Ewan looks at the distilleries on Islay and their distinctive flavour.
Your Community
All the news from our MPs, Clubs, Groups and Churches.
The Pitlochry Garden
Sheila looks at attracting butterflies and bees to your garden.
Fitness With Alan Clinch
Alan looks at protein and why it is important as you get older.
Willie's Wonky Computer
Willie looks at leaving all your digital assets to family or friends.
Dog Behaviour
Lynsey teaches us how to understand your dog's behaviour and what to watch out for.
Sudoku
Our Sudoku is also online this month, play every day and keep your brain active!
Are There Adders Here?
Adders are more common than you think. Here's some helpful advice.
Recipe
This month we make really easy and tasty loaded nachos.
The History of The Fringe
We take a look at the background of Edinburgh's famous festival.
Term Times
All the school term times for the coming year, so plan those holidays now.
The Pitlochry Crossword
Lesley is back, to test your crossword ability, along with local and Scottish knowledge!
WELCOME
Welcome to the August edition of Pitlochry Life. This year is really flying by and the school holidays are upon us again. I’m hoping the weather improves, but even with all this rain there is so much to see and do here.
August is set to be a very busy month as we have LIVE music at The Atholl Palace, The Coach House and The Old Mill Inn. We have great productions at The Pitlochry Festival Theatre including Footloose, Sense & Sensibility and Dido and Aeneas. We also have an “Invitation to the Dance” courtesy of Music in Blair Atholl. Our local experts have this month looked at the distinctive taste of Whisky from Islay in the Pitlochry Tipple. Sheila looks at plants for bees and butterflies and Willie looks at legacy planning for your digital assets in the Wonky Computer page. All very worthwhile. Lastly our editorial features are animal related. We take a look at snakes and adders, and then dog behaviour. Both will keep you safe!
With so many hospitality and entertainment venues here in the town why not indulge yourself with breakfast, lunch or even dinner whilst soaking up the atmosphere and taking part in all the great productions and events. There is so much to see and do in Pitlochry it’s tough to fit it all in.
Have a great August - see you next time.
Dinner is served from 5.45pm - 8.00pm
Dinner is table d'hote and the menu is changed daily to introduce dishes and produce which are at their best on the day, and y ou can view the latest menu on ou r website. Special dietary adjustments can be made wi t h sensible prior notice.
£45.00 for 3 courses I £50.00 for 4 courses
Prices include complimentary s herry or soft drink on ar rival with coffee & homemade shortbread after dinner.
Love it or Loathe it?
All whisky drinkers have their favourite region and styles of whisky, they can change day by day depending on the weather, how you feel, and the occasion. But no one can deny that one of the whisky regions creates a stronger response when mentioned. “It tastes like TCP” is a phrase commonly used when describing Scotch from the wonderful island of Islay.
Sources indicate that distilling may have started on Islay in the early 1300’s and that monks were the first to do it, no surprise there! Lindores Abbey, Trappist Monks and Buckfast Abbey as a point in case. However, most of the distilleries on Islay were started as farm distilleries which then retreated to the glens and caves in the 17th century when the excise man started calling.
On Islay, the distilleries along the southeastern coast of the Island. Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg have distinctive smoky characters. This can be described as a ‘medicinal’ and comes about from the high levels of Sphagnum Moss found in Islay peat which has ’medicinal’ qualities. Caol Ila on the northern side, across from Jura also produces a strongly peated whisky.
The other distilleries on the island make Scotch in a variety of styles, Bunnahabhain is unpeated along with Bruichladdich, but it’s sister distillery Port Charlotte is more to the traditional style of Islay. Bowmore is well balanced using sherrycask maturation so is softer and sweeter, then Kilchoman, which started production in 2005 is more inland, yet still has the phenolic profile bottling at 50ppm. Port Ellen is reopening in 2024 but we will have to wait several years to taste its new liquid. Lastly to the most recent distillery, Ardnahoe which opened in 2019, again offering a big peaty taste.
In general, though, talk about Islay whiskies and most connoisseurs will describe them as ‘pungent peaty, smoky, bacon and tar and lashings of Germaline’ (for those who remember that as a kid!)
So, the island can be split into North and South with the latter being the big hitters and the North being the lighter with seaweed and nuts, due to the spring water used. I should clarify though that the peaty/phenolic flavour is in no way connected to the of water, it is solely down to the drying of the malted barley over peat fires.
There is pressure on the Islay distilleries to change and evolve due to climatic and consumer led demand. The harvesting of peat is seen by some as environmentally irresponsible, however there are counter arguments to this, which I have mentioned in a previous article. I have no doubt though that we will see new styles and profiles of Islay Scotch particularly if new distilleries open on the island, and there are 3 planned. Each will need to compete for sales by offering variety and creative flavour profiles, so keep an eye on Islay, visit if you can and give the whiskies a try. Love it or Loathe it, they are distinctive!
Ewan McIlwraith
Robertsons of Pitlochry & The Bothy Tasting Room 44-46 Atholl Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5BX www.robertsonsofpitlochry.co.uk
DIDO AND AENEAS
31 AUG - 15 SEP
COMPOSED BY HENRY PURCELL
LIBRETTO BY NAHUM TATE
SCOTS TRANSLATION BY DR MICHAEL DEMPSTER
Mid Atholl Hall Quiz Night - 3rd August
The Mid Atholl Hall Committee are holding a quiz night in the Mid Atholl Hall, Ballinluig, on Saturday, 3rd August. The fun starts at 6.30 so be prompt for a good seat! Tickets cost £5 for adults but there is no charge for kids, so bring them along as there will be questions specifically for them! There will also be a raffle, tickets on sale at the door. So put your thinking caps on and join us at Mid Atholl Hall on 3rd August at 6.30 pm.
Hope to see you there for a bit of fun and banter. For even more fun, bring your own bottle!!
Veteran PALS Club - 3rd August
Veteran PALS (Pitlochry Area Lunch and Supper) Club aim to meet once a month and will be as inclusive as possible. Former or currently serving Regular and Reserve Service Persons welcome and also widows and widowers of Service Persons.
SSAFA have pledged £100 for our first event, which will be on the evening of Saturday 3rd August 2024, at 1900hrs (7pm), in the Old Mill Inn.
Further information from Stu Robertson at robertsonsx66@gmail.com or 07752 395419.
Tryst Walking Group - 6th August
Tuesday 6th August: Braemar (£7) Lin of Dee to Derry Lodge. 6/7 mls on good tracks. OS Map 43 ref 067897 to 042935. Please contact Maureen Holmes on 01796 473153 for further information. Please note: the walk organiser/contact cannot be held responsible for any accident. Everyone walking does so at their own risk and should take due care.
Heartland Film Society at The Birks - 6th August
Heartland Film Society at the Birks Cinema Aberfeldy 6 August 7.00 pm - Io Capitano - 7.30pm
Io Capitano tells the story of Seydou and Moussa, two Senegalese teenagers who leave Dakar to travel to Europe where they believe opportunities await. On a journey neither could have imagined, the boys face the dangers and the beauty of the desert, the shock of detention centres in Libya, and the perils of the sea in their pursuit of a better life, in an epic story that offers a deeply human perspective on the migrant crisis.
Rosie Harrison Flower from Acharn, has recently been volunteering for RCK (Refugee Community Kitchen) in Calais and will share with us her experiences and insights into the realities of migrants lives in Calais.
Join us from 7pm in the auditorium for some typical food they make for distribution to the migrants they support and hear more about the project. We will have a raffle to raise funds for RCK. To find out more about The Heartland Film Society, what’s on and how to become a member please visit www.heartlandfilmsociety.org.uk
For details of The Birks Cinema and its growing programme of cultural and community events and activities (including films) go to: www.birkscinema.co.uk
Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic - 6th August
Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic at Pitlochry Community Hospital.
Do you or someone you know use NHS hearing aids? Do you need new batteries supplied and/ or fitted? Do you need the tubing replaced on either your mould or open fit NHS hearing aids? If yes, then NHS Tayside volunteers will be here to help you on Tuesday 6th August 2024 between 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Pitlochry Community Hospital.
Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic - 7th August
Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice (Wellbeing Room), Aberfeldy
Do you or someone you know use NHS hearing aids? Do you need new batteries supplied and/or fitted? Do you need the tubing replaced on either your mould or open fit NHS hearing aids? If yes, then NHS Tayside volunteers will be here to help you on Wednesday 7th August 2024 between 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice, (Wellbeing Room), Aberfeldy.
Dementia Cafe - 7th August
North Church Hall, High Street, Perth
The Dementia Cafe is going to enjoy a Tea Dance on Wednesday 7th August! So as well as being a cafe, we are going to have some dancing which was much enjoyed in the past.
The small hall will be used for the cafe and we’ll be dancing using the main hall. Music will be provided by Moleskin Joe and refreshments will be provided by Lang’s Foods .
If you cannot come in August, we run the Cafe every 1st Wed of the month and look forward to welcoming you on Wed 7th September, from 10-12.30pm.
Breadalbane & District Riding For The Disabled - 9 & 10th August
Having ended the summer term’s riding with a flourish on what was the hottest day of the year (to date), we are now into fundraising mode. Apart from some extremely generous donations over the year we have no other source of income to keep the group afloat other than our fundraising activities. We will be having a stand at the Aberfeldy Show on both Friday 9th and Saturday 10th August where we will be selling home made produce, cakes, jams and marmalade etc. plants and some lovely horse paintings. We do hope you will come and find us in our new gazebo!!
As everyone knows this is sadly the last year for the Blair Horse Trials. RDA has always had a stand beside the main arena and one year was the chosen charity for the event. Several of our volunteers will be helping out at this stand where there will be various RDA merchandise for sale. Volunteers have been keeping their skills up to date with several attending a full day’s First Aid training course. We always must have a ‘First Aider’ on duty when lessons are taking place and it is good to have as many qualified volunteers as possible. The group pays for these courses providing volunteers with very useful training. New volunteers are always welcome and it is generally felt that it is a very rewarding experience. Anyone interested should contact Vicky on 07786 262329 or email breadalbanerda@gmail.com
We continue to be looking for another suitable pony so that we can have four riders in each group. Our requirement is for the pony to be available on Monday mornings during the summer and early autumn terms. If anyone knows of a well behaved pony about 13.2hh do please let Vicky (details above) know.
Killiecrankie Village Hall - 10th & 11th August
The history of Killiecrankie Railway Station (closed 1965) will be featured in an exhibition of photos, videos and memorabilia on 10 and 11 August 2024 from 10.00am to 4.00pm daily in Killiecrankie Village Hall. Refreshments available. Contact info@killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk for all information, including how to hire the hall.
The Atholl Craft Collective- 10th August
The Atholl Craft Collective will be having our monthly fayre in Blair Atholl Village hall 11-3 on the 10th of August Free entry. Everyone welcome and friendly dogs too. Disabled accessible and free parking. Local crafters all showcasing what they make create and bake. Delicious jams chutneys and fabulous home baking and amazing handmade crafts.
Come along and have a super day out, get a cup of tea and a cake too. See you there.
Scottish Country Dancing - 10th & 24th August
Pitlochry Town Hall at 7.30 pm.
Come along and listen to some of Scotland's Best Scottish Country Dance Bands or spectate, or even join us on the dance floor. Dancers £10.00 Spectators £3.00 .
Saturday 10 August Band - David Oswald
Saturday 24 August Band - Marian Anderson
All welcome. Further details contact June 01796 473488.
Litter Action Group - 13th August
The tourist season has started up again and there are plenty of visitors about. It would be nice for residents and visitors if the town is really clean with no litter disfiguring the streets and green spaces. If you agree that this is important do join our team of litter-pickers. All equipment is provided including gloves, black bags and grabbers. We do try to separate recyclable waste from the other litter.
Litter-picks take place on the second Tuesday of the month and we meet at 10.0am in the Recreation ground car park. The next litter-pick is on Tuesday 13th August
Dates for litter-picks in 2024 are: September 10th, October 8th, November 12th, December 10th. We would like to thank those residents of Pitlochry who are not members of the litter picking group and who also pick up litter when they see it. We know you do this and we are very grateful. For further information contact Roger West (rogerwest7@btinternet.com) 01796 474255 or Catherine Holmes (c.p.holmes47@btinternet.com) 01796 473400
Pitlochry Garden Share - 17th August
We are very busy in all the gardens at this time of year. The veggies grow fast but so do the weeds! We always need more volunteers, so do get in touch if you are interested.
The new Moulin Community Garden is of course still very much a work in progress, but things are coming on well. We have three organised sessions in the week for new volunteers to come along: Monday 10-12 and Thursday 9-12, and on Sundays (variable times). These times are obviously weather dependent! Volunteers can come along at other times to suit, once they have had an introduction to the garden. If members of the public wish to visit, please get in touch to arrange this. At present the garden is only open when volunteers are on site, for safety reasons. We can be contacted via pitlochrygardenshare@gmail.com or via the Pitlochry Garden Share Facebook page.
We will hold a stall outside the Pitlochry Market on Saturday 17th August from 10am. Come along and find out more about us. We should also have some produce and various other items available.
Music In Rannoch - 21st August
Sunday 21st August. Sally Simpson (Fiddle) and Catriona Hawksworth (Piano). Rannoch Highland Gathering Week Concert. A repertoire from Scottish Traditions alongside Traditions from further afield.
3.00 pm in The Old Church, KInloch Rannoch. £10 at the door, children free. Refreshments during the interval. Easy parking.
Tryst Walking Group - 24th August
Saturday 24th August - Tryst Car park to Ben y Vrackie path & back to Pitlochry by a roundabout route! Starting from the Tryst on foot along to Black Spout wood, up past Atholl Palace to Edradour and up towards Kinnaird. Just after bridge over Kinnaird burn, left on path past houses and through a gate into the Christmas tree fields, up to the top. Then turning Northwest after a gate, onto moorland, across to the path down towards Balnakeilly, joining up with the Ben path down to Moulin. West to the golf course and along the old A9 road/path for 1ml then back to Pitlochry on lower path. Approx 6 mls. Ht climbed 195m. Please contact Maureen Holmes on 01796 473153 for further information. Please note: the walk organiser/contact cannot be held responsible for any accident.
Everyone walking does so at their own risk and should take due care.
Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition - 30th July - 29th August
We are celebrating our 54th annual Exhibition in the Duchess Anne, Dunkeld from Tuesday 30th July until Thursday 29th August We are open every day 10am - 4pm and 12 - 4pm on Sundays. We have a number of new artists along with well known names who have supported our Exhibition over the years.
Our youngest artist is 12 years old, from Edinburgh and she is joining us for the first time this year. We are featuring work from local artists Jane Gray, Marilyn Hale, Sheila Mannion and Alan Wright as well as Claire Williamson from Pitlochry. There will be stained glass, wood turned items,
Continued on page 20
decorated bird boxes, cards as well as paintings and even little pictures of birds and animals painted on to feathers - artist Rosemary Storm from Dunfermline is a long standing exhibitor with her feather pictures.
All the work is for sale and can be seen online at www.dunkeldartexhibition.com and Facebook: Dunkeldcathedralartexhibition
Already one of Alan Wright's pictures has been reserved. Enquiries to Dunkeldart@aol.com
Dunkeld & Birnam Art & Crafts Fair - 7th & 8th September
Due to ongoing works at the Drill Hall our fair will be held in The Duchess Anne The Cross Dunkeld on 7th and 8th September from 10am to 5pm each day. New exhibitors, demonstrations and free entry. Come and meet the makers.
Our Spring Fair was held in The Royal Dunkeld Hotel and I would like to thank the Manager and staff who could not have been more helpful. Always a smile for us and what a difference that makes.
Climate Cafe - 12th September
“Sustainability is not just about adopting the latest energy-efficient technologies or turning to renewable sources of power. Sustainability is the responsibility of every individual every day. It is about changing our behaviour and mindset to reduce power and water consumption, thereby helping to control emissions and pollution levels.” - Joe Kaeser.
Climate cafes provide an open space to support and encourage us to ask questions, have conversations or take action regarding climate change and the environment.
Dates of Climate Cafes for the rest of 2024. They take place on the second Thursday of the month, 7pm unless otherwise stated. Our next Climate Café is Thursday 12th September. The other dates are: 10th October, 14th November and 12th December. We look forward to seeing you. The venue is the Pitlochry Library, 26 Atholl Road, PH16 5BX.
Our Climate Café Hustings Thank you to everyone who was able to come to the Hustings on Thursday 27th June in the Mid Atholl Hall, Ballinluig. We had a great turn out with almost 70 people attending.
For more information on Climate cafes etc, please contact: Carol Aitken, email: pitlochrydistrictcc@gmail.com Website: www.pitlochrycc.co.uk
Killiecrankie, Fincastle & Tummel CC - 14th September
Minutes of the July meeting of Killiecrankie Fincastle & Tummel Community Council are on our website www.killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk/community-council/minutes.php.
There will be a Litter Pick in the Tummel area on Saturday, 14 September 2024. Assemble at Kynachan Hall, Tummel Bridge at 1.30pm. Litter-picking routes will be pre-planned and equipment and refreshments will be available at the hall.
If you wish to have Minutes and other updates sent directly to you, then please contact info@ kftcommunitycouncil.co.uk to join our mailing list.
John Swinney MSP - Perthshire North - SNP
With the improvement in weather, I hope that all readers are having an enjoyable summer. With the General Election, and with it the full-throttle nature of a campaign, now concluded, I am looking forward to having a slightly less hectic schedule.
Whilst it was a tough night for the SNP, locally we achieved electoral success with the election of Dave Doogan as MP for the new seat of Angus and Perthshire Glens. This seat will take in much of Pete Wishart's old Perth and North Perthshire seat, including all of the Highland Perthshire ward.
Dave is an experienced and assiduous MP who, prior to his election as MP for Angus in 2019, was the leader of Perth and Kinross Council. Before that, he worked in my constituency office and had a successful career as an aircraft engineer. I am sure that he will be a visible and energetic local presence, and as a result of his previous roles he is already very familiar with Highland Perthshire along with the unique opportunities and challenges that face the communities living within the ward. I am keen to emphasise that, despite my ongoing responsibilities as First Minister, I remain fully dedicated to my role as constituency MSP for Perthshire North and that I continue to take this role very seriously.
In the coming weeks and months, I will be available for in person appointments in Highland Perthshire. To arrange an appointment, please contact my office. Alternatively, should your matter be pressing or you would prefer to speak to me via phone or Zoom/Teams, this can also be arranged.
Within the Highland Perthshire area, I am still engaged in issues surrounding Discovery Land Company and their acquisition of both Taymouth Castle and the Moness Resort.
Recently, I have sent further written correspondence to DLC, pressing them on a number of points including the production of a more thorough and transparent masterplan of proposed works. At the time of this writing, I have yet to receive a response, but I will continue to seek answers to a number of issues raised with me by constituents and local groups.
Should you wish to make an appointment or feel there is a matter with which I can assist you, please contact my office directly on 01250 876 576 or via john.swinney.msp@parliament.scot
Murdo Fraser - Mid Scotland & Fife - Conservative
We are in the midst of the school summer holidays now and I hope readers of Pitlochry Life have had an opportunity to enjoy some good weather and perhaps go on holiday.
Just prior to coming off for the Summer Recess at the Scottish Parliament I raised the issue of fully dualling the A9 Perth to Inverness road with the First Minister at Holyrood. This followed the latest fatality on the notorious road, which took place on June 23, when a motorcyclist from Cambridgeshire died following a collision between a car and two Harley Davidson motorbikes on the A9 near Calvine.
This was a terrible tragedy for the family of the man killed, but there was also massive disruption on this major busy arterial route, with the road being closed for seven and a half hours, leaving motorists and bus passengers stranded in gridlocked traffic. The tragic incident closed a 20-mile section of the A9 near the House of Bruar to Dalwhinnie
Despite this horrendous situation, I was delighted to hear of the great community spirit that was shown by local residents and businesses in Blair Atholl who stepped in with food, drink and accommodation to help those who were affected. However, this incident highlighted how we need
The Pitlochry Garden August
The sun is out and the garden is full of flowers with bees buzzing and butterflies flitting around them. But are there as many bees and butterflies as there used to be? How can you attract more of these valuable and attractive insects?
Creating a successful ecology depends on managing positive and negative factors. We can’t control the weather but we can make sure that pesticides are not used in our gardens. You may not be able to prevent some of the viral diseases sweeping through bee colonies, but you can provide food plants and winter shelter for our most helpful insects.
Providing food plants from early on in the year through to the first snow is important. Early flowering plants with plenty of pollen include crocus and hellebores, winter-flowering heathers and some late winter-flowering shrubs like sarcococca, skimmia and pieris. Berberis darwinni is adored by bees, especially small bumbles, and spring-flowering trees like malus and prunus are invaluable.
Late food plants include aconitum, anemones, asters, colchicum and ivy, especially where it has become arboreal. Any late-flowering perennials or shrubs and climbers will be a godsend to bees stocking up for the winter. Bees prefer blue, purple and yellow plants –they don’t see red ones very well. They are attracted by flowers that wave about on long stems. For example: lavender, nepeta, alliums, echinops, perovskia, agastache and perennial salvia; daisies like anthemis, echinacea,
rudbeckia, coreopsis, inula, helenium; flat heads like sedum, achillea, fennel and knautia.
Hoverflies are both pollinators and pest controllers. Hoverfly larvae vacuum up aphids and the adults pollinate. They are particularly attracted to orange and yellow flowers like calendula, tagetes, limnanthes, verbascum, dahlias and helianthus. Plant marigolds or calendula amongst your vegetables where hoverfly larvae can get to work on pest control and the adults can pollinate.
Butterflies and are attracted to light-coloured or white flowers with open or flat heads and especially daisies. They love sedums and other flat heads, leucanthemum, late asters and Japanese anemones and the flowers of herbs like borage, rosemary and thyme.
Urban bee-keepers are setting up hives on rooftops to take advantage of inner city gardens and green spaces. This is a good investment because the organic honey is excellent and commands a good price. Amateur beekeeping alone cannot address all of the issues concerning the decline in bee and insect populations but it is a step in the right direction. Gardeners could include as many plants attractive to insects as possible in their borders, maintaining them without chemicals, and always allowing a wee place for the odd bit of comfrey or nettle. It is exactly that messy, careless bit of the garden that is where the action is.
Sheila Drummond
better resilience plans for towns and villages that surround the A9 to ensure that we don’t see difficult circumstances like this again.
I do feel though that these tragedies will continue until we see the A9 being dualled in full. Unfortunately, the summer tourist season always brings a spate of accidents and fatal accidents on the A9.
The A9 Perth to Inverness is the most dangerous road in Scotland, with an unenviable death record. We need action and the dualling to be completed as soon as possible. I will continue to push for this to happen.
Meanwhile, I was delighted to hear that the Heartland Music Festival, which was held at Pitlochry Recreation Ground, over the weekend of June 29 and 30 proved to be a great success. Featuring an array of bands including The View, Idlewild, Nina Nesbitt and Skerryvore, it saw crowds turn out in force, with many families in attendance. It would be great if this festival became a regular attraction for Pitlochry.
Murdo Fraser always welcomes feedback from constituents. He can be contacted at The Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, PH2 6PL, by email on murdo.fraser.msp@parliament.scot or by telephone on 01738 553676
Pitlochry and District Neighbourhood Watch
Summer is here and for many, the thought of a holiday becomes an attractive proposition. It is also a signal for scammers to spring into action to provide fake booking information. Here are a few scams to look out for.
Discounted flight tickets on social media
Usually fraudsters will post adverts for cheap flights or pretend that they have cheap tickets. Always book directly with the airline of choice.
Fake accommodation deals
If it is too good to be true - it probably is. These types of scams are probably the most common. Do not use a bank transfer method or a currency bank transfer service. Paying by credit card is the best method to give you protection. It is also worthwhile checking online reviews and contact details.
Cloned holiday booking websites
Fraudsters can duplicate booking websites down to the smallest detail. Before booking a holiday, check that the website address matches the official one e.g. www.airbnb is correct while a fake site will have additional letters or numbers.
Bogus cancellation refunds
Beware fake customer service accounts on social media claiming to help with refunds or claims and often pretending to be from a travel company. A caller may claim to offer an instant refund. Don’t be rushed and guard your personal details.
If you think that you have been conned by a call, end the communication immediately and call your bank (number on back of bank card).
Enjoy your holiday!
PS There are lots of beautiful gardens in bloom in and around Pitlochry at the moment, but many houses seem to be growing extra gardens over their boundary walls on to narrow roads with no pavements. This can be extremely dangerous near blind corners as pedestrians have to move out from the roadside into the path of cars.
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FITNESS
with Alan Clinch
Protein – What is it, and why is it important as you get older?
Protein is one of the key nutrients needed by the human body – it helps repair and build tissues, aids metabolism, maintains fluid balance, and keeps your immune system strong. Sometimes, it can work as an energy source. Health professionals have suggested specific guidelines for intake, but protein assumes greater importance within the body as we age. Here are a few reasons why we should ensure an adequate intake of protein:
• It’s an unfortunate fact that many people gain weight with age – increasing the amount protein in the diet reduces hunger, which may result in lower calorie consumption.
• Muscle is made primarily of protein. Exercise combined with additional protein intake can help in gaining or retaining muscle mass, so it’s helpful in maintaining strength which is often lost with age. This is particularly important for post-menopausal women as the body uses protein less effectively, which can result in greater loss of muscle mass and strength. The type, timing and quantity of protein eaten therefore becomes important.
• Protein is also good for bone health - people who eat more protein tend to maintain bone mass better as they age and have a much lower risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• While it’s true that eating will boost the metabolism, not all foods are the same: a higher protein intake has been shown to increase the number of calories consumed at rest. In one study, a high-protein group burned 260 more calories per day than a low-protein group.
• Protein helps the body repair itself after injury, and a significant number of studies have shown that eating more protein after injury can help speed up recovery.
How much do I need, and where do I get it?
In the UK, the amount of protein recommended for adults to consume each day is 0.75g per kg of a person’s weight,” for example, if you weigh 60kg you’d aim for 45g of protein a day, from a variety of sources. This intake should be as part of a balanced diet, and spread evenly throughout the day. It’s important to note though, that the recommendation is based on Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) which estimates the minimum amount of nutrients most healthy people could consume to avoid being deficient in them. So, how much should you increase your protein intake by as you get older? Current research suggests a minimum of 1-1.2g protein per kg per body weight is appropriate for people as they move into their 50s. Figures for people who undertake regular high intensity and/or resistance exercise may be somewhat higher. Specific information should be sought from respected and verifiable sources.
Want more information – try www.bhf.org.uk/ informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/ nutrition/protein/how-to-get-protein-withoutthe-meat
If you’re worried about your diet, you could always consult a registered dietician or your GP to get up to the minute (and personalised) guidance.
Willie’s Wonky Computer Factory
Last month we looked at leaving your digital photographs to family, friends and loved ones when you pass. Whilst maybe a morbid thought, it’s very likely that you will have other digital assets, either on your phone, computer, or stored on the cloud.
In days gone by, you would have inherited photo albums, scrapbooks, postcards, letters, contracts and certificates of ownership, but in the age of the internet, that is rather more complicated.
This, however, is an issue that most online platforms are aware of and now allow instructions for what will happen once you’ve gone. Both preservation and deletion are possible, but each platform has a different process.
Apple. As previously discussed with photos, Apple’s Legacy Contacts will allow your trusted people to access your account with an 'access key' that you share with them. After your death, they need to request access, provide the key and upload a copy of your death certificate to access your account. Google 'Apple Legacy Contacts' for more details.
Google. You can safeguard the data in your Google account, including photos, documents and your Google Pay account through their Google Inactive Account Manager. You set an inactivity period (between 3 and 18 months), after which a message will be sent to your nominated contacts and they can access the account for 3 months after it becomes inactive. You can also choose to simply delete your inactive account and all the content. Google ‘Inactive Account Manager’ for more details.
Facebook. Facebook will allow you to nominate a legacy contact to take care of your account after you pass. Although their access is limited, they can either delete the account, or have it Memorialised, where the word “remembering” is placed next to your name and friends and family can share memories on the page’s memorialised timeline. Google ‘Memorialisation request’ for more info.
Instagram. They don’t have a legacy contact option. However, on proof of death, they will
allow a family member to either close, or memorialise the account.
X (Twitter). They do not have a way to memorialise an account, provide legacy contact details, or allow access to the account regardless of the relationship to the deceased. A family member, however, can request to have the account deleted.
Amazon. Accounts can be closed through Amazon’s ‘Bereavement Support’. They will need your account email and a copy of the death certificate.
eBay. They allow you to designate a loved one to take over your account following your passing, but this person will not have access to your financial information. They will be able to change your profile information, close your account, or do nothing.
PayPal. Their policy means that all accounts are non-transferable and will be closed when the account holder passes. The balance in the account will be refunded to the named Executor of your estate.
Managing your digital assets can be difficult, but your family will thank you later for saving them an arduous, if not impossible task. Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
1. Make a list of all your digital assets and how to access each one e.g., the email address, associated with the account. Do not leave bank log-in details, your solicitor will deal with the financial side in accordance with your will.
2. Decide what you would like done with these assets. Would you like your social media accounts to be memorialised or deleted?
3. Download any sentimental items such as photos or videos from the service and pass them onto your next of kin.
4. Let your Executor know, and if you have assigned any legacy contacts - make them aware you’ve done this.
Use Google for more information on all of the above, as each platform does require different information.
Willie
Rotary Club of Pitlochry
Congratulations to Alan Norris, who was inducted as our Club’s new President for the year 2024/25.
Alan is not a new face in the Pitlochry Community. He and his wife Fran moved to Pitlochry from Hampshire in 1988.
Raised in Peterborough, Alan joined the Royal Navy as a Marine Engineer Artificer Apprentice aged 16 and served for over 23 years on four warships and numerous workshops in Royal Dockyards, reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer at age 25.
He retired from the Royal Navy in 1992 after which he worked as a Visit Scotland Quality Adviser and Hotel Inspector for 18 years and retiring from that aged 62.
Alan and Fran also ran a series of Guest Houses in Pitlochry and it was during this time that he was first invited to join Rotary.
Wishing to keep active, Alan joined the Fonab Castle Hotel Concierge team and worked with them for five years.
After an absence of a few years after stepping down from Rotary for a number of years, Alan re-joined Rotary in 2022.
From all your fellow Rotarians, we thank you and wish you well in the new position Alan. You can count on our support!
Inner Wheel Club of Pitlochry
Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation. Our objects are service with friendship and international understanding. We achieve this through monthly supper meetings with informative and entertaining speakers, social gatherings and community service. We also raise funds in support of local, national and international charities.
We are delighted to announce that Winner of our Capital cities quiz was Marjory Donaldson of Perth, who has received a £30 voucher for Marks and Spencer Thanks to all who bought a quiz sheet, raising £400 for local charities. Our monthly meetings will resume in September.
If you would like to know about Inner Wheel and what we do then please email innerwheelpitlochry@gmail.com
Atholl Centre Pitlochry
Office hours - Atholl Centre Office open hours are Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm.
Food Bank Referrals & self referrals all welcome. Please ask if you need some help to cope with the increased cost of living.
NB: Emergency contact number: 07443 738240
The Community Larder– is quite separate from the Food Bank; it is Open 24/7 for anyone to ‘give’ or ‘take’ food items along with other household items, avoiding food waste & supporting many
Continued on page
Interpreting Tail Wags and Ear Tilts: A GUIDE TO DOG BODY LANGUAGE
Understanding our dog’s body language is crucial for effective communication with our furry friends. Dogs openly express emotions, but misinterpretations are common due to unfamiliarity or contrasting human signals. Learning their cues not only fulfils their needs, and builds a strong bond between you and your dog but also prevents risks like bites and anxiety, especially in challenging situations, such as around children, new places, or with other dogs. Below we have listed some of the body language signs to look out for.
*PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A ROUGH GUIDE, PLEASE SEEK GUIDANCE FROM A REPUTABLE DOG BEHAVIOURIST FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND TAILORED TRAINING ADVICE FOR YOUR DOG’S BEHAVIOUR AND TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PARTICULAR SIGNALS
BODY POSTURE:
A dog’s body can tell a lot about mood and intention. A relaxed and happy dog will have a loose and wiggly body with a wagging tail and may even invite you to play with a raised bottom and a high wagging tail (also known as a play bow!) In contrast, a dog with a tense body raised hackles (piloerection) or other signs of discomfort may need extra space and attention.
You may often witness your dog offering a big old stretch upon greeting you. This is known as a “welcome/greeting stretch”, where your dog is lovingly saying ‘hello’.
When a dog cowers and hunches towards the ground, it typically signals fear or stress, often as a means to avoid confrontation or seem less intimidating. This stance conveys a message of nonaggression, reassuring others, “I mean no harm.”
Alternatively, a dog with their weight shifted forward. This dog is trying to get closer to something. This might simply indicate the dog’s interest. But it could also indicate offensive intentions, particularly paired with other aggressive body language cues like a twitching tail held high. In this case, the dog is trying to appear larger.
Turning our backs may be seen as rude, but in dog communication, it conveys nuanced meanings. A dog turning its head away signifies a polite avoidance of conflict. While turning their back to you indicates trust, however, with pinned ears and a backward glance suggests they feel disrespected.
When dogs first meet, they engage in a silent dominance ritual, the ‘bum sniff’. The dominant dog sniffs first, while the submissive dog offers its rear. When your dog presents its rear end to you, it’s a friendly gesture indicating submission and greeting in its language. This behaviour is often displayed as a gentle hip nudge, or even a full-on lean, conveying trust, passivity and reassurance.
Dogs often shake off when wet, they can shake off 70% of the water on their fur coat! But a dry shake-off has a very different meaning if they haven’t woken up from a nap. This can be an emotional response to dealing with stress or excitement, whether it be a challenging situation, such as a dog interaction, learning new training, or simply because they had the ‘zoomies’! It also can happen when they have processed a smell, sight or even sound. The shake-off is their reset button allowing them to move on.
TAIL WAGGING:
Witnessing a wagging tail brings joy, indicating your dog’s happiness and excitement. However, it’s crucial to observe tail position, speed, and intensity for deeper insight into their emotions. A slow, low wag suggests contentment, while a fast, high wag indicates arousal and excitement; a highheld straight/twitching tail can show confidence and dominance, particularly when accompanied by a hard stare, which could indicate potential aggression.
EAR POSITION:
Your dog’s ears are a key indicator of their emotions. Perked-up and forward ears signal interest or alertness, while flat ears suggest anxiety or fear. Tightly pinned back ears may indicate discomfort or potential aggression. Despite challenges in breeds with floppy ears, practice can help you master reading their ear language quickly!
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS:
Dogs share facial features with humans but express them differently. While people yawn from tiredness or boredom, dogs yawn as a stress-relief mechanism (and sometimes boredome). They use yawning to calm themselves (and others) in tense situations, A yawn can also mean they wish to left alone, particularly if they lick their lips.
Lip-licking in dogs is often misinterpreted, or overlooked. Dogs will lip-lick around food, or to “kiss” you when greeting you, however, it can also signal anxiety. Sometimes the tongue flick is so quick it’s easily missed. Lip-licking can happen, for example when hugging your dog, it’s not a sign of affection but a response to discomfort. The fast flick/flash of their tongue up their nose indicates that they are frightened/unsure, and is a sign you need to give your dog more space, this is a common signal while approaching an oncoming dog.
Smiling in dogs can be confusing. While some genuinely smile, it can be unsettling if misunderstood. Typically, teeth baring with a hard stare and growling signals aggression. Yet, a “submissive grin” with lifted lips and a relaxed posture denotes happiness.
Panting in dogs serves multiple purposes. It helps them cool down in warm weather or after exercise
but can also signal stress, anxiety, or pain, especially in unfamiliar or challenging situations like at the vet or in new environments. Unusual panting may indicate discomfort and requires attention, even in cool environments.
EYES:
Eye contact is an important signal for dogs. You can learn a lot about your dog’s internal state by looking at their eyes.
Soft eyes have relaxed lids and sometimes look like the dog is squinting. They indicate the dog is calm or happy.
The opposite is hard eyes, where the eyes seem to go cold. These indicate a negative state of mind, and you’ll know them when you see them. The dog might be guarding a toy or feeling aggressive. A hard stare, where the dog looks intently at something, especially for a long time, usually signals a threat.
Just as the hard stare can be a precursor to aggression, looking away is meant to calm a situation. When dogs feel stressed, they will pointedly look away and avoid eye contact. People often interpret this as their dog ignoring them or being stubborn, but the dog is expressing discomfort.
The whites of the eyes are another key indicator. Known as “whale eye,” when a dog shows the whites of the eyes, it’s a signal they are feeling anxious or stressed in a situation. You might see them when you make your dog uncomfortable, like when you pat your dog on the head or when they’re afraid someone will steal a treat or toy.
Dogs have such a complex and sometimes subtle language that can at times feel contradictory. It’s always helpful to be very mindful of your dog’s signals in any given situation. Ignoring them, particularly in challenging situations where they feel discomfort can cause an escalation of unwanted, even aggressive behaviour, and the risk of a bite or an attack. By understanding their cues you can help support your dog’s needs, as well as build a strong bond of trust between you.
Saturday 20th July to Sunday 4th August 2024
Open daily 10am to 6pm Free Entry
with the rising prices at this time. New Fridge & Freezer Community Larder located by the back door of the Atholl Centre.
Volunteers Welcome - Please come and introduce yourself to us, if you would be interested in becoming a Volunteer worker in the Food Bank or doing the work of the Atholl Centre. We host holiday retreats, Church retreats, disabled holidays, & Community meetings throughout the year. Call in to the office Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm, or call 01796 473044
Changing Places Toilet - New and fully equipped Restroom facility for the disabled.
C.A.T.H. Churches Action For The Homeless
The outreach service will be at the Atholl Centre, Pitlochry on the first Tuesday every 2 months, between 10.00am and 12 midday. We can provide support with Housing issues and Benefit queries/applications. We also provide support to access a range of available services. Please feel free to drop in for a chat.
Atholl Baptist Centre SCIO15113, Atholl Centre, Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BX
Further information from 01796 473044.
Pitlochry Community Action Trust
PCAT works towards progressing the aspirations identified by residents in the town’s community action plan.
We therefore welcome the decision by Perth and Kinross Council’s finance committee to spend £8.7 million on improving the facilities at Pitlochry High School and creating more affordable housing in the town.
This is a significant investment in our town, which will provide our young people with an enhanced learning environment, ensure the school is at the heart of the community and secure its future for generations to come.
The provision of additional affordable housing is also particularly welcome as it is one of the biggest challenges we face in Pitlochry.
An increase in the provision of leisure facilities in the town in terms of longer opening hours is another positive outcome that should benefit local people and the council’s commitment to supporting efforts by the local community to look at the feasibility of a possible asset transfer of Pitlochry Town Hall and the Cloichard depot is also welcome.
This decision is just the start of a much bigger process and we look forward to working closely with the council, the school and other local organisations over the coming months on the design and development of the more detailed proposals for the various facilities.
We were also delighted to be able to support the organisers of the Heartland Festival in June with a number of our trustees volunteering over the weekend. It was a fantastic event that was attended by nearly 8000 people and brought a real buzz to the town.
As a member of PCAT you can have a real input in the direction of our town, and you’ll also be among the first to receive our newsletter, with updates on projects we are leading on.
Find out more about PCAT – including how to become a member and support the work of the Trust - on our website at www.pitlochryaction.org.uk or by following ‘Pitlochry Community Action Trust – PCAT’ on Facebook.
This Month’s Easy Sudoku
How to play............
Fill the grid so that every row, column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition. That’s all there is to it! Use reasoning and logic to solve the puzzle - there’s no maths or adding up.
Look carefully for what numbers can go where and with a little practice it will get easier!
Pitlochry Station Bookshop
It’s August, so our part of Scotland will be playing host to many visitors from home and abroad and we hope they will have the chance to visit all the delights the area can provide.
And so, dear visitors, you must allow time to visit one of our top attractions, the Pitlochry Station Bookshop. Our award winning bookshop is unique and attracts customers from all over Britain as well as from nearby.
We are on platform one of Pitlochry Station which is situated on Station Road just behind the main street, Atholl Road.
The Bookshop stocks lots of fiction and non-fiction volumes in good condition, all of which have been donated by our supporters. There is also a section of children’s books too. We sell on the books to our customers at low prices, many of them at just £2 each.
All our profits are donated to charity and, so far, that has amounted to more than £400,000. We have six worthwhile charities who receive financial support from us. They are: Cancer Research UK, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), Shopmobility, Mercy Corps, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Tayside Mountain Rescue.
We run the bookshop on a shoestring. All our members are all volunteers so no one is paid, even our hardworking manager, and our premises are provided rent-free by ScotRail.
Please visit us. You will almost certainly find something that interests you or your children and by purchasing our books you contribute to the work of some very worthwhile charities. We hope you have an enjoyable stay in our area.
GrowBiz
Summer Support from GrowBiz
Summer can pull small business owners and the self-employed in different directions, with busy work schedules, family commitments and holiday plans, but GrowBiz is here to provide support in a way that works for you:
1-1 support: When you contact GrowBiz for support, an Enterprise Facilitator will get back in touch to arrange a time to chat that suits you. Whether you’re looking for help making a funding application, creating a climate action plan, or improving business skills, simply email connect@growbiz.co.uk
Mentoring: If you would like someone who’s ‘been there and done that’ to be a sounding board, boost your confidence, and be there for you, consider enrolling in our award-winning mentoring programme. You and your mentor can work together within both your schedules, even for just 1 hour a month.
Care and wellbeing support: As a self-employed person or business owner, your most important asset is you! GrowBiz can support you to learn to take care of and maintain your wellbeing through accredited WRAP® (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) training or 1-1 advice with an Enterprise Facilitator with experience on the topic.
Specialised support: Growbiz runs various programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting specific sectors. Young people in Perth and Kinross can apply for SEED, social enterprises can get peer support from the Perth & Kinross Social Enterprise Group, creatives can apply to join Perthshire Artisans, food and drink businesses can be part of Great Perthshire and small rural businesses of
all types can get listed on REDS.
More about our mentoring programme and WRAP® can be found under the Support Services menu tab of the GrowBiz website: www.growbiz.co.uk Scroll down to the specialised support section of our homepage for more information about our other programmes and initiatives.
Pitlochry in Bloom
Well, with the rather inclement weather recently, the flowers and weeds have certainly come on in leaps and bounds! I do hope now we can enjoy some sort of Summer!
By the time you read this, the hanging baskets in the town will be up and my grateful thanks go to those businesses who have supported them. Pitlochry in Bloom still pay for many of them and I hope to try and lessen that financial load and encourage more businesses to support us as we all benefit from the impression these displays make on our visitors and residents alike.
At the same time a small band of volunteers spent many hours planting up the containers/baskets outside the Visitors Centre, at the War Memorial, at the main bus stop, all around the Railway Station and at Moulin Church.
At the time of going to press we are still waiting for the Council to plant up the beds they are responsible for – in the Memorial Garden and Carpet bed outside the Library.
Our Willow family is therefore looking a bit forlorn at the moment. I have repeatedly contacted the Council about this matter and hopefully plants will arrive soon
The wee wooden train at the railway station has also been replaced. The barrels were kindly donated by Blair Athol Distillery and painted by yours truly!! It is a real feature at the station and is often photographed as are many of the flower displays in the town.
I would like to thank our volunteers for all their support including members of the Path Group. But again I put out this plea that if you are able to offer some of your time to help, maybe with some weeding/planting or fundraising skills please do get in touch. We really do need some volunteers and the work is not onerous and we have fun getting togetherkatehowie@yahoo.co.uk – 07794 187579
Pitlochry Partnership - Rob Roy Way Project
We apologise for radio silence over the last few months, but we are delighted to say that we have made great progress with the formal finish to the Rob Roy Way. As production costs had risen considerably since we started all this, it was necessary to look for some external funding and that has taken a few months for the small team, well two people really, tasked with completion. And we have been lucky to secure a grant from the Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust to enable us to complete the final jigsaw pieces of this mammoth undertaking. We are very grateful to them for supporting us. For those of you who know nothing about all this, it began as a suggestion brought to the Pitlochry Partnership AGM in 2016, by the late Janice of Poplars Hotel. We thought it was a great idea,
as so many walkers completing the walk, would ask where exactly the official end was. When the original Pitlochry Tourism Trust was wound up, they gifted the Pitlochry Partnership £1,000 towards the project to design a formal end to the long distance walk.
Early ideas at the time showed we would require a considerable amount to design and build structures in keeping with the site, Pitlochry War Memorial Gardens. The War Memorial is a listed structure and sits within the Pitlochry Conservation area, so there were quite stringent planning hurdles to negotiate, both in terms of design and materials used. The Chair at the time, Eddie Thomson, put in a tremendous amount of work liaising with P&KC and the local school.
We deliberately involved Pitlochry High School pupils in the design process and the shortlisted entries for a bench and Arch went on display in the Heartland FM offices, so the local community could vote. Two winners were chosen and the designs submitted to David Ogilvie’s in Kilmarnock to be worked up and costed.
By then we realised exactly the finances required and set about putting aside monies over the next couple of years whilst we formally applied for planning permission. Of course, we had no idea that a Global pandemic was coming our way and the impact this was going to have on all our lives in 2020/21 and even 2022.
The project was picked again in late 2022/ early 2023 by Sally Spaven – Administrator and Iain Walker, retired PP Treasurer and is finally, at last, nearing completion. Shortly we will begin the process of putting all three elements in position, having had to reapply to Planning and secure much extra funding. Once all three pieces are in place, we will host an official launch later this year. The three elements are a Rob Roy Way formal archway, (photo opportunity for walkers), a unique bench depicting Rob Roy and Highland Cattle, (for weary walkers to rest on) and finally an information plaque about the walk and local connections to Rob Roy MacGregor.
Pitlochry Library
LEGO Session - Join staff at Pitlochry Library on Wednesday 7 August and take part in their summer LEGO building days. Get hands-on making suggested models or try your own designs!
Three sessions are available: 9.30am – 10.45am // 11.00am – 12.15pm // 1.00pm – 2.15pm.
Suitable for children ages 4-11. Please note that numbers are limited for these events, so please book your space by contacting Pitlochry Library on 01796 474635 or emailing pitlochrylibrary@ culturepk.org.uk Under 8s should be supervised by an accompanying adult.
Bookbug session - every Thursday 9.15am - 9.45am. Come and join us for a session of songs, stories, and rhymes for under 5s. Prebooking for each session is essential. Please get in touch with the library to book a spot.
Community Knitting Group - every Thursday 11am - 12.45pm. Do you like to knit or want to learn? Come along to our community knitting group that meets weekly in the library. We can provide everything you need to get started!
Digital Skills Course - Thursday 3 pm - 4.30 pm. Would you like some free help to improve your digital skills? Then this is the course for you! The course runs in five-week blocks. Topics covered include computers and tablets basic settings and apps; internet navigation and safety; watching, listening and reading online; public services online; and e-mail. Please contact the Learning Curve to book your space on the next course: 07198477092/ learningcurve@pkc.gov.uk
Books on Wheels - For individuals who cannot get out and about to visit the library, this includes books in large print and audio formats. For further information, please get in touch with the library.
Recycling - All libraries accept used stamps and batteries for recycling.
Princh Printing. Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries have installed Princh, a new printing solution in libraries across Perth and Kinross, including Pitlochry Library. With Princh, it is now possible to print from any mobile device, tablet, or laptop from home or in one of our participating libraries. Just print, pay online and pick up your items. You can send your print jobs at any time from any place, and what's more, you no longer have to wait in line at the printer.
Details can be found on our website www.culturepk.org.uk/libraries/internet-and-computers/ princh-printing/ Opening hours
Pitlochry will be part of a MOOsive public arts trail, across Perth & Kinross.
From 28th June – 6th September 2024, a herd of 30 Highland Coo’s will take over Perth & Kinross, each individually designed and painted by talented artists. The Coos will be placed strategically in streets, parks and public spaces, transforming our community into an open air art gallery that hopefully sparks joy in all who visit.
Pitlochry will host 3 Coo’s, including the “Legacy” Coo at Pitlochry Railway Station. There are two further Coo’s in Pitlochry sponsored by the Atholl Palace Hotel and Pitlochry Dam & Visitors Centre, the “Legacy” Coo is being gifted by its sponsor to the Station, due to the close relationship between the Station Bookshop and their fundraising efforts for CHAS over the years.
After the ten week display, the sculptures will be sold at auction to raise much needed funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland CHAS, to help make sure nobody faces the death of their child alone.
We hope you will support the wonderful work CHAS does at Rachel House and Robin House by donating and encouraging your visitors to enjoy the trail. www.hairyhighlandcootrail.co.uk
We would like to thank CHAS, Wild in Art and ScotRail for their support with this.
Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre
Come along and visit the Heritage Centre for our 2024 season, open daily from 12-4pm at Fishers Hotel Pitlochry.
Fishers Hotel have kindly offered to host us all summer, while we await on essential repairs to be carried out in Moulin Kirk. Find us in the Gladstone room where we have set up a display and will be located until the end of this summer. We are still happy to help you access any archives we have that might help in your local history or genealogical research.
This Month’s Tricky Sudoku
How to play............
Fill the grid so that every row, column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition. That’s all there is to it! Use reasoning and logic to solve the puzzle - there’s no maths or adding up.
Look carefully for what numbers can go where and with a little practice it will get easier!
Free entry but donations are always welcome to help us keep running. We also have a great selection of local books and other little gifts as well so don’t forget to pop by if you are looking for something a little different.
If you are holding an event in 2024 that we could complement with a pop-up historical display, please do get in touch via our Facebook page, send an email to pandmheritage@gmail.com or visit our website.
Pitlochry Repair Cafe
Pitlochry Repair Cafe is taking a break over the summer and will be back at Moulin Hall on Sunday 1 Sept from 12-3pm. 2024 dates are 29 Sept, 3 Nov and 1 Dec.
We are always looking for new volunteers so if you would like to join our friendly team and can repair things, sew, make soup, make cakes, serve tea, welcome customers or run activities for kids, please get in touch with our Coordinator Julia at repaircafe@sprout-community-eco-hub.com or contact us on Facebook or Instagram @PitlochryRepairCafe
Pitlochry and Edradour Community Bonfire
Preparation is now well underway for the Pitlochry and Edradour Community Bonfire which will be on Saturday 2nd November
By the time you read this the Thrift Shop will have taken place. I am sure we will have had good support and raised some funds for the event.
The next fund-raising effort will be the Raffle which is taking place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th October.
In the meantime enjoy the summer.
Remember you can always find more information on our Facebook page : www.facebook.com/ Pitlochrybonfire
Pitlochry Bowling Club
So far the weather this summer has been disappointing. As I write this article at the beginning of July let’s hope it goes on to improve. Whatever the weather every Monday morning between 10am and 12 noon we are open to the public to come along and enjoy Teas/Coffees and a lovely selection of home baking all for a £4. charge. Highly recommended.
We are in the middle of a busy season. Apart from our usual club competitions we have had some visiting teams come for friendly games. The first was Windygates a team from Fife who spent the weekend in Pitlochry. Then another friendly game with a touring team from Bristol, St Andrews Bowling club. Then we had our annual match with Newtonmore who came to us this year. Although this is a friendly we do play for a trophy which Newtonmore won.
Some results of club competitions are as follows, Evelyn Humphries, John Greenshields and Campbell won the Golden Charter triples competition at Blair Atholl. John Anderson and Niel
Haggart (photo insert) won the North Perthshire Bowling Association Australian pairs at Blair Atholl. Our internal triples competition was won by Alex Anderson, Brian McClure and Ian Wilson. Congratulations to Alex who has also got through to the Scottish open finals.
I would like to add we are not just all about bowling. We have an entertainment committee who plan and organise social events.
Bingo is a popular event held on a Monday evening once a fortnight. August dates are Mondays 12th and 26th. 7 for 7.30pm. Visitors are all very welcome.
Our bowling green is open daily for visitors at a cost of £5 and free for accompanied children. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10-12 noon and 2-4pm. Sunday 2-4 pm.
Watch our FB page (Pitlochry Bowling Green) for further information on what’s on or you can phone John on 07833664121 or Agnes on 07918122415
Blair Atholl Bowling Club
With our season now well underway, competitions are coming thick and fast and even the weather turned on the charm for our recent matches. Firstly congratulations to Rhoda Robinson and Jim McCallum who won the Tulloch Rosebowl 3 bowl pairs trophy, (pictured).
Next up was the Golden Charter Triples competition sponsored by W & K Gerrie and son, funeral directors, Dunkeld. After many a close tie the winning threesome of Evelyn Humphrey, John Greenshields and Campbell Durnian from Pitlochry BC walked off with the trophy. Our last competition in June was the ‘Aussie Pairs’, a slightly different format to the normal and here again the trophy made its way to Pitlochry, the winners being John Anderson and Niel Haggart. Congratulations to all the winners.
In all honesty it’s been a turbulent season so far for the club with the loss of around eight playing members since the end of last season. Not only does it make it difficult to fulfil club commitments but this also has a knock on effect for club finances. We are pleased to announce however that from now until season 2026, the club will be sponsored by The Roundhouse Inn at the River Tilt Park. Our sincere thanks goes out to owner Stuart Richardson and family for this generous gesture tying business interests to a community based facility. Full details are currently being finalised and it is hoped that the occasion will be suitably marked with a formal presentation in time for next month’s article. Whilst this sponsorship deal may be unique in the Perthshire bowling circles, it allows our club to continue having its rightful place in the heart of the village.
John Reynolds, Vice President, Blair Atholl Bowling Club.
Mid Atholl Indoor Bowling Club
Mid Atholl indoor bowling are now playing on a Tuesday afternoons at 2pm in the Mid Atholl Hall, Ballinluig.
Bowls are available flat shoes must be worn . Come along and give bowling a try. For more information contact Frances 01796 482240
Grandtully and Strathtay Bowling Club
Building back from Adversity part 2
Storm Babet wreaked havoc on Grandtully and Strathtay Bowling Club. The wooden bridge that gave access from the car park to the bowling green, and which had stood for more than 30 years, was destroyed.
Having secured funding from the PKC Babet recovery fund and the ‘SSE Renewables’ Griffin & Calliachar Community Fund we have been able to replace the old bridge. We hope our new bridge will give the club a new lease of life and hopefully attract new members to this great sport. If you have not visited us before or thought about bowls as a great pass-time for one’s general health and well-being, please do get in touch and come along. For more info please e-mail our Secretary Sandra Morrison at sandramorrison64@gmail.com
Vale of Atholl Pipe Band
July was an extremely busy month. We played at Kenmore Games to a large crowd, but unfortunately, heavy rain came on after we had finished playing. So we were very lucky!!!
We played at The Scottish Game fair on the Friday 5th July and it was a good dry day. Another great day and on the Saturday some of the band joined Dougie McLean in concert in the Perth Concert hall. The following Friday we did a Beat the Retreat in the National Museum in Edinburgh which was very impressive.
As well as all of this we've had our Highland Nights on every Monday night. The only poor one we've had was on the 1st July, when it was a lovely night and we had to go in to the Town Hall as the Heartland Festival were still clearing the park. The folks just did not want to go inside on a beautiful night!
We're looking forward to welcoming the New South Wales Highlanders Pipe Band to the Highland Night on the 12th August. They've played at our Highland Nights before and they love it so much they always make room to come up in their busy schedule. So mark that one in your diaries!
They're also playing at the European Championships at Perth on the 11th August and the World Championships at Glasgow Green on the 17th August. Our two competing bands are looking forward to playing at them as well.
Gillie McNab 07733152223 gmcnab00@aol.com
The Breadalbane Heritage Society
Last month, as one of the regular summer excursions, members enjoyed a trip up Glen Lyon to look at a number of places of interest including an uphill trek to visit the strange upright stones known as The Praying Hands of Mary. This month sees the eagerly anticipated annual four-day visit to an area further away from Breadalbane, which will be to the Kilmartin Glen near Oban, famous for its many archaeological remains spanning thousands of years. In September the autumn and winter programme of talks will resume, held at the Breadalbane Community Centre in Aberfeldy. For details please email ian.stewart.bhs@gmail. com
The BHS’s website https://breadalbane-heritage.org.uk features a video of local scenes of interest, and provides up-to-date information about talks and activities, events and publications.
1-1 advice
Free support for small businesses, social enterprises and the selfemployed in rural Perth & Kinross
~ online learning ~ business mentoring ~ networking events ~ sustainability support ~ and more
Ongoing Society projects include the maintenance of the Killiehassie private burial ground in Strathtay, and the recent publication, in association with the Aberfeldy Museum Group, of an illustrated leaflet, The Aberfeldy and Weem Heritage Trail, with a trail map and information on the many places of interest in the area. QR codes with information at each of these sites are currently being installed. The BHS also provides a free service of assistance with family history research. Recordings of all the recent talks are available on the website.
The Meeting Place
While the Cathedral Art Exhibition takes place in the Duchess Anne, Dunkeld - a warm welcome is extended to everyone to come to St Mary's Episcopal Church in the centre of Birnam for morning coffee, home baking and an opportunity to see the lovely stained glass windows and interior of this interesting building. (Next to the Birnam Post Office.)
Every Friday from 26th July until 30th August from 10 - 12 - hope to see you there.
Explorers Garden
Hardy British-grown Perennials
If you’ve meandered Explorers Garden and admired the blooms, try planting your favourites back in your own garden. From your cottage garden favourites to the more rare and specialised, come and browse the wide and ever-changing selection at the front of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, as well as a larger selection at the entrance of Explorers Garden. Our Garden team are on hand to answer any questions or help you transport your new plants down to the Box Office.
Friends of Blair Atholl Station
Celebrating our Past, Present and Future
We'd like to invite you to our free interactive exhibition to be held in Blair Atholl village hall over the weekend of 16-18 August. The exhibition is themed - Past, Present and Future - and is your opportunity to find out more about the station's history, as well as helping us to decide what should happen next to our much-loved 'listed' stationhouse building. There will be things to see, hear, touch and smell, with a children's corner (dressing up and games) and free refreshments as well as specialist talks on railway history at points through the weekend. A full programme is available on our website www.blairathollstation.co.uk - or by emailing friendsofbastation@gmail.com So come along to find out ‘who was who’ in the station’s past, and discover – did your family play a part in this? The 1881 census might provide the answer!
Watch our heart-warming film based on the life of a local resident and handle a vintage engine driver’s cap and wheel tapper’s hammer!
This event marks the finale of our project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – is it the end of the line, or the beginning of a new journey for Blair Atholl station? This is up to you - come and tell us what Blair Atholl station means to you!
Blair Atholl & Struan Community Council
Keeping busy for our community
Over the last few months, Blair Atholl & Struan Community Council has been working on a few projects, all of which came out of ideas and suggestions that were shared last year at the time of our Community Action Plan (CAP).
The first idea was that something should be done to upgrade our Memorial Park, gifted to the community many years ago, and a wonderful green space at the heart of our village. The local community expressed a wish that there should be an accessible path through the park, so that everyone might enjoy the space more easily. So members of the community council have been working with Perth & Kinross Council (PKC), the Cairngorms National Park Association and other voluntary groups to try to take this forward, alongside the Blair Atholl & Struan Initiative.
Another suggestion from the CAP was that the village needs more affordable housing, not just for people who are already living and working here, but for those who wish to return to the area, including those who grew up here and had to leave because of a lack of available housing. So, some of us are working on this too, again with the support of PKC, voluntary groups and local employers
Another long-term issue has been the safety around Bruar and Pitagowan A9 sections. Several meetings have been held to discuss improvements, with the support of John Swinney and Police Scotland.
It is worth stating that we are a small group of just four community councillors and all these projects take time and, of course, funding is needed to achieve results. We have a long way to go but with the community’s support, we are willing to see what the end product may be!
Miranda Stephens (Secretary).
The Scottish Episcopal Church in Highland Perthshire Offers All a Warm And Inclusive Welcome
Part of the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane
Rector: The Rev Canon Liz Baker 01796 472005: Email: bethmaybaker@yahoo.co.uk
Sunday services 9.30am Holy Communion/Communion by Extension/ Café Communion 5th Sundays Joint Service with Kilmaveonaig & All Saints (see Website for location)
Book Group. Contact - Ms. Lesley Whitwood 01887 840416 for details.
Garden Group 11.00am to 1.00pm on Tuesdays
Kilmaveonaig (St Adamnan’s Church), opposite former Tilt Hotel, Blair Atholl
Contact - Mrs. Lavinia Gordon 01796 481230
Kilmaveonaig is open daily
Sundays at 11.15am Holy Communion/Matins/ Communion by Extension
5th Sundays Joint Service with Holy Trinity & All Saints (see Website for location)
St Andrew's, Church, Strathtay, opposite the local shop
Contact - Ms. Lesley Whitwood 01887 840416
Sundays at 11.15am Holy Communion/Matins/Service of the Word/Communion by Extension
Sunday Services: Please note the times of worship services on Sundays, Pitlochry Church at 10.00am and Blair Atholl Church at 11.30am.
New Minister: We are delighted to announce that Rev Mark Foster has accepted the invitation to be minister of the linked charge and look forward to welcoming him and his wife, Joanne, in the autumn.
At Pitlochry, we invite you to join us, whether you live locally or are just visiting the area. Worship begins with a warm welcome, followed by a mix of music and words, ancient and modern. Tea/ coffee and biscuits are served in The Tryst Lounge following the service.
Day Care: Alzheimer Scotland, Heart for Art (CrossReach) and Live Active have become the tripartite provider of Day Care in The Tryst Lounge on Tuesdays from 10.00am – 2.00pm and on
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Scotland Prestige Awards
Winner of Mortgage Broker of the Year 2022
Finalists in the 2019 and 2020 Scottish Mortgage Awards for both Best Mortgage Broker Edinburgh & Scotland categories and Shortlisted for the 2022 Awards for Best Regional Broker: Edinburgh and Best Regional Broker: Central Region
Thursdays from 10.00am – 3.00pm. The community bus will provide transport. If you, or anyone you know, would benefit from these activities, lunch and some company, please contact the Day Care Team at The Tryst for details. If you wish to volunteer to help at these sessions, please contact Lynne Cunningham ( LCunningham@pkc.gov.uk ).
Wednesday Coffee & Chat: 10.30am – 11.45am. Everyone is very welcome to catch up with friends, neighbours and to meet new people over tea, coffee and biscuits in The Tryst Lounge. At present, donations are for the people of Malawi, through the Bananabox Trust.
Church Choir and Country Dancers: The choir and the dancers are having a break for the summer and will resume in September when new members will be most welcome.
Table Tennis: Meet weekly on Thursdays 2.00pm until 4.00pm in The Tryst Hall.
Church Office: The Tryst, for all enquires and deliveries contact by email thetryst@btconnect.com or telephone 01796 474010. The office is open from 9.00 – 11.00am Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Emails and telephone messages are checked regularly. For details and availability of The Tryst hire also contact by email thetryst@btconnect.com or telephone 01796 474010.
Braes of Rannoch linked with Foss & Rannoch Church of Scotland
4 August – Joint service in Braes Church, Bridge of Gaur at 11.00am (no service in the Old Church) 11, 18, 25 August – 9.45am at Braes of Rannoch & 11.30 am in the Old Church, Kinloch Rannoch. All welcome!
Jehovah’s Witnesses
You are welcome to join us for these meetings held at the Kingdom Hall, Moness Terrace, Aberfeldy. If you have a Bible, bring it with you; if you would like a Bible, we offer copies without charge. If you would like a lift to the meetings, get in touch using the information below.
Thursday 1st August, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: ‘How Events in Jesus’ Life Were Foretold in Psalm 69’, ‘Patience—What Jesus Did and How Can We Imitate Him?’, ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses Build Their Beliefs on the Bible’, ‘“After Quite a Bit of Dissension” Part Two— Acts 15:2–5’.
Sunday 4th August, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Build Your Faith in God and His Promises’. A discussion: ‘How to Find a Potential Marriage Mate (Proverbs 31:10)’.
Thursday 8th August, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 70–72, ‘“Tell the Next Generation” About God’s Power’, ‘Keep Improving Your Family Worship’, ‘“After Quite a Bit of Dissension” Part Three—Acts 15:6–12’.
Sunday 11th August, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Walking With God Brings Blessings Now and Forever’. A discussion: ‘How to Have a Successful Courtship (1 Peter 3:4)’.
Thursday 15th August, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 73, 74,
Are There Adders Here?
Yes... You can count on it!
The adder, commonly known as the European adder, is a member of the Viper Berus family. Of the three snakes native to the UK, (the others are the Smooth Snake and the Barred Grass Snake), the adder is the only venomous one and thankfully very distinctive. Male adders usually have silverygrey colouration, while females can be copper or brown. Both have a black zig-zag pattern along their backs. Fully black adders can be seen in some areas too, usually female, but are rare. They all have red eyes.
Once fully grown, they usually measure between 60 and 80cm in length. Young are almost perfect replicas of adults and measure around 17cm in length at birth.
Adders can be found all over mainland Uk. They favour open habitats like moorland and woodland edges and are a protected species. They hibernate during winter months, October - March, sleeping in dry sheltered spots such as burrows or within fallen trees. They emerge in spring at breeding time and the males perform elaborate dances as they fight each other for access to females.
Adders do not lay eggs, but give birth to live young, up to 20 in late summer. They can live for over 10 years but are susceptible to other predators, such as birds of prey, crows, badgers, foxes, feral cats and even pheasants, when very young. Their diet is small mammals, such as mice, voles and lizards. They will also eat frogs, newts and small birds as well as chicks. They stun their prey with a venomous bite before devouring them. There have been numerous local sightings of adders so far this year and your best chance of seeing one is in spring, when they are emerging from hibernation and spend the early part of the day basking in sunlight, usually on a log, rock or garden wall.
These snakes are shy creatures and are sensitive to vibration and quick to slip away when they feel footsteps approaching, they will naturally retreat from humans. It is rare for adders to bite people, but this can happen if you try to handle them,
accidentally step on them, or poke them with a stick!
Adder bites are rarely fatal, but it's a big fright and can be very painful. Here’s what to do if bitten :Don't panic. Stay Calm. It is likely that little venom has actually been dispensed. However, minimising your movements limits the pumping of any venom around the blood system and towards the heart. Wash the bite site with clean water to remove any venom from the skin. You can put a ‘cold compress’ on the bite but do not apply ice packs. A cold compress could be a bandage, t-shirt, beanie hat or other material soaked in cool water.
Keep the bite site low. This will slow the spread of any venom. Loosen clothing on the affected limb and remove jewellery. Sometimes adders do ‘dry bites’ where venom is not injected, although you may still have some symptoms from the bite. First aid response is the same as you won’t know if venom has been injected or not until medically assessed. Monitor the casualty’s vital signs regularly Write down their breathing rate & pulse. Give this information to the hospital or ambulance service. Don’t go Cowboy. Do not 'cut and suck’. Other than putting poison into your own system it does not work. Tourniquets are also not appropriate. Reassure the casualty and seek medical support. The bite will be painful, cause swelling, tingling and distress. However, as long as the casualty doesn’t have an underlying health problem, they should be OK. Let the casualty take their time, and after 20-30 minutes they may stand slowly and start to walk with support. Always seek medical advice so head for the nearest A&E Department.
If the casualty is a child or an elderly adult there would be more concerns. Their smaller body weight means any toxins would have a greater effect so it would be recommended that you call 999 straight away. However, the advice above still remains the same. Keep calm, avoid lots of movement, and reassure the casualty.
Statistically, you have more chance of being killed by a wasp than dying from a bite from Britain’s only venomous snake. The last death from an adder bite in the UK was in 1975.
Your dog however, is more likely to be bitten, as puppies and young dogs can be especially curious and can unintentionally provoke an adder into biting. Adder bites can result in swelling around the wound, usually within 2 hours, and can be severe. You might be able to see the 2 puncture wounds in the centre of the swelling. Your dog may also show signs of pain, bleeding, bruising, lameness and may appear nervous.
If the adder venom is absorbed into the rest of the body it can cause a widespread inflammatory reaction leading to symptoms such as lethargy, fever, increased heart and respiratory rates, drooling, vomiting and a wobbly gait. In severe cases animals may collapse, have blood clotting problems, organ failure, tremors or convulsions.
Bites are most common on a dog’s legs or face. If bitten on the face, the swelling may result in breathing difficulties.
The severity and recovery can vary and depends on:
• The speed of veterinary treatment
• The location of the bite
• The size of the dog (small patients can be more severely affected)
• The amount and potency of the venom
• The amount the dog moves after it's been bitten
• Any pre-existing medical conditions. Here’s what to do:-
First of all, seek veterinary attention. Do not panic, but your dog will need timely medical attention. Carry your dog (rather than allow it to walk) to try and reduce the spread of venom around the body. Bathe the wound in cold water to help control the
swelling and try to keep your dog quiet and warm as you travel to your nearest vet.
Ring your vet in advance to let them know what has happened and your estimated time of arrival so a vet is available to see you, and it gives them time to prepare any treatments. If you’re unaware your dog has been bitten but you notice anything which may be suggestive of a bite later on, it’s important that you ring your vet without delay, even if it is outside of normal opening hours. Even though signs can be severe, over 95% of cases survive with the appropriate treatment. The average time to a full recovery is 5 days. Because the bite and swelling is painful, pain relief will usually be given. Your vet may recommend fluid therapy (a drip) to maintain blood pressure, treat shock and maintain the blood flow of the vital organs. Anti-histamines might be added to the treatment. Sometimes cage rest is recommended to minimise venom absorption into the rest of your dog's body. In some cases, if it is available, anti-venom is used. It makes the venom inactive by binding to it and therefore ensures no further damage is caused. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to obtain as it needs to be imported.
Willie
‘What if We Envy Those Not Serving God?’, ‘James—”The Brother of the Lord”’, ‘“We Have Come to a Unanimous Decision” Part One—Acts 15:13–18’.
Sunday 18th August, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Be Courageous and Trust in Jehovah’. A discussion: ‘Jehovah’s Grand Invitation to Be His Guests (Ezekiel 37:27)’.
Thursday 22nd August, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 75–77, ‘Do Not Be Boastful—Why?’, ‘Be Loyal When Praised’, ‘“We Have Come to a Unanimous Decision” Part Two—Acts 15:19–21’.
Sunday 25th August, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Facing the Future with Faith and Courage’. A discussion: ‘Remain Jehovah’s Guest Forever! (Psalm 15:1)’.
Thursday 29th August, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 78, ‘Israel’s Unfaithfulness—A Warning Example’, ‘Learn From the Example of Philip the Evangelizer’, ‘“We Have Come to a Unanimous Decision” Part Three—Acts 15:22–35’.
Jehovah is the name of Jesus’s father; to witness is to share the truth. Enjoy a free study of the Bible at your convenience—ring or text 07 802 753 193.
At www.jw.org you will find the Bible’s answers to life’s big questions.
Pitlochry Baptist Church
Atholl Road, PH16 5BX www.pbcweb.net
Pastor: Rev David Barrie (pastor@pbcweb.net)
Sundays - Our Worship Gathering takes place every Sunday from 10:30am at our building on Atholl Road - next to the Tourist Information Centre and across the road from Heartland FM. If you’re exploring faith or looking for a place to call home, come as you are and join us. For the children, we have a full programme for babies through to teenagers. We look forward to welcoming you.
This month’s highlighted event:
Come join us for another Summer Special Event, a Strawberry Tea and Quiz on Friday 16 August at 2pm in the Atholl Centre (behind Pitlochry Baptist Church). A limited number of free tickets are still available from the Atholl Centre for this event. Please book your seat to avoid disappointment.
For quick & easy access to information on our website and social media pages, scan this QR code
(the black and white box thing). Do this by:
(1) Open the Camera app on your phone. (2) Hold your phone so that the QR code appears in view. (3) Tap the notification to open the link in your browser.
Alternatively, if that gives you a headache, go to our website or check us out on Facebook and Instagram for current up-to-date information.
RC Parish of St Bride
St Bride’s, Rie-Achan Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AL
Our Lady of Mercy, Home Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2AJ
St Columba’s, St Mary’s Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 OBJ
St Columba’s Saturday Vigil 6.00pm Our Lady of Mercy 9.30am St Bride’s 11.30am
Weekday Mass Times
Our Lady of Mercy Tuesday 9.30am, St Bride’s Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9.30am
Holy Days of Obligation
St Columba’s 9.30am, Our Lady of Mercy 12.30pm, St Bride’s 7.00pm
For further information please refer to our Facebook page.
The Baha’i Faith
On a Holy Day
A commemoration of one of the most significant of nine Holy Days in the year, that of the Martyrdom of the Bab on July 9th, 1850, was held in Aberfeldy. Children and adults alike, locals and visiting friends, said a prayer and read contemporary accounts of the event, accounts as moving as if of the crucifixion of Jesus.
The Bab (meaning “The Gate”, akin in ways to St. John The Baptist) had declared His Mission in 1844 as the Forerunner of a greater Manifestation to follow soon after Him and as the Q’aim promised in the Q’ran. The religious authorities in Persia believed they could quell the spread of the new Babi (later Baha’i) religion by executing its Founder.
On that day in Tabriz, two hours before noon, He was led to the scaffold, suspended by ropes under his armpits, with a crowd of 10,000 straining to see him from the barracks square and surrounding rooftops. A regiment of Armenian soldiers was drawn up in three lines of 250 in each, ready to fire. The volleys rang out but when the smoke cleared He was nowhere to be seen. Only the ropes had been severed. The Bab was back in his cell as he had promised the companion he was in the midst of instructing when the jailer had forced Him away. The Commander of the Regiment, a Christian who had begged the Bab to free Him from the guilt of this act, refused to repeat the execution. His jailer too fled the scene. About noon He was again suspended and another Regiment performed the task, fulfilling the prophesy in the Q’ran that the followers of Mohammed would slay His own successor.
The Bab’s Ministry had lasted a brief six years, ending in His 31st year. Russian, English and French observers, even His enemies in Persia, attested to the purity of His character and to His inspired Writings. At this very time the Czar of Russia had sent a fact-finding mission to report on the Bab’s teachings! Some of these reports are available on www.bahai.org
An entry in our Community Pages is free to all non profit groups. If you would like to be included, just send your entry before 12th of the preceding month, by e-mai to info@pitlochrylife.co.uk Tell us your news and we will tell everyone else!
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Ingredients
Salsa
3 ripe tomatoes, seeded & finely chopped
½ red onion, finely chopped
½ red or green chilli, finely chopped
½ tablespoon white vinegar
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
Guacamole
1 large ripe avocado, chopped
½ green chilli, deseeded, roughly chopped
1-2 tbsp lime juice (or to taste)
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
few drops Tabasco
salt and freshly ground pepper
Assembly
1 large bag tortilla chips (200g)
250g strong cheddar cheese, finely grated
handful sliced green jalapeños (from a jar)
150g sour cream
150g tinned black beans, rinsed & drained
1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
sprinkling sweet paprika (optional)
Loaded Nachos
Method
You can speed this up by changing to shop bought Guacamole and a jar of Salsa. However, this fresh salsa is so much better on Nachos than the one found in a jar.
To make the guacamole put all the ingredients in a blender or mini chopper and blend until smooth. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to your taste.
Mix all the ingredients for the salsa together in a bowl and season to taste.
Arrange half the chips on a large oven safe ceramic platter or on a baking tray lined with foil. Sprinkle half the cheese over the nachos and then sprinkle half the black beans over them.
Add the remaining nachos and the rest of the cheese and black beans.
Put in the oven at 190 and keep an eye on the nachos. The cheese will soon start to melt. If it looks like you might want to add more cheese, then sprinkle some more over them now. Cook for about 5 - 10 minutes until cheese has melted. Spread the salsa over the top then add dollops of sour cream and guacamole. Sprinkle with the sliced jalapeños, coriander and paprika if using. Serve immediately. If you have any salsa or guacamole left over, serve in little bowls for extra dipping.
Perth & Kinross School Holiday Dates 2024 - 2025
Well the kids will be back at school in August and we can finally get on with our lives in relative peace until at least October. Here are the term times for the coming year: they will let you plan your holidays, childminders, days out, days in etc. Watch out for the 2 occasional holidays, the dreaded In-Service Days and then there's snow! Check www.pkc.gov.uk/schools for any updates.
Monday 12th August 2024
In-Service Day
Autumn Term
Autumn Holiday
Winter Term
Christmas Holiday
Spring Term
Spring Holiday
Summer Term
Tuesday 13th August 2024
Wednesday 14th August 2024
Friday 4th October 2024
Monday 7th October 2024
Friday 18th October 2024
Monday 21st October 2024
Friday 15th November 2024
Friday 20th December 2024
Monday 23rd December 2024
Friday 3rd January 2025
Monday 6th January 2025
Wednesday 12th February 2025
Thursday 13th February 2025
Friday 14th February 2025
Friday 4th April 2025
Monday 7th April 2025
Monday 21st April 2025
Tuesday 22nd April 2025
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
Monday 5th May 2025
Thursday 26th June 2025
Easter Sunday - 20th April 2025.
In-Service Day
Pupils resume
All break
Start
End
All resume
In-Service day
All break
Start
End
All resume
In-Service Day
Occasional Holiday
Occasional Holiday
All break
Start
End
In-Service Day
All resume
May Day Holiday
All break for summer
School closures are advised through www.pkc.gov.uk/schoolclosures
For further information on schools, visit the Council website at www.pkc.gov.uk/schools
Appointments arranged out with these days 01738 476000 (select option 2)
Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages Mon - Fri: By Appointment 01796 474645
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Pitlochry Life
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The People & The Place
We have been very busy with the BOOK this last few weeks and the entries have been coming in thick and fast.
We appreciate that this is the busiest time of the year for many of our businesses and with holidays too, has meant getting photos has been very problematic.
To this end we have pushed back the deadline until the end of July/ beginning of August, but we still want to publish before October, to catch the Enchanted Forest and Christmas sales of the book.
If you haven't had a chance to join us yet, then please get in touch straight away and we will reserve your space. This is a one off book and it is your chance to leave a permanent reminder of who you are for future generations.
email: info@pitlochrylife.co.uk
HOROSCOPES
BY CHRISTINE CHALKLIN
For August 2024
August brings the sign of Leo to the forefront, and with it comes an abundance of dynamic fire energy. This is the month to enjoy the warmth of the season, be passionate and joyful and make special time for having lots of fun with family and friends. The new moon in Leo on the 4th suggests that creative energy will also be at its peak. Many of you will be getting away for summer holidays, Mercury, planet of business and travel, goes into the retrograde phase on the 5th; take great care with all your plans as mischief maker Mercury is often out to spoil your fun. Check all your details more than once, and be clear about all communications and business dealings. Things will start to get easier as Mercury moves direct again on the 28th. Venus arrives in practical Virgo on the 5th, although summer days should still be all about having fun, this could also be the perfect time to start thinking about learning new things or planning a creative project for the autumn.
Action planet Mars and expansive Jupiter are travelling together in the communicative sign of Gemini all month. A major conjunction of these two planets occurs on the 14th, events on the world stage could be rather explosive around this time, we can expect high drama all round!
The full moon is in Aquarius on the 19th, reminding us all that anything is possible – be prepared and expect the unexpected!
ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20
Warrior planet Mars, your ruler, is travelling with expansive Jupiter in curious Gemini, they are exactly conjunct on the 14th, highlighting some ingenious and inspirational ideas that could take your life on a totally different path. The Aquarian full moon on the 19th encourages you to work with new business partners as opportunities for new community projects appear on the horizon.
TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21
August is a power packed month as dynamic Mars joins up with expansive Jupiter in your financial sector; you’ll have the courage to make some major changes and possibly take some risks that will put you in a much better position. Be prepared as the cosmos is suggesting radical transformation. Your ruler, the love planet Venus, arrives in Virgo on the 5th illuminating the relationship area of your chart.
GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21
Power packed Mars and Mighty Jupiter are in your sign all month, the two join forces on the 14th, be prepared and make the most of this fortunate encounter by restructuring the way you plan and think and be sure to remain open to exciting opportunities that are coming your way. The courageous Leo new moon on the 4th offers creative new ideas.
CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22
During August the radiant Leo Sun suggests that creative money making schemes are at an all-time high, particularly around the Leo new moon on the 4th. Venus arrives in Virgo on the 5th energising your communication sector with practical new concepts. The powerful the unique energy of the Aquarian full moon on the 19th should offer insight into some practical new ideas that leave you feeling successful and prosperous.
LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23
August is your special time as action packed Mars and mighty Jupiter offer a cosmic power boost; your energy and enthusiasm will be at an all-time high. New friendships and group endeavours are particularly favoured. Your powerful new moon on the 4th offers a turning point and the full moon in your opposite sign on the 19th encourages you to take up the challenge on an important project.
VIRGO AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 22
August offers a radical shake up in all matters concerning your goals, ambition and career prospects. Lucky Jupiter and Action packed Mars are suggesting that exciting new beginnings are evident. The love planet Venus arrives in your sign on the 5th indicating that some relationship issues will come to the surface and need some careful consideration - and a practical solution!
LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23
August draws you toward faraway travel, adventure and higher learning. Action planet Mars and expansive Jupiter in restless Gemini ensure that some radical changes are about to take place. The Sun and Venus in gregarious Leo are favouring some exciting new friendships and group endeavours, and the full moon in innovative Aquarius on the 19th brings your intuition to the forefront.
SCORPIO OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22
Warrior planet Mars and expansive Jupiter are travelling together in your financial and resource sector, flagging up some challenges that need your attention. Adjustments will need to be made so that you can move forward positively. The Mars/Jupiter conjunction on the 14th offers courage, willpower and positive new insight around any decisions that need to be made.
SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21
August is an optimistic time for Sagittarians as positive planetary activity is at its height. Abundant Jupiter, your ruler, is courageous and optimistic travelling together with dynamic Mars in curious Gemini. Your relationships are in the spotlight this month, the Powerful conjunction on the 14th is particularly auspicious and offers the potential for positive change.
CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20
August brings some important personal issues to your attention as Stern Saturn, your ruler, makes a challenging aspect to expansive Jupiter in Gemini. Facing facts both personally and professionally will eventually make your life much easier as you progress forwards. Love planet Venus, in Virgo from the 5th, is in positive position, indicating that a new relationship might be on the horizon.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 18
Home and family life come to the forefront during August as a variety of domestic issues demand your attention. Uranus, your ruler, might be stirring up some trouble and you’ll need to keep a clear head to avoid any arguments. Venus arrives in your financial sector on the 5th, there could be some lucky breaks coming your way. The full moon in your sign on the 19th is both powerful and illuminating.
PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20
The Leo Sun lights up your work sector as you start to explore some creative new ways of making money. The Aquarian full moon on the 19th emphasises the area of your chart concerned with introspection and intuition. Good communication is now vital as any decisions made now will need your full attention. Planetary energy is positive, suggesting that exciting new opportunities are about to appear.
Christine is a professional astrologer offering private consultations in astrology, life coaching and Bach flower essences.
NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH these challenging times, discover your unique birth map and take a refreshing new look at the months ahead. Be more positive and plan your life with in-depth knowledge and cosmic awareness by tuning into your highest potential; be alerted to when positive and productive planetary cycles are working in your favour. Consultations are available on Skype, Zoom or by telephone, please contact me for more information.
Christine Chalklin, Inspirational Astrologer and Life Coach
