April 2012
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Clubs, Societies & Regular Meetings CAWDOR HERITAGE GROUP 3rd Wed every month excl Aug, Sept, Dec & Jan, 7.30pm. Family and local history archive facility within Nairn Museum. Cawdor Community Centre. Contact 493218 for details CAWDOR SWRI Last Wednesday of each month, 7:30pm, Sept - April, Community Room at Cawdor Community Centre, (not December when we go out for our Christmas Meal). Call Brenda on 493361 or email gbshone@btinternet.com CROSSROADS Provide and develop a high quality, cost effective, domiciliary respite care service for carers within Nairn & Distict. Contact 455369 GIRLGUIDING NAIRN Contact District Commissioner Jane Burns tel: 0796 2190557 1stnairnguides@yahoo.co.uk
Sample One-Off Advertising Rates (Colour Advert) Box £36 Big Box £67 ¼ Page £121 ½ Page £229 Business Profile £250 Full Page £432 Discounts available for series bookings and Black & White SpotLight on Nairn is published by Winterburn Media Ltd, Comraich, Woodside Farm, Kinloss IV36 3UA, 01309 690063. All material contained within the SpotLight magazines is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertiser artwork or any other content, without the publishers prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright. page 4 - April 2012
GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND New branch volunteers needed at Nairn & Moray Branch. Call Anna Temple or Anna Roberts tel: 01309 694866 HIGHLAND HISTORICAL SEARCH SOCIETY Inverness based metal detecting club. Free equipment loan, tuition and regular places to detect. Beginners & new members welcome.Transport provided if needed. Contact Len tel: 01808 521340 anytime
Vo i c e G y m C h o i r For anyone who just wants to sing. Covering music from Classical to Gospel, Music Theatre to Pop, Every Friday at Rosebank Hall, Academy Street, Nairn. Junior Voicegym is from 6.15 – 7.15 & Adult Choir 7.30 – 9.00 Price: £5 for everyone. Contact Simone on 07860569394 or simonelaraway@gmail.com 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 MORAY & NAIRN PONY CLUB Contact 01309 641483 or email willandjudith@btopenworld.com www.pcuk.org INVERNESS CANOE CLUB Inland, sea and surf kayaks, open canoe SCA affiliated club. SCA Coaches provide in club training and courses. Pool lessons throughout the year. Contact Emma Garden pinkpaddler@yahoo.co.uk www.invernesscc.org.uk INVERNESS HOSPITAL RADIO Email requests to be played for someone in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness to: requests@invernes shospitalradio.co.uk. We are looking for ward visitors and technical team members. Email: enquiry@invernesshospitalradio .co.uk Contact Mr Atholl Menzies
tel: 704500/704501 NAIRN & DISTRICT BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION New beekeepers or visitors welcome at our monthly meetings. Call 454887 or email jandjburns@hotmail.com NAIRN CEILIDH GROUP Thursdays, 8-11pm, Highland Hall, Cawdor St. Nairn. £2.50 at the door. Highland Dancers, singers, Bagpipes, Poetry and more. Live bands. Supports local charities. Tel: 452516 or email secretary@nairnceilidhgroup.org.uk www.nairnceilidhgroup.org.uk NAIRN COMMUNITY CENTRE Contact Sam Morrison 453476 NAIRN COUNTY CRICKET CLUB Friendly & eager to involve all ages in cricket. Games on Saturdays. Practice night Tuesday at Nairn Links NAIRN COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB LTD Contact 453286 NAIRN DISABLED SPORTS CLUB We cater for bowlers and athletes who have a disability. Contact 07766 952477 NAIRN DOMINO LEAGUE Contact 452496 NAIRN DRAMA CLUB Mondays from 7:30pm, The Little Theatre in Nairn. Amateur drama club open to everyone, whatever your interest in theatre. Visit www.nairndrama.org.uk, email enquiries@nairndrama.org.uk or phone Helen Wright tel: 452505 NAIRN EQUESTRIAN FUN CLUB Contact 01309 641474 NAIRN MUSEUM Local history museum with 6 rooms of archives & memorabilia. Changing photo exhibitions. Children's Area. Disabled
tel: 01309 690063
Access. Mon - Friday 10am 4.30pm & Sat 10am - 1pm, Easter to Oct. Call 456791 NAIRN REIKI SHARE Reiki healers, all levels. Sharing healing for self, others and planet Earth. Once a month. email: ali.omshanti@yahoo.co.uk NAIRN ROAD RUNNERS Thursdays, 7.30pm club night at the Maggot. Small, friendly club catering for all running abilities. Call Louise Scott on 451835 info@nairnroadrunners.co.uk www.nairnroadrunners.co.uk ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Entertainment & dancing every weekend. Highland Hall function suite available for weddings & parties of all sizes. Call 453201 SEAFORTH CLUB Private members club, welcoming guests & visitors to a warm, comfortable and friendly environment. Weekend entertainment, incl. bingo & dancing to live music. Contact 452509 SEWING GROUP NAIRN Contact 455012 SPEAKERS CLUB Leisure pursuit encourages & develops proficiency in public speaking. Training manual is available & new speakers follow a 10 speak programme individually evaluated. Contact 453373
If you would like details of your club or society included in this section please let us know. All club listings are free. Not all clubs will be listed every issue.
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The Editor As spring blooms forth and we head ‘confidently’ towards a ‘scorcher’ of a summer save a thought for those poor souls that do not witness the changing seasons. It is a real joy to behold the newness of life that we see each year and we hope that this might also herald some green shoots for our local economy. We live in hope!
PUBLISHER ...............David Nelmes SALES ......................Eilidh Conners ACCOUNTS ...................Lynn Wood LAYOUT ...............Megan Woodman DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LISTINGS................Tamsyn Dickson
Clubs & Societies......................4 Pastoral Letter ..........................8 Church Details ..........................8 Useful Numbers ......................12 Local Holidays ........................12 School Term Dates .................12 Tide Times ..............................13 Parliament Blog ......................13 What’s On..........................15-19 Cinema Listings ......................18 Advertisers Index ....................30
Easter
Event
Brodie Castle Trail ...................6-7
Choctober@Easter ..............22-23
Green Thumb
Kids The Pallywags...........................16
Chef’s Confidential
Spring Lawn.........................24-25
Reveiw
Smoked Salmon........................20
The Golf Veiw ......................26-27
May Issue Deadlines Editorial - Friday 30/03/12 Advertising - Wednesday 04/04/12
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Trust us for an Easter eggstravaganza Come along to a top heritage spot and enjoy Easter fun for all the family! Brodie Castle is hosting a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail over the Easter weekend from Saturday 7th to Monday 9th of April. Conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland has teamed up with Cadbury to put on activities to keep all the family amused over the Easter weekend. Follow the Easter trail, collect the clues and win a delicious Cadbury Easter egg. And while you’re there find out more about this beautiful place and its fascinating history too! There will be plenty of fun activities for all the family throughout the day including face painting, and the chance to design your very own Cadbury EggHead. The winner may even see their design appear as a new CadburyEgghead in 2013! Property Manager Alexandra Mackenzie-Copp said: “We’re kicking the visitor season off in style this year with an Easter eggstravaganza. Come along and explore Brodie Castle with the family, try our Easter trail and you'll be rewarded with a Cadbury Egghead. We hope to see you there!” There are 44 Cadbury Easter Egg Trails taking place at National Trust for Scotland properties over Easter. For full details visit www.nts.org.uk/easter
6
Cadbury Easter Egg Trail at Brodie Castle Sat 7 to Mon 9 Apr, 11am - 4pm Follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win a Cadbury Egghead! To add to the fun there’ll be face painters and giant outdoor games on Sunday and Monday, so there’ll be plenty to keep the children entertained, and adults can just relax and take in the stunning surroundings! Why not make a day of it - explore the castle and treat yourself to a spot of lunch before you turn detective with our egg trail! There are trails at 44 places across Scotland, and each of the trails is different – a great excuse to try your hand at more than one! For more information on the trail at Brodie Castle call 0844 493 2156. £2 per trail. If you’d like to visit the castle, usual entry prices apply.
For more information visit
www.nts.org.uk/easter
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC007410
Pastoral letter and Church Meetings Carpet slippers We approach the season of Passover. Read about it in Exodus Chapter 12. Almighty God is about to visit the nation of Egypt, and the first born male in every home is about to die. Our gracious merciful loving God speaks to Moses and gives him a word that, when obeyed and carried out exactly, assures that not one life would be lost among the Hebrew slaves. There will be no loss of life if God’s Word is obeyed. Take a lamb that is a year old. Take a male in its prime, a wholesome spotless male, without any blemish. Kill it, sacrifice it, sprinkle its blood on the doorposts, and eat its flesh. God is protecting His people from judgment. God has shown us, through Jesus Christ, how we too can avoid judgment, and be saved and safe. There is only one effective remedy, and that is through the blood of the Lamb. How could the blood of a dead lamb protect them? Mark your doorposts! That night the Lord God was going to
pass through the land of Egypt and when He saw the Blood of the Lamb on the doors He would know there had already been a death in that house. He would pass over it. No human life would be taken. God would see and know that those who lived in that house had heard His Word, and applied it. Hear His Word. Take it seriously. Obey it. Apply it. In the houses of the people of God, the blood of the lamb was protecting them from death. 1,300 years later, another Lamb came into the world. At Bethlehem, the Lamb of God, our Passover Lamb, was born. It was not enough that the lamb had died. They had to apply the blood to their individual doors. Inside the house was total safety, but if anybody had ventured outside, they were risking coming under judgment. It is dangerous to leave the safety and security of the Church of Jesus Christ. Don’t try to see what it is like out there. People go out for a short walk, just to
Ardersier with Petty Parish Church C of S, Ardersier Sundays 10.15am; Petty Sundays 12noon, tel. 462224 Nairn Baptist Church meets in Nairn Community Centre, King St. All welcome 11am every Sunday and 6pm every third Sunday of the month. Contact the Pastor 459672 or visit the website www.nairnbaptistchurch.org.uk Auldearn and Dalmore Parish Church Morning Service 12 noon. Contact Rev. Ricky Reid 451675. Cawdor Parish Church Morning Service Sunday 10.15am. Contact Rev. JS Mathieson 493217 Nairn Free Church Morning Service 11am with Sunday School & Creche (Gordon St); Evening Service 6pm (Gordon St); Youth Club for S1 upwards Wednesday 6.30pm (Rosebank Hall); Prayer and Bible Study Thursday 11am/7:30 pm Alternate Weeks(Gordon Street. Minister Murdo MacLeod 459131. Nairn Christian Fellowship Sunday Worship 10.30am; Praise and Bible Study Wednesday 7.30pm. Contact Sandy Shaw 456492.
page 8 - April 2012
see what it is like, just to see if it really is dangerous and dark, and they never come back. Stay in the security of the shelter. They were not only to kill the lamb, but they were to eat its flesh. You have got to go further than the blood! They have to be in the Lamb, and the Lamb has to be in them. They were even told to eat it, as pilgrims ready for a journey, with your coat and sandals on. Not carpet slippers! There is a sense of urgency. The blood of the lamb will be sufficient for your safety, security, and protection, but your strength will be in the flesh of the lamb. Jesus Christ observed the Passover. If there was no Passover, no deliverance, no Red Sea, why would Jesus have bothered with this night, as He approached the most critical moment of His Life on earth? Make sure you are in the Lamb. Make sure the Lamb is in you. Sandy Shaw Nairn Christian Fellowship
Old Parish Church meets at 10.30am for morning Worship, Sunday School & Creche. Rev. Ian WF Hamilton. St Ninians Church Morning Worship and Sunday School 10.15am; Prayer Meeting Wednesday 7.30pm. Rev. Ricky Reid 451675. St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Family Worship 10.30am; Evening Prayer 6.30pm. Rev. Canon Alison Simpson 452458. St Mary’s Catholic Church IV12 4RJ, Saturday Vigil 6pm, Sunday Mass 11.30am, tel: 453323 United Reformed Church Morning Service with Sunday School and Creche 11am. Contact Rev. Steven Manders 451443. The Pentecostal Church of God Nairn Sunday Service 10.30am. Minister: JD Grant 456088. www.churchofgodnairn.org Nairn Joint Service 1st Sunday monthly St Ninians 6.30pm If you are a member of a church not listed here please email with details and we will print this in future issues.
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Will You Be Surprised With Life After Death? all our righteousnesses [good deeds] are as filthy rags."
We get surprised Being a good person is not enough to make us acceptto God. We are still filthy sinners. In God's eyes, all when things come able have sinned; "There is none that doeth good, no, not one" upon us unexpect- (Romans 3:12). Sin means "missing the mark." We have missed God's mark even though we may do many edly. Many things all good things. If you think a person's goodness gets him that occur in our to heaven, you will be surprised! lives come with- Do you think hell will be just a big party? Matthew 13:50 says that the wicked will be cast "into the out warning. Sometimes things like sickness, bills and family crises just cannot be anticipated. Even our own death can come by surprise.
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." A furnace of fire, wailing, and gnashing of teeth do not paint the picture of a party atmosphere. In reality, hell will be filled with only suffering and anguish. Luke 16:22,23 tells of a man who "died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments." If you think there will be any pleasure in hell, you will be surprised!
What comes after death, however, is something that does not need to be a surprise for anyone. It is not God's desire that you be surprised after you die. He tells us in the Bible that every one of us will live Do you put off thinking about death and eternity, hoping it will just "turn out well"? somewhere forever. John 3:18 says, "He that believeth not is condemned To be prepared for life after death, we must first already, because he hath not believed in the name of the examine what we believe about this matter in the light only begotten Son of God." The person who has not of God's Word, the Bible. trusted in The Lord Jesus Christ is in peril of eternal Do you think a person stops existing after condemnation already! "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3). These matters death? are too important to leave unconsidered. The Lord Jesus Hebrews 9:27 says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, Christ shed His blood and died on the cross to pay the but after this the judgment." The word "after" tells us that punishment for your sin that you deserve. “For God so life does not end with death. No matter what you think will happen when you die, God says that His judgment loved the world, that he gave his only begotten will follow. If you are anticipating "nothing" after death, Son, that whosoever believeth in him should you will be surprised! not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16) Do you think God would never send you to hell? The resurrection of Christ is proof that God accepted His payment for sin. If you do not repent of your sin and Psalm 5:4 says, "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure receive The Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you will in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with Thee." be surprised! Because God is holy, He must punish sin. Sin cannot be where God is. We are all sinners. If a person's sin is not The God and Saviour you believe in must be the God cleansed by the blood of The Lord Jesus Christ, God and Saviour of the Bible and not a god that only exists in must send him to hell, "And whosoever was not found your own imagination. Dear Reader, don’t go to Hell written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” with the knowledge of the way to Heaven in your head. (Revelation 20:15). If you think no one goes to hell, you God loves you, and Christ died for you. Repent of will be surprised! your sin and receive Jesus Christ as your
Do you think being good will get you to heaven? Saviour and Lord; He says “..him that cometh Isaiah 64:6 says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37)
...and .. ..and in H Hell ell he lif liftt up his e eyes yes b being eing in ttorments... orments...
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Local Holidays, School Term Dates &Useful Numbers Local Holidays
Inverness Holiday Mon. 2nd April 2012 Good Friday Fri. 6th April 2012 May Day Bank Holiday Mon. 7th May 2012 Spring Bank Holiday Mon. 4th June 2012 Queens Diamond JubileeTues. 5th June 2012 Inverness Holiday Mon. 2nd July 2012 Summer Bank Holiday Mon. 6th Aug. 2012 Inverness Holiday Mon. 1st Oct. 2012
Inverness Holiday Mon. 5th Nov. 2012 St Andrews Day Fri. 30th Nov. 2012 Christmas Day Tues. 25th Dec. 2012 Boxing Day Wed. 26th Dec. 2012 New Year’s Day Tues. 1st Jan. 2013 Scottish Bank Holiday Wed. 2nd Jan. 2013 * substitute, as this holiday falls on a weekend or other bank holiday
School Holidays or 2011/2012 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Friday 30th March 2012 Good Friday Holiday Friday 6th April 2012 Easter Monday Holiday Monday 9th April 2012 May Day Holiday Monday 7th May 2012 Summer Term Starts Tuesday 17th April 2012 Summer Term Ends Friday 29th June 2012 for 2012/2013 (all dates inclusive) Regional Closure Monday 13th August 2012 Autumn Term Starts Tuesday 14th August 2012
Autumn Term Ends Friday 5th October 2012 Regional Closure Monday 22nd October 2012 Winter Term Starts Tuesday 23rd October 2012 Winter Term Ends Thursday 20th December 2012 Spring Term Starts Monday 7th January 2013 Holiday Closure Monday 11th February 2013 Holiday Closure Tuesday 12th February 2013 Regional Closure Wed. 13th February 20137 Regional Closure Thursday 14th February 2013
Useful Numbers SCHOOLS Auldearn Primary School ............................(01667) 452118 Cawdor Primary School ..............................(01667) 402460 Millbank Primary School..............................(01667) 452240 Rosebank Primary School ..........................(01667) 454090 Nairn Academy ............................................(01667) 453700 Moray College Nairn Learning ....................(01667) 456759 DOCTORS Nairn Hospital A&E .....................................(01667) 452101 The Lodgehill Clinic ....................................(01667) 452096 Arderseir Medical Practice ..........................(01667) 452278 Nairn Sports Medicine Clinic ......................(01667) 454523 DENTISTS Jones Jones & Behrendt ............................(01667) 453189 RM Donald & Associates ............................(01667) 454603 PHARMACIES Lloyds Pharmacy ........................................(01667) 453100 Boots The Chemist ......................................(01667) 453169 page 12 - April 2012
VETS Moray Coast ................................................(01667) 453161 Inshes Veterinary Clinic Inverness ..............(01463) 711777 Police Station ..............................................(01667) 452222 Stagecoach Inverness .................................(01463) 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau ...............................(01667) 456677 Nairn Museum ............................................(01667) 456791 Dalcross Airport .............................(01667) 464000/462280 Inverness Job Centre ....................(01463) 888100/888200 Highland Council ........................................(01667) 458500 Victim Support ............................................(01463) 710806 Samaritans ..................................................(01463) 713456 Gas - Emergency ............................................(0800 111999 Water - Emergency ........................................08456 008855 British Red Cross Inverness ........................(01463) 231620 Crossroads ..................................................(01667) 455369 National Rail Enquiries ..................................08457 484950 If you have any suggestions for additional useful numbers please email these to us on admin@spotlighton.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
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Parliament Blog & Tides Picture by Roger Carr , Copyright
“ Parliament Blog ” We are all ambassadors in a sense - ambassadors for Scotland, when we meet and speak to a visitor who is holidaying here. Anyone will remember a kind word – a helpful response to requests for directions – a bit of friendly banter, when in a foreign country. So, I have always been of the view that all of us have a role to play, from time to time. I was delighted to accept an invitation from Brigadier David Allfrey, who is the Senior Army Officer in charge of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, to become an ambassador for the tattoo. The Scottish Parliament is at its best when the political content is at its least. Therefore, I was recently very pleased indeed to lead a debate on the case for the Green Investment Bank coming to Edinburgh. This will put the spotlight – excuse the pun – on renewables in Scotland - and the potential and indeed actual jobs in renewable energy are at their greatest in the Highlands and Islands. Before the Debate, and at my invitation. the energy spokespeople were invited along to a photo call – so that the campaign would be across all parties. We assembled on the roof balcony of an office in Edinburgh which overlooks the Castle and the firth of Forth. The wind was most certainly blowing in earnest, much to the consternation of the lady MSP’s present. I would have offered them a comb, but I don’t possess one. In fact, the energy spokespeople of the main parties are all from the Highlands and Islands – so we have a clean green sweep in that regard. That makes it perfect to work in a cross party basis much of the time, united – if windswept!
The Scottish Liberal Democrat conference was held at the start of last month at Eden Court in Inverness. These annual gatherings can take you to every corner of the party, so it was particularly good to be at home here in the Highlands – showcasing the first class facilities which our theatre and arts venue now offers. Among our visitors for the weekend was the new Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Ed Davey. While Ed was here, he took the chance to see some of the huge potential which our area has to lead the development of clean, low carbon energy from our seas – potentially bringing many thousands of new jobs and expertise which will be in demand all over the world. I offered Ed a few tips on what life as a Minister can be like. Taking key decisions attracts comment – and occasionally creative interventions by those who disagree. Ed has not yet had a face mask made in his honour; nor has he been the subject of a song. I was able to tell the conference that I have had both of these experiences. They say you can’t please all of the people all of the time, but apparently I might be able to please two famous bamboo-loving adoptive Scots. The song about me is entitled, ‘Danny Alexander, feed him to the pandas’!
Fergus Ewing MSP
LOW TIDE TIMES FOR NAIRN IN APRIL Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times AM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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tel: 01309 690063
PM 1857 1938 2020 2104 2154 2322 1237 1355 1456 1549 1631 1704
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Wednesday 18th April, 7.30pm
£10/£8/£6 U16’s (concessions)
interactive exhibition of modern automata and kinetic art 10am - 5pm, tuesday - saturday at the house of automata, kinloss (next to petrol station). free entry. tel: 01309 691212 for more information or visit www.thehouseofautomata.com
9 april - 19 may ‘john gordon and son – celebrating 150 years’ 10am - 4:40pm mon-fri & 10am - 1pm sat, nairn museum. the 150 year history of one of the most successful businesses in the highlands told in paintings, photographs, stories and artefacts. an exhibition not to be missed! www.nairnmuseum.co.uk
Nairn Museum -
Phil Kay
www.nairnmuseum.co.uk
Opening exhibition 9th April – 19th May “John Gordon and Son – celebrating 150 years� The 150 year history of one of the most successful busnesses in the Highlands. Tales of enterprise and adventure told in paintings, photographs, stories and artefacts. An exhibition not to be missed!
Tickets available at the Phoenix Stores tel: 01309 690110 For more details tel: 01309 691170 or see w w w. u n i v e r s a l h a l l . c o . u k
29 thursday simba support group meeting 7-9pm, best western palace hotel, 8 ness walk, inverness. support for those who have lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy or close to the time of birth. call susan 07771358382 or denise 07724306983 for more info or email simbahighland@gmail.com
30 friday phil cool @ ironworks 7pm. 16+. seated. tickets or info tel: 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com the syndicate presents a night of thrash & death metal 8pm, flanagans bar, elgin. ‘thrashist regime’ debut and ‘bonesaw’ make a welcome return. ÂŁ5 entry. email thesyndicate2008@btinternet.com or visit www.facebook.com/thesyndicate2008
31 saturday MARCH 28 wednesday richard durrant @ universal hall 7:30pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets ÂŁ10/ ÂŁ8 conc / ÂŁ6 u16 available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 inverness college uhi open evening 5:30 - 7:30pm, longman campus refectory. for people interested in joining courses in aug & sept 2012. call 01463 273000 or email info@inverness.uhi.ac.uk SpotLight on Nairn and District
cloud man @ universal hall 4pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets ÂŁ6/ ÂŁ5 conc / ÂŁ4 u16 available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 highland hospice fundraiser @ ironworks 7:30pm. 18+. with special guests ‘the complete stone roses’. tickets or info tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit the website www.ironworksvenue.com handmade in scotland spring craft fair 10am - 1pm, lossiemouth high school. free entry, free tea & coffee & free facepainting. charity raffle for ladybird group. email islaandesme@gmail.com more info.
www.spotlighton.co.uk
April 2012 - page 15
kids
Something for everyone! This bright modern adaptable building has become a vital part of the Community, promoting
The Pallywags are magical creatures that live on a rainbow and love to entertain with singing, dancing
Arts and Culture in addition to the more traditional Community Centre Activities. Excellent meeting and training facilities available
and humour. Featuring Rodd Christensen (Balamory’s Spencer) and Lauren Hair from “Got to Dance”
for hire. There is something for everyone, from
Music is one of the strengths of the Pallywags. Its producer, Rory Mhor Nicoll, worked with Prince and
children’s activities to films, concerts and shows. The large comfortable theatre can seat up to 300. Look out for our monthly advert with what’s on, or check out our website. Looking for something to do with the children during the Easter break?
was part of the production team behind the Swedish pop group Ace of Base. This event is supporting the "Archie Foundation" for Raigmore Hospital.
We have a fabulous show coming up in April for children The Pallywags “Chasing Rainbows” are appearing on 13th April with 2 shows at 2.30pm and 6.00pm. Tickets are priced at £7 and are available from the Centre, or telephone 01667 453476
Friday 13 April - 2.30pm & 6.00pm Tickets £7 Nairn Community & Arts Centre Tickets Available from Nairn Community & Arts Centre on 01667 453476
16
APRIL 2012 continued
1 sunday wedding fair at brodie castle 12pm - 4pm. free entry. meet with wedding suppliers & consider your wedding in a castle. call 08444 932 156 or email brodiecastle@nts.org.uk
4 wednesday himalayan primula 7.30pm, nairn community centre, king street. illustrated talk by pam eveleigh, hosted by highland rock garden club. international speaker and outstanding photographer from canada. call 01320 366246
6 friday the wee man presents nedator to land @ ironworks 7pm. seated. 16+. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com music nairn presents 'a wanderer fantasy' 8pm, nairn community and arts centre. michael lunts, actor & pianist, tells about the life of franz schubert in music and words. tickets £18, members £14, students £2. call 01667 453476
7 saturday ironworks easter showcase 7pm. over 14s. 8 top quality acts from around the highlands. tickets or info tel: 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com the waterboys @ eden court theatre 7:30pm. tickets sold by ticketmaster uk. call the box office 01463 234 234 for more information.
7 saturday - 9 monday cadbury easter egg trails at brodie castle 10:30am 4pm. free entry. lots of giant outdoor games, face painters and more. call 08444 932 156 or visit www.nts.org.uk
11 wednesday moray & nairn floral art club 7:30pm, ramnee hotel, forres. a demonstration by ms paterson from carluke, title ‘designed by nature’. call jean 01309 673552 or caroline 651375 for further details.
13 friday frightened rabbit @ the loft 8pm. east grange farm, kinloss, forres. call 01343 850 111 for info or visit www.eastgrange.co.uk skerryvore @ ironworks 7:30pm, 14+, standing. for tickets or information call 08717894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com the pallywags 2:30pm & 6pm at nairn community & arts centre. starring ‘spencer’ from balamory & lauren hair from got to dance. tickets £7 available from www.thebooth.co.uk or call the centre on 01667 453476
14 saturday twin atlantic @ ironworks 7:30pm. over 14s. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or SpotLight on Nairn and District
visit www.ironworksvenue.com daffodil festival at brodie castle 1:30 - 4:30pm. daffodil teas with entertainment by elgin, strathspey & reel society. daffodil walks with the gardens team, part of scotland's gardens scheme; drawing room display "a host of golden daffodils". 08444 932 156 yuri gagarin family activities 2pm - 4pm, multicultural centre, 1 ardconnel terrace, inverness. organised by the highland-russia connection charity. enquiries and booking call 01667456245. phil kay @ universal hall 8pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets £10/£8 concessions available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110
15 sunday daffodil festival at brodie castle 1:30 - 4:30pm. daffodil teas with entertainment by fochabers fiddlers. daffodil walks with the gardens team as part of scotland's gardens scheme; drawing room display "a host of golden daffodils". 08444 932 156
18 wednesday dannsa @ universal hall 7:30pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets £10/£8 concessions £6 u16s available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110
20 friday red kites @ ironworks 7pm. over 14s.tickets or more info tel: 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com
21 saturday nairn men’s breakfast 9:45 for 10am, windsor hotel, nairn. meet other men christian & non christian to share food & fellowship. speaker samuel mackibben. to book a place call campbell 01667 455149 or dereck 01667456088 by 20th apr.
23 monday miles kane @ ironworks 7pm. standing. 14+. tickets or info tel: 08717894173 / www.ironworksvenue.com
25 wednesday inverness college uhi open evening 5:30 - 7:30pm, longman campus refectory. for people interested in joining courses in aug & sept 2012. call 01463 273000 or email info@inverness.uhi.ac.uk for info.
26 thursday admiral fallow @ ironworks 7:30pm, 14+, standing. for tickets or information call 08717894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com
27 friday the syndicate presents ‘found on the floor, filthpact & the obscenities’ 8pm, flanagans bar, elgin. a night of punk, metal & catchy choruses. for more info email thesyndicate2008@btinternet.com or visit www.facebook.com/thesyndicate2008
28 saturday annual spring flower show 10.30am, nairn
www.spotlighton.co.uk
April 2012 - page 17
Cinema Nairn Friday 20th April, 7.30pm Another Time, Another Place (15) Visit cinemanairn.blogspot.com or contact Nairn Community Centre on 01667 453476 for details
Cinema Listings April 2012 Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Throughout April
The Hunger Games (12a) Red Dog (PG) The Muppets (U) Visit www.eden-court.co.uk or call 01463 234234 for details
Vue Cinema, Inverness From Monday 2nd April Mirror Mirror (tbc) Iron Sky (tbc) Titanic 3D (tbc)
Moray Playhouse, Elgin
Headhunters (tbc)
New Screenings begin on Fridays Call 01343 542680 or visit www.morayplayhouse.co.uk
Battleship (tbc) Rigoletto (tbc) Salmon Fishing In The Yemen (tbc) The Avengers 3D (tbc)
Highland Spiritual Cinema
Monthly screenings of uplifting and inspiring films that inform, enlighten and entertain. For further details please visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net or telephone 01463 237452
KidsAM Every Saturday & Sunday at 10.15am Tickets £1.25 / VIP Tickets £2.75 Senior Screenings Every Tuesday afternoon Tickets £3.05 / VIP Tickets £4.55 Includes tea/coffee & biscuits
Visit www.myvue.com for details
Portessie Public Hall
Regular films including Saturday matinees. For further details email: portessiepublichall@hotmail.co.uk
Universal Hall, Findhorn
Showing films through the year Visit www.findhorn.org/uhall or call 01309 691170 for details. page page 18 18 -- April April 2012 2012
tel: 01309 01309 690063 690063 tel:
SpotLight on on Nairn Nairn and and District District SpotLight
APRIL 2012 continued community centre, king street. plants, stalls & coffee morning. scottish rock garden national show opens at midday. tel: 01320 366246 pritchard vs dainton @ ironworks 8pm, 18+. tickets or info call 08717894173 / www.ironworksvenue.com inverness choral society perform verdi’s requiem 7:30pm, eden court theatre. inspiring & uplifting the house of automata and obscura day 5pm at house of automata, kinloss (next to petrol station), forres. enter a magical world where rare mechanical entertainers come to life. 40 minute show £5, book at www.atlasobscura.com. contact 01309 691212
Sunday 29th April
All children welcome Sessions: £4 per child (booking desirable but not essential).
29 sunday mundole equestrian british dressage and unaffiliated dressage closing date 20th april. contact 07901 602042 or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com lofty arts @ the loft 10am - 12noon, east grange farm, kinloss. creative fun sessions £4 per child - all children welcome (accompanied by an adult). booking recommended call 01343 850111 Cut me out and keep me in your wallet
45-95-95 01667
Short & long distance runs, contracts,OAP rates 24 Hour Office Open at 44 High Street, Nairn IV12 4AU
www.taxi247nairn.com
to advertise in the next issue of SpotLight on nairn call 01309 690063 or go online at www.spotlighton.co.uk for more details
Cut me out and keep me in your wallet
TA XI 24 - 7
9 wednesday moray & nairn floral art club 7:30pm, ramnee hotel, forres. a demonstration by audrey foster from north yorkshire - ‘re use & recycle’. call jean 01309 673552 or caroline 651375 for further details 11 friday dodgy @ ironworks 7:30pm. tickets or info call 08717894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com 13 sunday mundole equestrian british dressage and unaffiliated dressage closing date 4th may. contact 07901 602042 or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com 16 wednesday roddy woomble @ ironworks 7:30pm. unreserved cabaret seating . for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com 20 sunday mundole equestrian show jumping contact 07901 602042 or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com 30 wednesday inverness college uhi open evening 5:30 - 7:30pm, longman campus refectory. for people interested in joining courses in aug & sept 2012. call 01463 273000 or email info@inverness.uhi.ac.uk for info.
MAY 2012 in brief 5 saturday funk'void & silicone soul @ ironworks 7:30pm. 18+. for tickets 08717894173 / www.ironworksvenue.com jamp @ universal hall 2pm. findhorn foundation, the park, findhorn. tickets £7/£6 concessions £4 u16s available at the phoenix stores 01309 690110 5 saturday - 6 sunday mundole spring show closing date 20th april. contact 07901 602042 or visit the website www.mundoleequestrian.com SpotLight on Nairn and District
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April 2012 - page 19
recipe
Chef’s Confidential Lightly Smoked Salmon with Lemon and Herb Creme Fraiche The perfect lunch or supper dish that needs very little preparation and served with Sweet Potato Wedges, makes a welcome change from new, or mashed potatoes. The Salmon fillets are available at most fish counters in supermarkets. Enjoy! Serves 4 4 x lightly Smoked Salmon Fillets 1 x 200grm tub Creme Fraiche 1 x tablespoon finely chopped fresh Parsley leaves 1 x tablespoon finely chopped fresh Mint leaves 1 x tablespoon finely chopped fresh Dill (the herbs can be chopped in a mini electric chopper for ease) 1 Lemon Salt and Pepper 500g Sweet Potatoes cut into wedges 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil Method 1. Pre heat the oven to 200°C. 2. Place the potato wedges in to a pan of cold water and bring to the boil, and boil for 5 mins. Drain and pat dry with kitchen paper towel. 3. Place the roasting tin with oil in it in the the oven to heat up. Add the potatoes, season with salt and pepper and return to the oven on a high shelf for 20 minutes to roast. 4. Place the salmon on an oven proof tray and season with pepper. I don't use salt as there is enough in the cured salmon. Cook the salmon on the centre shelf for 20 minutes. 5. Whilst the potatoes and salmon are cooking. Chop the herbs, and place them in a bowl. Add the crème fraiche and the squeezed juice of half a lemon. Mix thoroughly. 6. Remove the salmon and potatoes from the oven and serve immediately with a green vegetable or side salad.
knockomie HOTEL
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Penny Ellis, Owner - Knockomie Hotel, Forres. Tel: 01309 673146
April Specials!
Telephone:
01343 850 066
2 course Lunch* (excludes Sundays) £8.95 3 course Sunday Lunch.. £19.95 2 course Sunday Lunch.. £15.95
Mobile:
07900 225 445 Taking clients from design & planning right through to completion...
2 course Spring into Summer Menu* inc complimentary bottle wine .. £40.00 per couple
mmm...delicious!
*Max’ table of 6
Afternoon Tea includes: sandwiches, scones, cakes, Tea and Coffee from ... £8.95
www.excellenthomes.co.uk
Knockomie Hotel is licensed to hold Civil Weddings
HOTEL
Tel: Grantown Road, Forres ZZZ NQRFNRPLH FR XN VWD\#NQRFNRPLH FR XN
Ca ttery
Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn Tel. 01667 454536 or
gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk
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knockomie
estwoo W
www.westwoodcattery.co.uk
Feline Advisory Bureau Registered, Listed in Good Cattery Guide
Nairn Scenic Properties CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE, NO OBLIGATION VALUATION!
Christine Robson
NAIRN SCENIC PROPERTIES 1 Bridge Street, Nairn IV12 4EJ
01667 459889 07835979996 www.nairnscenicproperties.com admin@nairnscenicproperties.com
3 GLENELG GARDENS, NAIRN, IV12 4TD REDUCED FIXED PRICE £153,000 Spacious 4 bed / 2 bath home would make an ideal family home. Large garage and gardens to the front and rear.
102 HARBOUR STREET, NAIRN, IV12 4PH REDUCED - £10,000 BELOW SURVEY VALUE! FIXED PRICE £90,000 Delightful 2 bed end terrace property. Ideal starter home, holiday home or buy to let. Allocated parking space.
WOODBINE COTTAGE, AULDEARN, IV12 5TG REDUCED – £7,000 BELOW SURVEY VALUE! FIXED PRICE £193,000 Delightful detached 4 bed. Victorian stone built cottage in the heart of the sought after village of Auldearn.
3 WYVIS DRIVE, NAIRN, IV12 4SU OFFERS OVER £140,000 Great family home, this 3 bed semi-detached property has ample off street parking as well as garage and gardens.
5 FORBES DRIVE NAIRN, IV12 4QY FIXED PRICE £220,000 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom detached spacious family home, situated in a quiet cul-de-sac minutes from Nairn Town Centre
53 SOCIETY ST., NAIRN, IV12 4NL REDUCED – £6,000 BELOW SURVEY VALUE OFFERS IN THE REGION OF £139,000 Charming 3 bed cottage in the quaint Fishertown area of Nairn.Ideal first time buy or holiday home.
10 ACRE ST., NAIRN, IV12 4AD REDUCED - £15,000 BELOW SURVEY VALUE OFFERS OVER £225,000 Superb 3 storey 5 bed, 2 reception, Georgian property close to the High Street. Working fires, sash windows, high ceilings and generously proportioned rooms
event
Elgin Easter Chocolate...yu...mmm...y! Elgin is the place to be on Saturday 7th April. Elgin Business Improvement District and Olive Tree Chocolate have teamed up to bring you a fun packed day in celebration of Easter and National Chocolate Week. There are so many activities that there is bound to be something to suit, whatever your preference. The whole day kicks off at 10am with the Easter Street Market in the City Centre offering a wide range of locally produced foods and crafts and Easter treasures. Starting from 11am there will be a Chocolate Cookery demonstration, Easter Treasure Hunt, Easter Fancy Dress Competition, games and crafts activities (on the Plainstones) including Easter bonnet making. Moray Titans rugby club will be undertaking a charity car pull in aid of the Moray Friends of Archie throughout the day till 2pm. The Easter Treasure Hunt will take you around the City Centre (including the Town Hall). The treasure will be letters which you collect to make up a famous word. Letters will be placed in the windows of City Centre retailers as well as at the Town Hall – the home of Choctober @ Easter. Entry forms are available from Unit 4 (between Orange phone shop and Dorothy Perkins) in the St Giles Centre and completed entries can be returned by 4pm to the Town Hall Reception or back to Unit 4. To enter the fancy dress competition all you have to do is dress up in an Easter theme and register your entry between 11.15am – 11.50am also at Unit 4, St Giles Centre. There are 3 age categories: up to 5 years, 6 – 9 years, 10 – 15 years. Entrants will parade (in costume) through the City Centre at 12 noon ending up on the Plainstones where judging will take place at approx. 1pm. Prizes for both competitions will be £30.00, £20.00 and £10.00 to be spent with a City Centre retailer.
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Wave radio will also be broadcasting throughout the day. Choctober @ Easter at the Town Hall offers no end of exciting activities. Starting at 11am the second chocolate festival for Elgin (also the most Northerly festival of its kind in the UK) has built on the success of the first festival held in October also at Elgin Town Hall. Falling on National Chocolate week, the afternoon entertainment is themed around a carnival. On arrival you will be treated to a demonstration of balloon modelling, circus skills and story telling. In the Main Hall will be the Chocolate High Street and Restaurant. This will recreate a typical High Street but linked to chocolate. For example florists selling chocolate bouquets, travel agents traveling the world in chocolate. The restaurant will be serving refreshments and hot meals throughout the afternoon. For the more adventurous why not visit the chocolate making workshops where you can learn how to create simple hand roiled truffles in one hour, (must be pre-booked). There will be a chefs theatre which starts on the High Street (Plainstones) at 11am and continues at the Town Hall stage area. The chefs will create dishes in the format of a starter, main course and dessert all including chocolate. Great to pick up ideas on how you can cook something with a difference. Last, but by no means least, there will be a large craft fayre upstairs in the Supper Room consisting of locally made crafts. Entrants to the Easter Egg design competition will be announced and presented with their prize at approx. 3.30pm at Elgin Town Hall. The prize for each age category is a recreation of their design on a hand-made egg from Olive Tree Chocolate.
SATURDAY 7TH APRIL IN ELGIN IS A MUST FOR A FUN FILLED, CHOCOLATE FILLED, ACTIVITY PACKED, NOT TO BE MISSED EXPERIENCE!!!!
Saturday 7th April 10am to 3pm, Elgin City Centre 11am to 4pm, Elgin Town Hall
Spring is here, and thank goodness. The last few Winters have seen some pretty serious weather in the Moray Firth area, causing lots of problems, and challenges, for gardeners. Prolonged lying snow with frost and ice does also inevitably leave the grass looking pretty poorly. Around March in Scotland, you should also look out for brown, possibly dying patches appearing. These may be a symptom of leatherjacket activity. Leatherjackets are the larvae of crane flies, or daddy-long-legs, which hatch from eggs laid in turf in the Autumn. If you remember seeing lots of crane flies around last Summer, or see flocks of starlings pecking furiously at the grass, investigate further. The grubs start to feed on the roots of the grass plants, which kills the grass and can cause severe damage to a lawn very quickly if not treated. Try lifting a square of turf if you see damage, and if there are lots of grubs evident you should treat the whole lawn as soon as possible with a suitable insecticide. We spray with a very effective insecticide and the next morning there are usually thousands of dead grubs lying on the grass. With the mower coming out of the shed now, it is a good time to check the blade, and if it is blunt or pitted, get it sharpened. A blunt blade chews the grass rather than cutting it, and will leave a ragged cut on the grass leaf causing bruising and brown tips, and making the plant more susceptible to disease. Also check the cutter height is not set too low, we recommend a cut of not less than 1” as it leaves a decent amount of leaf on the plant, allowing good photosynthesis to occur and a green and healthy plant. The most common problems we see are scalped, weak lawns with poor colour and the resultant bad moss. Now is a good time to aerate and scarify the lawn, especially if you didn’t get it done last Autumn. We tend not to scarify once new grass starts growing as we find it often takes too much of a hammering from a vigorous scarifying machine such as ours. We use a professional blade scarifier which cuts through thatch build up (the perfect habitat for moss to flourish). This is a more rigorous process than simply raking out existing moss (which just grows back) as it actually removes the main cause of moss growth.
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Aeration is good at any time and I know some of you will have forked the lawn (back breaking and ineffective). We use a big hollow-core tining machine as do the golf and bowling clubs. It takes thousands of cores out of the root zone easing compaction, improving ventilation and drainage and allows new root growth. If you have problems with moss and lichen this is one of the best things we can do for you.
For more information about seasonal lawn improvements from just £15 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.
Call in the professionals! GreenThumb’s annual treatments ensure your lawn looks lush, green and healthy. With prices starting from £15 per treatment, your lawn nightmare will soon be history. Call your local branch today for a FREE lawn analysis and no obligation quote on:
0800 0111 222
ices ur Lawn Serv e o f o n y a ht Magazin £10 OFF om SpotLig fr r e h u c vo with this ! customers w n e for all Please
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GOLF VIEW HOTEL
review
“...well balanced flavours and exquisite taste.” The Golf View Hotel & Spa, nestled along the moray coast in Nairn offers a quiet, elegant and sophisticated dining experience that cannot be missed. It has been voted one of top 25 relaxation/ spa hotels in the United Kingdom, and rightly so. My husband and I recently had the opportunity to dine at the luxurious Fairways restaurant inside the hotel, which has recently been given AA 1 Rosette status. We were unable to experience the beautiful seaside views of the Moray Firth and Black Isle due to our late evening arrival, but I am told they are spectacular. The atmosphere as we entered the doors of the hotel was warm and elegant. The friendly receptionist directed us to the dining room to be greeted by the restaurant manager, Mike. The table was candlelit, giving a off a glow that complimented the settings. As we were seated in our richly upholstered chairs we knew we were in for a wonderful evening. We read through the ornate woodenbound menus pausing over the detailed wine list, which is especially helpful if, like myself, you are not a wine connoisseur. Fraser, our waiter, soon arrived to take our selections and we choose the tantalizing seven course dinner, chosen for the day. He was so polite and knowledgeable helping me choose a lovely rosé to compliment my meal. The meal itself began with olive and Parma ham canapés, which were delicate with a perfect salty seasoning, these were followed by shallot tarte tatin for myself and chicken liver pâté for my husband, which also went down a treat.
Then, after a squash velouté to cleanse the palate, it was time for the main course – roast lamb for myself, smoked haddock and langoustine chowder for my husband. The lamb was cooked expertly and was incredibly tender in the mouth, the accompanying flavours of garlic with rosemary, and sauce only enhancing the perfect meat. The highlight of the evening for my husband was the chowder, he couldn’t stop speaking afterwards of its wonderful aroma, well balanced flavours and exquisite taste. The warm, moist brownie for dessert was only outdone by the accompanying homemade honeycomb ice-cream that seemed to melt instantly in the mouth with a burst of flavour. We retired to the relaxing ambience of the lounge for our fantastic brie and chutney on oatcakes before finishing with a cafetière of coffee with Scottish tablet. We couldn’t have had a more perfect evening. Every course was very well presented in a modern style which complimented the traditional venue. I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of the food, surely some of the best in the local area. Perhaps most surprising to me was all this wonderful service and fantastic food is available at such a reasonable price. We will definitely be going back, next time finishing off our meal with a walk along the beachfront during the warm summer evenings.
Review by Andrew and Christa Dobbs
GOLF VIEW HOTEL & SPA
FAIRWAYS RESTAURANT
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To take advantage of these exclusive offers, please quote Spotlight April at time of booking
GOLF & SPA EIGHT VIEW ACRES HOTEL HOTEL & LEISURE CLUB
The Seafront, Nairn Morriston Road, ElginIV12 IV30 4HD 6UL 01667 452301 Email: Email:golfview@crerarhotels.com eightacres@crerarhotels.com Telephone Telephone: 01343 54 0
WWW.CRERARHOTELS.COM
travel
Dreaming of... ...Morocco
Your correspondents have recently returned from an interesting holiday in Morocco. This amazing country has thrived on being at the north end of the Sahara Desert and on the trade route to Europe. We spent three nights in Marrakech where we walked for miles taking in all the sights, sounds and smells which make it such an extraordinary and vibrant city. We enjoyed the Djemaa El Fna Square with its music, snake charmers, street entertainers and stalls selling delicious freshly squeezed orange juice and in the evening hundreds of barbeques seem to appear from nowhere. The rabbit warrens of the Souks are unlike anything we had seen before. We stayed in a wonderful Riad within the Medina. The staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly and our room combined Moroccan style with a contemporary twist and we enjoyed being able to lie back and rest on our own roof terrace. It was one of the best places we have ever stayed in but was a world away from what we found outside the Riad and by the time we moved on we had really had enough of being hassled endlessly to buy things. From Marrakech we went into the Atlas Mountains for three nights of peace and tranquillity. The weather was lovely and we enjoyed a few walks through the hills passing small hamlets where children, who appeared from nowhere, were not sure whether to hide or ask for 'bonbons'. We were then driven west across the country to Essaouria, a charming fortified emplacement created by the Portuguese in the 15th Century, which is now an unspoilt fishing port – not a bar or club to be seen! We found excellent fish restaurants and stayed in another excellent Riad with a roof top pool. There are miles of lovely beaches and at other times of the year the Atlantic breezes attract windsurfers. The early morning drive back to Marrakech was fantastic – it was market day in one of the towns and we watched hundreds of men riding across fields on donkeys draped with panniers bringing their wares to market – it was an unforgettable and almost biblical sight. Morocco is ideal for a long weekend or for longer multi-centre journeys as we did. Riads are smaller boutique hotels with central atriums open to the skies and roof terraces, negating the need for windows to the exterior, and Kasbahs are larger guest houses with grounds – both are generally very characterful and certainly a contrast to a normal city hotel. Temperatures in the towns and cities are comfortable all year round, becoming hotter from June to October, and being really at its hottest from July to September. Evenings tend to be cooler, and in the mountains it can also be cooler all of the time.
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www.beavtrav.com INVERNESS departures
ABERDEEN departures
DUBROVNIK - 4th June S/C from..................................... £549pp
VENICE - 27th May B&B from ............................ £579pp
Hidden PORTUGAL 11th June HB from ............ £669pp 30th Sept from .................. £679pp
LAKE GARDA 27th May B&B from ............................ £568pp SORRENTO - 16th June B&B from ........................... £589pp
VENICE and VERONA 1st July HB from ................. £875pp LAKE GARDA 1st July B&B from.............. £589pp 7th Oct B&B from.............. £588pp SORRENTO - 6th October B&B from ............................ £599pp CYPRUS - 25th November HB from............................... £797pp
FLORENCE - 16th June HB from............................... £729pp
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DUBROVNIK - 2nd July S/C from ............................. £606pp Hidden PORTUGAL - 17th Sept. HB from............................... £659pp SICILY - 6th October B&B from ............................ £649pp
All holidays are priced per person, for 7 nights based on 2 people sharing a room.
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