Heartland Buzz May 2015 by The Heartland Buzz

MAY 2015 ISSUE NO.2

food

Delicious

from

hours a day

field

to fork

GREWAR VEGETABLE VENDING MACHINES

YOUR

FREE

MONT MAGA HLY ZINE

Heart of Atholl

Upcycling from Karen at Heart of Atholl & Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Progression

BIKES CHOCOLATE MASTERCLASS

From Killiecrankie Hotel & House of Menzies

PERTHSHIRE

LIFESTYLES IT’S ALL ABOUT LIVING

POSITIVELY!

From Chocolatier Iain Burnett

MISSING CAT!

Help a Family Find Their Missing Feline Friend

THE WORKSHOP TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE PRACTICAL & TECHNICAL

MANUFACTURING SKILLS

Landscape Photography from Angus Clyne. Vibrant & Colourful Acrylic Art from Audrey Slorance. The Heartland Buzz

NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE 12th JUNE!

Welcome to The Heartland Buzz Thank you so much for all your kind words & support so far!

“

I was delighted with my advert in the

Congratulations for a fantastic first issue

I have just received the first issue of The

new Heartland Buzz. Many people had

of The Heartland Buzz! This really has tak-

Heartland Buzz and thought it was great!

commented on how professional it

en us into the 21st century with a bang

Articles on beer, dogs, wildlife, wild land,

looked and that was thanks to their work.

showing what a diverse and thriving area

art, rural issues, woodland skills, and cof-

It is great to see a fresh look of Perthshire

we are living in.

fee – what more could a Ranger want?

The graphics are fantastic and the arti-

Mark, Seasonal Ranger

and so many businesses supporting it. I look forward to future advertising and

cles modern and advertising progres-

wish them well with a magazine that is

sive. Someone has worked very hard to

informative, varied in topics and much

produce this at this level. I do not know

needed in the area.

how you are funded as no price on but

Sam, Perthshire Kettlebells

I would be more than happy to pay for a local magazine of this quality.

The publication is awesome :) Really high standard in all regards. I think it creates such a good impression of the area. Mike, Habitat Cafe

Joy, Kenmore

Want to talk? If you are looking for further information, or need any assistance, you can contact us during office hours Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm. Alternatively you can email us anytime or visit our website.

01887 840736

M 07414 242 447

FB The Heartland Buzz

www.heartlandbuzz.co.uk

E hello@heartlandbuzz.co.uk

We are going green. All our paper is sourced from well-managed forests. When you are finished with any printed material from us, help us keep our planet green and please recycle. 2

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

We use only fresh local produce to prepare our meals

Food served daily from 12 noon till 9pm

meet the locals

licenced from 11am

“The staff, the food, the wine, the puddings…the sound of the river lulling you to sleep…perfect”

Summer MENU

Receive 10% off your bill Please present this advert upon arrival.

Enjoy Summer with a meal on our riverside deck or a drink in our beer garden with children’s play area. Our 65 seat restaurant is perfect for weddings and family gatherings. GRANDTULLY

With 6 spacious rooms to choose from the Inn makes the perfect place to spend the night.

STRATHTAY

ABERFELDY

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BAR | RESTAURANT | ROOMS

LOGIERAIT

Here is what you can find in this month’s issue...

22 Perthshire Lifestyles Established in 2014, and now with

even more exciting news, Perthshire Lifestyles is Aberfeldy’s answer to a premier personal training service.

Landscape Photography & Woodturning from Angus Clyne.

food

A look into vegetable

Delicious

vending machines by Peter and Euan Grewar from

field

East Perthshire, providing

from

to fork

delicious local produce, twenty-four hours a day.

24 Recipe of the Month Creamy Smoked Haddock and Potato

Chowder followed by Fillet of Sea

hours a day

Bream from Killiecrankie Hotel. Our Wine of the Month is a Coulis Bode-

18 The Workshop A social enterprise

gas Garzon from Uruguay.

teaching young people from across the

Highland Perthshire region practical and technical manufacturing skills.

Progression

BIKES

20 A look at Dunkeld’s very own Progression Bikes which has now been established in the community for five years,

28 Heart of Atholl Karen from Heart of Atholl is an official stockist of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™. She shares her passion of upcycling and the uses for the paint with The Heartland Buzz. 4

The Heartland Buzz

Iron Age! Welcome to the

32 The Scottish Crannog Centre

36 Chocolate Masterclass

Welcome to the Iron Age! A look into all

Who would have thought that

the latest news from the recreated cran-

chocolates paired with whisky

nog near Kenmore.

would be taking the culinary world by storm with award-

winning, Grandtully-based Chocolatier Iain Burnett leading the way.

56 Aberfeldy Watermill From its re-opening by Michael Palin in May 2005, as a bookshop, cafe and art gallery, The Watermill is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.

48 Vibrant & colourful acrylic paintings from Audrey Slorance.

58 Going Pottie For the last 7 years Julie Hunt has run her pottery business Going Pottie in

Dunkeld. Why not pop in and have a go!

62 NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE 12th JUNE!

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Our Advertising Rates

FIND US ON FACEBOOK Keep up to date with latest Buzz, our magazine pick up points and all our latest adventures!

GET YOUR PHOTO ON THE COVER OF OUR NEXT ISSUE! Send your best Perthshire photographs to hello@heartlandbuzz.co.uk and you could make the cover!

A little update from The Heartland Buzz Already time for our second issue and things are Buzzing! From the Editor

There are very limited funds to get The

Aberfeldy Farmfresh & Habitat Cafe.

Heartland Buzz project off the ground

In Pitlochry; Honest Thistle, The Tourist

Wow! We have been busy little bees

and we do not have funds to distribute

Information Centre, Cafe Calluna

and The Heartland Buzz is truly Buzzing!

through Royal Mail. The Heartland Buzz

and Melt Gallery & Cafe. In Strathtay;

The initial response to our magazine

will be distributed by ourselves and

Strathtay stores. In Kinloch Rannoch;

has been overwhelmingly positive

as of this issue, we will have a group

The Country Store. In Ballinluig; The

and we have had fantastic feedback.

of paid distributors to deliver the

Post Office. Near Kenmore; Karelia

Thank you all so much for your kind

magazine.

House. In Dunkeld; Going Pottie. We are

words over the past few weeks and the reaction has been more than we could have imagined! We would like to inform the

single home will get a magazine. We will strive to reach as many homes as possible and we will do our best

looking into more locations, so if you have a local business and would like to kindly give up a little space for The Heartland Buzz, then we would love to hear from you.

community and potential advertisers

to supply you all with a magazine.

that The Heartland Buzz is a completely

However, there will be areas that we

FREE magazine currently run, from

will not be able reach. If this is the case

over the course of the next few issues,

start to finish, by one person. The idea,

community members will be able to

the magazine will get better and better,

the concept, the day-to-day running,

pick up a copy of The Heartland Buzz in

with the design being tweaked and

the production and the finishing

designated pick-up points throughout

perfected for your reading pleasure!

touches are all from one individual.

the area. There has already been a

The Heartland Buzz has had no local

number of businesses very kindly giving

funding of any kind and never will. We

up space for our magazine.

are a venture in the beginning stages and there will be things we need to look into and perfect along the way. We would appreciate the support while we are working on this.

We cannot guarantee that every

The Heartland Buzz

We currently have a good variety of pick up points throughout the

A designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job is never done and,

Please keep supporting The Heartland Buzz through advertising if you can as the magazine and its long term sustainability is now in your hands.

Heartland. So far these are in Aberfeldy;

Enjoy reading issue number two!

The Locus Centre, The Birks Cafe,

Colin

The Heartland Buzz

The Heartland Buzz is hiring! COME & WORK WITH US

LOCAL DISTRIBUTORS

LOCAL DESIGNERS & CREATIVES

Help Us Grow and in Turn, Grow With Us!

Distributors

The Heartland Buzz has some fantastic

of part time distributors willing to

ideas on the horizon and we will grow

We are currently looking for a number deliver our magazine throughout our

Graphic Designer & Photographer We are also looking for a young, ambitious, local Graphic Designer &

from strength to strength. We are mov-

catchment area.

ing forward with the magazine in leaps

Your own vehicle is a must and physical

creative flair and an eye for detail.

fitness is key! We are also looking for

We are ideally looking for someone part

and bounds and we are now looking to employ some energetic, happy community members!

mild mannered, friendly ladies and gents. You will need to be flexible with

If you like what you see and you think your skills, whatever they are,

Photographer who has some fantastic

could

help us in any way, then we would love

your time, as the distribution dates will vary. Someone willing to give up one or two days per month would be ideal.

to hear from you.

time initially, however there could be a full time job for the right person. If you are interested, and would like to know more, then please send your CV to hello@heartlandbuzz.co.uk

01887 840736

M 07414 242 447

The Heartland Buzz

FB The Heartland Buzz E hello@heartlandbuzz.co.uk

www.heartlandbuzz.co.uk

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GET YOUR WORK FEATURED NEXT MONTH

FREE

The Heartland Buzz

Angus Clyne Angus Clyne is a professional woodturner and landscape photographer, based in Ballinluig, Perthshire.

Angus produces turned wooden bowls, vessels and sculptures using local sustainable woods. His work is included in several public permanent collections. including the Shipley Art Gallery and the Scottish Parliament. His award winning photographic images are widely viewed online, exhibited, published and used for book covers. “I have always strived to produce work of the highest quality and integrity using locally sourced native wood. I have been in the Register of Professional Turners since 1999 and have exhibited widely throughout the UK and have work in the permanent collections of the Shipley Art Gallery, as well as the Scottish Parliament.” “I have had numerous professions before becoming a woodturner, including; fisherman, busker, carpenter and chef.” Angus has many interests outside woodturning and in his free time he is a keen gardener, forager and preserver of wild food as well as a DJ. At the forefront of his interests is his career as a Professional Photographer and Angus has travelled all over Scotland, and the world, capturing stunning moments with his photography.

The Heartland Buzz

GET YOUR WORK FEATURED NEXT MONTH

FREE

Photography or woodturning… which comes first and why?

At the moment woodturning comes first. I’ve recently opened my new gallery and workshop in Ballinluig, setting up this and keeping up with the demand for turned work is all consuming just now. This will change…I tend to work on things obsessively, all my mind is on woodturning at the moment, but it is

teenager, then spent several years traveling the world, before moving back to Scotland to start up my woodturning business. Are you self thought with your photography?

I studied fine art in Carlisle Collage in the nineties. I have always been very

likely to swing the other way.

visual, I have spent most of my life mak-

What inspires you to be creative?

of my fine art course involved photogra-

I’m not inspired, I’m driven…it is a compulsion to do better, whatever I’m doing is not good enough, I can always find new ways of doing things. Inspiration often comes from unexpected sources, chance encounters, random meetings or seeing new places. Travel and exploring is important in this respect. Have you always lived in the Perthshire area?

No, I have only lived here for ten years. I’m originally from Glenuig on the north

west coast. I went off to art collage as a

The Heartland Buzz

ing pictures in one way or another. Part phy. We were given a camera and rolls of B&W film and sent off to take pictures. We were then trained in B&W printing in the dark room. I still use the same skills and work flow I learnt in the dark room when I’m processing digital images on a computer. I was reintroduced to contemporary photography via Flickr, after posting images online of an artists collaboration I attended in Canada. Flickr gave me an audience for my images, it allowed me to develop very quickly. I soon found out what worked, what people liked.

How do you split your time with woodturning vs photography?

I am concentrating on woodturning right now. I have little time for anything else. Over the winter I was in Australia and New Zealand, this free time gave me the opportunity to concentrate on photography again. Where are your favourite locations to shoot in Perthshire and further afield?

I have a hit list of places I want to shoot in Scotland. I explore a lot, looking at maps driving around, scouting. A lot of shots I want to get are only available for a few days a year. It can be very frustrating waiting for the right combination of weather and light to give you the magic moment. What equipment is always in your photography bag?

Everything I need is in my bag. I use a cannon 5d mark II with a combination of filters to control my camera and capture images I can work on later. I always use

a tripod, most of my images are long exposures of half a second up to two minutes. I just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work without a tripod. What does it take to become a

HELPING CREATIVES STAY CREATIVE!

good photographer?

Dedication, hard work, perseverance. A good understanding of your environment, weather patterns, light conditions and seasonal changes. Being aware, following your instincts, perusing things that catch your eye or grab your attention. Originality is one of the most important skills, this can only be achieved by hard work and finding your own way, not copying other artists and photographers. Having the ability to connect with your audience and make them react to your image is vital. This can only be achieved consistently if you really care about what you are doing. It looks like photography can be a

rewarding and enjoyable experience, would you agree?

Getting the shot is a great feeling. There is a lot of wasted time and disappointments, this makes the good shots all the more enjoyable. What if people wish to learn the photography skills you have mastered, do you ever run classes?

I do run courses and photographic tours occasionally. This is usually on a demand basis. If anyone is interested they can contact me via email.

You can find more work from Angus by visiting him on Flickr where you can also see some of his more recent photographs from his trip to Australia.

Angusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s turned work and photographs

are

available

directly

through his gallery in Ballinluig or from galleries throughout the UK. The Old Smiddy, Ballinluig Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH9 0LG E. angusclyne@hotmail.com T.

07775 811 280

www.angusclyne.co.uk

The Heartland Buzz

Keep up with all the latest updates, woodturning & photography from Angus on Facebook.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our emphasis is to provide quality produce from the local area,

food Delicious

field from

to fork

The Heartland Buzz

hours a day

twenty-four hours a day.â&#x20AC;?

“We are currently seeking new locations for ‘Grewar Farm Vending’ machines especially around Pitlochry.”

here are many reasons why so few of us are in the fortunate position of being able to grow our own vegetables in a garden just outside our own back door. To name but a few;

there’s lack of space, lack of time, lack of energy, lack of skill, lack of ability, lack of mobility, not to mention lack of any green fingers! Surely then, the next best thing must be when delicious vegetables are grown close to home, you! What could be more appetising than a freshly prepared meal made with ingredients that have come from a local farmer’s gate direct to your dinner plate, without processing, polythene or air miles? Farming partners and cousins, Peter and Euan Grewar, from East Perthshire, have introduced vegetable vending machines to provide delicious local produce, twenty-four hours a day, at four locations. The Grewar family are farmers who have been based in East Perthshire for over a century, providing quality produce to well known household brand names. vending machines began operating successfully just before last Christmas, at the family farms at Dronley and East Ardler, Coupar Angus, followed by a third in the busy Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee. A fourth twenty-four hour vending machine has just been launched at the ever popular destination for families, Active Kids Adventure Park at Stanley. Euan Grewar says, “Our emphasis is to provide quality produce from the local area, twenty-four hours a day. All of the produce will be as local and seasonal as possible, with the vast majority having been grown in Perthshire and Angus. Occasionally, we will venture

The Heartland Buzz

“Re-stocking and maintaining the freshness of the produce in the twenty-four hour vending machines is a full time job and we have added to our work force for this task.” The machines themselves are simple to operate, accept notes and issue change. They currently stock potatoes, vegetables, free range eggs and soft fruit. for their seasonality, taste, popularity and versatility in use in the home. Varieties stocked all year round are family favourites, ‘Maris Piper’ and ‘Albert Bartlett Rooster’, with ‘King Edward’ seasonally. Due to the success of the vending machines the cousins are growing some new produce specifically for them this season, early potatoes such as Sharpes Express, Home Guard and Red Duke of York. Also some new vegetables, including Leeks, Curly Kale, Picking Peas and, the one they are most excited about, Pak Choi! There will also be strawberries and raspberries available throughout the summer from

Grewar Farm Vending’s first twenty-four hour

of the produce will always be Scottish.”

Potatoes selected for the vending machines are chosen

by someone else who does all the hard work for

grewarfarmvending

to Fife or East Lothian at certain times of year, but 100%

neighbouring farms. “Our customers have told us that they love the taste of vegetables that have come directly from field to fork and they enjoy the convenience of being able to stock up on fresh produce when they’re out and about.” “We are currently seeking new locations for ‘Grewar Farm Vending’ machines, especially around Pitlochry, and look forward to expanding this exciting part of our business”. For further information contact Euan or Peter Grewer by emailing sales@grewar.com or visit www.farmvending.com

@farmvending

The Heartland Buzz

Thyme at Errichel is a stunning, fully licensed Restaurant with Rooms, and Luxury Holiday Cottages with spectacular views near Aberfeldy.

EST

OUR B

Tel: 01887 820850 enquiries@errichel.co.uk www.errichel.co.uk Errichel, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland. PH15 2EL

RESTAURANT, ROOMS & COTTAGES

The Heartland Buzz

The

Workshop T

he Workshop is a social

education and employment.

engrave wood, paper, textiles, metal

enterprise

well as the practical training, we can

and plastic up to 1450x950mm and

offer experience of working in and

up to 15mm thick. Recent work on

managing a small business, from

this ingenious machine has included

marketing and invoicing to social

cutting out the New York city skyline

media management.

set for the Pitlochry Festival Theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

based

Aberfeldy, teaching young people from across the

Highland Perthshire region practical and technical manufacturing skills, in areas such as wood-working and engineering. Its facilities are open to all to use, whether to access the tools and equipment, or for adults looking to get back into the workplace. Its focus is on supporting young people (aged under 25) into employment, selfemployment or further training. We

are

developing

partnerships

with schools and colleges, youth groups and local businesses, to help bridge the gap between full-time

The Heartland Buzz

Operating since June 2014, and managed by Paul Parmenter, the Workshop offers a range of services to local individuals and businesses. Since its launch we have designed and built stages and planters, fitted out vans, constructed trailer sides, repaired lamps and commercial furniture and developed our own product range, including mirrors, display fittings and a portable fire-box.

We also offer

laser-cutting facilities, on our GS Lasers FB1500145, which can cut and

Miracle on 34th Street Christmas production, creating house signs, cutting out plastic designs for a local artist and creating bespoke corporate gifts and identification labels.

The

Workshop is an initiative of Project Northern

Lights,

local

charity

that supports young people across Scotland into employment, education or training www.projectnorthernlights.org

We are very flexible in our ap-

If you would like to learn more about

proach and will work with people

the Workshop, either our training

to support them to make their

facilities or our business capabilities,

next positive step towards em-

please drop in to The Workshop in

ployment.

the Aberfeldy Business Park.

Since launching, we

have worked with young people with learning difficulties, adults rehabilitating from long-term illness or unemployment, school leavers seeking their first employment and current school pupils working toward qualifications or wider experiences. We will work with people on a regular or ad hoc basis, or to take on a specific project. We are equally flexible in what work we will take on; a typical day can see us fixing a lamp for a passing local resident, working with a local business to design menu holders, providing laser cutting for artists, or welding heavy-duty storage solutions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we can turn our hand to most things!

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Alternately, please visit theworkshopaberfeldy.org or call 01887 829353 to speak to Paul,

who would be happy to answer any questions.

Progression

BIKES P rogression Bikes has

have been a great success, with lots of

coaching on hand for any age or ability,

now been established in

positive feedback and improved aware-

there really is no excuse not to get out

the community for five

years and over that time has seen the number of

people on bikes increase dramatically. It is fantastic to see so many people,

both young and old, out on their bikes, enjoying the beauty of the countryside and helping to reduce emissions by cycling to school or work. On this theme, the Dunkeld Bike Camps are into their second year and it’s fair to say ‘due to overwhelming demand’ have run in Easter too. It is certainly the rewarding part of the job and, from what the mums and dads have been saying, it was one of the most talked about things of the holidays. The shop moved from riverside to St Ninians Gardens last year, providing a bigger shop for more stock of bikes and kit and a traffic free environment to test bikes and meet groups. Whilst servicing is on hand for any bike you may have, the maintenance classes

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ness and understanding. We also have a dedicated suspension service centre going in, so watch this space for that one!

There has been a steady development of the trails in the area too. Whether clearing fallen branches on existing trails, to working with landowners on new and exciting projects, there has never been so many tracks and routes emanating from Dunkeld and Birnam. Certainly more than anywhere else in Perthshire. By the time you read this the Dunkeld Enduro will have just had its third successful year, based on some of the best trails the area has to offer. However, not all the trails are waymarked, mapped or ‘Strava timed’, so we still recommend coming into the shop and talking to the staff about what routes best suit you and where the hidden gems are. With the Cycle to Work Scheme now available too, weather improving and

on the bike! For something a little different, we are also offering ‘fat bikes’ both for hire, demo and sale. These bikes have chunky, low pressure tyres that provide cycle access to snow and sand. They are available from Dunkeld, but also from the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews. It’s a fantastic way to see the beach and a great activity for all the family. It is still a very exciting time to be involved in cycling and, hopefully, it is for you too! t. 07825 322 225

www.progressionbikesscotland.com

The Heartland Buzz

Perthshire

Lifestyles

Welcome to Perthshire Lifestyles, all about Living Positively! Personal

training

fitness

Gym instruction

Running

Bootcamp

Sporting

technique instruction

The Heartland Buzz

Group

Nutritional advice & guidance

&circuit

classes

groups

There are no minimum fitness requirements to

erthshire Lifestyles, Aberfeldy’s premier personal training service, was

start personal training, or to join group fitness classes,

established in 2014 and is owned and

such as Fresh Start Bootcamp, held in Victoria Park,

operated by Australian, Grace Norton.

Aberfeldy. Grace’s clients range in age up to our

Grace has had an interest in health

more senior members of the community and vary in

and fitness throughout her life and has played a range

fitness levels, from those just starting to include fitness

of sports from netball, basketball, softball and touch

in their lives to the more experienced exerciser. No

football to long distance running.

matter what you want to achieve, you can benefit from

Grace started her professional career working with

personal training. In addition to personal training services, Perthshire

the long term unemployed and she has worked in the training and development industry for eleven years,

Lifestyles has opened a private training studio in

before moving to Scotland, where she fell in love with

Aberfeldy. The equipment provided in the studio has

the stunning scenery and the positive attitude of its

been specially selected to fill a gap in the local fitness

residents.

market and still provide full body workout capabilities. Featuring a treadmill and strength training equipment,

In 2014, Grace made the move to couple her

the studio is offered to all personal training clients

professional experience training and coaching professional and leadership skills, with her personal drive for health and fitness. After completing her Level 3 Diploma in Fitness Instruction and Personal Training with Premier Training International, and registering as an Exercise Professional, Perthshire Lifestyles was born. Grace’s motivation for helping people with their health and fitness stems from her personal experiences with loved ones suffering from lifestyle diseases. Her goal is to help people make more positive choices with nutrition and to lead more active lifestyles, whether they want to manage their weight or run their first marathon. When it comes to Personal Training with Perthshire Lifestyles, Grace will set realistic targets and identify how, what and when targets shall be achieved, agreeing the process with you to ensure maximum success. With regular re-assessments and constant motivation and drive, you will be sure to achieve your goals faster and more effectively than you would imagine.

perthshirelifestyles

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for their sessions and is available for public use by appointment for a small fee. Monthly memberships will be offered in the near future. The longer term goal is to move to larger premises and provide even more functional fitness training opportunities for Aberfeldy and the surrounding local communities. If this is something you would like to see, please contact Grace to express your interest and to help support Perthshire Lifestyles to bring a first class facility to Aberfeldy. In the coming months, Grace will be adding extra services to her already wide ranging repertoire. These include: •

Weight Management Program

•

Ante and Post Natal Fitness

•

Medical Referrals, specialising in Obesity & Diabetes For more information, or to arrange an

obligation free consultation, email Grace at grace@

perthshirelifestyles.com or you can call 07860 142 756.

@perthshirelife

Recipe

Month Of The

INTERESTED IN THE RECIPE OF THE MONTH? GET IN TOUCH!

The Heartland Buzz

www.killiecrankiehotel.co.uk

This month we visit Killiecrankie Hotel Our Recipe Of The Month is Creamy Smoked Haddock and Potato Chowder, followed by Grilled Plaice with Asparagus & Peas and Mustard Tarragon Sauce. Our Wine Of The Month, brought to us by House of Menzies, is a Coulis Bodegas Garzon, Albarino 2013 from Uruguay.

illiecrankie Hotel stands at the western

following both locally and from the hotel guests, two

end of the famous Pass of Killiecrankie,

thirds of whom have been returning year on year for at

just above the notorious Soldier’s Leap, where Donald MacBean leapt 18ft across the River Garry to escape the Jacobite

soldiers after the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. A small country hotel, Killiecrankie has

least the last two decades. We offer a four course menu - different every day - in our restaurant, which has been awarded 2 rosettes by the AA for more than 20 years, as well as the many other accolades of which we are justifiably proud.

been in existence as a popular hotel,

Dietary issues present challenges, not

bar and restaurant for about 80 years

problems, and we are more than hap-

and came under the ownership

py to cater for any taste – although

of Henrietta Fergusson in 2007.

a little notice helps!

Henrietta has been in the hotel

The

business for most of her work-

Conservatory

more of a bistro. The large menu

ing life, finally plucking up the

has the classic dishes like Fish

courage, with the help and en-

& Chips (our style!), Game Pie

couragement of a strong group

and a large selection of vegetar-

of friends and family, to take on

ian options. Whatever your prefer-

her own property, thus putting into

ence, we are sure we can satisfy it. Of

practice all that she had learned over

course, it’s difficult to resist an unctuous

the years. Over the past eight years, we have been proud to have been recognised for our achievements,

Sticky Toffee Pudding, or Killiecrankie Banoffee Pie to round off the experience.

gaining a Cesar from the Good Hotel Guide for Scottish

So from March until January, there is really only one

Hotel of the Year, as well as 3 coveted red stars from the

place to go – The Killiecrankie Hotel – where the wel-

AA and, most recently, one of the inaugural Awards for Hotels of the Year from Alistair Sawday’s Special Places 2015. Head chef, Mark Easton has been in charge of the kitchen for the past twenty one years and has a strong

Killiecrankie Hotel

Bar

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come is warm, the food delicious and the bedrooms delightfully comfortable. You simply won’t want to leave! For more information contact Henrietta Fergusson on 01796 473 220 or email enquiries@killiecrankiehotel.co.uk

Killiecrankie by Pitlochry,

e: enquiries@killiecrankiehotel.co.uk

Perthshire, PH16 5LG

t: 01796 473 220

To Start

Creamy Smoked Haddock and Potato Chowder.

Main

Grilled Plaice with Asparagus & Peas and Mustard Tarragon Sauce.

Ingredients • 300g Rooster or Maris Piper potatoes cut into small dice • 1 small onion finely diced • 25g butter • 400g Smoked Haddock fillet, cut into small pieces • 750ml vegetable or chicken stock • 250ml double cream • Chopped parsley or chives

Ingredients • 4 large or 8 small plaice fillets, skinned • 100g fresh peas (you can substitute frozen Petit Pois) • 16 asparagus spears, blanched • 1 small onion, finely chopped • 200ml fish, chicken or vegetable stock • 100ml double cream • 2 tsp wholegrain mustard

Method

• 10g chopped tarragon

Melt butter and add onion, cook without colouring until

• Rapeseed Oil

• 25g butter

soft and transparent. Add potatoes and stock and cook until soft.

Method

Add fish and cream.

First, make sauce by frying onion in half the butter and

Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes - if too thick, add some boiling

Rapeseed Oil.

water.

Add stock, cream and mustard.

Check seasoning before adding parsley or chives.

Simmer to reduce by half and add tarragon, check

Serve with warm crusty bread.

seasoning and keep warm. Pre-heat grill to medium. Put plaice fillets on tray, drizzle with Rapeseed Oil and place under grill. Check frequently whilst fish is cooking. Put remaining butter and small amount of water in pan with Asparagus and peas and warm, checking the seasoning.

Serves 4

Now to serve – Put asparagus and peas in centre of warm plates with fish slice. Put the plaice on top and spoon sauce around. Serve with new potatoes or mash.

The Heartland Buzz

Wine Of The

Month

Here at House of Menzies we love

Bodegas Garzon, Albarino 2013, Uruguay.

taking the opportunity to stock some more esoteric and unusual

Garzon Albarino offers ripe aromas

wines, this months choice fits

of peach, citrus fruits and even a

firmly in that category!

touch of jasmine. It has a really

Albarino is a grape variety found predominately in the cooler coastal regions of North East Spain, but this really luscious example comes

fresh, crisp and fruity mouth feel, with lovely mineral notes culminating in a delicious mouthwatering finish – Sexy! Albarino & seafood are a

from much further afield –

match made in heaven, making

Uruguay, a country not well

it a brilliant accompaniment

known in the UK for produc-

to this months recipe of Sea

ing wine, but it has been do-

Bream. Equally, it works well

ing so since 1870. Bodegas

with chicken & pork dishes, or

Garzon is situated only 11

simply enjoy well chilled, on its

miles from the Atlantic Coast

own, as an aperitif!

in the Maldonado Region, offering the cool coastal climate this variety loves. The flying winemaker, Albert

Garzon Albarino comes in a 75cl bottle, with a screwcap lid, and is priced at £12.99

Antonini hails from Tuscany and his Italian flair is evident in his winemaking style.

The House of Menzies

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. In 2013 we expanded our range to include a small selection of

Castle Menzies Farm,

traditional Old World Wines, so we truly have something for

Aberfeldy. PH152JD.

everyone - our ethos has always been, if you enjoy it, drink it!

e: info@houseofmenzies.com t: 01887 829 666 www.houseofmenzies.com

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Wines start at £5.99 and are available online, by phone or email. Delivery in The Heartland Buzz area is free and complimentary glasses are available for parties and functions.

Heart of Atholl Welcome to ‘Heart of Atholl’ in Blair Atholl, a unique little shop selling a variety of country style accessories for the home and garden, as well as hand painted furniture and locally handmade jewellery. ‘Heart of Atholl’ is situated on the main road through Blair Atholl Village, just in front of the railway station; the first or last stop in Blair Atholl! Heart of Atholl is run by owner, Karen Colthart, who took over the premises in 2012 and has since been building the business into the successful shop that you find today. Most recently, Karen has expanded her range to include Chalk Paint™, a decorative paint by Annie Sloan. Karen discovered the paint whilst looking for something to use for personal projects, but has now become an official stockist to share her passion!

“My whole approach to painting is to make it easy and accessible.” – Annie Sloan 28

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“ ‘Re-loving’ or ‘up cycling’ a piece of furniture is so satisfying as it allows you to be creative and, as the paint is so versatile, the limits are endless!”

The Heartland Buzz

“After many hours spent stripping and

Heart of Atholl Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was originally developed for furniture, but there are many other creative ways to use it:

In the Garden You can use it on exterior

sanding pieces of furniture before they could be painted, discovering Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint was something of a delight and a complete joy to work with, as there is very little preparation.”

Kitchen Cabinets You can achieve beauti-

walls, garden furniture

ful results on – and in – your

(except Teak), metal,

cabinets. Apply at least two

concrete, matt plastic – even

coats of paint and then two

terracotta! Just leave it to

or three coats of Annie Sloan

harden overnight and then

Soft Wax to seal and protect

wipe it down with a damp

them. Simple!

cloth before exposing it to rain. No need to wax!

Walls Apply with a sponge

Floors Chalk Paint™ can transform old concrete and wooden floors, even if they’re

roller or large brush to

varnished. Just apply two or

achieve a slight texture. Wax

three coats of Chalk Paint™

with a big brush afterwards,

and then apply Annie Sloan

or just leave it – bedroom

Lacquer with a sponge roller,

walls look great with a soft,

for added durability.

matter, unwaxed finish.

Metal You can paint straight

There’s rarely any need to sand or prime before painting – just get stuck in and enjoy!

“Painting furniture that has seen better days, or is just too dark or dated, is becoming very popular all over the country, as it provides the chance to create something unique to your home.”

onto all kinds of hardware, including metal work. Chalk Paint™ can re-invigorate old brass and other metal fixtures and fittings and it even covers and slows down rust!

Workshops

en to set up ject has be ro p st te la ’s Karen hich teach rkshops, w o w g n ti in !) of Furniture Pa nd beyond chniques (a te al ti n e ss the e loan Chalk ng Annie S si u g n ti n ai furniture p

Paint™ shop dates of the work ils ta e d d cebook You can fin of Atholl Fa n the Heart o s e , u n ve and artofatholl ok.com/he o b ce a .f w 30 or page; ww 1796 4815 Karen on 0 g in n o h p y or b 098. 07716127

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ke.

topher Dra

phy © Chris

All photogra

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Welcome to the

Iron Age! The Scottish Crannog Centre

For those who have not yet visited, the Scottish Crannog Centre is a unique, open air museum, offering visitors the opportunity to experience early Iron Age life on the water. You may dress in period clothing, enter the high status roundhouse, try out ancient skills like fire-making, textile working and woodworking and become immersed in the archaeology of discoveries underwater. Regular guided tours and open-style event days provide educational entertainment for families, individuals and special interest groups alike. Our introductory video clip, found on Youtube, provides a glimpse of what to expect. The independent and self-funded Centre was created by, and is run on behalf of, the Scottish Trust for Underwater Archaeology (SC018418).

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Monuments On Your Doorstep The Scottish Crannog Centre

Loch Tay is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers, fascinated by the ever-changing light and the juxtaposition of mountains, fields, water and the outstanding monuments above and below its surface. The recreated crannog on stilts near Kenmore represents one of these, with another 17 ancient loch-dwellings preserved in the loch along its length right up to Killin.

his month our Crannog Crew’s

Continuing with the theme of fibre craft,

Further information

special events focus on food

our Festival of Nettles and Ancient Textiles

about our events is

and ancient textiles. Following

on May 25th is a colourful and active

shown on our website

a busy and tasty Celtic Food

event supported by local craft enthusiasts.

at www.crannog.co.uk and on our Facebook,

Festival on May 3rd, the team is gearing up

Demonstrations and hands-on opportunities

for an outreach day at Kelvingrove Museum

include processing nettles to use the whole

Twitter and Youtube

on Saturday May 16th, celebrating the

plant for spinning, string making, creating

pages.

annual Festival of Museums. Activities will

dyes and cooking, such as nettle soup;

include ancient technology such as using

making a range of dye colours from leaves

bow and pump drills, prehistoric jewellery

and stems of other native plants; trying

making, a wide range of textile crafts from

out prehistoric knitting, net-making and

spinning to weaving and rope-making.

‘sprang’ with flax, wool, or bast; spinning

There will also be ‘come and try’ sessions

and weaving on a range of sticks and looms

for simulated underwater archaeology in

and trying on the latest in Iron Age fashion.

mini-tanks, where youngsters don masks

The fun day is suitable for all ages and no

and snorkels to enable them to draw

experience is necessary to try the crafts.

objects underwater. Only their faces and

Volunteers are always welcome. If you have

hands are submerged so no wetsuits are

a related craft that you would like to share or

required!

demonstrate, please get in touch.

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For direct contact please telephone on 01887

830583 or email us at info@crannog.co.uk. The Centre is open daily from 10:00am to

5:30pm until the end of October.

Main Image ©Angus Clyne. All other images ©Crannog Centre.

Spring is well and truly with us and that means rhubarb, vastly under rated, but delicious, for a whole variety of uses. The next time you are baking rhubarb (much preferable to stewing) reserve some of the rhubarb syrup to make this delicious cocktail. Wonderfully refreshing & perfect for an early summer evening.

60ml Vodka (At Thyme at Errichel we use award winning Ogilvy Scottish Potato Vodka) _ 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice _ 15ml Disaronno _

Nose: Warm aromas tinged with fresh apricots and citrus fruit, green grass and walnuts. Taste: Smooth warmth of potato spirit, a sweet, creamy character with fruity esters, a hint of toffee and green pasture notes. Clean, balanced, a rich mouth feel imbued with the mineral wealth of local land and water. Aftertaste: A long, lush finish with black pepper, earthy charcoal and a wee whisper of citrus. Nestled in the heart of Angus, Hatton of Ogilvy Farm reclines across rich land of rare heritage. Tended by the same family for four generations.

60ml pressed apple juice _ 15ml rhubarb syrup _ Sprig of thyme & apple slither to decorate

Shake the Vodka, Disaronno, lemon juice & apple juice in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Fill glasses with crushed ice, add strained liquid from shaker, top up with rhubarb syrup and garnish with thyme & apple slither.

Our singular spirit is warm and welcoming, smooth and sweet. Its neutral essence makes it a great option for cocktails and a natural choice for the gluten-intolerant. Yet itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a smart pick for anyone wishing to try a vodka that offers purity of palate, alongside hidden depths of flavour.

Errichel House & Cottages Thyme at Errichel Restaurant, Errichel, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, PH15 2EL t: 01887 820 850 m: 07483 352 123 www.errichel.co.uk

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Spring Watch Diary

he days are at last stretching out

The other day we were lucky enough to spot

and Winters grip is receding. The

an Eagle soaring high up above Farragon.

Oyster Catchers and Lapwings are making their way up river and

can be heard at night making a noisy racket down in the flooded fields of the Appin. Very

by Donald Riddell

www.highlandsafaris.net

soon, they will make their way along with the Curlews, onto the moors to nest. This habitat is ideal for giving them cover to nest in and the hill cows at Lurgan Farm are perfect for breaking up the ground to encourage insect life, as well as the large amounts of cowpats that they produce also encourages dung beetles and

Hopefully it has found a mate this year. The bird was carrying a branch and heading for possibly its Eyre. Eagles nest very early and are our largest predatory bird and hunt only on the high tops. They prey on Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan mainly, but in hungry times will eat Carrion as well. Our guests were suitably impressed, having seen two of the Scottish Big Five. We are extremely lucky in this area of Highland Perthshire to have such wild land right on our doorstep and our customers are always amazed that they can leave our safari lodge and within 20 minutes can be sitting at 2500` in the middle of wilderness. Long may our hills be like this and we in this area should cherish that and help to keep it that way. In the complexity, bureaucracy, stresses and fast changing facets of modern life our mountains are one constant, where one can find solace and peace. To watch a fine herd of Red Deer wallowing in the peat, or an acrobatic squirrel tearing along a branch in pursuit of the fairer sex cannot really

the like. All essential in the food chain and the biodiversity of these hills. By April the whole moor will be an orchestra of sound, as huge amounts of migrant birds head for the hills to pair up and nest.

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be bettered. Our Dawn Patrols leaving at 06.30hrs are perfect for witnessing the drama of the hills and moors as they come to life. Followed by a hearty breakfast in our award winning cafĂŠ back at Highland Safaris. An unbeatable experience!

Chocolate Masterclass Sometimes the most unlikely partnerships work best. Who would have thought that chocolates paired with whisky would be taking the culinary world by storm with international award-winning Grandtully-based chocolatier Iain Burnett leading the way.

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e are in the midst of a food revolution where freshness, provenance, quality of ingredients and intriguing flavours have become a national preoccupation.

Amongst other artisan produce, this has raised the appreciation of gourmet chocolate. Those working in the heart of Highland Perthshire are well placed to take full advantage. A new generation of distillers are breaking down the old stereotypes and the image of whisky is changing entirely. Malts are now the talk of trendy cocktail bars and top modern chefs are interested in experimenting with new flavour combinations. This is very exciting and great for the local economy. Iain Burnett has been making exquisite chocolates in Highland Perthshire for nine years and is internationally acclaimed for his famously smooth Velvet Truffles, with subtle and carefully balanced flavours – and of course fresh Perthshire cream. His palate is so refined that he only needs to “nose” a malt to appreciate the complex characteristics and match it to a truffle or praline. Alcohol is commonly used in chocolates to give them a longer shelf life or to mask the flavour of cheaper ingredients. Iain never uses alcohol in his recipes, believing that gourmet chocolate should be fresh and pure. Experts agree that his chocolates truly complement a huge variety of different drinks from the Wee Tea

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Company specialty teas to Laurent Perrier champagnes. Pairing chocolates to whisky started with nearneighbour distillery Dalwhinnie. Visitor Centre Manager Ewan Mackintosh approached the Highland Chocolatier with his idea and jointly set about the task. Now pairing is a growing part of the business – a business which exports all over the world and which employs 23 people in Grandtully. The list of whisky pairings stands at over forty with recent additions from Macallan and Glenmorangie. Dalwhinnie Distillery continues to be a major partner and every tour at the highest distillery in Scotland includes at least one Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier truffle. The Six Classic Malts Tour features six chocolates and six malts presented on a bespoke mat bearing helpful tasting notes. During May, it is no surprise that the Highland Chocolatier is supporting the Month of Whisky in the calendar of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink. You will have the opportunity to try chocolate pairing for yourself all month or to join a Thursday evening Chocolate and Whisky Masterclass. There will be special items on the Legends Coffee and Chocolate House menu and related gifts in the Gift Shop. Escorted chocolate tours continue throughout the summer.

Taste How to

Chocolate and Whisky Your palate should be clear, which means you should not have eaten any strongly flavoured food recently. First nose the drink, taking time to appreciate the characteristics of the aroma. Take a bite of the

Seville Orange and Clove Velvet Truffle pairs with Dalmore, Deanston, Dewars 12 year old, Macallan Sienna and Tomintoul.

chocolate and hold it in your mouth, allowing it to melt. Slowly enjoy the wave of subtle flavours, breathing in with a slightly open mouth. Now sip the drink and think about the ways in which the two complement each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s characteristics.

Dark Velvet is the perfect partner for Dalwinnie 15 year old, Glenmorangie Signet, Laphroaig and Macallan Gold.

Multi award-winning Raspberry and Black Pepper Velvet Truffle matches beautifully with Aberfeldy 12 year old, Bunnahabhain, Glenfiddich and Talisker.

To whet your appetite, here are some examples of chocolate pairings you might want to try with your favourite dram.

The milk chocolate Cinnamon and Clove Praline really sets off the peaty falvoured island malts such as Lagavulin 16 year old and Tobermory 15 year old.

There are many more pairings to explore at www.highlandchocolatier.com

The Heartland Buzz

I Mel’s

hilltop diary

I Welcome to my occasional diary. I’m

and trees are greening up. But we in

the Perthshire Advertiser. My husband

tion. Birch thickets and open hillsides

a mother of two and a reporter with

and I have a B&B in Glenlyon with just

enough land round it to indulge in a bit of the Good Life. As you can imagine, living up a remote Highland glen has its moments – we get frozen water,

power cuts and sometimes unexpected guests. Oh and Granny lives next door.

Sheep are dumb - or so I thought. Once a year they make a journey that defies belief.

Our property’s surrounded by a

deer fence to help the ancient Caledo-

nian pine forest regenerate, so you get to our house by crossing a cattle grid. The grid is double the length of ordi-

nary ones to make sure deer don’t get in and chomp the trees.

But every year around this time

a handful of canny hill ewes make a

slow and deliberate crossing to get to

are startlingly brown and bare right up to the beginning of May.

So far we’ve got Wagtails and

Oyster catchers and a little colour in the Larch. I love the pungent earthiness in the first breath of air I get when I step out of the car returning from Perth, heavy with promise of abundance ahead.

We’re planting tatties now, which

is good as our spare bathroom was

stuffed with crates of chitting potatoes

since early March. Dobbies in Perth had a fantastic selection and we should be covered for early salads, roasties and mashers. Digging the potatoes in we

disturbed a water vole. I see why they’re rare, I couldn’t believe how slowly it lumbered out of danger.

Tomato plants are very expensive to

seemed to sigh with relief. My children as still young enough

to believe in fairies and growing up

in such a natural place results in some great imaginings. Recently their aunt

came up with a sweet and original present, a Fairy Door.

We placed the ‘door’ (a hand-paint-

ed resin tile) in a gnarled tree root and stuffed the gaps around it with moss. Simple genius, we make regular mis-

sions to the tree to look for signs it has become inhabited!

I’ve lined up two Gloucester Old

Spot piglets from a litter of in Crieff. We pick them up at the end of the month,

I’m so excited, keeping pigs is so much fun!

Crieff’s nearer to go than last year,

when our gilts came from Haddington. I recall getting stuck in Edinburgh traffic with four, car-sick babies in the back was not nice!

our untouched early grass. I’ve some-

buy, so I’m happy I have some seed-

wading like white ships at sea across

the seed planting and windowsill

the little blighters at one week old and

blessings I have any at all.

ing a bit like chunky Dalmatian puppies.

times seen them at it, heavy with lamb, the 20ft metal divide, so strong is their desire for pastures new.

Hillsides dappled with snow are still

lings of my own. This year I entrusted watering to my youngest, so I count my In the orchard my fruit trees have

the view out of the window. All around

swelled around the trunk, so I loos-

blossom’s coming in the hedgerows

them up to a fresh piece of bark. They

Aberfeldy and Fortingall the Blackthorn

Glenlyon remain in suspended anima-

The Heartland Buzz

ened the rubber stake ties and slipped

The breeder emailed me pictures of

true to their name, they’re spotty, lookSeeing the big backside of their mum beside them reminds me how much they will grow.

10.00am to 2.00pm in Aberfeldy Town Square 1st Sunday of the Month, May to October Showcasing the very best of Perthshire’s famous food larder

Aberfeldy’s own independent food stores, shops & cafés will also be open, along with other attractions in & around the town for all the family to enjoy.

Why not come along and make a day of it. www.visitaberfeldy.co.uk

For further details contact Fiona MacEwan

T: 01887 829 343 M:0799 0834 092

E: aberfeldymarket@btopenworld.com

ASBA (Aberfeldy Small Business Association)

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GO ON... GIVE US YOUR GOSSIP!

Music Of The Mountains CD To Be Launched In Birnam Birnam Arts Centre will host a special one-off concert next month by

Humanos Aid lnternational Our charity was established in 2011 to help local and overseas community projects.

some of Scotland’s best young traditional musicians to launch an (as

Ongoing donations to our charity and active fund-

yet untitled) ground-breaking CD celebrating some of Scotland’s fin-

raising in UK, and overseas, and working in partner-

est wild landscapes.

ship with other charitable bodies in Scotland, and

The concert, on Wednesday 17 June at 7.30pm, will feature a varied

programme of music, including Gaelic and Scots, original composi-

overseas, helped us to open our charity shop in Aberfeldy.

tions and a variety of instrumental tracks comprising a mix of accordi-

Looking at overseas charity shops, where we have

ons, clarsach, guitar, fiddle, bagpipes, piano, whistles and vocals.

strong links, our idea was created for our charity

The event marks the culmination of a unique partnership between the Plockton-based National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music and the Pitlochry-based conservation charity, the John Muir Trust. Most of the tracks were inspired by land managed by the Trust in Knoydart, Assynt, Sandwood Bay, the Borders and Highland Perthshire. The much-loved local Munro, Schiehallion, is represented by a dance set of Perthshire reels and a song called the Athole Gathering. A more informal performance will take place at 2:00pm the following day in the Trust’s Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry.

shop for the ‘high end’ of the market , and to blend in with the other businesses in Aberfeldy. Ongoing, our shop is stocked with the latest donations from our donors. ln stock currently; over 500 books, 500 dvd, 500 cds,1000 45’s & LPs, large stamp & coin collections, Hornby and other train models, 1000 Corgi, Dinky & Burago models, stationary, clothing & shoes, haberdashery (yarn, knitting patterns, crochet & knitting needles, array of vintage and modern buttons, jewellery (vintage and modern), fountain pens, railway magazines and football programs and much more. New funding projects this year: Extension Fundraising Water Appeal Nepal 2015 to help raise funds for two students in Perthshire for a years voluntary work in Africa. We have several large projects overseas, so the money generated by our shop will help us continue support these projects, visit www.humanos.org.uk We are currently working with several students from

Thanks to the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music.

“So much of Scotland’s music and song is associated with land and the landscape, especially in the Gaelic tradition, and the John Muir Trust’s work in preserving that landscape is vital,” says Dougie Pincock, Director of the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music.

new volunteers to help in the shop, so, if you can spare a few hours per week, we would welcome you to join our team.

Shop Opening hours; Mon - Sat 10:00am - 5:00pm All book donations and collectables welcome, in-

“Despite being young people of the 21st century, our students are fully

cluding clean carrier bags, as we are a zero waste

aware of this link and its importance. In an exercise earlier this year dis-

shop and do not purchase bags.

cussing what Scottish traditional music meant to our students, the word place was right at the centre of their mind map.” The Birnam concert will be filmed by BBC Alba, along with the land which inspired the music. 42

Breadalbane Academy, but we are still looking for

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Let’s take action together now!

The Heartland Buzz

GO ON... GIVE US YOUR GOSSIP!

Breadalbane Academy Rural Skills Awards

A Taste of BreadAtholl Brose!

For the second time in 3 years

ed to represent the area from which the writing ema-

Dept. has won the ANNUAL LAN-

ed by the Heritage Lottery Fund, without whose help it

OF THE YEAR AWARD.

entitled Life As We Know It which was published in 2012.

LANTRA AWARDS

Speaking about the book, Adult and Family Learning

Lantra Awards is a nationally rec-

Worker for Highland Perthshire, Jinty Smart said: “The

With over 40 years of experience,

Perthshire is the home and inspiration to a wide range

qualifications to meet the needs of

this time to involve local schools and groups who not

ing project, a book entitled BreadAtholl Brose, is to be launched on 26 May. The hybrid “BreadAtholl” is intend-

Breadalbane Academy Rural Skill

nates, or is about. The project was generously support-

TRA SCHOOL PROJECT LEARNER

could not have happened, and it follows a similar project

ognised Awarding Organisation.

success of Life As We Know It proved that Highland

we develop training courses and

of talented writers. We wanted to widen the concept

employers and learners.

Training & Qualifications Lantra offer a diverse range of training and qualifications to meet your

needs. All our products are quality assured within the industry, so you know you are getting the best. We

also provide an excellent customer service with a personal touch.

Forestry and arboriculture, Health and safety, Horticulture, Agriculture and many more.

only submitted prose and poetry but also artwork and photos which give the book a visual dimension. Submissions have been part of the learning process for migrants learning English, those using writing as an aid to positive mental health and those in active creative writing groups. Sessions on digital photography were held and the cover of the book, an evocative wintry scene at Rotmell Loch, derives from that.” Speaking of the writing, Jinty added: “We have well over 60 pieces of prose and poetry from a range of authors of widely diverse backgrounds and experience. Our youngest contributor was 6 when she wrote her piece and the

With over 40 years of experience we

oldest 97! Local author, celebrity Kenneth Steven, sub-

from short courses to full qualifica-

there the pages are packed with stories and recollec-

ers and learners. All our courses are

landscape we are all fortunate to live and work in. Some

develop a wide variety of training,

mitted a sonnet to get the book underway and from

tions, to meet the needs of employ-

tions of local interest and those inspired by the glorious

of top-quality and delivered by our

exclusive network, so you can be sure you are getting the best.

Award ceremonies recognise youth achievement in the Rural Economy

Breadalbane Academy is fortunate

to have full access for training, practical growing and landscaping skills

at the Community Garden. Along with basic gardening skills, we ma-

jor on Employability Skills to assist our pupils when they enter employments. 44

A new Highland Perthshire community creative writ-

The Heartland Buzz

authors have also recorded their stories in audio format too which will give access to those who for whatever reason have reading difficulties. To coincide with the book launch these recordings will be aired on Heartland radio daily at 8.15am from 18th of May as part of a radio series promoting the book and we are grateful to Heartland FM and Bruce Paterson for making this possible.” The launch will take place on Tuesday 26 May in the Mid Atholl Hall in Ballinluig at 2.00pm. Free copies of

the book and audio CD will be available there and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information please get in touch with Jinty Smart on 01350 727669 or email jsmart@pkc.gov.uk

Candlelight Evenings At The Hall Blair Atholl Village Hall four dates to note in your diary. FRI JULY 31st The Cairngorms Young Musicians

Family Ceilidh For the fifth year running. An evening of Fun, Music and Dance for all the family. The Young Musicians Favourite Venue. FRI AUG 28th Austrian Mixed Choir

An evening of wonderful song from this European Choir, stopping off in Blair Atholl during their Scottish Tour. FRI SEPT 18th Elsa Jean McTaggart

Elsa will delight her audience with song, music and stories. An evening not to miss ! SAT OCT 24th The Camilli Quartet From London

and this year’s winners of the John Barbirolli String

Quartet

Music

Award, these four young musicians are on a tour of Scotland. One of the highlights of the evening will be their Tribute to The Beatles. FURTHER DETAILS Neil Mackintosh

T. 01796 481310

E. neilmack6@gmail.com

Aberfeldy and District Probus Club

Cairngorms Nature Festival

What is the Probus Club?

spectacular wildlife with a weekend long

The clue lies in the name. It is

The National Park will be celebrating its

nature festival on Saturday 16th and Sun-

If you want to really immerse yourself in the Park, Atholl Rangers are hosting a Wild Night Out. This is a family camping event where you can sleep out and experience the sights and sounds and maybe even the smells of nocturnal nature. If you don’t fancy camping but are handy with knitting needles you could

a club for retired profession-

day 17th May 2015.

al and business people, both

Blair Atholl Information Centre has been

formation Centre which will be displayed over

selected as one of four hubs for the festival

the weekend.

men and (since our AGM in February) women. The Club meets twice monthly at the

along with Aviemore, Ballater, and Tomintoul.

our special upland birds, get involved with

On the first Wednesday of the

the Scenic Photo Posts Project, or discover the

month we have a speaker, an

flowers, trees, and animals living in the woods

expert on their chosen topic,

of Killiecrankie. Or maybe you would just like

and on the third Wednesday

to join in with the bad dancing capercaillie

we have a coffee morning, our chosen topic! Some illinformed people may refer to this as blethering. Lunch meetings are at 12.30, coffee mornings at 10.30. The

Other opportunities include the chance to become a Citizen Scientist, find out more about

Moness Country Club.

when we are all experts on

contribute to the Woolly Woodlands at the In-

in Can’t-Dance-Cameron. As part of this exciting celebration the Atholl Estates Ranger Service, the National Trust for Scotland, the RSPB, and the OPAL citizen science projects will be running a series of events across the weekend in and around Blair Atholl and Killiecrankie.

Whichever you

choose, you are sure to have a WILD time. For more information check out www.cairngorms.co.uk or contact the Atholl Estate Ranger Service on 01796 481355 or www. athollestatesrangerservice.co.uk

Club does not meet in July or August. Topics recently have ranged from Architecture to the V&A, Dundee and from Aberfeldy to Outer Space! Just as varied are the occupations rep-

If you would like a stall, please get in touch.

Village Hall News!

of the village hall. Admission: £2.50 per

Grandtully Gala 2015, Sunday 7th June,

resented which include Edu-

1:00 - 4:00pm.

cation, Engineering, Farming,

A date for your diary this summer, with tradi-

Finance, Forestry, the Law, Management, Medicine, the Ministry, Retailing and Transport. You can be assured that there are many “weel kent” faces in there and the emphasis is on cordiality and friendship.

tional music and Scottish dancing alongside games and events. There will be an art and craft competition, with a prize for the winner, so get your brushes out, knitting needles at the ready or the potter’s wheel turning and bring along your best creation! Seasonal fruit and veg, food and plant stalls, home baking, more!

has been asked for several

Games include smash and crash, beat the

thinks we will all fall asleep is well wide of the mark. This does not happen!! Well not so far anyway. Interested? You will be made very welcome, or for more information phone Stan Pirie at 01887 820487 or David Parmley at 01887 829503. The Heartland Buzz

All funds raised will go towards the upkeep adult; 12 and under are free. Free parking What’s on in the hall throughout the year? Go to our Facebook page to find out more, there are lots of classes happening, including Zumba, Indoor Bowling, etc. The hall is also available for private hire. For further information, please contact Betty on 07745 300530 or email us at grandtullyvillagehall@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.

raffle, tombola, beer tasting and much, much

One potential speaker who years and refuses because he

Grandtully & Strathtay

goalie, races, tug ‘o war, hook-a-duck, egg and spoon, hoop-la, pitch and putt to name but a few! We will also be hosting “Best Dressed Dog” and “The Dog with the Waggiest Tail’’ competitions. So get your pooches practising, your ducks a quacking and kids – there’s a whole corner just for you with facepainting, sit-on-and-ride, bouncy castle and lots more! It’s a great family day out, so don’t miss it!

LOOKING TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE? This section is FREE, send in your article today! hello@ heartlandbuzz.co.uk

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Silver Society Prize For Silversmithing In April 2014, at the Festival of Silver held at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, London, the Silver Society Prize for Silversmithing was awarded to Malcolm Appleby. The award-winning piece was his Star Struck tumbler bowl, described by Timothy Schroder as “an intense piece of work by an extremely accomplished artist craftsman”. Malcolm was born in Kent in 1946 and studied at Beckenham School of Art, followed by Ravensbourne School of Art, the Central School of Arts and Crafts and the Sir John Cass College. He then went on to learn the art of gun engraving from John Wilkes in London; in 1970 he moved to

and I asked James to use some of my ex-

stake, retaining the 3mm in the centre and

isting dies, that I have cut over many years,

graduating the thickness until it became

to strike up a silver disc to make a tumbler

7mm at the edge. The edge by this time is

bowl. We used a tiny flower die, which we

very much distorted and quite undulating.

struck over and over again on to the flat disc.

After much annealing the blank is struck with the new dies. For the inside, I have

I think James, or maybe Peter Musgrove,

used ‘star’ dies. I am continuing to make

raised it on a wooden stake with a nylon

new dies to develop my repertoire.

mallet, to retain the images while it was being worked. I made more bowls in this way using old dies.

After striking, the edges are very carefully rounded and polished. The discs are then posted to Peter Musgrove to raise into

I subsequently engraved some geometri-

tumbler form. The striking almost pro-

cal dies in a rhomboidal form for general

grammes the silver to wrinkle up in a cer-

use and made some tumblers with those

tain way and no one bowl will behave in

as well. More recently, I have designed

the same way as another. After raising and

dies specifically for these struck tumblers,

hallmarking (in Edinburgh), the tumblers

using a rhomboid with another negative

are gilded by Steven Wood. I like the gild-

rhomboid chiselled out of the centre. I had

ing splashed over the edges that I then

help with the basic maching from Thomas

carefully rub down with superfine wire wool, which almost

Scotland, where he has lived and worked

fine burnishes the

ever since. Malcolm is known as a con-

surface and tones

summate engraver, who constantly ex-

down the gilding. My

periments with the cutting and texturing

final job is to burnish

of silver. Throughout his career he has

the surface with a

worked to promote the art of engraving,

steel burnishers.

both through his own work and in provid-

I make a very small

ing opportunities for young craftsmen. At

number of bowls in

the Festival of Silver he also presented his

each

own prize, the Malcolm Appleby Award, for a piece of work which combined skilful

to continue evolving.”

engraving with artistic flair, this was won by Katie Earlam. Malcolm describes below the origins of these remarkable tumbler bowls, how he

development,

as I expect the series

‘May Contain Nuts’ - engraved silver dish by Malcolm Appleby, on show at Collect 2015 - the International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects at the Saatchi

By Kind Permission of The Silver Society.

Gallery, Chelsea, London from 8 to 11 May

executed them and how he continues to develop the concept. “About five years ago I gave the prize of a week’s training to a new silversmith exhibiting at British Silver Week at Goldsmiths’

Fatorini, who also supplied the metal and hardened the finished dies. I engraved the surfaces with what I call a crystal structure within the rhomboid.

Hall, organised by Gordon Hamme. I

To achieve a stronger impression in the sil-

chose James Dougall largely because of

ver I used fine silver, 3mm thick. One of my

his name: James Dougall was a famous

assistants, Callum Strong,forged the blank

Victorian gunmaker. The week went well

out with rusty hammers on a very rusty

The Heartland Buzz

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Breadalbane Cricket Club

Sun May 31

v Callander

Welcome to the first of our monthly diaries, detailing the pro-

Sun Jun 14

Cup Qrtr Finals

gress of the Cricket Club over the summer. We hope you enjoy reading about our exploits as the Club enters it’s 146th year. Let us hope the weather holds fair and rewards everyone for their hard work and preparation for the summer ahead. You will be able to keep in touch with all our results, as the Club aims to win the League title, for the second successive year. The first problem the Club had to overcome, in the build up to the season, was a break in, to the changing room facility. Items of the Club’s equipment were stolen and damage was caused, requiring emergency repair work and some beefing up of the building’s external security. The Club is determined, though, that the thoughtless acts of certain individuals will not ruin the enjoyment of our players, juniors and supporters. A special word of thanks goes to Iain Fitzpatrick of Black Arts Engineering, Aberfeldy, for his timely assistance in helping the Club make the necessary repairs.

Sun Jun 28 Sun Jul 5

Sun Jul 12 Sun Jul 19 Sun Jul 26 Sun Aug 2

Sun Aug 9

Sun Aug 16 Sun Aug 30

v Glendelvine

Div 2

Cup

v St Modans

Div 2

Cup

v Glenrothes

Div 2

v Glendelvine

v Falkland XI v Glenrothes

Semi Finals

Cup Final Day A Cup

Div 2

v Alloa XI

Div 2

v Callander

Div 2

Please some along and support the team. Matches in Victoria Park commence at 1:00pm.

Look out for reports from the first games of the season in the next issue of Heartland Buzz, or on the Club’s Facebook page – “Breadalbane Cricket Club Supporters”. The Club will also be hosting the regional finals of the Primary Schools Kwik Cricket Tournament on Thursday 21st May. Teams

Outdoor practice sessions have begun on Tuesday and Thursday evening, in Victoria Park. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age and ability. So please come along and you will be assured of a warm welcome. Junior sessions run from 5:00 to 6:00pm on Thursdays. Older Juniors are invited and encouraged to stay on

from all the Primary Schools in the area will be competing, with the chance to become the region’s representatives at the Area, then the National Finals. Teams from Breadalbane Academy have reached the national finals on two occasions in the last three years, underlining the Club’s strong links with the local schools

and try their hand at “hard ball”, with the seniors.

and the depth of talent and interest in Highland Perthshire.

Fixtures for the 2015 season are listed here:

With interest in cricket higher than ever, thanks to Scotland’s par-

Sun May 17

v Alloa XI

Div 2

Sun May 24

v Falkland XI

Div 2

ticipation at the recent Cricket World Cup finals, everyone is looking forward to a long hot summer, enjoying the sound of leather on willow.

New Beginnings For Aberfeldy Farmfresh

the shop, especially in the summer, when both require more at-

When I took on the lease of Farmfresh in March 2013, I was not

I am very pleased to announce that I have managed to sell the

totally convinced I was sure I wanted to do it – I had thought about it for a while and knew that there were probably more cons than pros, but decided to give it a go. I had missed Farmfresh during

tention. Well I was right – it was very difficult to do both and there really were never enough hours in the day. business, which changes hands at the end of April. The new owner, Jamie Landale, from Crieff, is very experienced in the food business and has great ideas for the shop. It will be closed for

the six months it was closed and hated the lack of fresh fish and

a short period to do some refurbishment and I’m sure that the

good cheese in Aberfeldy. I was sure that I could make it work

result will be worth waiting for. I would like to wish Jamie and

after running Lurgan Farm Shop for 5 years, but also knew that it

partners good luck with their new enterprise and look forward to

would not be easy. Much has changed with home deliveries by

supporting the new business.

supermarkets, which is so convenient. However, from a personal

I would also like to thank all of my customers who have helped

point of view I knew there was a demand for more specialist produce in the area and, with the tourist trade, I hoped that would be enough. Once I started stocking the shop and talking to customers I knew it was a good challenge to take on. I did say from the start that my plan was to get the business up and running again and then sell it on, knowing it would probably take a couple of years to achieve this. I have 20 highland ponies at home and I knew it was going to be hard to look after them and

Sun Jun 7

Div 2

The Heartland Buzz

to shape Aberfeldy Farmfresh over the past two years, have supported it throughout the seasons and made it work. We’ve had a busy two years and I’ve really enjoyed meeting new people, seeing friends more regularly and the general challenge of running a business again. I am now off back up the hill to the farm to play with my ponies for the summer. I hope that you all enjoy the new shop and support it – remember- use it or lose it! Sally Murray

The Bright, Colourful & Unique Paintings of

Audrey Slorance

WANT FEATURED IN OUR MAGAZINE? CONTACT US TODAY!

The Heartland Buzz

Audrey Slorance Gallery 6 The Square, Aberfeldy PH15 2DD Tuesday – Saturday 10.30 – 5.00PM

Perthshire artist Audrey Slorance is presently celebrating the second anniversary of the opening of her gallery/studio in the Square, Aberfeldy.

We wanted to find out more about

The Scottish College of Textiles, Galash-

Audrey and her artwork and what in-

iels (Heriot Watt University). Living in

spires and motivates her.

Hawick in the Borders, I thought I would

Her gallery remains exclusive to her own

made work for that, with lots of cutting

an interest in Art?

Not really. When I was young my family were always creative, but mostly involved in craft based hobbies. At one time my parents had a Craft Gallery in Roslin and they and my sisters and I all

very distinctive and popular art work.

out, stitching and gluing involved.

On entering you are immediately attract-

I was always good at drawing and I have

ed by the vibrancy of the colours in her large acrylic paintings, where Highland Perthshire landscapes and architectural themes predominate. A large range of her paintings have been reproduced as greetings cards, framed and mounted prints, table mats, coasters and bone china mugs. In addition, Audrey’s sought after small paintings and sketches of animals, poultry and birds adds to the visual appeal of the Gallery.

Have you always painted and taken

The Heartland Buzz

an early recollection of painting animals and Disney characters and taking them around the doors to sell them to my neighbours for a few pence. However, a career as an artist was never on the radar when I was younger and I don’t think I even entered an Art Gallery until I was an adult. I certainly did not know any artists. When then did you find you had a talent and a passion for Painting?

In 1992 I enrolled in a Degree course at

end up designing knitwear, however my preference was always the drawing and painting side of the course, so I chose to do printed textile design. We were encouraged to explore many different painting and drawing styles and mediums. Following this, I worked freelance creating designs mainly for the fashion industry, anything from tiny intricate patterns to ‘conversational designs’ such as animals, sportsmen, boats etc. to more painterly florals. I really started painting seriously, with the ambition to sell, about twelve years ago. What subject matter inspires you most and what medium do you prefer to paint in?

Highland Perthshire features in much of my work. We are so lucky here with our mountains, lochs, woodlands and rivers and some very interesting archi-

HELPING CREATIVES STAY CREATIVE!

“I feel so lucky to be doing something I enjoy everyday. It is also lovely to have lots of my paintings exhibited in one place.” 50

The Heartland Buzz

tecture. Most of my early paintings were

you have been offered a gift if you walk

everyone else. I just use a bit of artistic

quite soft, almost pastel colours painted

around a corner to find the curve of the

licence, take some liberties, exaggerate

in gouache. Over the years though my

road or shape of a building and the light

and make them stronger and brighter.

colours have become brighter and more

is just perfect.

People describe them as cheerful and

heightened and I now paint my larger pieces in acrylic. I find acrylic has many advantages, as it can be used dilute like watercolour or thick and impasto like oils. It also has a quick drying time. What processes do you use in composing a painting?

Every day I am out with the dog, as I am walking I find myself constantly thinking about the landscape in terms of composition for a painting. At times it feels

I usually take several photographs of a location and back in the studio I sketch up ideas before I start to paint. Drawing is like a thinking process and helps to clarify ideas about composition and areas of strong contrasts of light and dark. I look at the patterns created and try to simplify them. Someone asked me if I see the countryside in the same colours as I paint. I suspect I see them much the same as

happy. Was it a good decision to open the gallery?

Yes, I feel so lucky to be doing something I enjoy everyday. It is also lovely to have lots of my paintings exhibited in one place. It can be a bit of a balancing act at times though, I want to get out and about to get inspiration for my work, but I also want to be available to meet my customers. It gives me so much pleasure that my paintings and other works are enjoyed by so many people throughout the UK and beyond. Some of my paintings and prints have made their way to America and Australia, as well as across Europe. My customers are served by either myself or my husband, Eric, and we are committed to giving everyone a personal service, whether the sale is a large painting or a card.

01887 829 015

E. audreyslorance@btinternet.com www.audreyslorance.co.uk 51

The Heartland Buzz

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Aberfeldy Rugby Football Club

the 2015 season. Team Manager, Steve

from young people in the district and our

Brown commented, “We have been train-

ability to draw on the expertise and enthu-

ing very hard and have some talented

siasm of Steve and Murray makes this an

At a meeting in Aberfeldy on 6th April a

players. There is tremendous spirit among

ideal time to get the sport well established

the boys and we hope for some good re-

here. We have already received generous

sults in the coming months. Our first out-

community support from Aberfeldy & Dis-

ing will be a sevens tournament in St An-

trict Rotary Club, who have paid for the

drews on 18th April followed by the Crieff

players’ strip, from The Kenmore Sports

and Strathearn Sevens on 24th April then

Committee, who have kindly granted the

Islay beach rugby on 13th June. Eventually

use of their sports ground for training and

appointed Team Manager, assisted by

we hope to host other teams at home.”

playing matches and from SSE who have

Murray Trail, another Kiwi living in the dis-

Steve added, “The Club is initially focus-

group of rugby fans met to formally establish the Aberfeldy Rugby Football Club. The driving force behind this initiative is Steve Brown, a native of New Zealand now resident in the area. Steve, an experienced rugby player and coach, has been

trict. The Club has been registered as an associate member of the Scottish Rugby Union. Members of the Management Committee include the Convenor, Bill Bruce, Treasurer, Stewart McNeish and Secretary, Steve Brown. Although the Club has just been formed, the players have been training together over the winter months, with a view to

that arise when trying to continually field a full 15 a side team, including the transport and cancellation problems that arise with

ing equipment. The Committee would be delighted to hear from potential sponsors who may be interested in fostering rugby in the area.”

a game played during the winter. Seven-

Aberfeldy RFC hope to generate good

a-side rugby is played in the summer and

community support so if you would like to

is a fast-paced, flowing game, attractive to

join the Club as a player or social mem-

young players and spectators.”

ber, please contact Treasurer Stewart Mc-

Convenor Bill Bruce added, “Despite Scotland’s recent lack of success in the Six

Neish on 01887 929323 or 07901 661 442.

entering Seven-a-side tournaments in

Nations, there is a lot of interest in rugby

Aberfeldy Bowling Green Opens

Billy Devlin’s team, with the Vice-President

that we will have an enjoyable and, hope-

the eventual victor.

fully, successful season of bowling.”

Aberfeldy Bowling Club’s new season

President, Anne Woolley stated “I am de-

The Club welcomes new members. Full

lighted and honoured to be the first lady

membership costs only £40 for the year

President of Aberfeldy Bowling Club and

with seniors (over 55 years) at £35 and

look forward to my year in office. I hope

juniors free for the first year (£10 thereaf-

got off to an historic start recently, when members gathered in glorious sunshine to witness the opening of the bowling green by Anne Woolley, the Club’s first lady President since it was formed in 1861. After welcoming the large turnout of members, President Woolley formally opened the green and invited her husband, Past President Peter Woolley, to throw the first jack. The season then got underway with the President’s team taking on Vice-President

sing on sevens rugby because of the issues

provided a grant for the purchase of train-

The Heartland Buzz

ter). The Club hosts a rink night on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm. More details are available on the Club’s website www.aberfeldybowlingclub.co.uk

The new season commenced on Saturday 4th April and runs through until Sunday 27th September.

Image: Opening of the Green: President, Anne Woolley (centre right with blazer wearing red rose) and members of Aberfeldy Bowling Club on opening day.

The Corbenic Poetry Path

Aberfeldy Food Collections Last September a local lady had a wee thought to herself - that she could start collect-

An unforgettable merging of poetry and place. Opening 27th June 2015

The Corbenic Poetry Path, featuring work from some of Scotland’s finest contemporary poets, will open to the public

ing essential supplies to feed those in need locally. So, she approached a few of her like minded pals for help and one very helpful local businessman, who gave her a table and gazebo, and they set up a wee stall in the square one Sunday in October. She arrived with nothing other than a wee, white bucket and some food out of her own cupboard, so she popped them on the table. Two hours later her bucket was somewhat heavier and the table covered in food supplies...... all kindly donated by passersby. Aberfeldy Food

for the first time this summer. In just over

Collections was born!

3 kilometres the path meanders through

We are now a small team who collect donations of essential supplies for those in need on

the grounds of the old Drumour Hunting Estate, taking in a staggering variety of natural terrains, from riverbanks to high grouse moors and from meadows to ancient woodlands.

a monthly basis. You’ll see us in the Aberfeldy Co-operative on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday of every month. We have been collecting for over 7 months now and the response has been phenomenal! We would therefore like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the kind hearted people who have generously donated to our collections each month. Your donations, whether big or small, food or money, are all appreciated and really do

Poet Kenneth Steven states, “This is a most exciting development for the po-

make a difference to those in need of emergency supplies. Our monthly collections would not be possible without the management and staff of the local Co-op allowing us to use

etry world, and far beyond Perthshire!

their store, so a big thanks goes to them also.

The location is stunning: by the end of

Our collection in March this year saw Perth and Kinross Food Bank welcome us as part of

this walk you’re high above glen and river and road. Poems in a landscape: beautiful, simple and heart-changing.”

their collection base and we are all looking forward to working with their friendly team going forward. We would also like to thank CAP for supporting us in our first few months.’

The project has brought together some of the finest poets and stone-carvers currently living and working in Scotland and with the full support of the Corbenic Camphill Community, and volunteers from around the world, is an experience not to be missed. Featured poets include Kenneth Steven, Jim Carruth, John Glenday, Sally Evans, Alec Finlay,

Murder, Mystery, Menace & Mayhem! Bob Davidson’s New Play Premiers at Birnam Arts

ping for something else from someone

more. The words of these poets can be

else who feels the same? Too many

found carved in stone, encased in resin,

Scarves? Costume jewellery? Jackets?

painted on glass, printed on beehives

Hats? Fabulous frocks? Bring them all

and in many other forms along the path, Birnam Institute Players present ‘It’s in The Bag’, the premiere performance

www.corbenicpoetrypath.weebly.com

of a brand new Black Comedy by Bob Davidson, directed by Billy Neilson, together with ‘A Wake for Donald’ by Evelyn Hood, directed by Karen

62 Our Advertising Rates

The Heartland Buzz

that’s a great idea!

bear to part with. What about swop-

Patricia Ace, Morgan Downie and many

More information can be found at

Birnam Arts at the same time? Now

we rarely wear but somehow can’t

Andy Jackson, Margaret Gilles-Brown,

poetry and a magical place.

Edit your wardrobe and support

We all have stuff in our wardrobe that

Ron Butlin, Jon Plunkett, Tim Turnbull,

in an unforgettable merging of the finest

Fabulous Frock Swop Fundraiser!

Michie. So get your tickets and come along, we are all just ‘dying’ to see you there... Friday May 29th & Saturday May

30th 8pm. Tickets £8. Tel: 01350 727674. www.birnamarts.com

along to Birnam Arts on Wednesday June 10th 6:00 - 9:00pm. A suggested donation of £6 gives you a glass of bubbles, a nibble or two, plus 3 items of clothing, whether you bring anything or not. That’s an evening not to be missed. Quality children’s clothes are also welcome. Deliver all items, in good order please, to Birnam Arts Box Office, or bring along on the evening. If you can’t manage either call Wendy 07796 158 306 to arrange collection.

GO ON... GIVE US YOUR GOSSIP!

Perth and Kinross Credit Union Perth and Kinross Credit Union (PKCU) is celebrating two milestones this month. Firstly, it was only in April 2014 that the Credit Union was given official permission to start recruiting Members, taking deposits from savers and offering loans. Secondly, in that first year the Credit Union has enrolled over 500 members with Member 500, John Lilburn from Perth recently signed up in the office at 282 High Street, watched by Credit Union Manager Anne Walker. In the first year of operation PKCU has approved over 200 loan applications and has attracted almost £200,000 in deposits from savers.

Aberfeldy Farmers Market Aberfeldy Farmers Market will be up

Aberfeldy Windband, have your car-

and running again on the first Sunday

toon portrait drawn by Pedro, one of

of the month from May until October

Scotland’s top cartoon illustrators, visit

so put the dates in your diary now!

the Birks Cinema, walk the Birks ‘o’ Ab-

At the time of going to press, the list of stall holders at the first two Aberfeldy

erfeldy and, if you have any energy left, drop in at Grandtully Gala Day!

Farmer’s Markets stands at 20. This in-

We’re looking for some interaction in

cludes many of last year’s meat, veg,

the 2015 markets.

fish, cheese, bread, chocolate producers/manufacturers, but also a number of new ones, which include macrons and readymade vegetarian food. It is also a great day to shop locally with Aberfeldy’s own independent food stores, shops and cafes open. Why not have a Highland Perthshire day out the first Sunday in June! Come to Aberfeldy Farmer’s Market and buy lots of lovely fresh produce. You could then relax with a coffee, listen to the

Do you own a local business and want to demonstrate what you do? We are also looking for schools, choirs, bands, orchestras, local musicians or street entertainers who wish to celebrate their talents and raise funds by entertaining those who attend the market. Further details of the Farmers Market can be obtained from Fiona on 01887 829 343 or 07990 834 092 or aberfeldymarket@btopenworld.com

New Age Kurling Sets New Age Kurling Sets available for Perth and Kinross Credit Union is an ethical lender and part of the remit is financial education. Manager Anne Walker said “We encourage savings, even at modest levels and are then in a position to help savers with responsible loans if they need them at a later date. Everyone benefits from having some money put aside and even modest savings gives access to ethical loans, which offers Members some peace of mind should an emergency arise in the future. Membership of Perth and Kinross Credit Union is open to anyone who works or lives in Perth and Kinross and more information is available from PKCU at 282 High Street, Perth or at www.pkcu.org.uk 54

The Heartland Buzz

free loan to Highland Perthshire Community Groups.

The Hipshire Network has obtained funding to purchase 4 sets of New Age

It has become so popular that it is recognised by most disabled unions in the United Kingdom and is fast becoming a mainstream sport in schools and after school clubs.

Kurling kits for use by older people‘s

We can carry out a visit to your club

and intergenerational groups.

and carry out a demonstration for your

New Age Kurling is a form of the origi-

members.

nal curling game, but adapted so that it

We guarantee that this competitive

can be played indoors on any smooth,

sport will be well accepted and thor-

flat surface, such as a sports hall, rather

oughly enjoyed by all that play.

than on ice. Importantly, the game can be played by both disabled and non-disabled people of all ages alike.

If you would like to make use of these resources on a short or longer term loan, please get in touch at dunkeld-

comlearn@pkc.gov.uk or call 01350 727 669

Calling All Community Groups Are you interested in hosting an event to benefit Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), or in helping us to raise awareness of the services we offer? Our ambition is to reach every baby, child and young person in Scotland affected by a life-shortening condition. We’re here to offer them and their families’ specialised care and support – but, we need your help to do this. Fundraising groups are vital to CHAS. As well as raising over £9 million each year for children living with life-shortening conditions, they also raise awareness of who we are and what we do, helping us to reach more people who need us. Getting involved is a fantastic way to raise funds for the charity, meet new people in your area and make a difference to the lives of babies,

The Heartland Buzz

children and young people all over Scotland. Each year generous fundraisers donate time and energy to our cause by hosting every type of event you can think of, from bake sales to art shows, from sporting challenges to quizzes or dances. Whether you’re a school, business, community group or member of a sports team, we’ve got lots of ways for your group members to get involved and become ambassadors for CHAS. If you’d like to host your own fun-

SELL YOUR HOME WITH THE HEARTLAND BUZZ! * FROM £30

draising event, or find out more about volunteering with CHAS, we’d love to send a representative along to speak to your group about the cause and give you tips, suggestions and more information on how to get started. Contact us for a quick chat before you start plan-

Thinking of moving home? Look no further than The Heartland Buzz. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information.

ning. You can call Alison Rennie or email alisonrennie@chas.org.uk * PLUS VAT

16th - 22nd May

10% Off all books, music & art.

AberfeldyWatermill Bookshop Celebrates 10 Years. In January 2004 Jayne and Kevin Ramage completed the purchase of the semi-derelict grade-A listed watermill. From its re-opening by Michael Palin in May 2005, as a bookshop, cafe and art gallery, The Watermill is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The Watermill is open Monday to Saturday10.00-5.30pm & Sunday11.00-5.30pm

The Heartland Buzz

Voted The Best Independent Bookshop in the UK.

The Watermill was opened on 21 May 2005 by Michael Palin

t has been a story of twists and turns, with a solid narrative. Three key staff have been with us from the beginning and, alongside our other ‘Watermil-

lies’, we have built together something we are all proud of. A quality lifestyle store, selling carefully selected books, music, art and, in Homer our homeware shop next door, ‘interesting stuff’. And through the cafe, a community hub, accessible to all, a haven for locals, regular visitors and tourists. Although all-consuming time-wise, the business continues to bring daily reward to ourselves and, we like to think, our customers. Open every day throughout the year, save three, the place continues to buzz. Five years ago The Watermill won the award of UK Independent Bookshop of the Year and this year Homer is on the shortlist for UK Lifestyle Shop of the Year.

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The accolades and awards are always

The support of authors (including

welcome, but it is the positive response

the sadly missed Iain Banks), artists and

of customers at the counter that keeps

other creators.

the stamina going.

Youngsters who attended ‘story-

We continue to seek new ways to bol-

times’ in the early days now seen out

ster the business and keep things fresh

with boyfriends and girlfriends in Aber-

and fun. A modest publishing house has

feldy’s reopened Birks Cinema.

emerged with titles ranging from the History of Aberfeldy to Winter in Glen Lyon.

Family dynasties working in the cafe as brothers and sisters went off to uni.

The gallery has seen dozens of exhi-

And 10 years on, three of the original

bitions, ranging from Warhol, Banksy and

team are still turning out every week -

Hirst, through the ceramics of Lotte Glob

how many SPL clubs can match that?

to the photography of David Peat, with 1950s vintage Danish lighting thrown in. What keeps us going? In the early days the broadcaster Sir Roy Strong wrote in our visitor’s book one word, ‘Inspiring’. Others who come every day all through the winter, for a

In the days of pay-no-taxes Amazon, Google and co, we get the energy to keep pushing forwards when you see people coming together, meeting, talking, sharing cultural experiences. As business owners we think that is part of what ‘society’ is about.

coffee and chat. Families who return from far down south year after year or even twice a year on their holidays.

www.aberfeldywatermill.com

Going Pottie For the last 7 years Julie Hunt has run her pottery business, Going, Pottie in Dunkeld; - her artistic flair given full reign once the immediate demands of a young family were past. The small, friendly studio space, which can seat up to 12 people, can be booked in advance for larger parties or just pop in and have a go.

Mini Jug

£10

Come in & see us!

Going Pottie, Cathedral Street Dunkeld, PH8 0JE T.

01350 728044

E. info@goingpottie.com Two

Handled Mug

£15

We are

open daily

Small

Teapot

£22

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www.goingpottie.com

Highland Cows

£12

Salt

COST EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING FROM £10*

& Pepper

£15

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Choose from a large, varied selection of bisque products to paint, from plates, teapots and toast racks to fairies, dragons and pumpkin lanterns. You can either have your piece glazed and fired or, by using acrylic finishes, take it away with you then and there. The shop is home to a large variety of our unique hand painted designs on mugs, jugs, plates, bowls and magnets for full houses! Very popular are our commissioned signature platters – choose the plate size and any artwork you fancy, before the wedding (or retirement, graduation, birthday – the list is yours!) and get your guests to sign it. Bring it back to us for glazing and firing and a memorable day is immortalized in pottery. Personalised commissions are taken too. Jaggedy Thistle, our new range, offers a complementary and eclectic mix of wooden bunting, coasters, decorations and funky acrylic badges designed by us. Swedish sourced toadstool night lights and Maileg mice add to the mix of interesting and quirky

effective advertising options for small businesses. Advertise in The Heartland Buzz Business Directory section from only £10 per month*. You will get a dedicated spot for advertising with the following:

Business Name

Description (150 Characters)

Contact Details

Web Address

gifts that offer something slightly unexpected and out of the ordinary.

Interested? Get in touch or see our rate card at the back of this magazine for more information.

Small

Rabbit

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large

Rabbit

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M 07414 242 447

* £12 + VAT or £10 + VAT / 3 months block booking.

e’re now in the month

table garden. It attracts lots of beneficial

of May and for me it’s

insects such as hoverflies and ladybirds,

the month of maybes.

who in turn will devour any unwelcome

You just never know

aphids they also find in your garden.

what to expect to be in bloom at this time

Despite its rather invasive self-seeding

of year…never mind the weather. It’s a

qualities it’s a great little plant to get the

month of rituals, when weather forecasts

kids involved in gardening. The seeds are

are faithfully watched each evening. I

quite large to handle; so easy for little fin-

dread hearing Sean Batty on STV utter

gers to sow. They’ll also enjoy observing

that ‘F’ word, frost…especially when my

all the insects that visit the flowers, know-

plum tree is in flower. I’ll be out in the

ing that their plants are helping our ever

back garden shrouding it in ghostly white

decreasing bee population numbers.

webs of horticultural fleece as far as I can

You don’t even need a garden to grow

reach, while at the same time trying not to

these in as the plants are good in planted

fall off the ladder. As much as I’m tempt-

containers and window boxes too. The

ed to plant out my summer bedding, I’m

best news is that it’s still not too late to

more of a frugal gardener than an adven-

start sowing these for flowers later this

turous one. I garden in a frost pocket, so I wait until the end of May to plant these in my Perthshire garden. There’s one little bright and cheerful plant that doesn’t need to be a ‘maybe’ in the May garden as it’s so reliable each year. It’s the Poached Egg Plant - Limnanthes douglassi; named after the Perthshire botanist David Douglas, who brought it back from the west coast of America dur-

of lush green ferny foliage. Once it’s established in the garden it will spread and self-seed each year. You might just have to be ruthless with its offspring, as it can self-seed in new and unpredictable parts of the garden. To avoid this it’s very easy to cut back some of the plants straight after flowering.

It’s so easy to grow and loved by bees for

The flowers can last for such a long sea-

flowers. By mid-May the self-sown plants

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summer!

bloom garden, above a ground covering

ing the 1820’s. its fragrant, nectar and pollen rich single

start to flower in profusion in my leavesn-

son and it’s a really useful companion plant to grow on the allotment or vege-

by Rosie Nixon who can be found writing about her own Perthshire garden at leavesnbloom.com

The seeds will germinate between 14-21 days and their eventual height is 15cms.

How To Grow... Pick a sunny spot in welldrained soil, making sure it is weed free and has a nice crumbly texture.

Make some semi-circle drills approx. 3mm deep, 10cms

You can sow the seeds straight into the ground where they are going to flower.

Once the seedlings are large enough to handle they can

apart and thinly sprinkle the seeds into the drills. Cover the seed with some soil and water gently. Water the seed drills regularly especially in dry weather.

be thinned out and spaced about 10cm apart. Sow any time between March and June for flowers in the summer. Sow later in September for flowers next spring.

Tip! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t plant all the seeds at onceâ&#x20AC;Ś plant some every few weeks so that you can have continuous flowers later in the summer. 61

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Looking to advertise in our next issue? Our advertising prices are both transparent and competitive. We also offer discounted prices for advanced 3 month block bookings. Alongside our standard advertising we also offer flyer packages at great prices. All our packages are designed, printed and packaged alongside our magazine

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