The Echo Observer

Is this down to careless managers or carefree drivers? With prices on the rise, how can the bus station justify the tardiness of their vehicles? The people needing or relying on the transport available, arriving only to find delay or cancellation impeach ingredients work or adjoining services. Although only mentioned recently the buses have been in a down spiral for months going on years. From missing people out when late and not stopping to not turning up at all. On countless occasions, the bus has failed to pull through. You hurry for a bus and what do you get? Sore legs standing and waiting. With many people relying on their services why is there no emphasis on their schedules to be on time? With all the rage it is not always there fault. Many times when on the buses with the baggage areas below and the steps, it can take them up to 25 minutes to help a wheelchaired passenger on. Perhaps they are out of practice or perhaps it is the old machinery installed in the bus. ...

Who said Dreams don't come true? His artistic flare had been put on the back burner, now his talent is finding the light as Daniel Fairbairn, recently redundant from the oil industry, took a chance and has his first exhibition. His paintings are in acrylic paint and are on a range of canvases. His work is also printed onto table mats, coasters and cards. Daniel started painting when he was round about 7 years old and continued from there, his school choices reflected his talent, his goal to be an artist. Later on, he moved to more casual jobs his talent being benched for his spare time. Later on, after that Daniel started working within the oil industry for 15 years until being made redundant almost a year ago. With art pieces both privately owned and some in the Royal Infirmary in Aberdeen it's a real wonder how this person has stayed out of the light for so long. Though between working and having a family time is hard pressed and not easy to find. So he wo...

A dram of spirit in every glass! Kickstarted the right way. A Highland Celebration of heritage and history. A dram in each hand and a hearty smile. The whisky festival began with a bang! Whisky tours on for most distilleries for the festival almost every hour, some of the more specialised tours were booked far before Christmas and were twice a day. Along with some art exhibitions. With 91 thousand pounds worth of tickets being sold within the first hour of sales, it was obvious that the festival would have plenty of attention. With people coming from over 20 different countries to participate in Tastings to the local events. On Thursday, Aberlour was wet and rainy the spirits of those around the complete opposite.  With the scout Hall being used for the sale of whisky trinkets, whisky and other items given by distilleries the adventure started. Already packed in the morning barely 10 minutes in. The light reflected on tasting glasses, whiskies, panels of fired wood f...

The Spirit of Speyside is a local festival; in its essence a celebration of our local drink, culture and the tradition. This festival is as much for tourists as it is for the locals. This article is introductory to the Spirit of Speyside. This image is from the Spirit of Speyside Facebook page The whisky festival will be hosting a numerous amount of activities, stalls and events from; a pop-up crafts stall which is to be orchestrated by a lovely local lady and her friends (who are renting the shop for a few days from the owner) to an event at the Cooperage where there will be four highly skilled Coopers building a 190litre barrel in the fastest time possible. Here is the link for more information on the Guinness World record attempt at the Cooperage. Many videos have been created called The Faces of The Festival and can be found on this link for the Spirit of Speyside Facebook Page. These videos show some of the important people who are part of/contributing to the festiva...

Article by Jane Stone This Sidings cafe is located in two train cars which are leased; at the Dufftown Railway (which is run by volunteers, some of which are there 4 days a week to help keep this part of Scottish Heritage open). The two carriages used for the café were made roughly in 1950's; and through the commitment of volunteers, the upkeep has been maintained over the years.                                                                                         A little bit of History The train station in Dufftown has been there for a great deal of time, being re-opened to the public, operated entirely by volunteers, in 2000 and 2001. The Keith and Dufftown Railway is still driven by volunteers, their dedication and the public's support keeping the ...