Here's where you can find out what has been happening in more recent times to TCS alumni. If you have something that you think is newsworthy then write a brief description - include a picture or two if you can - and send it by e-mail to the webmaster (under 'Contact' at the bottom of any page). There might be a bit of a delay in getting it up (onto the website, that is) but it'll appear here eventually.

 


5 September 2007

The Holy Well is published - is it the old school?

Way back in 2001 I wrote in the 'What I'm doing now' section of this website that I was working on the manuscript of a new novel with the tentative title The Holy Well.  I completed the draft later that year but then put it to one side -- mainly because there were issues I wanted to think about before completing the final version.  Although writing is what I do -- it's my life -- this book was particularly important to me, and I wanted to get it just right.  So there it sat, in a box on top of a filing cabinet, for almost six years while I busied myself with other projects -- including the writing of another novel.  But six months ago, the time was appropriate for me to get back to The Holy Well -- and finally, last month, it was published.

To tell the truth, I don't feel too comfortable as the author talking about the book here, but I will say that, although fiction, some of the story was inspired by my experiences at Taymouth Castle, and in other parts of Scotland.  I think former students and staff will particularly appreciate it.  The reviews are only just starting to come in, but one writer has said, "The Holy Well is an important piece of work", which is heartening, because I hoped at least some people would perceive it that way.  If you'd like to find out a little about the novel then I suggest you visit the publisher website, Mopoke Publishing, where you can also purchase a copy.  However, because of shipping costs, you might find it cheaper to order from AmazonUS or AmazonUK.  If you do buy a copy then I'd love to hear what you thought about it (you can write via the publisher website).

Me (Colin) and an inset of The Holy Well.

 


4 September 2004

Taymouth Castle to become a hotel again

Taymouth Castle -- outside and in: great changes are afoot.


Yes, it seems certain now, the rooms where we once slept and dreamed, the halls in which ate and talked, and the woods and ruins that we used to explore, and where many secrets abound -- are to become the stamping grounds for the extremely rich.

It was more than eighteen months ago when newspapers in Scotland and elsewhere announced that the Four Seasons group was in talks to buy Taymouth Castle. Writing in The Scotsman (20 Jan. 2003), Gethin Chamberlain reported that the group's intention was to spend millions of pounds to purchase and upgrade the castle so that it would become one of the world's leading hotels. There was even the suggestion that it would become a 'seven star' hotel -- of which there is only one other in the world: the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. At the time, the Four Seasons group -- well known for its exclusive and luxurious hotels elsewhere -- would not confirm or deny the rumours.

Things have moved along considerably since then. In a news item published by the environmental consultancy, the RSP Group Plc on 9 August 2004, some detail is given about the planning application that the group has made on behalf of its client, Hotels International Ltd. The news item states that this work has been going on for "about three years", and that it is anticipated that Four Seasons will be the operators. Among other developments, the RPS item mentions "a new 72 suite wing together with conversion of existing rooms into public lounges, restaurants, meeting rooms, back-of-house facilities, ballroom and 13 principal suites."

However, the plan is to develop far more than just the castle itself. The RPS news item also refers to 73 hotel lodges that will overlook the Tay, and the transforming of the kennel ruins into a "state of the art spa". Further to this, 21 properties and five existing buildings are to be "converted for sale as fractional ownership properties." A new golf club house, 10 staff cottages, and an equestrian centre will complete the development, along with plans to restore the estate grounds and a number of structures and monuments to "their former glory" -- this being done "over time". Interestingly, the seven-star status that was floated during the earlier reports has now been modified to six-star.

At this time, it doesn't appear as though the planning application has been given the full, green light. Even though the Perth & Kinross Council gave its unanimous backing to the recommendation, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and Historic Scotland, have outstanding objections, and this will require the application to be notified to the Scottish Ministers for ratification.

 


28 January 2003

Donna and her boys - the first family

No, nothing to do with the White House and its inhabitants, but this group is at least as important -- they are the first family to be shown on the Taymouth Castle School website. Donna (that's her, second from the left) was one of the famous (or was that notorious) Sweeney kids at the school back in the early seventies. She now lives in her old home state of Texas (as do her siblings, Debbie, Teri, and Curt), and spends her time working at two full-time jobs -- one in the insurance industry, and the other as the mother of the three strapping young men shown opposite. On the left is Justin (14), then on the other side of Donna is Eric (23), and Ryan (16).

Donna's two younger sons are still at high school, while Eric is a manager in the Macdonald's chain. Brandy-the-dog is also an important member of the family but she wasn't available when the photo-shoot took place.

Donna has many fond memories of her days in the highlands of Scotland -- as well as some that are not so great. She'll write a little about them at some stage but,as with many of us, it's not an easy task. In the meantime, she has her hands full being a mom to three boys and a dog.




1 January 2003

Dave's boat now looking like the real thing

Despite the danger of this news section becoming a de facto homepage for Dave Strobino, it's hard to ignore the great progress he's making on his boat. Living in upstate New York, Dave doesn't have too many weeks in the year when he can do a lot of the 'big' building jobs. This is because the epoxy resin that is used in modern, wooden boatbuilding won't go hard in temperatures lower than about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (and his barn isn't heated). So, Dave works hard and fast in the warmer months, and then eases off on the big stuff as the temperature drops. The picture opposite was taken back in September. It shows the successful result of a (fairly) well-planned 'turning operation'. The hulls of most wooden boats are built upside down -- it's much easier to do -- but the tricky part comes when they are completed and need to be turned over. Dave sweated a lot in preparing for this event -- but with the help of some friends, the turning was a huge success. Click on the image opposite and those below to see larger versions -- and a few comments.

 

 


25 May 2002

The Sweeneys have been found!

This is big news. After one of his regular attempts to find Curt Sweeney, Colin Macpherson finally tracked down a man and an address that seemed to fit (the Web is an amazing - and sometimes frightening - resource. Also, Colin periodically tried to find the Sweeney girls but to no avail - the assumption being that they had married and taken on their spouses' names, something that makes trying to find people very difficult). However, it was Dave Strobino who actually spoke to Curt first (how come this guy is in all the news items? he doesn't even have a computer), and Sue (Belcher) Martinez then got to him via e-mail. Colin has e-mailed Curt too (expecting a reply soon), and has already corresponded with Curt's sister, Teri. No recent pictures yet but keep an eye out, there's sure to be more to follow soon. It looks like our known-member list has just doubled!

 


26 February 2002

Strobino extends his invasion to Arizona

Having been well and truly bitten by the travel bug, Dave Strobino continued with his unofficial job of visiting fellow Taymouth Castle School alumni. He will go anywhere to re-establish old friendships from those halcion days. This time it was to see Sue (Belcher) Martinez in Tucson.

Actually, the Strobino boy was helping another friend move household goods from NY to Arizona so he thought he'd take the opportunity to visit Sue, who he had spoken to by phone a couple of weeks earlier from Colin Macpherson's house in Australia (is this getting complicated?)

Anyway, the two of them had a wonderful time (the picture opposite tells it all) and they stayed up until the small hours reminiscing about those days in the early 1970s. One suggestion they came up with was for a 'mini' pre-Kenmore reunion...in Las Vegas! Not a bad idea.

The two eventually said goodbye - Sue has a demanding paid job and Dave needed to get back to his boatbuilding - but,of course, they promised to keep in touch. The bonds formed by shared happy memories and a unique experience aren't easily broken. 'Goodonya' Sue and Dave.

 


8 February 2002 Dave Strobino invades Australia
So what else would you expect? Within a couple of months of making contact with Colin Macpherson, Dave Strobino was winging his way across the US - and then the Pacific Ocean - to visit his old maths teacher at his home on Australia's Queensland coast. He left the snows of upstate NewYork and arrived in northern Oz at the hottest time of the year. Colin knew that his former student was tough (he'd heard stories) but was afraid that the temperature change would see Dave wilting like an indoor plant that is suddenly placed in the scorching sun. But the man thrived on the heat and the sunshine...and even entertained ideas about becoming a local mango farmer (part-time of course).

Colin and his family loved having Dave with them, and together they spent a lot of time checking out the local scene (Colin lives in a small, coastal town) - with the two old boys going off on various small adventures (like misjudging the tide at an offshore island that they visited in Colin's little yacht - and being stuck there until nightfall). For a short time Dave replaced his customary diner visits with regular sittings at the outdoor cafes in the Macpherson's town - cappuccinos taking the place of black coffee. It was a sad time when he left but the immigration authorities were getting close (Dave was fearful of being locked up in a desert prison) and, anyway, he wasn't sure whether he'd fed the cat before leaving New York.

Here are a few more pictures from Dave's visit - click on each one to see a larger version.



MEMORIES
Why this site?

Images and Documents
Reminiscences
ALUMNI
List
What I'm doing now
Faces then and now
CONTACT
Guestbook
Contact
News
HOME