Issue #261 | Tain & District Picture Post | Dec/Jan 2022

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

TAIN DURING THE WAR YEARS

Margaret Urquhart looks back at the many changes in the Royal Burgh during the years of WW2 p24

YOUNG WOMEN’S MOVEMENT

Olivia Macleod is intervewed on the role of women in Scotland and society as a whole. p8

JAMIE WINS MP OF THE YEAR

Caithness, Ross, and Sutherland MP Jamie Stone is voted MP of the Year p11

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

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 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? Join our resident mixologist in our stretch tent for cocktails and learn new ways to enjoy the complex flavours of our single malt.

1hr, £20 per person, 2 cocktails Over-18s only

June – September: Monday - Friday, 4pm

INNOVATION TOUR

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.

1.5 hours, £45 per person, 4 drams Max 12 per tour - Over-18s only June – August: Daily 3pm

PRIVATE TOUR

Bespoke Tour for you and for your group tailored to your guests knowledge, intrigue whether newcomer to whisky or an aficionado. Full Distillery tour & sensory experience finishing with a tasting journey through from our Core range, Prestige and cocktail for the complete Glenmorangie Experience.

1.5 hrs £600 by advanced booking only, Max 12 per tour

May – September: Monday - Friday 2:30pm

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

TAIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES

the CC meeting. Noted Mr Nutt’s report previously sent.

TAIN AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST (TDDT)

Minutes of the Community Council of the Royal Burgh of Tain meeting held at the Council Chambers, Tain on October 31 at 7.30pm.

PRESENT

Mr G Amos (Chair), Mr A Mohan (Vice Chair), Mr D Macrae (Treasurer), Mr G Holdsworth, Ms S Smith, Mr N Akeroyd, Mr A Rhind - councillor, Mr D Louden - councillor

POLICE REPORT

Discussion on antisocial behaviour, speed and noise. Noted Police have indicated that there have been more resources put out, but it was commented that no one at the meeting had noticed.

MATTERS ARISING

Item - bin at Aldie Estate – noted that there was a discussion with the Manager of Asda re them putting a bin at the end of the path at Aldie Estate, which was followed up with an email, but no response. Agreed a follow up email would be sent.

YOUTH REPORT

Noted that there has been contact with TRA re some pupils attending

Mr MacRae gave an update on projects, including the Tourism Group which are waiting for planning permission for signs, and the Old Picture House, where water ingress is still a problem. Book Festival – one author would like to launch their book here next June. Suggestion of silent movies shown on to the Old Picture House walls. Markets going well. Discussion with Balnagown Estate re selling produce at the Market. Pop up shop is fairly successful.

HIGHLAND COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Mr Louden’s report – Budget cuts and problems were discussed at the full HC meeting – some interest rate paid is very high. Noted Glenmorangie Distillery may be attending the next meeting re DEEP project. Mr Louden attended a housing seminar and held a public surgery.

Mr Rhind’s report – he reported back from the meeting with the Health Centre manager’s, in that the staff are under pressure – a new phone system is ready to install. Some abuse given by the public, which is unacceptable. There are still pharmacy issues. They are just taking appointments a

fortnight ahead. There is going to be a meeting re the new street lighting, CCTV, road surfaces and pavements soon on the High Street. Waiting for samples to discuss the surface finishings on the High Street. The Christmas lights are going up soon, and the repairs are being done. £500 required for putting up the lights – the need to source the money for this is needed. The person to switch on the lights has been chosen. Noted it would be good if one year the switch on could be a woman, and the next year a man. The work on the new 3-18 campus has started. He is meeting the Police at the Area Committee –there was an incident at the bus stop.

FINANCE AND TREASURER’S REPORT

Mr MacRae reported that there is £602.11 in the general bank account. No annual grant has been received as yet. As an aside, it was agreed that a £500 Beinn Tharsuinn grant will be given to Knockbreck School for a new shed, on the understanding that if they can’t bring it to the new Campus, it will be donated to a worthwhile cause.

LETTERS

An email has been received asking for information about the area – agreed to point them in the direction of the Easter Ross Peninsular website.

An email has been received from Pavlov

Hornak in Slovakia re building a memorial for service personnel in the 2nd world war. This request to be passed to Billy Grant.

COMMON GOOD FUND

Discussion on investing CGF in investment company instead of leaving it in a bank account.

UNEXHAUSTED REMITS

Social Media – noted that a new photo of the CC is required. Trees and green environment – noted 8 trees are dead in St Andrew’s Road – Mr Louden to progress. Trees require cutting back in the Scotsburn and Craighill area, as well as the road needs tidying up. Mr MacRae indicated that an application has been made to the Nature Restoration Fund – the community could get £15,000 – the application needsto be in by 11th November. Mr Amos to speak to Mr McAllister re which trees should be planted, and to discuss with the residents in the area.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Dornoch Firth Seabed – it was agreed to invite Peter Elbourne to speak about seaweed harvesting to a future meeting.

The meeting ended at 9.15pm.

The next meeting was scheduled for Monday November 28, 2022.

BURNS (Tain)

Sharon passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on Friday 9th December 2022, aged 38 years.

Loving partner of Colin, very much loved mum of Caitlin, Declan, Matthew and Phoebe, beloved daughter and sister, will be sadly missed by all.

HOWARD (Dornoch)

Tony passed away peacefully, at Raigmore Hospital, on Tuesday 6th December 2022, aged 57 years.

Very much-loved son of Ken and Barbara, brother to Bryan and Brenda, uncle and great uncle.

KRUGER (Dornoch)

Helen Robertson (née Hadden) passed away peacefully, with family by her side, at Migdale Hospital, on Wednesday 7th December 2022, aged 94 years.

Beloved wife of the late Walter, loving mum of Richard, Paul and the late Stephen, loving mother-inlaw, granny, great granny, aunt and a good friend to many.

CORBETT (Inver)

Very suddenly, on Wednesday, 7th December, 2022, John Donald Corbett, much loved son of the late

IN MEMORY

Duncan and Mary Corbett, formerly of Lower Arboll, Inver, Tain.

DURKIN (Tain)

Steven passed away peacefully, at Innis Mhor Care Home, Tain on Monday, 5th December, 2022, aged 71 years. Much loved brother, uncle and dad of John, Nicola and Joleen, loving grandad of Kaydy, Sam, Tasmin, Sonia, Morgan, Ellie, Saskia, Leah and Harry.

WILSON (Fearn)

Peacefully in his home, 1 Balnagore, Fearn, on Wednesday, 30th November, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, Allan W.J. Wilson, Agricultural Contractor, aged 70 years. Beloved husband and best friend of Alyson, much loved father of Alastair, Stuart and Moira, dear father-in-law of Jodie and Alan, proud papa of Jodie, Aimee, Liam and Archie, a loving brother and a much respected friend and work colleague to many.

SEMPLE (Tain)

Peacefully in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Wednesday 16th November 2022, Alexander “Alex” Walker Semple, “Glenshira”, 13 Provost Ferguson Drive, Tain, beloved husband of Elisha, much loved father of

Gregor, Dave and Kareen, a dearly loved father-in-law of Joanna, Diane and Chris, a proud granda, great granda, a dear brother and loved by all the extended family and friends.

MATTHEW (Balintore)

James P. F. Matthew passed away peacefully at County Hospital, Invergordon on Tuesday 8th November 2022, aged 89 years. Beloved husband of the late Myra Matthew, loving father of Myra, Jacqui, Clark, Mandi and the late Jimmy, loved grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather.

MARDON (Tain/Ardross)

Dick passed away very peacefully, with his dearest daughters Julie and Marianne by his side, in the tender care of the wonderful staff at Innis Mhor Care Home, on Tuesday, 15th November, 2022, aged 92 years. He now joins his beloved late wife, Marie Therese. Much loved father of Julie and Marianne, loving grandpa of Finn, Calum and Archie, father-in-law of Dave, uncle, godfather, a good friend and member of the church.

MUIR (Tain)

Scott passed away unexpectedly, at home, on Thursday 3rd of November

2022, aged 42 years. Very loving, doting dad of Caitlin and Declan, loving son of the late Rita and Douglas Muir and friend to many.

BARNETSON (Portmahomack)

Peacefully, in Castlehill Care Home, Inverness, on Tuesday, 25th October, 2022, Agnes “Nancy” Barnetson (nee Bryce), formerly of 4 Bindal Farm Cottages, Portmahomack and Seaforth Road, Tain. Beloved wife of the late John and much loved by all the extended family and friends.

ROSS (Tain/Alness)

Colin passed away suddenly, at home, on Friday 30th September 2022, aged 72 years.

Beloved son of the late William and Marjory, brother to Hamish, Lachie and the late Sadie, Uisdean and Dorothy, much loved uncle and cousin.

CRUICKSHANKS (Tain)

Archie passed away peacefully, at Raigmore Hospital, on Thursday 18th August 2022, aged 81 years.

Beloved partner to Sandra, loving father to Matthew, Scott, Kimberley, Ross and Billy and the late Marie, a dear father in law and a doting grandad to nine grandchildren.

LOCAL NEWS AND UPDATES

APPEAL FOR DRIVERS FOR CHRISTMAS HAMPER DELIVERIES

Platform 1864 are looking for extra drivers to help with deliveries in and around the north as part of their Christmas Hamper Appeal for 2022.

A spokesperson for the restaurant said: “The response this year has been immense, as we expected it would.

“Because of this, we are looking for extra drivers to help deliver to Inverness, Muir of Ord, Alness, Invergordon, Seaboard Villages, Tain, Dornoch, Bonar Bridge, Lairg, Golspie, Brora, Thurso & places inbetween.

Interested parties are enouraged to message Louise at Platform 1864 on via Facebook Messenger, with a phone number.

The restaurant added: “We will add you to our list of volunteers and be in contact with you Thursday, only if we require your help.

Nominations for this year’s hamper appeal need to be with us by 12pm Monday 19th. To nominate a family or person, email admin@ platform1864.com.

Platform 1864 are also still accepting donations of cash, food, gifts and toys, which can be accepted at the restaurant.

TAIN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON A SUCCESS

Tain Gala Committee would like to thank

all those who made yesterday’s Christmas Lights Switch on such a huge success! Without help from the volunteers over the days leading up to the event, it could not happen and certainly not so smoothly!

This joint event, with the Tain & District Development Trust Christmas Market, adds to the atmosphere along with the Brass Band, local singers, highland dancers and pipeband all topped off with a visit from Santa and his elves!

The children from St Duthus School supported by newly appointed Head teacher Lee Williams made the evening especially special.

The committee wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Thank you all for your support at all the events we put on throughout the year.

THIS CHRISTMAS REMEMBER TO RECYCLE

As the festive season approaches The Highland Council would like to encourage households and businesses to consume responsibly and reduce the waste they create at Christmas.

Every year the Council sees a large increase in waste generated over the festive period.

Cllr Graham Mackenzie, Chair of Communities and Place Committee said: “Using

your blue bin correctly and to the maximum, really plays a large part in helping us drive down waste disposal costs and improve our carbon footprint.”

He continued, “However, we need the correct materials in the bin so please remember you can use it for Christmas cards, paper wrapping paper, paper packaging, cardboard, food tins, drinks cans, envelopes, food and drink cartons, aerosols and clean plastic

out what can go in their blue bin on the Council’s website. If it isn’t on the list, then it doesn’t go in the blue bin. https:// www.highland.gov.uk/ info/1063/rubbish_-_ household_waste/137/

TESCO TOY APPEAL

Tesco Community champion Ceri Cattanach has offered her thanks for donations to the Tesco Toy appeal. Ms Cattanach said: “As a store we decided to donate to MFR Cash for Kids Mission Christmas.

bottles, pots, tubs and trays. This includes those empty tubs of lovely sweeties and chocolates!”

New for this Christmas is the ability to recycle clean aluminium foil and trays in the blue bins. All those mince pie foil cases can now go in your blue recycling bin; however, this foil must be clean, dry and free from any food residue.

Residents can find

Pictured are just some of the kind donations we received in Tesco Tain. Myself and the store manager dropped them all off the the Coop Tain as they have a lorry dropping off tomorrow last drop off to the Coop is 19th December.

“If anyone looking to still donate you will need to now drop off at Coop Tain thank you all again.”

ANNUAL AWARDS FOR YOUTH CAFE VOLUNTEERS

Kats Macleod writes

Tain & District Youth Cafe YMCA held their AGM on Monday 7th November.

Thank you to Joanie Whiteford, Lord Lieutenant of Ross & Cromarty who came along and presented the following Awards on the evening:

Youth Volunteer of the Year – awarded to Kornelia Porozynska.

Even though this amazing young lady is only 11 years old, she is one of the most enthusiastic (if not the most enthusiastic) youth volunteer that we have here at Tain YMCA.

Kornelia came in for a few days over the Easter holidays to help us make up the lunch bags for our Lunch Club - we’ve never come across such a hard worker for someone so young!

She then asked if she could come in again over the Summer holidays - how could we refuse?

So, this little bundle of pure enthusiasm came in and helped us not only at Lunch Club but also at our Friday Fun sessions

and Toddler Group. In the process she completed a Dynamic Youth Award - our youngest ever recipient of this Level 2 qualification.

Kornelia is an absolute pleasure to have here in the Youth Cafe - not only does she make friends with everyone she comes into contact with (adults, youth and children alike) but she has the ability to make everyone smile.

As well as completing her Dynamic Youth Award, she also completed two Hi 5 Awards at the beginning of this year.

The world would definitely benefit from having more Little Miss Kornelia’s in it and we all feel that the Youth Cafe definitely benefits from having this little ray of sunshine here helping us.

The Ozan Kaymak Memorial Award – awarded to Danielle Ritchie.

Dani has been a valuable member of our Youth Committee since joining 3 years ago. During that time she has matured into a lovely young lady who only misses our weekly Youth Committee Meetings if she

is poorly (and that doesn’t happen very often).

She is very supportive and empathetic towards her fellow Youth Committee members and has been extremely encouraging towards our new S1’s this year.

Dani has worked incredibly hard this year and has completed not one but two Dynamic Youth Awards, passed her Level 2 in Food Hygiene qualification and is now in the process of starting her Bronze Youth Achievement Award.

In addition to all of that studying, Dani has volunteered a total of 135 hours this year and is due to be presented with her 200 hour Saltire certificate.

She has volunteered for us here at the YMCA by being a member of our Youth Committee, at our Grab n Go Lunches, Friday night discos, Friday Fun Days, P7 Prom, Jubilee Tea, at the local Food Feastivals and when designing and painting our Marvel Mural (infact she never missed a session when doing that as she enjoyed it so much!).

On top of all that she also volunteered for Tain and

District Development Trust at their Community Markets.

Because of all of the above, we have seen Dani blossom and gain so much confidence.

On behalf of your fellow Youth Committee Familymany congratulations Dani and thank you for being such a fantastic friend and hard working role model to us all.

The Baba Watt Volunteer of the Year Award - awarded to Alisha Urquhart.

After helping at our Toddler Group last year, Alisha came on board as an official volunteer and now assists Lorna at our weekly S1-S6 Girls Group.

Alisha is a wonderful addition to this group and connects with our lovely bunch of amazing young ladies on many different levels.

Alisha, you bring so much to the Girls Group and mean so much to them all.

Thank you for all you have done over the past year - it really is very much appreciated.

YWCA SCOTLAND - THE YOUNG WOMEN'S MOVEMENT

TAIN Royal Academy sixth year pupil and Tain and District Youth Cafe YMCA's very own Youth Committee Member, Olivia Macleod, is one of only 30 incredible young women and non-binary people in or from Scotland under the age of 30 to be on this prestigious list for 2022.

This is in recognition of Olivia's volunteering contribution not only to Tain YMCA but also various other organisations within the local community over the past 5 years.

In her own words...

I am 17 years old and I attend high school in Tain. This year I’m studying Advanced Higher French, Higher RMPS, National 5 Business and a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services with Children and Young People.

I spend my time volunteering at Tain & District Youth Cafe YMCA as well as looking after my 2 French Bulldogs that I adopted last summer. I enjoy listening to music, especially Louis Tomlinson. I moved to Scotland from England when I was 8 years old.

What is your proudest achievement?

Even though I achieved my 500 hr Saltire certificate by the time I was 14 years of age, my

proudest achievement has been adopting two old French Bulldogs and giving them a good home.

As you can tell, not only do I love volunteering and helping others but I am also a huge dog lover!

What women inspire you?

Hannah Miley MBE (Scottish Commonwealth Swim Champion) inspires me. I used to swim for Tain Amateur Swim Club and also Highland Swim Team and was a regular competitor – therefore, it was a real honour to compete in the North District Championships and have her swimming in the lane next to me. Something I will never

forget.

Jesy Nelson from Little Mix – for standing up to bullies and for being a positive role model to the younger generation.

My Mum also inspires me – not only is she a fantastic mum who is always there for me and my brother but she is an amazing role model volunteeringwise too. She works incredibly hard in her role as Awards Coordinator at Tain YMCA and has helped many of us achieve our Saltire Awards, Hi 5 Awards and Dynamic Youth Awards.

What one thing do you think we can do to bring about equality once and for all?

Treat everyone equally – everyone is entitled to equal status in society and no one is entitled to special privileges.

What change would you like to see for girls and young women in Scotland in the next 10 years?

Free period products for every young girl and woman.

What 3 women (past or present, real or fictional) would you invite to your dream dinner party/ picnic?

Kelsey Parker (wife of the late Tom Parker from The Wanted), Joanna Deacon (Louis Tomlinson’s late mother), and Pink.

What would your message be for girls and young women in Scotland?

Be strong, be brave, don’t be afraid to be yourself and stand up for not only what you believe in but also for the underdog. Your voice needs to be heard.

JUBILEE DRIVE XMAS DISPLAY IS MUST-SEE

A stunning Christmas lights display in the garden of a Tain family has become a year-byyear attraction in the town.

The Gregory family say that the display at their home in Jubilee Drive will be on for passers by to enjoy most evenings

from 3.30pm till 8pm weekdays and till 9pm on weekends (weather and wind dependant).

John Gregory said: “Just follow the glow to Jubilee Drive, Tain! We hope you enjoy the lights and have a Merry Christmas when it comes.”

TAIN GOLF CLUB PRIZE WINNERS’ CEREMONY

Prizewinners and guests came along to the prizegiving ceremony at Tain Golf Club on November 20th. A great night was had by all. The club gave

their thanks to Olly and his team for high quality food and also to Willie and Ellie (The Impact) for providing entertainment afterwards.

Patrick Vickery writes THE DOG AND TUG BOAT

There is an area of woodland near Tain called Aldie Burn Forest, home to the elusive Capercaillie, sometimes referred to as the Woodcock or Heather Grouse. I saw a rare glimpse of its back end some years ago. A marvellous sight. On warm summer days basking adders are also in attendance. Similar to Capercaille, adders also possess good camouflage and are not easy to spot. As a child I saw many of these venomous snakes in the New Forest and occasionally my father would be called upon to treat someone with an adder bite. He was of the view that it was best to leave well alone, let matters run their course, because in those days medical treatment for adder bites was more likely to kill you than the original bite itself. No doubt the situation is different today with more benign medicines available.

Aldie Burn is a popular spot for rippling cyclists, dandy-legged joggers and mellow walkers. Our elderly dog, Sadie, despite the onset of arthritis, enjoys a walk in this most cosmopolitan of places and like most Golden Retrievers is a stomach on four legs. Similar in this respect, our first dog, Jessie, a fusion of breeds, would snatch food whenever the opportunity arose. Indeed, shortly after we moved to the Highlands, she came with us to the Shandwick Inn in Kildary where a fellow customer’s sandwiches were swiped from the table within

seconds of entry. Sadie, on the other hand, has never been inside an Inn, too risky, but despite this has cost us a bottle or two of whisky in her time:

We were up at six-thirty. My first task was to feed the animals. The sun was a moon, outside was a gloom and a pair of roe deer peeked through the misty haze as I administered to the hens, ducks and goats before returning indoors to feed the dogs, eject

beach with its panoramic views of outsized sheds, Oil Riggs and the charming village of Cromarty across the scurley wurley waters. Sadie, golden retriever, a bit smelly at times, lovely dog, roamed the pebbled beach as we ambled, all was tranquillity and peace, the only sounds to be heard were the slow-roasted screech of a solitary seagull bobbling on the glittering waters and the chug of a tug boat. Then suddenly the calm turned to chaos. The dog spotted the bobbling seagull. It was a ‘sitting duck’, a view with a thrill, a licence to kill, a seagull

then home again past the big fat hen roosting on the nonchalant goat to be greeted by a crescendo of noise from the ‘left behind’ dogs still wailing in disbelief that we could possibly have left them behind in the first place.

the cat before she did something unspeakable in the plant pot and restock the dishwasher with items retaining traces of sausage casserole from last night’s supper.

The sun emerged with a licence to chill, the cat shivered on the patio steps (if looks could kill) and we decided to take the dog for a walk on the beach. Dog in the car, house locked, brief wave to the ducks nesting in the hanging basket by the front door, then up the drive past the big fat hen roosting on the nonchalant goat to the receding sounds of the ‘left behind’ dogs wailing in disbelief that we could possibly have gone without them as we headed for Nigg

bobbling was a seagull for gobbling, so with raucous shnorting (some might say snorting) the dog headed out to sea with no intention of returning.

I gibbered and jabbered in a state of panic on the beach while Liz stayed calm, casually hailing the passing tug boat which duly redirected the shnorting dog back to shore. Dog in car, shopping expedition to Tain to buy a bottle of whisky as a ‘thank you’ brew for the nitty-gritty tug boat crew, then back to Nigg to deliver the spirit,

Later that day, relaxing with coffee and Lardy Cake in the kitchen, the cat emerged from nowhere and did something unspeakable in the plant pot, the naughty dog ate it, the doorbell chimed and the phone rang. Should I chastise the cat, chastise the dog, attend to the doorbell or answer the phone? I answered the phone, just as the offensive dog plundered the dishwasher to lick the plates containing remnants of last night’s supper. One foot in the dishwasher, I attended to the phone call: “Must go, dog’s in the dishwasher, someone’s at the door, cat’s misbehaving.” I ejected the casserole slobbering dog and disgraced cat through the front door past a startled-looking couple ‘cold-calling’ about the state of my soul. “Not a good day for my soul,” I grunted, munching Lardy Cake as the nesting ducks in the flower basket squawked something unrepeatable and deposited duck muck on my shoulder. “Cat’s done the plant pot, dog’s in the dishwasher.” At this, the friendly soul redeemers beat a startled retreat up the drive past the big fat hen roosting on the nonchalant goat. Bad timing, that’s all. No doubt tomorrow would bear witness to a better day.

JAMIE STONE SCOOPS ‘MP OF THE YEAR’

THE MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, Jamie Stone, has won the 2022 Other Party MP of the Year Award, presented by Patchwork Foundation.

An independent panel of judges awarded Mr Stone for his campaigning on behalf of rural communities.

They cited his work on improving the take-up of broadband social tariffs and connectivity infrastructure, his parliamentary campaign to support households who rely on heating oil and other alternative energy sources during the cost-of-living crisis, and the 3241 miles he travelled in one year just on constituency surgeries, as reasons for winning the award.

Mr Stone commented: "I was surprised - verg-

ing on astounded - to discover that I was to receive this award. It is a great honour, particularly for one who went to school without ever winning any prizes at all.

"In accepting the award, I feel that I want to share it with the brilliant team that run my office, but also with the literally thousands of constituents that I speak and work with to try and improve things for people living in my constituency.

“Things like improved health services, the costof-living crisis, and making sure that no one is disadvantaged because of where they live."

Patchwork’s MP of the Year Awards seek to celebrate and recognise those MPs who champion underrepresented, minority or disadvantaged communities.

ROTARY CLUB LARDER DONATION

A representative said: “Like so many of the smaller communities across Easter Ross, the folks in Edderton have a very strong community spirit and we are lucky enough to have several of them among our club members and supporters.”

Edderton Community Council decided to open a Larder to help out families locally who are finding things tough this Christmas season. The Rotary Club of Tain and Easter Ross were delighted through the good offices of our Club President, Margaret Lyon to provide some items to help them along.

advice invernessresettlement@salvationarmy.org.uk help?

guide

Worrying about money?

Financial advice and support is available if you’re struggling to make ends meet.

Follow these steps to find out where to get help in Highland.

I suddenly have no money

• Lost job / reduced hours

• Lost money / unexpected expense

• Relationship breakdown

• Money stopped (e.g. failed a medical)

• Sanctioned - see option 5

See Options:

Step

Step 2: What are some options?

My

money doesn’t stretch far enough

• Deciding between food / fuel / mobile credit

• Low income or zero hours contract

• Statutory Sick Pay too low to cover costs

• Not sure if eligible for support

• Change of circumstance (e.g. new baby / bereavement / illness / left partner)

1 2 5 6 2 I

• Rent or Council Tax arrears

• Gas or electricity

• Owe friends and family

• Benefit repayments

I am waiting on a benefit payment/decision

• Made a new claim for benefit

• Benefit payment is delayed

1 Scottish Welfare Fund

People on low incomes may be able to get a crisis grant from the Council.

This is a payment to help you cope during an emergency or disaster, or due to unexpected expenses. Crisis grants do not have to be paid back (not a loan).

Where can I get help?

If you have made a new claim for benefit and are in financial hardship while you wait for your first payment, you may be able to get an advance to afford things like rent or food. It’s important to get advice before taking out an advance. Benefit advances must be paid back, and the money will be taken from your future benefit payments (a loan).

5 4 4 5

If you have been sanctioned, you may be able to request a hardship payment from the Jobcentre. Hardship payments are not always paid immediately, and they’re not available to everyone. Hardship payments of Universal Credit need to be paid back (a loan), but hardship payments of Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance do not (not a loan).

Where can I get help? 6

Benefit Advance Hardship Payment Challenge a Decision 6

You can challenge a benefit decision if your benefit has been stopped / sanctioned / reduced / refused or you have been overpaid. Most benefit decisions need to be challenged within one month.

Where can I get help?

Ross and Cromarty 01349 883333 bureau@alnesscab.casonline.org.uk

Skye and Lochalsh 01478 612032 adviser@slcab.org.uk Nairn 01667 456677 bureau@nairncab.casonline.org.uk

Lochaber 01397 705311 adviser@lochaberCAB.casonline.org.uk

Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey 01463 237664 enquiries@invernesscab.casonline.org.uk

2 3

Where can I get help?

Debt 4 3

Anyone who is struggling financially can get a benefit check and speak to an advisor for free and confidential advice.

A benefit check can ensure that you are receiving all the money you’re entitled to, especially if your circumstances have changed recently. Speaking to an advisor could also help you find cheaper deals on things like gas and electricity and make sure you’re not missing out on things like school clothing grants or free school meals.

Where can I get help?

A B A

C A B B

Debt can happen to anyone. Free advice and support can help you find ways to manage your debts and reduce how much you pay each month.

Step 3: Where can I get help?

4 5 6

If you have are in financial your first advance important advance. and the benefit payments 5

Other Support

Home Energy Scotland

Step 3: Where can I get help? Highland Council Citizens Advice Bureau Other Support Financial is

Free and impartial energy efficiency advice 0808 808 2282 www.homeenergyscotland.org Shelter Free housing advice 0808 800 4444

scotland.shelter.org.uk

Social Security Scotland Speak with someone about a benefit application 0800 182 2222 www.mygov.scot/benefits

Breathing Space

Confidential phoneline for anyone feeling low, anxious or depressed 0800 83 85 87

www.breathingspace.scot

Clear Your Head

Ways to help mental health and wellbeing www.clearyourhead.scot

Salvation Army Housing Advice 01463 234123

invernessresettlement@salvationarmy.org.uk

Updated on: 16/11/20

Last month saw the Bank of England’s biggest rise in interest rates for more than 30 years. Combined with rising inflation, fuel and food costs, and Christmas on the horizon, many households will be concerned about their day-to-day finances.

In the breakdown of a relationship, many couples will also be thinking about how the cost of living crisis will impact on their financial ability to separate, or if they have separated, whether they will still be able to reach an agreement.

For couples considering a separation, of immediate concern will be where each of you are going to live, how this will impact on child care arrangements, and who will be responsible for paying the mortgage or rent over the matrimonial home, together with the other bills.

In the short term, it may be necessary for parties to continue to live under the same roof, albeit separately. Whilst

How will rising living costs affect me if separating from my partner?

Natalie Bruce writes

there is no doubt this is not the ideal situation, it may be the best option to avoid mortgage arrears, and spiralling costs, particularly given the uncertain climate.

In most cases, parties will decide to live in separate houses whilst they negotiate the terms of their separation. In the current climate, managing two households is going to be all the more challenging financially.

What should I do first if I am separating?

Look at your respective incomes and outgoings and work out how it will be possible for two different households to be sustained, pending an overall financial settlement being reached. Advice should be taken in relation to whether you require to consider spousal maintenance and/or child maintenance.

What can I claim in Child Maintenance if I am separating?

If there are children of your marriage, then you may be able to claim maintenance from your spouse to assist with the costs of caring for those children. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) has an

online calculator which will let you know how much maintenance requires to be paid depending on the paying parent’s gross income after deduction of any pension contributions, and depending on how many nights a week the children spend with that parent. Whilst you can use the CMS calculator as a benchmark for discussions, the amount to be paid can still be agreed directly between parents without having to make a formal application.

When will I be responsible to pay Spousal Maintenance?

Separated couples have a continuing obligation to financially support each other, known in Scotland as “spousal aliment”. In some situations, this will mean a direct payment to a wife or a husband specifically for them as opposed to for a child. There is no helpful calculation to say how much would be paid, if anything, in a certain situation; this would really depend on the needs and resources of both parties. A Solicitor will be able to provide you with a comprehensive schedule of income and expenditure to

complete to allow matters to be properly assessed. The obligation to financially support a spouse continues until divorce, unless there is agreement (commonly agreed as part of a Minute of Agreement) that this obligation would end earlier.

In the first instance, there should be an attempt to try and agree an appropriate amount of maintenance to be paid. However, if this is not possible, an application can be made to the court to seek an interim payment of maintenance pending the overall resolution of the case.

In certain situations, what is known as “periodical allowance” which is essentially financial support, after divorce – can be agreed or ordered by the Court.

There is no doubt that this is a worrying time for most families. Whilst people might feel that there is no way out of their marriage in the middle of a cost of living crisis, this is not necessarily the case. The important message is try not to panic, consider your options and take legal advice early on so you feel informed to decide on your next steps.

“EGGS-ELLENT”

Members of Tain Task Force attended an end of season breakfast at Greens restaurant on the morning of Saturday October 1st.

At the event, Alasdair Rhind thanked all who had helped during the year and presentations were made to Alison Mackenzie who is retiring from the watering squad after more than 30 years, and to Heather McAllister who has been Rose Garden co-ordinator since it was redeveloped in 2009.

Through the Lens

with Mark Janes

Photographing The Night Sky

Living in the Highlands we are blessed with some spectacular night skies. The lack of light pollution and clean air lead to views of the stars that would be the rival of locations such as the Sahara Desert. Oh, and we get the Northern Lights too (sometimes)!

Now, photographing planets, nebulae, star clusters and other “deep space” objects requires skill, practice and dedicated equipment. But “wide field” photography is accessible to anyone with a reasonable camera and a tripod. Wide field subjects include; the Milky Way,

Northern Lights, stellar constellations and noctilucent clouds.

Getting Started

The Milky Way is a great place to start. It is predictable, easy to find and can provide some beautiful photographs. By contrast, trying to photograph the aurora can be frustrating, but worth trying if you don’t mind the odd disappointment. In Northern Scotland the milky way is visible somewhere in the sky any time from September to April. Outside this time the sky never really gets dark enough to get a good shot. In the Autumn

the best views can be had towards the south / south-west, where the milky way tumbles down towards the horizon.

Camera settings can be a case of trial and error but, as a start, set your standard kit lens to its widest focal length (18-24mm). Shooting in manual mode, open the aperture as wide as it will go and try a shutter speed of 20 seconds with ISO set to 3200. This shutter speed should “freeze” the stars and render them as pinpoints rather than trails. Choose a dark, moonless night and set your camera on the tripod. Allow your eyes to adjust to the dark and

you should see the milky way as a misty white band in the sky.

Focussing can be one of the biggest challenges with night photography. The best approach is to plan ahead and use manual focussing to focus on a distant object during the day. Secure the focussing ring on the lens with a piece of sticky tape to prevent it moving in your bag. If you need to focus at night, try to find the brightest star you can, and focus on that.

Moving On – Aurora Photography

The aurora (Northern Lights) is actually very easy to photograph. You just need a view towards the northern

View Down Loch Assynt Towards Quinag and Ardvreck Castle by Moonlight

horizon. Try setting your aperture to its widest, shutter speed of around 15 seconds and ISO 1600, but be prepared to experiment. The challenge with the aurora is its relative rarity. It appears over an 11-year cycle but the good news is that we are past the period of minimum activity and heading towards a time of much more prolific displays. In fact this season has already witnessed some spectacular Northern Lights and we’re only in December! Keep an eye on www.auroraalerts.uk for real-time information on whether the aurora is visible.

Moonlit “Nightscapes”

An easy way to give your landscape photos an edge is to go out on a bright, moonlit night to shoot “nightscapes”. A nightscape is really just a landscape photo in which the night sky plays a major part. Imagine your favourite landscape, lit with an “other-worldly” light and with a starry sky as a backdrop!

To achieve nightscapes you’ll need your camera and a regular kitlens, and a tripod. I suggest shooting in Manual mode. Set your aperture to its widest setting (say f/4), choose an ISO setting of around 400-800 and experiment with shutter speeds to get the right exposure. You might have to use manual focus if there isn’t enough light for the auto-focus to work, but you’d be surprised how much light the

moon throws onto the landscape.

If you get some good night sky images this season, why not email them in to the Picture Post? I’m sure Niall and the team would love to publish them. Meanwhile, keep warm and I’ll see you in the next issue.

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.

Calda House in Assynt Lit By The Full Moon

History of Tain Royal Academy

JOHN FERGUSON (b 1842, d 1913)

“Publisher, travel journalist and agriculturalist in Ceylon”

By Heather and David McAllister

to his founding and publishing the Tropical Agriculturalist, a journal covering planting in all tropical regions, which began in 1881 and continued under his control until 1904, when responsibility for it was assumed by the Agricultural Society.

Ferguson was very active in the Cinnamon Gardens Baptist Church and lectured on many of his interests. He travelled overseas from Ceylon on several occasions, visiting Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, North America and Britain.

In the last two articles we have looked at some pupils connecting TRA with the US and Canada. There were of course also many connections with Asia, especially military links with the Indian sub-continent. However not all TRA associations with that part of the world were military.

Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka) became a British Crown colony in 1796 and remained so until 1948. Alastair Mackenzie (AM) Ferguson was born in Wester Ross in 1816. In 1837 he went to Ceylon as one of the staff of the newly appointed Governor. After holding various posts, he became assistant editor on the Ceylon Observer in 1846. In 1859 the

owner of the Ceylon Observer, Dr Elliott sold the newspaper to AM Ferguson.

John Ferguson was born in Tain, in 1842. After being educated at TRA, he then trained as a journalist in Inverness and London before going to Ceylon in 1861 to take up a position as Assistant Editor of the Columbo Observer, under his uncle, the proprietor and Editor, Alastair Mackenzie (AM) Ferguson. John was to remain with the paper (renamed the Ceylon Observer in 1867) for nearly 50 years, initially assisting his uncle, but gradually taking a more senior role, and becoming the proprietor and editor after his uncle’s death in 1892. Ferguson developed

an active role in the political, commercial and cultural affairs of Ceylon. He took a particular interest in the development and expansion of the railway system, and became closely involved in the tea, coffee, coconut and other planting trades. Just as Hugh Scobie had done in Canada, John Ferguson compiled and published statistics in his annually issued Handbook and Directory of Ceylon. He published a number of books on the cultivation of coconut, spices, tobacco, peppers and rubber. also he wrote and illustrated several books on Ceylon especially its history under the British Empire.

His interest in agriculture also led

In 1903 Ferguson was awarded the CMG (Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George), which was awarded to those holding high position in countries of the British Empire. In the same year he was appointed as a member of the Legislative Council of Ceylon. In this role he continued to support his interests, such as the extension of the railway system and supporting trade.

He resigned from his posts in Ceylon in 1908, and in 1912 returned to Britain for the last time, and he died there in 1913. He was married twice: firstly in 1871 to Charlotte Haddon (died 1903), by whom he had two sons and two daughters; secondly in

Image from Ferguson’s boo “The Coconut Planter’s Manual”

1905 to Ella Smith, who survived him.

The Ferguson family from Rossshire are still recognised as one of the most influential in the development of the tea and coffee trade in Sri Lanka. This was

celebrated in the “150 Years of Ceylon Tea” project in 2017 and an article and from that “The Fergusons in Ceylon” by Geoff.J. Pilgrim–Morris has recently been published.

WAR-TIME CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr Walter J MacCulloch writes...

In your issue of May 2021, page 19, you printed the First World War story of how Sergeant Davie Ross gave succour to an exhausted Eb Taylor who had just been released from a German POW camp.

Davie Ross was my uncle and your readers might like to know a little of his family and their contribution to the war. The picture your printed is of a young Lance Corporal but by the time he met Eb in 1918, he was a 22 year old Sergeant-Major and had been awarded the DCM.

His oldest brother, Alec, was also a Sergeant-Major and was also awarded the DCM. Both men declined the opportunity of applying

for commissioned rank. My maternal grandfather, Sandy Ross (from Inver) and his wife Isabella Macangus (from Hilton) had six sons, followed by two daughters. My mother, Jane Ross, born 1906, was the youngest child. Sandy was very patriotic and wanted his sons contributing to the war effort. Four of them,

Davie, James (Jimmy), Duncan and Alec (aged 28 in 1914) were Seaforths.

Duncan was killed in action in France in 1917 and Jimmy, a sniper, was killed in Egypt in 1918.

Another son, Willie, next in age to Alec, had emigrated to Canada and served in a Canadian regiment, but disappeared without trace after the war.

The youngest son, Kenny, was fourteen in 1914 and joined the Royal Navy later on. He was based on HMS Mars at Invergordon. He contracted tuberculosis and was invalidated out and died young in Invergordon Hospital. Alec emigrated and became a farmer in Canada.

Many years ago, sitting next to him in Fearn, Davie told me how he had won the DCM. I think it was during the Cambrai offensive. A German machine gun was holding up their platoon’s advance and the young officer in charge, a Lt Ross, asked Davie if he would go with him and try to put the gun out of action. They crawled on their stomachs under the weapon’s field of fire,

captured the machine gun post and took the German in charge prisoner.

Davie stole his helmet as a souvenir when the German said to him, “you’ve got a bloody cheek, Jock!”

Davie was decorated by Major-General Sir Torquil Matheson and the two were to meet again when A Ross & Sons, the Fearn building firm then being run by Davie, carried out repairs to the General’s house in Wester Ross.

By the Second World War, the young lieutenant had become a brigadier in military intelligence but was captured by the Germans and executed.

Davie’s own son, Ackie, was awarded the MM and mentioned in dispatches in the Second World War but Alec’s only son, also Alec, serving in the Canadian Army was killed in Italy.

For the benefit of my former classmates at Tain Royal Academy, here are a few words about myself: I left school in 1961 for St Andrews University where I did an honours degree in chemistry, graduating in 1965, followed by PhD in physical and theoretical chemistry in 1969.

I trained as a teacher at Moray House College in 1970 and became principal teacher of physics at Banchory Academy in 1972. In 1982, I moved to the same post at Banff Academy. I retired in 2002 and have climbed all of Scotland’s munros as Munroist 5594.

Dr Walter J MacCulloch, Aberchirder, Huntly

Yours,

The family of Sergeant-Major Davie Ross

THE museum is now closed for the year after what felt like the first normal season in a long time.

The international tourists were back in numbers which makes huge a difference to us with so many of our visitors being genealogical tourists from all over the world. These included our regularly welcome stream of Rosses from America and Canada but also visitors from closer to home like the two

including two on the amazing Dr Elizabeth MacBean Ross and a talk on the history of Cadboll Castle at the wonderful new John Ross centre at Balintore.

During the St Duthac Book and Arts Festival, in September, the museum took part in ‘Scotland’s Year of Stories’ hosting a talk on myths and legends from Tain, whilst also offering Horrible History Tours of the town which proved so popular we had to host three extra events.

TAIN MUSEUM: A SEASON IN REVIEW

families from Holland who are descendants of Scottish soldiers who were serving in the Dutch Brigade in the 1700s.

We were lucky enough to have been gifted several fantastic donations this season including a very generous gift of medals from Tony Watson. These are prizes awarded for football, schoolwork and highland games; that all belonged to the Macleod family from Tain who were merchants and bagpipe makers in the town for many years.

2021/22

We were also gifted a ceremonial axe and spade from the town and a remarkable two-hundred-year-old whistle that fell out of the wall of an old house here.

But, my favourite donation this year is the copies of heart-breaking letters, sent to Wales, from the Czech Airmen at RAF Tain; they were sent to the girlfriend of Milos Bodlak, a Czech Pilot who was killed in an air accident and is buried here at Tain.

I love to talk and I had the pleasure of giving several talks this year

One of the best attractions we have at our museum is the site with its old medieval church, and graveyard which this year thanks to a team of volunteers has been slowly transformed. Several dozens of bags of ivy, weeds and grass clippings were removed over the season which kept the place looking better than ever.

But no doubt the biggest transformation to this site has been the re-erection of over a dozen fallen gravestones including several table-top graves from the 18th century.

We are now busy in the background planning for next year, preparing some new exhibition cases focusing on slavery and farming improvements in the 19th century. We are looking forward to many more interesting visitors next year, perhaps you have a story, a photograph or an item you would like to share with us?

Jason Ubych writes

The

Mrs

“OLD FILE”

Pictured above outside the Parish Church on Queen Street are (L to R) Miss Jessie Stewart, Mrs Tibbie (Murdina) Jones and Mrs Chrissie Fraser.

occasion may have been the wedding of Anne Holmes (Baxter).

Fraser was the the mother of John Fraser, and motherin-law of Joyce Fraser. Mrs Jones was John Fraser's aunt and sister-in-law to Mrs Fraser. Jessie Stewart lived in Scotsburn Road. Can anyone help with the date?

1965 - This picture was taken outside the shop of D W Shivas electricians, which is now the premises of T G Smart. L to R : Irene Christie, Margaret Macandie, John Murray, Mrs Gregory, Annella Mackenzie.

Nostalgia with Alex Graham

TAIN DURING THE WAR YEARS

During WWII, the Tain area had to cope with the influx of thousands of servicemen. The Cameron Highlanders, the Black Watch, Norwegians and Polish soldiers were all based in Tain at one time or another. Added to this were the Air Force using Tain and Fearn aerodromes, the Navy personnel based at Invergordon, a Battle School stationed in the hills above Lairg, Canadian lumberjacks based at Lamington and a Pioneer Corp.

Personnel from all of these, when on leave, would descend on Tain for their entertainment provided by the Picture House, pubs, canteens in the church hall and the basement of the cinema building, a café in King Street (specially set up) and dances in the Drill Hall. A lot of football was played between teams from the RAF, the British Army, the Polish Army, the Fleet Air Arm, Fearn, TRA, and the construction firms at the two aerodromes. On one occasion a boxing tournament in which both civilians and Servicemen could compete was held in the Drill Hall.

However this article is mainly about what collectively could be called “special war measures” undertaken by the town and is based on the Burgh Surveyors reports to the Town Council.

Certain provisions were made to protect buildings, especially the windows, and deal with outbreaks of fire in the event of bomb attacks. Twelve sand depots were set up. Academy pupils helped to dig out sand and fill sandbags. The military helped by providing a lorry for delivery and the sandbags were built up around public buildings such as schools, churches and the Council Buildings. New Fire Hydrants were installed, a concrete floor was laid at the fire depot, which was then in Market Street, a suitable motor car to pull the pump and convey fire personnel to and from outbreaks of fire was provided by the County Council and short ladders were to

be provided for each block of Municipal houses to enable lofts to be reached. Later in the war (August 1941), the Burgh Fire Service was taken over by the Government. A siren had been installed on the tower. This was eventually removed (November 1945) to be used for the National Fire Service as a Fire Alarm connected to the Telephone Exchange.

Throughout the period there is mention of Salvage collections. The items collected were paper, cardboard, tins, horse hair, rubber, rags, bones. In 1942, the Burgh Surveyor reported that Tain showed the highest return of salvage paper per head of population throughout the north of Scotland! However, it was reported that the dump

of empty food tins near the shore had reached alarming proportions. This was partly due to problems with transport but was also put down to the Military as very few tinned food was available in Tain shops. In December 1943 it was reported that tins were no longer required leaving the problem of the mass of tins already accumulated. It was not till almost a year later that the tins are being cleared.

Air raid shelters were installed under the arches in what was then the Commercial Bank Garden (now the Rose Garden) and tragically and controversially, “The Ark”, the oldest building in Tain and with an interesting history, was demolished in 1940 to make way for an air raid shelter which in turn was itself demolished.

The ‘Ark’ was situated between the bottom of Hill Street and Well Street. It was reputed to have been built during the reign of James II (1437-1450) and the residence of one of the early clerical provosts of Tain. The Marquis of Montrose spent the night in this building on his way to execution in Edinburgh after his capture at the battle of Carbisdale in 1650. Incredibly, this building was demolished in 1940 despite the valiant efforts of Provost William Ross to save it.

A series of other measures took place including the removal of iron railings, except those necessary for public safety and gates of artistic value (look carefully and you will see examples of this); the stocking up of the Burgh coal dump; vacant ground at the Fountain Road housing site was to be used for cultivation; wood cut by the Canadian lumberjacks was used by the Pioneer Corp to erect poles on the beaches as a defence against seaborne invasion – the stumps can still be seen at low tides. The Fendom Road was resurfaced for Air Ministry use.

Tain citizens were

Margaret Urquhart writes...

involved in many ways. To “help defend the homeland”, a local unit of the Local Defence Volunteers (LDA) was formed later renamed the Home Guard (think “Dad’s Army”). Others became air raid wardens, special constables, volunteers in the Fire Brigade, the Observer Corp or the Red Cross. Until such time as army billets could be built (centred in the Mansfield Hotel and surrounding grounds), as well as the Drill Hall, Masonic Hall, Oddfellows Hall, the Scout and Guide huts, the

Mens Club and Wallace & Fraser’s store, being used to accommodate the advance party of regular soldiers, anyone who had any spare rooms had them commandeered. Later in 1943 the people displaced by the evacuation of Inver and a sizeable area of land in the Tarbat Peninsula had to be accommodated, mainly in Tain, Portmahomack and Fearn. Although not revealed at the time, the area was cleared to be used for part of the preparations for the Normandy beach

landings.

The Burgh Surveyors reports also included several complaints of damage in areas out with the town itself, due to the presence and activities of the military. Wordie & Co who had the contract for delivering goods from the railway station complained about the state of Shore Road; Donald Mackenzie, farmer, Pithogarty, about damage to fences by Canadian troops going to the shooting butts on the Morrich More; damage was also reported to derequisitioned ground

on the Baads &, Mid Pithogarty. There is also mention of the damage to the Golf Course by military being settled and the ground being reinstated. In May 1945, ditches on Quarry Road had been damaged.

However, thankfully, most of the measures put in place in the Tain area were in the end not tested and apart from the main exception of the loss of family members in the conflict, compared to many places in the British Isles, the people of Tain got off fairly lightly.

TAIN AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB sends its congratulations to Alison Wood who competed at her first senior Scottish National Championships at the Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh on December 11th.

A TASC post on Facebook read: “Also a big well done to Maree Wood and Elise Cousins ex Tain swimmers making numerous finals at the meet over the 3 days.

“We hope to see the two of you poolside in Tain over the festive season.”

CHRISTMAS UNWRAPPED!

MEMBERS of Tain & Fearn Free Church were invited to to run “Christmas Unwrapped” for a primary school in the Seaboard villages.

Over two days they had the opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas with every pupil at Hilton primary school.

Festivities involved some drama with

Mary and Joseph, fun and games with the shepherds and a craft to get stuck into with the wise men.

A spokesperson said: “We had an absolutely super time in Hilton of Cadboll Primary School this week.

“Thank you to all the staff and pupils for welcoming us and participating so well.”

WOULD YOU BE A FOOTBALL REFEREE?

AWARDS FOR TAIN WALKING FOOTBALL CLUB MEMBERS

see him everywhere) – Allan Whiteford

One to Watch – Andrew

The one with the craic –Brian MacAngus

Rambo (when he falls, he rises again) – David Mack

Most Improved Player –Euan Mushet

The North of Scotland Football Referee’s Association arerunning an Introductory Referee’s Course in Inverness very soon.

Sunday 29 January & Sunday 5 Feb 9am - 5pm Caledonian Stadium, Inverness

Fancy starting the new year with a new challenge? Did you watch the referees at the World Cup and think, “I could do that!”

Then we’d be delighted to have you along! If you’re interested in applying to the class, don’t hesitate to get in touch via email with our Secretary, Gary McCarthy (pictured): nosrasecretary@gmail. com

Alternatively, you can sign up online. This is through the Scottish FA’s national online academy. This allows candidates to carry out the lessons in their own time from the comfort of their own home.

To learn more, follow this link: https://www.scottishfa. co.uk/scottish-fa/ referees/become-areferee

AGROUP of walking football players from Tain celebrated their one year anniversary with a special awards night this week.

St Duthus walking football club first started training and playing in November last year, with a mixture of ages getting to grips with the increasingly popular sport.

They officially formed as a club in April.

Now very much up and running (although no running is allowed!), the club has continued to hold sessions all year round in Tain and has attracted participants from Golspie all the way down to Evanton and nearby villages.

In June, they took part in their first walking football festival in Inverness, competing against other walking football teams from all over the North of Scotland.

To celebrate the milestone of their first full year, members gathered for an awards night at sponsors, the Royal Hotel, in Tain on Saturday, November 26.

Awards were handed out by club chairman Patrick Vickery, with titles such as “Tain Ballon d’Or”, Most Improved

Player and Golden Boot up for grabs. The event also featured a number of novelty classics, such as ‘The Dazzler’ and ‘Snappy Dresser’.

An award was also presented to Emma Foster for the first goal to be scored by a woman within the group.

Club representative Mike Sutherland said: “We have had a very successful year with over 20 regular members of ages ranging from 14 to 80. A big highlight for us was taking part and performing well in the Inverness walking football festival.

“We are always on the lookout for new members. We meet at TRACC Monday and Thursday at 6pm, and the first session is free. Everyone is welcome to come along – it’s great fun, with a real focus on improving health and wellbeing.”

The club awards were presented to winners as follows:

Tain Ballon d’Or (allez, allez, allez) – Samir Atmane

Golden Boot (goal tally like a cricket score) – Finlay

Most Versatile (best goalkeeper and striker combined) – Adrian Munro

Most visible (you see him here, you see him there, you

Dancing feet (if he was a car, he would be a Ferrari) –Harry Hobbs

Most Promising Newcomer – ‘H’ (aka: Henry) Hobbs

Golden Booter (puts it wide left, puts it wide right, puts it over the bar and sometimes nets a great ‘sausage roll’) –Richie Hobbs

Saving the world – Jeff Fergie Award (the man with the balls, the picker of teams, the nuts and bolts of the squad, our own Alex Ferguson) – Kenny MacKenzie

The Dazzler (bobby dazzler skills, titanic dribbling, a man who slices through the opposition like a sledgehammer through butter) – Mike Sutherland

The Golden Goal (scorer of the first goal in the first game on November 18, 2021) –Richard Bousefield

Best Potential (He gets the job done - ‘nae bad’) – Rob

The Smiley Award (always cheerful on the pitch) – David Robertson

Master of the Assist –William MacKenzie

Golden Gloves (ducking and diving, weaving and achieving) – Grahame

Snappy Dresser (skilful control) – Richard Gilmour

Nifty Footwork (the best manicured nails) – Reg

The Determined and Tenacious (if football was a piano, his music would be tuneful) – Michael

One to watch for the future – Basile

SAINTS ROUND OFF 2022 WITH FOUR HOME WINS

ALAN Geegan’s charges bounced back from cup final defeat in style with four consecutive home wins in the Macleod & MacCallum North Caledonian, to go seven points clear in second place.

A positive result against nearby rivals Bonar Bridge set them on their way, albeit with a closer scoreline than they will have wanted.

A week later, they surprised many with a comfortable 3-0 win over former Highland League side Fort William.

Goals from Paul Gair, Bradi Hulme and Adrian Voigt wrapped up the win, complimented by a man of the match performance from Finn As-Chainey, who completed double duty as a forward and fullback.

On December 3, Saints

made it back-to-back clean sheets with a narrow 1-0 win over Golspie Sutherland; Sam Ross netting the important goal with a close range conversion after a save from a Jake Lockett free-kick.

Last weekend, Lockett stole the show with

a man of the match performance, scoring four of the goals on the day, while also contributing to another three.

Adrian Voigt also made his stamp on the game with two goals, first finding the target with a net bound shot which took a deflection off of teammate Lockett, who was credited with the goal.

Lockett doubled Saints advantage just six minutes later when he bundled the ball over the line after Jamie Skinner had met a corner kick from Gair.

Voigt got his name on the scoresheet on 24 minutes after good work from Paul Gair to chip the ball to the back post, and the wide man headed home unchallenged.

Just a minute later, Finn As-Chainey showed his ruthlessness, tapping the ball home after

Brandon Smith failed to hold a Lockett free kick.

The goals kept coming and on the half hour mark, Lockett showed class to grab his hattrick with a clever lobbed finish over Smith. Six minutes later Lockett drew applause with a stunning free kick from 35 yards, leaving Smith rooted to the spot.

The seventh and final goal of an unbelievable first half fell to Jamie Skinner who found space just inside the box to curl his shot into the top corner.

A quieter second half saw just three more goals, but Saints remained in firm control throughout. In search of a second, Voigt passed up a great chance on the hour mark with a chance well saved by Smith.

He did get his second on 68 minutes though, collecting a layoff from Lockett and hitting a first time left footed lob from 25 yards out, which sailed over Smith and into the net. A stunning strike!

Alness did manage to grab a goal back when a speculative ball into the box sailed into the far corner of the net beyond Godding.

On 83 minutes though, the substitutes combined to make it 9-1 when Voigt slipped shaun Marshall in on goal and instead of slotting past Smith he squared the ball to Bradi Hulme who cantered the ball home.

The win puts Saints seven points clear in second place behind leaders Loch Ness, who, having played two more games remain ten points ahead.

Winger Adrian Voigt has scored three goals in the last month for St Duthus.

Jake Lockett has been in irresistable form for Saints in the past month, netting four goals against Alness United alone.

DUBAI TO DUTHAC’S TOWN

AFORMER Tain Royal Academy schoolboy football player, who now works at a P.E. Teacher at Invergrdon has made a homecoming return to play for his local club.

After receiving the necessary international clearance from the Scottish FA, St Duthus football club confirmed the signing of Edderton based John Maclellan, who returns to Scotland following a spell living and working in the UAE.

A Tain lad growing up, John returns to the local area following a spell teaching abroad, where he spent time playing football with the “Dubai Allstars” in the Dubai Amateur Football League.

John, 29, came through the youth ranks of Tain Juniors F.C. U15s and U17s and made his senior debut with Tain Thistle in 2009 during their final

North Caledonian League campaign in 2010.

His former North Caley clubs also include Tain Thistle (as a teenager), Balintore, Invergordon and Alness United.

He made his debut for the club as a substitute in last month’s 3-0 win over Fort William.

CALL-OFFS INTERRUPT UNDER-18 SCHEDULE

Saints’ under-18 side have not played a game since November 20th, thanks to a raft of postponements and calloffs by opposing teams.

The young Tain side last played at home against Inverness Athletic and have played nine fixtures overall since their season began

in late August.

The side were scheduled to travel to Buckie on December 18th for their final game of 2022, but this has also been postponed due to a clash with the airing of the World Cup Final.

The side hope to get back to action in 2023.

St Duthus under-18s have been without a game of football for over a month. Pictured: Connor Mackenzie

FROM

TAIN’S YOUNG FOOTBALLERS IN PICTURES

TAIN JUNIORS UPDATE Gary Ross writes

these sources are critical for the continued expansion of Tain Juniors and we very much appreciate all the support from parents and the public. Ceri Cattanach from Tesco kindly invited some of our children down a couple of weeks ago then attended one of our training sessions which the kids loved. Please continue to support your local community club, we really do appreciate it.

In the summer we attended the Tain Gala with a fun stall to carry out some fundraising and more recently we provided the teas, coffee and cakes for the Art fayre in Tain town hall. Some of our children took part in a sponsored walk. We set a 5 mile target for each of them. Those that completed have done fantastic and the support the club have received from these children and their families is so very much appreciated, and really does help us to continue to improve our sessions.

entry to a league in the 23/24 season.

David Robertson of Audacia Ltd has kindly sponsored a new set of home strips for our Under 14’s. They look fantastic and is very much appreciated. Any business or individual willing to sponsor our away strip please get in touch.

On the subject of sponsorship. As a club we rely on the support of local people and business to continue our development, in order to provide the children with the most fun we can in a safe environment. Any business or person that would like to donate or sponsor please feel free to get in touch via email (info@tainjuniors. co.uk) or facebook and we will be back in touch.

IT has been a really busy session for Tain Juniors since the summer. We had a large intake of new P1 aged kids join us in the summer which was great to see and encouraging for the future of football in our area. This year we have had to invest heavily in our training equipment. We replaced nearly 100 footballs, and have purchased an additional 3 sets of folding goals. Furthermore we recently purchased some U10/12 festival goals to enable us

to host our own festivals. Following a request to SFA North we successfully arranged a training day in Tain and trained 9 coaches to level 1.1. A further three coaches obtained their level 1.2 and two their 1.3. We’ve also carried out some additional child safety and welfare training to ensure we are all kept up to date.

Tain Juniors were fortunate to be chosen for the Tesco Blue Token appeal last month, and so far we seem to be well supported. Income from

On a footballing front we continue to attend the fortnightly SFA arranged Fun festivals in Inverness and do our best to rotate the children so everyone gets a turn of attending. We have Under 10 and Under 12 age groups both entered into the Moray Firth Youth Development leagues. Both squads continue to develop and progress really well, often exceeding our expectations at this age. We also introduced a new Under 14 age group this year, but decided against initially joining the Moray Firth Youth League for this age group to give ourselves some time to get everything in order. It is hoped that we will gain

Likewise if you would like to volunteer with Tain Juniors we would like to hear from you. You don’t need football knowledge as there are many roles to assist with such as general supervision, gate guarding, register taking etc. Everyone plays an important role!!

Our website is www. tainjuniors.co.uk and any new children joining us can be registered here. We no longer operate our booking system as we are trialling a new method which will hopefully help all the parents and save some time. Just turn up and play each week!

Friday sessions

P1-P3: 6pm to 6.50pm

P4-P7: 7pm to 8pm

We hope you all have a magical Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year.