MARCH 2016
This space could have been promoting your business!
I NV E R NE S S & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG
SpotLight covers six areas along the Moray Firth Coast
Contact us for details of rates and sizes: 01309 690063
LOCH NESS upholstery Revamp your favourite old chair, suite or family heirloom for a fraction of the cost of buying new.
VEN HAND WO
HAND
FREE DELIVERY
TWEED IDES R HEBR HARRIS IN THE OUTE
WOVEN
We also offer hand carved mahogany chair, sofa and chaise longue frames upholstered in Harris Tweed.
01463 548 479 info@lochnessupholstery.co.uk Dalcross Ind. Est., Inverness IV2 7XB
NAIRN FUELS
FREE FIRELIGHTERS with all orders
¬ House Coal ¬ Peat ¬ Premium Coal ¬ Smokeless Ovoids ¬ ¬ Anthracite ¬ <O`Rd]]RÛ ÛG]Tbd]]RÛ@]UaÛ¬ B]dÛGb]QYW\UÛK]]RÛDSZZSbaÛ Û6`W_·SbbSa www.nairnfuels.co.uk ¬Û01667 455095Û¬ sales@nairnfuels.co.uk
60 Seafield Rd, Inverness
12 Ness Walk, Inverness
Mother’s Day WORLD OF BLINDS
ALL THE LATEST TRENDS & STYLES, MADE TO MEASURE! Call for a FREE no-obligation Quote
READY in the comfort of your own home. up and call now! MADE Pick (01463) 710 542 CURTAINS www.twob.co.uk
& BEDDING SALE - NOW ON!
Sunday, 6th March 2016 3 course Carvery Sunday Lunch £13.50 per person Tables Available 12noon - 2.30pm Booking Advisable Call 01463 230330 www.maplecourthotel.co.uk
32a Church Street Inverness IV1 1EH Phone: 01463 225 224 Opening Hours
Monday Madness
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE
Wicked Wednesday All online orders 15% OFF orders over £15 Use Coupon code ‘WICKED’
Traditional Tuesday
Buy a curry, get a naan or rice for FREE
Try the best Seekh Kebabs in Inve
Monday
4:00pm - 12:00am
Tuesday
4:00pm - 12:00am
Wednesday 4:00pm - 12:00am Thursday
4:00pm - 1:00am
Friday
4:00pm - 2:00am
Saturday
4:00pm - 2:00am
Sunday
4:00pm - 1:00am
rness
Munchie Boxes U Curry U Kababs U Burgers U Set Meals Home Delivery within a 5 mile radius U www.akzinverness.com
CLUBS & SOCIETIES AUTISM RIGHTS GROUP HIGHLAND (ARGH) Run by and for autistic adults to make the adult autistic voice heard. We uphold ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ principle. Contact kb@arghighland.co.uk www.arghighland.co.uk CAKE WALK & STORY GROUP Regular walks for all ages. For more details call Guy on 07724 992790 / www.guyandjocelyn.org CHANONRY SAILING CLUB Provides a safe & fun environment for people to come together and sail. The Harbour, Fortrose, tel: 01381 621973 www.chanonry.org.uk/
HIGHLAND BONSAI SOCIETY 3rd Wednesday every month, 7.30pm in Balloch Village Hall Contact Chris on 01349 865485 HIGHLAND FLING ULTIMATE FRISBEE Sundays 3pm - 4pm at Dingwall Leisure Centre. For info email fraserwelsh@hotmail.com or visit the Facebook page "Highland Fling Ultimate" HIGHLAND ITALIAN CIRCLE 3rd friday of the month 7.45pm from October to March. Visit: www.highlanditaliancircle.co.uk
CHARLESTON YOUTH THEATRE For ages 12-18, Charleston Academy, Inverness
INVERNESS & DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY CLUB Meet Tuesday evenings in Inverness to promote model railways. New members always welcome. Contact Gerry Parks for details on 07801 593637.
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
INVERNESS ADVANCED MOTORISTS 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
*2 $" *2 7+ " 6+ " /-$) -- +,*!$' /'' + "
5 5 5 5 5 5
$). , /,) $ . *(, $ # ** -$ ,( $)'*--
page 4 - March 2016
INVERNESS CHORAL SOCIETY Mondays, 7:30pm - 9:30pm in Smithton–Culloden Free Church Largest choir in the Highlands of Scotland with concerts held in April and November in Eden Court Theatre. For info email info@invernesschoral.org.uk www.invenesschoral.org.uk INVERNESS CLASSIC JAZZ SOCIETY Tel: 01463 223857 www.ds.dial.pipex.com/ jazzitoria/home.htm
estwoo W
Ca ry tte
INVERNESS GARDENING CLUB 2nd Tuesday, 7:30pm at the Mackenzie Centre, Culduthel Road from Sept - May. Members share a common interest in general gardening, meetings are informal, usually with an invited speaker. Annual Flower Show in August. New members or visitors are always welcome. For info call Valerie (Sec) on 01456 486656 email v.weir656@btinternet.com INVERNESS TENNIS Bishop’s Road, Inverness, tel: 230751 or email: itsc.information@googlemail.com or visit www.itscnews.com KITE SURFING The vast sandy beaches in the Highlands of Scotland provide a perfect platform for year round activity. Ongoing at Ardersier, Nairn, Findhorn, Lossie and Burghead. The Scottish Power Kite Assoc covers all good kite surfing spots. Visit the website www.spka.org/activities LGBT 5K RUNNING GROUP Wednesdays, 6pm, Inverness Leisure. www.gay-ness.org.uk Text / call 07941 553620 or email jampa40@yahoo.co.uk LGBT YOUTH SCOTLAND Youth group every Tuesday 7pm - 9pm at The Bike Shed, Grant Street, Inverness. Email: kim.haines@lgbtyouth.org.uk LOCH ACHONACHIE ANGLING CLUB Trout, Sea Trout & Salmon fishing on the Upper Conon & Blackwater rivers, Lochs Achonachie, Meig & Scardroy. www.laac.cononfishing.com
Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn Tel. 01667 454536 or
gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk
d
'' ( . ,$ ' 1$.#$) .# +*. $"#. ( " 4$) - $- -/ % . .* !*,( ' *+3,$"#. , -.,$ .$*)- ) .# , !*, .# , +,* / .$*) *! )3 '$-. $)"$.*,$ ' 0 ,.$- , ,.1*,& *, )3 *.# , *). ). 1$.#*/. .# +/ '$-# ,8- +,$*, *)- ). 1$'' *)-$ , , # *! *+3,$"#.
INVERNESS ANGLING CLUB Contact Alan Scott, Secretary at 24 Merlin Crescent, Inverness IV2 3TE. For more info visit www.invernessanglingclub.co.uk
INVERNESS FLORAL ART CLUB Meet 2nd Tuesday at Cauldeen Primary School. Friendship and flowers. New members very welcome - first visit will be free. Call Mary for more information on 01463 224828
www.westwoodcattery.co.uk
Feline Advisory Bureau Registered, Listed in Good Cattery Guide tel: 01309 690063
LOCH NESS TOASTMONSTERS A group who’ve joined together 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 or drop into one of our fortnightly meetings. www.toastmonsters.co.uk MEDITATION CLASSES Mondays 6.30pm at Millburn Academy, Diriebught Road, Inverness. £5 (£4 conc.). Call 0141 334 1334 or visit www.meditateinglasgow.org All welcome. NOAH'S ARK TOTS Tues - Fri 9:45am - 11:30am at Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness See www.culduthel christiancentre.org for details. NORTH KESSOCK BOWLING CLUB For more information about Indoor bowling call 01463 793502 and for Outdoor bowling call 01463 731052. SALTIRE SOCIETY HIGHLAND BRANCH Saturdays, 6 per annum 12 noon at various venues. To promote Scotland's cultural heritage, arts and imagination through a series of events and awards with local talks and events. for more information contact Convener Jim Miller on 01463 713552 SOUNDS FAMILIAR SINGING GROUP Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday every month at 2:30pm - 4pm in the Craigmonie Hotel, Annfield Rd, Inverness. For people with dementia & their carers. For details call 01463 233231 or 01463 230803 or email soundsfamiliarmusic@aol.com STARLIGHT MUSICAL THEATRE New amateur musical theatre group. For more information email starlightmusicaltheatre@ live.co.uk with your details. WESTHILL INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Tues & Thurs 7.30 - 9.30pm Oct to Mar, Cradlehall Primary School. Call the Chairperson on 790524 or Gladys on 790834
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
do we do with The Editor What our spare time? Do we get out enough and join in with things - get involved with local events and clubs? When we first started SpotLight it was intended to be used by people to find local groups and events to attend. You will find lists of clubs and societies at the front of the magazine - normally page 4 and upcoming events in the central pages. Why not try something new as Spring approaches?
PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes ADVERTISING ..............Susan Innes ADVERTISING ..........Lisa McDonald ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LAYOUT .................Tamsyn Dickson ADMIN......................Linda Ferguson
April Issue Deadlines Editorial - Friday 04/03/16 Advertising - Wednesday 09/03/16
Set in a spacious woodland campus, with magnificent views overlooking Findhorn Bay and the Moray Firth, Drumduan School offers Steiner Waldorf education, from Parent and Toddler sessions, through Kindergarten and Middle School, to the Upper School, which students complete at 18 years old.
The Drumduan curriculum is designed to meet the developmental needs of the growing child in a healthy, creative and experiential way. Academic study is balanced by movement, music and artistic work with crafts, gardening and outdoor activities part of the weekly timetable. Drumduan is currently recruiting pupils in all classes. Boarding is available for older pupils. For more information contact the School Administrator
Drumduan school will be holding an Open Morning 4BUVSEBZ UI .BSDI t BN QN Drumduan School, Clovenside Road, Forres IV36 2RD
01309 676300
SFDFQUJPO!ESVNEVBO PSH t XXX ESVNEVBO PSH
Nairn Dunbar Golf Club Lochloy Road, Nairn IV12 5AE A challenging, championship golf course with a relaxed and friendly welcome!
Introductory Golf membership Conditions apply. Please phone for details of restrictions.
Sunday PM to Friday unlimited Golf Plus 2 Free lessons! If you have ever thought of joining a golf club but were unsure about the cost, why not try our Introductory Golf Membership. You will get 2 group lessons from our professional staff, 12 months golf (except all day Saturday and Sunday mornings) and a loyalty card giving 10% discount in our bars and restaurant.
ÂŁ150
*
All for only
Ask about our Full Memberships too!
*Plus ÂŁ17.25 (SGU Levy & Golfers insurance)
01667 452741 www.nairndunbar.com email: enquiries@nairndunbar.com
PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS Life is full of surprises! Some thieves got a surprise recently when they set out to siphon fuel from an unattended coach parked in a Western Australian town. They removed what they thought was the fuel cap and inserted a hose into the tank. One of the group then sucked on the tube to begin the process of removing the contents. It was only when he got a mouthful of the liquid that the gang realised their error. They had opened not the fuel tank, but the sewage tank. The thieves fled empty handed, one with a lingering reminder of his mistake! Life is full of surprises! Few things in our world are completely reliable, and however well we attempt to plan our lives, unexpected circumstances seem to arise quite frequently. Robert Burns had it right when he wrote “The best-laid schemes o'
mice an' men gang aft agley” but I think he was wrong to conclude: “An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!” Life’s unpredictability is a reality, but it should never lead us to dread the future. In the midst of all the uncertainty of life, there is something we can be sure of; something which never changes. It is the love of God. Often when we hear the word love mentioned in popular culture, it is referring to an emotion, to something transient, changeable and conditional. Del Amitri summed up this concept of love very well when they sang: “Love disappears like spit in the rain.” The kind of love we find described in the Bible is something quite different. Psalm 136:1 says: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” This love
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 Bible Fellowship Wyvis Place, Inverness, IV3 8DR. Sundays @ 11:15am, Wednesdays @ 7:30pm, drug and alcohol dependency & addiction support Tuesdays @ 12noon includes lunch, monthly drop-in cafe with value £1 menu every first Saturday of each month. Tel 01463 226776, email leojrose@me.com Inverness Christian Fellowship at Merkinch Community Centre. 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.invernessmethodist.org.uk Kiltarlity Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Sundays: 11:15am. Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk
page 6 - March 2016
is something which is totally predictable and completely reliable. It will never vanish or unexpectedly fade as time passes. This love is not a feeling but an action. It is something self-sacrificial which is driven only by the need of others. Elsewhere in the Bible we read: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This love motivated God to send Jesus to earth, enduring the pain of the cross to secure our future. When we respond to this love, we need not fear the future. However unpredictable life’s events may be, there is one thing which is certain. Owen Morris The Junction Church Inverness
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 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. Sunday Services at 12 noon and 6pm. Website: www.knockbainfreechurch.org Maryburgh & Killearnan Free Church Sunday service 11am and 6pm. Seaforth Place, Maryburgh - tel: 01349 863367. email: cswan@ctlconnect.co.uk Ness Bank Church of Scotland Inverness. Sundays 11am. Tel: 01463 238409. Email: nessbankchurch@gmail.com • www.nessbank.net New Hope Inverness Church Sundays @ 11am at The IRONWORKS 122B Academy Street Inverness. For info call 07547 955567 or visit www.newhopeinv.org.uk North Kessock, Church of Scotland Main Street, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731712. Website: www.churchofscotland.org.uk Listed I to N 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
SAW SERVICE LTD
:063 -0$"- )*3& $&/53&
LAWN SPIKER ROTOVATOR PETROL SCARIFIER BRUSHCUTTER RIDE-ON MOWER TURFCUTTERS LOG SPLITTER HEDGE TRIMMER
LARGE RANGE OF SNOWSPORTS CLOTHING AND HARDWEAR EXPERT BOOT FITTING
CLEARANCE END OF SEASON th this advert.
20%OFF
wi
Offer expires 31/03/2016
:063 4611-*&34 0' with In-house Service Centre 78 Academy Street, Inverness
/iÂ?\Ă&#x160;ä£{Ă&#x2C6;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201C;{nĂ&#x2C6;ääĂ&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;°VÂ&#x201C;Ă&#x192;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x203A;iĂ&#x20AC;Â&#x2DC;iĂ&#x192;Ă&#x192;°Ă&#x2022;Â&#x17D;
BAGS OF REASONS TO DONATE YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS TO caring sharing CARING & SHARING. and
Lawnmowers Chainsaws Brushcutters Ride on Mowers Circular Saws Guillotine Blades Chipper Blades Bandsaws
connectingourcommunities
We need donations
We sharpen Scissors and Kitchen Knives
We need donations of Clothing, of warm winter clothing Bric a brac and books.
USED WANTED OLD, UN INERY CH AND BROKEN MA NG FOR RECYCLI
s We collect locally. s We support our
Opening Times .PO 5IVST BN QN 'SJ BN QN 4BU BN QN
8BUFSGPSE *OEVTUSJBM &TUBUF 'PSSFT 5FM: XXX UIPNTPOTBXTFSWJDFMUE DP VL UIPNTPO TBXTFSWJDF!HNBJM DPN 4"-&4 t 4&37*$& t 3&1"*3 t )*3&
Community. s We make a difference here.
87 CHURCH STREET, INVERNESS IV1 1ES
01463 226404
Show Home Open Weekend Saturday 5th to Sunday 6th March
8'!ধ 2+ 311<2-ধ '9 ,'8' $31'9 ! ধ 1' -2 £-(' >,'2 @3< 9,3<£& #' ;!0-2+ ;,-2+9 ! £-ħ £' '!9-'8W -;, ! #'!<ধ (<£ 2'> 38 #'&8331T (<££@ (<82-9,'&T 8'9-&'2ধ !£ 6!80 ,31' at Riverview Country Park you can. Stay on a private estate exclusively (38 ;,' 3='8 Z9T 9'; #@ ;,' 8-='8 -2 !$8'9 3( #'!<ধ (<£ 6!80 £!2&W
Beautiful new homes at Riverview Country Park The Lilac Lodge
Fully furnished throughout
7KH EHQHĆ WV RI SDUN OLYLQJ
• Designer inspired interior layout
• Fully furnished and ready to move straight in • Low running costs and low maintenance • No agent’s fees or stamp duty to pay • Quick Move available j 3=' -2T -2 /<9; &!@9R
• 6!$-3<9T 36'2 6£!2 £-=-2+ !2& &-2-2+ !8'! • State-of-the-art kitchen with integrated appliances • Master bedroom with king size bed • Plus a FREE veranda with every home
Homes range from
¤ T to T
Was
T
Save
T Now Only T
Come along and join us from Saturday 5th to Sunday 6th March for our Show Home Open Weekend. Forres
A96
Nairn
Inverness A9
Elgin A96
Riverview
Mundole, Forres, Morayshire, IV36 2TA
!£'9 ø -$' !2& ,3> 31'9 open 7 days a week. Please call to let us know you’re coming on:
¥ www.RiverviewCountryPark.co.uk
Riverview Country Park Creating Communities
Let Us Know ‘What’s On’ In Your Area *April Issue Deadline: Friday, 4th March* 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 19 march the mixed "winter exhibition" at inchmore gallery open open tuesday to saturday 10am - 5pm and by appointment. many new works by artists new to the gallery and those who exhibit regularly. for more info visit www.inchmoregallery.co.uk
nam bonach. 6 miles. depart 10am from highland council car park. for information call 01463 236204. ed byrne: outside, looking in @ eden court 8pm. for tickets and info visit www.eden-court.co.uk card making session 1pm - 3:30pm at the bike shed, grant street, inverness. bring something along or find something there. for info call ann on 01463 710375 or catherine at the clay studio 719712
MARCH 2016 1 tuesday scottish ornithologists’ club: ‘twenty years on the se scotland atlas’ by ray murray 7.30pm at culloden library. for more information call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740 infifa ‘madame de …’ 7:15pm at eden court cinema and followed by informal post film discussion. for more info visit www.invernessfilmfans.org
NAIRN COMMUNITY & ARTS CENTRE
FEBRUARY 2016 24 wednesday social diners - why eat alone? 12:30pm. for dining venue information and to book call gill on 01349 877061
MARCH EVENTS
25 thursday
Sat 5th - 7:30pm The Chandeliers
rspb talk : the rspb’s natural secrets by peter holden mbe 7.30pm at culduthel christian centre, inverness call 01997 433283 for more information.
Sun 6th - Nairn 10k Mon 7th - Cinema Nairn - “Floodtide” (PG) – Matinee 2pm
26 friday livewire ac/dc @ ironworks 7:30pm. ac/dc tribute. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com the sounds of wit: an illustrated talk on donald macintyre’s great satirical masterpiece, macphàil is macthòmais by bill innes 7.30pm in inverness gaelic school. non-members welcome.
NAIRN
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
Fri 18th - Cinema Nairn - “Pride” 2014 (15) 7.30pm Sat 19th - Jazz Nairn - The Tim Kliphuis Trio - 8pm
27 saturday inverness ramblers nairn harbour to fisherman’s cottage whitenesshead. 10 miles. depart 9am from highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information. rspb outing : beauly firth 9.30am at highland council car park. call 01997 433283 for more info. scooty & the skyhooks @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com great glen walking club cnoc croit na maoile & loch
Wed 9th - Music Nairn - Benjamin Grosvenor, Piano, with Violinist, Hyeyoon Park -7.30pm
Sat 26th - Megan’s Fun day, in aid of Clic Sargent
Your local venue for films, shows, concerts and parties Wide range of activities for all ages
For further details 01667 453476 info@nairncc.co.uk www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
March 2016 - page 9
garden
GreenThumb
Does My Mower Need Sharpened ? Chances are – yes. I know many of you dutifully take your petrol machines into the local garden machinery place each spring. They will probably change the oil, filters, plugs and sharpen the blades ready for another season. Some do this themselves. I also know however that many machines are long overdue a service. You may find it’s getting harder to start, maybe not, but what is inevitable is that most lawnmower blades only manage a season before the blade is dulled. If you have an electric or flymo type machine, the same applies. On smaller, lighter machines, often a better option is just to change the blade, which at £10-£20 might actually prove cheaper than sharpening. Also, there are many lightweight alloys used in some blades nowadays, which don’t tend to keep an edge as well as heavier metals. When the blade loses its’ sharpness, it doesn’t make a clean cut through the grass sward. There are some obvious signs that this might be a problem. It may seem to struggle to give a decent cut at all; there may be issues with clumping and leaving material on the lawn, particularly when the grass has some wet in it (much of the time in our climate). Less understood perhaps is that a blunt blade will often end up tearing the grass leaf, rather than providing a clean cut. If you examine a few blades of grass, you will be able to see either a straight clean cut at the top, or a rather ragged, torn top. The result of a poor cut is bruising to the grass leaf, which causes the tip to turn brown, as it has been damaged. The overall effect can be to leave the grass with poor colour. Instead of an even, healthy green, it has a tinge of brown throughout. A ragged cut to the material of any plant provides a weak point, making it susceptible to diseases and
10
UK FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP
2013
moulds. You hear the same advice given for pruning and hedging shears. My top tip for this month is to get your mower down to the workshop. If you wait until Easter weekend like everyone else, it will sit in a long queue, and you might not get it back for some weeks Incidentally, I heard an interesting question on QI last year. Q. In the UK, what travels north at 8 miles per day? A. Spring (I think the actual measure used was the opening of daffodils, but don’t quote me on that.) Something else of interest; GreenThumb celebrates it’s 30th Anniversary this year. I think (and so does the industry), they’ve done very well to start from scratch back then in North Wales, to grow to be the largest lawncare company in Europe, with over 500,000 customers, and still growing. I cant take much credit though, as we’re quite a small franchise (award-winning nonetheless), with around 1,000 customers round here. For more information about seasonal lawn improvements from just £11.25 per mth, plus useful downloads and photos, go to www.greenthumb.co.uk. Although GreenThumb is a national franchise with over 200 branches across the UK, we are locally based in Nairnshire and cover the whole Moray Firth area. Contact Alastair or Fiona for a FREE LAWN ANALYSIS on 01667 460012, or email us at:
inverness@greenthumb.co.uk Alastair Watt
18% DISCO UNT with
18%
PetStay a $ /RYLQJ &DULQJ $OWHUQDWLYH WR .HQQHOV
<RXU GRJ V VWD\ LQ RXU FDUHUV KRPH ([SHULHQFHG GRJ ORYHUV 0HHW \RXU FDU E I E N .LQGHU DQG OHV $OO URXWLQHV NH 9H HWV UHFRPPH ,QVXUHG OLFHQF DQG YHWWHG
12 saturday %HFRPH RQH RI RXU PDQ\ GRJ FDUHUV (DUQ IURP Â&#x2026; WR Â&#x2026; S Z Z ORRNLQJ DIWHU GRJV LQ \RXU RZQ KRPH
moray science festival families day 10am - 4pm at moray college, uhi, moray street, elgin. for more information email mary.johnston@uhi.ac.uk, call 01343 576266 visit www.moraysciencefestival.co.uk inverness ramblers walk 1 - sgurr an airgrid. 4 miles. depart 8am walk 2 - easterton and bunachton. 7.5 miles. depart 10am from highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information.
13 sunday
ZZ ZZ Z SHWVWD\ QHW FDWULRQD#SHWVWD\ QHW
RU +LJKODQG 0RUD\ %UDQFK
great glen walking club fodderty, loch ussie & knockfarrel. 9 miles. depart 9am from highland council car park. for info call 01463 236204.
15 tuesday 4 friday df concerts present : the stranglers the alarm @ ironworks 7pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com
5 saturday inverness choral society coffee morning 10.30am 12.30pm at inverness town house. with coffee, cake and live piano music from sheila bruce. ÂŁ3. call 01381 600239 or visit www.invernesschoral.org.uk great glen walking club - walk @ agm call 01463 236204 for further information hxc events present - slipknowt : zombie militia seed of sorrow @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
stiff little fingers + ricky warwick & the fighting hearts @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com infifa â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;letter from an unknown womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 7:15pm at eden court cinema and followed by informal post film discussion. visit www.invernessfilmfans.org
16 wednesday social diners - why eat alone? 7.30pm. for dining venue info and to book call gill 01349 877601
18 friday
inverness ramblers cuaich/loch cuaich/coire chuaich. 8.9 miles. depart 9am from highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for info.
the ceilidh house with marloch band, linda macleod, angus macleod, eilidh cormack and piper euan maccrimmon 7.30pm at eden court. 01463 234234 or visit www.edencourt.co.uk healing meeting with john mellor 7pm at the barn church, inverness. one of australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most respected healing ministers. all welcome to attend & receive prayer. for more info email cfhhmoray@gmail.com or call 07835 583820.
7 monday
19 saturday
6 sunday
royal scottish geographical society, inverness centre, lecture by tania mollanen - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;reindeer blood and games on the edge of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 7.30pm - 9pm at highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. admission: adults ÂŁ8, under 18s & rsgs members free.
9 wednesday highland rock garden club - the beauty and the beast: mosses and related plants a talk by dave genney (scottish natural heritage) 7.30pm at nairn community & arts centre. ÂŁ2.50 incl. refreshments. all welcome. call john owen on 01320 366246
10 thursday highland decorative & fine arts society (hdfas) : art lecture "william hogarth 1697-1764" lecture by linda smith 2pm - 3:30pm at smithton free church, murray road, inverness. new members welcome. email membership sec averillbrodie@ymail.com or chair davidmartin30@hotmail.com (07595 219308) non members ÂŁ6. page 12 - March 2016
great glen walking club loch toll an lochain. 6.25 miles. depart 9am from highland council car park. for information call 01463 236204. nairn menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakfast 9.45 for 10am, dunbar golf club, nairn. testimony by ralph gunn. share food and fellowship and hear what god is doing in other men's lives. call campbell on 01667 455149 by 6.30pm fri 18th to book your place.
20 sunday inverness ramblers blue hill circ walk. 10 miles. depart 9am from highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information.
23 wednesday moray science festival quiz night doors open 6pm for 6.30pm, conference room, moray college, moray street, elgin. all welcome. byob. snacks provided. ÂŁ3 per head. email mary.johnston@uhi.ac.uk, call 01343 576266 or visit moraysciencefestival.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
25 friday cromarty arts trust - ‘fresh folk’ gig 8pm at the old brewery. for more information call 01381 600354 or visit www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk
26 saturday inverness ramblers beinn a ’mhuinidh kinlochewe. 9 miles. depart 9am from highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for info. easter fun day 1.30pm - 3.30pm at the bike shed, grant street, inverness. fun and activities for the whole family. for info call ann on 01463 710375 or catherine at the clay studio 719712 eddie halliwell - cheynie - maddog @ ironworks 10pm. 0871 7894173 or ironworksvenue.com
26 saturday - 27 sunday annual model railway exhibition by moray model railway group 10am - 5pm at elgin town hall. all welcome. entry £4 adults, £2 concs, family £11. buffet available. www.moraymrg.org.uk
26 saturday - 28 monday cadbury easter egg hunt @ brodie castle 11am 4pm.with fun fair and craft fair. visit www.nts.org.uk
27 sunday
Al-Anon Public Meeting &'$ * & $ + !""! '$*% !! "& '$! " !( $! %% *"' $ "! $! "'& %" "! % ,% $! ! # % " "! * ) ! # Confidential Helpline
28 monday df concerts present : years & years @ ironworks 7pm. 0871 7894173 or ironworksvenue.com
30 wednesday social diners - why eat alone? 12.30pm. for dining venue info and to book call gill 01349 877601
31 thursday cromarty arts trust - jazz concert at the stables with sophie bancroft & friends. for more information call 01381 600354 or visit www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk rspb talk - north scotland office update 7.30pm at culduthel christian centre, inverness. for more info call 01997 433283
great glen walking club forres - califer - rafford circular walk. 8 miles. depart 9am from highland council car park. for info call 01463 236204
YOUR VOTE MATTERS DON’T LOSE IT You can now register to vote online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN MAY 2016 DON’T LOSE YOUR CHANCE TO VOTE For more information please go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk It may affect your credit rating if you are not on the Register Highland & Western Isles Valuation Joint Board For further information please visit: www.highland.gov.uk/hwi-vjb email:ero@highland.gov.uk Freephone: 0800 393 783
Go to: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote It only takes a few minutes! admin@spotlighton.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
March 2016 - page 13
USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days Mothering Sunday Sun 6th Mar 2016 Local Holiday ‡ Mon 7th Mar 2016 Palm Sunday Sun 20th Mar 2016 Maundy Thursday Thurs 24th Mar 2016 Good Friday Fri 25th Mar 2016 British Summertime Starts Sun 27th Mar 2016 Easter Sunday Sun 27th Mar 2016 Easter Monday Mon 28th Mar 2016
April Fool’s Day Early May Bank Holiday Father’s Day Longest Day Local Holiday ‡ Summer Bank Holiday Local Holiday ‡ ‡ Inverness
Fri 1st Apr 2016 Mon 2nd May 2016 Sun 19th Jun 2016 Mon 20th Jun 2016 Mon 4th Jul 2016 Mon 1st Aug 2016 Mon 3rd Oct 2016
School Term Dates for 2015/2016 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Thurs 24th Mar 2016 Spring Holiday Starts Fri 25th Mar 2016 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 8th Apr 2016 Summer Term Starts Mon 11th Apr 2016 May Day Holiday Mon 2nd May 2016 In-Service Day Mon 6th Jun 2016 Summer Term Ends Fri 1st Jul 2016 for 2016/2017 (all dates inclusive) Autumn Term Starts Tues 16th Aug 2016
Autumn Term Ends Autumn Holiday Starts Autumn Holiday Ends Winter Term Starts Winter Term Ends Christmas Holiday Starts Christmas Holiday Ends Spring Term Starts Mid Term Holiday Mid Term Holiday
Fri 7th Oct 2016 Mon 10th Oct 2016 Fri 21st Oct 2016 Mon 24th Oct 2016 Fri 23rd Dec 2016 Mon 26th Dec 2016 Fri 6th Jan 2017 Mon 9th Jan 2017 Mon 20th Feb 2017 Tues 21st Feb 2017
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03457 484950 Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 NHS 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08445 769977 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
page 14 - March 2016
Riverside Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 715999 Raigmore Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 RNI Community Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 706966 Strathlene Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 870843 The Aird Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782214 The Surgery, Munlochy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 811200 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 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
• Movement of the printed text • Blurring of print • Letters changing shape or size • Patterns appearing in the print
• Halos of colour surrounding the letters or words • Tiring easily whilst reading • Headaches or visual discomfort • Red, sore, watery eyes
Book an appointment today or ask instore for details on how Colorimetry could help you
COLORIMETRY
PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES
“
Parliament Blog
”
More people in the Highlands make their living through tourism than any other sector. So, the news that last year the number of visitors - and spending per visitor - to Scotland has risen, is welcome. Key to further success is improving transport links so it is easier - and less expensive - for people to get here. Planned improvements to rail inks to Perth and Aberdeen and dualling of the A9 and A96 will help. But we also need more people to come here by air, and build on the excellent work at Inverness Airport in developing more routes and connections. To achieve that, our planned reduction in Air Passenger Duty is essential: to reduce the tax on travel to a fairer level. Fergus Ewing MSP
LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN MARCH 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 09:07 09:58 00:39 02:08 03:01 03:52 04:47
PM 21:58 13:44 14:51 15:46 16:39 17:29
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
TU W TH F SA SU M TU W TH F SA
FISHING ON THE FINDHORN
Here in the Highlands & Islands we are still paying excessive delivery charges. This has to change and I am committed to working with all interested parties to address this. This is, after all, an issue that transcends party politics and I commend all the actions that have been taken to date to tackle the issue, especially the work done by Citizens Advice Scotland and the Scottish Government on the Statement of Principles but also the work of other politicians and community action groups. That said, we should not want to be standing here in a couple of years saying the same thing about the inequity of service – we should all want to ensure people living here and businesses operating in the Highlands are not disadvantaged because of legislative loopholes or lack of enforcement. That is precisely why I have launched a campaign for a “Peoples Delivery Guarantee” which aims to tackle these issues head on.
Drew Hendry MP AM 05:37 06:20 07:03 07:43 08:26 09:07 09:51 10:42 11:56 01:28 02:52 03:54
PM 18:13 18:55 19:36 20:17 20:59 21:41 22:25 23:18 14:08 15:21 16:20
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
SU M TU W TH F SA SU M TU W TH
AM 04:46 05:26 05:52 06:07 06:28 07:00 07:33 08:56 08:43 09:01 09:35 10:21
PM 17:08 17:46 18:15 18:37 19:01 19:31 20:01 21:24 21:20 21:24 21:56
Moray Estates currently have fishing availability on the River Findhorn, at Darnaway, by Forres.
This space could have been promoting your business!
vailable Rods are a eek or er w on a day p sis. ly k wee ba
SpotLight covers six areas along the Moray Firth Coastline from Buckie & Keith across to Inverness and then down to Aviemore - and all the places in between!
Please call Kay on 01309 672213
Contact us for details of rates and sizes: (01309) 690063
or e-mail kay@medco.co.uk for further details. page 16 - March 2016
tel: 01309 690063
admin@spotlighton.co.uk
The Fish Van â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fresh Scottish Seafood
BELLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SEAFOOD OUR FISH VAN MAKES THESE SALES STOPS EVERY WEEK
Tuesdays Kinmyles Shopping Centre ..........8:45am Tesco Ness Side ...........................10:00am Dows, Hilton ................................2:15pm Thursdays Tesco Ness Side ...........................11:00am Ardersier ......................................5:00pm -
10:00am 2:00pm 3:15pm 1:00pm 5:45pm
Fridays Culloden Shopping Centre........ 8:45am Harry Gows............................... 9:45am Simpsons Garden Centre........... 10:15am Matalan, Inshes ......................... 4:00pm Cradlehall Shopping centre....... 5:00pm -
9:45am 10:15am 3:15pm 5:00pm 6:15pm
For more information or to place an order, contact CHARLES on 07917576913 or email: bellseafood@gmail.com
Portable heaters for every home Our exclusive range of portable gas heaters will make an elegant addition to any home, whether you are looking for a stylish flame effect heater or a robust heater that is kinder to the pocket, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a heater for you. Distributors
GAS & HEATER PACKAGES
ÂŁ OFF a 0 OFF When you spend upto ÂŁ150
When you spend over ÂŁ150
%DGAR 2OAD %LGIN )6 91 s SDHARPER CO UK s
Conditions apply, this voucher does not have a cash value. Offer expires 31st March 2016.
#
! % $"
#
!
"
PR
S
E
WHE E
C R A I RE A H LC
OM
I
OUR PRICES WILL BE HARD TO BEAT WITHIN A 50 MILE RADIUS *
*Within a 50 mile radius of our shop in Forres
UP TO
ÂŁ200 OFF SELECTED SCOOTERS
Images are for illustrative purposes only
ER
7(%%,#(!)23 s WALKING WALKING FRAMES & TROLLIES WITH OV s 2)3%2 2%#,).%2 #(!)23 and many outdoor accessories EX
PE
RIE N C E
21 West Road, Greshop Industrial Estate, Forres IV36 2GW (Behind Lidl)
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
Easy parking & disabled toilet facilities
ALTONBURN LINKS
CHRISTIE GROVE
S P E Y B AY LINKS
NAIRN
FOCHABERS
SPEY BAY
9 luxury homes with exceptional sea views FROM £435,000
3,4 & 5 bedroom bungalows and villas FROM £227,500
6 luxury homes with panoramic sea views FROM £289,000
FIRTH VIEW
HIGHFIELD GARDENS
LOSSIEMOUTH
3 bedroom homes FROM £175,000
BUCKIE
3,4 & 5 bedroom bungalows and villas FROM £229,000
Building quality bespoke homes... throughout Moray and the Highlands.
TO FIND OUT MORE... VISIT OUR SHOWHOME AT 4 FAIRWAY ROAD . BUCKIE . AB56 4HJ OPEN WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY . 12NOON TO 5PM OR CALL 07909 993098 . Email: enquiries@morlich.co.uk
www.morlich.co.uk