YOUR VIEWS: Readers' letters from the Inverness Courier including the response to a call for new hotels, an art exhibition and smoking in public
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Businessman claims city needs hotel growth
You [David Sutherland column, Courier 15/7/22] conveniently forgot to mention you will rip down our only purpose-built music venue in the process of building this project – which locals care more about than this!
Totally selfish point of view David, and the staffing for a new hotel – where are they coming from considering other businesses are struggling already?
Martin Mackintosh, Inverness
Exhibition of art is well worth a visit
I would like to highlight to all art-lovers the Art Society of Inverness’s wonderful showcase of Highland artistic talent, currently on at the Wasps Midmills Gallery [Inverness Creative Academy].
Visiting with a friend this week, I was delighted to bump into two of the painters and chat about their work. Subjects range from mesmerising seascapes, flamboyant and colourful flora, evocative Highland landscapes, to John Nicholson’s excellent rendition of Clachnaharry footbridge, and Gael Hillyard’s atmospheric Turneresque painting of rigs in the Cromarty Firth.
The café is cool, spacious and tasty, with further paintings to delight those who appreciate the talents of others. Well done to the organisers!
Carol Muirhead,
Dores Road,
Inverness
Stop smoking!
I think Raigmore Hospital and staff do a fantastic job.
But while waiting for a bus today from Raigmore Hospital, two young people – a male and female – boldly lit up a cigarette in the shelter and shared it.
The smell was disgusting. I got up, and left the shelter – as did others.
Then another man lit up a cigarette. Behind them was a sign saying ‘no smoking’. Anyway, after two buses not turning up, my bus arrived. Leaving the dirty bus shelter, with cigarette stubs on the ground, behind.
This was on a reasonable day [weather-wise], but even if it was raining, I would rather stand outside [when this happens]. It’s just a shame for people who do need to sit down.
Christeine Macdonald
Online: Join the debate at the Inverness Courier website:
MSP says road improvements are top priority
Fergus Ewing said dualling of the A9, A96 and Nairn bypass are “my top priorities in the constituency work I do”.
“Road improvement his top priority? Let’s start with the dualling of the A9. Eleven sections with a promised completion date of 2025. Sections completed by July 2022 – two.
“Then there’s the dualling of the A96. Four sections totalling 86 miles with a promised completion date of 2030. Sections completed by July 2022 – none.
“This isn’t looking very promising, is it? In fact it makes the Glen Sannox and Hull 802, along with traffic trying to negotiate Nairn, look positively speedy.
“Question for Mr Ewing: What can you say to deny that the interests of this area, comfortably removed from the prioritised central belt, are being sacrificed as a bargaining chip in a trade-off with the Green Party to the principal end of maintaining a “mandate” for another independence referendum? (The real “top priority”.)” – Charles Bannerman
“Shame the Greens, who you are beholden to, don’t feel the same way.
“Actions speak louder than words.” – Matt Davies
“Seeing is believing.” – Margaret Gallacher
Turf war hots up over Gathering Place ‘mess’
Highland Council face new Gathering Place ‘artwork’ criticism from Visit Inverness Loch Ness chairwoman Jo De Sylva and anglers’ doggie statue protest after fencing off part of a city beauty spot during the peak of tourist season.
“I was down the islands today and looking down river this carbuncle sticks out like a sore thumb it detracts from the natural beauty of the area.
“Plenty of people decried it before it was built and it turns out they were right...but the council in their infinite wisdom built it anyway.
“Jo de Silva has been noted on many occasions to comment and have an opinion of this ‘artwork’... she is correct in everything she has ever said about it...” – Gary F Davies
Medic tells of life in Ukraine
Professor Angus Watson – a colorectal surgeon based at Raigmore hospital in Inverness – tells The One Show on BBC1 of life in Ukraine after working with medical charity UK-Med.
“Brave man and a bloody good surgeon. He used to be my consultant and very glad that he was.” – Gerry McGregor
“Saw this on the One Show – great job!” – Isla MacDonald
“Brave man, well done x” – Hazel Lockhart
“Great job Prof x” – Diane MacKiggan
Double delight for darts pair
Jim Newlands and Andy Davidson celebrated becoming Dewars Doubles champions for the first time when then claimed victory at the Innes Darts Festival in Inverness.
“Well done lads” – Alan Macmillan
“Never knew there was a Mike Sutherland shield, he was a good guy and deserves that honour.” – Jonathan MacNeil
George is the Main man
George Main wins the Merkinch Singles at the Innes Darts Festival.
“Well done, George Main. Well played pal.” – George Smith
