THE ARRAN BANNER 20 YEARS AGO

Saturday 5 April, 1997

Offers mature

Torrylinn Creamery may have a new owner by this weekend, though it is more likely that it will be into next week before a decision on who to sell to is made. A closing date has been put on the sale of the cheese division of Scottish Pride for 5pm today. Scottish Pride went into receivership in mid-February and since then receiver Blair Nimmo of KPMC has been seeking buyers for the whole operation or parts of it. The liquid milk division has now been sold to Wiseman Dairies, which had been negotiating with Scottish Pride. This has left the UHT plant at Kirkcudbright and the four creameries of Torrylinn, Campbeltown, Bute and Mauchline still seeking buyers. Mr Nimmo said interest had been expressed for both the UHT and the cheese side, and that he expected offers today. It is also possible that some bids may only be for individual part of the business such as Torrylinn Creamery on its own.

Touch of Tibet

Travellers over the Ross Road have reported seeing a strange obelisk in the fields at Glenscorradale. The Samye Ling Buddhists of Holy Isle acquired the farm a couple of years ago and have plans to use it as a retreat centre for short-term meditation.

The four monks in residence said that the perfectly conical stone cairn about six feet high is a Tibetan offering house for the water spirit. These shrines are known as Nagas in Tibet and are built in recognition of the natural energy of the four elements – earth, wind, fire and water. Because of their plan to fit in with the elements, the monks have removed all of the internal fencing and will be planting lots of deciduous trees.

Visitor centre

The new Isle of Arran Distillery visitor centre at Lochranza opened its doors to the public last Saturday morning. A very impressive building with themed crofters’ cottages and a smugglers’ tunnel, it also houses an extensive shop and restaurant.

The Arran Pipe Band played and a lot of people turned up, including those who were invited and those who were just curious. Principal Hal Currie decided against any formal speech but said there would be a formal opening with a full ceremony on Saturday August 9.

B13twe01 Last Friday was ‘Take a friend riding day’ and pictured here at Cairnhouse Riding Centre are just some regular riders with their non riding friends. They are: Lillian Tod, Joan Cook, Jess, Dave, Cara and Gill McClelland, Eilidh Struthers and Hannah...

B13twe02 A new visitor attraction opened on Arran last weekend with a small motor museum at Balmichael Farm. David and Gill McClelland bought the farm 18 months ago and have been successfully operating a quad bike business there.

B13twe04 Prize-winners in the Easter egg painting competition at Brodick Castle were: Laura Nicholson, Morag and Gabrielle Hannah, Ross Marshall and Alastair Wall.

B13twe03 Last Sunday’s charity hockey match at Sandbraes saw the players, including Randy Savage and his Ninja Rabbits, donning some unusual outfits to raise funds for the Hospital Supporters’ League.

B13twe05 John and Leslie van Bogerijen of Kildonan were one of the three Easter bonnet prize-winners at Brodick Castle with their beautifully decorated bonnets.