Members' Centres and
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HIGHLAND MEMBERS' CENTRE of the NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND
Newsletter October 2009
Culloden "Sponsored Stone"
You will be aware that some time ago the Centre agreed to sponsor one of the engraved stones for the "commemorative walk" leading to the new Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre. Recently, when none of us could find the said (flag-) stone, enquiries were made, to find that the funds provided had disappeared into a "black hole" in HQ in Edinburgh and that no record existed of the donation.
Further pressure led to the return of the money (£500) and steps are now being taken to proceed with carving the inscription and locating the slab in an appropriate position. Rather than a communal setting in the rather overcrowded pedestrian walk, it has been suggested that the finished stone replace one of the 40cm x 40cm Caithness flagstones at the end of the central pathway from the car park. Watch this space!
On a related subject, your committee was recently made aware that the Trust intended inaugurating a "Friends of Culloden Battlefield" group (irrespective of the existence, already, of a Highland Members' Centre). A public meeting was advertised for 20 August 2009 but it is understood that there was virtually no interest from members of the public and this initiative would appear to have foundered.
Jim Bain
Scottish Natural Heritage.
The subject of the February Meeting
At our meeting in the Inshes Church in February (a sunny day before the onslaught of more snow) we had an excellent "power-point" presentation on Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) from Susan Davies, Director of their Northern operations. SNH is a non-departmental public body responsible through Ministers to the Scottish Parliament. It receives some £67m annually in funding but a considerable amount is disbursed directly in grants (including about £2.7m to the National Trust for Scotland, largely for conservation work) The organisation has 728 staff and 39 offices and is responsible for maintaining a considerable number of nature reserves.
The speaker covered their five main priorities of "corporate strategies" (couched in much mission-statement language). Probably the three most important are the following:
- Caring for nature. This includes action to pre-serve further `biodiversity' loss aimed at some 32 at-risk species, of which the red squirrel is at the forefront. In practice, it involves managing 55 National Nature Reserves, two of which are in the Northern Highlands - Knockan Crag Reserve between Ullapool and Inchnadamph, part of the new "Geopark", and the Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre in Torridon. There is a close working relationship with the Cairngorm National Park.
- Delivering health and well-being. This really meanss providing better access for the general public to Scotland's open countryside and advising, in particular, on the policies and priorities to implement it - in other words, encouraging "active recreation".
- Supporting the Scottish economy. This, in part, involves action to support the development of sustainable local communities (land management) and, in particular, helping to develop the tourism industry.
Other topics covered included that of deer management and the responses needed to combat climate change (eg giving advice on the siting of wind farms and the importance of peatlands in long-term carbon retention or storage)
The new Scottish Natural Heritage headquarters is at Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness. The "state of the art" eco-friendly building is well worth a visit in its own right- which can be done independently or, even better, on one of their "open days".
Jim Bain
Craigievar Castle,
March meeting at Golf View Hotel, Nairn.
In March we gathered in style at Golf View Hotel, Nairn (There is also a wonderful sea view!) where Daphne Rose spoke to us on her role as Custodian of Craigievar Castle.
Described as a "fairytale&quoit; castle (because of its' Scottish Baronial style) we can only assume that Daphne is the fairy Godmother! Responsible for the smooth running of events within the castle and the grounds, and making sure the whole is in a perfect state to welcome visitors, she has no hesitation in getting stuck in at ground level and wielding a broom or duster herself.
Winter time is no less busy as everything on display is carefully cleaned (not just a Mr Sheen clean, but a very specialised business) to maintain the exhibits in their original state.
More recently, extensive renovations to the exterior of the castle have been carried out. The old harling has been replaced with a new coat of breathable traditional lime mortar, which should give the castle a new lease of life. It has been closed to the public since October 2007 and hopefully will re-open in the Spring of 2010.
Daphne and her cats live in the grounds of the castle (one of her cats is featured in the book "Castle Cats of Britain and Ireland") Her talk was most enjoyable and illuminating.
A Herivel
Bailing Out, a little tale from Elspeth.
A friend recently received a leaflet from NTS Edinburgh which included their suggested "shopping list" for 2009. One of the items listed was .... a parachute. For whose use was it intended, I wonder.....!
Many thanks to all contributors, items of interest most welcome for next time!
God Save the Gin!
Spring - this was my time for a cruise to the Western Isles, leaving from Oban. The weather had been stormy and my spirits were not improved by the drive down to Oban, of which the less said, the better! Seldom have I driven through such rain!
Once aboard and settled in, I headed towards tea in the lounge - but no, first came Lifeboat Drill. The new owners evidently feared we might sink within 10 feet of Oban Pier! So we went through the whole caboodle from "This is a lifejacket" to "Hold your nose and jump" (wearing one of the aforementioned lifejackets of course).
We then fell thankfully on our tea and cakes.
Next morning we left the shelter of Mull and headed for Eigg and Rhum, clearing Ardnamurchan Point into the open Atlantic. The Captain's remarks that there would be "some motion" were the understatement of the day! The lounge was somewhat sparsely populated for some reason, but I found it all most exciting - plunging into the white horses with great sheets of spray crashing onto the windows.., wonderful!
1 was chatting to lain, a retired Naval Commander, when an extra steep plunge brought the sound of crashing glass from the bar. A party of Americans were sitting near us and an American voice called out "God save the gin!" Iain murmured "Man overboard, but get your priorities right and save the gin first!"
Feeling more and more like the Flying Dutchman, unable to get into Eigg or Rhum (too rough) we battled on to Armadale on Skye where things looked calmer.
Having approached the pier we were somewhat surprised when we swung away. A message from the Captain put us in the picture. Unbelievably the gangway had been dropped from the pier where it constituted a hazard to shipping, so we were unable to come alongside. Everyone cheered this "Goon Show" touch! Fortunately, we were able to go ashore in the small boats for a visit to Armadale Castle Gardens, where the sun shone, all was peaceful and from then on the cruise was magic!
Sailing through the Kylerhea narrows is always a thrill, the fierce current causes swirls on the surface and one thinks of the cattle that used to swim across on the long droves south to Falkirk. These small black cattle were called Kylies for that reason. Now there were lots of seabirds swimming, seals on the rocks and coming under the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh-otters! Shades of Gavin Maxwell!
Portree with its brightly painted houses glowing in the morning sun was a cheering sight, as was an old friend waiting for us on the pier, Sandy with his Spa coach. All aboard for a visit to the oyster farm (Oysters? Ugh!) During the afternoon as we sailed round to Dunvegan, a school of porpoises kept us entertained as they dived around the ship, and colourful little puffins scuttled about on the surface.
That evening drinks were served on deck in the sun and as we raised our glasses to the first fabulous sunset, one of our American friends said "Well, I guess we're all glad that God saved the gin!" We all drank to that, and to sunshine for the rest of the cruise, and - we got it!
Elspeth Luke
Royal Day at Culloden
In the absence of a Chairman of the Highland Members' Centre, I was asked, as Secretary, to attend an unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, on Monday 29th June. It was to be a "Royal" occasion, but not until the formal invitation arrived did I discover that it was to be a visit by Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke if Edinburgh - apparently the first visit to the battlefield site by a reigning monarch since the '45 rebellion itself.
It was also to be a luncheon party, with tables of eight set out in the cafeteria area with a formal seating plan. (I was not, of course, at the top table, but not too far from it!) We were asked to arrive by 10.30am - through a strict security system (the Northern Constabulary were out in force) - so there was plenty of time to find out who was there (thankfully we had lapel badges!) and chat with other friends of the N.T.S. There was a strong contingent from H.Q in Edinburgh, led by the Chairman, Shonaig Macpherson, and the new Chief Executive, Kate Mavor.
The Royal party arrived at 11.00am and were shown around the exhibition by Alexander Bennett who had been the project manager for the new Culloden Centre before becoming Director North, Countryside and Islands N.T.S. They were then piped in for lunch by the Clan Cameron Piper and thereafter treated to incidental music on a Highland Clarsach. Lunch was very pleasant, a two course menu starting with Venison Terrine accompanied by Culloden Oatcakes and Cumberland (!) Sauce, followed by Summer Salmon with Asparagus, Orange and New Potato Salad. We were a bit abstemious with the wine on account of the number of police around the perimeter!
After lunch, the Queen was invited by the President, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, to unveil the Memorial Plaque - just inside the main entrance doors on the right hand wall. You can see it next time you visit the Centre (but I wouldn't rush!) I rather enjoyed the Duke's comment that history seemed to have come full circle, in that the Clan Chief Cameron of Lochiel (a Jacobite supporter during the '45) was now the Queen's Lord Lieutenant for the Highlands! (He was there in a wheelchair.)
At 1.25pm precisely (the timetable had to go like clockwork) we went out to wave the Royal Party off as they embarked in a helicopter taking them to the other end of Loch Ness where the Queen was to declare the new Glendoe Hydroelectric Scheme open (and unveil another plaque!)
It was a very good day, and the Culloden staff rose to the occasion with great efficiency.
Jim Bain
Edwardian Manners Laid Bare in Pitlochry
25th July 2009
An alternative title for J.M. Barrie's play "What Every Woman Knows", which a full bus-load of members travelled to Pitlochry to see in late-July at the Festival Theatre, could easily be "The wonder of a Scotsman on the make"! As one line of the dialogue near the beginning has it: "A young Scotchman of your ability let loose upon the world with a £300 education, what could he not do? It's almost appalling to think of; especially if he went among the English".
The day started grey and overcast, but never quite managed to rain. We made very good time to Bruar, even after an "over-shoot" on the A9 led us to an impromptu journey back along the picturesque country road through Blair Athol! By now the cloud had partially-cleared and those not indulging in a session of "retail therapy" at the House of Bruar were able to take refreshments before lunch in the relatively-sheltered and by now balmy' courtyard area, although some preferred to be indoors where the breezes could not reach. Lunch and shopping over, we boarded the bus again to journey on to Pitlochry and the Festival Theatre where there was enough time for a "comfort stop" and refreshments.
And so on to the play. The auditorium was almost full, as I noticed only a few vacant places. The curtain rose on a scene set in the "parlour" of what we might call a middle-class home in Prestonpans and what to the modern eye seemed the somewhat stilted social conventions of early 20th century Britain. The main character of the play, John Shand, a young man of humble origins with aspirations to an education and "bettering himself" so that he might enter politics, enters the scenario as a "burglar" who whilst not stealing anything, covets the fine library housed in the parlour bookcase. A deal is struck whereby he can continue to study with the financial help of the father of the house, provided he agrees to marry his somewhat plain daughter when he has made something of himself. She has taken a "shine" to John! Maggie Wylie may be plain, but she is determined and clever and an excellent counterpoint to the arrogant and self-centred John Shand, who remains completely oblivious to the invaluable support she provides. He meanwhile has his head turned by a pretty young aristocrat, Lady Sybil Tenterden. As a consequence, many misunderstandings and disappointments arise.
After the play many proceeded on to high tea; others ate the sandwiches they had brought, in the foyer area bar. I enjoyed my salad (with a glass of wine) and others seemed to be enjoying what they were having, too. Happily I didn't hear any major negative comments about the food. Then it was on to the bus for the relaxing journey back to Inverness, chatting and reading or just watching the scenery go by, where most of our party disembarked, leaving the few remaining to continue on to Dingwall.
Once again, thanks are due to Linda Bingham for always organising our theatre outings so well - for my part I'm just looking forward to learning what the play chosen for next year will be!
Bill Cameron
Castle Menzies Bolfracks Garden and Aberfeldy
5th September 2009
The rain did not seem to matter as we sat having our coffee watching the white water rafting on the river Tay.
We stopped at the New Inn at Grandtully which was a delightful place, and more so for the Chocolatier across the road. Well refreshed, the Bolfracks Garden was a very good place to visit and the rain was very light. Armed with our maps that Jim had given us we set off in different directions up the hill to see a wonderful garden maintained by just one gardener. Then it was onto Aberfeldy for lunch and sightseeing or shopping. A lovely to place to browse around. Then moving on to Castle Menzies, a fine example of a Z Plan tower house erected during the 16th century, it remained the seat of the Chiefs of the Clan until 1918. There are 3 floors to the castle with a spiral staircase up which some of us huffed and puffed to get to the top. The restoration and elimination of dry rot have been extensive. Again we where given plans to find our way around the castle.
Jim Bain was very helpful with all the information he gave us for the visit. Our homeward journey was the scenic route which was wonderful and brought us out onto the A9 at the dual carriageway near Struan. Of course we gave a round of applause to Jim for a great day out. I am already looking forward to our next outing and hope you will join our happy band.
Hazel Mackerness
Members Centre AGM
The AGM for the Highland Members Centre was held on April 9th at Culloden Visitor Centre.
This was quite well attended with several new members present.
John Duberley as Chairman, led the meeting for the last time as he was standing down after three years service. We are all grateful to John for his enthusiastic and knowledgeable leadership during that time. For the present time, Jim Bain will combine his role of Secretary with that of Acting Chairman.
After the usual business matters, we were introduced to Steve Callaghan, Director N.East, based at Castle Fraser: and Linda Colson, Members' Centres Co-ordinator, based at Edinburgh.
Both speakers endeavoured to clarify the situation of the NTS from their point of view, i.e. from the inside, whilst we on the outside have only heard what has been reported by the media. Although being victims of a great lack in communication. both speakers talked of changes that must happen if financial progress is to be made, and properties can be re-vitalised and made to earn their keep.
Our final speaker was Alex Bennett, Director North for Countryside and Islands, based at Balnain House, who with the aid of some stunning photography, talked us around his vast area of responsibility.
Various questions and comments reflected the concern we all feel in the current situation. No doubt these questions will be raised again and hopefully answers at the AGM held in Edinburgh on 26th September. (See separate report)
After the close of the meeting, coffee, tea and shortbread were most welcome.
Annie Herivel
Spring and Summer
The last time I was putting articles in order and burning up the keyboard was for the February Newsletter, and since then we have had Spring and Summer! Looking back at various photographs, many of them seem to be blessed with blue sky. Most of us will have had holidays or other adventures, and now we are putting the gardens to bed in preparation for Winter.
Our programme of events has been quite varied and although we have had some guest speakers who have had to cancel. there are some interesting meetings yet to come.
Organising an outing or trip can be time consuming and complicated. Finding venues and tea rooms that are open and able to cope with a coach load of visitors are just two of the essentials, so it was with some regret that the outing to Lochaber in May was cancelled, as was the excursion to Orkney in June and the visit to the Tarbat Discovery Centre at Portmahomack in August. Unfortunately, there were not enough seats filled to make any of these outings viable. Many thanks to all the organisers.
Annie Herivel
Annual General Meeting of the Trust
26th September 2009
You will no doubt be aware of the financial and other difficulties which the Trust has been experiencing during the last few years. These have been widely reported in the press and culminated earlier this year in redundancies and property closures.
As a result, a group of members sought changes in the management pf the Trust and submitted for consideration at the AGM a number of resolutions expressing a lack of confidence in the Chairman, Board and Council.
The AGM was held in Edinburgh on 26th September and attracted a record attendance. The meeting was fractious to say the least but did ultimately result in the "no confidence" resolutions being withdrawn on the grounds that the aims of their promoters had largely been achieved.
The meeting lasted for almost five hours (without a break!) from which the following points emerged.
- In future the Trust will not be able to do all the things it has in the past.
- Compared with the time the Trust was formed there are now many alternative ways of conserving and protecting buildings and landscape, and the days when the Trust was the main-or even the only, conservation route are now over.
- In future the Trust is more likely to work in partnership with other conservation organisations.
- Poor communication both within the Trust and with members was recognised and would have to be improved.
- The growth of membership and revenue was critical to the financial health of the Trust and must receive priority attention.
- The Trust cannot meet present and future challenges in its present form and a Governance Review is to be undertaken by Mr George Reid, former Presiding. Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
- To summarise NTS Mark 1 is dead: a new NTS Mark 2 must be created.
At the meeting a very wide range of disparate opinions and proposals were put forward and my own personal views are as follows.
- For some years the Trust has been seen the need for change but, with hindsight, has moved too slowly. Several recent initiatives should have been identified and progressed several years ago, which may have reduced job losses and property closures.
- The new Chairman, for whom a search is already underway, is clearly going to have a critical role, and a proven ability to manage change should be an inportant prerequisite of their appointment.
- In the past I suspect the Trust and its members have enjoyed too cosy a relationship, which did no favours to either side. In future, an improved dialogue must be achieved with the Trust giving more recognition to the fact that it is a membership organisation while members should be more active and not just sit back till something happens which they do not like.
In spite of everything I still believe the Trust does a wonderful job and deserves our full support. Hopefully out of the present troubles will emerge an improved Trust with a direction and structure more suited to the challenges which lie ahead.
Robert Moore