Strathy opinion: firefighters deserve our highest praise
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SADLY it has been a busy few days for the retained firefighters in Badenoch and Strathspey and, in particular, for the crew members based at the Kingussie station.
The latter were praised for their prompt response and quick-thinking following a lorry fire on the A9 by Crubenmore which prevented a more serious incident and a tributary to the River Spey from being polluted.
They also attended along with other retained firefighters from across the strath to what must have been a very harrowing call-out on Monday night after the head-on collision which claimed two lives and left another man seriously injured.
Local firefighters do not work for the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service on a full-time basis but juggle their training and call-outs along with another usually full-time job.
Their role is fairly unique to the region and islands where by far the vast majority of Scotland’s retained firefighters and community response units are based.
They have to deal with some horrific scenes on occasions – things we hope never to witness – for modest returns and deserve recognition for their dedication at such difficult times.
THE arrival of the new Batman movie crew has certainly caused a stir in the strath and indeed amongst cinema followers.
And judging by the latest, the rehearsals at the Glenfeshie airfield are just as action packed as the big money movie out next year promises to be.
A parachutist had a lucky escape when he ended up crashing into a nearby house when he was caught up in high winds.
Fortunately, the lucky daredevil ended up between two roof joists.
As his sidekick the boy wonder Robin might say: “Holy water melons, that was a lucky escape”.
