Kinross Newsletter

Out & AboutFarmingFor me, the first half of August was spent preparing for andtidying up after the Kinross show.Being President is a great honour and with it comes greatresponsibility. I was very nervous during the final run upto the show and was relieved when we were blessed with aglorious day until the rain at 5 o’clock, and things ran aboutas smoothly as you could expect them to. Many thanks goto all those who help make the show happen, and to themany paying visitors who make it a success.For now however, it’s back to the ‘ranch’ and a bit ofplaying catch up with all the jobs which were abandonedduring the ten days when the show took priority. Along withHelen and our two boys, we had a family fun day preparingfirewood for the coming months. Our house has a multi-fuelstove which runs the hot water and central heating system.Through the winter months we burn a tattie box full of logsroughly every three weeks, which amounts to quite a lot oflogs over a year. We have quite a good system whichinvolves me sawing tree trunks into manageable sizes forHelen and the boys to split into pieces which will fit into thestove using a log splitter. The log splitter is a very usefuland surprisingly powerful piece of kit and it certainly savesme a lot of sweat swinging an axe.Also on the list of jobs is the second cut of silage, andgetting ready for the harvest. Hopefully Andrew’s greendinosaurs will munch their way effortlessly through our oatsand barley and the recovery chain will remain unused.A new job for me back in July was clipping our flock-etteof sheep. Never having done this before, it was certainly anexperience and I have to say that the guys who shearthousands of sheep a year deserve every respect. It is a greatskill and a tough one. I considered my efforts to be asuccess since every ewe still had the same number of teatsand ears after I had finished!JohnTREATMENT ROOMS AVAILABLEWould suit alternative therapists or beauticians.Full access to clients of busy hair salonAvailable Monday - Wednesday 9am until 8pm.Salon 62, The Muirs, Kinross, KY13 8AUTel: 01577 863186 For details38WeatherJuly Weather ReportFrom CarnboAlthough the month on the whole was rather average, twooutstanding events were noted early in the month.The maximum temperature recorded on the 2nd was 29ºC;this is the highest temperature recorded here in many years.The second event was on the 6th when, around 9am,13.7mm of rain fell in less than half an hour, this leading tosome surface flooding.Rainfall for the monthHeaviest fallHighest temperature 29ºC (2nd)Lowest temperature 6ºC (31st)Average temperature 14ºCCloud cover 75%Six days with a temperature above 20ºCThunder recorded on three days128 mm (125% of normal)22.8 mm (28th)Local Attraction Opening TimesLochleven Castle, KinrossLochleven Castle, famously where MaryQueen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567,is in the heart of the beautiful Loch Leven National NatureReserve. Historic Scotland runs a regular boat service,which departs from the fishery pier. Opening times for 2009are:1 April to 30 September: Daily, 9.30am to last outwardsailing at 4.30pm.1 to 31 October: Daily, 9.30am to last outwardsailing at 3.30pm.Admission prices (includes boat trip): Adult £4.70, Child£2.35, Concessions £3.70, HS members free.There are car parking facilities, toilets and a café close tothe ferry departure point. The boat is not equipped to carrypassengers in wheelchairs. There are benches, lawns, a giftshop and toilets on the island. Larger groups should contactthe site manager on the island (mobile 07778 040483)beforehand.Burleigh Castle, MilnathortA fascinating tower house dating from around 1500. Thegrounds are open during daylight hours. The keep can beopened on request. Please follow signs on site for key. Inthe care of Historic Scotland.St Serf’s Church and Dupplin Cross, DunningThis picturesque parish church houses the 9th centuryDupplin Cross, a masterpiece of Pictish stonework.Donations welcome. Open summer only, seven days aweek. In the care of Historic Scotland.Elcho Castle, near Bridge of EarnA 16th century fortified mansion, five miles NE of Bridgeof Earn off the A912 and close to Rhynd. Opening times:1 April to 30 September, Monday to Sunday, 9.30am to5.30pm. Admission prices: Adult £3.20, Child £1.60,Concessions £2.70. In the care of Historic Scotland.Abernethy Round TowerA free-standing round tower of Irish style dating from thelate 11th century. Good views of the Firth of Tay. Keysavailable from nearby tea room during the summer between10am and 5pm, except Mondays. Signs at site for key. In thecare of Historic Scotland.