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Let’s start with a quiz for everyone interested in local history. Does anyone know if we have a club or society that is older than the Dunkeld & District Strathspey and Reel Society? The organisation was formed in 1932 for the promotion of Scots Fiddle Music – making it an amazing 90 years old this year However, even if there are older societies reaching a ninetieth anniversary is surely a cause for celebration and I hope there will be an excellent turn out for their concert followed by a ceilidh on Saturday 29th October The music will all be under the direction of our very own Pete Clark surely guarantees it will be a treat for all attending
Nearly as old as the Strathspey and Reel society is the saga of the locked path in the Hermitage Well done to David McDougall for his tenacity and his progress with Forestry and Land Scotland (see page x) I hope the path will be open soon and we can once more enjoy the circular path from Inver round to the Hermitage How many years is it since that gate went up at the falls? Although I’m struggling to remember the year – was it 2009?- I do remember the storm that brought the tree damage that affected the path I remember watching the glass bend in our windows and pulling the blinds down in case they shattered Not long after the storm I was working up on Shetland and asked the locals if their glass bent in the storms They looked very non plussed and said “yes ” “So what do you do when it does that?” I asked waiting for a top tip “Close the curtains and turn the radio up” came the smiling reply Let’s just hope the
Cathedral Gates don’t stay closed for as long as the Hermitage path.
So, to harvest and the gathering in ‘ere the winter storms begin Congratulations to the Field, The Orchard and In Bloom for another great growing season It’s lovely to see various initiatives bouncing off each other – one of my favourites this season is the In Bloom planting of vegetables rather than flowers in the tubs by the Orchard (px) In case you didn’t realise, and I for one didn’t, they are welcoming us to pick whatever is ripe and ready from the pots If you have any gardening queries either at the end of this season or looking ahead to next you can take them along to Gardeners Question time on 26th October - see page 14
Wishing you a wonderful October against our everchanging backdrop of autumn colour.
Sally Robertson
Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group
Working constructively to get the best community outcomes from the A9 dualling proposals
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 27th October, 7 30pm at Birnam Arts/ Zoom unless otherwise notified All welcome!
Further to the update in the September Bridge (see link below), as I write I'm hoping very much that we'll have had some update from Scottish Government and/or Transport Scotland by the time of our September monthly meet
We understand that the Junctions Action Group is also still waiting for a contact from TS as promised by the Cabinet Secretary Meanwhile there has been another reminder of the dangers on existing single carriageway sections of the A9 with the recent accident north of the Jubilee Bridge involving several vehicles, a fatality and several injuries The dualling of this section (Tay Crossing to Ballinluig) was given the go ahead by Scottish Ministers in March 2021, 18 months ago, and the “Made Road Order and Compulsory Purchase Order” were made in October 2021 We are seeking urgent advice from TS as to when they will be starting the dualling work on that section
As always you can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail com, and to have your details added (or removed from) our mailing list; Also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group Please Like and Share it Or just phone me!
Alasdair Wylie, Coordinator 01350 727361
Our page on "The Bridge" website, including key documents for download is: http://www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/community-council/a9-dualling
The latest Information from Transport Scotland is at: https://www transport gov scot/projects/a9-dualling-perth-to-inverness/a9-pass-of-birnam-to-tay-crossing/ https://www transport gov scot/projects/a9-dualling-perth-to-inverness/a9-tay-crossing-to-ballinluig/project-details/
Community
News continued
Dunkeld & Birnam
Santa Day
10th December 2022
With Santa Day fast approaching we thought it would be good to let everyone know how things are progressing Santa and his reindeer will be making their appearance at this year ’s event and we look forward to welcoming them
We have lots of entertainment this year such as, a stilt walker, a walkabout juggler, face painting and hair braiding We will also have a different version of the “Hunt the Elf” competition for children to take part in
We will have “The Best Dressed Pet and Owner” competition We want you to dress up your pets in their Christmas finery and also we would like to see your best Christmas jumper!! We will also be holding a raffle to raise funds for next year ’s event There is lots happening on Santa Day and we look forward to seeing you there
We have lots of small businesses who take stalls at the event and it will give you an opportunity to buy some Christmas gifts We also want you to support our local businesses in the villages and in the lead up to Santa Day we will be having the Best Christmas Window competition All the local businesses can take part in this and we ask the members of the public to text in their top 3 favourite Christmas windows This is a keenly fought competition and makes the villages look absolutely brilliant!! Please take time to view all the windows and vote!
The committee are very excited to be able to put on Santa Day this year after such a long break The committee are looking for people to take over key roles next year and it would be great if you wish to get involved that you come forward this year to assist and get to grips with what is involved!!
We are always looking for people to help out in the lead up to and on the day itself, so if you would like to be involved please get in touch You can find us on our Facebook page Dunkeld & Birnam Santa Day or send us an email dunkeldsantaday@gmail com
Arts News 3
WHAT’S ON BIRNAM ARTS IN OCTOBER –PERFORMANCES & ACTIVITIES
Time’s Plague – David Hayman
Friday 7th October
Tickets £15*
David Hayman returns as everyman Bob Cunninghame
Bob is in a hospital bed A long dark night of the soul, an understaffed ward, a single room Another stormy night He’s on the top floor of the hospital The Death Star He’s broken – as is the world around him And tomorrow morning? It sounds like a painful and risky procedure, but Bob is convinced he won’t survive it This doesn’t stop Bob from ranting about injustice and the state of the world laughing at everything, including himself No way Bob’s going gently into that good night, he’ll burn and rave at close of day, raging against the dying of the light
Written by Chris Dolan Directed by David Hayman Jr
Worn – White and Givan
14th October 7 30pm
Tickets £12*
Worn is an exquisite and emotive dance production, exploring how the body is affected by time and space, and the experiences, marks and scars that become part of our history and affect our present and our possible futures
Choreographed and performed by acclaimed contemporary dance duo, Errol White and Davina Givan, Worn draws inspiration from the ancient Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is mended with gold or silver, making the cracks into a beautiful and valuable part of the object and asks very relevant questions about the acceptance of transience and imperfection in our current Instagram culture
White and Givan’s trademark strong physical presence, dynamic and tender choreography engages on both a physical and emotional level
Gaelic Stories & Songs: Mod Fringe Event
Wednesday 19th October 7pm
Tickets £12* Under 26s Free Hidden Songs and Stories: Exploring Perthshire's Gaelic Heritage Gaelic scholar, singer and storyteller Ceit Langhorne is joined by local musicians Munro Gauld and Neil Baillie Together they will be sharing some of Perthshire’s rich Gaelic cultural heritage, uncovering a treasure of old folktales and less well-known Gaelic songs and the stories behind them
John McCuscker & Band
Wednesday 26th October 7 30pm
Tickets £17*
“One of the UK’s most gifted and versatile musicians in any genre, John McCusker is equally in demand as a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer” The Guardian
In celebration of his 30th Anniversary as a professional musician, John McCusker released ‘A Best Of’ album in 2021 featuring tracks from his solo records and TV & Film Soundtracks from over the last 30 years John will also publish a book of his tunes ‘The Collection’ featuring 100 original compositions There will also be a brand new solo album released to coincide with this anniversary tour The John McCusker Band, featuring some of the finest traditional musicians that John has worked with over the last 30 years of his career John is looking forward to the next stage of his musical career which will include recording a duo record with Helen McCabe and more live dates with John Doyle and Mike McGoldrick Reflecting on his achievements over 30 years John says: “I’ve never had a plan Good things have just happened, and it’s worked out as well as I could possibly have dreamed of ”
Friday Classic Film Afternoons
Over the course of the Autumn / Winter season we will be starting up a free film club on the last Friday of each month Come along and meet new friends and enjoy the classics on our BIG SCREEN Doors open for coffee/tea and cake at 1pm film starts 2pm These screenings will be relaxed with low lighting
Calamity Jane 1953 – Friday 28th
October
Doors from 1pm film starts 2pm – Free In the lonely Deadwood, Dakota, territory, sharpshooter Calamity Jane (Doris Day) falls for cavalry Lt Danny Gilmartin (Philip Carey) when she is forced to rescue him from the Indians Recognizing that the women-starved townsmen long for a "real" woman, Calamity journeys to Chicago to bring back famous singer Adelaid Adams, but mistakenly brings her maid Katie instead Heartbroken when Danny falls for Katie, Calamity all but ignores her jovial friend Wild Bill Hickok (Howard Keel)
TATTIE HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS!
Make a Silver Ring in a Day
Tutor Sarah Cave
Sunday 9th October 10am – 4pm
£90 includes all materials + soup and sandwich lunch
Silversmith and Jeweller, Sarah Cave, will guide you through the process of making your very own bespoke silver ring in a day You will explore the different texturing and shaping techniques in copper before deciding upon your own design Sarah will demonstrate all the necessary techniques including saw-piercing, texturing, soldering and polishing for you to take a unique and personal finished piece of jewellery home
This is a fun and informal class suitable for beginners
Weekly class starts Tuesday 8th November 6 30 – 8 30pm
Mini Medics
Thursday 13th October
9 – 12 30pm age 6 – 8years
1 – 4 30pm age 9 – 12years
Tickets £20
This is a very basic introduction to First Aid and Defibrillation aimed at children between the ages of 6 and 12 The course is kept at a basic level with no use of confusing terminology The course will show complete respect for the child’s ability, make it educational and practical, and instil the importance of helping someone who is poorly or injured A range of subjects are covered including contacting the emergency services, CPR, Asthma and many more!
Samba Drumming
Ronnie Goodman
Tuesday 18th October 11am –
12noon
Tickets £7 age 7+
Join us for a fun and interactive, intergenerational percussion session with fabulous facilitators, Dr Ronnie Goodman Come and experience the feel, sounds and energy of playing community drumming and percussion together It’s empowering and real fun and no previous experience is necessary
However, if you have played drums before, we will find you an instrument appropriate to your abilities We will utilise Brazilian style samba instruments that are suitable for all ages from 7 years upwards
Autumn Arts for Kids
Thurs 13th and 20th October 10 30 – 12noon
PWYC £4/£8/£12 per session
Autumn Arts for kids is back! Kids will learn from specialist tutors with each session focussing on a different medium and concept –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
WEEKLY WORKSHOPS
Ballet for Adults and Kids
Tutors Kelly McCole and Emma Gray
Mon - Thursday – Various times
Ballet classes for children aged 4 and upwards as well as adults Royal Academy of Dance syllabus based
Creative Writing
Tutor Jane Archer
Tuesday 10.30 - 12.30 – 6-week block - Free
You don't need to have any creative writing experience, only an interest in the landscape, wildlife, legends and tales from the area Bring your memories, observations and imagination, and we'll take it from there
Guitar for Beginners for Kids and Adults
Tutor Malcolm Devenny
Tuesday 5pm
Kids 8+ 6.15 - Adults 7.30pm - Adults
6-week block - £60
Malcolm will give you the guidance to learn basic skills, essential open chords, strumming patterns, and loads of great songs This will be a fun and friendly group for beginners with a max of 5 participants
Kids Musical Theatre
Tutor Collen Nicoll
6-week block £36
Thursday
4.30 - 5.15pm Age 5+
5.30 - 6.30pm Age 8+
This class is packed full of challenging exercises especially designed to boost self esteem, confidence and creativity within your child They’ll learn
Singing, Acting and Dancing techniques as well as working on a variety of
Arts News continued 4
WEEKLY WORKSHOPS -
continued
Heels over Head Dance – Tutor Agathe Girard
Thursday 10 – 11am
6-week block - £42
Ballet classes for children aged 4 and upwards as well as adults Royal Academy of Dance syllabus based
Intermediate French Conversation – Tutor Agathe Girard
Thursday 11 15 - 12 15pm – 6-week block - £42
"Healthy Brain" - come along and learn conversational French in an informal, relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere
Creative Kids – Tutor Helen O’Brien
Thursday 4 - 5 50pm – £12 per session
For more info contact info@creativecatalystscotland co uk
EXHIBITIONS
Dimensions of Spirit – Li Huang 2nd September – 30th October
Huang considers the subject of spiritual transformation beyond death as a major preoccupation for humanity He notes that often, what terrifies individuals the most about death is not the loss of the future but the loss of the past In his work, Huang explores cultural and religious rituals and beliefs regarding attitudes toward the human soul or spirit after physical life He re/presents his personal spiritual grief within the context of Chinese culture and faiths (such as Taoism, Buddhism), whilst exploring customary habits and objects from daily life as symbols to narrate the relationship between him and his father, between now and then, and between here and there
Beatrix Potter - Seasonal Family Fun!
Join us in our Beatrix Potter Exhibition between Friday 7th and Monday 31st October for our 'Autumn Pumpkin Hunt' Can you find all the pumpkins Peter Rabbit has hidden around our Exhibition? Lots of seasonal family fun! Included with normal entry tickets, available to buy on the day of your visit from our Shop counter or in advance from our website
Birnam Arts Shop - Supporting Local!
We are proud to showcase a range of local makers in our Shop, with an emphasis on unique, quality made products Our selection includes a new jewellery range from 'Fern River Jewellery', handcrafted Harris Tweed accessories from 'Ben & Lily Creations' and hand poured soy wax candles from 'Scents of The Wild' As the weather cools our new selection of lambswool & herringbone scarves are perfect for keeping warm, we've matching hats too along with a childrenswear range!
Just Singin` Sings Again!
At last, our friendly mixed community choir for all ages is meeting and singing together again Come and join us on Wednesdays 7 30pm9 30pm, upstairs in the Birnam Arts Centre, Station Road
No previous singing experience is required, no solos, no auditions, no music reading Just fantastic professional tutors with modern and ancient songs taught in the traditional by ear method
If you love singing with others then come along You will be made very welcome Fees and full details are on our website justsingin co uk, or phone Katie on 07765405203 Facebook: Just singin'
Birnam and Dunkeld Film Society
All films start at 7:30pm, Doors open 7pm
Dunkeld & District Strathspey And Reel Society
90th Anniversary Concert And Ceilidh, Saturday 29th October 2022 at 7.30pm at Birnam Arts.
Founded by local musicians in 1932, Dunkeld & District Strathspey and Reel Society celebrates Dunkeld’s wonderful legacy of traditional and innovative fiddle music that stretches back to Niel Gow and others in the 18th century A local researcher has recently uncovered a number of tunes by Dunkeld composer James Macintosh in the local archive, and some of these can be heard at the Anniversary Concert where there will also be a display of some of the archive material relating to Dunkeld’s musical history With their musical director Pete Clark the orchestra marks its 90th birthday with a concert of great music and, after the interval, some ceilidh dancing to the sound of the orchestra
Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition
We would like to thank everyone who helped with this year's 4 week Exhibition Over 200 pieces of work were sold and we were able to give Cathedral funds a cheque for £4000
PH8 Community Matters
Working for Dunkeld, Birnam & District
There’ve been a few changes recently and we’d like to introduce the current PH8 Community Matters Steering Group:
Norman Grieve, Lachlan MacEwan, Ian McCartney, Chris Morris, Stuart Paton, Jonathan Pike, Jan Silburn and Alasdair Wylie
We now also have two new Community Coordinators: Beth Beazley and Cameron Walker - who are keen to hear from you If you have any questions or would like help with any community issues please contact them b y e m a i l i
them around
Since the launch of our Community Action Plan https://dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/images/PH8 steering/PH8 Community A c t i o n P L a n 2 0 2 2
governance of the Trust This has been submitted to OSCR (the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) and we eagerly await their response Once OSCR a
(it’s free of charge!) It’s important that we have a very broad base of support from
the local community to take key decisions (including formal AGM decisions), be
Trust membership in the coming months but if you would like to find out more or express an interest in joining please email: ph8communitymatters@gmail com
PH8 Housing Survey and Housing Update
Many thanks to all those who responded to the PH8 Housing Survey which was conducted in April by the Communities Housing Trust (CHT) The results were fed into a collective response to the draft of Perth & Kinross Council’s (PKC) Strategic Housing Plan 2022-27 Our CAP and the findings of the CHT survey highlight the dire need for greater availability of affordable housing within our
communities facing similar challenges and wish to encourage PKC to implement a Highland Perthshire Strategic Housing Plan to address the unique issues that we experience
We
regarding our local community
Please contact us by emailing ph8communitymatters@gmail com
You can follow us on social media: @ph8communitymatters or visit www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/community-council/PH8-community-matters
Sports, Health and Wellbeing
AIMS:
1: To transform the lives of people in the villages and surrounding areas through sport and leisure
2: To promote the various sports and leisure activities in the Dunkeld & Birnam area
3: To support the building and maintenance of sports facilities including a sports hall ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––All sports and leisure clubs are invited to join 'The Sports Hub ' Membership is free
Please send details of your club's activities and events to editor@dunkeldandbirnmamnews co uk for inclusion in the hub page of 'The Bridge ' For more details see: www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/sport ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Amulree & Trochry Community Association Annual Clay Pigeon Shoot
The Annual Clay Pigeon Shoot was held on Sunday 11th September at Clashcat in Amulree The good weather attracted keen participants from near and far and was a very successful day
The total amount raised was £3,743 22 which was a great result The money raised helps towards things like providing the ‘older and wiser ’ members of the local community a Christmas Hamper each year, funding the local children to go see the Christmas Pantomime in Perth, also welcoming new local residents by providing them with a welcome gift as well as a gift for those who leave the community to wish them well We also acknowledge anyone’s ‘Joys or Sorrows’ with an appropriate gift and some home baking We would like to thank all those who sponsored the shoot including Bushwear, Bryan Contractors, Willie Dey Builder, Gatehouse Nursery and Firewood, Gatehouse Mechanical Services, Strathmore Foods and Tayside & Central Scotland Moorland Group, plus the local businesses who generously contributed raffle prizes”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
D and B District Leisure Group
The AGM of the D and B District Leisure Group ( the Sports Hall project) will be on Tues 25th October at 730pm at Birnam Arts All welcome!
We are very happy to see the progress on the construction of the planned MUGA at the Sports and Leisure Hub (former Recreation Club), along with the replacement car parking upgrade, to both of which the Leisure Group contributed including a significant part of the funds raised in memory of Robbie Melvin We will continue to work with the Hub towards the realisation of the agreed Masterplan including a full indoor sports facility
If you'd like to have more information about the project, please contact Alasdair Wylie (LG Secretary) at awylie2002@yahoo co uk or 07927 175121 or come along to the AGM
Community News continued
Dunkeld and Birnam Historical Society Autumn 2022 programme.
Autumn is time to reflect and an opportunity to learn more about local history The Autumn Programme consists of two fascinating talks:
Monday 17th October at 7:30pm in Birnam Arts
Jane Anderson, former Archivist at Blair Atholl Castle will give a talk about Katharine Stewart-Murray, Duchess of Atholl She was a remarkable woman who has a fascinating history This is not a spoiler but she was known, as the Red Duchess yet was the first Conservative women minister in Parliament During her time in parliament in the 1920s, she established a committee looking into female circumcision (FGM), then a particularly unpopular topic FGM is a topic still relevant today as it was only made illegal in 1985 In 1936, the Spanish Civil war had broken out General Franco saw it as a struggle between democracy and
fascism lead by General Franco She travelled to the Spanish war zone in 1936 with two woman MPs to see for themselves the conditions They were shocked by the destruction caused by the fighting and how it was affecting people She visited prisoners of war held by the Republicans and considered the impact of the conflict on women and children, in particular She took action and arranged for the evacuation of 4,000 children to Britain
Do come along and hear more about this remarkable Perthshire Woman
Monday 21st November at 7:30pm in Birnam Arts
Ruth Brown who is our local Archivist at the Dunkeld Community Archive will be talking about some of the secrets to be found in the Archive The archive is a real treasure trove of local information on so many different topics From the role of the Birnam Oak in History to cycling in Birnam more than 100 years ago , there are photographs and records available Ruth will be along some recent finds from the Archive that will surprise you She will also mention how all of us can have a role to play in the Archive
We look forward to seeing you at the meetings and you can find out more about the Historical Society
How could you benefit from GrowBiz support?
Are you self-employed or a small business owner in a rural area? Free support is available from GrowBiz Scotland Here’s a summary of how we can help: Expert Advice: You don’t have to go it alone! Whether you’re looking for someone to help with making a funding application, business strategy, budgeting or digital skills, we have a team member who can help Email connect@growbiz co uk to request an informal chat
Events:
GrowBiz’s online learning sessions and networking events are a confidential space to share challenges and experiences with other business owners, be motivated by inspirational speakers and develop your skills
Mentoring:
This award-winning programme trains volunteer mentors to help those who need a confidence boost, a listening ear, or someone to help with personal development If you’re interested in training to be a mentor or becoming a mentee, visit: www growbiz co uk/mentoring
REDS: REDS is an online directory and interactive map for small businesses and the self-employed in rural Scotland, providing free promotion, connection, advocacy and support Find out more at www reds scot Find out about all of GrowBiz’s services at: www growbiz co uk
See our advert on page 16
Community News continued 7
Supporting the Little Sherpa Foundation
The Little Sherpa Foundation which is based in Little Dunkeld has continued to support Sherpa people in the Mount Everest National Park with continued scholarships enabling young people to remain in education & indeed enter college & university life, the provision of school uniforms, school books, gym kit, computers, internet connectivity & books written in the
Sherpa language and the employment of Sherpa teachers & nurses The charity also offers a "meals on wheels” service to the elderly The rebuilding of monasteries continues This year a micro hydro scheme has been built which has brought running water to a village of 450 people and has transformed their lives All of these costs a lot of money and fund raising is non stop
We are excited to announce this event at Birnam Arts on November 4th at 19 30 All in aid of The Little Sherpa Foundation with contributions from award winning writer and television presenter, Cameron McNeish, BAFTA award winning adventure film maker, Richard Else, acclaimed best selling author, Fiona Valpy, and James Lamb of the Little Sherpa Foundation
Details on how to purchase tickets for this event are available from Birnam Arts
Adventure filmmaker Richard Else talks about the visits he’s made over 5 years to the Sherpa village of Phortse The films he’s made are a rare insight into a traditional Sherpa village - from one its oldest residents, Tshering Lhamu (now in her 90’s) to the village leader, Palden Namgyal who is one of the most successful mountain guides in the Himalaya This is a village where temperatures drop to minus 25ºC in winter; where, until recently, households had no running water or electricity and where the traditional rural
lifestyle is under threat from the pull of Kathmandu Travelling with Birnam’s James Lamb, Richard takes us behind the scenes of the award winning Sherpas Speak, where, for the first time, this endangered ethnic group invite us to share their life and aspirations The music from the film was written & performed by Dougie & Jamie MacLean
Cameron McNeish is an award-winning writer and television presenter whose fields of interest include mountaineering, hill-walking, backpacking, cycle touring, mountain biking and Scots and Irish traditional music
For twenty years Cameron was editor of The Great Outdoors magazine and before that he was editor of Climber Magazine
Cameron is also an experienced television and radio presenter whose successes include The Edge: 100 Years of Scottish Mountaineering, which won a BAFTA Award; two series of Wilderness Walks; and The Adventure Show He is a Vice President of Ramblers Scotland and Patron of Scottish Orienteering and Patron of Mountain Aid
He has written over 20 books on outdoor subjects and is recognised as one of the UK's leading commentators on outdoor affairs His autobiography, There’s Always the Hills, was published by Sandstone Press It was the 2018 The Great Outdoors Magazine Outdoor Book of the Year
In 2010 Cameron was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by PPA (Periodical Publishers Association) Scotland for his services to magazine publishing and in 2015 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Adventure Awards In 2016 Cameron was presented with the Oliver Brown Award by the Scots Independent newspaper for his work in showcasing Scotland
In 2018 he was the recipient of the annual Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture
He is an honorary Fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and lives in the Scottish Highlands in the shadow of the Cairngorms with his wife Gina
Fiona Valpy is an acclaimed bestselling author, with over two million readers world-wide Her novels have held the number 1 position on the Amazon Kindle charts in the USA, UK and Australia, and been listed as Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Translation rights have been sold in 30 countries for more than 70 foreign language editions Through donations from royalties, Fiona has raised £5,500 (and counting) for the global charity Médecins Sans Frontières and is a patron of the Birnam Book Festival and the Women’s Prize for Fiction When not writing, she enjoys swimming in the Tay and walking in the hills around Dunkeld & Birnam
All three presenters are keen supporters of The Little Sherpa Foundation so please come along & support our work & have a great evening
Three Churches in the Community
Thought for the Month
The need to adjust to change seems to be one of the few certainties of our life in recent years Perhaps because I used to be an architect, for me the many church buildings that survive at the centre of our built environment provide a sort of ongoing physical reassurance, so much so that it is easy to just take them for granted This makes me wonder to what extent I am also guilty of doing the same with the community worship that these buildings were originally designed to house
A few months back I suggested that silence was an underlying resource that patiently awaits our discovery, but for Christians vocal praise is also the necessity that we might say provides the other side of the same coin Vocal praise can take many forms, but the format that has the longest continual history and is common to all our churches is that of the Psalms, which trace their origins back to the time of King David In my schooldays I am ashamed to admit that I used to experience the psalms as a bit of a duty This persisted until one day many years later when I was invited to attend a service where I heard for the first time the psalms as rendered in a traditional Gaelic speaking community Here each line is chanted by a precentor, before being picked up by the congregation who whilst maintaining the overall shape of the line are free to invest the words with their own emotional colour The effect was mesmerising It was a life changing moment, leading me to see the ancient heritage of the psalms in a completely different light The one hundred and fifty psalms that have come to us provide wide ranging meditations on our multifacetted relationship with divinity It was a liturgical framework for the early Church where desert contemplatives would undertake to recite the entire psalmody each and every day By the time of the 6th Century Benedict of Nursia had relaxed this a little, requiring the whole psalter to be chanted during the course of one week, establishing the monastic ‘hours’ that still provide the structure that articulates the daily life of Benedictine communities This has been adapted by others over the centuries and in our own times the Liturgy of the Hours now has the complete psalter recited over a four week cycle, providing a daily prayer structure that is used by many The word ‘hour ’ here refers to a time of day rather than a duration of time: indeed some of the lesser hours may only require some ten minutes to recite Over the four week cycle, choosing to say perhaps three of the seven hours on a daily basis will still expose the full range of emotion that the psalter addresses Anyone who is familiar with the psalms will know how they range through entreaty, praise, fear, hope, confidence and yes, at times even anger However with through time and quiet repetition, we are able to see all of these contradictory emotions quietly resolved through an awareness of the underlying presence of divinity and love
I am writing these notes at a period of great change in our national life, where we must adjust both to the passing of the Queen as well as a change of leadership at Westminster Whatever one’s personal views are of monarchy or the proper governance of our country, it is impossible to deny the total dedication to service to which the reign of Queen Elizabeth has borne witness For myself, I experienced a particular sense of stability in the late Queen’s consistent Christian faith, a faith that was never overstated, but was always present Well, as I said above, periods of change can be balanced with the stabilising continuities in our lives, and I realise that for myself
accepting a quiet daily exposure to the psalms has over the years become one way of doing just that Roderick Campbell Guion OCDS
Church of Scotland Services
October 2nd 11 00am – Harvest Thanksgiving service in the Cathedral
October 9th 11 00am – Morning worship in the Cathedral
October 16th 11 00am – Morning worship in the Cathedral
2 15pm – Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Amulree
Both services conducted by the Rev Annie Hogg
October 23rd 11 00am – Morning worship in the Cathedral
Conducted by the Rev Annie Hogg
October 30th 11 00am – Morning worship in the Cathedral
November 6th 11 00am – Morning worship in the Cathedral
November 13th 10 45am – Remembrance Service in the Cathedral
Please note the earlier start time
This will be the last Sunday service in the Cathedral for the year 12 30pm –Act of remembrance at the War Memorial
The main ceremony will be down at the roadside so that those who aren’t able to climb up to the memorial can attend
Tea and coffee are served each week after the morning service in the Chanonry Although it is a small space, the front and back doors can be kept open and folk can go out onto the street or into the area at the back of the Chanonry
Harvest Appeal
In the Church of Scotland congregation we have an annual Harvest Appeal to coincide with our Harvest Thanksgiving service This year we are once again asking for donations for Mary’s Meals A letter will be sent out around church members and there will be a plate at the door during October to receive donations, or you can send them to The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, PH8 0AW (or just put an envelope through the letterbox )
Mary’s Meals is an incredible project supporting over 2 million children in some of the poorest parts of the world, supplying food at schools, which provides a healthy diet and encourages children to attend Parents usually prepare the food which is bought locally, thereby helping local growers too Watch out for details about Porridge Day which will also be held in October to support their work
Kirk Session
The next meeting of the Kirk Session is on October 4th at 7 30pm in the Duchess Anne
Online Services
Online worship continues and can be accessed on our YouTube channel ‘Dunkeld Cathedral online ’
A huge thank you is due to a fantastic team of people who put in a lot of work to produce the end results To take this ministry forward, the Kirk Session recently employed Karen Kelman, initially until the end of this year, to be our online producer/coordinator Alongside that, a small group of elders has been appointed to find ways we can take this forward
The Meeting Place
Now that the Art Exhibition is over the Meeting Place has resumed in the Duchess Anne on Friday mornings between 10am and noon Please come along and enjoy tea/coffee and cakes in good company!
Fellowship Group –‘Exploring faith and life together ’
For quite a while now, the Fellowship group has met on Tuesday evenings by zoom and in person After a discussion about the way forward it was decided to split the group and have one which will continue on Tuesday evenings and another which will meet on Wednesday mornings giving a choice of times which might suit some people better
The meetings over the next few weeks will be: Wednesdays – September 28th , October 12th & 26th at 10 30am in the Chanonry
Tuesdays – 4th & 18th October and 1st November at 7pm in the Chanonry
For this session both groups will be looking at the same subjects and it will be easy to move between the two groups All are welcome and it would be good to see the groups grow and perhaps then be able to form more smaller groups in this way More information available from John Ferguson (727585), William Hogg (727053) or Fraser Penny (727249)
Men's Breakfast
Every second Wednesday a group of men meets in the Chanonry to start the day with a cooked breakfast together, discuss events, both local and international, and enjoy each other's company In October the dates are the 12th and the 26th and in November, the 9th and 23rd starting at 8 30am There is no need to book; just turn up and enjoy and all are welcome
If you would like more details please contact Peter Mackie at Petermackie46@gmail com
Booking Halls
Anyone who would like to book either the Duchess Anne or the Chanonry for meetings and events should contact Jill McCrory on chanonrydunkeld@gmail com
Three Churches in the Community
Christians against Poverty (CAP)
CAP has been operating for a few years in partnership with Aberfeldy Church and they are able to help people in this community too who have money worries/difficulties This brief summary of what they offer was sent by them for inclusion in local magazines
Managing your money amidst rising costs
There’s barely a family left untouched by the cost of living crisis All year, we’ve seen rising costs of essentials and many people are facing an uncertain winter How can we navigate our way through this challenging time? Financial struggles can put a huge strain on your mental health, so at times like these it’s more important than ever to know how to manage your money Here are some tips to help you get started
Know what’s coming in and going out
With different bills to pay at different times of the month, it can be difficult to keep track of your money
A personal budget can give you a clearer picture Start by looking at how much income you have coming in per month This includes:
Wages
Benefits
Pensions
Gifts from friends and family
Income from lodgers/property/non-dependents
Next, go through your bank statements and break down your spending into categories:
Home costs
Living costs
Travel and vehicle expenses
Costs related to family and pets
Leisure
Future needs
Charitable donations
Debt repayments
For more on what these categories include, visit capuk org/money-and-debt-advice/building-a-budget
Maximise your income
It’s always worth finding out if you could increase your income Check if you’re entitled to additional support by using the benefits calculator at gov uk Other ways to increase your income might be asking grown-up children who still live at home to contribute to household costs or renting out a spare room to a lodger (make sure you check the terms and conditions of your accommodation before doing this)
Structure your finances.
At CAP, we recommend setting up three separate bank accounts This may sound daunting at first, but it will make managing your money so much easier You can do this on most banking apps
One for regular payments – this is where you’ll receive your income and pay bills
One for weekly spending – use this for day-to-day expenses like food, clothing and transport Make sure you leave enough in your regular payments account to cover all Direct Debits and standing orders to avoid slipping into your overdraft
One for savings – place any money you have left over into this account and store it away for a rainy day
Knowledge is power
Knowing your finances is helpful, but extra budgeting resources can make the difference between getting by and thriving Visit moneysavingexpert com for helpful savings advice, and see what local community groups
and initiatives are taking place in your area too Such as the Community Larder at the Duchess Anne and the Breadalbane Community larder with the social supermarket and Warm Connections helping with heating and energy consumption
Somewhere to turn
We understand that, for some, doing all of the above still won’t be enough Each household is feeling the effect of the cost of living crisis in a different way If you’re worried about costs this winter, help and advice is available at moneyhelper org uk You can also get free debt help from organisations like CAP, StepChange and Citizens Advice if you need it
During this challenging time, many of us are looking for hope and a light at the end of the tunnel
Remember to check in on those that might be struggling and encourage them to seek help if necessary CAP’s website is www capuk org
Three Churches in the Community Church Services and Contacts:
Weekly Services
Church of Scotland:
Dunkeld Cathedral at 11am
Every Sunday from Easter Sunday to Remembrance Sunday
Little Dunkeld Kirk at 11am
Every Sunday from the Sunday following Remembrance Sunday to Palm Sunday
Scottish Episcopal Church:
St Mary’s Birnam at 10am
Every Sunday
Roman Catholic:
St Columba’s, Mass 6pm
Every Saturday
Monthly and Occasional Services
Church of Scotland, Amulree
Third Sunday of the Month 2 15pm Servite
The Servite service is now held monthly on the last Saturday of each month at 2pm and is led ecumenically by members of the three churches in Dunkeld and Birnam
St Mary’s Episcopal Church Service Time: 10am
Said Eucharist (communion) every Sunday Beautiful organ music instead of hymns for the duration of the virus Brilliant sermons too!
The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld Tel: 07773 604372
e-mail: to be confirmed
Covenant Officer: Mrs. Ann Bryce
Tomnagrew House, Dunkeld PH80BX Tel: 01350 723228
e-mail: j bryce@farmline com
Organist & Choir Leader: Mrs Hazel Murch Tel: 07867 642954
e-mail: hazel murch@gmail com
Parish Office: Mrs Jill McCrory
The Chanonry, 07808 703641
email: chanonrydunkeld@gmail com www dunkeldcathedral org uk
St Mary's Episcopal (Anglican) Church, Birnam
The Rector:
Reverend Lesley-Ann Craddock
Priest in Charge of St Mary’s Birnam and Dunkeld St Mary’s rectory, St Mary’s Rd, Birnam, PH8 0BJ Tel: 07903 020509
email: lesley craddock@btinternet com
Part time = Friday, Saturday & Sunday I can also be found dwelling nr LochNess 01456486663
Sunday Service 10 am - Holy Communion with hymns, music and sermon, followed by refreshments
The church is open daily for visitors, and prayers are said at 5 30pm on Fridays and 9 30am on Saturday
Treasurer:
Penny MacGregor and Charles Cox
Vestry Secretary:
Adrian Freer
Tel: 01821 650536
email: adrianfreer@btinternet com
Organist :
John Walker B Mus, FRCO, LRAM, ARCM
Tel: 01350 727755
(www stmarysbirnam org uk)
St Columba’s
Roman Catholic Church
Catholic Church Priest:
Fr Emmanuel Adindu MSP
Tel: 01796 472174
e-mail: stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese org uk
St Bride’s Catholic Church
Rie-Achan Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AL
Our Lady of Mercy’s, Home Street, Aberfeldy, PH15 2AL
We celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord amongst us during these Masses:
St Columba’s Birnam, Saturday Vigil Mass at 6 00 pm
Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy, Sunday at 9 30
St Bride’s, Pitlochry at 11 30 pm
Holy Days of Obligation: Mass Times
St Columba’s Birnam, at 9 30 am
Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy at 12 30 pm
St Bride’s, Pitlochry at 6 00 pm
Weekday Masses:
Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy, Tuesdays at 9 30 pm
St Bride’s, Pitlochry, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9 30 am
Lent and Easter
During Lent Stations of the Cross will be observed as follows:
Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy, after the Tuesday Mass
St Bride’s, Pitlochry after the Friday Mass
St Columba’s Birnam, before the 6 00 Saturday Vigil Mass
Community Noticeboard 13
Alison Irvine
14 May 1952 - 2 August 2022
James, Lucy, Clare and John would like to express their sincere thanks toll friends and family for their love, comfort and support during the last few difficult months Alison was a much cherished member of this community and the family have found solace in the many acts of kindness shown to them by so many people We can never fill the gap she has left in our hearts, but will cherish the affection in which she was so widely held
Well Done
Well done to Karen Inkster who has raised over £1700 for MacMillan Cancer Support by walking the Cateran Trail this month with her horse Monty and dog Rosie She walked for 5 days carrying all her own equipment and camping each night
Memories of Queen Elizabeth from 1958 ..
At a time when every town and village across the land has been sharing memories of royal visits, I thought I’d share this one No, it’s not Dunkeld, but the young Queen does look radiant - in marked contrast to the Council official with the wig Irritation at Press intrusion, perhaps ? A glitch in the programme ? The answer, I suspect, is a little closer to home It’s 1958 and the official in question is my dad, then Town Clerk of Newport on Tay Earlier that morning I had accompanied him to the Council Offices while last minute preparations for the Royal visit were checked and rechecked Very soon I became bored,however, and wandered off Child neglect still being a relatively novel concept , my absence was not noted until loud yells were heard some minutes later, coming from the rose bed outside
For reasons best known to my 4 year old self, I had managed to get my head well and truly wedged in between two of the railings around the flower bed Council officials swarmed around me proposing a variety of solutions Soap was applied to my ears, then grease of some sort I was pushed, pulled and generally manipulated, all to no avail And the clock was ticking After fifteen minutes, I was no less wedged, but my ears were assuming cauliflower proportions
And then someone suggested calling John Don, the Blacksmith Absolute genius I think it was a combination of the sound of the oxyacetylene torch and uncertainty as to where it might be applied which did the trick I was through the railings like a whippet
But the better part of an hour had been lost
So if the Town Clerk looks a bit harassed, it’s probably because he was - big time
John Gilruth
Doctors Surgery
Our Doctors Surgery will be open as normal with telephone consultations with the GP in the first instance
To help keep our phone lines available for the GPs use, please consider using our online prescription service via our website rather than phoning in your requests
Please consult our website for updates on our COVID vaccine clinics
See page 7 for all the latest Doctors Surgery News
Dear Editor,
The saga regarding the closed path at the Hermitage continues
Following previous correspondence from (myself Bridge No 381 November, 2021; Bridge No 384 March, 2022; Ian Nimmo, Bridge No 383 February, 2022; all bolstered by an excellent article in The Courier newspaper of 4th June, 2022 written by Peter John Meiklem, Transport and Environment correspondent for the paper ) we have some progress
Well done the Courier, which pays attention to local issues
On 20 6 22 I had a call from an officer of Land and Forestry Scotland (LFS) at Inver and we arranged to have an on-site meeting along with some of his Health and Safety reps of the LFS Meeting arranged for 29 7 22
For the sake of some brevity, we met as arranged My contact and two of his H and S reps, with me and my son, Colin MacDougall After walking in and discussing the site, I was advised that the position of LFS was that: The gate would be removed from the bridge to allow passage;
Walkers would have un-restricted access at their own risk The pathway across the slip would not be mended Each side of the slip would have a series of advance warning signs and low barriers along the lines of WARNING - difficult pathway use at own risk
Any trees in potentially dangerous positions or those which had in the meantime fallen across the path, would be attended to by FLS
The position of who does what as regards the Hermitage walk seems to be difficult to nail down, but I now understand, somewhat tenuously, that the walk is a ' Core ' path, and as such would be the responsibility of Perth and Kinross Council
Having had plenty of breathing space pursuing this project, I find that I am that I am not so sure that any major surgery is needed at the Hermitage to allow passage I note that on my occasional visits to the site that the hill-walking fraternity have already beaten a kind of path across the slip which would not be too difficult to improve to a reasonable degree
David McDougall
Three Churches Charity Shop
High Street Dunkeld
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10-4
Donations welcome during opening hours
Can you spare 3 hours a month to help in our shop?
Call in for a chat or contact: Anne Graham: 07751 593421
Mara Maggio 01350 727585
Dianne Simpson 07796 920018
Marion Eglinton 07740 877504
Find us on Facebook at 3 Churches Charity Shop
Willie Douglas Earlish
The family of Willie Douglas Earlish Perth Road Birnam would like to thank the people of Birnam and Dunkeld for their overwhelming kindness, for the beautiful flowers and lovely cards they sent A special thanks to Fraser Penny for his very moving service and to Colin Gerrie and his daughter for all their help sympathy and support
Dalguise Meditation Group
Everyone is welcome who would like to learn to meditate, to consolidate a meditation practice they already have, or simply to join our friendly group for a period of quiet contemplation and thoughtful discussion We are non-religious, and non-commercial (i e there is no charge –plus free tea, coffee and biscuits too!) for further information contact: faithanstey@gmail com
Bir nam Library
Opening hours: Thursday: 5pm – 7pm Friday: 12pm – 5pm Saturday: 9 30am – 12pm Birnam Library is situated in the Birnam Arts Centre, Station Road, Birnam, PH8 0DS Tel : 01738 459709
Birnam Library is run by Culture Perth and Kinrossa charitable trust bringing art, culture, books, learning, creative communities and local history and heritage to people across the whole of Perth and Kinross https://www culturepk org uk/
RBS mobile bank visits Dunkeld and Birnam. Thursdays: Dunkeld, The Cross 14.50 pm to 15.20 pm and Birnam, Post Office 15.05 pm to 15.25 pm
Community News continued
Dunkeld
Porridge Day29 October 2022
10 am - 12 noon
We will be holding a Porridge Day on 29th October at the Duchess Anne in aid of Mary’s Meals who currently serve two million lunches a day to underprivileged children across the world
Breakfast will be served from 10 am onwards and will include Porridge, Pancakes and assorted cereals with tea and coffee We would love to see you there to support this very worthy cause
Gardeners’ Question Time –
Wednesday 26th October
7:30pm Birnam Arts
After a short AGM, the next meeting of the Horticultural Society will be a Gardeners’ Question Time, with a panel of local gardeners and growers
Please come along, meet the new committee and hear about the exciting ideas for the club
This is your chance to pick the brains of our local experts about how to adapt your garden for climate
change, how to grow more of your own food or how to cope with pests and diseases
Hope to see a good turnout at Birnam Arts on Wednesday 26th October at 7 30pm
Jan Silburn
Spittalfield Centred Walks
Karen Todd opened the Walkin’café in Spittalfield in 2017, hoping to encourage more people locally to take up walking as well as transform the old newsagents and PO into a lovely country Café Karen’s background has always been in Sport & Physical Activity having been a Fitness Instructor and Active School Coordinator so opening a small rural cafe was a big career change and challenge She has since established a place where people regularly come and borrow maps of the countryside walks she has identified around Spittalfield Using local Core Paths, these routes leave from the cafe, taking the walkers out into the countryside around Spittalfield, and then back to the cafe where many drop in for a healthy lunch or coffee and homemade cakes Although it has been tough in the past couple of years,
Karen has kept the Café going and has had great support from her customers
Liaising with local author Jim Black, Karen and her colleagues have now developed and designed 3 leaflets of local walks, bringing physical activity and
Connect …
history together All start and finish from the Walkin’café and include lots of points of interest, facts and information taken from Jim’s book The three walks all leave from the village and are approximately 3 – 6 miles in length but you can do less or more if you want to If you are interested in getting a leaflet please drop in to the Café any Thursday, Friday or Saturday 10am –3 30pm and speak to one of the staff We are just asking for a donation for the maps which will go to a local charity of choice, please get in touch on 07824398378 if you would like further details
Also see Walk in’ Café advert on page 17
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire Members Centre
The first post covid meeting will be on Monday 17th October at 7 30pm in the Tryst Hall, Church of Scotland Pitlochry The speaker will be Blair Wilkie from Police Scotland who will talk about wildlife crime
The talk will be preceded by a short AGM which will start at 7 15
For further information contact Catherine Holmes tel:01796 473400 or email: c p holmes47@btinternet com
Linking Asheville, North Carolina, USA and Dunkeld & Birnam
The AGM of Dunkeld and Birnam Friends of Asheville NC will be held on Tuesday 4th October at 7pm at the Community Co-Working Space (the old Surgery) All welcome!
We are grateful for the opportunity to revisit Dunkeld and Birnam at a more leisurely pace of 9 days We are residents of Asheville, North Carolina, and active members of Sister Cities Asheville (your Twin City) We were drawn to Asheville by its natural setting, friendliness, historic legacy, a caring community for others, climate awareness, spiritual setting, culinary excellence and zest for life, all qualities we find in abundance in Dunkeld and Birnam!
We are semi-retired professionals and as soon as we left Scotland in September 2019 we wanted to return Reflecting on our past visit with an official Sister Cities/Twinning delegation in 2019, we planned this excursion independently by train and bus Kathleen nixed any urge Alan had to drive those ‘other side’ of the road highways and single ‘carriage’ roadways We invited two friends from North Carolina to join us after luring them with tales of travel to a beautiful mountain community with amazing people and a base for day traveling to other wonderful locations including Stirling, Aberfeldy, Pitlochry, and Blair Atholl and its Horse Trials and Country Fair
During our stay at The Cross with life unfolding outside our window each day, we were struck by qualities that our communities share
Friendliness
Everywhere we went we were greeted by warmth and hospitality Our special thanks go to Fiona Ritchie and Alasdair Wylie who ensured we had a rich experience including exploring the region outside of Dunkeld and Birnam Reverend Fraser Penny and his wife Susan welcomed us to Cathedral services and to their home
Food and Drink
Asheville is justly famous for our drink and cuisine, but your town is amazing in its own right! We enjoyed the many establishments in the town and are grateful for the experiences and learnings we gained!
History and Culture
Our visit to the Community Archives highlights your rich history Ruth Brown, the
creative and determined
Archive Manager, was inspiring She and her volunteers have brought history to life We were impressed by the creativity unleashed during the special circumstances of the pandemic and the resulting reenactment of the Bridge Toll Riots and the animations explaining the very special trees around the Cathedral We are thankful to Pete Clark for extending an invitation to a Fiddle session at the Royal Dunkeld Hotel We were deeply honoured to accept the invitation of Thomas Steuart Fothringham, Chieftain of the Birnam Games, to march in the parade and join the community in a delightful day at the Games That was a true highlight of our trip!
Nature and Climate
The natural setting here so reminds us of the mountains surrounding Asheville Both regions, while different in many ways, share an abundance of water, wildlife, flora and scenery
Recreation
We saw so many residents and visitors walking, bicycling, boating and just sitting outside enjoying the season These are qualities both communities share in abundance!
Our plans at home include encouraging more of our community to better know the wonderful community you have And, through this experience, help all of us to adapt to future challenges ahead Please let us know through your Twinning Committee (Dunkeld and Birnam Friends of Asheville) if you ever have the opportunity to visit our beautiful city Thank you for your hospitality
Kathleen and Alan Young
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MERRYBURN ROOMS AND STUDIOS
‘STAY YOUR OWN WAY’ HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
OPEN DAYS
FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER 2pm to 8 pm
SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER
10 am to 12 noon
Come along and see our newly refurbished holiday accommodation. 3 beautifully appointed ensuite bedrooms with mini kitchens and Reid’s open plan ground floor apartment.
email: merryburnhotel@btconnect com Website: merryburn.com
A World Community
The Field –Community Growing Project
As we go into the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, work continues at the field with harvesting, selling at the stalls and preparing for the coming winter The stalls, after a slow start, have been doing well and the last two weeks we have seen record sales
You can find us on a Tuesday at Birnam Arts from 10 am to Midday and on a Saturday at the Duchess Anne at the cross in Dunkeld from 10 am to Midday This makes for a wonderful morning destination for everything you might need for a healthy meal from our stall and from the range of shops in Dunkeld and Birnam We have a full range of seasonal vegetables all freshly picked with a minimum of food miles
We would like to thank everybody for your support in coming to the stalls during the summer, buying our produce and talking to us with feedback on what you have been buying We have enjoyed meeting you and selling our produce
We would also like to thank all our volunteers who have been involved in growing, weeding, harvesting, preparing produce for sale, transporting produce to and from the stalls and last but not means least our regular stall holders, it really does make a difference
Once the stall finish by mid October, we will stock the field stall in Brae Street on Thursday at midday and Saturday at midday We will do our best to achieve this but it is weather dependent and the produce will depend on what is available We should have potatoes, onions, leeks, kale, other root crops and brassicas
The produce will be £1 a bag or bunch unless otherwise specified and you can leave cash in the honesty box or pay us using bank transfer (BACS), details at the gate
Our AGM will be on Friday November 4th at 7:00 pm at the Duchess Anne followed with our Harvest Supper for members upstairs also at the Duchess Anne Numbers will be limited and invitations will be sent out to members in October, so keep an eye out for your invitation that will come by email
If you want any more information, our contact details are below:
As we head into Autumn with new seasonal colours emerging, remember not to be too tidy in the garden as our wildlife need food sources and sheltered places for winter Leave some seedheads and perennial plants uncut in the herbaceous border and replace hanging baskets with bird feeders Perhaps the children could construct a shelter to encourage hedgehogs to hibernate and then help out in your garden next year by eating excess slugs!
The hedgehogs – not the children!!
Containers by the Orchard
As an experiment we planted these up with vegetables from the Field instead of flowers this year, so please pick any veg that are ready and enjoy Courgettes, beans, nasturtium flowers for salad or decoration, and anything else you find!
Hostel Walk and Torwood Park - The new extension of the footpath between them is now finished and any remaining materials removed Finally, the grass is growing back again We will have to wait to see how
successful the path is in avoiding all the mud once Winter weather arrives It will require more gravel now it has settled
Due to various delays, price rises and unexpected costs, our micro grant from the community council / Calliacher wind farm only covered half the cost at the end of the day, so any contributions from those who use the footpath and appreciate the difference it should make, would be greatly appreciated!
The wild flower bed at the bottom of the Station Steps has been cut back and lots of ground elder removed Some new plants have been put in for next year The drainage gully has been cleared along the footpath, as it wasn’t even visible due to silt and grass build up We hope to have snowdrops, cowslips and daffodils come the Spring, to brighten up the Glen Road and add to the daffodils along the road edge - planted by the guides a few years ago
The other wild flower beds both at Torwood and St Ninians garden still require to be cut back Once they are cleared, we hope to be able to oil the willow fences to hopefully increase the life of them Purchasing the willow involved a long trek on a very wet Sunday to Loch Tayside – and more “fun” squeezing the wet bundles into the car Volunteering with DBB is not all about deadheading and watering!
Recently we moved a pretty acer sapling that had self seeded itself and was growing under the big tree and shrubs in Torwood park bed, to the “ grassy” area by the doctor ’s surgery To achieve this a couple of us spent a very wet muddy hour grovelling about under the dripping bushes trying to untangle it’s roots from those of the other tree/ shrubs By the time we got the tree back to the surgery for planting, one of us in particular was disowned by the others due to the filthy state of dress!
It appears to be OK at the moment, so we hope it survives the move It replaces a holly bush that mysteriously died on us
The same morning, we removed the old dilapidated barrels, as they were near to collapse due old age and the huge hosta roots bursting out Two of the hostas were cut into several sections and some went to the Station bed and some to Hostel Walk, where they should establish new big plants The third was requested as far as I can gather, by community Greenspace as one of the rangers needed some for a churchyard project We just need to take some of our bark store across to the surgery to tidy up where the barrels were Picnic Bench Repair
added to our coffers as they come to enjoy the tranquillity of the garden and all amounts will be put to good use to maintain and further enhance both Birnam and Dunkeld Plants for sale are left outside the shed in St Ninian’s Garden When no one is around Donations can be inserted at the bottom of the door, where there is a small round hole (for the hose) Thanks
Volunteers – we are always happy to have new faces join us We meet Mondays around 10 to 10 30am, stop for refreshments around 11am and finish up when we get tired or the rain sends us home! There are many and varied jobs to do – something for everyone, every ability and we are all learning as we go – none of us are experts!
At present we have a group in both Birnam (Torwood Park) and Dunkeld (St Ninian’s Garden)
Tel either Liz (727203) or Linda (727288) for more info
October at Loch of the Lowes
October treats us to one of Nature’s most impressive and colourful displays: autumnal colours Right across the northern hemisphere, wildlife is preparing for winter ’s short, cold days Perthshire’s landscape glows with rich amber, gold and scarlet as tender plants and deciduous trees shed their foliage, making for glorious reflections on wooded river banks and tree fringed lochs
The fallen leaves breakdown to enrich the earth for next year, while the wild harvest of nutrient packed food like brambles, rosehips, acorns, hazel and beech nuts and fungi provide a feast for wildlife in the lean months ahead
The majority of our insect eating birds (like swallows, flycatchers) have left us for warmer climes where airborne food is still in plentiful supply Now, winter thrushes, redwings and fieldfares are arriving in flocks to gorge on berry laden trees Geese, who’ve been breeding further north in Iceland or Greenland, are streaming south to find food in our comparatively snowfree winter fields During October ’s misty dawns or glowing sunsets, the sight these large, noisy birds flying overhead in V-shaped skeins is surely one of our most iconic autumn experiences
The In Bloom group - along with many groups of visitors - are delighted to have our original picnic bench in St Ninian’s garden beautifully repaired Before and after pictures below show the difference For this transformation, we wish to thank Geoff Newstead of Perthshire Timber who donated two suitable planks (second one in storage for future use) and Adrian Johnson who did the repair job THANK YOU BOTH! We have received many wonderful comments regarding our floral displays over the summer One travellers remark from a visit to the borders was- “I still felt St Ninian’s compares well with Priorwood, Abbotsford, Floors Castle In terms of interest if not in scale!”
So nice to have our hard work appreciated, but having never been there, I could not possibly comment! Will now need to plan visit!
Donations from plant sales and occasional table in St Ninian’s Garden have trickled in along with an unexpected and a much-appreciated donation from Nova Botanicals Other villagers and visitors have also
Avian Flu is still of major concern in Scotland as it is across the globe and is not confined to poultry and sea birds If you come across a dead bird, please do not touch it (or let a dog touch it) you could spread the disease to your local birds If you’re concerned it was not a natural death, or there’s more than one in the same place, call the DEFRA hotline- 03459 33 55 77 Another seasonal favourite is spotting fungi Look out for creamy coloured bracket fungus on the trunks of trees and dead wood; tiny, spiky, bright yellow stag’s horn and the classic ‘fairy tale’ red and white spotted, archetypal mushroom-shaped Fly Agaric (not edible) The transient nature of these toadstools means you can be admiring a shimmering cluster of porcelain fungi one day, take a friend back to see it a couple of days later – and they’re gone! These are special sights to savour at the moment of discovery Mushrooms and toadstools are the fruit of mycelium whose thread like form is spreading and living all through the year, but becomes more visible in autumn For those who love eating fungi, this can pose a dilemma Please never eat wild fungi unless you are an expert or have consulted an expert as to its safety To the uninformed eye, a highly toxic specimen can look temptingly similar to an edible one, leading to sickness, organ failure or, in the worst cases, death
On Saturday 8th October, we’re delighted to be running a Fungi Foray at Loch of the Lowes (10:30am-4pm) led by local expert Tony Wilson If you’d like to explore the world of foraging and fungi please book through our website (below) or call 01350 727337 Booking is essential for this event, outdoor clothes and sturdy foot wear are required as well as a packed lunch
Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre, near Dunkeld, is open 10 30am-5pm every day throughout October Follow us on Facebook: Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve, Twitter: @LochoftheLowes or visit: www scottishwildlifetrust org uk
Notes from a Councillor 19
Autumn is in the air as I write It brings a colourful display of the countryside in Strathtay and beyond with the changing colours of the tree foliage
Summer this year was warm and dry resulting in lower river levels and inevitably an increase in visitors The prolonged spell of hot weather brings different pressures for our countryside The pressure on the Strathtay countryside areas by visitors has been assisted by our Countryside Ranger Service throughout the summer months
For the period of April – August they have interacted with –2,508 people, dealt with 861, vehicles/ tents,444 BBQ’s, 680 fire pits, 165 litter bins and 153 toilet sites
These numbers show the ongoing need for these services At a recent Council meeting I supported the motion to proceed with making these services permanent.
The construction of the Cross Tay Road Link is well under way and is now entering into phase 2, the piling stage over the winter months The anticipated opening of the road will be March 2024 with most works completed winter 2023 Council budgets continue to be pressurised in a similar way to our own household budgets due to the cost of energy and rise in inflation, this financial pressure will undoubtedly see a cut to some services.
The passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth brought a pause to council business allowing a period of mourning The high regard she was held has been evident by the vast numbers of people who lined the route of her cortege and paid their respects at St Giles Cathedral Throughout the 70 years of her reign, she carried out her role with immense dignity, humanity, compassion and pride an example of dedication to service which is rare. Her inspirational character will be mourned by many.
Pete Wishart MP: Member of Parliament for Perth and North Perthshire pete.wishart.mp@parliament.uk Perth Office: 63 Glasgow Road, Perth, PH2 0PE. Tel: 01738 639598 North Perthshire Office: 17-19 Leslie St, Blairgowrie, PH2 6AH Tel: 01250 876 576
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News from our Community Council 21
Dunkeld
& Birnam Community Council
Community Council Matters
Alan Wylie Community Councillor
If you would like to contact the Community Council you can do so by emailing: dbcc correspondence@gmail com
You can also contact us via the messaging system on our facebook page
Of course, if you have the opportunity, then please do chat to any member of the Community Council if you bump into them while out and about Meetings are held monthly at 7pm on the second Monday of the month Date of next meetings: 10th October 14th November
12th December
Venue: Online zoom meeting
Please email us on the above address if you would like to attend and we will send you a zoom invitation
To read the minutes of previous meetings and to find the agenda for forthcoming meetings, see: www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/community-news/ community-council
As the saying goes, ‘where has the year gone’? Soon we’ll be scared senseless with ghouls at the door and then the preparations for Christmas will begin in earnest
The Community Council have been busy in the preceding nine months We recognise the increasing concern of residents with the lack of affordable housing in the area and are working with various bodies, including Atholl Estates and the National Trust of Scotland to see what can be done to improve things for local residents In particular, we recognise the difficulty for the younger of our residents to find affordable housing in the area which in turn proves problematic when trying to appoint personnel to serve in the areas emergency services
Another issue which is receiving more and more attention is that of roads and parking throughout the entire community council area
A report has been submitted to Perth & Kinross Council highlighting the concerns of local Dunkeld and Birnam residents A comprehensive list of issues have been included and the Community Council will continue to work with PKC to progress issues In addition, we have not forgotten the outlying areas and will look to add the speeding concerns expressed by residents in these rural areas
Proposed new pedestrian footpath for the village
What do you think? Please see idea below and reply. Thank you!
A plan to provide an alternative pedestrian path avoiding our hazardous pavements
Dunkeld is one of the best preserved historic towns in Scotland but it is in danger of being strangled by visitors and their cars so we need to find solutions in order to make the town more attractive to visit and more pleasant to live in The main car park is in the north end so if arriving over the bridge you have to battle there and back fighting against a seemingly never ending flow of barely moving metal To do this on foot is both unpleasant and dangerous with the narrow pavements littered with paraphernalia uneven and broken slabs too few dropped curbs and loose curbs and no pedestrian crossing on either Bridge or Atholl street Compounding this are the huge sawmill lorries fighting with buses and delivery vans and it is not unknown for cars to mount the pavements to avoid collision All of these factors make it hazardous for wheelchair users, parents with prams and the elderly bearing mind that we have the highest proportion of over 70s in Scotland BUT, with the co-operation of the District Council and the National Trust we have a potential solution that could siphon off pedestrians from the pavements with an alternative tranquil all-weather path avoiding all vehicular traffic and providing a safe circular route taking in the peaceful St Ninians Gardens and even a quick route to the shops, hotels, restaurant, cafe and beer garden and a very large range of coffee outlets All this is possible as the Council are co-operating with a wide range of crafters to hopefully create an exciting centre of outlets demonstrating their techniques and products at the exit from the car park (see their excellent survey of community opinion in last months Bridge) This is where the path starts and continues all the way the Cross on National Trust ground, which they will allow us to use at zero rent for 5 years or longer, making a quieter route to our magnificent Cathedral, the historic exhibits at the Archive, the Battle Fields, and the majestic river and bridge The above path refers to an underused, somewhat overgrown track running between Stanley Hill and the high stone wall enclosing the village familiar to some of you (see maps) This project is to upgrade the path in as ecological a manner as possible, removing non-native plants and replacing with native trees such as rowan, birch, hazel, oak restoring ancient woodland survivors, improving access to Stanley Hill, a treasure trove for exploration and learning This path will enable wheelchair users and buggy riders to avoid the pollution, noise and dangers of vehicular traffic and offer a calm, safe, relaxing route designed to meet the needs of those who face the greatest barriers and are the most compromised and of course the healthy of all ages It is difficult to establish the views of the whole community, so we will try to do this by being available to answer queries, try to organise events if the demand exists, linking our actions to climate change including fun activities such as treasure hunts, quizzes, Shinrin Yoko (forest bathing) tree identification, archaeology and foraging at which our plans can be evaluated
We hope to have the muscle power of the local youth organisations to help with the clearing and planting, eager to learn and spread the climate crisis message to their peers, siblings and even their parents Adequate seating and lighting will be provided along the length of the path This is our project
1 2 3 4 5
Do you approve?
Do you disapprove?
1 2 3 4 5 please indicate why
Would it be appropriate to seek sponsorship for :
• Explanatory signs • Benches • Memorial trees and shrubs • Nest boxes • A small shed
• Your suggestion:
Recently the good folk within our community have engaged with the Highland Perthshire Ukranian support group in offering sponsorship towards families in their war-torn country Numbers are growing and we look forward to helping these people to integrate with our community Some will have small children with them and will soon be approaching school age I’m confident our community will offer them a warm welcome in the coming months
November will see a new community council elected Applications closed at the end of September and the current six members look forward to welcoming new colleagues to continue the important work of the community council
We’ve been holding meetings via Zoom recently, but hope to start meeting in person in the coming months Irrespective of the manner of the meeting, we invite people to join us at our monthly meetings in whatever format we hold them The second Monday of every month at 19:00 is the date to keep in mind Full details appear on the Bridge website each month and the DBCC Facebook page We look forward to welcoming you all
Alan Wylie
What name, if any for the path e g A path for All Would you be tempted to volunteer? How many hours a week/month/year? Would you be prepared to run this project? Your further suggestions e g should there be an information booth at the car park end at the entrance to craft community in order to increase footfall When the time comes do have unwanted tools, wheel barrows tractor
Should we apply for funding: Lottery, Griffin, PKDC, Paths for All, Suggestions welcome Thank you for your time, Michael Silburn
Please return questionnaire to : michael silburn@outlook com
Or drop into the community coworking space marked for the attention of Michael Silburn
Any other comments:
October ‘Stick on the Fridge Page’
Local Organisations - Contact Details
Listing for local voluntary organisations are free however The Bridge welcomes donations to cover the cost of these listings Please send donations to the Advertising Manager, John B Gray at Highfield, Brae Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0BA Many thanks
Please contact the editor with amendments/additions
Organsiations - General
Dunkeld & Birnam in Bloom 01350 727288
Guide Dogs for the Blind 727346 / 727657
Phone 01350+
Linda Speirs
Friends of the Cathedral 01350 728697 John Gray
Probus Club 01738 787930 Sandy Love
Email: slove59@aol com
Horticultural Society 727255 Jan Silburn
Historical Society daveroberts132@btinternet com Dave Roberts
National Trust for Scotland North Perthshire Ranger Service - Office: 01350728641
The Meeting Place (Fridays DA) 727382 Jean Dickson
SWRI Email: evelyn menzies@sky com Evelyn Menziesl
Niel Gow Festival - Weekend close to March 22nd - petethefiddler@btinternet com
For Children
Baby & Toddler Group 07546 128902 Lesley Singers
Playgroup 9 20-11 40 Tues and Thurs Playleader: dbplaygroup@gmail com Nursery at Royal School 01738 454470 Royal School Dunkeld Puddleduck Nursery 727117 Heather Morton Royal School of Dunkeld 01738 454470 Kids Club - After school care 07930 462944 Supervisor Sunday School - Church of Scotland 727249
Caputh Baby and Toddler Group Tues 10-11:30am - Lorna 07832 235 607
For Younger People Girlguiding Dunkeld Trix Stephen, District Commissioner (Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers): Tel 07770324173 Email guider@girlguidingdunkeld org uk Youth Café 727760 Linda McDougall
Youth Club Wednesday pm DA 727259 Fraser Penny
The Black Watch Army Cadets 07429 113439 Staff Sergeant Craig Ross Beaver, Cubs, Scouts 07766 071854 Martina Wolfe
Messy Church last Sunday in month 727259/727594 Fraser Penny/Deidre Gerrie
For Older People
Servite
07595 651446 Ivan Russell
Working Hours: Mon,Tues,Thurs,Fri: 09:00 – 13:30
Senior Citizens 727311 Ronalda Pattullo
Friends of Rivendell 728885 Fiona Ritchie
Hall Bookings
Duchess Anne 07808 703641 chanonrydunkeld@gmail com Jill McCrory
Chanonry 07808 703641 chanonrydunkeld@gmail com Jill McCrory
Birnam Arts 727674
Dalguise Village Hall 07746 392268
Amulree Village Hall www amulreehall org uk
Caputh Hall caputhhall@gmail com 01738 710 848
Local Organisations - Continued
Health Community & Services
Infinityblu Dental Care, Pitlochry 01796 470001
Infinityblu Dental Care, Dunkeld 01350 729198
Dentist 728826 Mr Greig, PS, BDS
Doctors 727269 Craigvinean Surgery
Chemists 727210 Davidsons
Chemist on Sunday 01738 643791 Asda, Dunkeld Rd, Perth
P&K Environmental Services 01738 476476
Library 01738 459709 Margaret Quigley
PKC Roads Dept 01738 625411
Community Council
dbcc chair@gmail com Stuart Paton
Registrar (3/5 High St Perth) 01738 475121
Police (Tayside Non-Emergency) 101
Dates for your Diary
BA = Birnam Arts Centre
DA = Duchess Anne Hall, The Cross, Dunkeld
Continuing until 30th Oct - Exhibition - Dimensions of Spirit Li Huang, Birnam Arts
Octber 2022
Friends of Asheville AGM 7 00pm Community Co -Working Space
Time’s Plague - David Hayman £15 Birnam Arts 8 Fungi Foray at Loch of the Lowes (10:30am-4pm) led by local expert Tony Wilson Booking essential 01350 727337
Make a Silver Ring in a Day Tutor Sarah Cave 10am – 4pm £90 inc materials and lunch Birnam Arts
Worn White and Givan 7 30pm Tickets £12 Birnam Arts
Archives Tree Ent Trail Opening Stanley Hill Park, Dunkeld
Historical Society talk Jane Anderson giving talk about Katharine Stewart Murray, Duchess of Atholl 7:30pm in Birnam Arts
SWT talk Blair Wilkie Police Scotland on wildlife crime
Gaelic Stories & Songs: Mod Fringe Event 7pm Tickets £12* Under
Autumn Arts for Kids 10 30 – 12noon PWYC £4/£8/£12 per session
Leisure Group ( the Sports Hall project) AGM 730 pm Birnam Arts
John McCuscker & Band 7 30pm Tickets £17* Birnam Arts 27 A9 Community Group 730pm Birnam Arts
28 Friday Classic Film Afternoons Calamity Jane 1953 Doors from 1pm film starts 2pm Birnam Arts – Free
