With comparative examples from across Scotland, particularly communities like ours in Argyll, ForArgyll again covers the sale and future of the Glendaruel Hotel, mentioning the effect the lack of a hostelry has had on local business, the Cowal Way and ColGlen Shinty Club.

http://forargyll.com/2009/05/what-has-happened-to-the-glendaruel-hotel/

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 20th May in Kilmodan School
at 1930

Jim McLuckie opened the meeting, minuted apologies from Michael Kaufmann and welcomed councillors Ron Simon and Alec McNaughton from A&BC, PC Brian McFarlane and all present.

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Synergy Scotland are conducting a survey on behalf of HIE Argyll and the Islands relating to the demand for business properties in the region, and would be very grateful for participation of businesses in ColGlen. Click here to fill in the short form.

Dear Reader

Those living on the route of the water pipeline laid to supply Kilmodan School with chemically treated water from Rothesay, were recently written to by Scottish Water in unambiguous terms. The letter promised free connection to the supply and heralded a public meeting to explain. It was described as an open evening implying that folk could drop in any time and be informed. It turned out to be a formal affair with officials at the head table and rows of seats for the audience. This became farce as officials kept returning to square one for latecomers.

It slowly became clear that ’free’ meant no such thing. The minimum cost of connection was to be £750 and rising, plus substantial ongoing charges. The man who commissioned the letter admitted to not checking it before mailing.

We were told that if all those on the route did not sign up, the water pressure would be irrevocably reduced thus rendering future connection impossible.

However, it turns out that some on the shore road have already been connected by a cowboy councillor without Scottish Water’s knowledge. Mr McCall, the grandly titled Manager of Strategic Accounts, Corporate Affairs, said he was there to rescue SW’s reputation. Aye, that’ll be right. Good job. Watch this space.

Michael Kaufmann

Bobby Sinclair, after many years at sea, joined the Colintraive ferry in 1970. He shared reminiscences with Elizabeth Fairbairn

I’ll never forget the day when I came to Colintraive. It was the day that I met Martin Dunn, who’s now 80 and living next door. There were a lot of great characters on the ferry. There was Martin, John Peter MacDonald, Stan MacMillan. There aren’t any like that now.
One night, waiting on the other side, we heard a sports car going like the clappers from Ardmaleish. Out gets a chap with a cravat. ‘I say chaps, just up from London for a bit of island hopping. What’s the main town on that island?’ he says, pointing over at Colintraive. ‘London.’ says Martin Dunn, quick as a flash.
When I started we had an old Skye ferry and a couple of the original plywood ferries that were supposed to carry a 30 ton tank. Even with a 10 ton lorry on board they were like half submerged fish boxes. Our pride and joy was the Loch Riddon built for the run in 1986. It took 12 cars and a coach. It became too small and the Isle of Cumbrae filled in for a while until we got the Loch Dunvegan after the Skye bridge was built. You can see pictures of all the ferries at the Colintraive Hotel. Some are my photographs.
One day, the driver of the Rothesay bus, seeing the ferry was in, put the boot down a wee bit. An old lady sitting up front got a bit panicky. ‘Driver, driver, does this bus stop at Rhubodach?’ ‘Aye, missus’ says he, ‘if it disnae there’s going to be a hell of a splash!’
One night there were a few coaches waiting to get on. A youngish farmer appears all dressed in his best gear. Tweed suit and boots with turned up toes and a million tackits in the soles. Clump, clump. On his arm there’s this American woman and she’s calling ‘Donald, Donald, Ah love yew Donald!’
He’s wanting rid of her ‘Well I’m away the noo.’
‘Ah’ll come with yew Donald’ cries she. ‘Ah do so love yew.’
‘Ay well, maybe the morrow.’ says he and made it onto the ferry with her still calling ‘Donald, Ah love yew Donald!’
That just tickled my fancy.