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Winter Events

From Moriston Matters, Issue 17, February 1980 .

FESTIVE SEASON COUNTRY DIARY

Have you ever been asked by some visitor from one of the more populated parts of the world, where it may appear that numbers make for a full life, who perhaps fondly imagines that his presence along with that of others of his kind is making up for a serious deficiency in the quality of life in a community such as ours -"What do you do here in the winter?"

A look at the Glenmoriston timetable for the five weeks or so covering Christmas and New Year might prove an eye-opener. Of course, not everyone was involved in every activity, but it is doubtful if anyone found himself caught up by none of them.

To start the ball rolling, the Woman's Guild held their party in Invermoriston House on December 11th when there were games and carol-singing with special guests from among the Senior Citizens who live alone.

The following Saturday the Loch Ness Gun Club held a festive shoot at Bhlaraidh, with a very successful ceilidh in the hotel afterwards.

The Mothers' and Toddlers' Group held a delightful party in Dalchreichart School on the afternoon of December 20th, what time the primary scholars of the Glen along with many of their adult friends went to the Pantomime in Eden Court. In the evening there were School Dances in both Fort Augustus and Glenurquhart for the secondary scholars. Other school functions were a Carol Concert in Fort Augustus, a Nativity Play in Invermoriston, a special Christmas Service in Dalchreichart and an entertaining Film Show in Glenurquhart.

On the Saturday before Christmas there was The Party in the Hall. Numbers of children are down this year, but everyone co-operated in making it enjoyable for all concerned - not least our old friend, Santa, who made a special visit from the other side of the loch for the afternoon - and it went with a swing.

The usual Christmas Services were held by the Church of Scotland and the Abbey congregations, with this year - the addition of a friendly cup of tea after the Dalchreichart Carol Service; and on the evening of December 26th a small band of carol-singers made their way from Alltsaigh to the Pier on a cold, but reasonably dry night. They were generously received all along the route and were especially grateful for the warmth and refreshment provided by Sheena Paterson which fortified them just when they were beginning to flag. When the evening wound up at Riverside Park it was found that over £18 had been collected for SHELTER, who have very gratefully acknowledged this sum.

At the end of that week the Senior Citizens' Party was held in the Hotel when Mr and Mrs Shepherd provided an appetizing buffet supper. The programme included a Nativity Play called "The Christmas treat disappeared" presented by the Manse Youth Group and showing in a present day setting howChrist and what he stands for must be central to our celebrations and enjoyment. At one point anyone looking; in might have thought it was a fancy-dress party, but it was only one of the games.

A week later the Estate Party was also held in the Hotel.

The following week saw an unexpected, but none the less enjoyable and entertaining visit of the Whisper and Shout Puppets who presented the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves to a spell-bound audience in the Hall; and the next night it was the turn of the Secondary Scholars to be the guests of the Children's Committee to go to The Babes in the Wood at Eden Court.

And last but not least on January 14th, the WRI had a Film Night Instead of a party when they and their friends were richly entertained by "Rockets Galore".

Add to all these formal activities family gatherings and outings, visits home from our sons and daughters who have left the Glen, first-footing and other jollifications, and any enquiring outsider must surely be convinced that there is never a dull moment. Let him think too of all the hard work willingly given by very many people in the preparation for these events and he will realize something of the peculiar quality of "Life in the Glen".

M.E.F.

(Margaret Fraser)