a tactile response, their utility, although imaginable, is far outshone by their inviting aesthetic.” The Timesʼ critic, Giles Sutherland concludes: “His work seems to improve with age and experience. At 70, he shows no signs of slowing down.”

alcolm has dedicated his artistic practice primarily to engraving and pushing the boundaries of metalwork; constant experimentation has made him a master of his craft and in 2014 he received an MBE for his outstanding contribution to the arts and in 2015, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hand Engraversʼ

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Association.

This birthday exhibition set out to provide a snapshot of Malcolmʼs current work. The Scottish Gallery has been associated with Malcolm Appleby since the 1970s; the many facets of his work has brought joy to many, each piece sold marking the beginning of a journey of discovery around this artist. The Times newspaper gave the exhibition a fivestar review (January 12, 2016) stating that “Applebyʼs skill, craftsmanship and artistry manifests

The Times newspaper gave the exhibition a five star review. "

Extracts of Professor Elizabeth Moignardʼs catalogue essay provide further insights into his studio practice and career and the catalogue also includes images of Malcolm taken by the renowned contemporary photographer, David Eustace from his Friends and Artists portfolio. “Based in Perthshire, he and his household are living and working in one of the oldest inhabited landscapes in Scotland, and his sense of being embedded in its natural environment is an enduring element in his aesthetic. A persistently enquiring mind, and the courage to experiment provide many of the

drivers which make that emotional base produce some extraordinary work, beautiful, amusing, challenging, sometimes all at once. Carving and engraving are the techniques most closely associated with Malcolmʼs work, and we might view this as a starting point in looking at the way in which his oeuvre naturally involves both the creation of large-scale publicly commissioned work, and smaller and more intimate and domestic desirables, including jewellery.

I was becoming increasingly aware of his work on a larger scale, including some important public commissions and museum pieces; these visibly provide not only space for the experimental, but also crystallise much of Malcolmʼs particular ethical practice in approaching public art.

The commitment to nature is evident, but equally a sense of duty to make political, and often satirical comment.

Some of this underlies one of my favourite pieces: the cup he produced for the 500th anniversary of the London Assay Office, which traced the changing form of its leopard mark with jokes and an evident love and observation of cats, but also with a commentary on service and stability.

The Hurricane George bowl of 2007 matured this ethos by referring to Hurricane Katrinaʼs destruction of New Orleans, both a climatic disaster on a monumental scale and a human catastrophe; President George W Bush, as Malcolm puts it, ʻplayed golf while New Orleans drowned. So George appears in the eye of the storm – in the centre of the bowl, but his eyes will never meet yours.ʼ

A persistently enquiring mind, and the courage to experiment. "

The table centre-piece commissioned for the Millennium collection at Bute House addresses a more local issue with as much passion, from a more celebratory angle. The original fluid design on unrolling paper led to a silver sculpture which confronts the viewer with the coastline of Scotland undulating adaptably along the table, accompanied by coastal stack-like candlesticks like the Old Man of Hoy, and flower holders which lie offshore as islands. The sense that the Scottish government should be for the whole of our beautiful Scotland, not just its urban centres, is a serious part of the message.

Engraving includes lettering, of course; words make messages and points easier to make, and here Malcolmʼs part in the long tradition of political satire and commentary in art emerged most recently, perhaps in his Catch Phrase series, in which he picks up on famous mantras such as ʻthe big societyʼ and emphasises their hollow ring by engraving them on a beaker.

The invitation to deliver the Glenmorangie lecture at the National Museum of Scotland, in 2015 generated the Glenmorangie Beaker. This takes, as Malcolm says, a ʻdeliberately different approach to

lettering, street graffiti-style meets Celtic, combined with straight line illusion engraving – there has only been one beaker engraved like this one. It is a riot of line and light.ʼ Nature and nurture, and social duty: probably the evolution of the Banchory Bangle encapsulates this best. This annual commission began in 1976 to raise funds with RSSPCC (now Children 1st), and its first gold edition, made from publicly contributed scrap gold, was auctioned at the Touch of Tartan Ball in Aberdeen to celebrate 21 years of Malcolm Appleby in Scotland.

Later editions were replicated by casting in silver, and so have had a wide circulation after an annual raffle at the Ball, and a reputation both as an important piece of charity work and as wearable folk art. In many ways they are an indicative marker of Malcolmʼs ethos and practice: a piece of fine and often humorous observation, produced with attention to detail and generosity of spirit for a serious purpose.

The 2015 version features an otter and waterlilies. Malcolm has collaborated with many other charities, creating fund-raising pieces for them, most recently the RSPB Scotlandʼs Capercaillie conservation and sparrow projects.”

Malcolm is available by appointment on 01887 840484

The Malcolm Appleby at 70 exhibition catalogue can be downloaded from scottishgallery.co.uk/ exhibitions/ page/malcolm_ appleby

WILDLIFE AND NATURE

WILDLIFE AND NATURE

All images by

Lochview Photography

r e t n i W ls Trai iving in

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Scotland we have the privilege and excitement of being let into a secret

world every winter. Some people love the snow and the transient world of beauty that it creates. Others hate the worry and stress of travel once the white flakes have descended. But whatever your view, the glimpse into the natural world that we get on a fresh, snowy morning is exceptional.

You need to get out early before other folk have trampled about, or even worse, started shovelling the snow.

Out in the garden or woods you can get a real feel for what animals may have visited, particularly during the night, when you are asleep. Not only that, but you can see where they have been and make a guess at what they have been up to. Stories may unfold – tracks ending in some specks of blood can only mean a sad ending for one and a full stomach for another.

I have seen the tracks of a red squirrel coming right up to the back door. I knew that they visited the garden, but what impelled this one to check out

Badger footprints in snow

Pine marten tracks

the house, with its dog inhabitant, I have no idea.

On a walk near Aviemore I saw badger tracks at the very top of a hill.

Badger tracks can be easy to see because, like us, badgers like following paths. However, I didn’t realise they enjoyed taking in the view as much as me.

If you head into your garden or local woods, common winter tracks you are likely to see include rabbits, pheasants and small birds. Small mammals are also common – most likely to be mice, as voles tend to live under the snow. You can see vole runs as the snow melts. Squirrel and pine marten tracks are also fairly easy to find. Foxes and dogs are difficult to distinguish, although a fox usually has a purposeful direction whereas dogs are more playful. Domestic cats and wildcats have the same tracks.

If you have the energy and skills to head into the hills when they are snowy, the tracks are fewer and further between but they are preserved for much longer. You can see the cabbage-sized dimple where a ptarmigan has bedded down for the night, accompanied by footprints and sometimes wing marks where it has taken off. Mountain hare tracks are

Squirrel and pine marten tracks are also fairly easy to find. "

common in the snow, and distinctive with their long back feet, and leaping gait.

So when you hear snow is next forecast, leap out of bed in the morning and get outside! I hope you will be thrilled and surprised by what is sharing your patch with you this winter.

A few tracking tips to consider when you head out: • Look at the pattern of the tracks (gait) as well as the shape. A jumping squirrel gives a very different gait pattern to a rat which walks, although their track shapes are similar.

by Polly Freeman, Country Ranger Atholl Estates

• Be aware of the temperature. If the snow is melting, tracks will appear much bigger than they started – wolves and yetis may abound!

• Remember if you take photos for ID when you get home, use something in your picture for scale – size matters.

Find out more by visiting atholl estatesranger service.co.uk

For more information visit discoverwildlife.com/british-wildlife/ how-identify-animal-tracks-and-trails

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

The World Tour is enjoyed by an audience of more than

390,000 annually.

DENALI

he Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour offers audiences the opportunity to travel the world and experience a selection of inspirational, exhilarating and unforgettable adventures from the comfort of a theatre chair.

Banff MOUNTAIN

T

FILM FESTIVAL

Now in its seventh edition, the 2016 UK and Ireland Banff Tour will share a collection of exhilarating short films with more than 80 screenings in over 50 locations across two different film programmes in early 2016.

The 2016 World Tour Comes To Pitlochry LES DRUS CHAMONIX FRANCE

BY SOREN RICKARDS

CHASING NIAGARA

UNBRANDED

The festival tour showcases a diverse collection of the newest and very best films from the global mountain culture and sports community. The two different film programmes, each of approximately two and a half hours in length, will be selected from over 350 films that have been entered into the prestigious 40th anniversary edition of the Banff Mountain Film Festival, held in the Canadian Rockies in November 2015.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER

The tour is much more than a series of incredible film nights. It brings together people with a wide range of outdoor passions who return every year to enjoy the community feel of a Banff screening and leave with new enthusiasm and inspiration for their own adventures.

The popularity of the UK and Ireland leg of the Banff World Tour is quickly growing. In 2016, the Tour is expected to bring together more than 50,000 adventure lovers, celebrating the outdoors in unique venues right across the UK and Ireland. The World Tour travels the globe every year, visiting over 45 different countries and being enjoyed by more than 400,000 people worldwide.

A LITTLE HISTORY

The Festival began more than 35 years ago in 1976 in the small Rocky Mountain town of Banff, Alberta.

A tight-knit group of climbers and outdoor folk looked for an annual event to entertain them during the shoulder season between climbing and skiing. As the story goes, several late night meetings and a few beers later The Banff Festival of Mountaineering Films was born.

What began as a one-day festival of climbing films, has now blossomed into a nine-day event in Banff and a year-round film tour which encompasses about 840 screenings on all continents (yes, we go to Antarctica!)

Climbers, filmmakers, writers, and photographers from all over the world now recognize Banff as the key event in their mountain community; sharing stories with fellow mountaineers and armchair adventurers alike is a coveted privilege. The World Tour is enjoyed by an audience of more than 390,000 annually.

The tour showcases a diverse collection of the newest and very best films from the global mountain culture and sports community. "

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

UNBRANDED

Red Film Programme A LINE ACROSS THE SKY 40 minutes

FITZ TRAVERSE

Banff Award: Best Film – Climbing

DENALI

CHASING NIAGARA

BIG SCREENS, BIG STORIES. The Banff Mountain Film Festival arrives in Pitlochry on Saturday 20th February 2016.

The Fitz Roy traverse is one of the most sought after achievements in modern alpinism. Long considered impossible, coveted by many and attempted by a few, the Fitz Traverse has fuelled the imaginations of climbers in Patagonia for decades.

Tracing the iconic skyline of Cerro Fitz Roy and its six satellite peaks, it spans four miles and 13,000 feet across snow and ice-covered rock.

Seizing their chance during a rare extended weather window, Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold went big.

The pair completed the first ascent in a five-day push. A quest that earned them the prestigious Piolet d’Or award.

CURIOSITY 13 minutes

Chasing curiosity can lead us down a dangerous, challenging, and frightening path. It can also lead us to have the greatest experiences of our lives.

“Curiosity” follows the stories of ultramarathoners Rory Bosio, Timothy Olson and Hal Koerner as they prepare for the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc, one of the world’s toughest and most prestigious ultra marathons, in their pursuit of that little something extra.

DENALI 8 minutes

BUILDER

For Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour tickets, full film listing and information go to banff-uk.com

There’s no easy way to say goodbye to your best friend. Especially if that best friend stuck by your side during the darkest time in your life — licking your feet, shadowing your footsteps and going insane with joy every time

he saw you. Denali celebrates the bond between humans and dogs and highlights the incredible strength our friends can provide.

PRETTY FACES

11 minutes Celebrate women who thrive in the snow with this all female ski film.

Featuring larger than life big mountain skier Rachel Burks, watch in awe as she chases her dream of skiing in Alaska for the first time, lighting the way for the next generation of female skiers.

UNBRANDED 43 minutes

Banff Award: People’s Choice Award Four young Texas horseman hatch an outrageous plan to adopt, train and ride a string of wild horses 3,000 miles from the Mexican border to Canada through some of the American West’s wildest terrain. Their aim is to prove the worth of wild horses and raise awareness about their plight.

What ensues is an epic journey of self-discovery, danger, friendship and big landscapes that entails runaway horses, perilous mountain passes, debilitating injuries, and one sassy donkey.

UNREAL 12 minutes

Imagine a world where you ride the perfect trail perfectly, and sometime snow isn’t the only stuff that falls from the sky. When you spend all of your time at work dreaming about mountain biking, which life is real?

This film is dedicated to you: the dreamers, the rule-breakers, the ones who never grow up, the ones who know the secrets, the ones who know the way into the unReal world.

THE JOTTERS

THE JOTTERS

ara turns the key in a grudging quarter-circle.

The padlock springs open and the shed door sags heavily on its hinges. In a well practised routine, she sticks her booted toe under the kick-plate to lift the door over the threshold. As it swings open, she fumbles for the light switch. The strip light ping-pings before spluttering fitfully into life. Mara steps inside, creaks the door shut and surveys her world.

M

SEA SHED local writing

One might expect to find garden tools in a shed like this: a rake or two, a fork and spade, even a wheelbarrow, possibly a riddle. This shed has none of these. In their stead are tip upon pile of beach-combings: leaning towers of driftwood, fish boxes, bottle tops, baling twine with frayed tassels of orange and turquoise, polystyrene of all shapes and sizes, sea glass and broken china, plastic bottles, toothbrushes and tin cans; the detritus of man’s existence, the flotsam and jetsam of life. Nature’s leftovers are hung from the roof: fronds of dried seaweed like tattered feathers, crab claws, the skeleton of a seagull, the skull of a seal. In her daily scouring of the beach below the shed, Mara hopes never to come across human remains; she has been told that the most frequent visitors to our shores are the bones of feet still in their shoes; they occur in her nightmares, walking up the beaches in mismatched pairs. So far she has been spared the distress of a real sighting.

If the beach by day is Mara’s passion, then the shed by night must

The Jotters We are a small, informal group of writers.

We meet once a month to read and discuss our work.

Enjoy.

This month our contribution was written Margot.

be her obsession. She feels driven, as surely as the tide drives to the shore, to make something of this shed of curiosities. Mara has drawn energy from the great ocean which frames her life; now she feels bound to reciprocate in her creation of art. She has only one subject: ‘The Sea’. Her assemblages, Sea 1, Sea 2 and so on hang in galleries nationwide. There are admirers of her work who try to bag a sight of every one. All fail in the process. Some she guards close to her heart for fear that parting with them might wrench the life from her.

Mara feels a little crazed tonight; a full moon beams through the skylight.

She sets to work nevertheless with the tools of her craft: a hammer, nails, glue and sandpaper. She works with manic zeal, recreating the essence of the sea from pieces of driftwood, sanded and hammered roughly together in an interaction of colour. Spumes of sea glass rise up from crests of baling-twine waves. Plastic bottles are flattened and glued and clinkered to make hulls of fishing smacks; starch stiffened seaweed cracks and flaps like tarpaulin in an imagined storm.

She is beginning to be troubled by her work, to lose faith in her art. Her arms ache, her fingers cramp like an old cobbler’s. The influence of the moon is hypnotic and she puts down her hammer and nails and steps outside.

There hangs the moon, blue lace agate in a silver sky, tugging at the sea like a huge celestial balloon. Mara stands transfixed, then moves to the gate at the bottom of the garden where ramshackle steps tumble sixty feet down to the shore below. As she gazes at the water, she is filled with self-doubt. While art critics will marvel at her craft, pulling at

their faces in contortions of sycophantic admiration, philistines will scrutinize her work with a more critical eye, muttering under their breath about a load of old rubbish before moving on to the next ‘real’ work of art. She looks again and now sees unpainted power surging to the shore. Shades of blue prevail by day, though there are others too; scarlet, vermilion, burnt orange, ash grey, all softened by the sea, all captured in her work. By night, as now, a sombre palette provides the only colours she fears she may ever need.

There’s madness here. Not far below the surface strange undercurrents flash and bear their flotsam treasures landward; beach them, strand them; miscellanies of lives once lived, now jettisoned without regret. Mara is through the gate now, teetering at the top of the steps. An army of mismatched, booted feet is beginning to march up towards her.

She can hear voices wailing up from the crashing waves below.

‘Whirl and twirl and then let go!

Fall to the very depths of reason.

Meet the spectres of your soul.

Let the sea decide your fate, caress you, embrace you with a multi-coloured kiss of triumph’.

It would be so easy to step off the cliff. She hesitates, then caution commands her respect; commonsense pulls her gently back from the edge.

There are no foot soldiers, no wailing sirens, only a new certainty that all art has value. Her interpretation of the sea is hers alone and of infinite worth because of that. Let others make of it what they will. She will even find room in her shed for a few philistines.

THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MUST CHANGE THEIR WAYS

THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MUST CHANGE THEIR WAYS

local matters

BY MARTIN C. KENNEDY

THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MUST CHANGE THEIR WAYS We all know that 2015 has been exceptionally wet, our rain gauge measured a total of 55 inches for the year, our average should be 39. been flooded for the umpteenth time.

I have to say that there can surely be nothing worse than having 3 or 4 feet of water (and in many cases not just water) flowing through your house and ruining not only things that can be replaced but also many things that can't be replaced such as old family photographs and associated memories.

e have now recorded the rain for 15 years with the first 10 years never topping 44 but during the last 5 there has been three years over 50 so it does look like global warming (although I'm still a little sceptical) is starting to take effect. The scariest statistic though is the fact we had to endure almost 30 inches in 8 weeks including the first week of this year.

W

For many people a flooded landscape is quite picturesque giving the potential for some fantastic photographs but for most people who have to deal with it first hand it can be

The thing that annoys me is the fact that I'm convinced that much of this flooding and damage to people's property could be avoided if our environment agencies would take a common sense approach to the problem. No form of prevention can completely protect property and land from rainfall such as the 14 inches in 24 hrs which fell in parts of Cumbria but for many the damage could be either limited or eliminated all together.

an absolute disaster.

The force of nature never ceases to amaze me, particularly when it involves water. The shear power that a river such as the Tay and many others have when in full flood is astonishing and the devastation it can cause is both stressful and in some cases extremely costly. All around the country we saw reports of flood damage from the north east of Scotland down to Cumbria and beyond. Flood banks were breached, areas of land and fences completely swept away and large numbers of livestock lost. This is the kind of damage caused in the rural areas that far too often is not highlighted enough probably because the headlines usually relate to people's homes having

The force of nature never ceases to amaze me, particularly when it involves water. "

Up till around 25 or 30 years ago farmers and land managers all across Britain regularly removed gravel and silt deposits from our rivers and tributaries.

This not only kept these waterways on course but had the added benefit of helping our fishing as the gravel beds that the fish spawned in were never left high and dry when the river dropped.

Then our environment agencies decided that we couldn't carry out this maintenance of our waterways anymore (at least not without prior approval and permission). The result is

Thanks to Archie McLaren for the photography.

what you see now, huge gravel and silt embankments filling up the bottom of the rivers and reducing its capacity.

Many of our bridges now have these deposits building up against them causing great stress and reducing the flow beneath them dramatically.

Another common sight is the appearance of islands which is a direct result of being unable to remove these deposits. To me it's not rocket science, if you put a pint of water into a pint glass it will hold it. If you take that water out, put 2 inches of gravel in the bottom of the glass and try and pour the water back in it will spill out over the top. That's maybe a bit crude but it's still the simplest of physics.

We had an NFU branch meeting here about 4 or 5 years ago which started with a talk in Grandtully hall

by SEPA, the experts that spoke to us were hydromorphologists (I think). I have to say that during this talk one

or two local farmers who have lived beside the river all their lives walked out. Then we proceeded to the banks of the River Tay to look at where islands were beginning to appear. They told us that the reason the river was changing its course was due to climate change, well I'm sorry but that's nonsense. The reason the river has changed its course is because farmers and land managers have been too frightened to go anywhere near these watercourses with a digger for fear of a financial penalty against their single farm payment.

Flood defences cost the country hundreds of millions and to what result? If you take it to its logical conclusion in another 30 years time these flood defences will need to be built higher.

Many years ago there were three dredgers cleared the silt and sand between Perth and Dundee. This sand

Martin is a beef and sheep farmer in highland Perthshire and sits on NFU Scotland's board of directors as Chairman of the Less Favoured Area.

was used to build houses in Perth (proper recycling). Now I think I'm right in saying there is only one part time which only clears a narrow channel.

Surely we would be far better to go back in time and manage our rivers properly which would not only save a lot of heartache but also save our country a fortune.

Why is it now that we must listen to people with fancy degrees who not only cost an absolute fortune but pay no heed to the local knowledge and expertise of farmers and land managers who have experienced rural issues like this for generations.

People's homes and businesses are surely paramount here, I doubt very much the protection of fresh water mussels and the like are the top priority of people living in places such as Ballater.

WHY DOGS HAVE WET NOSES

local writing he irony is that I’m not even a dog lover.

Many years ago I was back visiting my then girlfriend on the west coast of Norway.

By that time I was pretty fluent in the language and beginning to do bits and pieces of translation, having spent two years studying in what are called Folk High Schools.

T

WHY DOGS HAVE WET NOSES

On this particular day I was visiting the library where Anne Marit worked, and I was on the hunt for a children’s story. I had time for the task and was leafing through old books of myths and legends from the many corners of Norway. I remember the moment I opened a book and my eyes scanned one single sentence: it was a story from the county of Telemark.

During the journey of the Ark across the seas the great boat sprang a leak that Noah filled with the dog’s nose.

And I knew that was my story. I snapped the book shut and scribbled the sentence down, excited because this was exactly what I had been hunting for and hoping I’d find. Back in Scotland the single sentence was gradually drawn out into something more, and eventually became a story for nursery and early primary classes.

In those days I did a great deal of story-telling and much enjoyed it: after years of cuts I’m almost never in schools at all, in Scotland or beyond.

But that’s another story.

In those early days of The Dog’s Nose, I didn’t actually have any real sense of it as a prospective picture book. It took a long time for the story to find itself, and that really happened through telling it over and over in classrooms. Children particularly loved the part when the dog’s nose went into the hole between the planks; I put

BY KENNETH STEVEN

my not inconsiderable nose between my hands and made squeaking noises until I’d achieved the sense of the nose finally fitting. Children shrieked with laughter and rolled around like pinecones. And sometimes I thought back to that chance encounter with the single sentence from an old book of folk tales and considered how fortunate I had been to find it.

At some point, however many years ago, I did write it down and send it away in hope. My London agent from that time must have liked it too, because I can remember sitting in the offices of the Frances Lincoln publishing house talking about it.

And they nearly said yes, but they happened to have at least one other Noah story in the slush pile that year, and it wasn’t The Dog’s Nose they took in the end.

And then my agent and I went our separate ways, and I still kept on sending out the story to publishers because I refused to stop believing it would make a strong picture book. I knew that class after class had loved it; there weren’t two ways about it.

Although I had embellished it, the very core of the tale – on which the whole thing hung – was that one sentence I’d read years before. So it wasn’t just about believing in my own work; it was about believing in the power of the story I’d be given.

The profound irony is that it was finally published in Oslo, by a Norwegian publisher. The story had gone back home. I think in the end it had taken ten full years to see the light of day; perhaps it had been on the tables of fifty publishers. When a picture book is published here, editors and designers don’t really want to see the author. They make the decisions when it comes to who should be the illustrator and what the actual

When the book was finally published – in Norwegian – it went on to win that year’s prize for picture books in Norway. "

ABOUT KENNETH Kenneth is a widely published poet, novelist and children’s author with his roots set in Highland Perthshire.

Find out more about Kennth and his work by visiting kennethsteven. co.uk

illustrations and cover should be like.

Not so in other countries. I was asked to visit the Oslo offices to meet the illustrator, already famous for his work on other books. I remember the huge sheets he’d brought with him spread out on desks; how exciting it was to see his interpretations of the tale! Every page told a hundred stories. There was the moment the dog’s nose fitted into the hole between the planks and the animals celebrated on the Ark. When the book was finally published – in Norwegian – it went on to win that year’s prize for picture books in Norway. I was pleased and rather thought that would be the end of the story (in all senses). Then I heard it had been bought by a German publisher, and one in Italy, then one in Spain. It appeared in Portuguese and Russian and Japanese. I kept thinking it would have run its course and new exciting messages would come from my agent in Oslo. Finally it was bought in Korea, in China and in Sweden. And last but not least, finally, it was taken by a publishing house called Enchanted Lion in New York. It was going to appear in English.

It was published by Enchanted Lion about six months ago and of course that means it’s available here, though still not terribly well known. And I still haven’t had the joy of reading it in a primary school in Scotland, which would be lovely after the long journey it’s made. But at least it’s to be found and that’s what matters in the end.

You can ask for it in the library or even seek it out from Amazon. But it’s very much to be found in the Watermill in Aberfeldy, and hopefully word of it will slowly spread. If ever the old story about not giving up on something was true, surely it is here.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

HEALTH AND FITNESS

scottishnaturalclinic.com

Natural Clinic

Send us your questions!

Lower Back Pain - Five Myths Debunked

BY BRIAN AHERN BSc, MOst

ost of us will experience some form of lower back pain at some point in our lives.

No surprise then at the wealth of information available on the internet on the causes and treatment of this common phenomenon. In fact, a simple Google search for lower back pain will bring up over 50-million pages of information on the topic. Unfortunately, the internet being what it is, not all of this information is entirely accurate and includes many a myth to be debunked.

M

Here are just five of the more common internet myths regarding lower back pain: MYTH 1 Lower back pain is often

caused by a single movement.

FACT A single movement is unlikely to

be the sole cause of a lower back injury.

It is more likely that the injury was the end result of a combination of years of repetitive strain, degenerative changes to the spine and a lack of exercise. The single movement that triggered the injury was probably just the straw that broke the camel's back.

MYTH 2 Complete rest is required to aid recovery from lower back pain.

FACT We now know that prolonged

inactivity, especially beyond the first 24 to 48 hours of lower back pain, is illadvised. Too much inactivity can stiffen joints, weaken muscles and actually make the lower back feel worse. It is far better to keep moving while cutting down a little on your normal activity levels. This will help keep the spine supple, maintain blood circulation to and from the lower back and aid the healing process.

MYTH 3 A warm compress will help ease acute lower back pain.

FACT In the early stages of lower

back pain the tissues will most likely be inflamed and warm. Applying a heat compress will only aggravate this inflammatory response making the lower back feel worse. It is better instead to apply a cold compress A single movement to the lower is unlikely back, especially in the first 24 to to be the sole cause 48 hours. This will cool the area of a lower down and help back ease the effects injury." of inflammation.

It is best to delay the use of a warm compress until after the acute phase when the inflammation has calmed down a little. Never apply a cold or warm compress for periods longer than about 10 minutes at a time.

MYTH 4 Lower back pain is most likely due to a prolapsed disc or a compressed nerve.

FACT While a prolapsed disc with

nerve involvement is one possible cause of lower back pain it is by no means the only cause. There are many other causes of lower back pain, the majority of which don't involve discs or nerves. These can range from simple soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons or ligaments to articular conditions such as facet joint strains and irritations. Paradoxically, it is not uncommon for certain individuals to show disc prolapses in scans yet remain symptom free.

Chiro Corner

MYTH 5 Surgery is the only way to

treat lower back pain.

FACT The overwhelming majority of

people with lower back pain, including those with prolapsed discs or nerve compression, can be helped with nonoperative treatments, such as manual therapy, a course of mobility exercises and appropriate postural advice.

Lower back surgery is only required in a small minority of cases and should only be considered if all non-surgical treatments have been exhausted.

Brian Ahern is a state registered osteopath and a member of the Institute of Osteopathy. He practises at The Natural Clinic on Tuesdays and Fridays and can be contacted on 07745 281 948.

Looking After Your Bones

Deirdre Barron

BY PATRICIA WAITE DC, MCSP

The Natural Clinic, 4 Comrie Street, Crieff, PH7 4AX

I

Call 07774 546384 or visit us on Facebook The Natural Clinic.

ladieslunchandlunges.co.uk

LADIES, LUNCH & LUNGES

on the process. Why? Because we are so 'state driven'. We value ourselves based upon a past moment in time – a fabulous example – the scales!

It's best to focus

New Year Resolutions

I

usually get excited about starting a new year as I get to organise the major things I want to accomplish. This year is no exception. With another Diploma about to start and the business expanding, we might as well throw in an event or two to keep my fitness on its toes (literally).

Goal setting is a great thing; however, it’s very easy to spend our time wishing we were slimmer, fitter, healthier, had more time, etc. The wishing part is all fair and well and then there is the reminiscent part of us that says things like: "I used to be able to fit into these jeans" and "I used to be able to run a marathon."

Wallowing in the past is also a non-effective way of reaching our goals, especially if it’s by shaming ourselves into it. Very little focus is

Samantha Weir Call 07834 279446, or visit us on Facebook Ladies, Lunch and Lunges.

Wallowing in the past is also a non-effective way of reaching our goals."

on the process: happiness is in the journey and forming a habit in this is the way ahead. By making these small changes each and every day an accumulation effect takes place. I am a very driven person, but that will only last for so long before I falter if I don’t have it engrained. Start today, because in a years’ time you will either be glad you did or wished you had!

This year Aileen and I will be doing various challenges and activities for the blog (we are now a year in and very glad we started), both as a family and as individuals. So we will keep you posted on all our news.

Choose your major accomplishments for the year and then start creating your small positive habits. Here’s to 2016, and to your health and happiness.

f you are female, and getting older, you are presumed to be on the way to loss of bone density and in ever increasing danger of breaking bones if you fall over, or overload the skeleton.

Men also lose bone density, but it is usually less pronounced and at a later age.

Bone mass peaks around 30-35 years old, and it normally decreases by about 25%. Bones are living tissue, replacing and remodelling all the time and therefore dependent on a good blood supply, good absorption of nutrients from the gut, and elimination of waste products.

A good diet and stimulation through exercise are essential. Falling hormone levels have a part to play in osteopaenia (loss of bone density) and when it is severe the bones become more rigid and break easily and is described as osteoporosis. It is not universal and occurs less in non-dairy consuming peoples/non-western diet eaters, for example, the Japanese and the Masai. Milk may be highly nutritious for baby mammals, but it is not easily broken down in adults.

Minerals are stored in bone – magnesium, zinc, calcium, boron and silica. The matrix is made of collagen based material, and there is essential fat in the bone marrow, where white and red blood cells are created. The minerals form part of the body’s ‘buffer’ system – balancing acid and alkaline.

Refined foods tend to make our bodies too acid, and so minerals may be leached out of the bone to balance this, thus decreasing the density.

The message for good bone health is the same for good general health – eat a varied diet with the emphasis on vegetables of many colours, as fresh as

possible and ideally organic for a good mineral content. Eat your greens – like elephants, giraffes, horses and more.

Varied, good quality fresh protein helps to build the collagenous base material.

Offal meats are very nutritious and sticking to poultry can lead to a lack of B12, so be adventurous. Don’t forget to make stock from the festive feast – cooking up bones with seasoning and a little wine or vinegar to release the minerals will be much better than a stock cube!

High calcium intake does not necessarily protect you from hip fracture – our bones are a lot more than sticks of chalk and low bone mass may not equate with weakness, if the bone quality is good. Apart from diet, and ensuring you have good gut function, supplements may help. Vitamin D, taken with vitamin K to aid absorption, is a must in our climate. It helps transport minerals to the right places, as well as boost the immune system – like sunshine. A good multivitamin and mineral supplement is a safeguard, along with Omega 3 from the flesh of oily (not smoked) fish.

Bones and joints are stimulated by movement – that’s what we are built for and need for wellbeing, circulation, balance, breathing and good posture.

Walking is available to most of us and can be made more challenging by gradually increasing speed, distance and gradient. Using walking poles can help you increase your distance, and help the confidence to speed up more. Working the arms adds to the circulatory stimulus, and fear of falling is decreased so that you can walk more upright. Be aware that some medication can make you wobbly, and make sure your footwear has a good grip.

Even more effective are exercise systems that challenge joint mobility, strength and balance such as Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates. The Alexander technique teaches you awareness of your posture, how to correct it and why the body distorts. It is best to be supervised in your quest for better bone health. No movements should be forced, and individual needs will vary – but our amazing bodies are made for activity – strive to be alive!

The message for good bone health is the same for good general health – eat a varied diet ."

Patricia Waite Offizone, Kenmore Street, Aberfeldy.

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday by appointment only.

Call 01887 820050 or 07808 223960.

THE SCOTTISH CRANNOG CENTRE

THE BOOK CLUB

reviews

things to see

Winter at the

the Book Club

BY ABERFELDY WATERMILL

These and the best of new books are available from the Aberfeldy Watermill.

I Think You'll Find It’s a Bit More Complicated Than That

by Ben Goldacre

The very best journalism from one of Britain's most admired and outspoken science writers, author of the bestselling Bad Science and Bad Pharma. In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre hilariously exposed the tricks that quacks and journalists use to distort science. Now the pick of the journalism by one of our wittiest,

"This is a book to make you enraged - properly, bone-shakingly furious... a work of brilliance."

Daily Telegraph most indignant and most fearless commentators on the worlds of medicine and science is collected in one volume. Don't even get him started on bad academia, biased government and credulous media.

In short, everything you take at face value is wrong.

£8.99

The Story of the Lost Child

by Elena Ferrante

The last in the Neapolitan series of novels about two poor girls from Naples. The earlier books cover their childhood in the 1950s, their marriages, motherhood and work.

This final volume tells how Elena has left her husband and gone off with someone she has loved since she was a child, and returned to Naples. The outcome is not a happy one. In this superb book the author embraces class, old age, religion, education, family, terrorism, politics, corruption and the internet. Elena does not hold back when she describes dirty Naples replete with violence, grimy buildings and smelly bins. She does not shirk telling us of marital violence and social breakdown either.

£11.99

A God in Ruins

by Kate Atkinson

A God in Ruins relates the life of Teddy Todd - would-be poet, heroic World War II bomber pilot, husband, father, and grandfather - as he navigates the perils and progress of the 20th century. For all Teddy endures in battle, his greatest challenge will be to face living in a future he never expected to have.

This gripping, often deliriously funny, yet emotionally devastating book, looks at war - that great fall of Man from grace - and the effect it has, not only on those who live through it, but on the lives of the subsequent generations. It is also about the infinite magic of fiction. Those who loved the best-selling 'Life After Life' will recognise Teddy as Ursula Todd's adored younger brother - but for those who have not read it, A God in Ruins stands fully on its own. Few will dispute that it proves once again that Kate Atkinson is one of the most exceptional novelists of our age.

£7.99

Crannog Just because the Centre is closed to the public during the winter months doesn’t mean that we’re not working away in the background. ife at the Crannog continues to be busy as we prepare for the 2016 season. The recent heavy rains have caused many problems around and about and the rising water was closely monitored; however the Crannog remained sturdy and resolute throughout. The heavy rains caused a few problems on site with a small river running through the events area when the weather was at its worst. We had to take emergency action several times to divert the water by creating channels to take the water into the loch.

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Dirk and Rich have been hard at work throughout the wind, rain, snow and even sunshine during November and December. The Crannog structure is monitored throughout the year but all routine maintenance work is carried

Aberfeldy Watermill, Mill Street, Aberfeldy, PH15 2BG. Call 01887 822896 or find us on Facebook Aberfeldy Watermill.

out during the winter months and they’ve been busy inspecting, testing and replacing timbers where necessary.

It is hard work in inclement weather but it is also important work, and they carry it out with a smile and lots of tea!

We’re looking forward to welcoming our core staff back in 2016! We’re also recruiting guides for this season and on the look-out for a new manager to take over the day to day running of the Centre. This is a great opportunity for someone to take the helm of one of Scotland’s most recognised five-star attractions. In addition, we're looking for a part-time maintenance worker with, ideally, excellent woodworking skills to help us throughout the year. We need to get our skates on, as we open early this year on March 26th!

Finally, we’re delighted to say that we’ve been working with Peter Guthrie from CMS in Perth who has been

helping us create our new website.

Peter has gone with our brief and created an amazing and dynamic new website which we’re hoping to launch early in 2016. The website is colourful and full of content about the Crannog, our 2016 events together with galleries and the opportunity for visitors to post their comments. Plus, we’ve added a whole new section called ‘Learning Zone’ which is aimed to promote our mission to inform, educate and inspire! Containing information for schools and universities it’s hoped that this new section will assist the many schools wishing to visit the Centre. We will also have information on our very important environmental policies, how to volunteer with us, as well as, news and updates. We’re looking forward to the website going live to help spread the word about the rich and amazing prehistory of Scotland. Watch this space!

Contact The Scottish Crannog Centre on 01887 830583 or email info@ crannog.co.uk.

Visit crannog.co.uk

GROWING WITH ROSIE

GROWING WITH ROSIE

in the garden

Natural Antifreeze Plants

branches that had a few seed capsules still attached. That night he awoke to hear strange sounds that seemed to be bouncing from his study walls. In the morning he found the seeds lying on the ground; and his only explanation was that the seeds had hit the wall during the night. He later discovered that Henry Thoreau the great American naturalist also had a similar experience 100 years earlier.

BY ROSIE NIXON

When most of my neighbour’s gardens are still asleep I’ve still got a few plants flowering in mine.

ANTIFREEZE QUALITIES

The spidery flowers are frost resistant.

The plant produces a sugar called hamamelose which has the same effect as antifreeze and stops the flowers from freezing… just like snowdrops. If you already have a witch hazel in your garden you'll maybe never have noticed but the spidery petals curl up more on cold nights to protect their pollen.

EXPLODING SEEDS

There are not many trees or shrubs around that can claim to have next year's leaf buds, last year’s fruit and last year’s leaves on the same plant at the same time. Hence the name Hamamelis which literally means ‘together with fruit’.

nything that flowers in a Perthshire garden at this time of the year should be cherished.

Winter flowering plants are all beautiful in their own way but none more so than the winter flowering Witch hazels (Hamamelis). They will reliably flower every year on bare stems no matter what the weather

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throws at us. They always give me hope and anticipation that winter is nearly over... but not just yet!

SPICY FRAGRANCE

The witch hazels have such gorgeous colours from late November/ December onwards with their peak flowering in February. Their subtle fragrances can fill the morning air seducing the very few pollinators that dare to fly at this time of year. They really are natural seducers!

All you need is a sheltered spot with good well drained soil. "

The witch hazel is also called the Snapping hazel nut. Its fruit/seed head is a two-part capsule about 1cm long and it contains a single 5mm glossy black seed in each of the two parts.

Once those seeds are ripe and the temperature and humidity that day is just right they explode; and shoot the small black seeds up to 30 feet away from the parent plant.

Edwin Way Teale recalls his story about the exploding seeds in his book ‘A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm'. He brought back home some Hamamelis

I grow Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Jelena’ and it starts to flower from the end of November onwards in shades of coppery orange and burgundy.

Then in January the rest of the cultivars start to flower. ‘Orange Beauty’ has scented deep yellow flowers; ‘Pallida’ has beautifully scented pale sulphur yellow flowers while ‘Diane’ has lightly scented coppery red flowers. All are perfectly hardy here in Perthshire and there are lots more cultivars to choose from.

bit of room to 'show off' its branches.

The shrub will eventually reach approximately 3 metres in height.

horticultural fleece around the plant on very cold nights if it's just been planted.

• Don't be surprised the shrub doesn't do much in its early years after being planted. Witch hazels are slow plants to establish in the garden and its a few years before you see much growth.

the snow off the branches using a bamboo cane. Even a few inches of snow can bend the branches right to the ground.

• As most witch hazels for sale are grafted or budded you might find that the odd shoot from the rootstock Hamamelis virginiana will appear near the base of the plant. Never cut off suckers but pull and tear them away from the rootstock …otherwise you'll just encourage more suckers to grow.

• Pruning is never drastic and if needed a little can be done in April

• Here in Scotland it needs to be planted in full sun. In sunnier locations further south it might prefer a more dappled shade position.

• All you need is a sheltered spot (avoid frost pockets) with good well drained soil - preferably on the acidic side. It won’t establish in very wet or waterlogged soil.

• It's best to plant it somewhere that it can been seen from indoors; near an entrance doorway or gateway. As the shrub matures you can cut a few branches to bring indoors and enjoy those lovely colours and fragrance on your windowsill.

• You'll need to watch the watering during hot spells in the summer months especially if it's newly planted.

• You can also add a general balanced fertilizer such as Growmore or fish, blood and bone around the base each spring. Then add a 2-3” mulch of compost or well-rotted manure around the base of the shrub to conserve water around the roots.

• The shrub is vase-like in appearance so it needs quite a little

if there are any crossing branches or dead wood. Don't prune in the summer as you could end up pruning away flowering wood and not get as many flowers during the next winter flowering season.

• As the shrub is deciduous it has a spectacular display of autumn foliage in shades of yellow, orange and red.

• Even though the shrubs are hardy and in flower at this time of year it's easy to forget that a newly purchased plant will still need a little bit of protection. Wrap a couple of layers of

• If there’s been a fall of snow knock

If you want to see spectacular mature flowering witch hazels then you'll need to head over to the Hamamelis Festival Hamamelisfeesten at Kalmthout Arboretum in Belgium. It takes place every year between mid-January and the end of February. February is probably the best time to visit as more of the understory of snowdrops; crocus and hellebores will be in flower then too (Free entry to RHS members).

Rosie can be found writing about her own Perthshire garden at leavesn bloom.com

HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE COMMUNITIES LAND TRUST

local community

A NEW PROJECT IN THE

Perthshire Hills

are likely to be school leavers, those without much formal education and no desire or opportunity to go into tertiary education. We anticipate that the partnership doing the training, mentoring and support for young people will involve local groups, such as Breathe in Aberfeldy, who have a long track record of successfully working with young people and instilling them with employment skills, confidence and qualifications.

Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust (HPCLT) has been operating since 2002, managing and restoring some 1,100 acres of hill land at Dun Coillich on Schiehallion’s eastern flank.

he Trust has been working with local groups, schools and volunteers to plant a new Caledonian woodland, and providing opportunities for local people to participate in environmental education.

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In 2015 HPCLT were privileged to be one of the groups chosen by Scottish and Southern Energy’s Sustainable Development Fund to receive a grant towards a new and exciting project aimed at local youth

training and all age volunteering, the imaginatively named Highland Perthshire Youth Training and Volunteering Project.

A key element of this project is the recruitment of a Project Officer and HPCLT will shortly be advertising for applicants for this new post.

HPCLT Chairman, William Hoare, from Aberfeldy said ”this is the first time HPCLT will have had an employee and we are excited at being able to offer a suite of rural skills training for young local people and a wider range of all age volunteering. It is a great move forward for HPCLT and we hope this

The HPCLT project will offer eight young people, drawn from Highland Perthshire, training courses. "

will lead to employment opportunities in the land based sector for the young folk who get involved”.

MOVING FORWARD

It has taken HPCLT a wee while to stitch together match funding for the project, but our funds are now in place and we can get the project up and running for Spring 2016. Thanks are due to Willie McGhee of Bioclimate for coordinating the fundraising effort, and to the Robertson Trust, The Hugh Fraser Foundation and to the Keltneyburn Hydro group for providing funding.

The concept of providing volunteering opportunities and rural

car park gives access, via a short path to a bespoke Education Centre (a large hut), where pupils and adults alike can use magnifying glasses, field guides and identification charts to identify and catalogue whatever fauna and flora they have found during their excursions at Dun Coillich. Having a space, out of the rain and wind, is important when trying to impart enthusiasm and interest to people of all ages about the rich tapestry of biodiversity to be found in the Perthshire hills. Primary schools, such as Kinloch Rannoch, have brought children to the Education Centre at Dun Coillich and we have regular visits from local groups such as the Aberfeldy Beavers and Scouts.

CREATING PARTNERSHIPS

skills training is not new; however, for Highland Perthshire, where much of the economy is dependent on the land and where there is huge potential for ecological restoration to boost tourism, we believe that offering young people an opportunity to acquire rural skills is important for individuals, local communities and for the land.

OPPORTUNITIES

The HPCLT project will offer eight young people, drawn from Highland Perthshire, training courses such as quad biking, dry stone dyking, vegetation survey and management and tree planting. The participants

The new project partnership includes the Pitlochry based John Muir Trust (JMT), whose Schiehallion land is right next door to Dun Coillich. Liz Auty, the JMT’s Schiehallion Officer is enthusiastic about the potential to share resources and skills between two locally based groups. “JMT organises volunteering opportunities, often in partnership with HPCLT, and we are keen to work with and through the HPCLT Project Officer to attract more local people to the Schiehallion area. The project will provide meaningful and useful tasks that allow young people to engage with and appreciate the natural environment and wild land.”

If you want to follow what we are doing and to learn about our volunteering days then please visit our Facebook page facebook.com/ DunCoillich

HPCLT already work closely with schools in the area and Richard Paul, one of HPCLT’s Trustee’s, regularly liaises with Pitlochry High School to organise field trips for secondary pupils. As Richard says ”It is a great way of introducing pupils to environmental education, field ecology and the great Perthshire outdoors; children and young adults learn by seeing and by doing, whether it is surveying flowers, monitoring butterflies or learning about trees, there is no substitute for an outdoor classroom”. The HPCLT Glengoulandie

Under the stewardship of HPCLT, Dun Coillich has experienced a fauna and floral renaissance over the last thirteen years. From overgrazed, barren and biodiversity poor hill, the land has been transformed into developing native woodland. It has developed a rich covering of vegetation, attracting associated insects, birds and of course mammals. Golden-ringed dragonfly, Puss and Vapourer moths, Water voles, Hen harriers, badgers and the largest Blackcock lek in this part of Perthshire are all present and once we get our Scots pines, Downy birch and Sessile oak woodland established we hope for Wildcat, Pine marten and Red squirrels.

BE PART OF THE PROJECT

If you have a love for the outdoors, and want to become part of a community based, ecological restoration initiative, then we would love to hear from you.

You can get involved, as a member, or a volunteer or both by contacting us on email at info@hpclt.org And if you want to learn more about the new Volunteering and Youth Training project then please contact us at the same email address.

LETTERS FROM THE ORCHARD

LETTERS FROM THE ORCHARD

life in perthshire

bush saw. Only then did the form of the land reveal itself to us.

Letters

Orchard from the

BY FIONA HULBERT

Katy and the Bloody Ploughman - A love story

We have learnt that patience through the seasons and year by year, gentle and careful tending, and understanding and working with nature produces a long lasting, deep rooted success. " he greatest love stories of our time come to mind at this time of year, Titanic, Pride and Prejudice, Anne of Green Gables, Romeo and Juliet, Persuasion. But, is not every day a love story? No big screen, no awards, just every day.

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Katy and the Bloody Ploughman are neither a heroine nor a hero; they are apples. Apples in our Orchard.

However, the Orchard has not always

been a place of 'romance'. There were marauding weeds, neglect, fruitlessness, inaccessibility and broom.

Broom, broom and more broom!

When we first looked at the plot and tried to make sense of what was there, we couldn’t see the land at all.

An armour wall of broom concealed the contours of the land. Twenty feet of intertwining, bent and misshapen broom. Quite excitingly, the first task was to cut it all down. Not an easy task. A chainsaw was soon put to death by the sappy suckers. Each stalk was painstakingly hand cut using a

The Orchard faces south west on a gentle slope. Held back by boulders so that it doesn't encroach on the road, the upper slope was levelled and is now a grassy lawn and we were left with a very steep slope in the middle.

So, as it is better to go with the flow, we created a sunken garden. We built one wall to hold back the steepest drop and another wall to divide the ground giving the illusion of a sunken space. It is now a very special 'sunken' space.

What was left looked like a bomb site. The broom stubs and roots meant that even walking over the ground was dangerous. We really didn't know how we were going to solve this problem.

Although nothing that a good nights sleep wouldn't sort. We found an advert in the Oban Times for Oxford Sandy and Black piglets. We couldn't could we? We could! A week later we were waiting at the pier in Oban as our two little piggies came over the water in a boat, to be delivered into our hands to take home.

These piggies cleared the broom roots and the many years of dormant broom seeds. They turned over the ground and fertilised it. A slower process than a digger maybe; but so much more in tune with this beautiful land. We loved our piggies. We have so much to love them for.

It now seemed only right that we put into place the plan I had been hatching for a very long time. I had researched Scottish heritage apples, varieties that were found to have been grown historically in this area

OUR STORY. I moved out to Balhomais with my husband and family seven years ago and built our home in the grounds of the former farm Orchard.

We have now restored the orchard with traditional Scottish varieties of apple trees. We keep hens, bees and raise rare breed pigs. We keep a productive kitchen garden including fruit and we are developing a flower garden. We have two cats and a cocker spaniel.

and apples that grew well in northern climes. I had balanced out the pollinating times across the different varieties to ensure they would cross pollinate at roughly the same time and chose a root stalk to suit the situation.

Ian planned the layout of the orchard and we planted 40 apple trees, gave them a good dose of mycorrhizal fungi that promotes prolific root growth and nutrient uptake, and labeled and staked them. We measured their height and recorded their biological genealogy. All the apples have an interesting history but there are two which stand out for me.

Katy is originally a Swedish variety originating from 1900-1949, growing in the northern valleys bathed in summer sunshine and covered with deep white snows and frosts in winter. It was introduced to Scotland in 1966. It is no surprise then that we chose this variety to grow on the south-west facing slope of the Orchard at Balhomais.

It produces a beautifully deep red/ yellow apple that is crisp and sweet, a pleasure to bite into.

As a pollinating partner, Katy stands close by another red apple: The Bloody Ploughman. An apple from the Carse of Gowrie Scotland, dating from 1883. My Bloody Ploughman brings folklore lineage. It reputedly takes its name from a ploughman who was caught stealing apples from Megginch Estate. He was said to have been shot by a gamekeeper. The ploughman’s wife threw the bag of stolen apples onto the rubbish heap and, in time the apples germinated and one of the seedlings that emerged was rescued by a workman, grown on and given the name to match it’s bloody past. When you cut this apple in half, the core radiates a pinkish red, just as if the heart of the apple were bleeding. This apple is a bit sharper but still crisp and very pretty when sliced thinly.

We have learnt that patience through the seasons and year by year, gentle and careful tending, and understanding and working with nature produces a long lasting, deep rooted success. So even on the coldest and

dampest days in the first months of the year, Ian and I gear ourselves up for a day’s work in the orchard. With clip board and secateurs in hand, we slowly and carefully work with each apple tree.

Checking and double checking the plans we made when we planted the trees. The rough sketches and labels show the variety and fruit bearing details, whether the tree produces apples at the tip or on spurs. We check for disease and the shape of the tree for potential overcrowding of branches aiming for an open cup shape with outward facing buds.

Ruthlessly, we prune the previous years prolific growth right back to allow the trees to grow productively. If the apple tree is a tip bearer, where apples form at the tips of the branches, it is advised to prune only one third of the branches in rotation to maintain fruiting.

Too eager a snip will mean the apple harvest will be lost. If the Apple is a spur bearer, where the apples form on buds along the length of the branches, outward facing spurs are kept and inward spurs are removed and one third of the height of the branches are removed. After all, we want to be able to reach the apples on the tree. As the trees get older it is easier to see clearly the tips and spurs. But early on, we felt we were just taking a cut in the dark.

I suppose we could just leave nature to get on with it. However, it is the relationship with nature that makes the rich rewards possible. Richer than if just left… richer when both benefit. The apple trees are healthy, disease free and strong. We enjoy the beautiful spring blossom and fruits in the autumn.

Like any love story, it is not an easy ride. There are many hurdles along the way, poor blossom or abundant blossom, poor harvest or rich harvest, apple canker or coddling moth. We may have the guardianship of the orchard for a while but nature will always revert, given half a chance. True love is not a bed of roses. But true love is enduring, caring, careful, understanding, forgiving and passionate. It is not easy to make every day of your life a love story but it is most certainly worth the endeavour.

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