Strathconon is without doubt one of the most attractive glens in Scotland, and one I enjoy walking in. The title of the cache translates to "Leaving Strathconon", a track by Runrig. For locals, I don't need to elaborate on who they are, but for those visiting the area, Runrig have been one of the most influential Gaelic Scottish bands for over 30 years. Their music and lyrics do a great deal to keep alive the spirit of Gaeldom. .
Strathconon was once a thriving crofting community, but approximately five hundred inhabitants were forced out between 1840 and 1848 during the infamous Highland Clearances. Further displacement took place as a result of the Meig dam, built by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board under Tom Johnston(1881-1965). The ruins of some houses remain, while others lie beneath the clear waters of Loch Meig.
Today, the glen has a thriving community once more. The village school abounds with children, and the Strathconon Highland Games which are held in August, still have the traditional atmosphere of a closely-knit highland community. Park near the dam and walk down the short flight of steps. The cache is within 50 metres of the road.
ORIGINAL CONTENTS:
Mary Christmas GC.
Keyring torch.
Toy car.
BBC keyring.
Carry strap.
SAFETY ISSUES:
DO NOT enter the building at the foot of the dam, and stay away from the dam’s outlet. If you have children with you, be aware that there is a steep drop down to the river. The cache is not near these potential hazards so they should be avoided.
THE TASK
(This is one for Runrig fans ….. maybe even Runrig ‘anoraks’!)
To complete the co-ordinates of the cache, solve the crossword puzzle and then use the instructions below to find the missing numbers in the final co-ordinate.
OK. Now for the clues...
ACROSS
1. The Summer ------- were the fishers of the pearls (7)
3. The surname of the band's first accordion player (7)
6. This track talks of 'a big empty house in Edinburgh' (4)
10. Song title inspired by the Clan Macdonald motto (8)
12. The colour of the stories? (6)
13. Surname of the keyboard player who went to Westminster (7)
14. Which loch was covered in shades of dying green? (4)
DOWN
1.Forename of the barber who sold the young Macdonald boys records (6)
2. Destination of the rocket? (4)
4. Ruaridh's first band (8)
5. To the north of a country that a dance was named after (6)
7. Castle where the 30th anniversary gig was performed (8)
8. Who used 'An Ubhal As Airde' in their TV advert? (9)
9. ------- and Survive (7)
11. In the Empty Glens, what were blowing in the wind? (6)
The following letters must be transformed into numbers, using the value of each’s position in the alphabet (A=1, B=2 ….. Z=26), thus A = 13,1 means that you take the 1st letter of answer 13 and find its position in the alphabet.
A is answer 9, letter 6
B is answer 6, letter 3
C is answer 5, letter 5
D is answer 1 (down) letter 6
The cache is at N 57 AA.(C+D)B(A+C) W 004 CA.(D-A-B)(C-B)(A+B)