YOUR VIEWS: Putting progress on dualling of A9 into perspective
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It is good to see the publication of an apparently realistic timetable for the completion of the Perth to Inverness A 9 dualling (Strathy, 22 February) even if many of us will not be around to see it by its estimated completion in 2035.
It is however salutary to compare that timetable with that our Victorian ancestors achieved for the Perth -Inverness railway.
Parliamentary approval for that was obtained in July 1861, the first sod was cut in October and the line from Forres (connecting with the Aberdeen -Inverness line) to Dunkeld and thence Perth, over Dava and Drumochter, was completed in September 1863.
That involved a new bridge over the Tay at Dalguise, a viaduct at Killiecrankie, and the seven span viaduct over the Divie and a major new junction and station at Forres.
All done in just under two years from the work starting.
Enough said!
Peter Mackay
Dunachton Road
Kincraig.
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Extending hand of friendship to town debaters
Through the pages of your paper I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Ali Maclean, Convener of The Kingussie and Vicinity Monday Club and Debating Society.
They would be very welcome once a month to come down and share our Bothy at the Stables in Kingussie.
We would love to hear their words of wisdom and local memories and the kind of local memories I have once or twice heard them share should be passed on to future generations of debators.
We could invite a few rural worthies to join with them for such a debate at least once a month.
I cannot promise ale or beer but I am sure they could bring their own victuals. I would hate to see them left out thirsty in the cold any longer.
In Badenoch tradition we should always offer
To our friends and kin folk, a Highland welcome.
Slainte
(Adapted from Burns)
Ruaridh Ormiston
Kingussie.
* * *
Bus them to the top of ski resort
There’s still a vehicle track up to the Ptarmigan, isn’t there?
If so, the answer to the Cairngorm Funicular’s woes is surely obvious.... a rail replacement bus service!
After all, that’s what rail passengers in the Highlands get foisted on them by the railway industry at the drop of a snowflake nowadays... why should visitors to Cairngorm not enjoy similar privileges?
Andrew McCracken
Grantown.
* * *
Send a message at election polls
Following another Westminster shambles, where again the third Party in the UK parliament, the SNP, was treated with utter disdain.
The stark warning from Gordon MacIntyre Kemp (brilliant leader of Believe in Scotland) to ‘reinvent the independence campaign – or the dream dies’, may indeed be a timely reminder where Scotland stands at this point in time.
The sterile negativity of the political scene has driven many people away but growing social and cultural differences, especially since Brexit, had encouraged people to increasingly believe in a richly endowed independent Scotland.
However, since independence remains the raison d’être of the SNP, I believe a reinvention of ‘unity of purpose’ is also required.
In this vital General Election year, with firm leadership, bringing together Yes campaigning groups, the SNP and indeed Alba and others, a strong and concerted vote for independence will carry the day.
Grant Frazer
Newtonmore.
* * *
Go and protest in China
Disruptive actions by the various eco-groups are not only pointless but cowardly. Pointless, because most countries are phasing up their extraction or consumption of fossil fuels.
Cowardly because not one member of JSO, Extinction Rebellion, Tyre Extinguishers & Co has ventured to China, India, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates to demonstrate.
None have gone to war zones to tell them to stop fighting since wars are creating millions of tons of additional greenhouse gases.
All eco-demonstrators should be warned that there will no longer be soft-touch justice but heavy fines and/or jail for breaking the law.
Clark Cross
Linlithgow.
* * *
Where is the ‘just’ in this ‘just transition’?
In her most recent column Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes writes ‘Land reform absolutely needs to accelerate as a matter of social justice’.
I read a report recently that, addressing the concerns of major landowners, stated that ‘there should not be too much concern re the upcoming Land Reform Bill’.
I remember similar very ‘reassuring’ comments when sporting estates rates came into being around a decade ago.
Did that legislation or will this new Land Bill herald a significant improvement in the Highland Council’s finances?
What surely is required is Government vision, then action to ensure that the land of the Highlands is properly regulated such that where wealth is derived from Highland land or water or air, at least some of that wealth flows to the Scottish Government and perhaps even more appositely to the local authority.
There are community benefits from wind farms but surely that money is but a tiny fraction of the vast wealth flowing from our hills.
Hydro power may be on a smaller scale than wind but too often its profits too disappear completely from where they were derived, at least some of it via offshore trusts.
Recent storms have devastated some local woodlands. It’s good to see that in places, though not all, the timber is being used and not left to rot.
But is there not something far wrong when Strathspey no longer has the recently closed high tech sawmill by Boat of Garten.
Instead we see a constant flow of heavily laden lorries headed for wherever multi-nationals like Binderholz dictates.
Then there are the justified concerns over how Government seems to be enriching the already wealthy by means of the developing carbon markets.
Peat conservation and tree planting where appropriate, are surely necessary but derived benefits should surely flow at least in part to the country and region that have the characteristics that make these benefits possible.
Addressing climate change is of prime importance but in addressing the problem there needs to be a greater attention to the ‘just’ part of the ‘just transition’.
Energy companies appear to disregard fuel poverty whilst making vast profits, carbon markets do not assist the struggling but enrich the already wealthy.
Valuable resources are too often squandered .
Is it not possible that our land could be the basis of a fairer society?
Dick Webster
Campbell Crescent
Kingussie.
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Remembering those lost in the pandemic
The new ITV drama, Breathtaking, set in a hospital on the front line during the pandemic, will be triggering for many people who were bereaved during that time.
This period was a devastating time of loss where people’s normal traditions and death rituals could not take place or were altered in some way.
For a great many, this made their grief either delayed or more complicated and put millions at risk of needing formal grief counselling.
On Sunday Marie Curie will lead the nation in a UK-wide Day of Reflection to remember those who died during the pandemic, from any cause, and to show support for those bereaved.
We’re asking the public to observe a minute’s silence at midday and if anyone needs support with their grief, or someone to talk to, please contact Marie Curie’s Support Line for free on 0800 090 2309 or visit dayofreflection.org.uk
Matt Williams
Marie Curie.
