Pitlochry Life May 2024

The Pitlochry Tipple

This month Ewan looks at different types of gin, what they are and how they taste.

Your Community

All the news from our MPs, Clubs, Groups and Churches.

The Pitlochry Garden

Sheila gives some great, advice on choosing new plants that will survive in your garden.

Fitness With Alan Clinch

Alan continues his sleep article with great advice for getting a better sleep.

Willie's Wonky Computer

Willie is obsessed with AI, just bear with him, it will pass.

Sudoku

Our Sudoku is also online this month, play every day and keep your brain active!

Kitchen Design

We look at the basics of kitchen design, to get you started on your dream kitchen.

Recipe

This month we have an air fryer recipe for Crispy Chilli Beef.

The Pitlochry Crossword Lesley is back, to test your crossword ability, along with local and Scottish knowledge!

Welcome to the May edition of Pitlochry Life. May is a great month, just a few days of sunshine and the cherry blossom is out and the evenings are light until nearly 9pm. What a difference!

Welcome to all our advertisers, old and new. The great local businesses we have with us all work hard to deliver exemplary service that can be trusted. May 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, and a concert from Music in Blair Atholl. We have great productions at The Pitlochry Festival Theatre including Footloose and Sense & Sensibility, and a new one to me Nan Shepherd.

All our great local clubs and societies are also busy this month with talks, outings and competitions. It’s going to be tough to fit it all in!

This month Alan looks at ‘sleep hygiene’ in the fitness column, Sheila talks about plants to thrive in the gardening column, there’s favourite gins in the Tipple, and the recipe is a take away style delight. Our editorial feature is a look at the basic principles of kitchen design. If you get a few minutes to spare you can try Lesley’s crossword, or if you prefer the old favourite sudoko. Give it a go - you may be surprised!

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. There is so much to see and do in Pitlochry and surrounds!

Have a great May - 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.

The Most Popular Gin Styles

I get asked fairly regularly about what the different styles of gin are, from London Dry to Genever there are a wide range, so I thought I would describe the most popular. So, what is gin, legally? Though it may come as a surprise, gin is technically a juniper-flavoured vodka. But the way in which distillers infuse flavours into the vodka base (NGS or Neutral Grain Spirit), by adding the botanics of choice, separates great gin from that of lesser quality. It must also be of 37.5% abv or above.

London Dry

Tastes Like: Juniper with hints of citrus.

What is it: This classification encompasses the vast majority of popular brands. Beefeater, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphirethey're all London Dry. This gin style is drier than some of the older types on this list (Old Tom, Genever) and features a balanced aroma of juniper and citrus.

Plymouth

Tastes Like: London Dry, but a bit sweeter and earthier.

What is it: Unlike London Dry, which can be made anywhere, Plymouth gin can only be produced in Plymouth, England.

Contemporary

Tastes Like: These gins tend to put less emphasis on juniper and more emphasis on other aromatics like floral botanicals, citrus, or, as is the case with our own ‘Robertsons’ gin.

What is it: There are no legal classifications for the crop of modern craft gin distillers, but the stylistic similarities are enough to group them together.

Navy Strength

Tastes Like: London Dry, but with more of an alcoholic punch.

What is it: Clocking in at 57 percent alcohol, navy

strength gin is no joke. This gin derives its name from British naval soldiers who would douse gunpowder with the spirit and then try to light the gunpowder on fire. Navy Strength gin bears a similar flavour to London Dry gin (citrusy juniper), but the high proof makes it a superior choice in very flavourful, aromatic cocktails.

Genever

Tastes Like: Viscous mouthfeel and flavours of malt and savoury botanicals like lemon peel and fennel.

What is it: The forefather of all gins, this is the OG juniper beverage if there ever was one. "Oude" or "old" style Genever is made with at least 15 percent malt, imparting a richer mouthfeel than its "younger" counterpart.

Old Tom

Tastes Like: Less of a juniper bite and a mouth coating malty sweetness.

What is it: Functionally the Palo Cortado of the gin world, Old Tom bridges the gap between London Dry and the decidedly scotch-like Genever. Legend has it that the "Old Tom" moniker comes from a 19th century British bar that secretly dispensed its gin. The bar featured a sign of a black tomcat and was outfitted with a slot into which the imbiber inserted coins and in return received a shot of gin.

Flavoured Gin

Tastes Like: Depends on the flavour. One of the most common examples is sloe gin (made from sloe berries), which tastes like a juniper-laced berry liqueur.

What is it: Just like any other spirit, many gin brands produce flavoured versions.

Ewan McIlwraith

Robertsons of Pitlochry & The Bothy Tasting Room 44-46 Atholl Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5BX

www.robertsonsofpitlochry.co.uk

Open from 10 until late, serving brunch, lunch and dinner. From our family to yours, we warmly welcome you to Victoria’s.

Brunch, Lunch & Baking

Bistro dining & top notch wines by day Alfresco courtyard We look forward to welcoming you! Summer dining

from 5.30pm

Pitlochry, The People & The Place

Every business and every group needs to join us!

At some time, most people get involved in discussions on who lived where and when, and what business occupied certain premises before they changed and who worked there. So, to save many a wee debate and to save any arguments, we thought it would be great to capture Pitlochry at a point in time. This limited first edition book will be a permanent record of our wee town and its people today. Who knows 25 years from now, those debates can be settled once and for all.

This book will serve as a way to highlight all our local businesses, tradespeople, community groups, service industry and well known faces. It will be a unique timestamp of the town and will serve as a historic record of what kind of community existed here during 2024 and at the start of 2025. It will be hard backed and full of lovely glossy photographs. The second purpose of this book is to raise funds for local groups and clubs that work tirelessly to enhance our beautiful town all year round and make it the special place that it is. The proceeds from the book will be shared with our local groups to keep Pitlochry alive and special.

A standard entry will include a photograph of your business, 50 word history, contact information and list of people in your photograph. The price of inclusion is £99 for businesses. Remember surplus monies from the book go back to the town.

The book once finished will then be sold to locals, tourists, visitors and hotels etc to raise funds for the town.

All local groups such as scouts, brownies, guides, youth football teams, Pitlochry in Bloom etc. will be included at no charge. We have a great number of groups included in Pitlochry Life Magazine regularly for free - but if you are a group unknown to us, please do get in touch.

Pitlochry deserves a great edition of its own and we can showcase the town for generations to come. The book is for everyone and every business in Pitlochry - so please get in touch. It won’t be complete without you all! To reach everyone is a huge task and whilst we will endeavour to make contact, if you can help us get this off the ground by contacting us first - we would really appreciate it.

To take part in the book please contact Debbie or Willie at info@pitlochrylife.co.uk or call 07545299491

Here is a link to the video of an example of this type of bookwww.bit.ly/3Jd9dko

Deadline for inclusion will be Friday June 21st

Get in touch now to secure your spot. This is a once in a generation opportunity - there won't be a second edition - so don’t miss out!

Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic - 1st May

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 1st May 2024 between 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice, (Wellbeing Room), Aberfeldy.

Dementia Cafe - 1st May

North Church Hall, High Street, Perth

This cafe does what it says on the tin. It welcomes anyone who has a memory problem and those who have a diagnosis of dementia. If you want a quiet word with one of our professionals e.g. a psychiatric nurse, a social worker, or a link worker, our cafe is the place to come. Some of our volunteers are ex-carers of someone with dementia which can be of comfort for regulars and newcomers alike.

There is always a warm welcome and a cup of coffee or tea with special biscuits which cater for gluten-free folk. The atmosphere is always upbeat and positive.

Our cafe is first Wednesday of the month and the next one will be on Wednesday, May 1st, 10.00 - 12.30pm.

The Cafe is always open, even if it rains, sleets or snows!

Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group4th May

We’re happy to say that DB Trad Group is now 1 year old! It’s been a successful first year with our young members developing their skills in playing trad music and learning to play and perform together. Our local community has given tremendous support and encouragement through donating instruments, time and money, attending concerts and involving us in local events. We couldn’t ask for more.

Our next gig is 10am Saturday 4th May at Dunkeld Living History Weekend.

We rely entirely on funding and donations and thank SSE Renewables, National Lottery, Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, Basil Death Trust, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Enchanted Forest for their funding, and all of the local residents and groups who have generously donated money and instruments.

Our weekly tuition, currently for fiddle and accordion, is free and we provide the instruments. Classes and bands run weekly during term–time at Birnam Arts and open to anyone aged P5 – S6. ½ hour group lessons - Mondays 4-6pm

Junior trad band (P5-S2) - Mondays 6:30-7:30pm

Senior trad band (S3-S6) - Mondays 7:30-8:30pm

We welcome a wide variety of instrument players to be involved in our junior and senior bands, and encourage fiddle and accordion players, string, wind and brass players, guitarists, pianists and more to join.

Email dbtradgroup@gmail.com or call 07958 324 766 for more info

Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic - 7th May

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 7th May 2024 between 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Pitlochry Community Hospital.

Continued on page 16

Tryst Walking Group - 7th May

Tuesday 7 May: Wildcat Trail, Newtonmore: This is a circular waymarked walk around Newtonmore on good paths. We pass through open moorland, native woodlands and along the banks of the Spey and Calder rivers, with views to Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountains. Height climbed 120m. Distance approx. 7 miles. OS map 35. 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.

Climate Cafe - 9th May

"Sustainable agriculture is not just about growing crops, it's about caring for the soil, the water, the air, and all the living things that depend on them." - Vandana Shiva Climate Café in May: You're very welcome to join us at the next Climate Cafe at 7p.m. on Thursday 9th May at the library on Atholl Road. We offer you a comfy seat, a hot drink and a chance to share your thoughts about climate change. For more information please contact: Alison Robb and Carol Aitken pitlochrydistrictcc@gmail.com Website: www. pitlochrycc.co.uk

Last month's talk was by Ana de Miguel, one of PKC's Waste Minimisation Officers. Of green bin contents 50% could have been recycled and saved the council £1.7m a year. A quarter is food waste much of which could have been eaten. Disposing of general waste costs £100-£150 a ton.

A few tips for the new grey recycling bin: squash milk cartons and replace lid; put soft plastic tops from fruit cartons in separately; put all items in loose; empty aerosols; clean shower gel/shampoo containers (or save plastic and money using soap instead); fruit nets accepted; ignore 'not yet recyclable' label on plastics – they can go in. No batteries or polystyrene; batteries can be recycled at the Civic Recycling Centre, the Hardware Shop and Co-op; printer cartridges can go to the Red Cross. Blister packs for pills can’t yet be recycled locally but Superdrug in Perth will take them. More details on PKC’s website

www.pkc.gov.uk/article/14146/Bins-and-recycling or at our local library.

The Meeting Place - 10th & 17th May

We meet every Friday in the Duchess Anne, Dunkeld from 10-12 for a cup of tea or coffee along with tasty home baking and good company.

The Coffee Mornings on 10th and 17th May will be supporting Christian Aid and will have a cake and candy stall. Christian Aid will also have a bookstall at the Duchess Anne on these dates. All welcome.

Tay Valley Connections - 11th May

The Tay Valley Timebank charity is now Tay Valley Connections! We have grown far beyond our origins in time-banking. TVC now supports connection in the Upper Tay area by 1) helping people build community, 2) helping people get around, and 3) helping people help one another.

We began as a timebank more than 10 years ago - back then, we were called Deeds for Needs and were supported by Perth And Kinross Association Of Voluntary Service (PKAVS). Timebanks can help to move us away from the idea of ‘givers’ and ‘recipients’. In fact, everyone needs something and everyone has something to give.

During the pandemic, our work grew beyond time-banking. We were helping with prescriptions, transportation, groceries, and more. We called our expanding transportation arm ‘Upper Tay Transport’ and ‘Timebank’ became a confusing name for an organisation that includes much more than timebanking. Now, we have changed our name to make it clear that we are all about connection in this beautiful area we all call home.

Please join us for a celebratory launch of our new identity Saturday May 11, 1:00-3:00 pm at the Aberfeldy Town Hall. This event is for everyone of all ages and abilities. The town hall is fully accessible and children will be happy to hear that there will be a bouncy castle! We’ll have food, drink, and connection. It’s all free! www.tayvalleyconnections.org

The Atholl Craft Collective - 11th May

We are a group set up 3 years ago to showcase crafters from the local area and what they create make and bake.

I found there to be a gap in the area where at a reasonable cost this could be done.

Myself and David Hamilton, Segway Ecosse set up the Collective with the ethos to make it accessible, cheap and to donate all monies from the tables back to the local community. We are at present in Blair Atholl Village Hall and our next fayre of the year will be on the 11th of May from 11am - 3pm

No raffle, no tombola, free entry and a cracking cup of tea and cake to be had. We make no profit from this at all, our reward is seeing crafters selling their handmade items and the table money keeping the village hall going. It has just recently been beautifully renovated to encourage others to use the hall for more events and weddings.

Tayside Woodlands Partnerships - 11th May

West Stormont Woodland Group, in conjunction with Tayside Woodland Partnerships is holding a woodland picnic on Saturday May 11th at 12.00, followed by a guided walk at 13.00. Come and join us for a social get-together and to hear about WSWG’s plans and what TWP are up to. Bring your own food and drink, and some to share if you can, plus a chair or mat to sit on. Parking is limited so please share where possible. Meet at the entrance to Taymount Wood, about a mile north east of Stanley, Google maps coordinates 56.500212, -3.431229. What3words: tributes.batches.laminate

Dress suitably for the weather, children under 16 must be accompanied by guardian.

For more information find us on facebook, email contact@weststormontwoodlandgroup.scot or visit www.weststormontwoodlandgroup.scot or www.taysidewoodlandpartnerships.org

Erica Ritch 07719394265.

Litter Action Group - 14th May

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 litterpickers. 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

Formerly Morton’s Co ee Lounge there’s a (fully refurbished) new kid on Atholl Rd!

You can’t miss us… Just look for the flowers!

Breakfasts

Traditional and a bit fancy too!

Lunches

Focaccia, Baked Tatties, Sourdough, Loaded Fries

Did I mention cakes?

Gluten Free and Vegan well looked after too!

Drinks

Iced Teas, Iced Co ee, Barista Co ees, Hot Chocolates - with a twist, Smoothies, Milkshakes, Alcohol Free drinks

PLUS Takeaway Menu

Recreation ground car park. The next litter-pick is on Tuesday 14th May.

Dates for litter-picks in 2024 are: June 11th, July 9th, August 13th, 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 & District u3a - 15th May

The next event for Pitlochry & District u3a will be an outing to the new Perth Museum on Wednesday 15th May.

From September, we resume whole group meetings in the Atholl Centre at 2pm on the third Wednesdays.

The u3a primarily brings together people, who have finished working full time or raising their family, to develop interests and to continue learning in informal and supportive environments. The focus is on sharing and learning from each other. In addition to our whole group talks we also offer interest groups which are led by one of our members - the emphasis is on learning from each other and having fun while doing so.

In between whole-group meetings, members take part in specialist interest groups. For further information please visit our website https://u3asites.org.uk/pitlochry/welcome or contact Sandra Cairncross (Secretary) on smcairnx@hotmail.com with any queries.

Pitlochry Flower Club - 15th May

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 15 May at the Tryst Hall, Pitlochry at 2pm - 4pm. Carol MacGill will give a demonstration entitled "Being Creative on a Budget". Carol is a club member, and her stunning arrangements will be raffled at the end of the meeting. We will have our usual sales table, with all items reduced, so a great time to buy.

Visitors will be most welcome for a small charge of £8. Come along and have a fun afternoon with friends and flowers, watching Sandra create stunning floral arrangements. We are a small club and new members will be very welcome at any time. For more information, please contact Lynda Gardiner 01796 472157.

Moulin Hall Trust - 17th May

A note from the Committee

Another busy start to the year, with some fantastic local groups using the Moulin Hall for everything from Bridge, Scottish Country Dancing and Yoga to Singing Groups, Art Exhibitions, numerous children’s parties and the Repair Café.

We are so delighted to be able to provide affordable facilities for such a broad range of events that bring so many people together. The Hall is community owned and we would love to hear from you if you think you’d like to get involved. It’s not a huge commitment - the Committee meets 4 or 5 times a year and hosts occasional fund-raising coffee mornings and a New Year drinks party. Why not come along to the AGM on Friday 17th May to find out more?

For all bookings, contact Libis 07930288761

www.facebook.com/MoulinHallUsersGroup

Continued on page 24

Pitlochry Garden Share - 18th May

We are delighted to announce that we have recently succeeded in obtaining funding from the PKC Green Living Fund. We can now buy a new shed at the Moulin Community Garden, and an efficient water storage and distribution system. We can also buy more equipment for the new Children’s Area. In the longer term we can also buy a polytunnel.

We will hold a stall outside the Pitlochry Market on Saturday 18th May from 10am. Come along and find out more about us. We should also have some seedlings available.

A new host in central Pitlochry would like to share their garden with a couple of people. They are now unable to fully care for it themselves. Get in touch if interested!

It’s a very busy time of year in all the gardens with a great deal of seed planting. We can always use new helpers! We now have three sessions in the week for new volunteers to come along to the Moulin Community Garden: Monday and Thursday mornings, and on Sundays (variable times). If you would like to know more, you can contact us on the Pitlochry Garden Share Facebook page, or on pitlochrygardenshare@gmail.com

Exhibition of Textile Art - 18th & 19th May

By students of the Gillian Cooper Studio.

Saturday 18th May 2 - 5pm, Sunday 19th May 10am - 4pm, McLintock Hall, Balfron G63 0TT. Admission free, refreshments in aid of Strathcarron Hospice. Textile and art supplies for sale.

Music In Rannoch - 19th May

Last year’s concerts were exceptionally good, and this year ‘s concerts, mostly arranged for us by Scott Mitchell from the Scottish Conservatoire, promise to be similar. It is difficult to describe how good a concert has been until after it has taken place, so do come to the first one and find out for yourself Sunday May 19th in The Old Church of Rannoch, Kinloch Rannoch, at 3.00 pm. Spanish Roses: Ana Romero, (Trumpet) and Marina Sanchez. (‘Cello).“We will open the concert with some Piazolla works, (some Latino fire). Then we will follow with dances such as the Ritual Fire Dance by Manuel de Falla, the tango ‘Por una Cabeza’ by Carlos Gardel, and Musetta’s Waltz. We will also play ’Asturias’ by Albeniz. Then we will play two jazzy duets, including a nice ballad from a British composer and we will finish with two lovely Scottish pieces, ‘Blue bonnets Over The Border’ and ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. We are thinking about also playing Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, and perhaps one of the pieces that the British composer, Ian Pillow, has written specifically for us”. £12 at the door (or join more cheaply as a Member for all 6 concerts). Children free. Refreshments during the interval, Easy parking.

Heartland Film Society at The Birks - 19th May

6.30pm Sunday,

19 May - Poor Things

“Funny, filthy and explosively inventive” (The Guardian). Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite) and based on the novel by Alasdair Gray, Poor Things is the story of Bella Baxter (played by Emma Stone) who is brought back to life by brilliant and unorthodox scientist Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). In a visually

stunning, phantasmagoric take on the Frankenstein theme, the film explores notions of freedom and equality as Bella evolves from child to adult, discovering what it means to be a woman and a member of society. The film received a multitude of nominations at this year’s awards and won best actor for Emma Stone’s performance among others. On the big screen at The Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy as one of the 2024 Heartland Film Society season of films which aims to bring the best of world cinema to our rural community.

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

Killiecrankie, Fincastle & Tummel CC - 20th May

Killiecrankie Fincastle & Tummel Community Council wishes to thank the 46 people, 1 horse and 1 dog who turned out for the Clean Up Killiecrankie event on Sunday, 7 April 2024. Not only did we collect a huge amount of rubbish on roadsides and footpaths but many residents took the opportunity to learn about CPR and defibrillator use. Trainers were available in Killiecrankie Village Hall throughout the afternoon to give excellent instruction to all those interested.

Our next CC meeting will be held at 7pm on Monday, 20 May 2024 at Kynachan Hall, Tummel Bridge. Rangers from the PKC Visitor Management Team will update us on plans for the 2024 season.

The Minutes of our March meeting are on the websitewww.killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk/community-council

To join our mailing list, please contact info@kftcommunitycouncil.co.uk

Inner Wheel Club of Pitlochry - 23rd May

Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation. Our objectives are to promote true friendship; to encourage the ideals of personal service; and to foster international understanding. We do this through regular meetings, social events and by raising funds to support local and international charities. Thank you to everyone who attended Rich Little’s fascinating talk last month about the new developments at the Scottish Crannog Centre.

The club meets on the fourth Thursday of every month and our May meeting will be at lunchtime on 23rd May. Our speaker will be Margaret Sasada, and her title is “AGOG with Memories”.

If you are interested in attending or would like further information for either event then please email innerwheelpitlochry@gmail.com

Tryst Walking Group - 25th May

Saturday 25 May: Braemar walks: This is a circular route on paths and tracks combining three Braemar walks. We walk along the banks of the Clunie Water and the river Dee then climb up through the Morrone birkwoods. Next we descend to cross the Clunie Water and join the Queen’s Drive walk back to the start. Height climbed 300m. Distance 8 miles. OS map 43. Please contact Maureen Holmes on 01796 473153 for further information.

The Pitlochry Garden May

Right now garden centres are chock full of new perennials but, if you’re new to gardening, it’s hard to tell which ones are good for your garden. What makes a good garden plant? Think about hardiness, maintenance, habit and character.

Plants must be fully hardy to withstand Scottish winter, let alone Scottish summer; fully hardy means RHS H4 or H5 or USDA Zone 7 to 8. If the label says: “needs the shelter of a sunny wall” maybe that’s not for you unless you can see the sea from your garden.

Then there’s maintenance. Does the label say it needs regular division, or staking, or spraying to prevent disease or pests? Probably not but you’d better check.

Trouble-free perennials form clumps but don’t run at the root; some euphorbias get about, so does rudbeckia. Self-seeders like oenethera need careful editing but may blend successfully with informal plantings and grasses.

Tall plants are the ones most often staked so choose ones with good structure that will stand up to the wind. For example, delphiniums need staking but aconitum don’t – and aconitum don’t get eaten by slugs and snails either. Plants with less structure tend to flop in wind and heavy rain.

Consider how you are going to use the plant in question: different habits suit particular parts of the garden. For example, along the front edge of a border you need something with decent foliage over a long period of time, flowers are a bonus. So plants like heuchera, stachys byzantina, small hostas, sedum and nepeta faasenii are good choices.

The middle of the border is the place for two kinds of plants: the long-flowering ones and the stars you love even though they only last two weeks. Placing stars amongst long-flowering plants helps fill the gaps when the stars eventually go over. The stars create transience and excitement but long-flowering ones provide bulk and continuity.

Stars are things like papaver and lilium but longflowering ones are achillea, gaura, hemerocallis, penstemon, monarda and lychnis.

At the back you need the robust stalwarts that will create the rhythm of the garden: delphiniums or aconitums, followed by anemone japonica Honorine Jobert. Other good late, tall plants include cimicifuga (or actaea), sanguisorba, rheum palmatum, and ligularia przewalskii or stenocephala. Repeat these in groups to make impact last all season.

The character of a plant suits particular gardens: for example, some plants are bold or architectural and suit a dramatic modern garden, or cottage plants like daisies that suit an informal garden. There are formal plants for terraces and box-edged beds and naturalistic plants to combine with grasses for the wild garden.

It doesn’t matter where you buy your plants: what matters is that they are healthy and well-rooted so never hesitate to look at the roots.

Above all, try to remember one thing: fewer kinds of plants and more of them. That’s the way to get impact all season long.

Sheila Drummond

FITNESS

with Alan Clinch

Tips for Getting Better Sleep

Last month, I wrote about the importance of sleep, and the different types which occur in a normal period of sleep. Sadly, I’m sure many of us have had times when you simply lie down, and your brain runs through all the things you did during the day, what you have to do tomorrow, and a hundred other items which simply seem to be stopping you sleeping. To get better sleep, and the many health benefits that come along with it, this month I’ll look at healthy practices around sleep: these are referred to as sleep hygiene, and some small adjustments can greatly improve sleep quality. Better sleep quality should result in us spending more time in the deeper stages of sleep, as these are associated with supporting your immune system, memory consolidation, and helping to feel energised for the next day.

Your sleep hygiene refers to what you can do surrounding sleep time to facilitate a ‘better’ night’s (or longer) sleep. A good starting point is to try to create a consistent sleep pattern – going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, including weekends, can help regulate the body’s internal clock (our natural rhythms are known as ‘circadian rhythms’). That said, there’s nothing wrong with having a short nap during the day, but it’s best to keep them to about 20 minutes, and avoid napping too late in the afternoon – this should reduce feelings of fatigue without having an impact on your normal sleep schedule.

Before going to bed, there are a few actions you can take which may aid falling asleep easily.

• avoid bright lights or use of a mobile device an hour before bed

• avoiding caffeine consumption in the evening

• not exercising within an hour of going to bed

• setting an alarm to wake up at the same time every day, including weekends

Once in your bedroom, it can be really helpful to ensure that the sleeping environment is suited to both sleep and healthy sleep patterns. This could involve:

• ensuring that you have comfortable bedding

• setting the room to a comfortable temperature (probably between 15-17°C, though again this is very personal)

• trying to eliminate as much external stimulus as possible – you’re much more likely to experience a good night’s sleep if the environment is as dark and quiet as possible. Having a window open is good, but traffic and birdsong can affect sleep significantly!

When it comes to waking up, once a good habit is established it’s likely that you’ll invariably wake around about the same time. Alarms are a very personal issue, but certainly shouldn’t ‘shock you awake’. Once awake, aim to get up and expose yourself to some natural light as soon as possible. Earlier, I mentioned the body’s circadian rhythms - they rely on light to help you to fall asleep and wake up naturally, so getting some early natural light should help you wake up, and feel awake, faster.

If you're having difficulty sleeping, the lifestyle changes suggested above may help. Your GP can also help you rule out other issues that might be contributing to low energy and a lack of sleep. More information can be found at www.nhs.uk/ every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep

Willie’s Wonky Computer Factory

Intrigued by how advanced AI has become, I opened the Google AI tool www.gemini.google. com and in the prompt box entered 'write a 600 word editorial on how a basic computer user can use AI'. Here is the result -

'Artificial intelligence (AI) often evokes images of futuristic robots and complex algorithms, leading many to believe it's inaccessible to the average computer user. However, AI is already deeply integrated into our daily lives, offering a surprisingly broad range of tools readily available to anyone with a basic understanding of computers. This integration makes AI more than just a scientific curiosity; it's a powerful tool that can enhance efficiency, creativity, and even personal well-being.

One of the most readily accessible applications of AI lies in personalization. From streaming services like Netflix and Spotify that recommend content based on your viewing habits and preferences, to news feeds and social media platforms that curate content you're likely to find interesting, AI learns your individual tastes and tailors your experience. This saves you time searching for relevant content and exposes you to new discoveries you might otherwise miss. AI also plays a significant role in communication and productivity. Chatbots powered by AI are increasingly common on websites and apps, offering immediate customer service assistance, answering basic questions, and directing users to relevant resources. Language translation tools, fueled by AI, allow for seamless communication across language barriers, fostering collaboration and understanding in a globalized world. Additionally, AI-powered virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa offer handsfree control over your devices, enabling you to set reminders, schedule appointments, and even control smart home appliances through simple voice commands.

Beyond these everyday conveniences, AI offers tools for creativity and self-expression. AIpowered image and music generation tools allow you to explore artistic possibilities even if you lack traditional artistic skills. These tools can

help you create unique visuals for presentations, social media posts, or even personalized greeting cards. Similarly, AI-powered writing assistants can help overcome writer's block, suggest alternative phrasing, and even check your grammar and writing style, making you a more confident and effective communicator. However, it's essential to remember that AI is still under development, and using it responsibly is crucial. Be aware of potential biases inherent in some AI algorithms, and don't rely solely on AI-generated content without critical evaluation. Additionally, be cautious about sharing personal information with AI-powered services and understand the potential privacy implications. As AI continues to evolve, the possibilities for its use in everyday life will only grow. By approaching AI with an open mind and a critical eye, basic computer users can leverage its power to enhance their personal and professional lives, fostering a more efficient, creative, and connected world.

Here are some additional tips for basic computer users to get started with AI: Explore the features of your existing software and online tools. Many everyday applications, like photo editing software or search engines, already incorporate AI functionalities.

Look for "AI-powered" options when searching for new tools and services. This can help you discover innovative new ways to accomplish tasks and explore your interests.

Start with simple applications and gradually experiment with more advanced features. As you gain confidence in using AI, you can delve deeper into its capabilities.

Remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment. Use it to enhance your abilities, not to replace your own critical thinking and decision-making skills.

By embracing AI in a responsible and informed way, even basic computer users can unlock its potential and benefit from this powerful technology in their everyday lives'.

Impressed??

Willie

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.

The Dunkeld & Birnam Spring Art & Crafts Fair - 25-27th May

The Dunkeld & Birnam Spring Art and Crafts Fair will take place in The Royal Dunkeld Hotel, Atholl Street (this is the main street through Dunkeld) on 25th to 27th May from 10am to 5pm each day.

Traditional skills. Innovative designs and new techniques means the fair has become a "must visit" for locals and tourists alike. Tayside crafts include woodcarving, silver jewellery, felting, knitwear, leatherwork, harris tweed, designer hats and art. Admission is free.

Pitlochry Twinning - French Chat Group - 30th May

Bonjour tout le monde!

Now this may be as far as your French goes - but no matter! Whether you're dredging your memory banks for what you learned in school or are practically fluent - or indeed anything in between – the Pitlochry-Confolens Jumelage/Twinning group invite you to join them at their newly formed French Chat Group. With an anticipated return visit to Confolens in September this year, the aim is to get together every 4-6 weeks and chat in a casual, non-threatening environment for an hour or so. The next meeting is planned for Thursday 30 May at 11am in the River Room at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. When the weather improves, we may combine this with another activity such as Pétanque.

So why don’t you come along, enjoy a cup of coffee (other beverages are available!), dust off your French, maybe learn something about our twin town in France and meet some new people? For more information, send a message to asd199@hotmail.com and someone will get back to you.

Andie Millar’s Trust - 31st May

Scottish Charity Number: SC037334

Applications are invited by 31st May 2024 for donations to either individuals or organisations to be spent in Pitlochry and District (generally assessed as being within a five mile radius of the centre of Pitlochry) for any one or more of the following Trust purposes:

1. the advancement of education;

2. the advancement of citizenship or community development;

3. the advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science;

4. the advancement of public participation in sport;

5. the provision of recreational facilities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities are primarily intended;

6. the advancement of environmental protection or improvement; and/or

7. the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage.

Generally, the Trustees will be able to provide donations of up to £2,500 but in certain circumstances may be able to consider applications for a larger amount.

Application Forms are available from www.andiemillar.org and, to be considered by the Trustees, each Application must be sent by e-mail to j@hmitchell.co.uk by 31st May 2024.

Please note that the Trustees’ decision in respect of any Application is final.

The inaugural Heartland Festival takes place across the weekend of 29-30th June 2024 at the Recreation Ground in Pitlochry and recognises the very best of Scottish music. Supporting local charities on the Heartland Stage include Idlewild, The View, Tide Lines, Nina Nesbitt, Cammy Barnes, Skerryvore and many more top artists.

The Discovery Stage will also showcase the best up and coming new Scottish talent, with twelve of the best appearing across the two days.

Excellent Scottish food and drink will be available and there will lots to enjoy for families with fun charity stalls, a Ferris wheel and Spyder attractions.

This is a part charity event, and the aim is to raise money for the Pitlochry Community Action Trust dedicated to the community of Pitlochry and Moulin.

The Heartland Festival told Pitlochry Life “There is an amazing buzz around the town, and everyone is talking about the festival. It is getting wide recognition across our social media channels, and we are looking forward to a fantastic weekend of music. Our aim is to help support local charities and bring the local communities together. It’s a family event with lots for people to do and everyone is welcome". You can find out more about the Heartland Festival on their website, www.heartlandfestival.co.uk

Pitlochry Repair Cafe - 2nd June

Pitlochry Repair Cafe is back at Moulin Hall on Sunday 2nd June from 12-3pm. Future dates are 1 Sept, 29 Sept, 3 Nov and 1 Dec 2024.

We look forward to welcoming you to our friendly sessions where our skilled repair volunteers can fix your broken and damaged items. Enjoy hot drinks, home-made baking and soup while you wait!

We can't fix phones or zips but bring along any other items including bikes, ceramics, textiles, household objects, furniture, electrical items and electronics. Kids are welcome and dogs too!

Want to get involved as a volunteer? Email repaircafe@sprout-community-eco-hub.com or contact us on Facebook or Instagram @PitlochryRepairCafe

Pete Wishart MP - Perth & North Perthshire - SNP

April marked 60 years since the Scottish Wildlife Trust was founded, and I hope that some readers were able to get along to their celebratory open day at Loch of Lowes.

I have followed the Scottish Wildlife Trust's various Perthshire projects over the years with great intrigue. Not least the infamous osprey, which I was delighted to see has safely returned to Loch of Lowes for another year.

In an increasingly perilous time for our climate, the work that the Scottish Wildlife Trust do to protect and restore our natural environment has never been more important. It is a source of great pride that Perthshire, with its wealth of natural beauty, is at the heart of many of their most significant conservation efforts.

In other news, since my last column, the long-awaited report by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman into the WASPI scandal has finally been published.

Amongst its findings, it said “thousands of women may have been affected by DWP’s failure to adequately inform them that the state pension age had changed”. It added that the department’s handling of the changes “meant some women lost opportunities to make informed decisions about their finances. It diminished their sense of personal autonomy and financial control.”

The report ultimately urged the UK Government to compensate all those who had been affected; an estimated 2.4 million women, with almost 5,000 in my constituency alone. This amounts to a complete vindication of the WASPI women’s tireless campaigning, which has had my unwavering support since this scandal first emerged. The report could not have been clearer: the WASPI women were failed, and they were failed by Westminster.

But what these women need more than a moral victory is tangible action, much like we have seen on the Horizon Scandal. The plight of the sub-postmasters benefitted from the spotlight that the programme shone on their maltreatment. Now, this report shines a spotlight on the maladministration and failings of the DWP, showing beyond doubt that the WASPI women must be compensated.

My colleagues and I are now working hard to secure a parliamentary vote on the matter in order to establish a way forward. This should not be a party-political issue. The facts are simple – the WASPI women were victims of serious and life-changing maladministration by the DWP, and for that, all MPs should be united around our commitment to righting this wrong. They have suffered for long enough. It is time for action.

Murdo Fraser - Mid Scotland & Fife - Conservative

Most of us will have enjoyed some time off at Easter and welcomed the official start of British Summer Time, although the weather has been rather inclement for the time of year.

I have been busy at the Scottish Parliament, continuing to seek clarification from Police Scotland on the recording of Non-Hate Crime Incidents (NCHIs) for the controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.

My email in tray has been busy with many constituents contacting me to express their displeasure at the planned closure of the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in Pitlochry. VisitScotland recently announced they would be closing all their VICs across the country.

I am very concerned at this decision as I feel the move won’t help tourism and it is also a very worrying time for staff involved. I will be asking VisitScotland what plans they have for employees impacted by this announcement.

It is true that some tourists and visitors use online tools to plan holiday experiences but there is still a role for Visitor Information Centres, especially in rural Scotland, where tourism is such an important part of the economy. It will be a great loss if they all close.

Part of the issue here is that no two Information Centres will have the same footfall, so a blanket approach to closing every one seems short-sighted. It will also leave yet more vacant properties on some already sad-looking high streets.

It would be very helpful if the Scottish Government could outline what tourism supports our vital local attractions are going to get once the Information Centres have closed.

Meanwhile, I was delighted to visit the re-opening of the Crannog Centre, which is now located at Dalerb. I recently visited the site with local Councillor John Duff and was pleased to be shown around the new Crannog Centre. The creation of the new building marks a remarkable achievement following the devastating fire at the original Centre back in 2021. The blaze destroyed its showpiece Crannog - a replica of an Iron Age dwelling house - which had sat on stilts on Loch Tay, Kenmore, for a quarter of a century.

I wish Mike Benson, Scottish Crannog Centre director, and all his staff all the best for the future at their new £2.7 million site, which I’m sure will remain a huge tourist attraction.

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.

John Swinney MSP - Perthshire North - SNP

As we enter summer, and the better weather that it brings, more and more of my constituents will be considering what to do during their days off from work or study.

I have always thought that Perthshire has a rich variety of options for those wishing to enjoy a day out, such as scenic walks, distillery tours and museums.

Recently, however, this proposition has been strengthened even further by two new and exciting attractions.

The first is the new Perth Museum, which opened just two weeks ago. Situated within the Perth City Hall, this £27m development is absolutely stunning. With a wide variety of collections housed within the beautiful architecture of the city hall, there is also room for a cafe and learning and event spaces. Continued on page 46

The centrepiece, of course, is the Stone of Destiny. As someone who campaigned passionately to have the Stone return to Perthshire, it was such a proud moment to see it on display within the museum. The stone is free to view and is part of an absolutely magnificent display.

The second such attraction is the new site for the Scottish Crannog Centre. Many constituents will remember the truly upsetting news that a fire destroyed this much-loved site back in 2021. To say this was a hammer blow for all those involved in the Crannog Centre would be an understatement but, with considerable ingenuity and determination, all involved focused their minds on reopening the Crannog Centre and making it even more special than before.

This has been achieved with the opening of their new site in Dalerb, on the other side of Loch Tay from the original centre.

Not only does this new museum contain everything that made the previous Crannog Centre a must-visit attraction, but it has been further enhanced by opening up on a larger site at a new, future-proofed facility.

As a long-term supporter of the Crannog Centre, I was delighted that this project was supported with over £2m of Scottish Government funding, which played a key role in ensuring that this move was ultimately successful.

Having been involved in the opening of both Perth Museum and the Scottish Crannog Centre, I was truly blown away by the quality of these attractions. I am confident that anyone who visits these two new museums will be impressed by the care and innovation that has been displayed in telling hugely important stories from our shared past.

I would therefore encourage all readers to consider visiting these sites, or one of Perthshire's countless other worthwhile landmarks and attractions, over the coming months.

I genuinely believe that we are fortunate enough to live in a truly special part of the world - a view that is reinforced whenever I venture out to take in the diverse sights and sounds of Perthshire.

Pitlochry and District Neighbourhood Watch

Amazon scams

Recently a woman was cold called and told her Amazon account had been hacked and an unknown individual had placed several items in her basket. The caller asked her to download an app which would allow him to access her computer remotely, supposedly in order to fix the problem. She agreed and was then told to access her bank account online. At this point she became suspicious and wisely ended the call. She has since changed her Amazon account details.

There are very many other reports of impersonation scam calls, texts and emails and scammers constantly devise new methods. For example, the scammer may:

– refer to an unauthorised order and ask you to act urgently to confirm or cancel this

– say that because of unusual activity on your account it will be suspended or locked

– tell you there is an issue with PRIME fees, charges or membership

– ask you to verify your account verbally or through a link

– offer a refund you don’t expect

Advice from Amazon

To check if a message is genuine go to the Message Centre via your account for a display of authentic communications. Amazon will never cold call asking you to make a payment or receive a refund. If you receive such a message, never give out any account or banking information and do

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!

not make a payment. Log in to your account on the official website or app to check.

Amazon will never ask you to disclose your passwords or verify sensitive personal information over the phone or any website other than Amazon.co.uk. Never give out any personal information.

• Amazon will never cold call and ask you to install an app or download software to enable remote access to your device. Never follow instructions from an unsolicited caller to download such an app or software.

• Use only legitimate Amazon websites (‘Amazon.co.uk’ or ‘Amazon.co.uk’) to seek help/ support/make changes to your account.

• Be wary of pressure to act urgently.

• Contact your bank immediately if you think you may have made a payment to a scammer or if you are worried that a fraudulent transaction has been made from your account.

To find out more

Advice from Amazon on recognising their genuine communications: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/ help/customer

Advice from Trading Standards Scotland via ScamShare Spotlight PDFon Amazon scams: www.tsscot.co.uk/scamshare

GrowBiz

Specialised Support from GrowBiz this May

In addition to our rural enterprise support services, GrowBiz offers specialised support for various sectors. Creatives, rural small businesses, food and drink providers, care and wellbeing practitioners, social enterprises and young people can benefit from the following:

Perthshire Artisans: This is a supportive platform and curated online shop for local creatives to connect with other artisans, share ideas and skills, and collaborate. Two membership options are available and applications open regularly. More at www.perthshire-artisans.scot

REDS: Rural Enterprise Directory Scotland (REDS) is an online directory and interactive map, which promotes and connects Scotland’s rural small business community—and helps us support and advocate for them. Find out more at www.reds.scot

Great Perthshire: The regional food and drink group for Perth & Kinross, Great Perthshire offers networking, peer support, learning opportunities and mentoring to anyone in the food and drink sector. Become a member at www.greatperthshire.com

Care and Wellbeing: GrowBiz Care and Wellbeing supports community-based care and wellbeing services across rural Scotland. Included is a peer support group, online directory of practitioners, and delivering accredited WRAP® mental health and wellbeing workshops.

PKSEG: The Perth & Kinross Social Enterprise Group works collaboratively to create opportunities for the social enterprise community in Perth and Kinross to develop and thrive, recognising its positive impact on society, local communities and the economy. Take a look at www.growbiz. co.uk/pkseg

SEED: Young people aged between 18-30 in Perth and Kinross can get help to explore their ideas, develop their plans, and make their self-employed business dreams happen. Small grants are available.

Find out about all GrowBiz support services, including 1-1 advice, business mentoring, net zero support, and learning and networking events at www.growbiz.co.uk

Pitlochry Senior Citizens Good Neighbour Association

Thank you to all the groups and organisations that have nominated us as the charity to benefit from funds that have been raised via various events. We have been very fortunate over the last few months to be the recipient of several donations which are greatly appreciated especially as funding from the council has decreased.

It is very encouraging to see how valued the service that we provide is. This service is provided by volunteers and to help us maintain this, in addition to receiving funds we would also welcome anyone who would be willing to be a driver. The commitment would not be onerous, perhaps one day a month.

If you are interested and would like to find out more about being a volunteer driver please contact Ian Moyes on Ian.moyes99@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 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 Rest room 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.

Contacts: Gillian 07955 333 163, Kathryn 07739 858 987.

Helen Kirkwood

Atholl Baptist Centre SCIO15113, Atholl Centre, Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BX

Further information from 01796 473044

Rotary Club of Pitlochry

Congratulations to Cath Marshall, recipient of this year’s Citizen of the Year award! Cath does a lot of work unobtrusively for the benefit of the people of Pitlochry. She acts as the Pitlochry co-ordinator for Neighbourhood Watch. This involves monitoring messages from the police and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and passing them on to the local district co-ordinators as well

MASTERING THE BLUEPRINT:

A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Your Dream Kitchen

Planning a kitchen is really daunting and is best left to the experts, however it is good if you have some ideas to take with you, so here are the basics to get you started! Remember a kitchen is a main feature these days of our homes, and does have an impact on the saleability of your home.

LETS START WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE - WHAT LAYOUT IS YOUR KITCHEN?

THE 3 BASIC LAYOUTS ARE:

1. Corridor/ Galley Layout. In a long, narrow area with doors at each end you have little choice other than two facing rows of appliances and storage units. You should allow at least 1200mm between two rows for a safe walk-through corridor and to allow comfortable access to front loading appliances. In really narrow rooms, the fittings might need to be restricted to one side of the room.

2. L-shaped layout.

This is often the best solution where the kitchen can fit into a corner.

3. U-shaped layout.

This layout is convenient as all working areas are within easy reach. It may be the only choice for small rooms although it can also be used with effect where a kitchen area needs to be fitted at one end of a larger room. Try to allow for 1200mm between the parallel sides of the U.

L-SHAPED KITCHEN

GALLEY KITCHEN

U-SHAPED KITCHEN

NOW YOU NEED TO MEASURE THE SIZE OF THE EXISTING LAYOUT:

Measure your kitchen at floor level and again about 900mm from the floor - use the smaller measurement for your floor plan.

Draw a scale plan, using squared paper makes things easier and mark on the plan the services as they currently exist - hot and cold water, drains, electric points, gas points, any existing extractor vents in the walls etc.

With your scale drawing, list all the cupboards and appliances you want to include. Cut out mock appliances and then try to fit them all onto your scale drawing. Remember to take in to account the type of kitchen space you have using the above diagrams.

The standard cupboard with is 500mm, appliances are 600mm, so when working out how making units you can have use these sizes. Then if you have space left over – don’t worry there are lots of fillers and storage devices.

The principal activity zones in the kitchen are - food preparation, cooking, serving and finally washing up. Each activity needs to include the worktop(s), related appliances and related storage.

In addition to the three zones, it is important to arrange the appliances and worktops in the correct order i.e. worktop - applianceworktop. A work triangle is formed between the three zones (as shown in the diagrams). For the greatest efficiency the total length of the three sides of the triangle should be between 3600mm and 6600mm, and, as far as possible, the work triangle should be uninterrupted by through traffic.

Check all the planned appliances are near to the existing facilities like water and electricity.

If the layout you decide on doesn’t fit with the existing services consider rearranging or if not achieving the overall result you want, then make a note of the new services you

need. A new plug may be inexpensive but rerouting the water impossible – i.e. if you have concrete floors.

A good tip is think if you need all the things on your list, a washing machine is essential but does it have to be in the kitchen – do you have a cupboard big enough to become a utility room, or a garage with power?

Think how you can rearrange the kitchen to make it easier to use, begin to think about relocating the position of the existing services. Remember that in addition to the floor mounted appliances, you will also need electric points for the smaller, moveable appliances which you get out of the cupboard each time you want to use them (think of the number of sockets you might need and add on 50%).

All services and window/doors can be repositioned - it is just that additional work is involved; the rough order from easiest to most difficult is - electricity, gas, water supplies, drains (above floor), blocking up doors/windows, drains below floor and moving doors/windows. But remember that you may need professional assistance to move doors/windows and you will need a registered gas fitter to move a gas point.

Bearing all this in mind, ‘play’ with the layout

GALLEY KITCHEN L-SHAPED KITCHEN

U-SHAPED KITCHEN

to achieve your dream kitchen - then look at any relocation of services required - are you happy with the amount of work involved?

You will often find that you will have to compromise.

When you are happy with a basic floor arrangement, think about the wall area and

where you can fit wall units, these tend to be needed in the food preparation area. Try and keep the wall units in line with the base units below them - It looks better.

YOU SHOULD NOW BE IN THE POSITION TO LIST:

• THE NUMBER AND STYLE OF FLOOR UNITS YOU REQUIRE.

• THE NUMBER AND STYLE OF WALL UNITS YOU REQUIRE.

• THE APPLIANCES TO BE FITTED.

• THE WORK YOU NEED TO DO TO ADD OR RE-POSITION THE SERVICES.

NOW IT’S TIME TO START SHOPPING for a new kitchen. Remember though it is a big expense and if you want help then go to local firms that also have an in house designer. Many will provide this service for free and although you have got your plan, they do this every day and might even be able to come up with some money saving ideas and still get you that dream kitchen. Don’t be put off by ‘Trade Only’ when looking for your kitchen. Trade price means a great saving and I know from experience that all will welcome you - as long as you bring your joiner or kitchen fitter (you may find they have to buy the kitchen on your behalf). Most will also provide that free design and planning service and can even help find a local joiner if you still need one.

Debbie

IMAGES: HOWDENS JOINERY

Free support for small businesses, social enterprises and the selfemployed in rural Perth & Kinross

1-1 advice ~ online learning ~ business mentoring ~ networking events ~ sustainability support ~ and more

Ingredients

4 x 150g minute beef steaks, very thinly sliced into strips

1 tbsp soy sauce

2 peppers, red or yellow, seeds removed and cut into strips

2 onions, cut into strips

1 red chilli, seeds removed, sliced

1½ tbsp vegetable oil

3 tbsp cornflour

2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder

2 spring onions, sliced to serve freshly cooked rice or noodles, to serve (optional)

For the glaze

2 tbsp sesame seeds (a mix of black and white, or whatever you have)

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp light soy sauce

2 tbsp light brown sugar

2 tbsp tomato ketchup

Air Fryer Crispy Chilli Beef Method

You will need an air fryer for this!

• Mix the beef strips with the soy sauce in a bowl. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.

• Heat the air fryer to 190C. Toss the pepper, onion and chilli in ½ tablespoon vegetable oil and cook for 10 minutes.

• To make the glaze, set aside about a teaspoon of the sesame seeds for sprinkling. Mix the remaining seeds with all the glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over the vegetables and return to the air fryer for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside in a bowl.

• Heat the air fryer to 200C. Add the cornflour, Chinese fivespice and remaining vegetable oil to the marinated beef mixture and mix well to coat. Lay the coated beef slices in the air fryer in a single layer, with space around them for the air to circulate. You may need to do this in two batches.

• Cook for 7 minutes until the beef strips have crisped up. Remove the tray halfway through and shake so that the beef pieces cook evenly. Once cooked remove from the air fryer.

• Pop the pepper and onion back in the air fryer for 2 minutes to heat up, then remove and mix with the crispy beef. Top with the spring onions and reserved sesame seeds and serve with rice or noodles.

as providing advice on suspect media and potential scams. She provides monthly reports on this activity to Pitlochry Life. For many years now she has organised the local Christmas Card delivery service arranging delivery to homes throughout Pitlochry and raising funds for the community minibus. Along with her husband George she runs the Tryst Walking Group enabling people to enjoy company on walks at a variety of levels both locally and further afield. She has also become increasingly involved with the Pitlochry Paths Group, repairing and improving footpaths around the town. When presented with her award, it came as no surprise that Cath picked the Pitlochry Paths Group and the John Muir Trust as her chosen charities to present her winnings to.

She does it all in a pleasant and unassuming manner and thoroughly deserves the title of Citizen of the Year for 2024.

Cath picked the Pitlochry Paths Group and the John Muir Trust as her chosen charities. We have 2 exciting events just up ahead for you to diarise!

* Our Afternoon Tea Dance on the 11 May 2024 (1 - 4pm) at the Pitlochry Town Hall. Live Music, Dancing & Afternoon Tea! All for just £7.50. Tickets from Pitlochry Homeware Shop

* By popular request, we are again hosting the “Make a Difference” Event! 1st June: 10am - 4 pm at the Pitlochry Town Hall.

For more information on these 2 events, head to our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ pitlochryrotaryclub

Photo: Dougal Spaven, Cath Marshall, Alan Norris & Stephen Carruthers of RW Bell (Sponsor of the Citizen of the Year Award)

Pitlochry Station Bookshop

One of our Bookshop’s charities, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) has been marking its tenth birthday with a reception hosted by our MSP, John Swinney, at the Scottish Parliament. In recognition of our Bookshop’s financial support over that time, our chairman, Graham Holmes and Mrs. Holmes were invited to the reception.

Graham has provided us with a report of the event, below.

“There were about seventy present, SCAA staff, volunteers and many who have supported the charity in different ways. We spoke with many of these including the new SCAA Chairman, several Trustees, and David Craig, the CEO. Without exception, all were keen to express their very grateful thanks for all the Bookshop has done for SCAA over the years.

We were addressed by John Swinney, Neil Gray the Health Secretary, Mike Beale the SCAA chairman, David Craig, and a lady who had suffered life-threatening injury in an accident on her farm and who owed her life to the swift action of SCAA personnel.

Altogether a pleasant evening that was a reminder of what the Bookshop achieves and that it is very much appreciated.”

All our customers and book donors contribute to the support recognised by SCCA and since we are officially in British Summer Time, our hours have changed so that we are open longer, Monday to Saturday from 9.00am until 4.30pm.

Breadalbane & District Riding For The Disabled

Volunteers enjoyed an active training day on 8th April in preparation for the new term. Our wonderful borrowed ponies behaved impeccably whilst everyone, including a new volunteer, practised the skills and procedures required for enabling the children to learn and improve their riding. Several volunteers have also been expanding their knowledge by participating in a range of online training sessions organised by our regional coaches. Topics include equine first aid, handling horses and safety, grooming and fitting rugs.

By the time this is being read riding will be well under way and we hope unaffected by the weather. The snow at the start of April was not encouraging. However it did not deter the browsers in the Thrift Shop and we were delighted that our funds have been increased by £1,900.00. A wonderful result and many thanks to our friends who came along and supported us. The lunch at McDiarmid Park for volunteers from across the county held back in March was not only very enjoyable but also gave us some very welcome publicity across the Courier and PA readership.

We are always on the look out for more volunteers as people come and go with changing circumstances. Anyone interested should get in touch with Vicky on 07786 262329 or email breadalbanerda@gmail.com

Pitlochry Library

Opening hours: Thursday 10am-1pm & 2pm-7pm, Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm

01796 474635 / pitlochrylibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Bookbug sessions are held at Pitlochry Library every Thursday from 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 Pitlochry Library to book a spot.

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

Pitlochry Community Action Trust

Pitlochry Community Action Trust (PCAT) is a charitable development trust dedicated to the community of Pitlochry and Moulin.

Building on the aspirations identified in the community action plan for the town, the Trust is focusing its efforts on six key areas: Access to Services and Transport; Community and Recreation; Town Enhancement and Traffic Management; Local Economy and Housing; Environment and Sustainability and Arts; Culture and Events.

Since forming last year, we have successfully applied for funding from Perth and Kinross Council’s Community Led Local Development programme, The Gannochy Trust and the Basil Death Trust to enable us to contract a development officer and a project officer.

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

Following discussions around PKC’s asset review in Pitlochry and the potential implications of that, the Trust has taken the decision to submit an expression of interest on behalf of Pitlochry Town Hall Group for a possible community asset transfer of the Town Hall.

This will ensure that we – and other groups in the town - are kept up-to-date with any potential decisions that PKC may take regarding the possible future of the building. It also enables Pitlochry Town Hall Group, through the Trust, to access funding sources to look at the feasibility of the community running the Town Hall as a viable and sustainable venture.

We recently met with Provost McDade who provided a useful update on the asset review. It was reassuring to hear that PKC will ensure that Live Active Atholl remains open until leisure facilities can be created as part of a Pitlochry Community Campus and that Pitlochry Town Hall will be funded for another year. The council has also agreed a further year’s funding for the Library. Find out more about PCAT on our website at www.pitlochryaction.org.uk or follow ‘Pitlochry Community Action Trust – CAT’ on Facebook.

Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre

We have exciting news!! The Trustees are pleased to announce that we have a single location in which to base Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre for our 2024 season! Fishers Hotel Pitlochry have kindly offered to host us all summer, while we await on essential repairs to be carried out in Moulin Kirk.

The Kirk is in need of various repairs, many of which are urgent and affect the fabric of the building. The various roof leaks not only affect the ambience of the building, but also present a potential risk to the artefacts We remain hopeful that these repairs can be completed this year and that we can go 'home' next season.

Our heartfelt thanks go the the staff at Fishers Hotel Pitlochry, who are making space to welcome us in the Gladstone room next month, where we will be until the end of this summer. Thanks also to all the other businesses in town who took the time to consider our situation.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more details on planned opening times. We expect to be open from the end of April.

If you are holding an event in 2024 which we could compliment 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 www.pitlochryandmoulinheritagecentre.co.uk

Tayside Mountain Rescue Aberfeldy

On Friday 22nd march some of the Committee Members of the Aberfeldy Highland Ball presented Tayside Mountain Rescue team with a cheque for £4,731 at Glenlyon Coffee, Aberfeldy. This was the sum raised from the fantastic 2023 Highland Ball held on Saturday 2nd December at Blair Castle.

Tayside Mountain Rescue Team is made up entirely of volunteers who live in the operational area. It is entirely funded by contributions and fundraising. A wide variety of professions can be found in the Team. All are skilled and experienced mountaineers. Team Members are

on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to help anyone who is in trouble in the mountains.

They don’t get paid to do this job – They do it because they choose to.

But the team can’t do it without the tools and equipment needed to save lives (and to protect their own lives whilst out on a rescue).

The money raised at the Aberfeldy Highland Ball is being used to help purchase a new off road vehicle to allow the team to get to where they need to quicker helping save lives.

A big shout out to all those who attended the ball and all those who didn’t but gave generous donations to this worthy cause.

Perthshire based Charities can apply to the Aberfeldy Highland Ball Charity Convener Donald Riddell at donald@56north.info

The Charity will be asked to demonstrate a project within Perthshire where all the funds raised in connection with the Ball will be spent. Of particular interest is that the funds would be used practically and not on administration.

Picture shows members of the Ball Committee and TMR Team.

Left to right: Alan Pewttigrew, Colin Smith, Donald Riddell, Jamie Grant, Al Irvine, Gordon Grant.

Just Singin` Birnam

Just Singin' welcomes new singers in May!

Your local Community Choir is part way through its Spring term, but the beauty of learning by ear, is that you can come along any week and join in. If you enjoy it, we'd love you to become a member and sing with us regularly. We do all sorts of styles of music and ring the changes by having a new tutor every four weeks. Just Singin' are so lucky to have a pool of talented musicians to lead us and are always keen to give an opportunity to talented musicians to lead our group - just get in touch! This term began with the group being led by Hazel Murch who challenged us at the end of last year with the song 'Baba Yetu', the Swahili theme song for the video game Civilization IV, and led us magnificently on Santa Day. We are delighted to welcome Hazel back, leading our sessions on 1st and 8th May. For the last four weeks of our term, a firm favourite with her world music and dry humour, Irene Railley returns for the sessions on 15th, 22nd and 29th May, and finishes the term on 5th June. Do come along if you just enjoy singing and would like to join a friendly, bunch of welcoming, like minded people with mixed voices and mixed ages. We strive to make everyone feel welcome.

All of our sessions are held from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the upstairs studio at the Birnam Institute in Birnam. We would love to see you there!

Mid Atholl Indoor Bowling Club

Mid Atholl indoor bowling will change to Tuesday at 2pm from 23rd April. Bowls are available, flat soled shoes must be worn. Come along and give bowling a try.

For more information contact Frances on 01796

482240.

Pitlochry Bowling Club

This photo was taken on the morning of our last warm space which has Carol and Fay at the front. They were the two club members who made hot soup and filled rolls every week throughout the winter. Good to see them sitting down for once.

It was lovely to see everyone who came along. Thank you to Perth and Kinross for sponsoring this event.

Well, we will have had our open day by the time this goes to print so report will be in next months magazine.

A new season, what a great time to come along to try something new. We can supply everything you need. Please wear flat soled shoes to protect our green. There is always a member there in the afternoons who will help and guide you. If you are interested in joining you can come along three times before committing. A joining fee for this year for new members is only £30.00 This gives you an outdoor and indoor season of bowling and access to the bar. Great value indeed.

Everyone is made very welcome.

Our last indoor bowls competition,”The 2024 singles competition” was won by Les Simms congratulations and well done Les.

Bingo nights for May are Monday 6th and Monday 20th. 7pm for 7,30pm. This is a very popular evening and an enjoyable social night. Everyone is very welcome to come and join us.

We are straight into the start of the North Perthshire League and would like to wish our fellow bowlers a good season.

We had a good turn out at our recent AGM where the following were elected onto the committee Our President for another year is John Anderson, Vice President is Brian McClure Secretary Agnes Naylor, Treasurer Kevin Walsh and 6 others were also invited to join the committee.

Have a good season everyone.

For further information on any the above please contact John on 07833664121 or Agnes on 07918122415. Our Facebook page is also a good source of information. (Pitlochry Bowling club).

Blair Atholl Bowling Club

This month’s entry comes as a direct appeal to the good people of Blair Atholl and surrounding area. Unless we get more members, the bowling club will cease to be in existence within the next couple of years. For a club recently celebrating 150 years of its founding, this is indeed a sad state of affairs.

Let me say right away, it’s not “an old man’s sport”, but it IS a sport, giving you gentle exercise in the fresh air, and in which Scotland competes at world level and produces its fair share of world champions. Now I’m not suggesting for a second that the current membership of the club are going to grace the world stage any time soon, but we do compete in the local League and have a number of internal club competitions where good bantered rivalry is the order of the day.

We are a very sociable club and make guests very welcome. Our season opened on 27th April, with club nights every Tuesday and Friday thereafter at 7pm, so why not pop along and have a go yourself with beginners being very welcome. For those on holiday in the area, you can pop in for a game after the 27th. Bowls and shoes can be provided free of charge.

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The cost per game is £5 per adult with children under 16 (must be accompanied), playing for free. If you enjoy the bowling, and wish to become members, our membership for this season will be £60 per adult, under 16’s free (must be accompanied).

If interested, please contact John Reynolds 07702191550

Grandtully and Strathtay Bowling Club

Building back from Adversity

Storm Babet wreaked havoc on Grandtully and Strathtay Bowling Club. The wooden bridge that gave access from the carpark to the bowling green, and which had stood for more than 30 years, was destroyed. For a time, the club members were in shock and it took time for the message to sink in that without exceptional effort, there was no future.

The first task was to try to raise some funding. With successful applications to the PKC Babet recovery fund and the ‘SSE Renewables’ Griffin & Calliachar Community Fund. We were able to move on to the project. By the time this story is published hopefully bowling on the Grandtully green will have resumed.

We hope the 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

Edradour Pitlochry & Blair Atholl Pipe Band

Practices have been busy over the last few months and our first competition will be the British Championships in Forres on Saturday 8th June, then Lochore on 22nd June.

Some of our younger band members have also played with Perform in Perth and the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, and once again we played for Keepers of the Quaich at Blair Castle.

We are delighted to be invited to return to the Avenches Tattoo in Switzerland in late August, this was the highlight for many band members last year.

Following our recent AGM, office bearers for the next 12 months are:Pipe Major - Christy Kelly, Chairman - Stewart Smart

Vice Chair - Katrin Munro, Secretary - Claire Scott

Treasurer - Tracey Cudworth, Child Protection Officer - Nicola Sinlcair

Quartermaster - Sharon Kelly

During term time we have moved our practices on a Wednesday night to Pitlochry High School, then Blair Atholl Village Hall during the school holidays.

If you would like further information on the band, please contact Pipe Major Christy Kelly 01796 472692 or Secretary Claire Scott 01796 481456 or follow us on Facebook.

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Vale of Atholl Pipe Band

Things are really starting to get busy!!! The Grade 3 band have their first competition at Gourock on the 12th May followed by the UK Championships in Bangor, Northern Ireland on the 18th May.

These will be the first competitions under their new Pipe Major Kyle Howie and they are all full of enthusiasm!!

The Grade 4 band also have a new Pipe Major. We'd like to thank Pipe Major Roddy Weir for all his time and hard work he put in to both the learners and the band, but after a lot of deliberation, he felt it was too much with his young family. The new Pipe Major, who has been thrown in at the deep end with the competing season upon us, is Ciar Milne from Perth. At 22 years old, he certainly has got youth on his side and is looking forward to taking on the Grade 4 band and all the learners!! We'll have a tombola stall at the Atholl Gathering on Sunday 26th May, so if you're there, please pay us a visit!!

Last but not least....... our Highland Nights start on Monday 27th May. Hopefully it'll be a lovely night and we'll be in the Recreation Ground, but if wet, we'll be in the Town Hall. Gates open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm and they're every Monday night until the 2nd September. Please send all your guests and customers down. This is our main fundraiser for the band, so many thanks!!!

Gillie McNab 07733152223 gmcnab00@aol.com

Pitlochry Ladies Golf

The Ladies at Pitlochry Golf Club were delighted to have had such fabulous weather for their Opening match on 24th March. Big thanks go to Jackie and her team at the Red Deer for the excellent food throughout the day.

Winter League and prizes for the day were presented after the meal.

The winning team on the day was Isla Moncrieff, Louise Kelly, Janet McDonald and Olga Robb. Second was Kathleen Duncan, Isabel Brown, Lauren Cameron and Kirsten Kramer.

We were delighted to welcome 2 of the Gateway golfers to the day and delighted that they were among the winners.

Winter League winners were:

Eclectic

Division 1 – Janette Kennedy, Division 2 – Jani Crichton

Stableford

Division 1 – Janette Kennedy, Division 2 – Gillian Munro

Stableford Overall Winner

Jani Crichton

Best wishes to everyone for the season ahead.

The Pitlochry Crossword

By Lesley

ACROSS

7 Fiddle, stirring oil in French wine (6)

8 Poor Derek, eating last of cheese, stank (6)

9 Secret agent crossing east river (4)

10 Download new tree site (8)

11 Beer produced with wry suspicion - here? (7)

13 Now and again, Bob did play strangely (5)

15 Section of petunia garden rejected one more time (5)

17 Sobs on a broken instrument (7)

20 Deposit bottom in Perthshire village (8)

21 Toss first letter in post? (4)

22 Swine - one bad bird (6)

23 Area in Sutherland has synthetic part (6)

DOWN

1 Nap through breakfast? (6)

2 Give money to accommodate leading lady, Shirley Valentine perhaps (4)

3 Swears animatedly about November solutions (7)

4 Town Romeo in town in Scotland (5)

5 Eilish C.D. mixed for parties (8)

6 Doghouse, obviously, for outspoken Nellie (6)

12 Aberfeldy and Dalwhinnie possibly beat pipers off and on (8)

14 Suspiciously, tarry at Blairgowrie? (7)

16 Clearly, bingo alienating Angus Gunn for example (6)

18 Vegetables soon in stew (6)

19 Perthshire castle, not up in Scotland I hear (5)

21 Pike angle? (4)

Blair Atholl Golf Club

We had our Opening Weekend on the 23rd and 24th March and this was a great success with many of our members taking part. The weather over the weekend was very kind to us and our wee gem of a course was looking lovely. The gents started their day with a wee dram to toast the new season before Bob Gillespie, one of our senior members, had the honour of being first on the tee. The ladies enjoyed their day and had a good catch up and a lovely lunch after their game. We wish all our members a wonderful golfing season and hope many handicaps are broken.

If you are interested in becoming a member please visit our website to check out the options available. Visitors are always welcome to come and play with golf clubs and push trolleys available to hire. In the clubhouse catering by The Tulach is available to all and dogs are welcome. Refreshments and food are available most days, from tea/coffee with cake to evening meals.

Further information about the golf, or the catering, is available by calling 01796 481552. We hope you come and visit.

Killiecrankie Village Hall

The Killiecrankie Village Hall committee was delighted to host CPR and AED (defibrillator) training on 7 April 2024 as part of the Clean Up Killiecrankie event. A defibrillator is located on an external wall of the hall, on the left of the main entrance.

To hire the hall, please see www.killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk Or email info@killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk

Rannoch History Society

Rannoch History Society concluded its 2023-24 programme on a high note on Saturday 20th April with an illustrated account of the tour of Scotland in 1773 by Samuel Johnson and James Boswell by Dr Jim Caudle of Yale and Glasgow Universities.

A visit to Struan Kirk and kirkyard with members of Clan Donnachaidh is planned for May. This beautiful little church has great significance for the Clan as their ancestral home and was purchased by a Trust formed by them in 2017. It is hoped that Mark Hall of Perth Museum will be our guide on that occasion. Further details will be circulated to members of both Societies in due course.

Blair Atholl & Struan Community Council Affordable housing

Back in June 2023 BAASCC initiated the latest Community Action Plan where everyone living locally was asked to identify their priorities to make living in Blair Atholl and Struan better. Top of the priority list not surprisingly was the issue of affordable housing - either to rent or buy. Subsequently BAASCC has approached PKC for advice and a meeting has recently taken place with John Forbes from the Communities Housing Trust

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Fill the grid so that every row, column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition.

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(CHT) that operate across Scotland. John’s very helpful advice means that we need to undertake a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA). John explained that there is a standard way of doing this and the CHT will help deliver the assessment, liaising with the Community Council to make sure the right questions are asked. The methods of obtaining everyone’s views will range from physical forms available through the shops in Blair Atholl to online questionnaires. The idea behind the HNA is to seek views from everyone either living in the area, those with aspirations to move back here and for businesses requiring places for their staff to live. The exact timing and format of this survey has yet to be determined.

Once the HNA is complete and assuming it shows there is a need for affordable housing the next step is likely to be the establishment of a Development Trust which is the recognised best way of managing the ongoing process and delivering what we need. The obvious key issues to start with will be: can some of the existing empty properties in the area be converted into affordable housing or will new build be required and if so where.

The point of contact in BAASCC for information going forward is Alastair Stephen at blairathollstruancc@outlook.com

The Breadalbane Heritage Society

The Breadalbane Heritage Society has now completed another successful winter season of in-person and Zoom talks with an average of around 60 people attending each of the six talks, and recordings of most of these talks are available on the Society’s website, www.breadalbane-heritage.org.uk

Over the summer, visits will be arranged to places of local interest including the new Scottish Crannog Centre Museum and a day trip to the Black Watch Museum in Perth, with details provided on the Society’s website.

The website provides up-to-date information about talks and activities, events and publications. Ongoing Society projects include the maintenance of the private Killiechassie Burial Ground in Strathtay, and working to support Mairi McAdam, the Community Relations Manager with the Taymouth Castle Golf & Sport Club, in facilitating links with the S2 pupils of Breadalbane Academy to provide a history tour of local sites of historical interest such as Castle Menzies, the Old Village of Lawers and its associated prophecies of the Lady of Lawers. In conjunction with Perth & Kinross libraries, the Society also provides a free service of assistance with family history research.

Pitlochry Town Hall

Calling All Current and Future Pitlochry Town Hall users.

The Pitlochry Town Hall Group Would Like to hear from you urgently regarding the future of our town hall. Please email pitlochrytownhallgroup@gmail.com or call 07858103474. Thank you.

Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition

Registration will be open online from 1st-31st May - www.dunkeldartexhibition.com

Artists may enter up to 3 pieces of work and once registration is accepted, images and details of work must be added. Work should be brought to Duchess Anne on Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd July.

The Exhibition will run from Tuesday 30th July until Thursday 29th August.

For any further information please email dunkeldart@aol.com

Pitlochry Town & Country Club

Thank you to all the ladies who supported our Town & Country Club over the winter months & participated in all the activities. Look forward to seeing you in September when there will be a new programme arranged for your enjoyment.

Hope you all have a wonderful summer. Best wishes, Kathleen Scott. Contact Pitlochry 472765.

Tenandry Kirk, Killiecrankie

Interim Moderator: Rev. Neil Glover

Session Clerks: Marion Faulds - 01796 472415, Edward Elworthy - 07770842502

Every Sunday service at 10.30am

1st Sunday of the month Coffee/Tea following the service. All Welcome.

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

Lay Reader: Lesley Whitwood 01887 840416: Email: lesleywhitwood@btinternet.com

Website: www.hplc.scot Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/highlandperthshirechurches

Episcopal Churches in Highland Perthshire May 2024 all are welcome at services in our churches and on Zoom. Check our website for updates.

Holy Trinity Church, Perth Road, Pitlochry -Contact – Robin Baker - 01796 472005

Holy Trinity is open from Easter to Christmas.

Serenity Garden is open Daily.

Sunday services 9.30am Holy Communion/Communion by Extension.

Thursday 9th May 10.30am Holy Communion for Ascension Day.

Please Note: No service 12th May due to ETAPE Caledonia – Holy Communion at Kilmaveonaig 11.15am

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.

12th May 1t 11.15am Holy Communion for the whole charge.

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;

Please Note: No service 12th May due to ETAPE Caledonia – Holy Communion at Kilmaveonaig 11.15am.

5th Sundays with Church of Scotland (see website).

The Atholl Medical Centre

Ferry Road, Pitlochry.

Tel: 01796 472558

Mon - Fri 8.00am - 6.00pm (Doors open at 8.30am)

Except Wednesdays Closed 12.15 - 1.45pm

Out with Surgery Hours NHS 24 - 111 Prescriptions - tay.amcprescriptions@nhs.scot

Visiting Hours:

Pitlochry Community Hospital Ferry Road, Pitlochry.

Tel: 01796 472052

GP Unit - Contact for further info.

MIIU - Temporarily closed until further notice.

Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice

The Surgery, Kinloch Rannoch.

Tel: 01882 632216

The Reception is open Mon - Fri 8.00am - 6.00pm

Surgery Hours 9-10.15am, 2-3pm and 4-5pm. For all urgent appointments please phone reception

Out with Surgery Hours NHS 24 - 111

Pitlochry Post Office

Within Premier Store

63 Atholl Road, Pitlochry.

Tel: 01796 474301

Blair Atholl Post Office Tel: 01796 481233

Ballinluig Post Office Tel: 01796 482220

Strathtay Post Office Tel: 01887 840203

Kinloch Rannoch Post Office Tel: 01882 632347

Pitlochry Library

26 Atholl Road, Pitlochry

Tel: 01796 474635

E-mail: pitlochrylibrary@pkc.gov.uk

More Helpful Numbers to Hand

Whilst every care is taken in preparing this magazine to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot be held responsible for loss, damage or omission caused by an error in an advert. Artwork is accepted on the condition that it is legal and copyright free and that the advert is fair and accurate. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers or the views expressed by contributors, nor do the publishers necessarily share such views. We reserve the right to refuse articles and advertisements. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

House Group 10.00am Last Wednesday of the month.

All Saints, Kinloch Rannoch Square Contact – Reverend Canon Liz Baker 01796 472005.

First Sunday of the Month 9.30am Holy Communion.

5th May Holy Communion.

5th Sundays Joint Service with Holy Trinity & Kilmaveonaig (see Website for location).

Zoom Services

Sundays - 6.00pm Evening Services (see Website). Thursdays - 10.30am Morning Prayer.

Pitlochry linked with Blair Atholl & Struan Churches of Scotland

Interim Moderator: Rev Fraser Penny 01350 727 249

Pitlochry Session Clerk: 01796 472791

Pitlochry Website: www.pitlochrychurchofscotland.org.uk

Sunday Services: Please note the new times of worship services on Sundays, Pitlochry Church at 10.00am and Blair Atholl church at 11.30am.

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 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 or if you wish to volunteer to help, please contact The Tryst office for details (see below).

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: Wednesdays at 6.25pm in The Tryst Hall. New members always 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

Interim Moderator: Rev Grace Steele

Phone - 01887 820025 Email - GSteele@churchofscotland.org.uk

Session Clerk Braes of Rannoch --

Session Clerks Foss and Rannoch -- Robert and Elizabeth Anderson 01882 632272

Services in May:

5 May - Joint service in the Old Church, Kinloch Rannoch at 11.00am (no service at Braes)

12 May - No morning services (because of Etape Caledonia road closures)

Short service of Evening worship in the Old Church at 6.30pm

19 & 26 May - 9.45am at Braes of Rannoch & 11.30 am at the Old Church

Jehovah’s Witnesses

You are welcome to join us for our 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 2nd May, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 34, 35, “Praise Jehovah at All Times”, ‘How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Determine Whether a Holiday Is Acceptable to Celebrate?’, ‘“God Is Not Partial” Part One—Acts 10:1–8’.

Sunday 7th May, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Do Not Be Deceived By Spiritism’. A discussion: ‘Keep Following Jehovah’s Guidance (Isaiah 48:17)’.

Thursday 9th May, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 36, 37, “Do Not Be Upset Because of Evil Men”, ‘What Is the Meaning of Psalm 37:4?’, ‘Are You Prepared for “Times of Distress”?’, ‘“God Is Not Partial” Part Two—Acts 10:9–11:17’.

Sunday 12th May, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘How Can Jesus’s Teachings Benefit You?’. A discussion: ‘Are You Ready to Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah? (Psalm 116:12)’.

Thursday 16th May, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 38, 39, ‘Shedding the Burden of Excessive Guilt’, ‘Antioch of Syria’, ‘“God Is Not Partial” Part Three—Acts 11:18–30’.

Thursday 23rd May, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 40, 41, ‘Why Help Others?’, ‘Work What Is Good Toward Older Ones’, ‘King Herod Agrippa I’, ‘“The Word of Jehovah Went On Growing” Part One—Acts 12’.

Sunday 26th May, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘How Well Do You Know God?’. A discussion: ‘You Can Persevere Despite Disappointments (Revelation 2:3)’.

Thursday 30th May, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Psalms 42–44, ‘Benefit Fully From Divine Education’, ‘Everyone Will Have Perfect Health’, ‘Make Wise Decisions About Work and Education’, ‘“The Word of Jehovah Went On Growing” Part One—Acts 12:1–11’. 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 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 events:

Spirituality - Have you ever wondered? Does spirituality provide answers?

Venue: The River Room, Pitlochry Festival Theatre 7:30pm, Tuesday 14 May. Admission free.

Introduction to the evening by Dr Andy Bannister followed by questions from the floor.

Andy is a speaker, writer, broadcaster and director of an organization called Solas. He regularly addresses audiences on matters relating to faith, suffering, culture, society and spirituality.

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

Parish Priest: Fr. Emmanuel Adindu MA MSP

Tel: 01796 472174 email: stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese.org.uk

Sunday Mass Times

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 New Year at the Spring Equinox

This New Year, called Naw Ruz in Persia, the country in which the new faith arose, is the time in the year when Baha’is celebrate to the full. Whatever the customs of the country one is in, it is a time when Baha’is party with all their friends as well as each other. This year in Dundee a great celebration was held for friends from Perthshire to the Bahamas, a party all Scots would recognise, with a Ceilidh Band, the leader calling out all the familiar steps and dances, an interval for a great feast with dishes and desserts from all the nationalities there, spring flowers everywhere and an atmosphere that grew from one of strangers looking on to one of a hilarious crowd all dancing and mixing together. A couple of differences you’d notice from a Scots New Year: no alcoholic drinks (as Baha’u’llah calls for no drugs other than medically prescribed), and children making up half the guests, mixing with adults in perfect -and lively-harmony!

There’s another Youth Camp in Aberfeldy in April and meetings around Perthshire and Dundee, open to those of all faiths and none, to which you or your children are welcome. Contacts are Hilarie on 07967 601423 or Rachel at rachelhelenab@hotmail.com or Mark at markcrenshaw9@ hotmail.com

HOROSCOPES

BY CHRISTINE CHALKLIN

For May 2024

The down to earth sign of Taurus the bull is now firmly in the spotlight, indicating that constructive and practical energy is readily available for keeping projects going at a steady pace. Taurus energy also draws us all out in to the open so that we can enjoy the abundance of what nature has to offer at this bountiful time of year. Venus, the planet of love and beauty remains in Taurus until the 24th, coupled with the new moon in this sign on the 8th they are both suggesting that romantic encounters could be at their peak this month. Mars is in fiery Aries all month, ensuring that enthusiasm and passion will be at the forefront. The big planetary shift this month occurs on the 26th as mighty Jupiter arrives in Gemini for the first time in 12 years. Hang on to your hats - this energy is curious, impatient and restless, quite a change from the year of Jupiter in steady Taurus! A brilliant alignment of Venus and Jupiter around the 21st offers the perfect opportunity for using your intuition to make positive changes, particularly within relationships. The full moon is in Sagittarius on the 23rd, the emphasis here will be on travel, education and spirituality.

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

May will be supercharged and super energetic as dynamic Mars, your ruling planet, has arrived in your sign and will be there all month. You’ll feel this huge energy shift as your plans and projects gather momentum and innovative new ideas become apparent. The Taurus new moon on the 8th suggests that some important financial issues will come to the surface.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21

It’s an important month for Taureans as the radiant Sun, Venus, Uranus and Jupiter all occupy your sign for the best part of the month. Talkative Mercury arrives in Taurus on the 16th assisting your communication skills, particularly when you are patient and tune into your intuition. Jupiter highlights finances from 26th, be bold and be sure to profit from a new sense of resolve when it comes to getting things done.

GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21

The most introspective area of your chart is highlighted at the start of the month and the Taurus new moon on the 8th offers great insight into the future. Mercury is in your sign after the 16th, be open to any opportunities that come your way. Lucky Jupiter arrives in your sign for a one year stay on the 26th, offering up a sensational theme of innovative ideas and exciting new plans to help you move ahead.

CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22

This month indicates that a totally different dynamic is on offer as your goals and aspirations move into the spotlight. Dynamic Mars is powerful in Aries at the highest point of your chart, suggesting that your confidence at an all-time high pushing you even harder to go after what you want. The Sagittarian full moon on the 23rd looks like a turning point.

LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23

May begins with your thoughts turning to further broadening your horizons and travelling to some faraway places. Career matters are also looking positive as four planets gather at the top of your chart. Jupiter arrives in Gemini on the 26th offering a chance to fully explore the many ideas that have been on your mind for some time. The potent Taurus new moon on the 8th could become especially rewarding for you.

VIRGO AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 22

Mars energy is strong all month illuminating the finance and resources sector of your chart; you should be able to find a more dynamic approach to enhancing your earning potential. Your ruling planet Mercury arrives Gemini on the 16th, try to avoid wasting energy on trivia as this placement is easily distracted. The Sagittarius full moon on the 23rd brings a family issue to the surface.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23

Mars and Mercury are powerful and dynamic in your opposite sign of Aries this month. Your relationships will take centre stage, particularly if there are any difficulties that need your attention. Saturn and Neptune in Pisces, both offer the perfect opportunity to further develop any new health strategies for making some positive and lasting changes.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22

Some important decisions may need to be taken this month as there is a build-up of cosmic energy concerning work related issues. Expansive Jupiter arrives at a potent angle of your chart on the 26th, ideas around financial restructuring are on a roll as new projects coincide with your determination to succeed. The Sagittarian full moon on the 23rd could bring a lucky break.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21

Your love life enters the spotlight this month as passionate Mars in Aries lights up this sector of your chart. Romantic Venus, in sensuous Taurus, also indicates that under these current trends your relationships should flourish Jupiter, your ruler, is changing signs on the 26th occupying your opposite sign of Gemini until June 2025. Plan ahead and remain curious and flexible.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20

May brings a new sense of adventure and some exciting new possibilities as the sector of your chart concerned with love, fun and creativity is illuminated. It’s a time for expanding your mind and your heart. Overall this is a great chance to bring in the new as cosmic indicators suggest that you’ll enjoy popularity and recognition. Use positive thinking to get the very best out of any new social endeavours.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 18

During May communication becomes one of your top priorities, energetic Mars is very active in this area of your chart, indicating that if you maximise your potential and put your powers of judgement to the test you should see the successful culmination of an ambitious project. Jupiter arrives in Gemini on the 26th, enthusiasm is high as love and relationships offer excitement and delight.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20

The Sun, Venus, Uranus and Jupiter occupy the communication area of your chart for most of the month, putting some extra oomph into your conversations and helping you to find a new way of getting what you want. Energetic Mars is strong in Aries, suggesting that you will have supercharged energy for ridding yourself of anything that is not essential in your life, even if it requires some serious soul searching.

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH these challenging times, discover your unique birth map and take a refreshing new look at your year ahead. Find out when the patterns in the Cosmos align with your patterns here on earth. Find out when positive and productive planetary cycles are working in your favour. Aim to reach your fullest potential in 2024 by booking an astrological reading now - Consultations are available on Zoom, WhatsApp or by telephone.

Christine Chalklin, Inspirational Astrologer and Life Coach

Email: christine_chalklin@hotmail.com

Website: www.yourguidinglight.org

Mobile: 07813 483549