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tel/text: 07436 793785 e: crieffandcomrie@thequair.com w: www.thequair.scot Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2ZX

IN AUCHTERARDER

WHERE LEGS AND FEET MATTER

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WALKING/RUNNING INJURIES

ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER

Although Crieff is in the fortunate position of having a Banking Hub, following the closure of all of the town’s banks, everyday banking has become more challenging for many of us. While online banking is an option (for some), issues like rejected cheque deposits made via your banking app can be frustrating. If your bank is forever closed, no Banking Hub is nearby, or it’s not your bank’s turn on the Hub’s rota, your nearest Post Office could help with essential banking services. Visit the Post Office website to locate your nearest branch - www.postoffice. co.uk/branch-finder where you will also find opening times and all services including Everyday Personal & Business Banking such as: *Deposit Cash and Cheques - Pay cash and cheques into your bank account. *Withdraw Cash - Use your debit card and PIN to take out cash. *Check Your Balance - Stay updated on your finances. *Exchange Cash for Coins - Swap notes for coins with the Change Giving service (registration required). *Pay Bills and Top Up - Pay utility bills, top up gas and electricity, or send money abroad. *Business Banking - Business owners can deposit cash and manage accounts. It’s worth pointing out that: *Not All Banks Participate - Check with your bank for available services. *Deposit Limits - Cash deposit limits may apply per transaction or year. *Cut-off Times - Be aware of deadlines for processing deposits. Adapting to change isn’t always easy, but your nearest Post Office could save you a long drive to the next nearest branch of your bank.

Alistair and Linda

LEG/FOOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT

ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER

LEG/FOOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT

206 HIGH STREET, AUCHTERARDER, PH3 1AF

TEL: 07932 725211

EMAIL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com

TEL: 07932 725211

www.grmpodiatry.co.uk

EMAIL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com

Comrie Allotments Association

Interested in having an allotment plot? Our plots are located at Cultybraggan Camp and available to residents of Comrie. Half and full plots are serviced with water close by and surrounded by beautiful scenery. To find out more please email: comrieallotments@gmail.com

The Crieff & Comrie Quair is an open access monthly magazine which is delivered FREE to over 6,150 homes and businesss in the Crieff & Comrie area - that's from the county boundary west of St. Fillans to Madderty in the east. Copies for visitors are also made available each month from our outdoor dispensers in Crieff and Comrie. The extra print run is dependent on the normal fluctuating seasonal demand from visitors and tourists and, of course, local and regional lockdowns due to worldwide pandemics! As well as being a Community Magazine, The Quair is an excellent source of information for visitors. We also produce The Atholl & Breadalbane 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.

www.lovelocal.scot

Copy Date - The copy date for advertisers and organisations to submit an advertisement or article for the June 2025 edition is noon on Wednesday, 14 May. The Magazines are due to be distributed the week commencing Monday, 2 June 2025.

Sing-A-Long - Comrie - Sing-a-long is now in its 13th year. If you haven’t come to take part yet…maybe now is the right time….we sing well known, good old fashioned songs (words provided), enjoy afternoon tea and have a chance to have a chat with old and new friends. We meet in Comrie and Dundurn Parish Church on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 2 pm. If you would like more details just phone 07707 727137 or 01764 670570

Richmond Community - Our weekly health walk meets at the Crieff Community Hospital, King Street, Crieff at 10.30 am every Thursday then after the walks we have a chat over a cuppa in the day room. The friendly weekly walks are tailored to your needs but are more suited to the beginner. We have a shorter walk which normally takes about 30-45 minutes and a longer walk that lasts just over an hour. They are both led by trained walk leaders, and we also have Dementia Accreditation.

‘Health walks on tour’ is Thursday, 1 May where we will be walking around Lochore Meadows Country Park and then heading to the Lochore Café for a cuppa and some home baking. To get your name on the list for the bus trips please come along to our regular Thursday walks. We had a fantastic walk at the Falkirk Wheel last month and the weather was glorious. We enjoyed refreshments at the visitor centre which is situated right next to the Falkirk Wheel. To stay in touch with what is happening in the community visit our Richmond Community Facebook.

Our friendship group is every 2nd Friday, we meet at the Crieff Community Hospital 10.30 am - 12 noon.

On Friday 2nd May we will meet up at Crieff Museum for a look around and then afterwards head back to Community Hospital for a cuppa/cake. Then on Friday, 16 May we have the barbershop choir coming along to sing for us. Please feel free to come along join in, have a chat and a cuppa.

Richmond Community runs the Carers Café which takes place the 2nd Thursday will run every month at the Crieff Community Hospital. The next monthly meeting will be Thursday, 8 May. The café also gives unpaid carers the opportunity to meet other carers and staff from agencies such as Perth and Kinross Council, Perth, and Kinross

association of Voluntary Services (PKAVS) and carers voice over a cup of tea or coffee and delicious biscuits. Everyone is welcome to come along.

For information on any of these activities contact Karen Hapka at karen@richmondcommunity.org or telephone 07587 088403.

Crieff Probus Club - April Report

Dr Mark Hall was the speaker at the 1st April meeting of Crieff Probus Club. Mark is collections officer at Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery and has had a significant role in the development of the new Perth Museum.

The museum occupies what was the City Halls building. Mark illustrated his talk with photographs of the City Halls in the Edwardian period through to its development into the Perth Museum. This development needed a wide range of professionals, technicians, government politicians, councillors and royalty. Opening in March 2024 the museum now houses the Stone of Destiny in a state of the art, secure part of the museum. The Stone can be viewed as part of the accompanying audio-visual presentations.

The museum’s ground floor has 2 galleries with items from the medieval and Pictish periods of Perth and the 10th century Mesolithic period, all found within Perthshire. The Pictish stones on display show carvings and relate to the Caledonian sub-kingdom which developed into the Kingdom of Alba. Within the Medieval period display there are visual displays showing facial reconstructions made from human remains found in the Perthshire area.

The upper galleries continue the story of Perth and the colonial inheritance with items collected and donated by travellers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Close ties have been made between the museum and New Zealand to discuss Māori items within the collection. Visitor feedback has been positive with

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

250,000 visitors in the museum’s first year.

The museum is funded mainly by Perth and Kinross Council with additional funding from the Scottish and UK governments.

Crieff Probus Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month September to May, in The Royal British Legion, Crieff, at 10 am for tea and coffee and the meeting begins at 10.30 am till 12 pm. Details of the full programme are available on the club website crieffprobusclub.org.uk. New members and visitors are welcome.

May speakers are - Tuesday, 6 May, external visit to Ardoch Roman Fort, Braco. Tuesday, 20 May, The Story of Lalique Glass, Hannah Aitken, Glenturret Distillery. The club will then break -up for the summer.

Tick

Warning - Lyme Disease is on the increase and the Strathearn 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 very carefully on your return from walking. Ticks are tiny, so make sure you check well - and they tend to go for warm, damp areas!

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 sensible precautions and enjoy walking in our amazing woods and hills. More information on www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk

Strathearn Harriers - Strathearn Harriers have a busy year coming up, with a new hill race which took place in April (Ben Chonzie hill race), and the ever-popular Strathearn Marathon and Crieff 10k in June and July, and the demanding Simon Wake hill relay in August.

In June, the club hosts the popular Strathearn Marathon. Now in its second decade of running, this race attracts runners from all over Scotland and beyond, and is renowned for being possibly the most scenic road marathon in Scotland.

July sees the return of the off-road Crieff 10k, based at Morrison’s Academy Dallerie playing fields with a beautiful route over Laggan Hill to Strowan and back along Lady Mary’s Walk. Among other features, the race is famed for the post-race catering!

The Simon Wake Comrie hills relay, set up in memory of past club member Simon Wake, is a challenging hill relay on the hills and trails up and down Glen Lednock, run at the end of August.

Full details of all club races and events are on the club website at strathearnharriers.org.uk. The club welcomes runners of all standards. Crieff and Comrie are great places for running, particularly if you like trails and hills.

European Pipe Band Championships returning to Perth

The European Pipe Band Championships will return to Perth in August.

Following a successful debut in Perth last year, organisers The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) is bringing the championships back to the South Inch on Saturday, 9 August.

More than 100 pipe bands from across the world will be taking part in the competition, with musicians from as far afield as Canada and Australia taking part along with dozens of bands from across Scotland.

Tickets for the European Pipe Band Championships are now on sale through Perthshire Box Office and will also be available on the gate.

Crieff visitor Centre

Spring into Summer

Spring is well and truly here and we have everything you will need to give your garden or patio a profusion of colour through the Summer months. We currently have azaleas, rhododendrons, perennials, and Summer bedding plants in stock, as well as the cheapest compost per litre in town! Made to order hanging baskets are also now available.

Our Gift Shop is looking very summery with a full range of new Spring/Summer ’25 homewares, fashions, toiletries and foodstuffs.

Finally, don’t forget World Whisky Day on Saturday 17th May. We have a great selection of new and seconds whisky glasses available in pairs or singles.

www.crieff.co.uk

Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries

Strathearn Community Library

Outstanding Walks Scotland - Join author Felicity Martin at 7.30 pm on Thursday, 8 May as she explores Scotland’s best walks from her book, Outstanding Walks Scotland. Discover hidden gems, learn about history and wildlife, and get tips on planning your own adventures. Felicity will share memorable stories from her research, both good and bad, followed by a Q&A. This event supports the Drovers’ Tryst Walking Festival, which runs from Friday, 9 - Monday, 12 May. Tickets are £5 and available from Perthshire Box Office www.perthshireboxoffice.com/whats-on/outstanding-walksscotland

Bookbug’s Big Bedtime - Join our friendly Bookbug at Strathearn Community Campus on Thursday, 15 May for Bookbug’s Big Bedtime. Don your PJs, bring your muchloved toy, and get ready to sing your favourite songs. The event will also include a free ‘Bouncearound’ session with Live Active Leisure staff. Pre-booking is not required; just come along to the session at 10.30 am. All children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Celebrating Fantasy and Storytelling through Nature for Children - Come and experience the captivating power of stories at Strathearn Community Library between 11 am and 12 pm on Saturday, 24 May! In this free session, Perthshire’s talented storyteller, Andrew Woodward, hosts an enjoyable storytelling session based on stories from Allison Galbraith and Alette J. Willis’s book Dancing With Trees. These three stories highlight our island’s ecological knowledge as well as humanity’s interaction with nature. Book your place by visiting the library in person, calling them on 01764 657705, or emailing strathearnlibrary@culturepk. org.uk.

Celebrating Fantasy and Storytelling through Nature for Adults - Come and experience the captivating power of stories at Strathearn Community Library between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm on Saturday, 24 May! Perthshire’s talented storyteller, Andrew Woodward, will share enchanting tales that explore our relationship with na-

ture and each other. This free event, perfect for adults aged 16+, will focus on myths that offer insights into the experiences of middle and later life. After the storytelling, Andrew will guide a fascinating discussion about how these narratives connect to our own lives and the world we live in. Book your place by visiting the library in person, calling them on 01764 657705, or emailing strathearnlibrary@culturepk.org.uk.

Strathearn: A film by Helen McCrorie - Join us on Tuesday, 10 June for a film presentation from local artist Helen McCrorie. This touching film brings residents of Strathearn together to reflect on personal experiences of the COVID pandemic and local initiatives that provided hope and solace during that time and beyond. Screenings will take place at 11 am, 12 am and 2.30 pm. The session at 11 am will be audio described in support of our HiVis fortnight. HiVis fortnight provides libraries with an opportunity to showcase their services and support for individuals with vision impairment.

Bookbug Sessions - These fun, interactive sessions are suitable for pre-schoolers from baby years. The sessions are held every Thursday, including school holidays from 10.30 am - 11am. No need to book.

Café Books - Do you love to read? Join us at our informal Café Book session, find new authors, share your own favourite books and be inspired to read more. If you sign up for our Café Books emailing list, you will be sent regular, monthly lists of the titles discussed. Café Books is held at the library on the 1st Saturday of every month, 11 am - 12.30 pm.

Books on Wheels - For individuals in the Comrie and Crieff area who cannot get out and about to visit the library, books can be delivered straight to your door each month. For more information, please get in touch with Strathearn Community Library.

Bertie Bus - Provides a monthly trip to Strathearn Library, finishing with tea/coffee at the Steading Café. Please contact the Secretary of Strathcare for more information: 07716 119414

Strathearn Community Library opening hours - Tuesday: 10 am - 7 pm Wednes-

day: 10 am - 6 pm

Thursday: 10 am - 7 pm Friday: 10 am - 6 pm Saturday: 10 am - 1 pm.

Crieff Probus Club - March Report

Strathearn Arts, in Comrie Street Crieff, is a valuable cultural arts venue, visited not only by local people but also by many from across Scotland. Gordon Wright is the chair of the organisation which is led by 8 trustees, supported by 5 staff and 50 volunteers. Strathearn Arts began its life 12 years ago, and its base, once St Michael’s Masonic Lodge built in 1816, is now a listed building. As a Scottish Charity Incorporated Organisation, Strathearn Arts raises all of its funding through applied for grants, donations, ticket and bar sales, lease and venue hire, sponsorships and Creative Scotland. It receives no local authority funding. The Friends of Strathearn Arts scheme aims to provide local people with the opportunity to support the charity in its delivery of vibrant, memorable arts and cultural experiences in Crieff and Strathearn.

Initially leasing the building, the charity was able to purchase it in 2016 and refurbishments have improved the space. The ticket office and shop next door supports local artists and crafts.

Over 90 events per year are staged from a wide range of music, drama, comedy, folk music, films, and tea dances. Community groups and health and wellbeing programmes have access to the range of facilities.

Many well-known national and international artists have appeared at Strathearn Arts: Barbara Dickson, Hue and Cry, Dougie

MacLean, Fred MacAulay, Bay City Rollers, Alan Carr. Strathearn Arts provides high quality consistent artistic experiences. It enriches people’s lives and brings the community together. This places Strathearn Arts on the cultural map of Scotland. Collaboration with other arts organisations across Scotland shares the experience and resource.

Over the next 3 years Strathearn Arts looks

to broaden the appeal to reach more people within Crieff and Strathearn, to develop the programme to do this, and to further improve the building, its facilities and increase the visibility of the venue. A growing and changing community will benefit.

Crieff Probus Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month September to May, in The Royal British Legion, Crieff, at 10 am for tea and coffee and the meet-

ing begins at 10.30 am till 12 pm. Details of the full programme are available on the club website crieffprobusclub.org.uk. New members and visitors are welcome.

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Remake Reuse Hub Crieff Visitor Centre, Muthill Road, Crieff

Ready for an adventure into second-hand shopping? Step into our world where the quirky meets the cool! You’ve never seen a store quite like ours, where weird, wonderful, and everything in-between comes together in a delightful whirlwind of preloved treasures. We have a treasure trove of fabrics and haberdashery, sewing machines and vintage patterns. Our curtain and cushion collection is extensive, and if you’re into DIY, you’ll love the small furniture pieces (some antique, some ready for a little TLC) perfect for upcycling or reupholstering. The DIY section is perfect for project lovers - think garden tools, electrical gadgets, lighting, and even sports equipment for when you want to get active.

Art lovers, we’ve got you covered with a huge selection of original artwork, plus a wide range of frames if you want to showcase your own creations.

Oh, and don’t miss our ever-changing selection of vintage gems! From fine glassware, quirky household items, and even the occasional military artifact, there’s always something unexpected waiting for you.

Remake Food for Good, East High Street Crieff

Remake Food for Good is on East High Street in Crieff. Our food store is open Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm, ready to help you fill your shopping bag with wholesome goodness. From wholefoods and bulk ingredients to eco-friendly soaps and cleaning products, we’ve got everything you need for a healthier, plastic-free shopping experience.

Pop in Monday to Saturday and don’t forget to bring your refill containers - your future self will thank you!

Repair Hub - Our next Repair Hub is on Saturday, 10 May, 10 am - 1 pm at Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff. We are based in the Activity space which is opposite the school canteen. We offer an opportuni-

ty to have your broken and damaged items from home repaired by our skilled volunteers. Currently, we accept small household items, electricals and textiles for repair at our sessions. Our team of volunteers will work with you to make repairs to your item and get it back to working order! Whilst we can’t always guarantee that we will be able to repair your items, we’ll at least give it a try! We don’t charge for repairs but do ask for a donation to cover expenses and parts. Mending Circle - Let’s Make Mending Fun! Join us Fortnightly on a Wednesday from 7 pm - 9 pm at our Reuse Hub workshop for a relaxed and social evening of mending. Got a big bag of mending in the corner that you don’t feel like doing...ever ! Join our bi-monthly Mending Circle at Remake Scotland, where we offer support and inspiration to breathe new life into your cherished garments. Whether you’re a sewing novice eager to learn, a mending expert ready to share your skills, or simply someone with a stack of projects desperately needing attention, we’re here for you. We hope that by joining us you will feel inspired to learn new mending skills and do your bit to help the planet. Mend and make friends! This is a free drop-in session with no need to book, refreshments will be available during the class and materials available from our extensive haberdashery store.

Tool Library - For both the Tool Library and the depositing of your donations please remember to bring them directly to us on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays 10 pm - 4 pm only. The Crieff Community Tool Library is a Remake Scotland resource which provides members with access to a Library of Things, including tools for DIY, camping equipment, crafting stuff, play items (children’s games,

bouncy castle, karaoke), decorating aids, carpet cleaners, gardening equipment and lots more. Visit our website to find out about what the Tool library can offer you and sign up for free. www.remakescotland.co.uk

Climate Café Crieff - Come along to Climate Café Crieff on Tuesday, 27 May to support Mend it May! Learn about the wonderful world of textile repair and make your very own hand-sewn patch to take home or swap with a friend. Open to all. Materials provided by Remake, to find out more information visit our website. www.remakescotland.co.uk/whats-on.html

Bikes - We have Preloved Bike Sale Days coming up on Saturday, 17 May & Saturday, 14 June. Come along to bag a bargain between 10 am and 1 pm at our Reuse Hub at Crieff Visitor Centre. Our bike reuse project aims to promote affordable, active

travel and reduce waste in our community. All bikes have been collected from PKC Recycling Centres and are fully serviced by our partner Cycle Crieff CIC.

Classes in the Workshop - We have lots of exciting classes coming up in the Remake Hub Workshop. To book, go to www. remakescotland.co.uk/whats-on.html.

Saturday, 3 May from 10.30 am - 3.30 pm - Spring Willow weekend with June McEwan (Dragonflies & Swifts) £50 per day or £80 for full weekend Sunday, 4 May from 10.30 am - 3.30 pm - Spring Willow weekend with June McEwan (Hares) £50 per day or £80 for full weekend Friday, 9 May from 2 pm - 4 pm - Make Your Own Lip Balm & Herbal Salve with Carys Hughes (Funded Session) £5 Saturday, 31 May from 10 am - 12 pm - Sewing Machines for Beginners £20

Volunteering - There are endless ways for people to volunteer in Remake. Currently, we are particularly looking for volunteers who can help out at our Reuse Retail hub and practical volunteers to support with the weekly running of our tool library. Want to find out more? Contact claire@remakescotland.co.uk or give us a call on 01764 655733.

Comrie Flood Protection Scheme

Work on the £27 million flood protection scheme at Comrie is underway. The Comrie Flood Protection Scheme will protect nearly 200 homes from the threat of flood-

ing once it is completed next year. Work on the scheme is being carried out by Balfour Beatty and will provide defences along the Water of Ruchill, River Earn and River Lednock - areas all historically prone to flooding.

The defences include the construction of flood walls and embankments, incorporating innovative natural flood management techniques such as root wad revetment bank protection measures, which all told will offer protection against a 1 in 200 year magnitude flood event.

Comrie has experienced major flood events in recent years, including January 1993, February 1997, December 2006, and August and November 2012.

Previous flood protection works undertaken by Perth and Kinross Council in 2013 significantly reduced the flooding risk to the Dalginross area. However, residual flood risks from the River Earn and River Lednock remained. The detailed design of the flood scheme to address these was completed in 2023, with main construction works now underway and completion targeted for Autumn 2026.

Led by principal designer Sweco, the scheme will provide improvements to flood resilience for the community of Comrie through increased flood defence levels while also providing a high-level finish with the use of locally sourced natural stone materials and high-quality landscap-

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ing, including compensatory tree planting, with three trees planted for every one felled during construction. The project is funded through a collaboration between the Scottish Government, providing 80% of the costs, and Perth and Kinross Council, contributing the remaining 20%.

Photograph L-R Councillor Eric Drysdale, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Balfour Beatty portfolio director Keith MacDonald, Council leader Councillor Grant Laing, Strathearn ward councillors Stewart Donaldson and Rhona Brock

Cultybraggan Camp History Project

The Project was founded in 2017 to work with the camp’s owners wherever possible to preserve history and fabric of the camp. Members include academics and volunteers who are dedicated to investigate and document in central resources all aspects of the camp’s past. We continue in discussion with other organisations doing similar work to us, which is proving mutually beneficial. Our members are the experts to guide tours, give talks and support authors, historians and filmmakers, allowing them direct access to our resources and personnel. We provide illustrated talks to many groups including organisations and institutes, colleges, schools, Probus, Rotary and Local History Clubs. There are now more talks in our repertoire so you can select whether to have our general introduction or more specialised versions that dig deeper into real history.

If you have any enquiries please email us at history@camp21.org.uk.

The Arts Society Tayside

After hearing Caroline Holmes lecture on the life and works of Painter and Plantsman Cedric Morris in March, we were treated to our April lecture on George Villiers, the Handsomest Man in 17th Century Europe by Lucy Hughes Hallett.

Two lectures remain in the main programme for our 2024/5 season: on Monday, 12 May, Isabelle Kent talks on Art, Faith and Empire, The Golden Age of Spain, and then on Monday, 9 June we finish with a bit of fun as Tyler Butterworth, son of Peter Butterworth the Carry On films actor, talks to us about A Bit of a Carry On.

Our spring and summer programme of activities this year features Aberdeen Art Gallery on Wednesday, 21 May (transport by coach provided). Three further visits to houses and gardens are in the process of being finalised and details will follow shortly. The 2025/6 programme is taking shape and promises to serve up another ten fascinating lectures at Birnam Arts, some serious and some not so serious, beginning in September. A special interest day and additional winter lectures in Perth are also in preparation.

The Arts Society Tayside is a not-for-profit, 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 daytime lectures at Birnam Arts on a wide variety of topics, as well as a range of house, garden and gallery visits and interesting add-on activities.

Please visit our website to see the full programme: www.theartssocietytayside.org.uk.

Reduced price membership for the remainder of our 2024/5 season, including access to the summer visits, is £40. A full year’s membership for the 2025/6 season will be unchanged at £65.

We are not culture snobs! Come and join us. Please contact us for a complimentary lecture or to become a member: tastmembership@gmail.com or 01350 724232.

Crieff’s Fibro Warriors - Crieff’s Fibro Warriors is a support group for anyone suffering from Fibromyalgia in the Strathearn area. We have a Facebook group and we meet in Crieff Baptist church on Tuesdays at 1.30 pm. For more information contact Claire Scott at clairegrieve@hotmail.co.uk.

Looking

for an afternoon out?

We are a small Whist Club, who meet on a Wednesday afternoon in Cameron Court. So why not come along, just turn up, and join us for a friendly game of whist, 2 o’clock until 4 o’clock. You may not always win a prize but you will always get tea/ coffee, cake and biscuits. There is no membership fee but £2 fee each week.

Mrs Gawzial Trophy of a flower arrangement in a cup and saucer was won by Audrey McColl. The hostesses were Margaret Moran and Helen Newton.

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. Ask your neighbours to do the same! If you spot a hedgehog when driving at night, and can’t stop in time, try to steer so it will pass under the middle of the car where least likely to be harmed.

You can become a Hedgehog Champion by registering on www.hedgehogstreet. org/website, which has resources to make your garden and neighbourhood hedgehogfriendly zones.

Fowlis Wester SWI - John Stevenson gave an informative talk on the history of Fowlis Wester church. It was well attended by people other than SWI members.

Competitions

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Crieff Community Council - Spotlight on Youth Crime - Police representatives attending April’s Crieff Community Council meeting explained there were 27 reported crimes in the area in the previous month, with 14 involving just two individuals, one of whom is under 16.

Of the 27, two were related to road traffic incidents and four to vandalism. The police acknowledged there were undoubtedly more vandalism and other incidents, and encouraged people to not hesitate in reporting these directly to them.

Youth antisocial behaviour was discussed. Although they generally can’t arrest those under 16, it was explained the police can lay cautionary charges, lodge reports to social workers and education authorities, and will also commonly speak to the parents of those involved. They feel that in most cases this is generally effective in changing behaviour but also pointed out that extreme and repetitive cases can result in court action. In good news, for the same month last year there were 39 reported crimes, and in 2020 there were 62, so the trend is downwards. The local police are now wearing video body cameras which they can switch on when it’s appropriate to do so, and Community Wardens have recently been working in the town.

The meeting also heard the CCC has produced edition one of its newsletter, and will be producing further editions when it’s timely to do so. Copies have been distributed generally, but if you would like to be on an email list to have a copy sent to you, let the CCC know (see contact details below).

Work on the Starbucks, to be built by Aldi, is expected to start very soon. The demolition of the Drummond Arms was also discussed. PKC is still unsure how much it will cost, but has allocated up to £3 million towards the project. The CCC participation request to PKC into what will replace the Drummond Arms has been rejected due to a lack of resources available at the moment to consider the issue, but the Council has promised to work with the CCC and the wider community in a future public engagement process.

It was acknowledged that surveys asking what is missing most in Crieff’s High Street usually come up with a bookshop as number one on the list. The CCC is exploring options to use a vacant shop space for a pop-up bookshop run by volunteers and stocked with second-hand books donated by the public. Stay tuned for more.

Community events coming up include a James Square Street Party on Sunday, 4 May, the Crieff Festival running from Friday, 8 - Saturday, 16 August (Games Day being on Sunday, 17 August), the Food Festival from Monday, 13 - Sunday, 19 October, Crieff Jigsaw Festival from Saturday, 15 - Monday, 17 November in St Andrew’s Church Hall and lots of great Christmas celebrations.

The next CCC meeting is on Monday, 5 May at 7.30 pm at the Community Campus.

If you wish to get involved in any of the CCC events or activities, including donating completed jigsaws and being on its mailing list for the newsletter, find out more on the Crieff Community Council Facebook page, visit www.crieff.scot (you can see a listing of Community Events here and add your own event) or email welcome@crieff.scot

Fowlis

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- We are pleased to announce the date for this year’s annual charity plant sale at Fowlis Wester Village Hall, it will take place on Saturday, 17 May from 10 am - 1 pm and the nominated charity this year is the Macular Society (SC042015).

There will be a wide variety of plants from veggies, annuals and perennials. The Hall will also be open for tea, coffee and home baking with preloved book stall.

Strathearn Music Society - Friday, 6 June will see our long-awaited return to St. Andrew’s Halls at the corner of Crieff’s Ferntower Road and Strathearn Terrace when we stage our popular, annual caféstyle summer jazz concert. This year we will be welcoming the talented duo of Grapelli & Ella featuring award-winning violinist, vocalist and BBC broadcaster, Seonaid Aitken, and top jazz guitarist Conor Smith who together will be presenting a swinging show which celebrates two one-time jazz icons - the French violin master Stéphane

Grappelli and ‘First Lady of Song’ vocalist Ella Fitzgerald. As usual, those attending will be encouraged to bring along their own refreshments as audience seating will be around tables. An evening of spectacular music and great fun is practically guaranteed!

Back at St. Andrew’s Halls on Wednesday, 11 June we will hold our AGM, conducted properly but as swiftly as possible, after which we will be once more inviting talented youngsters from local schools to demonstrate their acquired musical skills in a

variety of genres. This is always an enlightening experience as we never ceased to be amazed by the quality of the performances and yet another great evening is promised. If you are looking for more information about any of our concerts or other activities, then visit the Strathearn Music Society’s website at www.concertsincrieff.co.uk or follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter) @concertscrieff.

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Cllr Stewart Donaldson

Strathearn Ward - SNP

As usual at this time of the year there is an increase in the number of events for a councillor to attend. Already there has been a ceremony at the Comrie War Memorial Garden, given the significant improvements that have been made there. A variety of people were involved, including Comrie in Colour. Many thanks to them. In Crieff there was a meeting at the Campus, held by Craig Statham, the Local History Officer for Culture Perth and Kinross. With the Campus Library, and at the AK Bell Library in Perth, I hope more can be achieved on family history as well as local studies.

The Spring Fair in Crieff was held at the Taylor Park on Easter Sunday. Coming up is a street party in James Square on Sunday, 4 May. Kayleigh Keith and her team are doing great work, with more to come later in the year.

And then there is the return of Still to Loch Earn. A special event to celebrate this is being held in St Fillans on Saturday, 3 May, starting at 2 pm. It’s taken eight years for the mirror man statue to return to the loch. Immense effort and determination have been required by Audrey Gavigan, Geoff Hardman-Carter, and all in St Fillans in Bloom to get to where we are now. Grateful to them for never giving up. And it is a key link in the BLiSS Trail. And since you may well ask, the Trail covers Balquhidder. Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans. It’s also a great boost to local tourism. There will be more on the Perth and Kinross Tourism Strategy and Action Plan soon, probably at the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday, 28 May. My regrets if I have missed several other events. There is so much going on.

As to local issues in Comrie the meeting convened by the Community Council at end March looked again at parking restrictions. On the eastern section of Drummond Street, up to the Ancaster Arms, and on Dundas Street, all restrictions had already been removed. After listening to what was said the three ward councillors agreed with regard to the western section of Drummond Street, for Dunira Street, and Bridge Street, to increase the maximum waiting time between April and end October. A two-hour limit now applies all year round. What we wanted to do is balance the needs of local businesses and residents. There is also still the question of parking provision.

At time of writing publication of the Comrie Community Action Plan is imminent. That will be an important document. One recent visit I made was to Cultybraggan. Comrie Development Trust is about more, yet I was greatly encouraged by what I heard. The potential that exists at Cultybraggan is immense.

In Crieff I know that Council officers are working extremely hard on the Drummond Arms. I will of course come back to that. Further up the High Street strong progress has been achieved by Creative Crieff on the Star Experience and work at the old Crieff Hotel. Site works ought to be completed by now. It may be that work has started on the community garden.

Finally, windfarms will be a growing factor locally. The one proposed at Logiealmond North is relevant to people in East Strathearn. I am told that there will be a second round of consultation events in the early summer.

To contact me I’m on SDonaldson@pkc.gov.uk, at 2 High Street, Perth. By phone it’s best to phone my Council mobile on 07557 815544.

Castle Menzies, Weem - Castle Menzies has recently introduced an exciting Lego Trail for kids. Children hunt for historical characters who lived in or visited the castle. The trail as developed by two children who regularly visit the castle, Emmy and Jackson Bradley. Castle Menzies is open Daily until 31 October 2025. Monday to Saturday 10.30 am - 4.30 pm (last admission). Sundays 2pm - 4.30 pm (last admission). T: 01887 820982. www.castlemenzies.org. You can see the Castle’s advert on p24.

Crieff Rotary

Amongst the younger P6 teams, Muthill came top with the clever all-girl team actually scoring more points than their P7 colleagues. Whatever the result, however, everyone voted the evening another great success and, no doubt, all the P6 members will be looking forward to the 2026 event when they may be able to return as P7 competitors. Next year, we also hope that Madderty primary school will be able to field teams because, for the second year running, they had to withdraw from the 2025 competition.

As mentioned in the April Quair, Saturday, 14 June should see our annual cycling challenge (on a static bike) when we challenge those passing outside Crieff’s Co-op to donate at least £1 and guess how far the concealed odometer will be reading after four hours of pedalling by the team of Rotarians. All money raised will go to the Prostate Scotland charity to help it continue its valuable support for those suffering from that pernicious disease.

We try to work hard, but enjoyably, to help those who are somewhat disadvantaged compared with ourselves, but we still need more like-minded people to join us - and those who do will find it both rewarding and fun to be a Rotarian!

Crieff Rotarians continue to meet twice a month at the friendly Meadow Inn in Burrell Street. For further information about Crieff Rotary, please scan this QR code, or visit its website, or email the Secretary at Secretary@crieff.rotary1010.org .

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.

Five local schools sent two teams each to our Primary School Quiz at the Strathearn Community Campus in late March, all competing for the coveted Ross-Bell Quaich. There were ten different rounds of six questions a piece and, after a hard-fought battle, the P7 team from Morrison’s Academy (pictured right) came out on top, winning by just two points from their nearest rival. On presenting the four team members with the quaich and their winners’ certificates, Rotary President Rev’d Bob Milne also confirmed that they would be going forward to the Rotary Area final at Stirling University this month.

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. It has been known for multiple dogs to chase one hare and money to change hands depending on which dog kills the hare. We have recently seen an upsurge in reports in the area recently and I would urge anyone who wishes to report this type of crime; if they are a witness to this crime, or simply, if you are a farmer or a landowner and you’d like to report any suspicious activity or people on your land - particularly suspicious people with dogs such as lurchers or greyhounds - please contact police on 101. If you witness anyone hare coursing please consider the following when noting details:*What was it about their actions that alerted you? *What were the people doing, where were their dogs and what were they doing? *What did the dog look like? *What markings did it have? *Take a photograph if possible and safe to do so *Get a comprehensive description of the people involved, how many, age, height, build, hair colour and style, clothing, anything distinctive? *Details of any vehicles used or parked nearby that may be linked to the offenders.

Brass Central Strathearn - Spring is in full swing, and we’re all excited to see the sun shining and the flowers blooming! On Saturday, 31 May, we’ll be hosting our annual Afternoon Concert at St Andrew’s Hall in Crieff at 2 pm. We’d love for you to join us for some great music from both our senior band and development band, along with a cup of tea or coffee and some homemade treats. Entry is just £5, £2 for children, and free for preschoolers - great value! Come along and support your community band.

We’ll also be playing at the Little Dunning Fete on Saturday, 7 June and at the bandstand in MacRosty Park, Crieff, on Thursday evening, Thursday, 12 June from 6.30 pm. We hope to see you there! Thank you so much for your continued support - we’re truly grateful. And remember, we’re always welcoming new members, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced player. Feel free to contact us at brasscstrath@gmail.com.

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Pete Wishart MP

Perth and Kinross-shire

I can be reached at 63 Glasgow Road, Perth, PH2 0PE, by telephone on 01738 639598 or by email at pete.wishart.mp@parliament.uk

Pete Wishart MP

Perth and Kinross-shire SNP

At the time of writing, Scotland has been enjoying a lovely spring heatwave; a welcome departure from what felt like a very long winter. I hope readers have been able to make the most of the sunny weather, and that there is more to come by the time this reaches your doorstep.

The warmer weather will also mean less money having to be spent on heating costs. As energy bills and other essential living costs continue to rise, I have seen the immense strain this has been putting on many of my constituents.

Financial issues, particularly relating to energy bills and welfare support, are amongst the most common kind of cases that my office assists with, and I have been working to assist everybody who gets in touch.

I am pleased that, in the past year or so, I have been able to secure a total of over £100,000 for constituents who have sought my assistance with such issues. For all that’s involved with being an MP, casework is by far the most important - and having the ability to make life that bit easier for my constituents truly is a privilege, particularly in these difficult times.

Another very common enquiry I get is on immigration. With the summer holidays coming up, many readers will be planning a trip abroad or for a loved one visit them here in bonnie Scotland. Again, if you have any issues relating to passport applications or visas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

In other news, since my last column I was delighted to open No.1 Dunira and see Elaine’s fantastic new premises in person, situated in the heart of Comrie inside an iconic Mackintosh building.

Elaine has put so much hard work into the store, and I was heartened to see how much support it has received from the local community already.

It has never been more important to support local businesses, so I would encourage people to make sure to pay a visit.

Another visit was to the brilliant Comrie Butchers to congratulate Murray and the team on winning Best Venison Pie in the UK in the British Pie Awards for a second year running.

This is a remarkable achievement, and having had one of the pies for dinner that evening, I can attest to the fact that the award is very well deserved!

Finally, I was thrilled to see that the Mirror Man is now back in its fully glory in Loch Earn. I know my St Fillans constituents have been rejoicing at the return of its most iconic resident, and I very much look forward to attending the grand opening in May.

Please feel free to contact my office if you have any queries on 01738 639598 / pete. wishart.mp@parliament.uk.

Vision PK: Comrie Social Group for People with a Visual Impairment

Vision PK support a regular group in Comrie for people with a visual impairment. The group is run in partnership with Cameron Court and is open to anyone with a visual impairment. We have been running for over a year now, meeting up for a chat and some refreshments. People working or living in the community have been invited along to chat with us about their work or interests. If you would like to volunteer to help at the group then please get in touch, we would appreciate community support.

Our meetings in Comrie are in: The Lounge, Cameron Court, Almond Place, Comrie PH6 2BB. We meet every second Tuesday of the month from 10 am until 11.30 am.

Tel: 01738 626969 info@visionpk.org.uk

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Alzheimer Scotland and the Older People’s Community Mental Health Team in Southwest Perthshire hope you will join us again this year to mark Dementia Awareness Week. Come along and enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat on Friday, 6 June at Crieff Community Hospital between 1.30 pm and 3.30 pm. We will be joined by colleagues from various local services who will be glad to pass on useful information and advice. We look forward to seeing you.

Contact Monica Stewart on 07770 966950 or monicastewart@alzscot.org for more information.

Monzie

Castle

Monzie Castle open Saturday, 10 May - Sunday, 8 June 2025 inclusive. Tours at 2 pm and 3.30 pm. Tickets £10. Please book at Isla.crichton@monzieestate.com

Mid Strathearn Parish - Mid Strathearn Parish in rural Perthshire was formed in 2018 with the Union of the congregations of Fowlis Wester, Gask, Madderty and Monzie Churches. As a family of Christian people we offer opportunities for regular worship and aim to serve our community through caring and involvement. We seek to be welcoming, open, warm and friendly, and look forward to welcoming you to our services.

seek to teach and understand the message of the Bible, loving God and showing that love to our community.

St Fillan’s RC Parish Church

Ford Road, Crieff PH7 3HN, Also serving St. Fillan’s and St Margaret’s, Comrie stfillancrieff@dunkelddiocese.org.uk

Sunday Masses - 5.30 pm Saturday Vigil in St Fillan’s, Crieff 9.30 am in St Margaret’s, Comrie 11 am in St Fillan’s

We are here to welcome you home, to God, to us, to your true and better self. Our church is located in Ford Road, Crieff, in the heart of Perthshire, part of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Crieff Parish Church www.crieffparishchurch.org

Crieff Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. We meet for worship every Sunday at 11 am in the St Andrew’s building at the corner of Strathearn Terrace and Ferntower Road.

Services are led by our minister, Rev Andrew J Philip, with a blend of new and older musical praise led by our band - these services are livestreamed for folk who can’t come along.

Our church family is made up of all sorts of people at all stages of life - there’s even a play corner for the youngest children. We

Members of our church are involved in a number of local and national charities, and in partnership with other churches in town we offer people support getting free from debt through CAP Strathearn. As a church we seek to be opened up to God and opened out to others in Worship, Nurture and Mission. If you are new to Crieff, visiting the area or looking for a church we would love to welcome and get to know you, so please come along or get in touch.

Crieff Parish Church, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff, PH7 3AQ

Scottish Registered Charity SC004304

A congregation of the Church of Scotland within the Presbytery of Perth Congregation number 281650.

Comrie Parish Church

www.comrieparishchurch.org Comrie Parish Church, 22 Burrell Street, Comrie, PH6 2JP

Welcome to our Church - We seek to follow Jesus Christ, to share the Gospel, and bring the knowledge of God’s love to all.

Sunday services are 10 am Comrie Parish Church and 11.30 am Dundurn.

Crieff Macular Support Group

Crieff Macular Support Group is here to help anyone who has macular degeneration or any form of sight loss. Everyone is welcome at this small friendly group.

We meet at the Small Hall of St Andrew’s Parish Church of Scotland, Strathearn Terrace, Crieff PH7 3AQ from 10 am to 12 pm on the first Monday of the month. We often have speakers, on a wide range of topics connected with the local community, sight or general interest. It can be helpful to meet other people who have problems with their sight and we enjoy the social interaction at the meetings over tea/coffee and biscuits. We would welcome new members and would encourage anyone interested to join us. Friends, family members and carers are welcome at the group too.

To contact Rev Craig Dobney call 01764 679196 or email him at CDobney@churchofscotland.org.uk.

Charity No: SC 001878

Dundurn Parish Church - Dundurn Parish Church in the village of St Fillans is the linked charge with Comrie Parish Church. Sunday worship is at 11.30 am.

Crieff Baptist Church

1 Addison Terrace, Crieff PH7 3AT crieffbaptist@gmail.com www.crieffbaptist.org.uk

We meet at 10.30 am on Sunday mornings. Coorie and Craft at Crieff Baptist Church

warm spaces - Every week from Monday, 21 October at 12.30 pm2.30 pm.

Tea/coffee and home baking.

Everyone welcome.

If you know of someone in another area how might benefit from their local Macular Society Support Group, please let me know. For more information about the Crieff Macular Society Support Group, if you would like to come to the meetings or help with the group or if you have any questions, please contact Laura Gray, Senior Regional Manager, Macular Society on 07948 352967 or email laura.gray@macularsociety.org.

Seventh Day Adventist Church

Gwydyr Road, PH7 4BS

info@crieffadventist.org.uk www.crieffadventist.org.uk

We meet every Sabbath (Saturday) for our worship services. At 10 am we have our Study Hour (with separate classes for adults and children). Our main worship service is at 11.20 am and we often have other events throughout the week. Our aim and vision is to be a community that reflects faith in God demonstrated by faith in our fellow men and women, thus honouring the command of the Lord Jesus found in passages such as John 13:34,35

‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ Come and join us...

Jehovah’s Witnesses

26-30 King St, Crieff PH7 3HA

Jehovah’s Witnesses hold meetings for worship twice each week. (Hebrews 10:24, 25)

The Crossing Crieff

At these meetings, which are open to the public, we examine what the Bible says and how we can apply its teachings in our life. Most of our services include audience participation, much like a classroom discussion. Meetings begin and end with song and prayer.

You don’t have to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to attend our meetings. We invite everyone to come along.

Seats are free. No collections are ever taken. www.jw.org/en

Strathearn Episcopal Churches Crieff, Comrie, & Lochearnhead Rev. Gennie Evans rev.gen@btinternet.com.

St Columba’s, Crieff; St Serf’s, Comrie; St Angus’, Lochearnhead and St Fillan’s, Killin www.strathearn-episcopal-churches.co.uk

St James Episcopal Church Muthill Station Road, Muthill, PH5 2AR

Phone Number - 01764 662525

Website - www.stkessogs.org/st-james Clergy in Charge - Rev Duncan Strathie Our Sunday services at 5.30 pm are usually traditional Evensong, with a Holy Communion service on the first Sunday of each month. All are welcome to join us and to stay for refreshments afterwards. For further details contact Harriet on stjamesmuthill@gmail.com.

Please check any service times listed independently before attending. If you see any out of date information, or feel that there any omissions, we’d be obliged if you could email us at crieffandcomrie@thequair.com

Who are we - The Crossing Crieff is a Gospel-centred, local, independent church. A Community who gather to Worship, learn from His Word, and fellowship. We believe in the power of studying the Word of God (the Bible) and having a community of people which is not just on Sunday.

We meet twice a week for worship, bible study/teaching, and fellowship, in which we systematically go through the bible looking at the big picture of the bible and the individual events and stories and how it all fits together.

Service Times

Sunday Morning Service - 11 am for children service (all welcome), and 11.30 am12.30 pm for adult service, followed by tea, coffee & fellowship at Strathearn Campus, Pittenzie Rd, Crieff PH7 3JN

Tuesday Evening Bible study - 5.30 pm for a meal and fellowship followed by a discussion-based bible study starting at 6.15 pm - 7 pm at Craiglynne, Dallerie Road, Crieff, PH7 4EG

More Information - Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about God or ourselves.

Our details are Pastor: Allan Holleran Email: info@thecrossingcrieff.co.uk Web: www.thecrossingcrieff.co.uk Tel: 07864 803123

Address: Craiglynne, Dallerie Road, Crieff, PH7 4EG. Charity No: SC052382.

Muthill Parish Church

www.muthillparishchurch.co.uk

A warm welcome awaits you every Sunday at our new time of 10.30 am. Our services can also be viewed online on our YouTube channel or on our Facebook page. We also have lots of opportunities throughout the week where you can come and meet up and enjoy some heat and company. Check out our Facebook page for details The long presence of a church in Muthill is evident by the remains of a medieval building and burial ground in the centre of the village.

Charity Registration Numbers Muthill: SC004984 Trinity Gask & Kinkel SC000004

The Baha’i Faith - The Comrie and Crieff group is hosting a space for communal support, uplifting readings, prayer and reflection. There will be a different theme every month and on Tuesday, 6 May at 7.30 pm the theme is ‘Maybe?’! These gatherings welcome all comers. For further information please contact Diana on 01764 670399 or Gordon on 07510 454342. ‘Sow the seeds of My divine wisdom in the pure soil of thy heart, and water them with the water of certitude, that the hyacinths of My knowledge and wisdom may spring up fresh and green in the sacred city of thy heart.’ Baha’u’llah

Awe Walks - Please join us for these restorative, gentle walks in nature to reconnect with who we truly are. The next one will be on Saturday, 17 May at 10 am. Let’s walk together in a spirit of joy and harmony. Observing all we see, hear and feel with awe helps us to connect deeply with the mysteries of life, to develop our sense of hope, serenity and oneness. Delighting in the ordinary and finding the extra-ordinary raises our spirits, stimulates our mental wellbeing and strengthens our resilience. All ages are welcome, children do this naturally! There will be pauses for reflection, both personal and shared, on the walk. Please wear appropriate clothing for mixed terrain, nothing too challenging. Each participant is responsible for their own safety and respectful of other’s. There is no charge. For further information on where to meet and to register interest please contact either Diana on 01764 670399 or Gordon on 07510 454342.

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Cllr Noah Khogali

Strathearn Ward - Conservative

It’s a real pleasure to provide an update this month as we mark a significant milestone for Comrie. After years of planning, work is now underway on the Comrie Flood Protection Scheme, a major investment that will provide longterm peace of mind for many of the people of Comrie.

Once complete next year, the scheme will offer protection to nearly 200 homes from the threat of flooding. Everyone in the village will remember the disruption and damage caused by major floods in 1993, 1997, 2006 and again in 2012. Once complete, the scheme will provide protection against flood events with a 1 in 200 year probability, a significant step forward for resilience in Comrie.

In addition, Balfour Beatty has temporarily reinstated some of the parking spaces at Field of Refuge car park. They will need to fully close it again at the stage when their work requires it, but are able to free up some space for the time being.

While this work moves forward, I also want to shine a light on the brilliant contributions of local volunteers. In particular, a huge thank you and warm congratulations to Comrie in Colour for the improvements made to the Comrie War Memorial Garden. The space looks absolutely superb. Their efforts, often quietly carried out, make a visible difference, and I know many residents have appreciated their work.

As always, if there’s something you’d like to raise or discuss, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact me on - Telephone 01738 475000, email NKhogali@pkc.gov.uk or at Perth & Kinross Council, 2 High St, Perth PH1 5PH

Comrie Heritage Group (CHG) CHG plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating the vibrant history of Comrie and its surroundings.

Our role includes the conserving and interpreting the history of Cultybraggan Camp - Cultybraggan is Scotland’s only remaining prisoner of war camp. Its history is multifaceted: Initially, it served as a labour camp for Italian prisoners of war until Italy surrendered in 1943. In 1944 it became a camp for German POWs, including soldiers, submariners and airmen. After the war, many of these men remained and underwent a programme of denazification before being returned home. Some returned later in their lives to revisit the camp and to meet again the friends that they had made in Comrie. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) eventually took over the camp, using it as a training facility for TA, regular soldiers, and cadets. In 2007 Comrie Development Trust acquired the camp from the MoD. Cultybraggan Museum - The museum, located in the Jail block, opened in 2021. It provides insights into the daily lives of prisoners and showcases storyboards detailing camp life and interactions between prisoners and Comrie villagers.

The museum is now open for the 2025 season from 10 am until 4 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Monday, 5 May, the 80th anniversary of VE Day. While there is no entrance fee, donations which will enable us to continue running the museum would be greatly appreciated. Guided tours - Comrie Heritage Group offers guided tours of Cultybraggan Camp. Adults: £10; children over 10 years: £5; ed ucational groups: £2 per person; groups of more than 12 adults: £8. To arrange a tour, please visit the Cultybraggan Museum web site at www.cultybraggancamp.uk and select contact us.

How can you get involved? If you would like to become a volunteer helping to or ganise events, welcome visitors to the mu seum or conduct guided tours please con tact thomashollins12@gmail.com. By supporting the Comrie Heritage Group, you contribute to the rich tapestry of Com rie’s past and ensure that its legacy lives on.

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Comrie Bridge Club - Think your bridge is a bit rusty or not good enough to join a club. Think again and give us a try. Why not turn your heating off and come for a warm welcome at Comrie Bridge club. We are a small friendly club that plays duplicate bridge each week from early October to the end of March. We welcome new players both experienced and improvers and your first visit is free. On a Wednesday afternoon you are welcome to come and just watch for a few weeks before joining in play. We play on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm and Thursday evening at 7 pm in the Comrie Bowling Club, Camp Road. We ask players to arrive at least 15 minutes early. You do not need a partner for Wednesdays. Thursday is for pairs but if you need a partner give us a ring and we will try to arrange one for you. Both sessions have a break for tea or coffee and biscuits. The annual membership fee is £7 which includes both days and the table fee is £3 per session. If you are interested in joining us or want more information please contact: Phil 07713 643565 philiptipping61@gmail. com or Kate 07714 291077 kate@thecreativepractice.org

Front Cover Picture

- This month’s wonderful front cover image was taken by Richard Bott at Turret Falls whilst the river was in spate. Richard, from Madderty, said ‘I am a keen amateur photographer and walker, and the Crieff area is an excellent place to combine these two hobbies. I was lucky that the sun came out and illuminated parts of the shady dell and created a small rainbow’.

Liz Smith MSP

Mid Scotland & Fife Regional Member - Conservative

As you might expect, I was delighted that my outdoor education bill has passed stage one at Holyrood with crossparty support. This Bill is not about party politics, it is what is in the best interests of our young people. In this vein, I am grateful to all of the MSPs who backed the principles of the legislation from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the SNP backbenchers who bravely broke ranks.

For readers who aren’t aware, I am currently progressing with a Private Members Bill through Holyrood which seeks to give every child in Scotland the right to one week of residential outdoor education. Far too many young people are missing out on this key learning opportunity at present, and this is especially the case in the most deprived areas. Over the last three years I have been appalled at the lack of data the Scottish Government holds on outdoor education, but our estimates are that only a third of children are attending residentials during their time at school.

In the independent school sector this is built into the curriculum because the evidence shows how beneficial it is for developing key life skills such as confidence and resilience. The current model is not working and I don’t believe it is fair, or acceptable, that the opportunity to attend a residential be reserved for a select minority in a postcode lottery. This is especially the case because it is often those from the most challenging backgrounds who gain the most from residential outdoor education.

The evidence for the benefits of residential outdoor education is compelling and exactly what is needed to begin addressing the considerable challenges in Scottish education such as attendance, behaviour, discipline, anxiety and mental health in the aftermath of Covid. Outdoor education will not solve this problem alone, but we know from qualitative evidence from pupils and teachers how beneficial, even life-changing, it can be. Often young people can be hesitant and a bit daunted prior to attending residentials, but come away with a sense of achievement and revitalised self-esteem.

I would like to thank parliamentary colleagues again for proactively engaging with me throughout the process over the last three years, but most especially the outdoor education sector themselves. Not many Member’s Bills make it this far in the process and it is a credit to the sector for persuasively putting forward the transformational impact residential experiences can have on youngsters.

The next months of Stage 2 will be crucial in addressing the concerns of members, shaping this legislation and ensuring inclusivity for all. Holyrood backing the Bill at Stage 1 is just the beginning, but the momentum is now with us, and I am absolutely determined to see it through for the sake our young people.

As always if any local residents would like to raise issues with me please get in touch by calling my office on 01738 553990 or emailing elizabeth.smith.msp@parliament.scot

Floral Fundraiser in aid of Eyes for East Africa - Eyes for Africa is a Charity which restores sight to children and adults. We have eight places available, on each of these workshops, to learn how to make a hand tied bouquet followed by afternoon tea.

Minimum donation of £25. Dates - Friday, 2 and Friday, 9 May from 2 pm - 4 pm at The Greenhouse Studio, Westerton House, Ochtertyre.

Contact Shelagh at Bouquets and Bubbles to book a place and for further information. Tel 07742 967471.

Strathearn Talking News

Strathearn Talking News is your local talking newspaper. We are volunteers who read and record onto USB the Strathearn Herald, the local newspaper for Crieff and District. We also read and record onto USB the monthly magazine The Crieff and Comrie Quair. A USB may be more familiarly known as a memory stick.

Strathearn Talking News is a Charity (SCO 15628) and in 2014 the Charity received a grant from Awards for All to go digital. Prior to that the newspaper was recorded and copied onto cassettes. We are proud to say that Strathearn Talking News has been providing a service for nearly 35 years for those in our community with a visual impairment and who find reading difficult. We provide a USB player. It is a small lightweight box no larger than a box of tissues. It runs off the mains electricity but it can also run on a battery which is automatically charged when the player is plugged into the mains. This makes it very easy to take into other areas of the house. The yellow on/off dial at the front is also an excellent volume control. The dial and the forward/back/pause buttons are yellow to make them more vis-

ible. The service we provide is completely free. We record and copy from our own homes on a weekly rota, 52 weeks of the year. Listeners to Strathearn Talking News hear local news concerning Crieff and the surrounding villages. We record all the news items, letters to the Editor, Intimations, Planning Applications, reports from local Clubs and Organisations, a calendar of events, as well as the main feature in the newspaper that week. We also do our best to describe photographs!

The Crieff and Comrie Quair is an open access monthly magazine and carries articles on a variety of interesting topics. We record and copy it onto our weekly USB once a month.

E: info@strathearntalkingnews.org

T: Maureen Anderson 01764 652406

W: www.strathearntalking news.org

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Friends of Crieff Cemetery - Friends of Crieff Cemetery would like to invite the public to our Armed Forces Day Tour on Saturday, 28 June at 2 pm in Crieff Cemetery. Free entry, all welcome. See our advert to left.

Crieff Choral Group - Crieff Choral Group’s Spring Concert, on March 29, was a wonderful end to a very successful season.

The concert began with an uplifting performance of Handel’s ‘The Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba’ played by The Strathearn Camerata, led by Claire Telford. The choir was then joined by superb soloists Michelle Sheridan Grant (soprano), Cheryl Forbes (contralto) and Phil Gault (baritone), for Purcell’s ‘Come Ye Sons of Art’. After the interval, the audience were treated to Marianna Martines’s ‘Dixit Dominus’. Until recently Martines was relatively unknown, although she was well recognised during her lifetime, but her music, as with other emerging female composers, is now beginning to be performed and appreciated more often.

David Douglas (tenor) then joined Michelle Sheridan Grant and Phil Gault for the magnificent Mass in G by Schubert.

Choir and orchestra were conducted by Ulrike Wutscher, the choir’s choral director. Thanks must go to Ulrike, also to rehearsal pianist Melvyn Turnbull, and to the committee, for all their hard work over the year.

What an enjoyable year it has been, concerts, tour to Vienna, entertaining in the community. What will next season bring?

If you enjoy singing, and would like to join the choir for the next season, beginning in September, contact the choir secretary on crieffchoral@gmail.com or find information on www.facebook.com/crieff. Rehearsals are on Mondays at Strathearn Arts, from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.

Probus Club Auchterarder - You are invited to join Auchterarder Probus Club which is a social forum providing fellowship and friendship for like-minded people. It is not affiliated to a central organising body. We are a broad church with retired and semi-retired professional people and others and comprise farmers, ministers, senior armed forces people, surgeons and marketing folk and engineers from a wide background. You will be most welcome. We meet twice a month in the winter and once a month in the summer. Meetings are held in the Auchterarder Golf Club and start at 12 noon with lunch at 12.30 pm followed by a guest speaker. Future speakers include Members of Parliament, Senior Officers from our Navy and Army plus local traders who want to tell their story.

If you are interested in joining us please contact our Press Officer by email at forbesmcnaughton@icloud.com.

PADS - PADS (Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society) is a well-loved, long established local dog rescue charity with kennels at Forteviot. 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. We provide veterinary care for the sick and injured amongst our strays See www.padsdogrescue.com for further information.

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9 Hole

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

Innerpeffray Library

The Library of Innerpeffray is open for tours until the end of October, with a fascinating exhibition on the theme of Book Markings - exploring the ways that past owners and readers of our historic collection of books have left their marks upon the pages, through notes, names and even doodles.

In the month of May, the Library will also be hosting ‘Reading Forms’, a site-specific visual art project by locally-based textile artist Helen Gallogly, supported by Creative Scotland. For full details of events connected to this exciting exhibition, see our ‘dates for your diary’ section below.

Dates for your

Diary

Friday, 2 May - Reading Forms: Exhibition

Launch with Helen Gallogly. 6 pm. Textile artist Helen Gallogly, known for her costume textile design work on the Outlander drama series, presents her visual art project inspired by Innerpeffray. Tickets free, book online.

Friday 2 - Saturday 31 May - Reading Forms: Helen Gallogly. This innovative art installation will display printed textile sculptures positioned throughout the Library location, presenting new visual narratives investigating the site and the content of its collections. There will be artist-led tours of the exhibition with Helen on Saturday, 3; Sunday, 4; Friday, 9; Sunday, 18; Saturday, 24 ;Sunday, 25; Friday, 30 and Saturday, 31 May, all at 3 pm. An artist talk on the development and creation of the exhibition will take place on Saturday, 17 May, 3 pm. See the ‘What’s On’ page on our website for full details and ticket booking.

Wednesday, 14 May - The Northern Lighthouse Board: More Than Lighthouses. 7 pm. The Friends of Innerpeffray are delighted to welcome Mike Bullock OBE, Chief Executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board, to give a talk in the Old Schoolroom. Tickets £10, book online.

Sunday, 1 June - The White Rose of Gask: The Life and Songs of Carolina Oliphant, Lady Nairne. 3 pm. Musician Freeland Barbour and poet Gerda Stevenson present a performance in Innerpeffray Chapel on the life of Lady Nairne, along with many of her

well-loved songs. Tickets £15, book online. Saturday, 7 June - Guided Roman Walk. 2 pm. Join Gavin Lindsay, author of ‘Rome’s Caledonian Corridor,’ for a fascinating walk into the past exploring Roman Innerpeffray. Tickets £10, volunteers free. Book online.

Tuesday, 24 June - Good Again? with Sarah Small. 7 pm. A musical tour with a difference, Sarah Small is cycling from venue to venue to perform a programme of music ranging from the 17th century to the present day on the Viola da Gamba. Tickets £15, book online.

Thursday, 10 July - The Three Inch Fools: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 7 pm. The everpopular Fools are back, in their 10th anniversary year, with an outdoor performance of this glorious audience favourite. Tickets £20 / £12 / £48, available online. Call for Volunteers - Our friendly volunteer team is crucial to the running of the Library of Innerpeffray. Whether you would like to be a visitor guide, join the gardening team, do behind-the-scenes admin or help out with our programme of events, we’d love to hear from you. Email info@innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk or call the number below. The Library’s regular opening hours are Wednesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm, and Sunday 2 pm - 5 pm. Contact us on 01764

652819 or visit our website at www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk for more details and for ticket booking.

Comrie & St Fillans Music Circle

Meetings are held at the Rural Hall Comrie, starting at between 12 pm/12.30 pm on a Tuesday (but never the second Tuesday in the month), which is then followed by a light lunch and the subject for the day. Regardless of the programme, we are finished no later than 4 pm. The 10 meetings for the autumn are already under way starting in September 2025 and will be advised in later editions of The Quair. Membership is open to everyone and all are welcome. We are a very friendly club, so come and try us out.

If further information is required, please contact: Malcolm Gregory - H: 01764 670493 | M: 07752 498187

Comrie Probus Club

All meetings are held every other Wednesday at the Comrie Parish Church Hall at 10.30 pm, starting with tea/coffee followed by the presentation of the day. Under the guidance of our new chairman - Ian Rogers - dates and speakers for the coming 12 meetings start on Wednesday, 8 October, with the speaker Margaret Bennett talking about her book project Up the Glen and Doon the Village. The balance of speakers is already well under way and will be advised in later editions of The Quair. However, meeting dates for this year are: *Wednesday, 8 October *Wednesday, 22 October *Wednesday, 5 November *Wednesday, 19 November *Wednesday, 3 December *Wednesday, 17 December Membership is open to everyone. We are a friendly club and all are welcome. Please come along and give us a try. For further information please contact: Malcolm Gregory - H: 01764 670493 | M: 07752 498187 Valerie Banwell - H: 01764 685208 | M: 07714 548219

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Iconic STILL Sculpture Returns to Loch Earn in St Fillans - The beloved STILL sculpture, created by renowned Scottish sculptor and environmental artist Rob Mulholland, has triumphantly returned to the waters of Loch Earn, offering locals and visitors alike the chance to experience its mesmerising reflection against the Highland landscape once more. Positioned serenely in the water in St Fillans, the 3m tall, mirrored figure has become a landmark for the village and a symbol of the powerful bond between art, community, and nature.

First installed in 2014, the STILL sculpture quickly became a celebrated attraction, drawing admirers to Loch Earn with its unique ability to blend into its surroundings, reflecting the ever-changing beauty of the landscape. After an absence, its return was made possible by the efforts of St Fillans in Bloom, the local volunteer group dedicated to enhancing the village’s beauty and appeal, alongside support from community members and funders. ‘The return of STILL to Loch Earn is truly a gift to the village and to everyone who visits,’ said Audrey Gavigan, Treasurer of St Fillans in Bloom. ‘This sculpture has a special place in our hearts. It not only reflects the stunning landscape around us but also represents the resilience and creativity of our community. We’re delighted to bring STILL back to St Fillans, where it can inspire and captivate all over again.’

Rob Mulholland, the artist behind STILL, expressed his excitement to see his sculpture back in Loch Earn, saying, ‘I created STILL to symbolise the physical and spiritual relationship between humans and the natural world. The figure is purposefully static in stance reflecting the awe and power of nature. It’s incredible to witness how the sculpture has resonated with the people of St Fillans and visitors from far and wide. I’m deeply honoured that STILL has found a home here, and I look forward to seeing how STILL continues to engage with the community and the landscape.’

The reinstallation of STILL marks a renewed chapter for art tourism in St Fillans, reaffirming the village’s place on Scotland’s cultural map and encouraging sustainable tourism that honours both local heritage and the natural environment. The sculpture now forms part of the BLiSS Trail, a series of sculptures and installations from local artists and architects found through the villages of Balquidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St Fillans. With the support of St Fillans in Bloom, the village is set to continue creating experiences that draw people to Loch Earn’s shores, where art and nature unite.

The project was aided by the Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Association, which provided project management support and helped to secure funding from generous donors, including Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Government Islands and Rural Communities Fund, Thomson Charitable Trust, ArtRoots (Sustrans), Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust, and Arnold Clark Foundation. Local fundraising efforts carried out by St Fillans in Bloom, supported by the local community, were also crucial to the project’s success. Chair of ‘Take a Pride in Perth and Kinross Association’ Dr Karen McDonnell said, ‘We are delighted to have supported St Fillans in Bloom to bring STILL back to Loch Earn. This project beautifully embodies our mission to foster community involvement and enhance the local environment. By working together on initiatives like this, we’re not only enriching the area’s cultural and environmental landscape but also inspiring residents and visitors to connect with the beauty and spirit of Perth and Kinross. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and community pride.’

The Museum opened for the season on Thursday, 17 April 2025 and our opening times are Thursday, Friday and Sunday 12 - 4pm and Saturdays 10am- 4pm. We are looking forward to seeing the local community as well as visitors to Crieff visit and give us your thoughts on this year’s displays over the course of the season. Our AGM this year is on 6 May 2025 at 11am in the Museum so please come along to support us and find out all we have achieved over the last twelve months. To become a member of the museum please check our website for details and a membership form or pop into the museum and join. The membership fee is £12.00 per annum and you will be supporting us with the running costs of keeping the museum open. We accept cash or card payments.

Also happening in May - the council will be erecting scaffolding around the Town Hall to do repairs to the roof, we have not been given the exact date but it will be in May sometime.

The renovation of the old council chamber/magistrates court is now complete and we are very happy with the end results. Thanks to both David Campbell and Alan Murphy for all the work you have done in getting it finished ready for our new season. It looks great. David has created a timeline highlighting historic events in and around Strathearn which runs around the room. Our volunteers have been hard at work setting up the displays for this season and we hope you will enjoy them all. We would like to thank everyone who has gifted or loaned items to the museum. It’s much appreciated and it helps us to tell the varied history of Crieff and Strathearn.

If you are interested in volunteering as a guide during the season please email us info@crieffandstrathearnmuseum.org.uk

Cycle Crieff - Cycle Crieff is a community initiative with the aim to encourage and support all cyclists to explore the routes around Crieff. No one is paid a salary; our volunteers and links help make the project a success.

There are three main strands - Routes - Categorised by bike style: road & gravel. Use the QR code to access the routes easily! Repairs - Puncture repairs to electric conversions are catered for in our well-equipped workshop. We are supported by Morrison’s Academy, and we appreciate a call before coming to our workshop. Reuse - We accept donated bikes directly and utilise these to provide transport for all sections of the community. We always have a range of bikes for sale. Community cycling - We have an active cycle group, offering rides instigated by WhatsApp chat riders. There is a related Spond app to focus on specific events and rides. We ask contributors to only put up rides where they have invited the community or intend doing so. Other bike-related information is looked at by admin. Since the last Quair we have: ‘A’ (easy social), ‘B’ & ‘C’ Rides - There have been further local trips and with the great weather, many of the group have invited their fellow community of riders to join them. The emphasis has been to show we are ‘inclusive not exclusive’ and it’s been great to meet new and returning cyclists. There will have been 19 events and rides organised by the group by the start of April. Spring social - Held at the Golf Club, over 30 riders joined the party! The food was great, drinks flowed and presentations were given. Plans to go to Islay, Hebrides, Mongolia and ‘12 rides’ were discussed. The ‘Town to Tops’ challenges have started and are growing in popularity. Thanks to Wendy, Helen and Lawrence for getting this together. Sales & Dr Bike - In conjunction with Remake, we have had two bike sales and Dr Bike events. Please keep an eye out for these as it is an opportunity to grab a bargain and fully serviced bike!

upcoming

Cycle Crieff ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ rides - There

are two rides a month, on the first Sunday and last Saturday. These are social but may also include earlier quicker rides. There are many other rides so get in touch and find out how you can get involved. There are rides to Glen Finglas, Dundee Audax, Arrochar, and Nowhere Sauna all planned for April. Socials & trips - Islay is now well underway with 9 currently attending the famous Ride of the Falling Rain. ‘Bike packing without the faff’ route from Bonar Bridge to Ullapool is in the planning stage, with 4 currently attending. A group of at least 8 riders will be doing the Ride to the Sun from Carlisle to Edinburgh, and a few more will go a little further. Plans are well ahead for a September Hebrides trip and a social at the end of October to wrap up the summer/autumn season.

Bike donations - Thanks again for so many great donated bikes. It really makes a difference to the community. Disc brake

mountain bikes are still in demand. We’ll collect if required. If you donate a bike, we’ll service your other bikes for free. Spring clean! - Your bike will be needing a bit of TLC after a winter on salty roads or in the shed. A good clean and lube should be the first task followed by a full check over. Get in touch and we’ll help you do this for free.

Please get in touch if you want to know more or join our adventures -Visit our website: cyclecrieff.scot/about.html; Facebook: Cycle Crieff; Email: cyclecrieff@ yahoo.com

Comrie SWI - Comrie SWI met in April when speaker Andrew Turnbull talked about Canine Partners, offering a fascinating insight into how assistance dogs help those less able.

Competitions - 3x Tablet: 1st Patricia Robertson 2nd equal Joyce Carnegie and Margaret Colyer 3rd Carol Mulligan Bowl of Bulbs: 1st Margaret Colyer 2nd Patricia Robertson 3rd Joan Murdoch (literally a bowl of lightbulbs and tulips!)

Raffle raised £102 which was donated to Canine Partners.

Next meeting - AGM. Tuesday, 13 May, 1 pm. Buffet lunch and business at Comrie Rural Hall.

Crieff Community Garden - Calling all community builders, lovers of nature, people and the planet. Help is needed to restore and refresh the Crieff Community Garden to its former glory, to recreate a safe welcoming area for all, a place of peace and purpose, of beauty and connection. This is a space open for the community run by the community. It is the perfect place for schools, both primary and secondary, for local businesses, families, friends and individuals to become involved and learn, thorough nature, about the growth of cooperation and co-habitation. As a garden flourishes so do we. On a practical level a treasurer and a co-ordinator is urgently needed to access the funds allocated by the council to restore the garden as well as willing helpers who can offer an hour or so here and there to prune, weed and plant. All ages, abilities, beliefs and background are welcome. Please step up and become part of a caring community group who have spent thousands of hours over the last few years creating this vibrant, living space which now needs to be restored and maintained. Let’s show a world that seems to be collapsing that a better place can be built from the grassroots (literally) up!

Please contact Catriona on 07743 113140 or Diana on 07552 312386 or join us Wednesday evenings from 6 pm - 8 pm.

Earnsong 10 Year Anniversary

In honour of our 10th birthday year, we are holding various workshops and events to which all are welcome.

Sunday, 4 May - Christine Kydd Rural Hall, Comrie 12 pm till 4 pm cost £15. Christine is a wellknown tutor in Folk and Scottish harmonies.

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Sunday, 25 May - Irene Railley workshop 12 pm till 4 pm in the White Church cost £15. Irene teaches amazing Georgian harmonies.

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To round off our celebrations we will be holding our Big Concert on Monday, 16 June at the White Church. More on that later. Come along to any event and have some fun

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Bookbug Sessions - These fun, interactive sessions are suitable for pre-schoolers from baby years. The sessions are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month, 1.30 pm1.50pm. No need to book.

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Café Books - Do you love to read? Join us at Café Books to chat about new authors, share your own favourite books and be inspired to read more. Café Books is held at Comrie Library on the last Thursday of the month from 5.30 pm - 6.30pm.

Comrie Writing Group - This free, informal workshop takes place on the 3rd Thursday of every month 5.30 pm - 7 pm Comrie Library opening hours - Thursday: 2 pm - 4.30 pm/ 5.30 pm - 7 pm Friday: 10 am - 12.30 pm Saturday: 9.30 am - 12.30 pm.

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.

Fiona Perry

mobile dental hygiene service

Jim Fairlie MSP

Perthshire South & Kinross-shire - SNP

I was delighted to hear that the iconic Still sculpture, locally known as the Mirror Man, was recently returned to his home in Loch Earn. This beautiful sculpture by Scottish artist, Rob Mullholland, has been sorely missed by local communities since its removal in 2017.

The artist said he created Still ‘to symbolise the physical and spiritual relationship between humans and the natural world,’ and I can’t think of a more perfect place for this sculpture to be situated.

Thanks to the hard work of the St Fillans in Bloom group, the Mirror Man is back where he belongs, on full display for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. I look forward to attending the official opening in May and hope to see many of you there.

Since my last column, I have received more complaints relating to the Comrie parking restrictions. Readers may remember that Pete Wishart and I held a public meeting about this in September, following which we sent a report to Perth and Kinross Council. This led to much-needed action being taken, including the removal of seasonal restrictions and the associated street signage.

However, we were recently advised that the signage was still in place despite the guarantees made to us. Following further correspondence, I am pleased to report that I have now received confirmation that all signage has been removed.

I understand that PKC are also undertaking work to address some outstanding issues, including the possibility of identifying new areas of parking provision. This is particularly necessary now that the work for the Comrie Flood Protection Scheme has begun, which has led to some parking spaces being closed off to the public.

It may seem incongruous to be talking about flood protection in the midst of this glorious spring sunshine, but given the damage Comrie has been inflicted with in previous years, we know only too well the chaos a period of heavy rain can cause.

Jim Fairley MSP

South & Kinross-shire - SNP

The Scottish Parliament Párlamaid na h-Alba

Perthshire South & Kinross-shire

I can be contacted by telephone on 01738 620540 or by email at Jim.fairlie.msp@parliament.scot

January 1993, February 1997, December 2006, August and November 2012 are a few of the major flooding incidents to impact Comrie. SEPA states that 510 properties and 100 non-residential properties are at high risk of flooding and the Flood Protection Scheme will significantly reduce this risk from three rivers, the River Earn, the Water of Ruchill and the River Lednock.

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Once complete the project will provide residents and businesses of Comrie with peace of mind that a robust system will be in place to cope with the inevitable periods of heavy rainfall that can occur at any time of the year.

If you need to contact me, please email Jim.Fairlie.MSP@parliament.scot, call 01738 620540 or write to me at 63 Glasgow Road, Perth, PH2 0PE.

Jim Fairlie MSP

West Countlich Farm, Kindallachan, Near Ballinliug, PH9 0NW

www.alexbutter.co.uk | 07554 008058 nursery@alexbutter.co.uk

Herbaceous Perennials | Shrubs

Bedding Plants | Scottish Heathers

Alpines | Specimen Trees

Fruit Trees | Fruit bushes | Climbers

Conifers | Vegetable Plants

Compost | Pots | Gift Vouchers

Summer & Autumn Hanging Baskets (New & Reﬁlls)

April - October

Monday – Saturday 9am – 4:30pm

November – March

Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm

Bertie Bus a New Face for 50 - Bertie Bus (and its previous iteration Strathcare) has been serving the community of Crieff and surrounding since 1975. This year marks their 50th year of helping the community so the Bertie team has employed the services of Write on Signs to give Bertie an appropriate new look to mark the occasion. This new look was mentioned in a previous article but was unfortunately delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Thankfully the new decals are now on and you’ll be able to see Bertie Bus out marking the anniversary throughout the local area from now on.

A Fantastic Fundraiser - The Bertie team hope you had a great Easter and would like to thank all who attended their ever-popular quiz night fundraiser back on April 25. They’re still collecting details which we will share next month but it was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended. Share your stories with the Bertie Bus team - The Bertie Bus team would like to remind readers of their new social media accounts. You’ll find QR links to access these here. These accounts offer you a direct and simple way to share stories and images with the Bertie Bus team. With the 50th anniversary this year, the team would love to be able to share stories and pictures of what the organisation has been up to over the past five decades. Simply message them your stories and images on Facebook or Instagram and they’ll be happy to share the

story with their followers.

On top of this, Bertie Bus will also be providing more regular updates via these social media platforms.

If you would like to stay up to date with Bertie Bus and all of its community activities then you can find your way to their Instagram and Facebook pages by scanning the QR codes below with your phone’s camera, or by typing the link into your web browser.

Crieff and Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst Walking Festival

With only days to go, the 2025 drovers Tryst Walking Weekend (Friday, 9 - Monday, 12 May) is almost upon us!

A number of walks on this popular and friendly Walking Festival are already fully booked, but for the discerning walker, there are still a few to be had!

Beinn Manach (Extra Hard) is a unique Munro insofar as it’s often missed due to its remote location, tucked away and looking down on the northern banks of Loch Lyon. Our walk-in starts below Bridge of Orchy at Auch off the A82 (GR317353) and encompassing 18-19km and an ascent of 850m - a full day out in the Bridge of Orchy Hills!

At the other end of the energy spectrum is Dumyat, (Easy) in the Ochil hills. There are often overlooked as we seek out the higher and grander hills further north, but

Dumyat offering superb views over Stirling and the Forth Valley and Central Belt is worth considering, especially if looking for a gentler day out (approx. 4 hours).

Other opportunities include a different ascent of our most local Munro (Ben Chonzie Extra Hard) with an approach along the eastern bank of Loch Turret; Glen Sherup (Hard - a lovely high level walk in the Ochil Hills and taking 5-6 hrs) and the Amulree Loop (Medium) incorporating part of the Rob Roy Way and Loch Freuchie.

The Crieff and Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst has been hosting guided walks for 25 years and full details of all the walks and availability can be found on the website (www. droverstryst.com).

Join us in celebrating our 25th Anniversary and enjoy some great walks on Scotland’s hills! Hope to see you there!

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. You will speak first to a healthcare advisor who will capture important information and then direct your call to either an experienced nurse for an assessment or a health information adviser for information. Where clinically appropriate a GP home visit or an ambulance may be arranged for you. In a life threatening situation you should dial 999.

The Crieff & Comrie Quair is published by Scot Active, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2ZX tel/text: 07436 793785 e: crieffandcomrie@thequair.com

Advertising Information

Please note that all advertisements carried by The Crieff & Comrie 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.

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 Crieff & Comrie 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 Crieff & Comrie Quair was sent for print on Saturday,12 April 2025.

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

Living life at Dalnaglar Care Home means care and kindness, safety and warmth, and lots of activities - home and away. As well as company, when you want it. We know choosing your new home can be daunting. That’s why we’d love to take the time to show you around, and chat over any questions.

Want

the best Hotel Accommodation in the uK - Well done to regular Quair advertiser Crieff Hydro who has been rated as offering the best hotel accommodation in the UK by visitors from North America.

The rating has been revealed by CIE Tours - one of the largest carriers of US visitors to the UK - who also reported a significant increase in satisfaction ratings from its customers.

The Irish owned operator made the announcement on April 8 at its annual awards of excellence where it also launched a new Sustainability Action Fund, which has been created to support sustainability related projects in the regions its tours visit across Scotland.

The picture shows Gordon Frame and Lorraine Strachan of Crieff Hydro Hotel being presented the award for best hotel accommodation by Stephen Cotter, Managing Director of CIE Tours.

Walks and beginner workshops held regularly at venues throughout Highland Perthshire

For more information, please get in touch.

Call/Text: 07828 086062

Email: nwhighlandperthshire@gmail.com

Or visit: www.nordicwalkinghighlandperthshire.com

Instagram: nw_highland_perthshire

Facebook: nordicwalkinghighlandperthshire

Crieff Connexions Consultation - Have your Say!

Based on the local knowledge of the Trustees we currently offer the community the various services in the Penny Lane building. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 am to 1 pm we provide the following.

A School uniform bank which serves all schools in the local cluster. This gives families access to gently used uniform in a shop front environment where families can choose what they need and buy at low cost. New uniform is supplied to the families in the greatest need through the funds raised.

We will continue to offer digital connections with free public Wi-Fi and access to computers and printing for people in the community. Signposting and advice is provided in the form of community notice boards but also with representatives from community groups having space to meet people in our counselling room for private conversations or in the community café space.

In the building we have a Community Pantry access to surplus food and goods free of charge, reducing waste and poverty. We also provide low cost alternatives through a partnership with Fareshare and donations. The pantry is set up like a shop. We have developed a new to you shop which passes on clothes and homewares at a low cost, anyone is welcome. We also provide home essential packs for people who are in a crisis or who are needing support. These can include a few essentials for setting up a new home.

We have created a community warm space and serve tea, coffee and biscuits at the moment. This is set up café style and in time we would like to have a Community café, family friendly and affordable. Our hope is that we can have a café where young people are provided with training and opportunities. Outside of the building we have developed a derelict area into a garden space which also has fruit and vegetables that are shared in the community pantry.

In our recent survey we explored some other options that could be made available within the space that the building affords. These include a soft play area which is a very popular idea and one that we feel fits well with our service model and we would plan to run alongside our café. There was also interest in a men’s shed/workspace which would be accessible to a range of people in the community. We have a warehouse area which would be ideal for this. Many people have enquired about mid-sized hall/room hire for community exercise classes or other activities and we have will consider whether subdividing the area in the centre of the building is a good option. If you would like to have your say you can complete the survey using the QR code or search up the survey on our Facebook page. Strathearn Horticultural Society - Schedules for flower show available soon for 2025. Please phone 01764 654228 or get in touch through Facebook to receive one.

Stitch-Colour-Cloth Textile Art Exhibition

Perth Theatre, 13-17 May 2025

Perthshire based textile art group Stitch-Colour-Cloth is delighted to be taking part in the milestone year for Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, with Perth Theatre turning 125 and Perth Concert Hall turning 20 in 2025.

Their ‘125 Theatrical Threads’ exhibition at Perth Theatre, Mill Street, Perth from Tuesday, 13 May to Saturday, 17 May 104pm, will showcase members’ work, exploring textiles as a contemporary art form and their relationship with the performing arts.

Louise Robertson, Head of Wardrobe at Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, is excited about the exhibition, “Textiles play an important role in all of our theatrical productions, helping us to visually engage our audience through costume and imaginative backgrounds and to set the scene for our actor’s performance, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Theatre has inspired local artists to create their textile art”.

There will also be an opportunity for visitors to the exhibition to get involved in a community project to mark the 125 anniversary of Perth Theatre and the café will be open from 10-4pm each day. Stitch-Colour-Cloth meet monthly from September to May at the Oakbank Community Centre in Perth. The group is open to adult members of all levels of experience. Find out more about the group via: Website: www.stitchcolourcloth.co.uk.

You can find out about the Perth Theatre and Concert Hall milestone year at www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com and buy tickets for the 125 Live! Street party on 6 and 7 September 2025.

Crieff Trefoil - Crieff Trefoil continues to meet throughout the year on the fourth Monday monthly - indoors over the winter and at various locations outdoors over the summer months. Our indoor autumn/ winter sessions began recently and are held at St Columba’s Episcopal Church, when meetings will once again this year be full of surprise activities. Each year we are tasked by UK Trefoil with attracting only one new member to each of our Guilds - could you be that one new member? Crieff Trefoil is a small, active, fun group but play an active part in the bigger Perth & Kinross County, Scotland and the UK with national and international opportunities, eg holidays at home and abroad, available for all members - why not give us a try?

For further information Crieff Trefoil can be contacted by email at criefftrefoilguild@ gmail.com or by making an enquiry via the Trefoil Guild website www.trefoilguild. co.uk. Trefoil Guild Scotland and Trefoil Guild UK have public Facebook pages and are also on Instagram where you can see much of the fun activities we get up toyou may be surprised!

Crieff Lunch Club - Crieff Lunch Club is run under the auspices of the Royal Voluntary service and staffed by a brilliant group of volunteers from Crieff and district.

We meet in Duchlage Court in Crieff every Thursday lunchtime in term time, and provide a 2 course lunch and tea and biscuits for a very modest cost. It is a great opportunity for folk living alone to come along, meet others and have a hot meal together. Transport to the lunch for those who live out with Duchlage Court can be arranged through Bertie bus. We are always looking for new clients and, of course, new volunteers to join our teams of volunteer helpers for about 2 hours, once a month. If you are interested in coming along or volunteering for the lunch club, please contact the RVS office in Perth on 01738 633975 or email at perthsupportingyou@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.

Strathearn Ramblers Walks

Programme

Sunday, 11 May - Kinclaven (Bluebell woods circular). Stroll. Distance 3.5 miles

Start point Kinclaven Bluebell Wood Car Park at 11 am What3Words ///gratitude. intrigues.zips Start time Laggan Park Comrie 10 am; 10.15 am Crieff Co-op car park. It takes approximately 55 minutes to the start point from Comrie. (To get there. Take the B9099 through Luncarty and Stanley. Just outside Stanley take a right sign-posted to Kinclaven and Blairgowrie after about 3 miles at a T junction take a left sign-posted for Kinclaven Church, Murthly and Caputh. The large Kinclaven Bluebell Wood car park is along this road on the left).

Description Reputed to be one of the best woods for bluebells in the area with a wide variety of native tree species in an ancient woodland. This walk will be around the Bluebell Wood and Court Hill, the latter providing good views of the surrounding countryside.

The walk is on good defined paths and some short areas of grassland. Dependent on the weather some of the paths may have some boggy areas.

Thursday, 22 May - Birks of Aberfeldy and beyond. Walk. Distance 8.5 miles.

Start Point Birks of Aberfeldy Car Park. What3Words ///submit.reconnect.aunts

Leave Comrie Laggan Park 9 am Crieff Co-op Car park 9.15 am; Birks Car park 10 am Description This walk takes in the Birks of Aberfeldy plus a walk into the hinterland of Aberfeldy. At the top of the Birks to pat a path onto the Urlar Road for approximately half a mile then join a track beside the Urlar Burn. The walk heads west by some pylons joining then joins the Rob Roy Way in Bolfracks Wood back to the Birks. Mostly on well-defined paths but can be messy in places with some sharp ascents, total ascent 450m.

Monday, 7 July - Muckhart and Rumbling Bridge. Stroll. Distance 6.5 miles. Start Point Coronation Hall, Pool of Muckhart. What3Words ///announce.snack.asterisk Leave Comrie Laggan Park 10 am Crieff Co-op Car park 10.15 am Coronation Hall, Pool of Muckhart 10.45 am Description

This is a lovely circular walk starts from the Pool of Muckhart takes you past Muckhart Mill and through the Rumbling Bridge Gorge before returning to Muckhart via farm tracks. There is about 180m of ascent in total which is spread out across the walk making this pretty much a flat walk. The route is entirely on paths/ tracks and quiet roads although some bits can be very muddy. Sunday, 20 July - Falls of Bruar Circular. Walk. Distance 7.5 miles Start Point at 10.30 am. House of Bruar What3Words ///intruders.rainfall.removing Leave Comrie Laggan Park 9 am; Crieff Coop 9.15 am Description A delightful circular walk past waterfalls & lofty trees to an ancient watch tower.

Comrie Fortnight

Sunday, 27 July - Chairman’s walk. Walk. Details and description to be advised. Tuesday, 29 July - Vice chairman’s stroll. Stroll. Details and description to be advised. Booking details. These walks must be book through Comrie Fortnight Booking Office in the White Church. Friday, 15 August - Loch Venacher circuit. Walk. Distance 11.5 miles. Start 10.15 am/finishing point Glen Finglas visitors center car park. (Also signed Lendrick Hill) just east of Brig o’ Turk on A821. What3Words ///chose.extent.carpentry Leave Laggan Park Comrie 9.15 am. Crieff Coop car park 9 am Description Spend a leisurely day circumnavigating loch Venachar by a mixture of cycle paths and minor roads with good views of the water most of the way. Refreshments available at the Byre Inn near Brig o’ Turk, the Brig 0’ Turk tea room. Approx walk time 4.5 - 5 hours Sunday, 31 August - Oak & Jubilee Walk, Auchterarder. Stroll. Distance 4.5 miles Start/finish point at 10.30 am. Crown Inn Wynd Car park What3Words /// zaps.puffed.messy Leave Comrie Laggan Park 10 am Crieff Co-op Car park 10.15 am Description This circular walk explores the surrounds of Auchterarder. The walk starts in the centre of town and follows paths taking in the woods and fields around. Sunday, 14 September - Loch Ordie. Walk. Distance. 10 miles. Start Point The Cally Car Park, Dunkeld off the A923

Blairgowrie Road. What3Words ///rhino. back.blatantly Leave Comrie Laggan Park 9 am Crieff Co-op Car park 9.15 am The Cally Car Park 10 am Description One of the Ramblers’ favourites, walking through woodland, moorlands and by lochs with a bit of history attached. Out of the car park take the road uphill through a set of gates towards Mill Dam, at Mill Dam continue to follow the main path on the left of the loch, passing two smaller lochs, until you reach Loch Ordie, a good place for lunch. Leaving Loch Ordie cross a bridge over the Dowally Burn and take the sign for Dunkeld. Follow waymarkers back to the Mill Dam on a gentle downward path and join the road back to the car park. Sunday, 28 September - Dalchonzie to St Fillans return. Stroll. Distance 7.8 miles Start 10.30 am/ finishing point Parking area (limited) at Dalhonzie just off left from the A85. What3Words///waltzes.applauded.wink Leave Comrie Laggan Park 10.15 am; Crieff Co-op car park 10 am Description This is a stroll to St. Fillans and back along the old railway track. Lunch spot on the Loch Earn shore near the Four Seasons hotel. (Or possible lunch at the St. Fillans Golf Course. To be researched.)

Walk & stroll reminders

Booking procedures - Visitors are always welcome and should contact The Ramblers on strathearn.ramblers@gmail.com in the first instance. A token charge of £1 per visitor will be requested as a donation towards the group’s insurance cover.

Please note - The main leaders for each event will decide whether it will take place on the date shown in the programme or on another nearby day if there are adverse weather conditions on the date stated in the programme. They will communicate this to all Ramblers who have previously indicated an interest in participating, usually 3-4 days ahead.

On the day please carry your contact details in case of emergency and where possible bring your own First Aid Kit & mobile phone.

Please remember that when taking part in The Ramblers walks and strolls you are responsible for your own health and safety.

SEASONS VIEW

RESTAURANT

OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER (THURSDAY TO MONDAY)

SEASONS SNUG BAR SERVING LIGHT BITES & AFTERNOON TEA DAILY

THE BEST VIEW EVER, EVERY DAY!

T - 01764 685333

E - info@thefourseasonshotel.co.uk

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

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

Heather Watson-Ross BSc (Hons) MCPod - Registered HCPC Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Ochils Podiatry offers a comprehensive range of podiatry/chiropody treatments.

For all enquiries please contact by: Telephone 01764 752252 Email info@ochilspodiatry.co.uk www.ochilspodiatry.co.uk

We are located within Davidsons Chemist, 54-56 High St, Auchterarder.

"Keeping the community on their feet"

Free support for small businesses, social enterprises and the self-employed in rural Perth & Kinross

THE GREAT GATSBY

Written

F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Derby Theatre Production

Adapted by Elizabeth Newman

Director Sarah Brigham

Blair Castle & Gardens

Where every generation finds something to enjoy.

Embark on a self-guided tour of Blair Castle & Gardens, exploring 30 preserved rooms before taking a stroll through the 9-acre walled garden. Families will love the adventure playground and the Red Deer Park, perfect for all ages. Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch at The Tullibardine Restaurant.

New for 2025

Step into our interactive ‘Life Below Stairs’ exhibition and discover the hidden world of those who kept the castle running in the 19th century.

What’s on

Spring Foraging 10th - 11th May

Learn the art of foraging at Blair Castle.

Atholl Highlanders Parade 24th May

Watch Europe’s last private regiment parade on Blair Castle’s forecourt in this unique historic event.

Atholl Gathering 25th May

Please check the website for opening times and prices.

Traditional Highland Games with strongmen, dancing, piping, stalls, and fun for the whole family.