Scotland in 4 Seasons Magazine Winter 2021

WINTER 2021

Scotland in 4 Seasons EXPLORING OUR CONNECTIONS WITH SCOTLAND

£6.95

ISSUE 5

Scottish Bees. Travelling Auctioneer. Tales from a Skye Croft. Scotland in Focus. Cornbeef Windfall. #YofE2021 Me and My Animals. Creative Soul. Hoy GP. Festive Gifts, Cocktails and Seasonal Game Recipe. Discover What You Love. Step Back in Time. Peat Insight. Fishing. Changing Seasons. Wildlife Photography...and more inside!

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

Scotland in 4 Seasons Editor’s Welcome Hello!

Welcome to the bigger Winter edition of Scotland in 4 Seasons Magazine, full of beautiful photography, fascinating features and insightful tales.

My favourite months are the winter ones, I feel alive and love to be outdoors especially in the extreme cold and snow. With the right outdoor clothing, footwear and hat anything is possible. A few weeks ago, we took a day off for a drive to Glen Coe and into Fort William, thankfully the rain and low cloud didn’t impact on the enjoyment of getting out for an adventure with the camera. Taking time out to travel benefits our mental health in many ways: a change of location stimulates the mind and imagination, and, as I discovered, it also stirred up long lost memories.

As we travelled North West, I recognised feeling the same sense of excitement I did as a child going on family holidays. It was an adventure from the moment we left our familiar surroundings. We were always on the look out for wildlife, especially deer, and in awe of the mountainous scenery and vast landscapes.

The wooden roadside cafés were pit stops for stretching the legs of humans and dogs, and further on, we’d maybe stop for a picnic.

In Scotland, no matter the season, we can still leave our homes and get outdoors to enjoy what our landscape has to offer. The mental and physical gains are immense.

A favourite local amble is through the Black Wood of Rannoch. With a few routes to choose from, I enjoy a walk when it’s quiet to soak up the magical atmosphere and to photograph the trees, moss, fungus and plants (see pages 14 & 84). It is one of the largest remnants of ancient Caledonian forests in Scotland, with some trees thought to be more than 400 years old. The tall ancient pines, birch, oak and willow make the woodland walk fascinating and it is never to be rushed.

You do have to keep your eyes on where you are walking as tree roots stretch across the tracks, and it can be muddy in places too.

After a stroll, head back down Loch Rannoch into Kinloch Rannoch and pop into the Riverbank Cafe for homemade soup and a sandwich, or coffee and cake. Like day trips in the car, a woodland walk also brings decades of old memories to the fore and the recognition of a lifelong love of the outdoors. When walking through the woods, I pick up fallen leaves, twigs and acorns to study and photograph. Some of the leaves, I take home to dry and press. Again, revisiting another childhood memory, opening up old books and the delight of finding dried flowers and leaves between the pages. You can read about another of my interesting finds, see page 44.

Happy Winter!

Linda Linda Mellor Editor Scotland in 4 Seasons Magazine PS. Our front cover image was taken out in the wilds earlier this year. The snow coverage in the Highlands is typically from mid-December through to April, and sometimes May. It’s great being out with the camera, and capturing the spirit of the season. When I took this photo, I thought it’d make a great front cover - there’s not much can beat a Red Stag in the snow for the winter edition.

The hugely talented Ewan Henderson and Gary Innes with their copies of the Autumn edition of Scotland in 4 Seasons Magazine.

Photo by Richard MacGregor

Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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Scotland In 4 Seasons Editor Linda Mellor Contact Email: editor@scotlandin4seasons.co.uk Tel: 07875 152072 Cover Photograph Linda Mellor Photographers Richard MacGregor, Alan Scott, Ross Dakers, Stewart Dawber, Linda Mellor.

Collaboration Writers Debbie Anderson, Sheldon ‘eco’ Cameron, James Black, Joanne Dovesi, Scott Mackenzie, Simon Barnes, Wills Kass, Claire Nicolson, Angela Phimister, Alan Scott, Stewart Dawber, Gael Wilkinson, Collette Deighan, Ali Hutchens, Sarah Rathbone, Dr Laura Wyness, Dr Simon Rudland, Victor Clements, Caroline Pringle, Fiona Matheson and Neil Dobson.

Subscribe see pages 98 and 100 www.scotlandin4seasons.co.uk Printers Stephens & George Print Group, Glasgow G3 2022 Scotland in Four Seasons publication dates Spring publication 10th March.

Summer publication 10th June.

Autumn publication 8th September.

Winter publication 1st December.

The views expressed by the collaboration writers are not necessarily those of the publisher. All words and photos are supplied by individual writers unless stated otherwise.

Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

Copyright is reserved by the publisher.

ISSN 2635-0505 In our autumn issue, an article supplied by Jane Barnes called St Kilda, the story so far, Jane told us the featured old photos were mostly taken by Helen Macdonald. We are delighted to clarify this.

One man and his dog by Linda Mellor

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

The three Kings by Linda Mellor

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Contents Page 3 Editor’s Welcome with Linda Mellor

Page 46 Winter Season on Skye with Scott MacKenzie

Page 80 Short story: The Tinkers Curse by Hugh Munro

Page 6 Magazine Contents

Page 48 Peat Bogs with Victor Clements

Page 85 Skye’s Cornbeef Windfall with Neil Dobson

Page 50 A Warm Welcome with Outwear

Page 88 Wild Skye with Stewart Dawber

Page 54 Venison Stuffed Peppers with India Annand

Page 91 Discover What You Love with Debbie Anderson

Page 55 Mr Rod & Mrs Gun with Ali Hutchens

Page 95 Cafes we Love with Linda Mellor

Page 58 Celebrating Rural Workers with Scottish Gamekeepers Assocation

Page 96 Walkies with Joanne Dovesi

Page 8 Keeper of Bees with Gael Wilkinson Page 12 Travelling Auctioneer with Sheldon ‘Green’ Cameron Page 17 Me & My Animals with Sarah Rathbone Page 21 Festive Gift Guide Goodies for the Season Page 25 Daffy’s Festive Cocktails Page 26 Becoming a Hoy GP with Simon Rudland Page 34 Collette with Collette Deighan Page 36 Creative Soul with Fiona Matheson Page 39 Winter Seasonal Vegetables with Dr Laura Wyness Page 42 Scotland in Focus with Alan Scott Page 44 A Step Back in Time with Linda Mellor Page 45 The Simple Life with Wills Kass

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Page 61 Life on Remote Pait Estate with Angela Phimister Page 63 Tales from a Skye Croft with Claire Nicolson Page 68 Winter Fishing with Simon Barnes Page 71 Rural Working & Living with Linda Mellor Page 74 Our Changing Seasons with Caroline Pringle Page 78 Fighting Fire with James Black Page 79 Kinloch Rannoch Community Fire Station Open day

Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

Pages 98 & 100 Subscribe

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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The Keeper of Bees

By Gael Wilkinson Photos by Ange Smith & Gael Wilkinson

“this chance encounter began a love affair that’s developed into a slight obsession.”

Photo by Ange Smith

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

“The first time I looked inside a beehive I was completely hooked. I had always been fascinated by bees and references to honey throughout history, from the Persian Wars fighting over it, to the origins of the word Honeymoon. I was also intrigued by tales of a perfectly functioning female led society. It was a visit to a holiday home in Perthshire that led me to a sunny apiary with my heart pounding in my chest with nerves. As a slight puff of wood smoke wafted across the entrance and the roof was carefully opened, I couldn’t help but peer ever closer into the layers of geometric perfection and calm industriousness. I’d never seen anything so mesmerising or so beautiful and this chance encounter began a love affair that’s developed into a slight obsession where the bees are my therapists, and the Apiary is my solace.

The quiet walled garden where my beehives are located has, certainly over the last 18 months, in and out of lockdown, been my escape and my saviour. I can lose hours just sitting on my rickety old bench watching the to-ing and fro-ing of the worker bees with their brightly coloured bags of pollen. The manic moments, when hundreds of new bees leave the hive for the first time and fly in a figure of eight facing the hive entrance as they calibrate their internal compass enabling them to venture off up to 5 miles away and find their way right back home. The unexpected moments when a swarm from another apiary roars in over the field like a jet engine and slowly settles on the garden wall, easily re-homed into a spare hive, and welcomed into the clan. One beekeeper’s loss is another’s gain! Once, as I sat there thinking about absolutely nothing, the most beautiful hare came out of the long grass in the far corner and stood so close I could have easily reached out and stroked its long ears. I held my breath, frozen in such a magical moment until he turned to stare at me in shock with his huge glassy eyes and shot off under the beehives. It’s that tangible connection to nature and the seasons that came as an added bonus to the hands on, getting stung on the bum bits of beekeeping (I can attest – yes, they do hurt!).

I’m not sure what I was doing when I used to walk the dog before but now this daily ritual is less of a chore and more of a bee-forage spotting expedition.

The native species of flowering shrubs in the recently restored hedgerows such as hawthorn and buckthorn brightening the roadsides with their pink and white early displays. The chestnut trees are out. Look! There are honeybees on the apple blossom – are they mine?

The hum of bees and pollinators high above my head when the ancient lime trees flow with nectar on a hot day. Each tiny change in the weather, the rising morning temperatures, the new plants coming into bloom.

Even the invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam or Japanese Knotweed (which bloomed wonderfully this year) and of course, the native wildflowers on the edge of the crop fields waving their brightly coloured heads like a semaphore to the bees. Come my pretties... I have pollen and beautiful nectar just for you.”

Photo by Gael Wilkinson

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“So now, in the grasp of the Scottish Winter with its frosts and damp, misty mornings I miss the Apiary. I miss the wind as it moves like the sea over the adjacent oat field blowing my hair into my eyes. The Scotch Dumpy chickens that share the yard and are always there to greet me just in case I have a pocket full of sweetcorn. I miss the routine of zipping up my bee suit and pulling on my gauntleted goatskin gloves. I miss lighting my hive smoker as I prepare to lift the roofs off the hives for a weekly check. The thrill of spotting the Queen Bee amongst her tens of thousands of daughters.

The first dip of my finger into filled honeycomb as I sneak a taste under my veil.

“Beekeeping doesn’t come to a complete stop when the nights draw in. Winter is the time to take stock of how your year went.”

I also miss bombarding John my mentor with questions and listening to his brilliant advice based on over fifty years of bee farming experience. There are countlessly well written books and informative YouTube videos available but having someone come look and chat things through has been invaluable. After my first beehive encounter, I immediately decided I wanted some of my own and a web search gave me the details of my local beekeeping association who ran open sessions to learn more. No matter where you are in the UK you’re guaranteed to have a local association who run introductory courses close by and I’ve found the bee world to be incredibly friendly and open to sharing knowledge and practices although there is a saying.. ask two beekeepers a question and you’ll get three answers! It was at one of these sessions I got chatting to John who, it turns out, lives very close to me, and offered to come look over the apiary site I’d secured.

Photo by Gael Wilkinson

John’s passion is breeding Queen Bees and he was kind enough to supply me with my first colony of Buckfast Bees and has been guiding me ever since. He’s also brilliant at spotting a Queen in a colony of 50,000 moving bees from over my shoulder in a few moments when I’ve been searching for ages!

Beekeeping doesn’t come to a complete stop when the nights draw in. Winter is the time to take stock of how your year went. It is a welcome respite from the mayhem of the early Summer swarm season, the panicky ‘is this hive Queenless?’ days and the following deliciously sweet but back breaking honey harvests. It’s a time to plan what you’ll do differently next year, to read all those recommended beekeeping books you’ve bought and decide what new equipment your hard-earned honey income will be spent on. Time to clean and repaint everything that’s heading into the shed in October, so I’m completely prepared for whatever the bees have in store for me next season. It’s also a time to catch up with admin, update the website from Summer and reuse cleaned beeswax into Beekeepers Soaps, Candles and Wraps to restock the web shop with gift boxes in time for Christmas.”

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

Photo by Ange Smith

“My bee obsession doesn’t fade in Winter either. Although each of the hives is quiet the bees are still in there working together to ensure the colony’s survival. You don’t see them except for the odd super hardy few that might pop out on a sunny day to stretch their wings. But you know they’re in there. Well, you hope they are. Are they in there? Did I leave them enough stores of food to see them through Winter? Are they OK? If I kneel here on the sodden grass and shine the torch from my phone in the small entrance, will I see some? Have I insulated the hive roof enough to support them through the bleak, gloomy months that are Scotland in Winter? Are they in a lovely tight cluster moving around the Queen (think penguins) keeping the inside hive temperature at a balmy 30 degrees? This excruciating worry waltz takes place every year without fail. Will Spring ever come. Will the days ever be warmer and the nights shorter? Will I ever don a bee suit again? If I eat any more cheese slathered in honey will I ever fit in a bee suit again!

On the coldest days I have to pop by just to make sure they’re all OK. That everything is quiet and as it should be.

That snow isn’t blocking the open mesh floor or hive entrance. On windy nights I lie awake fretting that I haven’t tied the ratchet straps tight enough – I once didn’t although thankfully not in Winter. The bees were clever enough to move down into the bottom of the hive for shelter when the roof blew off and luckily it didn’t rain. A heart stopping experience that has haunted me since.

Beekeeping has taught me patience. Something that has never ever come naturally. You just can’t rush the bees and they waggle dance to their own tune. Spring will come. The snow will melt and the brown buds on the trees that edge the Apiary will burst open in lime green newness. Dainty snowdrops and joyously coloured dandelions will bloom to welcome the first foraging bees of the season and the Apiary will begin to buzz with newly hatched young bees as the whole cycle begins again. I will lay my bee suit out and be so excited the night before my first proper Spring inspection I’ll barely be able to sleep. And as I lie there wide-awake I’ll be thinking…. I really wish I’d actually done all those cleaning jobs in October!”

Photo by Ange Smith

Gael Wilkinson lives in Fife with her patient husband, night owl teenage son and Bella the terrier and is the Beekeeper at Kin Apiary and host of Hive Talkin Podcast. Follow the bees on social media @kinapiary or visit www.kinapiary. com Photo by Ange Smith Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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Sheldon Cameron is the T H E T R AV E L L I N G A U C T I O N E E R

Molly reclines on a three seat Ercol sofa, waiting for Sheldon to dish out more treats

“Auctioneer: one who picks your pocket while using a hammer while still smiling.” This is how a recent client greeted Sheldon at the Scone Game Fair.

“As ever, the Indian summer didn’t quite make it, but the weather at the fair was indeed good, and so was catching up with old friends and talking to clients both old and possibly new ones. A memorable highlight of the show was when I decided to walk over to the clay pigeon shooting to spy my ball and chain putting a few more holes in the ozone layer, and only just missing (by a country mile) Princess Anne’s helicopter. Now, that would have been something to write about!

With the advent of winter, the auction scene is in full swing. I have already conducted a 300+ auction of costumes and props, with items from the Scottish Ballet and outfits from numerous films, including Waterworld, Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Legally Blonde 2, along with an outfit worn by Madonna in Evita, a tabard worn by Sean Connery in Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves, props and clothing from the ever popular Harry Potter films, along with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr’s suits from the early ‘60s, and all with certificates of authentication.

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

But my favourite was a pair of yellow hot pants and a bra top (Editor: is yellow your colour?) belonging to Britney Spears, one of many used in the music video Baby One More Time. A memorable sale.

Also, in the same week, I conducted our Antique and Fine Art sale, with jewellery and silver achieving huge prices, along with furniture, which was a pleasant surprise, as brown furniture from the Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian periods have been fetching very low prices, which in turn as winter approaches would have made for ideal tinder dry fire wood! But luckily I see a glow (possibly in the embers) of light that the brown furniture, once a main staple of all auctions, making a somewhat slow come-back, we can but hope!

So the ever attentive auction hound and I are truly wrapped up against the elements, as all auction rooms are Baltic in the winter months and sweltering in the summer-time (even in sunny Scotland) so many treats for us both are in order. So as I sit at my desk with the auction hound on my lap for extra warmth, I troll through the ever increasing amount of emails to find many people asking for advice on furniture. Yippee!

They have obviously been following the auction online and listening to my dulcet tones.

“Selling and buying items at auction is a totally sustainable green way of recycling items. Auctioneering, the green future for brown furniture.”

Sheldon points...at what, nobody knows....

Right: William Scott of Beith Mahogany and inlaid long case clock, early 19th century.

Left: EVITA (1996) - Eva Peron’s Navy three piece Suit Played by Madonna.

Left: Robin Hood Prince of Thieves King Richard’s Tabard - Played by Sean Connery.

After a few phone calls and appointments made, it's off in the car to all four points of the compass to see my clients. But Stop Press, I'm in Glasgow and so are most of the world leaders, Royalty, staff, security, and the Greta Thunberg, so alas I'm not going anywhere quickly and find out that all roads don't in fact lead to Rome or any point I need in Scotland.

When I eventually do get onto the open road, I have an eclectic mix of items to see and value in this wonderful white dusted country. From a very large collection of silver in the capital to wonderful west coast treats of furniture and pictures. Oh the joy of being an auctioneer! No two days are ever the same and not being tied to desk or an office: seeing clients and unearthing hidden gems and turning unwanted and unloved, sometimes forgotten, items into memorable lots at auction, that with the advent of the Internet, can sell across the globe. What most people tend to forget is that selling and buying items at auction is a totally sustainable green way of recycling items. Auctioneering, the green future for brown furniture.

Another day another appointment, so off I venture this time to a remote farm in the Trossachs, where I could be searching in a cellar, looking in a loft or diligently digging through the contents of a barn, so I take my trusty overalls, torch, hat, and gloves which are a staple requirement on a cold day in rural Scotland, to try and unearth hidden treasures.

It always amazes me the amount of people who purchase fragile and not so fragile items at auction, never bringing any type of packing with them when they have successfully purchased an item, then ask, do we have any packing they can borrow? Not once has anyone ever brought the said packing back, so I and the staff hunt for boxes, newspapers and bubble wrap with the ever faithful auction hound greeting all clients with a wag of her tail and hoping a small treat may come her way.

I’m starting to see more and more pictures, watercolours, oils and prints with a leaning towards winter scenes, with snow, Holly, Game birds and hunting scenes prevailing, just in time for our upcoming December sale. So as I head off to the garage to have my winter tyres fitted ahead of the upcoming deluge of the white stuff, a thought springs to mind and I will let you ponder over it, as we are all still meant to social distance from one another, does that make the Loch Ness Monster the champion?

Going, going gone...........but not for long!”

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Black wood of Rannoch by Richard MacGregor

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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Red deer in the snow by Linda Mellor

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

Me & My ANIMALS by Sarah Rathbone

Words and images by Sarah Rathbone

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“I don’t remember a time in my life that wasn’t shared with dogs and ponies. As soon as I could manage to sit up, I was placed on a pony’s back and always had dogs around. Growing up with animals teaches you a respect for other’s needs and losing your companion is often your first experience of bereavement.

It’s not until you work with an animal as your trusted partner, that you fully understand the synergy that exists between you. In 2000, I trained my first working sheepdog, Tam. We regularly gathered the sheep from the Monadhliath Mountains in the Cairngorm National Park. The bond was so close that words were rarely needed. A change in facial expression, a look in a different direction or a change in body language, were all noticed by my faithful friend, and he knew what to do. Non-verbal communication is a powerful tool when you spend your life with animals. It increases your sensitivity, and the bond becomes unbreakable, when they know that you are aware. That mutual trust is there with the ponies too.

My life is now shared with three collies. They need a job to do, as they are busy bodies full of energy and bounce. Star is ‘Trail Dog’, when I’m out on my mountain bike and ‘Chief Communicator and Early Warning System’.

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

If there is something important for me to know, he will come and fetch me. Sam’s job is showing everyone how much he loves them and giving them lots of cuddles, and then there is Glen. He’s the supervisor of the household needing to be everywhere first, even before we know that we need to be there ourselves.

As a pack, we love to wander up the Burma Road towards the River Dulnain and the Red Bothy and explore the amazing beaches that we have in Scotland, such as Skinnet Beach in Melness, Balnakeill Bay in Durness, Torrisdale Bay at Invernaver, Oldshoremore near Kinlochbervie, Burghead Beach in Moray, and out to Castle Tioram on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.

In 2007, life changed for ever when we welcomed Merlin into our lives. A three year old Highland Pony. What a boy! I wanted a native pony that was bred to thrive in the area that we lived. As we started to ride together, the word ‘stubborn’ was an understatement. We entered a basic walk/trot dressage test. As he decided to canter out of the arena to meet with a good looking mare, with me waving to the judge on the way past, I soon realised that being in a schooling environment wasn’t for either of us. We have spent the last fifteen years riding through the forests in Badenoch and Strathspey, often with a collie by our side.

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We used to call into Kincraig Stores for coffee and carrots. He also loves to call in on his ‘Granny’, who lives on the estate, for a mint or two. He delivered the mail to the ‘Big House’ one day when the snow was so deep that the postie’s van couldn’t manage the estate roads. A Highland Pony really is the best 4x4. Milly, who’s Merlin’s dearest companion is a retired hill pony who used to carry the stags at Braeroy.

Merlin chose one of my dog kennels to shelter in with Milly. His decision completely. You can imagine when the vet or anyone else asks if I have a stable for my ponies and I say, “no, they stay in a dog kennel.” This is not the only conversation that I have had, when it comes to these ponies, where I’m sure folk question my sanity. It really does get worse. Try telling your insurance company that your pony has tried to eat your car. The bonnet had gashes all the way down it. He chewed the wipers and had a little taster session on almost every panel. Speaking to the game keeper about my dilemma, and very aware of his broadening smile, and that ‘I’m a really serious guy trying not to laugh’ expression on his face, he explained that he probably saw his reflection and was trying to mutually groom the handsome pony he was seeing. I am completely confident outdoors, exploring our Scottish countryside and participating in lots of different activities throughout the seasons, with my furry family by my side so I decided to start my own company called Cairngorm Confidence Outdoors, which is a Community Interest Company aiming to support others to feel the health and well-being benefits from being outdoors and around animals, in a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment, at a pace much slower than modern life usually dictates.” cairngormconfidenceoutdoors.co.uk/

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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Seasonal gifts for you & Yours!

A cosy Christmas with Gateway1.

Warmth, comfort and grip are a standard for all Gateway1 boots. Styles to suit everyone for every occasion. Tested in Scandinavia, and ready for Scotland’s outdoors all year round.

For your nearest stockist email sales@koolbox.co.uk visit www.koolbox. co.uk Telephone 01509 233 333 Catalogue can be found at www.gateway1-footgear.com Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021 21

fionamatheson.com

Fiona Matheson is an award-winning contemporary artist based in Inverness.

Her wide format, bold and vibrant landscapes capture the wild beauty of the Scottish outdoors. Visit Fiona’s website to see her original artwork, cushions, cards and luxury silk scarves. www.fionamatheson. com

ainjewellery.com

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

“AïN is Art In Nature and a word deriving from Old Norse meaning ‘own’.”

Sharon lives and works in East Lothian close to the Scottish Borders, an area immersed in history and heritage and full to the brim with glorious gardens, stunning coastlines and rolling landscapes. Pieces are inspired by nature and the desire to make wearable art using the mediums of clay, glass and semi-precious gemstones. www.ainjewellery.com

kinapiary.com

“Sustainable gifts, supporting our Scottish wildlife. Made with honey and beeswax from their hives in Fife, Kin Apiary has created a selection of Gift Boxes packed with all natural products.

Bee Festive includes a pair of rolled beeswax candles, festive scented candle tin and beeswax melts plus a packet Wildflower seeds. Or banish those midges with Campers Essentials, perfect for the outdoors and includes Citronella & Lemongrass cold pressed soap, candle tin and melts plus a unique foraged fire pit lighter. Palm oil and plastic free and available from the Kin online shop.” www.kinapiary.com

Urbanpirate.scot “Home of the best Scottish t-shirts on the internet.

Every design has a story.

Inspired by Scotland and Scottish culture, we have something to make the perfect Scottish gift for everyone.” www.urbanpirate.scot

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Visit Daffy’s website to buy their award winning Gin. It’s delectably smooth, and tasty - a perfect festive spirit! www.daffysgin.com

See Page 25 for easy to make at home Christmas Cocktails

crootscountrystore.com “The Kensington 3/4 length ladies coat is both waterproof and breathable. The style is influenced by the classic outback Drovers coat and is manufactured in a tough and durable fabric.

For extra protection against the elements the Kensington features a zip-in adjustable hood and a pommel flap.”

RRP £234.95 www.crootscountrystore.com

Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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Countryman’s Belt: “A sure to be loved Countryman’s belt that is willing to stand the test of time.

This J Boult Designs handmade belt is designed specifically for the country man with 4mm thick leather, a solid brass belt buckle and strong rivets with spent shotgun cartridges.”

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Bullet stud earrings: “These earrings are perfect for the markswoman who knows exactly what she wants. The stud earrings are handmade from the tops of recycled rifle shells and gold plated backs for sensitive ears. Each pair is presented in a simple gift box.”

RRP: £25

latherandsmudge.com Julie makes soap in the Cairngorms using a traditional cold process technique. She only uses the natural heat from the soap making process itself. Julie said, “It takes a while, 24 h in a wooden mould and then 6 more weeks after cutting, but its worth the wait.

The long curing time gives a nice creamy bar, packed with natural essential oils and colours, for a complex scent and subtle colour palette.” www.latherandsmudge.com

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Becoming a GP on the remote Island of Hoy Chapter two

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

Words and images

By Simon Rudland

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“Becoming a GP on the remote Scottish island of Hoy was something friends wanted to know more about. It’s a perfect place to reflect on a busy career to date, have new experiences, and maybe even take some great photos. Everyone has a creative streak, and so with encouragement and help getting the spelling right, I thought maybe I could publish something about my time on Hoy. Here, for family and friends, is the result of my labours, with the kind assistance of many patient wordsmiths.

I do hope you enjoy reading about being a GP on Hoy during the Covid pandemic, and that I can transmit the peace, natural beauty, and community spirit that I found there. You might even feel like a visit yourself when you’re finished.”

It was with a sense of forbidding that after answering my pager, I proceeded to our patient in labour. Fortunately, the island nurse had delivered a number of babies in Tanzania five years earlier, whereas I had last delivered a baby as a medical student thirty-five years ago.

Most deliveries become complicated when there is too much medical intervention; no chance of that on Hoy! Nonetheless when things do wrong, it can happen very quickly and there are two patients to worry about, Mum and Baby. As labour progressed, I called the cavalry, two midwives from the Balfour hospital who had to travel from Kirkwall to Stromness. They had contacted the Coastguard in Shetland, in order mobilise the Stromness lifeboat. Whilst all this was going on I reviewed the content of my Sandpiper bag, full of helpful emergency equipment, however not with a neonate in Chapter two mind. Clearing space on the kitchen drainer, I set up a “The working day is a mixture of surgery-based conbaby resuscitation station that I dearly hoped I would sultations, home visiting and a lot of administration. It not need. is a genuine joy to carry out a home visit, whilst in my Nature and the good judgement of our island nurse preprevious life it was to be avoided if at all possible. A vailed, and Mum delivered a healthy baby girl. Our voltrip out of the surgery building put an irretrievable time unteer ambulance team collected the midwives from the penalty in my carefully planned day. Now the drive to lifeboat who arrived to find baby and placenta delivered a patient’s home, assuming of course that I can find it, happily and healthily. I was delighted with the outcome offers unparalleled views. Perhaps a stop to watch the and very pleased to see mother and baby departing on red-throated divers who are annual visitors to a little the Stromness lifeboat Violet, Dorothy and Kathleen. hilltop loch or a glimpse of a Hen Harrier hunting over At the end of an extraordinary day I returned to an empthe moor. On a clear day the view from the vantage ty house. Outside the sheep munched on lush Orkney point of Lyrawa Hill over Scapa Flow is inspiring. On grass, seabirds called out on the foreshore, and I reflectother days, I would just linger to marvel at the beauty of ed on how much my clinical life had changed. Had I the land, sea and sky. made the right decision leaving my secure and familiar These visits may have been to stitch up the face of an practice, to expose my clinical decision making, as the elderly man, living alone, after a nasty tumble. A trip only GP on a remote island? I felt elated by the drama to the emergency department is not an easy option on of the day and thrilled by the good outcome. It could Hoy. It would be a whole day process. The Island voleasily have been a very different scenario, and emotionunteer ambulance to the ferry, then another ambulance al response. Over the forthcoming months the impact of journey to the Balfour hospital in Kirkwall. The whole the Covid-19 pandemic and the isolated nature of island process repeated to get my patient home if weather per- practice, working with a tiny team, made me realise mitted any of these journeys. Independence and self-re- what I had really valued about my old practice. It was liance is a theme of island life, my patient was very contact with brilliant colleagues, who taught me somepleased to be stitched up in his kitchen. Another visit is thing and made me laugh, every working day. for a steroid joint injection to help a widower stay mobile and self-caring in his own home.

At my job interview I was asked what situation would I find most challenging if I was appointed? There was no hesitation, as I responded to this question “delivering a baby”. As a young GP I was mentored by a remarkable colleague, Steve Lazar, who was a GP obstetrician and had supervised the delivery of several thousand children on the GP run community obstetric unit at Ipswich Hospital. In 2019 GP obstetrics was certainly a thing of the past and absolutely not an area of care that I felt to be within my competencies.

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The impact of COVID-19

When Boris Johnson announced the first lockdown on 23 March 2020, I was in Suffolk between trips to Hoy. The Suffolk GP Federation had invited me to join the senior team in order to develop a home visiting service for COVID-19 in early March. We anticipated a large number of community cases, with hospital and usual GP services being overwhelmed. As a consequence, we expected the ability to visit infected patients would be limited to those for whom an intervention from a GP or paramedic would alter their health outcome. We needed to plan for self-help, and relative help, for the remaining patients, so we had some chance of coping with the horrible scenarios that were modelled in our planning meetings. I anticipated that carers or family members of those receiving COVID-19 palliative care, under these extraordinary circumstances, would be administering transdermal end of life medication to keep their loved ones comfortable during their last days. It was a very novel way of managing end of life symptoms and at odds with accepted practice. To me it made distressing sense, after a pragmatic analysis of how many people we anticipated being unwell and the clinical assets we had at our disposal.

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply was limited and proved to be another very difficult area.

Our clinicians doing home visits needed protecting, however other health settings, particularly hospital care seemed to have a strangle hold on the more protective FFP3 face masks. The World Health Organisation and Public Health England advice on the use of PPE, limiting its use to mostly hospital settings, didn’t resonate with me. I had a 4 am lightbulb moment when I realised these guidelines were based on the 4-5 air changes per hour in an air-conditioned hospital room. In my view, an ill patient in a small bedroom would be potentially generating an aerosol and we needed the right protective equipment. This was the justification for me insisting that we had access to face fitted FFP3 masks for our clinicians involved in the COVID-19 home visiting service.

As a consequence of this intense period of work I was feeling fairly fraught before heading North for my third trip to Hoy which started in the middle of April 2020.

I am not sure I was really aware of the effect the COVID-19 planning had had on me. I packed the car, with futons and cooking equipment. The country was in COVID-19 lock down with no hotels or bed and breakfast stop overs being open. I would need to be totally self-sufficient, travelling and sleeping in the car for three days and two nights. I had just enough space to sleep beside the containers of clothes and food packed into the car for my Hoy stay.

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

“I would need to be totally self-sufficient, travelling and sleeping in the car for three days and two nights. I had just enough space to sleep beside the containers of clothes and food packed into the car for my Hoy stay.”

On my trip North I felt like a fugitive, travelling on post apocalypse roads where I hardly saw another vehicle. I didn’t want to be stopped and interrogated regarding my reasons for travelling, although I did have a letter of permission from NHS Orkney. At the end of a long day driving, I was seeking a place to sleep, out of sight of locals and other road users. I thought I could find a spot West of Pitlochry, up the Tay valley. When you don’t want to be seen it is very surprising how visible you are. Finally, I found somewhere a pull off from a minor road, right beside the river.

I rewarmed my curry and I ate a lovely supper beside the burbling water. Before settling down in the car for the night I called Julia, only to find my invisible spot had no phone signal. I drove back down the valley to a phone box I had seen during my earlier search for a night’s sleep. Fortunately, I had a 50p piece in the car, and called Julia to briefly tell her about my day. The next morning, I woke with the sun rise and bathed in the river, the grass covered in frost, with only sheep for company.

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Remarkably no one questioned me during my journey from Woodbridge to Gills Bay, where I caught the Pentland Ferry to St Margaret’s Hope on Orkney. I arrived on Orkney at dusk and had to find another out of the way spot to sleep in the car before heading on to Hoy the next day.

Julia stayed home in Suffolk; as an asthmatic she felt at risk, and we knew the facilities at the Balfour Hospital on Orkney mainland would not be great if she was ill and needed ventilation. The next month felt as though it might be quite a challenge. The usual island life was on hold. Vulnerable patients were shielding, and the fear of COVID-19 infection impacted on the whole community. This meant important social interactions through the cinema, quiz nights and fundraising events for the lifeboat were all cancelled. It’s took a little while for me to realise the impact it was having on my own well-being too. Being on call 24/7 without any outlet other than books or the occasional stop-start online film due to poor Wi-Fi connectivity was more challenging than I had expected.

Lifeline calls to my lovely wife made a big difference, mobile phones and face time, internet permitting, was so different from the early days of our love affair when I was the Medical Officer on the Royal Navy’s dive ship, HMS Challenger. Then mobile phones were specialist items, weighing several kilograms. A call home meant waiting in line outside a phone box with other members of HMS Challenger’s crew.

I volunteered to be part of a Scottish medical education research consortium project looking at the effects of COVID-19 on the clinical workforce. They project was entitled: “To develop evidence- based interventions to support doctors’ wellbeing and promote resilience during COVID-19 related transitions (and beyond)”. Three structured interviews and some audio diaries proved to be a really valuable reflective process. It was clear that many GPs were not particularly good at thinking about themselves or dwelling on the impact that their work environment may be having on their physical and mental health. My generation of doctors were educated in settings where we were expected just to ‘get on with it’ and that ill-health was a domain of the patients we look after. Fortunately, we are now more enlightened medical educators and provide our students with an awareness of what damage their job and their attitudes can have to their health.

In some respects, working on Hoy has been very beneficial through the pandemic lockdowns. I have had a reason to travel, sometimes with Julia, and an opportunity to enjoy the commute from Suffolk to Hoy, and live and work in a different environment. Hoy provides a slower pace of life with fewer obligations and commitments.

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It is surprising how much time is consumed by mundane household tasks. The flipside is that an isolated Island community has become even more insular with minimal social interaction and an underlying fear of visitors bringing the unseen virus. I have felt some of the restrictions and guidance regarding working practice have been disproportionate to the risk. At various points during the pandemic Orkney has been the safest place to be in the United Kingdom. This has had a cumulative impact on me, and I consider myself to be robust both mentally and physically. A brilliant webinar education session provided by East Suffolk CCG which I watched whilst I was working on Hoy, was a turning point. The session was unashamedly aimed at clinicians, helping us to explore our own needs, as well as ways to build resilience. The focus was on simple everyday actions that we can consciously take to make a difference to our sense of wellness. I have found it very positive in recognising this, and consciously think about little steps that I can take each day to make me smile and give me joy. It really does work!”

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Collette “Winter to me means good food, candles, fireplaces, blankets and good company.”

Words and images by Collette Deighan

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

“We’re finally here. Winter. My favourite season. It’s like autumn with the heat turned up. Or down, depending on how you look at it.

For me nothing beats the excitement of the first flakes of winter snow.

I love the magical transformation.

Clear cold nights turn everyday streets into enchanted fairy tale worlds. Frosty pavements sparkle like they’re studded with diamonds, and twinkling lights adorn trees, windows, and doorways. The inky winter sky flickers as more and more stars reveal themselves, giving way to meteor showers, Orion’s Belt and the Seven Sisters.

Winter to me means good food, candles, fireplaces, blankets and good company. We naturally spend more time indoors when the nights get darker and the temperature drops, and I want to be cosy and content. It’s all about savouring simple pleasures.

There’s nothing simpler, or cosier, than a hot chocolate in front of a fire watching your favourite film, or the instant pleasure you feel when you step indoors, and the warmth hits you. It’s a time to give ourselves a chance to reset, a hibernation, to collectively coorie together under blankets, catch our breath and slow down for a few months before the world springs into life again.

I never thought I’d talk about winter and Scottish beaches in the same sentence, but I’ve fallen in love with them. I’ve seen some of the most stunning sunrises and sunsets on the beaches of North East Fife, and pinch myself every day that I get to experience them.

Especially in winter, it’s a light that I’ve never experienced before. Instead of being an observer of that light, you feel like you’re inside it, completely enveloped by it. I now find myself getting up an hour earlier than normal to go for a run, timed so that I’m on the beach as the sun is coming up. The difference it makes to my mood is immeasurable.

The joy of being awake to witness the start of the day in this part of the world is really quite special.

I’ve even started to end the run with a quick paddle, but I’m not sure how deep in to the winter that will last!

For me, no article on the joy of winter is complete without talking about Christmas. I am a huge Christmas fan. I watch Christmas films all year round, my Christmas tree is a permanent fixture in my living room, and my favourite book is A Christmas Carol. I’m sure not everyone shares my enthusiasm for Christmas, and certainly not to the same extent, but if the festive season gets to be too much for you, enjoying the simple pleasures of the season can help. Homemade decorations and presents, getting outside for a brisk walk, comfort food, and watching repeats of classic family films together are all ways to celebrate and enjoy Christmas without the overwhelm, excess and expectations this time of year can bring.

So whether your seasonal tipple is a hot chocolate, a mulled wine, a hot toddy, or a snowball, make yourself a large one, get cosy and settle in for winter. Spring will be here before you know it.”

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Creative Soul Words and images by Artist Fiona Matheson

Fiona by Ian Whyte

“Tempting as it might be, I have resisted packing golf clubs instead of brushes and set off to capture the first snowfall on the tops of the West Munros. It has happened, it is already here, the rich autumnal colours have been replaced.

Snow-capped peaks in brilliant winter white now adorn my paintings and ‘Affric Glow’ is the first in a new body of work to celebrate the change of season. Every inch of the blank canvas has been covered in delicious textural mark making, in cool tones of emerald greens and cobalt blues. Glen Affric is a spellbindingly beautiful glen in the Highlands of Scotland. Golf and gardens at the Crask of Aigas are always a welcome pastime, but knowing there is a bigger distraction en route, in the form of the ochre walls of the Kilmorack Gallery, I realise the need to focus on the visuals.

Allison Weightman’s Ceramic

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Affric Glow by Fiona Matheson

Having laid empty for 25 years, the reused B listed Kirk now houses a unique and spiritual blend of Scottish art. And I am not disappointed, delighted to rediscover Allison Weightman’s masterly hand-built ceramics and so fortunate to have been gifted one of her innovative pieces, I can marvel again at the explosive patterns of the entry and exit wounds inflicted on the leather-hard material by her unusual choice of tool, the shotgun. Alison was accidentally shot in the leg as a child. Realising the intense focus required to shoot, this process almost became a meditative action for her. Firing through clay, from different angles and distances, to achieve distinctive and individual effects.”

The River Ness is a cherished place, its banks are actively used by walkers and the annual raft race is a family favourite. Along the riverside there are steps down to the water, here, people would wash their clothes and memories of elephants from the circus being walked into the shallows to splash around have been recounted.

A new public artwork for Scotland has not gone unnoticed by the people of Inverness. There are, of course, opposing viewpoints. I went to make up my own mind and was fortunate to listen to one of its creators, Tristan Surtees. “…it’s a singular line that carries onto the opposite side of the river, like a stage with the river as the main focus…”

The river is at the heart and the structure takes the visitor on a journey through the Scottish landscape, transforming from a bench to a pathway, a platform and eventually an overhanging viewpoint.” “…. the project is not really about the thing, but more about the place and response to it …. this hopefully will have its use in separate ways….and can embody and celebrate those experiences.”

Fresh Covering by Fiona Matheson

“It is here I will share news of another material, Clashach stone. Not only is it beautiful but also intrinsically connected to this region and therefore the ideal choice to realise the vision of Sans Facon’s, The Gathering Place.

There are not many places in the world where you can see people fishing for salmon in the middle of town.

The Gathering Place can be found alongside the fishers’ hut and Little Isle Pool, partly nestled into the riverbank, and partially floating above the water.” https://www.instagram.com/fionamathesonart/ https://www.fionamatheson.com

The Gathering Place in Clashach stone

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

WINTER SEASONAL VEGETABLES

By Dr Laura Wyness

“Eating a rainbow of different vegetables will help provide a range of important vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients (or beneficial plant compounds) for our health. The fibre from vegetables provides food for our gut microbes, and we know that a healthy gut microbiome has numerous health benefits, such as supporting our immune system and improving our mood.

Vegetables at their best in Scotland during the winter months include: beetroot, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, onions, parsnips, shallots, spinach, winter radish and winter squashes. I’ve picked out a few of my favourite winter vegetables to highlight how nutritious and delicious these are.

Brussels sprouts

These little green gems are bursting with nutrients.

They are high in folate, vitamin K and vitamin C - key nutrients for healthy blood, bones and for supporting the immune system.

They also contain vitamin B5 which helps mental performance, and potassium which can help prevent high blood pressure. As with many vegetables, Brussels sprouts are great fibre providers, which helps keep your gut microbes happy. However they are one of the more windy vegetables, so eating too many in one sitting may result in bloating or other unpleasant digestive symptoms.

Sprouts are in season from October to March, although two-thirds of all sprouts eaten in the UK are consumed over the Christmas period. They may not appeal to everyone, but if cooked right, they are delicious. The key is not to overcook them, as this results in a more potent smell. Boiling or steaming, until tender but not too soft, is the traditional way to cook sprouts. Roasting or frying sprouts with a little oil and seasoning until they turn slightly golden brown, or grating raw sprouts into a salad or stews are other ways to enjoy them.

Look out for the smaller sprouts as these tend to be slightly sweeter and have more flavour.

Swedes

Swede, which is short for Swedish turnip, is what’s generally referred to as neeps in Scotland, or Rutabaga in America. Swedes have a yellow-orange flesh with a purple-green skin and are a key ingredient for having with haggis and tatties.

“Winter is a fantastic season to enjoy a variety of locally grown vegetables.”

Swedes are in season from September to February.

They provide vitamin B6 and folate which help combat tiredness and are high in vitamin C, which supports the immune system. So it’s a great vegetable to include over the winter months!

They are ideal for mashing and combining with mashed tatties, and they are also great chopped up and added to pastries, stews, pies and casseroles. Combining roasted swede, carrot and parsnip makes a lovely soup – great for a cold winter’s day.

Kale

The most common variety of kale is green curly kale, which is also known as Scots kale. There are many varieties of kale, generally with a slightly bitter taste, although some varieties can taste a little spicy or sweet and some have bright purple leaves and stems. Kale is in season from September to April.

Nutritionally, kale is packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s a source of calcium, manganese and vitamin K which are all important for healthy bones. It’s high in folate which helps combat tiredness and vitamin B6 which helps regulate hormones and makes blood cells.

It also provides fibre which helps digestion.

The best way to cook kale is to steam is for a few minutes. Or if you rub a little oil and lemon into raw kale, it softens the leaves, which makes it a great addition to salads. Kale crisps also make a tasty nutritious snack – spread the kale out on a roasting tray with a light drizzle of oil, a pinch of salt and your favourite seasonings and bake until crispy.”

Laura is a freelance Registered Nutritionist, based in Edinburgh where she runs her nutrition research and communications business (www.laurawyness.com). She has recently been selected as one of 25 Regional Food Tourism Ambassadors in Scotland

by Scotland Food and Drink and the Scottish Food Tourism Alliance.

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Blazing Tinto Hill by Alan Scott 40

Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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SCOTLAND IN FOCUS Words and images by Alan Scott

“I’m a lifelong obsessive Rolling Stones fan, and to quote from one of my favourite Stones ballads ‘Winter’.

“It sure been a hard, hard winter My feet been draggin’ ‘cross the ground And I hope it’s gonna been a long hot summer And a lotta love will be burnin’ bright”

I love winter especially the weak wintry light, and I don’t need to stay up late or get up too early to see sunsets. The weather makes simple scenes so dramatic, mist floating down the valley on a freezing morning. Snow, rain and hail. Dark moody skies, long shadows and the dreich make for great photos. We Scots need to learn celebrate the dreich. You just can’t beat winter.

Last winter, we were all locked down and our only choice was making the most of what was in our neighbourhoods. I’ve always felt it’s great as a photographer to be inspired by visiting and seeing new places, but this was a great opportunity to challenge the imagination and discover that there is as much to photograph on the doorstep. There is beauty and interesting stuff all around us when we look. So here are few photos from winter scenes no more than 500 yards from my home.

Kirkhill in Strathaven

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The Deil’s Road

I’ve always loved this wee path, so I’ve photographed it loads of times. It is part of my childhood, we called it Lovers lane but at 10 years old, we must have picked that name up from an adult. Our little gang of boys and girls were very good at scaring ourselves half to death about a white lady who frequented the lane and the nearby Dunavon House, then a children’s home, previously one of Strathaven’s stately homes. The fact that it was a hundred yards from the graveyard helped maintain the spookiness in our little fervent imaginations. It often made me think of the rabbit hole that Alice in Wonderland disappeared down.

In my early teens, there was a body found on the path and the Police were there for a few days keeping little boys like us clear of the area and confirming to us there was something about that path.

I was just taking photos with my new Xmas present, a fancy new mirrorless camera and had forgotten much of the nonsense we kids had dreamt up in those days. When I looked at the photo later, I thought the overgrown path looked just great in the wintry conditions. It also seemed to have taken on a bit of the dark, spookiness that we saw as children.

Friends said it looked like the Irish Dark Hedges, and how it is a special enchanted place, and another said, that his grandfather had told him the lane, in the distant past, was known locally as the ‘Deils Road’. It definitely has a coloured history.”

The Deil’s Road

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A step back in time Words and images by Linda Mellor

“Do you love exploring? I certainly do. There’s always something new to uncover when you have a rake around a remote area normally under water. Earlier this year, Scottish loch levels were very low due to the dry summer when rainfall was minimal. I took a walk around the south-western banks of Loch Ericht in August and explored an expanded area usually hidden from view under water. The loch had receded a fair amount to reveal lots of old trees and boulders sitting on a sandy base. Loch Ericht is 14.5 miles long, approx 3/4 mile wide, and is unusual because it is dammed at both ends. The work to dam the loch took place between 1928 - 1954. It is the tenth largest freshwater loch in Scotland, and it is very special to us at Scotland in 4 Seasons because it was on the banks of Loch Ericht the magazine was brought to life.

I discovered a footprint in one of the boulders, and wanted to find out more so I contacted, Dr Neil D L Clark, Curator of Palaeontology, University of Glasgow. It wasn’t a large footprint but it could possibly be from a small dinosaur. I shared images of my discovery with Dr Clark, he told me the rocks appeared to be psammite (metamorphosed sandstone). He said, “the heel and foot-shaped depression is caused by the weathering of a patch of the metamorphosed sandstone that is, for some reason, less cohesive than the rest of the rock.”

After studying the other images, he told me the majority of “the Grampian Mountains have been metamorphosed by intense heat and pressure many hundreds of millions of years ago, making it virtually impossible to find fossils preserved there.” Oh well, so it wasn’t a dinosaur footprint after all, but, to date, it is still one of my more intriguing finds.”

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The Simple Life

By Wills Kass

“The Autumn has come to a close, and with the beautiful autumnal colours that surround the hills at this time of year remind us just how stunning is our country of Scotland.

With our ever changing weather patterns, the seasons seem to just blend into one another without much notice. Spring is much wetter and later, Summers alternate between hot and dry and cold and wet, Autumn is wet and milder, and we have very little snow, compared to past decades here in Perthshire.

Winter used to be quite fierce. Long hard frosts and heavy snowfall. It is all so confusing for flora and fauna. This last wet and windy Spring was bad for the early nesting birds and stunted the buds on the fruit trees. The grass was slow to grow, and the wet field conditions caused poaching and more foot problems for sheep, cattle, and horses. Sadly, some spring crops have been rotting in the ground.

This year, our fruit trees produced a small harvest so there was very little to make chutney for xmas gifts for friends. As we all see the weather changes around the world there are so many consequences of climate change. We let the fallen leaves lie in our borders in the garden as this helps to protect the Spring bulbs and any early plants from the onslaught of the frosty days. The garden has been tidied up and ready for jack frost to appear. We are quite exposed here and frosts, when they come, can be quite severe.

Our grandchildren help to plant bulbs in the pots for Spring. Learning about how the plants require nurturing through the winter to be ready for Spring. I feel it is our duty as custodians of our delicate countryside to encourage the younger generation to care for the land no matter how small or large.

We encourage our grandchildren to help us do chores outdoors. Our Pigmy goats, horses, dogs, and the garden all need looking after. These simple but very special times gives them and us a sense of achievement and it is so much fun. Oscar and Orla, both now 4 years old just love helping with feeding the animals.

This saves a lot of money on feed bills for the year. Our Highland ponies have free access to both grass and hay as this is better for their digestive systems. There is no need to complicate their diet with costly cereal products. Horses were designed to eat mostly grass.

This helps to keep their teeth healthy. So far, we have not had to use the service of an Equine dentist in over forty years.

This year the annual red deer rut seemed to be short and sweet. We have hardly seen our usual small herd of red hinds gathering with their calves in the fields in front of our house. The Stags also have not shown, but we could hear them roaring in the distance. A quite ghostly sound in the quiet of the night from a nearby Forest. The big boy that jumped out of the wood onto the car bonnet in front of me two years ago sadly did not survive his injuries.

The skies are awash with geese flying in long skeins with their wonderful honking call. Orla checks out the sky with her little hand as a telescope to see the birds!

They do love the crop fields. Eating grass and leaves but also glean grain on cereal stubble fields.

At the time of writing, we were in the middle of the Game Season, and as always I am cooking the pheasant, partridge, and duck, freezing them for cosy Winter suppers with friends. Why buy chemically injected foods when there are so many organic and fat free alternatives to source locally.

Winter in Scotland brings so many different economic benefits. Shooting clients from all over the world come over not just for the sport but for the scenery and great company. Skiing, Winter Climbing, Fishing all contribute especially providing employment. Sadly, the change in weather has seen a lack of snow in the mountains in the last few years. Being skiers ourselves in our younger days the skiing then was wonderful.

It was said if you can ski in Scotland you can ski anywhere in the world! This being due to the ski runs having random rocks and boulders appearing suddenly and the ever changeable weather. Lovely hot sun one minute then a snow blizzard within seconds. Or worse still freezing rain.

The fields are flooded once more. No matter what the seasons bring we embrace them all with joy, and all the excitement they bring.”

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WINTER ON SKYE Words and images by Scott MacKenzie, Head Gamekeeper Stalker

“The roar of the stags is behind us, the fading golden throngs of bracken have all but collapsed and the last remnants of leaves on the Ash trees are now spread thick and degrading on the ground.

After autumn, winter must be the most stimulating time of the year. The fresh bracing biting winds on your face and nipping at the tops of your ears, concrete hard ground sending a wintry chill through your boots numbing the tips of your toes, or the waves of rain soaking you to the bone often giving you brain freeze. For me, all these are a sensory overload that make me want to head outdoors and experience as much of this season as possible.

However, for many people, especially in rural areas, winter can be a time of year that brings feelings of isolation, low mood, and a general feeling of low energy, we refer to it as “the winter blues”.

This kind of depression is called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD for short, and it is generally understood that SAD worsens with limited exposure to daylight.

It affects us all in different ways, from greeting someone with a negative comment about “the weather” to isolating yourself indoors until spring.

We will all probably suffer from some sort of depression in our lifetimes and many of us will be able to deal with what life throws at us. As a rural worker we work with the seasons but are not immune to the “winter blues”, I try to keep my mind healthy by keeping my body in a reasonable level of healthiness. What works for me may not suit everyone as I try to workout at least 5 nights a week, I find that when I’ve exhausted my body, my mind is not over stimulated with the negativities of modern life, I feel much more content and enjoy the times I sit down of an evening to unwind.

I like to welcome winter as a time of the year that will offer me positive challenges and experiences in my working life too. The thought of heading to snow dusted high tops in search of Hinds the night before a day on the hill is exhilarating.

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

“Time spent outdoors is where I am at my happiest, time spent outdoors in the company of my family and friends, and I am even happier.”

Even if the day turns out to be a bust and I am wet, cold, and tired, I know I will be sat in front of the fire with a dram in hand feeling thoroughly pleased that a bust day on the hill outranks any day spent indoors looking on through a window to the hill I could be on.

Time spent outdoors is where I am at my happiest, time spent outdoors in the company of my family and friends, and I am even happier. It’s why I look forward to winter, lots of guests arriving means time spent in their company partaking in something we have a passion for.

Much of the winter season sees me guiding guests out onto the hill in search of hinds, looking for that ultimate experience in the wildest of environments.

A typical day on the hinds starts the day before, I will have packed kit, checked vehicles and trailers to ensure we can get a reasonable start the following morning. On the stalking day, I pick up guests from our hotel then we head to the rifle range to check zero on firearms and to check everyone is comfortable with everything at the start, then check the wind direction and make a plan on which ground we will head out to.

These days, albeit short of daylight, can be very long and it’s where you get to know your guests, often these people have been coming to the estate for many years and you have shared many experiences with them. This brings to mind a group of chaps who take a week’s Hind stalking every year, there arrival is always greatly anticipated, and the hotel is once again full of laughter and chatter.

Their return from the hill back to the hotel bar at the end of each day is often full of stories, like the time one of their group had to suddenly lie still during a crawl into a shootable position, 20 minutes later the guy is slowly sinking as where he had stopped mid crawl was through a bog, I’m still not sure whether the look of fear on his face was from the thought he may disappear at any moment or whether he thought I would lose it if he shouted for help and spooked the group of hinds.

Long drags, poor weather, failing kit, it is these hard-won moments through the day that will have them smiling from ear to ear while they recall their hunting experience to friends by the fireside with a dram in their hand and any sign of the winter blues has faded before it had a chance to surface.”

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SLIP SLIDING AWAY THE ULTIMATE END FOR UPLAND PEAT BOGS?

By Victor Clements

Photo by Linda Mellor

“It is very difficult to undertake any sort of land management in the Highlands of Scotland nowadays without coming across peatland, and very often it constrains our options in what we can do. It has only recently become a potential asset.

In the past peatland was regarded as waste land that needed to be “improved” to make something off it. It was often drained, ploughed, and reseeded to “make land” that could be grazed more heavily or indeed cropped. In extreme cases, such as on the Carse of Stirling, enormous depths of peat were simply cut and dumped in to the River Forth to be floated away, revealing the mineral soil beneath, which is now some of the most fertile farmland in Scotland.

Crofting communities have always made use of peatlands to cut turf for winter heating, and in the lowlands, extensive tracts of lowland bog have often been harvested on a much more significant scale for peat for garden centres and other uses. Such a use is now heavily frowned upon. In recent years, the biodiversity value of peatland has grown in our understanding, and the value of these areas for storing up carbon has suddenly become hugely important, and the Scottish Government are investing £250 million over five years to “restore” damaged peatlands.

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Big companies want access to it to demonstrate their environmental credentials, and this can be worth a lot of money too.

The extent and formation of peatlands Peatland covers about 20% of the area of the Highlands.

It is difficult to define the exact area concerned, because while peatland itself is easily recognized, peat will form on or around other habitats, and gradually replace these as it grows. So, peatlands in their very early stages can simply be little pockets of accumulating peat in a wider wet heath landscape, and we will refer to it as something else.

Come back again in 5000 years, and that area might well be peatland also. It is so extensive because it does well under cool, damp weather conditions in which suitable vegetation breaks down very slowly once it has died. If dead plant matter breaks down more slowly than it is being added to, then you have conditions in which peat can accumulate. If it is saturated with water, then further decay becomes impossible, and capillary action within the peat tends to keep it wet and holds it together. Peat will usually start to form in a hollow, and over time, it will get both deeper and spread out to form a low dome shape. Once established, peat formation will become self-sustaining.

“I used to be sceptical, but I have learned now to pay attention. He sets his ideas out really well in a book called An Illustrated Book of Peat: The Life and Death of Bogs.”

These domes will expand and merge in to one another, and the whole area may come to look very flat, hiding the fact that the peat has started at a multitude of point sources. If you think peatland is a simple concept to understand, it isn’t!

Different views We have a lot of peatland experts in Scotland now, and the more money that is made available for restoration, the more experts we seem to have. One person who is a proper expert with a lifetime of experience is Dr James Fenton, who has spent most of his career and afterwards studying bogs and their formation, long before this was fashionable. It is a difficult subject to understand because events develop over thousands of years, too slowly for us to really appreciate or notice. James comes from a different place to almost everyone else on this, and his views do not receive the publicity or understanding that they should. I used to be sceptical, but I have learned now to pay attention. He sets his ideas out really well in a book called An Illustrated Book of Peat: The Life and Death of Bogs. He suggests that bogs can die, that they do not last forever, and this was a revelation to me. The theory goes that peat is a substance composed 70-80 percent of water, and with little structure to hold it together, so when it grows on a slope, or where it creates its own slope, it eventually reaches such a depth that gravity starts to pull it downhill, overcoming the powers of the capillary action that previously held everything together. If peat starts to slide, even if so slowly that you cannot detect this, the surface crumples and becomes wrinkled when it reaches a break in slope. Water gathers in the wrinkles and forms parallel pools. Water erosion and also oxidation in the pools scours away at the peat below, until the water eventually reaches the mineral soil. At this point, the water can drain away under the peat, and you get the mineral soil re-appearing again, with peat hags at either side. Through wind, rain, snow, frost heave and oxidation, the peat hags then further erode. A very simple peatland habitat becomes much more diverse. The process takes thousands of years.

Erosion- good or bad?

Most people see this erosion as a bad thing, in that the peat surface can oxidize to the atmosphere, and this is a source of CO2. In such areas, “restoration” involves expensive diggers powered by fossil fuels reprofiling the hags and revegetating them.

Ironically, this flattens the peatland area, and makes them less diverse, not more diverse. Peat hags provide shelter for birds and animals, and sometimes people too. The exposed mineral soil provides grit that heather eating birds use to help with their digestion. Plants can grow on the exposed mineral soil that cannot grow on the peat itself. James Fenton argues that bog pools and peat hags are simply life stages in the natural evolution of a peat bog, and they provide for a diversity of habitat which is more useful to a wider suite of birds and animals than a more uniform peatland surface. Sheep and deer are often blamed for this “erosion”, and in some areas, this may well be right, but wind, rain, snow, frost, and gravity are all much stronger forces of nature at 2000 ft, and are much more likely to be shaping what is actually happening in our hills.

Looking Forwards Do people really think that they can stop gravity pulling our upland peatland downhill? The justification for restoration is given that 80 percent of our peatland is degraded. It may be more accurate to say that 80 percent of our peatland features show some signs of erosion, but if James Fenton is right in his theory, then you would expect this to be the case. In that scenario, we are “restoring” peat bogs which are edging towards the end of their lives, and we are simply tarting them up a bit to make them look good for a while longer.

If we really want to absorb carbon in our uplands, we should actually be concentrating on peatlands which are much younger, or indeed, those areas which may be peatlands in 5000 years, but which are still only wet heath today. These are the areas that will store carbon for longest before they too start to come apart. We cannot stop upland peatland areas from slip sliding away when they become old and losing carbon either to the air or to our upland watercourses. What we can do is to make sure that more is being formed than is being lost, and that means looking after open upland habitats more generally, especially those which are in the early stages of evolution towards peatland, and which are the areas with the longest lives still ahead of them. By the time they come apart and start to release their carbon, hopefully people will be worrying about something else.”

Victor Clements is a native woodland advisor working

in Highland Perthshire.

He is secretary to the Breadalbane DMG and has worked extensively on deer management plans throughout Scotland over the past ten years, and on native woodland schemes for long before that.

Dr. James Fenton’s Book can be purchased from the Natural History Book Service: https://www.nhbs.com/an-illustrated-book-of-peat-2-volume-set?bkfno=252901 Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021 49

Andrew Hunter, Owner and Managing Director, Outwear Ltd, pictured with his son, Cameron, on the Outwear stand at The Scottish Game Fair

Outwear Ltd was launched on the 1st of February 2018 and created with the aim of equipping the professional outdoor worker and outdoor enthusiast with premium quality PPE and clothing. Fast becoming renowned as ‘The Home of Elite Brands’, the company’s 10,000 sq ft warehouse is situated at Sydney Place in the market town of Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, and cannot be missed when standing on the platform of the town’s railway station. Lockerbie is one of the first sizeable towns north of the Scottish border and is on the main road and rail routes between Glasgow and Carlisle, located 75 miles south of Glasgow Central and 324 miles north of London Euston. Situated in the Western Southern Uplands with a proud agricultural past, Lockerbie was once home to Scotland’s largest lamb market.

“Having been born and brought up in the south west of Scotland I have a real passion for this area,” says Andrew Hunter, Owner and Managing Director of Outwear Ltd. “When choosing a location to setup our business, Lockerbie was a fantastic choice due to having the best transport links in the area. Most of our team are located in south west Scotland and every one of our customers in the UK is within easy reach when they need our help.”

Before the company was established, the owners ran the distribution of some of the brands from sister company, William Clark and Son (Parkgate) Limited, a respected business founded in 1924 and today owned by Douglas and Yvonne Clark. As the growth of brands including Pfanner, Protos and Woolpower increased the decision was taken to create a new company that would focus solely on brand distribution.

“Our exclusive brands don’t sacrifice on quality and when it comes to comfort and safety neither should you,” states Andrew. “We are privileged to represent such high quality, globally recognised brands. You can trust us to source the very best products for your challenging requirements.”

Country Sports enthusiasts, and those who attended September’s Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace, may well have met the Outwear team and already know of several of the brands Outwear distributes, including Italian boot brand CRISPI. Such is the demand for the innovative CRISPI ‘Highland Pro’ boot (£450) it is currently sold out in many sizes, with a waiting list in place.

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A warm welcome to Outwear

The revolutionary, 100% waterproof CRISPI 'Highland Pro' boots (£450) available in Black/Orange and now also Black/Olive.

Such is the demand for the innovative CRISPI ‘Highland Pro’ boot (£450) it is currently sold out in many sizes, with a waiting list in place.

This is the 100% waterproof boot sought by those in the know, it combines a walking boot, thermo-sealed gaiter system and offers a customised fit without pressure points thanks to the BOA millimetric closing system which uniformly distributes pressure.

Unlike the majority of boot manufacturers in the outdoor sector, CRISPI was born with its roots in the outdoor sport and hunting industry. Founder, Alessandro Marcolin’s cutting edge vision began in 1975 when ‘CRISPI Sport’ was created in Veneto at the foot of the Alps. From the very beginning ‘Progress, Evolution and Innovation’ have been the key words that guarantee success and rapid growth of the company at international levels. Four decades on, CRISPI is the result of a fusion between tradition and technology, talent and experience. CRISPI top of the line boots are both designed and manufactured in Italy. Strict focus on quality and care ensures a meticulous production process ensuring every piece is created with precision, with attention to every detail to create a boot that is defined by excellence and can respond to the need of the wearer.

“We spend a lot of time with our brands at their headquarters and manufacturing facilities across Europe,” Andrew explains. “We take great pride in learning about brand values and each and every product to ensure we can share knowledge with our stockists.”

The Outwear team is looking forward to again visiting Ostersund, northern Sweden where leading merino clothing brand Woolpower is currently building its new factory and continuing to create jobs for local people.

The brand, established in 1969, developed its unique Ullfrotte Original fabric in the early 1970s and is renowned for its layering system which conforms to strict ethical standards.

With all manufacturing kept in Ostersund, the family-owned company works to avoid wastefulness and is OEKO-TEX certified - an international certification that guarantees garments do not contain any toxic substances. The unisex range is timeless, functional and of the highest quality - the perfect choice for adventurers and those who enjoy outdoor pursuits. New nature-inspired shades are introduced to the colour palette for the Autumn/Winter season.

Once the seamstress completes and approves the garment, a back of neck label with their name on it is sewn in.

Sasta of Finland boasts a reputation based on a simple notion - that its products are renowned for being strong, while still being highly technical. The brand’s expertise starts where the marked roads and easy paths end - you can assure Sasta garments will perform in even the harshest weather that nature can throw at you, those conditions in which you need to trust your equipment 100%. Sasta is guided by the old Finnish philosophy of respecting nature. This directs sustainable thinking in design and production, while underlining the old wisdom of Finnish outdoorsmen - equipping yourself properly when heading out into the wilderness. Sasta offers both menswear and womenswear for the outdoors and a range for hunting. For decades Sasta’s product development and testing has involved direct feedback from local hunters - a relationship that ensures new innovation and the best, non-compromising clothing.

The Mehto Pro 2.0 Stalking Jacket was voted Gold Winner

by Shooting UK and Sasta won the Overall Winner Award at this year’s Scandinavian outdoor Awards with the women’s Mella+ jacket, a classical Scandinavian style polycotton jacket, specifically designed for plus-sized women who enjoy the outdoors.

OUTDOOR EXPERTISE WITH 45 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

SEAL OF QUALITY, FROM THE VERY FIRST TO THE VERY LAST STITCH “One Woolpower seamstress is responsible for sewing an entire garment, making the work more varied, developing the workmanship. Once the seamstress completes the garment and approves it, a label with their name is attached to it. This label is the seamstress and Woolpower’s seal of quality,” informs Andrew.

Woolpower’s unisex merino layering system is perfect for keeping warm in the Scottish Winter, see Scotland In 4 Seasons’ suggestions in our Christmas Gift Guide on page 21.

Outwear is also proud to be the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of Finnish brand, Sasta.

Peski Jacket (£470), a versatile women’s outdoor jacket made of Ventile fabric. Ventile is an entirely natural product that offers a unique level of comfort, look and feel in addition to being totally weatherproof, highly breathable and windproof.

Dalesman Jacket (£499), combines the performance of soft and silent 2L Gore-Tex with functional features including zippered hand-warming pockets, spacious cartridge pockets and extra adjustable cuffs. Wolf Trousers (£265), waterproof and breathable with adjustable velcro leg ends.

Outwear is the outdoor apparel partner of Roxburghe Estates, Floors Castle, one of the finest sporting estates in Scotland.

In Dumfries and Galloway, Westlands Country Park, the premium sporting, leisure and hospitality experience by Annan is a stockist of CRISPI, Sasta and Woolpower. Its facilities include world class shooting and a state-of-the-art gunroom.

“Outwear are active partners with our stockists and really enjoy showcasing our brands at Open Days, National Shows and Pop-Up Events. We’re currently preparing to exhibit at The Great British Shooting Show, 18 - 20th February at the NEC, Birmingham. Latest news and stockist information can be found on our websites, do have a look and find out who is nearest to you,” continued Andrew. www.outwearltd.co.uk Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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Buachaille Etive Mòr by Linda Mellor

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

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Venison Stuffed Peppers

By India Annand of J Boult Designs

“There’s something incredibly nostalgic and underrated about stuffed peppers. If I’m in the mood for comfort and warmth in winter, stuffed venison peppers are an excellent cheesy way to get a feed without the heaviness of usual wintry meals. Please note that I use goose fat as I feel adding fat sometimes to lean venison works really well. If you’d prefer to use butter or oil, feel free to substitute these out. This dish is a great way to hide some of those vegetables that tiny humans (and larger ones too) have a dislike for. I used mushrooms, but carrots, celery, and anything else you have in your fridge or pantry that need to be used, works well too.”

Recipe

Serves 4 Ingredients 400g wild venison mince 4 large red peppers (bell or pointed works well) A handful of mushrooms finely chopped 6 garlic cloves finely chopped 1 red onion finely chopped 2 tablespoon of rose harissa paste 1 tablespoon of goose fat 1 shot of coffee or small cup of instant coffee 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce 300ml of organic chicken or beef or venison stock Grated smoked cheddar cheese Salt and pepper

Preheat oven at 180 degrees Cut the peppers in half carefully. Remove the seeds and white bits from the core of the peppers, placing the peppers on an oven tray.

Place the peppers in the oven for 30 minutes.

Whilst the peppers are in the oven cooking, fry the onion, garlic and mushrooms in olive oil for 10 minutes on high heat. Remove the cooked vegetables from the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of goose fat and once hot add the mince to brown. Once the mince is cooked through add the rose harissa paste and onion, garlic and mushroom mix stirring through generously. Mix the 300ml of stock, coffee and Worcestershire sauce making a beautiful savoury juice. Add this to the pan and stir in. Leave on medium heat with the lid off until the peppers are ready. The venison mix needs to be not too saucy, so that it is easy to transfer into the peppers.

Once the peppers and venison mince sauce are ready, take the oven tray of peppers out. Carefully spoon in the venison mix into the peppers. Placed grated smoked cheddar on top. Put the tray back in the oven for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and browned slightly on top.

Serve your peppers with boiled potatoes and crunchy warmed greens in front of a roaring fireplace with a glass of red or single malt of your choice.

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MR & MRS ROD GUN Words and images by Ali Hutchens

“Shouting those immortal words “Fish on”, “That’s him”, “I’m in”, or your very own special version of that phrase, is one of those moments that any fisher knows is usually accompanied by a rush of adrenaline, occasional moments of fear and anticipation until we safely net the prize of all prizes – The Atlantic Salmon.

Described not lightly and quite rightly, as the King of Fish. However, I wonder how many of us uttered those very special words, this season?

Trying to ease ourselves out of the Covid-19 restrictions on travel and slip into 2021 to enjoy our much-loved pastimes would prove more of a challenge than most expected. But along with the restrictions, it did ease – eventually. However, 2021 tested us hardy anglers in many ways. The travel restrictions meant traveling between Local Authority areas (5km into the neighbouring one) was a strictly no-go and with that meant fishing on our favourite fishing spots or trying out new adventures would cause a much need re-think.

This season we had the pleasure of letting out fishing on one of the most prestigious fishing beats on the River Findhorn – Spring Home Beat, on behalf of Moray Estates. Now this place is what one can only describe as a Scottish Highland “fishing mecca”! But alas, the fishing Gods, once again, would have the very last word. We saw unseasonal low water conditions and high water temperatures, resulting in very late runs of fresh spring fish on many Scottish Salmon rivers. Our Highland spate rivers (rivers that traditionally need higher water conditions to allow the Salmon to migrate) simply needed water to make them realise their true potential. That trend unfortunately continued for most of the season.

Now, you can already tell that this is not my first Rodeo in respect of salmon fishing. Because, even when I write about fishing, I always get the excuses in early!

Very similar to my shooting days alongside my much better half Cara (she told me to say that). Now that the excuses are out of the way, on to business…….

The fishing season did pick up in places, along with the easing of travel restrictions. Many “home based” anglers from the UK stayed home and explored some of the true beauty Scotland has to offer. I saw repeat guests not only returning this season but encouraging their others to trust in Scotland and experience that beauty for themselves. Some were rewarded handsomely for their efforts. But you need that magic ingredient – Uisge (water). A very close friend of mine – Geordie Doull, the Head Ghillie on the Thurso, always reminded me that of the Thurso River – “Give the Thurso water and it’ll give you fish”. He proved that to me and other guests time and time again during our trips to that River. Our Highland spate rivers were no different and this season was testimony to those wise words. This was not restricted to the Highlands. Our Big Four Rivers, The Spey, Dee, Tay and Tweed also faced their own challenges because of similar conditions despite their size.

However, it was not all doom and gloom and why would we fishers love this sport as much as we do if it were so? When the rivers levels lifted, we had guests that were catching numerous fish each per day and experiencing red letter days.

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Many rivers also closed their seasons with a great “back end” to the season. The tail end of the salmon fishing is historically referred to as the back end. Our King of Fish take on one of nature’s most fantastic transformations and put on their tartan colours ready for spawning as they venture to the upper most reaches of their migratory rivers and tributaries. Fishers can often experience some fantastic sport during these Autumnal days. I have often drifted off in my surroundings on many a fishing day spent on the River Tweed on a cold and frosty autumn morning.

On to 2022 – great people learn from their experiences and there are many great people in the fishing world.

I’ve been honoured to meet so many and learned so much from them myself. If this is indeed true, then each of these challenging seasons makes us more determined to adapt to changing times and conditions. One of these very wise friends once shared some of these words of wisdom “your fly has to be in the water to catch” & “you miss with 100% of the shots you never take”! There’s been a few ghillies newly appointed to beats on some of Scotland’s finest rivers for the coming seasons on our rivers. With them comes a fresh new outlook. A reshuffle can be good for a beats prospect as it brings with it experience and a “can do” attitude to their new role. This may also be a year of no such restrictions on movements across borders. Therefore, this is an ideal opportunity to put some of those plans into practice and realise that this is the moment you’ve been waiting for when contemplating that fishing trip you’ve been putting off.

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Then why try salmon fishing if it’s such a challenge?

Well, just for that reason. The Atlantic Salmon is a valuable and rare commodity. Catching one should always be considered an honour and not a right (it’s called fishing not catching after all). But picture this – you get to immerse yourself in the beauty of your natural surroundings, spending time with people you love and cherish. Whether that be friends or family. Then maybe, just maybe, you will be blessed with the experience of what it is to catch an Atlantic Salmon for yourself and realise what it is us anglers often reminisce about.

If you realise that it is an “experience”, you will be more than halfway to understanding how very special fishing can be.

It may be the King of Fish. But you don’t need a King’s ransom to realise your potential to fish for Salmon.

There are many great town waters on most Scottish Rivers that will give you access to excellent fishing for less than the price of a three-course meal. Your local fishing tackle or shooting shop is also a great place for local information and access to guides, ghillies and tackle. Even get in touch with us and we will put you in the right direction. The fishing community is referred to as that (a community) for a reason. We are a very inclusive and welcoming bunch and love to see newcomers to the sport. So why not give it a go for yourself.”

Gateway1 footwear is designed, developed and tested in Scandinavia

For your nearest stockist email sales@koolbox.co.uk visit www.koolbox.co.uk Telephone 01509 233 333 Catalogue can be found at www.gateway1-footgear.com

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Celebrating rural workers in the Year of Employment #YofE2021

With environmental protection becoming more important, many people believe the ‘heavy lifting’ of meeting targets will be done by environmental charities and campaigners. What is less talked about is the skilled delivery resource Scotland already has at its disposal in the shape of its existing rural workforce.

Did you know, there are more people directly employed in fishing and shooting in Scotland than in all of the big environmental charities combined? On top of their paid work, these individuals are deploying centuries of local knowledge to control invasive species on riverbanks, to nurture habitats to sustain declining butterflies, bees and moths and to humanely manage populations of our iconic deer. They are providing conditions so that declining species such as the red-listed Curlew have a fighting chance at avoiding extinction.

Alarmingly, in Wales, the evocative call of the Curlew is projected to be silenced forever in only 12 years’ time.

These rural workers are an unseen climate and biodiversity force, providing goods for nature and climate - without the public getting charged with the bill. Unlike charity conservation - which is 80% funded by Scottish tax payers - the work of river and land ghillies, deer managers and gamekeepers is funded privately from income generated by visitors paying to enjoy world class angling and shooting experiences in Scotland. Even if you never cast a line for a fish in your life, or hold a gun, you are still benefiting from the work of a gamekeeper or a deer manager; work which is largely unseen, unsung and unheard. That is why The Scottish Gamekeepers Association has devoted the next 12 months to recognising the work of these individuals in their Year of Employment, #YofE2021. Not only are the stories of these quiet individuals fascinating, their role in helping Scotland meet its biodiversity and Net Zero emissions targets will become even more important as the clock ticks down towards 2045.

Where we stand today, there are more people directly employed in fishing and shooting in Scotland than in onshore and offshore wind, adventure sports and on every RSPB nature reserve the length and breadth of Britain.

Learn about their work by scanning the black and white square QR Code with your phone camera or visit www. scottishgamekeepers.co.uk

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J Boult Designs

Upcycled Handmade Gifts from the Scottish Highlands www.jboultdesigns.com

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

Life on the remote Pait Estate Winter Words and images by Angela Phimister

“Winter at Pait was spectacular, wild, isolated, happy, and maybe a bit lonely at times.

After all the hustle and bustle of the season it would now be Dougie, myself, our dogs and sometimes a ghillie at Pait.

What would winter bring? Well, like lots of other places it brought the unknown.

Snow covered hills and the silence that came with it was lovely, just white hills with the tracks of whatever wildlife cared to stay here. Bright blue skies or very dark skies could look amazing.

There could also be storms like no other and cold east wind that would bite you hard, the loch could freeze from one end to the other leaving us stranded and nothing else for it but to walk out over the hill to our little cottage at Monar taking with us our nine dogs. It was not an easy walk let me tell you, the drifts up to thigh and beyond. Dougie making tracks for me and the smaller-made dogs, the big girls romping through having a ball.

I would be stopping every 5 minutes taking photos.

The deer would gather round the outside of our garden trying to get shelter I loved watching them out the window finding their spot for the night and hoping all would be okay in the morning. Sadly, this was not always the case and that still carcass would bring sadness.

Dougie would be busy trying to get hind cull done, but with the days growing shorter it made life more difficult especially if he were to go further up the loch.

Some days I would go to help Dougie, well, I am not sure if I was a help or hindrance. I was a fair-weather girl, and looking back, sadly, I probably did not go out enough but that’s what happens when it’s on your doorstep.

On days when weather was horrid outside, I would love nothing better than being in my kitchen making cakes and chutneys to give out at Christmas. We always moved down to Monar for Christmas as my parents, children, grandchildren, and friends would come to stay, weather permitting, and if the glen road was passable.

Some years, it would be so cold that the diesel for the generator would freeze, and also the gas tanks and the water coming into the house. When the water froze, we would have to break the ice and fill buckets. This is when you realise how much water one uses in a day.

I would love nothing better than getting out with my camera when we had a snow fall. The silence and beauty was just amazing. Everything looked so clean and fresh, it was just magical but not so nice if it had been frosty for a spell and thawed then it would mud everywhere, dogs covered in it, and garden looking like a ploughed field.

The lodge by now was cold and very damp I would go along and check it regularly. The wall was sometimes running with moisture as there was no heating whatsoever. Thankfully, our little cottage was always warm and cosy with the most amazing views you could ask for.

We were lucky to have stayed and experienced such a unique place, it’s not for everyone, but we were happy there.

This is my last piece for the magazine I’m very amateur at this but have enjoyed sharing a very small part of our life at Pait. Thank you, Linda, for asking. It’s a great magazine, keep reading it folks and keep safe everyone.”

(Editor: Angela, thank you very much for sharing, it’s been a great reading through the seasons with you!)

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Tales from a Skye Croft

By Claire Nicolson

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“As I sit down tonight to tap out these words, I cannot decide if we have reached ‘proper winter’ yet.

Truth be told, on Skye it can arrive anytime from mid-October; autumn cut short by a sou-westerly hell-bent on rushing leaves off trees, filling burns and returning the land to muted colours and a squelchy consistency.

The house has fallen quiet, red embers glow bright as a gust of wind shrieks, the stove itself clicking and ticking as it cools. Outside the moon is only intermittently bright, the wind relentlessly driving forth one torrential shower after another.

Chairs, hooks, and door handles are draped not just with drying waterproofs of various sizes, colours, and states of repair but also with the tell-tale woolly hats and thick socks which indicate a drop in temperature. It certainly feels like proper winter…

A couple of years ago, an incident on the hill reminded me of an early conversation with Himself. I’d been dispatched with a bucket of feed, our herd of cattle bearing down on it (and therefore on me too!) when there came that unsettling feeling of sinking knee-deep into mud and losing a welly. Cue frantic and undignified scrabbling around trying to get myself upright and fully booted before they were upon me. Later on, errant welly retrieved, dry socks pulled on, out of nowhere came the long-forgotten words, “if you can cope with dogs, livestock and mud, we’ll be just fine.” My response was of a blithe “no bother” strain. If this city-born girl had read the small print and realised that Skye Mud was a completely different beast to Morningside Mud I might have ended up with a very different life there but for the grace of mud!

Words and images by Claire Nicolson

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“I feel more alive at this time of year than any other. Perhaps it is being at the mercy of the elements, up close with the animals, or immersed in the same chores that generations before us have performed to get their livestock through the most challenging season.”

But here I am, glad of that ignorance despite regular mishaps: footwear swallowed up by voracious bogs; a sure foot instead of a cautious one which sends you skiting down the hill on your backside. If I’m in luck, the only witnesses are the flock of pregnant ewes on the hill who heckle me daily from across the fence as I trudge up the croft bearing a bucket of feed that isn’t for them. I try not to take their jeering personally…

With short days and seemingly endless chores it’s inevitable that I’m more hands-on with the livestock during these months. Delivering buckets of feed, blocks of mineral “licks” and bales of hay and silage dominates the schedule and the first one home from work has the responsibility to get the bulk of it done in daylight… though as a non-driver I’m unable to tackle the bales which require the tractor. This year, however, I have my own quad bike and stock trailer and frankly, I can’t believe how I survived without them. I am finding a ridiculous number of uses for them…though the least said about my reversing with the trailer coupled, the better…!

I feel more alive at this time of year than any other.

Perhaps it is being at the mercy of the elements, up close with the animals, or immersed in the same chores that generations before us have performed to get their livestock through the most challenging season. There’s never much free time but I always make sure that my camera is on hand to capture that special winter light, patterns in the ice, a traditional pastoral shot or even a comical bovine expression. In the evenings it’s out with the dogs, possibly accompanied by one or both of the boys. It’s not so many years ago that I’d have had to admit to being quite scared out in the dark but the combination of head torch and a mind too busy to stop and consider the supposed threats have put paid to that.

Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find me in any number of favourite haunts, head torch on, dogs snuffling at my pockets for treats: in a burn lopping over-hanging branches; unearthing stones for any number of projects; salvaging long lost treasures from a ditch - an old cast iron bedstead or fire surround used at some point to plug holes in a fence. I’ve yet to brave the woods in the dark though!

Last winter, a school project on space caught our imaginations and we regularly lay flat on our backs on frosty ground gazing up at our dark skies spotting planets and constellations. There’s nothing else quite like it to connect you to nature and help define your place in the world…even if your body-heat does melt the frost leaving your waterproofs caked in mud and requiring a prime overnight drying spot…”

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WINTER FISHING with Simon Barnes “First – a confession. I don’t like being cold. This came about since my heart surgery. For years I could stand the cold no problem. Now, not so much.

This means that my winter fishing is somewhat curtailed. Standing in a cold river fishing for grayling does not have the same appeal. That said, I do go out occasionally. It’s lovely to be back on the river waiting for a take.

I have even managed to catch fish on a dry fly in January. However, once the line starts freezing in the rings I reckon it’s time to go home.

My workshop has a wood-burning stove. What better than lighting it, then heading out with the dogs and returning to a lovely cosy space. The weather can do its worst – I’m warm, got a coffee, music is on, and I can make rods in great comfort. Far better than standing in cold water grading trout as I did in my trout farming days.

Fishing in winter and spring in Scotland does have its risks. I was up on the lovely river Deveron in Aberdeenshire in late March, trying to catch my first brown trout of the season. The river was in fine fettle and there was the occasional fish rising. I saw a fish and as I tried to move into a better position to cast to it, I lost my footing and despite my wading stick as an aid (an essential piece of kit when wading), I went head first into the river. The cold takes your breath away. As I submerged into the icy river my life jacket went off as it should have done. Great! But I wasn’t expecting the inflated yellow bladder to completely block my vision and I struggled to see my way back to the edge to climb out. Climb out? Well, with my waders full of cold water this was a challenge.

The next problem was that I’d no spare clothes except for my pyjamas. So nothing else for it – I hung up my wet clothes, donned my PJ’s and drove to ASDA in Huntly. No one batted an eyelid at my bizarre apparel. The moral of this story is to be sure to pack some dry clothes – a rookie mistake.

Moving into April, my chum Rick and I decided to venture to a favoured hill loch in Glenshee. It involves quite a drive from my home and then a hoof up the hill to the loch. The first serious hike after winter tested the lungs and legs. It was a fabulous day but only one fish to my rod. It was a beauty however, and remained the best of the season from that particular loch.

I went back later in April with another fishing pal, Alan. He had seen the fish caught earlier so off we went. It was Alan’s first venture up this hill, so we took our time. Once up there you have to drag the boat out of the boathouse, so it is all a bit of an effort.

The boat is not a big one and is nicknamed “The Coracle” as it is not that stable.

We were fishing away out in the middle of the loch and there were some trout rising.

After about twenty minutes, Alan decided to stand up and stretch his legs. The boat tipped and much to his astonishment he found himself in the water! Let me tell you, trying to row that boat with a fifteen stone man attached to the rear was a task and a half. So – pull the boat back in, walk back down the hill and drive back home – for twenty minutes fishing!

But it could have been so different Alan’s fishing waistcoat has a built-in life jacket – thank heavens. I managed to take a photo of the event and placed it on Facebook. It certainly caused some comment – “Is that the new outboard?” and “I’d throw myself in too after twenty minutes fishing with Simon”… Alan was very sporting about the ribaldry, even when I got the photo blown up and displayed it at the Game Fair. Funnily enough, he hasn’t mentioned going back up there for another go.

I have another friend, Iain, who is well experienced in loch fishing (as his brother Duncan), but had no knowledge of river trouting. Now I have a friend who used to work for me in my trout farming days and he is now fishery development manager on the River Annan. Michael is also a superb guide and instructor. So off we went in search of an Annan trout. The river was quite low (a feature of the whole of the 2021 season) but was fine for trout fishing. There were plenty of hatches going on with millions of Grannom sedges and Large Dark Olives. Michael took Iain under his wing, and we fished all day with some success. Fishing the upstream dry fly for wild river brown trout is for me the epitome of the sport.

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Iain learned a lot from Michael and caught fish. His surprise was finding out that the tiniest of rises can be a very decent trout. Michael can be found on the Fish Annan website and is a font of piscatorial knowledge.

I may have mentioned in previous articles that I love visiting the islands of Scotland. A favourite destination is South Uist. There is something about the place and the journey to it. My friend David now lives near Stamford and would drive to me in Crieff for us to continue on together. Now electric cars might seem a good idea, but nineteen hours from his home to Crieff? Seriously? We continued in my van to catch the ferry. I love getting a ferry. There is something special about it and it helps to build the anticipation. Assuming, of course, that Cal Mac has a ferry to run…

South Uist – full of lochs and fabulous trout in them. You need the right conditions of course and that can be somewhat variable. On our first day it was blowing a hoolie and the rain was heavy and incessant. We caught fish though but gave up mid-afternoon, pleased but absolutely soaked. The weather did improve after that to only a bit wet, but it reminded me of the old saying – “If you want a week’s fishing in the Hebrides, go for three!”.

I returned to South Uist in August with three others and stayed again with the Batemans at The Angler’s Retreat. With luck we would also find some salmon and sea trout in the lochs. Rick caught a stonker – 5lbs 3ozs of gleaming sea trout. The problem with taking a newbie to the Uists is you really want them to have a great experience. Alan (he of falling out the boat fame) really struggled at first. He was very philosophical about it, but I knew he needed to catch.

Finally he got it – and boy, did he ever. The fish woke up to his flies and he had a brilliant time. Just shows – don’t give up.

You might think it is all leisure and pleasure in my life. You would be right.

Even my day job I really enjoy. I absolutely love making rods for people. Many of my clients have become friends. One of the pleasures is attending Game Fairs and fishing shows. These have been lacking during the pandemic and I have really missed them The first one for me in some time was at Ragley Hall in Warwickshire. So the van was packed, and the caravan yoked up and off we went.

It was so good to be setting up again although I had forgotten how to assemble my marquee and had also forgotten the odd essential item.

But the other exhibitors are always friendly and helpful, happy to share their heavy duty hammer and other kit.

The wee caravan and awning was a great success, parked up behind the stand and available for a quick five minute rest with a cuppa when the chance comes. We spent the first day setting up and catching up with other exhibitors. How good it felt, and anticipation was high.

The Fishing Village was not as big as I had hoped, but visitors came in their Words and images by Simon Barnes droves, and we had an excellent three days. So nice to meet existing customers and find new ones.

It is jolly hard work being on the stand for three days, but we went home happy with a clutch of orders. Next – The Scottish Game Fair at Scone at the end of September. It too was a busy show and amazingly the weather held until we were packed up and heading home.

I had a first at this show. A lady had emailed me in advance, wishing to chat to me at the show about a child’s first rod.

We did chat and I suggested perhaps a fibre glass rod might suit as they are quite robust. It is always possible that a wee child might use it for hacking down nettles…

When I asked the age of the child I was informed that it was not yet born – baby was due the following week! Now that’s starting them young!

I mentioned that I love being in my workshop with the wood burning stove on. The problem is of course that you need dry logs. When I built my shed it was a simple wooden agricultural building. We moved the front wall back so as to create an overhang where I constructed four log bays. Two bays are now empty and need an enormous amount of logs to fill them!

So as I write this I am building rods and cutting and splitting logs. I have 13 tonnes to do. Cut, then split, then carry and then stack. The saying that wood warms you twice is not true – it’s at least four times!

I have had a wonderful season fishing and being immersed in wildlife with my friends and my dogs. Now I’m in the workshop building and repairing rods. I love it.”

Visit simbarods.com

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Snowy tree by Linda Mellor

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Rural Working and Living

As old as the hills Words and images by Linda Mellor

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“There’s a shift going on as people seek to connect with the outdoors and nature.”

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“There’s a shift going on as people seek to connect with the outdoors and with nature. More folk are looking at alternatives to urban lifestyles, and how they can make positive changes in the way they live their lives, how they bring up their families, how and where they work and how can they reduce their impact on the planet. Living a more sustainable life and being kinder to the planet has created an interest in living outwith towns and cities, and seeking a different way of life in Scotland’s countryside.

During the pandemic, and with travel restrictions in place, the countryside saw an increase in visitors as people explored doorstep destinations around the country.

Additionally, as the majority of Scotland’s workforce were either on furlough or were able to work from home, people re-adjusted the shape of their working lives. There was no longer a need to be in an office each day from 9 to 5. Businesses restructured their workforce to enable this new way of working to function effectively. People made space on the kitchen tables to work, and with this fixed base for home and job, many started to question their surroundings and their town and city locations.

The countryside offers a different type of lifestyle compared to an urban one. The rural infrastructure may not be as accessible as that of a town, but one does exist.

There may not be every convenience within reach but there are always alternatives to seek out. Rural broadband connects the countryside to the rest of the world, although in some places its reliability and strength are still unpredictable. This connectivity opens up an endless stream of possibilities and makes working from a rural home a plausible option. The pandemic has taught the business world it is possible for office-based employees to work remotely from their home. Rural life is no longer the out of reach lifestyle it was a decade or so ago. As we move towards a more impact-aware society, the ranges of options are increasing as technology improves and more diverse alternatives are offered.

Years ago, rural jobs were the norm, country estates and farms had a large and steady workforce, but with the growth of technology, changes in land use, improvements in travel and access, expanding towns, and the promise of bigger opportunities, many sought a career away from their rural roots and headed to the cities. If we look back through the generations in our family trees, we would likely find that some of our relatives worked in farming, crofting, forestry, gamekeeping or domestic service on country estates. As Scotland continued to evolve, cities expanded, and industries grew, and the requirement for

“many people have started to pull away from an on-demand lifestyle”

rural skills reshaped and remained. Today, traditional country careers such as gamekeeping, deer management and river ghilling have developed and are thriving across Scotland’s countryside, and account for a sizeable rural workforce. Scotland has islands, vast rural and remote areas, so if you ever wanted to work outdoors then here is the place to the explore opportunities. Colleges offer courses to school-leavers interested in pursuing an outdoor career, and there are choices galore: rural and estate skills, environmental management, research, forestry, sustainable food production and land use, and more.

As interest grows in living ethically and increasing our environmental awareness, many are rejecting the on-demand lifestyle and taking a more considered approach with recycling, reusing, and upcycling. Perhaps we will return to eating seasonal fruit and vegetables, locally grown and harvested meat, game, dine on fish caught in Scottish waters, do more home baking and cooking, take up knitting, sewing, and making our own clothes, and spending more time outside than online. Maybe more people will up sticks to a rural spot and take up a countryside career. Nature and climate change are fundamentally linked, and with more people working outdoors the land will benefit, and help towards tackling climate change.

Moving away from a society of convenience maybe it’s time to return to the old, traditional ways. After all, rural jobs and country living are as old as the hills.”

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Our Changing Seasons Words and images

“These erratic winter events not only severely impact nature but as a result of their impacts on biodiversity, they directly affect rural livelihoods.”

By Caroline Pringle

“In this moment in time where, globally, we are more aware than ever of the issues surrounding climate change, many of us have become acutely aware of the not-so-subtle changes occurring to our seasonal weather patterns, not least during winter. Until recently, winter weather largely had a predictable nature with the odd occasional extreme event, whether that be very little snow or a 1 in 200-year heavy snow event. Prolonged frosts and long-term snow cover were, for the most part, the norm and something which our environment and its wildlife were both well adapted for and accustomed to. However things are changing and changing at a rate which is throwing ecosystems off course. It is hard to conclusively say whether our increasing tick problem is as a result of shorter, wetter and milder winters but for ptarmigan, stoats and mountain hares which depend on the camouflage of snowy ground cover for safety during the winter, the issues are definitely more apparent.

The Spring of 2021 saw a mild start, however snow in May threw our flora and fauna into chaos, with flowering trees and ground nesting birds particularly hard hit.

In some parts of the Scotland, there was little fruit and few nuts to be seen on apple, oak and hazel trees this Autumn, while successful red grouse broods were almost non-existent.

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This was the second time in three years that the species had suffered severe population decline as the beast from the east in 2018, which is etched on our minds as the most significant recent event, struck them a significant blow, alongside noticeable declines in small bird populations. These erratic winter events not only severely impact nature but as a result of their impacts on biodiversity, they directly affect rural livelihoods. Most grouse shoots have not taken place this year and while this may not immediately appear to be an issue to some, this inactivity has significant socio-economic and environmental impacts. Tourism through shooting supports accommodation businesses, food and drink enterprises and direct employment through the estates and this business source helps keep rural communities afloat through winter, a time where other tourism significantly decreases. Importantly, the income also allows land managers to reinvest in their employees and the natural environment the following year.

The primary concern of our Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES) members is simply that wildlife does not have the ability to adapt quickly enough to the changing climate and without healthy ecosystems, socio-economic opportunities simply won’t exist. In recognition of this, WES members are working to enhance habitats to mitigate some of the pressures on the ecosystems.

Through the provision of a mosaic of enhanced, restored and connected habitats, WES members are helping wildlife access shelter and food throughout winter. This habitat improvement takes many forms from reconnecting riparian habitats, planting hedges and woodlands, establishing wetlands, restoring peatland and ensuring continuous ground cover.

There is very much a recognition amongst WES members that you need to start with the habitat in order to establish resilience within an ecosystem and that if you can achieve that on a local scale, often in collaboration with neighbours, then enough time might be bought for local flora and fauna to survive while global players catch up and make the changes necessary to stop further temperature rises and stabilise our seasons.”

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Footbridge at Loch Pattack by Ross Dakers

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FIGH T I NG F I R E

You may ask what’s the point, what With Crew Commander James Black do we do?

Kinloch Rannoch Community Fire Station Well, the point, and “On May 18th, 2019, we had a call-out, nothing exciting just an overzealous camp-fire on the south shore of Loch I hope this year demonRannoch, no damage so we all went back to the station, washed the appliance and went home. Little did we know strates, is a this would kick-start a chain of events leading to the crea- reduction tion of 7 new Ranger posts by Perth and Kinross Council. of rubbish, Let me explain, this call had been the third camper relat- damage to flora and ed call-out in the preceding four weeks, so we decided fauna, reduction in antisocial behaviour, improved water to do what we call a hot strike (normally it means going safety and, of course, a reduction in fires. Nowadays, we to houses adjacent to a fire the next day offering advice, are more prepared than ever, we actually know the rules reassurance, and safety visits). So on the 19th we set off with the community safety van armed with no more than and regulations, we carry medical bags (very often used), water rescue lines, leaflets, poo trowels, bin bags, litter a stack of camping safety leaflets, a mere thirty minutes pickers, and sharps box. Whilst it is not perfect, we feel later we were realising that there were more problems and issues than one or two dodgy campers, the sheer vol- things have improved in our area of operations and we plan to be back next year with more rangers and more ume of rubbish in each layby was staggering as was the patrols. Coupled with a national education programme, human waste! hopefully, we can build on our successes year on year, In every layby there were multiple blackened fire rings, and that this or similar models can be used around Scotwith and without stone circles, as we turned up to one site a group of young gentlemen were getting in their car land.” to go home leaving all their rubbish and a still burning fire behind them, a discussion ensued, and they put out Winter Fire Safety Advice from James their fire and collected their litter.

We had expected this first patrol to be bad but not as bad *As some of us will be lightas we found things. So our camper patrol was born, in ing their fires more often, we 2019 we went out on the popular weekends, giving advice recommend they are swept and and leaflets to the visitors trying to make sure they behaved. It was the busiest weekend we had, with 112 sites inspected at least once per year, in Rannoch and Tummel and get a carbon monoxide de2020 and covid had hit, knowing the work we had done tector in case of blockages . the previous year and that with everyone on staycation, the council asked us to do every weekend in the summer *Unplug fairy lights and other months, which we did. electrical goods such as chargTo this day, I have no idea how our wee station in Kiners when we go to bed or when loch Rannoch with only 5 firefighters did this it, it was so not at home. busy. Some days a Greenspace Ranger or a Forestry and land Scotland forester would help, but largely we were on *Do not leave cooking unatour own. I am so proud of my crew that year, they were tended and do not cook under out every single weekend sometimes till 9pm. the influence of alcohol as most In 2020, our busiest weekend, we visit 172 sites, so roughfires in the home start in the ly up a third. By 2021, again, we were asked to continue kitchen. our work but thankfully. a few weeks into the season, the Council took on seven new Rangers, they were, and are, a godsend to us and all remarkably nice people, paired *No matter the time of year with the Greenspace Ranger, they have taken most of the check your detectors weekly workload and now patrol more of Perthshire and five and give them a quick vacuum days a week not just two. The 2021 figures have not yet as you do the house as bugs, been fully compiled but one of our busiest weekends was spider webs and dust inside about 150 sites.

Photo supplied

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them affect their operation.

A Cause for Celebration!

75 years of Kinloch Rannoch Community Fire Station

The preparation begins!

Crew Commander James Black

Padre Philip Francis

Big Red Fire Engines

Visitor Rangers

Boys have a chat.

Tasty home-baking.

Entertainment!

James closes in on the homemade cakes

Kinloch Rannoch fire station celebrated its 75 years with an open day on 30th October. Since it opened in 1946, the rural station has been at the centre of community life and has seen many locals volunteering their time to help keep everyone safe.

The weather stayed dry as a plaque was unveiled to honour each firefighter from 1946 to present day. There were vintage fire engines and station history, tasty homemade cakes for sale, burgers, kids play area, a clown, and raffle. Kinloch Rannoch Crew Commander, James Black, said, “It was a great day, and very busy. Some of the many highlights were seeing my friends Steven who brought the Dennis, and the boys from the heritage trust who brought the VW. We raised roughly £600 after expenses, so £300 to The Firefighters Charity and £300 to the SFRS Family Support Trust.”

Photos by Linda Mellor

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The Tinkers Curse A short story

by Hugh Munro He strode effortlessly across the moorland. As the sun rose over the horizon his stride seemed to lengthen almost as if he had fresh wind beating in his lungs. Undoubtedly he was a true hill-man well used to this landscape, and a cursory look at his weather-beaten strong features, told you such. Here was a man with a mission and whatever the purpose and challenge, he was going to carry it out.

As the highland moorland eased itself down towards the flat of the valley below, he stopped and sat down on a boulder that to him was as comfortable as a recliner armchair in a stately home. He was hungry. He, Sandy MacTavish, a member of the Travelling Community or ‘Tinkers’ as they were commonly called in Scotland, had already travelled some fifteen miles from the encampment where he had left his wife, Flora, and his two small bairns, Colin and Ivy, in the wee small hours. It had been dark when he left but he had unerringly found his way without flashlight. He knew where he was going as he had trod these steps many times, years ago, with his father Alexander. He had a unique legacy here in Starthrorie. It had been here on a very cold spring morning that Margaret, his mother, just a slip of a girl and in her first season out from the town life, and married to his father, had given birth to him.

However, time had changed the lives of the travellers and the numbers were dwindling with every year. Sandy was now a seasoned veteran of twenty five, and his wife, Flora, longed for the time that her husband would take the family off the road and find a job back in town, which might yield from his wage a family home. She had given her husband an ultimatum, this would be the last year on the road for her. However apart from his National Service in the Scots Guards, Sandy had never known any other life than that of the traveller. During the cold winter months they had lodged with his parents, now living in comfortable accommodation in a small village some fifty miles away. However, at the first whiff of a spring breeze ,and without warning, the family, along with Duncan their reliable old pony, would hit the road in true “yellow on the broom” tradition.

But Flora was growing weary she had not been a member of a travelling family, and gradually reason had started to prevail with Sandy that unless he made changes he might be left with no family at all. It was when he was reading his Father’s old tattered handwritten journal he had come across an entry relating to freshwater pearls. His father had written about them some twenty years ago, and had dived into the pool found many oysters but they were all too small to harvest.

He wrote, “I have never seen such perfectly formed shells and a twinge of excitement shook my body as well as the cold as I resurfaced. I did not need the gift to tell me that give these creatures some twenty years and there would be one that would perhaps yield a stone worth a small fortune.”

So this was where Sandy was headed. As he ate the slice of his cold porridge and sipped a small measure of Scotch he reflected on what might be. “Och!” he said shaking himself, it’s a pipe dream.

But he reminded himself his father had been a wise man he had learnt all he knew about the land, the rivers and the wildlife from his father, and as most travellers, he had inherited the gift of second sight.

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He stood up refreshed and full of purpose again. If the good lord had smiled on him today he would make the ultimate sacrifice.

He would sell what he gleaned and take his family off the road, and they would become town dwellers. His wife would be happy, and the bairns would know what settled schooling meant. He would have to find a job, now that was the difficulty.

With a few swift strides, just over a mile, he found himself by the side of the Rorie River. This was the spot his father had described all these years ago. The waters tumbled down from Ben Rorie still wearing its winter mantle of white and cascaded down twenty feet over the rocky waterfall before swirling mysteriously, into a pool his father had called, the Tinkers Curse. This was a river rich in salmon and trout and each year the salmon made their way up from the sea at Tarbet some miles away. Here the river passed through the highland estate of Strathrorie Lodge which, for years, had belonged to Colonel Hector Cummings, a man that his father had had good relations with. In return for odd jobs around the estate, the Colonel had not objected to his father taking the odd salmon out of the river to feed his family. Indeed the Colonel and his father had both served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlander in the incursion out in Borneo. Cummings as the regimental Commanding Officer and his father as an NCO. Both could not wait for their turn to demob from the army. The old guard had passed away and Sandy was conscious that a new laird now inhabited the big house. Still, he was only here for this one task and after this he would be off the man’s land and never see him or this area again. He never stopped to consider the new Landowning rules passed in Parliament that anything found on the estate land belonged to the landlord not necessarily the finder.

Methodically, he prepared himself for the dip into freezing icy water. He was glad of the second-hand waders he had found in a skip outside the Kenmore Hotel some months back. They still leaked a bit, but his puncture repair kit had worked wonders. He donned his father’s old clear glass mask then he waded in, and peered into the inky blackness. The combination of the strong sun behind his back and a flashlight, let him see the bottom, of a shallow pool perhaps seven feet or so. He grunted as he looked.

“Yes!” There they were –just as his father had described. A clump of twenty of so shells lying on a shelf just as the river rushed out to resume its passage to the sea. Then he looked again deeper down in the murk he saw another group-double the size and almost wizened with age, but they were further down. What would he do? The answer came fast and as sharp as the Northwest wind blowing down the Strath. He imagined the voice of his late father urging him on. “Go for both crops my boy!” The water was so cold it was dredging into his very soul. He would have to work fast. Taking a grabber from the haversack on his back and his large fish landing net, he slowly and very carefully swept the net under the crop of oysters lying on the shelf and landed them on the shore some six feet away.

Leaving his torch on the shore he calculated, that to gather the shells at the deepest depth, he might well land in over his waders and become so heavy he would not be able to get out of the Rorie.

Still it was worth the risk he had never seen freshwater oysters these size. He felt sure if ever the fates were with him today was going to be the day. Taking a deep breath he extended his net as far as he could reach and lowered slowly his body into the freezing waters of the pool. Without his flashlight he had to peer into the darkness but then the noonday sun reappeared from behind the clouds and there they were bathed in light. At the same time he was conscious of the water coming over the top of his waders.

With a sure stroke and deftness he had used when landing a fish on many occasions, he swept the net along under the oyster bed and gathered them all into the net. Without pausing to think, he immediately took the net and himself out of the pool and successfully made for the banks of the river. Almost white with cold, he carefully laid his catch beside the others.

Quickly, he stripped off his sodden clothing and using an old towel rubbed himself down. He took a dry set of clothes from his other bag, pulled on his socks and boots. At the bottom of the bag was his father’s old knife, ideal for opening up the oysters. Once he was changed and the wet clothing wrapped in an oilskin bag and returned to the haversack, he made a small entry in his father’s journal recording what he had harvested. Once he had opened the shells he would complete the record. “Now,” he said to himself, “let’s see what we’ve got!”

One by one he opened the mussels, and he soon had a healthy amount, worthy of fetching a reasonable amount at the jewellers shop in Pitlochry. Not a life changing amount but handy. It was when he opened shell 17 of 20 that time stopped and stood still.

As he opened the shell he gazed in rapture and wonderment at the smoky black pearl lying in its white bed. Freshwater pearls from the Scottish rivers were traditionally white or off white but rarely a black pearl would be produced. Even a small black pearl was worth twice the sum as the normal colour. He could not believe his eyes. Stories of such pearls had entertained the tinkers encampments for years, but he had never totally believed the stories of the old men. But here it was. A stone worth …. he could not put a price on it…thousands. His father had been right, and he, Sandy, had reaped the perils of the pool and gained a life changing opportunity for himself and his family. What would his wife and bairns say? Without a minute to waste, he stored the small pearls into a small cloth bag which he put in a pocket in the rucksack but the Smoky black was put into a separate bag which he secreted deep into his trousers pockets. The empty shells and immature oysters he put back into the river. His father had taught him always to return them in order for them to keep growing. Lifting his haversack and bag he set off to walk down the riverside to the nearest main road and hitch a lift to Pitlochry to sell his ill-gotten wares?

As he walked squalls of rain drenched the landscapes, but his heart was beating with joy, he and his family now had a future.

The jeweller where he was headed had been a friend to the travellers for many years and the word had circulated that he was in the market for cash purchase of pearls. The fates now seemed to turn against him, for as he walked, the rain started to lash down and visibility closed in.

At the broad bend in the river the waters had swelled and a turmoil of bubbling cauldron of waters were swirling round and round almost like a giant whirlpool. In the middle of this maelstrom was a solitary figure of a man struggling to hold onto his balance. Suddenly as the waters circled he lost his footing and was swept round and round his rod and net cast adrift.

“Help!” He shouted.

Without a moment’s hesitation, and thought for his own safety, Sandy sprinted to the side of the river, he kicked off his boots as he ran, and for the second time that day, dived into the freezing waters of the Rorie River.

The fisherman was now panicking and in danger of drowning in the deepest part of the pool. He was wearing heavy tweeds and his waders, now so full of water, were pulling him down. He was not a large man and luckily had not yet lost reason and consciousness and recognised that here was someone who could save him provided they used their combined strengths to work together. Sandy shouted for the man to try and float onto his back and using the strap of the fishing basket round his shoulders pulled the man to him and together they swam with the current which let them drift across to the far bank where he had left his haversack. Here he managed to anchor them both by an old, trailing rusty wire fence which, although had seen better days, was still fixed solidly to the bank. With an all mighty heave and with the last of his strength waning Sandy pulled the man onto the bank.

Time now of the essence. Before hypothermia set in Sandy gathered some dried heather tussocks and small bits of twigs and piled them around the rotting post. In the side pocket of his bag were matches and Meths, Quickly, he poured the liquid over the pile. Taking a deep breath he selected one of the five matches left, and sheltering it from the storm, he lit it. With the wind on his back and the rain abating the fire flared first time, took, and blazed away. They had heat. Pulling the man near to the fire, he took out his hip flask, and opening the man’s lips, carefully poured a liberal amount of the spirit down the man’s throat. By the spluttering and coughing that followed Sandy realised that the man whoever he was starting to come round and back to life. It was only when Sandy returned the flask to his pocket he realised that the bag with Big Smoky was gone.

He checked his pocket then his other trouser pockets followed by his jacket but again. His fortune and future was gone. His father’s precious journal was still in the haversack along with the four small pearls. So perhaps he could try again.

His reverie was shattered by a rather weak arm touching his and the man he had rescued, trying to form words on his lips. The heat of the heather fire had, along with the scotch, roused the comatose victim of the pool. He croaked to McTavish, “What happened?” Sandy explained. He thought to himself, this eejit had caused him to lose his fortune and nest egg. What on earth had possessed the man to go fishing here in the Angel pool? Any fisher worth their salt knew of the sliding bottom that dropped from two feet to over twenty.

Sandy realised that in the freezing chill of the early afternoon, despite the temporary warmth of the fire, they would have to keep on the move to prevent hypothermia and find somewhere change out of their sodding wet clothes.

Sandy also realised that the man was drifting in and out of consciousness and that he would have to get him on his feet and support him to the nearest habitation.

But where? Well the nearest house was undoubtedly Strathrorie Lodge. It had lain empty since the demise of the Colonel, but Sandy had heard rumours of it being bought by a “Big noise” from London who was opening up the estate for fishing, shooting, and stalking.

As he had come down the hill that morning there did appear to be smoke coming from the chimneys.

He grimaced, it was the nearest and he recalled there was a metal bridge that crossed the Rorie just beside the house. Extinguishing the fire and shouldering the haversack and bag and hefting the man upright despite the lolling head, Sandy started out to walk the two miles or so to the lodge. Luckily the ground was soft and undulating downwards and by now the rainy squall was giving some respite.

As they approached the bridge the man seemed to be more aware of what was happening.

“House! “he pointed. “Leave me here, go get Roger.” And with what remained of his last remnants of his strength pushed the Tinker away.

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As Sandy stepped off the bridge, a small figure of a man approached.

“What on earth has happened? Is Sir Roderick all right?”

Sandy lead Roger to where he had left the drenched fisherman. They took an arm each and Sir Roderick was heaved through the front door of the Victorian Shooting Lodge and into the sitting room in front of a roaring fire. The butler rang a bell and a door shot open and a small woman appeared.

“Mary, the master has had an accident. Can you run two baths immediately one for Sir Roderick and one for ..did you say your name was Sandy? Once they are immersed in the hot water I will give you their soaking wet clothes and you can try out that new drying machine that the salesman said would dry anything in an hour. It appears Sir Roderick has narrowly escaped being drowned in the Rorie and if Sandy here had not witnessed the accident that would have been that.”

“Now Sandy, if you do me one more favour and help me get the master along the corridor to the bath we will get these wet clothes off him and you and let the hot water thaw you out.”

An hour later, enveloped in a large robe and sitting by the roaring fire with a generous glass of Strathrorie Whisky in his hand Sandy explained more in detail to the Laird, now identified as Sir Roderick Colquhoun, the events at the pool and the actions he had taken.

“Well I’m a lucky chap,” said the Laird, “Roger, my butler, has already told me that I owe my life to you. Whether or not you just happened to come along there at the right time is incidental, if it had not been for your actions I doubt if I would have been sitting in front of this fire. Much more likely being dragged dead from the estuary of the Rorie at Tarbert and gracing a cold slab in the local Mortuary.

He raised his glass to Sandy in front of the roaring fire, “Slàinte mhath!”

“Why on earth possessed your gamekeeper McLaren to let you fish that pool in this weather?” asked Sandy. “It’s dangerous at the best of times. Him and I, well we have had our differences in the past, but the man is not an idiot.”

“No,” said the Laird, “but he was a thief! I looked through the books when I bought the lodge here and found out he had been selling my salmon to a rather shady character in Glasgow whilst pocketing other little perks along the way.”

Sandy listened.

“Sadly it appears that the Colonel was unaware of his little games.

So to answer your question, I gave him his marching orders last week so that is why I was out there on my own.”

“Now you and I have some things to discuss,” he continued as the door opened and the butler appeared carrying three bundles of dry clothes.

“Here we go gentleman that dryer has proved its worth already. I also took the liberty Sir, of drying the other wet clothing the gentleman had in his bag. It appears he had already gone swimming. If I may make a suggestion, Cook has made some hot soup so if you are quick you will have time to get into your dry clothes and she will serve it up in here along with that bread from Tarbert you like so much.”

“Good idea!” said his employer.

“Now Sandy, just sit yourself down, man. Put on your dry clothes and we will talk. I need to thank you properly for what you did.

Just do as Roger says, he was my batman in the army although in my last outfit we were not allowed that privilege. Nobody ever argued with him. Back then, some thought he was the officer and vice versa.”

It was amazing being back in his own dry clothes and with a big mug of hot broth, Sandy felt well recovered.

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The heat of the bathwater, the scotch and now the broth and Sandy should have felt euphoric, but he had lost the pearl and the cause of that was sitting opposite him.

“Now MacTavish!”

Sandy looked startled.

“You and I as I said have some things to discuss. Your name has cropped up over the last week or to firstly from McLaren who called you a common thief and tinker and poacher who, and I quote, “a scurrilous crew from his father down, then there was the testimony of the Colonel’s housekeeper and her husband who called you the salt of the earth and a man who knows this area of the highlands like the back of his hands. Keith Taylor recalled the event 25 years ago when you were born just up the road, not far from the Angels Pool when your mother unexpectedly gave birth a month early. And yes I know you are married with two bairns, and I also know from other sources that your wife has given you the ultimatum of by the end of this summer of settling down to a job in Tarbert or she will leave you. The old ways are dying she just wants the best for your family as I’m sure you do. I also learnt another interesting fact from one of my neighbours Kenneth MacKenzie former CO of the Scots Guards. He is a chum of mine and we both belong to the same club in London, the House of Lords. He recalled that at the end of your National Service, he offered you a commission to become an officer, but you turned it down. You said to him it was the open road for you.”

Taking a long drink of his scotch the Laird paused and spoke.

“Firstly, I owe you my life.” He paused and sipped his drink.

“Secondly, I know that the Colonel allowed you the odd salmon or two, and I’ve no objection to that either. However these estates have to pay their way, I am not made of money. As I said earlier, McLaren was sacked because he stole from me. I need peace in my life, more perhaps than the normal man. Now we have a situation here which has to be sorted.”

“Situation?” queried Sandy, in a very soft voice.

“Yes!” said the Laird.

“When my man Roger dried out your belongings he found this.”

He carefully laid on the table the four small pearls. He told me that would account for your earlier bout of swimming.”

Sandy looked at the pearls.

“Some lairds really object to you helping yourself to other people’s property and by rights I could send for the Constable, and have you arrested but what good would that do for the sake of these small stones with a value of I reckon of £50.”

He then threw onto the table the small dark pouch Sandy thought he had lost earlier.

“Roger found this hidden in the lining of your trousers. One could give you the benefit of the doubt and say that this was fished from another river not belonging to me, but Roger also found your father’s old diary.”

Sandy wondered what he should do.

“This is my property and I’ve just weighted this beauty and I reckon it has a value of £30,000 or more.” Said the Laird.

Sandy felt angry, he had risked his life for this, it had been the information in his father’s journal that had led him here! He rose quickly from the chair, and reached over to snatch the pouch with his pearl and run out the door.

“Stop man and think!” Shouted the Laird.

Sandy paused.

“Let me finish, you saved my life so if you take this pearl and go, I will do nothing, but I will never allow you on my land again. I’ll have you or any of your kind run off or whoever is here guarding my interests will do the same.”

The Laird sat back in his chair.

“I’m going to develop this estate and have chums up from the south and abroad to fish, stalk and shoot and I’m desperately in need of a new gamekeeper. The open air, the countryside, and from where I’m sitting, you are the ideal candidate. You saw me in trouble and yet with a virtual fortune in your pocket you put saving the life of a fellow human being first. This is right up your street. As the saying goes poacher turns gamekeeper, how about you taking this job? Would please your wife no end! The job comes with a salary, a three bedroom cottage and the use of an estate Land Rover insured also for your wife to drive.”

“Now as regards this beauty here,” said the Laird, holding Big Smoky, “why don’t we agree that as long as you work for me, this will be properly valued, and it will lie in my safe. I will have papers drawn up to show that I own one third but you or your family two thirds. On the day that you stop working for me this will be your bonus. Is that fair Sandy?”

He placed Big Smoky in the middle of the table.

“Do you want to take this with you and go, and our paths will never cross again?”

Sir Roderick stretched his hand across the table, “or do we have a deal?”

Without hesitation Sandy stood up and shook the Laird’s hand.

“Right!” said Sir Roderick, “Roger will drive you back to where your wife and family are encamped, and I will expect you back here tomorrow for lunchtime along with Duncan your highland garron and he can earn his keep, and I’ll show your wife her house and she and I can sort out the fittings and furniture you will need. It’s good to have a new gamekeeper!”

Bio: Hugh Munro is a born and bred countryside lover. Early days confined indoors recovering from Polio therefore a keen book reader, The 39 Steps is a favourite. Likes a good story with a twist at the end.

Hugh has incorporated this idea into the short stories he writes. The characters in the stories, or yarns, as Buchan might have called them come from observations of people he has seen and met. He paints a picture of them in words derived from his working life as a barman: in one of the most beautiful areas of Scotland, Glen Affric, The Ben Wyvis and Galley of Lorne in Argyll, Taxi driver as a student at Aberdeen College of Education in his youth and career wise in later years, teacher, media person, photography, and radio presentation for BBC Heartland fm, and East Coast fm. Education conservation and onsite Dementia Fundraising in Supermarkets across Scotland. Loves listening to the telling of stories and the history of Scotland is keenly researched! It all adds up to someone who has a keen sense of humour and comprehensive knowledge of his native country through personal excursions.

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Black Wood of Rannoch By Linda Mellor

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The Isle of Skye Corned Beef Windfall Words and images

By Neil Cunningham Dobson

“The Outer and Inner Hebrides shores and reefs are the home to many shipwrecks. Tales of rescue and survival are part of its long seafaring history.

One of my favourite shipwreck stories is not that of the ship itself but of its cargo. This cargo was 264,000 bottles of Scotch whisky onboard the T&J Harrison Line general cargo ship the SS Politician. In a severe storm on the 5th February 1941, she foundered on the sandbanks off Rosinish Point on the Isle of Eriskay.

War time rationing saw supplies of whisky on the islands drying up so the chance to “rescue” a cargo of whisky was not to be missed. 24,000 bottles of whisky were taken from the wreck. The story was immortalised by Compton Mackenzie in his 1947 book, Whisky Galore, and in the 1949 Ealing Studios film comedy.

Not to be outdone, the Isle of Skye has its “Whiskey Galore” shipwreck but the cargo in this story is different.

During WWII, Britain was highly dependent on imported goods that came by sea. Merchant ships travelled in protected convoys and followed set routes to reduce attacks by German U-boats.

The SS Urlana was a Clyde built 6852 gross tonnage,428 -foot-long steel steam turbine powered general cargo vessel. Launched on the 8th August 1941, and owned by the Scottish founded British India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. My father Norman Walker Dobson was a Marconi Radio Officer and on the 25th March 1943 joined the Urlana in Barrow-In-Furness as the 2nd Radio Officer.

She sailed on the 27th March visiting various UK ports and finally London.

Life at sea in the British Merchant Navy during WWII was hard. The daily threat of being sunk by a German U-boat and/or bombed by enemy aircraft meant you kept your lifejacket close to hand. Emergency drills and safety equipment checks were a daily event. Even when sailing in protected convoys it was still a danger.

Worse of all was when your ship sailed independently between ports.

Many merchant ships were armed with guns with some of the crew trained to use them. It was common for Radio Officers to be gunners and my father attended a gunnery course during his time on the Urlana when the ship was in Middlesbrough. He was certificated for Machine Gunner duty and in the cleaning, oiling, and firing of Oerlikon, Marlin, Hotchkiss, and Lewis machine guns.

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“My father was in the radio room with the chief radio officer when there was a loud bang, and the ship shook.”

The Urlana had been fitted with a 12-pounder gun aft and four Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns forward. To protect the ship’s bridge and radio room they were covered in steel armour plating and concrete blocks. Ship’s funnel colours and names were painted out.

Fully loaded, the Urlana sailed from London and joined a convoy down to Freetown, West Africa, on to Takoradi, and south to Cape Town. Joining a large convoy, the Urlana crossed the South Atlantic to Montevideo, and then across the River Plate to Buenos Aires. Cargo was discharged and loaded, and she sailed up the River Plate to Fray Bentos, where at the Frigorífico Anglo del Uruguay, she loaded thousands of cases containing 48 x 6lb tins of corned beef, canned dehydrated mutton, and canned Irish Stew.

Loading wool and hides in Buenos Aires the Urlana headed independently north to Rio de Janeiro and then up to New York where she joined a large convoy and safely crossed the Atlantic ending up off Northern Ireland and south of Barra Head. She was scheduled to sail to London, so would head south in convoy through the Irish Sea. However, on the 5th September 1943, she was heading north independently in the Sea of Hebrides towards the Isle of Skye.

On the evening of the 5th September 1943, my father was called on duty just after 10pm. Visibility was poor and there was no sight of land. Heavy seas and continual heavy rain hampered the ship.

There was an argument on the bridge between the 2nd Mate and the Captain over the position and course of the ship. They could not agree and so they asked my father to take two radio signal bearing from a coast station and where they crossed would be the position of the ship.

This information was passed to the 2nd Mate, nothing was said, and the argument continued with the captain.

It was determined that the ship was on course but was drifting due to the storm. My father was in the radio room with the chief radio officer when there was a loud bang, and the ship shook. Not sure if it was a mine, they hit or a torpedo from a German U-boat the ship kept going and then with a huge crash and a loud tearing sound the crew knew the ship had hit rocks.

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The Urlana had struck rocks about 2.5 miles north from the Macleod’s Maidens at an area called Camus an Luingeas (The Bay of Ships) at the bottom of Glen Lorgasdal. This coastline of rocky high cliffs, reefs and rocks runs for fifteen miles and is uninhabited.

Morse code messages were sent, the abandon ship signal was sounded, and the lifeboats made ready. It was wartime so very few lights were switched on. Survival was key and the crew knew they would have to stick it out until daylight when help would arrive. That help was the SS Thurland Castle which had been on the Atlantic crossing convoy with the Urlana.

The Barra Island lifeboat was launched. Fearful that the ship would break her back and slip into deep water she was driven as far as she could up on the rocks. When daylight struck the motor lifeboats from the SS Thurland Castle approached the stricken vessel. The Urlana could not launch her lifeboats, cargo nets were draped over the side of the ship. The crew climbed down these with life jackets on and swam clear of the ship.

My father and the captain were the last to abandon the ship. All the crew made it safely into the sea and were picked up. My father was reminded of the coldness of the September Scottish seas and was glad after a 20m swim to be pulled into a waiting rescue lifeboat. He was in a blue battle dress and had with him a small survival bag and a pouch made from the remains of a barrage balloon that he kept his important documents in.

Safely onboard the Thurland Castle the crew were given dry clothes and the ship sailed into the convoy Meeting Point in Loch Ewe where they were put ashore and housed in barracks until they were given a rail ticket to get them home. My grandmother commented that my father looked an awful sight on his return home. Two weeks later my father joined another ship. The hard reality of wartime, his pay was stopped the day he abandoned the ship and he received two-weeks war pay of £4 13s 4d. This would be around £600.00 in today’s money. My father told me that he considered himself a bit of a Jonah as every other ship he served on, after he left, the next voyage that ship was sunk. A reminder that luck and fate played a large part in peoples life during a war.

The Royal Navy was very quick in tasking a salvage vessel to remove the guns and ammunition onboard before the ship broke up. Life was hard for islanders even more so during wartime with rationing and lack of supplies. The word that a large full cargo vessel was stranded on the rocks could mean a windfall for them. The only way to get to the ship was by boat which took an hour, or down the cliffs from a long walk in.

A few days after the Royal Navy salvage vessel had left, it was time for the islanders to check the Urlana out. More storms were on the way, and she could easily break up. She was not upright but slightly listed to one side and moved with the surge of the sea swell and tide. She was breaking up and there was a fear her stern would break of into the deeper water. As you can well imagine when the locals managed to get aboard it was a bonanza, especially when they found thousands of tins of Fray Bentos corned beef. It was all their Christmases at once! Nobody on the island would be short of meat for the rest of the war. As it does on the islands, news spreads fast and boats from all over were seen removing cases of corned beef out the holds.

The cans of Irish Stew and dehydrated meat were also popular. The Isle of Skye was awash with canned meat.

It was corned beef galore!

Eventually the authorities heard of the locals exploits and made to recover the items and punish the takers, but like their Eriskay neighbours the cans of meat were hidden all over the island, in all manner of places. I am sure that during renovations of buildings today, cans of corned beef may be discovered.

It only took the big swells 7-10 days to break up the Urlana. The stern broke and slipped into deep water and the bow slipped into the shallower waters. The seabed and kelp forests around the wreck were covered in cargo and wreckage.

During the 1960s and 1970s she was extensively salvaged and today what’s left lies scattered over a large area covered in kelp. The enquiry to the loss concluded it was an error of navigation on a dark stormy night A sad ending for a two-year old Clyde built, top of the range merchant cargo vessel. However, she did provide an island with much needed food and supplies and planted the seed of many wonderful and amusing stories. I met many interesting people connected is some way with the shipwreck.

Angus MacPhee was a teenager on Skye and his grandfather a fisherman salvaged many items from the ship. Of great interest to me was that he salvaged the radio room chair. The very chair my father sat in when he sent the Morse code distress messages. What a reunion that would be. I am sure that this chair if it could talk would have wonderful stories to tell.”

Neil Cunningham Dobson

is a deep-water marine archaeologist and salvor with over 47 years-experience in the marine and offshore industries. A native of Fife, Neil lives in St Andrews, the home of his seafaring ancestors. He has worked on scores of shipwreck sites and supervised archaeological and salvage work on many high-profile projects in the oceans of the world. Neil is gifted with the unique ability to make science, history and archaeology understandable, interesting, and fun. His shipwrecks and discoveries attract world-wide attention.

Neil has been the subject of many newspaper, magazine articles and TV documentaries.

Passionate about local history and Scotland, Neil enjoys his role as Fife Council Fife Ambassador promoting the Kingdom of Fife. He has recently expanded promotion of Fife with his bespoke walking tour/guide company, Footsteps Through Time (find on Facebook).

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Wild Skye

Words and images by Stewart Dawber

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“The Scottish Highlands and rugged shores have always struck an attraction for me as a young child. My curious eyes would scan detailed maps with the many mountain ridges that overlooked all the different lochs and remote headlands that form the magic of the West coast of Scotland and the Hebrides.

Wild places with no roads or houses appealed to my soul and made me feel closer to the natural world. By the time I had finished studying photography at University it was time to visit these natural places and match the imagination of my young mind to the real environment through the eyes of a man.

I now live in a small coastal village overlooked by the Cullin mountains of Skye, which with a handful of neighbours, just 4 miles from a main road, is perfect for living a remote lifestyle but also a great place to run my business.

More than a decade has now gone, and I am perfectly settled in this wild environment. I step out of the house, kitted out for all weathers ready to capture at least one photo from nature. It could be from a planned shore location to catch up with the Otters or a couple hours walk into the Golden Eagles domain. Then other times, it is spontaneous.

My mind slows down, and I can take in all that the natural world has in front of my eyes, the smells and sounds all around me, the changes in light and colour, my camera ready like an extra limb to record the wonders I encounter. I sit or walk for hours without looking at the time, I am now at nature’s pace. Keeping a respectful low profile, I often lie in the seaweed in my wetsuit feeling the change of the tide, an Otter, silently hunting close by, raises its head from the floating kelp to check out me - the human visitor. It's a female Otter I have known for the last four years; she expects me to be there just as much as I expect her. What a humbling experience it is to have acceptance from a wild creature.

The Eagles on the other hand are shy by nature, when I walk into their domain, I must be invisible, as Eagles like the freedom as I do, of wild untainted landscapes.

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Wildlife chooses our encounters, and I have no control, how close or how far they approach is their decision. My skills as a photographer are pushed to the limit, and I always give them their respectful space. I need to be ready for the opportunity when I feel their presence, and when this happens, this for me is the adventure I have sought. I do not want to push nature into submission but allow it to present its beauty when she wants to, at her pace and her rules, the images I capture are the decisive unique moment.”

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DISCOVER WHAT YOU LOVE Words and images by Deborah Anderson

“We all have a star to follow, our star is our passion, our purpose.

It’s what drives us and makes us be who we are.”

Becoorie’s Deborah Anderson

Main photo by Yuri Janssen

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“We all have a star to follow, our star is our passion, our purpose. It’s what drives us and makes us be who we are.

I know this because of my experience, and this is how I feel about my own business Becoorie.

For me, my business is much more than a job, it is my way of life. I know that sounds like such a cliché, but when you find what you love and turn your passion into your profession, then you truly feel alive and moving in the right direction. So we all have our purpose and a star to follow, and yet so often we Photo by Yuri Janssen get caught up in day-to-day busy-ness and forget to keep connected with that deep energy inside us. That energy within us is there to guide us through the world.

I am proud to say that I do what I love and love what I do. Every time you purchase a Becoorie product or one of our sustainable ethically made products from the shop not only are you supporting ethical lifestyle and fashion, but you are also contributing to a journey that is to help you, me and others live out their dreams every day. The dream is to help to create a better society. How can we do this? By being kind. Kindness extends out and beyond being kind to our environment, it actually stretches out to all who live, work, and make what we buy.

Be a conscious consumer

This is why ethical shopping; low carbon foot print travel and sustainable experiences are so important to me. It has given me the ability to follow my star which was always inside of me.

My story started when I was 8 years old living in the beautiful countryside of Perthshire. For as long as I can remember, everything about Scottish culture, landscapes, scenery, and nature inspired me. The lush green hills filled with soft colourful flowers, the dramatic highlands, the castles, cattle and even the distilleries.

Becoorie is ‘a way of life’

It is an expression of who we are and what we believe in. My family have been in Scotland for generations and now I hope that the future generation will continue supporting my sustainable ethical lifestyle brand. But forget the idea of this being of our time and sustainable products being new because sustainable clothing, for example, has been around for centuries. While there are quite a few sustainable fashion brands that have re-emerged to take advantage of this ‘new’ sustainable market, sustainable fashion can actually be traced back to ancient times. With ancient Greeks and Romans taking inspiration from nature in their sustainable textiles—fibres were hand spun on spindle wheels—the use of sustainable materials was common practice during this time period.

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The concept of sustainable fashion began to wane for some time after this; however, it wasn't until many years later that sustainable fashion was revived as an industry for today's modern consumer. As seen with fast-fashion retailers, sustainable fashion is now strongly influencing the way people purchase clothing. Becoorie’s purpose is all about living well by doing good, it’s about having fun and staying true to your heart as well as being mindful of Scottish heritage, that’s why, as far as possible, I try to find something original, or Scottish made, with Scottish materials, by Scottish people for Scottish clients.

Going forward, I am so happy to introduce some new sustainable ethically made products. Both Becoorie brand products, like our candles and collections of other locally made produce, bring together unique sustainable hand-crafted designs. Something different and extra special: British sheepskins, Deer leather accessories, antler jewellery, used shotgun cartridges cufflinks, organic lotions, and other sustainable interior products. Not forgetting cruelty free soaps and new to the UK, lovingly made room aura sprays.

Becoorie is inspired from my life journey discovering Scotland. It is my heritage and by exploring what’s motivated me, delving into my love for design and unwavering passion for nature – they are all the ingredients of my Becoorie brand. I wanted to create something different than what is already on offer, something original and unique. Even my childhood, part of who I am, played a part in the creation of this brand.

My parents encouraged me to create something for myself, they were antique dealers, shop owners, and my Dad renovated every old property by himself.

“it’s all in the mixing pot of inspiration, dreams, passion, creativity, and ideas” In the beginning, I wanted to create a brand that was inspired from being outside in nature exploring new places or walking amongst the great Glens and hills of Perthshire, or looking at old buildings from the past, it’s all in the mixing pot of inspiration, dreams, passion, creativity, and ideas. Blended together to create a modern edge, new type of shopping and now, a travel experience with the campervans now available to rent in Scotland and Jersey. Becoorie is inspired by nature and my heritage, by the outdoors, and exploring new places, motivated by traditions and the environment we live and work in.

Today, sustainability has become a major design movement across multiple industry verticals, becoming an integral part of the sustainable design approach to production and business models all over the world. Sustainability is now fully integrated into both mainstream culture and sustainable thinking with designers focusing on viable practices as part of their core philosophy for exploring new designs.

What do you think about this? What are your thoughts? How does this affect you personally? Do you think it's important that sustainable consumerism be made available to everyone or is it exclusive to those who can afford it?

I hope this information gives you an insight into my inspiration to create Becoorie, a sustainable brand, with a difference.” becoorie.com

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EXPLORE

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A way of life...

Cafes we Love

Scotland in 4 Seasons Magazine is delighted to bring back our Cafes we Love page.

What makes a cafe popular, a place you will plan to revisit and one you are happy to recommend to family and friends? We love to visit cafes, near and far, here is a favourite.

The Harbourmaster’s Cafe, Dysart, Fife by Linda Mellor

Dysart on the east coast of Fife has a great deal to offer visitors. Ravenscraig Park, full of a wide variety of mature trees, hugs the ancient Dysart harbour. Steeped in history, dating back centuries, Dysart is full of character.

The Harbourmaster’s Cafe is a great place to sit and enjoy the views. The cafe is a bright open space, with lots of homemade food on the menu: freshly made scones, soup and sandwiches, there’s a wide range of tea, coffee, and cold drinks. Staff provide a great service that’s genuinely warm, and welcoming. There is a car park a few yards away with big views over the Firth of Forth to East Lothian and across to Edinburgh. On a clear day you can pick out the castle, and other landmarks.

On blustery winter days, enjoy the salty sea air and marvel at the array of wild fowl close to the shore and pop into the cafe for some hot, homemade food. A few years back, Outlander fans will know Dysart Harbour was a location used in the filming.

If you are looking for a great cafe surrounded by history, then look no further.

The Harbourmaster’s Cafe, Harbourmaster’s House, Hot Pot Wynd, Dysart, KY1 2TQ *Check online for opening days/hours.*

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Walkies Words and images

By Joanne Dovesi

“We seem to arrive at winter so quickly, the frosty ground crunching under my feet makes me think how the time has flown. With all the mild weather we’ve had it feels like we shouldn’t be in winter already. The coats for the dogs are all washed and ready and I dig out my hat, gloves and scarf as I get myself prepared for the colder months. I do love these cold frosty mornings when the sky is blue and there's not a breath of wind. One bonus of the winter months is when the mud is frozen, so that means very little mud on the dogs which makes my life a lot easier at the end of each walk, I can tell you.

As we set off for our usual adventure the dogs are always so excited and race head unaware of the sheet ice on the bridge. I chuckle to myself when I see them slipping and sliding all over the place. Of course, they come to no harm and four legs are definitely better than two as I found out on numerous occasions when I have taken a tumble.

Walking in the Hermitage of Braid is a favourite place for me because of the variety of so many different routes to choose from. There are woodland walks, river walks and walks on the hills. Striding around Blackford Hill in the winter is certainly exhilarating. It definitely gets a blasted with a more extreme side of our wintry weather. The snow is deeper, and the wind is more powerful, there has been many times when I have had to steady myself or I might get blown over. The dogs don't seem to mind what the weather is doing, everything is fun for them as they race about burying themselves in the deep snow. They emerge like little snow dogs, their hair covered in snowballs.

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Scotland in 4 Seasons Winter 2021

It takes a while to defrost them when they get back to the car.

The views of the great capital are amazing from the hill, when I look out at the view I always feel so grateful to live in Edinburgh. Having all this open space to walk and enjoy really does benefit and refresh both mind and spirit. Although I have to admit, at the end of my day, it’s always rewarding to get into a nice hot bath to thaw out.

There is a new member of our group who recently joined, a Vizsla called Mandy. She's lovely and still very young. At first she was very nervous and shy, and it's been so heart-warming to see her gain confidence with the other dogs. She now runs about with all her friends and feels totally comfortable with us all. I also have one of my dogs back that I stopped walking due to covid.

She is a Saluki Cross and is very energetic to say the least. She was so pleased to see me after more than a year and all her friends. She bounded over to me licking me all over my face, it was like she had never left. I missed her and her bouncy character, although I didn't miss the amount of hair she leaves behind in a car at the end of each walk!

Our walks are rarely dull, and during the wintry months there is definitely more scope for incidents. One snowy, icy day I had six dogs on the lead and three off lead, as I got to the top of a small incline, the dogs pulled, sending me ice-skating to the bottom and nearly falling into the nearby stream. A few people watched as a careered down, doing several pirouettes on the way before I came to a halt. It was quite impressive as I actually didn't fall over!

At this time of year, my garden is alive with birds keeping busy looking for food. Being out with the dogs and exploring the different walks means I see a lot of wildlife. Crows come in very close, hoping to pick up any stray dog treats, which as you can imagine, doesn't happen very often with my greedy bunch. On a recent walk, I spotted fox, luckily I had all the dogs on the lead. The dogs barked but it didn’t deter the bold fox. I was amazed at how close he got.

Such striking animals.

We are lucky in Edinburgh to have so many green spaces, making it easy to explore and enjoy the change in seasons. It’s a joy to see the first frost of the winter, that’s usually followed by the mad rummaging in my car to find the ice scraper.

Kenmore is my favourite place to visit in Winter. The Christmas lights in the village are so pretty as they send out a festive glow. There are lots of magical places to explore, and if you’re lucky, you may even spot a Pine Martin. After a brisk walk in the snow, The Kenmore Hotel with an open fire, is a welcome sight. Huddling around the fire, I slowly start to defrost and feel the warm glow on my cheeks.

Watching the hypnotic sparks and flames, I reminisce about my day.”

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