SpotLight on Inverness & District - October 2015

OCTOBER 2015

I NV E R NE S S & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

SALE ON NOW FREE 6 YEAR WARRANTY on selected Viera TV’s

www.panasonicstore-inverness.co.uk

01463 716646 !

! ! !

!

!

! !

! !

This year’s Flu Vaccine information Over time, protection from the injected flu vaccine gradually decreases and flu strains often change. So new flu vaccines are produced each year which is why people advised to have the flu jab need it every year too.

Flu vaccination by injection, commonly known as the "flu jab" is available every year at Lochardl Pharmacy to protect adults (and some children) at risk of flu and its complications.

Flu can be unpleasant, but if you are otherwise healthy it will usually clear up on its own within a week. However, flu can be more severe in certain people, such as:

You can have your flu jab at: Lochardl Pharmacy, Inverness. we offer private flu vaccination to adults and children aged 12 years and over who wish to protect themselves and their loved ones from the flu virus.

Simply call the team at Lochardil Pharmacy to arrange an appointment.

UÊanyone aged 65 and over UÊpregnant women UÊV `Ài Ê> `Ê>`Õ ÌÃÊÜ Ì Ê> ÊÕ `iÀ Þ }Ê i> Ì ÊV ` Ì Ê­«>ÀÌ VÕ >À ÞÊ } ÌiÀ Ê heart or respiratory disease)

Vaccinate your workforce

UÊÊV `Ài Ê> `Ê>`Õ ÌÃÊÜ Ì ÊÜi> i i`Ê Õ iÊÃÞÃÌi Ã

Flu vaccination service for business UÊV ÃÌÊivviVÌ Ûi UÊ«À ÌiÊ>Ê i> Ì ÞÊÜ À « >Vi UÊÀi`ÕViÊà V iÃÃÊ>LÃVi Vi UÊ>Û> >L iÊ Ã ÌiÊ ÀÊ ÊÌ iÊ« >À >VÞ

Anyone in these risk groups is more likely to develop potentially serious complications of flu, such as pneumonia (a lung infection), so it's recommended that they have a flu vaccine every year to protect them.

The flu vaccine is given routinely on the NHS as an annual vaccine to at risk groups.'

A range of discounts and options available. Please contact Lochardil Pharmacy for bookings or further information.

How effective is the flu jab?

Studies have shown that the flu jab does work and will help prevent you getting the flu. It won't stop all flu viruses and the level of protection may vary between «i « i]ÊÃ Ê Ì¿ÃÊ ÌÊ>Ê£ää¯Ê}Õ>À> ÌiiÊÌ >ÌÊÞ Õ¿ ÊLiÊv Õ vÀii]ÊLÕÌÊ vÊÞ ÕÊ` Ê}iÌÊv ÕÊ >vÌiÀÊÛ>VV >Ì Ê Ì¿ÃÊ i ÞÊÌ ÊLiÊ `iÀÊ> `Êà ÀÌiÀ Ûi`ÊÌ > Ê ÌÊÜ Õ `Ê Ì iÀÜ ÃiÊ have been.

There is also evidence to suggest that the flu jab can reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Morven Road, Inverness IV2 4BU. Tel: 01463 236 263

ơ

ǣ

Loc har dil

ad Ro dil har

ǣ Monday – Friday ͠ǣ͛͘ Ǧ͝ǣ͛͘ Saturday ͡ ͝ Pharmacies also available in the Highlands: Alness Pharmacy ͙͛͘͜͡ ͠​͛͜͠​͜​͜ Balintore Pharmacy ͙͚͘͠͞ ͚͛͠​͚͙͡

L oc

Loc h

Do

rni

e

oad le R ky na

Ba l

Morven Road, Inverness IV2 4BU 01463 236 263

Prim ardil R oad ary Sch ool

Pla ce

Your new, local Independent Pharmacy in Inverness

Plac e

NHS & private prescription dispensing Repeat prescription collection service from all Inverness surgeries NHS Minor Ailment Service NHS Chronic Medication Service Smoking cessation advice Travel health advice and clinic Delivery service for Housebound Patients

LochardilPharmacy

MOBILITY

Auldearn Antiques

DEALS BROUGHT TO YOU

Come and see our range of antique and country furniture, architectural antiques, linen and china.

One mile from Auldearn on the Lethen Road.

INVERNESS & SURROUNDING AREAS

Riser/ Recliner High back chairs Chairs & Electric Beds...

"Recommended as outstanding" Peter Irvine, Scotland The Best

...everything to keep you comfortable this winter.

FREE AT HOME DEMONSTRATIONS FREE DELIVERIES SERVICE & MAINTENANCE OPTIONS

Dalmore Manse, Lethen Road, A uldearn, Nairn, Scotland IV12 5HZ Auldearn,

Phone: 01667453087 Email: auldearnant@aol.com

HOURS OF BUSINESS Mon. - Frid.9am - 5pm Easy parking & disabled toilet facilities *Exclusions apply, please ask for details.

Complete Trews Package 100% Wool Trews & Choice of Accessories

Save £112

Now

£515

Plus

10% off Hires on production of this advert

cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. discount only available for use in Elgin branch. one voucher per customer. expires 30th November 2015.

54 South Street

01343 540590

www.mccalls.co.uk o.uk

CLUBS & SOCIETIES AIRD & DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION Sept - Mar. Call George Davidson, Smithton, Inverness tel: 798543 BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP Last Thursday each month, 7pm - 9pm, Best Western Palace Hotel, Inverness. For those who have lost a baby before, during or after birth. Bring along any photos or memory items.

Contact Susan 07771358382 or Denise on 07724306983 HIGHLAND FLING ULTIMATE FRISBEE Sundays 3pm - 4pm at Dingwall Leisure Centre. For info email fraserwelsh@hotmail.com or visit the Facebook page "Highland Fling Ultimate" HIGHLAND GERMAN SOCIETY 1st Wednesday each month, 8:30pm, St.Ninian’s Church Hall, Culduthel Road, Inverness from Oct - Apr. Call Rosa Finlayson on 01463 238560 or email rosafinlayson@btinternet.com HIGHLAND HILLWALKING CLUB Call 791572 or email:

*2 $" *2 7+ " 6+ " /-$) -- +,*!$' /'' + "

5 5 5 5 5 5

highlandhillwalkers@fsmail.net www.spanglefish.com/ HighlandHillwalkingClub HIGHLAND ITALIAN CIRCLE 3rd friday of the month 7.45pm from October to March. Visit: www.highlanditaliancircle.co.uk INVERNESS AND HIGHLAND BRANCH PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION 2nd Monday of the month, 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion, Huntly Street Inverness. All ex Airborne are welcome Contact Chairman dennistoun38@gmail.com tel: 01349 862287 INVERNESS ANGLING CLUB Contact Alan Scott, Secretary at 24 Merlin Crescent, Inverness IV2 3TE. For more info visit www.invernessanglingclub.co.uk INVERNESS BLITZ American football, ages 11 to adult. All equipment supplied.

Email info@invernessblitz.co.uk or call: 242431 INVERNESS BRAVEHEARTS Wednesdays 6pm Gym Hall, Millburn Academy. Helping to maintain a healthy lifestyle to provide support to those with cardiac disease, together with their families. Call 01463 704554 INVERNESS CAMERA CLUB Mondays & Wednesdays 7:30pm - 8pm in Culduthel Christian Centre. Sept - April and Mon workshops. Wed - include guest speakers & competitions. All levels welcome. Members are invited to enter competitions and other activities. For info visit www.invernesscameraclub.co.uk

$). , /,) $ . *(, $ # ** -$ ,( $)'*--

INVERNESS CANOE CLUB Catering for paddlers of all abilities. Affiliated to the Scottish Canoe Association. Meeting times vary so visit our website www.invernesscc.org.uk or email info@invernesscc.org.uk

'' ( . ,$ ' 1$.#$) .# +*. $"#. ( " 4$) - $- -/ % . .* !*,( ' *+3,$"#. , -.,$ .$*)- ) .# , !*, .# , +,* / .$*) *! )3 '$-. $)"$.*,$ ' 0 ,.$- , ,.1*,& *, )3 *.# , *). ). 1$.#*/. .# +/ '$-# ,8- +,$*, *)- ). 1$'' *)-$ , , # *! *+3,$"#.

INVERNESS CHESS CLUB Wednesday, 7pm - 10:30pm, Chieftain Hotel, Inverness.

Provides coaching and games for all ages & standards, juniors welcome. www.spanglefish.com/ invernesschessclub

page 4 - October 2015

INVERNESS CLASSIC JAZZ SOCIETY Tel: 01463 223857 www.ds.dial. pipex.com/jazzitoria/home.htm INVERNESS FILM FANS Inverness Film Fans (InFiFa) Fortnightly at Eden Court for screenings & discussion. New members welcome. Details: www.invernessfilmfans.org or www.facebook.com/infifa www.twitter.com/infifa INVERNESS LOCAL HISTORY FORUM For details call 07843113414 or email info@invernesslocal historyforum.org.uk INVERNESS PETANQUE CLUB Wednesdays 7pm - 9pm & Sundays 2pm - 5pm. New piste at Queens Park, Bught Drive.

Boules will be available. New members very welcome. For details call Christine Simpson on 01463 243617.

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.

Call 01463 243038.

INVERNESS RADIO VOLUNTEERS Do you have spare time at the weekend and have the use of a car? Then the IRV would like to hear from you as we are looking for more volunteers. For more information contact 794984 or visit www.inverness radiovolunteers.co.uk INVERNESS RADIO CLUB Contact Mr Norman Baird, tel: 242841 INVERNESS ROWING CLUB On the Caledonian Canal 5 mins drive from the centre of Inverness, Sundays 10:30am www.invernessrowingclub.co.uk

INVERNESS SEA CADETS Tues and Thursday evenings, 7.15pm-9.30pm, tel: 226069 LGBT YOUTH SCOTLAND Youth group every Tuesday 7pm - 9pm at The Bike Shed, Grant Street, Inverness. Email: kim.haines@lgbtyouth.org.uk 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. www.toastmonsters.co.uk NASTY NESSIES ROLLER GIRLS Beginner training sessions, Wednesdays 8pm - 10pm. Must be over 18 and female. nastynessiesrollergirls.wordpress.com NOAH'S ARK TOTS Tues - Fri 9:45am - 11:30am at Culduthel Christian Centre, Culduthel Avenue, Inverness See www.culduthel christiancentre.org for details.

NORTH KESSOCK BOWLING CLUB For information about Indoor bowling call 01463 793502 and for Outdoor bowling call 01463 731052.

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 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.

INVERNESS SWIMMING CLUB We are a competitive club. Club night is Wednesday from 6.15pm, but training sessions are throughout the week.

Inverness Leisure, Bught Lane.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

Autumn seems to come so quickly, especially when Summer does not “perform” to our expectations. A bit like life really, I guess. Life often doesn’t “perform” to all our expectations and as a wise man once said:

The Editor

- “In the same way, know that wisdom is good for you. Wisdom will give you something to hope for that will not disappoint you.”

I guess we all could all do with more wisdom!

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes ADVERTISING ..............Susan Innes ADVERTISING.........Adam Davidson ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LAYOUT .................Tamsyn Dickson

November Issue Deadlines Editorial - Friday 02/10/15 Advertising - Wednesday 07/10/15

78 Academy Street, Inverness

Tel: 01463 248600

Nairn Dunbar Golf Club CHAMPIONSHIP LINKS COURSE 2016 MEMBERSHIP (1st OCTOBER 2015 - 31st December 2016)

GET 15 MONTHS MEMBERSHIP FOR THE COST OF 12 MONTHS FOR ONLY £540 AND HALF PRICE ENTRY FREE AT £ 150 Monthly direct debit scheme available.

Taster round available for £15 refunded if you join, phone 01667 452741

WINTERFER F TICKET O March

er to Novemb £100 for only inclusive

Full details on website

www.nairndunbar.com www.

PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS Everyone has a story – everyone has a past I heard a minister preaching recently who became a Christian whilst serving a lengthy prison sentence.

I heard another who used to be a drunken, violent convict. Others who had had at one time serious problems with alcohol or drugs - one who had been a victim of horrendous abuse as a child.

It strikes me that everyone has a story – everyone has a past. Some created the problems of their own past by their wild and reckless lifestyle – others had no say in the horrors of what was inflicted on them in their youth or infancy yet were left to suffer years of hurt, anger and bitterness. But each of the men described above, and many others like them, is a trophy of God’s grace – a living, breathing proof of the power of God to rescue, restore and transform broken human lives.

It was no fairytale or fantasy that transformed these men’s lives. It wasn’t some self-help group, or somebody telling them it was time to get their act

together. It wasn’t a new resolve or a determination to take back charge of their own lives and be a better person.

Only an encounter with Jesus Christ as he is revealed in the Bible was sufficient to turn these men into what they have become today.

All these found a new beginning when they turned to the Lord in confession and repentance. God’s promise is still the same for those who do likewise – all are welcome to come to him and to find a new life, a new start…loved, forgiven, washed, saved.

There’s nothing new in that - the Bible itself contains stories of hurt, broken, damaged men and women who turned to God and found their lives changed completely. We read in there about people like Moses who committed murder in an angry moment, David whose sexual weakness led him to an extra-marital affair and the coldlycalculated death of the woman’s husband, Rahab who ran a house of illrepute until she realised her people were the enemies of God’s people and that she needed to get on the winning side, Zacchaeus who robbed and cheated his own countrymen in collaboration with the occupying Roman authorities, Paul who would have ethnically-cleansed the world of all traces of Christianity if he’d got the opportunity… and many others too.

Many yearn for the chance in life to start again, to have the slate wiped clean and to experience a new beginning – Jesus describes it as getting born again! And it’s the very thing that the Lord promises us in his word: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1: 9). If it’s true, and it is, that every saint has a past, then it’s also true that in Jesus Christ, as a wise man once said, every sinner can have a future – and that’s great news for every imperfect person!

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 St Andrew's Cathedral, Scottish Episcopal Church Ardross Street, Inverness. Tel: 01463 233535. Website: www.invernesscathedral.com St Clement's Parish, Church of Scotland Church Street, Dingwall.

Sundays 11.30am. 6.30pm: evening worship. Sunday school meets in church hall 11.20am (term time). Tel: 01349 863063.

St Columba, Church of Scotland Sundays, 10:30am at Drummond School, Drummond Road, Inverness IV2 4NZ. Tel: 07535 290092.

Website: www.stcolumbainverness.org St John the Evangelist, Episcopal Church Southside Road, Inverness. Sunday Family Communion alternates 9.45am or 11.15am; Wednesdays 11am Holy Communion. Contact Revd Dr John Cuthbert, 01463 223218. stjohnsinverness.wix.com/stjohnsinverness St Ninian's Catholic Church 21 Culduthel Road, Inverness, IV2 4AN. Saturday Vigil 5pm. Sunday Mass 10am. Tel: 01463 236620. Website: www.saintninians.org.uk St Mary's Catholic Church 30 Huntly Street, Inverness, IV3 5PR. Saturday Vigil 6pm. Sunday Mass 11am and 6.30pm.

St Columba’s Catholic Church Culloden, IV2 7PW. Sunday Mass 9.30am. Tel: 01463 233519. Website: www.stmarysinverness.co.uk

page 6 - October 2015

Murdo Macleod Nairn Free Church

St Mary-in-the-Fields, Episcopal Church Culloden. 9.45am: Sunday service and family communion. Tel: 01381 622438.

St Michael & All Angels Abban Street, Inverness. Sunday Family Mass alternates 9.45am or 11.15am; Contact Revd Dr John Cuthbert, 01463 223218. stmichaelsinverness.wix.com/stmichaelsinverness Smithton Free Church Murray Road, Smithton, Inverness. Sundays 11am (with crèche) & 6pm. 01463 793191 / www.smithtonchurch.com The Reformed Baptist Church Telford Road, Inverness. Website: www.wicketgate.co.uk The Salvation Army Tomnahurich Street, Inverness. Sundays 10.30am and 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 225276.

Website: www.salvationarmy.org.uk Trinity Church, Church of Scotland 60 Huntly Place, Inverness.

Sundays 11am. First Sunday of the month: 6:30pm service.

Website: www.trinityinverness.org.uk Urray & Strathconon Free Church Urray at West Road, Muir of Ord and Strathconon at The Strathconon Community Hall. Tel: 01463 871223. Email: dgmartin@homecall.co.uk West Hill Free Church (Continuing) Culloden, Inverness. Sundays 11am & 6.30pm. Thursdays & Saturdays 7.30pm. Tel: 07532 010595.

Listed O to W and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or for any amendments to existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

PetStay a $ /RYLQJ &DULQJ $OWHUQDWLYH WR .HQQHOV

<RXU GRJ V VWD\ LQ RXU FDUHUV KRPH ([SHULHQFHG GRJ ORYHUV 0HHW \RXU FDUH E I E N

.LQGHU DQG OHV $OO URXWLQHV NH 9HWV UHFRPPH ,QVXUHG OLFHQF DQG YHWWHG

%HFRPH RQH RI RXU PDQ\ GRJ FDUHUV (DUQ IURP Â&#x2026; WR Â&#x2026; S Z Z ORRNLQJ DIWWHU GRJV LQ \RXU RZQ KRPH

60 Seafield Rd, Inverness

ZZZ SHWVWD\ QHW FDWULRQD#SHWVWD\ QHW

RU +LJKODQG 0RUD\ %UDQFK

WORLD OF BLINDS

ALL THE LATEST TRENDS & STYLES, MADE TO MEASURE! Call now for a FREE no-obligation Quote in the comfort of your own home.

DENTURE REPAIRS 1 hour service Please call 01463 236758 or pop in and see us at 29 Castle Street, Inverness (1st flight Rainingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stairs)

â&#x20AC;˘ Movement of the printed text â&#x20AC;˘ Blurring of print â&#x20AC;˘ Letters changing shape or size â&#x20AC;˘ Patterns appearing in the print

pick up and call now!

(01463) 710 542 www.twob.co.uk

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Halos of colour surrounding the letters or words Tiring easily whilst reading Headaches or visual discomfort Red, sore, watery eyes

Book an appointment today or ask instore for details on how Colorimetry could help you

COLORIMETRY

garden

GreenThumb Green

The Moss Season Approaches !

UK FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP

2013

machinery centres, but be warned, these are pretty vicious machines and it’s only too easy to

We live in cool maritime climate, which is ideal for

“plough” your garden, and then need a new

moss to thrive. You cannot change the weather,

lawn ! An “average” lawn usually takes us

and you cannot banish moss permanently, but you

half a day to do with machines and blowers.

can control its’ infestation with some basic good husbandry, and a bit of work. I’m talking about scarifying again of course. This will also be featuring in all the TV gardening programmes and magazines about now, and it is what we at GreenThumb spend all winter doing. We will have 3 heavy blade scarifier machines out clearing (at the last count) 700 lawns round here. – oh joy !

The best time to tackle this is either side of Christmas. Scarifying is never recommended in the growing season because the very nature of the exercise is pretty traumatic for the grass, and some recovery time is required, during which time it looks pretty shabby.

Doing it off-season allows recovery, then you put on a spring feed, and have a season of

Scarifying moss and thatch out is undertaken to

decent grass to mow. Enjoy !

clear the lawn surface of all the dead material and moss to allow fresh grass plants to dominate the lawn environment, providing the best conditions for absorbsion of sunlight, moisture and nutrients. If this task is overlooked (or avoided), the following season there is even more build-up, and in no time, the lawn is more moss than grass.

For more information about seasonal lawn improvements from just £11.25 per mth, plus useful downloads and photos, go to www.greenthumb.co.uk. Although GreenThumb is a national franchise with over 200 branches across the UK, we are locally based in Nairnshire and cover the whole

There’s no getting away from it, this is hard work

Moray Firth area. Contact Alastair or Fiona for

and often generates haystacks of debris (see

a FREE LAWN ANALYSIS on 01667 460012, or

picture). It can be done by hand with a spring rake,

email us at: inverness@greenthumb.co.uk

but some mechanical help is really the best option for anything more than quite a small lawn. You can hire a blade scarifier for the day at some garden

8

Alastair Watt

AUTUMN OFFER

FREE MOSSKILL For every new customer Expires 30 November

Show Home Open Week Weekend Week kend e Friday Sunday F riday 2nd to Sunda y 4th October

Creating Communities There comes a time in life when you y ou should be taking things a little easier. easier r. With a beautiful new 2 or 3 bedroom, fully furnished, residential lodge or park home at Riverview Riverview Country Park Park you you can. Live Live on a private estate exclusively exclusively for the over over 50’s, set by by the river river in acres of beautiful park land.

Beautiful new homes at Riverview Country Park The Lockesly

now £69,995

HOT TUB in i cllu luded

The Lilac 7KH EHQHĆWV RI SDUN OLYLQJ 7KH EHQHĆWV RI SDUN OLYLQJ Fully • F ully furnished and ready to move move in Low • L ow running costs and low maintenance exchange • Home e xchange available* available* pay • No agent’s fees or stamp duty to pay Move • Quick Mo ve aavailable vailable

Homes range range from

now £99,950

HOT TUB iinclluded

15 homes sold l this summer

now £110,000

£149,000 149,000 £69,995 £69,9 95 to £

The Evesham

Last 2015 models available.

Buy now and beat the 2016 price increase!

All homes fully furnished and ready to move in

Come along and join us from F Friday riday 2nd to Sunday Sunday 4th October for our Show Home Open Weekend.

Weekend.

Forres

A96

Nairn

Inverness A9

*Selected models.

El Elgin A96

Riverview

Forres, Mundole, F orres, Morayshire, IV36 2T TA A Morayshire, 2TA

Sales Office Office and show homes open 7 days days a week.

Please call to let us know you’re you’re coming on:

01343 812 000 www w.RiverviewCountryPark.co.uk www.RiverviewCountryPark.co.uk

Riverview Rivervie vervie ew Country Parkk Creating Communities

Let Us Know ‘What’s On’ In Your Area *November Issue Deadline: Friday, 2nd October* Email: tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk Telephone: 01309 690063 Inclusion of events in What’s On is free.

We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops.

Contact venues & organisers first as there may be changes to events.

Rolling Event until 30 september the nelson tower, forres open every day from 2pm 4pm. manned by volunteers and managed by the forres heritage trust.

until 24 october the mixed "autumn exhibition" at inchmore gallery. for info visit www.inchmoregallery.co.uk

OCTOBER 2015 1 thursday the unwanted battle @ the highlanders museum 2pm - 3pm. scottish battalions at the battle of loos a lecture by willie coupar. includes preview of the battle of loos exhibition, and light refreshments. booking essential. for more information visit www.thehighlandersmuseum.com

2 friday charity ladies swishing (clothes swap) 7pm - 9pm at smithton church, smithton, inverness. £5 entry. bring 3 items of clothes to swap for any item at the event. mocktails, cakes and chocolates as refreshments and harris tweed bags, purses and scarves for sale. all proceeds to the highland hospice. for more info email martin-sam@oxby.org.uk charity wedding dress auction 8pm - 9.30pm, smithton church, smithton, inverness. a selection of wedding dresses for auction (cash sales preferred) mocktails, cakes and chocolates as refreshments 20% of all sales going directly to the highland hospice. for info, or to sell your dress email martinsam@oxby.org.uk gaelic talk – bards of baleshare, n. uist by linda macleod 7:30pm at inverness gaelic school. all welcome. visit www.gsi.org.uk for more info. admin@spotlighton.co.uk

2 friday - 4 sunday great glen walking club - october weekend awa contact 01463 236204 for further information.

3 saturday avaya howell's scbu fundraising fun day 10am - 2pm at the james cameron centre in dalneigh, inverness. activites include face painting, bouncy castle, a gala princess presentation in memory of little hope, high quality prized raffle, tea & cake and more. all money raised is for the special care baby unit (scbu) in raigmore hospital. orienteering at brodie castle 10am -11am. discover parts the castle grounds you never knew existed in moravian orienteers popular saturday series. more info at www.moravianorienteering.org abc boxing tournament @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

6 tuesday scottish ornithologists' club: ‘shotguns & short-toed eagles: birding on the island of malta’ by ian thomson 7.30pm, culloden library. £3 members; £4 non members. call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740 infifa ‘only angels have wings’ 7:15pm at eden court cinema and followed by informal post film discussion. for more info visit www.invernessfilmfans.org

9 friday the boyan ensemble of kiev - a concert of sacred chants & folk songs of the ukraine 7.30 pm in st columba's church, elgin. £16 incl. refreshments at interval. u12s free. tickets from cathedral windows 223-225 high st elgin. call 01343 890209 for more information.

10 saturday 22nd annual world porridge making championship carrbridge in cairngorms national park. competitors from around the globe compete for the coveted golden spurtle trophy and title of “world porridge making champion”. www.goldenspurtle.com the shires @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

11 sunday great glen walking club alltsaigh circular. 6 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. for more info call 01463 236204

tel: 01309 690063

October 2015 - page 11

The Key to your new home A

Albyn Enterprises Ltd is a subsidiary of Albyn Housing which administers the day to day sales and marketing functions for the Scottish Government LIFT schemes. The LIFT schemes (Low cost initiative for First Time buyers) comprises of 2 parts, New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE), which are new build properties built by partnering housing associations and the local authority and the Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) which allows buyers to find and buy a property for sale on the open market.

The Open Market Shared Equity budget, for our area for financial year 2015/16 has been set at ÂŁ6.3million which gives the potential for an additional 150 homes to be purchased. This is the biggest budget for our area since the introduction of the scheme.

Priority groups identified for LIFT Schemes: t 'JSTU 5JNF Buyers t $PVODJM 4PDJBM 5FOBOUT t "SNFE 'PSDFT t 3FHJTUFSFE IPNFMFTT t *OEJWJEVBMT PS GBNJMJFT XJUI TQFDJBM OFFET

Over 1000 LIFT Shared Equity properties have been sold to date and further developments across the Highlands are to include the: Inverness and Alness areas.

Properties are currently available to purchase in Nairn and Smithton, Inverness. Under the New Supply scheme people can buy between 60 and 80 per cent of the property value.

The Scottish Government continues to support the LIFT Open Market scheme in the Highlands, which gives first time buyers the opportunity to find and buy a property on the open market. The Open Market scheme sees approved applicants seeking grant assistance from 10 to 40 per cent to purchase a suitable property.

Albyn Enterprises has expanded its offering of affordable IPVTJOH TPMVUJPOT UP JODMVEF B .JE .BSLFU 3FOU QSJWBUF rent) option, as part of tenure diversification within the "MCZO )PVTJOH (SPVQ .JE .BSLFU 3FOU JT NBOBHFE CZ Albyn Enterprises Sales and Marketing team. It launched nearly 3 years ago with four 2 bedroom 3 person cottages flats at the Feddon Hill development in Fortrose.

The OVNCFS PG .JE .BSLFU 3FOU QSPQFSUJFT JT EVF UP increase in early September with the handover of 9 properties at Balvonie Braes, Inverness. The homes are being developed through the National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative. NHT is a new Scottish Government

Sam Cribb business development manager at Albyn Enterprises said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to highlight to people who think that buying your own home is out of reach or that private rent levels limit your chance of ever being in a position to buy, that affordable housing solutions are available. The LIFT schemes managed by Albyn Enterprises support people to buy an affordable majority stake in a property whether it is a new build or home for sale on the open market. Mid-Market Rent is a new and welcome alternative to expensive private lets. The initiative is designed to enable tenants to buy the homes they are allocated within a specific time frame, usually between 5-10 years. There are only a fairly small number of homes provided for mid-market rent at the moment, but that number is expected to increase over the next few years.â&#x20AC;?

initiative specifically targeted at people in employment, who are unable to raise the finance at present to purchase a home on the open market because of funding shortages. The intention of the initiative is to enable home ownership in the future as tenants will be able to buy the homes they are allocated within a specific time frame. The properties will be a mixture of 2 and 3 bedrooms and will have supplied floor coverings, blinds and white goods including a cooker, hob, extractor hood, fridge freezer and washer dryer.

The rents for these homes will be above the level of housing association and council rents, but will be below current private rental levels in the city of Inverness for similar properties.

Having Problems getting onto the property ladder?

LIFT ‘OPEN MARKET’ could help....

LIFT ‘Open Market’ is a shared equity scheme aimed at lower income households, first time buyers, Housing Association and Council tenants as well as Armed Forces personnel, enabling you to purchase between 60% and 90% of any property for sale on the Open Market.

For further information or to enquire about your eligibility for LIFT ‘Open Market’ please call us on 01463 701271 or email lift@albyn-enterprises.co.uk

As with other low DPTU IPVTJOH JOJUJBUJWFT .JE .BSLFU 3FOU JT targeted at people on low to moderate incomes. The initiative provides an alternative solution to people who are struggling to find affordable private rent properties or who are currently not in a position to purchase their own home because of expensive mortgage products, which require hefty cash deposits.

Anyone interested in finding out more about LIFT TIBSFE FRVJUZ TDIFNFT PS .JE .BSLFU 3FOU TIPVME DPOUBDU Albyn Enterprises on 01463 701271 or email LIFT@albyn-enterprises.co.uk

Anyone interested in finding out more about LIFT shared equity TDIFNFT PS .JE .BSLFU 3FOU TIPVME contact Albyn Enterprises on 01463 701271 or email LIFT@albyn-enterprises.co.uk

OCTOBER EVENTS

NAIRN COMMUNITY & ARTS CENTRE

2 Comedy Dramas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tickets ÂŁ10

NAIRN

Sat 3rd -7.30pm â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Casting Offâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Philip Paris â&#x20AC;&#x153;When a Highland care home increases its fees, residents Dorothy, Joan and Miss Ross devise an ingenious way to raise money-with hilarious results.â&#x20AC;?

Friday 30th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7.30pm â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fur Coat & Magic Knickersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

by Rona Munro â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;One woman comedy drama with award winning actress Fiona Knowles

Sun 4th - Music Nairn presents Laura van der Heijden with Tom Poster (cello & piano) 7.30pm Mon 5th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cinema Nairn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Matinee 2.00pm â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 39 Stepsâ&#x20AC;?1935 (U) Sat 10th- â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jericho Hillâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Johnny Cash Tribute Band, with local support from Jemma Tweedie and Hollie Atkinson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7.30pm -ÂŁ12 Fri 23rd â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cinema Nairn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Belleâ&#x20AC;? 2014 (12A) 7.30pm

YRXU ORFDO YHQXH IRU ILOPV VKRZV FRQFHUWV DQG SDUWLHV WLGH UDQJH RI DFWLYLWLHV IRU DOO DJHV

)RU IXUWKHU GHWDLOV Â&#x2021; LQIR#QDLUQFF FR XN Â&#x2021; ZZZ QDLUQFRPPXQLW\FHQWUH FR XN

12 monday royal scottish geographical society : life on the edge: language and story-telling in a cold place: stephen pax leonard. living with a group of inuit in north-west greenland 7.30pm, highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. adults ÂŁ8; free to rsgs members, u18s and students.

13 tuesday ranger walk - archaeology and autumn at corrimony, cannich 10am - 2pm, meet at the corrimony cairns car park. adults ÂŁ8, conc. ÂŁ4, family ÂŁ20. call jenny 01463 255291or email rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk df concerts presents johnny marr @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com pink castle philosophy club - 'are we losing our capacity for intimacy?' 7:30pm, riverside lounge, glen mhor hotel, ness bank, inverness. lgbt friendly club. www.pinkcastle.eu or call 07745 930383 highland literary salon 7pm at glen mhor hotel inverness. guest speaker nick thorpe. for more info visit www.highlandlitsalon.com

14 wednesday ranger walk - the slochd shielings 2pm - 4pm. meeting place given out at booking. adults ÂŁ4, conc. ÂŁ3, family ÂŁ11. call john on 01463 255291 or email rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk highland rock garden club - central asia: afghanistan, tajikistan, kyrgyzstan and uzbekistan a talk by john mitchell (royal botanic gardens edinburgh) 7.30pm nairn community & arts centre. ÂŁ2.50 refreshments incl. all welcome. call john owen on 01320 366246

15 thursday strathspey railway steaminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; soup and sandwich marie curie lunch special train departs aviemore at 12:30pm arriving back at 2:05pm. ÂŁ15 per adult, ÂŁ10 per child - includes return rail travel and a soup and sandwich lunch served on board. tickets must be purchased in advance. proceeds to the marie curie highland unit. visit www.strathspeyrailway.co.uk. regular music present hayseed dixie @ ironworks 7pm. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com

page 14 - October 2015

charity pub quiz 7.30pm phoenix bar, academy street, inverness. ÂŁ5 per person. max team size of 6. prizes for 1st and 2nd place. a raffle will also be held on the night. all proceeds to the highland hospice. highland decorative & fine arts society lecture: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;secret of the passport - fighting the forgerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lecturer martin lloyd - gresham college 2pm - 3:30pm at smithton free church, murray road, inverness. non members ÂŁ5. new members welcome. contact membership sec averillbrodie@ymail.com or chair 07595 219308 davidmartin30@hotmail.com. visit www.hdfas.org.uk

17 saturday great glen walking club ruthven barracks & glentromie. 7 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. for more information call 01463 236204 the highlands and slavery: an afternoon of talks and display of archives showing the connections between the highlands and the caribbean 1:30pm 4pm at the highland archive centre, bught road, inverness. speakers: dr david alston, & michael hopcroft. to book a place call 01463 256444 or email archives@highlifehighland.com highland wool and textiles fair 10am - 4pm, eden court, inverness. for all your wool and textile goodies supporting alzheimer scotland. for info visit www.highlandwoolandtextiles.co.uk cast @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

20 tuesday ranger walk - clava cairns up close 2pm - 4pm. meeting place given out at booking. adults ÂŁ4, conc. ÂŁ3, family ÂŁ11. call john on 01463 255291 or email rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk infifa â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rio bravoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 7:15pm at eden court cinema and followed by informal post film discussion. for more info visit www.invernessfilmfans.org

21 wednesday community coffee morning 10:30am - 11:30am in dalneigh church hall, st maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s avenue. inverness. come along whether you are 9 or 90. all welcome.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

emergent Meeting the future

Drumduan Upper School leads the way in a new approach to secondary school level education with a sustainable, holistic and practical curriculum for adolescents.

Lessons covering the sciences and humanities are taught by specialist teachers. Academic study is enhanced and balanced by movement, music and artistic work, with crafts, environmental and outdoor activities part of the weekly timetable.

Open Morning : Saturday 31st October, 10am - 1pm To arrange a tour before then please contact us.

Drumduan Upper School, Clovenside Road, Forres IV36 2RD

T: 01309 691214 E: reception@drumduan.org W: www.drumduan.org

SHOPMOBILITY HIGHLAND SCIO is a LOCAL charity for people with long and short term mobility problems why not Use our â&#x20AC;&#x153;door to doorâ&#x20AC;? minibus service to take you to the shops or city centre We can arrange a scooter for you on arrival and even someone to help with your shopping then take you back home.

or Just call into our office in the Eastgate Centre or at Dingwall and use one of our power scooters or power chairs for the day Our minibuses cover the Inverness City and surrounding areas along with the Dingwall, Black Isle, Nairn and Drumnadrochit areas Falcon Gallery, Carpark level 2, Eastgate Centre, Inverness or at Nicols Court, Dingwall 5FM t & JOWTIPQNP!UBMLUBMLCVTJOFTT OFU

Fraser School of Highland Dancing

Inverness BEGINNERS CLASSES Mon - Drakies Hall and Muirton School Tue - Alba Centre and Inches School Wed - Balloch Hall and Nairn British Legion Thur - Merkinch C.C. Fri - Beauly Phipps Hall Enquiries to Elizabeth Fraser U.K.A.P.T.D

Tel: 01463 729 477

29 thursday ranger walk - the stars of halloween, abriachan 5:30pm - 8pm. meet at abriachan forest trust outdoor classroom. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. email jenny rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk or call 01463 255291 rspb talk - curlews, and wader work 7:30pm at culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. call 01997 433283 for more info.

30 friday gaelic talk - religion and attitudes to religion in 20th century gaelic poetry, by maoilios campbell. 7:30pm at inverness gaelic school. all welcome. visit www.gsi.org.uk for more info.

31 saturday

24 saturday ranger walk - apple day 1pm - 4pm. meet at floral hall, inverness. free event. call katy on 01463 255291 or email rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk the take that experience @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

25 sunday great glen walking club hillockhead / eathie circular.

7 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. for more information call 01463 236204 .

rspb outing - torridon and kishorn 9:30am at highland council car park, inverness, or conon bridge at 9.50am. call 01997 421193 for info. charity book sale / swap 10am - 3pm inverness library. bring three books to swap and purchase any book for 50p. all books available for £1 - without a book swap. all proceeds to the highland hospice. let it bleed presents erol alkan + filth djs + fugazy @ ironworks 10:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

THE VOTING AGE FOR SCOTTISH ELECTIONS HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY LOWERED TO 16

Highland & Western Isles Electoral Registration Officer

page 16 - October 2015

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days British Summertime Ends Halloween Bonfire Night Rememberance Sunday St Andrew’s Day Shortest Day Christmas Day

Sun 25th Oct 2015 Sat 31st Oct 2015 Thurs 5th Nov 2015 Sun 8th Nov 2015 Mon 30th Nov 2015 Tues 22nd Dec 2015 Fri 25th Dec 2015

Boxing Day Sat 26th Dec 2015 Boxing Day (substitute day) Mon 28th Dec 2015 New Year’s Eve Thurs 31st Dec 2015 New Year’s Day Fri 1st Jan 2016 Scottish Bank Holiday Sat 2nd Jan 2016 2nd Jan (substitute day) Mon 4th Jan 2016 Burns Night Mon 25th Jan 2016

School Term Dates for 2015/2016 (all dates inclusive) Autumn Term Ends Fri 9th Oct 2015 Autumn Holiday Starts Mon 12th Oct 2015 Autumn Holiday Ends Fri 23rd Oct 2015 Winter Term Starts Mon 26th Oct 2015 Winter Term Ends Tues 22nd Dec 2015 Christmas Holiday Starts Wed 23rd Dec 2015 Christmas Holiday Ends Wed 6th Jan 2016 Spring Term Starts Thurs 7th Jan 2016

Mid Term Holiday Mid Term Holiday In-Service Day Spring Term Ends Spring Holiday Starts Spring Holiday Ends Summer Term Starts May Day Holiday In-Service Day

Mon 15th Feb 2016 Tues 16th Feb 2016 Wed 17th Feb 2016 Thurs 24th Mar 2016 Fri 25th Mar 2016 Fri 8th Apr 2016 Mon 11th Apr 2016 Mon 2nd May 2016 Mon 6th Jun 2016

Useful Contacts Beauly Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111 Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318 Culloden Academy Community Complex . . . . . 01463 792794 Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531 Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Highland Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 Inverness Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 National Rail Enquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03457 484950 Police Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 NHS 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

VILLAGE HALLS & COMMUNITY CENTRES Abriachan Village Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861257 Ardersier Old School Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Balloch Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07955 756310 Cameron Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234785 Cannich Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 459224 Culduthel Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712844 Farr Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01808 521346 Floral Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713553 Kiltarlity Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 741447 Kirkhill Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 831737 Merkinch Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239563 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

page 18 - October 2015

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

DENTISTS 21 Kingsmills Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233416 Abban Street Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 718140 Academy Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232423 Burnfield Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 241515 Black Isle Dental Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 877082 Castle House Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234598 Dalneigh Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 243767 Dental Clinic, New Craigs Hospital . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 Fraser Street Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 242344 High School Dental Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235468 Inshes Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794949 Inverness Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 255866 Ness Bank Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236295 Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 226358 Southside Surgical Dentistry Centre . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Southside Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Torwood Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712772

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

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

#SPEJF 'PSSFT .PSBZ *7 5% t XXX PMENJMMJOOCSPEJF DPN

JF D F DPN

2 COURSE LUNCHTIME SPECIAL

STARTER &

MAIN COURSE JUST

ÂŁ9.95

SERVED MONDAY - SATURDAY 12 - 4pm

Sample Menu Starters

Baby Spinach & Ricotta Tortelli, Heritage Tomatoes & Rocket (V) Southern Fried Chicken, Potato & Chive Salad, BBQ Sauce Soup of the Day, Handmade Bread & Butter Parfait of Smoked Mackerel, Roast Beets, Malted Sourdough Toasts

Main Course

Slow Roast Rib of Beef, Garden Carrots & Peas, Bashed Neeps Lemon & Parsley Crumbed Haddock, Boston Baked Beans, Skinny Chips & Lemon Supreme of Chicken, Cockburn's of Dingwall Haggis, SautĂŠ Potatoes & Green Peppercorn Sauce Open Lasagne of Autumn Mushrooms, Leeks & Pecorino, Fried Hens Egg (V)

Full Bar and Restaurant menus available all day.

CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN TO BOOK YOUR TABLE PHONE 01309 641605

PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES I’ve been back in the constituency every week since I was elected but one of the great benefits to Parliamentary recess is the prolonged period it gives you back home. It’s allowed me to visit lots of businesses and to take in a wide range of events. Whilst it has been a pleasure to spend time with some of the incredible companies in our constituency, it also makes me more determined to do what I can to improve digital and infrastructure connectivity for the area. It is important that Highland businesses are not left behind and are given the same opportunity to flourish as other areas. This includes continuing to push for the £300 million Regional City Deal which will enable us to bring forward truly transformational projects to create jobs and opportunities as well as enhancing the experience for visitors and people who live and work here.

The Nessies - It's not every day one is asked to "christen" a new vessel. So I had the honour of upending the contents of the Quaich upon the "Jacobite Rebel", the latest addition to the Jacobite fleet which provides cruises on Loch Ness. A terrific attraction enjoyed by visitors from all over the globe. Freda Newton and her team have increased the numbers enjoying the cruises from 35,000 to 175,000 a year. Thoroughly recommended. After the official trip, I took my own "crew" for a trip - a marvellous day - with scenery, sunshine and mystery of Nessie's precise whereabouts. Thanks to the generosity of Loch Ness by Jacobite, our daughter is now the proud owner of three versions of the coy but lovable monster - dollies in traditional green , tartan and purple. Natasha, (7) calls them "The Nessies" and assures me that they share with her gossip about their adventures in the Loch.

Fergus Ewing MSP

Drew Hendry MP

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

AM 09:16 09:57 10:38 11:19 00:06 02:06 03:24

TH F SA SU M TU W

PM 21:29 22:13 23:02 12:23 14:56 16:00

AM 04:24 05:15 05:56 06:24 06:41 07:04 07:37 08:12 08:44 09:07 08:40 09:08

PM 16:54 17:38 18:11 18:23 18:37 19:11 19:48 20:22 20:49 20:36 20:55 21:38

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

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

AM 09:55 00:08 01:45 03:04 04:06 04:05 04:59 05:46 06:31 07:13 07:53 08:33

PM 12:46 14:36 15:45 16:40 16:33 17:21 18:05 18:49 19:31 20:14 20:59

kumon.co.uk

Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn Tel. 01667 454536 or

gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk

d

Ca ry tte

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

Boost your child’s confidence

Inverness Maths and English Study Centre

estwoo W

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

www.westwoodcattery.co.uk

Feline Advisory Bureau Registered, Listed in Good Cattery Guide page 20 - October 2015

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

SAW SERVICE LTD

YOUR LOCAL HIRE CENTRE H

FULL PRICE LIST CAN BE FOUND ON OUR PAGE FULL OVEN VALET & 2 CARPETS CLEANED... ÂŁ100 (standard oven) Before

FULL DOUBLE OVEN & 3 CARPETS CLEANED... ÂŁ125 (double ovens & Ovens and Grill section)

After

DISCOUNT AVAILABLE 10% DISCOUNT WHEN YOU

FULL RANGE CLEANED & 3 CARPETS CLEANED... ÂŁ150 (grill & 2 oven sections) extra ÂŁ10 for gas topped ranges

AND A FRIEND BOOK ON THE SAME DAY SAME TOWN

10% OAP DISCOUNT ON OVENS & CARPET CLEANING

10% DISCOUNT REBOOKING WITHIN 6 MTHS OF LAST VISIT

BOOK 2 CARPETS GET 3RD FREE

For bookings or further information

07779 080830 T&c's prices may be subject to a travel fee and are not in conjuction with any other discounts on our page extractors are seperate to this offer

H H H

LAWN SPIKER ROTOVATOR PETROL SCARIFIER BRUSHCUTTER

H H H H

RIDE-ON MOWER TURFCUTTERS VIBRATING PLATE HEDGETRIMMER

SUPPLIERS OF Lawnmowers Circular Saws Chainsaws Guillotine Blades Brushcutters Chipper Blades Ride on Mowers Bandsaws

Wanted old, unused and broken machinery for recycling Opening Times: Monday-Thursday 8-5pm 'SJEBZ QN t 4BUVSEBZ QN Waterford Industrial Estate, Forres.

Tel (01309) 672461

www.thomsonsawserviceltd.co.uk 4"-&4 t 4&37*$& t 3&P"*3 t )*3&

STORAGE HEATER PROBLEMS? NOW HAVE A SOLUTION!

YOU

Radiant Heat... the key to quality heating

Many hundreds of people across Scotland have now benefited from our energy efficient, electric heating systems Arre you one of the thousands of storage heater ownners that are unhappy with the timing, poor heat quality and high running costs? Our German Chamotte Clay core heaters use about half the power of storage heaters and due to the uniquue design p ro d u ce main ly rad ian t h eat which is much more economic comfortable & beneficial. A top o f th e ran g e electro n ic

thermostat gives you economic the wall, in any colour heating when you want it and you want. You don't only if needed. have to replace the heating Combine this throughout the house in one go with a timer either, start with one and see how an d y o u h av e y o u g et o n b efo re co mp letin g c o m p l e t e your channge. Ideal with control over extensions and conservatories, if your heating. No need for you have solar panels or a wind m o re th an o n e h eater in th e g en erato r th en ev en b etter. room! Available with options Elsco Heating supply across on feet or castors or fixed to Scotland from Elgin & Glasgow

For more details and a FREE info pack on this and all our efficient heating systems www.elsco.co.uk or phone 01343 819676

" $ #!

FOOTBALL CLUB

"

!

FIXTURES OCTOBER 2015

Elgin City

3rd Oct (H) Clyde

17th Oct (A) E. Stirlingshire

Inverness CT

3rd Oct (A) Ross County

17th Oct (A) Kilmarnock

24th Oct (H) St. Johnstone

31st Oct (H) Dundee

Ross County

3rd Oct (H) Inverness CT

17th Oct (H) Aberdeen

24th Oct (A) Hearts

31st Oct (A) Dundee United

Buckie Thistle

3rd Oct (A) Strathspey Th

7th Oct (H) Forres Mechanics

10th Oct (A) Inverurie Loco

17th Oct (H) Wick Academy

24th Oct (A) Deverondale

31st Oct (H) Lossiemouth

Clachnacuddin

3rd Oct (H) Formartine Utd

7th Oct (A) Fort William

10th Oct (H) Turriff United

17th Oct (A) Huntly

24th Oct (H) Strathspey Th

31st Oct (A) Forres Mechanics

Forres Mechanics

3rd Oct (H) Rothes

7th Oct (A) Buckie Th

10th Oct (H) Keith

17th Oct (A) Brora Rangers

24th Oct (A) Fraserburgh

31st Oct (H) Clachnacuddin

Keith

3rd Oct (H) Huntly

7th Oct (H) Strathspey Th

10th Oct (A) Forres Mechanics

17th Oct (H) Inverurie Loco

24th Oct (A) Wick Academy

31st Oct (H) Deverondale

Lossiemouth FC

3rd Oct (A) Inverurie Loco

7th Oct (H) Wick Academy

10th Oct (A) Deverondale

17th Oct (A) Cove Rangers

24th Oct (H) Rothes

31st Oct (A) Buckie Th

Nairn County FC

3rd Oct (A) Cove Rangers

7th Oct (A) Formartine Utd

10th Oct (H) Fort William

17th Oct (A) Turriff United

24th Oct (H) Huntly

31st Oct (A) Strathspey Th

3rd Oct (A) Forres Mechanics

7th Oct (H) Inverurie Loco

10th Oct (A) Wick Academy

17th Oct (H) Deverondale

24th Oct (A) Lossiemouth

31st Oct (A) Cove Rangers

3rd Oct (H) Buckie Th

7th Oct (A) Keith

10th Oct (A) Brora Rangers

17th Oct (H) Fraserburgh

24th Oct (A) Clachnacuddin

31st Oct (H) Nairn County

Rothes FC Strathspey Thistle

31st Oct (H) Arbroath

w

Permaro Permaroof P ermaroof oof METAL M ETAL ROOF ROOF SHEETING SHEETING - L ASTS A LIFETIME!

BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER MANUF FACTURER ACTURE ACTURER

Supplies S Su u

BARGAIN PRICE ROOF SHEETING P

SPECIAL OFFER - PRICE EXAMPLE

P

0.5 Polyester Polyester (10 YEAR GUARANTEE) GUARANTEE)

Prices include: roof sheets, flashings, fillers, accessories ATT. and VA Prices exclude delivery.

Offer only available whilwstocks last.

Y

b vaila

an te e

ri

£365 £365 INSULATED INSUL ATED ROOF ROOF SHEETS SHEETS

t t ea n G u

ar

W

10 or 2E0 AR le

ROOF SIZE

(20m2) 7m x 2.9m only on onl nlly l

FROM OM

W I D E CHOICE WIDE CH C HO OICE I C E OF OF C O L O U R S

SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIA L OFFER OFFE R (10 YEAR GU GUARANTEE) ARANTEE) AT GRE S E PRIC E - SAV

£££s

ONLY ON O NL LY Y

£15.00

+ VAT VA VAT per square metre Price quoted - 10 Y Year ear Guarantee

available in a choice of 5 colours!

Permaroof P ermaroof e rmaro roof of

SLATE BLUE9 MERLIN GREY9

AVAILABLE AVAILABLE FROM ONLY ONLY

£7.50 + V VA AT per p Square Metre!

Only available whilst stocks last

JUNIPER GREEN9 VANDYKE BROWN9 GOOSEWING GREY9 9 The colours shown above are for guidance onlyy..

Please contact Planwell for actual colour sheet samples.

DESIGNED FOR...

ORDER NOW W TO AVOID AV AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT PHONE PLANWELL TODAY TODA DA AY Y ON -

0800 02 88 272 0 800 0 2 8 8 2 72 Email: E m a i l : enquiries@planwell.co.uk enquiries@planwell.co.uk

Planwell Roofing Roofing Roofing Supplies Ltd, “The R oofing Centre”, March Road Road Industrial Estate, Buckie AB56 4BU

Fax: Fax: 01542 832182

Email: enquiries@planwell.co.uk

A bit about me I started cooking as a street vendor on the streets of Kurdistan, northern Iraq. I then moved to Baghdad where I worked in a restaurant specialising in Iraqi cuisine. This is where I learned to cook two of my speciality dishes, Mixed Biryani and Mediterranean Barbecue.

I then lived in Lebanon where I learned Meze and seafood dishes before moving to France where I learned the art of pastry and bakery. I have lived in the Highlands of Scotland since the year 2000 and have worked in many great restaurants and hotels. I have also done outside catering including weddings, functions, events and dinner parties.

Since coming to Scotland I have learned to cook all the Scottish favourites including Cullen Skink, possibly the world's finest fish soup, stovies & oatcakes and my personal favourite Haggis Pakora.

Catering Our superb event catering service will really give your guests something to talk about. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner party or a larger celebration, we write menus to suit your taste and budget.

Our event catering is perfect for; Birthday parties, Anniversary Parties, Fine dining experience Family get togethers, Business / Office food delivery and much, much more!

Restaurant & Takeaway Formally the Highland Foodstop, Ozzy’s is situated on the A96 at the gollanfield crossroads between Inverness & Nairn.

Ozzy’s offers guests a relaxed and informal dining experience. Whether you’d prefer a light lunch of homemade soup and a toasted panini or a 3 course meal, we offer freshly sourced food cooked to order with a friendly service. For private functions, bookings can be taken for up to 40 guests and we have a private dining room and bar.

If you’d prefer to takeaway, we have a selection of pizzas, suppers, burgers and so much more.

We have the best fish & chips in the area. We also deliver to your door within 8 miles, a small delivery charge will apply. For orders over £50, we can deliver further afield.

Weddings

At ozzy ali catering we understand that your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Our aim is to make your day as stress free as possible, we will develop a menu which perfectly reflects your tastes, aspirations and your budget.

Whether you require a bespoke wedding menu or a simple finger buffet, we can cater for you.

From traditional Scottish fayre to Middle Eastern barbecues & cuisine, the possibilities are endless.

A restaurant where the chef’s name is above the door and is to be found in the kitchen. With his fusion of Scottish and International cuisine, Ozzy Ali offers home delicatessen, à la carte and traditional Sunday roast meals at amazing value for money!

Now Taking bookings for our Christmas Menus Visit or contact us...

Gollanfield Crossroads A96 Inverness IV2 7QT

01667 460390 w yw { }Dy D © V w yw { }Dy D