YOUR VIEWS: Scottish Cup final kick-off and addiction issues

Readers respond to recent headline events for Inverness.

Kick-off time kicks off much unhappiness

Football fans are unhappy at the kick-off time for the Scottish Cup final clash between Inverness Caley Thistle and Celtic – set for 5.30pm rather than the traditional 3pm on June 3. It means Inverness fans won’t be able to travel down and back up on the same day by train for the clash, the change having been made by the Scottish FA to avoid clashing with the English FA Cup final game south of the border between Manchester United and Manchester City which takes place on the same day.

“It is disgraceful and the sassenachs who agreed to this should be sacked and sent packing down to England! – Duncan Meechan

“I for one would like to watch both as ICT are playing and for no other reason. Sadly, in my personal opinion, the English league produces a much higher standard of football. Good decision to change the KO time, although I do believe there is a device that offers a +1 option. Come on the Caley.”
– Hugh Cameron

Addiction account is important story

Inverness Courier journalist Rachel Smart gave a very personal and moving account of her battle with addiction and how she is working hard to overcome it.

“Well said, Rachel. I am so pleased you have found the support you needed. I agree that more needs to be done to remove the stigma about addiction. I think wider discussion and openness about the illness would provide hope and motivation for people to look for and find the help they need. Ultimately, it would help to save lives and improve the lives of people living around addiction. Recovery rooms are online now, as well as face to face. I’ve attended them everywhere, from Glasgow to the Boat of Garten. Like you, I found they didn’t stop me using at first, but when I continued to go, over time those rooms and the hope from people attending them changed my thoughts, attitudes and behaviour. I’ve been drug free for 8.5 years now and I have not had any thoughts of using them for a long time. Recovery from drug addiction IS possible. I hope that articles like this get that message out to people in Scotland and beyond. I hope that the signposting that articles like this provide through website links at the bottom can help other people like you and me.” – Oli P, Oxford

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