Taste of the Highlands for the US
The quality of food and drink in the Highlands - and the warmth and hospitality of local people - will be celebrated in a programme due to be screened to millions of TV viewers in the United States. Award winning presenter Dave Eckert and his crew have been on a whistle-stop tour of the Highlands recently for a cullinary series on the American public service channel PBS and more than 100 other stations. In a tour arranged by George Mackay, executive chef at Nairn's Golf View Hotel, the broadcasters went to Duncan Fraser butchers in Queensgate, Inverness, Taste of Moray's Seafield restaurant in Gollanfield, Nairn Golf Club, the Golf View itself, Dalmore Whisky in Alness and the Strathaird smoked salmon processing centre in Grantown-on-Spey. Mr Eckert - a specialist in food and drink broadcasting - also spent time with VisitScotland in Glasgow before returning home to the States. Chicago based Mr Eckert travels the world for his popular series "Culinary Travels With Dave Eckert" in which he gives viewers a taste of food and drink, as well as culinary skills, from around the world. The programme featuring the Highlands is likely to be shown next year. Among those filmed at work was Kevin Ewings, the head chef at the Seafield restaurant, who cooked medallions of venison loin layered with haggis and a whisky and peppercorn cream sauce.
New Name Wanted
One of Scotland's most successful businessmen has called for the Western Isles to be rebranded The Hebrides to improve the local economy. Speaking recently, Stewart Graham said the value of enterprise in the community should be given greater emphasis in schools and colleges. Drawing on his own experiences on setting up a multimillion pound international business in the Western Isles, Mr Graham said islanders had to become more "pro-business". Speaking at the Lews Castle college graduation ceremony on Stornoway, he acknowledged that great improvements had been achieved but more investment in infrastructure, such as seven day transport, would help the local economy. He said subsidies should be directed at transport links and that the Western Isles should be re-branded The Hebrides, with a push made to market that brand.
History Comes to Life at Fort George
A two day extravaganza at Fort George recently attracted hundreds of visitors. Organised by Historic Scotland, which maintains the ancient monument, the event included cannon firing, combat re-enactment, living history, falconry and musical entertainment. Monument manager Christina Madders said wet and blustery weather resulted in a poorer turn out than they had hoped for. "But the fine weather on the second day brought out large crowds and the whole weekend was a great success," she declared. The re-enactment of King George's forces recruiting after the Battle of Culloden was particularly popular with visitors from all over the world. The display by the Alba Adventure Company included period weaponry and clothing and visitors were given an insight into the daily routine and lives of soldiers living at the Fort in the 18th century.
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Expansion at Inverness Airport
Eastern Airways' new service between Inverness and Manchester has proved such a hit with the business community that the number of flights is soon to be increase. Only 10 days after opening the route, Eastern Airways managing director Richard Lake announced he was to increase the number of daily return trips from three to four. Mr Lake is also planning to increase capacity on the route by introducing larger aircraft and attract leisure travellers by offering discounted fares enabling holidaymakers to make connections with Manchester Airport's international flights and opening up the city - to North holidaymakers and Manchester United fans. Mr Lake made his announcement to Scottish press who had been flown to Manchester for the occasion and revealed that his Inverness-Manchester service had been carrying an average payload of 55 per cent. "It's a lot for a first week startoff on a nearly virgin route," he commented. "I'm amazingly pleased at the way it's gone and that's given me the courage to continue investing in what I believe will be a successful, stable route."
Upgrade for Easter Ross Monument
A long awaited project to upgrade an ancient monument in Easter Ross is under way. The Shandwick Stone or Clach a Charridh (stone of the burial place) is a Class II Pictish Symbol Stone steeped in local legend standing about 8ft high in a most striking setting in a field overlooking the village of Shandwick. The site is being improved thanks to the efforts of the Seaboard Initiative along with support from the Community Economic Development (CED) programme, Ross and Cromarty Enterprise and ILM Highland. A new granite sett pathway is being created and a kissing gate entrance installed to accommodate wheelchair access in a project which will provide valuable work experience for local trainees. There are two standing stones in the parish of Nigg; one can be seen at Nigg Old Parish Church and the other stands in a field above the village of Shandwick. Just over the parish boundary at Hilton of Cadboll there once stood a third stone, but the main part of this one is now displayed in the museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh. The popular and romantic legend is that the stones mark the burial place of Viking princes.
Diabetes on the Web
Olympic skier Alain Baxter was in Inverness recently to launch a website which provides support to young people who suffer from diabetes. The site, operated by the Inverness and District Tadpole Club, contain information on how to join the club and a list of events and articles about children and parents who have experienced diabetes first hand. Baxter said: "This is a great website. "It's very important that children suffering from diabetes are able to meet with others, who are going through the same thing. That must be great for the parents too." A spokeswoman for the club said: "The club, which has over a 100 members, felt because of the large area it covers, there was a need to keep children up to date in what is going on and to give them a chance to tell other children how they felt about diabetes. "As most children feel confident with computers, it was felt a website was the ideal way of communicating our message. BT has helped by providing a computer and Internet access for a year."The website can be accessed at: www.tadpoles.invernessdistrict.btinternet.co.uk
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