the voice of the community i113% n.. 68£5,000 award. the cnpa also supported the project. the...

The ToulerSuggested Donation £1.50Issue No. 68 WINTER 2016

t h e v o i C e o f t h e C o m m u n i t y

Photo CompetitionThe Photo Competition for the Spring issue is Seasonal Trees and Flora. How you interpret that is up to you, but pictures must

be taken in the Kirkmichael and Tomintoul area. The winning picture will appear on the front of the Spring edition of the Touler,

and the photographer will receive a £20 prize. Digital images, in the highest resolution possible, should be emailed to:

[email protected] and traditional prints sent to: The Touler, c/o 11 Cults Drive, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, AB37 9HW.

Entries close on Monday 7th March, 2016

We seem to have a draw in the coverphoto competition this issue, with

these snowy scenes from PaulMcGregor (left) and Mike Budd

(above). Congratulations gentlemen!

Something Different .....These pictures of unusual trees

have been sent to us byCaroline and Hamish

McIntosh. Caroline’s tinyrowan is growing out of a

strainer post, while Hamish’sheather seems to be enjoyingthe luxury of a tree shelter!

If you spot somethingunusual when you’re out andabout, why not share it with

The Touler?

32

T H E T o u l E R WINTER 2016 t h e t o u l e r @ y a h o o . c o m

Printed by Groverprint & Design, 01540 673848, [email protected]

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday!

Many Happy Returns to Nan Robertson,seen celebrating her 80th birthday.

The Landscape Partnershipexploring our heritage at the

Scalan Open Day.

The Touler is produced by a duly elected team of the Kirkmichael & Tomintoul Community Association

t h e t o u l e r @ y a h o o . c o mA u T u M N 2 0 1 5 T h e T o u l e r

2

involvement was at present directed via the

Development Trust and the Landscape

Partnership.

Lee Haxton:

Explained the scenic routes development at

the old quarry. Tony Birchall said that he has

suggested that a footpath be connected to the

quarry to enable people to walk to the

viewpoint from the village via Campdalmore.

Patricia Grant said that a right of way already

exists. Tony Birchall asked for an officially

marked footpath route be included in the

project. Lee Haxton said that he would take

this to the access group. John Tansley

expressed concern about the possible abuse of

the new viewpoint building.

The Speyside Forum:

Windfarm Development does not benefit

Tomintoul.

Landscape Partnership:

Marion Mcdonald reported that plans to

refurbish the museum/TIC are underway.

There will be a follow up to the recent open

meeting at the museum in the New Year. The

Speyside Way is being surveyed between

Tomintoul and Glenlivet to look at the

improvements required. There will be an event

on 25th November with the local businesses to

look at their involvement in the Landscape

Partnership. A bird hide is to be constructed

near to the Conglass in order to view the

waders, the RSPB is giving advice. Patricia

Grant raised concern with regard to the

predation of nests/chicks by gulls.

The Signage Project

Mike Fletcher reported on this. Mike

explained the scope of the project in providing

quality signage/seating to the main Square/car

park areas. Mike thanked Tony Birchall for his

thorough work in costing the project and

Kirkmichael and Tomintoul Community Association

MINUTES OF THE GENERALMEETING OF 15th NOVEMBER

2015.

Present: P. Fletcher, E.Mackintosh, P.Grant,

C.Thomson, Cllr. F. Murdoch, M. Mcdonald,

T.Birchall, L. Haxton, R. Hughes, N. Varey,

R.Tansley, J. Tansley, M. Finnie, M. Fletcher,

J. Herschell.

Apologies: V.Hilton, O. Giles, J. Shewan.

Minutes of the Meeting of August 2015 were

proposed as a true record by P. Grant and

seconded by T. Birchall.

Matters Arising:

Mike Fletcher reported that he had written to

Bidwells with regard to Queen Victoria’s

Viewpoint and that action was being taken to

renovate the area.

Cllr. Fiona Murdoch is to look into the lack of

progress with lighting in the Car Park.

REPORTS

Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development

Trust:

Mark Finnie reported that the asset transfer of

the museum/TIC is on-going and no problems

are foreseen. The Smuggler ’s Hostel has

expanded its trade to 1500 bed nights this

year.

Councillor Fiona Murdoch

An offer has been made with regard to the

purchase of the old school. Her opinion was

that it is better to sell the site rather than its

remaining derelict, opinion expressed agreed

with this view. Ron Hughes asked Fiona to

look into the repair of the old school resulting

from the road accident and the making safe of

the damaged roadside wall. Fiona advertised a

meeting with regard to transport provision,

Saturday 21st November at Llanbryde.

C.N.P.A:

Eleanor Mackintosh reported that all

“A’ leasachadh an dὸigh-beatha airson a h-uile duine”

“Working together to improve community life for all”

3

T h e T o u l e r t h e t o u l e r @ y a h o o . c o m A u T u M N 2 0 1 5

Oliver Giles [TGDT] for putting together a bid

for funding. Mike said that the project costs

were over £20,000. Unfortunately the funding

bid had failed and other possible funding

streams are being explored. KATCA was

putting forward £3,000 of ENTRUST funds

and these need to be spent. It was agreed by

the meeting that the £3,000 should be used to

purchase new benches for the square.

The Winter Wonderland:

Jenny Herschell outlined the event on

Saturday 5th December from 10.30am to 3pm.

Jenny said that help was needed with a range

of aspects.

A.O.B:

Ron Hughes asked about any developments

with regard to Christmas/New Year events.

Tony Birchall replied that there appeared to be

little support and a much earlier start to

planning would be needed for 2016 events.

Tony Birchall asked about the Scottish

Goverment Land Reform Act. General opinion

was that at present there is little clear

information. Patricia Grant said that there

would be public consultation once there were

developments and there is a meeting between

the Crown and tenants on 7th December in

Rothes.

Mark Finnie asked about the quality of

ambulance cover in Tomintoul. The view was

expressed that single crew working is

regularly taking place. Mike Fletcher and

Patricia Grant said that we had been given an

undertaking that this would not happen,

Agreed by the meeting that Mike is to write to

the Ambulance Service to request the statistics

re single crew working.

A number of complaints/observations have

been made with regard to the increase of dog

mess in the village area, Mike Fletcher to put

up new “please clean up” signs,

Ron Hughes thanked everyone for their

attendance and closed the meeting at 8.20pm.

Snow Roads Project

This is a project to improve and establish

scenic routes. There will be an installation or

designed viewpoint at the Devil’s Elbow in

Glenshee and at the viewpoint overlooking

Corgarff Castle. The Corgarff construction of

individual seating pods should be in place in

November 2015.

A third creation will be in the old

Craighalkie quarry adjacent to the A939.

A competition was organised by

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre;

designers were asked to send in their plans

and the winners were then selected, gaining a

£5,000 award. The CNPA also supported the

project. The Tomintoul quarry design winner

is Alex Scott-Whitby and Michael

Eleftheriou of the Scott-Whitby Studio.

Brian Wood, Deputy Convenor of the CNPA

Board said; “I am really pleased that the

competition has produced two very creative

designs for the sites at Glenshee and

Tomintoul. Once constructed, these, together

with the installation at Corgarff, scheduled to

be in place in November, will give us an

outstanding scenic route along the eastern

side of the Cairngorms National Park, from

Glenshee to Grantown-on-Spey. This will

encourage people to experience and enjoy the

breath-taking landscapes of the Cairngorms.”

The designs are primarily intended as

stop-off points for motorists as they travel

this route.

Please see the minutes of the November

KATCA meeting to read of an initiative to

enable walking from Tomintoul to the

design in the quarry. The quarry

construction is expected to be in place by

the Summer of 2016.

Mike Fletcher.

grea t he lp in prepar ing the venue and in

he lp ing to c lear up a f te rwards . We va lue

the work of the Hal l Commit tee , they a re

a lso volunteers and by

the i r e ffor t s keep the

Richmond Memoria l

Hal l funct ioning.

The Winter

Wonder land was

suppor ted by good

voluntary he lp and I

would l ike to thank

everyone who gave so

generously of their t ime

on the day. A number of

people worked

throughout the day to ensure tha t

everything ran smoothly.

KATCA had adver t i sed th i s event f rom

July in order to make the 5 th December a

date c lear of other a t t ract ions . The Winter

Wonderland had been advertised on posters,

in the Touler, on Facebook, by a door to

door leaf le t d rop and in the Spot l igh t

magazine . Therefore people were wel l

informed. The event did not make a loss but

d id not even ra i se enough to pay for the

electr ic i ty for the fes t ive l ights .

Mike Fletcher .

The Winter Wonder land Event , 5 th

December 2015.

Jenny, Pam and Mike of the KATCA

Commit tee organised

the Winter Wonder land

in par t due to reques ts

to do so and to ra i se

funds towards the cos ts

of the Chr is tmas l igh t

d isp lay in the Square .

The qual i ty of the craf ts

and produce on the

s ta l l s was very h igh . I t

was remarked by

vis i tors tha t , “ the a rea

has many ta len ted

people .” I would l ike to thank a l l o f the

people who took the oppor tuni ty to br ing

their art work/crafts etc. to make the hall so

a t t rac t ive and appea l ing . I t was a shame

that the i r e ffor ts were not matched by the

turnout of people to suppor t the event . I

thank everyone who came to v iew the

displays, to buy goods, to try the games and

to use the café .

The poor leve l of suppor t makes i t

d i ff icu l t to jus t i fy repea t ing the Winter

Wonder land . The Hal l Commit tee gave

4

T h e T o u l e r A u T u M N 2 0 1 5 t h e t o u l e r @ y a h o o . c o m

FIREWOOD07778129477

Winter Wonderland

RBS MOBILE BANKTIMETABLE.

A new timetable forthe weekly visit toTomintoul began onthe first week ofSeptember 2015.

The van will now visiton Wednesdays from1.30pm to 2.15pmand, as usual, willpark in the Square.

5


In response to the enquiry in the Summer 2015 edition

of The Touler. The enquirer wanted to know the

origin of the word 'allanreid' in the Tombae

Allanreid carpark

The information was found in Chapter 17 of a

Tomintoul Library book, Tales Of The Braes

of Glenlivet by Isobel Grant and compiler

Alasdair Roberts.

Allanreid: Bog-myrtle meadow; from eilean -

waterside meadow, and roid - bog myrtle. If the

second element is reidh - cleared or level place, the

name becomes the rather tautological 'level waterside

meadow'. A Gaelic place-name established after the

1761 'Generall Plan'.

There are many items in the Tomintoul Library

concerning the local area, past and present.

Allanreid

SNIPPETS

In the 1940s, homemadeChristmas decorationsmight be given a snowy

look with asbestospowder.

Christmas Lights.

A big thank you once again to Andy Keith andhis helpers for putting up the lights and theChristmas tree.

One of the features of Christmas in Tomintoulare the lights in the Square. The lights in thetrees are left in place from year to year,however, the lights on the lamp posts are put upevery year by Andy and his team. KATCA hasspent more than £3,000 over the last four yearsin improving and maintaining the lights. Thedisplays in the trees were poor and KATCA hadthem rewired and added a large number of lightsto improve the effect. The light units on thelamp posts were repaired with new fittings andnew parts. Once again these need repair to anumber of the units.

The electricity bill for the festive lights isover £300 per year. KATCA has put a collectiontin in the Post Office in order to raise moneytowards the costs, in 2014 only £3 was donated.

The recent Winter Wonderland was aimed atraising money to support the light costs but didnot raise enough to meet the costs of theelectricity due to a lack of support. If the lightsare to be maintained and improved thenfinancial support is needed. The £3000+represents a strong contribution from KATCAbut more spending is required for the display in2016 in order to maintain and repair it and tocontinue to develop. KATCA does not have thefunds to undertake this work.

Tomintoul Village Store & Post Office

Under New Ownership with New Improved Range ofGoods now Available!Including Fresh Bakery Breads and Cakes, Quality Butcher meats,Chilled and Frozen foods, Deli products, Beers, Wines andSpirits, Household products, Newspapers, Magazines,

Stationery, National Lottery, Health Lottery, Hot and Cold Drinksand Food for On the Go.

Post Office services including Banking Facilities and Cash Withdrawals.

Extended Opening Times!Store opened daily from 8.30 to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday, and

Sundays opened 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm.Post Office open Monday to Saturday from 9 to 1pm and 2pm to

5pm, early closing on Wednesday at 1pm and Saturday at 12.30pm.

Proud to Serve the Local CommunityVillage Store & Post Office, The Square, Tomintoul, AB37 9ET,

Telephone 01807 580201

MASS TIMES FOR CATHOLIC

CHURCHES

Tomintoul, Tombae and

Chapeltown every third

Sunday in turns at 9.30am

Dufftown and Aberlour

at 5pm Saturday

Parish Priest: Rev. C.M.

Stewart

Times of morning Masses

during the week vary.

These can be obtained by

telephoning 01807 580381

6


Can you Help Us in

the Hall?

We are looking to recruit a Hall Keeper for

the Richmond Memorial Hall. The position

would suit someone based in the village or

with their own transport. Duties would

initially include opening and closing the

hall, recording electricity usage and setting

up tables and chairs. You will need to be

reliable and flexible towards working

occasional evenings and weekends.

If you think you could help us keep this

community facility running smoothly,

email me on [email protected]

or speak to any committee member.

(Jennifer Fraser, Michele Birnie or

Roy Hill).

Tomintoul and Strathavon

Burns Club

It is with regret that The Burns Club will not

hold “A Nicht o Burns” this year. This is due to

a variety of circumstances, however we are

hopeful that this is only a temporary blip and

that we will be up and running again for 2017.

Tomintoul and Strathavon Burns Club has

been in existence for over 100 years and during

that time there have been some memorable

Suppers, not always for the right reasons. The

member of the present Committee are not in the

first flush of youth but are very enthusiastic

however we could do with some fresh input

from others not presently involved. If you feel

that you have an interest in perpetuating the

works of our National Bard, Robert Burns we

would encourage you to attend the next meeting

which will be held in October 2016. Please look

out for posters advising same and you never

know what might happen!!

Tomintoul Gardening Club

The first meeting of 2016, which usually includes

the Annual General Meeting, of Tomintoul

Gardening Club will take place on Thursday 31st

March in the Residents Lounge, Tomnabat Court

at 8.00p.m.

We try to meet on the last Thursday of each

month from March to October. We also try to have

at least two trips which are garden, or at least

flora, related.

The club is not in any way competitive however

we exchange views, ideas, tips and occasionally

plants.

If you feel you would like to join us please

some along.

Patricia Grant

Chairman

7


SNIPPETS

It is possible tograft a tomato

and potatotogether as they

are related.

Tomintoul’s fireworks display was held on

November 7th.

This community event drew a particularly large

audience this year and all the people we have spoken

to tells us the display was worth coming to see.

Everyone involved in the organisation and running

of this event does so on a voluntary basis giving up

time, skills, use of equipment and land free of charge.

Funding for the fireworks comes purely from

public donation and the support of many of the

local businesses.

Over the last few years we have established a very

healthy working relationship with Fireworxx

Scotland from Inverurie with thanks to Sean

Marshall giving up his own time and skills to set

up such a professional display.

Funding for this event comes purely from local

business, profits from the BBQ sales and donations on

the night which are all gratefully received, however

these donations sadly are not sufficient enough to

maintain the standard of show we now have.

If the community wishes to continue putting on this

quality of show we need to organise funding.

Clearly, from the numbers attending this year’s

show this community event is very popular and should

be built on. Would it not be a great shame for it to be

left to fizzle out like the proverbial damp squib?

If anyone else wishes to assist, or can help with

organising fund raising please talk to any of

your local firefighters.

There appears to have been an increase of dogmess within the area of the village. KATCAhas received a number of complaints withregard to people not clearing up after theirdogs. This is very distressing to manyresidents. The games field and the top end ofthe village are problem areas.

Many dog owners are responsible andalways clean up after their pets haveperformed. KATCA has put signs up aroundTomintoul in order to remind everyone toclean up. At the entrance to the Games fieldbags have been placed in a box and a bin hasbeen put in place. This bin is cleared by alocal resident. Poo bags are available free ofcharge from the Post Office and the library.

I would like to thank the many dog ownerswho think of other people and do always cleanup after their pet.

FireworksDogs in the Village

8


Library TiMES

Monday 1.30pm to 3.30pm

and

6pm to 7.30pm

Tuesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Wednesday 10am to 12 noon

Thursday 6pm to 7.30pm

Friday 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Don’t forget you can always phone

during these hours to renew your books,

place a reservation on a book you fancy

reading or to book time on the People’s

Network Internet computers.

Our number is 01807 580755

the friendliest Games on thecircuit and we are determinedto retain this image for manyyears to come.

I would mention that thisyear Braemar reached its200th Anniversary and twomembers of the Committeeparticipated in a marchround the arena. Toadvertise which Games wasrepresented Tomintoulpurchased a flag and this

will be flown at our own Games in future. Itshould be mentioned that it was a very windyday and some of the Games represented hadbanners which proved very difficult to control.The flag, being light, was easier handled.

Should you be interested in assisting atTomintoul Games why not come along to themeeting which are advertised locally. The nestmeeting will be on Wednesday 24th February inGlenavon Hotel.

Patricia GrantSecretary

9


Tomintoul and StrathavonHighland Games Associationheld its Annual GeneralMeeting in the RichmondArms Hotel on Friday, 27thNovember 2015.

Following on for aresume of the Games of2015 and presentation ofaccounts there ensued theAnnual General Meetingwhere officials were appointedfor the coming year.

The present incumbents were re-elected apartfrom the position of President. This is a fiveyear appointment. The previous older of thispost was Willie Fraser and it was reinstated in2000 when Johnny Irvine was duly elected. Thisyear there was a new President elected andCharlie Irvine will now hold this post until 2020.

The 2016 Games will be our 175th and we areplanning events for this Games which may (ormay not) have a different flavour. Tomintoul isa very traditional Games and the Committeestrive to maintain this status. It is also one of

Tomintoul and Strathavon Highland Games


10

Photo by Debbie Duffus

Continued from the Autumn 2015 issue of The

Touler. The Author is unknown, this was found

amongst old papers. Perhaps some of our

readers may recognise some of the people?

Day 1, Monday, 18 August 1986 (Light

Showers)

Beat 3

Conditions for fishing were excellent. The

previous week contained heavy rain, but the

high water and peaty colour had run off. The

water for the whole week was 6 inches above

summer level.

Traditionally when fishing Beat 3 I like to

start at the top of the beat, Livet Mouth. When

I question myself on the reasons why, it isn’t

from a fishing angle. It is because it ensures

that I see the whole of the river in all its

natural, rugged beauty. A lot of the length of

the river around Livet Rocks Precipice and

Polly has, over centuries, been made to force

itself a path through solid rocks, which means,

in some cases, that there is a steep rock face

30-40 feet high above the river, which acts as

a bank. In some cases, by holding the branch

of a tree and sliding in a crouched position

down the rock face, you can get nearer to the

water (the water being exactly the right colour

– that of Glen Fiddich malt whisky!)

I fished Livet Mouth and could see fish

showing at Livet Rocks, jumping out of the

river – both salmon and sea trout. Moving up

to Livet Rocks I hooked a fish just past the

tree against the rock face under my feet, but

could not keep control. A fisherman, fishing

on the other side, had a salmon on. He was

running downstream after it. The chase went

out of sight. He returned a few minutes later,

walking very slowly, head down and shoulders

stooped, looking rather dejected. He sat down

on a rock for a few minutes, and then with

new strength set about fishing with renewed

inspiration.

The last few minutes had been very

encouraging. There were fish and they were

taking. I went further down the river to the

Precipice. The pathway is very high above the

A Fishing Tripriver. Fishermen had told me that there was a

pathway down which, over 30 years, I had

never found. I finally discovered this path and

was feeling rather pleased with myself.

Precipice cannot be fished well from our side

in any water height other than summer level.

The river was flowing through the narrow with

a tremendous force. Further on , in the

distance at the Kelt pool, I could see Dennis

in great delight, standing in the river fishing

the fly, a perfect piece of water for the fly,

which might just have held a couple of salmon

resting on their journey up the river. As I sat

in the tin hut for a couple of minutes watching

him a mole made me move my foot out of his

way. I had gathered, over the years, that there

was no point fishing the Kelt Pool because it

did not contain any salmon, but over the years

I have seen George fishing it, and if anyone

knows where fish is on the Richmond Arms

water it is him – although he does have rather

a mischievous sense of humour!

On to Grey’s Run, a great favourite of the

osprey. Man, as a fisherman, is made to look

ridiculous and incapable by the skills of the

osprey on hooking and playing a salmon. The

fisherman produces his net and brings the

salmon towards his net, but often in two feet

of water, when the fish is a yard from his feet

the salmon is very difficult to see. The osprey,

however, surveys Grey’s Run from such a

height that his four feet wingspan is reduced

to a speck in the sky. He then swoops down

and lifts out a large sea trout with his claws.

Occasionally he is too ambitious and cannot

gain altitude because of this.

On Grey’s Run two salmon were caught by

a fisherman on the opposite bank in the area

of the little bay.


11

Firstly Happy New Year from everyone here atTomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust(TGDT), we wish you every success in 2016! Itwas a busy end to 2015 here at TDGT with ourwell attended AGM in November and firstmeeting of our new board in December. We alsosaid goodbye to some good friends includingEilidh our Graduate Business DevelopmentManager, Kerry Greaves our Hostel Manager,Steve Smith our Chair and directors SandraSmith and Steve Herschell. As old friends leaveus for new challenges we are joined by newfriends and we welcome Mary Williams Edgaron to the board of TGDT. Mary joins us with awealth of experience in contract andemployment law and will be a real asset to thetrust as we move into the next phase of theregeneration strategy. We’re also very pleased towelcome Mark Finnie to the position of Chair,Mark’s enthusiasm and commitment will be areal asset over the next 12 months!

It’s been a busy start to 2016 here at TGDTtoo! The Smugglers hostel was fully bookedwith group bookings over the Christmas andNew Year period and we’ve secured fundingfrom the Cairngorm National Park Authority toenable us to fit secondary glazing to the hostel.This will be the first of many improvements weare making and we’re looking for volunteers tohelp with painting and decorating during theclosed season, so if you’d like to help out pleasedo get in touch.

At the Museum & VIC a review of the 2015summer season revealed we attracted 7,700visitors to the facility, sign posting them toaccommodation, activities and generallyproviding them with a warm welcome to thearea. Our plans for the museum are ambitiousand exciting with much of the detail for the HLFLandscape Partnership refurbishment comingfrom feedback we received at the communityevent in October. We will be presenting thedetailed designs for the refurbishment later inJanuary so keep an eye out for the Date that willbe published shortly.

Finally, we have started looking at our eventscalendar for 2016 and look forward to the returnof the Cairngorms Nature Festival, The Rock &

Tomintoul & Glenlivet

Development TrustRoad Cycling Festival, our popular quiz nightsand working with others to make events inTomintoul & Glenlivet a success.

If all this sounds interesting and fun there area couple of ways you can get involved, firstlyby joining TGDT. As a member you’ll be keptup to date with the latest news and events fromTGDT and you’ll be demonstrating your supportfor the regeneration of Tomintoul & Glenlivet.If you’re already a member why not volunteerwith us? We have a wide range of opportunitiesfrom ad hoc maintenance and regular customerservice type roles in the Smugglers Hostel andMuseum to volunteer director on our boardwhere whilst working with others, you’ll set thestrategic priorities and direction of theorganisation and work with funders and otherpartners to deliver exciting projects. If any ofthis sounds like you then do get in touch eitherwith one of our directors or Oliver the LocalDevelopment Officer 01807 580358 [email protected].

1788 he took a lease on Ellisland Farm where hestayed with Jean Armour until 1791. At the sametime he trained as an exciseman and wasappointed to duties in Customs and Excise in1789.

In 1791 he moved to Dumfries where hewrote lyrics for over 100 songs. In 1795 hishealth was ailing and he never recovered from adental extraction in the winter of that year. Hedied on 21 July 1796 in Dumfries and wasburied in a far corner of St Michael’sChurchyard, Dumfries. In 1817 his body wasmoved to its final resting place, the BurnsMausoleum, in the same cemetery.

O Once I lov’d a bonnie lass, An aye I love her still, An’ whilst that virtue warms my breastI’ll love my handsome Nell.

As Bonnie Lasses I have seen And mony full as braw,But for a modest gracefu’ meinThe like I never saw.

A bony lass I will confessIs pleasant to the e’e,But without some better qualitiesShe’s no a lass for me

But Nelly’s looks are blithe and sweet,And what is best of a’,

Her reputation is compleatAnd fair without a flaw.

She dresses ay sae clean and neat,Both decent and genteel,And then there’s something in her gaitGars ony dress look weel.

A gaudy dress and gentle air,May slightly touch the heart,But it’s innocence and modestyThat polishes the dart.

‘Tis this in Nelly pleases me,‘Tis this enchants my soul,For absolutely in my breastShe reigns without control.

12


Born Robert Burns in Burns Cottage, 3km southof Ayr on 25th January 1759. The eldest son ofWilliam Burnes, tenant farmer from Dunnotar inthe Mearns (Kincardineshire) and Agnes Brounof Kirkoswald, Ayrshire Rabbie Burns was tobecome one of Scotland’s most importantliterary figures.

Best known for his famous, and oftenhumorous, songs and poetry, he had littleregular schooling, being educated mainly athome by his father. His first poem was “O, OnceI Lov’d a Bonnie Lass”, inspired by NellyKilpatrick who he met during the harvest of1774.

After his father’s death in 1784 he and hisbrother Gilbert took on the running of the familyfarm. After the farm failed they moved toMossgiel, near Mauchline, where he met JeanArmour who was to become his wife in 1788. Oftheir nine children only three survived beyondinfancy. In 1786 Burns accepted an offer ofwork in Jamaica. To finance his passage hearranged to have his work published. The firstvolume, known as the Kilmarnock volume, waspublished by John Wilson on 31 July 1786. Thisvolume proved so popular that Burns postponedhis emigration to Jamaica and made his way toEdinburgh instead. There he was accepted as anequal by the city’s men of letters. He made alasting impression on a sixteen year old WalterScott who regarded him with great admiration.

On his return from Edinburgh in February

Rabbie Burns

13


www.moray.gov.uk/libraries for more

information including very straightforward

user guides.

Clippings from the Library

In my last article I told you

about the Made in Scotland

Reading Challenge taking

place in the library

between October and

November. We have been

running the challenge for a few years now

as a way to encourage children to explore

new authors and discover some Scottish

classics. I am pleased to say this was our

most successful year so far with more

children than ever completing the

challenge. Many of them chose to attend the

celebrity prize giving in Elgin library and

have their books signed by author Allan

Burnett. All my colleagues in Elgin

commented on what a keen bunch of readers

we must have in Tomintoul to have such a

great showing at the presentation. Well done

to all children and parents who took part in

this entertaining and inspiring event.

Alongside the reading challenge this year

we also ran a drawing competition in which

readers illustrated one or more of their

favourite Scottish books. The winners were

Emily Smith and Eva Sim.

In December we got crafty in the library

as fifteen kids of all ages, plus a few Mums

and Grannys, joined Deborah

from environmental education

group Earthtime in the library to

recycle some old card and milk

bottles into glittery tree

decorations and bird houses. A

great time was had by all and we

hope to bring Earthtime back to

the village in the spring.

Finally, if you received a new

e-reader or MP3 player for

Christmas don’t forget the

library has a huge range of

ebooks and e-audio material you

can borrow from home, free of

charge. Visit

Jessica McIntosh with the glittery robin she made

with Earthtime in the library.

NEW WALKINGTO HEALTHGROUPS INTOMINTOULANDGLENLIVET!

Do you everfancy going for asafe led walk, butyou don't haveanyone to go with,or perhaps youdon't really wantto walk alone ornot sure where togo.

Well, maybe theNEW GlenlivetWalking to HealthGroup on a Tuesday or the NEW Walking toHealth Group on a Friday in Tomintoul is foryou!

We meet every Tuesday at 9.45 in thePublic Hall car park, Glenlivet or everyFriday morning at 10.00 at Tomnabat Court,Tomintoul. We have a number of localvolunteer leaders and we are looking fornewcomers to join both groups. The walks arenot too strenuous and you'll be out in thefresh air, whatever the weather. It could bepart of your health regime for this year, andis a good way to make new friends and get

14


fitter. Local GP,Dr O'Loughlinsaid; "This is agreat newinitiative and wesupport walkingto health as agreat way to stayhealthy."

The walks areestimated to beapproximately1-1.5 hours long,low level, andwith goodunderfootterrain. All youneed is somesensible footwear

and a waterproof jacket. We canaccommodate slow walkers so please do notbe put off, just come along. Our Healthwalks are led by 2 members, who have beentrained to lead a short Health walk and theywill have checked out the route beforehandand who will take care to ensure thateveryone is keeping up. We try and do acircular walk but occasionally we have tocome back the same way but the view willbe different!

Both groups are friendly and you willalways be welcome to join us on our Health

walks. Mike Fletcher, from theKirkmichael and TomintoulCommunity Association said,"We are really pleased to supportthis new group to improve healthand develop our communityfurther. The short walks will befollowed by a cup of tea orcoffee, everyone will be mademost welcome. If you requirefurther information pleasecontact me, Mike Fletcher on01807 580262" The contact forthe Glenlivet Group is AmandaBurstow, you can contactAmanda on 01807-590689.

The picture shows theTomintoul group enjoying theirrecent first Health walk, pleasejoin us!

Walking to Health

15


Richmond Memorial Hall

Committee Members

Chairman:Roy Hill 01807 580296

Vice Chairman:Michael Robertson 01807 580427

Secretary:Jennifer Fraser 01807 580301Please contact Jennifer by email ifpossible on [email protected]

Treasurer:Michele Birnie 01807 580221

Hall Keeper:Bob Coutts 01807 580251

2016 will see the eighth TGW festival. I have beeninvolved in organising the previous seven events,backed by a very good team. I have decided to handover the running of the festival for 2016 to AmandaBurstow. I am thrilled that Amanda is willing tooversee the event.

The walking festival was in some ways apioneer event as it was a first for the local area. Ithas introduced many people to our locality and tonew walking experiences. I would like to thankeveryone who has supported the festival, we havehad solid support from participants. We have alsohad a very able committee and I know that mostpeople will remain as committee members in orderto support Amanda. I would also like to thankeveryone who has guided at all of the festivals.

May I thank everyone who has given me suchgreat backing and wish the TGWF every success inthe future.

Planning is underway for the 2016 programmeand I know that there will be a full range of walkswith possibly more walks that are shorter indistance.

FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2016, THURSDAY 25TH to

MONDAY 29TH AUGUST.Contact Amanda Burstow by email on:

[email protected]

Sports Trivia Quiz1. What is a netball pitch divided into?

2. Since they began how many times have the

Summer Olympica been cancelled?

3. Which sport was banned by the Scottish

Parliament in 1457?

4. By what name is the paraolympic sport of

rugby also known?

5. What does tae kwon do mean?

6. What was American ice skater Tonya Harding

accused of doing to increase her chances of

winning gold at the Winter Olympica of 1994?

7. If you are a pugilist you are active in which

sport?

8. Of the 17 boxing weight categories, which is

the lightest.

9. Which country’s Olympic team always

marches in last at the opening ceremony?

10. Forrest Gump excelled at which sport?

11. How does a basketball game begin?

12. Which sport is referred to as the sport of

kings?

Answers on page 30

16


The current team who produce The Touler isabout to be depleted by three, when Pam andMike Fletcher and Sheila Thomson leave thearea. Pam and Sheila are responsible forputting together the jigsaw of articles,pictures and adverts that make up themagazine so if The Touler is to continue it 'svital that someone takes this role over. If youare interested in joining the team – in any role– please get in touch with any us or [email protected].

To keep it going we also really need somefresh ideas and contributions. We've had somegreat ideas – for example a crossword wassuggested. That would be great but do wehave any crossword (or other puzzle) creatorsaround? How about some fiction? Are there

any short story writers in the area? Would alocal bookworm or movie buff be willing todo a regular review for us? What would ouryounger readers like to see? The Picture fromthe Past page is popular; do we have anyonewho keeps a diary and would be willing to toa “This time 20(or 30 or whatever) years ago”type column?

Would a dedicated Touler Facebook pagebe a good idea? It might be an easy and quickway for readers to get in touch. It wouldcertainly be a good way for The Touler teamto nag remind contributors of our articledeadline!

Please will our readers keep sending theirspecial occasion announcements and photosin, as well as anything else they think mightinterest readers, both those still living in thearea and for our many readers further afield.

Please help us! We all look forward toseeing The Touler every four months but itcan’t survive with out people and their input!

YOUR TOULER NEEDS YOU

TOULER

17


Ballindalloch Oil Club

18


To TomintoulWhen wild beasts crawl through the jungle greenAnd Scotsmen far frae their native land Plod through the weary jungle paths‘Neath burnin’ sun and chokin’ sands.

our thoughts are aye wi’ the folks at hameo’er many a mile of sea and fameAye longing for that glorious dayWhen we’ll be back again to stay.

When in the trench at night I lieIn jungle bush ‘neath cloudless sky‘tis to the twinkling stars I gazeAnd think back on my childhood daysAnd wish that they were back to bide.Yon happy days on Avonside

I oft hae dreamt o’ hame out hereI’ve seen the Avon running clearThrough birken wood she’d softly flowBy flowery banks o’ ellanoeAnd o’er big rocks she’d softly sallyTae spread her charm on Avon Valley

I’d give my five years army payTae sit aince mair on Campdal’s BraeAnd breathe the crisp and scented airThat drifts around the valley fairMid heathered hills and moss sae broomA gift from heaven, my hame Toon.

Jimmy Shaw, 14th Army, Burma6th February 1945.

This was given to the Touler by a gentlemanwho discovered it in his lateFathers’ effects. They both shared the hell ofbeing in Burma during the war. This seems anappropriate time to share it.

The Tomintoul MotorcycleGathering is back on thesecond weekend of July -the 8th and 9th this year.The weekend is run by

community volunteers whohave a passion for rock music,

motorcycles and a good old knees up - you couldargue we're reliving our youth!All proceeds from the weekend are donated back tovarious local and national charities. In 2015, wedonated almost £1000 to MFR Beds for Kids,Roxburghe House in Aberdeen (cancer care) and alocal charity in Tomintoul. We hope in 2016 we willbe able to increase our donations and always welcomeideas for charity donations. On this basis, 2016 will bebigger with two nights of rock & roll provided (ticketsfor this are available from our website - www.tom-intoulmotorcyclegathering.com) with performancesfrom Whumfff, Slider and Full Leather Jacket, withmore bands to be announced. We will have standsfrom the Highland Motorcycle Company and MuddyBeach Customs with more to be confirmed, alongwith a custom bike show and 'Auld Skool' event.2016 will host an outdoor bikers market witheverything from leather stalls to military clothing, andfor our 'mini-bikers' we'll have a special appearancefrom Captain Jack Sparrow with candy floss galore!So come and join us in July for a weekend of rock,roll and motorcycles...

Tomintoul MotorcycleGathering

Tell Us AllTell Us All

About ItAbout It

Have you got a story to tell? A comment to make?

Are you doing something you’dlike to tell everyone about?

Well.......get your pen andWell.......get your pen andpaper out, or yourpaper out, or your

computer.....and tell us allcomputer.....and tell us allabout it.about it.

This is your community magazine, and

we want to hear from YOU and include

your articles and pictures.

of Olive Oil. Add onion and celery and cookuntil softenedAdd Garlic, ginger and chilli flakes and cook for30 secs or until tender.Add pork mince and stir until brownedReturn aubergine to the dish along with 2 tspBlack Bean Sauce and approx ½ pt waterBring to the boil.Bake in oven 180/160(F)/ Gas 4 for 20 minutesor until the mixture is thick and the aubergine istender.Serve with Steamed Chinese Pac Choy and riceor noodles as you prefer.You can use beef or lamb mince if you preferand ground ginger if you cannot get fresh.

Chicken Leek and Mushroom Hotpot

Ingredients9oz (25g) Porcini Mushrooms, dried14oz Chestnut Mushrooms1lb (450g) Chicken Breast, cut into chunks 2 Cloves Garlic1Pt (600ml) Chicken Stock made with a stock cube1lb (400g) Potatoes1 Large Leek slicedSunflower OilFresh Thyme

MethodPeel and boil potatoes until tender and drainWhen cool enough slice and set asidePlace dried mushrooms in a bowl and add ¼ pt boilingwater and leave to soakHeat 1tsp oil in a large casserole dish and brownchicken, remove once browned and keep hot.Add sliced Chestnut mushrooms and cook until theybegin to colour.Add sliced leeks, chopped garlic and 2-3 tsp freshthyme to the casserole, add chicken stock and slowlybring to the boilAt this point it states to add flour to thicken but I preferusing corn flour and the calories are fewer.Drain the dried mushrooms and add them to the dish, Return chicken to the dish and bring the mixtureto the boil.Top with sliced potatoes and drizzle a little oilover them, season and cook in oven 200c/180c.Gas 6 for 25 minutes or until bubbling andgolden brownServe with green vegetablesYou can use button mushrooms or wildmushrooms in season if you do not want to usedried onesDried thyme can be used but reduce quantity.

19


Cajun Fish, Rice and Beans

Ingredients3½oz (100g) Brown RiceCan of Black-Eyed Beans3 Spring Onions Sliced1 Green Pepper, cut into wedges and deseeded 1 LimeCoriander Leaves 2 6oz (150g) pieces of Cod (or any fish you prefer)Sunflower Oil or Mild Olive Oil

Cajun Spice½ tsp Ground Cumin½ tsp Ground Coriander½ tsp Cayenne Pepper½ tsp Black Pepper½ tsp Dried OreganoPinch of Dried ThymePinch of Salt

Mix this together either by blending or using apestle and mortar. You can buy Cajun Seasoningready mixed for convenience.

MethodCook the rice and drain. Return to pan and stir inhalf the drained Black-eyed beans and the SpringOnions.Cover and keep warmStir 2tsp oil into Cajun Spice mix then toss fish inthe mixture to coat.Heat a griddle pan and add fish and green pepper,griddle for 5-6 minutes until cooked, turning once.Serve with rice, beans, coriander leaves and limewedges.

Spicy Pork, Black Bean and Aubergine Hotpot

Ingredients1 Medium Aubergine1 Red Onion, chopped2 Sticks of Celery, sliced1 Clove of Garlic, crushed2tsp Grated Fresh Ginger½ tsp Dried Chilli Flakes1lb (500g) Lean Pork MinceBlack Bean SauceWaterOlive Oil

MethodHeat ½ tbsp Olive Oil in a flameproof Casseroledish over a high heatCut aubergine into 1” cubes and cook in batchesin the oil until browned. Transfer the aubergineto a plateReduce heat to medium and add a further ½ tbsp

Some Healthy Recipes for the New Year

those aroundthem. This doesnot mean thatwe arec o m p l a c e n t !We arec o n s t a n t l ylooking forways to improvethe school andwould welcomeany commentsor suggestionsfrom the widercommunity.

At the end ofMarch our Primary 6 & 7 pupils will be goingon their residential trip to Lagganlia OutdoorEducation Centre near Kingussie. The trip isa valuable experience allowing children toenjoy many exciting and challengingactivities whilst still following therequirements of Curriculum for Excellence.We try to make this an affordable trip for allour children and families so will be hosting aSoup & Sweet event on Saturday 27thFebruary. The P5-7 class will be organisingthis event and running it as a businessenterprise. Please look out for their postersand come along to enjoy the fun and gamesand have some delicious Soup & Sweet.

Thank you for your continued support ofour school.

Nancy FraserHead Teacher

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We had a great timein school on thelead up to Christmaswith the childrenenjoying parties andthe Pantomime visit– Peter Pan at EdenCourt. The childrenalso worked hard toorganise our annualChristmas Servicefor friends, familyand the community.It was fantastic andwe would like togive special thanksto Father Colin Stuart who helped us toorganise the music and pictures.

Tomintoul School Parent Council and allour parents continue to support us very well.The Harvest Festival and the Christmas Fayrewere both very successful and the fundsraised have made it possible for us to visitthe pantomime, have many other educationaltrips and to maintain our Accelerated Readerprogramme that encourages the children toread daily and has led to very goodachievement in literacy. The ParentCouncil’s next event will be the Bunny Driveon Wednesday 16th March at 6pm.

Tomintoul School is a very happy placewith feedback from parent, pupil and staffquestionnaires showing that almost allchildren work hard, are making goodprogress in their learning, feel safe andsecure and enjoy good relationships with

News from

Tomintoul Primary School

RResponsibility EEnthusiasm AAchievement LLearning

D o n ’ t f o r g e t t h eB u n n y D r i v e o n

W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h1 6 t h !

21


21

A u T u M N 2 0 1 5

21

NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF SCOTLANDOur congratulations go to Leah Metcalfe who hasagain this year been accepted into the NationalYouth Choir of Scotland. Leah is a pupil of MrsDeirdre Cavalcante, Aberlour.

SPEYSIDE FIDDLERSOn Tuesday 15 December, Speyside Fiddlersentertained the residents at Parklands Care Homeand an enjoyable af ternoon was had by al l .The Fiddlers were led by viol in teacher MrsRachael Lewtas .

MR ENGSTRAND’S LUNCHTIMECONCERTThank you to all of the organisers and performersat the lunchtime concert on Friday 18 December.All money raised was donated to CairngormMountain Rescue Team.

CHEMNET PHOTO COMPETITIONCongratulations to Aimee Jackson S5, who wasa winner of the CHEMNET photo competitionorganised by The Royal Society of Chemistryand won a prize. Well done Aimee!

STAFFING UPDATEPrior to the Christmas break Mrs EmmaMcLauchlan was appointed to the post of ActingDepute Head Teacher and will take this role upwith immediate effect. Mr Barry Gracie joinedthe Technician Team, Mr Rob Thomas joined theteaching staff in the Science Department and MrsJennifer Dickson returned to her teaching postwith the Performing Arts Department.This week the school welcomed Mr MarkMcMinn back to the post of Principal Teacher ofHistory and Mrs Elaine Malcolm who has joinedthe English Department staff. Mrs Malcolm willreplace Miss Cowie who has taken up thetemporary post of Principal Teacher of Guidancewith Keith Grammar School.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTOn Monday 21 December the Christmas Concerttook place. Many thanks to all of our talentedpupils who performed, Mrs Main and McKay fortheir organisation and the support of the pupils

on the night, music instructors for all of theirwork and members of the Parent Council whoorganised the raffle. It was an excellent evening.

CHRISTMAS SERVICEThe Christmas Service took place on Tuesday 22December and was conducted by the Rev ShunaDicks, along with senior pupils. Thank you to allof the musicians led by Mrs Main and Mr McKayand well done to Tutor Group F21 who won theChristmas Song Contest and led the sing-along.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN SCHOOLS -BRITISH COUNCIL CONNECTINGCLASSROOMSThe British Council has been working with theSocial Enterprise Academy and the Real IdeasOrganisation to develop a Social Enterprise InSchools Resource. This will allow schools in300 countries to participate in social enterpriselearning by getting hands-on experience inrunning a social enterprise in exactly the sameway as we have been doing here in Scotland. Theresource will be launched on 19 November as akey element of Global Entrepreneurship Weekand World Social Enterprise Day. The BritishCouncil is keen to share the experiences ofschools here in Scotland and have asked if sixoutstanding schools could be identified: SpeysideHigh School is one of them!

NATIONAL YOUTH ADVISORY GROUPConnel Laing recently went through anapplication process to be one of 16 young peoplein Scotland to work on a project with Young Scotand Scottish Natural Heritage. Connel spent anintensive application day in Edinburgh lastmonth and was selected to be on this veryimportant National Youth Advisory Group whichwill ultimately be investigating and makingsuggestions to the government and ScottishNatural Heritage on how to better engage youngpeople in issues of biodiversity. This group of16 young people will take the lead and worktogether to meet the project aims. Connel hasbeen actively participating in this group acrossScotland and they gathered in Inverness lastFriday and Saturday to cover more work onengaging young people his age in biodiversity.

22


22

TOMINTOUL, GLENLIVET & INVERAVONCHURCH OF SCOTLAND

CHARITY NUMBER SCOO1802

Sunday Worship:

Inveravon - 9.30 am Tomintoul - 11.15 am.

All Welcome.

If anyone would like the services of the

Minister or other information about the

church please contact any of the following:

Rev Chris Wallace, Minister 01807 580254

Margo Stuart, Session Clerk 01807 580239

Ann Wraight, Treasurer 01807 580712

Lessons and Carols at Tomintoul Church

A festival of lessons and carols was held at

Tomintoul Church on Sunday 20th December.

The large congregation was led in the carols

by a small choir of church members led by

Amanda Burstow. The choir also gave a

rendering of ‘O Holy Night’ and Amanda

sang, accompanied by her harp. Afterwards

the congregation and other members of the

community joined together for mulled wine

and mince pies in the manse.

Carols around the tree

Folk gathered to sing carols around the

Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve in the square

in Tomintoul ( see picture on the back page).

Can you solve the mystery of the mural?

We are still trying to find out about the

origins of the artwork in the church hall at

Tomintoul. The

mural, entitled ‘God

is Love’ extends

around the four

walls. It depicts

children from

around the world

holding hands and

linked together by a

long ribbon. Were

you one of those

children or can you

throw any light on

the artworks? If you know anything about the

origins of the mural please make contact with

the minister or church contacts above.

Messy Church

Messy Church is new way of ‘being church’

for families based on fun and involving

creativity, hospitality and celebration. It has

proved to be most successful so far and

family groups are most welcome to come

along. Look out for future dates.

Moray Food Bank

There are collection boxes in both churches

for receipt of donations of food, which must

be dried or tinned, to support Food Banks

throughout Moray. Our church contact is

Ebeth Coutts, who is also happy to receive

contributions from the community.

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Trust is a lso leading on some key projects ,

involv ing a range of loca l vo lunteers .

Upgrading Tomintoul Museum to c rea te a

modern v is i tor in format ion and her i tage

cent re , which would a l so provide a

community learning facil i ty is a key project

for the scheme overal l as the centre would

play an impor tan t ro le in a t t rac t ing more

visi tors to the area and encouraging them to

stay and explore more of the landscape and

her i tage . The Trus t i s a l so lead ing on an

events and ce lebra t ion s t ra tegy and i s

co-ordinat ing the Oral History Project .

Cai rngorms Nat ional Park i s leading on

interpretat ion plans for the area, as wel l as

communi ty na tura l her i tage and an

educat ion pro jec t . They are a l so

respons ib le for the task of upgrading the

Speys ide Way Spur which wi l l a l so

hopeful ly draw in more vis i tors to the area.

Other par tners inc lude the Cai rngorms

Learning Partnership who are developing a

t ra in ing s t ra tegy for the a rea ; Spey

Catchment In i t ia t ive who are looking a t a

range of projects to improve the River Avon

catchment for f i sh , water qua l i ty and for

f lood prevent ion; RSPB who are working

wi th loca l fa rmers to improve habi ta t for

wading b i rds and p lanning to cons t ruc t a

b i rd h ide near Tomintoul for v i s t io rs and

locals to appreciate these fabulous summer

migrants and His tor ic Envi ronment

Scot land who are working wi th loca l

volunteers to discover and record the area’s

r ich cul tural her i tage.

Some new pro jec t ideas have come

forward this year too which we also hope to

take forward – achiev ing Dark Sky Park

s ta tus for the a rea , and he lp ing the loca l

schools to de l iver an exc i t ing t rad i t iona l

music project .

Please get in touch for more information, by

email : [email protected]

or phone 07590 230161

23


23

A u T u M N 2 0 1 5

We are reaching a c r i t i ca l and exc i t ing

s tage now in the development of the

Tomintoul and Glenl ive t Landscape

Par tnersh ip . We are due to submi t our

application for the 4 year Delivery Phase of

the scheme to the Heri tage Lot tery Fund at

the end of May and we are working hard to

ensure our bid wil l be approved.

The past 12 months has seen a great deal

of ac t iv i ty f rom our pro jec t par tners and

local volunteers who have all been focussed

on working up their project ideas into ful ly

cos ted and v iab le p lans for de l ivery f rom

late 2016 onwards.

We are planning a public meeting on 16th

March when informat ion wi l l be avai lable

on a l l our pro jec ts so you can see the

amount of progress that has been made and

find out exact ly what our plans are for each

project and for the scheme overall . We have

a imed to keep people informed over the

course of the past 12 months and there have

been a number of events held where people

have been consul ted and been able to have

the i r say on pro jec t deve lopments . I t wi l l

be very impor tan t to keep tha t leve l of

involvement going as we move forward to

the next s tage. There are opportuni t ies for

people to ge t involved in a l l the pro jec ts

be ing p lanned – so p lease ge t in touch i f

you are in te res ted or i f you can see some

other oppor tuni ty which we have not

perhaps considered to protect , improve and

celebrate our her i tage.

The Crown Es ta te has been leading on

some very ambi t ious pro jec ts to s tab i l i se

Blairf indy Cast le and make i t accessible by

foot f rom Glenl ive t Dis t i l l e ry ; to res tore

the mi l l bu i ld ings a t Sca lan and provide

oppor tuni t ies for people to learn more

about our farming past . Crown Estate s taff

are a lso developing a long term plan which

would improve woodlands throughout the

es ta te – both in te rms of d ivers i ty and

landscape impact .

Tomintoul & Glenl ive t Development

Tomintoul & Glenlivet LandscapePartnership

24


24

The Crown Estate UpdateThe Crown Estate Update

Early autumn was busy with visits fromseveral University groups visiting the Estateto look at various land management topicsfrom forestry, farming and recreation to landvaluation and rural surveying. One of ourregular Universities comes all the way fromWorcester every year for their field trip!

The mountain bike trails have justcelebrated their second anniversary, (Nov 15)and we are delighted to have sustained thevisitor numbers at 13,500, just slightly underour opening year (14,000 riders). Visitornumbers have been up over the summermonths however, which is a promising trend.We will be once again hosting one of theScottish Enduro Series events on 11th & 12thJune 2016, following a successful event thisyear. It is planned to run the Rock&Road bikefestival around this again next year.

The SNH led Wildcat Project has alsostarted moving forward – Glenlivet Estatefalls within one of the six priority areasidentified in Scotland. We are within the“Strathavon area” which covers approximatelyfrom Tomintoul to Ben Rinnes. We arelooking forward to working with the projectto enhance the area for wildcats and assistingwith the camera monitoring.

Craig Haulkie quarry, just outside ofTomintoul was selected as a location for anupdated viewpoint as part of the nationalScenic Routes project. This project will seeupgraded viewpoints made at several locationsalong the A939 (Corgarff, Glenshee andTomintoul quarry). Following a competition awinning design has been selected forTomintoul which will create a structure on theviewpoint and improve the layby area usinggabion baskets filled with stone as the basicbuilding blocks.

The Cairngorms Nature Festival will takeplace again next spring on the 14th & 15thMay 2016. Tomintoul will again be one offour hubs across the National Park. Therewill be a range of family activities, talks,walks and events happening over theweekend. If you have any ideas for events orwould like to get involved please get in touch.

We were delighted to re-launch the WildlifeRecording Group as part of one of theLandscape Partnership projects. The Wildlifegroup is planning to meet soon to discuss whatprojects people would like to see takenforward locally. There will also be a newinternet recording site going live shortlywhere anyone can record wildlife sightingsseen in the Tomintoul & Glenlivet area (thiswill replace our existing wildlife recordingsite). If you’d like to get involved or be keptinformed please send your details to Vicky.

Also part of the Landscape Partnershipproject is a Woodland Improvement project,we have just been able to bring some of thiswork forward into the New Year and will beassessing the conifer plantations that are seenfrom the A939 road with a long term aim tore-structuring/enhancing these to lessen theirvisual impact on the landscape.

It is hoped to start tree planting soon, butthe mild weather has meant that the treenurseries are not yet selling bulk orders ofyoung trees. Ideally the temperature shouldbe colder to induce dormancy in the youngtrees before they are lifted from the nurseryground and sent out for planting. To lift thembefore they are dormant risks the trees nottaking when they are planted and dying. It isfrustrating, as when the trees do arrive we’llprobably have snow and frozen ground…

As you may be aware, the management ofCrown Estate assets in Scotland (includingGlenlivet Estate) are to be devolved to theScottish Parliament. The direct implicationsare not yet clear but we will keep youinformed of the progress of these proposals.The Crown Estate devolution is part of theScotland Bill which is currently passingthrough parliament.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with uson any matters, call into the estate office inTomintoul or phone us on 01479 870070 oremail [email protected] or follow uson Facebook.

Vicky Hilton (Countryside Manager)

Mike Libera (Forest Manager)

25


Deadline forDeadline for

ArticlesArticles

Please note that the deadline for theSpring Edition of The Touler is

7th MARCH, 2016.

It is important that any articles meet thisdeadline in order for the editors tocompile the magazine in time.We are very grateful for all those whocontribute any piece for The Touler, andwelcome any and all contributions, butlate arrivals mean we have to re-arrangemany pages already completed.The sooner we have your articles andpictures the better. Thank you.

At Tomintoul it is Well Market Day

And hill and dale the smiles of August share,

And bands of strapping lads in best array

And strapping lasses all so trig and fair,

From Avonside and Conglass-side repair,

To Tomintoul, high holiday to hold;

And likewise to the bustling village square,

Where beasts and rustic wares are bought and sold,

Hie many a sturdy carle and many a carlin old.

And ever loud and louder swells the sound

As ever large and larger swells the crowd;

And friendly hands are shaken all around

As friend meets friend with hearty greetings loud;

And smiles by rustic beauties are bestowed

On rustic gallants strutting them a-near,

Whereof the rustic gallants are so proud

And now the ballad-singer’s voice you hear,

And barking, bleating, lowing fill and stun the ear.

And lo! Emerging from the Gordon Arms,

Attended well, what lovely group appears

Of ladies, radiant in their wealth and charms,

Which from the crowd draw rounds of cheers?

Each tartan scarf and Highland bonnet wears,

And tartan petticoat, which, kilted, shows

The shapely ankles of the winsome dears,

Who light and graceful are as mountain roes;

And who us she who first so grand and stately goes?

It is the brilliant, famous Duchess Jane,

Of Gordon Castle and Kinrara queen,

Who long in Highland strath and Lowland plain

Has reigned the sovereign of the social scene;

But now dread war has blown his trumpet keen,

And Scotland’s hills have heard the challenge bold,

To summon valour forth she comes, I ween,

With witching smiles, cockades, and coins of gold,

And thus in song she hastes her purpose to unfold.

This is another Ballad of Upper Banffshire. Thestanzas of this song and others that were printed in aprevious issue refer to the raising of the 92nd GordonHighlanders in 1794 to fight in the Napoleonic Wars.The Duchess Jane referred to is Jane Maxwell, wifeof the 4th Duke of Gordon who famously recruitedmed for the regiment by placing a golden guineabetween her lips and inviting men to take it in theirs.This unique tactic the men were kissed by a Duchess,gained a guinea and have done so accepted the kingsshilling and enlisted (willing or not!!).

The Well Market

TOMINTOUL

MEDICAL CENTRE

01340 820888Consulting Hours

Mon: 9.00–10-30am

4.30–6pm & 6.00-6-15

Tues: 9.00–10.30am 2–4pm

Wed: 9.00–10.30am 2–4pm

Thur: 9.00–10.30am

Surgery closed pm

Fri: 9.00–10.30am .

5-6pm

In addition to consulting hours, Reception is openbetween 8am and noon Mon - Fri for the ordering ofrepeat prescriptions, booking appointments, etc.Please allow 2 working days when ordering repeatprescriptions as not all medications are kept in stockat all times.There is a GP on call 8am to 6pm Monday toFriday.

Following on from a very disappointing summer whenthe weather was cold and wet and the growing seasonwas not good we experienced an autumn that was quitespectacular. I always like the colour of the trees in springwhen they are very green and vibrant however the colourof the autumn leaves this year was spectacular. They saythat New England in America is the place to go to inorder to experience the intensity of colour however Iwould say that this year Scotland ran them close. Thefact that there was very little wind meant that the treeskept leaf cover for an extended period and gave us all apleasant boost going into Winter.

Reflecting on how miserable the summer was Inoticed that the swallows were gathering on thetelegraph wires before Lonach which is very earlyhowever this did delay their departure but did leaveearlier than last year. I also noticed that there was a goodhatch of pee-wits this year. Possible because they wereearlier or it could be that the gull population did notappear to be as large as it has been in the past. I knowthat we should not have any favourites in nature and thatall creatures have the right to survival however, I feelthat the practice of lifting gull eggs, which was prevalentwhen I was young, helped to keep the population incheck and allowed the smaller birds to raise clutches ofa reasonable size.

The fact that we have had a very soft back-end hasresulted in some of the animals that go into hibernationover the winter delaying their sleep and as a result, insome cases, they have not eaten up enough to carry themthrough the winter. If you see hedgehogs going about atthis time please try to do what you can to assist them.Do not feed them saps but instead, as they are carnivores,put out some dog or cat food for them to eat. The cheapkind is good enough!!

As result of the poor growing season many insects,including bees, found it difficult to find enough pollenand nectar to sustain themselves. I have learnt from afriend who has several hives, that he was feeding hisbees sugar water during the summer and had not takenany honey from his hives this year in the hope that thecolonies that he has will be able to sustain themselvesthrough the lean period. He also has had the worry of acase of foul-brood in a neighbours hives; these weredestroyed and to date he has no sign of any sickness.

At the end of the year the weather turned very wetand many places fell prey to a deluge of biblicalproportions. Here we are in the very fortunate positionthat the centre of habitation is well able the flood plainbut the damage that was wreaked is quite difficult tocomprehend. Water, like fire, is a good servant but a bad master.

We are now looking forward to winter and thenspring. Whilst we have been very fortunate to dateregarding winter weather it is often February beforethere the cold weather really sets in. We have notexperienced too many frosts and they have not reallybeen too severe but the forecasters are always promisingthat this year’s winter will be one of the most severe inseveral years; we will just have to wait and see!!!

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Strange Weather Richmond Memorial

Hall200 Club Monthly Draw

SEPTEMBER54 Zoe Hutton £30114 Dionne Sim £15180 Bruce Donald £1553 Frances Cruickshank £15

OCTOBER2 Ian & Liz Ross £30199 Sarah Alderson £1551 Nan Robertson £1593 Evelyn Grant £15

NOVEMBER56 Bobby Taylor £30163 Mark Finnie £15207 Jenny Christie £1512 Caroline Mitchell £15

The Hall Committee wish to thank allmembers for their continued support.Funds raised go towards the upkeep ofyour hall.

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A u T u M N 2 0 1 5

Dear Touler,Myself and Nigel would like to say a very sadGOODBYE to Tomintoul and it's residents, ourfriends and neighbours, we were, unfortunately, notable to speak to everyone before we left. We verymuch enjoyed our time there and of course miss itnow, but lack of work for Nigel had to take priority. Thank you to everyone for making us feel a part ofTomintoul, we hope it won't be too long before wecan stop by for a holiday, we know Benson feelsthe same too.

Very Best wishesNigel, Jenny and of course Benson.

Letters to the Editor

I was reading the winter 2015 edition of the touler online, there was an old photo from 1952thought be the closing of Tomachlaggen school. I don't think it was?I have sent you a photo of the last pupils at Tomachlaggen taken at Kirkmichael Church in 1953or 54. The people in the photo are from left to right Back row: Mr John Ross, Grocer,Tomintoul;Mrs Whitson, Teacher; Moira Carruthers; Captain WhitsonFront Row: Alister Chisholm from Achlichnie; Me, Jim Campbell; Marjorie Chisolm; and mybrother William Campbell.My dad was gamekeeper for Blairfindy Estate and lived in the cottage at Tomachlaggan. MyUncle Peter bought a shop in Tomintoul and his daughter Ebeth Coutts still lives in the village.

Yours sincerelyJim Campbell

[email protected]

SNIPPETS

Bees seek caffeine justas some humans.

Caffeine is a plant pestdeterrent

Full 2015 Results

Mike Budd Trophy Men’s Singles HandicapWinner Mike BuddRunner up Edward Stuart

Citizen’s Action Millennium Award,Play with ASDASenior TrophyWinner Brandon SmithRunner up Eilidh Ward

Primary TrophyWinner Lexi StuartRunner up Kallan Mulford

Target BowlsWinner Eilidh WardRunner up Hunter Ashforth

Highland Sporting Estates Open TriplesWinners W.Smith, A.Rogers, C.Wright.Runners up H.McIntosh, E.Stewart, C.McIntosh.ASDA Generation Game, Play with CAMASenior TrophyWinner Emily BreenRunner up Alan Breen

Target BowlsWinner Jessica McGregorRunner up Katelyn McGregor

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For: Coffee, Tea, Pancakes, Bacon rolls,

Home-baked Cakes & Scones and much more!

The Old Fire Station Tea Room,

37 Main Street, Tomintoul

OPEN9am to 5pm

E v E ry day

(except 25th & 26th December)

The club has had a very successful season.All competitions were finished on time withsome interesting results. With Rob andBarbara having a long time off this year,trophies were shared around to differentwinners.

The children’s competitions were attendedvery well this year with 21 entries in two ofthe competitions, and 17 in the other. Newbowlers featured well with Emily and AlanBreen both winning trophies, and SalmaMulford winning the target trophy for theCairngorm Park Generation Game. KallanMulford, and Luella and Hunter Ashforthwere all runners up in their first season. Thisside of the club is growing in numbers everyyear, as is the adult side of the club. At atime when some other local clubs aresuffering with membership, we had anincrease of three new members this year andwe are hopeful of yet more next year.

As you may be aware, we are currentlytrying to gain the ownership of the club backto the village as it was originally intended tobe through the asset transfer procedure. Iwould like to thank all of ther members ofthe community who have given us theirsupport. We understand it can take 18months, but it would be poignant if i thappened next year which would be the 40th.year after it’s original “gift” from HerMajesty.

Tomintoul and Glenlivet Outdoor

Bowling Club

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A u T u M N 2 0 1 5

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Margaret Irvine Ladies Singles Cup.Winner Hilda StewartRunner up Felicity McIntosh

Tom Grant Memorial Trophy. PairsWinners Mike Budd, Rob AbdyRunners up Simpson Henderson, Margaret Irvine.

Club Pairs TrophyWinners Charlie Stewart, Felicity McIntosh.Runners Up Eric Stewart, Malcolm Smith

Cack ‘Anded CupWinner Hamish McIntosh, Charlie StewartRunners Up Felicity McIntosh, Rob Abdy

CairngormNational Park Generation GameSenior TrophyWinner Catriona BothwellRunner up Kallan Mulford

Target BowlsWinner Salma MulfordRunner up Luella Ashforth

Primary TrophyWinner Eva SimRunner up Katelyn McGregor

Target BowlsWinner Emily BreenRunner up Jason Bothwell

Angus Dundee Open Pairs CompetitionWinners Denny Cameron, Waldie SmithRunners up Richard Steele, Bertie Farquar

Charlie Irvine Triples Club CompetitionWinners E.Stewart, F. Cruickshank, R.AbdyRunners up H.McIntosh, S.Henderson, J.Harvey.

Cameron Cup.Winner Mike BuddRunner up Edward Stuart

Stuart Family Cup. Men’s Singles.Winner Hamish McIntoshRunner up Ian Walker

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Advertising Rates for the Touler

The following charges will be payable

for advertisements in the Touler

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: £5 per insertion.

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The principal use of Grandma’s apron was toprotect the dress underneath because she onlyhad a few. It was also because it was easier towash aprons than dresses and aprons used lessmaterial. But along with that, it served as apotholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children’s tears,and on occasion was even used for cleaning outdirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was usedfor carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimeshalf-hatched eggs to be finished in the warmingoven.

When company came, those aprons were idealhiding places for shy kids. And when theweather was cold Grandma wrapped it aroundher arms

Those big old aprons wiped many aperspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.Chips and kindling wood were brought into thekitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts ofvegetables. After the peas had been shelled, itcarried out the hulls. In the autumn, the apronwas used to bring in apples that had fallen fromthe trees.

When unexpected company drove up theroad, it was surprising how much furniture thatold apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked outinto the porch, waved her apron, and the menfolk knew it was time to come in from the fieldsto dinner.

The History of Aprons

It will be a long time before someone inventssomething that will replace that ‘old-time apron’which served so many purposes.

REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot bakedapple pies on the window sill to cool. Hergranddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure outhow many germs were on that apron. I don’t thinkI ever caught anything from an apron – but love.

Sports Trivia QuizAnswers

1. Thirds. 2. Three. 3. Golf.4. Murderball. 5. The way of the foot and fist.6. Conspiring to injure her main rival. 7. Boxing.8. Flyweight. 9. Host Nation. 10. Table Tennis. 11. With a jump ball. 12. Horse Racing.

31


how to contact ‘The Touler’

by eMAIl: [email protected]

or by PoST: The Touler, c/o Corrievaich,

Cults Drive, Tomintoul aB37 9Ha

or In person to any of the editorial team, who are:

Pam Fletcher, Mike Fletcher,

Patricia Grant, Jenny Herschell,

Meg Smith, Sheila Thomson, and Nigel Varey.

THE TOULER SPRING EDITION will be published in April 2016.

DEADLINE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS is ??? 2015.

Please submit contributions via email to:

t h e t o u l e r @ y a h o o . c o m

or by hand to one of the editorial committee.

Views and comments expressed in letters and articles

are not necessarily the views of The Touler Editorial

Team who reserve the right to refuse publication and

also to edit letters and articles received

Back issues of The Touler can be seen online:

http://oldtouler.weebly.com/

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SPONSORSHIP OF THE TOULERI f you or your business would be wil l ing to sponsoran ed i t ion of ‘The Touler ’ , then we would l ike tohear f rom you. Sponsorsh ip ensures a t l eas t f rontpage acknowledgment , an adver t i sement andeditorial ( i f supplied), plus unlimited sat isfact ion inknowing that you are providing cont inuing supportto a premier local newslet ter.

Please Contact: Jenny Herschell on 01807 580 287

or Email: [email protected]

Childline: 0800 1111

Grampian Police:

Tomintoul Police Station: 01807 580222

Service Centre: 101 (non-emergency calls)

Hospitals

Dr Gray’s, elgin:08454566000

raigmore, Inverness: 01463 704000

Aberdeen royal Infirmary: 08454 566000

Medical Centres

Tomintoul: 01340 820888

Glenlivet: 01807 590273

Moray Council: 08457 565656

(emergency out of hours contact)

Moray Women’s aid: 01343 548549

NHS 24: 08454 24 24 24

Road Gritting Info:

Tomintoul Depot: 01807 580231

A939 lecht: 01975 651440

(Corgarff-Tomintoul)

The Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90

Tomintoul Primary School:

01807 580271 - head Teacher: Mrs N Fraser

Scottish Hydro-Electric: 0800 300 999

Scottish Water:

0845 600 601 (customer services)

0845 600 8855 (emergency information)

Veterinary Surgeries

Aberlour Veterinary Centre: 01340 871385

Strathspey Veterinary Centre: 01479 872252

To all our readers we welcome

your input. Become part of your

local community paper. It is so

important that you make

contributions.

Comment or Complaint?

Let us know!

Please come along to our ‘IDEaS’

meeting on the ?????? at 8pm

in the Glenavon hotel.EMErGENCiES 999

USEFUL NUMbErS

the voice of the community i113% n.. 68£5,000 award. the cnpa also supported the project. the...

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