Editorial

Captain A.A.C. Farquharson M.C. of Invercauld (1919 – 2021)

There can’t be many people reading the Eagle today whose lives haven’t in some way been touched by Captain Alwyne Farquharson MC, 16th Laird Of Invercauld, who died peacefully in Norfolk on 6th October aged 102. He may have been your Clan Chief, he may have been your employer or landlord, or you may just have seen him as Chieftain of the Ballater Highland Games – most of us just knew him affectionally as ‘The Laird’. Although I have known Alwyne’s family (the Comptons of Newby Hall) for most of my life, I first met him on a sunny golden November day in 1992 when my husband Simon and I came to Invercauld for Simon’s third interview (of four) to be the Invercauld Factor. We sat in the kitchen at Clunie Cottage and talked about the estate and his conviction that he was merely the custodian of the land, and how it was his duty to pass it on in better state than he inherited it. His passion for, and commitment to the area was clear. What was apparent to us both at that first meeting was that Alwyne Farquharson of Invercauld was a very special man. Alwyne was special, partly because he didn’t know he was special! Here was a man born into privilege, but one who showed such extreme bravery as a young man in his twenties in the Second World War. He came face to face with death on numerous battlefields including at El Alamein. Following the Battle for Caen in June 1944, Alwyne was awarded the Military Cross for his lone actions in determining the position of the enemy, despite being seriously wounded in the foot in the process. Alwyne was special too because he was a man of values and integrity. He was extremely intelligent, with a vast range of interests and knowledge. He was a poet and he was a true countryman. He was kind, he was generous, he was fair, he was hospitable, he was humorous, he was dignified, he was a friend to - and of – many. Aged 100 he spoke at numerous events to celebrate his centenary, completely without notes and each speech individually crafted for the specific audience. He was a man who earned respect, but to me, above all, he was a man of humility who took nothing for granted. That he put his trust in Simon and allowed us the opportunity to move to this amazing area, call it home and bring up our family here, is something for which I will be eternally grateful. Alwyne Farquharson was quite simply the best of men who lived his long life well. I am so lucky to have known him. By Geva Blackett

Not long after I came to Ballater in 2000, I was asked if I would like to help the Highland Games on Games Days. I happily agreed and soon thereafter became a Games Convener. In 2013, I took on the role of Games Secretary, and continued in that role until 2020. While in that role I looked forward each year to again meeting up with our Games Chieftain, Captain Farquharson, and very much enjoyed getting to better know such a wonderful man. I agree with everything Geva has written about Alwyne – he was both a true gentle man and a gentleman, and it was such a pleasure to be in his company. He became Chieftain of the Games in 1948, and remained an ever present Chieftain until 2019. One last memory I have of him was when he and his wife wanted to go round the trade stalls at the Games in 2019. I offered to escort them, and took them to the Rotary stall to see if he would like to roll the dice to try and win a bottle of whisky. He surely did, paid for his throws, and won a whisky miniature! The bottle went straight into his wife’s bag! My wife Linda and I attended several of the most recent Clan Farquharson Dinners, always on the evening after the Games, and were amazed at how Alwyne was able to stand and deliver an unscripted, relevant and enjoyable after dinner speech each year. We’ll both miss very much being in the company of such a great man, who obviously lived such an amazing life and was such a true and loyal Chieftain of Ballater Highland Games. 6 May he rest in peace after a life well lived. By Ron Drever

Dear Ron, As a regular visitor to Ballater, and myself an Aberdonian, I read with great interest and sadness, in the autumn edition of the Eagle magazine, and also in various other wildlife magazines, about the diminishing number of Capercaillie in the Cairngorms. In fact the last one I saw, which was a few years ago, was just above the 18th green on the Braemar golf course. Watching television programmes and seeing and hearing of the number of species which will be lost forever due to game hunters, poachers, habitat etc, I wondered if this experience of mine would shed some light on the Capercaillie. I was a schoolboy during WW2 and worked in a butchers shop in Aberdeen. Every week we took in crates of Capercaillie and mountain hares from an Estate north of Ballater. I cannot recall any being sold over the counter, but do remember them being taken down to the joint station in Aberdeen to go to London. However I doubt if the Estate would have any record of this? I’m convinced that the Capercaillie and hares never really recovered from the mass slaughter and the continued culling of birds, alongside the diminished forests being laid bare. Kind Regards, John Burr, Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent Editor’s note: I’m advised that John was born and brought up in Aberdeen. His family have owned a cottage in Ballater for many years, so he is regular visitor. John thoroughly enjoys reading the Eagle, and at 89 he still manages to walk through the heather in his beloved Ballater. We’ve all had to adapt in the last eighteen months – and that includes your local General Practice. We are open, and there are now more ways for you to access care. So, when you call, you’ll be asked a few questions to see what way is best for you to get the help you need. Patient consultations are now being delivered in a range of ways to help meet the needs of all patient groups, including face to face, eConsult online, telephone and video.

You should still not attend in person if you, or someone that you live with, have any Coronavirus symptoms.

The clinic will be closed on the following Public Holidays Monday 27th & Tuesday 28th December, Monday 3rd & Tuesday 4th January 2022.

ROARING STAG

THE HOME OF TWEEDIE BEASTIES & UNIQUE LOCALLY MADE ARTISAN GIFTS COFFEE EMPORIUM & ROASTERY

Roaring Stag 13 Bridge Street Ballater AB35 5QP www.roaringstagscotland.com

Ballater Evergreens Club

by Iain Latta Ballater Evergreens Club was delighted to restart its weekly meetings in September after a long break due to the pandemic.

The Evergreens is a Club for residents of Ballater and surrounding areas who are

aged 60+. They meet on a Thursday from September through to March. At present, Club members enjoy a lovely two-course lunch in Coffee at Celicall at 1pm, followed by an afternoon of chat and board games in the Beaton Craigie Room of the Victoria & Albert Halls from 2pm till 4pm, along with a cup of tea. The Club also runs bus trips twice a year, in October and May, to places of interest. Membership is £5 per year paid in September. Anyone interested in joining should contact Iain Latta on 013397 56068 or by email at: lattais@aol.com Please spread the word to anyone you think may be interested. 

Ballater Scottish Women’s Institute

(SWI) by Nikki Grant With the current uncertainty regarding Covid19, the SWI Committee have agreed that we shall re-convene our meetings from September 2022. We very much look forward to seeing everyone then, and send all our members our fond regards. 

Ready, Steady, Eat Recovery Café

by Cat Houston

Ballater has a new cafe! But not of the kind you might think... The Ready, Steady, Eat Recovery Cafe meets as a group on Wednesdays from 12 to 3pm in the Beaton Craigie Room, Victoria and Albert Halls, Ballater (accessed from Monaltrie Road). Volunteers cook a simple meal which is shared around a table, and there are opportunities to engage in art, crafts and other activities.

This friendly weekly cafe is a safe and inclusive place for people to socialise, meet new people and learn new things.

Funded by NHS Grampian and the Scottish Government, and supported by the Victoria and Albert Halls, it is open to anyone of any age, whether in recovery or not. During the cafe's opening times, it is also possible to access the new Ballater Food Pantry. For more information, see the group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ReadySteadyEatCafe, or just turn up and ask. 

The Ballater Food Pantry

by Sue Rutherford

What is the Ballater Food Pantry? Where is it? When is it open? I asked all these questions a few weeks ago. Now I have the answers! What? The Ballater Food Pantry was conceived and set up by Jo Croll and Lyndsey Boden. The pantry is run by volunteers and is a part of Fareshare, a national organization believing, as we all should, that no good food should go to waste. It works like this - surplus food is collected at regional centres and redistributed to communities like ours. All the food is good quality, and most has become surplus before it has hit supermarket shelves. It might have been over ordered by the supermarkets or over produced by manufacturers. We are also pleased to be receiving local donations of fresh fruit and veg from our Co-op. Where? The pantry is set up in the Beaton Craigie room of the V & A Ballater Halls (entrance via Monaltrie Road). There are volunteers on hand to chat and help you choose what you want. All the food is free and is there for everyone. When? The Pantry is open every Wednesday from 12- 2.00pm.

There you are - questions answered!

Come along, bring a bag, fill it up and help reduce food waste!

PS And here’s a thought – you can swap something you can’t use for something you can! 

BALLATEERS

(Ballater Community Choir)

by Linda Davidson

We resume our practices in November on Tuesday afternoons from 2 pm, meeting in Glenmuick Church Hall. Anyone who enjoys singing is very welcome to join us. We are still trying to recruit new members so if you are interested and would like to find out more, please contact Linda Davidson on 01339753804. Remember, singing is so good for your mental health, and you would be assured of a very warm welcome. Thank you!

Soft Play by Cat Houston Pop-up Soft Play returned to the Community Halls in November, after a successful summer on the Green. Now held in the Victoria Hall (we outgrew the Mike Sheridan Room!), there is lots of space for little ones to run around and exercise their motor skills on the colourful soft play shapes and other fun toys. The sessions run on Thursday mornings from 10am until noon, and it's a great place to meet other parents and carers of children aged 0 to 7 years. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and homebakes (including Granny's famed chocolate crispies) are available for a donation. Entry is £3.50 for an adult and child and £1.50 for any additional children, and can be bought online from the Ballater Box Office at http://www.visitballater.com/ events-tickets. If you have any queries, please email: lizziescripps@gmail.com, or phone 07522 970002.

Old Peoples Association (OPA)

by Isabel Michie & John Burrows

Hello everyone. Would you believe that Christmas is just around the corner? The time has gone so fast this year. Our life as we know it has changed a lot. Things we all took for granted, like greeting friends with a hug, all that became a thing of the past. I know that a lot of you have had Covid, and that has brought it own restrictions. Hopefully next year will be a lot better, and we can get back to our bus runs again. In saying that, we still need a Committee. As you all know, the Hut on the Green has mainly been used this year by the Balmoral Bar. We must all try and keep the Hut going as best we can.

I hope that you all have a great Christmas and New Year. We certainly all deserve it after what we have all been through. So roll on 2022.

Isobel

S C OT T I S H H O M E TO T H E ROYA L FA M I LY

EndEnd ofof SeasonSeason SaleSale ShopShop

FromFrom 9th9th NovemberNovember untiluntil ChristmasChristmas thethe EndEnd ofof SeasonSeason SaleSale ShopShop isis locatedlocated withinwithin thethe CrathieCrathie VisitorVisitor InformationInformation Centre.Centre. OpenOpen 77 daysdays aa weekweek 10am-4pm10am-4pm www.balmoralcastle.comwww.balmoralcastle.com

The OPA has drastically changed from its original intentions to a twice yearly bus trip and the occasional joint social meeting with Braemar, but it still retains the ownership of the Hut on the Green, often referred to as "The Old Mannies Hut". This facility is being repainted and given a freshener as part of the Village Centre refurbishment, and it would be good if it could get a more regular usage in a similar manner to its original intention. Victoria Week, the Walking Festival and the Duck Festival have all benefitted from using the Hut as a centre, but, as it has heating, it could become a sheltered point of contact for board games and reading, or simply a pleasant location to have a blether. Historically the Hut was only accessible to members of the Association, or rented out to earn income. Now the Hut and the OPA need new members. Would you enjoy meeting up and helping the OPA move forward? You may not want to lead, but joining in is as important. John

Murray Garden Maintenance Ballater

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Eagle readers

Bruce Murray

07709734328 or 01339754016 brucemurray726@gmail.com