Tarbert impresses Royal visitor

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visited Tarbert and Tighnabruaich on Tuesday.

 

The Princess Royal, a keen sailor, visited Tighnabruaich Sailing School, and viewed the new facilities at Tarbert Harbour.

 

As patron of The Pony Club, she also visited the Argyll South Branch in Tarbert at The Gather.

 

The princess was guided down the walkway to the harbour, where Depute Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute Kenneth MacNab introduced her to the chairman of the Tarbert Harbour Authority Duncan Cunningham and harbour master Darren Mair.

 

She then went on to meet Argyll and Bute Council's leader Councillor Robin Currie and Chief Executive Pippa Milne in a marquee in the village.

 

"attachment_781963" "aligncenter" "300"] The Princess Royal shares a joke with a passerby alongside depute lieutenant Kenneth MacNab and Tarbert Harbour Authority chairman Duncan Cunningham. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

An architect showed her display boards of the harbour before and after development, ahead of a tour of the new shower block, known locally as 'The Cunningham Cludgie'.

 

'She was very impressed with this, being a sailor on the West Coast,' Mr Cunningham said. 'She said other places in Argyll have a lot to live up to now.'

 

She was also impressed by the new office and chandlery, in the old shower block.

 

From there, the party moved onto the pontoons, where she met members of Loch Fyne Yacht Club, and spoke to children about their sailing. A few topper sailboats were out in the bay.

 

Finally she unveiled a plaque recording her visit, and the completion of phase one of the development, and she was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the Tarbert Seafood Queen and her princesses, Keira Guy, 19, Caelyn Graham, 10 and Macey Fair, 9.

 

Mr Cunningham said Princess Anne's visit went 'extremely well'. 'She stopped to talk to people. It was all very nice. She has a lot of knowledge to ask very deep questions, but she is also extremely approachable. She was very enthusiastic with what we are doing.

 

'There is a lot of grant money that has gone into this, and I think we have spent it extremely well, to provide the facilities visitors need. Her visit has given us a lot of encouragement to carry on with the next bundle of projects. We plan on redeveloping the boatyard.'

 

Argyll South Pony Club thoroughly enjoyed their royal visit from the Princess Royal, reports its secretary Liz MacNab.

 

"attachment_781939" "aligncenter" "300"] Princess Anne poses with members and instructors of the Argyll South Pony Club. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

On arrival at the Tarbert Arena, Princess Anne was greeted by district commissioner Lucia Boase and Mary-Lou Aitchison before observing the younger members being coached on stable management and pony care.

 

The youngsters found her really easy to talk to, and she joined in with her own questions and advice.

 

Down in the arena, the senior riders were being coached in games and agility control by chief instructor Sheila MacCallum, with help from committee members and parents.

 

"attachment_781921" "aligncenter" "300"] The Princess Royal chats to members of the Argyll South Pony Club, Erin Ralston Rhoin, of Campbeltwon and Katie-Ellen Mellish, Tarbert, at The Gather on Campbeltown Road, Tarbert. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.

 

Being Argyll, it rained at this point, and the princess was amused by some of the ponies’ surprised reactions to her double tier Royal umbrella. Following the games demo, she chatted at length with the youngsters and helpers, before receiving a special Jubilee rosette as a memento from Zoe Prentice and a flower posy from Lolli MacLean.

 

'It was a wonderful experience, and she was so interested to hear all about our Jubilee Show in June,' said a delighted Zoe.

 

'I felt very privileged to thank her and present her with the flowers, and she said some lovely complimentary things about our ponies,' added a smiling Lolli.

 

"attachment_781975" "aligncenter" "281"] Princess Anne is presented with a commemorative Platinum Jubilee rosette by 15 year-old Zoe Prentice and a posy by 15 year-old Lolli MacLean. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn.