SpotLight on Inverness & District December 2014

I NV E R NE S S & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

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DECEMBER 2014

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Crossbar, Step-through, Folding, Road & Mountain Bikes available.

INVERNESS

For a FREE test drive call Cameron on 07828 154 683 or visit www.freegoelectricbikes.co.uk

CLUBS & SOCIETIES AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Self help group for families and friends of people with a drink problem. Meetings throughout the Highlands. Call 020 7403 0888 • www.al-anonuk.org.uk CHARLESTON YOUTH THEATRE For ages 12-18, Charleston Academy, Inverness CHEERFUL CHESTERS Mondays, 11am at Raigmore Community Hall, Ashton Rd. Main objective is to help people with severe respiratory problems through regular gentle exercise under the direction of a qualified physiotherapist. For more info call Maureen on 01463 221204 CROMARTY CAMERA CLUB Thurs 7.30 - 9.30pm Sept - Apr, Victoria Hall, Cromarty. Digital camera club welcoming all levels of experience. Training in all aspects incl. use of Photoshop.

Members able to participate in club competitions & field shoots.

CROWN CHURCH MENS CLUB Call 237768 or email mackenzie17 @ mackenzie17.plus.com

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page 2 - December 2014

CROY & CULLODEN MOOR SENIOR CITIZENS' LUNCH CLUB Alternate Wed 1 - 3pm, Church Hall, Croy, £3 for 2 course meal & afternoon tea. Dominoes, jigsaws and other activities CULLODEN FENCING CLUB Tuesdays 7pm - 9pm during term time at Culloden Academy Community Centre. Call 792794 DINGWALL FRISBEE CLUB Sundays 3-4pm at Dingwall Leisure Centre. Call Luke 07970 597770 or ljsh@hotmail.co.uk FAMILIES ANONYMOUS Meet every Thursday night. For families & friends affected by drug addiction & alcoholism. Anonymity & confidentiality respected. Newcomers welcome without prior arrangements. Call Denise for more details on 07983 001962.

Helpline number: 0845 1200 660.

FRIENDS OF THE BIRNIE SUPPORT GROUP Wednesdays 9:30am - 11:30am & 12:30pm - 2:30pm in the playroom at The Birnie Centre, Raigmore Hospital. For children with additional needs & their families and carers. £2 per session. Snack/refreshments provided. For more info call Anne on 07542 712381.

HIGHLAND DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY (HDFAS) 2nd Thursday, 2pm, at Smithton Free Church, Inverness IV2 7YU. Interested in learning more about art? Encouraging Young Artists? Volunteering to record Churches for posterity? £5 per month. Contact 07595 219308 or drmaryharrison2@yahoo.com or davidmartin30@hotmail.com

HIGHLAND HISTORICAL SEARCH SOCIETY Inverness based metal detecting club. Free equipment loan, tuition and regular places to detect. Beginners/new members welcome. Contact Len tel: 01808 521340 anytime HIGHLAND RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Coaching & competitive opportunities in Rugby Football for the whole community. Call Andrew Russell on 243972 or 07786 256891 HIGHLAND SCHOOLS GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION To promote participation in the sport of gymnastics within schools across the Highlands.

HIGHLAND SPIRITUAL CINEMA A small, independent film group screening films that uplift and inspire, that entertain and inform.

Monthly film nights at The Little Theatre in Nairn. For more information go to: www.highlandspiritualcinema.net or telephone 01463 237452 HIGHLAND WHEELCHAIR CURLING CLUB Tues 1.30 - 3.30pm,Inverness Ice Rink. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility problems come and see what we do. Equipment provided. Call Mo Simpson 01463 716227 or 07798 710404 email: wheel77uk@yahoo.co.uk INVERNESS CHESS CLUB Wednesday, 7pm - 10:30pm, Chieftain Hotel, Inverness.

Provides coaching and games for all ages & standards, juniors welcome. www.spanglefish.com/ invernesschessclub

HIGHLAND GERMAN SOCIETY 1st Wednesday each month, 8pm, St.Ninian’s Church Hall, Culduthel Road, Inverness. Call Rosa Finlayson on01463 238560 or rosafinlayson@btinternet.com

INVERNESS WINE APPRECIATION SOCIETY Bringing together people with an interest in wine and to develop their interest by holding tastings, usually led by a member of the wine trade and accompanied by suitable food, tel: 221535

HIGHLAND HILLWALKING CLUB Call 791572 or email: highlandhillwalkers@fsmail.net www.spanglefish.com/ HighlandHillwalkingClub

NORTHERN COUNTIES CRICKET CLUB Providing cricketing opportunities to all members of the local community. Tel: Hamish Christie 239894 or 07761 119604

tel: 01309 690063

NORTH KESSOCK BOWLING CLUB For more information about Indoor bowling call 01463 793502 and for Outdoor bowling call 01463 731052.

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 PET FOSTERING SCOTLAND Supporting pet owners in an emergency situation. Volunteers care for your pet in their own homes for short periods. Reg. charity SCO15672. Volunteers needed. Tel: 0844 811 9909 www.pfss.org.uk ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION CITY OF INVERNESS BRANCH 2nd Wed, 7:30pm at "The Club", Gordon Terrace. Ex or serving members or those with a connection or interest in the Royal Navy? Guest speakers, day trips & swinging the lantern along with a tot or two. Email: Gordon Ross (Secretary) at gwross@btinternet.com or Evan Jessiman (PRO) at evan.jessiman@btinternet.com

PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.

If you would like details of your club or society included in this section, please let us know. All club listings are free. Not all clubs will be listed in every issue.

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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3 Critical Features to demand from Your New Vet...

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PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS Jesus is worth giving up everything else for...

Some Scots will be disappointed that this St. Andrew’s Day is not the first one being celebrated in a new, independent Scotland. Others will be glad that this St. Andrew’s Day, as before, is being celebrated in a Scotland that remains part of the Union. In my far-flung school-days it was a public holiday and, therefore, a great reason to celebrate as far as me and my holiday-loving cronies were concerned!

Who cared whether it was an odd time of year for a holiday? A day off school made us Andrew fans, whatever he and his day were all about!

Older and wiser, I grew up taking more interest in cultural things and I must have heard the stories about how St. Andrews in Fife got named and how some of the great man’s bones had once arrived there and how some of them were maybe still lying in Edinburgh and about how he’d been crucified on an X-shaped cross so as to be slightly different from Jesus, whom he felt unworthy to imitate and about how the Picts claimed to have seen a cloud formation as a white cross against a blue sky the day before a great battle-victory, hence our adoption of the symbol on the

flag to this day. I have no idea how much truth there is in any of these legends, but they’re interesting old stories anyway!

What I definitely do believe is the Bible’s account of Andrew, the man who became one of Jesus’ twelve disciples long before any of these other tales got started. He only gets mentioned about twelve times in the Gospel stories, most of which are fairly minor references like when the twelve disciples get listed by name.

But the other references are much more significant. Once we find him and three others asking Jesus theological questions (Mark 13:3) – it’s always good to want to know more about the Bible and about the things of God.

Like Andrew, we never know true meaning and purpose in life until we find Jesus, the Messiah and come to know Him as our own Lord and Saviour. And, like Andrew, our calling doesn’t stop there, but continues with the wonderful privilege of helping others to come to meet and know Jesus too.

Once is the story of how Andrew came to be a disciple of Jesus - intrigued by Jesus’ character and teaching (John 1:39) he begins to follow him around, eventually giving up his fishing to be a full-time helper and learner and one of Jesus’ closest companions. He effectively reminds us that Jesus is worth giving up everything else for and how those who do so are never the losers - either in this life or the next.

If this little article can help anybody at all to begin to make the greatest of all discoveries, I’ll be thrilled and humbled to be a little bit of an Andrew as well and will be thankful to God again for using this obscure Middle Eastern fisherman in such a prominent way in Scotland’s national identity.

But, perhaps, his loveliest legacy is the three times we find him bringing other people to Jesus. In John 1:41 it’s his

Murdo MacLeod Nairn Free Church

Inshes, Church of Scotland Insches Retail Park, Inverness. Rev. David Scott. Tel: 01463 226727. Website: www.insheschurch.org Inverness Baptist Church 69 Castle Street. Rev. Tom Urquhart. Tel: 01463 223506. Email: tajurquhart@btinernet.com Inverness Christian Fellowship Millburn Academy, Diriebught Road.

Sundays 10.30am. Website: www.icfchurch.co.uk Inverness Church of God Friars Lane. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm.

Tel: 01463 241318.

Inverness Crown Church, Church of Scotland 3 Midmills Road. Tel: 01463 230537.

Inverness East Church, Church of Scotland Academy Street.

Contact Rev. Professor ATB McGowan: 01463 236695.

Website: www.invernesseast.com Inverness Greyfriars Stratherrick Free Church Greyfriars at Balloan Road, Inverness, and Stratherrick at Errogie, Stratherrick. Tel: 01463 714085. Website: www.greyfriarschurch.org Inverness Methodist Church Huntly Street, Inverness. Tel: 01463 239784. Website: www.churchesinverness.com Kiltarlity Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Sundays: 11:15am. Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Kiltarlity Free Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Tel: 01463 741729. Email: jfraser@gmail.com Kings Fellowship Meets at Smithton Industrial Estate, Culloden. Tel: 01463 792700. Email: info@thekingsfactory.com

page 4 - December 2014

brother Peter whom he tells, ‘We have found the Messiah’. In John 6:8 it’s Andrew who finds the boy with the five loaves and two fishes and brings him to Jesus, which results in the miracle we know as ‘The Feeding of the 5000’. And in John 12:22, when some travelling Greeks say, ‘we would like to see Jesus’, it’s Andrew who brings them to meet the Master.

Kingsview Christian Centre Balnafettack Road, Inverness, IV3 8TF. Sundays 11.30am and 6pm. Wednesdays 7.30pm. Tel: 01463 716843.

Kinmylies Church of Scotland Kinmylies Way, Inverness. Sundays 10.30am. Tel: 01463 714035. Website: www.kinmylies.co.uk Kirkhill (Wardlaw) Church of Scotland Sundays 10am.

Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Knockbain Free Church Ferry Brae, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731368. Email: nwmacleod@talktalk.net Maryburgh & Killearnan Free Church Seaforth Place, Maryburgh tel: 01349 863367. Killearnan Manse, Bogroy, Tore - tel: 731369 email: cswan@ctlconnect.co.uk Ness Bank Church of Scotland Inverness. Sundays 11am. Tel: 01463 243165. Website: www.nessbank.net North Kessock, Church of Scotland Main Street, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731712. Website: www.churchofscotland.org.uk Old High St Stephen's, Church of Scotland 1) Old High Church, Church Street, Inverness. Sundays 11.15am. Tel: 01463 250802. 2) St Stephen’s Church, Southside Road at Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness. Sundays 10am. Tel: 01463 250802.www.oldhighststephens.com Listed I to O and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or for any amendments to existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

The Editor

Here comes Santa, here comes Santa! If you have your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or any other children ,then you may well have heard these cries already and if not I’m sure you will shortly. For us adults, however, Christmas also gives us the opportunity to figuratively “open up the door” to a neigbour or acquaintance and offer a hand of friendship putting disagreements behind us.

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes SALES .............................Jill Connor ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LAYOUT .................Tamsyn Dickson

January Issue Deadlines

Words by the Wayside "And hereby we do know that we know him, (Jesus Christ) if we keep his commandments."

(1st John 2:3)

Reader, Don't call yourself a Christian or say that you know God if your life speaks otherwise. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Whosoever is born of God through faith in His Son does not practise or habitually live in sin, The Lord Jesus says, Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk

Editorial - Friday 05/12/14 Advertising - Wednesday 10/12/14

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USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days St Andrew’s Day Sun 30th Nov 2014 St Andrew’s Day Observed Mon 1st Dec 2014 Shortest Day Sun 21st Dec 2014 Christmas Day Thurs 25th Dec 2014 Boxing Day Fri 26th Dec 2014 New Year’s Eve Wed 31st Dec 2014 New Year’s Day Thurs 1st Jan 2015

Scottish Bank Holiday Valentine’s Day Mothering Sunday British Summertime Starts Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday

Fri 2nd Jan 2015 Sat 14th Feb 2015 Sun 15th Mar 2015 Sun 29th Mar 2015 Fri 3rd Apr 2015 Sun 5th Apr 2015 Mon 6th Apr 2015

School Term Dates for 2014/2015 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Ends Fri 19th Dec 2014 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 22nd Dec 2014 Christmas Holiday Ends Fri 2nd Jan 2015 Spring Term Starts Mon 5th Jan 2015 Mid Term Holiday Mon 16th Feb 2015 Mid Term Holiday Tues 17th Feb 2015 In-Service Day Wed 18 Feb 2015 Spring Term Ends Thurs 2nd Apr 2015

Spring Holiday Starts Fr 3rd Apr 2015 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 17th Apr 2015 Summer Term Starts Mon 20th Apr 2015 May Day Holiday Mon 4th May 2015 In-Service Day Mon 1st Jun 2015 Summer Term Ends Thurs 2nd Jul 2015 for 2015/2016 (all dates inclusive) In-Service Day Mon 17th Aug 2015 Autumn Term Starts Tues 18th Aug 2015

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

VILLAGE HALLS & COMMUNITY CENTRES Abriachan Village Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861257 Ardersier Old School Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Balloch Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07955 756310 Cameron Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234785 Cannich Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 459224 Culduthel Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712844 Farr Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01808 521346 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 The Green Hall, Smithton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07977 852083 Spectrum Centre & Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 221842 Stratherrick Public Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486350 Strathnairn Hall (Daviot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 772228

page 6 - December 2014

VETS Crown Vets (Argyle St) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 237000 Crown Vets (Carsegate Rd Sth) . . . . . . . . . . . . 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

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 Rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or amend existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

Clachnaharry Inn LEARN NEW SKILLS Better err career prospects AVAILABLE NOW

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Why not come along and enjoy a lovely meal in our newly refurbished lounge and restaurant?

To coincide with the re-opening of our lounge and restaurant we have launched two brand new menus!

Choose from our Autumn/Winter Menu, available daily from 12pm, or our Carvery from 12pm-3pm every Sunday.

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CHRISTMAS MENU We are now taking bookings for our Christmas Menu, available from Monday 1st December!

2 Courses - £14.95 3 Courses - £17.95

17-19 High Street, Clachnaharry, Inverness, IV3 8RB. Tel: 01463 239806

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PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES At the time I write this blog, I am Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism in the Scottish Government. By the time you read it, I hope that I still hold the post which is one of the most absorbing in the country! But of course the decision of choice of Ministers is that of the First Minister, and Nicola Sturgeon will now be Scotland's first female First Minister. She will rightly bring her own style and character to the post, and whomsoever she picks for her team, I will support her. In the words of the song: Que sera, sera. Whatever will be will be.

Whatever her decision, I will continue in my prime responsibility as the MSP for Inverness and Nairn, and to do my best to help people who need my assistance, whether by e mail, phone or at one of my three monthly surgeries in Grantown on Spey, Nairn and Inverness.

One of the things about my party is that we are a strong and united team - united by a shared vision of Scotland running her own affairs, and doing our best to do good for people in Scotland.

Fergus Ewing MSP

2014 has been quite a year. It seems like only yesterday I was writing in these pages while thinking about the momentous year we had before us just twelve months ago.

So a year on, how far have we come?

Seeing our economic recovery take root and having more people in work than ever before has been very encouraging. There is more work to do, but 2014 has been a record breaking year for employment and opportunity. And the historic Scottish Referendum has inspired more political engagement, and has inspired more, much needed, powers for Scotland. I’m sure that the coming year will bring new challenges for all of us, but we will face them as we always do – with strength and community spirit. As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can help you with any problems, address any issues or answer any questions. I’m always happy to help.

I’d like to wish everyone in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Danny Alexander MP LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN DECEMBER Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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PM 17:09 17:54 18:38 19:22 20:07 20:55 21:44 22:33 23:26 12:37 14:47

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Let Us Know ‘What’s On’ In Your Area *Deadline for the January Issue: Friday, 5th December* 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.

Rolling Event until 1 february the "winter exhibition" & "cd collection" at inchmore gallery. a wonderful variety of mediums and styles plus gorgeous, miniature works of art that make wonderful presents for your loved ones and best friends, or for yourself! for more information and opening times visit www.inchmoregallery.co.uk

great glen walking club lochs ashie, duntelchaig and bunachton circular. 7.5 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for info. fairtrade bazaar 10:30am - 3pm, the town house, inverness. shop ethically for cards, gifts, food for christmas. refreshments, coffee tasting, cupcakes, drumming performance and much more. call heath mitchell on 01463 790842 for more info.

29 saturday - 30 sunday brodie castle christmas craft fair by exclusively highlands 10am - 4pm beautiful crafts, wonderful foods, mulled wine, mince pies and music. £4 per adult, children free. includes a glass of non-alcoholic mulled punch and a mince pie. call 0844 493 2156.

30 sunday inverness ramblers craigmonie and the falls of divach. 6.25 miles. meet 10am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information.

NOVEMBER 2014 26 wednesday social diners - why eat alone? 12:30pm at the birch tree restaurant, delny. for information and to book call gill on 01349 877061

27 thursday music hall tavern @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

27 thursday - 30 sunday art fair @ strathpeffer pavillion organised by friends of the pavilion and showcasing hundreds of original works by highland artists. for times & more info call 01997 420124 • www.strathpefferpavilion.org

28 friday stanley odd @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

29 saturday the springsteen sessions - bruce springsteen tribute act @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com moray firth ice hockey club v kirkcaldy face offs u12 5:30pm, u14 6:45pm and u20 8:15pm at inverness ice rink. £5 adults , £2 conc, £10 family at the door. hot and cold refreshments available in the cafe. for more inf call jacqui ferguson on 01343 843788 admin@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

December 2014 - page 9

BREATHE, STRETCH, RELAX

2 HOUR SESSION OF SIMPLE, STRESS BUSTING EXERCISES 2-4pm on Saturday, 3rd December 2014 Triratna Highlands Buddhist Centre, Ballantyne House, Academy St, IV1 1LU. Cost: Free

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DECEMBER 2014 2 tuesday scottish ornithologists' club: "abernethy national nature reserve. who owns this land?" by desmond dugan 7:30pm, culloden library. call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740. ÂŁ3 members; ÂŁ4 non members.

4 thursday soft play extravaganza @ strathpeffer pavillion 10am - 4pm. from 1 year up. ÂŁ4 per child – adults go free. www.strathpefferpavilion.org bl'azz presents 'gentle jazz' nostalgic melodies; slightly swinging songs from 1pm at the town house, inverness. featuring nigel mackenzie at the piano, with 'my favourite things’. admission: ÂŁ5 highland decorative & fine arts society (hdfas) - art lecture: ‘faberge at the court of the tsar’ with lecturer nicholas merchant 2pm - 3:30pm at smithton free church, murray road, inverness. non members ÂŁ5. new members welcome. contact membership sec averillbrodie@ymail.com or chair davidmartin30@ hotmail.com (07595 219308) visit www.hdfas.org

5 friday torridon @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com gaelic society talk: 300 years on: the wit and wisdom of rob donn by donald john macleod 7.30pm at inverness gaelic school. all welcome.

5 friday - 7 sunday arts, crafts and food fair by exclusively highlands fri 1pm - 8pm, sat & sun 10am - 5pm at eden court theatre, inverness. free admission. supporting inverness ms centre. call 01381 621962 or visit www.exclusivelyhighlands.co.uk

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6 saturday inverness ramblers glen glass and towards meall mor. 10 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information. oasis uk: oasis tribute + dj phil smith @ ironworks 7:30pm. 0871 7894173 • www.ironworksvenue.com

7 sunday troilus ensemble – carols by candlelight 3pm at inverness cathedral. great glen walking club kincraig to aviemore. 10.25 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for more information. wee boppers discos presents: frozen disco @ ironworks 3pm. for details call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com the tomintoul winter wonderland 10am - 4pm, the balfour manor hall. craft sale and merchants and so much more..santa will be there for the kids and treats for the kids all free!

8 monday royal scottish geographical society lecture iceland: a land of water battles? by prof. roger crofts 7:30pm, highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. admission: adults ÂŁ8; free for students, under 18's and rsgs members.

10 wednesday social diners - why eat alone? 7:30pm dining at the national hotel dingwall. for information and to book call gill on 01349 877061

11 thursday rspb talk: caribbean capers - in search of nature in central america 7:30pm fraser park bowling club, inverness.

12 friday rnw presents: rock n' wrestle @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

13 saturday christmas fair 11am - 4pm at cantraybridge college activities, stalls and gift making. a great family day out. our event cafe will be serving homemade treats too. visit www.cantraypark.co.uk for more details. moray firth ice hockey club v dundee stars face offs u12 5:30pm, u14 6:45pm, u20 8:15pm at inverness ice rink. ÂŁ5 adults , ÂŁ2 conc, ÂŁ10 family at the door. hot and cold refreshments available in the cafe. for more inf call jacqui ferguson on 01343 843788 yule gig @ strathpeffer pavillion 8pm. in association with inverness gigs. for more info call 01997 420124 or visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org great glen walking club loch carn nam badan circular. 9 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for more information. the vatersay boys christmas cracking ceilidh dance @ ironworks 7pm. for info call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

14 sunday inverness ramblers loch kinellan & the cat’s back strathpeffer. 7 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information. christmas carols with dingwall choral society and the invergordon singers @ strathpeffer pavillion 8pm. tickets £10. for more info call 01997 420124 or visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org

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16 tuesday sticky kids christmas singalong @ strathpeffer pavillion 10am. for 2 - 6 year olds. tickets ÂŁ6. call 01997 420124 or visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org

17 wednesday social diners - why eat alone? 12:30pm at coul house hotel, contin. for information and to book call gill on 01349 877061

17 wednesday - 18 thursday pantomime – rapunzel @ strathpeffer pavillion 1:30pm & 7pm. for more info call 01997 420124 or visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org

19 friday schnarff schnarff vs indieness + foreignfox + searching for donkeys @ ironworks 8pm. for info call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

20 saturday inverness ramblers inverarnie and farr byways. 8 miles. meet 9:30am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information.

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28 sunday

great glen walking club tombaraidh woods to raitts and return. 5 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for more information.

inverness ramblers kinveachy forest, beinn ghuilbin circular. 8 miles. meet 9:30am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information. the ironworks winter showcase : acoustic 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

27 saturday

31 wednesday

21 sunday

great glen walking club fortrose - rosemarkie circular. 6 miles. depart 10am from inverness and 10:30am from fortrose. call 01463 236204 for info. the ironworks winter showcase @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

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