SpotLight on Nairn and district

Page 1

SEPTEMBER 2012

NAIRN AND DISTRICT THE

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INSIDE Clubs & Societies p4 Pastoral Letter p6 Useful Numbers p8 Parliament Blog p10 What’s On p13-16 Property Pointers p18 Travel USA p24 Chef’s Confidential p26

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

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Clubs, Societies & Regular Meetings THE ACCIDENTALS Nairn’s Community Choir. Practices every Wed, 7.30 -9.30pm, St Columba’s church hall, Queen Street. Sing a cappella in fourpart harmony. New members welcome. Call 453838 or just come along. 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. BOYS BRIGADE Contact 452950 CAWDOR BOWLING CLUB Provides a six rink green where club and open competitions are played. Spoon competition Friday’s 7pm. Coaching for learners on a Tuesday evening. Contact 453698 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 GAGHLIG SAN (GAELIC IN THE HOME) Wed 9.30am - 11.30am & 8pm 10pm for intermediates. Thurs 9.30am - 11.30am (within school terms). Learn Gaelic by repetition & conversation. All abilities welcome. Call Ann Grant on 01667 451002 or 07780 948527 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 HIGHLAND SPIRITUAL CINEMA

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page 4 - September 2012

Inverness-based film group with monthly screenings of uplifting and inspiring films that educate, entertain and enlighten, with the opportunity to participate in post-film discussion. Tel: 01463 237452. www.highlandspiritualcinema.net LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF NAIRN HOSPITAL Our charity raises funds to provide extra comforts for staff and patients at Nairn Town County Hospital and also provide equipment for the hospital. Contact 452243 LYNX NETBALL CLUB OF NAIRN All abilities welcome. S1 and up. Contact Kim Neill tel: 455486 MORAY & NAIRN PONY CLUB Contact 01309 641483 or email willandjudith@btopenworld.com www.pcuk.org

NAIRN & DISTRICT BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION New beekeepers or visitors welcome at our monthly meetings. Call 454887 or email jandjburns@hotmail.com NAIRN & DISTRICT PIPE BAND We aim to keep Traditional Scottish Music alive and entertain the many visitors during the summer months at Highland Games, Galas & Street Performances etc. Call 454645 NAIRN LADIES CURLING CLUB Friendly club offering good fun social curling. New members welcome. Contact 404256 NAIRN LUNCHEON AND SOCIAL CLUB FOR 60 AND OVER Monday & Thursday. 2 course lunch & tea/coffee for £3. Bingo, bus trips, good blether & more. Call Nairn Community Centre on 453476. All welcome. NAIRN SPORTS CLUB Something for everyone - Fitness classes, Gym, Tennis, Squash & Badminton Courts, Sauna, Nonmembers welcome. Contact 454523 or email info@nairnsportsclub.co.uk NAIRN SCHOOL OF DANCING Wednesdays, 3.30pm at the BB Hut, Old Parish Chruch. Contact Mrs Fraser 01463 729477 NAIRN SWIMMING CLUB (NDASC) New members welcome. Swimmers aged 7 and up. Trained to compete and for fitness and fun. www.ndasc.co.uk NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY (MORAY BANFF AND BADENOCH BRANCH) Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11am in the Sherwood Suite at the Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin. Monthly lectures on a variety of arts related subjects are delivered by experts from across the UK. New members always welcome. Contact Sarah Fennings-Mills: 01343 831002 or www.nadfas-in-elgin.org.uk

tel: 01309 690063

SALTIRE SOCIETY HIGHLAND BRANCH Meets Saturday mornings in Inverness for talks on a wide range of Scottish topics. We also have a St Andrews Day celebration, a Burns lunch, and a summer outing. Contact Alan Niven: 01667 459449. Email: alan.niven@hotmail.com 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 TREES FOR LIFE GREEN DAYS OUT For people in Moray & Invernessshire. Spend a day carrying out conservation tasks. Transport, tools and training free of charge. Pick ups available. Volunteers over 18 with a reasonable level of fitness. Every Wed & last Sun of the month. Booking essential. Call Mick on 01309 691292 or email mick@treesforlife.org.uk

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

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.

SpotLight on Nairn and District

The Editor As we go to press, the London 2012 Olympics is drawing to an end. A magnificent event, which united the countries of the world, in a display of healthy competitiveness and unity. If only it was a yearly event, what a wonderful world we’d live in! Roll on Rio.

PUBLISHER ...............David Nelmes SALES ......................Eilidh Conners ACCOUNTS ...................Lynn Wood LAYOUT ........................Michelle Ho DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson ADMIN ....................Tamsyn Dickson Clubs & Societies ............................4 Pastoral Letter.................................6 Church Details.................................6 Useful Numbers ..............................8 Local Holidays.................................8 School Term Dates..........................8 Parliament Blog.............................10 Tide Times.....................................10 What’s On......................................13 Advertisers Index ..........................31

Food & Drink Elgin Food & Drink Extravaganza ...................................... 12

Travel

Property Value Matters ............................18

Dreaming of USA......................24

Gardening

Chef’s Confidential Pudding.....................................26

GreenThumb.............................28

October Issue Deadlines Editorial - Friday 31/08/12 Advertising - Wednesday 05/09/12

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Pastoral Letter & Church Meetings Have you ever thought that the day’s work and the ways we set about doing it, are a vital part of religion? Think about it this way, it is often what we are, or do on a Monday or a Tuesday that ultimately confirms or denies the stand that we take when choosing either to go, or not to go to church on Sunday! Some may challenge us and say, “What difference does being a Christian make to our working day?”. Does it really make any difference to our workplace or to our decision-making and the ends we all seek? As an employer or employee for instance, do you treat those working with you or for you with respect, or merely as a means to serve one’s own agenda? “Establish thou the work of our hands upon us” – Psalm 90 :17 These days, the tendency for us is to fence off a part of life and label it religion. Jesus on the other hand, made the hero of one of his short stories, not as we might think a professional holy person, but as a man

of business. After all, that is what the Good Samaritan was! He was a trader, a sales-person, striking bargains, buying and selling and making money! It was on a normal working day and not Sunday that he displayed the spirit, kindness and neighbourliness which is at the heart of practical religion. We are not told anything else about this man’s prayers or the Religious Services, if any, that he attended. It was however, the business part of his life that is presented as an example of true Godliness and goodness by his taking the considerable risk and the time to assist a fellow human-being at a time of crisis. It’s true to say that what a person does in his or her weekday work is often much more important so far as the Christian cause is concerned than what they do on Sundays! Why so? Because the kind of witness he or she makes when at the workplace from Monday to Friday will probably count for more than any specific religious activity in which they engage in their spare time!

Ardersier with Petty Parish Church, Church of Scotland Sundays 10.15am. Petty Sundays 12 noon.Tel: 01667 462224. Nairn Baptist Church Nairn Community Centre. Sundays 11am. Every third Sunday monthly 6pm. Contact the pastor: 01667 459672. Website: www.nairnbaptistchurch.org.uk Auldearn and Dalmore Parish Church Sundays 12noon. Contact Rev. Ricky Reid: 01667 451675. Cawdor Parish Church Sunday 10.15am. Contact Rev. JS Mathieson: 01667 493217. Nairn Free Church Sundays 11am with Sunday school and crèche (Gordon St). Evening 6pm (Gordon St). Youth club for S1 up on Wednesday at 6.30pm (Rosebank Hall). Prayer and Bible study Thursday 11am or 7:30pm onalternate weeks (Gordon Street). Contact Minister Murdo MacLeod: 01667 459131. Nairn Christian Fellowship Sundays 10.30am. Wednesday 7.30pm: praise and Bible study. Contact Sandy Shaw: 01667 456492. Old Parish Church 10.30am: holiday worship and crèche.

page 6 - September 2012

“I know thy works, and charity, and service and faith,and thy patience and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” - Rev 2:19 14:13 This is a point raised by the untiring Baptist pioneer William Carey. He began his working life as a shoemaker and once said “My real business is to save souls, but I repair shoes to pay the expenses! He liked to think that his wages provided the means not only to take care of his needs and comforts but to advance the work of God! A provocative tract of some years ago said: “Jesus made it clear that when a man comes to judgement he will be asked what he did with cups of cold water, and bread and clothing, that is to say, in his work and business, in his relations with creditors and debtors and his every day living with his neighbours!”

Reverend Duncan Shaw

Contact Rev. Alistair S Younger: 01463 242873 St Ninians Church Sunday services and Sunday school: 10.15am. Wednesday 7.30pm: prayer meeting. Contact Rev. Ricky Reid: 01667 451675. St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal 10.30am: family worship. 6.30pm: evening prayer. Contact Rev. Canon Alison Simpson: 01667 452458. St Mary’s Catholic Church IV12 4RJ. Saturday Vigil 6pm. Sunday Mass 11.30am. Tel: 01667 453323. United Reformed Church Sunday services and Sunday school with crèche 11am. Contact Rev. Steven Manders: 01667 451443. The Pentecostal Church of God Nairn Sundays 10.30am. Contact Minister JD Grant: 01667 456088. Website: www.churchofgodnairn.org Nairn Joint Service St Ninians. First Sunday monthly 6.30pm. If you are a member of a church not listed here, please email us with the details and we may print them in future issues.

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

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Nairn Square

Local Holidays, School Term Dates & Useful Numbers Local Holidays Inverness Holiday British Summertime Ends Inverness Holiday St. Andrews Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Day Scottish Bank Holiday Burns Night

Mon 1st Oct 2012 Sun 28th Oct 2012 Mon 5th Nov 2012 Fri 30th Nov 2012 Tues 25th Dec 2012 Wed 26th Dec 2012 Tues 1st Jan 2013 Wed 2nd Jan 2013 Fri 25th Jan 2013

Shrove Tuesday Mother’s Day Good Friday British Summertime Begins Easter Monday Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Father’s Day British Summertime Ends

Tues 12th Feb 2013 Sun 10th Mar 2013 Fri 29th Mar 2013 Sun 31st Mar 2013 Mon 1st Apr 2013 Mon 6th May 2013 Mon 27th May 2013 Sun 16th Jun 2013 Sun 27th Oct 2013

School Term Dates Autumn Term Ends Regional Closure Winter Term Starts Winter Term Ends Spring Term Starts Holiday Closure Holiday Closure Regional Closure

Fri 5th Oct 2012 Mon 22nd Oct 2012 Tues 23rd Oct 2012 Thurs 20th Dec 2012 Mon 7th Jan 2013 Mon 11th Feb 2013 Tues 12th Feb 2013 Wed 13th Feb 2013

Regional Closure Regional Closure Spring Term Ends Good Friday Holiday Easter Monday Holiday Summer Term Starts May Day Holiday Summer Term Ends

Thurs 14th Feb 2013 Fri 15th Feb 2013 Thurs 28th Mar 2013 Fri 29th Mar 2013 Mon 1st Apr 2013 Mon 15th Apr 2013 Mon 6th May 2013 Fri 28th Jun 2013

Useful Telephone 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 Centre ........(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 8 - September 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 numbers, please contact us and we may include them in the magazine.

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

hobby

Life fe Thr Through ough a Lens by Nicky Mack, Lossiemouth Lossi "The The wonder of the w world he beauty and the power The power,r, he shapes of things, The Their heir colours, lights and shades, hese I saw. These Look ook ye also while life lasts." Denys James Watkins-Pitchford Watkins-Pitchford MBE

SEE. E. The most minimal, or ordinary dinary object, person or being, can from a different different ake the per fect photograph, if seen from make perfect pictures & tells a tale. Try, Try, erspective. It gives depth to your pictures perspective. neath your subject. For example, a forr instance, getting under underneath uddle of flowers reflecting reflecting bright against a sky blue and grass huddle relatively flat and een backgr ound can present present itself as relatively green background underneath and there’s there’s ninteresting when taken face on. Go underneath uninteresting presentation. a whole new presentation.

I can cannot nnot think of a better way to encapsulate the joy of photography…. Scotland has been my home for 10 years. Scotland and particularly the Moray Coast, is an ever-changing canvass, which I imagine sadly, escapes the sights and really imagination of many people. My philosophy is to really see what’s ar around You’d ound you rather than just look. Y ou’d ou be amazed at what you find and discover in your very own yard. My own appreciation appreciation of my surroundings surroundings back yard. introduchas very much been compounded since the introduction of a camera into my every day life.

ds should be ost photographic rules state that a rule of thir Most thirds fect shot and straight corporated when composing the per incorporated perfect orizons; this is useful, but don’t be afraid to go against the horizons; more powerful power ful les. I do it all the time and it gives images a more rules. and dramatic pr esentation. Try Try it. The mor e intricate, fiddly bits presentation. more laterr, making your pictures pictures even more more outstanding. can follow later, It’s all about gaining experience and taking photographs of e ar e plenty of areas areas of things you love. Keep it personal. Ther There are e, fast explore; portrait, landscape, natur photography to explore; nature, nt moving, the list goes on and all aspects of that can be lear learnt ess that later ou may or may one by one but we can addr address later.. Y You not find a niche, but whatever you chose, just enjoy it! Photography for me keeps me grounded grounded and rreminds eminds me every day of the beauty of my surr oundings and how surroundings important it is to watch and care care for it at all times (and take a pictur e of course!). I have a website of my own which I hope picture rreflects eflects the joy I have in taking ing pictur es, a joy that I hope I shar e pictures, share with others. I encourage you to go out and start snapping by whatever means, you’ll surprise yourself.

Two years ago I was gifted my first camera. Up until Two nt that captur point, use of a camera phone was all I had to capture a future memories. What a joy to behold visions and future be when my now trusty companion, the camera, opened p up a whole new world. I am still very much an amateur photographer er and lear ning all the time. My camera goes almost learning a everywher everywhere e with me as you never know when that a very special moment may pr present esent itself and clickety-click, yther e’s your shot. Photography doesn’t need to there’s t be he per fect. It can be very easy to become overwhelmed perfect. by photographic rules and composition structur structures, c which appar apparently create hi can ently cr eate an acceptable shot. This pr esent itself as a challenge however and puts people present pe of f. A few hints and tips and more off. over,r, getting to know more over your camera and surr oundings, ar e the best tools surroundings, are to o start of eating your special image. offf with when cr creating ge As your experience gr ows, so do the opportunities ar grows, around you. Y ou o will start to look mor e deeply and begin egin to You more

My own work can be found at www.vianne.co.uk, any comments would be greatly appreciated. My inspiration is merely share mer ely what surrounds surrounds me, you can shar e that too.

9

“Sunbeam On Th e Sea At Hopema n” Eileen Fitzpatrick . Copyright.

Parliament Blog & Tides

“

Parliament Blog

”

The summer parliamentary recess is always a good time to catch up with family and friends; to visit and hold advice surgeries in many of the smaller communities right across the constituency, and to attend the many shows, games and galas that make our area such an interesting place to live.

July has been a busy month for me, especially in my work as tourism minister. Over that period, I have met two key groups of people who organise holidays and bring people to Scotland. Neither organisation is a household name but both are hugely influential. The PCMA (the Professional Convention Managers Association) arranges conferences - conventions as they say in the USA - for some of the largest companies in the world. Trailblazers organise incentive holidays for the same type of client who wish to reward their best performing employees usually with a five star holiday. Both of the PCMA and Trailblazers organise tens of thousands of holidays and both of them loved Scotland. Visitscotland played a blinder in bringing them to Scotland and ensuring that their delegates had a magic and marvellous time. We know that this will lead to business for Scotland, and I am particularly keen to see many come to the Highlands.

This summer, I was very pleased to be asked to be the guest of honour and judge the supreme champion bull at the Grantown Show. A daunting task! As an MP and a Minister I am familiar with making difficult decisions that are scrutinized at every level, but I was obliged to call on local farmer Stuart Black to help me with this one.

Danny Alexander MP

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

SA SU M TU W TH F

AM 06:03 06:34 07:02 07:29 07:50 07:47 08:05

PM 18:03 18:31 19:01 19:31 19:53 20:01 20:33

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

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

Fergus Ewing MSP

AM 08:43 09:55 00:37 01:44 02:34 03:20 04:06 04:49 05:31 06:13 06:53 07:33

PM 21:40 13:07 14:08 14:52 15:33 16:15 16:57 17:38 18:19 18:58 19:38

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

TH F SA SU M TU W TH F SA SU

AM 08:13 08:56 09:45 10:55 01:37 02:46 03:43 04:30 05:07 05:37

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PM 20:20 21:09 22:11 23:48 12:52 14:09 15:09 15:59 16:40 17:11 17:36

GOLF VIEW HOTEL & SPA, NAIRN

Conservatory Bistro

GOLF VIEW HOTEL & SPA

at Golf View Hotel & Spa

Conservatory Bistro

Come and join us for lunch Monday Thursday and receive a complimentary glass of house wine per person. Simply cut out the coupon to the right and bring it along with you to claim your complimentary glass of house wine.

Complimentary glass of house wine with lunch Monday - Thursday. T&C – Please present this voucher when ordering and you will receive one complimentary glass of house white or red wine per voucher when ordering a main meal in the Conservatory Bistro. Only original copies of this voucher will be accepted and this vouchers has no residual value. Offer available Monday – Thursday from 12.30pm – 2.30pm and until 30.09.12.

Fairways Restaurant at Golf View Hotel & Spa GOLF VIEW HOTEL & SPA Let our chefs bombard your taste-buds with a variety of delicious dishes, prepared with the best locally-sourced ingredients. Dine with us Monday - Thursday and receive a complimentary half bottle of house wine per person.

Fairways Restaurant Complimentary half bottle of house wine with dinner Monday - Thursday. T&C – Please present this voucher when ordering and you will receive one complimentary half bottle of house white or red wine per voucher when ordering a main meal in the Fairways Restaurant. Only original copies of this voucher will be accepted and this vouchers has no residual value. Offer available Monday – Thursday from 6.30pm – 8.30pm and until 30.09.12.

To make a reservation please telephone

01667 452 301

GOLF VIEW HOTEL & SPA The Seafront, 63 Seabank Road, Nairn IV12 4HD Telephone: 01667 452 301

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events

City of Elgin Food & Drink Festival 2012 15th September

Elgin BID is delighted to be hosting the City of Elgin Food & Drink Festival on Saturday the 15th September 2012. The Festival will be the largest of the BID events in 2012 with more than 60 exhibitors confirmed so far, ensuring that there will be something for the whole family to do and see. The event will open at 11.00am with a “Cook Off Challenge” between Richard Lochhead & Angus Robertson. The Cook Off will be held in the AEG cookery trailer courtesy of the Oakwood Cookery School. For this event exhibitors and activities can be found all over the City Centre area including Commerce Street, Batchen Street, South Street and the Plainstones. As well as a vast array of foods and crafts there will also be a Giant Tea Party, courtesy of Moray College, which is being held in support of the STV appeal and in the East End of the City (Cul De Sac opposite the Muckle Cross) we will be hosting “Medieval Elgin” with jousting, sword fighting and archery – lots of fun and specially arranged for the children. In the West End of the City we are hoping to hold a pancake making competition.

Throughout the day we will have live cookery demonstrations with chefs demonstrating delicious ways to cook locally grown and sold food. We are delighted to welcome back Wendy Barrie who has appeared on the BBC Good Food Show, Royal Highland Show and the London Restaurant Show, Olympia. To top the day off we will have live music and dance throughout the town centre from local performers such as Nae Reel, Elgin and District Pipe Band to name a few. We are also running a special “Broons Treasure Hunt” with goody bags of Broons items for the lucky winners. So come on down and join us for a fantastic, fun and fabulous day out. With free samples and tastings from the market stalls and lots to do and see, we are sure you will have a great day out at the City of Elgin Food and Drink Festival 2012. For full programme listings and details of the exhibitors visit www.elginbid.co.uk or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/elginbid

City of Elgin Food & Drink Festival 15th September 2012 Help Elgin to celebrate the finest of Scottish Foods and Crafts with over 60 exhibitors from Elgin, Moray and Scotland. Exhibitors will be located across Commerce Street, South Street, Batchen Street as well as the Plainstones.

+ Experience ‘Medieval Elgin’ with jousting, sword fighting and archery (Muckle Cross) ..plus much much more..

+ ‘Cook off Challenge’ between Angus Robertson and Richard Lochhead plus a number of cookery demonstrations and tastings throughout the day.

+ Children’s Entertainment with Bubbles the Clown and Zig Zag Circus. + Prize Winning competitions, live music from Elgin and District Pipe Band, Nae Reel (plus more to be confirmed)… An experience not to be missed! Let’s all EMBRACE ELGIN and put the VIBRANCY back into the CITY CENTRE

For on going developments please go to www.facebook.com/elginbid or www.elginbid.co.uk

Elgin Rotory Club

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Please send us details of Your events log on to www.spotlighton.co.uk email michelle@spotlighton.co.uk or call 01309 690063 What’s on listings deadline for the october issue is friday 31/08/12

Rolling Event august - september threads of history - falconer museum, forres. exhibition of fantastic textile work created by members of needleart north and inspired by the falconer museum collections. call 01309 673701 for details.

and produce stalls, and a display of interesting, old, and not so old vehicles. concert with julie keen and friends 3pm. at st john’s episcopal church arpafeelie. garden party with refreshements. in aid of church funds. entrance fee ÂŁ5. contact linda: 01463 811629 riton @ ironworks 7pm. 18+. support from ‘them & us’, ‘polymath’ & ‘the boomshank redemption’. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

2 sunday

28 tuesday august - 21 friday september

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‘scottish contrasts’ art exhibition by angus donaldson. ÂŁ1 charge, or is included in the ÂŁ4 museum entrance fee

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soul masters (feature documentary), what’s in a smile? (short film) 7.30pm. highland spiritual cinema, highland rail house, inverness. visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net

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ironworks summer showcase #8 7pm. 14+. feat. roadway, jake bolt & toby michaels rolling damned. for tickets or information call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

SEPTEMBER 1 saturday

wedding fayre 11am - 3pm. the glen mhor hotel, inverness. allotment 4pm. universal hall, findhorn. outdoor show. edinburgh fringe winner. ÂŁ7/ÂŁ6 concs/ÂŁ4 u16s.

4 tuesday - 9 sunday

carve carrbridge 10:30am - 5pm, on the village sports field. top chainsaw carvers from the uk & around the world will compete for the magnificent claymore trophy & prize money. live music, activities, games, stalls and food & drink. great feil maree by dingwall rotary club 11am - 4pm. street fair in dingwall town centre. live music, traditional craft displays, spinning demonstration, charity SpotLight on Nairn and District

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nairn book & arts festival for further details, telephone: 01667 453476 or email: info@nairncc.co.uk. visit: www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk or http://www.nairnfestival.co.uk

5 wednesday nhs highland annual review 9.30am at eden court. influential speakers, q&a and buffet lunch. book your place by email - maimie.thompson@nhs.net or call 01463 704722

tel: 01309 690063

September 2012 - page 13

the art of mvsick [james ross and bill taylor] 3pm. using harps, voice and, early wind instruments, the art of mvsick explores the colourful and hilarious world of renaissance scottish music and literature in their acclaimed programme 'ayres & disgraces' in nairn museum. tickets £8 (including tea/coffee) available in person from nairn community centre or nairn museum. contact 01667 456 791. email: manager@nairnmuseum.co.uk

6 thursday 'habits of the abbots' presented by emma malone. 24pm. daily life in kinloss abbey. part of the moray society lecture series. lecture is £3. £2 for society members. contact elgin museum: 01343 543675. email: curator@elginmuseum.org stv appeal @ ironworks 7pm. 14+. standing. support feat. whisky river band, kobi, city in surveillance, & purple divide. £6. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com culbin singers’ annual general meeting followed by first rehearsal 7.30pm. at st laurence church, forres. if you would like to join the choir, come along to the first rehearsal. new members are asked to undertake short informal voice test during their first term with the choir. regular thursday evening practice sessions take place over following weeks in st laurence church, forres. email: alasdair@manachie.eclipse.co.uk

7 friday brodie castle (as part of nairn book festival) 11.30am. the archives of the national trust for scotland..... or what we have found in the cupboards and basements! a unique opportunity to learn something of the wealth of archive material held by the national trust for scotland. ian riches, the national trust for scotland’s archivist, will speak about the importance, care and preservation of the trust’s collection. illustrated by source material, including some from st kilda and brodie castle. adult £5. lunch available in the tearoom. “from fact to fiction” 2.00pm. 17th century banff and aberdeen are brought to life by the compelling details gleaned from research. an historian, specialising in 16th and 17th century scotland, shona maclean writes historical thrillers set in the northeast during these times. among her published novels are, the redemption of alexander seaton, a game of sorrows and the crucible . the archives she has used include the brodie diaries “ invaluable as sources on the presbyterian mindset and way of life in the northeast in the 17th century.” where better to hear about them than at brodie castle itself? adult £7. tel: 0844 493 2156 or visit www.nts.org.uk. simon hopper 8pm. at the loft, east grange farm, forres. tel: 01343 850111 or visit http://www.eastgrange.co.uk/

page 14 - September 2012

7 friday - 15 saturday blas festival celebration of gaelic & highland music. highlights include al fresco entertainment on the waters of loch ness with a floating performance by traditional musicians allan macdonald & friends, music on the mountain at cairngorm’s ptarmigan restaurant & an exciting array of events at eden court theatre, inverness. visit www.blas-festival.com

8 saturday cinema nairn presents ‘steamboat bill’ (u) 10am. buster keaton silent movie with live pianist. little theatre, king street, nairn. tickets: www.nairnfestival.co.uk moray steiner school coffee morning 10am 12noon. drumduan house. to promote new cookbook “moray coast cooks”. doors open days: cullen auld kirk 10am - 4pm. guided tour of churchyard and thirteenth century church telling a fascinating history covering almost 800 years. tel: 01542 841590. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: dufftown railway station 10.30am 4pm. victorian railway station and scenic railway (purchase tickets). tel: 01466 730327. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: elgin museum 10.30am - 5pm. the earliest purpose built museum in scotland. talks at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. tel: 01343 543675. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk and www.elginmuseum.org.uk doors open days: falconer museum in forres. tours of the building and its past by the friends of the falconers. tel: 01309 696261. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: greyfriars convent church in elgin. 11am - 3pm. fifteenth century friary. restored and opened as a convent in 1898 and lived in by the sisters of mercy until 2011. tel: 01343 543675. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk and www.elginmuseum.org.uk doors open days: kinloss abbey 10am - 4pm. extensive ruin of a thirteenth century cistercian abbey. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: logie house in logie. 10am 12pm. mid eighteenth century mansion with panelled library and newly restored gardens. tel: 01309 611278. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: the michael kirk in duffus. 10.30am - 3pm. gothic church built as a mausoleum to the gordon of gordonstoun family. tours by moray burial ground research group. free entry. tel: 01343 546620. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: st peter’s church in duffus. 11am 3pm. church ruin dating from the thirteenth century. tours by moray burial ground research group. tel: 01343 546620. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: tugnet icehouse in spey bay. the

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

largest icehouse in scotland built to store ice for the spey salmon fishing industry. tours by scottish dolphin centre staff at 12.15pm and 3.15pm. tel: 01343 820339. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk mr mcfall’s chamber - four corners 8pm. universal hall, findhorn. witty relaxed music from four corners of scotland. £10/£8 concs.

9 sunday doors open days: findhorn icehouses 2-5pm. two nineteenth century icehouses used to store ice for the salmon fishing industry until 1986. tel: 01309 690659. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: kinloss abbey 10am - 4pm. extensive ruin of a thirteenth century cistercian abbey. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: milnes primary school in fochabers. grand neo-tudor school built through a legacy left to fochabers in 1845, now used as a primary school. tel: 01343 821204. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk doors open days: tugnet icehouse in spey bay. the largest icehouse in scotland built to store ice for the spey salmon fishing industry. tours by scottish dolphin centre staff at 12.15pm and 3.15pm. tel: 01343 820339. free entry. visit www.doorsopendays.org.uk

for 2012/2013: 10 october, 7 november, 5 december, 13 march 2013, 10 april 2013, 10 may 2013, and 14 june 2013. further information, contact caroline: 01309 651375 or jean: 01309 673552.

14 friday solid gold country legends @ ironworks 7pm. reserved seating. £18.50. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com concert with bel canto 7pm. “bel canto” (literally “sweet singing” in italian) is a small north-east group of youngsters aged 8 to 18 (approx) who enjoy beautiful singing for its own sake. students of ann munro of lossiemouth - a noted teacher - these individuals are soloists with huge talent who combine in small groups to sing as bel canto mainly for charities and deserving causes. returning to brodie castle for a second time (the first was a sell-out!) on 14th september they will once again grace the gorgeous music room with a fine mixture of classic and scottish song. we suggest early booking, £8 and £6 concessions. 0844 493 2156 or www.nts.org.uk

10 monday olive tree chocolate tour 7.30pm - 10pm. organised by choctober, the uk’s most northerly chocolate festival. raising money for charity and awareness of mary’s meal and olive tree chocolate. at little theatre, king street, nairn, iv12 4nz. tickets are £3 with main proceeds going directly to mary’s meals.

11 tuesday blas festival concert featuring margaret stewart for further details, telephone: 01667 453476 or email: info@nairncc.co.uk. visit: www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk

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

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

11 tuesday - 12 wednesday first highland wheelchair curling triples hosted by the highland wheelchair curling club. inverness ice centre. come along and watch all scotland’s top wheelchair curlers in action, including several locals.

12 wednesday

Tues T ues 111th 1th ...... Blas Festival Concert featuring “Margaret Stewart” ....................................................Michael Sat 15th ................................................. ... Michael Card in Concert Sat 22nd ................................................. Glen Cunningham Concert

nadfas (national association of decorative and fine arts societies: moray banff and badenoch branch) fine art lecture on “creating a splash - the st ives society of artists 1927 - 1952” 11am. delivered by david tovey. at the sherwood suite, eight acres hotel, elgin. visitors welcome. moray and nairn floral art club 7.30pm. meeting at ramnee hotel, forres. welcome new members and visitors to friendship through flowers. session 2012/2013. annual subscription: £35. enjoy a relxing evening watching a professional demonstration and have the opportunity to win the arrangements that are raffled at the close of the meeting. meeting dates SpotLight on Nairn and District

Tues T ues 4th - Sun 9th ..................................Nairn .................................. Nairn Book & Arts Festival

Sat 29th ...................................Music ...................................Music Nairn - Leon McCawley Piano

For further details, telephone 01667 453476, e-mail info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk at www .nairncommunitycentre.co.uk

15 saturday michael card in concert for further details, telephone: 01667 453476 or email: info@nairncc.co.uk. visit: www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk coast to coast race staging through cawdor castle

tel: 01309 690063

September 2012 - page 15

grounds. call 01667 404401 for more info or visit www.cawdorcastle.com nairn’s breakfast club 9.45am for 10am. at windsor hotel, nairn. meet other christian and non-christian men to share food and fellowship and hear what god has done in people’s lives. speaker: stewart watt. contact campbell 01667 455149 by friday 14th september to book a place. rudimental @ ironworks 7.30pm. £8.50.call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com dance ihayami - seeing differently 8pm. universal hall, findhorn. magic mix of indian classical dance, music, and film. £10/£8 concs/£6 u16s.

19 wednesday masayuki kino & fumiko fujimoto 7.30pm. universal hall, findhorn. highly-acclaimed classical duo. £10/£8 concs/£6 u16s.

21 friday lofty pots 7.30pm - 10.30pm. east grange farm, kinloss, forres, iv36 2ud. lofty pots launches their first “wine & pot night” with pottery painting, wine, and cocktails. booking advised as places limited. tel: 01343 850111. the rotted @ flanagans bar, elgin 8pm. old school dbeat death metal. supported by aberdeen death metallers bonesaw and crusty punks filthpact. visit www.facebook.com/thesyndicate2008

22 saturday glen cunningham concert for further details, telephone: 01667 453476 or email: info@nairncc.co.uk. visit: www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk special end of season children’s activity session 11am - 1pm. elgin museum. accompanying adults go free and a visit to the museum is included. bargain price of £2 per child. contact the museum: 01343 543675. email: curator@elginmuseum.org.uk dodgy 8pm. the loft, east grange farm, forres. tel: 01343 850111 or visit http://www.eastgrange.co.uk/

23 sunday laigh o’ moray vintage charity rally & fun day @ inchkeil steading in aid of friends of moray archie appeal. adults £6, oaps £4, children £2, and under 5s free. located on elgin/burghead road 4 miles west of elgin.contact morag davidson 01309 676815 or gordon mckenzie 01343 541665

24 monday 'the mummy's return' presented by professor caroline wilkinson. 2-4pm. research information about elgin museum's peruvian mummy. part of the moray society lecture series. lecture is £3. £2 for society members. contact elgin museum: 01343 543675. email: curator@elginmuseum.org.uk

john lennox / richard dawkins 2007 debate in birmingham, alabama) 7.30pm. highland spiritual cinema, highland rail house, inverness. visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net

28 friday cinema nairn presents ‘a separation’ (pg) 2011. 7.30pm. multi-award winning iranian film. nairn community and arts centre. tickets at door. 'italy to grant lodge: the making of robert adam' presented by dr lester borley. 7.30-9.30pm. part of the moray society lecture series. lecture is £3. £2 for society members. contact elgin museum: 01343 543675. email: curator@elginmuseum.org.uk

29 saturday music nairn: pianist leon mccawley for further details, telephone: 01667 453476 or email: info@nairncc.co.uk bi-centennial celebration and restoration of the main stained glass window of st john’s scottish episcopal church 11am. a service of blessing and celebration led by bishop mark strange will start at 3.30pm. extensive flower arrangements can be viewed at 11am. all welcome. refreshments available. celebrations will continue with a service on sunday at 11am. sara groves uk tour 7pm. culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. visit www.refinetickets.com for info and booking. dame emma kirkby & jakob lindberg in concert 7pm - 8:30pm, old high church, church street, inverness. fundraising for moray steiner school & a new upper school project. suggested donations for tickets start at £25, available at www.moraysteinerschool.org, from leakey’s bookshop, church street, inverness & phoenix, the park, findhorn. leon mccawley 7.30pm internationally acclaimed virtuoso pianist playing liszt, debussy, rachmaninov, and schuman. nairn community and arts centre. 01667 455701. www.musicnairn.org.uk for those about to rock with livewire acdc & the zz tops @ ironworks 7.30pm. £17.50. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com filth & pulse presents: green velvet @ ironworks 11pm. 18+. £15. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

30 sunday last day of opening for castle & gardens for the year. enquiries & ticket info call 01667 404401 or visit www.cawdorcastle.com

LOFTY ARTS @ East Grange Farm, Kinloss

11am- 1pm

Creative Fun

making mobiles/wind chimes, bag charms and cardboard monsters and free face painting

All children welcome

Sessions: £4 per child (booking desirable but not essential). children MUST be accompanied by an adult

26 wednesday the god delusion debate (filmed recording of the page 16 - September 2012

Arts at tel: 01343 850111

Sunday 30th of September

tel: 01309 690063

don’t forget

SpotLight on Nairn and District

Fully licensed

Serving Tapas, light bites and something more substantial. Something to suit every appetite and budget.

TAPAS T AP PAS SPECIAL 3 Dishes and a glass of Wine or Beer for only £10 every Wednesday and Thursday night

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10 High StreeW N$,51 ,912 4BJ For bookings & enquiries telephone 01667 459412

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Property

VALUE MATTÂŁRS A new house or a second-hand property? The following pointers may help you make up your mind. Advantages of buying new

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Douglas Mowat MRICS is a Chartered Surveyor with Harvey Donaldson & Gibson, Inverness. douglas.mowat@hdg.co.uk

Property section

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We can take on the responsibility for the maintenance of areas under common ownership on residential and commercial developments. Our Commitment - we will: Čˆ ƒ‹Â?–ƒ‹Â? ›‘—” †‡˜‡Ž‘’Â?‡Â?– –‘ ›‘—” satisfaction Čˆ ˆˆ‡” ƒ …‘•– ‡ˆˆ‡…–‹˜‡ •‡”˜‹…‡ Čˆ ‹•–‡Â? –‘ …—•–‘Â?‡”• Čˆ ‡•‘Ž˜‡ ’”‘„Ž‡Â?• We currently maintain 20 developments serving nearly 1000 customers.

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Property section

Unbelievable Unbelievable as it sounds, sounds, no now w when yyou ou buy a new home fr om Kylauren, Kylaur Kylauren, yyou’ll ia R io 1.1 CRDi Eco Eco from Kia Rio ou’ll get a new K Dynamics absolutely FREE.* .* D ynamics absolut ely FREE anced, en vironmentally-friendly cars in advanced, environmentally-friendly One of the most adv world, Kia Rio won Design the w orld, the K ia R io w on the Red Red Hot D esign Award Award 2012. A nd it ’s the per fect ma tch ffor or o a br and new Kylaur K ylauren Home. Home. And it’s perfect match brand Kylauren B oth ar designed for for o ccomfort omfo ort and built ffor o or lif off ffer er Both aree designed lifee and both offer lev els of qualit afttsmanship tha levels qualityy and cr craftsmanship thatt ar aree simply miles ahead When it ccomes omes tto o style, style, they’re they’re in a class of their own. own. ahead.. When FFor or mor able off ffer err, moree details on this unbeliev unbelievable offer, don w. don’t’t miss out - call us no now.

SShowhomes howhomes at: at: M Meadow eadow LLea, ea, Montgomerie Montgomerie D Drive, rive, Nairn Nairn IIV12 V12 5 5RW. RW. TEL:: 01667 452508 55IVSTEBZ .POEBZ BN UP QN t www.kylaurenhomes.co.uk IVSTEBZ .POEBZ BN UP QN t www.kylaurenhomes.co.uk *Offer *O ffer ff er aavailable vailable on selec selected ted house st styles. yles. FFree ree car g given iven on ccompletion ompletion of sale sale.. Limit Limited ed time only only,, please ask ffor or details details.. Property section

Property section

A quality, affordable new development in Auldearn, why live anywhere else?

Completely re-built, and re-developed into 10 stunning, high quality, two bedroom flats. The Lion Apartments at Auldearn by Nairn are distinguished by the beautiful finishes and tasteful fixtures and fittings. With apartments starting from only £125,000, it’s the perfect time to buy your new home. And for a limited period only there are huge additional savings to be made. Please ask for details. For a brochure or for further details and viewing information, please call 0800 028 1294.

Prices start at only £125,000 0800 028 1294 07557 433 875 email: mike@pseproperties.co.uk

NE W

For more information please call

NOCOL W OU AV R AI BR LA OC BL H E UR

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Special mortgage advice available

Property section

The Windsor Hotel ALBERT STREET, NAIRN IV12 4HP

Dining at the Windsor Hotel Not just for special occasions! BRAND NEW

STEAK NIGHT

Friday & Saturday

Ă la carte Buy any Main and get a glass of wine or pint of beer for only ÂŁ1

Buy any Steak and get a glass of wine or pint of beer for only ÂŁ1

Saturday & Sunday 12 noon till 8pm

Carvery

ÂŁ4.95

ONLY per head Children under 12 eat for FREE. (Main meal only)

Monday to Friday Lunch Special

Two course lunch special menu ONLY

ÂŁ4.95 per head

Dinner Special

Three course dinner special menu ONLY

ÂŁ9.95 per head

Windsor Hotel Albert Street, Nairn IV12 4HP

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‡ Email: Email: windsorres@btconnect.com

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6

travel

Dreaming of... The United States

The United States has never been at the top of my ‘wish list’ but after my 3 week trip to the West coast I can’t wait to return! I split my time between San Francisco, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with a journey through Yosemite Falls Yosemite National Park and Death Valley. San Francisco was my favourite, I pre-booked most of my excursions before I travelled to make the most of my 4 nights in the city. A highlight was Alcatraz, located on an island off San Francisco. It was used as a federal prison between 1933 and 1963 and housed such in-mates as Al Capone. Instead of the usual flight between San Francisco and Vegas I decided to take a 1 night, 2 day trip through Yosemite National Park and Death Valley. Seeing the vast comparison between the green, lush National Park with Yosemite falls, the fourth tallest waterfall in the world in full flow (May is the best time to see this) and the barren emptiness of Death Valley was amazing. Vegas is like nothing I have ever seen before! The Strip really comes to life at night with the fountain show at the Bellagio Hotel and an erupting volcano at the Mirage Hotel. A trip to one of the Wonders on the world, the Grand Canyon is a must. Excursion options are endless, we chose the ‘sunset helicopter tour’ landing in the canyon for a glass of champagne to view the sunset before flying home over The Strip. My last stop was Los Angeles, ‘The City of Angels’, where we split our time between Beverly Hills for shopping and celeb spotting and Santa Monica for the beach and surf. A tour of Los Angeles is recommended to see all parts of the city – from Venice Beach, or Muscle Beach as it is perhaps better known Hollywood Walk of Fame and Sunset Strip. A day spent at Universal Studios for the launch of the new attraction ‘Transformers 3D’ was well worth the hour trip from Beverly Hills. Santa Monica was the perfect way to finish off what was a busy 3 weeks. Editorial by Aimee (Elgin branch member)

24

Information kindly supplied by Hoover Dam

2-6 South Street, Elgin 01343 548844 ‡ +LJK Street, FRUUHV

www.beavtrav.com

Inverness departures

USA

Jersey - 15th and 22nd Sept - B&B from ........................................£409 Sorrento & Bay of Naples 6th & 13th Oct - B&B from ...£449

Las Vegas - from ...................... £871 San Francisco - from ...............£784 Los Angeles - from ................... £763 Above flights are from Glasgow, for travel Jan-June, 2013, booked by 31st Oct, '12.

Lake Garda 7th & 14th Oct - B&B from ...£389 French Riviera 6th & 13th July, '13 - from ....£639 Majestic Fjordland Cruise from and back to Leith 12th June, '13 from .............£599 Amsterdam - weekend return flights from ............................£168

Pantomime 4th Dec to 6th Jan

Aberdeen departures:

Golden Triangle Fare, based on visiting all 3 cities ...................£755

Direct flights to Turkey, Tenerife, Majorca, Tunisia and Costa Dorado - all available for half term holidays in October.

at Eden Court

All holidays quoted are for 7 nights, per person based on 2 sharing, and direct flights. For further details enquire at

Las Vegas - from ......................£854 San Francisco - from ...............£872 Los Angeles - from ...................£853 Above flights are from Inverness, for travel December - March, '13, booked by 31st October, '12.

Get your tickets from Beaver Travel - no booking fees.

Above fare is for travel December -June, 2013, booked by 31st Oct, '12, All fares above are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Beaver Travel, 78 High Street, Forres FORRES 01309 672203

2-6 South Street, Elgin

ELGIN 01343 548844

Delicious Autumn Dining

*Max’ table of 6

Beaver Travel (Elgin and Forres) is a ticket agent for Eden Court Theatre, Inverness - at Box office prices - NO BOOKING FEE!

.&#1 /11&2

2 courses

*

8

Including Bottle of wine For only

£40

Per Couple

2 course Lunch

*

(excludes Sundays)

For only

person £9.95 95 Per

Knockomie Hotel is licensed to hold Civil Weddings

! "

Our highly personal approach will create a perfect and memorable day, designed to match your specific requirements for you and up to 40 guests.

knockomie

0&. &5&17 %#7

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HOTEL

Tel: Grantown Road, Forres

ZZZ NQRFNRPLH FR XN VWD\#NQRFNRPLH FR XN

666 ,/(*& $/ 4+

0-

recipe

Chef’s Confidential White Chocolate, Banana & Peanut Butter Bread Pudding At Simply Red we serve this delicious bread pudding with our original home made tonka bean ice cream, (a good quality vanilla ice cream or fresh cream would also suit this delightful dish) 750ml Double Cream 50g Smooth Peanut Butter 3 Sliced Bananas 450g White Chocolate 75g Unsalted Butter 2 Eggs 250g 1-2 day Old White Bread 75g Demerara Sugar 4 Egg Yolks 100g Roasted Peanuts 1) Pour double cream into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove pan from heat, stir in peanut butter and cool for 2 mins. Pour out mixture into a bowl over 350g of white chocolate and let mixture cool. 2) Heat butter in frying pan till foaming and add sugar. When dissolved, add bananas to mixture and cook till golden. 3) Whisk eggs plus egg yolks together, pour in chocolate cream mix, strain through sieve and add diced bread. Set aside to absorb custard before fully mixing in the remaining chocolate, most of the peanuts and bananas. 4) Place mixture in a butter lined square tin (30 x 20cm), sprinkle remaining nuts on top and bake at 180 degrees c or gas mark 4 for 30 –40 minutes. Test by placing a sharp knife into pudding, the knife should be clean on removal.

26

David Cameron (Head Chef) ,EYS 2OAD s &ORrES s Tel (01309) 676737

r-elax e-at d-rink

This space could have been your advert. If you would like to advertise in SpotLight, contact us on 01309 690063. We have magazines in Buckie, Keith and district; Elgin, Lossie and district; Forres and district; Inverness and district; Nairn and district; and Strathspey.

GARAGE Est. 1994

‡

MOT Testing Station

Vehicle Servicing 4 Wheel Alignment ECU Remapping MOT’s Class 4 & 7

Unit 10d Balmakeith Industrial Estate, Nairn IV12 5QW i“>ˆÂ?\ĂŠÂœvvˆViJLÂˆĂŒâ}>Ă€>}i°VÂœ°Ă•ÂŽĂŠUĂŠ7iL\ĂŠLÂˆĂŒâ}>Ă€>}i°VÂœ°Ă•ÂŽ

Broadley Garden Centre

WILD BIRD FEED BEAT THAT!

WILD BIRD SEED 2KG + 25% Extra FREE only ÂŁ2.99 50 SUET BALLS only ÂŁ7.99

Cawdor Road, Nairn Tel: 01667 452955

www.broadleygardencentre.co.uk

Bringing life to your home and garden...

M&C

MACKENZIE & CRUICKSHANK

1 West Road, Forres IV36 2GW 01309 696940

Apart from a couple of weeks fine weather early in

winter months) but already evident and in

the season, this spring and early summer will go

good health in the lawns now. Even more

down as one of the most disappointing on record,

important than usual therefore will be to

and this was after a washout last summer too. The

get some drainage and ventilation benefit

full horror of a shift in the Jet Stream and the

into the ground now by aerating the lawn,

resultant persistent cold, wet north-easterly airflow,

however you can manage it. Some use a

has been all too evident in our gardens. We have

garden fork, GreenThumb (and the golf

been hearing a lot about crop failures and blight and

clubs) prefer to use a big heavy hollow-

other wet related disorders. Apart from impossible

core tining machine which removes

mowing conditions, three problems are widespread

thousands of cores from the lawn. Now is

this year.

an excellent time to aerate the lawn in preparation for the predictably damp, cold

The first is weeds. With all the wet weather early on,

months. Let’s hope we now see an “Indian

the weeds have just kept coming, in the beds and in

Summer”, I think we deserve a break!

the lawns. My proud boast that “GreenThumb lawns don’t have any weeds” has been severely tested this year, and we have been making numerous repeat weedkill visits to customers’ lawns where heavy rain has washed off weedkill as fast as we put it on. The second worry is Red Thread fungal disease, evident by July across the UK including up here. 80% of our lawns have been affected. The signs to look for are blotchy patches of brownish/red grass which looks like it’s dying. In some cases a mouldy top growth also appears. We have an effective fungicide which clears this unsightly condition, but in

For more information about seasonal lawn

nearly all outbreaks, the grass isn’t dying, and the

improvements from just £15 per qtr, plus

first frosts will tend to kill-off the “mould spores” for

useful downloads and photos, go to

this year. You will see photos on the GreenThumb

www.greenthumb.co.uk. Although

website, or if you Google “Red Thread”, you will see

GreenThumb is a national franchise with

a ton of information. At least you now know it’s not

over 200 branches across the UK, we are

terminal, if you think your grass has been affected !

locally based in Cawdor and cover the whole Moray Firth area. Contact Alastair or

The main worry of course, is moss, a pestilence in

Fiona for a FREE LAWN ANALYSIS on

these parts anyway. Moss thrives and blooms in

01667 404774, or email us at:

cool, damp conditions (usually peaking over the

inverness@greenthumb.co.uk

28

C Call all in in the the pprofessionals! rofessionals! GreenThumb’s annual treatments treatments GreenThumb’s annual lookss lush, eensure nsure your your lawn lawn looks lush, ggreen reen and and healthy. healthy. With from £15 £15 per per With prices prices starting starting from treatment, lawn nightmare nightmare treatment, your your lawn will will soon soon be be history. history. Call ranch today tooday Call your your local local bbranch ffor or a FREE FREE lawn lawn analysis analysis and and no no obligation obligation quote quote on: on:

0800 0800 0111 0111 222 222

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

£10

} Ã Ã Ê iÀÌ ÊUÊ Ê ` i i 7 Ê ÊUÊ7 Ê Ê ÌÀÀ Ê ÃÃÊ

ÊÊUUÊ Ì > V V v v Ê-V>À ÊUÊ ÊU iÀ>Ì for details Please ask

Find us online at: www.greenthumb.co.uk

outdoor

e k i MRae WIL

D

T

Exciting and thrilling are probably not the first words anyone thinks about to describe wildlife watching however it does have its moments. I have been fortunate to see lions hunting in the Serengeti, Grizzly bears catching salmon in Canada and other exciting events around the world. These events are a considerable challenge to see, and they take time and some dedication, so why do I mention them here? I have just spent a couple of weeks in the Cairngorms and have seen wildlife action to rival the excitement and thrill of anything I have seen anywhere in the world. Of course there is a downside, getting up at 4.00am to be in a hide next to a small loch just outside Aviemore for 5.00 am and then waiting.

All photograps are Copyright Mike Rae

Waiting for what? Within in an hour an osprey flies over the loch then disappears only to return a few minutes later. This time it is much lower and circles above our heads. The bird then starts an excited call, a sure sign it has seen a fish. It dives, only to pull out just a metre above the water, and starts circling again. Then a new dive and a splash just in front of our hide. The Osprey almost disappears underwater then emerges from the spray, grasping a totally shocked trout in one foot. It levers itself out of the water with powerful wing beats and takes to the air in a mass of water droplets that sparkle in the dawn sunlight. As the Osprey gains height it shakes its body, shedding more droplets, and grasps the trout with both feet holding it like a torpedo. Peace returns to the loch. From hitting the water to taking off can take the Osprey a little as three seconds, but three seconds of the most thrilling wildlife action I have seen anywhere. Then back to waiting, more ospreys may fish in the loch or perhaps none. This morning we are lucky and two more trout are caught before we leave at 9.30. The excitement of watching the spectacular dives does not diminish. Herons also use the lochside for hunting and I get the chance to see a normally elusive Goosander drake chasing and catching a trout just metres from the hide. Obviously the chance to see Ospreys close up from ideal viewing conditions in a hide has to be paid for and the loch is stocked with trout of the right size to attract them. It is also possible to watch the Ospreys during the day from a hide further away as they must provide fish for their rapidly growing young in July and August. Over the last 30 years increasing numbers of Ospreys have been returning to Scotland to breed, and this is an outstanding good news conservation story. Ospreys need the long summer days and a reliable place to hunt to feed their very demanding young before returning to Africa for the winter. The Rothiemurchus Estate has a proud record over many years of encouraging Ospreys to catch fish at their fishing lochs near Aviemore. Watching the Ospreys fishing in the lochs helps to fund this. Mike Rae web: www.mikerae.com

email: mike.rae@btconnect.com

MOBILITY DEALS

Luxury Hot Tubs, Saunas & Gazebos CAIRNGORM SPAS

Wheelchairs

Our products are specifically selected to offer the best combination of value and quality and we are confident they represent the best-of-breed and offer our customers the best possible value for their money.

Scooters Riser/Recliners Electric Beds Hours of Business MON - FRI 9am - 5pm

01309 676677 sales@wheelchaircare.co.uk 21 West Road, Greshop Industrial Estate, Forres IV36 2GW (Behind Lidl)

Based in Aviemore and Inverness, Cairngorm Spas extensive expertise allows us to provide a range of carefully selected hot tubs, saunas and gazebos to our customers in the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms and the rest of Scotland and the UK.

Receive £300

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BS HOT ilTaUble a v a E FOR HIRfor ask pleaseeta d ils

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*Offer ends 30/9/2012

Easy Parking & Disabled Toilet Facilities

Advertiser’s Index Allan Studio Kitchen & Bathrooms ................2 Ashley Ann ..................................................32 Beaver Travel..........................................24, 25 Bitz Motorsport ............................................27 Broadley Garden Centre..............................27 Cairngorm Spas Limited ..............................31 Cairngorm Windows & Conservatories............................................7 City of Elgin BID Limited ..............................12 Forres Tree Services ....................................20 Golf View Hotel ............................................11 Gordon Scott Chartered Accountants ................................10 GreenThumb (Inverness) ......................28, 29 Harvey Donaldson & Gibson ................18, 19 JC Chimney Sweeps....................................18 Knockomie Hotel..........................................25 Kylauren Homes ..........................................21 Legal Will Writers of Moray ..........................10 Logie Steading ............................................25

Mackenzie & Cruickshank ..........................27 Moray Coast Veterinary Group ......................3 Moray Firth Tutorial School ............................5 Nairn Community & Arts Centre ..................15 Nairn Scenic Properties ................................9 Olive Tree Chocolate....................................17 PSE (Auldearn) ............................................22 Roof Wizard..................................................20 Scotengineering ..........................................19 Screenautumn Ltd ......................................20 Simply Red ..................................................26 The Loft Bistro ................................................3 Thyme Bistro ................................................17 Unique Beauty ..........................Front Cover, 3 Universal Hall ..............................................13 Varis Training................................................17 Voice Gym Choir ............................................4 Wheelchair Care ..........................................31 Windsor Hotel ..............................................23

.

German build quality Italian design flair Superbly made in Scotland Est.1986

OVER

YEARS

IN BUSINESS

K I T C H E N S Beautiful, design-led kitchens of exceptional quality, and made by us in Scotland, which we only sell direct through our own showrooms to ensure outstanding value.

Tyock Industrial Estate. Estate . T: T: 01343 545155 ELGIN:: 27 Tyock ABERDEEN: 1166 Murcar Commercial Park. Park. T: T: 01224 703274 R oad. T: T: 01463 711548 INVERNESS: 18 Carsegate Road.

ashleyann.co.uk

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