Issue #242 | Tain & District Picture Post | January 2021 by K & N Concepts Ltd - ePublishing

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR THE ROYAL BURGH OF TAIN AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

#242 JANUARY

2021

JANUARY 2021

TAIN GOES ONLINE WITH FESTIVE STREAMS Gala Association help Tain residents see in festive events via Facebook. p5

THE WILD MAN OF THE WOODS

LOCAL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Margaret Urquhart revisits the tale of Davie ‘Gogie’ Ross, who lived in Calrossie Woods for over 20 years. p11

St. Duthus FC round off the calendar year with victories over Halkirk and Orkney. p19

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

PRICE £1.95

WELCOME TO THE

DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE

The Glenmorangie Distillery Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ, Scotland. On the A9, 45 minutes from Inverness, 1 mile north of Tain.

Tain Inverness

Perth Glasgow Edinburgh

THE ORIGINAL TOUR

1 hour, £8 per person

June - August: Monday - Sunday, every 30 minutes, 10am - 4pm April - May & September - October: Monday - Saturday, every hour, 10am - 3pm

By the tranquil shores of the Dornoch Firth, amidst the golden barley fields of Ross-shire, lies the Glenmorangie Distillery. Here you will find a warm Highland welcome from the legendary Men of Tain, the skilled craftsmen who ensure that Glenmorangie is made in the same unhurried and uncompromising way it has always been through its long and distinguished history. We offer a range of tours with unparalleled access to the Distillery and its warehouses. With the help of our expert guides you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation. Within our Still House (we call it our Highland Cathedral) stand the tallest stills in Scotland, their long copper necks are the same height as a fully grown giraffe! As a result only the lightest and purest vapours make it to the top, giving a smoother, more elegant whisky. On your visit to our traditional earth floored warehouses we will explain why Glenmorangie has for many years led the industry in the pioneering use of only the finest casks in which to mature our whisky. As part of your tour, why not visit our own distillery shop?

January - March & November - December: Monday - Friday, 10am & 2pm THE SIGNET TOUR

1.5 hours, £35 per person June - August: Monday - Sunday, 2.15pm Wednesday, 6pm, New for 2019 April - May & September - October: Monday - Friday, 2.15pm (January - March & November December: not available) THE MEN OF TAIN TOUR

2.45 hours, £95 per person

May - September: Tuesday, 9.45am (October - April: not available) THE SUNSET TOUR

1.5 hours, £45 per person

June - August: Wednesday, 6.00pm (September - May: not available) For more information call 01862 892477 email: tain-shop@glenmorangie.co.uk or visit www.glenmorangie.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ONLINE BOOKINGS PLEASE VISIT WWW.GLENMORANGIE.COM Pre-booking is recommended and essential for some of the tours or large groups. The Glenmorangie Distillery is a working distillery. For a few weeks a year we undergo essential maintenance when tours may be restricted. Closed for the 2 week period over Christmas & New Year. The information on this advert is valid throughout 2019. The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking. Please savour our whiskies in moderation.

JANUARY 2021

TDPP

EDITORIAL Dear readers, Happy new year to you all. Our new year wishes arrive with you slightly later than expected this month. As with us all, the recent restrictions and the lockdown we now find ourselves in have turned our regular schedule on its head. Consequently, our new year issue shall be another online edition - in we did last spring when the pandemic began. I am sure we were not alone in feeling like it wasn’t quite Christmas without being able to visit friends and family during the holidays. As we head into these very challenging times, we hope that all of our readers are doing their best to stay safe and well. If 2021 is to be the year that we see some light at the end of the tunnel, then just a few more months of following the advice and keeping our families and others safe shall be worth it. We’re very grateful for everyone’s patience once again in terms of putting the magazine together. We hope to be back in the shops once again as things get better. As before, if you know of someone who does not have access to the online platform and would benefit from receiving a copy of the magazine through their door this month, please get in touch at the email address below to let us know and we shall do our best to get a copy to them. We hope that by continuing to produce the magazine during lockdown that is offers something of a distraction from everything else that is going (at home, and around the world!). Thank you for reading. Best wishes,

Does your business have a website? Can you customers (and potential customers) find you on the web? Is your website secure and compatible with modern devices?

Subscribe online - www.tainpost.co.uk

If you need help modernising and updating your website and establishing an online presence using social media, please give me a call on 01862 857366 or send an email to:

Digital archive - www.tainpost.co.uk/archive

niall.harkiss@kandnconcepts.co.uk

Front cover pic - Emma Deeth

Niall Harkiss, K & N Concepts Ltd

Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals Tain & District Picture Post Email info@tainpost.co.uk Tel 01862 857366

TDPP

TAIN & DISTRICT FIELD CLUB Sadly one of TDFC’s long traditions “The New Year Walk” will not take place this year due to Covid restrictions. However some members took part in a New Year Plant Hunt looking for wild flowers in bloom over the first weekend of the year. At the end of the month there is another natural history event which anyone can take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch which takes place from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st January. All you have to do is to count birds in one place such as your garden for 1 hour. You can find instructions for the count on the RSPB web site at https://www.rspb. org.uk/get-involved/ activities/birdwatch/. With best wishes for a healthier and happier New Year to all from TDFC.

TAIN COMMUNITY

LOCAL NEWS & NOTICES TAIN & FEARN MEDICAL PRACTICE

TAIN & DISTRICT MEDICAL GROUP

To keep everyone safe and to minimise the footfall within the practice we will need to reduce our routine appointments but will remain open for urgent health issues. We will continue to offer telephone and video consultations and, where it is clinically necessary, you may be asked to attend the practice to be seen face to face. Screening services such as childhood vaccinations and cervical smears will still be undertaken as per NHS Highland guidelines. If you have an enquiry regarding COVID19 symptoms, Shielding or the COVID19 vaccination then please visit the NHS Inform website or phone the helpline on 0800 030 8013. If you think you have symptoms of COVID19 then you must self-isolate and book a test immediately. Tests can be booked via the website https://www. gov.uk/get-coronavirustest or by phoning 0300 303 2713.

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR FLU VACCINATION THIS YEAR? We still have flu vaccines available for the following groups of patients – *aged 18-59 with an “at-risk” condition (i.e respiratory or heart problems, diabetes etc) *aged 2-5 (not in Primary school yet) *secondary pupil with an “at-risk” condition *aged 60-64 If you are registered with Tain & District Medical Group and you fall into one of the above categories have not had a flu vaccination this year and would like a flu vaccination then please contact the practice on 01862 892203 to arrange an appointment. Please note this is about flu vaccination NOT Covid vaccination. BUSINESS CLOSURE GRANT SCHEME The Highland Council has launched a Temporary Business Closure Grant scheme. This grant is available for businesses who have had to close due to the COVID-19 protective measures introduced on Boxing Day. The Closure Grant operates as a two-tiered scheme, with a grant of £2,000 for premises which have a rateable value of up to and including £51,000 and a grant of £3,000 for those businesses with a rateable value of £51,001 and above. The grant is payable every four weeks, in arrears, for the duration

protective measures are in place. More information can be found here: https://www. highland.gov.uk/news/ article/13214/business_ closure_grant_scheme_ open_for_applications CAMPBELL EYECARE We are still waiting on official clarification, but following yesterday’s announcement we will open tomorrow as planned. We will be prioritising emergency and essential eye care, we will continue to run by appointment only and will be continuing to follow strict infection control procedures. We may deal with your concern via a remote consultation if this is necessary. If you have an appointment booked already, we will be in touch with you soon. Our staff will ask additional questions when you contact us and all patients entering the practice must wear a face covering. Please do get in touch if you have concerns about you eyes or vision. Thank you for your continuing support and understanding. TAIN & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL The minutes from the November meeting of the Community Council were not ready for publication at the time of print. There was no meeting of the Community Council in December.

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TAIN COMMUNITY

TAIN STREAMS IN THE NEW YEAR

SPORT IN LOCKDOWN Golf is still permitted, with a maximum of a 2 ball, and a maximum of 2 households until further notice. More info at: https://scottishgolf. org/covid-19-update-4january-2021

The organisers behind Tain’s regular festive traditions of switching on the Christmas lights were forced to change their plans this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. For the first time, the lights were turned on via live stream, hosted on Tain Gala Association’s Facebook page on December 5th. The live stream was shared on the Tain Community group page as recorded by volunteer Sian Mackenzie. Tain & Easter Ross Highland councillor Alasdair Rhind hosted the event, and before the switching on, he celebrated the resilience of the community throughout 2020, while urging people to support local businesses in the town in the lead up to Christmas. Gala Queen Leah Mackenzie, accompanied by Gala Princess Jagoba Wroblewska and Prince Tayyab Noir, then switched the lights on before viewers were entertained by Lily Grant, who beautifully performed “It’s Beginning to Look a

Lot Like Christmas” and “Silent Night.” The stream attracted hundreds of viewers on Facebook, having been shared on other pages over 50 times, with over 400 people responding to the video. Such was the success of the video feed, Tain Gala Association followed it up with a 90 minute Hogmanay Celebrations live stream on December 31st, allowing Tain to see the bells in with a range of pre-recorded entertainment, including Scottish folk music, a variety of dancing and more, provided from venues around the local area, with photos and messages from families locally and around the world. This was followed by messages from Tain & Fearn Free Church assistant minister Andrew Macleod, MSP Gail Ross, MP Jamie Stone and councillors Derek Louden and Fiona Robertson. The stream was made available via the Tain Gala

website, their Facebook page and their Youtube channel, to ensure as wide an audience as possible. Over 100 Facebook users commented on the video extending their well wishes for the new year. BELOW: TAIN GALA QUEEN LEAH MACKENZIE

Tennis Scotland have updated their guidelines to provide clarity around new restrictions across Scotland which will remain in place until 1 February 2021. Adults and children aged 12 and above can only take part in outdoor singles tennis, unless all participants are members of the same household or extended household. Those aged 11 and below are exempt from these gathering limits, and organised outdoor group tennis activity for under-12s can continue in line with COVID-Secure guidance. The latest guidance can be read at: bit.ly/3aEY0sP With regards to grassroots Football, Scottish Government and sportscotland have provided updated guidance which means that all non-contact activity in groups 12-years and above must stop. They have also provided further guidance regarding children under the age of 12 who are permitted to participate in non-contact group activity. More info here: https://www.scottishfa. co.uk/news/updatedguidance-for-grassrootsfootball

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TAIN COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY POLICING UPDATE “WE ARE SO CLOSE TO WINNING” Although we have finally seen the back of 2020, a year we will never forget, we must stay focused and follow the Covid guidelines. Each and every interaction that you don’t need to make adds unnecessarily to the risk in terms of the bigger picture. We are fortunate in the Highlands to have less densely populated towns and villages but when you are at the supermarket etc it is no different to being at the supermarket in Glasgow or London. Proximity and touching surfaces remains the greatest risk. We have had some outbreaks recently in this area and even on some of the islands so we cannot afford to be complacent. The public have responded amazingly to all that has been asked but sadly a few individuals have chosen to ignore their community responsibilities. I’m not talking about minor slips, we can all be guilty of those but rather the blatant disregard for legislation by irresponsibly carrying out activities which put others at risk. The Police have been active in the education of the public and in encouraging them to

do their bit by sticking tightly to the rules. Unfortunately, this is sometimes not enough for some but be assured we have charged those in question accordingly. The Police Scotland website has an informative FAQ page which will help you make informed decisions should you be considering travel etc. there is also an online page where you can report apparent Covid breaches. It can be found here: www.scotland.police. uk/secureforms/ covid19 I would encourage you to make use of it for any significant abuse of the rules rather than minor infringements. We are all trying our best and a friendly word may work better than requesting Police attendance. I hope we can all see this final part through, it would be saddening if we gave up when we are so close to winning the battle and have worked so hard to get to this point. I hope 2021 is a better year for everyone and that it won’t be too long until we can get our towns back to their best with busy shops, pubs and restaurants. Inspector James Rice

NEW 50MPH LIMIT INTRODUCED A new 50mph speed limit will take effect on the Tain bypass between the Knockbreck (Asda) and Morangie Road junctions from January 15th onward, Transport Scotland have confirmed. Multiple accidents at the junctions in recent years has prompted campaigns for safety measures to be introduced and it is hoped that the new limit will have a positive effect. Transport Scotland’s director of roads Hugh Gillies also confirmed that further developments to the stretch could be made, “We are continuing to work with our consultants to understand the

underlying cause of the accidents that have occurred at the Knockbreck and Morangie Road junctions. It is crucial that we are able to identify the reasons for the accidents in order to make an informed view on any improvements that could address the accident trend at these locations.” MSP Rhoda Grant has been a long-term advocate of improving safety measures on the bypass. She said, “I am very pleased that this is moving forward and await more detail from Transport Scotland on the longer-term proposals for these junctions.”

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HIGHLIFE HIGHLAND

HIGH LIFE HIGHLAND PROVIDE ONLINE RESOURCES TO SUPPORT HEALTH AND WELLBEING DURING LOCKDOWN 2.0 The team at High Life Highland wish you a very Happy New year, albeit perhaps not the start we had hoped for. You will be aware of the increased restrictions implemented by the Scottish Government as a result of increased COVID-19 transmission which effectively places the country back into a similar lockdown position we found ourselves in during March 2020. Back in August of last year, High Life Highland was extremely proud to be the first Trust

in Scotland to start reopening our facilities and welcome customers as part of its bounceback campaign. So, as we move into 2021, it is especially disappointing to the team to have to close temporarily once again as part of Lockdown 2.0. Your support of the Charity so far is hugely appreciated and is fundamental to supporting the long-term sustainability and future of the local services we provide in your area and across the Highlands.

While our bounceback campaign may be paused at the moment we will be providing as many options as possible online for highlife customers to take advantage of until we can physically reopen our facilities. Our teams are already working on the development of our virtual offering for members and are exploring ways that will enable us to extend the range and type of online resource that is accessible through our website in the future.

highlife Card holders are able to access a range of online services including Fitness Classes, Bookbug, Music Tuition and interactive archive sessions suitable for all which can be found at highlifehighland.com or on our social media channels. To find out more about our online fitness class availability and to book your space please visit the the link below. https://onlineclasses. highlifehighland.com/

TAIN ROYAL ACADEMY COMMUNITY COMPLEX

Facebook

FACEBOOK.COM/TRACCLEISURE

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NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM

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OLD FILE

OLD FILE: BUILDINGS AROUND TAIN BELOW: THE FOLLOWING SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF SHOP FRONTS AND BUILDINGS IN TAIN COMES FROM THE COLLECTION OF TAIN & DISTRICT MUSEUM. THE YEAR MARKED FOR THE PICTURES IS 1986.

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MARGARET URQUHART

THE “WILD MAN” OF THE WOODS “Davie” at Home

I noticed the reference to Davie Gogie in Alex Graham’s Nostalgia article recently, and his request for more information. I did in fact contribute an article on Davie Gogie in the December 2008 Issue of the TDPP. The following account is based on several newspaper cuttings, all unfortunately undated, but this postcard was sent in 1906 so the period concerned is the latter part of the 19th century and the very early part of the 20th. David Ross, otherwise known as “Davie Gogie”, lived in Calrossie woods for about 20 years. He belonged to Kiltearn Parish but 35 years or so before the photograph was taken his family – his parents, brother and Davie – moved to Fearn where Davie worked as a ploughman. After the death of his parents, he and his brother kept house together at Fearn but when his brother died, Davie left the house and became a vagrant & eccentric. (The information in the museum accompanying this photograph said it was after he had witnessed a murder but the newspapers make no mention of this.) He lived in Calrossie woods in rough huts made from branches and whatever material he could lay his hands on to give

him shelter from heavy rain and the winter cold. He apparently spent his time poaching and taking long walks in the woods. In this regard he seems to have enjoyed the blessing of the local landowner, a Mr Hall Macdonald, who allowed him to roam at will. His eccentric lifestyle caught the public imagination and he received many visitors from Tain and all parts of the country who came to view what he called his “ideal home”. One account suggests he was shy or even had a dislike of strangers, disappearing into the woods when he saw anyone coming and putting his hands in front of his face if someone approached with a “little black box.” Despite this the museum possesses 3 different images in which he seems to be posing quite happily for the camera. Two at least of these were made into postcards including the one seen here. When he tired of one place he moved to some other part of the woods. At one point he camped near Mounteagle and later near Bogbain. It was while living at the latter site in a gravel pit about 12 feet deep, that authority eventually caught up with Davie. After being taken into Tain on a breach of the peace charge,

he was “induced to accept the friendly shelter of the Easter Ross Union Poorhouse” as a local newspaper report termed it. The Magistrate dealing with the case said he would admonish him if he agreed to go to what locally was known as “Arthurville”. Poor Davie no doubt felt he had no choice and although he allowed himself to be taken into care, he made it clear he would have wished to stay where he was and didn’t think he would last long. And so it proved. Although at first he appeared to be quite happy, if somewhat quiet, after only a short period of incarceration, he left the poorhouse and returned to Calrossie, saying he had to get back to the woods or he would soon die. A report, written about 3 years after he returned to his old way of life, remarked that although he was by then an old man and had been exposed to the severe cold of many winters in the woods, he had never had any illness and still appeared to be enjoying his life as “a hermit in his hut in the woods away from the haunts of men.” Another newspaper item tells of Davie’s eventual fate but as this is again undated, I don’t know how much later. He turned up at a railway surfaceman’s house, near Fearn Station having badly burned his hand. When he fainted, Dr. Ross of Tain and the Inspector of Poor were sent for but to no avail. Davie died the next morning. His appearance, with his long black matted hair not having seen a barber for many years, his whiskers and beard twisted into long ropes and his makeshift attire of old sacking and cast-offs, earned him the title “Wild Man of the Woods” but although weak minded he was harmless. Margaret Urquhart

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TAIN & DISTRICT MUSEUM

THE CATERAN, ALISTAIR SCHOLAR

In the past, cattle was the most important commodity in the Highlands and generally the only source of money for many, so the cattle were always liable to be stolen and there is a long history of cattle stealing in the Highlands going back centuries. But did you know one of the most notorious Highland cattle thieves was captured and hung near the popular forest walk at Aldie Burn near Tain? During the 18th century, one of the most infamous

cattle thieves of the Highlands was Alistair ‘Scholar’, so-called because he was unable to read or write and was once seen in church trying to read a bible upsides down.

thieves and villains that live or are harboured in Glenmoriston, Glengarry and other thievish county’s. I know that rogue, Alistair Scholar, to be one of the greatest thieves in the Highlands.“

Scholar stole cattle from all over the Highlands, a letter from Lord Lovat Simon Fraser to the Earl of Cromarty at Milton, written in 1739, sheds some light on this notorious cattle thief;

“He has taken four or five parcels of cattle out of my own country within this year and a half, and I have used all my endeavours to seize them; but when I sent parties after him, he always made his escape to Torridon in Kinlochewe, for he was born and bred in that country, and it would

“I am heartily sorry that your lordships tenants are so much hurt and harassed by those cursed

be a very easy matter for Coul and Torridon, who are your lordship’s relations as well as mine, to seize the villain and to send him to you.” “However, I do sincerely promise to your lordship that if that rogue is harboured either in Glenmoriston, Glengarry, Locharkaig, Lochaber, or Brae Lochaber, I shall have him by the neck and send him to your lordship; for I am fully resolved to spend more than the value of the cows or get redress to your lordship. I’ll not only employ the

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TAIN & DISTRICT MUSEUM

Sergeants and men of my company that are known in those counties to go in search of him without loss of time, but I will likewise make use of all the interest I have with Glengarry, Lochiel, Barrisdale, and Scothouse, who are the principal gentlemen in those counties, to cause seize that villain. I will leave no stone unturned to get your lordship full satisfaction of this last insult. But I again presume to beg of your lordship to engage our friends Coul and Torridon to cause seize the villain when he comes to their lands, for you may depend upon it that I’ll catch him if he is in Glenmoriston or the West Highlands, or chase him to the haunts that he used to have about Torridon, Keulochow, and Lochbroom and Coigach, where I have had a party for several weeks after him.” Scholar was once asked what action in his life he most regretted and he told that he was stealing cattle in the Kincardine area which was herded by a girl. He tied her by the hair to the bough of a tree, thinking that someone would look for her and free her, but was horrified on passing the same spot a year later to come across her skeleton. Scholar was eventually captured at Culpleasant near Tain, where he had been hiding out, after becoming Ill with the measles. The following year he was hung to death at Cnoc na Caens now known as Rosehill.

“A HIGHLAND LEGACY”

The Maitlands of Tain, their Work and their World An important part of the built heritage of the Northern Highlands is Victorian and Edwardian. Andrew Maitland, two sons and a grandson, architects based in Tain, made significant contributions across the region - including farm buildings, churches, shooting lodges, hotels, courthouses, town halls, commercial buildings, villas and whisky distilleries, including Glenmorangie, where they played a pivotal role. Tain itself became a place of rare charm and beauty. In a new book about the subject, local author Hamish Mackenzie has researched the people who commissioned the Maitlands and why they did so. He brings to life a fascinating variety of characters against a backdrop of social, religious, political and technological change.

Hamish’s new book is now available from the Tain & District museum website at: https://www.tainmuseum.org.uk/a-highlandlegacy.asp

CURIOSITIES FROM OUR COLLECTION The item is a ‘Pulvermacher Hydro-Electric Chain and it dates from around the 1870s, these machines were used by numerous quack practitioners who were taking advantage of the popularity of the relatively new treatment of electrotherapy, or “electrification” as it was then known.

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MESSAGE FROM CLLR. DEREK LOUDEN

ANDREW VASS

‘NO BUTS ABOUT IT’ NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS ANDREW VASS WRITES • If anything were possible, what would you most like to welcome into your life? What would that be like? How would it show up? What would create the room, space, and possibility for this to show up?

Wishing you a

Happy New Year My usual monthly

surgery is cancelled at present. Please feel free to contact me at any time on: 01862892734 07876774412 Or via email at LoudenDW@aol.com Happy to help any local resident with any problem at any time.

CONTACT TDPP Do you have an article or photos you’d like us to print? Please email:

info@tainpost.co.uk or call 01862 857366

• How is life a struggle, and where is that most noticeable in your life right now? If this struggle were not present, what would (or could) be? • When you are the best, most authentic version of yourself, who are you? What does this version of you want? Where do you put your attention? What do you give your energy to? The answers to these questions can give you a goal or intention. All you need now is a PROCESS MAP. A process map charts out how a habit unfolds from triggers to consequences. Constructing the map will give you a chance to examine your habit in a new way and discover many choice points in the process. It may be an action (like what you eat), a habit of mind (like assuming the worst), a habit of speech (like complaining or criticizing), or even a habit of non-action (like procrastinating or avoiding). Perhaps you could bring to mind a

recent disappointment, setback, or challenge that prompted selfdoubt or self-criticism. As long as you think it may be related to your broader goal, it will be helpful to explore it. To see how the process unfolds, look for some of the following which can be put into a flow diagram. • What are the most common outer triggers? What is happening/ where are you when the process begins (e.g., place, with people or alone, specific event, some-thing you see or smell or hear)? • What are the most common inner triggers? What are you thinking or feeling that seems to launch/ sustain the habit (e.g., a specific emotion, thought, memory, craving)? • What are you feeling/ thinking as you engage in the habit? Where is your attention? • Who else, or what else, enables/supports this process? What makes it easy or rewarding to do? • How do afterward?

you

feel

• What do you say to yourself or think about afterwards? • What does, engaging

in this habit, make you more likely to do during or afterwards? Once you have some ideas about each of the steps above, identify a choice point you would like to work with. Ask yourself which point in the process (outer triggers, inner triggers, initial response to triggers, or reaction to your own choice) you feel most interested in exploring. Maybe you want to change your environment so that you are less likely to be triggered. Maybe you want to try talking yourself into a different response when you notice yourself being triggered. Or maybe you don’t feel able to change the habit itself, but you would like to change how you react afterwards. When you’ve selected a choice point, identify a specific strategy that can interrupt or transform how the process usually unfolds. What are you going to do that is different than what you usually do? ADVICE Noticing criticism helps you to not identify fully with it.

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ANDREW VASS

Trying to fixing is just constricting the constriction. Instead bring mindful attention to it. How you do anything is how you do everything, so you can’t go wrong by starting anywhere. Attempts to use willpower to control is difficult, choose to mindfully share the space. What would bring a small sense of peace? Doing something small can give you interrupter gear. Notice how you talk yourself out of doing something. To get back choice, reflect on such talk. Where in the process can I choose differently? A personal victory can be

good but easily forgotten and discounted. Mindful remembering helps. Choose anything to work on. You can’t over-ride a default brain-base mood but you can chart it. A process map charts out how a habit unfolds from triggers to consequences. Constructing the map will give you a chance to examine your habit in a new way and discover many choice points in the process. It’s a mindful act of self-care. WHAT IS MINDFULNESS? It’s a quality of investigating with direct experiential attention. Also, one needs compassion to stop the underlying criticising process. It is often done as one consciously breathes. Imagine the breath bringing some space and

room to any feelings of constriction or urgency you are feeling. Finally, consider using the skills of selfcompassion. Remind yourself of the common humanity of what you are experiencing (“Just like me, countless other people know what [pain, anger, confusion, cravings, being overwhelmed] feels like.”) Encourage yourself by reviewing and remembering your strengths, goals, successes and values. Here is an example of selfappreciative thinking; ‘The financial challenge says something about who you are. What is it saying?’ Mindfully observing the Inner Critic is helpful because it helps you to be less self-downing or destructive. When you turn attention, to inner chatter from default system, it slows down.

Mindfulness nips dynamics in bud a little. Can you accept what is present and still forge ahead? We may sense ourselves as inadequate but we are strong containers. There may be fear, or embarrassment, but we can use our Mindfulness interrupter gear. Bring in a little of the breath. Breathe into the tension. Willingness to engage with what one charts decreases the intensity. Bring compassionate awareness to make space, and be spacious. Instead of choosing from a place of frustration, one can choose from a place of values. Just ask; ‘Which values matter right now? Which ones can I use to guide my choices? Finally, choose a specific commitment you are willing to try this week that connects your values and your focus for change. For example: If your focus is eating better and your chosen value is family, you could commit to trying a new recipe with your kids. In Neil Gunn’s ‘The Silver Darlings’ we see Highland fishing people coping with a time when one really had to simply cope with ‘no buts about it’. My enduring memory from the book is that in each fishing boat one man was the watcher looking far into the distance for that big wave which the boat must orientate towards. Small waves simply didn’t matter. Maybe the lesson to learn is that you can make waves, but we’ll only notice if they are big ones. Or perhaps you can see a better lesson.

TAIN

Now at 9 Geanies Street

Wednesdays 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm

Tel: Evelyn 07594 847259

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

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SAFETY INFORMATION FROM TAIN GOLF CLUB

LOCAL SPORT

NEW TOPS FOR DO SOCCER PRIMARY GROUP

It’s great to see so many down using the club again for walks and enjoying the open space. The course is closed to golfers at the moment because of the dangerous conditions under foot. Those of you who are coming down to walk their dogs or if you are just going for a walk yourselves, please, please be careful. The fairways and pathways in places are lethal with ice following periods of defrost then refreezing. We have limited staff operating and would hate for someone to have a fall and not be found quickly. This lockdown is also different from before as playing golf has not been restricted. So when conditions improve, probably sometime next week, golfers will be back out on the fairways. They will look out for you but can you take care when crossing any areas of the course so you dont put yourself inadvertently into danger. All the best for 2021. Stay safe, Stuart

ABOVE: DO SOCCER PRIMARY AGE KIDS IN THEIR NEW WARM UP TOPS PICTURED WITH HEAD COACH ZAKEER KHAN. THE TOPS ARE SPONSORED BY AKE MOTORS.

NORTH CALEY LEAGUE TAKES A ‘PAUSE’ On the back of further restrictions being introduced across Scotland, the management committee of the North Caledonian FA met on January 6th to unanimously agree to pause the fixture calendar for the month of January, while also putting a stop to training activity and friendlies. The league now aims to resume playing from February 6th. A statement on the league’s website said: “As an association, we took the decision before the season started to temporarily restructure our league format with the future in mind. This reduced schedule has allowed us to make tonight’s decision in the knowledge that we have time on our side and we look forward to completing the season following this short pause. Although our association has an exemption from the Scottish FA and the Scottish Government to continue playing, we believe that in light of tighter restrictions and an increase in cases locally, that pausing our schedule is the correct decision at this time, to help safeguard the vulnerable communities many of our teams belong to.”

The North Caledonian League, which was granted a professional sport exemption from the Scottish FA and the Scottish Govt. to play, train and travel during protection levels 0-4, is the first football league of its kind in Scotland to take a voluntary pause during the pandemic. It’s “sister leagues” at Tier 6 of the Scottish football pyramid in the East, West and South of Scotland look set to continue despite the nationwide lockdown, along with both the Highland and Lowland leagues. The North Caledonian League also confirmed that a five-figure Covid relief funding package has been agreed, which shall be shared with member clubs who have playing during the pandemic, in a bid to help with the increased costs and lack of fundraising opportunities as a result of restrictions. The funding comes as part of a £30m emergency support package for football clubs affected by lost revenue during the pandemic, announced by the Scottish Government in December.

TDPP

ST. DUTHUS F.C.

SAINTS ROUND OFF 2020 WITH BACK TO BACK VICTORIES

ABOVE: JON CAMPBELL CELEBRATES WITH CAMMY MACKINTOSH AGAINST HALKIRK UNITED

St. Duthus Football Club finished up the calendar year in great form with back to back wins against Halkirk United and Orkney securing a mid-table position going into the new year. Having already beaten Halkirk away from home earlier in the season, St. Duthus made easier work of it at Grant Park, beating the Anglers 4-1 thanks to a workmanlike second half performance. Goalless first halves have become something of a theme of St. Duthus matches this season - this being the fourth they had recorded in their last five games. That said, there were chances to break the deadlock, and Saints could have taken the lead on a couple of occasions. Jon Campbell, in fine form, did well with to find Ben Bruce after an impressive run, and the Saints forward man stung the palms of Lewis Gallacher with a good effort. Bruce himself also

came close with a chance after a mazy run of his own before firing just wide.The opening goal eventually arrived on 53 minutes, coming via a free kick just outside the box. Ben Bruce, bagging his eighth goal of the season found the far corner from the set piece, giving Gallacher in the Halkirk goal no chance. On the hour mark, a good run from Jon Campbell created the easiest of opportunities for Jake Lockett to net his second goal of the season to make it 2-0, beating Gallacher with a composed finish. It was 3-0 on 76 minutes after Ben Bruce was felled by the goalkeeper inside the eighteen yard box, and from the resultant spot kick, the striker netted with ease. Saints completed the rout with a goal two minutes later. Jon Campbell again went on a weaving run before cutting the ball back Cammy Mackintosh inside the area, and

the midfielder made no mistake with a good finish high into the net. There were debuts late in the game for Taylor Anderson and Calum Robinson, joining Aneek Khan (who debuted the previous weekend against Golspie) as the latest graduates from the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U17 ranks. A well taken goal from Kyle Henderson reduced the deficit to three late in the game, but it was too little too late for the Anglers against a splendid Saints side. A week later, St. Duthus bucked the trend to become the first mainland side to travel to Orkney for a game of football since the start of the pandemic. Traveling from Scrabster to Stromness on the midday sailing, they had the finest of windows to arrive, warm-up and play the match, before immediately jumping on the ferry to return to the mainland.

AND THEY DID IT IN STYLE. The in-form Ben Bruce broke the deadlock with just four minutes on the clock after good work from Jake Lockett to find the striker, the latter tucking the ball into the far corner with an authoritive finish. Lockett himself could have extended the scoreline shortly after, and Jon Campbell was also unlucky as the game looked to be firmly in Saintsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; grasp -- that was until the 32nd minute when Orkney pulled a goal back somewhat against the run of play. The second started well for St. Duthus though, with Lockett and Bruce in the thick of the action again, and on the hour mark Bruce fired home again to make it 2-1. This made for a tense and exciting final half an hour with end to end action. In search of the hat-trick, Bruce was denied on further occasions as Saints tried to put the game to bed. In the final moments, Orkney gave it one final push and were it not for an excellent goal line clearance from Keir Carson, Orkney may have equalised. With one eye on the ferry sailing time, eight minutes of injury time were the last thing the team wanted but ride them out they did, and after a quick bus ride from the Stromness pitch to the ferry terminal, the victorious St. Duthus lads boarded the Hamnavoe and enjoyed a safe and socially distanced journey home - the perfect way to sign off for the festive break!

TDPP

MARK JANES - THROUGH THE LENS

THROUGH THE LENS MARK JANES

ISSUE #36 SEEKING INSPIRATION IN 2021 I think it’s fair to say that most of us will be very happy to see the back of 2020. But 2021 hasn’t exactly kicked off with things back to normal (yet). With a combination of short days, poor weather and Covid restrictions, it can be tempting to withdraw into one’s shell and wait till it’s all over! Fortunately, photography is one of many things that can be a welcome distraction at this time of year and, with the low light capability of modern cameras and phones, you don’t have to be outdoors to practise it. But, with your horizons necessarily limited as they are just now, how do you find inspiration and a reason to pick up

that camera? Well, here are a few ideas to get started: 1. Do a “365” Challenge (or a “12”, or a “52” one) In a 365 Challenge, you set yourself the task of taking one photo a day, every day, for the year (or one photo a month, or one per week). This can be on a specific theme, or just anything that grabs the eye. Setting this type of challenge encourages you to look for pictures during your every day life. Posting them to social media gives an extra incentive to keep up the challenge of shooting every day. 2. Start a Project Many pro photographers agree that a personal project can be a great way of practising your skills and putting some inspiration back into your photography. You could decide to document a particular

theme or event, such as “a year in the life of a local farm”, or choose to photograph one location at different times of year, as the seasons unfold. Many photographers find their first exhibition and recognition in the artworld comes from the results of a project. 3. Join an Online Camera Group Most camera clubs have suspended their face-to-face meetings for this season, but many continue to offer a varied programme of talks, workshops and competitions online. Have a look at the websites of some of the popular local clubs, such as East Sutherland in Brora or Dingwall. Or why not sign up to the Facebook-based “Tain and District Online Camera Club” which I moderate? We’re an active group of nearly 200 members and I set daily challenges to keep

you busy! 4. Take a Course or Workshop I have beginners’ classes and more advanced workshops starting throughout the year. Most of these are running online just now, but restrictions do allow for small group and one-toone sessions outdoors, provided the appropriate risk-assessments and protocols are in place*. Email me for more information (see below). 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 the settings on your camera, email me those too and we’ll see if we can put them together into a “Q&A” section. If you’re a Facebook user, why not join our online photoclub? (Tain and District Online Photo Club) we’d love to see your pictures there. markjanesphotographer @gmail.com.

TDPP

TAIN COMMUNITY

MICAH’S FUNDRAISER FOR MS SOCIETY SCOTLAND Throughout the month of January, Micah Spence will be running 100 miles to raise money for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society Scotland. Raising money via Facebook’s fundraising platform, he explains, “For those of you who don’t know much about MS, it is a disease that affects your central nervous system and can have a profound impact on the way sufferers live their lives. There is a particularly high prevalence of the disease in Northern Europe, and more specifically in the North East of Scotland. I have chosen this charity as someone very close to me suffers from MS and the charity itself is involved in pioneering work to

TAIN & DISTRICT GARDENERS’ CLUB

combat against the disease and directly supports individuals who live with it day-to-day. Christmas and New Year is a time where some folk are strapped for cash, let alone having been furloughed and employment being lost/changed as a result of Covid in 2020. Therefore, any donations regardless of how big or small - are much appreciated by MS Society Scotland, myself and my family.” Micah is accepting donations here: https://www.facebook.com/ donate/424512485369381/ 2790917347844076 - Micah Spence

TEN FUN FACTS 1. Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable. They’re technically considered a single-seeded berry, believe it or not. 2. The Eiffel Tower can be 15 cm taller during the summer, due to thermal expansion meaning the iron heats up, the particles gain kinetic energy and take up more space. 3. Trypophobia is the fear of closely-packed holes. Or more specifically, “an aversion to the sight of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps.” No crumpets for them, then. 4. Australia is wider than the moon. The moon sits at 3400km in diameter, while Australia’s diameter from east to west is almost 4000km. 5. ‘Mellifluous’ is a sound that is pleasingly smooth and musical to hear. 6. Human teeth are the only part of the body which cannot heal themselves. Teeth are coated in enamel which is not a living tissue. 7. It’s illegal to own just one guinea pig in Switzerland. It’s considered animal abuse because they’re social beings and get lonely. 8. The Ancient Romans used to drop a piece of toast into their wine for good health - hence why we ‘raise a toast’. 9. The heart of a shrimp is located in its head. They also have an open circulatory system, which means they have no arteries and their organs float directly in blood 10. Baby rabbits are called kits. Cute!

With frozen or wet ground there is not much that can be done outside at the moment but as we are past the Winter Solstice the days will be drawing out and the soil beginning to warm up and bulbs are already pushing through so “can Spring be far behind”. In last May’s TDPP Mark Janes wrote “For those of us fortunate enough to have gardens’ the Lock-down … has been a good opportunity to get out and get the borders in shape. In fact I dare say that a lot of Scotland’s gardens will have been manicured to within an inch of their lives come the end of the crisis!” That end of the crisis does seem to be on the horizon so we hope that in 2021 we will eventually be able to meet and visit one another’s gardens. Very best wishes to all gardeners for the New Year. David & Heather, TDGC

TDPP

THE EAGLES GIFT Once more the Golden Eagle’s taken flight. And winged his way to me all through the night, and through his gift should make me glad and gay, there’s little laughter in my soul today. Each month I like to write a rhyme for you, a funny rhyme to bring a laugh or two; But this month I just don’t know what to say, There’s not much laughter in my soul today. I know not how I caught or found this mood, I woke up depressed and feeling not so good. But I must shake it off, chase it away, and put some laughter in my soul today. I know a friend, a trusty one and true, Who’ll sent the truant sun ashining through, John Barleycorn – you’ll chase my gloom away, And put some laughter in my soul today. I will go now and collect the Eagle’s gift, And use it well, this hellish gloom to shift, Hell or high water, whether right or wrong, I’LL PUT SOME LAUGHTER IN MY SOUL TODAY. ADAM HOLM. (1916 – 1971)

IN PICTURES

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