Issue #234 | Tain & District Picture Post | May 2020 by K & N Concepts Ltd - ePublishing

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

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

#234 MAY

2020

MAY 2020

20 YEARS FOR TAIN CATS PROTECTION

“SCRAMBLING” ON TAIN LINKS

Jean Jardine looks back on Tain & District Cats Protection as they celebrate their 20th anniversary. p6

Stephan Pater recalls memories of motor cycle scrambling events held in Tain in the early 1960s. p19

TAIN & DISTRICT PICTURE POST

TAIN’S TOLBOOTHS Margaret Urquhart continues her series looking back at Tain’s buildings with the second instalment of Tain’s Tolbooths. p16

PRICE £1.95

WELCOME TO THE

DISTILLERY EXPERIENCE

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

Tain Inverness

Perth Glasgow Edinburgh

THE ORIGINAL TOUR

1 hour, £8 per person

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

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

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

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

2.45 hours, £95 per person

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

1.5 hours, £45 per person

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

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

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MAY 2020

EDITORIAL

GP MESSAGE TO PATIENTS

Dear readers,

We appreciate all you are doing to help the NHS during this time by staying at home and following social distancing rules. This has very much lessened the burden on the NHS.

It’s May already, yet it hardly seems like any time at all since we were putting together content for last month’s magazine. Despite the restrictions and much of daily life being on hold, we have been delighted to receive a wealth of informative and interesting articles and photos for inclusion in April. We must specifically thank Mark Janes for the excellent photograph of Tain Museum courtyard, which we have used on this month’s cover. We hope that those of you with internet access managed to find our online home, located at www.tainpost.co.uk/archive. As was the case last month, we have decided again to share our latest edition of the Tain & District Picture Post on Issuu - the online digital publishing platform. This has left us with mixed feelings, as we much prefer the printed medium however, during these difficult times it seems the best and only way of ensuring that the magazine reaches its biggest possible audience. It is worth noting however, this while the magazine is not available in shops at the moment, we are still fulfilling subscriptions for printed copies, which are being sent by post. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work within restrictions to get these out as quickly as we can. We initially sought out Issuu as the ideal platform for uploading and sharing archived “past issues”, initially starting with the first editions of the magazine from 2000, which could be added a few at a time. This will still be the long term plan and we shall resume uploads as soon as things get back to normal (whenever that might be!). As always, we hope you enjoy this issue. If you have something that you might like to contribute to a future issue - a story, an article, a memoir or just a photograph along with a caption or two - please get in touch via email at info@tainpost.co.uk. Best wishes, Niall & Lucy Niall Harkiss & Lucy Veals - Editors 5B Ross Street Tain IV19 1BA Telephone: (01862) 857366 Email: info@tainpost.co.uk

24th APRIL 2020

We understand people are worried about coronavirus, however, it’s vital those with non-coronavirus health concerns still seek help as they would have before the outbreak. The NHS is here for you, so don’t ignore the warning signs. You are not being a burden, you are looking after yourself and our NHS by doing so. Your community pharmacy and your GP practice are open, please contact them for advice or with concerns. Don’t delay in getting POTENTIAL CANCER SIGNS and symptoms checked. It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s best to get checked, as the earlier cancer is found the easier it is to treat. NHS screening services for breast, bowel and cervical cancer have been paused, but if you’ve noticed symptoms and are concerned, we are open and ready to help. Getting checked early is one of the main reasons why more people are surviving cancer. For further information on the common signs and symptoms of cancer visit www.getcheckedearly.org If your hospital appointment has not be cancelled you should still

attend. COVID-19 patients and those displaying symptoms are treated separately. For further information visit www. nhsinform.scot IMMUNISATIONS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN and young children are continuing during this time, as they are an important part of helping protect against serious, preventable diseases. The NHS is still here for you - don’t miss your appointment, but please call to rearrange if you or your child are showing signs of COVID-19. Find information at w w w. n h s i n f o r m . s c o t / immunisation. FAST DETERIORATING CONDITIONS • If you or anyone in your household notices a rapid deterioration in their health, seek help immediately. • Don’t ignore the early warning signs of serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, severe asthma, or diabetic collapse. • The NHS is still here for you. Call 999 for an emergency or your GP in normal hours and 111 for out of hours support. Thank you, Stay safe and continue all you are doing to help the NHS. All of the team at Tain & District Medical Group

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TAIN COMMUNITY

Although members of Tain & District Gardeners’ Club cannot meet each other at our monthly indoor meeting in Tain Parish Church hall or our garden visits in June and July, we can still enjoy spending time outdoors as there are always plenty of jobs to keep us busy and active in our gardens. We look forward to renewing our usual programme of speakers and outings and work is underway on our 2020-2021 programme. The photo above was taken on 5th August 2009 and shows some of the club members on a summer outing to Inverness Botanic Gardens.

COMMUNITY POLICING UPDATE

Knockbreck Road and Knockbreck Avenue dd a bit of colour to their Wednesday evenings this month, dressing up for “putting the bins out” during Lockdown.

I would like to thank the people of Tain and indeed all across Easter Ross for the way in which they have responded to the Coronavirus crisis. The government guidance issued has been very well followed and people seem to have committed to this different way of living. There have been very small numbers of individuals breaching the guidance and these have been dealt with largely by advice and encouragement but some individuals have had fixed penalty tickets issued when the circumstances gave police very little choice. The people of Easter Ross have been of great assistance in letting us know when situations are developing and breaches of the guidelines are occurring. This enables us to intervene at an early stage and issue suitable advice to keep people safe. Officers have a great deal of sympathy with the difficulties experienced in living this was as they are living under the very same restrictions and have family with vulnerabilities just as you do. We are all in

this together and it is only together that we can work to minimise the risk to everyone in our community and reduce the demand on the NHS. This is a worldwide crisis but it is one where we can all play our own small part by following the guidance and encouraging others to do so. Having watched the First Minister’s briefing on Thursday 23rd April it seems likely that we will have to continue under restrictions for some time. This will impact holidays and social events not to mention the many businesses which are affected and I would appeal for patience as we continue to work through these challenging times. We can all contribute to the discussion on how we work to restore life towards normality but staying safe must be at the heart of that. Thank you again for working together to make our communities safe. Stay strong, support each other, the storm will pass. Inspector James Rice (01349) 880277

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TAIN COMMUNITY

PARENTS ENCOURAGED TO CHECK BEST START GRANT ELIGIBILITY Families across Scotland may be able to receive Best Start Grant payments to help ease the financial pressure many may be experiencing due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Best Start Grant payments give financial support to families on lower incomes during the key stages in a child’s life. People can apply for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment and Early Learning Payment now, whilst the application window for School Age Payment opens in June. Social Security Scotland is calling on families who are receiving a DWP benefit to check if they are entitled to this extra help and encouraging those who are not already in receipt of a DWP benefit to check if they are eligible for financial support. Social Security Scotland Chief Executive David Wallace said: “We know that during this difficult time, many families will require extra financial support. “We want to get the message out there that if you think you qualify for a DWP benefit, you may also be eligible for a payment from Social Security Scotland. There’s no need to wait for a decision from the DWP before applying, we can check with them later. “We understand that due to COVID-19, some parents may have missed deadlines to apply for certain payments and we understand that this was unavoidable. That is why we have relaxed our timescales and are now accepting late applications from those affected – ensuring families get the money they are entitled to.” For more information and to apply visit mygov.scot/best-start-grant If the pandemic has had an impact on your family’s finances and you need further information on what is available you can call free on 0800 028 1456 or visit cas.org.uk for free confidential support. As shared by Carol Macrae, Ankerville Nursery.

Pic: Fyon Mackay Macleod

ONLINE PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP LIFTS LOCK-DOWN BOREDOM Keen Tain photographers have found a new online “home” in the form of the Tain and District Online Photo Club. Almost 180 local snappers are enjoying daily photo-challenges, tips and advice, and the “camera-aderie” of fellow photographers! Initially founded in 2016, the Facebook group was set up by local photographer and tutor, Mark Janes, as a support group for graduates of his evening classes. Since then it has grown beyond its original aim but, as Mark freely admits, was probably not getting the attention it deserved. However, since the Lock-down, it has become a thriving community with many photographers taking part in the daily challenges set by Mark and the other group-members. “The idea is simple” explains Mark; “A lot of our members are keen landscape and wildlife photographers. But of course, we’re limited to how far we can venture just now. However, there are photos to be had everywhere, even on our doorsteps. You just have to see the potential shot and capture it!” The group sets a daily photography theme and members just have to take a photo on that theme and post it to the group. Recent themes have included;

“Stones”, “Shallow Focus”, “Orange”, “Through My Window” and many more. Mark hopes the challenges will help members improve their “photographic eye” for a shot. “The tough part is coming up with a fresh idea every day”, says Mark. “But if I run out of ideas, the other group members are always willing to step in!”. As well as the daily challenges, the group runs a monthly competitive challenge, and members can take part in polls, and read informative and inspiring articles linked to within the group. The latest innovation is a series of live, weekly video tutorials by Mark. These take place every Wednesday at 7.30pm and are open to everyone, not just group members. Details of the tutorials are published on the group’s Facebook page every week. Readers interested in trying the group should go to www. facebook.com/groups/ tainphotoclub. Mark insists that all levels of experience are welcome, and you don’t need a fancy camera to take part. In fact, he sets most of the daily challenges using just his phone!

SCOTTISH WOMEN TOGETHER We’ve set up a new Facebook group! This is an informal space where we hope women throughout Scotland can join together to enjoy chatting and socialising online, at a time where we cannot do so in person. We want to create a safe space for women to share ideas and support one another. We’d love to hear more about how you are, how your community is coping and if you’re experiencing any difficulties at this time. But we’d also like to share ideas - lockdown recipes? at home exercise routines? great new TV shows? ways to entertain the kids? You can join us at this link, and we really look forward to hearing from you! https://www.facebook.com/ groups/2553092891675386

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TAIN CAT PROTECTION

896 CATS HOMED AND 2435 NEUTERED TAIN CATS PROTECTION CELEBRATE THEIR 20TH YEAR Responding to an advertisement in the Rossshire Journal in March/ April 2000, around 15 people attended a meeting at the Mansfield House Hotel, with a view to starting up a new branch of Cats Protection in the area. With enough volunteers to form a committee, the next thing to decide was a name for the new branch. It was decided to call the branch Dornoch & Cromarty Firth Branch. The Branch was known as this for around 4 years, when it was decided to change the name to Tain & District. This was decided upon as it seemed to appear that the branch only covered the area Dornoch to Invergordon. The Branch actually covers the area from Invergordon to Helmsdale and across the west to Lochinver. Our group numbers only 9 volunteers and as you can expect, for such a small group, this is a very large area. The Branch is given an annual allowance from Cats Protection to help run the branch and neuter both feral and owned cats. This enable us to run our two Neutering Campaigns a year, allowing owners to have their cats neutered and microchipped at a cost to the owners of only £10. In normal circumstances this would cost around £120 per cat. We attend various fundraising events around the area. One lady had six cats neutered at a cost to her of £60 with the branch covering the remaining £660. As you can see, fundraising is essential in allowing us to offer this help. The events attended include Portmahomack Gala/ Balintore Gala/Tain Highland Gathering/Sutherland Show/

Tain Vintage Car Rally/ Tain Gala/Craighill Primary School Christmas Fayre/ Edderton Car Boot Sale, when it used to be held monthly. Over the years we have held quiz nights, cookery demonstrations, “Come Dine with Me” evenings, hosted by Mrs Glenys Lonie and other smaller events. Two of the stalwarts of fundraising were Dorothy Janisch and Joan Davis, who raised funds with great gusto and enthusiasm. They were often accompanied by their husbands Bob and Dave at many of the events attended. They did this for many years until ill health forced them to give up. They were a big loss to the branch, although Joan is still very interested in our branch activities and loves to be kept up to date with these. Trap, neuter and return (TNR) is a big part of our branch’s tasks. This quite often involves volunteers hiding behind bushes, buildings and trees in a bid to trap feral cats. We have been asked to trap at recycling centres, farms and other properties where there is an abundance of feral cats, who if left to breed around 3 times a year, would overrun properties with lots of kittens. Apart from the number of kittens being born and the feral population growing, there is the added problem of producing sick and deformed kittens. Added to this, there is the problem of possibly feral cats breeding with Scottish Wild Cats in areas where the Scottish Wild Cats inhabit, leading to a decline in the pure Scottish Wild Cat. We are often asked if we can remove feral cats from a particular site. We are unable to do this. We can only offer to trap and pay to have them

neutered and returned to the site. In this way, the colony is stable and no more kittens should be produced. If we were able to remove them, within a week or two another colony of feral cats would take over that area, as there would be a food source available to them. This then brings the start of a new population of kittens and the problems they create. We do not take feral cats into care, as these cats are treated as wild animals, not used to human contact and any time spent out with their usual habitat is extremely stressful to them. One of the most common reason for cats coming into our care is when a family moves away and sadly leaves the cat behind to fend for itself. A death in a family with relatives unwilling or unable to give the cat a home. Allergies are given as another reason. Depending on the space we have in the branch will depend if we can take a cat in immediately. If our pens are full, we would ask if it is possible for someone to feed the cat until a space in our pens becomes available. For that space to become available, we have to find a new home for any of the cats in our care at that time. Depending on the type of cats we have in at the time, timid, young kittens, pregnant queens, determines just how long a cat can be in our care. We presently have four fosterers, with a new fosterer starting with us soon, who each have a double pen in their gardens. We do not have a centre where members of the public can come and view cats. We do have a couple of fosterers who are willing to offer extra fostering space in their homes.

Any cat taken into our care is vet checked and any treatment necessary is always carried out. They are neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before going to their new home. When we are approached about a possible home for a cat, we always carry out a home visit. This is to meet the family in their own environment and make sure we are homing the right cat to the right home. Some cats are not suited to being homed with young children, other cats, dogs etc. and this has to be determined before a cat leaves our care. We have a lovely group of ladies called the “Knit Wits” who throughout the year knit and crochet beautiful cat blankets for us. When a cat is homed, the blanket is always given away with the cat, as this has the familiar scent of the pen on it and can help the cat to settle a bit more quickly, having this as a comforter. A big THANK YOU TO THE KNIT WITS. Although all of the events we usually attend during the summer months have been cancelled this year, we would still like to say THANK YOU to everyone who kindly purchased goods from our stalls. As mentioned before, this does go towards our neutering campaigns held twice a year. The best feeling a fosterer can have when finding a home for a cat, is the fact that they have done their very best to bring out the best in the cat whilst caring for it and given it the chance of a new and loving, forever home. Jean Jardine Coordinator

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HEALTH MATTERS

HEALTH MATTERS Coronavirus and lockdown are still upon us and things have changed for all of us. So, in this column we will look at childrens immunisations, minor injuries, supporting your mental health, exercise and shielding for the VERY HIGH RISK patients in our community. But first of all, HAYFEVER! Hay fever is a common allergic condition that affects up to one in five people at some point in their life. Symptoms of hay fever include: • sneezing • a runny nose • itchy eyes You’ll experience hay fever symptoms if you have an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. It contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses (small air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead) to become swollen, irritated and inflamed. You can have an allergy to: • tree pollen, released during spring • grass pollen, released during the end of spring and beginning of summer • weed pollen, released late autumn The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. However, it’s very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months when you want to spend more time outdoors. Self-help tips It’s sometimes possible to prevent the symptoms of hay fever by taking some basic precautions, such as: • wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen

TAIN & DISTRICT MEDICAL GROUP

getting in your eyes when you’re outdoors • taking a shower and changing your clothes after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body • staying indoors when the pollen count is high (over 50 grains per cubic metre of air) • applying a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) to the nasal openings to trap pollen grains Treatment options for hay fever include antihistamines, which can help to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring and corticosteroids (steroids), which help to reduce inflammation and swelling. Hay fever can often be controlled using over-thecounter medication from your pharmacist. However, if your symptoms are more troublesome it’s worth speaking to your GP, as you may require prescription medication. For severe and persistent hay fever, there’s also a type of treatment called immunotherapy. It involves being exposed to small amounts of pollen over time, to build resistance to its allergic effects. However, this can take many months or even years to work. Please be aware about potential spread of viruses through coughing/sneezing if you do have hayfever, please maintain 2m distance, catch your sneeze in a tissue, bin this and wash your hands or use hand gel. MINOR INJURIES UNIT You might have heard that the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at County Community Hospital, Invergordon has been closed down for several weeks. This does mean that in the event of an injury during working hours 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday that you would need to contact your GP practice (if you are

registered with either of the Tain practices). Please contact reception first of all to ensure this is the appropriate action to take. CHILD IMMUNISATIONS Pictured below are Jess, our practice nurse and Jacqui, one of our health visitor team, they are strongly encouraging families to attend for routine child immunisations. The practice nurse will also be weighing your baby at the appointment and then passing this information to the health visitors - this cuts down on footfall into the health centre but helps with the checks for your child. From our friends at NHS Highland - Immunisations will continue during the Covid-19 outbreak and are an important medical reason for leaving your home. It’s important to attend your child’s immunisation appointment to help protect them against serious diseases http://nhsinform.scot/ immunisation If you/your child have COVID-19 symptoms, you can rearrange your appointment Please contact your GP practice reception if you have questions or if you need to book an appointment. LOOKING AFTER YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING

To help yourself stay well while you’re at home: • stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media • try to keep yourself busy – you could try activities like cooking, reading, online learning and watching films • do light exercise at home, or outside once a day – see NHS fitness studio: exercises you can do at home • consider taking 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day if you’re indoors most of the day – this is to keep your bones and muscles healthy Information: Advice on mental health while you’re staying at home: Every Mind Matters: 10 tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus 1. Stay connected with people 2. Talk about your worries 3. Support and help other people 4. Feel prepared 5. Look after your body 6. Stick to the facts 7. Stay on top of difficult feelings 8. Do things you enjoy 9. Focus on the present 10. Look after your sleep Please see Page 22 for guidance on Shielding, for people, including children, who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19).

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MESSAGE FROM CLLR. DEREK LOUDEN

My usual monthly surgery is cancelled at present. Please feel free to contact me at any time on: 01862892734 07876774412 Or via email at LoudenDW@aol. com.

Happy to help any local resident with any problem at any time.

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

info@tainpost.co.uk or call 01862 857366

ANDREW VASS

“ARE WE CORONAVIRUS ANCHORITES?” ANDREW VASS WRITES There are many writers advising us on how to cope with the solitude of lockdown. One example of such an article is CORONAVIRUS: ADVICE FROM THE MIDDLE AGES FOR HOW TO COPE WITH SELF-ISOLATION in THE CONVERSATION UK. by Godelinde Perk. The article focuses on the self-imposed isolation of Anchorites. These were women who chose to live in solitary cells beside churches. Isolation apparently empowered many women to express their love of Christ and minister to visitors who came for advice or comforting. A 13th century guide asked each anchorite to ‘gather into your heart all who are ill or wretched’. Some Christians may be too Protestant to want to read about pre-Reformation Anchorites, but what stands out for me is the ways they achieved resilience- and all Christians can agree that the cultivation of love for God is of central importance to Christianity. We also want to gather into our hearts all who are wretched. We too are clapping for the NHS- so we are perhaps on the right lines or at least getting onto the starting blocks. Are we becoming Anchorites? Dutch Anchorite Sister Bertken wrote; ‘The world held me in its power with its manifest snares. It deprived me of my strength’. In so many ways that speaks to us. Even the most religious can be dismayed by the loss of freedom, the need to isolate, to be Corona-anchorites. A letter to an anchorite

expressed a paradoxical spiritual freedom. ’My cell is narrow, you may say, but oh, how wide is the sky.’ Julien of Norwich showed how resilience is a style of thinking. She wrote; ‘Christ did not say, you shall not be perturbed, you shall not be troubled, you shall not be distressed’, but he said, ‘You shall not be overcome’.” I remember these words well. My sister’s wish was for these words to be used at her funeral 24 years ago. Words which helped people in past traumas can help us now. But some people can’t easily do resilient thinking. One reason is that some of us are ‘depression prone’. If in the past, your life has caused episodes of depression then you are more likely to fear a recurrence of depression and have depressive pathways in the brain which have become enlarged into highways. Past episodes of extreme anxiety or traumatic memories may have also etched networks in the brain giving one a tendency to relapse into these conditions. Sadly, our culture does not view such mental ill health as ‘respectable’- which is one reason why men tend to present with anger rather than depressive symptoms. So often, anger can mask underlying problems. So how can we help those who have a relapse tendency? How can they get to be resilient? One answer is to help them to do Activity Monitoring with a Pleasure Prediction aspect. Let’s suppose you think you are

becoming bored and are frightened that things will deteriorate and therefore, you feel flat because you believe your day will be unfulfilling. Create a week’s diary diagram to plan what you would normally do and add anything else to it which might be worth doing. Now make a prediction (mark out of ten) for how much pleasure you expect from each activity. If you have relapse anxiety, you will tend to make low predictions. Do the daily tasks and review your level of contentment. If your day was slightly better than you expected, then you have got good evidence to push you up or at the least stop you spiralling down. Resilience is about spiralling up- in spite of life’s tendency to make us learn helplessness- the spiralling down tendency. Mindfulness can help with relapse tendency as well. S.T.O.P. MANTRAS, and S.T.A.R.T. are techniques we have examined previously. They can be added to your diary. A mantra can be used as you walk in the park; ‘The peace of the Lord passes understanding’ is one I use. If you start your day with S.T.A.R.T. (soften cheeks and tummy, deep a deep breath and arrive in the moment with an awareness of sights, smells, or visualisations of beauty spots- there will be no stopping you!

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OLD FILE / SUPPORT HUB

ONLINE COMMUNITY COMPETITION BACKED BY HIGHLAND ENTREPRENEURS

OLD FILE: TAIN POST OFFICE We bring you a couple of very interesting photographs this month for our “Old File” entry. Thank you to Stuart McMillan for the group photographs shown above of Tain Post Office staff. The first photo was taken in the 1910s or 1920s, and Stuart’s Grandfather, who was a postman, is pictured second from right. The second photograph was taken much later and among those pictured are Stuart’s aunt, Elizabeth McMillan, who turned 98 this month. Also pictured are Elizabeth’s father, John Alexander McMillan and Stuart’s father James John McMillan. Can any of our readers help out with the names of those pictured? Please email info@tainpost.co.uk if you can help.

Online support hub, Highland Covid-19, was launched at the beginning of April to be a safe space for the people of Highlands during the current pandemic. The website and its social media pages act as a free information resource during these uncertain times. Visitors to the website will find tips on keeping fit, cooking, and government updates, the website also acts as a hub for important information, such as shop opening hours and financial advice resources – and now, they have another exciting announcement! The team behind Highland COVID-19 are delighted to be announcing an exciting relationship / partnership with IMPACT30. Chartered accountants and business consultants, Anderson Anderson Brown were one of the first businesses to financially back HighlandCovid-19. co.uk and they also delivered the Impact 30 programme, developing young business owners within the Highlands. Cecilia Grigor, founder of Highland Covid-19.co.uk also took part in the programme. To give something in return while businesses are facing uncertainty, one of the programmes consultants gifted their fee back to the area, and Impact 30 decided to use that fee to buy 12 gifts from its cohort to donate as prizes for the Highland Covid-19 website!

The generous gift was received from One Hundred Flowers Ltd’s, Don Smith. Don consults on innovation, invention and disruptions, and his passion for supporting all the local ventures and businesses who took part in the Impact 30 programme led him to this donation. Over the next 12 weeks, the free Highland support hub will announce and run a competition each Thursday. To take part, followers simply head to the competition page on the website and answer the question to be in with a chance of winning the prize – and, like everything else on Highland Covid-19.co.uk, entry is completely free! Highland Covid-19 was quickly brought to life by Highland Marketing, PR and events agency, Planit Scotland, and to date the resource has had over 10,000 visits from people all over the Highlands. The top pages being viewed include Fitness, Self Isolation and the newly added Recipes page. Cecilia Grigor, Director of Planit Scotland, is encouraging anyone that has a free resource of information to get in touch, so it can be listed on the website and shared with the community. Head over to the website on Thursday and sign up for the inaugural competition!

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NOSTALGIA WITH ALEX GRAHAM

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TAIN

Now at 9 Geanies Street

Wednesdays 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm

Tel: Evelyn 07511 133 108

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 & 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

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THROUGH THE LENS

THROUGH THE LENS WITH MARK JANES ISSUE #29

For those of us fortunate enough to have gardens, the Lock-down combined with spectacular April weather has been a good opportunity to get out and get the borders in shape. In fact I dare say that a lot of Scotland’s gardens will have been manicured to within an inch of their lives come the end of the crisis!

1. Choose your time of day Photographing the garden in full sun seems like an obvious thing to do, but actually these are not the best conditions for making detailed studies of flowers, etc. A lightly overcast day is better for bringing out the fine details in leaves and petals. If it is a bright, sunny day with hard shadows, consider photographing in the shade, or create your own shade with an umbrella and a willing assistant! Even better, a large square of muslin will help diffuse the light and simulate that soft, overcast day.

Spring always brings forth a host of colourful flowers and these are great opportunities to kick-start the outdoor photography season. So here are a few tips to get the most out of your garden photography:

2. Watch Your Background A distracting, messy background can spoil a flower photograph by taking the viewer’s eye away from the detail in the flower. Consider getting in close and using a wide aperture

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

(in Aperture Priority mode) to blur the background. You can also use light in your favour. A brightly lit flower against a background in shade will stand out. Finally, you can always bring in your own temporary background, using a sheet of dark card to create an outdoor studio. 3. Don’t Forget About Composition Effective composition helps to capture and keep a viewer’s attention on your photograph. If photographing a flower, think about using the principle of “thirds” to offset the flower from the centre. Use objects like the stem or a twig to create leading lines to draw the viewer’s eye to the flower. 4. Finally, remember the garden has more than just flowers

The garden is a great place to practise macro photography, capturing the fine details of insects, pond-life, etc. If you don’t have access to a garden, don’t fret. You can use a lot of these ideas with a vase of flowers on the dining room table, or when photographing wild flowers when out on your daily walk. After all, what is a weed but a “plant in the wrong place”?! Photography doesn’t have to stop in lockdown. In fact it can be a great distraction from the news, turmoil and boredom. In fact, if you’re home-schooling the children, why not use some garden photography as a practical nature-study lesson! Have fun, keep safe and look out for next month’s “Through The Lens”.

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TAIN FIELD CLUB

TAIN & DISTRICT FIELD CLUB UPDATE Like everyone else, TDFC is in lockdown with no meetings and no field trips. However we have a membership spread across East Ross, East Sutherland and beyond. All these folks can note what is happening in their gardens and what they see when out for a walk or bike ride. So, while the human population has been static, birds have been migrating, butterflies emerging and flowers blooming, and TDFC members have been noting all this. There have been large skeins of pink-footed geese moving off to the north-west which most people will have seen; they are heading off to their breeding grounds in Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen. At the same time swallows have been reappearing here having returned from their wintering grounds in southern Africa. By the time you are reading this they will have been joined by house martins. Another interesting migrant which can appear in garden is the blackcap. This little warbler can be seen in both winter and summer. In the last few weeks TDFC has had records from Glen Aldie, Golspie, Balvraid and in my own garden on Easter Sunday. These winter and early spring blackcaps come here from central Europe and spend the winter in our milder climate. In a few weeks summer breeding

blackcaps will arrive from southern Europe and north Africa where they have wintered. Lots of butterflies have appeared in our gardens in the last month. In TDFC we have had records of eight species of butterfly: Small White Green-veined White Orange Tip Green Hairstreak Red Admiral Painted Lady Small Tortoiseshell Peacock There have been lots of peacock butterflies about over the last fortnight. That would have been a surprising situation just 20 years ago. In the past peacocks were a rare migrant butterfly which turned up in August and September. They would mate and lay eggs which developed into caterpillars, pupated and became adults as long as there was not too much early frost. These adults would go into hibernation but never survived the Scottish winter. For the first time in 2002 adult peacock butterflies which had overwintered appeared in the spring and now they can be the commonest spring butterflies in some years. You can keep up to date with what is happening at TDFC on our website and Facebook pages. http://tainfieldclub.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/tain. fieldclub

Peacock butterfly sunning itself. Pic - David McAllister

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email platform1864@gmail.com between 9am & 5pm Tues, Thurs & Sat

3388 Chinese (delivery/car park pickup)

call 01862 893388 open 4pm till 9pm (cash only), Tues to Sun

Top Tain Fish & Chip Bar (collection/delivery) call 01862 894090 open 4pm till 9pm Fyrish Tandoor Indian Cuisine (delivery) call 01349 883583 Carnegie Lodge Hotel (key workers only) call 01862 894039 Trentham Hotel (takeaway) call 01862 810551 Mon - Sat 5pm - 8.30pm, Sun 12pm - 8.30pm

GRANTS BAKERY Rolls, Baking, Sandwiches & Hot Snacks

Winners of the Silver Award for Scotch Pie Competition High Street Tain (01862) 892315

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TAIN TASK FORCE

TAINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TOLBOOTHS: IN PICTURES

Photo 2

Photo 4

Photo 1 Photo 3

Photo 5

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TAIN TASK FORCE | TCD TAIN

TAIN’S TOLBOOTHS (PART 2) As mentioned at the end of Part 1, Tain was in financial difficulties when the second known tolbooth was damaged in a storm and the remains demolished. It was not until 1706 that work began on the current tower, and that was despite an accidental fire having just recently burned down a large part of the town. Although Tain reported to the Convention of Royal burghs in 1708 that the building was complete apart from “the securing of the plateforme and bartisone head”, there appears to have been a delay until resumption of some work in 1712. This was followed by further delay and In fact the work was not finally completed until 1733. There were several reasons for this. The town still had financial difficulties not helped by the fact that by 1708 the mason building the tower - Alexander Stronach, one of a family of masons from Tarbat - had already exceeded the price for the agreed work. Some promised local donations and loans were slow in coming. In 1714, the Council were still trying to collect the “voluntar contributiones still resting”. In addition, Stronach had other, more prestigious and probably more lucrative projects, to occupy him. As well as ongoing work on Balnagown Castle, in 1720 he engaged with Lord Strathnaver “to build the Castle of Dornoch before the last of August for 2300 merks”. The tower is built of sandstone ashlar, quarried from Tain Hill. As with the heather for thatching part of the previous structure, local people were drafted to procure the building materials. It is recorded that in 1712, the Council promised to “draw a list of four scoir of horses [i.e. 80] to draw each a load of stones from the Hill of Taine to the Tolbooth…..or each horse to pay two pence instead of the load”. (Presumably the owners of the horses made the payments!) As can be seen in photo 1, the tower has three floors surmounted by the platform from which rises the main central conical turret. The surrounding parapet (bartizan) has smaller conical turrets at each corner. Each floor consists of one room, each at one time prison cells, the upper

MARGARET URQUHART

floors being reached by a turnpike (spiral) staircase partially seen in photo 2. The ground floor may have been used as a “pit” or “black hole” accessed either from outside by a separate door or via a trapdoor from the first floor. In more recent times the middle floor served as the District Clerk’s office and was occupied by W J Munro, known as “DC” to distinguish him from the other W J Munro who owned a grocer’s shop and was Provost, 1930-33. “DC” was the father of Rosemary Mackenzie, one of the main founders of Tain Museum. The District Committees were abolished in 1930 but the middle floor still displays the signs of its use as the District Clerk’s office , as can be seen in photo 3. Note the floor-to-ceiling pigeon holes and the fireplace with its iron grate. Contrast this with photo 4 taken on the uppermost floor which still has the atmosphere of a cell. Its window is at floor level and it has a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The tower originally had four chimneys, thus four fireplaces. Two chimneys still exist on the side without a clock-face i.e. the east wall, and partially seen in photo 5. The front of the building displays two interesting features. One is the sculpted figure of a lion and dates from the late 1840s (Photo 6 and will be dealt with in the next article). However, there appears to have been an earlier adornment. In his “History of Tain”, the Rev. Taylor states that when General Ross of Balnagown was chosen as Provost and his arms were placed on the steeple. This was the Hon. Charles Ross, ColonelGeneral of the Dragoons – second son of George, 11th Lord Ross of Halkhead. Although not related to the previous line of Balnagown Rosses, he succeeded to the Balnagown Estates after the death of David Ross of Balnagown in 1712. The other feature is even more recent, being a WW1 memorial plaque (photo 7) for the Seaforth Highlanders who died during that conflict. The three-faced clock we see today is not the original clock but a replacement put into the steeple in 1877. The clock

it replaced was a single-faced one made by Tain clockmaker, John Ross in the mid-1700s. It had a black face with gold hands and numerals, and was probably very like the one made by him in 1782 that can still be seen in the tower at Cromarty Courthouse. Although he made many fine clocks, John Ross as a clock-master fell short. In 1772, he was deemed to have failed to maintain the clock properly and was accused of entrusting the keys of “the Turnpike leading up by the prisons to the Bartizan of the Steeple and the ringing of said bells to a Wittless Boy” and he was dismissed. The John Ross clock was itself a replacement for an earlier clock possibly transferred from the previous tollbooth. As already indicated, the tower’s main function was as the town jail and was in use as such from about 1714. There were often concerns about the security of the steeple as a jail and in 1735 it was decided that every cell door would have a “hanging lock” (padlock). Despite this, escapes were not uncommon, not just due to the deficiencies of the building but sometimes also of the jailers. The latter was certainly the case in 1743 and in 1783 when the jailers involved were dismissed. Things obviously did not improve with time. A newspaper report in 1819 stated that the walls of the steeple were “easily gone through with a common chisel”. The “long contemplated and much required new Gaol and Court house of the Burgh” were completed in 1826 and had a records room and council chamber on the ground floor, court room on the first floor and three cells in the attic. Fire, the Burgh’s old curse, struck once again in 1833. It started in the cells and destroyed the whole building. A new prison was not built until 1846 (in Scotsburn Road) and the court-house was not built until 1848/9 in baronial style – later extended in 1873. It seems that after the fire of 1833, the old steeple was, sometimes at least, pressed into service again giving us this interesting incident reported in the Ross-shire Advertiser in 1842 Tain Jail Haunted – On the night

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TAIN’S TOLBOOTHS

TAIN’S TOLBOOTHS (PART 2 CONT.) Photo 6

Photo 7 of Friday last those much-to-beenvied individual occupants of those desirable apartments were suddenly aroused from their slumbers by tremendous and unearthly like bawling and screaming in the upper cell of the old Tower, occupied by the younger of two lads convicted at the last Inverness assizes of issuing base coin. The jailer, who now always sleeps in the tower, having entered the cell to ascertain the cause of so untimely a disturbance, found the culprit seated on the base of the window, cringing as round as a ball, and in a most pitiable state of

fright. On questioning him, he said being wide awake, and lying on his bed, he distinctly saw a very stout figure walking to and fro the length of the cell, at each time passing his bed, and the moon at the time shining directly in at the window [the bed being opposite) caused him to see the object plainer; for in passing the window it always darkened the rays of the moon, expressing itself at intervals thus:- “Do it, do it, do it.” His entreaties and appeals to the jailer to have him removed were couched in such heart-rending strains, that he was obliged to put him in another

cell where two others were confined and slept together; but so frightened was he, that nothing could quiet him but until he got between the two in bed, where his whole body shook all night like an aspen leaf, nor slept he any. He always had a most voracious appetite, but since the above scene he has eaten little or nothing. This should act as a warning to all those in Ross-shire who are inclined to commit such acts as might make them inmates of the Tain jail, for they are not only watched and guarded by natural, but, it would appear, by supernatural jailers.

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“SCRAMBLING” ON TAIN LINKS

OLD FILE Browsing through the informative Tain Museum Facebook site, I came across a brilliant old video, covering a motor cycle scrambling event at the Tain Links must be back in the early 1960’s, around 1963. The event was part of the Tain Gala Week at that time, and took place as one of the main events, on Saturday afternoon. There was always a good crowd and a great atmosphere at this prestigious event, attracting Scottish Champion scramblers like Jim Davies, Ian Bell and Bob Allan and many more from motor clubs from across Scotland, like Bon Accord, Aberdeen and Dunfermline and District. Their names took pride of place in my first autograph book,

followed in the pages of the book by pop stars like Lulu, Billy J. Kraymer, Wayne Fontana and The Barron Knights, secured at the Town Hall. These scramblers may have been champions, riding their top branded machines like, BSA Gold Star, 500cc Velocette, Greeves, but their champion status meant little to the tenacious “local favourites” cousins “Bobtail” Mackay and Donnie Mackay, riding their old but well maintained BSA bikes. They competed strongly and when they won, and win they did, the cheers from the local crowd could be heard In the Railway Hotel, so I’m told. I bumped into Donnie last year in Tain, on a small scooter to get him around, and the conversation almost immediately turned to his scrambling days on a slightly more

powerful machine! The course used for the event was round the perimeter of the Links, starting (and finishing) in front of the old Cricket Pavilion, going out and behind the boating pond, skirting the original Children’s Playground, back along the speed section by the sea, turning at the football pitch, behind the Gallow Hill and just before the finish was a large dip and hill where the bikes flew over, some landing safely but others seeing their dreams of victory destroyed 50 yards from the finishing line, after 10 gruelling laps of the Links. The victor getting The Gala Cup and some cash presumably. Great fun and quality competition, and the racing went on for four or five hours. Remember, at that time, Scrambling was a key sport,

appearing each weekend on BBC Grandstand and ITV, where cyclists like Dave Bickers and Geoff Smith were household names, with Murray Walker later of Formula One racing, commentating. For the TV sporting addicts, it was Scrambling at 1.00pm, Horse Racing with Lester Pigott followed and then Wrestling with Mick McManus, Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and Jacki Pato. Scrambling is called Motocross now, but that doesn’t have the same ring to it as “Scrambling on Tain Links!” Stephan Pater, Wilmslow.

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OLD FILE / JOHN GORDON

“OLD FILE” - SCOUT LOG BOOK

JOHN GORDON

A short story was attached to the illustration (left) which has been extracted from the Scout Log Book. “Laugh of the Day – Donnie, Andrew and Kenny left camp to go into Edinburg and got off the bus when they reached Princess Street. They found it very difficult to cross Princess Street and got stuck on a Tram Terminus. They decided it was too dangerous and returned to camp on the first bus they could get. This happening did not reach the ears of the other Scouts at camp, but the trio had to explain the reason for their early return to the Scout Leaders and which was logged.” (Note the reference to Brownsea Island which Billy Grant made at the foot of his drawing was made as that was the location of the first Scout Camp which was held in August 1907). The next illustration (below) is a reminder of what was seen in Edinburgh in 1954!

Thank you to John Gordon for the photo above, of the three Scout Patrols before they left camp to visit Edinburgh on the 9th July 1954. Can any of our readers help put names to faces?

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M a d e In T a in S C IO Scottish Charity no: SC043549 ‘A Young People’s Social Enterprise’

Sweets & Confectionery, Ice Cream, Hot Dogs Snacks, Kids Toys Newspapers & Magazines Stationery, Hardware, Electricals, Handmade soaps, candles, cards and gifts, made on the premises by young people preparing for work, are available to browse and buy in our shop in Tower Street, Tain. Opening hours: 9.00am – 4.00pm (Monday to Friday) 10.00am – 4.00pm (Saturday) Seasonal plants and produce available to buy at the shop or directly from the Garden Project at Edderton – open Mondays and Thursdays 9.00am – 4.00pm 24 Tower Street, Tain, Ross-shire, IV19 1DY. Telephone 01862 892221 Email madeintain@gmail.com Find us on facebook

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NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

HEALTH MATTERS (CONT.) SHIELDING is for people, including children, who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19). Shielding measures should be used when an extremely vulnerable person is living in their own home, with or without additional support. This includes extremely vulnerable people living in long-term care facilities. On 24 March the Scottish Government announced they would provide you with support to self-isolate if you’re at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This includes including helping you to access medicine and food supplies. To help you further we would like to contact you by text message. If you don’t have a mobile phone, you‘ll still be able to access support by phoning your local authority’s shielding support line. If you’re in this group you will receive a letter with more information, including details on how to register with the SMS service. Extremely high risk of severe illness Some groups of people are considered to be at extremely high risk of severe illness with COVID-19 and should strictly follow shielding measures. Their household and other contacts should strictly follow social

TAIN & DISTRICT MEDICAL GROUP

distancing measures in order to protect them. This group includes people who: • have had solid organ transplants • have cancer and are receiving active chemotherapy • have lung cancer and are either receiving or previously received radical radiotherapy • have cancers of the blood or bone marrow, such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment • are receiving immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer • are receiving other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors • have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs • have severe chest conditions such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma and severe COPD • have rare diseases, including all forms of interstitial lung disease/sarcoidosis, and inborn errors of metabolism (such as SCID and homozygous sickle cell) that significantly increase the risk of infections • are receiving immunosuppression therapies

that significantly increase risk of infection • are pregnant with significant heart disease (congenital or acquired) Shielding is for your personal protection, it’s your choice to decide whether to follow these measures. If you received a letter from NHS Scotland saying you have a condition that makes you at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, you’re strongly advised to shield yourself to reduce your chance of getting the virus. People who have been given a prognosis of less than six months to live, and some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding. This will be a deeply personal decision you may want to discuss with family or others that are close to you. You should phone your GP or specialist to discuss this as well. NHS Scotland will be directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice. This may be anxious time for people considered extremely vulnerable and you will have questions and concerns. Plans are being made to make sure you can rely on a wide range of help and support.

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PATRICK VICKERY

THE LEMON TREE

PATRICK VICKERY

As a teenager I had a friend called Chris who grew a cannabis plant in his bedroom. How he acquired it, I do not know, and it is possible that it wasn’t a cannabis plant at all. His mother took a keen interest in his horticultural endeavours and asked him what it was. ‘Well,’ said Chris with beguiling agility, ‘it’s a Lemon Tree.’ And so the myth began. As time progressed his mother developed a particular fondness for this Lemon Tree, watering it regularly and checking for signs of growth and well-being. It symbolized a budding side to her son’s nature that of late had become increasingly submerged by rebellious notions, incomprehensible music and occasional smatterings of unintelligible babble. When the Lemon Tree reached maturity, the inevitable was inevitable and he unceremoniously did what he thought should be done, although true to form he didn’t do it very well. While his mother was out, he washed, chopped and blended the leaves in a food mixer, after which the resultant sludge was liberally spooned into a mug of coffee and ingested with enthusiasm and curiosity. The consequential upcomance was his unfortunate comeuppance. Twenty-four hours later,

or thereabouts, after the vomiting and diarrhea had abated, he re-entered the world of gastric normality to face probing questions about the plant’s disappearance. I forget the reason he gave for it now, time clouds my memory, aphid infestation, root rot or some such unlikely nonsense, but I do recall his parents spent many weekends searching for a replacement. Chris’s father, incidentally, was a man I met once, briefly, and in unusual circumstances. Not a man to concern himself with Lemon Tree matters (spending time searching for a replacement would not have been agreeable), no, he was an inventor, or so the duplicitous Chris told me, the ‘Daddy’ who invented the Diddy Box for Diddies, whatever a Diddy might be. Now one evening Chris and I spent the evening drinking ‘Fart’ (Horse and Cart Real Ale) in the Firkin Frog, missed the last bus home and staggered back to his house in a state of altered consciousness, whereupon Chris realized he had mislaid his house keys. Being the slimmer of the two, I clambered through the partially open toilet window with the intention of unlocking the back door from the inside. No mean feat, I can assure you, after drinking such vast quantities of ‘Fart’. Balance, agility and concentration were required, particularly as a highly prized rose bed situated beneath the window necessitated careful navigation. Unsurprisingly, given my semi-anesthesia,

the thorns from these highly prized roses caused little discomfort at the time, but the following morning I was able to pinpoint some very sore bits indeed. Anyway, I squeezed through the window, neither fully in nor fully out, when the door opened and the Diddy Man entered with a casual flick of the light switch, proceeding forewith to lower himself silently upon the ceramic ‘throne’, blissfully unaware that I hovered above him. All fell quiet outside, just a hint of smothered laughter, a stifled snort, nothing more. There are moments of consequence in one’s life and this was one of them. Should I do nothing? Should I do something? So I coughed, whereupon the poor man ejected himself with lightning speed. Not a case of battering me senseless, but of battering himself near insensible as he ricocheted off the doorframe in his haste to depart. I garbled something farty, carty and meaningless, but received no response, half in and half out as I was, whereupon Chris materialized in the doorway with a lop-sided ‘Horse and Cart Fart’ sort of grin. I was lucky, for had he not swiftly explained the essence of the situation I would have been in serious trouble. So all was well in the end, and even the damaged roses in the well-trodden rose bed grew back to look healthier and more blooming than before. Needless to say, I vowed never to drink ‘Fart’ again. A vow quickly forgotten.

HIGHLAND COUNCIL GARDEN WASTE SERVICE The Garden Waste Collection Service is starting again on Monday 11th May 2020. Customers are advised to check the contents of their bin to ensure it contains no contamination. Please check for your collection day and calendar. https://www.highland. gov.uk/bindays

If people feel they must access the Tain golf course during this lockdown period, TGC would respectfully ask them to observe the Outdoor Access Scotland responsible behaviour code. A link to the full access code is below however the key points are: * Keep your dog on a short lead at all times whilst on a golf course * Pick up and remove dog waste * Keep off the greens, tees and out of bunkers * Do not damage the playing surface https://www. outdooraccess-scotland. scot/practi…/golfcourses As a club, all the members and staff would sincerely appreciate it if the above were observed to help keep everyone safe and well during these unprecedented times.

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KIDS IN LOCKDOWN

Children from Craighill and Knockbreck share their thoughts of the past month as they experience a very different way of life, learning from home and getting to grips with “lockdown”! LOCKDOWN LOWDOWN I am finding this whole isolation reality really tricky as I am missing out on all my hobbies and after school activities, especially swimming. I haven’t seen my friends in weeks. I feel really safe at home and understand why I have to stay in so that I don’t get the virus. As long as everyone who has got this virus stays at home too, we will all be Ok and hopefully get back to normal. I am quite enjoying walks with my dog everyday and I’ve been baking lots! I do have more time to watch movies and rest so that’s good but I hope it will not be for too much longer. I think I could manage another month without getting too bored! From Cora Macangus, P6 Knockbreck

While I have been at home I have been missing school and my friends. I have designed t.shirts for my family using pens and white t.shirts and I painted a colourful spring picture on my window to cheer people up when they walk past. From Neive Macdonald, Craighill

AJ, Craighill

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KIDS IN LOCKDOWN

LIFE IN LOCKDOWN We have been Lambing, Tiling, Building walls and more walls, Cooking, Chopping down trees. George injured his finger We love lock down because we get to spend more time with our family. It is Darroch’s birthday today. Charlie and George, Craighill

Emily Hughan, Knockbreck

Sapphire Lucas, P3, Knockbreck

Cruise ships are infected Over the world people are sick Rise up and defeat it Open your heart to family, friends and neighbours NOT OVER YET Amazing work NHS Visors at the ready It’s getting very boring Really good work scientists Up-loading all our schoolwork Sincerely thank you to all the keyworkers

Hello in the past few weeks it has been very weird because school shut down and all of my clubs stopped. I miss my friends and clubs. My mum thinks she’s a good teacher wink wink. Learning at home has been quite difficult in some situations but quite fun as well. Me and my Dad have been taking the dogs on a walk every day which has been really fun. I think I will remember this time Forever for good and not so good reasons. I’m looking forward to not being taught by my crazy strict teacher Mum hahaha.

From Minnie, P6 Knockbreck

From Albert Hooper, P6 Knockbreck

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TDPP - SUDOKU PUZZLES SUDOKU - MEDIUM

SUDOKU - HARD

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.51)

1 8

4 2

4 3

Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.64)

8 9

3 3

4 5

5 1

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Mon May 4 15:54:08 2020 GMT. Enjoy!

6 3

1 5

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Mon May 4 15:55:22 2020 GMT. Enjoy!

NORTH OF SCOTLAND FOOTBALL REVIEW (VOL. III)

2020 Edition

The latest edition of the North of Scotland Football Review is the third annual instalment of this series, including all of the facts and figures from the senior and junior leagues across the Highlands, Islands and North East of Scotland -- bringing together everything “as it stood” when football was brought to a halt in March. You could call it, the “Lockdown” edition! This year’s unique review will include: Appearances and goals statistics for every Scottish Highland Football League and North Caledonian Football League player involved during the 2019-20 season. League tables and cup final reports Key statistics for the Scottish Junior FA North Region Superleague, as well as league tables and results from the lower divisions. Facts and figures from the North of Scotland FA and Aberdeenshire & District FA development leagues. A detailed insight into what a Tier 6 could mean for football in the North. A look also at the latest happenings in youth football and the recreational game. A detailed look at match programmes during the 2019-20 season. A blend of excellent local photography throughout. Last year’s edition was in high demand and was released in limited supply -- and we expect this year’s to be the same. Please place your PRE-ORDER NOW for the reduced price of £10.99 by visiting www.tainpost.co.uk/review

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“VIRTUAL” V-E DAY CELEBRATIONS An online service of remembrance and a two-minute silence will lead Scotland’s public commemorations of the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May. The ongoing coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has meant that plans for the landmark anniversary – which were to include a parade, public concert and reception – will now take place online, with a video message of thanks from the First Minister and a concert in addition to the service and silence. Led by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland in partnership with the Scottish Government, the commemorations will include children and families currently learning at home. Veterans Minister Graeme Dey said: “As the 75th anniversary of VE Day approaches, it is only right we pay tribute to the determination and the sacrifices made by the men and women who lived through the Second World War. “Despite the difficult circumstances we are currently in, Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland are doing outstanding work in helping people across Scotland come together virtually on the 8 May to give thanks to our World War Two generation. “I hope the whole nation can join with me online in honouring a generation whose contribution continues to impact on us all in many ways.” Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “The 75th anniversary of VE Day is an important milestone in the nation’s history and we are excited to launch our virtual programme. “While the lockdown restrictions have forced us to postpone the planned physical events, we are confident that our virtual events

will bring people across Scotland together in a memorable, shared moment of commemoration and celebration.” Poppyscotland Chief Executive Mark Bibbey said: “We had just issued VE Day learning resources to every school in Scotland when the lockdown came into effect. Nevertheless, these have been amended and are now an excellent way for young people to find out more about the significance of VE Day while learning at home. “We’ve had incredibly positive feedback from the parents who have already made use of them and would encourage anyone home schooling utilise this comprehensive digital resource.”

The Legion Scotland Service of Remembrance will be broadcast on Legion Scotland and Poppy Scotland’s social media channels from 10.40 a.m. until 11.15 a.m. The online concert will then begin at 11.45 a.m. until 1 p.m. The First Minister’s message will be posted on Twitter @scotgov Poppyscotland’s online resources can be found at: www.poppyscotland.org.uk/ VEDayParty In addition to virtual events, Poppyscotland have also produced a range of online educational resources for activities for families can use to learn about VE Day and participate in marking the 75th anniversary at home.

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TAIN MUSEUM

An Aged Beggar Whilst researching the Henderson family, the original occupants of our family home in Tain, I came across a newspaper article titled ‘An Aged Beggar’. It contained the story of a retired soldier almost 100 years old, claiming to have had the most remarkable military career serving with both Admiral Nelson and General Wellington. Old soldiers falling on hard times is not an unusual story to find in 19th-century newspapers but Roberts Scarlett’s claimed career as a soldier and sailor was almost unbelievable. When word spread thanks to the article he was eventually tracked down in the small fishing village of Rockfield in Easter-Ross. He was staying with a Mrs Henderson of Rockfield farm, well known in the area for looking after the poor and destitute. Mrs Elizabeth Henderson

Robert Scarlett The following is extracts from a report from Mr John Strachan, Tain 23rd October 1846. Accompanied by Mrs Henderson, I went out this morning to see Scarlett, where he was engaged in cutting wood for the fire, employment at which he is wonderfully expert. Mrs Henderson drew him on to mention some of the particulars of his history;

Sketch of Robert Scarlett from the John O’Groats Journal

He was born in the parish of Bower in Caithness, 12th February 1750. He went to sea at eleven years of age, was pressed at Leith Roads in the year 1791, was removed to the Minotaur 74, Captain Keith, and fought under Admiral Duncan, at Camperdown, and under Lord Nelson, at the Battle of the Nile. Was one of 800 sailors and marines who landed from the Minotaur in Aboukir Bay, to assist the land forces under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and under whose command he was present at three engagements fought on the 8th, 13th, and 21st March 1801. After his return from Egypt, he was discharged from the naval service. Immediately thereafter he enlisted at Yarmouth, in the 23rd Regiment of the Line, with which regiment he was sent to America, then to the West Indies, and was present at the taking of Martinique. He was sent to Spain in 1810; was with Wellington at the taking of Cuidad Rodrigo and Badajos, and fought under him at Albuera, Salamanca and Toulouse, and was discharged at the end of the war.

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When he came home to Scotland, he states that he found himself, a lone man, not knowing a single individual in the world with whom he could call kindred. He was married at 17 years of age, and his wife brought him two sons and a daughter. The mother and the daughter died when he was abroad, and his two sons, who had enlisted in the 79th regiment, both fell side by side at Salamanca. He was 64 years of age when discharged from the army, and supported himself while his strength continued, by working as a labourer; but when his strength failed him, he could not find employment, he says he was then obliged to travel (that is to beg), and he added today (although upwards of 96 years of age) that he did not like to travel if he could get work. He states that he got a discharge from the naval service, in Laingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, Chelsea, and another from the 23rd Regiment at Gossport but that . frequently showing them, and by their getting wet in his wanderings, they wore away to nothing in his pocket. He seemed to regret this circumstance. In his appearance, the once proud warrior has dwindled down to size of an ordinary grown boy of twelve. His hair is white as snow, his eyes red and tender, his step is short and tottering, but it cannot be said that his face is wrinkled, nor has the ruddy glow of his better days yet entirely left his cheeks. It cannot be said he has clothes, for the rags that cover the hero of so many battles do not deserve the name. Mrs Henderson states that he has been in the habit of visiting Rockfield twice a year, for the last eighteen years, and remains a few weeks at a time, and that she never saw anything like vicious habits from him, but always found him sober, and exceedingly industrious in doing whatever lay in his way to do.

Military camps and Veteran soldiers were a common sight in and around Tain in the 19th and 20th century.

Pensioner I have researched Robertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story and I cannot say if it is true or not but donations of clothes and money seemed to flood in from both the 23rd Regiment and the Royal Marine Artillery. Suggesting that they at believed him, and arrangements were made for Mr Scarlett to stay at Mrs Hendersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s until the donations arrived. There was no follow up article that I could find and what became of Robert is unknown. Let us hope that he lived out his last few years, in comfort, with Mrs Henderson at Rockfield. It says a lot for Mrs Henderson running a house for the beggars and the poor who were more likely to be treated with suspicion and mistrust. She retired to Tain with her husband in the 1850s and lived the rest of her days in Manse Street.

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TAIN & DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST

Community Update News |Information | Useful Numbers Clap For Heroes

Community Engagement We have aided the humanitarian efforts for CCAST and YMCA. Also, packs have been distrubuted to the Over 60's club members via WRVS, and our volunteers have been distributing information cards (so no-one is left isolated during this pandemic).

A big thank you to volunteers, NHS staff, key workers or anyone working to ensure our community is functioning!

Keep Calm & Be Kind Remember to look after your mental health- set yourself a 30day challenge as we face global crisis. Search for: actionforhappiness.org/10-keys

Useful Numbers NHS Helpline: 0800 028 2816

Meals on Wheels Are you over 70 years of age? Would you like meals on wheels? We are trying to gauge interest in this concept. Essentially, meals would be delivered to your door. Donation may be given if so desired. Phone 07851958823 or email info@tainddtrust.com if you are interested.

What is "Shielding?"

Government Updates: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Highland Council COVID-19 Helpline: 0300 303 1362

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Shielding is a measure to protect those most vulnerable. It is recommended to not leave your home, and to minimise all non-essential contact with other members of your household.

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING

SELF-ISOLATION PROTOCOL

SEEK MEDICAL CARE EARLY

Use an alcohol hand gel in addition to regularly washing your hands with soap and water.

Maintain at least 2 metres (6 feet) distance between you and anyone who does not live in your household.

Those who are at high risk have/will receive a letter from the NHS advising them to self isolate for 12 weeks.

If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathingseek medical attention, stay at home and call NHS 111.

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TAIN & DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT TRUST

DEVELOPMENT TRUST AMBASSADORS

Can you believe how much life has changed since the last issue? Only four weeks and the nation is in complete lockdown. Food shortages, toilet roll hoarding, and queues outside the local supermarkets. During this time however TDDT have been extremely busy trying to ensure that the people of Tain and District will be fully supported throughout the Covid 19 Pandemic. TDDT with the help of local volunteers have set up a Street Ambassador scheme. These Ambassadors have put leaflets through letterboxes in the Tain area with information regarding essential phone numbers, how to contact the Benefits Agency, the FoodBank, NHS Helpline or the Highland Council. Also distributed was an information card with the Ambassadors information and contact number. This should be used if you are elderly or are self-isolating and need help in any form of help. The Ambassadors will then insure

that your request is passed on to TDDT who will get a volunteer to help. Following an appeal made to members of the public TDDT are delighted to say that we now have a large number of volunteers to help with this scheme. Help has so far been given for shopping, picking up prescriptions, and the Food Bank. A lot of the Ambassadors have found that most people are just glad to see someone checking up on them or even just stopping for a socially distant chat! We even have one volunteer that is making regular phone calls to people that are lonely. The Street Ambassador Scheme is only available in Tain, outlying areas and the villages have similar schemes in their area, these are run by community councils and or volunteers. If you have not received leaflets and Red Cross and Green Tick sheets for your window then please get in touch with TDDT at info@tainddtrust.com. Similarly if you would like to

volunteer to help please get in touch. Remember not every volunteer is available when required. Life’s most persistent and urgent question: What are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King Jnr. TDDT have also become one of the referral agencies for the Highland Council. Referral agencies have been set up to deal with the large volume of requests for help that have come about because of this crisis. Hubs have been set up and requests are passed on to the referral agencies for local volunteers to help with. To aid TDDT to manage the situation, funding was sought and we are delighted to confirm we have been successful and have received financial support for which we are most grateful. This has enabled us to support a number of groups in the district with the humanitarian aid tasks they are carrying out. TDDT are in the process of setting up a Web platform

which will advertise our local businesses. It will act as an e-commerce platform where we can support our local businesses by buying vouchers or products. We will also advertise local businesses who have their own e-commerce sites. If you would like your business to be added then please email coral@tainddtrust.com We have also in the last couple of days sent out another leaflet with up-to-date information and a Community Update. This leaflet also contains information on Meals on Wheels Scheme for the over 70’s that we are seeking to gauge interest. If you would like to register an interest for this scheme then please do so at info@tainddtrust.com “One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone” – Shannon L Alder

WE ARE PEOPLE OF ACTION Making a difference in our communities

Would you like to help us? Is there a project we can help you with? IF YOU ARE SELF-ISOLATING DUE TO CORONAVIRUS, WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN RUN ERRANDS FOR YOU. IF YOU NEED HELP, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH TODAY CALL CAROL ANNE 01862 892292

Quality Meat Products www.highlandprime.co.uk @HighlandPrime 01862 832061

We are providing a free delivery service for anyone self isolating. Please contact us for details

Subscribe Have the magazine delivered direct to your door for Â£40 per year. Visit www.tainpost.co.uk for more information. Digital Archive A growing Digital Archive of

back issues is now available via www.tainpost.co.uk/ archives.php Get In Touch You can contact the Tain & District Picture Post using the following details;

info@tainpost.co.uk

Address 5B Ross Street, Tain, IV19 1BA (new address!) Phone 01862 857366 Web www.tainpost.co.uk