A colourful stiltwalker features on the cover of the latest Chatterbox – just one of the sights at the annual St Boniface Fair in Fortrose. Find out more in our Autumn edition.

Still in Fortrose, we catch up with Sarah Smith and her family who’ve taken over the Green Tree premises as the new base of Coorie Company. We discover how she’s progressed from making candles at home, via a Portakabin in Avoch, to a fully fledged business.

Also branching out is reiki practitioner Hilary de Vries, whose new treatment room – in the garden of her home near Munlochy – gives her more space in which to welcome clients. She tells us all about it.

When Kath Noble left school and began work in Cromarty Surgery, she couldn’t have imagined she’d still be there after 45 years. She retired at the end of August and, she says, wouldn’t have changed a thing.

The owners of the former Ferry Inn at Balblair are also moving on. Charles and Suzy Cooper look back at the history of a building of which they considered themselves merely guardians.

There’s more history in Vee Walker’s account of the Black Isle’s mercat crosses – an often overlooked part of our landscape.

The Core Paths of the Black Isle are highlighted by Julian Paren, who describes – and photographs – some of his favourite trails. And in our editorial, Sandy Mitchell calls for work to improve the old railway path from Fortrose to Avoch.

Avoch’s long-gone railway station has been brought back to life by primary school pupils, with the help of Black Isle Men’s Shed members, through a model of its buildings and line. We discover how they did it.

Shedders also featured when Highland Woodturners Club held an open day in Munlochy Hall, to show the public what they do and some of the beautiful objects they’ve created.

There’s even more in a bumper 48-page edition – and still only £2. Don’t miss your copy.

Russell Turner
Editor