Here’s another 5-minute interview from Rusty McD concerning those furry, feathered or scaly friends in our community...
5 minutes with...
Fiona Leishman - and her Ferrets! Last month, Ollie Cameron nominated Fiona Leishman and her ferrets to be interviewed next. Obviously the ferrets can’t talk but I know for definite that Fiona can and it is debatable who talks more... her or me. Our phone calls never seem short ones so see how this interview will go! I am looking forward to this one! Fiona, you were born a McNaughton and you are a true “native” to Balquhidder. What was it like growing up at Inverlochlarig? Goodness, where do I start? I could write a book of stories of growing up at Inverlochlarig; we had so much space and freedom. I spent a lot of time making dens, playing up the burn, swimming and picnicking down at the river, helping in the fank, the clipping shed, riding the ponies with my sister, fishing with my brothers – always outside, never bored! You are married to Andrew and are a busy couple, juggling the coffee shop in Callander, helping out at the Braes, driving to and from different sports venues – I don’t know how you do it! Well, we do spend a lot of the time taxiing the kids around. I suppose it is history repeating itself because mum and dad did the same for us. Horsebox up and down the glen frequently - and still both of them are willing taxis and rugby supporters! The ferrets...? I should really clarify that they are actually the kids’ ferrets! Over the years though, I have to admit I have got quite attached to the wee beasties. They are really fascinating animals. These particular ferrets came from a young lad in Stirling. Despite the fact that the lad had a scar on his nose and a wee chunk out of his ear, reported by him to be the handiwork of his ferrets, he clearly loved them. They were well handled and healthy wee “kits”. He was keen for us to take a couple to keep our old ferret company and so arrived Dizzy and Rascal. The third addition that we have now is a young Jill who is just known as “Wee Toots” as she is such a petite wee thing. Ferrets belong to the Mustelidae family and are related to polecats, weasels,
pine martens etc. Obviously ferrets are traditionally used for ferreting (flushing rabbits from burrows) and we do have ferret nets but ours are just pets. Besides, the only rabbit near us is a pet! Our ferrets are very inquisitive and playful. They hoard little treasures and love crinkly bags, places to dig, going in and out of their various tunnels in their big enclosure. They never fail to bring a smile to your face when you see their antics. Speaking of antics, the kids at one point came back from Primary School, were going to play with the ferrets, quickly “wheeched” on boiler-suits to keep their school stuff clean. When I came out later, the kids and the ferrets were having a great time with the ferrets inside the suits shooting up and
Top: Fiona - “Careful - these ferrets are loaded!” (Check out the contents of Fiona’s pocket!) Above: Dizzy, Rascal and ‘Wee Toots’
down of the arms and legs. Needless to say their uniforms smelt delightful! I think the whole family would agree that our ferrets certainly add an extra dimension to family life! Thank you so much for fitting me in your busy schedule. I really enjoyed our chat and you know what my very last question to you will be: Who would you like to nominate for next month’s 5 minutes with? Jane McLeod (Convoy) and her horses Fergus, Hal and Cara. Cara as we discovered is a monkey and likes to get out and about through the night!
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