Aberdeenshire Council Roads Service will be carrying out patching works on the C34K Causey Mounth in Banchory Devenick.

This means the road will be closed for five days commencing Monday 8 November from the crossroads with the C5K towards School House (see map).

Site notices will be erected in due course indicating the temporary restriction to traffic and the alternate route.

Emergency and pedestrian access to be maintained. Vehicular access to affected properties to be maintained whenever possible.

Parking will be restricted on parts of St Crispin’s Road and St Michael’s Road in Newtonhill because BT will be laying ducts.

St Crispin’s Road will be affected from its junction with Newtonhill Road as shown on the map for five days from Monday 8 November. St Michael’s Road will have no-parking for the same period between St Andrew’s Terrace to St Nathan’s Road.

Site notices will be erected in due course indicating the temporary restriction to traffic.

I had the pleasure of being shown around the old Cammachmore Hotel recently by the new owners. It is a major commitment as they need to make it wind and water tight to start with.

The plans for knocking it down and replacing the hotel with five houses are no longer on the table.

Foodie Quine Claire Jessiman has also visited the premises and given it a write-up on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FoodieQuine

I wish them well with the project and look forward to see the restaurant opening in the New Year.

“Cammies returns to Cammachmore! Having been closed since 2015 it is currently undergoing significant refurbishment to return as a licensed restaurant with a strong focus on seafood, shellfish and local produce.

“Cammies will offer a shellfish bar and seafood grill (subject to seasonal availability) set menus, vegetarian and vegan options, traditional Sunday Carvery, desserts, outdoor grill/BBQ (subject to weather) and a function room for up to 80 guests.

“They will also introduce a novel dining experience to the north east with Asian-style Seafood Steamboat. Cook your own Cammies – ‘you fish, we dish’ Pick your choice from an array on display, which is then cooked to your taste.

“Cammies is located in East Cammachmore, south of Aberdeen city, along the A92, halfway between Portlethen and Newtonhill. The new owner, ex-seafarer and seafood connoisseur Nalin Abeyratne has taken on the challenge to raise the building from the dead and excavate the Cammies history including revival of the original granite core in the heart of the building.”

UPDATE: 9 November: The new owners are investing £700,000 to bring the hotel back to life. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/food-and-drink/3656976/north-east-restaurant-cammies/

Kincardine and Mearns Community Policing Team are carrying out increased patrols in the Portlethen area in response to a number of calls from concerned residents relating to anti-social behaviour by young persons in Portlethen.

Today the North East Division said: “On the evening of Tuesday 26 October 2021, a 15-year-old male was conveyed home and charged in relation to threatening and abusive behaviour. He will be reported to the Youth Justice Management Unit.”

PC Robert Philips said: “These incidents are upsetting for local residents and the behaviour that has been reported to us is completely unacceptable. Anti-social behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated and I urge people to continue letting us know of any concerns so action can be taken’’.

Anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour can contact Police Scotland on 101 or report these via our website.

Mearns FM is continually on the lookout for fresh new voluntary talent, and particularly within the Portlethen area where a new studio has been created.

Gain some real hands-on experience of working in a professional environment and get to see every aspect of how a radio station is operated.

The following volunteer opportunities are available for suitable candidates:
• Broadcast Technician
• Programme Maker
• Radio Reporter
• Administrator.

Contact the station through its website: https://www.mearnsfm.org.uk/

Several complaints have been posted on Newtonhill Facebook groups about speeding vehicles in the village, particularly on Newtonhill Road and at the two zebra crossings.

I can confirm that a traffic survey was indeed carried out following a request from Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council. The results did not justify further action at that time, according to Aberdeenshire Council’s Roads Service.

However, this survey was undertaken some years ago and it could be argued that as there are more houses in the village the situation may have changed.

The issue could be discussed again at the next meeting of the community council. If there is support at the meeting, then a case can be made for a further survey.

It would be helpful is those who feel passionately about this were to attend the meeting in the Skateraw Hall on 17 November.

The meeting is usually attended by a community police officer and they are receptive to requests from community councils to carrying out speed checks.

I can also confirm that council officers are working on preparation for the introduction of the 20mph limits within settlements throughout Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeenshire Council Roads Service will be carrying out further road patching works on the U65K country road from the junction with the C34K at Woodland Cottage to C34K Tollohill Cottage, in Banchory Devenick.

The length of the road closure has been extended with the U65K being closed for five days commencing Monday 1 November.

There are more than 100 homes in the process of construction at Chapelton, according to the latest newsletter from the developers.

The Duke of Fife writes: “The biggest change to the landscape at Cairnhill has undoubtedly been The Boxes @ Chapelton.

“Introducing retail has been a long running desire of ours and it turned into a workable plan in March. It is therefore a pleasure to have 10 new businesses in the town only six months later. All of them are occupied and there is a buzz about the place. Allowing small independent businesses to flourish has long been one of our aims and there is a community feel and excitement from all the retailers.

“Following on from our exhibition in the spring, the design team have been busy working closely on the details for the neighbourhood centre at Cairnhill and we are encouraged at the interest in the retail and commercial for the next stages.

“This will also bring the construction works alongside the proposed school site surrounded by more community parks and allotments.”

There are a number of up-coming events:

FARMERS MARKET – Sunday 21 November. Burgess Park, 11am-2:30pm.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS – Switch on in Hume Square followed by carol singing and mulled wine at Landale Court. Thursday 2 December from 6pm.

WREATH MAKING – At Slate & Grain, Sunday 5 December, 5pm and 7:30pm. Florist Linda from The Flower Pavilion will provide all the materials and knowhow to create your own Christmas wreath. See Chapelton Facebook page for tickets.

SANTA DASH – Adorn a full Santa suit and beard to take part in the town’s first Santa Dash on Sunday 5 December, weather permitting. Organised by Chapelton residents on behalf of Portlethen & District Rotary, there will be a 1K family dash and a 5K route too, beginning at Hume Square. There is a suggested minimum donation of £5 per Santa, payable on the day.

The easiest way you can fight climate change is by reducing the amount of food you waste. It’s as simple as that, according to Zero Waste Scotland.

However research for Zero Waste Scotland has found that nearly four in five in the North East are unaware food waste can have a bigger effect on climate change than plastic.

Please use your food waste caddy.

There is more here: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/3546846/nearly-80-of-north-east-adults-unaware-of-impact-food-waste-has-on-carbon-emissions/

The following application in the North Kincardine ward can be viewed on the Aberdeenshire Council planning register: https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/.

APP/2021/2397
Date validated: 19 October 2021.
Site address: Kingcausie House, Maryculter, AB12 5FR.
Applicant: Mr Henry Irvine-Fortescue c/o Garry Adam Chartered Architect Ltd, 2A Orange Lane, Montrose, DD10 8ND.
Listed building consent for Internal and external alterations to form ancillary accommodation.
Public comment expiry date: 18 November.