Lamplight Autumn 2018

Autumn 2018

ISSUE 10

LampLIGHT LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR MORAY & NAIRN

I N S I D E

PICK UP YOUR

King David I of Scotland

FREE COPY

His thousand year legacy to Moray

Five Autumn Fashion Trends Have you seen the fermer’s loon?

by Eleanor Webster

Discover

The Earth Pillars Not far from Fochabers lies one of nature’s wonders, the striking red sandstone outcrops known as the Earth Pillars.

PLUS much more inside...

WHO WE ARE E.L.S stoves is a small local family run business with years of experience in wood burning, multi fuel stove installations and refurbishment. We pride ourselves on our ability to turn an old fire place into an amazing new feature that you will definitely want to show off. We love what we do and believe that shows in our quality of workmanship and attention to detail. We have installed a wide range of stoves over the years with a lot of challenges and this has given us the skill set to help you with any project you may have.

out the existing fire place to tiling and even chimney sweeping. We use the best of materials and flue systems and will never use inferior products to keep costs down.

At E.L.S stoves we are very different from other companies because we understand that installing a stove is not a cheap option. We will never pressure sell you anything and will always give you the correct advice you need. We offer a service that not a lot of companies can compete with as we do everything from breaking

Every stove we install will be maintained by us for as long as you need with a year’s guarantee on all non-wear and tear items.

At our showroom in Elgin we have a great range of stoves on display with plenty of brochures if you need more choice. We also supply oak beams to any size and non-combustible beams with a great choice of texture and colours.

We have everything you need to service your stove from thermal tape to paint.

DON’T BELIEVE US? See for yourself our reviews across the web

Facebook Reviews Yell.com Reviews Google Reviews

Why not come and visit us to see our live display stove and feel the heat that your house has always been missing you might even get a cup of coffee.

CONTACT US. 07534 125 013 01343 200 413

www.elsstoves.co.uk

elsstoves@hotmail.com facebook.com/elsstoves

MOTOR HOME HIRE

Looking for a HOME away from HOME? 07825 172891 U info@saltiremotorhomes.co.uk Strathlene House, Elgin, Moray, IV30 8NB

www.saltiremotorhomes.co.uk

ELS Stoves LAMP oct 18.pdf

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WHO WE ARE E.L.S stoves is a small local family run business with years of experience in wood burning, multi fuel stove installations and refurbishment. We pride ourselves on our ability to turn an old fire place into an amazing new feature that you will definitely want to show off. We love what we do and believe that shows in our quality of workmanship and attention to detail. We have installed a wide range of stoves over the years with a lot of challenges and this has given us the skill set to help you with any project you may have.

out the existing fire place to tiling and even chimney sweeping. We use the best of materials and flue systems and will never use inferior products to keep costs down.

At E.L.S stoves we are very different from other companies because we understand that installing a stove is not a cheap option. We will never pressure sell you anything and will always give you the correct advice you need. We offer a service that not a lot of companies can compete with as we do everything from breaking

Every stove we install will be maintained by us for as long as you need with a year’s guarantee on all non-wear and tear items.

At our showroom in Elgin we have a great range of stoves on display with plenty of brochures if you need more choice. We also supply oak beams to any size and non-combustible beams with a great choice of texture and colours.

We have everything you need to service your stove from thermal tape to paint.

DON’T BELIEVE US? See for yourself our reviews across the web

Facebook Reviews Yell.com Reviews Google Reviews

Why not come and visit us to see our live display stove and feel the heat that your house has always been missing you might even get a cup of coffee.

CONTACT US. 07534 125 013 01343 200 413

www.elsstoves.co.uk

elsstoves@hotmail.com

(GLWRUĘĘ VĘ /HWWHU

:KHUH FDQ , JHW D FRS\ RI /DPSOLJKW"

Welcome to our Autumn Issue of our quarterly lifestyle magazine, Lamplight.

As a bit of a change we have a semi-fictional story this month penned by local writer, Eleanor Webster. She tells me that the story is based on historical information and is a really good read.

This issue, we have also featured a local artist, Charlie Fitzgerald, who does some visually stunning horse portraits.

Charlie openly admits to a lifelong obsession with horses and is talented enough to be able to have made a career out of this obsession. Examples of her artwork start on page 45.

LampLIGHT

As a child and then as a parent, I really enjoyed the works of CS Lewis (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, etc) but it was only recently that I realised he had written many other things much less well known. Below is his thought on enjoying the arts (poetry in this case):

Nairn - Sainsburys, Co-op Forres - Tesco, Co-op, Mack & C Logie Steading, Brodie Countryfare Elgin - Johnstons, Marks & Spencers, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Asda Buckie - Tesco, Lidl, Co-op Keith - Tesco, Various other shops Aberlour - Spey Larder, Co-op Grantown - Co-op, Scotmid Lossiemouth - Co-op - Queen St, Co-op Faroes St

Those who read poetry to improve their minds will never improve their minds by reading poetry. For the true enjoyments must be spontaneous and compulsive and look to no remoter end.

CS Lewis, 1952

LAMPLIGHT IS PUBLISHED BY: Winterburn Media LTD Unit 15, Horizon Scotland, Enterprise Park, Forres, Moray, IV36 2AB Tel: 01309 690063 EDITOR: David Nelmes - David@winterburnmedia.co.uk PRODUCTION and ART & DESIGN: Chris Kemp - Chris@winterburnmedia.co.uk Flo Skinner - Flo@winterburnmedia.co.uk SALES: Susan Innes - Susan@winterburnmedia.co.uk Heather Ward - Heather@winterburnmedia.co.uk ACCOUNTS: Alan Radley - Alan@winterburnmedia.co.uk

&RQWHQWV Christmas Crafts

- Page 6

The Findhorn - The River of Beauty

- Page 8

The Earth Pillars

- Page 10

The Mountain Minister

- Page 17

Green Thumb Gardening

- Page 22

The Fermer’s Loon

- Page 24

King David I of Scotland

- Page 31

Bookclub

- Page 36

Five Autumn Fashion Trends

- Page 40

Ramnee Restaurant Review

- Page 42

Art - Charlie Fitzgerald

- Page 45

Classified

- Page 50

ůů ŵĂƚĞƌŝĂů ĐŽŶƚĂŝŶĞĚ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƚŚĞ >ĂŵƉůŝŐŚƚ ŵĂŐĂnjŝŶĞ ŝƐ ƐƵďũĞĐƚ ƚŽ ĨŽƌŵĂů ĐŽƉLJƌŝŐŚƚ ƌĞƐƚƌŝĐƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞƌĞĨŽƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƉƌŽĚƵĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ĂŶLJ ůŝƐƟŶŐƐ͕ ĞĚŝƚŽƌŝĂů͕ ĂĚǀĞƌƟƐĞƌ ĂƌƚǁŽƌŬ Žƌ ĂŶLJ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĐŽŶƚĞŶƚ͕ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ƉƵďůŝƐŚĞƌƐ ƉƌŝŽƌ lmaplight black logo.pdf 3 consent, will be considered a breach of copyright.

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. .. Get Crafty this Christmas!

This cute reindeer makes a treasured, personalised present for Grandparents

Dip in hot chocolate for a warm winter treat.

Festive mandala stones can be created with a bit of time and a steady hand!

Make your home smell lovely with these cinnamon tree decorations

Make your Christmas wrapping extra special with these button bauble tags. lamplight logo.pdf

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Wrap up a snowman chocolate bar for an easy teacher or neighbour gift

Bishopmill Nov 18.pdf

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BISHOPMILL P H A R M A C Y For all your health, beauty & pharmaceutical needs Services Include:

Flu Immunisation Blood Pressure Testing Cholesterol Testing Diabetes Testing Disposal of Medicines Smoking Cessation Travel Vaccination Clinic To start the consultation customers can fill in the details of their trip / holiday before contacting the pharmacy at etraveltool.com

Repeat Prescriptions Online IT’S AS SIMPLE AS...

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Tel: 01343 547 374 cottages and castles HP.pdf

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Address:20 North Street, Bishopmill, Elgin, Moray,IV30 4EF www.bishopmillpharmacy.co.uk

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4ɤԊÉ? ƹƣǔǙƹÇ?*+7 Ę‹QÉ? Ćť$9( *

&ɪɸɗ WÉ› ERɟɖ ČŠHIĘ?ČžÉ? ĘƒÉ“ 1Ę?ÉƒĘ‘ÉşČŠĘ‘É lmaplight black logo.pdf

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THE FINDHORN THE RIVER OF BEAUTY

Readers of Lamplight can receive 10% discount on activities and accommodation at ACE Auchnagairn, as well as go into the monthly draw for an adventure break of two nights plus activities worth £680 for four people.

To enter visit: www.bit.ly/£680-prize-draw or call 01309 320 021 to speak with Tracey and quote "lamplight 10%"

This article, entitled the same as the book first published in 1932, written

by Thomas Henderson, has the intention of capturing the imagination of those with a desire for adventure and natural beauty.

To continue on from here, the reader will discover hidden gems and share similar values to that of the team at ACE Adventures & Hideaways, who are ideally placed, in the heart of what they consider to be not only a spectacular location of scenic splendour and a gateway to unexpected adventure, but also one that can match any other locale in Scotland. The River Findhorn is a short walk from the woodland campsite at ACE and only a 2 minute drive to the expansive, ancient stone arch of Daltullich Bridge, a popular place for a summer swim.

“To every Scot the river of his native parish is “The River of Beauty,” but all Scots, whatever their origin, will agree that the Findhorn deserves a high place on the list of the beautiful rivers of Scotland.”

- Thomas Henderson

A feeling of remote isolation is often expressed by those travelling from the South along the B9007 from Carrbridge to Forres. The Dava Moor offers an expanse of mysterious, rolling moorland. In 1927, a grisly discovery was made in a peat bog, of a 17th century skeleton clad in a woollen bonnet and clothing. Fuel for a good story to be told around the campfires when staying at ACE Hideaways. The lonely, lapping waters of Lochindorb were home to the infamous Wolf of Badenoch, where the remains of his castle can still be seen on the artificial island in the loch.

Lovers of wildlife can see Black Throated Divers and Greylag Geese. Fishing the loch is permitted to the public with no charge and is great for small brown trout. lmaplight black logo.pdf

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To the East, some of the oldest remaining Scottish Woodland survives on the western banks of the River Findhorn known as the Darnaway Forest, which has splendid stands of Beech and Oak with the oldest tree estimated at 750 years. It was once the hunting grounds of Clan Comyn until they lost that self bestowed hereditary right after losing the Battle of Whitemire. Dunearn Burn offers a pleasant walk that affords some spectacular views into the Lower Gorge where the colourful boats from ACE Adventures navigate turbulent cascades. You might be lucky and catch a glimpse of the elusive Capercaillie given 1700 hectares of the Dava Forest is a special protection area.

The nearby towns of Forres, Nairn, Findhorn and Burghead to the North have a wide range of services to indulge in, from interesting RAF oriented science and technology through to stretching beaches and craggy coastal paths looking out to the eastern coast of Ross-shire.

Closer to the ACE base, guests can easily while away a day at Logie Steading which has an array of small business holdings that cater to those who want to get their hands on a rare bottle of whisky or Scottish gin, traditional furniture making, green fingers, artists, book worms, crafts, antique restoration, fashion or a peaceful cake and coffee. Well established riverside walks abound and a visit to the gardens of the fairy tale Logie House a must.

Autumn is without doubt a visual spectacular in Scotland with the craggy Munros, rolling hills, glens and coastal regions offering a plethora of locations all vying to be the king of splendour. Often it is the hidden gems that not only pip the more established heirs to the crown but also afford an opportunity to enjoy them without the crowd.

Founder of ACE, Jim Davis, who has always appreciated autumnal colours having derived from a land of evergreen vegetation, is of the firm opinion that two areas of the Findhorn emerge as real contenders for Scotland’s bonniest vistas: Early in autumn, the area where the canyoning trip is located, close to Dulsie Bridge, has an incredible birch forest of glittering yellow that is something to behold as you abseil the 60 foot corkscrew waterfall of the Allt Aireimh Burn (stream). Canyoning trips run through to the end of October and you are provided with head to toe 5mm thick neoprene wetsuits to make the pool jumps, rock slides and dramatic landscape pleasantly comfortable. Hot showers are provided in the newly built changing rooms at the ACE base.

Later in the Autumn, when the mature trees such as the Oak and Beech are deep in colour the Lower Findhorn Gorge is a must. Navigating the river by rubber raft, under expert guidance from internationally experienced river guides, provides a scenic experience like no other. Splash down short and frequent dark tanin rapids and drops in the river, then drift through calm foam streaked pools throughout the gorge. ACE are the only provider to run the Lower Gorge. The full day rafting trip includes cliff jumping half way along for those that with a head for heights that work their way up to the highest safe jump in the gorge. You don't have to be a thrill seeker to enjoy the experience as all the major rapids can be easily walked around.

“There are literally jaw dropping moments deep in the gorge.

When the winds are high, down in the RIVER it's calm, sudden gusts blast colourful leaves into the void of the gorge and as we glide through the calm pools it rains an autumnal palette. There is no wind, no stirring of the water, eyes are lifted to the heavens and mouths agape. I cherish those moments” - Jim Davis

ACE Adventures & Hideaways provide quality outdoor adventure experiences from their activity centre, camping and glamping site in Moray Scotland.

Lets walk to

The

Earth Pillars Not far from Fochabers lies one of nature’s wonders, the striking red sandstone outcrops known as the Earth Pillars.

From Fochabers it’s an easy drive; turn south opposite the museum in the town and follow the Ordiequish road for a mile and half, pass the Ordiequish mountain bike trails car park and slightly further on stop in the small car park signed ‘Earth Pillars’. From here a path loops its way through the Scots pines to an elevated viewpoint above the river Spey. Look a little more carefully though and there’s a hidden gem or two to be found.

By Heidi M. Sands. lamplight logo.pdf

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Situated on the bank of the River

Not easily accessible, few walkers

Spey, just off the Fochabers to Orton

brave the steep slope to reach the

road at Aultdearg, sit the eroded Earth

river bank to view the pillars. For the

Pillars. They are hidden, but

intrepid walker though it’s worth the

accessible if you take care. Although

descent to see the pillars and the view

under a mile, allow at least an hour for

along the river. Don’t be tempted to

this walk owing to the difficulties on

descend to the river bank when the

some sections. It’s well worth the

river is in spate, however, or after

effort involved for the views along the

heavy rainfall, this is an activity best

Spey and those of the Earth Pillars.

reserved for when there’s little water in

Choose a good day weather wise;

the river. Take great care and if in

inclemency would render this walk

doubt don’t be afraid to turn back.

difficult. Whilst the majority of the walk is achievable by most walkers and

From the car park take the obvious

all-terrain buggies would cope, the

path beneath the trees, already you

part to the Earth Pillars is not suitable

can hear running water and the

for the very young, those in buggies,

birdsong above you. Within a few

the infirm or anyone unused to

yards the path forks, take the right

strenuous activity; just leave that part

hand branch; you will return along the

out and enjoy the rest.

other path later on. Woodpeckers sometimes use these trees, keep your

The Earth Pillars have resulted due to

eyes and ears open for sightings and

continual erosion by the Spey.

the sound of their hammering. From

Coupled with wind action, the river has

the path there are glimpses of the river

formed huge red earth pillars from this

down to your left as you walk. Notice

part of the sandstone bank. Although

too that at certain times of the year

unusual, it’s to be noted that there are

this is a plant lover’s paradise with

other places along the Spey where

different types of fern and woodland

wind and water have combined to

wild flowers.

undercut the bank and erode sections of it. This is most notable at Pityoulish where the sandy bank has fallen away close to the back of Pityoulish Lodge near Aviemore.

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Walk a short distance and the path

From here you make a choice, either

Take great care dropping down to the

There’s a spectacular view from here

splits again. The path to the right takes

take the tiny winding path down to your

Earth Pillars and if in any doubt retrace

and if you turn you can see the jewel in

you away from the river and into a

right descending to the river for a view

your steps. The path to the river drops

the crown of this walk, the Earth Pillars.

second stand of trees. In front of you

of the Earth pillars or, for the more

sharply to the right, make your way

Large and red, the sandstone pillars are

the path drops down to a viewing

safety conscious, continue on the path

down slowly, it is very steep. On

swathed in the green of the trees that

platform; ignore this for a while and

ahead of you. For the purposes of the

reaching the lower part of the path stay

surround them.Shaped over time we

carry on into the second stand of trees

walk we are going to suppose that

on the visible track under the trees until

can only suppose that the pillars will

where the river can be heard again and

you’ll be going to see the Earth Pillars

you come to the edge of the Spey. You

evolve even further and may, in the

briefly comes into view. The path drops

and pick up the central path later on.

are on sand here and the going

next few hundred years, change from

down steeply, follow it down taking the

underfoot could be tricky in bad

what we see now. Take time to

next right hand fork and in a few yards

weather. If the river is in spate don’t go

appreciate the river too at this point, it

a wide central verge affords a view

any further, remember the river can be

is enchanting. Then scramble back

down the Spey as it makes its way

dangerous, don’t take any chances

uphill the way you came until you meet

towards the sea.

at all.

the main path again.

" the jewel in the crown of this walk, the Earth Pillars"

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From the central verge, mentioned earlier, retrace your steps back uphill and continue on the path ahead ignoring the left-hand turn down which you first walked to reach this point. In front a wooden handrail marks the path; it is steep down to the river at this point so take care. Dappled light through the tree canopy makes this a very pretty spring walk, later on in the year thick summer foliage obscures some of the view but this in no way detracts from the walk.

The river can be seen clearly from here along with fishing beats and pools, for don’t forget this is one of Scotland’s great salmon rivers. Rounding the bend in the path a seat has been thoughtfully provided to enable you to stop and take in the view in comfort. From here you look down onto a spit of an island in the river and above that the view looks back into the heart of Speyside. A few feet away a railed area gives a wider panorama.

From here follow the lower path ahead of you, this guides you back uphill, through the trees and to the car park.

Although not a strenuous walk in the main, unless you count the path down to see the Earth Pillars, it is quite dangerous and may be unsuitable for the elderly or small children due to its steep sided nature. It is, however, negotiable for buggies.

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We serve cakes and light lunches, as well as gifts from some of the finest arts and craft community in Scotland.

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GS E IN BL E W LA VI AI AV

Making care mean more in Nairn Offering high quality, personalised nursing care in a homely environment

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Liz MacRae

St Olaf Care Home Manager

THE

MOU N TAIN MI N I STE R

Heavy burdens on high hills

By R ev. Dr Jo n Ma cken z ie

If y o u t u r n o f f t h e r o a d n e a r Ki l l i n a n d f o llo w in g th e R iv e r Lo ch a y r i g h t u p t o i ts s o u r ce , y o u ’ll f i n d y o u r s e lf i n a huge ba sin su r r ou n de d by f iv e M u n r o s a n d many

o th e r

pe a ks

and

v all e ys .

T he

M u n r o s a r e o f te n ta c kle d o n dif fe r e n t d a y trips, Beinn Heasgarnich and Creag Mhor fo rm in g o n e day trip, Bein n C h a l l u i m i s f r e qu e n tly clim be d a s a sin g le M u n r o fr o m t h e A 8 2 , a n d t h e n t h e d u e l h i l l s o f Me a l l Gla s a n d S g ia th Ch u il a r e a se p a r a t e d a y t r i p .

B roken d own this way, t hes e hills ar e out ings of abo u t s i x

y o u t h a n d f i t n e s s l e v e l s . M a n y y e a r s a g o I wo r ke d i n a

or seven ho urs ea ch but ent ail eit her t hr ee r et ur n t r i p s t o

c i n e m a i n I n v e r n e s s w h i l e s t u d y i n g f o r m y d eg r e e a n d I

t he are a, a nd from For r es t hat m eans t hr ee long c ar

would regularly finish work at some point gone 2300.

journeys or a lon g we ek end. W hen v iewed on t he m a p ,

Rather than going home to sleep, I would go home and get

t hey als o see m to fo rm a high lev el hor s es hoe- r ing o f h i l l s

c h a n g e d a n d t h e n c a l l o n a f r i e n d i n t o w n . We w o u l d th e n

where th e wa lke r ca n s t ar t f r om , and r et ur n t o, t he s a m e

d r i v e o u t t o t h e N o r t h We s t a n d f i n d a l a y b y n e a r to so m e

carpark. No w, as I’ve s aid bef or e, m ap per s pec t iv e s a r e

M u n r o s a b o u t 0 2 0 0 a n d ‘ c a m p ’ t h e n i g h t i n t h e ca r. By

markedly d iffere nt to ac t ual dis t anc e! W hat does no t l o o k

0 7 0 0 m y f r i e n d ‘ C h u n k y R i v e r s ’ a n d I w e r e o ff fo r a n o th e r

t oo bad on a ma p is of t en phy s ic ally gr uelling in r ea l i t y,

d a y o n t h e h i l l ; w e c o m p l e t e d m o s t o f t h e To r r i d o n

and altho ug h I try to r em ind m y s elf of t his f ac t , I c an n o t

m o u n t a i n s t h i s w a y ; s o m e o f m y f a v o u r i t e h i l ls. On

help bein g d rawn to th e pr os pec t of a long and wild w a l k .

b a g g i n g a f e w M u n r o s w e w o u l d r e t u r n h o m e fo r a q u i ck

T his in itself wo uld no t be t oo bad but as I f ound ou t

s h o w e r a n d s o m e t h i n g t o e a t , f o l l o w e d i m m e di a te l y b y

(again), it is n ow cou pled wit h a f als e ev aluat ion of m y

another shift at the cinema. lmaplight black logo.pdf

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I used t o th ink no thin g o f it , I was

added unf i t n e s s , l e a d t o v e r y l o n g

c e r t a i n l y m o r e u p a n d d o w n th a n I

young and fit b ack th en . Fas t f or war d

walk s inde e d ! B e i n n H e a s g a r n i c h

w o u l d h a v e l i k e d . Wi t h m a p a n d

f if t een ye ars an d n ow e v en t hink ing

t ook an ag e t o c l i m b b u t I k e p t t e l l i n g

c o m p a s s i n h a n d I m a d e i t to C r e a g

about it is making me fe el s ic k .

m y s elf t ha t o n c e I r e a c h e d t h e

M h o r f r o m w h o s e s u m m i t I co u l d se e

s um m it t he h a r d p a r t w a s o v e r, f r o m

… absolutely nothing.

S o, a good few yea rs (a nd a f air f ew

t hen on it w a s a l l r i d g e w a l k i n g a n d

added po un ds) late r, I look at t he

m ajes t ic s c e n e r y. T h e v i e w f r o m t h e

From Creag Mhor there is a reasonable

map and with optimistic forgetfulness,

s um m it wa s i n d e e d q u i t e s p l e n d i d ,

d i s t a n c e t o B e i n n C h a l l u i m , th e n e xt

I say t o myse lf ‘I recko n I c an do all

apar t f r om t h e r o l l i n g t h i c k e n i n g

h i l l i n m y c i r c u i t , o n e t h a t i nvo l ve s

f ive of t ho se Mun ros on an ov er night

c loud t hat a p p e a r e d t o b e c o v e r i n g

t h r e e a s c e n t s a n d d e s c e n t s o ve r

t rip.’ A ny o ve rnig ht e xp edit ions

t he hills ar o u n d m e . B y t h e t i m e I s e t

l e s s e r s u m m i t s b u t s t i l l c o ve r i n g

require m o re g ea r an d m or e f ood

off f or M un r o n u m b e r t w o , I w a s i n

s o m e 5 0 0 m e t e r s o f d o w n h il l tr a ve l

w hich always le ad s to added weight .

near z er o v i s i b i l i t y ( s o m u c h f o r t h e

a n d a b o u t 7 5 0 m e t e r s o f u pw a r d

A dded we igh t, ad de d year s , and

v iews ) and t h e r i d g e w a l k w a s

slogging.

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“

“

I reckon I can do all five of those Munros on an overnight trip

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C oupled with lo w visibilit y, t his par t

And

of t he wa lk wa s th e le as t pleas ant

Something

and t he la st stretch to t he s um m it of

wanted to see on the hill

B einn Cha lluim see med t o go on F OR E VER. Eve ry step higher int o the mist an d my ho pe s ank of a c lear

then

it I

happened. have

always

but had so far eluded me.

The sun broke through and

T h e s u m m i t s o f t h e p r e v io u s tw o M u n r o s w e r e v i s i b l e w i t h n o th i n g i n b e t w e e n b u t f l u ff y w h i t e cl o u d , a n d t h e s u n s e t t i n g w i t h a s oft ye l l o w g l o w. I f e l t h u m b l e d a n d p r i vi l e g e d to b e t h e r e ; t h e o n l y p e r s o n i n th e

summit an d rig ht e no ugh, t he s um m it

the wind cleared the tip of

w o r l d t o w i t n e s s t h i s p a rti cu l a r

cairn wa s shro ud ed in c ool s wir ling

the mountain of all mist and

r e v e l a t i o n o f G o d ’s c r e a ti ve g l o r y. M y

vapour.

yet everything else, only a

b o d y, s o u l , m i n d a n d s t r e n g th w e r e

few

meters

below

was

a

carpet of cotton wool cloud.

r e f r e s h e d b y t h i s e x p e r i e n ce a n d I celebrated by eating a tin of m a c k e r e l c h u n k s i n c h i l l i sa u ce . Afte r a s t e e p d e s c e n t a b o u t 2 20 0 , I u n p a c k e d m y b i v v y b a g a n d sl e p t u n d e r t h e s t a r s o n t h e g ra ss.

FOREVER

“

“

t h e la s t s t r e t c h to th e sum m i t of B e i nn Ch al l uim s e e m e d t o go o n

Inverness

Killin

Perth

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T h e mo rni ng b roke cl ea r and war m so I set off ear ly f r o m t h e fo ot of Mea l l Gl as an d took a slow hike up it s r ounded b o d y a s my l eg s stru gg led to w ak e up as quic k ly as t he r est o f m e .

B o t h Meal l Gl as an d Sg ia t h Chuil we r e a r e la t iv e b r e e ze c o m p a r e d to th e d ay be f or e, and f r om t he s um m it of Sg ia t h Ch u il y o u ca n fol l o w the spine of t he hill all t he way ba c k d o w n t o Glen Lo ch ay, w h ere a joyous r eunion with your ca r a w a i t s a nd t he bu rden of yo ur ruc k s ac k is pr iz ed f r om y our sh o u l d e r s t o long dee p sigh s o f rel ief .

T h is tri p taught me I’m g e t t in g o l d e r a n d m y b o d y c an’t co p e w i t h w h at it once cou l d . I t a l s o r e m i n d e d m e t h a t h e a v y b urdens a re unpleasa nt t o hum p ar ound. I t r em inded me o f t h e c h aract er Ch ristia n in B u n y a n ’s c l a s s i c ‘ P i l g r i m ’s P r o g r e s s , ’ w ho carrie d a burden of sin ar ound wit h him ev er y w h e r e h e w e n t; h e never g ot a ny younger as he m ov ed t hr ough t h e y e a r s but his burd en o f sin g ot c o n s t a n t l y h e a v i e r. T h i n g s a p p e a r e d h op e le s s to C hri sti an be c aus e as m uc h he t r ied he c oul d n e v e r r e m o v e t hi s bu rde n even t hough it weighed heavy o n h i s c o nscience .

An yo n e wh o h a s ca r r ie d a h e a vy b a ckp a ck o u t o n the hi l l , or b e e n ‘ t a b b i n g ’ w i t h t h e A r m e d F o r c e s , k n o w s t h e utter delight a n d r e lie f o f f in a lly b e in g a b le t o r e m o v e t h e ir h e a v y b u r d e n f r o m o ff t h e ir s h o u ld e r s . No b u r d e n we ig h s h e a v i e r o n th e h u m a n so u l t h a n t h e b u r d e n o f sin … a n d n o jo y can match the r e lie f a n d r e le a s e o f h a v in g t h a t b u r d e n t a k e n a wa y. God h a s o p e n e d u p t h e w a y f o r e v e r y o n e t o e x p e r i e n c e t h i s fo r g i v e n e s s b y t r u st in g in Ch r ist , t h a t h e b o r e o u r sin s in h is o w n b o d y o n the cross that we might be forgiven.

Jesus once sai d:

¶FRPH WR¬PH DOO ZKR ODERXU DQG DUH¬KHDY\ ODGHQ DQG , ZLOO JLYH \RX UHVW ¬7DNH P\ \RNH XSRQ \RX DQG¬OHDUQ IURP PH IRU , DP¬JHQWOH DQG ORZO\ LQ KHDUW DQG¬\RX ZLOO ILQG UHVW IRU \RXU VRXOV · M a t t h e w 11 : 2 8 - 2 9 W h y c o n t i n u e t o c a r r y y o u r b u r d e n o f s i n w h e n Go d o ffe r s to remove it from you for free?

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Brought to you by:

The Moss Season Approaches!

We live in a cool maritime climate, which is ideal for moss to

The best time to tackle this is either side of Christmas. Scarifying is

thrive in. You cannot change the weather, and you cannot

never recommended in the growing season because the very

banish moss permanently, but you can control its infestation with

nature of the exercise is pretty traumatic for the grass, and some

some basic good husbandry and a bit of work. I’m talking about

recovery time is required, during which time it looks pretty shabby.

scarifying again of course. This will also be featuring in all the TV

Doing it off-season allows recovery, then you put on a spring feed,

gardening programmes and magazines about now, and it is what

and have a season of decent grass to mow. Enjoy!

we at GreenThumb spend all winter doing. We will have 3 heavy blade scarifier machines out clearing (at the last count) 1,000 lawns round here. – oh joy!

Scarifying moss and thatch out is undertaken to clear the lawn surface of all the dead material and moss to allow fresh grass plants to dominate the lawn environment, providing the best conditions for absorbsion of sunlight, moisture and nutrients. If this task is overlooked (or avoided), the following season there is even more build-up, and in no time, the lawn is more moss than grass.

There’s no getting away from it, this is hard work and often generates haystacks of debris.. It can be done by hand with a spring rake, but some mechanical help is really the best option for anything more than quite a small lawn. You can hire a blade

Scarifier Machine

scarifier for the day at some garden machinery centres, but be warned, these are pretty vicious machines and it’s only too easy to “plough” your garden and then need a new lawn! An “average” lawn usually takes 2 experienced crew half a day to do with machines and blowers.

Alastair Watt

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Have you seen the fermer's loon?

By Eleanor Webster

The events on which this story is based are largely factual; but names and locations have been changed in order to protect identities.

It was around midnight on a bitterly cold November night when I was awakened by the sound of heartrending screaming. I was alone in the bedroom, alone in the house. So, who was crying out in pain?

I sat up in bed, absolutely terrified; and suddenly the screaming stopped. The room was now eerily quiet; and I was no longer alone. Standing by the window, bathed in the warm, ethereal glow of the new moon, was a pale, young maid. I say ‘maid’, because she was clothed, not in jeans and t-shirt as a young girl might wear today, but in a long blue and white striped dress, white apron and, yes, a mop cap – like a character out of a Charles Dickens novel, or perhaps D.H. Lawrence.

This was my first sight of a ghost – for I was quite sure that she was so. I was no longer afraid. I did not feel threatened in any way; I was quite sure that my nocturnal visitor meant me no harm. In fact lmaplight black logo.pdf 3 19/12/2017 lamplight logo.pdf 4 19/12/2017 09:45

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she appeared to have brought with her a kind of peace which I had not felt for many months – not since I had moved into the new house. I left my bed and went towards the window, but, just as I reached out to the maid, she seemed to drift away; and where she had stood there was just empty space.

When morning dawned everything was as usual in my bedroom. There was nothing to suggest that anything abnormal had taken place during the hours of darkness. I began to think that I had dreamed the entire episode; and resolved to keep the idea of a ghostly apparition to myself.

And I would have done, had my new friend not continued to visit sporadically. Always, around midnight, she would appear, standing forlornly, by the window in my bedroom, but, never since the first time, heralded by screaming. There was never any kind of contact between us. Indeed, each time I tried to approach her she disappeared. And if I

endeavoured to communicate verbally, she gave no sign that she was even aware of my presence. Yet, she did appear to look straight at me. Who was she; and what did she want of me?

I gradually began to drop little hints to certain friends and family that I had actually seen a ghost in my bedroom, that my house was haunted by a young girl in early twentieth century dress. I had done my homework and found that Maggie, for so I had named her, was dressed as a serving girl, say, during the First World War. Most greeted my revelation with derision. “There are no such things as ghosts.”; “How could a dead person appear to you fully clothed and apparently in good health?” and, “Anyway, yours is a new house. Only very old buildings, like castles, are haunted.”

This latter comment reminded me of earlier research which I had carried out concerning the haunting of a local mansion; and an answer to the sceptics given to a person who had been brought up in the house in question, Gordonstoun near Duffus in Moray. Elma Napier, nee Gordon-Cumming, ‘Youth is a Blunder’ (Jonathon Cape 1948), tells how a friend of the family, a writer called Brodie-Innes, and his wife, who were both psychic, could see ghosts.

And, indeed, did see ghosts frequently in Gordonstoun House, which they described as, “the most evil house they knew.” Mrs Brodie-Innes explained that, “a real ghost, the actual presence of a disembodied spirit, was very rare;” but that, “traumatic events, or people of strong personality, left photographs on the air which individuals thus gifted -with extraordinary sensitivity - could see.”

I was, by now, firmly convinced that, although my house was indeed a new-build and that, as far as I knew, in the few months I had lived there nothing traumatic had happened, my house was haunted.

There was a ghost. And I had seen her.

What building had previously occupied the site on which my house now stood?

After exhaustive enquiries I was able to ascertain that, in fact, the group of houses, of which mine is one, had been built on a green-field site which, many years before had actually been a ferm toon - a farm house, steading and one or two cottar hooses. The farm, called Bogside by Lour, had been tenanted by one Alexander Urquhart until sometime around 1920 when it had fallen into disrepair; and the ground had since lain fallow. No one in living memory could recall anything but green fields and sundry ruins there. But some building had stood on

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the actual site of my house. And something traumatic had happened there.

During a search of documents at the local heritage centre a very helpful history student, doing a work placement there, produced for my perusal. a map of local farms from the Victorian/Edwardian era and, not only that, an actual plan of the ferm toon – Bogside by Lour. Amazingly, I could see that where I now live had stood a byre and above it, the bothy, a one-roomed loft in which the unmarried farmhands would have lodged. Bingo! I had found ‘the old building’. Now all I had to do was discover what had happened there; and how ‘Maggie’ was concerned.

Word of my quest, for that was what it had become, spread among the local population and I was now approached by many, regaling me with old stories about ‘Bogside’ - a farmer was then, as now, known simply by the name of his farm - and the scandal concerning his only son, Geordie, and a local girl, little Elsie Young, who had been raised in the nearby orphanage and had been found employment as a dairy-maid at Bogside by Lour.

From the story-tellers, and particularly from one very old woman, whose great- grandmother, Elizabeth Mantach, had worked as a kitchie-deem at Bogside by Lour “aboot a hunner year syne”, I was now near to piecing together the tragic tale of the doomed romance between Geordie Urquhart, the son and heir to the farm, Bogside by Lour, and the dairy-maid, Elsie Young.

It would appear that from the day that pretty little Elsie arrived at the farm, Geordie had taken a fancy to her. And he was not alone. Every red-blooded young lad had an eye for Elsie and she

was soon celebrated as ‘the toast o’ the toon’. But Elsie had eyes for none but the fermer’s loon. The attraction was mutual, and soon Geordie and Elsie were courting. It was obvious to all that the young lovers were besotted with each other and, of course,’ everyone loves a lover’.

But, not everyone was happy. One person to whom the attachment was obvious was not well pleased. Alexander Urquhart was not prepared to countenance a liaison between Geordie and Elsie Young. He had plans for his son and heir and they did not include any kind of involvement with a dairy-maid; and certainly not marriage. He would find a way to stop his boy from making a fool of himself – and his proud father – by introducing into his family a cyard from the orphanage. And, ‘Bogside’ did find a way.

The scheming farmer, having invited Geordie to accompany him to a ferm roup at Ardersier, set off very early in the morning of 1st May 1915, before anyone else on the farm was about. Late in the afternoon, when the roup was over and ‘Bogside’ had arranged to have his various purchases delivered to Bogside by Lour, he turned his gig towards Inverness, promising his son a good feed at a hotel before returning home. Instead he took a right turn into the military barracks at Fort George, where sixteen year-old Geordie was persuaded to enlist with the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, who were preparing to ship out to France - to fight for king and country in the ‘War to End Wars’. The son and heir of proud ‘Bogside’ was never to return home.

When ‘Bogside’ returned from the roup at Ardersier without Geordie, only Annie, Geordie’s mother, was informed of his whereabouts. Annie ranted and railed at her husband; and that night went to bed with a heavy heart, convinced that her only son had been sent to his death in France. Before lying down to sleep she prayed for the safety of her bairn; and swore to her husband that as long as she lived she would never forgive him for his false pride, duplicity and selfishness. And, according to the folklore, Annie was true to her word. She never again spoke to ‘Bogside’.

And Annie Urquhart was not the only one who was distraught. Poor Elsie was frantic with worry about her sweetheart. Where was he? And why had he deserted her? She had lost her lover; and on the very day that she had planned to tell him her big news. She was pregnant. Geordie Urquhart was going to be a father. Having no idea where he had gone Elsie took to searching for Geordie all around the district, plaintively asking every one she met:

“Hiv ye seen the fermer’s loon?

D’ye ken far he’s gan?”

She never found Geordie, and if he ever tried to contact her she never knew. Any letter from France would have been addressed to the farm, and would have been intercepted by the heartless farmer, Alexander Urquhart.

In desperate need of support, Elsie turned to the other young farm servants; and they, both loons and quines - none with any love for their master helped her with her work and with preparations for the birth of her child. No help was forthcoming from the farm house.

At around midnight on 20th November 1915, screaming piteously for her lost sweetheart, Elsie Young gave birth to a healthy son on the bunk of the young orra-loon in the bothy at Bogside by Lour.

The birth was witnessed by only the kitchie-deem, who helped with the delivery. No medical person was present. On 21st November 1915 Elsie Young was dismissed by Alexander Urquhart of Bogside by Lour and, now ‘being destitute’, was taken, with her new-born, into the care of the local parish.

And the way in which the parish officials cared for the ‘wanton’ and her ‘bastard’ child - their words, not mine - was to commit Elsie to The Pauper Lunatic Asylum. In the early 20th century it was common practice to have young unmarried mothers confined to psychological institutions, they being perceived by the greater number of professionals within the scientific community as ‘feeble minded’, ‘emotionally disturbed’ or ‘mentally disordered’. On 23rd November 1915 the birth of Elsie’s son was registered. The birth certificate records the birth of a son, George, to Elsie Young, aged 15, ’Idiot’ of ‘no fixed abode’. The space for Father reads ‘Unknown’; and scrolled diagonally across the certificate is the damning word: ‘Illegitimate’. I was never to find any evidence of how long Elsie, with her son, remained confined in the lunatic asylum, nor, in fact, any further certificates regarding , say, marriages or deaths of either Elsie or her son but, according to the claiks, the matron of the female ward at the institution, apparently impressed with Elsie’s common sense and work ethic, arranged to have Elsie, with little George, released into her care at her own home, the lodge adjoining the asylum, there presumably, to work for her bed and board. Elsie, as a ‘trusty’ was allowed out and apparently she was often seen wandering around the hills, forever beseeching anyone she met,

“Hiv ye seen the fermer’s loon? D’ye think he kens he his a bairn?”

On 13th March 1916 Lance Corporal Geordie Urquhart, of 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, was wounded in battle. He was conveyed to a casualty clearing station where his shrapnel wounds were cleaned and dressed. Tragically, while there, awaiting evacuation to a field hospital, Geordie was again wounded – in a shell blast - and died of his injuries on 15th March, just a few days after his seventeenth birthday. The corporal, with hundreds of his fallen comrades, was buried in a field cemetery, which cemetery, after the armistice, was made permanent and greatly expanded to include those from many other burial grounds. The Guillemont Road Cemetery, one of the larger British War Graves complexes, lies not far from the village of that name, near Albert, in the Somme district in Picardie. Here in northern France lies young Geordie Urquhart, the fermer’s loon, far from his home at Bogside by Lour in North-East Scotland.

The moment the brown envelope bearing a French postmark was delivered to Bogside by Lour Annie Urquhart knew that it brought the news which she had been dreading ever since that fateful trip to the roup at Ardersier. The brief impersonal missive beginning:

“It is my painful duty to inform you…” announcing the death in action of Lance Corporal Urquhart G, absolutely shattered her life, destroying the hopes and dreams which she had harboured for the boy she had loved and nurtured from birth. She was bereft. Annie ‘took to her bed’ and never rose again.

The arrival, later, of a parcel containing

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Geordie’s personal effects accompanied by a letter from the Battalion Chaplain detailing the circumstances of his son’s death, left Alexander Urquhart severely traumatised. And soon after this distressing communication from France, ‘Bogside’, in a vain attempt to compensate for the loss of his son and heir, and perhaps seeking to regain favour with his estranged wife, made an approach to the parish council with a view to becoming guardian of Elsie Young’s son - his grandson. But, the Poor Law Inspector, who would have been well pleased to relieve the parish of the burden of maintaining the child – and his mother, was fully cognizant of that point of the Poor Law, the ‘Bastardy Clause’, which stated quite clearly that only the father of a child born out of wedlock could be held responsible for the upkeep of that child – and then only if he had acknowledged parentage and was named on the birth certificate. Alexander Urquhart had no claim whatsoever. In fact, it could be said that he had forfeited any chance of a relationship he might have had with young George on the day he threw Elsie Young, with his son’s child, off his farm. His request was denied. And so, Elsie, remaining ignorant of the fate of George’s father, and still hoping that one day her sweetheart would return to claim her and his child, retained the natural and legal right of premier carer and sole custodian of her son.

The farm servants all left to seek fees with more congenial masters The cottar hooses and the steading stood empty and all was totally neglected. A ferm roup had brought little reward; and the bank now foreclosed on his mortgage. ‘Bogside’ had lost his son, lost his wife, lost the farm; and now he lost his reason. On the eve of Christmas Day 1916 Alexander Urquhart, late of Bogside by Lour ‘being of unsound mind’, was admitted to The Pauper Lunatic Asylum, the very institution to which he had, by his selfish actions, condemned Elsie Young, the mother of his son’s child, only a year before. He died there, a broken man, on 31st January 1917.

Geordie Urquhart is listed among ‘The Glorious Dead’ of the Great War of 1914-1918 on both the War Memorial in his village and that in the High Street of the county town. He is named in the Great War Casualties Roll of Honour of 1914-1919, which pays homage to all those who ’died for the cause of freedom’. He is remembered on a spotless, white granite stele in the Guillemont Road Cemetery in Picardie, Northern France; and his name is inscribed on his mother’s headstone, in the local churchyard, which reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

ANNIE URQUHART A DEVOTED WIFE AND MOTHER,

Annie Urquhart died, some said of a broken heart, in the summer of 1916, just three months after Geordie had been killed in France. Alexander Urquhart was devastated. He remained in a state of extreme grief over the death of his only son; and now Annie, his wife, had also lost her life. Perhaps believing himself responsible for both deaths, ‘Bogside’, full of remorse, went further downhill. He lost all interest in the farm, in the crops, in the beasts - and in life.

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6TH FEBRUARY 1881, 15TH JUNE 1916, AGED 35 YEARS AND OF GEORDIE URQUHART,

BORN

DIED

A BELOVED ONLY SON BORN

3RD MARCH 1899,

Alexander Urquhart does not feature in any Roll of Honour; nor is he commemorated on any monument. But can we, at least, credit him with the erection of his wife’s gravestone - and the sympathetic legend thereon.

My tale could end here; but the final words must be of my heroine, little Elsie Young. When I believed that I had unearthed all I possibly could of the history of Alexander Urquhart, his wife, Annie, their son, Geordie, the dairymaid, Elsie Young and the legend of Bogside by Lour, I determined, somehow, to impart my findings to my little ghost. When next she came to me I carefully related to her all that I had learned, and though she made no sign of understanding, I felt that, at least, I had tried my best to bring comfort to her. Her sweetheart had not willingly deserted her; he had probably tried to contact her from France; he had surely been informed, possibly by letter from his mother, Annie, of the birth of his son. And, having ‘surrendered his life for the cause’, her Geordie now rests in peace in France.

But there was one more surprise for me. On the night following my report to Elsie I awoke, around midnight, to find myself face to face with a young boy of about three years, whose head was just about level with mine on the pillow. Elsie moved from her usual place by the window, laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder, as if presenting her son to me, and silently left. I never saw her again. My job was done. I believe that Elsie Young is now at peace. Any unfinished business is now complete. She has her answer; and no longer haunts the hills, pleading:

TRAGICALLY KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE 15 MARCH 1916, AGED 17 YEARS

“May they be happily re-united in a better place than this”.

“Hiv ye seen the fermer’s loon?”

Glossary For those who may not be conversant with the dialect of North East Scotland I offer these few words of explanation.

Bairn

Baby or young person

Beasts or Baists

Farm animals – particularly cattle

Bonnie

Pretty, attractive, comely

Byre

Cowshed or cattle shed

Caird or Ciard

Person of lower class

Claik

Gossip

Cottar Hoose

‘Tied’ cottage for married farm servants

Far

Where

Ferm

Farm

Fermer

Farmer

Ferm Roup

Farm dispersal sale

Ferm Toun/toon

Farm house together with its outbuildings

Gan or Gaen

Gone

Hunner Year Syne

Hundred years ago

Ken or Kaen

Know

Kitchie-deem/dame

Kitchen-maid/cook, and occasional milkmaid

Loon or Loun

Boy, man or son

Orra-loon

Farm servant apprentice

Toun/toon

Town

Quine

Girl (of any age)

Wee

small, little

*I must confess that, though a Scot, born and raised in the North East, I have only a very limited knowledge of the true Doric; and so beg to be excused any errors, misconceptions or solecisms.

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The Gathern Lamplight Oct 18.pdf

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<7 ;<):< +:).<16/ Wool come s into its own at this time of ye ar and 3 Bags Wool has it all.

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Ser ving daily lunchtime specials.

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Indie dyers, hand spun, all the big brands, felting and spinning materials and of course classe s and workshops.

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JIO[_WWT(OUIQT KWU Â&#x152; ___ JIO[_WWT KWU Â&#x152; ! 0QOP ;\ZMM\ )JMZTW]Z )* !9* Â&#x152; Clan Lamplight April 18 .pdf

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J hind & Co Woodside Farm.pdf

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J Rhind & Co

www.clanhouse.org #Livingwithcancer

Woodside Farm

CLAN in the community Providing emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer, their family, friends and carers.

Wellbeing and support services are freely available to all, from pre-diagnosis and diagnosis through treatment and beyond at support centres across Moray, located in Elgin, Buckie, Forres and Lossiemouth.

In the farm shop we sell our own seasonal Vegetables, Potatoes, Free Range Eggs, and Aberdeen Angus Beef. Our Coffee shop has great coffee, teas and treats. We do light lunches, soup, sandwiches and baked potatoes.

We also sell some toys bruder, puppet company, schleich and wow along with some small wooden nick-nacks.

Telephone: 01343 544132 elgin@clanhouse.org

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We are a family run farm with a Farm shop, Coffee shop and indoor play area on site (suitable for under 7s).

Monday to Saturday - 10.30am - 4pm Sunday - 11.30am - 4pm Woodside Farm, Kinloss, Forres, Morayshire, IV36 3UA Telephone: 01309 690258

King David I of Scotland (1084-1153) his thousand year legacy to Moray

by

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A thousand years is a long time by most reckonings. A thousand years ago, natural disasters such as flood, drought, famine and plague were killers. Coupled with these, warfare and rebellions were frequent, with most disputes being resolved by force. There would have been no protracted lobbying for a democratic vote on Scottish Independence.

Opposing sides would have slugged it out until one side was crushed. Thrown into this mix was the heathen Pictish confederation of which Moray was an important part. History recalls their warlike ways, as evidenced by carvings in the Suenno Stone in Forres. The common people, like you and me, would have suffered dreadfully. In short, life was hard, with the average lifespan calculated as being just thirty years.

of England agreed for David to take the Kingdom of Scotland (Alba) for himself.

However, there were rivals and David was forced to engage in years of bloody warfare to secure the Crown against his challengers.

Recorded by chroniclers of the time was the Battle of Stracathro (16 April 1130) where it is reported that “a great slaughter” with four thousand Moravians killed together with one thousand Gaels including, significantly, Mormaer (King) Óengus of Moray, the last King of Moray of the traditional native line.

This left Moray vulnerable and weakened “lacking a defender and lord”. Historians record that this date heralds the beginning of David’s conquest of Moray. David's aggression seems to have inspired resentment amongst some native Scots.

To put the time period into wider context, the Norman invasion at the Battle of Hastings was within living memory of the oldest inhabitants. Many Scots were taking part in The Second Crusade (1147-1149) as part of a combined European force and the English Civil War (1135-1153) between Stephen and Matilda, known as the Anarchy, was raging.

David I (or Dauíd mac Maíl Choluim) lived from 1084 to 24 May 1153. Although he spent much of his early childhood in Scotland, between his formative years, from around the age of ten until eighteen, he was forcibly raised at the English court where, as was intended, he became greatly influenced by the Anglo-French culture. On the death of his brother, King Alexander, in 1124, Henry I

A Middle Gaelic quatrain from this period complains that: “Olc a ndearna mac Mael Colaim, ar cosaid re hAlaxandir, do-ní le gach mac rígh romhaind, foghail ar faras Albain.”

“It's bad what Máel Coluim's son has done; dividing us from Alexander; he causes, like each king's son before; the plunder of stable Alba. “ After so much bloodshed, it proved to be an uneasy peace. It is thought that the continuing tensions resolved King David I to embark on a mission that was to transform the face of Moray forever, the evidence of which is still with us today. Academics refer to it as the Davidian Revolution which

included the foundation of royal burghs and regional markets, the foundation of monasteries and the granting of David’s foreign supporters, power and influence in his new kingdom. David also introduced Scotland’s first coinage, produced from his silver mines in Cumbria, thus altering the entire nature of trade. It must have been interesting to see how trading was transformed in his new burghal markets, and difficult for us to imagine how transactions happened before that.

In order to subjugate the strong and independent domain of Moray, stretching from west of the River Ness to east of the River Spey, David established a string of royal castles along the coast of the Moray Firth: at Inverness, Nairn, Auldearn, Forres, Elgin, Cullen and Banff, together with their associated burghs under the guardianship of appointed constables and sheriffs. It can be argued that the burghs became one of David’s most important achievements. They each had defined boundaries with guaranteed trading rights and were places the king was entitled to collect and sell goods in a form of taxes. These burghs quickly became English in both culture and language.

Fifty years later William of Newburgh wrote in his work “History of English Affairs”, a history of England from 1066-1198: “ … the towns and burghs of the Scottish realm are known to be inhabited by the English … “

Kinloss Abbey

four thousand Moravians killed together with one thousand Gaels

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In 1140 Forres was created a royal burgh by King David I when it is thought likely that he further strengthened the castle defences.

Elgin Castle and Elginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Royal Burgh Charter: Elgin Castle is perched on the formidable site of Ladyhill affording an incomparable view over Elgin. Given the impressive location it is believed that this was not the first defensive building on this site. It is thought that the castle was established in the reign of King David I when he created Elgin as a royal burgh. It is believed most likely that the castle and burgh were established around 1130 at approximately the time of the Battle of Strathcathro when rebellions were rife.

View of Elgin from Ladyhill

Forres Castle and the Forres Royal Burgh Charter: Remains of Elgin Castle

Forres had a fort/castle on the same site for a considerable period of time, with tradition asserting that the original was destroyed by the Vikings in 850. It was located at the west end of Forres on a low hill protected by the Mosset Burn, and with a burgh enclosure to the east. As with most castles of this period it was largely built on the motte and bailey plan (see illustration).

In the time of King David I, Forres was already an important centre close to the mouth of the great river. In 1140 Forres was created a royal burgh by King David I when it is thought likely that he further strengthened the castle defences. It was classed as a royal castle with several kings staying there at various times. Nothing now remains to be seen above ground.

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Duffus Castle:

Urquhart Priory:

Following the fateful battle of Strathcathro King David I gifted one of his faithful followers, Freskyn with some marshy land in Moray at the edge of Laich Moray. Because of his name, Freskyn is thought to have been Flemish which meant he would have had the skills to reclaim the low lying marshland. His descendants eventually took on the surname of de Moravia which means “of Moray”.

However, it is thought the land, as an island

One of David’s earliest religious foundations in this area was that of Urquhart Priory, founded in 1125, possibly to give thanks for his recent accession. Located halfway between Elgin and Speyside, it was a Benedictine monastic community, the original home to the Bishops of Moray. In the original charter, David assigned the Priory extensive grants of land and also an income in tithes and taxes from Moray and Argyll.

in 1336 whilst rescuing the besieged Countess Atholl from Lochindorb Castle and Mary Queen of Scots stayed in the Abbey in 1562. Eventually, in 1643, the ruined abbey was bought by Alexander Brodie of Lethen who then sold the stone to build the citadel at Inverness.

Kinloss Abbey: Although, undoubtedly part of his overall plan, there is a fanciful folktale associated

Kinloss Abbey - Artist’s Impression

with King David I and the founding of Kinloss Duffus Castle

in the marsh, may have been a stronghold before this date. Erected in around 1140, it would have been another great earthwork timber motte and bailey castle. However, it did not have the burghal privileges that went with royal castles. King David I stayed there in 1151 while overseeing the establishment of Kinloss Abbey. The ruins of a replacement stonebuilt castle, destroyed in 1297, can still be visited. Now, as then, the land surrounding it can still be very boggy. As for David, the man, history portrays him as a pious king, one of medieval Scotland’s greatest monastic patrons. He founded more than a dozen new monasteries with various monastic orders. To observers he was counted as a great reformer, whose rule brought civilisation to a barbaric nation. To further quote William of Newburgh’s description of David: “ .. a King not barbarous of a barbarous nation”, who “wisely tempered the fierceness of his barbarous nation.”

Furthermore William describes among David’s saintly activities as “frequent in washing the feet of the poor”.

Notwithstanding David’s undoubted devoutness, like his burghs, the monasteries became centres that transformed Scottish society. They provided educated scholars able to serve as administrators for the Crown’s affairs. Additionally, they introduced new agricultural practices and ways of doing things. lmaplight black logo.pdf

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Abbey that is as follows:

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“On 21 May 1150, whilst hunting in thick woods, King David became separated from the rest of his party and became quite lost.

Spynie Palace:

His prayers for guidance were answered in

Spynie Palace or Castle was built around 1150 and occupied by the Bishops of Moray from 1150 to 1689. Although history does not record who built Spynie Castle, given the date, King David’s support of the church and his propensity for castle building, it could be speculated that King David I may well have had a hand in its establishment.

the form of a white dove that led him from the woods into the open where he was tended to by two shepherds. That night he was sent a dream which instructed him to show gratitude for his deliverance by erecting a church to the Blessed Virgin whose divine intervention had spared him.

On awakening the next day he vowed to erect a new abbey, marking out the lines for it with his sword. In order to oversee the building work, the King then went to stay at Duffus Castle from where he appointed masons and architects for his latest project until he felt it was at a stage he could hand it over to a monk from Melrose Abbey of the Cistercian Order.”

It was to become a powerful and wealthy abbey with extensive lands and income, King David allocating it Culbin for the provision of wheat and land at Hempriggs. Further

In 1152, with King David’s health now failing, the early death of his only son, Henry in 1152, must have been a bitter blow leaving King David needing to hastily arrange for his 11-year old grandson, Malcolm, to succeed him. King David died just a year later in 1153 and was buried, alongside his wife Maude, Countess of Huntingdon, at Dunfermline Abbey, which he also founded in 1128.

endowments followed resulting in Kinloss becoming one of the largest and wealthiest abbeys in the whole of Scotland.

The abbey was visited by various prominent historical figures such as Edward I (the “Hammer of the Scots”) who camped at Kinloss Abbey for approximately 3 weeks during the autumn of 1303; Edward III stayed

King David’s significant legacy lives on today in Moray and far beyond, not only in the form of mouldering ancient monuments. Every subsequent king of Scotland has descended from him including our current Queen Elizabeth.

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BOOK CLUB Adult Fiction

The Fall of Gondolin

Adult Fiction

Killing Eve

By J.R.R Tolkien

By Luke Jennings She is the perfect assassin. A Russian orphan, saved from the death penalty for the brutal revenge she took on her gangster father's killers. Ruthlessly trained.

Given a new life. New names, new faces - whichever fits. She is Villanelle. Without conscience. Without guilt. Without weakness. Eve Polastri is the woman who hunts her, until one error of judgment costs her everything. Then stopping a ruthless assassin becomes more than her job. It becomes personal.

Two of the greatest powers in the world are Morgoth, unseen in this story but ruling over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband and Ulmo, deeply opposed to Morgoth. Central to this enmity of the gods is the city of Gondolin, beautiful but undiscoverable.

Adult Non-Fiction

The Billion Dollar Spy

By David E Hoofman

A detailed picture of espionage in the 1980s, written with pacey journalistic verve and an eerily contemporary feel.

Packed with riveting details about the minutiae of spy-craft alongside insights into the heart-stopping tension of life undercover in 1980s Moscow.

Adult Non-Fiction

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Not About The Burqa

Adult Non-Fiction

By Mariam Khan

By Neil Oliver

Twenty Muslim women speak up for themselves with essays about the hijab and wavering faith, about love and divorce, about queer identity, about sex, about the twin threats of a disapproving community and a racist country, and about how Islam and feminism go hand in hand. Funny, warm, sometimes sad, and often angry, each of these essays is a passionate declaration, and each essay is calling time on the oppression, the lazy stereotyping, the misogyny and the Islamophobia.

The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places: A very personal account of what makes these islands so special, told through the places that have witnessed the unfolding of our history.

From north to south, east to west Britain cradles astonishing beauty.

The human story here is a million years old, and counting. But the tolerant, easygoing peace we enjoy has been hard won.

Junior Non-Fiction

Adult Non-Fiction

How To Look After Your Human - A Dogs Guide

Poverty Safari

By Darren McGarvey Winner of the Orwell Prize 2018, this is a savage, wise and witty tour-de-force. An unflinching account of the realities of systemic poverty. People from deprived communities all around Britain feel misunderstood and unheard. Darren McGarvey aka Loki gives voice to their feelings and concerns, and the anger that is spilling over. Anger he says we will have to get used to, unless things change.

He invites you to come on a safari of sorts. A Poverty Safari.

But not the sort where the indigenous population is surveyed from a safe distance for a time, before the window on the community closes and everyone gradually forgets about it. lmaplight black logo.pdf

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By Maggie Mayhem Junior Fiction

The Dinosaur That Pooped a Princess

By Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter Danny and Dinosaur are convinced that a damsel in distress needs their help... the only problem is, they aren't sure where she actually is. So they set off through Fairy Tale Land to track her down. Can Dinosaur make it through Fairy Tale Land without eating everything in sight? And do all princesses really need to be rescued? Packed with prehistoric cheekiness, punchy girl power and, of course, lots and lots of poop!

There are plenty of guides out there for humans about training their dogs - as if humans have ever been the ones in charge. One dog has at last agreed to share the insights gained through years of hard experience: Maggie Mayhem has trained some of the world' s most stubborn humans (including her co-author Kim Sears), and so there is no better canine to explain the complexities of human behaviour and guide you through the ownership journey.

PERFECT PORRIDGE IN EVERY WAY

Perfect for making porridge and for using in a wide variety of healthy recipes Visit our website for inspiration

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kiddilicious clothing LAMP oct 18.pdf

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Fashion and accessories for children from age 0 to 12 years #JMMJFCVTI t $BSSFNFOU #FBV t %BHB 'VO 'VO t (BOU t 5JNCFSMBOE t 5PNNZ )JMGJHFS

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THE

PLATFORM LIFESTYLE, HOME AND GIFT

67$7,21 %5$( 0$&'8)) $% 8/ Â&#x2021; 23(1 '$<6 Â&#x2021;

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The Platform in Macduff The Platform in Macduff is a veritable “Jewel in the Crown” along the Moray Firth Coast. The fashion outlet opened some years ago and over time has developed a real reputation for delivering quality at reasonable prices. Spend an enjoyable morning or afternoon browsing the latest lines and catch up with friends over lunch or coffee and cakes and, perhaps, gaze over the Moray Firth and spot a dolphin or two!

The Platform offers a truly amazing range of gifts, home furnishings and clothing for men and women – and – a lovely little patisserie called “Annie's Cakery”. Both fashion and gifts are right up to date with the latest trends and stock is regularly refreshed to give new reasons to visit.

In womenswear there is a great range to choose from – the casual weekend look, lunching with the girls or special occasions. Their commitment to designer brands from the UK and Europe mean that there are always stunning collections to choose from in both casual and occasion-wear and, of course, accessory jewellery to complement.

The menswear collection focuses on style and wearability with brands such as Helly Hensen and many more exciting names and collections from Superdry, Silk Silk and Gym King for the younger purchaser.

The Platform is a relaxing and truly well thought out shopping experience for that special purchase and well worth a visit.

The home and gift department has something to suit most occasions and, with Christmas on the horizon, a great place to buy something a bit special. They have some beautiful cut glassware, cute baby gifts, celebration gifts and cards and even some items of furniture either to buy or order.

When you do visit – don't forget “Annie's Cakery” – a treat not to be missed – all bakes cooked on the premises and available for takeaway too!!

Enjoy!

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FASHION

fashion trends 2018

Checked We are mad for checks and happy it's not going anywhere for Autumn. Wear a checked shirt with your favourite skinnies because checks are for people with unparalleled taste.

Tartan isn't just for kilts, these jeans are a bit different and would look great dressed up or down.

This cute monochrome dress would look great with a bright clutch or bold jewellery.

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Pleats

Silver

There are lots of ways to wear pleated skirts this Autumn, and most of these are really fun and cool outfit ideas instead of something that will remind you of your Granny.

Future-proofing your wardrobe is as simple as investing in a slash of silver.

Fashion girls in search of the next big trend, take note: the Space Cadet look is in. Futuristic, metallic ensembles walked the Autumn 2018 runways.

A long, bright coloured skirt teamed with a tucked in t-shirt and trainers is a great style.

Invest in a sparkly dress, which will also see you over the festive period or a silver bag or shoes will also add that pop of shimmer to your wardrobe.

Alternately, go short for a cute, fun look.

Oversized Jumpers A great way to make the most of an oversized jumper is wearing it with fitted trousers or skirt to create a contrast. Try a pair of slim-fit black jeans with this pink baggy jumper and you can make the most of the extra fabric and show off the new jumper.

The main decision you need to be making is what style of stitch you need. A thicker stitch not only brings more texture but also warmth and style to the jumper. If you want to go for all-out casual, your best bet is to stick to a loose knit jumper for a comfy feel.

For an Autumnal feel this burgundy jumper will keep you warm and stylish.

Tweed With the help of a tweed blazer, you can complement any outfit without compromising on comfort like this one from Joules.

Whether it's a bright bold jacket to jazz up an outfit or a whole 3 piece suit, you're guaranteed to look stylish in tweed.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

HO7(/ B$5 5(67$URANT ',1,1* 52206

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Ramnee Hotel and Restaurant in Forres.

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You can choose to dine on the lawn, weather permitting, in Tipplings Bar (informal), Hamblins Restaurant (more formal) or reserve a private dining room.

My friend and I chose Tipplings Bar for an evening meal and were spoilt for choice with the menu and specials board - full of fresh, locally sourced seasonal produce. Decision making was hard with prime steaks, corn fed chicken breast, beef ragu with pasta and monkfish, special burgers and roast cauliflower steak, just some of the main dishes to choose from. Our waitress was friendly, knew the menu and checked whether either of us had any dietary requests. Vegetarian, gluten free, and a children's menu are all available.

The talented chefs led by David and Kris, once again triumphed. Lovely tender venison, medium rare and definitely no blood on the plate, this dish did not disappoint and was a tasty, well presented plate.

To start, I chose the Foraged Mushrooms on Sourdough, served with rocket, poached hen's egg and shaved parmesan. It smelt and looked amazing... the best tasting mushrooms I have had, with a perfectly cooked poached egg.

We cut into the egg with anticipation and... the yolk gently flowed over the mushrooms beautifully!

We just had to have dessert - but decided sharing was the best option. After much debating, and a recommendation from the waitress, we plumped for the light Black Forest Cheesecake - with 2 plates!

It was a truly spectacular presentation - a tower with spun sugar spiral, yuzu fruit pearls and cherry ice-cream. I am not usually an ice cream fan but could easily have eaten a tub of this. The cheesecake was beautiful with a crumb base, fruity mousse, and surrounded by a delicate sponge. Delicious!

As a main course I chose the Venison Haunch Steak served with a pastrami and black pudding hash, baby veg and a bramble jus. The baby vegetables were heritage carrots both the usual orange and beautiful purple colour, along with the asparagus and brambles to complement.

My friend's main course looked equally impressive - Sticky Cajun Chicken, accompanied by chips, salad, slaw, and a red pepper and chilli jam. I begged a taste - the jam and cajun favours were spicy, with a hint of sweetness. Yummy!!

I would definitely recommend a visit to the Ramnee in Forres for any occasion, though to avoid disappointment in the evenings it is recommended to book ahead. Locally sourced ingredients, well cooked, helpful friendly staff, something for everyone.

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Victoria Road, )RUUHV IV36 3BN T:01309 672410 www.ramneehotel.com

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be inspired with

Slimming World

MONDAY CULLEN 5.30pm, 7.30pm Cullen Bowling & Tennis Club, Reidhaven Place,Cullen, Buckie, AB56 4RN Call Sarah on 07872 474544 ELGIN 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm The Eight Acres Hotel, Morriston Road, Elgin, IV30 6UL Call Lenore on 07795 364354 KINLOSS 5.30pm and 7.30pm Kinloss & Findhorn Church Hall, Findhorn Road, Kinloss, IV36 3TX Call Kay on 07768 131676

TUESDAY

ELGIN 9.30am The Eight Acres Hotel, Morriston Road, Elgin, IV30 6UL Call Lenore on 07795 364354

NAIRN 8am, 10am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm St Ninian Church, 6 Queens St, Nairn, IV12 4AA Call Dawn on 07712 051678

ELGIN 5.30pm and 7.30pm Elgin City Football Club Ltd Borough Briggs Road, Elgin, IV30 1AP Call Shirley on 07434 164091

THURSDAY

HOPEMAN 5.30pm and 7.30pm Hopeman Bowling Club, Forsyth Street,Hopeman, Elgin, IV30 5SY Call June on 07730 924178

KEITH 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm Legion Scotland Keith & District, 63A Balloch Road, Keith, AB55 5EN Call Dawn on 07763 032849

WEDNESDAY

BUCKIE 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm Buckpool Golf Club, Barhill Road, Buckie, AB56 1DU Call Dawn on 07763 032849

ELGIN 9.30am Elgin City Football Club Ltd Borough Briggs Road, Elgin, IV30 1AP Call Shirley on 07434 164091

LOSSIEMOUTH 5.30pm, 7.30pm Lossiemouth Community Centre, Coulardbank Road, Lossiemouth, IV31 6JW Call Joyce on 07813 559850

CULLEN 8am, 10am Cullen Bowling & Tennis Club, Reidhaven Place,Cullen, Buckie, AB56 4RN Call Sarah on 07872 474544

ELGIN 5.45pm and 7.30pm New Elgin & Ashgrove Public Hall, Land Street, New Elgin, Elgin, IV30 6BN Call Janice on 01340 820796

FRIDAY

DUFFTOWN 5.30pm, 7.30pm Commercial Hotel, Church Street, Dufftown, AB55 4AR Call Janice on 01340 820796

FOCHABERS 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm The Scout Hall, Christie Place, Fochabers, IV32 7HN Call Sarah on 07872 474544 FORRES 7.30am, 9.30am,11.30am, 5.30pm, 7.30pm Scout Hall, Bank Lane, Forres, IV36 1NU Call Kay on 07768 131676

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ELGIN 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm Harvest Centre Elgin, 10 Greyfriars Street, Elgin, IV30 1LF Call Kirsty on 07595 882258

LOSSIEMOUTH 7.30am, 9.30am Lossiemouth Community Centre, Coulardbank Road, Lossiemouth, IV31 6JW Call Joyce on 07813 559850

SATURDAY ELGIN 9.30am New Elgin & Ashgrove Public Hall, Land Street, New Elgin, Elgin, IV30 6BN Call Kirsty on 07595 882258

[ FOCUS ]

[ FEATURED

ARTIST ]

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or as long as I can remember I have been creatively inclined. Drawing has long been means a of escape from the difficulties of life, growing up and the stresses of school life/work life. It's a way of creating something beautiful, meaningful and understanding from feelings and situations which aren't so straightforward.

For me, the main focus of my work has always been predominantly horses. My artworks are mostly large scale, paintings in oil and/or acrylic, as well as highly detailed pastel portraits for clients. I like to focus on creating lifelike, emotive images that capture the essence and movement of the horse.

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Horses have been an obsession for many years, even before picking up a pencil. I had countless books, toys and a keen drive which eventually led me to pursue working horses voluntarily as a hobby through my teen years and, eventually, as a career into adulthood. Throughout this time, with knowledge of and proximity to horses, came a proficiency at recreating their 19/12/2017

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essence with pencils and paint. The jump from working with horses to painting them professionally was a quick and easy transition that happened in my early 20s.

With the help of social media and access to a network of equestrians from my time working in the industry, I was thrown into creating art for a living, without the more traditional path of attending university or gaining a degree.

I believe that many artists in their careers will create a practice which is founded in processing their childhoods, in one way or another. There is something about the magic of creation and imagination which resonates so well with the wonder and adventure of childhood. I wasn't born into a family that had or was even interested in horses and it wasn't until one day, when I was 12, I took myself off and asked local land owners if I could spend some time helping them with their animals that I got to spend time up close with them. Like a lot of children, especially the creatively inclined I had a difficult time at school

[ PA ST E L COMMI S SI O N ]

[ MAGNUS ]

fitting in and had quite an isolated experience. However, nearly every day of the years that followed I spent with the horses, never riding them, but brushing them, lingering in the field with them, learning their ways. I felt so at home here and it truly helped me through the trials of teenhood and education. Eventually, I ended up adopting one as my own, a little nervous pony, with some issues that needed a patient and sensitive approach She ended up staying with me for many years to come before I eventually lost her. My work isn't just about painting horses, it's about recreating something, reliving moments and emotions with the intention of allowing the onlooker the same experience. They represent so much more to me, an understanding and acceptance, a play between softness and power, gentleness and grandeur, darkness and light.

Understanding all this about my work has allowed me, over the years, to create hundreds of portraits and artworks not just of horses, but dogs also, belonging to other people from all around the world. I have sent portraits to Indonesia, Australia, USA, Canada, Spain, New Zealand and many more, allowing me to connect with hundreds of like-minded individuals and their animals. This aspect of my job I have found to be highly rewarding, especially as I understand the importance of the role of animals in some peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives.

[ DE N V E R ]

[ OBSIDIAN ]

PH OTO C R E D I T : L AUREN SMI TH

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[ SAPP H I RE ]

@ cfitzgeralda r t is t f aceb o ok. co m/ C. Fit z g e ra ld Cre at ive/ cfitzar t@ou t lo o k . co. u k www. cfitzge ra ld a r t. co. u k lamplight logo.pdf

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