* The Thomas Telford Ledgowan Bridge is a listed structure, Category ‘B’, in the Register of Bridges held by Historic Scotland. It is part of a pleasant pathway that leads to the main road out of Achnasheen and was built over a period from 1803 through to 1819 at a cost of £27,000. The route was recorded far back in the 1790’s as carrying foot post, twice a week, between Lochcarron and Inverness. The present modern replacement was completed in 1998 and leads, if you cross the A832 to a 'kissing gate' which allows access to the now closed school.
* “Animals and the weather have exerted profound influences over humanity but unless it’s stormy on the day of a battle, or a wild animal bites a human bigwig, conventional history commonly fails to respect non-human influences as it should”. Emma Wood makes this crucial point in her book 'Peatbogs, Plagues and Potatoes' which is about the way climate change and geology shaped Scotland’s history.
* Under a heading 22 years ago I read the following “There are only five pupils on the roll of Achnasheen School but they have raised over £80 in aid of Oxfam as a result of a sale of work in the village. The children involved are Tom Riley, Steven Ross, Jennifer Goudie, Nicola and Claire Ross” Ah...those were the days!
* New in my garden this year has been a Jay, seen during September several times. A knowledgeable friend asked "do you have Oak trees?" Yes, was my reply. Apparently they like acorns and, judging by the gorgeously coloured droppings, blackcurrants. This beautiful bird is listed under crows and now I remember we used to describe colourful (male) characters as "a bit of a jaybird…!"
* As I will certainly have to replace my car quite soon I was interested to hear that a three year old Ford Mondeo at £8,000 saves £10,000 on the price of a new one and would be considered best value for money. This tells me I will have to save up a while longer than I was expecting!
* I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when I read the following in a gardening magazine: "When planning your path, study the area around the house and work out the most convenient route from the doorways to the various essential areas that are visited regularly - the dustbin, washing line, shed and compost heap."
* I discovered that Hard Copies of Scottish heritage publications are, indeed, hard to come by. Visit www.sepa.org.uk/SEPAView for their quarterly magazine and snh.gov.uk to see PDF Files.
* Garden discoveries this year: last year’s Golden Rod stems make fine, strong and unobtrusive flower stakes. Feverfew seedlings made a lovely 'box-like' edging if, taking Sarah Raven's advice, you clip it back periodically. Thirdly, condemned pianos (piano-tuners do this sometimes!) yield perfect plant labels as the keys shed their laminations whilst standing out in the rain awaiting the skip. The marker pen I used was less successful!
* Simon Hargreaves (Senior Editor 'Bike') attended a meeting recently in Lochcarron. He was keen to help the community with concerns about motorists and motorcyclists driving in the area. He is hoping to put an article in An Carrannach magazine concerning the matter.
* The centenary of the novelist Jane Duncan was celebrated this year in Cromarty on the Black isle. Although brought up in Glasgow, she always considered her Grandparents’ croft ‘The Colony’ to be her real home. She immortalised ‘The Colony’ as ‘Reachfar’ in her novels, the first of which was called 'My Friends The Miss Boyds'. Mairi Hedderwick of Katie Morag fame added to the celebrations.
* Speaking at 'Potatoes in Practice', the main potato demonstration event in Scotland, the Chairman gave good news to Scottish Growers. Crops in this part of the world compare well with those in England where there has been a shortage of water during the growing season. English crops matured early without realising full cropping potential whereas here in Scotland…
…….and, finally, a mention that the plant stall is still outside my house and, as all the plants are perennials, they will be happy enough (under a blanket of maple leaves) until they go to new homes. Donations can still be put in the ‘honesty-box’ and, as before, will go to the
Senior Citizens’ fund.
I hope you all enjoy a happy and healthy Christmas holiday.
Pam Morrison
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