The Crieff & Comrie Quair

The Crieff & Comrie Quair

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IN AUCHTERARDER

tel/text: 07436 793785 e: crieffandcomrie@thequair.com w: www.thequair.scot

WHERE LEGS AND FEET MATTER

GREGOR McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS

HCPC REGISTERED

ROUTINE CHIROPODY

GREGOR McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS

WALKING/RUNNING INJURIES

ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER

The soldier’s return - As November brings Remembrance, we pause to recall the many men and women from our local community who left their homes to serve in times of war. Their names are carved on memorials close to home. Behind each name was a life once lived among family, friends, and neighbours. In the aftermath of the First World War, communities gathered to welcome home those who returned and to mourn those who did not. Early ceremonies saw simple tributes of heather, laurel, and wildflowers laid in their memory. In 1921, the red poppy was introduced, and poppy wreaths gradually became the enduring mark of respect at memorials across our communities. More than a century later, conflicts still trouble other parts of the world, reminding us of the fragility of peace. News of current unrest brings home the truth that remembrance is not only about the past but also about our present longing for harmony. It is often said that the true tragedy of war lies in how ordinary lives are caught up in struggles they did not choose. When we look beyond the divisions, we see that all people share the same simple wish to live safely, to raise families, and to walk in peace. This awareness helps us to rise above differences and to feel our common humanity. Remembering those who served reminds us of the value of compassion, the strength of community, and the enduring hope that peace will prevail. The soldier’s return, whether joyful or tragic, remains part of our collective story, binding us to one another in memory, respect, and hope.

Alistair and Linda

LEG/FOOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT

ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER

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206 HIGH STREET, AUCHTERARDER, PH3 1AF

206 HIGH STREET,   AUCHTERARDER, PH3 1AF

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EMAIL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com

TEL: 07932 725211

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Comrie Allotments Association

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

The Crieff & Comrie Quair is an open access monthly magazine which is delivered FREE to over 6,150 homes and businesss in the Crieff & Comrie area - that's from the county boundary west of St. Fillans to Madderty in the east. Copies for visitors are also made available each month from our outdoor dispensers in Crieff and Comrie. The extra print run is dependent on the normal fluctuating seasonal demand from visitors and tourists and, of course, local and regional lockdowns due to worldwide pandemics! As well as being a Community Magazine, The Quair is an excellent source of information for visitors. We also produce The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair. Each month, between the two magazines, we print an average of 15,000 and deliver more than 13,500 copies directly to homes and businesses throughout Highland Perthshire and Strathearn. Local voluntary groups and organisations may submit articles, free of charge. All contributions are carried subject to space being available. We ask that any article reaches us by email by the specified copy date, is factual, non-political, under 400 words and not likely to offend.

www.lovelocal.scot

Copy Date - The copy date for advertisers and organisations to submit an advertisement or article for the December 2025 edition is noon on Wednesday, 12 November. The Magazines are due to be distributed the week commencing Monday, 1 December 2025

Crieff in Leaf AGM will be held on Monday, 24 November at 3 pm in the Art Space on Comrie Street, Crieff, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Comrie SWI - Comrie SWI held a very successful MacMillan Coffee morning in Comrie Rural Hall raising £701. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported us. Joyce Carnegie President

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Cllr Noah Khogali

Strathearn Ward - Conservative

As the nights draw in and we head into the winter months, it’s a natural time for reflection. As I have done for a number of years now, I will be growing a quite out of character moustache, in aid of Movember, a charity which does a huge amount of incredible work on mental health issues, especially for men. For many, this change of season especially can be a challenging period, making it more important than ever that we look out for one another.

The numbers are stark. For men in particular, across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day. Men make up 69% of all suicides worldwide, but it is an issue that can affect anyone, regardless of gender. Scotland has the highest suicide rate in the UK, with 14.8 suicides per 100,000. Yet, despite its prevalence, many are still too afraid to talk about mental health.

‘Movember’ is a month when people across the world grow moustaches to raise awareness for men’s health. While this campaign is also vital for fighting prostate and testicular cancer, a huge part of its mission is to tackle the crisis in men’s mental health and suicide prevention. It’s a more lighthearted, but visible reminder of a serious issue and encourages us all to create more space for conversations about how we’re feeling.

Of course, mental health isn’t just an issue for men or confined to being relevant for a single month. It affects us all, whether we let it on or not, and the simple act of checking in with a friend, a neighbour, or a family member can make a huge difference. There is so much strength in our community, and that strength is most visible when we support each other through difficult times. We must foster a culture where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness. Let’s use this month as a catalyst. Whether it’s having a quiet word with someone who seems down, supporting the local groups that provide a social lifeline to so many, or simply being a good listener, we can all play a part. Let’s continue to build a community where nobody feels they have to face their struggles alone. 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

Fowlis Wester SWI - Lily from Remake gave an inspiring talk on how the project has developed in sustainability and the environment. For example, 2,500 bikes have been saved from landfill and sold on. The refillery has now moved to the High Street, where customers can bring their own containers, helping to reduce plastic packaging going to landfill.

Competitions

Lemon curd - 1st Anne Hubbard 2nd Heather Walker 3rd Corinne Craig

Something old from something new - 1st Helen McDermot 2nd Audrey McColl 3rd Helen Newton

Seiseanan Didòmhnaich

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 retail areas.

Our Plant Centre is now taking orders for fresh Christmas wreaths and trees - 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.

Festive Menu

Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, served with Roast & Mashed Potatoes,Seasonal Vegetables, a Rich Gravy & Cranberry Sauce £16.95

• Chilled Honey Glazed Gammon, Roast & Mashed Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables £15.95

• Carrot Wellington with Spiced Marmalade, served with Roast & Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables   £13.95

• Rich Christmas Pudding with Brandy Custard £6.90

Also don’t forget St Andrew’s Day on the 30 November. The Caithness Glass Shop has some beautiful Scottish inspired paperweights in stock.

www.crieff.co.uk

Activities for young people at Strathearn Arts in Crieff

Strathearn Arts is Crieff’s local arts centre and the principal venue for music, independent cinema, theatre, comedy, and community events like the ever-popular afternoon Tea Dances. This summer had several events especially for children and families, such as Magic Gareth’s ‘Balloonatic’ show (pronunciations on a postcard), and the recent theatrical puppet show ‘Hercules the Bear.’

This year we have been developing several new projects aimed squarely at young people. If you know any young people interested in film, music or art, pass these on:

Takeover - Takeover is a programmer’s film club that is planning a *no adults allowed* film series for winter 2025/26. The group of thirteen to seventeen year olds will learn about projection and sound, work together to select a series of films, and lead front of house on the night. There are still a couple of spots in the group available as we go to print.

The Strathearn Fiddle Band - The Strathearn Fiddle Band had its first rehearsal in September and will give its first performance this Christmas. This traditional music ensemble has two groups (for ages 7 to 11 and 11 to 17), and we’re lucky to have Linda Rankin of The Fiddlers of the Edinburgh Tattoo as director. The group caters for a variety of different instruments (not just fiddles!).

Reverb Studio - Reverb Studio is a creative arts group that works with local artist/filmmaker Helen McCrorie, exploring animation, textiles, spray-painted street-art, screen-printing... We’ve recently enjoyed an ‘access all areas’ private tour of Perth Art Gallery and held an exhibition in Crieff in aid of children’s cancer care. The group, for ages 12 to 17, meets most Wednesdays after school.

For more details see www.strathearnarts.org or email robert.heath@strathearnarts.org Autumn is a busy time for our team with our new brochure coming out, our Winter Market, Scottish Book Week, and all our usual events. Some highlights to look out for:

Thursday, 13 November - Film: From Hil-

de, With Love (15) Saturday, 15 November - Winter Market Thursday, 20 November - Book Week 1: Creative Writing Workshop with Rob McInroy Friday, 21 NovemberBook Week 2: Poems for a Friend in Need with Patricia Ace Saturday, 6 DecemberMusic Tribute: Dignity - The Deacon Blue Experience Sunday, 7 December - Tea Dance: with live music from David Vernon Strathearn Arts is a charity and runs with the support of a small army of volunteers. If you’d like to get involved, please be in touch via www.strathearnarts.org/volunteer. Strathearn Arts - Buy tickets online at www.strathearnarts.org. Our welcome desk opens thirty minutes prior to each event, and you can purchase tickets for any upcoming show at this time. We do recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment - popular events can sell out!

Thursday, 13 November - 7.30 pm. Tickets £10. Licensed Bar. Film - From Hilde, With Love (15). Berlin, 1942. A shy Hilde falls in love with Hans and gradually finds her place in the resistance group that would come to be known as the ‘Red Orchestra’. Together, they spend a beautiful summer where their relationship entwines with quiet acts of defiance. But when the Gestapo arrests members of the group, Hilde and Hans are among their numbers and must find the strength to confront their situation. Inspired by an incredible true story set against the backdrop of a country torn by conflict, From Hilde, With Love is a powerful tale of love and resistance.

Saturday, 15 November - 10 am to 4 pm. Winter Market. Come along to our winter market and browse our wonderful range of gifts and crafts from the very best of local artists, makers and producers. A fantastic opportunity to get your Christmas shopping started with unique and individual items. Why not pop along and treat yourself to something special?

Thursday, 20 November - 7 pm. Tickets: £5.50. Literature: Book Week Scotland Event: Creative Writing Workshop with Rob McInroy. Developing your writing skills? Looking for inspiration? Your local history and environment can help take your writing to the next level. Join historical novelist Rob McInroy

for a workshop to explore using memories and artefacts to stimulate your writing. Examine how you can use your memories and local materials such as photographs, newspapers or memorabilia to stimulate fresh ideas and unlock your unconscious. No previous writing experience is necessary. Rob McInroy is a crime and thriller writer and has written 4 novels and a short story collection set in Crieff and Perthshire.

Friday, 21 November - 7 pm. Tickets: £5.50. Literature: Book Week Scotland Event: Poems for a Friend in Need with Patricia Ace. Join local poet Patricia Ace, and friends, for a celebration of the power of poetry to connect, console and carry us, as we navigate difficult times. When words fail us, poems can fill the gap, providing a place of solace, encouragement and support, where our deepest feelings can be expressed and recognised, allowing us to be seen and heard. Come and share in the wonder of the written and spoken word!

Saturday, 22 November - 7.30 pm. Tickets £17. Licensed Bar. Music: John Paul Mason. Comrie-based singer-songwriter John Paul Mason invites you into the wild heart of his debut album Overstory - a collection of songs three years in the making, born of rivers, forests, birdsong and a love of nature. Rooted in folk and with a deep reverence for the natural world, his music explores what it means to live well on this beautiful, wounded earth.

Saturday, 6 December - 7.30 pm. Tickets: £22. Licensed Bar. Music: Dignity - The Deacon Blue Experience. Have you booked your Work or Friends Group Christmas Night out yet? Come have a Blue Christmas with Dignity - The Deacon Blue Experience is Scotland’s Premier 6-piece all-live tribute to the iconic Scottish band Deacon Blue. Playing all the hits from Raintown to Ragman, Circus Lights to Real Gone Kid, The Hipsters to Fergus, join us this December for a night to remember. This is the only dedicated all live tribute to Deacon Blue… don’t miss it!

Sunday, 7 December - 2 pm. Tickets: £5. Dance: Tea Dance. With live music from David Vernon. Join us for an afternoon of

social dancing with live music, home baking and a friendly atmosphere. All are welcome with no obligation to dance. Refreshments included in the price of your ticket.

Thursday, 11 December - 7.30 pm. Tickets £10. Licensed Bar. Film - Four Letters of Love (12). Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne lead this heart swelling adaptation of Niall Williams’ beloved romantic novel, threading together the star-crossed love story of Nicholas and Isabel across the plains of Ireland. Nicholas (Fionn O’Shea) and Isabel (Ann Skelly) were made for each other but how will they ever know it? As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull them together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.

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, 12 November - 4 to 5 Minutes on Memories of WW2 Guild Members

Wednesday, 26 November - Talk on Innerpeffray Library Lara Haggarty

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

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.

Want to take a look? Call us

or email manager.dalnaglar@bcgcares.co.uk

Remake - Remake Reuse Hub Crieff Visitor Centre, Muthill Road, Crieff. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and Thursday late night opening until 6pm. Thinking about how to have a Sustainable Christmas? Part of that might be trying to buy pre-loved gifts that have many years of life and enjoyment still in them for others. We can all try and gift more from the Circular Economy rather than buying and consuming new.

With this in mind, we are having a Vintage sale which will be Buy One Get One Free -

Starting Wednesday, 5 November. We are offering this amazing deal on our vintage items at Remake - please note that this will not include furniture.

So, crack open your Christmas Gift Buying list early and come on down to see our fantastic selection of Vintage items. Grab a bargain that will save the planet, save your pennies and that your loved ones will adore!

Donations - If you would like to donate to us, we now accept your donations directly at our Hub, Tuesday to Saturday 10 am - 4 pm and until 6 pm on a Thursday. If you would like to donate large furniture items or are clearing a house or downsizing please email mhairi@remakescotland.co.uk to arrange a pick up or home visit.

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

Repair Hub - Our next Repair Hub is on Saturday, 8 November, 10 am -1 pm at The Activity space, Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff. Pop along to the Repair Hub and our volunteers will try to provide advice and help to fix your broken items. Bring along small electricals, appliances, textiles and accessories.

Mending Circle - Bring your clothes and textiles along to Repair! 7 pm - 9 pm - Wednesday, 5 and Wednesday, 19 November. This is a free drop-in session with no need to book, refreshments will be available during the class and materials available from our extensive haberdashery store.

Tool Library - The Crieff Community Tool Library gives members free access to a wide range of useful items through our Library of Things - DIY and Household tools. We’ve got everything you need for your project.

Explore what the Tool Library has to offer and sign up for free at www.remakescotland.co.uk.

Volunteering Opportunities! We are seeking new volunteers to support our expanding activities. We would love to hear from you if you have time to give and

skills/interests in: *sorting, organising and retail tasks (furniture, textiles and food) *knowledge of antiques *gardeners *Ebay processing and photography *Tools/DIY and Community Tool library *Sustainable food and lifestyle *An interest textiles *A Board Trustee with marketing experience Want to find out more? Contact info@ remakescotland.co.uk or give us a call on 01764 655733.

Strathearn Community Library

15 Short Walks Perthshire North - Hiker and Guidebook writer, Nicole Bukaty will chat about the beautiful walks of North Perthshire, inspiring all ages to get out and explore. Strathearn Community Library, Thursday, 20 November at 7 pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available at the library or via the Perthshire Box Office.

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.

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

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

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

Strathearn Community Library opening hours

Tuesday: 10 am to 7pm Wednesday: 10 am to 6 pm Thursday: 10 am to 7pm Friday: 10 am to 6 pm Saturday: 10 am to 1pm.

Contact us: 01764 657705/ strathearnlibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Crieff Drama’s Christmas for kids

Crieff Drama Group is back at Strathearn Arts with Who Stole Santa’s Sack?

This thirty-minute festive show has once again been created with younger children in mind and will be staged to coincide with James Square’s Christmas lights switch-on which takes place on Saturday, 29 November. (This is the correct date, not the one previously announced.) Showtimes are 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm. When the curtain goes up you can expect a bundle of fun characters including Santa, Mrs Claus, elves, audience sing-along - plus an important appearance from the show’s well-loved dragon. There will be space for a couple of harmless harebrained witches too if they don’t fly off with stage fright!

All this plus all the corniest jokes and the audience participation that gets everyone involved. Yes, it all gets noisy!

Crieff Cludgie appeal - This year Crieff Drama is backing the Crieff Cludgie appeal, the Community Council’s initiative to re-open the James Square public toilet.

That means that all of the £1 ticket price goes straight to Crieff Drama’s support fund for the appeal.

Tickets can be booked online at crieffdramagroup.co.uk and on Facebook ‘crieff drama group - new.’

For anyone not able to book online, they can book in person at J. L Gill or House of Tartan in the High Street. Either way, the advice is to book as soon as possible for your preferred show time, these performances are always packed wall to wall.

And there’s more. Not content with just Christmas, the rest of Crieff Drama’s season is unfolding too. They already have plans for a spring 2026 production. It’s a real surprise package, a stage show with a truly unexpected twist. More details soon.

FENCING Timber Fencing

Brass Central Strathearn - We’re busy rehearsing as we get ready for Remembrance Weekend. On Saturday, 8 November, we’ll be supporting the Royal British Legion in James Square, Crieff, from 11 am.

Then it’s time to swap into our festive favourites.

page 62 x 91mn November 2025 Edn.

We will be helping to kick off the festive season by opening the Crieff Christmas Lights Switch-on in James Square from 1 pm.

On Saturday, 13 December, we’re delighted to join Crieff Choral Group for their ‘Christmas and The Sound of Music’ concert in Comrie.

Then on Saturday, 20 December, you can find us spreading Christmas cheer around Crieff Co-op, Aldi and The Steading from 10.30 am - adding some festive tunes to your shopping trip!

We’d love to see you there - come along, support your local community band, and

Personal tutoring in English for Primary,  Secondary and Adult Learners.

Personal tutoring in English for Primary, Secondary and Adult Learners. Prepare for SQA examinations-National 4, National 5 and Higher.

if you’ve ever fancied playing with us, new members of all ages and experience levels are always welcome!

Get in touch: brasscstrath@gmail.com

Strathearn Harriers - Full details of all club races and events are on the club website at strathearnharriers.org.uk.

The club welcomes runners of all standards. Crieff and Comrie are great places for running, particularly if you like trails and hills.

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. Comrie Library

From Thursday 6 November, Comrie Library will have new opening hours: Thursday: 2 pm to 7 pm Friday: 10 am to 1 pm Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm.

Trial by Jury - Guilty or innocent?

You decide. Join best-selling author Mark Bridgeman at the Royal Hotel, Comrie, as he presents a real-life murder trial in which You, the audience, become the jury!

kistan, Liberia, Uganda, Egypt, Lebanon, Thailand, Comoros and Morocco. Friday, 21 November at 7 pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Comrie Library.

Bookbug Sessions - Now 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/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.

Comrie Writing Group - This free, informal workshop takes place on the 3rd Thursday of every month 5.30 pm to 7 pm

Contact us - 01764 657860 / comrielibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Looking for an afternoon out?

Prepare for SQA examinations ‐  National 4, National 5 and Higher.  Overcome spelling, grammar and  reading difficulties. Improve  handwriting ‐ it can be fun!

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This novel Book Week Scotland event offers guaranteed fun and entertainment for a very lucky audience. Drinks are available at the lounge bar. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased via the Perthshire Box Office. Wednesday, 19 November at 7 pm. Doors open 6.45 pm.

The Changing Nature of Afghanistan

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.

j.jan.blether@gmail.com

PGDE: CELTA/ESOL: SVQ Adult Literacies: Perth & Kinross Community Asst; 45+ years experience of tuoring

PGDE: CELTA/ESOL: SVQ/SALT:Perth & Kinross Community Asst; 45+  years’ experience of tutoring in Primary and Adult Education.  PVG disclosure. References offered.

Explore Book Week Scotland by joining local author, DS MacDonald, as he focuses on the changing nature of Afghanistan over the last twenty-five years. David is a sociologist who worked in Afghanistan as a Senior Drug Demand Reduction Specialist for UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) between 2000 and 2004. He also worked as an advisor on drugs and development for several UN agencies and other organisations in countries such as Pa-

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Green

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Crieff Community Council

Pieces in place for unique Crieff festival

Crieff will be hosting Scotland’s first-ever Jigsaw Festival in November and all are invited to come along and view over two hundred completed puzzles that will go on display over two days.

Running from Friday, 14 to Saturday, 15 November from 10 am to 4 pm at Crieff Parish Church, admission for adults is only £2 and entry is free for children.

Run by the Crieff Community Council, this unique event will give those attending a chance to admire the completed puzzles and make a purchase of any that take their fancy. And there is a huge range of made-up jigsaws on show that are suitable for all age levels and abilities. There’ll also be refreshments each day, a tombola, jigsaw shop and jigsaw accessories available to purchase. Similar events in England have attracted large crowds and it’s expected this event will be very popular locally and attract interest from wider afield. Crieff Parish Church is at the junction of Strathearn Terrace and Ferntower Road and parking in the area is free.

07477 013710

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Please come along and encourage your friends to do likewise. All funds raised go back into community projects and deserving causes, and it is hoped this will become an annual event in Crieff’s calendar.

If you’d like to help out, make a jigsaw donation or find out more, please email criefftoun@gmail .com or call 07874 774464.

October’s CCC meeting was well attended, with many keen to find out more from PKC officers on the state of play in the demolition of the Drummond Arms. Currently the council is still in the process of winning approval from Heritage Scotland to completely take down the building and no decision is likely on its application to do so until at least the end of November.

The meeting heard of multiple community consultations being held to formulate an approved response to PKC that states what Crieff would like to see replace the demolished building. What has been very clear in all the meetings held was the overwhelming desire not to have housing on the site (affordable housing is the PKC preferred option). Revitalising the town centre, highlighting the heritage of the town and community use were all seen as most favourable.

At the next CCC meeting, on Monday, 3 November, a presentation of the proposed submission to PKC will be presented for approval.

The CCC is run by volunteers and urgently needs more hands on deck to help out. Please consider getting involved and/or lending your support in any way you can. Come along to the next meeting to find out more or email criefftoun@gmail.com

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

Comrie & St Fillans Music Circle

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 are well under way with our programme with just 6 meetings left before the break.

We have enjoyed great presentations by John Southorn, Malcolm Gregory. Vivienne Cowing and Roger Stratton Smith. Future meetings as follows -

Tuesday, 4 November - Alison Hunter

Tuesday, 18 November - Morrison’s Academy

Tuesday, 25 November - John Southorn

Tuesday, 2 December - Christmas Party

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.

Dunkeld and Birnam

Christmas

Art and Crafts Fair

The Dunkeld and Birnam Christmas Art and Crafts Fair will take place in The Drill Hall, The Cross, Dunkeld, on Saturday, 8 & Sunday, 9 November from 10 am to 5 pm. This popular event brings together a wide variety of stalls including woodturning, designer hats, silver jewellery, leather belts, unique knitwear, Harris tweed, artwork, soaps and lotions, collectible bears, macramé lampshades, dream catchers, made-to-measure shoes in the softest leathers, sheepskins and quirky felt creations. There will also be demonstrations throughout the day, and entry is free.

Comrie & St Fillans Music Circle

GrowBiz - New Programme for Older Entrepreneurs

Do you have the skills to work for yourself, an idea to start your own business, or are you in the early stages of a new enterprise?

If you’re aged fifty-five or over, you can benefit from a new GrowBiz programme specifically designed for older entrepreneurs. Funded by the Scottish Government Ecosystem Fund, its aim is to give you the confidence, skills, and support to build a business that works for you, whatever that looks like.

The programme will include one-to-one advice and guidance, business mentoring, online and in-person workshops and a peer support network. It’s flexible, providing support at the pace and frequency that fits your needs and schedule.

GrowBiz has almost twenty years of experience in helping entrepreneurs like you in rural Scotland, and our experienced and friendly team run their own businesses too. A network of fellow older entrepreneurs will create a space to share challenges and successes and to be inspired.

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Whether you’re in need of some technical advice and support, skills development, confidence building, or are simply interested in being part of a vibrant business community that all helps each other, the programme has something for you.

If you’re ready to feel encouraged, empowered and energised to take your business forward, visit www.growbiz.co.uk/olderpreneur-programme and fill in the confidential online form to register your interest.

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Cllr Stewart Donaldson

Strathearn Ward - SNP ON MOBILE

07834 735219 or EMAIL mjdjoinery@talktalk.net OVER 30 YEARS IN THE TRADE

I am writing this during Council recess. It’s supposed to be a quieter time for councillors. It’s proving to be anything but!

At Council level one major recent meeting was Finance and Resources, where I am Convener. Whilst other core Council services are broadly in line with Budget, the overspend on health and social care is of concern. With a growing population, and one where the proportion of citizens are older, there is increasing demand for services. Perth and Kinross has a good record on social care over the years. It’s a position we wish to maintain: to provide as good a service as possible, notably for the elderly and the vulnerable in our communities. Yet, clear challenges exist as regards funding.

The matter will be considered again at next full Council . Another major issue at that Council will be the Review of the Council’s ALEOS. What that covers are arm’s length organisations such as Live Active Leisure (LAL) in sport and leisure: Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, or the old Horsecross: and Culture Perth and Kinross, with libraries, museums and galleries. I very much hope the Review will provide greater certainty going forward and build on the many successes that have been achieved: not least with Perth Museum and the Art Gallery.

Here in Strathearn I was pleased that all four Community Councils received sufficient support to fully constitute themselves for the next three years. The new community Councils will come into effect on Thursday, 6 November and then last until 2028. Over November there must be meetings to determine new office-bearers. With a handful of exceptions, I think I have been at nearly all Community Council meetings over recent years. They are a key part of local democracy.

St Fillans meets quarterly. The strong community spirit there always impresses me. Amongst many achievements over the last year the re-installation of the Still statue in Loch Earn was a highlight. In Comrie there are many positives. The contentious issue of parking looks to have abated. At its most recent meeting there was a helpful update on the flood protection scheme, and the next meeting on Thursday, 13 November will focus on community resilience. By then we should have more news on the new playpark at Legion Park where great progress has been made. Indeed, it may even be open by then, although the formal opening might be later. Huge thanks must go to Terri Bacon and her team, and to Bailie Rhona Brock, for the immense effort they have put in over such a long time. In Crieff, there is a public meeting soon on Glen Lednock, and the windfarm application. It’s an issue that has raised concerns not just in Comrie, but more widely in Crieff and nearby. It’s still not clear when it will go before the Council’s Planning Committee. The Community Council continues to be very active. Obviously, the Drummond Arms remains at the top of the agenda. The next stage in the Community Participation Request process is underway, with a Community Preference Statement. Next time, will say more about events in Crieff over the festive period. By then the Food Fest will have happened, as will Crieff Jigsaw Festival, both under the auspices of the Community Council. Many thanks to those who have put in a lot of work here.

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.

Ear Wax Removal Service

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Strathearn Horticultural Society Quiz Night

A Quiz Night is scheduled for Saturday, 8 November in the bowling club clubhouse, Coldwells Road, Crieff. £12 table of 4.

To book a table please get in touch through Facebook or call Janet on 01764 654229.

Crieff Bridge Club - Crieff Bridge Club has resumed its activities for the winter. We meet every Tuesday in Crieff Golf Club starting at 6.45 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.

Stuart Gardens, Crieff

Crieff Choral Group - Put Saturday, 13 December in your diary! Crieff Choral Group will be joined once again by Brass Central Strathearn, to bring you a wonderful festive concert, ‘The Sounds of Music’. Not only seasonal songs, some well-known, some new, but this year we are going to perform a selection of songs from the shows, including Les Misérables, The Sound of Music (Is it really the sixtieth anniversary?) and My Fair Lady. Concert will be in Comrie Parish Church on Saturday, 13 December at 7 pm. Tickets £15 adults, school children £5. Tickets available from choir members, Hansen’s Delicatessen in Comrie, and on the door. Don’t forget to bring some change for the raffle for those marvellous hampers.

Next spring, the choir will join 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 information on www,facebook.com/Crieff.

Rehearsals are on Mondays at Strathearn Arts, from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm No audition needed.

Pete Wishart MP

Perth and Kinross-shire

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

Pete Wishart MP

Perth and Kinross-shire SNP

As autumn gives way to winter, readers across Strathearn will be noticing the temperature dropping and the nights closing in.

The outstanding beauty of this area comes with a price: the winters can be long, cold and expensive to get through. For many households, especially in rural Perthshire, heating costs remain a real concern.

Scotland faces particular challenges when it comes to energy use. Our colder climate means we use more energy to stay warm, and those in rural areas often have fewer options for heating and energy supply. That’s why it’s so important that everyone knows about upcoming changes and the support available to help manage costs this winter.

One change that could affect some households is the phasing out of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS). This system, introduced in the 1980s, allows certain electricity meters to switch automatically between day and night rates - something many homes with electric storage heaters or immersion systems rely on.

Ofcom has confirmed that this infrastructure has now reached the end of its life and will soon be shut down. Since 2011, suppliers have been required to replace older RTS meters with modern smart meters, but many rural properties are still using the old system. If your home still relies on an RTS meter, it’s important to act soon. When the system stops working, you could lose heating or hot water, or find that your off-peak tariff no longer activates - meaning you could end up paying more.

You may have an RTS meter if: *Your home uses electric storage heaters or heats water overnight *You’re on an Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariff *Your property has no gas supply (common in rural homes) *You see a switch box near your meter labelled ‘Radio Teleswitch’

If you think this might apply to you, contact your energy supplier as soon as possible to check and arrange a smart meter upgrade. If you’re already experiencing heating or hot water issues, contact them immediately.

On another note, the Scottish Government has reinstated the Winter Heating Payment this year, ensuring that those who need extra help with heating costs receive it automatically. This payment replaces the old UK-wide Winter Fuel Payment system and is designed to better support people living in colder climates like ours.

In addition, some households may also qualify for the Warm Home Discount, which offers a one-off payment to help with electricity bills during the winter months. You can check if you’re eligible here: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme Strathearn is a wonderful place to live, but the challenges of rural life, particularly in the winter, are real. I’ll continue to do everything I can to make sure that people here aren’t left behind when it comes to fair energy prices, modern infrastructure, and access to support.

For more information about the RTS phase-out, visit Ofgem’s website: www.ofgem.gov. uk/transparency-document/radio-teleswitch-service-rts-shutdown-campaign-toolkit

My office has been extremely busy assisting constituents recently. 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. You can find all of The Quair advertising details at our website by scanning the QR Code to the left and view our Facebook page by

Muthill Parish Church - Muthill Parish Church (Church of Scotland) is a village based church with a growing congregation eager to tell the community it serves about the joys and challenges of the Christian faith. Our weekly Sunday service starts at 10.30 am with a range of visiting preachers and a modern approach to all-age worship. In November, we will be holding our annual service for any who have lost loved ones and who wish to celebrate their lives in a special memorial service. Anyone is welcome to this service which will take place on Sunday, 2 November at 3 pm, followed by afternoon tea. Celebration of Holy Communion will take place at our morning service on Sunday, 23 November. Our continuing Christian education programme is conducted through house groups, a bible study group, a Scripture Union group (for P4-7) and the Guild. There are also plans to run an Alpha Course unpacking the basics of the Christian faith starting in January 2026. This will be open to anyone no matter their background or beliefs. Further details and application forms can be obtained from the church.

We organise weekly soup and sandwich lunches every Wednesday for the local community from 12.30 pm and anyone is welcome to come along for coffee and tea from 11 am onwards. Our Men’s Group also meets over coffee on Wednesdays at 11 am and we hold a professionally run social Exercise Class (every Tuesday at 2.15 pm) aimed particularly at mobility, balance and strength. Newcomers are always welcome to any of our activities and are assured of a warm welcome. Take-away leaflets on all our activities are available from the church information desk.

We further seek to have active links with all local organisations and through this, to expand our current programme of activities in ways appropriate to our mission. The church building dates from 1826 and will celebrate the bicentenary 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 for the church family’s increasing activities and for private letting, as well as retaining the aura of a special place for worship.

For more information please contact us by email at muthillparish@yahoo.com. Our 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 and the church magazine, The Bridge, which is published bi-monthly.

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 disturbing 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.

The Baha’i Faith - The Comrie and Crieff group is hosting an open space for open hearted conversations and reflection on quotes and prayers from all faiths and philosophies every Monday at 7.30 pm in Crieff and every Tuesday at 7.30 pm in Comrie. These gatherings welcome all comers. For further information please contact Diana on 01764 670399 or Gordon on 07510 45342.

‘Let each morn be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday.’

Baha’u’llah

In Crieff the early morning gathering in the Crieff Community Garden for prayer for the people and plants in the garden and beyond will move to a monthly time slot of 10 am on the 1st Saturday of every month. Saturday, 1 November and Saturday, 6 December are the next dates. The gathering is open to all Baha’u’llah ages, backgrounds, faiths and beliefs.

‘Upon the tree of effulgent glory I have hung for thee the choicest fruit.’ Baha’u’llah

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 - At CBC we have weekly services on a Sunday morning at 10.30 am in our building on Addison Terrace. We are a welcoming, friendly church and our services reflect this by being fairly informal in style, with participation from various members of the congregation each week. We have children’s groups which run during the services (during term time) as well and tea and coffee are served after the service for a time of fellowship. Each week there are various home groups which run through the school term where we study the bible, pray together and encourage and support one another. For more

information on any of these, please just get in touch.

Our warm spaces group (Coorie & Crafts) is back on after their summer break on Mondays from 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm. Come along for some tea, coffee and home baking. Everyone very welcome.

On the November school in service days (Thursday, 13 and Friday, 14 November), we will be running our X:plore club for primary school aged children from 9 am - 3 pm. For more information or to book, please get in touch.

For further information on any of these events, or to get in touch with the minister, John Burns, please contact via: crieffbaptist@gmail.com; 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).

Crieff Baptist Church, Addison Terrace, Crieff, PH7 3AT. Registered Scottish Charity SC053381

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scottish Registered Charity SC004304

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

St James Episcopal Church, Muthill

The Church traditionally follows the seasons as they pass each year and reflects the country ways that people have tended the land for food, clothing and housing materials. In Strathearn, these changing seasons are very evident as we watch tractors working the fields, haymaking, tattie picking and see leaping goats in Muthill, sheep in the valleys and strong cattle in the fields. We’ve recently celebrated Harvest with church decorations of fruit and flowers, gratefully remembering all that farmers do for us and thinking of those whose harvests are not so bountiful. ‘All is safely gathered in, ‘ere the winter storms begin’ says the old hymn, but it doesn’t mention all the firewood from trees blown down in recent Storm Amy. In St James Church we have prayed by name for Muthill farmers and their farms; a very moving experience, and a reminder of how many farms there are here and how many families they support.

The first ‘landward’ festival of the year is Rogation Sunday, shortly after Easter. We ask God to bless our community and its sustenance, all who work in agriculture and industry in the Strath. In previous times this festival involved ‘beating the bounds’ of the parish, visiting the far

corners together while praying for God’s blessing on the crops. Good crops mean happy farmers and plenty of food for the winter ahead, so we are all involved in wanting, and praying for, such supplies.

We have some excellent bakeries in Crieff and Strathearn and everyone loves a great loaf of bread. Lammas is an ancient festival celebrated on August 1 to mark the beginning of the harvest, with emphasis on those important wheat and grain crops. Celebration bread is baked from the new wheat as a reflection of, and thanks for, the work of the farmers and God’s goodness. The old word ‘lammas’ comes from ‘loaf mass’ and goes back to Anglo-Saxon times. Everyone was grateful for a new supply of food and Christians link the fresh bread with the bread from the Eucharist or Holy Communion, a reminder of Jesus and his last shared meal with his followers.

Nowadays many folk have forgotten the importance of the harvest, living away from the countryside and eating packaged food from supermarkets or online. So to help them, the Church in September celebrates the Season of Creation, bringing together wider issues like ecology, climate change, saving water and sustaining wildlife. It’s another way of linking the ordinary and the divine and reminding people how closely linked we are to the land and the natural world.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

26-30 King St, Crieff PH7 3HA

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

The Crossing Crieff

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

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

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

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

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

Seventh Day Adventist Church Gwydyr Road, PH7 4BS info@crieffadventist.org.uk www.crieffadventist.org.uk

We meet every Sabbath (Saturday) for our worship services. At 10 am we have our Study Hour (with separate classes for adults and children). Our main worship service is at 11.20 am and we often have other events throughout the week. Our aim and vision is to be a community that reflects faith in God demonstrated by faith in our fellow men and women, thus honouring the command of the Lord Jesus found in passages such as John 13:34,35 ‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ Come and join us...

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

Who are we - The Crossing Crieff is a Gospel-centred, local, independent church. A Community who gather to Worship, learn from His Word, and fellowship. We believe in the power of studying the Word of God (the Bible) and having a community of people which is not just on Sunday. We meet twice a week for worship, bible study/teaching, and fellowship, in which we systematically go through the bible looking at the big picture of the bible and the individual events and stories and how it all fits together.

Service Times

Heartlands.church - At www.Heartlands.church, we’re not building just another church-we’re forging a brand new, bold, unapologetic, forward-facing community, rooted in the applied Word of God. If you’re hungry for preaching that doesn’t skirt around the issues-but hits the heart of today’s challenges and opportunities with the authority of Scripturethen this might be exactly what you’ve been praying for.

We’re bold, unbowed, unafraid, and unapologetic.

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

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

More Information

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

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

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

Comrie

Parish Church

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

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

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

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.

And if that’s you-or that’s who you want to become-consider this your invitation. Come check out one of our Introduction Sessions. No fluff. No hype. Just real people, real truth, and real preparation for the days ahead.

Email: robert@whisperingword.com Call: 07975 805323 Visit: www.Heartlands. church

We’re not here to play church. We’re here to be the Church. See you soon. Blessings, Rev. Victor Robert Farrell Heartlands.church

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 uup to date details at www.cashaccess.co.uk/hubs/crieffperth-and-kinross

Reid Tree & Garden Services

• Tree felling, shaping & trimming

• All other landscaping services available

• Mono blocking, Patios & Paths laid

• Pathways & drives gravelled

• Slabbing and walls repaired or replaced

• Fencing & Turfing

• All types and sizes of trees supplied and planted - from 1m to 10m

For free estimates and advice telephone

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For Free estimates tel 01764 656031

Strathearn Music Society - With three wonderful concerts already behind us, including two last month, our 2025/26 season continues on Wednesday, 19 November at Crieff Parish Church when we are looking forward to the return of the talented Resol String Quartet of Ellette Harris (1st violin), Annabel Kidd (2nd violin), Raphael Chinn (viola) and Chloe Randall (cello). These young artists act as ambassadors for chamber music, as one of the premiere string quartets based in Scotland and we are delighted to welcome them back. This time they will be performing works by Beethoven, Haydn and Mendelssohn and we are sure to be greatly entertained by their spirited performance. Tickets cost £15 (Students £5) and can be obtained at the door or via Eventbrite. As always, children under eighteen will be admitted free. If you are looking for more information about any of our concerts or other activities, then visit the Strathearn Music Society’s website at www.concertsincrieff.co.uk or follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter) @concertscrieff.

Crieff Rotary - After all the exciting activities during the summer, matters have quietened down for Rotarians during the early autumn period - but we are now gearing up for the first of our popular winter

events for young people in Strathearn, the 2025/26 Young Chef competition. Back in 2024, Crieff High School pupil Rowan Haines famously went through all the stages to win the Rotary Great Britain & Ireland championship and now fresh wouldbe chefs have the prospect of emulating his achievement. Towards the end of this month there will be an opportunity for such candidates to practice their skills at the Strathearn Community Campus then, one week later on Wednesday, 3 December, the actual competition will be staged at the same venue. The winner will then go on to the North of Scotland District final early in the new year.

Next comes the selection process for the 2026 RYLA (Rotary Young Leaders Award) week-long training camp at the Abernethy Adventure Centre in Speyside. As usual, there will be separate weeks for girls and boys aged sixteen or seventeen and we will consider sponsoring one for each camp - where the accommodation is actually in comfortable cabins located adjacent to the luxurious Abernethy House in which meals and occasional lectures are given. The bulk of the activity, however, will be outdoors when each trainee will be given the chance to practice their leadership skills by taking charge of their team. Those interested in more information should go to the website www/ryla1010.org and, should they wish to be considered, then they must complete the attached online entry form and submit it by Sunday, 30 November at the latest. This

year, we will not be able to process applications which come in after that deadline. As always, the aim of every Rotarian is to help those who are somewhat disadvantaged compared with ourselves, but we still need more like-minded people to join us - and those who do will find it both rewarding and fun to be a Rotarian! Crieff’ Rotarians continue to meet twice a month at the friendly Meadow Inn in Burrell Street. For further information about Crieff Rotary, please scan this QR code, or visit its website, or email the Secretary at Secretary@crieff.rotary1010.org.

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 witchand 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 Drama Club

Comrie Heritage Group (CHG)

‘New volunteers always welcome’ - how often have you heard that? I joined Comrie Heritage Group four months ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed it. So far this year, we have welcomed over three thousand visitors to the Museum.

Local folk still arrive at Cultybraggan for the first time and visit the Museum. Visitors also come from around the world - even Motherwell and Edinburgh!

We hear of family connections with the Camp, especially in its military training days. Our ‘Book of Memories’ contains wonderful stories; one of a cadet missing his target, but hitting a sheep! Still more are in the Camp Guidebook as well as in the Museum displays. A few have direct memories - for example, of a pupil at Comrie School meeting German PoWs.

Cultybraggan has been a community asset, owned by Comrie Development Trust (CDT), since 2007, now with twenty small businesses, Comrie in Colour’s base, five self-catering huts, a Men’s Shed, Scouts accommodation, forty allotments, and community orchard (and new woodland close by) - and a great new café run by a local family. The Camp has just started taking campervans. Private and community activities (such as Scotland’s Scything Weekend) have taken place this year.

Should you be considering a new or additional volunteer role, how about the Camp Museum? Tell visitors of the Camp’s three ‘lives,’ curate the collection, seek out more stories and relate the Comrie area’s history, including during the Comrie Fortnight. The Camp is one of just three remaining in Britain, of some six hundred built for WW2. If this form of community volunteering might appeal to you, please contact the Museum via the CDT website. We look forward to meeting you!

Robin Satow, Member - Comrie Heritage Group.

The museum will close for the winter at 4 pm on Sunday, 26 October and no guided tours will be offered after that date.

Yoga

Classes with Jo At the Yoga Shed, Commissioner Street, Crieff Thursdays 17:30 - 18:30

£9 per session or £32 for a block of 4

PerthFect Blinds

Quality Blinds You Can Afford

Vertical Blinds

and Replacement slats

Venetian Blinds and Wooden Venetian

Roller Blinds and Vision Rollers

Roman Blinds

Perfect Fit Blinds

In Venetian, Wood Venetian, Roller and Pleated

Pleated Blinds

VELUX Blinds

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.

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

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

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 took this month’s front cover photograph at Crieff Golf Course. 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.

The Dura5 Home Battery - saving you money on your electricity bill. By storing energy during off-peak hours and using it when you need it most, the Dura5 helps you reduce reliance on the grid and avoid those high peak-time costs. Plus, when paired with solar, you can store FREE energy generated by the sun and use it after dark.

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For information on EV Charging and grants available please visit our website WWW.EVCHARGINGPERTHSHIRE.CO.UK

M: 07354 303321 T: 01738 636961 E: markroof15@icloud.com www.mcroofingperth.co.uk

What to expect from a complimentary hearing assessment at The Edinburgh Hearing Practice

Most hearing centers will measure the quietest sounds that you can hear and based on this will make a recommendation. Although this type of hearing test provides useful information, by no means does it provide a full picture, we hear with our ears but it is our brain that understands speech! With this in mind, we have designed our test protocol to ensure that we measure your exact individual issues.

First and foremost, we will listen to you. Hearing loss is personal and we take the time to listen to your experience.

We recommend that you bring someone with you as they can often provide useful information and support. Our hearing assessments usually take about 90 minutes.

We will ask some medical related questions so that we have a good understanding of your general health and history. Next we will examine your ears. We have the latest technology and can show you images of your ears on a screen if you are interested in seeing exactly what we are looking at.

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

Last month, I met with representatives of The National Robotarium in Holyrood for a fascinating discussion about the enormous potential of robots to drive economic growth. It is essential we fully support and harness this potential as Scotland stands at a critical juncture in the global robotics revolution. I was given a demonstration of the amazing Boston Dynamics ‘Spot’ robot, and its movement and agility were particularly impressive. It was especially interesting to hear how its incredible learning capabilities are supporting manufacturing, logistics and data capture, across sectors including industry, farming and search and rescue. Robots are very much the future and will prove critical for national economic growth. It is estimated robots could generate £184bn to the UK economy over the next ten years and will help significantly to address Scotland’s specific challenges around productivity and labour shortages. It is very important we invest in this now to not fall behind internationally. Moreover, robots will be key in addressing other major challenges facing Scotland in the coming years. In Health and Social Care, robots will drive innovation delivering efficiency savings within our NHS and improving patient outcomes. In offshore and renewables, robotics will assist in operating and maintaining our energy supply in the clean energy transition.

For all these reasons I support the call of The National Robotarium to create a national agency ‘Robotics Scotland’ to coordinate a strategy and drive manufacturing growth. In addition, they have called for the launching of a National Healthcare Robotics Initiative, a Marine Robotics Innovation Programme and a National Robotics Skills Strategy. By embracing these recommendations, we can be at the forefront of this global robotics revolution and create thousands of high-skilled jobs for people here in Scotland. 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 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.

PADS - PADS (Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society) is a well-loved, long established local dog rescue charity with kennels at Forteviot. Our aim is to provide care and shelter for the county’s unwanted dogs and to find them new loving homes. Our kennels can house up to thirty animals in warmth and comfort. We provide veterinary care for the sick and injured amongst our strays and we have a small hospital unit which is used for the recovery of animals who have had operations. See www.padsdogrescue.com for further information.

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 is full steam ahead and on October 13 we had our second lecture of the season by Alison Bevan, who talked to us on ‘Paintings at the Edge, Britain’s Coastal Art Colonies 1880-1940’, which will be followed by Roger Mendham on Monday, 10 November on ‘The Art of the Automobile’ and Gavin Plumley on ‘Bruguel - The Seasons and the World’ on Monday, 8 December. In October we also enjoyed our annual Special Interest Day on the ‘Scottish Colourists,’ provided by Guy Peploe, artist and grandson of Samuel Peploe. Over the period 22 January to 5 February, we have three lectures at the AK Bell Library in Perth on ‘Six Great Painters of the Seventeenth Century’ by the excellent lecturer Andrew Patterson.

J.R Schad

TREE CARE LTD

Surgeons Est.1991

● All tree work carried out throughout Scotland to BS: 3998

● Stumps ground out

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● Trained, Qualified, Insured

The Arts Society Tayside is a not-forprofit, volunteer-run, society dedicated to providing its members with enjoyable and approachable experiences in the arts, and supporting local good causes related to art. Each year we offer our three hundred 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. Please 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. Come and join us! Please contact us for a complimentary lecture or to become a member: tastmembership@gmail. com or 01350 724232.

Kaimes Cottage, Braco, Dunblane, FK15

Crieff Connexions - As you may know, Crieff Connexions is situated in the old shopping centre on Church Street and before that, in 2020, we had a unit on the High Street. However, that wasn’t the beginning. Four years previous, a few people with a common belief that connections enable people to thrive got together. Their hope was to grow a space where people could come together and form life enriching connections. Connections where people are seen, heard and valued without experiencing judgement but instead are joyfully welcomed. Connections with others, to services and to opportunities that see communities working together for the common good. Crieff Connexions is still working with that same hope. We want a space where people can spend time creating and nurturing connections. Help people get connected to local agencies and services they need. Strengthening connections with the community by working in partnership with local schools, community groups and local businesses like Remake and Strathearn Arts. Working with FareShare and local supermarkets we seek to connect food that would otherwise go to landfill with people who can make use of it, through the uniform pantry and New2You shop we connect clothing with people to give it a new life.

Some of the connections I have most valued at Connexion have been with our volunteers and regular visitors. Our work would not be possible without the amazing volunteers so if you have volunteered with us in the past or currently still do, you are hugely appreciated, thank you. We have a group of amazingly hard working volunteers but to grow the work that we want to do, that we have opportunities to do, we need more people. Maybe you could be part of that and come join us, if you think you could, pop in and chat with Gillian or Zoe or email gburns@crieffconnexion.org.uk. P.S. some new volunteers are helping us

tackle a massive project - sorting the huge amount of donations in our storage space. In all the organising we have lots of fabulous children’s toys and homeware so a good old fashioned jumble sale might be the order of the day - keep an eye out on Facebook for more info!

Comrie Snowdrop Project -

Construction of Comrie’s flood defence wall could have been the end of a much-loved feature of our village after thousands of naturally growing snowdrops were destroyed. Instead, it became the starting point for a new legacy project which aims to create Scotland’s first freely accessible snowdrop village and be at the heart of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival which takes place between January and March every year.

Our goal is to plant three hundred thousand snowdrops across Comrie and create a series of accessible winter walking trails suitable for people of all abilities. To put that number into perspective, a line of three hundred thousand snowdrops would stretch the same distance as the new flood wall itself. We are already making good progress. Thanks to the generosity of local people who have sponsored plots, about nineteen thousand snowdrops have been planted since March. Everyone who sponsored a plot has had their name added to the Snowdrop Legacy Book so that future generations can look back at the origins of the project and see who helped bring it to life. So far snowdrops have been planted at the

War Memorial Garden, The White Church, and the Lednock Millennium Footpath. Once the flood wall is completed, we’ll be able to restore the snowdrops which were destroyed during its construction.

Thank you to everyone who has sponsored, donated or joined us at events so far. Your support has turned an idea into something visible and lasting. As the work continues, there are still plenty of opportunities for more people to be involved. Sponsorships, volunteering, or simply spreading the word all help create a living legacy that the whole community can take pride in.

You can find out more about our project on our website: comriesnowdrops.org.uk, or by following Comrie Snowdrops on Facebook for regular updates.

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 for this year are

Wednesday, 5 November 130 years of Hang Gliding in Scotland 1895/ 2025

Wednesday, 19 November A little bit of Gilbert & Sullivan

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. No one is paid a salary; our volunteers and links help make the project a success.

There are three main strands: Routes - Categorised by bike style, road and gravel. Use the QR code to access the routes easily! Repairs - Highly qualified and experienced mechanics carry out puncture repairs to electric conversions, in our well-equipped workshop. We are based at Morrison’s Academy and appreciate a call before coming to our workshop. Reuse/ donations - We accept donated bikes directly and utilise these to provide transport for all sections of the community. Please get in touch if you have one and want to give it a new home. What we have done and upcoming! Crieff Community A’ (easy social), ‘B’ & ‘C’ Rides - There are regular bi-monthly social rides and rides instigated by local riders. Recent adventures included cycles to Callendar, Tickled Trout and Path of Condie. The annual trip to Glenmore was made even more special by local riders showing two of our groups amazing gravel routes. Time trials have continued with a change to daytime planned. Personal challenges are always tough! We supported the Morrison’s Academy Scottish Schools Mountain Bike Championship, at Comrie Croft. It was amazing to be part of the largest best organised event in the UK. The young people and staff helping and taking part were fantastic and Charlie Aldridge presented the Prizes. Our recent Bike Sale and Dr Bike was a success and we always have a range of serviced and affordable bikes. Please get in touch and we’ll find a suitable bike for your needs.

upcoming - There will be ongoing Bike Sale and Dr Bikes so keep an eye on our Facebook page. We will be at Morrison’s Christmas fayre so a great opportunity to try the minibike and grab some bike related Christmas presents! Maintenance courses are now in full swing, so get in touch if you fancy getting to know your bike bet-

ter! We start from the very beginning and move onto more challenging trail/roadside repairs. Dates were looking at are - Sunday, 14 December and early January. Contact us for more information.

Finally - With darker nights and mucky roads it’s a good time to get in contact, we’ll give you a free bike check over and help with lights, mudguards etc.

Please get in touch if you want to know more or get involved in our adventures! Visit our website www.cyclecrieff.scot/ about.html and Facebook www.facebook. com/profile.php?id=100067081600855

Charity SCO54428

Email - cyclecrieff@yahoo.com

Fiona Perry

mobile dental hygiene service

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Jim Fairlie MSP

Perthshire South & Kinross-shire - SNP

Over the past few weeks, I’ve continued to receive a large number of messages from local people about the proposed Glen Lednock Wind Farm. It’s something I’ve written about before, but given how important this is for the local community, I wanted to take the opportunity to revisit the issue and offer some further information about the process.

Glen Lednock is one of the most beautiful parts of Strathearn - a place that means a great deal to so many residents. Some of the concerns raised are worries about the impact on the landscape and wildlife, disruption during construction, and questions about whether the community will truly see any benefit from such a large development.

Alongside Glen Lednock, there are other renewable proposals in the area - such as Meallbrodden and Glen Tarken - which have also generated strong views locally. In fact, Perth and Kinross Council, as a statutory consultee, has formally objected to the Glen Tarken proposal. Each of these projects is considered independently through the same rigorous planning process, but I know it can feel like a lot happening at once for communities across Strathearn.

The Scottish Government is committed to renewable energy, to tackle the urgent challenge of the climate emergency and secure a sustainable energy future, but that must be done with communities, not to them, and residents must feel the benefit of any projects that do go ahead.

As a Scottish Government Minister, I’m bound by the Ministerial Code, which means I can’t comment on or influence the outcome of any specific planning application, including Glen Lednock. These decisions are made independently by the Energy Consents Unit on a semi-judicial basis, rather than by politicians. That independence ensures the process is fair, transparent, and based on evidence, not political pressure.

Jim Fairley MSP

South & Kinross-shire - SNP

The Scottish Parliament Párlamaid na h-Alba

Fairlie MSP

Perthshire South & Kinross-shire

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

That said, I continue to stress to developers involved in renewable projects across my constituency that open, respectful, and meaningful consultation is essential. I’ll keep following these matters closely and will always do everything I can, within my constraints, to make sure the people of Strathearn are listened to and supported throughout the process. I know just how much people here care about this area - not only for its beauty, but for the strong sense of community that runs through it. Our landscape is part of who we are, and it’s right that people want to have their voices heard in decisions that affect it. I’ll continue to engage with constituents, to pass on views where appropriate, and to make sure that the people of Strathearn are part of the conversation every step of the way.

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 call my office on 01738 620540 or email me at Jim.Fairlie.MSP@ Parliament.Scot.

Become a Hedgehog Champion

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

Jim

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From waistlines to goal lines

How football in Crieff is transforming men’s health Live Active Leisure recently caught up with Colin Crawford from Strathearn United Football Club to find out more about how their Sport for Change grant is helping the club to attract new members and to take part in the Warriors Football League. Sport for Change grants, made possible thanks to funding from the Gannochy Trust, are distributed annually by the Live Active Sports Development Team. A key Sport for Change grant theme is mental health, where successful clubs receive funding to support their members with their mental health. Strathearn United received a £1,000 grant in April this year.

Grants are made available to clubs who have completed the Perth & Kinross Accredited Club Excellence Scheme (PACES) and Strathearn United Football Club joined PACES at bronze level in March 2025.

Club Secretary and co-founder Colin explained, ‘The club is based in Crieff, training at Strathearn Community Campus. The club was established in late 2024 as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and so far we have attracted thirty players into the club’s fold which is a great response locally. Some players don’t have a football background, and so have never played before, but have gained confidence and been supported to play in organised eleven a side games.’

Speaking about his experience with Strathearn United, player Richie added, ‘At fiftytwo, with a high-pressure job and living outside of Crieff, socialising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle had become a very significant challenge. At 5 ft 9 in and 97 kg, having not played football for over 10 years and having no other exercise other than walking the dogs, I knew I needed to take control of my health, both physically and mentally. Having experienced stress-related struggles in the past, including having to seek therapy, I was acutely aware of how important it was to find a positive outlet. Joining Strathearn United has been life-changing. This team, dedicated to supporting overweight men and promoting mental health, has given me a renewed sense of purpose. Training

once a week is tough, I feel the soreness for days, but the happiness and camaraderie far outweigh the discomfort. My wife and colleagues have noticed a difference in me: I’m more positive, more engaged, and feel like I’m taking control of my well-being.’

The club’s swift growth and development have led to a place in the Warriors Football League, after participation in vetting games. The Warriors Football League is an innovative grassroots amateur football competition aimed specifically at supporting men with a BMI of thirty or more, or a waist measurement of 96 cm or more. The league focusses on providing a safe space for improving physical health including weight loss and supports mental wellbeing by helping to encourage play and therefore reducing social isolation.

Colin said, ‘We are thrilled with the club’s progress, from club members meeting in friendship groups outside of training, to being the only Perthshire club invited to the Warriors League, it’s exactly what we hoped it would be. We are considering the next

stage of our development and are speaking to local GP practices who we hope will make referrals for local men to come to our training sessions, and we have more social nights planned, like our recent race night and disco that brought members and their families together, while raising a fantastic £1,331 for our club.’

Gemma Simpson, Sports Development Officer for Strathearn said, ‘In such a short space of time, Strathearn United Football Club has achieved so much which has been incredibly exciting to see. The club’s commitment to improving the health of players can only be commended, and I have been delighted to support the club through PACES and Sport for Change funding.

A direct focus on wellbeing can help to reduce the likelihood of health conditions that are preventable, as well as improving quality of life all round. Having this new football team in Crieff, offering a welcoming space to improve fitness and confidence, is absolutely wonderful and so if interested, then please give the club a shout!’

CRIEFF FIFTY PLUS CLUB

Our next monthly meeting is on Wednesday, 5 November at 2.30 pm in St Columba’s Church, Perth Road. The talk on Wednesday, 5 November is ‘You have seen our shame and not been ashamed’ - a charity clinic in Southern Ethiopia by Jo Middlemiss MBE. Annual membership of our club is £5, plus £2 for each monthly meeting. This includes coffee, tea and biscuits, so quite a bargain! There is also an opportunity to join any of our activity groups - Art, Quilting, Mahjong, Bridge, Indoor Bowls and Badminton.

New members are always welcome, and we meet on the first Wednesday of the month, from September to May (except January), usually with a speaker on an interesting topic, of general appeal. So, come along, and give us a try! First meeting is free.

KENMORE BAKERY

Homemade Shortbread and Biscuits

Keith’s award winning tablet

Bakers of Distinction

Best Bakery in Scotland 2024

Aberfeldy Market Sunday, 2 November Fortingall Christmas Fayre Sunday, 16 November

Killin Christmas Fayre Saturday, 22 November

Aberfeldy Christmas Market Saturday, 29 November

Keith & Sheila Mitchell

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

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

BD SUPPLIES

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e for delivery by pallet

(96 x 10 kg bags pellets / 96 packs of 6 briquettes) or half pallet

Collection per pack/bag f rom our off ice, East Meckphen Farm Buildings, Methven, Perth, PH1 3QT

ABUNDANCE

A Solo exhibition of new work by Marissa

3rd October – 23rd November 2025

Marissa Weatherhead RCA

Weatherhead RCA

Marissa Weatherhead RCA, ‘Lobster Love’ acrylic on board 30x40cm

The Watermill Gallery by Zanna Wilson

The Scottish Parliament Párlamaid na h-Alba

Liz Smith MSP

Mid Scotland & Fife Regional Member

Liz Smith MSP can be contacted at the Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, PH2 6PL Tel 01738 553 990 or email at elizabeth.smith.msp@parliament.scot

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

‘Health walks on tour’ are visiting Auchterarder for the last coach trip of 2025, we will have a wee stroll around the town on Thursday, 6 November. We will be meeting at 10.15 am at Community Hospital and then leaving 10.30 am. After the walk we will be heading to the Cairn Lodge Hotel for a cuppa and scones. To get your name on the list for the bus trips please come along to our regular Thursday walks. Last month, we had a very wet walk around Queens Elizabeth Forest in Aberfoyle. To stay in touch with what is happening in the community visit our Richmond Facebook.

Our friendship group is every 2nd Friday; we meet at the Crieff Community Hospital 10.30 am to 12 pm, so our next meeting is Friday, 14 November we will be playing bingo and games and then on Friday, 28 November

Cary Hughes from Nature Connects will be coming along to do a Wreath making workshop. Please feel free to come along join in, have a chat and a cuppa.

Richmond Community runs the Carers Café which takes place the 2nd Thursday will run every month at the Crieff Community Hospital. The next monthly meeting will be Thursday, 13 November. The café also gives unpaid carers the opportunity to meet other carers and staff from

agencies such as Perth and Kinross Council, Perth, and Kinross association of Voluntary Services (PKAVS) and carers voice over a cup of tea or coffee and delicious biscuits. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Our annual Christmas party will be on Thursday, 11 December 12 pm to 2 pm at the Royal British Legion Clubroom.

The party will be straight after the health walk and carers café which will also be based at the Royal British Legion Clubrooms on Thursday, 11 December 10.30 to 12 pm. We will have live music with Chris White and then a buffet for lunch provided by Gourlay.

To assist with catering please could you let Karen know if you are able to attend.

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

“Craftmade, Traditional, Contemporary, Unique, Bespoke, Scottish.” Quality gifts & presents from in & around beautiful Highland Perthshire

Birks Cinema Mezzanine, The Square, Aberfeldy

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.

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)

Local Schools

Crieff High School Reception

www.crieffhigh.pkc.sch.uk 01764 657600

Strathearn Community Campus

www.pkc.gov.uk/strathearn 01764 657700

Crieff Primary School 01764 657888

St. Dominics Primary School 01764 657800

Comrie Primary School 01764 661450

Madderty Primary School 01764 661444

Perth and Kinross Council

Crieff Area Office 01738 476000

Council Main Reception 01738 475000

Registrars - by appointment 01764 657850

useful numbers

Crieff Community Hospital 01764 653173

Police Scotland 101 infinityblu Dental 01764 650480

Crieff Vet Services 01764 652086

Flying Smiles Dental Hygienist 07812 055724

Advertising Information

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

Editorial and Event Information

All of our listed events 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, 18 October 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

Amulree & Trochry

Community Association

The Annual Clay Pigeon Shoot was held on September 14 at Clashcat in Amulree. What a fantastic day it was and only made possible by all who support it. The total amount raised was £3,286 which was a great result.

This year it was decided that funds raised from the ‘Continuation Trap’ as well as the donation from one of our trap sponsors ‘Willie Dey Builder’ would be donated to the Scottish Air Ambulance. A grand total of £438.65 will be donated to this worthy charity.

We would like to thank the ongoing support to our community from our local landowners, Sir Ian Lowson, Lord Cadogan and Sir John Kemp-Welch. Many thanks also go to all who sponsored the shoot including Bryan Contractors, Willie Dey Builder, Gatehouse Mechanical Services, Dunkeld Fish Bar, Strathmore Foods and Tayside & Central Scotland Moorland Group. Huge thanks to the donation of prizes to each category - Alisdair Troup from Bushwear and Mike Smith from The Boathouse Dunkeld. We had fantastic raffle prizes donated from competitors, locals and the amazing support from local Dunkeld and Birnam businesses, thank you so much for your continued support and generosity. We look forward to seeing everyone back next year on 13 September 2026. Results as follows - Open 1st Steven Cochrane 2nd Drew Christie 3rd Chris Smith Ladies 1st Edith Barnes 2nd Sophie Banks 3rd Isla Troup Local 1st Colin McGregor 2nd Colin Dey 3rd Sam Patterson under 18 1st Harry Anderson 2nd Fergus Troup 3rd Barry McManamon Continuation Winner Drew Christie

01887 820815 . colin@casarchitect.co.uk

01887 820815 . colin@casarchitect.co.uk

Congratulations to all of the above - a very well done.

Crieff Probus Club - Crieff Probus Club began the autumn session with speaker Mr Jo Guest, who is one of nine commissioners for the Pow Water, Inchaffray.

The Pow, a man-made watercourse, dates back to the Middle Ages and was dug on the orders of the canons of the nearby Inchaffray Abbey, to improve the surrounding land. The Pow is approximately forty miles long and flows into the River Earn. Whilst James IV gave permission for the creation of the Pow, landowners’ agreement was difficult to achieve as not all would benefit from land improvement.

The Act of Parliament of 1696, led to the creation of commissioners who are heritors of the land areas. The 2019 Act of Parliament led to the appointment of 9 commissioners who have the legal authority to manage the Pow.

Jo Guest showed photographs, maps, and plans of the 1995 major scheme to improve the watercourses. The photographs included images of beaver damage which is impacting on the watercourse.

The original cost of the Pow was met by the monks of Inchaffray Abbey. Today each landowner pays an annual amount based on the surveyed value of the land benefitting from the Pow.

Crieff Probus Club - The speakers at Crieff Probus Club at the October meeting were Wilma Martin, Chairperson Strathearn Building Bridges, and Kay Couzens, treasurer and activities co-ordinator.

Strathearn Building Bridges, a recognised charity, is a grassroots organisation formed in 2010 by parents of young people with learning and/or physical disabilities, who were leaving the cohesive supportive environment of school, and there was no joined up supporting activities in their adult life. Parents, young people and a wide range of organisations got together, and Strathearn Building Bridges was formed. It aims to provide a welcoming, supportive and fun environment for people who have learning and other support needs.

Strathearn Building Bridges has 3 part-time members of staff, and twenty-seven volunteers. It is also supported by other organisations e.g. Bertie Bus, Strathearn Harriers,

Crieff Community Campus, Soroptomists. A busy activities programme takes place 6 days a week, including Boccia, Tuesday Club, Wednesday Social events, Thursday Knockdown Club and Zoom contacts, Badminton and a Saturday Lunch Club. Members are aged from sixteen to sixty, and in the videos shown by Wilma and Kay, the things they like are: they are all able to participate, do things together and friendship is a very important benefit. Funding is provided by fundraising events, funding applications, and Perth and Kinross Council.

Crieff Probus Club meetings in November are on Tuesday, 4 November when the speaker will be from the Energy Saving Trust. On Tuesday, 18 November the speaker will be Colin Liddell, speaking on Wade’s Roads and Caulfield.

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

What’s Happening at Can Do Crieff?

Can Do Crieff is Crieff’s community coworking hub - a bright, welcoming space where people come to work, connect and be part of something local. Whether you’re self-employed, hybrid working, or just need a change of scene, it’s flexible (day passes to unlimited 24/7 access) and easy to use, with no contracts or long commitments. Members enjoy fast Wi-Fi, comfortable desks, meeting spaces, and a supportive community of local professionals.

Pop in for a look around by contacting us at candocrieff@gmail.com or visit candocrieff.com to find out more.

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.

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.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Strathearn Ramblers

Friday, 7 November - Stroll, Tullibole Witches Maze. Start Point: Crook of Devon Village Hall (what3words: strongman.scream. idealist). Distance: 4 miles. Leave: Laggan Park car park 10 am, Crieff Co-op car park 10.15 am. Description: A new walk for the ramblers, this walk near Crook of Devon takes you to the site of Tullibole Castle Witches’ maze which was constructed by Lord Moncrieff of Tullibole Castle as a memorial to the eleven innocent witches who were executed in the area in 1662. After the maze, the route then takes you up a gentle ascent to Hoods Hill before dropping back down hill to Crook of Devon. Most of the walking is on paths and tracks along with quiet roads but some pathless fields also need to be crossed.

Sunday, 23 November - Walk, Around Ben Shee. Start Point: Glen Sherup car park (what3words: advantage.divided.sooner).

Distance: 6 miles. Leave: Laggan Park car park 9 am, Crieff Co-op car park 9.15 am. Description: This waymarked circular hill walk from Glen Sherup heads around Ben Shee - with the option of heading to the top - making it a less strenuous alternative to the Glensherup circuit.

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.

Aquila Wildlife and Nature CIC

We are delighted to say we now have almost a full house of participants and volunteers for our Nature Mingle project. We have capacity for a couple more participants in Crieff but we currently have no capacity in Comrie or St.Fillans. The project aims to bring the outdoors to those with limited mobility or difficulty accessing the outdoors for whatever reason. We do this by setting up cameras in participants’ gardens or through sharing a volunteer’s garden. Each volunteer links with a participant to share and discuss what has been captured on film.

So far we have had sightings of hares, hedgehogs, squirrels and pine martens to name a few creatures out there. Lots of sparrows, crows and pigeons too! If you are interested to find out more about the project or know someone who may benefit, contact Fran Tel 07518 958032 and leave a message.

The White Church Winter Craft Fair

Celebrating twenty-four years of local creativity!

Join us at Comrie’s White Church (PH6 2DW) for our much-loved annual Winter Craft Fair on Saturday, 15 November from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, 16 November from 11 am to 3 pm.

Now in its twenty-fourth year, this cherished event continues to showcase the incredible talent of over twenty-five local artists and makers across two festive-filled days.

What’s on offer? Discover a stunning selection of handcrafted treasures, including candles, crochet, ceramics, paintings, prints, glasswork, festive décor, and an array of unique gifts and accessories - perfect for early Christmas shopping!

Relax & Refresh -Enjoy delicious homemade refreshments served by the Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI) - the ideal spot to take a break and soak in the community spirit.

Don’t miss - A fantastic raffle with amazing prizes, all in support of the SWI!

Whether you’re a returning visitor or a first-timer, there’s always something new and inspiring to discover. Come along and celebrate the creativity thriving right on our doorstep.

A fabulously festive weekend for all - we can’t wait to welcome you!

Inner Link Club of Comrie - Our season started with Ben’s talk on his wildlife experiences in Africa. Inner Link meets at 10.30 am in the Comrie Parish Church Hall. The dates for 2025 are Mondays, 10 and 24 November and 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

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.

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.

History

Although the museum is now closed for winter work goes on behind the scenes. We will be getting our new exhibition and displays ready for next year and if you would like to help with cleaning and restoring the objects going on display please contact us at the email address below.

We have had visitors young and old from all over the world as well as many local people visit the museum and the visitor book is full of positive comments. Our busiest month was August when we had six hundred and forty-six visitors which is up on last year’s numbers so it’s good to see we are continuing to grow.

Just before term end in October we had a visit from Year 1 students from Strathearn Campus. Over ninety pupils visited over the course of the day and they were introduced to Jacobite Jock who showed them how to put on a great kilt as well as regale them of stories from the Jacobite period. Jean Sinclair also was on hand to tell the pupils about Women in War and the general exhibits on the ground floor. Dorothy Jones talked to them about the Crieff Monuments and gave a glimpse of work behind the scenes. All the young people seemed to enjoy themselves as well as the teachers attending with them. We hope they will be back next year with the new year one pupils. We’d like to thank Marnie, Marlene, Angie and Bill for being on hand to help with the day and Miss Logan from the school for arranging the visit. Without our volunteers we’d not be able to put on these special events.

One of the displays for next year will be designed and presented by The Crieff Girl Guides, it will be highlighting one hundred years of guiding in Crieff and the guides are busy preparing for this already. They will be interviewing past Girl Guides and displaying uniforms from across the one hundred years. We’re really looking forward to this display. The museum has received a gift of forty fold up chairs for use at events. They have kindly been donated by David and Lorna Ramsay. Lorna is a trustee of the museum and noted that we did not have any suitable seating for when we hold events, so it’s a big thank you to you both. We also received a donation of some 1950’s radios and a television of which one was on display in the 1950’s kitchen area.

As you may already know Santa’s Post Office will not be in the museum this year, it will be at Creative Crieff’s Star Community Garden in East High Street and we hope you will visit it when it’s open. We are hoping that by the time this article is printed Perth and Kinross council will have replaced the rotten south facing window on the first floor and the repairs to the roof will have been completed too.

CRIEFF & STRATHEARN MUSEUM

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.

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 £12 per annum and you will be helping us with the running costs of keeping the museum open. We accept cash or card payments.

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 Reg 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

Heart of Scotland Herb Society - Herbs - Health - Happiness

The Annual General Meeting of the society will be held on Wednesday, 19 November at 2 pm at the Bowling Club, Aberfeldy. This will be followed by the opportunity to make a small Christmas table decoration with Ewa from Handam.

All welcome. Information contact Cath McGregor 01887 830234 or Susan Craik 07501 095602 or keep up to date on Facebook Heart of Scotland Herb Society.

Crieff and Strathearn Museum - Cross Paths with

Celebrating thirty years of Crieff

Community Hospital

Staff, patients and families came together at a special event to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Crieff Community Hospital.

NHS Tayside Chief Executive Nicky Connor recently joined staff, patients and members of the local community at the fundraising fete to mark the milestone. The event featured lots of fun activities such as garden games, pop up shops from local businesses, a caricature artist and cake stalls. The Crieff and Strathearn Museum also set up a trip down memory lane exhibition of medical and nursing equipment and the Comrie Pipe Band and local singer Derek Richardson provided musical entertainment.

The fete raised more than £2,800 which will be used to update the hospital’s patient garden.

The community hospital, which was officially opened by HRH Princess Alexandra and first opened its doors in 1995, has an eighteen-bed medicine for the elderly ward, outpatient clinics, physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments serving Crieff and the surrounding areas.

Built on the grounds of a former train station, the hospital is also the base for the local Community Care and Treatment Service.

Senior charge nurse Craig Paterson said, ‘We are proudly marking the thirtieth anniversary, celebrating three decades of compassionate care, community connec-

tion and unwavering dedication to the local community. Since opening its doors, the hospital has become a cornerstone of local healthcare - providing vital services with a personal touch that reflects the spirit of the community it serves. Many of the hospital staff live locally, and their commitment to the wellbeing of their community shines through in every aspect of their work. From nurses and doctors to allied health professionals, community groups, vital support staff, social care, volunteers and locality managers, the hospital is known for its strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Crieff Community Hospital is more than bricks and mortar - it’s a place of healing and an example of what can be achieved when a dedicated team comes together. We’re all proud of its history and even more excited about the future. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate the anniversary and attended the fete.’

Healthcare support workers Karen Brown and Rhona Nicoll, pictured have worked at the community hospital since the site opened in 1995.

Rhona said, ‘I remember thinking that the new hospital was really modern and seemed so big and that I would never find my way around. There have been lots of changes over the years, the uniforms and even the lay out of the hospital itself has changed but we have just rolled with the changes along the way. As much as things have moved on, the sense of teamwork has always been here, it’s a great team to be part of.’

Karen added, ‘We really feel like we are in with the bricks here after thirty years and enjoy being part of the team. The time has flown by and we have so many good memories over the years - I even visited the hospital on my wedding day thirty years ago as the patients wanted to see me in my wedding dress. The whole wedding party bundled into the car and we visited the ward on the way to the reception! I’ll always remember that. The hospital is

a vital part of the community and it really does mean a lot to people living in the area.’

Chief Executive Nicky Connor said, ‘I was delighted to attend the Crieff Community Hospital summer fete to celebrate thirty years of this wonderful health facility in the heart of the community it serves. Congratulations to the whole staff and volunteer team - what a huge amount of effort went into this event. We are very proud of the hospital’s history, the service it provides to the local community and, most importantly, the staff at Crieff Community Hospital who continue to deliver high-quality care to patients with dedication and compassion. Celebrating this significant milestone is a welcome opportunity to not only reflect on the past but also to look forward to its future serving the community in the years to come.”’

Chief Officer for Perth & Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership Jacquie Pepper said, ‘Crieff Community Hospital has provided three decades of vital care to people in the local area and continues to play a key role in the community. The hospital staff foster a culture of excellence, empathy and provide care which is valued by patients and their families. Happy Birthday to Crieff Community Hospital!’

Exhibition of past uniforms and equipment, courtesy of Crieff and Strathearn Museum

2025 Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships

Almost five hundred secondary school pupils from across Scotland took to the trails at the 2025 Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships (SSMBCs), at Comrie Croft in Perthshire in September - an event that is now recognised as the biggest U18 schools MTB race in the UK. Once again, leading Independent Day School Morrison’s Academy in Crieff was proud to collaborate with Comrie Croft and Scottish Cycling to deliver this exciting national event, which was celebrated as Event of the Year at the 2023 Scottish Cycling Awards.

Entering its third year, the SSMBCs surpassed the record four hundred competitors from last year with more than one hundred schools taking part, ranging from S1 to S6 - this equates to around 35% of all Secondary schools in Scotland. Teams came from every corner of Scotland - from Aberdeenshire to Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders - and included pupils from numerous Perthshire and Tayside schools. They competed across three categories: Junior (S1/2), Intermediate (S3/4), and Senior (S5/6) and separate races for female, male and mixed teams took place, ensuring inclusive competition for all participants.

The championships provide an invaluable platform for young mountain bikerswhether seasoned racers or newcomers - to challenge themselves and enjoy friendly rivalry. With more than eighty girls and a significant number of first-time riders registered, this year’s event championed inclusivity and grassroots development in the sport.

Andrew Donaldson, Founding Director of Comrie Croft said, ‘What an incredible day! The SSMBCs are now one of our favourite days on the calendar. The atmosphere is pretty special with oodles of enthusiasm and good natured competition. It’s infectious!’

Key sponsors at the 2025 event were Alpine Bikes, Tradstocks Scottish Stone and Fortan Activewear. Social enterprise The Workshop Aberfeldy de-

signed handcrafted wooden medals.

Andrew McGarva, Rector at Morrison’s Academy, said, ‘It is hard to believe we’ve just wrapped up the third year of the Scottish Schools’ Mountain Bike Championships and what a way to mark it. From humble beginnings, this event has grown beyond anything we could have imagined and we are incredibly proud that it is now officially the biggest U18 schools mountain bike event in the UK. Watching hundreds of young riders from across Scotland take on the course with such energy, determination and sportsmanship was truly inspiring. The atmosphere was electric, and the sense of community, from the pupils and parents to teachers and volunteers, was second to none. The SSMBCs continue to provide a brilliant platform for young people to challenge themselves, make new friends and experience the thrill of mountain biking in a supportive, inclusive environment. Whether they were racing for the first time or returning as seasoned competitors, every participant brought something special to the day. Thank you to the many people who worked hard to make this event so special.’

Paul Newnham, Scottish Cycling’s National MTB Coach, continued, ‘What an exciting day of racing. It’s always fantastic to come to Comrie Croft for the Scottish Schools MTB Championships; with pupils from across the country competing for their schools on the trails. The inspiration of Olympian, World Cup winner and former Morrison’s Academy pupil Charlie Aldridge growing up on these trails continues to drive these pupils forward to one day competing for Scotland.’

As a Trash Free Trails Community Hub, Comrie Croft achieved a Trash Free Trials Gold Standard Event which is the highest sustainability standard. All visitors were encouraged to use water refill stations, recycle and take litter home.

Photo courtesy of Arwen Moses Friends of Crieff Cemetery - Please come along to our War Graves Tour on Saturday, 8 November at 2 pm, where we will be remembering the service personnel memorialised or buried in Crieff Cemetery. Free entry, all welcome. Lest We Forget. Breadalbane House ultramarathon

A big thank you to everyone who supported Calum McBean in his Breadalbane House ultramarathon on September 7. We especially appreciate the help from his support runners from the Strathearn Harriers in Crieff, and it was brilliant to see so many people cheering him on at the finishing line in Aberfeldy. Calum, age sixteen, ran 59.91km with 4,272m elevation gain right across the hills and often off path, on what must have been one of the worst days in terms of weather. He ran across the four Breadalbane house hills: Ben Lawers, Meall na Aighean (formerly Creag Mhor), Shiehallion and Farragon, finishing at the clocktower at Breadalbane Academy in aid of Tayside Mountain Rescue. So far he has raised an amazing £4,415 (plus £1,043 gift aid)!

From Wobbles to Wonder - Awardwinning children’s author Fiona Lowry unveils a S.E.C.R.E.T

This autumn, award-winning children’s author, Fiona Lowry, from Perth, releases her latest venture to support children and adults grow in confidence, calm, and connection. In a fast-paced world where we can often feel disconnected from ourselves, functioning through the chaos of roles, routines, and pressures, Fiona offers support in several aspects of personal growth and family connection via her award-winning children’s books; and online resources, grounded in her S.E.C.R.E.T. Framework®.

‘The “S.E.C.R.E.T.” is about learning to grow by rediscovering who you are beyond the expectations of others,’ Fiona says. ‘I know first-hand how building my own selfbelief has had a positive impact on that of my children. My books all have a common thread of positivity for children - self-belief, encouragement, creativity, resilience, empathy, and trust - but I wanted to expand my offerings via digital, printable resources for kids and families to work through together, at their own pace.’

Fiona has already launched an ‘Indoor Adventure Bundle’ and ‘Colour & Create Bundle’ which are perfect calming adventures for children ages 3-7 years who want to explore their imagination, and creativity; a ‘Creative Writing Spark Pack’ for budding authors and illustrators ages 7-11, who want to expand their skills; and two affirmation packs for kids ages 3-7 years - ‘Shine Bright’ and ’Believe in You’ - which are perfect pocket-sized cards for lunchboxes, or school bags for moments of encouragement. Fiona also offers school workshops and speaking events themed around ‘Dreaming Big’, ‘Friendship & Teamwork’, or ‘Mindset & Perseverance’ which have been a huge success throughout this year.

Fiona continues, ‘I believe every child deserves to know they are enough. When parents reconnect with themselves, children mirror what they see, and are free to stand taller, dream bigger, and believe in their own magic. Imagination is the superpower that makes it all possible. I am proud of my

S.E.C.R.E.T. Framework® because it not only supports children to believe in themselves through my books and resources, by building and nurturing skills they can return to again and again throughout their life, but the adults supporting them too. Through a separate 6-step program, my framework guides grown-ups from ‘The Quiet Crumble’ - where they rediscover who they are beyond the expectations, to ‘The Connected Way’ - where spaces are shaped and routines are nurtured to create connection and calm.’

Fiona’s first adult resource, ‘See Yourself Clearly: A Self-Belief Journal & Guide for Grown-Ups’ is now available online linked through Fiona’s website. The first in a 6-part series supporting parents and guardians in the journey of finding themselves. Lowry is inspired by her childhood in the idyllic Scottish countryside, secluded in her own private world of fun and adventure. She infuses her writing with gentle threads of positive thinking to encourage children, and adults, to trust their instincts, face their fears, or see the beauty in their own - and others’ - unique design. Fiona uses her skills to plant seeds of confidence, kindness, and magic, for the next generation and the ones guiding them.

To help find yourself in a world of noise, and encourage your child to grow their selfbelief, join the adventure with Fiona via her website, www.fionalowryauthor.com, where you will receive a free download, The Magic of Me. Discover all her resources online via www.etsy.com/shop/FLowryAuthor

For more information please contact: Fiona Lowry, fionalowryauthor@hotmail.com, 07789 380813.

What do you want for Crieff? Your voice will shape the future - Creative Crieff is inviting the people of Crieff and its surrounding area to help shape an exciting redevelopment known as the ‘Star Experience’. In light of rising costs and a desire to better reflect local aspirations, the original design has been refined - and now there is a fresh opportunity: some additional land beside the development will be released for community use. What should go there? That is where your ideas come in. The revised scheme will include a luxury one-screen cinema, offering a more boutique, sustainable alternative to multiplexes. There will also be a welcoming bistro plus an elevated outdoor hospitality space boasting views across Crieff - all designed to blend vision with long-term viability. These elements remain at the heart of the plan. Because the project now has this extra plot of land remaining, Creative Crieff wants the community to suggest how best to use it. Should it become a performance space? A community garden? Affordable housing? A makers’ workshop? A public meeting place? The possibilities are open, and local voice matters.

To gather your views, a survey has been created and anyone with a few minutes to spare is encouraged to take part. The survey offers a way for you to suggest ideas, priorities, or concerns-and will influence how the space is ultimately used.

If you have ideas or questions you are encouraged to contact Kaitlyn or Karen at info@creativecrieff.co.uk and they will be pleased to engage with you.

This is more than a redevelopment project. It is an invitation: to help shape the heart of Crieff to reflect what the people want and value. Together, the community and Creative Crieff hope to grow something that not only brings enjoyment today, but endures for generations. Thank you to all who will participate - your voice matters in Crieff’s regeneration story.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA IpQLSfFiLK4NmF7i5KuwYNqHtvNTL zRJj4KwDbltyDUlZRIih_bYA/viewform

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

Friday, 7 & Saturday, 8 November - The Innerpeffray Festive Fayre. 10 am to 4 pm. A chance to browse unique, bookish gifts inspired by the Library’s collection in the Schoolroom at Innerpeffray. A range of carefully curated arts and crafts by local artisans will also be available, so come prepared to shop.

Wednesday, 19 November - Not Truly

Dead: Ghost Stories by M.R. James. 7 pm. Master storyteller Robert Lloyd Parry of Nunkie Theatre returns for another night of pleasing terror. Three tales of the restless dead, by the master of the English ghost story. Tickets £20. Suitable for ages 14+. Saturday, 22 & Sunday, 23 NovemberFestive Wreath-Making Workshop. 2.30 pm to 5 pm. Such a popular event that this year we are running it twice: come and learn how to make a spectacular wreath using locally gathered seasonal plants. Led by Gwyneth Hardy, who was executive producer of the Beechgrove Gardens for thirty years. Tickets £35.

Sunday, 30 November - An Afternoon for Advent. 3 pm. Join us on the first Sunday of Advent for an afternoon of words, mu-

sic 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 at www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk for more details and for ticket booking.

Heartstart Discovery - On October 1, Heartstart Discovery Co-ordinator, Helen Brady, delivered training to the Dundee Community Table Tennis Club, a session that marked the milestone of seventy thou sand participants trained.

Helen Brady said, ‘Reaching seventy thou sand people is an incredible milestone and we are so proud knowing that every person we have trained has the potential to save a life. Being able to carry out emergency life support is so important. It’s about know ing the simple steps that can keep someone alive until professional help arrives, giving them the very best chance of survival.’

Shirley McKay from the Dundee Com munity Table Tennis Club said, ‘When we found out that our club had helped Heart start get to seventy thousand participants trained we all thought it was quite remark able. We booked our session because you never know when you might need to step in and save a life. The training was fantastic and it has given us the confidence and skills to act in an emergency.

Heartstart Discovery runs regular free twohour training sessions. They cover: * caring for an unconscious person who is breathing *caring for an unconscious per

son who is not breathing and performing CPR *awareness of defibrillators *how to recognise the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and how to deal with it.

Training sessions are generally held monthly and can also be arranged on request for groups, organisations and clubs etc.

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Jo Yoga. Don’t take your Yoga (or yourself) too seriously

By Jo Tripp, newly minted yoga teacher, goat whisperer and accidental animal therapist. It’s official: I’m now a qualified yoga teacher. Twelve months of stretching, breathing, studying Sanskrit words I still mispronounce and trying to look serene while falling out of tree pose. My qualifications earned at the Classical Yoga School in Scotland - the land of lochs, legends, and lamb yoga (more on that in a moment). When I first imagined teaching yoga, I pictured incense, gentle music, maybe a bit of ‘Om-ing.’ What I didn’t expect was to be in downward dog while a baby goat tried to eat my T-shirt.

Goat what now? Yes, I launched my teaching career with goat and lamb yoga - because why not attempt to embrace the unpredictable path of yoga, while literally being climbed on by a four-legged hooligan?

The idea was simple enough: combine the ancient practice of yoga with the equally ancient practice of… cuddling farm animals. Result? Joy. Chaos. Laughter. A few bleats of protest. And one memorable moment where a lamb interrupted plank pose by attempting to kiss everyone on the cheek. And it worked. One class had a dad, his daughter, and her bewildered husband all giggling away as the goats gleefully bounded onto their mats and trotted over their toes. These are people who might never have stepped into my yoga studio otherwise. Turns out, it’s easier to get into child’s pose when there’s an actual kid involved. Yoga is a journey (sometimes with cloven hooves) - Yoga isn’t about nailing the perfect pose or twisting yourself into a sentient pretzel.

It’s a personal journey. Some people find peace through breathwork, others through a strong core. And some of us? We find it when a goat stares deeply into our soul mid-warrior two. There’s something ancient and grounding about practising yoga alongside animals. Our ancestors lived closely with animals

- they didn’t have yoga mats, but they did have sheep. I like to think they’d approve of our modern mashup.

Come Join the Fun - For now, I’m running weekly human-only yoga classes at: The Yoga Shed (Crieff) Thursdays 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Open to all levels, even the wobbly ones.

Bring your mat, bring your intention, bring your curiosity. Leave your judgment at the door - and maybe your snacks too, just in case any rogue goats show up. Namaste and baa-aa-bye for now.

You can see Jo’s advert on page 31.

Sir David Baird’s Monument - The monument to General Sir David Baird that stands at the summit of Tom a’ Chaisteil, between Crieff and Comrie, has long been a popular walking destination for families. Those of us who reached the summit as children would marvel at the height of the memorial, which was designed to replicate Cleopatra’s Needle. As we get older, the climb leaves us more out of breath, and the height of the monument is somehow less breathtaking. Nonetheless, the efforts that went into creating this impressive 25m tall monument in 1832 are almost as remarkable as the life that General Baird lived;

some of the Aberdeen granite blocks taken up the hill weigh five tonnes each. For that reason, I have been saddened over recent years to see nature reclaiming this well-known local landmark and felt that it was important that the decline was reversed. Now, in a voluntary solo effort involving ten trips to the summit and forty hours of work scraping away grass, hacking at brambles, and pruning vigorous rhododendron, the area around the monument has now been rescued.

The lost pathways at the summit, as well as the fallen trees which still lay across the half-kilometre track from Monument Lodge, have probably put-off some people from returning to Tom a’ Chaisteil. I have now cut back the pathways at the top of the hill, and it is my hope that the large trees blocking the main access path can soon be cut away by professionals. The walk to the summit - as well as the views from it - will hopefully be enjoyed once more. It is important that we work hard to save and preserve our local heritage in the face of challenges because, in some cases, time is not on our side. Craig Finlay

Five key times to think about a Will

Our lawyers often get asked, ‘what is the best age to make a Will’. The answer is ‘any age’, but there are certainly key stages in life when making (or updating) a Will should be front of mind.

Five of these stages relate to property or may be accompanied by a move to a bigger or smaller home.

Buying a home

1

Your home is likely to be your biggest asset, so you need to make clear who you want to inherit it. A Will is especially important if you buy with a partner or friend because they may not have automatic rights to inherit.

Relationship changes

Life events such as cohabitation, marriage, separation, or divorce are a prompt to consider (or reconsider) who you want to benefit from your various assets after your death.

Having a child

2

Second marriage or family Scotland’s laws don’t always reflect modern family life, so a well-made Will may be important to provide for former or current partners, children from previous relationships or stepchildren.

Retirement

Stepping back from work is a sensible time to do some planning around your finances – including inheritance and tax planning.

3

A Will is a way to look after your children’s future – not just protecting their financial interests but specifying who their guardians would be if anything happened to you.

Other key stages when you should think about a Will could include setting up a business, changing its structure, or any changes in inheritance tax legislation. In all cases, your Will must be comply with Scottish law to ensure the outcomes you want.

lindsays.co.uk