SpotLight On Nairn & District December 2011

December 2011

NAIRN AND DISTRICT THE

NORTH’S

FAV O U R I T E

FREE

WEE

MAG’!

# / - - 5 . ) 4 9 s 3 4 9 , % s % !4 ) . ' / 5 4 s &! 3 ( ) / .

community

Life

Where’s Santa?

See page 21

Embarrassed by your problem skin?

Do you have unwanted hair, aged loose skin, red veins, skin tags, scars, tattoos, acne, wrinkles, pigmentation or other skin problems?

See our advert inside

UNIQUE Beauty

Tel: 07840 804207

R DECEMBE .30pm 3 .... 1pm -

......

3rd & 4th - 3.30pm ...... 1pm th 1 1 & th 10 .30pm .. 1pm - 3 .. .. th 8 1 to) 17th & Toy & Pho y (Including tr n E 0 .0 5 £

Yes that’s right, direct from the North Pole, the Big man in Red himself has made his headquarters in Santa’s Grotto at M&C. Get into the Christmas spirit - bring all

Bringing life to your home and garden...

M&C

MACKENZIE & CRUICKSHANK

the kids, do some xmas shopping and make a day of it. Check-out our website for more details: www.mackenzie-cruickshank.com

1 West Road, Forres IV36 2GW 01309 696940

See the Fat Elf Controller and take a journey through the garden on your own Santa Express Pedal Car Train Meet Mrs Claus in her kitchen and decorate your own gingerbread man Design your own crown in Santa’s toy factory and meet Santa and see his elves at work Dress up in costumes and play with the giant stuffed polar bear family Have a ride on Stuart Little’s car Meet the rabbits, ponies, pigs, ducks and doves that live at the castle Open Thursdays – Sundays from 1st December through till 23rd December 2011 Weekdays open 12 noon – 6pm and weekends open 10am – 6pm. Last admission 5pm.

ADMISSION £5 per person (each child receives a small gift) No advance bookings taken, first come first served. Come early in the season to avoid queues and delays. Remember to bring your camera, and dress warmly.

Please note there is no wheelchair access at the Castle, it is a 17th century tower house with a steep stone staircase.

7HO ZZZ FDVWOHVWXDUW FRP FDVWOHVWXDUW #EWLQWHUQHW FRP Situated on the Airport Road at the B9039 cut off for Ardersier and Fort George, 10mins from Inverness.

%

!

# !

%

"

2)*51 :*// *48.33*) 685,.(&/ +&(./.7.*6 8// &1,* 2+ 6*59.(*6 +25 -286*-2/) 3*76 48.1* &50 &1.0&/6 ●

●

●

$*67 2&) 5*6-23 67&7* 255*6

●

●

●

●

● ●

●

" 7 "!

.1.&1 2&) 8**1 75**7 8//2)*1 2&)

!*/ &;

SpotLight Clubs &Societies

Picture by , Copyright Alison Nelmes

AULDEARN SWRI Meetings include talks and demonstrations including craft, travel, social and international affairs. Preserves and enhances awareness of Scotland's rural heritage. Second Wednesday of month, 7.30pm, Dunbar Hall (excluding July & August).

Contact 452345 or email pamhudson@talktalk.net BEFRIENDERS HIGHLAND Voluntary organisation, which co-ordinates friendships between volunteers and people who have experienced a mental health problem and are lonely or isolated. Contact Heather Forbes 451444 email nairn@befrienders highland.org.uk website www.befrienders highland.org.uk BOYS BRIGADE Contact 452950 CAWDOR BOWLING CLUB Provides a six rink green where club and open competitions are played. Spoon competition Friday’s 7pm. Coaching is given to learners on a Tuesday evening. Contact 453698 CAWDOR CURLING CLUB Contact 404291 or 07831 760049 or email dave_rob@hotmail.com CVS NAIRN An umbrella group for voluntary organisations in Nairn. It provides advice and information to groups regarding funding and establishing new groups.

Contact 455234 or email ed@cvsnairn.org.uk FAMILY FIRST (BADENOCH, STRATHSPEY & NAIRN) Provides a support service via home based volunteer support and or group support for families with a child under 4. Contact Lynne 452865 FÈIS INBHIR NARAINN Reg. Charity No. SC038460.

Running weekly traditional music classes in guitar, fiddle, whistle, accordion, chanter, keyboard &

page 4 December 2011

bodhran. Any ability from age 8.

Instrument hire available. Tel: 462681 or visit www.spanglefish.com /inbhirnarainn GIRLGUIDING NAIRN Contact District Commissioner Jane Burns tel:0796 2190557 1stnairnguides@yahoo.co.uk GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND Nairn & Moray Branch are looking for new branch volunteers. If interested, please contact Anna Temple or Anna Roberts tel: 01309 694866 GEDDES W.R.I. Contact Mrs. Evelyn Cumming 404237 HIGHLAND HISTORICAL SEARCH SOCIETY We are an Inverness based metal detecting club, who have been searching the Highlands for over 23 years. During this time we have found 1000’s of artefacts, from the mundane to magnificent. Why not come & join us? You would be most welcome. Free equipment loan, tuition and regular places to detect. Beginners no problem & transport provided if needed. For full details contact Len tel: 01808 521340 anytime HIGHLAND RUSSIA CONNECTION Offers Russian language lessons, art and craft workshops, Russian dancing, educational talks, displays and exhibitions.

Contact Elena Reid 456245 or email elena.k.reid@ homecall.co.uk www.highlandrussia.org.uk INVERNESS AND HIGHLAND BRANCH PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION All ex Airborne are welcome to our meetings which are held the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion Huntly Street Inverness.

Contact Chairman macski38@yahoo.co.uk

LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF NAIRN HOSPITAL Our charity raises funds to provide extra comforts for the staff and patients at Nairn Town County Hospital and also provide much needed equipment for the hospital.

Contact 452243 LYNX NETBALL CLUB OF NAIRN All abilities welcome. S1 upwards. Contact Kim Neill tel: 455486 MEN’S CHOIR A new choir just for men. All kinds of music. Meets fortnightly at St. John’s Church, Forres.

Alternate Tuesdays 7.30pm9.30pm. No experience necessary. For more details contact Bill tel: 01309 672951 MORAY & NAIRN FLORAL ART CLUB Enjoy flowers? Come and watch talented flower demonstrators at work. Meets 2nd Wednesday each month Applegrove Primary School Contact May Bichan tel: 01343 850634 MORAY ADVANCE MOTORISTS & MOTORCYCLISTS Reg. Scottish Charity (SC 033561) visit www.morayiam.org.uk or 01309 673954 MOTHERCORE MANTRA GROUP Tuesdays 7.30pm-9pm.

Beginners. Mantra is the repetitive chanting of sacred sounds for health, happiness, relaxation, stress relief and inner peace.

Improves breathing, throat & voice. Tel. 459391 or e-mail ali.omshanti@yahoo.co.uk MUSIC NAIRN A charitable organisation to promote about 20 events each season. Classical and chamber music of the highest quality, poetry, chamber opera. Contact Nairn Community Centre 453476

tel: 01309 690063

NAIRN & DISTRICT BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION An Association for beekeepers in and around Nairn. We welcome new beekeepers or visitors to join us for our monthly meetings.

Contact tel: 454887 or email jandjburns@hotmail.com

CLUBS & SOC IET IES CONT IN UED NAIRN & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Meets on the second Thursday in month at Nairn Community Centre at 7.30pm. A variety of topics are covered from visiting speakers. Contact 452331 for further details NAIRN & DISTRICT PIPE BAND As a Pipe Band our aim is to keep the Traditional Scottish Music alive and to entertain the many visitors during the summer months at Highland Games, Gala''s and Street Performances etc. Also to encourage the youth.

Contact 454645 NAIRN ANGLING ASSOCIATION Contact 459250 or email nairnangling@tiscali.co.uk NAIRN ARTS SOCIETY Our club is an organisation for anyone in Nairn and area interested in art. We meet in the Laing Hall, Fishertown and regularly have demonstrations, exhibitions and sales of art works. Groups meet daily at various times. Contact Secretary Hazel Cullen tel: 456159 Visit www.nairnarts.co.uk NAIRN BOWLING CLUB Meets Monday & Wednesday 2pm, Friday 7pm, AprilSeptember, Juniors Sunday.

Contact Mary Pellow 455515.

New members welcome NAIRN GAELIC CHOIR Performing of Gaelic and other choral music, while promoting the Gaelic language. Contact 452584 or email christinagillies@hotmail.co.uk

SpotLight on Nairn and District

The Editor Ho ho ho - here we go again - it only seems five minutes since Christmas last year and the “time of peace and joy” is upon us again.

At this time it is always good to think of others less fortunate than ourselves and an invitation to join a family for a Christmas meal from a neighbour can be just the thing to cheer up a person living on their own. When was the last time that we did this I wonder do you have a spare place at your table?

PUBLISHER ...............David Nelmes SALES ......................Eilidh Conners ACCOUNTS ...................Lynn Wood LAYOUT ...............Megan Woodman DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LISTINGS................Tamsyn Dickson Clubs & Societies ............................4 Pastoral Letter.................................6 Church Details.................................6 Council News ..................................8 Useful Numbers ............................10 Local Holidays...............................10 Tide Times.....................................10 School Term Dates........................12 What’s On ................................17-21 Cinema Listings.............................19 Chef Confidential...........................22 Advertisers Index ..........................38

Recipe ......................................22

Gallery Trail...............................30

Road safety...............................26

Wild West (Winter Visitors) .......32

Travel (Caribbean).......................28

Birding (Visitors from the North) ...36

January Issue Deadlines Editorial - Friday 02/12/11 Advertising - Wednesday 07/12/11

Riser/Recliners

Electric Beds Ltd

Special Rates for Senior Citizens Local and Distance Runs *ROI 7RXUV :KLVN\ 7RXUV $LUSRUW 5XQV +LJKODQG 7RXUV &RQWUDFW :RUN :HOFRPHG

from only

£750

O verbed Tables Overbed Tables ffrom rom £47

£650

Chai rs Chairs ffrom rom £240 Commodes from £70 from And much mo more! re!

Hours Hou rs o off Business MON - FRI FRI 9am - 5pm

Don’t Drink and Drive, phone:

01667 45-95-95

sales@wheelchaircare.co.uk wheelchaircare.co.uk 01309 676677 sales@

24 Hour Office Open at 44 High Street, Nairn IV12 4AU

Easy P Parking arking & Disa Disabled bled T Toilet oilet FFacilities acilities

www.taxi247nairn.com

from only

21 West Road, Greshop Industrial Estate, Forres IV36 2GW (Behind Lidl)

S p o t L i g h t Pastoral Letter and Churches

It’s Party time! The excitement is mounting, will it be `Misha B’ , Janet Devlin or `The Risk’?

And who can trip the best fandango, will it be Harry Judd, Holly Valance, Jason Donovan?

The headlines are screaming the `news.’ ` The ratings had better be up or I’m going to sack the lot of them’, S. Cowell.

Turn on the radio, a voice, not quite managing dulcet, more gravelly, belts out `Does he ride a red nosed reindeer? Does a 'ton up' on his sleigh. Re-tune only to find `feed the world, don’t they know……’ . `But who will be the number 1 this year’ asks the breathless presenter after almost every song? Facebook and MSN is jamming with Who you gonna vote for?’. There’s no escape, something special must be happening! Yes. It’s the finals of The X Factor AND Strictly Come Dancing The nation, or at least a fair chunk of it, sits transfixed their TV’s, IPods, Smartphones, and Digi Radios. This can only mean one thing. It’s Christmas Time!

Wait a minute. Press the pause button. There must be more than this. Isn’t there a different kind of question that somehow, like those in the TV series that’s carries the name, has become `LOST’? A question that isn’t so trivial as to wonder why DJ’s insist on replaying Noddy Holder of the seventies sideboards and Slade’s `Merry Christmas Everybody’, EVERY

year. (Why, I don’t know. Is it really that good?).

Of course, all these things are fun and entertaining, maybe not so much for the contestants by the look on their faces as the weeks go by, and this is all part of what makes up a contemporary Christmas scene. But, this doesn’t mean even for a moment that this entertainment is WHAT or WHO Christmas is really about. There lies the important question.

Tear away, all the glamour, all the jingle jangle, all the dollar and pound chasing banality of the once a year seasonal TV and advertising hype.

If you can strip it all away, maybe you can glimpse the `more than this’, the questions that seem for so many to have become lost in the media and shopping frenzy.

Let me help.

Who- from Luke’s Gospel chapter 2 verses 711. She gave birth to her first child a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn. That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them.

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Saviour – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born

Ardersier with Petty Parish Church C of S, Ardersier Sundays 10.15am; Petty Sundays 12noon, tel. 462224 Nairn Baptist Church meets in Nairn Community Centre, King St. All welcome 11am every Sunday and 6pm every third Sunday of the month. Contact the Pastor 459672 or visit the website www.nairnbaptistchurch.org.uk Auldearn and Dalmore Parish Church Morning Service 12 noon. Contact Rev. Ricky Reid 451675.

Cawdor Parish Church Morning Service Sunday 10.15am.

Contact Rev. JS Mathieson 493217 Nairn Free Church Morning Service 11am with Sunday School & Creche (Gordon St); Evening Service 6pm (Rosebank Hall); Youth Club for S1 upwards Wednesday 6.30pm (Rosebank Hall); Prayer and Bible Study Thursday 7.30pm (8 George St).

Minister Murdo MacLeod 459131.

Nairn Christian Fellowship Sunday Worship 10.30am; Praise and Bible Study Wednesday 7.30pm.

Contact Sandy Shaw 456492.

Old Parish Church meets at 10.30am for morning Worship,

page 6 December 2011

tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David Why From John’s Gospel 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

The bible message tells us there is nothing to fear in seeking to peer through all the distractions that make up what we now call the Christmas season to fix your eyes on the real message of Christmas. The message isn’t hidden, the meaning isn’t lost, and neither does anyone need remain that way. Unlike the TV shows X Factor and Strictly which exclude as they progress, the original X (Cross) Factor is a Christmas gift available to `everyone’.

In the account above, `she’ was Mary, the `first child’, is the boy Jesus, the Son of Mary & the Son of God. During the approximately three years, of his ministry as an adult that we know about Jesus cared for, healed, taught, and included. Everyone, whoever, whosoever, anyone. No-one is excluded from the message of hope and the great gift that Christmas represents. It’s party time. You can join the real Christmas Party and get the genuine Christmas gift. Just ask. If you need help call on any minister or Christian Friend.

Re v. Tim Power.

Mi nster.N airn Baptist Churc h

Sunday School & Creche. Rev. Ian WF Hamilton.

St Ninians Church Morning Worship and Sunday School 10.15am; Prayer Meeting Wednesday 7.30pm.

Rev. Ricky Reid 451675.

St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Family Worship 10.30am; Evening Prayer 6.30pm.

Rev. Canon Alison Simpson 452458.

St Mary’s Catholic Church IV12 4RJ, Saturday Vigil 6pm, Sunday Mass 11.30am, tel: 453323 United Reformed Church Morning Service with Sunday School and Creche 11am.

Contact Rev. Steven Manders 451443.

The Pentecostal Church of God Nairn Sunday Service 10.30am. Minister: JD Grant 456088. www.churchofgodnairn.org Nairn Joint Service 1st Sunday monthly St Ninians 6.30pm If you are a member of a church not listed here please email with details and we will print this in future issues.

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

The House of

a utomat A Shop ~ Exhibition ~ Workshop

Automata are mechanical objects endowed with life The Inimitable

Repair & Creation

MICRO

VISIBLE

M USE UM

STUDIO

A Tiny World

of Kinetic Art

Marvels

~ The Microcosm ~

SCORSESE’S

HUGO

EXHIBITION

P R O P S & A U T O M A T A F R O M T H E 3 D FI L M Here 2 NDt o 24TH DECEMBER

Curiosity rewarded

Gift Shop

Suitable for Lovers of Rational Amusement From Infancy To Elderly Tuesday to Saturday from 10 til 5

THE HOUSE OF AUTOMATA SEAPARK, KINLOSS, FORRES IV36 3TT Tel: 01309 691 212 WWW.THEHOUSEOFAUTOMATA.COM

Automaton advisors to ‘Hugo’, Scorcese’s new 3D film See our new exhibition

SpotLight Council News

Picture by , Copyright Karen Barclay

extrACts from the DrAft miNutes of the meetiNg of 27th of sePtemBer 2011 of NAirN suBurBAN CommuNity CouNCil

CC Committee Reports:No. 20 Local Bus:- C. Cllr. mackie gave a resume of the situation with the local No. 20 service which ceased running through tradespark at beginning of August, without any prior notification from stagecoach or highland Council. this has come as a result of the “Planning gain” monies which sainsbury’s were required to put up to “improve the local Bus service”. tradespark/Cranloch lost out. their argument will be that tradespark is serviced by the Nos. 10; 11; 11A; 305 buses, which is all very well if you want to go to sainsbury’s but useless if you want to go the Doctor surgery/Nairn hospital. many residents in our area have mobility issues and/or are elderly with health problems and have no cars. many have had to resort to taxi’s to get to and from the Doctor’s, but as this is very expensive, will not be sustainable.

N.S.C.C. raised this issue about public transport when the planning to move the doctor surgery’s to Nairn hospital was being discussed. We were assured then

by Nhs highland and highland Council, through our local Councillors, but then the cuts came and now these bodies

page 8 December 2011

have buried their heads in the sand, and we have been left in the lurch. Nothing new in that!!!!

N.S.C.C. wrote to stagecoach, and in fairness they did reply, “highland Council were consulted, it’s their fault.” (here we go again) We then wrote to mr. gillies, head of teC services who have a responsibility for transport issues, but to date we have had no reply. still it has only been 4 weeks so i suppose its early days. the purpose of raising this issue at our meeting (27/9/2011) is to ask people who are experiencing difficulty, either getting onto these service buses; or problems getting to or from Nairn hospital/Doctor surgery’s to get in touch in writing if possible; so we can build up a dossier of problems to take back to stagecoach/highland Council to try and improve the situation. People have been blaming sainsbury’s, but in fairness they only complied with the Planning gain requirement. the problem has been caused by how this “Planning gain” money has been used, and it certainly hasn’t been used for the betterment of tradespark/Cranloch residents. We would encourage everyone who has a problem to either contact one of their C. Cllrs., or write to us outlining the

tel: 01309 690063

problems they have experienced, and we will hopefully get sufficient material to strengthen our argument when we meet with stagecoach / the highland Council A query was raised from the floor regarding the increase in fares, prior to this change the local bus fare to the high street x return was £1.65; now it is £2.40 which seems a huge increase. maybe mr. souter needs a bigger bonus next year, £800,000.00 maybe wasn’t enough?

Community Council Elections:- the elections are to take place on 16th.

November 2011, so anyone wishing to stand for Nairn suburban C.C. needs to complete a nomination form and hand it into mrs. l. Clark before 4pm on tuesday 4th. october. We are hoping to have more than the 10 C.C. members so that a postal ballot will be held, it makes those elected feel part of the process.

C.C.’s are not just about “Planning”, but we are the voice of local people when it comes to issues such as loss of our local bus etc. so anyone who lives in the area and wants to help make it a better place to live, please come along and join us.

SpotLight on Nairn and District

FREE GIFT WRAPPING

www.giftpearls.co.uk

S A M T S I CHR OW ON SALE N ! ock lasts) (while st

Genuine pearls, jade, netsuke, arts, crafts, ceramics and decorations!

We help you to find unique gifts!

NORTH STAR IMPORT LTD 01667 451851 open 9.30 - 5.00 closed sunday 2 CAWDOR STREET, NAIRN (NEXT DOOR TO POST OFFICE) admin@giftpearls.co.uk

Local Holidays, Tide Times & Useful Numbers

SpotLight

Local Holidays Christmas Day Holiday * Boxing Day Holiday * New Years Day Holiday * 2nd January Holiday * Inverness Holiday Inverness Holiday Inverness Holiday Good Friday

Mon. 26th Dec. 2011 Tues. 27th Dec. 2011 Mon. 2nd Jan. 2012 Tues. 3rd Jan. 2012 Mon. 6th Feb. 2012 Mon. 5th Mar. 2012 Mon. 2nd April 2012 Fri. 6th April 2012

LOW TIDE TIMES FOR NAIRN IN DECEMBER Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

TH F SA SU M TU W

AM

PM

09.20 09.59 00.18 01.32 02.29 03.10 03.26

23.05 11.08 13.52 14.47 15.28 16.01

May Day Bank Holiday Mon. 7th May 2012 Spring Bank Holiday Mon. 4th June 2012 Queens Diamond Jubilee Tues. 5th June 2012 Inverness Holiday Mon. 2nd July 2012 Summer Bank Holiday Mon. 6th Aug. 2012 Inverness Holiday Mon. 1st Oct. 2012 * substitute, as this holiday falls on a weekend or other bank holiday AM 03.32 04.12 04.56 05.39 06.19 06.54 07.23 07.27 08.01 09.03 10.37 00.03

8 TH 9 F 10 SA 11 SU 12 M 13 TU 14 W 15 TH 16 F 17 SA 18 SU 19 M

PM 16.33 17.07 17.45 18.23 19.03 19.43 20.25 21.12 22.02 22.59 11.52

20 TU 21 W 22 TH 23 F 24 SA 25 SU 26 M 27 TU 28 W 29 TH 30 F 31 SA

AM 01.17 02.28 03.29 04.26 05.15 05.58 06.40 07.19 07.55 08.24 08.42 09.06

PM 13.11 15.02 16.04 16.57 17.46 18.31 19.16 20.00 20.44 21.25 21.59 22.22

Useful Numbers SCHOOLS Auldearn Primary School ............................(01667) 452118 Cawdor Primary School ..............................(01667) 402460 Logie Primary School ..................................(01309) 611258 Millbank Primary School..............................(01667) 452240 Rosebank Primary School ..........................(01667) 454090 Nairn Academy ............................................(01667) 453700 Moray College Nairn Learning ....................(01667) 456759 DOCTORS Nairn Hospital A&E .....................................(01667) 452101 The Lodgehill Clinic ....................................(01667) 452096 Arderseir Medical Practice ..........................(01667) 452278 Nairn Sports Medicine Clinic ......................(01667) 454523 DENTISTS Jones Jones & Behrendt ............................(01667) 453189 RM Donald & Associates ............................(01667) 454603 PHARMACIES Lloyds Pharmacy ........................................(01667) 453100 Boots The Chemist ......................................(01667) 453169 page 10 December 2011

VETS Moray Coast ................................................(01667) 453161 Inshes Veterinary Clinic Inverness ..............(01463) 711777 OTHERS Police Station ..............................................(01667) 452222 Stagecoach Inverness .................................(01463) 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau ...............................(01667) 456677 Nairn Museum ............................................(01667) 456791 Dalcross Airport .............................(01667) 464000/462280 Inverness Job Centre ....................(01463) 888100/888200 Highland Council ........................................(01667) 458500 Victim Support ............................................(01463) 710806 Samaritans ..................................................(01463) 713456 Gas - Emergency ............................................(0800 111999 Water - Emergency ........................................08456 008855 British Red Cross Inverness ........................(01463) 231620 Crossroads ..................................................(01667) 455369 National Rail Enquiries ..................................08457 484950

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

Telephone:

01343 850 066 Mobile:

07900 225 445 Taking clients from design & planning right through to completion...

www.excellenthomes.co.uk (PDLO LQIR#DOEDEXVLQHVV FR XN :HE ZZZ DOEDEXVLQHVV FR XN

Â&#x2021; %XVLQHVV VWDUW XSV 6HOI DVVHVVPHQW 3$<( 9$7 Â&#x2021; $FFRXQWV 3UHSDUDWLRQ DQG %RRN .HHSLQJ Â&#x2021; 3HUVRQDO DQG &RPSDQ\ 7D[DWLRQ Â&#x2021; %XVLQHVV SODQV DQG FDVK IORZ SURMHFWLRQV Â&#x2021; ,QGHSHQGHQW )LQDQFLDO $GYLFH *8$5$17((' 72 %($7 <285 &855(17 $&&2817$176 )(( %< 7HOHSKRQH -DPHV Â&#x2021; 1HLO

The Windsor Hotel ALBERT STREET, NAIRN IV12 4HP Santas Grotto - If You Come In For A Carvery or Steak Night Meal Then The Kids Get Entrance To The Grotto For Free.

Saturday 10th, Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th December.

12 noon till 7pm Booking is advised.

Christmas Party Nights - Still some availability left Saturday 10th December & Friday 16th December. ÂŁ19.99 Four Course Dinner, Glass of Bubbly, Live Band & DJ. Christmas Party Lunches - ÂŁ9.95 Four Course Lunch or Dinner, Booking Essential any Lunch or Evening in December.

(24th & 25th December excluded) New Year Eve ÂŁ19.99 Five Course Gala Dinner Followed by Live Ceilidh Band New Years Day Carvery ÂŁ9.95 Per Head - Book Now, Places Selling Fast!

01667 453108 Email: windsorres@btconnect.com

SpotLight School Term Dates School Term Dates

for 2011/2012 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Ends

Thu. 22nd December 2011

Summer Term Starts

Spring Term Starts

Monday 9th January 2012

Summer Term Ends

Regional Closure

Wed. 15th February 2012

Regional Closure

Thursday 16th February 2012

Regional Closure

Friday 17th February 2012

Spring Term Ends

Friday 30th March 2012

Good Friday Holiday

Friday 6th April 2012

Tuesday 17th April 2012 Friday 29th June 2011

for 2012/2013 (all dates inclusive) Regional Closure

Monday 13th August 2012

Autumn Term Starts

Tuesday 14th August 2012

Autumn Term Ends

Friday 5th October 2012

Regional Closure

Monday 22nd October 2012 Tuesday 23rd October 2012

Easter Monday Holiday

Monday 9th April 2012

Winter Term Starts

May Day Holiday

Monday 7th May 2012

Winter Term Ends Thursday 20th December 2012

Christmas is all wrapped up with the National Trust for Scotland From enchanting events to perfect presents, celebrate the festive season with us H H H H H H

Get into the Christmas spirit with our festive events programme Visit our Christmas shops filled with great gifts for friends and family Come and stay at one of our self-catering holiday properties Spoil yourself with some seasonal treats in our cafés and restaurants Enjoy spotting winter wildlife at our outdoor properties Give the gift of membership – the present that lasts all year

Visit our website for more information and your chance to

WIN £200 to spend in our online shop! www.nts.org.uk/christmas The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is a charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number SC 007410

jing l e b e l l s ,

Reindeer &Husky Day! ' 3 * % ": 3 % % & $ & . # & 3

j i n g l e bel l s , j i n g l e al

lt he

Visit Santa in his Grotto 11am to 2pm Visit our pack of Siberian husky dogs with racing sled 1pm to 3.30pm Meet Santa's herd of Reindeer in their pen 1pm to 3.30pm then wave Santa off on his farewell parade at 3.30pm wa

Special winter BBQ from 11am to 4pm

..

y. .

$IJMESFOhT 5FBDVQ SJEF t 'FTUJWF NVTJD GSPN %S (SBZhT 8BWF 3BEJP t &OKPZ DPòFF NJODF QJFT IPNF CBLFT GVMM MVODI NFOV GSPN PVS GBNJMZ 3FTUBVSBOU Quality in the country

Brodie by Forres, Moray IV36 2TD www.brodiecountryfare.com

% ,$'# $%$'# $'#%! %0

+ $ + -,,!*$'# % , ((" 0+,!&+

!'!* % )*()!*,0 & $',!' ' ! +!*.$ !

/!

!& $%

"

! !!

info@ forrestreeservices.com

TREE SURGERY AND FIREWOOD

Domestic and Commercial

Fully insured and qualified

www. forrestreeservices.com

01309 673233

Delivering fresh local produce to your Door to Inverness, Evanton, Black Isle, Nairn, Forres, Elgin and Lossiemouth

Scotgro, Broombank Farm, Auldearn, Nairn

Scotgro can deliver a box containing a selection of fresh local vegetables from our Nairnshire farm to your doorstep.

Subscribing online for a regular weekly or fortnightly box is easy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you can even tell us which vegetables you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like so that we know not to put them in your box.

Order on-line at scotgro.com

Tel: 07580 231030

Mini ÂŁ10 (1-2 people) Box ÂŁ12 (2-4 people) Crate ÂŁ16 (4-7 people)

youth

Elgin Youth Cafe Elgin Youth Cafe celebrated their 10th birthday this year. It provides a safe place for young people between the ages of 12-18 to come and socialise, away from the pressures of modern day living. Activities and projects are provided to encourage young people to be part of their local community, and to build bridges between young and old. They offer the following facilities and activities in the Cafe: Cafe; Computer Suite; Pool Table; Table Tennis; Table Football; Wii; Playstation; X Box; Karaoke; Lounge Area; Games; MTV & Sky; Live Bands and Discos; Theme Nights; Programme of Activities for School Holidays; Fully Functional Bar (Soft Drinks) & Kitchen.

There are various activities which young people can join in with at the Cafe: Delta Force – a community based initiative, which encourages young people to carry out projects in their local area. Some examples of this are – graffiti clean ups; bag packing; street clean ups; coffee mornings; garden projects; fund raising events.

1:1 and group work with young people

There is so much going on at the cafe, so please come along and have a great time there.

Volunteers are absolutely essential for the Youth Cafe to open in the evenings, and to this end, Elgin Youth Development Group were successful in gaining funding from Voluntary Action Group for a volunteer co-ordinator in July this year. Moira Morrison has now been in post around four months and is recruiting volunteers to work with 6 different groups within the cluster group – Elgin Youth Cafe, Lossie Youth Cafe, The Loft - Keith, Quarriers Young Carers, Step by Step and Enable Scotland. Her goal is to get 40 volunteers during the year to work with the organisations within the cluster group.

People have many reasons for volunteering - Gain new skills, personal development and builds confidence to name but a few. We provide training to help volunteers gain new skills and experiences, and this in turn may help them gain new employment.

Although it is good to have qualifications, volunteers also need ‘people’ skills such as listening, empathy, communication and team working. Finally, common sense and a good sense of humour are essential.

Regular fundraising events to raise money for the Cafe Outdoor education activities, including canoeing and climbing Arts and crafts activities and events Courses, events and projects during the school holidays, including film making and life skills.

14

If you need any further information, please contact: Moira Morrison - Volunteer Coordinator Elgin Youth Development Group Elgin Youth Cafe, McIntosh Building Francis Place, Elgin IV30 1LQ

Celebrate Christmas with Designer Brands Include

Totally Unique Items Exclusive To Us

'.1< .LW +HDWK Sphere of Life Love Links

Thousands of Items in Stock!

All our chocolate is free from additives and preservatives, and naturally gluten free!

Open late every Thursday and open every Sunday in December in the run up to Christmas 15 High Street, Elgin, IV30 1EQ Tel: 01343 547700 www.facebook.com/OliveTreeChocolate

Stylish modern jewellery & gifts for all the family

Scottish Ranges Include Ortak & Sheila Fleet

© \ {{ ] | m w i{ y{ © \ { z W w y{ © © i w Z{ { { { | Y~ w ©

Gift buying made easy and enjoyable at

113 High Street, Forres

78 High Street, Nairn

Tel: 01309 675577

Tel: 01667 456777

Innes Pipes Ltd

Suppliers of Building Materials Delivering through the Highlands

%ORFNV &HPHQW 6DQG 7LPEHU /LQWHOV All General Building and Landscaping Materials!

Visit our website: www.innespipes.co.uk

Unit 2, Grigorhill Ind. Est, Nairn IV12 5HY

Tel: Fax: 01667 459461

+#!- ,--#.

2

! *')#. .,0/& ,$ ,--#. ,+ 111 ),%'# ", 0(

IN DECEMBER

HAVE REEL FUN at

01463 234 234 www.eden-court.co.uk

r NEY Jn T DOW S E ROBER M O OCK H ’ ‘SHERL adows h S f o e m a AG

NEY’S E CLOO G R O E G S

‘IDE RCH’ OF MA

(15) TBC Fri 09 to Thu 15 Dec

(12A) TBC Fri 16 to Thu 29 Dec

George Clooney directs Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman in this tense political thriller. In the frantic days leading up to a heavily contested presidential primary election, an up-and-coming campaign press secretary finds himself involved in a political scandal which threatens to upend his candidates shot at the Presidency.

Guy Ritchie’s second Sherlock outing sees Robert Downey Jr’s deliciously different Sherlock pit his wits against arch enemy, Professor Moriarty. Our top tip is to expect the unexpected... Did you ever imagine you might see Sherlock Holmes in drag?

Also starring no-nonsense Noomi Rapace (the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)

Please mention you saw this advert in ‘SpotLight’

H RL WIT THE GI AGON THE DR OO TATT (18) TBC Mon 26 Dec to Thu 12 Jan Stieg Larsson’s bestseller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is given the Hollywood treatment by acclaimed director, David Fincher (The Social Network). Daniel Craig stars as Mikael Blomkvist, with Rooney Mara in the title role. This is an absolute MUST for anyone who has even been in the vicinity of a Stieg Larsson book!

Please send us details of Your events log on to www.spotlighton.co.uk email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk or call 01309 690063 What’s on listings deadline for January issue is friday 02/12/11

NOVEMBER 30 wednesday - 17 saturday (december) nairn drama club presents it’s 2011 christmas pantomime, snow white, 7.30pm. £9, no concessions, contact avril on 01667 453736, email avril@nairndrama.org.uk, or visit the theatre any monday evening between 7pm and 9pm. see nairndrama.org.uk for more information.

DECEMBER Rolling Events ‘cabinet of curiosities’ - falconer museum, forres.

10am-2pm tuesday to saturday throughout december. an exhibition from all over the world designed to incite wonder, fascination, curiosity and perhaps even repulsion. free admission. tel: 01309 673701.

1 thursday the undertones - 7:30pm. £16 under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. ironworks, inverness visit www.ironworksvenue.com or tel: 0871 789 4173

2 friday nairn literary institute – wind, sand and stars – desert travels and the blue men of the sahara by brian stewart, 7.30pm, non-members £3, st ninian’s church hall, queen street, nairn. visit www.nairnliterary.org.uk stock up your seasonal store cupboard at brodie countryfare - enjoy tastings of speciality products in the gourmet foodhall from 11am onwards. tel 01309 641555 or visit www.brodiecountryfare.com

SpotLight Whats On and photographs from the 3D film by martin scorsese. tuesday to saturday 10am-5pm free entry. the house of automata, seapark, kinloss (next to petrol station) tel: 01309 691212 for more information or visit www.thehouseofautomata.com

3 saturday clan donald society of the highlands and islands ceilidh, 7.30pm-11.30 pm, munlochy village hall, entrance at the door: £8, or £5 for cdsh&i members. all welcome. entertainment, piping, scottish country and ceilidh simple dances (with instruction), light refreshments, byob, raffle and auction. email: contact@clandonald.org or tel: 01381 620121. jo caulfield “cruel to be kind” - 8pm. £12/ £10 concessions. universal hall, findhorn. visit www.universalhall.co.uk fairtrade bazaar old high church hall, academy street, inverness. 10:30am-3pm. there is a variety of crafts and food items as well as recycled glassware, cards & wrapping paper. there will be a chance to enjoy a fairly traded cup of coffee too! them & us support devlin @ ironworks - 7pm. over 14s. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com scooty & the skyhooks to support craig charles classic funk and soul set announced for xmas soul city live night. 10pm. over 18s. for tickets tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com russian winter crafts - free family drop-in at the falconer museum, forres. 11am-1pm. contact tel: 01309 673701 for more information.

2 friday - 4 sunday eden court christmas craft fair - late night friday, 1pm-9pm saturday and 10am-5pm on sunday. exquisite arts, crafts and foods all brought together in the beautifully restored bishops palace in eden court. 5 different exhibitors from all over the highlands at each fair. supporting the children’s hospice association scotland. www.exclusivelyhighlands.co.uk

2 friday - 24 saturday ‘hugo’ film exhibition - props, automata, drawings SpotLight on Nairn and District

www.spotlighton.co.uk

Ltd

Special Rates for Senior Citizens Local and Distance Runs *ROI 7RXUV :KLVN\ 7RXUV $LUSRUW 5XQV +LJKODQG 7RXUV &RQWUDFW :RUN :HOFRPHG Don’t Drink and Drive, phone:

01667 45-95-95 www.taxi247nairn.com

24 Hour Office Open at 44 High Street, Nairn IV12 4AU December 2011 - page 17

3 thursday - 5 saturday

6 tuesday

the barber of seville: scottish opera - 7.15pm, £49.00 / £40.00 / £34.00 / £21.00, eden court, inverness, tel: 01463 234 234 or visit: www.edencourt.co.uk

flying starts xmas flea circus & side show 7:30pm. entry £5/£4 - limited availability so booking is essential. ‘flea’ glass of mulled wine. the house of automata, seapark, kinloss (next to petrol station) tel: 01309 691212 for more information or visit www.flea-circus.co.uk

4 sunday mundole equestrian christmas unaffiliated dressage pc dengie nov/open qualifier, closing date 25th november, contact 07901 602042 or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com tasty ness new interactive food exhibition,11am-4pm entrance is £3 with children under 12 free, th- ere will be cookery demonstrations, mini masterclasses, high quality gifts & food items to buy for christmas, as well as samples to taste and dining out offers, ironworks venue in Inverness. treebadour theatre comes to rose abbey school 3pm. \"crocodile prepares for christmas\" £4 per person, for all of the family, rose abbey school, kinloss. for info visit www.treebadour.co.uk or call elisabeth julian 01309 691225 beauly food, craft & collectables fair at lovat arms hotel, beauly. 12am-4:30pm. great range of high quality handmade products available. organising proceeds to highland hospice & skye view animal home. to book a stall call angie on 01445 731438

7 wednesday christmas shopping event at rosedene house from 6:30pm. christmas gifts from ESPA, spa ritual, wella, sebastian and art deco along with bespoke treatment packages. mulled wine and mince pies will be served. parking available. rosedene house, 2 drummond crescent, inverness.

9 friday graham brown to release ep in ironworks room 2 7:30pm. over 14s. for tickets tel: 0871 789 4173 or go to www.ironworksvenue.com stock up your seasonal store cupboard at brodie Ltd countryfare - enjoy tastings of speciality products in the gourmet foodhall from 11am onwards. tel 01309 Special Rates for Senior Citizens 641555 or visit www.brodiecountryfare.com

Local and Distance Runs *ROI 7RXUV :KLVN\ 7RXUV 9 friday$LUSRUW 5XQV +LJKODQG 7RXUV - 10 saturday &RQWUDFW :RUN :HOFRPHG ‘aladin’ pantomime @ phipps hall, beauly - evening

shows 7:30pm. concession £5. matinee Don’tadults Drink£7, and Drive, phone: on saturday 2:30pm. adults £6, concessions £5. fundraiser for the aird branch of the highland hospice. tickets available from morrison’s of beauly, www.taxi247nairn.com robertson farm shop, beauly or contact liz hoey on 24 Hour Office Open at 44 High Street, Nairn IV12 4AU tel: 01463 831422

01667 45-95-95

10 saturday

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

DECEMBER EVENTS 33rd rd D ec A lzheimer S cot land C hr ist mas C raf t Fair Fair Dec Alzheimer Scotland Christmas Craft 33rd rd D ec F un F ill ed Q ui z N ight & S upp er - Teams Teams of of 4 Dec Fun Filled Quiz Night Supper 10th Dec Dec Music Music Nairn Nairn .................Geoffrey ................. Geof frey S abre Piano Pi a n o 10th Sabre 114th 4t h D ec Y e l l ow D og T heat re G roup p resent s Dec Yellow Dog Theatre Group presents ““A AS pook y C hrist mas” pperformed er for med bbyy yyoung oung llocal oc al ttalent! a l e nt !

Spooky Christmas” 116th 6th D ec C inema N airn...“Miracle o n 334th 4th S t ” 11947 9 47 ((U) U) Dec Cinema Nairn...“Miracle on St” 117th 7t h D ec S howstopp er z ................ .............. ““Xmas Xmas Number Numb er 1’s” 1’s” Dec Showstopperz S ome ooff tthe he bbest est yyoung oung pperformers er for mers iinn tthe he H ighlands Some Highlands ppresent resent aann eevening vening ooff C har t ttopping opping C hr ist mas H i t s!

Chart Christmas Hits!

W Wee w would ould like like ttoo w wish ish yyou ou yyou ou aallll a M Merry er r y C Christmas hr istmas aand nd a H Happy a p py N New ew Y Year ear

For further details TTelephone elephone 01667 453476, e-mail, info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website at www www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk .nairncommunitycentre.co.uk page 18 December 2011

mundole equestrian m&n pony club dressage & showjumping, contact 07901 602042 or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com erol alkan, £15.00, first 100 tickets will be £12,10.30pm, ironworks venue in inverness. tel: 0871 7894173 or visit: www.ironworksvenue.com highland deaf childrens society fund raising event children and adults, hearing and deaf will be singing and signing christmas songs 10am-12pm and 2pm4pm eastgate shopping centre www.highlanddcs.org.uk music nairn presents a concert by pianist geoffrey saba playing schubert and rachmaninov. nairn community arts centre, 8pm. tickets cost £18/ members £14/ students £2. tel 01667 455701 the snow queen presented by the folding theatre company at the stables. shows at 11:30am and 2pm. adults £6 children £4. www.nts.org.uk/events festive fun - get creative with cotton wool and pipe cleaners. free family drop-in at the falconer museum, forres. 11am-1pm. contact tel: 01309 673701 for more information. achren and filthpact @ flanagans bar, elgin - 8pm. tickets cost £5. achren, from glasgow, return to elgin

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

Cinema Nairn Visit cinemanairn.blogspot.com or contact Nairn Community Centre on 01667 453476 for details

Cinema Listings November 2011 Eden Court Theatre, Inverness

Vue Cinema, Inverness

Up to the 8th of December The Help (12a) We Need To Talk About Kevin (15) Warren Miller - Like There’s No Tomorrow

From Friday 2nd December Happy Feet 2 3D (tbc) Puss in Boots 3D (U) Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 (tbc) Sherlock Holmes 2 (tbc) Sleeping Beauty: Live from The Royal Opera House (tbc) Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (tbc) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) From Tuesday 13th January Shame (tbc) The Descendants (15)

Visit www.eden-court.co.uk or call 01463 234234 for details

Moray Playhouse, Elgin New Screenings begin on Fridays Call 01343 542680 or visit www.morayplayhouse.co.uk

Highland Spiritual Cinema

KidsAM Every Saturday & Sunday at 10.15am Tickets £1.25 / VIP Tickets £2.75 Senior Screenings Every Tuesday afternoon Tickets £3.05 / VIP Tickets £4.55

Monthly screenings of uplifting and inspiring films that inform, enlighten and entertain.

For further details please visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net or telephone 01463 237452

Includes tea/coffee & biscuits

Visit www.myvue.com for details

Portessie Public Hall Regular films including Saturday matinees.

For further details email portessiepublichall@hotmail.co.uk

Universal Hall, Findhorn Showing films through the year Visit www.findhorn.org/uhall or call 01309 691170 for details.

SpotLight on Nairn and District

www.spotlighton.co.uk

December 2011- page 19

DECEMBER 2011 continued in the culmination of a great year with an album release along with prestigious slots at metal camp in the czech republic, the wacken festival, germany and the uk’s premier metalfest bloodstock. support comes from aberdeen’s filthpact.

11 sunday mundole equestrian christmas show jumping PC dengie qualifier, contact 07901 602042 or visit www.mundoleequestrian.com beauly food, craft & collectables fair at lovat arms hotel, beauly. 12am-4:30pm. great range of high quality handmade products available. organising proceeds to highland hospice & skye view animal home. to book a stall call angie on 01445 731438 film: christmas with a capital c - 6pm at culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. free admission. www.culduthelchristiancentre.org

12 monday royal scottish geographical society lectures a cave diver 's journey: phil short. 20 years of cave diving from the mendips to the ural mountains, 7.30pm admission: £8 for adults, rsgs members, students and under 18's free. highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness

13 tuesday flying starts xmas flea circus & side show 7:30pm. entry £5/£4 - limited availability so booking is essential. ‘flea’ glass of mulled wine. the house of automata, seapark, kinloss (next to petrol station) tel: 01309 691212 for more information or visit www.flea-circus.co.uk the truly terrible orchestra’s charity christmas concert.

7pm. under 16’s accompanied by an adult. tickets by donation (£5 suggested) for more information and to book tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

14 wednesday - 23 friday christmas lunches, 12 – 3pm, 2 or 3 course festive menu served in the grand surroundings of the library, why not make up a table? booking essential, brodie castle, tel: 0844 493 2156 visit: www.nts.org.uk easy from seed, 7.30pm, the highland rock garden club hosts an illustrated talk with practical demonstration of raising alpine and other plants from seed by margaret and henry taylor, nairn community centre, king street, tel: 01320 366246

15 thursday lilly’s christmas vintage tea 3pm-5pm. gorgeous food, romantic, vintage setting, festive atmosphere and organic tea & coffee. for more information or to book call 01667 456610 or pop into lilly’s tea room, 8 high street, nairn.

page 20 December 2011

16 friday

cinema nairn christmas film - ‘miracle on 34th street’ from 1947 (u), 7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre, tel: 453476 showstopperz presents 'xmas number ones', at the spectrum centre, inverness, 7.30pm start, £8 adult, £6 child/concession, tickets available at www.thebooth.co.uk and on the door. lilly’s christmas tea party - 4:30pm-6pm. treats, activities and crafts with a festive flair for younger diners. for more information or to book call 01667 456610 or pop into lilly’s tea room, 8 high street, nairn. christmas concert at st ninians church, nairn. 7:30pm christmas carols at brodie countryfare - from 10:30am-11:30am dyke primary school will be singing carols in the restaurant.

17 saturday treebadour theatre 3pm, treebadour puppet theatre, kasperle show,"crocodile prepares for christmas" £4 per person, for all of the family, james milne institute, findhorn at the pier, visit www.treebadour.co.uk or call elisabeth julian 01309 691225 showstopperz presents 'xmas number ones' at nairn community centre, 7.30pm start, £8 adult, £6 child/concession, tickets available at www.thebooth.co.uk and on the door christmas gifts, fine foods & collectables fair at thistle hotel, inverness. 10am-3:30pm. wonderful range of locally made gifts and produce as well as a fine selection of collectables. raffle and organising proceeds to highland hospice & skye view animal home. to book a stall call angie on 01445 731438 jumping jacks - make a traditional moving toy. free family drop-in at the falconer museum, forres. 11am1pm. tel: 01309 673701 for more information. classic family christmas movie - 4pm at culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. free admission. www.culduthelchristiancentre.org

18 sunday

beauly food, craft & collectables fair at lovat arms hotel, beauly. 12am-4:30pm. great range of high quality handmade products available. organising proceeds to highland hospice & skye view animal home. to book a stall call angie on 01445 731438 community carol service - (including a guinness world record attempt) 6:15pm at culduthel christian centre, culduthel avenue, inverness. www.culduthelchristiancentre.org lofty arts @ the loft - 10am-12 noon. christmas fun for kids under 10. come along and make christmas crowns, finger puppets, magic spells also free face painting (for all participating children...sorry, no adults!) sessions cost £4 per child or three for £10. booking desirable but not essential. children must be accompanied by an adult. don’t forget your imaginations! the loft @ east grange farm, kinloss. tel: 01343 850111 to book or for more information. christmas carols at brodie countryfare - 2pm-4pm dyke parish church will be singing christmas carols in the entrance to the store. tel 01309 641555 or visit www.brodiecountryfare.com

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

DECEMBER 2011 continued

Where’s Santa?

Lofty Arts - Christmas Fun Sunday 18th December,10am - 12 noon £4 per child or three for £10 (must be accompanied by adult) For kids under 10 years, come along and make a range of different Arts and Crafts including free face painting.

Tel: 01343 850111 East grange Farm, Kinloss

20 tuesday flying starts xmas flea circus & side show 7:30pm. entry £5/£4 - limited availability so booking is essential. ‘flea’ glass of mulled wine. the house of automata, seapark, kinloss (next to petrol station) tel: 01309 691212 for more information or visit www.flea-circus.co.uk

21 wednesday christmas carols at brodie countryfare - 12:30pm1:30pm dyke primary school will be singing christmas carols in the restaurant. tel 01309 641555 or visit www.brodiecountryfare.com

Santa’s Grotto At Baxters Highland Village 11am - 4pm. £5 includes a gift. tel: 01343 820666 Breakfast With Santa At Baxters Highland Village, Fochabers. delight kids with the chance to enjoy breakfast with santa himself. £8.99, pre-booking required. tel: 01343 820666 Santa’s Grotto At Brodie Countryfare - 2pm-4pm £6 which includes a wee chat with santa and a gift. the elves will be helping santa meet the children in his sleigh.

Brand New Reindeer & Husky Day At Brodie Countryfare visit santa, mrs clause and the elves in santa’s grotto from 11am-2pm. santa’s reindeer will be in their pen from 1pm-3:30pm. siberian huskies will be in their pen from 1pm-3:30pm. then wave santa off at his farewell reindeer parade at 3:30pm. music from dr grays hospital wave radio.

Santaland At Castle Stuart - open thursdays - sundays. weekdays open 12 noon - 6pm and weekends open 10am - 6pm. last admission 5pm. £5 per person (each child receives a small gift) no advance bookings, first come, first served. tel: 01463 790745 or visit www.castlestuart.com. (situated on the airport road at the B9039 cut off for ardersier and fort george, 10 mins from inverness) 3rd & 4th/10th & 11th/17th & 18th

27 tuesday

Santa’s Grotto At Christies - 12pm - 3pm. all primary school children will receive a free gift. donations gratefully received and all monies collected will be sent to childrens’ hospice association scotland. tel: 01343 820 362

the complete stone roses at the ironworks, 7.30pm, £12.50, tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

Santa’s Grotto At Decora - 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm. £7.50 includes a toy, sweets and card. bookings taken. decora ltd, lossiebank mills, bridge street, elgin. tel: 01343 542218

28 wednesday - 29 thursday

Santa day at The Findhorn Village Centre - all children and parents are invited to visit santa. pop in your latest christmas wishes and receive a wee gift, take in some refreshments and visit our stalls.£1.50 entry, 10am-4pm. for more information call karin on tel: 01309 692339

winter showcase @ ironworks - 7pm. over 14s. two nights back to back featuring the most exciting emerging talent in the highlands and islands and celebrating the quality and diversity of the current contemporary music scene across the region. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

31 saturday croy hall hogmanay dance with stovie supper.

7:30pm-12:30am. tickets £15 tel: 01667 493979 torridon’s hogmanay bash + niteworks @ ironworks - 9pm. over 18s. for tickets or more information tel: 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

Breakfast With Santa At Holm Mills - 9am-11am. cost £9.95 includes breakfast and a gift. pre booking essential tel: 01463 223311 holm mills shopping village, dores road, inverness Santa’s Grotto At Howdens Garden Centre - 11am - 4pm. £5 per child includes a gift from santa. howdens garden centre, stonefield, inverness. tel: 01463 711134 Santa’s Grotto at Mackenzie & Cruickshank 1pm-3:30pm. £5 entry (including toy & photo) M&C 1 west road, forres. tel: 01309 696940 or visit www.mackenzie-cruickshank.com for more details.

Breakfast With Santa At Simpsons Garden Centre - 9am. £10. book early to avoid disappointment. simpsons garden centre, inshes, inverness. tel: 01463 250200 or email: info@simpsonsgardencentre.co.uk

JANUARY 2011 in brief

11 wednesday the work of the john muir trust, 7.30pm, the highland rock garden club hosts an illustrated talk by staff member fran lockhart on the work of scotland’s major upland conservation organisation, nairn community centre, king street, tel:01320 366246

25 wednesday lilly’s burn’s celebrations - 12pm-2:30pm. a selection of scottish lunch favourites and music. for more information or to book call 01667 456610 or pop into lilly’s tea room, 8 high street, nairn. page 21 December 2011

Santa’s Grotto At Holm Mills - 12 noon - 4pm. £6 includes a gift, sweets and a drink. holm mills, shopping village, dores road, inverness. tel: 01463 223311

tel: 01309 690063

Santa’s Grotto At Simpsons Garden Centre from saturday 3rd december - simpsons garden centre, inshes, inverness. tel: 01463 250200 or email: info@simpsonsgardencentre.co.uk Santa’s Grotto At St Giles Centre - saturdays 10am - 4pm and sundays 12pm - 4pm. £5. st giles centre, elgin. tel: 01343 543066 3rd & 4th/10th & 11th/17th & 18th and 24th Santa’s Grotto At Victorian Market, Inverness 1-4pm. wednesday - saturday throughout december. free entry.

SpotLight on Nairn and District

recipe

Chef’s Confidential The festive season is here and whilst Turkey is the traditional choice, the following recipe is a lovely alternative, using ingredients that are readily available and won't break the budget either. Have a wonderful Christmas and Good New Year.

Spiced Sea Trout En Croute Serves 4 people 750 grm Filleted and skinned Sea Trout (Salmon works well also) 380grm Ready made Puff Pastry 3 Balls of Stem Ginger 3 tablespoons Mixed Dried Fruit 1 Star Anise 100grm Soft butter 1 Egg beaten Salt and pepper to taste Method 1.Divide the puff pastry into four and roll out each piece into a 12 cm square. Put in the fridge to chill.

2.Cut the stem ginger balls in to thin shreds. Place the dried fruit along with the star anise into a bowl and cover with boiling water to plump up the fruit, and allow the star anise to add flavour to the fruit. Set aside for 20 minutes.

3.Using a spoon mix the soft butter to a smooth paste and add salt and pepper. Drain the dried fruit and remove the star anise. Add this with the ginger to the butter and mix thoroughly.

4.Take the piece of sea trout or salmon and divide in to four.

Spoon ¼ of the butter mixture on to each portion of Salmon.

5.Remove the chilled pastry squares from the fridge and place a piece of salmon butter side down on to the pastry square. Brush the pastry with the beaten egg and fold the edges in to make a parcel. Turnover and place the folded side on to a non stick or greased baking tray. Repeat with the other three pieces of salmon.

6.Brush the parcels with the beaten egg mixture and using a sharp knife, lightly score a criss-cross pattern on the parcels.

7.Place in the oven preheated to 190°C for 20 – 30minutes until golden.

8.Serve with Green Vegetables and either a Lemon Butter Sauce or Hollandaise Sauce.

22

Penny Ellis, Owner Knockomie Hotel, Forres tel: 01309 673146

www.beavtrav.com

CARIBBEAN GETAWAY

St Lucia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7nts, staying at St Lucian Hotel ..................... from ÂŁ1,173pp Antigua â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7nts, staying at Grand Pineapple Beach....... from ÂŁ1,132pp Grenada â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7nts, staying at The Grenadian.......................from ÂŁ1,174pp All above are from Gatwick in late Jan/early Feb on ALL-INCLUSIVE basis.

WEDDING in St Lucia before 31st December (book by 16/12) ........................... now from ÂŁ1,639pp including 10nts Luxury in the Sandals Halcyon Beach deluxe room.

Antigua - Hawksbill by Rex Resorts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7nts in Garden Bungalows â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18th and 25th April departures from London....................... from ÂŁ1,049pp

FORRES 01309 672203

beaver Travel

ELGIN 01343 548844

as 5 A Hogmanay Hoolie at tm u 6.9 s i n ÂŁ1 r the Knockomie Hotel e h s C M e s r Knockomie is the perfect setting for a Hogmanay House ou Party. At 7.00pm the festivities begin with CanapĂŠs and 3C Champagne served in the Lounges and Malt Whisky Bar.

Dinner is served at 8.00pm where our Chef will prepare a fantastic gourmet meal.

After Dinner, until Midnight we have a Ceilidh with Traditional Scottish Dancing which is great fun and involves everyone of all ages.

At the stroke of twelve our very own Fireworks display will set the heavens alight and say goodbye to 2011 and Â&#x2122;Â&#x2021;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2018;Â?Â&#x2021; ʹͲͳʹǤ Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2021;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Ď?Â&#x2039;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2022; Â&#x201D;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D;Â? Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â&#x2013;Â&#x160;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2122;Â&#x192;Â&#x201D;Â?Â&#x2013;Â&#x160; Â&#x2018;Â&#x2C6; the hotel with a Dram in your hand and let the party continue with the sound of Disco.

Knockomie Hotel is licensed to hold Civil Weddings At Knockomie will help make your wedding day, a perfect day. It's why we have come up with our new Weddings Wrapped Up product. It's here to give you the peace of mind that you will have the professional service you deserve at a price you can afford.

Our highly personal approach will create a perfect and Â&#x2013;Â&#x201D;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A; Â?Â&#x2021;Â?Â&#x2018;Â&#x201D;Â&#x192;Â&#x201E;Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021; Â&#x2020;Â&#x192;Â&#x203A;ÇĄ Â&#x2020;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2030;Â?Â&#x2021;Â&#x2020; Â&#x2013;Â&#x2018; Â?Â&#x192;Â&#x2013;Â&#x2026;Â&#x160; Â&#x203A;Â&#x2018;Â&#x2014;Â&#x201D; Â&#x2022;Â&#x2019;Â&#x2021;Â&#x2026;Â&#x2039;Ď?Â&#x2039;Â&#x2026; requirements for you and up to 40 guests.

knockomie

Beaver Travel, 78 High Street, Forres Also at: 2-6 South Street, Elgin

Tel: Â&#x2021; Grantown Road, Forres

Beaver Travel is also a ticket agent for Eden Court Theatre, Inverness - No booking fee.

ZZZ NQRFNRPLH FR XN Â&#x2021; VWD\#NQRFNRPLH FR XN

HOTEL

ALL TIMBER FRAMED B BUILDS UILDS

01309 676807

Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021; *DUDJHV Â&#x2021; 6WDEOHV *DUDJHV Â&#x2021; 6WDEOHV Â&#x2021;Â&#x2021; )LHOG 6KHOWHUV RQ 6NLGV )LHOG 6KHOWHUV RQ 6NLGV *DUGHQ )HQFLQJ Â&#x2021; 'HFNLQJ Â&#x2021; *DUGHQ )HQFLQJ Â&#x2021; 'HFNLQJ Â&#x2021; %XLOW LQ :DUGUREHV

Â&#x2021; .LWFKHQV HWF

$OO -RLQHU\ 8QGHUWDNHQ

Michael Sharp Joinery FOR A FREE QUOTE

TEL: 07834 760212

Electrical Engineers & Contractors DOMESTIC

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL 4 Moycroft Industrial Estate, Elgin Â&#x2039;

^^^ TJKVUHSKHUKT\UYV JV \R Â&#x2039; LTHPS! PUMV'TJKVUHSKHUKT\UYV JV \R

estwoo W

Ca ttery

Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn Tel. 01667 454536 or

gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk

d

McDonald & Munro Ltd

www.westwoodcattery.co.uk

Feline Advisory Bureau Registered, Listed in Good Cattery Guide

My Little Cupcake Treat yourself to scrumminess!

Free Range & Fair Trade Ingredients Homemade & Individual, Locally Delivered TEL: 01667 455273 www.mylittlecupcake.vpweb.co.uk

Winter vehicle safety and maintenance

The last two winters have seen widespread snow and ice for weeks on end with temperatures regularly falling below -10C. You're more likely to break down in a bad winter.

There's more risk of delays too but not necessarily in the way you'd expect. If vehicles ahead lose control - a jack-knifed lorry for example - you won't be able to get through no matter how well equipped your car is with winter tyres or chains. You could face a wait of several hours until the blockage and other traffic ahead has been cleared.

Here's what you need to do this winter to reduce the risk of a breakdown and make sure that you are equipped to deal with the conditions.

Check your car Antifreeze – check coolant level regularly and, if required, top-up with a mixture of the correct type of antifreeze. Your garage should check concentration to ensure adequate cold temperature protection.

Battery - the most common cause of winter breakdowns. A battery more than five years old may struggle in the cold - get it checked and replaced if necessary to avoid the inconvenience of an unplanned failure.

Fuel - keep at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delay.

Lights - check and clean all lights regularly to make sure you can see and be seen clearly.

Carry spare bulbs.

Tyres - should have at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring. Consider winter tyres for improved safety. Check pressures at least every fortnight.

Windscreen - reduce dazzle from the low sun by keeping the screen clean inside and out.

Now is a good time to renew worn wiper blades.

Screen wash - use a 50% mix of a good quality screen wash to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather.

Locks and door seals - stop doors freezing shut with a thin coat of polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant (WD-40) in locks will help stop them freezing.

26

You and your passengers Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

As well as the things you should be carrying on every journey regardless of the weather, you should make up a winter emergency kit to keep in the boot – hopefully you won’t need it but you will be very glad it's there if you do.

Year-round essentials Fully-charged mobile phone and in-car charger Sunglasses – to deal with glare from the sun or snow.

Personal medication Warning triangle Spare bulbs First aid kit Road atlas – in case of diversions Sat-nav or printed route for unfamiliar journeys Breakdown membership card

Winter emergency kit Blanket, rug or sleeping bag Shovel Bits of carpet or thick cardboard to place under driven wheels to help regain traction on ice or snow Salt, sand or cat litter – to help clear snow and ice Reflective jacket(s) Ice scraper and de-icer Torch and batteries Tow rope Snow chains (if you live in a remote or rural area) Battery jump leads Bottled water Snacks – chocolate or cereal bars Extra screen wash For further information on vehicle winter care, safety and maintenance please call Martin at McAndie Garage, Shore Street, Lossiemouth on:

01343 815977

motoring

FREE

McANDIE

DIAGNOSTIC CHECK G A R A G E S E R V I C E S WITH EVERY 3 Shore Street Lossiemouth WINTER SERVICE Morayshire IV31 6PB ON PRESENTATION OF Tel: 01343 815977 THIS VOUCHER

GOLF VIEW HOTEL & SPA

Festive Programme

Christmas Party Nights

10th, 16th & 17th December

£28.95

(includes 1/2 bottle of wine per person)

Hogmanay Dinner Dance £49.95 Served in our Conservatory

Sonas Spas

Christmas Gift Vouchers for Spa and Leisure Club available from reception

DECEMBER SPA OFFER Book a 1hr Elemis skin facial

£45.00

& receive a free Elemis goody bag worth £20.00

GOLF & SPA EIGHT VIEW ACRES HOTEL HOTEL & LEISURE CLUB

The Seafront, Nairn Morriston Road, ElginIV12 IV30 4HD 6UL 01667 452301 Email: Email:golfview@crerarhotels.com eightacres@crerarhotels.com Telephone Telephone: 01343 54 0

WWW.CRERARHOTELS.COM

travel

Dreaming of... ...a Caribbean break

The Caribbean as we know it is made up of thousands of little islands in a relatively naturally protected gulf to the east of Central America, and relatively close to the Equator. The main well known islands include Barbados, The Grenadines, Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis, The British Virgin Islands, St Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Anguilla, St Barths, The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands. However as we have learned in recent years there are times of year when the local tropical storms and hurricanes can cause chaos.

The hotels in Barbados are of a very high standard such as Sandy Lane, Coral Reef Club, Sandpiper and Cobbler's Cove. The west coast of Barbados is called the Platinum coast which hosts the best hotels, restaurants and Championship Golf courses.

Antigua is another wonderful island, ideal for couples and families, with an abundance of lovely beaches.

Very good for watersports, the island is also an unspoiled paradise for lush palm groves, tropical flowers and exotic birds. Golfers will love the Cedar Valley and Jolly Harbour Championship courses, while for divers and snorkellers coral canyons, wall drops, wrecks and sea caves abound, as do turtles, dolphins, barracudas and reef fish.

Grenada, otherwise known as the Spice Island, is one of the most beautiful of the Caribbean Islands â&#x20AC;&#x201C; your senses succumb to a variety of different delicious aromas, panoramic scenery and a warm feeling exuded by the Grenadians.

Jamaica, ideal for couples and families, has a very rich cultural heritage and varying landscapes from flat beaches to the Blue Mountains, enabling good holidays combining beach and mountain resorts with Championship Golf courses. Temperatures beside the sea can reach 30-32 degrees maximum, and in May and September rainfall can reach 6 inches in the month, but the climate is fairly even through the year. Due to changing climate conditions the hurricane season can occur between June and November, although it doesn't always happen and not for that long either.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are ruggedly beautiful and little has changed since Columbus first set foot on their shores back in 1492. White powder beaches give way to world-class diving, whale watching and horse riding across the 8 islands and 30 cays surrounded by wonderful Coral reefs.

St Barths and St Martin, both French islands, are full of immaculate yachts, designer boutiques, superb restaurants and charismatic people, The Bahamas is a collection of over 700 blissfully unspoilt islands, and the British Virgin Islands comprise over 100 islands and cays characterised by infectious laid back sensibility and some of the world's best sailing grounds. St Kitts and Nevis have a wonderful blend of lush rainforest, exotic wildlife and old world charm, the Cayman Islands boast gourmet restaurants, exotic wildlife and endless white sandy beaches, and Anguilla has a string of prestigious resorts, villas and restaurants while still retaining its laid back West Indian character.

In short â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Caribbean would suit most of us.

Information kindly supplied by

28

2-6 South Street, Elgin 01343 548844 Â&#x2021; +LJK Street, FRUUHV

Showhomes at: Meadow Lea, Montgomerie Drive, Nairn IV12 5RW. Open: Thursday to Monday 11.30am to 5pm

Designed for comfort. Built for life.

Tel: 01667 452508 www.kylaurenhomes.co.uk

ART SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR GALLERY TRAIL Scotland’s Gallery Trail, now in its seventh year welcomes a new partner and a new gallery to Grampian - the Airt Gallery based outside Kintore, named after the traditional Scots word, meaning segment of the heavens or direction of the wind. The Airt specialises in Scottish Landscape art. Celebrating the best the Scottish Highlands and Islands has to offer in painting, printmaking and photography; proprietor Jeannie Robinson hosts a regularly changing exhibition of both contemporary landscapes and seascapes.

This Grampian Trail is aimed at art lovers who visit, or live in the area, who want to see what this part of the art world has to offer, and take in the spectacular scenery along the route.

7

Elgin

The trail now consists of 12 galleries, 1. The Milton Art Gallery of Crathes 2. Lang Byre Gallery of Banchory 3. Larks Gallery of Ballater 4. The Braemar Gallery of Braemar 5. The Lost Gallery of Strathdon 6. Tomintoul Art Gallery of Tomintoul 7. Logie Steading Art Gallery of Forres 8. Leap Studio & Gallery of Craigellachie 9. Duff House Gallery of Banff 10. Country Frames Gallery of Insch 11. Touched by Scotland of Oyne 12. The Airt Gallery of Kintore.

8 6 4

Also new to the 2011-2012 trail is Country Frames Gallery of Insch, a warm welcoming gallery set in the heart of the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside. Yvonne Flett offers a wide range of art and crafts from local, national and international exhibiting artists. A comprehensive picture framing and giclee printing service is also provided.

Scotland's Gallery Trail is entirely self-funded by the partners themselves and this year Moray Chamber of Commerce has taken on the role of operating partner, ensuring leaflets are distributed and the www site updated. Rachael Annand, recently graduated from Robert Gordon University in International Tourism Management is the project co-ordinator.

Speaking from the Speyside based chamber she said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed collating all the information from the partners and hope to help them raise their profile nationally and internationally with our new marketing strategy. These are unique galleries in the most beautiful countryside in the world and we hope our information entices visitors to plan their way around the trail.” Leaflets will be distributed throughout the region and Moray Chamber’s international partnership with the medieval city of Zwolle in the Netherlands allows the leaflet to be distributed there too.

This year sees the chamber also operate Scotland’s Food Trail – Grampian, which will be re-launched shortly. On the food trail you will find hotels and country houses, cafes, visitor attractions and retail outlets as well as internationally renowned food and drink producers-all with a commitment to quality and excellence.

30

For further information or photo opportunities contact: Rachael Annand by e-mailing info@moraychamber.co.uk or call 01340 881226 Or contact any of the galleries direct – details at www.scotlandsgallerytrail.com

9 10 11

5 3

12 2

1

Aberdeen

nature OUR WINTER VISITORS

Many other species, including Whooper swans, brent goose, velvet scoter and great northern diver also choose to winter in Scotland and can be found in the Moray area. The RSPB website is a great resource of information.

32

Ian MacLeod, Wild West www.wildwestsafari.co.uk ian@wildwestsafari.co.uk Offering wildlife safaris in the Great Glen and surrounding areas.

December

As our summer migrants, such as swallow and osprey leave for warmer climates and the red deer rut winds down with the animals returning to the winter feeding grounds, the next great spectacle for the wildlife enthusiast is the winter migrations. Hundreds of thousands of birds that have Fieldfare spent the summer in the northern latitudes return to the (relatively) mild shores of Britain. Amongst the first to arrive are fieldfares and redwing, both members of the thrush family. Both species will often flock together and large flocks can often be seen feeding in open fields. Listen for the sound of fieldfares, a noisy crackling sound, often heard overhead at dusk. Look out for both species stripping rowan trees bare of their berries!

Last winter saw an eruption of one of our prettiest winter visitors, the waxwing. These eruptions happen in years when the population, usually concentrated in northern Europe is too large for the available food. Visiting numbers can vary greatly, from below 100 birds to around 15,00 in the eruption years. A sociable and gregarious bird, waxwings are easily identified with their prominent crest, black â&#x20AC;&#x153;maskâ&#x20AC;? and colourful wings. They are also relatively tame and it is often possible to get within a few metres of them.

A bird that I look forward to seeing each year is the Goldeneye goldeneye duck and we have small populations on Loch Lochy and loch Garry each winter. As the name suggests, they have a bright yellow eye and the males are easily identified by the white patch just below the eye which looks like a large tear-drop. The males head is dark green and body black and white whilst the female has a brown head with mottled grey body. They are diving ducks, feeding on insect larvae, small fish and pond weeds.

Possibly the most spectacular of the winter arrivals are the pink footed goose, which arrive from their summer feeding grounds, often as far afield as Greenland and Iceland, in huge numbers. Around 150,000 birds are estimated to overwinter in the UK. To see this winter spectacle locally, the RSPB have excellent reserves at Udale and Nigg bays, where numbers peak at around 10,00 birds during the migrations too and from their breeding grounds. Further details can be found on www.rsp.org.uk.

Next month: The Lek

()

*

+ # ,

- - %.

$ %

/

&

#

#

'

$

! "

#

$

0

Putting the

back into Christmas emember when you were five, the bubbling excitement you felt standing in front of the tree on Christmas Day? When you didn’t know which present to open first and just wanted to race around opening everything at once?

Well, the winter wonderland display at Simpsons Garden Centre brought back the thrill of those Christmases (long) past. I guarantee an “oooh” or “wow” will escape from everyone that walks through the display.

each look are behind each room. And there are thousands. The furniture, cushions, throws and other accessories are also all for sale – which makes it even easier to recreate the look. And all at reasonable prices.

Even the grumpiest Scrooge would find it hard not to be impressed!

The Christmas light display is stunning and one of those new LED lights is coming home with me to add some sparkle. A friendly staff member (in elf green) explains LED lights are more environmentally friendly because they use less electricity, and if a bulb fails on these lights the rest will still work!

At the heart of it all, four inspiring room settings have been created beneath a dark canopy with 4,000 twinkling lights.

Who could resist the urge to cuddle up under that starry night sky, on the sofa beside the crackling wood stove in the Highland Home, with pheasants and red squirrels peeking between the tartan hearts on the tree? I definitely want a wee flock of those fluffy, white woolly footstools.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to sit down to dinner with the sheer elegance of the Classic Christmas dining table decked in ivory and gold?

Ice blue and arctic white create a completely different mood in the Contemporary Cool theme. And the red and white Scandinavian folk influence reveals why Home is where the Heart is.

All the decorations used to achieve

34

The hypnotic fibre optic tree display is stunning, but I want something a bit more traditional. In the forest of artificial trees, a large deer invites you to rub its nose. Real trees are in stock now, but these look real enough. In fact, I nearly jumped the height of one of the fake firs, when I realised something furry was moving underneath it!

Another deer – this time “breathing”.

Time for a cup of tea I think and a mince pie…

The All you Can Eat Festive Carvery every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening until December 23 definitely gives food for thought!

And with its programme of seasonal events, Simpsons is putting the magic back into Christmas

CHRI S SHOPTMAS IS

NOW OPEN

L REA MAS ST I R CH REES T E L A S ON FROM BER EM DEC T S 1

LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING every Wed/Thu/Fri until 9.00pm (From 1st December)

ALL YOU CAN EAT FESTIVE CARVERY every Wed/Thu/Fri evenings from 5.00pm - 8.00pm (From 1st to 23rd December)

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Kids can enjoy breakfast with Santa every weekend at 9am (From 3rd to 24th December)

GROTTO Opens 3rd December 10.30am-4.00pm every weekend in December (up to 24th) 5.00pm-7.00pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 14th-23rd December www.simpsonsgardencentre.co.uk

Simpsons Garden Centre Inshes, Inverness, IV2 5BA 01463 250200

outdoor

7KH %LUG 0DQ WINTER VISITORS FROM THE NORTH

King Eider

When the weather is damp and driech, the days are short and summer seems such a long time ago, it is nice to get a splash of colour and a touch of the exotic.

Waxwings arrive on our shores, or to be more accurate, in our gardens and supermarket car parks on a sporadic basis. When the berry crop has failed in their normal habitats in Fennoscandia and northern Russia they are forced to migrate south to the UK and central Europe where they can enjoy our relatively mild climate and plentiful food supplies in the shape of cotoneaster and rowan berries.

These striking little birds with their pinkish brown plumage, long crests and highwayman black masks can be very approachable making themselves known as something out of the ordinary even to non-birdwatchers. Take a Waxwing

The second visitor that frequents our coastline in most winters, especially in the Burghead and Roseisle area, is the stunning King Eider. Now this is no ordinary Eider, this bird has travelled down from the high arctic to spend the winter feeding in the shallow waters around the Moray coast.

Not as easy to see as the above Waxwings, it is still well worth the trouble of scanning through the flocks of Common Eider. Check carefully and soon you will pick up the adult males massive orange bill shield, rose coloured bill and beautiful pale blue head. Slightly smaller than its common cousins it to can be quite approachable and can give excellent views even without a telescope.

At the onset of spring these little beauties will once again head north to their breeding grounds leaving our streets and coastline a little duller without their presence.

closer look at the folded wings and you will notice the bright red feather tips looking exactly like drops of red sealing wax, hence the name Waxwing.

Next month, back to basics! Looking at Garden birds.

So until next time, good birding!

Information kindly supplied by Birding Ecosse, offering Birdwatching for beginners workshops. s WWW BIRDINGECOSSE COM s BIRDINGECOSSE HOTMAIL CO UK

36

Come in and see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new.

NOW OPEN

The refurbishment of our Elgin kitchen and bedroom showroom is now complete. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite a transformation and we hope that you will agree that it was well worth any inconvenience caused while it was closed.

The finished result is stunning with classic and contemporary new styles, fantastic design ideas and amazing storage solutions.

On show alongside our award winning Metris displays we are also showing our new Fusion range and our Classic Painted collection.

All our kitchens and bedrooms are manufactured at our Highland factory with fantastic build quality which we have continued to update over the past 25 years.

Our skilled manufacturers, designers and installers will continue to offer unrivalled quality and service and we look forward to welcoming you to our stunning new refurbished Elgin showroom.

ELGIN: 27 Tyock Ind Est 01343 545155 Also at: INVERNESS: 18 Carsegate Rd 01463 711548

www.ashleyann.co.uk

速

SpotLight Advertisers Index

Picture by Brian J smith, Copyright

Alba Business Services ....................................................11

My Little Cupcake..............................................................23

Ashley Ann ........................................................................37

Nairn Community & Arts Centre ......................................18

Beaver Travel................................................................23/28

National Trust for Scotland................................................12

Brodie Countryfare............................................................13

North Star Imports Ltd ........................................................9

Castle Stuart........................................................................3

Olive Tree Chocolate ........................................................15

Eden Court Theatre & Cinema..........................................16

PSE (Auldearn) ..................................................Back Page

Excel Scotland Ltd ............................................................11

Roof Wizard ......................................................................13

Forres Tree Services ........................................................13

Scotengineering ................................................................13

Golf View Hotel..................................................................27

ScotGro ............................................................................13

Gordon & MacPhail......................................................24-25

Simpsons Garden Centre ............................................34-35

Gordon Scott Chartered Accountant

............................23

Smith & Castle Jewellers ..................................................15

Innes Pipes........................................................................15

Spotty Bag Shop ..............................................................31

Kinloss Country Golf ........................................................11

Taxi 24-7 ........................................................................5/17

Knockomie Hotel ..............................................................23

The House of Automata ......................................................7

Kylauren Homes................................................................29

The Loft Bistro ..................................................................33

Logie Steading ..................................................................15

Unique Beauty ................................................Front Cover/3

Mackenzie & Cruickshank ......................Inside Front Cover

Westwood Cattery ............................................................23

McDonald & Munro ..........................................................23

Wheelchair Care..................................................................5

Michael Sharp Joinery ......................................................23

Windsor Hotel....................................................................11

Moray Coast Veterinary Group ..........................................3

Words By The Wayside ....................................................39

Loch Morlich Copywright: Pauline Lewin

page 38 - December 2011

tel: 01309 690063

SpotLight on Nairn and District

% !# "

#

When the party is over...

We see in the Bible that we are all unclean in God’s sight because of our sins. You may not think that you are a hell-deserving sinner, but God is Holy and He hates sin. Sin will keep you from being with God in heaven for eternity and damn you to Hell, unless you receive God’s forgiveness for sin which is found only in His Son Jesus Christ.

God’s word reveals that if you die in an unclean & unforgiven state, because of your own choice, you’ll go to hell with all the other people who refused God’s mercy.

There are many people, and you may be one of them, who believe that life should be one never ending party; friends to meet, places to go, and things to get and do, seeking constant amusement in the pursuit of happiness, needing non-stop activity to fill the emptiness inside, to fight the boredom that surrounds them.

You may think. “That’s okay - all my party friends will be there too!” Yes, sadly they will be there too if they too reject Christ, but the thick blackness of “outer darkness” will separate you from each other.

It is a place of torment, never ending fear and punishment and you’ll be there on your own.

Right now you are without God in this world and have no hope, but in Christ Jesus you, who are far off, can be brought near by the blood of Christ; He Drugs, alcohol, immoral relationships, money can be your peace. You can know that when you and music are some of the most popular die (and you will die) you will be in Heaven, not choices in this party called life. We don’t want Hell. to think about the fact the party will end.

However there is an enemy to all this pleasure- Take a moment, please consider and underseeking excitement. It is death. We all have an stand God’s love for you in giving His Son, the Wonderful Lord Jesus Christ to die for your sin on appointment with death and eternity.

The Cross of Calvary and then three days later to You have a God-given eternal soul and the rise again from the dead. He can be your Saviour.

Bible makes it clear that you will spend You must call upon the name of the Lord, acknowleternity somewhere when the party is over. edging and turning from your sins and trusting Where you will be in eternity may not matter to Him, and only Him, to save you. you right now. The thought of facing a sin-hating, Holy God or talk of His dear Son the For God so loved the world that he gave his only Lord Jesus Christ are subjects you probably begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He avoid at all costs. that believeth on him is not condemned: but he The Lord is trying to reach you now, because that believeth not is condemned already, because once your “party” is over it will be too late. he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16,18)

appointed unto ...it is app ointed un to men onc e tto o die ter this the judgmen once die,, but af after judgmentt

“

”

Hebrews Hebr ews 9:27

Published by www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish Charity SCO41290

For more information please call

Tel: 07557433875 or drop us an email at mike@pseproperties.co.uk Specialist mortgage advice available