Which 'Way' for Cromdale? That is the question
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What’s in a name? Quite a lot, at Cromdale.
Highland Council want to call a new road Spey Way, much to the chagrin of locals who are now campaigning to change the council’s mind in favour of the more personal Dolly’s Way.
Lou and Liam Simpson, of locally-based Valley Building and Construction Services, said this week: “We, as the developers, chose the name of one of the new streets as Dolly’s Way in memory of our late Gran, the great lady you all know as Dolly Gordon.
“The Gordons have resided in Cromdale and still do, as of today for over 150 years. Is there any family with more history here? We’d like to honour that.”
When the family acquired the former Grandview nursing home in Grantown they said they would be renaming the building ‘The Palace’, a name which held a special place for them as Dolly, who passed away a few years ago, was a long-time resident of the Grantown area.
“She was attracted to this area and secured work at the Palace Hotel. After marrying Douglas Gordon she brought up their family in the community. Three further generations on, they live and work within the area to this day.”
But at Cromdale, they report: “The Highland Council have come back and are forcing the name Spey Road onto us – they have stated they do not like Dolly’s Way. We’re unsure why, with no reason being provided. Sandys Way already exists...”
Friends and family on the ‘What’s on in Cromdale and Advie’ page are being urged to take time to check the Simpsons’ post out and vote accordingly
Local Highland councillors are currently being asked to agree new street names for developments in Carrbridge and Cromdale.
Valley Building & Construction Services has suggested either Dolly’s Way or Gordon Place for their two new streets comprising 18 homes in the Cromdale development.
But for the disappearance of two of the strath’s community councils the issue could have been a whole lot simpler.
When it comes to the naming of local streets it is usually the community council involved which plays the major role, in reflecting the local will.
But in Cromdale – as in Carrbridge – that has not been possible.
Highland Council’s Badenoch and Strathspey ward manager Lewis Hannah explained in his report: “It has not been possible to consult with the community in the normal way in relation to these new street names as the community councils covering Carrbridge and Cromdale are currently in abeyance.”
At Carrbridge the Highland Council – as developers of 10 new affordable flats – are to call their own project Struan Court, in memory of the now demolished Struan House Hotel, which in its heyday served the sorts community as the area’s first ski hotel.
