Lochaber Life #319 April 2020

SUMMER TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE

The first thing to take note of is that in the wee small hours of Sunday, 29 March the clocks go forward by an hour, so don’t forget and end up late for things. In this issue local doctor Finlay Wild highlights the huge amount of prescription medicines which are wasted every day, even right here in Lochaber, not only costing the NHS huge amounts of money but also causing environmental damage (p10). While this is fact, a railway line though North Ballachulish never existed until ‘imagineered’ in the mind of railway modeller Andy Cooper, who created ‘what might have been’ in miniature (p24). And if all that makes you hungry, there is a fantastic, tasty recipe from chef Andrew MacLachlan of Lochaber Larder. Lots to get your (metaphorical) teeth into this month. Happy April. Iain

FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPH:

Dr Finlay Wild with just some of the unused prescription drugs returned to Boots in Fort William in less than a two-week period.

Beatha Lochabair

Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.

“LEGACY” FOOTPATH – UPPER ACHINTORE TO COW HILL

Ken Johnson

Members of the Upper Achintore Regeneration Group (UARG) are currently working to reinstate and join together a number of paths built in the 1980s by workers made redundant from the Pulp Mill to create a pedestrian way from Upper Achintore to the Cow Hill Circular Path.

The integrated pulp and paper mill was built in the 1960s under the government’s strategy to rejuvenate the Highlands and employed a workforce of almost 1,400 in its heyday. The Wiggins Teape Pulp Mill closed almost 40 years ago, making 800 people redundant, although the associated paper mill carried on until 2005, when 135 further jobs were lost.

Loss of so many jobs in the 80s was a great threat to the fragile West Highland Community and in an an attempt to address this, one of the measures was to set up the Manpower Services Commission (MSC) to re-employ

some of the workforce on local civic and public projects the most prolific of which was path building.

The local MSC was headed by the late David Murray from Upper Achintore. Over the ensuing three years the MSC built an extensive network of footpaths, steps and bridges all over Upper Achintore – including linking Ross Place to Nairn Crescent, linking the Plantation path to Angus Crescent, linking Kinross Place to the original local school, and many more.

As all were built by members of the redundant pulp mill workforce, the proposed ‘legacy’

footpath will be a tribute to those men. Initially well used, these paths have, over the ensuing 40 years, fallen into disrepair and disuse due to a complete lack of maintenance, Indeed, some are completely overgrown and indistinguishable from their surroundings.

Now, 55 years after the opening of the pulp and paper mill, the UARG, working closely with The Highland Council’s Access Officer plan to restore many of them, creating a direct ‘Green’ link from Ross Place to the Cow Hill Circular Path from the built-up estate into the countryside and onto the famous Peat Track.

Originally proposed by former Councillor Donald (Skeegan) Cameron, the network aims to connect the community, hopefully promoting better physical and mental health for residents, perhaps encouraging walking and cycling with less reliance on cars.

UARG meets monthly in Lundavra Primary School. All locals are very welcome. Details can be obtained from the Group Secretary at uarg19@aol.com

A Community Hydro scheme for Lochaber

Lochaber Environmental Group (LEG) has been advising people for years on how to increase the use of renewable energy and now it has taken the chance to set up a new co-operative organisation, LEG Power, to raise the funds to build a community hydro scheme at Glenachulish in Lochaber.

Work is under way to set up a hydro generation unit at Glenachulish, using the burn called the Abhainn Ghreadain. Called a ‘run of river’ scheme, it extracts water and runs it through a generation plant before returning it to the river further down. The scheme is estimated to produce an average of 1.7 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, enough for around 420 homes. Lochaber is very rich in sources of renewable energy from wind, water and sun and potentially also wave and tidal power.

In addition to adding to power generation, the scheme will provide LEG with a regular income, free from the ups and

downs of government policy. LEG has been lucky in securing funding over recent years but it’s always insecure. The LEG Power Hydro Scheme will offer LEG stability for its environmental work across Lochaber.

Permissions are already in place and now the task is to raise the £2million to build the Hydro.

LEG Power is launching a community share offer this spring to raise as much of the money as possible reducing the reliance and costs of commercial

loans. Community shares are a practical way of supporting a local enterprise that serves your community. The shares will help finance the business and in return you should receive limited interest on your investment. And if you want your money back, you have the right to withdraw some, or all of your share capital in the future.

If you are interested in applying for community shares or want to find out more contact us at Hydro@lochaberenviro.org.uk

ALZHEIMER ACTIVITIES

Iain Ferguson

While shinty memories are helping people (p28), Alzheimer Scotland also has a community activities organiser, Eleanor Brown, based in An Drochaid. She is known already for her work with the Lochaber Dementia Home Enablement Project.

Some activities under way are the D-Caff café in Caol Community Centre on the first Wednesday of each month from 2-3.30pm and Bacon Butties with tea in West Highland College UHI on a Friday, 10am to noon, costing £2.50.

Fort William Library has storytelling sessions in their Community Room every second Tuesday, 2-3.30pm, with alternate board game sessions. In the An Drochaid Conference room on the last Thursday of each month are films followed by fish and chips, and the only cost is for the food.

There is a What’s On guide produced every month, so drop Eleanor an email or pop in to An Drochaid to pick one up.

For information on these and other activities, contact EBrown@Alzscot.org or telephone on 07920 868848.

Tel: 01397 722237 / 07966 143155

framed@gilliansloan.co.uk

www.gilliansloan.co.uk

Corriebeg Cottage, Kinlocheil PH33 7NP

Arts & Crafts by local Artist / Art Suppliers

The world famous Penguins

18 High Street, Fort William PH33 6AT

Tel: 01397 700127

info@galleryinthefort.co.uk

www.galleryinthefort.co.uk

Unusual Blackbird captured by Simon Andrews

BESPOKE CAMPERVAN CONVERSIONS

Our camper conversions are created around your specification and needs. With many options available, colour, finish and materials, your unique van will be just the way you want it. We’ve a real passion and expertise for camper conversions and we’ll help, guide and advise you every step of the way to campervan life.

For those of you doing your own camper conversion or upgrade, we have a huge range of products and advice available on our website & online store.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED

• Full Camper Conversions

• Unique Bespoke Conversions

• Window Installation

• Carper Lining & Insulation

• Expert Guidance & Advice

• Excellent Online Store

A mountain of waste

Dr Finally Wild

Community pharmacies and GP practices across Lochaber are teaming up in a campaign to reduce medicines wastage.

Thousands of patients require important medications, but each year in Scotland an estimated £20 million of medicines is wasted. Some of this is unavoidable, for example if a patient’s prescription is changed or stopped, or if the patient is required to keep medicines in reserve at home in case of flare-ups of a condition. But more can be done to minimise wastage. Reducing waste would have large financial benefits for the struggling NHS – a £20 million saving could pay for 600 extra nurses or 1,200 extra carers – but would also reduce the environmental costs of these medicines on a planet in climate crisis.

Reducing waste means less resources are used in the first place, resources which could be used to help others elsewhere in the NHS. Also, studies have shown that more than 600 drugs and their metabolites have been found in the environment worldwide. They enter the environment (through water, soil, sludge, and organisms) and can end up in drinking water, and accumulate in fish, vegetables, and livestock.

Improper disposal of medicines by flushing them

down the toilet or putting them in the standard rubbish collection is making this issue worse – and it’s especially wasteful if the medicine was never needed in the first place.

So

what can we do?

First, let’s clear the decks, please bring any unwanted medications that are cluttering up your cupboards back to

your chemist or dispensing GP practice for safe disposal. They can’t be reused for other patients at the moment but our Lochaber project will accurately measure the cost and types of medicines, in order to tackle this problem.

Next, we are asking patients to think carefully about what medications they are ordering – don’t just tick all your repeats

Reducing waste would have large financial benefits for the struggling NHS – a £20 million saving could pay for 600 extra nurses or 1,200 extra carers

automatically if you still have supplies of some tablets: use these up before ordering more. Make sure the chemist knows what you need and doesn’t supply any other items – this will avoid you building up a wasteful stockpile at home.

Let’s keep Lochaber green. We can help look after our beautiful environment by avoiding flushing medicines down the toilet and not putting them in the bin either – always return unwanted or expired medicines to your chemist for safe disposal.

Are you on inhalers? All inhalers should be recycled by returning them to the chemist – some types have a large carbon footprint but this can be reduced by recycling the gases inside once it is empty of medication.

Are you taking your medication? If you aren’t taking a tablet regularly – possibly because of side effects or because you don’t know what it is for – talk to your doctor who can discuss whether it is still needed, or if there are any nondrug options for you.

Medications are an important part of how we treat a huge

number of conditions but please remember that just because they are free to you it does not mean they have no cost. There is an ‘opportunity cost’ ,meaning if society spends money on a medication that is wasted, it has lost the opportunity to spend it more usefully (on medication or treatment for someone else in need, for example).

There is also the environmental cost of the medication. It is produced in factories, transported and distributed, all of which requires

energy and emits carbon. Then it can get into the ecosystem after use – or even if never used – and cause damage there.

We are, of course, not suggesting that any patient stops medication without discussion with their doctor, but if you are building up a pile of unwanted medicines in the cupboard at home please think about this and speak to your pharmacist or GP – together we can try to minimise unnecessary waste while making sure that patients are still treated correctly.

Acknowledgements

Bruce:

The family of the late Roddy would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for all of the support shown to them at this sad time. Grateful thanks to Crossroads Caring Scotland, Lochaber District Nurses and Macmillan Nurses for all the care shown. Thanks to Alyson Stewart for the comforting service, to Caol Community Centre for the lovely catering. Special thanks to John, Linnie and the team at John McLellan Funeral Directors for the attention to detail and the help of making such a hard time easier with the personal touch. Finally thank you to all who attended the service and who kindly donated in Memory of Roddy. The sum of £460 was collected for Crossroads Caring Scotland, Lochaber Branch.

dAVI

dson

The family of the late Roberta Davidson would like to thank relatives, friends and colleagues for the kind

expressions of sympathy extended to them following their recent sad loss. Thanks to Burnfield Medical Practice, community and out-of-hours nurses for their care and attention, and special thanks to all staff at Aden House Care Home for the care given to Roberta while in their care. Thanks to Reverend Andrew Baxter for his comforting service, John McLellan Funeral Directors, McDonald Florists and staff at Caol Community Centre for their catering. Finally, everyone who came to pay their respects and those who contributed so generously to Aden House Residents Fund, raising a total of £550.

e lder

Fiona would like to thanks all family and friends for their support after the passing of Donnie. Many thanks to the staff in the Belford Hospital and Glen Mor Surgery for their compassionate care over the last few years. Thanks to both the MacKintosh Care Centre, Mallaig and

Moss Park Nursing Home, Fort William. Finally many thanks to John McLellan staff for their support and guidance.

PAI sley

The family of the late Marion Paisley would like to thank all family and friends for the many kind expressions of sympathy extended to them at this very sad time. Grateful thanks to Dr John Wallace, all doctors, nurses and staff at Craig Nevis Surgery. Special thanks to all the Castlecare and NHS Homecare teams for their loving care and attention to mum over the years. Sincere thanks to Reverend Richard Baxter and Reverend Morag Muirhaed for their spiritual care and heart-warming service. Special thanks to everyone at John McLellan Funeral Directors for all their loving care, kindness and support at this sad time. God Bless you all.

LOCH SHIEL FESTIVAL 2020: 13-17

A cultural treasure of the West Highlands of Scotland, the Loch Shiel Festival is arguably Scotland’s most picturesque chamber music festival, hosting performances from internationally acclaimed chamber musicians.

The 24th festival celebrates the 250th anniversary of one of our greatest composers: Ludwig van Beethoven. Beethoven’s influence and legacy is far-reaching, and we

May

celebrate that in a eclectic way, with contemporary works sitting alongside some of the repertoire’s most celebrated chamber music of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

Martin Roscoe, one of the UK’s best loved pianists, will be joined by world renowned violist Isabel Charisius, alongside Scotland’s very own Maxwell Quartet, and others in the classical, traditional, and electro-acoustic music worlds.

As always, world-class music is partnered with the chance to enjoy excellent food from local chefs, with a buffet provided by Ardshealach Lodge on 16 May, and the festival’s traditional finale followed by dinner at the Princes House Hotel in Glenfinnan.

More details about this year’s programme and tickets for all festival events are available on the festival website: www. lochshielfestival.com.

NEW STRATEGIES GROW FROM LOCHABER ‘MONITOR’ FARM

Iain Ferguson

A Lochaber farm has been in the agricultural spotlight over the last three years as they explored and discussed ways to improve activities, to the benefit of both the local and Scottish farming communities.

Strone Farm, at Banavie, run by Christopher Cameron in partnership with his parents, Malcolm and Eileen, became one of nine ‘Monitor’ Farms in an initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), and the Agriculture Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in a programme funded by the Scottish Government looking at ways to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.

Thanks to the programme, new strategies have been identified and adopted which have ultimately helped increase their livestock performance, fine-tune flock and herd management on the 1,200 hectare hill farm and develop existing grassland management strategies. This has enabled

cow and lamb numbers to be increased.

A lamb trial looked at the cost benefit of finishing lambs versus selling them as store, and the most efficient way to do this was completed. This resulted in not only a new route to market, but also resulted in 80 more sheep with twins.

Grass is a basic, yet important aspects of most farms and the help of seed and soil specialists during the trial, even to the point of burying cotton underpants and digging them up later yielded valuable information which was put into practice.

Chris said: “I was mistreating grass before, I wasn’t giving it enough respect for what it is as our cheapest form of feed.”

Mid-way through the project in 2018, with Brexit uncertainties in mind, the management group

had a Vision For The Hills conference alongside NFU Scotland which brought together key politicians, policy makers, members of the red meat supply chain, and environmentalists.

From this a ‘vision statement’ helped to focus the final 18 months of activity on the Lochaber monitor farm: ‘To have an active and robust hill and mountain farming sector that supplies a quality product into the food chain and is fairly rewarded for actively managing the wider environmental and landscape and supplying key public goods.’

A whole spectrum of other activities were also undertaken and the Camerons certainly feel that while taking part in the programme could be challenging, it was of great benefit and also brought the local farming community closer together.

It’s not just a job...

Jamie Manson, a local boy, born and brought up in the area of Fort William, attending Inverlochy and Upper Achintore Primary Schools and then on to Lochaber High School. At 17 he started applying for vacant posts within the funeral industry around Scotland, this proved unsuccessful at first. During this time he always kept in touch with his local funeral home, then, Mike McFall Funeral Directors. This is where he obtained a casual worker post and this was the start of what was to be his life long career. Now after over a decade of service to Lochaber he now owns and operates Lochaber’s leading funeral directors.

“It’s never been just a job for me; it is so much more than that. It’s about being there for people when they are going through what can be one of the hardest times of their life. Supporting and guiding families through tragic and difficult circumstances. I feel extremely privileged to be doing the job I am doing and I do believe in some ways this was a calling for me. Being a local and a small Funeral Directors within a small town can make the service I provide so much more personal as I know most people or I know someone within their family.

On a daily basis I can deal with the very old to the very young, tragic and distressing circumstances, love and celebration to name just a few. It can at times be a very tough and stressful job with a roller coaster of emotions but with pure dignity, respect and care I get a great sense of relief by helping families and providing support to them making sure that everything is done just as requested and giving their loved ones the send off they deserve.

I love my job and take it very seriously and have committed a large part of my life to it but I also love my life and it’s important to have some down time and enjoy some time away from work. If this job has taught me one thing it is to live everyday likes it’s your last as nothing is guaranteed and we don’t know if we or our loved ones will be here tomorrow.

I just want to thank the local communities of Fort William, Lochaber and beyond for the incredible support shown towards me from the tender age of 17 until now, especially since taking over the company alongside Beth. This really has become a dream come true for me and I will continue to serve my local communities with the same great service our company provides today in the hope that one day my own young family will join me and keep this now well established family funeral directors here forevermore.”

In Loving Memory of IAN MACKENZIE

1954-2020

With love we remember Ian. A loving husband to Celeste, brother, cousin and friend to many. Ian will be missed by all his family and friends but will be remembered forever. Rest in Peace.

In Loving Memory of MARION DAVIDSON

1940-2020

A much loved wife to the late Bill, a loving mum to Andy and Kenny, gran to Shane, Holly and Connor, and a great friend to so many.

A well-known and respected family from Kingairloch but latterly Ardgour. Together again with her beloved husband Bill.

In Loving Memory of DAVID ANDERSON

1990-2020

Wonderful son to John and Marie, loving brother to Emma and Mark, adored grandson to Bobby, uncle, nephew, and loved friend to many. He will be remembered for his caring and loving nature, and his work in Invernevis House. With the everlasting memories, he will be forever loved and remembered.

In Loving Memory of WILLIAM (BILL) BRYANS

1935-2020

A much loved husband to Jean, loving dad to Fiona, adored grandad to Alasdair and Emma, and a great grandad to Jacob. Former janitor at Lochaber High School. Greatly missed by all family and friends.

In Loving Memory of IAIN MACRAILD

1960 -2020

A loving dad to Callum and Karen, a much loved grandad, son, brother and friend. A talented and well-respected mechanic with Highland Council, Lochaber. Iain will be sadly missed by all who knew him, especially his family. Rest In Peace.

In Loving Memory of JACK SILVER

1931-2020

In ever-loving memory of Jack. A much loved husband to Betty, a wonderful dad, step-dad, grandad, and a well liked and respected friend to so many. Jack will be greatly missed by all that knew him but will be remembered with the everlasting memories he has left us. RIP.

375th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF INVERLOCHY

Three hundred and seventy five years to the day, a group representing the Lochaber Archaeological Society gathered above the site of the battle of Inverlochy to remember the action – and the men – who were killed.

Early on the morning of 2 February, 1645, Leader of a  Royalist Army, the Duke of Montrose attacked the forces of the Covenanter forces of the Marquess of Argyll, who were encamped under the walls of old Inverlochy Castle.

Members of the Society, with West Highland Metal Detectors, supported by landowners, Jahama Highland Estates, have been working around several areas thought to be parts of the battlefield.

First action in the battle took place South-West of the castle with Argylls’ forces and Montrose’s men facing each other on ridges on the site of the present day aluminium smelter. Standing beside a plinth erected to mark the

scene of the conflict, local historian Robert Cairns gave a speech outlining what is believed to happened on that day 375 years before.

He said: “Argyll’s men were pressed back and the battle swung round to the west of the castle, which was held by Argyll, and a party of about 200 Campbell’s retreating the main battle made a desperate attempt to find safety within the walls. However their retreat was cut off and the castle fell to Montrose’s men. It is said that the battle was so fierce that the moat and river ran red with blood for days after the fighting.

“Other fleeing Campbells were pursued and slaughtered on the banks of Loch Eil and the slopes of the Cow Hill a few miles away. The

Covenanters losses estimated at around 1,500 men, while the Royalist losses were recorded as few.”

Robert first started researching battle a teenager volunteering in Fort William’s West Highland Museum and over the years has  been active in seeking more information through both archaeological digs and more recently, metal detecting.

This has led to discoveries of musket balls, coins and perhaps horse tack, but he believes there are still some major finds to be made, especially if he can gain permission to examine the moat area around the castle, where he believes could be the resting place of weapons discarded at the time.

Iain Ferguson

OPERA in Arisaig

One hundred years on from the death of a nurse in the First World War, her life and sacrifice was remembered and celebrated at a concert organised by one of her descendants.

Mary MacKinnon, born in Arisaig, was serving in Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Nursing Service when, on 26 February, 1918, she lost her life after the ship on which she was travelling, HM Hospital Ship, Glenart Castle was torpedoed in the Bristol Channel.

Despite being fully lit to indicate that it was a hospital ship, therefore non-combatant and should not be attacked, the German submarine UC-56 fired a torpedo causing an explosion which sank the vessel in just eight minutes.

Of all on board, there were only 32 survivors, with a total of 162 killed, including the captain, along with doctors, the Matron, nurses, medical orderlies and patients. It was also reported

that an officer who escaped the ship wearing a lifejacket had been found floating, killed by gunshot wounds, leading to the belief that the submarine had tried to cover up its action by also killing survivors in the water.

On the centenary of the sinking, opera singer Fiona MacDonald, the great niece of Nurse MacKinnon, held a concert in St Mary’s Church, Arisaig, not only to mark the tragedy, but to raise money for the Bravehound charity, which provides service dogs to veterans suffering from mental

health issues, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The inspiration for this came from seeing Mary’s name on the Arisaig War Memorial and hearing family tales of her work in the First World War, including a journal of signatures and messages from soldiers she had treated. Fiona then decided she would also, like her aunt, do something to help military personnel.

A Scottish-based charity, Bravehound’s aim is “to support a smooth transition back into civilian life, bringing communities together and helping ex-service personnel and their families adjust to living with the visible and invisible wounds of war”.

Fiona was joined in Arisaig by colleagues, tenor Patrick Mundy and members of McOpera, who performed music by composers who died during the Great War, while she herself sang Ivor Novello’s very moving piece, Fly Home Little Heart.

Iain Ferguson

BEEF CHEEKS

RECIPE BY STEWART MACLACHLAN, LOCHABER LARDER LTD

stewart@lochaberlarder.co.uk

1kg Beef cheek, trimmed

1 large carrot, sliced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 med onion, sliced

1 stick celery, sliced

½ chicken stock cube

½ beef stock cube

½ bottle red wine

1 tsp tomato puree

Sprig of thyme/rosemary

Heat a splash of oil in a large heavy-based pot

When oil is very hot, add all vegetables and herbs until they have good colour

After 4/5 minutes add tomato puree and cook for a further three minutes

Add red wine and boil rapidly until reduced by tho thirds.

Add 2 cups of water, add stock, bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer

Flour cheeks and seal in a separate pan

Add cheeks to red wine pot, and cook on a low heat until cheeks are tender (approx. four hours). Check occasionally and add water as necessary.

How much do you rely on your phone?

Does your hand feel incomplete without your mobile in your palm? Or are you a traditionalist relying on your landline to stay in touch with family and friends, just carrying a mobile for emergencies? Maybe you’re old enough to remember the big old telephone with a dial out in the hall where everyone could hear your conversation (along with a diplomatically placed collection box, so you could pay for your own call).

Since phones are such an

essential part of modern life, it’s hard now to imagine living without them. Most of us would feel lost if our phones were taken away.

What would you have said, if you had been the first person ever to make a telephone call?

The story is that the first words spoken by telephone were from Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant Thomas Watson back in 1876. Bell said: “Come here, Mr Watson, I want to see you.”

For the first time in history it was possible to speak to someone who wasn’t there in the room, yet the message was about Bell’s desire to meet and talk to Watson face to face.

The truth is that no means of communication, however impressive, can ever take away the need for face-to-face human contact and conversation.

There is no substitute for spending time talking with a friend or family member directly, reading the expression on their face or the glint in their eyes.

Bell’s first telephone message seems to me quite close to God’s message to us, by whatever means we hear it. “Come, I’m longing to see you, to talk to you, to know you better. We need to be together, to spend time with one another.”

The phone is a wonderful invention – but nowhere near so wonderful as a conversation.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN –NORTH BALLACHULISH RAILWAY

North Ballachulish must rarely be considered as a candidate for a ‘What might have been’ dream, but a railway modeller from Lancashire has done just that by creating a section of the area not only in miniature, but also how it may have looked had a plan to extend the railway from Ballachulish to Fort William come to fruition.

Keen and experienced railway modeller, Andy Cooper from Rochdale has been a regular visitor to the area for many years (his son has also worked in the Clachaig Inn) and with an eye to history speculated on how the landscape may have looked had an 1894 Bill gone through Parliament which would have allowed the Callander & Oban Railway (C&OR) to reach as far as Fort William.

As the West Highland Line had recently opened in Fort William with plans to carry on to Inverness, it seemed logical to extend the line from Oban to take advantage of

this, which is what C&OR had intended. Had it gone ahead a logical development may also have been to have another line to Kinlochleven where the smelter could have benefitted from rail transport of raw material and finished product.

Argyll County Council offered its assistance in building the line if dual rail/road crossings were built, but this was rejected by the company, an odd decision as they struggled to finance the scheme. Ironically of the two impressive bridges built by them on the Ballachulish line, Creagan was dismantled to be replaced by a road link and Connel did eventually share the tracks with motor vehicles until the railway closed in the 1960s and it was converted exclusively to road transport.

It was actually C&OR owners, The Caledonian Railway themselves who opposed the Bill in Westminster, although much of the line did go ahead but terminating in Ballachulish,

then a bustling slate producing community with a population of around 1800.

The North Ballachulish ‘what might have been’ scenario is set in the 1970s showing the line running along the loch side just beyond St Bride’s Church with impressive models of a railway station and signal box which in reality, were built elsewhere on the line. The fully operational layout features period rolling stock, goods sidings and contemporary road vehicles backed by incredibly impressive views across the lochs.

Everything has been modelled in great detail and with tremendous care – ‘reality in miniature’ – with St Bride’s Church and Manse very accurately represented in both construction and location, although the diminutive Nether Lochaber Village Hall has, as Andy points out in a note on the model, been moved a little bit south to

Iain Ferguson

fit within the confines of the layout.

For viewers of the diorama, which attracted thousands of visitors when it was displayed at the recent ‘Model Rail Scotland’ exhibition in Glasgow’s SECC, Andy provided information about what their were looking at:‘Set in 1970/71 apart from passenger and freight traffic

by the ubiquitous 27s and also 26s down from Inverness, there are goods workings to Kinlochleven (Presflos and Cov hops from Burntisland), as well as a daily passenger working for the smelter workers. The station is that of Kentallen on the Ballachulish Branch, about three miles south of the village and the signal box a Caledonian Railway

modified S4 box as used on the Ballachulish Branch.

The non-railway buildings are all from the village of North Ballachulish and most of them placed in positions where they are in reality.

The topography is all pretty much as it is in reality except that as well as the A82 it also has a railway built through it’.

Join the CADBURY

EASTER EGG HUNT

Get ready for a weekend of fun and discover the amazing places the National Trust for Scotland looks after. Follow the trails, solve the clues and finish your adventure with a Cadbury chocolate treat.

Glencoe National Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre, Fri 10 – Mon 13 April nts.org.uk/easter

Lochaber District Shinty Memories

Jo Cowan

This month, John MacDonald, acting chairman of Lochaber District Shinty Memories Group shines a light on this new initiative.

The Shinty Memories project has gone from strength to strength since its launch at the 2014 Glasgow Celtic Society Cup Final. Modelled on Alzheimer Scotland’s Football Memories Project, Memories Shinty Club grew out of a partnership between shinty’s governing body, the Camanachd Association and Alzheimer Scotland. It aims to use the sport’s archives and other resources, to help people living with various conditions, including dementia, throughout the shinty playing areas, sparking memories, combating loneliness and isolation, starting conversations and boosting well-being.

Shinty Memories Scotland has been rolled out with great success in Badenoch. Led by shinty legends, John Mackenzie and Donnie Grant, Badenoch Shinty Memories Group now has a strong working committee and arranges various talks, presentations, and reminiscence events. It has established a positive relationship with clubs, schools, care settings and communities, and collaborates with various heritage organisations, notably the Highland Folk Museum.

In September 2019, on the eve of the Camanachd Cup Final, the Shinty Memories project was

This month, John MacDonald, Acting Chair of Lochaber District Shinty Memories Group shines a light on this new initiative:

initiated in Lochaber, and this is now Lochaber District Shinty Memories group (LDSM).

Since then, it has organised a fundraising ceilidh in Kilmallie Hall, several presentations by shinty historian and broadcaster, Hugh Dan MacLennan, and a shinty quiz. It is active on Twitter and Facebook, and has produced promotional material to spread word of Shinty Memories to communities across Lochaber. The Ballachulish shinty community already holds its own local memories events.

The group intends to be even more active in the communities that it serves, from Invergarry in the north of the district, to Ardnamurchan in the south. It is planning more events and activities, working with local health and social care professionals

with the aim of bringing shinty memories and conversations to those who might benefit from them the most.

LDSM’s next big step is to form a committee. A community meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 8 April at 7.30pm in the Youth Centre in Caol. We hope that the meeting will attract those interested in being involved and people putting themselves forward for specific roles, to form a strong, enthusiastic team to steer the group forward effectively.

If you think you can help, contact John by email: lochabershintymemories@gmail.com

Lochaber District Memories group are on Twitter at @LDSMgroup and on Facebook. www. facebook.com/LochaberDistrictShintyMemories

Pupils of Fort William Primary visit the Council Chambers to find out about who represents them, hosted by then Deputy Provost, Councillor Neil Clark.

Photograph: Iain Ferguson; The Write Image

Double whammy for Lochaber Schools in National First Shinty Finals

Even with the closeness to the start of the 2020 season and the often desperation of players to get back on the pitch no outdoor shinty ‘friendlies’ matches were able to go ahead in Lochaber due to the appalling weather.

However, thanks to indoor venues of Lochaber High School and the Nevis Centre, young players from primary schools across Scotland were able to battle it out in ‘The Ferguson Transport and Shipping National Finals’.

More than 150 of the best young players took part in two competitions for P5 and under, and P7 and under categories, both attracting large crowds of supporters in a Saturday afternoon of intense activity, with Caol and Inverlochy teams claiming the silverware in each of the competitions.

For the P5 and under, Kyles Primaries and Caol Primary School qualified for the final from two highly competitive leagues. The final was a classic and will live long in the memory. There were chances at both ends but Caol Primary scored in the last few seconds to come out on top by six goals to five goals. Both teams provided a high-quality game and Kyles can be very proud of their performances throughout the day.

At the P7 and under tournament in the Nevis Centre, the final started with Portree Gaelic School on the attack and they raced to a 2-0 lead, however, Inverlochy showed great resilience and Diesel Maclean pulled a goal back, followed, with only six seconds of the final remaining, by the highly impressive James Clark scoring a dramatic equaliser to take the final into golden goal extra time. The winning ‘golden’ goal from Inverlochy had a large slice of luck about it with the Portree defender trying to clear his lines, his clearance came off the body of Inverlochy’s Diesel Maclean, and the ball ended up in the back of the net to win the P7 and under National First Shinty Championships 2020.

Inverlochy Primary School were worthy winners having gone through the tournament undefeated.

Ali Ferguson of tournament sponsors Ferguson Transport and Shipping presented the trophy and medals to all the players and Coaches.

Iain Ferguson

SCOTTISH FIELD

IN THE APRIL ISSUE: STAR OF THE NORTH: SHINING A LIGHT ON ABERDEENSHIRE

 TONY ROPER: FROM SCOTCH & WRY TO SHAKESPEARE  STUNNING SEASCAPES

 THE RED KITE RENAISSANCE  SCOTLAND’S JAMES BOND  CHOCOLATE RECIPES

 QUEEN VICTORIA’S ART: AMAZING COLLECTION OF SCOTTISH

PAINTINGS  20 PAGES OF FASHION & INTERIORS  WIN A GOURMET

OVERNIGHT STAY FOR TWO AT THE DALMAHOY HOTEL

On sale now

YOUR WHISKY JOURNEY STARTS HERE

#ScottishWhiskyTrail

THE NEW APP FROM CASK & STILL MAGAZINE

If you are a whisky lover or just want to try the best drams in Scotland then download our free app today and make the most of your time in the home of whisky.

Our new app is your pocket guide to the Scottish whisky scene. Use our interactive map to find the best places to shop, buy and sample Scotland’s national drink, all at the touch of a button.

Visit iconic whisky bars, rub shoulders with local whisky experts and get the best advice on how to enjoy your preferred dram.

Above all have fun and remember –drink sensibly.

Slàinte!

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP TODAY START EXPLORING!

Council Tax: Check to Save

In 2019, almost 2,250 clients who accessed CAB services in Scotland seeking advice on their Council Tax debt hold a combined debt value of £6.9 million. Evidence demonstrates that people often prioritise other debts, such as credit cards and catalogues, instead of their Council Tax which should be treated as a priority to avoid legal debt recovery methods being used to recover arrears.

Across those clients with Council Tax Debt the average was more than £3,000 per person. This is significantly larger than the average Council Tax dwelling for the country, which according to the most recent Scottish Government figures stands at £1,147, which suggests that council tax debt is an ongoing problem for lots of people. Some people who access advice

services are living on very low levels of income and really struggle to make ends meet which can lead to a cycle of debt. In lots of cases people had also not claimed all of the Council Tax reductions, exemptions and discount that they may be entitled to. These can often have fairly complicated eligibility criteria and it can be very difficult to understand which may apply to your particular circumstances.

In an attempt to improve the take up of these reductions, exemptions and discounts Citizens Advice Scotland have created an online tool where people can answer a set of questions to help find out whether they are exempt from having to pay council tax or are eligible for a discount or reduction in their bill. This can be found at www. checkmycounciltax.scot

TEXT – 07714146885, TELEPHONE 01397 705311

DURING OPENING HOURS, EMAIL – adviser@lochabercab.casonline.org.uk

I read your article about the Curling Club and thought you might be interested in this grace written by the late George Henderson, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, who with his wife Isobel, was our neighbour and very dear friend, in Achnalea for several years.  George was a very well known and much loved figure in Lochaber, where as well as his many duties in the Scottish Episcopal Church, also served as Provost of Fort William.

Curlers’ Grace

Thanks be to God, for He doth send

The ample board, the honest friend

The social joys of wit and mirth, All good companionship on earth.

Thanks be to Him for seasons’ round

For Spring’s first touch on barren ground,

For Summer’s prodigal display

For Autumn’s bitter sweet decay.

Thanks be to God for that strong hand

Protecting now the sleeping land

When all is held in Winter’s vice, Thanks for the GLORY OF THE ICE. Flora Maciver.

I was interested in the article about the Craft Shop and Restaurant at Tigh Phuirt, Glencoe called “Crafts and Things” where the Cooper family have run an excellent business for the past 50 years.

“Tigh Phuirt” means house of the Port and there was a pier opposite, on the shore of Loch Leven.

The premises, house, croft and steadings were run for well over 100 years by the Rankine family as a slaughter-house, butchery and village shop, which was situated in the front room of the house.

Marjory, married. She settled in Oban and my late husband Robin Banks was her grandson.

In the 1930s and 40s, Robin, living in Oban, frequently went by train to stay with his relations at Tigh Phuirt, and in the shop hardly heard a word of English except for “margarine” and “an ounce of ‘Bogey Roll’”, as the locals were all Gaelic speakers.

He remembered hams hanging on hooks on the rafters and boxes of black tackety boots for men working in the slate quarry. They literally sold everything and were “open all hours”.

The Rankines were known as “the Poonders” because everything in the shop had to be weighed in pounds and ounces.

The Rankines were known as “the Poonders” because everything in the shop had to be weighed in pounds and ounces.

The final generation of the family consisted of three girls and one boy, only one of which,

The last of the Rankines, Aunt Teenie, died in the house aged 92 in 1963 and subsequently Tigh Phuirt was sold to the Cooper family.

It is a great joy to me knowing that there is still so much life in the old house, although it has changed so dramatically.

Ishbel Banks, Gowan Brae, Oban.

M & L LANDSCAPING

WE ARE SPECIALISTS IN LANDSCAPING AND DRIVEWAYS

ALL TYPES OF LANDSCAPING

FENCING / GARDENING /TREES ETC PATIOS / CONCRETE / SLABBING BLOCKING PAVING

Pressure Washing on all outside building works

No Job too Big or too Small | 7 day Cooling off Period Tel 01397 712120 & 07553 111093 FOR A FREE QUOTATION

Football between steep hills – but where?

laST MONTH: Tug boat awaiting restoration at the canal in Fort augustus.

•

•

Members John Ferguson & Caroline Ferguson •

•

•

Unit 6, Ben Nevis Auction Mart, Torlundy, Fort William, PH33 6SW

Suite 3, Caol Community Centre, Caol, FortWilliam, PH33 7DS

Tel: 01397 700800

Tel: 01397 701039 Fax: 01397 700800

Email: linda@bosslochaber.co.uk

E-mail: lindac@bossltd.demon.co.uk

Established in 1992

• Book-keeping, Computer Accounting, VAT Returns

• Computer Payroll Services � Weekly, Fortnightly or Monthly

• Typing, CV’s, Laminating, Binding, Photocopying, Faxing

We provide a professional and confidential Bookkeeping, Payroll, VAT Returns, and Administration service to all businesses.

• Conference and Event Organising

• Staff Agency

One to One Sage Training available Conference and Event Organising

No business too large or small!

m

Glen Nevis Fort William PH33 6PF

Contact us now – No business too large or too small

We understand your business needs and offer a professional, confidential service.

Chlaram Computer Services

For all your Laptop/PC repairs and upgrades, wireless/internet setups and custom builds

Distance no object - covering all areas from Oban to Mallaig to Fort Augustus.

Graeme Fallows

Banavie 01397 773 197

Graeme@gmx.us

raising • CommerCiaL (for commercial mortgages we act as introducers) as a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments

o

o

o EMDR therapy for trauma focused work.

o

To book an

to find out if Psychotherapy is for you please contact me via: Tel: 07952 206 084

Website: www.liz-mclure-psychotherapy.co.uk

E-mail: info@liz-mclure-psychotherapy.co.uk