SpotLight on Inverness & District November 2013 by david nelmes

NOVEMBER 2013

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3 Critical Features to demand from Your New Vet... Moving to a new area is a challenging process for your family, your pet will be stressed by the process as well. At Moray Coast Vet Group we want you to know that we are here to help you and your pets settle into the area. Why would you use us? Well it’s simple really, we have been vets in this area for a very long time and can offer your pet the following 3 critical benefits: to a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Practice, Access meaning your pet will be treated to the highest standards. convenient surgery locations making it easy to get to us Four day and night. and well equipped surgeries meaning we can treat all routine Modern conditions without the need to refer your pet. So all you need to do now, for peace of mind for you and your pet, is call us to say ‘hello’ and we will do all that is necessary to register your pet with our practice. Oh, and we will call your old vet to request your pet’s existing notes, so we can be familiar with everything we need to know. Now that is peace of mind for your pet.

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Forres Surgery (main branch) 01309 672243 Nairn Surgery 01667 453161 Lossiemouth Surgery 01343 815335 Balloch Surgery 01463 794224 24 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER 01309 672243 www.moraycoastvetgroup.co.uk

CLUBS & SOCIETIES 777 MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB Tel: 235231 or email: jeffgallagher@tiscali.co.uk BEAULY ANGLING CLUB Established around 1960, the club provides sea trout and salmon fishing to residents of Beauly as well as to visitors. Visit www.beauly-angling-club.co.uk COMUNN GÀIDHLIG INBHIR NIS- INVERNESS GAELIC SOCIETY Monthly talks on Fridays from September to March in Netley Centre, Bishops Road. For details visit: www.gsi.org.uk HIGHLAND BONSAI SOCIETY 3rd Wednesday every month, 7.30pm in Balloch Village Hall Contact Chris on 01349 865485 INVERNESS 41 CLUB The Assoc. of Ex-Round Tablers Clubs meets as Inverness 41 Club on last Thursday of the month Sept - May. Occasionally during summer. New ex-Round Table members most welcome. For details call 01463 223504 or email brielafraser@gmail.com

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page 4 - November 2013

HIGHLAND QUILTERS 3rd Tuesday Sept- June (Dec meeting 2nd Tuesday). Meet in Smithton Free Church Hall at 7.30pm. New members and visitors welcolme. Contact Alice (234076) for more details. INVERNESS FLORAL ART CLUB Once a month enjoy a floral art demonstration by trained demostrators from all over the country. New members and visitors are welcome. Contact: Mary 224828 or Ann 238605. HIGHLAND LGBT FORUM Reg. charity with regular social events in Inverness for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Call 07512 231904 or visit www.gay-ness.org.uk

ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION HIGHLAND BRANCH Meetings last Friday in month at Royal British Legion, Huntly Street, Inverness. Tel: 07702819751. Website: www.rma-highlands.org.uk Email: secretary@rmahighlands.org.uk ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION CITY OF INVERNESS BRANCH 2nd Wed, 7:30pm at "The Club", Gordon Terrace. Ex or serving members or those with a connection or interest in the Royal Navy? Guest speakers, day trips & swinging the lantern along with a tot or two. Email: Gordon Ross (Secretary) at gwross@btinternet.com or Evan Jessiman (PRO) at evan.jessiman@btinternet.com

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

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF INVERNESS AND NAIRN 2nd and 4th Monday evenings in Lochardil House Hotel. Call Mrs Janet Home (Secretary) on 01463 221185

MINI-NESS DOLLS HOUSE CLUB 2nd Wednesday each month. Promotes the hobby of dolls houses and miniature making. tel: 223590 or visit the website www.magpieminiatures.co.uk

STRATH ART CLUB Relaxing setting for informal drop in sessions for budding artists. 7 - 9pm, £2 per session with the kitchen available for making of refreshments, Strathpeffer Community Centre. Call 01997 421989 or visit www.strathpeffer communitycentre.org.

MORNING CALL FREE daily telephone call to be made to any person who needs the reassurance of such a call. Made between 8.30am & 10am. Call Alan Michael on 790410

THE HIGHLAND BRIDGE CLUB Meets every Wednesday all year. New members welcome. Call Marsalaidh on 01463 224434 or Graham on 01463 792811

NAIRN’S MEN’S BREAKFAST Meets third Saturday (not Jun or Dec) 9:45am at Dunbar Golf Club, Lochloy Road, Nairn. The opportunity for men of all ages & denominations to share how their life changed through faith in Jesus. Call Campbell 01667 455149 to book a place.

THE HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S TRUST Tel: 243872 www.hctrust.co.uk

SAYLIG INVERNESS We look at all aspects of life for people with learning disability and/or autism, SHIRLIE Project, Inverness, tel: 716179 or email rona.mem@hotmail.co.uk

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

THE WAY FOUNDATION Help each other rebuild our lives after widowhood. Call us on 0870 011 3450 or email info@wayfoundation.org.uk

tel: 01309 690063

TREES FOR LIFE GREEN DAYS OUT For people in Moray & Invernessshire. Spend a day carrying out conservation tasks. Transport, tools and training free of charge. Pick ups available. Volunteers over 18 with a reasonable level of fitness. Every Wed & last Sun of the month. Booking essential. Call Mick on 01309 691292 or email mick@treesforlife.org.uk VILLAGE VOICES IN GOOD TUNE Every Wednesday 7pm - 9pm in the Gordon Memorial Hall, Rosemarkie. No need to read music as all songs are taught by ear and harmonies develop easily. If you ever wanted to be part of a group & just haven't had the chance, come and join us!' For info call Maureen Weir at 01381 620559 or email maureen.weir@talktalk.net WILDCATS CHEERLEADERS Call 01463 792360 or 07912 650440 Email: wildcats cheerleaders@googlemail.com www.wildcatcheerleaders.co.uk CAPITAL SKATEPARK GROUP Tel: 714516 or email: agapeclothing@hotmail.co.uk CLACHNACUDDIN CYCLING CLUB Call 791000 or email: strathlynn@btinternet.com PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.

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

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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The 2014 Commonwealth Games baton left Buckingham Palace a few weeks ago and has now started a worldwide trek around many of the Commonwealth nations ending up in Glasgow next June. I was surprised recently to learn that there are currently 53 independent sovereign states that are members of the Commonwealth with a further 7 waiting for acceptance. Quite a structure!

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PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS This summer my wife took two of our daughters to a free classical concert at Glengorm Castle on the Isle of Mull. The programme specially asked that no one arrive more than half an hour before the performance. Keen to secure seats in this small but popular venue, they aimed to arrive exactly 30 minutes early. On their arrival, no one else was present other than the musicians and a photographer. The girls took their seats eagerly near the front. Time passed and they grew increasingly surprised at the absence of the rest of the audience. Also, it began to seem as if the musicians were giving them strange looks as they rehearsed. By the time they were expecting the concert to start, the girls were still alone, and it was at this point that they made a discovery. They had arrived, not half an hour early, but an hour and a half. Extreme embarrassment followed. Suddenly they felt that they were in a place where they had no right to be. They made a hasty exit, returning only

once the hall had begun to fill with other guests. I think many people have similar feelings about the idea of meeting with God. The idea of coming into his presence can make us feel decidedly uncomfortable. We are well aware of God’s perfection and very well aware of our own inadequacies and failures. We feel that the presence of God is a place in which we have no right to be. The deep division between God and humanity was clearly illustrated in the Temple in Jerusalem, where a thick curtain set apart the “Most Holy Place” from the rest of the building. Only the High Priest was permitted to pass beyond the curtain, and he only once a year. The imperfection of humanity (that the Bible calls sin) kept everyone else at a distance, unable to approach God. The amazing thing is that God himself stepped in to change this situation. On the day that Jesus died, the curtain in the Temple tore from top to bottom, a clear symbol that the barrier between God and

Inshes, Church of Scotland Insches Retail Park, Inverness. Rev. David Scott. Tel: 01463 226727. Website: www.insheschurch.org Inverness Baptist Church 69 Castle Street. Rev. Tom Urquhart. Tel: 01463 223506. Email: tajurquhart@btinernet.com Inverness Christian Fellowship Millburn Academy, Diriebught Road. Sundays 10.30am. Website: www.icfchurch.co.uk Inverness Church of God Friars Lane. Sunday 10.30am & 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 241318. Inverness Church of God Sundays 10.30am & 6.30pm. 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. 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 231170. Website: www.churchesinverness.com Kiltarlity Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Sundays: 12noon. Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Kiltarlity Free Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Tel: 01463 741729. Email: jfraser@gmail.com Kings Fellowship Meets at Smithton Industrial Estate, Culloden. Tel: 01463 792700. Email: info@thekingsfactory.com

page 6 - November 2013

humanity had been removed. The Bible makes it clear that we need no longer feel unworthy to meet with him. In fact, believers are encouraged to come boldly: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). We cannot, of course, come to God on our own terms, but if we choose to accept the offer he makes us, we need never again feel that we are in a place in which we have no right to be.

Owen Morris CityLife Church Inverness

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 10.30am. Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Knockbain Free Church Ferry Brae, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731368. Email: nwmacleod@talktalk.net Maryburgh & Killearnan Free Church Seaforth Place, Maryburgh tel: 01349 863367. Killearnan Manse, Bogroy, Tore - tel: 731369 email: cswan@ctlconnect.co.uk Ness Bank Church of Scotland Inverness. Sundays 11am. Tel: 01463 243165. Website: www.nessbank.net North Kessock, Church of Scotland Main Street, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731712. Website: www.churchofscotland.org.uk Old High St Stephen's, Church of Scotland 1) Old High Church, Church Street, Inverness. Sundays 11.15am. Tel: 01463 250802. 2) St Stephen’s Church, Southside Road at Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness. Sundays 10am. Tel: 01463 250802. www.oldhighststephens.com Listed from I to O and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or if there are any amendments to be made to existing details, please email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days Local Holiday ‡ Guy Fawkes Day St Andrew’s Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Scottish Bank Holiday

Mon 4th Nov 2013 Tues 5th Nov 2013 Sat 30th Nov 2014 Wed 25th Dec 2013 Thurs 26th Dec 2013 Tues 31st Dec 2013 Wed 1st Jan 2014 Thurs 2nd Jan 2014

Chinese New Year Local Holiday ‡ Valentine’s Day Local Holiday ‡ Mother’s Day Good Friday Easter Sunday ‡ Inverness

Fri 31st Jan 2014 Mon 3rd Feb 2014 Fri 14th Feb 2014 Mon 3rd Mar 2014 Sun 30th Mar 2014 Fri 18th Apr 2014 Sun 20th Apr 2014

School Term Dates for 2013/2014 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Ends Fri 20th Dec 2013 Spring Term Starts Mon 6th Jan 2014 Holiday Closure Mon 17th Feb 2014 Holiday Closure Tues 18th Feb 2014 Regional Closure Wed 19th Feb 2014 Regional Closure Thurs 20th Feb 2014 Regional Closure Fri 21st Feb 2014 Spring Term Ends Fri 4th Apr 2014

Good Friday Holiday Fri 18th Apr 2014 Easter Monday Holiday Mon 21st Apr 2014 Summer Term Starts Tues 22nd Apr 2014 May Day Holiday Mon 5th May 2014 Summer Term Ends Thurs 3rd Jul 2014 for 2014/2015 (all dates inclusive) In-Service Day Mon 18th Aug 2014 Autumn Term Starts Tues 19th Aug 2014 In-Service Day Thurs 25th Sep 2014

Useful Contacts Ardersier Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Beauly Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111 Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318 Culloden Academy Community Complex . . . . . 01463 792794 Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531 Dalcross Airport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Highland Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 Inverness Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 National Rail Enquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 DOCTORS Beauly Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782794 Burnfield Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 220077 Cairn Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712233 Cromarty Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600224 Culloden Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 793400 Crown Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0844 5769977 Drumnadrochit, Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 450577 Dunedin Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712157 Fairfield Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713939 Fortrose Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 772497 Foyers Medical Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486224 Kingsmills Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235245 New Craigs Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 Riverside Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 715999

page 8 - November 2013

Raigmore Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 RNI Community Hospital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 706966 Strathlene Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 870843 The Aird Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782214 The Surgery, Munlochy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 811200 Southside Road Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710222 DENTISTS 21 Kingsmills Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233416 Abban Street Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 718140 Academy Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232423 Burnfield Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 241515 Black Isle Dental Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 877082 Castle House Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234598 Dalneigh Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 243767 Dental Clinic, New Craigs Hospital . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 Fraser Street Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 242344 High School Dental Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235468 Inshes Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794949 Inverness Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 255866 Ness Bank Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236295 Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 226358 Southside Surgical Dentistry Centre . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Southside Dental Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Torwood Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712772 Dental Helpline 0845 6442271 Useful numbers are rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or if there are any amendments to be made to existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES Recently, I was privileged to visit British Armed Forces personnel deployed in Afghanistan. I was impressed by the hugely professional British troops who are helping Afghan forces operate by themselves and take on the security challenges facing the Afghan government. There is no doubt, we are right to be proud of our country’s service men and women. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to meet secondary school girls, who talked about the challenges of increasing the number of girls in secondary education, and I took part in a roundtable discussion with Afghan women. We discussed the vital role women, young people and civil society will play in the country’s upcoming elections and the significant challenges faced by women seeking an active role in politics. Despite recent progress in women’s rights in Afghanistan, women still face very significant challenges, from physical violence to psychological abuse. It is absolutely critical that Afghanistan takes the necessary steps to ensure women are able to play their full role in society and live lives free of violence. Education is a key part of improving the lives of Afghan women and girls. It is critical to upholding women’s rights and improving their job opportunities. I am proud that the UK is taking the lead in enabling women and girls play to active part in Afghan society - by providing much needed investment in education, democracy and human rights.

Schools out! Our wee one, Natasha, (5), recently spent her first week at primary school. On day four of her education ( thursday) she told me : "Daddy, I think I have done enough school now!" I had to persuade her to persevere a little longer. This week in Holyrood I attended an Edinburgh primary school to promote the Year of Natural Scotland, to a class of ten year olds - and I am pleased to say that they were very well informed about the animals and birds that Scotland is famous for. Perseverance rewarded! They wanted to see more of Scotland for themselves. Arguably, the most important thing Government is in charge of is education - and therefore teachers are the most important people in society. To equip young people not only with facts but understanding and a grounding in skills in language, figures and finances is vital for much of adult life. I was delighted that Sir Ian Wood is heading up a Scottish Government commission looking at how we as a society prepare young people for the big bad world - and his report will look at things like better vocational training - and more links between businesses and schools. This is all to the good. Most important, we need to inspire children and fill them with confidence and hope. As the Poet William Butler Yeats once said: Education is not about filling a bucket. It is about lighting a fire.

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

F SA SU M TU W TH

AM 04:12 04:58 05:44 06:26 07:08 07:49 08:32

PM 16:38 17:20 18:01 18:43 19:25 20:08 20:56

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

F SA SU M TU W TH F SA SU M TU

Fergus Ewing MSP

AM 09:18 10:09 11:10 00:15 01:46 02:55 03:52 04:41 05:21 05:52 06:15 06:35

PM 21:52 22:55 12:53 14:21 15:22 16:14 16:58 17:37 18:08 18:38 19:09

Inverness Maths and English Study Centre

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

W TH F SA SU M TU W TH F SA

AM 06:58 07:14 07:31 08:00 08:39 09:32 10:50 01:00 01:59 02:48 03:36

Beauty Therapy Trainer

01463 717556 kumon.co.uk

page 10 - November 2013

tel: 01309 690063

www.beautytherapytrainer.co.uk www.facebook.com/beautytherapytrainer

PM 19:41 20:10 20:21 20:48 21:46 23:14 12:19 14:37 15:24 16:11

Accredited, fast track, accessible, Beauty/ Holistic Therapy courses held at local venues. For more information:

07774 329217

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

Please send Us details Of YOUr events Deadline for the December Issue: Friday, 1st November Website: www.spotlighton.co.uk Email: tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk Telephone: 01309 690063 Inclusion of events into the What’s On is free. We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops.

2 saturday - 31 december mixed christmas exhibition mon-sat 9am-5pm. castle gallery, 43 castle street, inverness. 01463 729512. www.castlegallery.co.uk

3 sunday bl’azz presents 'mama's brand new bag' 2:30pm 5pm, 'maclean' room, eden court. tickets £8 from the box office or call 01463 234234

Please note: contact venues and organisers first as there may be changes to events.

5 tuesday

OCTOBER 28 monday bastille @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

29 tuesday infifa ‘femme fatale’ season - gilda 7:15pm at eden court cinema and followed by informal post film discussion. visit www.invernessfilmfans.org

scottish ornithologists' club: " artists for albatrosses: a 5-week expedition to south georgia" by chris rose. 7:30 pm, culloden library. call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740. £3 members / £4 non members civic bonfire & fireworks display 7:30pm, bught park, inverness. featuring one of the biggest bonfires around and a stunning 20 minute fireworks display.

30 wednesday faulty towers the dining experience @ strathpeffer pavilion 7:30pm. a 3-course dinner served by “basil”, “sybil” and “manuel”. £32 (including dinner) wegottickets.com, ticketweb uk including ticketweb 2-hour hotline 08444 771000 and from strathpeffer pavilion 01997 420124

31 thursday sticky kids hallowe'en singalong @ strathpeffer pavillion 10am. £6. on sale at the pavilion: 01997 420124. visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org

NOVEMBER 1 friday

Nairn Community & Arts Centre Your local venue for films, shows, concerts, and parties. Wide range of activities for all ages.

NOVEMBER EVENTS

t.rextasy @ strathpeffer pavilion 8pm. tickets £15 from 24-hr hotline 08444 771000, june’s card shop, dingwall & the pavilion 01997 420124. www.trextasy.com

2 saturday croy primary christmas fayre 10am - 2pm. local craft stalls, raffle, teas & coffees, home baking. all welcome

2 saturday - 3 sunday food & craft fair @ strathpeffer pavillion 10am - 4pm. organised by friends of the pavilion. further info from frances on 01997 421344 admin@spotlighton.co.uk

NAIRN

Sun 3rd ........................... Britten@100 2013 Concert Series 3pm Fri 8th.......................Author, Eddie McGarrity - Nairn Bookshop Sat 9th.............................................................. Mike Vass Concert Fri 15th........................ Alessandro Taverna - Piano-Music Nairn Fri 22nd.....................................Cinema Nairn – North Face (12a) Sat 23rd ........................................................................... Craft Fair Sat 23rd ............................................. “Wildnight Comedy Night” Back by popular demand with Scottish Comedians Fri 29th............... Fundraising Film Night "Rock of Ages" (2012) For further details, telephone 01667 453476, e-mail info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website at www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

November 2013 - page 11

9 saturday roddy hart & the lonesome fire @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com inverness ramblers geal carn beag /carn dearg mor. 8 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information.

9 saturday - 10 sunday

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A genuine improvisational geniusâ&#x20AC;?

muir of ord art group - art exhibition 10am - 5pm saturday & 11am - 4pm sunday at old tarradale school. teas, home baking and raffle. all donations to charity.

Frankie Boyle

11 monday

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Perth based comicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s act just keeps getting betterâ&#x20AC;? The Metro

royal scottish geographical society lecture 7:30pm, highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. john mayhew: national parks: unfinished business. admission ÂŁ8 for adults; free for students, under 18's and rsgs members.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Expertly warms up the crowdsâ&#x20AC;? Evening Times

4BUVSEBZ SE /PWFNCFS tÍ&#x192;4IPX QN %PPST QN

/BJSO $PNNVOJUZ BOE "SUT $FOUSF ,JOH 4USFFU /BJSO *7 #2 5JDLFUT b BOE BWBJMBCMF GSPN /BJSO $PNNVOJUZ BOE "SUT $FOUSF ,JOH 4USFFU /BJSO *7 #2 5FM t &NBJM JOGP!OBJSODD DP VL 0OMJOF UJDLFUT XXX XJMEEBZ DPN tÍ&#x192;&NBJM NHSFFO!XJMEEBZ DPN

Buy tickets online @ www.wildday.com

pink castle philosophy club - 'what's the difference between travel and tourism?' 7:30pm, riverside lounge, glen mhor hotel. visit www.pinkcastle.eu or text / call 07745 930383 for details.

14 thursday nadfas art lecture, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the genius of antonio stradivariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2pm - 3:30pm at smithton free church, inverness. ÂŁ5 new members welcome. for more info please contact membership sec mary harrison on 01667 493640 or chair davidmartin30@hotmail.com

15 friday

7 thursday more sky than we need 7:30pm, eden court. the hugely popular plan b are back with a beautiful and serene meditation on the vast clouds above us and the immense space within us. for details please visit www.eden-court.co.uk or call 01463 234 234

8 friday the ross-shire ball @ strathpeffer pavillion biennial charity event at which you can dance your way through to breakfast! www.strathpefferpavilion.org annual arts & crafts shopping event + launch of winter exhibition 'three' 7pm, beauly gallery. showcasing a selection of original works from local artists join us on the night for festive nibbles, mulled wine a charity raffle and entertainment! menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health highland group meeting 9:30am in inshes church. open to the public who are very welcome. includes 2 speakers - professor philip wilson and ross cowie.

8 friday - 9 saturday creative moray firth craft fair 10am - 5pm, thistle hotel inverness. local contemporary crafters with a wide range of unique gifts for all ages. more information at www.facebook.com/creativemorayfirth.

page 12 - November 2013

12 tuesday

music nairn presents alessanro taverna 7:30pm nairn community & arts centre. playing chopin, liszt, de falla, satie and stravinsky. call 01667 453476 for info.

15 friday - 17 sunday arts, crafts & food fair by exclusively highlands at eden court theatre. supporting inverness ms centre. free admission. for info call 01463 250127 or visit www.exclusivelyhighlands.co.uk

16 saturday the western front association: membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; forum and book auction 2:30pm. the gallery, elgin library. 01343 870562. chairman.wfasnb@virgin.net craig campbell @ ironworks 7pm. seated. 16+. 0871 7894173. www.ironworksvenue.com cake walk with story 10am, nairn to cawdor. call 07724 992790 or visit www.guyandjocelyn.org strathpeffer shinty club buffet dance 7pm for 7:30pm at strathpeffer pavilion. tickets ÂŁ25 (ÂŁ15 for under 17s) from val 01997 421283

17 sunday inverness ramblers conagleann and loch mhor. 10 miles. meet 9:30am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

Cake Walk with a good story

Enjoying life, creation & each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company. Because thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to life than meets the eye. Regular walks - see â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; page (16th November).

.PC tÍ&#x192;XXX HVZBOEKPDFMZO PSH christmas lights switch on & ding dong merrily old high 5:30pm - 7:30pm, city centre. the show starts on the steps of inverness town house to welcome the provost & santa as they turn on the lights. then join santa at the old high church in church street for a rousing singalong with santa and special guests.

inverness ramblers bunchrew and leacain circular. 10 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. seagull trust cruises christmas bazaar 10am 12.30pm, north kessock community hall. adults ÂŁ2.50. children free. incl homebakes & refreshments. crafts, books, bric-a-brac, tombola and more. free cruising on the caledonian canal for people with special needs and the elderly creative moray firth craft fair 10am - 5pm, nairn community & arts centre. local contemporary crafters with a wide range of unique gifts for all ages. more information at www.facebook.com/creativemorayfirth. rspb outing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; loch fleet area 9:30am at highland council car park, 9:50am at dingwall car park. call 01463 237836 for details.

24 sunday blâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azz presents 'the north coast jazz band' 2:30pm 5pm, 'maclean' room, eden court. tickets ÂŁ8 from the box office or call 01463 234234

26 tuesday

18 monday

social diners - why eat alone? 7pm for 7:30pm dining at the old north inn, kirkhill, inverness. for information and to book call gill on 01349 877061

sportmoray recognition awards elgin town hall. recognising sporting individuals and teams from moray. for further details, contact 01343 563657. highland literary salon 7:30pm in the glenmhor hotel, inverness. guest speakers: helena nelson, kenneth steven, jane riddell, rivka spicer. for more information visit www.highlandlitsalon.com

21 thursday

28 thursday

travis @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

20 wednesday

the darkness @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com inverness ramblers agm contact jane on 01463 236204 for further information. rspb talk â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a tale of two islands (reserves) 7:30pm at fraser park bowling club, inverness

21 thursday - 24 sunday strathpeffer art fair @ strathpeffer pavillion from 10am each day, with late opening thursday and friday. the spectacular annual event organised by friends of the pavilion, for which planning is already under way.

22 friday classic clapton - tribute to eric clapton @ ironworks 7:30pm. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com cinema nairn presents north face (12a) 7:30pm, nairn community & arts centre. tickets at the door. for further info: cinemanairn.blogspot.co.uk

23 saturday the south @ the spectrum centre 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com winter festival @ brodie castle 12pm - 3pm (last entry 2.30pm) join earthtime for a celebration of all things wintry and frosty in the castle grounds. for further information please call earthtime on 01343 541335 or visit www.nts.org.uk/events. admin@spotlighton.co.uk

moray society lecture 2pm, elgin museum hall. a talk by margaret woodward. entry is ÂŁ3, ÂŁ2 for society members, ÂŁ1.50 for students. for more information call elgin museum on 01343 543675 or email curator@elginmuseum.org.uk

29 friday the lafontaines @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

THE MORAY PIANO COMPETITION 2013 ELGIN TOWN HALL Saturday 16th November - Qualifying Rounds Age 16 years and under 9.30am Age 20 years and under afternoon session 1.30pm Age 20 years and under evening session 6.30pm PUBLIC ADMISSION FREE Programme ÂŁ3

Sunday 17th November - 2.30pm - Finals Age 12 years and under (Qualifying Round) 9.45am

Tickets at the door Adults: ÂŁ8 (no concession) Children under 18 free Adjudicators: Martin Roscoe and Gordon Fergus-Thompson Outstanding young pianists from home and abroad compete for a share of prize money totalling ÂŁ4000 www.moray-piano-competition.co.uk The Moray Piano Festival Trust is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC032432

tel: 01309 690063

November 2013 - 13

Nairn Community & Arts Centre

Christmas

Party Night DM Catering, & Uncle Bob’s Bar Friday 13th December 2013 7pm till Midnight

4 Course Dinner Live Music by Ezra Complimentary glass of wine on arrival

£28 person per

For further information or to book, Tel: 01667 453476

NAIRN

29 november - 1 december arts, crafts & food fair by exclusively highlands at eden court theatre. supporting inverness ms centre. free admission. for info call 01463 250127 or visit www.exclusivelyhighlands.co.uk

30 saturday christmas fayre 1pm - 4:30pm in longmore hall, keith. santa’s grotto, teas, craft stalls & local entertainment. stalls can be booked through susan on 07811 801961 james ross concert @ brodie castle within the main drawing room. for further details and to book call 0844 493 2156 or go onto www.nts.org.uk/events highland senior citizens network coffee morning and charities christmas fayre 10am - 2pm, old high church hall, academy st, inverness. stalls include home baking, books, christmas cards and much more. face painting for the children. christmas and craft fayre 10am - 12:30pm, fairburn memorial hall, marybank. craft tables, children’s activities and santa's grotto (additional charge applies). home baking & refreshments. raffle with fabulous prizes. adults £2.50, children 5 and over £1, under 5s are free. admission includes refreshments. men’s health highland group stand 10am - 4pm eastgate centre, at the top of the escalator. free health leaflets and a nurse taking heights, weights & blood.

ITS HERE!!

OPENING IN INVERNESS ON THE 1st NOVEMBER 60 Seafield Rd, Inverness

(01463) 222 522

FIREWORKS BE SAFE NOT SORRY!

MORE S BREAK LE B A L I A AV K TO BOOE N I L ON HE & ON T E PHON

easy to call • easy to click • easy to go ONLY SCOTTISH COMPANY LIKE US OPEN ‘TIL 9PM!

All offers include evening meal and breakfast unless otherwise stated. Hotels with include leisure facilities.

We’ll price match if you find any of our breaks at a better price elsewhere!* ABERDEEN

ST ANDREWS

Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel

Fairmont St Andrews

October to March - (Thur-Sun) 2 nights

£90

3 nights

£129

2 nights (Sun-Thur)

October to March 2 nights (Fri arrival)

£166

£176

GLASGOW

EDINBURGH

Hilton Garden Inn

Dalmahoy, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club

October to March

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October to March 1 night .50 (Sun arrival)

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travel

Dreaming of... Golden Triangle of

India Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Triangle is a well travelled route which includes Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It is called the Golden Triangle due to the triangular shape formed by the locations of New Delhi, Agra and Rajasthan on the map, but is occasionally expanded to include the wider geographical area of North India. A variety of airlines fly direct from London Heathrow to Delhi, including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Jet Airways and Air India. Regional connections can be added for an additional cost. New Delhi blends into a rich historic past with a vibrant present. Places to visit include India Gate, the War Memorial, Parliament House, Mahatma Ghandi Memorial and Museum, and also the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jehan over two centuries from 1193AD. A five hour drive or one hour flight from Delhi will take you to Jaipur. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the ruler of Amber, Jaipur is also referred to as the Pink City owing to the colour of buildings in its wonderful old city. The city was painted pink to honour the visit of Prince Albert in 1882. Situated 11km north of Jaipur, surrounded by the Aravalli Hills, is the Amber City Fort, where an elephant ride is provided to go up to the fort. Take a city tour to the City Palace, Jantar Mantar â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Royal Observatory and Hawa Mahal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Palace of Winds, with 1043 windows, built for the royal ladies to watch the activities on the street below without being observed themselves. En-route from Jaipur to Agra lies the beautiful deserted medieval city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century, today it is perfectly preserved as a ghost city built in the height of the empireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s splendour. Agra is a medieval city on the banks of the Yamuna River. Agra achieved fame as the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal era buildings. Most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri; all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Whether you choose a luxurious stay in one of the stunning palaces, or to explore the history and cultures, or even go in search of Indian Wildlife, relax on the fabulous beaches. India has it all.

Information kindly supplied by

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recipe

Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Confidential King Scallops, Pork Belly, Cabbage, Buerre Blanc INGREDIENTS

1/2 Bottle white wine

6 King scallops

150g Butter

1/ 2 kg Pork belly

1/2 Lime

1 White cabbage

2 Carrots

1 Savoy cabbage

1 Onion

1 Cauliflower

30g Rosemary

1 Curly kale

Peppercorns

2 Radish

1 ltr Water

METHOD Pork belly Fry the pork belly for 2 minutes with oil. Add water, rosemary, carrot, onion, and peppercorns. Bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently for 4 hours. Then leave to cool. Remove from stock and slice into strips.

Scallops In a large very, hot frying pan add a touch of oil. Add seasoned scallops and pork belly slices. Cook until golden. Then turn over. Turn off the heat. Add a knob of butter and squeeze of lime.

Garnish Thinly slice the white cabbage and cauliflower. Cut the savoy into small, round pieces. Portion the kale. Blanch in boiling salted water. Refresh with cold water.

Plating Blanch the cabbage, cauliflower and kale with seasoned boiling water and drain. Place the vegetables around the plate, then the pork belly and scallops. Add a few thin slices of radish. Finally dress with the buerre blanc.

Buerre Blanc Dice cold butter into small cubes. Reduce the wine by 2/3. Whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until creamy. Lightly season and keep warm.

Kindly supplied by Head Chef, Martin W Ewart

The Newton Hotel, Nairn, IV12 4RX. Tel: 01667 459001

The Newton HotelN airn ONLY

6 WEEKS until the festivities commence

All prices are per person.

Veronique’s Patchwork & Quilting Fabric Dress Fabric & Haberdashery ASK ABOUT OU PATCHWORK & QUILRTI NG CLASSES Open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 5pm and Saturday 9.30pm to 4pm Late Night Wednesday till 8pm

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167 High Street, Elgin IV30 1DW Moving soon to: 18-20 Commerce Street, Elgin IV30 1BS email: veroquiltedpatch@yahoo.co.uk Web: veroquiltedpatch.co.uk

FRIDAY 6TH DECEMBER A night with Michael Bublé ‘Tribute Act’ Complimentary Stovies served with oatcakes for all party goers .50 at the interval £

SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER Join a Party Night with Resident DJ.

Includes Three Course Meal

25.00

FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER Nightmare before Christmas Theme with Resident DJ. Includes Two Course Buffet Meal £

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SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER Live Band ‘Vinyl Countdown’, Resident DJ & Five Course Gala Dinner

FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER Join a Party Night with Resident DJ. Includes Three Course Meal £

34.50

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We are also taking bookings for Festive Sunday Lunches, Christmas Day Lunch & Hogmanay. For further information contact us on 01667 453144 Email: reservations.newton@bespokehotels.com

Legal Will Writers of Moray We offer a friendly professional and inexpensive service for Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Management.

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This space could have been promoting your business! 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!

Winter Servicing

Motoring

headlights. If visibility is seriously reduced, use rear fog lights, but remember to turn them off when visibility improves so as to not dazzle other road users.

WINTER CHECK LIST Correct Tyres for conditions Despite our best efforts, winter weather can still make

Anti Freeze

roads treacherous and there is no guarantee that roads will always be completely free of ice and snow. The key

Battery is charging properly

to safer driving this winter is to make sure you and your vehicle are fully prepared and that you always

Lights are clean and working

drive with due care for the weather and condition of the roads.

Screen Wash & Wipers

There are many local garages that offer a superior winter service to ensure your car is mechanically and

Breaks arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worn

electrically fully prepared. You, however, are responsible for driving safely and caring for your health. To aid these endeavours here

Drive in the highest gear possible in icy conditions to

are a few simple pointersâ&#x20AC;Ś

avoid wheel spin. Do not drive in flooded areas or

Keep a safe stopping distance at all times. It can take

places where ice could be covering water. Watch out

ten times longer to stop in ice and snow. Avoid harsh braking and sudden acceleration; this could lead to skidding.

for motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders - they can be difficult to see in bad conditions. Try your brakes after driving through deep water, braking lightly will help to dry them out.

If visibility is poor during the day due to heavy rain, snow, fog or mist, use dipped

Always give our gritters and snow ploughs plenty of room, be patient and don't follow too closely behind.