Dinner is table d'hote and the menu is changed daily to introduce dishes and produce which are at their best on the day, and y ou can view the latest menu on ou r website. Special dietary adjustments can be made wi t h sensible prior notice.
£45.00 for 3 courses I £50.00 for 4 courses
Prices include complimentary s herry or soft drink on ar rival with coffee & homemade shortbread after dinner.
Ewan looks at why whisky really is the 'Water of Life'.
Your Community
All the news from our MPs, Clubs, Groups and Churches.
Top Tips For Exam Success
With exams approaching, Ruby gives us some tips for studying more effectively.
The Pitlochry Garden
Sheila gives advice on some jobs we can do in March.
Fitness With Alan Clinch
Alan discusses the problems associated with not exercising for some time.
Willie's Wonky Computer
Willie looks at the importance of securing everything with a strong password.
WELCOME
History of Mundane Objects
A look at the history of every day mundane objects that might surprise you!
Sudoku
Our Sudoku is also online this month, play every day and keep your brain active!
Recipe
This month we are going for a tasty spring leg of lamb!
The Pitlochry Crossword Lesley is back, to test your crossword ability, along with local and Scottish knowledge!
Welcome to the March edition of Pitlochry Life. Can’t wait until the clocks change!
Well March will see the host of golden daffodils I hope and to celebrate spring we have a lot of great events coming up! Let’s get off to a fabulous start then in 2025 with a wonderful selection of plays from our very own Pitlochry Festival Theatre, and a musical concert of French music courtesy of the Pitlochry & District Choral Society. Later in the year we have the wonderful Heartland Music Festival but before that you can enjoy weekend entertainment and LIVE music at The Atholl Palace, The Coach House and The Old Mill Inn. There is a one off evening at Blair Athol Distillery with music by Shaun Lowrey.
This month, Ewan has looked at some interesting facts about whisky in the Pitlochry Tipple. Sheila looks at garden tasks for March - tricky with this weather! Willie’s Computer page looks at security - it’s quite scary to see how easily you could be hacked. Lastly Alan Clinch looks at what happens to your body if you stop exercising for a while, in the Fitness Column. In the recipe we have gone hale and hearty again, with a spring leg of lamb. Our editorials look at exam revision techniques and where did those mundane objects come from?
With so many hospitality and entertainment venues here in the town why not indulge yourself with breakfast, lunch or even dinner whilst soaking up the atmosphere and taking part in all the great productions and events. It’s also nice to see The Pancake Place back in Pitlochry! Thank you as always, to our advertisers for your continued support.
Whisky: More Than Just a Drink – It’s a Way of Life
Whisky isn’t just a drink - it’s an experience. It’s history in a glass, a conversation starter, and the perfect companion for both celebration and quiet contemplation. Whether you’re savouring a rare dram, debating the merits of peat, or just enjoying a good whisky with great company, one thing’s for certain, this spirit is one to savour.
With centuries of tradition behind it, whisky is full of interesting stories, funny facts, and more than a few legendary quotes. So, let’s raise a glass and ‘dram’ into the wonderful world of whisky.
A Spirit with Character
Whisky has been around for hundreds of years, and in that time, it’s been smuggled, taxed, celebrated, banned, and loved. The word whisky comes from the Gaelic uisge beatha, meaning “water of life”— ‘Aqua Vitae’ in Latin, and it certainly is!
While we Scots still debate with the Irish about who distilled it first, the first written record in Scotland dates back to 1494, when at Lindores Abbey a monk named John Cor was asked to distil ‘VIII bolls of Aqua Vitae’ which was enough malt to produce 1,500 bottles.
“To Brother John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt” ( Rotuli scaccarii regum scotorum Vol X, p. 487)
From illicit stills hidden in the Highlands to some of the finest distilleries in the world, whisky has been shaped by tradition, passion, and a bit of rebellious spirit.
Fun Whisky Facts
• More whisky than people – Scotland has over 20 million barrels of whisky maturing right now. That’s four barrels for every person in the country.
• The Angel’s Share – During maturation, around 2% of whisky evaporates per year. Distillers call this the angel’s share. At an average of 250ltrs per barrel that works out at 70,000,000 bottles equivalent in the skies above Scotland.
• Scotland exports 44 bottles of Scotch whisky per second on average. That’s over 1.3 billion bottles per year, reaching more than 180 countries worldwide. Scotch whisky is one of the UK’s biggest export products.
• Whisky can be old, but not too old – The oldest whisky ever bottled was 81 years old (a Macallan, of course). But at some point, whisky left in a cask too long starts tasting more like an old wooden cupboard than a smooth dram, taking on notes of old leather and ‘earth dampened by a Spring shower’. (That could have been written by our famous Bard, Robert Burns who spent just over 4 years as an exciseman.)
Some Famous Whisky Quotes
• Mark Twain – “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough.”
• Winston Churchill – “The water was not fit to drink. To make it palatable, we had to add whisky. By diligent effort, I learned to like it.”
• Humphrey Bogart (allegedly his last words) –“I should never have switched from Scotch to martinis.”
• Alexander Fleming – “A good gulp of hot whisky at bedtime—it’s not very scientific, but it helps.”
Science, history, and great taste all agree— whisky is indeed the ‘Water of Life’.
Ewan McIlwraith
Robertsons of Pitlochry 44-46 Atholl Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5BX www.robertsonsofpitlochry.co.uk
Pitlochry Repair Cafe - 2nd March
Sunday 2nd March 12-3pm in Moulin Hall. Bring anything you need repairing and we'll do our best to fix it! Items can range from clothes to computers, pottery to bikes, electronics to appliances, furniture to toys. Homemade baking and soup while you wait. The activity for kids will be slime-making! All free although donations are welcome!
See our entry for Repairfest on Saturday 29th March. A new Festival celebrating all things repair and reuse!
Email: repaircafe@sprout-community-eco-hub.com or on Facebook / Instagram @ PitlochryRepairCafe
Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic - 4th March
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 4th March 2025 between 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Pitlochry Community Hospital.
Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic - 5th March
Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice (Wellbeing Room), Aberfeldy
Do you or someone you know use NHS hearing aids? Do you need new batteries supplied and/or fitted? Do you need the tubing replaced on either your mould or open fit NHS hearing aids? If yes, then NHS Tayside volunteers will be here to help you on Wednesday 5th March 2025 between 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice, (Wellbeing room), Aberfeldy.
Dementia Cafe - 5th March
The Dementia Café located in the North Church, High Street, Perth and is open on the first Wednesday of the month from 10am until 12:30noon. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th March.
We will facilitate three Awareness Day Events this year, one in March, June and October. The March event will have stall holders from Scottish Fire and Rescue; Safer Community Wardens, Trading Standards - Scams; Macnabs Solicitors; Alzheimer's Scotland; Live Active, Blueberry Hill Foods; PKAVS Carers Support; Podiatry, Occupational Therapy; Scarf; Telecare and the Community Mental Health Team. Langs Foods will provide hot filled rolls. There will also be other refreshments available. All welcome.
CHAS Jumble Sale & Coffee Morning - 8th March
We are holding a Jumble Sale and Coffee Morning on Saturday 8th March 2025 from 10am till 5pm, at Killiecrankie Memorial Hall, Killiecrankie, to raise funds for CHAS (Children's Hospices Across Scotland).
There will be a jumble sale, Bric 'A' Brac, Tombola and Raffle along with Tea/Coffee and Cakes.
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There is limited parking, the alternative is the local bus service, which stops directly outside the hall. Donations are welcome. For further enquiries please contact Jane on 07734931154. Join us in supporting this amazing charity.
International Women’s Day Concert - 8th March
Saturday 8th March at Birnam Arts 7.30pm
The Atholl Cailleachs return with special guest Scot’s singer Christine Kydd. Presented by Fiona Ritchie MBE.
A celebration for International Women’s Day through song, story, music and dance featuring:
Pianist Muriel Johnstone; Storyteller Lindsey Gibb; Piper -Emma Black; Singer/Songwriter- Michelle Rodley; Fiddle- Karys Watt; Dancer- Lyndsey Douglas; Piano and Saxophone - Gill Hunter and Charlotte Caird.
"Cailleachs are women of knowledge and skill within a community - the Dunkeld & Birnam area is bubbling over with talented professional performers, so what better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than for its female performers to showcase their skills…"
All artist proceeds will be donated to RASAC PK and Every Woman Cafe Perthshire. Tickets from www.birnamarts.com priced £8/10/12.
Litter Action Group - 11th March
The tourist season is about to restart. It would be nice for residents and visitors if the town is really clean for their return 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 11th March
Dates for litterpicks in 2025 are: April 8th, May 13th, June 10th, July 8th, August 12th, September 9th, October 14th, November 11th, December 9th.
We would like to thank those residents of Pitlochry who are not members of the litter picking group and who also pick up litter when they see it. We know you do this and we are very grateful. For further information contact Roger West (rogerwest7@btinternet.com) 01796 474255 or Catherine Holmes (c.p.holmes47@btinternet.com) 01796 473400
Tryst Walking Group - 11th March
Tuesday 11th March (£3): Amulree circular via Glen Fender and Glen Quaich. This is a circular walk on good estate tracks. We follow the route of the Wade Road north from Amulree then join the estate track ascending Glen Fender. We turn west descending to Glen Quaich and return to Amulree along the north side of Loch Freuchie. Height climbed 370 metres. Distance 9.5 miles. OS map 52. Please contact Maureen Holmes on 01796 473153 for further information. Please note: the walk organiser/contact cannot be held responsible for any accident. Everyone walking does so at their own risk and should take due care.
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Top Tips for Success Revise Prepare Succeed
Many of you will remember sitting exams when at school and will therefore appreciate how hard it can sometimes be to balance revision and a social life. Exam time can be, after all, time consuming and stressful. As a current school pupil, I’m experiencing this for myself right now. There are no set guidelines advising pupils as to the best ways to revise, but one common factor my teachers suggest is to take regular breaks, and simply to not put too much pressure on yourself. Doing the opposite invariably is counterproductive. Therefore, I propose here to offer my suggestions to your child, grandchild, nieces and nephews as to what revision techniques I’ve found so far work for me.
Rewarding Yourself/Taking Breaks
Most importantly, one amazing way to motivate yourself to fully engage in revision, is ensuring you reward yourself for your hard work. This is a great way of motivating yourself for studying, and helps your brain associate revision with accomplishment, rather than seeing it as a burden. This can also increase your productivity
and make you more eager to revise. It is also very important to give yourself a rest and take breaks whilst revising. We all know revision can be very stressful and time consuming, and your brain needs time to process all the information and knowledge. If you cram too much at one time, you will more than likely not remember it all and get confused. It is much more effective to revise in short bursts such as an hour or 30 minutes, to avoid this happening and give yourself and your brain a break.
Flashcards
Flashcards are one of the most effective methods of revision, and are extremely useful for memorising words, quotes, definitions, or small sections of information. This can be motivating as it is simple, as it only requires being written once and from there on can just be revised. Hardcore, abstruse methods of revision can be extremely demotivating, so it is important to choose a method of revision that is suitable for you and achieving the best grades possible without completely overworking yourself.
Blurting
Blurting is a new revision technique, where you simply jot down everything you know about a
topic or subject, then going back to your notes to see if you missed or got anything wrong. This also shows you areas that you need to revise more prominently than other areas, and is useful for showing your weaknesses in a subject. You then study the topic again, especially revising areas you didn’t remember, and keep repeating this process until you are fully prepared with all the information needed for your exam. By testing yourself repeatedly, you are actively training your memory to work harder and to help you store the information being revised for the long term.
Mind Maps
Mind maps are a very simple, yet effective way of summarising a vast amount of information into one page. They also usually include bright colours, images and shapes which can overall be more motivating as it is physically appealing. It is a very helpful way to brainstorm your ideas, information, and topics. Mind maps are a very fun and popular way of revising, and are definitely a good idea for people that find it hard to motivate themselves to revise, and helps to understand complex concepts and can help to structure your information.
Quizzes/Tests
Quizzes and tests are beneficial to successfully learning information about a specific subject. This could be taking a quiz about the subject online, or simply getting a friend/family member to test you on your knowledge. Just like blurting, this also gives you a good depiction of areas you need to revise more which is favourable as you may be unaware of areas you struggle with. It is good practice for your exam and the little bit of pressure can be helpful in discovering your true strengths and weaknesses in the subject.
Past Papers
Past papers are extremely useful for revision and a very helpful technique. However, they are typically for learning how to answer questions, and what type of questions that will be presented to you in your exam. It is especially important to know how to correctly answer the questions and what they look for in an answer, and in this way, you can clearly see what points you will get awarded for and what the examiner is looking
for. This can crucially prepare you for your exam, and how to frame your answer so that you will get awarded as many marks as possible. You can find past paper marking schemes online, or more advantageously, asking your teacher to mark it for you so it is more accurate.
Starting Early
Starting early revising for your exams or subjects overall means avoiding unnecessary stress and panic. It is best to set a suitable amount of time aside everyday to revise for your subjects, and leaving it late in the day or only beginning revising a few weeks before your exam is not a good idea, and won’t help you achieve your full potential and the best grades possible. It is important to revise throughout the year as much as you can, as you will typically find yourself much more stressed and under pressure if you leave it late. If you begin to revise everyday, even if it is only for 30 minutes, it will be much more beneficial than waiting until last minute and will eventually become a part of your daily routine and feel natural. Last minute cramming during all nighters or mornings before your exams will not help you, and your brain will more than likely forget almost everything that you revise.
It is important to not let your exams consume you, and still taking time for yourself and trying to remain calm and positive. There is no perfect way to revise, however it is important to find what is most suitable for you. The key is to find what motivates you the most, and is the most suitable way for effective learning.
Ruby Driscoll
S5 Bertha Park High School
Heartland Festival Returns to Pitlochry in 2025!
After a spectacular debut, the Heartland Festival is set to return to the picturesque town of Pitlochry on Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29, 2025. This two-day event is quickly becoming a highlight of Scotland’s cultural calendar, drawing families, music fans, and festival-goers from near and far.
The Heartland Stage boasts an electrifying lineup, featuring performances by Ben Walker, Daytime TV, The Eves, Torridon, and more. Headliners Skerryvore will light up Saturday night, while Nathan Evans and The St Phnx Band will bring the festival to a thrilling close on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Discovery Stage showcases fourteen of Scotland’s rising stars, offering fresh and exciting sounds. Beyond the music, attendees can savour Scotland’s best food and drink, enjoy a Ferris wheel, and explore the family-friendly ‘Little Heartlanders’ fun zone. Even pets are welcome, ensuring no member of the family misses out.
The festival also supports the Pitlochry Community Action Trust, raising essential funds for local initiatives. With its breathtaking scenery and dynamic lineup, Heartland Festival is helping Pitlochry shine as a premier festival destination.
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable weekend in June 2025—don’t miss this celebration of music, community, and joy!
Next Climate Café: Thursday 13th March, 7pm, the venue is the Atholl Centre where we will be showing the environmental film, Riverwoods: An Untold Story, and discussion afterwards. Everyone is welcome.
“Three years in the making, the feature-length Riverwoods film, produced by Riverwoods partner Scotland: The Big Picture and narrated by Peter Capaldi, shines a light on the perilous state of Scotland’s salmon, and tells the compelling story of a fish that once lived in the forest. And in the soil that feeds the forest. And in the predators, scavengers and even herbivores of the forest. Scotland’s Atlantic salmon – the King of Fish – is not only the ultimate angler’s prize, but a key building block in a complex forest ecosystem.” www.scotlandbigpicture.com/riverwoods For more information contact Carol Aitken: pitlochrydistrictcc@gmail.com
Sprout is a local venture which emerged from our Climate Café conversations from 2019 and in partnership/collaboration with Pitlochry & Moulin Men’s Shed, The HEAT Project, Tayside Woodland Partnerships, Pitlochry Repair Café and Handam, Sprout will be applying to PKC to become the new owners of Cloichard Depot. The first stage is the Feasibility Study which includes completing building surveys and conducting some community engagement to discover if the community wants this project here. Hopefully and with your support, we would like to create a place where the main focus is the Circular Economy – Reuse, Repair, Repurpose, sharing and leasing items that can be diverted from landfill. We are all volunteers and the vision for the Depot is to develop it into a financially self-sustaining, multi-purpose social enterprise and environmental centre that will be a friendly, inclusive place open to everyone who depends on Pitlochry for living, working and services.
We would really appreciate your support through completing our online community survey. https://bit.ly/4fjwboI For more information contact us: info@sprout-community-eco-hub.com
Moulin Scottish Country Dance Class - 13th March
Moulin Scottish Country Dance Class, Moulin Hall, Pitlochry 7.30pm.
Come along and join us - you will be made very welcome.
No specific partner needed, come by yourself or with a friend Good evidence for benefits to both mental and physical health. Our main aim on the night is to enjoy ourselves.
If you have not danced for a while then dust down the shoes and come along to Moulin Hall. Beginners welcome from 7pm.
No membership fee - £5.00 nightly.
Dates for March are Thursday 13th, 20th & 27th.
For further information contact June 01796 473488.
Rannoch History Society - 15th March
In March 2025, Rannoch History Society is pleased to welcome Michael Given, Professor of Landscape Archaeology at Glasgow University, who worked with a team of archaeologists on western Rannoch Moor in August 2023. Their findings have led to a complete re-think on the history of the Moor, which is often characterised as wasteland and wilderness, but which was in reality a place where people lived and farmed in a lively and dynamic landscape.
The meeting will take place on Saturday 15th Match at 2.30pm, in Kinloch Rannoch Village Hall. It should be a fascinating insight into the most haunting of landscapes. Professor Given, moreover, is keen to access local knowledge on the life of the Moor and would welcome any insights or recollections which we can contribute.
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All are welcome. Refreshments will follow the talk and discussion. There is ample easy parking near the hall. Admission for non-members will be £5.
Killiecrankie Village Hall - 15th March
Killiecrankie Village Hall committee invites you to the next Quiz Night on Saturday, 15 March 2025. Quizzing starts at 7.30pm; £5 per person, pay at door (cash or card); tea, coffee and snacks included. Be prepared for fiendish questions on: capital cities, rivers, song lyrics and Scottish islands.
As always, the Hall welcomes enquiries for any event - large or small. See the website www.killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk for details.
Heartland Film Society at The Birks - 16th March
6.30pm Sunday, 16th March
Since Yesterday
Blending personal anecdotes with a scrapbook-style audio-visual aesthetic, Since Yesterday takes us on a decade-by-decade adventure, crafting the ultimate visual mixtape. Discover unheard demos, lost archives, and rare performances that celebrate the Game Changers, Trailblazers, Popstars, Post Punks and Pioneers who never compromised, and subsequently got lost in time.
The film takes a critical look at the barriers women have faced making music in the past, and still face today. It asks how we can inspire young women to make music, if those who do so are continuously erased from our cultural history. Written & narrated by award-nominated musician Carla J. Easton, this is a powerful global story told through a local lens. 2024 | UK | 94 min | Cert 15. Directors: Blair Young, Carla J Easton.
To find out more about The Heartland Film Society, what’s on and how to become a member please visit www.heartlandfilmsociety.org.uk For details of The Birks Cinema and its growing programme of cultural and community events and activities (including films) go to www.birkscinema.co.uk
Killiecrankie, Fincastle & Tummel CC - 17th March
The next meeting of Killiecrankie Fincastle & Tummel Community Council will be held on Monday, 17 March 2025 at 7pm in Killiecrankie Village Hall. We are delighted to welcome Jeannie Grant of Forest & Land Scotland (FLS) who will speak about parking on Foss Road and FLS’s approach to Stay the Night on Foss Road. This is a topic that primarily concerns Tummel residents and we look forward to welcoming as many from there as possible to Killiecrankie.
KFT CC is partnering with Keep Scotland Beautiful at the launch of the 2025 campaign. Our annual litter pick will be held on Sunday, 23 March. Meet at Killiecrankie Village Hall at 1.30pm, fan out in teams on pre-planned riverside or roadside routes and return to the hall for tea/coffee and cake. All local businesses are helping. We need you! Defibrillator and CPR training is available all afternoon in the hall for everyone whether litter-picking or not.
Details of the litter pick and Minutes of our last meeting are on the website: www.killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk/community-council
If you prefer to have Minutes and news sent directly to you, then please join our mailing list. Just email info@kftcommunitycouncil.co.uk and we will add your name.
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Scottish Wildlife Trust - 17th March
Dive into Loch Tay’s natural treasures!
Want to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the head of Loch Tay and the Loch Tay Marshes SSSI?
Then come along to the next talk hosted by the Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire branch of the Scottish Wildlife Trust on Monday 17th March.
Dr John Holland, Upland Ecologist from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), will give us an insight into the stunning landscape with an illustrated talk and film.
The area is a fabulous example of an open water transition fen, and it, along with the surrounding woodlands, marshy grassland and open water habitats, are home to a wide range of plants and animals.
150 species of bird have been recorded at the site over the past 25 years, including a number of rare species. Beavers and otters have also made it their home, along with scarce plants making the most of the specific habitat, including coralroot orchid and creeping subspecies of lesser water plantain.
Find out more about this remarkable place and the range of bird, mammal and plant species that can be found if you know where to look!
Date: Monday 17th March 2025. Time: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Place: The Tryst, Church of Scotland, Church Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5EB.
Suggested donation: £3 for non-members, £2 for members (you can donate in person on the day).
Contact markandrosie@btinternet.com for more information. Sign up to hear about events and find out more about activities on the numerous reserves in our area and beyond. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/sign-up-to-our-mailing-list
Pitlochry & District u3a - 19th March
The next meeting of Pitlochry & District u3a will be on Wednesday 19th of March.
We will be joined Vivienne E Cree from Friends of Blair Atholl Station who will be speaking about Blair Atholl Station Past Present and Future. We meet in the Atholl Centre and our meetings start at 2pm and refreshments are provided after the talk.
The u3a primarily brings together people, who have finished working full time or raising their family, to develop interests and to continue learning in informal and supportive environments. The focus is on sharing and learning from each other. In addition to our whole group talks we also offer interest groups which are led by one of our members - the emphasis is on learning from each other and having fun while doing so.
In between whole-group meetings, members take part in specialist interest groups. For further information please visit our website https://pitlochry.u3asite.uk or contact our secretary on smcairnx@hotmail.com with any queries.
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
Mid Atholl & Strathtay SWI - 19th March
The March meeting to be held in Grandtully Hall on Wednesday 19th March at 1.30 pm Our guest speaker is Fiona Perry who will give us a talk on Dental Hygene. Competitions. 2 Slices Orange Drizzle Cake. Painted Stone. Visitors welcome.
Pitlochry Town & Country Club - 20th March
Due to an unpredicted flood, the March meeting of the Club will be held in the Atholl Centre, Atholl Road, and not in the Aldour Hall.
The Guest speaker is Betty Stark who will demonstrate Easter Craft when we will enjoy a creative afternoon.
The meeting is on Thursday 20th March, from 2 - 4pm, the cost is £3 per member which includes Tea & home bakes.
If you require the use of the Community Bus, please contact me the day before the meeting, Kathleen Scott 01796 472765.
The Breadalbane Heritage Society - 21st March
After two months of talks on Zoom, due to the inclement weather in January and February, on Friday 21st March at 7.30pm the Breadalbane Heritage Society resumes its regular programme of talks at the Breadalbane Community Centre in Aberfeldy. Doors will open at 7.00pm. John Mattingley, who along with his wife Wendy is the owner of the renowned Cluny Gardens on the Strathtay Road near Aberfeldy, will give a talk entitled Springtime at Cluny. He’ll describe the history of Cluny, how the gardens have developed over the years and the plans for the future. Spring is a glorious season at Cluny, with carpets of N. American bulbs and tubers in April, and May brings Candelabra primulas and the brilliant blue Himalayan poppies.
John’s talk will be followed up by a visit by members of the BHS to Cluny Gardens on Wednesday 21st May, when John will show us around. For further information please contact Ian Stewart at bhsaberfeldy@gmail.com
The BHS’s website https://breadalbane-heritage.org.uk features a video of local scenes of interest, and provides up-to-date information about talks and activities, events and publications. 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 Angling Club Open Night - 27th March
Pitlochry Angling Club will be holding their annual open night at Scotlands Spa Hotel in Pitlochry on Thursday the 27th March at 19:30, to which all members of the public are warmly welcome.
This year we are delighted to have as guest speaker Gareth Ventress, who is an Environment Forester with Forestry and Land Scotland. Gareth will speak about beavers and their interaction with the local environment.
Following a short intermission for coffee, we will then have our popular charity fishing tackle auction with the proceeds being shared with the Atholl Centre food-bank in Pitlochry and Continued on page
The Pitlochry Garden March
March is tricky: it’s either shirt sleeves or snow shovels and I can’t tell which right now. The weather ought to improve as the month progresses but that sometimes isn’t how it happens. There are a lot of things to do and I’m going to sort them out according to conditions, rather than weeks. It may be that the ground is covered in snow and that, although the days are longer, it’s still as cold as winter. In that case, about the only thing you can get on with is any pruning left over from January and February.
If you have fruit trees you can prune apples, pears and crab apples but leave the plums and cherries to mid-summer to avoid fungal disease.
Apples and pears fruit on one-year-old wood so don’t snip off all around the tree: first look for any wood that is dead, diseased or damaged and remove that, making a clean cut back to a main stem. Then remove any branches which are crowded or crossing, especially the ones which are rubbing against another stem. That will do until mid-summer.
If you haven’t finished the roses you can do that now: reduce floribundas overall by about a third and hybrid teas by about two-thirds, but always remove any dead, brown wood to encourage new growth. Always cut back to just above a new bud on a slant with the bud at the top of the cut. Ramblers that flower once at the end of their branches should be cut back hard to the main structure. Climbers need the old flowered shoots removed as well as any old wood. Check their ties while you are there so that the spring gales won’t
pull them down. Please use soft green string and not wire or cable ties.
If the ground is clear and thawed out, get on with planting any bare-root deciduous trees or hedges and any new bare root roses. Try to get this done before bud break in early April.
Stake new trees and fasten the stakes to the trees with wide black rubber ties. Usually I stake to windward which is westerly but nowadays, especially in any exposed position, I double stake to east and west.
Supposing conditions have really improved, give the vegetable beds a dig over and then clean up the herbaceous borders, cutting back old top growth and putting that on the compost heap. Weed as you go along but don’t put perennial weeds like buttercup onto the heap, burn them instead.
If it stays dry there are two hard jobs left to do: dig new beds if you need them and start working on the lawn.
Digging new beds by hand is very hard work so maybe just do a couple of hours and then do some raking on the lawn. Try to get out all the thatch and winter-killed grass as well as any moss. If it looks like spring has sprung apply a spring weed and feed, otherwise it can wait till early April. Look after your back and hands and, if it rains, go get some seed catalogues to look at but leave sowing until next month.
Sheila Drummond
Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA).
To donate items of fishing tackle and arrange collection please contact Alistair McCartney on 07807329366. All donations of fishing tackle should be before Saturday 22nd of March to allow cataloguing and preparation of lots.
Inner Wheel Club of Pitlochry - 27th March
We are looking forward to welcoming Alan Norris, Rotary President, as our speaker to our next meeting on Thursday 27th March and finding out more about their work. We are holding (or held) a Quiz on Sat 1st March to raise funds for Smalls for Halls and the Disasters Emergency Committee. Please see our Facebook page for further information.
Inner Wheel is an international women's organisation with an emphasis on service with friendship and international understanding. We use our skills to raise money and support communities locally, nationally and internationally. We achieve this through monthly supper meetings with informative and entertaining speakers, social gatherings and community service.
If you would like to know about Inner Wheel then please email innerwheelpitlochry@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook Page www.facebook.com/InnerWheelPitlochry
Repairfest - 29th March
Saturday 29th March, Pitlochry Town Hall.
A new Festival celebrating all things repair and reuse!
12-2pm Repair Cafe
2-5pm Activities for all ages including workshops, demos, films and more!
7-9pm Community Ceilidh featuring live music from ceilidh band Rohallion
Tickets for all events: www.bit.ly/RepairFest More info - find us on Facebook@PitlochryRepairCafe Many events are free. Secure your spot in advance or limited number of tickets for some events on the door.
Tryst Walking Group - 29th March
Saturday 29th March: Little Glenshee (£4).
Walk starts at a small car park in Little Glenshee (Grid ref: 988340), on good tracks over high ground to the north of the glen and to the Obelisk. Height climbed 250m. Return by same route. Distance 7 mls. OS map 52. Please contact Maureen Holmes on 01796 473153 for further information.
Please note: the walk organiser/contact cannot be held responsible for any accident. Everyone walking does so at their own risk and should take due care.
Pitlochry and Moulin History Circle - 31st March
Our March talk is on Monday the 31st March at 7.30pm in the Pitlochry Tryst. Our speaker is Steve Johnson who will talk on "Letterboxes and Street furniture around Pitlochry". Steve a comprehensive knowledge of the history to be found in postboxes and other street furniture. In a Victorian town such as Pitlochry there is a mass of our local history in these objects. Come along on the 31st and find out more. Entry £3 and all are welcome.
Continued on page 40
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What Happens If You Stop Regular Physical Activity…..
Last May I suffered a bout of pneumonia –apparently, this can be contracted simply as a result of ‘bad luck’ (my GP’s words). This resulted in an enforced lay off from physical activity and exercise, whilst my respiratory system recovered. When you’re a regular exerciser – I try to train multiple times each week – not doing anything is really hard. I appreciate that not everybody exercises as much, but hopefully all of us who are able will try to get some physical activity in each day. The question is, what are the effects of a few missed sessions? Sadly, more than you might think.
When you haven’t done exercise for a few days… If you’ve been exercising at a relatively intense level for some time, it’s a chance for some recovery. The body will repair muscles, joints and the tissue which connects everything together and help you bounce back stronger. That said, if the days off are coupled with unhealthy food and drink (think holidays here….), you might not feel quite so good.
When you haven’t done exercise for a week… You’ll probably be feeling a little slower than usual. That’s because your muscle fibres are starting to adjust to lower requirements, and your body may be retaining extra fluid. It’s probably not too bad – just the edge taken off whatever you normally do – starting exercise again means that you probably won’t notice any significant changes in how fast you can walk/run, how strong you are, or how long your sessions will last.
When you haven’t done exercise for a couple of weeks… Your fitness is almost certainly deteriorating. Lower activity levels mean that the body doesn’t need as much energy. The first thing to go is likely to be cardio-respiratory (aerobic) endurance – basic tasks like climbing the stairs will start to get harder.
When you haven’t done exercise for a month… Many of the aerobic fitness and strength gains which you’d made have gone down quite dramatically: speed, endurance, and strength can decrease by 25 to 30 percent within two to three
weeks (if you do absolutely nothing). Chances are you’ll have less lean muscle mass and potentially a bit more body fat. The body will retain strength gains longer than aerobic gains, but muscles simply won’t work the same way they used to because of underuse. You’re more likely to feel the effects of stress, because the exercise/physical activity helps to regulate normal body rhythms – so you might not sleep as well.
When you haven’t done exercise for a few months… Your metabolism will in all likelihood be quite a bit slower – this means that the basic tasks of staying alive will burn fewer calories, and you probably feel tired more often and more quickly. The heart has to work harder with every beat and the lungs don’t absorb as much oxygen as they used to. Muscles lose bulk – known as atrophy: when this happens, they need more stimuli to contract, so you’ll have to work harder to see results. When you haven’t done exercise for a year… This isn’t looking good - body-fat percentage will rise, you’ll suffer excessive loss of muscle, and have very slow metabolism. You’re also at a greater risk of serious health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart issues, insomnia, and depression. Basically, the health benefits from regular exercise do not last and exercise has to be maintained to retain them.
So, what do we do ? When it’s not possible to maintain your normal activity patterns, doing a little bit is a lot better than doing nothing at all. Lifting weights once a week can help retain muscular strength. One study looked at people ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s, finding that people who maintained weight lifting once each week managed to maintain muscle strength. This suggests that if you have basic fitness, minimal exercise could go some way to helping maintain it - my recovery took around six weeks of frustration.
As ever: if you are recovering from an illness or surgery, or have any medical conditions which might cause problems, check with your Doctor to ensure it’s safe to increase your activity levels. Remember, pain is a sign that something is wrong….
Willie’s Wonky Computer Factory
I know you regularly read about how important a secure password is. Have you ever wondered how often someone, somewhere, tries to hack into one of your accounts by guessing your password? Well here’s an excellent example. If you have a Windows computer, you will have a Microsoft account, so go to www.account. microsoft.com and log in. You will need your username and password.
Once logged in you will be on your Account page, then select ‘Security’ on the left hand menu.
On the page that opens you will see a box highlighted in blue that says ‘Manage how I sign in’ and next to it is a link ‘View my sign-in activity’ - select that.
The page that opens will be called ‘See when and where you’ve used your account’ and under ‘Recent activity’ there will be a (long) list. The top entry will be your current session, the rest will be ‘Unsuccessful sign-in’ and if like mine, there will be hundreds of them.
Within the first 10 entries I’ve had 10 unsuccessful attempts to sign into my account from countries including Brazil, USA, Jordan, Azerbaijan, India, Egypt and France. The list is too long to include and that’s just in 24 hours. Incidentally, your current session will show you signed in from the likes of London. Don’t worry about that, it is where your internet provider’s main server is, and it’s normal that it's not your home town.
If you click on the ‘Secure your account’ in an ‘unsuccessful log-in’ entry on that page, a box will pop up with a ‘Thank You’ from Microsoft and a message - ‘Don’t worry. This sign-in attempt was unsuccessful, so there is no need to change your password. Learn how to make your account more secure'.
So, as this attempt was unsuccessful, it would appear that Microsoft are unconcerned. However, is your password strong enough to withstand so many possibly determined attempts?
Now click on the ‘Learn how to make your account more secure’ part of that message and you will see ‘It's especially important to have a strong password if you use a Microsoft email address (like Outlook.com or Hotmail). This is because many services now use your email address to check your identity. If someone gets access to your Microsoft account, they may be able to use your email to reset the passwords for your other accounts, like banking and online shopping’.
It’s really not a risk worth taking, so read the ‘Do and Don’t’ advice there and re-evaluate your password. Changing it takes 2 minutes.
Read the rest of that page, there’s useful information and in particular, if now seriously worried, check out the article ‘Use the Microsoft Authenticator phone app to sign in without a passport’, it’s a free app that helps you sign in to all your accounts without using a password - just use a fingerprint, face recognition, or a PIN. Click on the link ‘How to use the Microsoft Authenticator app’ link and it will explain all.
Safe or sorry? Take the advice and beef up your passwords. If you worry about remembering all your strong passwords (which is impossible), then if you trust your household - write them down and keep somewhere safe. Someone in Azerbaijan doesn't have access to that. Alternatively, invest in a Password Manager app, Google is your friend.
Willie
Dave Doogan MP - Angus and Perthshire Glens - SNP
Half-way through February, it’s safe to say 2025 has got off to a frantic and varied start as the MP for Angus and Perthshire Glens. This is both in terms of parliamentary duties and the much more enjoyable element of getting out and about in the constituency in support of residents and businesses.
With regard to the former, I have been on my feet in the chamber of the House of Commons a great deal these last five weeks with urgent business on the economy, Gaza and Russian interference in the sub-sea infrastructure of these islands. As the SNP’s spokesperson on Defence, Treasury and Energy there is never a dull moment as ministers come to the House to answer Urgent Questions or deliver a Statement, wherein they seek to update Parliament on matters which cannot wait.
A key topic is the economy and the fiscal interventions the Chancellor made with her first budget in the Autumn. This saw a £25Bn tax rise on the cost of employing people which many of us thought ill-considered and anti-growth at the time, and so it has proven to be. If the Prime Minister maintains confidence in his Chancellor, then this puts him at odds with businesses out in the real economy, now fighting to provide goods and services in a way that sustains their businesses, creating wealth locally and employment opportunities for our communities.
On defence too, a key manifesto commitment of the Labour Party was to increase spending to 2.5% of GDP, but they steadfastly refuse to say when this will be delivered. With economic growth down, unemployment up and the cost of UK borrowing going through the roof, the prospects look bleak. This comes after 14 years of record underinvestment by the Conservatives so could not be worse news for our men and women in uniform working silently, and largely out of sight, to defend our values and maintain our security.
And on energy, the Labour Party promised to lower energy bills by £300. Instead, within a year of the election, our bills will have increased by almost £300. GB Energy remains a figment of the Government’s imagination without a single job for Scotland.
It is therefore a welcome antidote to get back to the constituency to meet businesses and organisations achieving so much for local people and our local economies, in stark contrast to the chaos at Westminster.
John Swinney MSP - Perthshire North - SNP
The announced closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Pitlochry is more than just an inconvenience - it is a significant loss for the town and the wider Highland Perthshire community. With the branch's doors due to shut in October, Pitlochry will be without a single bank, marking the end of in-person banking services in the region.
For local residents, particularly older and vulnerable people who still rely on face-to-face banking, this is deeply worrying. Online banking may be second nature to some, but for many, it is not a viable option. Being able to speak with a member of staff, resolve account issues or simply deposit cash in person is a service that cannot be fully replicated by an app or a call centre. Pitlochry is not just a small town - it is a bustling tourist hub, welcoming thousands of visitors every year. The loss of its last bank makes life more difficult for businesses handling cash, residents who need in-person services, and tourists who may struggle without access to a physical branch. While the Bank of Scotland has committed to retaining the ATM, this is no substitute for the full range of services a branch provides.
The nearest alternative branch for Pitlochry residents is now in Blairgowrie - a considerable round
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trip that will be difficult for many, especially those without easy access to transport. Highland Perthshire is a vast area, and removing local banking services forces people to travel long distances for what should be straightforward financial transactions.
I have raised my concerns directly with Lloyds, urging them to reconsider the impact of this closure on the community. I am also in discussions with LINK to explore the possibility of a banking hub in Pitlochry, which would provide a shared facility for customers of multiple banks. This could be a vital step in ensuring that in-person banking remains accessible in the town.
The closure of bank branches is a trend we have seen across Scotland, but rural communities like Pitlochry are hit the hardest. Over the coming months, I will continue to strongly articulate the case for the continuation of in-person banking services within the town.
Most of us will be pleased that we are now moving into Spring and will be happy to see longer days and hopefully better weather.
It has been a busy time at the Scottish Parliament, dealing with constituency matters, serving on the Economy and Fair Work Committee, and submitting questions to the Scottish Government on various issues.
Locally, one of the main talking points was the shock finding that there will be no banks in Highland Perthshire once Bank of Scotland close its Pitlochry branch on October 30. This arose after a Cash Access Assessment Outcome, carried out by LINK once it is decided to close a bank branch, had stated that they will not recommend any new banking services for the local area.
LINK said this was because their assessment showed there are already cash access services and facilities within a 3-mile radius which are suitable for the needs of the local area. This was extremely disappointing news and I’m sure will have been met with anger and concern from many residents in Pitlochry and across Highland Perthshire. It means that there will be no banking facility at all in the town from October and it will also force residents to travel to Perth to do their banking. LINK have said Pitlochry residents can use cash machines in the vicinity but that is no substitute for a bank branch.
In the autumn I paid a visit to the new banking hub in Crieff, established by Cash Access UK. There, a facility run by the Post Office provides banking with visiting staff from a different bank assigned to a certain day of the week, allowing residents to come in and receive face-to-face time with their bank, which is crucial for our communities. I could see for myself how popular a banking hub is by the number of people who came in during the time I was there.
For many, cash is still the primary source of spending, and this cannot be ignored by the banking sector. I have contacted LINK to make the case for a banking hub in Highland Perthshire, which I believe is a very strong one. We must see access to banking facilities locally for both residents and visitors. Murdo Fraser always welcomes feedback from constituents. He can be contacted at The Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, PH2 6PL, by email on murdo.fraser.msp@parliament.scot or by telephone on 01738 553676.
Pitlochry and District Neighbourhood Watch
The importance of a Trusted Trader
The days are getting longer, but remember that the spring months always see an increase in scams related to gardening and home improvement. So do not trust ‘cold callers’ who offer services on the spot. Some examples of door step scams include: Continued
Gardening - where cold callers offer to cut trees or tidy gardens. They often ask for money on the spot, either as a deposit or to pay for materials, but don't return to complete the work. Others carry poor standard work, or charge more than agreed.
Exterior cleaning – the caller may suggest power washing driveways/paths, clearing gutters, cleaning roofs, paintwork, sheds. The payment requested may be excessive or the work unsatisfactory.
Property repairs – where uninvited traders say they have noticed that you need repairs to your roof, home exterior or path. Some offer special discounts/deals to pressure you into agreeing the work on the spot. One resident gave the cash, waited for start of work the following day, but nobody returned and there was no way contact them.
Inspections - a cold caller claimed he needed to inspect building work carried out the previously by another company. After claiming to find various issues and asked for a deposit. It turned out that no work was needed and this was a scam.
Driveways - rogue traders have offered to replace or repair driveways or private roads. After receiving full or part payment any work done was either not as agreed or inadequate.
What to do
Rather than deal with cold callers, find a trader using a Council-backed scheme. Members of the scheme are vetted by Trading Standards Scotland, therefore you can avoid rogue traders, minimise risk, and have access to an official Trading Standards complaints process if things don't go as expected.
Approved Trader Portal: www.approvedtrader.scot
Further information: from Competition and Marketing Authority: www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-to-consider-when-using-trader-recommendationsites
Other advice
Ask for the business name and address of any unsolicited trader offering work.
Do not rely on online adverts/good reviews.
Always resist pressure and take time to think before making a decision. Do not agree to make any payments on the spot.
Report to the Police any trader who starts work without being authorised and then demands payment.
Report at - www.tsscot.co.uk/report-a-consumer-issue if you had issues with a doorstep scam or rogue trader that you dealt with following a cold call.
Winter Coat Rail 2025
Atholl Centre Pitlochry
Office hours
Atholl Centre Office open hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm. Wednesdays 10.00am - 1.00pm
Its that chilly time of year again. Please bring along any coats that you no longer wear, and donate to our Coat rail. If you’re needing a warm coat, please come to receive one completely free. We already have several coats in, they must all find new homes! See office open hours above.
Food Bank Perth & Kinross Referrals only. Please ask if you need some help to cope with the increased cost of living, or applying for your referral.
Answers to the February Crossword
Across
1 LOCKETS 5 EROS 9 VALENTINE 10 PAR
11 LAMB 13 DON JUAN 14 COBWEB
15 SMOOCH 16 SATCHEL 20 ROSE 22 LEO
23 GAMBOLLED 25 SUSS 26 SUILVEN
Down
1 LOVE 2 COL 3 ENNOBLE 4 SHINDY
6 RAPTUROUS 7 SCRUNCH 8 TERN
12 AMBITIOUS 14 CASTLES 16 MARCONI
17 GLAMIS 19 HUGS 21 EDEN 24 LUV
Are you planning to sell your house this year?
If so, spring is a great time to do it, so don’t delay, contact us now to get things moving.
ON THE MARKET
10 Lagreach Brae, Pitlochry
1 Clais-an-Deor Place Logierait
If you’re planning to sell your property in Highland Perthshire, who better to market it for you than people who live and work in the Highland Perthshire.
The (Incredibly) Brief Histories of Mundane Objects
Inspired by Andy Warner’s Brief Histories of Everyday Objects, I set out to uncover the surprisingly rich histories of some everyday items we rarely give a second thought. Many of these seemingly mundane objects have fascinating origins and unexpected evolutions, each with a story waiting to be told. Let’s explore a few of them…
1. Toothbrush
The toothbrush, a ubiquitous part of our daily hygiene routine, has a surprisingly ancient history. Long before the modern nylon bristle toothbrush, people used chew sticks, twigs, and even animal hairs tied to sticks for oral care. The Chinese are credited with the first bristle toothbrush in the 15th century, featuring bristles made from boar hairs attached to bamboo or bone handles. The design evolved over centuries, with mass production of modern toothbrushes starting in the 19th century, leading to today’s plastic-handled, nylon-bristled versions.
2. Teacup
The teacup and saucer concept can be traced back to China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), where tea drinking was a prominent cultural practice. Initially, tea was served in bowls without handles. As tea culture spread to Europe, particularly in the 17th century, the design of teacups and saucers underwent changes to accommodate European preferences.
3. Socks
Socks may seem basic, but their history is surprisingly ancient. The earliest known socks, dating back to 300–500 AD in Egypt, were made of wool and had split toes, designed for wearing with sandals. Yes, socks and sandals were a thing even back then!
4. Buttons
Buttons have been around for thousands of years, but they weren’t always used for fastening clothes. The earliest buttons (dating back to 2000 BC in the Indus Valley) were purely decorative. Functional buttons with buttonholes didn’t appear until 13th-century Europe, revolutionizing fashion.
5. The Barcode
Invented in 1949 by Norman Joseph Woodland, the barcode was inspired by Morse code. He initially drew the barcode as a series of sand lines on a beach while brainstorming! The first item ever scanned with a barcode? A pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum in 1974.
6. Ballpoint Pen
The ballpoint pen, a writing instrument found in nearly every office and home, has a story that involves persistence and innovation. Invented by Laszlo Biro in the 1930s, the pen featured a tiny ball bearing in the tip that rolled over paper, dispensing ink. Biro’s design revolutionised writing by eliminating the need for messy fountain pens. The ballpoint pen gained popularity during World War II, proving reliable under various conditions.
7. Post-it Note
The ubiquitous Post-it Note, with its distinctive yellow colour, was born out of an accidental discovery. In the late 1960s, Dr. Spencer Silver, a 3M scientist, was attempting to create a strong adhesive but ended up with a weak, re-positionable one. Several years later, a colleague, Art Fry, used this adhesive to create the first Post-it Note. Initially marketed as a bookmark, its versatility and convenience made it a staple in offices and homes worldwide. The Post-it Note is a reminder that sometimes, innovation arises from unexpected sources and unintended outcomes.
8. Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap wasn’t initially designed for packaging—it was meant to be wallpaper! In 1957, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes were trying to create a textured wallpaper by sealing two shower curtains together with air bubbles trapped inside. The wallpaper idea failed, but later realised it could be used to protect fragile items during shipping. Today, it’s one of the most satisfying packing materials ever created.
9. Fork
Though we take forks for granted, they were once considered scandalous. In medieval Europe, people mostly ate with their hands or knives. The fork, introduced from the Middle East to Italy in the 11th century, was criticized by religious leaders as “unnatural” and “effeminate”. It wasn’t until the 18th century that forks became widely accepted in Europe.
10. Toilet Paper
Toilet paper as we know it today was a luxury item for most of history. In ancient China (6th century AD), emperors used soft paper for hygiene, while in medieval Europe, people used hay, wool, or even shells. The first commercial toilet paper appeared in 1857, invented by Joseph Gayetty, but it wasn’t until 1890 that perforated toilet rolls were mass-produced by the Scott Paper Company.
11. Umbrella
Originally, umbrellas were used as sun protection, not for rain! Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans carried parasol-like umbrellas as status symbols. The idea of using them for rain only caught on in the 18th century when Jonas Hanway, a British traveler, popularised them despite initial mockery from men who thought umbrellas were “too feminine.”
12. Ketchup
Originally, ketchup wasn’t tomato-based! The first versions, created in China around 300 AD, were made from fermented fish brine. The recipe traveled through Asia and Europe, evolving into a mushroom-based sauce before eventually becoming the sweet tomato condiment we know today in the 19th century.
13. Chainsaws
Believe it or not, the chainsaw was originally a medical tool! In the 18th century, two Scottish doctors, John Aitken and James Jeffray, invented a small hand-cranked chainsaw to cut through bone more efficiently during childbirth (yikes!). It was only later adapted for woodcutting.
14. Dishwashers
The first practical dishwasher was invented in 1886 by Josephine Cochrane, a wealthy socialite. Frustrated with her servants chipping her fine china, she created a hand-cranked machine that used water pressure to wash dishes. She unveiled it at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and it became a hit in restaurants and hotels.
15. Spirit Level
Before bubble levels, people relied on plumb bobs to measure straightness. In the 1600s, a French scientist named Melchisédech Thévenot (also known for travel writings) invented the liquid-filled level with an air bubble that always centers at the highest point, making construction much easier.
16. Car Airbags
The first airbags were developed in the 1950s, inspired by navy torpedoes! Engineer John Hetrick, a WWII veteran, came up with the idea after a near-car crash. He designed a fabric bag that could inflate instantly upon impact, but automakers only widely adopted the technology in the 1980s.
17. Doorknobs
Before doorknobs, doors were secured with latches and bars. The modern doorknob, with a turning mechanism, was patented by Osbourn Dorsey in 1878—a rare early invention by an African American inventor.
18. Scotch Tape
Invented by Richard Drew in the 1930s, Scotch Tape was initially designed for masking car paint jobs. But soon, people realized its usefulness for wrapping and repairing everyday items. The name “Scotch” came from an old stereotype implying something cheap or stingy—it stuck as a playful brand name.
19. Safety Pins
The safety pin was invented in 1849 by Walter Hunt, who needed to pay off a $15 debt. He twisted a piece of wire into a spring-loaded clasp and sold the patent for $400—missing out on the massive fortune it would later bring.
20. The @ Symbol
Yes, technically not an object, but a mundane symbol we use everyday… The @ symbol, now famous for email, has been around since at least the Middle Ages. Merchants used it in business documents to indicate “at the rate of” (e.g., 5 apples @ 10 cents each). In 1971, Ray Tomlinson repurposed it for the first email address, forever changing communication.
We could go on and on for pages looking at everyday objects, but instead I highly recommend Andy Warner’s book, it is worth a read! It’s entertaining, comically illustrated making it family friendly and certainly one to keep on the coffee table! Now, when’s the next pub quiz…?
NB: Emergency contact number: 07747 755 194.
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.
Warm Welcome Cookery Classes – are postponed. Please ask at the Atholl Centre office for more information.
Baby Bank – new to the Atholl Centre. We have a small amount of baby clothing & nappies available to support young families. Please contact the office for more information.
Volunteers Welcome
Please come and introduce yourself to us, if you would be interested in becoming a Volunteer worker in the Food Bank or doing the work of the Atholl Centre. We host holiday retreats, Church retreats, disabled holidays, & Community meetings throughout the year. Call in to the office, or call 01796 473044.
Changing Places Toilet - Fully equipped Rest room facility for the disabled.
Please note office open hours, or call to book in advance 07747 755 194
Helen Kirkwood
Atholl Baptist Centre SCIO15113, Atholl Centre, Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BX
Further information from 01796 473044.
Pitlochry Rotary Club
The Pitlochry Rotary Club is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support deserving community projects. We are committed to making a positive impact in our Pitlochry Community and invite local organisations to apply for grants to help bring their beneficial projects to life.
We are interested in supporting community projects that align with Rotary's mission of service and focus areas such as:
• Non-profit organisations
• Educational institutions
• Individuals with community-focused projects
Funding Areas:
• Education and literacy
• Health and well-being
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic development
Requests for Funding should be made by 28 March, in time for our April Council meeting when applications will be considered.
Other dates to diarise!
A reminder that the deadline for Citizen of the Year nominations is 25 March 2025
Our first Fundraiser for this year will be our popular Dinner Dance on 10th May. Keep an eye on our Facebook page as we will have more details as and when it becomes available!
Pitlochry New Year Street Party
The Pitlochry New Year Street Party organising committee are pleased to reflect on a successful party at the start of 2025 and wish to once again extend a wholesome thank you to all local businesses and contributors for their excellent support and raffle prizes - enabling the event to grow from strength to strength each year.
The weather forecast immediately prior was ‘touch and go’ with Met office alerts being scrutinised as we inched towards Hogmanay - but the committee held its nerve, keeping a close eye on the ‘local weather’ - otherwise known as the ‘Pitlochry micro-climate’ and felt reassured by the services of Perth and Kinross gritting department.
On the day, all prayers were answered with the conditions fairly mild as the winds abated to a gentle breeze.
As the main stage arrived and many brilliant volunteers arrived to help with the essential tasks of the day, putting up bunting, monitoring road closures, ticket sales and folding, crowd control, the committee’s main concern turned to the potential number of attendees - especially as many other Scottish events had been cancelled. And those concerns were not entirely unfounded as the party saw what appeared to be a record number of people attending - with most raffle tickets sold by 2.30pm - a new record.
A special thanks to Graham Holmes who has taken a step back from the committee this year after a tremendously generous twenty-five years of tireless service - since the very beginning of the event at the start of the new millennium. In that time, Graham has held key positions of chair and treasurer and, together with his good lady, Maureen, have usually been the last to leave - having counted all donations / raffle takings before safely depositing in the bank vault each New Year's day. It could not have happened without you so our deepest heartfelt appreciation go to both Graham and Maureen.
Thanks to all the efforts, the committee have been able to make a number of donations to local causes, including the Paths Group, Atholl Centre ‘food bank’, Pitlochry in Bloom, Lights Group, and others - all in all contributing to the overall enjoyment and success of the Pitlochry New Year Street Party. We hope it can continue for many years to come. Best wishes to all for 2025.
Pitlochry Station Bookshop
So, how have the New Year’s Resolutions gone? Whether you regard them as a dismal failure or are filled with a spirit of superiority and achievement, there is something simple that everyone can do regardless of your success so far.
Give your bookshelves a spring clean and decide which of your books you can donate to us. If you are the sort of reader who will not return to a book once it has been read, your work is easy. Clear your shelves and take your volumes to the Station Bookshop where you will be welcomed by the volunteers on duty.
Those of you who are more choosy about what to clear can have a browsing session and enjoy meeting old friends. Just don’t become so engrossed that you run out of time and do no clearing at all. Our volunteers will welcome you too. Continued
Donated books are the lifeline of our Bookshop. They attract our supporters and readers of all kinds, not just from the local area but from around Scotland and across the world, and our income from the sale of the books supports our six charities.
All that we ask is that your books are in clean condition; we do not put dirty books on our shelves. And when you return home to your clear space, remember that empty space should not be permanent. Any serious reader will buy more books for future donations to the Bookshop. Thus the cycle continues and you have completed a belated New Year’s resolution. Congratulations.
Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group
We now have our guitar and whistle classes up and running alongside our fiddle and accordion classes. All have had a lovely uptake and have welcomed lots of new budding young musicians. They’re going fast, but we do have some spaces left for those aged P5 – S5 who would like to learn an instrument.
All classes are in small groups lasting half an hour each week. They are completely free and we provide instruments, without cost, for our members to take home and use as their own.
We are based in Dunkeld and Birnam but include surrounding areas from as far as Aberfeldy and Pitlochry, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus, Stanley and Luncarty and everywhere in between.
Our junior and senior bands are suitable for most instrument players, so long as you can play them at least a little. We have plenty of spaces and encourage anyone who’d like to play in a group to come along to join in our musical adventures. Next concert is part of The Niel Gow Festival on Saturday 22nd March
All classes and bands run on Mondays during term time and are based at Birnam Arts.
As always, huge thanks for making it possible to run our group go to SSE Renewables, National Lottery, Crescendo, Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust, Basil Death Trust, Scops Arts Trust, The Lang Foundation, Hugh Fraser Foundation and Enchanted Forest for their funding, and our local residents who have generously donated money and instruments.
If you have any small guitars, fiddles or piano-accordions hanging around your house, we happily take them and put them to good use.
For more info: dbtradgroup@gmail.com 07958 324 766.
Just Singin’ Spring Term underway!
We had a wonderful start to our term in February. Our singers travelled from far and wide to join together for a lunch in Perth to celebrate a milestone birthday of our superb Secretary/resident diplomat, Eileen. It was great to have the chance to get together at a social event and the opportunity to chat for longer than the usual ten minutes in the middle of our singing sessions!
Our term is underway (5th Feb – 26th March), led by one of our very popular tutors, Emma Neck.
We are tackling a variety of songs in harmony, embracing musical styles ranging from jazz, Scottish, modern pop and traditional Swahili – all simply learned by ear in a fun, supportive atmosphere where everyone is made very welcome.
We meet upstairs at Birnam Arts at 7.30 on Wednesday evenings. Further details are available on our website www.justsingin.co.uk Do please come along and give it a try!
Pitlochry Library
Bookbug session - every Thursday 9.15am - 9.45am Come and join us for a session of songs, stories, and rhymes for under 5s. Prebooking for each session is essential. Please get in touch with the library to book a spot.
Community Knitting Group - every Thursday 11am - 12.45pm Do you like to knit or want to learn? Come along to our community knitting group that meets weekly in the library. We can provide everything you need to get started!
Books on Wheels - For individuals who cannot get out and about to visit the library, this includes books in large print and audio formats. For further information, please get in touch with the library.
Recycling - All libraries accept used stamps and batteries for recycling.
Princh Printing. Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries have installed Princh, a new printing solution in libraries across Perth and Kinross, including Pitlochry Library. With Princh, it is now possible to print from any mobile device, tablet, or laptop from home or in one of our participating libraries. Just print, pay online and pick up your items. You can send your print jobs at any time from any place, and what's more, you no longer have to wait in line at the printer. Details can be found on our website www.culturepk.org.uk/libraries/internet-and-computers/ princh-printing
Our AGM took place at the end of January and we were delighted to see such a good turnout of members - and to welcome some new members as well.
There was a real buzz in the hall and we are looking forward to continuing to work towards having a positive impact in our community in the months ahead.
At the AGM, Charlie McCarthy - our chair since PCAT was first established in 2023 and a driving force behind the development of the Pitlochry Community Action Plan – stood down. Fellow trustees Carol Aitken, Julia Harriman and Susan Brown also stood down, and we would like to thank all four of them for the energy, commitment, enthusiasm and ideas they have brought to PCAT – it’s been invaluable.
We are pleased to welcome a new trustee to the Board, Scott Kerr, and that Fran Norris and Alan Crombie were both re-elected as trustees. Our office-bearers will be elected at our next trustees’ meeting.
Like many in our community we were disappointed at the news that the Bank of Scotland is to close the last bank in Pitlochry and - working alongside other community organisations such as
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This Month’s Easy Sudoku
How to play............
Fill the grid so that every row, column and every 3 x 3 box contains the numbers 1 through to 9 with no repetition. That’s all there is to it! Use reasoning and logic to solve the puzzle - there’s no maths or adding up.
Look carefully for what numbers can go where and with a little practice it will get easier!
Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council - will do everything we can to ensure that the voices of people who are most affected are heard.
Work on enhancing the bus stop area in the town centre continues, and we continue to support Pitlochry Town Hall Group as it explores a potential community asset transfer of the historic building.
PCAT is a charitable development trust dedicated to working with the community of Pitlochry and Moulin. Everything we do is informed by the aspirations set out in the community action plan for the area.
Find out more about PCAT – including how to become a member and support the work of the Trust - on our website www.pitlochryaction.org.uk or by following ‘Pitlochry Community Action Trust – PCAT’ on Facebook.
Faskally parkrun
Did you know that research has shown that participating and/or volunteering at parkrun really does make people healthier and happier?
There are parkrun events every weekend around the UK. Our local parkrun, Faskally Forest parkrun, meets at Loch Dunmore every Saturday at 9.20am and starts at 9.30am. It’s free, open to all ages, from babies being pushed in prams to folk 80 years young. We just ask that children under 11 years keep within arm’s reach of their responsible adult. You can decide to walk, jog or run the beautiful 5km forest route. You can even bring your dog but only one dog per person on a short, handheld lead please. We’d encourage you to register (free) with parkrun at www.parkrun.org. uk/register/ Then bring along your barcode, which will enable you to receive an email with your completion time. You may prefer to volunteer to enjoy the camaraderie, it's a great way to meet people and make friendships. There are a variety of volunteer roles, all are easy, and we will give you any training on the day if required.
Afterwards, we go to the Red Deer Restaurant for a coffee and blether. To find out, more look at our web page www.parkrun.org.uk/faskallyforest or Facebook page www.facebook.com/faskallyforestparkrun
Pitlochry Bowling Club
Spring is almost here! The Spring Equinox falls on Thursday, March 20th. Bulbs are blooming, blossoms are appearing, and clocks will move forward on March 30th, bringing longer, brighter days. Let's hope for some warm, sunny weather.
Warm Space Mondays Winding Down. Our much-loved Warm Space Mondays will come to an end on March 31st, so there are just a few more opportunities to join us don’t miss Carol and Fay,s delicious homemade soups and filled rolls served with a warm welcome. If you haven't experienced this lovely social gathering yet, now is the time!
Every Monday until March 31st 11:00am to 2:00pm.
March Bingo Nights. Join us for our ever-popular Bingo nights on Monday 10th & Monday 24th Doors open at 7:00pm, eyes down at 7:30pm. Friends and visitors are very welcome!
Quiz Night Book Your Table! We have a quiz night lined up for Saturday, March 15th.
This event fills up quickly, so be sure to book your table with John Anderson soon! Bowling Club AGM. Monday March 31st at 7pm.
Continued on page 66
Our short mat bowling games and competitions are going strong. As of now, we are sharing the lead with Dunkeld in the Indoor League. Fingers crossed as the final games approach!
We are a warm, friendly social club that always welcomes new faces. Whether you are curious about bowling or just fancy a social evening, drop by and see us. Friday evenings are a great time to come for a drink, chat, or even join a game if you are feeling adventurous!
Want to Know More? For more information, feel free to contact John: 07833 664121 or Agnes: 07918 112415
Or check out our Facebook page at Pitlochry Bowling Club.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Vale of Atholl Pipe Band
Our Junior Piping and Drumming competition was a tremendous success. Piping and drumming judges praised all the competitors for their high quality performances.
Almost 100 competitors played in over 155 performances. The band would like to thank all its members who worked away non-stop on the day, stewarding all the different competitions, all the parents who helped run the cafe and everyone else who made the day such a great success.
It is a very big event to put on. We'd also like to thank the school for being so accommodating and all the help they give us.
The overall Champion winners were, Under 15 Champion Piper, Lachlan Rennie. Runner up Toby Chapman. 15-18 Champion Piper, Lennox Munro. Runner up Archie McNab.
March is a month full of practising! Learner pipers and drummers and the Grade 4 band practise on a Tuesday night and the Grade 2 band practise on a Wednesday night in the Tulloch Institute. Our Highland Night Committee are working away in the background to get the Highland Nights organised for the season. This year they start on 26th May and run until the 1st September. They'll be here before we know it!
Gillie McNab 07733152223 gmcnab00@aol.com
Dunkeld & District Strathspey & Reel Society
The Dunkeld and District Strathspey and Reel Society meet every Monday starting 3rd February during school term time in The Royal School of Dunkeld between 7.30 and 9.30pm, where we enjoy playing traditional and contemporary Scottish music together, under the guidance of our musical director and conductor Pete Clark.
We are a friendly group and welcome players of all instruments. There is an option to join either as a full member or to come along when you can and pay on the night. For further information visit our website at www.dunkeldstrathspeyandreel.org or email secretary@dunkeldstratheyandreel.org
Breadalbane & District Riding for the Disabled
As this goes to the printers the snowdrops are in full bloom and spring does seem like it is around the corner encouraging us to look ahead to the start of the riding season. Plans are well underway and a training session for all volunteers is in the diary for April 7th. We are delighted that three new volunteers have come
forward and the training session will give them a chance to meet the ponies and see how we operate.
As anybody who is involved with running a charity will know the Scottish Government is tightening up the rules and regulations by which charities can be run. Recently two of our officers attended an online training session to make sure we keep up to date. Without being complacent, it was encouraging to know that our organisation is compliant.
In February we had a social coffee morning to keep everyone in touch and welcome our new volunteers. We never have too many volunteers so if anyone is interested in joining the group please contact us through our email address breadalbanerda@gmail.com or ring Vicky on 07786262329
We continue to be on the lookout for another pony. Several ideas have been explored without success. Ideally, we are looking to borrow a pony who lives in or around Pitlochry and could be transported to Knockdarroch farm where we operate on Monday mornings during the summer and early autumn school terms. We would be SO grateful for any help with this ongoing problem. Please use the contacts as above.
Table Tennis Tryst Pitlochry
Looking to do something different. Whether you can play or not come and join us and have a go. Every Thursday 2 - 4pm, your first time is free. Equipment is provided. Further details contact Irene 07546479249.
GrowBiz
4 Things You Can Do for Your Business this Spring
A wide range of support for small businesses, social enterprises and the selfemployed in rural Perth & Kinross is available from GrowBiz. Here are 4 things you can do this spring that can help you develop your business:
1. Book a Free 1-1 Support Session
You don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re looking for assistance with developing your business strategy, budgeting, or digital skills, we have a team member who can help. Email connect@growbiz.co.uk to request a chat.
2. Attend an Event
GrowBiz runs a programme of free online learning sessions based around topics our clients tell us they need support with. Well-being, marketing, planning ahead and accounting are all regularly covered. We also run in-person networking events that can help you make new connections, share experiences and be inspired.
3. Join the Mentoring Programme
Is something in your own personal development holding you back? Join our award-winning mentoring programme and we’ll match you with a trained mentor who can help you reach your next step. Or become a volunteer mentor yourself and help someone else discover their full potential.
4. Make it Happen with SEED
If you’re a young person aged between 18-30 then our SEED programme can help you explore your ideas, develop your plans, and make your self-employed business dreams happen. Take a look at GrowBiz’s free and confidential services for rural businesses at www.growbiz.co.uk
The Meeting Place
We meet every Friday morning from 10-12 in the Duchess Anne church hall in Dunkeld. Come and join us for a cup of tea or coffee, delicious home baking and good company. Further details from mascott47@aol.com
Pitlochry Garden Share
Things are quiet in the gardens. Many crops have been harvested, and some of the plots “put to bed” for the winter. We do still have some winter crops - kale, parsnips, leeks and Jerusalem artichokes.
There will be no market stall this month. They will re-start in the spring. You may be aware that the PKC recently held a consultation to look at growing possibilities locally, including provision of allotments. Following on from that, it seems there is no chance in the near future of allotments being provided. Unfortunately it is not possible for individuals to have personal allotments at the Community garden due to lack of space. However, if anyone is interested in growing their own food, you would be welcome to join us. Volunteers can join others at regular sessions, or work at times to suit themselves if they prefer to work alone. All volunteers can take home a share of the produce.
Setting up a polytunnel and some raised beds are next on the list to organise as we move into the New Year. As always, new volunteers, and ideas, are very welcome. Contact us on our Facebook page, or via pitlochrygardenshare@gmail.com for more information.
Pitlochry Community First Responders
Pitlochry Community First Responders (PCFR) is a local charity. We assist the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) who have First Responder groups across Scotland. All volunteers are trained by the SAS, and live or work in the community. Responders can attend certain medical situations until an ambulance arrives.
The ambulance control centre (ACC) deploys the on-duty Responders when a local 999 call is received which they will not be able to reach rapidly. So using their own vehicles, day or night, Pitlochry First Responders selflessly operate in the local area. We cover from Blair Atholl to Ballinluig, and meet with Dunkeld and Aberfeldy groups to ensure a good coverage. This is an important, life-saving local charity and we need everyone’s support in many ways! Most importantly at present, we are recruiting more volunteer First Responders. Responders are vital to the community as lives depend on them.
No previous first aid experience is necessary as full training is given by the ambulance service. Responders need to be over the age of 18 and have access to a reliable car.
We are also asking for Friends, supportive volunteers willing to give up an hour or two at fundraising events, information kiosks at shops, festivals, the Highland Games or any other local site. Friends could also initiate their own creative endeavours to raise funds for PCFR. At events, bring a chair, a feast, a friend and a flask!
Please visit our website for all the information you need and find application forms for Responders and Friends. Please share this information with others.
Visit https://pitlochryresponders.org or email info@pitlochryresponders.org
We need you, because you might need us!
PCFR, saving local lives. Call 999 in an emergency.
Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust
Want to play a part in landscape-scale regeneration? Join us as a Trustee!
Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust (HPCLT) is an award-winning, communityowned conservation charity with three core aims: to restore biodiversity, support rural skills development and encourage people of all ages to embrace the outdoors.
Located at Dùn Coillich Community Land immediately East of Schiehallion, and at the Wee Birks Field in Aberfeldy, we are a small but committed team - and this is your chance to join us!
We are looking for up to four elected, voluntary Trustees (members of the HPCLT Board), and are particularly keen to appoint enthusiastic people of any age who have experience in conservation, rural education, forestry, fundraising/marketing or financial management.
If you are interested and would be able to actively help manage HPCLT, please contact the Chair on info@hpclt.org for more information and to arrange an informal chat. We would like to hear from you by Monday 31st March.
To find out more about us visit www.duncoillich.org - or even better, come and visit us on the hill!
Save the date: our AGM will be at Tryst Hall in Pitlochry on Saturday 26th April between 2.00 and 4.00pm. Our guest speaker will be Jean Oudney, Trustee of the Scottish Wild Beaver Group, with a talk called ‘Beavers: Nature’s Engineer’.
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.
RC Parish of St Bride
St Bride’s, Rie-Achan Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AL
Our Lady of Mercy, Home Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2AJ
St Columba’s, St Mary’s Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 OBJ
St Columba’s Saturday Vigil 6.00pm Our Lady of Mercy 9.30am St Bride’s 11.30am
Weekday Mass Times
Our Lady of Mercy Tuesday 9.30am, St Bride’s Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 9.30am
Holy Days of Obligation
St Columba’s 9.30am, Our Lady of Mercy 12.30pm, St Bride’s 7.00pm For further information please refer to our Facebook page.
We are very happy to welcome visitors to our Parish to worship with us and each Tuesday and Wednesday we light candles and pray for their needs and intentions.
Continued on page 74
Rannoch Church of Scotland
On 1st January 2025, Braes of Rannoch Church and Foss and Rannoch Church united to become the Rannoch Church of Scotland. The united churches also became part of a new linkage - The Churches of Loch Tay and Glenlyon with Rannoch. A Service of Union and Linkage, led by The Reverend Alan Reid, Moderator of Perth Presbytery, will be held in The Old Church of Rannoch on Thursday 13th March starting at 7pm.I nterim Moderator: Mr Lorimer Gray. Tel: 01887 827316 or 07740 378910. Email: lorimer.gray@gmail.com
Weekly Sunday Worship Service at 12 noon in The Old Church of Rannoch with a time for coffee, tea and fellowship at 11.30am before the service starts.
The Scottish Episcopal Church
Offers all a warm and inclusive welcome to all
Part of the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane
Rector: The Rev Canon Liz Baker 01796 472005: Email: bethmaybaker@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.hplc.scot Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/highlandperthshirechurches Episcopal Churches in Highland Perthshire January 2025 all are welcome at services in our churches and on Zoom. Check our website for updates.
5th Sundays Joint Service with Holy Trinity & Kilmaveonaig (see Website for location.)
Zoom Services
Sundays - 6.00pm Evening Services (see Website.)
Thursdays - 10.30am Morning Prayer.
Pitlochry Baptist Church
Atholl Road, PH16 5BX www.pbcweb.net
Pastor: Rev David Barrie (pastor@pbcweb.net)
Sundays - Our Worship Gathering takes place every Sunday from 10:30am at our building on Atholl Road - next to the Tourist Information Centre and across the road from Heartland FM. If you’re exploring faith or looking for a place to call home, come as you are and join us. For the children, we have a full programme for babies through to teenagers. We look forward to welcoming you.
Highlighted event:.
The Welcome All Soup Lunch is every Friday in the Atholl Centre (behind Pitlochry Baptist church) at 12 noon; there’s no charge, though donations are welcome. This is part of the warm space operating from 11am-2pm each Friday from now until the end of April. Come join us and meet up with old friends or make new ones.
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.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
After three months of happy work, our Kingdom Hall in Moness Terrace, Aberfeldy, has been totally refurbished and upgraded. Come and have a look at the beautiful results, meet the friendly volunteers and enjoy some delicious home baking with a mug of steaming tea. Our open day is 15th March between 10 and 3.
Thursday 6th March, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Proverbs 3, ‘Demonstrate Trust in Jehovah’, “Hear My Defence”, Part Two—Acts 21:22–22:30.
Sunday 9th March, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Religion’s Role in World Affairs’. A discussion: ‘“Give Glory to Jehovah” (Psalm 96:8)’.
Thursday 13th March, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Proverbs 4, “Safeguard Your Heart”, ‘Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Easter?’, ‘The Sadducees and the Pharisees’, “Hear My Defence”, Part Three—Acts 23:1–10.
Saturday 15th March, 10.oo a.m. to 3.00 p.m., Kingdom Hall Open Day.
Sunday 16th March, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘Act Wisely in a Senseless World’. A discussion: ‘Husbands, Honour Your Wife (1 Peter 3:7)’.
Thursday 20th March, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Proverbs 5, ‘Stay Far Away From Sexual Immorality’, ‘Preparing for Marriage’, “Take Courage!”, Part One—Acts 23:11–22.
Sunday 23rd March, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ’Stand Still and See the Salvation of Jehovah’. A Continued on page 78
discussion: ‘Make Decisions That Please Jehovah (Proverbs 9:10)’.
Thursday 27th March, 7.00 p.m. Short talks, videos and discussions including: Proverbs 6, ‘What Can We Learn From the Ant?’, ‘Creation Proves That Jehovah Wants Us to Rejoice’, ‘Felix— Procurator of Judea’, “Take Courage!”, Part Two—Acts 23:23–24:21.
Sunday 30th March, 10.30 a.m. A talk: ‘The Earth Will Remain Forever’. A discussion: ‘What Does the Ransom Teach Us? (1 John 4:9)’.
Jehovah is the name of Jesus’s father; to witness is to share the truth. Enjoy a free study of the Bible at your convenience—ring or text 07 802 753 193. At www.jw.org you will find the Bible’s answers to life’s big questions.
The Baha’i Faith
It’s The Baha’i New Year on March 21st!
Baha’s will be celebrating Naw Ruz, or “New Year”, this month which means a time of hospitality and feasting and often picnics with friends - and strangers - if the weather is kind. In Dundee last year it was a ceilidh with an international cast!
The date is astronomically fixed, commencing at the March equinox. Introduced in 1844 by the Bab, a figure in the Faith akin to that of John The Baptist. He was introducing a calendar that would be acceptable to those of all faiths and nationalities for the future. His Declaration of a new Dispensation from God, the fulfilment of God’s earlier Faiths, forms the beginning of the Baha’i Era (BE). The year consists of 19 months of 19 days each (i.e.361 days) with the addition of ‘Intercalary Days’ (4 in an ordinary year, 5 in a leap year) falling between the 18th and 19th months so as to adjust to the solar year. Every Baha’i will hope to use these days to bring joy or be useful to others in the community. (Sales of flowers in the Co-Op should do well!)
The 19th month is one of fasting, between sunrise and sunset for 19 days, obligatory for adults of 15 to 70, with a few practical exceptions. Naw Ruz follows on immediately, a welcome day.
There are Children’s classes in Pitlochry and Aberfeldy on Sundays, a youth group with occasional youth camps in Aberfeldy area, and always welcome to share in any of our meetings for those wanting to know more. Please contact Baha’is in the area via Rachel at rachelhelenab@hotmail. com or Mark at markcrenshaw9@hotmail.com or Hilarie at the Highland Chocolatier’s café.
Pitlochry linked with Blair Atholl & Struan Churches of Scotland
Minister: Rev Mark Foster (MFoster@churchofscotland.org.uk)
Sunday Services: Sunday worship is at 10.00am in Pitlochry Church and at 11.30am in Blair Atholl Church.
At Pitlochry, we invite you to join us, whether you live locally or are just visiting the area. Worship begins with a warm welcome, followed by a mix of music and words, ancient and modern. Tea/ coffee and biscuits are served in The Tryst Lounge following the service.
Meetings for Lent: These begin on Thursday 6 March at 7:30pm in The Tryst, Church Road, Pitlochry. Entitled Hope in Hard Places, journey with us as we look at stories of steadfast faith,
Continued on page 80
hope and trust found in the Bible and reflect on what God's transformational love can mean for our world today. Find encouragement and strength in stories of hope that span over 3000 years of history - showing us that God remains with us at all times.. Further details available on the Pitlochry Church of Scotland Facebook page.
World Day of Prayer: Holy Trinity Church are hosting this on Friday 7 March
Day Care: This continues in The Tryst Lounge on Tuesdays from 10.00am – 2.00pm and on Thursdays from 10.00am – 3.00pm. The community bus is available. If you, or anyone you know, would benefit from these activities, please contact the Day Care Team at The Tryst for details. If you wish to volunteer to help at these sessions, please contact Lynne Cunningham LCunningham@pkc.gov.uk
Scottish Dance Group: Meets on Tuesdays in The Tryst Hall at 7.30pm. All welcome.
Wednesday Coffee & Chat and Warm Spaces: Tea, coffee and biscuits from 10.30am – 11.45am and soup from 12.00noon – 2.00pm in The Tryst Lounge. Everyone is very welcome to catch up with friends, neighbours and to meet new people.
Pitlochry & District Choral Society: Rehearsals for the Spring Concert continue on Wednesdays at 7.45pm in The Tryst Hall. If you would like to join us, please come on Wednesday.
Table Tennis: Meet weekly on Thursdays 2.00pm until 4.00pm in The Tryst Hall.
At Blair Atholl, we invite you to our Coffee Corner, in the church hall on Thursdays from 10:30am –12noon.
The Tryst Office Co-ordinator: Further details (see advert below) and an Application Form are available from The Tryst office (details below).
Church Office: The Tryst, all enquiries (including hire of the facilities) and deliveries contact by email thetryst@btconnect.com or telephone 01796 474010. The office is open from 9.30 –11.30am Tuesday to Thursday. Emails and telephone messages are checked regularly.
Tryst Office Co-ordinator - Vacancy
Pitlochry linked with Blair Atholl & Struan Churches of Scotland Pitlochry Church of Scotland wishes to appoint a Tryst Office Co-ordinator.
A part-time post of 12 hours per week over 4 mornings – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The office is situated in The Tryst, Pitlochry Church of Scotland, Church Rd, Pitlochry.
Main duties will be to co-ordinate the work of the church office and its volunteers, the preparation of material for worship services, co-ordinating material for Kirk Session meetings, undertake tasks relating to the booking of hall lets and invoicing, supervising and acting as line manager to the cleaners for the Church and Tryst. With the recent appointment of a new minister to the linked parishes, some secretarial work for the minister may be required.
Applicants are expected to be computer literate and confident in the use of E-mail applications, Word, Excel and PowerPoint programmes.
More information is available on request by contacting The Tryst Office - 01796 474010.
The return date for completed applications is 31/3/25
An entry in our Community Pages is free to all non profit groups. If you would like to be included, just send your entry before 11th of the preceding month, by e-mai to info@pitlochrylife.co.uk Tell us your news and we will tell everyone else!
2. Pat dry the leg of lamb and place it in a roasting pan.
3. In a bowl, mix garlic, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
4. Rub the mixture all over the lamb, ensuring it's well coated.
5. Place the lamb in the oven and roast for about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours (for medium-rare, until the internal temp reaches 54°C).
6. Every 30 minutes, spoon some of the broth or wine over the lamb for extra juiciness.
7. Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing.
8. Slice and serve with roasted potatoes, sautéed greens, or a fresh salad.
DOMESTIC ABUSE IS A CRIME
If you are experiencing physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse or are being intimidated or threatened by a current or previous partner, you are being subjected to domestic abuse. You may be feeling frightened, isolated and ashamed. You are not to blame for what is happening to you, it is NOT your fault. Above all, you are not alone and you don’t need to suffer in silence. Help is available to you.
If the incident requires immediate attention please contact your local police station. In an emergency always call 999 (if the incident is ongoing or life is in danger)
If you have been the victim or witness to domestic abuse, or have concerns regarding a victim of domestic abuse there are several ways you can report this to the police: At your local police station. If the incident is urgent, this is the best way to report it. If someone is in immediate danger always phone 999.
Use an online domestic abuse form. If you are unable to go to your local office (or prefer to remain anonymous) you can submit the form directly to the police.
If you suspect some else is suffering domestic abuse, you can report it anonymously and in confidence to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
For more information or to seek help, call the Safer Scotland Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 027 1234 or visit www.saferscotland.co.uk www.scotland.police.uk
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!
The Atholl Medical Centre Ferry Road, Pitlochry. Tel: 01796 472558
Mon - Fri 8.00am - 6.00pm (Doors open at 8.30am)
Except Wednesdays Closed 12.15 - 1.45pm
Out with Surgery Hours NHS 24 - 111
Prescriptions - tay.amcprescriptions@nhs.scot
Visiting Hours:
Pitlochry Community Hospital Ferry Road, Pitlochry. Tel: 01796 472052
GP Unit - Contact for further info.
MIIU - Temporarily closed until further notice.
Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice
The Surgery, Kinloch Rannoch. Tel: 01882 632216
The Reception is open Mon - Fri 8.00am - 6.00pm Surgery Hours 9-10.15am, 2-3pm and 4-5pm. For all urgent appointments please phone reception
Out with Surgery Hours NHS 24 - 111
Pitlochry Post Office
Within Premier Store 63 Atholl Road, Pitlochry. Tel: 01796 474301
Appointments arranged out with these days 01738 476000 (select option 2)
Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages Mon - Fri: By Appointment 01796 474645
More Helpful Numbers to Hand
The Pitlochry Crossword
ACROSS
7 Ben likes orange marmalade on noodlesdisgusting….at first (6)
8 During ballyhoo, Ted beeped (6)
9 Perhaps plum Pitlochry avenue (4)
10 Truman in trouble - he’ll chew on it (8)
11 He doesn’t believe article in AI Sunday Times initially (7)
13 Iran stormy? At first yes - a bit wet (5)
15 Iffy rum on Schiehallion perhaps (5)
17 Possibly pump attendant? (7)
20 Heavier tigers do exercises (8)
21 Secret message found in Tesco delivery (4)
22 Smells develop - ours do (6)
23 They open tins or stew (6)
By Lesley
1 50% of rose buds stay resilient (6)
2 Bark found now and again in wood on fire (4)
3 Home to a haggis perhaps (7)
4 Herb served in prison, I hear (5)
5 Municipal building won’t move foyer (4,4)
6 Village flag missing bottom (6)
12 Dread our turbulent burn (8)
14 Rich ale undid prince (8)
16 Disorganised family member failed to start new DIY (6)
18 Tandoori cooked, no thanks, not outside (6)
19 Spy it becoming merry (5)
21 Perth possibly chintzy on and off (4)
HOROSCOPES
BY CHRISTINE CHALKLIN
For March 2025
March begins on a relatively calm note, as the dreamy Pisces season is well underway. The Sun, Saturn, Mercury and Neptune are all in the sign of the fishes, ensuring that all signs have the potential to slow down, self-reflect and connect deeply with their intuition. This month also suggests that a completely new cosmic energy is emerging, bringing hope and optimism for a positive way forward, and with so much turbulence going on around the world we certainly are in need of some positive input from the heavens.
Communication planet Mercury arrives in fiery Aries on the 3rd joining romantic Venus and giving the go ahead for a more passionate and dynamic interaction with others.
The Sun enters Aries at the spring equinox on the 20th, at last we can celebrate that the days are slowly getting longer and warmer, and the spark of spring is emerging. This is also the start of the astrological year, the cosmic New Year. Embrace this special time as it offers new life, fresh starts and positive growth. The full moon is in Virgo in the 14th and the Aries new moon is on the 29th.
ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20
The combination of four planets in the most intuitive sector of your chart presents exciting opportunities for you to reassess many areas of your life and to review your far reaching plans. Venus is strong in your sign and she offers amazing and creative new insights as your personal charisma reaches new heights. Watch out for the new moon in your sign on the 29th, it marks an important turning point!
TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21
March is all about finding a much gentler way of life, particularly if things have been rather hectic during the last year. The Sun, Saturn and Neptune are joined in spiritually minded Pisces and are encouraging you to tune in and connect with your life purpose. Creativity is highlighted and Interesting groups of like-minded friends could appear on the horizon; this is the year to connect with your deepest passion.
GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21
March is a powerful career month with the emphasis on you reaching your goals. Expansive Jupiter, now direct in your sign, highlights the need for you to firm up connections with like-minded people, who in turn will help you to accomplish your plans for this year. The powerful Sun/Saturn connection around mid-month offers positive energy for laying new foundations and the Aries new moon on the 29th brings an energy boost.
CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22
Travel and education are in the spotlight this month as Mercury and Saturn ask you to undertake a thorough reassessment of where you are in your life. Keep yourself focussed as you now have the power to be very persuasive in any necessary negotiations. The Aries new moon on the 29th is a marvellous energy boost, indicating that possibilities are endless and breakthroughs will soon be coming your way.
LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23
Four planets in your financial sector appear to make this a month of challenge and change. Cosmic influence will sharpen your intuition and judgement, making you more receptive to inspirational new ideas. Remember that if you rely on facts rather than feelings you should be able to turn personal or professional situations around to your advantage. The Virgo full on the 14th offers a positive breakthrough.
VIRGO AUGUST 24 - SEPTEMBER 22
The full moon in your sign on the 14th illuminates where you are on your life journey and nudges you to start making some changes. Your relationships are in sharp focus this month and you’ll need to use your intuition to get the results that you desire. Don’t dismiss anything at this stage, it will all become clear very soon. New and exciting ideas to push you forwards occur at the spring equinox on the 20th.
LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23
This month’s events hinge around Venus, your ruling planet, and communicative Mercury both active in your opposite sign. Relationships are the main topic, be sure to talk to partners and colleagues about the bigger issues and dig deep to unearth new truths. The Equinox on the 20th and the new moon on the 29th both show you that freedom and individuality are more important than ever before.
SCORPIO OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 22
This month’s major planetary activity turns your attention to your daily routines and your fitness regimen. Mercury and Venus are both in powerful positions indicating that deep insight is needed as big changes in the pace of your life are the theme of the month. The Sun and mystical Neptune encourage you to find intuitive and creative solutions to any upcoming challenges. The Aries new moon on the 29th encourages optimism.
SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 21
Your ruler, expansive Jupiter, is active in your opposite sign indicating that this is an exceptionally dynamic time and you can make the most of a powerful surge of determination and self-confidence, particularly in relationship related matters. After the spring equinox on the 20th unexpected contacts can bring some good news your way, and you can prepare for some romantic exchanges to intensify.
CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20
An abundance of planetary activity in your communication area suggests that this is the time to back your hunches and take chances in life. This month’s strong Pisces energy will give you the ability to use your powers of intuition to draw in the desired outcomes. Prepare to be well organised ahead of new opportunities that will soon arise. The spring Equinox on the 20th and the Aries new moon on the 29th are important dates for moving forward.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 18
Financial support and new opportunities may arrive from some unexpected sources and your own generosity may now be repaid. Lucky Jupiter in Gemini, well placed for you this month should ensure that your optimism allows you to forge ahead with your personal ambition. The insightful full moon in Virgo on the 14th illuminates your finances and resources, indicating that a new idea may soon be emerging.
PISCES FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20
March is your birthday month and although responsible Saturn is travelling through your sign, there is a lighter side with the Sun, Mercury and Neptune sending their mystical light your way. The powerful full moon in your opposite sign of Virgo on the 14th brings some much needed clarity and focus into many areas of your life. This is the time for manifesting your dreams by initiating new beginnings.
Christine is a professional astrologer offering private consultations in astrology, life coaching and Bach flower essences.
NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH these challenging times, these challenging times, and reach your fullest potential in 2025. Take a refreshing new look at the year ahead by booking an astrological reading nowConsultations are available on Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp or by telephone.
Christine Chalklin, Inspirational Astrologer and Life Coach
