No-one - not even the most ardent conservationists - can accuse Mr Johnnie Grant and the team at Rothiemurchus Estate of throwing in a slapdash application, even if they object to the concept.

Proposals for the new community have been 20 years in the making ever since Aviemore Community Council first mooted the project.

They were adopted in Highland Council's Local Plan for Badenoch and Strathspey 1997 with a view to the development coming on-line around this time.

At any point over the intermittent years, the estate could have chanced their arm and submitted a half-baked proposal and gone to appeal if they were refused.

Mr Grant and his ancestors have been stewards of Rothiemurchus Estate since the 16th Century, however.

And as well as a natural born affinity with the estate, he is well aware that this proposal will come under the national microscope more so than any planning application in the Highlands in decades given the proposed location.

The development will be debated as part of the Cairngorms National Park's Local Plan public inquiry later this month and it would not be a major surprise if the application was still called in by Ministers.

Every 'i' has been dotted and every 't' crossed by the estate to ensure that there is smooth progress - if you don't believe us then log onto www.ancamasmor to see the reports accompanying the application.

And there is no reason why the An Camas Mòr development should be derailed.

Properly planned development complete with new infrastructure is the best way to meet the future accommodation needs of the strath.

AVIEMORE community councillor Ian Malcolm has stood down after 29 years on the watchdog. It's an even more remarkable achievement as those who have served on community councils or reported on them will recognise.

A minute in such a meeting is the equivalent of ten minutes in the real world and the monthly gatherings in Aviemore have been known to run on for more than three hours (that's on community council time).

By our calculations Mr Malcolm is therefore one of the oldest relics in Aviemore and so really does deserve his retirement!

But on a serious note, being a community councillor is a thankless task with no financial reward and anyone prepared to take on the role should be given credit - never mind someone who has provided three decades of service.

. . . . and it's about time, too!

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