COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR THE ROYAL BURGH OF TAIN AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS
TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST
#253 DECEMBER
2021
PICTURE HOUSE RESTORATION
WIND TOWER FACILITY FOR NIGG
YOUTH FOOTBALLERS EARN FIRST WIN
Heavy lifting involved as the next phase of the Tain Picture House restoration is completed. p9
News of a new state-of-theart offshore wind tubular rolling facility at Port of Nigg p25
St. Duthus U18s get off the mark for the season with a big win against Highland League opposition. p24
Woodland Path in Snow, Aldie Burn (Simon Mayson)
DECEMBER 2021
TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST
PRICE £1.95
WELCOME TO THE
VISITOR CENTRE Swirling with aroma and flavour, the Glenmorangie Distillery is the beating heart of our wondrous whisky creation. Experience our craft and discover how with barley, water and wood, we bottle the taste of our imagination.
Tain Inverness
Perth Glasgow
Edinburgh
The Glenmorangie Distillery Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ Scotland On the A9, 45 minutes from Inverness, 1 mile north of Tain. For up to date information on our offerings, please visit our web site www.glenmorangie.com. Alternatively, we are here at the end of the line on 01862 892477 or email tshop@glenmorangie.co.uk where we will be delighted to take your call or email.
The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking. Please savour our whiskies in moderation. Correct at time of print for 2021.
TDPP
DECEMBER 2021
3
DECEMBER 2021
IN THIS ISSUE Community council minutes Local News & Notices In Memory Local News & Notices Tain & District Museum Picture House Restoration Old File: Hill of Fearn School Through the Lens with Mark Janes The Burns & Bridges of Tain Tain Golf Club news Local News & Notes Football News Wind Tower Facility for Nigg Nostalgia with Alex Graham
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 16 19 22 23 25 26
Editors - Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals Email info@tainpost.co.uk Tel 01862 857366 | Mob 07527 134574 Digital archive - www.tainpost.co.uk/archive or issuu.com/tainpost
Santa and his reindeer had lots of excited visitors at this year’s Christmas Community Market. (Pics: TDDT)
4
TDPP
TAIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES Minutes of the virtual Community Council of the Royal Burgh of Tain meeting held on 25th October 2021 at 7.30 pm. ATTENDEES Mr G Amos (Chair) Mr A Mohan (Vice-Chair) Mr G Holdsworth Ms S Smith Mr N Akeroyd Mr Louden/Mr Rhind – Highland Councillors The Minutes of the virtual meeting held on 27th September 2021 were approved by Mr Holdsworth, and seconded by Mr Mohan TAIN & DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST Mr Macrae reported that the TDDT were moving premises to Tower Street, and will move later to Moore Insurance. There will be a second meeting of the Tourism Sub-group, with the subject of how to manage tourism currently and in the future. Water is accessing the Old Picture House, and because of this the priorities has to change – on 6th November there is a clear out of old cinema seats, etc and are going to be stored in the old Health Centre. There is a Community Market this weekend and there will be 38 stallholders. There is going to be a TDDT & Tain Gala Christmas Fair on 20 November. Plus there will be a Christmas market and the switching on of the lights on 27th November. HIGHLAND COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Mr Louden indicated that the last 2 years had been a hard time for everyone as a community and it is a
hard time to get volunteers. He attended the Housing/ Property Committee and the budget had been reprofiled, as well as attending the inaugural lecture of Professor Worthington of UHI who teaches history in the Dornoch Campus, and is from Tain. He also attended the Recovery Board, where climate change was discussed. He held a joint surgery for the public with an MSP. COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY Mandy Clark enquired about Tain Initiative Group (TIG) and finding out information on the group as she was finding it difficult. It was noted that if anyone had any questions to write to TIG via Alasdair Rhind. The gift of land near the Tennis Court was extensively discussed, including the recent letters to some Knockbreck Avenue residents and the investigations on the ground conditions. Volunteering was also extensively discussed. Mr Rhind indicated that he would welcome to see any potential projects for the gifted land. CHAIR’S REPORT Mr Amos reported that the bench under the Town Clock has been removed and is being fixed. There are still speeding cars through the Town and could maybe be seen on the CCTV. Mr Amos noted that the buses were not user friendly. The Old Folks’ Party has been booked into the Duthac Centre for 8th January. He attended a Beinn Tharsuinn Community Windfarm meeting, where there was a speaker from SSE.
FINANCE AND TREASURERS REPORT Mr Macrae read out the balances of the accounts. It was noted that the Christmas Lights Ward Discretionary application has been approved. Mr Macrae to send the most recent accounts to Helen Ross as part of the application. Mr Amos would welcome nominations for the switching on of the lights.
this out. Noted when the Community Payback scheme is able to be outdoors they can do tasks at the Mansfield Estate. 3-18 Campus – noted the project is going well, and may be at putting in a planning application in soon. Senior Citizen’s Party – catering arrangements progressing well. Entertainment to be arranged.
PLANNING MATTERS 21 St Andrews Road – alteration and extension, plus decking – no comment. Glenmorangie Distillery – installation of treatment tank – no comment. 5 Petley Place – demolition of garage and erection of house – no comment.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS Venue of next meeting Holding the next CC in a physical location was discussed and the Church Hall was suggested. Location to be checked before the next meeting. Beinn Tharsuinn Community Windfarm applications 2 applications have been received – one from CCAST, and one from Cats Protection League (Mr Holdsworth declared an interest in this item). As both applications funding requests are more than is available, it was agreed to give each organisation £500 each. Remembrance Sunday Noted Remembrance Sunday this year is 14th November, and Mr Rhind wished the CC to be seated by 10.45 am, then the parade thereafter. 20 miles per hour road zones This item to be put on the agenda for the next meeting.
COMMON GOOD FUND Mr Louden spoke about Blue Carbon – which is restoring degraded seabed, and could be a source of income. It was agreed to add this to the agenda for the next meeting. UNEXHAUSTED REMITS Beinn Tharsuinn Community Companypreviously discussed. Social Media/Facebook – Mr Amos still to do an introduction on Facebook. The subs for the web page are not paid as yet. Mr Macrae to speak to Calico. Trees and Green Environment – Ms Smith reported that St Andrews Road had no lights on at the pavements. Path at Scotburn Road/ Craighill Terrace - there are no lights hitting the pavement because of overgrown trees – Mr Rhind/Mr Louden to check
THE MEETING ENDED AT 21.25 PM THE DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING IS MONDAY 31st JANUARY 2022
TDPP
TAIN COMMUNITY
5
LOCAL NEWS & NOTICES TAIN & DISTRICT FIELD CLUB NEWS Tain and District Field Club has slowly and cautiously been returning to a more normal programme this autumn. Since April we have been holding field trips and in September we relaxed the number permitted to attend. Over the autumn we have had one ZOOM meeting and two face-to-face meetings. This winter we are using Edderton Community Hall which is large enough to permit spaced seating. The full programme is available on our website. Our latest walk was to Tarrel Wood where we looked at the wonderful growth of fungi which have appeared this autumn. Thanks to Mark Janes for letting us wander around his Noble Fir plantation and to Nicki Macrae for fungus identification, especially the Deceivers!
TDFC’s tree at the Tain Christmas Tree Festival in 2019 Paper birds, butterflies and spiders on the branches. We hope by next year we might be able to have another festival.
Pictured above: Nicki helping identify some of the fungi TAIN JUNIORS DONATION FROM LODGE ST DUTHUS Tain Juniors Football Club were kindly presented with a cheque for £1,000 in November by RWM John Mackenzie and some brethren on behalf of Lodge St Duthus No 82.
6
TDPP
IN MEMORY
IN MEMORY ROSS (KILDARY) Peacefully in the County Hospital, Invergordon on Friday 19 November 2021, Margaret Beattie, aged 85 years, 13 Parkhill, Kildary, beloved wife of the late Billy, a much loved mother of Sandra and Ethel, a loving granny, great granny, a dear mother-inlaw, dearly loved sister of Alec and loved by all the extended family and friends. MACFARLANE (TAIN) Peacefully in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on Wednesday 17 November 2021, Marjory “Madge” Morrison, 77 Seaforth Road, Tain, dearly loved mother and mother-inlaw of Bruce and Linda, a much loved granny of Emma and Xanthe, a dear sister of Christine, Ian, Jane, Sandra and Donald and loved by all her extended family and friends. ALLAN (DORNOCH) Peacefully, in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Saturday, 20th November, 2021, Richard Michael Allan, aged 38 years, 37 Ross Avenue, Dornoch, much loved son of Michael and Kirsteen, devoted father of Jack, loving brother of Gary, Amy, Robbie and Adam, dear brother-in-law of Lisa and Stuart, dearly loved grandson of Minnie and
the late Alastair, loved by all the extended family and friends. ROONEY (LAMINGTON) Peacefully in the County Hospital, Invergodon on Sunday 14 November 2021, Matthew “John” Joseph Rooney, The Beeches, Lamington, Invergordon, beloved husband of Mary a dear brother and loved by all the extended family and friends. ROSS (TAIN) In Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on Saturday 30 October 2021, Alan Ross, 28 St. Andrews Road, Tain, beloved husband of Elizabeth, much loved father of Craig, Sharon, Ryan and Stuart, a dearly loved granda, brother and father-in-law. ANDERSON (TAIN, FORMERLY DURNESS) Agnes (nee Whyte), passed away peacefully, at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Saturday, 6th November, 2021, aged 88 years. Beloved wife of the late Thomas Anderson, loving sister to Sheena, much loved aunt to Donald, Angela, Kevin and Douglas and a good friend to many.
NEWS & NOTICES TAIN & DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST TDDT would like to thank everyone that made Tain Christmas Market and the switching on of the Christmas Lights Ceremony such a success. The event could not have taken place without the volunteers who helped out on the day - 1st Batallion Highlander Army Cadets Tain Division who were there from early in the morning erecting a Marquee when the weather was at its coldest, well done boys a fantastic effort. Robert Docherty and Alan Mohan for organising the stall holders on the High Street, not the easiest of tasks, trying to ensure that everybody gets the spot they want. The girls from the Saltire Awards for helping the stall holders set up and empty their vehicles, thanks to Kats Macleod for organising this. Justin Vass deserves special thanks as he was there from early morning until the end helping everybody with anything that was asked. Tain Gala Association, and Tain Task Force for setting up the garden and the Street lights, and to you the public for turning up and supporting this joint event. Events such as these could not be possible without the support of the volunteers, the public, and groups working together to ensure that our community and those in the whole Easter Ross Peninsula continue to thrive and raise community spirit.
Also, a huge thank you to the stall holders who came along to the Christmas Craft Fare in The Duthac Centre. Big thank you to the St Duthac Book & Arts Festival for providing a lovely spread along with endless supply of tea & coffee. Hope you did well with your fundraising! Of course all this could not happen without volunteers. So thank you to Angus & Paula from the Town Hall, Freya & Hannah from Tain Youth Cafe (Saltire Award), Dave Macrae (TDDT) for organising the stall holders and mucking in with the set up/ dismantle along with the Gala Association - Sandy, Davey , Karen, Kelly & Dan. Huge thank you to all the businesses who generously donated to the raffle organised by Kelly and Tracy from the Gala committee. Tracy Chatten thank you for selling raffle tickets along with Gala committee volunteers. Our Gala Prince Tayyab also came along today to help with the track & trace and raffle. We were overwhelmed by the turnout of public who came along to support this event and more importantly the crafters. NHS HIGHLAND VACCINES The National Vaccination Portal will go live in Scotland in the week beginning Monday 15 November. Similar to residents in other remote and rural Health Board areas across Scotland, residents in Highland will be unable to book an
TDPP
NEWS & NOTICES
appointment via the portal within the board area at this time. Depending on which GP Practice you are registered with in The Highland Council area, you will be contacted by your Practice or NHS Highland to be invited for your COVID-19 booster/3rd dose or flu vaccine. VACCINES FOR 12-15 YEAR OLDS NHS Highland have confirmed that they will carry out the COVID 19 Vaccines for 12-15 year olds at Tain Royal Academy on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th December 2021 Consent forms will be sent out nearer the time to pupils age 1215. Information leaflets (pictured below) have been issued to pupils today. The most up to date information is available at www.nhsinform.scot/ covid19vaccineyoungpeople
7
WHAT IS WALKING FOOTBALL? It’s fast 3 touch football. Imagine yourself as part of a pin-ball machine, as one of the levers striking the ball - only you can move (but not run) about the pitch. Tain Walking Football Group meet on Thursdays, 6pm to 7pm weekly at Tain Royal Academy astroturf pitch. If you would like to join us, please contact Patrick on pvickery59@gmail.com or 07821 477202. TAIN GALA ASSOCIATION PEAT & DIESEL RESCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT The long awaited Peat & Diesel Concert in Tain has now been rescheduled for Saturday 16th April 2022 in the Marquee on Tain Links doors open at 7pm. All original tickets are valid for this new date. We are really looking forward to this concert.
We are delighted to share our news of a new arrival to the TDPP family, please join us in welcoming our daughter Holly to the world... Niall & Lucy
8
TDPP
MESSAGE FROM CLLR. DEREK LOUDEN
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. Anyone can phone at any time with any request.
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
TAIN MUSEUM
TAIN MUSEUM: THE STORY OF JOCK HAIRY The story of Jock Hairy a Wildfowler who lived on a boat-house in Edderton by Alex “Dow” Macleod of the Grove, Tain. We visited Jock Hairy on New Year’s Day. Dicky’s mother must have known the old wildfowler fairly well for she it was who suggested to us that we make the journey to wish him Happy New Year. She must have felt he might be lonely, living as he did in an old boat on Edderton beach. I can’t think at this date how old we were, perhaps ten. As I remember it the weather was mild but dank like an autumn day. We ambled along the shore without incident except at one part where the incoming tide had rushed over the low lying fields cutting us from further progress. Happily, the part was fenced and by standing on the wire we made an adventurous crossing of some fifty yards. Looking back the water must have been two feet in depth but as it was moving on briskly and the fence was in poor condition the incident left an impression of great daring. My first impression of Jock Hairy’s home quarters was that of a penetrating unpleasant smell. It came from the skinned and putrefying carcase of a seal lying in the water’s edge, along which was drawn up two or three punts. Further back stood a big boat. Reaching it without any sign of an occupant, Dicky shouted out in a loud voice, “Are you in, Jock?” At this, a head appeared above the middle of the boat, a weather-beaten but kindly face framed in long hair. It was evident that Jock and the local barber seldom met. “Come in,” he said motioning us to mount the short ladder leading to the cabin. We solemnly wished the old man the wishes of the
season and stared around us at his bunk and general layout. It would be idle to pretend that a person like myself who receives impressions instead of observing things closely could remember Jock Hairy’s cabin in detail – a bunk, a bench, a stove and a general feeling of snugness. Our prattles were soon exhausted and finally, Jock came across with two small glasses of cordial, a piece of cake and a large apple for each. “A Happy New Year” we pledged as we took a mouthful of the glass. It was whisky we soon found out and my mouth felt as if it had been burned. Need I say it, we were not equal to the task of finishing and Jock apologised for not having anything more suited to boyish palates. When we examined the long greypainted punt guns we were on our way. The visit itself was of course not very noteworthy, but Jock Hairy impressed my mind very strangely a few years later when he became the central figure in a murder case. Hairy’s proper name was Macleod and he hailed from Bonar-Bridge. A wildfowler by instinct and upbringing he had finally made it his livelihood and settled down in Edderton foreshore to harry the wild duck and seals that were plentiful in the Dornoch Firth. In his punt, he would float concealed until within range of his quarry when the long punt gun would shatter the stillness to wreak havoc. “What”, asked a curious enquirer, “Was your largest bag of duck, Jock with a single shot?” “Ninety-nine.” “Come, come, Jock, surely it was a hundred?” Jock eyed his interlocutor scornfully. “Do you think, man, I would put
a sin on my soul for the sake of one little duck?” Little stories like that made him a talking point in the district. And of course, he was fond of a dram and enjoyed the company of similar tastes in his houseboat. It was this that led him to the High Court in Inverness to face a charge of murder. There had been a company in his boat one winters night, the bottle had been liberally plied and some tempers must obviously been shown. In the early morning on a path leading up to Edderton farm a local gamekeeper, was found stabbed to death. Suspicion fell on Jock; he was arrested, tried and found guilty of manslaughter despite his assertion of innocence. Five years imprisonment, shortened by a remission of one third for good conduct. I never saw him again but when he was liberated from jail he returned once more to his old boat-house home and to the wildfowling business that was his life. In a few short years, he was dead. There was something strange about the circumstances of the crime of which he was found guilty. Those who knew Jock Hairy intimately always claimed that he had been wrongly convicted. He was a gentle and a kind man they said and even in drink he had never been known to threaten or offer violence to anyone. The crime had been the work of some other member of the carousel who had lain in wait for the gamekeeper - locally regarded as a cantankerous and disagreeable man. One man who was thought likely to have done the stabbing immigrated sometime after to Chicago, where he was stabbed to death in a brawl in that city.
TDPP
TAIN PICTURE HOUSE RESTORIATION PROJECT
9
PICTURE HOUSE RESTORATION People will soon be able to step back through the doors Tain’s old Picture House for the first time since cinema tickets cost five bob following the latest stage in the building’s restoration. On Saturday (6 November) a team of volunteers removed rows of old cinema seats, lighting and staging, as well as wrestling with two old projectors, to clear the main floor of the building in Tower Street so that rotting timber flooring can be removed and a new concrete floor laid. Once the new floor is down, the doors will re-open to the public to reveal the iconic building’s colourful history, its eye-catching architecture and the ambitious plans to restore it as a cinema, performance venue and community asset. The Tain Picture House Restoration Project is supported by the Tain Heritage Trust, Tain and Easter Ross Civic Trust and the Tain and District Development Trust. Their trustees and volunteers were joined on Saturday by members of Ross and Sutherland Rugby Club who rolled up their sleeves to help empty the building and take the cinema’s furniture away for storage by the Tain and Fearn Free Church. Among the volunteers was Derek Louden, Tain and Easter Ross councillor on the Highland Council and treasurer of Tain Heritage Trust “Every councilor has a project that they want
to see happen, and this is mine. I’ve walked past the building every day for pretty much all of my life and it’s always been boarded up. I know it’s a long project but it will be great to see this building open and thriving again.” The iconic Grade B Listed building started life as a
town hall following its completion in 1876. It later went on to become the town’s cinema and was renamed Tain Picture House in 1939. It closed its doors to cinema goers for good in 1965. Lachie Stewart, of Anta Architecture and Trustee
at Tain and Easter Ross Civic Trust hopes that new and safe access will allow more people to see inside the building, learn about restoration plans and generate more support the project “We need to get people behind this amazing project,” he said.
10
TDPP
OLD FILE Thank you to Catherine Fraser who shared the following scans of some group photographs relating to Hill of Fearn School. Her notes are as below; Our mother Violet R. MacLeod, (nee Dickson) 1925 - 2013, was brought up in The Red House, Kildary. The family moved to Balinroich for a time and she and her sister Janetta attended Hill of Fearn School. They then moved to Bogbain Farm Cottages and attended school in Tain. Photo 1. (torn) Violet is 6th in from R/H - 3rd row down - maybe Fearn? Early 30,s? Photo 2. Violet is 2nd row down - 3rd in from R/H side with Ribbon in her hair. Maybe Kildary early 1930,s ? Photo 3. Violet is 2nd row down & 5th child in from L/H side, age 12 in 1937 Hill of Fearn School. Continued on page 13.
OLD FILE: HILL OF FEARN SCHOOL
Tain & District Branch Cats Protection Telephone: (0345) 371 2737 Email: taincats@aol.com www.tain.cats.org.uk
12
TDPP
MARK JANES - THROUGH THE LENS
THROUGH THE LENS
MARK JANES
ISSUE #47 TELL YOUR CHRISTMAS STORY To a casual photographer, Summer might seem the obvious time to take photographs. After all, that’s when we tend to be out and about on holidays or day-trips. But ask any serious landscape photographer, and Autumn and Winter are the times you’ll find them drawn to. So, in
this month’s column I’ll be giving a few tips on Autumn photography and how to make the best of those Autumn colours. CHOICE OF SUBJECT I guess everyone thinks of trees when they think of Autumn colour but, actually, the Autumn colour palette shows itself in a whole range of subjects. Think about; nuts and berries, log fires, leaves on the lawn, autumn clothing. They all have that lovely combination of warm,
earthy tones, including browns, yellows and oranges. So, if you want to create a photograph that screams “Autumn”, why not think about combining some of those subjects into one photo? Perhaps you have a willing model (child, partner, friend, relative) who you can photograph in their warm outdoor gear against a backdrop of autumn leaves and trees? What about a wooden bowl of chestnuts or conkers, with the wood-burner out of focus in the background?
Out in the landscape, woodlands, waterfalls and lochans all make good Autumn subjects, especially if you can find a day when the water is still and you can achieve some mirror-like reflections! FILTERS For those shooting with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, there are a couple of filters that will really bring life to your Autumn photographs, and make the best of the colour:
TDPP
MARK JANES - THROUGH THE LENS
• A polarising filter adds depth and saturation to colours and cuts out glare and reflections off water. It’s perfect for capturing waterfalls and fallen autumn leaves in water, and it’s one of the few filters that’s difficult to replicate in editing software. • Less common is a red intensifier. This selectively increases the depth and saturation of reds in the picture. A good quality one is made by Hoya. Both the intensifier and the polariser are screwin filters that attach to the front of your lens, so you need to make sure you pick the right filter diameter when you order.
WEATHER AND TIME OF DAY Almost any weather can make for good Autumn photography. You may be drawn to a bright, sunny days when the clear blue sky contrasts beautifully with the sun-drenched, rich autumn colours of the foliage in the trees. However, a showery day when you can capture the sunlit colours against a receding dark, forbidding sky can also work really well. As with a lot of landscape photography, shooting early or later in the day will add a warmth a richness to the colours in your photos, as well as bringing out texture in rocks, etc, due to the
low angle of the sun. And, unlike in summer, you don’t have to get up at an uncivilised hour to catch that golden light of early morning! EDITING Autumn is one subject when saturated colours are almost expected, so don’t be afraid to increase the saturation of your photos and, maybe, increase the warmth as well. Experiment with some of the pre-sets in apps such as Instagram. They can really help to bring out that Autumn vibe! So, to sum up, Autumn is all about warm tones, texture, cosiness and “Coorie”. Build those into
13
your photos and you’ll certainly be creating a good Autumn look! 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.
OLD FILE HILL OF FEARN SCHOOL Continued from page 10 Photo 4 notes - Violet is in Middle Row, 1st in from R/H side age 14 in 1939 - Hill of Fearn School.
Booking Essential
Contact us for your plant training needs Approved training centre at Evanton
Email us at ajward67@aol.com
16
TDPP
THE BURNS AND BRIDGES OF TAIN
THE BURNS AND BRIDGES OF TAIN – PART 2
Although Tain’s burns are long since covered over the evidence for their existence is still to be seen. In several places we have stone parapets overlooking hollows and sunken gardens. The obvious examples are the ones at the Rose Garden and at the foot of Geanies Street but there are several others. Photo 1 shows the parapet where a bridge was built at Cadboll Place over the upper part of the Eastern Auldmatach. Photo 2 shows the view from below and the amount of levelling that was required to link Stafford Street with Queen Street. Other examples can be seen from the Bank of Scotland/Albion House car park marking where the Western Auldmatach crossed this part of Tower Street, and where Academy Street merges into Morangie Road on the north side of the road at the point where the Western Auldmatach once flowed. (Photo 3) Then there are several
places where a dip in the road marks the line taken by one of the burns. An example is found at the point where Queen Street merges into Manse Street next to the Mason Lodge and is on the line of the Middle Auldmatach. Evidence of this burn is also indicated in the name of one of the houses in St Duthus Street – “Burnside” – reflecting the fact the burn passed behind the house. (See
photo 4). The line of this burn can also be traced in the Royal Hotel car park. Just exactly when the structures we see today were built is not certain. Much detail is provided by documents in the museum archive for the 19th Century construction of the sewage and drainage system and references in MacGill provide some clues for the 17th and 18th Centuries, but the picture is far from
complete. The following explores the possibilities for when the two main bridges were built. The Bridge that Geanies Built Donald Macleod of Geanies held the office of Sheriff Depute of the County of Ross and Cromarty from 1775 to 1833. As well as his estate he owned land in and around Tain. He was very influential on life in Tain and Easter Ross being a member of Tain Town council from 1772 until 1790 and was much involved in the improvement of roads in the Tain area. From “Old Ross-shire and Scotland” by William MacGill based on his examination of Burgh documents, we learn that in 1789, Geanies offered the “council the liberty of opening a new communication twixt the Town and the country east and southward.” This was to be a street “through the fields Croit na Roit and Poulcaulk” [land possessed by Geanies] “until it gets to the line of the High street where it would enter betwixt the gables of the
TDPP
THE BURNS AND BRIDGES OF TAIN
houses now possessed by George Murray, merchant and John Smith, watchmaker”. This would require the building of “an arch over the Auld Matach 60 ft long, 4 ft wide and 4½ ft high”. At first the council agree to build the arch then proposed giving “£50 stg and let Geanies erect the bridge”. Geanies agreed and contracted to make the street and the bridge. There seems little doubt that the street was Geanies Street and that it led to Tain expanding to the south east creating what became known as the New Town. [See 1832 extract map in last month’s issue.] The location of the “arch”, however, to my mind is less clear. The conventional view has been that this referred to the bridging of the burn (which I have called the Eastern Auldmatach) at what is now the Rose Garden because of the term “Auld Matach”. However, as mentioned in Part 1, this term seems to have been used loosely in reference to all the burns not just this one. As
someone who has studied the history of Tain over many years I have always had grave doubts about the oft repeated assertions that Eastern Auldmatach burn presented such a barrier that that it was never bridged and the town therefore did not extend beyond that point before 1789/90. Viewed from the Rose Garden [Photo 5], the bridge that spans the gap created by the burn that ran from what is now
Cadboll Place and through the eastern side of the Rose Garden, is a substantial structure raising the level of the road to that on either side of the gap. It consists of three large arches (the middle one hidden behind the Murray Monument) and one smaller arch the latter where the burn flowed. Somehow this does not fit the description of the bridge proposed in 1789 – “an arch over the Auld Matach 60 ft long, 4 ft wide and 4½ ft high”.
17
There is evidence in MacGill which suggests some kind of stone built structure already existed here as early as 1665 – “John Fead measson wha….. electit frie burgess and gild brother, for the qch (part of document missing) is obleist to build and (part missing) the commone brigg in the south east pairt of the sd bruch wt ane piece of brocher work consisting of 14 foot in the breadth betwixt both batteries and the batterie on eche syd to be twa futt in height, with ane litel brig on the watter passing betwixt Walter Durrie (?) his tenement and the tent if the aires of ….. Jacob Cupper”. With parts missing it is not entirely clear exactly the nature of what John Fead was being asked to do but it suggests to me he is doing additional work to an already existing structure with an extension over the burn and the “south east part of the burgh” makes its location clear. The extent and layout of Tain up to 1790 when a bridge was built by Macleod of Geanies can only be conjectural owing to the lack of any plan/map prior to 1832 that properly shows
18
TDPP
the layout of Tain. However, it is my own opinion that the “Geanies’ arch” was in fact built at the bottom of Geanies Street – the structure shown in photo 6. After all, some structure would be necessary to get the new proposed street “to the line of the High Street”. Macgill indicates that in 1811 “the gulf leading to the site of the new church [now the Duthac Centre] to be bridged by Geanies”. I suggest this was an extension to the 1790 arch. In Photo 7 taken from below, the section to the right is at the foot of Geanies Street and the section to left part of the later extension. A little gulley still exists below the far end of the structure between Alderbrae and the entrance to Macleod’s car park. This entrance breeches the original parapet. My late husband, Forbie Urquhart remembered seeing an open arch extending from Lamington Street into Geanies Street to about 5 metres which would have been closed up when the Macleod’s car park area
THE BURNS AND BRIDGES OF TAIN
was constructed. Whether my assumptions are correct or not, there is no doubt that much of the built environment of the older parts of Tain is due to
the existence of these burns and the bridges and other levelling and covering work they necessitated. Thanks to the efforts of the early masons involved in these
works, unlike our Medieval counterparts, todays citizens don’t have to put up with “auld matachs” running through the town. Margaret Urquhart
TDPP
TAIN GOLF CLUB
19
FORBIE URQUHART TROPHY AWARD
In recognition of all their great work in 2020 and especially 2021, The Tuesday Volunteer Working Party were awarded The Forbie Trophy for 2021. The Tain Golf Club award recognises the contribution of the many volunteers in their support of the Greens Team and for the good of all at Tain Golf Club. The volunteers have amassed in excess of 1000hrs between them helping out on the course and around the clubhouse, carrying out tasks such as divoting, bush and scrub clearing, path work and painting. The volunteers have also helped out the Greens team in bunker rebuilds. Posing with the Trophy today as they helped out at the 16th bunkers there is no holding this team back. Missing from todays group are Willie Sutherland and Graham Kelly who both deserve a mention for their efforts this past year.
TAIN AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB
TGC AWARDS PRESENTATION
Congratulations to Eleanor Ross who competed in the 800m and 1500m freestyle events at the November Garioch Distance Meet. Eleanor was the fastest 15 year old in both events (by 1 min 21 secs in the 1500m and 24 secs in the 800m) and came away with new personal best times. Fantastic achievement Eleanor. Well done!
Pictured above: End of season trophy winners at Tain Golf Club. Congratulations to all the winners in 2021.
20
TDPP
TDPP PRINTING Tickets | Programmes | Posters | Leaflets | Bespoke phone: (01862) 857366 | email: info@tainpost.co.uk
Advertise your business here from as little as £10 per issue. Email us at info@tainpost.co.uk to find out more or call Niall on 01862 857366
22
TDPP
LOCAL NEWS & NOTES
SANTA
JUNIOR TENNIS COMPETITION Five boys took part in a Grade 5 9U competition at Tain Tennis Club in October. They all played four matches in a round robin format. The winner was Ryan Deeth and runner up Ryan Sutherland. Well done to all who competed.
Santa will be doing his rounds of the town on Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th of December. This year due to limited time Santa will be doing designated stops each night between 5pm and 7.30pm. Each night will have its own designated stops so bring your children to the nearest stop to your home. We will be doing area maps, like last year, showing where these stops will be. Suggested street and roads of where to go will be included within these maps and shared
with you all next weekend. For example – * = Santa’s Stop * Canmore Way; this stop will include all the streets named below… Canmore Way, Springfield Gardens, Mayfield Wynd, Duthac Wynd, Saint Mary’s Well. So make your way to this Stop to see Santa. All Santa Stops will be advertised next weekend on the Tain Gala Association Facebook page. Please stay in your area for Santa to visit you.
GRANTS BAKERY Rolls, Baking, Sandwiches & Hot Snacks Offering a wide variety of general plumbing works, heating solutions, bathroom installations, boiler servicing 24 hour call out service available
email wgrant132@gmail.com Winners of the Silver Award for Scotch Pie Competition High Street, Tain (01862) 892315
call 07456 413210
TDPP
ST. DUTHUS FOOTBALL CLUB
SAINTS’ FORTUNES HIT THE BREAKS WITH DERBY DEFEATS
St. Duthus defend a Thurso corner in their abandoned game up North (Pic: James Gunn)
St. Duthus Football Club’s winning run hit the skids in November, falling to defeat twice in as many weeks. A humiliating loss to Invergordon was followed by a much closer 4-3 defeat away to Alness United, leaving manager Alan Geegan with plenty to think about as the team heads into the winter break. Their loss of form could be attributed to not playing regularly towards the end of October, having sat out as the “free team” on the 16th before a postponement againast Orkney, and then only managing 55 minutes in Thurso a week later, the game being abandoned at 0-0 due to strong winds. St. Duthus got the month off to the worst of starts at home to Invergordon. The club had enjoyed a 100% league record against Invergordon since moving to Grant Park in 2018, winning their last three meetings. It couldn’t have gone worse this time around though, Saints conceding the opener after just 8 minutes. The visitors extended their lead later in the half before Saints reduced the deficit, but any hopes of a second half comeback were immediately dashed when Cameron Mackintosh came back to haunt his former club. Right from the get go in the second period, Mackintosh made it 3-1 and grabbed
23
FIXTURES/RESULTS 2021-22 7/8 14/8 21/8 28/8 4/9 11/9 18/9 25/9 2/10 9/10 23/10 30/10 6/11 13/11 20/11 27/11 4/12 11/12 8/1 15/1 22/1 29/1 12/2 19/2 26/2
a second and his side’s fourth five minutes later. Things went from bad to worse with Mackintosh’s third on the hour mark, and returning substitute Darran Goller added the final goal of six to round off a horrible day for the Tain men. A week later, St. Duthus travelled to Alness in the hope that they could right some of the wrongs - but a lacklustre first half and a string of missed chances saw them finish the first half 1-0 down. They made a better fist of it in the second half, netting early through Jake Lockett after he connected with a Ben Bruce cross at the far post to force the ball over the line from close range. The turnaround was complete when Jamie Skinner netted his first goal for St. Duthus since 2018 with a very nice strike from 20 yards out; Lewis Bannerman in the United goal unable to prevent it from reaching the far corner. But a penalty award after an hour handed Alness a lifeline when the referee adjudged Daniel Christie to have handled the ball, and the Alness taker dispatched with ease. With nothing between the sides, it was going to take something special to split them, and it did on 75 minutes
Nairn Co. (A) Alness Utd (A) Nairn Co. (A) Halkirk Utd (H) Bonar Br. (A) Halkirk Utd (H) Inverness (H) Loch Ness (A) Invergordon (A) Alness Utd (H) Inverness (A) Orkney (H) Thurso (A) Invergordon (H) Alness (A) Nairn Co. (H) Halkirk Utd (A) Bonar Br. (H) Inverness (A) Loch Ness (H) Alness Utd (A) TBC Orkney (A) TBC Thurso (H)
Fr. Fr. Lge Lge Lge
FT Cup R1
2-1 5-1 2-3 4-4 2-3 0-4 4-2 2-3 1-1 4-2 4-1 P-P A-A 1-6 4-3 P-P
Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge NC Cup R1 Lge Lge NC Cup QF Lge NC Cup SF Lge
when Euan Henderson beat Saints’ on loan keeper Danny Gillan with a spectacular 25 yard drive. It wasn’t over yet though, and Saints striker Ben Bruce was to have his say with a goal that deflected in off the Alness goalkeeper to make it 3-3 - a goal which set up a race for a winner in the final stages. In the end, Saints were left to rue missed chances, in particular for Lockett and Skinner, who both passed up glorious opportunities to score and inevitably the home side snatched a winner on 89 minutes, their trialist substitute knocking the ball over the line after a failure to clear a Gillan save inside the six yard box left the goal open. It felt like hard lines for Saints who will feel as though they were the better side over the piece - but the mantra that goals win games rings true for this one. The month of December sees Saints travel to Halkirk on the 4th before welcoming Bonar Bridge to Grant Park on the 11th. In both cases, the team will be out to make a point, having dropped points against both teams first time around. Here’s hoping they can head off for the Christmas break on a high!
24
TDPP
YOUTH FOOTBALL
FIRST WIN OF SEASON FOR UNDER 18 SIDE A fantastic and dominant performance from St. Duthus’ U18 team saw them record their first league victory of the season, netting five against visitors Rothes. The Highland League North match got off to a great start for the Tain lads when striker Johnie Beattie opened the scoring with a spectacular bicycle kick that would be fit to grace any league. A long free kick from Harry Spence just inside the attacking half met the foot of Beattie at the first time of asking and he hooked it into the far corner to roars of amazement from the crowd. Beattie was unlucky not to net a penalty kick moments later after he had been fouled in the box, but it wasn’t long before recent signing Ryan Quigley opened his account for St. Duthus with a good goal after some great forward play, to make it 2-0. Beattie made amends for his spot kick miss with another goal in the second half to take his tally to two, bearing down on the Rothes keeper to slip it just under his legs.
Pics: John Ross
Callum Morrison scored a great opportunist goal midway through the second half to make it 4-1 for the home side, flicking the ball behind him and past the keeper, The last of the action was left to captain Harry Spence who broke down the right side and found the roof of the net with a good finish.
BEATTIE GOAL GOES VIRAL
Players of both sides observed a minute of silence before the kick off, in acknowledgement of Remembrance Sunday.
Under 18 striker Johnie Beattie’s amazing ‘bicycle kick’ goal against Rothes grabbed a lot of attention when a clip of the strike started to do the rounds on social media last month. The clip attracted close to 20,000 views, leading football magazine publishers MUNDIAL to proclaim: “We support St. Duthus FC now!”
TDPP
WIND TOWER FACILITY FOR NIGG
25
UK’S LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND TOWER MANUFACTURING FACILITY FOR NIGG Global Energy Group announced this month that it has agreed terms with leading offshore wind tower manufacturing specialist, Haizea Wind Group, to build a £110m-plus state-of-the-art offshore wind tubular rolling facility at Port of Nigg. Nigg Offshore Wind (NOW) will be a giant, 450-meter-long, 38,000 m2 factory, capable of rolling steel plate to supply towers which will weigh in excess of 1,000 tonnes each and other products, to the booming UK offshore fixed and floating wind industry in the UK and abroad. Subject to successfully achieving financial close, the NOW factory will receive substantial financial backing totalling £15m in debt from SSE Renewables making the renewable energy leader the largest single UK-based strategic backer behind the NOW plans, along with senior debt being provided (subject to due diligence and approvals) by Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund. Global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power is a key lender in the funding syndicate, proving £5 million in debt, as well as a strategic partner in the long-term development of the facility. The factory is expected to receive funding support from the Scottish Government via Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the UK Government via the offshore wind manufacturing investment support scheme. UK Government funding is subject to the completion of ongoing due diligence. The facility has been designed to supply towers and other large tubular components
suitable for both the fixed and floating offshore wind markets. Whilst the initial contracts for tower supply will focus on UK domestic supply, it is anticipated that the factory will be in high demand for export of towers and other products as well due to the rapid rate of planned offshore wind deployment across Europe up until 2050. The factory design will integrate cutting edge robotics and welding inspection technology originally developed for the offshore oil and gas industry. Regional staff historically employed in the oil and gas industry will have the opportunity to be re-trained and upskilled at the Nigg Skills Academy to allow them to operate the machinery required to roll these giant structures. The UK Government has committed to 40GW of installed offshore capacity by 2030, bringing overall UK wind capacity to over 50GW. At the current size of turbine used in the market, that means the UK needs
more than 3,000 towers to reach this ambitious target. However, the UK currently does not have a factory capable of producing towers to the specification required for future planned projects by leading fixed and floating developers. The Port of Nigg rolling facility will be capable of producing up to 135 towers per year as well as other important structures for the offshore wind industry such as transition pieces, suction buckets and bespoke tubular structures for the exciting floating offshore wind market in the UK and abroad. The cost of the new facility, inclusive of rolling machinery robotics and a new blast and paint shop is £110 – 120m. The new factory is an enabler to firmly establish the Port of Nigg as a strategic offshore wind hub which includes the consolidation of the Port’s existing marshalling and staging work for turbine components and foundations (the marshalling and staging work already employs over 120+ people).
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, who visited the North in November, said: “We need bold, collective action to tackle the global climate emergency, and the growth of our renewables sector over the next ten years will be truly transformative, helping to deliver a just transition to net zero and a greener, fairer future for us all. “This significant investment in Scotland’s energy sector is testament to the skills, expertise and innovation within our industry. We are delighted to financially support this cutting edge offshore wind towers facility, through Highlands & Islands Enterprise, as it reaches this significant milestone, that will deliver high value, green jobs and bring multiple benefits to communities across the Highlands and beyond while playing a pivotal role in delivering offshore renewables growth in Scotland and further afield.”
26
TDPP
NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM
NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM
TDPP
27
AUDACIA LTD. ACCOUNTING SOLUTIONS
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OFFERING FULL RANGE OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES BASED ON YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS AND TAILORED JUST FOR YOU.
SERVICES INCLUDE: • • • • • • •
ACCOUNT PREPARATION COMPANY FORMATIONS VAT RETURNS PERSONAL TAX TAX PLANNING PAYROLL BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES AND PLANNING
WE OFFER ONGOING SUPPORT, ADVICE AND TRAINING TO HELP YOU DEVELOP YOUR BUSINESS, MANAGE YOUR TAX AND REMAIN COMPLIANT IN A DIGITAL AGE. CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION.
DAVID ROBERTSON CA 01862 730 400 07854 986 745 david.robertson@audacialtd.co.uk
Subscribe Have the magazine delivered direct to your door for £40 per year. Visit www.tainpost.co.uk for more information. Digital Archive A growing Digital Archive of
back issues is now available via www.tainpost.co.uk/archive Get In Touch You can contact the Tain & District Picture Post using the following details;
info@tainpost.co.uk
Address 5B Ross Street, Tain IV19 1BA Phone Web
01862 857366 www.tainpost.co.uk
