YOUR VIEWS: 20mph limits in the Highlands, a new Gaelic centre for Inverness, Rose Street Hall demolished and costs soar at Eden Court
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What has been drawing comment from readers this week.
City centre for Gaelic offers a boost
Having a prominent Gaelic centre in the centre of Inverness is a without doubt a great idea.
What joy this could bring! A great way to welcome in more people to the language. Music, craic, good company – isn’t this the very thing that could bring a really great atmosphere to our city?
Plus, in a central, convenient location convenient, in a building of great heritage whilst being aesthetically pleasing.
This could be just the boost which Gaelic needs, encouraging more and more learners.
Objectors should not fear that Gaelic is exclusive or irrelevant – for anyone is welcome to participate in a language that represents so much of Highland identity.
James Rorison
Skye Court
Inverness
Demolition work on prominent building
Work began this week to demolish the historic Rose Street Hall, between Farraline Park bus station and Rose Street. The building is not listed and the site is owned by a company with plans to build a new hotel on the adjacent site.
“Many a happy night spent there with Cpn Eddie MacGillvary drilling the 5th Coy Boys Brigade, then into the East Church on Sunday singing. “We have an anchor, that keeps our soul”. Won a Bible prize for perfect attendance cycling each Sunday from top of Drumossie brae. Where the Hell, did I go wrong?” – Brian Macgregor
“Why does the council planning department insist on turning everything into tourist accom?” – Eilidh McLeod
“Eilidh McLeod, this is little to do with Highland Council. We live in a country where, if one owns property, one is entitled to sell it to whomever one likes. The only role planners have in this is to decide, according to national legislation, whether there are any valid planning reasons to refuse planning permission. In this case there appear to be no valid reasons and if they refused planning permission the new owners would take the council to court (at our expense) and would win.” – Lorraine Mann
“Iconic building. So many memories by so many people.” – David Munro
“Another public space gone for good.” – Martin Stuart
“Another hotel? What a brilliant, novel and innovative idea! Just what the capital of the Highlands really needs right now. A few years ago it was, ‘ Inverness is not a city. It’s just the biggest housing estate in Britain’. This was soon followed by ‘Tesco Town’. What now, ‘hotel developer’s heaven’?” – Jim, Denia
Running costs soar for Eden Court
Utility costs for Eden Court tripled last year, according to the Inverness arts venue’s latest accounts. They were part of a general rise in costs for the charity, with overall ticket sales not rising as quickly as hoped. Income from donations and legacies dropped for the year ended March 31, 2023, while income from charitable activities shot up but money from other trading activities fell.
“I understand why the restaurant closed but I think this decision has only exacerbated the current situation. I used to regularly have lunch and dinner in between a film binge and the restaurant always appeared to be quite busy, despite it being on the pricey side. A rethink is required as food and drink definitely brings people in.” – Steven Smith
“Bring back a decent bar menu. I used to go there sometimes just to meet friends for some food and drink, but when I tried to get food in the bar recently, the only thing they had was soup.” – Arwen Williamson
“As a frequent visitor, I personally think the prices are not the problem and neither is the variety of shows. Plenty of great things at Eden Court and ticket prices are high everywhere - it is a justifiable price (usually) and one I am happy to pay. I think there’s definitely a problem with advertising. I recently attended Battery Park which was absolutely fantastic and also had the option for people on a low income to get a ticket for only £5.50 and yet there were loads of empty seats!” – Amy Cameron
“Bring back a full and functional creative outreach team!! Getting the word out to youngsters and getting them interested in theatre made them want to come and see shows, and helping them to create performances made more for their family and friends to come and see. Having the big professional touring shows is great, but sometimes you need a small production by a group of local kids to put local bums on seats, and that in turn will generate yet more interest in the theatre.” – Kirsty McCallum
“Live music!...bands that are touring the UK. Since the Ironworks has gone bands don’t seem to come north of Glasgow/Edinburgh. It generally feels that most of the music on offer at Eden Court is from cover bands which doesn’t interest me at all. It’s such an amazing venue and I hardly ever go to it.” – Laura Blaikie
20mph limits could be scaled back
New 20mph limits on some Highland roads could be reversed in the new year, Highland Council has confirmed. Temporary orders used to set up the zones only run for up to 18 months and the council has confirmed this will mean some roads returning to their original 30mph limit at the end of the pilot scheme.
“While I support the 20 mile an hour limit I have to say that the council should have sorted bigger signage before implementing it. Cars are still “speeding” coming off the roundabout at Dows as the signs are so small and difficult to see, and I for one am fed up being overtaken on Balloan Rd, Culduthel Rd,Old Edinburgh Rd,because I’m doing 20mph and others don’t know/care about the speed limit.” – Julie, Inverness
“Yes 20 plenty around schools etc but come on every where it’s not needed.” – Steven Macphee
“Very few adhere to them anyway.” – Fiona Watson
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