TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST
ISSUE NO. 215
OCTOBER 2018
PRICE £1.95
THIS MONTH NEW STARTS - PRIMARY & NURSERY PHOTOS! “OLD FILE” LOCAL NEWS AND UPDATES NOTICES TAIN MUSEUM KID’S PAGE SPORT AND RECREATION
MORE INFORMATION INSIDE
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Tain Afternoon Nursery new starts for 2018-19
EDITORIAL Welcome to the latest edition of the Tain & District Picture Post - at 40 pages this month we once again have some great content to share with you. This October issue is the first under our editorial to feature the “new starts” - and it’s our pleasure to be able to share these with you. Some very happy faces to be seen amongst those who are embarking on their first years in nursery or primary school. We wish them all the very best. We have received a number of new and fascinating submissions this past month. In particular, we’d like to thank John Gordon for sharing something new from his collection once again. Historical content has always been such a big part of the Tain & District Picture Post’s make-up so it’s great to be able to publish some fresh and interesting Old File pieces such as John’s. It is also a pleasure to be able to share news and happenings from some lesser heard community groups this month, such as the TWI Highlands & Islands, SWI Tain & Edderton and the Tain & District British Legion. We hope that you find their news updates enlightening and of interest. Please share your October stories with us in preparation for our November issue. A month passes oh so quickly, but so much can happen in that short time. We’d be delighted to receive your stories, articles or news - as well as contributions to our “Old File”. With each issue, we hope that you will get in touch with your thoughts and feedback. We’re always striving to improve the magazine, and we welcome your comments via email anytime. We hope that you will enjoy this issue. Best wishes, Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals info@tainpost.co.uk
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TAIN AND EASTER ROSS CIVIC TRUST and was very much appreciated. The Civic Trust also gained a few new members as a result of Open Doors Day. Everybody who took part worked extremely hard to make this a successful and enjoyable day. Ballone Castle sits on the cliff edge, close to Portmahomack and was built in 1590 by the Dunbar family from Moray. It fell into disrepair in the 18th century and was re-built in the 1990’s.
BALLONE Castle opened its doors to the public on Open Doors Day on Saturday 8th September 2018. Over 200 visitors enjoyed the very interesting tour and talk given by Lachie Stewart who purchased the castle in 1992 as a ruin and spent many years reinstating and refurbishing the castle into the magnificent building it is today. Most of the visitors also partook of some wonderful home baking provided by members of the Civic Trust and the cafe at Anta. The grand sum of over £300 was given in donations to the Civic Trust by the visitors
Written by June Dingley, Tain & Easter Ross Civic Trust.
TAIN & EASTER ROSS CIVIC TRUST (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No. SC000364)
The ANNUAL MEMBERS’ MEETING
will be held at 7.00 P.M. on Monday 8th October 2018 in the CLAN ROSS ROOM, ROYAL HOTEL, TAIN The meeting is open to members and anyone who might be interested in the work of the Civic Trust. The formal business will include reports on the Trust’s recent activities, consideration of the accounts and the election of Officers and Board members. If any member is interested in the possibility of joining the Board he or she would be most welcome to have a chat with one of the Officers at any time. Tea and coffee will be served after this meeting at 7.45p.m. At 8.00 P.M. there will be a TALK on the HISTORY OF THE BLACK ISLE AND MEIKLE FERRIES Dr. Jim Mackay of the Kirkmichael Trust will provide an entertaining and informative presentation on the ferries of Easter Ross and the Black Isle. Once an essential part of the Highland infrastructure, there were 20 or so ferries around the Dornoch, Cromarty and Inverness firths. Sometimes a source of tragedy, sometimes of excitement, they were once an essential element of Highland travel. Jim has many stories to illustrate his talk on a form of historic travel, with the Cromarty-Nigg Summer Ferry being the last local example.
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Dulce Et Decorem Est Pro Patria Mori
Horace’s ‘Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori’ (it is sweet and honourable to die for one’s country) is one of the most famous quotations from Roman literature. It expresses a sentiment everyone who loves his/her country will be predisposed to agree. In 1914, a terrible war erupted in Europe. The toll of young soldiers, of all nationalities, lost during the next four years totalled 10 million dead with many more casualties. Earlier in the century, European countries were expanding their influence, growing rich and powerful. Alliances were formed and treaties were signed. An uneasy equilibrium existed, until that fateful day in June 1914, when Archduke Ferdinand, (heir to the Austrian throne) and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia by Serb nationalists. One by one, treaties and alliances aligned the countries of Europe, Russia and the Ottoman Empire, into two powerful opposing forces! Then in August 1914, Great Britain entered the fray on the side of Belgium. Very soon the protagonists realised that this war would be different. Cavalry charges were ineffective against machine guns and artillery. Opposing armies dug fortifications and trenches from the Channel coast to the Swiss Alps then settled down for four long years of attrition. Many large battles were fought with the intention of ‘breaking through’ the enemy lines. The Somme, Verdun, Mons, Ypres, Vimy, Marne and Passchendaele are a few where large numbers of young men were sacrificed in fruitless frontal assaults. Eventually, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918, an armistice was declared and the Great War officially ended. Memorials were erected throughout Great Britain to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Hardy a small community in the land remained unaffected by the carnage. The British Legion was formed in 1921, to support the wounded, the survivors and their families. Each year the British Legion undertakes a ‘Service of Remembrance’ for the fallen of WW1 and of all subsequent conflicts. On the, now-still, battlefields of France and Belgium, poppies could be seen growing in profusion. The
poppy was therefore adopted as a symbol of lives lost. This year, 2018, is the 100th anniversary of the WW1 armistice and all British Legion branches have been challenged to raise £1,918 as a special fund-raising project. (The Poppy Pledge). Tain and District Branch of the British Legion have so far raised £1,344 through various fund-raising events. To further our progress towards our £1,918 target, we will be holding a concert in the Clashmore Hall on 13th Oct. and tickets are available from ‘Made in Tain’. We hope you will make every effort to attend and support our most worthwhile endeavour and we thank all who have supported us so far. https://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-involved/the-1918poppy-pledge Written by Ron Ferguson, Tain and District British Legion
In Flanders Fields By John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
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TWI Highland & Islands branch enjoy Balblair meet A visit by the TWI Highlands & Islands Branch was held at the Balblair Distillery, Edderton on the 15th September as part of their seventh anniversary (since the branch’s inaugural meeting). The group were treated to a personal tour of the distillery by Mr John MacDonald, Manager of Balblair Distillery. Balblair Distillery is one of the oldest and most picturesque in the world. Founded in 1790 by John Ross it sits on the Banks of the Dornoch Firth in the shadow of the Struie Hill. It is here that they have been producing award
winning Highland Single Malt Whisky for over 200 years. The Distillery was taken over by the Military during the Second World War to house Norwegian Soldiers and Airmen and resumed production in the Post war years. TWI member Davy Dargie said, “We can’t thank John enough for what was a truly enthralling afternoon and the Tasting was also very enlightening. Well worth a visit if you are on a Highland Holiday.” The Party then retired to the Saint Duthus Hotel, Tain for a very enjoyable lunch.
The Highlands and Islands Branch of The Welding Institute meet on the Second Thursday of each Month in the Chieftain Hotel, Millburn Road, Inverness on the second Thursday of each Month. Their next Meeting is on the 11th October 2018 at 19.00 hrs. If you think this would be of interest to you please drop in and introduce yourself - you will be made most welcome. Written by members Alex McFarlane and Davy Dargie, TWI Highlands & Islands
Pictured, left to right: Archie Leslie, Ewan Kingham, Kenny Rodgers, Tony Lowrie, Alex McFarlane, TWI Chairman Dr John Chance, Balblair Distillery Manager John MacDonald, Tony Ramsden, Davy Dargie, James Taylor, Robert Docherty
CENTENERY MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING PLANNED The 1st St Duthus Scout Group (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers) has been given permission to plant a Centenery Memorial tree on the Links to remember the fallen of the Wars. The kids of the 1st St Duthus Scout Group will have the honour of not only planting the tree on behalf of the Town, but will sprinkle soil collected from the battlefields of France and Flanders along with the tree. Soil has been collected from various battlefields.The Battlefields include: Neuve Chapelle Aubers Ridge Festubert Somme Beaumont Hamel
COMPETITION WINNERS
High Wood Ypres Paschendaele Vimy St Valery “Sword Beach” Normandy and The Rhine
The Scout Group wish to invite any folk with family connections to these battlefields, to feel free to contact them, if you wish to take part in committing any of the soil with the tree when it is planted. The tree planting date will be Sunday the 7th October at 2pm. Many thanks to Tain Community Council and Derek Louden for helping with this project.
TAIN TENNIS CLUB The Club’s Senior Tournament was held on Sunday, 9th September. The day was overcast and showery, even so there were 9 matches played - 2 Semi-finals and 7 Finals with Gordon Brown figuring in a massive 6 of them, and playing as well in the last as his first - Well Done Gordon !! It was also interesting to see more ladies involved, especially the number of new members. A very big thank you must go to all who came along to support the day, including those who supplied enough delicious food to feed an army, provided lots of lovely raffle prizes raising £70 for the club, all the helpers including those who sat in the cold and sometimes wet umpiring, and to all the players for giving the onlookers really good games to watch. A Huge well done to all of you in marking a great Tournament Day. Thanks also to pat Dobbie for the accompanying photo. The Club extends its grateful thanks to Eveline and John Waring for once again organising this tournament across several weeks culminating in Finals Day and making this the highlight of our senior Club calendar.
Congratulations to Emma Louise Barnsby and family who won last month’s competition to win a family day ticket to Landmark Forest Adventure Park. They had a great time!
DEREK LOUDEN will be holding a surgery in
TAIN SERVICE POINT on Friday 19th October 2018 from 10:00am to 12:00 noon 7
THROUGH THE LENS...
...WITH MARK JANES Issue #11 - Photographing The Night Sky Well, we’re now past the Autumn Equinox and, until next March, the nights will be longer than the days. For me this is an exciting time as it marks the start of the Night Sky photography season! Always having an interest in astronomy, I’d never really tried photographing the night sky until a few years ago, when someone showed me how easy it can be with just an ordinary camera. So, why not take advantage of the lengthening autumn nights and have a go? You’ll need a camera that you can set to “manual”, a wide-angle lens (or your kit lens zoomed right out) and a tripod or other way of keeping your camera dead-still. You’ll also need a clear sky, free of cloud and a moonless night! Find an area well away from streetlights with a good, all-round view of the sky and you’re ready to go. Before it gets dark, find a distant object, such as a tree, and focus on this with your camera using auto-focus. Then switch to manual focus and put a piece of tape on the focus-ring of the lens, to stop it moving. This avoids the problem of trying to focus in the dark. Once on-site, set your camera to “M” (Manual). Choose the widest aperture setting available on your lens and set a long shutterspeed (something like 20 secs if your camera will go that far). You’ll also need to set your ISO (sensitivity) quite high; say 1600 or 3200. Then point the camera at the sky while it’s mounted on the tripod and take the shot! This time of year the Milky Way makes a great subject. Look for it roughly towards the south, cascading down the sky towards the horizon. You can also look for the familiar constellations, such as The Plough or Orion, and capture shots of these. You might be surprised at what dramatic photos you can get. Scotland’s night sky is one of its unsung heroes, and here in the far north we have the luxury of clear air and minimal light-pollution to help us get great shots. Then, of course, there’s the Northern Lights. Don’t forget this is one of the few areas in Britain where we can see them regularly! One final tip; if you’re venturing out of town at night to photograph the night sky, make sure you tell someone where you’re going, wrap up warm, take a phone, a drink and a snack. Places can look very different at night, and it’s easy to get disorientated or take a tumble. Believe me; I know from a! Did you like this article? Why not email me and let me know what you’d like to see covered in future issues. markjanesphotographer@ gmail.com. Also, if the technical jargon in this article is so much gobbledygook to you, then why not consider signing up for one of my introductory classes in photography. Email me for details.
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TAIN & DISTRICT CATS PROTECTION
Have your cat(s) neutered at a cost of £10 per cat During the month of November we are running a Neutering Campaign to allow owners to have their cat(s) neutered at a cost to them of £10 per cat. As you can see, this is a superb offer. The normal cost of neutering a female cat is around £75-£85 and a male £50-£55. To help us fund campaigns like this, we are often seen attending fundraising events at the local Highland Games, Car Rally and Gala.
sex and the vet you will be using. We then send a voucher directly to whichever vets used. We do not Means Test. Contact us on: website: www.tain.cats.org.uk tel: 0345 371273 email: jardij@aol.com facebook: Tain & District Branch
Cats Protection recommends that cats are neutered at around 4 months of age or younger. Once done, the cats live longer, healthier lives and it is the most humans way to stop unwanted pregnancies. Neutering prevents some cancers and helps stop the spread of FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), reduces, especially male cats, from straying, fighting and spraying. It also helps prevent female cats having around 3 pregnancies a year with the resultant litters of kittens. This offer covers the following postcodes: IV18: IV19: IV20: IV24: IV25: IV27: IV28: KW8: KW9: KW10 All we need from you is your full name, address, postcode, telephone number, cat(s) name, cat(s) age, cat(s)
Highland Heatsave Limited BOILER SERVICING AND COMMISSIONING PLUMBING AND HEATING INSTALLATION
Jim Oman, 2 Port Street, Balintore, IV20 1UH TEL 01862 832116 | MOBILE 07803 610838
TAIN YOUTH CAFE - YMCA - LATEST NEWS & UPDATES Sponsored Swim Along with Tain Amateur Swim Club we are holding a sponsored Swim on Friday 12th October to raise funds to help us take a group of Young People to London next August to #YMCA175. If you would like to be part of this event and swim for either group or help us in any way please get in touch, all help and support will be gratefully received.
Monday evening 7-8pm and costs £1.00 per person
Annual General Meeting This will be held at The Youth Café on Monday 29th October at 7.30pm. Everyone is very welcome to attend.
Thursday nights Drop In This will be open for all those from the Tain Royal Academy 7-9 pm
Volunteers Required We are now actively seeking volunteers to join us here at the Youth Cafe YMCA This includes: The Monday night Rota 7-8 pm evening’ for our very successful P7 transitions night. STEM Club Wednesday 3.15-4.15 Tuesday lunchtime between 1.15 and 2 pm Monthy Discos 7-8.30pm Please contact Graham with names as the more we have the less you do!!
STEM Club (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) This group continues every Wednesday 3.15- 4.15 pm looking at CSI type investgations this term. This is for those in P6 only costs just £1 per person.
Community Pop-Up Café After the massive success of our summer lunch club pilot we have decided to hold a pop-up café over the 2 weeks of the October holidays. This will run 12-2 weekdays and be an opportunity for you to mix and mingle with others from your local community in a relaxed and informal environment. More details to follow so please keep an eye on our Facebook page or call the Youth Cafe YMCA on 894252 for more details
Lunch Time Opening We are open every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for Academy pupils serving a variety of hot and cold lunches. Open 1.15-2pm.
Tuesday S1 group Tuesday nights are for those pupils now in S1 and the aim is to keep together all those who moved up from the P7 year group. The times will be 7-9 pm and is free for the young people.
Crazy One Hour Disco Friday 28th September between 7-8.30 pm £2 entry and all children must be collected at the end of the Disco. A leaflet will be sent to all schools advertising this event and the theme for this Disco is Back to School.
We also now stock Unicorn Slush!! For information on any of these events or about the Tain & District Youth Café YMCA in general please contact Graham on 894252 or via e-mail on graham@tainyouthcafe. co.uk or Karen on cdw@tainyouthcafe.co.uk
Young Carers Group The weekly Young Carers group this continues to run each week supporting secondary aged young carers 1.30-2.30 one Friday and primary ages the following Friday 3.15-4.15. Please contact Karen on 01862 894252 for more details. Lego Club This is open for all those in P6 and runs form 6-6.45 pm and the costs is £1.00 per person Monday night P7 Transitions group This continues to run every
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MISSING CAT
Have you seen Bill?
Last seen in Craighill area of Tain Any sightings please phone 01349 830 555 or 07507 366 604
Are you or a relative celebrating a birthday or special event in november? Please let us know by sending an email to info@tainpost.co.uk
GRANTS BAKERY Sandwiches & Hot Snacks
Winners of the Silver Award for Scotch Pie Competition High Street Tain (01862) 892315 11
FAMILY NOTICES Happy Birthday to my husband, Davie Munro who turns 58 on the 10th of October! From Christine Munro
Happy 9th Birthday Kenna! Lots of love Mum, Dad, Nicole & Rossi xxx
To my beautiful clever amazing and perfect litttle boy Ruaridh. Happy 1st birthday. We will have a magical day with lots of presents for you! Everyday you fill my heart with so much love and joy! I’m so blessed to be your mummy and I love you so much. Love from mummy and all the Gregory clan! X
Happy birthday Cath Boyd who turns 70 on the 5th October. Lots of love Andrea, Graham, Nicky, Ashley, fiona, Paul, Alasdair Cameron and Ailagh
Happy 32nd birthday to Lynsey Harkiss!
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“Old File” from John Gordon
A day before I received my copy of the September issue of the T&DPP, I received an email from Christopher Williamson in London advising me who wrote the Tale about the Tain Flood of 1954. He had already received his copy of the magazine and it appears that he had made several telephone calls to others to check and be sure that he was sending me the correct name of the author. The author was Malcolm MacKenzie, ‘Flyers’ son. The Mackenzie family lived in Duke Street and I know that Malcolm married Helen MacGreggor whose family lived in 5 Cromartie Gardens next door to No. 3 where I lived. Thanks to Ian Murd,
Marjorie Strachan was delighted to be able to phone me and say that Malcolm MacKenzie was the author. Marjorie and Malcolm’s sister Christine worked together in Forbie Urquhart’s shop on the High Street and had been good friends. Through the postal mail, I also received a copy of the attached ‘Ditty’ from a Tainite who wishes to remain anonymous. It comes however, from the not so old period and relates to Tain’s First Traffic Wardens. Perhaps a younger Tainite may know who wrote this one?
John A Gordon
BELOW: On Saturday 25th August at 7pm a group of former students from Tain Royal Academy Class of 1978 held a reunion at The Platform, Tain. It was a wonderful night of catching up with those who came along especially when a small number of former teachers joined us. Thanks to those who attended and a big shout out to The Platform for an excellent venue.
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NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM
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NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM
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SWI - EDDERTON/TAIN
Women’s Institute prepare for busy season ahead
The Scottish Women’s Institute (SWI) for Edderton/Tain had their first meeting of the new season on the 19th of September. The speaker was Jane Milne, a community banker from RBS. She came in and taught us how to financially protect ourselves against frauds and scams. This was just the beginning of a season packed full of interesting, exciting and/or practical meetings. The SWI meet every third Wednesday of the month at 19:30. We meet in the hall of the Tain Parish Church. Visitors are always welcomed. We have tea/coffee and baked goods at the end of each meeting. The cost for visitors is £5. That includes everything. Many people are in the belief that SWI is only for “old ladies” (as I’ve been told). That is absolutely not true! It’s the members that decide what we will do so if you don’t want to do “old lady”
things, become a member and make suggestions! In the past we’ve had some very exciting meetings. We’ve had a drumming workshop, a Kempo self defence class (pictured), an Ikebana demonstration (I didn’t know what that was either but I was so impressed and inspired at the end of the evening) and a variety of crafts and guest speakers. No matter what is scheduled for the night, a warm welcome and plenty of laughs is guaranteed. If you would be interested in joining or just coming along to visit, our schedule is as follows: Oct 17. Craft Evening. Book Folding Nov 21. Land, Sea and Sky-Photographs/Talk by Mark Jones Dec 12. Christmas Evening (Please note the earlier date and everyone is to bring a wrapped gift of around £5). Feb 20. Guest speaker from Made in Tain-Alison Paterson (We will have an in-house competition on this night. If you want to participate bring a small artificial flower arrangement). Mar 20. Charity Quiz Night. Money raised will go to Feed the Minds Apr 17. A craft night with Maureen Mackay. Craft to be announce but it’s always fun when Maureen is around! So ladies, come along and see what you think. We hope to see you there.
Written by Christina Munro, SWI Edderton & Tain
Cards ~ Stationery Household ~ Tools New Stock Arriving Soon
JUST OPENED Hartfield Road, Tain
(01862) 894125 16
TAIN & DISTRICT KIDS’ PAGE
WORDSEARCH - FIND THE COLOURS!
RED BLUE GREEN PINK PURPLE WHITE BLACK YELLOW GREY BROWN ORANGE SCARLET AMBER GOLD TEAL NAVY VIOLET ROSE RUBY TANGERINE LEMON LIME CYAN LILAC MAGENTA IVORY CREAM SILVER BRONZE TRANSPARENT
Why do we tell actors SPOT THE to break a leg? DIFFERENCE Because every play Spot the 5 differences has a cast. Angela, age 13 between the two pictures of Alasdair The Cow
We would love to hear from you if you have a contribution to make to our Kid’s Pages! Please email us your ideas, jokes, questions, stories or pics to info@tainpost.co.uk 18
JADE ROSE GOLD CHOCOLATE ALMOND COFFEE FIRE SKY BLUE PLUM TURQUOISE BURGUNDY MINK CORAL KHAKI ROYAL BLUE GRASS MUSTARD COLOURS
COMMUNITY STARS
Summer show raises funds for Highland Hospice On 25th August Tain and District Gardeners’ Club held a Summer Show with garden related exhibits from local organisations: The North of Scotland District Association of the National Vegetable Society - vegetable display. Tain and District Flower Club - displays and demonstrations of flower arranging. Seaboard Camera Group led by Mark Janes - photography in the
garden. Tain and District Gardeners’ Club - sales of jam, chutney, plants and veg. The After School Club - mini scarecrows. There was also a raffle and delicious tea and cakes supplied by TDGC members. This most successful day raised £400 for The Highland Hospice.
CALENDAR COMPETITION We are looking to kids throughout the Tain community for their help as we aim to put together a fundraising calendar for 2019 which will be on sale from the start of November - and all proceeds from sales will be shared between selected community kids groups in Tain and the surrounding area. If you are aged between 4-16, all you have to do is draw a picture of your favourite time of the year. All designs must be in landscape orientation, using colouring pens or pencils only (NO GLITTER). Entries should then be handed in to Sweet Celebrations on King Street before October 20th. On the back of your artwork please include: - Your name - Your age - Contact details (incl. email address) - The name of the kids community group you think is most deserving of a donation Good luck to all and have fun!
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NEW STARTS - PRIMARY SCHOOLS
CRAIGHILL PRIMARY
FEARN PRIMARY MILTON PRIMARY
CRAIGHILL GAELIC PRIMARY
INVER PRIMARY
KNOCKBRECK PRIMARY
DORNOCH PRIMARY
NEW STARTS - NURSERIES
ANKERVILLE NURSERY
CRAIGHILL GAELIC NURSERY
TAIN MORNING NURSERY
STEPPING STONES
DORNOCH NURSERY
CLAN ROSS GENEOLOGY Since 2016, I’ve been on a genealogical pilgrimage from California to the eight Scandinavian and European villages of my immigrant great-grandparents. The second trip my husband and I made was to Tain, where my ancestors lived in the eighteenth century. My paternal grandfather William Watson Ross left Aberdeen in 1912 for Chicago. Although he died before I was born, I’d heard stories about his life in Aberdeen: the dried heather carefully kept in tissue paper, the tartan book that opened automatically to the Ross Hunting Ancient Tartan, his nine brothers and sisters. As an adult, DNA tests led to new cousins in Australia. My research looking for Rosses in Ross-shire was like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. That is, you’re really looking for specific pieces of straw in multiple haystacks! Once I discovered I descended from three Ross lines, all converging in Tain and the surrounding area, I knew we had to make it our next trip. It felt like the 136 miles from Aberdeen took 100 years, possibly because of my death grip on that rightsided steering wheel as this American drove (too slowly) down the opposite side of the road. My husband served
as navigator and lookout. I narrowly avoided dry-stone walls, innocent children, sheep, mothers with babies, and elderly persons. Finally, we arrived at the Royal Tain Hotel, where we emerged from the car, spent and wan as a bomber crew after a dangerous mission. For dinner, I had Glenmorangie and a little haggis and my husband George had haggis and a little Glemorangie – fixed us both right up. The Tain museum is the heart of the community. As I passed through the street entrance, I was delighted to see the Pilgrimage entryway. I’d made an appointment with museum staff member Jason, who generously had reviewed my research before I arrived. All morning visitors arrived at the museum, both local and from afar. A volunteer with homemade fudge (“Sell the old stuff first!”); two hopelessly confused Russian tourists; another volunteer bringing objects he’d unearthed near the bay for examination (and reminding me of a favorite show, The Detectorists); more visitors; a local man wanting
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help on his family tree, conveniently stored on one crumpled sheet in his pocket; backpackers; a person sharing decided opinions on UK immigration policies. Through it all, Jason juggled me and the stream of visitors with ease. As I watched this community gathering place in action, California seemed very far away. How could I not begin to daydream about extended time in Tain, where I could volunteer my archival skills to the museum, become a detectorist, photograph some graveyards, participate in Hogmanay, admire my husband in a kilt (his ancestors were Ayrshire Lowlanders but I love him anyway). A genealogist can dream, at least. Are you searching for Clan Ross ancestors too? Email me at: www. sassyjanegenealogy.com/contact or join us on the Class Ross USA Facebook page at: https://www. facebook.com/ClanRossUSA Written by Nancy Loe, California
Tain & District Development Trust - Community Awards THIS YEAR sees the very first Tain and District Community Awards hosted by the Tain and District Development Trust. “The evening will be a celebration of the stars and heroes within our district. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to recognise the inspirational individuals, groups and businesses that do so much for our community.” - Sarah Mackenzie, Co-chair of the Trust Nominations are now live. The community will have their chance to vote with voting boxes and cards distributed at different locations throughout the District. Locations include; Local Schools, Library, Tain Health Centre, Seaboard Memorial Hall, Carnegie Café Portmahomack, Tesco etc. check out the Tain & District Development Trust website for a full list of drop off points. We are also encouraging people to vote online at www.tainddtrust. com as this is the easiest option and helps us to reduce paper. “The event will also mark ‘the one year anniversary’ of the Tain and District Development Trust (TDDT). We have come such a long way in a short space of time and this is a great testament to what can be achieved when communities come together.” Carrie Afrin, Director of the Trust The Trust is building momentum and have already implemented many successful projects within the District including the Community Market that has been running throughout the Summer with the final Market having taken place on September 22nd at the Rose Gardens. A retail unit has now been secured by the Trust for the next three years, with plans to use the space as a Community Enterprise Hub. The hub will provide the community with a
variety of services including; hot desking, conference facilities, training, virtual office, creative workshops and pop-up shops. Renovations will start next month with the hope of being up and running by Christmas. “We are delighted with the involvement and support we have been given from local businesses as well as the community. The TDDT now has over 35 business members within our business development group and we are actively encouraging businesses and the community to work together, we believe that this is the key to a sustainable future for Tain and District. The Community Awards itself is a fantastic example of this, where we have had many local businesses come forward to Sponsor an Awards Category and help to make the evening extra special.” - Sarah MacKenzie Quote from one of our Sponsors, The Tain and District Medical Group; “Tain and District Medical group are delighted to be sponsoring the Dr Elizabeth Ross award for Carer of the Year. ‘Dr Elizabeth Ross was from Tain and an inspirational figure in Serbia where her name is a by-word for courage and bravery in her work as a missionary. We are delighted to sponsor an award that honors Elizabeth’s
tain library - mischief makers! The Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge was a lot of fun this summer. Linking up with the much-loved “Beano Comic” to help celebrate its 80th Anniversary, and inspired by this, the theme was Mischief Makers. 54 children from Tain and the surrounding area completed the challenge, to read 6 library books during their summer holidays – a fantastic achievement, well done! The award ceremony, where the children were presented with a certificate and a medal, was extremely well attended, even Bookbug popped-in to celebrate and say “well-done Tain Mischief Makers”!
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work as a pioneer to many young doctors as well recognizing the many inspirational Carers we have within our community.” Tain and District Medical Group Partners; Lorna Waddell, Jesus Ferrer and Lorna MacKay The Community Awards will take place on Friday the 16th November in the Duthac Centre, Tain. The evening will start with a Champagne reception, followed by a stunning two course meal with wine. The Awards Ceremony will commence after dinner and will be hosted by Willie Cameron, known as ‘Mr. Loch Ness’ and a global ambassador for the Highlands. As the awards comes to an end the party will start with live music from ‘The Cowan’s. Tickets are now on sale through Eventbrite or on our website: www.tainddtrust.com.
THIS NOVEMBER Netflix will screen the movie “Outlaw King” a historical action drama film about King Robert the Bruce. The film will tell the story of King Robert’s initial unsuccessful efforts to free his country from the English, under Edward I, to his total victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. We hope that the notorious part that Tain and the Earls of Ross played in the story gets a mention but in case it doesn’t, we thought it an ideal time to tell the tale. Bruce was crowned King of Scots at Scone, on 25th March 1306, but by June things were not going well. Defeat at the battle of Methven had put Bruce and his supporters on the run. His wife Queen Elizabeth De Burgh and her retinue were captured by the Earl of Ross in the “Girth of Tain”. The earliest account of the incident can be found in the epic poem “The Bruce” written by John Barbour sometime in the 1370s. Mary Bruce and Christina Bruce (Robert’s sisters), Marjorie Bruce (his daughter), Elizabeth de Burgh (Robert’s second wife) and Isabella MacDuff (who crowned Robert at Scone) were all captured and betrayed to the English by William, Earl of Ross. It is believed that they had taken sanctuary in the Chapel of St. Duthac at Tain while on their way to the safety in Orkney. William violated the sanctuary and they were taken prisoner and handed over to King Edward of England. Mary Bruce was held prisoner in a cage exposed to the public at Roxburgh
Castle. She would spend the next four years in the cage. A similar fate was suffered by Isabella MacDuff who had crowned Robert at Scone. Edward I had sent the following instructions for her: ‘Let her be closely confined in an abode of stone and iron made in the shape of a cross, and let her be hung up out of doors in the open air at Berwick, that both in life and after her death, she may be a spectacle and eternal reproach to travellers.’ Marjory Bruce, Robert’s daughter, was
“The Queen and also Dame Marjory, his daughter, afterwards happily wedded with Walter, Steward of Scotland, would in no wise lie longer in Kildrummy Castle to abide a siege, but rode rapidly, with knights and squires, through Ross to the Girth of Tain. But they made the journey in vain, for the people of Ross, not desiring to bear the blame and danger of harbouring them, took them out of the Girth, and sent them every one to England, to King Edward. He caused all the men to be drawn and hanged, and put the ladies in prison, some in castles and some in dungeons.” - John Barbour, circa 1370s
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only 12 years old when she was captured at Tain. At first King Edward decided that she would be locked into an iron cage and hung for all to see from the walls of the Tower of London but he later relented and Marjory was held in a nunnery in Yorkshire. Elizabeth de Burgh, Bruce’s wife, was held prisoner in England. It is thought that she was better treated because her father Richard de Burgh, Earl of Ulster, was a close friend and ally of King Edward I. It was only after Robert’s total victory at the Battle of Bannockburn, in 1314, that he was able to negotiate their release. After 8 long years imprisonment all the women were returned to Scotland, apart from the Countess Isabella who “was lost to history” presumably she died of her ordeal some time before 1314. The Earl of Ross, William, no supporter of Edward I was, in fact, a supporter of John Balliol. William was one of the leaders of the Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296, when Edward invaded Scotland to punish Balliol for refusing to support the English invasion of France. After the Scottish defeat, William was captured by the English and sent to the Tower of London where he remained until September 1303, when an order was
issued for his escort to Scotland. It is also worth pointing out that records show that William’s son, Walter, is recorded as being at Cambridge in 1306. Was Walter a hostage? Is this the reason for the William’s actions? To add to the uncertainty Sir Walter Ross is one of only two knights recorded to have died fighting for Bruce at Bannockburn. Sir Edward Bruce, Robert’s brother is quoted as,” wishing the day was undone so Walter would still live”. When Walter returned to Scotland is not clear but long enough to befriend Edward Bruce. As Bruce gained support in Scotland William’s position became more difficult, he sent a request for help to Edward II, but none came so he submitted to Bruce at Auldearn, in October. He was given easy terms, getting all his lands back with the additions of Ferincoskry (Creich) and
the burgh of Dingwall and its castle. The Earl of Ross was now firmly on the Bruce side and would go on to lead his men at the decisive battle at Bannockburn in 1314, he was also one of the eight Earls who signed the Declaration of Arbroath, a letter sent to Pope John XXII, dated 6 April 1320, intended to confirm Scotland’s status as an independent, sovereign state and, controversially, that the independence of Scotland was the prerogative of the Scottish people, rather than the King of Scots. The Earls of Ross continued to have close ties with the Kings of Scotland. Earl William’s son, Hugh married King Robert’s sister Maud in 1323 and William’s granddaughter Euphemia married Robert the Bruce’s grandson Robert II making Euphemia Queen of Scotland.
SAVING EASTER ROSS IMAGES
Our Heritage Lottery Project is just a few months old and already we have had some wonderful donations of photographs from the public. We will be holding exhibitions at Tain, Edderton and the Seaboard, over the next few months, where you can come and have a look at our huge collection of old photographs. If you have any photographs of our area and would like to share them, please take them along to the museum or give us a call. The photograph above was donated by Derek Louden and pictures a mock trial which took place outside the Clock Tower during the 1966 celebrations. The man “on trial” is Reggie Stone, accused of “making poor Crowdie”! 27
BABY & TODDLER GROUPS Seaboard Mother and Toddler Group Seaboard Hall 10-12
Gaelic Playgroup Tain Free Church Hall Thursday 10-11.30
Little Rascals Tain Parish Church Tuesday 10-11.30
Portmahomack Toddler Group Carnegie Hall Fridays 9.30-11.30
Inver Toddler Group Inver Community Hall Thursday 10-12
Book Bug Sessions Tain Library Wednesdays 1111.30
Youth Cafe Parent and Toddler Tain Youth Cafe Wednesday 10-11.30
Adventure Fridays Facebook - Various Outdoor Locations Fridays 9.45
Portmahomack Toddler Group Carnegie Hall Fridays 9.30-11.30
Baby Stay and Play Tain Youth Cafe (upstairs) Friday 10.30-12
TAIN TASK FORCE
End of the evening – George, Alison, David, Denis, Stephen, Ken (hidden), Bob, Andy & Alasdair and the trailer full. Missing (In the Polytunnel) Anne & Trisha.
Tain Task Force took down the town’s hanging baskets on Tuesday 25th September. George Amos took down more than two thirds of the baskets single handedly. Thanks to Denis & Grant for driving their trailers to collect and deliver baskets to the street and polytunnel. Thanks also to the cherry-picker driver for getting down the higher baskets despite the very crowded street, to Colin for his tractor and trailer, and the fire service for turning out although most of the work had been done. Finally thanks to the many businesses and individuals. Written by David McAllister, Tain Task Force
K & N Concepts Ltd Website & logo design Database development niall.harkiss@kandnconcepts.co.uk
07527 134 574 Tain & District Branch Cats Protection Telephone: (0345) 371 2737 Email: taincats@aol.com www.tain.cats.org.uk
EMPIRE FOODS TAIN WHOLESALE FRUIT VEGETABLES POTATOES AND FREE RANGE EGGS CONTACT MICHAEL ON
0790 095 8665
For more information on how you can advertise in the Tain & District Picture Post, please send an email to info@tainpost.co.uk 29
“OLD FILE” The Tain Street Plan printed by Highland Maps in 1985.
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“OLD FILE”
A motor car parked outside Mackay’s Temperance Hotel, 1920s, which is now occupied by the Co-operative supermarket on Tain High Street.
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CLASSIFIEDS AGRICULTURAL Robertsons of Tain Shore Road Tel 01862 892276 ANIMALS Tain Cat Protection Tel 0345 3712737 Email jardij@aol.com Aileen’s Pet Exercise Pet Carer & Exerciser Tel 01862 892919 ARCHITECTS Blueprint Architecture Tel 01862 892900 info@blueprintarchitecture.com ARTS & CRAFTS The Shop Around the Corner Dornoch Tel 01862 811413 BAKERS Grants Bakery High Street, Tain Tel 01862 892315 BUTCHERS Highland Prime Village Store, Post Office / Butchers Tel 01862 832061 COMPUTER SERVICES Adept Open Source Solutions Ltd Tel 08707 609467 sales@adeptopensource.co.uk www.adeptopensource.co.uk CAFE Dornoch Patisserie & Cafe 1 High Street, Dornoch Tel 01862 811148 CHIMNEY SWEEPING Highland Chimney Sweep Services Tel 07811 237105 CONFECTIONERS Sweet Celebrations Ice Cream, Sweets, Hot Food Tel 01862 894125 COPY-EDITING, PROOF READING Michael Foster Email mdf66@hotmail.co.uk ESTATE AGENTS Georgeons Property Tel 01862 892555 FILLING STATIONS Gleaner Oils Tel 01862 (Tain) Tel 01862 (Skiach) FITNESS & EXERCISE Boogie Bounce Xtreme Tain Debbie Stainke Tel 07889 630919 FRUIT & VEGETABLES Empire Foods Contact Michael on 0790 095 8665 FUNERAL SERVICES Alasdair Rhind Tel 01862 892521 (Tain) Tel 01349 853322 (Invergordon) Tel 01862 810300 (Dornoch) Mackay & Macaskill Tel 01862 810492 (Dornoch) GARAGES, TYRES & AUTO Bannerman (Tain) Ltd Shore Road, Tain Tel 01862 892480 Evelix Service Station Tall Pines Restaurant, Evelix, Dornoch Tel 01862 811131 / 810968 Mackintosh Motors Auto Services & Bodywork The Garage, Station Road, Tain Tel 01862 894045 Godsman Tyres & Exhausts Ltd Blarliath Industrial Estate, Tain Tel 01862 892448 Fax 01862 893225 GARDEN SERVICES
Patrick Vickery (Aldie Burn Plants) Tel 01862 842346 GRAPHIC DESIGN Gavin Ward Design Associates Tel 07801 190234 www.gwda.co.uk HAIRDRESSERS Hair Design 18 Geanies Street, Tain Tel 01862 892228 HOTELS & RESTAURANTS The Royal Hotel High Street, Tain Tel 01862 892013 royalhoteltain@btconnect.com The Burghfield House Hotel Cnoc-an-Lobht, Dornoch, IV25 3HN Tel 01862 811006 www.burghfieldhouse.co.uk The Trentham Hotel Poles, Dornoch Tel 01862 810551 St Duthus Hotel 2 Tower Street, Tain Tel 01862 894007 Carnegie Lodge Hotel Viewfield Road, Tain Tel 01862 894039 info@carnegiehotel.co.uk The Shandwick Inn Kildary, Invergordon Tel 01862 842250 JEWELLERS Forbes Jewellers / Tain Silver Victoria Buildings, High St, Tain Tel 01862 892343 www.maforbes.co.uk LEISURE SERVICES Tain Royal Academy Community Complex (TRACC) Hartfield Road, Tain Tel 01862 893767 METALWORK Metalwork UK Blarliath Industrial Estate, Tain Tel 01862 894123 Email info@metalworkuk.com MORTGAGE SERVICES Ewan A Forrest Financial, Mortgage & Insurance 19-21 Stafford Street, Tain Tel 01862 893561 PRINTING & REPROGRAPHICS Picture Post Printing Tel 01862 832329 info@tainpost.co.uk PLUMBING & HEATING Highland Heatsave Ltd 2 Port Street, Balintore Tel 01862 832116 Mob 07803 610838 McCue Plumbing & Heating Four Penny Paddock, Skelbo, Dornoch, IV25 3QF Tel 01862 810159 Mob 07990 783097 TAXIS Billy’s Taxis Tel 01862 731081 Tel 07523 125916 DP Taxis Tel 07999 844706 VETS Easter Ross Vets Tel 01862 893142 (Tain) Tel 01349 852204 (Invergordon) Tel 01349 884777 (Alness) WEBSITE DESIGN K & N Concepts Ltd Website & Database Design / Development Tel 07527 134574 Tel 01862 832329 niall.harkiss@kandnconcepts.co.uk
Sweets & Confectionery Ice Cream Rolls, Pies, Hot Dogs & Other Hot Foods Snacks Kids Toys
KING STREET, TAIN
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ST DUTHUS bowling CLUB The final open of St Duthus Bowling Club’s season took place with 24 teams entering from around the county. The trio from St Duthus - Iris Corbett, Wilson Corbett and Derek Frew - came out on top, winning the Tain Triples. With the outdoor season coming to an end at the end of September, the indoor bowling begins in October. Everyone is welcome to come and have a try on Monday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons at 2pm and Monday and Thursday evenings at 7pm.
tain youth development Well done to Caitlyn and Nicole on achieving their 500 hour awards. We as Youth development service, Tarbat Cubs, Knockbreck primary, Tain youth Forum, Tain Royal Academy, Tain Active Schools and Tain Pantomime group are among those who have benefitted from the hours they have given. Inspirational!
Our new project “YouthBox” started on September 25th. 5 young people received some excellent coaching from David and Mikey who had completed a course through Highland Boxing Academy. After working them hard, they are all keen to return and enjoyed the session. Well done, great start! Thanks to the Youth Tain & District Youth Cafe - YMCA for the use of the backyard to base this in.
Club) New drop-in for Young People who may not be working or at college on Wednesdays starting 3rd Oct at the Old Scout Hut (Community Pavilion) in Balintore from 2.30 – 4.00, (YDO and Youthworkers will advise and support but also signpost to other services) and then from 4.00 – 5.00 those coming home from TRA can also access the staff for an hour to have a cuppa and chill after school.
Balintore Youth Club Mon and Wednesday 7-9 every week – being run by two young Youth Workers Isla and Jamie, who are buzzing with some great ideas for the club members. So if you are in P7 upward you will welcomed to turn up at the old Scout Hut (Community Pavilion) for games, art, music and trips. (Facebook page – Balintore Youth 33
TAIN GOLF CLUB
The winners of the Royal Hotel, Tain open mixed greensomes held on Sunday, 23rd September, were: 1ST scratch and winner of the Ernie Ross trophy: Mary Smith and Paul Morgan, Tain 1ST handicap and winner of the Douglas Telfer trophy: Angela Ross and Mike Sangster, Tain 2ND handicap: Fiona and Gary Brand, Tain 3RD handicap: G and J Willet, Easter Moffat and Dundonald Nearest to the pin at the 16th: Anna Macdonald, Portmahomack. Thanks to the Royal Hotel for sponsoring this competition.
Tain Golf Club ladies section organised a lovely day on 11th September for our Vice President Jean Russell on her 90th birthday. Lots of friends (pictured) came for a game of golf and/or lunch at Old Toms. It was a total surprise but Jean had a great time. Donations made on the day went to the Highland Hospice.
tain amateur swimming club Pictured right are Eleanor Ross (11) and Elise Cosens (12) from Tain Amateur Swimming Club who recently qualified to take part in The District Regional Programme (DRP), an initiative run by the Scottish Amateur Swimming and the Scottish Swimming Performance Team. Euan Inglis (who represented Scotland at the Commonwealth
Games) was there as guest swimmer and talked about his swimming journey as well as giving demonstrations on technique in the pool. A great opportunity for the girls who enjoyed working with coaches from other clubs and improving on their skills both in the pool and in the land training and classroom sessions too.
Team Tain up North at the Thurso meet. A fantastic team effort with great swims, pbs, medals and most of all great fun had by everyone! (Marcus, Lewis, Claire, Olivia, Elise, Eleanor, Alison, Kayla). Our 13 and under girls relay team (Olivia, Eleanor, Claire, Elise) also took gold in style winning the freestyle relay and just missing out on the meet record.
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ST DUTHUS FOOTBALL CLUB
Young Saints keep home run going St Duthus Football Club U17s continued their good home form in late September with a fantastic 5-1 win over Ross-shire rivals Dingwall FC to make it 3 wins out of 4 on home soil at the Links Playing Fields. The Young Saints wasted no time in taking the lead through Charlie Beattie (pictured) who scored in the first minute of the match, before Keir Carson doubled the advantage six minutes later. After twelve minutes St Duthus boasted a commanding 3-0 lead as they asserted their authority and the first half
scoring was completed when the ball was turned into his own net by Dingwall defender Inglis. Saints midfield dynamo Kenny Patience scored the Saints fifth as they added to Dingwall’s misery just before the hour mark. A late double sending off only slightly marred an otherwise impressive victory. At the time of writing, St Duthus U17s sit in 6th place of 12 teams competing in the Scottish Highland Football League U17 North division. For more information, please visit www. stduthusfc.co.uk.
DO SOCCER
Academy
U13 & U15 FOOTBALL Do Soccer U13s Results: 1-7 Caithness (away) Goals: A Scott 1-2 Dingwall (home) Goals: L Jardine 1-1 Alness (home) Goals: A Scott Do Soccer U15s Results: 3-0 Buckie (home) Goals: C Martin, H Mackenzie, H Spence. 4-1 Brora (away): B Loy, C Martin, H Spence (2) 2-6 Clach (home) Goals: C Ross (2) DO SOCCER would like to thank the community for all their support. Special mention to Environmental Forestry Services for kindly sponsoring the U15s squad with match day tops. Anyone looking to help support the club please don’t hesitate to get in contact with any club officials or email dosoccer@mail.co.uk
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ST DUTHUS FOOTBALL CLUB
Football club’s call to the community
ON THE face of it, it’s been a quiet summer for St Duthus Football Club, or so it would seem if you have been following our social media channels or reading the news on our official website. In truth, we have quietly gone about our business, focussing on the process of preparing ourselves both on and off the field for a series of new challenges. It began with our newly formed youth team securing a place in the Scottish Highland Football League U17 North in May. Following a well contested campaign in the SYFA affiliated Ross-shire Youth League during the summer, we were delighted to be accepted as guest members of the SHFL’s youth programme. Behind the scenes, the process of ensuring our club’s compliance with coaching, disclosure, and first aid criteria has been a daunting yet enlightening experience. Back in March, I was pleased to attend a Scottish FA Managing Children’s Wellbeing course in Dingwall along with our Child Wellbeing & Protection Officer Steve Spence. It is safe to say that belts and braces are being applied to all levels of youth football in Scotland in a very significant way. It is reassuring to know that although the work required behind the scenes to ensure our compliance will on occasion be time consuming and shall present us with bumps in the road, we also know that there is plenty happening to suggest that club attitudes are ever-improving across football in the North and that we at St Duthus Football Club are getting involved at the right time. Our young group of players have certainly impressed. With nine points on the board so far they are placed 6th in a league of 12 teams. There is no shame in some defeats being suffered
along the way – that is part and parcel of the game at the development level - but for our new squad to already be competing with some of the SHFL’s most established youth setups in the Highlands is very pleasing and each member of our U17 squad and coaching team should take great pride in that. Everyone at the club is looking ahead with anticipation to the rest of the season. On behalf of the everyone at the club, I wish to also extend our thanks to Global Project Services who have shown their support as the main sponsor for our U17s for this season. Club committee wise, we were delighted to welcome Tony Farquhar and Kevin Gilmour on board as office bearers this summer, accepting the roles of Vice Chairperson and Team Secretary, respectively. Both come into the club with experience in different guises, good footballing connections and a determination to help steer things forward. With several longterm improvements on the horizon for us at St Duthus, our goals will only be achieved by affording them the due time and effort – and the addition of both Tony and Kevin to our already forward thinking committee can only move us closer to that. In keeping with our efforts to continually improve, we also welcomed Andy Murray, trainee Sports Therapist to the club’s “backroom” team. Doubling up as a coach/ therapist during his studies, Andy shall bring with him an ever-evolving knowledge of muscle and massage therapy, which can only be to the benefit of our players and their fitness and wellbeing. Now on to our first team, who finished 201718 very well. Despite our mid-table position, we had a real say in where the North Caledonian League trophy ended up - and of course, it is
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great to be able to say that St Duthus FC are the North Caledonian Cup holders, having won the trophy in March after a thrilling and highly memorable match against Golspie Sutherland. The boys did the club proud that day, and our team management pairing of Stuart and Andrew Ross have done exceptionally well over the past two years to pull together a brand-new group of players and turn them into a team capable of winning silverware – especially in a very competitive and tightly contested league such as the North Caley. We are now embroiled in a new season of course, with the honeymoon period of revival most certainly over. As is often the case with successful teams, the brightest stars are easily spotted. It has not been surprising then, that our management team have had to deal with a pre-season of player movements as a result. Most significantly, the semi-retirement of club captain John Skinner has left a space at the back, and the departures of Highland League bound Jon Campbell (to Brora) and Steven Martin (to Clachnacuddin) have left our club with big shoes to fill in key positions. It’s never easy losing players, particularly when they were vital to past successes - but I know first-hand just how hard Stuart and Andrew have been working to replace those who are no longer at the club – and the pitfalls they have suffered in doing so. Several new faces have been welcomed into the squad. Some with Highland League experience. Some with North Caley experience. Some with youth on their side and a hunger to follow in the footsteps of players such as Adam MacDonald, Cammy Mackintosh and Will Ross - three players incidentally who are each embarking on
their third consecutive season with the Saints – each lad a shining example of the club’s determination to give young players a chance. With changes in personnel and new personalities around the changing rooms, there is an essence of rebuilding in the air. A newness and a sense of anticipation. It may take time for Saints to find their stride again – but I have every confidence that we are not far away. While the derby match against Invergordon can rightfully be confined to the forgettable list, the Saints has been unlucky in league games so far, and they were even more unlucky not to defeat Nairn County earlier this month in the Football Times Cup. At Station Park, the home side’s crop of Highland League youngsters were on the ropes with a minute to go before they snatched an equaliser. On another day and with more guile, St Duthus would have secured their place into the next round. We carry on regardless though, and with several players yet to even make their debuts this season, there is plenty more football to be had and lots more to look forward to. The month of October in particular presents the players with several games in which to kick-start the club’s fortunes, starting with an away trip to Helmsdale on Saturday October 6th. On a final note about the first team, we announced earlier this year that Robertsons of Tain had confirmed their renewal as our home kit sponsor for another season – a great gesture from a great Tain company who have not wavered in their support for St Duthus Football Club since our revival. With great pride, our new Nike home strips were on display against both Nairn and Invergordon. We remain indebted to them for the generosity. It’s not all about the football at St Duthus Football Club, though. Since March 2016, we have prided ourselves on our continued attention to engaging the local community, encouraging volunteer participation and building valuable links with groups and associations in the town. We have been brilliantly supported by Tain, in the form of sponsorship and through the support shown for our key annual events such as our Sportsman’s Dinner and our Texas Golf Scramble. The success of these events has been down to the willingness of people in Tain to get behind what we are doing to improve opportunities in the town for children and young adults. Engagement with people in the local community is absolutely vital to the success of any sports club or association. You don’t have to be a member of the “football fraternity”. You don’t even have to be a football enthusiast to be passionate about the success of your local football club. Our good friends at Fort William Football Club are battling hard for their Highland League survival at this very moment and they have been calling upon members of their local community to help their case – and so far, it has been working. But you don’t have to look much further up the Highland League table to realise that many of the league’s clubs emanate from towns or villages not much bigger, or in some cases a bit smaller, than our own Royal Burgh. Places such as Rothes, Banff, Grantown-on-spey, Huntly and of course Brora have all succeeded in running well-supported community minded clubs at the semi-pro level – in spite of their size. They are all, of course, long-established football clubs in their own right – and we at St Duthus in relative terms are still in our infancy, when it comes to aspiring to get to where some of these clubs are. But the benefits of being a community minded club are there for all to see. The better supported we are as a club, the greater opportunities we can continue to bring for young people in the community. It’s that simple, really. Since 2016, we have gathered together a small but steady band of volunteers to assist our committee with match-days and several of the other club duties which require attention from time to time. That said, we could ALWAYS use some more help. You can never have enough hands, and aside from pitching in on a Saturday, some of the real hard work comes when raising much needed funds to run the club. Initiatives such as running table stalls, selling raffle tickets, promoting games to increase attendance. Clubs who rest on their laurels in these types of activities ultimately get left behind to struggle, and yes, the adage that the hard never stops is quite true. But the rewards make it all worthwhile. If you or someone you know would be interested in a voluntary role, with the flexibility of being able to give as much or as little time and commitment as you wish – please get in touch by sending an email to committee@stduthusfc.co.uk to let us know.
2018-19 football fixtures HIGHLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE U17 NORTH FIXTURES for ST DUTHUS FC U17s
19/8 26/8 2/9 9/9 16/9 23/9 30/9 7/10 28/10 11/11 18/11 25/11 2/12 9/12 16/12 13/1 20/1 27/1 3/2 10/2 17/2 24/2
Clachnacuddin (H) Lost 0-7 Lossiemouth (H) Won 4-3 Fort William (H) Won 2-0 Wick Academy (A) Lost 0-11 Buckie Thistle (A) Lost 1-3 Dingwall (H) Won 5-1 Alness United (H) Nairn County (A) Rothes (A) Brora Rangers (H) Forres Mechanics (A) Lossiemouth (A) Clachnacuddin (A) Fort William (A) Wick Academy (H) Buckie Thistle (H) Dingwall (A) Nairn County (H) Alness United (A) Rothes (H) Brora Rangers (A) Forres Mechanics (H)
NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE SENIOR FIXTURES for ST DUTHUS FC
Fixtures are league matches unless otherwise specified. 1/9 Nairn Co. u20 (A) (FT Cup R1) Drew 3-3 8/9 Invergordon (A) Lost 2-5 15/9 Alness United (A) Lost 0-2 22/9 Inverness Athletic (H) Lost 0-3 29/9 Orkney (H) 6/10 Bunillidh Thistle (A) 13/10 Thurso (H) 20/10 TBC 27/10 Halkirk United (H) 3/11 Inverness Athletic (A) 10/11 Golspie Sutherland (H) 17/11 Nairn or Alness (A) (NC Cup QF) 1/12 TBC 8/12 Orkney (A) 15/12 TBC More info: www.stduthusfc.co.uk
COMMUNITY EVENTS 1st October - RBS Drop-in information session at Tain Library - Scam and fraud awareness 1400-1730 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th October - Indoor bowling 1400-1600 at Duthuc Centre. New members welcome. Every Tuesday thereafter. 3rd October - Gaelic Bookbug 1100-1130 at Tain Library 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th October - Craft upcycling class (all materials and refreshments provided) free to full HLH members, other charges apply 1030-1230 at Tain Library 4th October - Ranger Ramble Clash Woods 1100 (to book go to Highlife Highland) - National poetry day event 1430-1530 (refreshments provided) free to full HLH members, other charges apply 1030-1230 at Tain Library 5th October - Lego building session 1515-1615 at Tain Library 6th and 20th October - Knit Wits 1000-1200 free to all at Tain Library 7th October - Highland Tour 12 and under singles tournament 1000 at Tain Tennis Club 9th October - Tain and Fearn flu clinic 1400 at Carnegie Hall, Portmahomack 9th and 23rd October - Creative writing 1000-1230 (refreshments provided) free to full HLH members at Tain Library. Other charges apply 10th October - Bookbug session 1100-1130 at Tain Library 11th October - Tain Gala Committee AGM from 1930 at Tain Parish Church - Tain Over 60’s Club in the Duthac Centre, AGM followed by a talk with Tain Museum from 1400 12th October - Sponsored swim hosted by the Youth Café and TASC. From 1600-1800 at Tain Royal Academy Community Complex 13th October - St Duthus FC v Thurso FC in the North Caledonian League. 1430 kick off at the Links 17th October - Scottish Women’s Institute craft evening, book folding (all welcome) from 1930 18th October - Poetry class 1430-1530 (refreshments provided) free to full HLH members at Tain Library. Other charges apply. 20th October - Race Night at Royal Hotel. In aid of funds for St Duthus FC. Doors open 1800, all welcome. 24th October - Edderton Drama Club rehearsals from 1800 at Edderton Village Hall 27th October - Lodge St Duthus Charity Dinner at the Duthuc Centre. Tickets available via Facebook. - St Duthus FC v Halkirk United FC in the North Caledonian League. 1430 kick off at the Links 29th October - Tain and Fearn flu clinic from 0900 at Seaboard Memorial Hall. - Tain Youth Café AGM from 1930 31st October - “Spooky” Bookbug 1100-1130 at Tain Library 2nd November - Tain Bonfire & Firework Display at the Links from 7pm
Christmas Light Switch On/ Christmas Market, Tain High Street Saturday 1st December 3pm - 7pm
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