The Craigellachie Village Council are holding a Race Night on 4 March 2000. Entry is by ticket only, costing £3, which includes supper. There will also be a bar. Why not get a few friends together for a fun evening - you never know you may even back a winner. Even if you cannot go to the Race Night you can still be a winner. Before the Race Night we are selling off the jockeys and trainers. If you would like tickets or would like to buy a trainer or jockey please phone Brenda Cooper on 01340 871882. Good Luck.
After the culmination of nearly 10 years of meetings, letter writing and endless phone calls the dream of having the famous Craigellachie Telford Bridge floodlit has at last come true. Residents of Craigellachie gathered in force on the bridge on Tuesday 21st December, 1999 at 6pm to watch Mrs Edith Powley Chairman of Craigellachie Village Council switch on the floodlights.
The whole project cost around £12,000 and it would not have gone ahead if it were not for The Macallan distillery stepping in with substantial sponsorship. Moray Badenoch & Strathspey Enterprise also backed the scheme with cash through the European Leader II programme. Grants of Dufftown were the electrical contractors who carried out the work.
Two of Scotland's most famous regiments were also remembered at the Floodlighting ceremony. The Craigellachie Bridge was the spot, 5 years ago, where the Queen's Own Highlanders and The Gordon Highlanders met for the first time before their amalgamation to form the new regiment, The Highlanders. A plaque was unveiled, by Councillor Eddie Aldridge and Brigadier Hugh Monro formerly the first Commanding Officer of the new Highlanders regiment, to commemorate that last meeting.
Craigellachie Village Council gave every child from birth up to age 16 (within the Craigellachie Primary School catchment area) a gold plated Medallion to commemorate the Millennium. On the front of the medallion was the Millennium clock and on the rear was depicted the old Craigellachie Bridge with the words Craigellachie, Scotland on it. The Village Council ordered 50 extra medallions and these were available for sale at a cost of £5 each.
The Craigellachie Hotel had intended to spend £1000 on firework display, but following discussions with the Craigellachie Village Council it was agreed that the Village Council would donate £500 towards the display to make it an even better one. And what a display it was. Lots of villagers, old and young, gathered in the square at midnight just to see the massive display. Earlier on in the evening, before the fireworks, a Bonfire Beacon had been lit on a derelict piece of ground opposite the firework display. The combination of the bonfire and fireworks led to a very happy, convivial family occasion - or was it just the whisky flowing!!
In the year 2000, Craigellachie Primary School will be commemorating it's centenary. The school Board are currently looking at various ways to mark this special event.
A street party has been arranged for pupils past and present, their families and the wider community of Craigellachie. This event will take place on Saturday 10th June 2000. It is also hoped that other activities can be arranged in order to make the celebrations truly memorable. Ideas to date have been a reunion of former pupils, an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia, production of a local history book by current pupils, commemorative tea towels, mugs etc.
In order to progress these hopes further, the Board needs assistance from anyone who has had connections with the school. We need your ideas and information. If you or anyone you know can assist in any way, please contact the school direct on 01340 881271 or e-mail via Speyside Community Web.
We look forward to hearing from you !
See also Craigellachie Village News 1998, Local Information, the Aberlour News and the Welcome to Craigellachie Page