Last Saturday marked the official opening of the 2019 season at the Scottish Crannog Centre near Kenmore on Loch Tay. The Crannog itself is a reconstruction of Oakbank Crannog – one of two that lie off shore at Fearnan, and given this Fearnan connection, it was perhaps not surprising to find some familiar modern day Fearnan faces amongst the staff, providing hands-on demonstrations and interpreting life in the Iron Age for visitors.
Frances was busy in the iron-age kitchen preparing a meal using some of the ingredients that would have been available to crannog dwellers. Split pea, fennel and swede soup was bubbling in the pot, there was flat bread cooking in the pan and she was preparing a piece of salmon for cooking – in between rushing off to chop more wood for the stove. No handy little knobs to turn to control the heat here!
Jason is continuing the textile project that he started last year.
Inspired by the spindle-whorls and a beautifully preserved piece of Iron Age fabric, all found at the Oakbank Crannog excavation, he has been researching and experimenting with plant-based dyes and methods of working with wool that would have been available when the crannogs were occupied.
So far, his work really challenges the idea that Iron Age clothes were dull. Lichen, for example, gives rich tones of pink through to deep purple.
Graham is the chief teller of tales, retelling the myths and legends that have been handed down to us from previous generations.
Although we cannot know for sure what stories were told around the fireside in the crannog , it is reasonable to assume they would have been early versions of the stories that have come down the centuries to us today.
Come and hear about the kelpies, and the urisks; about mischievous acts and heroic deeds; and other stories of times past on Loch Tay.
Last week, the Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir were on site providing some beautiful and atmospheric singing, especially for the opening event. There were more familiar faces, with Fran and June amongst the singers.
Although it was much enjoyed by the audience, there was one local who came to heckle, and had to be chased away!
Check out the Crannog’s Facebook Page to hear choir soloist John Duff singing the Loch Tay Boat Song.
(The Loch Tay Boat Song sung on the shores of Loch Tay? What more could you possibly want?)
Fearnan Art Club
The Fearnan Art Club had a successful visit to Kenmore, where the sports pavilion proved to make an excellent and bright art studio.
Fearnan Bowling Club
Lesley Raeburn reports:
“Another very enjoyable Bowls season has just ended. An exciting and competitive League Competition saw Acharn retain the trophy.
In our Club competition, Alastair Kininmonth beat Lesley Raeburn to lift the Singles trophy. Angela Kininmonth and Jardine Robertson were the winners in the Doubles competition beating Frances Brace and Alastair Kininmonth in the final.
The new season starts on the 1st Monday in October. New members will be made very welcome.”
Well done to all the winners!
Dates for Your Diary
The FVA’s Pop Up Coffee Shop will be in the Hall on Tuesday 23rd April at 10.30 am. Join us for some Easter-themed baking, fresh coffee and tea and a chance to socialise with friends and neighbours.
The Hall Committee have announced 2 dates: the Annual Quiz Night will be on Sat 11th May in Fearnan Hall and will include a 2-course meal in the ticket price, and the Games and Curry Night is in the diary for Sat 12th October.
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Fearnan Village Association 