Blair Atholl's Railways Remembered!

The Atholl Country Life Museum is looking for relevant artefacts, photographs, documents or stories to be included in the exhibition for the period when the museum is open from Easter through to September 2013.

The Atholl Country Life Museum in Blair Atholl will stage an exhibition this year to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the railway between Aviemore and Pitlochry.

In the days of steam locomotives, Blair Atholl was an important staging post for trains which were topped up with coal and water in preparation for the long haul through the formidable Drumochter Pass.

Anyone with memorabilia which they would be willing to loan for this period should contact John Cameron (01796 481232) or Stewart MacGlashan (01796 483339). 

In addition, the Museum will host an illustrated talk "Blair Atholl's Railways" by Howard Geddes at 7.30 PM on 20 March in the Atholl Arms Hotel, Blair Atholl.

Tourism Chief Says Forest Event is Tree-Mendous Way to See Scotland

VisitScotland chairman, Mike Cantlay, has stated today that The Enchanted Forest, a Perthshire Big Tree Country event and Scotland's premier sound and light show, is a must see event for visitors to Scotland this Autumn, embodying the essence of the country's national tourism message: Surprise Yourself. Visit Scotland.

Visiting the event on its opening night with his family, Mike Cantlay saw the multi-coloured event unfold in all its glory. He commented: "The Enchanted Forest is a spectacular and incredibly popular event, which attracts tens of thousands of people to visit Perthshire each year, and I am confident it will be a box office ticket smash again this year.

My family and I had a wonderful time at the Enchanted Forest and it proves you don't have to travel very far to experience Scotland's vibrant culture, which is so evident in every corner of this country."

The Enchanted Forest now attracts visitors from all over the UK and, indeed, the world and the positive impact on the local area is estimated to be well in excess of £1.5 million economic benefit every year.

With box office numbers soaring, the impact on the local economy is expected to increase and closer working relationships with key businesses this year are set to enhance the offering for visitors to the area this Autumn.

A number of local tourism businesses are working collaboratively to promote the event, with local accommodation providers offering deals that include tickets to the event, and other visitor attractions offering discount entry for Enchanted Forest ticket holders.

Blair Castle on Atholl Estates is one of the businesses that is promoting discounted entry during the show. Mike Dukes, Head of Visitor Services at Atholl Estates explained why: "The Enchanted Forest is a firm favourite amongst families and creates a real buzz across the region as people flock from across the country to come and see the spectacular light displays. The fact that the exhibitions are refreshed each year also means that we see a flurry of new visitors through our doors when the event is on. It also provides a very welcome boost to businesses across the surrounding area and we're delighted to extend a warm Highland Perthshire welcome to The Enchanted Forest's customers."

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland added: "The success of The Enchanted Forest has a knock-on positive effect on the local economy and I would encourage businesses, accommodation providers and the tourism sector to seize the opportunity this provides to showcase to visitors all that this fabulous area has to offer.

In this, The Year of Creative Scotland, we have the chance to spotlight, celebrate and promote Scotland's cultural and creative strengths, so let's embrace this and show what a warm welcome Scotland can offer each and every visitor!"

Organisers are encouraging members of the public to buy their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment with recent box office reports suggesting the event is on target to power past all previous box office records.

Following a successful opening weekend demand for tickets has surged indicating that the 2012 event is set to sell out.

Derek Allan, creative director of The Enchanted Forest 2012, commented: "Last year many people travelled significant distances to attend the event, all we're asking is that they plan ahead and book their tickets in advance. Tickets sell so quickly and many shows are already sold out with hardly any tickets left for the most popular Saturday nights - a little bit of advance planning can avoid disappointment on the night."

The 2012 show "FLOW" has been designed by a creative team led by Derek Allan which includes Scottish designers Simon Wilkinson (lighting) and RJ McConnell (sound), as well as Dundee based visual artists Dalziel + Scullion, whose work is supported thanks to the generosity of a grant from Creative Scotland in celebration of Year of Creative Scotland 2012.

The event runs from Friday 5th October - Saturday 27th October. For further information about the Enchanted Forest and to book tickets, visit the Enchanted Forest website at www.enchantedforest.org.uk

For the last 6 years sea eagle chicks, (collected from nest where there are two or more chicks in Norway), have been flown to Fife and released after seven weeks in captivity. This years chcks were release in the last few weeks.

Each sea eagle chick in this project has a colour tag, the colour refects the year it was released. Each has a radio (VHF) transmitter with a battery life of five years. This allows the RSPB staff to track the eagles in Scotland this summer.

Interestingly if you look at their report (see link below) , there have been significant sightings in Perthshire. I was told verbally, here in Highland Perthshire that Loch Tay and Pitlochry have been hot spots.

Have you seen any of these young sea eagles in your travels in Perthshire?

Sea Eagle information, what to do if you see ione in Perthshire.

This photo on the right is of a young sea eagle being harrased by a crow - Thanks to Karen Hartnell for sending us the image.  

To read the excellent East of Scotland Sea Eagle Summer 2012 newsletter, with maps and information on sightings and other interesting facts.

The leaflet "What to do if you spot a Sea Eagle" is well worth a read.

Also worth looking at is "How to tell the difference between a Buzzard, Golden Eagle and White-tailes Eagle or Sea Eagle" This information sheet provides pictures of the different birds, their open wing spans, so you know what to look out for when they are flying.

Finally an interview of You Tube with Meriem Kayoucheche of the RSPB advising how to spot White tailed eagels or Fish eagles. (4mins 28 secs). 

Final thought.

Sea Eagles are big for Tourism on the Isle of Mull, will the same happen in Highland Perthshire? I understand it takes five or six years before a yound eagle matures enough to breed. It would be great to have a nest here in Highland Perthshire.

If any spots a Sea Eagle in Highland Perthshire please let us know, better still get a photo and totally wishful thinking a sea eagle nest, we cxan all observe a long way off as on the Isle of Mull.

Pitlochry New Year's Day Street Ceilidh - thanks to all who made it happen!

The Street Party Committee were delighted (not to say enormously relieved!) that the 2012 Pitlochry New Year's Day Street Ceilidh was such a resounding success. We are grateful to those who have written to say how much they enjoyed the event and appreciated the benefit to the community.

The Committee's thanks all those who were central to the show itself - Eddie Rose, Jack Delaney's band, The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and Silly McBee (Martin Bingham the Clown!). In the production of the event, we are indebted to Martin and Janet Hobson who every year set up and monitor the sound system, and to Stephen Carruthers of AW Bell who always supervises setting up all the electrics. Enormous thanks are also due to the volunteers of Pitlochry in Bloom who served the mulled wine and popcorn and to Rory MacDonald of MacDonald Bros Butchers of Pitlochry and his team who again provided soup and pies.  Our grateful thanks also go to Stevensons of Avonbridge and their helpful driver Gordon Cruickshank who every year make available a huge curtain-sided trailer which is ideal for our stage.

 Every year local businesses generously chip in with prizes for the Raffle that effectively funds the event, and this year we thank Bells Blair Atholl Distillery, Pitlochry Co-op, Green Park Hotel, Scotland's Hotel, Pitlochry Hydro Hotel, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, The Old Mill Inn (who also allowed us to take a power lead from the Inn for the toilet unit) and Drinkmonger, Atholl Road.  Also each year we receive tremendous assistance (and forbearance!) from the management and staff at Fishers Hotel for which we are eternally grateful.

 Particular thanks go to the volunteers who turned up to help set up, steward, count cash, clear up afterwards etc. It's a long day for those involved and this help was very much appreciated.

 There are only six on the wee committee that arranges this event, and some of us have been doing it for years (one from the start in 2000!). We could do with more help and if anyone (particularly, perhaps, from the hospitality sector that benefits most from the event) is interested in helping to organise the Street Party, please contact Graham Holmes on 473153 (graham@holmeshome.plus.com).  We also need volunteers on the day to steward, sell tickets, count cash etc., and the same contact would welcome a call.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 - SCOTCH PIE CLUB

Butchers, Bakers and Piemakers gathered at Carnegie College on Thursday 5th January to find out who were the prize winners when the lid was lifted on the best pastry products in the country.

Rising to the top in two categories were MacDonald Brothers, Butchers in Pitlochry.  Not only did they receive the Diamond Award for the Best Hot Savoury Product for their tasty Venison, Port and Pickled Walnut Pie, but for the second year running they were judged to bake the Best Sausage Roll as well. 

86 businesses from as far afield as Bolton and Invergordon entered products for evaluation at the judging held at Carnegie College in November.  A panel of 20 industry experts and interested foodies tackle the massive task of munching their way through over 400 savoury products.

On YOU TUBE World Scottish Sausage Roll Champions and Venison Pie Champions

Right to Left - David McReady (Chef) holding the Sausage Roll Diamond Award, Stewart Rutherford (makes the pastry and pie shells) holding the Venison, Port & Pickled Walnut Pie Diamond Award and Rory MacDonald (4th generation of the family in the business) holding the two Gold Awards.

MacDonald Butchers of Pitlochry took part and walked away with two of the top Diamond Awards.

SCOTCH PIES
WORLD CHAMPION   John G Renicks, Thornhill. 
01848-330243 Iain Renicks
GOLD MEDALS   MacDonald Bros, Pitlochry.

SAUSAGE ROLLS
DIAMOND AWARD   MacDonald Bros Ltd, Pitlochry.
    
HOT SAVOURY PRODUCTS
DIAMOND WINNER   MacDonald Bros, Pitlochry.        Venison, Port & Pickled Walnut Pie.
GOLD AWARDS   MacDonald Bros, Pitlochry.        Steak, Stout & Leek Pie.

For further details contact:- Alan Stuart of the Scotch Pie Club : 01333 439333.

Name : MacDonald Brothers
Contact : Mr Rory MacDonald
Address : 8 Bonnethill Road
Town : PITLOCHRY
County : PERTH AND KINROSS
Postcode : PH16 5BS

Tel : 01796 472047
Web : www.macdonald-bros.co.uk

The Enchanted Forest Looks to Local Business for Support

 The Enchanted Forest, the multi-award winning Perthshire Big Tree Country event, which this year attracted over 26,000 visitors to the Highland Perthshire area, is calling on the local business community to get behind it with a bold and unprecedented move to raise £40,000 of private funding from the businesses that the event directly benefits.

 In recent years The Enchanted Forest, which is set to return to nearby Faskally Wood for its 10th anniversary show in 2012, has successfully transitioned from being run by public sector agencies, to being run by a not for profit Community Interest Company.

 However with public funding hard to come by, and ever increasing costs of running the event, the Community Interest Company Directors are asking the hundreds of local businesses who directly benefit from the event to help provide the financial backing needed to ensure The Enchanted Forest's ongoing economic input to the area.

 Eddie Thomson, chair of the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company commented

"This has been a tremendous year for the event, winning four major awards and attracting over 26,000 visitors to the area and we're really very keen for that success to continue into 2012. Over half of The Enchanted Forest customers stay overnight in the area and with increased numbers attending, the overall economic impact of the event is now estimated to be in the region of £1.5million benefit to the local economy."

 "In our most recent feedback survey we asked our customers to tell us which businesses they spent money with while in the area and well over 250 businesses were mentioned by name, ranging from restaurants to take aways, from hotels to retail shops. If each of those businesses were to pledge just £160 then we would have the necessary capital we need to continue to run the event. It's not much to ask when you consider the sheer extent of the economic impact of the event is almost 10,000 times that much per business - that's an exceptional return on investment."

 Businesses are being invited to attend an open meeting at Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry at 7pm on Tuesday 20th December, 2011 where there will be an open and public discussion around the future of The Enchanted Forest and how they can play an active role in ensuring its success continues.

 To register attendance at this meeting, contact Eddie Thomson, Chairman of the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company by email on info@enchantedforest.org.uk 

 The Enchanted Forest was founded in 2003 and this year has acquired a string of accolades including the Event Management Grand Prix at the Scottish Event Awards, Best Cultural Event, Event of the Year at the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards and the Community Award at the Perthshire Big Tree Country Awards.

The Enchanted Forest, a Perthshire Big Tree Country event, has smashed all previous box office records, welcoming over 26,350 visitors during its 23 night run, picking up the Big Tree Country Community Award in the process.

 The event, which was founded in 2002 with the primary objective of extending the traditional tourism period, held in Pitlochry came to a close on Saturday after attracting a record breaking 26,350 visitors, up 31% from 20,000 visitors in 2010.

 Attending the Big Tree Country Awards on Sunday afternoon, the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company, who is behind the management of the event, was delighted to hear it had also become the lucky recipient of the Big Tree Country Community Award for its work in spreading the impact of the event amongst local businesses and community projects.

 Eddie Thomson, chair of the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company commented

"Winning the Big Tree Country Community Award is the icing on the cake for us, after such an amazing year. We're truly delighted that our efforts as a community interest company have been recognised by Perthshire Big Tree Country."

 "Such an unprecedented increase in ticket sales is also very good news for the local businesses in the area. 50% of Enchanted Forest customers stay overnight in the area, and a 31% increase in attendance translates into a very strong increase in the overall economic impact of the event, which is now estimated to be in the region of £1.5million benefit to the local economy" he continued.

 The Enchanted Forest has also been shortlisted for Event of the Year at this year's Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards.

Pitlochry's mystery shop, unveiled in the old Perth College premises.

The new business for the old Perth College premises in Pitlochry, has been unveiled amidst great pomp and ceremony. Over fifty businesses from across Highland Perthshire attended the opening of 'Amor' the Cashmere, Tweed and Home Furnishing Store. Both the business name and concept have had been kept a closely guarded secret until the opening.

 The opening ceremony began with two pipers from the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band playing outside the doors of the new business. The business name and all the windows remained covered to prevent people knowing the details of the new business.

 Kirpal Singh Sually the owner, welcomed everyone and proceeded to unveil 'Amor' by removing the sheet covering the business name board amongst great applause. Everyone then entered the building, with its windows covered, to be served with Champagne and canopies.

 Mr Sually explained to the invited guests that he had been working on the concept for the last 9 months, saying, "I approached Perth College to see whether I could acquire the premises, and six months later here we are with Amor." He continued, "I have worked closely with Cashmere and Harris Tweed suppliers, Lyle and Scott, Brooktaverner and Magee developing a range of products for Amor, further supplies are in the pipe line."

 Mr Sually went on to announce the 'Guess the Business Competition' winner, as Kirsty McWilliam who correct guessed the business name 'Amor', Mr Sually presented her with a £50 voucher to spend in Amor.

 Mr Sually had one final request of his guests and that was to help him unwrap the new shop from the inside by removing all the paper covering Amor's shop windows, thanking everyone for coming and helping him to launch 'Amor'.

 Messages of good luck were sent by Peter Guthrie the Development Officer for Highland Perthshire Destination Management Organisation, who apologised for not being able to attend as he was on holiday but said, "It is really great to see a quality business moving in to Pitlochry's high street."

 Mary Bover secretary of Pitlochry in Bloom said, "Pitlochry does need an upmarket business like this, it looks absolutely wonderful, it has class, style and is so subtle. A great new asset for the Pitlochry shops. I wish Mr Sually every success and look forward to shopping in Amor".   

 Mr Sually also thanked everyone who had worked so hard to get 'Amor' open, his own family, Jean and Willie who works with him in the Scotish Shop next door, Ian Lewis Designs the architect, Grant Structural Services, Beveridge Builders, Kraftwork Joinery and Macolm Hewitt Joinery, Gordon Eason Electricians, James Lang Decorators, Allan Moncrieff Alarms and Richard Drummond from Strathgarry Restaurant for the canopies and drinks.

Pitlochry's mystery shop announces open date.

There has been much speculation as to the new business going in to the old Perth College premises in Atholl Road, Pitlochry. The premises have been purchased by Kirpal Singh Sually the owner of the Scottish Shop, next door. Mr Singh has been very tight lipped as to what his new business venture will be, even running a 'Guess the business competition' for those who think they know. He has now announced that all will be revealed this Saturday 9th July.

Mr Singh says, "We have had quite a few people submitting their ideas to 'Guess the business competition' for the old Perth College premises. Ideas have ranged from a pole and lap dancing club, Ann Summers Shop, a variety of food outlets, outdoor activities and a range of retail ideas. No one to date has guessed the business correctly." He continued, "The business ideas have been very interesting, if anyone else is interested in starting a business in Pitlochry they are welcome to come and look at the ideas collected, after the competition has ended, they may well give them an idea of what people think the town needs."

Work is progressing well in getting the new business ready for its launch. Malcolm Hewitt the Pitlochry based joiner who is working on the project and has been sworn to secrecy says, "I have had all kinds of people speculating to me what the business will be. I understand on Facebook there has been quite a bit of activity, with some really novel ideas, causing great hilarity." He added, "I am sure everyone will be very impressed when all is revealed this weekend."

Mr Singh is offering special launch weekend deals for the Saturday and Sunday 9th and 10th July, doors open at 9am on Saturday. Also organised are a special pre-launch invitation only afternoon on Friday 8th July, for businesses across Highland Perthshire. There is a £50 voucher to spend in the new business for the 'Guess the business competition' winner.

Perth College shop in Pitlochry changes hands.

One of Pitlochry's longest unoccupied business premises has changes hands. Perth College premises in Atholl Road, Pitlochry has remained unoccupied since September 2009. It has been purchased by the owner of the Scottish Shop, Kirpal Singh Sually and is hoping to have the doors open in early July. Workmen have started gutting the building to transform it for his new business venture. This will be a great new asset to range of the Pitlochry shops.

Kirpal Singh says, "I moved to Pitlochry in 2000, opening the Scottish Shop, which has become well established amongst locals and visitors to the town. The old Perth College premises are directly next door to the Scottish Shop, so I was intrigued as to what would happen with it. After protracted negotiations, I have been able to acquire the premises to operate a very different business to the Scottish Shop."

Mr Singh was not prepared to divulge what his new business venture will be, only saying that he had given it a great deal of thought and was bringing a new concept to Pitlochry. Mr Singh anticipates the new business opening its doors in early July. He said so many people have asked him what he is doing, that he has decided, for a bit of fun, to run a 'Guess the business competition', with free entry slips from his Scottish Shop next door. There will be a prize draw and the winner will be announced on opening day in July.

Peter Guthrie the Development Officer for Highland Perthshire Destination Management Organisation, said "It is really great to see an unoccupied premises in Pitlochry being taken over by a local successful business. I am intrigued like everyone else as to what Kirpal Singh will put in there, as he is being very tight lipped about his new project."