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Clubs, Societies & Regular Meetings AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Self help group for families and friends of people with a drink problem, with meetings held locally throughout the Highland area. Call 020 7403 0888 for a local contact number in your area. Make that call. It could change YOUR life. BEFRIENDERS HIGHLAND Voluntary organisation, co-ordinating friendships between volunteers and people who have mental health problems and feel lonely or isolated. Contact H Forbes 01667 451444 or email nairn@befriendershighland.org.uk www.befriendershighland.org.uk BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Last Thursday of the month, 7 9pm, Best Western Palace Hotel, 8 Ness Walk, Inverness. For those who have lost a baby before, during or after birth. Bring along any photos or memory items. Contact Susan 07771358382 or Denise on 07724306983
CROY & CULLODEN MOOR SENIOR CITIZENS' LUNCH CLUB Alternate Wed 1 - 3pm, Church Hall, Croy, £3 for 2 course meal & afternoon tea. Dominoes, jigsaws and other activities CULLODEN FENCING CLUB Tuesdays 7 - 9pm during term time at Culloden Academy Community Centre. Call 792794 DINGWALL FRISBEE CLUB Sundays 3-4pm at Dingwall Leisure Centre. Call Luke 07970 597770 or ljsh@hotmail.co.uk HIGHLAND BONSAI SOCIETY 3rd Wednesday every month, 7.30pm in Balloch Village Hall Contact Chris on 01349 865485 HIGHLAND HILLWALKING CLUB Call 791572 or email: highlandhillwalkers@fsmail.net www.spanglefish.com/ HighlandHillwalkingClub HIGHLAND HISTORICAL SEARCH SOCIETY Inverness based metal detecting club. Free equipment loan, tuition and regular places to detect. Beginners/new members welcome.Transport provided if needed. Contact Len tel: 01808 521340 anytime
Sample One-Off Advertising Rates (Colour Advert) Box £88 Big Box £167 ¼ Page £302 ½ Page £572 Business Profile £624 Full Page £1080 HIGHLAND WHEELCHAIR Discounts available for series CURLING CLUB Tues 1.30 - 3.30pm,Inverness Ice bookings and Black & White SpotLight on Inverness is published by Winterburn Media Ltd, Comraich, Woodside Farm, Kinloss IV36 3UA, 01309 690063. All material contained within the SpotLight magazines is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertiser artwork or any other content, without the publishers prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright. page 4 - March 2012
Rink. If you use a wheelchair or have mobility problems come and see what we do. Equipment provided. Call Mo Simpson 01463 716227 or 07798 710404 email: wheel77uk@yahoo.co.uk
abilities. Affiliated to the Scottish Canoe Association. Meeting times vary so visit our website www.invernesscc.org.uk or email info@invernesscc.org.uk INVERNESS CLASSIC JAZZ SOCIETY Tel: 01463 223857 www.ds.dial.pipex.com/ jazzitoria/home.htm INVERNESS FIELD ARCHERY CLUB Winter - Wed 7pm-9pm, North Kessock Hall, Spring/Summer 6pm to dusk. To teach and participate in Field Archery. INVERNESS GARDENING CLUB 2nd Tuesday each month Sept May, 7:30pm in the Mackenzie Centre. Informal meetings with guest speakers. Call Graeme on 01463 224445 for info or email graememunro99@hotmail.com. INVERNESS SWIMMING CLUB Secretary Gerry Parks Tel: 01667 462219 INVERNESS FILM FANS Inverness Film Fans (InFiFa) Fortnightly at Eden Court for screenings & discussion. New members welcome. Details: www.invernessfilmfans.org INVERNESS FLORAL ART CLUB Once a month to enjoy a floral art demonstration by trained demostrators from all over the country. New members and visitors are welcome. contact: Heather 795646 or Ann 238605.
INVERNESS BRAVEHEARTS Wednesdays 6pm Gym Hall, Millburn Academy. Helping to maintain a healthy lifestyle to provide support to those with cardiac disease, together with their families. Call 01463 704554
INVERNESS RADIO VOLUNTEERS Do you have spare time at the weekend and have the use of a car? Then the IRV would like to hear from you as we are looking for more volunteers. For more information contact 794984 or visit www.inverness radiovolunteers.co.uk
INVERNESS CANOE CLUB Catering for paddlers of all
INVERNESS SEA CADETS Tues and Thursday evenings,
tel: 01309 690063
7.15pm-9.30pm, tel: 226069 LEACHKIN ANGLING CLUB Tel: 223621, or email: ian@harrisholidays.com NORTHERN COUNTIES CRICKET CLUB Providing cricketing opportunities to all members of the local community. Tel: Hamish Christie on 239894 or 07761 119604 NORTH KESSOCK BOWLING CLUB For more information about Indoor bowling call 01463 793502 and for Outdoor bowling call 01463 731052 PET FOSTERING SCOTLAND Supporting pet owners in an emergency situation. Volunteers care for your pet in their own homes for short periods. Reg. charity SCO15672. Volunteers needed. Tel: 0844 811 9909 www.pfss.org.uk STITCH THREAD AND BEYOND 2nd Wednesday every month, Community Room, Culloden Community Centre. To promote the Art of Embroidery & related Crafts in the Highlands. Call Kate MacKenzie 01463 790924 THE WAY FOUNDATION Help each other rebuild our lives after widowhood. Call us on 0870 011 3450 or email info@wayfoundation.org.uk
If you would like details of your club or society included in this section please let us know. All club listings are free. Not all clubs will be listed every issue.
SpotLight Magazines
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SpotLight on Inverness and District
The Editor
We always like to be positive here at SpotLight. You won’t find horror stories and tales of woe within these pages. We feel that there is plenty enough of that on the TV and in the papers. So our aim here is to be supportive and encouraging to local people to get involved with local activities and to play a part in your community. By engaging with our neighbours this is how we find a real place in society, not by pulling others down.
PUBLISHER ...............David Nelmes SALES ......................Eilidh Conners SALES .............................Laura Bell ACCOUNTS ...................Lynn Wood LAYOUT ...............Megan Woodman DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LISTINGS................Tamsyn Dickson
Clubs & Societies ............................4 Pastoral Letter.................................6 Church Details.................................6 Council News ..................................8 School Term Dates........................10 Useful Numbers ............................10 Local Holidays...............................10 What’s On ................................13-17 Cinema Listings.............................15 Parliament Blog.............................18 Tide Times.....................................18 Advertisers Index ..........................26
Clubs
Get Involved................................4
What’s On
Events..................................13-17
Cinema
Films To See .............................15
Travel
India ..........................................24
Nature
Wild March................................22
Restaurant Reveiw
Sams Indian Cuisine............20-21
April Issue Deadlines
Editorial - Friday 02/03/12 Advertising - Wednesday 07/03/12
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Pastoral letter and Church Meetings Many years ago, I was pastor of a church in Aberdeen. Our wider family lived a long distance away and visiting them was rather like embarking on an expedition. Each time we’d start our journey, we wouldn’t even get outside the city before our little daughter would ask “Are we nearly there yet?” For years I’ve struggled with the same sense of impatience whenever I’ve had a long journey to make. I’ve been impatient to reach my destination and looked on the time spent in travelling as wasted time. My sister and her husband visited us for the first time in Inverness recently. I was astonished that, instead of flying, they chose a nine hour journey by train. But when I met them at the station and asked how the journey had been, they said how much they’d enjoyed it. The scenery had been stunning, the train had been comfortable and – most important of all - the train had run on time and they had made their connections! Life itself is like taking a journey. We need to make adequate preparations for
life’s journey. That means investing personal time and energy to train and develop our abilities for our chosen career. It means having objectives and knowing what we want to do with our lives – being clear about our destination! And, of course, it means preparing for our long-term future through savings and putting aside for our pension. But we shouldn’t forget that there are spiritual preparations we also need to make. Jesus told the story of the man who made careful plans to increase his wealth by building larger barns. His reasoning was “Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ What he failed to factor in to his preparations for this life was the need to prepare adequately for the life to come. “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly
CityLife Church, Meets Sundays at 10:30am, Mercure Hotel, Church Street, Inverness, website: www.citylifechurch.org.uk email: info@citylifechurch.org.uk tel: 01463 714839 Knockbain Free Church, Ferry Brae, North Kessock, tel:731368 email nwmacleod@talktalk.net Maryburgh & Killearnan Free Church, Seaforth Place, Maryburgh, tel: 01349 863367 and Killearnan Manse, Bogroy, Tore, tel: 731369 email: cswan@ctlconnect.co.uk Ness Bank C of S, Inverness. Sunday Service 11am. Tel: 243165 or visit www.nessbank.net North Kessock, C of S Main Street, North Kessock tel: 731712 www.churchofscotland.org.uk Old High St Stephen's, C of S, 1. Old High Church, Church Street, Inverness tel: 250802; 2 Southside Road at Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness tel: 250802 www.oldhighststephens.com St Andrew's Cathedral, Scottish Episcopal Church, Ardross Street, Inverness, tel: 233535 www.invernesscathedral.com St Clement's Parish Church of Scotland, Church Street, Dingwall. Sunday services - morning worship 11.30am, evening worship 6.30pm. Sunday School meets in Church Hall 11.20am (term time). Tel: 01349 863063 St Columba, Inverness, C of S 11am Sunday, and 8pm Wednesday for prayer, at Holm Primary School, tel: 07535 290092 or visit www.stcolumbainverness.org St John the Evangelist, Episcopal Church, Southside Road, Inverness. Sunday Service at 10.45am and Holy Communion on Wednesdays at 11am. Tel: 716288 www.stjohns-inverness.com
page 6 - March 2012
wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Our journey is not just for this life but for the next, and heaven needs to be our ultimate destination. To prepare well for that journey, we need to get to know Jesus as our Saviour and through Him enter into “a rich relationship with God”. But we should also remember that God wants us to enjoy the journey, not just to endure it. Michael Card, the Christian singer songwriter, produced an album I have which is called “Joy in the Journey”. And as we journey through life with Jesus, His love, companionship and support bring tremendous joy into our lives. If you get to know Jesus, you can experience something of this joy as well as knowing you’re on your way to your ultimate destination and the experience of life as God originally intended it to be. As Paul said in Rom.13:11 “our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed”.
Rev Bill Slack Culduthel Christian Centre
St. Ninian's Catholic Church 21 Culduthel Road, Inverness IV2 4AN, Saturday Vigil 5pm, Sunday Mass 10am tel: 236620 www.saintninians.org.uk St. Mary's Catholic Church 30 Huntly Street, Inverness IV3 5PR, Saturday Vigil 6.30pm, Sunday Mass 11am & 6.30pm; and St. Columba’s Catholic Church, Culloden IV2 7PW, Sunday Mass 9.30am; tel: 233519 or visit the website www.stmarysinverness.co.uk St Mary-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, Culloden, Sunday Service 9.45am and Holy Communion on Fridays at 10.30am, tel: 716288 www.stjohns-inverness.com St Michael & All Angels, Abban Street, Inverness, Contact Mrs Cathie MacRae tel: 731673, Sunday Mass at 11am, www.angelforce.co.uk Salvation Army 20 Tomnahurich Street, Inverness tel: 225276 www.salvationarmy.org.uk Smithton Free Church Murray Road, Smithton, Inverness tel: 790977 www.freechurch.org The Reformed Baptist Church, Telford Road, Inverness www.wicketgate.co.uk Trinity Church, C of S, 60 Huntly Place, Inverness. 11am Service on Sunday, 6:30pm Evening Service First Sunday of the Month www.trinityinverness.org.uk Urray & Strathconon Free Church, Urray at West Road, Muir of Ord and Strathconon at The Strathconon Community Hall, tel: 871223 email: dgmartin@homecall.co.uk This is listed alphabetically from K to U and will regularly be rotated.
tel: 01309 690063
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Community Council News Picture by Pauline Lewin , Copyright
EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 5TH DECEMBER 2011 OF INVERNESS CITY COMMITTEE
Part 1 The Provost announced that Mrs S Graham, Council Officer would be retiring in January and thanked her, on behalf of the City Committee, for her 37 years of dedicated and loyal service to the Council and in particular to the City. Mrs Graham was then presented with a bouquet of flowers and gift as a token of thanks and recognition from the Members of the Inverness City Committee. A bouquet of flowers was also presented to Miss M MacLeod, who was leaving her post as Business Support Officer in CEX Office, Town House, for a new position at the end of the year. Mr M Macleod, Head of Planning and Building Standards outlined the key areas detailed within the draft City Centre Development Brief and invited the Committee to comment on its contents, which would help inform the report to the Planning, Environment and Development Committee (PED) recommending approval of the Brief. Members thanked Mr Macleod for his presentation and commented as follows: this was a very important document which would help to create a vision for Inverness for generations to come; the quality of the environment was essential to a City and the provision of cycle ways, greenspaces and links to public transport would help towards removing motorised vehicles from the City Centre. As the Inverness Common Good Fund was a major property owner in the City Centre, the Inverness City Committee must play a strategic role in the development of the City Vision and the Development Briefs the Inverness Common Good Fund should be continually reviewed to look at ways of investing in and underwriting the purchase of properties to principally benefit the citizens of Inverness; Farraline Park and Station Square were prime sites for creating civic spaces for the City. The formation of a cross party Working Group drawn from the City Committee would help produce a structured and measured response to the Brief; there were many empty buildings in the city which provided opportunities for development through being renovated internally whilst retaining facades; the impact of the current review of the Councils office accommodation and the economic impact of businesses relocating out of the city centre were significant factors when considering new property investments for the Common Good Fund; there was a need for an indoor facility for tourists and the Castle would be
page 8 - March 2012
a prime location for this purpose; an integrated approach to the needs of locals and tourists was required. It was important that Inverness be viewed as a City for young people. Transport connectivity between the East and West of the City was a significant problem and needed to be addressed, with particular attention to the needs of young people. The left (West) bank of the River Ness must benefit from the Development Brief as the River and areas adjacent were essential to the development of the City. The Council must ensure that the Development Brief did not react to the short term financial pressures but think in the long term. The Victorian Market was an underutilised resource for the City as a tourist destination. Bridge Street, the Castle and Castle Street form an important hub in the City Centre that needed to be developed for tourism purposes. The vision must allow for flexibility and change as ideas change. Retail development in the City would prove challenging because of the increase in popularity of internet shopping. Depopulation in the City Centre was a major problem and private landowners must be encouraged to provide affordable housing - quality of design MUST be of the highest priority. The Council should be looking to the possibility of using developer’s contributions to Planning Gain made in respect of construction outside the city, in the City Centre. Academy Street must be a high priority area for development and improvements to streetscape. The plan must look at ways of retaining public conveniences in the city, some buildings were in a poor state of repair. Renovation and improvements to facades would immediately help the appearance of the city e.g. the Victorian Market entrance on Academy Street. There was a need to find suitable alternative accommodation for the Courts and Prison which were no longer fit for purpose, preferably by co-locating them on a new site. Student accommodation in the City would provide a fresh vibrancy to the centre. The current Bus Station was not fit for purpose and a more appropriate location should be found possibly at the site of the present Morrisons Supermarket Car Park. The old BT Telephone Exchange, Huntly House and 1/5 Church Street offered development opportunities. Inverness was a City and not a Town and opportunities to attract European funding must be taken. In response to some of the Members’ comments, the City Manager confirmed
tel: 01309 690063
that: there had to be a strategic balance between Inverness Common Good Fund (CGF) investment and community benefit but that it had to make the best use of opportunities to move assets around. The main aim of the CGF was to produce an income. After the draft Brief had been approved by the PED Committee, the City Committee would still have an opportunity to contribute to the Brief. It was not the right time to set up Member engagement. Mr Haas and Mr MacLeod were to work up a recommendation for a Stakeholder Group to be formed, including representatives from the Community and Members. This would be presented to the City Committee at the next meeting subject to the PED Committee approving the draft Brief. A report on Coach Parking would be brought to the Committee in the New Year. The Academy Street entrance of the Victorian Market would be looked at as part of the current renovations but the stone was very porous and sensitive to abrasion making cleaning difficult. A report on the potential for development involving the Castle Wynd Toilet Block and the adjacent area would be made to the next City Committee set for 13th February 2012. The Planning and Development Service had decanted from 1/3 Church Street because the office space was sub standard and a refurbishment programme was being worked up for consideration by the City Committee. The need for a new Art Gallery and Museum must be recognised and a clear implementation plan with immediate actions needed to form part of the Brief. Mr Macleod further commented that: all Members’ comments would help to inform the report to PED Committee. Some funding for Academy Street Streetscape work had been earmarked from the Planning and Development Capital Programme fund and work was underway, involving Mr Haas, to ensure that other available budgets could have the opportunity to contribute. Both sides of the river had been included in the Brief. The Council was working with the Prison Service to find an alternative site and, as part of the consultation, process events would be held in central locations at appropriate times to engage with as many confirmed that a comprehensive and updated list would be reported back to the next City Committee meeting, with particular reference to 1-3 Church Street.
SpotLight on Inverness and District
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Local Holidays, School Term Dates &Useful Numbers
Picture by Pauline Lewin, Copyright
Local Holidays Inverness Holiday Inverness Holiday Good Friday May Day Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Queens Diamond Jubilee Inverness Holiday Summer Bank Holiday
Mon. 5th Mar. 2012 Mon. 2nd April 2012 Fri. 6th April 2012 Mon. 7th May 2012 Mon. 4th June 2012 Tues. 5th June 2012 Mon. 2nd July 2012 Mon. 6th Aug. 2012
Inverness Holiday Inverness Holiday St Andrews Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Day Scottish Bank Holiday
Mon. 1st Oct. 2012 Mon. 5th Nov. 2012 Fri. 30th Nov. 2012 Tues. 25th Dec. 2012 Wed. 26th Dec. 2012 Tues. 1st Jan. 2013 Wed. 2nd Jan. 2013
* substitute, as this holiday falls on a weekend or other bank holiday
School Holidays
for 2012 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Friday 30th March 2012 Good Friday Holiday Friday 6th April 2012 Easter Monday Holiday Monday 9th April 2012 May Day Holiday Monday 7th May 2012 Summer Term Starts Tuesday 17th April 2012 for 2012/2013 (all dates inclusive) Regional Closure Monday 13th August 2012 Autumn Term Starts Tuesday 14th August 2012
Autumn Term Ends Friday 5th October 2012 Regional Closure Monday 22nd October 2012 Winter Term Starts Tuesday 23rd October 2012 Winter Term EndsThursday 20th December2012 Spring Term Starts Monday 7th January 2013 Holiday Closure Monday 11th February 2013 Holiday Closure Tuesday 12th February 2013 Regional Closure Wed. 13th February 2013 Regional Closure Thursday 14th February 2013
Useful Numbers
Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08456 005703 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111 Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Highland Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 National Rail Enquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Ardersier Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Beauly Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318 Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252 Culloden Academy Community Complex . 01463 792794 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 VILLAGE HALLS & COMMUNITY CENTRES Abriachan Village Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861257 Ardersier Old School Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Balloch Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 790601 Cameron Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234785 Cannich Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 459224 Croy Public Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 493480 Culduthel Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712844 page 10 - March 2012
Farr Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01808 521346 Floral Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713553 Kiltarlity Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 741447 Kirkhill Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 831737 Merkinch Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239563 Phipps Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Smithton-Culloden Youth Centre . . . . . . . . 01463 793284 The Green Hall, Smithton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07977 852083 Spectrum Centre & Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 221842 Stratherrick Public Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486350 Strathnairn Hall (Daviot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 772228 VETS Crown Vets (Argyle St) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 237000 Crown Vets (Carsegate Rd Sth) . . . . . . . . 01463 712202 Culloden Veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 793700 Eastgate Veterinary Practice . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 230893 Fish Vet Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 717774 Inshes Veterinary Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 711777 Kessock Equine Veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . 01463 731107 Moray Coast Vet Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794224
Other Useful Numbers including Doctors, Dentists and Schools are rotated on a regular basis and will appear in subsequent issues.
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
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“I've Got My Own Religion” truth of God's Word! Just believing something doesn't make it so. Jumping off the top of a high building onto the street below will kill you, no matter how strongly you believe otherwise. Entering into eternity when you die with the firm belief that there is no God, or that your beliefs or your works are good enough to merit His approval will not change the outcome: "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). There is no hope for you outside of Christ and your accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour –We have all offended a Holy God and are under sentence of eternal These are sayings which you will hear from many punishment – but there is a way of escape! Just as the Jews had to put their hand on the head of the burnt people today: offering, as atonement for their sin, so we have to lay our “I’ve got my own religion” hand on His head (as it were) and personally accept His “Whatever you believe is alright.” blood as making atonement for us. “Everybody has their own beliefs.” Truth is not a matter of opinion. Either something is “Just so long as you believe something.” true or it is false. Jesus Christ claims to be the truth. They sound nice, and help to make people feel He did not say "I am a way," but rather, "I am the way, the good, since their own beliefs are said to be as truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but valid as those of anyone else. "After all," some say, by Me" (John 14:6). When it comes to faith, it is not, "Just "can you really know anything for sure?" People who so long as you believe something," but "Just so long as claim to have "the truth" are looked down upon as you believe Christ." Faith in Jesus Christ, who laid down being arrogant and intolerant. For some reason, His life on the cross of Calvary and rose victoriously from people can accept the idea that any religion is valid the dead, is the only way to everlasting life, forgiveas long as it doesn't claim to be the only true religion! ness of sins and peace with God. Do you know why that is? It's Satan's way of getting people to believe anything but the one thing that Just as everyone has turned to his own way, each of us must individually turn from our rebellion. No one can will remove his grip on their souls. save himself, since salvation is "not of works" (Ephesians It is not true that all religious beliefs are of equal 2:8,9). Because God is the One who saves, salvation is as value. It is not true that "Whatever you believe is certain as His promise: "He that heareth My word, and alright." The very fact that "Everybody has their own believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life beliefs" is what God says is man's biggest problem- and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed -we have exchanged His truth for our beliefs. "All from death unto life" (John 5:24). we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). Man's The Lord Jesus Christ is the only way. Stop rejecting confused religions stand in opposition to God's Him, and by faith receive Him as your Saviour. "Neither is simple way to everlasting life. Man's ways are the there salvation in any other: for there is none other name wide, tolerant, sin-ignoring way that ends in destruc- under heaven given among men, whereby we must be tion. "Broad is the way that leadeth to destruction saved" (Acts 4:12). ... narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and DO YOU SEE IT ? Have repentance toward God and few there be that find it" (Matthew 7:13,14). faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. You have to receive There is one sense in which it is true that what you Him for yourself; no-one can do it for you. In Him is believe doesn't matter. What you believe, or what abundant life; there is no other way for you. religious men have taught, does not change the
T here is a w ay which seemeth righ There way rightt un unto to a man, but the end ther eof ar e the w ays of dea th. thereof are ways death.
“ Published by www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk
Proverbs P roverbs 14;12
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Rolling Event 6 tuesday - onwards interactive exhibition of modern automata and kinetic art 10am - 5pm, tuesday - saturday at the house of automata, kinloss (next to petrol station). free entry. tel: 01309 691212 for more information or visit www.thehouseofautomata.com
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1 thursday - 2 friday 8th food & craft fair @ the pavilion, strathpeffer 10am - 5pm. free entry. stalls include artisan bread, items made from whisky barrels, bunting, traditional & gluten-free home baking, couture hats, etc. refreshments with home baking available on both days.
2 friday breabach @ universal hall 8pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets ÂŁ12 /ÂŁ10 concessions at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 and on-line at www.thebooth.co.uk. jonathan shearer exhibition preview 6pm - 8pm, free admission. for further information contact denise collins, castle gallery, 43 castle street, inverness. tel 01463 729512 or email info@castlegallery.co.uk the clan donald society of the highlands and islands annual memorial service 11am at the monument at mitchell hill cemetery, dingwall (open air). celebrate the life of major general sir hector macdonald (fighting mac). all welcome. 01463 870963. coca tenorio @ ironworks 7pm. for tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com dave clarke @ ironworks 10:30pm. 18+. tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or www.ironworksvenue.com music nairn presents world class pianist joanna macgregor 8pm, nairn community and arts centre. playing gospel & blues, piazzolla & bach. tickets ÂŁ18 / members ÂŁ14 / students ÂŁ2. tel 01667 455701 inverness ramblers beinn bhuidhe, strathnairn. 8miles. meet 0900hrs highland council car park, contact 01463 236204 for further information. battle of the bands 7:30pm, culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. tickets ÂŁ5/ under 16s ÂŁ3. see www.culduthelchristiancentre.org to register or for details
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dog is dead @ ironworks 7:30pm. 14+. tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or www.ironworksvenue.com
3 saturday
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3 saturday - 24 saturday jonathan shearer exhibits @ castle gallery 9am 5pm, monday - saturday. free admission. for further information & images contact denise collins, castle gallery, 43 castle street, inverness. tel 01463 729512
www.spotlighton.co.uk
March 2012 - page 13
or email info@castlegallery.co.uk
foundation, the park, findhorn. parent & child combined £6/ £5 concessions. tickets at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 or www.thebooth.co.uk.
4 sunday
8 thursday
MARCH 2012 continued
great glen walking club coylumbridge - loch an eilein. 8 miles. meet 0900hrs highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. peacock & gamble @ ironworks 7:30pm.16+. seated. for tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com bl’azz presents a jazz lunch - ‘the moray jazz quartet’ 12 - 3pm. ‘conservatory’ restaurant, kingsmills hotel, inverness. £18.50 per head for a 3 course meal and entertainment. book at hotel reception or call 01463 257102 nairn 10k 2:30pm start. registration from 1-2pm at nairn community centre. for more information visit www.nairnroadrunners.co.uk
sound of guns @ ironworks 7:30pm. 14+. tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or www.ironworksvenue.com
10 saturday great glen walking club AGM walk. details to follow. contact 01463 236204 for further information. nearly new baby & children's items sale 10:30am 12:30pm, the barn church, culloden. entrance £1 donation. raffle, kids tombola, face painting. sellers tables available. for more information call alzheimer scotland on 01463 711707. celebrating the community - for further details call 01667 453476, email info@nairncc.co.uk or visit www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk
11 sunday nazareth @ ironworks 7:30pm. for tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com inverness ramblers lochs ashie, bunachton, duntelchaig. 8miles. meet 1000hrs highland council car park, contact 01463 236204 for further information.
NAIRN
12 monday
Nairn Community & Arts Arrts Centre
Your Y our local ven venue nue for films, shows, concertts and parties. concerts Wide range of activities for all ages.
MARCH MARC H EVENTS 3rd MARCH – Music Nairn “Jo “Joanna oanna MacGregor” Piano .....8.00pm 4th MARCH ............................ .........................................“Nairn 10K” .....................................................................“Nairn 10th MARCH ......................... .......... “Celebrating the Community” ................................... 12th MARCH ......................Cinema ......................Ciinema Nairn “On the Town” Town” 1949(U) 1949(U) includinng TTea ea and cakes!) ..............2.00pm (Seniors Special £2.50 including Nairn_“Diivertimenti String Quintet” _8.00pm 23rd MARCH Music Nairn_“Divertimenti “Source Code” 2011 2011 (12A) – 7.30pm 30th MARCH Cinema Nairn – “Source **Coming up in April “Pallywags” “Pallywags” new touring stage show for children** For further details TTelephone elephone 01667 453476, e-mail, info@nairncc.c co.uk or check out our website info@nairncc.co.uk at www .nairncoommunitycentre.co.uk www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk
4 sunday - 18 sunday just 10 DVD presentations: laws of love set in stone, sunday evenings, 6pm at culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. free admission. for more info visit www.culduthelchristiancentre.org
6 tuesday the attic @ universal hall 11am & 2pm. findhorn
page 14 - March 2012
royal scottish geographical society lecture: missing from the map: bruce gittings 7:30pm, highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. about some lesser-known features of places we may think we know. admission £8 adults, £2 students. RSGS members and under 18s free.
13 tuesday truth with ‘the pink castle philosophy club’ 7.30pm, riverside lounge, glen mhor hotel, inverness. open to all and friendly towards gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. visit www.pinkcastle.eu for more info inverness gardening club 7pm, mackenzie centre, inverness. members bulb show & supper. new members welcome. for details call graeme - 01463 224445 or email graememunro99@hotmail.com.
14 wednesday how to grow alpine bulbs 7.30pm. the highland rock garden club hosts an illustrated talk by expert susan band of pitcairn nursery, nairn community centre, king street. tel:01320 366246 international guitar night - 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion. tickets £12 / £11 / £6 from ticketweb 24-hour 08444 771000, june’s card shop, dingwall, booth scotland & pavilion 01997 420124 (open 9 - 6 mon - fri). www.internationalguitarnight.com
15 thursday inverness civic trust meeting 7:30pm. meeting rooms next to glenmorriston hotel. the hustings - ‘do party politics have a role in local government and community decisions and if so why?’. contact john
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
Cinema Nairn
Visit cinemanairn.blogspot.com or contact Nairn Community Centre on 01667 453476 for details
Cinema Listings March 2012 Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Throughout March Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (12a) Booked Out (12+)
Visit www.eden-court.co.uk or call 01463 234234 for details
Moray Playhouse, Elgin
New Screenings begin on Fridays Call 01343 542680 or visit www.morayplayhouse.co.uk
Highland Spiritual Cinema
Monthly screenings of uplifting and inspiring films that inform, enlighten and entertain. For further details please visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net or telephone 01463 237452
Vue Cinema, Inverness
From Thursday 1st March The Comedy of Errors: NT Live (tbc) Wanderlust (15) Gone (tbc) Project X (18) We Bought a Zoo (PG) The Hunger Games (tbc) Street Dance 2 3D (tbc) Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (tbc) John Carter 3D (tbc) Clean Skin (tbc) She Stoops to Conquer: NT Live (tbc) Romeo and Juliet: Live from The Royal Opera House (tbc) KidsAM Every Saturday & Sunday at 10.15am Tickets £1.25 / VIP Tickets £2.75 Senior Screenings Every Tuesday afternoon Tickets £3.05 / VIP Tickets £4.55 Includes tea/coffee & biscuits
Visit www.myvue.com for details
Portessie Public Hall
Regular films including Saturday matinees. For further details email: portessiepublichall@hotmail.co.uk
Universal Hall, Findhorn
Showing films through the year Visit www.findhorn.org/uhall or call 01309 691170 for details. SpotLight on Inverness and District
www.spotlighton.co.uk
March 2012 - page 15
MARCH 2012 continued west tel: 01463 238859 for more information. fatherson @ ironworks 7:30pm. 14+. tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
great glen walking club meallfuarvonie. 6 miles. meet 0900hrs highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information.
16 friday the johnny cash roadshow @ ironworks 7:30pm. seated for tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com women’s event: introduction to zumba 7:30pm, culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. free of charge. to register or for details see www.culduthelchristiancentre.org
17 saturday the dangleberries @ ironworks 7:30pm. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com inchmore gallery reopens 2pm with a mixed exhibition of established & emerging artists. for more info call 07777652953, visit www.inchmoregallery.co.uk or email info@inchmoregallery.co.uk inverness ramblers kiltarlity byways. 9miles. meet 0930hrs highland council car park, contact 01463 236204 for further information.
18 sunday great glen walking club torbreck - dirrwood. 11miles. meet 0900hrs highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. push @ universal hall 7:30pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets £10/ £8 concs/ £6 U16s available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 or www.thebooth.co.uk. bl’azz presents ‘the voice’ in action - ‘mama’s brand new bag’ 2:30 - 5pm. ‘maclean’ room, eden court, inverness. tickets £8 from eden court box office or call 01463 234234
21 wednesday the peatbog faeries @ universal hall 7:30pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets £15/ £13 concessions available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 or www.thebooth.co.uk. inverness singers spring concert 7:30pm at culloden academy. includes supporting acts & raffle. for further info please call 01463 222268
23 friday black stone cherry @ ironworks 7:30pm. over 14s. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com music nairn presents divertimenti string quintet 8pm, nairn community and arts centre. playing schubert, glazunov & frank martin. tickets £18 / members £14 / students £2. tel 01667 455701
24 saturday steve hughes @ ironworks 7:30pm. for tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com page 16 - March 2012
25 sunday salsa celtica @ ironworks 7:30pm. for tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com spring wedding fair 11am - 4pm, at strathpeffer pavilion. free entry to the public. to book a stall call andrew macrae on 01997 420124 or visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org/weddings.asp inverness ramblers ardintoul, glenelg circular. 9miles. meet 0830hrs highland council car park, contact 01463 236204 for further information.
28 wednesday richard durrant @ universal hall 7:30pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets £10/ £8 conc / £6 u16 available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 or www.thebooth.co.uk.
29 thursday opera bohemia 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion. tickets £12 / £11 / £6 from ticketweb 24-hour 08444 771000, june’s card shop, dingwall, booth scotland and pavilion 01997 420124 (open 9 - 6 mon - fri) www.operabohemia.com simba support group meeting 7-9pm, best western palace hotel, 8 ness walk, inverness. support for those who have lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy or close to the time of birth. call susan 07771358382 or denise 07724306983 for more info or email simbahighland@gmail.com
30 friday phil cool @ ironworks 7pm. 16+. seated for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com the syndicate presents a night of thrash & death metal 8pm, flanagans bar, elgin. ‘thrashist regime’ debut and ‘bonesaw’ make a welcome return. £5 entry. email thesyndicate2008@btinternet.com or visit www.facebook.com/thesyndicate2008
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
MARCH 2012 continued
31 saturday cloud man @ universal hall 4pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets £6/ £5 conc / £4 u16 available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 or www.thebooth.co.uk. an evening of burlesque 8pm, over 18s only. tickets £19.50 / £18 from ticketweb 24-hour 08444 771000, june’s card shop, dingwall, booth scotland and pavilion 01997 420124 (open 9-6 mon-fri) www.operabohemia.com highland hospice fundraiser @ ironworks 7:30pm. 18+. with special guests ‘the complete stone roses’. tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit the website www.ironworksvenue.com "a fine art friendship" exhibition opens at inchmore gallery. for info visit www.inchmoregallery.co.uk, email info@inchmoregallery.co.uk or call 07777652953 inverness ramblers beinn ghobhlach, dundonnell. 8miles. meet 0830hrs highland council car park, contact 01463 236204 for further information.
Al-Anon Family Groups Public Meeting Saturday 31st March - 10.30am- 12noon Thistle Hotel, Millburn Road, Inverness IV2 3TR If you are concerned about someone else’s
drinking please come along. Maybe we can help.
Confidential Helpline: 020 7403 0888
APRIL 2012 in brief 1 sunday great glen walking club brora to carn liath broch. 8.5 miles. meet 0900hrs highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. bl’azz presents a jazz lunch - ‘blue and sentimental’ 12 3pm. ‘conservatory’ restaurant, kingsmills hotel, inverness. £18.50 per head for a 3 course meal and entertainment. book at hotel reception or call 01463 257102 cake walk meet 10am scottish natural heritage car park. walk to the mast at craig dunain on palm sunday. call guy and jocelyn on 07724 992 790 4 wednesday himalayan primula 7.30pm. the highland rock garden club hosts an illustrated talk by pam eveleigh, international travelling speaker and outstanding photographer from calgary, canada. nairn community centre, king street. tel:01320 366246 6 friday the wee man presents nedator to land @ ironworks 7pm. seated. 16+. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com 7 saturday great glen walking club castle heather - mid largs. SpotLight on Inverness and District
12 miles. meet 0900hrs highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. ironworks easter showcase 7pm. over 14s. 8 top quality acts from around the highlands. tickets or info tel: 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com culduthel's got talent *prizes* 10am, 3pm & 7pm, culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. to qualify you must live in the holm, lochardil or ira schools catchment areas or come along and vote for your favourite - free of charge! see www.culduthelchristiancentre.org for registration details/info 10 tuesday inverness gardening club 7:30pm, mackenzie centre, inverness. talk by donald davidson from abriachan nurseries. “auriculas”. new members are welcome. for details call graeme on 01463 224445 or email graememunro99@hotmail.com. string theory with ‘the pink castle philosophy club’ 7.30pm, riverside lounge, glen mhor hotel, inverness. open to all, friendly towards gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. visit www.pinkcastle.eu for more info 11 wednesday ‘design? i don’t think i can do that....’ 7.30pm - 9pm, culloden community centre. a talk by christine macintyre of the tin house. £4. for more info call kate mackenzie (vice chair 01463 790924 14 saturday twin atlantic @ ironworks 7:30pm. over 14s. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com red kites @ ironworks 7pm. over 14s.tickets or more info tel: 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com 21 saturday frightened rabbit 7:30pm at strathpeffer pavilion. tickets £14 plus booking fee. call 01997 420124 or visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org 22 sunday great glen walking club an droiighneach circular. 9 miles. meet 0830hrs highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. 23 monday miles kane @ ironworks 7pm. standing. over 14s. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com 28 saturday annual spring flower show plants, stalls and coffee morning. 10.30am. scottish rock garden national show opens at midday (approx.). nairn community centre, king street. tel: 01320 366246 8 saturday - 29 sunday great glen walking club weekend away. details to follow. contact 01463 236204 for further information.
www.spotlighton.co.uk
March 2012 - page 17
Parliament Blog & Tides
“Parliament Blog ”
As a MP and a Minister, you get accustomed to being interrogated by very capable and tough interviewers. Whether the questions come from the opposition benches or from infamous Paxman-type reporters, many interviewers pride themselves on ‘pulling no punches’. The trick is to do your research and know the subject matter inside out. It will come as no surprise to some that students from Kingussie High put me through my paces in a robust question and answer session during my recent visit to the school. They had clearly done their research! In a little over an hour I answered questions in depth on topics such as: education and opportunities for young people; my campaigns to improve broadband coverage in the Highlands and keep fuel duty low; Scottish independence; and my roles as an MP and as a Minister. It was a delight to talk to the thoughtful teenagers. I was very encouraged buy their mature questioning and their honesty. If there is one distinction between hard hitting politicos and the pupils of Kingussie, it is that they had no agenda to push. Their
questions were probing and sincere. Danny Alexander MP
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
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“News that Castle Stuart has been chosen as the venue for the Barclays Scottish Open has cheered us all up, in these times of gloom and austerity. From the 7th to the 11th July, the “spotlight” will be on the Moray Firth, Inverness. The benefits to the area will be considerable. The gold course General Manager, Stuart McColm, has said that we need to attract 20,000 visitors a day to be sure of keeping the event, as the Loch Lomond Club, which has hosted the event since 1996 attracted between seventy to eighty five thousand – so put it in your diary now! This will be a major attraction to bring visitors north – and a boost for hotels, B&B’s and guest houses. Perhaps in Scotland, we tend to undersell our own manifold tourist attractions – so the potential to use the tourism trade to bolster our jobs, livelihoods and futures may not be realised. We can be backward at coming forward, and may not see Scotland as others see us. This was brought home to me when a B and B owner from Newtonmore told me that she had holidayed in the Nile in January, and asked me how many visit ors I thought there were in ships on the Nile, on any one day. She told me the answer: one million! With our scenery, whisky, tartan, Gaelic, history, culture, heritage, beaches, mountains, lochs as well as golf, fishing, sailing and countless other reasons to come to Scotland, we could, should and will see more people from countries throughout the world coming for a stay here”.
Fergus Ewing MSP
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Month 2011 page 18 - March 2012
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tel: 01309 690063
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review
“...just the right ‘ingredients’ for Sam’s Indian Cuisine has
to recommend some dishes
something for everyone.
for us.
I visited the restaurant recently
For appetizers, we had Sam’s
with my wife and teenage son
Special (non veg) Platter
and it is clear that it provides an
consisting of mixed pakora,
excellent venue for small
samosa and chicken kebab.
groups, families and those
We also had The King Prawn
looking for a more intimate night
Butterflys which were utterly
out with excellent food. With a
delicious as was the stuffed
seating capacity of around 70,
pepper filled with mixed
it enjoys a fairly central location,
vegetables.
just off Academy Street, and is definitely worth seeking out
Next came the main meals
amongst the other local
which Sam chose from his
eateries. Trust me, you won’t
‘speciality’ menu, and they
be disappointed!
were indeed ‘special’. We had ‘Sholey’ which was chicken
We were greeted instantly by
cooked with onions, peppers
the restaurant’s owner, Sam
and tomatoes and topped
Miah who has been in the
with coriander seeds and a
business for many years and it
ginger sauce which was
shows. His attention to detail is
flamed with sambuca – an
faultless and all his staff are
impressive sight, but not as
attentive – especially Stephen
impressive as the taste! The
who does a great job as ‘front
flavours were simply amazing.
of house’. We kicked off the
If you haven’t tried ‘Sali Bolti’
night with Papadums accompa-
then you need to. This consists
nied by the chutney and pickle
of tender lamb cooked in
tray. Delicious and just what
onions, tomatoes and spices
you need to whet your appetite
topped with crispy straw
whilst you flick through the
potatoes which I felt was an
menu! And what a menu it is –
unusual twist that worked
anyone looking at this cannot
wonderfully. If you like
fail to be impressed with the
something a bit more spicy
selection of food on offer. As for
then the Bengal Chicken is for
cost, the prices are extremely
you – this is breast of chicken
reasonable making it an
stuffed with king prawns which
affordable night out for
is then grilled and cooked in a
everyone. With so much choice
medium to hot sauce.
on offer we were happy for Sam
However, if your palate is a bit
20
a really great night out.” more delicate then Chicken
the Cappa Cioccolato which simply
Chasni provides a delicious but
melted in your mouth.
mild alternative. The chicken is cooked in a sweet and sour
All in all, we found this a most
creamy sauce with mango – my
enjoyable experience. The
son loved this. All of these dishes
excellence of the food against the
were served with Pilau rice and we
backdrop of a friendly, relaxing and
had both the Peshwari and Kulcha
modern restaurant provided just the
Nan – so light and freshly cooked
right ‘ingredients’ for a really great
to perfection.
night out. We couldn’t recommend
If all that wasn’t enough, we
‘Sam’s Indian Cuisine’ highly enough,
managed to find some space for
but go on, why not try it for yourself?
dessert – we had a selection of delicious sticky toffee pudding the old favourite served with ice cream and cream, together with
SAMS INDIAN CUISINE
We specialise in the finest quality Indian cuisine and you are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome when you visit our restaurant. A fully licensed bar serves Kingfisher draught beer and also contains a wide selection of bottled beers, wines and spirits.
The real taste of India INDIAN CUISINE
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Sams Indian Cuisine 77-79 Church St. Inverness RI
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For table bookings please telephone
Aca de my St.
nature The Highland Tiger Arguably our most enigmatic species, the Scottish Wildcat is the only surviving native feline in the UK. With just 400 believed to remain in the wild, the Wildcat is rarer than the Bengal tiger. After suffering centuries of habitat loss, being hunted for their fur and shot as vermin, they now face threats Scottish Wild Cat from vehicle collisions, disease and probably most significantly, interbreeding with domestic cats. This dilutes the gene pool and has disastrous consequences for the species.
Wildcats mate in the depths of winter with the kittens born in April or May, with a litter of between 2-4 the norm. The mother brings live prey to the den, often an abandoned badger sett or fox earth, from around 3 weeks old, allowing the kittens to develop their hunting skills. They will start to follow mum around from about 10 weeks old and will remain with her until around 5 months. The male takes no part in the rearing of the youngsters. Wildcats can breed from 1 year old, though males are unlikely to do so until they have established their own territory. As wildcats are very similar in appearance to the domestic tabby it is difficult for the casual Juvenile observer to make a positive identification but probably the most significant markers are the blunt tail with it's distinct rings, and stripes on their flanks and hindquarters that are mainly unbroken. Wildcats are also larger than the domestic tabby, with the average male coming in at over 5 kg and the female nearly 4 kg. For the best chance to see them in the wild, go to an area they are known to inhabit, use a car as a hide and look for them around dawn or dusk – they are nocturnal creatures. For the not so patient, the Highland Wildlife park in Kingussie have captive animals. If you'd like to find out more about the Scottish wildcat, report a sighting or help with the conservation of the species, have a look at www.highlandtiger.com. SNH also have a lot of useful information at www.snh.gov.uk.
22
Ian MacLeod, Wild West www.wildwestsafari.co.uk ian@wildwestsafari.co.uk Offering wildlife safaris in the Great Glen and surrounding areas.
March
The most significant surviving population is to be found in the Cairngorms, with smaller numbers in Lochaber and Aberdeenshire. Their preferred habitat is moorland and the margins of forests and mountain slopes, where their main prey is rabbits, hares and other small mammals. Like their domestic cousins, they are opportunistic feeders and will take anything of a suitable size.
‘Ian MacLeod will no longer be able to contribute his wonderful editorials due to his busy schedule. I would like to thank him on behalf of SpotLIght for his fantastic and well received nature stories’.
EVERY BODY IS BETTER WITH BOWEN
What is Bowen I hear you ask and why does every body need it? It is a very gentle form of natural healing and to really appreciate it's depth and subtlety it needs to be experienced. This gentleness means it is an ideal therapy to use on people of all ages – from newborns to the elderly. The Bowen Technique embodies a truly holistic approach to health care. It does not just address specific conditions and symptoms but encourages a healing response in the body by carefully stimulating the body's own innate ability to heal.
Success will vary from person to person – the therapist will address the person as a whole, not just the condition, as one of the effects of a session is the feeling of well-being that it induces. For many people, stress is a constant factor and long term it can lead to havoc within the immune system, digestion, sleep patterns and nervous system and by having a Bowen session the nervous system appears to slow down and a beneficial effect is felt in the whole being. For further information contact Lorna at Holistic Health 01463 719644 or see us on the web at: http://www.bowen-technique.co.uk/bowen_nutshell.php
http://www.bowen-technique.co.uk/
£4.99 Off er available at the Eastgate Centre Pizza Hut Express store IV2 3PR. Please present voucher at the time of ordering and produce on payment. Not valid with any other deal or off er. Off er subject to availability. Only one voucher per order.
Save £ 2 .79
LORNA MUNRO
BTAA
Bowen Technique Practitioner
OTHER THERAPIES AVAILABLE For bookings please telephone 01463 719644
Garden Design & Construction FULL GARDEN DESIGN STONE/MASONRY © PAVING WATER FEATURES © TURFING PLANTING © DRIVEWAYS
07917 274101 07895 020061 Email: iain@awlandscape.co.uk www.awlandscape.co.uk
SpotLight on Inverness and District
to advertise in the next issue of SpotLight on inverness
call 01309 690063 or go online www.spotlighton.co.uk
www.spotlighton.co.uk
March 2012 - page 23
travel
Dreaming of... ...India
India is a diverse land of stunning contrasts and has become a very popular holiday destination over the years. In this dynamic and diverse country it is not surprising to find numerous rich glories of the past, varied traditions and values, and various interesting cultures. The bustling cities, rare wildlife, pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, tranquil backwaters, barren deserts standing in contrast with rolling foothills, and innumerable ancient monuments - all this makes India a fascinating travel destination. Northern India is famed for its sights and the monuments of the Golden Triangle, which include the Taj Mahal at Agra, The Pink City of Jaipur, the scenery of Tiger country, the splendours of Rajasthan and the rush of Mumbai and Delhi. The Capital of India is Delhi, which itself is a contrast of old Delhi, hectic and fast-paced with higgledy-piggledy streets thronged with millions of people with motorbikes and tuk tuks, and New Delhi neatly designed with floral parks, wide avenues and regal monuments. Tiger country comprises 4 national parks spread across hundreds of miles encompassing jungle vegetation and an abundance of wildlife. Southern India is famed for Goa and Kerala in particular. Goa is distinct from the rest of India with its relaxing beach holidays and its tropical climate, scenery and paradise beaches. Away from the developed resort visitors discover remnants of Portuguese colonialism with medieval churches, mosques and temples to admire. Kerala has palm-fringed sandy beaches, lush green vegetation and still backwaters. It is big for growing tea and coffee, the plantations growing up from the sea. In the very north of the country is the border with Nepal. Nepal sits uncomfortably between India and China, and a visit there brings together the greatness of the foothills of the Himalaya Mountains with the poorness of the people who live there. October to March is the best time to visit the Northern states. December & January can experience light to heavy fog in the northern plains. October to April is the best time to visit the southern states. A valid visa is required to enter India. The flying time for Delhi is 8hrs, Mumbai (Bombay) is 9hrs and Calcutta is 10hrs from London.
Information kindly supplied by
24
2-6 South Street, Elgin 01343 548844 ‡ +LJK Street, FRUUHV
www.beavtrav.com INVERNESS departures
ABERDEEN departures
DUBROVNIK - 4th June S/C from..................................... £549pp
VENICE - 27th May B&B from ............................ £579pp
Hidden PORTUGAL 11th June HB from ............ £669pp
LAKE GARDA 27th May B&B from ............................ £568pp
VENICE and VERONA 1st July HB from ................. £875pp
SORRENTO - 16th June B&B from ........................... £589pp
LAKE GARDA - 1st July and 7th Oct B&B from ............................ £539pp
FLORENCE - 16th June HB from............................... £729pp
SORRENTO - 6th October B&B from ............................ £599pp CYPRUS - 25th November HB from............................... £797pp From Inverness NEW - Regular flights to Amsterdam for worldwide connections.
ELGIN 01343 548844 FORRES 01309 672203
DUBROVNIK - 2nd July S/C from ............................. £606pp Hidden PORTUGAL - 17th Sept. HB from............................... £659pp SICILY - 6th October B&B from ............................ £649pp
All holidays are priced per person, for 7 nights based on 2 people sharing a room.
Beaver Travel, 78 High Street, Forres 2-6 South Street, Elgin
Beaver Travel (Elgin and Forres) is a ticket agent for Eden Court Theatre, Inverness - at Box office prices - NO BOOKING FEE!
30/04/12
Index of Advertisers Al-Anon Family Groups................................17 Ashley Ann ....................................Inside Front AW Landscapes ..........................................23 Beaver Travel................................................25 Big Sky Print ..................................................9 Chemsafe ....................................................25 Culduthel Christian Centre ..........................16 Doctor Denture ............................................12 Forres Tree Services ....................................12 Highland Green..............................................3 Ikea Edinburgh - Ikea Kitchens......................7 Kylauren Homes............................Inside Back Logie Steading ............................................12 Lorna Munro Holistics ................................23 Moray Coast Veterinary Group ......................3
Moray Firth Tutorial School ............................5 Nairn Community & Arts Centre ..................14 Olive Tree Chocolate......................................9 Pizza Hut Express (inverness) ....................23 Pole Dance Scotland ..................................18 Reid Furniture ..............................................19 Roof Wizard..................................................18 Rosedene House ........................................26 Sams Indian Cuisine ..............................20-21 Scotengineering ..........................................12 Unique Beauty ....................Front Cover, 3 & 9 Universal Hall ..............................................13 Wardrobe Design Online............Outside Back Wheelchair Care ..........................................12 Words By The Wayside................................11
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