SpotLight on Inverness and district

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UNIQUE Beauty Tel: 07840 804207 See our advert inside Embarrassing Skin Problem? Unwanted Hair, Red Veins, Skin Tags, Tattoos, Nail Fungus, Acne, Wrinkles, Loose Skin, Pigmentation, Scars, or other Skin Problems? THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG’! I NVERNESS AND D ISTRICT OCTOBER 2012 SEE INSIDE This year’s Highland events prog Scottish Mental Health Arts & Fi bigger and better than ever with across the Highlands. Our festiv created a wide range of perform exhibitions and workshops whic and engage you. The festival aims to take a posit health, celebrating artistic ende experience of mental health issu audiences with creative and inn Bog Roy Inn - New Menu...p16 Carpet Cleaning Offers .........p2 Choctober ..........................p17 Mobility Deals ...................p21 October Plant Sale .............p21 This Month Wild About Nature.............p20 Chef’s Confidential ............p16 Mental Health Exibit ..........p11 Clubs & Societies, Pastoral, Church Details, Useful Numbers, Local Holidays, What’s On, Parliament Blog, Tide Times and much, much more! p23 The Allan Studio - Big Reductions

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SpotLight on Inverness and district

Transcript of SpotLight on Inverness and district

UNIQUEBeauty

Tel: 07840 804207

See our advert insideEmbarrassingSkin Problem?

Unwanted Hair, Red Veins, Skin Tags, Tattoos, Nail Fungus, Acne, Wrinkles,Loose Skin, Pigmentation, Scars, or other Skin Problems?

T H E N O R T H ’ S F A V O U R I T E F R E E W E E M A G ’ !

I N V E R N E S S A N D D I S T R I C T

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

SEE IN

SIDE

t

email: [email protected]

Tel: 01463 831 296

This year’s Highland events programme in the

Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival are

bigger and better than ever with events in locations

across the Highlands. Our festival partners have

created a wide range of performances, films,

exhibitions and workshops which will entertain you

and engage you.

The festival aims to take a positive stance on mental

health, celebrating artistic endeavour by those with

experience of mental health issues and connecting

audiences with creative and innovative work.

S

Bog Roy Inn - New Menu...p16

Carpet Cleaning Offers .........p2

Choctober..........................p17

Mobility Deals ...................p21

October Plant Sale .............p21

This MonthWild About Nature.............p20

Chef’s Confidential ............p16

Mental Health Exibit ..........p11

Clubs & Societies, Pastoral,Church Details, UsefulNumbers, Local Holidays,What’s On, Parliament Blog,

Tide Times and much, much more!

p23

TheAllan Studio

- Big Reductions

DAZZLESH A I R S T U D I O

2 9 C A S T L E S T R E E T , I N V E R N E S S

Have a new look forAutumnTony welcomes you

to his friendly

salon with

reasonable prices

To book an appointmentplease call:

01463 23844807896158697

Chair available to rent!

REAL HANDMADEDAIRY ICE CREAM PARLOUR

WITH 16 ICE CREAM FLAVOURS

6 Stephens Brae, Inverness IV2 3JNTel: 01463 790745www.iscreamcastle.co.uk

Bring this voucher toreceive a complimentary

single scoop cone.Expires OCTOBER 31st!

FREECONE

FREECONE

OPENING SOONARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH TO VISIT?

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

Why would you use us? Well it’s simple really, we have been vets in this area for a very long time and can offer your pet the following 3 critical benefits:

Access to a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Practice,meaning your pet will be treated to the highest standards.

Four convenient surgery locations making it easy to get to us day and night.

Modern and well equipped surgeries meaning we can treat all routineconditions without the need to refer your pet.

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

Call us now on:Forres Surgery (main branch) 01309 672243

Nairn Surgery 01667 453161Lossiemouth Surgery 01343 815335

Balloch Surgery 01463 79422424 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER 01309 672243

www.moraycoastvetgroup.co.uk

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Slideco01463 630009

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WE AREHERE

www.sl ideco- inverness.co.uk

page 4 - October 2012 tel: 01309 690063 SpotLight on Inverness and District

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

CROMARTY BOWLING CLUBOutdoor at the Green - May -Sept, Bowling for Beginners Fri2pm - 4pm Indoor at Victoria Hall- Nov -Apr, Bowling forBeginners Fridays 2pm - 4pmCauseway, Cromarty

CROMARTY CAMERA CLUBThurs 7.30 - 9.30pm Sept - Apr,Victoria Hall, Cromarty. Digitalcamera club welcoming all levelsof experience. Training in allaspects of photography incl. useof Photoshop. Members able toparticipate in club competitionsand field shoots.

DINGWALL INDOOR BOWLINGCLUBTuesdays 7.30pm &Thursdays7pm, Dingwall Sports Centre Have fun on dark nights. Bowlsare available, however flat soledshoes or slippers are necessary.

CLACHNACUDDIN CYCLINGCLUBCall 791000 or email: [email protected]

DINGWALL TAEKWONDOWTF Classes Tues 7.30pm,

Dingwall Sportscentre, Fri7.30pm Dingwall Academy.More than 45 years in therunning. Black Belts advancedstudents only. Professionaltraining and examinations.

INVERNESS & DISTRICTFUCHSIA SOCIETYMeet 2nd Wednesday of eachmonth (Not December andJanuary) at 7.30pm in TrinityChurch Hall. All interestedwelcome. Contact DanMatheson [email protected] 07857962431.

INVERNESS BLITZAmerican football, ages 11 toadult. All equipment supplied.Email [email protected] call: 242431

THE HIGHLAND BRIDGE CLUBMeets every Wednesday all year.New members welcome. CallMarsalaidh on 01463 224434 orGraham on 01463 792811

THE HIGHLAND CHILDREN'STRUSTTel: 243872 www.hctrust.co.uk

HIGHLAND LGBT FORUMReg. charity with regular socialevents in Inverness for lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgenderpeople. Call 07512 231904 orvisit www.gay-ness.org.uk

INVERNESS FILM FANSInverness Film Fans (InFiFa)Fortnightly at Eden Court forscreenings & discussion. Newmembers welcome. Details:www.invernessfilmfans.org

INVERNESS HARRIERSAMATEUR ATHLETIC CLUBCross country, road and hillrunning, track and field athletics,Beginner to elite level. QueensPark Athletic Stadium. Tel 791110www.invernessharriers.org.uk

INVERNESS RACING PIGEONCLUBSeeking new members youngand old. Races held fromInverness to as far away asFrance with the North EastFederation. All ages welcome.

Call 01463 243038.

INVERNESS TENNIS Bishop’sRoad, Inverness, tel: 230751 or email: [email protected] visit www.itscnews.com

INVERNESS TOUCH RUGBYWednesdays 6pm-8pm, BughtPitches (by Ice Rink). Fast & funfor men and women, all abilities& fitness levels welcome. [email protected] or"Inverness Touch" on Facebook

MEDITATION CLASSESMondays 6.30pm at MillburnAcademy, Diriebught Road,Inverness. £5 (£4 conc.). Call0141 334 1334 or visit www.meditateinglasgow.org All welcome.

NASTY NESSIES ROLLERGIRLSInverness roller derby team. Beginner’s training sessions onMonday evenings 8pm - 10pm.Must be over 18 and female.http://nastynessiesrollergirls.wordpress.com

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFDECORATIVE AND FINE ARTSSOCIETY (MORAY BANFF ANDBADENOCH BRANCH)Meets 2nd Wednesday of themonth at 11am in the SherwoodSuite at the Eight Acres Hotel,Elgin. Monthly lectures on avariety of arts related subjectsare delivered by experts fromacross the UK. New membersalways welcome. Contact Sarah Fennings-Mills: 01343 831002 orwww.nadfas-in-elgin.org.uk

PINK CASTLE PHILOSOPHYCLUB2nd Tuesday of the month. Fun& sociable chat with meaning forthe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &Transgender community. Visitthe website www.pinkcastle.euor tel: 07745 930383

CAPITAL SKATEPARK GROUPTel: 714516 or email:[email protected]

PLANEFIELD BOWLING CLUBOpen to visitors Mon - Sat from2pm - 5pm. Members can playfrom 11am onwards most daysof the week. Contact Mrs GillianFarquhar 07752 300367

RELATIONSHIPCOUNSELLING HIGHLANDConfidential relationshipcounselling service in Invernessfor anyone experiencingproblems in their intimate,personal relationship. Call712888, or email [email protected]

SALVATION ARMY TEA &CHATTuesdays 10am -12noon.Salvation Army Hall,Tomnahurich Street, Inverness.All welcome. No charge. Tel:225276

STARLIGHT MUSICALTHEATRENew amateur musical theatregroup. For more information,email [email protected] with your details.

STITCH THREAD AND BEYOND2nd Wednesday every month,Community Room, CullodenCommunity Centre. To promotethe Art of Embroidery & relatedCrafts in the Highlands. Call KateMacKenzie 01463 790924

WILDCATS CHEERLEADERSCall 01463 792360 or07912650440 Email: [email protected]

PHOTO BY ALISON GELLING

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If you would like details ofyour club or society

included in this section,please let us know. All

club listings are free. Notall clubs will be listed in

every issue.

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94 Academy Street, Inverness: near bus/rail & car parks

01463 71 61 51 www.mftcollege.co.uk

ADULTS day & evening classes (Senior discounts)Art : Creative Writing : Computing : LanguagesJUNIORS (5-16) Art & Craft : Languages :Magical Maths : Saturday Stars Stage SchoolPRIVATE TUITION: all ages & stages, (almost) all subjects

EXCITING NEW AUTUMN CLASSES!

November Issue DeadlinesEditorial: Friday 5th October

Advertising:Wednesday 10th October

As we go to press with this issue,the Paralympics being held inLondon are drawing to a close.Whilst athletics in general maynot be everybody’s “cup of tea” asa spectator sport, one cannot denythe sheer scale of the competitors’personal achievements. Whatbetter place from which to drawinspiration for our ownlives?

The Editor

PUBLISHER ...............David NelmesSALES ......................Eilidh ConnersSALES ...........................Peter EvansACCOUNTS ...................Lynn WoodLAYOUT ........................Michelle HoDESIGN .................Alistair DavidsonADMIN ....................Tamsyn Dickson

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Allan Studio Kitchens & Bathrooms ........Inside Back CoverAshley Ann............................................Outside Back CoverAW Landscape ....................................................................7Beaver Travel ....................................................................19Ben Wyvis Kilts....................................................................7Brockie's Lodge Hotel ......................................................17Castle Stuart............................................Inside Front CoverChemsafe ................................................Inside Front CoverDazzles Hair Studio ................................Inside Front CoverDesign House Scotland Ltd ................................................7Forres Tree Services ..........................................................5Gomde Trust......................................................................13GreenThumb (Inverness) ..................................................22Kylauren Homes................................................................15Legal Willwriters of Moray ..................................................5Logie Steading ..................................................................21Mackenzie & Cruickshank ................................................21Moray Coast Veterinary Group ..........................................3Moray Firth Tutorial School ................................................5Nairn Community & Arts Centre ......................................12Olive Tree Chocolate ........................................................17Open University of Scotland ..............................................9Pizza Hut Express (inverness) ..........................................14Roof Wizard ........................................................................7Scotengineering................................................................19Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival ................11-14The Royal Hotel, Keith ......................................................19Unique Beauty ........................................Front Cover and 3Wardrobe Design Online - Slideco ....................................3Wheelchair Care................................................................21

Indexof Advertisers

page 6 - October 2012 tel: 01309 690063 SpotLight on Inverness and District

Ardersier with Petty Parish Church, Church of Scotland ArdersierSundays 10.15am. Petty Sundays 12 noon. Tel: 01667 462224.Avoch Congregational Church High Street, Avoch. Sundays11.30am. Refreshments afterwards. Website: www.avochcongregationalchurch.co.ukBlack Isle Charge Episcopal Churches 1 Deans Road, Fortrose. Tel: 01381 622241.Cale House, Church of Scotland Millburn Road, Inverness. Tel: 01463 718616.Christian Group in Inverness Tel: 07724 992790. Website: www.christian-group-inverness.orgCityLife Church Mercure Hotel, Church Street, Inverness. Sundays10:30am. Tel: 01463 714839. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.citylifechurch.org.ukCulduthel Christian Centre Culduthel Avenue, Inverness. PastorReverend Bill Slack. Tel: 01463 222795. Website: www.culduthelchristiancentre.orgCulloden Baptist Church Culloden Academy. Sundays 10.30am. Tel:01463 794005. Email: [email protected]. Website:www.cullodenbaptistchurch.org.uk Barn Church of Scotland Culloden. Sundays 10.30am. First andthird Sundays of the month 6.30pm service. Website: www.barnchurch.org.ukCroy & Dalcross Parish Church Church of Scotland Croy Village.Every Sunday 12noon. Dalneigh & Bona Church of Scotland St Mary’s Avenue, Inverness.Bona Church, Lochend by Inverness: 10am. Dalneigh Church, StMary’s Avenue, Inverness: 11.30am and 6.30pm. Tel: 01463 232439.Dingwall Baptist Church Tulloch Street, Dingwall. Website:www.dbc.org.uk

Dingwall Castle Street Church of ScotlandWebsite: www.dingwall-church.co.ukDingwall Catholic Church, St Lawrence 21 Castle Street, Dingwall.Tel: 01349 863143.Dingwall Episcopal Church, St James The Great Castle Street,Dingwall. Tel: 01349 862204. Website: www.stjames-stannes.org.ukDingwall Free Church High Street. Sundays 11am and 6pm.Website: www.deep-river.co.ukFerintosh and Resolis Free Church Rev. Chris Smart. Website:www.ferintosh.org.ukFree North Church Bank Street, Inverness. Tel: 01463 224332. Website: www.freenorthchurch.orgFortrose Free Church, 5 Church Street, Fortrose, IV10 8TE. Sunday:11.30am and 6pm. Website: www.freechurch.orgGrace Community Church Inshes Primary School. Sundays10.30am. Email: [email protected], Church of Scotland Tomatin Road, Inverness. Tel: 01463233310. Website: www.hiltonchurch.org.ukInshes, Church of Scotland Sir Walter Scott Dr, Inverness. Tel: 01463226727. Website: www.insheschurch.orgInverness Baptist Church 69 Castle Street. Rev. Tom Urquhart. Tel:01463 223506. Email: [email protected] Christian Fellowship Millburn Academy, Diriebught Road.Sundays 10.30am. Website: www.icfchurch.co.ukInverness Church of God Friars Lane. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm.Tel: 01463 241318.

This is listed alphabetically from A to I and will regularly be rotated. Ifyou are a member of a church not listed here, please email us withdetails and we may print this in future issues.

PASTORAL LETTER AND CHURCH MEETINGS

It can be a great advantage to know whatthe future holds. If you’re a gambler you canbet on a dead cert. An investment bankerwill be able to spot the winners before theyshow. Insurance underwriters can spreadtheir bets - even rewrite their policies - inanticipation of the storm that’s about to hit. But for most people there is a realuncertainty and, therefore, a very realanxiety about what the future holds.Climate change, the prospect of rising sealevels, the threat of international terrorismand talk of 2012 being the final year of“civilisation as we know it,” conspiretogether to create an environment in whichthere is little or no certainty regarding whatlies ahead.

Astrologers, psychics and seers vie withpolitical and economic forecasters, whospecialise in studying the various indicatorsthat might logically shed some light on whatlies ahead. But, like weather forecasterswho predict “rain with sunny intervals,” mostof these modern day “prophets” hedge theirbets and paint what they “see” with only thebroadest of brush strokes, generally failingto predict the future with any degree ofaccuracy or consistency.

But turn to Scripture and you see a verydifferent picture. Prophecy and history are

intertwined; events that were predicted longago are now recorded in the history books.Those who spoke under the inspiration ofGod’s Spirit, have proved to be infalliblewitnesses to the guiding hand of God.

One of the most striking examples of thishas been the life, death and resurrection ofthe Christ. Through the prophets, manythings were revealed long before hiscoming; his place of birth, the purpose ofhis life, his activities, the precise manner ofhis death and burial - even down to thesmallest detail of soldiers casting lots for hisclothing. At every turn, he pointed to theprophecies of Scripture that spoke of hiscoming and served to confirm his identity,saying, “Everything must be fulfilled that iswritten about me in the Law of Moses, theProphets and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). Not only did he come in fulfilment ofprophecy, he also spoke in great detailabout the end of civilisation as we know it…a blow-by-blow account of the end of theage. Some of his words related to the moreimmediate future, others to a more distanttime. He warned his followers to leaveJerusalem when they saw armies gatheredaround it and, in the year 70 AD - on thebasis of this advice - every one of theChristians living in the city fled to Petra,thus avoiding the genocide which swept

away literally hundreds of thousands ofJews.

And, quite amazingly, he has revealed to uswhat must soon take place; with all of itpointing towards his promised return. Hewarns of a time of unprecedented suffering;“there will be great distress unequalled fromthe beginning of the world until now” withnations “in anguish and perplexity at theroaring and tossing of the sea.” He alsowarns us that “false Christs and falseprophets will appear and perform greatsigns and miracles” and that, ultimately,“the sun will be darkened and the moon willnot give its light” (see Matthew chapter 24,Mark 13 and Luke 21 for a more detailedpicture).

He has told us these things so that we maybe prepared for all that lies ahead. He haspromised to see us through this time ofgreat upheaval… if only we will put our trustin him. As one of the prophets of old hasdeclared, “Whoever calls upon the name ofthe Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32).

Howard DavidGrace Community Church, Inverness

PHOTO BY PAULINE LEWIN

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Local Holidays

School Term Dates

Useful Telephone Numbers

Autumn Term Ends Fri 5th Oct 2012Regional Closure Mon 22nd Oct 2012Winter Term Starts Tues 23rd Oct 2012Winter Term Ends Thurs 20th Dec 2012Spring Term Starts Mon 7th Jan 2013Holiday Closure Mon 11th Feb 2013

Holiday Closure Tues 12th Feb 2013Regional Closure Wed 13th Feb 2013Regional Closure Thurs 14th Feb 2013Regional Closure Fri 15th Feb 2013Spring Term Ends Thurs 28th Mar 2013Good Friday Holiday Fri 29th Mar 2013

Inverness Holiday Mon 1st Oct 2012Inverness Holiday Mon 5th Nov 2012St Andrews Day Fri 30th Nov 2012Christmas Day Tues 25th Dec 2012Boxing Day Wed 26th Dec 2012New Year’s Day Tues 1st Jan 2013Scottish Bank Holiday Wed 2nd Jan 2013Burns Night Fri 25th Jan 2013

Shrove Tuesday Tues 12th Feb 2013Mother’s Day Sun 10th Mar 2013Good Friday Fri 29th Mar 2013British Summertime Begins Sun 31st Mar 2013Easter Monday Mon 1st Apr 2013Early May Bank Holiday Mon 6th May 2013Spring Bank Holiday Mon 27th May 2013Father’s Day Sun 16th Jun 2013

page 8 - October 2012 tel: 01309 690063 SpotLight on Inverness and District

Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08456 005703Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000Highland Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606National Rail Enquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950Ardersier Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658Beauly Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928Inverness Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252Culloden Academy Community Complex . 01463 792794Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500

VILLAGE HALLS & COMMUNITY CENTRESAbriachan Village Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861257Ardersier Old School Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658Balloch Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 790601Cameron Youth Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234785Cannich Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 459224

Croy Public Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 493480Culduthel Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712844Farr Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01808 521346Floral Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713553Kiltarlity Community Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 741447Kirkhill Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 831737Merkinch Community Centre. . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239563Phipps Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930Smithton-Culloden Youth Centre . . . . . . . . 01463 793284The Green Hall, Smithton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07977 852083Spectrum Centre & Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 221842Stratherrick Public Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486350Strathnairn Hall (Daviot) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 772228

VETSCrown Vets (Argyle St) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 237000Crown Vets (Carsegate Rd Sth) . . . . . . . . 01463 712202Culloden Veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 793700Eastgate Veterinary Practice . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 230893Fish Vet Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 717774Inshes Veterinary Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 711777Kessock Equine Veterinary Clinic . . . . . . . 01463 731107Moray Coast Vet Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794224

Other useful numbers including doctors, dentists, and schools are rotated on a regular basis and will appear in subsequent issues. If you have any suggestions for additional numbers, please contact us and we may include them in the magazine.

LOCAL HOLIDAYS, SCHOOL TERM DATES & USEFUL NUMBERS

PHOTO BY PAULINE LEWIN

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Parliament Blog“ ”We may not have had the brightest weather,but this Summer was lit up by the OlympicGames.After just a few short weeks, the eyes of theworld turned on Britain once more as theParalympics got underway. The Olympictradition has always been about stretching the

limits of human physical and mental capability and theParalympics are no different. For that reason, they belong firmlyat the heart of the international Olympic movement.The Highlands played an important part at the beginning of the2012 Paralympic story when the flame was lit by the Scouts onthe summit of Ben Nevis. Congratulations to all the athletes whotook part in the games, particularly our local champions - DavidSmith, Karen Darke and Craig Maclean. At the time of writingthis, David Smith has picked up his first gold for Team GB –hopefully one of many more to come.

As the local MSP for Inverness, and as the Minister forTourism, I was asked at a special screening of Brave atEden Court, to introduce, with a short speech, one ofthe actors, and the producer and director of the film.The actor was local man Kevin McKidd. I am told by

the female half of the population that this Elgin loon is really pretty dishy.Anyway, Fiona, Natasha and I presented ourselves at Eden Court, tomake the speech and then watch the film. The occasion was far more glitzy than politicians are used to. The outfitswere of the Hollywood type. Local singer Peigi Barker and her brotherDonald were there to perform the song from the film: heart-breaking stuff.It was so beautiful, so pure in sound that I said in my remarks that thehankies were needed to be used before the film had begun.I made a short speech about the film – and the chance for Scottishtourism to address an audience at Eden Court, and then introduced thereal stars. I then went to take up my seat with Fiona, and our 4 year oldNatasha. Unfortunately, at this point, because perhaps of the excitementof it all – my wee one was sick on my shoe! Obviously she was notfeeling well, and was upset so she wanted to go home – which we did –back to Boat of Garten, and so I did not get to see the film.I did say, that as far as I am aware at least, this has been the onlyoccasion in over twenty years of public speaking that anyone has actuallybeen physically sick after listening to what I said!

Danny Alexander MP Fergus Ewing MSP

Walking on the beach should bepossible 2 hours either side ofthese times

Low Tide Times for Inverness inOctober

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PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES

PHOTO BY PAULINE LEWIN

page 10 - October 2012 tel: 01309 690063 SpotLight on Inverness and District

T h e N o r t h ’ s f a v o u r i t e F R E E w e e m a g !

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This space could have been your advert

If you would like to advertise with SpotLight, contact us on 01309 690063.We have magazines in Buckie, Keithand district; Elgin and district; Forres

and district; Inverness and district; Nairnand district; and Strathspey.

SpotLight on Inverness and District tel: 01309 690063 October 2012 - page 11

SEPTEMBER 28 friday“the boys are back in town” pro night @ ironworks7pm. 14+. professional boxing night. tickets or infocall 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

29 saturdaydame emma kirkby & jakob lindberg in concert 7pm

- 8:30pm, old high church, inverness. for tickets orinformation visit www.moraysteinerschool.org or popinto leakey’s bookshop, church street, inverness.dr feelgood 8pm, strathpeffer pavilion. tickets £15 /£14 / £6. call 01997 420124 or visit the websitewww.strathpefferpavilion.org

30 sunday last day of opening for castle & gardens for the year.enquiries & ticket info call 01667 404401 or visitwww.cawdorcastle.comgreat glen walking club ben wyvis. 8.5 miles. meet0830hrs highland council car park. contact 01463236204 for further information.grab your children 1st charity place for the loch nessmarathon contact children 1st on 0131 319 8068 oremail [email protected]

What’s On

Please Send us Details of Your EventsLog on to www.spotlighton.co.ukemail [email protected]

or call 01309 690063.What’s On listings deadline for the November

issue is Friday 5/10/12.

This year’s Highland events programme in the

Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival are

bigger and better than ever with events in locations

across the Highlands. Our festival partners have

created a wide range of performances, films,

exhibitions and workshops which will entertain you

and engage you.

The festival aims to take a positive stance on mental

health, celebrating artistic endeavour by those with

experience of mental health issues and connecting

audiences with creative and innovative work.

See the listings section for full details of festival

events, or look online at

www.highlandmhfestival.com

Want to get involved? Become a festival ambassa-

dor. For details, contact the festival coordinators at

[email protected] the What’s On pages for events or

www.highlandmhfestival.comfor full details

Events throughout October.

page 12 - October 2012 tel: 01309 690063 SpotLight on Inverness and District

OCTOBER1 mondaycinema nairn presents blithe spirit (u) 1945 2pm.nairn community and arts centre. senior special. call01667 453476 or visit cinemanairn.blogspot.co.uk2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: baggage - learning to lighten life’s load12:30pm - 1:30pm, inshes church, inverness. livedrama to explore key mental health issues for youngpeople. places are free but must be booked byemailing [email protected]

2 tuesdayrevolutionary road (film) 7:45pm, eden court cinema,inverness. www.invernessfilmfans.org 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: creative minds 1:30pm, spectrum centre,margaret street, inverness. a joyful and moving filmshowing how puppetry, art, singing & story-makingboosts communication, confidence & relationshipsin care settings. £7 / £5 concs. call 0771 6111585 oremail [email protected]. visitwww.creativityincare.org

3 wednesday2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: walking creatively in my shoes 10am -

12pm. the greenhouse, dingwall. join tamalpa life/artpractitioner kate craik on a journey of self discovery,creativity & fun - tap into your creativity. noexperience necessary! places are free but must bebooked. email [email protected] scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: walking creatively in my shoes 2pm - 4pm.the bike shed, grants street, inverness. join tamalpalife/art practitioner kate craik on a journey of selfdiscovery, creativity & fun - tap into your creativity.no experience necessary! places are free but mustbe booked. email [email protected] scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: creative minds 1:30pm, presidential suite,mercure hotel, inverness. this joyful & moving filmshows how puppetry, art, singing & story-makingboosts communication, confidence & relationshipsin care settings. £7 / £5 concs. call 0771 6111585 oremail [email protected]. visitwww.creativityincare.org

4 thursday2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: creative minds 1:30pm. community centre,dunrobin street, helmsdale. this joyful & moving filmshows how puppetry, art, singing & story-makingboosts communication, confidence & relationshipsin care settings. £7 / £5 concs. call 0771 6111585 oremail [email protected]. visitwww.creativityincare.org newton faulkner @ ironworks 7.30pm. 14+. call0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.comscottish opera returns to the pavilion, this time withverdi’s great opera “la traviata” 8 pm, strathpefferpavilion. visit wegottickets.com, ticketweb.co.uk andpavilion office. www.scottishopera.org.uk

5 fridaythe african children’s choir in concert 7:30pm, nessbank church, inverness. visit www.nessbank.net

5 friday - 6 saturdayaffordable art fair nairn community & arts centre. forinfo call 01667 453476 or email [email protected]

6 saturdaycake walk - farigaig and loch ness 4 miles meet10am at highland council, glenurquhart road. callguy & jocelyn on 07724 992790.great glen walking club reiff circuit. 8.5 miles. meet8am highland council car park. contact 01463236204 for further information.highland wool & textile fair 10am - 4pm, bishops’spalace, eden court, inverness. lucky dip in aid ofhighland hospice. admission £2. under 16s free.concert with 'music for a while' at brodie castle.adult £8, concessions £5. call 0844 493 2156 or visitwww.nts.org.uk2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: ‘muriel's wedding’ 2:30pm, eden court

Nairn Community& Arts Centre

For further details, telephone 01667 453476,e-mail [email protected] or check out our website

at www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk

Your local venue for films, shows,concerts, and parties.

Wide range of activities for all ages.

OCTOBER EVENTS

NAIRN

Fri 5th & Sat 6th ................................................. Affordable Art Fair: a showcase of local arts to see, enjoy, and buy...Fri 26th ................................Cinema Nairn: “Oranges & Sunshine” 2010. Certificate 15Sat 27th ................................................ Scottish Opera: La Traviata

ide range of activities for all ages.Wconcerts, and parties.

our local venue YYour local venue for films, shows,Arts Centre&

Nairn Community

OBER EVENTSOCT

NAIRN

ide range of activities for all ages.concerts, and parties.

our local venue for films, shows,Arts Centre

Nairn Community

OBER EVENTS

.nairncommunitycentre.co.ukat wwwe-mail [email protected] or check out our website

For further details, telephone 01667 453476,

................................................Sat 27th

Cinema Nairn: “Oranges & Sunshine”................................i 26th Fr a showcase of loca

.....................................Fri 5th & Sat 6th

.nairncommunitycentre.co.uke-mail [email protected] or check out our website

For further details, telephone 01667 453476,

raviataScottish Opera: La T................................................ 2010. Certificate 15

Cinema Nairn: “Oranges & Sunshine”..., and buyl arts to see, enjoy a showcase of loca

Art Fair: rdable Affo.................................................

SpotLight on Inverness and District tel: 01309 690063 October 2012 - page 13

theatre, inverness. starring toni collette, rachelgriffiths and bill hunter. tickets £4 / £2 concs.

6 saturday - 7 sunday‘buddhist wisdom for everyday life’ talk by atorinpoche 4pm, maclean room, eden court theatre,inverness. email [email protected] or call0131 208 2884 for details.

7 sunday antiques & collectables fair at strathpeffer pavilion.visit www.strathpefferpavilion.org or call 01997420124 for more details.inverness ramblers: argyll stone circular, aviemore9am. 12 miles. meet at highland council car park.contact 01463 236204 for further information.

8 monday‘it’s all about the bike’ - robert penn 7:30pm - 9pm,highland council chamber, glenurquhart road,inverness. email robert at [email protected] orvisit www.rsgs.org

9 tuesdayinverness gardening club 7:30pm, mackenziecentre, inverness. call graeme on 01463 224445.email: [email protected] floral art club 7:30pm. meet in cauldeenschool. new members and guests welcome. 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: ‘venus’ 7:15pm, eden court theatre,inverness. a 2006 british comedy-drama film starring peter o’toole, leslie phillips, vanessa redgrave andjodie whittaker. directed by roger michell and writtenby hanif kureishi. tickets £4 / £2 concs.

9 tuesday - 14 sunday“rods and cones” (exhibition) the stables, cromarty.paintings by four artists with contrasting styles.

12 friday benjamin francis leftwich @ ironworks 7.30pm. 14+.call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

13 saturday this is nirvana - nirvana tribute @ ironworks 7.30pm.

call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.cominverness ramblers: two different walks (1): ascent ofbraeriach, cairngorms, 8am, 13.5 miles. (2): culbinforest (west) meander, 9am, 9 miles. meet highlandcouncil car park. call 01463 236204 for further info‘choctober’ - morays chocolate festival 12pm - 4pm,elgin academy, elgin. with chef's demos, a chocolatecraft market and a mad hatters restaurant. free entry.see www.facebook.com/choctober for more details.

14 sundaygreat glen walking club dosmuckeran to lochfannich. 7 miles. meet 9am highland council carpark. contact: 01463 236204.hue and cry @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 orvisit www.ironworksvenue.com2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: ‘sunday bloody sunday’ 5pm, eden courttheatre, inverness. starring peter finch, glendajackson and murray head. tickets £4 / £2 concs.

15 monday‘ahab’ hootananny, inverness. for tickets & info call01463 233651 or email [email protected] scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: out of the shadows - see me now 12pm -5pm. the greenhouse, 14 high street, dingwall.exhibition with shadow-puppetry workshops,mapping experiences of change in attitudes towardsmental ill-health & support over the last 30 years.places are free but must be booked in advance. callkarrie marshall on 07716 111586.

16 tuesday‘little children’ (film) 7:45pm. eden court cinema,inverness. www.invernessfilmfans.orghighland literary salon meeting 7:30pm, glenmhorhotel, inverness. writing competition, prose & poetry,on the theme of ‘highland life’. deadline 30 nov ‘12.visit highlandlitsalon.com2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: out of the shadows - see me now 10.30am- 12.30pm. macpahil centre, mill street, ullapool.exhibition with shadow-puppetry workshops,mapping experiences of change in attitudes towardsmental ill-health and support over the last 30 years.places are free but must be booked in advance. callkarrie marshall on 07716 111586.

17 wednesday western north american alpines 7:30pm, lesser townhall, forres. illustrated talk by drs liam and joanmccaughey. call john owen 01320 366246.2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: ‘martha marcy may marlene’ 5pm, edencourt theatre, inverness. starring elizabeth olsen,sarah paulson & john hawkes. tickets £4 /£2 concs.2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: out of the shadows - see me now 2pm -4pm, community centre, dunrobin street, helmsdale.

Ato RinpocheSUNDAY 7 OCT. AT 4 PM. INTHE MACLEAN ROOM, EDEN

COURT THEATRE, INVERNESSTICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE

AND AT THE BOX OFFICE

A talk byBUDDHIST WISDOM FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

Further information of events with Ato Rinpoche:g

or Tel: 0131 208 2884

page 14 - October 2012 tel: 01309 690063 SpotLight on Inverness and District

exhibition with shadow-puppetry workshops, mapping experiences of change in attitudes towardsmental ill-health and support over the last 30 years.places are free but must be booked in advance. callkarrie marshall on 07716 111586.

18 thursday bat for lashes + sylver tongue @ ironworks 7.30pm.call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: smhaff film evening 6pm, eden courttheatre, inverness. an evening of film and words. 3films produced in the highlands, some written workand discussion. places are free but must be bookedby emailing [email protected]

19 friday - 20 saturday food & craft fair fri, 12pm - 7pm. sat, 10am - 5pm atstrathpeffer pavilio. free entry for the public. callfrances on 01997 421344 to book a table.

20 saturdaygreat glen walking club dulsie bridge, by rhilean andleonach burns. 13 miles. meet 8:30am highlandcouncil car park. call 01463 236204 for further info.‘big fat wedding party’ 12:30pm, glen mhor hotel,inverness. tickets £40 per person. call 01463234308.turin brakes + iain mclaughlin & the outsiders +anderson + anderson, mcginty, webs @ ironworks7.30pm. 0871 7894173 / www.iron worksvenue.com

21 sundayinverness ramblers: two different walks (1): beinndamph, torridon, 8:30am, 8 miles. (2) carrol brochand loch brora, 9am, 13 miles. meet at highlandcouncil car park. call 01463 236204 for further info.bl’azz presents ‘the ness river rhythm kings’ 2:30pm- 5pm, maclean room, eden court, inverness. call01463 234234

25 thursdayrspb highland local group 7:30pm, fraser parkbowling club, inverness. tigers and more! call 01997433283 or 01463 220013.bl’azz presents ‘blue and sentimental’ 8pm - 10pm,downstairs bar, castle tavern, inverness. free entry.limited seating so come early. call 01463 221460 oremail [email protected]

26 friday ironworks unplugged @ ironworks call 08717894173 or visitwww.ironworksvenue.comfashion show organised by friends of the pavilion, inassociation with the puffin pool, dingwall. for detailsvisit www.puffinpool.co.ukcinema nairn presents ‘oranges and sunshine’ (15)2010. 7:30pm, nairn community & arts centre. forinfo call 01667 453476 or email [email protected]

27 saturdayalzheimer scotland’s elgin branch coffee morning

10am - 12noon, the supper room, elgin town hall.home baking & usual stalls. £2 entrance fee.rspb highland local group 8am, coach outing to lochleven reserve. for details call 01463 237836 or 01997433283. inverness choral society coffee morning 10am -12noon at the town house with sheila bruce on thepiano. call fiona duff on 01463 782418.ironworks unplugged - acoustic cabaret night 7pm.14+. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.comslam’s halloween party @ ironworks 10pm. 18+. call0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.comverdi’s “la traviata” 7:30pm, nairn community & artscentre. for info call 01667 453476 or [email protected]. visit www.musicnairn.org.ukhocus pocus halloween haunt 6:30pm - 8:30pm,brodie castle. tickets £4 / family £10. call 08444932156 or visit www.nts.org/eventselgin bid ‘halloween family fun day’ 10am - 4pm, theplainstones, elgin. fun for all ages.

28 sunday the marvel of peru 3pm. exciting new baroqueensemble concert. in the stables at cromarty.

30 tuesday‘eternal sunshine of the spotless mind’ (film)7:45pm. eden court cinema, inverness. for detailsvisit www.invernessfilmfans.org

31 wednesday2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival inhighland: birchwood highland concert 7pm,hootananny, inverness. halloween special fundraiserwith two floors of live music. money raised goes tobirchwood highland. entry by donation, pay on thedoor. (www.birchwoodhighland.org.uk)prom praise 7:30pm, empire theatre, eden court,inverness. for details call 01463 234234 or visitwww.eden-court.co.uk3 magic words (feature documentary): how toaccess your subconscious mind to become anactive co-creator in your own life) 7:30pm. highlandspiritual cinema, inverness. for details visitwww.highlandspiritualcinema.net

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Pizza Hut Express store IV2 3PR. Please present voucher at the time of ordering and produce on payment. Not valid with any other deal or o� er. O� er subject to availability. Only one voucher per order.

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recipe

Chef’sConfidential

Steven ScuttBog Roy Inn, Kirkhill IV5 7PX Tel: 01463 831 296

Serves: 4

Ingredients

500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced venison

Red wine sauce

1 small onion, chopped

Method

1.

Lightly flour your hands, then roll the portions into neat balls. 2. Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan or flameproof casserole and fry the meatballs, rolling them gently from time to time, for 8–10 minutes or until they are browned all over. (Brown the meatballs in batches, if necessary.) Use a draining spoon to remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside. 3. For the sauce, add the onion, red pepper, mushrooms, celery and garlic to the

wine and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer for about 5

and bring back to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 5. Return the meatballs to the pan and turn them over in the sauce. Simmer gently for 10 minutes. 6. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in boiling water for 10–12 minutes, or according to the packet instructions, until al dente. Drain well.

garni. Divide the spaghetti among 4 serving plates or bowls and top with the meatballs and sauce. Garnish with sour cream, paprika and fresh chopped parsley.

Venison Meatballs onSpaghetti with a Ragu Sauce

16

All round satisfaction at...

At the Bog Roy Inn we pride ourselves with Passion, Flair and Excitement. Our friendly, attentive staff and creative new Kitchen staff would love to make your time with us a memorable one.

All day Sunday Carvery launching on 14th October 12.30 - 8.30- booking advisable1 course - £8.25, 2 courses .............. £11.75Over 60's Lunch every Wednesday2 courses + Coffee/Tea ...................... £5.50Venue for conferences/team meetings/training sessions with full conference facilities

Private Dining Room and ample Parking

Pre Christmas Lunch and Dinner Menu available

Bog Roy InnKirkhill IV5 7PX

Tel: 01463 831 296

At the Bog Roy Inn we pride ourselves with Passion, Flair and Excitement. Our friendly, attentive staff and creative new Kitchen staff would love to make your time with us a memorable one.

launching on 14th October

£11.75

2 courses + Coffee/Tea ...................... £5.50Venue for conferences/team meetings/

with full conference facilities

Private Dining Room and ample Parking

Pre Christmas Lunch and Dinner Menu available

Bog Roy InnKirkhill IV5 7PX

Tel: 01463 831 296

NEWMENU

Dreamingof...

One of the most rapidly expanding sectors of the Travel Industry is taking a cruise. It can be described as living in a luxury hotel which moves from destination to destination and there is no need to pack or unpack your suitcases more than once!

The cruise market has seen steady growth, driven by innovation and the quality of the experience. There are large capacity increases being launched all the time, so what might have seemed like a very exclusive mode of transport historically has become much more available to the seasoned holidaymakers.

There is a perception that going on a cruise is very formal and only for the older generation, but that is changing. The average age of people going on a cruise comes down each year and ships are coming into service to cater for different needs. Some prefer to do a Fly Cruise, where you join the ship in an already exotic or interesting destination. Some prefer a Fly and Stay, where they join the ship and before or after their cruise they spend some time in that country. Some prefer to depart and return to a home port, negating the need to fly at all.

Pricing might sometimes seem high but remember that covers all your meals, entertainment and soft drinks – the only extras you are likely to run up are for alcoholic drinks and flutters on the gaming tables, if that is what takes your fancy.

Imagine spending a day in an interesting European city, retiring to the ship for dinner and a good night's sleep, then waking up in the morning in another fascinating destination. Wonderful!

Information kindly supplied by

2-6 South Street, Elgin 01343 548844 Street, F

travel

a Relaxing Cruise

Relaxing in your cabin

Cruising the Med’

for alcoholic drinks and flutters on the gaming tables, if that is what takes

Imagine spending a day in an interesting European city, retiring to the ship for dinner and a good night's sleep, then waking up in the morning in another fascinating

18

Beaver Travel, 78 High Street, ForresAlso at: 2-6 South Street, Elgin www.beavtrav.com Beaver Travel is also a ticket agent for Eden Court Theatre, Inverness - No booking fee.

ELGIN01343 548844

beaverTravelbeaverTravelFORRES

01309 672203

CRUISES TO SUIT ALL POCKETSNORWEGIAN CRUISE LINENew York, Florida and Bahamas 2 Dec - 9ntsfrom........................... £1260

New York and theCaribbean 24 Nov - 11nts from............................£1401

Miami and the Caribbean 24 Nov - 12nts from .£1337

ROYAL CARIBBEAN Southampton, Iceland and Norway 31 May13 - 13nts from............................£1099

Southampton, France and Spain 27 Oct 13 8ntsfrom..............................£699

CELEBRITY CRUISESFort Lauderdale & the Eastern Caribbean 3 Mar 13 7nts from ...................£1385

All cruises include flights from Glasgow or Edinburgh, embarkand disembark at the same port, and are priced per person.

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This space could have been your advertIf you would like to advertise with

SpotLight, contact us on 01309 690063.We have magazines in Buckie, Keith and district;Elgin and district; Forres and district; Inverness and

district; Nairn and district; and Strathspey.

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A few months ago I was sitting at my desk in the room at the front of the house I use as an office, when my concentration was broken by a barely audible little song. I looked around the room, there was a Robin sitting on the back of a chair a metre away. The song was repeated and I was looked at very directly. I opened the window but the robin refused to move, let alone fly out. As I went out of my office across the hall into the sitting room, the Robin followed, cocked its head on one side and repeated the song, this time sitting on the television. I knew what the Robin wanted.

To get to my office you come in the back door, through the kitchen, along the front hall and turn left. This is a route the Robin knows well and uses when the back door is open and I need “training”. Like many people, we have bird feeders in the garden and during the late Spring and early Summer they seem to be the main source of food for the local breeding House sparrows who consume nearly a kilo of food a day. Last Winter we started to feed mealworms, the Black birds and Robins really seemed to appreciate this. A couple of Robins started to watch for signs of us coming out of the house. They would make it very clear that they wanted more meal worms, and as time went on they became quite happy to eat these from the hand.

This Spring two pairs of Robins nested in the garden and our “training” was stepped up a gear, I guess by the male birds who were feeding their mates sitting on eggs. If there were no meal worms out the Robins would look directly through the window into the house, and continue to watch us until we put out more mealworms.

Back in May we spent a couple of weeks in the Cairngorms, and while we were away our neighbour checked the garden and filled the bird feeders. On returning I noticed a small pile of bird droppings on the door step. I thought this was a little odd until I surmised that a Robin had spent a lot of time sitting on the back door handle waiting for someone to come out and feed him.

Over the past months the demand from the Robins has reduced, the young have left the hedge and I assume they are looking after themselves. However, the male birds seem to be feeding the females again, perhaps they have laid more eggs. I am looking forward to my work being interrupted again in a couple of weeks and for my “training” to be resumed.

In the meantime, the local starlings have discovered the mealworms and the Blackbirds nesting in the clematis on top of our oil tank are feeding them to their young. No chance of stopping our regular mealworm order!

Briefly, and on more serious note, wild birds eat all year round and feeding them in the Winter can really help them through difficult cold spells.

Mike Rae

web: www.mikerae.com email: [email protected]

1 West Road, Forres IV36 2GW01309 696940

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This month, most gardeners will be doing their last cut of the year and putting away their mowers for the season - a pretty disappointing season in the garden too. Hopeless optimists that we are though, we will be planning a better season next year, hopefully without the damage caused by late spring snows and without the terribly wet conditions that made even getting the grass cut a struggle. We’ve had a very disrupted season, having to rearrange and redo many lawn treatments because of the poor weather.

You may wonder what a lawn treatment business does all winter; I did when I first made enquiries about buying the Green Thumb Moray Firth franchise. In fact, the off-season is our busiest time of the year as we have to pack in all the machinery jobs customers have asked us to do for them, principally aeration and scarifying. Aeration we do with a big hollow-core tining machine which, at £4,000 per machine, is not a piece of kit most weekend gardeners have in the back of the shed for occasional use. Good aeration is one of the best things you can do for a lawn. It eases compacted ground, opens up drainage and ventilation and is a major benefit in the control of moss and lichen. Forking is all very well, but some jobs are not really hand-tool jobs! We use our machines all day every day in the winter preparing the lawns for a good start next year and however you do it, it is a huge benefit.

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