THE ISSUE 216 OCTOBER 2010

AT 1PM ON SATURDAY THE CUTS HAVE MADCOW’S FRIEND PRESENTS

DINNER THEATRE
25TH SEPTEMBER
ITS THE
STARTED at CARRADALE HOTEL with
PENSIONERS & SPECIAL
SHIRLEY VALENTINE
WATERFOOT NEEDS UNDER THREAT
Pensioners attending the first meeting
by Willy Russell

DUCK RACE
YOU’D BE QUACKERS TO MISS IT.
of the South Kintyre Seniors Forum in
the Guide Hall on Thursday the ninth of
September were told that the Hazleburn
lunch club was to be wound up with
immediate effect. The surprise an-
nouncement was met with incredulity by
those who regularly use this facility, performed by Clare Hume & directed by Jane Dunbar
which, together with the Salvation Army
weekly session, relieves single and eld-
erly pensioners of the need to cook a ‘Shirley Bradshaw, nee Valentine, put-upon-mother -
main meal on two days of the week. St. Joan of the fitted units, packs her bags and heads
Fortunately the Salvation Army low cost for the sun. The note on the kitchen table reads -
meal remains at but the shock and un- "Gone to Greece, back in two weeks!" This play by
sympathetic announcement by a repre- Willy Russell follows Shirley, a woman alone, on her
sentative of the Social Work journey of self-discovery. This simple yet brilliant
Department of Argyll & Bute Council left idea has been worked into a wonderfully moving
those enjoying their customary meal comedy.’
bewildered, especially when they were
told that the only possibility was that the
SATURDAY 9th OCTOBER
cost would rise to £17. The Centre in 6.30 for 7.00 pm
Limecraigs Road was, and may still be,
under threat. TICKETS £25.00
These harsh and sudden cuts follow Includes a sumptuous three course
Cartooning golfers? See page 2. the short-sighted withdrawal of toilet buffet and performance. Make a night of it
facilities at a number of places through- and book a room - special rates
CARRADALE GOLF CLUB out the County. The Council’s stated STAY & PLAY - PLAY & STAY
THE SECRETARY IS intention to consult everyone about the
DR R. J. ABERNETHY, nature of reductions in expenditure was To book contact
THE ARCH, TORRISDALE
PA28 6QT. TEL 01583 431321
obviously an attempt to persuade voters 01583 431223
to sympathise with difficult decisions at
FURTHER INFORMATION
a time when elections are getting closer. noriffraff@carradalehotel.com
IS ON PAGE 3.
Other comments are on page 3.

High-flying Ramsays. See page 11 IN THIS ISSUE EUAN MACCORMICK

P1 ABC threats to services.
P2 Four in harmony. The Guild syllabus. Carradale A
rees bility
T

P3 Golf. Community Council. Rainfall..

P4 ABC ‘Options to consider.’
Tree surgery/planting
P5 BT Directories, Kintyre First. Sewage.
Thinning and reduction
P6 The Educational Ascent.Network. Dangerous tree removal
P7 Corrections. Town plans. Hospital. Commercial tree felling
P8 Reaching 70. Passing of Fort George. Scrub clearance
P9 The Kintyre Way. Sponsored walk. NPTC/LANTRA Qualified Fully Insured
P10 Timber-link, Bunk house. Travel
Home: 01583 431216
P11 KFCC snippets. Ramsay glide.
Mob: 07775438643
‘Carradale Goat ‘ Wedding & Road block E-mail: treesability@live.co.uk
P12 Armed forces. Don’t forget Gaza.

THE RCZ IS HERE

CAMPBELTOWN MOTOR COMPANY
Snipefield Industrial Estate, Campbeltown
Telephone 01586 553200
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THURSDAY 10am - 11am

FOUR IN HARMONY THE GUILD 2010-2011

A ‘WHOLE IN ONE’ DONATION The Guild meets at three-weekly intervals during the winter for fun,
Most art teachers and ex art teachers are fellowship and fund-raising for the Church. We would be delighted to
a little reticent to comment enthusiastically welcome new members at any of our meetings - Please come to join
when faced with proud parents of us! Most of our meetings will be held in the Village hall this winter, at
‘talented’ children showing their children’s 2.30pm, unless otherwise stated. Meetings are advertised around the
latest products, as infant prodigies have a village and intimated in the Church. During meetings refreshments are
habit of becoming teenage ‘disney’ perpe- available - visitors £2, and Guild members £1.
trators. GUILD SYLLABUS
Those who persist with artistic endeav- Sunday 3rd October Dedication Service, Rev. John Vischer, 12 noon,
ours do their best to deal with the human Big Church.
form; some more successfully than others. Tuesday 5th October ‘Landladies’, Elizabeth Semple, 2.30. Village Hall
Architects often fail miserably but cartoon- library.
ists like Gilroy & Giles competently reduced Tuesday 26th October, Hidden Gems of Sacred Music,
their portrayals to obvious characteristics. Cameron McNair, 7.30. Big Church.
Monday 15th November, Open Night, slide show, Lachie Paterson
On this page Fran, Jayne, Gill & Sheila 7.30. Village Hall.
join the ‘Carl Giles’ coterie and portray the ‘bare’ essentials (above the Saturday 27th November, Guild Winter Fayre, 2.30, Village Hall.
neck,) but the wider connection between the attached ‘thank-you note’, Tuesday 7th or 14th December, Christmas Lunch/Dinner, TBA.
its artists, the Antler and the well-known ‘grandma’ artist is a little Tuesday 18th January, Soldiers, Sailors & Airmen, Ann Morans, 2.30
tenuous, but worth pursuing. Village Hall library.
Riverside Cottage at Torrisdale, the home of the Editor in the 1970s Tuesday 1st February, ‘Birds,’ a slide show, Eddie McGuire, 2.30
and Marion & Harry Hough from the early 1980s to 2007, was the Village Hall library.
holiday golfing base in August for a party of four rather remarkable Tuesday 22nd February, The Kintyre Way, Marcus Adams, 2.30,
friends of the new owners. They thoroughly enjoyed the golf, the Village Hall library.
cottage and copies of the Antler left to entertain, amuse and annoy Friday 4th March, World Day of Prayer, Guild Committee, 7pm
Village Hall library.
them during the expected wet days.
Tuesday 8th March, Guild AGM, 2.30, Village Hall library.
When they returned to the pleasures of Auchterarder, Stirling and
‘tram-torn’ Edinburgh, they left this ‘thank-you note’ for their generous ABC CARE & REPAIR PROJECT WITH
host, and a gift for the Antler - a donation which allowed the replacement
of the Antler’s elderly scanner for one used to scan the attached drawing. KINTYRE CRIME PREVENTION PANEL
Argyll & Bute Care & Repair are presently engaging in a joint venture.
Now you ask how does Carl Giles fit into the picture. Well the first
This is to develop local solutions to local needs, and an important link in
house the Editor and his wife owned in 1961 was in Tuddenham St. the multi-agency agency approach to crime prevention. There are Chubb
Martin in Suffolk, originally occupied by Carl Giles’ mother - Carl lived door limiters & spy door peep holes available to people who are disa-
with his ‘motor-racing caravan studio and his high-powered cars at a bled, or home owners aged 60 or over. These Crime Prevention prod-
farm just round the corner at Witnesham, and his ashes are interred a ucts are supplied by the Crime Prevention Panel, and will be fitted free
few feet away from the Editor’s parent’s grave. of charge by the employees of Argyll & Bute Care & Repair. On behalf of
Reputedly Carl’s real ‘grandma’ looked nothing like the version of the Panel, Eva MacDonald, MBE, Vice Chair wishes to thank Argyll &
her appearing in the Daily Express or on any of the RNLI Christmas Bute Care & Repair, and Strathclyde Police, Campbeltown for their
cards, but as you will have seen on page one, Fran, Jayne, Gill and assistance in this project. If anyone wishes to take advantage of this
Shiela are more attractive than their portrayals on the thank-you note, important Crime Prevention project, they can contact Raymond Harvey
but are après-golf activities responsible for more than just bad backs? on 07786544886 or Paul Huckerby on 07786 545030.
G.P.
CARRADALE GOLF CLUB: LATE NEWS
The Club sends its deepest sympathy to Jamie and Lorna on the
tragic loss of their son Alan.
A reminder that the Annual Dinner Dance takes place on Saturday
6th November.
Men’s Section: The following are the results of recent competitions: -
July Medal: J.Paterson. Foulds Martin: P.Davis
Walker Quaich: 1st D.Galbraith, 2nd R.J.Abernethy, 3rd H.Scott
August Cup/Medal: 1st D Dunlop, 2nd A Dunlop, 3rd S Walker
AM-AM: 1st R. McMurchy, A. Anderson, W Deans I Watson
2nd A. Bell, A. Dunlop, H. Scott, K. Greenwood
3rd C. McIntyre, B. Deans, D. McKinnon, W. McKinnon
S Club Championship: Following 4 rounds over week-ends 4/5 and
11/12 September The following were the winners: -
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP GREEN-KEEPER’S CUP
1st D. J. Ritchie H. Scott
“Madam, I haven’t the faintest idea whether the extra charge for your cough mixture is going to be frittered away on 2nd D. Dunlop S. Walker
some fool Government scheme to send monkeys to the moon.” An internet ‘Carl Giles Celebration’ 1970s cartoon.
3rd J. Robertson A. Dunlop
2
 CARRADALE
CARRADALE GOLF CLUB
Welcomes visitors BROTHERS
Juniors Adult The Complete Service
Round £7.00 £16.00 HAMILTON BROS. (ENGINEERING) LTD.
Daily £10.00 £20.00
Weekly £35.00 £75.00 Groundcare & Agricultural Equipment
Two weeks £45.00 £95.00 Sales,Service & Hire. MOT & MOT Repairs
Country Membership - £119.00 Local Service Depot - Roading, Campbeltown. Tel: 01586
(May play in Club Competitions)
Affiliated Club Members £10.00
MASSEY FERGUSON

For further information contact The Secretary, Dr R. Abernethy Head Office: Greenock Road, Bishopton PA7 SAP Tel: 01505 862010.
The Arch, Torrisdale, PA28 6QT Tel: 01583 431321 Fax: 01505 862221 Email: info@hamiltonbros.co.uk Web Site: www.hamiltonbros.co.uk

GRAB Trust - news letter.

CARRADALE GOLF CLUB
LADIES GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP AT
CARRADALE OVER THE WEEKEND OF
21/22 AUGUST 2010.
The entrants vie for the annual trophy present-
ed to the club by Keith Campbell in memory of
his wife Christine, who was a keen member of
the club. The photograph shows Anne Storm
winner of the Handicap Section, and Laura
McGeachy (Club Champion), being presented
with their trophies by Keith Campbell.
Winner of the Chris Campbell Memorial
Trophy & Club Champion: Laura McGeachy
Scratch - Laura McGeachy (141);
Marlene Walker (154 - BIH)
Handicap - Anne Storm (23) (nett 126);
Lindsay Owen (10) (nett 134)
Magic 2's - Marlene Walker at 8th (2nd round)
Laura McGeachy at 7th (2nd round)
GOLF MONTHLY DRAW
The prizes in the monthly draw for July and
August are as follows:-
July August
1st £30 M Kitson Mrs M Owen
2nd £18 Mrs H Wynd A. Ponton
3rd £12 Mrs P Marshall J. Webb
4th £ 6 Mrs E Naismith Mrs C. McIlvride
THE COLOUR VERSION
OF THE ANTLER IS
AVAILABLE ON THE
WEB-SITE ‘SCRIBD’
EAST KINTYRE
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON
THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2010
PRESENT: Shelagh Cameron, Ronnie Brown-
ie, Elizabeth McMillan, Andrea Hopkins, La-
chie Paterson, Councillor Rory Colville,
Councillor Anne Horn.
APOLOGIES: Stuart Irvine, Tom Adams,
Councillor Robin Currie, Councillor John
McAlpine.
Convenor Shelagh Cameron welcomed every-
one present.
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Proposed by
Shelagh Cameron seconded by Ronnie Brown-
ie. Matters Arising From Last Minutes: None.
TREASURERS REPORT: £400 grant to Com-
munity Council from Argyll and Bute Council.
Received £50 donation from Colin Burgess for
dog foul bins. Subscription to Scotways of £20.
Balance in Community Council account £1891.
PLANNING: HIGH PLUCK - permission ap-
plied for to take out solar panels and to put up
a domestic windmill. No other planning issues
Machrihanish offshore wind farm: nothing to
report.
REVIEW OF LEARNING DISABILITY SUP-
PORT: Changes are being proposed by Argyll
and Bute Council to the learning support and
drop in centres in Campbeltown. If these cen-
tres close where would people with learning
disabilities go? -
• wander the streets, sit at home all the time
watching television. At least in these centres
they have the chance to meet other people,
have a chat or learn a new skill. Convenor
Shelagh Cameron sent a letter containing sev-
eral very important questions to the head of
the centre who will present them at a meeting
being held tonight (2 September 2010). A
discussion took place and it was decided that
the centres should be kept as they are. Com-
munity Council to write a letter in support of
status quo.
VILLAGE PLAN / ideas Survey: Point of Action
- put out a survey to get everyone involved.
This will be carried forward to next Community
Council meeting where hopefully loads of ide-
as will be put forward. Councillor Anne Horn is
going to send some notes on how Tarbert and
Jura carried out their village plan / ideas survey
TANGY 2 WIND FARM GRANTS: Distributed
by Scottish Community Foundation. Peninver
village hall only ones applied for funds. Still
funds available, deadline 30 September 2010.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mental Health Argyll and Bute - news letter.
Kintyre Initiative Working Group - leaflet.
Street Scene - letter.
3
Parish and Town Councils: No need for
nuclear - leaflet.
Dr Steven Murphy, Rhododendron Project
Officer - email. As the disease among rho-
dodendrons is a serious problem it was felt
that information should be more accessible
to the public.
ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS:
• Gritting of road past Carradale - this has
already been submitted to Sally Loudon, Chief
Executive, Argyll and Bute Council. Councillor
Rory Colville intimated, although no decision
has been made as yet, that gritting was unlike-
ly to happen this winter.
• Convenor Shelagh Cameron has had a
meeting with Arthur McCulloch and two meet-
ing with Martin Gorringe about pontoons at
harbour. All surveys have been carried out. As
the harbour belongs to Argyll and Bute Council
a small pontoon system which would be more
affordable might be more acceptable to the
Council. Start small to begin with and expand
later if necessary. A survey should be carried
out to find out the feelings of the local people,
and what they would like to envisage happen-
ing, and a plan possibly put forward.
Convenor Shelagh Cameron thanked every-
one for attending.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 7 October 2010
GROGPORT RAINFALL
IN AUGUST
The total recorded rainfall this month was
117mm (roughly four and a half inches) It
seemed to be frequently raining but the accu-
mulated total was less than the average for
August, which is 159mm. This compares with
62mm (2003) and 339mm (2009).The total rain-
fall for January to August this year is 831mm
and it remains the lowest for that period since
we have been keeping records. The highest
record of 1462mm was the 2002 figure.
Although it appeared to be wetter this
month, we did, surprisingly, have 11 dry days
but the amount of 35mm which fell on the 23rd
was an exceptionally high total for a single day
in August as this was nearly an inch and a half.
The month ended with a distinctly autum-
nal feel. It felt noticeably colder early in the
morning and in the evening with the shorter
daylight hours and the leaves have already
started to show their autumn tints.
Will it be an Indian Summer or has summer
gone for good? M.L.
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Tel: 01586 552954 or Jennifer on 01583 431632

greatest benefit. I’m keen to know from our communities, our council-
ARGYLL & BUTE COUNCIL lors and our staff where they think we could do things differently and
BUDGET CONSULTATION 2010-2011 more efficiently.
Difficult choices for difficult times
This is the first time we’ve opened up our budget process to
‘OPTIONS TO CONSIDER’ consultation, which I hope reflects both the severity of the challenge we
‘Argyll and Bute Council is setting its budget for 2010-11 and beyond. face and also a new approach from the council towards being more
The current economic climate means we face big budgets challenges. open with our residents.
The council will have less money to spend next year than it had this
While we have to make difficult choices these difficult times present
year. Our current forecast shows the shortfall is likely to be between
us with an opportunity. We can redesign our services so they are
£9m and £13m. While the council is taking steps to become more
appropriate for users now and in the future.
efficient this level of savings cannot be made through efficiency alone.
We need to look at all the services we provide and will have to make I hope you will share your thoughts on the budget with us and that
some difficult choices about how we provide them in the future. The together we can make good decisions for our future.”
budget pages tell you more about how we are doing this and how you HOW THE BUDGET IS CURRENTLY SPENT
can get involved.’ The graph shows how our budget is currently shared out across each
MESSAGE FROM THE COUNCIL LEADER, DICK WALSH. service. Education
“Argyll and Bute Council stands at a financial crossroads. Efforts by the receives the biggest
UK Government to reduce national debt by cutting public spending share of the budget,
mean the council will have less money to spend on the service we followed by social
deliver. This means we have to find ways of delivering quality work. Together these
education, support for vulnerable people, transportation, roads, waste areas account for
collection and housing by spending less. more than half of the
council’s overall
It would be wrong of me to pretend that we can continue to provide
spend. Payments
all of the services we do at the minute. It would also be wrong of me to
made to the police
suggest services in the future will be provided the same way as they
and fire services are
are now. As a council we have to take a long, hard look at our services
not set by the council
and the way we deliver them and ask ourselves some difficult
but are paid for from
questions. And as a council it’s our responsibility to listen to what our
council tax. The
communities want us to do on their behalf.
council must also
So, as we stand at the financial crossroads I want to know what continue to pay
direction you think the council should take. We need to make the interest and repay-
difficult decisions together so we’re confident the services we deliver ments on money it borrows to finance major projects such as schools
are the most important to our community and, if we choose not to and roads. The next graph shows how the council’s budget is shared
deliver some services any more, that the impact will be reduced. out on different cost areas: The biggest single cost to the council is the
I hope you’ll take this opportunity to share your thoughts on how salaries of 4,500 full time equivalent staff. The salary bill is £121.8m.
the council should spend its budget. I want to know if you think we ‘Payments to others’ covers payments to private companies for
should absolutely protect some services, even if that means making services they provide the council such as residential care and benefits
bigger cuts to others. for housing and council tax. The council currently generates around
£44m (equivalent to 16% of the total expenditure) by charging for
This leaflet gives you an outline of where the council gets its money
services such as parking or leisure facilities. This also includes paying
from and where we currently spend it. As we develop the budget for
grants such as housing benefit subsidy.
2011-12 I hope to hear from residents about their priorities. And if you
don’t feel you have something to say I hope this process of inviting your Average spend per head Scottish aver- Difference needed to
input and including your opinions in our budget will reassure you that Service area
of population (£) age (£) meet average
the council is doing everything it can to take the right economic route,
Education 1,098.34 928.32 -£15.4m
both for our communities and with our communities.”
Roads and transport 131.49 76.46 -£5m
MESSAGE FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SALLY LOUDON.
“Council budgets are often controversial. What many people don’t Planning and develop-
51.93 45.72 -£0.60
realise is the huge range of services councils provide and how those ment
services are funded. Council tax only goes some way towards funding Recreation and sport 53.04 73.29 +£1.8m
the council’s services. The remainder is made up of grants from central
government. We know those grants are going to be cut and so we’re Libraries 16.57 23.22 +£0.6m
planning our response. We need to think now about how we will deliver Culture & heritage 17.68 25.34 +£0.7m
services in the future when we don’t have as much money at our
disposal. Children and families
113.81 133.98 +£1.8m
care
We’ve already taken steps to make our organisation as efficient as
possible. We’re looking at our staffing levels and reviewing services to Older people care 291.71 243.5 -£4.4m
identify how we could work differently, with the aim of reducing our total Waste management 149.17 102.33 -£4.2m
spend by 15% . That’s more than £30 million.
Environmental services 53.04 27.3 -£2.40
While I’m confident the council’s finances are in good shape it’s
important the money we have is used in the areas which will have the Housing support services 122.65 49.95 -£6.6m

4
 TORRISDALE CASTLE
ORGANIC TANNERY & CRAFTY SHEEP SHOP
ALL-YEAR-ROUND GIFTS
Sweaters, cardigans, belts, handbags, slippers,
mugs, soft toys and so much more.
A sheepskin rug is a touch of luxury at any time of the year. Try
one on your new wooden floor, beside your bed, in your favour-
ite armchair or in the car - ‘pelt up & belt up’ at the same time!
TELEPHONE
01583 431233
HELP THE COUNCIL
BUDGET SETTING TIMELINE:
Summer 2010 Informal consultation with
community representatives
Autumn 2010 Initial options presented to
council
Winter 2010 Detailed consideration of options
February 2011 Final budget approved
Get involved. We would like to hear your views
on where you think the council should spend
its budget. Now you know about the difficult
choices we face and some of the options we
could consider we want to know whether or
not you think we’re getting it right.
Here’s how you can share your views:
(1) Email – budget@argyll-bute.gov.uk
(2) Visit your councillor’s surgery or
(3) Write to the Council at Council
Headquarters, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll
PA31 8RT, stating whether you -
Strongly agree, agree, neither agree or
disagree, disagree or disagree strongly with
the following statements.
(a) I would be willing to pay for more coun-
cil tax to help protect public services in
Argyll and Bute
(b) I would accept additional charges for
some services if this would protect es-
sential services
(c) I would accept the council not providing
some services to protect and develop
others
(d) The information provided in this docu-
ment was useful
If you have additional comments and sugges-
tions please attach them to your letter.
BT DIRECTORIES
WATERFOOT DELIVERY 2010.
Waterfoot residents failed to receive a copy of
‘The Lomond and Argyll Phone Book’ again
this year. If you subscribe to BT ring 0800 833
400 and explain the problem. You will be sent
a free copy.
If you are not a BT subscriber, even
though you are joined to the local sub-station
it will cost you £10.
I complained last year in September and
BT said there was nothing they could do but if
I contacted them in May they would remind the
delinquent distributor. - Unfortunately I forgot
to contact them in May as it was not on my list
of memorable dates, but I did on 16th August
and they then made the above 'offer,' but I
urge everyone to ring them in May 2011 to
ensure delivery in June.
If you see someone delivering directories
next May, show then where Waterfoot is!
G.P.
TOMMY
MILLAR
TRAVEL
COUNSELLOR
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
ARGYLL FIRST & TWO TIER DEMOCRACY
Dear Sir
Following the decision taken at the recent
Council Meeting on 19th August, it is our opin-
ion that a democratic deficit remains in the
representation of residents in Argyll and Bute.
The current governance of the council con-
sists of 16 councillors (Executive Committee),
12 of whom are from the ruling group, with the
remaining 4 from the opposition. It is this group
who are making the vast majority of council
decisions on your behalf. The remaining 20
councillors are excluded and can only vote on
issues which pertain to their own wards. From
May 2007 until June 2010, over 600 agenda
items have been dealt with in this way.
We, in Argyll First, believe that this has
created a ‘two tier’ system of democracy and
strongly believe that when you vote for a coun-
cillor, he/she should have equal voting.’rights
on ALL council business. The current system
is undemocratic and we would ask that if you
agree, you lobby your local councillor as it is
you, the voting public, who hold the key to
opening up the democratic process for Argyll
and Bute.
Argyll First looks forward to working on
behalf of, and in partnership with, the resi-
dents of Argyll and Bute and we look forward
to hearing your views.
Councillors Donald Kelly, Douglas Philand
and John McAlpine
LIBRARIES TO CLOSE
IN COVE AND GARELOCHEAD
‘Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed two
libraries will close their doors at the end of
August for the final time. Cove library will close
at 5pm on Thursday 26 August and
Garelochead library will follow suit the next
day (Friday 27 August).’
‘The libraries were originally due to close
at the end of the last financial year as part of
savings identified for 2010 but additional
funding was made available while a long term
alternative to running both buildings was
found.’
‘Readers and borrowers can return their
books to any of Argyll and Bute’s other
libraries, including the mobile library and there
will be no charge for overdue books while
people adjust to the new arrangements.’
‘The nearest alternative libraries are in
Helensburgh and Rosneath although the
council is working on plans for the mobile
library to stop in each village. More details will
be announced when they are finalised.’
5
For all your Travel and
Holiday Arrangements put
your trust in your own
Travel Adviser
TOMMY MILLAR
Tel: 0845 0587589
e-mail tommy.millar@travel
counsellors.com
www.travelcounsellors
.co.uk/tommy.millar
‘Closing the libraries will save the council
in the region of £30,000. One staff member
has been made redundant and another has
been redeployed’
‘Councillor Neil Mackay, Argyll and Bute
Council’s spokesperson for arts and culture
says the decision to close the libraries was not
taken lightly. He explains: “The council has a
limited budget and unfortunately we have had
to take the difficult decision to close the
libraries to make savings. Both of these
libraries were only open for part of the week
and it was no longer economical to keep the
buildings staffed, paying for heating, lighting
and water. Residents will still be able to use
the library service in nearby towns and soon
we’ll have a schedule for the mobile library to
visit too. Closing the libraries was a difficult
decision but we have been able to find a
compromise”.’
IN THE PIPELINE
SEWER PIPE UPGRADE PLAN AGREED
‘A revised plan for the upgrading of sewer
pipes in Campbeltown town centre, which
aims to minimise disruption for the general
public, has been agreed.’
‘The council, ACHA and Scottish Water
have agreed a proposal to give Scottish Water
access via Park Square, which is to have a
new road built through it, reducing the
requirement to lay pipes up Kinloch Road past
Aqualibrium and along Lochend Street to the
junction with Millknowe Road. Now, only 70m
of pipes will be required along Kinloch Road
before being directed through Park Square.’
‘Councillor John Semple, chair of the
Campbeltown CHORD Project Board, said:
“This is a common sense move which will
benefit everyone involved – including the
residents and businesses of South Kintyre”.’
“The works being undertaken by Scottish
Water are essential upgrades, which
previously threatened to cause significant
disruption to the town centre.This agreement
ensures that inconvenience to the general
public is kept to an absolute minimum, given
that Scottish Water require significantly less
digging at Kinloch Road and none at all on
Lochend Street.”
‘Alastair Macgregor, Chief Executive of
ACHA, added “We are pleased to assist in this
joint working for the benefit of Campbeltown’
and Eddie Burns of Scottish Water also added
that he “was pleased at the proposed
arrangements that had been arrived at
through the joint working of the various
parties”.’
‘It is expected that the work on Park
Square will start within the next two months.’
 J. H. Hooper B.Sc., B.V.M & S., M.R.C.V.S

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pursue university qualifications beyond a first degree, it is clear that

THE EDUCATIONAL ASCENT there is still a very wide gap between those who scramble to reach
TV presenters and newspaper editors must have been relieved in ancillary heights, and those who place their flag on the summit and are
August when exam results could momentarily take the limelight off the ready to tackle even steeper climbs. Many educational sherpas and
devastating news from the Indian continent and Peru, but are you tired guides fail to support virgin climbers and suffer themselves from alti-
of seeing adolescents jumping up and down after discovering that they tude sickness. Unfortunately they are often unwilling to go below base
have done well or obtained ‘straight ‘A’s’ under the ‘all must have some camp and contact the real world.
success’ scheme of today’s examination system.
Fortunately some politicians, academics and a number of entrepre-
Things were not always so. In earlier times the ‘normal curve of neurs have pointed out that there are real and short term alternatives
distribution’ was a pre-requisite for any marker or moderator. 5% A’s, ranging from a ‘gap year’, ‘internships’, forms of employment requiring
18% Bs, 50% Cs (a pass), 18% Ds, 5% Es, 3% F and 1% U was the good grades or aptitude, and other types of training.
norm. This year’s reports were not similarly spread. In some Scottish
Higher exams, passes were awarded for less than 50% in one in four Becoming a little more adult about meeting the world’s challenges
subjects, including English, chemistry, biology and computing; in and disappointments is clearly part of growing up, and accepting
Standard Grade some papers were judged to have been ‘passes’ at difficulties, and overcoming failure is still a necessary and unchanged
24%. Altogether 74.6% ‘passed’ their Highers and 98.5% their Stand- part of the real educational process. G.P.
ard Grade. Obtains a 1st and moves on to a second
No qualifications, plenty of
As a consequence students with As, Bs, Cs Ds, and the more drive & confidence, buying degree, a doctorate, has a debt of £40,000,
and selling on an increasing married with a child, and works as a lecturer
recent A* are gearing-up emotionally to climb the educational moun- scale, owns two retail shops Gets first choice, studies, works part-
tain, perhaps unable to reach base camp, having difficulty in finding an and plans for two more time in holidays, gains a 2.1 in Eng-
lish, works unpaid for 6 months, has a
educational sherpa or a planned route, and often (1 in 4) of failing to Good Highers, training as
£10,00 debt, does a PGCE and temps
a manager for a national
proceed beyond the first slope. Those whose expedition is helped by supermarket chain at a local primary school.
sacrificing parents, or who manage to live on a restricted financial and Good GCSE, hairdressing
Gets second choice, enjoys Uni,
socialises,leaves with a 2.2 & £25,000
recreational diet, emerge on the upper slopes with a qualification which college, hopes to have own debt, looking for a job in media studies
salon, saving to get married
may or may not have any relevance to a prospective employer, and if Gets 1A*, 1A and 1B, is refused entry to
Some GCSEs Goes into fishing,
recent reports are to be believed, unable to write a reasonable letter, takes a masters certificate,
‘Uni’, takes a year out, travels, volun-
teers, re-applies a year later and is ac-
incapable of contributing to a company or even of being courteous to skippers a boat, married with 2 cepted, gains a 2.1 and is subsequently
children & hoping for a mortgage
customers or company clients. offered a job
Looked at several jobs but
Long ago in late 1940s and early 1950s the word ‘university’ had didn’t find anything interesting Scrapes into ‘Uni’ through the
- all boring, waiting until clearing process, fails the first
not been truncated to ‘uni’ and had similarly retained its prestige within something turns up, enjoying year, leaves and is unem-
ployed with a small debt
schools. Its standards were acknowledged by employers and respect- being away from school
ed throughout the world. Some standard grades, not
interested in Highers or
In those days, apart from the precincts of private or grant-aided ‘Uni’ - in 6 months an ap-
prentice with no debts
establishments, children (another out-dated term) approaching the age and climbing the
financial ladder
of 11 in England, Wales & Northern Ireland, and 12 in Scotland, were
experiencing the ‘sheep and goat’ sorting so redolent of biblical times.
LIVING ON THE EDGE: ARE YOU BEGINNING THE ASCENT
In remoter parts of Britain the older children in all-age schools compet-
ed with those in a variety of other institutions to gain access to further
education. NETWORK TEAROOM
Of those passing through the narrow gate, one tenth of the British WINTER HOURS
school population went to Senior Secondary or Secondary Grammar The tearoom will be closed from
schools, while almost nine tenths passed through the larger arch to a
Junior Secondary or Secondary Modern School; a few entered Sec- the 4th till the 22nd of October.
ondary Technical Schools. However, In some areas ‘late developers’ Winter hours are 11am till 4pm.
were transferred to Secondary Grammar schools on reaching 13 years Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
old, with some of their peers taking the reverse route.
Later on, after four or five years of segregated education, fewer
than one in ten went to university, more went on to other forms of
higher education, some took up apprenticeships and others joined
companies anxious to attract literate employees. THE PICTURE HOUSE
In summary the early 1950s university entrant was 1 of 100 in his Saturday 25 September for 6 days at 8.00pm
peer group or less than 1 in 100 in her peer group. Now, after the THE SORCERERS APPRENTICE (pg)
Labour Government’s moves to encourage 50% of school leavers to Saturday 2 October for 5 days at 8.00pm
seek a university place, we face a national outcry because students are (Not Monday) SALT (12A)
in tears if they cannot obtain ‘American straight A*’ ratings, and are Monday 4 October for 1 day at 8.00pm
equally distressed that new economy quotas have restricted their entry (First Monday Presentation)
to an all-encompassing ‘uni’. LETTERS TO JULIET (PG)
Today all parts of the educational ascent are under scrutiny; nation- Saturday 9 October 2010 for 6 days at 7.00pm
al financial problems affect every aspect of life so there are no reasons CATS & DOGS;
why training for the future should not be similarly assessed. Looking at THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE (U)
applications for grant assistance to complete an honours course or to
6
 Need a repair or a small job done? Can’t get a tradesman to come out?
Phone KeeF
01583 431614
07786 838996
Your local handy-man
who won’t let you down
& won’t charge the earth
CORRECTIONS,
APOLOGIES & AN HOAX
AMONG THE MISTAKES IN LAST
MONTH’S ANTLER!
Many thanks to Eva MacDonald and Wendy
Vandome for reminding the Editor and readers
that Raymond Harvey’s Care & Repair mobile
number is 07786 544886.
Unlike teenage girls who constantly
change their names depending on their cur-
rent favourite programme TV character, Wil-
liam ‘Wum’ Semple reminded me that Neil
MacDougall’s name has never been Matthew,
despite being called ‘Donna’ for most of his
life.
Kenneth Semple pointed out that the
215th issue was dated September 2009, not
2010 - although time passes more quickly as
we get older it looks as though for some of us
the clock is going into reverse.
On the subject of viruses Colin Burgess
says that Highland Fuels warning about virus-
es is itself a hoax and advises readers to open
http://home.mcafee.com/virusInfo/virusprofile.
aspx?key=266978. A list of ‘hoax virus’s’ can
be found at - http://home.mcafee.com/virus
info/virushoaxes.spx.
He said that Microsoft, McAfee, Norton are
huge organisations with teams of people con-
stantly scanning the web looking for new
threats and generally have a resolution to
such problems within hours. The best solution
is invest in good anti-virus software which is
updated continually.
Beattie Burnside also noticed the warning
about the 'Olympic Torch' virus in the last
edition of the Antler. She consulted her profes-
sional computer expert and he suggested
looking at the same two web-site given by
Colin Burgess. Beattie advised readers not to
forward the 'alert' message to friends; doing
this gives the hoaxer access to active email
addresses where unwanted spam emails can
be directed. She added that the following
words are a tell-tale sign of an email hoax” -
""This is the worst virus announced by
CNN//Snopes (or other well recognised media
presenters), it has been classified by Microsoft
as the most destructive virus ever.** This virus
was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and
there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This
virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the
Hard Disc, where the vital information is
kept.""*Microsoft does not classify viruses!!*
Finally Waterfoot’s Sue Harris picked up the
challenge about the proposed Machrihanish
wind-farm. She pointed out that the communi-
ty council’s minutes quotes a distance off-
shore of 2 miles, (1 kilometre = 0.621371192
miles) contrasting with the Goverment’s Stra-
tegic Environmental Assessment of 0.9km and
the SSE’s statement of 2km.
david ingram
DIY
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Shelving - Professional Architectural Artist
Decorating
Path laying - Architectural Design Services
Domestic repairs
Dry-stone walling
Flat-pack assembly M. 07745 368 576
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No job too small
Keeping Sue’s comments in mind and looking
at SSE’s map it is difficult to confirm any
distance without stating where measurements
are taken from and which tower is considered
closest; it depends where you stand and in
which direction you look. Whatever the actual
distances its certainly far too close and too
large to be received without serious criticism.
Perhaps it is time to have a ‘find the most
mistakes’ competition and publish the name of
the most astute reader - if there is one. At least
it will establish if there are those who read
everything that’s published.
CAMPBELTOWN PLANS
PUBLIC DROP-IN TO FIND OUT MORE
ABOUT ROADS AND REGENERATION
Friday, 20 August 2010 12:06
‘The event was held at Campbeltown’s town
hall on Wednesday the 11th August and was
dovetailed with ACHA’s Customer
Involvement Day, being held at the same
location.’
‘Just over 120 people attended the event
to get an update on ambitious proposals for
Campbeltown. The projects discussed by the
members included: traffic management
proposals, Kinloch road regeneration, ACHA
proposals for Park Square, Campbeltown
Marina and town centre regeneration.’
‘The traffic management proposals were of
particular interest to those attending the
session and many queries were answered in
terms of the impact on parking. The feedback
from attendees was encouraging given that
the Council had taken on board comments
received through the Traffic Regulation Order
consultation process and now proposes a
more flexible approach of prohibiting parking
only when the largest of loads from the wind
turbine factory are being transported.’
‘Councillor Semple, Chair of the
Campbeltown CHORD Project Board said, “I
am happy to see another good turnout of local
people keen to engage with the proposals.
The public have responded positively and
planners have been receptive to the
comments made. We will continue to keep
people updated as developments progress”
LORN & ISLANDS
HOSPITAL REDESIGN
This is the second newsletter detailing the
progress that is being made in the redesign of
in-patient services at Lorn & Islands Hospital.
The project now has real momentum with
engagement from staff as well as valued in-
volvement from the public & staff partnerships.
1. Maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of
in-patient and day-case beds across the
hospital.
2. Look into the number of beds required and
their make up within or between wards.
7
+ art services
E. djingram82@yahoo.co.uk
3. Ensure appropriate services are responsive
and available when required.
4. Ensuring high quality service to patients and
families.
5. Ensure that day surgery is the norm and
inpatient stays are available when required.
A number of sub-groups are reviewing
detailed information and compiling draft plans.
The two main sub-groups (Bed Utilisation and
Theatre & Endoscopy) have been brought
together to develop an overall Action Plan, the
main elements of which are as follows:
a) The development of patient pathways for
medical/surgical patients - this includes
reviewing patient transport to and from the
hospital and the involvement of social ser-
vices where appropriate. The main aims
are to maximise patient safety and manage
patient lengths of stay so that people don't
have to stay in hospital any longer than
necessary.
b) Development of a joint acute Assessment
Unit – consideration of the benefits of intro-
ducing a medical/surgical assessment fa-
cility in one of the wards to increase
efficiency in assessing, diagnosing and
treating unplanned admissions to the hos-
pital.
c) Reviewing the ward structure - consider-
ation of the numbers of in-patient and day
case beds required in future.
d) Ward staff skills review - to ensure the
hospital has the right number of staff with
the right skills, able to be used flexibly
throughout the site.
e) Development of day case surgery - com-
pleting the pilot of an extended day case
unit on Ward A. In future more surgical
patients will be treated as day cases so that
they can return home after surgery rather
than having an overnight stay.
f) Reviewing endoscopy services - simplifying
the admission and treatment process to
improve patient experiences and improve
operating theatre throughput.
g) Reviewing theatre procedures - considering
how improvements may be made to the
management of theatre sessions, the staff-
ing of theatre & the patient experience
before, during and after an operation.
h) Development of pre-assessment proce-
dures - to ensure that patients are effective-
ly screened prior to surgery, that
arrangements are in place to ensure pa-
tient stays in hospital are limited to what is
clinically necessary and to minimise the
number of patients who fail to attend for
surgery.
i) Reviewing the range of surgery performed -
in particular working with the Belford Hospi-
tal, Fort William, to look at options to sup-
port the continued provision of urology
services locally.
David Whiteoak (Locality Manager)
 THE GLEN
BAR & RESTAURANT,CARRADALE
Mobile Fish Offering a warm and welcoming family atmosphere with an excellent menu of
home-cooked food. Locally caught seafood a speciality. Home-made ice cream.
Full disabled and baby changing facilities. Functions catered for. We now deliv-
Fresh fish
Have your favourite photographs
er takeaways. Free delivery on food orders over £10 in the Carradale area.

delivered to your door

enlarged to A3 or A4 size Open 12.30pm to late every day
Haddock, Whiting,
Prices tiered Sole, Cod Fillets, Fresh Salmon,
depending Food served 12.30 - 2pm & 6pm - 8.30pm.
Rainbow Trout,required
on quantity Kippers Smoked & Peppered Mackerel. To book a table in the restaurant ‘phone Sue or Penny on
01583 431431
TELEPHONE: 01586 554338 or e-mail us at info@theglencarradale.wanadoo.co.uk
Web address: www.theglenbar.com

70 AND STILL GOING STRONG

Several well known Carradalians celebrated reaching their
seventieth birthday in the past month. Donald Macalister Hall
and ‘Wum’ Semple managed to hide themselves from pub-
licity, although ‘Wum’ had quite a different reason to cele-
brate with ‘Golden Promise,’ but Johnny Durnan included the
following tribute to ‘The Provost’ - ‘Red Dougie’ on the
Carradale Goat web-site.
‘Dougie Campbell, married to Jean, celebrated with his
family at home in Tormhor on the first of September. Dougie
worked most of his life at the fishing starting of at the ring net
with his family and relations, who all had boats. Working
through the years on various trawlers at the mid water,
prawns, scallops and so on before retiring from the sea.
The lure of the water could not stop him going back as
he started working for a salmon fish farm company and
continued for some years, before going through a serious
illness, getting over most of that and eventually hanging up
the boots. Today Dougie passes the time by doing wee runs
for the Carradale Bakers delivering rolls, cakes, pies etc all
over Kintyre’.
RFA Fort George in Kilbrannan Sound
THE PASSING OF FORT GEORGE
By sheer co-incidence Neil Oliver’s appearance at Fort George in the ‘Coast’,
broadcast on Tuesday 24th August, its namesake, the RN Fleet Auxiliary, had
passed Carradale heading north up Kilbrannan Sound two days earlier.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort George, A388, was built on the River
Tyne by Swan Hunter and entered service in 1994. The ship is 204 metres long,
has a beam of 30 metres and displaces 36580 tonnes. She is powered by two
Crossley-Pielstick diesel engines which give her a maximum speed of 21 knots.
Fort George played a major part in the flood relief of Mozambique, the Sierra
Leone campaign and was heavily involved in supporting the land forces in
Afghanistan.
The land-based Fort George was begun in 1748 on a spit of land jutting into
the Moray Firth, eleven miles north east of Inverness, in response to a possible
Jacobite menace after Culloden in 1746, and was a reaction to the success of a
Highland army penetrating England as far south as Derby. This was at a time
when the populations of Scotland and England were much closer than the
present relationship of 1 to 10 with most Scots speaking Gaelic and living north
of the Highland line. The Fort was designed by William Adam and covers forty
two acres but never saw the military actions for which it was built.
Thanks to Martin Mears for the photograph, Johnny Durnan for the Carradale
Goat mention and various Internet sites for supporting information.

LOCHAIN: SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION

LOCHAIN IS A SEMI-DETACHED
PROPERTY SET IN THE
COASTAL VILLAGE OF
CARRADALE.
The property has views of the 9-hole
Golf Course. This cosy cottage is
comfortably furnished. Three Bed-
rooms, twin, King size and single. All
kitchen utilities, bed linen and towels
provided. Pets allowed, small gar-
den and car park for two cars.
Enquiries Phone 01583 431612

SENIORS FORUM
AGE SCOTLAND
The September meeting of the Forum heard
an excellent talk from Jo Cowan, Age
Scotland’s Northern Development Officer, on
the amalgamation of ‘Help the Aged in Scot-
land’ and ‘Age Concern Scotland’. She ex-
plained the protracted marriage and went on
to describe the services offered by the new
group. Un-phased by her lengthy journey from
North Ballachulish, she went on to listen and
take notes on the problems facing the elderly
in Kintyre.
In the closing minutes of the meeting, Jo and
the Chairman, George MacMillan dealt with
complaints from three members over issues
surrounding East European immigrants. The
principal problem seemed to be that our
young allegedly unemployed European neigh-
bours were taking up all the seats in
Glasgow’s pedestrian areas, and being subsi-
dised in housing and other benefits by those
who had contributed financially throughout
their lives without receiving similar or other
benefits. Dispensing free cups of tea calmed
things down at least temporarily.
8
The Objectives of Age Scotland are to support
- older people's groupings, to Influence Gov-
ernment & others, inform older people & oth-
ers. And to partner work with like minded
bodies towards mutual goals.
Grants are available for projects that con-
tribute to achieving strategic aims and the
organisation provides funding for groups that
supply a vital service or function for their own
community. Information on eligibility is availa-
ble from Regional Resource Workers, Region-
al Development Officers or at www.agescot-
land.org.uk.

KINTYRE VERMIN
& PEST CONTROL
VERMIN/PEST CONTROLLER: Proprietor DONALD KELLY
Telephone/Fax: (01586) 810391 Mobile: 07977 327751
Strathmore, Drumlemble, Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6PW
SERVICE & SUPPLIES
(N.P.T.A)
Prompt & Efficient Attention
THE KINTYRE WAY
JACQUETTA MEGARRY, EDITOR OF
THE MAGAZINE ‘RUCKSACK RAMBLES,’
COMMENTS ON A PARTIAL TRANSIT IN
JUNE 2010
Three friends and I have just returned from the
Kintyre Way. We took 6 days and had an
excellent time. In Tarbert we left our car out-
side the Struan House B&B where there is a
nice, recently opened restaurant (no problem
at all). We also recommend the Cafe Barge in
the harbour for excellent and unusual healthy
food at reasonable prices.
We benefited from weeks of drought so
none of the dreaded bogs materialised except
just at the bottom of the hill near Amod Farm
on the last day. The OS map makes the loop
here look unnecessary and we considered a
short cut, but the landowner has put up some
serious fences, so we stuck to the way-
marked route. By the way, as the ever-helpful
Ranger Owen pointed out, the Way is not
quite correctly marked on the OS map here -
e-mail and he will send you a corrected map.
B&Bs were good, views magnificent (clouds
permitting) and it was lovely and quiet.
Our only criticism would be the amount of
road walking. Even the "forest tracks" have
been upgraded in many places with hard ag-
gregate: not very comfortable to walk on and
a close relation to tarmac. In fact we skipped
the full day's walk in the middle because of
this, taking a bus from Carradale to Campbel-
town, hanging out there for a while and then a
later bus to Machrihanish. Way-marking is
excellent except for a couple of turns on the
last day (no problem in clear weather) and I
OPENING TUESDAY
TO SUNDAY
JULY & AUGUST
11 am - 2.30pm.
Evening meals:
5.30pm - 8pm
Booking advisable
New Summer Menu
Tracy & Fiona would like to welcome you to the Ashbank Hotel, Carradale
Now fully licensed - drop in for a drink or two.
En-suite rooms with sea & golf course views
New Lunch & a'la carte menu every 2 months - Eat in our newly contemporary
restaurant or cosy lounge. Daily specials - Sunday Lunches
Monthly theme nights - Indian, Italian, Chinese & Tapas.
Take away menu plus all items from the main menu, just order before 1 pm
Parties, Events & Outside Catering available to suit your needs
E-mail: ashbankhotel@tiscali.co.uk Internet: www.ashbankhotel.com
For further details please call 01583 431 650
found the mile posts very helpful and encour- A PERFECT PARTNER:
aging - would like all long distance paths to OS Kintyre Way 2-map pack £14. 2-map pack
have them. As the last day is long (and of OS Explorers (sheets 357 and 356 at
wonderful) I would recommend staying at 1:25,000); cover price £15.98, discounted
Ormsary Farm B&B which is on the trail about price £14; marked up show route discrepan-
3 miles before the end. It was our favourite cies. The Guide and the maps are available
B&B, with nice rooms and by far the best on the Internet and from: Rucksack Readers,
breakfast, and stopping here gives you a Landrick Lodge, Dunblane. FK15 0HY E-mail:
break and a rest before walking the last miles info@rucsacs.com Telephone 01786 824696
of road in reverse when you come back from
dinner at the pub in Southend, having been
given a lift to get there. Using a taxi to carry
your bags is handy and efficient but expen-
sive, so I would recommend asking each of
your B&Bs whether they will pick up/drop off
bags. Several did, either free or for a lower
price, which helped a lot.
One comment: in Carradale we could not
get local seafood in the restaurants. Appar-
ently the whole catch is sold for export and
local restaurateurs have to beg and plead for
limited and occasional supplies. This is not
good for local tourism (not to mention the
planet) so I hope there will be a campaign to
do something about this.
THE CARRADALE DIVERSION IN EFFECT
Thank you Owen, and thanks to Rucksack
SINCE SEPTEMBER 2009
Readers - we had a terrific time.
OWEN PAISLEY COMMENTS SPONSORED WALK
The Kintyre Way Ranger, Owen Paisley, re- The money raised with our sponsored walk in
plied to Rucksack Rangers comments - June was £1,628.00. On 13th August two
“Pleased to hear that you had a good time on cheques for £814.00 were presented to Mac-
your walk. I was surprised to read your com- millan nurse, Kitty Millar, and the ladies rep-
ment about the seafood in Carradale as I resenting the Mairi Semple fund. Once again
know that the Carradale Hotel and Dunvalan- many thanks to all who supported us in this
ree both serve locally sourced seafood every year’s walk. Next year’s walk will be on the
night. We've also re-routed the path at Amod 26th of June at 5.00am.
farm so it now curves down the hill and avoids Many thanks, José.
the boggy section you mentioned. The new
route is way-marked and much better than the
old one”. D.McNAIR
& SON
FURTHER FEEDBACK FROM JACQUETTA
I'm not going to enter into discussion of gas-
tronomy in an area where I haven't eaten
recently, but I am delighted that Owen Paisley TELEPHONE
keeps an eye on our forums. I can't think of (01586) 552020
another Route Manager that actually does 552039
this, anywhere in the British Isles, and many
walkers can't envisage the pressure that these Fuel Merchant
guys are under. So whatever the issues of KINLOCH ROAD
seafood in Kintyre, let's be glad we have a real
community of walkers who care. CAMPBELTOWN PA28 6EG
THE RUCKSACK RAMBLES FAX: (01586 552039)
KINTYRE WAY GUIDE
A step-by-step, with summaries of distance, QUALITY HOUSE COALS
terrain and refreshment stops, habitats and SMOKELESS & COOKER FUEL
wildlife, whisky-making in Kintyre, side-trip to CENTRAL HEATING OILROAD
the Isle of Gigha, planning information for DIESEL & TRACTOR FUEL
travel by car, ferry, bus and plane in full col-
our, with over 65 photographs drop-down map FREE DELIVERY
showing the whole Kintyre Way (1:110,000)
(MONDAY TO FRIDAY)
waterproof paper throughout.
9
 PATERSON’S BAKERY & POST OFFICE 41 Longrow,
Licensed Grocers, Bakers & Newsagent Campbeltown
Argyll PA28 6ER
THE SHOP IS OPEN Tel: 01586 554727
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday Fax: 01586 551727
8am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm. Thursday 8am to 1pm.
Sundays: One hour only from 10am to 11am
THE POST OFFICE IS OPEN Monday to Saturday 9am-1pm
TOM GRANT 24 Argyll St.
PARTNERSHIP Lochgilphead
Try our freshly baked morning rolls, crusty bread, tea bread A R C H I T E C T S Argyll PA31 8NE
and cakes, all baked in our old-fashioned stone oven Tel: 01546 603050
Mobile 0370 538 661
Telephone 01583 431725
Tom Grant Dip.,Arch., R.I.B.A., R.I.A.S

THREE LETTERS: FLOATING OFF, BUNKING UP & BREAKING DOWN

TIMBER-LINK THE BUNK HOUSE
SAVING KINTYRE’S ROADS
THE MINISTER OF THE ENVI-
RONMENT WRITES TO
COUNCILLOR RORY COLVILLE
Dear Rory
Thank you for your letter of 29 June
regarding the Timber-link Inland
Coastal Shipping Service.
The Service has been sup-
ported by the public purse in vari-
ous forms since 2000. In 2006
Scottish Ministers agreed to con-
tinue the funding through a public
service contract which expires at
the end of March 2011. Since
2006 it is anticipated that Timber-
link will have received over £4M of
subsidy to ship nearly 575,000
tonnes of timber, which equates to
removing approximately 46,000
lorry journeys from rural communi-
ties between Argyll and Ayrshire,
which as you are aware are also
busy tourist routes.
Forestry Commission Scot-
land, who manage the funding of
Timber-link, are currently review-
ing the situation before making rec-
ommendations on future financing.
As part of the review process
they have commissioned inde-
pendent reports on the economic
and environmental benefits de-
rived from the Timber-link service.
These reports provided very good
indication of not only the positive
benefits of Timber-link, but also the
level of support that it has from the
local communities and tourist in-
dustry, as well as the timber sector.
It is assuring to hear the strong
support for the Service directly
from community representatives
such as the Kintyre Initiative Work-
ing Group.
However, I am sure you will
appreciate that I am unable to
commit to further resources, until I
have received the views of my
officials and we have a clearer
idea of the outcome of the forth-
coming Comprehensive Spending
Review.
In the meantime, I have for-
warded your letter to FC Scotland
to help them in their deliberations.
Roseanna Cunningham.
SIKH & YOU SHALL FIND
THE OLD FREE CHURCH SCHOOL
PROJECT
A KINTYRE AMENITY TRUST
LETTER TO COUNCILLOR
JOHN SEMPLE
Dear John,
As I expect you are aware, Kintyre
Amenity Trust (KAT) has embarked
on the restoration of the Old Free
Church School on Big Kiln into a
small bunkhouse.
This project will not only remove
some urban dereliction from the cen-
tre of town but will also provide an
income to KAT to assist with the op-
eration and development of the social
history museum held at the Heritage
Centre, both important objectives.
The Old Church School is itself
an important part of the social history
of Campbeltown. The restoration of
the building is largely funded through
CARS, THI and ERDF and we are
currently looking at some community
grants to assist with environmental
issues for power and insulation.
You can view background infor-
mation on the project and see plans
and access our blog through our
website at www.campbeltownbunk
house.co.uk or give us a call.
In order to access the community
grants we need to demonstrate com-
munity support for the project.
Please can you write a "To whom
it may Concern" style letter outlining
your support to the Bunkhouse
project and forward it to me as soon
as you can, perhaps by the end of
July in the enclosed SAE. I am sure
you will understand that this is an
important element of the project.
We have prepared a business
case for the bunkhouse and antici-
pate that there is a real demand for
budget accommodation for our prin-
cipal events (MoK run, KW Relay,
Music Festival) as well as walkers on
the Kintyre Way and visitors to this
part of Argyll.
We look forward to hearing from
you.
Yours sincerely,
David Gardiner
Treasurer for Kintyre Amenity Trust
10
HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES
A LETTER TO RELUCTANT TV ARMCHAIR TRAVELLERS
Dear Reader,
The cynic might accept that for some travel does broaden the mind,
but is likely to insist that it is unsettling, reinforces prejudices and is
an increasingly expensive way of seeing how the other half lives.
For the elderly, the handicapped and the financially challenged TV
travel is safer, has few unexpected difficulties and can be terminat-
ed without recourse to the British Embassy, but is this security
preventing the challenge of the unavoidable?
On a recent trip of 1,200 miles the anticipation of arriving safely
and departing homewards was both betrayed and enhanced by
transport failures, the indifference of some main agents and the
efficiency of others, the care of rescue services and the undoubted
pleasure of meeting the unexpected.
During this break from Kintyre there was sympathy from a main
agent’s service engineer for an elderly lady who, despite a thorough
inspection of her car, was not convinced that he could find no mice
or holes in the engine and that ‘grommets’ (without a Wallace)
would stop mice getting in. The same service engineer offered help
for a motor-caravan owner who was unable to raise his tyre pres-
sure to 5.5 atmospheres, while his colleague dealt with another
owner who almost had a heart attack after hearing that a car wash
was free and that the charge for a courtesy car was only £5 a day
after the first 24 hours.
Perhaps the high points of the return trip was the withdrawal of
the A1 north of junction 49 and the arrival at a service station of a
new Rolls Royce.
The delightful diversion round the more scenic parts of Darling-
ton, a journey south on the A1 and a return to the normal route at
Scotch Corner was hardly matched by the Rolls Royce and its
occupants.
First out of the car were the two well-dressed security men and
the emergence of a six-foot high Indian gentleman resplendent in
turban, cockade, long brocade coat with matching trousers and
footwear and appropriate jewellery round his wrist and neck. While
the two security men surveyed the northern scene with unexpected
interest, he stretched politely and made his way to the service shop.
The next to appear was a slim, dark-eyed bejewelled lady in a
purple sari who quickly disappeared into the adjacent Holiday Inn.
Following his ‘magnificence’ into the service shop it was clear
that this was no descendant of the imperial Raj. After paying his
slightly large bill - perhaps a month’s wage for 100 sweat shop
workers, - he confided that he had come from Swindon.
In the haste of returning to burn rubber we did not wait to see if
the lady followed the western or eastern practice of keeping the
male waiting, or if the two security men had to enter the Holiday Inn
to drag out an unwilling spouse. We also wondered if the diversion
round Darlington would bring more jobs to the north of England.
We had no need to worry as the next stop for diesel was in
Dumbarton where a lady of Asian appearance happily dispensed
fuel and local bonhomie.
Now how often does one have an opportunity to meet the new
India face to face on TV? Equally I wonder if Enoch Powell is
turning in his grave at the thought of so much colour being added
to the monochrome existence most of us seem to enjoy. G.P.

Carpet, Upholstery &
Window Cleaning Service
Mobile 07799395709
KFCC SNIPPETS
RECENTLY RECEIVED BUT SLIGHTLY OLD
INFORMATION FROM THE KINTYRE FORUM
ON COMMUNITY CARE
DONNIE CAMERON, CAMPBELTOWN HOSPI-
TAL, Beinn Ghuilean ward beds will be reduced
from 29 beds to 20 beds, currently the are 11
delayed discharge patients on the ward. The sav-
ings made will be used to fund care in the commu-
nity. There is to be a new joint community store.
Highland Health Board has to make savings of
£14 million. Work on the new Dental Centre has
started. Work on the Sun Room will start in April.
IAIN MARTIN, KINTYRE RECYCLING. The recy-
cling is working well and continues to be busy.
The recycling is part funded by the Area Develop-
ment group. A bio-fuel officer has been appointed,
oil from catering establishments is going to be
collected and recycled as fuel.
VAL CANNELL, CARRADALE SENIORS GROUP.
The population of Carradale is going to be badly
effected if the British Red Cross transport is not
given funding when the current funding ends in
March. The Monday Club will have to close due to
lack of transport. Patients will not be able to attend
the G.P. surgery on Thursdays; the British Red
Cross normally provides transport for those who
do not have their own transport. Val said the Red
Cross has been the lifeline for many Carradale
residents and it will leave many people isolated.
.ANDREW WILLIAMSON, Wanted KFCC to be
aware that Philip Burrows has set up a group to
help the homeless, a number of people are in-
volved from both statutory and voluntary organiza-
tions. Andrew also gave out leaflets regarding the
NHS Minor Ailment Service at the community
pharmacy. The service is free for people who
don't pay for prescription charges.
JOAN GRADY, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS &
YOUNG DISABLED GROUP. The service has
been badly hit by funding cuts. They have to raise
£8000 for Revive to provide the counseling serv-
ice. The local MS group is applying for funds from
various organizations and is doing their own local
fundraising to help keep the service going. The
counseling service used by the group members
has been a great benefit and it is completely con-
fidential.
EVA MACDONALD, L&A ADVOCACY SERVICE.
The are 5 people waiting for Advocacy, 20 people
are currently being seen in Kintyre. There is a
monthly drop-in session at the Burnett Building.
Advocacy is looking for office premises in Camp-
beltown. Eva informed the Forum that a young
carers net-work has been set up specifically for 5
to 25 year olds who care for family or friends. This
group is applying for charitable status; this is a
separate group to the L&A Advocacy Service.
KENNEDY’S SHOE SHOP
50-52 Longrow Campbeltown. Tel 01586 552644
Walking shoes, Dress shoes.
Walking boots, Dress boots.
All your footwear needs under one roof.
Ladies & Gents wide fitting specialists.
Children’s fitting service.
‘K’ ‘CLARKS’ ‘LOTUS’ ‘ROHDE’
MORE FROM THE ‘GOAT’
A WEDDING AT SADDELL
GRAEME KING - MISHA HALL
‘The Abbey was the location chosen by one of the
King boys for a spectacular wedding ceremony to
his American girl-friend Misha.
Graeme King, the eldest son of Frank and
Janetta from Waterfoot, Carradale (and Ruther-
glen) and Misha Hall were married by the Rev
John Harris (Bearsden and Waterfoot).
Graeme, and his now wife live and work over
in Washington DC. They decided to get married
over here and many of his American friends came
over for the great occasion. What a colourful occa-
sion it was, something different and the setting
within the ruins of the Abbey. The weather was a
bit iffy in the morning, but cleared away as the
service was about to start and the sun coming out.
Afterwards all hands made their way by bus
back to Carradale for the wedding buffet and
ceildh dance to Whirlypit in the Carradale Village
Hall. The next day Waterfoot was alive with peo-
ple who attended a grand BBQ at the King’s
residence. In all a great weekend was had by all,
and especially his American friends who loved
the area and the hospitality of the locals’.
WHEELY ANNOYING
The B842 north of Carradale was blocked on
Sunday 29th August for about two hours between
Cour and Crossaig. ‘Steve’ sent a report into ‘The
Goat’ and added “I think because a wheel came
off a camper van (the one on the recovery truck).
I got there just before 7 and the road was cleared
11
about 5 minutes later. The people al-
ready there told me it had happened at
about 5”.
Thanks to Johnny Durnan for these items.
THANKS FROM
MORAG RAMSAY
I would like to say a huge thank you to
everyone who sponsored me and my
sister, Karen, to zip slide across the
Clyde on the 15th August.
It was a huge personal challenge
for me as I am absolutely terrified of
heights but I did it - I zipped 1000ft
across the Clyde from a 150ft high
crane and we raised £450 - the whole
event raised over £25.000 which will be
of great benefit to the charity CLIC
SARGENT (which stands for Cancer
and leukaemia in childhood).
I work as a staff nurse in the Schie-
hallion cancer unit for children in
Yorkhill hospital and know the unit
could not function properly without the
involvement of CLIC Sargent. The
charity funds our parent's accommoda-
tion, providing a ‘home from home’ for
the families of long term patients or for
those who live outwith Glasgow.
It also provides funding for a play
specialist who helps make the wee
ones stay in hospital more fun and less
stressful. Funding is also given to em-
ploy specialised outreach nurses who
visit the children at home, providing
much needed support and advice. The
outreach nurses also make it possible
for the parents to take their child home
when treatment is no longer an option,
and make their final days as comforta-
ble as possible.
That's the reason why I decided to
do the zip slide for CLIC Sargent. It's a
super charity and I experience every
day the fantastic work they do. It's my
way of thanking them for everything
they do and not only for helping the
hundreds of children with cancer and
leukaemia but also for helping to make
my job easier too!
RNLI WINNERS
10th July Sheena Ramsay
17th July Carol Abernethy
24th July Gregor Semple
31st July The Glen
7th August No Winner
14th August Margaret Walsh
21st August No Winner
28th August R. J. Abernethy
M.O.
 MOBILE 07786 650937
.LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ARMED FORCES DAY
Dear Editor,
Just a quick e mail to let you know that some
people in and around Lochgilphead wish to
set up a group to help organise a big event
for Armed Forces Week in 2011. A meeting
of all interested parties is to take place on
Wednesday 1st September at 8 o'clock in
the Campbell Street Centre Lochgilphead.
We, the interested parties wish this to
involve all in Argyll and Bute but mainly in
Lochgilphead as this is the Headquarters of
Argyll and Bute Council. It is hoped that this
event will be family orientated and perhaps
over a week end if there is enough interest.
We are waiting confirmation of the dates
for the 2011 Armed Forces Week and once
this is ascertained definite plans can be put
in place. The main Armed Forces Parade in
2011 is to be in Edinburgh , so the event
here will be on the weekend before or after
dependent on Edinburgh Date.
If anyone is interested but cannot attend
the inaugural meeting please call Betty
Rhodick on 01546602205 or e-mail her at
elizabethrhodick @btinternet.com or Brian
Christie on 01546603177 or brianchristie
@ymail.com.
We look forward to having a successful
project and thank you for taking the time to
read this
Regards, Betty Rhodick.
DON’T FORGET GAZA
This was the message that brought together
32 people in St John’s Cathedral Hall, Oban
on the evening of Sunday August 15, to meet
Theresa McDermott of the Free Gaza
movement.
She was talking about the convoys of little
ships (and some larger ones) which have
been attempting to break the long Israeli
blockade of the Palestinian territory of Gaza,
taking in relief supplies by sea. A postal
worker, Theresa came from Edinburgh that
evening as the guest of Oban Concern for
Palestine, a group of Argyll residents who
share an interest in Palestine, a friendship
with its people and a deep concern for their
welfare. We have committed ourselves to
learning as much as we can about the
tensions between Israel and Palestine, and to
listening to those who are working for peace
with justice.
Readers of this article may remember
seeing members of this group holding a vigil
at the Clock Tower in Oban early in June, after
a peace convoy was attacked on May 31, with
the loss of at least nine lives. You may even
have signed our petition to our government,
asking for an investigation.
Theresa, who was on that convoy, took us,
through her account, into the heart of the
action: in international waters, the Israeli
boarding of the ships and the subsequent
violence could be described as an act of
piracy. One thing that was impressive was the
moderation of Teresa’s language. She stood
before us without notes and gave an eye-
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12
witness account of a terrifying sequence of
events. She did not make sweeping statements
and made it very clear what she knew to be true,
what she had not witnessed, and what was
conjecture.
But her quiet integrity was convincing, as
she told us about the boarding of the small
launch on which she was travelling (not the one
on which several people were executed by the
Israeli commandos), about her arrest, detention
and subsequent deportation. Details like the
violence to which injured people were subjected
at Ben Gurion airport, as they were being taken
to the planes, or the way that all consular
contact and legal support (though at hand) was
denied to the protesters, shocked Theresa’s
audience. We are very grateful for the chance to
hear her, and although she said ‘I’m not
courageous – just stubborn’, many of us felt that
it would take great courage to be planning,
already, another peace convoy, in the autumn,
to take relief supplies to Gaza.
For more information about the convoy see
freegaza-scotland.org For information about
Oban Concern for Palestine see www.
wordpress.ocpalestine.co.uk
Jan Sutch Pickard
Please contact the Editor on 01583 431281
e:mail geoffreyf.page@homecall.co.uk
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