THERE has been a lot happening in Parliament in the last couple of weeks of significance to Badenoch and Strathspey.

WHEN a crime is committed it is natural that we demand retribution against the offender. Yet, while we focus on the criminal, the punishment and the crime there is the possibility that the victim can be overlooked.

AS you read this, the American elections will be over and we will know who will be leading the next chapter in the history of the world's only superpower – albeit with an economy driven on sub-prime mortgages which triggered the global financial meltdown.

THE education of our children is a topic always high on the publics agenda. The advances we have made in only a few generations are remarkable and our school system now provides so much more than teaching the three 'r's to today's children.

I SUPPOSE it's no surprise that the Highlands plays an important role in leading conservation and wildlife issues, but sometimes I am still surprised at the world class people and facilities we have in our own backyard.

I WAS one of the many hundreds who attended the memorial service of senior Liberal Democrat figure and former MP Lord Russell-Johnston earlier this week.

I RECENTLY spoke in the Scottish Parliament on flooding and flood management, an issue which is as relevant to Badenoch and Strathspey as any other part of Scotland.

A NEW report highlighted on the front page of the "Strathy" last week has found that the Scottish economy could benefit by £375 million by dualling the A9 between Kingussie and Aviemore.

THERE was a debate in Holyrood recently at which Parliament unanimously expressed its concerns over the cost of increases to basic food products and the potential for global food shortages.

THERE are very few weeks go by without stories in the media about the effects of incidents and collisions on our local roads a point in fact being last week's leader in the "Strathy".

THE debate in the Scottish Parliament on the future of the country's two national parks was very welcome this week.

IT'S been a week of ups and downs in the sporting world.