At the heart of your community 12
Jacobites in the museum
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Loch Linnhe Life
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An Gearran
Beatha Lochabair
Rescue a pet
February 2021 – Issue 328
Here’s tae the tartan! Lochaber Life February 2021.indd 1
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Give the gift of a wonderful spa experience at Ardrhu House this Valentine’s Day As the rollercoaster of life continues, more than ever we need something special to really look forward to, to make us feel good in body and soul; to lift our spirits and inject some joy back into life. Ardrhu House has the perfect solution with its ‘spa la carte’ approach to wellness. The luxury spa, beloved by visitors and locals-in-the-know, has answered the call by providing with its holistic treatment menu, an indulgent treat whilst maintaining a safe environment. These spa days are truly à la carte: you buy the time with a therapist and you get to choose whatever treatments you desire with plenty of expert help and advice available to make the wisest decision. The emerald steam room, Finish sauna, hydrojet shower and outdoor jacuzzi overlooking Loch Linnhe await you. The spa team comprises an Ayurveda practitioner, herbalist, aromatherapist and sound healer; all coming together to weave the magic of Ardrhu House for a bespoke spa experience. Worldfamous brands like Ila and Temple Spa are part of the range of
products used for these exquisite treatments available exclusively in Scotland at Ardrhu House. Treatment choices vary in length and include a therapeutic range for insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, stress and exhaustion. The massage treatments are popular with male and female customers and a couples’ visit includes some amazing rituals to be shared together side by side in the same treatment room. The perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, you can either book a spa experience or buy a gift voucher for your loved one to book when the time is right. A half-day includes either breakfast or afternoon tea and the full day features both - and the à la carte theme continues. You can add a light lunch or blocks of extra spa time as you desire; it is all about you receiving the finest spa experience from this menu of indulgence. Activities on offer at the hotel can also be added. These include yoga, canoeing or wild swimming. The full story unfolds when you visit https:// www.ardrhuhouse.com/spa
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contents
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WELCOME TO FEBRUARY February already - where did the festive season go? Hopefully, as this year moves on, Covid restrictions will vanish and everyday life will return to what it once was. In this issue we look back to a time when ‘normality’ did return as Lundavra girl Mary Bruce recalls local life ‘After the War’, while Then and Now looks at he aftermath of a recent fire which destroyed another piece of Fort William history. Right up to date, Fort Football Club creates a new tartan, a local author adds to his popular series of crime novels, The Nevis Centre becomes an exciting online arts hub, swimmers take to Loch Linnhe every day regardless of the weather and our ‘Thought for the Month’ writer Lin Ramsay demonstrates her culinary skills with this month’s recipe. Stay safe Fuirich sàbhailte. Iain.
Here’s tae the ‘Footie’ tartan
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Then and Now
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After the War
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Rescue a pet
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Recipe
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Jacobites in the Museum
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Nevis Centre drama
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FRONT PAGE PHOTOGRAPH:
Book Review
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Fort William FC junior footballers Lewis Luxton and Jack Stephen show off the club’s specially designed and produced tartan.
Thought for the Month
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Photograph: Johnpaul Peebles, Abrightside Photography
15 years ago
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Where in Lochaber?
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Loch Linnhe Loonies
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EDITORIAL Iain Ferguson Email: iainpics@ googlemail.com
ADVERTISING Nicky Murphy Email: nmurphy@ wyvexmedia.co.uk
PRODUCTION Kevin McCubbin Email: kmccubbin@ wyvexmedia.co.uk
Published by Wyvex Media Limited, 22 High Street, Fort William, Inverness-shire PH33 6AT Tel: 01397 703003 Website: www.obantimes.co.uk We hope to publish a wide range of interests and opinions. However, our contributors’ views are not necessarily our own. Material in Lochaber Life must not be reproduced without our written consent or that of the copyright owner. A statement of our terms and conditions for accepting advertisements is available on request. Published by Wyvex Media Ltd.
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Here’s tae the tartan Iain Ferguson Fort William Football Club were once dubbed ‘the worst team in Britain’ due to their poor record on the pitch. More recently, however, they have claimed a more positive accolade as probably the smallest football club in the world to have their own specially designed and officially registered tartan. Aptly named ‘Mon the Fort’, it features an expert blending of the black and yellow club colours throughout the pattern, combined with the green of Claggan Park and the white snow of Ben Nevis. These give the tartan its unique and highly desirable looks. It is available to buy right now in the form of a scarf, with all
profits going to club funds. Football mad former ‘Caol boy’ James Burns, who now lives in Italy, was the man with the tartan dream and he worked hard on it throughout 2020 in cooperation with Fort FC management to make it a reality. As with many things, the story to the creation of the tartan is a long and winding tale. It started through a chance conversation with a chip shop owner in the Falkirk area, who just happened to produce merchandise, often for famous people, across the world. He set James on the right track to designers and manufacturers and he is justly proud that it is a thoroughly Scottish product from conception to delivery although it can be bought by fans across the globe. James said: ‘I have always followed the fortunes of the Fort wherever I was in the world and have even played at Claggan Park in my younger
days as part of the Lochaber Bar Team. As a footballer I was never booked, but in one game at Claggan I was sent off by the referee. The team was so disgusted by this decision that they walked off with me. Amazing memories. ‘I have a leather wallet stamped with the Fort FC logo and this could also be put in to production if there was a demand. Producing the tartan was a labour of love to help our local team which, like many other clubs, are facing extra hardship through Covid. ‘I hope the scarves are popular and sell to give them much need funds. The next step may be a kilt.’ The quality scarves, priced £20 each, are available by contacting the club through its Facebook page or at a match. Definitely a good, warm buy at this time of year!
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Then and now Station Brae, Fort William
For around a century, the buildings on Station Brae in Fort William’s West End have been home to a barber’s shop. However, a fire at the end of last year may have brought this haircutting history to an end as it looks as though the whole block is about to be demolished. Happily, the present day barber John Wilson has at least found a temporary location elsewhere, but the long standing landmark will, like the stylish railway station and bus depot which once adjoined it, soon be gone. Many thanks to the Granite House which supplied the vintage view which appears in a book of Fort William postcards.
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CAS launches new ‘Money Map’ tool as half of people report financial problems due to Covid Almost half - 47 per cent - of people in Scotland have run out of money before payday since Covid-19 restrictions began, new research for Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has revealed, with nearly 1 in 3 of those people seeing their finances worsen. Polling for CAS by YouGov reveals that 18 per cent of people running out of money before payday had no financial difficulties before restrictions began but are now facing issues. A further 12 per cent did have difficulty before restrictions and
Lochaber
now those problems are worse. The research also revealed only five per cent of people who were in financial difficulty before restrictions began have seen their circumstances improve. CAS has launched a new online ‘Money Map’ tool to help people who have faced a Covid hit to their finances. The unique tool brings together options for how people can improve their incomes and cut their living costs through issues such as housing, benefits and energy bills and directs them to
online sites where they can access these options. The Money Map tool can be found at https://moneymap.scot/ Other online and telephone advice services can be found on www.cas.org.uk For further or more specific advice people can still access advice from their local CAB or national helplines through telephone or email. In some cases with vulnerable clients where no other form of advice is possible, CABs will offer socially distanced face to face advice.
DURING OPENING HOURS 10am-4pm, TELEPHONE 01397 705311 Message can be left EMAIL – adviser@lochabercab.casonline.org.uk
We have the largest available stock of memorial headstones in the Highlands Please contact the team by calling us on 01463 233366 or emailing info@johnfraserandson.com Memorial garden open to visit: John Fraser & Son, 17-29 Chapel Street, Inverness, IV1 1NA. Browse our range of memorials on our website at www.johnfraserandson.com
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After the War Mary Bruce After the war, we had lots of things to get accustomed to. The first banana I ever saw was brought into the house by Elizabeth Donoghue (Bowie). She showed it to us, took a bite, then flung it on the open fire. She didn’t like it - and my mum was horrified. In Inverness Arcade one day, my parents bought Margaret and myself a slice of melon. They were so scarce they were only sold by the slice. The first time we had tasted it, it was new and awful and we didn’t like it, but rather than waste it, my mum and dad ate it while we looked on. Our poor parents felt so guilty when people passing commented on this. After many years, for we had never known anything anything different, it was a really big event when sweets came off rationing. The queue at R S MacColls stretched from the shop door, along the street, down the side of the Volunteer and along the back of Middle Street. Everyone got a quarter pound of sweets with no coupon. In the evenings, we listened to the radio, read books, knitted and played cards and board games. Many and varied were the clubs and associations we could attend and even young children could go out to these without any worry. On Saturdays we all had
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Mary Bruce continues to share her memories of old Fort William
household chores to do and we weren’t allowed out until these jobs were done. On Saturday afternoons, when my dad’s rifle club practice was over, my sister and I took week about to go to the rifle range on the Cowhill to pick up the spent cartridges for my dad, who used to refill them ready for the next week’s practice. From age 12, we all moved to Fort William Secondary School from our various primaries. It never felt small or cramped. Youngsters from the country or islands attended Fort William Secondary School with boys staying in Greenhill Hostel at
the bottom of Lundavra Road, under the watchful eye of Miss MacDonald and Georgie. The girls stayed in the convent or in lodgings in town. There was a Mr Ross, Tackish was his nickname, who lived in Argyll Terrace and was known to everyone. He was janitor at the secondary school and selfappointed truant officer. Off his own bat, he used to catch any child who, he thought, did not have a legitimate excuse for not being in school. And I mean physically catch!
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FORT WILLIAM 1/2 page in February - 128 mm (w) x 88 mm (h) MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL – THE SHOW MUST GO ON ‘The uncertainty and restrictions presented by Covid-19 still creates challenges for the Fort William Mountain Festival planning committee, but we can assure all of you there will be a festival. We are committed to hosting the festival from February 19 to February 21 2021 in the Highland Cinema, Cameron Square, with screenings in the afternoons and evenings, but also online. If it transpires we
cannot host the festival at the cinema as a result of Covid restrictions, we will continue with online only. We are also considering changing the dates to March. The final programme is just about complete with superb, inspirational footage of great adventures involving many outdoor activities. In addition, the traditional Festival Showreel has been completed and will be launched shortly, along
THE INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS SKI-ING FILMS WATERSPORTS FILMS CLIMBING/MOUNTAINEERING FILMS MEET LOCAL ELITE MOUNTAIN RUNNERS (ELLIS BRIGHAMS) FLYING HIGH FILMS MOUNTAIN RUNNING FILMS ENVIRONMENT FILMS MYSTERY FILMS MOUNTAIN BIKING FILMS PATAGONIA NIGHT MEET ELITE OPEN WATER SWIMMERS (THE HIGHLAND BOOKSHOP) FAMILY FILMS BANFF WORLD TOUR FILMS (3 SHOWINGS) In association with
with the announcement of The Scottish Awards for Excellence in Mountain Culture. In the meantime keep an eye on Facebook, Instagram and the website for up-to-date information as things progress. The planning and delivery of the 2021 festival is certainly proving to be an adventure in itself.’ For information go to https://mountainfestival. co.uk/
19 - 21 FEBRUARY 2021
MAIN EVENTS AT THE HIGHLAND CINEMA AND ON-LINE OTHER VENUES BRIGHAM MOUNTAIN SPORTS & THE HIGHLAND BOOKSHOP VISIT WEBSITE FOR FULL INFORMATION & TICKETS Supported and Sponsored by Me on My wall
Alexandra Hotel
creative tive canvas art www.meonmywall.co.uk
#FWMF2021 | www.mountainfestival.co.uk | LOCHaBER LIFE
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Pet rescue Dogs, in particular, are dedicated and loving, so imagine the devastation Perhaps you remember the they feel when their lives are phrase ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’? Or ‘Reduce, turned upside down when the humans they are devoted to recycle, reuse’. Both share are no longer around. Most certain similarities, for while many people spend hundreds just need a little love and kindness from a new home to of pounds buying puppies recover from the shock and or kittens, there are a huge live out a good life. number of animals out there There are many charities desperately in need of homes. who take in animals of all Having given a forever home kinds when they need help to several rescue dogs over and most will never ‘put them the years, there are many to sleep’ just because they advantages and disadvantages cannot find a new home. Go to bringing a ‘previously loved’ to any of their websites and - as they say in the car trade you see many pictures of the animal into your life. pets they have in their care, always with a full and honest In the main, most of these description of their personality, animals are not in the care of charities because they are bad behaviour and any problems they may have. or dangerous, but for a huge number of reasons including They will also never give out being abandoned or an owner an animal without making becoming too ill to take care sure the people who are of them or even dying. taking them are suitable, Iain Ferguson
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responsible and able to meet the requirements of the particular pet. This is for the welfare of both the new owner and pet. Taking in a rescued pet can also have many practical benefits as they will almost certainly be house trained, often neutered and ‘chipped’ before you take charge. You will also have a good idea in advance of what they will and won’t do, such as damaging your property, not travelling well, food allergies or how they interact with other pets all of which can be a step into the unknown with a newborn animal. Especially at this time of Covid and, of course, when the novelty of a pet Christmas present may be wearing off, think about giving an older pet a permanent home. I know from my own experience how wonderful and rewarding that can be.
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M&L PAINTERS *A ll types of UPVc work * Exterior Painting * Cladding * Gutterings * Down Pipes * Windows and Eaves * Facias and Soffits Tel 01397 712120 or 0755 311 1093
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• INGREDIENTS • 1 head celery
VEGAN CELERY SOUP
This recipe requires ‘blitzing’. My soup making career began when I received a birthday present of a blender. Nowadays, a s�ck blender is just as quick as there is no bowl to wash up and at less than £20 it soon pays for itself.
1 200g bag raw cashew nuts (not roasted/salted) 2tbsps oil I litre hot stock or 1litre boiled water+stock cube Salt and pepper to taste
• METHOD • 1 Make stock or buy cube and boil water in kettle. 2 Chop root end off celery. Wash stalks under running tap water. Cut into fairly small pieces, 2-4cms.
• TOOLS •
3 Place in a pan over low heat with oil and simmer with lid on for 10 minutes.
Chopping board
4 Add liquid, cube if using, and the cashew nuts. Raise heat and bring to boil, then simmer for 10 more minutes to soften nuts.
Lidded pan holding 1 and 1/2 litres
5 Add salt and pepper.
Electric blitzer
6 Transfer to a jug blender or blitz with a stick blender till smooth and creamy.
Sharp knife
Enjoy.
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LITTLE LEARNERS NURSERY & DAY CARE CENTRE
Take a forest, a den, mud kitchen and poly tunnel, add some youngsters looked after by a great staff who combine fun with learning and you have all the ingredients of Little Learners Nursery. Based in Inverlochy, Little Learners offers a great mix of outdoor and indoor facilities for up to 42 children aged from 6 months to five years, providing the highest level of care and development at every stage. Convenient opening hours from 8.15am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, means the nursery is geared up to help working parents throughout the year, even during school holidays. Little Learners is fully registered and meets all standards set down by the Care Inspectorate. It is also part of the Funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) programme in which costs are met by the Scottish Government. Despite Covid, the nursery continues to operate safely through established measures put in place to protect children and staff, including three points of entrance and exit for parents with clear signs, coupled with regular updates and briefings to all parents and carers reflecting the ongoing and sometimes fast changing situation arising from new Government guidelines. Amidst all of this necessary formality, it is
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reassuring to know the children have been largely unaffected in their daily activities, working and playing together in an as normal and exciting environment as before. However, in line with Government Covid recommendations, much of the activity now takes place outside in the ‘ New Forest’ area, a secure and enclosed wooded area specially developed over the last seven months boasting a ‘fort’, swings, chute and climbing frame, all nestling amongst the trees. It was recently extended by the addition of a poly tunnel. All in all, a great space for activities, fun and learning, which the youngsters just love, come rain or shine. In springtime, the tunnel will also allow the youngsters to grow flowers and vegetables which they will plant from seeds and look after to when they are ready to harvest and even go on to prepare dishes using their home grown produce - young chefs in the making. For parents, it is a great comfort to know their children are safe and well cared for while receiving an excellent grounding in social skills and the ability to learn, essential requirements for when they move on to primary education. At Little Learners Nursery, all of these are foremost in the minds of the fully qualified staff - with the addition of fun and enjoyment.
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Michael J Kennedy
Painters & Decorators
COVID-19 UPDATE ( AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS)
For High Quality Workmanship
Ames Taping, Coving, Airless Spray, New Builds
Commercial, Industrial & Domestic
53 Castle Dr, Lochyside, Fort William
Mob 0780 335 7221
Tel 01397 703893 Established 1988
WE ARE OPEN FOR PRIMARY HEALTHCARE THERAPIES OSTEOPATHY, PHYSIOTHERAPY, COUNSELLING, HERBAL MEDICINE, PODIATRY, NLP, CBT N O M ASSAGE/ Y OGA IN J ANUARY 2 0 2 1
CALL: 01397 702257 E: INFO@LOCHABERCLINIC.CO.UK W: WWW.LOCHABERCLINIC.CO.UK CHECK ONLINE FOR THE LATEST INFO
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Feeling the pinch during Covid 19? Do you want to stop smoking to improve your finances and health?
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Service support and advice products for 3 months More money for essen�als
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Contact your local Adviser Claire Gunner on: Email: claire.gunner@nhs.scot Tel: 01397 709864 Mob: 07788566344 LOCHaBER LIFE
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Greenlees
Son
Family Funeral Directors
Greenlees & Son Family Funeral Directors are a locally owned and family-run business, committed to offering a professional, personal and caring funeral service. We believe in fair pricing; we do not charge excessive amounts for our service and products, no hidden fees and we never ask for money upfront. Family values are extremely important to us; we use the expertise which we have gained, to provide guidance, support and care to you and your loved one, as if you are part of our family. We are available anytime, day or night, by telephone, email or messenger.
www.greenleesfunerals.co.uk K I L M A L L I E ROA D, C AO L , F O RT W I L L I A M P H 3 3 7 A R 20
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Direct Cremation:
Funeral Director only, in attendance at Crematorium
£ 1,195.00 Simplicity Funeral:
Service held at Crematorium or Cemetery
£ 1,995.00 Traditional Funeral:
Service held in Church/Venue prior to Committal
£ 2,795.00 ALL PRICES INCLUDE DISBURSEMENTS Cremation / Interment Fee ⚫ Officiant Fee ⚫ Organist Fee NO MONEY EVER ASKED FOR UPFRONT FULL DETAILS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE LOCHaBER LIFE
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The West Highland Museum’s new look Jacobite Gallery Vanessa Martin, curator) It’s almost a century since the West Highland Museum was founded in 1922 by an enthusiastic group of local volunteers. From the beginning, the museum has focused on collecting objects associated with the Jacobite risings, particularly the 1745 Rising which began here in Lochaber. Over the decades, we’ve built up a fantastic collection of artefacts associated with the Jacobites. These include items that once belonged to key figures of the Jacobite movement. Among our treasured objects are Bonnie Prince Charlie’s waistcoat,
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fragments of his tartans, his prayer book and even his tooth. We have Lord Lovat’s spectacles and Flora MacDonald’s tea cup, spinning wheel and shawl. We also have good examples of objects that express the material culture of the Jacobites. Some of these objects are unique, such as the Secret Portrait which reveals a hidden portrait of the Prince when it’s viewed through a reflective cylinder. These are to name but a few items in our extensive Jacobite collection of objects, books and manuscripts. In July 2020, Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in
Scotland eased, but with the museum still closed to the public until early September, we decided it would be a good opportunity to redecorate the Jacobite gallery to better present our existing collection for visitors to enjoy and to add a few more gems to the exhibition. After much debate, a colour was selected and a fabulous team of volunteers, including two Glasgow School of Art graduates, picked up their brushes and got creative, painting it a rich shade of crimson. Jacobite oil paintings and other objects previously displayed elsewhere in the
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museum were moved to the refurbished gallery. These included a series of gilt framed portraits of the exiled Stuart royal family and a two-sided window seat said to have been used by the Prince when he stayed at Fassfern. In addition, we elaborated on the Jacobite narrative in the exhibition with a new interpretation board focusing on the first bloodshed of the 1745 Rising at High Bridge. It was at High Bridge outside Spean Bridge on August 16 1745 that the first conflict between the Jacobites and government troops occurred. Major Donald MacDonald of Tirindrish, with just 11 men and a piper, convinced their opponents they were a much bigger force by leaping about the place noisily. The Royal Scots retreated and eventually surrendered to the Jacobite clansmen. Two objects associated with the skirmish found recently at High Bridge are on display in the exhibition. A trigger guard from an 18th century British military issue Brown
Bess musket and two impacted musket balls fired by Jacobites are on long-term loan to the museum. Another new acquisition with a Stuart connection on permanent display alongside our textiles, is a one metre length of 18th century lace said to have belonged to Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The lace had been gifted to the donor’s mother after a chance meeting with the Countess of Stolberg in Geneva. The Countess wished for the lace to come to Scotland. Prince Charles had been unhappily married to Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern from 1772. This sample of lace had remained hidden away in a desk drawer in Peebles for half a century before it came into our care in July 2020. We are consulting a lace expert at the Bowes Museum in England to find out more about the lace and will need to research its provenance a little more. With the assistance of the Art Fund and National Fund for Acquisitions, the museum has recently bought an oil on canvas by Sir D Y Cameron titled ‘October in Knoydart’ for our fine art collection. Cameron’s painting vividly depicts the wild Highland landscape in which the Prince hid whilst on the run from the British Army in the summer of 1746. This has been hung in the Jacobite gallery in memory of our former trustee John Gooch (1929 – 2019) and will complement the story
of the aftermath of the 1745 Rising. The artist has a long association with the West Highland Museum and was one of its earliest members. In 1928, our fledgling museum purchased the Strange Plate, an 18th century copper printing plate made by Robert Strange. It had been commissioned by the Prince on the eve of the Battle of Culloden and was intended to be used to print money for the cash strapped Jacobite army. It was never used and was abandoned at Loch Laggan. In 1928, Cameron printed from the plate to raise funds for the museum. Fifty seven proofs were produced and sold for 10/6. One of Cameron’s prints is on display in our Jacobite gallery alongside Strange’s printing plate. To celebrate our centenary in 2022, we are planning to print from the plate again.
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Getting creative at the Nevis Centre Iain Ferguson Despite lockdown restrictions, The Nevis Centre with well known theatre worker and ‘Arts of Lochaber ‘ columnist Ilona Munro have successfully introduced a few online events, with more to come. These have been made possible with a grant of £50,000 from The Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund to help to retain jobs by supporting musicians and theatre arts workers. A successful application by The Nevis Centre now means staff jobs are safeguarded, with Ilona being engaged as Consultant Community Theatre Worker to plan and implement
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local events. The aim of this post is promote small scale productions and gigs as well as creating live arts projects for locals to enjoy and become involved in, even under the pandemic restrictions. In December, an initial Music Masterclass ‘Playing by Ear’ took place with musician Seylan Baxter. There was another with local musician Martainn Skene. Both were very well ‘attended’ virtually, with more to follow. A new and innovative project also currently under way is a community production ‘1943 Classic B&W’ involving more than 40 locals aged 11 years to retirement, which is being
rehearsed online in the hope it can be performed on stage in the spring. Before lockdown, The Nevis Centre was making great strides in attracting popular bands and well-known entertainers to the venue but, unfortunately, these performances were called off due to Covid. This involved much hard work and gaining experience which will now be put to good use through the relief grant. Details on the events and future plans can be found on the Nevis Centre website.
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Bathrooms Kitchens Heating Systems 24/7 Call outs
Call us to discuss your needs
07547 237 737
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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
Liz McLure
MSc.,M.Inst.G.A.,MUPCA.,UKCP reg.
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE LOCHABER AREA o Confidential therapy online Or in private office (subject to COVID-19 restrictions) o Long or short term psychodynamic therapy. o EMDR for trauma focussed work. o Clinical Supervision.
To book an Initial Consultation 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
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AHEAD OF THE GAME BOOK REVIEW
This month sees the return of murder and mayhem to the West Highlands with the release of ‘Ahead of the Game,’ the tenth book in JD Kirk’s DCI Jack Logan crime fiction series.
‘Ahead of the Game,’ just like previous books by the author, is a real emotional roller-coaster ride. While the murder investigation itself is a serious matter, the banter between the characters will often have you rolling with laughter. So much so, in fact, that the first book in the series, ‘A Litter of Bones,’ has been described as ‘the funniest book about child abduction you’ll ever read’.
JD Kirk – a pen name of Fort William author Barry Hutchison – has become a bestseller locally and internationally, with his crime fiction novels regularly topping the Amazon charts and consistently selling out at the Highland Bookshop on the town’s High Street. The latest book in the series opens with the discovery of a headless body at the Well of Seven Heads near Invergarry, before moving to areas including Spean Bridge, the Annat Industrial Estate and, of course, Fort William Police Station. It’s hungry work, investigating a murder, and as always when DCI Logan and his team of detectives are in Fort William, they swing by JJ’s Café for bacon rolls. And this time they are delighted to discover a new cake shop just around the corner. ‘Mentioning local businesses was always a deliberate thing I wanted to do,’ Barry explained. ‘The books have a large international audience now and readers have been messaging to say they can’t wait to come to the Highlands to eat at JJ’s,
or the Lochy Bar or one of the other food places they’ve read about.’ Readers of the series will enjoy catching up with all their favourite characters, from surly DCI Logan to hapless DC Neish.
As Barry was born and raised in the area, he knows it well and this comes across in the prose, which paints vivid pictures of the area, from the rippling waters of Loch Oich, to the varnished floor of the main hall at Lochaber High School. Despite all the death, Lochaber truly comes alive on the page.
And, with new books planned Over the course of the series, in the series, and the murder invesa spin-off on the tigations themway later this selves – while ‘Ahead of the Game’, just like year, JD Kirk’s always clever and well-plotted previous books by the author, Highland massacre shows no - have almost be- is a real emotional rollersigns of letting come secondary coaster ride. up any time to the ongoing soon. relationships between the ‘Ahead of the detectives and those around Game’ is available from the them. We care about whodunHighland Bookshop in Fort nit, but we care even more that William from mid-February our favourite characters make it and online from all the usual through unscathed. places.
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New builds or conversions Alterations & extensions Preparation of feu plans Preparation of “as existing drawings� Building Warrant and planning applications M 07429 489537 E admin@jcarchitecture.co.uk W jcarchitecture.co.uk
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Some of you may have been keeping ‘Veganuary’. We don’t, but enjoy vegetable soups. Food has always been important in our household. When a young person in our home asked what nice smell was coming from the hob, I replied ‘celery soup’. She expressed surprise we made our own soup. I could give her the simple recipe, which was passed on to me by my admittedly middle aged
daughter. It has also made its way to a friend of a friend in Norway and I am happy to share it with anyone wishing to give it a go. The Bible has a lot to say about food. The ancient people of Israel were given very strict rules about food, which made them different from other tribes and it was part of their worship of God. A good Jew would not eat anything which was not what we now call ‘kosher’.
At the very beginning of the world wide Christian church, the apostle Peter had a dream about food. In it he was being told to eat the ‘wrong’ food. He objected, but by the third time of dreaming he understood what the dream meant, when some of the ‘wrong’ people showed up. You can make and enjoy Lin’s renowned celery soup by following her recipe on page 14.
A well-attended public meeting in the Tweeddale Council Chambers. Photograph, The Write Image.
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T: 01397 712373 M: 07884 185 279
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Ktrees Ltd offers a professional and comprehensive Arboricultural and tree surgery service With over 10 years experience in the business No job too big or too small Give us a phone for a free quotation Available in Lochaber & surrounding areas 07827 515023
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Stokes Memorials Serving Argyll, the Highlands & Islands for over 35 Years
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a metal stag stands by a burn, but where? LaST MONTH: Wall of the new cinema in Fort William.
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Loch Linnhe Loonies – The Positive Pod
Anita Maclean
There’s some new wildlife in Loch Linnhe. You might have spotted them when you’re walking Achintore Road. You might even have heard their group calls as they enter the water. ‘ Loch Linnhe Loonies’, also known as ‘The Positive Pod’ , are a group of diverse individuals with a common passion for wild swimming. Some swim in wetsuits, some wear just their swimsuits. Some are known to ‘double-dip’. This is the term for when, after a wetsuit swim, we take off the wetsuit and go back in the water for a swimsuit dip. A pod spokesperson said that in 2019, two of the pod made a pact to swim outdoors all through the winter. So at the start of Covid19 they were already regulars in the loch. In 2020, the closure of local leisure centres, together with the health benefits of cold water swimming being promoted widely, saw the pod grow in numbers. One of the pod started her loch swims in April and hasn’t looked back since. A few have different health conditions that could be helped with open
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water swimming. The positive pod use a group message to arrange socially distanced swims. Weekday swims are usually shorter and fit in around work commitments but at weekends, the pod has been known to consume copious quantities of hot chocolate and cake after a swim. We all probably started open water swimming for differing reasons but all agree it is the fun and friendship gained from being in and out of the
water that has had the greatest impact on our lives. The sensations gained from being in the open water makes you fully appreciate how brilliant the human body is. Smooth, calm water days relax you as you glide along, whereas more windy, turbulent swims invigorate and excite the senses. In what other sport or leisure activity would you have a guillemot dive beneath you or an inquisitive seal pop up to admire your swimming cap?
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Delivering All Aspects Of Civil Engineering. New Build & Extension Groundworks Sewers & Septic Tanks Concrete & Steel Work Kerbing & Paving Works Bell Mouths & Access Roads
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Dear Lochaber, In these testing times, movies offer us all an escape for a few hours, to forget the real world and discover new places, characters and stories, or sometimes just to enjoy the comfort of an old favourite. All these films are great to watch at home, but even better on a big screen. It was our privilege to bring cinema back to the Highlands in 2020, and we look forward to bringing you the world again in 2021. Thanks to all our guests, visitors and partners over the past months – stay safe and we’ll see you again very soon.
RECRUITING SOON! We’re already planning for a bright future beyond lockdown, with a view to adding two new experienced, motivated and cheery full time Front of House staff to our team. Successful candidates will have experience in the hospitality industry and ideally be barista trained, with the flexibility to work across the box office, bar and café. Full details of these positions and how to apply will be posted on our website and Facebook page www.facebook.com/HighlandCinema soon.
WWW.HIGHLANDCINEMA.CO.UK
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