Gerald Laing is so tired of being frisked by airport staff, he plans to avoid flying from the airport altogether, travelling instead by car or train if possible.

And he thinks more profiling needs to be adopted in Inverness to save time, money and stop passengers being distressed unnecessarily.

"I think it is reasonable," he said. "We have a pretty good idea who generally wants to blow themselves up in an aeroplane and it is not me. I am 74 years old, a native of this country, an ex-regular army officer, an artist of some reputation, a frequent user of the airport, and I have lived at Kinkell Castle for more than 40 years. I do not believe that I fit the profile of a terrorist."

His frustration came to a head when he had to fly to London to oversee the installation of his newly-commissioned bronze sculpture for the Rugby Football Union at Twickenham.

In addition to the usual security checks, he says he was randomly selected by the metal detector and subjected to an intrusive body search, made to stand with his arms extended, with his palms facing upwards, even though he had no metal on him. He also had to remove his shoes, which were examined.

"I have had lots of experiences like that," he said. "It is something I could have done without - they went all over me with their hands. I just found it really unpleasant."

Mr Laing says he has seen an elderly woman in tears over the way she was treated by security staff at the airport.

"She was frightened," he said. "I don't think the answer was being aggressive to her.

Gerald Laing - security staff need to be monitored.

"I do think there is a tendency in Britain for people with a bit of authority to be quite thuggish if they get the chance. Inverness airport security staff in particular are gaining some notoriety for their attitude to their work.

"They will, of course, respond that they are working for our own good. That is undoubtedly so, but at the same time they should temper their work with good manners, goodwill and good sense. They should not treat every passenger as a suspect."

Mr Laing thinks security staff need to be constantly monitored and fears tourism may be affected.

"It is a poor advertisement for the Highlands," he claimed.

A spokesman for Inverness Airport was unable to discuss its security procedures.

"Airports within the Highlands and Islands Airports group deliver a standard of security to meet the regulations laid down by the European Commission and the Department for Transport," he said.

"An in-depth investigation is completed if required and the findings reported to the individual and relevant security agencies."

h.paterson@inverness-courier.co.uk

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