Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ANTLER
CARRADALE ‘EMERALD’ JOURNEY? - FERRY OR RAIL?
GOLF CLUB A DONALD KELLY ANTLER SPECIAL
Irish
l
THE SECRETARY IS tunne
DR R. J. ABERNETHY,
THE ARCH, TORRISDALE
PA28 6QT. TEL :01583 431321
FURTHER INFORMATION IS ON PAGE 11
CARRADALE
VILLAGE HALL
A.G.M
Friday 21 May 7pm
A.G.N
Adult Games Night
Friday 28 May 7pm
Lakeland Marine Fish Farm: Viewing day
Sunday 14th March. Photos by Johnny Durnan.
IN THIS ISSUE
P2 Sandra MacKinnon. 1946-2010
P3 Jean MacKinlay. 1926-2010
P4-6 Tunnel to Ireland.
P6 ‘Come and see a film’
P7-8 Irish Ferry Report.
P9 Care in the Community.
P10 Matt MacDougall 1920-2010
P11 Drama at Ardrishaig.
P12 Kintyre walk, The A83 & B842
D.McNAIR
& SON THE PICTURE HOUSE
CAMPBELTOWN
TELEPHONE Sat 22 May for 6 days at 8pm
KICK-ASS (15)
(01586) Sat 29 May for 6 days at 8pm
552020 Is that really SNP Councillor John Semple trying CLASH OF THE TITANS (12A)
552039 to fiddle with the EU fishing controls again.
Fuel Merchant MADCOW & FRIEND Present Two plays – Two different lives
KINLOCH ROAD “CAPTAIN COOK” & “AXIS SALLY”
CAMPBELTOWN PA28 6EG by Don Nigro performed by Jane Dunbar
FAX: (01586 552039) CARRADALE HOTEL
QUALITY HOUSE COALS
SATURDAY JUNE 19TH - 6.30 FOR 7.00 PM
Capt. James Cook made three famous exploratory voyages to the South Pacific His widow,Elizabeth,
SMOKELESS & COOKER FUEL explores his life with love and humour….“The heart of another is a dark forest.”
CENTRAL HEATING OIL Axis Sally – Zoe meets Mildred who proclaims that she has had some experience in Radio and has al-
ROAD DIESEL & TRACTOR FUEL ways been a bit of a Shakespeare Bufffff – But who is this woman?
These quirky, unusual tales are both humorous and dark…
FREE DELIVERY Tickets £25.00 (Price includes a sumptuous three course buffet & performance)
Why not make a night of it ‘STAY & PLAY or PLAY & STAY!’
(MONDAY TO FRIDAY) For tickets and enquiries Telephone 01583 431223 – or e-mail noriffraff@carradalehotel.com
either sitting round the back or on the bench at care center made sure her trademark white
JEAN MacKINLAY the top of the road enjoying the sunshine, hair was always done and they even matched
17th JANUARY 1926 - 12th APRIL 2010 chatting or just watching the world go by. her bed socks with her nighties. She was
God looked around His garden Jean was always a busy person. She was loved by all the staff and was described re-
And found an empty place. actively involved with the Gaelic choir and cently by one member as a “gracious old lady
He then looked down upon the earth attended many Mods – each Mod having a who always said thank you and I would love to
And saw your tired face. different tale to tell! She worked in various have her as my mum.”
He put his arms around you boarding houses, in Stewarton Store, with Jean’s last few days were spent with her
And lifted you to rest. Walter and Nellie in Portcrannaig shop and family. Sheena was able to stay with her
God’s garden must be beautiful tea-room and finally as breakfast cook in Car- throughout. On Sunday there was a short spell
He always takes the best. radale Hotel. In her ‘retirement’ she spent where Jean was awake. Pat phoned from
He saw the road was getting rough many happy hours cleaning both churches – a Lourdes and prayed with her and she was able
And the hills were hard to climb, job she took great pride in. She loved flowers to tell Pat “that was nice”. Even although Pat
So He closed your weary eyelids and on many occasions made the floral ar- wasn’t her official daughter-in-law, she looked
And whispered “peace be thine”. rangements for weddings and funerals in the on her as being that special kind of person.
church. She also turned to Morag and said “oh, it’s
It broke our hearts to lose you
you” as she often affectionately referred to her
But you didn’t go alone,
and told her to “look after herself” and then
For part of us went with you
turned and said the same to Sheena.
The day God called you home.
After that the rest of the family visited and
Jean was born on the 17th of January 1926 in
spent a lovely afternoon just being together.
Ayrshire and was the much loved daughter of
Jean fell asleep and sadly passed away on
Jocky and Maggie Paterson. Kilkerran Road
Monday morning with Sheena and Morag by
was where she started her life and ironically her side.
she ended her life just a few doors away in the Contributed by Jean’s family.
Kintyre Care Centre.
She met the love of her life Willie and they E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR
married on the 19th March 1947. They started RED CROSS TRANSPORT:
their married life in Campbeltown but following THANKS FROM KARL HURD
the birth of their son John then the sad loss of May I through the columns of your paper take
Jean’s mother they moved to Carradale. Jean the opportunity to pass on my thanks to the
being the caring person she was took on the communities in Carradale and East Kintyre
job of looking after her daddy and he moved and beyond.
with them. The move was followed by the birth The British Red Cross Transport has been
of their daughter Sheena. Jean was 100% granted funding from Argyll & Bute Council, for
dedicated to her family and took on the role of another 12 months of community based trans-
caring for her daddy and the children as Willie Despite her own health problems, when Willie port.
was often posted abroad with his work for long developed cancer, Jean promised him he
spells. When dad, Jocky became gravely ill I would like to pass on my thanks to all
could stay at home and again she took on the those that had so strongly informed the Coun-
Jean nursed him in the family home until he role of looking after him. She nursed Willie at
passed away in 1963. cil and local councillors, that you feel that we
home until he sadly passed away in August provide a valuable service to your community
When John and Sheena ‘flew the nest’ 2005. She tried to adjust to life without him but and that if the service were to have been cut,
and started their own homes it wasn’t long never really got over losing him. Following a what a detrimental effect this would have im-
until she was blessed with six grand-children bad fall and months of ill health she moved to posed on the lives of a great number of resi-
and then two great-grandchildren. And al- Kintyre Care Centre in November 2007. dents within the area.
though family circumstances were complicat- Jean was content in the Care Centre.
ed that didn’t change a thing – she took the With this funding now in place, I look for-
When she first went in she enjoyed sitting in ward to delivering the continued service to you
same interest in all of them. Jean took her role the day room chatting to the other residents or
as Nannie very seriously. She was there at that I have built up over the last five years
sitting at the window watching the boats and since starting in this post.
every milestone. The girls remember fondly activity in the harbour. She looked forward to
the great anticipation every birthday waiting to Once again, my heartfelt thanks to the
her visits from the family and was keen to hear
see what colour of meringues Nannie had wonderful people of Carradale and thanks
all the news from the village. When her health
made for them – pink, green and sometimes also to Dr Elder and staff at the Carradale
deteriorated further she took to her bed and
even blue! When Morag started playing the Surgery for their continued support, and coffee!
was comfortable in her own wee room sur-
clarinet she attended every music festival and rounded by all her personal belongings. Regards, Karl Hurd (RCTI)
band concert she played in. Jean also devel- Campbeltown F/A Group.
oped an interest in football when she started She enjoyed listening to Argyll FM and got Tel: 07879 403775 or 01546 602386
collecting all the sports pages in the papers great pleasure from her CD collection. She
and sent them to Karen once a week. spent many happy hours singing her heart out
whether it be to hymns or to old war time
Willie and Jean made their final home at classics. The family made sure there was
30 Tormhor where they spent many happy always flowers in a vase just like there always
days ‘pottering’ about in the garden. Jean had been in her own home. Jean always took
loved the sun and loved nothing better than pride in her appearance and the staff in the
2
OPENING
KINTYRE VERMIN TUESDAY
TO SUNDAY
& PEST CONTROL 11 am - 3pm.
Evening meals:
6.30pm - 8.30pm
VERMIN/PEST CONTROLLER: Proprietor DONALD KELLY Booking advisable
Telephone/Fax: (01586) 810391 Mobile: 07977 327751 Tracy & Fiona would like to welcome you to the Ashbank Hotel, Carradale
Now fully licensed - drop in for a drink or two.
Strathmore, Drumlemble, Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6PW 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
SERVICE & SUPPLIES Monthly theme nights - Indian, Italian, Chinese & Tapas.
Take away menu plus all items from the main menu, just order before 1 pm
(N.P.T.A) Parties, Events & Outside Catering available to suit your needs
E-mail: ashbankhotel@tiscali.co.uk Internet: www.ashbankhotel.com
Prompt & Efficient Attention For further details please call 01583 431 650
Alec and Sandra remained at Auchnasavil They also remember the countless jour-
SANDRA MACKINNON for the next 33 years until retirement when neys to band practice, brownies, guides, cubs,
(07.06.46 – 12.04.10) they moved to Drumbuie where unfortunately scouts, youth club, football practice and Sun-
Sandra was born at Criagard, Campbeltown Sandra enjoyed too short a retirement. day School which mum made and again never
on 7th June 1946. She was the eldest daugh- complained.
ter of Archie and Jenny McAffer and sister to The family have all flown the nest as far
Ian, Isobel and Eila. afield as New Zealand where our thoughts go There was much laughter in the house,
at this time to Catriona, Sandy, their partners testament to a happy marriage and contented
Sandra‘s first home was Rhonadale, and children who unfortunately could not be family life which she had created.
which coincidently looks straight across the with us today. Catriona and Sandy recall how
river Carra to Drumbuie, her last home. Her In addition to this, Sandra found time to attend
mum supported them in their decisions to
dad Archie worked for the Semple family at move to New Zealand even though she knew her own club/groups in the village. She was an
Dippen and from Rhonadale, they then moved she would miss them greatly. A trip out to see active member of the Church and Church
to Church Cottage from where she started them all in New Zealand just over a year ago Guild and treasurer of the ladies Wednesday
school and where she named all the hens her was a real highlight for Sandra and Alec. club, in all of which she found pleasure.
mum Jenny kept. Sandra loved music and dancing. She
From there farm work took the family to enjoyed singing at the Mod with the Carradale
Crossaig and then Clockeil. Sandra was at Gaelic choir in younger years and she enjoyed
Clockeil when she left school and started her dancing. Alec and Sandra were regular par-
first job at 15 years old as a shop assistant in ticipants at the local Scottish dances. Even if
Campbeltown and cycled a 14 mile round trip the music was fast and contemporary, they
to and from work. could be seen cutting a dash around the floor
When she was 18, the family returned to with a quickstep.
Dippen and Sandra found employment in Car- The things Sandra valued most in life were
radale West Post Office where she first spoke her family and friends. Judging by the number
to a local young farmer called Alec. They of good wishes received in recent months,
gradually became better acquainted at local Sandra had many friends who thought well of
dances and married on 1st November 1967 her.
when their first home together was a static
caravan at Auchnasavil with no running water Many of the cards arriving this week have
or electricity. reflected on Sandra’s friendly manner, cheery
disposition and ready smile. Alec and family
By that time Sandra worked at Carradale
would like to thank everyone for their good
Forestry Office for 5 years until her first born,
wishes to Sandra over the last 7 months which
Catriona, came along in 1971. Shortly after,
she and they greatly appreciated and to the
the family moved to their first house at School
Park, Carradale. The grandchildren still remember granny messages of condolence received this week
reading stories, watching them swimming in from which they draw solace.
Over the next 10 years the family grew the creek and doing jigsaws (better than pa-
with the additions of Christine, Mairi and finally Sandra faced the last months of her life
pa). Another vivid memory is of Granny being with courage, dignity and good grace. The
Sandy when the family was complete. Alec asked to be a cheerleader on the sidelines
and Sandra were delighted with the birth of a way she coped with what came made a diffi-
during a game of hoops. cult time easier for everyone around her. She
son and it is rumoured that Alec created a new
dance in the Auchnasavil living room on hear- It was a great delight to Sandra that she retained her cheeriness and sense of humour
ing the news. saw her newest grandchild, baby Erin, arrive throughout and she will be remembered and
safely into the world and that she was able to missed by all who knew her.
In 1975 the family moved to Auchnasavil meet her and hold her. When she held her for
where in addition to raising the children, San-
dra filled milk bottles for delivery early morning
the first time Sandra was positively beaming MARIUS KLIUSKAS
with pride. REPATRIATION
and then washed the empties returned in the
To Catriona, Christine, Mairi and Sandy, The appeal for funds to repatriate the body of
afternoon along with other farm chores. Al-
though the work on the farm was never end- they remember Sandra as a loving mum who the fisherman, Marius Kliuskas, who died so
ing, Sandra never complained and this was passed on her traditional values and princi- tragically in a Campbeltown fire on April 2nd,
evident throughout her life and even during ples. When they were growing up she was has attracted a large number of contributions
these past months. strict but kind, firm but fair and not afraid to since the appeal was made.
give to them a clout when she felt they needed Matthew Ramsay of Carradale, an Auxilia-
When the milk round stopped in 1987, it which even they admit now they did!
Sandra didn’t sit back but went to work at the ry Superintendent for the Royal National Mis-
Landmark Trust, Saddell as a housekeeper She taught them right from wrong, to work sion to Deep Sea Fishermen, who has helped
where she was a valued and reliable member hard, to save something for a rainy day and coordinate the collection said that at the time
of staff. Sandra enjoyed this work, especially she led by example. of going to press £2,000 had been donated.
meeting people, both colleagues and Land- They will also always remember her cook- Mr Ramsay was hopeful that further contri-
mark customers. ing whether it was family meals or baking for butions would cover the complete cost of re-
Sandra was very socialable and liked a sale of work. They especially remember the patriation to Marius’ native Lithuania.
nothing better than catching up with family and many pots of soup, pancakes, sponges and
friends, a visit was even better. tablet she made.
3
Joiners, Timber
Suppliers, All
types of joinery
JAAC See Smell Savour
Quality catering to arouse your senses
& furniture repairs Kilbrannan We cater for parties large and small, at your
Key cutters & Catering home, at your business or other location of
Ironmongers your choice –
we promise you stress free entertaining.
J. A. A. CRAIG Book your event with us today – you won’t be
disappointed.
Visit our website: www.kilbrannancatering.co.uk
17-19 SADDELL STREET CAMPBELTOWN Telephone Anne on 01583 431581
Tel: 01586 552954 or Jennifer on 01583 431632
consultants can get way with it, 'a route exten- the idea of any competent sea-going officer The Kintyre - 'Loch Ryan' link would again
sion' to the Ayrshire port of Troon. ever attempting to take a 'waterbus' west of pull homeward bound southern tourists
Though that consultants' report has been The Cloch Lighthouse in any southerly sea, or through Mid Argyll and Kintyre and, through
'under lock and key' since it was completed in even trying to head eastwards, up-river, in reciprocal ticketing arrangements with the
May 2008, more than a year ago, the docu- even a moderate easterly wind, 'beggars be- Stranraer - Larne and other Irish Sea ferry
ment here written in September 2009, there is lief' and 'best practice from across The World', operators, a completely new set of mini-break,
no single mention of the work anywhere on as the consultants phrase it, just does not and weekend and mini-circular tourist breaks, op-
the consultants' own web-site, where all their cannot apply in these waters . erating in all directions, would be created.
employments (and many case studies) are In these matters, history tells us that, in There has been no recent history of com-
proudly listed, since the beginning of 2004! the 1960’s, The Caledonian Steam Packet mercial trading between Kintyre and the Ayr-
Whatever the reasons for such secrecy, it can Company questioned motorists disembarking shire ports to suggest the viability of any
be revealed that The Scottish Government's from the Dunoon car-ferry at Gourock about Kintyre - Ayr - Troon or Ardrossan freight
consultants are indeed experienced in marine their intentions and found that the majority of service. Robin Taylor's ‘Red Baroness’ and
matters for, as they were completing their those returning south to England turned not to ‘Red Duchess’ and other ships already carry
study on 'The Irish Ferry', they were, para- Glasgow and then the A74 but south down the out the only natural cargo that Kintyre produc-
phrasing one of the consultants' own press Ayrshire Coast to Dumfries and Galloway and es, trees and not one of these ships ever
releases, 'commissioned, along with partners, The Lake District for their final nights of their arrives laden in Campbeltown and not one of
to carry out the work on behalf of Glasgow holidays. The traditional pattern of tourist these ship-owners or their agents has ever
City Council, which represents a group of local movements around Scotland finds that traffic been asked to bring in the raw steel etc. for
authorities in the West of Scotland, to assess moves anti-clockwise i.e. from 'The South', the wind turbine towers and assemblies man-
the viability of developing a waterbus commut- northwards to Edinburgh and then to Inver- ufactured at Machrihanish. The export of
er service on the River Clyde.' The findings of ness and south again to Fort William and these 'non-stackable' tower products requires
the study, expected to have been delivered by Oban. The tourist travellers then heading expert handling, in case of damage to their
the end of March 2008, were to explore how homewards as their funds run out, the final outer skins and requiring secure stowage on
the River Clyde could be used for public trans- funds being kept for a final night's 'fling' in the their outward journeys, the truth of the matter
port services, similar to other networks de- 'border' and Lake District areas and the es- being that these tower products need special
ployed in London, Sydney and New York and sential 'first-thing' and 'next-morning break- care in transit and, as any insurer would likely
would see the development of a commuter fast' grocery supplies needed when they got advise, they should not be carried 'cheek to
service linking Glasgow and The Clyde Estu- home! jowl' with 'ordinary' car ferry traffic.
ary as well as providing additional tourist net- Despite the prevalence of cash dispensing Despite the appeal of any short Kintyre -
works to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs machines and credit cards, nothing has al- Ayrshire ferry to some, not least the most
National Park, Loch Long, Loch Goil and tered the tourists' attitudes over the years. recently engaged Scottish Government con-
Rothesay. When the Fairlie-based car ferry ‘Cowal (II)’ sultants, the actual (up to 3 hour) crossing
'Reviewing 'best practice from across The began a daily service Fairlie Millport (Keppel times, the additional time needed for booking
World', the consultants were to assess the Pier) and Brodick to Tarbert in 1970, the serv- in, boarding and disembarkation would nullify
likely demand for such a service, as well as ice essentially 'unadvertised' being designed the seeming advantage of such a route. There
opportunities to integrate with existing trans- to provide a relief for the sometimes over- could be no real time improvement in moving
port services and were to also provide recom- loaded Ardrossan - Brodick car ferry "Glen freight by this route, one easily affected by
mendations for feasible service patterns, Sannox (III)", motorists loading their cars at weather conditions, no support could be ex-
vessel specifications and assess the econom- Tarbert confirmed the earlier findings and, pected from road hauliers on either side of
ic viability of the services. The conclusions much to STG’s surprise and thanks largely to The Clyde, not so much because of the ex-
were to focus on the potential to enhance the the editor of the weekly ‘Autocar’ magazine, pense of the passage but too by the problems
use of The River Clyde, to open up public quite a considerable traffic built up for the of re-booking, in the case of services can-
transport linkages between locations which Tarbert section! The proposals to reinstate the celled by weather conditions, but rather by the
are currently poor or non-existent, to boost car-ferry service from Campbeltown should fairly obvious challenge of trying to recover
cross-river public transport movements by the take account of these findings and, instead of already, pre-paid, charges from the ferry
introduction of waterbus services and to ex- simply focusing on the provision of an Irish operator(s), that of deep concern to road haul-
amine the opportunities for interchange with service, should seek to establish links with iers working on ever decreasing margins and
other modes of transport to ensure waterbus both Ireland and the Loch Ryan area drawing potentially doing severe damage to their tight
services integrate with existing transport net- traffic through Kintyre which would otherwise cash flows! It should be remembered that the
works'. be lost to the already well patronised Stran- only commercial traffic, 'in now long past re-
Like 'The Irish Ferry' report, this 'waterbus raer - Larne ferry services. Additionally, the cent time', was a 'near-regular' lorry going
service' report, which could have been written proposed new services would open up a eastwards from Campbeltown, which ran to
by anyone with a knowledge of the old Clyde through continental link to the Cork - Roscoff the fish processing plant in Annan and, before
'Clutha' ferries, which provided a well-used vehicle ferry. Refrigerated lorry traffic from that, some few seasonal runs of lime from the
'waterbus service' between Glasgow's Victoria Spain hauled fruit across the English Channel, now long defunct Kintyre Farmers to the area
Bridge and Whiteinch in the years between the empty lorries came north to the various around Kircudbright, it better served with lime
1884 and 1903, has also escaped the clutch- West Highland landing ports for shellfish be- from Northern Ireland.
es of 'the public domain'! Just what the similar- fore returning home again, not infrequently Hyslop 'The Butcher', from Tarbert, made
ities of, for a start, weather, between The through Poole, in the south of England and the very occasional and irregular trips to the old
Clyde, Sydney and New York may be, are homeward route through Kintyre had the po- market in Lanark, three lorries from Tweed
probably as much of a mystery to the meteor- tential for shortening driving hours and deliv-
Valley Transport, in convoy, made two trips a
ologists as they are to those of us mortals who ery times.
year to Kintyre and Hendry of Galston's cattle
actually live and work in west of Scotland and float and trailer used to make weekly trips to
5
Need a repair or a small job done? Can’t get a tradesman to come out?
Phone KeeF
DIY
Tiling
Joinery
Fencing
CAR RESTORATIONS - All makes Decking
Shelving
Normal fabrication including welding
Car Valeting: put a ‘Shine-on’ your car
01583 431614 Decorating
07786 838996 Path laying
Domestic repairs
Dry-stone walling
Your local handy-man Flat-pack assembly
who won’t let you down
UNIT 2, Kinloch Road,Campbeltown (Opposite Aqualibrium) & won’t charge the earth No job too small
Kintyre's farms, that reduced as often or not nowadays to but a single Leesmoffat who, along with Clachan's Bob McLundie, captained both
trip each month. From the foregoing summary of commercial traffic the ‘Sound of Islay’ and the ‘Claymore’ on previous Irish ferry opera-
movements, it is difficult to understand just how any 'Ayrshire ferry' tions from Campbeltown, both having an intimate knowledge of these
service could be made viable, Troon too far north in any case to catch, services' traffic patterns and the prevailing local weather conditions
or even appeal to, 'tourist' traffic, which traditionally moves in the throughout the year, which is more than 'the consultants' have ever
pattern identified above. In any case, 'one-ship' ferry operations are asked or known about!
notoriously known to 'founder'! Such a service would require no subsidy on the basis of previous
A 'one ship' operation running between Ballycastle, Campbeltown traffic returns, the service would be 'fuel-and-labour-economic' to
and Troon would not only be at the mercy of the weather, the sea operate and, the ship still in current certification, albeit Canadian and
conditions on the long reach between Ballycastle and the east of the having originally only cost the Newfoundland Government some
Kintyre peninsula uncomfortable at the best of times for passengers £275,000 in September 1981, it is suggested that the re-purchase of
and oft upsetting in even moderate westerlies and easterlies and the ship and the total cost reinstatement of the Red Bay car ferry
crossings from the shelter of Campbeltown Loch to the Ayrshire coast service might cost even less than the £1 million annual 'subsidy'
and gaining access to any of the Ayrshire ports, Ardrossan, Irvine, currently being offered by the Scottish Government, the only problems,
Troon, Ayr and Girvan not for the feint-hearted traveller in sometimes suggests retired Captain John Leesmoffat, being that "One would need
even moderate southerly winds, but, with only one ship in ownership to telephone Greenock to bring in a Customs' Officer and get someone
and nothing similar, least in 'high season', to provide a replacement, to put a 'chalk-board' notices outside the information centre on Camp-
delays and breakdowns would inevitably jeopardise the success of beltown Quay and on the roadside at Red Bay" Donald Kelly.
such an ill-devised and 'extended' venture. However, there are already
and ample enough berthing facilities for stern and side-loading ferries COME AND SEE A FILM
at both Cairnryan and Stranraer, the former being favoured, right at the Last year 53 members of The Cinema Theatre Association came 'doon
entrance to Loch Ryan and, unlike the Ayrshire ports, there is good the watter' in The Waverley to visit The Picture House. They were
shelter from the winds in Loch Ryan. So, no 'Irish Railway Tunnel', no thrilled with their visit to 'the most beautiful cinema in the UK' and wrote
'Ayrshire ferry crossing', no 'waterbus' and no 'fuel-guzzling' high- appreciatively afterwards of the extreme rarity of the Art Nouveau style
speed catamarans or hovercraft! of the building – 'this may be the only example within the entire UK'.
The answer perhaps lies in 'Going Back to The Future', for The They also commended the 'wee hooses' which had been added by the
Government of Newfoundland has long being wanting to build a bigger original architect, Albert V. Gardner, when he returned in 1935 to
ship to replace Western Ferries' ‘Sound of Islay’ on the St. Brendan's remodel his original creation – this “atmospheric” style is considered to
car ferry service (she seen here in February 2009) and, though some be one of only two remaining examples of their type left in Scotland.
thought her too slow in service when she opened up the Campbeltown The oldest cinema in the world is thought to be the Lumiere Cinema
to Red Bay ferry service in 1969, she is understood to have been fairly in Pisa, Italy, founded in 1905 with the first official sound screening in
recently re-engined. Though on the Irish side, rather than Red Bay, the 1906 – that is only seven years before our own Wee Pictures opened
natural destination for any ferry service from Kintyre should be Larne, here in Campbeltown! On your next visit to the cinema pause to look
with good berthing facilities and, importantly, good route communica- at the photograph at the foot of the stairs leading to the balcony, this
tions to the whole of Ireland by bus and by train, ideal for ‘non-landing shows what the cinema looked like back in 1913.
day trip’ excursions from Ireland to Kintyre, the original Red Bay These interesting facts about our historic building are worth telling
slipway, built by Western Ferries, is still in place and, if it not still fitted to all visitors to the area. If you run a B and B or a hotel or a guest
below her stern vehicle ramp, it would be easy enough to manufacture house could you tell your guests of this gem in Kintyre. Anyone can
the 'T-Bar' frame which would allow her to berth on today's Campbel- subscribe to an email alert to What's On by going on to the website,
town ferry berth link-span. Just as before, the ‘Sound of Islay’ could be www.weepictures.co.uk and clicking on the Subscribe sign. A poster
returned to her old timetable on a revived Campbeltown - Red Bay of the current features can also be downloaded to attract customers to
service, a daily double run in 'high season'; a daily double run over the only family entertainment that is available six days a week, every
weekends, Fridays to Mondays inclusively and a single daily run, week of the year.
Tuesdays to Thursdays in the 'shoulders' of each season and a single
There are some great films on the horizon this summer, particularly
daily run in winter, a pattern of sailings which Campbeltown's John
‘Clash of the Titans’ showing at the end of May, ‘Ironman 2’, ‘Shrek
Forever After’ and ‘Sex and the City 2’. The Wee Pictures is
described by Peter Irvine in ‘Scotland the Best’ as “Cinema Paradiso
J. H. Hooper B.Sc., B.V.M & S., M.R.C.V.S on the Kintyre peninsula, lovingly preserved Art Deco shrine to the
movies … to see a film here and emerge onto the esplanade of
Campbeltown Loch is to experience the lost magic of a night at the
VETERINARY pictures”.
6
THE ROYAL BANK
OF SCOTLAND
‘Where people matter’
Superb self-catering accommodation in Castle or Cottage in
absolutely fabulous surroundings Ideal for a relaxed holiday. P.O.BOX 13, 11 CASTLEHILL
Bird watchers paradise. Colour brochure from:
‘ CAMPBELTOWN ARGYLL PA28 6AP
TORRISDALE CASTLE
Carradale Campbeltown Argyll PA28 6QT
CARRADALE BRANCH OPEN
TELEPHONE OR FAX 01583 431233 THURSDAY 10am - 11am
COMMERCIAL VIABILITY AND BENEFITS
IRISH FERRY REPORT “All five options were assessed for their commercial viability using a
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT - JAN 2009 revenue maximising fare and with an old and a new vessel. In addition,
INTRODUCTION & FINAL COMMENTS BY DONALD KELLY sensitivity testing using a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) fare was also
This economic appraisal, which was undertaken at the request of undertaken. For this assessment we developed a bespoke demand
Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive Ministers, exam- forecasting model. We found that all options would require a substan-
ines the case for restoring the Campbeltown - Ballycastle ferry service tial public subsidy but that providing links to Ayrshire offered additional
which ended after the 1999 season. benefits in terms of enhanced accessibility between Kintyre and the
Despite being dated January 2009, the report was not made Central Belt. We therefore recommended that if the service was to be
publicly available online until November 19, 2009 and the Internet link taken forward it should include a leg to Ayrshire. The majority of
to the document only made public on page 1 of ‘The Campbeltown economic benefits would accrue to Scotland, especially Kintyre, with
Courier’ of Friday, April 2, 2010, not one Scottish Government minister, no major net impact on Northern Ireland”.
MSP or even local councillor decrying the delay in making known the MARKETING THE SERVICE
document’s publication, that in itself a matter of some, at best, “We concluded that a combination of destination marketing (i.e. the
‘curiosity’ ! It also a matter of some ‘curiosity’ that The Scottish Govern- attractions of Campbeltown and Ballycastle) and direct marketing of
ment chose to appoint the MVA Consultancy (www. the service would be required for maximum success. In particular, the
mvaconsultancy.com) to prepare the report as the only other ‘marine’ ferry should seek to attract niche markets based upon the local attrac-
studies in their portfolio of appointments (www.mvaconsultancy.com/ tions like sports, outdoor pursuits and the natural environment”.
casestudies/casestudies) appear to be those for a Glasgow City Coun-
cil / Argyll and Bute Council-commissioned report for a ‘Clyde Water- The main link to The Scottish Government / Northern Ireland
bus and Ferry Service (www.mvaconsultancy.com/casestudies/ report, which, it is asserted, was prepared in accordance with Scottish
clydewaterbus) and a ‘Transport Study’ for The Forth and Clyde Canal Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) (www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/
(www.mvaconsultancy.com /casestudies/forthandclydecanal). The Transport/ferries-ports-canals/14342/STAG) and the report consists of
MVA Consultancy also now have another couple of pages about the 3 documents :
Campbeltown-Ballycastle study online at (www.mvaconsultancy.com/ The ninety-seven page Appraisal Report (www.scotland.gov.uk/
casestudies/campbeltownballycastleferrystudy) which asserts - Topics/Transport/ferries-ports-canals/14342/Report3) The 165-page
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT Option Generation and Sifting Report (www.scotland.gov.uk/
“Our analysis confirmed that both areas suffer from deprivation and Topics/Transport/ferries-ports-canals/14342/Report4) The 85-page
high levels of unemployment relative to national averages. We found Consultation Report (www.scotland.gov.uk/ Topics/Transport/ferries-
that there is an established market for travel between Scotland and ports-canals/14342/ Report5)
Northern Ireland but that aviation had been taking market share away Those with any interest in the creation of ferry links between
from ferries. We identified that the Campbeltown - Ballycastle ferry Kintyre and Ireland might like to read about the history of earlier
would serve a largely different, although small, market to the existing operations on the route at (www.scribd.com/ doc/6323536/Kintyres-
ferry services between Scotland and Northern Ireland and would Western-and-Irish-Ferries-2004) and this document also includes a full
therefore mainly generate new trips”. set of Summer and Winter Traffic Projections for the route, these
OPERATIONAL & INFRASTRUCTURE figures and notes first made freely available to Argyll and the Isles
ISSUES Enterprise in 1995 and ‘almost studiously ignored’ by successive
“Having examined the harbours at Campbeltown and Ballycastle we agencies and fee-paid consultants! Here too in this document are the
identified that the existing facilities were suitable to allow the reintro- Traffic Returns for the short-lived, 1997-1999, Campbeltown - Bally-
duction of a ferry service with some minor remedial works. Troon and castle route, it operated by the ex-CalMac car ferry ‘Claymore’.
Ardrossan harbours were identified to accommodate a leg to Ayrshire.
Our assessment of vessels found that it would be difficult to source a The ‘Claymore’
suitable second hand vessel to operate the service whilst construction
of a new vessel could be expensive and incur significant waiting times
for delivery”.
OPTIONS FOR A FERRY SERVICE
“Taking into account factors such as routes, home port, vessel speci-
fications, service frequency, demand and fares we developed 13
options for a ferry service -
7 for a Campbeltown - Ballycastle service,
4 for a Campbeltown - Ballycastle service with a leg to Ayrshire.
2 for a service between Campbeltown and Ayrshire alone.
We then sifted these down to 5 options -
4 for a service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle.
1 with a leg to Ayrshire which were taken forward for detailed appraisal”.
APPRAISAL OF OPTIONS Most recently another document about the potential of the route
“Each of the options was assessed against the five STAG criteria of (www.scribd.com/doc/ 19921586/Sound-of-Islay-The-Irish-Ferry-Now-
Economy, Environment, Integration, Safety and Accessibility and So- and-Then) was also put online, it focusing on the original Campbeltown
cial Inclusion. This included initial, qualitative appraisal and detailed, - Red Bay route and it is suggested that these documents be read in
quantitative appraisal of the options”. conjunction with the MVA Consultancy report highlighted here.
7
TORRISDALE CASTLE TOMMY For all your Travel and
Holiday Arrangements put
ORGANIC TANNERY & CRAFTY SHEEP SHOP your trust in your own
ALL-YEAR-ROUND GIFTS
Sweaters, cardigans, belts, handbags, slippers,
MILLAR Travel Adviser
TOMMY MILLAR
mugs, soft toys and so much more. Tel: 0845 0587589
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 e-mail:
favourite armchair or in the car - ‘pelt up & belt up’ at the
same time!
TRAVEL tommy.millar@travel
counsellors.com
TELEPHONE www.travelcounsellors
01583 431233 COUNSELLOR .co.uk/tommy.millar
www.scottishtabletcompany.co.uk Head Office: Greenock Road, Bishopton PA7 SAP Tel: 01505
or telephone 01583 431594 or 431581 and speak to Trish or Anne 862010.
FREE QUOTATION
NO OBLIGATION
To arrange an appointment,
contact
Sandy McPherson
Tel 01586 552776
Mobile 07818874066
10
& THE GLEN
BAR & RESTAURANT,CARRADALE
Offering a warm and welcoming family atmosphere with an excellent
Colour Photocopier menu of home-cooked food. Locally caught seafood a speciality. Home-
made ice cream. Full disabled and baby changing facilities. Functions
Have your favourite photographs catered for. We now deliver takeaways. Free delivery on food orders over
enlarged to A3 or A4 size £10 in the Carradale area.
Prices tiered depending Open 12.30pm to late every day except Tuesday
on quantity required Food served 12.30 - 2pm & 6pm - 8.30pm.
To book a table in the restaurant ‘phone Sue or Penny on
01583 431431 Fax01583 431511
WWW.KRISPPRINT.CO.UK or e-mail us at info@theglencarradale.wanadoo.co.uk
WIND-FARM TRUST
The Wind-farm Trust met on Thursday, 6 May to review grant applica-
tions in the Spring tranche. There were thirteen applications from
which there was one rejected, three were granted less than the amount
applied for and nine were granted the full amount of their
application.The total distributed amounted to £10,900.
The following is a list of the successful grants: -
Network Carradale Ltd Revenue costs £ 850
Peninver Village Hall Insurance costs £ 800
Carradale Cricket Club Gangmower £ 600
Carradale Primary School Laptops £1,000
Peninver Players SCDA finals £ 400
Special Education Needs Holiday £1,000
Kintyre and Argyll UK Surf Tour £1,500
Mull of Kintyre Half Marathon £ 250
CARRADALE PRIMARY SCHOOL Carradale Playpark Picnic tables, bark £ 500
Carradale Village Hall Revenue costs £2,000
Mrs Anne Marie Elliott, Head-teacher of Drumlemble Primary School Argyll and Bute Region Education Forum £1,000
has been seconded part-time to act as Head-teacher of carradale EKCC Path clearing/Notice Boards £1,000
Primary School following the retiral of Mrs Marion Morris.
AFTER SCHOOLS CLUB: It was agreed at the recent parent council ARGYLL FM’s RADIO PROGRAMMES
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
meeting to ask parents and community members if anyone would be 7.30
interested in running an after-school club. The ntype of club would 8.00
AFM
AFM
Jukebox
8.30 Bill Young Breakfast Show
obviously be dependent on the skills, interests and numberb of volun- 9.00 Jukebox Kenny Mark Good
9.30 Johnson Brass Band
teers. For more information please contact the school on 431244 10.00
Kenny Colin’s easy Kenny Saturday
hour Show John
10.30 Helen Johnston’s Johnston’s
Thomson
181 DAYS AND COUNTING 11.00
11.30
Gilchrist New Release
Show
Colin’s not
so easy hour
New Release
Show Show
depending on the setup of each subsidiary mast mast. Requirements Argyll FM broadcasts on 106.5, 107.1 & 107.7 frequencies. Its studio is at 27/29
for the new service are a digital box and perhaps a slightly upgraded Longrow, Campbeltown PA28 6EF. Its telephone number is 01586 551800.
terrestrial aerial; a ‘dish’ is not required. web-site: www.argyllfm.co.uk. e-mail address: studo@argyllfm.co.uk
12