Balnain

Balnain is a small village in Glenurquhart, Scotland, about 5 miles west of Drumnadrochit. It is mostly dependent on tourism, forestry and farming. The first buildings were created in the 1880s and minor expansions occurred in the 1900s and 1960s.

Balnain

A view of Balnain in 1999
Balnain
Location within the Inverness area
Population300 (1991) estimated
'Under 1,000'[1] (2011) estimated
OS grid referenceNH433305
Council area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Postcode districtIV63 6
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish

Overview

The River Enrick runs past the village and through to Loch Meiklie.[2][3][4] The village also has a primary school.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Balnain is a small village 5 miles north of Glenurquhart, Scotland. It is mostly dependent on tourism, forestry and farming. The first buildings were created in the 1880s and minor expansions occurred in the 1900s and 1960s. The River Enrick runs past the village and through to Loch Meiklie. The local guest house was called Meiklie House, but is now Glenurquhart House.

History

Glenurquhart used to be part of the lands of the Grants of Glenmorison, with the lands of the Frasers to the north for most of its time. The Fraser family of Balnain, Scotland, supported Bonnie Prince Charlie.,[12] but came from a township of the same name, in Stratherrick on the other side of Loch Ness.

Climate

The weather is pleasantly warm and sunny in the spring and summer, cool and fairly rainy in the autumn and very cold and snowy (with some blizzards) in the winter.

Economy

Tourism, agriculture and local farming.

Local amenities
Sheep in Balnain in 1989.

Recreational areas and parks

Balnain-park is the well-equipped village play park.[13]

Public house

The nearby pub is called "The Steading".[14][15][16]

Post office

It closed circa 1998, when the owner retired.

Balnain bike park

The Forestry Commission's adventure bike park was opened in early 2009 and closed in May 2011.[17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

Primary school
A picture of Balnain primary school in 1998.[24][25][26]

It is a non-denominational,[27] mixed sex school,[27] with (as of 2012) 37 pupils.[27] This was reduced to 35 pupils in 2013.[28]

The main school building was built in circa 1880. The school did well in its 2006 and 2008 Ofsted reports. The leaky roof was fixed in 2008 after an Ofsted report commented on it 2 years earlier.[5][29][30]

The school uniform is a red Balnain School sweatshirt, with either grey trousers, pinafores or skirts and white or red polo shirt, or a white shirt.[31]

YearsTrousers and skirtShirt and blouseJumperHead gear
2012 and laterEither grey trousers, pinafores or skirtsWhite or red polo shirt, or a white shirtRed Balnain School sweatshirtNon.[31]
2009 - 2012the fine shinty outfit that was balnain boasted players such as the mythical Thomas maclean Either navy, grey or black skirts and trousersnonRed Balnain School sweatshirtNon.[32][33][34][35]
2008Either navy, grey or black skirts and trousersWhite shirt (optional for boys) or non for girlsRed Balnain School sweatshirtNon.[11]
2007Either grey or shorts for boys or trousers for both gendersWhite polo-shirt for girls and a grey shirt or red polo-shirt for boysRed Balnain School sweatshirtNon.[36]
Early-mid 2000sEither navy, grey or black skirts, trousers or jog pantsWhite polo shirt or blouseRed Balnain School sweatshirtNon.
Mid-late 1990sBrown trousers, jog pants or skirtYellow polo shirtYellow Balnain School sweatshirtA yellow baseball cap.
Early 1990sEither navy, grey or black skirts and jog pantsWhite polo shirt or blouseRed Balnain School sweatshirtNon.
Pre-1990sEither navy, grey or black skirts and trousersWhite shirt or blouseRed jumperNon.

There are regular after-school activities and it caters for pupils between the ages of 5 to 12.[5][33][34][35] In 2012, the top age was cut from 12 to 11.[27]

The opening hours are 09.00 to 15.00 on week days and the headmistress was Mrs M. L. Livingstone in 2010 and now 2011.[5][33][34][35] Ms Stephanie Wood took over by [28] In 2015, Miss Janis MacRae became Head but was shortly delayed after she broke her ankle.

Transport

There was an occasional weekday bus service to Inverness (as of 1990–2005), which is now only twice daily. The bus stop is on the junction between the A831 and School Road End.[37] Road transport is often disrupted by harsh winter weather during December and January.

Near by satellite settlements

Near-by places include Strathnacro, Balnaglack, Balbeg and Lochletter Cottages.

A field in Lochletter.
A farm in Strathnacro.

Local attractions

The Forestry Commission closed the 2 year old Bike-park and general access to cross-country cyclists in 2011,[22][38][39] but walkers can still enjoy the scenery.[40]

Imagery
  • A picture of the forests above Balnain in 1999.[38]
  • A picture of Balnain in 1996.
  • 4 images of Balnain Village in 1998. The local loch is top right.
  • 4 images of Balnain Village in 1998.
  • A picture Balnain in 1998. The Shelter by the workmen is the new 1990s bus shelter and the white concrete shelter behind the van is the old 1970s bus shelter.
  • A picture of Balnain in the winter 1995.
  • The road in to Balnain in 1998.

See also

References
  1. "Map of Balnain, United Kingdom, Europe". Collins Maps. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  2. "Loch Meiklie area – map of – Loch Meiklie, Highland – at". Pagemost.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  3. "Loch Meiklie". Am Baile. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  4. "Photo of Scotland – Loch Meiklie, Balnain". Panoramio. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  5. "Balnain Primary School". Highland.gov.uk. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  6. "Balnain Primary School Drumnadrochit, Inverness, Schools and Colleges". Misterwhat.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  7. "Balnain Primary School – IV63 6TJ – Inverness". Yelp.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  8. "Balnain Primary School – Highland, Scotland". Friendsreunited.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  9. "Map – Directions | Balnain Primary School | Schools & Colleges, Inverness". Yell.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  10. "Schools Local Authority in Inverness – Balnain Primary School". ThomsonLocal.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  11. "Highlands and Islands schools to receive renewable energy toolkits". Hi-energy.org.uk. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. "Balnain Park". Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  14. "Balnain Pubs, Restaurants, Banks, Hotels, Shops, Cinemas, Supermarkets, Takeaways, Bars, Telephone code and Postcode – Balnain, Highland". Bigreddirectory.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  15. "The Steading Country Pub & Restaurant Glen Urquhart Loch Ness". Thesteadingbar.co.uk. 20 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 September 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  16. "Balnain". Wn.com. 8 December 2000. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  17. "Trails: Balnain Bike Park, Scotland". bikesR4riding. 28 January 2009. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  18. "Balnain Bike Park | Super Fun Days Out-Activity Experiences,Stag and Hen Weekends and more!". Superfundaysout.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  19. "Forestry Commission – Glen Urquhart – Balnain Bike Park". Forestry.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  20. "Mountain Biking in the Highlands of Scotland – Balnain Bike Park: a fun park and skills development area near the popular holiday destination of Loch Ness". Mtb-highland.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  21. "Balnain Bike Park in Highlands and Islands | days out | canals & rivers". Waterscape.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  22. "Balnain Bike Park – Mountain Biking – United Kingdom > North Scotland". Moredirt.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  23. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/balnainbikepark
  24. "Balnain Primary School". Highland.gov.uk. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  25. "Balnain Primary School, Highland, Inverness". Axcis.co.uk. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  26. "Balnain Primary School Drumnadrochit, Inverness, Schools and Colleges". Misterwhat.co.uk. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  27. "Balnain Primary School | Inverness | LEA:Highland". The Good Schools Guide. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  28. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  29. "Balnain Primary School Inverness Inspection 28/03/2006". Hmie.gov.uk. 28 March 2006. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  30. "Balnain Primary School Balnain Follow-through 29/01/2008". Hmie.gov.uk. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  31. http://keepingoutofthed.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/in-with-new-but-lets-hang-on-to-old-for.html
  32. "Microsoft Word - Balnain Handbook 2009 - 2010.doc" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012. Boy's shirts were also optional in 2008
  33. "Balnain School Handbook" (PDF). Highland.gov.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  34. "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  35. "Powered by Google Docs". Docs.google.com. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  36. http://scottishprovincialpress.newsprints.co.uk/view/6157102/balnain%20primary_2_jpg
  37. "Balnain Bus & Train Tickets, Timetables & Journey Planner". TravelFor.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  38. "Forestry Commission Scotland – Balnain Bike Park". Forestry.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  39. "Millness Croft, Glenurquhart, Scotland, Luxury self-catering accommodation in the Highlands". Millnesscroft.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 March 2005. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  40. "Natural History". 57.3285136089169;-4.48456764221191: Craigmonie Centre. Retrieved 18 October 2011.CS1 maint: location (link)
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