Inverness November 10

NOVEMBER 2010

FREE

®

SpotLight The North’s Favourite FREE wee mag’!

on Inverness and district ...information on your community

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC WINDOW CLEANING Alterations

Extensions & New Builds

Refurbishments Joinery Specialists

For free professional advice contact Andrew on 07869 110094 / 01463 223086

MORAY COAST VETERINARY GROUP West Road Greshop Estate Forres

Tel: 01309 672243 Fax: 01309 676710

www.moraycoastvetgroup.co.uk Modern well-equipped surgical facilities Full Range of services for household pets, Equine & Farm animals

Acupuncture G Allergy testing G Ultrasonic dentistry G Ultrasound G Endoscopy/Bronchoscopy G Nurse clinics G Visiting specialist ophthalmologist G Full in house lab facilities for instant diagnosis G Digital xray processing G Dedicated equine vets G Full range of pet and horse feeds

BRANCH SURGERIES

NAIRN St Ninian Road 01667 453161 LOSSIEMOUTH 68 Queen Street 01343 815335 BALLOCH Culloden Road 01463 794224 24 Hour Emergency cover for clients on 01309 672243

MULTIPLE STORIED BUILDINGS A SPECIALITY USING PURE WATER FED POLE TECHNOLOGY

Stevenson & Foster Telephone

01343 850051 or 07877 226 169 Regular & Reliable

No Streaks - Guaranteed!

Full office cleaning available - ask for details.

1

st

1st

Christmas Is A Coming ...And You Know What That Means.....

Ce elebrate Than With 1st Pizza Party Time!!!! And What Betterr Way To Celebrate Directs Original And Best Party In n A Box!! For Office Offfice fice Partys, Work Work o Bashes, Family Gatherings Or Just Having The Lads ads (Or The Girls) Round For A Few Beers What Better Way To Celebrate Than With The Famous Mega Party Pack!

TTAKE AKE 2 - YES 2... ...of our freshly baked Extra Large Pizza bases (deep pan or traditional its up to you) spread with our special pizza sauce and slathered with loads of pure Mozzerella. T Top op them your way with up to four of our delicious toppings on each one Baked to perfection and served with Fresh Garlic Bread. Fresh Garlic Cheese Bread. 8 crunchy Chicken Dippers with a BBQ dip. 8 lightly spiced Chicken Wings, Large Coleslaw,, Crispy Onion Rings and a large box of chunky chips ...phew add it all up and this gives you in excess of 50 quids worth of the most deliously mouthwatering party food you can think of Its yours for just

£25.00

....What ....W hat a deal!!!

THE MEGA BURGER Take 2 of our 100% British Beef 1/4 Pounders, topped with thick cut Bacon and loads of Cheese, Ch Sandwiched in a floured Bap Ba and served with your choice of - Fried Onions, Relish, Ketchup, Mustard, M Mayo or Salad (it comes plain p if you don’t don t tell us!) and don’t don t forget our deliciously Chunky Chips C ....All for just

£5.90

And for this month only b buy a Mega Burger with Chips a and get a box of BBQ Wings abso absolutely

FREE!!!

MAC ‘N’ CHEESE

MIDWEEK A MADNESS

Everyones favourite Our Homemade Macaroni Cheese is fantastic, real Italian Pasta, creamy Cheese sauce and the flavour sensation that can only come from mature Scottish Cheddar makes this a real winner with everyone, served with chunky Chips to mop up that sauce!!!

And this month buy a Macaroni Cheese with Chips...for just

MONDAY MON DAAY

FREE FISH*!!!

Buy a Haddock Haddock and Chips and get a single single Haddock Haddock FREE!!

£3.95

and get a portion of fresh garlic bread for FREE!!!

FRIED CHICKEN* & CHIPS

TUESDAY TUE SDAAY

FREE PIZZA!!!

Any Pizza any siz e size more with 4 or more toppings and get another the same FREE!!

Like Salt n Pepper or Suger and Spice these two were just meant to be together Take 5 boneless strips of pure Take Chicken Breast, lightly battered in Batter, fried to our own special Batter, perfection and served with loads of Chunky Chips and Homemade Coleslaw......yours for just Coleslaw.....yours

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAAY

FREE KEBABS!!!

KEBABS!!!

Buy any large large K Kebab ebab and get a rregular egular the same FREE!!

£5.70

But for this month everyone is going to get a delishh Corn on the Cob for FREE

DELIVERY DELIV VER RY HO HOTLINES TLINES

CULLODEN ULLODEN 01463 798400 Unit 2, Keppoch Road

INVERNESS NVERN 01463 717171 Unit 2, Glenurquhart Road

NAIRN AIRN

01667 456268

The Bus Station

DINGWALL NGWA

01349 864979

61 High Street

*Not aavailable vailable at at our Dingwall Dingwall store store

ORDER ONLINE AT www.1stpizzadirect.co.uk

SpotLight In this issue......

Clubs & Societies 3 Road Trip 4 Pastoral letter 6 Tide Times 6 Church Details 8 What’s On 9/10 Cinema Guide 11 Chef’s Confidential 12 Council News 14 School Dates 16 Useful Contacts 17 Go Wild on Mussels 18 Local Holidays 19 Advertisers Index 19 SAMPLe ADveRT RATeS Box £53.00 Big Box £101.00 ¼ Page £185.00 ½ Page £351.00 Business Profile £597.00 Full Page £664.00 enhanced Listings in What’s On pages from £57 All rates are per month plus vAT and based on a Black & White 12 month series.

Deadline for December issue is Wednesday 10th November.

Call 01309 690063 for more details. SpotLight on Inverness is published by Winterburn Media Ltd, Comraich, Woodside Farm, Kinloss Iv36 3UA All material contained within the SpotLight magazines is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertiser artwork or any other content, without the publishers prior consent, will be considered to be a breach of copyright.

ABERNETHY GOLF CLUB

FAMILY FIRST

Nethy Bridge, tel: 01479 821305, visit www.abernethy golfclub.com

Family First offers a support service to families with at least one child 0-3 years of age. tel: 703033 or email: alisonstanley@ smoothmail.co.uk

BEAULY ANGLING CLUB

Established around 1960, the club provides sea trout and salmon fishing to residents of Beauly as well as to visitors. Visit www.beauly-anglingclub.co.uk CAPITAL SKATEPARK GROUP

Tel: 714516 or email: agapeclothing@ hotmail.co.uk CHANONRY SAILING CLUB

Chanonry Sailing Club provides a safe and fun environment for people from all walks of life to come together and sail.

The Harbour, Fortrose, tel: 01381 621973 www.chanonry.org.uk/ CROY & CULLODEN MOOR SENIOR CITIZENS' LUNCH CLUB

Church Hall, Croy, alternate Wednesdays, 1pm-3pm, £3 for 2 course meal and afternoon tea. Enjoy dominoes, jigsaws and other activities DRAKIES BOWLING CLUB

Tel: 237033

SpotLight - Inverness and District

HIGHLAND BONSAI SOCIETY

Meets on 3rd Wednesday of every month in Balloch Village Hall at 7.30pm. For more infomation contact Chris tel: 01349 865485 INVERNESS ANGLING CLUB

For details please contact Don MacKay, Inverness Angling Club, 4 Maxwell Drive, Inverness IV3 5EX www.inverness anglingclub.co.uk

PINK CASTLE PHILOSOPHY CLUB

Fun and sociable chat with meaning for the LGBT community and all their friends. Visit www.pinkcastle.eu or tel: 07745 930383 STARLIGHT MUSICAL THEATRE

We are a new amateur musical theatre group and will soon be holding initial workshops in preparation for casting ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, to be performed in August 2011 at Eden Court Theatre. For more information or to express an interest please e-mail starlightmusicaltheatre @live.co.uk with your contact details.

THE WAY FOUNDATION

INVERNESS SEA CADETS

Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7.15pm9.30pm, tel: 226069 INVERNESS SWIMMING CLUB

Inverness Leisure, Bught Lane. We are a competitive club. Club night is Wednesday from 6.15pm, but training sessions are throughout the week.

INVERNESS RADIO CLUB

Contact Mr Norman Baird, tel: 242841 www.spotlighton.co.uk

Help each other rebuild our lives after widowhood. Call us on 0870 011 3450 or email info@wayfoundation .org.uk WILDCATS CHEERLEADERS

Tel: 01463 792360 Mobile: 07912650440 www.wildcatcheer leaders.co.uk If you would like details of your club or society included please let us know. Not all clubs will be listed every issue.

November 2010 - page 3

T TOMINTOUL O M I N TO U L Tomintoul T omintoul - the highest village vil in the Highlands and gateway to the Cairngorms. Idyllically situated on the River Av von, this settlement Avon, settle was first recorded in 1775, the aftermath of the Jacobite uprising.

ROAD TRIPS Sponsored by Alan Milne (Elgin)

oasis in Once described as the ‘‘oasis Tomintoul accommo-the glens’, T omintoul accommo acco dates 3 wonderful hotels and ample amounts of Guest Houses.

W alking, Fishing Walking, Fishing,, Cycle Hire and Horse Riding are just a few activities available all year round.

Combined with the local museum and the visitor centres at Glenlivet Tomintoul and T omintoul Distilleries* there is something for everyone!

Our recommendation for a day trip or a weekend visit is a must.

ROUTE Inverness - Tomintoul Tomintoul A9 - A95 - A939

48mls 1hr 7min

Tomintoul Nairn T omintoul A939 - Speybridge - A939

38mls 56min

Tomintoul Forres T omintoul A940 - Speybridge - A939

36mls 54min

Tomintoul Elgin Tomintoul A941 - A95 - A939

36mls 59min

HORSE RIDING

Tomintoul 44mls Buckie T omintoul A96 - A95 - B9136 - A939 1hr 12min Tomintoul Keith T omintoul A95 - B9136 - A939

35mls 55min

1,3L, average 40mph.

BUCKIE

STAR ST TAR RA RATING ATING

ELGIN

*Closed Oct - Mar Mar..

FORRES

A96 A98

NAIRN

A96

KEITH A96

A940 A939

Aberlour

IINVERNESS NVERNES ES SS

A95 GLENLIVET

A939

A9

A95

Grantown on Spey

TOMINTOUL T O OMINTO TOUL DRINKING WELL TOMINTOUL

A95

A939

FA N TA S T I C U S E D CAR PRICES PE U 5 D GEO T oor Est 3008 ate 1.6 H

Peugeot 207, 1.6 Hdi 90 Sport 5Dr -Special

Peugeot 308 Hatchback

ÂŁ200

Di S por t

Discount voucher when presented against used cars.

Voucher to be presented before negotiating a deal.

www www.beavtrav.com .beavtrav.com

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SKI OPEN DAY IN ELGIN

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Tuesday 2nd November 2-6pm in our Elgin branch Come and meet the experts from 2 Ski Operators

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Inghams and Ski Independence Get your free tickets from our Forres or Elgin shops

!

CRUISE CR UISE IN ST STYLE YLE

We have have br brochures ochures for for all the major Cruise Cruise companies companies currently deals.. and cur rently some very very aattractive ttractive deals Pop Beaver choice Pop along tto oB eave er Travel Travel for choic ce e in C Cruising ruising

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FORRES 01309 672203

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ELGIN 01343 0 1343 5 548844 48844

Beaver Travel, 78 High Street, Forres also at: 2-6 South Street, Elgin Be Beaver aver Travel Travel in Forres Forres is also a ticket ticket agent agent for for Eden Eden Court Cour t Theatre, Theatre, Inverness Inverness - at Box Box Office Office Prices

SpotLight Picture by Natalie Hunt, Copyright

I recently had to face an interview panel to develop the work I’m involved with in our church. As I prepared for this often daunting experience, I tried to think ahead to some of the questions that would inevitably come up: “why do you want to be involved in this area of work?”, “what would you do in this situation?”, “how would react in these circumstances?”, “which aspect of this work would you find most challenging?”

I’m sure many of you have been in a similar interview style situation.

couple as they live out this wonderful commitment made to each other.

In mentally preparing answers as honestly and fully as I could, I was struck by how crucial our response to questions can often be. The success of the interview I was involved with was largely determined by how I answered the questions put to me.

"Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

(Mark 8:27-29)

In a few weeks time, I look forward to attending a wedding ceremony and celebrating with the happy couple as they become husband and wife. The pivotal point of a wedding ceremony is when the bride and groom are asked if they are willing to give themselves to one another, to love and be faithful to each other “for as long as they both shall live”. The usual response is “I do”. This response has a huge impact on the

LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN NOVEMBER Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times AM PM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

M T W TH F SA SU

01.22 02.33 03.33 04.25 05.11 05.54 06.34

page 6 - November 2010

13.46 15.07 16.00 16.48 17.32 18.13 18.53

There is one question the response to which, I believe, is even more crucial than an answer given to any interview panel or the response by a bride or groom at a wedding. This question was first asked around 2000 years ago by Jesus as he and his disciples travelled between villages near a place called Caesarea Phillipi. Jesus said to his disciples:

Starting from a general question about who people thought Jesus was, the focus narrows and Jesus asks his disciples pertinently, “who do you say I am?” The response from Peter is emphatic: “You are the Christ”. Here was a recognition that the person standing before Peter was not just one prophet among many or merely a gifted man. No, here was the Son of the living

8 M 9 T 10 W 11 TH 12 F 13 SA 14 SU 15 M 16 T 17 W 18 TH 19 F

AM 07.12 07.49 08.23 08.23 08.43 09.35 00.14 01.33 02.32 03.12 03.36 04.03

tel: 01309 690063

PM 19.34 20.18 21.05 21.58 23.00 10.56 13.41 14.42 15.23 15.57 16.36

God, the one who was soon to demonstrate God’s love by dying on the Cross and who demonstrated God’s power by defeating death and rising again.

Through Jesus’ perfect life, he alone could die in our place to bring forgiveness and spiritual life to those who trust in Him. The response from Peter’s lips “You are the Christ” reflected the attitude of his heart- he trusted in Jesus and was committed to following Jesus in all that he did. Peter knew a sense of forgiveness for all the wrong he had done and he could look forward in his words “to the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11).

“Who do you say I am?” That was the question Jesus originally asked all those years ago to Peter and the other disciples. It is a question that has had a huge impact on our world in the centuries since then and it remains a crucial question today for you and I and all who would read this letter. What is your response, who do you say Jesus is?

Gordy Mackay Culduthel Christian Centre

20 SA 21 SU 22 M 23 T 24 W 25 TH 26 F 27 SA 28 SU 29 M 30 T

AM 04.41 05.24 06.05 06.45 07.21 07.49 07.50 08.33 09.55 11.11 00.38

PM 17.14 17.54 18.34 19.15 19.55 20.41 21.33 22.29 23.30 12.21

SpotLight - Inverness and District

MORAY

art C E NTR E

“Friendly and professional” “Allowed me to relax & explore my creativity”

Classes: beginners, young people & ongoing include: •Painting •Drawing •Textile arts •Print making •Photography •Sculpture & Ceramics •Jewellery & Silver work •Animation & Filmmaking •Music, Drama & Theatre

For bookings and more information, please contact us on: 01309 692426 info@morayartcentre.org MORAY ART CENTRE,The Park, Findhorn, Forres, IV36 3TA

www.morayartcentre.org

SpotLight Picture by Rachael Jones, Copyright

Black Isle Charge Episcopal Churches 1 Deans Road, Fortrose, tel: 01381 622241 Cale House, C of S, Millburn Road, Inverness, tel: 718616 Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness tel: 222795 Pastor Reverend Bill Slack www.culduthelchristiancentre.org Culloden, C of S, 45 Oakdene Court, Culloden, Inverness Croy & Dalcross Parish Church C of S, Croy Village, serices every Sunday at 12 noon Dingwall Baptist Church, Tulloch Street, Dingwall www.dbc.org.uk Dingwall Episcopal Church, St James The Great Castle Street, Dingwall tel: 01349 862204 www.stjames-stannes.org.uk Dingwall Catholic Church, St Lawrence 21 Castle Street, Dingwall tel: 01349 863143 Free North Church, Bank Street, Inverness, tel: 224332 www.freenorthchurch.org Hilton, C of S, Tomatin Road, Inverness, tel: 233310 www.hiltonchurch.org.uk Inshes, C of S, Sir Walter Scott Dr, Inverness tel: 226727 www.insheschurch.org Inverness Baptist Church, 69 Castle Street, Inverness Rev Tom Urquhart email tajurquhart@btinernet.com tel: 223506 Inverness Crown Church, C of S, 3 Midmills Road, Inverness, tel: 230537 Inverness Methodist Church, Huntly Street, Inverness tel: 231170 or visit www.churchesinverness.com North Kessock, C of S, Main Street, North Kessock tel: 731712, www.churchofscotland.org.uk

Old High St Stephen's, C of S, 1. Old High Church, Church Street, Inverness tel: 250802; 2 Southside Road at Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness tel: 250802 www.oldhighststephens.com St Andrew's Cathedral, Scottish Episcopal Church, Ardross Street, Inverness, tel: 233535, www.invernesscathedral.com St Columba, Inverness, C of S we meet at 11am each Sunday at Holm Primary School, Alpha Course between now & Christmas, at 11am each Sunday & stay for lunch!

Contact Murray McCheyne info@stcolumbainverness.org, tel: 07535 290092 or visit www.stcolumbainverness.org St John the Evangelist, Episcopal Church, Southside Road, Inverness. Sunday Service at 10.45am and Holy Communion on Wednesdays at 11am. Tel: 716288 or visit the website www.stjohns-inverness.com St. Ninian's Catholic Church, 21 Culduthel Road, Inverness tel: 236620, www.saintninians.org.uk St. Mary's Catholic Church, 30 Huntly Street, Inverness tel: 233519, www.stmarysinverness.co.uk St Mary-in-the-Fields, Episcopal Church, Culloden, Sunday Service 9.45am and Holy Communion on Fridays at 10.30am. Tel: 716288 or visit the website www.stjohns-inverness.com Salvation Army, 84 Firthview Drive, Inverness tel: 225276 www.salvationarmy.org.uk Smithton Free Church, Murray Road, Smithton, Inverness tel: 790977, www.freechurch.org

If you are a member of a church not listed here please email us with details and we may print this in future issues.

Calling all budding amateur photographers!

Would you like to see your photos in print?

We are looking for local landscapes and interesting photos which we would be happy to acknowledge to you.

Please send any pictures in jpg format to natalie@spotlighton.co.uk page 8 - November 2010

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight - Inverness and District

Advertise your event here, Call 01309 690063 or email natalie@spotlighton.co.uk Deadline for December issue is Wednesday 10th November.

SpotLight

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2010

OCTOBER 26 tuesday

the opera bus - scottish opera ‘the marriage of figaro’, 7.15pm at eden court theatre, inverness, coach

community & arts centre, £13/£5, tel 01667 453476

pick up points along a96 from keith to nairn, ticket & coach £38 approx. (coach only £7 return) tel. 01343 835258

scottish opera presents ‘carmen’, 7.30pm, nairn

27 saturday

dingwall scottish country dance club rally, 7.30pm11.30pm, strathpeffer community centre, dancing to lindsay weir’s band, further details from fiona tel: 01997 423373

29 friday

cinema nairn - the hurt locker (15), 7.30pm, nairn community centre, king street, nairn, £4 aduts/£3 under 18’s, visit www.cinemanairn.blogspot.com for details

30 saturday

hocus pocus - spooky halloween walk in the grounds of brodie castle, dooking for apples & other activities, 6pm-7.30pm, adults £2/children £4/family (2+2) £10, tel: 0844 493 2156 rave on - a tribute to buddy holly, 7.30pm, strathpeffer pavilion, £14.50/£13.50/£5, visit www.strathpeffer pavilion.org or tel: 01997 420124

30 saturday october - 2 tuesday november bioneers at findhorn - sustainability conference and celebration, universal hall, findhorn, to book tel: 01309 691653 or visit www.findhorn.org/bioneers

6 saturday & 7 sunday

exclusively highlands christmas craft fair, 11am-4pm, strathpeffer pavilion, free entry, visit www.exclusivelyhighlands.co.uk

9 tuesday

blood donors, 1.30pm-4pm and 5pm-8.30pm, nairn community centre

the pink castle philosophy club - spotlight on ‘humanism’, 7.30pm, riverside lounge, glen mhor hotel, ness bank, inverness, visit www.pinkcastle.eu

the key to happiness - open talk with phakchok rinpoche, 7.30pm, universal hall, findhorn, £7

The Key to Happiness Tuesday 9th November 7.30pm £7 Open talk by Phakchok Rinpoche, a young, dynamic teacher who loves a good discussion and has studied with many of the great Tibetan meditation masters of our time - The Universal Hall, Findhorn.

Further information on RInpoche’s programme from 8-11th Nov. available from 0778 453 1420 or info@gomdescotland.org

13 saturday

NOVEMBER 1 monday

the tobacco merchant’s lawyer, 7.30pm, eden court theatre, inverness, £8/£7, tel: 234234

earl haig ceilidh, 7.30pm, nairn community and arts centre, tel: 01667 453476

the island tapes, 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion, visit

3 wednesday to 7 sunday

www.the islandtapes.com/david.html

moray piano competition - qualifying, from 9.30am, elgin town hall, www.moray-piano-competition.co.uk

8th inverness film festival, tel: 234234

5 friday

chris stout & catriona mckay, 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion, £12/£5 on-line from www.thebooth.co.uk and www.ticketweb.co.uk, who also offer a 24/7 telephone ticket service on 0844 477 1000

14 sunday

moray piano competition - finals, from 2.30pm, elgin town hall, www.moray-piano-competition.co.uk

15 monday

6 saturday

starlight musical theatre : first workshop for jesus christ superstar, 7.30pm, jim love studio, eden court

produce and goods on sale, eastgate precinct orienteering at lossie forest, 10.15am-11am, two different courses to challenge your navigation skills and fitness in moravian’s popular saturday series of events, £3 adults/£2 juniors, for more details visit www.moravianorienteering.org

theatre, inverness, for more details e-mail starlight musicaltheatre@live.co.uk

inverness farmers market, 8.30am-4.30pm, local

SpotLight - Inverness and District

18 thursday - 21 sunday

friends of the pavilion spectacular annual art fair, strathpeffer pavilion, visit www.strathpeffer pavilion.org or tel: 01997 420124

www.spotlighton.co.uk

November 2010 - page 9

culloden, tel: 716288

HOW THe “WHAT’S ON” WORKS All line listings are free Send us details of any events coming up to natalie@spotlighton.co.uk Permissable events include any event open to the public (whether they have a ticket price or not, charitable or moneymaking) such as; pub music, entertainment, coffee mornings, fetes, fairs, rallies, walks, runs, sports, theatre, drama, car boots, markets, crafts, equestrian, fundraising etc etc...

If you would like an enhanced listing (white box) this costs from £57 plus vat. Call 01309 690063 for details.

Deadline for December Issue is Wed 10th November.

NOVEMBER 19 friday

beauly gallery annual christmas/winter preview show, 7pm-9pm, beauly gallery, with exhibitions featuring local artists and music by bill francis, the kirk coffee shop will also be open, raffle & surpises on the night, for more details tel: 783508 or visit www.beaulygallery.co.uk

19 friday & 20 saturday

liet international 2010, top european music acts and international media will flock to Inverness this november to engage in one of the most unique song competitions on the european cultural calender, visit www.liet2010.com

20 saturday

cinema nairn - snow falling on cedars (15), 7.30pm, nairn community centre, king street, nairn, £4 aduts/£3 under 18’s, visit www.cinemanairn.blogspot.com for details

26 friday

blue light disco, organised by northern constabulary for school pupils, visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org or tel: 01997 420124 music nairn presents pure brass from the rsamd, nairn community and arts centre, tel: 01667 453476

26 friday, 27 saturday, 21 sunday

christmas craft fair, brodie castle, tel: 0844 493 2156

27 saturday

christmas sale, 10.30am-12noon, st john the evangelist, southside road, inverness, tel: 716288

christmas sale, 1pm-3pm, st mary in the fields,

THE MORAY MORAY AY O COMPETITION 2010 201 10 PIANO EL LGIN TOWN O ELGIN HALL Saturday 13th November - Qualifying Rounds DP DP SP SP

Programme £3 Admission FREE 6XQGD\ WK 1RYHPEHU ),1$/6 SP

),1$/6 SP Tickets at door Adult dult – £7 (no concession) 18 Children under 1 8 FREE Adjudicators: Lucy Parham ham and Graham Scott Scott Outstanding young pianists ts from home and and abroad abroad compete compete for for a share of prize money totalling otalling £4000 www.moray-piano-competition.co.uk -piano-competition.co.uk The Moray Piano Festival Trust is a registeredd Scottish Scottish Charity Charity No. No. SC032432 SC032432

page 10 - November 2010

dingwall choral society christmas concert, visit www.dingwallchoralsociety.co.uk

st columbas church ceilidh & supper, nairn community and arts centre, tel: 01667 453476

27 saturday & 28 sunday

elgin model fair, 10am-5pm, organised by elgin model railway club, elgin town hall, ample parking, disabled access, adults £4; children/ conc. £2.50; family (2+2) £9.50; children under 5 free, rail layouts in various scales; boats; planes; digital scalextric, etc. specialist hobby suppliers and refreshments, contact duncan macrae tel: 01343 546725 or 0775 905 4668 or modelfair@elginmodelrailwayclub.co.uk

DECEMBER 2010 in brief 2 thursday a gaelic christmas evening with music by fiona j. mackenzie and poetry by angus peter campbell, 9pm, tickets £9, visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org or tel: 01997 420124 3 friday caledon - scotland’s tenors, 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion, tickets £13 (£5 for school pupils) on sale soon, www.strathpefferpavilion.org or tel: 01997 420124 or visit www.caledonmusic.com 4 saturday inverness farmers market, 8.30am-4.30pm, local produce and goods on sale, eastgate precinct 10 friday & 11 saturday cinderella - the pantomine comes to phipps hall, beauly, friday & saturday 7.30pm £7/£5 concessions - saturday only 2.30pm £6/£4 concessions, in aid of highland hospice, info and tickets from liz hoey tel: 01463 831422; robertson’s larder and morison’s hardware of beauly 11 saturday thank you for the 70’s!, 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion, a celebration of 70s music, including an abba tribute, from the team who brought us abba-cadabra, tickets £13 (£5 for school pupils) on sale soon, tel: 01997 420124 or visit visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org 17 friday showstopperz - another concert by the exciting invernessbased group led by gail and reno troilus, 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion, including both professional and talented amateur singers, more details soon, www.showstopperz.co.uk 18 saturday cinema nairn - the pink panther (PG), 7.30pm, nairn community centre, king street, nairn, £4 aduts/£3 under 18’s, visit www.cinemanairn.blogspot.com for details the peatbog faeries, 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion, skye’s peatbog faeries have become one of scotland’s bestknown names in contemporary folk music and have taken their individual brand of scottish music to audiences all over the world, tickets £15 (standing only) on sale soon www.peatbogfaeries.com 31 tuesday hogmanay shindig, from 9pm, strathpeffer pavilion, the pavilion’s now famous, family-friendly hogmanay shindig, tickets £21 (£14 for under 14’s) on sale soon, www.strathpefferpavilion.org

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight - Inverness and District

Moray Playhouse, Elgin New Screenings begin on Fridays Call 01343 542680 or visit www.morayplayhouse.co.uk

Portessie Public Hall Regular films including Saturday matinees.

Cinema Listings November 2010

For further details email portessiepublichall@hotmail.co.uk

Vue Cinema, Inverness From 5th November Let Me In Faster From 12th November Skyline From 19th November Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 KidsAM - Every Saturday & Sunday at 10.15am - 95p per ticket Seniors Club - Every Tuesday at 12.30pm - £3 inc. refreshments NEW Teen Screen Every Thursday & Friday £1.95 2D or £2.95 3D

Eden Court Theatre, Inverness The Town The Wildest Dream Certified Copy Krabat The Edukators plus many others

Visit www.myvue.com for details

Visit www.eden-court.co.uk or call 01463 234234 for details

Cinema Nairn 20th November 7.30pm Snow Falling On Cedars (15)

Visit cinemanairn.blogspot.com or contact Nairn Community Centre on 01667 453476 for details

Universal Hall, Findhorn Showing films throughout the year. Visit www.findhorn.org/uhall or call 01309 691170 for details.

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November 2010 - page 11

SpotLight

My Little Chocolate Pots

As the title gives away, this recipe is for a truly chocolately and sexy pud!

You can use it to impress your friends or just to indulge, sitting on the sofa watching an old black and white movie.

Ingredients 300g of plain chocolate with at least 60%cocoa solids 20g of unsalted butter 6 egg yolks 200ml of double cream 150ml of full cream milk 75g of caster sugar fresh raspberries or strawberries to dress.

Makes 8 pots

Photograph by Lucy Knott Š

How to make them little pots ....

Break the chocolate into a heat proof bowl and rest over a pan of simmering water, until the chocolate all melts. Once melted, remove and stir in your egg yolks.

Put the cream and milk into a pan and bring to the boil, stir in your sugar and slowly add your chocolate mix - use some engery and some calories up here by given the miture a really good whisk! - lift the mixture to get some air into it.

Pour the mixture into moulds, coffee cups or ramekins and leave to set. To serve, add a little whipped cream to the top with some raspberries or strawberries.

Enjoy!

Photograph by Lucy Knott Š

page 12 - November 2010

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extRaCts fRom tHe DRaft miNutes of tHe meetiNg of 30tH sePtembeR 2010 of iNveRNess City Committee

• Chief inspector maclean provided a Report from Northern Constabulary on the level of incidents in the area, comparing 2009/10 with 2008/09. the Report conclusion was that there had been a decrease in the level of incidents during 2009/10 in comparison with the previous year. this applied to incidents generally, incidents of antisocial behaviour in the Kinmylies beat and also to incidents in the vicinity of the shelter.

• a number of participants referred to incidents of anti-social behaviour in the Kinmylies area which had resulted in calls to the police. in march 2010 there were disturbances involving youths and in august there was an incident at the academy where school staff had been subjected to abuse. Littering and fly-tipping by adults as well as young people was adding to the problem, particularly at the weekend. the Chief inspector stated that enforcement action had been taken extra patrols had been tasked in the area. this was disputed by other forum participants, who questioned whether these patrols had been visible and questioned, when the police did attend incidents, if effective action had been taken. Chief inspector maclean responded to confirm that there were extra patrols and that he himself had accompanied the officers on patrol. the general consensus was that the incidents which had happened would have occurred whether or not the youth shelter was located in the existing position. if removed, there was a risk that groups causing disturbance might relocate to the local shops or other locations. one participant called for more shelters to be provided.

• the issue of drinking alcohol in public was highlighted. the Chairperson advised that the inverness City Committee on 4th october was to consider a proposal to strengthen the existing byelaw prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public to include the possession of an open container containing alcohol. this meant that action could be taken whether or not the offender was actually seen drinking. a forum participant suggested that signs should be displayed locally warning that the byelaw applied to the area.

• gemma mackintosh, the Council’s newlyappointed youth Convener, called for

page 14 - November 2010

positive solutions to be explored. the Chairperson advised of the significant investment that the Council had made in facilities locally; the Ward Discretionary budget had invested a six-figure sum in play equipment. also the multi-use games areas at the Complex had cost around £160,000. the forum agreed that facilities for young people were not available when they were required i.e. on a friday and saturday night. there were good local facilities at the academy and the Community Complex which should be made more easily accessible to young people. suggestions included opening up the sports hall for football or “twilight” basketball sessions, cycling (trials riding) events, and using Coaching Highland volunteers for instruction/supervision and hosting competitive events. the street football events held by action for Children were cited as an example (although the recent street football events had not been well attended). activities for girls would need to be researched via the academy, with the Council’s youth Development staff involved.

• it was noted that the Church ran a successful youth club on a friday night so the immediate focus for new activities was on saturday evenings. action 1) Chief inspector maclean to review police operations in the area.

2) stewart Wardlaw to explore whether the Council’s street cleaning operations might be increased in the Charleston area to include the weekend.

3) Highland Councillors to explore whether signs highlighting the byelaw might be displayed locally.

4) Douglas Wilby to explore options to provide facilities/activities on saturday nights.

Question - “are the Councillors aware of the amount of broken bottles and litter generated and of young people urinating in open view and are they happy to actively encourage young people to be around alcohol fuelled activities? is it not an offence to drink on the streets of inverness? Why is it condoned at the youth shelter?” answer - Drinking is certainly not condoned at the youth shelter. it is an offence under the byelaw to drink alcohol in inverness. anyone observing such activity is encour-

tel: 01309 690063

aged to call the police.

Question - “there seems to be a city centre purge on litter, with bold statements being issued, and that people will be fined if caught, will this also be the case at the youth shelter?” answer - the Council’s teC services Committee has just agreed a new “zero tolerance” approach to litter. the Councils enforcement officers would target inverness and other main towns on a regular basis. the immediate emphasis would be on the City Centre and other areas with higher population densities.

Question - “How many complaints have they received regarding the shelter?” answer - the Council members had not received direct complaints but were made aware of the incidents referred to earlier by Council staff.

Question - “Do they feel that it has enhanced the entrance to the school and community complex?” answer - Councillor graham did not feel that the shelter has particularly enhanced the area.

Question - “the success of youth shelters abroad (where they originated in rural areas) occurred where youth workers engaged directly with the young people and encouraged alternative activities and worked with the young people towards developing a healthier lifestyle - if the youth shelter was built as part of a diversionary scheme, what activities have the young people taken part in and how has it reduced the number of alcohol related incidences in the area and how has it improved their quality of life opportunity?” answer - there has been a failure to provide diversionary activities to young people using the shelter. as agreed earlier, this was an area for improvement. shelters worked best where they are combined with other facilities, usually sports facilities.

Question - “Do the Councillors feel it has been worth £10,000?” answer - the shelter cost around £9,300. it was built to accredited safety standards for play equipment. Play equipment is expensive, and the Council always strives to get the best deal when purchasing such equipment.

SpotLight - Inverness and District

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SpotLight Picture by Roger Carr, Copyright

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page 16 - November 2010

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SpotLight - Inverness and District

SpotLight Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08456 005703 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 706014 Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Highland Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 National Rail enquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Ardersier Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Beauly Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318 Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252 Culloden Academy Community Complex . 01463 792794 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 vILLAGe HALLS & COMMUNITY CeNTReS Abriachan village Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861257 Ardersier Old School Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Cameron Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234785 Cannich Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 459224 Croy Public Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 493480 Culduthel Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712844 Farr Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01808 521244 Floral Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713553 Kiltarlity Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 741447 Kirkhill Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 831737 Merkinch Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239563 Phipps Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Smithton-Culloden Youth Centre . . . . . . . . 01463 793284 Smithton Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792794 Spectrum Centre & Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 221842 Stratherrick Public Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486464 Strathnairn Hall (Daviot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 772228 veTS Burgess & Donald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 237000 Crown vets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712202 Culloden veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 793700 eastgate veterinary Practice . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 230893 Fish vet Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 717774 Inshes veterinary Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 711777 Kessock equine veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . 01463 731107 Moray Coast vet Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794224 DOCTORS Beauly Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782794 Burnfield Medical Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 220077 Cairn Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712233 SpotLight - Inverness and District

Cromarty Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600224 Crown Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0844 576 9977 Drumnadrochit, Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 450577 Dunedin Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712157 Fairfield Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713939 Fortrose Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 772497 Foyers Medical Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486224 Kingsmills Medical Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235245 New Craigs Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 Riverside Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 715999 Raigmore Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 RNI Community Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 706966 Strathlene Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 870843 The Aird Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782214 The Surgery, Munlochy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 811200 DeNTISTS 11 Hilton village. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236873 21 Kingsmills Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233416 Abban Street Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 718140 Academy Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232423 Burnfield Dental Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 241515 Black Isle Dental Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 877082 Castle Heather Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . 01463 234598 Dalneigh Dental Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 243767 Dental Clinic, New Craigs Hospital . . . . . . 01463 704000 Fraser Street Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . 01463 242344 High School Dental Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235468 Highland Dental Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236295 Inshes Dental Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794949 Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 226358 Southside Surgical Dentistry Centre . . . . . 01463 710760 Southside Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Torwood Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712772 Dental Helpline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0845 6442271 PHARMACIeS Alliance Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 231192 Ardersier Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462615 Boots, eastfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 715343 Boots, eastgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 225167 Kinmylies Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 221094 Lloyds Pharmacy, Church Street. . . . . . . . 01463 233208 Lloyds Pharmacy, Greig Street . . . . . . . . . 01463 233545 Rowlands Pharmacy, Grant Street . . . . . . 01463 232217 Rowlands Pharmacy, Balloan Park . . . . . . 01463 712171 Rowlands Pharmacy, Culloden . . . . . . . . . 01463 791900 Superdrug Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232587

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November 2010 - page 17

Go Wild on Mussels in the Moray Firth

SpotLight

The Common Mussel (Mytilus edulis) is found in many places in the Moray Firth. They can form huge beds particularly in areas where conditions are good for larval settlement, and where there is plenty of food. The largest wild mussel fishery in Scotland is in the Dornoch Firth and run by Highland Fresh Mussels Ltd. on behalf of the Highland Council. The fishery employs 4 staff, rising to 8 at busy harvesting periods, as well as supporting a number of jobs in shore based businesses. Income generated goes to the Tain Common Good Fund.

The mussel fishery has had a long association with the people of Tain. In 1612, ownership of the mussel scalps and the right to fish for mussels was bequeathed to the Royal Burgh of Tain by James vI of Scotland. The Dornoch Firth Mussels provided an important source of food during times of famine, and are today considered a highly desirable food item.

Approximately 60% of the mussels are exported directly to France. Much of the remainder is sold to two local companies in Tain, who clean and grade the mussels, pack them in 5kg bags and sell to customers across the UK. Mussels are extremely high in proteins, calcium and iron while being low in fat and calories. They are also excellent for your heart, containing the highest amount of Omega 3’s of any shellfish (this is the naturally occurring fatty acid that is believed to lower blood pressure).

The Dornoch Firth is regarded as an area of high ecological value. The Firth is virtually unaffected by industrial development and supports a wide range of marine and bird life.

Around one third of the Firth lies within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and forms part of the proposed Marine Special Area of Conservation.

Dornoch Firth mussels are not farmed like most of the mussels sold in supermarkets.

Wild beds are used that regenerate naturally and great care is taken to ensure these are not over-fished. Stock surveys are carried out annually using a variety of techniques including underwater cameras. These then determine the harvest levels for the coming year.

Mussels as a food Mussels are truly one of nature’s most delightful delicacies.

They are usually steamed, although they are wonderful grilled, baked, stewed or sauteed. It is difficult to understand why mussels have taken such a battering by the British palate. They are often dismissed as the delicacy that they are, perhaps due to the fact that there were once a staple part of our diet. europeans do not seem to have lost this and eat them by the bucketload!

Moules Mariniere 4lbs mussels, scrubbed and scraped Bunch of fresh herbs 4 tbsp onion, freshly chopped 1 oz butter unsalted 8 fl oz dry white wine 1 tsp lightly crushed black peppercorns 2 fl oz double cream

In a large pan with a tightly fitting lid, bring to the boil the herbs, onion, butter, wine and pepper. Add the mussels, return to the boil and cook over a high heat until all the mussels have opened.

Turn the mussels into a colander set over a bowl to collect all the liquor.

Put the mussels into a tureen to keep warm, then strain the liquor back into the pan through two thicknesses of muslin to remove sandy grit. Reduce the liquor by about a third to intensify the flavours, then add the cream and pour over the mussels.

Garnish generously with chopped parsley. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices and your desired quantity of dry white wine.

For further information on the mussel fishery in the Dornoch Firth and on purchasing mussels, please contact Dafydd Morris, Fisheries Development Officer, Highland Council. (dafydd.morris@highland.gov.uk) or check out the website at www.highlandmussels.com

page 18 - November 2010

tel: 01309 690063

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SpotLight 1st Pizza Direct ....................................................................2 Alan Milne Ltd ......................................................................5 Beaver Travel ........................................................................5 Big Sky Print ......................................................................13 Gold 375 ................................................Outside Back Cover Gomde Trust ........................................................................9 Moray Art Centre ..................................................................7 Moray Coast Veterinary Group............................Front Cover Moray Piano Competition ..................................................10 Mr. Builder ..........................................................................16

Holiday Dates 2010 / 2011 Inverness Holiday St Andrews Day Christmas Day * Boxing Day *

Monday 1st November Monday 30th November Monday 27th December Tuesday 28th December

River House Restaurant......................................................13 Robertson Homes ..............................................................13 Rollerbowl ..........................................................................15 Roof Wizard ........................................................................16 Scotengineering ..................................................................5 Stevenson & Foster Window Cleaners ..............Front Cover Unique Beauty ....................................................Front Cover Vista Development & Construction ....................Front Cover Wheelchair Care ................................................................16

New Years Day * 2nd January * Good Friday Early May Bank Holiday * substitue day

Monday 3rd January Tuesday 4th January Friday 22nd April Monday 2nd May

“ Parliament Blog ” Last month saw the annual rituals of the party conferences played out. Politics is a serious business at the moment – and it needs to be.

That does not means that there are not lighter moments and, in an effort to cheer us all up, one of the broadcasters appeared at each conference with a political ‘top trumps’ game which they have produced.

looking than my dashing colleague Vince Cable, but lag considerably behind poor old David Miliband whose good looks inexplicably failed to sway the Trade Union vote. We are all in the shadow of Conservative MP for Richmond Park, Zac Goldsmith, who scores a perfect 100.

As a proud Highlander, whether a compliment is intended or not, I take some consolation from the description of me in the accompanying blurb as ‘The government’s most powerful ginger.”

As you might imagine, the task of scoring politicians on the basis of their various attributes is not without its hazards. Inevitably the most talked about score was what they have called ‘fanciability’. They say: “There’s no accounting for taste but we’ve given it a go.”

It would be invidious of me to disclose here precisely where the supposed ‘panel of political experts’ placed me. Suffice it to say that I am deemed slightly better

SpotLight - Inverness and District

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Danny Alexander MP

The usual Blog from Fergus Ewing was not available this month.

Fergus Ewing MS P

November 2010 - page 19