SpotLight on Nairn & District December 2016

DECEMBER 2016

NAI R N & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

Happy Christmas From our Family to Yours SEE ADVERT INSIDE

BUCKIE

F U R N I T U R E AND CARPET CENTRE Beds Blinds Furniture and Flooring

45 - 49 Church Street, Buckie AB56 1BP Telephone

(01542) 832653

ǯ Ƥ tax return before the 31st January 2017.

If you need assistance please get in touch Regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

Call 01667 453997 or email info@myjetstream.co.uk

Carnach House, Delnies, Nairn, IV12 5NT

NAIRN FUELS

FREE FREE FIRELIGHTERS with all orders DELIVERY UNIT 12 GRIGORHILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, NAIRN IV12 5HX House Coal ¬ Peat ¬ Premium Coal ¬ÛKindling Kindling ¬ Ovoids ¬ Anthracite Hardwood & Softwood Logs ¬ÛWood Wood Pellets ¬ 6`W_·SbbSa Wishing all our customer's a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year - OPEN EVERYDAY, EXCEPT CHRISTMAS DAY & NEW YEAR'S DAY

www.nairnfuels.co.uk

01667 455095 sales@nairnfuels.co.uk

Words by the Wayside "...turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart."

(1 Samuel 12:20)

Christian, it's the easiest thing in the world to turn aside from The Lord and set our affections on vain things, which neither profit us nor bring glory to our God. To be spiritually minded is life and peace for the Christian. "He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose." Go advance your Saviour's Glory.

Merry Christmas to all from the team at green moray renewables

Electrics Plumbing Solar PV & Thermal Biomass & Air Source Heat Pumps 01309 675595

www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Garage Doors Supplied & Installed 01309 671477 or 01309 692244 *DUDJH 'RRU $XWRPDWLRQ &DU 3RUWV DQG 3DWLR 5RRIV 6HFXULW\ 6KXWWHUV 'ULYHZD\ *DWHV 0DQXDO RU $XWRPDWLF

*DUDJH 'RRU 5HSDLUV 'RRUV LQ VWRFN IRU WUDGH FXVWRPHUV

Email: info@scotengineering.co.uk Web: www.scotengineering.co.uk

www.spotlighton.co.uk

The Free Community Information website - Free to view and Free to upload your listings.

View our entire database of Clubs and Societies, Trades Listings, What’s On Diary, Restaurants, Reviews and articles, Schools, Holidays Tides, Useful Numbers and more...

CLUBS & SOCIETIES AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Free, confidential help & support to the relatives & friends of problem drinkers. Local weekly groups in Highland area. Call 020 7403 0888 for a local contact number for your area or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk BOYS BRIGADE Contact 452950 BLAZIN NEEDLES Tuesdays from 1:30pm - 3:30pm at The Bike Shed, Grant Street, Inverness. A friendly drop-in group for anyone interested in working with wool or textiles. A beginner looking for a hand or an experienced knitter looking for company this is the group for you. Donations for room hire and teas and coffees.

CAKE WALK & STORY GROUP Regular walks for all ages. For more details call Guy on 07724 992790/www.guyandjocelyn.org COMMUNITY KRAFT CLUB Meets alternate Thursdays from 2pm - 4pm in 'The Tearoom' beside the CAB Office. Contact number 01667 453289

)1 #! )1 6* !

5* ! .,#( ,, *+) #& .&& * !

4 4 4 4 4 4

CULBIN SINGERS Regular Thursday evening practice sessions take place in St Leonard's Church Hall in Forres. New members welcome.

For info email alasdair @manachie.eclipse.co.uk DALLACHY AERO MODELLERS Model aircrafts & helicopter flying at old Dallachy World War 2 airfield. Mainly at weekends.

Offers training on dual control. www.dallachyaeromodellers. org.uk FORUM FOR MEN Wednesdays, 8pm at Macnabs Bar, Columba Hotel. For gay and bi men. Look for the small red post box on our table. Text 07941 553620, www.gayness.org.uk or e-mail jampa40@yahoo.co.uk GEDDES W.R.I. Call Mrs Evelyn Cumming 404237.

HARMONY MUSIC THERAPY SCOTLAND Individual and Group Music Therapy sessions to encourage, enable and empower all ages and abilities through interactive music experiences. Will travel to private homes, facilities and schools. Call Kristen Macleod on 07770427396.

NAIRN DISABLED SPORTS CLUB We cater for bowlers and athletes who have a disability.

Contact 07766 952477 NAIRN DOMINO LEAGUE Contact 452496

#(- + .+( # )'+ # " )) ,# +' #(&),, && ' - +# & 0#-"#( -" *)- #!"' ! 3#( , #, ,. $ - -) )+' & )*2+#!"- + ,-+# -#)(, ( -" + )+ -" + *+) . -#)( ) (2 &#,#(!, #-)+# & / +-#, + +-0)+% )+ (2 )-" + )(- (- 0#-").- -" *. &#," +7, *+#)+ )(, (- 0#&& )(,# + + " ) )*2+#!"-

page 4 - December 2016

NAIRN EQUESTRIAN FUN CLUB Contact 01309 641474 NAIRN HIGHLAND GAMES COMMITTEE Contact 452422 or email info@nairnhighlandgames.co.uk www.nairnhighlandgames.co.uk NAIRN LACE GROUP Self-help lace group meets Thursdays from 7pm - 9.30 pm in Nairn Community Centre,

Contact number 01667 453521 NAIRN PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY AND CAMERA CLUB Tuesdays at 7:30pm in Nairn Community Centre. Sept - April.

For info contact Dave Freeman (President) on 360026 or email dave@nairncameraclub.co.uk NAIRN LADIES CURLING CLUB Friendly club offering good fun social curling. New members welcome. Contact 404256 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 NAIRN SAILING CLUB (NSC) Friendly club offering dinghy & cruiser sailing for all levels and ages. Beginners welcome.

Regular social events at our clubhouse at Nairn Harbour. www.nairnsailingclub.co.uk nairnsailingclub@yahoo.co.uk NAIRN SCHOOL OF DANCING Wednesdays 3.30pm at the British Legion Hall. Contact Mrs Fraser 01463 729477 NAIRN SMASHERS BADMINTON CLUB Mondays & Wednesdays 9am 10.30am, Fridays 9am - 10am in the Games Hall, Nairn Sports Club. A sociable group and new members are always welcome, irrespective of ability. Call Mrs Jan Stuart on 07742 019286 NAIRN SPORTS CLUB Something for everyone - Fitness classes, Gym, Tennis, Squash & Badminton Courts, Sauna, Nonmembers welcome. Contact 454523 or email info@nairnsportsclub.co.uk 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 SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME AND

tel: 01309 690063

LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP Meetings arranged on an adhoc basis. For more information call Sheena on 01343 820635 or Susan on 01343 842656 THE ACCIDENTALS Nairn’s Community Choir practices Wednesdays, 7:30pm 9:30pm at St Columba’s Church Hall, Queen Street. Sing a cappella in four-part harmony.

New members welcome. Call Christine Oliver on 01667 453793 or just come along.

TREES FOR LIFE CONSERVATION DAYS …

Spend a day out in the Highlands working to restore the fabulous Caledonian forest.

Transport, tools and training provided. Pick up from Forres for volunteers over 18. Usually every second Wednesday. Booking is essential. Call the office on 01309 691292 or volunteer@treesforlife.org.uk to join the email list.

WESTERN FRONT ASSOCIATION We hold 9 meetings per year on Saturday afternoons in Elgin Library. Open to anyone with an interest in WW1. Contact Derek Bird on 01343 870562 or email chairman.wfasnb@virgin.net www.wfascotlandnorth.org.uk

PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.

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

admin@.winterburnmdia.co.uk

LOCH NESS upholstery

We live in uncertain times” - I seem to have heard that refrain quite a lot recently but I do wonder whether there is a temptation to often fear the worst before it has actually happened.

History does of course remind us that times do change and some regimes are worse than others so we can be forgiven for thinking the worst but fortunately this is most often not the norm!

How we deal with the fear of the unknown affects us daily. A healthy degree of caution is always recommended but also is keeping a sense of perspective.

A wise writer once said - “whosover will add a day to his life by worrying?”

Probably right!

Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Revamp R evamp yyour favourite old chair, suite or family heirloom for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

We also offer hand carved mahogany chair, sofa and chaise longue frames upholstered in Harris Tweed.

VEN HAND WO

TWEED IDES R HEBR HARRIS IN THE OUTE

HAND WOVE

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes ADVERTISING ..............Susan Innes ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN ...........................................

PRODUCTION .........Linda J Donald

N

NOW LOCATED AT Unit 6, Waterford Circle, Forres, IV36 3EF

January Issue Deadlines

01463 548 479 info@lochnessupholstery.co.uk Dalcross Ind. Est., Inverness IV2 7XB

,i«> ÀÊEÊ > Õv>VÌÕÀ }Ê v\ Trailer covers & Tarpaulins Horse rugsUSaddlesUTack TentsUAwningsUSleeping bags MarineUAgriculturalUMilitary FishingUShootingUSports items ZipsUBagsUSails/boat covers Coats & Footwear...

07891 576529

Editorial - Friday 02/12/16 Advertising - Wednesday 07/12/16

i > ÊÌ« ««ÃÓÇx£JÞ> °V °Õ ÊUÊÜÜÜÃÌ ÌV Ì> `v Ý Ì°V °Õ

Experience the magic of

Christmas at Decora

The North of Scotland's largest Christmas Store A one-stop shop for festive inspiration including: Decorations | Trees Gift Ideas | Furniture and much more to dress your home in style

See our Xmas store and bear band on our Facebook page

www.spotlighton.co.uk

The Free Community Information website - Free to view and Free to upload your listings.

View our entire database of Clubs and Societies, Trades Listings, What’s On Diary, Restaurants, Reviews and articles, Schools, Holidays Tides, Useful Numbers and more...

PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS

The Moral Compass

As time draws near, and we are coming to the end of the year, and with many new things in sight, including a new President of the United States of America, it never dawns upon us that we need to have some kind of moral guidance in our lives to draw upon.

We live in a complex, confusing and often frightening world, which is changing so rapidly that even a map can become so quickly out of date. But the funny thing is that the direction in which the needle of a magnetic compass points always remains the same, one pointing north and one pointing south. Constantly providing direction to anyone who wishes to navigate through this big bad world.

And the Bible is also something similar and uniquely the same and is widely accepted as a source of moral guidance. For

example all the four most prosperous countries in the world apply its moral science, and use it as a compass to navigate through life’s minefield of immoral justice. Where, If its teachings are followed, the Bible does point us in the right direction, through a rather thin and long path that otherwise would lead to destruction through life’s immoral mine fields.

This may not seem much of an analogy, but in the physical sense of the word - interpreted correctly it does make sense of life, as history points. The Ten Commandments, for example, are astute and incredible, and appertain to almost every legal, sublime and rational moral principle in our lives, and with clarity gives us a golden rule to follow. We all know it is wrong to kill or steal, to cheat , to lie or misbehave, and we are all aware of the effects immorality can have on a people. Who in

Ardersier with Petty Parish Church, Church of Scotland Sundays 10.15am. Petty Sundays 12 noon.Tel: 01667 462224.

Auldearn and Dalmore Parish Church Sundays 12noon.

Contact Revd. Thomas M Bryson on 01667 451675.

Cawdor Parish Church Sunday 10.15am. Contact Rev David M. Anderson, Locum Minister on 07802 452 293 Nairn Baptist Church Nairn Community Centre. Sundays 11am. Contact Rev. Dr. Philip Egglestone on 01667 452764 or Secretary on 01667 452428. www.nairnbaptistchurch.org.uk Nairn Christian Fellowship Sundays 10.30am. Wednesday 7.30pm: praise and Bible study. Call Sandy Shaw on 01667 456492.

Nairn Free Church Sundays 11am with Sunday school and crèche, 6pm at Gordon St, Nairn. Wednesdays: Cafe at 10am, Junior Club at 6pm, for P4-P7 and Youth Club at 7pm for S1S6. Thursdays: Tiddlywinks: Parent and Toddler group at 10am and Bible Study Prayer Meeting at 7pm. Contact the Minister, Murdo MacLeod, on 01667 459131.

Nairn Old Parish Church 10.30am: Sunday School and crèche. Contact Rev. Alison Mehigan on 01667 453777

page 6 - December 2016

their right mind would not be appalled at the many things we see on tv, and read in our news papers.

The Bible may not be for everyone, nor its interpretation given properly, the infestation of religion and religious immorality can be see every where. But what is wrong with loving your neighbour as yourself? What is wrong in being a law abiding citizen? There is nothing wrong in this which is all our hopes and dreams, to live in a peaceful world, where we can look forward to Christmas, and look forward and look forward to a new, new year. There is nothing wrong in following our dreams, and the stars, but during daylight, we still need a compass.

Rev. Tommy Bryson, Nairn St Ninian’s.

St. Ninian’s Church Sunday services and Sunday school: 10.15am. Contact Revd. Thomas M Bryson on 01667 451675.

St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Family Eucharist on Sundays at 10.30am. Holy Communion on Wednesdays at 10.30am. Contact Rev. Dean Alison J Simpson 01667 452458 St Mary’s Catholic Church IV12 4RJ. Saturday Vigil 6pm.

Sunday Mass 10am. Tel: 01667 453323.

United Reformed Church Sunday services and Sunday School with crèche 11am. Contact John C Brown (Secretary) 01667 453373.

The Pentecostal Church of God Nairn Sundays 10.30am.

Contact Minister JD Grant on 01667 456088 or visit www.churchofgodnairn.com Nairn Joint Service at Nairn St Ninian's Church of Scotland.

First Sunday each month at 6:30pm.

If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or if there are any amendments to existing details, email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

Christmas Gift Vouchers now available

60 Seafield Rd, Inverness

PAINTING AMES TAPING INTERNAL & EXTERNAL DECORATING

01309 676348 07718 996014 Tel: 01309

674011 Mobile: 07748 774472

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.

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

SKY-HIGH ROOFING For all your Roofing requirements t TMBUJOH t UJMJOH t øBU SPPöOH t MFBE XPSL t HVUUFSJOH BOE NVDI NPSF

www.sky-highroofing.com Phone for a free no obligation quote today!

Kinloss Country Golf Club 01343 850585 IDEAL GIFT FOR XMAS Offer ends 24th Dec.

Nov 2016 - March 2018 Full Membership £225 Senior Memb. £175 Country Memb. £175 Ladies Memb. £150

WINTER MEMBERSHIP

Oct 2016 - Mar 2017 £75 and £50 off 2017 membership

PRIVATE FUNCTIONS

Why not book now for your 2017 party or family gathering DJ, KARAOKE, Quiz & Buffet All Welcome

‡ LQIR#NLQORVV JROI FR XN ‡ www.kinloss-golf.co.uk

www.spotlighton.co.uk

The Free Community Information website - Free to view and Free to upload your listings.

View our entire database of Clubs and Societies, Trades Listings, What’s On Diary, Restaurants, Reviews and articles, Schools, Holidays Tides, Useful Numbers and more...

USEFUL INFORMATION

Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days St Andrew’s Day Shortest Day Christmas Day Boxing Day Boxing Day (substitute day) New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day New Year’s Day (substitute) Burns Night

Wed 30th Nov 2016 Wed 21st Dec 2016 Sun 25th Dec 2016 Mon 26th Dec 2016 Tues 27th Dec 2016 Sat 31st Dec 2016 Sun 1st Jan 2017 Mon 2nd Jan 2017 Wed 25th Jan 2017

Shrove Tuesday Tues 28th Feb 2017 Ash Wednesday Wed 29th Feb 2017 Valentine’s Day Tues 14th Feb 2017 Mothering Sunday Sun 26th Mar 2017 British Summertime Starts Sun 26th Mar 2017 April Fool’s Day Sat 1st Apr 2017 Palm Sunday Sun 9th Apr 2017 Maundy Thursday Thurs 13th Apr 2017 Good Friday Fri 14th Apr 2017

School Term Dates for 2016/2017 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Starts Mon 24th Oct 2016 Winter Term Ends Fri 23rd Dec 2016 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 26th Dec 2016 Christmas Holiday Ends Fri 6th Jan 2017 Spring Term Starts Mon 9th Jan 2017 Mid Term Holiday Mon 20th Feb 2017 Mid Term Holiday Tues 21st Feb 2017 Spring Term Ends Wed 5th Apr 2017 Spring Holiday Starts Thurs 6th Apr 2017 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 21st Apr 2017

Summer Term Starts Mon 24th Apr 2017 May Day Holiday Mon 2nd May 2017 Summer Term Ends Fri 30th Jun 2017 for 2017/2018 (all dates inclusive) Autumn Term Starts Tues 15th Aug 2017 Autumn Term Ends Fri 6th Oct 2017 Autumn Holiday Starts Mon 9th Oct 2017 Autumn Holiday Ends Fri 21st Oct 2017 Winter Term Starts Mon 23rd Oct 2017 Winter Term Ends Fri 22nd Dec 2017 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 25th Dec 201

Useful Contacts Nairn Community Centre ..............................01667 453476 Police Station ..................................................................101 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 ........................................03456 008855 British Red Cross Inverness ..........................01463 231620 Crossroads ....................................................01667 455369 National Rail Enquiries ..................................03457 484950 Railway Mission..............................................078419 85768 DOCTORS NHS 24 ...........................................................................111 Nairn Hospital A&E .......................................01667 452101 Nairn Healthcare Group ................................01667 452096 Nairn Sports Medicine Clinic ........................01667 454523 PHARMACIES Lloyds Pharmacy ..........................................01667 453100 Boots The Chemist ........................................01667 453169 page 8 - December 2016

VETS Moray Coast ..................................................01667 453161 Inshes Veterinary Clinic Inverness ................01463 711777 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 DENTISTS Jones Jones & Behrendt ..............................01667 453189 RM Donald & Associates ..............................01667 454603 Dental Unit at Nairn Hospital ........................01667 422722

If you would like to add a contact or if there are any amendments to existing details, email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

EVERYTHING TO KEEP YOU COMFORTABLE THIS WINTER

Dog Walking Service

Variable angle lift & tilt on seat lift

Angela Cameron

Single motor tilt-in space action

K9 to 5

Simplicity of just two handset buttons

K9 to 5

07566 219662 Angiecam2077@gmail.com £6 per half hour walk

OAP Discount Full Disclosure

21 West Road, Greshop Industrial Estate, Forres IV36 2GW (Behind Lidl) 0QFO .POEBZ 'SJEBZ BN UP QN t &BTZ QBSLJOH EJTBCMFE UPJMFU GBDJMJUJFT 01309 676677 t TBMFT!XIFFMDIBJSDBSF DP VL

Canine First Aider

Forres & surrounding areas

Colin Buchan

COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC MORAY LOCKSMITH Current Disclosure Scotland Certificate Held.

ID Produced on request Wood and UPVC door/window locks & gearing repaired or replaced

01309 271158 Emergency service available 07879 265063 FAST, EFFICIENT and Friendly info@moraylocksmith.co.uk www.moraylocksmith.co.uk facebook.com/moraylocksmith

Fully Insured

!

-, *"1),( 6 )*),( 6 "0$)"0 211&/),( *"1 --' ),(*& *5 )/&01-,& 501&+0 6 &,&/"* 2##&/ 6 ./-.&/15 +"),1&,",$& 0&/3)$& -+& /-

2"/",1&& 5-2

.&"$& -' +),%

4&# &+")*

service covering Highlands, Moray and Aberdeen

Santa

...is coming

We have a large selection of sofas available to order for guaranteed delivery before Christmas. We also have sofas in stock for delivery now.

ORDER YOUR SOFA NOW FOR FREE DELIVERY IN YOUR AREA BEFORE CHRISTMAS

MONDAY-SATURDAY 9.30am-5pm

CLOSED DAILY 1-2PM (Open all day Saturday)

45-49 West Church Street, Buckie (01542) 832653 | buckiefurniture@gmail.com

BUCKIE

F U R N I T U R E AND CARPET CENTRE Beds Blinds Furniture and Flooring

For when you really need legal help based on 770 reviews

Independent legal advice is essential after a road traffic or work related accident.

Our Inverness office is here to help you. We have years’ of experience helping anyone injured seek rightful and fair compensation.

Call us on: 01463 649004 or visit us at Moray House, 16 -18 Bank Street, Inverness, IV1 1QY.

Because if it matters to you, it matters to...

The Newton Hotel 2016

Christmas Day Lunch ÂŁ60 per person inc vat between 12:30 and 3:00pm Bucks Fizz Reception 4 Course Meal Tea/Coffee and Warm Mince Pies (10% reduction if booked in conjuction with this advert quoting xmas10) For bookings or further information please call Janet on

01667 453144

sales.newton@bespokehotels.com

SNOWSPORTS RANGE

NOW IN STOCK

Stone carving Masonry repairs & replacements Masonry building Lime pointing Lime harling / lime washing Lime plastering

07510 163820 email: munromasonry@outlook.com

www.munromasonry.co.uk

Expert boot fitting available - Phone for an appointment

78 Academy Street, Inverness Tel: 01463 248600 Find us on Facebook

Don’t just learn it. Live it.

An independent co-educational school for children aged 3-18

Early Years Childcare Due to an increase in demand, Drumduan School’s Kindergarten is expanding and additional places are now available. We offer children aged 3-6 years a play-focused curriculum in a ‘home from home’ environment.

At the end of Kindergarten, children have the option to continue their education at Drumduan by progressing to our Lower School.

Afternoon care

Parents and carers with younger children are also very welcome at our twice weekly Parent & Toddler Group

1

2

Outdoor Adventures

Imaginative Play

Our Kindergarten spend as much time as possible outside in our stunning woodland campus.

We encourage inventiveness and child-led imaginative play. We let children be children.

Council funded places Our morning sessions run from 8.45am to 12.30am. Council funding is available for qualifying children to subsidise the school’s fees.

Seamless afternoon care is also available, including a healthy cooked lunch, arts, crafts, and outdoor play.

Home from Home

For more information, or to arrange a tour of the Kindergarten, please contact: reception@drumduan.org / 01309 676 300

Domestic activities such as baking, cooking, cleaning, gardening & sewing encourage a wide range of skills.

Drumduan School, Clovenside Road, Forres, IV36 2RD www.drumduan.org

3

With bursaries and funding available, Drumduan School offers every child a healthy, balanced and creative curriculum where knowledge is nurtured, not tested or graded.

DOWNSIZE YOUR HOME UPSIZE YOUR LIFESTYLE Have you considered a residential park home at Grosvenor Park, near Forres?

More and more people are discovering park home living and the benefits that come with it. With all the features of a bungalow, a brand new fully furnished park home offers a low cost, low maintenance alternative to a traditional home.

All this and more included in your residential park home…

Making the move is easy • Stay all year round • All homes are fully furnished and ready to move in • Development created exclusively for the over 50’s

Stunning, open plan interiors

• No agent’s fees or stamp duty to pay • Move in, in just 7 days • Live in a beautiful park setting with like-minded neighbours

Where else can you get a brand new, fully furnished home from just

£69,995 to £140,000

Modern, fully fitted kitchens

Luxurious bedrooms with fitted wardrobes

Riverview Country Park Creating Communities

Call to let us know you’re coming on 01343 812000 www.RiverviewCountryPark.co.uk Grosvenor Park at Riverview Country Park, Mundole, Forres, IV36 2TA

janet.taylor77@btinternet.com.

Promote your events in the SpotLight ‘What’s On’ You can now go online at www.spotlighton.co.uk Register an account and put your event online and in the magazine - both for free Any events uploaded to the website by the closing date will be automatically printed in the magazine.

Now there’s clever!! *January Issue Deadline: Friday 2nd December* Alternatively, you can still Email: linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk or 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 Events 28 november - 10 December a little bit of everything - exhibition by laura anne middlemiss & heather afrin tbc, greig street studio & gallery, inverness pencil, watercolour, oil, pastel seascapes, townscapes, etc

30 november - 10 December babes in the wood & robin hood 7.30pm & 3pm (sunday only), the little theatre, nairn. nairn drama club panto. visit www.nairndrama.org.uk.

NOVEMBER 2016 30 wednesday nairn u3a: highland archives: preserving the past for the future 1.45pm, nairn community & arts centre. all welcome. contact: pauline. www.nairnu3a.org.uk. social diners - why eat alone? 12.30pm, for dining venue info & to book call gill on 01349 877061. soup & coffee morning jointly run by dyke & district village hall & dyke church 11am - 1pm, dyke & district village hall. all welcome.

DECEMBER 2016 1 thursday bullet for my valentine@ironworks, inverness. tbc, www.ironworksvenue.com. nairn & district gardening club - agm 7.30pm - 9.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. gardening quiz, buffet & raffle. visit www.spanglefish.com/nairnanddistrictgardeningclub for further info.

1 thursday - 3 saturday the breathing space - s.a.d. light exhibition by claire crowie tbc, the victorian market, inverness. based on bringing the outdoors indoors, using shop space to create a place to breathe & relax.

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

<R RXU GRJ V VWD\ LQ RXU FDUHUV KRPH ([SHULHQFHG GRJ ORYHUV 0HHW \RXU FDU E I E N .LQGHU DQG OHV

$OO URXWLQHV NH 9H HWV UHFRPPH ,QVXUHG OLFHQF DQG YHWWHG

until 4 December pop-up craft shop in aid of marie curie cancer care (back for 4th year) every thurs, fri, sat & sun 11am 3pm at the wee cabin, firwood, nethybridge. free. for info contact janet taylor on 01479 821601 or email admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

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

+LJKODQG 0RUD\ %UDQFK

FDWULRQD#SHWVWD\ QHW ZZ ZZ Z SHWVWD\ QHW

December 2016 - page 13

garden

GreenThumb

UK FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP

2013

Lichen – fungus on the lawn explained !

I’ve mentioned this before. One of the joys of our wonderful environment up here is the clean air, and one of the organisms which thrives locally (but rarely in Glasgow) is dog lichen. There are hundreds of species here, growing on trees, rocks and on the grass ! It is particularly at home on ground which has become compacted and is low on nutrients. It is one of the most common questions we get from baffled homeowners, and many have found that the garden centre people aren’t sure how to deal with it.

We shift it by aerating the ground with a big hollow-core tining machine which removes thousands of cores from

grass. As with all things in nature, it’s about competition. There are no chemical products which remove lichen. Golf courses do this all the time, and so do we.

Aerating the ground over winter should be part of routine lawncare in any case. The freeze/thaw, freeze/thaw weather we get compacts most ground round here which prevents tender new plant roots spreading, even if the grass has had a spring feed. The ground is too solid.

For more information about our annual lawncare plans from just £11.25 per mth, plus useful downloads and photos, go to www.greenthumb.co.uk. Although GreenThumb is a multi-award winning national franchise, and is the runaway leader in the sector with half a million customers, we are the family-run local franchise covering the wider Moray Firth area.

Contact Alastair or Fiona for a FREE LAWN ANALYSIS on 01667 460012, or email us at: the ground allowing air to circulate. A regular feeding programme for the lawn strengthens the grass and this tips the balance of conditions back in favour of the

inverness@greenthumb.co.uk

Alastair Watt

Prices from just

ÂŁ11.25 per month

2 friday

with tea & bakes. visit www.cinema-nairn.co.uk.

daniel hart: at one with music performance 1pm, spectrum centre, margaret street, inverness. mix of classical & latin piano music. cinderella: presented by logie primary school & the highland youth theatre doors open 6.30pm for 7pm, forres town hall. adults £4, children £2 (incl mulled wine & mince pies). contact: logie primary school on 01309 611258. festive quiz 7.00pm, dyke & district hall. adults £5, kids £2.50. give your brain a workout at our festive quiz. max teams of 5. suitable for p4 age & up. byob & nibbles. contact: claire doughty on 0784 6145050 or email claire@chitchat.scot.

6 tuesday

2 friday - 10 saturday jack & the beanstalk 7.30pm & also 2.30pm (saturdays only. no, florian theatre, bught park, inverness.

3 saturday

grandmaster flash@ironworks, inverness 7.30pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com st michael's christmas fayre 10.30am - 12.30pm, trinity church hall, huntly street, inverness. £2 (incl. teas/coffees & mince pies). usual stalls. all welcome. coffee morning in aid of logie primary school 10am 12pm, forres town hall. raffle, stalls & homebakes. st andrew's ceilidh with the dunphail dance band, 8pm, rafford village hall. adults £8, u16s £4. refreshments. contact: anne/gordon smith on 01309 672930/01309 675949 or email raffordvillagehall@yahoo.com.

3 saturday - 4 sunday brodie castle christmas craft & food fair 10am - 4pm, brodie castle. £4. exclusively highlands return to brodie castle with over 40 stalls of wonderful wares and fabulous foods. contact: rebecca harrison on 01309 641371 or email raharrison@nts.org.uk. visit www.nts.org.uk. elf on the shelf festive hunt 11am - 4pm (sunday), inverness victorian market. free family fun event. candy treat for every entry. prize draw to win a christmas hamper if you name all the elves.

4 sunday great glen walking club: kinlochewe mountain trail 9am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - b. distance: 5 miles.

5 monday rsgs illustrated lecture: doug allan: oceans at the crossroads. world renowned wildlife cameraman discusses climate change & its effects on our oceans. 7.30 p.m., highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. adults £10; tiso oe card holders £8. contact: robert preece at rpreece@onetel.com. visit www.rsgs.org. cinema nairn: the lavender hill mob 2pm, nairn community & arts centre. tickets at door. matinee page 16 - December 2016

scottish ornithologists' club highland: stinky priest swallows woosh: a ringer‘s year - a talk by hugh insley & jon clarke 7.30pm, culloden library, keppoch road, culloden, inverness. contact: kathy bonniface on 01463 221661/01808 511740.

8 thursday highland decorative & fine arts society: " brilliant british humour in the forgotten art of the picture postcard 1909-1939 " by mr james taylor. 2.15pm, free church hall, smithton, inverness. non-members £8. new members welcome. contact: david martin on 07595 219308 or email davidmartin30@hotmail.com. visit www.hdfas.org.uk

9 friday 2manydjs@ironworks, inverness. tbc. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. martha reeves & the vandellas@ironworks, inverness. 7pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. musicinverness: scozzesi - quartet of professional, classically trained male singers. 7.30pm, smithton culloden free church nairn literary institure : set adrift on the world - the sutherland clearances talk by jim hunter 7.30pm, nairn free church. non-members £3. visit www.nairnliterary.org.uk.

10 saturday great glen walking club: loch affric circular 8.30am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - c+. distance - 10 miles. we were giants@mad hatters, inverness. tbc, free let's go back to the 80's@ironworks, inverness. tbc, visit www.ironworksvenue.com. winterslam@ironworks, inverness. 7pm, ironworks, inverness.visit www.ironworksvenue.com. inchberry hall folk music christmas concert (idca): emily smith, multi award winning scottish folk singer - folk music band doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm 10pm, inchberry hall. tickets - see website. www.wherecanwego.com. ascent: concerts by candleight 7.30pm, inverness cathedral. scottish ensemble playing seasonal classics. christmas fayre 11am-2pm, dyke & district hall adults £2, kids £1. stalls, refreshments, festive music & raffle. contact: claire doughty on 07846145050 or claire@chitchat.scot. visit www.dykevillagehall.co.uk

10 saturday - 11 sunday christmas market at logie steading 10am - 3.30pm, logie steading, south of forres off the a940. free, free parking. two day market: over 30 stalls including jewellery, christmas trees, wreaths, gifts, festive produce. bbq. hot drinks. for info contact: panny@logie.co.uk. visit www.logie.co.uk.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

11 sunday

15 thursday

christmas at the castle: the marvel of peru - a festive ensemble of baroque music and your favourite carols to join in with by the marvel of peru. 3pm & 5pm, brodie castle. £15. booking advised. contact: rebecca harrison on 01309 641371 or raharrison@nts.org.uk. www.nts.org.uk/events. christmas celebration in aid of marie curie: 10th anniversary concert 3pm, ness bank church, inverness. adults £8, u18s. free. tea & coffee after concert. contact: vonnie carson on 01463 238328/ 07515 190240 or email vonnie.carson@mariecurie.org.uk.

rspb: "the 2015 national golden eagle survey" 7.30pm, greyfriars free church, balloan road, inverness. members £3, visitors £4. all welcome.

12 monday light & life 7pm - 9pm, costa coffee, high street. elgin free. spiritual readings & art, personality styles, dream interpretation, massage, healing for body, soul & mind. contact: alyson sim on 07733 127539.

13 tuesday the tto christmas charity concert 7.30pm, drumrossie hotel. tickets available from tto members. an evening of christmas sparkle & festive fun in aid of l'arche who care for disabled adults. for info email contact@thetrulyterribleorchestra.org. inverness botany group: "mountain flowers" - a talk by michael scott 7.30pm, smithton culloden free church. visit www.invernessbotanygroup.com.

14 wednesday frightened rabbit@ironworks, inverness 7pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. highland rock garden club: "an erratic journey through the world of plants" - talk by stan da prato.

7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. £4 (incl refreshments). all welcome. contact: john owen on 01320 366246. inverness field club: back to the future - a talk by jim hunter 7.30pm, millburn academy hall, inverness. personal reflections on why history & heritage are keys to highland betterment. nairn u3a: pre-christmas social event 1.45pm, nairn community & arts centre. all welcome. contact: pauline on 01667 453537. visit www.nairnu3a.org.uk

Nairn Dunbar Golf Club Events and Functions We have a fantastic, comfortable, modern space available for Events and Functions. t #VòFUT GPS VQ UP QFPQMF t 5BCMF TFSWJDF GPS VQ UP t 1SJDFE UP TVJU ZPVS CVEHFU

Call us now!

01667 452741

16 friday mad ferret band@hootananny, inverness 9.30pm, root system/fighting caravanshootananny, inverness 9.30pm, all welcome. gary beck@ ironworks, inverness 10pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. winter wonderland fri: 6pm, sat & sun: 4pm, whin park, inverness. santa, his reindeer & his mascot friends return to the beautifully illuminated park

17 saturday inverness choral society annual carolthon 10.30am 3.30pm, eastgate shopping centre, inverness. nonstop carol singing in aid of charities. caman@hootananny, inverness 9.30pm.

17 saturday - 18 sunday meet cinderella 10am -4pm (hourly slots), brodie castle. £6. come along & meet one of your favourite princesses & take away a magical gift. booking advised to ensure your place. contact: rebecca harrison 01309 641371 or email raharrison@nts.org.uk. visit www.nts.org.uk/events.

18 sunday andrew mill & four fingered fre@hootananny, inverness. 9.30pm great glen walking club: achindrean circular 9am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - c. distance - 6 miles..

26 monday

nairnroadrunners: turkey trot tbc, nairn. burn off those extra christmas calories. visit www.nairnroadrunners.co.uk. great glen walking club: fortrose - kincurdie rosemarkie circular 10am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - c. distance - 6 miles. boxing day walk.

27 tuesday red hot chilli pipers@ironworks, inverness 7.30pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com ragin ceilidh band@hootananny, inverness 9.30pm.

29 thursday manran 7pm, strathpeffer pavillion. all welcome

31 saturday the red hot highland fling 8pm, northern meeting park, inverness. free. legendary family friendly (no tickets required) hogmanay concert. hogmanay dance 9pm - 1am at rothes fc social club. £10. visit rothesfcsocialclub.co.uk.

www.nairndunbar.com email: enquiries@nairndunbar.com

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

December 2016 - page 17

SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY FROM OUR INVERNESS AND HUNTLY DEPOTS

Home Heating Oil Marine Gas Oil Tractor Diesel Commercial Fuels Oil Storage Tanks Call us for a free quote on 0800 224224 www.highlandfuels.co.uk

Old Mill Inn B R O DIE

01309 641605

...a very special place serving Fine Food (All Day)

All Christmas Menus available from 1st Dece,mber 0-% .*-- *// $)3*45."4 -6/$) .&/6

0-% .*-- *// $)3*45."4 %*//&3 .&/6

STARTERS t 4USBUIEPO #MVF DSPRVFUUFT DBVMJøPXFS DVTUBSE TUSBX QPUBUPFT -BNMBTI NVTUBSE ESFTTJOH W

t 4NPLFE USPVU BOE DSBZöTI iDPDLUBJMw DIJòPOBEF PG *DFCFSH TFBGPPE TBVDF BOE MFNPO t (SFFO QFB BOE IBN IPDL TPVQ QSPQFS CSFBE IBOENBEF TBMUFE CVUUFS t 4UPSOPXBZ CMBDL QVEEJOH BOE QVMMFE CFFG CPO CPOT (SBOOZ 4NJUI BQQMF QBSTMFZ BOE UIZNF NBZPOOBJTF

STARTERS t )PU BOE DPME TNPLFE TBMNPO CFFUSPPU UISFF XBZT t ,BUZ 3PEHFST DSPXEJF IPVTF ESFTTJOH t (BMMPXBZ HPBUT DIFFTF BOE SPBTU SFE QFQQFS UBSUMFU DBSSPU UPQ QFTUP SPDLFU W

t 4QJDFE CVUUFSOVU TRVBTI TPVQ QSPQFS CSFBE IBOENBEF TFB TBMU CVUUFS W

t )BOENBEF WFOJTPO TBVTBHF NJOJBUVSF :PSLTIJSF QVEEJOH USVõF NBTI POJPO

MAINS t #VUUFS QPBDIFE MPJO PG DPE QFBT Ë MB 'SBOÎBJTF iXBSNw UBSUBSF TBVDF UISJDF DPPLFE DIJQT t )BSJDPU CFBO BOE WFHFUBCMF QBODBLFT 4BO .BS[BOP UPNBUP SBHV DBSSPU UPQ QFTUP CVòBMP NP[[BSFMMB W

t 3PBTU .PSBZTIJSF UVSLFZ TBHF MFNPO BOE DIFTUOVU TUVóOH (SBOOZ 'SBTFST TLJSMJF EVDL GBU SPBTUFST t #SBJTFE +BDPC T -BEEFS TIPSU SJCT PG CFFG SPBTU QBSTOJQT XJME NVTISPPNT CVUUPO POJPOT CVUUFS DSFBNFE QPUBUPFT DESSERTS t)BSENVJS SBTQCFSSZ BOE QSPTFDDP iKBN KBSw USJøF DIBOUJMMZ IPOFZDPNC t 5SBEJUJPOBM $ISJTUNBT QVEEJOH SVN TBVDF BOE DMPUUFE DSFBN JDF DSFBN t "QQMF DSVNCMF DSÒNF CSßMÏF HJOHFSDBLF BOE CSPXO TVHBS NFSJOHVFT t %BSL DIPDPMBUF BOE PSBOHF DIFFTFDBLF TQBDF EVTU QPQDPSO "/% 50 '*/*4) 5FB PS DPòFF IPNFNBEF NJODF QJF

2 Course 4 Course

£16.95 (pre-order £14.50) £20.95 (pre-order £18.50)

MAINS t 1PBDIFE +PIO %PSZ MBOHPVTUJOF BOE QFB CSPUI DIBNQ QPUBUP t 4QJOBDI BOE SJDPUUB HOPDDIJ DBVMJøPXFS DVTUBSE UPBTUFE QJOFOVUT BOE QVNQLJO TFFET t 3PBTU .PSBZTIJSF UVSLFZ TBHF MFNPO BOE DIFTUOVU TUVóOH (SBOOZ 'SBTFST TLJSMJF EVDL GBU SPBTUFST t .FEBMMJPOT PG MPDBMMZ SFBSFE CFFG öMMFU BXBSE XJOOJOH IBHHJT CSBJTFE CSBTTJDB XIJTLZ BOE QFQQFSDPSO TBVDF DESSERTS t 1BSGBJU PG .PSFMMP DIFSSZ UFYUVSFT PG CMBDL GPSFTU LJSTDI NJML DIPDPMBUF NPVTTF t 5SBEJUJPOBM $ISJTUNBT QVEEJOH SVN TBVDF BOE DMPUUFE DSFBN JDF DSFBN t 5PòFF GVEHF NFSJOHVF HMB[FE CBOBOB CVUUFSTDPUDI TBVDF t 4FMFDUJPO PG MPDBM DIFFTF BSUJTBO CJTDVJUT BOE 0ME .JMM DIVUOFZ "/% 50 '*/*4) 5FB PS DPòFF IPNFNBEF NJODF QJF

2 Course 4 Course

£19.95 (pre-order £18.95) £26.95 (pre-order £24.95)

Brodie, Forres, Moray, IV36 2TD www.oldmillinnbrodie.com Finalist in ‘Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards 2015’ for ‘The Friendliest Pub’

www.spotlighton.co.uk

The Free Community Information website - Free to view and Free to upload your listings.

View our entire database of Clubs and Societies, Trades Listings, Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Diary, Restaurants, Reviews and articles, Schools, Holidays Tides, Useful Numbers and more...

PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES This month most farmers have received four fifths of their CAP basic payment. This is in part to make amends for some late payment last year.

With the colder winter nights now upon us itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time keep an eye out for our elderly and more vulnerable neighbours.

With over 13000 households in Moray living in fuel poverty it is important that home owners explore all avenues to upgrade their home heating or insulation, with free advice being available from the Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust. org.uk/scotland or by calling 0808 808 2282, calls are free and they are available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 5pm.

The festive time is one best shared with family, friends and loved ones so let us take a moment to remember those who are away from home at this time, perhaps working offshore or protecting us serving in the armed forces or indeed those who are in hospital, along with the doctors and nurses caring for them.

Our health and wellbeing is something often taken for granted but if we take the time to look out for others we can all make the coming new year a happy and prosperous one.

May I extend my warmest greetings for a Merry Christmas and wish everyone a very Happy New Year when it comes.

Many farmers make their financial investment decisions about this time of year, so having some money in the bank may help stimulate the rural economy - a good thing!

Last month I held summit meetings on salmon farming, forestry shellfish and hope to see all of these and many other parts of the rural economy grow - despite the uncertainties about what the future may hold.

A merry Christmas and happy new year to all from Fergus, Norman, Rosie and Danielle!

Douglas Ross MSP LOW TIDE TIMES FOR NAIRN IN DECEMBER Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times AM PM 06.22 18.51 1 TH 06.56 19.23 2 F 07.20 19.40 3 SA 07.20 19.43 4 SU 07.44 20.28 5 M 08.31 22.28 6 TU 10.36 23.45 7 W page 20 - December 2016

Recently, in parliament, I reminded the UK Government, that it has the opportunity to put rural areas at the front of the queue for rolling out new technology, by adding a condition into 5G licences that prioritises rural areas. This "outside in" policy works well in Scandinavia and Germany and it is about time it happened here.

Until then though, we had better keep a few of those familiar red boxes and I'm pleased that BT have agreed to retain our red box at the base of the Cairngorms ski slope - the highest phone box in the UK. With over 450 miles of road in the Highlands without -any- mobile phone signal we still have a long way to go before we can safely move on from the reliance on landlines for rural areas. That said, the announcement by the Scottish Government that the A9 dualling will enable 4G connectivity along the length of that road, is very good news indeed.

Fergus Ewing MSP

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

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

AM 12.00 01.03 02.12 03.12 04.09 05.01 05.49 06.33 07.16 08.00 08.40 09.07

Drew Hendry MP

PM 13.29 14.49 15.46 16.39 17.27 18.14 19.01 19.48 20.39 21.32 22.27

tel: 01309 690063

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 09.18 10.09 00.42 01.55 02.48 03.27 03.42 03.58 04.40 05.23 06.05 06.43

PM 23.24 11.18 14.31 15.22 16.03 16.34 16.59 17.30 18.06 18.43 19.21

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

Before

After

01309 677747 Windows and Conservatories A Division of Sinclair Taylor Building Services

t PVCu Conservatories t Solid Roof Conservatories t Windows and Composite Doors t Fascia Boards, Soffits & Guttering t Fitrite Decking (Non Slip)

Greshop Industrial Estate Forres Scottish Building Federation

www.stvision.co.uk

T D Logie

Add some

Are you suffering from old, draughty doors?

Then why not “wrap up warm” this winter with new external doors

www.stvision.co.uk

House Furnishers

Comfort

Windows and Conservatories A Division of Sinclair Taylor Building Services

to your home

VË ÖÁ ÍÖÁj VË jaÄ VË ? ÁÄ VË. w?Ä VË ?Á¬jÍË? aË Vinyl Flooring VË Ë ÖÄjËxÍÍ ~ËË Ë ?Ü? ?M j

Words by the Wayside "and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea...there remained not so much as one of them."

(Exodus 14:27,28)

Reader, Christ has opened up a way for us through the waters of judgement, there is safety alone in Him. By Christ's death the believer in Him is cleared from all judgement and penalty of sin, for they are in Christ, and in Him there is no sin. Peace with God is the happy and eternal portion of the believer in The Lord Jesus Christ, outside of Him there is no hope but only judgment to come.

1 Bridge Street, Forres IV36 1DU (01309) 673258 tdlogie@btconnect.com www.tdlogieforres.co.uk

www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

recipe

Chef’s Confidential

Savoury Feta Cheese Muffin Muffins tick all the boxes—they’re loved by kids and adults alike, they can be sweet or savoury but always provide a satisfying snack, they come in handy individual portions, and they provide a truly endless variety of recipe possibilities. They’re simple to make, and a great way to experiment with new flavour combinations. This month’s recipe is supplied by The Peppermill Restaurant in Forres.

Ingredients: (makes 12) 4 cups plain flour 1 cup wholemeal flour 4tsp baking powder 1tsp bicarb. soda 350ml oil 350ml yoghurt 5 eggs splash of milk 200g feta cheese 1 bag of spinach, cooked Method line a 12 hole muffin tray with muffin cases, or grease well. preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Sieve the flours, baking powder and bicarb. together in a mixing bowl, and add the spinach and feta and coat in the flour mixture.

Mix the oil, eggs, yoghurt and milk together and add 3/4 to the flour mixture, adding more if needed. specks of flour should remain in the mixture and it should not be overmixed. divide the muffin mixture into the prepared muffin tray (fill the cases to the top) and bake until well risen and firm to touch.

118 High Street, FORRES IV36 1NP ¬

Alvin Kramer

Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn

GUITAR & BASS TUITION

Tel: 01667 454 536

Creative Lessons for All Ages, with Musicians Institute (USA) Graduate

T: 0 1 3 0 9 6 4 1 5 8 1 E:alvinkramer@btinternet.com

gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk westwoodcattery.co.uk

No ordinary cats!

Nickelex Electrical Engineer Small electrical installations, intruder alarms, CCTV, emergency lighting, security lights,etc. Repairs & maintenance.

Listed in the Good Cattery guide as one of the top 100 catteries in the UK

ALSO HANDYMAN JOBS UNDERTAKEN Phone Nick: 07799 788 613 or 01309 672668

FAB Moray and the Highlands only F.A.B registered cattery FORRES TREE SERVICES LTD FULLY QUALIFIED AND INSURED

s 4REE 3URVEYS s 4REE 2EMOVAL s 4REE 0RUNING

s !LL (EDGE 7ORK s 3TUMP 2EMOVAL s (ARDWOOD &IREWOOD

01343 890 765

WWW FORRESTREESERVICES COM s INFO FORRESTREESERVICES COM

! %%% "#$ !#

FOOTBALL CLUB

$

FIXTURES DECMBER 2016 3rd Dec (H) Montrose

10th Dec (H) Berwick Rangers

17th Dec (A) Arbroath

24th Dec (A) TBC

Inverness CT

3rd Dec (A) St Johnstone

10th Dec (H) Hamilton Accies

17th Dec (A) Kilmarnock

24th Dec (A) Rangers

Ross County

3rd Dec (H) Hearts

Elgin City

Buckie Thistle

3rd Dec (A) Fort William

28th Dec (H) Motherwell

17th Dec (H) Aberdeen

24th Dec (H) Partick Thistle

28th Dec (A) Celtic

17th Dec (A) Forres Mechanics

24th Dec (H) Cove Rangers

31st Dec (H) Rothes

10th Dec (A) 17th Dec (A) Wick Academy Strathspey Thistle

24th Dec (H) Fort William

10th Dec (A) Dundee 10th Dec (H) Nairn County

Clachnacuddin

3rd Dec (H) Formartine Utd

Forres Mechanics

3rd Dec (A) Deveronvale

10th Dec (A) Fraserburgh

17th Dec (H) Buckie Thistle

24th Dec (A) Keith

31st Dec (H) Formartine Utd

3rd Dec (A) Strathspey Thistle

10th Dec (H) Fort William

17th Dec (A) Nairn County

24th Dec (H) Forres Mechanics

31st Dec (A) Cove Rangers

Lossiemouth

3rd Dec (H) Wick Academy

10th Dec (H) Huntly

17th Dec (A) Inverurie Locos

24th Dec (H) Brora Rangers

31st Dec (A) Deveronvale

Nairn County

3rd Dec (H) Fraserburgh

10th Dec (A) Buckie Thistle

17th Dec (H) Keith

24th Dec (A) Formartine Utd

31st Dec (A) Clachnacuddin

3rd Dec (A) Inverurie Locos

10th Dec (H) Brora Rangers

17th Dec (A) Deveronvale

24th Dec (H) Fraserburgh

31st Dec (A) Buckie Thistle

3rd Dec (H) Keith

10th Dec (A) Formartine Utd

17th Dec (H) Clachnacuddin

24th Nov (A) Wick Academy

31st Dec (A) Fort William

Keith

Rothes Strathspey Thistle

techno

New website a boost to the community!

The new Spotlight website is now up and running and it is aleady proving a great source of information and fellowship for the Moray and Highland community.

Our aim is to bring the great knowledge and support we gather from the public for our magazines to a web-based forum that can be accessed any time and from anywhere.

Most of the website is free to use and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to register. If you do want to register, it is free and will provide you with a localised search function, as well as the ability to post your own information! Clubs and Societies have their own page and people can register and claim their own listing or post a new one for free.

Then it will go into our next magazine issue automatically.

We have this same resource for Trades, Places to Eat and people wanting to post Events and Articles. Check today to see if your listing is already online.

There are many types of Articles which we encourage the public to submit for publication to the website. Subjects range from Weddings to Gardening to Parliament Blogs.

We have tonnes of local information such as Restaurant Reviews, Useful Contacts and Dates and an aspect we are particularly proud of - our Diary of Events which is updated daily.

In addition we have a new Jobs page specially dedicated to the Moray and Highland area which can be used by recruiters and jobseekers alike. Recruiters

can have single or recurring job space or even banners to grab extra attention. Jobseekers are welcome to search the job list or even upload their CV free of charge.

We offer limited advertising space on the website to stay true to our goals but if you do want to advertise we would love for you to contact us to see what is available.

The website has already had thousands of visitors and is growing on a daily basis so go to www.spotlighton.co.uk today and see what is happening in your community!

PUZZLE PAGE

All answers printed in next issue of Spotlight

This space could have been promoting your business!

SpotLight covers six areas along the Moray Firth Coastline from Buckie & Keith across to Inverness and then down to Aviemore - and all the places in between!

Contact us for details of rates and sizes: (01309) 690063

environment

Is The Electric Ca Coming to the N I’ve been watching the development of electric cars for quite a few years now, always wanting to be able join this silent revolution, but not wanting to buy into something that was not yet cost effective and practical to do. At last, that time has come and we are now the proud owners of a Nissan Leaf car.

It was less than 2 years old and only had 14,500 miles on the clock, so was still looking and feeling pretty new to me, but cost less than £9,000, whereas new ones are about £18,000. Since the launch of the 3rd generation Leaf, the second hand market for the older ones has really taken off, which I assume is down to Leaf owners upgrading to the latest model with extended range!

It was a joy to drive for the first time, effortlessly gliding around the country roads at the touch of a single pedal, barely needing the brake due to the generative braking technology as the foot comes of the accelerator. Even when the brake is needed, it does more regeneration before applying the actual wheel brakes. Soon we were testing its range, finding out the most economical way of driving it and finding out how to recharge the batteries away from home.

Although Nissan claim that it will do up to 124 mile on a single charge, we’ve found that 85 miles is a more realistic range, especially if you want to go at a decent speed.

Often, it’s only by trying things out that you learn the best way to do things, so we set off on a 330 mile round trip to Edinburgh. It was a long 6 hour journey down there, but we reduced this to 5 hours coming back by improving our rechargeing

Alastair Watt

r Revolution orth Of Scotland? regime. Most people are not aware that the EV rapid chargers get the batteries up to 80% within about 20 minutes before going into trickle mode for the last 20%. This means that it can take over an hour to fully charge the batteries, which is not ideal, so we ended up only recharging to 90% on our way back to Forres, which dramatically reduce our trip time.

We’ve now had it for 6 months and have clocked up over 9000 miles, mainly on short commutes to work and ferrying the kids around. In fuel terms this would have cost us over £900 in our 65mpg Skoda, but has instead it has cost us about £350 in electricity, a saving of over 60%! We are also expecting to make big savings in maintenance because EVs have about 18 moving parts, whereas a typical diesel or petrol car has over 2000. In terms of savings, we think it will pay for itself within 8 years.

The economics of owning an EV really starting to add up, and I hope that continuing improvements will help to make this a “No brainer” for most of us.

Interestingly, it is predicted that most new vehicles will be electric within the next 10 years and other countries such as Japan and Norway are already well ahead of the UK in this respect. So come on Forres, lets not get left behind, start embracing the electric revolution and save yourself a fortune, as well as the planet!

There is a great deal of information on the web, but I would definitely recommend the ‘Fully Charged’ YouTube channel is one of the best places to catch up on all the latest electric car technology.

Peter Mitchell, EV owner Dallas, Forres

27

We outshine the rest

Solar panels are a long-term investment, so you want to be sure that you Sunpower are the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading manufacturer of solar panels, and AES Solar are the longest established installer in Western Europe.

Sunpower cells were used on round-the-world record holder Solar Impulse

by Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle for second best.

Invest wisely with world-class products and service.

Call AES Solar today to get a free no-obligation survey.

Lea Road, Forres IV36 1AU

01309 676911 info@aessolar.co.uk