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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 August 2011 1 Page 2 Editorial Letters Community Update Page 3 Introducing Katrina Farquhar, Britta Kobus Police News Page 4 More Time Travel Page 5 Braemar Folk Joyce Wright Page 6 Castle News Junior Highland Games Invercauld Estate News Page 7 Junior Buzzard Scout trip to Denmark Page 8 Mar Lodge News Page 9 In the Hungry High lander Facts about Midges Page 10/11 :KDW¶V 2Q ,Q DQG $URXQG \RXU 9LOODJH Page 12 Braemar Summer Highlights Braemar Buzzard Braemar Buzzard Braemar Buzzard Braemar Castle says ÓVjcpm {qw#Ô Jacobite Day at Braemar Castle July 24 was a truly remarkable exam rng qh Fcxkf EcogtqpÓu ÒVjg Dki Uqekgv{Ó, with some 50 vil lagers helping in one way or an other to make the day the resounding success it was. From car parkers and ticket sellers, to bakers and tai lors, from singers and dancers to stall holders and artists, from castle guides and shop keepers to musicians and photographers, Braemar had them all. Special thanks are due to our friends from Ballater, Tar land and Aboyne who also helped in various roles. Visitors to the village were very im pressed by the high standard of the entertain ment on offer, and the obvious community spirit permeating throughout. The crowd through the gate was close to 700, while the castle had over 260 visitors. A healthy profit of over £3500 will help towards the appeal for a much needed new roof. www.braemarbuzzard.org.uk INSIDE Photos: above top left, a junior Jacobite ready for battle above top right, Jacobite Day in full swing above left, members of the reenactment cast.

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Page 1: Braemar Buzzard...Braemar&Buzzard&Informing&the&Community&&& & Issue22& 6&August&2011& 3& Elected member of the Cairngorm NaA tional Park Authority & My&name&is&Katrina!FarA quhar!formerlyFinnie.Ispent

Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Page 2 Editorial;; Letters;; Community Update Page 3 Introducing Katrina Farquhar, Britta Kobus;; Police News Page 4 More Time Travel Page 5 Braemar Folk -­ Joyce Wright Page 6 Castle News;; Junior Highland Games;; Invercauld Estate News Page 7 Junior Buzzard -­ Scout trip to Denmark Page 8 Mar Lodge News Page 9 In the Hungry High-­lander;; Facts about Midges Page 10/11 Page 12 Braemar Summer Highlights

Braemar BuzzardBraemar BuzzardBraemar Buzzard

Braemar Castle says

Jacobite Day at Braemar Castle July 24 was a truly remarkable exam-­

, with some 50 vil-­lagers helping in one way or an-­other to make the day the resounding success it was. From car parkers and ticket sellers, to bakers and tai-­lors, from singers and dancers to stall holders and artists, from castle guides and shop keepers to musicians and

photographers, Braemar had them all. Special thanks are due to our friends from Ballater, Tar-­land and Aboyne who also helped in various roles. Visitors to the village were very im-­pressed by the high standard of the entertain-­ment on offer, and the obvious community spirit permeating throughout. The crowd through the gate was close to 700, while the castle had over 260 visitors. A healthy profit of over £3500 will help towards the appeal for a much needed new roof.

www.braemarbuzzard.org.uk

INSIDE Photos: above top left, a junior Jacobite ready for battle;; above top right, Jacobite Day in full swing;; above left, members of the re-­enactment cast.

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Braemar News Group Chair: Pete Mulvey Treasurer: Dorothy Ram-­say Secretary: Margaret Palmer Buzzard Edi-­tor: Liz Robertson Please send any news/letters/dates for the diary to the Buzzard By email: [email protected] By post: Coldrach Lodge, Chapel Brae, AB35 5YT By phone: 013397 41030 Written contributions are always welcome -­ as are any financial contributions! The Buzzard is distributed free of charge, costs being covered through donations, advertising and fund raising. Donation tins are available in the garage and at the newsagent. Past and current editions of the Buzzard can be viewed online on our website: www.braemarbuzzard.org.uk In between issues the events page is updated on a regular basis. If you have an event you would like listed please email the Buzzard or contact the webmaster Dave Sherrard, 013397 41516 For advertising, contact Maggie MacAlpine 013397 41245. Adverts cost £15 per eighth of page.

Barbara Niven -­ Visit-­ing Braemar I am writing on behalf of my husband Stanley Phillips. We

May 2011). Barbara stayed at Broombank House with Dorothy Phillips and her 2 sons in 1940, George (deceased 1979) and Stanley (now resi-­dent in New Zealand). Stan enjoys reading about his home in Braemar. Pauline Phillips

... waiting for the doctor with my husband who has just sprained his ankle, I was fortunate

read and gives a snapshot of the lovely charac-­ters and community spirit in Braemar. Our family is on tour from Australia and have been very im-­pressed with the hospitality and authentic, heri-­tage style surrounds. Thankyou so much to Brae-­mar Lodge, staff at the medical centre, Gemma & the cheery service at the Co-­op, Wilma at the gift store and everyone else.

Darmody family

Community Update

Christmas Post Jane & Dave Torrance will not be running the local Christmas Post this year. Anyone interested in taking on the role should co-­ordinate with the Community Council.

the village has recently been taken over by an aggressive Roe Deer defending territory in the

Many of our canine toughies, including such heavies as Chey, have been put to flight by

and much to the amusement of onlookers!

Deer & Woodland Management The Na-­tional Trust for Scotland has commissioned an independent, evidence-­based review of wood-­land, moorland and deer management at Mar

objectives for the Estate, and specifically, fencing policy, deer culling, the regeneration of the forest and maintaining a sporting estate.

An open community meeting was held in the Invercauld Hotel on Tuesday 2 August. The meeting was chaired by David Windmill who, along with Professor Rory Putman & Professor Jeff Maxwell heard views and collected evidence from approximately forty five local residents. The review panel hope to publish their findings in late October and would be glad to hear from any-­one else with an interest in deer and woodland management. You can contact the chairman of the panel via e-­mail [email protected] More information is on the website: www.marlodgereview.org.uk

pass notes and further comments regarding this issue to David Geddes who will collect and for-­ward them to the Chairman.

Letters

Renewable Energy in Braemar The recent planning application by Marr Estate, for a 24.8 metre high Wind Turbine to be installed on the land North West of St Andrews Church, has been turned down. However, this request raises concerns about the whole question of renewable energy and the way it can be utilised in environ-­mentally sensitive and picturesque areas such as Braemar. I support the development of renew-­able and sustainable forms of energy but in an area such as ours we do need to consider the vis-­ual impact Wind Turbines would have. There-­fore, would it not be possible to have a serious debate, within the Village, about this issue in or-­der to present a united and viable alternative to the use of these devices? Richard Baker

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Elected member of the Cairngorm Na-­tional Park Authority

My name is Katrina Far-­quhar formerly Finnie. I spent the first ten years of my life with my sister and two brothers at Balintuim, Braemar, attending Braemar Primary School. My Father, Ronald, was the Head Shepherd at Invercauld Estate. My Mother, Margaret, besides bringing us up, worked

at Braemar Castle. When my Granda, Jock Finnie, retired from The Bush Farm my Dad moved us down to Cra-­thie. Mum worked for Diageo for over twenty years as Brand home Manager at Royal Lochna-­gar Distillery. I went to Crathie Primary School and then Aboyne Academy, leaving at the end of

Bakery for Mr & Mrs Murdoch. After leaving school I worked for Jack and Frances Crawford at The Inver Hotel, then in 1986 began working for Mike Sheridan at the butcher shop in Bridge Street, Ballater. In 1993, I

Logie Coldstone. Donald works full time for an oil company but also helps his father and brother on the farm. We as kids were brought up to appreci-­ate our countryside and environment, but it has taken me a bit longer than some to realise how lucky we are to live in the area. This is one of the main reasons I decided to stand for election in March. Local businesses are very important to our villages providing valuable service and employ-­ment. We must all work together regarding any development plans and building proposals, ensur-­ing the countryside is managed and maintained at the same time, also providing amenities for resi-­dents and visitors alike. We also require doing all that we can to create job opportunities and ac-­commodation for our youngsters who wish to stay and work here. I would like to think that anyone with any questions regarding The Cairngorm National Park Authority will find me approachable and I will try to answer any questions to the best of my ability. The local Development plan is going out to con-­sultation from 19 Sept -­ 9 Dec, please do contrib-­ute your opinions on the plan.

Katrina Farquhar 01339881006 (m) 0775 3851637 Kirkstile, Logie Coldstone, Aboyne AB34 5PQ

Police News

As the Gathering rap-­idly approaches could those wishing V and S passes please furnish me with the following information, whilst con-­sidering that V passes will only be allocated where there is an appropri-­ate parking area space at the address given.

The information needed is as follows:

The make, model, registration, and colour of the car

number The name, address and contact number of the person whose address the vehicle will be parked at.

Remember that if the vehicle is arriving the day before there is no requirement for a pass and please leave sufficient time to post on any passes.

I will be available at the office for passes from the 16th August 2011, dates and times to fol-­low.

PC Jeff Hall [email protected]

Hello everyone

Eastfrisia, Leer, where I come from. My name is Britta-­Maria Kobus, I´m 22 years old and I am studying English & History in a small university near Leer, close to the border of the Netherlands in German

beautiful part but it is -­ in opposite to Braemar -­ plain flat. We don´t have any hills or mountains at all. For the English studies it´s necessary to spend three months in English speaking coun-­tries. For six weeks I have been in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA, where I did a work-­ experience in a primary school. For the next six weeks I am volunteering in the castle, in Braemar, in Scotland. And I thank all those who have made this possible and who have welcomed me here and give me the feeling of being home. I came as a stranger and will go as a friend and that is amazing. The sun is shining and some work has to be done. Folks, you are living in a Paradise. Cheerio! If you bump into Britta in and around the village, do say hi! -­ her English is excellent. Ed.

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Gutters Cleared for the Winter ALL PROJECTS CONSIDERED ASK FOR A QUOTE Tel Richard : 013397 41225 Mobile: 07890892664

More Time Travel Alison Grant MacKintosh

The census gives a fascinating snapshot of life in Braemar, how people lived and how they thought. Why, for example, in 1891, does a three-­year-­old boy have the unlikely name of Walter Lovi McHardy? The only possible answer is that he was named after Father Walter Lovi, parish priest in Braemar from 1837 to 1840. He masterminded the planning, financing and building of the present St

In 1901 we find an example of the ultimate extended family Downfield was home to three gen-­erations: 11 adults and five children. Poor House. It had only three rooms need a big poor house -­ just the matron, Joanne MacKenzie from Tarland, who was 65. Probably a cushy number for a retired single woman. Ten years earlier there was one occupant, Alexander Lamont, widower, aged 66. In 1891 the only occupant was Susan Stewart, widow, 77. The poor house was a last resort, and people with disabilities just got on with it and worked if they could. A good example is the Lamont family, at Myrtle in 1901. All three adult sons were deaf and dumb but two were earning their living, Alexander as a saddler and James John as a postman. Old people also worked if they could. The caretaker of Auchendryne Hall, 68-­year-­ The isolation hospital never did a roaring trade. So far no census has any record of a patient, and in 1911 the only resident was the matron, Elsie Hosie, 55, from Kildrummy. Sounds like another easy job. Census enumerators often cause problems for researchers, but in 1881 the Braemar enumera-­

encamped 4 Tinkers, names not known nor other particulars as they came late on Sunday and left

For more information on the 1911 census and how to access it, go to www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

your to find out.

BRAEMAR WINDOW CLEANING & PAINTING

Fire Wood

Invercauld Estate provides a fire

wood delivery service from the Keiloch.

To order logs contact the Estate Office

Tel: 013397 41224

home ownership

beyond your reach? Find out now if the New Supply Shared Equity scheme could be right for you!

Houses for sale at Invercauld Gardens, Braemar

vides affordable housing in this popular village on Royal Dee-­side where we are pleased to be offering for sale two 3 bed-­room houses.

-­cost initiative for First-­Time buyers, this scheme allows you to buy an equity share of between 51% and 80% of the property.

The remaining equity share will be held by Castlehill Housing Associa-­tion (no rent is paid on this share). Applicants should be first time buyers or have experienced a significant change in circumstances or have specific housing needs

Priority will be given to Tenants of Aberdeenshire Council or Housing Association tenants living in Braemar or any other area in Aberdeenshire

waiting list for Braemar or any other area in Aberdeenshire

For an information pack about the properties at Braemar please phone 01224 202900 email [email protected]

Completed forms should be returned to Grampian Housing Associa-­tion, 74 Huntly Street, Aberdeen AB10 1TD

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Braemar Folk by Selena Hill Joyce Wright nee Beaumont

The engaging Joyce Wright has lived in the Braemar area for the last 47 years. Joyce was born in Aberdeen and, apart from a brief stint in Barnsley, she has always lived in the Aberdeenshire area. Her mother was a Housekeeper at Crooked Neuk Farm of Longside and her father was in the airforce based at Peterhead. She has a sister and a brother. Brought up by their mother, Joyce and her siblings had a rustic childhood straight out of a Lewis Grassic-­Gibbon novel. They had no TV, no running water and no electricity. They used a Tilly lamp, cooked on a large range and collected water from an outside pump. She attended Woodhead of Fyvie primary school where she loved acting and singing (and still does!) She cycled to school every day -­ 3 miles downhill on the way there and 3 miles uphill on the way home! Joyce and her friends played at the Braes of Gight and swam (well, doggy paddled) in the Ythan River. They had great fun playing hide and seek in the stooks in the summer evenings. Other times they played cards or held small family concerts. Joyce left school at 15 years old and went to work at Fyvie Maternity Hospital. She met Duncan Wright, a joiner, at a dance in Inverurie Railway Hall and young love blossomed. They married in 1961 and moved to Inverness, where her first son was born. The family moved back down to Aberhirder (or Foggieloan) and her daughter was born. In 1964 Duncan was offered a job on the Invercauld Estate and the family upped sticks again and moved to the Keiloch. Her second son was born and the family spent 19 happy years here. Joyce would spend hours with her young family combing the hills looking for stag horn and generally enjoying the beauti-­ful countryside. Duncan and Joyce both sang and loved entertaining at Ceilidhs, organised by Norman Mel-­drum, and at the Fife Arms Hotel. They sang in choirs up and down Deeside and at events organ-­ised by Mrs Farquharson in her studios (now apartments). Joyce says there was a great community spirit. Duncan died in 1981, and with two of the children already away from home, Joyce moved to the Tollhouse. She has since met many people who used to live in the Tollhouse and who have come back to Braemar to reminisce. Joyce has had a varied working life in Braemar. She held housekeeping positions at the Fife Arms Hotel and Callater Lodge and spent a spell as a home help. She was the guide and custo-­dian at Braemar Castle in 1984 and 1985. Joyce loved her time at the castle and is pleased to see the castle restored for visitors. Joyce then spent 5 years working as a Postmistress in the local Post Office before moving to Macleans Department Store where she has worked for the last 13 years. Joyce is now semi-­retired and works two days a week. In her spare time Joyce loves gardening, spending time with Tom, whom she met 10 years ago, going to music festivals and seeing her grand-­children, who she occasionally whisks off to Tenerife. achieved all of these! She wanted to climb the hills around Braemar, in particular Lochnagar (done), learn to ski (with the Braemar Ladies!), learn to ice skate (now can, of a fashion), learn to drive (learnt

trips to the aforementioned Tenerife). Joyce loves Braemar and will always stay here, even if the winters are getting harder to endure and the roads need upgrading! Joyce relishes life and is grateful for her good health, which allows her to pursue her passions in life.

Congratulations! competition for a photo to illustrate wildness in the National Park. The winning photo was of Clas

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Junior Highland Games (July) Despite the weather the turnout was still good (c750 people) with children from as far away as Spain and Italy attending. The weather held off until late afternoon but for the first time in seven years the latter end of the dancing compe-­tition had to be concluded inside the marquee to protect the dancers from the elements. All the events and competitions were well supported with record numbers entering the Bagpipe and Drum-­ming competitions. Choinnich Hill Race with the winner, Robbie Simpson, completing the race with a time of 19min 34secs. Special mention should be made of Alexander McIntosh who won the overall Heav-­ies competition. This will be his last year at the Junior Games and he now moves on to compete on the senior highland games circuit. This is ex-­actly what the junior games is all about, giving youngsters a first taste in the hope that they will take up an interest and go on to compete at sen-­ior level.

Invercauld Estate News As we begin to leave summer behind, it is harvest time at Invercauld. The gamekeepers have been busy all year looking after the moors for the grouse and other birds that live on the hill. The heather is burnt in strips to encourage young growth. Grit is put out to aid the grouse birds to digest the heather. Predators, that can be legally controlled, (foxes, stoats, crows etc) are kept in check to stop them eating the eggs and young ground nesting birds. Ticks are a pest for many warm blooded mammals and birds on the hill (including humans who can pick up Lymes dis-­ease), but are very difficult to control. Treated

Braemar Castle News Doreen Wood Thank you to everyone for recommending the castle to visitors. We try to find out where people have heard

We also try to point visitors towards businesses in the vil-­lage and Britta-­Maria Kobus, our student volunteer from Germany, is preparing a map to display in the castle with mini adverts for village businesses. Visitor numbers are up 13% on last season. Bal-­moral Castle has had a particularly busy season (Royal wedding spin-­off) and to try and capitalise on their suc-­cess, now that Balmoral is closed, we have a banner at Crathie pointing visitors to the castle and hopefully to Braemar. Our special events continue to attract extra visitors with the Upstairs/Downstairs day, Dress-­Up Day and the spectacularly successful Jacobite Day all boosting numbers. April marked the renewal of the collaboration between the Royal Highland Society (once the Gathering and Committee meetings were held at the castle) and the launch of an exhibition about the Games.

sheep act as "tick mops" to reduce the burden, but it is very expensive and labour intensive. Hill tracks, also used extensively by hill walkers, have to be maintained. Finally starting around mid July, as soon as the grouse chicks are old enough to fly, counting starts. The job is best done at day break. We need to get an accurate picture of the stock on the ground and we take a very scientific approach. If all goes well, we will shoot between 15 and 20 driven days and hope-­fully 30 walked up days in August and Septem-­ber. Some of the shooters/guns are members of syndicates who pay the costs year on year, even if there are not enough grouse to shoot and some rent shooting by the day, paying between £5,000 and for the Estate and most years the grouse beats lose money. Once the grouse programme is over, the Estates turn to the red deer culling and this year we expect to shoot around 1,000 red deer and 250 roe deer. The target numbers are discussed with our neighbours and numbers in important designated sites agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). There can sometimes be heated discussion on the appropriate figure! We are also contributing to the Mar Lodge Re-­view on deer numbers and tree regeneration. Our position is that to be effective, regeneration should generally be protected by fences. Adverts have been placed to recruit a new sporting tenant for Invercauld House and Home Beat, following the surrender last year by David Pennell, who sadly passed away recently. A deputation of for-­mer employees attended his funeral. Meantime we look forward to seeing Captain and Mrs Far-­quharson visiting for the Clan Farquharson week and the Ballater and Braemar Games. He is a very fit 92 yr old. Simon Blackett

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Scout Group trip to Denmark July 2011

After months of fund raising, 21 scouts and cubs along with 5 leaders set off for a week in Denmark. They brought back lots of photos & memories which they have kindly shared with us...

Exploring Copenhagen

Collecting water!

All set for take off!

I thought that the trip was amaz-­ing and the week was stuffed full of things to do. It was nice to meet up with all the people we knew from previous years as well. I just wish we could have stayed for longer!!! Marie Marsden

I enjoyed the thunder storms and the lightning, and the treasure hunt, the swimming was great fun, it was nice to make new friends, the whole week was brilliant, great food. Euan Walker

I really, really enjoyed Tivoli, es-­pecially the rides. I did not enjoy the flood on the second night! Alistair Walker

It was really good to meet up with my Danish friends again. I liked getting out and about to see the sights of Copenhagen. Catriona Walker

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved with Den-­mark. I really enjoyed Tivoli Gardens because there are lots of fun rides and tasty candyfloss!! The thunderstorm was good to watch, especially playing in the rain. Oliver Till

I thought Copenhagen was a beautiful city and there was not one minute that I disliked. Everyone was very kind and helpful. Findlay Farquharson

I loved going out on the home hospitality and I really liked all the Danish food. Hamish Farquharson

I enjoyed the pioneering project the most. We built a ten foot tower and then got to play on it. Fergus Wood

It was all good but the Tivoli was the best. Cameron Lawrence

I had a great time and made some new Danish friends. Fraser Wood

Great kids, great hosts, great time, what more could you ask for?

Dave Torrance

A great week spent camping and very helpful Danish Scout tour guides. The scouts did Braemar proud. Fiona Wood

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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Do you have and odd jobs needing done?

Cleaning Gutters, painting, garden projects, splitting logs.

Then contact Iain Mackay

Tel:013397 41245 Mob: 0775 327 8597

Would you like to advertise in this space?

Adverts cost £15. Contact Maggie MacAlpine

013397 41245

The Buzzard is distributed free of charge, ad-­verts help cover our costs but donations are also very welcome -­ collection tins are situated

in the newsagent and in the garage.

News from Mar Lodge Estate Pete Holden

midgies at bay for a while, which is no bad thing? -­ for you and I and visitors to Braemar perhaps.

took up residence in the nest box at Allanaquoich, but sadly appear to have failed poor weather

cies previously unrecorded on the estate. Hayley Wiswell, our student apprentice

cause of its glossy abdomen rather than its manners!) What is unusual about this ant is its habit of stealing food and finding shelter by living within the nests of other ants a bit like a six-­legged cuckoo! So, far from being a welcome visitor, it

-­ ants simply leave them alone, rather than attack them. Mar Lodge, with a first meeting to be held during August. Anyone wanting to know more should contact Chris Murphy or Neal Gregory at the estate. nd September -­ held in the grand setting of the stag ballroom. This year music and dance calling will be provided by lively

22nd October.

Can you help? The Braemar Local History Group are investigating the history of two water

two water sources would be very welcome. Please contact Neil Bain 013397 41420 or Brian Wood 013397 41407

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

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In the Hungry Highlander from behind the counter

The day has got off to a start with two Ger-­man customers through the doors and feeling hungry. It seems that as a nation, the Germans like fish. Other nationalities prefer burgers and

rush on one item of food for no rhyme or reason. leather clad motor cyclists enter for coffee and bacon rolls off over the hills to Pitlochry. A lovely day, must be a glorious ride. The bikers are welcome trade, a cheerful crowd, most of

can have up to 50 bikers on a good day and the Hungry Highlander is one of their favourite stop off points. You see all sorts of life in the chippie. Yes-­terday, a complete coach load of Japanese tour-­

to negotiate price -­ after eating the food! The day before a mini-­bus load of Aussies, all wanting bur-­ger and chips but each with an extra burger that

was burgers off the menu for the rest of

End to John O

bikes stopping off for a quick energy re-­fuel, weary hill walkers, the motor homers, the crowd from the camp site and of course, the occasional

Is that scampi and chips or fish and

here. They probably want fish and chips and not scampi. Yes, they seem to be nodding, think that this will keep them happy.

Some facts about... Midges Did you know

there are some 30 different species of midge in Scotland. Most confine their blood sucking habits to cattle, deer, sheep and horses;; four or five species attack humans -­ the most persistent being Culicoides im-­punctatus

hunt to feed their developing eggs (so if

good cause!) midges start the hunt using the carbon diox-­ide of exhaled breath and other body odours to locate their next dinner the midge undergoes several stages of de-­velopment from egg to larva to pupa before emerging as the familiar flying adult. The egg and pupal stages are generally short, up to 10 months is spent as a caterpillar-­like larva in generally damp soil. The many feet of snow last winter acted as an insulating layer for the midge larvae in the soil midges form an important part of many food chains from swallows to bats to dragonflies.

So what can you do to prevent being bitten?! First you can check the forecast... visit www.midgeforecast.co.uk to check out how bad the midges are on a day to day basis across Scotland. Next, keep on the move! and wear light coloured clothing. Avoid sitting out at dawn or dusk, and if you sit still, choose a sunny spot in a bit of a breeze. Most midge repellents contain DEET -­ a chemical developed by the United States Army following its experience of jungle warfare during World War II. DEET can however act as a skin irritant and its also an effective sol-­vent for some plastics, rayon, spandex and nail

which supposedly has a money-­back guarantee if

new, advertised as a safe alternative to DEET, a substance that aims to throw midges off your scent -­ find out more on the midge forecast web-­

always try purchasing a midge eating machine, only £500+ plus a supply of Calor Gas, find out more at www.midgebusters.co.uk

Hendry ISBN 1873644612

Carol is relinquishing the lease on the Hungry High-­lander at the end of the season. On behalf of the com-­munity, thank you Carol for running such an excellent service, fantastic food with a cheery welcome. Yours will be a hard act to follow -­ anyone up for a chal-­lenge?

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

10

Whats on in and around your village? Braemar SWRI Pat Thomson 013397 41214

The SWRI meet on the third Thursday of every month in Kindrochit Court at 7.30 pm. We try to have a wide range of topics, demonstrations and

fully everybody might find something to interest them. We raise funds through the year at events such as our Craft Display and annual Village Flower Show in order to provide the slightly older residents of the area with an annual Christmas Lunch and a Summer outing. We do appreciate all the support we get at these events. The meetings are open to all (ladies and gents) and we do welcome new members as well as return-­

Golf Club clubhouse 013397 41618

The golfing season is moving along nicely this year at Braemar Golf Club. The course is regu-­larly praised for the quality of its greens and fair-­ways and the scenery and wild life are admired by visitors and members alike. Visitor green fees for the club show a positive trend and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors throughout August and September. Forthcoming

Ladies Senior Open, the Club Championship and the rescheduled Mixed Open. For further infor-­mation on the club or on the availability of tee times, phone the club house. Enjoy your golf at Braemar -­ the highest 18

hole course in Scotland.

Walking Group Richard 013397 41225

The walking group has a programme of walks, two every month -­ one on a Thursday and one on a Saturday. If anyone wishes to join the group email us on [email protected] or phone Rich-­ard. There are photos and comments from previ-­ous walks on our Blog http:/braemarwalkers.blogspot.com

Traditional Music

Following the suggestion in the last Buzzard, there are at least six prospective whistle players hoping to meet over the winter to learn and improve. However more are most welcome! No experience necessary, just an inexpensive D whistle and en-­thusiasm.

Anyone interested please email Liz at [email protected] or Dave on 013397 41516.

Zumba Exercise Classes New to Brae-­mar and starting in August at Castleton Hall on Friday evenings. Zumba is a form of aerobics from Latin America. Mike Recomio, the class leader, has been teaching dancing/keep fit for 20 years and Zumba for 3. He says that Zumba is really popular with 16 to 70 year olds -­ so put on your exercise gear and party!

Braemar Local History Group (BLHG) Brian Wood 013397 41407

During August the History Group plans to organise a series of History Walks around the village to introduce visitors and residents alike to some of the more significant historical sites within the immediate vicinity of the village. Walks will begin at the Invercauld Arms Hotel at 8.00pm on Tuesday evenings and also at 3.00 pm on Wednesday afternoons and last about an hour. More information Carole Paterson

events will start on Friday 19 August with a field trip to Corndavon Lodge.

Choir Meets in the Invercauld Hotel every Sunday night at 7.00 pm. Cost £4/session. New members always welcome.

Castleton Dancers Perform twice weekly in the Fife Arms, taking a collection for charity. They are now within a few pounds of raising £40,000 and this year have supported the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and the

last August prompted the idea of a perpetual cal-­endar and all year, they have had John Macpherson clicking away while they posed in local beauty spots. The calendar will be pro-­duced later this year. If you would like to know more about the Castleton Dancers then talk to Marilyn 013397 41225. As always, everybody is welcome on Tuesdays at 7.30pm in Castleton Hall to learn the easy, social dances of Scotland.

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Whats on in and around your village? Date Event August Braemar History Walks: Tuesday evenings 8.00 pm Inver-­

cauld Arms Hotel, Wednesday afternoons 3.00 pm. Carole Paterson 013397 41493

Aug 14 Sun SWRI Village Flower Show and Teas. Village Hall 2 -­ 4 pm

Aug 18 Th Walking Group Corrie Mulzie. Info on this and other walks Richard 013397 41225

Aug 19 Fri Braemar Local History Group Field Trip to Corndavon Lodge. Transport by landrover, BBQ provided.

Sept 2 Fri Gathering Ceilidh, Mar Lodge. £12 inc stovies. Dancing to 013397 20164

Sept 3 Sat Braemar Gathering -­ Games Park

Sept 10 Sat Meet your Ancestors. Balmoral Ranger event. Meet Spittal of Glen Muick 2-­ 4 pm. Free. Booking essential 013397 55059

Sept 11 Sun Half Braemarathon -­ new event, starting & finishing in Brae-­mar and taking runners out to the Linn of Dee. Entries and further details at www.eventfull.biz/halfbraemar.html

Sept 15 Th Court. 7.30 pm

Sept 19 Mon Braemar Community Council 7.30 pm Braemar School

Sept 30 Fri A concert with Braebach. Village Hall. One of the most celebrated and successful Scottish folk bands of recent times. Further details about Braebach at http://.braebach.com/about/braebach

Oct 17 Mon Braemar Community Council 7.30 pm Braemar School

Oct 20 Th pm

Oct 22 Sat Ghillies Ball, Mar Lodge. Booking/info 013397 20164

Oct 27 Th Apocalypse: A Gloriously Ugly Cabaret. Village Hall. Apocalypse combines satire, music, song and grotesquery in an anarchic evening of spectacular mayhem. An evening not to be missed! Further info on Apocalypse at: www.occasionalcabaret.com/press/

Oct 29 Sat Cairns Walk. Balmoral Ranger event. Meet Crathie car park. 10 am -­ 4 pm. Free. Booking essential 013397 55059

Nov 13 Sun Armistice Parade Braemar War Memorial

Nov 17 Th

Nov 21 Mon Braemar Community Council 7.30 pm Braemar School

Village Bin Collections -­ Thursdays Wheelie Bins: Aug: 11th, 25th Sep: 8th, 22nd

Oct: 6th, 20th Nov: 3rd, 17th

Recycling: Alternate weeks to wheelie

bins

Mobile Library Service

Now visits Braemar monthly on a Tuesday. Contact the outreach librarian for information on dates and times. 01651 872707

Please send news/articles for the Buzzard to: [email protected]

Deadline for next edition: Nov 25th 2011

Website: www.braemarbuzzard.org.uk

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts (Wednesdays, Castle-­ton Hall) and Explorer Scouts (fortnightly Thursdays, Guide Shieling). For more in-­formation Duncan 013397 41030

New book club? Braemar Book Club has been running for 5 years and is so popular there is

no reason why a second

started if there is de-­mand. If you are a keen reader and would be in-­terested in being part of a new group please email me at [email protected] or 013397 41225 and

where we can talk about forming a group.

Marilyn Baker

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Braemar Buzzard Informing the Community Issue 22 -­ August 2011

12

(Left) Rattray School Drum Corps at the Junior Highland Games (July 9th ) Games were another success. The organisers would like to say thank you to the sponsors and all the volunteers who worked so hard on the day . With-­out them the games could not be run. More inside on page 6. Photograph courtesy of John Macpherson

(Right) Walking Group on top of Sron na Gaoithe Dramatic skies, warmth and sun-­shine! Made it to the top... The walking group meets twice a month. New members always welcome. More information on page 10.

(Left) Landrover safari to Auchtavan (July 29th)

A beautiful sunny evening saw a con-­voy of eight 4x4 vehicles head out to

with the Auchtavan cottage and Mill. A BBQ completed a wonderful evening (thanks to chef Simon Blackett & team!)

Auchtavan now has its own website -­ visit www.auchtavan.com Watch out for more safaris later in the summer.

Summer highlights in and around Braemar

This issue only -­ inside on pages 10/11