Opportunity in Lochaber
A new computer based way to learn Gaelic will give people across Lochaber the chance to pick up the language on their doorstep. The scheme is the latest in a series of attempts to boost Gaelic speaking in the Highlands. A new initiative launched recently makes a CD-ROM of the Gaelic reaching programme "Speaking Our Language" available at locations from Mallaig to Kinlochbervie through the Lochaber Communications Network Ltd (LCNL). People will have free access to the existing computer bases operated by LCNL, with technical help on hand to help operate the technology whilst the individuals are learning. The CD-ROMs, which are available at nine locations, have been designed to make learning fun and simple to bring Gaelic to people of all ages and abilities. Samantha Reynolds of Voluntary Action Lochaber, who are partners in the project said: "This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in Gaelic and is an entirely free resource."
Hidden Treasure
A local school has unearthed an unexpected source of funds, thanks to a member of the Highland Historical Search Society. Self employed gardener Eric Soane, from Tornagrain, trawled the grounds of Raigmore Primary School with a metal detector and uncovered a haul of buried coins. "It took a long time but it was worth it," said Mr Soane whose collection of silver and coppers, some pre-decimalisation, has yielded nearly £200. He presented the money to head teacher Moira Leslie. Mr Soane joined the society just over a year ago and is now well and truly 'hooked'. "I had been given a metal detector some years ago which had been manufactured by White's Electronics here in Inverness," he said. "It's a good reliable machine and has turned up thousands of coins." Mr Soane said his first search with the detector was at the football pitch in Ardersier last winter. "I found 350 coins, but their cash value was only £30," he recalled. "Then recently I was working near the school and saw that most of the playground was under grass, so I asked the head teacher if I could use the detector on the grounds in the evening." Mr Soane, who said the Society would be happy to undertake similar searches in other schools, also unearthed a selection of rings, bracelets and bangles which were dropped in the playground over the years by pupils. "I don't think they are of any value and I'm sure the pupils will have long since forgotten about them."
On Line Access to Archives
A treasure trove of previously unseen Scottish history was made available on the Internet for the first time. The move is part of a new partnership between new media publisher Scotland Online and the General Register Office for Scotland. The innovative new website was officially launched recently at Edinburgh's New Register House by the Deputy Justice Minister. The service will enable Scots to track back through hundreds of years of historical data to trace their family histories. It will also provide an easily accessible route to the store of Scottish history preserved by the General Register Office. Among the material available will be a number of statutory registers of births and deaths for Scotland, Scottish census returns from the 19th century and records of baptisms held between 1553 and 1854. The site, which will be update through the year, includes a number of free features, including a surname search and data on well known figures from Scottish history. Dr Richard Callison of Scotland Online said that by the end of 2003, Scotland will probably have the most complete online genealogical information source for any country in the world.
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Community Council Celebrates
One of Inverness's oldest community councils celebrated a quarter of a century of service recently - and paid tribute to two of its longest serving members. Since its inception in 1977, Merkinch Community Council has seen many changes in the north west part of the city - and members marked the occasion with a social gathering in Merkinch community centre. Current chairman Ally MacLean said: "It's just a wee get together for the community council and guests to celebrate the 25 years since we were formed. "We want to celebrate the fact that we're one of the oldest community councils in Inverness. "We've had hard times, but we're still together." Mr MacLean added that he was proud of the achievements of the community council, highlighting activity to keep Merkinch school open in the early 1980s and innovations in South Kessock in particular. He claimed the community council's success was based on the members' willingness to work with Highland Council. Former chairwoman Dell McClurg and Anne McCreadie - who has been the secretary since the community council started - were honoured in a presentation.
World Record Whisky
A bottle of whisky from Ross-shire sold recently for a world record breaking £25,877 at auction in Glasgow. The Dalmore 62 year old single malt was one of only 12 bottles made at the company's distillery in Alness. The spirit was sold to an anonymous bidder for £25,877.50 when it went under the hammer at McTear's auction, beating the record achieved by the Macallan 1926 earlier this year. Each of the 12 bottles has been individually named after famous events and characters in the distillery's history. Over the years, the spirit has been racked several times, ending up in an Oloroso Matusalem sherry butt from Gonzalez Byass of Spain. The bottle sold at auction - which had a reserve price of £12,000 - is named Kildermorie, after the loch which supplies the distillery with its water. The Dalmore Distillery plans to keep just one bottle and sell the remaining batch to investors. Richard Paterson, Dalmore's master distiller, said: "Whisky collecting has become a fashionable investment, with the market growing over the past decade, faster than many of the world's leading stock exchanges." He said the whisky was one of the "finest and oldest" in the world. Each bottle has individually signed labels on handmade bottles.
End of An Era
The final chapter in the history of Rosemarkie Library was written recently when it closed its doors permanently. The library has been based in a small room in Gordon Memorial Hall for almost 35 years but, with the opening of the new library in the recently completed extension at Fortrose Academy, the Rosemarkie branch is considered redundant. Librarian Linda Roberstson, who has transferred to Fortrose after nine years at Rosemarkie, said it was the end of an era. The new library is part of a new school and community building at Fortrose Academy and is open to the entire community, staff and pupils at the school and everyone living or working on the Black Isle. The complex also includes a theatre and an open distance learning suite which will be furnished with computers for use by the public and school. The library holds a stock of more than 9000 books plus board books for tiny tots, talking books, videos, newspapers and magazines, a Careers Library and Reference collection. Access is also available on request to the total lending stock of almost 340,000 books and other items held by Highland Libraries.
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