The Crieff & Comrie Quair

The Crieff & Comrie Quair

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• extenSionS

• renoVationS

• attic conVerSionS

• cladding,

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• dry rot and wet rot treatment

IN AUCHTERARDER

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

IN AUCHTERARDER

WHERE LEGS AND FEET MATTER

WHERE LEGS AND FEET MATTER

GREGOR McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS

HCPC REGISTERED

ROUTINE CHIROPODY

GREGOR McCOSHIM FCPodS MChS

WALKING/RUNNING INJURIES

ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER

Strathearn is rich in history and, in the quiet parish of Monzie, the name of Kate McNiven has never quite faded. Said to have lived in the early 1700s, though the exact period is disputed, she was remembered as a wise woman: a healer who knew the virtues of heather, juniper and nettle. Neighbours sought her help for ailments of body and spirit, trusting in the remedies she gathered from the hills and burns. Her gift, however, was perilous in its time. The shadow of Scotland’s witch hunts fell on those, often women, whose knowledge of herbs and healing set them apart. She is said to have been condemned as a witch and executed in 1715. Yet folklore recalls her not as a figure of fear, but as a woman of learning. Her bond with the land brought comfort to her community. Legends grew around her name. She was said to have cursed her persecutors and to have gifted the Lairds of Monzievaird a sapphire, promising it would safeguard their fortunes so long as it remained in their care. Most enduring of all is the memory of her herbal knowledge; a tradition that still links us to the plants growing in our hedgerows today. For those interested in the folklore surrounding Kate McNiven, online entries such as the ‘Kate McNiven’ article on Wikipedia give background to how her story took shape in legend rather than in fact. As the nights continue to draw in, we hope that you can cosy up and enjoy this month’s edition of The Crieff & Comrie Quair.

Alistair and Linda

LEG/FOOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT

ORTHOTIC/INSOLE MANUFACTURER

LEG/FOOT HEALTH ASSESSMENT

206 HIGH STREET, AUCHTERARDER, PH3 1AF

206 HIGH STREET,   AUCHTERARDER, PH3 1AF

TEL: 07932 725211

EMAIL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com

TEL: 07932 725211

www.grmpodiatry.co.uk

EMAIL: grm@mccoshim.plus.com

Comrie Allotments Association

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

The Crieff & Comrie Quair is an open access monthly magazine which is delivered FREE to over 6,150 homes and businesss in the Crieff & Comrie area - that's from the county boundary west of St. Fillans to Madderty in the east. Copies for visitors are also made available each month from our outdoor dispensers in Crieff and Comrie. The extra print run is dependent on the normal fluctuating seasonal demand from visitors and tourists and, of course, local and regional lockdowns due to worldwide pandemics! As well as being a Community Magazine, The Quair is an excellent source of information for visitors. We also produce The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair. Each month, between the two magazines, we print an average of 15,000 and deliver more than 13,500 copies directly to homes and businesses throughout Highland Perthshire and Strathearn. Local voluntary groups and organisations may submit articles, free of charge. All contributions are carried subject to space being available. We ask that any article reaches us by email by the specified copy date, is factual, non-political, under 400 words and not likely to offend. Copy Date - The copy date for advertisers and organisations to submit an advertisement or article for the November 2025 edition is noon on Tuesday, 14 October. The Magazines are due to be distributed the week commencing Monday, 3 November 2025.

www.lovelocal.scot

SWI Fowlis Wester - We were delighted to begin a new season and catch up with everyone’s news. Remake gave a talk and brought along packs for making oatcakes, which were on sale. The meeting was fun and friendly, held on September 16 at 7.30 pm in Fowlis Wester village hall, and it was lovely to welcome all who came along.

• Carpet cleaning

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Choose from our wide range of carpet cleaning packages including the Pet Package, the Premier Package and the Asthma Package.

Current Disclosure Scotland check Established in 2008

t: 08000 463422

m: 07789 007072

e: info@hydrokleenscotland.co.uk

w: www.hydrokleenscotland.co.uk

Cllr Noah Khogali

Strathearn Ward - Conservative

October is a month with a particular resonance in Crieff’s long history. In October 1714, Rob Roy MacGregor and his followers gathered for the October Tryst and marched into the square to drink toasts to their uncrowned King James VIII. This sense of local history continues to be a core feature of the local area, and it has been wonderful to see it in action across several fantastic projects this summer.

I’m delighted to begin by congratulating the Comrie Development Trust on successfully securing funding for their proposed improvements to the museum at Cultybraggan Camp. This is a vital project that will make a huge difference in conserving and sharing our local heritage. A huge well done must go to everyone at CDT for their hard work and vision.

On another positive note, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organisers of the Crieff Summer Festival. The event in August was a resounding success, with an attendance of over 1,500 residents and visitors and providing a significant boost to local businesses. I also want to highlight the fantastic work of Creative Crieff, who have had a very successful summer. A major achievement was the official opening of the Star Garden on August 12, which has magnificently transformed the derelict former hotel site. In addition, they hosted the Crieff Film Festival, which celebrated our area’s cultural heritage with a 'Local Heroes' theme, putting a spotlight on local talent. My sincere thanks go to everyone at Creative Crieff, the volunteers, and all the supporters who made both projects such a success, strengthening Strathearn’s reputation as a creative and cultural hub.

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

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 and neighbourhood hedgehog-friendly zones.

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 Parish Guild

Syllabus 2025/26 for Crieff Parish Church Guild - Living Stones - All Meetings are at 2.30 pm or as otherwise stated.

Wednesday, 8 October - The Baptist Minister Mr John Burns

Wednesday, 22 October - At Muthill Guild

Gilbert Speirs

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

Inner Link Club of Comrie - Starts on Monday, 13 October. Every fortnight we meet in the Comrie Parish Church Hall at 10.30 am for coffee, followed by our visiting speaker’s talk. New members are very welcome. Get more information from Sharon on 07927 318010 or 01764 679943.

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.

Crieff isitor Centre

STEP INTO AUTUMN AT THE PLANT CENTr E

As the season turns, our trees and shrubs become a rich tapestry of fiery reds and glowing golds – the perfect inspiration for your Autumn garden. Brighten up your borders with splashes of colour from cyclamen, primroses, and violas, and discover our “50 Shades of Evergreen” collection. And don’t forget to plant now for next year’s harvest including fresh fruit canes.

GIFT SHOP

Our Autumn re-stock continues in the Gift Shop with lots of new ranges including Selbae House slate and wooden tableware, The Farmer’s Garden hand creams and body washes and House of Juniper herringbone blankets and throws. So why not treat yourself or perhaps get ahead with your Christmas shopping?

SCHOOL HALF TEr M HOLIDAY

Looking for something to do with the kids over the half term holiday? Adults and children alike can explore their creative side by having a go at glass painting in the Caithness Glass Painting Gallery. Available from 9.00am with the last entry at 3.15pm.

GET HALLOWEEN r EADY

To celebrate Halloween we’ve got witches’ brooms in stock in the Plant Centre and pumpkin paperweights in the Caithness Glass shop.

www.crieff.co.uk

Remake Reuse Hub Crieff Visitor Centre, Muthill Road, Crieff

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Thursday late night opening until 6 pm. As some, but not all, of our users and donors might know the Reuse Container at the Recycling Centre is no longer collecting donations on behalf of Remake Scotland.

If you would like to donate to us, we can accept your donations directly at our Hub Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and until 6 pm on a Thursday.

If you’re unsure about what items we can accept, please check our website or speak to a member of staff or a volunteer at the Reuse Hub.

As a charity, we’re not able to accept everything from everyone. We do our best to take items we’re confident we can resell, as we want to avoid incurring waste disposal costs if they don’t sell. Thank you for your understanding and support.

If you would like to donate large furniture items, please email mhairi@remakescotland.co.uk and we can also organise pick up. If you are clearing a house or downsizing, then please email the same address above and a house visit, and collection can be arranged.

Of course, we would not be able to do what

we do as a registered charity and save over 43 metric tonnes from landfill every year without the generous, frequent donations of our community and supporters.

Textiles Massive Clear out Sale! Like everyone, we have too much stuff and therefore we are having a clear out! From Saturday, 27 September until and including Saturday, 4 October we are having a massive textile sale with huge discounts and reductions on all fabrics. For every kilo or £3 spent there is a free sewing pattern. Perhaps you too have been inspired by the recent airing of BBC hit show ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’ or want to get on board with Sustainable Fashion Week from Saturday, 27 September until and including Saturday, 4 October? Maybe you have signed up to make Halloween or Nativity outfits? Or just love to buy fabric, stroke and hoard it for a future project? Whatever your reasoning please spread the word… tell friends, family, colleagues and neighbours! Bring a (reusable!) bag or two and fill your boots at our massive textile sale.

Remake Food for Good, East High Street Crieff

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

Handyman Services provided in Perthshire  including

 Decora�ng/pain�ng

 Gu�ers ‐fixing/replacement

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

Repair Hub - Our next Repair Hub is on Saturday, 11 October, 10 am to 1 pm at Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff. We are based in the Activity space which is opposite the school canteen. Pop along to the October 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. Fix it don’t bin it!

Mending Circle - Let’s Make Mending Fun! Join us on a Wednesday from 7 pm to 9 pm at our Reuse Hub workshop for a relaxed and social evening of mending. Wednesday, 1 October, Wednesday, 8 October and Wednesday, 22 OctoberThe mending circle will take place as part of the programme of Sustainable Fashion Week events. Whether you’re a sewing novice eager to learn, a mending expert ready to share your skills, or simply someone with a stack of projects desperately needing attention, we’re here for you. 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. To find out more about our programme of events for Sustainable Fashion Week visit our website at remakescotland.co.uk/whats-on.html.

Bike Sale - End of season bike sale is on Saturday, 4 October 10 am to 1 pm at Remake Reuse Hub, Crieff Visitor Centre. All bikes 50% off. Come along to bag an end of season bargain. Climate Café Crieff - Our next Climate Café held at our Food for Good store, Crieff High Street is on Tuesday, 28 October 7 pm to 8.30 pm. This month we have invited the team from Aquila Wildlife and Nature CIC along to talk about wildlife and nature-based Citizen Scientist projects. They will also be talking about their new Nature Mingle services in the community.

Want to find out more? Contact info@remakescotland.co.uk or give us a call on 01764 655733.

Crieff Scottish Country and Ceilidh Dancers

Friends - Fun - Fitness

Jigs - Reels - Strathspeys. No need to bring a partner Wear soft shoes and bring a drink Movement - Music - Merriment

Tuesdays, October to Easter

Royal British Legion, Perth Road, Crieff PH7 3EB at 7:00

£5.00 per session or £40 for three months (10 sessions)

Kate Kinnear katekinnear987@btinternet com

S ANDRA ANDTIM’ S

PAINTING AND DECORATING •Internal Painting •External Painting •Wallpapering

•UPVC Fascia Boards & Guttering

•EPMD Rubber Roofing

Tel: 07500 229283

www.sandraandtimspropertymaintenance.co.uk

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

Living life at Dalnaglar Nursing Home means care and kindness, safety and warmth, and lots of activities. As well as company, when you want it.

We know choosing your new home can be daunting. That’s why we’d love to take the time to show you around, and chat over any questions.

Want to take a look? Call us on 01764 655231 or email manager.dalnaglar@bcgcares.co.uk

Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries

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 Library, Thursday, 20 November at 7 pm.

Tickets cost £5 and are available at the library or via the Perthshire Box Office.

Digital Drop-In - One-to-one digital support will be offered at the library on the following dates: Tuesday, 7 October and Tuesday, 14 October from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. You can contact the library to book a slot or email: hgordon@pkc.gov.uk.

Please bring your phone, tablet or laptop.

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 11am. No need to book.

Café Books - Do you love to read? Join us at our informal Café Book session, find new authors, share your own favourite books and be inspired to read more.

If you sign up for our Café Books emailing list, you will be sent regular, monthly lists of the titles discussed. Café Books is held at the library on the first 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 7 pm Wednesday: 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm, Friday: 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm.

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

Clans @ The Croft mountain bike team Enduro

A multiple Clan skirmish of epic proportions is on the cards again for mountain bike Enduro riders when Clans @ The Croft, the first team event on the UK’s Enduro calendar, returns to Comrie Croft, the premier Scottish mountain bike trail centre near Crieff in Perthshire, on Saturday, 25 October. It is an event rooted in community that fosters an inclusive, supportive atmosphere where riders gather with friends and family to celebrate the sport. Riders compete in teams of three riding buddies, ‘Clans’, tackling a series of exhilarating enduro stages packed with jumps, berms, roots, rock slabs, and race-only offpiste sections, blending individual skill with

teamwork for mountain bike honours. There are Solo classes, and every Clan rider will get a solo result for their efforts. Every rider will be timed over five stages on the full course and over three stages on the Lite course, new for 2025. There are bike categories for manual and e-bikes, with age categories from 12 to 99. Clan fancy dress is also highly encouraged for all riders participating.

With an evening Ceilidh and bar in the barn for riders, their friends and families, spectators, volunteers and the local community, enhanced on-site spectator engagement, and a drive to increase entries from females and young people, the event fosters accessibility, inclusivity, adventure, and community spirit in a stunning rural setting with fantastic Perthshire views.

Event funding was awarded to Comrie Croft through EventScotland’s National Events Funding Programme.

Event and entry details - comriecroftbikes.co.uk

Photo courtesy of Pete Scullion.

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 Drama to light up Christmas

FENCING Timber Fencing

Crieff Drama is already into the festive spirit with rehearsals are well under way for their annual Christmas show. This year it returns to its favourite spot on the calendarsame afternoon as The Square’s spectacular lights switch-on, Saturday, 22 November. The show has once again been created with younger children in mind and will be staged in Strathearn Arts auditorium. Traditionally it features a bundle of fun characters that never fails to include Santa, elves, music singalongs and at least one quirky animal. And sometimes a couple of harmless harebrained witches too if they don’t fly away with stage fright! Tickets will be released later, but meantime more information on where and how to book will appear online at crieffdramagroup.co.uk and Facebook ‘crieff drama group - new’. Keep a lookout for updates in The Quair, on posters, and in the local press.

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

Crieff and Strathearn Museum Reg Charity No SC048238 Cross Paths with History

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. You can check museum opening times on our website. at www.crieffandstrathearnmuseum.org.uk.

Brass Central Strathearn

Brass Central Strathearn is busy rehearsing for Remembrance Weekend. We will be supporting the Royal British Legion on Saturday, 8 November, playing in James Square, Crieff.

Then it’s a quick switch into our festive programme - our favourite time of the year! On Saturday, 13 December, we’re delighted to be joining Crieff Choral Group for their ‘Christmas and The Sound of Music’ concert in Comrie.

You’ll also spot us at the Crieff Christmas lights switch-on, helping to bring some seasonal sparkle. We’re still putting the finishing touches on our Christmas calendar, so keep an eye on our social media for the latest updates.

As your local community band, we always welcome new members of all ages and experience levels. Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or returning

after a break, we’d love to have you join us! Get in touch at brasscstrath@gmail.com.

Crieff Probus Club Autumn Programme

at 2 pm in Comrie Rural Hall. We will celebrate our 95th birthday with entertainer Nigel Gatherer.

There will be no competitions, but a raffle will be held in aid of Ukraine guests from area west. All welcome.

…

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

Prepare for SQA examinations ‐  National 4, National 5 and Higher.

Overcome spelling, grammar and  reading difficulties. Improve  handwriting ‐ it can be fun!

Good techniques to build confidence, improve  knowledge & literacy development. One‐to‐one  tuition. Mentoring methods are tailored to the  specific learning goals of the individual.

Contact Jan 07775 642 992 j.jan.blether@gmail.com

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

The next speaker on Tuesday, 7 October is Wilma Martin from Strathearn Building Bridges, a charity which aims to support young adults who have learning, physical and emotional disabilities to overcome chronic loneliness and social isolation after leaving school. As well as reducing isolation these young people with disabilities are given a range of opportunities, experiences, and development of skills which will improve their lives in the future. The full programme is available on the club website crieffprobusclub.org.uk.

Members’ guests and visitors are very welcome to come and enjoy the wide range of talks. Tea and coffee are available from 10 am and meetings finish no later than 12 noon.

Comrie SWI - We had a busy opening meeting with an interesting and amusing talk, accompanied by a fantastic slide show, by Mike Gloistein on his Polar travels, A Life with the British Antarctic Survey. We were pleased to welcome both returning and new members, along with visitors. Competition results

A baked snowball - 1st Patricia Robertson, 2nd Helen Williamson, 3rd Mairi Philp

A photo of a snow scene - 1st Helen Williamson, 2nd Mairi Philp, 3rd Patricia Robertson

Change of date - The October meeting will take place on Monday, 20 October

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.

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

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• Internal doors

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Wood Floors

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Windows

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• Timber and UPVC fascia’s

• Soffits and Guttering

• Cladding & Decking

• General Maintenance

• All Trade Packages and free estimates

Mobile: Fraser 07912 863557 Aaron 07724 345317

Email: info@dawson-deacon.co.uk

Dawson & Deacon Joiners & Contractors Ltd, Crieff

• ExtErior and intErior painting

• taping and fiLLing • pLaStEring

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• outdoor poWEr WaShing

01764 656031

Highland Perthshire’s Go to Landscaping Company

Let us design and install your next project, working closely with you on all aspects from hard landscaping to planting the soft finish.

All aspects of joinery work from Kitchens to doors and floors, Bespoke cabinets and furniture, Renovations and garden rooms

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Sam Decorating Services

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Green Carpet Care

Carpet Care

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Crieff Community Council - Dining delights on the menu at Crieff Food Festival

A week of fabulous mouth-watering treats will be served up again at this year’s Crieff Food Festival, which runs from Monday, 13 October to Sunday, 19 October.

Celebrating all things food related, there’s loads of brilliant activities planned, with local businesses, schools and community groups all getting behind this local event for all tastes and all ages.

Enjoy discounts, masterclasses, demonstrations, meet the producers, themed movies at Strathearn Arts, Kids Cookery Classes, the annual Best Bakes competition, and much more.

Businesses taking part will be prominently displaying the festival logo so make sure you show your support for them.

A complete list of events will be published as the week approaches but to keep in touch with what to expect and to book places in those events where numbers are limited, jump on to Facebook and follow Crieff Food Fest. You can also find out more and get involved by emailing crieffevents@gmail.com

Halloween in James Square is back on again this year, with a fancy dress parade, treats, fun activities, competitions and entertainment. And Crieff will be holding Scotland’s first-ever jigsaw festival Friday, 14 November to Saturday, 15 November courtesy of the Community Council.

Hundreds of completed jigsaws will be on display and available to purchase, with profits going to local causes. If you wish to help out by donating a completed puzzle (the CCC can arrange collection) please get in contact by emailing criefftoun@ gmail.com or calling 07874 774464.

The Community Council is also looking for more assistance to help re-open the James Square toilets. Again, please email criefftoun@gmail.com or call 07874 774464 to find out how you can assist and to offer your support.

The well-attended September CCC meeting again heard from PKC’s Stephen Crawford regarding the ongoing demolition of the Drummond Arms. It also heard from Maria Francké, a PKC consultant who is working on the Community Consultation that will lead to a submission to PKC that will represent our views on what should replace the Drummond Arms.

There was a very robust question and answer session which highlighted the strength of the community feeling against the council’s position to build affordable housing on the site.

The first Community Engagement workshop was held at the Campus on Wednesday, 20 August. A second workshop was scheduled for Saturday, 20 September, a third on Monday, 6 October for the business community, and a fourth on Thursday, 9 October. A presentation of the proposed submission will be given at November’s CCC meeting.

Maria can be contacted by email at maria@mfplanning.co.uk or by phone on 07539 389078.

The next CCC meeting will be held on Tuesday, 7 October, at 7.30 pm at the Community Campus. All are welcome.

13-19th October

HAWKSTANE ACCOUNTANTS

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07787 418998 Brantwoode, Ferntower Rd , Crieff, PH7 3DH

Comrie Library - Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries

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! Drinks 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.

Get Online Week - Join our CLD team at Comrie library for a digital drop-in session as part of Get Online Week. Members of the team will be there on Friday, 24 October from 10 am until noon. Please bring your phone, tablet or laptop.

Bookbug Sessions - Now held every Friday morning from 9.30 am to 10 am. These fun, interactive sessions are suitable for preschoolers from baby years. Why not drop the older children at school or nursery, then pop along to the library with your wee ones? No need to book.

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

Comrie Writing Group - This free, informal workshop takes place on the third Thursday of every month 5.30 pm to 7 pm Comrie Library opening hours - Thursday: 2 pm to 4.30 pm/ 5.30 pm to 7 pm Friday: 10 am to 12.30 pm Saturday: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. Tel: 01764 657860 E: comrielibrary@culturepk.org.uk

Cook & Connect - Would you, or someone you know, like to learn the basics of cooking? If so, then you may be interested to know that Cook & Connect run a series of simple cooking sessions to learn the basics. The sessions will be participant driven with the aim of bringing people together to learn new skills and connect with others in their community. It will promote simple healthy recipes that can be easily replicated at home. They will be relaxed sessions, designed to give the knowledge and confidence needed to enjoy cooking and make healthy food. These sessions will cover budgeting, planning and cooking simple recipes and are a great opportunity to meet others within our community. Group members will be involved in planning recipes, sharing the preparation, cooking and clearing up. Once the delicious, comforting food has been made we will then sit down and enjoy the food together. This communal eating will bring a sense of achievement and social connection and of course fun!

The dates for our winter sessions have now been confirmed and are available to book. Each block consists of five classes over five weeks, at a total cost of £30. To book a place or if you have any questions, please email info@cookandconnect.co.uk or book through our website cookandconnect.co.uk

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 55 or over, you can benefit from a new GrowBiz programme specifically designed for older entrepreneurs. Funded by the Scottish Government Ecosystem Pathways Fund, its aim is to give you the confidence, skills and support to build something 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 20 years of experience in helping entrepreneurs like you in rural Scotland, and our experienced and friendly team all 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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Cut bills and carbon this autumn with Heat Pumps, Solar PV & Battery Storage, designed to suit your home and lifestyle.

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

I’ll start where I left off last time. With wind farms. As you will be aware by now Perth and Kinross Council Planning objected to the Glen Tarken project at its recent meeting. Officers objected to the proposal due to its impact on the Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area. To quote ‘it would bring about significant adverse effects.’ Whilst reference was made to the contribution it could make in achieving renewable energy generation targets, ‘this does not overcome the significant detrimental impact the proposal will have on a nationally important landscape designation.’

The next project likely to come before the Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee is for Glen Lednock. The location is adjacent to Glen Tarken. Glen Lednock has aroused immense opposition. That was reflected in the meeting held in Comrie White Church last month. There were some 200 people present. I do not have a date so far for when Glen Lednock will be considered. Wednesday, 5 November might be the earliest. As said before I do want to help my constituents. Yet, at this stage I still do not want to commit to a stance that is clearly against, or clearly for. It is indeed a quasi-judicial process. That I must, and will, respect, if I did have a role eventually in decision making. As to the two other nearby major energy proposals going to the ECU, or Energy Consent Unit, again I do not yet have specific dates. That’s with Loch Meallbrodden and Logiealmond North. Here what I would point out is that both are in different wards from Strathearn: respectively Almond and Earn and in Strathtay. I am not the ward councillor for these areas. Loch Meallbrodden, though, does very much impinge on the eastern part of Strathearn ward, notably Gilmerton.

On the Drummond Arms, the Community Participation Request process is now underway. The next two evening meetings are at the Campus in Crieff in early October. They are being held between 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm. The first is on Mon, 6 October. Here, what the organisers want to find out about are the views of local businesses. The second meeting is on Thurs, 9 October. This will be a general meeting, involving the community overall.

A very helpful meeting recently was with the Friends of MacRosty Park, who have done such excellent work over recent years. I listened to what David and Mo had to say to me, and their concerns about aspects of the Grow Wild project. I will speak to officers at Greenspace, and with several others in the local community. At the last Council budget at the end of February, as an administration we put a very significant increase in funding into biodiversity, and to local bloom and park groups, and Friends of Cemeteries. What we are doing is right. Yet, we need to get how it is implemented right as well, MacRosty Park especially matters: not just for residents, but for visitors from further afield. It is a major attraction.

One event I am looking forward to is the community minibus handover being made to Crieff Juniors Football Club. This will be of major benefit not just to the many young folk involved, but also to so many other community groups in Crieff and nearby. I thought the application made by Club leaders was impressive. This has been a hugely successful scheme.

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.

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Crieff Choral Group - Strathearn Arts is once more echoing with song on Monday evenings, as the choir is enjoying rehearsals once more, with their choral director Ulrike Wutscher, after their long summer break.

A varied programme for the next concert, including songs from shows such as Les Misérables and My Fair Lady, and festive music old and new. The choir is really looking forward to welcoming Brass Central Strathearn to join them again in the concert in Comrie Parish Church on Saturday, 13 December. Next spring, after the success of their joint performances of The Messiah, Crieff Choral and Pitlochry Choir will give two performances of Rossini’s wonderful Petite Messe Solennelle

Creative Crieff - The Star Garden officially opened on August 12, with Creative Crieff celebrating this milestone with the local community. Over seventy guests explored the new garden, designed as a space for relaxation, creativity, and connection. Councillors Rhona Brock and Stewart Donaldson officially opened the garden and took part in a tree-planting ceremony for the Star Wars Magnolia, kindly donated by St Michael’s Church with a commemorative plaque. Originally planted in Old St Michael’s churchyard as a tribute to Denis Lawson and Ewan McGregor, the striking hybrid tree now has a new home in the Star Garden, highlighting Crieff’s growing film connections.

If you enjoy singing, and would like to sing with the choir, 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, music provided.

Stuart Gardens, Crieff

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

It has been a real pleasure to spend time in Strathearn over the summer months, getting out and about in local communities and seeing first-hand the work that’s going on. It always leaves me encouraged about the future of this special part of Scotland.

One of the highlights of my recent visits was a trip to Comrie Croft. What was once a working farm has been cleverly reimagined into something really quite unique - more than 200 acres of woodlands, meadows, gardens and converted farm buildings, now alive with a family of nature-based enterprises. It’s a place that offers the best of life’s simple pleasures: good food grown on the land, cosy spaces to stay, and opportunities to enjoy and learn in the great outdoors. It shows how rural Scotland can adapt and flourish, and it’s exactly the sort of forward-thinking project we should be celebrating. To that end, I would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet been to pay a visit and experience for themselves everything it has to offer.

I also had the chance to stop in at Strathearn Arts in Crieff. As someone who spent much of my life in the world of music before entering politics, I know the power of the arts to bring people together, lift communities, and give a town its identity. The team at Strathearn Arts is working with huge determination to build on what is already a thriving cultural scene here. Their ambitions to collaborate more closely with other local groups and expand their programme deserve every bit of support, and I’ll do all I can to back them as they take that work forward.

Beyond these visits, I’ve been impressed once again by the resilience and creativity of the businesses right across Strathearn. From shops and cafés to small independent enterprises, they are the backbone of our local economy. Every time we choose to shop locally, we help keep our high streets vibrant, protect jobs, and sustain the communities we all value so much.

I always leave Strathearn with a sense of pride in what we have here: innovative projects like Comrie Croft, the cultural energy of Strathearn Arts, and the everyday hard work of our local businesses. As your MP, I’ll continue to champion these efforts in Westminster and beyond, making sure Strathearn’s voice is heard and its potential realised.

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.

PADS -

PADS (Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society) is a well-loved, long established local dog rescue charity with kennels at Forteviot.

Our aim is to provide care and shelter for the county’s unwanted dogs and to find them new loving homes.

Our kennels, which were renovated in recent years, can house up to thirty animals in warmth and comfort. We provide veterinary care for the sick and injured amongst our strays and we have a small hospital unit which is used for the recovery of animals who have had operations. It also contains a ‘mother and baby unit’ where new mums can care for their puppies in a safe and relaxed environment. See www.padsdogrescue.com for further information.

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

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

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. Our Harvest Thanksgiving will be on Sunday, 5 October and we will be conducting a special afternoon harvest service at Glen Artney Church on Sunday, 12 October. 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 for enquirers starting in January 2026. 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 or tea from 11 am onwards. Our Men’s Group also meets on a Wednesday at 11 am and we hold a professionally run Social Exercise Class every Tuesday at 2.15 pm. This is 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 bi-centenary of the laying of the foundation stone in March 2026. With our church sanctuary having been modernised over the past year we now have a flexible hub 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 facebook. com/muthillchurch. Worship services are posted on YouTube on the church website and the church magazine, The Bridge, is published bi-monthly.

Strathearn Horticultural Society Quiz

A Quiz Night is scheduled for Saturday, 8 November in the bowling club clubhouse, Coldwells Road, Crieff. £13 table of 4.

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

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 Tuesday at 7.30 pm, in Comrie. There will be a different theme every month and this month the theme is Light. These gatherings welcome all comers. For further information please contact Diana on 01764 670399 or Gordon on 07510 45342.

‘God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth, and that the seal, the Kingdom is God’s, may be stamped upon the brow of all its peoples.” Baha’u’llah

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 first Saturday of every month. The gathering is open to all ages, backgrounds, faiths and beliefs.

‘And there is no creature on or within the earth or bird that flies with its wings except they are communities like you.’

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.

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 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 to 2.30 pm. Come along for some tea, coffee and home baking. Everyone very welcome. 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

Crieff Baptist Church, 1 Addison Terrace, Crieff, PH7 3AT. (Scottish Charity No. 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

to bring - warm - water for sprinkling on babies, children and adultsit’s never too late to join the church community.

Local children have been baptised in this church for many years, and no doubt there will be many readers of The Quair who can claim this. Do any readers have a Muthill baptism certificate they can share with our church historian? Send a photo to stjamesmuthill@gmail.com.

Many of us have been to a christening in church, with proud parents and a smiling, or yelling, baby gathered around the font. Every church has a font, a stand with a bowl or dish on top which holds special water to sprinkle or pour over a baby or adult. In St James Church in Muthill the font is close to the entrance, signifying that baptism, or christening, is at the start of a person’s life in the Christian church and is a way of welcoming people into church life. Fonts can be all shapes and sizes and often have interesting histories. St James Church font was gifted in 1904 by the sisters of the minister, Rev. Lendrum, and the previous font which was originally from Trinity College Glenalmond was sent to the new mission church at All Saints Church, St Andrews. Where it went after that is a mystery to be solved but we hope it’s still being used somewhere. Our current font is made of carved stone from the famous Caen quarries in Normandy, France, with four beautiful marble pillars. It has an inner bowl for water (with a little plug hole, discreetly discharging at the base) and a smart wooden cover with metal details. It makes a lovely feature at the back of church, and is decorated for Harvest (see illustration), Christmas and Easter. We have a large jug

Records of baptisms in this, and the previous church buildings in Muthill, have been safely kept for hundreds of years, and the older ones can be accessed on our church website, www.stjamesmuthill.com. You can check to see if your relatives are listed, and you will spot many well-kent family names as well as current farms and houses. It’s a great local history record.

If you’ve not got round to having your child baptised, due to Covid or a busy life, then there’s no time like the present. Contact Rector Duncan Strathie on stjamesmuthill@gmail.com or come along to an evening service at St James Church (opposite the school) from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm every Sunday; if you come at 6.30 pm you can have a cup of tea and a chat! Adults are also welcome to be baptised, and confirmed if they wish, at a private service just for them. It’s always free to join the Church.

Photograph above - St James Church font used today, gifted in 1904.

Comrie & St Fillans Music Circle

We started our Autumn programme on Tuesday, 16 September. Meetings are held at the Rural Hall Comrie, starting at between 12/12.30 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.

Transform your kitchen with the top that fits on top

Our next meeting is with Vivienne Cowing on Tuesday, 30 September. Remaining dates as follows - 7, 21, 28 October; 18, 25 November; 2 December; 20, 27 January; 3, 17, 24 February; 3, 17, 24 March. 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 on 01764 670493 or M 07752 498187.

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Comrie & St Fillans Music Circle

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

Glenartney Church Services

The last service for this year is Sunday, 12 October for Thanksgiving Service at 3 pm

What3words to find the church: ///resolved.hardening.terms

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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

Strathearn Music Society - With one splendid performance in our 2025-26 winter season already behind us, this month we are bringing two wonderful events to Strathearn! The first on Wednesday, 22 October celebrates our 60th season, leading up to our Diamond Jubilee in October 2026, and will feature the first occasion when a full orchestra will be playing at one of our concerts. Entitled ‘A Night at the Opera’, the Classical Musicians of Scotland, under their conductor Derek Clark, will present a number of popular pieces from classic operas. Our audience at Crieff Parish Church will be treated to the full musical scores, including the wonderful voices of Emily Mitchell (soprano), Sarah Shorter (mezzosoprano), Christian Schneeberger (tenor) and Douglas Nairne (bass).

Tickets for this special concert will be priced at £16 (Students £5) and can be obtained online via Eventbrite or at the door on the evening of the concert. Children under 18 will be admitted free.

However, for our regular monthly presentation on Wednesday, 29 October, we will be delighted to welcome the young Swiss talent comprising ‘Trio Archai’, namely Ayla Sahin on violin and Finn Mannion on cello, accompanied by Mar Valor on piano. Together they will be bringing us works by Beethoven, Helen Grime, Bridge, Brahms and Dominic Roethlisberger - truly an evening not to be missed.

On this occasion, tickets for this concert will be priced at £15 (Students £5) and can be obtained online via Eventbrite or at the door on the evening of the concert. Once again, children under 18 will be admitted free. Our 2025-26 season ticket, which went on sale at last month’s show, will still be available to purchase at the door, price £60 - giving holders access to five further concerts for the price of four. 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 - In last month’s Quair, we admitted that we couldn’t report the outcome of our annual Charity Golf Day in August because it was being held on the day following the final date for submission of material to the Editor. Now we are delighted to report that, after paying the appropriate costs for the event and for the prizes, we were able to add just under £3,000 to our charity account. Rotarians are very grateful for the support they received, not only from the participants, but also from the many local sponsors who contributed towards the financial success of the day.

The overall winners of the golf competition were the team from D.A. Munn of Oban, but there were several other awards made for specific

achievements. The good reputation of this event has spread far and wide and, as reported last month, we even welcomed a team which had travelled all the way from Ullapool to take part!

In September, we were honoured to receive a visit from District Governor Graham Leith from Laurencekirk Rotary who came to see how we were getting on and to bring us the latest news from the North of Scotland District which comprises 88 clubs from Stirling in the south to the far Northern Isles. Crieff Rotary is one of the smaller clubs, but we have gained an enviable reputation for our many achievements in helping those who are not so fortunate as ourselves. This, of course, includes the construction of the village maize mill in southern Malawi and which, at the time of writing, is just about to start working for the great benefit of the locals.

Of course, Crieff’s Rotarians will not neglect any other activity which, through our possible support, could benefit from whatever assistance might be required. We always welcome 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.

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

Our aims include conserving and interpreting the history of Cultybraggan Camp which is the only remaining prisoner of war camp in Scotland. It was originally built as a labour camp for Italian prisoners of war until Italy surrendered in 1943 and in 1944 German prisoners started arriving here. After the war ended, those remaining underwent a process of denazification before being allowed home. Some revisited the camp in later years and one, Heinrich Steinmeyer, as a mark of gratitude for his humane treatment here, left his estate for the benefit of the elderly residents of Comrie. The Ministry of Defence then took over the camp, using it as a training facility for regular soldiers, the Territorial Army and cadets. In 2007, the Comrie Development Trust acquired the camp.

Cultybraggan Museum. The museum is located in the former Jail Block. It provides insights into the daily lives of prisoners using storyboards, information from prisoners themselves as well as a wonderful series of cartoons drawn by a German PoW working as a clerk in the office of the Adjutant. The roof of the Jail Block is showing its age, and we would like to thank Perth and Kinross Council for recently awarding around £19,000 which, together with the grant previously awarded by the Pilgrim Trust, enables the roof to be replaced. The museum is currently open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. While there is no entrance fee, donations which will enable us to continue running the museum are greatly appreciated.

Guided tours of the camp: Adults: £10; children over 10 years: £5; educational groups: £2 per person; groups of more than 12 adults: £8 per person. To arrange a tour, visit the Cultybraggan Museum website at cultybraggancamp.uk and select ‘Contact us’. We welcome new volunteers. Do contact us using the above website.

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Café Comrie

• Traditional Scottish breakfasts • Baked potatoes

• Hot filled breakfast rolls • Home made soups • Freshly made sandwiches & toasties

• Croissants

• Mackies ice cream

• Twinnings tea selection and fresh ground coffee

• Daily special board

• Takeaways Available

Autumn & Winter Opening Times will vary.

Comrie Bridge Club - Think your bridge is a bit rusty or not good enough to join a club. Think again and give us a try. Why not turn your heating off and come for a warm welcome at Comrie Bridge club. We are a small friendly club that plays duplicate bridge each week from early October to the end of March. We welcome new players both experienced and improvers and your first visit is free. On a Wednesday afternoon you are welcome to come and just watch for a few weeks before joining in play.

We play on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm and Thursday evening at 7 pm in the Comrie Bowling Club, Camp Road. We ask players to arrive at least 15 minutes early. You do not need a partner for Wednesdays. Thursday is for pairs but if you need a partner give us a ring and we will try to arrange one for you. Both sessions have a break for tea or coffee and biscuits. The annual membership fee is £7 which includes both days and the table fee is £3 per session. If you are interested in joining us or want more information please contact: Phil 07713 643565 philiptipping61@gmail. com or Kate 07714 291077 kate@thecreativepractice.org

Front Cover Picture

Our great thanks to Eleanor Miller for sending in the wonderful image of Concraig standing stone, near Crieff. There is still some doubt as to the provenance of the stone, with what appears to be cupmarkings on the part of the stone now being attributed to centuries of being exposed to the weather.

Please check our Facebook & Instagram accounts for details

Café Comrie, Drummond Street, Comrie, PH6 2DW

Tel: 01764 670838 e: cafe.comrie@btinternet.com

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.

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Tayside and Strathearn help for ukraine

This charity, based in a warehouse at Errol Airfield, PH2 7TB has now sent 107 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

Liz Smith MSP

Mid Scotland & Fife Regional Member Conservative

The summer is now well behind us, but the issue of windfarms is as alive as ever, dominating my inbox.

Each application must be judged on its own merits but there is no doubt that, for many people, a large part of the concern relates to the number of applications across a relatively small area - what some have described as the ‘industrialisation’ of our countryside. These include large scale projects (turbines up to 200 m high) including Meallbrodden, Glen Lednock and North Logiealmond across Strathearn and rural Perthshire. The Glentarken application was recently unanimously rejected by Perth and Kinross Council.

Since I last updated readers, there have been several major community meetings across Strathearn including one I was invited to speak at in Fowlis Wester Village Hall in August, followed by one in Comrie on September 2, a community council one on September 15 and another to follow in Logiealmond at the end of the month. Large numbers are turning out for these meetings.

Meanwhile in the Highlands of Scotland, over fifty community councils, representing around 75,000 people, took the action of releasing a unified statement calling for a moratorium on all new developments until an agreed national energy policy is in place. At all of the meetings I have attended in Perthshire similar calls have been made to unify local groups in a similar fashion to the Highlands. The voices of local people must be heard. Many people have great concerns on the windfarm issue and that is what is being reflected overwhelmingly in my correspondence. So please continue making your voices heard. 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

Youth ballet at Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Our new Youth Ballet instructor, Jake Davies, has a wealth of performance experience that he is eager to impart to the young people of Perthshire.

Jake has performed with esteemed companies including Scottish Ballet, The Birmingham Royal Ballet, Cas Public, and Ballet Theatre UK. His repertoire spans beloved classics like Beauty and the Beast, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Coppélia, The Wizard of Oz, Giselle, and many more.

5 to 10-year-olds (Beginner)

- A fun and engaging introduction to ballet, where students build a strong foundation while exploring movement, rhythm, and creativity. 11 to 16-year-olds (Intermediate) - A dynamic and challenging class designed to refine technique, strength, and artistry. Call the Box Office on 01796 484626 to book.

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.

Comrie Community Orchard

Apple Day

Apple Day is a popular family event at Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie which takes place this year on Sunday, 19 October from 11 am until 2 pm.

Delicious pasteurised and fresh apple juice for sale, a selection of cooking and eating apples to taste and buy, apple pressing, children’s activities and food stalls.

Come early to avoid disappointment and please note this is a cash-only event.

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The Arts Society Tayside - Our new lecture season is full steam ahead and on September 8 members heard Caroline Bendix talk to us on Conservation of the National Trust Libraries. On Monday, 13 October we have our second lecture of the season by Alison Bevan, who will talk about Paintings at the Edge, Britain’s Coastal Art Colonies 1880-1940, followed by Roger Mendham on Monday, 10 November on The Art of the Automobile. This month we will also enjoy our annual Special Interest Day, which this year is on Friday, 10 October on the Scottish Colourists, provided by Guy Peploe, artist and grandson of Samuel Peploe. Over the period Thursday, 22 January to Thursday, 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. The Arts Society Tayside is a not-forprofit, volunteer-run, society dedicated to providing its members with enjoyable and approachable experiences in the arts, and supporting local good causes related to art. Each year we offer our 300 members ten 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 9LG

Chris’s Gigs

Chris’s Gigs is very excited to welcome an extraordinary musical talent to the village. The Malin Lewis Trio will be performing at Comrie Rural Hall on Saturday, 4 October at 8 pm.

Malin Lewis is an innovator, bagpiper, fiddler, instrument maker and award-winning composer. One of Scotland’s most exciting innovators, Malin melds Scottish west coast tradition with a newly invented, self-made bagpipe.

Malin’s unique sound is born from the deep connection that comes with making and composing for their own instrument.

Accompanied by Ali Hutton on guitar and Sally Simpson on fiddle, Malin plays a newly invented two-octave bagpipe that creates a whole new world of sound.

Tickets £17.50 from Ticket Tailor (search Chris’s Gigs) and from Hansen’s Kitchen in Comrie. Comrie Rural Hall, Nurses Lane, Comrie. Saturday, 4 October. Doors open 7.30 pm for an 8 pm start. Bring your own refreshments. (Scottish Charity No. SC054099)

Clasaichean Ciùil

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 - dates and speakers for the coming meetings start on Wednesday, 8 October with the speaker Margaret Bennett talking about her book project Up the Glen and Doon the Village.

The balance of speakers is already well under way and will be advised in later editions of The Quair.

Meeting dates for this year are - 8, 22 October; 5, 19 November; and 3, 17 December.

Dates for the 6 meetings commencing January 2026 will be advised shortly.

Membership is open to everyone, we are a friendly club and all are welcome. Please come along and give us a try.

Further information from Judith Rogers on 01764 679727/07772 967160 or Malcolm Gregory on 01764 670493/07752 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

Cycle Crieff charity - The big event of the month was launching the Charity at Morrison’s Academy. The Rector was in attendance and over forty people attended. There was the added incentive of a ‘bring your bike for sale’ event. Damsel bakery produced wonderful buns and fruit loaf making the occasion particularly special. As a Scottish charity (SCO54428), we aim 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 - As highly qualified and experienced mechanics we 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 blocking the shed or corridor 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 around Oban, Arran, Glenartney, Langside, Standing Stone Hill, Killin and local MTB routes. Bigger trips were one hundred miles in east Fife, circumnavigation of Arran and a wonderful overnight trip to Ossian hostel. Time trials have continued with over seventeen regulars! Personal challenges are always tough! The workshop crew supported the Muthill sportive with mechanical cover. This is an excellent sportive run by the community and we loved having the opportunity to support this local cause. upcoming - The community is hosting various rides including - circumnavigation of Crieff, time trials and the ‘Balcony path’. These all come before the very popular end

of season event, ‘Adventuremore’ at Loch Morlich. We have a couple of planned socials as well. Maintenance courses are now in full swing, so get in touch if you fancy getting to know your bike better! We start from the very beginning and move onto more challenging trail/roadside repairs. Dates we are looking at are - Saturday, 18 October & Sunday, 19 October and Saturday, 1 November & Sunday, 2 November. 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 at cyclecrieff.scot/about. html; Facebook www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100067081600855; Email - cyclecrieff@yahoo.com

Crieff Connexions - Spotlight on one of our partners - The Heat Project. We regularly have partners coming to Crieff Connexions to provide advice on various topics and we’re taking the chance here to tell you more about one of them. Craig Thomson is an energy advisor from The Heat Project and has extensive knowledge of energy tariffs, heating systems and energy-saving measures which he’d love to use to help you out.

The Heat Project is part of Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust, and provides free, independent energy advice across Perth & Kinross. We assist clients in reducing energy costs while improving comfort within the home by tailoring our advice to suit the needs of each household.

The Heat Project can provide free advice on a variety of topics, for example - *Advice on best use of heating systems to minimise costs while maintaining comfort; heating demonstrations, programming and suitable tariffs *Solutions for minimising heat loss, including insulation, draught-proofing and other low-cost measures *Assistance with energy supplier complaints, billing and metering queries, and price comparisons *Advice on dealing with dampness, including preventative measures and management of moisture within the home *Advice on suitable technology for your home and support in accessing available funding for upgrades. *If you have solar panels - or are thinking about installing them - we can also help with applications for the Smart Export Guarantee, to ensure you are paid for the energy you generate We provide bespoke Heat advice and can give you hints and tips on reducing costs which are tailored to your home and lifestyle. The Heat Project works with community groups across Perth & Kinross. If you would like us to give an

energy talk, host an energy surgery, or attend an event, please contact us: admin@ theheatproject.org or phone Martin Mathers on 07834 962361.

October dates for the diary

Opening times - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 am to 1 pm

Thursday, 9 October - Gillian and Kathryn from CATH will be available. Thursday, 16 October - Shona from PKC Employment Support Team will be in attendance. Saturday, 18 October - Mid-month Breathe with Anne Charitie, 3 to 4 pm. Tuesday, 21 October - Melanie from PKC Trading Standards will be available. Thursday, 23 October - Digital drop-in with PKC Community Learning and Development team, and Craig from The Heat Project will also be present.

Anne Charitie from Mindspace meets with people by appointment on Tuesdays and on a drop-in basis on Thursdays to provide peer support. Heather Gordon from PKC Community Learning is available on Thursdays to support individuals in accessing education and training.

Foulford 9 Hole Golf Course

Par/SSS: 27. Course Length: 916 yards. Fancy a game of golf but short of time? Why not come and play Foulford Par 3 Course? Great fun for all the family amid the beautiful scenery of Highland Perthshire. No bunkers but lots of water hazards. Club hire available. Address: Sma’Glen, by Crieff PH7 3LN How to Get there: Five miles north of Crieff on A822. Contact Details T: 01764 652407 e: foulford@btconnect.com

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Jim Fairlie MSP

Perthshire South & Kinross-shire - SNP

This summer I had the pleasure of heading out on my annual summer surgery tour, stopping off in St Fillans and Crieff to meet with folk across the constituency. Speaking with constituents is, without doubt, the most important part of the job. Hearing directly about people’s concerns, challenges, or even just what’s happening locally, keeps me grounded in the work I do at Holyrood. If you’ve an issue you think I might be able to help with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. MSPs can assist with a wide range of matters - from health and education, to housing, transport, rural issues and beyond. And if it’s something we can’t directly resolve, we can often point you in the right direction or raise matters with the right body on your behalf. Recently we marked Scotland Loves Local week - an initiative from the Scottish Government encouraging us all to support our local businesses. Here in Strathearn we’re lucky to be spoiled for choice when it comes to fabulous shops, cafés and enterprises, and I’m proud to represent them. On my visits I stopped in at Elaine McConnochie’s new interior store in Comrie, No.1 Dunira, which recently opened in the iconic Mackintosh building in Crieff - a lovely addition to the area. I also popped by Café Rhubarb in Crieff, a muchloved staple of the town’s hospitality offering. It was heartening to hear both businesses are going from strength to strength, showing there’s real optimism for the local economy. Shopping locally is absolutely vital if we want to maintain the prosperity and vibrancy of our high streets and wider communities. Research has shown that almost £283 million more could be driven into Scotland’s regional economies if each of us spent just £1 extra a week with local businesses. Since I started Scotland’s first farmers’ market back in 1999, my ethos has always been ‘Buy Local, Eat Local’ - and I firmly believe it’s every bit as relevant now as it was back then, perhaps even more so.

Jim Fairley MSP

South & Kinross-shire - SNP

The Scottish Parliament Párlamaid na h-Alba

Jim Fairlie MSP

Perthshire South & Kinross-shire

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

I also visited Strathearn Arts in Crieff, who are doing fantastic work to support our local creative sector. They’ve exciting plans to expand what they offer and are keen to build stronger partnerships with Crieff’s other arts and culture groups. That kind of joined-up thinking and collaboration can only strengthen the cultural life of the town, and I’ll do all I can to support them in those efforts.

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.

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.

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Walks and beginner workshops held regularly at venues throughout Highland Perthshire

For more information, please get in touch.

Call/Text: 07828 086062

Email: nwhighlandperthshire@gmail.com

Or visit: www.nordicwalkinghighlandperthshire.com

Instagram: nw_highland_perthshire

Facebook: nordicwalkinghighlandperthshire

bespokestairscrieff.com

alan@bespokestairscrieff.com 07544 634 964

Staircases of All types - Personalised Designs

Bespoke Timber Machining - Custom Timber Mouldings

Sash and Case Windows - Architectural Joinery

Soroptimist International Crieff - Are you interested in helping make a difference to the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally by educating, empowering and enabling them to achieve their objectives and realise their ambitions? Crieff Soroptimists raise awareness, funds and volunteer for local and global charities. Over the years some of the charities we have raised funds and donations in for include Crieff Food Bank, Women’s Aid, Mary’s Meals, Dress for Success, Blytheswood, Water Aid, Breast Cancer, SOHTIS, Aberlour and TASH4UKRAINE.

We are women trying to make a difference through awareness, advocacy and action, whilst having fun helping others. Friendship is very important to us, and we have friendship links with a number of other Soroptimist clubs. Our Club is part of the Scotland North Region and part of the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland.

We meet once a month on the first Thursday at 7 pm, either in The Meadow Inn or at a member’s home. Recent speakers have included representatives from Crieff Library, Crieff New Cinema, Woodland Trust, Aberlour, TASH4UKRAINE.

Recent fund-raising events include a bring and buy sale, fashion show, quiz evening and collecting donations in kind.

We are participating in Crieff Food Fest 2025 on Sunday, 19 October 12 noon to 2 pm, in James Square, Crieff. We will be at the Best Bakes Showcase Table, where we invite bakers to enter their homebaked biscuits, cakes, savouries, and conserves for tasting and then voted on as best recipe. Entry payment is £5 paid on the day. We also have a monthly ‘Orange Café’, when we meet for coffee and dress in something orange to raise awareness of Violence Against Women. We participate with Perth Soroptimists in International Women’s Day events and 16 Days of Action in November and December.

We have annual social events for members such as a theatre visit and a Christmas meal.

Why not join us and find out what being a Soroptimist means? We welcome new members and would like to meet you. Come along to one of our meetings and find out more. For more information, please contact 01764 652532.

Music in Rannoch - All concerts are on Sundays at 3 pm in The Old Church, Kinloch Rannoch. £10 at the door; free admission for children. Refreshments available during the interval. Easy Parking.

Sunday, 19 October - Fyne Brass (Brass Quintet). Winners of the David James Brass Prize at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Programme to include Don Gillis Just a Closer Walk with Thee; Calum Kerr Farewell to Stromness; Ross McCrae My Love Is Like a Red Red Rose

The copy date for the November 2025 edition of The Crieff & Comrie Quair is noon on Tues, 14 October. The magazines will be distributed week commencing Monday, 3 November

CRIEFF FIFTY PLUS CLUB

Our next monthly meetings are on Wednesday, 1 October and Wednesday, 5 November at 2.30 pm in St Columba’s Church, Perth Road.

The talk on Wednesday, 1 October is by David Brash who will talk about the Samaritans organisation and 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.

THE ARTS SOCIETY TAYSIDE is a not-for-profit Society dedicated to providing its Members with enjoyable experiences in the Arts in the company of people who share similar interests. We meet at Birnam Arts on the second Monday of each month, from September to June, at 11am or 2pm for a lecture on a topic from a wide variety of the Arts. We also offer visits to houses, summer gardens and other places of artistic interest. We hold a Special Interest day each year and every January and February we offer a series of three Winter Lectures in Perth

Our programme for next session begins on Monday 8th September. Would you like to try before joining? We offer a complimentary lecture to anyone who would like to try one before committing. Membership is £68 per year to include 10 lectures. Please contact us for further information or to join our Membership

Tel: 07783 618535

BD SUPPLIES

Innerpeffray Library - A warm welcome awaits you at the Library of Innerpeffray, where our team of visitor guides can help you turn the pages of our historic collection and be enveloped in tales of past times. October will be the final chance to view our fascinating 2025 exhibition. ‘Book Markings’ explores the ways that past owners and readers of our historic collection of books have left their marks upon the pages, through notes, names and even doodles. The Library of Innerpeffray is open for tours until the end of October, adult tickets £10, under-16s free. We have a programme of events through the winter season so make a note of these dates for your diary! Dates for your Diary

Wednesday, 8 October - The Ted Powell Memorial Lecture: ‘Somalian Pirates in the Mombasa Courts - What I did on my Summer Holidays’. 7 pm. The Friends of Innerpeffray are delighted to invite the Hon. Lord Duthie to deliver this annual lecture as the Library’s season draws to a close. He will talk on the topic of Somalian Pirates. Tickets £10, free to members of the Friends but please book a place.

Thursday, 16 October - Friends Tours with the Keeper. 2 pm and 7 pm. Members of the Friends of Innerpeffray are invited to attend an exclusive tour of the Library with the Keeper of Books. Booking essential, spaces limited. Friends free, guest tickets £10 - please book a place so we know to expect you.

Friday, 7 November and 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 November and Sunday, 23 November - Festive Wreath-Making Work-

shop. 2.30 pm to 5 pm. Such a popular event that this year we are running it twice: 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 30 years. Tickets £35.

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.

Call for Volunteers - Our friendly volunteer team are crucial to the running of the Library of Innerpeffray. Whether you would like to be a visitor guide, join the gardening team, do behind-the-scenes admin or help out with our programme of events, we’d love to hear from you. Email info@ innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk or call the number below.

The Library’s regular opening hoursWednesday to Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 2 pm to 5 pm. Contact us on 01764 652819 or visit our website at www.innerpeffraylibrary.co.uk for more details and for ticket booking.

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 more suited to the beginner. We have a shorter walk which normally takes 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 Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle to have a lovely walk around on Thursday, 2 October. We will be meeting at 9.45 am at Community Hospital and then leaving 10 am. After the walk we will be heading to the lodge Forest Visitor Centre for a cuppa and cake. To get your name on the list for the bus trips please come along to our regular Thursday walks. Last month, we had a fan-

tastic walk around Quarrymill in Scone and then headed to the Macmillan Coffee Shop for scrumptious scones and refreshments. 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, 3 October when we will play bingo, have refreshments and a chat. On Friday, 17 October June McEwan will be coming to group to be make Halloween brooms. Then on Friday, 31 October we will have a morning playing Halloween games. 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, 9 October. The café also gives unpaid carers the opportunity to meet other carers and staff from agencies such as Perth and Kinross Council, Perth, and Kinross association of Voluntary Services (PKAVS) and carers voice over a cup of tea or coffee and delicious biscuits. Everyone is welcome to come along.

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

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

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

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

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

Strathearn 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

The Crieff & Comrie Quair

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with a registered office address of 26/30 Bonnethill Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BS Company Number SC854228

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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, 13 September 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.

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Ochils Podiatry offers a comprehensive range of podiatry/chiropody treatments. For all enquiries please contact by: Telephone 01764 752252 Email info@ochilspodiatry.co.uk www.ochilspodiatry.co.uk We are located within Davidsons Chemist, 54-56 High St, Auchterarder.

A warm welcome to the Rooted Textiles Festival

A one-day event celebrating the roots and sources of clothing and textiles. Come and join us for the day on Sunday, 5 October in Madderty Hall, Madderty St David’s, Perthshire, from 11 am to 4 pm.

Enjoy our bustling natural textiles marketplace with wonderful vendors, browse a variety of sheep fleeces in the ‘grease fleece’ market, and hear from our wonderful speakers about their journey and practice in textiles. Choose some lovely food and drinks, stay, chat and create, and enjoy the rural setting of the festival in a day of natural textile celebration and community. We are the Madderty Hub for Sustainable Fashion Week, Scotland’s first SFW Hub, and part of the Campaign for Wool’s October Wool Month celebrations.

Festival marketplace - From Angora goat (mohair) yarns to gorgeous pure sheep’s wool blankets, our marketplace is full of traceable natural fibres for textiles. Whether looking for a heritage product, some glorious squishy yarn to craft your own clothing, or an embroidery kit to repair and renew your favourite garment, come and meet the farmers and makers working with wool, linen, cotton, nettle, leather and more. Grease fleece will also be available, from Scottish Blackface and Shet land to Beltex and Merino sheep.

Purchase your favour ite wool and process at home! All fleeces grown, shorn and se lected from Scottish farms in 2025.

Festival talks - Come and hear from our wonderful speakers about their journey and practice in textiles.

At 3 pm to 3.30 pm stop by to learn from Julie Hermitage of Uan Wool all about the benefits of wool for sleep health and wellbeing.

Festival tickets £10 per person, Talk tickets: £5 per person per talk. Please book tickets online in advance at https://rootedtextilesfestival.square.site/. Join our community on Instagram & Facebook @rootedtextiles. Contact festival organiser Amy Reid at rootedtextilesfestival@gmail.com.

Madderty Hall is situated in the rural community of Madderty St David’s, PH7 3PJ, approximately 6 miles from Crieff and 12 miles from Perth. The venue features access for all with parking for cars and bikes on site.

Can Do Crieff, the professional co-working space in Crieff

Can Do Crieff is a local co-working space designed for business owners, self-employed, remote workers and entrepreneurs who want more from their workday. *Superfast broadband *Clean, comfortable desks *A calm, friendly and professional vibe.

From 11.30 am to 12 pm Pam Sutherland of Shearing Crafts will take us on her journey into sheep shearing and wet felting to produce beautiful wool rugs.

At 1 pm to 1.30 pm come and hear from Karen Haggis all about Himalayan Nettle fibres and how communities in Nepal work with this plant to create everyday textiles that are both useful and beautiful.

Whether you are looking to ditch the commute, meet like-minded people, or just need a break from home distractions, there are flexible packages to suit everyone - from day passes to unlimited 24/7 access. No long-term commitments - just the space you need, when you need it.

Work local. Stay productive. Feel connected. Check out our website www.candocrieff. com or contact us: email - candocrieff@ gmail.com or on Facebook.

Can Do Crieff, a Crieff Community Trust project, is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Programme 2014-2020: the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development - Europe investing in rural areas.

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.

Scotland’s Community Land Festival takes place in October and we hope to participate as usual. For more details, please see www. ccw.camp21.org.uk.

Entrance is about 300 m west of gate to Cultybraggan Camp, on opposite (south) side of the road. There is limited parking at the site or park at Cultybraggan Camp. Direct any questions to woodland@comriedevtrust.org.uk.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Strathearn Ramblers

Saturday, 25 October - Walk/Stroll. This is a combined walk and stroll. Stroll, Hermitage and Braan Walk. Walk, Rumbling Bridge Circuit. Start Point: Inver car park, near Dunkeld (what3words: outsmart. stewing.silently). Distance: stroll 4.5 miles, walk 7 miles. Leave: Laggan Park car park 9 am, Crieff Co-op car park 9.15 am. Description: All starting at Inver car park we walk through Inver, along the side of the A9 into the Hermitage, over Rumbling Bridge, crossing the A822 the strollers head to Tomgarrow and Tomgarrow Wood and Ladywell Plantation back to Inver. The walkers will carry on to Balhomish and follow the Inchewan Burn down to Little Dunkeld/Birnam down to the Birnam Oak, along the river and under the A9 back to the start.

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. There are excellent views and some fine native woodlands regenerating thanks to the work of the Woodland Trust.

Sunday, 18 January - Stroll/Walk, Com-

bined 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.

Blair Castle & Gardens

Open Monday to Sunday, 10am - 5pm.

(Last entry to the castle 3:45pm)

Embark on a self-guided tour of Blair Castle & Gardens, exploring 30 beautifully preserved rooms, including our new exhibition ‘Life Below Stairs’, before strolling through the 9-acre walled garden.

Children can visit the Gardens for free between 13th - 19th October*.

Families will love the adventure playground, activity sheets, dressing-up box, Highland cows and Red Deer Park. Round off your visit with a look through our Gift Shop and a delicious lunch at the Tullibardine Restaurant.

What’s on

Halloween Activity Trail 11th - 31st October

Pick up an activity sheet from the Entrance Hall, completed sheets will receive a prize!

‘Legends of the Castle’ Spooky Trail 30th October from 5:30pm

Guided storytelling tour around the castle with spooky characters, plus food and drinks.

Christmas Market

21st, 22nd and 23rd November

Our annual festive market returns!

Lunch with Santa 20th and 21st December

Meet and greet plus lunch in the ballroom.

- October

Bertie Bus - A Night to Remember - Bertie Bus marked 50 years of service to Crieff and the surrounding area with a special celebration held in August. Set in a marquee on the grounds of Broich House, the evening brought together volunteers past and present for a meal, music, and a chance to reflect on the legacy of this long-running community service. The event was made possible thanks to a generous anonymous donation and included a sit-down meal, a ceilidh, and speeches from key supporters. Among them was guest speaker Rory Stewart, former MP and diplomat, who praised Bertie’s volunteers as ‘modern heroes’- ordinary people who recognise a need in their community and step in to help. His message struck a chord with attendees and captured the spirit of what Bertie has represented for five decades. Volunteers from across the years were joined by supporters and representatives from local organisations, including the Crieff Round Table, which has been a longtime supporter of the service.

A Booklet to Capture the Journey - Each guest at the event received a commemorative booklet showcasing the history of Bertie Bus; from its early days as Strathcare in 1975 through to the present day.

Compiled by Pedro Brock, with contributions and coordination from Fred Mason

and Anne Orchardson, the booklet features photos, artwork, and memories that highlight the people and moments that have kept the wheels turning over five decades. (Correction: We should mention that Anne’s name was missed in our previous article where the booklet was discussed. Apologies for this oversight.)

The booklet has been made available to the public through various locations in Crieff and has already proven popular among supporters and past volunteers.

Copies can be found at the following locations: Crieff Food Company, J L Gill, Victoria Bloom, Crieff and Strathearn Museum, and Crieff Medical Centre.

Local Businesses Lend Their Support

- A raffle was also held on the night, with prizes kindly donated by local businesses and individuals. Support came from J. L. Gill, Delivino, The Steading, Bennybeg, Co-op, McNee’s, Scotland Shop, Gordon & Durward, Glenturret Distillery (Lalique), Caithness Glass, Victoria Bloom, and others. Special thanks also go to Tim Peake for donating a signed copy of his book, and to Margaret McP for providing the guest book for the evening.

A Legacy of Community Service - Bertie Bus began with a simple goal: to help people with mobility issues remain active and connected. That goal remains unchanged,

even as the service has grown to offer weekly outings, library visits, shopping trips, and special events. Entirely volunteerled, Bertie continues to reduce isolation and build community across the strath.

As Chair Ian Aikman shared on the night, ‘This was a wonderful opportunity to recognise everyone who has contributed to Bertie’s journey so far.’

How to get involved - The efforts of Bertie Bus continue to have a real and meaningful impact on the lives of those who utilise Bertie’s services.

If you’d like to learn more about how you could contribute to this meaning by volunteering with Bertie Bus, you can contact Chairman Ian Aikman at chair@ bertiebus.org.uk.

Whether you’re interested in driving, helping with outings, or supporting events, new volunteers are always welcome.

We are proud to support local businesses in Crieff and Comrie

Experienced commercial property lawyer Keith Rawlinson has recently joined Lindsays as a Partner, adding to our support for businesses, landlords and estates around Crieff and Comrie.

Keith, who grew up and lives in Crieff, has over 20 years’ experience of advising clients on landlord and tenant issues, property investment and development, and other commercial property matters. Having joined Lindsays this summer, he’s delighted to be back living, working and supporting clients here.

Full-service legal support

In addition to commercial property advice, businesses, individuals, estates and others can access a full range of practical legal solutions through our Crieff office.

Our private client and family law teams can assist with all your legal needs, from making a Will or setting up a trust to handling a divorce, while services for businesses range from dispute resolution to employment law matters.

We also offer end-to-end support with buying or selling a home. However simple or complex your legal needs, our team in Crieff is here to help, rooted in the local community and backed by the resources of our teams in Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

To contact Keith keithrawlinson@lindsays.co.uk

01738 231447

07345 417679

Crieff Office

21 Comrie Street

Crieff PH7 4AX

What’s really drawn me to this role is that Lindsays provides a genuinely local, client-centred service, but with a national perspective. Our team on the ground knows local people and the local market.

Keith Rawlinson, Partner Commercial Property

Crieff