Pitlochry Life September 2023

PITLOCHRY LIFE

September 2023 Issue 400

The Best of Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire

Pitlochry - Aberfeldy - Dunkeld - Birnam - Kenmore

Kinloch Rannoch - Blair Atholl FREE

51,61 Sudoku

71 Crossword

Advertising

Debbie - 07545299491

Photography & Design

Lynsey - 07305577953

Editor

Willie - 07906375953

48 Milk

The Pitlochry Tipple

This month Ewan looks at the excise duty on wine and spirits.

Your Community

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

Willie's Wonky Computer

Willie gives some advice on buying a second hand laptop.

Fitness With Alan Clinch

Alan looks at the benefits of using an electric bike, to help you exercise.

The Pitlochry Garden

Sheila looks at plants and planting to overcome extreme weather.

www.facebook.com/pitlochrylife

Pitlochry Life

Manse Road, Moulin

Pitlochry PH16 5EP

info@pitlochrylife.co.uk

www.pitlochrylife.co.uk

56 Recipe

WELCOME

Milk

We have a look at all the different types of milk now readily available.

Sudoku

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

Recipe

This month we get purple hands and scratched legs - it's bramble jelly!

30 Wonky Computer

Welcome to the September edition of Pitlochry Life. September typically means the nights start to draw in and there is a fresh breeze, bringing the Autumn smells and harvest time. I do love this season!

To keep us all busy we have a fantastic array of events, live music, theatre performances, distillery tours and concerts. Pitlochry Festival Theatre are showcasing Sherlock Holmes to be followed by Sunshine on Leith! We have lots of LIVE music every weekend at The Old Mill and Atholl Palace Hotel. The Pitlochry Tipple looks at the new changes to EXCISE duty - boo I hear you say! In our fitness column we look at the benefits of an electric bike, and Willie in the computer page looks at how to safely buy a second hand laptop. Our editorial feature this month looks at the different types of milk.

As we mentioned harvest, what better time to think about making your own bramble jelly and whilst it’s straining, you can try local Lesley’s crossword, or if you prefer the old favourite sudoko. Give it a go - you may be surprised!

With so many hospitality venues here in the town why not indulge yourself with a breakfast, lunch or even dinner, whilst soaking up the relaxing atmosphere.

Have a great September and see you next time.

The Pitlochry Garden

HELPINGHANDS

BY CATHY FORDE 19 october4 november

It’s YOUR Duty!

From the 1st of August 2023 duty on alcohol increased by 10%. But what does this mean for a glass of wine, a gin and tonic, a pint of beer or a measure of whisky?

Duty has been paid on alcohol since the early 19th Century. It was introduced as a measure to reduce alcohol consumption and raise revenues for the government. Both were relatively successful at the time, but whether you agree with the consumption of alcohol or not, without alcohol the government of today would have a deficit in their annual income, to the value of £13.1bn (The Office for Budget Responsibility)

How does that translate into your bottle or glass?

Prior to 1st August 2023 duty on spirits above 22% abv was £28.74, from the 1st August 2023 it is now £31.64 on the same bottle of sprits. To put it in the context of a 70cl bottle of whisky at 40% abv, for example, you need to do the following calculation. £31.64 x 0.70 which gives you £22.15 on a 70cl bottle at 100% abv.

£22.15 x 0.4 which gives you £8.86 on a 70cl bottle at 40% abv.

On this example you will now pay 81p more per bottle of whisky from an Off-Licence. Bars and OnTrade venues are affected too and this will reflect in the price going up as shown here:

• 4% ABV pint of draught beer will be 0 pence more.

• 4% ABV 500ml bottle of non-draught beer will be 5 pence more.

• 5% ABV pint of draught cider will be 2 pence more.

• 5% ABV 500ml bottle of non-draught cider will be 5 pence more.

• 40% ABV 25ml serving of whisky will be 3 pence more.

• 5.4% ABV 250ml can of spirits based RTD will be 6 pence less.

• 11% ABV 250ml glass of still wine will be 5 pence more.

When broken down into your average serving, this doesn’t seem too bad, it is when you multiply it up to reflect the bottle price that you see the true picture.

The UK now has one of the highest alcohol taxation policies of the EU countries. There are no figures to support that this rise in tax will reduce issues surrounding alcohol, but it will generate more income for the government.

79% of the cost of a bottle of whisky is now tax, with 21% being the cost of making and bottling it. This high taxation policy is making it more attractive for producers of alcohol to export and sell overseas rather than in the UK. When they sell abroad the taxation policy of the receiving country is applied, so Netherlands, for example now pay nearly 50% less in duty meaning it is potentially cheaper to buy a bottle of Edradour 10yo or Blair Athol 12yo there, even with the transportation costs. As it is, 93% of all Scotch bottled is exported to the value of £6bn, 44 bottles per second.

I do hope that the domestic market doesn’t suffer from this increase, the On and Off Trade sectors have had a tough few years. Please keep supporting them.

Ewan McIlwraith Robertsons of Pitlochry & The Bothy Tasting Room

Atholl Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5BX

Pitlochry Repair Cafe - 3rd September

Pitlochry Repair Cafe is taking a break over summer and will be back on Sunday 3 September for more repairs, cake and chat!

Dates for the rest of the year are Sundays 1 Oct, 5 Nov and 3 Dec. Sessions take place in Moulin Hall from 12-3pm.

Our talented repair volunteers have already successfully fixed over 180 items, preventing them from going into landfill.

To find out more, or if you're interested in joining our volunteer team, email repaircafe@sproutcommunity-eco-hub.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram @PitlochryRepairCafe. We are always looking for skilled repairers, especially textiles repairers, as well as receptionists, bakers, soup makers and cafe helpers!

Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic - 5th September

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 5th September 2023 between 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Pitlochry Community Hospital.

Pitlochry & District Choral Society - 6th September

Rehearsals start on Wednesday 6th September at 7.45pm in The Tryst.

Up until Christmas we will be working towards our joint performances with Crieff Choral Group of Handel’s MESSIAH which will take place in Breadalbane Academy on 19th November and in Comrie Parish Church on November 26th.

We will also be performing our annual concert of carols, festive pieces and readings in Pitlochry Church of Scotland on Sunday 17thDecember. This promises to be a busy and exciting term.

In the New Year we will be working towards a Scottish-themed spring concert to take place in the wonderful setting of Blair Castle Ballroom on Sunday 28th April.

If you are keen to join Pitlochry Choral please come along on 5th September. We look forward to welcoming new singers.

Pitlochry & District Climate Cafe - 7th September

“As consumers we have so much power to change the world by just being careful in what we buy.” Emma Watson. In a Climate Cafe everyone is welcome to join in on conversations on concerns and interests about the climate change issues we face and the actions we can take.

Climate Cafes: Here is a list of the dates for Climate Cafes for the rest of 2023 up to Dec. should you be interested in coming along - (Tuesday 1pm - 3pm and Thursday 7pm to 9pm) - Thursday 7th Sept, Tuesday 10th October & Thursday 12th October, Tuesday 7th Nov & Thursday 9th Nov, Tuesday 5th Dec & Thursday 7th Dec. They will all continue to be either virtual or in person. The venue is the Pitlochry Library, 26 Atholl Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5BX.

Climate Reality Talk with Jess Pepper, Founder of the Climate Cafe Network. Thursday 7th September, 7pm. Venue Atholl Centre, Pitlochry PH16 5BX .

Continued on page 16

Pitlochry

Life

“Believe in the power of your own voice. The more noise you make, the more accountability you demand from your leaders, the more our world will change for the better". Al Gore.

Jess, our local Climate Reality Mentor, helped inspire people in Dunkeld, Pitlochry and other communities to create their own Climate Cafes, will be presenting her inspirational presentation which began with her training with former Vice President Al Gore (An Inconvenient Truth, 2006). She will focus on climate change solutions that are already available, and ways we can take action. Everyone is welcome. For more information contact: Carol Aitken on the new email address: pitlochrydistrictcc@gmail.com

PITLOCHRY HIGHLAND GAMES - 9TH SEPTEMBER

Come along and join us for a spectacular day at the Recreation Ground, Pitlochry

Gates open 9.30 am - Games commence 10.00am

Parade of Pipe Bands 11.30 am: Station Road – Atholl Road - Recreation Ground

Featuring: Running, Cycling, Jumping, Solo Piping, Heavy Events, Traditional Highland Dancing, British Tug ‘O’ War

Grand Pipe Band Competitions: Grade 3 & Juvenile, Grade 4A and NJA and Grade 4B & NJB Craft and Charity Stalls

Admission: £10.00 (Adults) £2.00 (Children 5 - 16 years) Cars £4.00

Tickets available on line or on the day

Enquiries: secretary@pitlochryhighlandgames.co.uk

Website: www.pitlochryhighlandgames.co.uk

Pitlochry Litter Action Group - 12th September

The tourist season is well on the way. 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.

Litterpicks take place on the second Tuesday of the month and we meet at 10.0am in the Recreation ground carpark.

The next litterpick is on Tuesday 12th September

Dates for litterpicks in 2023 are: Octoer 10th, November 14th, December 12th.

We would like to thank those residents of Pitlochry who are not members of the litterpicking 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

The Tryst Scottish Country Dance Group - 12th September

The Scottish Country Dance group will meet on Tuesdays from September 12 to November 28, 2023 at 7.30pm in The Tryst Hall, Church of Scotland Pitlochry, PH16 5EB.

Come and join the dance, have fun with friends, enjoy the music and get fit. We’ll learn some new

Continued on page 18

dances and enjoy the old favourites. You don’t need a partner, all you need is a pair of soft shoes. Everyone will be made most welcome.

£2.00 for RSCDS members, £2.50 for non-members

For further information: Tel Linda on 01796 472366 or email the.gauls@btinternet.com

The Breadalbane Heritage Society - 15th September

Last month saw the conclusion of the BHS’s summer programme with a three-night excursion to the Upper Speyside and Inverness area, including visits to Culloden, Cawdor Castle and the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie.

This month the regular programme of autumn and winter talks takes over, with topics ranging from the folklore and archaeology of Glen Lyon and the history of the Black Watch to plans for the exciting new Scottish Crannog Centre at present under construction on Loch Tay. The talk this month will be held on Friday 15th September at 7.30pm in the Breadalbane Community Campus in Aberfeldy, when Logan Steele from the Tayside Raptor Study Group, formed in 1991, will talk about the work of the group. The Scottish Raptor Study Group, founded in 1980, monitors and records the fortunes of raptor species across Scotland. Doors are open at 7.00pm onwards for those who would like to meet beforehand and look at the various displays. Refreshments are available.

During January and February talks are held on Zoom, otherwise at the Breadalbane Community Campus. The BHS’s website https://breadalbane-heritage.org.uk features a video of local scenes of interest, and provides up-to-date information about talks and activities, events and publications.

Ongoing Society projects include the maintenance of the Killiehassie private burial ground in Strathtay, and the recent publication, in association with the Aberfeldy Museum Group, of an illustrated leaflet, The Aberfeldy and Weem Heritage Trail, with a trail map and information on the many places of interest in the area. QR codes with information at each of these sites are currently being installed.

The BHS also provides a free service of assistance with family history research. Recordings of all the recent talks are available on the website.

Pitlochry Garden Share - 16th September

Our next stall in Pitlochry will be on Saturday 16th September, on the main street from 10am to 12 noon. Come and have a chat. We will also be sharing any excess produce from the gardens.

Fruit Picking: Once again this year, along with Catherine Holmes, we are organising teams of volunteers to pick apples, plums and pears that would otherwise go to waste. We will be covering Pitlochry and Blair Atholl. If you have fruit trees and need help picking the fruit, or know of someone who does, you can contact us via pitlochrygardenshare@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. Volunteers can take some fruit home, and any unwanted surplus of apples will be either used at a community event we will organise in October to make our own juice, or taken to the Wasted Degrees brewery to be made into cider. Last year was a bumper year for apples, and between us all we gave the brewery around a ton of fruit which would otherwise have been wasted.

We will need plenty of volunteers, so do get in touch if you would like to help!

summer!

Come and join us at Blair Athol Distillery this

Enjoy a tour around our historic and charming distillery or visit our exclusive Mash Tun Bar for a perfectly crafted whisky cocktail.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Heartland Film Society at The Birks - 17th September

We’re back on 17 September with a visually dazzling and thought-provoking film as two French film-makers travel through the Tibetan mountains in search of the elusive snow leopard – the Velvet Queen. Brilliant footage of birds and animals in their dramatic natural habitat, from renowned wildlife photographer Vincent Munier, is accompanied by commentary from his companion, travel writer Sylvian Tesson, and music from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. In French, with English subtitles, this award-winning film is a delight for youngsters and adults alike.

Sunday 17 September - The Velvet Queen, 18.30, The Birks Cinema Aberfeldy - Rated 12

Full details: www.birkscinema.co.uk www.heartlandfilmsociety.org.uk

Everyone’s welcome at HFS screenings, but a 12-month membership costs just £10 and brings you 12 months of reduced prices for HFS films at The Birks, plus other benefits.

Scottish Country Dancing - 17th September

Pitlochry Town Hall 2.00pm.

Sunday 17 September (in aid of Scottish Air Ambulance) 2pm - 5pm.

Come along and join us on the dance floor or watch from the balcony and listen to the best of traditional Scottish music from Colin Dewar's Band.

Dancers: £10.00 Spectators: £3.00

All welcome. Further details contact June 01796 473488

Music in Rannoch - 17th September

Sunday 17th September at 3.00 pm in the Old Church, Kinloch Rannoch.

The Ventus Saxophone Quartet, from the Royal Scottish Conservatoire playing: Cuidades by Guillermo Lago, Introduction et Variations sur une ronde populaire by Gabriel Pierne, Drastic Measures by Russel Peck, Three Songs by George Gershwin, L’Arlesienne by Hiroki Takahashi. £10 at the door. Children free. Refreshments available at the interval. Easy parking.

Killiecrankie, Fincastle & Tummel CC - 18th September

Our next meeting will be held at 7pm in Killiecrankie Village Hall on Monday, 18 September 2023. The Agenda will be sent out about a week in advance.

Minutes of our last meeting on 17 July are available on the website www.kftcommunitycouncil. co.uk If you would like to receive notices from us, please join our mailing list by emailing info@ kftcommunitycouncil.co.uk so that we can add your name.

Pitlochry Flower Club - 20th September

Our next meeting, the first of of our 2023-24 season of meetings, is on Wednesday 20th September at the Tryst Hall, Pitlochry at 2pm when Regina O'Regan will give a demonstration entitled "It was only a whisper". There will also be a raffle and you may be one of the lucky ones to win one of Regina's beautiful arrangements, and we will have our sales table too so that you can restock on supplies.

We are looking forward very much to seeing everybody again and visitors will be made most welcome at a small charge. New members will also be very welcome. Do come along and have a fun afternoon watching Regina create stunning floral arrangements.

For more information, please contact Lynda Gardiner 01796 472157, lynda.gardiner@talk21.com

Pitlochry & District u3a - 20th September

Pitlochry & District u3a are looking forward to recommencing whole group meetings on the afternoon of Wednesday 20th September and welcoming back members old and new and would be.

There will be musical entertainment, refreshments and plenty of opportunity to chat and find out more about our plans for 2023-24.

We meet in the Athol Centre and our meetings start at 2pm.

The u3a brings together people in their “third age” – that is 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 Town & Country Club - 21st September

The Club will reconvene on Thursday 21st September 2023 for the winter season & our new syllabus is available.

We meet in the Aldour Hall from 2 - 4pm on the third Thursday of the month & enjoy a speaker/ demonstrator followed by a cup of tea, home bakes & a chat. Cost is £3 per meeting. You will be made most welcome.

At our first meeting we will be introduced to "Gentle Armchair Yoga" with Hilary Oliver. Further information contact Kathleen Scott on Pitlochry 472765.

Ballinluig Bazaar - 23rd September

The next Ballinluig Bazaar will be on Saturday 23rd September. The Bazaar is a craft fair running from 10.00am until 3.00pm in the lovely Mid Atholl Hall at Ballinluig.

Many of last year’s crafters have rejoined us after winter months developing new products and there are some new faces and ideas too.

We use the Mid Atholl Hall because of its excellent facilities and its easy access from Aberfeldy, Dunkeld and Pitlochry. Remember also that Ballinluig Bazaar is completely indoors. There may be gales and snow outdoors but you are well protected as you enjoy our crafts.

Contacts: Jenny 01796 473129; Judith 01796 473003; Julie 01796 482274.

Walk With Me…

The Distilleries, Blair Athol and Edradour

Distance - 3.25 miles.

Time - 1.5 - 2 hours.

Ascent - 145m.

Visit both Pitlochry distilleries with an easy woodland walk, on good paths and minor roads. During the summer months both are usually open for guided tours, Blair Athol is open Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm and 12noon - 5.00pm on a Sunday. Unfortunately, Edradour is closed to the public in 2023 - this includes all tours, the distillery shop and the tasting bar due to a shortage of staff. However, it's still a worthwhile walk. Starting from the centre of town (Atholl Road), head south, towards Perth and under the railway line, using the underpass on the right hand side. Cross back to the left and you will find Blair Athol Distillery, home of Bells Whisky and one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, established in 1798. They draw water from the Alt Dour burn to produce their famous 12 year old single Blair Athol Malt - which can only be bought at the distillery.

Keep heading south and after passing a row of bungalows you will see a blue sign on a lamppost for ‘Black Spout Car Park’. Turn left here and pass under the railway again. Continue until you reach the car park and follow the clearly marked route along a dirt track to the left which takes you to a path through oak woods. The golf course on the left belongs to the Atholl Palace Hotel. After a short distance you will see a sign to Black Spout Waterfall where there is an excellent platform giving superb views of the 190feet (60m) Black Spout Waterfall and gorge below. It is quite spectacular after heavy rain.

Continuing along the path following signs for Edradour Distillery, once out of the oak woods, the path follows the edge of farm fields giving spectacular views towards Ben Vrackie (2,759ft high) and the village of Moulin.

As the walk approaches Edradour it passes a stone cottage and emerges at the distillery. Edradour is world renowned as the smallest traditional distillery in Scotland, established 1825. Now turn left and follow the road for a short

distance until you reach a farm gate on your left just before a set of ornamental stone gate posts. Follow the marked and enclosed path (can get overgrown in summer) as it skirts the edge of a field and then heads downhill with good views over Pitlochry.

The path meets a grassy track, signposted for Pitlochry. Turn left onto it and continue through a gate back into Black Spout Wood. The path then meets a larger track where you turn right, downhill. Ignore other paths until you reach a wide bend and take the path branching off to the right following a yellow marker signed for Pitlochry. Continue until you cross a wooden bridge and turn left following the Kinnaird Burn. Ignore a path to the right which leads to the Atholl Palace Hotel, unless in need of refreshment!

You will soon come to a junction, marked by a large triangular stone, continue to the right (ignore the optional riverside loop to the left). At the next junction also keep right and you will soon come to a road where you turn left and walk down past the entrance to the Atholl Palace Hotel. You emerge at the railway bridge with the underpass. Turn right on the main road and return to the centre of Pitlochry.

For more walks, keep an eye on our website at www.pitlochrylife.co.uk/getout

The Open Kitchen - 24th September

Part of the Pitlochry Garden Share. We meet on the last Sunday of every month at the Atholl Centre, Pitlochry (this month on Sunday 24th September) between 3 and 6pm, for an informal social cooking session. Using produce from our gardens (depending on the time of year of course!), we get together, share recipes, eat and enjoy each other’s company.

We also look at ways to reduce food waste and preserve food (e.g. making jams, chutney and canning vegetables). Events are free to attend thanks to funding we recently received from PKC. All are welcome including children if supervised. But please do let us know if you plan to come along, so we have some idea of numbers.

For more info send an email to theopenkitchen22@gmail.com or join our facebook group.

Pitlochry and Moulin History Society - 25th September

Pitlochry and Moulin History Society starts it`s new session on Monday 25th September with Sandra Cairncross speaking on Three Sisters of Atholl: The Ladies Dorothea, Helen & Evelyn

Stewart-Murray, daughters of the 7th Duke of Atholl & Lady Louisa Moncrieff.

This talk will explore the lives and times of the three daughters – Lady Dorothea, Lady Helen and Lady Evelyn. Following in the footsteps of their father, each sought to promote and develop key aspects of Scottish life and culture including traditional Scottish music, Scottish Country Dancing and Gaelic. The talk will as usual be in the Pitlochry Tryst at 7.30 and all are welcome. Admission £3 and tea and coffee afterwards.

Further talks will range from historic Scottish postcards to Childrens` Homes and the programme will follow the usual format around the last Monday of each month. Volunteers to help run the Society are always welcome! Contact the Secretary Andrew Holmes at a.m.holmes@btinternet.com or 473400.

Macmillan Cancer Support- 29th September

Please come and join the Macmillan Cancer Support Highland Perthshire Fundraising Group on Friday 29th September at 11am for The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at the Green Park Hotel, Clunie Bridge Road, Pitlochry. It’s always a great day with fantastic food & helping us to raise vital funds. With grateful thanks to the McMenemie family. Hope to see you all there!

Pete Wishart MP - Perth & North Perthshire - SNP

Many readers will no doubt have been keeping a close eye on the current contention surrounding the Taymouth Castle development. Since stories first started to emerge of the castle being turned into a gated ‘millionaires’ playground’, John Swinney and I have been inundated with correspondence rightly concerned constituents and people from all across Scotland. In response, we held a public meeting to hear the range of views and to see how we could assist. Such was the demand that we had to change location to Aberfeldy Town Hall, with over 300 people estimated to have attended.

We heard many concerns about the suggestion that this would be a ‘gated’ community with locals and visitors being denied access to the estate grounds. Many raised concerns about the damage

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that would be wrought on the stunning countryside and cherished natural assets. Others feared for the future of Kenmore and Loch Tay if it was to become some sort of elitist visitor destination.

We also heard from those who welcomed the proposal, viewing it as a means to regenerate a community seen to be in decline and who had a positive view of the opportunities presented by such a lavish redevelopment.

Whilst it would be impossible to bring all these views together, certain key principles came out of the meeting. Firstly, there is the general agreement that Discovery Land Company’s (DLC) communication and engagement has so far been woeful. The community should be able to put their concerns directly to DLC and they want to see a clear presentation of what they propose for the area in its entirety.

Secondly, there can be no question of a gated community. The suggestion that somehow thousands of hectares of rural Scotland can be ‘closed off’ to the public simply cannot be allowed to stand and the development will have to adhere to Scottish Government legislation when it comes to right to roam.

Thirdly, the Kenmore community must be assured that the facilities and assets in the village are quickly re-opened and remain public-facing and free for all to enjoy. And finally, assurances must be made that the natural beauty of the area is protected with the utmost caution.

Following the meeting, John and I raised all of these points in a letter to DLC, and at time of writing, are awaiting their response. What we need from them is an ironclad commitment that their plans will be in conjunction with the local community and that they will be fully transparent at every juncture of the development’s journey. We should definitely have received a response by the time this hits your doorsteps, which you will be able to view on John or I’s social media.

In all, I think there is a sense that this development could prove to be a huge success for the community if these perfectly reasonable demands are met. And given the extraordinary levels of public interest this has now attracted, I believe they are left with no choice but to oblige. It is now up to all of us going forward to ensure that any promises made are kept in their entirety.

If there is anything my office can assist you with then please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 01738 639 598 or emailing pete.wishart.mp@parliament.uk

Murdo Fraser - Mid Scotland & Fife - Conservative

We are now back at the Scottish Parliament following the summer recess and I am delighted to be serving in my new role as the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Business, Economic Growth and Tourism.

It has been good to see work colleagues again and resume the cut and thrust of Scottish politics. I have been busy dealing with constituents’ queries, which forms a major part of my job. My email inbox has seen a lot of correspondence about the short-term let licence regulations. I have also seen a lot of residents contact me about the £300 million development at Taymouth Castle, Kenmore, put forward by Discovery Land Company (DLC).

The development will see 167 ‘high-end’ properties built along with a full restoration of this historic building. DLC has said that it will create 200 permanent on-site jobs as well as having an additional 200 third-party service providers working across the estate. Overall, I do think this is good news for the local area and for local businesses.

While I acknowledge the concerns that have been raised about the development, I feel that a lot of them are misplaced, and are based on misinformation. There are areas of the development which we will need to monitor but there is no evidence that some of the stated concerns will come to pass.

Continued on page 32

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Willie’s Wonky Computer Factory

Laptops are an expensive investment, sometimes essential, sometimes for infrequent but essential use. A second hand laptop makes sense then, but how do you know it’s a worthwhile buy?

There are two options; used, or refurbished. A used laptop is simply a laptop that has been used by others while a refurbished one has been thoroughly cleaned, checked and repaired by professionals. They ensure all components work correctly and might even have had some parts replaced to restore it to as close to the factory model as possible.

A used laptop is ‘sold as seen’, whereas a refurbished one will come with a warranty - usually 90 days, or more.

The performance of a computer comes down to the speed of the processor, the amount of RAM and the size/type of hard drive. An Intel i3 processor is sufficient for most family use, an i5 for business use, and an i7 for serious gaming or video editing. For RAM (memory), you can survive on 4Gb, however 8Gb is nice and 16Gb twice as nice. The hard drive size doesn’t matter so much as external storage is relatively cheap, what does make a difference is a SSD (Solid State Drive) over an older mechanical HD, they are a lot quicker.

So, what do you look for to ensure there are no surprises once you get it home? Here are some basic tips to keep you right: How old should it be?

This depends on what you use it for. For everyday family use, no more than five years old. For gaming, less than three.

Check the body.

Check the frame has no cracks or signs of damage, a dropped laptop could suffer internal damage that might not be immediately evident. Also check all the screws are there, a missing one means someone has been inside. Then check the hinges are in good condition and look for any other irregularities.

Check the display.

Look for flickering, discolouration and dead pixels. A good pixel check is to open a white page and look for single black spots, they are dead pixels.

Test the keyboard and track pad. Check every key, paying attention to travel, feel

and that they do work, paying particular attention to the Ctrl, Alt, Shift and Enter keys. Check the trackpad and even try supported gestures, like pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scroll, three-finger swipe, etc.

Test the ports and DVD drive.

Try all the USB ports, headphone jack, ethernet, SD card slot and, if possible, the HDMI. It's a good idea to take along a UISB drive with some video, that will not only test USB socket, but also the display, the speakers, headphone socket etc. Connect something by Bluetooth.

If you can’t actually check any of the ports, at least look into them for signs of damage, over use, and ensure there’s nothing stuck in them. Make sure the DVD drive reads discs ok and opens when asked. Check the wireless.

Where possible, connect to a network to ensure the Wi-Fi card is working. If there is no public Wi-Fi available, you can hotspot with your phone.

Test the Webcam and Speakers.

Windows has a built-in camera app, so you should open it to see how it responds and run a microphone test to see if the built-in mic is ok. While not many people use their laptop speakers much, it’s still a good idea to see how loud it can get and see if it gets muffled or distorted easily.

Check the Battery Health.

While checking everything, keep an eye on the battery level. If it drains much faster than you expect while poking around for 15 minutes, it might be nearing the end of its life cycle. Also make sure it comes with a charging cable, make sure you test that too.

Software Checks.

Check to make sure the preloaded operating system is genuine. Check the licenses of the software included with the laptop and ensure any product keys are made available to you. Ask for the original software CDs, recovery CDs, drivers and backup media that came with the laptop. Happy?

Then go ahead, as long as you think it’s worth the asking price, but haggle anyway. Not happy? If something doesn’t feel right either with the laptop, or the seller, walk away.

Willie

Concerns have been raised in some quarters regarding the planned development being a ‘gated community’ and that there will be a lack of public access to the Taymouth Castle and Glenlyon estates. However, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 guarantees a right of responsible access.

DLC are committed to reopening the Kenmore Hotel and the local shop, which can only be good news for the community. I will continue to engage with them about their plans.

Meanwhile, I was pleased to receive confirmation from Network Rail to say that they plan to build a footbridge with lifts at Pitlochry Rail station. This is a very positive move, which would improve accessibility for all passengers, helping those with reduced mobility and also passengers who travel with luggage, prams or bikes.

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

On July 27th, myself and Pete Wishart MP hosted a public meeting in Aberfeldy to discuss the ongoing Taymouth Castle development.

To say that this development has provoked passionate debate would be an understatement. Indeed, the turnout of over 300 people at the meeting - making it comfortably the largest public meeting in Aberfeldy's recent history - was a testament to the depth of feeling surrounding this issue.

In the aftermath of the meeting, I think it is clear that the largest block of opinion within the local community is, in theory, not against a development at Taymouth Castle and that there is a view that the potential to bring jobs and investment to the area should be welcomed. However, there is a clear and consistent belief amongst those I spoke to that the development cannot be a "gated community" and it must be compliant with the Land Reform Act 2003, which sets out the right of responsible access.

Furthermore, it can be agreed by all parties that the communication from Discovery Land Company, the organisation behind the development, has been woefully inadequate. From a failure to engage with the local community to being unclear as to the extent of their final plans for the development, they have to this point got their messaging badly wrong. This is a fact that has been accepted by senior figures at DLC, and they have expressed a willingness to improve upon this going forward. In the aftermath of this meeting, Pete Wishart and I wrote to DLC with a number of questions. This letter has been published on both my Facebook and Twitter should you wish to read it in full.

In brief, however, it raises a number of important issues including a lack of engagement with the local community and the absence of any master plan relating to the future of the development. Furthermore, we have pressed for a commitment to re-opening key services in Kenmore such as the shop and hotel, urged DLC to make a contribution to the local housing stock to relieve local pressure and asked for an explicit commitment that they are not aiming to build a "gated community", and that they will seek to be compliant with the Land Reform Act 2003.

At the time of this writing, I have yet to receive a reply. However, I anticipate that we will soon be in receipt of this. It is my hope that DLC will respond substantively and constructively, and I will ensure that I publish their correspondence for all to see.

I will also continue to engage on this issue going forward and have committed to holding another public meeting in the future. I believe that the best way to address the concerns of the public is by being as transparent as possible, and I will be encouraging all stakeholders involved in this project to follow this ethos.

Continued on page 36

with Alan Clinch

What is an Electric Bike?

Pretty much exactly what you might expect –a normal bike, with the added benefit of an electric motor to help when you want or need it. Electric bike technology has advanced rapidly in recent years and you can now find almost any type of bike with a motor. I spend quite a bit of time mountain biking, and it seems that whenever I go into the woods there are more and more e-mountain bikes. Indeed, at the recent UCI Cycling championships held in Scotland there was actually an e-MTB class.

So how do they work? Well, firstly you need a fully charged battery – the power for the bike comes partly from the battery and partly from the rider. It’s up to the individual to decide just how much effort to put in, but the bike doesn’t work without some human input! In the UK the motor can be no greater than 250W, and the bike can only supply power up to a speed of 15.5 mph about 25km/h) – if you go faster than that then the motor is designed to cut out. It’s worth remembering that the additional weight of the motor and charging unit/battery can be anything up to 10kg (for most bikes), so they’re a little more awkward to handle than a traditional bike. The heavier the planned usage, the heavier the bike is likely to be.

There are no restrictions on where to ride e-bikes – basically anywhere you’d ride a normal bike: on the road, on a cycle or multi use path, or on a green lane. You don’t need to be taxed or insured, wear any specific safety equipment, or have any specific training.… That said, you’d be daft to go out without a helmet, some road sense, an understanding of how the bike works, and appropriate clothing…..

So, why get one? There are plenty of reasons to invest (and it’s generally quite a bit of money) in an e-bike. For example:

• Firstly, you still have to pedal, so it definitely counts as exercise!

• You might have an injury or medical condition which stops you cycling – the e- bike may give you sufficient assistance to enable you to continue cycling. At the same time, if you’re not already a cyclist, it may give you enough help to get started. A friend of mine who has bad osteo-arthritis says the e-bike has been life changing! A recent piece of research found that in adults over 50, e-bikes helped users cope with physical limitations that made normal cycling difficult. The same study highlighted the fact that people riding e-bikes often feel safer in traffic than when riding a conventional bike, as the extra acceleration and speed up hills increase confidence when manoeuvring.

• It can fill the gap between shorter trips where you might walk, and longer trips where you might use a car – for example commuting: many organisations have shower facilities at work and using a bike can save money, keep you fit, and possibly even get you to work faster.

• It’s possible to carry heavier loads more easily than with a regular bike, so shopping trips may be easier. Many cycle delivery riders use e-bikes.

Next month I’ll write more about different types of e-bikes and suggest which types might be most appropriate for different people.

As ever: if you haven’t exercised for a while, or have any medical conditions which might cause problems, check with your Doctor to ensure it’s safe to increase your activity levels. Also, if you’ve not ridden a bike for a while….. get some help and training.

GrowBiz

Could You Become a GrowBiz Mentor?

With National Mentoring Day happening next month, it’s a good time to consider whether you can contribute to the Perth & Kinross rural business community by volunteering as a GrowBiz mentor. Mentoring is a positive way to share experience you’ve gained, develop your communication skills, gain confidence in guiding others, build a network of rewarding relationships and give back by helping someone unlock their full potential.

Mentor Stuart Broster says: “I joined because I semi-retired in May 2020, after a very busy career in the hospitality industry for 45 years; mentoring has allowed me to give something back, and has been very important for me as it allows me to keep my brain ticking over, and of course you meet some great people along the way.”

You don’t need prior mentoring experience or business qualifications to volunteer as a GrowBiz mentor, just some experience in running a business, managing a team, training, or being involved in community development work. Our mentor training will show you how to hone and adapt these skills to the mentoring process.

Mentor Steve Taylor says: “I got involved because I have quite a bit of experience across a range of businesses and brands, and thought it might be useful to share that. I’ve been a working artist for the past 20 years or so, so have some small business/self-employed experience too.”

The GrowBiz mentoring programme puts you in control of how much time you spend with your mentee and how often you meet with them, so even very busy people can get involved. And you don’t have to advise mentees on more technical aspects of business—the GrowBiz team can help with that.

Our award-winning mentoring programme is accredited by the Scottish Mentoring Network. Find out more at www.growbiz.co.uk/mentoring

Pitlochry and District Neighbourhood Watch Keeping your home secure

Although Pitlochry is regarded as a low crime area, we should not be complacent. A house in the town was broken into recently and jewellery stolen. Another house experienced a failed break-in attempt.

Most housebreakings are carried out by opportunist thieves who are usually after easily lifted items such as cash, jewellery, car keys, smart phones and other small electronic items and most occur when the house is unoccupied.

We should aim not to make it easy for a thief to get into our home.

Basics include locking doors and windows; not leaving keys in locks (or under mats); not keeping car keys and house keys on the same key ring; not leaving valuables where they can be seen e.g. through a window; not announcing on social media when you are to be away; but do tell a trusted neighbour if you are going to be away and ask them to keep an eye on your property. It’s also a good idea to use timer switches on lights to give the impression that someone is at home. Installing a peephole/viewer and door chain provides additional security when you are at home. For security systems/alarms, Police Scotland recommends Ring door bells/CCTV; outdoor security lighting, which allows an intruder to be seen by neighbours or passers-by; keeping fences and

T r a d i t i o n a l V a l u e s - M o d e r n T h i n k i n g

P r o p e r t y L e g a l S e r v i c e s

W i l l s , P o w e r s o f A t t o r n e y a n d S u c c e s s i o n P l a n n i n g

C h a r i t i e s & C o m m u n i t i e s

C o m p a n i e s & P a r t n e r s h i p s

A g r i c u l t u r e , E s t a t e s & R e n e w a b l e s

C o n t a c t o u r P r o p e r t y

T e a m t o b o o k a F R E E , N O O B L I G A T I O N

v a l u a t i o n

Tel: 01796 472606

Email: property@jandhmitchell.com

www.jandhmitchellproperty.com

The Pitlochry Garden September

How can we mitigate the effects of extreme weather in the garden? This isn’t just a question of picking good plants for one sort of outcome - always choose fully hardy plants. It’s more about gardening techniques that will cope with all sorts of issues, including very hot or very cold weather, high winds or low light as well as drought and flooding.

Mitigate the effects of very hot or very cold weather by applying good mulch and topping it up as often as you can. If you make garden compost you can use this to feed your plants and improve soil texture. Composted medium grade bark will also help to keep moisture in the soil in hot summers and give roots some protection from hard frosts in the winter.

Save rain water but be sure to use it quickly because, without adding disinfectant, the water butt can become contaminated with some really nasty bugs like legionella.

In periods of drought don’t waste water on the lawn but water the roots of plants deeply and regularly at least twice a week. I use an extendable lance which allows me to aim water very carefully and saves me bending my back. It used to be that wind blew mainly from the south-west about 40 to 45% of the time, but in recent years the wind rose has changed significantly and now we are as likely to have north-easterly winds. The general rule is to stake into the wind but now that there is an equal chance of two opposite directions, I think the

best plan is to double stake to the south-west and north-east.

Where wind is channelled down between buildings or it hits an opposite wall and comes back into the garden, try to break the flow with several screens of trees and shrubs.

This will be helpful particularly in large gardens where the wind often swirls about in the middle, knocking tall plants over. If you have that problem look for more wind-proof plants that are shorter or more flexible like grasses. Choose shrubs and trees with smaller leaves and avoid ones that are prone to wind scorch.

Long periods of heavy cloud, little rain and low temperatures are typical in the spring just when we are trying to get seedlings away. One way to mitigate this is to put up a polytunnel or glasshouse to provide some shelter and, if necessary, additional light. If possible align the tunnel east-west and plant your rows northsouth so that sunlight runs along each row.

Assess your land for the possibility of flooding either due to excessive rainfall running off a slope or else a sudden rise in a nearby water course.

Use ground cover shrubs to take up water and stabilise the ground across a steep slope. Make a soak-away along the bottom of the slope to protect your house and avoid property on land that is prone to inundation.

Sheila Drummond

hedges low at the front of house so intruders can be seen; growing prickly shrubs such as berberis or holly along walls to deter access. All these things are known to deter intruders.

Further sources of advice

For those with access to the internet, the following link provides comprehensive advice on keeping our homes and gardens secure from thieves. www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information

Alternatively, a booklet titled “Safer Communities Safer Scotland” provides lots of useful security advice and is available from local Neighbourhood Watch Secretary, Cath Marshall on 470 575

Breadalbane & District RDA

A very big thank you to everybody who came and supported us at the Aberfeldy Show and Highland Games. Thanks to the cooking, baking and gardening skills of our volunteers the tables at our stall were groaning with goodies on the Friday morning and, despite being replenished throughout the two days, were nearly empty by the Saturday evening. Our treasurer was delighted to have £537.26 to put into our bank account. There was a lot of interest in the group from near and far including a lady who works with RDA in New Zealand!! It was a special thrill to see one of the ponies who is kindly lent to us competing in the show.

Preparations have been in hand for the start of the new term including a volunteers training day just to keep everyone up to scratch. Unfortunately we are losing the use of our “weight bearing” pony as she has been retired, so we hope we will be able to accommodate all our riders. At the start of the new academic year we are never quite sure who will be coming.

We will be having a stand at the Pitlochry Highland Games on September 9th so we hope once again we will be well supported as these public occasions are our main way of raising money to keep the group going. New members to the group are always welcome and anyone interested can find out more on our web-site www.breadalbanerda.org.uk or contact us by email at breadalbanerda@gmail.com or you can ring Helen on 01796 470414 or Vicky on 07786262329.

Pitlochry Hospital Cars

We urgently need more volunteers to join our small number of drivers who take patients to PRI and Ninewells Hospitals for appointments.

In the first instance and for more information about what is involved please contact one of the coordinators listed below:

Ray Wilson telephone number 473031.

Lorna Dobbie telephone number 474009.

Nora Finch telephone number 474002.

MILK

An every day staple. A must for the cereal bowl and perhaps in your tea or coffee. It wasn’t all that long ago it was only cow's milk in skimmed, semi or full fat being the choices. Now, alternative milk brands have had a boom in popularity, ranging from soya to oat, almond, coconut, pea milk and even hemp milks gracing our shelves. It’s great to have so many options beyond the classic cow's milk, but so many choices can be tricky to navigate and it can be hard to choose the right option. So, we have compiled a list of different milk options, with their pros and cons to help you choose.

WHOLE AND SEMI-SKIMMED COW’S MILK

Whole and semi-skimmed cow’s milk are both full of calcium, and vitamins A and D – all of which are key for maintaining healthy bones and immune system function. However, they are – particularly whole milk – also high in healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acid. Not only adding to their nutritional content, but research shows that these fats make it much easier for the body to absorb other nutrients, like vitamin D. Unfortunately whole milk is higher in saturated fat, which many people in the UK are eating too much of and is linked with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, semi-skimmed milk may be the more desirable option for anyone who likes cow’s milk with a thick enough consistency – but with a lower fat and calorie content. Another downside is, its environmental impact. Cow’s milk (whole, skimmed, or semi-skimmed) is widely known for being the least sustainable option. According to research, a glass of cow’s milk is responsible for almost three times more greenhouse gas emissions and requires nine times more land than any plant-based milk.

SKIMMED COW’S MILK A great option for anyone who likes the taste of cow’s milk while watching their weight. Skimmed cow's milk offers a high amount of protein, calcium and vitamins A and D for less calories, and fat. Some people find that skimmed cow’s milk isn’t as filling as whole or semi-skimmed versions and are put off by its thinner consistency. Yet, as mentioned above, even skimmed milk still has a negative impact on the environment.

SOYA MILK Made from soybeans and typically fortified with vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and calcium when store-bought. There are a number of benefits to using soya milk – including the fact that it’s naturally lactose-free, rich in protein, iron, fibre, and B vitamins, and actually contains more calcium per cup than cow’s milk. Soya milk is also popular for its creamy texture. That said, soya milk has been subject to some controversy over the years due to its estrogen content, as there were claims it increased the risk of breast cancer. But, these theories have since been proven false and experts now agree that food sources of soy, such as soya milk, don’t contain high enough levels of estrogen to increase a person’s risk of breast cancer. In fact, some studies have found that a diet rich in soy can actually reduce the risk of breast cancer. Plus, when it comes to environmental impact, soya milk has a shining review. It requires very little water to make and has only slightly higher greenhouse gas emissions than almond milk – without any of the negative impacts on cows and bees.

ALMOND MILK How do you milk an almond I hear you ask? Well you can’t. Almond milk is a blend of almonds and spring water and is fortified with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins, D and B12. It comes sweetened or unsweetened versions and aside from being a popular option for anyone wanting to avoid animal products. It’s also liked for its nutty, almond flavour and low calorie content. It has a good source of healthy fats, plenty immune boosting vitamin E and offers impressive antioxidant properties. However, despite its low calories and high vitamin content, it lacks many other important nutrients, such as protein and calcium. So it’s important to make sure you’re getting enough of these elsewhere in your diet. As for the environmental impact of almond milk, that’s a bit more controversial. Having been associated with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of all plant milks. Almond trees themselves have been found to absorb excess carbon dioxide. Most almonds used to make almond milk are grown in California, where the industry relies on huge amounts of water (around five litres per almond!) and the hard labour of bees. In fact, bees have to work so hard to pollinate almond trees that one investigation found the almond industry was responsible for the deaths of around 50 billion bees over just a few months!

OAT MILK In terms of taste this is a great contender! Oat milk is made by mixing whole oats, treated with enzymes, and warm water. It is then strained and fortified with vitamins and minerals and comes sweetened and unsweetened. Due to its thick, creamy texture, oat milk’s often described as being the closest plant-based alternative to cow’s milk, which makes it a delicious alternative for anyone who’s lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply enjoys the taste. As well as it being the best option for vegan baking, as many other vegan milk options are too thin. It also contains naturally occurring fibre and store-bought versions are often fortified with various nutrients including vitamins A, B12, and D, calcium, and phosphorous. Along with soy milk, oat milk is one of the most sustainable options as, according to research, it requires 60% fewer carbon emissions and 80% less land to produce than cow’s milk. However, while pretty few and far between, there are a few downsides to consider. Oat milk isn’t as rich in protein as other types of milk – containing around 6g less protein per 200ml than soya milk. And, there is a gluten risk due to cross-contamination of wheat and oat fields during the manufacturing process, meaning some brands can contain traces of gluten. So, any oat milk that isn’t certified gluten-free is likely to be unsuitable for anyone with coeliac disease. Lastly, oat milk is slightly higher in calories than other types of milk, such as almond milk. Still clocking in at less than 94 calories per 200ml, it can easily be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Just watch out for the sweetened varieties!

PEA MILK Made from yellow-split peas, pea milk is lactose-free, has a thick texture, slightly off-white colour, and generally mild taste. It’s one of the newer types of plant-based milk and has been growing in popularity. Though not quite as high in protein as soya or cow’s milk, pea milk still offers a good choice. And, store-bought pea milk is often fortified with other nutrients like calcium, iron, omega-3, and vitamin D, so it offers a range of other health benefits too. Pea milk is also one of the more environmentally friendly milk choices as peas don’t require much water or land to grow, and generate significantly less greenhouse gas emissions. The main downside of pea milk to consider is that some people don’t enjoy the taste, which is described by some as being a little earthier and grassier than other plant-based milk.

CASHEW MILK Another nut milk option, �ashew milk is made from whole cashews and water. It’s available in sweetened and unsweetened versions, has a rich, creamy texture, is loaded with healthy fats, vitamins and minerals like potassium, iron, and magnesium and is naturally lactose-free. Cashew milk has a modest calorie content and store-bought versions can contain up to 50% more calcium than cow’s milk, with significantly less saturated fat. Another pro of cashew milk is that it’s a little sweeter and creamier to taste, so if you’re not a fan of the nuttiness of almond milk but want a similar calorie count, it’s a good option. That being said, it’s worth checking the added sugar content of sweetened cashew milk and only drinking it in moderation. Like other plant-based milks, cashew milk is also pretty low in protein, so if you’re going to use it, it’s worth making sure you have plenty of other protein-rich foods in your diet. When it comes to the environment, cashew milk is considered a sustainable choice because it requires minimal land to produce. However, the significant downfall of cashew milk is the human rights issues surrounding its production, particularly the poor treatment of cashew pickers.

RICE MILK Rice milk is considered the most hypoallergenic of all milk products – suiting those who are lactose intolerant, or have a casein, soy, or nut allergy. It’s low in fat, cholesterol free, and the small amount of fat it does contain is mostly unsaturated – which makes it a great option for those looking to boost their heart health. It’s also rich in magnesium, iron, B vitamins, copper, manganese, and selenium – all of which have many health benefits and give your immune system a boost. However, rice milk does contain a lot of sugar and carbohydrates – around three to four times the amount of soy or dairy milk. So, it’s not a particularly suitable option for anyone with diabetes or who’s looking to keep their blood sugar levels in check. It’s also known to have quite a watery consistency and is very low in protein – so if you do use it, it’s important not to rely on it for this and to add other protein-rich foods to your diet. In terms of sustainability, rice milk also isn’t the best option. According to research, it’s one of the worst polluters when it comes to water and produces more greenhouse gasses than any other plant milk.

COCONUT MILK Not to be confused with coconut water, found inside coconuts. Coconut milk is made from the solid coconut flesh mixed with water, and strained, it’s then fortified with calcium and vitamins D and B12. It has as rich and creamy taste and texture with that classic coconut hint. It’s a great milk alternative in cooking and vegan baking as well as a fantastic smoothie base. You can buy it tinned, or in cartons. However, the tinned milk is thicker and best used in cooking. It’s lactose free, rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, selenium, iron, folate, magnesium and potassium. It also contains a higher protein content than other plant based milks. Although it’s high in saturated fat, studies have suggested that cholesterol levels improve with coconut milk intake so is a good option for those keen to look after their heart health. Not only that, it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties due to its high lauric acid content. As for its sustainability, coconut milk has quite a small environmental footprint, owing to the minimal use of water for growing coconuts. According to estimates, a 200ml glass of coconut milk only requires 0.5l of water. Coconut trees also have the ability to filter out carbon dioxide, which helps fight greenhouse gases. Since coconuts are usually grown in tropical areas however, the transportation drives up the carbon footprint.

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!

Atholl Centre Pitlochry

Office hours

Atholl Centre Office open hours are Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm.

Pitlochry’s Open Kitchen is @The Atholl Centre - Every last Sunday of the month (next one: 24th Sept) Pitlochry’s Open Kitchen meets to share recipes, cook, eat and have a good blether! Everyone is welcome! - For more information send an email to theopenkitchen22@gmail.com

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

Pitlochry Baptist Church

Summer Specials Fridays from 2-4pm

29 September — Concert with Pitlochry High School Choir

Free tickets available for each event from…

Colin - 01796 470081 Nicki - 07543900641

Helen - 01796 473044

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.

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 of every month, 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.

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

Further information from 01796 473044

Dunkeld & District Strathspey and Reel Society

Highland Perthshire and, especially, Dunkeld have a wonderful and continuing history of great traditional Scots music, from the time of Niel Gow in the eighteenth century to the present day. DDSRS, our local fiddle orchestra, meets most Monday evenings in the Royal School of Dunkeld, except in mid-summer, and our 2023 -24 season will start on 28th August at 7.30pm. We play an interesting variety of traditional Scottish music, old and new, under the expert direction of the well-known local fiddle player and composer Pete Clark.

We love to welcome players of fiddle, cello, double bass, accordion or woodwind, who have the option either to join as full members, or to come along when you can and just pay on the night. We are a friendly bunch who enjoy each other’s company and the shared pleasure of making music together.

Further information at www.dunkeldstrathspeyandreel.org

Rotary Club of Pitlochry

When next you're in town, pick up one of our Rotary Quiz sheets from Pitlochry Hardware or from one of the many other outlets in town! Keep eyes peeled. Good fun to test your knowledge and to stand a chance to win a token of your own choice to the value of £30! There is a minimum donation of £2 to enter and all entries must be received by Alan Norris by no later than 10 November. The winner will be the first all-correct entry drawn on the closing date!

At a recent club meeting, it was decided not only to extend our monthly grant to our local Food Bank, but to increase the amount. Our community is known for it's charitable disposition and involvement in community service, so if you have not yet aligned yourself with a cause close to YOUR heart, why not start by pledging a few £ to the foodbank also? They do a tremendous job and every penny goes a long way.

A reminder that our Rotary Charity account still has some funds available for local charities, organisations and needy individuals. These are disbursed every 3 months and should be applied for stating reasons or projects to secretary@pitlochry.rotary1010.org

Inner Wheel Club of Pitlochry

Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation. Our objects are to promote true friendship; to encourage the ideals of personal service; to foster International understanding and we do this this through regular meetings, social events and raise funds to support local and international charities.

The Inner Wheel Club of Pitlochry is looking forward to recommencing its monthly meetings in September. We will be taking a trip down memory lane as we approach our 30th birthday by watching video footage of Pitlochry in times gone by.

Members have also been active over the summer looking after the Highland Jewel Garden as you come into Pitlochry from the south.

Look at for us at the Highland Games on the 9th of Sept where we will be selling popcorn and running a “find the cowpat” competition to raise money for the charities we support.

The club meets in the evening on the fourth Thursday of every month. If you are interested in attending or would like further information, then please email innerwheelpitlochry@gmail.com

Just Singin` Birnam

Just Singin’ is a Community choir for all ages which meets at Birnam Arts on Wednesday evenings. Their 8 week autumn term begins on 23rd August, and the group is keen to welcome new members. If you would enjoy singing with a mixed company of friendly folk, it might just be the new pastime you have been looking for!

The group has a strong emphasis on welcoming anyone who likes to sing, with no auditions, no need to read music and definitely no need to ever sing solo. Over the years, it has embraced a wide variety of types of music including Scottish folk , traditional African songs, Gospel material, Georgian songs with dissonant harmonies, show stoppers from music theatre, pop songs - past and present, American folk songs, sea shanties and other world music – something for everyone!

Bramble Jelly

Ingredients

Brambles

2 large cooking apples

Fresh lemon juice

This is my mum’s recipe, which I still use today, with happy memories of purple fingers and scratched legs.

You will need a ‘jeely pan’ or a large stock pot and something to strain the fruit. (We used an old pillowcase.)

Give the brambles a quick rinse. Add to the pan, right up to the top if you have enough and add two large cooking apples quartered and the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. Use slightly less if not a full pan.

Add water, until you can just see it. Simmer for about 20 mins until the apples are completely soft. Stir occasionally.

Allow to cool slightly, then pour into a muslin bag, or clean pillowcase. Tie the top and suspend it over a clean bucket/large bowl by tying to a broom handle across the back of two kitchen chairs. Leave it to drip away overnight.

Next day, throw away the fruit, do not squeeze it as it will make the jelly cloudy.

Water White granulated sugar

Put 2 saucers or a side plate in the freezer to chill. Measure the juice with a jug and pour back into the pan, then add exactly the same volume of white granulated sugar. Note: My recipe also says ‘3 pints juice and 3 pints of sugar max, or it will boil over’

Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved then bring to the boil. Now boil rapidly for about 10 minutes and skim off any scum that appears.

If you have a thermometer - 105 degrees C. If not, remove a saucer from the freezer, add a teaspoon of the liquid, leave for a minute to cool and push your finger through it. If it starts to wrinkle the jelly is ready. If not, return to the boil and try again after another minute.

Once you have a ‘set’ pour into warm sterilised jars (a jam funnel is handy), allow to cool slightly then top with a waxed disc if you have one, then screw the lid on tightly.

Look forward to your toast in the morning.

Willie

A variety of talented tutors lead the sessions for a period of four weeks each, which allows the group to offer an interesting and ever changing selection of musical styles and songs.

There are occasional opportunities to take part in performances for those who wish to, and Just Singin’ is always keen to support local community events and festivals, including braving the elements on Santa Day! Just Singin’ would love to invite you to come along to one of its sessions with no obligation whatever – just bring your voice and a smile!

Further details are available on the website and Facebook page detailed below.

www.justsingin.co.uk https://m.facebook.com>justsingin

Pitlochry Station Bookshop

I am sure that I did not make many serious decisions at the age of thirteen but one that I did make has haunted me ever since.

The restricted school curriculum of 1960 meant that I was offered one choice only, Latin or Art, and since I had been told regularly that I had no talent for drawing, I chose to forsake Art and to continue with Latin for a further four painful years. But Art didn’t go away. Over the years it kept nudging me and eventually I would wander into galleries and exhibitions and become engrossed in “Landscape / Portrait Artist of the Year” programmes.

Then, in January 2023, almost a lifetime later, I reversed my original decision and enrolled in the Friday morning art class in Pitlochry where I have been on such a steep and exhilarating learning curve that I fall asleep at night debating the merits of different colour palettes.

However there has been another important contribution to my belated art education. At the far end of Pitlochry Station Bookshop there is an Art section which has been an inspiration with titles like, “The Complete Guide to Watercolour” or “Brush with Acrylics” and I have been able to put together a small library of knowledgeable art texts, all for £2 or £3 per volume. On each visit my first call is on the Art section where further delights and expertise always await.

Do you have an area of the Bookshop which regularly surprises you? Just remember that if it’s the Art section, I’ll be there ahead of you.

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

Continued on page 60

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/

Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition

At the time of writing the Exhibition in the Duchess Anne, Dunkeld was proving popular with over 100 pieces of work sold in first 2 weeks.

The exhibition will close at 4pm on Thursday 31st August. Any queries Dunkeldart@aol.com

The Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre

If you are at a loose end and looking for something to do with the family or some guests who are visiting, then come to the Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre. Located in Moulin Square, we are open Monday to Saturday between 2pm and 4pm with lots to see and do.

Come along to our wee museum and take a step back in time through our fascinating local history. There is something for everyone in the family, including a kids corner. Browse through some of our old records, fantastic Millennium Diary or Old school photos. Find yourself, a relative or old friend and relive the memories. Moulin Yarns are also here every Monday with their live spinning displays.

We have a new research corner, with reference books, some local and parish records on microfilmand old photos. So if you are trying to find old family connections, this is a must visit for budding historians and genealogists.

For larger groups, we can arrange visits to the Centre, outwith out normal opening times. Please contact us to discuss further.

Calling out for Volunteers!! If you can help in any way with the Centre, then please contact us by email at pandmheritage@gmail.com our Facebook page “Pitlochry and Moulin Heritage Centre” or call into the Centre some afternoon between 2 and 4pm.

Pitlochry Bowling Club

August was a very busy month for us with visiting teams, friendly home and away matches and internal competitions. Our first friendly in July we went up to Newtonmore where we had a lovely day. We were made very welcome. We played five rinks of triples followed by a lovely tea. In this instance we brought the trophy home with us.

We also hosted NPBA 125th anniversary invitation and had 6 full rinks. 48 bowlers from all over Perthshire plus visiting spectators. A packed club house enjoyed a lovely supper afterwards.

We had a group of 27 B.Bs. from Dundee who enjoyed themselves so much they came back 4 days later and left with a promise to return next year.

We also had a very successful quiz night again with a packed club house. We were able to make a donation to CHAS with all proceeds from the raffle.

Continued on page 62

This Month’s Easy Sudoku

How to play............

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

That’s all there is to it! Use reasoning and logic to solve the puzzle - there’s no maths or adding up.

Look carefully for what numbers can go where and with a little practice it will get easier!

Bingo nights continue to be popular and September nights are Monday 4th and 18th. 7 for 7.30pm. The bar will be open.

Our Monday morning coffee mornings are also proving very popular with delicious fresh home baking to enjoy. Come along and bring a friend 10am till 12 noon.

We are well into club competitions with some at semi final stage. The club finals will be held Saturday and Sunday 2nd and 3rd September spectators welcome. Some results of recent competitions, CHAS trophy winners Zeke Muir and Bill McDade. Moulin Vase won by Stewart Rutherford and Neil Haggart. Club Triples winners were Neil Haggart, Fay MacNicoll and Ian Wilson. Club Pairs winners men, John Greenshields and Campbell. Ladies Valerie Wilson and Ann Egglishaw.

Club is open to visitors. Times are on the information board outside the club. Our club house is also available to hire. We are always pleased to welcome visitors. If you would like any further information please contact John on 07833664121 or Agnes on 07918122415.

Blair Atholl Bowling Club

We held a very successful BBQ on 15th July at which club members and their families also had the opportunity to play target bowls and later on try Bingo. The day was enjoyed by all and thanks go to those who organised the event. On 22nd July we had the Fyfe Trophy competition involving 4 teams of triples. The winners on the day were Paul Figures, Rhoda Robinson and Sam Davie.

The North Perthshire Bowling Association league finished in August and unfortunately, we didn’t fare too well, finishing in bottom spot. We can only get better!

We continue to hold Hat Nights every Tuesday and Open Nights every Friday, both starting at 6.45pm. If you fancy giving bowls a try then please pop along and we’d be happy to show you the ropes.

For more information contact Linda Newns 07921 264 965.

Pitlochry & Moulin Men's Shed

The Pitlochry & Moulin Mens Shed (PAMMS) provides a community space for men to meet, connect, chat and create. Our activities centre on those that groups of men can enjoy together to help reduce loneliness and isolation. Equally importantly, we aim to make them enjoyable. Our Men's Shed can give purpose to those who have either retired or who just have some time on their hands. Activities such as ours aim to improve mental health, knowledge, skills and confidence in an informal environment.

We are located in the old Handam Shop in Burnside Road in Pitlochry, postcode PH16 5BP. Once in Burnside Road, you can’t miss us!

At present, we open every Thursday 2 - 4 pm and also operate as a warm space where people can gather for free in a warm, safe, welcoming place, where they can enjoy a hot drink and some company. We extend an invitation to adults of all ages to come along and join us.

For more information, please contact Peter or Ray via email on pammensshed@gmail.com

Vale of Atholl Pipe Band

Another very busy month. We had a lovely day playing at Braco Agricultural Show. Rain was forecast, but none came. The Grade 3 band was delighted to get 5th place at the Scottish Pipe Band Championships at Dumbarton. Our Highland Nights are going extremely well with great crowds, although we almost had a disaster with the Town Hall being taken up by the blood donors and probably the wettest day and night of the year, we couldn't possibly hold it outside, but the wonderful Atholl Palace let us use their Atholl Suite . It was all sorted just three hours before the show was to start!!!! So many thanks again to Graham and also to Eva for all her hard work. By the time you read this, we'll have had the Auckland and District Pipe band playing at a Highland Night and we finish our run of Highland Nights on the 4th September.

The band also had an enjoyable day at the Aberfeldy Show and Highland Games. The sun was very warm and the couple of showers were heavy but short!!!!

We'll be competing at Pitlochry Highland Games on 9th September and we'll also have our usual tombola stall, so please pop along to see us!

Gillie McNab gmcnab00@aol.com

07733152223.

Ladies Highland Open 2023

This year's Ladies Highland Open during the week beginning 10th July was enjoyed by 65 ladies who braved wet weather every day. Despite the conditions some excellent golf was played and a lot of fun was had alongside the serious business of the competition.

The golf course was in lovely condition and congratulations are due to Stuart Griffiths and his team for achieving this in somewhat adverse conditions.

The Red Deer Clubhouse kept everyone very well fed and watered, there was always a warm welcome and delicious food.

The Tuesday was designated Breast Cancer Day and £115 was raised for the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

Four of the seven trophies were won by Pitlochry ladies.

The Starters Cup & the Breadalbane Quaich (for those aged under 21) were both won by Lauren Pirie, the Pecairn cup went to Lauren Cameron after a tough battle over 20 holes and The Atholl Cup was won by Laura Campbell.

The Craigower Trophy was lifted by Carol Borthwick from Baberton Golf Club, the Veterans Salver went to Caroline Henderson of Aberfeldy and the Eleanor Ballantyne Salver to Ann Shepherd of Lochgelly

Many congratulations to all who played and we hope everyone will return in 2024.

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

Blair Atholl & Struan Initiative

Still on track in Blair Atholl.

Blair Atholl & Struan Initiative is proud to host a new subgroup –the Friends of Blair Atholl Station. This is a group of mostly local people, and some regular visitors to the area, who all care about stations, trains and railways. We have been looking after the station over the summer months, watering and weeding plants, picking up litter and reporting anything that needs attention. In August, we were pleased to see that ScotRail removed a damaged piece of timber from the roof and repaired some dangerous tarmac on the north-bound platform.

Now we want them to help us to freshen up the waiting room and repaint the footbridge, to make life more comfortable for the many travellers who use the station. Longer term, we’d like to transform the empty station house into community use and affordable housing. As a step towards this, we plan to work on a heritage project over the winter months, recording stories of Blair Atholl station’s history. Find out more on facebook and twitter @FoBAS

Blair Atholl & Struan Community Council

One of the difficult truths is that change happens slowly in local politics! It almost seems as if you could leave a community council meeting and not return for two or three years and you would find the same issues being discussed: access to quality health care, better public transport provision, more affordable housing, better community resources, and, of course, when will the problem of lack of water in our lade be resolved? These were all things that came up in our recent Community Action Plan in Blair Atholl and Struan, and they will probably feature in the next Community Action Plan in another five years.

So how can we prevent this year’s plan from becoming a wish-list that goes nowhere? It’s important to start with the acknowledgement that some work has already begun, with plans afoot for ‘active travel’ improvements and a group of people interested in taking on the stationhouse for community use. The village hall upgrade is also ongoing, and we have a tennis club in the village again. And there is a plan in place (short and long-term) to bring water back to the lade.

Beyond this, who knows? That’s when patience and persistence is needed. The contribution of people like Donald Isles who served on the community council for so many years shouldn’t be underestimated.

Find us on facebook @BAASCC

Killiecrankie Village Hall

The Hall is available for private or group hire for meetings, exhibitions, classes and small functions. WiFi is now available. All booking information is on the website www.killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk There is also a small office space available to rent separately that is suitable for a variety of uses such as consultations. Contact info@ killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk for details.

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

Pitlochry Baptist Church

Atholl Road, PH16 5BX

Pastor: Rev David Barrie (pastor@pbcweb.net) www.pbcweb.net

Our Worship Gathering takes place every Sunday from 10:30am at our building on Atholl Roadnext 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. 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.

This month's highlighted event:

The Pitlochry High School Choir Concert is on Friday 29 September 2-4pm in our building on Atholl Road. Come join us for the last in the series of Summer 2023 Special Events before we restart our Soup Lunches in October. Tickets for the Pitlochry High School Choir Concert are free but booking is essential as places are limited. Please contact Colin - 01796 470081 or Nicki – 07543 900641 or Helen - 01796 473044 to reserve your place.

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

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

Holy Trinity is open daily

Serenity Garden is open Daily

Sunday services 9.30am Holy Communion

No Service on 24th September, Joint Service at Kilmaveonaig for the Feast of St Adamnan (Eonan)

Garden Group meets every Tuesday at 10.30 am. All Welcome

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.

24th September Joint Service for the Feast of St Adamnan (Eonan) 11.15am

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;

5th Sundays with Church of Scotland (see website)

House Group 10.00am Last Wednesday of the month

No Service on 24th September, Joint Service at Kilmaveonaig for the Feast of St Adamnan (Eonan)

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

First Sunday of the Month 9.30am Holy Communion.

3rd September 9.30am Holy Communion

24th September Joint Service at Kilmaveonaig for the Feast of St Adamnan (Eonan) 11.15am

Zoom Services

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

Pitlochry Church of Scotland

Interim Moderator: Rev Fraser Penny 01350 727 249

Session Clerk: 01796 472791

Website: www.pitlochrychurchofscotland.org.uk

Sunday Service: Morning Worship at 10.30am.

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. Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday 3 September.

Everyone is welcome for tea/coffee and juice in The Tryst after the service.

CrossReach: Have you, or anyone you know, been feeling lonely lately and would like some company? CrossReach offer twice weekly day care (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10.00 – 15.30) in The Tryst where you can take part in a varied activity programme, meet new friends and enjoy a homecooked three course lunch. To find out more, pop in, have a coffee and learn about our service and how to arrange a placement. For more information, please contact Lorna Smith, Service Manager on 07771 345244 or email lorna.smith@crossreach.org.uk

Wednesday Coffee and 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 to go to Christians Against Poverty.

Scottish Country Dance Group: Tuesdays from 13 September at 7.30pm, all welcome. Pitlochry Choral: Rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6 September at 7.45pm in The Tryst Hall.

Table Tennis: meet weekly on Thursdays 2.00pm until 4.00pm in The Tryst Hall.

Concert: On Friday 15 September there will be a Concert in The Tryst Hall to welcome a new piano and showcase our musical talent. Further details to be available soon, please keep the date and join us. Tea/coffee and cake included in the interval.

Church Office: The Tryst, for all enquires and deliveries contact by email thetryst@btconnect.com

Continued on page 72

The Pitlochry Crossword

ACROSS

1 Senseless omicron variant (7)

5 Celebration produced by 6 Down? (4)

9 Tip a wagon all over the place in Perthshire hamlet (9)

10 Planter sprouts now and again (3)

11 Touch revolutionary instrument (4)

13 Fishermen’s legs ran amok (7)

14 Oceans pulverise these? (6)

15 Football team centres (6)

18 Picture a Gemini jigging (7)

20 Dice thrown - not done to whisky! (4)

22 School case (3)

23 Centre of Banff surrounded by giddy clones of our twin (9)

25 Ireland ever in plain sight (4)

26 Cooried, lest den collapse (7)

By Lesley

DOWN

1 Plans the return of tinned meat (4)

2 Brother hoards rubbish (3)

3 Eight in untidy sleepwear (7)

4 Openers at cricket on Wednesday posed a tough hazard in the field (6)

6 Peep later around large plant (5,4)

7 Ramsay and Raeburn perhaps in dire straits (7)

8 Catch Explorers Garden flora blooming finally (4)

12 Mountain mud can be problematicprimarily icky (3,6)

14 Extract rhubarb possibly for former bus worker (7)

16 Surprisingly, I sorted Willie and Debbie (7)

17 Confine grannie in Aberdeenshire village (6)

19 MacRitchie shows irritation (4)

21 Second-hand spades unsatisfactory (sent back apparently) (4)

24 Perhaps Moray sea creature (3)

Answers for August on page 76

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

Blair Atholl & Struan Linked With Braes Of Rannoch And Foss & Rannoch

Interim Moderator: The Rev Grace Steele.

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

Session Clerk Blair Atholl & Struan Harold Ingram 01796 481275

Session Clerk Braes of Rannoch ~~

Session Clerks Foss & Rannoch Robert and Elizabeth Anderson 01882632272

Blair Atholl & Struan Church - Weekly service in Blair Atholl Church at 11.15am.

Coffee Corner is back in Blair Atholl Church Hall every Thursday at 10.00am – 12.00. All welcome. Services in Rannoch are held weekly, at 9.45am at Braes of Rannoch and 11.30am at the Old Church, Kinloch Rannoch.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Is the Bible really the Word of God? This question will be addressed on the 10th. You are very welcome to attend the meetings held at our Kingdom Hall in 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.

Sunday 3rd September, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Resist the Spirit of the World’. A discussion: ‘Why Should We Fear Jehovah? (Psalm 25:14)’.

Thursday 7th September, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: An Introduction to the Book of Esther, Esther 1, 2, ‘Strive to Be Modest Like Esther’, ‘Help From Jesus and the Angels’, ‘Maintain Unity in the Congregation (1 Corinthians 1:10)’.

Sunday 10th September, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘What Marks the Bible as Authentic?’. A discussion: ‘Continue to Benefit From Godly Fear (Proverbs 14:2)’.

Thursday 14th September, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Esther 3–5, ‘Help Others to Reach Their Full Potential’, ‘Esther Had Courage’, ‘What Will Help You to Keep Studying the Bible?’, ‘What if You Commit a Serious Sin?’.

Sunday 17th September, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Acquiring a Heart of Wisdom’. A discussion: ‘Are You Ready for the Great Tribulation? (Matthew 24:44)’.

Thursday 21st September, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Esther 6–8, ‘A Lesson in Good Communication’, ‘Teach Effectively Like James—Keep Your Message Simple’, ‘Rely On Jehovah When Dealing With a Bully’.

Sunday 24th September, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Who Are the Real Followers of Christ?’. A discussion: ‘Keep Growing in Your Love (Ephesians 4:15)’.

Saturday 30th September, 9.50 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Assembly Hall, Appleton Parkway, Livingston. The theme: “Eagerly Wait for Jehovah (Psalm 130:6)”, including the talks: ‘Is Patience Still a Virtue?’, ‘Imitate Habakkuk’, ‘What Are You Waiting For?’, “There Is a Reward for the Righteous”.

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.

St Bride’s Catholic Church

Parish Priest: Fr. Emmanuel Adindu

Rie-Achan, Pitlochry PH16 5AL Tel. No: 01796 472174

E-mail address: stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese.org.uk

Also served by St. Brides;

Sunday Masses:

St. Columbia’s, St. Mary’s Road, Birnam Vigil Mass 6p.m.

Our Lady of Mercy. Sunday 9.30am.

St. Bride’s. Sunday 11.30 am.

Weekday Masses:

Our Lady of Mercy. Tuesdays 9.30am. St. Brides Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 9.30am.

The Baha’i Faith On Education

This is the season of high hopes and of disappointments too, as many young people finish their schooling and are choosing what comes next. Exams have ruled their lives up to this point but ahead lie many exciting beginnings. Some guidelines are offered in the Writings of the Faith for the making of these choices.

One career given the highest recognition is that of teaching which in itself is seen as worship!

“It promotes the ideals of character, encourages loyalty and trustworthiness and kindness to all, arouses desire to become accomplished and acquire perfections, and includes instruction in such arts and sciences that “are of benefit”, and in foreign tongues.” The education of girls should be given priority as “mothers are the first educators of the child.”

Seminars at many universities exploring subjects relevant to students and young professionals are organised by the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP). The University of Maryland has a Chair for World Peace, an interdisciplinary academic program. Widely available are courses in Conflict Resolution, so widely needed in today’s societies.

Not all are able or wish to pursue advanced studies: “Let consideration be given to the young person’s own preferences and inclinations,” be it “a liking for commerce, industry or higher education, or some other of the responsibilities of humankind. Let him be placed in the field for which he hath an inclination, a desire, and a talent.”

Above all, “be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.”

Some families or individuals may like to share this prayer:

“O Lord, help Thou Thy loved ones to acquire knowledge and the sciences and arts, and to unravel the secrets that are treasured up in the inmost reality of all created beings. Make them to hear the hidden truths that are written and embedded in the heart of all that is. Make them to be ensigns of guidance amongst all creatures, and piercing rays of the mind shedding forth their light…”

You might like to explore www.bahai.org or meet young Baha’is like yourselves in Edinburgh or Dundee or contact locals, Rachel on 07707 994812 or Hilarie on 07967 601423

Cycle With Me! - Blair Castle to Falls of Bruar Circular Route

Great for: Lovely views and relatively flat. You can split your day out between cycling to the falls, exploring the falls on foot, and returning by bike.

Benefits: Conveniently starts at a car park. Rewards of seeing the spectacular Falls of Bruar. Great views of Blair Castle. Mostly estate tracks, so few vehicles.

Length: Approx. 14.5km round trip

Starting from Glen Tilt Car Park, exit left out of the car park and head up the hill towards Old Blair. Once at Old Blair go left at the crossroads. Follow this road down and under a bridge and then turn right, away from the Castle, when the road comes to a T Junction at the end of the West Drive. You will cycle on tracks past fields with the Castle to your left and slightly behind you. After approx 2 miles, turn right and then sharp left through a gate. The track then takes you towards the Falls.

Explore the Falls on foot and then to return keep on the main track down towards the public road. Follow the public road for around a mile and then go back into the castle grounds through the gate at West Lodge. You will then be able to retrace your route back towards the Castle and round to the Car Park again.

Remember your helmet and have a good day out!

Last Month's Sudoko Answers

Answers to the August Crossword

Sally

HOROSCOPES

BY CHRISTINE CHALKLIN

For September 2023

The winds of change start to blow this month as the sensible and practical earth sign of Virgo comes to the forefront. The Virgo new moon arrives on the 15th, offering the perfect timing for new beginnings, setting your intentions and starting new projects. Communication planet Mercury ends its retrograde phase on the 16th bringing a fresh wave of clarity and determination. Warrior planet Mars spends the whole month in Libra, the sign of the scales; during this transit we’ll be called upon to find balance between our assertiveness and diplomacy. Mars in this sign also helps us to be more motivated to pursue our dreams and to be more confident in our abilities. Love planet Venus is still in fiery Leo, her retrograde phase is ending on the 4th indicating that any issues or difficulties around partnerships and relationships could now be worked out and replaced with passion and fun! After the 5th, Jupiter, planet of abundance and growth, joins all the other outer planets in their retrograde cycles. Retrogrades are typically associated with challenges that force us to review and refine our habits and beliefs, and address any unresolved matters in our lives. With so many retrograde planets we will have no choice but to be on the alert for any thought -provoking insights or profound shifts that can help us to reclaim our personal power.

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

September offers renewed action in the relationship sector of your chart. Mars, your ruler, is in Libra all month, assisting with fair and balanced communication. Love planet Venus makes a harmonious link to your sign, particularly after the 4th. An exciting opportunity comes your way later this month as the Aries full moon fires up your creative energy.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21

September keeps you working on matters of the heart as Jupiter and Uranus, both in your sign, make harmonious aspects to the Sun and Mercury in Virgo. It’s all about love and this combination gives you renewed determination to make a relationship work. A new friendship could become more important to you in the weeks ahead and certainly after the Virgo new moon on the 15th.

GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21

Home and family life come into focus during September as both the radiant Sun and communicative Mercury illuminate this important area of your life. Certain decisions that you have been putting off for a while will need your full attention now. Energetic Mars is working in your favour and the New moon in Virgo on the 15th confirms how important it is that you speak your mind.

CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22

September starts positively as your ruler, the moon, is in tight aspect to mystical Neptune, the planet of vision and dreams. Use this time to tune in to what you really want and need for yourself. Mercury and the Sun indicate that Communication is also highlighted, strengthening your confidence and self-esteem. The Virgo new moon on the 15th is a turning point and highlights your interactions with others.

LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23

Your assets and cash flow are all the spotlight during September, as the radiant Sun and practical thinking Mercury both highlight your financial sector. Action planet Mars in balanced Libra assists you in making the right decision, providing that you take both sides of any disagreement into consideration. The Virgo new moon on the 15th offers a breakthrough and a way forward.

VIRGO AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 22

September is your birthday month and as the new moon culminates in your sign on the 15th you may anticipate the start of an important new practical project. Mars is dynamic in your financial sector, suggesting that there will be many opportunities to adjust and improve your situation and your earning potential. The fiery Aries full moon on the 29th brings a new challenge your way.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23

The Sun and Mercury, both in Virgo, highlight the most introspective sector of your chart during September. This pairing indicates that there is a lot for you to reflect on and some important changes will need to be set in motion. After the 16th, as Mercury ends the retrograde phase and gathers forward motion, your mood becomes resilient and you are more determined to succeed.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22

September highlights the theme of friendships, social groups and personal goals as the Sun and Mercury, both in practical Virgo, illuminate this busy area of your chart. Reorganisation is essential and it’s definitely time to look at new potentials, particularly around the time of the Virgo new moon on the 15th. Be firm about a certain decision and trust your inner wisdom.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21

September indicates that many Sagittarians will be contemplating some career changes as the radiant Sun and quick thinking Mercury align in practical Virgo. The pace quickens after the new moon on the 15th. It’s not all hard work though, as Mars in Libra highlights friendships and new social encounters. The fiery Aries full moon on the 29th offers some fresh creative insight.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20

The Virgo Sun and forward moving Mercury are set to make positive alignments with transformational Pluto retrograde in your sign around the 17th. This special time could indicate the start of an exciting new journey as you question your current life path. The Virgo new moon on the 15th has the potential to be successful in opening your mind to endless possibilities on your voyage of discovery.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY

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During September the radiant Sun and quick-thinking Mercury highlight your resources and your financial arrangements. Your intuitive powers remain strong as you make plans that could take you in a totally new direction. Venus in Leo moves direct after the 4th, indicating renewed passion in your relationship. The Virgo new moon on the 15th suggests the culmination of an ambitious project.

PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20

September turns out to be a favourable time for manifesting new energy in your relationships. The powerful Virgo Sun and communicative Mercury both push for practical new developments and opportunities. Venus, in passionate Leo, gathers momentum after the 4th offering a new creative dimension to the way you work. The fiery Aries full moon on the 29th suggests that you are ready for a new burst of vitality.

Christine is a professional astrologer offering private consultations in astrology, life coaching and Bach flower essences.

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH these challenging times, discover your unique birth map and take a refreshing new look at all aspects of your life. Reach your fullest potential 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 Find me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/restyleyourlife

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