SpotLight on Inverness & District April 2015

APRIL 2015

I NV E R NE S S & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

This space could have been promoting your business!

SpotLight covers six areas along the Moray Firth Coast

Contact us for details of rates and sizes: 01309 690063

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A take away baguette bar, offering a wide range of fresh quality products and secret family recipes

emerge Meeting the future

nt 60 Seafield Rd, Inverness

Drumduan Upper School leads the way in a new approach to secondary school level education with a sustainable, holistic and practical curriculum for adolescents.

Lessons covering the sciences and humanities are taught by specialist teachers. Academic study is enhanced and balanced by movement, music and artistic work, with crafts, environmental and outdoor activities part of the weekly timetable.

To arrange a tour of the school, please contact Rachel Phillips.

Drumduan Upper School, Clovenside Road, Forres IV36 2RD

T: 01309 691214 E: reception@drumduan.org W: www.drumduan.org

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3 Critical Features to demand from Your New Vet...

Moving to a new area is a challenging process for your family, your pet will be stressed by the process as well. At Moray Coast Vet Group we want you to know that we are here to help you and your pets settle into the area.

Why would you use us? Well it’s simple really, we have been vets in this area for a very long time and can offer your pet the following 3 critical benefits: to a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Practice, Access meaning your pet will be treated to the highest standards. convenient surgery locations making it easy to get to us Four day and night. and well equipped surgeries meaning we can treat all routine Modern conditions without the need to refer your pet.

So all you need to do now, for peace of mind for you and your pet, is call us to say ‘hello’ and we will do all that is necessary to register your pet with our practice. Oh, and we will call your old vet to request your pet’s existing notes, so we can be familiar with everything we need to know.

Now that is peace of mind for your pet.

Call us now on: CARING FOR YOUR COMPANIONS

Forres Surgery (main branch) 01309 672243 Nairn Surgery 01667 453161 Lossiemouth Surgery 01343 815335 Balloch Surgery 01463 794224 24 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER 01309 672243 www.moraycoastvetgroup.co.uk

CLUBS & SOCIETIES BEFRIENDERS HIGHLAND Voluntary organisation, coordinating friendships between volunteers and people who have mental health problems & feel lonely or isolated. Email info@ befriendershighland.org.uk or call 01463 712791. Visit the website www.befriendershighland.org.uk DINGWALL INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Tuesdays 7.30pm &Thursdays 7pm, Dingwall Sports Centre Have fun on dark nights. Bowls are available, however flat soled shoes or slippers are necessary.

FAMILY FIRST A support service for families with at least one child 0-3 yrs old. Tel: 703033 or email: alisonstanley@smoothmail.co.uk FITNESS FRENZY Fitness sessions Thursday lunchtimes at the palace hotel.

Visit www.fitnessfrenzy.co.uk FORTROSE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Mondays at 7.30pm (7.00pm for beginners) at Gordon Memorial Hall, Rosemarkie. All welcome.

Contact Susan 01381 610253

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HARMONY MUSIC THERAPY SCOTLAND Individual & Group Music Therapy sessions to encourage, enable and empower all ages and abilities through interactive music experiences. Will travel to private homes, facilities and schools. Call Kristen Macleod on 07770 427396.

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS AUTISM SOCIETY Support group. Last Wednesday of the month in MacKenzie Centre, Culduthel Road, Inverness at 7.30pm. All welcome.

INVERNESS CATHEDRAL SOCIETY OF BELL RINGERS Thursdays 7.30pm - 9pm.

Anyone can be a bell ringer! We ring for Sunday services, weddings and other special occasions. Tel: 01381 610411 or email inverness@sacr.org INVERNESS FIELD ARCHERY CLUB Available to interested parties wishing to take up archery and are located in Nairn, Forres, Elgin and all surrounding areas.

Contact Secretary, Gerry Parks on 01667 462219 (evenings) or 07801 593 637. Visit invernessfieldarcheryclub.webeden.co.uk INVERNESS PARKRUN A free, weekly, 5K timed event that takes place on the Bught Park every Saturday morning at 9.30am. To take part, register at www.parkrun.org.uk and bring along your barcode.

INVERNESS TENNIS Bishop’s Road, Inverness, tel: 230751 or email: itsc.information@googlemail.com or visit www.itscnews.com

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page 4 - April 2015

LEACHKIN ANGLING CLUB Tel: 223621, or email: ian@harrisholidays.com KITE SURFING The vast sandy beaches in the Highlands of Scotland provide a perfect platform for year round activity. Ongoing at Ardersier, Nairn, Findhorn, Lossie and Burghead. The Scottish Power Kite Assoc covers all good kite surfing spots. Visit the website www.spka.org/activities

MEDITATION CLASSES Mondays 6.30pm at Millburn Academy, Diriebught Road, Inverness. £5 (£4 conc.). Call 0141 334 1334 or visit www.meditateinglasgow.org All welcome.

STITCH THREAD AND BEYOND 2nd Wednesday every month, Community Room, Culloden Community Centre. To promote the Art of Embroidery & related Crafts in the Highlands. Call Kate MacKenzie 01463 790924

LGBT 5K RUNNING GROUP Wednesdays, 6pm, Inverness Leisure. www.gay-ness.org.uk Text / call 07941 553620 or email jampa40@yahoo.co.uk

THE CLAN DONALD SOCIETY OF THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS For details call the Membership Secretary on tel 01381 620121 email: contact@clandonald.org or visit www.clandonald.org

MINI-NESS DOLLS HOUSE CLUB 2nd Wednesday each month.

Promotes the hobby of dolls houses and miniature making. tel: 223590 or visit the website www.magpieminiatures.co.uk MUIR OF ORD ART GROUP Tuesdays, 6:30pm - 9pm and Saturdays, 9:30am - 12pm at the Old School, Great North Rd, Muir of Ord. For info contact the Tutor / Chairperson Annie MacLean on 01463 870274.

SALVATION ARMY COFFEE MORNING Tuesdays 10am -12noon.

Salvation Army Hall, Tomnahurich Street, Inverness.

All welcome. No charge. Tel: 225276 SALTIRE SOCIETY HIGHLAND BRANCH Meets Saturday mornings in Inverness for talks on a wide range of Scottish topics. St Andrews Day celebrations, Burns lunch and summer outing.

Call Alan Niven on 01667 459449 or email: alan.niven@hotmail.com SOUNDS FAMILIAR SINGING GROUP Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday every month at 2:30pm - 4pm in the Craigmonie Hotel, Annfield Rd, Inverness. For people with dementia & their carers. For details call 01463 233231 or 01463 230803 or email soundsfamiliarmusic@aol.com

THE HIGHLAND BRIDGE CLUB Meets every Wednesday all year.

New members welcome. Call Marsalaidh on 01463 224434 or Graham on 01463 792811 THE WAY FOUNDATION Help each other rebuild our lives after widowhood. Call us on 0870 011 3450 or email info@wayfoundation.org.uk TORCH (FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED) Meet at the Kingsview Christian Centre at 2pm on the last Saturday of the month. Contact Clark Walls: 01463 221597.

WESTHILL INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Tues & Thurs 7.30 - 9.30pm Oct to Mar, Cradlehall Primary School. Call the Chairperson on 790524 or Gladys on 790834 PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.

If you would like details of your club or society included in this section, please let us know. All club listings are free. Not all clubs will be listed in every issue.

STARLIGHT MUSICAL THEATRE New amateur musical theatre group. For more information email starlightmusicaltheatre@ live.co.uk with your details.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

It only seems like 5 minutes ago we were all talking about voting and elections and here we are again! So soon - too soon?

I wonder what we would do if we didn’t have politicians telling us how things should be and what we should be thinking all the time. The great mantra about listening to the people seems to take a bit of a back seat when it comes to the winning of a Parliamentary Seat! Hey - Ho - here we go again!

The Editor

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes SALES .............................Jill Connor SALES...........................Susan Innes ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LAYOUT .................Tamsyn Dickson

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PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS A reason to praise God’s goodness in creation...

Seeing the spring flowers coming into bloom is always a real treat after the gloom of winter days. Tiny shoots breaking through the earth again and brightening the hedgerows and gardens with colour, fill us with hopes of longer days and warmth returning to the earth.

People of old celebrated the rebirth of life in springtime. The prophets of old saw the changing season as a reason to praise God’s goodness in creation, “ The desert will rejoice and flowers will bloom in the wilderness. The desert will sing and shout for joy... everyone will see the Lord’s splendour, see his greatness and his power.” (Isaiah 35:1-3) and more than that, they saw the renewal of life as a sign of God’s continuing care and love for God’s people. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why the bright spring flowers have become so much a part of the celebration of Easter. For what better represents the life of Jesus risen from the tomb than the

rebirth of life from the earth; and who better than Jesus to show us the nature of God’s love.

The Easter story is full of drama and tragedy, suffering and betrayal, but ultimately it is about life and love.

God’s love for us which is so powerful that God would give up his own Son to a brutal and humiliating death to show his will to be alongside us in our suffering. And the fullness of life which is offered and received in God’s raising Jesus from the tomb; bringing renewed hope and life from the ultimate place of death.

The climax of the Easter story happens in the early morning, in a garden, surrounded by the colours and scents of all the trees and flowers. Mary Magdalene, a friend of Jesus, has gone there with others to finish the work of embalming his body.

When she gets there, things are not as she expected. The tomb is empty and the stone sealing the entrance is rolled away. Weeping in despair, she does not recognise the one who approaches her, until he calls her

Old High St Stephen's, Church of Scotland 1) Old High Church, Church Street, Inverness. Sundays 11.15am. Tel: 01463 250802. 2) St Stephen’s Church, Southside Road at Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness.

Sundays 10am. Tel: 01463 250802. www.oldhighststephens.com St Andrew's Cathedral, Scottish Episcopal Church Ardross Street, Inverness. Tel: 01463 233535. Website: www.invernesscathedral.com St Clement's Parish, Church of Scotland Church Street, Dingwall.

Sundays 11.30am. 6.30pm: evening worship. Sunday school meets in church hall 11.20am (term time). Tel: 01349 863063.

St Columba, Church of Scotland Sundays, 10:30am at Drummond School, Drummond Road, Inverness IV2 4NZ. Tel: 07535 290092.

Website: www.stcolumbainverness.org St John the Evangelist, Episcopal Church Southside Road, Inverness. Sunday service 10.45am. Wednesdays 11am: Holy Communion. Tel: 01463 235881. Website: www.stjohns-inverness.com St Ninian's Catholic Church 21 Culduthel Road, Inverness, IV2 4AN. Saturday Vigil 5pm. Sunday Mass 10am. Tel: 01463 236620. Website: www.saintninians.org.uk St Mary's Catholic Church 30 Huntly Street, Inverness, IV3 5PR. Saturday Vigil 6.30pm. Sunday Mass 10am and 6.30pm.

St Columba’s Catholic Church Culloden, IV2 7PW. Sunday Mass 9.30am. Tel: 01463 233519. Website: www.stmarysinverness.co.uk St Mary-in-the-Fields, Episcopal Church Culloden. 9.45am: Sunday service and family communion. Tel: 01381 622438.

page 6 - April 2015

name. She thinks he is the gardener, but when he speaks, then she knows once and for all that Jesus is alive and her voice becomes the first of countless faithful witnesses to the power of God in renewing and rebuilding lives. She obeys Jesus instruction to “go to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God and their God.” (John 20:17) And later when the risen Jesus gathers all his friends and followers together he calls them to “go and tell people everywhere, baptise them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, teach them to obey everything I have commanded you, and I will be with you always to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:19ff).

The Easter story is one of life and love, renewal and hope and it is for all of us.

Very Rev. Alison J Simpson St. Columba’s Nairn

St Michael & All Angels Abban Street, Inverness. Sunday Mass 11am. Contact Rev. Gerald Stranraer-Mull: 01463 870986. Email: stranraer-mull@btinternet.com. www.stmichaelandallangels.org.uk Smithton Free Church Murray Road, Smithton, Inverness. Sundays 11am (with crèche) & 6pm. 01463 793191 / www.smithtonchurch.com The Reformed Baptist Church Telford Road, Inverness. Website: www.wicketgate.co.uk The Salvation Army Tomnahurich Street, Inverness. Sundays 10.30am and 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 225276.

Website: www.salvationarmy.org.uk Trinity Church, Church of Scotland 60 Huntly Place, Inverness.

Sundays 11am. First Sunday of the month: 6:30pm service.

Website: www.trinityinverness.org.uk Urray & Strathconon Free Church Urray at West Road, Muir of Ord and Strathconon at The Strathconon Community Hall. Tel: 01463 871223. Email: dgmartin@homecall.co.uk West Hill Free Church (Continuing) Culloden, Inverness. Sundays 11am and 6.30pm. Thursdays and Saturdays 7.30pm. Tel: 07532010595.

Listed O to W and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or for any amendments to existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

Restaurant & Events Catering Main Street, Strathpeffer Telephone:

01997 423332

For all Catering enquiries please contact: 01463 871775

info@redpoppycatering.co.uk www.redpoppyrestaurant.co.uk

USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days British Summertime Starts Palm Sunday April Fool’s Day Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday

Sun 29th Mar 2015 Sun 29th Mar 2015 Wed 1st Apr 2015 Thurs 2nd Apr 2015 Fri 3rd Apr 2015 Sun 5th Apr 2015 Mon 6th Apr 2015

Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Father’s Day Longest Day Summer Bank Holiday British Summertime Ends Halloween

Mon 4th May 2015 Mon 25th May 2015 Sun 21st Jun 2015 Sun 21st Jun 2015 Mon 3rd Aug 2015 Sun 25th Oct 2015 Sat 31st Oct 2015

School Term Dates for 2014/2015 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Thurs 2nd Apr 2015 Spring Holiday Starts Fr 3rd Apr 2015 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 17th Apr 2015 Summer Term Starts Mon 20th Apr 2015 May Day Holiday Mon 4th May 2015 In-Service Day Mon 1st Jun 2015 Summer Term Ends Thurs 2nd Jul 2015 Summer Holiday Starts Fri 3rd Jul 2015

for 2015/2016 (all dates inclusive) Summer Holiday Ends Fri 14th Aug 2015 In-Service Day Mon 17th Aug 2015 Autumn Term Starts Tues 18th Aug 2015 In-Service Day Thurs 24th Sep 2015 In-Service Day Fri 25th Sep 2015 Autumn Term Ends Fri 9th Oct 2015 Autumn Holiday Starts Mon 12th Oct 2015 Autumn Holiday Ends Fri 23rd Oct 2015

Useful Contacts Beauly Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111 Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318 Culloden Academy Community Complex . . . . . 01463 792794 Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531 Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Highland Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 Inverness Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 National Rail Enquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Police Station. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 NHS 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

VILLAGE HALLS & COMMUNITY CENTRES

page 8 - April 2015

VETS Crown Vets (Argyle St) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 237000 Crown Vets (Carsegate Rd Sth) . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712202 Culloden Veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 793700 Eastgate Veterinary Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 230893 Fish Vet Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 717774 Inshes Veterinary Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 711777 Kessock Equine Veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 731107 Moray Coast Vet Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794224 Rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or amend existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

estwoo W

Ca ttery

Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn Tel. 01667 454536 or

gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk

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Abriachan Village Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861257 Ardersier Old School Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Balloch Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07955 756310 Cameron Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234785 Cannich Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 459224 Culduthel Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712844 Farr Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01808 521346 Floral Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713553 Kiltarlity Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 741447 Kirkhill Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 831737 Merkinch Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239563

Phipps Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Smithton-Culloden Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 793284 The Green Hall, Smithton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07977 852083 Spectrum Centre & Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 221842 Stratherrick Public Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486350 Strathnairn Hall (Daviot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 772228

www.westwoodcattery.co.uk

Feline Advisory Bureau Registered, Listed in Good Cattery Guide

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

Let Us Know ‘What’s On’ In Your Area *Deadline for the May Issue: Friday, 3rd April* Email: tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk Telephone: 01309 690063 Inclusion of events in What’s On is free.

We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops.

Contact venues & organisers first as there may be changes to events.

Rolling Event until 18 april the "mixed spring exhibition - spring exhibition 2015 at inchmore gallery come and peruse the wide range of artwork on offer and feel inspired. visit www.inchmoregallery.co.uk

rspb outing - in search of divers again meet 9:30am at highland council car park, inverness. for details call 01997 421193 or 01997 433283

29 sunday ‘tree of life; the music of john tavener’ 4pm at inverness cathedral. tickets £8 at the door or foor reservations email sya@troilusensemble.com great glen walking club ulladale circular. 7 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for information. df concerts presents: the view @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

APRIL 2015 2 thursday reef + vukovi @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

28 mar - 7 apr four inch sq art exhibition at the bike shed. art for sale. for more information and opening times visit www.artsinmerkinch.org.uk

MARCH 2015 26 thursday rspb north scotland office update 7:30pm at fraser park bowling club, inverness. call 01997 433283

27 friday ceòlas, exploring the connections within gaelic, music, and dance in south uist by mary macinnes 7.30pm, inverness gaelic school, all welcome. rock n wrestling presents: live wrestling @ ironworks 7pm. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com

NAIRN

Nairn Community & Arts Centre Your local venue for films, shows, concerts and parties. Wide range of activities for all ages.

28 saturday inverness ramblers walk 1 - sgurr na feartaig. 13 miles. meet 9am. walk 2 - meet 10am and route will be decided on the day. highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for more information. easter fun day 12pm - 4pm at the bike shed, grant street, inverness. egg painting, clown, balloon modelling, make and parade easter bonnets, decorate biscuits. this is a free event. fundraising tombola and tuck shop. ranger walk - earth hour in beauly 7:30pm - 9pm, meet at the gate entrance of the beauly priory, beauly. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. contact jenny on 01463 255291 or rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk admin@spotlighton.co.uk

APRIL EVENTS Fri 10th ..................Highland Scottish Country Dance Fri 17th...... Cinema Nairn – The Sapphires (PG) 2012 Sat 18th................ Music Nairn - Ashley Wass - Piano Sat 25th......................... Highland Rock Garden Show For further details, telephone 01667 453476, e-mail info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website at www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

April 2015 - page 9

10 friday

KidO O

world darts championship - phil taylor, keith deller, bobby george @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

11 saturday

A musical adventure for 3-4 year olds Wed 1 • Thu 2 Apr 11am & 2pm Eden Court, Inverness 01463 234 234 eden-court.co.uk

scottishopera.org.uk

3 friday netsounds presents: unknown pleasures feat. andrew mongomery, michael cassidy & more @ ironworks 8pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com

4 saturday great glen walking club torbreck to dirrwood. 11 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. 01463 236204 manran @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

4 saturday - 6 monday

ranger walk - spring at merkinch local nature reserve 2pm - 3:30pm, meet by the old ferry ticket office, the turning circle, kessock road, inverness. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. contact katy on 01463 255291 or rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk ranger walk - the dark mysteries of blackrock gorge, evanton 10am -1pm, meet at evanton village car park. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. email martin.hind@highland.gov.uk or call 01349 868563 easter family fun 10am - 12pm at lochardil scout hall, green drive, inverness. hosted by inverness st. columba church. crafts, games, face-painting and an easter egg hunt. suitable for children 3 - 8 years and their families. free admission. enquiries to community@stcolumbainverness.org

11 saturday & 12 sunday daffodil walks @ brodie castle 10.30am - 5pm guided walks allow you to see the flowers in bloom. entry: £3

12 sunday great glen walking club meall a' bhuachaille. 5.2 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. 01463 236204.

14 tuesday

cadbury easter egg trail @ brodie castle 11am 4pm (last entry 3.45pm). turn eggsplorer this easter as you follow the trail, collect the clues, solve the puzzle and win a cadbury egghead! £2 per child.

scottish ornithologists' club: agm followed by "what’s in a name? some thoughts on european bird names" by sinclair dunnett 7:30pm, culloden library. £3 members; £4 non members. call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740

5 sunday

15 wednesday

inverness ramblers lon dornaich circular. 8 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. 01463 236204. bars & melody @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

5 sunday - 26 sunday photofest 2015 12pm - 5pm at abernethy old kirk, nethy bridge, ph25 3ed. ten photographers provide an eclectic mix of inspiring photographs. tea / coffee / home-baking. also second-hand books / tombola. free entry and free parking. call 07934 413063

ranger walk - inverness town treasure hunt 1:30pm 4pm, booking essential. meeting place given out on booking. free event. contact cait on 01463 237114 or cait.mccullagh@highlifehighland.com ranger walk - contin views and loch cran 11am 2pm, meet at fc contin public car park just past the village on right going north. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. call martin hind on 01349 868563 or email martin.hind@highland.gov.uk

7 tuesday ranger walk - we are going on an egg hunt - in search of the dragon's nest, cannich 10am 11:30am, meet in the car park at cannich village hall. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. call jenny on 01463 255291 or rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk.

8 wednesday ranger walk - go fly a kite at abriachan 2pm 3:30pm, meet at abriachan forest car park. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. call katy on 01463 255291 or email rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk.

page 10 - April 2015

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

17 friday

22 wednesday

cinema nairn: 'the sapphires' (u) 7:30pm at nairn community & arts centre. cinemanairn.blogspot.co.uk gaelic society of inverness annual business meeting 7.30pm at eden court, maclean room. www.gsi.org.uk

ranger walk - leg stretchers, tain hill and pulpit rock 10am -12:30pm, meet at tain hill forest car park up from quarry road, tain just off the a9. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. contact martin hind by email martin.hind@highland.gov.uk or call 01349 868563

18 saturday great glen walking club the convals. 6 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 music nairn presents - pianist ashley wass playing grieg, schubert, chopin and liszt 7:30pm at nairn community and arts centre. tickets at door, call music nairn 01667 455701 • www.musicnairn.org.uk highland branch seagull trust cruises ceilidh/dance 7:30pm - 11pm, north kessock community hall. £10. (children free) byob. refreshments at interval. raffle sold on the night in aid of funds the trust. any queries please call isobel on 01463 731798. gaelic society of inverness culloden anniversary service assemble at the visitor centre by 10:30am. visit www.gsi.org.uk for info. ranger walk - ponds, frogs and newts day @ inshes park 1pm - 4pm. free, family friendly showing on the importance of urban ponds and provide information on how you can help with an exciting new project that highland council will run in 2015. contact marcia rae at marcia.rae@highland.gov.uk or 702086

21 tuesday highland literary salon 7:30pm at glen mhor hotel inverness. guest speaker anne donovan

BEFORE

24 friday - 26 sunday great glen walking club april weekend away - details to be confirmed. call 01463 236204 for more info.

25 saturday ranger walk - dawn at the river beauly, kilmorack 5am - 7:30am, meet at the black bridge, kilmorack. adults £4, conc. £3, family £11. call jenny on 01463 255291 or rangers.inverness@highland.gov.uk. spring coffee morning 10am - 12pm, st john the evangelist church, southside road, inverness. various stalls, tombola and raffle. saltire society of scotland, highland branch 12 noon chieftain hotel, millburn road, inverness. jim miller will give a talk on "the us navy in inverness during the first world war." all welcome. for more info call jim on 01463 713552 decopage session 1pm - 3:30pm at the bike shed, grant street, inverness. bring something along or find something there. for info call ann on 01463 710375 or catherine at the clay studio 719712 filth diabetes uk fundraiser @ ironworks 10pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

AFTER

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PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES

“

Parliament Blog

”

I well remember when first trying skiing as a young boy the tremendous feeling of excitement and exhiliration. I hope every youngster in Scotland can try out skiing for themselves. So I was delighted as Minister responsible for working to help Scotland's ski resorts to announce the assistance of around five million pounds towards improving the uplift equipment. That will allow the resorts to continue to attract people to ski here in Scotland.

The announcement was made at Glenshee where many youngsters cheered the announcement on the snow covered hills at the top station. The chairlift there even had a padded seat which I cant remember a few decades ago - what luxury!

Fergus Ewing MSP LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN APRIL Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

W TH F SA SU M TU

AM 05:53 06:17 06:26 06:55 07:32 08:08 08:40

PM 18:13 18:38 18:58 19:28 20:01 20:35 21:07

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

W TH F SA SU M TU W TH F SA SU

Even here in the wet and windy Highlands there aren’t many lochs that need their own lifeboat and rescue team.

But with the volume of traffic passing through the Caledonian Canal, the potential swell on a bad day and the area to cover, it’s no surprise that Loch Ness does. I first visited Loch Ness’ RNLI some years ago, and donated part of the cost of my constituency Christmas card to them last year. But I was delighted to see, first-hand, the remarkable work they are doing to keep visitors safe while visiting their base in Drumnadrochit last month. With popular online news bloggers ‘Buzzfeed’ in tow, it was great to hear about their fundraising efforts and their plans to upgrade their launch complex. I wish them the best of luck with the project.

Emily Ashton’s column and photos of the visit can be seen on the Buzzfeed website.

Danny Alexander

AM 09:04 08:35 09:07 09:52 01:26 02:59 04:08 05:07 05:59 06:46 07:29

PM 21:32 20:52 21:29 22:24 12:34 14:18 15:40 16:45 17:43 18:32 19:16 19:57

Approved installer

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

M TU W TH F SA SU M TU W TH

AM 08:10 08:51 09:33 10:16 11:04 12:11 00:33 03:46 04:37 05:16

PM 20:37 21:15 21:50 22:15 22:15 23:02 13:57 15:11 16:07 16:54 17:32

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recipe

Chef’s Confidential

Warm Savoury Scones, Melting Clava Brie Makes 10 Scones Ingredients: 225g Self Raising Flour 1 tsp Baking Powder 50g Butter 125g Grated mature Cheddar ½ tsp Arran Mustard 150ml Milk 1 Beaten Egg Method: Mix flour, baking powder and butter until a “bread crumb” mixture.

Mix the mustard and the milk and add to the flour mixture. Knead to a soft dough.

Roll on floured surface about 2 cm thick and cut to shape.

Place on a baking tray with baking paper, egg wash and bake on 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes golden brown.

Cool on a rack.

This dish is nice as a snack, starter or as a canapé for a dinner party and the scones can be made in advance and frozen easily!!

Once cooled, cut in half and cover with slices of brie, place under a grill or in a warm oven and let the cheese melt. Serve warm with beetroot salsa.

Beetroot Salsa; 1 packet cooked beetroot 1 large shallot 1 tbsp crème fraîche 1 tbsp mayonnaise Dash of sherry vinegar and seasoning Finely chop the beetroot and shallot, mix with the crème fraîche and mayonnaise, season.

16

Oscar Sinjorgo, Head Chef, The Newton Hotel, Nairn.

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