Issue #230 | Tain & District Picture Post | January 2020

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

ISSUE NO. 230

JANUARY 2020

PRICE £1.95

ABOVE: Hilton of Cadboll Primary School RotaKids group collected items for the Highland Foodbank in a reverse advent calendar project. They hoped to fill one bag but filled nearly ten times that amount. Thank you to everyone who donated items.

IN THIS ISSUE: christmas TREE FESTIVAL | milton primary | ANKERVILLE NATIVITY | the history of TAIN MERCAT CROSS PART 2 | nostalgia with alex graham | through the lens with mark janes | st.duthus fc | tain jogscotland | tain choral group

WELCOME TO

THE GLENMORANGIE DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE

GLENMORANGIE HOUSE

By the tranquil shores of the Dornoch Firth, amidst the golden barley fields that border the Royal Burgh of Tain, lies the Glenmorangie Distillery. Here you will find a warm Highland welcome from our select craftsmen, the Men of Tain. With skills passed down the generations, they have dedicated themselves to creating our exceptional single malt whisky for the last 175 years.

Set amongst the rolling barley fields of Easter Ross, our beloved Highland hideaway, Glenmorangie House, is more of a country house than a hotel. For over 25 years it has welcomed the world to its door, developing an international reputation for Highland hospitality along the way. The house is a magnificent reflection of everything that the word ‘Glenmorangie’ stands for – a retreat to peace and calm, a place for cherished moments.

Our tours offer an unparalleled insight into the Glenmorangie Distillery. Accompanied by our expert guides, you will journey through all stages of our award-winning whisky creation.

Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ, Scotland t: 01862 892477 | e: tain-shop@glenmorangie.co.uk www.glenmorangie.com

Come and see for yourself what we mean by ‘Tranquillity Restored’….we guarantee you a warm Highland welcome!

Fearn, by Tain, Ross-shire IV20 1XP, Scotland t: 01862 871671 | e: relax@glenmorangie.co.uk www.theglenmorangiehouse.com

The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking. Please savour our whiskies in moderation.

W

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

E begin our January issue by wishing all of our readers a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2020. It’s a special sounding year already - let’s hope it lives up to the billing!

Next month’s issue will mark the 20 year anniversary of the launch of the (then Tain & Dornoch) Picture Post, which was first printed in February 2000 under the editorial review of Murray Macleod. To mark this milestone, we are appealing to readers who may not usually consider writing in or submitting something for print. We would love to hear from as many of you as possible, with notes in particular of some of your favourite articles or photos which have been included in the Picture Post over the years. Over 5,000 unique pages of stories, articles, photos and more have been published in that time, making the Picture Post one of, if not THE most comprehensive record of events and news relating to Tain and its surrounding area over the past 20 years. It is an honour to be taking this magazine into the next decade.

We are also pleased to announce that we are in the early stages of digitising past issues of the magazine. We should have some news available on our Facebook page very soon of an online digital archive which shall feature old editions of the Tain & District Picture Post, allowing everyone to look back over the years at their leisure from the comfort of their laptop, tablet or mobile device. This ongoing process will be a long one which requires a fair bit of work, but we are sure it will be worth the wait.

Tain & District Branch Cats Protection Telephone: (0345) 371 2737 Email: taincats@aol.com www.tain.cats.org.uk

Best wishes, Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals Co-editors

SUBSCRIBE TO THE

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST £40 PER YEAR(DELIVERED) Please visit www.tainpost.co.uk for more information 3

‘OLD FILE’ - 20 YEARS AGO A look back, not all that long ago, at how the first ever edition of the Picture Post welcomed in the new year - and a new milennium - accompanied by the timeless words of Mr Wattie Louden.

4

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING Tain & District Medical Group were absolutely delighted to hand over a cheque to Ashleigh from Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland for the sum of £901.25. The funds were raised as a result of fundraising from the beast race in 2019 and lucky square sales to win a Gordon Bain Photography amazing ‘Highland Coo’ canvas.

A whist drive was held on the 12th December at the Dementia Resource Centre, which raised £44 for Alzheimers. The winners were; Gents: 1st Andrew Buchan, 2nd Findlay Munro, consolation Ailsa Johnston. Ladies: 1st Daisy Bell, 2nd Ann Raffan, consolation Margo Anderson. The next whist will be held on the 16th January. All welcome.

St. Duthus Football Club held a quiz in aid of funds for the team at Lodge St. Duthus in Tain on December 15th. John Mackenzie was the quizmaster for the evening as teams competed for honours before a raffle was held. A sum of £130 was raised overall.

DEREK LOUDEN will be holding a surgery in

TAIN SERVICE POINT

on Friday 10th January 2020

10:00am to 12:00 noon

Wishing everyone a Guid New Year!

5

CHRISTMAS PARTIES AROUND TAIN Tain Over-60s Club (below and right) held their Christmas party in the Royal Hotel. The club’s next meeting is planned for 9th January at 1.45 in the Duthac Centre. All welcome.

ABOVE: Staff at Metalwork UK (pictured below) finished up for the festive period on December 20th and enjoyed their Christmas lunch out at the Morangie Hotel.

LEFT: It was Secret Santa and Christmas jumper day at the Tain & District Medical Group on December 13th.

The group was raising money for save the children. Lovely to see all the varieties of jumpers amongst the team!

6

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY & PARTY Ankerville Nursery were very busy in December, holding their Nativity play, having their Christmas Party and with all that they still found time to sing and entertain at a coffee morning at TRACC.

7

ankerville nursery

TAIN’S MERCAT CROSS ( PART 2 ) Just when Tain’s Mercat Cross and the building on which it originally stood was first erected, there is no record. Documentary evidence shows a mercat cross was in existence in the 1500s. However, if, as tradition has it, Tain was granted an Immunity by Malcolm Canmore, it has had trading rights since the 11th Century. In which case, it is almost certain to have had a cross much earlier, but not necessarily the same one.

What we can say is that at least since the 1500s, the Mercat Cross played an integral part in the life of Tain’s residents – although not always a welcome one if you were on the wrong side of the law. The following are just a few examples of the various uses made of the Mercat Cross mainly gleaned from Macgill’s “Old Rossshire and Scotland”. Similar events would have been commonplace in the life of the town.

First we have some examples of punishments meted out at the Mercat Cross. In 1706, part of one man’s punishment for assaulting another man’s wife was to “lie four hours in the stocks at the Mercat Cross and to be in prison till payment of his fine and his continuance in the said stocks to be during said Muriel’s pleasure.”

In the year 1741, the Cross was one of 4 public places where a thief was to receive “lashes of the common whipping cord upon his naked body” for stealing a musket. Two years later, part of a punishment for siphoning some of the contents of a cask of spirits was to “stand for an hour at the Mercat Cross with a paper on his breast inscribed ‘For Breach of Trust’”.

Perhaps one of the harshest punishments was that meted out to one Christan Logan in 1664, for theft. She was not only placed in the “Kokestoole” i.e. the cucking-stool – a seat for punishment for women by indecent exposure – but also branded on the hand, scourged (flogged) and expelled from the town. Clearly, a Scottish Burgh was not a place in which to transgress. Although not mentioned in the reference, this would probably have taken place in the vicinity of the Cross.

Law officers would use the Cross when someone was being issued with a legal summons of some kind by shouting three several “Ho!

BY MARGARET URQUHART

Yess!” before leaving a copy at the Cross. This may have been necessary because the persons involved had made themselves scarce when the officer had called at their houses. In 1668, an officer carried out the above procedure for the summons to “Mr Jon Dallace Dean of Ross and Jon Ross of Auchnacloich to compear before ye Lords of Counsell bringand wt (bringing with) them ye band” as he had been unable to “apprehend them personallie efter knocking six severall knocks at their most patent (open) doors”. A “band” was a promise or agreement contract so it seems there was some dispute between the parties over the contract.

In 1666, summons and letters of horning were served on Johne Fforrester at the Cross for failure to make payment for goods received.

This involved not only the usual three several “Ho! Yess!” but “three severall blasts of ane horne” and he was “denuncit”. It was also proclaimed that his “haill movable goods and geir to be escheitit (confiscated)”.

Another person ”put to the horn” at Tain’s Mercat Cross in 1681 was no less than Alexander Ross of Pitcalnie, for a sizeable debt of 2000 merks. To pay this off he was supposed to give up “the lands of Nether Carnbuscurrie . . the mylne of Morinschie, the dry multers* of Morinshie, Tarlogie, and Cambuscurrie, and the ferrie boat”. However, it seems he chose to go to prison rather than give up his lands. A document of 1891, a warrant authorising the Magistrates to release him, shows he remained incarcerated for 10 years. [*“Multer” or “multure” was a duty consistent with a proportion of the grain or meal and was payable to the proprietor or tenant of a mill on corn ground there.]

Matters relating to property ownership were often resolved or proclaimed at the Cross. A jury inquest was made at the Mercat Cross in 1561 into the heirship of property including a place called “Croft Crenan …. in the north part of Tayne” plus one or two other bits of property. Robert Ross of Auchnacloich, was proclaimed at the Mercat Cross of Tain as heir to his father, John, in 1737.

People would also gather at the Mercat Cross to hear the proclamation when a new monarch took to the

8

throne. This was the case when the Elector of Hanover was proclaimed George I on 11th August 1714 as successor to Queen Anne, the last of the Stewart sovereigns. Tain supported the Government to the extent that on 29th September 1715, “50 sufficient fencible men”* were sent from Tain, to join the Government forces during the Jacobite Rising.

Soon after, a sizeable force of Jacobites marched into Tain and proclaimed the Pretender at the Mercat Cross and also demanded payment of £6 5s.2d Sterling “for his majestie King James VIII’s use” – a demand which, given the circumstances, was reluctantly paid “‘to prevent further trouble to the toune”. [*“Fencible men” were those capable of and liable for defensive military service.]

Apart from those that involved a law officer, proclamations and announcements were made from the Cross by the bellman (town crier) or sometimes the “messenger-at-arms” (a messenger of the Scottish Crown) as in 1672, when the latter made a proclamation concerning ”an inhibition against a “contract matrimoniall” and “affixed and left ane full coppie in the said mercat cross.” On other occasions the town drummer would be used. For example, mustering the aforementioned “fencible men” for defensive military service or to participate in the perambulation of the marches, as in August 1712, when intimation was made by “tuck of drum….to be readie with their best arms.”

With its removal from the centre of what was the original market and gathering place, the Cross seems to have gradually lost “its ancient place of privilege and veneration in the public’s mind” and it was neglected, allowed to fall into decay, and eventually, as already stated in the previous article, wantonly demolished and the remains taken away. However, the functions of the town criers and other above mentioned officials carried on into the 19th Century and with the restoration of the cross in 1895, its significance was revived and to some extent remains a focal point to the present day.

More details of these matters in the next article.

Written by Margaret Urquhart

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Tain & District Gardeners’ Club held their 6th Christmas Tree Festival in the Parish Church Halls on Saturday 7th December.

Many thanks to all the individuals, organisations, primary schools and businesses who produced some beautiful and imaginative decorated trees.

Also thanks to Tain parish Church for the use of the Hall facilities.

We really enjoyed the Christmas music provided by Tain Choral and the delicious teas.

Thanks to all who helped to make the event a success. ÂŁ179 was raised for the Highland Hospice.

9

TAIN DENTISTS COMPLETE YEAR OF FUNDRAISING Northern Picts Project TARBAT DISCOVERY CENTRE

Tain Dental Care set out to raise £5,000 in their fifth year as a practice by taking part in a series of challenges including Dry January, Inverness 1/2 Marathon, Etape Loch Ness, Aviemore Triathlon, Tain Gala 10/5km, Rowing across the Dornoch Firth, the Beast Race, the Great Scottish Run and most recently volunteering as elves at Santa’s Grotto in the Eastgate Centre, Inverness.

Their efforts were in aid of funds for Highland Hospice and by the end of the year they had exceeded all expectations, having raised over £10,000.

Speaking to the Press

Professor Gordon Noble closed the 2019 season with an exciting update on Northern Picts Project.

The Tarbat Discovery Centre’s successful 2019 lecture season came to an informative, well attended and very enjoyable close on Friday 22nd November at Portmahomack’s Carnegie Hall. The speaker was Professor Gordon Noble, Head of the Department of Archaeology at Aberdeen University. He is valued supporter of the Centre.

It is fitting to record the support given over the last 7 years by the University as part of The Northern Picts Project. Following on from York University’s original Discovery Programme, Northern Picts is a project that aims to uncover the archaeological traces of Pictish society in eastern and northern Scotland during the early medieval period c400-900 AD. The Picts are a ‘lost people of Europe’ and of enduring public fascination. The major legacies of the Picts include some of the most spectacular archaeological sites and artistic achievements of Early Medieval European society. The project to date has had some spectacular successes and which are summarised on the Northern Picts website (Links below).

The most recent book from the project is ‘The King in the North. The Pictish Realms of Fortriu and Cé.’ by Gordon Noble and Nicholas Evans.

This is a highly affordable and readable book which pulls together there searches of the Northern Picts Project during 2012-2017. Generously, the Centre gains the sales benefits from the book.

Professor Noble’s topic on the night ‘The King in the North. The latest progress on the Northern Picts Project’ updated us, covering excavation work done in 2018 and 2019. Hill forts are indicative of the centres of power.

One site is the hill fort on MitherTap, the summit of Bennachie,the iconic hill of the Aberdeenshire landscape. An early name given was BenneCé. Cé is the name of the north eastern kingdom of Pictland. Light bulb moment.The research on place names and recorded king lists have all played a part in the unfolding story of where power lay in Pictish society. Bennachie may thus have been one of the pre-eminent sites in this region of Pictland. Carbon dating has confirmed the periods of occupation of these hill forts. Mither Tap was occupied from approximately 620AD to 800 AD. Another site revisited in 2019 was Burghead, the largest known Pictish fort to date and another key royal centre in Northern Pictland. It was thought much of the site had been destroyed by harbour development in the 1800s, but once the rubble had been cleared away, the earlier remains were revealed, a significant one being a possible Pictish longhouse, as very little is currently known about Pictish domestic living and architecture. Carbon dating of deposits and charred layer had revealed an extended occupation period from about 500 to its sudden destruction in 1000AD, during the Viking age. The fort’s ancient ramparts are now under threat from coastal erosion, which lent a degree of urgency to the need for further excavation.

In conclusion, this was a talk brimming with snippets big and small of fascinating finds and information. Through painstaking and thorough research, the once forgotten story, or perhaps more accurately the unwritten story of the Picts continues to be revealed. What more will 2020 reveal?

Afterwards, Pat Rae a Trustee of the Tarbat Discovery Centre and responsible for promoting academic ties, said, ‘Over the last decade, Tarbat Discovery Centre has a great many things to thank Aberdeen University for, and Gordon Noble especially. Thanks too must go to our former Chairman Tony Watson, who had helped to initiate the Northern Picts Project back in 2000. He concluded the evening with an eloquent overview of the many forms of support given such as further local excavations, annual talks and displays of the findings, key booklets for sale at the Centre, and joint with University of York, an excellent introductory video for visitors.

Northern Picts continues to be an inspired programme of funding that has given added value all round, not only to the University and its staff and students but links so effectively to the local communities.

& Journal in December, the dental centre’s Eddie Bateman said; “We felt the Hospice was a charity that meant so much to people in the Highlands and had a colleague pass away after suffering from cancer at the end of last year. We reached our target of £5,000 by July. Having reached that target we decided to aim for £9,000 for the year so that we paid for two days [of hospice work. All in all we’ve now raised over £10,000 over the year for the Hospice so it’s been really rewarding for us.”

Tarbat Discovery Centre: https://tarbat-discovery.co.uk The Northern Picts Project: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/geosciences/ departments/archaeology/the-northern-picts-project-259.php The Northern Picts Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ groups/417334508372858/ and https://bit.ly/2LBnWIN Queries to: ‘admin@tarbat-discovery.co.uk.’ or Tel. 01862 871351

10

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING WITH YOUR LOCAL FOOTBALL CLUB? St. Duthus FC are looking for weekend volunteers to help with matchday duties such as: Raffle sales Matchday set up Pitch care If interested, please get in touch with the committee of St. Duthus FC via email at niall@stduthusfc.co.uk or call Niall on 01862 894123 / 01862 832329

GRANTS BAKERY Sandwiches & Hot Snacks

Winners of the Silver Award for Scotch Pie Competition High Street Tain (01862) 892315 11

CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS

tain choral group

Tain Choral Group held their Carols for Christmas concert in Tain’s Duthac Centre on the 15th December. Their programme was enhanced by excellent contributions from Craighill Primary School’s choir.

The Choral Group performed a varied selection of carols, interspersed with opportunities for communal carol singing. The audience, for their part, showed themselves to be in fine voice from the outset with a lusty rendition of Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The choir also proved to be in good form with the opening selection of international carols from Poland, Venezuela and Germany respectively. They began with a very bright performance of The Coming of Our King and then immediately changed the mood with the gentler Come and Hasten Shepherds.

Strong solos from Gerry Revie and Trish Geddes opened What Child is This and when the whole choir joined in their phrasing was very precisely accented. This was

followed by the beautiful Iona and then Carol of the Bagpipers provided further contrast with the singing evoking features of pipe tunes.

Lydia Jackson, Musical Director of the Choral Group, provided evidence throughout of her arranging skills. An example was O Little Town of Bethlehem, sung to an unusual tune and featuring a fine solo from Elaine Griffiths.

The Craighill Primary School choir performed four pieces, two in the first half of the programme and two in the second. Winter Wonderland showed immediately what a strong group of young singers this is. Starry Night was an extremely engaging, lively performance and they showcased an unusual tune for Away in a Manger. It was clear that their work with Musical Director Emily Bond had been very effective and the audience’s warm applause was very well deserved.

One of the Choral Group’s pieces in the second half of the programme was John Rutter’s These Are the Colours of Christmas. This carol says “these are the colours of Christmas, let them shine all over the earth”. The variety of pieces from the junior and the senior choirs gave a great variety of musical colour to please the audience.

The interval provided opportunities for socialising and for sampling mulled wine and mince pies. Thus fortified, the audience gave a good account of themselves in the closing communal singing of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bell Rock.

The concert ended with a presentation to Lydia Jackson in recognition of all her work in preparing the Choral Group for this concert. The warm applause showed how widely this appreciation was shared.

Written by Angus Gray

12

THROUGH THE LENS

with Mark Janes LRPS Issue #25 - New Decade, New You?

Well, it’s 2020 and the start of a new year and a new decade! At this time thoughts often turn to getting fit, detoxing and generally working on one’s well-being; both physical and mental.

“Hang on, I thought this was a photography column.

What’s this got to do with photography?” I hear you ask.

Good question. Well, the fact is that photography, and especially outdoor photography, has long been associated with improvements in personal well-being. A term that is often used is “Mindful Photography”. Later this Spring I’m going to be launching a Mindful Photography workshop, so I thought I’d spend a couple of issues of Through The Lens exploring this idea.

When we head out to take photographs our minds are often cluttered with all sorts of busy thoughts. These might be related to what’s going on in our lives (deadlines to meet, things to do, etc), or to the photography itself (Will I get any good shots? How many “Likes” will I get on Instagram? Supposing the photos are no good, etc.). Having a cluttered mind like this can actually get in the way of our ability to really “see” the landscape and feel the atmosphere we are trying to capture. Instead, try taking a few moments to connect with the landscape, and allowing your mind to be flooded with all the messages your senses are sending you. In this way you gain a much stronger impression of the place you are trying to photograph.

This will shine through in the quality of your photographs.

The real beauty of Mindful Photography is that it is a twoway street. The act of clearing our mind of the clutter

13

of everyday thoughts, while concentrating purely on the environment around us and the process of taking the photograph, can be like a form of meditation. The landscape plus the deliberate process of composing the shot and setting up the camera fill our minds and don’t allow any of the “clutter” to intrude. So, a mindful approach improves our photography and gives us a mental detox at the same time!

Of course, let’s not forget the physical benefits of getting out with the camera. I have a step-counter on my phone and, if I’m spending a day wandering around a city doing street photography, it’s not uncommon for me to rack up 20,000 steps or more! Photography also gets you out into natural daylight; something that is really important during these short days of Winter.

Next month we’ll look at some specific techniques you can use to practise Mindful Photography, including how to connect with the landscape and how to take a more deliberate approach to composing and taking a shot. Meanwhile, why not resolve right now to pull that camera out of the cupboard and spend more time out and about with it over the coming weeks!

Did you like this article? Why not email me and let me know what you’d like to see covered in future issues. If you’ve got any questions about photography, email me those too and we’ll see if we can put them together into a “Q&A” section. markjanesphotographer@gmail.com.

DORNOCH FIRTH CLEANS UP AT LOO OF THE YEAR Will Porter and Carol-Anne Parker of Dornoch Firth Caravan Park attended the Loo of the Year awards in Solihull on December 6th - and they swept the boards collecting several awards in recognition of their excellent facilities.

As well as being named a National Winner of the Eco Friendly Toilet award - presented to the most environmentally friendly entry in Scotland - the pair took home a Platinum award for higher standards of facilities and cleanliness. To top it off, the Park picked up an award to take home for the unsuspecting Andy who looks after the day to day maintenance and cleanliness of the park and toilets - as Washroom Cleaner of the Year. Well done, Andy!

An article on loo.com explains, “The Awards have a simple objective, namely, to encourage the highest possible standards in all ‘away from home’ washrooms. Everyone has a shared responsibility to make this happen – washroom providers, managers, washroom providers, contractors, staff, visitors and customers – all washroom users.”

INVER “LOONY DOOKERS” BRAVE THE COLD A big well done must go to all of the “loony dookers” who took to the sea in Inver on New Years Day, especially all of the kids who took part and did amazing well in the cold water!

The dook took place at around 2.30 on the 1st with over 20 dookers taking part!

Commenting on the Inver Community Council Facebook page, Sheryl Innes said; “Kayleigh Cattanach deserves a special mention as she had to go it alone and with a wee swim thrown in 2!

We really appreciate everyone who came and cheered us on, it certainly helped as we hit the water!”

STOCKISTS Where you can buy the TDPP

Co-operative Grants Bakery Tesco (Tain) RS McColl Bannermans Highland Prime S & B Allsorts Alness Newsagents

15

CLASSIFIEDS AGRICULTURAL Robertsons of Tain Shore Road Tel 01862 892276 ANIMALS Tain Cat Protection Tel 0345 3712737 Email jardij@aol.com Aileen’s Pet Exercise Pet Carer & Exerciser Tel 01862 892919 ARCHITECTS Blueprint Architecture Tel 01862 892900 info@blueprintarchitecture.com BAKERS Grants Bakery High Street, Tain Tel 01862 892315 BUTCHERS Highland Prime Village Store, Post Office / Butchers Tel 01862 832061 COMPUTER SERVICES Adept Open Source Solutions Ltd Tel 08707 609467 sales@adeptopensource.co.uk www.adeptopensource.co.uk CAFE Dornoch Patisserie & Cafe 1 High Street, Dornoch Tel 01862 811148 CHIMNEY SWEEPING Highland Chimney Sweep Services Tel 07811 237105 CONFECTIONERS S&B Allsorts Tain High Street Newspapers, Ice Cream, Sweets, Hot Food COPY-EDITING, PROOF READING Michael Foster Email mdf66@hotmail.co.uk ESTATE AGENTS Georgeons Property Tel 01862 892555 FILLING STATIONS Gleaner Oils Tel 01862 (Tain) Tel 01862 (Skiach) FITNESS & EXERCISE Boogie Bounce Xtreme Tain Debbie Stainke Tel 07889 630919 FRUIT & VEGETABLES Empire Foods Contact Michael on 0790 095 8665 FUNERAL SERVICES Alasdair Rhind Tel 01862 892521 (Tain) Tel 01349 853322 (Invergordon) Tel 01862 810300 (Dornoch) Mackay & Macaskill Tel 01862 810492 (Dornoch) GARAGES, TYRES & AUTO Bannerman (Tain) Ltd Shore Road, Tain Tel 01862 892480 Evelix Service Station Tall Pines Restaurant, Evelix, Dornoch Tel 01862 811131 / 810968 Mackintosh Motors Auto Services & Bodywork The Garage, Station Road, Tain Tel 01862 894045 Godsman Tyres & Exhausts Ltd Blarliath Industrial Estate, Tain Tel 01862 892448 Fax 01862 893225 GARDEN SERVICES Patrick Vickery (Aldie Burn Plants) Tel 01862 842346 GRAPHIC DESIGN

Gavin Ward Design Associates Tel 07801 190234 www.gwda.co.uk HAIRDRESSERS Hair Design 18 Geanies Street, Tain Tel 01862 892228 HOTELS & RESTAURANTS The Royal Hotel High Street, Tain Tel 01862 892013 royalhoteltain@btconnect.com St Duthus Hotel 2 Tower Street, Tain Tel 01862 894007 Carnegie Lodge Hotel Viewfield Road, Tain Tel 01862 894039 info@carnegiehotel.co.uk The Shandwick Inn Kildary, Invergordon Tel 01862 842250 JEWELLERS Forbes Jewellers / Tain Silver Victoria Buildings, High St, Tain Tel 01862 892343 www.maforbes.co.uk LEISURE SERVICES Tain Royal Academy Community Complex (TRACC) Hartfield Road, Tain Tel 01862 893767 METALWORK Metalwork UK Blarliath Industrial Estate, Tain Tel 01862 894123 Email info@metalworkuk.com MORTGAGE SERVICES Ewan A Forrest Financial, Mortgage & Insurance 19-21 Stafford Street, Tain Tel 01862 893561 PRINTING & REPROGRAPHICS Picture Post Printing Tel 01862 832329 info@tainpost.co.uk PLUMBING & HEATING Highland Heatsave Ltd 2 Port Street, Balintore Tel 01862 832116 Mob 07803 610838 McCue Plumbing & Heating Four Penny Paddock, Skelbo, Dornoch, IV25 3QF Tel 01862 810159 Mob 07990 783097 TAXIS Billy’s Taxis Tel 01862 731081 Tel 07523 125916 DP Taxis Tel 07999 844706 VETS Easter Ross Vets Tel 01862 893142 (Tain) Tel 01349 852204 (Invergordon) Tel 01349 884777 (Alness) WEBSITE DESIGN K & N Concepts Ltd Website & Database Design / Development Tel 07527 134574 Tel 01862 832329 niall.harkiss@kandnconcepts.co.uk

Join a warm and friendly Slimming World group near you today...

TAIN

Now at 9 Geanies Street

Wednesdays 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm

Tel: Evelyn 07511 133 108

Highland Heatsave Limited BOILER SERVICING AND COMMISSIONING PLUMBING AND HEATING INSTALLATION

EMPIRE FOODS TAIN WHOLESALE

FRUIT VEGETABLES POTATOES AND FREE RANGE EGGS CONTACT MICHAEL ON

Jim Oman, 2 Port Street, Balintore, IV20 1UH TEL 01862 832116 | MOBILE 07803 610838

0790 095 8665

NOSTALGIA

with Alex Graham

18

NOSTALGIA

with Alex Graham

19

SAINTS AIMING FOR SILVERWARE IN 2020 All eyes will be on St. Duthus Football Club on January 18th as they take on Golspie Sutherland in the final of the Football Times Cup. A 100% record in the South section of the competition, with wins over Inverness, Invergordon and Lewis & Harris, was enough for the Tain side to advance to the final, which will be played at Brora Rangers’ Dudgeon Park.

Allison who broke down the left and finished well. The three points were secured four minutes later when Bruce forced a save from Maclennan before Cammy Mackintosh sent the ball over the keeper with a neat lob. Unfortunately, frustations in the dying stages led to a red card for defender Ross Tokely who was issued two yellow cards in as many minutes.

St. Duthus had already accounted for Invergordon 2-1 in the cup two weeks before they welcomed the Island select of Lewis & Harris to Grant Park in Tain on December 7th. During an even first half, it was Lewis & Harris who took the lead after six minutes, but Tain bounced back quickly when Ben Bruce to net his 13th goal of the season. The game took a twist shortly after half time when referee James McMillan was unable to continue further with a hamstring injury. Assistant referee Colin MacDonald moved to the middle and as luck would have it, qualified Tain official Ian Ross was in attendance and took up the vacant spot. Saints took the lead shortly after play was restarted when Ben Bruce crossed for Liam Rostock to head past Maclennan to make it 2-1.

Lewis & Harris levelled the scores again on 74 minutes but just a minute after the ninety, St. Duthus retook the lead thanks to a great run from Dean

The game set up a natural finale to the group section with a winner-takeall match away to Inverness standing between them and the final. As the points stood, Saints only needed a draw to win the group and advance, but true to form they soundly took care of their Inverness opponents and ran out 5-0 winners.

Liam Rostock was the star of the show, scoring his first hat-trick as a St. Duthus player, taking his tally to 11 for the season. Not to be denied, Ben Bruce added two late on to make it a five-star finish.

Pl

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Invergordon

8

7

0

1

+32

21

ST. DUTHUS

9

7

0

2

+30

21

Orkney

7

5

2

0

+32

17

Thurso

7

5

1

1

+10

16

Halkirk Utd

10

4

1

5

-5

13

Golspie Suth.

6

3

2

1

+22

11

Inverness Ath.

9

3

0

6

+4

9

Bunillidh Thistle

9

0

0

9

-52

0

Bonar Bridge

9

0

0

9

-73

0

There was a break in games for Tain with no game on December 21st as the league arranged a free week to allow clubs to enjoy the festivities.

Saints got back to it on December 28th and the year sadly ended in defeat, as the top of the table league showdown between St. Duthus and Invergordon went the way of Invergordon by a single goal. Saints will feel particularly aggrieved having missed a penalty in the first half before capitulating late on, conceding a goal and going a man down due to a sending off.

The defeat was their first in the league since the opening day of the season back in September. They will now have a fortnight break before traveling to Golspie on January 11th for what should be a fiercly contested league match - and cup final dress rehearsal.

St. Duthus have twice won the Football Times Cup in their history, both times under the management of Edwin Skinner - in 1980-81 and 1981-82. Almost 38 years have passed since then, so if Saints are

20

In-form striker Liam Rostock netted his first ever hat-trick for St. Duthus against Inverness. (Pic - John Macleod)

to collect silverware later this month they’ll have some history to write.

In other news, the club announced that it will hold its Sportsman’s Dinner for 2020 at Tain Golf Club. In what prove to be an excellent night, Saints shall welcome special guest speakers TV sports personality Rob Maclean and former Dundee, Hearts, Celtic and Scotland international Tosh McKinlay. Comedian Rab Mulheron will also return and he shall be on hand as MC for the evening.

Tickets are now on sale at the usual price of £40 and are being sold individually. Please email niall@ stduthusfc.co.uk to grab tickets while they are still available - as always, they are expected to sell out quick!

Fixtures for December: 4th Jan - Clachnacuddin U20s v St. Duthus in a friendly match at Dingwall Highland Football Academy 11th Jan - Golspie Sutherland v St. Duthus in the North Caledonian League. 1pm kick off at King George V Park, Golspie 18th Jan - Golspie Sutherland v St. Duthus in the Football Times Cup Final. 2.30pm kick off at Dudgeon Park, Brora 25th Jan - St. Duthus v Halkirk United in the North Caledonian League. 1pm kick off at Grant Park in Tain.

NEW TRACC TIMETABLE

TAIN JOG SCOTLAND

Tain JogScotland enjoyed a Santa Run before Christmas, taking in the Christmas light displays in Tain.

Heather at the Carnegie treated them to some mulled wine and a hot buffet to warm them up afterwards, for which they were most grateful. A new couch to 5K group starts in January, get in touch via their Facebook page for more details.

21

MILTON PRIMARY

TODDLER & BABY GROUPS Seaboard Mother and Toddler Group Seaboard Hall 10-12

Gaelic Playgroup Tain Free Church Hall Thursday 10-11.30

Little Rascals Tain Parish Church Tuesday 10-11.30

Portmahomack Toddler Group Carnegie Hall Fridays 9.30-11.30

Inver Toddler Group Inver Community Hall Thursday 10-12

Book Bug Sessions Tain Library Wednesdays 11-11.30

Tain Tiny Tots Tain Youth Cafe Monday 10.30-11.30 £2 per child

Adventure Fridays Facebook - Various Outdoor Locations Fridays 9.45

Portmahomack Toddler Group Carnegie Hall Fridays 9.30-11.30

Baby Stay and Play Tain Youth Cafe (upstairs) Friday 10.30-12

Milton Primary’s Christmas show this year was performed by their Early Years Class. Miss Robinson (class teacher) Mrs June (EYP) and Mrs Forth (EYP) supported the children to learn their lines and songs over the last few weeks. The youngest performer on the big stage was just 3 years old – Harris is very new to the setting but he did us all proud, he was a wonderful shepherd.

There were 2 performances 1.30 and 5.30, the children were amazing. The performance was narrated by Rosie Elbourne P3 and she did a tremendous job. The hall was packed for both shows, in total the show raised £172, money raised will support our P7 trip and allow new playground equipment to be purchased.

The lead act “Whoopsa Daisy Angel” was played by Gracie Rostock, she was a star along with the rest on the performers. Following the show P2-7 children performed some festive songs accompanied by Mrs Murray on the piano. The singing was lovely and really helped our community get into the festive mood! Head along to Morrison to hear our choir perform live this Thursday from 1.30pm. There will be a collection bucket and the children are aiming to raise some more money to help reduce the cost of their P7 trip.

Everyone at Milton Primary and Early Learning Centre would like to wish all our friends/families/ partners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

SWIMMERS BAG PACK FUNDRAISER Just a few days before Christmas, members of Tain Amateur Swimming Club swapped the swimming pool for the checkouts at Asda as they participated in a fundraising bag pack day.

TASC raised a fantastic total of £617.50 throughout the day collecting cash in buckets while assisting shoppers with their packing, and the proceeds will go towards a fun day out for their swimmers.

Well done to all.

22

Inverness Trophy Centre

FOOTBALL TIMES

CUP FINAL

TAIN ST. DUTHUS F.C. v

GOLSPIE SUTHERLAND F.C.

Dudgeon Park, Brora Saturday January 18th Kick off 2.30pm - Free Entry

Sweets & Confectionery,

Ice Cream, Hot Dogs Snacks, Kids Toys

Newspapers & Magazines

Stationery, Hardware, Electricals, DIY

31-35 High Street - Tain Find us on Facebook 23

TDPP PRINTING Business Cards | Tickets | Programmes | Posters | Leaflets | Bespoke printing phone: (01862) 832329 | email: info@tainpost.co.uk

WE ARE PEOPLE OF ACTION Making a difference in our communities TAIN AND EASTER ROSS ROTARY WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS A HAPPY NEW YEAR WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN 2020

www.highlandprime.co.uk

@HighlandPrime 01862 832061

All sausage, burgers and dry cure bacon, made fresh here in Fearn.

We deliver to most areas.

Please message us on facebook to place an order.

FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CALL CAROL ANNE ON 07400 313303 To subscribe, or to advertise, please get in touch with Lucy or Niall on info@tainpost.co.uk.

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

(01862) 832329 Please send contributions to: info@tainpost.co.uk