Printed and published quarterly for the Black Isle by Chatterbox Community News Group
Chatterbox provides a vehicle for any member of the community to demonstrate his or her opinions or beliefs, so long as these are not defamatory or offensive. Publication does not mean articles are the opinion of the magazine or its production team.
Send stories, letters and adverts to: The Editor, Chatterbox, Burnside Cottage, Newhall, Balblair, Dingwall, IV7 8LT; phone 07963 714474; email editor.chatterbox@gmail. com
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Editor/Layout: Russell Turner editor.chatterbox@ gmail.com
Chatterbox was founded in September 1997 by Jack Malpas
ISSN 2399-1879
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New surface needed on old rail line
When it was proposed a few years ago that the much-used Old Railway Track between Avoch and Fortrose should have a paved surface there were strenuous objections. “It’s natural – leave it as it is.” That was the response.
I beg politely to differ.
I am typing this on the same day my grandson cycled to school for his first day at Fortrose Academy. Because he lives on Knockmuir Road, which runs above and parallel to the Old Railway Line, he doesn’t need to use the track. however pupils attending either the Academy or Avoch Primary do have the option of cycling to school by this route. As it happens, a few days earlier I got his mum to pose under a very dangerous overhanging tree near the Avoch end of the track.
That tree shown in the photograph is one I had to duck under to get past on a recent cycle to trip to Fortrose. In dusk or dark that bough would be a serious danger to any cyclist and much more so to anyone on horseback. The trail is certainly used by horse riders from time to time.
Another photo also shows that even in summer the track is muddy; between autumn and spring, stretches are often a real mess of soft mud and puddles.
Particularly for parents pushing children in buggies, this must by an unpleasant problem if not an absolute turn-off.
These are two interlinked issues. As I have written earlier in Chatterbox, the line is constantly threatened by that and other overhanging and fallen trees, while the generous offer of Mr Cooper to deal with the tree problem without cost to the communities has not, so far as I know, been taken up by either of the community councils. I gather that to date any such work is being done on an ad hoc basis by local volunteers.
I suggest that existing plans to upgrade the track should be brought forward as a matter of urgency and that the heads of the two schools involved should be consulted and sounded out for their response to an effort to get as many of the school kids as possible to use the track in suitable weather – if it was kept in better year-round condition.
I don’t believe it would be necessary to have a roadstandard tarred surface. There are other alternatives like the use of quarry dust. This is used to good effect on the path between Greengates and ness Road and has stood up to wear and tear now for several years.
Sandy Mitchell
Danger and dirt on the old railway line track.
Sun shines – just long enough – on the Fair
By Jo-Anne Pugh, Secretary, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council
When was the last time Cathedral Square in Fortrose saw a Clydesdale horse leading a motley procession of local tradespeople, spinners, musicians, a juggler and a stilt-walker? August, 2024, actually, at this year’s St Boniface Fair. Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council was determined that the event would be even bigger and better than last year, when the fundraiser reemerged after a Covid “holiday”.
The fete itself is a re-imagined version of the burgh’s fair of the 18th Century. It is named after a Pictish-Scottish bishop-saint who lived around 700 AD, also known as Curetan or Curadan (Boniface is in effect a Latin nickname meaning “good-deed-doer”).
he is credited with founding the first church in Rosemarkie, and a St Boniface Well can still be found by the side of the Feddon hill road in Fortrose. Munlochy’s Clootie Well was dedicated to him; prayers offered there were said to be particularly effective in curing leprosy. Prayers offered to St Boniface for fair weather this year also seem to have worked because, despite the ominous forecast, the wind and rain miraculously held off until just after the fair closed.
Over time, the fair fell into abeyance until, in 1977, a group of residents rekindled it, encouraging participants to dress the part. The tradition is going strong with plenty of mop caps and aprons, waistcoats and frock coats on display this year. Residents and visitors from home and abroad browsed the stalls, enjoyed the traditional music kindly provided by Fèis the Music and Wall2Wall Fiddle, wowed at the skill of Cake the Juggler and Candy the Stilt-
A few scenes from this year’s St Boniface Fair.
walker and the dexterity of the ‘spinsters’ on their wheels, and admired John Boy, the stillgrowing five-year-old draft horse. The community council appreciates everyone who took stalls or helped behind the scenes, as well as those who came to spend their hard-earned money: coins are being counted and every penny will go towards local projects.
The community council’s next fundraising event is our “Friday 13th” (of September) Ceilidh in the Gordon Memorial hall, Rosemarkie. Once again, centre stage will be the excellent and apparently inexhaustible Black Isle Ceilidh Band.
however, following our last dance, the community council made the surprising discovery
that “Celilidhphobia” is a Thing: if you were not blessed with going to school in Scotland, or have never been invited to a Scottish wedding, you may be somewhat intimidated by the prospect of an Orcadian Strip the Willow. Do not fear! Our ceilidhs are for experienced dancers, enthusiastic amateurs and complete beginners: you will be talked through it and nobody is going to judge you. If you’d like a ticket, email on fortroseandrosemarkie@gmail.com or text on 07498 431476
l Details of the ceilidh, more pictures of St Boniface Fair and information about Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council can be found on FRCC’s website: www.fortrosemarkie.org.
Model-makers explore Avoch’s steamy past
By Noah Callander, Avoch Primary School
DuRInG P7 at lunchtime on Tuesdays I was part of a team that made a model of the old Avoch railway line along with the volunteers from the Black Isle Men’s Shed.
Firstly we looked at old pictures of the railway line and used these to make our design. We built it using metal for the train tracks and foam for the bushes. Some of the buildings were made out of paper. They took a long time to build.
I enjoyed watching it move in the end and I really liked controlling the train during our demonstrations once it was all built. It was very fun.
“They all enjoyed the big reveal day when we showed it to all the classes and it was lovely to see their reactions,” said teacher helen Webster. “It was a lovely project to be part of and watch how the children chatted to the men’s shed crew so easily. A great intergenerational project on our doorstep.”
Shedder Steve Bramwell added: “The project has been to build a (roughly) scale model of the old Avoch Railway Station using a donated train set and modelling materials donated by the shed and the school.
“The kids have been just brilliant and very tolerant of us old ‘buffers’ – pun intended!”
Shedder Steve with Rurri and Breyton…
…and Shedder Mike with Alanna and Natalie.
Some of the model team with Noah, holding photos which helped inspire their design.
Toe-tapping tunes and tasty treats at food festival
LIveLy tunes by players in Fèis the Music enhanced the happy atmosphere at the successful Black Isle Food and Drink Festival in August. Photo: Nigel Atkinson, Cromarty Camera Club
Right – Saurav Kumar, chef and professional cookery lecturer from university of the highlands and Islands, Inverness, and nick Richards, the owner of popular local business Forest to Fork, at one of the festival demonstrations. Photo: David Kent, Cromarty Camera Club
Tight finish as Avoch wins McWilliam trophy
AvOCh and Cromarty shared the honours when they staged their regattas in August.
Their senior teams finished joint first at Cromarty, although Avoch triumphed on home waters to claim the Angus McWilliam Memorial Trophy.
Avoch’s junior team also won at home, beating Cromarty into second place.
Tilly HepburnWright and Oakthwaite Spirit who won the Platinum Thistle Award in the 120km class.
Endurance riders enjoy successful days
Th IRT y- FOu R endurance riders and their horses travelled from across Scotland to the Black Isle in July to take part in the Sheeppark endurance Ride, organised by the highland Branch of the Scottish endurance Riding Club.
Local rider Tilly hepburn-Wright and her Arab mare Oakthwaite Spirit completed the flagship 120km class in a time of 12 hours and 9 minutes to achieve their Platinum Thistle Award.
In the 80km class, Tayside’s Seonaid Paterson and her home bred Arab, Tannasg Galileo, took 6 hours and 4 minutes to complete in first place, followed 2 minutes later by Grampian’s
emma Parvin-Reid on hT Sansovino for second place.
Arlene Parvin was the first rider home in the 60km class, completing the distance in 4 hours 49 minutes to take a Gold award with her Arab mare hT Sonboleena. Katie Keith-McCartney, also from Aberdeenshire, riding FT Azzam, also achieved a Gold award, in a time of 6 hours and 17 minutes. Avril Bruce on Cameg Zikier achieved a Gold award in the 50km class, in 4 hours 7 minutes and Matt Walker, riding Cumbria Kalila, completed the 30km class in 3 hours 35 minutes.
next day saw 22 riders take part in the pleasure classes of 23km and 16km. everyone
was successful and completed their ride and made for a very successful weekend.
The branch is very grateful to the MacDonald family at Sheeppark for allowing us to take over their field for the weekend, and all the Black Isle farmers and landowners who have happily allowed us to ride on their land. Without them this event could not take place. Particular thanks must also go to our event sponsors for their generous donations of prizes.
For more information on endurance riding in Scotland and forthcoming events go to www.scottishendurance.com or check out our Facebook page: SeRC – Scottish endurance Riding Club.
Wanted – an office for Chatterbox
ChAtterbox is looking for a new home. Our office on Avoch Industrial estate may no longer be available by the end of the year, so we’re looking for new premises.
We don’t need much – just a space big enough to house our printer and roomy enough for a couple of people to move around in while boxing up the latest edition.
We’ll be in only three or four days, four times a year. Somewhere in Avoch would be ideal, but anywhere on the Black Isle will do.
If you can help, phone 07963 714474 or email editor.chatterbox@gmail.com. Thanks. russell turner, editor
Woodturners draw crowds to Munlochy
By Alec Mutch, Chairman Highland Woodturners Club
The club held its first Open Day in the village hall in Munlochy in August to raise funds for a defibrillator.
In addition to a table of their own wares, donated by club members for sale, we invited other local crafts to exhibit and sell. There were ten tables with a wide variety of local crafts and produce, from wood ware to garden plants. There was even a table promoting laser etching.
Avoch Primary School exhibited a model railway being built by pupils, with the help of Black Isle Men’s Shed, that attracted a lot of interest. (See page 6.) Inverness Model Rail Club also set up an exhibit: a very professional layout with lots of fine detail, fully working trains that even produced sounds, lighting in the buildings and miniature people and animals.
The Men’s Shed had a table of their wares for sale, mainly turned items.
The hWC put a display of turned work on the stage of the hall that was not for sale, there as examples of the type of things possible to be made on a lathe. This included the three winning entries in a woodturning competition that was held earlier in the week in our premises in the basement of the hall.
There was also a competition in the shape of a segmented bowl made by John Ruickbie. We asked those attending to guess how many pieces of wood the bowl was made from – the closest to the correct number would win the bowl. Guesses ranged from about 300 to over 3,000 but the correct number was 676. The closest winning number was 658, just 18 short, guessed by two individuals who ended up having to share the prize. I believe they came to a mutual understanding regarding the bowl.
The club set up two lathes and had 12 turners working them from 10am right through the
day to 4pm, taking turns every hour to man the lathes, keeping an audience engaged all day and helping recruit more members to the club.
Some people commented that, although this club was in the village, they had no idea it was even there.
This was a venture into unknown territory for the hWC but as this first foray into this type of fundraising was very successful I’m quite sure we will be doing it again. Almost £1,000 raised during the day, and although this might not cover all the cost of a defibrillator it will go a long way towards the purchase. Since the Open Day we have recruited 11 new members to our club. Beyond the fundraising, getting new members was our second goal.
A huge thank you for everyone who took any part in this venture and to all those who took the time to come to the Open Day and supported us.
Visitors were impressed by the variety of objects that can be made on a lathe.
Repair
By Lyn McLardy
TRAnSITIOn Black Isle have been supporting a variety of projects through the highland Community Waste Partnership over the past couple of years and are looking ahead to the legacy of these projects after the three-year partnership project finishes at the end of March 2025.
One of these fantastic projects is the Black Isle Repair Cafe, which we’ve been delighted to have been supporting since their set-up. They’ve been going from strength to strength ever since, with a great number of skilled volunteers involved.
They’ve been taking a well-earned break over the summer but will be returning on Saturday September 7th 1-4pm in Fortrose Academy Theatre. The volunteer team will be there ready to take a look at any items you need repairing and we are delighted to welcome along a speciality repairer from Alpkit for this event who will be doing some light repairs for outdoor clothing. Jana from Red hut Furniture will be running drop-in button covering workshops, so if your sofa or favourite chair is needing a makeover, this is a great opportunity to find out how to do this yourself. There will also be kids activities and some stalls selling pre-loved items in the library space. Please keep an eye out for upcoming dates across the next few months across the Black Isle on www.blackislerepair cafe.org
We are also helping to support the new highland Repair Directory which will make finding places to repair our items across the region that bit easier. If you are a local business or project involved in repair or upcycling of items, make sure to add your details to the directory to make it easier for people to find you. More details at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ highlandrepairdirectory
Circular Community Scotland’s Share & Repair network are having a members forum on Tuesday September 24th, 1-3pm, in the Seaman’s hall in nairn. For folks interested in community repair initiatives, you can join us before the event at 11.30am where we will be discussing the topic of starting a highland Repair network, which could really help to support and strengthen connections across the region.
The enthusiasm for repairing and reuse is building and there is now a wealth of experience from repair projects on the specific challenges and opportunities that exist here in the highlands that could add great value to new projects hoping to get started. If you would have an interest in attending, please get in touch so we can send out a registration link from Circular Communities Scotland. Booking is essential.
Cafe back in action
Transition Black Isle and the highland Community Waste Partnership are exploring collaborating with other community groups to develop a Black Isle ‘Library of Things’. Sharing items is a vital part of the circular economy by saving from buying new and is a great way of sharing those more expensive items in our communities. Possible items for sharing might include tools, gazebos, sewing machines, event equipment, bikes etc. If your community group or organisation would like to know more please get in touch.
Over the past two years, project officer Laura has been running the first Climate Cafe Black Isle and follow-on sessions have been themed around areas identified by attendees. Since starting we have held home energy solutions sessions, food growing workshops, and information sessions on finding value in preloved items, repairing and mending, reducing food waste and composting. Climate cafes have been proven to be relaxed and informal spaces providing opportunities for like-minded people to get together and take local action.
There are a lot of great ideas out there and we know that most of the fantastic initiatives that exist across our area have certainly come from a few folks with a good vision and some enthusiasm to get things moving. Some ideas that have come up in the past have been com-
munity composting, pre-loved sales, kids’ toys and clothes, outdoor gear, clothing accessories, wine-making evenings, making sharing and repairing items easier, reducing single-use items and plastic packaging and many more!
The highland Community Waste Partnership has launched its latest intervention to reduce packaging waste and promote more conscious consumption. Building on the success of the highland Cup Movement, this pilot will give businesses the chance to try a returnable food and drinks packaging scheme for free. By
allowing customers to access reusables at the point of sale, schemes like this make it easier than ever to choose to reuse and reduce the waste and litter created by single-use packaging.
The pilot is available until December 2024 and highland businesses are invited to sign up, on a first come first served basis. To learn more visit: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ highland-returnable-packaging
If you are interested in increasing ways to share, repair, and reuse items, reduce food waste and composting, and tackle single-use packaging, come to our upcoming Climate Cafe Black Isle sessions. We are planning to run a couple more before the end of the project – a great way to get together with like-minded folk and you never know what might come out of them!
If you’d like to get in touch to find out more about any of the above projects then please contact either laura@transitionblackisle.org or lyn@transitionblackisle.org
If you’re on social media then please check out the Transition Black Isle Facebook and Instagram pages or keep an eye out for posters across the area. you can also sign up to the Transition Black Isle newsletter or check www. transitionblackisle.org for upcoming dates and further info.
Big move begins as museum looks ahead
By Aila Schafer, Manager, Groam House Museum
The museum is undergoing some exciting changes this season, all aimed at enhancing our connection with the local community and making our collection more accessible and visitor-centred.
A significant project currently underway is the relocation of our collection from Rosehaugh to the high Street in Rosemarkie, right across from the museum. bringing our Collections home is made possible through the generous support of Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) and the national Lottery heritage Fund, and reflects the importance of having our collection in close proximity to the museum and within the heart of the community.
The move is being carefully managed by Rachael Thomas, an experienced museum professional who has been working tirelessly alongside our incredibly skilled and knowledgeable collections team, composed of volun-
Ai LA S C h A f ER is the new manager of Groam house Museum. Aila is a historian with experience in independent museums across the highlands. She is “committed to making the museum as visitor-centred as possible, connecting with the local community, and unlocking the full potential of Groam house’s unique collection. i’m eager to work with our dedicated volunteers and learn from the community to shape the museum’s future.”
teers who are essential to the museum’s operations. Local tradesmen and companies have been employed to transform the new building, creating office space, a store for our museum objects, and an activity room.
This new space will allow us to engage more deeply with parts of the collection that are currently kept in storage, creating a cultural hub for the community. The space gives us new opportunities for research, exhibitions, and educational programmes that highlight the rich history of our region. We are eager to explore how the museum can continue to represent the heritage of Rosemarkie, Fortrose and further afield, and would love feedback and recommendations from everyone. your insights are crucial in helping us to grow with and reflect our community, to ensure that Groam house Museum is a place that the community loves, feels proud of, and considers their own.
We’ll keep you updated on our progress through social media, our website and Chatterbox, and are looking forward to welcoming you in to explore our new space in the near future.
Following our successful participation in the Lochgilphead and St Boniface Fairs, ‘Meet a
Inside Groam House – expansion across the street will mean more room for the collection and visitors.
Pict Day’ at the museum, and a series of engaging talks, we held an evening of music with Adam Sutherland and John Sommerville in the Black Isle Leisure Centre Community Theatre at the end of August.
Still to come is the Great Big Book Sale at Gordon Memorial hall on September 7th. After the collection move is complete, we’ll also be hosting an Open Doors Day and a series of workshops led by crafters, artisans, historians, and storytellers—offering everyone a chance to engage with the museum in new and exciting ways.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteers and board members, and we’re always looking for new people to join our team. Museum attendants are absolutely essential for keeping the museum open and running—just one three-hour shift a month can make a significant impact. however, we’re also eager to welcome new board members and volunteers who prefer to contribute behind the scenes.
Whether you’re interested in event organisation, social media management, website design, marketing, fundraising, collections and curatorial tasks, or administration, there’s a role for
everyone. no previous experience or specific knowledge is required—anyone can volunteer and make a meaningful difference.
We offer full training, a supportive environment, and the opportunity to be part of a team that values every contribution. If you’re interested in volunteering or learning more, please
reach out. For more information or to get involved, please contact us at admin@groamhouse.org.uk.
We look forward to seeing you at the museum soon and welcome your involvement in making Groam house a vibrant and cherished part of the Black Isle.
By Jenny Brogden
IT ’S that time of the year again! The Black Isle Gathering is just around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to invite everyone to participate in this fantastic celebration of our vibrant community on Saturday October 19th at the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose. This year’s gathering promises to be bigger, better, and more inclusive than ever before, showcasing the diverse talents and creativity of our local businesses, organisations, and crafters.
For those who may be unfamiliar with the Black Isle Gathering, BIG is an annual local fair that brings together our community members, entrepreneurs, artists and craftspeople under one roof. It’s a time to celebrate the unique spirit of the Black Isle and a wonderful opportunity to support our local economy. here’s why you shouldn’t miss this exciting event:
l Support local businesses: Our community is filled with incredible entrepreneurs who pour their hearts and souls into their businesses. BIG is the perfect chance to discover new local products, services, and ideas. By supporting these businesses, we can help build a stronger local economy and ensure that our community thrives.
l Connect with local organisations: Whether you’re interested in community service, volunteering, or simply want to learn more about the great work being done by local organisations, BIG provides an excellent platform to connect and engage with them. It’s a chance to see how
BIG day is just weeks away
you can get involved and make a positive impact on the Black Isle.
l explore local crafts and artistry: Our community is home to some of the most talented artists and crafters. From beautifully handcrafted jewellery to unique home decor, the Gathering is a treasure trove of artistic creativity. By appreciating and purchasing their work, we encourage and support the growth of local artistry.
l Delicious local cuisine: Foodies, rejoice! BIG will feature a delightful array of local culinary delights. This is your chance to tantalise your taste buds while supporting our local food vendors and producers.
l Family-friendly fun: BIG is designed for everyone. It’s a family-friendly event with activities and entertainment for people of all ages. From face-painting and games for children to live music and performances for adults, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
l Building community bonds: The Gathering is not just about business; it’s about community. By coming together at this event, we strengthen our sense of belonging, unity, and comradeship. Meeting your neighbours, making new friends, and sharing stories create a more closely-knit community that flourishes together.
Black Isle Gathering is an event that offers something for everyone. So, mark your calendars and join us at BIG on Saturday October 19th. Let’s celebrate our local businesses, organisations, and crafters who add colour and vibrancy to our community. Together, we can create an unforgettable event that showcases the Black Isle.
If you can’t make BIG, why not advertise in our programme and make sure your business/ organisation is made known to everyone on the Black Isle.
Last year we were able to give back £200 to local charities from the money made at BIG. Can we do better this year?
For more information and to sign up for a space or volunteering opportunities, please contact me at jenny.brogden@btinternet.com or through the Facebook page: www.facebook. com/blackislegathering
Let’s make this year’s Black Isle Gathering the best one yet. See you there!
Blooming success at care home
By Donald Morrison
GReen-FInGeReD residents of eilean Dubh Care home in Fortrose have picked up wins at two flowers shows.
Success began at the Black Isle Show with second prize for three roses on a single stem and third prize for six single stem roses.
Just a few weeks later, they were awarded one first prize, three second prizes, and three third prizes at the Black Isle horticultural Society show in Rosemarkie for their carefully
cultivated house plants.
Activities coordinator Fiona Stoddart said: “It all started when Billy Mackintosh, one of our residents, mentioned that he used to enter the Black Isle Show many years ago. We got chatting about it and thought it would be a good idea to enter ourselves. Since it was our first year, we started off with small plug plants that the residents took great care of, as well as some of our garden roses. Those roses were planted when eilean Dubh opened and have been cultivated and pruned each year.”
Fiona added: “We are proud to be the first care home ever to take part in the Black Isle Show, and absolutely delighted to have brought home two prizes.
“For us, the most significant achievement has been the commitment our residents have shown by tending to their plants and garden roses. As Billy said, he never imagined he would ever get the opportunity to enter the Black Isle Show again at his age, so it was wonderful to see his reaction when we won two prizes.”
Celebrating after the Horticultural Society show – back, from left: Kay Drought, Alyson Curtis, Cress Reed; front: John MacDonald (left), Billy Mackintosh. Right: Billy with the successful Black Isle Show roses.
Photos: eilean Dubh Care home
Walk – and tea – stir memories
By Andrea Jack, Group leader, Macmillan Cancer Support, Black Isle & Inverness
OuR first Macmillan memory walk was held in Avoch on Saturday July 20th. A small group left the village and walked to Rosehaugh estate and back to the village hall on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.
After the walk we served a Strawberry Tea in the hall, where a lovely display of mouthwatering cakes supplied by members and friends of the group were enjoyed by people from near and far, raising a total of £650 through donations and a raffle held on the day – a magnificent achievement on our first memory walk.
We are very grateful to all who supported this event whether by baking, serving, taking part on the walk or turning up to enjoy the tea and cakes.
Our purpose was to remember family, friends and members of the community who had been touched by cancer.
We particularly wanted to remember Sheena
McLeman who was a member of the Black Isle Fundraising Group for many years and was well known for her delicious baking and jammaking skills.
Sheena very sadly passed during the covid lockdown from an aggressive form of cancer.
Our next outing was to the Classic Car Rally at King George v Sports Field in Fortrose on August 31st.
As well as the usual stalls will raffled a unique handmade bird table crafted by the very talented David Daschofsky, a retired joiner who has supported many charities and has raised many thousands of pounds over the years through donating his tables to the various charities.
We are holding our second Macmillan Cancer Support Golf Tournament at Fortrose and Rosemarkie golf course on Friday September 20th.
Last year’s event was a huge success with very positive feedback so we felt that we should repeat the competition – judging by the interest and support received from businesses and golfers, local and afar, this years Macmillan
The Strawberry Tea helped raise £650.
Golf Day should prove to be great day out.
So, if you haven’t already entered your team, don’t delay as spaces are limited and filling very quickly.
To book please contact Annette MacArthur by email netsker62@gmail.com
l We are currently a very small group who could do with some help so if you would like to join the group, or support us in any way, please contact me at andmade@hotmail.co.uk
By Russell Turner
IT was chance – and her mum – that led Kath noble into a job at Cromarty’s surgery, but she’s never regretted it.
On August 28th, her colleagues at Cromarty Medical Practice gathered with gifts, cake and flowers to wish her well on her last day after 45 years as receptionist.
“I started coming here from school,” she said. “We’d get off the school bus and I’d come down and do my training with the girls who worked here at the time. My mother was a cleaner here for many years and she also cleaned for Dr hendry and his wife. I think it was through her I started here.”
That was in 1979. Mum was Jean and dad was William ‘Goodie’ Shepherd, one of 16 children who “was given his byname by Gran because he was such a good boy”. The job wasn’t planned but was welcome.
“At that time it was just the one doctor, Dr hendry, and two or three admin staff at the most,” Kath recalled. “It was so quiet I used to bring my knitting in and sit and knit in the afternoon. As my mother was a cleaner, I used to take down the net curtains and make a makeshift line outside and pin them to the line with paperclips, to help my mother out.
“It was local and I was so passionate about the whole place. you didn’t have appointment times. People just walked in and saw the doctor when they wanted to. I got on well with all the patients.
“I was so lucky. I walked to my work every day then walked home. When I had my son, Douglas, I came back to work when he was 12 weeks old; my mother looked after him. I just loved the job.”
Back then, the building was half the size it is now with just one treatment room, one consulting room, a toilet and kitchen. They were
Kath steps down after 45 years
the times of typewriters and Tippex.
“I remember Dr hendry coming in one day with a big box and in it was a word processor with a tiny screen and I was just over the moon. I was so happy. And then there were computers.
“A lot of people remember Dr hendry. There’s a photo of him up in reception. I’m going to be taking that home with me because I’m the last contact with him. none of my colleagues worked with him or knew him.
“I’ll miss my colleagues very much. We all have a good laugh and get on really well. I don’t think we’ve ever had a cross word. We certainly
never had a cross word with Dr hendry, he was so easy going.”
Kath has seen more than a dozen doctors come and go, plus locums, associates and student doctors. The practice has also grown in recent years to become part of the Riverside highland Medical Group with other practices in Inverness and Foyers.
“I lost my husband, Charlie, last year and I’d been off for two years with him being ill,” said Kath. “When I came back the job had changed completely; it’s not the same job now. Since being taken over it’s a different way of working. I found it quite hard to make the change to that.
“But the people I work with are lovely. My colleagues are fantastic – you couldn’t wish for better people to work with.”
Kath, who also has a daughter, Josie Thomson from Alcaig, has a few plans for her spare time, now she’s retired.
“My husband used to do a Wednesday trip to Orkney – he worked for McGregor’s in Inverness – that was his day for taking his van over. he always promised that he was going to take me but it never worked out.
“My son and daughter-in-law said we’ll go for a few days and we’ll take the dog, just to see what it’s like. he loved his Orkney trip; it was the highlight of his week. I’d like to see the Italian Chapel. And I’m going to get back into my knitting; I love knitting.
“I’m planning on buying one of those mobility scooters. My legs and things don’t work very well now; I’ve painful knees and my mobility’s not great. My one wish is to get round Cromarty and visit my friends.
“I’ve got a lot who come to visit me at home but then I’ll be able to visit them. hopefully I’ll pop into the surgery now and then for a cup of coffee – if I’m allowed!”
Front: Kath Noble with Dr Stroma Beattie (left) and practice manager Laura Murphy. Back, from left: Kevin Gabbitas, office supervisor; Tracy Kerfoot, health care assistant; Flora Thomson, housekeeping; Kirsty MacDonald, administration; Janet Devlin, administration.
Photo: russell turner
Entrepreneur takes the next step forward
By Liz McKinlay
When I first met and interviewed Sarah Smith a few years ago, she was Chatterbox’s neighbour in the Avoch industrial estate, making candles, melts and diffusers, and as a new entrepreneur, she was perfect for a Chatterbox splash. I was very impressed by her commitment, drive, and her energy.
her goal, she said, was to have her own shop and to work with other craftspeople, so when Green Tree on the high Street in Fortrose closed, it was, as she says, a “no brainer” to go for the opportunity of opening her own shop and growing the Coorie Company.
“It was scary, but the shop was perfect and the sorting office being attached means I have a ready made workshop. It’s very handy for my home too as we live in Fortrose, which is another added bonus, so we decided it was the perfect opportunity. Adrian, my partner, did most of the fitting out of the shop and used
recycled wood and furniture from antiques shops, which conforms to our ethical and environmental values.”
It’s bright, tasteful and welcoming.
This was a young lady who has gone from making candles for friends as gifts, to supplying visitor centres for historic environment Scotland within a relatively short time. She supplies many shops around Scotland and sells at various markets as well. her candles have been joined by reed diffusers and melts which smell gorgeous.
“I still have all the contracts to supply the visitor centres and shops so it’s pretty full on but, at the moment we’re open Wednesday till Saturdays from 10-5pm,” she said. “The other days I spend the hours in my workshop making all the products. Adrian will cover the shop on some days to give me a break but he has a full time job so I’m lucky he’s so involved. It’s very much a family concern and hollie, my oldest daughter, has made glass pictures to sell in the shop.
“I’m very proud of her and evie, her wee sister, who helps too.”
As well as hollie’s contribution, Sarah has fulfilled one of her other goals by inviting local crafters to sell in her shop too.
“A lot of the local crafters we have met and become friends with at market events now supply the shop with their products and I’m delighted as it was a big aim to include local crafts. We’ve got Soap & Mhor from Tore, Woodies Driftwood from nairn, highland Patisserie from Tain, Books from Bookspeed edinburgh, cards from Juniper Press, Aberdeen, cards and tea towels from Fiddy & Mabel. These are all ethical and sustainable enterprises, like our own.
“We have plans for next year to run candlemaking courses but, as I still have big contacts to fulfil, this is on hold. We will still attend markets and wholesale alongside the shop. It’s very much a learning curve at the moment, but I’m beginning to get a feel for the demands of customers and what’s popular. For instance, children’s books seem to be very much in demand. One local lady said she’d gone to Inverness to buy children’s books before realising we now stock them.
“The locals have been very supportive and welcoming so we’re very grateful to them for their good wishes. One local commented that
Iv10 for the foodies helps, and we have a hotspot!!”
Fortrose was now a lovely venue for shopping with the jewellery studio, the new harbour Lane gift shop and now The Coorie Company,
Evie, Adrian, Hollie and Sarah –the team behind Coorie Company.
Historic former inn seeks new guardians
By Russell Turner
The current owners of the former Ferry Inn at Balblair are searching for a new generation of guardians to care for the historic building.
After 14 years at Ferry house, as it became, Charles and Susy Cooper feel it’s time to move on.
“We’re fast approaching 80, so there’s a need to downsize, but we’ll be staying in Balblair,” said Susy. “We’re hoping for someone to take over the guardianship of this lovely old house and garden and escort it into the future.”
The Inverbreakie Ferry, which daily traversed the Cromarty Firth to the pier at Invergordon, stopped over 50 years ago, but the Ferry Inn at the top of the brae continued as a public house until 1999. People met and enjoyed a drink and chat and sometimes the sound of a keyboard, fiddle or mouth organ. The caravan site, behind the inn, was busy at weekends and holiday times with folk from all over Scotland and beyond.
Jim Tait, a retired policeman from Glasgow, had previously owned a static caravan on the site at the back before buying the Inn in 1989.
“Jim was a lively and friendly landlord and hosted many a light-hearted evening singing and playing his guitar and was in post when the pub had to close due to lack of income following the sudden closure of the caravan site,” Susy recalled. “Jim and his wife Pat, along with their two adult children, lived in Ferry house for several years before selling it to us.”
Susy and Charles have good memories, especially of Susy’s dad Douglas MacDonell who was a ‘regular’ in the bar of the Ferry Inn for several years before it closed. he had bought a cottage in Jemimaville in 1965 and moved there in the 1970s from the Midlands.
Charles and Susy Cooper – moving somewhere a little smaller.
“My mother, Bernice, worked at highland Fabricators as a secretary during the boom years, hence my parents’ familiarity with the Balblair Ferry Inn and the local community from almost 60 years ago.”
After divorce in 1981, Susy came from the uSA to live in Jemimaville with her children, who attended Fortrose Academy.
“Before we met, Charles had a training business and trained men working on the
Caledonian Canal – tree cutting etc. he moved to the Black Isle in the late 1980s from Buckinghamshire, continuing to travel to clients in the south before taking on the big project of developing hillockhead on the eathie road as a home and viable holiday accommodation business after his divorce.
“Charles and I met at Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club in a mixed foursomes in 1994 and married in Poolewe in 1995. I was a
and in 1943.
visiting teacher of art for some years and Charles continued his power tool training business and renovations. Almost 30 years on it’s time to properly retire.”
Ferry house is over 200 years old and is ‘C’ listed by historic Scotland. The front east cornerstone of the building bears an Ordinance Survey benchmark. Local historian Dr Jim Mackay includes two pages describing historical events at Balblair Ferry Inn in his book resolis ‘Slope of Light’ – Guide to a black Isle Parish
It is now a family home and 14 years ago it took two years to bring it up to modern day standards with double glazed panels ➤
Ferry House as it is today,
Black Isle People
installed into the original sash windows, insulated walls and underfloor heating. The house has two ensuite bedrooms which have served as B&B accommodation and a further two bedrooms and family bathroom as well as an office. A cloakroom and small studio (once the bottle store) complete the ground floor. The adjoining garage is used as a workshop. On the former pub car park there is a large shed which is a garage and a store/gallery with commercial potential.
The conversion of the adjoining stable as
Gpart of the creation of Ferry Cottage (the granny flat) was planned as accommodation for Charles’ mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s at that time. As well as the ground floor bedroom and bathroom there is also an upstairs en suite bedroom. This was designed as accommodation for an overnight carer. A living room, kitchen and small utility room are also on the ground floor of Ferry Cottage.
When Patricia, Charles’ mother, went to live in a local care home during her final years, Ferry Cottage was let as both longer term
E o RG i NA Carr made a pilgrimage to the Black isle, and in particular to ferry house, along with her partner James in July 2021 when we were at level 1 with Covid and able to receive visitors and paying guests, writes Charles.
She had visited the ferry inn as a child, along with her grandma, Joyce, when the inn was run by Jim Tait.
Joyce, from Scunthorpe, was stationed in invergordon as a driver during the war and met hector Murdoch when, on an errand to the town, she was having difficulty using the crank handle to start the truck. Despite being less than five feet tall, his help was not welcome as she felt she was more than capable. however, he pursued her and eventually they married just after the war and moved to Scunthorpe where hector worked in the steelworks.
accommodation and eventually as holiday accommodation.
l Ferry house and cottage are on the market for £520,000 including the big shed on the former pub car park.
There is a building plot behind the house which if sold with Ferry house and cottage is an additional £30,000. The plot with planning permission is advertised separately at £85,000. Contact Ewen Smith of Scottish Highland Property services, tel: 01463 715175.
Shortly afterwards they returned north to live with hector’s family, where she was treated as a skivvy, before taking on the ferry inn. oddly, Joyce was not allowed into the bar except to clean. She could manage the pub, do the cellar work and keep and eye on the weather from a top floor window when it was poor and hector was manning the ferry.
She divorced hector in 1958 on the grounds of desertion when he was in prison at the time for Post office fraud and doctoring her savings book. She remarried and lived happily until her husband’s death in 1994.
n Photo 1: Licensee Joyce Murdoch (left), husband hector and her sister Doreen Thompson.
n Photo 2: Grandma Joyce (now Carr) with Jim Tait in 1994.
n Photo 3: Georgina Carr and partner James in 2021.
Hilary finds a new space for her healing
ReIKI practitioner hilary de vries has recently opened her new treatment room near Munlochy. It sits in a garden filled with flowers, plants and birdsong, surrounded by fields.
“until I got the hut I’d worked in a room in the house, which worked well but had its limitations,” she said. “having a specially dedicated space to work from is a real blessing. It means I can give clients an even better service and they find the whole experience even more relaxing.”
Reiki is known as an energy healing technique and was originally developed in Japan. It involves the practitioner placing their hands on or near the body of the client. Its popularity continues to spread round the world and in 2021 it celebrated its 100th anniversary. The aim of a Reiki session is to help bring the person into balance and to encourage the body’s own healing ability. There is no manipulation involved, which makes the technique a very gentle one, and clients remain fully dressed throughout their session.
“I came to Reiki after seeing an article in a magazine on the subject and thought it would be worth trying it out of curiosity and see what it was like. I never imagined I’d end up working as a Reiki practitioner. I’d worked with people in the past, including as a mental health support worker.
“I worked with some lovely people but found the experience exhausting. Reiki allows me to support and help people, but doesn’t drain me. I can still work with people and hopefully help make a difference, which is a real privilege. Seeing the look on someone’s face after a session is wonderful. Often any tension they may have arrived with has dropped away and the muscles in their face have softened.”
People may also be familiar with hilary as a composer/musician, but strangely she prefers to give Reiki sessions without music playing. “no, I don’t like to have music playing when I work,” she laughed. “I like to keep a session as quiet as possible. This lets me focus better on the client and also seems to let them settle deeper into the session. The sound of the birds and the rain or the wind outside is already pretty magical, so no extra sound is required!”
The narrow windows round the walls mean the space is filled with light but still extremely private, something that is appreciated by visitors. “People comment on how large the space feels, and I’m sure it’s because of the light. They
also like the smell of the wood of the shed.” The hut was built by Fettes Sawmill earlier in the year and is constructed from interlocking planks that sit on top of each other in the style of a log cabin. Once it was built there was still more groundwork needing done to turn it into a beautiful place to invite people to. Stone edged beds curve round the hut and are filled with wild flowers and herbs that give splashes of colour and scent.
It’s in this setting that people come into the hut and can let the rest of the world fall away, allowing them to focus on themselves for the time they’re there in peace and quiet. hilary would encourage anyone wondering whether to have a Reiki session to go for it. “you might be surprised what it brings you” she said with a smile.
l simplyreiki.scot
l Facebook: simplyreikihighlands
Hilary de Vries – enjoying the quiet.
The joy of creation is artist’s biggest reward
By Anna Ginestri
IF you enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Black Isle and surrounding Scottish highlands, then you will appreciate the work of local artist Caden Kyler. This Black Isle-based artist (who prefers not to be pictured himself) has recently freed up time which he plans to devote to his artwork, and extend his portfolio.
“I have a lifetime of practising art in various forms, from creative advertising to pottery,” he said. “It is a pastime that has become – unintentionally – synonymous with my identity. It’s always been enjoyable and seems to energise me.”
With a clear direction in mind, Caden has chosen acrylic paints to depict contemporary local landscapes. his main objective is to retain originality in style; allowing his artwork to accurately portray how he sees his surroundings in their various forms and colours.
“I began with oils a few months back but
switched to acrylic paint, simply because I preferred their efficiency; the idea of being able to frame something immediately and clear space, then act on my next idea. Oils and acrylic are very different media; with acrylic it’s more difficult to add depth, as the colours
typically dry uniformly flat, whereas with oils you can create beautiful skies through blending. It’s down to personal preference.
“I would describe my artistic style as ‘contemporary realism’, however, labels are often self-limiting. experimentation for me is an important stage in improvement, always progressing, and evolving, while enjoying the process.”
One of Caden’s favourite subjects to paint is historic architecture, perhaps influenced by having grown up within the small Tudor village of Blackmore, essex. holidays in Portmeirion also proved a valuable opportunity to study architecture within a natural environment. his more immediate surroundings also had a positive effect on the cultivation of his creativity; his father is talented in detailed sketching, and his mother is involved in her own crafting projects, often for charity.
“Our childhood (I have two sisters) involved drawing, forest walks in the essex countryside, and a whole lotta Led Zeppelin.”
Caden is looking forward to expanding his portfolio.
Caden relocated to the Black Isle many years ago to attend Fortrose Academy, after which he moved to Cheltenham to study marketing, advertising and communication, at the university of Gloucestershire, often visiting art galleries in his spare time. After returning to the Black Isle he was an apprentice of Barbel Dister, working at Cromarty Pottery and Gallery48 – for which he is “forever grateful”.
“Barbel is an exceptionally talented potter, and if I end up even half as good I’ll be very happy. Both Cromarty Pottery and Gallery48 are fantastic places to find beautiful and unique gifts.”
Caden’s outlook is that “It isn’t necessary for art to have meaning, or be good, or even be seen. everyone starts as a beginner, and the joy of creating can itself be the reward. A creative process for me does not exist; there are no rules. If there is a rule, it’s simply to ‘just start’. Once you start, let your mind freewheel, experiment, and – most importantly – have fun.”
With regards to challenges, Caden states: “I used to judge myself according to my latest drawing/painting, which was not healthy. I now see the final product as holding less significance, because the true value is in knowing how much I have learned in that particular session, and of course, how much I enjoyed it.” he adds: “Art is a sustainable positive pastime, rather than a destination. Be open to making mistakes and discarding if necessary. For cultivating inspiration, spending more time in nature can help tremendously.” It can also be beneficial to find inspiration in other artists; Caden mentions his admiration for both the imagination of Roger Dean, and the clever use of lighting in the works of Jack vettriano.
“Art brings us together, and helps us connect with – and appreciate – the human experience, and a sense of community is one of the great aspects of living on the Black Isle.”
Caden has volunteered for rewilding projects further afield, and various community-led projects including as a projectionist at Cromarty Cinema.
“The Culbokie Community Green has been an especially nice project to get involved with as it’s a great opportunity to meet new folk, spend more time outside, and make a positive difference for everyone.”
For anyone wishing to view or purchase Caden’s work he will soon be exhibiting work at local markets, in addition to work currently on display and for sale at The Storehouse Restaurant and Gallery48 in Cromarty. his work can also be viewed on Saatchiart.com (a website where people can discover and purchase from the best emerging artists around the world).
“An exhibition is on the cards, but my priority remains in developing my work, and creating an extensive portfolio. There’s a lot of activity behind the scenes. A website where you can purchase my art is also in the pipeline.”
Caden can be contacted with any questions or requests via his Instagram @cadenkyler artist or email him at cadenkylerartist@gmail. com
Remembering Nick Turner – 1944-2023
By Vee Walker
My memories of nick Turner begin in the 1970s, my Fortrose Academy days, and one particular Sunday lunchtime, while walking ‘up the street’ after church. My mother spent some time talking with a tall, fine-boned man with a slightly stooping, slightly nervous manner, a sweet smile and brilliant blue eyes in an intelligent face. I clearly remember his soft, rather high voice. After they parted, twenty minutes or so of obviously fascinating chat later, she told me she thought nick considerably more idiosyncratic, but no less brilliant, than his academic parents.
nick’s family had roots in Aberdeen and acquired a house in Cathedral Square back in 1967, the year before my mother returned to her family in the Black Isle from england with her seven-year-old daughter.
After eavesdropping on that conversation, I always stopped and spoke with nick when out and about in the Royal Burgh of which he was rightly so proud, and he always greeted me fondly and courteously and found something interesting to say to a small and spotty schoolgirl.
I am sure I am not alone.
nick first came to live in Fortrose in 1972 and he worked in the welding shops at nigg, an experience which gave him a never-forgotten understanding of the different functions of the various rigs still to be seen, parked up for maintenance, in the Cromarty Firth. he was also an active sailor and member of the Chanonry yacht Club.
After a spell back in Aberdeen, nick returned to Fortrose in 1990 and threw himself into village life, taking part in John Bevan-Baker’s choir and the activities of the Drama Society,
the Reading Group and the Bowls Club.
By day – come rain, come shine – nick was to be seen walking the streets with his trusty broom and shovel, pushing a heavy, lidded, rumbling metal barrow. nick’s attitude to life was greatly to the benefit of Fortrose: its streets, gutters and verges have never looked as neat and tidy since his retirement. he was one of a band of gentlemen known collectively in
‘Nick’s love of music was not only theoretical, but also practical. He played a range of instruments (piano, oboe, guitar, lute and double bass) with considerable skill. He also loved to dance, preferably to the music of his youth, in a gloriously uninhibited fashion.’
those days as the ‘roadies’ – probably paid very little, they had one parish patch to tend and took immense pride in doing so. They knew where floods were likely in heavy rainfall, and where leaves risked blocking gutters (and in nick’s case, in which dark doorway the Academy children would gather for a sneaky illicit fag) and would cheerfully clean and clear accordingly.
What would these amazing men make of today’s bottomless potholes and perpetual pavement excavation for ‘superfast broadband’? The bean-counter who decided to retire them all in favour of a few mechanical road sweepers made a serious error of judgment, both in human and in financial terms. A machine cannot take pride in its work or feel responsibility for its ‘patch’.
Appealed to by a visitor, nick would instantly turn tour guide, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of Fortrose (its ruined cathedral especially) and other interesting spots further afield. he led walks for Cromarty Camera Club shoots and later for the u3A. Once he retired, he devised and guided far longer, more strenuous hill walks for the Great Glen Walking Club. To keep his formidable mind busy over the winter, he became a keen participant in many u3A discussion groups: Art Appreciation, Archaeology, Music Study, Psychology, Photography, Walking and economics and Current Affairs.
At nick’s funeral, a fellow u3A member fondly recalled nick’s erudition within the u3A Music Study Group: “There were only six of us, including two retired music teachers. The procedure was that we each took it in turn to present a ninety-minute programme on a music subject of our choice. Mostly what happened was that the person (whose turn it was) would discuss one particular composer and play extracts from their music in order to educate and entertain everyone else. Instead of this routine approach, nick instead researched and presented a ninety-minute exploration of Musical Dissonance. Can you imagine a lecture on this subject, with examples, lasting an hour and a half? It was absolutely fascinating, and probably the best presentation in the life of The Music Study Group. Typical nick Turner.”
nick’s love of music was not only theoretical, but also practical. he played a range of instruments (piano, oboe, guitar, lute and double bass) with considerable skill. he also loved to dance, preferably to the music of his youth, in a gloriously uninhibited fashion.
Any quiz team which had nick Turner on board was guaranteed to win. his general knowledge and memory were second to none. he was also a most discerning cook, catering with ease to any refined palate.
It is fair to say, however, that nick was never renowned for his sartorial elegance, although when encouraged to make the effort he could look very distinguished indeed. Most of the
time, he was simply far too interested in other things to bother much about his clothes or the length (or tangled nature) of his hair. A fellow walker recollected the day when he turned up for a long-distance mountain tramp in his walking gear, beneath which peeped out the white shirt and black tie of the funeral he had attended the previous day. It mattered not one jot to his friends, and nick’s endearing eccentricity and sheer niceness meant he had a lot of those.
I did not know nick well, but by coincidence I helped hilary, his devoted sister, to clear the last few things from his home in Station Square before a friend moved into it, so I offered to
write this short tribute, which hilary has now corrected and polished.
I was able to rehome part of nick’s remarkable collection of classical music recordings and one or two other items. Then I found both his roadie’s broom, and his overalls, still hanging neatly in his garden shed (we are still using the broom). The overalls went all the way to the dump with me and, yes, came all the way back again! They hang in my own shed now, but I think they should perhaps be held for posterity by Groam house Museum: nick Turner’s unique life and lifestyle should be remembered and appreciated, for we will not see his like again.
Nick Turner – We will not see his like again
Synth devotees want to share their passion
When the pandemic struck in 2020, Black Isle synthesizer enthusiast Maarten de vries a.k.a. Zerøbeat decided to use his skills to provide some mental stimulation and relief by offering a free four-part online synthesizer course for beginners.
The course was attended by nine delegates from around the Moray Firth and when the course was finished the group decided to continue with online meetings, which quickly turned into an online open mic. The group kept meeting online until in September 2022 they founded the Moray Firth Synthesizer Club and started to also meet from time to time in person.
Since then, the group has steadily grown, and members of the club have started performing in public livestreams on youTube. The first such performance was during Drone Day 2023, a worldwide event organised by Canadian artist Marie LeBlanc Flannagan of Wyrd Arts, where participants create drone sounds by
whatever means they fancy. Maarten, together with Mark Dammer from Forres and nick Scroggie from Inverness performed a twohour improvised drone piece as the group QRM. Since then, QRM have played several
online livestreams including Cosmach and Cosmach II.
Maarten himself has performed two more livestreams, noarderljocht (during Drone Day 2024) and Skimerljocht (Summer solstice) all of which are available on youTube.
Maarten’s music is heavily influenced by instrumental synthesizer music from the netherlands in the 80s’ earlier genres such as Berlin School, made famous by groups such as Tangerine Dream.
“I like using modern remakes of classic analogue synthesizers,” said Maarten. “The more primitive, the more they pull me out of my comfort zone, and the more creative I become.” Maarten improvises a lot on simple repeating sequences. “Making music in this way is quite therapeutic.”.
Maarten has been living in the Black Isle for over 25 years but he didn’t play the synthesizer all that time.
“hardware synthesizers had gone out of fashion quite a bit in the 90s and it took several
decades for them to make a comeback,” he explained.
Before getting back into hardware synthesizers, Maarten created his own virtual synthesizers using a computer. But because his work also involves a lot of work with computers, he eventually gave that up in favour of the real thing.
“From about 2010, new hardware synthesizers came thick and fast, and they became really affordable. you can now buy a very decent analogue synthesizer for under £200 or even less. And faithful remakes of classic synthesizers from the 70s and 80s can be bought for a fraction of the cost of a well restored original one.”
In May this year, during Drone Day 2024, while following some of the links on Marie’s website, he stumbled across a performance from the Rocky Mountain Synthesizer Meet in Colorado uSA.
“I was taken aback by how similar the music was to ours, so I decided to get in touch,” said Maarten. “Since then, we have met up online several times and had a joint meeting on August 3rd where members of both clubs played. It was rather special and very nice to have found likeminded people.”
But Maarten and his fellow members at the Moray Firth Synthesizer Club are also keen to find new people to share the hobby with more locally.
“People of all ages and abilities are welcome,” said Mark Dammer, the club’s chairperson. For that reason, the group will have a display at the Black Isle Gathering on October 19th in Fortrose, in the hope to attract people who would like to join, either to listen to the music, to play or perhaps to learn to play.
“A club is always the best place to learn a new hobby, as we have several really experienced members who can and are very keen to help you to a good start,” he said.
ºl For more information about the Moray Firth Synthesizer club, you can join their Facebook Group at facebook.com/groups/ synthesizerclub, or email maarten@devries. scot.
Maarten de Vries – keen to spread the word about synthesizers.
Music, art and crafts in a hectic autumn
By Nicki Slater Arts Development Officer, Cromarty Arts Trust
The autumn is looking just as busy as the first part of the year at Cromarty Arts Trust. We have live music, art courses, craft workshops and more.
The craft workshops start on September 7th and 8th with two one-day classes in Stained
Glass making. Anne Ferguson’s classes are always hugely popular. Working in the Old Brewery, you’ll leave this course with your own beautiful piece of stained glass.
At the end of month and running into October, master craftsman Robbie Schneider is back in Cromarty teaching how to hand carve letters into stone. Cromarty is one of the very few places in Scotland that still teaches this ancient skill, which seems fitting for the home
of writer, geologist and stonemason hugh Miller. This course lasts all week and includes lunch every day. There are also options for accommodation for those coming from further afield.
As a complete contrast to stone carving, we are also offering a weekend of Fair Isle knitting on September 14th and 15th. Tutor and artist, Sophie hale from Forest & Dot is coming to run our very first Introduction to Fair Isle
Knitting weekend. She will supply the expertise and all the beautiful Shetland wool and you’ll spend a peaceful weekend making a headband or cowl in the Stables. you will learn how to read Fair Isle charts whilst knitting in the round, all about the history of Fair Isle knitting, and how colour choice is so important. This workshop is suitable for those with basic knitting knowledge, who can knit, purl, rib, cast on and off confidently and are looking to start out on their Fair Isle journey.
Inverness-based Ailsa Wilde will be running a second silver jewellery weekend in October. using traditional metalwork techniques, you’ll make a silver ring and bangle over the weekend. Ailsa’s last class was extremely popular and her years as a teacher clearly shine through.
The popular Cromarty harp village is back for another year on September 20th-22nd. Tutors Corrina hewat, Cheyenne Brown and heather yule will focus on getting back to basics, finger coordination and strengthening techniques, making sure you have a firm base on which to make music. There will be gentle, effective warm-ups, excellent technical exercises and help on adapting them for your needs, so you play the music you love the best way for you. With massed harp-playing, tutors’ sharing session, six workshops and three levels – elementary, intermediate and advanced –there is something for everyone this weekend.
We have lots of live music coming up too starting with a pocket opera called CarmenCo. This lively afternoon will have everyone seated round tables with tea and coffee, while the musicians give a performance of Spanish and Spanish-inspired music. This will be presented as a play, with costumes, props and a storyline which roughly follows the story of Bizet’s opera Carmen, but told from her point of view. Dare you consult the cards with her? What does she think of the men in her story? Did she foresee her gruesome ending? And does she like the opera Bizet wrote about her?
CarmenCo trio is emily Andrews on flute/ mezzo, and David Massey and Francisco Correa on guitars – all prizewinning Royal Academy of Music graduates and in demand soloists in their own right. This will be a really entertaining afternoon on September 22nd.
Tea and coffee are included and, as always for our Sunday afternoon concerts, under-18s are free.
We have more classical music on november 3rd with Glasgow-based, prize-winning solo pianist nikita Lukinov. hailed as an ‘exceptional talent’ by the Scotsman, nikita will perform: Brahms, 6 pieces op.118, Debussy Images book 1 and Mussorgsky, Night on bald Mountain.
Trad fans are in for a treat with an evening with Rachel Walker and Aaron Jones on September 28th. After years of writing, touring and performing with many of traditional music’s finest, Rachel and Aaron have joined forces to create one of the scene’s most exciting new collaborations. Their combined passion for song and the exploration of the wide repertoire across the tradition, blended with beautiful and heartfelt original songs, ensure an evening of captivating live music and song with two of Scotland’s finest singers and musicians. This evening is in the small scale and intimate Old Brewery and tickets are limited so don’t delay booking up.
Cromarty-based musician Rua nicole has been selected to take part in ness Factor 2024 in aid of highland hospice. A singer with a powerful and emotive voice, Rua will sing some of her own songs and some favourite covers to raise funds for this vital charity. The Old Brewery, October 12th at 7.30pm. Tickets will sell fast so book early!
We have a new tutor, Sheree young, joining us for a day-long Introduction to Watercolours on September 27th. If you have always wanted to try watercolours but were afraid to pick up the brush, this day is for you. We will supply
you with brushes, paint and paper and Sheree will supply the knowledge and inspiration.
We are also delighted that Jana emburey is returning to teach a life drawing weekend in October. you will look at a variety of ways to explore life drawing, examining how to get proportions correct and explore a variety of ways to ‘mark-make’ in direct response to the model.
you will look at line, tone and use various media to create strong drawings. Several exercises will be set to help improve life drawing skills and Jana will also demonstrate and pro-
vide illustrations of a variety of different techniques and styles of life drawing. Jana is an artist in her own right and teaches in Grantownon-Spey and at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
As something new for Cromarty Arts Trust, we are putting on a play in the victoria hall on november 19th. Called Men Don’t talk, this funny and thought-provoking play is about three men finding banter, bird boxes and biscuits in a fictional men’s shed, which celebrates companionship, camaraderie... and custard creams. It explores the myth that ‘men don’t talk’.
Written following cups of tea, cake and spirited conversations with real ‘shedders’, the play welcomes audiences into a friendly fictional shed, inspired by real men’s stories. Presented in conjunction with the Scottish Men’s Shed Association, the play has been praised in the Scottish Parliament for promoting the benefits of this growing mental health and wellbeing movement – vital in Scotland today.
And the very last thing to mention for 2024 is our annual Christmas market in the Old Brewery. With lots of high quality and hand crafted gifts, it’s the perfect place for a unique Christmas present. It opens on Friday november 29th at 6pm with a warm welcome, mince pies and mulled wine. It continues on Saturday 30th and Sunday December 1st from 10am-4pm.
As always, more information, prices and booking for any Cromarty Arts Trust event can be found on our website at www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk or give us a call during office hours on 01381 600354, or you can email nicki and Gail at info@cromartyartstrust.org.uk
Rua Nicole
CarmenCo – An entertaining re-imagining of Bizet’s opera.
Landscape to feature in arty siblings’ show
AFORTROSe artist is teaming up with his sister for a joint art show at eden Court, Inverness.
William Mather and Gillian Pattinson, both keen landscape artists, are calling their exhibition ‘Look to the hills’.
It will be opened by artist Jonathan Shearer at a private view on Saturday 28th September. Doors open to the public from Sunday 29th September until October 26th,
This will be their first joint exhibition, although 20 years ago they shared with three other family members for a show in Cheshire, called ‘A Family Affair’.
William, who works from his studio on Station Road, said: “We come from a very artistic family and we all love to paint and draw – so it was very exciting to exhibit together.
“Gillian and I both have different styles and often work outside, whatever the weather. We hope very much to share our love of the highlands in this exhibition. We both find a lot of our paintings have hills in them – hence the title!”
As well as her own art, Gillian is founder of the north-West highlands Art courses which she has run for 30 years from her home in Kishorn, with the help of invited tutors.
Both are members of the Art Society of Inverness. William, a retired minister from the Anglican Church, is also part of the Redcastle Art Group, which has had several annual exhibitions at the Stables, Cromarty.
Two years ago William was invited to be a
wild card for the Sky T v Landscape Artist of the year Competition. even though he did not win he said: “It was a great privilege to take part and I learned a lot!”
l Opening times: Monday and Tuesday 4-8pm; Wednesday to Sunday 11am-8pm. It will be in the first floor Stalls Gallery, accessible by stairs and lift.
William Mather and Gillian Pattinson, whose work will be on show at Eden Court.
By Patrick Vickery
ACOFFee spillage on the computer keyboard left us without a fully functioning computer. It was kaput. The same thing happened to somebody else I know, only in their case it was wine. When you no longer have it you realise how much you miss it, especially in today’s world where everything is simply a push button away as long as your push buttons are working.
Frustratingly aware that our buttons were not working – and that the computer was not going to mend itself without some form of human intervention – a last ditch attempt was made to restore technological sanity to the household with WD40. It works well on lawnmowers and spark plugs, why not computers?
We sprayed copious amounts from all angles, only the result was disappointing and it simply exuded a powerful aroma of oily coffee. In fact it was possibly more kaput than before. From now on whenever the topic of a computer malfunction arises I shall advise against using WD40. It’s not a good use of engine lubricant.
As a garden writer of international repute (the man who brought you such innovative delights as ‘how to prune your ornamentals with a chainsaw’, ‘eradicating fungal black spot with tuna pasta left-overs’ and other such cutting edge techniques for the horticultural emboldened), being without a computer was most inconvenient. I felt the void. Worse still, I discovered that I may have lost the knack of hand writing. nothing cognitive, you understand, simply that the relevant muscles are too weak to function on a sustained basis due to a lack of hand writing practice. I blame the computer. But then again, does it really matter?
The coffee spillage occurred on a Sunday morning. unable to plunge into the internet sinkhole to research what was happening in the highlands that afternoon I perused the ‘What’s On’ pages in the ross-shire Journal and spotted an Open Day at the house of Aigas near Beauly. As a garden writer of international repute (blah, blah, blah) there’s no better way to update your gardening knowledge than to immerse yourself in someone else’s garden for a good rummage. So that’s what we did. We headed for the house of Aigas.
Car parking on the lower lawn was orchestrated by a man flourishing a walking stick who behaved as if he owned the place (he
Garden trip is answer to the coffee disaster
probably did), the scenery was spectacular and the garden well worth a visit for otherwise it would not have been open to the public in the first place. We wandered the grounds, admired herbaceous and non-herbaceous borders and then inevitably arrived at the main house for coffee and cake where I found myself in the Great hall sitting next to hamish, a wellknown accordion player with the Strathpeffer Dance Band who appeared to be enjoying his
cakes and sandwiches as much as me. We discussed music venues in the highlands as well as exchanging pleasantries about the state of the delectable food. “have you tried the lemon drizzle” or “must get some of that” was the general gist.
IAM proud of Scotland’s world-class access laws, which give everybody the right to walk, cycle or ride on most land provided they act responsibly. But good paths are still needed. There are many kinds of paths including Core Paths, Rights of Way, forest trails,
Above:
Map 14: Munlochy & Avoch
Path No. RC07.04 Bay Wood track. Estate track (stone) 2.8 km long.
local networks, heritage Paths, hill Tracks and Long-distance Routes, and walkers, cyclists and horse-riders have the right to use them.
There are more than 21,000km of Core Paths in Scotland. Core Paths Plans were a requirement of Scotland’s access legislation. each local authority and national park consulted the public to draw up their plans for them. Core paths are usually the most popular paths and are often signposted as the law permits. Core paths have an extra level of legal protection, as authorities have powers to keep
such paths free from obstruction, even if landowners refuse to act. however, there is no duty on local authorities to maintain core paths, but have powers to do so if resources allow. The most direct source of information on Core Paths comes from local council websites, because Ordnance Survey maps do not differentiate Core Paths from others.
Core paths are often, but not always, linear features – an off-road route from A to B. To provide a satisfying circular walk most Core Paths need to be incorporated into a route that
includes other Core Paths or undesignated paths, tracks or roads.
The highland Council website provides a series of detailed maps and descriptions of the Core Paths, and eight maps (nos 10-17) cover the Black Isle and beyond the A862. The maps show that there are 71 Core Paths in the extended Black Isle area, with a total length of 127km. The average length is 1.8km. Three have lengths of just 100m. The longest conventional path, the complete Mount eagle/Military Road along the backbone of the Black Isle, is ➤
Left: Path No. RC09.01 Riverside. Track/earth/some stone 2.3 km long. Right: Path No. RC31.02 Brahan east drive. Estate road (stone) 1.5 km long.
Map: 12 Cromarty & Eathie
Left: Path No. RC11.02 Sutor Path (100 steps). Constructed path (stone) 1.7 km long. Right: Path No. RC11.04 Cromarty Mains to McFarquhars Bed. Farm track, grass 1.1 km long.
7.8km long. The most contentious path is the Resolis Shore Path of 8.2km which is hardly a path; rather a greasy, seaweed-strewn beach, impassable in places at certain states of the tide.
In June 2019 the highland Council issued a call for Core Path changes in easter Ross, the Black Isle, Inverness and nairn, and the council is still considering which changes are practicable. Delays have arisen from within the highland Council and the Scottish Government, so a consultation yet to occur.
Seventy-one core paths are too many to describe and list in one magazine article, but if you go online you can find my article on the Geograph website, entitled Core Paths on the Black Isle, which includes links to the highland Council maps and illustrates the terrain with one image for each of the 71 paths.This article has to be selective and I have chosen two core paths from each of the eight map areas that give me pleasure each time I walk them. In this way no specific part of the Black Isle gets
undue prominence. I hope these paths can gain new friends. My favourite path of all is the Bay Wood track along the north side of Munlochy Bay. It should be a film set!
l Acknowledgement: I am sincerely grateful to my colleagues at Black Isle Tourism for their encouragement, and to Phil Waite, the highland Council’s Outdoor Access and Long Distance Route Manager, for finding time to scrutinise this article, and for adding emphasis where appropriate.
Map 15: North Kessock
Left: Path No. RC36.02 Charlestown west circuit. Estate road 1.8 km long. Right: Path No. RC36.06 Craigton to Kilmuir. Estate road (tar), earth 2.1 km long.
Map: 13 Fortrose & Avoch
Left: Path No. RC07.01 Fortrose to Avoch – old railway line. Constructed path (stone) 2.7 km long. Right: Path No. RC07.02 Rosehaugh Estate paths. Estate track 4.8 km long.
By Graham Fox
SuTOR Creek’s seasonal lunch and dinner menus feature local produce including Black Isle meats, shellfish from the coast around the highlands, foraged herbs, edible flowers and the best fruit and vegetables we can source. This delicious dish is perfect for serving up for an autumnal dinner party and makes the most of what can be produced on the Black Isle. If you enjoy trying out our dishes, see below for information on our brand new Cookery Classes at Sutor Creek.
Slow Braised Pork Belly, Apple and Garlic Purée, Watercress Salad Serves 4
Pork Belly
1 piece of pork belly (700-800g)
2 carrots
2 onions
3 cloves of garlic
Bunch of thyme
1 litre cider
Apple and Garlic Purée
4 cooking apples
8 cloves of garlic
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
200g dark brown sugar
Water
Watercress Salad
200g watercress
2 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
50g hazelnuts
Salt and pepper
Method of preparation:
Pork belly
Preheat oven to 160ºC/284ºF.
Place all the ingredients in an ovenware pot, cover with the cider and add enough water to cover the meat. Cover with foil, bake for about 3-4 hours. To check to see if the meat is ready, insert a fork into the meat and if you’re able to twist the fork easily, it’s ready. Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, place onto a tray. Press the meat overnight by placing another tray on top, weight with 800-1000g (i.e 3 cans of baked beans), this creates an even piece of meat for presentation. When it’s chilled thoroughly, portion out.
Apple and garlic purée
Peel, core and chop the apples. Place the apples into a pan, add the garlic, vinegar and sugar. heat slightly and stir. Once the apples start to break down, add the water and allow to cook until the garlic is soft. When ready, blend until smooth. Chill.
Watercress Salad
Toast the hazelnuts, being careful not to burn them. When toasted, chop them and set aside. For the watercress, remove the larger stalks, wash and set aside.
Dressing
Put the honey and lemon juice in a bowl and
Slow Braised Pork Belly, Apple and Garlic Purée, Watercress Salad
whisk in the oil. Season. To serve, heat a frying pan on a medium heat, place the pork belly (skin side down) in the pan, fry gently. It will start to colour. When it’s warm enough, place on a plate, add some apple and garlic purée, dress the watercress with the dressing, sprinkle with hazelnuts and serve.
Special Events
Follow us on social media or check our website for upcoming events. Booking required for all our special events as limited availability. We will be promoting more dates for Tasting Dinners and Cookery Classes in the next Chatterbox issue!
l Cromarty’s Christmas Shopping night: Mark your diaries for a night of shopping, special offers and treats, Friday 1st november. Book a table at Sutor Creek for pre or post shopping.
l Christmas Menu: Available Wednesday 4th to 23rd December. visit website for details.
l Tasting Dinners: november 22nd, Winter Tasting Dinner, £85 per person
l Festive Tasting Dinner: December 6th, £95 per person
l neW – Cookery Class: Fish & Shellfish Course, Tuesday 21st January, 9.30-3.30pm. Includes lunch, wine and apron. £175 per person
An often overlooked part of our landscape
By Vee Walker
OK. Mercat crosses – slightly dull stone pillars – local history = boring, right? Wrong.
Imagine the Black Isle about 500 years ago – difficult, I know, because this crucial and turbulent period in our past is not taught in schools.
Our familiar landscape is scattered with crosses and wayside shrines at crossroads, dotted with holy wells and healing wells garlanded with rags (now that may sound more familiar!) even, on certain days, decorated with flowers.
The tracks between our villages and towns are muddy and rough, sometimes impassible in winter. Travel is often safer by boat. Passing pilgrims, making their way on foot or (if more fortunate) on horseback are however frequent sights in the summer months. Most cross by ferry at Ardersier, on their way from the great Cathedral at elgin to the powerful Chanonry of Ross which controls many of the parishes (and church income from them) of the fertile Black Isle and easter Ross.
The pilgrims cross the Cromarty Firth on one of many ferries, perhaps stopping to say a rosary at the little chapel of Kirkmichael en route, and they travel onwards as far as the shrine of St Duthac in Tain. Some walk barefoot and penitent, wearing hair shirts or sackcloth. One of them may even be a king of Scotland, because King James Iv (1488-1513) made repeated pilgrimages to Tain (union Street in Fortrose was once called the Rotten Row – la route du roi, the king’s road – in his honour).
Other than the Clootie Well, this faith-inspired landscape and travelling may sound a bit alien, because almost five centuries of postReformation religion have conditioned us to
A Kirkmichael gravestone which depicts an ornate pre-Reformation cross showing a three stepped base.
think that way. Our highland forebears at the time would have been Catholic. All churches here before the Reformation were rooted either
in Roman Catholicism, with obedience to the Pope in Rome, or in the more couthy local Celtic version of Christianity.
The late historian and author elizabeth Sutherland believed that Fortrose Cathedral –‘The Chanonry of Ross’ – was not built in Rosemarkie only because there was already a substantial religious foundation in the town, probably Culdean. Rosemarkie is a much older settlement than Fortrose, as the ornate carved Pictish crosses in Groam house Museum can attest.
In 1534, the english King, henry vIII, reinvented himself as head of a new, shiny, ‘Protestant’ church. he did this for personal gain, in the form of a fresh young wife named Anne Boleyn to replace Catherine of Aragon, who had given him no son. Ostensibly it was also done in protest at the might and wealth of the Roman Catholic Church. establishing this new church was encouraged by his courtiers as a substantial side-benefit. Our own Reformation here in Scotland began around the same time, inspired by Lutheran scholars in Germany, and was considered complete in 1560. The upheaval and transition here was further complicated by the presence of one very young, very beautiful Roman Catholic Queen, brought up in France. Mary Queen of Scots probably enjoyed stirring things up when she visited Fortrose Cathedral in 1562 (when the cathedral’s chapter, or council, was presumably desperately trying to adjust to the new religion in order to survive at all). Mary scandalised the poor Dean by displaying a fine leg when leaping into the saddle, ignoring the louping-on stane you can still see in the grounds today, among tombstones in the south-east corner of the burial ground.
Modesty of dress and conduct, especially in women, was part of the Reformation ethos,
which was not without echoes of the Taliban. When the Reformation really did take root, its impact on our Black Isle community must have been seismic and utterly terrifying. The new, austere religion affected how you behaved in the street, how you greeted your friends, what language you used to pray, where you attended church, even how you dressed. Some priests were forced to flee for their lives and centuriesold religious and cultural traditions had to be abandoned in the space of a few years. It must have felt like the end of the world, especially when Catholic Mary ended up beheaded on the instructions of her cousin, henry’s daughter, the ardently Protestant elizabeth I.
Burning with religious fervour, some ministers of the new religion hereabouts began to convince their faithful that there had never been an earlier church, even though many church buildings, like the cathedral, the east Church in Cromarty, and the chapel at Kirkmichael, had clearly existed long before the Reformation. Some early church records were destroyed by these enthusiasts during what amounted to a period of religious indoctrination.
Traces of this religious revolution here can still be seen today in the shattering of any stone carving then seen as idolatrous: this is probably the period when any over-ornate tops to the mediaeval stone mercat crosses were obliterated. It is also probably the reason that the recumbent figures on the tombs in Fortrose Cathedral lie headless and broken, including poor Lady euphemia of Ross. She lies in the stone tomb in the most north-eastern alcove of the cathedral. She lost husband no 1, Walter de Leslie, only to have the ghastly Wolf of Badenoch, Alexander Stewart, earl of Buchan, foisted on her as no 2 (she successfully petitioned the Pope for an annulment, good for her!).
It seems very unfair that her pious effigy should be beheaded by religious revolutionaries, whether at the Reformation or a century or so later, when Cromwell’s english soldiers are said to have stabled their horses inside the building and taken pot shots at its stained glass. Whenever it happened, imagine the savagely zealous vandalism – sledgehammers inside the cathedral! – of men beheading a woman made of stone in righteous anger. And imagine how those who loved the beauty and peace of the cathedral, then as now, must have felt as they watched such madness unfold.
The influence of the pre-Reformation Church extended across religion, society, commerce and the law and it was no accident that the symbol for a mercat, or market, was a cross-topped stone pillar, usually rising from a three-stepped square base which provided space to stand, sit or to kneel.
MeRCAT crosses are generally taken to have been erected whenever a town was proclaimed a royal burgh, which gave it a royal license to trade (and therefore to pay the Crown taxes). highlanders are pragmatic folk and would likely have repurposed an existing older stone cross-pillar if one were available. (It is not even so very far from a standing stone to a stone pillar. These upright carved stones are very much part of our highland psyche).
Look at the ornate post-mediaeval tomb-
stones displayed so beautifully inside the nave at Kirkmichael (if you have never been, you are missing a treat) and you will see carvings of wheel crosses rising from a three-stepped base on almost every one of them. Imagine a 3D version and you would have before you a preReformation mercat cross. Could their presence on tombstones of the time be symbolic of more than just religion, but also of prosperity, wealth made through trade, or as a magistrate in the town, as a burgess/burgher or a bailie?
The earliest mercat cross in Scotland dates from 1126 and is in Rutherglen.
Rosemarkie became a Royal Burgh in 1255 and Cromarty was created a Royal Burgh quite early too, by 1266, although its status was later changed. Fortrose was only created a Royal Burgh by James II in 1455. The Fortrose mercat cross presumably then dates from that period, if not even earlier, so must be well over five centuries old.
There is another local Rosemarkie/Fortrose cross in existence. A shattered cross-base located on the Fortrose and Rosemarkie golf course (nB inaccessible to visitors unless during winter months when play is impossible), is much
the same shape (a flattened roughly hexagonal/ octagonal form) as the town’s cross. The former is located on the highest point of the ness and is where the ferry-summoning beacon would have been located at Fiery hillock. This would have been a barrel of tar, ignited with a brand to send up a pillar of black smoke visible from Ardersier.
An archaeological excavation around that cross would soon show whether its stepped cross base has been buried by centuries of turf.
Pre-Reformation pilgrims would have prayed at the cross either for a safe passage to come or in thanks for surviving the journey. And the tar barrel itself was also where the unfortunate Brahan Seer, Coinneach Odhar Mackenzie, is said to have met his sticky end around 1670, a conveniently brutal place of execution for an irritating Lewisman with inconveniently accurate second sight.
The Reformation brought with it much religious fear and intolerance, and as a result there was a huge surge in witchcraft allegations and executions at the time, largely aimed at women, but as with the Brahan Seer, occasionally ➤
The mercat cross in Cromarty.
Looking Back
targeting men too. Any murder in the name of any religion is a vile stain on society at the time.
According to one early map, Fortrose’s mercat cross was erected in the north-west corner of the cathedral grounds and it has probably not moved much, if at all, although it is currently somewhat diminished and lacks its base. Other marked features on the same map are the louping-on-stane (as mentioned above) which is still there and the sundial, formerly located on a now-vanished mound in the cathedral grounds called the holeridge, probably from the Latin horologium or clock/timepiece. neither the sundial nor the cross have moved very far, if at all: both have just been swallowed up by houses and shops and gardens and roads as these have encroached on the ancient cathedral lands.
neither of these ancient features is interpreted within the cathedral grounds but could and probably should be.
In the early centuries, the Cathedral’s lands had covered almost the whole of the historic centre of Fortrose, as it was bounded by long, narrow manse plots lived in by various clerics nicknamed the ‘rooks’. The Dean, who was the Cathedral’s boss (rather than the Bishop, who ruled over the whole diocese and was often at the Royal Court) lived at Rose/Angel Court in Rose Street, and held offices in the Parish of Rosemarkie, lucky chap, while others had to trail off by sea or by road to distant parishes in the north of the Black Isle or worse, in easter Ross).
As the cathedral fell into disuse post-Reformation, buildings encroached on it. Stone blocks were stolen from the cathedral to build the grand town houses which sprang up around it on the former manse plots. The Cathedral fell into disrepair, its lead and stone roof removed, and its burial ground became a town dump at one point, grazed by livestock. eventually its hundreds of gravestones – Bishop Forbes described it as the biggest burial ground he had ever seen – were either buried or removed to line local coal and salt cellars. And yet somehow the mercat cross survived, battered but still there.
IMAGIne the day the mercat cross went up in 1455 or thereabouts. A day of celebration, civic pride and excitement. The grand mercat cross with its fancy carved top-piece is erected,
Beauly’s mercat cross.
doubtless with some ceremony and the reading of an official proclamation from the King. People begin to congregate there to trade. The cross is also where gossip is shared, where you can catch the eye of that lad you fancy, and
where on certain ‘high days and holy days’ people gather to offer themselves for employment. nearby, along the track which runs along the most northerly edge of the central cathedral grounds, traders start to set up small
stalls, selling things they have made or grown, within sight of the cross which gives them permission to do so. As these burghers grow wealthier, sheds are erected in which to store stock, doubtless to save carrying trestles etc into position every day. eventually these will become consolidated into the houses and shops we see on the high Street today.
Ancient mercat cross pillars survive all over the highlands, in varying degrees of good order or neglect. The one outside St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney is well protected by the cathedral railings and unusually it still has its cross visible on the top, as the Reformation had less impact on distant Orkney. Beauly’s cross is in good condition too, perhaps because of the strong Catholic connections of the town. The rounded stepped base looks a little odd, though, and is out of scale with the cross. It is very close to Beauly Priory, founded by French monks in the 1200s, who would have been anxious for their new home to thrive as a trading centre.
nairn’s mercat cross has clearly been moved as it sits on an odd little round base over a more modern metal grille and is topped by quite a recent-looking stone ball.
Closer to home, things become a little more embarrassing. Our local Black Isle crosses have not fared at all well. In his fabulously readable Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland, Cromarty’s hugh Miller relates a fine late 18th century tale of the deliberate drunken vandalism of Cromarty’s mercat cross in a meanspirited act of revenge.
The town’s ancient cross had just been relocated from the old easterly mediaeval end of Cromarty (where it was probably located within sight of one of the churches) by the wellmeaning yet unpopular incomer landowner, George Ross.
Ross had built the courthouse and various huge town enterprises like the tannery and the ropeworks, so he then held a glamorous party up at the big house to celebrate. he failed to invite some of the managers of his town enterprises to this classy bunfight. As a result, these scunnered Croms got blind drunk and talked themselves into a prank – they would take the cross from the new Courthouse yard under cover of darkness and dump it somewhere, probably in the firth.
They managed to shift it, right enough, but then they dropped it, broke it and of course they legged it; but not before they were seen.
George Ross had some of them run out of town; but one lad was made to mend the cross as his penance instead, an early example of restitution and community service!
you can still see the lead-filled joins today,
and the cross sits on an original decent threestep base immediately outside Cromarty Courthouse – still firmly attached to its walls, just in case. The story of this vandalism was recorded during Lockdown by folk within ➤
The Nairn mercat cross – a mixture of old and new.
Looking Back
the local community as one of two courtroom cases for the Courthouse.
Rosemarkie’s cross is more of a nought than a cross, sadly long gone, clipped by a hay wain according to Fortrose, a Garden City by the Sea (printed in 1912). Rosemarkie’s mercat cross was located near the foot of the Slog or Slocht steps, so must have been vulnerable to any large vehicle which swung around that corner. The late Betty Forrester told me she could remember some of the broken cross and its base inset into one wall of the garden of The Marine when it was a nursing home, which would make sense, but although I have had a good look, I could not see anything today.
Doubtless someone in Rosemarkie will know better!
The cross in Fortrose was rather more recently toppled by some anonymous inebriated local bampots, this time intent on topping it with a traffic cone, which probably feels a lot funnier with a drink or seven inside you. This is only one incident in a long line of accidental, irresponsible or deliberate damage to this ancient cross down the years. Last time it was clipped by a tractor and trailer and the repair then was clearly not that thorough. That was the moment at which the remains of the ornate
top of the cross, I have been told, may have been buried at its foot, so this latest incident would be a brilliant excuse to excavate and (if feasible) restore this missing stonework!
At the time of writing, Fortrose’s broken cross was in storage in someone’s shed, but the Cathedral Chapter house might be a better place to keep it safely pending repair, as these things can take time to arrange.
DOeS reinstating bits of broken heritage really matter? In the great scheme of things, given the state of the world, it is tempting to say no; but to think that nothing like this now matters because everything is going to the dogs is a dangerously nihilistic viewpoint. We can’t do anything about the big scary stuff of life, but we can still do something about the little stuff right on our doorstep. So as a small part of the complete picture of Fortrose, yes, it matters that this cross should be restored and re-erected.
Survival of any mercat cross seems to be down to three things:
l Raising the cross out of harm’s way (ideally on a square three-stepped base – the Cromarty cross would provide the optimum dimensions) or attaching it to a building or both.
l Making sure the connection between the cross and its original location is sustained or at least explained.
l encouraging people to understand its story and respect its significance by using it in some way.
There sadly just isn’t enough room for a three-stepped base on that tight corner between the high Street and Academy Street, which may be why the base was removed or buried in the first place. The cross could perhaps be reerected somewhere closer to the cathedral, which is after all where its story began, and where there is space to admire it safely.
Mercat crosses are moved sometimes from their original location for practical reasons. We know that Cromarty’s was, thanks to hugh Miller’s ear for a good yarn; and Beauly’s has clearly been raised and ‘restepped’ to fit in with the paving of the town’s market square.
More recently the historic carved gravestones at Kirkmichael and Old Cullicudden were at risk of damage by council mowing machines and historic environment Scotland sensibly approved their move.
At the time of writing, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council were sensibly undertaking an options appraisal for the
cross, in conjunction with historic environment Scotland and highland Council. If the mercat cross were reerected on a decent base in the northwest corner of the existing cathedral grounds, it could then be used for future St Boniface Fair proclamations, which would renew its original historic purpose and give it a new future. If the top of the cross cannot be rediscovered, then perhaps Academy art pupils could have a hand in designing a new one – the cross in nairn shows there is a precedence for this combining of new and old stonework in one cross.
the repair Shop T v show also recently asked for community projects in this area which needed support. Wouldn’t that make a great programme, seeing the new stone base carved and positioned and then the old stone cross set in its place on it, maybe with a new top, and an interpretive panel nearby to tell its story?
In these troubled times, there is something in all of us which enjoys seeing broken things made whole again.
The carved stone cross-base at Fiery Hillock
Pangram’s Chatterbox Puzzle
Post your solution to the Editor, Chatterbox, Burnside Cottage, Newhall, Balblair, Dingwall, IV7 8LT, marked “Crossword”. The first all-correct answer opened on November 1st will win £20 from Chatterbox
Name ..................................
Address
Across
9 Western Isle with something to chew – a vicious fish (9)
21 Empowered pupil undergoes a little internal shift . . . ideal! (7)
22 Almost a dame, on the wagon but caught between drugs – she loves a party! (7)
24 As some members are at the Moulin Rouge (6, 3)
26 Long-term lag left fire out (5)
28 Bye maybe, another 11? (5)
29 Unimportant one from ninety not out (9)
Down
1 Boo about direction for part of the wood section (4)
2 Legal document concerning author (6)
3 Short clause with swindle to be tapped out (10)
4 Rotten golf shot to execute (6)
5, 6 Craft team oft confused, literally so (6, 2, 4)
7 Fought lacquered millibar (8)
8 Look at Lego again (4)
13 Spoon to catch the story (5)
15 Tolerate single to operate unaided (10)
16 Wise to supply winning numbers? (5)
18 Almost a month with beds for fruits (8)
19 Wooing the wrong way around, yet gregarious (8)
22 Hidden talent? (6)
23 One very strong in canteen, an event perhaps involving biscuits (6)
24 Look after part of the castle (4)
25 Test morning just gone? (4)
27 Right shy about Welshman (4)
The winner of Crossword 109 was Margaret Mackenzie, fletcher Gardens, Avoch
Answers to Crossword No. 109
Across – 9 Number One, 10 Erato, 11 Tsarina, 12 Sad Sack, 13 Opus, 14 Gas Station, 16 Hoe Down, 17 Cheddar, 19 Excitement, 22 Well, 24 Fritter, 25 Rhubarb, 26 Upend, 27 Entertain Down – 1 One, Two, Three, Four, 2 Immature, 3 Remit, 4 Not Again, 5 Feasts, 6 Headcases, 7 Salami, 8 Rock And Roll Band, 15 Fortitude, 17 Contrite, 18 Died Away, 20 Crimea, 21 Market, 23 Furry
Chatterbox
We couldn’t exist without the support of the Black Isle businesses which put Chatterbox on their shelves and get nothing in return –except the goodwill of their community. You’ll find the magazine on sale at:
Avoch
Post Office (Fishermen’s Co-op)
Cromarty
Post Office
Culbokie
Spar
Dingwall
Spar, High Street
Fortrose
John Munro, Butcher; Cromarty Bakery
Munlochy
Munro’s Nursery
Rosemarkie
Spar
Tore
Ryefield Farm Shop
Contact the editor if you would like to stock Chatterbox for sale
To have Chatterbox delivered to your home, fill in the coupon below or go to www.chatterboxnews.co.uk
