World's Newest Whisky
The last new whisky of the Millennium was launched in the North of Scotland where it was produced. At the close of last year the Highland and Moray Firth areas had first chance to buy The Talisman before stocks of the new style dram crossed the channel. The Talisman - which is produced for sale by J & W Hardie, the marketing arm of The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd - takes its name from the novel by Sir Walter Scott, who wrote The Antiquary, after which a deluxe malt whisky is produced by J & W Hardie. The Talisman is a blend of whiskies from more than 25 Scottish distilleries, with the youngest being five years old, and the heart of the blend is selected eight year old malts, the complete blend being carefully crafted at Tomatin Distillery, near Inverness.
South Kessock Award
The South Kessock area of Inverness beat off competition from the rest of Scotland to take an important urban award. The Scottish Urban regeneration Forum (Surf) searched the country for the best evidence of good practice through partnership. It members have awarded first prize to the South Kessock Community Safety Project. The award was presented at the Surf's first annual conference held at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh recently. It was given to the project or initiative that demonstrated best practice in joint working between various sectors, agencies, professions and organisations with an interest in an area aiding to its regeneration. The competition for South Kessock included a project in the south side of Glasgow, an area housing initiative and a sports trust venture from Easterhouse. Deputy Minister for Local Government Frank McAveety presented the award to members of the management committee and the staff of the project who described it as a major boost not only to the area but also to all those who have contributed to its success.
Power to the People
The 14 residents of the Inner Hebridean island of Canna got switched on recently - with their first ever centralised electricity supply. And the cost of providing the islanders with a power generating system works out at around £35,000 per person. The National Trust for Scotland's 13 properties on Canna, and the island's tiny school have had to rely until recently on individual diesel generators to run their electrical appliances, heating and lighting. However the trust is currently working on a supply scheme which will power the whole island and neighbouring Sanday, to which Canna is linked by a causeway. A trust spokesman commenting on the introduction of the "full-time twenty four hour a day electricity", said: "The new supply will mean that residents can operate more than one appliance at a time, with the power being available all day, every day."
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Princess Praises Gairloch Schools
Gairloch High School recently received a letter from the Princess Royal's lady in waiting, telling of the Royal visitor's delight with the small Highland secondary school and the adjoining primary school during her recent visit. The letter stated: "Her Royal Highness was extremely impressed by the school, particularly by your excellent facilities and the wide range of subjects and skills on offer, which must be the envy of most communities in Scotland - even those in the most accessible and affluent areas." The writer said that the Princess had commented particularly on the "immaculate behaviour" of the children in both the primary and secondary schools. She had also asked for her thanks to be passed on to the high school's home economics department for a "delicious luncheon". She said the Princess had also commended the school choir for its beautiful singing and the presentation CD featuring the choir "which will always remind her of a very special two hours spent in Gairloch".
Gaelic on the 'Net
The first global Gaelic learning service has been launched on the worldwide web. "Let's Try a Little Gaelic" is aimed at first time learners. It has been set up by a Ross-Shire company InternetRadio Ltd and is presented by Eileen MacKenzie from Dingwall. Eileen who is not a native Gaelic speaker said: "I feel the experiences I had while learning the language are an asset when presenting the programmes. Our research shows that Scots living outside the traditional Gaelic broadcasting area are keen to hear the spoken word. This is specially true of primary children who are unable to attend a Gaelic medium school."
Clan Rallying Call
A call has gone out for more Highland residents who bear the surname Cameron, to join their clan association in a bid to breathe fresh life into it for the new century. New office bearers and council members have been elected and a newsletter and a series of events have been introduced. More members are needed to make it a success and the association is urging Camerons in the Highlands and other parts of Scotland to join to make it a viable force. The organisers are hoping that when clan members from Canada, America, New Zealand and Australia arrive for the gathering at Achnacarry, Lochaber in August 2001, there will also be a large Scottish contingent. The Cameron clan has several septs, including Chalmers, Chambers, Clark, Gibson and Taylor. "It has been said that a nation that forgets its past is dead and this could also happen to clans," states association president, David Cameron, in an invitation to potential members. "They enrich the heritage and life in Scotland - and the Clan Cameron Association seeks your active support."
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