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KATE FORBES: Here’s hoping for a very new year – with real progress





Amid all the commotion that so often accompanies the run-up to Christmas, and at the end of another very busy year, it’s good to take the opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and take stock of what the year has brought.

There’s no doubt that many of the events of this year have been unexpected: war in Europe, a myriad of Conservative Prime Ministers, and the death of Her Majesty the Queen to name but a few.

These significant moments in our shared history are sure to be a challenge, particularly as we rebuild from the pandemic and continue to live with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Through it all, however, the people of the Highlands have continued to display tremendous resilience and generosity.

We’ve welcomed Ukrainian families into our homes and communities, and it was incredibly heart-warming to see the recent donation of bikes to Ukrainian children staying in Aviemore by folks across Badenoch and Strathspey.

Indeed, while there certainly have been challenges this year, there has also been much to celebrate and much to be proud of.

NHS Highland project leader Kenny Rodgers, Councillor Bill Lobban, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Dr Boyd Peters at the opening of the new hospital in Aviemore in Spring.
NHS Highland project leader Kenny Rodgers, Councillor Bill Lobban, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Dr Boyd Peters at the opening of the new hospital in Aviemore in Spring.

The new Badenoch and Strathspey Community Hospital was officially opened by the Health Secretary in May, and as a central part of the NHS Highland redesign of health and social care across Badenoch and Strathspey, I am pleased to see the positive impact that the facility has brought to the local community – a clear example of direct Scottish Government investment in Highland health care.

The year has naturally seen some changes and readers will be aware that the Glenmore camp site is now under new management.

I do wish the new operators well, but the decision by Forestry and Land Scotland to not even shortlist the Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust bid brought considerable disappointment.

To the trust’s credit, they are formulating exciting plans for the future and I hope to see these coming together in 2023.

There have also been some constants this year, not least the continued chaos of Westminster control.

With the effects of a hard Brexit and reckless economic policy wreaking untold damage on Scotland, it is no surprise that support for independence continues to rise – recent polling has shown that support for independence now sits at 56 per cent.

The only way to protect Scotland – and be rid of Tory Westminster governments for good – is through the full powers of independence.

My inbox is daily filled with emails from people living and working in the constituency who take the time to share their hopes and concerns, and this past year has been no different.

Affordable housing is a continued theme and to that end, I was delighted to hear that following last year’s housing summit in Aviemore attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, the four mid-market rent homes in the town are now occupied.

It’s certainly a key step in the right direction and I commend the Cairngorm Business Partnership for their continued hard work and remain committed to finding solutions.

There are, of course, many other pressing matters locally – not least the dualling of the A9 from Inverness to Perth.

My thoughts remain with those who have lost loved ones on the road – I hope we never ever see another year like this one.

I know there is still much work to be done, and I will continue to push for progress.

I hope you all had a peaceful Christmas and wish you a very happy New Year.


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