OCTOBER 2012
INVERNESS AND DISTRICT THE
NORTH’S
FAV O U R I T E
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# / - - 5 . ) 4 9 s 3 4 9 , % s % !4 ) . ' / 5 4 s &! 3 ( ) / . This Month Wild About Nature.............p20
Chef’s Confidential ............p16
Mental Health Exibit ..........p11 This year’s Highland events programme in the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival are bigger and better than ever with events in locations across the Highlands. Our festival partners have created a wide range of performances, films, exhibitions and workshops which will entertain you and engage you. The festival aims to take a positive stance on mental health, celebrating artistic endeavour by those with experience of mental health issues and connecting audiences with creative and innovative work. S
Carpet Cleaning Offers.........p2
Choctober..........................p17
Mobility Deals ...................p21
October Plant Sale .............p21
Clubs & Societies, Pastoral, Church Details, Useful Numbers, Local Holidays, What’s On, Parliament Blog, Tide Times and much, much more!
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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
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CLUBS & SOCIETIES CROMARTY BOWLING CLUB Outdoor at the Green - May Sept, Bowling for Beginners Fri 2pm - 4pm Indoor at Victoria Hall - Nov -Apr, Bowling for Beginners Fridays 2pm - 4pm Causeway, Cromarty CROMARTY CAMERA CLUB Thurs 7.30 - 9.30pm Sept - Apr, Victoria Hall, Cromarty. Digital camera club welcoming all levels of experience. Training in all aspects of photography incl. use of Photoshop. Members able to participate in club competitions and field shoots. DINGWALL INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Tuesdays 7.30pm &Thursdays 7pm, Dingwall Sports Centre Have fun on dark nights. Bowls are available, however flat soled shoes or slippers are necessary. CLACHNACUDDIN CYCLING CLUB Call 791000 or email: strathlynn@btinternet.com
INVERNESS & DISTRICT FUCHSIA SOCIETY Meet 2nd Wednesday of each month (Not December and January) at 7.30pm in Trinity Church Hall. All interested welcome. Contact Dan Matheson at dan.matheson@btinternet.com or 07857962431. INVERNESS BLITZ American football, ages 11 to adult. All equipment supplied. Email info@invernessblitz.co.uk or call: 242431 THE HIGHLAND BRIDGE CLUB Meets every Wednesday all year. New members welcome. Call Marsalaidh on 01463 224434 or Graham on 01463 792811 THE HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S TRUST Tel: 243872 www.hctrust.co.uk
DINGWALL TAEKWONDO WTF Classes Tues 7.30pm,
*2 $" *2 7+ " 6+ " /-$) -- +,*!$' /'' + "
Dingwall Sportscentre, Fri 7.30pm Dingwall Academy. More than 45 years in the running. Black Belts advanced students only. Professional training and examinations.
5 5 5 5 5 5
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 INVERNESS FILM FANS Inverness Film Fans (InFiFa) Fortnightly at Eden Court for screenings & discussion. New members welcome. Details: www.invernessfilmfans.org
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INVERNESS HARRIERS AMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUB Cross country, road and hill running, track and field athletics, Beginner to elite level. Queens Park Athletic Stadium. Tel 791110 www.invernessharriers.org.uk
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INVERNESS RACING PIGEON CLUB Seeking new members young and old. Races held from Inverness to as far away as France with the North East Federation. All ages welcome.
page 4 - October 2012
Call 01463 243038. INVERNESS TENNIS Bishop’s Road, Inverness, tel: 230751 or email: itsc.information@googlemail.com or visit www.itscnews.com INVERNESS TOUCH RUGBY Wednesdays 6pm-8pm, Bught Pitches (by Ice Rink). Fast & fun for men and women, all abilities & fitness levels welcome. Email info@invernesstouch.co.uk or "Inverness Touch" on Facebook MEDITATION CLASSES Mondays 6.30pm at Millburn Academy, Diriebught Road, Inverness. £5 (£4 conc.). Call 0141 334 1334 or visit www.meditateinglasgow.org All welcome. NASTY NESSIES ROLLER GIRLS Inverness roller derby team. Beginner’s training sessions on Monday evenings 8pm - 10pm. Must be over 18 and female. http://nastynessiesrollergirls. wordpress.com NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY (MORAY BANFF AND BADENOCH BRANCH) Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11am in the Sherwood Suite at the Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin. Monthly lectures on a variety of arts related subjects are delivered by experts from across the UK. New members always welcome. Contact Sarah Fennings-Mills: 01343 831002 or www.nadfas-in-elgin.org.uk PINK CASTLE PHILOSOPHY CLUB 2nd Tuesday of the month. Fun & sociable chat with meaning for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender community. Visit the website www.pinkcastle.eu or tel: 07745 930383
PLANEFIELD BOWLING CLUB Open to visitors Mon - Sat from 2pm - 5pm. Members can play from 11am onwards most days of the week. Contact Mrs Gillian Farquhar 07752 300367 RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING HIGHLAND Confidential relationship counselling service in Inverness for anyone experiencing problems in their intimate, personal relationship. Call 712888, or email viewplaceapts@yahoo.co.uk www.counsellinghighland.org SALVATION ARMY TEA & CHAT Tuesdays 10am -12noon. Salvation Army Hall, Tomnahurich Street, Inverness. All welcome. No charge. Tel: 225276 STARLIGHT MUSICAL THEATRE New amateur musical theatre group. For more information, email starlightmusicaltheatre@ live.co.uk with your details. 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 WILDCATS CHEERLEADERS Call 01463 792360 or 07912650440 Email: wildcats cheerleaders@googlemail.com www.wildcatcheerleaders.co.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 in every issue.
CAPITAL SKATEPARK GROUP Tel: 714516 or email: agapeclothing@hotmail.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
The Editor
As we go to press with this issue, the Paralympics being held in London are drawing to a close. Whilst athletics in general may not be everybody’s “cup of tea” as a spectator sport, one cannot deny the sheer scale of the competitors’ personal achievements. What better place from which to draw inspiration for our own lives?
PUBLISHER ...............David Nelmes SALES ......................Eilidh Conners SALES ...........................Peter Evans ACCOUNTS ...................Lynn Wood LAYOUT ........................Michelle Ho DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson ADMIN ....................Tamsyn Dickson
November Issue Deadlines Editorial: Friday 5th October Advertising: Wednesday 10th October
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Index of Advertisers Allan Studio Kitchens & Bathrooms ........Inside Back Cover Ashley Ann............................................Outside Back Cover AW Landscape ....................................................................7 Beaver Travel ....................................................................19 Ben Wyvis Kilts....................................................................7 Brockie's Lodge Hotel ......................................................17 Castle Stuart............................................Inside Front Cover Chemsafe ................................................Inside Front Cover Dazzles Hair Studio ................................Inside Front Cover Design House Scotland Ltd ................................................7 Forres Tree Services ..........................................................5 Gomde Trust......................................................................13 GreenThumb (Inverness) ..................................................22 Kylauren Homes................................................................15 Legal Willwriters of Moray ..................................................5 Logie Steading ..................................................................21 Mackenzie & Cruickshank ................................................21 Moray Coast Veterinary Group ..........................................3 Moray Firth Tutorial School ................................................5 Nairn Community & Arts Centre ......................................12 Olive Tree Chocolate ........................................................17 Open University of Scotland ..............................................9 Pizza Hut Express (inverness) ..........................................14 Roof Wizard ........................................................................7 Scotengineering ................................................................19 Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival ................11-14 The Royal Hotel, Keith ......................................................19 Unique Beauty ........................................Front Cover and 3 Wardrobe Design Online - Slideco ....................................3 Wheelchair Care................................................................21 info@ forrestreeservices.com
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PASTORAL LETTER AND CHURCH MEETINGS It can be a great advantage to know what the future holds. If you’re a gambler you can bet on a dead cert. An investment banker will be able to spot the winners before they show. Insurance underwriters can spread their bets - even rewrite their policies - in anticipation of the storm that’s about to hit. But for most people there is a real uncertainty and, therefore, a very real anxiety about what the future holds. Climate change, the prospect of rising sea levels, the threat of international terrorism and talk of 2012 being the final year of “civilisation as we know it,” conspire together to create an environment in which there is little or no certainty regarding what lies ahead.
Astrologers, psychics and seers vie with political and economic forecasters, who specialise in studying the various indicators that might logically shed some light on what lies ahead. But, like weather forecasters who predict “rain with sunny intervals,” most of these modern day “prophets” hedge their bets and paint what they “see” with only the broadest of brush strokes, generally failing to predict the future with any degree of accuracy or consistency.
But turn to Scripture and you see a very different picture. Prophecy and history are
intertwined; events that were predicted long ago are now recorded in the history books. Those who spoke under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, have proved to be infallible witnesses to the guiding hand of God.
One of the most striking examples of this has been the life, death and resurrection of the Christ. Through the prophets, many things were revealed long before his coming; his place of birth, the purpose of his life, his activities, the precise manner of his death and burial - even down to the smallest detail of soldiers casting lots for his clothing. At every turn, he pointed to the prophecies of Scripture that spoke of his coming and served to confirm his identity, saying, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). Not only did he come in fulfilment of prophecy, he also spoke in great detail about the end of civilisation as we know it… a blow-by-blow account of the end of the age. Some of his words related to the more immediate future, others to a more distant time. He warned his followers to leave Jerusalem when they saw armies gathered around it and, in the year 70 AD - on the basis of this advice - every one of the Christians living in the city fled to Petra, thus avoiding the genocide which swept
Ardersier with Petty Parish Church, Church of Scotland Ardersier Sundays 10.15am. Petty Sundays 12 noon. Tel: 01667 462224. Avoch Congregational Church High Street, Avoch. Sundays 11.30am. Refreshments afterwards. Website: www.avochcongregationalchurch.co.uk Black Isle Charge Episcopal Churches 1 Deans Road, Fortrose. Tel: 01381 622241. Cale House, Church of Scotland Millburn Road, Inverness. Tel: 01463 718616. Christian Group in Inverness Tel: 07724 992790. Website: www.christian-group-inverness.org CityLife Church Mercure Hotel, Church Street, Inverness. Sundays 10:30am. Tel: 01463 714839. Email: info@citylifechurch.org.uk. Website: www.citylifechurch.org.uk Culduthel Christian Centre Culduthel Avenue, Inverness. Pastor Reverend Bill Slack. Tel: 01463 222795. Website: www.culduthelchristiancentre.org Culloden Baptist Church Culloden Academy. Sundays 10.30am. Tel: 01463 794005. Email: culloden.baptist@btconnect.com. Website: www.cullodenbaptistchurch.org.uk Barn Church of Scotland Culloden. Sundays 10.30am. First and third Sundays of the month 6.30pm service. Website: www.barnchurch.org.uk Croy & Dalcross Parish Church Church of Scotland Croy Village. Every Sunday 12noon. Dalneigh & Bona Church of Scotland St Mary’s Avenue, Inverness. Bona Church, Lochend by Inverness: 10am. Dalneigh Church, St Mary’s Avenue, Inverness: 11.30am and 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 232439. Dingwall Baptist Church Tulloch Street, Dingwall. Website: www.dbc.org.uk
page 6 - October 2012
PHOTO BY PAUL
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LEWIN
away literally hundreds of thousands of Jews.
And, quite amazingly, he has revealed to us what must soon take place; with all of it pointing towards his promised return. He warns of a time of unprecedented suffering; “there will be great distress unequalled from the beginning of the world until now” with nations “in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” He also warns us that “false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles” and that, ultimately, “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light” (see Matthew chapter 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 for a more detailed picture).
He has told us these things so that we may be prepared for all that lies ahead. He has promised to see us through this time of great upheaval… if only we will put our trust in him. As one of the prophets of old has declared, “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32).
Howard David Grace Community Church, Inverness
Dingwall Castle Street Church of Scotland Website: www.dingwall-church.co.uk Dingwall Catholic Church, St Lawrence 21 Castle Street, Dingwall. Tel: 01349 863143. Dingwall Episcopal Church, St James The Great Castle Street, Dingwall. Tel: 01349 862204. Website: www.stjames-stannes.org.uk Dingwall Free Church High Street. Sundays 11am and 6pm. Website: www.deep-river.co.uk Ferintosh and Resolis Free Church Rev. Chris Smart. Website: www.ferintosh.org.uk Free North Church Bank Street, Inverness. Tel: 01463 224332. Website: www.freenorthchurch.org Fortrose Free Church, 5 Church Street, Fortrose, IV10 8TE. Sunday: 11.30am and 6pm. Website: www.freechurch.org Grace Community Church Inshes Primary School. Sundays 10.30am. Email: thenewseed@yahoo.com Hilton, Church of Scotland Tomatin Road, Inverness. Tel: 01463 233310. Website: www.hiltonchurch.org.uk Inshes, Church of Scotland Sir Walter Scott Dr, Inverness. Tel: 01463 226727. Website: www.insheschurch.org Inverness Baptist Church 69 Castle Street. Rev. Tom Urquhart. Tel: 01463 223506. Email: tajurquhart@btinernet.com Inverness Christian Fellowship Millburn Academy, Diriebught Road. Sundays 10.30am. Website: www.icfchurch.co.uk Inverness Church of God Friars Lane. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 241318. This is listed alphabetically from A to I and will regularly be rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here, please email us with details and we may print this in future issues.
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PHOTO BY PAUL
INE
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LOCAL HOLIDAYS, SCHOOL TERM DATES & USEFUL NUMBERS
Local Holidays Inverness Holiday Inverness Holiday St Andrews Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Day Scottish Bank Holiday Burns Night
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 Fri 25th Jan 2013
Shrove Tuesday Mother’s Day Good Friday British Summertime Begins Easter Monday Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Father’s Day
Tues 12th Feb 2013 Sun 10th Mar 2013 Fri 29th Mar 2013 Sun 31st Mar 2013 Mon 1st Apr 2013 Mon 6th May 2013 Mon 27th May 2013 Sun 16th Jun 2013
Autumn Term Ends Regional Closure Winter Term Starts Winter Term Ends Spring Term Starts Holiday Closure
Fri 5th Oct 2012 Mon 22nd Oct 2012 Tues 23rd Oct 2012 Thurs 20th Dec 2012 Mon 7th Jan 2013 Mon 11th Feb 2013
Holiday Closure Regional Closure Regional Closure Regional Closure Spring Term Ends Good Friday Holiday
Tues 12th Feb 2013 Wed 13th Feb 2013 Thurs 14th Feb 2013 Fri 15th Feb 2013 Thurs 28th Mar 2013 Fri 29th Mar 2013
School Term Dates
Useful Telephone 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 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. If you have any suggestions for additional numbers, please contact us and we may include them in the magazine.
page 8 - October 2012
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
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Parliament Blog
Danny Alexander MP Low Tide Times for Inverness in October Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times
If
LEWIN
PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES
We may not have had the brightest weather, but this Summer was lit up by the Olympic Games. After just a few short weeks, the eyes of the world turned on Britain once more as the Paralympics got underway. The Olympic tradition has always been about stretching the limits of human physical and mental capability and the Paralympics are no different. For that reason, they belong firmly at the heart of the international Olympic movement. The Highlands played an important part at the beginning of the 2012 Paralympic story when the flame was lit by the Scouts on the summit of Ben Nevis. Congratulations to all the athletes who took part in the games, particularly our local champions - David Smith, Karen Darke and Craig Maclean. At the time of writing this, David Smith has picked up his first gold for Team GB – hopefully one of many more to come.
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PRINTING
you would like to advertise with SpotLight, contact us on 01309 690063. We have magazines in Buckie, Keith and district; Elgin and district; Forres and district; Inverness and district; Nairn and district; and Strathspey. page 10 - October 2012
As the local MSP for Inverness, and as the Minister for Tourism, I was asked at a special screening of Brave at Eden Court, to introduce, with a short speech, one of the actors, and the producer and director of the film. The actor was local man Kevin McKidd. I am told by the female half of the population that this Elgin loon is really pretty dishy. Anyway, Fiona, Natasha and I presented ourselves at Eden Court, to make the speech and then watch the film. The occasion was far more glitzy than politicians are used to. The outfits were of the Hollywood type. Local singer Peigi Barker and her brother Donald were there to perform the song from the film: heart-breaking stuff. It was so beautiful, so pure in sound that I said in my remarks that the hankies were needed to be used before the film had begun. I made a short speech about the film – and the chance for Scottish tourism to address an audience at Eden Court, and then introduced the real stars. I then went to take up my seat with Fiona, and our 4 year old Natasha. Unfortunately, at this point, because perhaps of the excitement of it all – my wee one was sick on my shoe! Obviously she was not feeling well, and was upset so she wanted to go home – which we did – back to Boat of Garten, and so I did not get to see the film. I did say, that as far as I am aware at least, this has been the only occasion in over twenty years of public speaking that anyone has actually been physically sick after listening to what I said!
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SpotLight on Inverness and District
What’s On &),-3 s 3(/73 s %6%.43 s #/.#%243 s %4#
Please Send us Details of Your Events Log on to www.spotlighton.co.uk email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk or call 01309 690063. What’s On listings deadline for the November issue is Friday 5/10/12.
- 8:30pm, old high church, inverness. for tickets or information visit www.moraysteinerschool.org or pop into leakey’s bookshop, church street, inverness. dr feelgood 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion. tickets £15 / £14 / £6. call 01997 420124 or visit the website www.strathpefferpavilion.org
30 sunday
SEPTEMBER 28 friday “the boys are back in town� pro night @ ironworks 7pm. 14+. professional boxing night. tickets or info call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
29 saturday dame emma kirkby & jakob lindberg in concert 7pm
last day of opening for castle & gardens for the year. enquiries & ticket info call 01667 404401 or visit www.cawdorcastle.com great glen walking club ben wyvis. 8.5 miles. meet 0830hrs highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. grab your children 1st charity place for the loch ness marathon contact children 1st on 0131 319 8068 or email running@children1st.org.uk
This year’s Highland events programme in the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival are bigger and better than ever with events in locations across the Highlands. Our festival partners have created a wide range of performances, films, exhibitions and workshops which will entertain you and engage you. The festival aims to take a positive stance on mental health, celebrating artistic endeavour by those with experience of mental health issues and connecting audiences with creative and innovative work. See the listings section for full details of festival events, or look online at www.highlandmhfestival.com
Events throughout October.
Want to get involved? Become a festival ambassa-
See the What’s On pages for events or
dor. For details, contact the festival coordinators at
www.highlandmhfestival.com
info@highlandmhfestival.com
for full details SpotLight on Inverness and District
tel: 01309 690063
October 2012 - page 11
NAIRN Nairn Community & Arts Centre Your Y our local venue for films, shows, concerts, and parties. W Wide ide range of activities for all ages.
OCTOBER OCTOBER EVENTS Fri 5th & Sat 6th ..................................... ................................................. Affordable ............ Affo rdable Art Fair: locall arts to see, enjoy enjoy,, and buy buy... a showcase of loca ... Fri Fri 26th ................................Cinema ................................Cinema Nairn: “Oranges & Sunshine” 2010. Certificate 15 raviata Sat 27th ................................................ Scottish Opera: La TTraviata
For further details, telephone 01667 453476, e-mail info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk at www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk
OCTOBER 1 monday cinema nairn presents blithe spirit (u) 1945 2pm. nairn community and arts centre. senior special. call 01667 453476 or visit cinemanairn.blogspot.co.uk 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: baggage - learning to lighten life’s load 12:30pm - 1:30pm, inshes church, inverness. live drama to explore key mental health issues for young people. places are free but must be booked by emailing keith@highlandmhfestival.com
4 thursday 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: creative minds 1:30pm. community centre, dunrobin street, helmsdale. this joyful & moving film shows how puppetry, art, singing & story-making boosts communication, confidence & relationships in care settings. £7 / £5 concs. call 0771 6111585 or email karrie@creativityincare.org. visit www.creativityincare.org newton faulkner @ ironworks 7.30pm. 14+. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com scottish opera returns to the pavilion, this time with verdi’s great opera “la traviata” 8 pm, strathpeffer pavilion. visit wegottickets.com, ticketweb.co.uk and pavilion office. www.scottishopera.org.uk
5 friday the african children’s choir in concert 7:30pm, ness bank church, inverness. visit www.nessbank.net
5 friday - 6 saturday affordable art fair nairn community & arts centre. for info call 01667 453476 or email info@nairncc.co.uk
6 saturday
2 tuesday revolutionary road (film) 7:45pm, eden court cinema, inverness. www.invernessfilmfans.org 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: creative minds 1:30pm, spectrum centre, margaret street, inverness. a joyful and moving film showing how puppetry, art, singing & story-making boosts communication, confidence & relationships in care settings. £7 / £5 concs. call 0771 6111585 or email karrie@creativityincare.org. visit www.creativityincare.org
3 wednesday 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: walking creatively in my shoes 10am page 12 - October 2012
12pm. the greenhouse, dingwall. join tamalpa life/art practitioner kate craik on a journey of self discovery, creativity & fun - tap into your creativity. no experience necessary! places are free but must be booked. email keith@highlandmhfestival.com 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: walking creatively in my shoes 2pm - 4pm. the bike shed, grants street, inverness. join tamalpa life/art practitioner kate craik on a journey of self discovery, creativity & fun - tap into your creativity. no experience necessary! places are free but must be booked. email keith@highlandmhfestival.com 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: creative minds 1:30pm, presidential suite, mercure hotel, inverness. this joyful & moving film shows how puppetry, art, singing & story-making boosts communication, confidence & relationships in care settings. £7 / £5 concs. call 0771 6111585 or email karrie@creativityincare.org. visit www.creativityincare.org
cake walk - farigaig and loch ness 4 miles meet 10am at highland council, glenurquhart road. call guy & jocelyn on 07724 992790. great glen walking club reiff circuit. 8.5 miles. meet 8am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information. highland wool & textile fair 10am - 4pm, bishops’s palace, eden court, inverness. lucky dip in aid of highland hospice. admission £2. under 16s free. concert with 'music for a while' at brodie castle. adult £8, concessions £5. call 0844 493 2156 or visit www.nts.org.uk 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: ‘muriel's wedding’ 2:30pm, eden court
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
BUDDHIST WISDOM FOR EVERYDAY LIFE A talk by
Ato Rinpoche
SUNDAY 7 OCT. AT 4 PM. IN THE MACLEAN ROOM, EDEN COURT THEATRE, INVERNESS TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT THE BOX OFFICE Further information of events with Ato Rinpoche: XXX HPNEFTDPUMBOE PSH tĘ°FNBJM JOGP!HPNEFTDPUMBOE PSg or Tel: 0131 208 2884 theatre, inverness. starring toni collette, rachel griffiths and bill hunter. tickets ÂŁ4 / ÂŁ2 concs.
6 saturday - 7 sunday ‘buddhist wisdom for everyday life’ talk by ato rinpoche 4pm, maclean room, eden court theatre, inverness. email info@gomdescotland.org or call 0131 208 2884 for details.
7 sunday antiques & collectables fair at strathpeffer pavilion. visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org or call 01997 420124 for more details. inverness ramblers: argyll stone circular, aviemore 9am. 12 miles. meet at highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for further information.
8 monday ‘it’s all about the bike’ - robert penn 7:30pm - 9pm, highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. email robert at rpreece@onetel.com or visit www.rsgs.org
9 tuesday inverness gardening club 7:30pm, mackenzie centre, inverness. call graeme on 01463 224445. email: graememunro99@hotmail.com inverness floral art club 7:30pm. meet in cauldeen school. new members and guests welcome. 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: ‘venus’ 7:15pm, eden court theatre, inverness. a 2006 british comedy-drama film starring peter o’toole, leslie phillips, vanessa redgrave and jodie whittaker. directed by roger michell and written by hanif kureishi. tickets ÂŁ4 / ÂŁ2 concs.
9 tuesday - 14 sunday “rods and cones� (exhibition) the stables, cromarty. paintings by four artists with contrasting styles.
12 friday benjamin francis leftwich @ ironworks 7.30pm. 14+. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
13 saturday this is nirvana - nirvana tribute @ ironworks 7.30pm. SpotLight on Inverness and District
call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com inverness ramblers: two different walks (1): ascent of braeriach, cairngorms, 8am, 13.5 miles. (2): culbin forest (west) meander, 9am, 9 miles. meet highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further info ‘choctober’ - morays chocolate festival 12pm - 4pm, elgin academy, elgin. with chef's demos, a chocolate craft market and a mad hatters restaurant. free entry. see www.facebook.com/choctober for more details.
14 sunday great glen walking club dosmuckeran to loch fannich. 7 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. contact: 01463 236204. hue and cry @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: ‘sunday bloody sunday’ 5pm, eden court theatre, inverness. starring peter finch, glenda jackson and murray head. tickets ÂŁ4 / ÂŁ2 concs.
15 monday ‘ahab’ hootananny, inverness. for tickets & info call 01463 233651 or email info@hootananny.com 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: out of the shadows - see me now 12pm 5pm. the greenhouse, 14 high street, dingwall. exhibition with shadow-puppetry workshops, mapping experiences of change in attitudes towards mental ill-health & support over the last 30 years. places are free but must be booked in advance. call karrie marshall on 07716 111586.
16 tuesday ‘little children’ (film) 7:45pm. eden court cinema, inverness. www.invernessfilmfans.org highland literary salon meeting 7:30pm, glenmhor hotel, inverness. writing competition, prose & poetry, on the theme of ‘highland life’. deadline 30 nov ‘12. visit highlandlitsalon.com 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: out of the shadows - see me now 10.30am - 12.30pm. macpahil centre, mill street, ullapool. exhibition with shadow-puppetry workshops, mapping experiences of change in attitudes towards mental ill-health and support over the last 30 years. places are free but must be booked in advance. call karrie marshall on 07716 111586.
17 wednesday western north american alpines 7:30pm, lesser town hall, forres. illustrated talk by drs liam and joan mccaughey. call john owen 01320 366246. 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: ‘martha marcy may marlene’ 5pm, eden court theatre, inverness. starring elizabeth olsen, sarah paulson & john hawkes. tickets ÂŁ4 /ÂŁ2 concs. 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: out of the shadows - see me now 2pm 4pm, community centre, dunrobin street, helmsdale.
tel: 01309 690063
October 2012 - page 13
exhibition with shadow-puppetry workshops, mapping experiences of change in attitudes towards mental ill-health and support over the last 30 years. places are free but must be booked in advance. call karrie marshall on 07716 111586.
food & craft fair fri, 12pm - 7pm. sat, 10am - 5pm at strathpeffer pavilio. free entry for the public. call frances on 01997 421344 to book a table.
10am - 12noon, the supper room, elgin town hall. home baking & usual stalls. £2 entrance fee. rspb highland local group 8am, coach outing to loch leven reserve. for details call 01463 237836 or 01997 433283. inverness choral society coffee morning 10am 12noon at the town house with sheila bruce on the piano. call fiona duff on 01463 782418. ironworks unplugged - acoustic cabaret night 7pm. 14+. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com slam’s halloween party @ ironworks 10pm. 18+. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com verdi’s “la traviata” 7:30pm, nairn community & arts centre. for info call 01667 453476 or email info@nairncc.co.uk. visit www.musicnairn.org.uk hocus pocus halloween haunt 6:30pm - 8:30pm, brodie castle. tickets £4 / family £10. call 0844 4932156 or visit www.nts.org/events elgin bid ‘halloween family fun day’ 10am - 4pm, the plainstones, elgin. fun for all ages.
20 saturday
28 sunday
18 thursday bat for lashes + sylver tongue @ ironworks 7.30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: smhaff film evening 6pm, eden court theatre, inverness. an evening of film and words. 3 films produced in the highlands, some written work and discussion. places are free but must be booked by emailing keith@highlandmhfestival.com
19 friday - 20 saturday
great glen walking club dulsie bridge, by rhilean and leonach burns. 13 miles. meet 8:30am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further info. ‘big fat wedding party’ 12:30pm, glen mhor hotel, inverness. tickets £40 per person. call 01463234308. turin brakes + iain mclaughlin & the outsiders + anderson + anderson, mcginty, webs @ ironworks 7.30pm. 0871 7894173 / www.iron worksvenue.com
21 sunday inverness ramblers: two different walks (1): beinn damph, torridon, 8:30am, 8 miles. (2) carrol broch and loch brora, 9am, 13 miles. meet at highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further info. bl’azz presents ‘the ness river rhythm kings’ 2:30pm - 5pm, maclean room, eden court, inverness. call 01463 234234
25 thursday rspb highland local group 7:30pm, fraser park bowling club, inverness. tigers and more! call 01997 433283 or 01463 220013. bl’azz presents ‘blue and sentimental’ 8pm - 10pm, downstairs bar, castle tavern, inverness. free entry. limited seating so come early. call 01463 221460 or email nigel.mackenzie@blueorg.com
the marvel of peru 3pm. exciting new baroque ensemble concert. in the stables at cromarty.
30 tuesday ‘eternal sunshine of the spotless mind’ (film) 7:45pm. eden court cinema, inverness. for details visit www.invernessfilmfans.org
31 wednesday 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: birchwood highland concert 7pm, hootananny, inverness. halloween special fundraiser with two floors of live music. money raised goes to birchwood highland. entry by donation, pay on the door. (www.birchwoodhighland.org.uk) prom praise 7:30pm, empire theatre, eden court, inverness. for details call 01463 234234 or visit www.eden-court.co.uk 3 magic words (feature documentary): how to access your subconscious mind to become an active co-creator in your own life) 7:30pm. highland spiritual cinema, inverness. for details visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net
£4.99
26 friday ironworks unplugged @ ironworks call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com fashion show organised by friends of the pavilion, in association with the puffin pool, dingwall. for details visit www.puffinpool.co.uk cinema nairn presents ‘oranges and sunshine’ (15) 2010. 7:30pm, nairn community & arts centre. for info call 01667 453476 or email info@nairncc.co.uk
27 saturday alzheimer scotland’s elgin branch coffee morning page 14 - October 2012
Offer 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 offer. Offer subject to availability. Only one voucher per order.
tel: 01309 690063
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SpotLight on Inverness and District
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recipe
Chef’s Confidential Venison Meatballs on Spaghetti with a Ragu Sauce Serves: 4 Ingredients s s s s s s s s s
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced venison SMALL ONION FINELY CHOPPED EGG TBSP PLAIN FLOUR TBSP CHOPPED FRESH MIXED HERBS SUCH AS THYME AND PARSLEY TBSP EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL G OZ SPAGHETTI SALT AND PEPPER SHREDDED FRESH BASIL TO GARNISH
Red wine sauce s s s s s s s s s
1 small onion, chopped SMALL RED PEPPER SEEDED AND CHOPPED G OZ MUSHROOMS CHOPPED CELERY STICK CHOPPED LARGE GARLIC CLOVE CRUSHED ML FL OZ RED WINE ML FL OZ BEEF STOCK CAN CHOPPED TOMATOES ABOUT G BOUQUET GARNI
Method 1. -IX TOGETHER THE VENISON CHOPPED ONION EGG FLOUR AND HERBS UNTIL WELL COMBINED 3EASON WITH SALT AND PEPPER $IVIDE THE MIXTURE INTO PORTIONS Lightly flour your hands, then roll the portions into neat balls. 2. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan or flameproof casserole and fry the meatballs, rolling them gently from time to time, for 8–10 minutes or until they are browned all over. (Brown the meatballs in batches, if necessary.) Use a draining spoon to remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside. 3. For the sauce, add the onion, red pepper, mushrooms, celery and garlic to the JUICES IN THE FRYING PAN AND COOK FOR MINUTES STIRRING FREQUENTLY 0OUR IN THE RED wine and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer for about 5 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE LIQUID HAS REDUCED BY HALF !DD THE STOCK TOMATOES WITH THEIR JUICE AND THE BOUQUET GARNI TO THE PAN and bring back to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 5. Return the meatballs to the pan and turn them over in the sauce. Simmer gently for 10 minutes. 6. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in boiling water for 10–12 minutes, or according to the packet instructions, until al dente. Drain well. 4ASTE THE SAUCE AND ADJUST THE SEASONING IF NECESSARY $ISCARD THE BOUQUET garni. Divide the spaghetti among 4 serving plates or bowls and top with the meatballs and sauce. Garnish with sour cream, paprika and fresh chopped parsley.
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All round satisfaction at... At the Bog Roy Inn we pride ourselves with Passion, Flair and Excitement. Our friendly, attentive staff and creative new Kitchen staff would love to make your time with us a memorable one. All day Sunday Carvery launching on 14th October 12.30 - 8.30- booking advisable 1 course - £8.25, 2 courses .............. £11.75 Over 60's Lunch every Wednesday 2 courses + Coffee/Tea ...................... £5.50 Venue for conferences/team meetings/ training sessions with full conference facilities
NEW
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Bog Roy Inn Kirkhill IV5 7PX Tel: 01463 831 296
travel
Dreaming of... a Relaxing Cruise
One of the most rapidly expanding sectors of the Travel Industry is taking a cruise. It can be described as living in a luxury hotel which moves from destination to destination and there is no need to pack or unpack your suitcases more than once!
Cruising the Med’
The cruise market has seen steady growth, driven by innovation and the quality of the experience. There are large capacity increases being launched all the time, so what might have seemed like a very exclusive mode of transport historically has become much more available to the seasoned holidaymakers. There is a perception that going on a cruise is very formal and only for the older generation, but that is changing. The average age of people going on a cruise comes down each year and ships are coming into service to cater for different needs. Some prefer to do a Fly Cruise, where you join the ship in an already exotic or interesting destination. Some prefer a Fly and Stay, where they join the ship and before or after their cruise they spend some time in that country. Some prefer to depart and return to a home port, negating the need to fly at all. Pricing might sometimes seem high but remember that covers all your meals, entertainment and soft drinks – the only extras you are likely to run up are for alcoholic drinks and flutters on the gaming tables, if that is what takes your fancy. Imagine spending a day in an interesting European city, retiring to the ship for dinner and a good night's sleep, then waking up in the morning in another fascinating destination. Wonderful!
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Information kindly supplied by Relaxing in your cabin
2-6 South Street, Elgin 01343 548844 ‡ +LJK Street, FRUUHV
CRUISES TO SUIT ALL POCKETS NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE New York, Florida and Bahamas 2 Dec - 9nts from........................... £1260 New York and the Caribbean 24 Nov - 11nts from............................£1401 Miami and the Caribbean 24 Nov - 12nts from .£1337
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Also at: 2-6 South Street, Elgin www.beavtrav.com Beaver Travel is also a ticket agent for Eden Court Theatre, Inverness - No booking fee.
This space could have been your advert
If you would like to advertise with SpotLight, contact us on 01309 690063. We have magazines in Buckie, Keith and district; Elgin and district; Forres and district; Inverness and district; Nairn and district; and Strathspey.
outdoor
A few months ago I was sitting at my desk in the room at the front of the house I use as an office, when my concentration was broken by a barely audible little song. I looked around the room, there was a Robin sitting on the back of a chair a metre away. The song was repeated and I was looked at very directly. I opened the window but the robin refused to move, let alone fly out. As I went out of my office across the hall into the sitting room, the Robin followed, cocked its head on one side and repeated the song, this time sitting on the television. I knew what the Robin wanted. To get to my office you come in the back door, through the kitchen, along the front hall and turn left. This is a route the Robin knows well and uses when the back door is open and I need “training”. Like many people, we have bird feeders in the garden and during the late Spring and early Summer they seem to be the main source of food for the local breeding House sparrows who consume nearly a kilo of food a day. Last Winter we started to feed mealworms, the Black birds and Robins really seemed to appreciate this. A couple of Robins started to watch for signs of us coming out of the house. They would make it very clear that they wanted more meal worms, and as time went on they became quite happy to eat these from the hand.
All photograps are Copyright Mike Rae
This Spring two pairs of Robins nested in the garden and our “training” was stepped up a gear, I guess by the male birds who were feeding their mates sitting on eggs. If there were no meal worms out the Robins would look directly through the window into the house, and continue to watch us until we put out more mealworms. Back in May we spent a couple of weeks in the Cairngorms, and while we were away our neighbour checked the garden and filled the bird feeders. On returning I noticed a small pile of bird droppings on the door step. I thought this was a little odd until I surmised that a Robin had spent a lot of time sitting on the back door handle waiting for someone to come out and feed him. Over the past months the demand from the Robins has reduced, the young have left the hedge and I assume they are looking after themselves. However, the male birds seem to be feeding the females again, perhaps they have laid more eggs. I am looking forward to my work being interrupted again in a couple of weeks and for my “training” to be resumed. In the meantime, the local starlings have discovered the mealworms and the Blackbirds nesting in the clematis on top of our oil tank are feeding them to their young. No chance of stopping our regular mealworm order!
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Briefly, and on more serious note, wild birds eat all year round and feeding them in the Winter can really help them through difficult cold spells. Mike Rae web: www.mikerae.com
email: mike.rae@btconnect.com
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Open-Evening Friday 19th October 6pm to 9pm
1 West Road, Forres IV36 2GW 01309 696940
This month, most gardeners will be doing their last cut of the year and putting away their mowers for the season - a pretty disappointing season in the garden too. Hopeless optimists that we are though, we will be planning a better season next year, hopefully without the damage caused by late spring snows and without the terribly wet conditions that made even getting the grass cut a struggle. We’ve had a very disrupted season, having to rearrange and redo many lawn treatments because of the poor weather. You may wonder what a lawn treatment business does all winter; I did when I first made enquiries about buying the Green Thumb Moray Firth franchise. In fact, the off-season is our busiest time of the year as we have to pack in all the machinery jobs customers have asked us to do for them, principally aeration and scarifying. Aeration we do with a big hollow-core tining machine which, at £4,000 per machine, is not a piece of kit most weekend gardeners have in the back of the shed for occasional use. Good aeration is one of the best
gardeners do themselves to remove old thatch and moss from the lawn surface at the end of the year. This is typically done either before Xmas or maybe in March, at the end of the winter (keen types might do it twice). Many folk have small electric scarifiers or rakes that work very well at removing annual moss from the surface of the lawn. A blade scarifier though, removes the thatch, which provides the habitat for moss to flourish again. We use them (obviously) for lawns with thatch, or some customers hire them and do it themselves. Either way, any gardening book or TV programme will suggest you scarify in the off-season, particularly if you are prone to moss. Both tasks are pretty dirty and physically demanding however, so best to pick a nice day! Enjoy!
things you can do for a lawn. It eases compacted ground, opens up drainage and ventilation and is a major benefit in the control of moss and lichen. Forking is all very well, but some jobs are not really hand-tool jobs! We use our machines all day every day in the winter preparing the lawns for a good start next year and however you do it, it is a huge benefit.
Scarifying a lawn, on the other hand, is a job many
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For more information about seasonal lawn improvements from just ÂŁ15 per qtr, plus useful downloads and photos, go to www.greenthumb.co.uk. Although GreenThumb is a national franchise with over 200 branches across the UK, we are locally based in Cawdor and cover the whole Moray Firth area. Contact Alastair or Fiona for a FREE LAWN ANALYSIS on 01667 404774, or email us at: inverness@greenthumb.co.uk
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