The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair TM

Highland Perthshire’s Community Magazine • May 2026 ABERFELDY | DUNKELD | BIRNAM | PITLOCHRY | KENMORE | BLAIR ATHOLL 1

2

• Supplied and

Walks and beginner workshops held regularly CONSTRUCTION LTD Fitted Kitchens at venues throughout Highland Perthshire

• New Builds

Joinery & Renewals For more information, please get in touch.

• Timber, UPVC, Call/Text: 07828 086062 Roofing Division Windows Supplied Email: nwhighlandperthshire@gmail.com and Fitted Or visit: www.nordicwalkinghighlandperthshire.com Plumbing Works • Extensions Instagram: nw_highland_perthshire Facebook: nordicwalkinghighlandperthshire • Renovations

Painting & Decorating • Attic Conversions • Cladding, Decking • General Maintenance • Dry Rot And Wet Rot Treatment

t. 01764 656031 m. 07889 402020 F F E

MUSIC NIGHT

or

ree

stimates

Tel 01764 656031 No. 4 A Wester Kincardine Holding, Crieff, PH7 3RP

Garden Bark & Topsoil available

EVERY THURSDAY

7PM UNTIL 10PM MAY 7TH

Stocks of Gravel, Chip, Tarplanings, Sand, Ballast, Cement, Blocks Postcrete, Drainage Pipe and Fittings in stock.

CAPTAIN CABAN’S CABALLEROS

MAY 14TH LOS SUPREMOS MAY 21ST URISK TH

MAY 28

Calor Gas Distributor

Get your Calor Gas refills here & new bottle agreements also available

THE TARTAN COWBOYS

Main Office open Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm

ACTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

01887 820346

Langley Centre, Dunkeld Road, Aberfeldy, PH15 2AQ

www.chraggs.co.uk

Tel: 01887 820 022 enq@barhaul.com 3

Pitlochry & District u3a - The u3a primarily brings together people who have finished working full time or raising their family to develop interests and wish to continue learning in an informal and supportive environment. The focus is on sharing and learning from each other.

We meet monthly in the Tryst, Pitlochry for our whole group meetings which include a talk/presentation followed by chat with tea and coffee. In addition to these we also offer special interest groups. These informal groups are led by members. The emphasis is on learning from each other and having fun while doing so. Our groups include Book Groups, Scottish History, Craft, Mahjong, Theatre and Garden visits.

The next u3a whole group meeting on Wednesday, 20 May will be our annual outing to Castle Menzies. Details will be forwarded to members.

Our annual outing will be the last whole group gathering for this session. Our next meeting will be in September.

For further information please visit www. pitlochry.u3asite.uk or contact our chair on smcairnx@hotmail.com with any queries.

The McLean Hall, Fearnan - The recently re-decorated hall has served the local community since 1955 and recently a celebration was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hall.

It is a great village amenity and is used by a variety of groups. Regularly a range of activities are held in the Hall such as yoga, tai-chi and carpet bowls as well as many village events. It is also available to book for your events, parties, celebrations, activities and meetings etc. There is a well-equipped kitchen, tables and chairs, a curtained stage area, disabled access and good parking.

A range of equipment can be used when hiring the hall - table tennis, pickleball, magnetic dartboard and quoits.

If you’d like to book the hall or make an enquiry, email mcleanhallfearnan@gmail. com.

The McLean Hall Fearnan, Perthshire PH15 2PF. (Scottish Charity No. SC023673)

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair e: atholl@thequair.com w: www.thequair.scot tel/text: 07436 793785

The beautiful month of May is here and, along with warmer weather, the tourist season is beginning to gather pace. The area is starting to buzz with visitors enjoying everything that this special part of Scotland has to offer.

The May Day Holiday falls on Monday, 4 May this year and another important date to note is Sunday, 10 May when Etape Caledonia takes place. If you are travelling to, or about in, Highland Perthshire that day it is wise to check road closure times in advance at www.etapecaledonia.com/the-routes.

Etape Caledonia is a mass participation cycling event and a sell-out each year, bringing cyclists from all over the country to take on one of the most breathtaking routes through the spectacular scenery of Highland Perthshire.

Supporting local businesses remains as important as ever. Advertising locally through The Quair helps keep investment within our community, unlike much online advertising which disappears somewhere into the digital universe. When you can, try to shop locally and support the businesses that help keep our local economy thriving.

Did you know that all editions of The Quair magazines can also be read online? If you cannot wait for your copy to arrive on the doormat, simply visit www.thequair.scot and click on the edition of your choice. You can also keep up to date with local news and events by following our Facebook page @TheQuair.

While the wider world can sometimes feel unsettled, focusing on keeping yourself healthy, supporting your neighbours and giving freely within your community can still make a meaningful difference close to home.

And finally, a small piece of Scottish folklore: washing your face in the early morning dew of 1st May is said to bring beauty, strength and prosperity for the year ahead.

Whether or not that proves true, it is a pleasant excuse to step outside early and breathe the fresh country air.

Whatever you choose to do this month, we hope you enjoy all that May brings to our beautiful corner of the world. r and Linda

Alistai

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair is an open-access monthly magazine and is delivered at the start of each month to all 7,350 business and residential addresses in Highland Perthshire. That’s the PH8, PH9, PH15, PH16, PH17 and PH18 postcode areas.

Copies for visitors are also made available each month from our dispensers in Pitlochry, Killin, Aberfeldy and Kenmore. The extra print run is dependent on the normal fluctuating seasonal demand from visitors and tourists. As well as being a Community Magazine, The Quair is an excellent source of information for our visitors.

We also produce The Crieff and Comrie Quair. Each month, between the two magazines, we print an average of 15,000 and deliver more than 13,500 copies directly to homes and businesses throughout Highland Perthshire and Strathearn.

Local voluntary groups and organisations may submit articles, free of charge. All contributions are carried subject to space being available. We ask that any article reaches us by email by the specified copy date, is factual, non-political, under 400 words, and not likely to offend.

The copy date for the June 2026 edition is noon on Wednesday, 13 May. The magazines are due to be distributed the week commencing Monday, 1 June.

4

Lewis Anderson Painting & Decorating • Interior • Exterior • Wallpapering • Ames taping Free estimates Fully insured Tel: 07954 105409 andersondecorating34@gmail.com

Fortingall Village Hall - £5 Drop in Lunch

Join us for lunch on Thursday, 14 May at Fortingall Village Hall.

Choice of main course, tea/coffee and a cake for just £5.

12noon to 2pm (last orders 1.45pm).

No need to book, but if you wish, email fortingallhallevents@gmail.com or 01887 830322 5

Pitlochry Rotary - We are deeply concerned by the UK government’s decision to withdraw financial support from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This comes at a critical moment in the global effort to eliminate polio once and for all. Cutting funding now risks undermining decades of progress and could have serious consequences for global health.

Rotary International pioneered the vision of a polio-free world. Our members have contributed extraordinary levels of funding, volunteer effort, and advocacy, and we remain fully committed to eradicating polio as our organisation’s foremost humanitarian priority. The UK has long been a key partner in this mission, and its withdrawal represents a significant setback at a time when sustained commitment is essential.

You can read the full statement on the UK government’s decision here: www.rotarygbi.org/statementuk-government-polio#EndPolio End Polio Now Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland Footnote - Concerns have also been raised domestically. Critics, including Rotary Great Britain and Ireland, note the troubling timing of the decision, given that the polio virus has recently been detected in London’s wastewater. Although the UK was certified polio-free in 2003, after nearly twenty years without a domestically contracted case of wild polio virus these recent detections highlight the importance of continued vigilance and sustained global action.

This spectacular sixteenth century castle, restored by the Menzies Clan Society welcomes visitors. Seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years and importantly situated, it was involved in the turbulent history of the Highlands and here Bonnie Prince Charlie rested on his way to Culloden in 1746. Architecturally fascinating, it is a splendid example of the transition between earlier rugged fortress and later mansion house. Castle Menzies stands north of the River Tay at Weem on the B846, one and half miles from Aberfeldy.

As a charity, every penny spent at the Castle remains at the Castle as part of our conservation work

Open Daily until 31st October 2026 Please check our website for admission costs and up to date opening times www.castlemenzies.org ‘Kids go Free’

Castle Menzies 6

Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir - The choir are busy preparing for their performances at two local Mods in June. The Oban Mod takes place on Saturday, 6 June, when members will travel to Oban for what should be an enjoyable first time outing for the new songs being rehearsed. The Aberfeldy Mod takes place the following week, with the children’s Mod on the Friday and adults on Saturday, 13 June. The Saturday afternoon concentrates on choirs, with six choirs attending this year. After the final competitions on the Saturday afternoon, the choirs will make their way to the square for a massed choir performance. This is always an event well attended by both locals and visitors and the choirs enjoy the relaxing atmosphere after an afternoon of performing for the competitions.

The choir will continue the weekly practices with a few days off during the summer.

They have been invited to sing at the Scottish Game Fair in Scone Palace on Saturday, 4 July, which should be an enjoyable day out for members and families alike. In September they will travel to Aberdeen for the Aberdeen Mod, then the highlight of the choir year takes place in October, when the Royal National Mod will take place in Glasgow. At the National Mod, Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir will be competing with other Gaelic choirs from all over Scotland and further afield. Choirs vary immensely in their musical and language ability and Aberfeldy always makes its mark within their competitions.

The choir meets weekly in the Lesser Town Hall on Wednesdays at 7.30 pm and anyone interested will be assured of a warm welcome. A knowledge of Gaelic and music reading is not a requirement as excellent tuition is given by the Musical Director and Gaelic Tutor.

For further information, contact John Duff: 01887 820217

S

U Y LL A A C D TO

Highland Perthshire’s Go to Landscaping Company Let us design and install your next project, working closely with you on all aspects from hard landscaping to planting the soft finish.

ALEX BUTTER LANDSCAPING LTD

West Countlich Farm, Kindallachan, Pitlochry PH9 0NW Email: info@alexbutter.co.uk | Tel: 01796 482 614

www.alexbutter.co.uk

INTEGRATED GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Visit us at the Green Energy Hub The hub of all things renewables, Our expert team provides friendly, informative advice to guide you through green energy solutions.

Discover renewable energy systems that match your unique lifestyle, budget & property needs.

HOW WE CAN HELP

96 Atholl Rd, Pitlochry PH16 5BL

GET IN TOUCH

SOLAR PV

HEAT PUMPS

www.rwbellgreenenergy.com

BATTERY STORAGE

ELECTRIC HEATING

info@rwbellgreenenergy.com

EV CHARGERS

MVHR

01796 514 869 7

Pitlochry Golf Club Opening Day all and the winner this year of the Captain Congratulations to John Anderson and The Pitlochry Golf Club held their opening match of the season on Saturday, 28 March. We had an excellent turnout and the players had to contend with four seasons weatherwise - rain, snow, sun and wind. Despite this a good time was had by

Everyday Movement & Strength A physiotherapist led online exercise class

A weekly online exercise class designed to support strength, balance, stamina and everyday movement in a safe, supportive way.

Suitable for independently mobile adults living with health or long-term medical conditions, or anyone who prefers to exercise from home. *Functional, everyday movements *Low-impact exercise *Small, supportive groups Tuesdays | 9.30 am to 10.30 am Live online (via Zoom).

07833 516 585

carol@embodyperthshire.co.uk @EmbodyPerthshire2025

v Vice Captain match was the Vice Captain’s Team.

Alan Henderson won the McQueen shield for the losing Captain’s side with a net 69 and David Jobson won the Torrdarroch Trophy for the winning Vice Captain’s team.

Yvonne Watson was the ladies’ section winner for the Captain’s side and Janette Kennedy won the ladies’ section for the Vice Captain’s side.

A big thank you to the Red Deer for the lovely meal provided afterwards and to the greenkeepers for the amazing condition of the course at this early stage.

Best wishes to everyone for a successful season ahead.

We are a very welcoming club and we have such an amazing course here in Pitlochry, so anyone wishing to join should get in touch with the Secretary of the Club by emailing secretary@pitlochry golf.co.uk or follow us on social media.

Pitlochry Bowling Club

Give bowling a go - The first three sessions are free then membership is reduced to £45 pa for the first year. Visiting players are welcome 11 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm Monday to Friday and 2 pm to 4 pm on Sundays (£5 per session). Equipment supplied.

Winter competitions - Niel Haggart won the Indoor Singles, Andy Reid was the runner-up. Our new President, Kevin Walsh and Andy Reid won the Killiecrankie Cup, Alex Anderson and Brian McClure were runners up. The Indoor Pairs champions were Niel Haggart and Debbie Shand (her first trophy), runners up were Evelyn Humphries and Brian McClure.

8

Valerie Wilson who were appointed Honorary President and Honorary Vice-President in recognition of their years of dedication to the Club.

Quiz Night - 7 pm for 7.30 pm on Saturday, 16 May. The bar will be open, £10 per team, maximum four in a team.

Friendly coffee mornings - With home baking 10 am to 12 pm every Monday (£4).

Thursday hat nights - For players of all abilities 6.30 pm for 7 pm, bar open, entry £1.

Social nights - Every Friday; bar opens at 7 pm (social membership £35 pa).

Venue hire - Hall and kitchen (£12.50 per hour), bar (£25 per event).

Contact - Katie Kerr, secretarybowling@ iCloud.com 07739 475848

Tayside and Strathearn Help For Ukraine

We would like to thank everyone who has been so generous! I refer to the two occasions when many people gave us donations after performances by the Ukrainian Opera Company and National Orchestra who gave us all such joy in the concert hall in Perth last month. At our first coffee morning of the year held in Dunning, we were astounded to raise so much money.

All these events help pay for our charity to send fortnightly lorries full of what our Ukrainian partners say they desperately need.

One additional item is protection over shattered windows in the form of thick polythene sheeting.

Another practical idea has been to make Trench Candles, using small tin cans, corrugated cardboard and melted wax. Last month 8 volunteers made 100 candles using the above, donated items. These are already in Ukraine.

Another candle making session will take place soon, so please take them to Blythswood, the collection point in Crieff.

MacDonald Brothers Aberdeen Angus Beef • Perthshire Lamb & Venison • Award winning Steak Pies UK CHAMPION SAUSAGE ROLL MAKER 2011/2012 & 2013 Full traceability from farm to plate NEXT DAY DELIVERY ANYWHERE IN MAINLAND UK

Free delivery to your door anywhere in Highland Perthshire

6-8 Bonnethill Road Pitlochry PH16 5BS

12 Bank Street Aberfeldy PH15 2BB

Tel: 01887 820310 www.macdonald-bros.co.uk

Tel: 01796 472047

3 King’s Place Perth PH2 8AA 01738 501950 studioeastarchitects.co.uk 9

Perthshire Pet Cremation t

Local family business based on our family farm serving Perthshire and beyond Providing professional individual cremation services for all your cherished pets

07522 174883 01738 718578

perthshirepetcremation.co.uk

DON’T FORGET ABOUT SCOTLAND’S ANIMALS

DONATE TODAY • We are separate from the RSPCA who cover England and Wales only.

• We receive no government funding.

Please help us care for Scotland’s animals scottishspca.org/support 0800 52 00 695

SCOTTISH CHARITY NO. SC 006467

Warm Connections - Summer is just around the corner. The following are a few quick and easy ways to save energy.

Flow Temperature - On your boiler you can turn down the temperature of your hot water and the water flowing to your radiators; if you do this the boiler will work less hard, and be more efficient.

Heating - Traditionally many of us would turn our heating off for the summer, though sadly our much more varied weather patterns due to climate change perhaps require us to be a bit more flexible and be happy to turn the heating on during a colder week in late spring, but equally to turn it off or down during warmer winter weeks.

Tariffs - This may be the time of year to switch tariffs. Many energy companies allow you to switch tariffs within their own products, so it may be more economic to switch away from a ‘time of use’ tariff, or if you have solar panels searching out a tariff with a higher export rate for the summer when you are likely to be selling more of the power you make.

Get that work done which will make a difference next winter - We often have plans to make changes ready for winter so now is the time to get that underway. Warm Connections draught proofing measures supplied and fitted for free. We are offering a couple of hours, free of charge, to come and do some draught proofing and make some improvements to help your home be warmer next winter. Stopping draughts really makes a difference.

Oil and LPG support - The Scottish Government has released support to help cope with oil and LPG prices; it is means-tested but please get in touch if we can help. www. homeheatingadvice.scot or phone 0800 048 7413.

If you would like help with the big steps or the little ones, Anna and Tom at Warm Connections would be delighted to chat. Remember, our advice is completely free and there is no catch. 07759 404980, www.warmconnections.net, advice@warmconnections.net.

Free home fire safety visits - Is your home safe from fire? Last year there were over 3,000 accidental house fires in Scotland, most of which were preventable. That’s why the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is offering FREE Home Fire Safety Visits quick, friendly visits that give you practical, potentially life‑saving advice. Who’s most at risk? *Older adults *People with mobility, sensory or memory challenges *Anyone affected by alcohol, drugs or smoking *Homes with high levels of clutter *People who smoke while using medical oxygen or emollients. If this sounds like you - or someone you care about - don’t wait. Book a Home Fire Safety Visit here: www.firescotland.gov. uk/contact-us/home-fire-safety-visits.

Dalguise Meditation Group - Do you have to be already fit to join a gym? Of course not. And you don’t have to be already calm, focused and full of loving kindness to begin to meditate. Quite the reverse, in fact, because those are some of the qualities that a meditation practice can help you to develop.

Whether you are completely new to meditation, or have an established practice, you are welcome to come to our meetings. These take place on the first and third Tuesdays of every month, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm in Dalguise Village Hall. Meetings are on Tuesday, 5 May and Tuesday, 19 May. We enjoy sitting and walking meditations, discussions and refreshments. There are no charges, no formalities, and no religious affiliations - what we do is decided among our members. But always the intention is to develop awareness, clarity and concern for others.

If you aren’t able to attend in person, you might nevertheless be interested in going on our mailing list. Members receive thought-provoking and helpful compilations about meditation and mindful living, in the weeks between live meetings. If you would like to know more about our meetings or about meditation in general, please do contact: faithanstey@gmail.com.

10

• Tree surgery - Pruning, Removal/ Felling & Emergency call outs • Log splitter hire • Wood chipping • Stump grinding • Hedge trimming • Tree inspections & surveys

for home and garden hand made in Aberfeldy using local oak and ash

Qualified Insured Professional

Tel: 07516 221 710 www.evolutiontreecare.co.uk

Croftin Mhor Curtains, Blinds, Soft Furnishing & Design

Lynn Elder

Designer/Seamstress Pitlochry

Tel: 07789 226591

www.croftinmhor.co.uk lynn.elder@yahoo.co.uk Facebook@croftinmhor

WWW.ANGUSROSS.CO.UK

HIGHLAND HOLIDAY HOMES HIGHLANDPERTHSHIRE PERTHSHIRE HOLIDAY HOMES

Self‐Catering Luxury Holiday Homes Located in the Highlands Self‐Catering Luxury Holiday Homes Located in Perthshire the Perthshire Highlands

HIGHLANDPERTHSHIRE PERTHSHIREHOLIDAY HOLIDAYHOMES HOMES HIGHLAND

A handpicked portfolio of beautiful 4 and 5 star self‐catering properties in and around the Aberfeldy and Kenmore areas.

A handpicked portfolio of beautiful 4 and 5 star self‐catering properties inthe and around theHighlands Aberfeldy and Kenmore areas.

Self‐Catering Luxury Holiday HomesLocated Located Perthshire Highlands Self‐Catering Luxury Holiday Homes ininthe Perthshire

www.highlandperthshire‐holidayhomes.com handpickedportfolio portfolio beautiful44and and5 5star starself‐catering self‐cateringproperties propertiesininand andaround aroundthe theAberfeldy Aberfeldyand andKenmore Kenmoreareas. areas.

AAhandpicked ofofbeautiful www.highlandperthshire‐holidayhomes.com www.highlandperthshire‐holidayhomes.com www.highlandperthshire‐holidayhomes.com

Holiday Letting Management Services

Holiday Letting Management Services

Penfold Property & Lifestyle Management

Penfold Property & Lifestyle Management

 We assist second home owners in the PenfoldProperty Property&&Lifestyle Management Penfold Management  We assist secondLifestyle home owners area, from pre‐purchase advice to in the  We We assist second home owners inthe the ongoing assist second home owners area, from pre‐purchase advice to property management. in area, from pre‐purchase advice to area, from pre‐purchase advice to ongoing property management.  Services include: caretaking visits, ongoing property management. property management. ongoing Services include: visits, on‐site management ofcaretaking emergencies  Services Services include: caretaking visits, and include: caretaking visits, key‐holder services on‐site management of emergencies  Full services include: marketing, on‐site management emergencies on‐site management ofofemergencies booking Fullservices services include: marketing, liaison, Full include: marketing,  Our service can be tailored to suit and key‐holder services changeovers and day to administration, guest and key‐holder services and key‐holder services booking administration,guest guest booking administration, your needs and to ensure your  Our service can be tailored to suit day caretaking. liaison, changeovers and day to  Our Ourservice service canbe betailored tailored tosuit suit insurance can to liaison,changeovers changeoversand andday dayto to liaison, requirements are met. your needs and to ensure your day caretaking. yourneeds needsand andto toensure ensureyour your your daycaretaking. caretaking. day insurance requirements are met. insurance requirements areyou, met. requirements are met.

If you would like to find out more about our servicesinsurance or how we may be able to help

 Full management service for owners HolidayLetting LettingManagement ManagementServices Holiday Full management service forServices owners  Optional advice and/or set‐up service  Full management service for  Full management service for owners  to Optional and/or set‐upowners service achieve advice maximum potential  Optional advice and/or set‐up service  Optional advice and/or set‐up to achieve maximum potential  Aberfeldy based, established 11 service years to achieve maximum potential to achieve maximum potential  Aberfeldy established  Full servicesbased, include: marketing,11 years  Aberfeldy Aberfeldy based,established established 11years years booking based, administration, guest 11

please call Angela Penfold on 07887 926347 or by email at angela@penfoldproperty.com If If you would like to find out more about our ourservices services orhow howwe wemay may be able to help you, youwould wouldlike liketotofind findout outmore moreabout aboutour beable abletotohelp helpyou, you, If you services ororhow we may be please Penfold on 07887 926347oror orby by email angela@penfoldproperty.com pleasecall callAngela AngelaPenfold Penfoldon on07887 07887926347 926347 by email angela@penfoldproperty.com please call Angela email atatat angela@penfoldproperty.com 11

Fowlis Wester Village Hall

The Village of Fowlis Wester will be taking part in this year’s Scotland’s Gardens Scheme on Saturday, 6 June from 1 pm to 5 pm. There are over 8 gardens taking part offering an eclectic collection of large and small gardens. Come and have a wander around the village, take in the Pictish Cross in the 13th century church and enjoy a cuppa and home baking in the Village Hall. There will also be plants for sale.

The nominated charity for this is Trellis (Scottish Charity No. SC037429) whose mission is to support people to improve their health and wellbeing through gardening, plants and nature.

Summer Open Garden Sunday 31 May 12-5 pm £5 Adult Cash or Card Children Free Dogs on Leads

Scavenger Hunt Teas in Stables Prize Draw

All Proceeds to BBC Children In Need

Garden also open on Sat and Sun in May & June 2-5 pm

Children’s

Festival of Imagination Saturday 18 July 2026 Directions: PH7 3NQ ///inherits.scuba.corals www.abercairny.com

12

Elevate your living space with bespoke floor and upholstery care We keep your floors, carpets and upholstery in excellent condition, so whatever life throws at them, they stay looking their best and are something you can truly take pride in

Specialist carpet cleaning; Upholstery and fine fabric cleaning; Leather furniture cleaning & repairs; Floor tile & grout cleaning; Natural stone floor cleaning & sealing; Amtico & Karndean cleaning & sealing; Marble & limestone floor polishing. t: 08000 463422 m: 07789 007072

e: info@hydrokleenscotland.co.uk w: www.hydrokleenscotland.co.uk

13

Lifting the weight of debt in Highland Perthshire

Feeling weighed down by debt? CAP Highland Perthshire can help you. CAP (Christians Against Poverty) offers free, confidential appointments in your own home, providing practical solutions to your debt.

Accredited by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), our services are available to everyone. We make no judgement on clients; we simply help you find a workable debt solution, and we offer to walk with you on your journey to being debt-free.

Linda’s story - Fifteen years ago, my whole world fell apart through no fault of my own. I was in debt up to my neck, or that’s what it felt like, though it was only £3,000. And then a friend phoned and told me there was a way out with CAP (Christians Against Poverty) in Highland Perthshire. I thought, ‘Why not speak to them; nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ The CAP Debt Centre Manager, Angela Hanvey, explained how the CAP system worked. I needed time to think and speak to my family and then I decided to work with CAP. Unfortunately, the only realistic option for me was bankruptcy which I didn’t want to do, but I had no other choice. It was simple enough, but heart-wrenching. But I was finally free of debt, and it was such a weight off my shoulders. I was even able to save using the CAP system. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Thanks so much to Angela and my support worker who has since become a really good friend.

Our new Debt Centre Manager is Helen Kirkwood from Pitlochry. To take the first steps out of debt, call the free CAP UK debt helpline number on 0800 328 0006.

Alternatively, check out CAP’s website for more information: www.capuk.org Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert.com, highly recommends CAP as a top, free debt service. He says that, while many organisations can help you deal with debt, ‘If you can’t even cope with thinking about

your debts, as opposed to needing someone to help you to know what to do with them, I’d go to Christians Against Poverty’.

Check him out on YouTube: www.capuk. org/connect/more/video/241517924 Heartland Film Society - Heartland Film Society presents The Teacher’s Lounge on Sunday, 17 May at The Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy. When Carla Nowak, a dedicated sport and maths teacher, starts her first job at a high school she stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. Carla tries to mediate between outraged parents, opinionated colleagues and aggressive students, but is relentlessly confronted with the structures of the school system. The more desperately she tries to do everything right, the more the young teacher threatens to break. A smart and provocative modern parable with the heart of a thriller, The Teachers’ Lounge brilliantly uses its setting as the backdrop for a look at how quickly even tight-knit communities can be destabilised.

Tickets available from The Birks Cinema.

Rannoch Community Council

Rannoch Community Council (RCC) has now been re-established, following an EGM hosted by PKC on 6 April.

The RCC area covers from Rannoch Station in the west, north to Corrievarkie Lodge, bounded by the Glen Lyon Munros in the south, to just beyond Dalmore in the east.

RCC will meet bi-monthly on the 3rd Monday of ‘odd’ months, either in Kinloch Rannoch village, Georgetown Hall (Bridge of Gaur) or online, with additional meetings if needed.

Until a website is set up, RCC will publicise their meetings, agendas and minutes on the Facebook page “Rannoch Community Council”, and notices of meetings via the ‘Rannoch News’ email system.

The next meeting will be held at Georgetown Hall at 7.30pm on Monday, 18 May. 14

Please use Rannoch’s DRT bus service for transport if needed - 01882 633 398 or 07971 540 282 Contact Rannoch Community Council by emailing rannochcc@gmail.com

The Baha’i Faith

The local Baha’i community were recently invited to send two representatives to a ‘Roadshow’ at the Primary School in Blairgowrie commissioned by the Scottish Government. They hope to hold ‘Interfaith Roadshows’ in primary schools all over Scotland to help address religious and racial prejudice at root by increasing student, parent and teacher consciousness of world faiths.

Members of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist and Baha’i faiths were present, along with Police Scotland who want this to go nationwide in an effort to stem bullying and hate crime.

Over 200 primary students were involved and asking some lively questions. Their particular interest was in the idea of the oneness of humanity and the need to treat one and all as equals. Parents and teachers took part in round table discussions with all the presenters, consulting on how to promote religious awareness and tolerance in the school. The most inspiring aspect of the day was the remarkable cross-section of people showing mutual respect and unity and a determination to make this effort count!

Queries on this event should be directed to your MSP, Police Scotland, or the two Aberfeldy Baha’is present, Mark Crenshaw and Rachel Burnett.

Sahaja Yoga meditation on Zoom

Discover the peace of true meditation. Sahaja Yoga offers a simple and natural way to experience inner calm, balance and selfawareness. Sessions are free, guided and suitable for complete beginners.

Every Thursday, 7.30 pm, online. No need to book; just join in. Everyone is welcome.

Zoom link: us02web.zoom. /j/4168216563 - Meeting ID: 416 821 6563 Find out more at www.SahajaYoga.org.uk.

EST.2009

PLUMBING DIVISION • 24 HOUR EMERGENCY CALL OUT • BATHROOMs supplied and fitted • UNDERFLOOR HEATING INSTALLATION • CCTV DRAIN SURVEYS • new WATER PIPES • BLOCKED drains • HOT WATER CYLINDERS • BURST PIPES

For Free Estimates Tel 01764 656031

Calll Today on 01738 638358

Glass Balustrades

Choice of styles and colours

Scotland wide installation

Spectraglass Ltd, Unit 2, Inveralmond Industrial Estate , Perth PH1 3TT Email: info@spectraglass.com | www.spectraglass.com www.spectraglass.co.uk 15

Councillor John Duff

Highland Ward - Conservative The UK Town of Culture competition, launched in January 2026, invites towns to showcase their cultural strengths, celebrate local identity and deliver programmes that boost pride, creativity and economic growth. I was delighted to support Pitlochry’s entry into this prestigious competition, which offers significant rewards, including £3 million for the overall winner. There can be few places in the UK which embody the unique combination of artistic and cultural brilliance, natural scenic beauty and inherent community spirit. As well as being the home of Pitlochry Festival Theatre - the Theatre in the Hills. It plays host to talent and events which punch well above their weight for a small town - events like the Enchanted Forest, the Highland Games and Highland Nights.

The recent opening of the Aberfeldy Sports Club marks a significant milestone for the community. The brand‑new £1 million clubhouse, built on the site of the former golf clubhouse, offers modern changing rooms, showers, meeting spaces, storage and a welcoming bar‑restaurant. This impressive facility reflects the shared vision and hard work of Aberfeldy Golf Club and Aberfeldy Rugby Football Club. It provides residents, local sports groups and visitors with a high‑quality hub that will support community life for generations to come. Congratulations to the Sports Club Board for delivering this outstanding achievement despite the many challenges along the way.

Pitlochry Station Bookshop is a remarkable community‑run charity enterprise and a genuine source of pride for the town. Founded in 2005, the bookshop operates on the railway station platform entirely through donated books, volunteer commitment and premises kindly provided free of charge by ScotRail. Thanks to minimal overheads and the dedication of its volunteers, the shop has raised over £500,000 for its six supported charities - an extraordinary achievement worthy of real celebration.

You can help the bookshop on its journey towards the next £0.5 million by donating good‑quality books you no longer need or by choosing it for your next great read.

Thank you to all the warm‑welcome venues for their kindness and care over the winter months. Their generosity has offered companionship, comfort and safety to many elderly and vulnerable residents during the darkest, coldest days, making a meaningful difference to our communities.

If I can be of any assistance to constituents, groups or local businesses on any matter, please contact me on jcduff@pkc.gov.uk, Mobile: 07826 908542 or Office Tel: 01738 475095.

Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group - If you would like to learn to play, or take up a second instrument, DB Trad Group runs classes for whistle, guitar, fiddle and accordion with a focus on learning traditional Scottish music.

Classes are in small groups lasting half an hour, are completely free and we provide instruments free of charge for members to take home and use. Suitable for ages P5 to S6.

If you’d like to join one of our bands, we welcome accordion, string, wind and brass players, guitarists, pianists, percussionists and more to join our musical adventures.

All run on Mondays during term time, based at Birnam Arts.

Group lessons - 4 pm to 6 pm Junior band (P5-S2) - 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm Senior band (S3-S6) - 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm As always, huge thanks for making our group possible go to SSE Renewables, National Lottery, 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 community who have generously donated money and instruments.

For more information: dbtradgroup@gmail.com 07958 324766 16

Pitlochry Town & Country Club

Having completed a very successful and well attended winter session with a most interesting visit from Jennifer of The Perthshire Gallery in April, the Club will now prepare a new syllabus for our next session starting on Thursday, 17 September in the Aldour Community Hall. Look forward to seeing you there.

Hare Coursing - Hare coursing is a UK

wildlife crime priority and an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is committed by a small number of individuals, who travel far and wide to indulge in this illegal activity. It is predominantly a seasonal crime, occurring during the spring as crops emerge into fields and during late summer and early autumn when the crops have been harvested.

The persons involved in this antisocial activity will use lurchers, greyhounds and whippet dogs which hunt by sight and are normally walked across fields on slip leads and are released when any hares run off.

Anyone who wishes to report this type of crime please contact police on 101.

Highland Perthshire Community Orchestra

If you would like to join a community orchestra, open to adult musicians of all abilities, please scan the QR code and fill in the survey, or send an email to perthshirecommunityorchestra@gmail.com.

Blair Atholl Golf Club - And we’re off!!

Blair Atholl GC Gents enjoying a wee dram to toast the course, which is looking fabulous, then Niel Haggart fired off the first drive of the 2026 summer season.

Golf is a great way to stay active, meet new friends and enjoy time outdoors.

If you are contemplating starting as a beginner or as a returning golfer, find out what we are up to at Blair Atholl GC these days by checking out our website www.blairathollgolf.co.uk.

Builders and Developers specialising in • New Builds • Extensions • Groundworks • Stonework • Patios

LTD

Free estimates.

Contact Glenn: 07919 382 615 Email: akghomes@yahoo.co.uk

Gatehouse Firewood Ltd Scheme No WS2739

Tel: 01887 820472

Ready to dried burn seasoned Kiln logs, hardwood and softwood kindling logs, coal, ovals,&peat & kindling burning peat

Woodlets WoodletsPellets Pellets in bags in 10kg 10kg bags www.gatehousefirewood.co.uk

Gatehouse Firewood is Situated 2 miles South of Aberfeldy on the Crieff Road (A826)

Scottish Parliamentary Election Thursday, 7 May 2026

Mid Atholl Community Council

If you would like to know more about what is happening in your community, access our minutes, or find the latest news on planning or other updates, please go to our website at: www.midatholl.org.uk or scan the QR code to right.

17

U

49 £

An Evening With...

er nd

s

13

-

EE FR

26.06.2026 PITLOCHRY

Supported by

For more details and tickets, visit:

www.heartlandfestival.co.uk 18

Scotland’s National Garden Show plus special guest

Friday 29th & Saturday 30th May

DOUGIE MACLEAN Sat 4 Jul 2026: 19:30

PLANTS | GARDEN DESIGN | COMPETITIONS OUTDOOR LIVING | MUSIC | KIDS ACTIVITIES CHEF DEMOS | EXPERT SPEAKERS | LIVE MUSIC FOOD & DRINK | LIFESTYLE EXHIBITORS Come along to this wonderful day out for all, right here in Perthshire

SCAN TO BOOK TICKETS

01738 621031

perththeatreandconcerthall.com 19

Pitlochry Baptist Church

Atholl Road, PH16 5BX Pastor: Rev David Barrie (pastor@pbcweb.net) www.pbcweb.net Sundays - Our Worship Gathering is usually from 10.30 am but on Sunday, 10 May, due to the cycle race, our worship gathering will be at 6 pm instead. If you’re exploring faith or looking for a place to call home, come as you are and join us. We also run a full programme for babies to teenagers. We look forward to welcoming you.

For the children during term time *Stay & Play babies and toddlers group Wednesdays 10 am to 12 pm *Friday Night Youth Club: 6.30 pm to 8 pm for primary 4 pm to 7 pm and 8 pm to 9.30 pm for secondary. *Pitlochry Youth Café for secondary pupils Tuesdays 3.30 pm to 6 pm during term time.

Other notices - *The Storehouse (Pitlochry Community Foodbank): Dropin Monday 10 am to 12 noon. Contact: thestorehouse@pbcweb.net *Pitlochry Bereavement Companions Café: Saturday, 30 May 10.30 am to12 pm in the church centre. *The Soup Lunches on a Friday have stopped until October but keep an eye out for our Summer Specials.

Check us out on our website or Facebook or Instagram for up to date information.

Jehovah’s Witnesses - Kingdom Hall, Moness Terrace, Aberfeldy. Would you like a lift to the hall? Do get in touch. The meetings include talks and discussions.

Sunday, 3 10.30 am, Thursday, 7 7 pm Sunday, 10 3.30 pm, Thursday, 14 7pm, Sunday, 17 10.30 am, Thursday, 21 7 pm, Sunday, 24 10.30 am, Thursday, 28 7 pm.

Jehovah is the name of Jesus’ father; to witness is to share the truth.

Enjoy a study of the Bible at your convenience - 07802 753193. See more at jw.org

www.thequair.scot

Loch Tay and Glenlyon, Church of Scotland

Minister, Rev Joanne Foster 07591 254652 Email joannefoster@churchofscotland.org.uk Weekly worship is at 10 am in Fortingall church.

Sunday, 3 May - Easter 5. Sunday, 10 May - at 6 pm. Celebrating the good life. (No service in the morning, due to Etape) Sunday, 17 May - Christian Aid Worship Service. (Service conducted by Alex Towns) Sunday, 24 May, Pentecost Sunday. Sunday, 31 May, Trinity Sunday.

We invite you to join us in tea, coffee and fellowship after the service.

Dunkeld Parish Church

Services in Dunkeld Cathedral, Little Dunkeld Kirk and Amulree Church Sunday Worship - 11 am in Dunkeld Cathedral (until Remembrance Sunday) 11 am in Little Dunkeld Kirk (from Remembrance Sunday until Easter) Amulree Church - Services at 2.15 pm on the third Sunday of the month (Sunday, 17 May). Visitors and children are always warmly welcomed at any of our services, and all are invited to stay for tea and coffee after the service.

Stepping Stones - At the 11 am service, children can leave after the first hymn and go for activities in the Chanonry, just down from the Cathedral.

Prayers for Help and Healing - The next services of Prayers for Help and Healing will take place at 6.30 pm on Sunday, 3 May in Little Dunkeld Kirk.

Messy Music - Meet in the Duchess Anne on Wednesday, 6 May 4 pm to 6 pm for craft and music activities followed by a family meal. To find out more, please contact Hazel Murch on music@dunkeldcathedral.org.uk.

Christian Aid Week - Sunday, 10 to Saturday, 16 May. There will be the usual second-hand book sale outside the Duchess Anne on 8 and 9 May, and 15 and 16 May. Donations of books can be left at the Meeting Place on Friday mornings or in the food-share hut in front of the Duchess Anne. Please come along and support the sale.

Reflective Walks - Two short walks have been created going to some significant sites around Dunkeld and Birnam. They both start and end at Dunkeld Cathedral. The shorter walk (about 1½ hours) goes across the bridge and along the Tay up to St Mary’s Church and back to the Cathedral. Along the way we pause at various points for prayer or reflection. The longer walk (2½ hours) goes as far as St Colme’s well and back down along the river to the Cathedral. Ideal for walking groups and other church groups. The longer walk is on slightly rougher ground (though not bad) while the shorter walk is easier. These can be arranged at a time to suit your group, so if you would like to book a walk visit the Dunkeld Cathedral website and click the ‘Pilgrim Walks’ tab.

Rev. R. Fraser Penny, The Manse, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld PH8 0AW. Tel: 01350 727249. Email: minister@dunkeldcathedral.org.uk Please check our website for further information: www.dunkeldcathedral.org

You can find all of The Quair advertising details at our website by scanning the QR Code to the left and view our Facebook page by scanning the QR code to the right 20

Award winning local family business for all your painting and decorating needs

Quality Painting & Decorating Since 1959

GET READY FO

• Interior and Exterior • Residential Painting and Decorating • Commercial Painting and Decorating GET READY FOR • Wallpaper Installation GET READY FOR • Murals Installation with • Hand Painted Kitchens GET READY FOR

Christmas

Christmaswith

Christmas

01764 484033 or 01738 313277 hello@borthwickdecorators.co.uk www.borthwickdecorators.co.uk

Christmas with

D D D with

D dows

dows

dows

o quality cuisine catering freshly prepared to your individual needs

RDH

LOCKSMITH

• BESPOKE OUTSIDE CATERING freshly prepared quality cuisine catering to your individual needs • CULINARY GIFTWARE • BESPOKE OUTSIDE CATERING

freshly prepared quality cuisine catering to your individual needs • PRESERVES freshly prepared quality cuisine catering & BAKING • CULINARY GIFTWARE

• PRESERVES & BAKING • DELICATESSEN to your individual needs • BESPOKE OUTSIDE CATERING • DELICATESSEN • HOMEMADE READY MEALS

• BESPOKE • HOMEMADEOUTSIDE READY MEALS CATERING

24 hour callout Perthshire

• FRESH BERRIES IN SEASON • CULINARY GIFTWARE

• CHRISTMAS NAPKINS • CULINARY GIFTWARE

• PRESERVES & BAKINGOrders now being taken

• PRESERVES & BAKING

Call - 07516 874012 Email - rdhlocksmith@hotmail.com

for Christmas Turkey & DELICATESSEN for Christmas Turkey & trimmings, Meat Joints •• HOMEMADE MEALS trimmings, Meat Joints HOMEMADEREADY READY MEALS and much much more from and much much more from •• FRESH BERRIES IN SEASON Dunkeld Butchers FRESH BERRIES SEASON DunkeldIN Butchers Orders now being taken •• DELICATESSEN

Facebook

You can see all of our advertising details, and read The Quair Magazines online, at www.thequair.scot

d ow s

now2DA being taken 13 Dunkeld Street Aberfeldy PH15 13 Dunkeld Street Aberfeldy PH15 2DAOrders 21

Orders now being Turkey & take 0 1 8 8 7 8 2091681867 8 2 9for 6 1Christmas 6 for Christmas Turkey & trimmings, Meat Joints and much much more from Joints trimmings, Meat

Rannoch Church of Scotland

Minister: The Reverend Joanne Foster Email: joannefoster@churchofscotland.org.uk.

Sunday, 3 May - Easter 5 Sunday, 10 May - 6 pm. Theme: ‘Celebrating the Good Life’ *(no service in the morning) Sunday, 17 May - Christian Aid Worship service Sunday, 24 May - Pentecost Sunday Sunday, 31 May - Trinity Sunday Please see our Facebook page for more information (Rannoch Church of Scotland).

The Scottish Episcopal Church

Part of the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane

Church telephone number: 01796 472005.

Our Rector, Liz Baker, retired at the end of April therefore during the vacancy contact the Lay Reader: Lesley Whitwood. 07584 291232. Email: lesleyw.hplc@btinternet. com. Website: www.hplc.scot. Facebook: www.en-gb.facebook.com/highlandperthshirechurches.

Episcopal Churches in Highland Perthshire - All are welcome at our churches and on Zoom. Check our website for updates.

Holy Trinity Church, Perth Road, Pitlochry Contact: Peter Wickes Email: pwickes77@gmail.com The Serenity Garden is open daily. The Garden group meet 11 am to 1 pm on Tuesdays. All are welcome to join in.

Sunday services - 9.30 am. 3, 17 and 24 May - Holy Communion 10 May, 6 pm.

Evensong Book Group - Contact Lesley Whitwood for details lesleyw.hplc@btinternet.com Kimaveonaig (St Adamnan’s Church) opposite the former Tilt Hotel, Blair Atholl. Contact - Mrs Lavinia Gordon 01796 481230 Kilmaveonaig is open daily.

Sunday services - 11.15 am. 10, 17 and 24 May. Holy Communion. 3 May - 10 am.

Matins or Service of the Word.

St Andrew’s Church, Strathtay, opposite the local shop in Strathtay. Contact Lesley Whitwood lesleyw.hplc@btinternet.com Aberfeldy Youth Group Work MatSunday services - 11.15 am. at 3 May.

ins. 11.15 am. 17 and 24 May. Holy Communion. 10.30 am. 31 May. Joint Charge service of Holy Communion together with the Church of Scotland.

Pitlochry linked with Blair Atholl & Struan Churches of Scotland

Minister: Rev Mark Foster (MFoster@ churchofscotland.org.uk)

Pitlochry Church

Session Clerk: Ginnie Wilkie 01796 472791 Website: www.pitlochrychurchofscotland. org.uk Sunday Services: Sunday worship is at 10.00am in Pitlochry Church.

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. Refreshments are served in The Tryst Lounge following the service. The joint service will be with Blair Atholl will be on 31 May. Community Care: This continues in The Tryst Lounge on Tuesdays from 10.00am - 2.00pm and on Thursdays from 10.00am - 3.00pm. If you, or anyone you know, would benefit from these activities, please contact the Community Care team at The Tryst for details.

Wednesday Coffee & Chat: Tea, coffee and biscuits from 10.30am till 12.00noon

22

in The Tryst Lounge. Everyone is very welcome to catch up with friends, neighbours and to meet new people.

Church Choir: Practices continue in The Tryst Lounge at 6.30pm on Wednesdays.

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

Church Office: The Tryst, for all enquiries 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.

Blair Atholl & Struan Church

Session Clerk: Harold Ingram 01796 481275 Sunday Services: Worship is at 11.30am in Blair Atholl Church. On 31 May the joint service will be in Pitlochry Church, We invite you to our Coffee Corner, in the church hall on Thursdays from 10:30am 12noon.

Quakers in Aberfeldy - A group of Quakers meet every third Monday in the Library Room at the Breadalbane Campus.

Please join us on Monday, 18 May and Monday, 15 June from 6 pm to 7 pm to share an hour of silent worship. Welcome to all.

What is important to Quakers? Simple, radical, spiritual. Quakers offer a simple spiritual path for today. They recognise there is something sacred in every person.

Living simply is a way to protect the natural world and share resources more fairly.

Quaker communities welcome everyone.

We celebrate our differences of background, sexuality and identity. Quakers challenge injustice and discrimination, speaking truth to power. We work for peace and aim to overcome the root causes of war and climate breakdown.

At a Quaker meeting people sit quietly together. Anyone may be inspired to speak. These times of shared stillness are where we find strength and inspiration.

Quakers recognise that spiritual truth is found in all people, cultures and religions.

Office

01764 652812 Mobile

07976 816155

1955 - 2025

FIREPLACES • WALLS DRYSTONE DYKES Free Designs & Estimates

Tim Childs

Telephone: 01796 474495 Mobile: 07759 902037 www.stoneworkspitlochry.co.uk

creating since 2002

Print Design ˚ Web Design Branding ˚ Illustration T: 07714 514 149 www.embgraphics.co.uk 27 Dunkeld St | Aberfeldy | PH15 2AA

MC ROOFING

SLATING • TILING • LEADWORK • SINGLE PLY

We do all kinds of roofing work.

Tiling, Slating, Single Ply, Flat roofs, Dormers, Guttering, Zinc Ridge System.

UPVC Fascia, Soffits, Lead Work, Cement Work, Lime Pointing M: 07354 303321 T: 01738 636961 E: markroof15@icloud.com www.mcroofingperth.co.uk 23

“Many thanks for all your work and our fab logo.

Both so happy with it!!”

R.B.-Oct 2023

Tenandry Kirk - Killiecrankie

Interim Moderator: Rev Neil Glover Session Clerk: Anne Randle mob: 07710 421974 Normal Sunday service at 10.30 am.

1st Sunday of the month.

Coffee/Tea following the service.

All Welcome

St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church

Perth Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 0BJ Serving Birnam, Dunkeld and surrounding areas Our main service of worship takes place at 10.00 every Sunday morning. It is a service of Holy Communion with prayers, readings, music and a sermon.

We are a family and child-friendly church. This service normally lasts for an hour and we hope you will join us. Check up to date information at www.stmarysbirnam.org.uk

Church of Scotland, Aberfeldy Area

Aberfeldy (SC007899), Dull and Weem (SC001465) and Grantully, Logierait and Strathtay (SC004275) Parish Churches.

Minister: Rev. Neil Glover. Email: nglover@churchofscotland.org.uk. Telephone: 07779 280074. PA: Judy Ewer. Email: judy. ewer@adwgls.org.uk. Telephone: 07836 565528

Regular Sunday morning worship

Dull and Weem Parish Church - 9.45 am. Please consult the website for current information on services at www.dullandweemparish.org.

Strathtay, Grantully and Logierait Parish Churches - 10.30 am. Please consult the website for current information on services at www.glschurchofscotland.org.

Aberfeldy Parish Church - 10.45 am. Please consult the website for current information on services at www.aberfeldyparishchurch.org.

We also offer a YouTube service from Aberfeldy Parish Church. Details can be found on the church website. This is a great way to stay connected if you are unable to be there in person.

First Sunday of the month - 10.30 am.

Joint service with Aberfeldy, Dull and

Weem, and Grantully, Logierait and Strath- church.org Dull and Weem Parish tay (GLS). See church websites for details. Church: www.dullandweemparish.org Grantully, Logierait and Strathtay ParChurch-based activities ‘Warm Welcome Café’ and Stay and ish Church: www.glschurchofscotland.org Play - Aberfeldy Parish Church on Tues- Dear Friends, day mornings. Tea and coffee, biscuits and Do you suffer from over-game-ification?

Game-ification is the technique that keeps baking. Stay and Play: 9.30 am you coming back to an app or website to 11.30 am (during term time by giving you a score… It could be the only). Warm Welcome Café: number of consecutive days you have 10 am to 12 pm. If you would solved Wordle, Facebook likes you have like to be involved in any way, accumulated or your Body Battery on your please contact judy.ewer@adwgls.co.uk.

Waddle & Quack - Wednesdays at 10.30 Garmin. These start out as a challenge but am. The pastoral team at Aberfeldy Par- turn into fixations. ish Church are meeting at the FeldyRoo We need bigger dreams than these. Last car park (by General Wade’s Bridge) for month I conducted the funeral of John a ‘Waddle’ along the riverbank or around McDiarmid, a truly inspirational man the circuit, where there are plenty of seats whose life touched so many in this area. to stop and ‘Quack’. Coffee and crispy John continually believed in big dreams bacon rolls will be available at the Ailean - his own and other people’s. Back in the Chraggan the ‘Chraggs’ for the ‘Waddlers 1970s he dreamt that this area could have and Quackers’ on their return. No need to its own swimming pool. The costs seemed book. Just turn up and see who else is there. impossible, but he and others worked tireAberfeldy Quilting Group - Ab- lessly to see this become a reality. How erfeldy Parish Church, Farragon many of you swam at the old Rec, the Room. Thursdays, 10 am to 2 pm. predecessor of the superb leisure facilities we enjoy today? These came from someContact: www.aberfeldyparishchurch.org Aberfeldy Prayer Meeting - Aberfeldy one having a big dream.

Parish Church. 4.45 pm to 6 pm every We humans are built for big dreams. This Wednesday in the Farragon room. All are marked the life of Jesus Christ - whose big dream was the Kingdom of Heaven - the welcome to come along.

Aberfeldy Alcoholics Anonymous - Ab- place where the unlikeliest and the furthest erfeldy Parish Church, Kitchen. 7.30 pm away were welcomed to feast at God’s tato 9 pm every Tuesday. Contact: 01887 ble. He gave his life for this dream. What is the dream that you hold, do not be afraid 820936.

Dull and Weem Chit Chat Café - First of its impossibility - give yourself to it and Monday of the month in the Macdonald see what wonders might come to be.

May God bless you, Neil Glover Room, Dull and Weem Kirk. For further Catholic Church Services in information please contact Liz Bruce at Highland Perthshire DullandWeemChurch@gmail.com.

Strathtay Coffee Break - The group St Columba’s Catholic Church - Birnam meets every Wednesday in the John Kyd (PH8 0BJ) Saturday Mass 4 pm Our Lady Hall, beside Strathtay Church, at 10.30 am. of Mercy Catholic Church - Aberfeldy All are welcome to come along and join in. (PH15 2AL) Sunday Mass 9.30 am St Strathtay Quilting Group - John Bride’s Catholic Church - Pitlochry Kyd Hall. 7 pm to 9 pm on the sec- (PH16 5AL) Sunday Mass ond and fourth Tuesdays of the month. 11.30 am. All welcome.

Contact: gls.churchofscotland@gmail. For any further information please contact: The Parish com.

Church website information - Aberfeldy Priest: stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese.

Parish Church: www.aberfeldyparish- org.uk 24

Pitlochry Community First Responders|Volunteers urgently required|Please apply now and help save lives in your community!

Pitlochry Community First Responders (PCFR) is a local non-profit charity.

We assist the Scottish Ambulance Service, who have First Responder groups across Scotland. All volunteers are fully trained by the Ambulance Service, and live or work in the community. Responders can attend certain serious medical situations, sustaining life until an ambulance arrives.

The ambulance control centre deploys the on-duty Responders when a local 999 call is received, which they will not be able to reach rapidly. Using their own vehicles, day or night, Pitlochry First Responders selflessly operate in the local area. We cover from Blair Atholl to Ballinluig, and are in contact with the Dunkeld and Aberfeldy groups to ensure good coverage.

This is an important, life-saving local charity, and we need everyone’s support in many ways! Most importantly, we are currently recruiting more volunteer First Responders. Responders are vital to the community, and your own lives could well depend on them one day.

No previous first aid experience is necessary as full training is given by the ambulance service. Responders need to be over the age of eighteen and have access to a reliable car while on duty.

Please scan the QR Code above for direct access, or visit our website for application forms for First Responders and our PCFR Friends group. Please share this information with others. Visit our secure website: www.pitlochryresponders.org or email us: info@pitlochryresponders.org. We need you, because you might need us! PCFR, saving local lives. Always call 999 in an emergency.

All types of Electrical & TV works

Installation, rewires, new builds, TV aerials, FREEVIEW, satellite dishes and FREESAT

Free estimates and advice, ABERFELDY BASED Tel Mike MacDougall 07718 122037 email: mmelec@hotmail.co.uk

Highland Perthshire Photography Group (HPPG)

HPPG meets at 7 pm in The Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy on the last Monday of each month. We invite all local photographers, whether beginners or more experienced camera users to join us to share experience and expertise at these friendly, informal get-togethers. We also hold themed workshops and host occasional inspiring talks to stimulate our own interests and skills development in different photographic genres - such as landscape, portrait, macro, street photography, as well as black and white and mobile phone photography. Join us for our photoshoot excursions to the wide range of wonderful places of photographic interest on our doorstep and slightly further afield. So why not see if the group is what you have been looking for to take forward and develop your photography - and exchange ideas and photographic tips and tricks with like-minded people in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Our next get-together in the Birks Cinema will be at 7pm on Monday, 25 May. Come along to find out more.

Pitlochry and Moulin Men’s Shed (PAMMS) - We meet weekly in the Men’s Shed, at 2 Burnside Rd (behind the lower Davidson’s Chemist) on a Tuesday at 2 pm to 4 pm. The Shed gives an opportunity for folks to work on projects and chat about experiences over tea, coffee and biscuits. Currently the Shed is developing a tool-library to support personal and community projects.

The Men’s Shed meets all year round. Formally, the Men’s Shed is a single gendered protected shared space and is 18+ We welcome new and old participants.

25

Chimney Sweeping Clean, Fast & Reliable

Telephone John McNulty 01796 472916 or 07867 585583

Chimney Sweep

Chimneys Swept Clean with No Mess Professional and friendly service throughout Perthshire Birds and Infestations Removed Chimney Pots, Cowls, Caps and Guards Fitted - CCTV Surveys Completed

Call Felix on 07581 490536

Dun Coillich

Where people and nature thrive Dun Coillich is a community-owned landscape regeneration and rural skills training project in Glen Goulandie. Highland Perthshire Communities Land Trust owns and manages the land for wildlife and the local community.

Prize-winning - Many congratulations to Tony Marshall, one of our apprentices from last year, who recently won a Lantra ALBA award for Environmental Conservation Learner of the Year.

Congratulations also to the Pitlochry High School Junior Rangers who won the Anna Murray Partnership Working Award for their innovative programme in which S2 pupils take part in 25 days of conservation, learning and volunteering across the Cairngorms National Park with a broad network of partners, including HPCLT. Welcome - A big welcome to two new Level 5 Modern Apprentices Fin and Coleby, and seven new rural skills trainees. We have been busy repairing footpaths and checking fencing after the winter, and we are now enjoying the arrival of spring as the hill bursts into life.

Get involved - There are many ways to get involved with the exciting work being done by our small charity: *Membership - costs £20 a year, and our members become part of our community. Further details at www. duncoillich.org/support-us-2025. *Come to an event - our summer public events will be listed here www.duncoillich.org/ whats-on *Volunteering - we meet every Tuesday to enjoy time outdoors doing something practical. *Become a trustee to help steer the work of HPCLT among a friendly group of fellow board members. *Business partnership scheme - a way for local businesses to give back to communities and the environment and support our work. We welcome Glen Lyon Coffee as our first business partner.

26

More information - Visit our website www.duncoillich.org to find out more about where we are and what we do, or follow our Facebook Group (Dun Coillich Community Land) for regular updates.

Aberfeldy Quilters - This is an amazing wall hanging being made by one of our newest members Dorothy. The flowers around the edge are being hand appliquéd on the very colourful block turned in order to make this bright and beautiful quilt.

Dorothy is determined to finish this stunning wall hanging which she started when we first went into lockdown.

The Dunkeld and District Strathspey and Reel Society

The Dunkeld and District Strathspey and Reel Society meet every Monday, during term time, in The Royal School of Dunkeld, between 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm, 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 that work within an orchestra setting.

There is the option to either join as full member, or just come along when you can and pay on the night. For information, or to learn more about our group, our website is www.dunkeldstrathspeyandreel.org

Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries

Breadalbane Community Library

Code Club - Held every Thursday from 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm. A weekly term-time coding club for children aged eight to 12.

Bookbug session - Held every Friday from 11.15 am to 11.45 am. An underfives activity session with songs, rhymes and stories.

Creative Writing with Open Book - Join the Aberfeldy Creative Writing Group with local author Linda Cracknell. All welcome.

Monthly on Thursdays 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

The next meeting is Thursday, 21 May. Breadalbane Heritage Society Family History Group - If you are looking for help to research your family history and create your family tree, the Family History Group may be able to help. Please contact Helen Stewart at helenstewart.bhs@gmail. com or get in touch with the library. Support sessions are held in the library and are by prior arrangement only.

Books on Wheels - For individuals who cannot get out and about to visit the library, including books in large print and audio formats. Please contact the library for further information.

Digital services - Free public access to computers, Wi-Fi, printing, wireless printing with Princh, photocopying and scanning facilities.

E-resources - Online library services are available 24/7 via www.culturepk.org.uk/ libraries or through the library app. Resources include e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, e-news and reference tools such as trove.scot, Theory Test PRO and Ancestry.

Opening hours - Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 10 am to 7 pm; Wednesday: 10 am to 6 pm; Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm; Friday: 10 am to 6 pm; Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm; Sunday: Closed Breadalbane Community Library, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy PH15 2FJ; 01887 822405; breadalbanelibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Chimney Stack Services Tel 01796 482646

Chimney Sweeping

CONTACT CHRIS FOR AFTER WINTER SWEEP AND STOVE ASSESSMENT. Mobile: 07547 281694 chrisfergus84@gmail.com

27

Wellness Walks

It’s tempting to hibernate over these winter months but we all know our brains and bodies will thank us for keeping moving and connecting with people, even if it means getting a bit wet!

Wellness Walks are here to help! With regular walks, little local ones and slightly longer days out there’s plenty of chance to keep walking towards wellness this winter.

Walks are always free, friendly, in small groups and led by our qualified and insured leaders. They’re never a route march and you’ll never be left behind!

Walks are planned from Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl and surrounding areas.

New walks are added regularly so be sure to check the website regularly. www.wellnesswalks.org.uk/region/ scotland

Our whisky shop has been synonymous with fine whisky, wines and spirits for over 60 years.

We have customers from all around the globe who visit our shop and website to grab themselves a nice bottle of Scotland’s famous spirit.

As well as whisky, we stock a huge host of world wines, spirits and beers as well as a comprehensive range of craft gins.

Become a Hedgehog Champion

Become a Hedgehog Champion with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society/Peoples’ Trust for Endangered Species. How long is it since you last saw a hedgehog? They are now officially classed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK. There are many reasons and it’s sad to think of such a fate for this unique and prickly little creature. Here are ways to help: *Link your garden with Hedgehog Highways *Create a wild corner *Make your pond safe with a ramp *Clear away netting and litter *Put out food and water *Stop using chemicals *Check before strimming *Be careful with bonfires *Make a home for hedgehogs *Become a Hedgehog Champion.

What’s a Hedgehog Highway? Since they travel between 1-2 km a night searching for food and a mate, a small gap in your fence the size of a CD case will let them pass through.

You can become a Hedgehog Champion by registering on www. hedgehogstreet.org/website, which has resources to make your garden a hedgehog-friendly zone.

Robertsons of Pitlochry, 44-46 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BX www.robertsonsofpitlochry.co.uk Tel. 01796 472011

Reid Tree & Garden Services • Tree felling, shaping & trimming • All other landscaping services available • Mono blocking, Patios & Paths laid • Pathways & drives gravelled • Slabbing and walls repaired or replaced • Fencing & Turfing • All types and sizes of trees supplied and planted - from 1m to 10m

Ear Wax Removal Service Perthshire, Angus and Fife

Home Visits Microsuction and Water Irrigation Contact: Rhona Findlay 01821 640453 07925 125506

For free estimates and advice telephone Mr.Reid: 0800 0432380/07766 012032

NHS Certified, BA, ADM, RGN, DipHE 28

Pardon?

Can you repeat what you said?

Your Local

Computer Experts Hearing loss can come as a surprise, but you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to help - why not give us a call and let’s hear better together?

Heartland Hearing HEARING CARE

SERVICE

SECURITY

HELP

APPLE

& UPGRADES

CHECK-UPS

& TUITION

& WINDOWS

&

WAX REMOVAL

Charissa Foster, Audiologist

Get in touch to arrange a call-out using the contact details below. Ask for Dave.

Pitlochry Business Centre, No. 4 Armoury Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5AP

01738 479 564

01796 473334

info@heartlandhearing.co.uk | www.heartlandhearing.co.uk

info@qwertyitservices.co.uk www.qwertyitservices.co.uk

heartlandhearingperthshire 29

heartlandhearingperthshire

How to Contract with Tradesmen rights, or alternatively go online to www.

In the current financial climate people are looking to save money wherever they can, none more so than when looking to get work carried out on their home, but the cheapest tradesman is not always the best!

Here is a list of DO’s and DON’Ts when contracting with tradesmen: DO ask for references and names of previous clients. Speak to them and look at their previous work, if possible DO make sure you have a sufficient contact details for the tradesman e.g. geographic address, landline telephone number DO get at least 2 detailed quotes in writing for the work needing to be done (3 quotes for larger jobs) and check that VAT is included in the final figure DO check any claims by the tradesman that they are a member of a trade association DO agree on the work being carried out and payment terms before the tradesman starts the job DO make sure you receive your cancellation rights if you enter into a contract/ agreement with a tradesman during a visit to your home or work - in most cases the tradesman must give written notice of your right to cancel the agreement DO have regular meetings with the tradesman if it is a building job to make sure everything is on track DO make sure you have any instructions and warranties for goods DO know your rights - contact Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 08454 04 05 06 if you have any queries about your

adviceguide.org.uk DON’T pay the final bill until the job is done and you are happy with the work you have the right to withhold a reasonable amount of money until the work has been done to your satisfaction DON’T rush into anything - take your time to make a decision on which tradesman to use DON’T agree to have work done on the spot by someone who knocks on your door touting for work especially if they tell you there is something wrong with your property Choosing a Care Service? The Care Inspectorate look at the quality of care in Scotland to ensure it meets high standards. Where they find that improvement is needed, they support services to make positive changes. *Their vision is that everyone experiences safe, high-quality care that meets their needs, rights and choices. *They inspect individual care services and Higher-risk services are inspected more often. *They give care services grades when they inspect them, and look at key areas like care and support, physical environment, quality of staffing, and quality of management and leadership. Each area of each care service is assessed on a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 in unsatisfactory and 6 is excellent. After every inspection, they publish an inspection report showing their findings, which is helpful if you are using service or thinking of doing so.

Find a care service - You can find the details of every registered care service in Scotland on their website. You can search by service name, location, service type and so on. You can also compare services. The information you will find about each service includes their quality evaluations and inspection reports, as they’ll as any complaints and enforcements.

Read their inspection reports at: www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/member-ofthe-public/4560-readourinspectionreports Taken from www.careinspectorate.com 30

The Quair in Killin

Copies of The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair are made available for tourists and visitors each month from our 8 outdoor dispensers in Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Kenmore and Dunkeld. As well as being a Community Magazine,The Quair is an excellent source of information for our visitors who go on to support our Advertisers and Event Organisers.

We are delighted to also have a Quair dispenser at MacGregor’s Community Hub in Killin for locals and visitors to be able to pick up a copy of The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair each month.

Although Killin sits in the Stirling Council area and has an FK postcode, Killin will always be part of Highland Perthshire and we are pleased to be able to share the wider news with the area each month.

Foulford 9 Hole Golf Course Par/SSS: 27. Course Length: 916 yards. Fancy a game of golf but short of time? Why not come and play Foulford Par 3 Course? Great fun for all the family amid the beautiful scenery of Highland Perthshire. No bunkers but lots of water hazards. Club hire available.

Address: Sma’Glen, by Crieff, PH7 3LN How to Get there: Five miles north of Crieff on A822.

Contact Details T: 01764 652407 e: foulford@btconnect.com

Self Catering accommodation available

Accountants & Business Advisors located in Pitlochry

ROOFING DIVISION

WE SPECIALISE IN SINGLE PLY MEMBRANE WITH A MINIMUM WARRANTY OF 15 YEARS

Get in touch e: hello@bkplus.co.uk w: bkplus.co.uk t: 01796 474370

• SLATING • LEADWORK • ROOF TILING • FLAT ROOF REPAIRS • CHIMNEY REPAIRS • GUTTER REPLACEMENTS • GUTTER CLEANING AND YEARLY ROOFING MAINTENANCE PACKAGES

26/30 Bonnethill Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BS

For Free Estimates Tel 01764 656031

NEBO Studio Paint Service Boiler replacement

Boiler Servicing

Bathrooms & Showerooms

General Plumbing Painter & Decorators Plastering (Interior/Exterior) Walls Papered, Linen Paper, Tape Joint ,Filling & Tiling Also....Maintenance Jobs - any type, Rough Casting, Earth Modelling, Coving replaced and any type of restoration.

One year free service on all new and replacement boiler installations!

Tel: 07885 426955 www.painter-decorator-aberfeldy.co.uk nebostudiopaintservice@gmail.com 31

Get Happier and Healthier at parkrun in Aberfeldy & Pitlochry Free, Friendly, and for Everyone

Dave Doogan MP

Angus & Perthshire Glens SNP

Spring is sprung and the grass is riz’… as we say in Scotland, and we are all much the better for it I’m sure. Signs of renewal are not just evident in our natural environment however but in our built environment in Aberfeldy too. The culmination of years of vision and determination was celebrated last month as the Aberfeldy Sports Club opened to the public. In truth one of my first appointments after becoming the MP for the new Angus and Perthshire Glens constituency was to meet on the demolition site with trustees to discuss funding blockages. I immediately set to work with the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on their behalf.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Club, as well as being an outstanding building built to the highest standards and one which will provide excellent facilities for the generations to come, stands as a testament to the Trustees who showed incredible resolve and determination in getting this project over the line. It’s easy to imagine a project of this nature, harder to give order or form to that idea and harder still to get the ball rolling. But real grit is needed when the curve balls fly in on top of the cost increases and the funding gaps, all of which were features of this project. I salute the whole Club on their achievement.

I was pleased to table Early Day Motion No 3007 in Parliament celebrating Aberfeldy winning the Sunday Times best place to live in Scotland award again 2026. It’s easy to see why judges found great favour in the quality of schools, the environment, broadband coverage, the local retail environment, thriving community capacity and cultural venues. A credit to communities throughout Breadalbane and the entrepreneurs who keep the economy moving and renewing year after year in very challenging circumstances.

Communities like Aberfeldy don’t ask for much so it’s important that when something is amiss we get it sorted as soon as possible.

To this end I have contacted Perth and Kinross Council to ask that they carry out an audit of life expired litter bins in the town.

These important elements of street furniture reflect on the town so when they are rusted out and ready to fall over, like the one on the corner of Bank Street and Crieff Road, we need to see them replaced as soon as possible.

If you are having any issues, with something you think I can help with, then please get in touch by emailing dave.doogan.mp@parliament.uk or calling 01307 804 185.

Do 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. In Scotland all events start at 9.30 am. 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 5km route.

Each parkrun has its own unique qualities. 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.

Our local parkruns are - *Faskally Forest, Pitlochry, which meets at Loch Dunmore, home of the Enchanted Forest. *Feldyroo Fitness Trail, which starts near Wade’s bridge in Aberfeldy. * Perth and Aviemore, if you wish to travel further afield. To find out more look at our web/Facebook pages.

KENMORE BAKERY

Homemade Shortbread and Biscuits Keith’s award winning tablet

Best Bakery in Scotland 2024

Bakers of Distinction

Come and see us!

We will be at

Aberfeldy Farmer’s Market Sunday 3rd May

Rob Roy Pitstop Honesty Shop Based at the Bakery and open 7 days; 9 am - 5 pm Open from Easter

Keith & Sheila Mitchell Easdale, Acharn, Aberfeldy, Perthshire Tel: 01887 830556 E: kenmore bakery@hotmail.com Facebook: Kenmore Bakery

Loch Faskally 32

JOIN OUR LOCAL MEMBERS EVENT Be part of something inspiring, • Watch our AGM live online, have your say and find out more about Co-op • Enjoy a delicious free lunch and an opportunity to meet other members

PITLOCHRY TOWN HALL, WEST MOULIN ROAD, PITLOCHRY, PH16 5EA SATURDAY 16 MAY, 9.30AM - 2.30PM

SCAN HERE

Book now at coopmemberevents.uk

www.simulatedgameshooting.com info@simulatedgameshooting.com Call Terry on 07899 856858 Drummond Estates, Estate Office, Muthill, Perthshire, PH5 2AA

Charlotte has retired from making chocolates for sale, but will continue to share her passion and knowledge about both chocolate and wild food through chocolate making workshops, chocolate tasting events and foraging walks.

There is a programme of scheduled events, but bespoke events can also be arranged, as well as working in partnership with others.

www.thequair.scot

For more information, contact Charlotte at info@charlotteflowerchocolates.com or telephone 01887 830307, or head to her website: WWW.CHARLOTTEFLOWERCHOCOLATES.COM 33

PERTH SCOTLAND

15-16 AUGUST 2026

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

AMELLE

ROWETTA

WWW.REPLAYFEST.CO.UK 34

The Arts Society Tayside - Our lec-

ture season at Birnam Arts continues and on 13 April, Elaine Hansen talked to us on Artists and Hill Towns, Le Marche, Italy. On Monday, 11 May, we look forward to hearing about an unusual side of one of our greatest novelists when Ian Keable speaks on Charles Dickens, Conjurer. On Monday, 8 June, Emma Johnson concludes our main lecture season for 2025-6 with Comedy Classical: How Composers Make Us Laugh.

We are approaching our summer house and garden visits season. On Wednesday, 20 May we travel to Arniston House and Rosslyn Chapel (trip now full). Plans are being finalised to visit Gleneagles House and garden in early June, and Kinross House and garden in early July; details will follow. For more information please contact tastvisits@gmail.com or pick up the information sheet at our next Birnam Arts lecture.

Our programme for 2026-7 is under preparation. We attended the Arts Society Directory Day on 5 March in London to identify new lecturers and lectures. The 2026-27 programme will include a special interest day on silver with Antiques Roadshow expert Gordon Foster in October.

The Arts Society Tayside is a not-forprofit, volunteer-run, society, dedicated to providing its members with enjoyable and approachable experiences in the arts, and supporting local good causes related to art.

Each year we offer our 300 members ten absorbing and accessible morning or afternoon lectures on the second Monday of the month at Birnam Arts on a wide variety of topics, as well as a range of house, garden and gallery visits and interesting addon days and lectures.

Please visit our website to see the full programme: theartssocietytayside.org.uk. You can attend the remaining lectures in our 2025/6 season as a guest for £10 per lecture or join us as a member for another adventure in the arts for our 2026/7 season, starting in September. contact us at tastmembership@gmail.com or 01350 724232.

Macintyre Wealth Management Ltd is a family-run business, established in 2018 by us, Andrew and Jennifer Macintyre.

We provide a comprehensive financial planning service, offering specialist face-to-face financial advice, tailored to you.

Our services include: • Retirement Planning • Investment Planning • Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning • Protection Planning • Cashflow Planning Contact us for further details.

T: 01887 377810 E: MACINTYREWEALTH@SJPP.CO.UK 1 KENMORE STREET, ABERFELDY PH15 2BL WWW.MACINTYREWEALTH.CO.UK Macintyre Wealth Management Ltd is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

SJP Approved 14/05/2025

Colin Andrew Smith Architect . Treetops . Dull . Aberfeldy . PH15 2JQ 01887 820815 . colin@casarchitect.co.uk . www.casarchitect.co.uk

YOUR LOCALLY BASED GLAZING COMPANY

G&J Glaziers Limited

• Single and Double Glazing Repairs • Safety Glass • Church Repairs • Perspex • Greenhouse Glass • Splashbacks • Picture Glass • Mirrors etc.

Tel: 07875 543844 & 07891 441706

All types of glass, glazing and replacing

Email: gandjglaziers@yahoo.com 35

you

DISCOVER

HIRING NOW

There’s no one type of person who thrives at Taymouth Castle Golf & Sport Club.

It’s the rich diversity of our individual personalities that makes every day here a new adventure. But we all share one thing. People are our priority.

VACANCIES Greenkeepers & Landscapers | Facilities Maintenance | Spa Housekeeping & Laundry Attendants | Culinary & Front of House Safety & Security Operations and more.

Full time, part time and seasonal positions available

DISCOVER CAREERS.TAYMOUTHCASTLECLUB.COM TO APPLY OR SET-UP JOB ALERTS

36

We invest in our team, our education, and our equipment to bring you the best dentistry, not the most.

10 Bank Street, Aberfeldy, PH15 2BB 01887 820441 www.andersondentistry.co.uk 37

Fowlis Wester Village Hall - On Saturday, 16 May we will be holding our annual charity plant sale and coffee morning from 9.30 am to 1 pm. This well-loved event sees visitors from far and wide attend to find the ideal plants for their gardens with help and advice from the plant ladies who grow all of the plants for sale. This year’s nominated charity is Blood Cancer UK (Scottish Charity No. SC037529) with 50% of the plant sale profits donated to them and 50% to Fowlis Wester Village Hall (Scottish Charity No. SC001195). Refreshments will be available inside the hall, including home baking, a raffle, a preloved book stall, and a cake and sweet stall.

Open 5 days a week (closed Wed & Thu) 9am - 4pm

Join us for

BREAKFAST, BRUNCH & LUNCH OR ROAST SUNDAY LUNCH

PERTHSHIRE’S HIDDEN GEM, THYME DELI IS LOVED BY LOCALS & DELIGHTS VISITORS. Thyme Deli is a speciality grocer offering a wide range of Scottish and local farm produce, as well as international favourites.

We also provide unique foodie gifts, hampers, a huge selection of cheese and charcuterie, and ideas for simple suppers - we’ve got you covered!

We can accommodate walk-ins, but recommend booking your table, epecially at peak times. Book your table online.

discover sensational scottish tastes

SCOTTISH CHARCUTERIE & SCOTTISH CHEESE TASTING EXPERIENCES Book your tasting experience online.

FARM TOURS at

COME AND MEET OUR RARE-BREED SHEEP, SHETLAND CATTLE, HIGHLAND PONIES, AN ASSORTMENT OF CHICKENS, GEESE & DUCKS! Farm Tours & Feed Round takes place at 10 am on Fridays and Saturdays and lasts about an hour. Book your tickets by 4 pm the day before your required tour.

There is a maximum of eight spaces available per farm tour. To avoid disappointment, book your space ONLINE. PLAN YOUR VISIT

We are situated just outside Aberfeldy on the Crieff Road, in an elevated position that provides amazing views over the Tay Valley.

B846

A827

A826

Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2EL

From North or South: From the A9 take the Ballinluig junction. Follow the A827 to Aberfeldy.

Drive into Aberfeldy, continue through the Town Square and on to a junction with traffic lights, turn left on to the Crieff Road A826. Keep going 2.5 miles, we are on the right.

ACCESSIBLE ACCESS

DOGS ON LEADS WELCOME

38

Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries - Pitlochry Library Bookbug session - Held every Thursday from 9.15 am to 9.45 am. Join us for songs, stories and rhymes for under-fives. Pre-booking for each session is essential.

Please contact the library to book a place.

Community knitting group - Meets every Thursday from 11 am to 12.45 pm. Whether you already knit or would like to learn, come along to our weekly group.

Everything you need to get started is provided.

Books on Wheels - For individuals who cannot get out and about to visit the library, including books in large print and audio formats. Please contact the library for further information.

Recycling - All libraries accept used stamps and batteries for recycling.

Opening hours - Monday: Closed; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 12 pm to 4 pm; Thursday: 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm; Friday: Closed; Saturday: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm; Sunday: Closed Pitlochry Library, 46 Atholl Road, Pitlochry PH16 2BX; 01796 474635; pitlochrylibrary@culturepk.org.uk Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries - Birnam Library Bookbug sessions - Held every Thursday from 10.30 am to 11 am. Join us for songs, stories and rhymes for under-fives. Pre-booking for each session is essential.

Please contact the library to book a place.

Books on Wheels - For individuals who cannot get out and about to visit the library. This includes books in large print and audio formats. Please contact the library for further information.

Recycling - All libraries accept used stamps and batteries for recycling.

Opening hours - Monday: Closed; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: Closed; Thursday: 5 pm to 7 pm; Friday: 12 pm to 5 pm; Saturday: 9.30 am to 12 pm; Sunday: Closed Birnam Library, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld PH8 0DS; 01738 459709; birnamlibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Pitlochry Community Action Trust

Working with our community, and in collaboration with Perth and Kinross Council and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, PCAT submitted Pitlochry’s application to become the UK Town of Culture in 2028.

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to contribute to the application - people of all ages and from all walks of life engaged with the process and put forward ideas and suggestions that were included in the submission.

This is a wonderful opportunity and whatever the outcome of our application, we know Pitlochry has a great story to tell that we want to share with the world!

In other news, trustees Stew and Norrie have tidied up the Moulin Burn at the revamped bus stop area on Atholl Road, it looks much neater - thank you to both of you!

We were pleased to welcome John Forbes from Communities Housing Trust and Campbell Hall from Perth and Kinross Council to our most recent Trustees’ meeting to talk us through the processes involved in delivering community-led housing for key workers.

Find out more about PCAT on our website www.pitlochryaction.org.uk or by following ‘Pitlochry Community Action Trust - PCAT’ on Facebook.

Live some of your

best life! at Pitlochry Care Home

Needing extra care needn’t mean peace and quiet. But we can arrange that too. It can mean living some of your best life.

Living life at Pitlochry Care home means care, kindness, safety and warmth, home-cooked meals, a brew, a blether - and all here for you in your community.

We’ll take care of everything you need to feel comfortable and truly cared for.

Come along for a visit - we’d love to meet you!

Want to take a look? Call Andrew on 01796 473280 or email manager.pitlochry@bcgcares.co.uk @BCG Caring

@bcgcares

t. 01738 254254 w. bcgcares.co.uk 100326 127 x 192 Quair Ad - BCG 39 Pitlochry Best life New image.indd 1

09/04/2026 10:26:01

The Birks is more than a cinema!

We strive to create memorable experiences that bring the community together. Our cinema and café are open five days a week (Thursday to Monday), and our café welcomes you six days a week (Wednesday to Monday).

Every week, we have regular classes and groups, which are free (donations welcome).

On Monday, we host a relaxed Chair-Based Exercise session followed by Knit & Knatter in the afternoon, and Chess Club in the evening.

On Thursdays, people are invited to gather upstairs with their own craft and projects for Craic N’ Craft - crafting and chatting! Our Lego Coding Club, for children with additional support needs, meets at 4.30 pm, and from 7 pm our much-loved Acoustic Music Night, where musicians of all levels come together to play a mix of traditional and favourite tunes.

Fridays start out with the Aberfeldy Sketchers group from 10 am to 12.30 pm in our upstairs space. All levels and ages welcome.

Friday afternoons we have a weekly stories group for older residents of the area, Feldy Folk Tales, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Then every Friday evening we have Board Games Night with a variety of games to choose from. .

Why not join our Book Club? Meet every second Monday of the month at 7.30 pm, choose books and chat about great reads.

Have an interest in photography? Want to make new friends? Come along to Highland Perthshire Photography Group meetings on the last Monday of each month at 7 pm and join them as they discuss walks, talks and local outings. Take your photography to the next level! Beginners and stu-

dents, all are welcome!

Our environmental film of the month will be Our Land on Monday, 25 May, 7.30 pm. Blending history with an eye on the future, Our Land charts the conflict, exploring the complex issues of access, custodianship and conservation.

Get ready to put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz Nights! On Friday, 1 May, at 7.30 pm, gather your friends and family for a fun-filled evening and a chance to win.

Gaelic Café session on Saturday, 2 May, 10.15 am. If you are interested in Gaelic culture, already speak Gaelic or are just learning, join our friendly group to chat or just listen to these inspiring and fascinating sessions!

Sunday, 3 May, 3.30 pm is our next Book and Film Blethers. This month we are screening The Tasters again. Based on the awardwinning, bestselling book At the Wolf ’s Table by Rosella Postorino. The Tasters reconstructs the true story of the women coerced into being food tasters for Adolf Hitler towards the end of World War II. Special events Thursday, 7 and Friday 8 May - 7.30 pm.

Kendal Mountain Tour. Handpicked selection of Kendal Mountain Festival’s award-winning adventure films, showcasing daring feats, breathtaking locations, and powerful stories of human resilience.

Saturday, 9 May - 10.30 am and 2 pm.

Animation Jam Workshops. Make your own Lego or 2D cartoon stop-motion animation. Perfect for 7 to12 year-olds. Tickets £7.50 for kids, accompanying adults (not mandatory) free.

Saturday, 16 May - 4.30 pm. CineCraft: Sunshine on Leith. Love classic film and working on a favourite craft project? Visit the Birks Cinema for a special crafting screening of ‘Sunshine on Leith’, where you’re free to practice your crafts and share the cinema experience with your fellow guests. Lights will be left on throughout the show so that

40

you can craft in comfort. - Sponsored by Healthiest Town.

Monday, 18 May - 7 pm. Art Appreciation Group. Meeting upstairs in our new space, and the first session topic will be the ‘liberation of colour’.

Sunday, 24 May - 1 pm. Fèis Thatha: Sunday Music Session. Play, learn and share traditional music. No session experience required, and all levels and instruments welcome!

Tuesday, 26 May - 7.30 pm. Deiseil: Dancing in Time. Performing at the Aberfeldy Town Hall, a vibrant sharing of the joy and energy of stepdance and the music and song attached to it. All ages welcome Friday, 29 May - 6 pm. Tapas Night - prebooking essential Friday, 29 May - 7 pm. Author Event Earthworks: Voices in the Landscape. Celebrating the publication of Karen Lloyd’s new book by bringing her together with Polly Pullar and Linda Cracknell. Reflect on wildlife, natural habitats, and our place in the natural world.

Volunteering opportunities - Bring your love of community, people and cinema to life by volunteering with us. If you would like to know more, email volunteers@birkscinema.co.uk.

The Field Dunkeld & Birnam March was a month of seed sowing, mainly 6000 odd leeks, in over 20 repurposed fish boxes in our small polytunnel at the field.

It sounds simple but our method involves layering up our own field compost mixed with some sand and loam, covering this with purchased potting compost, soaking and then sowing onto a layer of purchased sowing compost. Some of you may know that leek seeds are tiny and black so it’s a dark art handling these! The emerging baby leeks are cosseted till they are ready to stay happily outside in their nutritious

layered compost till we can plant them out.

Broad beans are popping up, again inside in boxes. Their plot is almost ready to receive them. This year the oyster catchers have chosen this plot for their nest. We work around them. We are not their problem.... crows and rooks are. So hopefully they will survive the corvid harassment and successfully raise their chicks this year.

It’s not all work and no play though at the field. We felt the joy of play again as we got to grips with building obelisks from willow grown at the field to support this season’s flowers.

When we began growing at the field fourteen years ago, there was no fruit and vegetable shop in Dunkeld.

Now there are three market gardens, all trying to grow without pesticide and artificial fertiliser. ie Little Trochry farm, The growers at Spittalfield and the Murthly walled garden producing for the Taybank and eventually the Birnam Hotel.

We are delighted that soil is being cared for and nutritious food produced close to home. That is so wonderful, especially in the future economic climate where food security will become a crucial issue.

Historic Dunkeld, aka the Archive, have been active at the field. A geophysical survey of the St Jerome chapel site has been completed. The ambition is to open a couple of investigative pits beneath the oak trees.

Should their hoped for grant funding come through, further exploration will be made on the field itself, enabling children and adults to develop their archaeological skills.

An ash tree affected by ash dieback near the car parking area had to be felled without obstructing the road or damaging vehicles. What an impressive job the young female tree surgeon made of dismembering the 40 foot high tree safely!

Thank you for your support. We hope you feel we all are doing our bit to support a healthy planet. Perhaps your friends might like to support us too? If you would like to join us you will find a membership form is on the Dunkeld field website - www.dunkeldfield.co.uk.

Best wishes from the Trustees

J. W. LANG

PAINTER & DECORATOR

• • • • • •

Interior and Exterior Kitchens and Bathrooms Tiled Floors Tiled Coving & Cornices No job too large or small Fair Trades Registered Free Estimates

See our website at www.jwlang.co.uk

Rowan Brae, Faskally, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5LA Tel: 01796 472494 Fax: 01796 473685 Mobile: 07800 577259

CUNNINGHAM CARPETS 2022

• Carpets • Vinyl • Hard flooring • Rugs • • Domestic & Commercial •

We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4:30pm

FREE Estimates, Planning & Fitting (small charge for bathrooms) 11 Kenmore Street, Aberfeldy 01887 829636 also Blairgowrie 01250 872376

10.00amto to2.00pm 2.00pm -- Mezzanine Mezzanine level, level, Birks 10.00am Birks Cinema, Cinema, The The Square, Square,Aberfeldy Aberfeldy st st

Sunday of of the the Month 11 Sunday Month from from April April “Craftmade, Traditional, Contemporary, “Craftmade, Contemporary, Unique,Traditional, Bespoke, Scottish.”

Unique, Bespoke, Scottish.”

Quality gifts and presents from and presents in andQuality aroundgifts beautiful Highlandfrom Perthshire in and around beautiful Highland Perthshire

For further details contact For further contact Lynn Shilp details on: 01887 830 620 or Email: lynn@breaghaglass.com Lynn Shilp on: 01887 830 620 or Email: lynn@breaghaglass.com 41

IN ABERFELDY

INLEGS AUCHTERARDER WHERE AND FEET MATTER WHERE LEGS AND FEET MATTER GREGOR McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS GREGOR HCPC McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS REGISTERED HCPC REGISTERED ROUTINE CHIROPODY WALKING/RUNNING INJURIES ROUTINE CHIROPODY

See our advertising details at www.thequair.scot

ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER WALKING/RUNNING INJURIES LEG/FOOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER OFFIZONE, KENMORE STREET, LEG/FOOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT ABERFELDY, PH15 2BL 206 HIGH STREET, TEL: 07932 725211 AUCHTERARDER, PH3 1AF

Chris Mitchell Landscapes Professional Company Based near Aberfeldy

EMAIL:TEL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com 07932 725211

• Garden and Grounds Maintenance • Landscape Design and implementation • Specialising in Indian Sandstone Patios • Full array of professional machinery suitable for all garden works and tree and log splitting services

www.grmpodiatry.co.uk EMAIL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com

For a free Consultation please phone Chris on 07988 965949

Horizon Lunch Club, Aberfeldy www.grmpodiatry.co.uk On a plate

Horizon Lunch Club, unique in Highland Perthshire, is about to celebrate twenty years offering hearty meals to our senior citizens. From our beginning, accommodated and gathering support at Dalweem, we moved to the Town Hall in 2011 providing a 3-course lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 pm to 1.30 pm.

More than a lunch service, Horizon has always sought to promote a caring, safe place

where friendships, experiences and memories are shared and enjoyed. And any excuse for celebration - birthday, local event or wider, festive occasion.

Our improved, extended accommodation allows for the provision of 24 places. Led

by Anne Duff, the team of volunteers are on hand offering a choice of menu, cooked and prepared on site. After lunch, when our customers have departed either by their own transport or our taxi service, any concerns about individuals may result 42

in us seeking agreed assistance from other local organisations - simple issues of care.

We delight in seeing many regular customers, quick to share the latest gossip, enjoy the regular Bingo and frequent Raffle draw.

There’s always room at the table for those wishing to extend friendships. Please contact Anne on 07789 977037 for more information. We look forward to seeing you.

Wanted - Volunteers required please, to help plant trees at Coshieville, by Aberfeldy Please call 01887 820911 for further details

The Antonine Guard is Marching 9th & 10th May See proud officers, mighty legionaries, auxiliaries from distant lands, and formidable artillery!

From their local encampment see The Guard March to The Crannog Centre Village and you become involved in what ensues…

A family friendly weekend of living history.

Summer Opening Times Museum and Iron Age Village Open: 10am - 6pm Last guided tour of the museum: 4pm Cafe Open: 9.30 am - 5.30pm The Scottish Crannog Centre, Kenmore, Dalerb, PH15 2NX

www.crannog.co.uk +44(0)1887 440231 info@crannog.co.uk 43

Crannog build update - The Crannog build is in full swing and the eight-person team are working hard towards the grand opening at the end of May. With the wall plate complete with a cracking curved oak lintel donated from the A9 motorway felling, the focus is now moving towards placing four more awkward radials which will span from the mid to the inner concentric circle, bracing the posts. Once in place this will allow the builders to begin lifting rafters to form the structure of the roof in time for the thatchers arriving at the beginning of May. Squirreling away in the background is work completing the outer ring of tangentals which will support more horizontal radial timbers from the outer to the mid ring and above which will rest the decking. The bridge is quickly heading towards being complete with vertical diagonal bracing under the walkway and handrails being fitted, creating a majestic avenue for visitors to walk out and view the remaining work on the Crannog. The build is estimated to have taken over 20,000 human hours!

Diligent, professional and highly-organised Private Housekeeper seeking a long-term live-in position, full or part-time, with private household/estate.

Keen eye for detail with a calm, proactive approach.

PVG -registered.

Tel: 07730 030024

e

To 2 p o T

Manicures & Pedicures OPI and Lacquer Lash Lift - A natural lash treatment designed to lift and enhance the natural lashes and improve the appearance of the eye area.

AnnetteTel:Macdonald , 07736 384035

IIR MAR

www.top2toeaberfeldy.org.uk top2toeaberfeldy@gmail.com

LOU RADFORD BA (Hons), MBAcC

Acupuncture Member of the British Acupuncture Council

Acharn Clinic, Altchoaran, Acharn, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2HU Appointments & enquiries Note: new phone number! 0777 177 3599

Library of Innerpeffray - A warm welcome awaits you at the Library of Innerpeffray, where our team of visitor guides can help you turn the pages of our historic collection and be enveloped in tales of past times. Our 2026 exhibition, Signs of the Times, explores the myriad uses of signs and symbols within the books of our collection. From books on mysterious subjects such as heraldry, emblems and allegory, to the history of printers’ marks and fine decorative bindings, this exhibition is a real visual delight.

Dates for your Diary

Saturday, 30 and Sunday, 31 May - Exploring the Frozen South. Talk and mini exhibition about the life and exploits of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Situated in Innerpeffray schoolroom, the exhibition affords the opportunity to view maps and texts from one of the Library’s most recent acquisitions - a pristine copy of ‘Heart of the Antarctic’. On Saturday afternoon, we are delighted to welcome Roderick Wordie - grandson of James Wordie, geologist with Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ expedition - to give an illustrated talk inspired by extracts from his grandfather’s log. The exhibition will be free to view Saturday 10 am to 1 pm, and Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm. The talk will be at 2 pm, Saturday, 30 May. Tickets are £12 and are available to book online.

Wednesday, 1 July - The Three Inch Fools: King Arthur and the Holy Fail. 7 pm. The ever-popular Three Inch Fools outdoor theatre company are back once more at Innerpeffray. In a land of daring quests, dashing knights, and endless jousting, there lived a would-be hero waiting in the wings who went by the name of Arthur.

Saddle up - things are about to get legendary! Tickets available online. Adults £20, Family £60, Under-18s £12 and Under-5s free (but please still book a seat).

Friday, 7 to Saturday, 8 August - Innerpeffray Summer Fayre. Friday/Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Gladden your heart with a browse of our Summer Fayre in the schoolroom, with unique gifts from the Library alongside carefully curated stalls from local artists and makers. Free entry, refreshments available.

These are just a few of the events we have lined up for the season ahead - look out for our notices every month in The Quair to find out about more talks, concerts, fairs, workshops, our annual festival and a special exhibition that we have planned.

The Friends of Innerpeffray Library will also have their annual programme of events, which will be announced here. You can also find our full, up-to-date programme on the ‘What’s On’ page of our website.

From March to October, the Library’s regular opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm. Contact us on 01764 652819 or visit our website at www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk for more details.

Kinetic Chain Release can ease symptoms and bring rapid, lasting relief from many chronic conditions.

Suitable for all ages.

Hayley Carruthers KCR Practitioner T: 07775668302 E: b2b@matchett.co.uk back2balancepitlochry 4A DUFF AVENUE, PITLOCHRY, PH16 5EN 44

The Courtyard Shop, an independent retail hive of activity within the Mains of Taymouth Estate in Kenmore. We have a Deli and Gift Shop and offer a vast range of products from the local area, including our gourmet fudge which is made right here in the shop.

Painting division • Exterior and interior painting • TAPING AND filling • plastering • Wallpaper hanging and removal • Paint stripping • Residential Jobs • Outdoor power washing

Mains of Taymouth, Kenmore, Perthshire, PH15 2HN 01887 830756

For Free Estimates Tel 01764 656031

info@taymouthcourtyard.com www.taymouthcourtyard.com

CutzNcuddles - Aberfeldy Dog Grooming Services We cater for all breeds and sizes Fully insured and Professionally qualified Pet first aid trained

PerthFect Blinds Quality Blinds You Can Afford

Vertical Blinds and Replacement slats

Venetian Blinds

and Wooden Venetian

SPECIAL OFFER

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE Verticals Selected Range

Roller Blinds and Vision Rollers

Services include - Full Grooms / Puppy grooms, Bath and Dry Price depends on size, breed and coat types Extras include Pawdecure, facials, Mud baths

Appin Place, Aberfeldy

Tel. 07568 404923

Roman Blinds Perfect Fit Blinds In Venetian, Wood Venetian, Roller and Pleated

Pleated Blinds VELUX Blinds

Contact Bruce: 01738 448284 or 07587 097126 - 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday

45

Comrie Heritage Group (CHG)

To mark the installation of the new roof to the museum, CHG recently held a celebration for those who have given us so much support. The wonderful baker at Cultybraggan café created a magnificent cake - topped with a Nissen hut! The state of the roof meant that the museum had to be emptied for the winter so the building had to be cleaned and displays installed before the reopening on 3 April. One artefact on display is a Red Cross report from June 1945 which provides a fascinating insight into conditions. There were 3,661 prisoners, of whom 60 were members of the SS. Of these, 218 were in the infirmary at the time, with conditions including impetigo, bronchitis and heart trouble. Specific observations - Bedding: 1 sleeping bag and 1 blanket have been issued to each prisoner.

Sanitary installations: latrines are waterborne system. Hot and cold showerbaths.

Only sufficient to enable one hot showerbath per man per week. Food: Compound B on date of visit. Breakfast: porridge, marmalade. Dinner: cabbage, potatoes, meat (Eintopf). Supper: bread, margarine, cream cheese, tea. Clothing and uniform: issues complete apart from socks and trousers. Religious activities: no Protestant Chaplain in camp. Services held from time to time by British Chaplain. There is a Roman Catholic Chaplain. Each compound has a library and a theatre group. There is musical activity in three compounds and some musical instruments have been made

by PoWs. Radios: only two are now in use.

Correspondence: almost no incoming mail for present inmates. Educational activities: 35 in total including architecture, mechanics, driving, political economy, nature study, commercial training and Russian.

The museum at Cultybraggan Camp is open Thursdays to Mondays (inclusive) from 10 am to 4 pm. Whilst there is no entry fee, donations are welcome. Suggested donations for guided tours of the camp: adults, £10; children over 10 years, £5; educational visits, £2 per head; groups of more than 12 adults, £8 per head. To book, contact: comrieheritagegroup@gmail.com

Aberfeldy Drama Club Thrift Shop 2026

Sunday, 3 May - Feldy in Flower Wednesday, 6 May - RDA Sunday, 10 May - Heart of Scotland Herb Society Sunday, 17 May - Aberfeldy Bowling Club Sunday, 24 May Kenmore in Bloom Sunday, 31 May - Air Ambulance Sunday, 7 June - NT Feldy Crew Sunday, 14 June - Breadalbane Reading Rooms Sunday, 21 June - Breadalbane Canoe Club Sunday, 28 June - Maclean Hall, Fearnan Sunday, 5 July - Aberfeldy Tennis Club Sunday, 12 July - Loch Tay Hikers Sunday, 19 July - Grandtully Primary School Sunday, 26 July - Kenmore Primary School Sunday, 2 August - Weem Church Sunday, 9 August - Camserney Hall Sunday, 16 August - Museum Group Sunday, 23 August - Aberfeldy Rugby Club Sunday, 30 August - Autoimmune Diseases Support Group Sunday, 6 September - Fortingall Roots Sunday, 13 September - St Andrew’s Church, Strathtay Sunday, 20 September - Breadalbane Strathtay Youth FC Sunday, 27 September - Rotary Sunday, 4 October - The Eating Disorder Recovery Unit Sunday, 11 October - The Birks Cinema Trust Sunday, 18 October - Aberfeldy Farmers Market Sunday, 25 October - St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Strathtay Sunday, 1 November - Breadalbane Community Larder Sunday, 8 November - Rescue Donkeys Sunday, 15 November - Amulree Village Hall Sunday, 22 November - Gamekeepers Welfare Trust Sunday, 29 November - Aberfeldy Scouts Sunday, 6 December - Community Choir Sunday, 13 December - Men’s Shed.

Please contact Hazel Kennedy on tomvale7@gmail.com for any queries.

Bring Back The Smile to Nepal - Over 11 years on from the Nepal earthquake of 25 April 2015, Bring Back The Smile to Nepal continues to support long-term recovery through education: women’s health initiatives: women’s enterprise projects and wider community development.

We offer engaging talks for community groups, organisations and schools, sharing real stories from our work on the ground and the impact these programmes are having.

If you are looking for an informative and inspiring speaker, we’d be delighted to visit.

To book a talk, please contact Anna at bringbackthesmiletonepal@gmail.com.

You can also get in touch via our social media platforms. (Scottish Charity No. SC045923) PADS - PADS (Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society) is a well-loved, long established local dog rescue charity with kennels at Forteviot, a few miles south-west of Perth. Our aim is to provide care and shelter for the county’s unwanted dogs and to find them new loving homes. Our kennels, which were renovated in recent years, can house up to thirty animals in warmth and comfort.

See www.padsdogrescue.com for further information.

Pitlochry Litter Action Group (part of Pitlochry in Bloom) - During the summer Pitlochry is busy with visitors from home and abroad who come to see our lovely town.

It would be a shame if their visit were spoiled by unsightly litter in the streets and open spaces. If you agree that it is important to keep the town clean and tidy do join our team of litter pickers. All equipment is provided including 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 am in the recreation ground car park. The next litterpick is on Tuesday, 12 May. We would like to thank those residents of Pitlochry who are not members of the litterpicking group and who also pick up litter when they see it. We know you do this and we are very grateful.

Everyone taking part does so at their own risk. For further information contact Catherine Holmes (c.p.holmes47@btinternet.com) 01796 473400.

46

JBR Roofing JBR Roofing

are a family-run business experienced in providing a wide range of roofing services.

• Peace of Mind • Tiling • Quality Workmanship • Slating • Sarnafil Contractors • Excellent Value for Money • Excellent Customer • Firestone Rubber Service Roofs • Reliable Company • Lead Work • All Work Fully Guaranteed • Roof Repairs • Roughcasting

• Bathroom Renovations and Design • Wet Rooms and Waterproofing • Tiled Floors/Walls • Installations and Repairs Schluter Registered Installer Accredited Member of The Tile Association

Tel 01738 717014 • 07478 921275 • 01764 679493 w: www.jbrroofingperth.com e: jbrroofingsco@gmail.com

Freedom

Personal Assistants Est. 2009

FULL SECRETARIAL & ADMIN SERVICES For Individuals & Businesses Including: • Copy & Audio Typing • Digital & Analogue Transcriptions • Powerpoint Presentations • Excel Spreadsheets • Marketing & Desktop Publishing • Website Management • Short or Long Term Contracts • One-off Projects • Virtual and On-Site Services AND MUCH MORE

For a professional & confidential service, please call Michella for more details

07977 222271 michella@freedom-pa.com www.freedom-pa.com 47

PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT & MAINTENANCE

TRADE SERVICES

JOINERY WORK / ALTERATIONS, KITCHEN AND BATHROOM RENOVATIONS, FLOOR AND WALL TILING, HARDWOOD / LAMINATE AND LVF FLOORING, ELECTRIC UNDERFLOOR HEATING INSTALLATION, DECKINGS, LOFT CONVERSIONS, GENERAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORKS

Call Mike on 07730 031112 or email: mike@mscarry.co.uk Kenmore, Loch Tay | Est. 2014

Vale of Atholl Pipe Band Highland Night The Highland night is held in the Recreation Ground, Pitlochry every Monday night between 25th May 2026 and the 7th September 2026.

If it is wet, the event is held in Pitlochry Town Hall.

Gates open at the Recreation Ground at 7pm.

Drive In - Free Parking in the Field Featuring: Pipe Band, Scottish Music and Songs, Highland and Scottish Country Dancing Admission Prices: Adult £10, Child £3

Sam Decorating Free Quotes Services I offer all aspects of interior and exterior decorating - including wallpaper hanging.

Self-employed with over 40 years of experience.

Mobile: 07737 792402 Email: sammcrobbie53@gmail.com

Birnam Arts: Concerts & Events • Café • Shop • Gallery • Beatrix Potter

Station Road, Birnam PH8 0DS - 01350 727674.

Tickets and full details online at www.birnamarts.com Continues to Sunday 3 May - 10 am to 5 pm daily. Fragile: Moths, Life Systems & Us exhibition. Free. Presenting the findings of artist Jan Hendry’s project investigating moth species across Scotland.

Thursday, 14 May - 8 pm to 10.30 pm. Talisk. £22* Talisk have been tearing apart stereotypes and redefining the genre for almost a decade. With over 15 million streams and 10,000 albums sold worldwide and sell out shows across five continents - from Paris to New York, London to Tokyo, Glasgow to Vancouver - alongside headline appearances at festivals across the world, the Scottish trio have amassed a global, die-hard following.

Friday, 15 May - 8 pm to 10 pm. Kammerphilharmonie Europa. £23/£15 (under 26). The Kammerphilharmonie Europa gives a guest performance in Birnam Arts for this very special concert. The ensemble is made up of some of the most talented musicians from across Europe who tour and perform around the world with award-winning soloist Cyrill Gussaroff (trumpet).

Thursday, 21 May - 10.30 am to 1 pm. Macramé Plant Hanger Workshop.

Join us for a fun and relaxing macramé workshop, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned crafter.

Tuesday, 26 May - 2 pm. Warm Spaces: Free Film. A Chorus Line. Complimentary light lunch at 1 pm for the first 15 people to arrive. No booking required.

Saturday, 30 May - 8 pm to 10 pm. Gnoss. A theatre-based workshop that provides an opportunity to move, to play, and to make a space for radical creativity and self-expression without judgement. See BA website for Booking Link.

See website for workshops and more: Birnamarts.com / 01350 727674 *Denotes Booking Fee Earthworks: Voices in the Landscape - Friday, 29 May, 7 pm. Birks Cinema - To celebrate the publication of Karen Lloyd’s new book Earthworks: Land and Nature in Uncertain Times, the Birks Cinema brings her together with two local writers - Polly Pullar and Linda Cracknell - to reflect on wildlife, natural habitats, and our place in the natural world. Their combined writing across non-fiction, fiction, and memoir shows diverse ways of engaging with nature and importantly, exploring human capacity for positive change into the future.

There will be readings, chat and opportunity for audience questions and book purchase.

Crieff & Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst Walking Festival

The dates for this year’s walks are Friday, 15 May to Monday, 18 May 2026.

Already around 20 walks have been identified with at least half being the popular linear walks, made possible by the continued and appreciated support of minibuses from PKC. The access to minibuses allows the inclusion of walks that might otherwise be difficult to coordinate, with the start point and finish being miles apart. Linear walks next May include Bridge of Orchy to Pubil along Loch Lyon and the old Drovers’ route from Kirkmichael in Strathardle to Ballinluig, south of Pitlochry as well as along Glen Almond from Newton Bridge to Loch Tay. Details of the walks are at www.droverstryst.com) 48

You can find us on Facebook

Aleksandra Jarzabek - HCPC and CSP member

Place your order today!

Our services include: • Physiotherapy & rehabilitation • Massage Therapy • Shockwave Therapy • Dry cupping therapy • Compression Therapy and many other treatments......

62 King Street, Crieff, PH7 3AX Mobile: 07856 105584 Email: jarzabek.aleksandra@gmail.com Fully insured 49

Useful Numbers Pitlochry & District

Pitlochry Community Hospital 01796 472052 infinity Blu Dental Practice 01796 470001 Pitlochry Tourist Information 01796 472215 Heartland Vet Services 01796 472201 Live Active Atholl 01796 473866 Pitlochry Theatre 01796 484626 Heartland Hearing 01796 473334 Atholl Eyecare 01796 516085

Useful Numbers Dunkeld & Birnam infinity Blu Dental Practice Mr Peter Greig PS, BDS Birnam Arts The Dunkeld Vet

01350 729198 01350 728826 01350 727674 01350 729270

Anderson Dentistry Aberfeldy Optician Locus Centre Heartland Vet Services

01887 820441 01887 829756 01887 829187 01887 820771

Useful Numbers Aberfeldy area

Highland PerthshireSchools

Breadlabane Academy Reception 01887 822300 www.breadalbane.pkc.sch.uk/BA/ Breadalbane Community Campus

01887 822400 www.breadalbane.pkc.sch.uk/BCC/ Pitlochry School 01796 474666 Pitlochry School absence line 01796 474699 Royal School of Dunkeld 01738 454470 www.royaldunkeld.pkc.sch.uk Grandtully Primary 01887 822499 Logierait Primary 01796 474646 Blair Atholl Primary 01887 822491 Glenlyon Primary 01887 822477 Kenmore Primary 01887 822430 Other Useful Numbers NHS 24 111 Police Scotland 101 Flying Smiles Mobile Dental Hygienist 07812 055724 Perth Citizen’s Advice 0808 196 9440 Pitlochry Recycling Centre Bridge Road Thursday to Monday 9am - 4pm Last entry 3.45pm

Bankfoot Recycling Centre Stanley Road Tuesday & Thursday 9 am - 7 pm Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Highland Perthshire Politicians

MSP - Perthshire North Election Thursday, 7 May 2026 MP - Angus and Perthshire Glens Dave Doogan MP 01307 804 185 Local Councillors - Highland Ward Xander McDade 01738 475000 Mike Williamson 07810 814495 John Duff 07826 908542 Local Councillors - Strathtay Ward Grant Laing 01738 475023 Claire McLaren 01738 475000 Ian James 01738 475022

Emergency Contact List, Aberfeldy Community Resilience Group Coordinators The following contacts can help co-ordinate a community response if a situation warrants this within Aberfeldy. Please note that individuals will be available or accessible at different times, and you may have to move on to the next number if contact cannot be established. If the situation is serious, please contact the emergency services.

Name: Victor Clements (Chair, Aberfeldy Community Council) 24hr telephone contact: 01887 829361 or 07787 520987 Email: victor@nativewoods.co.uk Name: Val Ferguson (Tayside Waders) 24hr telephone contact: Tel 01887 829529 or mobile 07715 040470. Email: valferguson@ btopenworld.com Name: Norma Carr (Community warden) 24hr telephone contact 07785 538425 Name: John Steele (Locus Breadalbane) 24hr telephone contact 01887 822724 or 07852 218681. E: enquiries@locuscentre.org

Pitlochry Baptist Church

WA (welcome all) Soup Lunch Soup served from 12 noon every Friday during the winter months.

Aberfeldy Recycling Centre Dunkeld Road Tuesday & Thursday 9 am - 7 pm Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Aberfeldy Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages by appointment only 01887 822459 50

Atholl Medical Centre

Ferry Road, Pitlochry , PH16 5FG Tel: 01796 472558 amc.tayside@nhs.scot Monday to Friday - 8.30 am - 6 pm Check hours for bank & public holidays Repeat prescriptions: tay.amcprescriptions@nhs.scot www.theathollmedicalcentre.co.uk

Craigvinean Surgery

Little Dunkeld, Dunkeld PH8 0AD 01350 727269 Monday to Friday - 8.00 am - 6 pm Check hours for bank & public holidays Repeat prescriptions: TAY.craigvineanprescriptions@nhs.scot. www.craigvineansurgery.scot.nhs.uk

Pitlochry Community Hospital Ferry Road, Pitlochry , PH16 5FG Tel. 01796 472052

For up to date information on services and care provided at Pitlochry Community Hospital please see the NHS Tayside website www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/OurPremisesA-Z/PitlochryCommunityHospital/index.htm

Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice

Aberfeldy Health Centre Tigh an Daraich, Taybridge Road Aberfeldy, PH15 2BH Tel: 01887 820366 Repeat Prescriptions: 01887 829743 tay.aberfeldyprescriptions@nhs.scot Opening Hours - 8 am - 6 pm, Mon to Fri Check hours for bank and public holidays

Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice

Kinloch Rannoch, PH16 5PR Tel: 01882 632216 Appointments only Monday - Friday 9 am-10.15 am, 2 pm - 2.45 pm and 4 pm - 5.30 pm For appointments phone reception www.aberfeldyandrannochsurgery.co.uk

Housing & Community Safety Pitlochry Area Office

26/28 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BX Opening hours are as follows: Mon 8.45 am - 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm - 5 pm, Tues 8.45 am - 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm - 5 pm Wed Closed, Thurs Closed, Fri 8.45 am - 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm - 5 pm. Appointments can be made with us by calling us on 01738 476000 (option 2).

Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages - Tel: (01796) 474645 Mon to Fri: by appointment This Council office will not open until 11 am on the first Thursday of every month.

Birnam Library

Station Rd, Birnam, PH8 0DS T: 01738 459709 birnamlibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Pitlochry Library

26 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BX 01796 474635 pitlochrylibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Breadalbane Community Library

Advertising Information

Please note that all advertisements carried

by The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair are done so with the understanding that any claims, statements or information given are the sole responsibility of the advertiser in question. We cannot be held liable for any commercial or consumer disputes, problems or difficulties arising from their workmanship or services.

Front Cover Picture

Our great thanks to Motiv Sports for this month’s front cover image.

If you have something suitable you would like us to consider for the front cover of The Quair then please feel free to send it to us at atholl@thequair.com stating your name and providing a short narrative about the photo.

Please note that by sending your photo you are also agreeing to let us use this for any Quair activity.

Editorial and Event Information

All of our listed events and adverts are published in good faith. However, for a variety of reasons, things can sometimes change and inadvertent mistakes can be made. Please therefore always check times and venues of events listed, in both editorial and adverts in The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair independently before going. We cannot be held liable for any mistakes, typographical or otherwise, by ourselves or changes made by Event Organisers. This edition of The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair was sent for print on Sat, 11 April 2026.

Pitlochry Hospital Car Service - An independently run voluntary service here to help those who do not have access to transport to get to hospital appointments in Perth and Dundee. Whether it is a routine appointment or something more serious we Perth and Kinross Council are committed to getting you there. If you Council Main Reception 01738 475000 would like our assistance, please contact us Perth & Kinross Childcare on 07767 547892 or email pitlochryhospiInformation Service 0845 601 4477 talcars@gmail.com. There is a small charge to cover fuel.

Humanos Aid International - Our charity has a complete range of stationery, supplied by Sklep Papierniczy based in Poland. With over 60 items, including super is published by glue, bubble wrap, all types of envelopes, SCOT ACTIVE LTD printing paper and more, the range will be with a registered office address extended, once new supplies arrive. The post office in Ballinluig sells the full range of 26/30 Bonnethill Road, of stationery and other items for our charity.

Pitlochry, PH16 5BS The post office in Ballinluig has the following Company Number SC854228 opening hours; Monday/ Thursday/ Friday tel/text: 07436 793785 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 5.30 pm closed for lunch 12 pm -1 pm. Humanos Aid Internae: atholl@thequair.com tional Registered Scottish charity SC042807 Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, PH15 2D 01887 822405 breadalbanelibrary@culturepk.org.uk See Current Library opening times at www.culturepk.org.uk/libraries/

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair

51

Perth Citizens Advice Bureau

You can reach Per th CAB for Advice on: FREEPhone: 0808 196 9440 10am - 3pm Mon to Fri (Free from both landlines and mobiles) Email: advice@perthcab.org.uk Webchat: www.perthcab.org.uk (10am - 1pm Mon to Fri)

NHS 24 - NHS 24 is a confidential out of

hours telephone health advice and information service available across Scotland. If you or someone you care for is unwell and you feel that it can’t wait until your GP surgery re-opens then you can call NHS 24 on 111. Where clinically appropriate a GP home visit or an ambulance may be arranged for you. In a life threatening situation you should dial 999.

Chemists and Pharmacies

Davidsons Chemist - Atholl Road, Pitlochry Tel: 01796 472810 and 01796 472414 Davidsons Chemist - 1 Bridge Street, Dunkeld PH8 0AH. Tel: 01350 727210 Davidsons Chemist, Bank St, Aberfeldy 01887 820324

The

Atholl & Breadalbane Quair

TM

www.lovelocal.scot

Delivering 7,350 magazines to every door in Highland Perthshire every month

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair is delivered at the beginning of each month to all 7,350 residential and business addresses in the PH8, PH9, PH15, PH16, PH17 and PH18 postcode areas. This covers an area which includes Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Dunkeld, Birnam, Weem, Dull, Glen Lyon, Kenmore, Fearnan, Lawers, Foss, Acharn, Camserney, Fortingall,

Grandtully, Ballinluig, Guay, Blair Atholl, Rannoch, Logierait and Inver.

Copies for visitors are made available each month from our dispensers which are located in Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, Kenmore and Killin. The extra number that we print depends on what we estimate to be the monthly demand will be from visitors and tourists. We make every effort to

ensure that the dispensers are fully stocked throughout the month.

As well as being a Community Magazine, The Quair is an excellent source of information for our visitors who go on to support our Advertisers and Event Organisers.

You can contact us by email at either atholl@thequair.com or breadalbane@thequair.com

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair black and white advertising costs for 2026 are as follows: eighth page - £32 + VAT per edition sixth page - £38 + VAT per edition fifth page - £44 + VAT per edition quarter page - £54 + VAT per edition The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair full colour advertising costs for 2026 are as follows: eighth page - £50 + VAT per edition sixth page - £62 + VAT per edition fifth page - £74 + VAT per edition quarter page - £90 + VAT per edition third page - £114 + VAT per edition half page - £160 + VAT per edition two-thirds page - £190 + VAT per edition Full page - £260 + VAT per edition double-page spread - £460 + VAT per edition You can see the discounts that are available to you, when you advertise in both The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair and our sister publication, The Crieff & Comrie Quair, in the same month, at www.thequair.scot 52

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair

TM

PH18

PH17 PH16

PH9 PH15

PH8

Highland Perthshire’s Magazine

Delivering to every one of the 7,350 doors at the start of each month!

53

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, 5 May between 10 am and 12 noon at the Pitlochry Community Hospital.

Hearing Aid Drop-in Clinic at Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice

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, 6 May between 10 am and 12 noon at the Aberfeldy & Kinloch Rannoch Medical Practice, (Wellbeing Room), Aberfeldy.

Aberfeldy Nature Friendly Garden

A new gardening competition from Healthiest Town aims to make us more nature-friendly. Healthiest Town is this year launching a new competition to encourage us to think about nature and wildlife when we garden.

Called the Aberfeldy Nature Friendly Garden Competition, it is open to anyone in the wider Aberfeldy area and all gardens are welcome to enter, no matter the size and including community and school spaces.

There will be one overall winner (£100 and a commissioned garden sculpture) and three category prizes of £100 each - best garden for insects, balancing food growing

and nature, and the wow factor.

Emma Burtles, from Healthiest Town, is encouraging all gardeners, from the experienced to the novice, to enter the competition. She said, ‘Size doesn’t matter either, but what you do with it to help make space for nature matters.

‘A study from 2022 showed that the UK’s flying insect population had dropped by as much as 60% in the past 20 years because of rising temperatures and fragmented habitats. Scotland’s situation is better than other parts of the UK, with a decline of about 30%, but we do still need to act as the impact goes far beyond just the insects, affecting whole ecosystems. Small changes to our gardens can play a significant part in reversing that decline. Here are just a few ideas - collect rainwater, plant for pollinators (especially native plants), go peat free and make your own compost, install a pond, plant hedging and meadow lawns, install a “green roof ” on your shed, make your own weed killers and fertilisers, leave a pile of logs for insects, frogs and hedgehogs to call home, add bird boxes, and create gaps in your fences to allow small mammals to pass through.’

Entries for the Aberfeldy Nature Friendly Garden Competition close on Friday, 21 August and judging takes place midSeptember. For more information about categories and how to enter, please visit the website www.healthiesttown/naturegarden-competition.

Emma continues, ‘If you are new to gardening, particularly fruit and veg, Healthiest Town has a support group called Growing in Aberfeldy, which offers a WhatsApp chat group and monthly get-togethers. If you would like to know more about joining the group, information can be found on our website - www.healthiesttown.org / lets-get-growing.

‘Healthiest Town’s ‘Eat Real Food’ pillar encourages us to eat wholesome, real food for our health and for our planet. And we encourage people to think about growing some of their own food, which also helps us ‘Move More’ and ‘Connect with Others’ through the Growing in Aberfeldy Group.

54

To find out more about all our initiatives, events and campaigns, please visit our website or stop by our stall at the Aberfeldy Farmers’ Market in June.’

Killiecrankie, Fincastle & Tummel Community Council

Parts of our community and countryside are under pressure from a minority of visitors who believe they have the right to access the countryside without any responsibilities. Wild camping is exactly that: low impact, using lightweight kit in remote locations, far from roads, buildings, farm animals and crops.

It leaves no trace. What we are seeing is the opposite. ‘Dirty’ roadside camping brings noise, disturbs residents and leaves a mess for others to clean. It damages the very landscape which people come to enjoy and places an unfair burden on the local community.

Killiecrankie, Fincastle & Tummel Community Council is taking steps to monitor the situation. Click on the QR code to download a mini guide to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and a form to report incidents that do not comply with it.

Our next meeting will be held at Kynachan Hall, Tummel Bridge on Monday, 18 May at 7 pm. Minutes of the last meeting in March are now on the website: www. killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk/communitycouncil/minutes.php.

If you would like to receive Minutes and news of local events by email, please join our mailing list. Contact info@kftcommunitycouncil.co.uk to have your name added.

Killiecrankie Village Hall - The Hall committee is delighted to present a Quiz Night on Saturday, 16 May. Questions start at 7.30 pm; £5 per person, pay at door (cash or card); tea, coffee and snacks included. BYOB. The hall is available to hire for any event - large or small. See the website www.killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk for details or email info@killiecrankievillagehall.co.uk.

The Big Shed is a smallish, but wellequipped village hall, run by volunteers. It has a small kitchen, (which has been registered with the council for commercial use), a small hall and an upstairs studio space.

These can be hired separately or together by individuals, groups or businesses.

The Big Shed can be used for workshops/ training, conferences, private events, (such as parties or weddings) and the studio can be hired for creative residencies. The website’s “Get Inspired” page has photos.

The Big Shed is primarily for local people, but it is also available for hire to people from elsewhere, which helps us cover the running costs.

If you want to find out more about the Big Shed, have a look at the website, the Facebook page or email us at websitecontact@ bigshed.org.uk. www.bigshed.org.uk www. facebook.com/theBigShedTombreck, txt/phone 07508 645453 What is a Quair? (noun) (1) A quire; a book. The Kingis Quhair, James I. (of Scotland). (2) A set of twenty-four sheets of paper of the same size and stock; one twentieth of a ream. (3) A collection of leaves of parchment or paper, folded one within the other, in a manuscript or book. (Middle English quayer, four double sheets of paper, from Old French quaer, from Vulgar Latin *quaternus, from Latin quatern, set of four, four each, from quater, four times; The Kingis Quhair is a fifteenth-century poem attributed to James I of Scotland. It is a semi-autobiographical work, describing the King’s capture by the English in 1406 on his way to France and his subsequent imprisonment by Henry IV of England and his successors Henry V and Henry VI. C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

www.thequair.scot 55

Scottish tourism industry leader joins The Enchanted Forest in Milestone 25th year

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the organisers behind Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, has appointed culture and tourism industry leader Gordon Morrison as its new Chief Executive, as preparations ramp up for its milestone 25th anniversary year show.

Gordon joins the Trust bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across Scotland’s tourism and cultural sectors and having held a range of senior leadership roles at both national and UK-wide level.

Delivering an annual economic impact of £10.7 million to Highland Perthshire, The Enchanted Forest is one of Scotland’s most significant cultural events. It welcomes an estimated 85,000 visitors each year to Pitlochry and reinvests into the local community.

Gordon joins the organisation following a distinguished career at the heart of Scotland’s visitor economy, including as Chief Executive of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA). This role saw him increase its membership by nearly 50% and strengthen the organisation’s role as a leading voice in the sector, working closely with government and industry partners, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has also held senior leadership positions at OneRen and the Association for Cultural Enterprises, alongside earlier positions with VisitScotland and Edinburgh Museum and Galleries. He has built a reputation for driving sustainable growth, commercial performance and exceptional visitor experiences across a range of cultural organisations.

Gordon said, ‘The Enchanted Forest is arguably the most significant and biggest outdoor cultural event in Scotland. It is a hugely respected event, while also being multi-award winning, and extremely popular with visitors from both Scotland and further afield. Nela Popovic, as outgoing CEO, has left a brilliant legacy and I’m fortunate

to be taking over from her. To be stepping in to lead an organisation that brings £10.7 million economic benefit to Highland Perthshire, and also reinvests back into its community, is a dream come true. It’s a real honour to join in such a milestone year for this fantastic event.’

Gordon will lead the strategic direction of The Enchanted Forest as it celebrates 25 years, focusing on sustaining its position as a flagship cultural event in Scotland while exploring opportunities for innovation, audience growth and sustained long-term impact.

Karen Bothwell, Chair of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said, ‘We’re delighted to welcome Gordon to the Trust, he brings with him exceptional leadership experience across tourism and culture, alongside a proven track record of delivering growth and sector influence. As we mark 25 years of The Enchanted Forest, his appointment puts the organisation in a very strong position to continue our good work and to move forward.’

The Enchanted Forest was founded in 2002 and is held annually in the autumn. This year’s event is taking place between Thursday, 8 October to Sunday, 8 November. For tickets or more information, visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk.

56

The Dementia Café - The Dementia Café is held at North Church, High Street, Perth on the first Wednesday of each month from 10 am until 12.30 pm.

Awareness Day Events will take place on Wednesday, 3 June and Wednesday, 7 October. These will include 12 organisations offering information and advice. Attendees will include social work, New Rannoch day care and carers support, and the Community Mental Health team.

The café is facilitated by the Health and Social Care Partnership and access to both services is available for information, advice, and signposting to other services available.

People living with Dementia, their families, caregivers, friends, neighbours, and anyone looking to gain an insight into Dementia attend the monthly café. The café offers a warm, inviting, safe place where people can meet, socialise, gain information, and have some refreshments. All are welcome.

Pitlochry Repair Café - Pitlochry Repair Café welcomes you and your broken things to Moulin Hall on Sunday, 10 May and Sunday, 7 June. Bring anything you need repairing between 12 pm to 3 pm and our talented repair volunteers will do our best to fix them! Items can be anything from clothes to computers, pottery to bikes, electronics to appliances, furniture to toys. Homemade baking and soup available while you wait. All free although donations are welcome! We are delighted to share that we have just secured a grant from the Basil Death Trust towards running costs of our sessions.

bespokestairscrieff.com alan@bespokestairscrieff.com 07544 634 964 Staircases of All types - Personalised Designs Bespoke Timber Machining - Custom Timber Mouldings Sash and Case Windows - Architectural Joinery

Chimney Stack Services Tel 01796 482646

Chimney Sweeping

• Stoves • Open Fires • AGAS, Rayburns etc • Certificate of Chimney Sweeping issued • Supply - Install • Anti Bird, Guard Cowls • Chimney Pots • Fire Grates etc. • Fully Insured

Gatehouse Mechanical Services

Mobile: 07547 281694 chrisfergus84@gmail.com

by Aberfeldy, PH15 2EL

Cars, Vans & 4x4’s Servicing & Repairs Tyres, Exhausts, Batteries & Brakes Hydraulic Hoses Made & Repaired

Paul Phillips

Phillips Home Paul and Garden Services Paul Phillips Home and Garden Services T: 01796Home 470505, M: 07568354376 and Garden Services T: 01796 470505, M:M:07568354376 T: a.phillips153@btinternet.com 01796 470505, 07568354376 Email: Email: a.phillips153@btinternet.com Email: a.phillips153@btinternet.com

Tel: 01887 820669 Mob: 07825 567767

Gardening (lawn cutting, strimming, weeding) Gardening (lawn cutting, strimming, weeding) weeding) Gardening (lawn cutting, strimming, Painting –– Internal &&External External Painting - Internal& External Painting Internal Oven Cleaning Cleaning – General Housework, Dusting, Vacuuming, Spring Cleaning, Oven Cleaning Oven Cleaning D.I.Y. – –Shelf PowerWashing WashingPatios, Patios, D.I.Y. ShelfFitting, Fitting,Picture Picture Hanging, Hanging, Power etcetc D.I.Y. – Shelf Fitting. Power Washing Patios, etc Dog Car washing&&Valeting Valeting DogWalking, Walking, CarCar washing Dog Walking, washing & Valeting If If there you can’t see on the listplease please just ask there isanything anything youyou can’t see on just ask Ifisthere is anything can’t see onthe thelist list please just ask No jobjob too small No No too small too small References can can be References be supplied supplied

Open: Monday - Thursday - 8.30am - 5pm Friday - 8.30am - 4.30pm

www.gatehousemechanicalservices.co.uk 57

Blair Atholl Village Hall - As re-

ported last month, our craft fairs are in full swing again in May, with the craft collective selling its wares on Saturday, 9 May and the bazaar team on Saturday, 30 May. Don’t miss your chance to buy a precious gift for a loved one - even if that loved one is yourself!

We are also delighted to report that for the first time, the Monday soup lunches will continue for a few months by popular demand, meeting on the first Monday of the month at 12 pm - hence 4th May - as a regular joked, ‘May the 4th be with you!’

These lunches provide a great opportunity for people to meet others (locals and visitors) and to enjoy home-cooked food together. They are also a regular fundraiser for the village hall. We (the recipients) are all very grateful for the efforts of the team of willing volunteers who make soup, scones, cakes and biscuits for our pleasure. Find out more from Sue Gledhill, email fobavh@outlook.com. www.blairathollvillagehall.co.uk/whats-on.

and representatives from our six charities.

We will also be inviting representatives of those local businesses that regularly support us, including our hosts for the event, Fisher’s Hotel. We hope too to be joined by prominent politicians who have previously been active in supporting and visiting us, along with members of the local and national press.

Don’t forget: with spring - despite Dave’s flurries of snowy protest - well-established and summer approaching, Pitlochry Station Bookshop is now open every day except Sunday from 9 am to 4.30 pm. Having received a steady flow of large donations over the last two or three months, the variety and depth of our current stock is hard to beat. Examples of books we’ve received have included titles covering sailing, maritime history and travel, including to South Africa. One of the fascinations of volunteering at the Bookshop is never knowing what will have been brought in between one shift and the next so, by the time you read this, who knows what gems might be Pitlochry Station Bookshop - Busi- on offer, for lovers of fiction, non-fiction, ness continues to be brisk in Pitlochry Sta- biography, classics or titles with a special tion Bookshop itself although, disappoint- Scottish connection.

Pitlochry Climate Cafe ingly, the Easter Fair at Fisher’s was unable Good for your pocket: good for nature to go ahead this year. Our regular and loyal customers and supporters from Pitlochry *Are all your light bulbs LEDs? They use itself and the surrounding area are already 75% less energy than ordinary bulbs and and increasingly being augmented, as is the last for years. *Don’t leave appliances on case each year, by a growing number of standby. Those little lights on your TV and visitors from across Scotland, Britain and microwave can cost you up to £40 a year. *Boil only the water you need in a kettle the world.

Having, earlier this year, reached £500,000 and keep lids on pans to use up to 50% earned from our sales, we have recently less energy. *Run dishwashers and washing made another of our regular donations to machines only when full. our six charities. To celebrate that half a million landmark, we will be hosting, on Friday, 15 May, a gathering of volunteers, past and present, committee members, 58

Climate Café Aberfeldy - Climate Café Aberfeldy is part of a network of Climate Cafés around the world where people gather to chat and take action on climate.

We meet the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm. It’s all very informal, welcoming and there’s always excellent tea, coffee and cake!

March was a busy month - in addition to our Too Good To Waste campaign to reduce food waste, we worked with Breadalbane Climate Café and the Aberfeldy Community Council to host a Meet the Candidates event at Breadalbane Academy on Climate and Nature to help inform voters in advance of the Scottish Parliament elections.

We had a lively discussion ably chaired by Mr Douglas Woodrow with a focus on questions from young people who will be voting for their first time in May. Topics covered including the climate crisis, energy security, food, forestry and housing.

This month’s meeting on Tuesday, 12 May - 7.30 pm will be on Climate Impact of Artificial Intelligence, at Handam Zero Waste Store (upstairs).

Looking ahead, our June meeting will be on Tuesday, 9 June - 7.30 pm on Water Quality in Loch Tay and efforts to protect Loch Tay such as the Loch Tay Water Watch, a new citizen-science project, hosted by the Loch Tay Association, that will be monitoring nutrients (nitrates/phosphates) and turbidity around the Loch. We hope to invite a range of other people to share their thoughts and actions on the environmental condition of the Loch. This meeting will also be held at Handam Zero Waste store.

In addition to our monthly meetings, there are monthly films with a focus on the environment at the Birks Cinema (4th Monday of each month). On Monday, 25 May, the cinema will show Our Land which investigates the 92% of English land with limited public access, questioning ownership, class, and environmental stewardship.

For questions please contact: aberfeldyclimatecafe@gmail.com and follow our Facebook page - Aberfeldy Climate Café.

Malcolm Appleby Designer, Engraver, Silversmith, Goldsmith Shop Open By Appointment 10-5 (not Sundays)

Aultbeag Grandtully

By Aberfeldy Perthshire PH15 2QU

01887 840484 swapp@dircon.co.uk @malcolm_appleby_engraving @malcolmappleby46

59

Aberfeldy Farmers’ Market and Arts and Craft Fair

We nearly beat the weather last month - we were caught short in the last hour!

Hopefully, on Sunday, 3 May, we will at least avoid snow. Come along to the square between 10 am to 2 pm and see what is on sale this year! We have some interesting new offerings as well as the usual tasty delights.

The Arts and Craft Fair will be inside on the mezzanine floor of the Birks Cinema.

We hope that you will be able to have coffee, brunch or lunch at one of the many super cafés and visit some of our lovely independent shops open on Sunday. For further details of the Farmers’ Market email aberfeldymarket@gmail.com or for the Art Fair email lynn@breaghaglass.com

Blair Atholl Pipe Band - We are looking for young learners interested in the bagpipes or drums. Classes run every Wednesday in Pitlochry High School from 7 pm to 7.30 pm. Open to school children from Primary 5 to 7.

For more details or to join, please message through our social media pages or contact Lewis Taylor on 07851 659291.

We will be having our usual fundraising stall at the Atholl Gathering on Sunday, 24 May, fingers crossed for good weather.

Fearnan Village Association

Pop-up coffee shop with a German theme - Tuesday, 26 May 11 am to 12.30 pm in McLean Hall, Fearnan. £3 per person.

All welcome.

Carry-out coffee and cake available.

Inner Wheel Club of Pitlochry

Inner Wheel is an international women’s organisation. Our objectives are service with friendship and international understanding. We achieve this through monthly supper meetings with informative and entertaining speakers, social gatherings and community service. We also raise funds in support of local, national and international charities. We meet on the fourth Thursday of every month for supper followed by a speaker.

We are looking forward to welcoming members from Aberfeldy Inner Wheel for a joint meeting in May. If you would like to know more about Inner Wheel then please email innerwheelpitlochry@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InnerWheelPitlochry.

Pitlochry Garden Share - This is a busy time of year in the gardens. We are currently planting seeds and seedlings both in the beds and in our new polytunnel.

We will hold our May market stall on the third Saturday of the month, which is Saturday, 16 May. It will be in the usual place just outside the monthly Pitlochry market between 10 am and 2 pm. We should have a variety of plants and seedlings (including vegetables and herbs). Please keep an eye on our Facebook page and our website (see below) for any other upcoming events.

We are always delighted to have new volunteers. We will particularly welcome extra help over the next few months as our coordinator Anna Stokes is currently on maternity leave. If anyone is interested in joining us, or learning more, visit our website at pitlochrygardenshare.org or check out our Facebook page. You can also email us via pitlochrygardenshare@gmail.com.

Moulin Hall Trust: A note from the committee

Another busy start to the year, with some fantastic local groups using the Moulin Hall for everything from Bridge, Scottish 60

Moulin Hall Trust

Notice of AGM 2026 Friday, 15 May at 7pm in Moulin Hall.

Country Dancing and Yoga to Repair Café and Sewing Classes, as well as numerous private functions. We had a fantastic night in January where we collaborated with Confolens Ceilidh Band and hosted a Taste of Burns, which was widely enjoyed! This helped raise funds that were split between the Hall and Confolens Ceilidh Band for future events and Hall upkeep. Delighted to report that this funding contributed to our new doorstep and fresh gravel around the entrance to the Hall, keeping it looking fresh and cared for - and less muddy!

We are so delighted to be able to provide affordable facilities for such a broad range of events that bring so many people together.

Notice of our AGM - Friday, 15 May, 7 pm in the Moulin Hall - all welcome.

For all bookings, contact Libis 07930 288761; www.facebook.com/MoulinHallUsersGroup

Visit the village of killin Your Local Legal Experts Property Legal Services B EN

E

T FROM

X

PE

E

R

Our Aberfeldy office is open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday

E

Agriculture, Estates and Renewables

VE

Companies & Partnerships

Don’t miss MacGregor’s

FI

O

Wills, Powers of Attorney and Succession Planning

RIE N

C

Traditional Values ~ Modern Thinking

Tel: 01567 820362, Main St, Killin. FK21 8UJ

info@jandhmitchell.com

www.jandhmitchell.com

01796 472 606

Est. 1973

Care Home.co.uk

Colin and Lizzy offer a caring and professional 24 hour service premises at Inver, Dunkeld.

Colin andfrom Lizzycustom offer a built caring and professional 24 hour service from custom built premises at Inver, at Dunkeld.

You can visit loved ones in privacy our small chapel of rest beside the River Braan.

You can visit loved ones in privacy at our small of rest beside the River Braan.

Forchapel a personal service tailored to your requirements please contact us.

For a personal service tailored to your requirements please contact us.

Colin Gerrie Mobile: 07836 343967 Telephone: 01350 727364 Email: wkgerrie.inver@gmail.com Colin Gerrie Mobile: 07836 343967 www.dunkeldfuneraldirectors.co.uk Telephone: 01350 727364 Email: wkgerrie.inver@gmail.com www.dunkeldfuneraldirectors.co.uk

We are a family business - We care.

We are a family business - We care.

Serving the community in Dunkeld, Ballinluig, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl and surrounding for 50 years. Pitlochry, Serving the community in areas Dunkeld, Ballinluig,

Blair Atholl and surrounding areas for over 50 years.

You can read The Quair Magazines online, and see all of our details, at www.thequair.scot Follow us on Facebook @TheQuair 61

Rivendell provides high quality care and support for you and your elderly relative. Based in Birnam and Dunkeld our homely environment provides a safe and fun community spirit.

Our trained staff provide care and support for all your needs 24 hours a day, we are always there.

So, if you are looking for social contact, a safe and supportive environment, support with health or medical needs then contact us.

Our mission is to provide a home for life, so come and live life with us.

Please phone 01350 727413 and speak to Gina or email manager@rivendellcarehome.co.uk for more information.

Pitlochry Town Hall Group - A new July Summer Tea Dance. Friday, 25 Sep- porting the fitness and wellbeing of horses line dancing class started in April for beginners which, proved very popular - a fun way to socialise to good music, be active and it certainly gives your brain a workout remembering all the steps. Also new was Selkie Music School music and singing sessions for early years and adults, plus Thursday morning yoga classes. May is a varied month, beginning with our first craft fair on Saturday, 2 May, 10 am to 3 pm. Thursday, 7 May sees us open as Pitlochry polling station. Co-op members are invited to their AGM on Saturday, 16 May (lunch provided). BoS Community Banker Service on Tuesday, 5 May and Tuesday, 19 May, 9.30 am to 3 pm. Dunkeld & District Strathspey and Reel Society will be live on stage Friday, 22 May. We have announced new events and live gigs on our website Events page, where you’ll also find Ticket links: www.pitlochrytownhall.com.

What’s new? Friday, 5 June Scottish Pride Quiz & Boogie Night. Thursday, 9

tember Desperados, Eagles tribute concert - be prepared to be transported back to the golden era of classic West Coast rock. If you’re feeling lucky, we are looking for new supporters to join our weekly OneLottery.

It is only £1 a week and easy to sign up. Go to www.onelottery.co.uk and search Pitlochry Town Hall.

Breadalbane & District Riding for the Disabled

April continued to be busy for the coaches and volunteers preparing for the new term.

Five attended an excellent training session at RDA Kinfauns, which focussed on sup-

FRAMEWORKS (Formerly Aiton Fine Arts)

Gallery & Framing Mon - Fri 9 am - 1 pm, 2pm - 5pm Sat am - By Appointment Only 63 King Street Crieff PH7 3HB T: 01764 655423 E: frameworks63@hotmail.com

62

and ponies with deceptively simple physiotherapy techniques. Assessing the health and suitability of a horse for the special requirements of RDA is vital to ensure the best welfare for the hardworking equines we are so dependent on.

Our riders have recently returned, and we look forward to sharing news of their progress next month. Our RDA group works closely with schools across Highland Perthshire to select pupils who would benefit from the opportunity to take part in riding sessions and spend time with the ponies.

Volunteers are an essential part of RDA and without them we cannot operate. New volunteers are needed to ensure the long-term survival of the group. Knowledge of ponies or riding is not essential, just a willingness to learn. Do get in touch by contacting Helen at breadalbanerda@gmail.com.

And please support us at the Thrift Shop Wednesday, 6 to Saturday, 9 May. (Scottish Charity No. SC047991)

Public access defibrillators in Aberfeldy & Weem

Public access defibrillators in Aberfeldy and Weem can be found at: *The Birks Cinema, The Square *Chillies Indian Restaurant, Dunkeld Street *Aberfeldy Fire Station, Crieff Road *Aberfeldy Bowling Club, Taybridge Terrace *Outside 1 Moness Crescent (path from Old Crieff Road to Moness Crescent) *ABC Nursery, Dunkeld Road (*adult and child pads) *Ailean Chraggan Hotel, Weem *Weem Church (at rear door) These defibrillators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be used without training (open the defibrillator and follow the spoken instructions). You cannot shock someone who is not in cardiac arrest. Special children’s pads (under 8 years or 55kg) are available at the ABC Nursery location.

Any issues with the defibrillators, please contact John Duff (01887 820217).

ONCE A PITLOCHRY FESTIVAL THEATRE PRODUCTION

A MODERN DAY MUSICAL BOOK BY

ENDA WALSH MUSIC & LYRICS BY

GLEN HANSARD & MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ BASED ON THE MOTION PICTURE WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY

´ SCOTTISH PREMIERE

JOHN CARNEY

STARRING

BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH BARBARA BROCCOLI, PATRICK MILLINGSMITH AND FRED ZOLLO PERFORMED BY ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL

LYDIA

WHITE

S K E E W 4 ONLY!

DYLAN

WOOD 23 MAY - 27 JUNE

DIRECTOR

DESIGNER

MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

MUSIC SUPERVISION AND ORCHESTRATIONS

JOHN TIFFANY

STEVEN HOGGETT

BOOK

BOB CROWLEY

MARTIN LOWE

NOW Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a Scottish Charity: SC013055

63

PITLOCHRYFESTIVALTHEATRE.COM

Tick Warning - Lyme Disease is on the increase and this area is

a hotspot in Scotland. Lyme Disease is horrible - frightening, debilitating and life-changing. Yet protecting yourself against infection is relatively simple: make sure that you tuck your trousers inside your socks when walking in the hills; never walk in the hills in shorts; always spray with a really good insect repellent; check yourself for ticks on your return from walking. Ticks are tiny, so make sure you check well. If by any chance you are bitten, remove the tick properly (tick removers are available at the vets or the chemists) and if you feel ill or if the bite becomes inflamed or becomes a ‘bull’s eye’ rash, go to the doctor immediately. Even if you are bitten by an infected tick, a short course of treatment should sort it if you have it within a few weeks of the bite - and the sooner the better.

Take precautions and enjoy walking in our amazing woods and hills.

More information on www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk

THE BEST VIEW EVER, EVERY DAY! POP IN FOR COFFEE, SCONES, LITE BITES OR A DRINK, OPEN DAILY SEASONS VIEW RESTAURANT Open daily from 8.30am to 7pm and 8pm Thursday to Sunday serving food all day.

Showcasing the very best of local produce...

Venison, Rabbit, Pheasant, Beef, Veal, Lamb, Pork, Pigeon, Partridge…

Poultry & Sausages Pies and Pasties Botanical Spirits, Mead and Beer Next Plants and Herbs Bread and Cheese Markets Preserves and Pickles Cakes and Chocolate 3rd May Ready Meals Eggs and Honey Salad and Olives Fresh and Smoked Fish & 7th June Scones and Tray Bakes Fruit and Vegetable 2026 Shortbread and Homemade Burgers hot or to take home Oatcakes Jam, Jellies and Sauces Vegetarian and Vegan Food

Part of a great day out at

Instagram Instagram

10.00am to 2.00pm Aberfeldy Town Square 1st Sunday of the Month April - November 2024

Facebook Facebook

Website Website

FOR NEWS AND OFFERS, FOLLOW US ON,

The Four Seasons Hotel, A85, Lochside, St Fillans, PH6 2NF

Contact Fiona MacEwan M: 0799 0834 092 aberfeldymarket@gmail.com

T 01764 685333 E info@thefourseasonshotel.co.uk W www.thefourseasonshotel.co.uk 64

D M McPhee - Est 1992 Tel: 0771 2028161 dougie@treesmidscotland.co.uk

• Kitchens • Bathrooms • Carpentry

Ruthvenfield Road, Perth, PH1 3EE | 01738 633222 | designhouseperth.co.uk

65

Local Care for Local People

““

Aberfeldy

For years before I ever heard of a care For years before I ever heard of a group, I used to wonder what I would do care Community group, I used to wonder what I Care towards the end of my life. wouldLocal do towards theLocal end ofPeople my life.

Care for

Thankfully it has all worked out perfectly.

Thankfully it has all worked out perfectly.

We are fed, entertained, looked after in every We are fed, possible way,entertained, even tucked looked up at night.

ingranted. every possible Every after wish is On top ofway, that we receive even tucked upand at night. immense kindness genuine love.

content.On top of Every wish Iisam granted. that we receive immense kindness If you would like advice regardinglove. care for you or your family and genuine

“

• Tree Surgery • Reductions and reshaping • Crown Trimming • Felling of Dangerous Trees • Ornamental Pruning and Hedge Cutting • Site Clearances • Trading for 25 years • Full Tree Surveys available • Fully insured

Aberfeldy Community Care

“

Tree Maintenance Services

or are interested in joining our team, please contact us on...

I am content. enquiries@aberfeldycommunitycare.co.uk Telephone: 07881 736 939

If you would like advice regarding care for you or your family or are interested in joining our team, please contact us on...

enquiries@aberfeldycommunitycare.co.uk Telephone: 07881 736 939

Pitlochry Tennis Club - Did you know Roger Federer only won 54% of his points? No matter if you’re aiming to be Alcaraz or just looking for fun and exercise, Pitlochry Tennis Club is the place for you. It’s only £20 for kids/students to join for a year and £100 for new adult members (that’s £2 a week). As well as social sessions, we have a ball machine, so it won’t be long until practice makes perfect. As perfect as Rodger anyway!

Please message our club secretary John on johnuytman@gmail.com or WhatsApp on 07941 807569, pop along any Sunday for a chat with members at 2 pm. You can also find and follow us on Facebook.

Heart of Scotland Herb Society

Herbs Health Happiness The ‘Herbies’ have the Thrift Shop in Aberfeldy for one week from Sunday, 10 May. Pop in and chat to our members and pick up a bargain. If you are interested in joining our society leave your contact details and we will be in touch.

Our annual summer outing will take place on Wednesday, 27 May visiting Drummond Gardens, Bennybeg Plant Nursery and Gloagburn Farm Shop.

For further information, contact Cath McGregor on 01887 830234 or Susan Craik on 07501 095602.

Loch Tummel Sailing Club

Loch Tummel Sailing Club will open on Sunday, 3 May with its first race for the Icebreaker Trophy.

If you love being on the water and are interested in sailing, now is a good time to get in touch and explore becoming a member. Please check out our website: www. lochtummelsc.org or get in touch by email: admin@lochtummelsc.org.

The club runs a regular racing programme on Sundays from May to October including points series, long distance races round the island and pursuit races. There are also opportunities for informal races and member-to-member coaching for those new to racing. Members can also make use of the several club dinghies that are available.

Throughout the year the club runs a number of family weekends with social sailing and informal parent supported training, along with an annual kids’ camp.

For generations Loch Tummel has been a great place for children to learn to sail, make friends and have fun in the outdoors.

We have a safe environment on and off the water with play areas, kayaks and paddleboards free to use for members.

In July we will host the annual ‘Up and Dun’ long distance race round An Dun Island followed by an evening BBQ. This is followed by Tummel Week - our family friendly sailing week for club members and

66

visitors with many families returning year after year. The week offers a full racing and social programme with a focus on fun.

Beyond sailing we are always happy to work with local charities or community organisations interested in making use of the facilities at the club. If you have an event in mind which we can support please get in touch.

Here’s hoping for a sailing season with fine weather and fair winds! Don’t hesitate if you want to know more. Email: admin@ lochtummelsc.org.

Pitlochry Scottish Country Dancing

Scottish country dance in Pitlochry Town Hall - Saturday, 30 May - 7.30 pm.

Come along and join us on the dance floor, or simply sit back and enjoy an evening of traditional music from James Coutts.

Dancers £12. Spectators £4. All welcome.

Further information: 01796 473488.

Will Smith Joinery

Perth Creative Exchange

+ Open Studios

Grandtully

All carpentry and joinery work including Kitchens, cupboards, storage, shelving, wardrobes, gates, sheds, windows and doors, flooring.

23 + 24 May 2026 10-5pm professional ar tists + makers

Renovations and maintenance.

P e r t h C re a t i v e E x c h a n g e S t o r m o n t S t re e t dog f riendly accessible PH1 5NW entr free

willsmithjoinery@outlook.com

07814 011413

y

Market Stalls * Open Studios * Exhibition * Pop-Up Cafe

67

Blair Atholl in Bloom: volunteers required

Over the past thirteen years or so, the summer floral displays along the village roadside have been very much appreciated and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

In today’s world, more than for many years, it’s important that we continue to bring joy and colour into our daily lives. These displays do that.

In order to continue to put up and maintain these displays, we need more help.

For further information please contact: Neil at neilmack6@gmail.com or Colin 07565 409350.

Aberfeldy Drama Club - Easter weekend saw the casts and crews of

two plays making their way to the Kirkwall Theatre in Orkney to compete in the Northern final of the SCDA one act play festival. McLean written by Bob Davidson featured Ally Marshall and David Roy. Their performance experienced some technical problems with lighting and did not feature in the prizes but it was an entertaining, thought provoking play nonetheless.

Revived 45 written by Alan Brown had a cast of seven youngsters from our youth section. Despite being a youth play competing in the ‘open section’ they gave a remarkable performance and were awarded the trophy for the best moment of theatre. They absolutely loved spending time in Orkney and the Orkney folks have found a place in their hearts for Aberfeldy.

It was remarkable that all the cast and crew made it to Orkney and home again having to cope with cancelled ferries on the outward journey and storm Dave when we returned. Ferry routes were changed and vehicles left on the mainland in an effort to get there.

The parents of our youngsters were so resourceful in coping with many challenges. Many thanks to all our drivers, backstage hands and our sound technician. You are all stars. We couldn’t have a drama club without you.

We now look forward to performing our one act plays in Aberfeldy Town Hall and we hope that, as usual, you will all come along to give us your support when you will have the opportunity to see three one act plays.

The dates are Thursday, 4 June and Friday, 5 June at 7 pm. Tickets will be available at Aberfeldy Watermill Bookshop & Café and at the door.

RSABI (previously The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution) - RSABI is a unique Scottish charity with roots going back to 1897.

To learn a little more about how RSABI operates, please see the website at www.rsabi.org.uk 68

PAINTER FOR HIRE

Fully insured with 20 yrs+ experience Interior & exterior Covering Perthshire and beyond Also offering a new MASTIC & SEALANTS service - Interior & Exterior - professionally carried out...

We supply and install wood burning, mull-fuel & pellet stoves, as well as biomass systems.

Whether you know exactly what you want, or are looking for a heaang soluuon for your home, contact us and we can offer advice on systems to suit your needs.

Our installers are registered with HETAS, MCS & NAPIT, and fully insured with RECC. Make an appointment to visit our showroom at Mains of Pitcastle, Pitlochry, PH16 5JT 01796 482 371 | 07747 030 521 | info@stovescomplete.co.uk

www.stovescomplete.co.uk

Call SANDY WILLIAMSON 07910 456004

Fiona Perry

Contact info@flyingsmiles.co.uk

BOOKING

07812 055724 flyingsmiles.co.uk

mobile dental hygiene service Looking for convenient and affordable dental care?

Look no further! I'm fully equipped, have 40 years of experience, and a friendly attitude, making me the perfect choice for those in underserved communities in Scotland and the Islands.

I offer comprehensive oral exams, cleanings, and preventive care, all in the comfort of your own home.

GDC Nō 3030 HIS Registered

THE PLANT NURSERY KINDALLACHAN

West Countlich Farm, Kindallachan, Near Ballinliug, PH9 0NW Email: theplantnursery.kind@gmail.com

Tel: 07585 929 968

• Summer & Autumn Hanging Baskets & Containers (Available new or as refills) • Alpines • Bedding Plants • Climbers • Conifers • Fruit Bushes • Fruit Trees • Herbaceous Perennials • Heathers • Shrubs • Trees • Vegetable Plants & Herbs • Spring Bulbs • Quality Compost • Gift Vouchers • Frost-Proof Pots SEASONAL OPENING HOURS March - October • Monday - Saturday • 9am - 4:30pm November - February • Monday - Friday • 10am - 4pm HOW TO FIND US The nursery is located just off the A9 at Kindallachan only 6 miles north of Dunkeld OPEN TO RETAIL & TRADE CUSTOMERS 69

Vale of Atholl Pipe Band - April was mainly a month of practising and paperwork!

Every member has to be signed on to compete. Then there’s all the competition entry forms to fill in, with everything from name of Pipe Major, the tartan you wear and all the tunes in your competition set.

We’re also busy organising our 60th year of our Highland Nights which start on Monday, 25 May. Once again, we’ve had the problem that we don’t get our hire of the Recreation Ground for the Monday after the Heartland Festival and this year, we’ve Australian bands coming over to play at the European Championships in Perth on Saturday, 27 June then coming to our Highland Night on Monday, 29 June. Many thanks to Councillor John Duff and Provost Xander McDade for all their help trying to get us another venue but nothing was suitable. Then the Atholl Palace Hotel came to our rescue. A huge thank you to them for allowing us to hold our Highland Night there on Monday, 29 June, so please tell all your guests, holiday makers and customers that we’re not at the Recreation Ground that night! I’ll remind you again next month!

We’re also busy organising our tombola for our stall at the Atholl Gathering at Blair Castle on Sunday, 24 May. Here’s hoping for lots of sunny weather!!

Gillie McNab gmcnab00@aol.com 07733 152223 Progress at Blair Atholl Station - The next train on platform 2 will be the 10.43 for Inverness! Yes, after many years of a diminishing timetable, we will now have an extra stop at Blair Atholl. As of a timetable improvement on Monday, 18 May, ScotRail will run an additional service arriving at Inverness at 12.07, just in time to have lunch and do some shopping before returning home in time for tea!

Meanwhile, plans are in hand to resurface the approach road to the station in April. The bigger project - to redevelop the empty stationhouse - is still at the planning stage, but where there is a will, there might just be a way. To find out more about Friends of Blair Atholl Station, check out our website (www.blairathollstation. co.uk) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/FoBAstation/).

The Meeting Place - Our Coffee Morning on behalf of The Brain Tumour Charity raised £600 and we would like to thank everyone who helped to make this event a huge success. We meet every Friday in the Duchess Anne (Church hall) in Dunkeld from 10 am to 12 pm. The coffee morning on 1 May will be for Christian Aid.

Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition

Registration is now open: www.dunkeldartexhibition.com. Artists may enter up to 3 pieces of work giving details along with an image of each piece. Work must be brought to The Duchess Anne in Dunkeld on Sunday, 19 or Monday, 20 July, ready to hang where appropriate and a £10 administration fee is due to be paid at this time. Further details if required from Dunkeldart@aol.com.

Aberfeldy Community Choir - The choir draws members from all around Aberfeldy, from Ballinluig in the east to Kenmore in the west. We welcome anyone who loves to sing, from soprano voices down to basses! No audition is needed, and there’s no need to be able to read music.

Our songs are a mixture of popular music and old favourites (eg Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel) and sung in three or four parts, depending on how many tenors come along!

Fees are subsidised at £25 per term.

We meet every Monday in school term time, from 7 pm to 9 pm in the Farragon room at the rear of Aberfeldy Church of Scotland, Taybridge Road, Aberfeldy. We are led by Anna Glover, and Liz Sawyer is our accompanist. Do come along!

For more details, please text Nick Frew, Choir Secretary, on 07748 598299 or email nfrew44@gmail.com.

Music Night at the Reading Room

Wednesday night is Music Night at the Breadalbane Reading Room, Kenmore. All welcome for an amazing evening of great music and song. From 7 pm until 10 pm.

Free entry. Dog friendly. Refreshments. BOYB. 70

RECRUITING NOW

Come and do great things with us!

Whether you fancy taking on a part-time role to fit around your commitments, or you’re in search of your forever job, our thriving family company could have the right opportunity for you! We can offer:

Competitive rates of pay Flexible or immediate starts available A variety of roles available in our prestigious Clothing, Gift & Food Halls, or our popular Restaurant Non-seasonal, year-round work (short-term contracts available) Benefits including shop discounts, generous restaurant discount and loyalty rewards that accrue with time

Please e-mail your CV to recruitment@houseofbruar.com or call 01796 483236 71

WWW.HOUSEOFBRUAR.COM

ETAPE CALEDONIA 2026 RETURNS TO PITLOCHRY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT As we count down to Etape Caledonia 2026 on Sunday 10 May, we want to extend a huge thank you to the local residents, communities and businesses who make this iconic event possible every year. Your support and patience help us welcome thousands of riders to Highland Perthshire and create a world-class cycling experience.

With the event fast approaching, we’re also making a last call for volunteers. Volunteers play a vital role in delivering the event safely and successfully and it’s a fantastic way to be part of the action while supporting a major sporting event in the area. Head to our website to find out more.

This year’s event has seen our highest entry numbers since before the pandemic, with riders travelling from across the UK and beyond to take on the spectacular closed-road route through some of Scotland’s most breathtaking scenery. The atmosphere in Highland Perthshire is always one of the highlights of the weekend, and we warmly invite everyone who lives or works on the course to join us in cheering on the riders as they pass through your community.

Thank you again for your support, we look forward to seeing you along the route for Etape Caledonia in a few weeks! Let’s make it another unforgettable day for riders and the local community alike. www.etapecaledonia.com

We are proud to have launched the Etape Caledonia Community Fund this year. This programme aims to support a local not-for-profit or voluntary organisation within a 5-mile radius of the route, with a £1,000 grant available. Applications are currently being reviewed, and the successful recipient will be announced before the event. Stay tuned to our Instagram or Facebook to find out more.

72