APRIL 2014
I NV E R NE S S & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG
This Month’s Features Eating Out & Gardening
Are you looking for a reliable and inexpensive Accounting or Tax Service? For a FREE consultation Please call Wendy at
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easy to call • easy to click • easy to go ONLY SCOTTISH COMPANY LIKE US OPEN ‘TIL 9PM! All breaks include dinner, bed & breakfast. Hotels with
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include leisure facilities
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For more information visit www.easy-breaks.com/latedeals EDINBURGH Thistle Edinburgh, The King James
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mmer Spring & Su w
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Terms and conditions: All rates are per person, per break based on two guests sharing a double or twin room and include dinner, bed and breakfast unless otherwise stated, please check for family and single room rates and availability. All reservations must be pre-paid at time of booking by credit or debit card and an administration charge applies to each reservation. All rates are subject to availability which may be limited- when they’re gone, they’re gone, so book quickly to avoid disappointment. *If you find the same deal cheaper on any other third party booking site, we will match that rate. Full terms and conditions apply, please see website.
3 Critical Features to demand from Your New Vet... Moving to a new area is a challenging process for your family, your pet will be stressed by the process as well. At Moray Coast Vet Group we want you to know that we are here to help you and your pets settle into the area. Why would you use us? Well it’s simple really, we have been vets in this area for a very long time and can offer your pet the following 3 critical benefits: to a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Practice, Access meaning your pet will be treated to the highest standards. convenient surgery locations making it easy to get to us Four day and night. and well equipped surgeries meaning we can treat all routine Modern conditions without the need to refer your pet. So all you need to do now, for peace of mind for you and your pet, is call us to say ‘hello’ and we will do all that is necessary to register your pet with our practice. Oh, and we will call your old vet to request your pet’s existing notes, so we can be familiar with everything we need to know. Now that is peace of mind for your pet.
Call us now on: CARING FOR YOUR COMPANIONS
Forres Surgery (main branch) 01309 672243 Nairn Surgery 01667 453161 Lossiemouth Surgery 01343 815335 Balloch Surgery 01463 794224 24 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER 01309 672243 www.moraycoastvetgroup.co.uk
The Pride Collection
McCalls of Elgin
54 South Street
01343 540590
www.mccalls.co.uk
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www.1629lossiemouth.co.uk 1629restaurant@btconnect.com
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20 Clifton Rd, Lossiemouth IV31 6DJ Bookings Now being taken for (20th APRIL)
SPECIAL EASTER SUNDAY LUNCH (from 12pm) or TRADITIONAL HIGH TEA (from 5pm)
iches, Cakes, Gateaux and Pop down for Afternoon Tea, Sandw why not finish off with a glass of Prosecco.
2 COURSE BACK BY EARLY BIRD MENU POPULAR! 5.30 - 7.30pm Sunday to Friday £1 15.50 DEMAND per person
TRADITIONAL 3 COURSE SUNDAY LUNCH
12.30pm - 4pm
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La Caverna Caverna Cave erna LOSSIEMOUTH
CLUBS & SOCIETIES
81
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CONTINENTAL & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
ITALIAN TAPAS BAR & PIZZARIA
SUNDAY LUNCH 2 Course...£9.50 FISH SUPPER TEA* 4pm - 6pm...£9.50 *Fresh Local Fish cooked to your liking served with Bread & Butter, finished of with delicious Homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding.
01343 813027 Allergy Therapy
01309 690030 or 07796166172 eve.sm@btinternet.com Practising at The Riverdale Centre, Inverness and at Findhorn
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-angling-club.co.uk HIGHLAND LGBT FORUM Reg. charity with regular social events in Inverness for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Call 07512 231904 or visit www.gay-ness.org.uk INVERNESS & DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Apr - Sept. Call George Davidson, Smithton, Inverness tel: 798543 INVERNESS ADVANCED MOTORISTS 5 Tuesdays from 22nd April, 7:30pm, Holiday Inn Express, Inverness. Improve your driving with the Inverness branch of the IAM - lectures and practical tuition to bring you up to the IAM test standard. For details email info@inverness-iam.org INVERNESS CHORAL SOCIETY Mondays, 7:30pm (except summer holidays) at Smithton Free Church, Inverness. The largest choir in the Highlands, performing two classical concerts a year at Eden Court Theatre. New members welcome in Jan & Aug. For details visit www.invernesschoral.org.uk INVERNESS FLORAL ART CLUB Once a month enjoy a floral art demonstration by trained demostrators from all over the country. New members and visitors are welcome. Contact: Mary 224828 or Ann 238605. LGBT YOUTH SCOTLAND Youth group every Tuesday 7pm 9pm at The Bike Shed, Grant Street, Inverness. Email: kim.haines@lgbtyouth.org.uk
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Ca ttery
LOCH ACHONACHIE ANGLING CLUB Trout, Sea Trout & Salmon fishing on the Upper Conon & Blackwater rivers, Lochs Achonachie, Meig & Scardroy. www.laac.cononfishing.com LOCH NESS TOASTMONSTERS A group who’ve joined to face one of the most feared things in general life - speaking in public. If you are interested in taming your own beast get in touch at www.toastmonsters.co.uk MINI-NESS DOLLS HOUSE CLUB 2nd Wednesday each month. Promotes the hobby of dolls houses and miniature making. tel: 223590 or visit the website www.magpieminiatures.co.uk MORNING CALL FREE daily telephone call to be made to any person who needs the reassurance of such a call. Made between 8.30am & 10am. Call Alan Michael on 790410 NAIRN’S MEN’S BREAKFAST Meets third Saturday(not Jun or Dec) 9.45 at Dunbar Golf Club, Lochloy Road, Nairn. The opportunity for men of all ages & denominations to share how their life changed through faith in Jesus. Call Campbell 01667 455149 to book a place. PERFECTING LAW OF ATTRACTION CLASSES Teaching motivational self help for you to become all you can be, " the mind body matter conection". At Millburn Academy every Wednesday, 7pm to 9pm. Rolling eight week programme. £5 per week. For info and booking, text 07826543001, or go on www.perfectinglawofattraction.co.uk SAYLIG INVERNESS We look at all aspects of life for people with learning disability and/or autism, SHIRLIE Project, Inverness, tel: 716179 or email rona.mem@hotmail.co.uk
Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn Tel. 01667 454536 or
gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk
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Many different symptoms are linked to allergies, intolerances and deficiencies. Approximately one in three people now suffer from allergies at some point in their lives. Allergy Therapy applies muscle testing (kinesiology techniques, using an arm) to help find the cause of the problem. A full case history is taken and diet, hydration, supplements and natural ways to help the person back into balance are addressed. To find out more, please contact: Eve Swanson NHFdip; A.T.dip; mRAT; mBRCP
777 MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB Tel: 235231 or email: jeffgallagher@tiscali.co.uk
www.westwoodcattery.co.uk
Feline Advisory Bureau Registered, Listed in Good Cattery Guide
The Editor
Easter is upon us and hopefully some warmer weather to match! I overheard a conversation recently about the origins of Easter and it seems that there are as many theories for this as there are spring flowers in the parks. All I know is that it presents the best excuse yet for over-indulging in the consumption of chocolate at all times of the day. Long live Easter!!
PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes SALES ..........................Peter Evans ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LAYOUT .................Tamsyn Dickson
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PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS I recently went to visit a lady who had sadly been bereaved a few weeks before. I rang the doorbell, and waited, knowing that as she was quite elderly, there would be a bit of a wait until she came to the door. As I waited, I glanced idly around at her front garden. It had clearly been a work of love by the lady and her husband. A trim lawn was fringed with flower beds, trees and shrubs. There was a bench to sit and enjoy it. But not today! For it was a cold, damp January morning. The trees were bare. There were no blossoms on the shrubs. There were damp patches on the lawn. Altogether, the garden had that forlorn, end of winter look- all grey and damp. And then I noticed, in the damp earth of the flower beds, green shoots. The first bulbs of the spring were beginning to push through. In a week or two, snowdrops would give this rather forlorn garden some colour once more. It so happens that in the Northern Hemisphere, we celebrate Easter in springtime. Much of the symbolism of Easter we see in the shops- the Easter bunny, daffodils, Easter eggs- reflect that in our culture, Easter is, for many people,
simply a celebration of spring. There is nothing particularly Christian about any of that. People celebrate the return of spring in many different ways. Ancient religions certainly celebrated the coming of springtime, and the renewal of life which spring heralds. Years ago, I remember someone - who was not a Christian, but who knew of my interest in the Christian faith - saying to me, 'Oh, Easter is just a Christianised version of the old pagan religions, celebrating the end of the winter and the new life of spring'. But that sceptic was not quite right. For the thing about spring is that it is predictable. Provided the climate does more or less what it usually does, there will be flowers in the garden, eventually. But the original Christian story is not predictable at all. It is the story of a young man, a preacher, teacher and healer, who has a message that God's kingdom is very near. Ordinary folks loved the message, for it gave them hope. But the religious authorities, in league with the Romans who occupied Israel at the time, were offended by what Jesus had to say. So they connived to have him executed. They nailed him on a cross until he was dead,
Ardersier with Petty Parish Church, Church of Scotland Ardersier Sundays 10.15am. Petty Sundays 12 noon. Tel: 01667 462224. Avoch Congregational Church High Street, Avoch. Sundays 11.30am. Refreshments afterwards. www.avochcongregationalchurch.co.uk Black Isle Charge Episcopal Churches 1 Deans Road, Fortrose. Tel: 01381 622241. Cale House, Church of Scotland Millburn Road, Inverness. Tel: 01463 718616. Christian Group in Inverness Call 07724 992790 or visit www.christian-group-inverness.org CityLife Church Mercure Hotel, Church Street, Inverness. Sundays 10:30am. Tel: 01463 714839. Email: info@citylifechurch.org.uk. Website: www.citylifechurch.org.uk Culduthel Christian Centre Culduthel Avenue, IV2 6AS. Sunday family service at 11am and evening service at 6pm. Phone 01463 222795. Minister: Rev Bill Slack. All welcome. Culloden Baptist Church Culloden Academy. Sundays 10.30am. Tel: 01463 794005. Email: culloden.baptist@btconnect.com. Website: www.cullodenbaptistchurch.org.uk Barn Church of Scotland Culloden. Sundays 10.30am. First and third Sundays of the month 6.30pm service. www.barnchurch.org.uk Croy & Dalcross Parish Church Church of Scotland Croy Village. Every Sunday 12noon. Dalneigh & Bona Church of Scotland St Mary’s Avenue, Inverness. Bona Church, Lochend by Inverness: 10am. Dalneigh Church, St Mary’s Avenue, Inverness: 11.30am and 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 232439. Dingwall Baptist Church Tulloch Street, Dingwall. www.dbc.org.uk
page 6 - April 2014
and buried him in a rock tomb. And that, they thought, was the end of him. And yet, here we are, two centuries later, and against all the odds we are still talking about him. The disheartened band of disciples- most of whom fled when he was arrested and executed- became people absolutely convinced that Jesus- who had been dead- was now alive again. Their message: 'The Lord is risen indeed!' (Luke 24.34) would change the world. When we just celebrate the return of spring, we celebrate something completely predictable. But at Easter, the Church celebrates something quite unexpected. It's not just new life, when we'd expect it, because it's that time of year. It's new life even after the finality of death, something completely unexpected and unpredictable. May you know unexpected life and unpredictable joy this Easter!
Rev Peter W Nimmo BD ThM Old High St Stephen's Church of Scotland, Inverness www.oldhighststephens.com
Dingwall Castle Street Church of Scotland www.dingwall-church.co.uk Dingwall Catholic Church, St Lawrence 21 Castle Street, Dingwall. Tel: 01349 863143. Dingwall Episcopal Church, St James The Great Castle Street, Dingwall. Tel: 01349 862204. Website: www.stjames-stannes.org.uk Dingwall Free Church High Street. Sundays 11am and 6pm. Website: www.deep-river.co.uk Dores Fcc Reformed Church, Psalm Singing - New Building On The B862 Towards Fort William, near village centre. Sundays 11am (With Children's Program) & 6.30pm, Wednesdays 7.30pm. 01463 709729 www.dores-church.org.uk - Email: davideratti@fccontinuing.org - All Welcome - Translation Provided In Italian, French, Spanish. Ferintosh and Resolis Free Church Rev. Chris Smart. Website: www.ferintosh.org.uk Free North Church Bank Street, Inverness. Tel: 01463 224332. Website: www.freenorthchurch.org Fortrose Free Church, 5 Church Street, Fortrose, IV10 8TE. Sunday: 11.30am and 6pm. Website: www.freechurch.org Grace Community Church Inshes Primary School. Sundays 10.30am. Email: thenewseed@yahoo.com Highland International Church Palace Hotel, 8 Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5NG. Sundays 11am. www.hicinverness.org.uk Hilton, Church of Scotland Tomatin Road, Inverness. Tel: 01463 233310. Website: www.hiltonchurch.org.uk Listed A - H and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed and would like to be considered for inclusion or for any amendments please email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
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USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days Mothering Sunday British Summertime Starts Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Father’s Day
Sun 30th Mar 2014 Sun 30th Mar 2014 Fri 18th Apr 2014 Sun 20th Apr 2014 Mon 21st Apr 2014 Mon 5th May 2014 Mon 26th May 2014 Sun 15th Jun 2014
Longest Day Local Holiday ‡ Summer Bank Holiday Local Holiday ‡ British Summertime Ends Halloween Local Holiday ‡ ‡ Inverness
Sat 21st Jun 2014 Mon 7th Jul 2014 Mon 4th Aug 2014 Mon 6th Oct 2014 Sun 26th Oct 2014 Fri 31st Oct 2014 Mon 3rd Nov 2014
School Term Dates for 2013/2014 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Fri 4th Apr 2014 Good Friday Holiday Fri 18th Apr 2014 Easter Monday Holiday Mon 21st Apr 2014 Summer Term Starts Tues 22nd Apr 2014 May Day Holiday Mon 5th May 2014 Summer Term Ends Thurs 3rd Jul 2014 for 2014/2015 (all dates inclusive) In-Service Day Mon 18th Aug 2014
Autumn Term Starts In-Service Day In-Service Day Autumn Term Ends Autumn Holiday Starts Autumn Holiday Ends Winter Term Starts Winter Term Ends Christmas Holiday Starts
Tues 19th Aug 2014 Thurs 25th Sep 2014 Fri 26th Sep 2014 Fri 10th Oct 2014 Mon 13th Oct 2014 Fri 24th Oct 2014 Mon 27th Oct 2014 Fri 19th Dec 2014 Mon 22nd Dec 2014
Useful Contacts Ardersier Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Beauly Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111 Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318 Culloden Academy Community Complex . . . . . 01463 792794 Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531 Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Highland Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 Inverness Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 National Rail Enquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 DOCTORS Beauly Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782794 Burnfield Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 220077 Cairn Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712233 Cromarty Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600224 Culloden Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01463 793400 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
page 8 - April 2014
Raigmore Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 RNI Community Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 706966 Strathlene Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 870843 The Aird Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782214 The Surgery, Munlochy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 811200 Southside Road Surgery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710222 DENTISTS 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 House 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 Inshes Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794949 Inverness Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 255866 Ness Bank Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236295 Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 226358 Southside Surgical Dentistry Centre . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Southside Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Torwood Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712772 Dental Helpline 0845 6442271 Useful numbers are rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or if there are any amendments to be made to existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
R Counselling LOCAL DEPARTURES H Relationship & Addiction
Exploring and managing your life
UĂŠ,iÂ?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂƒiÂ?Â?ˆ˜} UĂŠ >Ă€Ă€Âˆ>}iĂŠĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ÂŤÂ?iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂƒiÂ?Â?ˆ˜} UĂŠ->“iĂŠ-iĂ?ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ÂŤÂ?iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂƒiÂ?Â?ˆ˜} UĂŠ ``ˆVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂƒiÂ?Â?ˆ˜} UĂŠ LĂ•ĂƒiĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ/Ă€>Փ>ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂƒiÂ?Â?ˆ˜} UĂŠ iĂ€i>Ă›i“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂƒiÂ?Â?ˆ˜} UĂŠ iÂŤĂ€iĂƒĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iĂƒĂƒ For further details contact Ramona on:
‡ Email: ramona@rhcounselling.co.uk Website: rhcounselling.co.uk
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FORRES 01309 672203
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After three years of bringing these superb heaters to Scotland demand is stronger than ever! A remarkably cosy heat with, in our opinion, some of the best running costs of any heating system currently availabble. Due to the flexibility of the system we have many customers who starrted withh one and have come back for more! Using a combination of convected and radiant heat, thhese slim adaptaable heaters can be supplied on feet, on castors or can be wall mounted. Storage heater problems? .. An ideal replacement!
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PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES Every Highlander can be proud of our superb primary schools. I recently showed off the excellent Ardersier Primary to my colleague, the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alistair Carmichael and the following week I was treated to a Dragon's Den style presentation by the pupils of Bunsgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis in ASDA supermarket. In Ardersier Primary, youngsters take part in a range of citizenship activities. Needless to say, the children were all very enthusiastic and incredibly well rounded. The staff are doing a wonderful job. The would be entrepreneurs of Bunsgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis also astounded. As part of youth enterprise which helps primary school children create and run their own company, the team of eleven year olds gave a very professional and articulate business pitch. No doubt we will see them on future episodes of The Apprentice! It is important that we encourage responsibility, creativity and innovation in our young people from an early age and I want to see more initiatives that help develop the next generation. Danny Alexander MP
LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN APRIL Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
TU W TH F SA SU M
AM 08:07 08:43 09:19 09:52 10:17 10:27 11:32
PM 20:34 21:07 21:38 21:45 21:50 22:31 23:40
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Legal Will Writers of Moray We offer a friendly professional and inexpensive service for Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Estate Planning, from Inverness to Aberdeen Free Info Pack - Home Visits - Wills by Post & Email
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page 10 - April 2014
People the world over are contra suggestive. For example, on my travels to promote Scotland’s wave and tidal energy sector, I recently visited Stornoway. The visit was to host a summit to consider the challenges facing delivering to the Western Isles and Orkney and Shetland the increased connections they need to the mainland to export renewable energy - up to no less than 5% of the whole of the UK electricity needs. One man in his early forties, a native of Stornoway told me that 250 of his contemporaries from the island had recently held a school reunion there. He told me that all of them said that the Islands were the safest and best place in the world to bring up their children, but they had to leave the island for work. The opportunity exists now to bring renewable jobs on a large scale to the islands, and deliver opportunities for generations of young people to come. A prize worth striving for. Fergus Ewing MSP
03:20 04:13 04:52 05:21 05:51 06:29 07:06 07:44 08:22 08:58 09:36
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Let Us Know ‘What’s On’ In Your Area *Deadline for the May Issue: Friday, 4th April* Email: tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk Telephone: 01309 690063 Inclusion of events in What’s On is free. We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops. Contact venues & organisers first as there may be changes to events.
MARCH 2014 27 thursday music nairn presents ‘divertimenti string sextet’ 7:30pm nairn community and arts centre. playing strauss, martinu, boccherini, brahms. for more info visit www.musicnairn.org.uk or call 01667 455701 rspb talk - tales from the russian taiga 7:30pm, fraser park bowling club, macewen dr, inverness.
great glen walking club roseisle - hopeman. 10 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for info.
APRIL 2014 4 friday bl’azz presents ‘blues buskers’ 8pm, innes bar, 61 innes street, inverness. free admission
5 saturday great glen walking club historical walk in redcastle. 8 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for info. baby & children's market 10am - 1pm at millburn academy, inverness. 1000s of pre-loved items all under one roof! clothing, toys, books, furniture, prams, carseats, garden toys and footwear all at bargain prices direct from the owners. adult entry £1 (under 16s free) • info@happymumsmarket.co.uk
28 friday dingwall gaelic choir grand concert @ strathpeffer pavilion 7:30pm. for more information visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org
29 saturday al-anon family groups ‘public meeting’ 10:30am 12pm at the thistle hotel, millburn road, inverness. if you are concerned about someone else’s drinking please come along - perhaps we can help. rspb car outing - west coast meet 9:30am, highland council car park. call 01997 433283 for info. inverness ramblers beinn an eoin (coigach). 7 miles. meet 8:30am at highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information. nairn variety show 2014 @ nairn community centre. a night of song, music & dance. tickets £15. proceeds to highland hospice. call jill on 07795 818089. in memory of fraser cruickshank who died at only 19. ceilidh 7:30pm, glen mhor hotel, inverness. reel ceilidhs is holding another popular evening of live music & ceilidh dancing, just for the fun of it! all welcome! advance tickets £5 online only from www.reelceilidhs.moonfruit.com. standard tickets £6.50
30 sunday mundole equestrian: show jumping entry on the day. contact 07901 602042 for details and schedules or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
NAIRN Nairn Community & Arts Centre Your local venue for films, shows, concerts, and parties. Wide range of activities for all ages.
APRIL EVENTS Fri 4th & Sat 5th....................SCDA Festival of One Act Plays Highland Divisional Finals 7pm Sat 12th.......................................................................... Craft Fair Fri 18th & Sat 19th............................. Affordable Art Exhibition Sat 19th............................................ Talk by “Laurie Campbell” Scotland’s premier wildlife photographer 7.30pm Sat 26th.........................................Highland Rock Garden Show Sat 26th.... Cinema Nairn “Grow Your Own” (PG) 2007 7.30pm Sun 27th ..............................Music Nairn “Beard Quartet” 3pm For further details, telephone 01667 453476, e-mail info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website at www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
April 2014 - page 11
9 wednesday
MORAY GOLF CLUB www.moraygolf.co.uk
Come and Celebrate our 125th Anniversary with us
Various types of Membership Various ways to Pay including Direct Debit
ranger walks - culloden creature trail 2pm - 4pm. meet at culloden avenue car park, next to the doocot. adults £3, conc. £2, family £8. booking essential. contact john orr on 01463 255291 or email rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk
10 thursday nairn & district gardening club: "the fife garden trail" with lindsay murray 7:30pm at nairn community & arts centre. highland decorative & fine arts society (hdfas)‘out of the blue: the story of blue in art’ by alexandra drysdale ba (hons) 2:15pm - 3.30pm. non members £5. nadfas lecture at smithton free church, murray road, inverness. new members welcome. email membership sec drmaryharrison2@yahoo.com or chair davidmartin30@hotmail.com (07595 219308) bl’azz presents 'gentle jazz' from 1pm at the town house, inverness. £5 admission.
12 saturday macfloyd: into the distance 1967 - 1994 @ ironworks 7:30pm. 0871 77894173 • www.ironworksvenue.com
Moray Golf Club with its Championship Courses is a great place to be! Contact us on: 01343 812018
12 saturday - 13 sunday
or email: secretary@moraygolf.co.uk highland landscape & the future - what do we value? 9:45am - 4:30pm, smithton free church, inverness. study day with speakers & workshops on how we would like to see our landscape develop. £20 which includes lunch contact jenny on 01381 610301 or email jenny.brogden@btinternet.com highland darts challenge @ ironworks 7pm. over 18s. call 0871 77894173 • www.ironworksvenue.com
5 saturday - 6 sunday food & craft fair @ strathpeffer pavilion 10am - 4pm. free entry. food products from the highlands, crafts made locally and lots, lots more. tea & coffee & our renowned home baking will also be available.
daffodil tours @ brodie castle as part of scotland’s garden scheme. the walks will take place on the hour from 11am with the last tour at 3pm and will last for around 45mins. the cost is £3 per person including nts members. visit www.nts.org.uk/events
13 sunday mundole equestrian: show jumping entry on the day. contact 07901 602042 for details and schedules or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com great glen walking club tulloch circular. 8.75 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for info.
15 tuesday scottish ornithologists' club agm: ‘hen harriers on skye: problems of predation’ by bob mcmillan 7:30pm, culloden library. £3 members; £4 non members. call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740
6 sunday mundole equestrian: british dressage & unaffiliated contact 07901 602042 for details and schedules or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com
YOUTH LEADER VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
8 tuesday inverness horticultural society: mrs lindsay murray – fife garden festival 7:30pm, mackenzie centre, culduthel road, inverness. for information call valerie on 01456 486656 or email v.weir656@btinternet.com dogstar theatre presents factor 9 @ strathpeffer pavilion tickets £10 / £8. for more information visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org
page 12 - April 2014
If you are aged 15-24, love the great outdoors, care about the environment and are keen to help and inspire others, the Wild things! Youth Leader Volunteer Programme is for you! To find out more about volunteering with us and our free training course, contact us on...
www.wild-things.org.uk
tel: 01309 690063
...01309 690450
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
16 wednesday
25 friday - 27 sunday
cinema night @ strathpeffer pavilion for more info visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org
great glen walking club april weekend away. contact 01463 236204 for info. cromarty arts trust - crime and thrillers weekend with ian rankin, ann cleeves, lin anderson, alex gray and stuart mcbride all appearing as well as forensic scientist, dr sue black. for info or to book tickets call 01381 600354 or see www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk
lostalone @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 77894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
19 saturday great glen walking club sgorr na diollaid corbett ( glen cannich). 4.25 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for info. talks by laurie campbell, scotlands premier wildlife photographer 7:30pm, nairn community & arts centre. includes his best ‘landmark’ images. tickets from nairn community & arts centre or online at www.nairncameraclub.co.uk the highland branch of the seagull trust cruises ceilidh/dance 7:30pm - 11pm in the north kessock community hall. admission £10, children free. byob. refreshments at interval. raffle sold on the night. in aid of funds for the highland branch of the seagull trust cruises. alan bissett in ban this filth @ strathpeffer pavilion 8pm. tickets £10 / £8 from wegottickets.com & ticketweb.co.uk. for more information visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org bags of rock @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 77894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
19 saturday - 21 monday cadbury easter egg trail @ brodie castle 11am 4pm. further details at www.nts.org.uk/events
20 sunday mundole equestrian: show jumping entry on the day. contact 07901 602042 for details and schedules or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com easter walk with cake and story up craig dunain for all the family meet 10am at great glen house carpark, inverness. call guy on 07724 992790 or visit www.guyandjocelyn.org ironworks easter showcase 2014 @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 77894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
23 wednesday beyond presents: ryan keen @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 77894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com
24 thursday rspb agm and talk “the breeding birds of north-east scotland” 7:30pm fraser park bowling club, macewen dr inverness.
25 friday treacherous orchestra @ strathpeffer pavilion 7:30pm tickets £15 from wegottickets.com & ticketweb.co.uk also from the pavilion 01997 420124 and june’s card shop in dingwall high street. for more information visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org admin@spotlighton.co.uk
26 saturday inverness choral society perform mendelssohn's elijah 7:30pm, eden court theatre. inverness choral society is joined by inverness choral sinfonia and some eminent soloists including the ever-popular donald maxwell. www.invernesschoral.org.uk rspb car outing to speyside 9:30am @ highland council car park, inverness. 01463 220013 abbamania @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 77894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
27 sunday mundole equestrian: british dressage & unaffiliated contact 07901 602042 for details and schedules or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com
29 tuesday occasional cabaret presents ‘the taking of zena charbonne’ @ strathpeffer pavilion for more information visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org
INVESTORS WANTED Use our website enquiry form at: www.1renewables/get-in-touch.php
17 thursday
JOIN OUR GROWING LIST OF INVESTORS IN SINGLE TURBINES 1 RENEWABLES LTD, a local
wind-power company, seeks investors for renewables projects secured by the UK Government Feed-in Tariff. Minimum amount 5k, no maximum amount. Excellent returns for 20 year FiT programme, or for shorter periods if preferred. Corporate and personal guarantees provided. CONTACT
Ian on 07713 912473 ian@1renewables.com or alastair@1renewables.com
tel: 01309 690063
April 2014 - page 13
garden
Caring about...
Lichen – fungus on the lawn explained! One of the joys of our wonderful environment up here is the clean air, and one of the organisms which thrives locally is dog lichen. There are hundreds of species here, growing on trees, rocks and on the grass ! It is particularly at home on ground which has become compacted and is low on nutrients. It is one of the most common
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grass, as with all things in nature, it’s about competition. There are no chemical products which permanently remove lichen. You need to improve the ground conditions, otherwise nothing really changes. You’ll be stuck with moss and lichen problems. Golf courses do this all the time, and so do we. Aerating the ground at the end of winter should be part of routine lawncare in any case. The freeze/thaw, freeze/thaw weather we get compacts most ground round here which prevents tender new plant roots spreading, even if the grass has had a spring feed. The ground is too solid. You should of course still be thinking about scarifying before putting on a spring feed.
14
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La Caverna Review Thurs 27th February We were just two for supper, Karen and myself, and were immediately made to feel extremely welcome. However, we were not alone as La Caverna was really buzzing for a Thursday night, far more diners than we expected. We enjoyed the less-formal atmosphere that the downstairs offers diners and we found ourselves seated in the fascinating architecture of an original 17th Century Salt Cellar. We were asked to consider menus that cover all tastes, offering a huge choice of continental dishes and delights. While we could select from 9 succulent starters, 7 pasta dishes, 15 pizzas, 8 different burgers, half-a-dozen ‘Specials,’ and far more besides, we fancied trying the tapas, as there were 14 different dishes helped by the fullest explanation of each one within the menus. For starters we chose the Paté and Minestrone Soup – these were a great way to start the meal, especially as the Soup consisted of the full and flavour-filled freshness of Mediterranean vegetables, and the Paté was cleverly aided by a whisky infusion and the tastiest of salsas. The tapas we chose were very diverse, and included 3 choices from the standard tapas menu – Chicken and Ham Strips with Mozzarella, Braised Beef in Red Wine and Cannelloni Beans, Sauted Garlic and Rosemary Potatoes with Salsa, and a further 3 choices from the ‘special’ tapas list – Fresh Crab with Lemon and topped with Prawns, Parma Ham and Buffalo Mozzarella with Melon, and Smoked Scottish Salmon with Marie Rose Prawns. Once again we were astounded by the variety of taste explosions that were placed on the table. Karen believed the Smoked Salmon and Parma Ham dishes were ‘to-die-for’, while I could not over-praise the Chicken and Ham Strips or Braised Beef – both were ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ heaven. In summary - deepest levels of pleasure for the food and wine coupled with the awesome atmosphere of care and attention that came from all the staff at La Caverna. Friendly faces regularly appeared to ensure that our evening would pass smoothly and that we would leave so happily. Our grateful thanks go to all the waiting staff for making the meal a memorable experience and one to heartly recommend without reservation to family and friends.
La Cav Caverna erna LOSSIEMOUTH ITALIAN TAPAS BAR & PIZZARIA
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Review by
Peter & Karen Portnockie
The Barn Steakhouse & Grill Review Friday 28th February Walking into The Barn Steakhouse & Grill we couldn't help but be impressed by the superb dÊcor. Although modern and spacious it maintains a warm and cosy feel. They have a fabulous bar which is very well stocked with a vast selection of local beers, lager and cocktails as well as an impressive whisky collection and you can't help but be mesmerised by the funky lighting. With a warm welcome we were shown to our table and talked through the brand new menu and specials. Complimentary canapes while we waited for our starters was a nice touch and perfect to get the taste buds going. Our starter of Goats Cheese Bruschetta arrived shortly after and was not only a visual delight but a treat for the taste buds too. The mains include all the steakhouse classics with a few slightly more exotic choices such as Wild Boar Burgers and Bison Ribeye. I had one of the specials - the Spicy Chicken Tower Burger comprising 2 spicy coated chicken fillets, mexicana cheese, tomato, red onion and lettuce on a brioche bun, my wife had Southern Fried Chicken & half rack of BBQ Ribs and the kids chose the 4oz Burger & Chips. A generous portion of chunky chips and coleslaw accompanied both adult meals. Everything was perfectly cooked, succulent, juicy and delicious with the quality of ingredients evident. Although completely sated we simply had to sample a dessert. The ice cream choices included bubblegum ripple, choco mallow and banana, to mention a few and we decided to share a Rich Chocolate & Caramel Mousse with Pistachio ice cream. Again, faultless and left us fighting over the spoon. The restaurant also has a light bite menu and a full roast menu on a Sunday and since it is conveniently located next to the Playbarn (a huge children’s indoor soft play centre) and a karting track it could be the perfect place to combine with a fun day out with the kids. All in all a delightful evening with scrumptious food, fantastic service and great atmosphere. We can't wait to go again!
The
Barn
STEAKHOUSE & GRILL RESTAURANT
Review by
Jeff & Tamsyn Elgin
01343 843101 w w w. g r e e n f i e l d s f u n f a r m . c o . u k
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Brockie’s Lodge Review Wednesday 26th February Exciting things are happening at Brockie’s Lodge! New management and a new head chef are shaking things up at this Kiltarlity fixture. The current menu provides traditional options such as a Roast of the Day with potatoes, vegetables, gravy and a whopping Yorkshire pudding! The starter that caught my eye was a Stornoway black pudding and bacon salad and it tasted as good as it looked. A sweet honey mustard dressing on the salad made the dish light and complimented the earthy flavour of the black pudding. The deserts are a real treat too, with a summer fruit Eton Mess and a Chocolate Brownie with hot fudge sauce that is to die for! Some of the other options include Smoked Haddock and Salmon Fishcakes, a particularly good Hunters Chicken and Beef Lasagna. There are vegetarian options such as Sweet Potato, Chickpea and Spinach Curry and they are happy to accommodate Gluten Free diets, which is a great service for any restaurant these days. Put all the good food along side a cosy atmosphere, generous seating, a great location and lovely wait staff and you will definitely have a wonderful experience dining here. They also offer room for functions for up to 160 people and have a large outdoor seating area for the good weather. A few highlights from the new menu include Arbroath Smokies with Rumbledethumps, a Beef, Mushroom and Guiness Pie and a starter of Moules Mariniere. They have also added a Malt Whisky list and extended their already generous wine list. In my opinion, Brockie’s Lodge is worth a visit any day of the week!
Review by
B RO C K I E ’ S L O D G E HOTEL 01463 741257
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Email: info@brockieslodgehotel
Mary MacDiarmid Inverness
Eating Out
5 Comfortable Centrally-Heated En-suite Bedrooms with Sky TV, Hospitality tray, fridge and hair dryer available Bar open all day with Sky and BT Sport channels available Complimentary WiFi in public areas
MEALS SERVED DAILY from 12 noon to 8.30pm
SUNDAY CARVERY SERVED from 12.30 to 3pm
TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH HIGH TEA SERVED from 4pm to 8pm
Home Baking. Locally sourced fresh produce used.
EXCITING NEW MENU and wine list complemented by improved and extended selection of malt whiskies served in a generous Highland 35ml measure.
Families are welcome. Kids can play in our outside play area. Our Bouncy Castle will be back from Easter.
See website for details of all special offers www.brockieslodgehotel.co.uk
Brockie’s Lodge Hotel . Kiltarlity . By Beauly . IV4 7HW . Tel: 01463 741257 . Email: info@brockieslodgehotel.
01343 545 120
@ Greenfields Elgin, Moray, IV30 8LN
3 course Sunday lunch £15.95
High Speed Connectivity that never leaves Business Scotland!
Data Connectivity
24/7 support and No call centre or call queues
STEAK DEAL Buy any 2 Steak Dinners and receive a bottle of house wine to enjoy with your meal
Horizon, VOIP and SIP Solutions Best Support & Wholesale prices WE WILL NEVER BE BEATEN ON PRICE* *On a like for like basis
01343 843101
thebarnbistro@live.co.uk www.greenfieldsfunfarm.co.uk Eating Out
For more information call
01343 545 120
NetDatatel 2 Chanonry Rd North Elgin IV30 6NB
PUMV'UL[KH[H[LS JV \R ^^^ UL[KH[H[LS JV \R
history
LOGIE STEADING
Alexander Grant (1864 – £ ÎÇ®]ÊÌ iÊÃ Ê vÊ>Ê}Õ>À`Ê Ê the Highland Railway, was born, and educated in Forres. Apprenticed to a Forres baker he progressed to Edinburgh where he worked for Robert McVitie eventually becoming Chairman of the biscuit business. He developed the Digestive Biscuit and opened factories in Edinburgh, London and Manchester. Becoming a wealthy man and a generous benefactor, he bought Forres House and }À Õ `ÃÊ ÜÊ À> ÌÊ*>À ®Êv ÀÊ ÀÀiÃ]Ê> `Ê«> `Êv ÀÊ improvements to Nairn Harbour. Further afield he gave £200,000 to create the National Library of Scotland, and £50,000 to the University of Edinburgh to support the new science campus at King’s Buildings. Sir Alexander Grant bought Logie estate in 1924 – in the same year that he was created a Baronet. He renovated Logie House and built the sandstone farm buildings. After his death, Sir Robert, his son, started work on the adjacent garage and chauffeur’s >VV `>Ì Ê> >Ê/ iÊ }Ê >À>}i®ÆÊÌ ÃÊÜ>ÃÊ iÛiÀÊ completed due to the outbreak of WWII. Sir Robert’s i« iÜ]Ê-> `ÞÊ > }]Ê iÀ Ìi`ÊÌ iÊiÃÌ>ÌiÊ Ê£ {Ç°ÊÊ During his tenure a herd of 100 Ayrshire cows were milked in the farm buildings. The milking parlour was where the Heritage Centre is now; the bull pens were where Cloudhowe is, and the cows wintered where the café is. Quite a change!
20
In 1983 the decision was made to sell the dairy herd, and the buildings became redundant. Alasdair Laing inherited from his father, Sandy, in 1988. In 1991, with financial assistance from HIDB, the Steading was developed into workshops - the first tenants were the Tea Room, Logie Gunmakers, Neil Oliver the engraver, and the Art Gallery; over the next 20 years, the River Findhorn Heritage Centre opened, the playground was built, river walks developed, there have been open air theatre performances, and new businesses have opened. In 2012 it became evident that the Café needed larger premises to cater for the increasing number of visitors. It seemed to be the right time to develop the Big Garage. Giles Pearson’s Antiques, and the Farm & Garden Shop moved across the car park, and the Olive Tree Café has opened to great acclaim in the vacated space.
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YOUR LAWN IN SAFE HANDS
SUMMER
Now is the time to have your lawns expertly prepared for spring and summer!
All types of lawn repaired, maintained and beautifully developed All works carried out by professionally trained, skilled and experienced greenkeeper Clean, tidy, neat and efficient work Moss Control, Hollow Tine Aeration and Deep Scarifying as required Domestic and commercial services available Spring Treatment Programme Our renowned Spring/Summer treatment formula slowly releases nutrients by feeding and strengthening the roots, developing the leaf and maintaining the lawn's deep green presentation. For your no-obligation survey, analysis & quotation, please contact the experts on:
01343 811 114 NPTC Qualified
A local business built on trust, reliability & quality of service www.highlandgreenlawncare.co.uk
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Gardening Feature
travel
Dreaming of...
A Cruise One of the most rapidly expanding sectors of the Travel Industry is Cruising. It can be described as living in a luxury hotel, which moves from destination to destination, and there is no need to pack or unpack your suitcases more than once! The Cruise market has seen huge growth, driven by innovation and the quality of the experience. There are large capacity increases being launched all the time, so what might have seemed like a very exclusive mode of transport historically, a spin off from the days when it was the only way to do long distance travel, has become much more available to the seasoned holidaymakers. Traditional Trans-Atlantic ships took three and a half days to cross the Atlantic, replaced by aircraft doing it in seven hours. There is a perception that cruising is very formal and only for the older generation, but that is changing. The average age of Cruising people comes down each year, and new larger ships are coming into service to cater for different needs. Some prefer to do a Fly Cruise, where you join the ship in an already exotic or interesting destination. Some prefer a Fly and Stay, where they join the ship and before or after their cruise they spend some time in that country. Some prefer to depart and return to a home port, negating the need to fly at all. There are an increasing number of activities available on modern Cruise ships such as climbing walls and panorama viewing bubbles which lift you 300ft above sea level. Many ships carry troupes of entertainers, have libraries and Planetariums, and as one customer observed recently there was only one hour in 24 that you couldn’t be served hot food. Pricing might sometimes seem high but remember that covers all your meals, entertainment and soft drinks – the only extras you are likely to run up are for alcoholic drinks and flutters on the gaming tables if that is what takes your fancy. Imagine spending a day in an interesting European city, retiring to the ship for dinner and a good night's sleep, and then waking up in the morning in another fascinating destination. That's Cruising!
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Information kindly supplied by
2-6 South Street, Elgin 01343 548844 ‡ +LJK Street, FRUUHV
RAF REGIMENT RESERVESNot your normal spare time activity 2622 Highland Squadron RAF Lossiemouth Want to hear from those aged 18-50 who think they could handle an exciting, active and challenging Part-time activity as a Gunner in the RAF Regiment Reserves. The Squadron has the vital role of reinforcing the RAF Regiment on deployed operations if and when required. The part-time Gunners are trained in a wide range of infantry skills including field-craft, tactics, navigation, communications, first aid, weapon handling, live firing, how to operate effectively as part of a Team and much more. Gunners are expected to attend for training one weekend per month. They are paid on a daily rate including travel expenses to and from the Unit and also receive a substantial Annual Tax Free Bounty. Our Reservist Gunners come from all walks of life from tradesmen, office and retail workers, self-employed,
Search RAF Reserves to find out more 0845606 9069
RAF Regiment Gunner
unemployed, teachers, students etc. It’s a great way to make new friends and earn some extra money. You will have access to the many clubs and facilities within RAF Lossiemouth including weekend accommodation if required. Find out more, search RAF Reserves online, or speak directly with our Squadron Recruiter on 01343 810776, who will be happy to answer any questions and send you an information pack. There are added incentitives for those who have recently left regular military service.
RECRUITING NOW! From day one you’ll be learning new skills, you’ll get paid and still keep your day job. Discover a different side of yourself
The NEW Laura Ashley Bathroom Collection is now available to view at:
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