Spotlight Inverness Feb 2019

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THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

FEBRUARY 2019

SpotLIGHT

EXPERT BOOT FITTING

INVERNESS & DISTRICT

78 Academy Street

Inverness Tel: 01463 248600 www.cmsinverness.uk

Buckie Furniture Front H Feb 19.pdf

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14/01/2019

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3 + 2 Seater Sofa WAS £1399

3 seater W2275mm x D900mm x H965mm 2 seater W1550 x D990mm x H965

NOW £699! VERY LIMITED STOCK

SEE ADVERT INSIDE

45-49 Church St, Buckie AB56 1BP s Tel: (01542) 832653 s www.buckiefurniture.co.uk


EX-HIRE SALE 2nd - 9th March 2019 IIncluding:g:-

Kil from £140 Kilts 0 Jack Jackets from m £85 5 Spor Sporrans from m £30 and more! a re!

McCalls of Elgin 54 South Street Mccalls editorial feb 19.pdf 1 09/01/2019 09:37 01343 540590 www.mccalls.co.uk McCalls of Elgin, on South Street, are the ultimate Highlandwear outfitters, supplying exceptional UBJMPSFE LJMUT TUBSUJOH GSPN b BOE IJHI RVBMJUZ IJSF PVUöUT GSPN BT MJUUMF BT b

in the more Choose from the contemporary classics of the PRIDE range, or get kitted out traditional clan tartans. McCalls will always have something to suit. The range on of prices soon is your offer at McCalls ensure everyone can afford a little luxury and coming very a chance to pick up some Highlandwear items at a fraction of their usual cost in the once year ‘Ex-Hire Sale’. Perhaps you have a wedding or graduation this year, want to buy a 21st birthday gift for that special someone, or even want a kilt to wear to sporting events, then now is the perfect time to do so.

Sale begins on Saturday 2nd March 2019 with fantastic bargains on offer including:

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cawdor tavern feb 19.pdf

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CAWDOR TAV E R N

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open all day Food served from 12pm - 9pm Groups of up to 80 catered for $BXEPS /BJSO *7 91 t t FORVJSJFT!DBXEPSUBWFSO DP VL t XXX DBXEPSUBWFSO DP VL


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Clubs and Societies CAKE WALK & STORY GROUP Regular walks for all ages. Call Guy on 07724 992790. www.guyandjocelyn.org CHANONRY SAILING CLUB The Harbour, Fortrose. Provides a safe & fun environment for people to come together & sail. Call 01381 621973. www.chanonry.org.uk CHARLESTON YOUTH THEATRE For ages 12 - 18yrs, Charleston Academy, Inverness

without prior arrangements. Call Denise on 07983 001962. Helpline number: 0845 1200 660 FITNESS FRENZY Thurs lunchtimes, the Palace Hotel, Inverness. Fitness sessions. www.fitnessfrenzy.co.uk FORUM FOR MEN Wed, 8pm, Macnabs Bar, Columba Hotel. For gay & bisexual men. Look for the small red post box on our table. Text 07941 553620 www.gay-ness.org.uk

CROMARTY CAMERA CLUB Thurs (Sept - Apr), 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Victoria Hall, Cromarty. Digital camera club - all levels of experience. Training in all aspects of photography incl. use of Photoshop. Members able to participate in club competitions & field shoots. www.cromartycameraclub.com

Ad rates - Inverness.qxp

HIGHLAND ARCHERY 4 ALL Mon, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, the church hall next door to Farmfoods, Inverness. Welcomes archers of all abilities/disabilites, run by really friendly group & all welcome Call Andy MacKinnon on 07753 426141 Find us on Facebook 03/12/2018 12:01 Page 1

FAMILIES ANONYMOUS Thurs evenings. For families & friends affected by drug addiction & alcoholism. Anonymity & confidentiality respected. Newcomers welcome

Sample one-off advertising rates (colour advert)

Box Big box ¼ page ½ page Full page

£51 £81 £133 £231 £441

Discounts available for series bookings and for black and white

Publisher:

Winterburn Media Ltd Unit 15, Horizon Scotland, Enterprise Park, Forres, Moray, IV36 2AB (01309) 690063

All material 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 publisherʼs prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright.

page 4 - February 2019

HIGHLAND CHARITY JIVE Learn to dance Modern Jive. Weekly Beginners & Freestyle Classes. All welcome no partner needed as everyone mixes up. Entry £5. Call Corrina Moore on 07926 631479 or email at HighlandCharityJive@yahoo.com See our Facebook page. HIGHLAND LGBT FORUM Reg. charity with regular social events in Inverness for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people. www.gay-ness.org.uk INVERNESS AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY 2nd & 4th Wed of month. Open to all interested in Amateur Radio & Short Wave listening, Training is available for those interested in obtaining an Amateur Radio License. Email at InvernessRadioSociety@ gmail.com. www.facebook.com/InvernessAmateurRadio/ INVERNESS CATHEDRAL SOCIETY OF BELL RINGERS Thurs, 7.30pm - 9pm. Anyone can be a bell ringer! We ring for Sunday services, weddings & other special occasions.

the River Livet. Permits can be obtained from Ballindalloch Post Office, Tomnavoulin Post Office, Crown Estate Office, Tomintoul & the Glen Livet Distillery. www.facebook.com/riverlivet fishing

Call 01381 610411 or email at inverness@sacr.org INVERNESS CITY GIRLS FOOTBALL CLUB Inverness City Girls F.C. are looking for girls aged 12 plus that are interested in taking up football in Inverness & the Highlands, any abilities welcome. Call Ally Munro on 07923 018079

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF INVERNESS AND NAIRN 2nd Mon of month, 6.30pm (dinner) & 7.30pm, Lochardil House Hotel, Stratherrick Road, Inverness. Call Mrs Janet Home (Sec) on 01463 221185

INVERNESS NETBALL CLUB Wed, 7pm - 9pm, Inverness Royal Academy Sports Centre. For ladies aged 16+. All abilities welcome. Call Vivienne Hutchings on 07853 168044 or email at invernessnetballclub@ gmail.com

THE HIGHLAND WILDCATS Bught Park, Inverness. Offers American Football training up to the age of 19yrs & also run 3 day camps for P7 - S2. Email Robbie Paulin at robbie@hihglandwildcats.co.uk

INVERNESS TOUCH RUGBY Mon, 6.15pm - 8pm, Bught Pitches (by Ice Rink). Fast & fun for men & women, all abilities & fitness levels welcome. Email at invernesstouch@gmail.com "Inverness Touch" on Facebook

TRIRATNA HIGHLANDS BUDDHIST CENTRE 1st Floor Flat, 64 Academy Street, Inverness IV1 1LU. See website for further information on our activities, which include classes in meditation, buddhism, mindfulness, yoga & more.. www.buddhistcommunity highlands.org.uk

INVERNESS WINE APPRECIATION SOCIETY Bringing together people with an interest in wine & to develop their interest by holding tastings, usually led by a member of the wine trade & accompanied by suitable food. Email at hon.seciwas@gmail.com

WATERLOO BOWLING CLUB (Apr - Sept). Open all week. Riverside Street, Inverness. New members & visitors welcome. Call Doreen Murray or Angus Shearer on 01463 731008 or 01463 710375

MUIR OF ORD ART GROUP Tues, 6.30pm - 9pm & Sat, 9.30am - 12pm, the Old School, Great North Rd, Muir of Ord. Call Annie MacLean on 01463 870274. POLICE SCOTLAND YOUTH VOLUNTEERS (PSYV) Each PSYV group consists of 24 young people aged between 13 & 17 who each give up their own time to volunteer in their communities. You will be expected to complete the PSYV Initial Training Programme. Email at highlandsandislandspsyv@ scotland.pnn.police.uk. www.scotland.police.uk RIVER LIVET FISHING (FEB SEPT) Salmon, sea trout & brown trout fishing for the whole family on

tel: 01309 690063

WESTHILL INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Tues & Thurs (Sept to Mar), 7.30pm - 9.30pm, Cradlehall Primary School, Inverness. Some sets of bowls available. Teas/coffees & biscuits. Call Morag Lloyd (Chairperson) or Gladys Beattie (Sec) on 01463 790948 or 01463 790834 PLEASE NOTE Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis. If you would like your details to be included in this section please email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk


Welcome to our February 2019 issue of SpotLight. You may have noticed that we have been running more editorial pieces lately and this is intentional and is designed to add some more interest to each issue. This month there are various items featuring Valentine’s Day including the occasional attempt at humour. Somewhere in the magazine you will find a reply from a reader about the ‘Wild Haggis’ that appears to be making somewhat of a comeback to our countryside! We do hope that you enjoy this issue and if you feel that you have an interesting story for us then please do not hesitate to email us on david@winterburnmedia.co.uk

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covering all domestic & commercial furniture

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes ADVERTISING ..............Susan Innes PRODUCTION .........Linda J Donald ART & DESIGN...............Flo Skinner ACCOUNTS ..................Alan Radley

March Issue Deadlines

Editorial Thursday131/01/19 decora feb -18.pdf 16/01/2018 Advertising - Tuesday 05/02/19

sofas, chairs, soft furnishings, fabrics, interiors and gifts 11:46

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Pastoral Le er & Church Meetings This is one of my favourite times of the year. I know, I know… it’s dark and cold and the lights and festivities of Christmas and New Year are long since passed. But, you see, it’s time for the Six Nations once again! It’s just a rugby tournament of course. But actually, the ups and downs each week that it’s on; the pendulum swing of who’s playing better that so often happens over the course of a match keeping you on your toes; the frequent close final ten minutes keeping you on the edge of your seat - I love all that. Of course, it’s too often a Scotland match where the nail-biting finales happen. And sure, we get some pull-itout-of-the-hat victories sometimes. But we also have those excruciating closebut-not-this-time defeats often enough to keep us humble. We’re nothing if not entertaining for the neutral to watch, right? One or two of the other teams in the Six Nations (Ireland and England spring to mind) can have experiences like that too, but they also get matches where they experience something quite different. They can get themselves into a position where they’ve got enough points on the board with twenty minutes to go that actually, they know the game is in the bag.

And that is when they start turning on the style. The confidence soars, the team clicks, and they play with a freedom and flow that makes everything they’d done in the previous sixty minutes look clunky and laboured. They play their best stuff when they know that the result is in the bag. And it’s really very impressive to watch. In a book of the Bible called Galatians, a man named Paul writes a letter to a young church - a group of people who have come to believe in Jesus, but are still getting used to what it all means. And what He tells them is to stop living life like they’re not sure whether they’ve done enough for God, and to realise that because of what Jesus has done for them, the result is in the bag. In Galatians 5:1, Paul writes, ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ He’s saying that, when you’ve accepted what Jesus has done on your behalf on the cross (dying for our sin, defeating the stranglehold of sin and death over human beings), the win is already guaranteed. You’re going to be welcome with God, now and forever. Hope, identity, purpose, forgiveness, joy, peace - it’s all secure.

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 Barn Church of Scotland Culloden. Sundays 10.30am. First and third Sundays of the month 6.30pm service. www.barnchurch.org.uk Black Isle Charge Episcopal Churches 1 Deans Road, Fortrose. Tel: 01381 622241. Cale House, Church of Scotland Millburn Road, Inverness. Tel: 01463 718616. Celt Street Evangelical Church Celt Street, Inverness, IV3 5JD. Sundays 11:45am and 5pm Tel: 01463 772147. www.celtstreet.org.uk City Life 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. Sundays: 11am. Free debt counselling available. Pastor Alasdair Macleod. Call 01463 222795 or visit www.culduthelchristiancentre.org. Culloden-Balloch Baptist Church Wellside Road, Balloch, Inverness. Sundays 10.30am. Tel: 01463 794005. Email: office@cullodenbaptist.com. Website: www.cullodenbaptist.com Culloden Gospel Hall for meeting times & locations please visit www.cullodengospelhall.com

page 6 - February 2019

So you can go and play your best stuff. Loving others, serving God, looking after this world. Not to achieve anything or score some victory with God (because all that’s been done by Jesus). But just to play our best stuff as human beings under God’s coaching. Maybe you’re reading this because you are a Christian. If so, I’d love you to know that the victory is in the bag thanks to the Jesus you already trust in - so go and play this life the way God shows you not with burden or anxiety, but with freedom, lightness, even bold risk-taking for Him. Or maybe you’re reading this to see what Christians have to say and weigh up what it’s worth. If that’s you, I’d love you to know that this is just part of how life in Jesus is infinitely fuller - ever since I’ve known that Jesus has put the win in the bag, I’ve been growing and growing in becoming all that God has made me to be, with confidence and lightness about living out my life. Come to a church and find out more!

Rev Scott McRoberts St Columba’s Church Inverness

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: 10.30am and 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 224795. Daviot and Dunlichity Church Every Sunday 12pm in Daviot Church. First Sunday of each month in Dunlichity Church. Kathleen Matheson, Session Clerk. Tel: 01808 521767. Dingwall Baptist Church Tulloch Street, Dingwall. www.dbc.org.uk 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 - (Up the brae from the village on B862) Sundays 11am (Children welcome) & 6:30pm. Wednesdays 7:30pm. Web: www.dores-church.org.uk - Rev. D. Ratti 07599 298946 Inverness Presbytery www.invernesspresbytery.co.uk/congregations Listed A to H 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 linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk


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Parliament Blog & Tide Times Last month I launched my campaign to ensure Fairer Hospital TV Charges for patients. The current pricing system for bedside television in many of our health boards is extortionate and prohibitive, with some providers charging up to £9.90 a day. Patients who can no longer afford expensive bedside TVs can begin to suffer from boredom, loneliness and isolation. This set of feelings is unlikely to aid recovery during a long-stay in the hospital. What patients need is a better deal and now is the time for health boards such as NHS Highland and NHS Grampian to secure Fairer Hospital TV Charges as contracts come up for renewal. I will be pressing the Scottish Government and our health boards to look at all the options.

Edward Mountain MSP

Independent businesses are at the heart of our community, and here in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, we are spoiled for choice with a vast array of independent shops, cafes, and more, on our door step. As consumers, we have the ability to support local, through purchasing from them, or simply recommending them to a friend or visitors to our area. As an MP, I regularly take the time to visit new and established retailers in the constituency, and I’m always hugely impressed with what is on offer. Independent businesses truly highlight the best of our community, and I feel immensely proud that our constituency is one in which local businesses can thrive. If you wish to get in touch with me you can find contact details on my website: www.drewhendrymp.scot”

LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN FEBRUARY 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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Brexit. You may well be fed up reading about it! We in the Scottish Government have long argued that the EU has been a good friend to the Highlands and Islands. We have seen funding for our remote areas and for bridges, peers, harbours and infrastructure including broadband. But we have also benefitted hugely from EU citizens - people from Poland and other countries making their contribution to our country. Scotland did of course vote a different way from the UK on Brexit - we opposed it. I hope that we can gain the right to decide and determine our own future and policy regards who lives here - and who is welcome here. Having the right to decide our own policy on citizenship and immigration would allow us to go our own direction on these key matters, not be dragged along as a kind of boat in tow! Fergus Ewing MSP

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Spotlight is conducting a survey into what you feel about your monthly magazine. We want to know: t What you like t What you don’t like t What you would like to see included which isn’t already. In order to contribute your views we would invite you to go to the home page of our websitenwww. spotlighton.co.uk and click on the survey button.

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Useful Information

Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days Valentine’s Day Ash Wednesday St David’s Day Shrove Tuesday Ash Wednesday St Patrick’s Day

Thurs14th Feb 2019 Wed 14th Feb 2019 Fri 1st Mar 2019 Tues 5th Mar 2019 Wed 6th Mar 2019 Sun 17th Mar 2019

Purim (J) & Holi (H) Wed 20th Mar 2019 British Summertime Starts Sun 31st Mar 2019 Mothering Sunday Sun 31st Mar 2019 April Fool’s Day Mon 1st Apr 2019 ‡ Inverness (H - Hindu; J - Jewish; M - Muslim; S - Sikh)

School Term Dates

for 2018/2019 (all dates inclusive) Mid Term Holiday Mon 18th Feb 2019 Mid Term Holiday Tues 19th Feb 2019 In-Service Day Wed 20th Feb 2019 Spring Term Ends Fri 5th Apr 2019 Spring Holiday Starts Mon 8th Apr 2019 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 19th Apr 2019

Easter Monday Summer Term Starts May Day Holiday In-Service Day Summer Term Ends Summer Holiday Starts

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 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Highland Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 Highland Migrant & Refugee Advocacy . . . . . . 01463 729152 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Airport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 Inverness Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 Men in Recovery ............................info@meninrecovery.org NHS 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 National Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline ............................................................................0800 027 234 National Rail Enquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03457 484950 Police Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Raigmore Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000

Phipps Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Smithton-Culloden Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 793284 Spectrum Centre & Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 221842 Stratherrick Public Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486350 Strathnairn Hall (Daviot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 772228 The Green Hall, Smithton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07977 852083

Mon 22nd Apr 2019 Tues 23rd Apr 2019 Mon 6th May 2019 Mon 3rd Jun 2019 Thurs 4th Jul 2019 Fri 5th Jul 2019

Useful Contacts

Samaritans ....................................................01463 713456 Stagecoach Inverness ...................................01463 239292 Victim Support ..............................................01463 710806 Water - Emergency ........................................08456 008855 Abriachan Village Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861257 Ardersier Old School Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07999 897512 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

VILLAGE HALLS & COMMUNITY CENTRES

page 10 - February 2019

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

VETS

21 Kingsmills Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233416 Abban Street Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 718140 Academy Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232423 Black Isle Dental Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 877082 Burnfield Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 241515 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 Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Southside Surgical Dentistry Centre . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Torwood Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712772

DENTISTS

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

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk


The Perfect Wedding Venue The Muthu Newton Hotel W

NAIRN

W

Wedding Fayre - Sunday 10th February 2019, 12 noon - 3 pm

The Chapel

The Wedding

Call our wedding planner who will be delighted to help you with arrangements for your special day The Muthu Newton Hotel offers the perfect Wedding Venue We are licensed to host civil ceremonies & partnerships with receptions up to 250 guests. For further information call: 01667 453144 email: nwt.sales@muthuhotel.com


Savoury Feta Cheese Muffin 118 High Street, FORRES IV36 1NP

Muffins tick all the boxes—they’re loved by kids and adults alike, they can be sweet or savoury but always provide a satisfying snack, they come in handy individual portions, and they provide a truly endless variety of recipe possibilities. They’re simple to make, and a great way to experiment with new flavour combinations.

Ingredients: (makes 12) 4 cups plain flour 1 cup wholemeal flour 4tsp baking powder 1tsp bicarb. soda 350ml oil 350ml yoghurt 5 eggs splash of milk 200g feta cheese 1 bag of spinach, cooked

Method: 1. Line a 12 hole muffin tray with muffin cases, or grease well. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. 2. Sieve the flours, baking powder and bicarb. soda together in a mixing bowl, add the spinach and feta, then coat in the flour mixture. 3. Mix the oil, eggs, yoghurt and milk together and add 3/4 to the flour mixture, adding more if needed. Specks of flour should remain in the mixture and it should not be overmixed. 4. Divide the muffin mixture into the prepared muffin tray (fill the cases to the top) and bake until well risen and firm to touch.


Robert Burns A Red, Red Rose 1794 O my Luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June: O my Luve's like the melodie, That's sweetly play'd in tune.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi' the sun; And I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o' life shall run.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a' the seas gang dry.

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve! And fare-thee-weel, a while! And I will come again, my Luve, Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

Robert Burns Love for Love

Robert Burns O Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast

1792

1794

Ithers seek they ken na what, Features, carriage, and a' that; Gie me love in her I court, Love to love maks a' the sport. Let love sparkle in her e'e; Let her lo'e nae man but me; That's the tocher-gude I prize, There the luver's treasure lies.

O wert thou in the cauld blast, On yonder lea, on yonder lea, My plaidie to the aingry airt, I'd shelter thee, I'd shelter thee. Or did misfortune's bitter storms Around thee blaw, around thee blaw, The bield* should be my bosom, To share it a', to share it a'. Or were I in the wildest waste, Sae black and bare, sae black and bare, The desert were a Paradise, If thou wert there, if thou wert there; Or were I monarch o' the globe, Wi' thee to reign, wi' thee to reign, The brightest jewel in my crown Wad be my queen, wad be my queen!


Photo Credit: Martin A. Leckie

A Unique & Exclusive Venue Where you can Create the Wedding of Your Dreams

Innes House – Elgin – Moray – IV30 8NG Tel. 01343 842410 enquiries@inneshouse.co.uk – www.inneshouse.co.uk Please quote ‘SpotLight’ when making an enquiry


SpotLIGHTon FREE Listings, FREE to View, FREE to upload Promote your events in this section by going online at www.spotlighton.co.uk Register, key in details which will then automatically be printed in the magazine.

*March Issue Deadline: 31st January*. Inclusion of events is free. We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops.Contact venues & organisers first as there may be changes.

31 thursday banff mountain film festival tour 2019 eden court, inverness. the films feature intrepid explorers on expeditions in the most remote & spectacular reaches of the planet. www.banff-uk.com battle of the bands@ tooth & claw, inverness, tbc. grand prize ÂŁ1,000 cash plus loads of runner up prizes to be announced! to apply to play please email venue-hire@thetoothandclaw.co.uk. over 18s

February 2019 Rolling Events

1 friday dumpling making workshop 6pm, tooth & claw, inverness. all welcome

21 february - 14 march upcycling workshop (thurs) tbc, new start highland, inverness. free. all welcome. call 01463 715615 www.newstarthighland.org

January 2019

discovering god's truth. an overview of the central message of the bible (fridays) 6pm-7.30pm, conference room, nairn community centre - free. adult bible study, lite bites, tea, coffee, biscuits & kid's bible club for all ages provided. call rev josh hamilton on 07729 990385 or email at whatistruthmin@gmail.com. www.whatistruthmin.org

2 saturday

28 monday nairn speakers 7.30pm, nairn bowling club, albert street, nairn. gain skills & confidence in public speaking in a friendly, supportive environment. call ann nicol on 01667 453159 or email at hello@nairnspeakers.org.uk

29 tuesday casper's quiz night 8pm, the keg, inverness. free. max 4 per team up helly aa: kirkhill's biennial viking boat burning celebration 6pm, kirkhill community centre, inverness. all welcome

30 wednesday the classic rock show 2019 7pm - 10pm, eden court, inverness. tickets from www.ticketmaster.co.uk admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

1 friday - 22 friday

mockchester with the complete stone roses@the ironworks, inverness 7.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com great glen walking club: fortrose to rosehaugh 9am (please arrive 15 mins earlier), uhi car park, ness walk, inverness. grade: c; distance: 8 miles www.greatglen.org the jive aces: big beat revue 7.30pm, the strathpeffer pavillion. ÂŁ16. swing & jive band. tickets from dingwall leisure centre or by email at events@highlifehighland.com. call 01997 420124

until 2 saturday in the footprints of dinosaurs museum opening hours, inverness museum & art gallery features models, real footprints from skye, as well as a new highland animation

tel: 01309 690063

February 2019 - page 15


GS E IN BL EW LA VI AI AV

Making care mean more in Inverness

Offering high quality, personalised nursing care in a homely environment

Reading room/Lib rary

Dining Areas

Deluxe Rooms

CafĂŠ

Culduthel Care Home offers luxury suites along with a range of services, including: s 24-hour exclusive private nursing care for the elderly s Fine Cuisines - Nutritious meals catering for all dietary needs s Large deluxe rooms s Event and activities programme

s Easily accessible Landscaped Gardens s Hairdressing and beauty salon s CafĂŠ s Reading room/Library s Cinema Room

Contact Home Manager Denise to arrange a visit on 01463 226804 Email: Culduthel@meallmore.co.uk Web: www.meallmore.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/meallmore Culduthel Care Home, West Heather Road, Inverness IV2 4WS

Denise

Home Manager


Mobility Vehicle Adaptations giving you back control. A wide range of high quality vehicle adaptations for either private purchasers or through Motability. We also offer a mobile fitting service when appropriate. For further information telephone 01309 676677

Along the A96 in Forres Postcode: IV36 2GW

Swivel Seats

Wheelchair stowage

Steering Balls Chair Topper

21 West Road, Greshop Industrial Estate, Forres IV36 2GW (Behind Lidl) 0QFO .POEBZ 'SJEBZ BN UP QN t &BTZ QBSLJOH EJTBCMFE UPJMFU GBDJMJUJFT 01309 676677 t TFSWJDF!NPPSJOHTNFEJRVJQ DPN


3 sunday

10 sunday

whiskey shivers@the ironworks, inverness 7.30pm www.ironworksvenue.com

cars & coffee - inverness 10am - 12pm, rollerbowl, inverness. a quiet social gathering of like-minded car enthusiasts on the 2nd sun of month. www.facebook.com/carsandcoffeeinverness inverness orienteering club (invoc): anagach woods tbc, anagach woods, nr grantown on spey regional event. www.invoc.org.uk great glen walking club: tulloch hill circuit 9am (please arrive 15 mins earlier), uhi car park, ness walk, inverness. grade: c+; distance: 8 miles www.greatglen.org chris suckle@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

4 monday piano recital: concert pianist steven osborne gives a recital of works by schubert & prokofiev 7.30pm 9.30pm, inverness town house. £15 standard, £5 students. call paul crowe on 01463 221535 or email at paul@paulcrowe.co.uk www.invernesspianorecitals.com

5 tuesday highlands astronomical society: ice giants; speaker pauline macrae (has) 7.15pm for 7.30pm - 10pm, smithton culloden free church. www.spacegazer.com scottish ornithologists' club highland: nest building & blue tits in a changing climate; speaker - sophie edwards 7.30pm, culloden library, keppoch road, culloden, inverness. £3 members; £4 non-members call kathy boniface on 01463 772539 or 01808 511740

6 wednesday around germany by motorcycle: speaker - duncan colburn on his 2018 tour of germany 2pm, st. ninian's church hall, culduthel road, inverness. undertook a journey around germany by motorbike in the summer of 2018 & will tell us about his travels. call richard baxter on 01463 571372 or email at richbax52@yahoo.com the canadian forestry corps in nairnshire wwi: speaker - norman newton on the social history & anecdotes 1.45pm, nairn community & arts centre

7 thursday the story of guitar heroes@ the ironworks, inverness 7.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com

8 friday nairn literary institute: seabird collapse, st kilda; speaker - susan bain 7.30pm, nairn free church, gordon street, nairn

9 saturday 37th annual bothy ballads champion of champions 7 p.m., elgin town hall. £12. traditional doric singing competition. www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs the googie urquhart snowman rally: snowman rally 2019 8am - 6pm, castle heather, inverness music nairn: the primrose quartet; piano quartets by brahms, faure & saint saens 7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. £19, £15 & £3. call 01667 453476. www.musicnairn.org.uk the cowans@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm page 18 - February 2019

11 monday royal scottish geographical society (inverness): stop the plastic tide; speaker - catherine gemmell. marine conservation society 7.30pm, highland council chamber, inverness doc livingston@ johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

12 tuesday inverness botany group: buzz pollination; speaker mario vallejo-marin 7.30pm, smithton culloden free church scott ramsay@ johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

13 wednesday blood donors: inverness 5.15pm - 7.15pm, holm primary school, stratherrick road,inverness. to book an appointment please call 0345 90 90 999 or email nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.net. www.scotblood.co.uk the clan donald society of the highlands & islands: massacre of glencoe 11am, glencoe. annual commemoration. st mary's church service; march to the memorial & lunch. please email the society re booking lunch at contact@clandonald.org www.clandonald.org highland rock garden club: mike's spanish fiesta (andalucia); speaker - mike hopkins, aberdeen rock garden club 7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre £4 (incl refreshments). all welcome. call john owen on 01320 366246

14 thursday stay classy@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm the arts society highland: form & fortune; 50 years of british sculpture 1968 - 2018. speaker - mary yule 2.15pm, the free church hall, smithton, inverness tea, coffee & biscuits served after the lecture. www.theartssocietyhighland.org.uk

15 friday dark horse@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk


15 friday - 17 sunday cinema nairn 10th anniversary film festival: a weekend of scottish & scottish themed films various times, nairn community & arts centre. £5, £3 or season £30. call cinema nairn on 01667 453476 www.cinema-nairn.co.uk

16 saturday moravian orienteering: saturday & moray & nairn schools league: gordonstoun tbc, gordonstoun school, duffus. see www.moravianorienteering.org grant saunders hypnotist@the ironworks, inverness 7pm. www.ironworksvenue.com inverness fiddlers' rally 7.30pm, eden court £17; £15 all welcome. call 01463 234234 great glen walking club: auchbain/mid largs area 9.30am, late start (please arrive 15mins, uhi car park, ness walk, inverness.grade: c+; distance: 6.6 miles. www.greatglen.org dark horse@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

until

16 saturday

snowforms: exhibition by david buchanan tbc, flow photofest wall, one touch corridor, eden court theatre, inverness. exploring the way in which snow transforms the landscape to create features that can be sensuous & ambiguous

theatre, uhi inverness campus. www.invernessfieldclub.org.uk

21 wednesday willie campbell@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

22 friday the inverness battle of the bands: semi final tbc, tooth & claw, inverness. 21 acts ranging from rock to hip-hop to acoustic to metal nairn literary institute: a very scottish admiral; "loup de mer." speaker - john hart 7.30pm, nairn free church, gordon street, nairn

23 saturday mother's ruin@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

24 sunday children's classic concerts: gypsy jazz tbc, one touch theatre, eden court, inverness. £9; u18 £6. call 01463 234234. www.eden-court.co.uk great glen walking club: glen tromie 8.30am (early start), please arrive 15 m, uhi car park, ness walk, inverness. grade: b; distance: 9 miles. www.greatglen.org doc livingston@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

26 tuesday davy cowan@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

17 sunday

27 wednesday

inverness courier highland wedding fair 12pm 4pm, eden court, inverness tickets from www.eventbrite.co.uk chris henderson@ johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

the moira monologues 6.30pm, performing arts studio, inverness. meet moira bell, cleaner, single mother, & the hardest woman in falkirk

18 monday

28 thursday

schools rock challenge: be your best foundation tbc, eden court theatre, inverness. open to secondary schools, colleges, academies, students with special needs & independent schools from all backgrounds. call 01463 234234. www.eden-court.co.uk gerry coogan@ johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

inverness gathering 2019: speaker - jeanne kamara, christian aid's country manager in sierra leone 10am, inshes church, inverness mark dallas@ tooth & claw, inverness 7pm kevin fraser@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

19 tuesday trust fast health: exploding common health myths & offering fascinating insights into the workings of the human body; speaker - dr michael mosley 7.30pm, the empire theatre, eden court, inverness. £24.50; £22.50. call 01463 234234. www.eden-court.co.uk andy murray@johnny foxes, inverness 10pm

20 wednesday

August 2019 1 thursday - 3 saturday belladrum tartan heart festival 2019: sci-fi theme. acts announced so far include elbow, tom odell, lewis capaldi, the selecter, colonel mustard & the dijon 5, etc booking now open at www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk.

inverness field club: sugar, slavery & the north highlands before 1707; speaker - david worthington, director, uhi centre for history 7.30pm, the lecture admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

February 2019 - page 19


Adult Fiction

Adult Fiction

By Peter May

By Bridget Collins

The Binding

Man With No Face

1979. Jaded Edinburgh journalist Neil Bannerman is sent to Europe, intent on digging up dirt. Yet it is danger he discovers, when two British men are found murdered. One victim is a journalist, the other a Cabinet Minister: the double-assassination witnessed by the former's autistic daughter. This girl recalls every detail about her father's killer - except for one. Bannerman is compelled to follow his instincts. He is now fighting to expose a murderous conspiracy, protect a helpless child, and unmask a remorseless killer.

Adult Non Fiction

Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a letter arrives summoning him to begin an apprenticeship. He will work for a Bookbinder, a vocation that arouses fear, superstition and prejudice - but one neither he nor his parents can afford to refuse. He will learn to hand-craft beautiful volumes, and within each he will capture something unique and extraordinary: a memory. If there's something you want to forget, he can help. If there's something you need to erase, he can assist. Your past will be stored safely in a book and you will never remember your secret, however terrible. Then one day Emmett makes an astonishing discovery: one of them has his name on it.

Churchill: Walking With Destiny By Andrew Roberts Winston Churchill towers over every other figure in twentieth-century British history. By the time of his death at the age of 90 in 1965, many thought him to be the greatest man in the world. There have been over a thousand previous biographies of Churchill. The author draws on over forty new sources, including the private diaries of King George VI, used in no previous Churchill biography to depict him more intimately and persuasively than any of its predecessors.

Teenage Fiction

What if it's us? By Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera Two very different boys, Ben and Arthur, can’t decide if the universe is pushing them together—or pulling them apart. A chance meeting at the post office, leaves them wondering what exactly the universe does have in store for them. What if - in a city of eight million people - they can't find each other again? What if they do ... and then can't nail a first date even after three do-overs?

Adult Non Fiction

The Light in the Dark: a Winter Journal By Horatio Clare Winter can be tough. Seasonal sadness; winter blues; depression such feelings are widespread in the darker months. But by looking outwards, by being in and observing nature, we can appreciate its rhythms. Horatio Clare raises a torch against the darkness, illuminating the blackest corners of the season. By learning to see, we can find the magic, the light that burns bright at the heart of winter: spring will come again.

Junior Fiction

Death in the Spotlight By Robin Stevens

Fresh from their adventure in Hong Kong, Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells are off to the Rue Theatre in London to face an entirely new challenge: acting. But danger has a nasty habit of catching up with the Detective Society, and it soon becomes clear that there is trouble afoot at the Rue. Jealousy, threats and horrible pranks quickly spiral out of control – and then a body is found. Now Hazel and Daisy must take centre stage and solve the crime... before the murderer strikes again.


THE WILD IONA HAGGIS

Dea r Sir/ Mad am Refe rrin g to your scie ntif ic artic le in the Janu ary 201 9 edit ion of Spo tligh t, I was plea sed to see a serio us peri odic al repo rtin g on wha t man y peop le seem to see as a joke . Befo re mov ing to the Isle of Lew is near ly two year s ago, I visit ed othe r islan ds, part icul arly Iona on num erou s occa sion s. It is a littl e kno wn fact that ther e is, on Iona , a rare subs peci es of the Wil d Hag gis, Hag gis Sco ticu s Col umb anu s. Sinc e Iona only has two sma ll hills , the Iona hagg is does not hav e the une ven leng th legs repo rted for the mor e com mon hagg is. It pref ers to wad dle arou nd the shor elin e, espe ciall y favo urin g rock poo ls, whe re it hun ts for limp ets and win kles , hen ce its fish y flav our. It is a shy retir ing crea ture , but I was luck y eno ugh som e year s ago to pho togr aph one near the shor e. On a late r trip, two of the hagg is were sigh ted. I am plea sed, in the inte rests of scie ntif ic rese arch , to atta ch thes e rare pho togr aph s. Ala n

April 2002

November 2011

April 2011

April 2013 - after a swim!


Free Valentine’s Ideas...

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Valentine’s Day A History

Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentines didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known Valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a Valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in mystery. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realising the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Approximately 150 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second most popular card sending holiday after Christmas.


A History of the Snowman Rally (Written by Iain Campbell Snr & Jim McGill)

The first organised in February 1955 was a closed to club event using tarmac roads and covering over 350 miles. The inaugural event was run overnight with high tea available before the start at 10pm. Finishers could enjoy the luxury of a cooked breakfast for 7/6 (37p). Of course there was no Nomex racewear in those days. Instead the fashionable gear was Norwegian sweaters, with matching "bunnets". Interestingly, bunnets have again become a regular feature of the event since 1999 as a thank you to our volunteer marshals. While 50 successful and highly competitive rallies have been organised, only three have had to be cancelled at the last minute. In 1969 lack of a sponsor forced the event to be cancelled; the world oil crisis led to a rallying ban in 1972; and two years later the RAC banned rallying because of the outbreak of foot and

mouth disease across the whole of the UK. In 1962 the mileage covered by the rally had been reduced to 250 miles. It was though, still an overnight event starting at 10pm, with a half-hour halt for fuel and refreshments . The entry fee was ÂŁ1.05 with a deposit of ÂŁ1.50 for the sealed watch carried in each car. The ÂŁ1.50 was refundable at the end of the rally when the watch was returned intact to the organisers. Many of the trophies from that era are still part of the Snowman prize list. The organisers promised "a route of over 250 miles of typically highland terrain, but we have striven to eliminate untarred tracks, impossible time schedules, steep hills, and regularity sections" In 1959 the rally had two start points, Monte Carlo style, at Inverness and Elgin and such was the growing success of the Snowman that it had become

known favourably as "the poor man's Monte Carlo". In 1964 Iain Sutherland, the outright winner, virtually had to be lifted out of his car as a frozen lump because he had removed the driver's door in something of a farcical, but nonetheless rapid manoeuvre. Finding himself in a position where he needed to reverse in a hurry, Iain glanced in his rearview mirror to find the rear window completely misted up. Undaunted, he threw open his driver's door, peered into the dark, reversed at speed ... and ripped the door clean off its hinges against a rather substantial, but unseen, snowbank. In 1967, the event ventured into the forests: 65 stage miles combined with a number of selectives on public roads to give a total competitive mileage of 300 miles throughout Inverness-shire and Moray.


9th Feb 2019 Inver nes s s now manrally.co.uk

The organisers permitted the use of studded (but not spiked) tyres. Route books were issued one hour before each competitor's start time. The overnight rally, which was popularly sponsored by beer-makers McEwens, began at 10.31pm on the Saturday from Inverness, finishing at Aviemore on Sunday morning at 11am, where lunch was available for the equivalent of 32p. Entry fees had increased to £4.20, no doubt the increase was due to the cost of using Forestry Commission roads. The following year stage mileage increased to 100 miles, while the road mileage of 250 miles was used only as road sections as we know today. The rally started in Spean Bridge at 10pm and OS maps 27, 28, 29, 35, 36, 37, and 38 were required. Crews were warned in the supplementary regulations that smoking during the course of a special stage would result in exclusion! In 1972 there were three classes up to 1000cc; 1001 to 1300cc; and over 1300cc. Total mileage was 300 with 100 miles of timed stages. The start was in Fort William at 9pm and the finish was at the Royal Stuart Motor Hotel, Inverness (Drumossie) at 7am on Sunday morning. By now the entry fee had increased to £12. Service cars were allowed, but had to have pre-glued stickers fixed to the inside of the driver's rear

passenger window. And as an indication as to how things have changed, the programme advertised a new 2.0-litre BMW for £2,197. The following year the first Snowman Rally ran in daylight and Roger Clark won the rally with the Esso Uniflo Ford Escort from a lowly seeding position of five. The highest seeded locals were A. Martin and Fiona Kennedy at 37 in an Imp; Vince Finlayson and Hector Munro, both also in Imps, were seeded 42 and 50, Terry Glendinning was in car 54 in a BMW and Dougie Riach was in car 58, a Ford Escort. Wilson Girvan was entered at 102 in another Escort. The rally attracted a full entry of 120 plus seven reserves and 1973 also marked the introduction of the 60mph stage 'bogey', or target, for competitors.

1991 supplementary regulations said ‘As in previous years our sport is again having to endure excessive rising costs from both the Forestry Commission and the RACMSA, but despite this we are able to offer 50 stage miles for an entry fee of £148.’ Our 2005 Forest costs were £475 per mile plus £60 permit and insurance fees per car.

The Snowman Rally has changed dramatically since that cold night in 1955 when the first competitors set off, but we still get the same challenges of weather, testing roads, and luck, things just happen quicker than they did in 1955.


The Garden TOM ANGEL IS A

GARDEN DESIGNER, LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT AND

structures can overwhelm and suffocate a garden. Similarly an abundance of small objects or differing landscaping materials in a garden can make it feel fussy.

CHARTERED HORTICULTURIST BASED IN

AVIEMORE.

TOM PROVIDES

CONSULTANCY AND DESIGN SERVICES AS

ANGEL HORTICULTURE LTD. TOM ALSO BLOGS AS ‘THE MOUNTAIN GARDENER’ WHICH YOU CAN FIND ON HIS WEBSITE AT WWW.ANGELHORT.COM Winter took a while to arrive this year, but as I write this it looks as if the snow is arriving any day. There are always jobs to be done in the garden but this time of year is ideal for planning ahead too. With many plants having died back or lost their leaves we have a great opportunity to look at the structure of our gardens. In fact I really enjoy looking round famous gardens in the winter as without lush growth spilling out of all the beds, it is much easier to see the framework upon which the garden has been built. It is this framework that makes the gardens ‘feel’ nice to look at and be in. We can do the same in our own gardens. A common issue is one of balance. Look out into your garden now and perhaps you can work out what is throwing the balance off in your own garden. A big shed on one side, for example, needs to be balanced on the other side of the garden. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be another shed! The rule is that it needs to be something of a similar overall mass - a large bush or new tree might suffice. Perhaps you have plants that are out of proportion for your garden? Many people have trees that are too large. Disproportionately large plants or

Harmony within a garden is important, but can be a delicate issue to work around. If you have too many of the same plants or materials going on in a garden it can become too formal, or just plain dull. However, by simply including a few of the same species in several of your flowerbeds and in different parts of the garden, you can tie the garden together and make it feel far more intentional. When it comes to your planting scheme perhaps you feel that some of your favourites are lost within the garden. The answer here is often to plant in groups. Hellebores are a great example here, on their own they can look a bit lonely at best, and downright miserable at worst! Plant them in a group however and you have an indispensable addition to your garden. Maybe you feel you are lacking colour in your garden at certain times during the year. A great way to get round this is to decide to go to a local garden centre once a month for the next twelve months, and each time you’re there buy something that’s in flower. Hey presto, you’ll have flowers in your garden throughout the year in no time! Hopefully that gives you a few ideas to be going on with. If you would like to see more of what I have been up to you can read my blog at www.angelhort.com


Melt down your Chocolate and Butter in a heat safe bowl in a pan of simmering water (make sure the base of your bowl doesn’t come into contact with the water).

$,, Unsalted Butter #)' Dark Chocolate Buttons

Once your chocolate and butter are smoothly bound together, take your bowl off of the heat and sit to the side.

4 eggs

Set your oven to 180°c or 160°c for fan ovens. Grease and line a baking tray (around 21cm – 8inches).

%$' Caster Sugar #,, Plain Flour (, Cocoa Powder

Beat your eggs and sugar in a large bowl until thick and fluffy. This can take up to 5 minutes. Add your melted chocolate into your egg mixture and fold together gently. Sift your flour and cocoa powder and fold all together. Put the mixture into your baking tray and bake for 30 mins.

] Serve with chocolate sauce & whipped cream


Crafty Corner Essential Oil Shower Melts Materials needed for this project: s 1 1/2 cups cornstarch s 20 drops peppermint essential oil s 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil s 1 tablespoon witch hazel (optional) s Food colouring (optional) s Water – 3 to 4 tablespoons to start, more will likely be needed s ice cube tray or silicone molds s medium size bowl s mixing spoon Here’s how you make this project: 1. Add your cornstarch, essential oils, witch hazel and food colouring to medium sized mixing bowl. Stir. It will be very powdery and clumpy. 2. Add water, starting with 3 tablespoons. Mix well - it will start as a dry, crumbly mixture. Add water, a few drops at a time and mix well. Then a few more drops and mix some more. Repeat until you get JUST past the crumbly point and the colou r is mixed in. If the mixture gets too wet, add a little more cornstarch. 3. Spoon the paste into the ice cube tray or silicone mold. Gently tap / shake to work out the bubbles. Freeze for at least 1 hour. 4. Store your cold kicking shower melts in a cool, dry place or back in the freezer until you need one! Then just toss it on the floor of your shower for some peppermint and eucalyptus relief!

Did you know? Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries

« Life Hack #322 »

If you apply traditional shaving cream to your mirror and wipe it down with a paper towel or rag, not only will you rid the mirror of smudges and streaks, but it’ll also keep it from fogging up during a shower for a few weeks. This trick is also useful for cleaning your glasses and car windows.


Is there a real purpose to the universe or is everything just mindlessly random? The Bible has the answer Jesus said 'Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.'

SMART PHONES, TABLETS, DESKTOP

STEP 1

www.spotlighton.co.uk

(Matthew 24:35, the Bible)

STEP 2 STEP 3

Enter your Email and Click Sign up

YOU’RE DONE!

pizza heart HP feb 19.pdf

1

08/01/2019

21:41

Text Andrew on 07874264803 with 'Bible' to receive a free Bible.

yo u’ll always have a p iz za my h ea rt.


Pu zz le Pa g e

Easy

Medium

Easy

Solutions to last month’s puzzles Medium


Tarbet Sunset Martini By James Sutherland of 56 North, Edinburgh, UK. "It’s evocative of sky, land and sea, as the sun is setting on the day."

60ml Isle of Harris Gin 5ml Vermut Lustau Sweet Sherry Vermouth 3 drops Isle of Harris Sugar Kelp Aromatic Water Sprig of fresh Thyme Pink Grapefruit peel

1. Place bottle of Isle of Harris Gin in freezer until ice cold. 2. Place a large block of ice into a mixing glass. 3. Add the gin, Vermut, aromatic water and thyme to the mixing glass. 4. Squeeze a large twist of pink grapefruit into the liquid and drop the peel into the mixing glass. 5. Stir with a bar spoon for 2-3 minutes. 6. Strain slowly into a chilled coupe glass. 7. Squeeze a fresh twist of pink grapefruit over the drink and place into the glass. 8. Tie or clip a stem of fresh thyme onto the stem

freshness of pink grapefruit peel with the green notes of thyme, and the ocean notes of sugar kelp water. It’s


Yo u wi l l L OVE ou r service

We can find you a PERFECT match T FRON P U NO FOR FEES S OR SALE GS IN LETT

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01463 710151

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