The Villagers June 2020

Villagers the

free

this month...

The Voice of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre & St Fillans • JUNE 2020

... is there a light at the end of the tunnel...?

not yet!

FREE ONLINE EDITION AVAILABLE at https://villagers.online/

Editor’s Bit I am not sure if anyone watching events elsewhere in the world three months ago really comprehended what we were going to face. Just ten weeks ago when I was writing my ‘Ed Bit’ as the lockdown was being suddenly announced, the true scale of the life changing conditions about to affect our society and the long term implications for our daily existences were far from being anticipated. We are now reaching the stage where the bubbles we all retreated into are coalescing or about to burst - and our society faces the prospect of becoming even more fragmented and divided.

This potential dichotomy can be seen on one level - with those who will keep their jobs and those who face being made redundant (or losing family businesses built up over generations) - but also, on a global level, between countries who feel they have successfully eradicated the virus from their lands and wish to keep it that way - by excluding “foreigners” - even friendly ones!

How fortunate we have been here, blessed with days of endless sunshine. For many of us there has been the new challenge of growing edible as well as decorative plants, when we were lucky enough to find compost and seeds - which are nearly as scarce as yeast, flour and condensed milk! The ten weeks of comparative quiet calm are just about to change, and many are apprehensive about what the next critical few weeks hold in store. Hopefully we can all stay safe.

JJ

Long before the current traumatic scenario dropped upon us all, we had been fast approaching the time to tell you, that with everincreasing printing costs and falling sales, the future of the paper was in jeopardy. I am sure we all know that this is a problem faced by all newspapers, local and national.

I personally resisted taking The Villagers online, always preferring to have the paper version to browse over. However, I succumbed and am now an avid reader on my iPad. Lockdown, and the temporary closure of printers, meant that to keep going, we had to dive straight into the online option - and this is our third month. There are still vital costs to be covered, however, and this is where you, our loyal readership, come in.

To those of you who have been reading online - we hope very much that you will continue to do so and be prepared to take out an annual subscription to enable us to continue. Also, we acknowledge that some readers will always need a printed copy - so whenever things return to the mystical “normal”, we will try to provide this, but on a much more limited basis.

As you can appreciate things are rather fluid at this time, but we are planning to offer the subscription at £12 per year (for 11 issues) and our current thoughts are that a printed edition would have to go up to £1.50 - or possibly more - as printing fewer copies will mean that unit costs will increase. We are working on setting up the change to an online pay subscription and there will be more news on that once this work has been done.

Please support your local newspaper - thank you!

Team Villagers

www.kingshousetravel.co.uk

e.campbell147@btinternet.com

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The Villagers Future?

Recipe for you!

Strathyre News

Broch Field – Community Consultation Phase II Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation process on the future of the Broch Field that had been taking place in the months before Covid-19 arrived. The outputs from the community discussions have now been collated alongside an indepth feasibility study and we are now ready to begin the next phase of consultation.

Within the next two months, the BLS Community Trust will look to present the initial findings and proposals detailed in the feasibility study back to the community.

Ultimately, we as a community need to decide what action we take around future ownership and management of the Broch Field, and so all your views will play an important part in making the final decisions on how we proceed.

Please look out over the coming weeks for the detailed information coming your way. The Trust will endeavour to provide every household in Strathyre with an information summary flyer, there will be notices placed on all local noticeboards, full details will be available on the new BLS Trust website: (https://www.blscommunitytrust.org.uk) and we will also be organising a number of online consultation/ discussion meetings instead of a more usual ‘face-to-face’ gathering.

Finally, we will invite everyone to take part in a vote to decide on how we should go forward.

We look forward to hearing your views and thank you in advance for your interest.

The BLS Community Trust

Whisky and Heather Honey Bread This tasty loaf is delicious with honey, jam, cold meat or cheese.

Whether you use a mellow Macallan or a firey Islay malt you will taste the richness of both the whisky and the heather honey. Full of true Scottish flavours.

INGREDIENTS

225 ml water 50 ml Scottish malt whisky 3 tbsp melted butter 75 g runny heather honey 1 large egg yolk (optional) 1.5 tsp salt 50 g fine oatmeal 100 g strong wholemeal flour 300 g strong white bread flour Sachet of fast-acting yeast

While U3A members have been staying at home and group meetings face to face have been suspended, communication has continued. Members can contribute to ‘Chatterbox’, a U3A fanzine. Items which amuse, inform or stimulate are welcome. We have been entertained with poems, quizzes, photos, video clips, uplifting music. We have shared books and grandchildren’s artwork. Our regular online Newsletter has also been very welcome.

Some group leaders have been very inventive and have managed to keep their groups going, using technology of course.

No-one has missed out on U3A news. A fortnightly paper version of chatterbox and our monthly newsletter have been posted to people within the membership who are not online. Of course, it is not possible to say when Callander and West Perthshire U3A interest groups will be able to meet again but we can learn, laugh and feel connected during these extraordinary times.

enquiries@coopercottages.com

TO MAKE

This loaf can be made in a bread maker. Place all the ingredients into the bucket and set on the basic white bread programme.

Alternatively, you can use the bread makers dough programme to prepare the dough or mix the ingredients together by hand and knead until smooth. If using a bread makers dough programme empty the dough on to a floured surface and knead until smooth.

Place your prepared in a 500 g bread tin and cover with a damp towel and allow to rise in a warm place for an hour or two. To bake place the bread tin in on a rack in a cold oven and turn the oven on to 1900C. The loaf will rise a little more as the oven heats and will eventually bake. Cook for 30 – 40 minutes depending on your oven.

Transfer to a rack and allow to cool before enjoying.

www.sulafurnishing.co.uk catriona@sulafurnishing.co.uk

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Lochearnhead Latest Here is an article about WWII, describing what life was like for a tenant farmer in Lochearnhead: A few months ago, The Villagers magazine published old photographs of life around Balquidder during the last war. They were excellent photos!

Thanks to everyone for sharing them with me and other readers of the magazine.

My grandmother, Mary Dow, would often talk about World War Two at Dalveich and it would usually start with, “That war nearly killed your Grandfather. I don’t know how he lived through it”. As young children, we found this to be a strange and even comical remark as Andrew Dow was in a reserved occupation and didn’t have to go to war; also, sleepy little Lochearnhead wouldn’t be on the Luftwaffe’s list of places to bomb.

Mary Dow would then explain why the war years were so difficult for farmers and although my grandfather did not face the horrors of the frontline, he did face his own physical struggles against the land.

The Agricultural Act was passed in 1938 which meant that all farmers in the UK had to grow significantly more crops, mostly wheat and potatoes, to feed the country. If any farmers refused, then farms could be taken away from them. Consequently, my grandfather’s workload increased significantly overnight. As well as three extra fields in the village, he was also told to plant crops on the hillside behind Dalveich. The land had to be ploughed over and potatoes were to be grown there - which was a huge job to do, as not only had these fields never been ploughed before but the task also had to be done using his two horses as the hillside was too steep for his “wee grey“ Ferguson tractor.

Every so often the authorities from Perth would arrive in an official car early in the morning to keep a check on all the farmers in the area. This was not just a routine visit to tick a box and go home. Mary Dow would describe these men as ‘the Gestapo’ fifty years after the war ended. My grandfather 4

Evidence of all the hard work: the ‘wee grey’ Ferguson tractor (above, at Scone Palace) and a horse drawn cart; below - Andrew’s family proudly exhibiting at the Highland Games.

had been given quotas and if he failed to fulfil them there would be serious consequences! I assume he did achieve his targets or I probably would not have set foot on Dalveich soil years later.

During this time of relentless toil, an unexpected boost to the workforce was supplied by the German prisoners who were detained in the Comrie area. My mother Marion remembers them as they would frequently make toys from wood for herself and Alister McFarlane, another child from the

Glen Beich farm. One Christmas the toy was a hen with chicks on a board and when a string was pulled the birds would peck at the wooden board. For her birthday one of the prisoners made a toy cot for her dolls and each gift was made with much skill and exquisite craftsmanship. The soldiers would arrive in their army uniforms and before they started working, they would sit down outside the farmhouse at Dalveich, whittling away diligently on pieces of wood.

Such a pity no one took a photo of that

BOOK REVIEW

The Dutch House Ann Patchett

www.thegoldenlarches.com info@thegoldenlarches.com

CLACHAN COTTAGE HOTEL ONE OF SCOTLAND’S ICONIC SETTINGS ON THE SHORE OF LOCH EARN The Clachan has been here for a long time, tending to travellers and residents alike and is now the largest hotel in the area, boasting deluxe bedrooms and amazing loch view rooms.

Under normal circumstances, we’d be inviting you to come and stay, or try our restaurant and bar and just soak up the wonderful views! But for now, we wish you well and look forward to happier times.

And for the future, we’d like to remind you that weddings and small functions are hosted by the Clachan.

Our stunning setting provides the perfect backdrop for those all important videos or photos.

Stay safe • stay home Clachan Cottage Hotel • Lochside, Lochearnhead • Perthshire FK19 8PU info@clachancottagehotel.co.uk • 01567 8302477

scene as it would have shown that the enemy was capable of kindness and humanity too.

Andrew Dow was also in the Home Guard - which he did not enjoy. It was run as a serious military unit and Andrew rarely spoke about it except to say the officer in charge was an unpleasant army officer who would quite happily insult the farmers because he saw them as dodging their fighting duties. Part of their duties after a long day working the land would be to patrol during the night checking that no campers were lighting fires which they often did, contravening blackout rules. What is it with campers and fires? I know they can still be a problem today around the lochside.

My grandparents would describe how the night sky would be lit up behind Ben Our if Glasgow was being

bombed - which filled them both with dread, knowing casualty and fatality numbers would be high.

The war seemed to drag on endlessly for that generation and what a wonderful day it must have been when the Germans surrendered.

I asked my mum if she remembered VE day - she would have been eight at the time. She thinks that it was just another day on the farm and there were no organised celebrations but VJ day was celebrated in Lady McGregor’s field near the shop at Lochearnhead in August 1945. What a joyous occasion it must have been!

It is easy for me and my generation who have been brought up on war films and Dad’s Army to underestimate the challenges of war, but the land of Lochearnhead certainly presented its own challenges for my grandfather.

Michael Cowie

The house of the book title is, depending on your imagination, either a glass monstrosity dominating the landscape or something magical and whimsical and otherworldly.

Aside from the huge glass doors and windows which make the house look as though it is floating over the lawns and driveway, it is decorated throughout with delft tiles, oil paintings, tapestries, Chinese lamps and marble floors.

It is in some peoples’ eyes a work of art and in others the complete opposite.

This is a story of the Conroy family who come to live in the Dutch House. They take possession of the house when the previous owners, the Van Hoebeeks, go bankrupt and one senses that the house has been bought as a status symbol.

The Conroys previously lived in a tiny apartment no bigger than a postage stamp and Cyril Conroy moves the family in overnight without any consultation. When his wife takes off to help the poor in India, citing the fact that she has no right to live in such a mansion, the family unit is irreparably damaged.

We first meet them when Elna, the mother of the family is no longer living there. The father remains with his daughter and son and two staff members who cook and clean and generally replace the mysteriously absent mother. The children, Maeve and Danny, are left to the care of these two retainers who came with the house. Maeve is a resourceful and bright girl who assumes the role of mother to her much younger brother, Danny; they are a tight knit pair for the most part. Trouble comes when Cyril Conroy introduces a widow and her two daughters to Maeve and Danny. She becomes the stepmother and in archetypical fashion she is wicked! Maeve and Danny are pushed out. They have to find their own way back to the house of their childhood. This is a fascinating novel, rich with imagery and intrigue and well worth reading.

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Lockdown DIARIES

Lumberjacking and other tales in Lochearnhead Lockdown

I would count myself as a keen but pretty ordinary gardener, in other words mostly I haven’t a clue what I am doing or even whether I am doing it the right way but I am always enjoying myself.

Our garden is sufficiently large to keep me moderately occupied once things start showing signs of life. But these are not normal times, and in fact normally we would be away on holiday at this time of year for a couple of weeks, so work in the garden does not really start until June when the weather is usually more clement for growing anything in these northern parts.

But when Coronavirus19 was lurking in the wings, February also brought some days of storms and high wind. Whilst I have lived with and loved the 90+ year old trees on the property boundaries for twenty years, the accident always waiting to happen... did... and my neighbour’s roof became a victim from high flying falling branches during one

of these storms. So, we decided enough anxiety about damage to property was enough, and the tree surgeon was called in.

My husband, who knows only a little about growing things and whom I refer to as the slash and burn man, came into his element.

Trees were duly felled and the lawn (read ‘moss’ here!) was covered in tree trunks, logs, branches and twigs of all shapes and sizes.

Then came lockdown. Confined to our gardens for the foreseeable with lots of time on our hands and glorious weather, together, well perhaps mostly him, we set to to clear the felled timber, either into bags for burning later, or split into logs which were then moved into the newly constructed log shed. A mammoth task - but worth it for the resulting 10 years’ worth of logs for the wood burning stoves and the workout it gave us (him)!

Meanwhile on the growing front and realising that getting to a garden centre was a no hoper, I found a couple of websites

willing to take orders and deliver in due course, the beans, peas, peppers and tomato plants I would normally have been buying from the local garden centre. I realise better gardeners than I would be growing from seed but as I said before I am not a very confident gardener, and so these plants have indeed arrived, sometimes in dribs and drabs but in good nick and now look to be flourishing the polytunnel, much to my amazement. I am always pleasantly surprised and grateful (yes, I do tell the plants) that things do grow under my guidance!

All the way through the lockdown we have been so lucky to be able to enjoy our open spaces, and sit out each evening with a glass of something rewarding, surveying the incremental progress of the lumberjack operation and rejoicing in the newly revealed view of that mountain - which has been hidden from us by those trees for twenty years!

Ali

Stirling Council will reopen its household waste and recycling centres (tips) at Polmaise and Callander to residents on Monday, 1 June The announcement follows changes in the Scottish Government guidance on essential travel during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The centre at Balfron will remain closed at this time as queuing traffic and social distancing cannot be accommodated on-site. We will aim to reopen Balfron as soon as possible after the early demand reduces and the site can accommodate users appropriately.

Both Polmaise and Callander sites will have reduced capacity due to changes in our operational set-up to comply with national guidance on social distancing, which remains in force.

There will also be changes to the opening hours, and traffic flow at both sites.

Polmaise will now open Monday to Friday 9am – 2.30pm (last entry into the queue) and Callander will open Monday to Friday 5pm – 7.30pm (last entry into the queue).

During the initial period of reopening, residents will be able dispose of garden waste, cardboard and general waste in double-bagged black sacks at Polmaise, while Callander will only be able to accept general waste sealed in double-bagged black sacks.

We hope to be able to reinstate all waste streams at the centres as soon as possible, but are having to restrict the initial reopening phase due to anticipated demand and volumes of waste.

Full details on waste deposit arrangements at Polmaise and Callander are available on the Stirling Council website. Info from the website below.

• Please Note: Vehicles arriving before 5pm will be turned away to limit traffic disruption on the surrounding roads.

• Please enter the site as normal at Geisher Road, via the Stirling Road junction. Traffic will be directed around the Council Roads Depot car park. Please note the main entry gate to the centre will be closed. This is to ensure that Geisher Road is left clear to enable local and emergency traffic to pass.

• Strict social distancing rules are still in place and you will be asked to stay in your vehicle at all times until you reach the skip area.

• When the site reaches capacity, queuing will not be allowed on Stirling Road and traffic man-agement will be in place to enforce this.

• Please be patient as we expect a high volume of traffic in the first few days.

• We are operating a reduced service due to Coronavirus.

• You will be able to drop off general waste sealed in double-bagged black sacks. Staff on site will direct you to the drop off point.

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If you want something done properly, Do It Yourself...

www.robroycountry.com

Twitter@robroycountry

After lockdown...

Join me on a journey into Hatha Yoga 7-8.30pm Thursday evenings in Lochearnhead Village Hall Level: Beginners to intermediate.

For more information contact: Melanie Lewis Union Sun&Moon 07525 126482 creative@melanie-lewis.com www.westerauchrawcroft.com

The

St Fillans Bit

by Bruce Montgomery

© Sally Crofts

Bake-off, Pizza, Burgers... and sadly, Covid-19 In last month’s edition I was able to describe the positive actions of our villagers in dealing with the virus lockdown. It is also wonderful to be able to report that these efforts have not diminished with the passing weeks, but have, if anything, been further extended - to meet needs as they are identified. A small example followed a chance conversation (at the permitted distance of course) when it was identified that among our self-isolating villagers there is an avid reader, who, following the understandable withdrawal of the mobile library, had run out of books.

As soon as this information was circulated via a Reach Out message, books appeared on said doorstep as if by magic. The Village Shop continues to go above and beyond through becoming very proactive in identifying our weaknesses - and actually baking the most deliciously desirable scones and cakes. They market-test via suggestions on WhatsApp, then produce a delicacy to match the maximum demand.

I fear we might be become a very sweet toothed village. What started as scones, became cheese scones, became cherry scones and then morphed into walnut and coffee cake, lemon drizzle, satsuma layer cake and etc, etc, etc. The cherry scones and the walnut coffee cake (below) were my outstanding favourites and I make no apology for highlighting these as I

would love another helping! They are also producing gluten free variations of some of the favourites. However, it doesn’t stop there. Liam and Craig turned their attention to making pizza instore and took orders from villagers for fifty-two 10-inch pizzas.

You pre-ordered your favourite(s) which were delivered to your door during the time slot you requested.

This was all done in one evening, now known as Pizza Night. What an effort!

The pic below shows Liam and Craig with their delivery crew (not Craig on his bike this time – too much volume and speed of the essence) ready to go.

Note Liam in centre stage operating in serious man-agement mode!

these guys have been co-ordinating a village giving effort to support the Food Bank in Crieff and every week without fail, large boxes full of provisions have been delivered to Crieff from St Fillans. Thanks to all villagers who have chipped in.

Last month I included a few pictures of our natural environment which seems to have been closer to us during lockdown and have been sent some more, so here they are. Hope you like them.

A terrific pic of a Female Mallard with 9 chicks taken by Daisy Murray. The birds are pretty but the water is outstanding!

Joking apart, my ‘Meat-Feast’ was amongst the very best pizza I have ever eaten. The pizza chains do not compare. Then they came up with the idea of a second treat – a Burger Night. Pick from Classic, Cajun Chicken, Chilli or Vegetarian again all delivered to your door with an accompanying salad. Again all good and I have heard absolutely no mumps and grumps about anything they have done. Well done guys you have been hiding your skills for too long! Now just in case I give the impression that life in St Fillans Village Shop is all fun and games, and there is a lot of that, there is a serious side too.

Every week since lockdown started,

This is one of two young Red Deer who have taken up residence in the Village during lockdown and while lovely to see in their own surroundings, they are both becoming destructive and a problem. This one is actually inside the garden in this shot. Having jumped over the gate, it is almost as though he is waiting for it to be opened to let him leave……. Pic courtesy of Lorna Kennelly.

Continued overleaf

7

The St Fillans Bit Continued from previous page

The third nature related feature is a less happy event which I discovered in my garden. One morning I came across the bundle of feathers featured in the first pic (above). It was likely the body of a hawk given the talons which were visible, but certainly not definitely identifiable given its position being substantially hidden, trapped in a gap between a fence and some paving.

After pausing to collect a pair of garden gloves, I carefully lifted it and laid it out on the lawn (Pic 2), went and got the bird book and tentatively identified it as a Sparrow Hawk.

On lifting it I had little doubt it had broken its neck and had probably died instantly after colliding with the fence. That evening I called the experts, Andrea and Terry at Aquila Ecology, took it along to them and they verified my identification and cause of death. They figured it was a juvenile bird on the basis of its colour and wingspan. Terry said that broken necks due to high speed collisions are a regular cause of death in these birds simply down to their attack speed. I was more than happy to leave it with them as they undertook to send it to a Research Lab where they will investigate its condition, weight, size, general health, diet and so get an indication of the general food availability in the area. As I left them, they popped it in their freezer, to which I queried its proximity to food? They laughed, saying all sorts of strange things in there – you are 8

better to avoid coming to dinner! A sad end to a very beautiful bird, but at least its body will add a little to the sum of knowledge of our local raptor population.

On a quite different and happier note, when you have time on your hands hidden artistry can be demonstrated. Below are some examples of what can be done with a large woodpile if you have flair and imagination.

My thanks to Nick Ford and Kirsty Park for these pics and indeed for sharing Nick’s creativity and work with us. The first one they call “Door and Window”, the second “The Owl” and the third is rooted in the story of “Jason and the Argonauts”. Didn’t quite get that final link, but I could definitely see the “White Warriors of the Army of the Dead” from “Game of Thrones”.

Where Is It? A teaser! This rocky-looking picture was supplied by Russell Cunningham who has offered to supply a coconut to the first person who can tell him where it is. He assures me it is within the confines of the village – the site, that is, not the coconut. Don’t know where he is going to get one of them – might be easier to persuade him to buy you a drink!

White Warrior...?

VE Day Commemoration As reported last month, the Festive Committee clarified that all celebrations were on hold, but that didn’t mean that VE Day could not be marked. Following the timetable on the BBC website, some villagers raised a glass at the exact time Churchill delivered his ‘The War in Europe is ended’ speech, then, lacking our own bugler, a prerecorded Last Post was played at 3pm and at 5pm, a car “paraded” past every house in the village with flags flying and Vera Lynn belting out We’ll Meet Again.

Other flags were flown from houses and on jetties as St Fillans declared its thanks to the wartime generation and insisted that you never let a virus spoil a celebration. Well done everyone! safe distancing. Drummond Estates Of course most village activity have announced that they expect to remains curtailed, but we look be able to open Loch Earn to local forward to a hoped for restoration of Club Members for fishing to a similar some outdoor pursuits shortly. That is timeframe. Sadly, Gordon McDowall expected to include fishing and golf has just advised that this year’s Mighty and the Golf Club has just announced Hike for the McMillan Cancer Support that it expects to begin to take Charity has been formally cancelled booking from members for 9 hole as he had feared. rounds quite soon. Additional rules However, despite the downsides, will apply to ensure continuation of St Fillans continues to make the best of it. ‘Never let a virus get you down’ sums up our village mood and while we look forward to the hoped for gradual relaxation of lockdown in the coming days, weeks, and months, we are reminded that we are fortunate to live where we do. Locking down in St Fillans is not the hardship that it must be for city dwellers.

The thought of weeks in a high rise with children, no matter how well behaved, is horrendous. Let’s hope that a reoccurrence can be avoided, as I do not believe for a whole series of reasons, that this national response could be repeated. None of that is to say that St Fillans has simply been bypassed by the virus. The final section below in italics is not my work. It has been written by a St Fillans resident whose family were suddenly struck down by the virus. It is a window into their life through isolation and to the relief that finally came.

It’s one of those beautiful mid-May days and my youngest and I are heading down to the loch shore, practically bouncing with excitement. We only live 200 metres from the edge of the loch, but we’ve not seen the water up close in quite some time - 24 days and 14 hours to be precise!

As a key worker, it was no great surprise when my husband began to experience the Covid-19 symptoms in mid-April. So, on Easter Sunday the clock on our initial fourteen day isolation period began ticking; I now refer to it as “total lockdown”. On day seven our two children and I became

unwell, resetting the lockdown clock to fourteen days. During this period I tested positive for the virus, underlining the need for all of us to remain in total lockdown. We had already agreed as a family that passing the virus on to anyone else in our community, was our biggest fear. So total lockdown continued and I have never been so grateful to have a garden and a view!

At day twenty, three of us were no longer experiencing symptoms, however my youngest was still coughing and we waited with increasing desperation for his cough to subside. By day twenty three it finally had and smiling from ear to ear we travelled that 200 metres down to the water’s edge.

Two things have occurred to me over the last six weeks. Firstly, with no family living locally we were totally reliant on our friends and neighbours for support. The team at our local shop were very helpful, leaving items on our doorstep as and when needed. Others prepared food for us and delivered it to our home. Jigsaws and games were left for the children and several chats were conducted through windows (closed of course). Gifts were received through the post and I celebrated my birthday with friends via Zoom. And secondly, sometimes a little bit of hardship helps to focus my attention on the good things in life: friends first and foremost, but also an appreciation of this beautiful place. The joy I feel, even now, when I step out into the natural environment is overwhelming.

I recognise this in my children too, who ask every day to paddle in loch or climb our local hill. Thank goodness it’s spring and we have a whole summer ahead of us to reconnect with this fabulous place!

The family prefers to remain anonymous, a decision I fully respect.

I will conclude this month by wishing them - and you - well. Stay alert and stay safe.

Bruce 9

Scottish Wildlife Trust Lampreys and Fresh Water Pearl Mussels in the Teith The Forth Rivers Trust was renamed from The River Forth Fisheries Trust to reflect its broader interest in the total range of wildlife including fish, invertebrates and mammals. At our SWT February meeting Jo Girvan of FRT covered these and two fascinating local specialities; lampreys and fresh water pearl mussels.

The river Teith in Callander is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), primarily due to its Atlantic salmon but secondly for the three species of lamprey; river (Lampetra fluviatilis), brook (Lampetra planeri) and sea (Petromyzon marinus) which require the same conditions as salmon and trout. The brook lamprey is the smallest at 25cm long / up to 5g, the river is up to 50cm / 150g with the chunky sea lamprey up to 120cm / 5kg. All have a life span of around 6 years and are Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Lampreys are an ancient jawless fish, around since well before the dinosaurs and among the first backboned animals to evolve. In folklore they are called “nine-eyed eels” from the seven external gill slits plus one nostril and one eye, along each side of a lamprey’s head section.

They have a remarkable ability to heal even after severe nerve damage so are of medical interest for potential healing of spinal cord injuries.

They are found in coastal and fresh water in most temperate regions but not the tropics, the larvae (ammocoetes) having a low tolerance for high water temperatures. Their distribution is adversely affected by overfishing and pollution so cleaning rivers is restoring their spread, along with bypasses for dams and other constructions that obstruct migration to spawning grounds. While brook lamprey remain in fresh water, river and sea lamprey migrate from the sea to the upper reaches of a river from Spring to the end of June, spawning in pairs or a ’tangled mass’ and laying eggs in scrapes in gravel.

Having spent several years burrowed in high organic sandy silt beds, feeding on algae and bacteria, the young metamorphose to adults before migrating downstream. There are good numbers of river lampreys between Callander and the sea, seen near Deanston distillery and in Loch Lubnaig tributaries. River and sea lampreys develop a toothed, scarylooking sucking mouth used to move gravel (Latin lampetra may mean “stone licker”), however, its main use is to attach to fish, rasping away the skin and sucking bodily fluids, to the 10

detriment of the fish. Sea lampreys range far and wide and have even been found hanging onto basking sharks. There is a non-migratory population of river lamprey in Endrick Water that, unfortunately, feeds on the rare powan fish.

Lampreys have long been food for humans: they were highly appreciated by the ancient Romans and in the Middle Ages were widely eaten by the upper classes throughout Europe on account of their ‘meaty taste and texture’, especially during Lent when eating meat was prohibited. King Henry I of England is claimed to have been so fond of lampreys that he often ate them late into life and poor health, against the advice of his physician due to their richness, and is said to have died from eating “a surfeit of lampreys”! They are still consumed in Finland (pickled in vinegar), Sweden, Russia, Lithuania, Estonia, Japan, and South Korea but in Britain are mainly used as bait for catching Northern pike, perch, and chub.

Fresh Water Pearl Mussels have been a protected species since 1998 and are on the IUCN Invertebrate Red List. Most of their UK’s 41 protected sites are in Scotland but they are not included in the Teith SAC designation.

Although a ‘forgotten population’, a recent SNH/FRT survey did identify a number of small juveniles, suggesting a strong population. They are very vulnerable to disturbance and, as they are filter feeders, can only tolerate a limited amount of silt in water. They live in river beds of coarse sand, fine gravel and larger stones where they are generally sedentary but can move

A fearsome sight! The jaw of a lamprey

Lamprey attaching itself to a brown trout

Sea Lamprey

and reattach to stones. They take 1015 years to reach maturity, many in local rivers are 70 years old but they can live to 100 years old – all adding up to a very vulnerable population which will not recover quickly if damaged. They are therefore a wildlife crime priority. Before dwindling populations led to their protection, they were legally fished by families in Callander, housed in what is now Pearl Street. Local rivers and lochs may also contain similar sized swan and duck mussels, many seen at Endrick water in 2019, but the FWPM is heavier and blacker.

The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project The South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project aims to reinforce the small and vulnerable population of golden eagles in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway. Rick Taylor, the Community Outreach Officer for the project, came to the Callander SWT group in November to talk about the work to conserve these birds.

Golden eagles have a long history in the south of Scotland: throughout the region populations were once healthy but, over the last two centuries, human activity and changes in land use have caused populations in the south to fall as low as three breeding pairs. However, through a proposed series of translocations over five years, the project aims to increase numbers and prevent the loss of this wonderful species from southern skies. The project team has undertaken a formal assessment of habitat and other management measures to reinforce the population in the south of Scotland. These reports concluded that southern Scotland could support up to 16 breeding pairs of golden eagles.

Five custom built aviaries were constructed and sited at a confidential location in the Southern Uplands. The first eaglets arrived in early summer 2018 for a short two month stay before being released into the Moffat Hills. In the last two years six eaglets have been released. The initial three released birds survived very well and have wandered widely around southern Scotland. The birds were even joined at a feeding site by another eagle from Dumfries and Galloway. However, in 2019 tragedy struck when one of the females released in 2018 attacked and killed

They mate in June/July, not exactly amorous as the males eject sperm which is ingested by females via a syphon. The microscopic larvae (glochidia) have a high mortality with just 6 days to be inhaled by juvenile trout or salmon, they ‘snap shut’ on to the gills where they live in a high oxygen environment. They don’t appear to harm the fish and the following spring, before the fish return to the sea, they drop off as a small mussel but must end up in the right gravel to survive.

Fresh water pearl mussel populations can be increased by

two of the males released that year. Golden eagles can be aggressive to other eagles and although unusual, is not unheard of. The remaining bird released that year was re-released at another site and all four surviving birds continue to do well.

The project aims to bring together all countryside users to ensure the wellbeing and successful future of the golden eagle in southern Scotland, the partnership of landowners and conservation communities being critical for successful delivery.

The partners are The Southern Upland Partnership (host partner), Scottish Land and Estates, RSPB Scotland, NatureScot (SNH) and Scottish Forestry and Land.

The project has a strong emphasis on community engagement. Rick’s work as a Community Outreach Officer includes delivering talks, guided walks and activities such as ‘Eagle Schools’. This is a curriculumlinked programme for primary schools which allows the children to discover the life-cycle of the golden eagle as well as some of the challenges it faces and its benefits to society.

The talk was enthusiastically received by the group, of special interest since golden eagles are present in Kevin Duffy our area.

assisted or captive breeding but water quality is essential. River environments can be improved by fencing out cattle and stabilising river banks, both of which reduce silt and nutrient input. This can also be reduced by construction of ponds and wetlands to intercept run-off and river beds can be seeded with gravel.

For details on the range of wildlife in and around our rivers, see http:// forthriverstrust.org/rivers-wildlife/ learn/wildlife/.

Lesley Hawkins

Fresh water Pearl Mussel

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OBITUARY

Jane Chadfield 1940 - 2020

Jane was eighty when she passed away. She and Edward would have been celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary this October.

Theirs was a wonderful partnership: 60 years of living and working together, complementing each other as the perfect team. Together they gave up farming and turned part of the family farm in Derbyshire into the Yeaveley Estate shooting school and fishery. Their client base included many famous people, some of whom became close friends. This business continues in good heart today after 53 years.

Jane was the engine behind the business, the “backstage” to Edward’s “front of house”. “Behind every successful man there’s a strong woman” – that was Jane! They faced everything together: the happy times and the sad times, the adventures and even the odd dangerous charging Smythe. She won 6th prize at the rhinoceros in Africa! A lifelong love Horse of The Year Show on her pony affair.

Dandy. When her children came along, Jane was a grafter – always busy, Jane was in her element introducing whether it was hoovering and ponies and good horsemanship to cleaning, rustling up meals from her daughters and goddaughter, who nowhere, trapping and picking carry on her love of horses. up clays at the shooting ground, Retirement to “The Woodlands” decorating, fetching in handfuls of in Balquhidder in 1994 gave Jane ponies, organising Pony Club rallies, and Edward the freedom to indulge foraging for chanterelles in the woods; their love of the mountains and being wife, mum, daughter, grandma, deerstalking. Jane quickly slotted sister, godmother, friend – the hub of into the local community. She made a happy and busy household, business many friends, and was a caring and and family. Her daughters remember supportive neighbour, in particular happy childhood days filled with to John and Adele Macgregor-Blain, ponies, dogs, cats, friends, family, fresh Jill Stuart-Love, and Ronnie Verdenair and lots of love.

Anderson and her mother Bergitta.

Never seeking the limelight, with John and Vera Stewart were good a dislike of crowds or “fuss”, Jane’s friends and neighbours on Woodlands seemingly hard exterior concealed a corner too. She was a regular helper soft centre, treasured by those who and provider of refreshments for the knew her well. She was kind, loyal village Lunch Club and whist meetings and generous to those lucky enough and was rarely to be seen without to be her friends. Jane loved animals Labrador ‘CD’ at her side. Jane cut a and nature; her early morning dog fine figure riding and driving her horse walks, her garden, her bird-table and and trap through the glen, and she her successive Labradors and horses. also ran a small B&B business to keep She made wonderful homes at Church herself busy! Jane and Edward left Farm and New Close Farm in Yeaveley, Balquhidder very reluctantly in 2015 then “The Woodlands” in Balquhidder after 21 wonderful years, relocating and latterly “Newfield” in Brydekirk. to Brydekirk, Dumfries to be closer to Jane was a great horsewoman. As a amenities and to their daughter Sarah. young rider in the ‘50s she competed As dementia began to take its toll on the pony show-jumping circuit, Jane remained remarkably cheerful riding against greats such as Pat and happy, finding an inner peace

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that allowed her to slow down and enjoy her garden, supported by four wonderful carers.

Jane passed away peacefully at home, in her armchair by the fire, with Tabs the cat on her lap. Next to Edward, hand in hand, where she has always been.

Edward would like to add a footnote, “to thank all the Glen folk, who have sent me such kind good wishes and sympathy.”

Balquhidder Church News MUSINGS FROM THE MANSE CHANGES!?

Strathearn Episcopal Churches St Columba’s, Crieff; St Serf’s, Comrie; St Angus’, Lochearnhead and St Fillan’s, Killin serve people in the beautiful area of Strathearn.

This Pandemic is a very frightening time as many of our assumptions and ways of being are changed. It has been in the news that more people than ever have prayed during the pandemic crisis. For Christians, we find that knowing that God cares for us, and is alongside us in times of strife is greatly comforting. All our buildings have been closed and we are not sure when they will be opened. But we are still here and finding our way through.

As churches we are producing a weekly bulletin newsletter with links, prayers and thoughts and pictures.If you would like one sent by email, just send me a request to rev.gen@btinternet.com.

We are also trying a weekly zoom meeting with a Celtic twist. If you would like an invite, then please email me!

We also have many resources online to help and if you would like to have a conversation then please ring me. You can also send your prayer requests to Revd Gennie on the phone on 01764 650985 or by email. I have led a couple of funerals lately within the stripped back rules and am happy to share ideas for coping with loss when we cannot attend the service itself. Although Perth Crematorium has been very helpful and the latest had eight attending and over 35 watching by live stream.

We also have a new website; although it is still in a basic form, it is now up and running. You can find it, and the weekly bulletin, at: https://strathearn-episcopal-churches. co.uk A prayer for every day:

In the name of the awesome God who created us, I pray for protection.

Let this day be soaked in peace and filled with discovery.

In the name of Jesus who is love.

I pray for wisdom.

Let this day be rewarded with insight and unexpected blessings.

In the name of the Holy Spirit, our helper.

I pray for joy.

Let this day be redeemed by kindness and joy in small things. Amen.

Hi everyone! Firstly, a big thank you for the encouraging feedback you have given me on the recorded Sunday services and weekday reflections from the Manse (accessed via Killin Church Facebook page or YouTube). However, I learned a few days ago that my daughter listens to the reflections at double speed! She is married to a university lecturer in Philosophy who has taught her to speed-read books and articles and speed-listen to talks and lectures. She also told me that she only does that on the weekday reflections as in the Sunday services when I am in preaching mode, I apparently speak a lot faster. She added maybe I was conscious of all the old folks listening to the reflections! (I bet that caught your attention.) Then I thought, what if everyone else is playing me at different speeds for amusement during these crazy days of lockdown. Maybe I should record at double speed or very slowly to see what kind of reaction I get. Only joking! Good job I don’t take myself too seriously.

Anyway, back to something more serious. Ozzy Osbourne and his daughter Kelly sang the song We’re Going Through Changes which is an appropriate line for these pandemic times. Interestingly enough I was taking a trip down memory lane recently and listening to Black Sabbath IV with the volume turned very high (as you can do in a detached house!) and remembered that the above mentioned song was actually on that album. Apparently, it was considered as a single back in 1972 but rejected as it might ruin the heavy rock image of the band. Obviously, the right decision then. However, it is a great song and certainly apt for today. We hear a lot about changes and how things will not be the same after this pandemic. The phrase “getting back to normal” has been increasingly criticised as being inadequate as there was nothing “normal” about “normality” pre-pandemic. Alongside this is the assertion that things will change: in fact they have to change. But will they?

The answer of course is maybe. Given all we know of humanity as a flawed species I wouldn’t hold my breath. Yet hope springs eternal in the human breast. Now we can’t answer for anyone else - only ourselves. What have we learned during this strange and challenging time? What things have we come to appreciate that we did not before? What changes are we going to make to our attitudes and behaviours? Only we can know that and act upon it. If real change is to be meaningful then thought has to lead to action. In the future we may well be disappointed by what happens globally or nationally but in the words of Ghandi “we have to be the change we want to see in the world.”

It has been said that the art of living is to be able to turn information into knowledge; knowledge into wisdom; and wisdom into action. That is a great principle - easier to state than to practice.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter writes: …make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness add knowledge, and to knowledge add self-control; and to self-control add perseverance and to perseverance add godliness; and to godliness add mutual kindness; and to mutual kindness add love. Peter 1: 5-7 Peter sees life as a ‘building process’ and outlines some of the virtues that are needed in the formation of our characters. Unless we ‘cement’ in these features we will not grow and develop as we could in our pilgrimage through this world.

Likewise, when reflecting on the changes that we need to make to ourselves and our society arising from the challenges of this pandemic, it will all become empty thoughts and meaningless words unless we find the discipline to ‘cement’ these in place. This is not an easy task - and who among us is up to it?

The spiritual aspect of our lives (and I am using the term inclusively regardless of our respective faith commitments or none) requires the nurturing of disciplined habits and thoughtful reflection and practice. We can always see the problems in other people but not so quickly in ourselves. But we are answerable for us, not them.

As we pass through this strange time may we emerge more mindful and open to living changed lives even if only in a small way. Then and only then will something good arise from this troubling and testing time.

Russel

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Illustrations, paintings and engravings of old Balquhidder Two years ago on a local visit, I picked up a copy of that hand illustrated postcard of Balquhidder Churchyard, one of the batch for sale in the church porch beside the honesty box. I had remembered that postcard from the 1950s and the name of its originator, Watson Wood. I even had a vague memory of meeting him. But this was thrown into doubt when I checked the back of the card which declared a date of 1907. Maybe I had it wrong?

However, in the meantime, I had taken custody of a couple of Watson Wood watercolours from a local auction house where they had received little interest - one was simply Lochside Scene vying for attention with many other such anonymous landscape works which secure little demand in today’s art market. But before even spotting a signature, I had immediately recognised their locations, a couple of slightly off the beaten track scenes of Balquhidder.

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Offers were made, accepted, and they now reside here up on the ridge. Both are signed in a manner almost identical to the Churchyard postcard and with one dated ’78, and the other as ’44, this does suggest that the 1907 postcard date is incorrect.

Now, it didn’t actually matter too much because it was the Balquhidder provenance of the paintings that I had no doubt about, one from the side of Loch Voil at Craigruie and one of Loch Doine (above) viewed from the

entrance to the forest road just beyond Monachyle Mhor. They also shown fine technique by the artist, for example, the way that clever use of the brush creates the sharp outline of a host of distant trees, all done quickly on the spot.

Now, there is no internet biographical background on Watson Wood that I could find but what did emerge was a very detailed article by Elspeth Porter covering the history of all the characters illustrated in that Churchyard postcard.

This was published by The Belfry newsletter back in 2015 and this made it clear that my memory was correct, the date of the postcard is 1957, so the date error presumably resulted from the original drawing of the postcard becoming a bit smudged.

So here, for The Villagers, are copies of that Watson Wood Old Churchyard drawing (opposite, top), those two Watson Wood watercolours, and just for good measure, a copy of a very interesting engraving (page 14) from the early 19th century which captures a clan gathering scene of Balquhidder from the early 18th century. The landscape is recognisably familiar as Balquhidder even if exaggerated or distorted and it must have been captured by the original artist from a viewpoint somewhere up beyond the west end of the churchyard. However, there is no equivalent view today due to the cover of the trees on the Kirkton Burn. The etching is very small, as printed it is approx. 13 x 8 cm, but the level of detail is remarkable. There are dwelling houses shown, some of which must now have gone, but there’s a hint that the row of houses with the watermill could be what was formerly (in the 1950s) the “Bennett boys” kennels up on the west side of the

Kirkton burn; although it could also be an “artistic license” transposition of the old mill on the Calair burn? And way up the loch far in the distance, you can make out the big house at Craigruie !

But it’s the people gathering that is particularly intriguing and while a sword fight is underway, it is clear that this is a ceremonial affair and not a battle scene. The engraving comes from “Illustrations of Scotland and the Waverley Novels” (published ~1836) and the clan gathering shown here is most likely a representation of the meeting between the McGregors and the Stewarts of Appin which is described in the original Introduction chapter of Sir Walter Scott’s “Roy Roy”.

In the centre of the “arena” are the combatants, Roy Roy McGregor himself and Alaster Stewart of Invernahyle. The date is around 1734 and here is the extract from Scott’s “Rob Roy” which covers this event: In the last years of Rob Roy’s life, his clan was involved in a dispute with one more powerful than themselves. Stewart of Appin, a chief of the tribe so named, was proprietor of a hill-farm in the Braes of Balquhidder, called Invernenty. The MacGregors of Rob Roy’s tribe claimed a right to it by ancient occupancy, and declared they would oppose to the

www.feedsandstoves.co.uk dawn@feedsandstoves.co.uk

(Continued overleaf)

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Clan gathering scene of Balquhidder from the early 18th century. In the centre of the “arena� are the combatants, Roy Roy McGregor himself and Alaster Stewart of Invernahyle. Detail shown below.

Continued from previous page

uttermost the settlement of any person upon the farm not being of their own name.

The Stewarts came down with two hundred men, wellarmed, to do themselves justice by main force. The MacGregors took the field, but were unable to muster an equal strength.

Rob Roy, finding himself the weaker party, asked a parley, in which he represented that both clans were friends to the King, and, that he was unwilling they should be weakened by mutual conflict, and thus made a merit of surrendering to Appin the disputed territory of Invernenty.

Appin, accordingly, settled as tenants there, at an easy quit-rent, the MacLarens, a family dependent on the Stewarts, and from whose character for strength and bravery, it was expected that they would make their right good if annoyed by the MacGregors.

When all this had been amicably adjusted, in presence of the two clans drawn up in arms near the Kirk of Balquhidder, Rob Roy, apparently fearing his tribe might be thought to have conceded too much upon the occasion, stepped forward and said, that where so many gallant men were met in arms, it would be shameful to part without it trial of skill, and therefore he took the freedom to invite any gentleman of the Stewarts present to exchange a few blows with him for the honour of their respective clans.

The brother-in-law of Appin, and second chieftain of the clan, Alaster Stewart of Invernahyle, accepted the challenge, and they encountered with broadsword and target before their respective kinsmen. The combat lasted till Rob received a slight wound in the arm, which was the usual termination of such a combat when fought for honour only, and not with a mortal purpose. Rob Roy dropped his point, and congratulated his 16

adversary on having been the first man who ever drew blood from him. The victor generously acknowledged, that without the advantage of youth, and the agility accompanying it, he probably could not have come off with advantage.

It was an honourable defeat but Rob, realising that age was no longer on his side, set aside his arms thereafter and never fought another combative sword fight. So, this old engraving captures a key moment in the life and legend of Rob Roy and where the landscape shown still captures features which are identifiable today in spite of the many changes with trees, roadways and houses.

Stuart Polwart

A strange case from 1942 wartime in St. Fillans

More ramblings about

DundurnParish

Easter Dundurn

Claim against Perthshire Farmer A claim by the Department of Agriculture has been upheld by SheriffSubstitute Valentine in a case involving loss to a farmer following a compulsory ploughing order.

The action was raised by the Secretary of State for Scotland against Mr John McNee, Easter Dundurn, St Fillans, for payment of the sum of £149 8s 6d, pursuer sued as representing the Department of Agriculture. Between 10th June and 12th November 1942, defender incurred to the Department of Agriculture an account equal to the sum claimed in respect of tractor and other work, consisting of manure distributing, rolling, drilling, etc, on his farm.

The work was carried out in accordance with instructions given by defender and on his suggestion. Defender had been called upon to pay but had not done so.

Defender who says he is the owner of Dundurn and was the occupier of the estate of Easter Dundurn, stated that when war broke out he was forced to cut down his poultry stock, partly on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture and partly that he could not get the necessary foodstuffs. By the end of 1941 he had disposed of all of his poultry and his sheep as he found they were not paying. He was instructed by the West Perthshire Agriculture Executive Committee to put 44 acres under cultivation, He had no implements or the necessary labour to carry out the work and applied to the Ex-ecutive Committee to do the necessary cultivation for him, which they agreed to do.

Through no fault of the defender, the Agricultural Executive committee did not commence cultivation of the land until 10th June 1942, which he says was far too late in the season for sowing oats and planting potatoes.

McNee also stated ‘it was unsound policy on the part of the Committee to insist on lime and manure to be applied to land, which had so long been laid down in pasture’. On account of the late sowing the crops were late in maturing and the oat crop was not harvested until October, and the potatoes until November. Both crops turned out financial failures and he sustained considerable financial loss.

The Sheriff finds for the pursuer with expenses, pointing out that defender’s inability to make immediate payment of the sum sued for is not due to circumstances directly or indirectly attributed to the present war, arising subsequently to 25th March 1942. John McNee was also the owner of the Strathearn Preserve Works in Crieff.

With hindsight, it would perhaps appear that bureaucracy won the day yet again. Would any farmer care to comment?

The history of Easter Dundurn can be traced back as far as 1480 when ‘The fermes or rents of Dundurn were let for a period of three years to Finlay Philipsone - he was also the first Miller of Dundurn Mill.’ By 1729 the rent for the land was £18 5s 6d and an extract from the annexed estates tells us that there were 11 families living on the land, owning 20 horses – 40 black cattle -100 sheep – 24 goats, and growing 9 acres flax seed and 8 acres potatoes.

In 1946 the farm was taken over by George and Mary Bennie. George served for many years on the village committee, the forerunner of what was later to become the Community Council. Once on returning from a trip to Edinburgh he told me that he could not stand it and had no intention of returning, “with all those people thronging about it was like taking the top of a hive of bees.”

The farm is still run today by their son Martin and his wife Ena. The Old Crock

enquiries@riversidevetsstirling.co.uk www.riversidevetsstirling.co.uk

Riverside COVID-19 Important Information.

Our practices are currently running as normal, but please note our safety measures:

•

Anyone who is currently showing any symptoms, or living in the same household as anyone who is showing symptoms - we kindly ask you not to enter the premises.

•

Please call first to book an appointment at the practice

•

Please phone to order repeat medication so we can have it dispensed and ready for collection

•

Ideally wash/disinfect your hands before entering the building and minimise the number of objects/ surfaces you touch as much as possible whilst you are here.

•

We ask that only one client and their pet be in the premises at any one time, so please make us aware you are here, and wait in the car or car park until called in.

•

Please try to keep the recommended distance of 2 metres from others whilst in the practice.

We ask that any payments are paid by card rather than cash.

17

As I write this month’s article, the First Minister has announced proposals to begin easing a number of the current restrictions that are in place, with the changes due for implementation on Thursday 28th May. As a result of these changes, we are likely to see a larger number of people visiting our local areas, particularly given that the weather looks set to improve also.

The measures that the First Minister has planned at the time of writing will include members of the public being allowed to take part in a number of activities, which for this area will include golfing, fishing and hill walking. Of note, these activities are still meant to be undertaken “local” to the individual’s home address, and when the term “local” was queried, the First Minister has suggested that it should be no more than five miles from the home address.

The senior management at Police Scotland are still liaising with Scottish Government in order to ascertain exactly how the policing response will be undertaken regarding the relaxed restrictions, and we are still awaiting the final details.

I have been advised that despite the restrictions being eased for activities such as fishing and hill walking in the area, The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park will not be reinstating camping. Therefore, no camping will be permitted during the new phase of restrictions until further notice. Anyone found camping will be moved on, or potentially charged and reported to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to breaching the byelaws as no exemption can be gained at the current time as no permits will be sold.

I would ask that if you see people camping, please contact 101 and report it to Police. We cover a vast area locally and cannot always be in the right place at the right time, so please ring in and have it reported/recorded in order that officers can be sent in to the area to deal with those responsible.

My proactive patrols around the local communities will continue as they have been in any case.

In relation to incidents that have occurred since my last article, the following is a break-down: • On 28 April, an incident of sheep worrying occurred in a field near to Keip Road, Strathyre. The dog in question attacked a sheep and chased it into the burn. A vet was called but owing to 18

the injuries and distress to the animal, the sheep had to be euthanized. The dog was described as being dark in colour, and enquiries are still ongoing to identify the owner.

• On 2 May, a motorcyclist was stopped by police and was found to be a considerable distance from his home address and openly stated that he was out for a leisurely run on his motorcycle, despite being aware of the current restrictions. As such, he was issued with £60 Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty and instructed to return home.

• Overnight between 4 and 5 May a vandalism occurred at Keip Road, Strathyre. A sign had been put in place on the cycle track to advise any cyclists that there were no facilities available in Strathyre and that the village was effectively on lock down. A person unknown has taken it upon themselves to use a sharp instrument to “slash” the sign causing damage to it. A young male on a bicycle was seen in the area around the time of the damage, and he was seen to head towards Callander on a BMX style bike. If anyone has any knowledge of who this male may be, please get in touch with PC Diamond.

• On 10 May, a male and female were found to be camped on South Loch Voil. The Government restrictions were explained to them in addition to no camping being permitted at that location. As a result, they were charged under the Camping Management Byelaws for setting up a tent and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

• On 15 May, a male and female were found on Stronslaney Road, Balquhidder, and the male was found to be fishing on the River Balvaig without any legal right or permissions.

As a result, his fishing equipment was seized, and he has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a poaching offence.

• On 17 May, a male and female were found at Balquhidder Parish Church having travelled a considerable distance in order to take photographs.

The current restrictions were explained to them and they chose not to heed the advice, and as a result, they were issued with £60 Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalties each and instructed to return home.

• On 17 May, a male and female were reported to have been camping on land at Loch Doine, Balquhidder. Both were charged under the camping management byelaws and have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal. In addition, the male had chosen to park his car in such a way as to block the only gate into the field, which prevented the farmer from accessing livestock, so he was also charged with causing an unnecessary obstruction.

• On 22 May, a report was received in relation to theft of a number of trees from a commercial forest in Balquhidder. Enquiries are currently underway with several lines of enquiry being pursued.

• On 23 May, two males were found at Stronvar, Balquhidder in the process of setting up to start fishing on Loch Voil.

The current restrictions were explained to them and they chose not to heed the advice, and as a result, they were issued with £60 Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalties each and instructed to return home.

• On 23 May, a male and female were found camping on North Loch Earn, despite the current Government restrictions. In addition, the male was found to be fishing. Both have been charged under the camping management byelaws, and the male also with fish poaching contrary to the Protection Order in place, and he has had his equipment seized. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

B A L Q U H I D D E R , L O C H E A R N H E A D & S T R AT H Y R E H O R T I C U LT U R A L S O C I E T Y

Get Growing!

Mobile working When you see my colleagues out and about, you will start to notice that the majority of us are now carrying some additional technology with us! The devices are part of the Police Scotland “mobile working” project, and we are one of the last divisions to see the rollout. In short, all operational officers are being issued with electronic notebook/mobile phones in order to speed up routine tasks and ensuring we do not need to return to the office as often during the course of a shift. I was one of the first officers in this area to be trained and to receive one and I think it is a positive step forward. It has taken some getting used to, for tasks such as noting statements etc, but some of the features have proved advantageous.

Each officer can now carry out their own checks on the street using national databases, without having to wait for a slot to talk to the Area Control Room.

Historically, on busier nights it was often impossible to get airtime to carry out checks owing to ongoing incidents elsewhere. We can also get emails on the go whilst out and about and carry out numerous pieces of paperwork that are required during a shift. With the current restrictions, I am now only needing to return to the office for my lunch/dinner, and the rest of the shift is spent where I am best placed, and that is within the local communities.

Hopefully, that will explain why you will see officers sitting on their “phones” at the side of the road from time to time! We are either answering emails, speaking with local residents, or obtaining details of the incident we are being sent to. It is all subjective of 4G signal of course, and so far, there are only a few spots that the devices do not seem to work.

As always, I can always be contacted on 101 or for those who prefer email, I can be contacted directly at william. diamond@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

Regards, PC Will Diamond

Dial 101 any time it isn’t 999

Our Annual Horticultural Show, like so many other events near and far, will more than likely have to be cancelled this year. But COVID-19 need not stop us from growing, making, baking and getting creative.

Over the next few months in The Villagers this section is devoted to the activities that are usually catered for in the Horti Show, to inspire you and to keep you busy, indoors and out. Particular emphasis is on the outdoors and gardening - and here we have some basic good advice for (hopefully) some more warm weather throughout June.

1. Hoe regularly to control weeds Extra light and warmth encourage the garden to burst into life. However, this also means that weeds come up everywhere. You can keep on top of them by shallow hoeing regularly in dry conditions to kill most weed seedlings. For maximum effectiveness, choose a dry day with a light wind, so seedlings dry out on the surface of the soil rather than rerooting into moist soil. Just a little bit of hoeing will help keep things under control.

2. Use water wisely It is important to water regularly during June, especially when it comes to pots and other containers.

Happily, these will make good use of wastewater from the kitchen. It is worth using two-thirds of the water in water butts in June. If there are some thundery downpours later in summer it will top them up nicely, perhaps enough to see you through until the autumn rains. Established trees and shrubs do not generally need watering, whereas newly sown or newly planted areas should be high priority.

3. Plant out and pot up Planting out and potting up as early as possible in June makes the best use of light and warmth. ‘Puddling in’ is a good way to set out plants in hot and dry weather. Make a hole that is the right size for the plant’s root ball and fill it with water several times before placing the plant in the hole and firming the soil around it. Finally, water again and ideally apply some mulch around the plant to prevent weeds. Plants will grow quickly as they are sitting in a ball of wet soil.

4. Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside It is now safe to move pots and other containers outside as there is little or no danger from frosts. Make sure hanging baskets don’t dry out, keeping them moist but not too soggy. Research shows that just a mugful of water per day can keep hanging baskets healthy and avoid wasting water. Deadhead flowers regularly to prevent the plants going to seed, rather than continuing to flower.

5. Mow lawns at least once a week June is the time to mow once a week, ideally letting cuttings fall back into the sward to feed the lawn. This also avoids the chore of collecting and composting cuttings. It is also the first time of the year to cut long grass with bulbs in. Instead of watering lawns in dry weather, mow less closely and less frequently. Don’t worry if there are any dead patches as they will recover in autumn.

19

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Council A public meeting took place online via Zoom on 13th May 2020. Please note that these minutes have not yet received formal approval and should be considered as a draft version only.

Present: David Johnston (DJ), Andrew Poulter (AP), Donald McLaren (DM), Ruth McLusky (RM). Apologies: Eunice Frame (EF), Angus Cameron (AC), William Dalziel (WD), Jim Heron (JH); Cllr Evelyn Tweed (ET), Michelle Flynn (MF), Stirling Council; PC Will Diamond (PCWD), Police Scotland.

In attendance: Cllr Martin Earl (ME),Cllr Jeremy McDonald (JM), Stirling Council; Paul Hicks, minute-taker.

1) Approval of Minutes It was proposed by DJ and seconded by AP, that the minutes of the meeting on 1st April 2020 should be accepted and this was approved unanimously.

2) Declarations of Interest None made.

3) Police report (31 Mar 2020 - 13 May 2020) In respect of anti-social behaviour: ten incidents were dealt with. On 8th April. two people were found walking on South Loch Earn Road, having travelled from Livingston. Fixed penalty notices were issued, but the people only left after being warned that they could be arrested if they continued. Two males were checked in a vehicle in Strathyre and stated that they wanted to climb Ben Lawers. They were warned against doing so, but ignored this and were later spotted again after their excursion and given fixed penalty notices. On 19th April, two males were seen camping beside Loch Lubnaig where they had been fishing. Their equipment was seized and a report submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. On 20th April, officers spoke to a family that had camped overnight in a lay-by near Immervoulin. They subsequently left but had caused extensive damage and littered the site.

They will be reported for breaking the camping bye-laws and for flytipping. On 24th April, another family was found camping beside Loch Earn. They refused to return home when the regulations were explained to them and they were reported for offences under the camping byelaws. On 25th April, a male and female were found having a barbecue beside Loch Lubnaig. They left the area but had caused damage and will be reported for breaking the camping bye-laws and for littering offences.

On 28th April, a report of a dog worrying sheep at Keip Road, Strathyre, was investigated. A sheep had been injured and chased into the nearby burn. It had to be put down. Enquiries are ongoing to trace the dog and its owner. On 2nd May a motorcyclist was stopped and admitted that he had travelled a considerable distance purely for a leisure trip, despite being aware of the current restrictions. He was given a fixed penalty notice. Overnight between 4-5th May, damage to a sign was caused in Strathyre. The sign had been erected on a cycle path, warning that the village was in ‘lock-down’ with no facilities available. Enquiries are ongoing to trace a male youth on a BMX-style bicycle who was seen in the area during the period when the offence is believed to have taken place. On 10th May, a male and female were found camping on the South side of Loch Voil. They were reported for offences against the camping bye-laws.

In respect of traffic-related incidents: on 25th April, a male and female were found having a barbecue beside Loch Earn. They were advised that this was illegal and agreed to pack up and go home. However, checks had established that the male was disqualified from driving. About thirty minutes later, their vehicle was seen by officers with the male driving. He was reported for driving whilst disqualified and without insurance. There were no incidents of crime reported during this reporting period.

During the Covid-19 restrictions, PCWD had spent all of his time in and around the local communities, ensuring that any visitors are there for valid reasons. Anyone found not to have a valid reason is challenged, has the restrictions explained and is required to return home. Unfortunately, not everyone has obeyed the regulations, so a number of fines have been issued. PCWD has tried to ensure his visibility at all times within the three communities to provide reassurance to local residents and to assist in any way possible.

Local residents may notice that PCWD and his colleagues are now carrying some additional technology. The devices are part of the Police Scotland ‘mobile working’ project, whereby all operational officers are issued with electronic notebooks (PDAs) in order to speed up routine tasks and ensure that officers don’t need to return to the office constantly during the course of a shift. PCWD was one of the first officers in this area to be trained and receive one and considers it a positive step forward.

It has taken some getting used to (for tasks such as noting statements) but some of the features have proved advantageous. Each officer can now carry out checks via national databases whilst on the street, without having to wait for a slot to talk to the Area Control Room. Historically, on busier nights, it was often impossible to get air-time to carry out checks, owing to ongoing incidents elsewhere. It is also possible to receive emails whilst out and about and to complete numerous pieces of paperwork that are required during the course of a shift. With the current restrictions, PCWD only needs to return to the office for meals and the rest of the shift is spent within the local communities. Hopefully, that will explain why officers may be seen sitting on their ‘phones’ at the side of the road from time to time! They are either answering emails, speaking with local residents, or obtaining details of incidents to which they are deployed. It is all conditional on getting a 4G signal, of course but, so far, there are only a few spots where the devices don’t seem to work.

4) Postponed Business The following items have been postponed until the current restrictions have been relaxed:

20

a) Lesley Milne’s presentation on Town Break Dementia Support Services. b) The installation of lights between Balvaig Bridge and A84, Strathyre. c) Parking in Callander.

5) Matters arising from previous meeting An application for an additional, co-opted member of the community council had been approved. RM proposed that Jim Heron from Strathyre should be duly co-opted and this was seconded by DJ and approved unanimously.

Unfortunately, Jim could not take part in the meeting as he currently had no access to a computer. Action: Jim Heron to be co-opted as member of CC. 6) Correspondence a) Provost’s awards.

Nominations for these awards must be submitted to Mary Bright, Personal Assistant to the Provost and Civic Events Administrator for Stirling Council, by Friday 27th May 2020. DJ proposed that the proprietors of the two village shops (Strathyre and Lochearnhead) and PC Diamond should be nominated in view of their service during the pandemic crisis. RM seconded the proposal and it was approved unanimously. ME suggested that, in due course, other local people might be considered for Queen’s Honours and this was noted for future reference. b) Cancellation of Stirling Council ‘surgeries’ for ward councillors. Due to the ongoing restrictions, no meetings will take place before the end of May. This information has been circulated via websites and WhatsApp groups. c) Information relating to Covid-19 pandemic. A good deal of useful information regarding temporary arrangements, guidelines and advice has been circulated by Stirling Council and incorporated into a special section of news on the community council’s own website at: www.blscc. org 7) Stirling Council Grants for Local Community Response Groups BLS Community Council has registered with Stirling Council and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise as a local community response group during the Covid-19 crisis. Funds are available to support such groups and to cover any costs that they may incur. It is a relatively small amount at \u00A3500 per community. All recipients of grants are asked to keep track of expenditure: which groups have used it and for what costs. DJ stated that an application had been submitted and suggested that hand sanitisers will be needed and could be purchased for all three village halls. It was also suggested that it could cover the cost of the licence for Zoom. ME added that face masks might be required once restrictions are eased. (A decision on this will be taken later.)

8) The Broch Field at Strathyre DJ advised members that Forest & Land Scotland have indicated that they wish to sell the property adjoining the Broch Cafe in Strathyre. This includes a field, footpath, suspension bridge and the wood that leads to the Balvaig. The BLS Trust had paid for a feasibility study which has concluded that it might not be sustainable for the local community to maintain this area. The community simply wants to protect the field for occasional use, so other options may be preferable. One would be to purchase part of the property ‘the field’ but not the bridge or other parts. Consideration is also being given to including the need for the field to remain undeveloped in the ‘Place Making’ plan. This might achieve what the community wants without having to purchase and maintain the entire property.

9) Timber Transport Minutes of the latest meeting had been circulated and were discussed. DJ expressed disappointment at the attitude of the companies involved, who seemed anxious to protect their interests without considering the needs of the community. The industry did not accept the need for information on actual loads carried and rejected suggestions that a maximum number of loads per day should be involved. With the average calculated over an eight-month period, this leaves an important loophole. DJ proposed that this should be referred to the local community for comment. The intention appears to be to start transporting timber later this year. With more than one company wanting to run transports, there could be potentially 24-26 loads per day.

Further estimates from the companies are required to ascertain more precisely how many loads per day are likely to be needed. Provided there is an agreement about the average number of loads, the situation should be manageable.

The proposed hours of operation were discussed and DM suggested that both an average and a limit on the maximum number of loads would be helpful. AP said that, at present, there is no limit on the numbers of vehicles that can use the main section of road. ME stated that this needs to be addressed. He further suggested that it might be helpful to seek legal advice outwith the BTT forum. Is there any form of redress if companies start to take liberties? Hauliers have a legal right to use an adopted road, but there may be additional powers that a

Lockdown DIARIES

local authority can use to restrict traffic if the situation becomes intolerable. The C33 road from the Village Hall to Mhor 84 is described currently as ‘unrestricted’. ME suggested that the community might usefully enquire about details of the criteria required for a road to be judged suitable for unrestricted use. This was noted.

In conclusion, it was agreed that these questions should be referred to a public meeting and DJ undertook to arrange this.

Action: DJ to arrange public meeting.

10) Planning Matters Forestry Grant Scheme: 19FGS45043. Greenacres Farm: a small woodland creation scheme has been proposed.

The community council had received an email advising of this application, but members agreed that it was unlikely to be contentious as the land concerned is just scrub land at present.

It was also noted that this was a Forestry matter and outwith the remit of National Park Planners.

It was agreed that no comment or action on behalf of the community was necessary.

11) Place Making in the National Park DJ reported that discussions were ongoing with the BLS Trust. The Lochearnhead plan is moving forward slowly. It will be necessary to consult people in the community and to get everyone thinking about what they want to achieve in their localities. The Trust is considering how to formulate appropriate questions to put to people. DM stated that Balquhidder is not so much a ‘village’ as a ‘place’. The fact that it is special should be preserved for the benefit of all, residents and visitors alike.

12) Matters from ward councillors and the National Park a) Council Services. Stirling Council is running a prioritised service that will continue during Covid-19 restrictions. It is currently considering how to re-introduce some waste collections that have been suspended, particularly for brown bins. There is an issue with staffing because the need for shielding makes it difficult to find sufficient people to provide these services. The Council is also considering when recycling centres might re-open (possibly in a limited way). AP suggested that brown bins might be collected instead of blue bins as more garden waste than plastic was being generated at the moment. b) Council Meetings. The Council is planning to hold two, full Council meetings online prior to the annual recess. Elected members are receiving training for this at present. c) Community Councils. Additional guidance has been issued in the “Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils Temporary Amendments”. Online meetings are fine although the Council itself is not keen on the use of Zoom. It is also advised that AGMs can wait until “lock-down” is over. d) Ward Issues. Many people are still travelling into the ward from other areas for exercise, day trips and camping. Police are very busy trying to tackle this. Fly-tipping is also a big issue and the Council is removing waste as it is identified.

The police are passing on information to help with this. e) ME mentioned that Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is offering grants to community councils during the Covid-19 crisis.

This was noted.

14) Any other competent business No items were brought forward under this heading.

There was no further business and, at 8:35 p.m., DJ declared the meeting to be closed.

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 1st July 2020, either online or at Strathyre Village Hall, if conditions permit.

I guess I need to preface this short piece by commenting on how fortunate I feel. Unlike the vast majority of the UK population and certainly the rest of the 7 billion other inhabitants of the world, I have good health, enough money and a wonderful environment to live in. This of course doesn’t mean that I’m immune from the tragedies which unfold on the news each evening.

However, a large part of the buddhist creed is the belief that what arises will pass - it’s just the nature of all things. This doesn’t mean that the virus will follow Trump’s timetable - and his wishful and dangerous thinking.

Covid-19, hopefully, will go, following its very own timescale, assisted by our distancing efforts, of course.

Personally my time in lockdown has been very positive; the weather has helped. Just simply seeing things, possibly for the first time, has been a wonder. Often it’s the simplest things which bring the greatest joy. The bird feeding station has been its own soap opera. A real treat has been the interactions between the woodpecker and all others, large and small.

Woody is the boss! Who would argue with that jackhammer beak? If a rival for food gets anywhere near his perceived territory he simply stops and stares menacingly. The look and the rapier beak do the trick. Occasionally when Woody is not around, a tiny red squirrel appears. Hanging precariously upside down, he chomps his way through the nuts whilst his bushy tail waves at me in the wind. A tender moment to behold. Then there is our friend the cuckoo, one of the most scurrilous and devious characters of nature - but such a wonderful sound. Although sitting out yesterday I was wishing that he would find a mate. There was no pause between his calls.

He sounded quite desperate.

Now to the main event! I spent the winter in the Canaries (with my bike of course) and I was keen to maintain my level of fitness on my return.

Lockdown has given me a level of motivation way beyond what I would have imagined. In March I challenged myself to a target of 100km per week, not huge in cycling circles but enough for me having gone beyond God’s quota! However, I’ve found myself exceeding this on a regular basis. I’ve tried to stay as local as possible with regular trips to Callander and round Loch Earn. In the last few weeks I’ve been pushing the envelope to Comrie.

The result of this has been hitting 150/160 km per week. The bonus at this time is that the roads have been so quiet and a wonderful treat has been the new tarmac around the Falls of Leny. Cyclists love a new bit of tarmac!

I love the solitude of cycling: the smells, the sounds, the exileration. At the end there is also something, which I can only describe as reflective joy.

Cycling is a very meditative process for me. It requires a degree of focus but also realaxation; the endorphin release certainly helps.

So here endeth my lockdown story thus far. Of course we don’t know when it will ultimately end, but end it will. After some reflection, let’s hope there will be some ‘takeaways’ from this horribly strange period in our history - and not just pizza!

Ian Inglis 21

Timber Transport Update Since the community meeting in Balquhidder Hall on 31 January 2020 the sub-group of the Community Council (CC) has been working with the industry stakeholders in an effort to deal with the concerns raised by the community.

Stirling Council (SC) has made an application to the Strategic Timber Transport Fund to significantly upgrade the Stronslaney Road from Calair Bridge to Strathyre, adding around 13 new passing places and strengthening the surface. While accepting that this is a necessary improvement which will help when other works are conducted on the C33 the CC felt that Stirling Council’s priority for a grant should have been the C33 which will carry the bulk of timber transport. However, we are where we are, and the CC is pressing the Council to start now on working up a bid for the C33 for next year.

SC has confirmed that they will be conducting a programme of cutting back the vertical verges along the C33 to improve traffic flow and sight lines but stress that this is really the responsibility of householders and landowners who should take action to keep vegetation under control along 22

their property verge.

SC has also confirmed that while they are confident that both Stronvar Bridge (Balvaig Bridge, Balquhidder) and Balvaig Bridge, Strathyre can take the weight of the expected timber traffic they will conduct surveys to confirm.

The following forest have indicated that they intend to start hauling timber this summer – Muirlaggan and Ledcreich. Depending on the market Auchtubhmore and Ballimore may also haul timber.

As a result of discussions with the industry stakeholders and the review of the Timber Transport Management Plan the CC is conducting through the working group there are a number of questions and decisions which the community need to be consulted on. The CC will be circulating a questionnaire to this purpose with the request that you indicate your choices of the options. The link to the online questionnaire, which will cover the following points, will be circulated by email and WhatsApp – look out for it.

1. School exclusion times. There are the times in the current Timber Transport Manage-ment Plan, the times

suggested at the Community Meeting and times suggested by the school bus operator and the school and one needs to be chosen.

2. At the community meeting a wide range of views were expressed on start times ranging from ‘all out before 07.00 or 05.00’ and ‘no lorries before 09.00’. It was also suggested that the hauliers could come in late evening and leave early morning, but the industry indicate that health and safety concerns would not allow this. The in-dustry would like to enter the glen at 05.30 instead of 07.00. An issue has been raised concerning the noise caused by the uneven surface on Kirkton Bridge and the Council has agreed to resurface this section of road this summer. It was agreed that no change would be considered until this work has been completed. There has been no request to continue haulage after 19.00.

3. The 2019 TTMP places restriction on routes within the glen in Average Loads per day figures. At the community meeting concern was raised that the figures should show maximum loads per day and not an average figure.

Volunteer Drivers Needed

CHURCH SERVICES

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead Strathyre and St. Fillans Whilst the churches are closed, I’m doing short recorded services on YouTube (Killin Parish Church Service) each Sunday and also one on every night of Holy Week.

Please join me.

Russel

info@darrenrice.co.uk

The industry contest that they need the flexibility of an average figure to deal with unexpected events. The CC believe that quoting an average figure without indicating the period over which the average is calculated is meaningless and therefore believe that they should press for the figures to be changed to a maximum number instead.

4. The current TTMP has Route 1 which runs from the south side of Stronvar Bridge to the A84 as ‘unrestricted’. At the community meeting concern was raised regarding this and it was felt that a maximum figure for loads per day should be set. The industry view is that the number of loads on Route 1 are restricted by the restrictions placed on the other routes feeding it.

The CC’s view is that having this as an unrestricted route is not appropriate for the following reasons. Auchtubhmore and Muirlaggan forests exit directly on to Route 1 and therefore could add an unrestrict-ed number of loads onto the restricted traffic from the other forests.

Secondly, because the restrictions from the other routes are currently quoted as averages, calculating the potential number of movements on

Killin and District Volunteer Car Scheme (KDVCS) is currently unable to function due to the majority of its volunteer drivers being in the elderly and/or vulnerable categories, and this is likely to continue to be the case for most of them for the remainder of this year at least.

The KDVCS, however, is highly experienced and fully capable of administering the service; it just lacks healthy, young(er) volunteer drivers. With the lifting of lockdown restrictions and the easing of pressure on the NHS, it is expected that there will be an upsurge in numbers of those attending hospital appointments who were previously deferred or who postponed treatment themselves.

The KDVCS is hoping to recruit a new generation of volunteers, not just from Killin, but from surrounding areas; Ardeonaig, Crianlarich and Lochearnhead, and even as far as Tyndrum and Strathyre. The KDVCS is not asking for an open-ended or full-time commitment; the more drivers they can recruit, the greater the flexibility.

They will reimburse expenses for the miles volunteers drive. HMRC has agreed a reimburse-ment rate of 45p per mile up to 10,000 miles and 24p per mile after that. Crucially, govern-

ment-paid benefits are not affected by claiming expenses when driving as a volunteer, providing the only money received from volunteering is to cover expenses, like travel costs and you continue to meet the conditions of the benefit you get. It is important to let the Jobcentre know and volunteering can be considered as ‘work preparation’ and can be a useful addition to someone’s CV. Volunteers may even find that the reimbursement for their valued help can help to keep them on the road in difficult times.

KDVCS will provide the necessary equipment, training, certification and any additional necessary insurances beyond the volunteer’s standard car insurance. The Killin Community Council wholeheartedly supports this initiative by the KDVCS, and urges anyone who has the spare time, the car, and the desire to help our community get back on its feet to consider volunteering.

If you think you can help please contact Don Fraser, Killin & District Volunteer Car Scheme: Telephone 01567 820690 or email: kdvcscheme@gmail.com For and on behalf Community Council,

of

Killin

Andy Aitken

Route 1 is rendered impossible. The CC believe that Route 1 is not a suitable road for an unrestricted category and that a maximum figure for loads per day should be set.

5. The CC has asked the industry to provide regular updates on planned/ predicted haul-age and the amount of haulage completed in a period to be agreed. Its reasoning being simply to keep the community informed of completed, current and future haulage.

It assumed that the hauliers and forest managers would already be reporting this to forest owners and simply asked for the community to be kept in the loop. However, the industries view was that this would not be possible and that they would only report the expected tonnage and number of loads at the start of any extraction period. The CC do not believe that they are asking for something which would be difficult or time consuming for the industry to provide.

6. It is likely that issues will arise with the haulage and the CC would like to put in place a method of dealing with these issues in a professional way and suggest that anyone with an issue should raise it through the CC who will log the event, take it up with the industry and report back.

Various documents concerning timber transport including the notes, minutes and a log of actions from all meetings held have been added to the CC’s website and can be accessed through the following link. https://blscc.org/index.php/filingcabinet/timber-transport/localdiscussions 23

T HE VIL L AGER S ’ TR A D E D I R EC TORY

Charles Grant Decorator& Tiler Exterior & Interior Wall & Floor Paints, Wallpaper & Varnishes supplied

Tel 07768333792 charliehgrant@gmail.com

Your contact for advertising in The Villagers is Andrew Poulter

Coire A Chroine • Balquhidder FK19 8PB

01877 384784 apoulter72@gmail.com

comriebutchers@aol.com

neillmarshall1234@icloud.com Cheques for advertising and mail order subscriptions should be made out to: The BLS Newspaper Association

24

SUPPORT YOU R LOC A L S U PPLI ER S !

PFK Callander Ltd

pfkcallander@btconnect.com

In light of recent events and updates of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), we would like to offer all our customers, existing and future, a ‘contactless’ vehicle MOT, service and repair opportunity.

We can collect your vehicle from home or place of work (within a 25 mile radius from our premises) and deliver back once the MOT, service or repairs have been carried out.

Payments and transfer of payment can be carried out by bacs transfer or by card payment over the phone, to make a fully contactless service.

Please contact PFK Callander Ltd to make your booking appointment today.

Do you need an affordable home ?

Rural Stirling Housing Association aims to support local communities by providing quality homes at affordable rents for families, couples and single people in housing need.

We currently have over 595 rented houses and flats. Around 40 of these become available for rent each year. We currently have properties in the following communities:

Aberfoyle • Doune • Killin • Strathyre Balfron • Drymen • Kinlochard Stronachlachar • Buchlyvie • Gargunnock Kippen • Tyndrum • Callander • Gartmore Lochearnhead • Deanston • Killearn Strathblane We may be able to build in other communities in the future – please let us know if you want to live in a village that is not listed above. Information on local housing need and demand helps us plan for the future.

www.kaygaragedoors.co.uk

If you are interested in renting one of our properties when they become available please contact us: Rural Stirling Housing Association Stirling Road, Doune FK16 6AA

01786 841101 enquiries@rsha.org.uk www.rsha.org.uk

Building affordable homes: growing rural communities

www.andrewbairdoptometrist.co.uk

Published by The BLS Newspaper Association 25

The Villagers’ Contacts Jill Johnston Editor Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227

Gill Waugh Production Manager Stronvar Farm Balquhidder FK19 8PB 07778 702304

David Johnston Production Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227

Andrew Poulter Advertising Coire A Chroine Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384784

contact@the-villagers.org.uk

gill@mercatdesign.com

contact@the-villagers.org.uk

apoulter72@gmail.com

Copy Deadline Day is the 21st of the month. Send your contributions to:

contact@the -villagers.org.uk

Please help us to get The Villagers to you as soon as possible!

Bin Collections Normal Stirling Council bin collections resume from June 1. So June 6th will be green & brown bins, 13th will be grey & blue bins, 20th will be brown bins & glass boxes, 27th will be grey & blue bins.

Callander Recycling centre will be opening again - see page 6 for details.

If you want to start composting there is advice at https://www. gardenorganic.org.uk/compost Start-Up Stirling Food Banks are suffering at this time and are in greater need than ever. If you can’t donate food items you can donate directly at https:// startupstirling.org.uk/donate

Lochearnhead Contact:

Ali Ferguson 01567 830 405 St Fillans Contact:

Bruce Montgomery blmscotland@yahoo.co.uk Strathyre Contact:

Wullie Dalziel 01877 384 384 Mobile 07768 221661 Mail Order Distribution:

Andrea Poulter 01877 384784

THE

M O B I L E L I B R A RY has paused its ser vice... fo r n ow. . .

Councillors

Balquhidder WhatsApp group:

https://chat.whatsapp.com/ LHPPc7oLTclE8QTHAFVn5I

Other Contacts...

* but still keeping 2 metres away from each other, mind!

Councillor Martin Earl Stirling Council Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET 01786 233114 earlm@stirling.gov.uk Councillor Evelyn Tweed Stirling Council Old Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET 01786 233101 Councillor Jeremy McDonald Stirling Council Old Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET 01786 233117

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MHOR 84

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