Issue #258 | Tain & District Picture Post | June 2022

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

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

#258 JUNE

2022

JUNE 2022

HI 5 AWARDS FOR YOUTH CAFE KIDS

THROUGH THE LENS WITH MARK JANES

HISTORY OF TAIN ROYAL ACADEMY

News and pics from Tain Youth Cafe’s awards day celebrating the recipients of the Hi5 awards. p18

This month’s edition is encouraging aspiring photographers to keep it local. p14

The latest instalment in the history of Tain Royal Academy looks at its third rector, Dr William Ritchie. p12

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

PRICE £1.95

GLENMORANGIE DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE

Enter our Highland world, where all tastes are possible. Swirling with aroma and flavour, the Glenmorangie Distillery is the beating heart of our wondrous whisky creation.

Here you will meet the Distillers of Tain. Deeply versed in our anything-ispossible style of whisky making, these men and women possess skills built over generations. Truth be told, we couldn’t create our delicious whiskies without them.

DISCOVER OUR WORLD Immerse yourself in the art of our whisky making. In the company of our passionate guides, see how we use barley, water, wood and time to bottle the taste of our imagination.

Discover the flavours that 100% Scottish barley and our uniquely mineral-rich spring water bring to our whisky. Gaze up at our copper stills, the tallest in Scotland, with necks the same height as a giraffe. See how they take our whisky on a longer journey, for a lighter spirit, with more ‘space’ for taste and aroma. Then, in the darkness of a traditional warehouse, explore our endless quest for the best casks. Cut from 100-yearold oaks, they slowly pass their incalculable flavours on to our whisky.

ORIGINAL TOUR

INNOVATION TOUR

Get to know our creamy, complex single malt as you trace the journey of our signature whisky, The Original, through our Distillery. Scent the fruity aromas that emerge in our lighter spirit and see the bourbon casks in which our whisky mellows for 10 years. Finish with a two dram tasting from our Core Expressions

Dive into our experimental side on this in-depth flavour adventure.

Begin with a dram of our signature whisky The Original. Then explore our relentless quest to create new flavours by experimenting at every turn. As you tour, enjoy three of our most ground-breaking single malts.

1 hour, £18 per person, 2 dram Max 12 per tour - Children welcome June – August: Monday – Sunday, every 30 minutes, 10am – 4pm April – May & September – October: Monday – Friday, every hour, 10am – 3pm January – March & November – December: Monday – Friday, 10am & 2pm

COCKTAIL CONNECTION Want to try whisky a different way?

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1hr, £20 per person, 2 cocktails Over-18s only June – September: Monday - Friday, 4pm

Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ, Scotland t: 01862 892477 | e: tshop@glenmorangie.co.uk | www.glenmorangie.com The Glenmorangie Company advocates responsible drinking. Please savour our whiskies in moderation.

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JUNE 2022

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JUNE 2022

IN THIS ISSUE OF TDPP Local News and Notes Community Council Minutes In Memory Margaret Urquhart: Water Mills pt 5 Tain Task Force History of Tain Royal Academy Through the Lens with Mark Janes Nostalgia with Alex Graham Tain Youth Cafe YMCA awards Tain pupils’ tree planting Tain & District Museum / Old File Summer football spotlight Other Sports News

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Editor - Niall Harkiss Email info@tainpost.co.uk Tel 01862 857366 | Mob 07527 134574 Digital archive - www.tainpost.co.uk/archive or issuu.com/tainpost

North of Scotland Football Review 2022 NEW EDITION Now available for pre-order from tainpost.co.uk/review

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LOCAL NEWS & NOTICES

LOCAL NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

TAIN & DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST Do you fancy going for a health walk?

If you are looking to introduce a little exercise to your week or get out and about to meet new people The Tain & District Development Trust Health Walks are just what you’ve been looking for.

Our walks are safe and fun. They take place weekly, on a Wednesday, at 11am and last no longer than an hour.

We promise you will be well looked after by our walking volunteers!

Heron spotted on our walk this May! For more information on where the weekly walk is starting from - keep an eye on our social media or contact nickey@ tainddtrust.com Community Market on the Peninsula Open-air Community Market day in the Rose

Garden and High Street Tain. Local food produce, arts & crafts.

We will be organising a fun activity for all ages so keep a look out on our social media.

Follow us on Facebook for announcements about stall holders and activities.

The next market date is Saturday June 18, 10 am – 2pm

Easter Ross Peninsula Feastival of Food & Drink The Feastival is an outdoor event with a range of different food & drink stalls, from vendors across the region, for you to enjoy.

Our Feastival will be set on the grounds of the Duthac Centre, in Tain.

There will be a seated area available.

The Feastival is for both locals and visitors to the Peninsula and is free to enter. Vendors will be selling food and drink.

All welcome!

Save the date - this event will run monthly during the summer; Wednesday 22 June, Wednesday 27 July and Wednesday 31 August, from 5 – 9pm.

HIGHLAND HOSPICE DONATION Volunteers at Highland Hospice in Tain were delighted to receive a generous donation from the community team at

Tesco’s Tain store on May 31.

A cheque for £220 was presented by Tesco community champion Ceri Cattanach to Highland Hospice shop manager Susan Gibson.

The money was raised from car boot sales held at Tesco car park.

Ms Cattanach said: “From April to the end we have been running car boot sales in Tesco Tain car park.

“Local folk can get rid of stuff they no longer need, also in the times that we are living in the ones looking at items for sale are getting a bargin and then a local charity of choice will benefit.

“The next local charity that we are looking to donate to will be Alzheimer’s Scotland Tain.”

“QUEEN FOR A DAY” On Thursday June 2, children at Hilton of Cadboll primary school

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LOCAL NEWS & NOTICES

had their own jubilee celebration.

Her Majesty The Queen (very capably played

by Lorna Vass) paid them a surprise visit, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty Mrs Joanie Whiteford and Piper Charlie Ross and his grand daughter.

The children were very excited and enjoyed a picnic “al fresco” in the beautiful Seaboard sunshine.

Afterwards the school band delighted everyone with their music, performing an excellent repertoire of songs ranging from “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to “Coulter’s Candy”.

It was a very happy memorable day for everyone.

TAIN ROTARY Tain and Easter Ross Rotary is heading back to the Tain Vintage Car Rally this coming Sunday. We’re a bit out of practise with organising things (who isn’t these days!) and we’ve left it late to ask, but would any friends out there have an exercise bike lurking somewhere that they wouldn’t mind lending us? We will be putting in the miles to raise money for local charities and for Prostate Scotland.

We can collect the bike whenever is convenient for you and return it to you after the event.

Please send a message, email will@dornochfirth. co.uk or call Carol Anne or Will on 01862 892292 if you think you can help.

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TAIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TAIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES has moved post. Mr Rhind to raise getting a bin on the Aldi side of the path with them.

Minutes of the virtual Community Council of the Royal Burgh of Tain meeting held on April 25 at 7.30pm.

PRESENT Mr G Amos (Chair), Mr A Mohan (Vice Chair), Mr G Holdsworth, Mr D Macrae, Mr D Louden (Councillor), Mr A Rhind (Councillor), Ms S Smith POLICE REPORT The Police report (from 25/3/22 – 25/4/22) was previously circulated and the number of incidences has gone up, except for traffic ones.

The new vandalism at the public toilets was noted. Mr Rhind has reported it and asked why the toilets were not vandal-proof as promised.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Minutes of the virtual meeting held on 28th March 2022 were approved by Mr Holdsworth, and seconded by Ms Smith subject to the planning issue for a house at Harmount Holdings being clarified at the planning agenda item.

MATTERS ARISING Asda bin – Mr Rhind noted that Katrina Taylor

TAIN AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST (TDDT) Mr Macrae reported that the recent community market was well attended with 26 stallholders. The scaffolding is down from the form Picture House and there has been positive comments and press interest. There is a local film maker wishing to make a film on the history of the former Picture House and the getting up and running again. The Tourism subgroup is continuing and are trying to get signage up for the summer. Ms Smith volunteered to be the representative from Tain CC on the group.

HIGHLAND COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS Mr Louden reported that the planning application Committee meeting is tomorrow to decide whether the 3-18 campus goes ahead. If approved, work would start in May. Noted new people on the former Picture House board who are making a positive contribution.

No reply from the potholes email sent to Iain Moncreiff, but it was noted that Stafford Street and the entrance to Mayfield Wynd have been tarred.

TRA has been congratulated on doing good job of taking pupils

Tain Picture House has been reglazed and had the the boards removed from the front doors. Pic: Sian Mackenzie

forward from S1. Pupils will decide what exams they take. TRA trying to persuade pupils to undertake 5 exams instead of 4, as lower than in other areas.

Mr Rhind - work at Mayfield Wynd road has started. There is a planning application in for a development opposite Asda by Cairngorm Properties.

Grass cutting is starting, and he hopes it is the same standard as in other wards. The gully emptier to come to Tain.

CHAIR’S REPORT Mr Amos reported that a journalist would like to speak to someone about the proposed

3-18 year old campus.

It was agreed to speak to them after the application tomorrow.

He has emailed Phil Tomalin about the Beinn Tharsuin funds. It was agreed not to hold a hustings. The CC has received a copy of a letter received from Elaine Thomson that she has written to HC about giving communities more power. Mr Amos to forward the email to Mr Louden. Tree branches on St Vincent Road are overgrowing – noted they have been cut back but is in a bit of a mess.

Mr Amos volunteered to cut the branches down in 7 years. The fence is broken – Mr Rhind to speak to BEAR. The

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IN MEMORY

Senior Citizen’s party is on 3rd June.

email to be forwarded to Planning.

FINANCE AND TREASURER’S REPORT Mr Macrae read out the balances in the bank accounts. Mr Macrae will arrange to have the accounts audited by the AGM in June. Mr Louden has agreed to audit the accounts.

COMMON GOOD FUND Mr Louden still waiting for a reply to his query on land at Blar Liath as it is owned by the CGF. Noted repairs have been done to the Alexander Bridge.

LETTERS A letter has been received about a proposed distillery at Midfearn – the letter was read out.

Information is available on the CC website.

PLANNING MATTERS Erection of pagoda at St Duthus Hotel – agreed required more information as discussion on the fence and coming out of the junction beside the hotel. Mrs Mackay to circulate the information for comment. House at Hartmount – noted that access is a problem.

It was agreed that the CC should object to this development until we receive more information. Mr Macrae’s

SOCIAL MEDIA Mr Holdsworth received the Zoom invoice Trees and Green Environment – some leaves still around from Autumn.

Lots of areas require the gully emptier.

Noted next to the Asda field some bonfires previously – Mr Louden has it cleared it up previously. The path at Scotsburn Road is in a bad state. The bins outside the Courthouse are overflowing. Mr Amos to speak to the Officials there and Mr Louden to speak to Campbell’s. 3-18 Campus – discussed previously.

The meeting ended at 9pm. The date of the next meeting is Monday May 30.

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IN MEMORY CARRISON (Balintore) Shaun James Carrison, of 20 Rannoch Place, Balintore. Much loved Dad of Amiee and Andrew, dear brother of Jan. And loved by all the extended family and friends.

MERRICK (Balintore) Very suddenly but peacefully, in her home, 5 Moray View, Balintore, on Sunday, 15th May, 2022, Linda Merrick (nee Mackay). Beloved wife of David, much loved mother of Karen and Laura, dearly loved daughter of Pauline and the late Hugh, much loved sister of Michael, Sheila, Alfred, Clive and the late Graham and loved by all the extended family and friends.

MCILROY (Fearn) Suddenly in his home, 14 Parkland Place, Balintore, on Tuesday, 10th May, 2022, James Edward “Mitch” Mcilroy. Beloved husband

of Jeanette, a loving father of Amanda and Audrey, a much loved granda of Hannah, Elle and Aaron, a dear father-in-law of Lewis, a dearly loved brother and loved by all the extended family and friends.

URQUHART (Tain) Peacefully, in Mull Hall Care Home, Barbaraville, Invergordon, with family by her side, on Monday, 16th May, 2022, Williamina “Wilma” Connor Wright, 13 Cromartie Gardens, Tain.

Beloved wife of David, much loved mother of Hamish, Ian, William, Jenny and David, loving granny, great-granny, a dearly loved sister and loved by all the extended family and friends.

JOHNSTONE (Tain) Alan passed away peacefully, after a short illness, in Raigmore Hospital, on 2nd May, 2022, aged 56 years. Much loved son of Tom and Jean, brother to the late Andrew and a good friend to many.

PETTIGREW (Tain) Peacefully in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness on Tuesday 24 May 2022, Samuel “Sam” Matthew Pettigrew, “Ord”, Upper King Street, Tain, aged 91 years, beloved husband of Kathleen, a loving father of Helen, Steven, Ian, Alan and Graham, a much loved pa, great pa, a dear father-inlaw of Lilian, Linda and Lisa, a dear brother of Dave and loved by all the extended family and friends.

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MARGARET URQUHART - WATER MILLS PT 5

Margaret Urquhart on

WATER MILLS OF TAIN PT. 5

For this article we move away from the Aldie Burn/Tain system of mills to a few miles west of Tain along the Scotsburn Road.

Between Dalnaclach and Torran were 3 mills using the water from the Balnagown River. On the north side of the road just before Scotsburn Bridge was a saw mill and 2-3 miles further east were corn and woollen mills side by side.

I don’t know when the saw mill (see extract map Scotsburn Saw mill Early 1900s below) was first established but it was already in existence by 1818 when it was advertised for sale being described as of “superior construction with a circular saw for edging deals and cutting lath attached” and “if well supplied with water will cut more deals than 20 pairs of sawers [sic], and the whole can be easily wrought by three men.” It was not entirely

clear who was selling the mill but as “further particulars” could be had “from Roderick Mackenzie, merchant, Nairn” perhaps it was he.

The 1851 Census shows 2 saw millers, Alexander Ross and Alexander Urquhart, living at Scotsburn, then in 1855, an advert for sale of “10,000 herring barrel staves” asks prospective buyers to apply to “James Henderson, Scotsburn saw mill by Parkhill”.

The mill passed through the hands of a John Grant (Valuation Roll 1868/9) and then in 1888, Alex.

Munro, Wood Merchant, was advertising the sale of “Larch posts, flakes, fir posts.” He was joined by his brother Dan and the mill was operated by the Munros, at least from 1888, to 1919 (my last available Valuation Roll).

I don’t yet know when the mill closed but when I visited the site there were virtually no visible remains of the mill

although the path taken by the mill-lade was still discernible (pictured below, right).

The other two mills (see extract Map Scotsburn Corn & Woollen Mills Early 1 9 0 0 s on next page) were located on either side of the mill lade with the woollen mill tenanted by the Chisholm family on the west side lying at right angles to the corn mill on the east side.

The water wheels thus faced each other, the woollen mill wheel on the building’s east wall and the corn mill wheel on the building’s west wall.

John Chisholm first established the Scotsburn Wool Mills in 1829 having arrived from Morayshire. In time he was joined by his son, William, who operated in partnership with his brother for a good number of years under the name W & A Chisholm

until 1882 when William announced he was now “sole tenant” of the Scotsburn Wool Mills – his brother, Andrew, being then deceased. In 1888 William announced that he now had “a new and greatly enlarged mill, fitted up with the most modern machinery” (compare the layout of the woollen mill, as shown on the early 1900s extract, with the layout as shown on the early 1870s extract map on the next page).

Coincidentally, this was the same year that John Skene was making the same announcement for his mill at Hilton.

However, there seems to have been room in Easter Ross for two such mills producing similar

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MARGARET URQUHART - WATER MILLS PT 5

products.

Sometime after 1888, William was joined by his, son, also Andrew, and the two continued to operate at Scotsburn until May 1906 when disaster struck.

The Scotsburn Wool Mills were burned to the ground. According to newspaper reports the cause of the fire was unknown but they were to be “erected at once” and that “the proprietrix, the Dowager Lady Ross of Balnagown, has ordered plans and specifications from Messrs Maitland, architects, Tain”.

The contracts for the rebuilding of the mills and renovation of Scotsburn farm steading were seemingly awarded to the various trades men, all named in the papers.

However, on 20/5/1907, the sale took place at Scotsburn Mills, Kildary of “farm stock (2 horses, 13 cattle), implements, a quantity of household furniture and a large assortment of homespun tweeds.”

In the same month W & A Chisholm “Late of Scotsburn, Kildary” placed an advert informing their customers that they had “removed their whole plant and machinery to Petley Street, Tain, where they intend to carry on their business in all its branches as formerly and under the old name.”

I assume that for some reason, the wool mill was never rebuilt.

There is some confusion here in that, according to some newspapers, it was the meal mill that was

to be rebuilt although it had seemingly not been affected when the woollen mill was destroyed. Perhaps the papers got the two mills confused.

Anyway, I have not come across any mention of a wool mill operating there since 1907, and when I visited the site all that remained can be seen in Photo 2 (right). It would seem from information in his Obituary, dated 10/7/1913, that William retired at, or soon after, this point and Andrew carried on the Petley Street “Scotsburn Mill” by himself for another 6-7 years until he died in 1914 just less than a year after his father William’s death.

Unlike the original Scotsburn Mill, this mill, for obvious reasons, operated by using hand mills in place of water driven machinery.

During its relatively long existence, the Scotsburn wool mill sent its products to “all quarters of the globe” was famous for its blankets and homespuns, sent “large consignments to the continent” and did “an extensive business in Caithness, Sutherland, Ross-shire, Invernessshire” and “all over the UK”.

Scotsburn Corn/Meal

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Mill has already been mentioned in the article dealing with Aldie Mills as for a while the two mills were run together with Duncan Ross’s son, Roderick, being the tenant of the Scotsburn mill. However the first information I have about the Scotsburn Meal Mill, is from the 1851 Census when the miller was a David Ross and who was still there in 1878 according to a trades’ directory.

Now arises some confusion. The Valuation Rolls of 1898 and 1905 gives the tenant of the meal mill and croft as Roderick Ross. However, a “Displenish Sale” at Scotsburn Meal Mills took place on 26/5/1906 at which “with instructions from Mr Ross” the following were to be sold by auction a “useful work horse; 1 mare in foal, 7 year old; 1 cow, 4 year old; 1 quey (?) 6-quarter old; 1 calf; 1 ditto; the usual farm implements; also some household furniture.”

Then in 18/1/1907 there is the following announcement – “Messrs. D Ross; & Sons, millers, Aldie, intimate that they had now opened Scotsburn Meal Mill.”

Perhaps the explanation lies in the fact that in Continued on page 13...

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MESSAGE FROM CLLR. DEREK LOUDEN

NEXT SURGERY Friday 17th June 2022 10:00 until 12:00 Please feel free to contact me at any time on: 01862892734 07876774412 Or via email at LoudenDW@ aol.com

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 TASK FORCE

TAIN TIDY UP GETS TOWN READY FOR JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

On Tuesday May 31, volunteers joined Tain Task Force to rid the town of weeds appearing along the joins of buildings and pavements in the town.

Weeds were removed from business and houses.

The idea for a Tain Tidy came from Cllr. Alasdair Rhind in discussion with some members of Tain Task Force. The last Tuesday in May was chosen as it was the last Tuesday before the Jubilee Weekend.

As there has been a lot of interest they hope that this may become a regular event.

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HISTORY OF TAIN ROYAL ACADEMY

History of Tain Royal Academy

THE REV. DR. WILLIAM RITCHIE L.L.D., F.R.S.

Third Rector of Tain Royal Academy — “A gentleman well versed in Experimental Philosophy”

The air pump presented by Rector William Ritchie to TRA in 1821. The plaque on it reads: “Presented to the Royal Academy at Tain

By William Ritchie Rector”

By Heather & David McAllister There were many interesting characters in the history of TRA and among these Mr Ritchie, third Rector of the Academy was one of the most notable.

William Ritchie was appointed Rector in July 1821. A 31 year old teacher from Perth Academy, he was approved by an overwhelming majority of the committee.

He was born in Monzie,

by Crieff, in Perthshire about 1790 and was educated at Perth Academy and Edinburgh University.

At Edinburgh he attended classes in the humanities and

mathematics and came to the attention of the professor of mathematics, John Leslie, who formed a high opinion of his mathematical abilities.

He graduated in 1811 and about 1816 returned to his old school, Perth Academy, as assistant master and in 1817 he was awarded the degree of A.M. (Master of Arts) from Aberdeen University.

While at Perth he wrote a “System of Arithmatic” (published 1818 and dedicated to Leslie).

Two months after his appointment to TRA Mr Ritchie asked for additional apparatus to demonstrate the fascinating properties of electricity and galvanism and explain the principles

of chemistry; the committee agreed to this.

At the end of year examination (a sort of prize giving and open day combined) Mr Ritchie presented eleven volumes on chemistry and an air pump, produced by one of the leading instrument makers in London, to the school and showed several ‘beautiful experiments’ in electricity. This air pump is still in the possession of the Academy.

In February 1828 Ritchie asked for leave of absence for 12 months due to failing health and proposed that he would find an adequately qualified substitute.

The committee reluctantly agreed to

leave of absence but stated that a “catalogue of library books, and an inventory of apparatus is to be made before he leaves.”

By extreme thriftiness he had saved enough money from his small annual stipend to attend a course of lectures by the famous scientists Thénard, Gay-Lussac and Biot in Paris.

His skill and originality in devising and performing experiments with the simplest materials soon attracted the attention of distinguished philosophers including Sir John Herschel, the famous astronomer.

Herschel took Ritchie’s papers ‘On a new Photometer’, ‘On a new

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HISTORY OF TAIN ROYAL ACADEMY

form of the Differential Thermometer’, and ‘On the Permeability of transparent screens to Radiant Heat’ to be read at the Royal Society in London.

In May 1828 Mr Ritchie suggested he should give a series of scientific lectures to the public in Tain and to use the fees for enclosing the Academy park.

“The experiments will be exhibited on a more magnificent scale, and the whole made intelligible to those who are at present totally ignorant of the subject.

“Mechanics will be allowed to attend on the condition of each making a model of a machine to illustrate the difficult parts of the course.”

On 5th February 1828 Ritchie was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, the leading scientific society in the world. The Royal Society Citation read:– William Ritchie Esqr AM Rector of Tain Academy - a gentleman well versed in Experimental Philosophy and author of several papers on the theory of Light and Radiant Heat in the Philosophical Transactions being desirous of becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society.

We - the undersigned do from our own personal knowledge certify him to be highly deserving of that honour and likely to prove a useful and valuable Member, J F W Herschel; Henry Kater; John Geo Children; Thomas Young; J McGrigor The positive result is noted on the certificate signed by P.M.R. Roget, of Thesaurus fame, who was

Secretary of the Royal Society at the time.

His influence gradually spread and the committee minutes in April 1829 state that: “It is now necessary, in the changed state of education that not only a good classical education should be possessed, but a knowledge of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Chemistry - instruments have been procured practical applications e.g. of Trigonometry studied”.

In October 1829 he was granted 6 months leave of absence to give him time to give a series of lectures to the Royal Society. His substitute as Rector was Mr Scott.

Mr Ritchie finally resigned from the Academy in January 1831 by which time the school had already entered difficult times with Mr Gibson the classics master, 112 books having been removed from the library!

After leaving TRA Ritchie was appointed Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy to the Royal Institution where he was in contact with many of the greatest scientific minds of his day.

In 1832 he was awarded L.L.D. from Aberdeen University, licensing him to preach in the Church of Scotland.

He died from a fever in Edinburgh on 15th September 1837.

His obituary in the proceedings of the Royal Society states that he was “an experimenter of great ingenuity and merit and a remarkable example of the acquisition of knowledge under difficulties and privations”.

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WATER MILLS PT. 5 CONT...

Continued from page 9...

a later Valuation Roll, dated 1919, the tenant of the mill and croft is given as “Roderick J Ross” raising the possibility of two Roderick Rosses!

I found an interesting little footnote to this conundrum in a booklet produced for Scotsburn School’s Centenary (1877-1997). It included a letter from a former pupil, an H(?) Ross who said his father, “Rory Ross”, was the meal miller at Scotsburn and that he “supplied meal to many of the shops in Tain and to people in the Strath.” The writer of the letter started at the School in 1897, leaving at the age of 14.

This seems to confirm the theory of two Roderick Rosses. At no point is Duncan Ross’s son referred to as Rory and surely the writer would have mentioned a connection to the Aldie Mills.

So from 1906 until 1931, Scotsburn Meal Mill (whether a new one or not) was run in conjunction with Aldie Mills. I have not been able to find out if they continued to operate after that.

There are photocopies in the museum archive of articles relating to Easter

Ross Mills. Unfortunately the source and date are not recorded. I think they may have appeared in a local paper. One includes the report of a visit to the Scotsburn mills.

The author describes them as derelict and that the woollen mill building was roofless, empty, with only the walls standing and had 2 storeys.

The meal mill buildings were, however, “still complete” and both water wheels were still in position. Comparing, these descriptions with Photo 2 and Photo 3 (above) taken on my visit (early 2000s), this visit must have been quite some time before mine, and suggests even the meal mill must have been long out of use.

In these ramblings into local mills it has been interesting to note the interconnections. Hilton Mills had connections with both Aldie Mills, through the Duncan Ross family moving from Hilton to Aldie, and Highmills, through John Skene moving from Hilton to Highmills. Aldie Mills and Scotsburn Mills were run in conjunction by the Duncan Ross family.

Finally, Scotsburn Wool Mills ended up operating in Tain.

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MARK JANES - THROUGH THE LENS

a solitary heron fishing by the river.

THROUGH THE LENS MARK JANES

ISSUE #51 KEEP IT LOCAL AND CREATIVE! LIVING on the North Coast 500, one can’t help but notice how many visitors zoom past this area on the A9, heading for the more “dramatic” scenery of the west coast and far northwest. As a photographer, especially a landscape

photographer, it can be very tempting to search out the most epic locations and the best possible light. I’ve done it myself, many times!

The thing is, with petrol approaching £1.70 a litre at the time of writing (probably more by the time you read this), we’re all having to think twice before making unnecessary journeys. Does that mean your photographic wings are clipped? No, of course not! Easter Ross in itself is a

world-class destination for photography, with its huge skies, haunting estuarine landscapes and coast. But even if it wasn’t, there’s still a merit in discovering the photo opportunities on your doorstep.

Life goes on everywhere, whether it’s people working, having fun or playing sport.

Beauty exists in every landscape, sometimes in the intimacy of a single flower, a group of pebbles on the shore, or

Sometimes in photography we talk about the “creative power of constraint”. By this we mean that, sometimes, restricting your choices when taking photographs can actually cause you to be more creative and produce better pictures.

For example, shooting with a single focal length lens rather than a zoom; limiting yourself to the number of photos you take, or restricting yourself to one subject. This sort of creative constraint can be a powerful way to train your “seeing eye” and it doesn’t rely of travelling to epic locations. Here are a couple of challenges I’ve set myself locally in the past: One warm Spring evening with beautiful light, I was taken by the vibrancy of the gorse which was in full bloom at the time. I decided to spend the evening shooting anything that was yellow. I spent a happy couple of hours almost playing a game of how many yellow things I could find.

One Sunday afternoon I took the ferry across to Cromarty and spent a couple of hours photographing only in black and white, and using a wide aperture to achieve shallow focus. I’ve photographed in Cromarty many times, but taking this approach revealed compositions and subjects I’d never noticed before.

Here are a couple of other ideas for getting the most out of your local photography: 1. Define a project. For example, decide that you’re going to document a season of planting and harvesting in the local fields, from

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MARK JANES - THROUGH THE LENS

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KIDS TEAM SEEK NEW HELPERS

ploughing all the way through to the combine harvesters and the straw bales that are left in the autumn.

2. Visit local events and shows. The gala, vintage car rally, East Sutherland show, Highland Gathering, etc, all make fantastic subjects for honing your street photography skills.

Do engage with people and ask permission to take their photos when appropriate though.

Don’t be that person who skulks around snapping pictures with a telephoto lens!

3.

Understand what makes your area special or unique, and try to capture this in photos. For me, the Landscape of Easter Ross is defined by big skies and the sea, so it’s not surprising that I tend to take a lot of photos of those two things!

Whatever you choose as your subject for photography, remember that you don’t have to travel to the ends of the Earth to

find it. That “hidden gem” of a photo might be hiding in plain sight, right in front of you!

I hope you enjoyed this article about finding photos locally. Why not join our local photography Facebook

group. Just look for “Tain and District Online Camera Club” and you’ll find us.

You’ll see some great examples of photos from many local photographers and, hopefully, some inspiration too. See you next month!

Tain Juniors FC are seeking willing and able volunteers to fill essential roles at the club, such as team helpers, fundraisers and people to help behind the scenes as they prepare to enter the Moray Firth U14 League.

Club chairman Gary Ross said: “We’ve put in a considerable amount of time and effort in to expand our P1–7 sessions and now we want to do what we can so that the kids get the opportunity to continue their football journey in a fun safe environment with Tain Juniors.

“We are now looking to hear from players born in 2009 and 2010 that would be interested in joining and playing for the Under-14 team during our 2022/23 season.”

More information on Tain Juniors can be found on their website at tainjuniors.co.uk.

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NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM

NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM

NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM

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TAIN YMCA

TAIN YOUTH CAFE YMCA AWARDS Report by Kats Macleod For the first time ever here at Tain & District Youth Cafe YMCA we were able to present 17 youngsters (ranging from 5 - 10 years old) with a Hi 5 Award.

Hi 5 Awards are a fun and engaging way to recognise and accredit young people’s achievements.

To gain a Hi 5 Award, young people choose a challenge, complete a minimum of 5 hours activity, think about and comment on their achievements and gather evidence of their participation.

They are externally quality assured by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and are credit rated on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) where they sit at Level 2.

To gain their Hi 5 Awards these youngsters attended our Baking Club and Arts and Crafts Club (or both) held here at Tain YMCA and run by Karen Begg, our Children and Families Development Worker.

At Baking Club they baked (from scratch) queen cakes, cupcakes, scones, mars bar crispy cakes, pizzas, raisin and sultana cookies and chocolate muffins.

At Arts and Crafts Club they made and decorated a window frieze entitled "The Tree of Light and Happiness".

However, they also participated in sand art, scratch art, made shrink keyrings, made Mothers

Day cards,and decorated wooden bugs.

Huge thanks to Joanie Whiteford, HM LordLieutenant, Ross and Cromarty for joining us on this special occasion and presenting the Awards to all of our hard working and very talented youngsters.

I am very proud of these youngsters and all they have achieved over the last few months.

KNOCKBRECK PRIMARY

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TAIN PUPILS’ SPECIAL TREE PLANTING Pupils from Tain Royal Academy, Knockbreck Primary, Craighill Primary and St Duthus School joined head teachers and councillors for a special tree-planting at the site of the new 3-18 campus.

The campus is planned to open in Tain in August 2024, and this was the first joint activity of its type between the four schools.

The tree was donated by Scotsburn Garden Centre and pupils were encouraged to nurture and care for each other in the same way they will nurture the tree in the years ahead.

A painting, rap and poem demonstrated some of the schools’ work to recognise the importance of the Queen’s reign.

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FALL OF A METEORITE ON EDDERTON HILLS An article from The North Star and Farmers Chronicle reporting of a meteorite exploding over Tain and crashing into Edderton Hill on the 8th of October 1903.

A meteorite fell on the hills near Edderton on Saturday forenoon between 11 and 12 o'clock. A tremendous explosion, followed by one or two lesser and rumbling reports, startled not only the people in the vicinity but those for miles around, as far north as Golspie and Rogart, east as Tarbatness and south as Saltburn and Invergordon and Alness.

Several people who were proceeding to Edderton station saw a blinding flash over the hills, and a woman living in Portmahomack says that she saw what appeared to be a ball of

*Artist’s impression

fire burning over Tain. In Portmahomack, Fearn, Nigg and Tain, windows shook and doors rattled.

Some thought it was thunder, others that it was an earthquake.

A Rogart correspondent writes:—a couple of very loud reports, almost merging into one another, were heard in the Rogart

district on Saturday.

They occurred at 11.32 a.m. There was a distinct vibration, and the writer, who was standing on the Rogart railway platform at the time, could only compare the vibration to that made by a heavy goods train. The surface men working on the line state that there was a rumbling

sound after the report, and it appeared to be travelling along the valley of the Fleet in the direction of Lairg.

The reports were also heard at Golspie. Some rain was falling at the time, and the sky was overcast, but the temperature was cooler than for some time back. A distinct shock was felt in the hotel.

“OLD FILE” - TAIN RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB Can you put names to to any of the faces below?

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SUMMER FOOTBALL

YOUTH AT THE HEART OF INVER CLUB’S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Above: Manager Paul Connelly and sponsor Will McKay of Inver Inn

INVER FC rose from the ashes back in 2019 to once again bring summer football to the village.

But the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed their ambitious return to football, which included plans to redevelop their local park and build a club capable of competing year in year out and holding events.

This year, after a two year break, they return to action as members of the restructured North West Sutherland Amateur League.

One of two “guest” clubs in the Sutherland league, along with Lochbroom FC, Inver are now competing against sides from across the north Highlands, including Lairg, Dornoch, Golspie, Helmsdale and as far as west as Lochinver.

They got off the mark last month with a stunning 6-1 win over their furthest flung rivals, Melvich.

Managed and run by long

time club servant and now manager and chairman Paul Connelly, the team is made up a wealth of young talent from Tain and the surrounding area, many of whom having come through the Under 18 team at North Caledonian League side St. Duthus FC. Their recently renamed Osprey Park home, taking its name from the ospreys fishing daily in the bay over the summer months,

has been able to attract good crowds supporting the team on a Saturday.

They are sponsored by the village pub, the Inver Inn, which is now owned

by Will McKay and Molly Macfarlane. The pub has become a popular postmatch stop off for Inver and their visiting teams with pizza, chips and sandwiches on offer after every game.

Coach Paul Connelly

has modest aims for the future, on and off for the field.

“We are looking to raise funds to complete more works to the playing surface, fit a new perimeter fence round the pitch to keep the rabbits out, and to build a storage shed with toilet and tea hut, similar to the one St. Duthus built at their ground.

“On the park, our objective this season is to make sure we fulfill every fixture, and I’ve set ourselves a target of 10 points for the season.

“We’re fortunate to have a large squad of very talented players. We have a mixture of experience and youth. Club captain Josh Cattanach has returned along with influential trio Jordan Hailes, Jack Corbett and Aiden Stainke.

“For alot of the younger boys this is their first taste of mens football and I’m delighted with how they’ve stepped up. If we can keep all the boys together over the coming years, I’m confident we can start competing for titles in the not too distant future.”

Inver FC can be followed on their Facebook page at facebook.com/ Inverfootballclub

A group of trialists from Turriff Thistle joined Saints for the day.

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OTHER SPORT

NEW CRICKET TEAM FORMED The formation of a cricket club based in Dornoch has been met with an incredible response so far with almost fifty kids learning the basics of the game.

The decision to resurrect the club was taken after parents David Diracles, Gary Dingwall and Matt Millward had initially volunteered via

High Life Highland to deliver some lunchtime sessions at Dornoch Academy.

The sessions were so well received that parents decided to reform the club, while also setting up a home for its team at Dornoch’s Meadows playing fields.

The club’s fundraising efforts have so far

enabled the installation of a brand new artificial wicket and practice nets at their new park.

Wednesday evenings now see almost fifty children of ages 5–16 from Tain to Golspie attending regular practice sessions.

Matt, a Level 2 ECB qualified coach, has been working alongside

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parents to deliver sessions that engage and teach the young cricketers the basics of the game.

He said: “The reaction from the young people has been incredible. They have taken on the basics with aplomb and can now bowl and bat with increasing technique and are regularly seen at the pitch in the evenings practicing among themselves.”

The new club are also preparing to hold training sessions for adults.

“Adults will be getting a go too, with many locals awaiting the first adult practice session starting on Tuesday May 31 from 6.30pm – 8pm. We may also play some friendlies in the summer.

“We will also have social events planned alongside the junior and senior matches.

“We encourage people of all abilities to come and attend and give cricket a go.”

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