Book review Wee Bull

LITTLE BULL ON COW HILL

Fort William’s Cow Hill and the adventures of its imaginary animal residents are the subjects in a recently published children’s book by a local author.

Rhona Douglas, who has looked out on the hill from her Inverlochy home for more than three decades, came up with the idea for Little Bull on Cow Hill after a wrist operation which left her temporarily dependant on using only one hand.

As she sat in her chair reading from her iPad she looked up to the hill and the idea came to her. She started typing using, as she said, ‘only one finger’ and so the book was born.

Despite being restricted to one-finger typing, the words flowed and Archie the Bull came to life, with friends Mo, Mairi and Hector the Haggis.

Aimed at nursery to early primary children, the characters feature names from people in Rhona’s life: Archie, being her grandfather and Mo, after her late sister Maureen.

As the preface says, Rhona has spent her whole life in the Highlands of Scotland with her family living nearby. She was born with spastic paraparesis, which affects her legs but it has never held her back, always being in employment since leaving school.

Over the years she has worked in admin, as a CCTV operator and presently as a retail assistant in Morrisons, now adding ‘author’ to her list of jobs.

Another impetus in writing the book was the pending birth of her grandchild Ruaridh and the idea of being able to read it to him from a young age; which she has since been able to do, complete with dedication to the youngster in its pages.

She said: ‘I always knew there was a book in me but until I started on this I just didn’t know what it was. I enjoyed writing it and my friends and family were supportive and helpful in printing out draft copies and reading through it.

‘I searched around for various publishers and was delighted when Austin Macauley came back to me saying it would publish it. ‘My view of Cow Hill every day was also an inspiration and I am hoping that many local children, especially in nursery and early education, will read it and relate to it as it involves an area and animals which they will be able to recognise as part of their own lives.’ Little Bull on Cow Hill priced at £9.99 is available from a number of local outlets and directly from the publisher, Austin Macauley.

In Loving Memory of

JAMES (fITzIE) fITzSIMONS 1967 – 2021 (Roy Bridge) Suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday 24th May 2021, aged 53 years, James (Fitzie) Fitzsimons, Inverroy, Roy Bridge. A kind and generous gentleman, highly respected throughout Lochaber, a well-known and skilled panel beater from his premises in Fort William. A loving and devoted husband to Ruth, a wonderful and much-loved dad to Hamish, son to the late Morag and Charlie, a caring son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and a loyal friend to many. Fitzie will be forever loved and missed by his loving family and friends as well as the communities of Lochaber. RIP. On behalf of his wife Ruth we are looking for photographs, stories and other personal memories you may have of Fitzie to be forwarded on to us so we in turn can pass on to the family to help collate together a memory book for their son Hamish. Your help and assistance will be greatly appreciated and any photos, stories and personal memories you may have can be sent to us via email info@mmfd.co.uk or alternatively posted to Manson & MacBeath Funeral Directors, Inverlochy, Fort William, PH33 6NB.

In Loving Memory of

MALCOLM MORRISON 1942 – 2021 (Mallaig) Peacefully in the care of Moss Park Care Home on Monday 24th May 2021, aged 79 years, Malcolm Morrison, Loch Nevis Crescent, Mallaig. Remembered for working in the Marine Bar, Mallaig and as night watchman on the CalMac ferry. RIP.

In Loving Memory of

ALAN CUMMING 1932 – 2021 (Caol) Suddenly but peacefully at Moss Park Care Home on Wednesday 26th May, aged 88 years, Alan Cumming, Blar Mhor Road, Caol, Fort William. Fondly remembered for his time as the gardener at Inverlochy Castle, Torlundy, Alan also enjoyed bird watching and walking his dog. A loving husband to the late Ailsa, a much-loved brother, uncle, neighbour and friend to many. Greatly missed.

In Loving Memory of

HUGH (HUGHIE) MACDONALD 1945 – 2021 (Claggan) Suddenly and unexpectedly at home on Tuesday 18th May 2021 Hugh (Hughie) Joseph MacDonald, aged 76 years, Tomnafaidhir, Claggan, Fort William, retired Highland Council employee. A much-loved neighbour and friend, especially to Susan. RIP.

In Loving Memory of

SANDRA MOffITT 1945 – 2021 (Claggan) Peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday 7th June 2021, Sandra Moffitt, aged 76 years, Carn Dearg Road, Claggan, Fort William. A much-loved mum to Diane and Tracy, a wonderful nana to Kelly, Jordan, Jake, Ben and the late Carrie, great nana to Shannon, Kyler and Geo, a caring neighbour and friend to many. Sandra will be greatly missed every day but fondly remembered for the love and kindness she gave throughout her life.

In Loving Memory of

MARy MORRISON 1945 – 2021 (Mallaig) Peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday 29th May 2021, aged 76 years, Mary Morrison, affectionally known within the community as ‘Mary The Taxi’, Loch Nevis Crescent, Mallaig, sadly only five very short days after the passing of her beloved brother Malcolm Morrison. A loving mum to Kenneth and much loved by all the extended family. Mary was a kind, most obliging lady who served the community of Mallaig for over 30 years in her taxi amongst many other community-related activities, especially her dedication and love for the church and the choir. RIP.

In Loving Memory of

DAVIE (CALLy) MACCALLUM 1950 – 2021 (North Ballachulish) Unexpectedly but peacefully at home on Saturday 22nd May 2021, aged 71 years, Davie (Cally) MacCallum, North Ballachulish. A wellknown and respected joiner (retired) with Lochaber Housing Association in Fort William. A devoted husband to Carolyn (Caz), a much-loved dad to Paul, a wonderful grandad to Lyle, Logan and Lola and a caring uncle to Amanda and a loyal friend to many. Davie enjoyed fishing, music and dancing as well as good food and wine and a good dram. Sadly missed by all his family and friends.

In Loving Memory of

IAN NICOLL 1963 – 2021 (Corpach) Peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday 14th May 2021, Ian Nicoll, aged 57 years, Corpach, Fort William, Wayleave Officer with SSE (Lochaber Office) and former employee at the Scottish Hydro Electric Shop, Fort William High Street. A devoted husband to Karen, an adored dad to Millie, Sophie and Freya, a loving son to Sandra, a much-loved brother to Gillian and Jenny, brother-in-law to John, Ruth, Dawn and Jane, and a caring relative, colleague, neighbour and a good friend to many. Sadly missed.

In Loving Memory of

KATHLEEN BEATON 1930 – 2021 (Caol/Camaghael/Claggan) Suddenly, but peacefully at home on Saturday 5th June 2021, Kathleen Beaton, aged 90 years, Polmona, Claggan, Fort William (formerly Lochy Caravan Park, Camaghael and Glenkingie Street, Caol). A loving wife to the late Hughie Beaton, much-loved mum to Alice, Pearl, Donna and the late Richard (Dick), a wonderful granny to Carl, Sasha, Sue, Josh, Nadine and Finn, great granny and great great granny, a caring mother-in-law, sister, cousin and friend to many. Forever loved and missed by her loving family.

In Loving Memory of

JOHN (OSKIE) CAMERON 1952 – 2021 (Claggan) Suddenly at home on Saturday 22nd May 2021, John (Oskie) Cameron, aged 68 years, Claggan, Fort William, well-known slater and rough caster in Lochaber. A much-loved dad to Jemma and Johnny, a wonderful grandad to Summer and Ritchie, son to the late Alexander Cameron (Sandy Penny) and Lizzie Johnston, a loving brother to Sandra, David and Cindy, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and a friend to many. Sadly missed. RIP.

MANSON & MACBEATH FUNERAL DIRECTORS

10 Battlefield Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6NB Tel (24 Hour): 01397 701110 www.mansonandmacbeath.co.uk

What’s on in July anD auGust...

JULy

08/07/21 Thursday 7pm

Digital marketing for growers and producers with Vanessa who works with UHI and Food Lochaber

13/07/21 Tuesday 7pm

Micro bakery bread production with Adam from Doughies

20/07/21 Tuesday 7pm

Dead hedging and food stories with Debbie and Chris from Rooted

10/08/21 Tuesday 7pm

Polycultures and companions with Cat from Breacan-Beithe

27/07/21 Tuesday 7pm

Starting a small scale food production enterprise with Allison from Chocolate Box

17/08/21 Tuesday 7pm

Food stories with Debbie from Rooted

24/08/21 Tuesday 7pm

Grain growing and Darach Beg Croft with Adam from Doughies

AUGUST

03/08/21 Tuesday 7pm No-dig growing Catherine from Breacan-Beithe To book your place on any of these fantastic workshops, please visit: https://lochaberenviro.org.uk/food-lochaber-workshops-this-summer/ Then click on the Eventbrite link.

Love the local life in Lochaber

lochaber Chamber offers tourism assistance at the tap of an app

Frazer Coupland, Chief Executive Officer

At Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, we’re passionate about supporting and promoting local business. Buying local is becoming ever more popular and there’s a great range of shops and food and drink producers to tempt you in Lochaber. Choosing to shop local has never been easier and is a great way to support our local economy and community. With this in mind, Lochaber Chamber of Commerce was recently joined by three professional chefs for our first West Coast Wild Food Festival, kindly hosted by the Old Pines, Spean Bridge, to celebrate the exceptional range of produce available locally. We were delighted to showcase produce from a number of members and suppliers from across Lochaber at the event. From fresh fruit and vegetables, local meat and seafood, charcuterie and smoked fish to artisan baking, preserves, spirits and beers; it was fantastic to see the quality and range on offer right here on our doorstep. Working on simple camping stoves, our trio of

Luke Hastings of the Old Pines slaving over a hot camping stove at the West Coast Wild food event.

Deliciously fresh Highland Surf’n’ Turf using locally sourced ingredients.

chefs showed us just what you can achieve with fresh local ingredients and a generous helping of ‘outdoor-cooking’ imagination! We’d like to say a big thank you to our intrepid chefs - Luke Hastings of the Old Pines, Stewart MacLachlan from Lochaber Larder and Robert Coull for Jahama Estate, who created some very tasty and good-looking dishes to showcase Lochaber’s rich larder. Follow the Outdoor Capital of the UK on social media and check out www.outdoorcapital.co.uk for inspiration to help you shop local, cook local and enjoy local!