Proposals to refurbish and extend Invergarry church
A stained glass window would also be added. There would be improved external lighting and access pathways, as well as the installation of an energy-efficient lighting and heating system. Reconfiguration of the internal layout has been proposed to create a community space.The planning application from the church is currently under consideration by Highland Council.
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Edinburgh Reporter
18 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Thirtieth anniversary marked with commemoration at the Botanics
Scotland marked the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica on Friday with a solemn commemoration at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). The event, organised by genocide education charity Beyond Srebrenica, honoured the memory of more than 8,300 Bosniak men and boys murdered in Srebrenica in July 1995 and reflect on the broader Bosnian war that claimed over 100,000 lives and displaced more than 2 million people – including thousands who sought refuge in the UK. The youngest of the victims was two days old. Sabina Kadić-Mackenzie, chair of Beyond Srebrenica and survivor of the war in Bosnia, said: 'This tree carries deep symbolic meaning – and chilling parallels to the human experience of war and genocide Like so many Bosnians, it found a way to survive despite everything that was done to erase it. 'On the 30th anniversary of the genocide, we remember not just the loss and horror – but the endurance, and the hope it takes to recover from the rubble of war. This tree now thrives in Scotland, just as so many of us Bosnians have. Its roots now touch Scottish soil, linking our two nations in remembrance and in hope. 'The spruce stands as a living memorial to both environmental and human resilience – and Scotland's quiet but enduring connection to Bosnia's story.' During the ceremony, guests tied white ribbons to the tree – a quiet act of solidarity and remembrance. Sabina, who is a survivor of the war, continued: 'This Spruce is more than a tree. It is a living memorial to all that we lost, and all that we refused to let be destroyed. It stands as a symbol of our survival, and of the profound connection between Bosnia and Scotland forged in the most painful of times. 'The tree stands now not only as a symbol of ecological resilience but also as a quiet testament to the resilience and grace of the Bosnian people who, like it, endured immense suffering yet refused to disappear.' Speaking at the ceremony, Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: 'Rare and resilient, this tree is now listed as endangered. It survives in only a handful of shrinking mountain refuges in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Its story mirrors that of this region – scarred by war, threatened by change, but still standing. 'Today, the tree grows far from its homeland, in botanic gardens and conservation sites across Europe – thanks to the work of organisations like the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. But like memory, it cannot thrive without care. As we protect these rare trees, let us also protect the truth.' The commemorative event was hosted by Beyond Srebrenica, a Scotland-based organisation working to ensure that the memory of the genocide endures and its lessons are never forgotten. 11th July 2025 Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland. Elsa (11) and Olive (8) Kadic-Mackenzie , at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, pictured as white ribbons are tied to a group of Picea omorika tree, a rare and ancient conifer native to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pic Phil Wilkinson / Beyond Srebrenica 11th July 2025 Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland. Elsa (11) and Olive (8) Kadic-Mackenzie , at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, pictured as white ribbons are tied to a group of Picea omorika tree, a rare and ancient conifer native to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pic Phil Wilkinson 11th July 2025 Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland. Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie with daughters Elsa (11) and Olive (8) at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, pictured as white ribbons are tied to a group of Picea omorika tree, a rare and ancient conifer native to Bosnia and Herzegovina. They joined charity Beyond Srebrenica and members of the Bosnian community to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bosnian Genocide in Srebrenica. 11 July is the UN international day of remembrance and reflection for the victims of the genocide. Pic Phil Wilkinson / Beyond Srebrenica Like this: Like Related
The Independent
18 hours ago
- The Independent
‘Miracle' eagle that defied the odds spotted in sky after months missing
A white-tailed eagle whose survival was hailed as a "miracle" has been spotted over Mull almost a year after its disappearance. The bird of prey fell from its nest in July 2023 and broke its wing. Uncharacteristically for the species, the chick's parents nursed it back to health. The bird, nicknamed 'Kinky', has since learned to fly and moves in a distinctive wobbly pattern while in the sky. RSPB Scotland had regarded Kinky as a "miracle chick" before it vanished in autumn 2024. Its return was confirmed on 1 July by Blair Ketteringham, a crew member of Mull Charters, who sighted it circling over the island of Forsa in Loch na Keal, Mull. RSPB Scotland ambassador Dave Sexton said he could not believe the photo sent to him by Mr Ketteringham. 'Frankly, I was in disbelief, as I seriously doubted if Kinky could survive last winter without his parents to support him,' he said. 'Clearly they had to move on with their lives and are finally breeding again this year, but of Kinky there'd been no sign despite our appeal. 'He was soaring high over Eorsa like any other eagle would and eventually came down to land where he interacted briefly with a different adult sea eagle. 'It's testament to his strength of character and incredible survival skills that he seems to have overcome his major injury – with a lot of help from mum and dad.' Mr Sexton added: 'For most eagles, a broken wing would be a death sentence as they're unable to hunt and feed. 'But Kinky is a shining example of what perseverance can achieve.' According to the RSPB, the white-tailed eagle is the UK's largest bird of prey. It is also known as the sea eagle as it prefers to live near the coast. It went extinct in the UK during the early 1990s due to hunting, and the present population is descended from reintroduced birds. The eagle's wingspan can reach up to 2.5 metres and it can be identified by its pale head and neck, which can be almost white in older animals. It is a Schedule 1 species which means it is illegal to disturb the birds.
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Seating nooks and memory shelves: the welcoming family home embracing dementia-friendly design
Glaswegian retirees Jim McConnachie and Frances McChlery had always dreamed of building their own home with a waterside view, and had even toyed with buying a plot on Scotland's west coast. However, when McChlery's sister was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, they had to rethink their plans. 'The prospect and implications of supporting my sister-in-law became a key consideration,' says McConnachie, 'and we decided to build a home closer to the facilities of the city so she could live with us and be closer to extended family.' McConnachie embarked on a tour of Scotland's lochs, but after making a pitstop at Comrie in Perthshire on a sunny day he passed a 'for sale' sign on the way out of the village that piqued his interest. 'Looking at the cottage from the street it was tiny and worn, but to the rear was a lovely south-facing garden that backs on to the River Earn,' says McConnachie. Excited, he brought McChlery and her sister for a viewing. They both saw potential in the property and were charmed by the bustling village with its valley views and thriving community. Last used as a dental surgery, the 18th-century cottage didn't have any insulation and suffered from water damage and structural decay. McConnachie, who trained as an architect, embraced the challenge of transforming it into a warm and adaptable home that could also accommodate extended family. 'We wanted the house to remain flexible and welcoming as a family hub, while also ensuring Frances's sister felt safe, independent and engaged,' he says. McConnachie sought guidance from architecture firm Loader Monteith on maximising the layout, navigating conservation area restrictions and incorporating dementia-friendly design principles. For example, accessible kitchen shelving to allow her sister to navigate the space with some independence and open views through living spaces, so she feels connected but not surveilled. 'The floorplan was very deep,' says director Matt Loader, 'so we split the ground floor into three sections so it didn't feel like you were in one long corridor.' He wanted to respect the 'honesty' of the original cottage, so the front two rooms were maintained as cosy living spaces, each with its own fireplace and lime-plastered walls. The kitchen is at the heart of the home, with a small courtyard – affectionately named the 'sit-ootery' – providing a sheltered spot for morning coffee. 'The relationship between Frances and her sister is rooted in cooking, baking and gardening, so the kitchen and its connection to the outside spaces was key,' adds Loader. A defining feature is the marble-topped island, crafted from a piece of stone passed down through the family. As both sisters are short, 'the island was set low to allow Frances's sister to help with baking and food preparation, which is an important occupational therapy', says McConnachie. Within the new double-height extension at the rear is a generous living area and dining space overlooking the garden and riverside beyond. The views are framed by a huge picture window and a perforated pergola, which shelters the concrete bench below while letting dappled sunlight through. Seating 'neuks' are a recurring theme; upstairs is a thoughtfully positioned window seat surrounded by shelves displaying 'memory anchors'. Loader says: 'Housing artefacts that hold historical significance can help those with Alzheimer's recognise that this is their home, and it's important to retain that sense of familiarity.' McChlrey's sister's living quarters have been sensitively designed to cater for her needs without making it feel at odds with the rest of the house. The upstairs landing also includes a small servery, complete with sink and washing machine, that is designed to facilitate social interaction while also aiding practical care. Her bedroom is light and tranquil, with a dual aspect looking out to the hills beyond, while the couple's master suite also benefits from stunning countryside views. The house's pared-back aesthetic belies the forethought that has gone into this project to ensure it continues to meet the couple's needs. For example, on the ground floor, the front of the cottage is currently a home office on one side and a sitting room on the other, each with full-width sliding doors and sofa beds so they can be transformed into sleeping spaces when family visit or permanently if need be later. One of the biggest benefits of the layout, McChlery has discovered, is its 'intervisibility', allowing her to keep an eye on her sister without making her feel she is under supervision. 'The deterioration of people with Alzheimer's isn't predictable,' says McConnachie. 'The best-laid plans to leave clear space and simple-to-use facilities to allow for independence can be quickly taken over by the continuing onset of the condition, so it's worth allowing space for supervised sharing tasks.' McConnachie ensured they left room for the introduction of fittings such as stair lifts and bathroom aids, as well as planning a simple and level route through the house – you can get from the front door to the garden without a step. 'Caring for another adult with dementia is very difficult emotionally and physically – the grief and injustice are always in the back of your mind,' adds McChlery. 'Everything about this house helps – it provides a beautiful and safe space that enables us all to be at home for as long as possible.'
