Memory Lane - Argyllshire Advertiser, December 15 2025

Marie Curie Lights to Remember service

Members of the public remembered loved ones affected by cancer at a special service in Mid Argyll Hospital.

Attendees at the Marie Curie Lights to Remember service were welcomed on December 2 by Councillor Douglas Philand.

There were informative talks from Marie Curie representatives, inspirational words from guest speaker James McLellan and wonderful carols from the Mid Argyll Youth Chorus.

The event was rounded off with a ‘thank-you’ from Lorraine Paterson, the charity’s head of adult services in the area. The large audience was later treated to tea, coffee and a mince pie.

The Christmas tree in the main entrance to the hospital was switched on by Mr McLellan and the lights left by loved ones and supporters of Marie Curie will adorn the branches over the festive period.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Friday December 9 2005

Citizen of the year Millie lights up Tarbert

Tarbert Citizen of the Year Millie Malia switched on a Christmas lights display with a difference in the village on Saturday night.

A tugboat docked in Tarbert Harbour has been decked out in lights and decorations for the month of December. 

HMRT Golden Cross is the official escort to HM Yacht Britannia and one of Scotland’s most famous historic rescue vessels. A special safety at sea display will take place on the boat in the New Year when it will also be open to schools and the public.

Suzie Wong, the Hollywood actress who owns the ship, said: ‘It is wonderful to see such support being extended to my ship and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this event possible.’

Local restaurants make top food guide

Three local restaurants have been included in a guide to the UK’s best places to eat.

Tayvallich Inn, The Kilberry Inn and The Creggans Inn in Strachur all feature in Egon Ronay’s 2006 Guide to the Best Restaurants and Gastropubs in the UK, published last month.

Clare Johnson, who runs the Kilberry Inn with David Wilson, was delighted to be included in the guide. 

She said: ‘Things have gone fantastically well in our first year and we are thrilled that The Kilberry Inn has been included in the newly-relaunched Egon Ronay guide.

‘We are now keeping our fingers crossed for the Michelin Guide, which comes out in January.’

Clare and David took over The Kilberry Inn after seven years at The Anchorage Restaurant in Tarbert, where they were awarded a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide. 

They opened for their first season at The Kilberry Inn in time for Easter this year.

The Egon Ronay guide highlighted the seafood served at the inn as a particular favourite. Among the dishes that won praise at the Tayvallich Inn were scallops and lobster roasted with tarragon butter. Also praised was the black bream, oven-baked under a light herb crust and surrounded by a few roasted vegetables.

The new guide praised The Creggans Inn’s mussels served with a Guinness and pepper cream and its venison sausages with a mustard mash.

From 850 pre-selected restaurants and gastropubs, 420 were chosen for anonymous inspection, 300 of them making it into the guide. 

Speaking at the book’s launch, Egon Ronay said: ‘Where have all these excellent chefs been hiding?

‘Many work wonders in cramped kitchens, competing with the cooking even in some of our best restaurants.

‘The majority of bistros in France do not compare with the best British gastropubs.’

FORTY YEARS AGO

Saturday December 14 1985

Inveraray Courthouse plans moving on

Hopes are high that action will be taken on turning Inveraray Courthouse into an interpretative centre for tourists during 1986.

At last week’s meeting of Argyll and Bute District Council’s tourism, leisure and recreation committee, director of TL and R Mr James Moran told members that a market research study showed that there was a great demand for such a centre.

The project could be a big money spinner and a big attraction for Inveraray and all of Argyll, he said.

Mr Moran said that the company Landmark were very interested in developing the project, which would be a display of crime and punishment through the ages in Scotland. There would also be a small shop.

Further meetings are to be held to discuss the project, including meeting the Highlands and Islands Development Board.

Tired but happy after cadet weekend

The Argyll company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Army Cadet Force held their final weekend camp for 1985 at Lochgilphead Training Centre last weekend.

Cadets from Campbeltown, Islay, Mid Argyll and Tarbert received training in drill and military knowledge, map and compass, •22 shooting and skill at arms. Later most of the cadets were tested in these subjects and Campbeltown detachment received the best percentage pass overall.

In his role as Company physical training instructor, Sgt. G. Kerr of Tarbert Detachment organised some circuit training in the drill hall on Saturday night, which made lights out a mere formality.

Although it was a hard-working weekend, some additional time for Christmas shopping was found.

In his final address, Lt. Brown, Coy 21C, outlined the company training programme for the first quarter of 1986 up to and including Easter Camp and thanked the training staff for their commitment through 1985.

SIXTY YEARS AGO

Tuesday December 14 1965

Closure threat to Crarae Quarries

Concern at the temporary closing of the Crarae Quarries with the resulting redundancy of 90 of its employees was expressed at the newly formed Lochfyneside branch of the Argyll Conservative and Unionist Association at Lochgair Hotel on December 2.

It was agreed that this matter be referred to Mr Michael Noble, the M.P. for the county, with a view to obtaining his help to alleviate the distress which will be caused if this closure goes on indefinitely.

Other matters of business were discussed, particularly relative to road conditions, and were referred to the next meeting for further discussion.

The following were appointed to the committee of the new branch: Mr I. M.

Campbell, Mrs Paterson, Mr Cameron, Mrs Smith, Mr Mackie, Mrs Campbell, Mr Bell and Mr Barton-Wright, Mr Ilay Campbell was chairman at the meeting and expressed the need for branches throughout the county and for the continued support of members of the association. He welcomed Mr John M. Young, convener of the association, and Mr John McVicar, the secretary/ agent.

After the formation of the committee, Mr Young, on behalf of the county association, welcomed the new branch and wished it every success for the future.