News from the Strath. |
The community buy-out of Anagch Woods gets the go ahead thanks to public donations. With grants from public bodies and £68,000 donated by the public the trust will now have sufficient working capital to undertake various improvements and projects and intends to employ a ranger.
The transfer of ownership from Seafield Estate to the trust will be marked by an unveiling ceremony at the riverside end of Wade's road at 11am on Wednesday,5th June. Followed by a symbolic walk up Wade's road to the Square. Everyone is welcome.
The Anagach pinewoods were planted by Sir James Grant in 1766 at the same time at Grantown-on-Spey was founded, since that time the woods have naturally regenerated and although being used extensively by walkers, runners, cyclists and others are home to much wildlife including Capercaillie and red squirrel.
It is believed that Castle Grant is up for sale again after the current owner, Ian Bailey-Scudamore has run into financial difficulties.
Mr Bailey-Scudamore had planned to convert Castle Grant into a home and base for his international business development consultancy with swimming pool, cinema, tennis court and spa.
Mr Basil Dunlop, Highland councillor for Grantown, said "The castle is a major asset to the area, and too big to be just a residence. I would like to see it fulfilling a number of roles, including the doors being open to the public.
Mr Bailey-Scudamore pipped Grantown businessman Frank Strang to the purchase. The director of airport acquisition firm Omniport and had planned to convert Castle Grant into an exclusive Skibo style hotel at a cost of up to £15 million with 18 hole golf course and other luxury facilities.
Britain's first high speed funicular railway was opened on Cairngorm on Sunday 23rd December 2001. The inaugural passenger run from the car park station to the Ptarmigan station started at 13:30.
Cutting the ribbon, and first passenger to step on was Georgie Crook, of Inverness, who was also the first passenger on the White Lady chair on December 23rd 1961 at the tender age of four years.
At £14.8 million the Funicular is a key part of the Highland regeneration project predicted to create 65 new jobs and underpin 2,500 in the area's year round tourist industry, expected to increase visitor numbers to the mountain from 50,000 par year to 165,000 a year. More that £12 million of public sector money has been invested by HIE and a further £2.7 million from Europe.
Grantown could be in line for a major boost if an American's ambitious twinning plan comes to fruition.
Swimming pool builder Mr Dan Magee, who fell in love with Grantown on a chance visit and now has a holiday home in The Square, says his home city of Mesa in the sun-baked state of Arizona, near to the Grand Canyon, would be a great place for Grantonians to escape for some sun worshipping.
But there are some striking differences between the two places, as Mesa is home to 410,000 people compared to Grantown's 3,600, the temperature regularly tops 100 F and there are 320 days of sunshine each year.
Dan posted on this site earlier this year, he said.
"I am attempting to "Twin" Mesa with
Grantown...
The process in the States is called "Sister Cities".
There is great interest here in Mesa, and there seems to be quite a bit on the Grantown
side also.
Both towns...seemingly so different...one in the Sonoran Desert...the other in the
Highlands...are more alike than it first seems.
Both have Pipe Bands...and I am attempting to get the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band out to
Grantown this August.
Both have Highland Games...Mesa's was two weeks ago.
Mesa was one of e few towns where RAF bases were set up to train pilots prior to and
during the Second World War...with over ten thousand pilots trained here to return to fly
with the RAF. They lived with local families while the training went on...and many
returned here after the war.
Twenty-One are buried here ...from accidents in training. Their part of the Cemetery is
deeded to the UK. There may be men living in Grantown who trained here.
Anyone interested in joining this project...e-mail me, or write:"
Dan Magee
939 South Linda Circle
Mesa, Az USA 85204
danmagee@hotmail.com
We at www.grantown.co.uk are helping the fight against Cancer by supporting United Devices In conjunction with Intel and Oxford University you can Volunteer you PC to process data which it is hoped will identify drugs to be used in the fight against Cancer.
All you need to do is download a small application which runs in the background using you PC when you're not, it then returns the results to UD.
Points are awarded for the work Your PC contributes which can win you prizes and also give "Webmiles" to The "Make-A-Wish" Foundation.
For more information go to http:\\www.ud.com
and to join the "Highlanders
Team" click this Link
Cycling ace Craig MacLean joked that he would have to be on his best behaviour on trips home after this week being presented with the Freedom of Grantown.
Craig was presented with the key to the town on Thursday afternoon in a ceremony to mark his exploits on the race track, which saw him land silver in last year's Sydney Olympic Games. He became the first Highlander to win an Olympic medal.
The 29-year-old was handed the key, set on a wooden plaque marking his admission as the first Freeman of the Strathspey capital in it's 236 year history by Grantown councillor Mr Basil Dunlop. Looking on were Craig's proud parents, Jack and gill, and around 70 other family, friends and guests.
Councillor Dunlop described the gathering at the newly refurbished Courthouse as a unique event. He added "The fact that he is the first Highlander to win an Olympic medal is proof of his marvellous achievements. Through his dedication and fitness, Craig has brought honour and prestige to Grantown and I think that it is only right and proper that the community shows it's gratitude.
Speaking later, Craig said it had been difficult to get motivated after his Olympic success, going back to gruelling daily six-hour training sessions but that work was paying off now.
"I am now feeling fresh. Athens (next Olympics) is at the back of my mind but I am trying to keep my goals more short-term because it is easier to focus that way," he added. "I have got the World Championships later this year in Belgium, and they are my current priority and the Commonwealth Games next year which will be a big one for Scotland."
Craig is receiving funding from the Lottery but would be keen to attract some business sponsorship. Any interested in helping out the Olympic silver medallist and Freeman can contact the "Strathy" on (01479) 872101
Claims that the planned sale of
Castle Grant has fallen through have been rejected by the Grantown buyer involved.
Agents F.P.D. Savills created a stir
earlier this week by re-advertising the sale of the seat of the Grants, even though a deal
has nearly been reached by the Grantown-based owner of the Omniport airport company, Frank
Strang, and current owner graham Keeler.
Mr.
Stang said on Monday: “The deal is still very much alive, and negotiations are
progressing nicely. I am hopeful of announcing a result in the next three to four
weeks.” F.P.D. Savills sent out details to the
nation’s media at the end of last week, advertising the castle for offers over
£390,000.spokesman Jamie Macnab stated in the circular that they were looking for a
sympathetic purchaser to continue the “heroic” restoration work carried out by
the current owners. He said: “While the cartloads of original furnishing, silver and
china that were removed following the death of the seventh Earl’s window can never be
returned, all involved with Castle Grant look forward to the long overdue restoration of
it’s fortunes.”
This Page was updated 28 January 2004 Copyright Highland Solutions (Scotland) Ltd 1998-2005