Small but perfectly formed.
Thon good burghers of Ballater would no doubt have been delighted with a surprise end of year visit from pop princess Kylie Minogue.
In fact, it turned out to be quite a glittery end to 2016 for Aberdeenshire with Sherlock himself, Benedict Cumberbatch, popping into a Stoney café.
But a little bit south in our patch, another wee attraction with a big reputation has been on the receiving end of attention for all the wrong reasons.
If you’ve never been to Balgavies Loch nature reserve then I suggest it’s a worthwhile add to your 2017 resolution list – a replacement for a couple that may have already dropped off in the first days of this new year perhaps?
Balgavies sits a few miles east of Forfar alongside its larger neighbour Rescobie Loch (one of Courier Country’s best trout fishing days out incidentally) but is almost a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it for strangers and passing motorists.
For many years a hidden gem in the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve crown, the Angus loch has, since 2012, become something of a victim of its own success thanks to the summer residency of ospreys which are turning out to be one of Scotland’s most prolific pairs, following the demise of Loch of the Lowes’ remarkable and record-breaking Lady.
Ospreys have nested in Angus for a long time at locations which were a closely guarded secret, but the hatching of a single chick on Balgavies’ island nest five years ago was the county’s first recorded arrival.
And as the parents have faithfully returned each year since, so too have growing numbers of visitors from Angus, Tayside and, indeed, all over Britain.
A brood of four made for fascinating viewing last summer as they jostled for position in the crowded nest, anticipating the next delivery of fresh fish from the father bird.
Balgavies attractions go well beyond a single species, however, and extend through the flora and fauna to the built heritage of the old Auldbar station platform beside the disused Angus railway line which forms part of the circular path around the reserve.
But its tranquil seclusion has proved to be a double-edged sword.
The tucked-away car park is often littered with fast-food rubbish and within the last couple of weeks the reserve hide and feeders have been targeted by an airgun.
One online condemnation which described the weapon-wielding intruder as a moron was an apt description and, given new rules around unlicensed weapons, the hope is that the police will be keen to track them down.
They will certainly be able to count on the support of the raptor enthusiasts at Balgavies who have a special affection for the small but perfectly formed Angus loch, and are nothing if not eagle-eyed.
