Ghurkas Join the Highlanders
One hundred and twenty Ghurka reinforcements have joined the army regiment The Highlanders in Catterick, North Yorkshire. The Ghurkas, who arrived in April were previously based in Colchester with another Scottish regiment, The Royal Scots. They will serve with The Highlanders for the next two years, both in Catterick and in Edinburgh. The Highlanders, who are currently under strength, welcomed the Ghurkas with a formal parade. A regimental spokesman said: "We are delighted to have the Ghurkas with us. They come with an excellent reputation having served already with a Scottish regiment and we are sure that they will do well here." The Ghurkas will serve initially with The Highlanders in Catterick before deploying to the Falkland Islands in July for five months. Meanwhile The Highlanders are preparing to deploy to Northern Ireland this summer. The Regiment is due to move as a whole to Edinburgh in April 2001.`
Rescue Heroes Honoured
Four Nairn friends who rescued a holidaymaker after his car plunged off the town's harbour last year have received bravery awards from the Royal Humane Society. Ronnie Johnson, Mike Dooley, Carl De Bruin and James Walker leapt to the rescue last September when a Ford Fiesta driven by Peter Holt veered across the road and plunged 15ft into the harbour. The four men, who saw the incident unfold through their sitting room window on Harbour Street, rushed to the scene and found the car on its roof, with the car submerged in water and Mr Holt trapped inside. They dragged the car onto the shore and Mr De Bruin smashed the rear window to allow Mr Holt to escape. Despite his ordeal, Mr Holt from Nottingham was released from Nairns Town and County Hospital the same day following a check up. The four were recommended for the award by Northern Constabulary's Chief Constable, Bill Robertson.
Time Capsule
A time capsule buried recently will allow future generations to get a feel for present day life in Inverness. A document recording the Inverness Caley Thistle football victory against Glasgow Celtic, is among items included in the capsule, to be dug up in 100 years. The capsule is the culmination of a special millennium exhibition at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery recently. Visitors were invited to record their views on the millennium and make suggestions for objects revealing most about present day Inverness. The capsule includes a scale model of Nessie, an old £1 note, and the handprint of a child. Future generations will be able to read local newspapers look at home shopping catalogues and read letters written by children describing their lives and hopes for the future. The capsule was buried at Ness Islands and a tree was planted over the site to mark the location for future generations.
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Conservation Body in Inverness
A leading conservation group is to establish a northern outpost in Inverness. The Scottish Wildlife Trust, best known for its heavy involvement in the community buy out on the Isle of Eigg, is setting up an office in Inverness for the first time following major restructuring. Chief executive Steve Sankey said the plans tied in with the importance placed on the northern Highlands by the SWT, which is expected to locate upwards of 10 members of staff in the Inverness office. The shakeup of the charitable organisation follows a decision to regionalise its efforts. New offices have already been set up in Glasgow and Stirling and the Inverness one should follow in a matter of months. The Trust is responsible for conserving and enhancing the wildlife of Scotland.
Noah's Ark For Sale
A couple who have put their Highland home up for sale are looking for offers from animal lovers. For anyone interested in buying the bungalow will also be responsible for looking after five llamas, chipmunks, raccoons, pot-bellied pigs, goats, parrots and pheasants. Brian and Mary Gough, who run a bed and breakfast business from the bungalow in Berriedale, Sutherland have built up the twelve and a half acre animal farm over the years. It had attracted national publicity and there is huge demand for guided tours around it. But because of ill health, they have now reluctantly decided to take a back seat and put both their business and farm up for sale privately. The couple, who are originally from Bristol, used to breed llamas and at one point had 15. "The llamas attracted a lot of interest from locals and guests who stayed with us so we decided to get more animals and it has built up over the years," said Mrs Gough. "But it takes a lot of work to look after the animals and it has become too much for us, together with the B&B business and also with the market research work that I do." She added: "We are not sure where we are going next but we want to be certain that we sell to people who are animal lovers, we don't want to sell to just anyone."
Porridge With a Punch
Whisky bosses are offering early risers in Scotland the ultimate hair of the dog - porridge laced with whisky for breakfast. Revellers at the recent Spirit of Speyside Whisky festival had the chance to "kick start their day" at whisky breakfasts by one of the area's many distilleries. People who made it to the Glenfarclas distillery in Ballindalloch, Speyside for the breakfast were served with traditional Scots porridge, laced with the world's strongest whisky. Spokeswoman for the festival, Beverly Tricker, said: "The Glenfarclas breakfast certainly gave a kick start to anyone's day and was even an effective hair of the dog for those who may have over indulged at the festival events the night before. "This must be the ultimate example of a full Scottish breakfast."
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