The Quair Magazines - Covering Highland Perthshire & Strathearn

21/08/2024

Strathearn Music Society - The new season gets off to a cracking start on Wednesday, 11 September. We are delighted to open our season with the Flute Viola Harp Trio, an ensemble that brings together some of Scotland’s most experienced chamber musicians: Ruth Morley on flute, Scott Dickinson on viola and Sharon Griffiths on harp. Following their debut concert with the premiere of Martin Suckling’s Tenebrae, the Glasgow University’s 2012 McEwen commission, they have performed to enthusiastic audiences at many music festivals and clubs all over Scotland. As well as lending itself beautifully to new music and arrangements of earlier works, this combination of instruments has some of the most enchanting repertoire from the early twentieth century, the Debussy Sonata perhaps being the jewel in the crown.
Tickets are still priced at just £14 (students £3) and can be obtained from Strathearn Arts in Comrie Street, Crieff, online via Eventbrite or at the door; children under 18 are admitted free. There also will be an opportunity at the door to purchase the Society’s 2024-25 membership card for £55 which will then give access to all six performances for less than the price of four individual tickets - and it is transferrable should you not be able to attend a concert. Previous card-holders who supplied their names and addresses will already have received our latest brochure and been given an early opportunity to purchase the new card in advance.
If you are looking for more information about any of our concerts or other activities, then visit the Strathearn Music Society’s website at www.concertsincrieff.co.uk or follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter)

20/08/2024

Whole School Event at Regular Quair advertiser Morrison's Academy on Friday 20th September, 2024 ....

18/08/2024

The Fountaineers - The Fountaineers are Coming to Comrie - Do you like a bit of Bluegrass/Americana music? Love some swingy fiddle and close harmony singing? How about a wee bit of banjo and the pulse of a double bass?? You’re going to love the next Chris’s Gig in Comrie! The Glasgow based Bluegrass band The Fountaineers is made up of four (sometimes 5) immensely talented musicians from three different continents. Expect an evening of upbeat fun music, outstanding musicianship, riveting instrumentals and compelling and vibrant vocals. You really don’t want to miss this one. The support for this concert will be from Perth’s own Sibellas. Comrie’s choir Earnsong will recognise Emma Neck, their sparky choir leader! Saturday, 28 September, White Church. 8 pm. Tickets are £17.50 from Hansen's Kitchen and www.tickettailor.com/events/chrissgigs

17/08/2024

Annual Amulree & Trochry Clay Pigeon Shoot 2024 - Sunday 8th of September at Clashcat Amulree PH8 0EE, follow the signs by the bridge at Amulree. Starting at 10.00am last entry 3pm. The shoot is open to everyone with prizes for the Open, Local (those living in Glen Quaich, Amulree, Auchnafree and Strathbraan), Ladies and Under 18’s categories. The cost for the 35 bird shoot is £18.00 per entry with £13.00 re-entry. Under 18’s is £7.00 per entry with £5.00 re-entry. Raffle with great prizes, a catering tent selling soup, sandwiches, tea, coffee and cakes throughout the day.
The event is in aid of the Amulree and Trochry Community Association which raises funds for community events such as the annual Christmas party for all of the children, as well as acknowledging all the ‘Joys and Sorrows’ throughout the Glen community and giving support where needed. We will again have donation buckets for the Scottish Air Ambulance.

16/08/2024

Aberfeldy Farmers' Market - Sunday, 1 September from 10 am - 2 pm market. Come along to the square and see what is for sale this month! We have some interesting offerings as well as the usual tasty delights.
The Arts and Craft Fair will not be running this month due to Perthshire Open Studios.
We hope that you will be able to have coffee, brunch or lunch at one of the many super cafés and visit some of our lovely independent shops open on Sunday.
For further details of the Farmers’ Market email [email protected] or for the Art Fair email [email protected].

15/08/2024

Crieff Highland Gathering - Sunday, 18th August 2024, at Market Park in Crieff! A spectacular day celebrating Scottish culture, music, and traditional Highland games. This year’s gathering promises to be an unforgettable experience, bringing together the best of Scottish heritage and community spirit. From thrilling athletic competitions to fantastic musical performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get your tickets now and be part of the Crieff Highland Gathering 2024! Visit our website for more details: www.crieffhighlandgathering.com

14/08/2024

Killin Agricultural Show - Killin Agricultural Show - Saturday, 17 August. Breadalbane Park, Killin. Annual agricultural show with sheep and cattle judging, fancy dress parade, races, competitions and demonstrations. Dance in the evening.

13/08/2024

Rannoch Highland Gathering - Saturday 17th August 2024 from 12pm - Always held on the third Saturday in August in the Weller Poley Park at Kinloch Rannoch, this typical local highland games, the genuine article, hosted by the local community. It includes piping, tossing the caber, highland dancing, hill race, races for children, sales of local produce in aid of local charities, delicious barbecue, tea tent and a Beer tent. Plenty of tradition and lots of fun..... See www.rannochhighlandgathering.co.uk for more details

12/08/2024

Open Morning: Saturday 12th October 2024 at regular Quair advertiser, the wonderful Strathallan School. See more at www.strathallan.co.uk/visit-us
Strathallan School, Forgandenny, Perthshire, PH2 9EG | +44 (0) 1738 812 546 | [email protected]

11/08/2024

Regular Quair advertiser The House of Bruar are currently recruiting Customer Service Advisors and Warehouse Assistants. Located at Ballinluig with Fixed Term Contracts....

10/08/2024

Dior donation means Perth and Kinross will be in bloom for years to come - Community groups across Perth and Kinross have benefited from a recent star-studded event held near Crieff by fashion house Dior, after the company donated around £150,000 worth of plants to the local area. The 7,500 plants were used to stage the Dior Cruise Line fashion show held at Drummond Castle Gardens on June 3rd. The glittering event was attended by a range of famous names including movie star Jennifer Lawrence, singer Geri Halliwell and tennis champion Emma Raducanu.
After the show Perth and Kinross Council staff who were liaising at the event with
Dior and staging company Semple Begg Garden and Landscape Design offered to take the unwanted plants and distribute them around local In Bloom community groups. The donation is made up of shrubs shipped in from Italy and a selection of herbaceous plants from award-winning nurseries in England.
The plants were picked up by Council vehicles and taken to Westbank Nursery in Perth, then offered to local In Bloom groups and charities for planting in communities. In additional to community groups, local organisations to benefit include Rachel House in Kinross, a local women's refuge in Perth, the Walled Garden at Murray Royal and a few local cemeteries. The donation includes a range of perennials that will bloom annually for many years to come.
Economy and Infrastructure Convener Councillor Eric Drysdale said: “It was fantastic to host this prestigious event in Perth and Kinross, as it brought the world spotlight on the area. It’s even better that the event has left a lasting legacy for the area, with these high-value plants being donated and planted around our communities. I know that local In Bloom groups and other community organisations have been delighted to receive these quality plants. I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to Dior and Semple Begg for making this happen. I would also like to thank the Council staff who identified the opportunity to get these plants for local communities and carried out the plan to get them to Westbank for distribution. It was quite a job, but they did brilliantly. Our local communities will be in bloom for many years to come thanks to the kindness of this significant donation, and the efforts of our staff and community volunteers.”

09/08/2024

Perth and Kinross residents are being advised bin collections are likely to be disrupted by industrial action between August 14 and 22. Unison and GMB trade union members in Waste and Recycling and Street Cleansing Services are taking part in industrial action in a national dispute over pay. Members of Unite are striking elsewhere in Scotland. The strike action is likely to affect bin collections in Perth and Kinross areas.
If bins are not collected within 48 hours, residents should return their bin to their property and re-present it on the next scheduled collection date.
Service disruption may also impact Recycling Centres, Recycling Points, Street Sweeping, Special Uplifts and Public Toilets. Householders and commercial customers are reminded to continue presenting their bins at the kerbside during the current Waste & Recycling Strike Action.
Residents should flatten cardboard in blue bins and wash and squash plastic bottles and cans in grey bins to ensure there is as much room as possible. Where possible general waste should be stored in tied bags in green bins with the lids closed. If brown bins become full during the Strike Action, please consider storing the grass cuttings in the garden until they can be recycled after the Strike Action.
If you are out and about and litter bins are full, please look for an alternative bin or take your waste home.
More information and regular updates will be available at www.pkc.gov.uk/servicedisruption and on Perth and Kinross Council’s social media.

Due to vehicle breakdowns or adverse weather, some collections and access to Recycling Centres may be disrupted

09/08/2024

We are delighted to have so many wonderful and diverse advertisers in The Quair Magazines each month. Have a look at Discover Scotland Holiday Cottages website at www.discoverscotland.net for your next adventure.....

08/08/2024

September Quair Copy Date - It is the copy date for the September 2024 editions of The Crieff & Comrie Quair and The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair at noon on Wednesday 14th August. We will be printing more than 15,000 copies with over 13,400 copies due to be delivered throughout Strathearn and Highland Perthshire w/c Monday 2nd September 2024. We'd be pleased to have any articles, adverts, and changes to regular adverts, as soon as is practical.

08/08/2024

Wonder Mix helping to sow the seeds for better local biodiversity - A partnership between Perth and Kinross Council and community groups is helping to improve local biodiversity on the ground. The Council’s Westbank Nursery has been developing Wonder Mix, a mixture of native shrubs and herbaceous plants, grown in-house at the Nursery from locally produced seed and cuttings. Community organisations can then use the plants in local green spaces to support native wildlife to flourish and, at the same time, do their part to contribute to an improved environment for everyone to enjoy and benefit from. Already over 3600 plants, including tree saplings, have been distributed, with two-thirds of the plants grown at Westbank.
One example of the support for local biodiversity provided through Wonder Mix is the Council’s Greenspace Ranger team working with Scouts in Comrie and the local paths group to plant some of the pollinator-friendly shrubs and plants, as well as sowing wildflower seeds on a popular nature walk and meadow area.
Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Convener, Councillor Richard Watters said: “As part of our ongoing commitment to tackling the climate and biodiversity crisis, we are taking forward the Grow Wild for Perth and Kinross initiative to create more space for nature by letting grass and native plants grow and flower. Wonder Mix contributes directly to Grow Wild by providing native shrubs, plants, trees and seeds for communities to plant and sow, attracting bees, butterflies and other insect pollinators, and increasing opportunities for both flora and fauna to flourish. I am encouraged by the interest in Wonder Mix from our residents already and I hope this will spur on more community groups and organisations locally to play their part in promoting biodiversity literally on the ground.”
Any community group or organisation interested in accessing plants and seeds through Wonder Mix should email [email protected].

07/08/2024

Aberfeldy Show & Games - 9th & 10th August 2024 - We are delighted to have produced the posters and programmes for Aberfeldy Show and Games again this year. It's always a great few days out for everyone.....

07/08/2024

Regular Quair advertiser, Angus Ross's advert really stands out in this month's Quair. Wonderful bespoke furniture available, hand made in Aberfeldy using local oak and ash.

The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair and The Crieff & Comrie Quair. Bringing local news direct to your door

07/08/2024

Perth set to welcome European Pipe Band Championships - One hundred and forty-seven pipe bands from across the globe will descend on Perth this weekend for the European Pipe Band Championships. The event will run alongside the Perth Highland Games, which take place on Sunday, August 11.
The Highland Games will feature traditional events such as weight throwing and caber tossing, cycle races and Highland Dancing. And 147 pipe bands will be competing in the European Pipe Band Championships on the same day.
Tickets for Perth Highland Games are available now and will be available on the day. Purchase grants access to both the Highland Games and European Pipe Band Championships.
Colin Mulhern, from The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: “We’re looking forward to hosting the European Pipe Band Championships in Perth. We have an amazing field, with 147 bands from across the world coming to Perth for the competition. Even if you don’t think you like pipe bands, I promise you that hearing all 147 playing in unison will touch your spirit.”
Tickets for Perth Highland Games are still available online. Adults can get in for £12 and children aged between six and 16 can enter for £6. Tickets will also be available on the day. A family ticket that includes two adults and two children, aged 16 and under, can be purchased for £30. Concession tickets are available for £6.
European Pipe Band Championships 2024
RSPBA - The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association

06/08/2024

Killin Highland Games - Wednesday, 7 August. Games open at 10 am - Breadalbane Park, Killin. The Games offer heavyweight competitions, including ‘tossing the caber’, highland dancing and piping competitions.....

06/08/2024

Many people have commented on the image on this month's front cover of The Atholl & Breadalbane Quair. Our thanks again to Friends of Blair Atholl Station for agreeing that we could use it. The photograph, which was taken by John Martin, was taken when The Flying Scotsman visited Blair Atholl Station in 2023. Friends of Blair Atholl Station have a wonderful video of the visit, which you can view here

On Thursday 14th September 2023, the Flying Scotsman passed through our station at Blair Atholl on its way to Aviemore.

06/08/2024

Highland Perthshire Open Gate Festival - Tours, talks and tastings: dozens of events celebrate the best of our local produce in first ever Highland Perthshire Open Gate Festival - A guest speakers event entitled ‘Food for People and Planet - a local perspective’ is being held at Aberfeldy Town Hall on Thursday, 29 August.
Organised by the Healthiest Town team as part of its Open Gate Festival, attendees can find out more about the Aberfeldy Manifesto, a food plan written in 1974 by Dr Yellowlees that advocated growing more food in and for our community, and try some of ‘the Doctor’s Loaf’, and then bringing us more up to date local experts will discuss what the global issues surrounding food growing and producing means to us as a local community and what we can do to eat well.
There are also plenty of other events taking place during the 10-day festival, which aims to encourage people to eat more local, healthy food by showcasing the best of what is being produced in the area.
The main events include:
Saturday, 24 August - *A family-friendly morning of garden-themed activities at Breadalbane campus library *Biodynamic Garden Camserney open day - learn about this project’s biodynamic agriculture and community ethos. Also on Saturday, 31 August
Sunday, 25 August - *Soil to slice - a collaboration between Little Trochry veg farm and Luigis Pizzeria to celebrate good food *Found food - foraging walk to show you what to pick, followed by a preserving workshop
Monday, 26 August - *Errichel open morning. Visit this small scale farm with ethically reared animals - ducks, geese, hens, guinea fowl, peacocks, Shetland ponies and sheep. Also on Sunday, 1 September *Screening of Fungi: The Web of Life at the Birks Cinema
Tuesday, 27 August - Fungi foray - enjoy a walk through the woods to find and identify fungi in our area. Also on Friday, 30 August *Eating wild - is it healthy? Charlotte Flower will talk about eating only wild foraged food as a participant of the Wildbiome project last year
Wednesday, 28 August - How to grow the perfect potato - a workshop with John Marshall from the Royal Highland Educational Trust *Cultivating mushrooms inside workshop - learn how to grow mushrooms inside, plus take home a starter kit
Friday, 30 August - *Film night at The Birks Cinema - 73 Cows shows the journey of a farmer from beef production to vegan, organic farm; Honeyland follows the last female beekeeper in Europe and her bid to save the bees and her way of life
Saturday, 31 August - *Community feast night - local food BBQ plus music and games at Ailean Chraggan Hotel, Weem
Plus there will be open days at Tombreck Farm, Blackhaugh Community Farm (with market), Little Trochry and The Field community project, a community gardening open chat for people interested in growing, a seed saving workshop, a volunteering session at Tombreck market garden, as well as dozens of private productive gardens open for tours.
More details about all the tours and events, and how to book, are available at www.healthiesttown.org

05/08/2024

Unicorn Dance Party are looking forward to coming to dance with you!
Let's boogie together on 10 August at Birnam Arts at 12 and 3!

04/08/2024

Stitch-Colour-Cloth - Curious Connections, a Textile Art Exhibition -
The Perthshire based textile art group Stitch-Colour-Cloth is participating in the Summer Art Gallery at St Matthew’s Church, in Tay Street Perth.
Their third public exhibition ‘Curious Connections’, from Saturday, 10 August to Friday, 16 August 10 am - 4 pm (Sunday 1 pm - 4 pm), will showcase members’ work, exploring textiles as a contemporary art form and including pieces inspired by the arrival of The Stone of Destiny at Perth Museum.
Sue MacNab, chairperson of Stitch-Colour-Cloth, is excited about the exhibition as many members are participating for the first time, ‘Our group is open to members of all levels of experience, and our membership is continuing to grow steadily. It’s great to see new members who are interested in textile art, but who might not have had a chance to explore the techniques, learn new skills and create their own beautiful artwork. This exhibition is a great opportunity to share our work and encourage people who are interested in textile art to get involved.’
Stitch-Colour-Cloth meet monthly at the Oakbank Community Centre in Perth with a friendly Stitch’n’Chat in the morning and an inspirational talk from a professional textile artist in the afternoon.
You can get in touch with the group via - Website: www.stitchcolourcloth.co.uk; Instagram: ; Facebook: ; Email: [email protected]

03/08/2024

£300,000 Community Perth & Kinross Investment Fund now open for bids - Community groups in Perth and Kinross will get a chance to bid for a share of £300,000 funding from the Community Investment Fund when it opens for applications next week. The Community Investment Fund was set up in 2018/19 to support community-led projects and since then, more than £2.4 million has been invested in over 500 projects tackling inequalities and improving the quality of life. This year’s fund opens for applications on July 22 and closes on Friday, September 6. Funding will be administered on a ward-by-ward basis, with panels set up in each area to determine applications. Once grants from the Community Investment Fund have been allocated, community groups will have the chance to bid for funding when a new round of Participatory Budgeting starts in the New Year. Following the success of last year’s Green Living Fund, community groups will be able to bid for a share of £100,000 to develop projects that tackle poverty and the cost-of-living crisis.
The fund will be targeted at four areas with the highest levels of income deprivation: Old Scone, Central & North Perth Rattray South Crieff and Coupar Angus, Meigle & Alyth. Members of the public will be able to vote for the projects they wish to see receiving funding, with the winners announced in March 2025.

02/08/2024

Aberfeldy Farmers' Market and Aberfeldy Arts & Crafts Fair - Sunday, 4 August from 10 am - 2 pm market. Come along to the square and see what is for sale this month! We have some interesting offerings as well as the usual tasty delights. We are also hoping for a visit from The Loch Tay Skiff - Nighean Ruadh/Red-haired Lass!
The Arts and Craft Fair will be inside, on the mezzanine floor of the Birks Cinema. We hope that you will be able to have coffee, brunch or lunch at one of the many super cafés and visit some of our lovely independent shops open on Sunday.
For further details of the Farmers’ Market email [email protected] or for the Art Fair email [email protected].

01/08/2024

THE ENCHANTED FOREST SHORTLISTED FOR SCOTTISH THISTLE AWARD - The Enchanted Forest has been shortlisted at this year’s Scottish Thistle Regional Awards in the Celebrating Thriving Communities category. The event, which runs annually in the autumn at the beautiful Faskally Wood in Pitlochry, attracting over 83,000 visitors, is able to deliver an incredible shot in the arm to the local tourism economy in Highland Perthshire of £10.38 million annually.
The popular event is one of only two organisations shortlisted for the Celebrating Thriving Communities award, which celebrates partnerships, collaborations and team working – whether that be with local businesses, communities or a group of individuals – coming together to protect and enhance our environment whilst growing social, cultural and economic wealth.
The Scottish Thistle awards showcase the very best of Scotland’s tourism sector, helping to ensure that tourism, and the individuals who work in the industry are recognised for the positive impact they bring to the country and communities.
Nela Popovic, executive director of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this award. It’s a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team to engage with and work with the local community as effectively as possible to ensure the event is as successful as it can be, whilst minimising any adverse impact on Pitlochry. We are also thrilled with the impact of this year’s Enchanted Forest Community Fund donations. We have given away a record number of grants to registered charities operating in Highland Perthshire. As part of the trust’s ethos to give back to the local community in which the event has called its home for over twenty years, the highest ever figure of £97,815 has been awarded to twenty-six organisations. Congratulations to all those shortlisted and we are looking forward to the final in the autumn.”
The Enchanted Forest’s 2024 ‘Symphony of Nature’ show will take place 3 October to 3 November. To book tickets, or to find out more information, please visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk.
The Scottish Thistle Regional Awards final will take place in autumn 2024.

The Enchanted Forest will return to Pitlochry in 2023. The ticket on sale NOW! Thursday 5th October 2023 – Sunday 5th November 2023

31/07/2024

Tick Warning - Lyme Disease is on the increase and this area is a hotspot in Scotland. Lyme Disease is horrible - frightening, debilitating and life-changing. Yet protecting yourself against infection is relatively simple: make sure that you tuck your trousers inside your socks when walking in the hills; never walk in the hills in shorts; always spray with a really good insect repellent; check yourself for ticks very carefully on your return from walking. If by any chance you are bitten, remove the tick properly (tick removers are available at the vets or the chemists) and if you feel ill or if the bite becomes inflamed or becomes a ‘bull’s eye’ rash, go to the doctor immediately.
Even if you are bitten by an infected tick, a short course of treatment should sort it if you have it within a few weeks of the bite - and the sooner the better. More info on www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk

30/07/2024

Great Taste awards reveal Scotland’s best food and drink in 2024 - Nearly 3,500 companies from 115 countries around the world entered Great Taste this year, between them offering 13,672 products for review. The UK entered 8,008 products from 2,528 companies. The Wee Comrie from Strathearn Cheese Co. (www.strathearncheese.co.uk) has been nominated for the Golden Fork for Scotland award! The Great Taste Golden Fork winners – the best of the best – will be announced in an awards ceremony and tasting at Battersea Arts Centre in London on Tuesday 10 September.
Great Taste is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and, now in its 31st year, is the world’s largest, longest standing and most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food and drink producers. See www.gff.co.uk for more details.

27/07/2024

Over 13,400 copies of The Quair Magazines August2024 editions are in the process of being distributed throughout Highland Perthshire and Strathearn. Thank you so much to all of the businesses who support us throughout the year and enable us to continue producing two premium magazines for the local community. If you've not got your copy yet you can see an online edition at www.thequair.scot. We hope that you enjoy this month's editions. Alistair & Linda