News from the districts - June 4, 2021

Lochgoilhead

 

The Tunnocks caravan wafer has arrived in Lochgoilhead.

 

In collaboration with the famous Scottish brand, Argyll Holidays has converted a three-bedroom static caravan at Drimsynie from the standard green to something a little tastier.

 

The headline-grabbing move involves more than just a paint job - the interior of the themed van is filled with Tunnock's products for the sweet-toothed holidaymaker.

 

Helensburgh

 

The owners of a caravan park near Helensburgh have applied for planning permission to extend the site by adding a further 19 touring pitches.

 

Rosneath Castle Caravan Park also wants to add an associated wash building and shower/toilet units on land to the west of its existing site, which is accessed off the B833 road.

 

Plans which have been made available in Argyll and Bute Council’s planning portal show the site adjacent to an area known as Wallace's Loup.

 

The proposed pitches are located in one row of eight and one of 11.

 

A decision is expected from council planning officers by the middle of July.

 

North Connel

 

A farmer has appealed to dog owners to keep their pets on a lead after a Suffolk gimmer on her North Connel farm had her neck 'ripped open' in an attack.

 

Achnacreebeag farmer Julie Campbell said: 'Her neck was ripped open, the vet said she was lucky to still have a jugular. The dog had also gone for her belly and she had teeth marks all down her back end.'

 

Julie made the shocking discovery when she was checking her flock on May 26.

 

The attack has been reported to police but the identity of the dog and its owner is still unknown.

 

'We've had quite a few attacks over the years but she is the first to have survived,' added Julie. 'It was obviously a big dog that did this to her.'

 

'I would never want to shoot a dog but the harsh reality of it is that if a dog is deemed out of control by a farmer it can be shot, even if it's on an extendable lead.

 

'If it's away from its owner and pinning a sheep down, it's still out of control.'

 

She continued: 'Dogs need to be kept on leads. Stay away from livestock. Argyll has thousands of other acres to walk in.

 

'It's very easy to stress sheep and it's extremely dangerous at lambing time. Even if you can't see any lambs in a field, the worry can cause a pregnant sheep to abort.'

 

Kintyre

 

A new Kintyre gin school has raised a glass to its first graduates.

 

Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, home of Kintyre Gin, has used its time in lockdown to expand and grow, opening its own gin school – Kintyre's first –  following a relaxation in Covid-19 rules.

 

Located on Torrisdale Castle Estate, the gin school was created in response to the high-number of visitors to the distiller since it opened in 2016; the increased demand for tours; and the volume of tourists expected in the region following the recent launch of the Kintyre 66 route.

 

The school can take up to 12 people per class, Covid-19 restrictions permitting, with a three-and-a-half-hour tutorial,.

 

This is a fun experience whilst teaching people how to make their bespoke bottle of gin and learn about the history of the spirit.

 

Guests have the opportunity to try a perfect serve of their own gin and make a cocktail, before receiving a Kintyre Gin School graduation certificate.