SpotLight on Strathspey

SEPTEMBER 2012

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INSIDE Clubs & Societies p4 Pastoral Letter p6 Parliament Blog p9 Useful Numbers p10 What’s On p11 Chef’s Confidential p16 Travel USA p18 Property Pointers p20

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Conservatories

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Clubs, Societies & Regular Meetings AVIEMORE TINY TOTS Wednesdays 10am - 12noon, Aviemore Youth Centre. Indoor play equipment & activities for 0 - 3 year olds. Facebook page Aviemore Tiny Tots. Email :aviemoretinytots@hotmail.co.uk.

BEADING & JEWELLERY MAKING WORKSHOPS The Imagination Workshop, Inverdruie, Aviemore. Learn how to use beads and wire to make your own amazing jewellery. Call Gayle Penney on 01479 812111 BADENOCH & STRATHSPEY RAMBLERS Every other weekend, alternate Saturdays & Sundays. Contact Elizabeth Longley 01479 851735 / timlis.longley@tiscali.co.uk for more information about our walks and membership details.

BOHARM BOOTCAMP New beginners’ class starting Tuesday 4th September 7.308.30pm at Boharm Hall, Mulben.

Classes £1.50. Contact Lorraine: 01582 860338. Monday and Thursday classes 7-8pm.

HIGHLAND SPIRITUAL CINEMA

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 KINGUSSIE CAMANACHD CLUB (SHINTY) Highland sports club. Games played March to September normally Saturdays. For more information call 01540 661 886

KINGUSSIE PARENT, BABY & TODDLER GROUP Thursdays 9.15am - 11.30am, Badenoch Centre, Spey Centre, Kingussie. Call 01540 662485 for more information.

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

Room PH26 3HU. New members always welcome. Contact Liz: 01479 872085 SPEYSIDE VOLLEYBALL Monday evenings 7pm - 10pm in The Games Hall, Speyside Community Centre, Aberlour. Men, women, youths, juniors, seniors, all welcome. Contact Stewart on 01340 871730 STRATHSPEY RAILWAY ASSOCIATION Supporters of the Strathspey Steam Railway. Keeping Steam Alive in the Highlands. Visit www.strathspeyrailway.net for info & membership details.

Email laurence.grant@ strathspeyrailway.co.uk

SPEY ART CLUB Every Wednesday 7-9pm at Grantown Grammar School Art

Offer valid on all bookings made before 31/10/12 - Offer only open to domestic customers.

Contents Clubs & Societies ....4 Pastoral Letter .........6 Church Details .........6 Council Minutes .......8

Transport can be arranged

Parliament Blog .......9 Useful Numbers.....10 Local Holidays .......10 School Term Dates 10 What’s On.........11-15

October Issue Deadlines Editorial: Friday 31st August Advertising: Wednesday 5th September New s SPARES s REPAIRS s SERVICE

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Pastoral Letter & Church Meetings Jesus spoke of everyday events to reveal treasures of the Kingdom; like the parable of the Lost Son or the Loving Father (Luke 15:11-32.) On the surface it’s an everyday story about a man and his two sons but dig deeper and we discover it is about God our Father and about us his children on earth.

Both sons would inherit their due share from their father when he died, but the younger son wanted to break out now, to be free of family ties and duties and to spend his inheritance while he was still young. To begin with he had a ball until predictably he spent all his money and became destitute and alone. Others have found themselves in similar circumstances and may have wished that they had concentrated on building up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19-21.) We build up treasures in heaven by living to please God. Mercifully the boy’s father, like our father God, was loving and forgiving and

ran to embrace his penitent son as he returned home (Luke 15:20.) Unfortunately the elder son was bitter and would not rejoice with his young brother who was lost but now was found. I recall a minister once asking us to imagine what might have been if the elder son had decided it was his turn to leave home and seek his fortune. Only in his case he does really well, builds a very successful business, lives in a luxurious home, dines in the finest restaurants and wears only the most expensive tailor made clothes. His contact with home however is sporadic, until one day he decides it is time to pay a long overdue visit. His parents are older now and the house is small, the wallpaper fading and the carpets worn. Mother makes him a homecoming meal but it is very plain fare quite different to the rich food he has become accustomed to. In the evening he goes up to his old room to sleep.

The best suit that he left behind long ago is laid out for him, but it no longer fits. The bed is hard. Very early in the

Abernethy Parish Church Nethy Bridge. Sundays 9.30am: family morning service. Followed by refreshments.

Traditional service at 12 noon. Tel: 01479 821280.

Aberlour Parish Church The Square, Aberlour. Sunday 11.15am.

Alvie & Insh Church of Scotland Our churches can be found beside Loch Insh for morning worship at 09.30am & Loch Alvie where we meet at 7.00pm. If bad weather is forecast, changes might be made to these venues. Please call 01540 661918 for confirmation of where we will meet.

Badenoch Free Church Ruthven Road, Kingussie. Sundays 11am and evening service 6pm.

Craigellachie Church Victoria Street, Craigellachie. Sundays 9.45am.

Dulnain Bridge, Church of Scotland Sunday services 12noon.

Grantown Baptist Church High Street, Grantown-onSpey. Sundays 11am and evening service at 6pm. All welcome. Contact Rev. Rick Moeller: 01479 873125.

Inverallan Parish Church Church of Scotland. Grantownon-Spey. Sundays 10.30am with crèche. All welcome. Contact Rev. Morris Smith: 01479 872084.

Kingussie Parish Church Sundays 11am. All welcome. page 6 - September 2012

morning he leaves a note and slips away. Sadly he had lost his love of home!

So we may ask ourselves, “What good will it do for a person if they gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”

(Matthew 16:26.) Jesus came that we may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10.) Wherever we are in the world and whatever our circumstance, Jesus offers this fullness of life to each of us - if only we will take hold of it by learning from Jesus’ teaching and by trying to follow his example (Matthew 11:29.) Christian churches everywhere try to share Jesus’ teaching and to encourage people to learn and to follow Him so that they can truly live – eternally.

Rev. Bob Anderson Minister at Knockando, Elchies & Archiestown linked with Rothes

Knockando, Elchies & Archiestown Parish Church of Scotland Sundays 10am. Tel : 01340 831381.

Rothes Parish Church Sundays 11.30am. Tel: 01340 831381.

Rothiemurchus & Aviemore Church of Scotland St Andrews Church, Grampian Road, Aviemore. Sundays 11.15am. Website: www.standrews-aviemore.org.uk St Columba Episcopal Church High Street, Grantown, P26 3LD. Sundays 10.30am: Holy Communion. Ven. Richard Gillings: richard.gillings698@btinternet.com or phone 01479 831365.

St John Episcopal Church Sunday 10.30am: Eucharist.

Followed by refreshments in the church hall. Email: blessings@stjohns-rothiemurchus.co.uk St Michael Episcopal Church Coval Street, Dufftown.

Sunday 11am: Family Eucharist. Tel: 01343 547505.

St Margaret of Scotland, Episcopal Church High Street, Aberlour, AB38 9QD. Sundays 10am: Eucharist. Tel: 01340 881764. Website: www.stmargaretsaberlour.co.uk

If you are a member of a church not listed here, please email us with details and we may print them in future issues.

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Strathspey

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Community Council

“Bright Dawn Ov er Aviemore” Joel Vardy. Copy right.

ExtrACtS FrOm thE minutES OF thE mEEting OF 15th mAy 2012 OF grAntOwn-On-SpEy COmmunity COunCiL A Sanderson joined the meeting to propose that Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi be honoured in some way in Grantown as she had stayed in the town for 7 months and her in laws had had a holiday house here for many years. It was pointed out by D Scobbie that it would benefit the town greatly. There was a wide-ranging discussion regarding the subject and it was proposed that a civic reception could be held and perhaps a plaque placed or a tree planted. Cllr Douglas is to contact Ann MacLean to see if she has any suggestions.

M ATTERS A RIS ING S TRATHS PEY R AI LWAY B Dunlop reported that Transport Scotland had postponed their planned Roads Order publication for the Gaich realignment due to lack of budget, and SRCT were exploring alternatives. Lord and Lady Seafield are to head the parade from the old station to the Square on the 3rd of August 2013 for the Dava 150 celebrations.

O THER I SS UES : • Hedge from Grant House to the Hospital – J Flannery reported that it’s now too late to cut this year and will be done in October.

• PA System – On going.

• Picnic in the Square – The alcohol ban has been lifted from the Square for the hours of 2pm until 8pm on Sunday 10th June, with the Grant Arms Hotel acting as the signatory for the temporary license.

The flyers are printed and are due to be distributed and the banners are awaiting planning permission.

• Olympic Torch – Coca Cola as official sponsors will supply a sample lorry for the occasion.

• Traffic Wardens – Cllr Douglas has received responses from Aviemore and Kincraig Community Councils, however Kincraig felt that more police involvement rather than an increase in Traffic Warden hours would be more beneficial.

• Ian Charles Hospital – On going.

• Water Supply – The open public meeting held on 30th was well attended and more information was sought (and gained) from Scottish Water. The Information event held on the 9th May had quite a good turn out; there is no update

page 8 - September 2012

as yet from Scottish Water.

• Dulaig Pitch – The fence has now been fixed and Cllr Douglas informed the meeting that benches were also to be put there.

P OLI CE R EPORT The new inspector Alasdair Macleod is producing a monthly report for all Community Councils in the force area.

Here has been tougher enforcement of parking and driving offences. The police are trying to increase the officer presence in the town, especially at the weekends.

Notable Inci den ts - (During the month of April 2012) This section will report incidents of significant public interest or community impact. (a) Overnight on Sunday 29th April to Monday 30th April, probably between 11pm and 10am, a number of motor vehicles and a bus shelter were vandalised in Aviemore, in the areas of Burnside Road and Granish Way. This type of behaviour is extremely frustrating for all affected, and I would like to reassure people that we carry out all reasonable enquiries into such incidents. If any person has information or suspicion as to the culprit, I would be delighted to hear from you. (b) In addition, there have been a number of rural locations targeted for thefts of fuel and metal, eg farms, remote dwellings and mobile phone masts. While we live in one of the safest and most crime-free areas of Britain, there are still people who will seek opportunities to steal from us. As such, I would urge members of the community to assist by taking all reasonable steps to secure your property and be vigilant in order to report any suspicious activity. An Operation is ongoing across the Force to target these type of criminals, to which our staff contribute on a regular basis. (c) Missing Person Grant Cunliffe, last seen in the Cairngorms in January, remains outstanding. Further search planned for later in May when snow clears from relevant areas.

Sta tistics – (April 2012) Number of incidents recorded: 581 • Drink Drivers 1 failed breath test • Domestic Incidents 7 • Dishonesties (includes thefts and frauds) 9

tel: 01309 690063

• Shoplifting • Stolen Vehicles • Drunk Person • Drug Seizures • Stolen Cycles • Assaults • Assault on Police • Alcohol Seized from Underage • Missing Persons • Mountain Rescue • Animals • Child Protection • Death • Vandalism • Firearms Offence • Firearms Enquiries • Road Traffic Accidents : No injury or slight injury • Road Traffic Accidents: Serious injury • Road Traffic Accidents: Fatal • Breach of the Peace • Searches of Person (non drugs) • Road Traffic Offence (Construction and Use) • Road Traffic Offence (Seatbelt) • Road Traffic Offence (Speeding) • Road Traffic Offence (Other) • Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty • Hate Crime

4 1 4 11 2 5 Nil 2 1 4 6 2 2 12 Nil 21 21 Nil Nil 11 14 5 Nil 70 16 66 Nil

AO CB It was commented on in the meeting that Grantown is being unfairly treated by the change in licensing laws. In that the original agreement on the alcohol ban with Highland Council stated that it could be lifted four times per year, but this no longer seems to apply. J Beveridge will write to Highland Council with all the details once the Jubilee is over.

E Sutton reported that the 30 mph sign has still not been replaced.

B Dunlop said that the “No Entry” road markings in front of MacLean’s had almost worn away.

J Flannery reported that a cover was missing in Church Avenue, Cllr Douglas is to contact Scottish Water.

J Flannery had heard from Ian Reid that new equipment was going into the play park J Munro asked for clarification about whether the Community Council were going to invite Fiona Milligan of Infinergy to speak to us about Community Benefit.

It was decided that we would.

SpotLight on Strathspey

“Lord morlich” pa uline Lewin.

Copyright.

Parliament Blog & Tides

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Parliament Blog

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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.

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.

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.

Danny Alexander MP

Fergus Ewing MSP

Wednesday 7-8pm Totally Eighties 8-9pm Folk ’n’ That

107.1fm Monday 7-9pm Pete’s Beat 9-10pm John’s World Tuesday 7-8pm Shirley’s Choice 8-9pm Aimee After Eight

Thursday 6-7pm Ceilidh in the Park (bilingual) 7-9pm Classics for Pleasure 9-10pm Speysound Scottish Friday 5-7pm Drive Time 7-8pm Alison’s Eighties 8-9pm Clubbin’ it

VISIT THE MILL See our working Mill, Café & Shop Open daily from 10-4. Free admission The Woolmill, Knockando, AB38 7RP KNOCKANDO KNOCKANDOWOOLMILL.ORG.UK WOOLMILL.ORG.UK

Saturday 8-10am Malky & Jason in the Morning 8-9pm Phil Steedman Sunday 8-10am Grant Gallagher Breakfast Show

www.speysound.com to listen live

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SpotLight on Strathspey

tel: 01309 690063

September 2012 - page 9

Local Holidays, School Term Dates & Useful Numbers

Aviemore

Local Holidays Aberlour Holiday § Rothes Holiday British Summertime Ends St Andrews Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Day Scottish Bank Holiday Burns Night

Mon 17th Sep 2012 Thurs 19th Sep 2012 Sun 28th Oct 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

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

§ includes Craigellachie, Knockando, Tomintoul & Dufftown

School Term Dates

Moray Autumn Term Ends Winter Term Starts Winter Term Ends Spring Term Starts Mid-term Holiday Mid-term Holiday Spring Term Ends

Highlands

Fri 12th Oct 2012 Mon 29th Oct 20127 Fri 21st Dec 2012 Mon 7th Jan 2013 Fri 15th Feb 2013 Mon 18th Feb 2013 Thurs 28th Mar 2013

Autumn Term Ends Fri 5th Oct 2012 Winter Term Starts Tues 23rd Oct 2012 Winter Term Ends Thurs 20th Dec 2012 Spring Term Starts Mon 7th Jan 2013 Mid-term Break Mon 11th - Tues 12th Feb 2013 In-service Days Wed 13th - Fri 15th Feb 2013 Spring Term Ends Thurs 28th Mar 2013

Useful Telephone Numbers Aviemore Local Police. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810222 Regional Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 715555 Aviemore Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . 01479 810919 Aviemore Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810694 Aviemore Social Work Services . . . . . . . . 01479 810251 Aviemore Tourist Information. . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810363 National Rail Enquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Aberlour Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01340 871201 Aviemore Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 811056 Dufftown Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 820244 Aviemore Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 811113 Badenoch Library & Learning Centre . . . . 01540 661596 Aberlour Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871693 Dufftown Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01340 820272 Grantown Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 873175 DOCTORS Aberlour Heath Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871210 Aviemore Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810258 Blair Atholl Doctor's Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . 01796 472558 Dufftown Heath Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 820888 Fleming Hospital – Aberlour . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871464 Gergask Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01528 544225 Glenlivet Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01807 590273 page 10 - September 2012

Grantown-on-Spey Medical Practice. . . . . 01479 872484 Kingussie Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661233 Out-of-hours emergency NHS 24. . . . . . . 08454 242424 Raigmore Hospital Inverness . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 St. Vincent’s Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661219 Stephen Cottage Hospital – Dufftown . . . . 01340 820215 Strathdon Medical Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01975 651209 The Surgery (Crathie). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01339 741202 Tomintoul Medical Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01807 580219 PHARMACIES Aberlour Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871279 Aviemore Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810259 Clark Munro Ltd (Grantown) . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 873711 Davidsons Chemists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01339 755409 Lloyds Pharmacy (Grantown) . . . . . . . . . . 01479 872006 Rothes Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 831233 Other useful numbers including vets, schools, dentists, and village halls are rotated on a regular basis and will appear in subsequent issues.

If you have any suggestions for additional numbers, please contact us and we may include them in the magazine.

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Strathspey

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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

AUGUST 29 wednesday

art cafe at inverallan church hall, grantown-on-spey. organised by spey art group. exhibiting members’ paintings with other arts and crafts for sale. tea, coffee, and homebakes available. come and see what we do and talk to the artists. tel: 01479 872085.

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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

30 thursday 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

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SEPTEMBER 1 saturday 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. concert with julie keen and friends 3pm. at st john’s episcopal church arpafeelie. garden party with refreshments. 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

1 saturday - 2 sunday SpotLight on Strathspey

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Rolling Event 1 wednesday august- 2 sunday september 9th annual tea in the park 11am - 5pm. glenlivet hall. snacks & meals available all day. range of craft stalls from within a 30 mile radius of the venue. the perfect stop on a drive through beautiful speyside.

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2 sunday wedding fayre 11am - 3pm. the glen mhor hotel, inverness. allotment 4pm. universal hall, findhorn. outdoor show. edinburgh fringe winner. ÂŁ7/ÂŁ6 concs/ÂŁ4 u16s. motor mania grantown-on-spey. admission free.

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.

6 thursday strathspey draughts championship 6pm. the square, grantown-on-spey. on outdoor draughts board - free event. stv appeal @ ironworks 7pm. 14+. standing. support feat. whisky river band, kobi, city in surveillance, & purple divide. ÂŁ6. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

tel: 01309 690063

September 2012 - page 11

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” 2pm. seventeenth century banff and aberdeen are brought to life by the compelling details gleaned from research. an historian, specialising in sixteenth and seventeenth 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 seventeenth century”. where better to hear about them than at brodie castle itself? adult £7. tel: 0844 493 2156 or visit www.nts.org.uk fairy tales by firelight 7pm - 9pm, as summer comes to an end, celebrate nature with us as we share tall tales & adventures around the campfire. ages 8 and over. children must be accompanied by an adult. please feel free to bring a story to tell. call 01343 820 339 or email dolphincentre@wdcs.org simon hopper 8pm. at the loft, east grange farm, forres. tel: 01343 850111 or visit http://www.eastgrange.co.uk

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

7 friday - 21 friday aaron sterrit local wood furniture and sculpture exhibition. the iona gallery, duke street, kingussie. check www.ionagallery.com

page 12 - September 2012

8 saturday 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 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.

8 saturday - 9 sunday dufftown flower show 2pm - 5pm on saturday and 11:30am - 4:45pm on sunday. in the memorial hall and the masonic hall in dufftown. for more details visit www.dufftownflowershow.co.uk

8 saturday - 30 sunday sylvia wishart scottish artist, exhibition. the iona gallery, duke street, kingussie.

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Strathspey

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

check www.ionagallery.com

9 sunday kingston community litter pick 10am - 11am. every month, local people help to keep the spey bay reserve beautiful by sweeping the west side of the reserve for litter. if you would like to help out, please call the ranger for more info on 01343 820339. 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

adults £3 children. booking essential. call 01343 820 339 or email dolphincentre@wdcs.org 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.

22 saturday stanley odd + team kapowski @ ironworks 7.30pm.

14+. £6. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com dodgy 8pm. the loft, east grange farm, forres. tel: 01343 850111 or visit http://www.eastgrange.co.uk/

23 sunday

12 wednesday 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.

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.

14 friday

24 monday

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

26 wednesday

15 saturday coast to coast race staging through cawdor castle grounds. call 01667 404401 for more info or visit www.cawdorcastle.com food and drink extravaganza 10am - 4pm. the plainstones, elgin. folk night in the ice house 7.30pm - 9pm. join us in the atmospheric tugnet ice house for an evening of folk music. refreshments & food served. tickets £6 page 14 - September 2012

olive tree chocolate tour (dufftown) 7.30pm - 10pm. at memorial hall, albert place, dufftown, ab55 4ay. organised by choctober, the uk’s most northerly chocolate festival. raising money for charity and awareness of mary’s meal and olive tree chocolate. tickets are £3 with main proceeds going directly to mary’s meals. olive tree chocolate tour (grantown-on-spey) 7.30pm - 10pm. at inverallan church hall, church street, ph26 3hw. organised by choctober, the uk’s most northerly chocolate festival. raising money for charity and awareness of mary’s meal and olive tree chocolate. tickets are £3 with main proceeds going directly to mary’s meals. the god delusion debate (filmed recording of the john lennox / richard dawkins 2007 debate in birmingham, alabama) 7.30pm. highland spiritual cinema, highland rail house, inverness. visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net

28 friday ‘the boys are back in town’ pro night @ ironworks 7pm. 14+. professional boxing night. tickets or info call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Strathspey

29 saturday 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. 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.

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

Arts at tel: 01343 850111

Sunday 30th of September 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

don’t forget

recipe

Chef’s Confidential King Prawns ‘Pil-Pil’ This is a popular and typically Andalucían Tapas dish or starter. I have tried to find out the origin of the words ‘Pil-Pil’, some say it comes from an Arabic word ‘Felfel’, I assume it has something to do with spice or chilli, others say it comes from the sound of the prawns sizzling in hot oil!

I like both stories, almost as much as I enjoy making them at The Royal Hotel on our new lunch menu.

Serves 4 as light lunch or starter 400g King Prawns 2 x Red Chillies, de-seeded and chopped 2 tbsp Fresh Coriander, chopped 2 x Cloves Garlic, peeled and sliced Good pinch of Sea Salt 100g Butter 6 tbsp Good quality Olive Oil

Method 1) Heat the oil, garlic and chilli in a large pan. As the garlic starts to brown around the edges, add prawns.

2) Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, moving prawns around the pan, add butter, cook for another 1 to 2 mins 3) Add salt and coriander, take off heat.

4) Serve in small dishes with chunks of fresh bread or rice.

Enjoy!

16

Kris McKie, The Royal Hotel, Elgin

K

The Royal Hotel E L G I N

A warm welcome awaits you at Elgin’s newest eatery.

New lunch menu now being served.

Monday - Saturday /XQFK SP ª'LQQHU SP SP Sunday Roasts 12 - 2pm & 5 - 7pm Follow us on Facebook www.theroyalhotelelgin.co.uk

For reservations telephone 01343 542320

Station Rd, Elgin IV30 1QW Allan & Gwen McGregor

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KEVIN RIDDOCH GLAZING SERVICES LTD

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Branching out!

Forres Tree Services provide a holistic approach to tree care. We aim to meet the customer’s needs, the tree’s needs and those of the broader landscape it sits within.

We will manage your trees throughout their life cycle from sapling to maturity with: on-going management plans, broad planting schemes, woodland management, emergency clean up and removal, stump grinding and can offer a timber merchant service for both private and commercial sectors.

We are a small company based in Moray covering the Highlands, Islands and Northeast. Projects further afield would be considered depending on the scale. With the latest training and techniques we are more than capable of carrying out works that the bigger companies can but keeping the individual needs of our customers as upmost. Whether you require firewood, site clearance,

tree care or management FTS are here to offer you an honest and quality service to meet your needs.

For further information please contact Forres Tree Services: s info@ forrestreeservices.com www. forrestreeservices.com

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)

18

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

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

All holidays quoted are for 7 nights, per person based on 2 sharing, and direct flights.

For further details enquire at

Pantomime

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.

4th Dec to 6th Jan

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

at Eden Court 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

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

Bringing life to your home and garden...

M&C

MACKENZIE & CRUICKSHANK

1 West Road, Forres IV36 2GW 01309 696940

on

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

Advantages of buying second-hand Better bargains Second-hand houses are almost invariably cheaper than new build (all other things being equal). Buying from an individual often means you can negotiate on the price.

Fresh as paint One great advantage of a new build is - it's new!

New houses are clean, fresh, and in pristine condition.

They command a price premium simply because they're new. Think of it as a blank canvas on which to express yourself. If you catch the builder early enough you can often choose kitchen and bathroom fittings and sometimes agree changes to layout and specification.

Peace of mind Make sure your builder is NHBC registered or that construction is supervised by a professional with adequate professional indemnity insurance. A 10year guarantee helps you sleep at night.

Incentives Some builders are offering cracking incentives to purchasers. Stamp duty payment, part-exchange, shared equity arrangements, appliances, carpets and floor coverings - are all up for grabs. Don't be afraid to ask!

Price-holding In certain circumstances a second-hand property may hold its price better than new build. The premium on a new build house may not be achievable when you come to re-sell, particularly if new development is still on-going.

Established surroundings With second-hand properties the surroundings are generally well-established and often there is a settled feel to the community. There can often be a better mix of household types in an established area.

Whichever option you choose, do your homework well before taking the plunge!

Eco-friendly New houses come fully insulated and energy efficient, leading to reduced utility costs.

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

property section

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info@ forrestreeservices.com

TREE SURGERY AND FIREWOOD Domestic and Commercial STUMP REMOVAL ALSO AVAILABLE!

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property section

property section

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if you wish to advertise in SpotLight, contact us on 01309 690063. we have magazines for Buckie, Keith and district; Elgin, Lossie and district; Forres and district; inverness and district; nairn and district; and Strathspey.

Advertiser’s Index Allan Studio Kitchen & Bathrooms ..................................................2 Ashley Ann ................................Outside Back Baztex ......................................................7, 15 Beaver Travel..........................................18, 19 Cairngorm Spas Limited ................................5 Cairngorm Windows & Conservatories ........3 Canonbury Interiors ....................................21 Chemsafe ......................................................4 City of Elgin BID Limited ..............................13 Dezign Build ..................................................7 Forres Tree Services ....................................21 Harvey Donaldson & Gibson ................20, 21 Kevin Riddoch Glazing Services..................17 Knockando Woolmill ......................................9 Kylauren Homes ..........................................22 Legal Will Writers of Moray ............................9 Logie Steading ............................................23

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if you would like to advertise in SpotLight, please call us on 01309 690063. we have magazine in Buckie, Keith and district; Elgin, Lossie and district; Forres and district; inverness and district; nairn and district; and Strathspey.

Mackenzie & Cruickshank ..........................19 Olive Tree Chocolate....................................15 Roof Wizard..................................................23 Royal Hotel - Elgin ......................................17 Scotengineering ..........................................21 Speyside Centre ..........................Front Cover Speyside Dental Clinic ..................................7 Speysound Radio Limited..............................9 Stuarts Cycles ................................................5 The Loft Bistro ................................................5

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