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Spam Fritter Anyone? Unusual Addition To Hotel Menu

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Jennifer Kelly, Tricker PR.

Andrew’s Spitfire Burger

When Andrew Brown, a Merchant Navy engineer from Peterhead, visited the Taste of Grampian Festival at Thainstone centre in June, the last thing he thought he would be crowned was The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel’s very own burger king…and it was all down to a spam fritter.
The Aberdeen hotel was a prominent feature at the local foodie festival, offering samples from its latest aviation themed burger menu.

But what The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel was really looking for was a new invention for the menu, created by imaginative festival goers.

From chocolate to yoghurt, fruit to pigs cheeks; some of the entries could be considered unpalatable. For Andrew (28), his Spitfire creation consisted of an Aberdeen Angus burger, topped with a spam fritter, habenero salsa, Swiss cheese, rocket, chard salad and a hefty spread of chilli mayonnaise. The chefs carefully selected Andrew’s creation because of its creativity and well balanced flavours.

Andrew explains:

“I couldn’t believe it when the hotel called me to say my recipe had won – it was actually my friend who persuaded me to enter, knowing my love of a good burger. I’d never made the recipe but I knew the ingredients would marry up well.

“I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with one of the chefs creating my burger and when I finally got to try it, it was every bit as amazing as I’d imagined. The key is in the name though with a definite kick coming from the chilli.

“It’s definitely the most unusual competition I’ve entered and to have my dish on the menu is quite an accolade, even if I do have to put up with my friends calling me the burger king from now on!”

And it would appear that Andrew is not alone in his tastes as the burger has become a huge success since it has been on the menu.

Alison Christie, general manager at The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel, says:

“Guest feedback and input is hugely valuable to us. We strive to ensure that every visitor experience is a positive one; an ongoing achievement reflected in our recent Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence award.

“We know that the Taste of Grampian Festival attracts keen foodies from the area and decided what better way to develop a new, creative menu item? Thirty people entered the competition and although there were some unusual ingredients, the majority were superb.

“We added Andrew’s Spitfire to the menu at the start of July, giving summer visitors an option to try something unique during their visit. The competition has been such a success that we may look to do it again in the future.”

The Spitfire burger will remain on the menu until the end of August and is priced at £14.

The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel is part of The Hotel Collection, which has two other venues in the city – The Aberdeen Altens Hotel and The Caledonian Hotel. There are 446 bedrooms across the three venues, and each has conferencing and banqueting facilities. The Aberdeen Altens Hotel also has a health and leisure club. Further information is available at www.thehotelcollection.co.uk/aberdeen

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Community Marks Jacobite Bridge Tercentenary

Aberdeenshire, History No Responses »

Aug 212015

Poldullie Bridge: Tercentenary of Strathdon landmark celebrated

With thanks to Ian McLaren, Innes Associates.

An Aberdeenshire community has come together to mark the 300th anniversary of a local landmark as it prepares for its biggest day of the year.
Members of the Lonach Highlanders joined schoolchildren and residents of Strathdon yesterday to celebrate the tercentenary of Poldullie Bridge in Strathdon.

Built in 1715 by John Forbes of Inverernan and spanning the River Don, the bridge significantly improved safety and communications in the area when it opened.

The celebrations, organised by Strathdon Primary School (whose logo features the bridge), took place two days ahead of the annual Lonach Highland Gathering and Games. A commemorative cast-iron plaque has been unveiled on the bridge to mark the milestone.

Assisted by pupils from the school, the plaque was unveiled by Sir James Forbes of Newe, patron of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society. Members of Lonach Pipe Band joined the highlanders on the march, with the highlanders being supported by their new horse, Socks, who will make his official debut at Saturday’s gathering.

Poldullie Bridge is one of the best surviving examples of an 18th century single semi-circular arch stone bridge. Unlike many of its neighbours, the bridge survived the catastrophic flooding of August 1829, known as the Muckle Spate. The bridge is maintained by Aberdeenshire Council and the local authority area has the highest number of listed bridges in Scotland.

The man behind Poldullie, John Forbes, also known as ‘Black Jock’, was the bailie of Kildrummy and a close associate of John Erskine, the Earl of Mar. Erskine led the Jacobites against the British Government forces at Sherriffmuir in November 1715, having planned the campaign at Kildrummy Castle and raised the Jacobite standard at Braemar Castle.

Pupils at Strathdon Primary School have been learning about the construction of different types of bridge, as well as the history of the local area and Poldullie Bridge itself. They will be showcasing their work at an open-day event at the school on the same day.

Saturday sees the 174th Lonach Highland Gathering and Games take place in nearby Bellabeg, with events getting underway from noon. Organised by the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, the annual event attracts up to 10,000 visitors, including many from overseas. This year’s event will also commemorate the 300th anniversaries the Poldullie Bridge and the Jacobite uprising, with a number of Jacobean reenactors attending.

Strathdon School head teacher, Lilian Field, said:

“We feel very privileged to be able to commemorate the construction of a local bridge which has provided a route for travellers and local people for the past three hundred years.”

Jennifer Stewart, secretary of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, said:

“Poldullie Bridge is an elegant local landmark. Its importance as a transport route may have been bypassed by more modern roads and bridges, but its historic contribution to the local area shouldn’t be overlooked.

“The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society is honoured to have been asked to be involved in today’s ceremony and thanks must go to Strathdon School and its pupils for their research and organisation. It is wonderful to see such enthusiasm in the local community to mark this milestone.

“Along with enjoying the packed programme at Saturday’s gathering, we are encouraging visitors to explore the local area, and pay a visit to our local landmarks, including Poldullie Bridge, the Doune of Invernochty and the Lost sign.”

Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Marr Area Committee, Moira Ingleby, said:

“The north-east played a significant role in the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. The Earl of Mar, who led the uprising, called on men from Donside to support the Stuart cause.

“That Poldullie Bridge is still standing strong, weathering tumultuous times better than its architect, is certainly something that should be celebrated.

“What’s more, the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society was founded during the difficult post-Culloden years, on a will to preserve the memory of the past but embrace the future. It’s very fitting that the Lonach men should be involved in the commemorative celebrations.”

Organisers of the gathering are encouraging visitors to explore the local area and visit some of its attractions and landmarks, including Poldullie Bridge. They have also unveiled the ideal selfie spot in Bellabeg for the weekend – beside the iconic road sign that points to Lost.

Established in 1823, by Sir Charles Forbes, 1st Baronet of Newe and Edinglassie, the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society is a charitable organisation based in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire. The society organises the annual Lonach Gathering at Bellabeg Park, Strathdon, which is held on the fourth Saturday of August – this year’s event takes place on Saturday, 22 August. The main attraction at the gathering is the march of the Lonach Highlanders, a unique body of non-military men.

Further information on the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, the Lonach Highlanders and the annual Lonach Highland Gathering can be found at www.lonach.org.

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Film From The Past To Celebrate Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Phil Moar, Account Manager, Citrus Mix.

A film which was commissioned to celebrate 200 years since the construction of Union Street commenced is set to be shown in public this weekend for the first time in 21 years.
‘No Mean Street – Union Street 200’ will be shown this Saturday and Sunday (August 22 and 23) at Belmont Filmhouse as part of the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend festivities that will take place at various venues across the city centre.

The film, written and directed by Alan White, was commissioned by Aberdeen City Council in 1994 to celebrate 200 years since the act of parliament authorised the construction of Aberdeen’s main thoroughfare.

Starring local ex-drama teacher, actor and stand-up Ally Dunbar as Doctor Kelly, the film follows the time travelling architect as he guides viewers into the past and present history of the street. The film also features the song Abercrombie’s Dream by Old Bling Dogs which lyrics tell the story of Abercrombie, the young civil engineer who came up with the street’s design.

It was shown daily during the Union Street 200 celebrations over four months in 1994 in a temporary exhibition and cinema that utilised the arches within Union Terrace Gardens.

The flick is being revived thanks to support from business organisation Aberdeen Inspired, with Aberdeen-based filmmaker Roy Stewart, whose short video on Aberdeen went viral online earlier this year, also forming part of the programme across the weekend.

Aberdeen Inspired is also supporting the parade element of the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend which will take place on Union Street on Saturday morning and will see hundreds of third sector groups take to the streets in a celebration of the work they do within the city.

Aberdeen Inspired has teamed up with four charities – Aberdeen Cyrenians, Aberdeen Forward CFINE, Bethany Christian Trust and VSA – as sponsor.

Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said:

“Both No Mean Street – Union Street 200 and Roy’s video on Aberdeen give an insight into the past and present of the city and we’re delighted to be able to play a role in bringing them to the big screen this weekend.

“Aberdeen has so many aspects that are worth celebrating – from its landscape and heritage to the charities, groups and volunteers that work so tirelessly for the benefit of the city – and we’re really looking forward to a weekend of showcasing what is great about the place so many of us live and work within.”

‘No Mean Street – Union Street 200’ will be shown at Belmont Filmhouse on Saturday, August 22, at 1.30pm and Sunday, August 23, at 3.30pm. Tickets are free and are available on a first come, first served basis.

Celebrate Aberdeen takes place this weekend, August 22 and 23, at various venues across the city centre. For more information, please visit www.celebrateaberdeen.org

Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute. Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district.

Further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired is available at www.aberdeeninspired.com

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Gillian Martin And Alex Salmond Welcome Education Commitment

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Aberdeenshire SNP

Gillian Martin (SNP Holyrood candidate for Aberdeenshire East) and Alex Salmond MP (Gordon) MSP (Aberdeenshire East) have welcomed the announcement of the second phase of the £100 million Attainment Scotland Fund. The Fund, which was launched earlier this year, supports schools, parents and pupils, which will improve attainment levels for all children.

This follows the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s keynote speech delivered at Wester Hailes Education Centre today (Tuesday 18th August).

During her speech, the First Minister set out the Scottish Government’s fresh approach to ensure every one of Scotland’s children has an equal chance to succeed in their school education.

Commenting, Gillian Martin said:

“I welcome the First Minister’s commitment to education. Here in Aberdeenshire, we have seen the results of the Scottish Government’s investment in new schools.

“I was recently visited the new Ellon Academy, which is a fantastic modern educational facility and a shining example of how education should work.

“The project was funded by the Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council and designed in partnership with the school. At every turn the school’s management, staff and pupils were involved in this design.

“The result is a fit for purpose, future-proof education facility and makes Ellon Academy a flagship school for our area.

“As a former Ellon Academy pupil, I am proud to see my old school leading the way in progressive education provision in the area. With inclusiveness and aspiration at its heart, the new Ellon Academy will make the transition from secondary to further education seamless.”

Alex Salmond MP (Gordon) MSP (Aberdeenshire East) said:

“It am very pleased to hear that the First Minister and the Scottish Government are staying committed to investment in education.

“The new Ellon Academy is just one of more than 500 new schools that have been rebuilt or refurbished since the SNP entered government in 2007. It is a perfect example of what we can achieve when we focus on education.”

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[Aberdeen Voice accepts and welcomes contributions from all sides/angles pertaining to any issue. Views and opinions expressed in any article are entirely those of the writer/contributor, and inclusion in our publication does not constitute support or endorsement of these by Aberdeen Voice as an organisation or any of its team members.]

Counselling Service Opens Doors To New Volunteers

Aberdeen City, Information 9 Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus Mix.

A counselling service is throwing open its doors next month to encourage volunteers to come forward.

The Aberdeen Counselling and Information Service (ACIS), a branch of Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA), is hosting an open evening to give people the chance to find out more about how to get involved.

Staff, volunteers and trainers will be on hand at the drop-in event, which will run from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday, September 11 at their offices at 1 Alford Place, to chat to potential volunteer counsellors and answer any questions.

ACIS will be holding free volunteer counselling training sessions in January and is looking for people from all walks of life who have the ability to listen to another person and communicate clearly without judgement.

Christine Maclean, ACIS manager, said:

“We hope people take up the opportunity to come along to our open evening and learn more about the training and what ACIS offers. Volunteers are the life blood of our services and we would struggle to keep going without them. It is a great way to give something back to the community and also to bring something new into your life.

“We currently have lengthy waiting lists for ACIS which is not ideal, but we are working hard to combat this. Volunteers will go a long way to helping us achieve this and we hope that this event will encourage people to consider putting themselves forward for our training programme.

“All sessions will take place in the city centre but there will also be some places available for potential trainees living in the Deeside and Banff and Buchan areas. We will be on hand to answer any queries at the open evening and look forward to welcoming everyone along.”

ACIS has been established since 1983 and is one of the few counselling agencies in the city, Deeside and Banff and Buchan which still offers free counselling. Trainees will need to give a time commitment of 10 weekends between January and June 2016 to complete the city centre based training.

New counsellors are expected to give ACIS a minimum of two years as a volunteer worker once training is successfully completed.

MHA was founded in 1950 and provides support services, counselling and advice to people affected by challenges related to mental health and wellbeing. Services are available for children from the age of 12 and adults. The organisation was among the first to provide community care – with its first residential project, a group home for discharged psychiatric patients, opened more than 35 years ago. MHA has also been providing day services continuously for over 60 years.

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Bon Accord & St Nicholas Celebrate 25th Birthday

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Phil Moar, Account Manager, Citrus Mix.

A city centre shopping mall will be stepping back to the 90s this weekend as it comes together with its shoppers to celebrate its 25th birthday.

Bon Accord & St Nicholas will celebrate the milestone this Saturday (August 22) with a day of fun filled events that will see staff, both old and new, retailers and visitors mark the anniversary.

Within the Bon Accord mall itself will be a pop-up 90s museum, with two 1990 Minis, along with a pinball machine and Street Fighter arcade game providing the focal point of the exhibition.

Visitors will also be able to get a glimpse into the fashion trends from days gone by, as well as a look back to some of the most iconic football kits from the time, including a range of Aberdeen FC tops and Scotland’s World Cup kit from 1998.

A host of 90s films will also be shown on a big screen throughout the weekend, with 90s songs, pop up celebrity cut outs as well as a host of competitions and prizes completing the retro event.

The mall will also be a venue in support of the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend which is taking place this weekend at various locations across the city centre.

It will host performances from the Tranquillity Wild West re-enactment group, Create Rock Choir, Sweet Adelines barbershop choir and folk singer Iona Fyfe at various times over both Saturday and Sunday.

The Bon Accord mall was officially opened in August 1990, by Her Majesty the Queen and has been at the heart of Aberdeen’s retail scene ever since. Throughout the last 25 years, it has continued to grow and innovate and is currently home to Scotland’s largest Next as well as the city’s only Topshop and Topman standalone stores. It most recently added leading brands Jigsaw and JoJo Maman Bebe to its line-up.

Craig Stevenson, manager of Bon Accord & St Nicholas, said:

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve been working hard to finalise a programme of events that really will come together to help mark our 25th birthday in style.

“From Mini cars, to a Spiderman pinball machine, 90s films and even live performances from some of the city’s most popular acts, we’ve got so much for all the family to enjoy this weekend and we’re looking forward to taking people back in time.

“So much has changed since the Bon Accord mall officially opened in 1990 and it’s not every day that a shopping centre celebrates its 25th birthday. I’d like to invite all our loyal visitors and staff to join us for a day of celebration and we look forward to welcoming you along this weekend.”

The centre’s celebrations will continue throughout September, with a number of the retro arcade games and parts of the exhibition being present in the mall across the coming weeks. For more information on the day itself, please visit www.bonaccordandstnicholas.com

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Salmond Welcomes New Mobile Coverage Checker

Aberdeenshire, Information 2 Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Tom Collins, Press Officer, Rt. Hon. Alex Salmond MP MSP

Following Alex Salmond’s calls for the ‘Big Four’ mobile network providers to improve coverage across Aberdeenshire, communications regulator Ofcom has launched a new online checker for consumers and businesses across Gordon and Aberdeenshire East.

Users are able to use the website to see the available coverage for voice calls, 3G and 4G from service providers: 02, Vodafone, EE and Three.

The interactive map can display coverage detail down to 100 square meters, allowing members of the public to make a better decision when choosing their mobile phone plan.

Last month, Mr Salmond wrote to the CEOs of each of the ‘Big Four’ (O2, Vodafone, EE and Three) asking them to provide a full analysis of their existing cover across both constituencies and what they plan to improve their services.

EE responded stating that it plans to increase its 4G coverage in Aberdeenshire East from 41.5 per cent to 95.2 per cent by the year 2017. Similarly, in the Gordon constituency, EE plan to increase 4G coverage from 52.1 per cent to 88.4 per cent by 2017.

Commenting, Mr Salmond said:

“I am pleased to see that Ofcom has launched this service. It will allow members of the public to make a better decision about which company provides the best coverage for their area.

“I am also glad that EE have plans in place to increase their coverage and improve services throughout Aberdeenshire East and Gordon.

“It is now time for the rest of the Big 4 to start using the map themselves and start filling in the enormous blanks that appear throughout Aberdeenshire.”

In his letter to the Big Four, Mr Salmond referenced the village of Methlick which, with a population of 450 people, has no coverage from either Vodafone or O2 – two out of the “big four” carriers – despite not being in a remote or topographically challenging location.

Mr Salmond also tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament recognising that the “big four” need to make significant improvements to their services in the region.

Ofcom online coverage checker: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/mobile-coverage

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Top Jazz Duo Head To The Lampie

Aberdeen City, Featured No Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Rob Adams.

Leading jazz singer Tina May and top pianist Nikki Iles play The Blue Lamp in Gallowgate on Thursday, September 3 as part of a Scottish tour to celebrate twenty years of making music together.

The pair met when the then-Leeds-based pianist’s trio accompanied May on gigs in Yorkshire in October 1995 and they have been friends and musical partners ever since.

Gloucester-born May (pictured), whose musical experiences include performing in an Edinburgh Fringe student revue with impersonator Rory Bremner and recording Come Fly With Me as the theme song from television docusoap Airline, became interested in jazz when she was studying French at University College, Cardiff and she began singing during a year spent in Paris as part of her course, when she also met Bremner.

After working in theatre companies and singing with bands around Cardiff, she moved to London and released her first album, Never Let Me Go, in 1992.

She went on to develop both as a singer and lyricist, putting words to tunes by musicians including former Weather Report keyboards player Joe Zawinul and alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, and in 2002 she achieved a great honour in jazz terms when pianist Ray Bryant, accompanist to singing greats Betty Carter, Carmen McRae and Aretha Franklin, invited her to put lyrics to his compositions.

May and Bryant then recorded their collaborations in Rudy Van Gelder’s legendary Englewood Cliffs studio in New Jersey, scene of countless recordings for the Impulse! and Blue Note labels including John Coltrane’s classic A Love Supreme.

Since meeting May in 1995 and moving to London shortly afterwards, Nikki Iles has gone on to establish herself as one of the UK’s foremost pianists, working with saxophonists Scott Hamilton, Peter King and Tony Coe and appearing with the Kenny Wheeler Big Band and the Julian Arguelles Octet as well as leading her own trio with top New York bass and drums team, Rufus Reid and Jeff Williams.

The two women enjoy a special relationship.

“I love singing with Nikki,” says May. “We’re kindred spirits really and the first time we worked together, in Halifax, there was an immediate affinity. Nikki just seemed to know instinctively what to play and when, and that’s continued down the years. She’s also a dear friend.”

The songs they’re likely to present on tour will come from a wide range of sources, including French songstress Edith Piaf’s repertoire (May speaks French fluently and now spends much of her time in Paris) and the Great American Songbook, and will be chosen with two important considerations in mind.

“I’ve always felt that entertainment and communication are the biggest things for me and the combination of words and music is the most natural way of engaging with an audience,” says May. “Songs are really the most marvellous little stories and that’s essentially what we do – we’re two storytellers working together.”

Lonach Visitors Encouraged To Explore Bellabeg And ‘Get’ Lost

Aberdeenshire, Featured 2 Responses »

Aug 212015

Organisers of next week’s Lonach Highland Gathering and Games are encouraging visitors to ‘get’ Lost when they attend the annual event by recommending the ideal selfie spot in the village of Bellabeg where the event is held. With thanks to Ian McLaren, Innes Associates.

Iconic sign: The road sign pointing to Lost at Bellabeg, Strathdon

The Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, which organises the annual event in Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, isn’t discouraging visitors from attending the popular event, instead it is looking to inspire those that do to explore Bellabeg and visit local businesses and landmarks.

That includes one of Scotland’s most iconic road signs, the one pointing to Lost.

The small directional flag style road sign has gained legendary status and is among some of the most photographed road signs in Scotland for the confusing message it conjures up.

With the current craze for taking selfies, organisers of the Lonach Gathering hope it will be a fun way to get people to discover more about Bellabeg and Strathdon.

Taking place on Saturday, 22 August, the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games is one of north-east Scotland’s best-known and most popular traditional summer events. It attracts up to 10,000 visitors each year, including many from overseas. Keen to boost the benefit that the games provides to the local economy, organisers have launched an initiative to highlight to visitors some of Strathdon’s other sights and attractions.

Within Bellabeg is the Doune of Invernochty, an impressive 12-metre high motte which is all that the remains of a 12th century Norman castle. While a short walk away is the 18th century Poldullie Bridge. When it was built it significantly improved safety and communications in the area and is one of the best surviving examples of an 18th century single semi-circular arch stone bridge.

For those adventurous enough to wonder where they might end up if they followed the sign to Lost, the answer is not far – the road now leads only to a farm. At one time it would have led travellers to the Bridge of Nochty and the Glenbuchat road, from which today they can access the Lost Gallery. Run by Peter and Jean Goodfellow it features paintings and sculpture.

In addition, there is the nearby Goodbrand and Ross tearoom and gift shop at Corgarff, Kildrummy Castle, where the 1715 Jacobite rising was planned, and the Grampian Transport Museum at Alford.

The initiative is in keeping with the aims of Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, which was established in 1823 to maintain traditional highland culture and promote social benevolence. Meanwhile, the gathering has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Cultural Event or Festival category in this year’s Aberdeen City & Shire Tourism Awards.

Jennifer Stewart, secretary of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, said:

“The society’s ethos has evolved over recent years, meaning the support we provide to the local economy through the gathering and events at the Lonach Hall has grown substantially. Around 10% of the local Bellabeg shop’s takings occur in games’ week.

“We’re always keen for visitors to the gathering to explore Bellabeg and the selfie spot is a fun way for them to do that. The sign to Lost has gained legendary status, but many people don’t realise that it is in Bellabeg. In Strathdon we’re really proud of this very simple, but quirky landmark. Over a decade ago we fought a campaign for the sign to be reinstated unchanged after it was stolen.

“With the current craze for selfies we thought we’d take the opportunity to highlight the location of the Lost road sign as a perfect selfie spot.”

The 174th Lonach Highland Gathering and Games takes place on Saturday, 22 August at Bellabeg Park, Strathdon. It features a full programme of traditional highland events, including individual and massed piping, highland dancing and light and heavy athletics, with some of the country’s leading pipers, dancers and athletes competing. The games commence at 12 noon, but events get underway at 8am as the Lonach Highlanders start their six-mile march around the local area.

The main attraction at the gathering is the march of the Lonach Highlanders, a unique body of non-military men. Further information on the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, the Lonach Highlanders and the annual Lonach Highland Gathering can be found at www.lonach.org.

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Sacred Sounds from Tibet: Masked Dances In Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Aug 172015

Tibetan monks from Tashi Lhunpo return to Aberdeen for the first time since performing at Queen’s Cross Church in November 2011

With thanks to Paul Kohn.

Monday 24th August sees the return after four years of Tibetan Monks to Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary in Aberdeen.

The dances and music are performed by Tibetan monks from the Gelugpa Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, a sacred world filled with the chanting of Buddhist texts, the recitation of mantras, ringing of bells, blowing of trumpets and beating of drums.

Recreating the mysteries of Buddhist monasteries, Tibetan monks from Tashi Lhunpo offer a dramatic presentation of sacred dance, music and prayer with traditional costumes and ceremonial masks.

Founded by the first Dalai Lama in the 15th Century, Tashi Lhunpo is one of the most important monasteries in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Re-established in exile in South India it is becoming one of the major centres of Buddhist learning, best known for its artistic tradition of masked dances and sacred learning.

The show comes straight from the Edinburgh Fringe and is part of a three month tour
of UK and Europe organised by Tashi Lhunpo UK Trust.

The performance will be held at Queen’s Cross Church Sanctuary, at the corner of Albyn and Carden Place, at 7.30 p.m. on Monday 24th August. Tickets on
the door cost £8.00, concessions £5.00. Doors open 7.00pm

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