New Director of Taiwan Arts Summit
The democratic Chinese republic of Taiwan is seeking to cash in on its cultural assets and has asked Highland Festival director Alastair McDonald to help tell them how it's done. He flew to the Far East recently to join a high powered team that includes the head of the creative industry division of the UK government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the directors of the City of London and Cheltenham Festivals at a creative industry summit being held in the island's capital of Taipei. "Although it has a population of 22 million, Taiwan is the same size as the Highlands," Alastair explained. "Much of it is rural and they wanted someone with experience of running a festival with a rural dimension." Chaired by the head of Taiwan's Council of Culture Affairs, the event has adopted the slogan "Festivals Mean Business" and has targeted politicians, policy researchers and officials of local and national cultural organisations."
Mountain Experiment
A 32 year forestry experiment in the Cairngorm mountain range has finally been discontinued and all the trees have been removed in spectacular fashion. In absolutely freezing conditions the trees blossomed, but have now been taken away from one of Scotland's last great wildernesses. A high elevation plot was planted in 1970 to assess the response of commercial tree species growth at high altitude. The bank of trees were placed high up the side of the Cairngorms, close to the Ptarmigan area of the ski slopes. Visitor and locals were fascinated as the trees were cut down and removed by helicopter. Clutches of trees were hitched to a helicopter and then flown down to the bottom of the mountain. There were a varying array of trees planted at the elevation plot including lodgepole pine, sitka spruce and Scots pine. The trees were given various fertilising treatments over the years and grew to an average height of 4.55 metres. A decision was taken by Forest Enterprise to cancel the experiment in 2000 and to begin a gradual removal programme. Approximately 100 tonnes of trees were felled then and extracted by air and twice that amount were removed the following year. The remaining trees were removed this time round, leaving the landscape bare. Jack Mackay, a spokesman for the Forestry Commission said: "We have discontinued this experiment because we want to return to the natural tree line. We want to expand the natural Caledonian forest at Glenmore up to the hill. "This experiment was just to see if it was possible, which it is. "The whole thing was done with conservation in mind."
Dram With a Tartan Flavour
The maker of one of the finest malt whiskies in the world came home to Scotland - from Japan. Takeshi Taketsuru, whose uncle Masataki Taketsuru founded the Nikka Distillery in Hokkaido in 1934, arrived in Fort William with a brand which found international fame. Yoichi Single Malt was chosen ahead of 40 Scots contenders as the best of the best for 2002. In a blind tasting at the Whisky Magazine annual competition, the 47 judges from Scotland, America and Japan selected the Japanese 10 year old malt, distilled in Hokkaido. Mr Taketsuru Jr - whose uncle's wife Rita came from Kirkintilloch - visited the Ben Nevis Distillery in Fort William, owned by Nikka and Asahi Breweries in Tokyo. The announcement that Yoichi Single Malt has received such recognition has brought about an unprecedented step by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The Edinburgh based society is to bottle Yoichi this autumn as the first ever Japanese made dram available exclusively to its members.
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Re-enactment Volunteers Wanted
Weapon maker Brian Davenport is spearheading a campaign to recruit volunteers for a re-enactment group which will live in a 13th century township at the foot of Aonach Mor, near Fort William. Mr Davenport, a freelance armourer, who along with a small team made nearly 2,500 weapons for the blockbuster movie, Braveheart, has founded The Friends of Leanachan Township. "We've got over 30 members so far, but only three from the Lochaber area," said Mr Davenport, of Fort William. "I can't believe more local people haven't come forward, as what we are proposing will be unique in Scotland. It really will be living history." The group, which will don medieval costume, will be transported back in time, for educational purposes, to work and live in the settlement. A long house and four ordinary 13th century homes will be constructed as part of phase two at Lochaber Rural Complex. Forest Enterprise has agreed to supply the timber free of charge for the development. Mr Davenport said: "Once funding is secured things can really start rolling and I hope by September next year we will be able to put on some living history activities." It is also planned to host training courses on medieval and rural skills, such as thatching and wattling, at the complex.
Royal Date
A special event, on Saturday November 9, to mark the Queen Mother's unveiling of the Commando Memorial - 50 years ago - is to be led by her son-in-law, Prince Philip. The Commando Association and Highland Council are expected to play prominent parts in the proceedings at Spean Bridge. Detailed arrangements are being worked out in conjunction with the Lord Lieutenant's Office in Inverness. Poignantly, it is likely the occasion may herald the last major parade and final salute for The Commando Association. The Association, which has had the Freedom of Lochaber bestowed upon it, has confirmed it is beginning to wind down its activities, albeit its members will continue to be involved in plans to mark the 60th anniversary in 2005, of the end of World War 2. The November parade at the Commando Memorial will be led by the Lochaber Schools Pipe Band, and music for the service will be provided jointly by the Lochaber Schools Wind Band and the Band of the Royal Marines, Scotland. Delegations of commandos from Europe, accompanied by US Rangers, will also attend. The traditional Remembrance Service will take place at the Commando Memorial the next day.
A Fair Cop
Justice was carried out by prison staff in Inverness recently - 1902 style.Officers stepped back in time and into the shoes of their predecessors during the celebrations at Porterfield Prison to mark its 100th birthday. In a re-enactment of how prisoners were processed 100 years ago, one of the prison's staff took on the role of a disgraced inmate and was marched from the Castle - which housed the previous prison - via Castle Street, Old Edinburgh Road, Mitchell's Lane and Duffy Drive before being driven through the prison gates in a horse drawn Black Maria. On arrival at the prison, the procession was met by centenarian Carolina McRitchie who unveiled a special commemorative plaque. Governor Alastair MacDonald said he hoped the prison would continue to serve Inverness for many years to come. "For 100 years, Scottish Prison staff at HMP Inverness have been proud to serve the people of the Highlands and Islands and it is our hope that, for the foreseeable future, we will contribute to maintenance of public safety." The first governor of the prison who served until 1922 was John Nicol. Today, the prison covers the courts of the Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney Isles and Moray, providing custody for all remand prisoners and short term adult prisoners.
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