The Villagers December 2019

Villagers the

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© daria solak • www.dariasolak.com

The Voice of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre & St Fillans • DECEMBER 2019 / JANUARY 2020

Editor’s Bit I

hope you all enjoy this very jolly edition and that you can find lots to feel glad about over the next few weeks. Please remember to take plenty of exciting and unusual photos to fill up our edition in February.

I also need to give you an important date for your new diary: Tuesday, February 25th for our AGM in St Fillans. Date and venue will be confirmed in 2020! I do hope one of your new year resolutions will be to come along with lots of great ideas for new articles and ways to ensure The Villagers can continue to evolve in the next decade.

Best wishes to all our contributors and advertisers for the festive season, being very aware that many of you will be working while the rest of us play, so a special thanks to you all.

JJ

Thanks to Strathyre at Halloween!

Many thanks to the brave spirits who came on our first Spooky Walk.

We raised over £300 to go towards the Christmas Party!

Happy New Year!

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Strathyre Christmas Party for the whole Village

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H R C IS O T H MP MA IS E S K T Y IT JU C IO M U R N PE LI & R N G

Saturday 21st December Strathyre Village Hall 3pm to 9pm Christmas Movie from 3pm – 4.30pm Party Games from 4.30pm - 5.30pm Santa Arrives at 6pm Ceilidh & Buffet from 6.30pm – 9pm All children must be accompanied by an adult. BYOB and a plate of food for the buffet

Fireworks at Strathyre This year’s Bonfire Night was another success, with a fun, exciting night had by all! We would like to thank everyone involved with the organising of the event.

It was all made possible by kind donations from Comrie Butchers, The White Stag, Mhor, The Broch, The Ben Sheann and Strathyre village shop.

We also had help from our local police and Trossachs Search and Rescue, who provided our first aid service.

This ongoing, overwhelming support from our whole community is what makes this an incredibly special place to live - and encourages us all to keep the community spirit alive. We can’t thank you all enough for the support you give us.

We raised £2012.00 - so we will be putting this event on again next year.

Can’t wait!

Mel

Balquhidder

New Year’s Day Dance Dance to the

Stuart McKeown Ceilidh Band 9pm to 1am Tickets from Andrew and Fiona Leishman 01877 384 752 to reserve or Balquhidder Hall website £12.50 with family concessions.

Raffle, whisky curling, tea and sandwiches.

Strathyre News

Strathyre Primary P7s are offering a Christmas present wrapping service on Sunday 15th December from 11am to 1pm at Strathyre Village Hall. If you can’t make this then email strathyreparents@gmail.com and we will make a plan to either collect your gifts and return them or come to wrap them at your house (parents will accompany the children).

On the 15th the idea is for you to bring your presents along, enjoy some tea and cake whilst they wrap your gifts.

You can either supply the wrapping or they will wrap in brown paper and festive string ribbon and attach festive tags for you to write your own greeting.

No fixed price - just give a donation please.

The fundraising is for the P7 high school transition trip to Dalguise. This is where the children meet all the other P7s from all the other primary school and stay away from home for a few nights. Thanks in advance for your support!

Strathyre P7s: Anna, Violet, Ember, Tabitha, Keeley, Jack R, Ossian, Tyler and Jack PB

Strathyre Community Café Friday 13th December 2019 – Christmas Jumper Day in Strathyre Primary School Join us for a cuppa and a blether!

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There will be lots of lovely refreshments, a crèche area for young children, a board game table and a soft seating area for a rest. Bring your knitting, a book, a game you would like to share with either adults or with the children, have a game of chess with the children, just sit relax and catch up with friends.

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BOOK REVIEW The Explorer Katherine Rundell

Lochearnhead Latest Lochearnhead Village Hall • 31 December 2019

HogmanaY Dance back by popular demand

Raband The Lochearnhead Village Hall will be hosting a Hogmanay party once again on the 31st December 2019. Live band ‘Raband’ are back and guaranteed to have you on your feet (so bring your dancing shoes!).

Refreshments (bar and home-made stovies) will be available and there will be a chance for you to try your luck in the raffle.

Tickets will be on sale in the Lochearnhead village shop from Monday 4 December (£10/adult and £5/child).

But if you want to be sure of getting a ticket why not pre-reserve yours by calling 01567 830388 leaving your name, number of tickets and a contact telephone number.

As always proceeds of the event will go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the village hall facility.

A Blue Christmas service It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Only it’s not. Not for everyone.

Not when there is an empty chair at the table and you are full of grief.

Not when your body is ravaged with illness. Not when the depression is too much to bear. Not when you feel all alone - even in a crowd. Not when you are not sure you can even afford the rent or the mortgage, let alone the presents. Not when another Christmas party means they will come home drunk again.

Christmas is a time for memories and remembering. For some, the memories are of their loved ones who have died, and the pain of their loss is real. For others the thoughts are of happier times than we know now, as the anguish of broken relationships, or of loneliness, or of poor health, cloud this season.

We need to remember, and we need the space and place to acknowledge our sadness and concern; and we need to know we are not alone.

An Invitation for you There will be a special service in Lochearnhead for those who are ‘blue’, to receive the words of hope that speak to us in midst of sorrow and hard times.

On Friday 20th December at 6.30pm at St Angus Episcopal Church, Lochearnhead ... for those who find Christmas is sad or hard.

Revd. Gennie Evans 01764 650985 rev.gen@btinternet.com

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At Lochearnhead Village Hall for Christmas

‘O come all ye faithful’ ... and come all ye not so faithful!

Village Carols

Tuesday 17 December at 7pm Friday 20 December 6.30pm at St Angus’ s, Lochearnhead

A ‘Blue’ Christmas Service for those who find that Christmas can be sad or hard

Christmas Day Communion at 9.15 am St Angus’s, Lochearnhead Revd. Gennie Evans Rector

I have just come back from spending time with my granddaughters and that lovely time when they all head off to bed and I get to read to them. The eldest is 9 and of course reads herself but her enthusiasm about the book she was currently reading prompted me to sneak a look at it when she was asleep. I was so taken with it that on my return home I bought the book to read myself.

This is a marvellous tale of four children, Fred, Con, Lila and Max who, after the plane taking them back to England crashes in the Brazilian Amazon, are left fighting to survive and find their own way home. Fred is the oldest of the children and it is up to him to find solutions to the several problems the four encounter.

They learn that the piranhas and caimans aren’t mindless killers but are occupying important niches in the environment. Finding anything to eat becomes a daily battle. Keeping the youngest child Max, Lila’s little brother, who is prone to tantrums, safe is a daily challenge. The children’s individual characters emerge and develop as they are met with each new disaster. There is a map, and who doesn’t like a map in an adventure story! There is mystery ...are they really all alone in the jungle? It is a gripping tale which moves at a good pace with short chapters - therefore easy for new self-readers.

But for me this book’s enduring power is that it is a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit against enormous odds. It is a hymn to hope, love and forgiveness. The descriptions of the flora and fauna of the jungle are terrific and are matched at the start of each chapter with some exquisitely detailed illustrations. This could be a welcome Christmas gift for a grandchild who has just started to read themselves.

Pet Friendly Cottage with wow(f) views wins European award Fraser and Kim Proven have won Best Pet Holiday Home in Europe for Little Briar Cottage in Lochearnhead, at the Best Holiday Home in Europe Awards, announced during the Short Stay Summit 2019 in Barcelona on 8th November.

The Awards highlight quality and diversity in the short-term holiday home rental market and are given to individual holiday homes that provide a unique and high-quality holiday experience. An expert jury selects a group of finalists amongst the nominated houses in each category and the winners are voted amongst representatives from each national trade association member of the European Holiday Home Association (EHHA). The panel considers; website photography, reviews, accreditation’s, quality and completeness of descriptions, Social Media, location, interiors and exteriors as part of the judging process.

The Provens have been offering pet friendly self-catering on the banks of Loch Earn since 2008 on the grounds of their ancient thatched cottage in Lochearnhead village. Their warm welcoming reputation has been well recognised over the years earning them 5 star reviews on Google and Facebook, a 10 out of 10 customer service certificate from Hotels Combined and their fifth Certificate of Excellence in a row from TripAdvisor with the maximum 5 bubble rating, putting them in the top 3% of the world for customer excellence.

Kim Proven said: “Only two businesses in the United Kingdom collected the “Winner” in Europe award. We both happen to be in Scotland and members of The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC). So, our congratulations go to Hobbit Hideaway in Moray, for Best Green Holiday Home.

Our service and facilities are of course enhanced and supported by local pet friendly restaurants, off road walks, area events and a dog friendly golf course. As Chair of the Loch Earn Tourism Information group, I recognise the importance of tourism businesses working together to improve visitor experiences. I am also extremely grateful to guests for continuing to offer us feedback and for sharing their holiday stories and photographs.”

Fraser Proven said: ”I look after Briar Cottage’s three-acre grounds and am delighted that pets and guests enjoy the fetch and play space and access to swimming in Loch Earn from our garden. To win a European award for our efforts is an honour indeed and makes us very proud to do what we do as a way of life.”

The ASSC CEO Fiona Campbell said: ”On behalf of the ASSC, I would like to send our huge congratulations to Kim and Fraser on being awarded Best Pet Holiday Home in Europe at the European Holiday Home Awards in Barcelona, what an absolutely fantastic achievement!

“As ASSC Members, Little Briar Cottage has been part of the EmbraceScotland ‘Paws for a Break Campaign’ and it is evident that pets are at the heart of Little Briar’s offering - which has not gone unnoticed by the outstanding reviews from previous guests along with the ever growing list of four legged visitors through the door.

“We are delighted to see that ASSC Member’s Holiday Homes in Scotland, such as Little Briar Cottage, continue to be recognised throughout Europe for quality and hospitality. Well done, Kim and Fraser!”

Briar Cottages offer breath-taking views over Loch Earn to Stuc A Chroin Munro in Scotland’s first National Park and are only 200m from two dog friendly hotels. Sustrans NCR7 old railway walkway, The Rob Roy Way and The Glen Ogle Trail are accessible from Lochearnhead Village marked by a West Highland Terrier sculpture by Kev Paxton.

Kim and Fraser offer Little Briar Cottage all year round for pet friendly holiday weeks and short breaks from three nights starting any day of the week. View Briar Cottages award winning website at www.stayatbriar.co.uk and check availability for 2020 before the weeks are dog-gone.

The Queen’s Bounty in Lochearnhead One sunny May afternoon, I was sitting with my motherin-law’s friend, Elinor, in her lounge on the Isle of Arran.

Suddenly, out of the blue, she said, “You live near Lochearnhead, don’t you? My Dad was from there – he was one of triplets.”

She went on to explain that her Dad was one of three boys , triplets, born in Lochearnhead in 1883. The boys were called John (Johnny), David (Davey) and James (Jimmy) Angus.

The birth of triplets was highly unusual, and the boys’ fame spread far and wide. People passing through Lochearnhead would stop to pay their respects. Indeed, news of the birth spread to Queen Victoria, and the Dundee and Angus Courier reported on Wednesday 25th February 1883 that: “The Queen has forwarded through General Ponsonby the sum of £3 to Dr James Todd, Callander, for Mrs. William Angus , Lochearnhead, who a month ago gave birth to three average-sized healthy boys; all well.”

Queen Victoria is said to have initiated grants, which became known as the “Queen’s Bounty”, to enable parents to meet the expense of having triplets or quadruplets after she and Prince Albert learned of a woman who had given birth to triplets while they were on a visit to Ireland in about 1849. The mother of nine herself, Queen Victoria seems to have felt some empathy towards these parents.

Johnny, Davey and Jimmy all grew up to become fine young men. Elinor’s Dad, Jimmy, married Helen Macrae and lived and worked in Edinburgh for the rest of his life.

Johnny and Davey both served in the army in the First World War. After the war, the boys lost touch with one another.

Johnny emigrated to Canada and Davey went to London where he spent many years working as a stonemason at Windsor Castle. Jimmy and Davey were reunited in the 1980s – but that’s another story!

What a handful!

Photos show the triplets at varying stages of their lives

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The

St Fillans Bit

by Bruce Montgomery

St. Fillans Golf Course IS THE BEST 9 Hole Course in Scotland And I will prove it further down the page!

First and foremost, we must record our thanks to the ladies of the Knit & Natter Group who created the wonderful knitted poppy tribute displayed in the Kirk for Remembrance Day. They had spent many weeks slaving over their needles and produced hundreds of poppies in both traditional red and also white to signify peace. The red was sewn on to camouflage netting and the white affixed to a backboard in Dundirn Church poppies the form of the word “Peace”. Two doves were also created, sewn together and placed to emphasise this universal hope. The first picture shows them set out prior to the Remembrance Service in Dundurn Parish Church.

I understand that the camo netting is actually as long again as the length our ladies covered in poppies, so as a challenge for next year - if you can complete the remainder, it might be long enough to be draped round the Communion table. But, for now, well done all!

For next year, there has already been The Award! a donation of a ball of purple wool. I am told that the colour purple is for remembrance of the many thousands Now, on a happier note, let’s get back of animals killed in the conflicts. I hadn’t to the Golf Course. You might remember known that, but it reminded of a song by that last month I advised that in the first a Scots Australian called Eric Bogle who round of voting, St Fillans Golf Course has written some timeless classics. Two had been nominated as one of four about WW1. The first called The Green finalists for the best Scottish 9 Hole Golf Fields of France and the other called The Course. This is one category in an annual Band played Waltzing Matilda – if you competition promoted by Visit Scotland don’t know them, you will find them both and Scottish Enterprise to celebrate on YouTube – performed properly they all that is great about Scottish Golf. At are both filled with emotion. Anyway, I their Awards Ceremony in the Fairmont digress - the song I was reminded of is Hotel in St Andrews on 31 October, St a lesser known number called As if He Fillans was announced as the WINNER Knows. He would introduce this song of the 9 Hole Category. We had beaten by telling the audience that in WW1, Anstruther, Edzell West and Blairgowrie the Anzac troops of Australia and New Wee Course, each of which are very Zealand took 56,000 horses with them to different and spectacular in their own war. Only one made it back home. Most right. Clearly, it is not only Sandy Lyle died in the slaughter, but the ones alive who rates us! The result prompted an at the wars end had to be left behind for immediate upsurge in hits on the Club’s many reasons, not least quarantine. This Website and Facebook pages, which will song is a true story about the campaign in hopefully be reflected in increased visitor Palestine where the Anzac Light Cavalry numbers next year. More visitors to the fought, and a horse called ‘Banjo’. The Golf Course should also positively impact order came through to leave their horses occupancy rates in our hotels. behind, and their handlers decided In the same section of The Villagers that they must shoot their mounts as article last month, I mentioned that the a kindness. Each man undertook to Golf Club Caterer “Nutritious & Delicious” execute his best mates’ horse and the had also been nominated for a Perth night before, the animals on the picket Business Award. Their Ceremony was line were subdued – as if they knew. I held on November 10th in a suite at Perth think some purple poppies are the least Racecourse. Unfortunately, they did not we can do to remember. win, but Julie tells me that she and her 6

ladies had a wonderful experience and a great time! I am sure it was a closerun thing and we wish them well for next year. Their catering contribution is an important part of visitor experience when playing our course.

Another Bonfire Night has come and gone. This was our first since the play park was constructed so the Festive Committee were particularly careful in the positioning and size of the fire given its proximity to the new facility. Equal attention was paid to what was being burned and villagers were advised not to offer plasticised wood such as kitchen cabinets with a non-natural veneer as they would not be uplifted. Villagers generally accepted this positively and the bonfire, which finished at about 65% of last years in size, was composed only of natural wooden discard. The night itself went extremely well with a good

display and fine soups and refreshments.

The bucket donation on the night comfortably covered catering cost and contributed a couple of hundred pounds towards the cost of the fireworks. The balance of that cost comes from funds raised at the Festive Weekend. The pic below shows some of the playpark in the foreground with the fire behind. The viewing and hospitality area is safely beyond and to the left.

Talking of the playpark, villagers may have noticed that for a series of weeks, the tower had been fenced off. This was because, during their final inspection, the P&K Representative Officers decided they did not like the ropes which had been supplied for clambering up and down the tower sides. This was despite the fact that the specification had been agreed with P&K during the planning and approval stages. The ropes were a natural hemp material, manufactured for purpose, knotted and woven just like the rigging in an old sailing ship. It was beautiful to see, and I believed would have lasted for many years, but maybe I am just old fashioned. As P&K carry the liability insurance for the play park, it was right and proper that they had the last word on risk and so insisted that the tower could not be brought into use until the ropes were replaced with a modern man-made equivalent. I did not like the sound of that, but I must admit that the new stuff actually looks much better than I envisaged, very professionally produced and appears very sturdy. It is clamped together without knots. To P&K’s credit, they did bear the cost of the replacement, which avoided embarrassment given the playpark budget had been fully utilised.

Villagers and passers-by along the A85 will have noticed the arrival of “Moodnight Meadow” on the foreshore in front of the Four Seasons Hotel. It (or should it be “she”) was quietly put in place at 9am on the morning of October 23rd without any fuss or fanfare. She

Thank you, Farmer McLarty!

arrived thanks to the efforts of the Bliss Art Trail and financial contributions from local businesses and some un-named villagers. The last part of her journey was courtesy of the forks on the front of Farmer McLarty’s tractor as can be seen in the picture below.

A gentle reminder to Susan at Four Seasons to please get the bush to the east of our “Cowch” cut back so that travellers west get a view of it before they are actually passing it. “Moodnight Meadow” along with her pal “On Watch” who can be seen at Lochearnhead, were part of the “Crieff Succeeds” summer campaign, from which the 11 Cowches which had been dotted around Crieff throughout the Summer, were auctioned off. Proceeds totalling £24,900 were donated to the Air Ambulance Charity.

Thank you again to the efforts of Bliss Art Trail and the local funders who put up the money to get the Cowches to the Banks of Loch Earn.

As we have just mentioned one of our Hotels, neither the Four Seasons nor the Achray House have had an easy time of it recently. Both parted company with their highly acclaimed chefs. There is no doubt that both were excellent chefs, whose creations would not have been out of place in a highly priced London or Edinburgh Restaurant. I experienced both, firstly at a Whisky Matching Night in the Four Seasons earlier this year and more recently at a Game (Fayre) night in the Achray. Both offerings were superb. However, in my view, City Centre Restaurants tend to cater for clientele who have likely been sitting at a desk all day in a job where physical effort is not generally part of their remit, and dare I say it, smaller quantities are appreciated.

Rural life tends to be a bit different, in that there are not many villagers who are not physically engaged in their gardens, golf course, hill walking, fishing, sailing etc, etc, in addition to working either in employment or for the village. So, when

we go out to eat, we expect to be well fed and pay an appropriate price. That is not to say, for the odd occasion, villagers are not prepared to go for something a bit special at a higher price, but I feel that most villagers who perhaps go out for say a weekly or monthly meal would agree that we seek an offering that satisfies in terms of quality and quantity and for which we pay a reasonable price. Perhaps, some of that had been recently overlooked? Achray appear to have responded to this challenge, as exemplified by a fantastic steak night on November 15th. If this was an effort to reconnect with the village, it was a very positive experience. Their offering was value for money, a choice of steaks with sauce and some sides included plus a half bottle of wine for £25 per head.

Starters and sweets (to say nothing of other drinks) were extra and the whole package worked well from the customer side. I hope it worked equally well for the hotel, who tell me that they now intend providing differing food offerings comprising a more formal menu in the dining lounge and a bistro menu in the sunroom. The Achray also intend to continue their steak offering on Wednesdays for the foreseeable future.

With Christmas approaching, both hotels have advertised events and their closure dates as follows: Achray Restaurants are closed late November, but from December 3rd to 21st will offer a midweek Festive 5 Course Menu, alongside their regular menu. Booking required for Festive Menu. On December 31st a Hogmanay 7 Course Tasting Menu (limited places available) is planned. The Achray intends to stay open throughout January and will hold a Robert Burns Celebration on January 25th. This will not be a formal Burns Supper, which is the preserve of the Village and held every two years but will go some way to filling this upcoming gap year. In December, Four Seasons will close until December 18th and have planned their Christmas Celebrations from December 24th to 26th with New Year Celebrations December 31st – January 1st. They are also planning a Leap Year Birthday Party on February 29th next year. More information on the Village and the Hotel Websites.

Let me close this month by highlighting the activity of St Fillans Ladies Lunch Club over a period of almost 30 years. This was conceived by Eleanor Cunningham, then resident in “The Spinney”, as an exercise to both bring village ladies together during the winter months and to better utilise and thus support Sandison Hall financially. It met for the first time in October 1990. It certainly took off as soon membership exceeded 50. The group never required a chairperson, but needed a treasurer given that money changed hands. An annual membership Continued overleaf

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Continued from previous page

HELP IS HERE! Ladies’ Lunch Club

fee starting at the equivalent of £3 per lunch (eventually rising to £5 in later years) was paid and used to cover the bills incurred. All organisation was undertaken through a system of six volunteer hostesses, each of whom recruited and were assisted by a small team from the membership. Events would run monthly from October to March and each hostess with her team took responsibility for preparing lunch for one event during that period. The December event was slightly different in that husbands or friends were invited to participate. Speakers or entertainers were invited to all meetings in the early years and I have to say that the range of subjects covered was immense. I browsed through the invitees list and noted subjects such as art, literature, history, environment, crime prevention, and wide-ranging charitable endeavours. At the end of each year, the club would make a decision as to how any surplus funds would be dealt with, usually to the benefit of a charity of their choice. By 2017 however, time had caught up with the concept as attendee numbers had reduced. For the year 2018/19, a drop-in soup and sandwich format was tried, but with very limited success. It was therefore decided that Lunch Club had come to a natural end, but members refused to let it go without a final hurrah. So, following an effort to contact as many former members as could be traced, on October 9th the St Fillans Ladies Lunch Club met for a final time in Sandison Hall.

Attendance exceeded 30 and included in the group and seated on the left of the pic above, is Eleanor Cunningham, now of Comrie, who kicked it all off in 1990.

The furthest travelled attendees came from Edinburgh. Their final act was to make a decision as to what would be done with their remaining funds of approximately £400. After discussion, it was agreed that this would be donated to Sandison Hall but with a proviso, that a sum of £200 would be retained by Sandison Hall as restricted funds to be used only to support a future group who wished to commence a Hall based activity for which there was demonstrable village demand.

Through this decision, St Fillans Ladies Lunch Club (as was) has possibly planted a seed to support something absolutely new and different! Thank you ladies.

Finally, and as an interesting aside, after the Ladies Group was seen to be successful, the husbands who had been “deserted” decided to do something similar. I understand that Eleanor’s husband Nisbet took the lead in creating the Group known as “The Jolly Boys” who continue to this day.

May your Christmas be joyous, and the new year be kind to you.

Best Wishes.

Bruce 8

Are you worried about internet fraud or identity theft?

• Do you get too many unsolicited spam messages?

• Are you confident that your children are safe online?

• Would you like to save money by using the internet?

• Would you like to be more confident (or less confused) online?

• Do you just need some help with online technology?

Free drop in sessions have been arranged at Balquhidder Hall on the following dates to help you with all of the above or any other issue you have with getting online.

Wednesday 22 January 2020 4PM to 6PM StirlingCouncil’s Council’s successful successful Digital Stirling Digital Inclusion InclusionTeam Teamare arebringing bringingtheir their expertise to all residents in the three villages, theofaim of expertise to all residents in the three BLS BLS villages, with with the aim offering offering personalised support enabling all of us to really benefit from personalised support enabling all of us to really benefit from broadband broadband -technology - andwith getthe to grip with the ‘Internet of Things’. technology and get to grip ‘Internet of Things’.

The service will target individual needs - whether you are attempting The service will target individual needs whether you are attempting to understand how it can help with everyday shopping, banking, to understand how itstaying can help with everyday socialyour media, social media, safe online - or ifshopping, you wantbanking to enhance staying safe online - or you your want experience to enhance your existing knowledge to existing knowledge toiftake and skills to further levels take your experience and skills toahead furtheroflevels and stay ahead of trends. and stay trends.

These Thesesessions sessionsare are open to everyone in in open to everyone the three villages. the three villages, The two sessions and to all age arranged are groups. open to all age Further helpgroups can also and further inhelp be provided your can also be provided own home. in your own home.

Bringalong along your Bring your laptop tablet– laptopor or tablet – there is free free there is internet connection internet connection at the hall.

at the hall.

Callander Ramblers Club Sponsored by Caledonian Country Wear

The Club consists of a group of enthusiasts who meet regularly throughout the year to participate in a programme of strolls, rambles, hill walks and a Long Distance Path.

Details are published on incallander. co.uk/ramblers.htm in the Ben Ledi View and on posters around Callander.

New members and guests are always welcome. Here are some dates for your diary: DECEMBER 2019 • Sat 7, 08:30 Hill: Lime Craig (305m) Contact 01877 382803 • Wed 11, 09:30 Ramble: Kinlochard and the Crannog (6.5miles) Contact 01786 850209 • Wed 18, 09:30 Stroll: Dunblane Daunder (4miles) Contact 01786 825249 JANUARY 2020 • Thur 2, 11:00 Stroll: New Year Town Walk (4miles) Contact 01877 330444 • Sat 11, 18:00 Dinner: Venue tbc (6.5miles) Contact 01877 330446 • Sat 25, 08:30 Hill: Craigmore (Aberfoyle) (387m) Contact 01877 331834

We meet in Ancaster Square, unless otherwise indicated. Please bring wet weather clothing, appropriate footwear and a packed lunch. And please let the walk leader know if you plan to join the walk via the contact number given!

Visitors and non-members are very welcome.

We have had a successful start to the new session with thirty two new members. A Badminton Group, based in Thornhill, has been added to the groups list and has been very well supported. As we approach the festive season many groups have organised a Christmas lunch.

U3A gives you the chance to develop your interests, make new friends and enjoy yourself. If you are retired or semi-retired, U3A may be just what you are looking for. Perhaps you wish to practise your language skills, learn to play Bridge or join other painters.

The Sunday Lunch Group, which meets bi-monthly, provides the opportunity to socialise while visiting a variety of eateries in the Callander area.

The Out and About Group organises trips to places not readily open to the general public. Recently the group visited Scottish Opera’s workshops and this was followed up by finding out about the stage management of Tosca at the Theatre Royal.

There are more than thirty interest groups listed on the Callander and West Perthshire website.

Come and join us. Contact details are provided on the website.

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.

Winter is here now and the evenings are decidedly chilly, so snuggle up in front of our blazing log burner... Try our ‘smoked venison with grilled wild mushrooms’ accompanied by one of our 20 trendy gins. Sample our fresh scallops from Loch Broome - and finish off with an old favourite: home made sticky toffee pudding, smothered with butterscotch sauce.

Hotel residents can take advantage of our free bikes or canoes to really explore the surrounding countryside. This gives our overseas visitors the chance to see Cycle Route 7 without the hassle of travelling with bikes.

Weddings and small functions are hosted by the Clachan.

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

Clachan Cottage Hotel • Lochside, Lochearnhead • Perthshire FK19 8PU info@clachancottagehotel.co.uk • 01567 8302477 9

Making Marmalade

The first week of January is always marmalade making time for us, a welcome therapeutic break after all the Christmas and New Year fuss.

We always make my mother’s recipe, which she inherited from her mother so this has probably been going for at least 100 years. At the risk of teaching grannies and non-grannies to suck eggs here is our method, ready for January.

It’s an easy one to remember, in the imperial version anyway: 6 Seville oranges 6 lbs of sugar (2.72Kg) 6 Pints of water (3.4L) 2 lemons Apart from a large pan you need a little muslin bag to hold pips and pith, about 20cms square.

Choose the heaviest oranges you can and if you like marmalade with lots of peel add a couple extra to the recipe. Wash the fruit and remove any surface blemishes.

Halve them round the equator and use a lemon squeezer to extract the juice. Halve again and remove the internal membranes,

lose white pith, pips etc from the quarter with a small sharp knife. This is easy for the orange segments but more difficult for the lemons. Then slice the peel to your preferred thickness and add to the pan or a large bowl with the juice. All the pips and trimmings go into the muslin bag.

When you have finished slicing add the water and leave everything (including the muslin bag) to soak for 24 hours.

Cook the fruit slowly for an hour or two until soft. Meanwhile measure out the sugar and warm it gently in the oven so that it will melt quickly when added to the fruit. Leave the muslin bag in with the fruit until you add the sugar. When you add the sugar stir until you can’t feel any more sugar with your wooden spoon and then turn up the heat.

Keep the mixture at a fast boil and start testing for set after about 5 minutes. Have a saucer ready in the fridge for testing. I check by watching how the mixture runs off the spoon after a few twirls – as soon as it starts to flake rather than just drip it’s getting near. The accurate test is to put a few drops onto the cold saucer, return to the fridge for a minute and then gently push with your finger. If it wrinkles it is ready. Remove any scum from the top of the mixture and some people add a knob of butter at this stage to keep the mixture clear.

Once ready leave for at least 30 minutes to cool down before bottling, otherwise the fruit rises in the jars. Sterilise the jars in the oven and fill them while hot. We use a soup ladle and a Pyrex jug to get the mixture out of the pan and into the jars without too much mess. Fill to the brim, the mixture will contract and the less air above the fruit the less chance of mould. Float on a waxed disc, waxed side down and add the lid loosely if you are using metal ones. Leave to cool then clean up the jars, tighten the lids and label.

We find Bon Maman type jam jars are ideal for jam making as they take a standard 2lb wax disc. We fix labels on with milk, which makes them easy to remove later on.

This makes a light fresh tasting marmalade, about 10 jars worth. If you like a heavier version, then experiment with brown sugar, a thicker cut - and more oranges!

Microwave Dumpling 300ml of water (½ pint) 450g mix of dried fruits – inc 200g sultanas whole, approx equal parts chopped apricots, figs, dates and/or prunes to make total weight 225g margarine or butter or mix of both 250g of sugar 250g plain flour 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon of cinnamon 2 tablespoons of mixed spice 2 eggs beaten Put the water, fruit, fat and sugar in a large pan and slowly heat until all the sugar and fat has dissolved. Don’t let it get too hot.

Sieve the next five ingredients into a large bowl and mix well to ensure an even spread of the spices.

Add warm wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients and add the two beaten eggs and mix well.

Put into suitably sized microwaveable dish lined with cling film, but do not cover over the top Place in microwave (10 mins for 900w) adjust timing for lower or higher power microwave.

Once cooked turn out onto a plate and remove cling film. Allow to cool. This can be sliced up and frozen in handy portions. It’s great re-heated and then dry fried to get a tasty crust on it...

Here’s a sneak preview of something nice that took place on Friday 29th November at Balquhidder Church!

Watch out for our February edition of The Villagers and read about the ‘Choir Occasional and Friends’ concert - and also what we raised for the Air Ambulance.

In the meantime, enjoy this photograph of local pipers who stood bravely outside the church in the frosty night, playing wonderful tunes to welcome all the music lovers as they arrived for the concert!

(Isn’t that the ‘Ed’ looking on...?)

10

More ramblings about

DundurnParish The Royal Visit 7th August - 6th September 1935

Her Majesty Queen Wilhelmina of Holland arrived at Crieff by train from Kings Cross Station at 10 o’clock, where her party were met by the Provost and members of the town council - prior to proceeding by motor to her summer holiday destination at St. Fillans. She was accompanied by the heir to the throne, the Princess Juliana.

The headquarters for the Queen and her party was Neish House and the Drummond Arms Hotel, where a dozen rooms had been reserved as the royal suite. It was stated at the hotel by the manageress Miss May Urquhart that it was the Queens express wish that her visit should be regarded as strictly private.

No special flag will be hoisted, and the hotel has not been specially decorated, as it is already the centre of a remarkable display of flowers. Spare accommodation at the hotel has already been booked.

It is expected that Princess Juliana and other members of the royal party will go in for a mild form of mountaineering in the district, which contains some of the finest scenery in the lower highlands.

The weather continues ideal for holidays.

There has been very little rain for several weeks.

In the garden at Neish House. Queen Wilhelmina, Princess Juliana, Baroness Van Keeren, Baroness Van Heemstra with Col De Jonge Van Ellemeet the Queens Aide’-de-Camp

TO PAINT LOCAL SCENERY

During her holiday Queen Wilhelmina spent much of her leisure time painting the local scenery. Miss Helen Campbell, Woodhouse, St Fillans who conducted Her Majesty over the hills on an exploring trip, later received a beautifully framed enlargement of the Royal party along with a letter conveying the Queen’s thanks for the kindness she received during that “pleasant day on the beautiful moors”.

Comrie Pipe band at the request of Queen Wilhelmina visited St Fillans and played a programme of Strathspeys and reels, on the lawn in front of Neish

St Fillans, 1935, by Queen Wilhelmina House. One of the pieces played was a tune specially composed by Pipe Major Thomas Clark, with the title, Queen Wilhelmina’s Welcome to St Fillans. At the direction of the Queen the men were hospitably entertained in the hotel at the conclusion of their programme.

Captain Lewis Archibald Gibson (19192005) - Brother of Eva Gibson the Oaks At the tender age of fourteen, Archie played his pipes for Queen Wilhelmina on her arrival, and outside her dining room in the evenings; he also accompanied her to the loch side carrying her painting equipment. When she was departing her ADC gave Archie an ornate envelope. Oh good he thought… money. However, after he had “piped her awa’” he found in his envelope a certificate confirming him Official Piper to Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, but alas, no money.

The Old Crock

The Queen and Princess at St Fillans

The Queens arrival at St Fillans

11

Remembrance Sunday

Local Heroine Karen Trainor, who lives in Strathyre, asked the wonderful people from the village to help create something for Remembrance - and they made poppies from knitting, felting, plaster of Paris, plastic bottle bottoms and cardboard.

They then put them all around the village for Remembrance Sunday. It looked amazing!

Villagers also assembled shoeboxes full of gifts for soldiers who are deployed at Christmas. Karen is part of the Smile Club which has branches all around the country and as her son is in the army it is an organisation close to her heart. People donated money, toiletries, sweets and chocolates and amazingly they got so many donations that they made up over 300 boxes. In Strathyre village hall alone, volunteers managed to produce 140 absolutely fabulous!

Karen says: “I can’t thank everyone enough for taking part, but could I say a massive special Thank You to my ‘Secret Santa’ and to my amazing husband, Barry, for letting me take over the house - and everything he has done to help.

Thank you! “ Congratulations to Karen - two truly great achievements. - Ed.

Balquhidder Remembrance 12

Balquhidder Church News MUSINGS FROM THE MANSE

Peace on Earth? – Duh!

Remembering at Lochearnhead There was a good turnout by villagers and we were delighted to have members of the Killin Mountain Rescue team join in the service.

We are grateful once again for the assistance of PC Will Diamond for traffic control.

Roger Sharp played the Lament Flowers of the Forest. Richard Francis played the Last Post, a very welcome first occasion.

Tommy Anderson read out the Names of the Fallen on the Memorial. Owen McKee read In Flanders Field.

The service was conducted by Rory Gilchrist and Martin Robb, introduced by Malcolm White.

Wreath Layers: Owen McKee for the National Park Willie Dalziell for Stirling Council and the Community Council Paul Hicks for Balquhidder Church Rory Gilchrist for St Angus Church PC Will Diamond for Police Scotland

I can’t believe it is December again. Is it really a year since I was thinking about a Christmas message? I often find this the hardest slot of the year as there is so much about Christmas which is corny and twee, and with which I struggle.

By the time we begin our Christmas celebrations we will have had yet another General Election - and who knows - we might even have fitted in a Referendum or two just to feel we get our money’s worth out of the year. Then peace, harmony, love, joy and general bonhomie will break out everywhere across our nation as we drink our egg-nog, munch on our assorted supermarket nibbles and sing the odd carol or two. Instead, I might just put the Sex Pistols on full blast and bang my head against the nearest wall. (Only kidding, I wouldn’t use an actual wall! ) I envy those who have managed to stay sane throughout this year. Oasis once sang “I carry the madness wherever I go”. Like many others I have spoken to throughout this year, I have done my fair amount of “Rage against the Machine” as I made the mistake of watching the news on TV and the endless panel/discussion shows and of course surfed the net. But having run out of things to throw at the screen and having exhausted all the Scottish town names like Fochabers, Freuchie and Falkirk, muttered to express my angst and frustration, I am now in a pleasant state of detoxification and spiritual harmony. Ah! The message of Christmas is one of hope and love. Sentimental? Well it would be if it wasn’t for the situation Jesus was born into and grew up in. The Gospel story and our current social divisions point out that the problem is basically within us.

That is what Jesus came to address.

The former Mayor and Police Chief of Philadelphia, Frank Rizzo, once famously said “The streets of Philadelphia are safe. It is only people who make them unsafe.”

Jesus said something similar, but somewhat more profound and spiritual (Mark 7: 14-23). In our fragmented and angry politics and social discourse where everyone is talking and no one is listening we need to take stock of what has happened and how we heal divisions going forward into the new year. Someone wisely said that “anger” is only one letter removed from “danger.” The hardening of attitudes is just as deleterious to public well-being as the hardening of arteries is to personal health. We live in troubled and divisive times and with no public leadership in this matter we will have to start at the individual level. Like many others I’m a passionate person (you might have noticed!) and hold, like the famous historian AJP Taylor, “extreme views very weakly!” The problem for us all is allowing other people the space and right to hold the opposite from us. If you doubt there is a problem here at the individual level then ask yourself why it is that when you are driving your car everyone going slower than you is an “idiot” and everyone going faster than you is a “lunatic.” Gotcha!

Rabbie Burns wrote “O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us to see oursels as ithers see us.” But self-reflection is often hard to do and self-awareness in short supply in our contemporary culture. Perhaps we need to talk less and listen more. Mark Twain once quipped that sometimes “It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” I wonder how many MPs, on reflection, are challenged by that. But then why can that not also apply to members of the public too? We all need to take a chill-out pill! Whatever the result of the election some people will be upset and dismayed by the result and difficult days lie ahead in 2020.

These last six years we have commemorated the centennial of the Great War and its aftermath. This year we also remembered it was 80 years ago that WW2 broke out and Europe underwent yet another violent conflagration. Human beings are amazing creatures with our arts and sciences and technological achievements. But we are flawed creatures too as history shows only too clearly.

The Christmas story reveals our need for redemption and that begins with a change of heart.

May God have mercy on us all. I hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas.

Russel Photos courtesy of Martin Sanders.

13

Ranger’s Review

by Gareth Kett Do you need funding to help you plant trees?

The need to plant trees globally has become ever clearer over the past year or so as we’ve become increasingly aware of the desperate state of ecosystems world-wide and how ill-equipped our forests, seas and soils currently are to deal with the pressures of climate change. Climate change and the loss of biodiversity worldwide has been collectively termed as the climate and nature emergency. Addressing the climate and nature emergency is a priority Enhance historic gardens and for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs designed landscapes National Park Authority. Appropriate Enhance Tree Preservation Orders and tree planting is possibly the most Conservation Areas important thing that we can do in Deliver public amenity benefits, such terms of addressing these issues. as enhancing core paths, public roads

• • •

We are keen to provide opportunities for residents of the National Park to plant trees, so are offering funding to anyone wishing to plant a small area of trees or a number of individual trees through the Tree Planting Grant Scheme.

The grant scheme will support planting of trees that: nhance riparian habitat, usually • Ewithin 10m of a water course

and green space for public use Are integrated into agricultural systems (Agroforestry) Bring benefits to wildlife and/or the landscape.

• •

Each grant award can be for a minimum of £600 and a maximum of £1500, inclusive of any VAT the applicant is unable to recover.

The deadline for applications is 10th January 2020.

For full details please visit the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park website at http://www.lochlomond-trossachs. org/park-authority/how-we-can-help/ funding-grants/tree-planting-grantscheme/ or for further information please contact Simon Franks our Trees & Woodlands Advisor 01389 722635.

You are also welcome to drop into the Lochearnhead National Park Office for an informal chat about the scheme with Gareth Kett, National Park Ranger (work mobile: 07747 102013).

Monachyle

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Open all day, walkers welcome.

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Open Wednesday - Sunday. 12 noon to 9pm Open Tuesday - Sunday in summer.

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Open Thursday - Monday, 10am to 5pm.

Open 7 days in summer.

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MHOR 84

MHOR Bread

MHOR

Stylish motel with 11 rooms and 1 self catering cottage. Roaring fires, games room, great food 8am - 9pm. Live acoustic roots music every Thursday.

Kingshouse, Balquhidder, FK19 8NY T 01877 384 646 W www.mhor.net

Artisan bakery and tearoom - Open 7 days.

Tearoom 9am - 5pm.

Bakery / shop 8am - 6pm.

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75/77 Main Street, Callander FK17 8BB T 01877 339 518 W www.mhor.net

to your door Anytime. Anyplace. Anywhere. From fish & chips to fine dining,from private to corporate events. W www.mhor.net E events@mhor.net T 01877 384 622

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Council

Minutes of a meeting held at Strathyre Primary School on 209th November 2019 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), William Dalziel (WD), Eunice Frame (EF). Apologies: Ruth McLusky (RM), Donald McLaren (DM), Jeanette Stewart (JS), Angus Cameron (AC). In attendance: Cllr Martin Earl (ME), Michelle Flynn (MF), Stirling Council; PC Will Diamond (PCWD), Police Scotland; Billy Ronald (BR), National Park; Paul Hicks, minute-taker.

1) Apologies Apologies were presented, as detailed above.

2) Approval of Minutes It was proposed by WD and seconded by AP, that the minutes of the meeting on 9th October 2019 should be accepted and this was approved unanimously.

3) Declarations of Interest No declarations were made.

4) Police report (5 Oct to 19 Nov 2019) In terms of anti-social behaviour: On 7th October, a male was found in possession of a quantity of controlled drugs on the A84, South of Strathyre. He was issued with a recorded police warning as a result. In terms of road safety: On 30th October, a collision occurred on the A85 in Lochearnhead near to the Watersports Centre. The driver was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested and will appear at court at a later date. In terms of theft: There were no reported thefts during this time period. In terms of community reassurance: On 9th October, PC Diamond visited HM Coastguard base at Prestwick, along with colleagues from Killin Mountain Rescue Team, to carry out compulsory training with the aircraft and crew. On 16th October, he attended a meeting at Old Viewforth, Stirling, which resulted in setting up a working group looking at issues at Bracklinn Falls, Callander, following a fatality during the summer. On 21st October, he attended training with the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service team from the ScotSTAR base at Glasgow Airport. Together they looked at rôles surrounding medical retrievals and trauma team work for both Mountain Rescue Team incidents and also serious Road Traffic Collisions and medical issues within a rural environment.

On Friday 25th October, along with a number of local residents in Strathyre, PC Diamond met with Bruce Crawford, MSP, to discuss a number of road safety concerns in Strathyre. The meeting was positive and Mr Crawford agreed to take forward a number of concerns with Transport Scotland. On Tuesday 29th October, PC Diamond attended a national tri-service training day at the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters in Cambuslang. The aim of the day was to rehearse joint working principles between the three, blue-light services, as well as looking at respective rôles and responsibilities at major incidents. On 2nd November, along with a number of colleagues, PC Diamond attended the Killearn Fireworks Display and, on 3rd November, the Strathyre Fireworks Display. Both events were well attended and there were no reported issues. On Sunday 10th November, he took part in the annual Remembrance Service in Lochearnhead and was honoured to be asked to lay a wreath on behalf of Police Scotland. He was also able to attend the Strathyre Remembrance Service that same afternoon. On Tuesday 19th November, along with a number of colleagues from across the country, he attended a training course in Fife on the subject of deer poaching. This was as a result of a number of reports of this crime, including several local reports, in the past few years. In the coming weeks, a number of operations will be run to target the problem across Scotland, with action occurring locally also. ME asked whether the Water Safety event held last year was to be repeated. PCWD responded that he had indeed arranged a meeting on 10th December to plan another such event in advance of the Easter Holidays.

5) Matters arising from previous meeting 5a) 4G Telephone Mast, Strathyre. There was nothing new to report and the matter is still ongoing.

5b) Light between Balvaig Bridge and A84, Strathyre. There was nothing new to report and the matter is still ongoing.

5c) Run-off water from school at Strathyre. Cllr McDonald had reported that a particular gully has been identified as causing a problem and will be dealt with by Stirling Council.

5d) Co-opted member. WD had spoken to the interested party who is definitely willing to join the community council. MF stated that the vacancy would first need to be advertised.

5e) Stroneslaney road signs. The sign that had been erected wrongly has now been moved and is visible again.

5f) Road works on A84 at Kilmahog. These are now complete.

5g) Planning permission at Strathyre. The resident of Maple Lodge had been given useful advice by the National Park community representative and one of the local councillors. The next stage will be to submit a planning application.

6) Timber Transport, Balquhidder A stakeholder meeting was held on 19th November with twenty people attending. The timber extraction is likely to last for some forty years. Landowners are being encouraged to re-plant areas that are harvested. The next step will be to hold a meeting with Stirling Council, with a view to financing road improvements and making detailed arrangements for vehicle movements. There will then be a community meeting to publicise the Timber Transport Plan and to sound out any proposals for changes in the details.

7) Planning Matters There were no new applications that had been referred to the community council for consultation.

8) Correspondence 8a) Additional insurance cover. This related to cover for members using private vehicles on community council business. It was agreed that it would be sensible to take advantage of this. Action: Additional insurance cover to be arranged.

8b) Resilience planning. Strathyre has its own resilience plan but the community counci is not currently involved in resilience planning. MF offered support if either of the other villages wanted to compile a resilience plan. This was noted.

8c) Deployment of CCTV cameras. Stirling Council has ten stand-alone cameras that can be deployed to trouble spots. It is open to community councils to consider areas where one of these might be used. This was noted.

8d) Proposed improvements to A84 at Blair Drummond Safari Park. In response to a letter from Thornhill & Blairdrummond Community Council, members agreed to support this proposal as many local people use this route and have expressed concerns about the junction at the Safari Park. Action: Letter of support to be written to Thornhill CC. 8e) Strathyre. Bruce Crawford, MSP, chaired a multi-agency meeting on 25th October to address concerns raised in Strathyre about traffic in the village. This was noted.

8f) Your Park Stakeholder Forum. A meeting will be held on 3rd December and community council members are invited to attend. This was noted.

8g) Community assets. A course will be held on 11-12th December regarding financial asset transfers. Any community council members are welcome to attend. This was noted.

8h) Stirling Council Dementia Service. It was agreed to invite the coordinator of this service to address the community council on its work. Action: Invitation to be sent to address CC. 9) Matters from ward councillors and the National Park 9a) There has been a review of the policy for approving housing allocations, as a result of which social inclusion points are to be retained. A review of speed limits and zones has also been conducted. (The creation of ‘speed zones’ involves major changes to road infrastructure for ‘traffic calming measures’.) There have also been some interesting discussions on how to tackle climate change. The results are likely to be seen in the next couple of years.

9b) The Killin Patient Transport Scheme may be in line to receive financial support from the regional health authority and the Ambulance Service.

9c) The National Park is doing some excellent work on litter disposal, including dealing with human waste.

9d) Stirling Council is running a consultation about its services for residents during November. It can be completed online (at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ LTQNTM2) or in local libraries. So far, very few responses have been received. This was noted.

9e) MF reported that enquiries to Stirling Council should now be sent to either of the following email addresses: ‘enquiries@stirling.gov.uk’ or’communityengagement@ stirling.gov.uk’. This was noted.

10) Any other competent business 10a) Bank Account. EF reported that the change of authorised signatories has now been completed and cheques can be issued once again.

10b) Bus Stops. EF reported that the bus shelter in Lochearnhead needs attention. It was agreed that the secretary would submit a report about this on behalf of the community. (A photograph would be useful.) Action: EF and RM to submit report to Stirling Council.

10c) Childrens Park at Strathyre. WD stated that the Council team had done an excellent job of clearing up this area.

10d) A84 between Strathyre and Kingshouse. WD reported that a second incident had occurred of a vehicle colliding with a house on this stretch of road. It was agreed that the secretary should send an email to the Regional Transport Manager (Neil McFarlane) at Transport Scotland, requesting an investigation, possibly with a view to the installation of roadside barriers. This was agreed. Action: RM to request action from Transport Scotland.

There was no further business and, at 9:20 p.m., DJ declared the meeting to be closed. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 8th January 2020 at Strathyre Primary School.

15

McLaren High School McLaren High School Autumn Concert This month McLaren High School hosted its annual Autumn Concert, which saw pupils from all age groups take part in a live performance in front of pupils, parents and staff.

There was a distinctly International flavour to the opening concert in this year’s season, featuring some memorable and uplifting performances by all of our big ensembles.

The orchestra started with Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance. The pipe band seems to be going from strength to strength and their set of four tunes were cheered to the echo. The wind band gave rumbustious performances of Call Me Maybe and The Incredible, followed by the strings giving a fine rendition of Music from Brave which enhanced the Scottish mood provided by the Choir’s lilting performance of The Birks of Aberfeldy which followed Gary Barlow’s Sing and the set of jigs played by the Traditional Music Ensemble. Kayleigh McAlpine gave a very fine performance of Maxwell-Davies’s Farewell to Stromness on solo piano.

McLaren High School – Halloween for Teenage Cancer Trust McLaren High School raised over £300 for Teenage Cancer Trust last week at its S1&2 Halloween disco. During the night staff and pupils helped to raise funds by competing in various events such as the pumpkin coin toss and dookin’ for apples.

With an amazing array of costumes from Harry Potter characters to John Lennon – It was a difficult task for the judges however amongst the winners were Morgan Stevenson (S2) who dressed as ‘Baby Shark’ and Will MacLellan (S2) who was dressed as the ‘Spotty Man’.

Concert Junior Rangers

Pictured Left to Right – McLaren Pupils with Certificates: Kiara Dhillon, Steven Kent, Aidan Cronan, Catriona Manders, Megan Dunlop, Isabelle Cameron

Hallowe’en Winner Morgan Stevenson (left) with friends Senior Pupils and Charity Committee who organised the costume event

Fraser

Fraser Banks Badminton On October 30 McLaren pupil Fraser Banks competed in the ‘Junior Central Schools Badminton’ competition, where he secured first place after competing against pupils from Schools within the Stirlingshire area.

With this victory we look forward to seeing Fraser compete again in the future.

16

Visit our website: www.mclarenhigh.co.uk

Eva and Callum Stirling Reindeer Trail Submissions McLaren Pupils Eva Gordon and Callum MacLennan have painted two reindeer (pictured right) that will be submitted as part of the ‘Stirling Reindeer Trail’ which begins this weekend.

The festive collection of 20 life-size reindeer, designed and decorated by local schoolchildren, will be featured in a range of shop windows as part of the Stirling Reindeer Trail.

The initiative is launched by Go Forth Stirling Business Improvement District to create a buzz around the city – inspiring people to visit a variety of different retailers and enjoy some festive fun.

Junior Rangers Pupils pictured (left) from the ‘Junior Rangers’ at McLaren High School were presented with their ‘John Muir Explorer’ Awards. The Award is given to young people who have undergone the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park 4 day in School Junior Ranger programme, which explores visitor management, outdoor recreation and conservation.

Alongside the Junior Ranger Programme we completed a John Muir Award, for some of us we did our Discovery Award, the first level of award, but for many of us we had already completed this level. The award offers another two levels, so many of us took the next step up to Explorer Level. For each award level there is a minimum time commitment, for Discovery it is 4 days and for Explorer its 8 days.

As we had already completed 4 days in School we had to plan another 4 days of activities on our own. With the help of Sarah McNeil from the John Muir Trust we planned out our 4 challenge areas, Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share. Lots of us chose wild places near to where we live like Callander Crags or Loch Ard. After choosing a wild place we had to explore it and learn about different aspects of the wild place. This could include anything from walks, cycles, camps or plant identification.

For the third challenge area, we had to put something back to the wild place.

Like the other challenge areas we had lots of freedom to choose what we wanted to do, some Junior Rangers chose to build bug hotels or carry out OPAL Surveys, which will help scientists across Britain protect wild places. The last challenge area is where we compile everything we have done. Like all the other areas we could also choose how we shared our award. I shared my work on Twitter, some shared with friends and families.

After all working hard on our projects over the summer and October holidays, we arranged to have a presentation gathering where we shared our award with the rest of the Junior Rangers and parents.

Aidan Cronin, S5

Gatsby Plant Science Lectures A group of S3-S6 Biology pupils (pictured above) attended a ‘Gatsby Plant Science’ lecture on The Use of Biotechnology in Fighting Climate Change at Dundee University.

After highlighting some very worrying consequences of climate change the lecturer introduced a number of biotechnologies which can be used to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Ben

Ben Cluett fossil collection McLaren Pupil Ben Cluett has kindly put his fossil collection on display in the Science department.

First year Science classes have had a chance to see his fossils when learning about fossil fuels in the energy topic.

His collection has also been of interest to senior classes studying evolution.

Thank you very much to Ben for sharing this interesting collection.

Head Boy Harris Clarke and Elouise Murray carry out the ‘S6 Helper’ Auction Children in Need 2019 On Friday 15 November, McLaren pupils raised just under £700 for children in need. Pupils contributed £1 each as part of the dress down day and had the opportunity to submit bids as part of the auction for the chance to win an ‘S6 Helper’ for the day.

17

Doctors

C A L L A N D E R M E D I C A L P R AC T I C E

Updates on Callander Medical Practice Plans are well underway to appoint a new partner to replace Dr Gibson who retired in August. Many of you will be fully aware of the crisis in GP recruitment across the country with a large number of practices throughout Scotland having unfilled vacancies for prolonged periods of time. We are working very hard behind the scenes to attract and secure the appointment of a new GP and hope to provide an update in the very near future.

By now all patients should be getting a 2 month supply of their medication when they order their repeats. If you are still only receiving 1 month supply at a time please contact the prescription line. Please note however, some medications can only be supplied 1 month at a time i.e. controlled drugs, inhalers etc. This is not a practice decision but a Pharmacy Scotland decision.

We appreciate that, despite all our best efforts and planning, there have been teething problems with some of our systems since the merger. Some of these were outwith our control and could not be pre-empted. We were also given incorrect advice by various NHS departments prior to the merger which caused additional problems. We apologise to any patients who have been inconvenienced in any way due to these issues and also thank the patients for their co-operation during what has been a difficult time for staff and patients alike. Change is never easy, especially when staff have worked for each practice for a long period of time and patients have been used to doing things a certain way. We hope you understand that the decision to merge was one based on us trying to ensure sustainability of General Practice in Callander for the future.

Chronic Disease Recall As part of the merger we are having an overhaul of our systems for recalling patients for their disease management. Until our new system is up and running in the New Year we would ask that should patients feel they are overdue their review please contact the practice and make an appointment to see one of our nursing team.

Flu Clinic We would like to thank all the staff and patients for their help in hosting another successful flu clinic this year. A lot of hard work and preparation goes into the flu clinic each year with additional staff being brought in on their days off to help.

This is why we encourage as many people as possible to attend on that day. We raised funds for the Scottish Association for Mental Health this year – a charity close to our hearts.

Patient Access Just a reminder that we offer a ‘Patient Access’ system which allows you to book appointments and order repeat medications on-line. The system is available 24hrs a day, 7 days a week and saves you having to wait until we are open and our phone line is free. We would like to encourage as many as possible to register for this service which is easy to use although we are on hand to support any queries you may have when using this system. If required, the practice staff are happy to go over the registration with you in the Practice and show you how to use the system.

Practice Closure In line with NHS Forth Valley public holidays the practice will be closed on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th December 2019 and also Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd January 2020.

If you require emergency assistance out with these hours please contact NHS24 on 111.

We will be available for emergencies only after lunchtime on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay. You can reach the doctor on those afternoons by telephoning 01877 331000.

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Dementia Help I would like to introduce myself to your community.

I have taken over the role of Befriender coordinator for Town Break. A bit about myself: I have been in the care industry for nearly 20 years and worked in areas from learning disabilities / dementia mental health / care in the community. Even though I am new in the role my heart lies in working with the older generation. I feel the aging community are being slowly put on the back burner and being forgotten, but they have so much to offer everyone in the community, from old wives’ tales to living through historic events.

We at Town Break are working to inform communities of the services that we provide and hoping to increase the level of volunteers within your community to help the aging community with early to moderate dementia.

The services we already have in place are: · Day club in Stirling Mon and Fri · Day club in Callander on Tuesdays · Friendship group in Stirling, Second Wednesday of the month · Coffee club / Gardening club in Stirling on a Wednesday · Intergenerational programme working with local schools · Cognitive Stimulation Therapy programme · CST Explorers on a Wednesday · CST Self-Management group · Befriending 2hrs per week on a 1-2-1 Town Break is a local charity based in Stirling and servicing the Stirling Council area. It is my pleasure to enlighten people to the opportunities as a volunteer, whether it be a befriender or at our clubs. Helping others does make people happier and healthier, you can discover old and new hobbies. You will be making new friendships and developing your skills. It builds mutual confidence and self-esteem.

Lesley Milne Town Break Dementia Support Services 01786 641 841

Scottish Wildlife Trust

Badgers in Scotland The SWT talk was an update from Eddie Palmer, Chair of Scottish Badgers. The Eurasian badger, meles meles, is a truly ancient British species, here since before the English Channel formed ~30,000years ago. It has retained a good spread across Scotland, mainly Central but also into the Highlands. Its spade-like claws on strong, short legs are well-adapted for digging with a small head and long, wedgeshaped body aid underground living. It has powerful jaw muscles and teeth for a varied diet of insects, fruit, nuts and berries along with roots, cereals and small mammals such as baby rabbits or larger mammals as carrion. Although nocturnal with poor eyesight, it can forage and devour 2-400 earthworms per night - you can just hope not from your lawn! Such a varied diet is a good survival strategy.

Badgers excavate setts in a variety of habitats from open woodland and embankments to flat farmland, even in coastal sites. Setts cover a wide area and may be up to 30m long with a maze of tunnels, not necessarily connected. The D-shaped entrances are accompanied by large mounds of excavated earth and old bedding; freshness indicates an active sett as do separate communal latrines. Other field signs include foraging and beaten paths between setts, their distinctive prints having 5 claws and toe pads. They follow old, beaten paths even if they cross roads, leading to their main cause of death. The highest number of road fatalities occurs in February when the year-old cubs are evicted from the sett to make way for new cubs. The best time to see live badgers is usually May/

June when longer days force them to be out in daylight to get enough feeding time.

Badgers have few natural predators although small cubs could be prey to golden eagles or sea eagles. Sadly, as with so many species, man’s activities pose the major threats. Not just on roads but also from loss of habitat due to agriculture and building development, despite laws against disturbance and mitigation measures encouraged eg road underpasses. A 20m exclusion zone is specified for development of footpaths and bike trails.

Controversially, badgers have been culled in England, suspected of spreading bovine TB. Luckily, Scotland does not have the same soil reservoir of infection and has stringent controls on cattle imports, particularly from SW England and Ireland Also swift reaction to remove

positively tested cattle and a ban on movement until a second test 3 months later is negative.

Although illegal, despicable and incomprehensible, badger baiting with dogs continues, from chasing with lurchers to putting terriers into setts. This is particularly prevalent in old mining areas of East Ayrshire and S Lanarkshire and felt to be increasing, possibly due to ease of travel and social media. ‘Old style’ baiting was to visit a sett annually taking just one badger but modern trends are to take every animal in the sett. The public is asked to be vigilant for signs but advised not to disturb the site or approach suspects, rather report it to the Police on 101, to Scottish Badgers on 07866 844 232 or www.scottishbadgers.org.uk. This site is also where to report sightings of dead or live badgers to help map their distribution.

Lesley Hawkins

LOCH EARN SWIM Brrr! Three brave swimmers are shown here taking part in the Loch Earn Swim which took place this autumn. With Karen Kett (right) are her son Tristan and Libby Ransom, respectively the youngest and the oldest participants - with 70 years between them!

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On the 16th October I attended a meeting at Old Viewforth, Stirling which was hosted by Stirling Council. The meeting saw the formation of a working group looking at issues at the Bracklinn Falls in Callander. The group is represented by a number of organisations including Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, RLSS, Killin MRT and the National Park Authority. The aim of the group is to increase public safety around the area of the Bracklinn Falls and the group has been set up at the request of Stirling Council in response to the fatality earlier in the summer where a young female sadly drowned at the location. The first meeting was successful with a number of action points taken away, and a further meeting is scheduled for the New Year to ensure that all necessary actions and works are in place ahead of Easter 2020.

On Friday 25th October, along with a number of local residents in Strathyre, I met with MSP Bruce Crawford to discuss a number of road safety concerns in Strathyre. The meeting was positive, and he agreed to take forward a number of our concerns with Transport Scotland.

Over the past 6 years I have pushed for road safety in all local communities and had been pushing for a pedestrian crossing in Strathyre. Transport Scotland have carried out investigatory works and ruled that a crossing is not feasible at present. I am keen that other measures are implemented to reduce speeding vehicles through the village to ensure that pedestrians have the opportunity to cross the road safely. A number of measures had already been agreed by Transport Scotland and Bear Scotland, so hopefully with Bruce’s support, they can implement them sooner rather than later.

On Tuesday 29th October, I attended a national tri-service training day at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s HQ in Cambuslang. The aim of the day was joint working principles between Police, Fire and Ambulance Services, as well as looking at respective roles/ responsibilities at major incidents. Each agency has its own role to carry out at an incident, and some responsibilities are statutory obligations. The event was aimed at officers from each of the three services who routinely take command of incidents and covered a number of topics including flooding, water rescues and counter terrorism.

On the 2nd November, along with a number of colleagues, I attended to the Killearn Fireworks Display. This event is the largest in rural Stirlingshire with several thousand people attending. The event itself passed without incident, and unlike previous years there were no traffic issues on this occasion. After the event, there are issues with youth disorder 20

Balquhidder Timber Transport

which is why a number of officers attend the event.

In addition, on the 3rd November, I attended the Strathyre Fireworks Display, which had a great attendance and there were no incidents to report.

On Sunday 10th November, I took part in the annual remembrance service in Lochearnhead and my colleague and I assisted in closing the road for 20 minutes to facilitate the service. I was honoured to be asked to once again lay a wreath at the memorial on behalf of Police Scotland.

It was great to see such a great turnout at the service. This year I was also able to attend the Strathyre remembrance service that same afternoon, which again had a great turnout with a large number of local residents attending.

On Tuesday 19th November, along with a number of colleagues from across the country, I attended a deer poaching training course in Fife. This was held as a result of a number of reports that the issue still occurs all across the country, including a number of local reports over the past few years. In the coming weeks, a number of operations will be running to target the issue across Scotland, with action occurring locally also particularly in the run up to Christmas when illegal venison sales rise.

On the subject of Christmas, as the last edition of the year, I would like to once again thank the local communities for their help and assistance that they give me throughout the year. It certainly makes my role much easier. Please ensure you enjoy festivities and stay safe when out.

Ensure designated drivers are assigned before nights out to prevent any issues.

Most importantly I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy some time with family and friends. I wish you all a Happy New Year and look forward to working with the local residents/ communities in 2020.

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

On the afternoon of Tuesday 19 November, the Balquhidder members of the BLS Community Council met with the stakeholders from Stirling Council, Forest and Land Scotland, Forest Owners and forest industry representatives to discuss the management of timber transport in the glen.

The main purpose of the meeting was: • To evaluate the likely volume of timber likely to be hauled from Balquhidder forests over the next few decades.

• To discuss infrastructure improvements required to enable this haulage to be carried out safely and initiate any bids necessary for funding these improvements.

• To agree transport options which can be discussed at the forthcoming public meeting.

• To agree future co-operation and communication measures.

• To gather sufficient information for a community meeting so that the informed views of the community can be gathered on managing transport and traffic within the glen while timber is being extracted.

The outcome of the meeting was positive with all stakeholders keen to co-operate and work together and with the community. A number of actions were agreed and a suitable time and date for a community consultation meeting is being sought.

David Johnston Chair BLS Community Council

The Sports Fayre 15th November 2019

The Sports Ambassadors organised a fayre all about sports clubs that Strathyre pupils go to eg. football, swimming, basketball etc. After lunch, we set up stalls. Pupils who were running the stalls got changed into their kit. We also invited some adults who ran the clubs to join in with the presentation of the clubs.

They brought leaflets as well. When all the pupils had finished their play time, we gathered them in the hall. The pupils and adults came up one by one to present the clubs. Children from Class 1 who weren’t helping running stalls went upstairs for about half an hour while Class 2 went in pairs and threes round the stalls. They spent 5 minutes on a stall before moving on. It continued until everyone had been at each stall then we swapped around and Class 1 came down to see all the clubs. At the end, the Sports Ambassadors came to the front and were presented with a Stirling Albion football club pennant. We handed out post-its so everyone could write out improvements remarks and something good about what we did. We think it went really well!

The Villagers’ Contacts

Other Contacts...

Jill Johnston Editor Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227

Gill Waugh Production Manager Stronvar Farm Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384203

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 so on as possible!

DIARY DATES

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

We e k l y A c t i v i t i e s

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Pilates - Balquhidder Hall - 9.15 to 10.15am. (Contact Abbey 07766 407578 for details. Booking in advance please.)

Keep Fit - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.30 to11.30am Gaelic Playgroup - Balquhidder Hall - 10.30am to 12.30pm St Fillans Music Circle - Sandison Hall - 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Light lunch included.

Contact John Light (01764 685307) / Malcolm Gregory (01764 670493).

Country Dancing - St Fillans Yoga - Balquhidder Hall - 11.00am to 12noon (contact Ann Cobbett 01877 376291) Darts League - The White Stag, Strathyre - 7.00pm Choir Occasional - Balquhidder Village Hall - 7.30-9pm (contact Gill Waugh 07778 702304) Playgroup - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.00am-12 noon (Contact Dani Bird 07812 600301)

CHURCH SERVICES Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St. Fillans CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

Balquhidder Parish Church Registered Charity No. SCO12316

DECEMBER 2019

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Strathyre Christmas Market - 1pm-6pm - see page 3

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Community Café - Strathyre Primary School - see page 3

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Christmas Wrapping Service - Strathyre Village Hall - see page 3

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Carols at Lochearnhead Village Hall - see page 4

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Blue Christmas Service - St Angus’s, Lochearnhead - 6.30pm - see page 4

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Strathyre Christmas Party - Village Hall - see page 2

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Strathyre Hogmanay Party, Village Hall - see page 3

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Lochearnhead Hogmanay Dance, Village Hall - see page 4

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Balquhidder Hogmanay - Village Hall - see page 2

J A N UA RY 2 0 2 0

1

Balquhidder New Year’s Day Dance - Village Hall - see page 2

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Internet of Things help session - Balquhidder Village Hall - see page 8

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

Sundays 11.30am Minister: Rev Dr Russel Moffat The Manse, Main Street, Killin FK21 8TN revmoffat@gmail.com Dundurn Church, St Fillans

Sundays 11.30am Interim Moderator: Rev’d John Murdoch Tel: 01738 628378

ROMAN CATHOLIC Callander, St Joseph the Worker Sundays 11.30am Saturday Vigil Mass 5.30pm from May through to September Killin, in the Episcopal Church Sundays 2.30pm

SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Angus’s Church, Lochearnhead 1st Sunday each month: 11.30am Communion 2nd Sunday 5.30pm Evensong 3rd Sunday 11.30am Communion 4th Sunday 5.30pm Evensong 5th Sunday (if applicable) 5.30pm FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A reflective time to discuss contemporary issues in a spiritual context (Check with Rector for venue: 01764 655389)

Vestry Secretary - Maureen Lipscomb Tel: 01567 830234

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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

Or receive as a .pdf file by email £11

Cheques for advertising and mail order subscriptions should be made out to: The BLS Newspaper Association

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

PFKCallander Ltd

GARAGE 140 Main Street CALLANDER Tel: 01877 331569 or 07901 651361 Email: pfkcallander@btconnect.com

MOT’s, Servicing,MOTs, Repair’s, Diagnostics & ECU Remapping Servicing, Repairs, Open: MonDiagnostics to Fri 8am & toECU 6pmRemapping & Sat 8am to 1pm Open: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm & Saturday 8am to1pm

Want to advertise with us?

Contact Andrew Poulter Advertising Manager Coire A Chroine Balquhidder FK19 8PB

01877 384784 apoulter72@gmail.com

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.

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 Printed by Graphics and Print Services, University of Stirling Tel: 01786 467209 email: graphicsandprint@stir.ac.uk Published by The BLS Newspaper Association

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THIS CHRISTMAS & HOGMANAY THURSDAYS

DEC 26TH

DEC 30TH

CURRY NIGHT CHALLENGE

BOXING DAY BASH

LIVE MUSIC

With the wonderful Willy & Andy

Vote for your favourite curry.

Every Thursday our chefs will be competing for the title of curry King/Queen. Food Served 5pm until 9pm. Full menu available too.

It’s great to get out and about on Boxing Day... join us for sing-along and a session!

Food served from 11am until 9pm.

MHOR 84 MOTEL

MHOR 84 MOTEL

MHOR 84 MOTEL

DEC 26TH

DEC 31ST

JAN 26TH

BOXING DAY WHISKY SAFARI

HOGMANAY

BURNS IN THE BARN

Blow off those festive cobwebs and come & join us for our mini whisky safari up the magnificent Monachyle Glen. Meet at Monachyle Mhor at 11am. Call reception to book your place.

MONACHYLE MHOR

Join us in the bar every Thursday night.

Food served until 9pm.

BRING IN THE BELLS WITH US 7 course feast, fireworks & music from superstar DJ Al Kent until 3am. Feast £120.

Free entry from10pm.

Return shuttle bus between Mhor 84 & Monachyle

A Highland celebration of our favourite Bard with food, music, poetry & song from 6:30pm. Return shuttle bus between Mhor 84 & Monachyle. Call reception to book your tickets. 01877 384 622

MONACHYLE MHOR

MONACHYLE MHOR

MHOR 84 MOTEL, FK19 8NY 01877 384 646 | MONACHYLE MHOR HOTEL, FK19 8PQ 01877 384 622 FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR GIVE US A CALL

www.mhor.net