As the year draws to a close, December gives us time to gather, take pause and look ahead. Christmas lights, carols, winter events and friendly meetings remind us that our communities remain strong and active.
WHERE LEGS AND FEET MATTER
GREGOR McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS
HCPC REGISTERED
ROUTINE CHIROPODY
GREGOR McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS
WALKING/RUNNING INJURIES
ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER
We are grateful to all who contribute to The Quair. Their news, stories and notices help keep everyone informed and involved. Thanks also to the many volunteers, organisers and supporters who give their time so generously throughout the year. Although we may have little influence over world events, each of us can set an example close to home. It is often said that there are far more good people than bad, and our local acts of consideration and care show this to be true. Looking out for neighbours, offering a lift, or giving a few minutes of our time can make a quiet but lasting difference. We hope the end of the year brings you moments of peace and contentment, and that the new year begins with renewed hope and good company. Season’s greetings and best wishes for 2026 to all of our advertisers, contributors and readers.
Alistair and Linda
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ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER
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EMAIL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com
TEL: 07932 725211
www.grmpodiatry.co.uk
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.
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
Copy Date - The copy date for advertisers and organisations to submit an advertisement or article for the January 2026 edition is noon on Sunday, 7 December. The Magazines are due to be distributed week commencing Monday, 29 December 2025.
RSABI (previously The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution) RSABI is a unique Scottish charity with roots going back to 1897. To learn a little more about how RSABI operates, please see the website at www.rsabi.org.uk
SWI Fowlis Wester - Pharmacist and Herbalist, Ellie Williams gave a fascinating talk on medicinal plants. Some really useful information was forthcoming. She brewed up a mixture using Calendula, oil and beeswax for us to take a sample home.
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A Magical Christmas Crieff visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre comes alive at Christmas time. Be inspired by our wonderful selection of cards and decorations, whilst finding those perfect gift ideas for family and friends in our Gift shop. Also for unique gift ideas including handmade pens, paintings and prints and pre-loved jewellery visit our Antiques and Collectables Gallery.
Our Plant Centre now has fresh Christmas wreaths and trees in stock - perfect for bringing festive cheer to your home, along with seasonal favourites like Christmas cacti and poinsettias. Plus, stock up on kindling and firewood to keep your home warm and cosy this festive season and beyond.
Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, served with Roast & Mashed Potatoes,Seasonal Vegetables, a Rich Gravy & Cranberry Sauce £16.95
Carrot Wellington with Spiced Marmalade, served with Roast & Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables £13.95
Rich Christmas Pudding with Brandy Custard £6.90
As we get into the colder months, did you know you can take a winter break with us?
Whether it’s to enjoy the warmth and extra support we can give you, or simply to relax in a safe environment with hot meals and a brew, all made for you...
Whatever your winter needs, we can help. We’d love to take the time to show you around, and chat over any questions you may have.
Strathearn Arts - Strathearn Arts (Strathearn Artspace SC044319) is a registered charity which aims to promote and advance the arts, culture and heritage through participation and enjoyment of the creative arts. We strive to deliver vibrant, inclusive, memorable arts experiences and we want everyone who engages with us to feel that. Driven by our programme, facilities, and through our coordinating role in the local artistic community, Strathearn has developed a wide reputation as a cultural destination. See www.strathearnarts.org for more details.
Crieff Parish Guild
Syllabus 2025/26 for Crieff Parish Church Guild - Living Stones - All Meetings are at 2.30 pm or as otherwise stated.
Wednesday, 17 December - Christmas Party
Wednesday, 14 January - Buttons & Bows Christine or Eve
Wednesday, 28 January - Burns Day Lunch with Alison Hunter
Wednesday, 11 February - At Muthill Guild
Christina Paterson
Wednesday, 25 February - Photograph Display Bill Clark
Wednesday, 11 March - Leprosy Mission
Steve McLeish
Wednesday, 25 March - AGM
The copy date for the January 2026 edition of The Crieff & Comrie Quair is noon on Sunday, 7 December
Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries
Strathearn Community Library
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 to 11 am. No need to book.
Tangled Yarns - Connect, share and learn with our friendly, informal knitting group. Needles and yarns will be available for beginners or those re-engaging with the craft. Group meets every Tuesday from 2 pm to 3.30 pm.
Strathearn Writing Group - This free, informal workshop takes place on the first Tuesday of every month from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm, beginning Tuesday, 6 January 2026
Café Books - Do you love to read? Join us at our informal Café Books 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 first Saturday of every month from 11 am to 12.30 pm.
Family History - Are you interested in researching your family history? Join our Family History Group. This informal session meets every fortnight on a Friday morning from 10 am. Using your own device is recommended, but we do have laptops available if required. These sessions are free. Please contact the library for more information.
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 contact Strathearn Community Library.
Christmas and New Year - Strathearn Community Library will be closed from 3 pm on Wednesday, 24 December, and will reopen on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 at 10 am.
Strathearn Community Library opening hours - Tuesday: 10 am to 7 pm Wednesday: 10 am to 6 pm Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm Friday: 10 am to 6 pm Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm. Contact us: 01764 657705; strathearnlibrary@culturepk.org.uk
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Join us at Remake this Christmas!
Find unique gifts for your loved ones - or get inspired (and supplied!) to make your own. We’ve got affordable solid wood furniture, perfect if you need an extra table or chairs for festive guests.
Looking to wrap sustainably? Choose from our lovely fabrics or £2 tote bags for reusable, eco-friendly wrapping.
We’re also running a Bottles & Boxes Tombola to support Perth-based social enterprise Giraffe, who provide Christmas dinners for local homeless people. We’d love
donations of unopened, in-date bottles (alcohol or soft drinks), boxes of biscuits, or chocolates. The tombola runs Tuesday, 16 December - Saturday, 20 December. We close at 4 pm on Saturday, 20 December and reopen Wednesday, 7 January. Please hold on to donations during this time - and do not leave them outside our premises as they could get wet and ruined.
Remake Food for Good, East High Street Crieff - Our food store is open Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm. Pop into Food for Good on the High Street for some great Christmas products and seasonal offers!
Late night shopping: Thursday, 4 December - Open until 8 pm. Thursday, 11 December - Open until 8 pm.
Climate Café Crieff - Food Waste Talk with PKC waste team on Tuesday, 9 December at 7 pm, Food for Good store. Learn about the food waste journey and what you can do to reduce food waste at Christmas time.
Christmas closures - Thursday, 25 to Saturday, 27 December - Closed. Thursday, 1 January - Closed. Otherwise, open as usual.
Saturday, 13 December - 10 am to 1 pm. Repair Hub at The Activity Space, Strathearn Community Campus, Crieff.
Wednesday, 3 December - 7 to 9 pm.
Mending Circle free drop-in session at the Reuse Hub. No need to book. Refreshments and materials available. Wednesday, 17 December - 7 to 9 pm. Mending Circle free drop-in session at the Reuse Hub. No need to book. Refreshments and materials available.
Volunteering Opportunities! Want to find out more? Contact info@remakescotland.co.uk or give us a call on 01764 655733.
Remake Reuse Hub Crieff Visitor Centre, Muthill Road, Crieff - Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Thursday late-night opening until 6 pm.
Thank you for supporting us in 2025! Wishing you a Merry Christmas from everyone at Remake!
Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries
Comrie Library
Bookbug Sessions - Held every Friday morning from 9.30 am to 10 am. These fun, interactive sessions are suitable for pre-schoolers from baby years. Why not drop the older children at school or nursery, then pop along to the library with your wee ones? No need to book.
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 to 6.30 pm.
Family History - Are you interested in researching your family history? Join our new Family History Group. This informal session meets every four weeks on a Thursday afternoon from 2 pm. Using your own device is recommended but we do have two network computers available if required. These sessions are free. Contact the library for more information.
Christmas and New Year - Comrie Library will be closed from 1 pm on Saturday, 20 December, and will reopen on Friday, 9 January 2026 at 10 am.
Comrie Library opening hours - Thursday: 2 pm to 7 pm Friday: 10 am to 1 pm Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm
Contact us - 01764 657860; comrielibrary@culturepk.org.uk
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Brass Central Strathearn - The Christmas season is here - our favourite time of year! We’re so excited to kick off the festivities on Saturday, 29 November, as we open the Crieff Christmas Lights SwitchOn in James Square from 1 pm. Then, on Saturday, 13 December, we’re thrilled to be joining the Crieff Choral Group for their ‘The Sounds of Music’ festive concert in Comrie - it’s sure to be a wonderful evening of music and festive spirit. And on Saturday, 20 December, we’ll be out and about spreading Christmas cheer around Crieff Co-op, Aldi, and The Steading from 10.30 am, adding a sprinkle of festive tunes to your shopping trip!
Come along, enjoy the music, and support your local community band. We’d love to see you there! And if you’ve ever thought about picking up an instrument, new members of all ages and experience levels are always welcome. Get in touch: brasscstrath@gmail.com.
Mànran open the new year with live show in Killin - Mànran bring their powerful live show to the McLaren Hall in Killin on Friday, 2 January 2026 for a brilliant night of music to kick off the new year. With a brand-new album out as of August, and three singles already featured on the BBC Radio 2 playlist, the band are heading into an exciting new chapter. Expect a mix of fresh material and the bold, expertly crafted tunes that have earned them a loyal following across Scotland and beyond. They will be joined on the night by Beluga Lagoon (solo), blending rock, folk and vivid storytelling and hot on the heels of their appearance at Hoolie in the Hydro, setting the scene for a night of brilliant live music to round off the year. See our advert on page 11.
Strathearn Harriers - Full details of all club races and events are on the club website at www.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.
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.
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Crieff Community Council
Donnie bows out and Crieff makes its feelings known Constable Donnie Florence attended his final Crieff Community Council meeting in an official capacity in November, with the highly respected local police officer beginning his retirement later in the month after serving 30 years in the force.
Baillie Rhona Brock on behalf of the CCC praised Donnie, a former Crieff Primary and Morrison’s Academy student, for his loyal service to the community over the years and for the many times he had made himself available to help when asked. Rhona ended her praise with a special gift presentation to Donnie.
Earlier, he had told the meeting there were 15 crimes reported in the Crieff area last month, compared to 30 the previous year. His comparison then extended to a police report he had found for October 1881 when there had been 19 thefts, eight assaults and five instances of reckless and furious driving of horse and carts. It was comforting to hear that little had really changed.
The well-attended November meeting was updated on the ongoing demolition of the Drummond Arms by PKC’s John Beveridge. It heard that until PKC got the goahead to proceed further, demolition work would cease for a time, with the remaining building being made safe and protections put in place for wall heads. The site will continue to be monitored with 24-hour security in place.
PKC has been asked by Historic Environment Scotland to provide further information on the viability of four options: retain the full front façade, retain half the façade, retain the former bank building only or complete demolition.
Maria Francké has been running a community engagement process to formulate a report to PKC on what the local Crieff community would prefer to see done with the Drummond Arms site once demolition is completed.
Four workshops have now been held, with 160 attendees and 23 businesses and local groups represented.
Maria reported that a blend of uses for the site was most preferred for community, cultural and tourism purposes. A distinctive visitor offer, such as an International Tartan Centre/tourism hub within a flexible community space was the strongest theme. It was felt the facilities provided should work day to day for residents as well as visitors. Housing was not supported.
Maria will now prepare a draft report for the CCC to sign off and the report will then be presented to PKC for their consideration.
The next CCC meeting will be held on Monday, 1 December, 7.30 pm at the Community Campus; all are welcome to come along.
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
Crieff Probus Club - Crieff Probus Club was pleased to welcome Carol McGregor from Creative Crieff to talk to members at the November 4 meeting. Carol was a teacher for many years but latterly moved into audio-description of films and plays. She was an ambassador for Sightsavers International and was awarded an MBE for her charitable work.
The Crieff community has watched with interest as the old Star Hotel site in East High Street has been cleared to be partially replaced by a new garden, outdoor seating area and hut. The last of these, which will be Santa’s Post Office this year, is now insulated and has an electricity supply. Initial plans for the project have been reduced a bit to concentrate on a comfortable, 50-seater, café-style cinema with an attached bistro, all built on one level alongside Leadenflower Street. It is intended to retain the Star name in some form.
Creative Crieff also put on a very successful Film Festival in the summer, with assistance from Strathearn Arts and, particularly, Crieff Hydro. It is hoped that making more films available in Crieff might lessen the need for residents to travel to Perth or Stirling for their entertainment. Peter Bennett, the Club President, led the members in a vote of thanks to Carol for her timely update.
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Many of us don’t know our rights when returning goods. Perth & Kinross Council’s Trading Standards Team advises that a consumer does not have any legal right to return items unless they do not meet the basic statutory requirements. These are that the goods should meet any description given about them; be of satisfactory quality; be fit for their purpose and last a reasonable length of time. If the item does meet these basic requirements it may still be possible to return it. Many retailers have returns policies which go over and above the legal requirements and may accept returns within a stipulated time after purchase. Some shops that do not offer a refund may offer vouchers or credit notes instead. Any offer of refund or credit note will be dependent on the shop’s own policies.
If you intend to return an item, the Trading Standards Team recommends approaching the retailer with the receipt or if it is a gift, a gift receipt should be sufficient. If you don’t and the item is now on sale at a lower price, without the receipt, the shop may only offer you a credit note for the sale price and not the original price paid. Most shops will require a receipt or at least some kind of proof of purchase to process a refund or a credit note, although a bank statement or credit card statement could be used as proof of purchase in event of a civil dispute, for example, faulty goods.
For further information contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or visit their website www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland.htm
Richmond Community - Our weekly health walks now begin at Crieff Community Hospital, King Street, Crieff, every Thursday at 10.30 am. After the walk, participants are welcome to enjoy a friendly chat over a cup of tea in the day room. These walks are tailored to suit different levels of ability, with a shorter route lasting 30 to 45 minutes and a longer one just over an hour. Both are led by trained walk leaders and are dementia-accredited. Please note on Thursday, 11 December, the walk will start from the Royal British Legion Clubroom to coincide with our Christmas party following the walk. Also, the Health Walks will not run on Thursday, 25 December and Thursday, 1 January 2026 as these are public holidays.
Our ‘Health Walks on Tour’ have now paused until March 2026 due to colder and unpredictable weather. Last month’s outing included a scenic walk around Auchterarder, followed by refreshments at the Cairn Lodge Hotel. For updates and community news, please visit the Richmond Facebook page.
The Friendship Group meets every second Friday at Crieff Community Hospital from 10.30 am to 12 pm. Our next session is on Friday, 12 December, featuring bingo and games. Please note there will be no meeting on Friday, 26 December, but we’ll resume on Friday, 9 January 2026. Everyone is welcome to join us for a chat and a cuppa. Richmond Community also hosts the Carers Café on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting is on Thursday, 11 December at the Royal British Legion. This café offers unpaid carers a chance to connect with others and meet representatives from Perth and Kinross Council, PKAVS, and Carers Voice, all over tea, coffee, and delicious biscuits. All are welcome.
Our Annual Christmas Party will be held on Thursday, 11 December from 12 pm to 2 pm at the Royal British Legion Clubroom. It follows the health walk and Carers Café, which will also take place there earlier that morning from 10.30 am to 12 pm. The celebration will feature live music by Chris White and a buffet lunch provided by Gourlays. To help with catering, please let Karen know if you plan to attend. For more information about any of these activities, please contact Karen Hapka at karen@richmondcommunity.org or call 07587 088403.
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As always at this time of year, my very best wishes for the festive season. I hope you have a Happy Christmas. Still work to do on Community Councils. Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) are being held in November and early December, for Councils to establish themselves properly, and to determine the new office-bearers. St Fillans is set up, with Comrie and East Strathearn just coming up. Crieff will be on Monday, 1 December at the Campus. There are several projects underway. When completed, it will be good news for people in Strathearn. In Crieff, work on the MacRosty Link has started. I’m delighted that work on this important all-abilities link between Turretbank Wood and Lady Mary’s Walk is now underway. I would point out that the Turretbank section is closed between 7.30 am and 5 pm until completion early next year.
I’m so pleased for Crieff Community Trust. This has been one of their long-standing ambitions. It’s a crucial link as well in the Crieff path network. I so much hope that we can now make progress on the path to Comrie, using much of the disused railway line. Immense credit must go to the Trust’s lead on paths, Jim Anderson. It’s great to see that his hard work and persistence, and that of others, over so many years has now paid off. I look forward to the path opening come the spring.
Another project about to get under way is at Innerpeffray, with a new viewpoint, and with considerable enhancements to the grounds adjoining the Library and Chapel. There’s likely to be more to come later, although that will depend on funding. Even if you do not go into the Library itself, and that is closed right now until early March, the schoolroom is open for hot drinks. It’s well worth visiting the Heritage Trail. Looking over the Earn there is so much history, and not just from the Roman period. And come the early spring the display of snowdrops is outstanding.
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Last time I referred to the playpark project at Legion Park in Comrie. When I looked at the weekend it looks near to completion, but not clear when it will be open. There are one or two matters that I will pick up on in the next issue or early in the New Year. On the Glen Lednock windfarm application at time of writing it’s not clear if this will go before Planning on Wednesday, 3 December, or early in the New Year. On the Drummond Arms there was an update at the last Crieff Community Council meeting. We will be hearing more on the Public Participation Request. One recent visit I found very helpful was to Comrie Primary School, along with Bailie Brock, Terri Bacon, and the Convener of Families and Learning on the Council, John Rebbeck. Also present were Council officers. Clearly, work must be carried out, although it is a question of what can be achieved near term, and what is possible further out. I really want to see progress on this, though.
By the time you read this the Christmas Switch On in Crieff will have happened on November 29, but don’t forget Santa’s Post Office will be open from then on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm up until the Sunday, 21 December at the Star Garden on the East High Street. You’ll find more on www.experiencecrieff.co.uk, the website for Experience Crieff.
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.
Comrie Silver Circle - The new season started on Thursday, 4 September at 2 pm, meeting in the Comrie Parish Church Hall. All Welcome. Phone Myra if you need transport. 01764 670166. In the following months, just say. Comrie Silver Circle meets every Thursday at 2 pm in the Parish Church Hall. Entertainment and afternoon tea at 3 pm. All Welcome. Phone Myra if you need transport 01764 670166.
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
As we approach Christmas and the end of another year, it feels like the world has rarely been more unsettled. Across the globe, conflict and instability continue to dominate the headlines - from Ukraine to the Middle East - and the global order seems more fragile than it has been in decades. It’s a sobering backdrop to the festive season, and a reminder of just how precious peace and stability really are.
Yet, closer to home, I continue to be reassured by the countless examples of people doing good, often quietly and without recognition. Across Perth and Kinross, there are community groups, volunteers and charities working tirelessly to support others and improve our local area. Mental health clubs helping people through difficult times; innovative small businesses breathing new life into our high streets; and litter-picking volunteer groups keeping our rural landscape beautiful. It’s in these local efforts that we see the best of who we are - determined, caring, and community-minded.
Representing this area gives me a front-row seat to that generosity of spirit, and it’s one of the greatest privileges of my job. It reminds me that even when the wider world feels uncertain, there is real strength in our communities.
Christmas is very much about that sense of togetherness; checking in on neighbours, spending time with loved ones, and appreciating the support networks that hold us steady throughout the year. It’s also a time to think of those who may be struggling or spending the festive period alone, and to remember that a small gesture of kindness can mean a great deal. As we look ahead to 2026, there will certainly be many challenges ahead, but also plenty of opportunities. What gives me confidence is knowing that our communities here in Perthshire will face whatever arises with the same resilience and good humour that define this part of the world.
I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year when it comes. Please be aware that my office will be closed from Monday, 22 December to Monday, 6 January, but we’ll make sure to respond to any constituent correspondence upon our return. As ever, if you have any queries I may be able to assist with, please get in touch on 01738 639598 or pete.wishart.mp@parliament.uk.
The Baha’i Faith - The Comrie and Crieff group is hosting an open space for openhearted conversations and reflection on quotes and prayers from all faiths and philosophies every Tuesday at 7.30 pm, in Comrie. In Crieff the space will be held on Monday evenings at 7.30 pm. There will be a different theme every month and this month the theme is the Light of Guidance. These gatherings welcome all comers. For further information please contact Diana (Comrie) on 01764 670399 or Gordon (Crieff) on 07510 45342.
‘God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth, and that the seal, the Kingdom is God’s, may be stamped upon the brow of all its peoples.’ Baha’u’llah
There will also be a gathering in the Crieff Community Garden for prayer for the people and plants in the garden and beyond at 10 am on Saturday, 13 December. The gathering is open to all ages, backgrounds, faiths and beliefs.
‘There are many branches but the tree is one.’ Baha’i Writings.
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Pete Wishart MP
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It’s been a busy few years for Strathallan Prep School. Since our launch in 2020, we have expanded into four new year groups, welcoming our youngest pupils ever in the Strathallan’s 100-year history. We’ve won awards for our teaching and introduced some groundbreaking programmes from the Pre-Senior Baccalaureate to the Junior Foresters Award.
Our small school is making a big impact. Our small class sizes, specialist teachers, and access to all the facilities of Strathallan’s 153-acre campus foster skills and passions. Strathallan Prep is a happy, vibrant place filled with music and laughter, where every child is set up for future success in senior school and beyond.
Open Morning: Saturday 14th March 2026
www.strathallan.co.uk/visit-us
Muthill Parish Church - In this season of Advent, as we prepare for Christmas, the church family of Muthill Parish Church (Church of Scotland) wishes everyone the very best of the season and hopes it will be a special time of joy for everyone.
We are a small village based church with a growing congregation eager to tell the community we serve about the joys and challenges of the Christian faith. Our weekly Sunday services start at 10.30 am with a range of visiting preachers and a modern approach to all-age worship. In December, over Christmas, we will be holding our Watchnight Service on Christmas Eve starting at 11.30 pm. Before that you will be welcomed into the church with mulled wine and mince pies served from 11 pm onwards. Our Christmas Day Family Service will start at 10.30 am.
The Christmas edition of our church magazine, The Bridge, packed with news about the church and happenings in and around our village will be published on our church website, with hard copies available at the church, on Sunday, 7 December. The month of December will also see the start of invitations and publicity for our Alpha Course aimed at those enquiring about the Christian faith. The course will start in early January 2026. Meetings will be held weekly, on Thursday evenings, for a couple of hours starting with dinner together, followed by video presentation and discussion. The course will run for a number of weeks and will culminate in a special awayday event. There will be no charge for the course and it is open to anyone of any faith background or none who is interested in learning about the Christian faith. This includes any who are already linked with a church family who wish to refresh on the basics of their faith. Enquiries and booking a place on the course is open now by emailing macahiph@gmail.com or contacting 07825 544225.
Our weekly Soup and Sandwich lunches, which are now free until March 2026, thanks to a warm space grant from Perth
and Kinross Council, continue on Wednesdays at 12.30 pm (coffee from 11 am). Before these, on the same day, any guys are welcome to join us for coffee and chat in our Men’s Group at 11 am. Further, if you want to be more active, why not come along to our social Exercise Class (every Tuesday at 2.15 pm) aimed particularly at mobility, balance and strength. There is a charge for this course of £4 (including refreshments). It is professionally led by a trainer from Live Active.
Newcomers are always welcome to any of our activities and are assured of a warm welcome.
Our church building dates from 1826 and will celebrate the bi-centenary of the laying of the foundation stone in March 2026. With our church sanctuary having been modernised over the past year, we now have a flexible hub available for letting for private functions.
For more information please contact us by email at muthillparish@yahoo.com. Our church website is www.muthillparishchurch. co.uk, and we are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/muthillchurch. Worship services are post-screened via YouTube on the church website.
Comrie Centre for Peace and Reconciliation
We are continuing to meet at the Chapel at Cultybraggan every Thursday lunchtime at 1 pm. You would be very welcome to join us then for a time of quiet reflection. Such reflection can support inner quiet and balance.
In this way, when we consider the disturb-
ing state of the world - instead of allowing fear or anger to take hold, we can be part of the solution. This opportunity is open to everyone, irrespective of faith tradition. Guidance for quiet sitting can be offered if needed. You are also welcome to sit in the chapel at other times - whenever you feel a need to be quiet and calm down.
For further information, contact: Sister Candasiri 01764 670088; Su 07732 533361 or Diana Macpherson 07552 312386.
Quakers in Scotland - There are a number of Quaker meetings in Scotland. To find out more, visit www.quaker.org.uk/ meetings or www.discoveringquakers.org.uk
The nearest ones to Strathearn are Dunblane, which meets weekly on a Sunday at 10.30 am and Perth which meets fortnightly on the second and last Sunday of the month at 11 am.
Children are welcome at both meetings, although advance notice is helpful.
If you would like to know more, and perhaps need a lift, please contact Elaine Millar on 07745 854073 or email, millarclan@btinternet.com.
Crieff Baptist Church
It is hard to believe we are already at the beginning of December, with Christmas less than four weeks away. I hope you are all getting on well with your plans and preparations and enjoying that feeling of expectation and excitement that comes with the festive season as we remember our Lord Jesus, coming into the world for us.
Here at Crieff Baptist we have our usual services and groups running up until Christmas, with Sunday services at 10.30 am each week, focusing on the themes of Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace as we go through the Advent season. We also have various house groups and prayer groups that will be running weekly (for more information on times and locations please just get in touch).
But we also have some special events coming up throughout the month as part of our Christmas celebrations. The dates for these are listed below. Please do come along to any or all of these events. It really is a wonderful time of the year, and it can be so
special to take some time to join together,
spend time with one another in community and really get
December services and events
the
Friday, 5 December - 6.30 pm. Youth Christmas Movie Night (S1-S6s). Sunday, 7 December - 10.30 am. Advent service on Faith. Saturday, 13 December4 pm. All-age family event with quiz, festive snacks and a family movie.
Sunday, 14 December - 10.30 am. Advent service on Joy.
Friday, 19 December - Youth trip (S1-S6, details to be confirmed).
Sunday, 21 December - 10.30 am. Advent service on Peace, including children’s Nativity performance.
Wednesday, 24 December - 7 pm. Christmas Eve service.
Thursday, 25 December - 10 am. Christmas Day service (short service of around 45 minutes).
Sunday, 28 December - 10.30 am. All-age service.
We will have our usual carol singing outside of the Co-op, date and time to be confirmed.
I hope we will get to welcome you to some of our gatherings through December and that you have a peaceful, joyful and blessed festive season. For further information on any of these events, or to get in touch with the minister, Rev John Burns, please contact via: pastor@crieffbaptist.org.uk Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all that’s happening in the church via our new website (www.crieffbaptist.org.uk), on Facebook (Crieff Baptist Church) or on Instagram (crieff_baptist).
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.
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
On October 31 Rev Andrew Philip retired as Minister of Crieff Parish Church. As a congregation we are, in what is termed in Church of Scotland terminology, now vacant. Rev Graham Crawford from Perth has been appointed as our Interim Moderator to oversee the conduct of the vacancy and a new team from amongst the Eldership comprising Norman Jarvie, Graeme Addison, Sandra Addison and Ian Roy are currently helping manage day to day congregational life, supported by the Elders and a welcoming congregation.
We will keep the local community informed of developments during our vacancy through The Crieff and Comrie Quair Sunday worship will continue in the church building at the corner of Strathearn Terrace and Ferntower Road at 11 am each week and it will be led by different people in the meantime.
Music will as always be accompanied by our fabulous praise band, and anyone is very welcome to join us at any time. Our buildings remain available for hire and use by organisations in the local community. Specifically for rentals please contact hallrentals@crieff.church.
We have a Facebook page, which should soon be back up and running, but in the meantime if anyone would like more information about the church or would like to receive a visit, please do not hesitate to contact Ian Roy on 07720 895870 or alternatively email us on crieffpc@gmail.com and your request and details will be passed on to the relevant individuals for action.
The season of Advent and Christmas is fast approaching, and it will all begin on November 30 at 6 pm with our annual very popular community Christingle Service.
Over the Sundays of December, services will be held as follows:
Sunday, 7 December - 11 am. Advent service led by Rev Ewan Gilchrist. Sunday, 14 December - 11 am. Advent service led by Rev Ewan Gilchrist. Sunday, 21 December - 11 am. Christmas Sunday family service led by Ian Roy.
Wednesday, 24 December - 6.30 pm. Christmas Eve family service led by Ian Roy.
Thursday, 25 December - 10.30 am. Christmas Day short celebration of Christmas led by Ian Roy. Sunday, 28 December - 11 am. ‘Looking forward to 2026’ led by Ian Roy. We look forward to seeing you soon, and you can be assured of a very warm welcome.
Scottish Registered Charity SC004304
A congregation of the Church of Scotland within the Presbytery of Perth Congregation number 281650.
St James Episcopal Church, Muthill Week by week, the doors open at St James Scottish Episcopal Church in Muthill to welcome all who wish to come. Prayers, songs and hymns with fellowship make everyone welcome, give strength for everyday life and link us with the mystery of the Almighty. Christmas-time is a good reminder that there is more to our lives than work and play and so it’s a good time to fit in an hour or two for thinking of bigger issues and to come along to a church for time out and contemplation. Whether you live in Muthill, or it’s just that our evening service time suits you, you are invited to join us for any of our traditional services and our refreshments afterwards. If you’d like to talk over something on your mind then you can contact Rev Duncan Strathie at stjamesmuthill@gmail.com.
All are welcome to share special services this season: Carol Service on Sunday, 21 December at 5.30 pm
Christmas Day service on Thursday, 25 December at 11 am.
Reid Tree & Garden Services
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• Mono blocking, Patios & Paths laid
• Pathways & drives gravelled
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Jehovah’s Witnesses
26-30 King St, Crieff PH7 3HA
Jehovah’s Witnesses hold meetings for worship twice each week. (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
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
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Gwydyr Road, PH7 4BS info@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...
Special Christmas Programme Saturday, 20 December 11.20 am - "The Star". Programme taken by children and young people.
Christmas Day Service 25 December at 10.30 am. A service of readings and carols. A warm Christmas welcome with punch and mince pies.
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
The Crossing Crieff
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
Heartlands.church - At www.heartlands.church, we’re not just starting another service - we’re nurturing a rooted, relevant, and real Scottish church family, shaped by the applied Word of God and made ready for the days ahead.
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
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.
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.
If you’ve been longing for preaching with backbone and Bible, community without compromise, and a place where questions are welcome but truth isn’t watered down - this might be just what you’ve been praying for. We’ve not officially launched yet - but you don’t have to wait to get a feel for who we are. Tune in from home to Kingdom.rocks - our 24-hour online radio station with heartfelt worship, daily devotions morning and evening, strong sermons, and even stories and songs for the bairns with Jingle & Ben and the Music Town Gang. Check the broadcast schedule at Kingdom.rocks, have a listen, and see if you click. Come and see. Come and listen. You’ll know if it’s home.
robert@whisperingword.com, 07975 805323, www.heartlands.church Blessings, Reverend Victor Robert Farrell
Strathearn Episcopal Churches
Crieff, Comrie, & Lochearnhead
‘O come all ye faithful’ and come all ye not so faithful!
Sunday, 14 December - 6.30 pm. Crieff: Carol Service St Columba’s Tuesday, 16 December - 7 pm. Lochearnhead: Carols Plus, Village Hall
Sunday, 21 December - 6.30 pm. Comrie: Carol Service St Serf’s
Wednesday, 17 December - 3 pm. at St Columba’s Crieff. Blue Christmas - for those who find Christmas hard. Sunday, 21 December: Holy Communion at St Angus Lochearnhead at 9.15 am and 11.15 am, at St Columba’s Crieff
Wednesday, 24 December - Christmas Eve Crib Service 4 pm St Columba’s Crieff Christmas Day - Lochearnhead: Communion at 9 am at St Angus’, Comrie: Communion at 10.30 am St Serf’s
Elizabeth Pirnie, of Pitlochry, launches her debut
novel
MUSTARD AND WEEDS
Yours now for only £20
(plus P&P) RRP £32.99
Life in the Scottish Highland village of Milldhu was slow and gentle and in
complete harmony with nature. Nothing ever changed very much –what could, or would?
It was War, and everyone knew that nothing would ever be the same again. All the young or fit were ‘called up’ to fight for their Country, or they volunteered. This exodus of so many people left the ‘more important’ ones exposed. Like the very handsome husband and wife lawyers, whose wickedness drove their only daughter to try and make amends for her parents’ evil deeds, for example.
The retiring church minister surprised everyone when he courageously saved the villages reputation…
Order Now – If you would like to receive your copy of Mustard and Weeds, please send a cheque or postal order for £25.95 (incl. P&P) made out to ‘Elizabeth Pirnie’ to: MUSTARD & WEEDS, PO Box 7-281, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 9AB.
Please remember to include your printed name, address, and telephone number to ensure your hardcover copy can be sent out promptly via Royal Mail.
Hardcover also available at this special retail price of £20.00 from ‘All About Books’, West Moulin Road, Pitlochry.
Meet the Author
Elizabeth (known to family and friends as Betty) has lived most of her life in Pitlochry, except for some childhood years in a country village in Warwickshire. Art displaced all other achievements, and at one time Elizabeth was tutoring three adult classes every week in Highland Perthshire later reducing to one, The Moulin Art Class, which ran for fifteen years. Elizabeth now tutors privately.
ISBN (HC): 978-1835633984
Genre: Historical Fiction
Comrie Drama Club
Beauty and the Beast - Be our guest... for our beast panto yet!! Once upon a time (don’t worry, this bit’s quick), Prince George turned down the wrong woman. Turns out she was a witch - and not the nice kind. One curse later, he’s a hairy, moody Beast, his servants are furniture, and the only thing that can save him is true love… which is awkward, because he’s not exactly dating material. Will Belle see past the fur? Will the rose run out of petals? Will the Dame steal the show? (Spoiler: yes.) Join us for songs, silliness, audience shenanigans, and a love story with more plot twists than a soap opera!
Show Dates - Wednesday, 3 - Saturday, 6 December at 7.30 pm and Saturday, 6 December Matinee at 2 pm at Comrie White Church. Doors Open: 6.45 pm (Evenings) and 1.30 pm (Matinee)
Tickets available from - *Hansen’s Kitchen *The Handy Shop (Comrie) *Kelly Accounting (Crieff) *www.comriedrama.co.uk
Comrie Heritage Group
The ten highlights of 2025
Quite a season!
1. We’re getting a new roof for our museum at Cultybraggan Camp! This has been made possible by grants from The Pilgrim Trust and Perth and Kinross Council. Funding from the Heinrich Steinmeyer Fund has enabled us to upgrade the electrics and install heating so conditions for visitors, volunteers and our precious artefacts will be greatly improved when we reopen.
2. We are now closed for the winter but,
since opening at Easter, we have welcomed 4,438 visitors one of whom said that it was the most interesting museum that he had ever visited! There were also many favourable comments about the friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. All very gratifying.
3. The Consul General from the German Consulate in Edinburgh visited Cultybraggan and said that the experience left her ‘moved and humbled’. She kindly invited representatives of the camp to attend the Day of German Unity in October.
4. We welcomed relatives of three prisoners of war. One kindly donated artefacts, including a diary, belonging to her father.
5. There is now a café here. After visiting the museum, many head for refreshments and those from the café come to visit us. A great example of reciprocity!
6. In July, we mounted an exhibition entitled ‘Comrie: our village’ which generated much interest among our many visitors.
7. One of the interesting artefacts loaned to us is a radio used during WWII at Bletchley Park.
8. Guided tours have been offered and we were delighted to receive cards drawn by pupils from a primary school thanking us for their visit.
9. We have welcomed several new volunteers all of whom have greatly contributed to our aims of preserving, promoting and improving the heritage of Comrie and Cultybraggan. If you have time to spare, do consider joining us. (see CDT website)
10. A journalist has expressed an interest in writing about our wonderful collection of 66 cartoons. These encapsulate the daily activities of prisoners of war and were actually created by an inmate.
A very Merry Christmas to all of our Advertisers, Contributors & Readers.
Thank you all for your support throughout the year.
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Café Comrie
• Traditional Scottish breakfasts • Baked potatoes
• Hot filled breakfast rolls • Home made soups • Freshly made sandwiches & toasties • Croissants • Mackies ice cream
• Twinnings tea selection and fresh ground coffee
• Daily special board • Takeaways Available
We would like to thank all of our loyal customers for their support throughout the year and best wishes for 2026.
Winter Opening Times will vary.
Please check our Facebook & Instagram accounts for details
Café Comrie, Drummond Street, Comrie, PH6 2DW
Tel: 01764 670838 e: cafe.comrie@btinternet.com
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
We usually use photos from our own stock, however if you think you have something suitable you would like us to use for The Quair please feel free to email it to us at crieffandcomrie@thequair.com stating your name and providing a short narrative about the photo. Please note that by sending your photo you are also agreeing to let us use this for any Quair activity.
Crieff, Comrie & District’s Community Magazine
Crieff & Comrie Quair
Hear the sounds of Christmas with The Edinburgh Hearing Practice
What’s your favourite Christmas sound?
Family laughter, crackling of a log fire, the bubbles in your champagne toast, theatre trips, carol singing, the tearing open of carefully wrapped presents, repeats of your favourite TV shows...
Hearing loss happens in our ears, but it can affect many different aspects of our lives. It can restrict your ability to interact with others, prevent you from hearing vital information, cause misunderstandings, heighten stress, and trigger unnecessary fatigue.
Don’t let a hearing loss come between you and a happy, relaxed and family filled Christmas.
Call now to take advantage of our complimentary five star hearing assessments and road test the very best hearing technology over the festive period.
We thoroughly check your ears using state of the art video equipment and keep the images on your records so we can keep track of your ear health.
We thoroughly check your ears using state of the art video equipment and keep the images on your records so keep track of your ear health.
If your ears are blocked with wax your hearing test will not be accurate. You’re in safe hands at the Edinburgh Hearing
If your ears are blocked with wax your hearing tes accurate. You’re in safe hands at the Edinburgh Hearing
very latest audiometric equipment to record the quietest sounds that you can hear, but also importantly, the way that
very latest audiometric equipment to record the qui sounds that you can hear, but also importantly, the
both quiet and in the presence of the dreaded background noise.
both quiet and in the presence of the dreaded background noise.
Where appropriate, we perform tympanometry to check how the middle ear is working (this is a really simple comfortable test, and is nothing to be nervous about).
Where appropriate, we perform tympanometry to check how the middle ear is working (this is a really simple comfortable test, and is nothing to be nervous about).
At each stage we will explain the results really thoroughly to you and make sure that everything is completely clear.
At each stage we will explain the results really thoroughly to you and make sure that everything is completely clear.
Occasionally we may feel that onward referral is required – this is unusual, but you can trust us to always do the right thing.
Occasionally we may feel that onward referral is required – this is unusual, but you can trust us to alwa the right thing.
Our care plans are bespoke and suited around your individual needs and preferences. All our hearings aids are available to trial for 30 days at no cost. We believe that the proof is in the pudding!
We are a family owned and run business and we love what we do. Trust your hearing to us!
1819
Tayside and Strathearn help for ukraine
This charity, based in a warehouse at Errol Airfield, PH2 7TB has now sent 108 articulated lorries to Ukraine, thanks to the generosity of donations coming from individuals, organisations and sponsorship. Every lorry is filled to capacity with what our Ukrainian contacts tell us are desperately required, namely food, toiletries, nappies, formula milk, adult incontinence pads and bedding. Donations can be made to the above address or via our 17 collection points, please see below for details.
As well as sorting and packing in our warehouse on Monday and Wednesday mornings, from 9.30 am - 1 pm, some of our volunteers are involved in fundraising. Please join us at our coffee mornings held at Newburgh Hall on Saturday 18, October and in the North Church Hall, Perth, on Saturday, 15 November both from 10 am - 12 pm.
We now have a van to collect donations from further afield and would appreciate it if more collection points could be established, perhaps in a hall, shop or garage. We are greatly indebted to those individuals and organisations that enable us to send our lorries to Ukraine, costing £3,500 each trip. Some of our trustees give talks about our charity.
Further information about our humanitarian work may be accessed at the following: info@tash4ukraine.org.uk, Facebook & Instagram @tash4Ukraine.
VisionPK - Comrie - VisionPK support a regular group in Comrie for people with a visual or hearing 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.
Strathearn Talking News
If you would like to volunteer at the group, or come along as an attendee, 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
Friends of Aytoun Hall - After the sell-out success of last year in filling a void in the town at Hogmanay, Friends of Aytoun Hall will again be organising a Ceilidh in the hall from 8.30 pm to 12.30 am. Adult £20; 12-16 year olds accompanied by adult £10. Bring your own bottle and snacks. Dance to music from the Blackford Fiddlers. Tickets can be reserved on payment by text to 07722 511565.
Comrie Cancer Support - We are a group which meets regularly to offer mutual support to anyone affected by cancer. We have coffee etc., we chat, we share, and we learn from each other’s experiences through what can sometimes be a difficult time for the sufferer, their spouse, and for other friends and family members. All are welcome. And we are finding the meetings warm and dynamic, working as we had hoped.
We meet on the second last Tuesday of each month throughout the year in Comrie and Dundurn Church Hall Annexe - 5.30 pm - 7 pm.
Any further information can be obtained by calling: Agnes Drysdale on 07732 345675 or Lorna Ramsay on 07789 9878385.
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.
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
Mid
Liz Smith MSP
Scotland & Fife Regional Member Conservative
In October, I attended a wonderful performance of A Night at the Opera at Crieff Parish Church to celebrate 60 years of the Strathearn Music Society. It was a very special evening and I would like to send my congratulations to all the performers.
In addition to the society’s annual six live classical music concerts in Crieff, this event was one of two stand-alone performances in celebration of its sixtieth season. The performance was full of well-established musicians including four soloists and a chamber orchestra conducted by Derek Clark. The programme featured classics from the world of opera from a wide range of composers including Mozart, Puccini and Rossini, as well as some Gilbert and Sullivan music.
Sixty years on, and The Strathearn Music Society continues to be a cornerstone of the community, showcasing the very best of Strathearn’s local musical talent, maintaining Crieff’s vibrant cultural life, and consistently delivering popular and entertaining social occasions for residents.
Back in August, I lodged a Parliamentary motion marking the society’s 60th Anniversary. It garnered the support of 33 colleagues from across the Chamber representing many different parts of the country, showing just how widely renowned and admired this local group is. We are very lucky to have such a well organised and welcoming group here in Crieff and I wish the society the very best for the future. Lastly, may I wish all readers of the Crieff and Comrie Quair a happy Christmas when the time comes.
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
Crieff Banking Hub - The Crieff Banking Hub is now operating from its permanent home at 17 High Street, Crieff, PH7 3HU. The Hub is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. A Community Banker from your own bank is available on these days: Monday: Santander, 9 am to 4 pm, Tuesday: Virgin Money, 9.15 am to 4.45 pm Wednesday: TSB, 9 am to 5 pm, Thursday: Royal Bank of Scotland, 10 am to 5 pm, Friday: Bank of Scotland, 9 am to 5 pm. When the Hub is open, you can use counter services to withdraw or deposit cash, pay in cheques, check your balance, top up utilities and more. Please note - Community Bankers may be unavailable over lunchtime as they take a well-deserved break. Please also always check up to date details at www.cashaccess.co.uk/hubs/crieff-perthand-kinross
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 and friends and individuals to become involved and learn, through nature, about the growth of co-operation and co-habitation. As a garden flourishes so do we. On a practical level a secretary and a co-ordinator are urgently needed, 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 backgrounds 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 in the garden on Wednesday evenings from 6 pm to 8 pm, weather permitting, and until the days shorten.
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.
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.
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.
The Arts Society Tayside - Our lecture season at Birnam Arts is in full swing and on November 10 we enjoyed our third lecture of the season: Roger Mendham on The Art of the Automobile. On Monday, 8 December we have Gavin Plumley on Bruguel - The Seasons and the World. We have six further lectures at Birnam in store for the rest of our 2025/6 season. In addition, we are very pleased to announce that tickets for our winter lectures, open to members and guests, are now available: To Draw or Not to Draw: Six Great Painters of the Seventeenth Century, by the excellent lecturer Dr Andrew Patterson, whom members and guests will remember from last year. The lectures take place on Thursday, 22 January (Velázquez and Rubens), Thursday, 29 January (Poussin and Caravaggio) and Thursday, 5 February 2026 (Rembrandt and Vermeer). They take place at The Soutar Theatre, The AK Bell Library, Perth, at 10 am for 10.30 am, and the series of three lectures costs £30. Please contact our Winter Lectures Secretary on pamjmurray@hotmail.com to make a booking.
J.R Schad
TREE CARE LTD Tree Surgeons Est.1991
● All tree work carried out throughout Scotland to BS: 3998
● Stumps ground out
● Hedge Trimming
● Trees & Shrubs Supplied
● Trained, Qualified, Insured
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 fascinating and accessible morning or afternoon lectures on the second Monday of the month at Birnam Arts on a wide variety of topics, as well as a range of house, garden and gallery visits and interesting add-on days and lectures. For those unable to make the journey to Birnam, we are now offering live Zoom links to our lectures so you can watch from your own home if you wish.
Visit our website to see the full programme: theartssocietytayside.org.uk. A full year’s membership for the 2025/6 season, which includes admission to all ten lectures, costs £68. Please contact us for a complimentary lecture or to become a member: tastmembership@gmail.com or 01350 724232.
Kaimes Cottage, Braco, Dunblane, FK15 9LG /
Crieff Connexions - Last month we took the chance to use our space in The Quair to talk about the hope that we have for people making connections through the work happening at Crieff Connexions. Connections with other people, with services and with opportunities around them. We have been delighted to welcome new volunteers to Connexions recently who are doing just that and what a difference they have been making!
If you visit us, it might be that you do not see a huge difference but behind the scenes there have been significant changes. A problem we were facing was a lack of suitable storage solutions for items needing to be processed for the New2You shop. We had many donations but nowhere to put them. We had floor space to make use of but nothing to separate, organise and make sense of items. What we did have, however, were bits of metal which had previously been shelving. I described the task to those who were going to assist as doing a jigsaw where multiple puzzles had been mixed together and all of the pictures taken away. Not only that, some of our shelving ‘jigsaw pieces’ were rusted, bent or just plain missing! Enter a group of tenacious, focused, hard working, creative and, to their credit, stubborn volunteers. Aided only by the ‘axe of persuasion,’ for parts that needed a little extra push to slot into place, they worked for weeks at the task. Much confusion ensued, heads were scratched, the search for just the right piece was undertaken, multiple less than successful efforts occurred but, at the end of it all, we have shelves! They will not be on display because they are not pretty or stylish, the character they have is not the aesthetic kind, but they are strong, they are sturdy and they have proved to be so very, very useful. The joy that was felt in their completion was great, and possibly out of proportion with the product produced, but they signify a step forward. We are delighted
with our ‘new’ shelves and what they represent. People working together, overcoming obstacles, bringing something back into a useful state and meeting a real need. It feels like an echo of the work of Connexions, working together in community, supporting people in creative and useful ways, and finding the purpose in all we encounter. These wonderful volunteers need time to recover, rest and celebrate so we will be closed for a few days over Christmas, see below for details.
close for this year, and we’re taking a wellearned rest as we look forward to seeing the first blooms of 2026. Seeing snowdrops return to our public open spaces while flood defence work continues will be a welcome reminder of what community spirit can achieve and give us all a little sign of hope that things will soon return to normal. Looking ahead, we remain focused on our long-term goal of planting 300,000 snowdrops and leaving a living and lasting legacy for our village.
Tuesday, 23 December - Closed Thursday, 25 December - Closed Saturday, 27 December, 10 am to 12 noon - Open Tuesday, 30 December - Closed Thursday, 1 January - Closed Saturday, 3 January, 10 am to 12 noon - Open From Tuesday, 6 January - Open as usual Comrie Snowdrops - As the days shorten and winter approaches, Comrie Snowdrops is wrapping up a remarkable first year. Since our founding in January 2025, we’ve made huge steps toward our goal of transforming Comrie into Scotland’s first freely accessible snowdrop village. The 19,000 snowdrops which we’ve already planted are now quietly preparing to emerge early next year at the War Memorial Garden, the White Church, and along the Lednock Footpath. These first plantings mark the beginning of our plans to create a series of beautiful winter walking trails for residents and visitors to enjoy. This year, we were delighted to receive a £5,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, helping us plan for an even more ambitious spring. On November 1, our coffee morning at the White Church in Comrie raised nearly £1,000 thanks to the generosity and support of our local community. Together, this means we’re on track to plant around 40,000 more snowdrops in spring 2026. Our planting season has now drawn to a
This Christmas, if you’re looking for a meaningful gift, you can sponsor a snowdrop plot in someone’s name. It’s a thoughtful way to be part of this legacy here in Comrie.
To find out more or get involved, visit comriesnowdrops.org.uk or follow us on Facebook at Comrie Snowdrops. From all of us, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Comrie Probus Club
All meetings are held on every other Wednesday at the Comrie Parish Church Hall at 10.30 am starting with tea and coffee followed by the presentation of the day.
Under the guidance of our chairman, Ian Rogers, the following meeting dates are: Wednesday, 3 December The Story of recorded music
Wednesday, 17 December Keeping Secrets
Wednesday, 14 January The Rise and Rise of Wild Hearth Bakery
Wednesday, 28 January Wilder Thinking
Wednesday, 11 February Costa Concorda
Wednesday, 25 February 50 Years of Organ Grinder’s Monkey
Wednesday, 11 March Branklyn Gardensa Perthshire Gem
Wednesday, 25 March - AGM followed by Lunch at Comrie Golf Club
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 Judith Rogers on 01764 679727 or 07772 967160 or Malcolm Gregory on 01764 670493 or 07752 498187.
Cultybraggan Camp History Project
The Project was founded in 2017 to preserve the history and the fabric of the camp, working wherever possible with the camp owners at the time. Our members include academics and volunteers who are dedicated to investigate and document in central resources all aspects of the camp’s past. We believe the camp is of importance to the nation and not just the local village.
It is our ambition to create an online fund of knowledge to be preserved for hundreds of years and beyond. This includes all stories, documents, photographs and images, which will be assembled into a virtual museum. There may also be a virtual guided tour of the camp showing the various artefacts as one explores and possibly an ‘App’ for mobile phones. We continue in discussion with other organisations doing similar work to us, which is proving mutually beneficial. We are very conscious that a lot of currently existing web material is vanishing, to be lost forever. Those digital records and stories will prove very interesting in hundreds of years’ time. We are working with groups and universities to endeavour to create permanent national reservoirs of all this material.
Our members are the experts at guiding tours, giving talks and supporting authors, historians and filmmakers, allowing them direct access to our resources and personnel. Now in our eighth year, we provide illustrated talks to many groups including organisations and institutes, colleges, schools, Probus, Rotary and Local History clubs. We can do these in person or online and in hybrid situations with an audience and online. We are planning a series of free online talks over winter - see the Events page of our website. If you’d like one of our talks delivered personally, please email us at tours@ camp21.org.uk.
There is a wealth of information for the public to view and download on our website at camp21.org.uk.
CENTRAL HOME ALARMS
Established 1981
Tayside’s First SSAIB Registered Company. Reg. No. Tays 001
Security Alarms
Installed, Repaired, Serviced & Updated.
Phone Bob Anderson on 01764 670540
Founder member of IAAI
Cycle Crieff - Our aim is to support all aspects of cycling in the area. We’re not a shop; we’re an inclusive community helping everyone.
What we do - Routes, Repairs and Reuse/donations. *Affordable access to cycling: Low-cost or free bikes are provided through donations, recycling and rebuilding. In 2025, more than 128 bikes were renovated! *Repairs and Workshop Support: A flexible community workshop offers servicing, self-repair space, guidance from highly qualified mechanics, and donated parts like lights. Many stranded cyclists have had emergency help. *Routes and Riding Community: Over 153 events were hosted this year. Rides focus on inclusion and social connection. Trips included Arran, Islay, and more. *Training and Education: Delivered ten Dr Bike sessions and ten maintenance courses, plus ongoing ‘look after your bike’ workshops with Cubs, schools, refugees and Cadets. *Volunteer Commitment: Volunteers contributed over 2,000 hours, balancing careers with social media, workshop work, and ride hosting. *Community Partnerships: Active links with Remake, PKC Recycling, social services, Fire Service, local businesses, and refugees.
Crieff Community A’ (easy social), ‘B’ and ‘C’ rides - There are regular bi-monthly social rides and rides instigated by local riders. Our recent Bike Sale and Dr Bike was a success and we always have a range of serviced and affordable bikes. We had a great social at Crieff Golf club, thanks to Helen for organising. The ‘Absent friends and Remembrance day’ cycle was very poignant. A large group braved the rain and cycled to St Fillan’s memorial to pay our respects. On the way we did the same at the Crieff and Comrie.
Upcoming
Warm places - Bikes, chat and humour! We’re opening up the workshop to all over the winter, on the following days; Sunday, 14 December; Sunday, 28 December; Sunday, 4 January; Sunday, 11 January;
Sunday, 18 January; Sunday, 8 February and Sunday, 22 February. We’ll be at the workshop from 2 pm - 4 pm for drinks, Damsel goodies, bike chat and possibly BBC radio Wales! Please get in touch ahead, if you can, and we’ll make sure we have enough of everything. There will be a bit of an ex-military theme at times but we all have a good sense of humour. All welcome! Volunteers - We have had a few fantastic volunteers over the last few years. Are you practical and keen to learn new skills? Free training and qualifications available and of course you can build your own bike! Age and gender not important! Please get in touch if you want to know more or get involved in our adventures!
I can be contacted by telephone on 01738 620540 or by email at Jim.fairlie.msp@parliament.scot
Jim Fairlie MSP
Perthshire South & Kinross-shire - SNP
Since my last column I had the honour of attending the Remembrance Sunday service in Crieff. Every year, I’m struck by the quiet dignity of the occasion - folk of all ages gathering together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s a moment for reflection, not only on the past, but on the terrible cost of conflict, and the importance of striving for peace in a world where too many are still living through war.
As we move into December, that sense of community feels especially important. The end of the year gives us all a chance to pause, look back and hopefully take a breath after what always seems like a busy twelve months. The festive period means different things to different people. For some it’s about family, friends, and time together; for others it can be a difficult stretch, particularly for those missing loved ones or feeling the financial pressure that Christmas can bring.
If you can, take a moment to check in on a neighbour or someone who might be spending the holidays on their own. A short chat or a cup of tea can make a world of difference. My constituency office will be closed from Monday, 22 December and will reopen on Monday, 5 January. Any enquiries received during that time will be picked up as soon as we return.
For anyone needing urgent help while the office is closed, Perth and Kinross Council has a useful webpage with out-of-hours emergency contacts at: www.pkc.gov.uk/article/14894/Useful-emergency-numbers.
If you don’t have access to the internet, the main ones to note are: *PKC mental health: 0345 301 11 20 *PKC housing: 01738 476000 *National Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999 *SEPA Floodline: 0345 988 1188 *Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778
Jim Fairley MSP
Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year - not least because we’ll have the Scottish Parliament election in May.
South & Kinross-shire - SNP
Thank you to everyone who’s stopped for a chat, written in, or shared a concern with me over the past year. I wish you all a peaceful Christmas when it comes, and good health and happiness in the year ahead.
on ???? ???? or jim.fairlie.msp@parlia-
If you need to contact me or if you would like to make a surgery appointment to see me, please check my social media or get in touch with my office, 63 Glasgow Road, Perth, PH2 0PE. You can on 01738 620540 or email me at Jim.Fairlie.MSP@Parliament.Scot.
Jim
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www.sandraandtimspropertymaintenance.co.uk
Perth Citizens Advice Bureau - You can reach Perth CAB for Advice on: FREEPhone: 0808 196 9440 10am - 3pm Mon to Fri (Free from landlines and mobiles) E: advice@perthcab.org.uk W: www.perthcab.org.uk
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.
Spanish with Marta
‣ Personalised private tuition for individuals or small groups
‣ Conversational classes - beginner to advanced levels
‣ Classes for Nursery and Primary School children
‣ Tuition for National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level
‣ Online lessons available
New courses starting in January 2026:
★ After School Club for Nursery & Primary School children
★ Adults conversational evening classes
Marta Pérez Comrie
Web: www.spanishwithmarta.co.uk
Email: myspanishtutormarta@gmail.com
Tel: 07709 150070
Crieff Recycling Centre, North Forr, Broich Road
Thursday - Monday 9.00 - 16.00
(last entry 15.45 - all vehicles must be off site by 16.00)
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 are published in good faith. However, for a variety of reasons, things can sometimes change. This edition of The Crieff & Comrie Quair was sent for print on Saturday, 15 November 2025. Please therefore always check times and venues of events listed 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.
Comrie Medical Centre, Strowan Road, Comrie, PH6 2LW
Tel: 01764 670217
Opening Hours:
8 am - 6 pm, Monday to Friday
Please check hours on bank and public holidays
Crieff Medical Centre, Blue Practice
King Street, Crieff, PH7 3SA Tel: 01764 652283
Repeat Prescription Line: 01764 655510
Opening Hours - 8 am - 6 pm, Mon to Friday
Closed 12pm - 2 pm on Tuesdays
Extended hours appointments:
Early appointments - Tuesday mornings
Late appointments - Thursday evenings
Friends of Crieff Cemetery
Friends of Crieff Cemetery have a QR code.
Please scan the image to the right to find out more about the group and volunteering opportunities.
Crieff Medical Centre, Red Practice
King Street, Crieff, PH7 3SA Tel: 01764 652456
Repeat Prescription Line: 01764 655577
Opening Hours - 8 am - 6 pm, Monday to Friday
Closed 12 pm - 2 pm on a Wednesday.
Please check hours for bank and public holidays
Strathearn Politicians
Constituency Member of Scottish Parliament
Jim Fairlie MSP 01738 620540
Regional Member of Scottish Parliament
Liz Smith MSP 01738 553990
MP - Perth and Kinross-shire
Pete Wishart MP 01738 639598
Local Councillors - Strathearn Ward PKC
Noah Khogali 01738 475000
Stewart Donaldson 01738 475000
Rhona Brock 01738 475000
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.
Strathearn Community Library Community Campus, CRIEFF, Tel/Fax:01764 657705
Email: strathearnlibrary@culturepk.org.uk
For opening times and other up to date information see www.culturepk.org.uk/libraries
Comrie Library
For opening times and other up to date information see www.culturepk.org.uk/libraries
The Crieff & Comrie Quair
is published by SCOT ACTIVE LTD
with a registered office address of 26/30 Bonnethill Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BS Company Number SC854228
tel/text: 07436 793785
e: crieffandcomrie@thequair.com
Comrie Community Woodland
Comrie Community Woodland is about 300 metres west of Cultybraggan Camp on south side of the road. The 45-acre site was bought for the Community along with the Camp in 2007. Unique features are the irrigation system that was built in 1941 to supply water to the new POW camp below and the overall shape, about 1 km long by only 100 metres wide in places. On a northfacing hillside, some parts are quite steep and for over ten years it was mostly used for grazing. Volunteers got together to develop the site and in 2021 planted about twenty thousand trees - all native varieties while hundreds more have been planted since. The site is open all day, every day to visitors. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies, guiding you to clear up any litter while enjoying your visit responsibly.
Andrew
Third Sundays of each month are volunteering days when anyone is welcome to meet and join us from 10 am till about 3 pm, while we perform a variety of maintenance tasks. Projects include checking fencing, clearing paths, development of signage, construction of bridges, benches & picnic tables and removal of vegetation threatening tree growth.
We welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities. Activities are provided for children, who should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Sessions start at 10 am and continue till about 3 pm with a break for lunch. We advise wearing sound, waterproof footwear and bringing a packed lunch and drinks. We have a good stock of all the tools we need.
Strathearn Ramblers
Sunday, 18 January - Stroll/Walk, Combined stroll/walk from Dalchonzie car park back to Comrie via Kindrochet and Dunira. Start Point: Dalchonzie car park (car shuffle) (what3words: consoles.thudded.acrobat).
Distance: 5 miles. Leave: Crieff Co-op car park 9.45 am, Comrie School car park 10 am (NB change of car park). Description: Walking from Dalchonzie to Kindrochet on the Dalchonzie road, crossing a field to the A85. Cross into Dunira, passing the burial ground, through Dunira, back to Comrie where drivers will be taken back to their cars.
Thursday, 19 February - Stroll/Walk, Combined stroll and walk Valleyfield Woods and Culross. Start Point: Culross (what3words: trickled.give.harshest). Distance: Stroll 4.5 miles, walk 6.5 miles. Leave: Laggan Park, Comrie 9 am, Crieff Co-op 9.15 am. Description: This mixed coastal and woodland walk takes in some of the highlights of West Fife including the lovely Valleyfield Woods (well known for their snowdrops) and the picturesque village of Culross. Much work has been done on the footpaths in the area by the hardworking volunteers of the West Fife Woodlands Group. All start at Culross and head east on the Fife Coastal Path with the strollers heading into Valleyfield Woods to admire the snowdrops. The walkers will divert to take in a circuit of Preston Island and the salt pans before heading into Valleyfield Woods. The route back passes the abbey back into picturesque Culross which can then be explored if time allows.
Saturday, 14 March - Stroll, Murthly Castle and the banks of the Silvery Tay. Start Point: Murthly village (park and meet at the Nisa local). Distance: 6.5 miles. Leave: Laggan Park, Comrie 9.45 am, Crieff Co-op 10 am. Description: A chance to enjoy a delightful circular walk around the Murthly castle estate and parkland. It offers fine riverside views and a chance to see several mature specimen trees that are amongst the finest in Perthshire. Wildlife sightings are possible, and the walking is generally easy on flat tracks and drives. NB: We will park on the main street in the village since there is very limited parking at the entrance to the castle. Thursday, 26 March - Walk, Tombane,
Ballinloan and Drumour Circuit. Start Point: Little Tombane track (grid ref NN 9560 3986) (what3words: meatball.subtitle.writers). NB: We will need to use as few cars as possible, and drivers will need instructions to turn in Meikle Findowie entrance on opposite side of road to access the Little Tombane track when approaching from Amulree. Distance: 6 miles. Leave: Laggan Park, Comrie 9 am, Crieff Co-op 9.15 am. Description: Over half this rough walk is pathless, but it will take participants up through the wood then out across pasture past two ruined townships then along an ancient track through forest to Griffin Wind Farm. The return is beside lovely Ballinloan Burn before joining the Old Military Road over Drumour, passing Corbenic’s Poetry Path.
Sunday, 12 April - Stroll, Muckhart and Rumbling Bridge. Start Point: Coronation Hall, Pool of Muckhart (what3words: announce. snack.asterisk). Distance: 6.5 miles. Leave: Comrie Laggan Park 10 am, Crieff Co-op car park 10.15 am, Coronation Hall, Pool of Muckhart 10.45 am. Description: This 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.
Friday, 24 April - Walk, North Third Reservoir from the Bannockburn Centre. Start Point: Battle of Bannockburn Centre (what3words: plans.heave.slate). Distance: 9 miles. Leave: Laggan Park, Comrie 9 am, Crieff Co-op 9.15 am. Description: Starting from Battle of Bannockburn car park we cross the M9 following minor road passing Old Sauchie before climbing to the craggy escarpment of Lewis Hill with superb views all around. We then descend to North Third reservoir, walking round the shore before crossing the dam and coming down back through some woodland and passing by a fishery before rejoining the road leading back over the M9 and back to the car park. The route is on minor roads, tracks and paths which can be muddy, please wear appropriate footwear.
Crieff Probus Club - The Crieff Probus Club meeting of October 21 proved to be of great interest and enjoyment to members.
The speaker was Liz Smith CBE, MSP, speaking of life as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament. Liz became an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife in 2007, having her earlier interest in joining political life fuelled by her parents and Malcolm Rifkind MP. Before entering parliament, she was a schoolteacher and political researcher, as well as an amateur sportswoman, representing the Scottish Women’s Cricket Team.
Speaking of some of her achievements as an MSP, Liz said serving local communities and making things better for people was most worthwhile, and she looks forward to the legislation which will see all school children benefiting from outdoor, residential education.
She also spoke of changes she has seen within the Scottish Parliament and how these impact on the public trust in politicians.
Answering members’ questions, she touched on the impact of social media on politics, leadership in politics, the Assisted Dying bill, the importance of effective trade and investment opportunities in Scotland, the increase in cyber attacks on organisations, and the need for collaboration across countries to manage how to deal with these.
The meeting was very engaging, and members thanked Ms Smith for an extremely interesting discussion.
Crieff Probus Club will hold the last meeting of the autumn session on Tuesday, 2 December when the speaker will be Dave Ferguson speaking about Strathearn Railways.
The winter session resumes on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. The speaker is Robin Leake whose talk is ‘Can prevention save lives as well as money?’ This is followed on Tuesday, 3 February with speaker Mairi Gibson, whose talk is ‘The clothing of the sixteenth-century Stewart Court in Scotland’. Mairi will have examples of the clothing on display. cont/
Anyone is welcome to come to meetings, which start at 10 am with tea and coffee. The main meeting begins at 10.30 am and finishes no later than 11.45 am. Meetings are held in the Royal British Legion, Perth Road.
Details of the programme are shown on the club website, crieffprobusclub.org.uk.
Could Crieff residents benefit from Aquila’s ‘Nature Mingle’ project?
Aquila Wildlife & Nature, a Strathearnbased community interest company, runs an initiative called ‘Nature Mingle’ designed to bring the restorative power of the natural world to those who might otherwise struggle to access it.
Shop for Christmas and help Bertie Bus in the process!
As Christmas approaches, many of us will spend time hunting for gifts and festive treats. This year, the Bertie Bus team is encouraging local residents not only to shop local, but to make their other shopping count by supporting the charity through the Give as You Live scheme.
The project provides a unique ‘window to wildlife’ for individuals by installing cameras in gardens, offering a virtual connection to the outdoors and its inhabitants. If no garden is available, then some volunteers share their garden. This innovative approach is particularly aimed at supporting those with limited mobility or anyone facing barriers to getting outside.
By providing a link to nature for those with limited access to the outdoors, the project can help combat feelings of isolation, enhance well-being and improve overall mood. We have a number of volunteers in the Crieff area but few participants - though plenty in Comrie so we are looking for potential beneficiaries from the Crieff area.
If you know someone in the Crieff area who would benefit from the Nature Mingle project you can get more information by contacting Fran by email: infonaturemingle@gmail.com or Tel: 07518 958032.
Inner Link Club of Comrie - Inner Link meets at 10.30 am in the Comrie Parish Church Hall. The last meeting for 2025 is 8 December. We have a break for Christmas and start 2026 on 12 January. Membership is open to everyone; come and enjoy coffee and chat and hear our visiting speaker’s talk. Contact: Sharon on 07927 318010 or 01764 679943
Raise funds while you shop - Give as You Live is a simple way to raise money for Bertie Bus every time you shop online (at no extra cost to you). With more than 5,500 retailers signed up, including household names like John Lewis, M&S, and Tesco, a percentage of what you spend is donated to Bertie Bus automatically. You don’t pay anything extra but partners like M&S and John Lewis pay a donation relative to your spend.
It only takes a few minutes to join. Visit www.bit.ly/BERTIEGIVE, register, then shop as usual by clicking through from the Give as You Live site. The retailers pay a commission, which is passed directly on to Bertie Bus. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.
Why it matters - Bertie Bus has been part of life in Crieff for nearly fifty years, helping people who face mobility challenges to stay connected with the community. Weekly outings, library trips, shopping runs, and special events bring friendship and independence to passengers who might otherwise find it difficult to get out.
These services are only possible thanks to the charity’s dedicated volunteers and supporters. Every pound raised helps to keep Bertie’s wheels turning, ensuring that passengers can continue to enjoy the outings they look forward to each week.
Join the team in the New Year - Volunteers are always needed, and a new year’s resolution to give back something to your community offers surprising enrichment and rewards back to you.
Whether you could spare a few hours to drive, assist passengers, or lend a hand with events, there’s a role to suit everyone. Volunteering with Bertie Bus not only supports a vital service but also offers the chance to meet new people and be part of a caring
A season of giving - This festive season, why not make your shopping count twice?
By using Give as You Live, or by joining as a volunteer in the new year, you’ll be helping Bertie Bus continue its mission of connection, companionship, and community. For more information on volunteering or to request details about the scheme, contact the team at secretary@bertiebus.org.uk or call 07716 119414.
team.
Crieff and Strathearn Museum - Cross Paths with History
The museum is closed for winter and although closed work goes on behind the scenes. We are busy packing away this year’s displays and getting ready for next year.
We have very recently received news that we have been awarded funding from The Community Led Local Development Fund at PKC to do work in the basement storage area of the museum. We will be installing a dehumidification system in the main storage area and putting in a damp proof membrane in the inner room where there is still an earth floor and a raised floor so that we can use it for extra storage space as required. This will be a great for the museum as it will help protect our collection from damp and mould. We envisage that the work will be done in the early New Year.
We are working on next year’s displays and will be presenting displays on The Picts, Crieff Girl Guides highlighting 100 years of guiding in Crieff, Rob Roy and The John MacGregor Photographic collection.
We’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has supported, donated or lent to the museum over the last 12 months, it’s greatly appreciated and lovely to see the collection of local history growing and it helps keep heritage of Crieff and Strathearn alive for all to see.
Perth and Kinross council has repaired the rotten south facing window on the first floor and we are waiting for the outside to be painted and the repairs to the roof to be completed. Hopefully this will be done soon and the scaffolding taken down!
CRIEFF & STRATHEARN MUSEUM
& Strathearn Museum is a registered charity in Scotland:
As always if you would like to support the museum by becoming a member, please check our website for details and a membership form or pop into the museum and join. The membership fee is £15 per annum and you will be helping us with the running costs of keeping the museum open. We accept cash or card payments.
Crieff & Strathearn Museum are delighted to say that they have agreed a Heritage Trail walk in co-operation with The Drover’s Tryst, to take place on Saturday 17th July. This special walk will highlight several of the historic places in Crieff, sometimes where terrible things have happened, sometimes highlighting where people have made great strides to improve life for us all. The walk will be led by our own Marnie Gauld and David Ferguson. To book your place on the walk, please go to : www.droverstryst.com where you will find lots of information. All the Drover’s Tryst walks for 2021 are now bookable on line, and take place in May and July.
If you are interested in volunteering as a guide or helping in any other way at the museum then please email us at: info@crieffandstrathearnmuseum.org.uk. Our website is: www.crieffandstrathearnmuseum.org.uk (Scottish Charity No. SC048238).
Although Crieff & Strathearn Museum have not been able to hold the public events that we had planned throughout the last year or so because of the Pandemic, we have not been idle. Zoom has allowed us to hold monthly meetings, and we have been working behind the scenes applying for grants, planning future events, speaking to the Scottish Civic Trust, and carrying out on-line training. We can tell you that we are pressing ahead with acquiring the “John McGregor Collection” - a unique record of professional photographs dating from 1900 to 1930. These were taken in Crieff and Muthill, mostly more than 100 years ago showing local views and buildings, and also others picturing groups such as local pipe bands, or family weddings. These will add greatly to our collection of local artefacts. At the moment the present owner lives in Glasgow. We feel it would be nice if local people had the chance to help to raise the £750 cost of purchase, and very helpful too as the present owner is not prepared to donate them. There is a further cost estimated at approximately
Crieff Bridge Club - Crieff Bridge Club has resumed its activities for the winter. We meet every Tuesday in Crieff Golf Club starting at 6.30 pm. We would welcome new pairs and anyone interested should contact our Secretary, Donald Smith, for further details. (smithdonald@tiscali.co.uk). We are a very friendly club and would make newcomers, regardless of ability, most welcome.
Meetings are held at the Rural Hall Comrie, starting at between 12 pm and 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 at no later than 4 pm.
We have recently enjoyed presentations by Vivien Cowing, Eric Perks, Roger Stratton Smith, Alison Hunter, Morrisons Academy, John Southorn and finished with a superb Buffet Lunch supplied by Bistro@Comrie from Comrie Golf Club.
We recommence again for the Spring term where our dates are as follows:-
January 20 & 27 2026
February 3, 17 & 24 2026
March 3, 17, 24 & 31 2026
April 7 2026
Further performances to be advised shortly. Membership is open to everyone and all are welcome.
We are a very friendly club that play videos, listen to various genre of music and watch some live entertainers; so come and see. If further information is required please contact Malcolm Gregory H 01764 670493 or M 07752 498187.
Crieff
Comrie & St Fillans Music Circle
Comrie & St Fillans Music Circle
Mobile spray tanning service, using Vita Liberata.
Based in Perthshire.
Contact 07859 119070 for availability.
Construction of a new Oakbank to MacRosty Park link path
Crieff Community Trust is excited to share that work is underway on a new all-abilities path linking Turretbank Wood to the rest of the much-loved Lady Mary’s Walk. This project delivers on key priorities from the Crieff Community Action Plan 2021-26 including: improving access to green space, inclusive outdoor activities and a green network linking town and countryside. The new path will improve accessibility in the area by providing a smooth surface with a gradual gradient, suitable for all types of path user. In the longer term, The Trust also hopes the route will form part of the planned Crieff to Comrie path and the Pilgrim’s Way, further boosting Crieff as a destination. The new path is due for completion in March 2026. During construction, the section of Lady Mary’s Walk south from Turretbank Road will be closed between 7.30 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday. The remaining sections of Lady Mary’s Walk will remain accessible via Laggan Road and the existing core path south over the wooden footbridge. For further information, see the Crieff Community Trust website: www.crieffcommunitytrust.org Photograph shows the route of the new path with trees cleared away.
A personal Christmas message from Jack Hay, Comrie
Where’s the promised joy? A familiar part of the Christmas story is the message to the shepherds, ‘I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (The Bible Luke 2.10-11). One of the best-loved carols has captured these sentiments: ‘Joy to the world: the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.’
But where’s the promised joy? The word ‘joyful’ hardly describes the circumstances of most of the eight billion people on the planet! Many live in misery and fear. Exploitation and injustice are commonplace. In recent times, every Christmas season has seen the world become a more dangerous place than it was the previous year.
Has Christ’s mission failed? Is the world no happier than it was when the Virgin’s baby was laid in the manger? As yet, His advent has not introduced ‘world peace’, but millions can testify to the change He has made in their lives. The big picture seems alarming, but across the globe countless individuals experience the joy which only He can impart. That could be your experience too. Regardless of external circumstances, there are things that rob us of the joy that God wants us to experience. In his poem ‘To a Mouse’, Robert Burns spoke of two things that deprive us all of joy; to summarise, he spoke about regrets about the past and fears about the future. These are personal factors that can leave us joyless. As far as the past is concerned, we all have regrets about hasty words or foolish actions, and conscience keeps these memories alive! As to the future, we might well be like Burns, and fear, for ‘Every one of us shall give account of himself to God’ (Romans 14.12). The solution - Happily, there is a remedy for the spiritually anxious soul. In this present life the remedy substitutes regret and fear with joy and peace. For the life to come, it substitutes the blessedness of heaven for the judgement of God. This is where the ‘good tidings of great joy’ from the angel are so relevant. It was news about the birth of ‘A Saviour’. His coming was God’s remedy. The baby that was born grew to manhood, and one day He was nailed to a cross. In His crucifixion He was bearing our sins in His own body (1 Peter 2.24). To provide the joy of forgiveness and the bliss of heaven for us, He experienced the grief of crucifixion and death (Isaiah 53.4-10). He was an offering for sin, our sin, and because He died for our sins, the now-risen Saviour imparts salvation and forgiveness to those who repent and believe in Him. Joy to the World; it is available universally but you must make it your own personally. I plan to conduct a Christmas Eve service at 7.30 pm in the White Church in Comrie as usual, and all are welcome. Jack Hay, Comrie.
Innerpeffray Library - The Library of Innerpeffray is closed for tours over the winter, from November to February. We have a series of exciting events and workshops to be held in November and December, so do come and join us over the festive season. Entry to the grounds and heritage trail remains open for autumnal and wintry walks.
Call for volunteers - Our friendly volunteer team are crucial to the running of the Library of Innerpeffray. Although the library is closed to the public over the winter months, this can be an excellent time to start volunteering, as we have a programme of cleaning and checking the books, which is an ideal way to get to know both the collection and the other volunteers! 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.
Dates for your diary
Sunday, 30 November - An Afternoon for Advent. 3 pm. Join us on the first Sunday of Advent for an afternoon of words, music and carols in the Library. With special guests Crawford Logan and Peter Banks, led by Joan Taylor. Tickets £15, child tickets available.
Sunday, 7 December - Carols in the Chapel. 3 pm. Wrap up warmly and celebrate with the Innerpeffray Singers with our traditional carol concert in the special atmosphere of Innerpeffray Chapel. Tickets £15, child tickets available.
Contact us on 01764 652819 or visit our website - www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk for more details and for ticket booking.
Comrie SWI - Comrie SWI had a wonderful and heart-wrenching talk and film show by Lindsay Brown on Ukraine. Members brought an amazing amount of toiletries and nappies and essential items to be sent by Ukraine Tayside and Strathearn supporters to Ukraine. Also £259 was raised at a raffle at our last meeting towards transport costs.
Competitions
A Poppy, any Craft: 1st Patricia Robertson
2nd Helen Williamson 3rd June MacPhee small flask of soup: 1st June MacPhee
2nd Jean Hunter 3rd Margaret Colyer
Comrie SWI December meeting - Tuesday, 9 December at 2 pm Comrie Rural Hall Beetroot and Chocolate demonstration with Sam Walker.
Competition - A Chocolate Crispie and Christmas Tree Decoration any craft
All are welcome.
Pebble Beach Golf Course
A Crieff Connection
Pebble Beach golf course is a famous sporting venue on the Monterey Peninsula of California. Less well known is that the land on which the course is built, forms a portion of the land once owned by a former Crieff man.
David Jack (1822 - 1909), was born in the Perthshire town, and spent his formative years at the family home in Burrell Street.
He left home for a better life in 1841, emigrating to the USA, where he gained employment as a clerk to a wheelwright, contracted to the US Army at Fort Hamilton, New York.
In 1849, following reports of the discovery of gold on the west coast of the country, Jack decided to pursue his fortune there. Jack abandoned his plan to go to the goldfields, instead securing employment gathering taxes at the Presidio of San Francisco. Jack had built up a financial nest egg, aided in part by selling revolvers he had acquired, making a 150% profit.
The US Army was experiencing horse rustling in Monterey, California, and Jack was sent there as their agent to investigate. Jack liked Monterey and decided to move there, where he gained employment at local
stores. His talent for handling money was recognised, and he was appointed Monterey County treasurer. The indigenous population were not so astute and occasionally got themselves into difficulty. Jack engaged in a moneylending enterprise. These loans were often secured on land and property, and if borrowers defaulted, Jack foreclosed on the loans. Due to this, and a number of other shrewd business practices, Jack eventually acquired 100,000 acres of prime Monterey Peninsula land. Some considered him unprincipled, but he was also known for his benevolence, donating large tracts of land for a religious retreat, which became the town of Pacific Grove.
One of his acquisitions was the former Mexican land grant, Rancho El Pescadero. Jack sold the Rancho in 1889 to the Pacific Improvement Company, an affiliate of the Southern Pacific Railroad. They turned the area into a popular tourist resort, running train lines into the area, and building a hotel.
In 1919, Samuel Morse, a former general manager with the Pacific Improvement Company, formed Del Monte Properties, acquiring a total of 10,000 acres of Jack’s former land holdings. Morse was tasked with building a golf course, and Pebble Beach formally opened in 1919. The course has hosted numerous prestigious golf competitions since, including major events - and a Crieff man played a significant historical role in it.
Thank you very much to the contributor who sent this really interesting article in and for sharing it with the community.
Big Festive Weekend, Out in the Hills and Winter Words Festival at
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
The annual weekend of festive fun returns 13-14 December with television star Colin McCredie delighting children as Santa Claus and posing for yuletide selfies from 11am. There will be Christmas crafting from 10am-2pm and seasonal songs at 1pm from the Theatre Show Choir on both Saturday and Sunday. Join the festive fun!
Check out the new 16-18 January LGBTQIA+ festival Out in the Hills where they’ll welcome Graham Norton, Ian McKellen, Mhairi Black, Armistead Maupin and so many more. Tickets on sale now! And save the date for the annual Winter Words Festival 12-15 February, tickets on sale soon! See pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com
Free Trial day at Can Do Crieff
Treat yourself this Christmas. If the kitchen table or spare room just isn’t cutting it anymore, come and have a free trial day at Can Do Crieff - Crieff’s coworking hub and a social enterprise supporting local community projects. It provides fast Wi-Fi, comfortable desks, meeting spaces, and a supportive community of local professionals. Membership is flexible (day passes to unlimited 24/7 access) with no contracts or longterm commitments. Come and see what it’s like to work from a space that inspires you. Find out more at www.candocrieff. com; email candocrieff@gmail.com.
We are a design florist specialising in beautiful and unique floral arrangements for various occasions. Using high quality fresh flowers we create custom designs and show stopper bouquets to suit all budgets.
Crieff Choral Group with Brass Central Strathearn ‘Christmas and the Sounds of Music’
A feast of festive music, some old, some new and a selection of songs from the shows, including ‘Les Misérables’, ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘My Fair Lady’. Saturday, 13 December, 7 pm at Comrie Parish Church. Claire Telford Violin/Viola Andrew Johnston Piano
Tickets £15 adults £5 school age children. Tickets will be available from choir members, Hansen’s Deli Comrie, Eventbrite and on the door. Don’t forget to bring cash for the raffle for those marvellous hampers!
In December, some members of Crieff Choral Group are looking forward to entertaining at a number of venues within the community.
Next spring, the choir will join once again with Pitlochry and District Choral Society for two performances of Rossini’s ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’
If you enjoy singing, and would like to join the choir next year, contact the choir secretary on crieffchoral@gmail.com or find further information on www.facebook. com. Crieff Rehearsals are on Mondays at Strathearn Arts 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. No audition needed.
Oakbank to MacRosty Park link path project
Work started in early November on a new active travel route linking the Oakbank community of Crieff to MacRosty Park using a section of a dismantled railway. The Oakbank to MacRosty Park Link path project, due for completion in early 2026 will see a new all abilities path built from the scenic Lady Mary’s Walk through Turretbank Wood to the existing core path south of Laggan Road. A long-term ambition from the Crieff Community Trust, the new all ability route
Cllr Noah Khogali
Strathearn Ward - Conservative
As Christmas rapidly approaches, bringing with it a familiar warmth and sense of community, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of preparations. But this festive season is, at its heart, a busy and reflective time for family, friends and neighbours. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of kindness and looking out for one another.
For many, that peace of mind is directly linked to the security of their homes. On this front, I want to provide an important update on the Comrie Flood Protection Scheme. The council has confirmed the project is progressing with a target completion date of October 2026.
I’d also like to flag one service I have heard a great deal about over the past few yearsthe Blue Badge scheme. Some users were concerned that the previous system was not functioning as intended. Locally, people were facing average waits of two months, and refusal rates had climbed to over 22%, leading to frustration and a high number of complaints, and making life more difficult for some. Following a review, we are seeing some progress on this issue. The council’s own benchmarking against other Scottish authorities confirmed that it’s previous refusal rate of over 22% was high compared to an average of around 7.5% elsewhere. Since then, the average application time has been brought down from two months to approximately 33 days and complaints have nearly halved. Applicant satisfaction has reportedly doubled. This is a welcome start, but there is still more to do. I will monitor the service closely and if you continue to experience any issues, please do not hesitate to contact me and let me know about your experience of the process.
Wishing you a very safe and peaceful Christmas.
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
will climb gradually from the Turretbank end of Lady Mary’s Walk up onto the disused Crieff Comrie railway line, where it will follow the disused embankment before joining up with the existing path network. The Oakbank to MacRosty Park Link path project will not only improve the accessibility of Turretbank Wood for wheelchairs, pushchairs and cyclists, but also mark a milestone in the Crieff Community Trust’s ambition to establish and upgrade the offroad active travel links between Crieff and Comrie.
During the works, the Turretbank section of Lady’s Mary’s Walk will be closed from 7.30 am to 5 pm during the working week. The layby parking spaces on Turretbank Road will also be unavailable but the MacRosty Park car park will be open as usual. If you have any questions about the ongoing work then please email info@pkct. org or check our website for project updates.
