KATE FORBES: Great to see that St Vincent’s Hospital legacy finally being put to worthy use
I am glad to see that there have been positive developments regarding the use of the Burall Fund.
The fund was a donation from an American friend of the strath, Theresa Burall, who left a legacy to support St Vincent's Hospital in Kingussie.
The £306,890 fund has remained unused since it was given 25 years ago, and I've been assisting the community effort in a bid to bring the fund into use for the benefit of residents within Badenoch.
Following a meeting I chaired with members of the community and representatives of the fund, NHS Highland undertook a public consultation.
Their engagement with the community has revealed a desire to see the fund used to support the health and wellbeing of older adults in the locality.
In light of this, I welcome the news that £50,000 has been committed to local facilities who do just that, namely, the Wade Centre in Kingussie and Mains House care home in Newtonmore.
The fund is a fantastic opportunity to invest in health and wellbeing projects such as dementia support, respite care, and therapeutic activities.
These services can vastly improve quality of life and can help to ease pressure on the NHS over the long-term.
I'm grateful to everyone who participated in the consultation, the community campaigners, and to those overseeing the fund. It's brilliant to see it being put to such good use.
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I am delighted that Eilidh Munro has been selected as the SNP candidate for the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency in the 2026 Holyrood election.
As I look to the future of the constituency, I am confident that Eilidh will be an exceptional representative in the Scottish Parliament.
Eilidh is a fluent Gaelic speaker and traditional musician so she is the very heart of Highland culture.
She’s a mother of two little boys, so is very invested in supporting the next generation.
What impresses me most is Eilidh's work ethic. She knows the heavy workload required of an MSP, and she's dedicated to working hard to represent our constituency.
She's been clear about highlighting both the significant achievements of the SNP government and the many opportunities to deliver improvements across the Highlands - from better infrastructure and housing solutions, to strengthening our health and social care system.
The Highlands deserve a strong representative who understands local issues and can champion them in parliament.
I believe Eilidh has the skills, expertise and commitment to our area to serve our communities well - ensuring Highland voices are heard loud and clear in Edinburgh.
I cannot think of a better person to carry on my legacy. I'm delighted to be supporting her campaign – working day and night to get her elected.
Kate Forbes (SNP) is MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch and Deputy First Minister for Scotland.