YOUR VIEWS: Thanks to NHS Highland, Inverness Hogmanay issues, 20mph limits
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Some people really appreciate what NHS does
I am writing to you after spending eight days in Raigmore Hospital where I received the most excellent treatment despite how busy the staff were over the Christmas period.
They were an absolute credit to the quality service one receives from the Scottish NHS, from the prompt arrival of the ambulance (under 15 minutes), to the quick attention in A&E, to the eventual treatment for my condition and the care and consideration shown by all kinds of staff.
I write this to counter the relentless denigration of the Scottish NHS, and by extension the Scottish Government, which appears in so much of the media these days. We all know that the NHS has its problems and it is the duty of the media to report when things go awry but surely it is also right to give credit where credit is due.
The morale of the staff is important and they must despair at the amount of stick they get, including from some sections of the press with an agenda to rubbish as many things Scottish as they can.
I hope by writing to you I can redress the balance a bit and show the staff that some people really appreciate what they do.
Andrew Fraser
Cradlehall
Inverness
Traffic speed limits should be enforced
A 20mph maximum speed is essential in villages with narrow high streets (Rosemarkie/Fortrose/Munlochy) to keep pedestrians safe. But, they are useless if the limit and parking restrictions are not enforced.
As a regular car user and walker between Rosemarkie and Fortrose I would guess that less than 10 per cent of road users currently adhere to this limit. Further, the section of A832 from the Fortrose harbour junction (heading to Avoch) to the existing national speed limit sign at the edge of Fortrose is unnecessary given that there is virtually zero pedestrian traffic along that stretch of road.
Whatever is ultimately decided I would recommend that traffic speed and parking restrictions are enforced.
RD Johnston
Rosemarkie/Fortrose
Inverness Airport train station among busiest
The station could be busier still if it was easier to drag a suitcase from the terminal and more trains coincided with arrivals from London. The service on Sunday can be ridiculous but people are prepared to fly to Inverness and catch the train all the way to Aberdeen. ScotRail are missing a trick.
Mark Skarratts
Twickenham
Motorists can be prepared for all weathers
We all know that Scotland can have four seasons in the one day. It should be mandatory for all vehicles to have at least all-weather tyres or proper winter tyres and to carry winter gear and water.
John Watt
Edinburgh
The Red Hot Highland Fling to mark Hogmanay in Inverness was hailed a success by organisers but it wasn’t all smooth sailing, as an apparent surge in ticket sales – taking attendance to nearly 4000 people – “coupled with the fact that a number of local staff let them down” left bar workers stretched and some people queued for “over an hour” to be served.
Great event marred by a lack of planning by the organisation group, as at least four bars should have been placed around the venue eliminating queuing in one spot; some benches placed for some of the not-so-fit revellers; and to place the fire dancers at ground level and not on a stage making it impossible for 90 per cent of the audience to watch beggars belief.
As for the lady mayor’s [Inverness Provost] welcome she came across as someone that wanted to be somewhere else, but let’s hope they’ve learned and it becomes an annual tradition. Oh and fireworks from the castle could be the icing on the cake.
David Duncanson
Ardersier
“Capacity was for 5000 and there was five or six bar staff on duty, absolute disgrace in the planning. More people serve in Gellions on a Saturday night when there’s only a few hundred! Was a million times better last year and it was free! Even if only 2000 tickets were sold up until the day, they still thought five people serving at a bar was enough for that? Shocking. To be honest I’m surprised people aren’t demanding refunds. Was atrocious. Don’t get me wrong, music was good and plenty of toilets. However, access to food and drink was shocking.” – John Fitness
“Don’t blame the party-goers.The event was licensed for 5000 and should have been designed to comfortably cater for 5000.” – Gerry Reynolds
Retired naval officer Bob Coburn, of Beauly, died days after receiving news that he was to be awarded a BEM in the King’s New Year Honours. It is in recognition of his voluntary service to veterans and to the community in Inverness-shire.
“Such a gentleman. I had the pleasure of meeting Bob a few years ago at their annual dinner. Always had something positive to say and a smile on his face. Thoughts go out to his wife and family. He was a great man.” – Jordan MacDonald
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