by Colin Campbell DON Lawson, owner of the Johnny Foxes pub in Inverness, has called for government action to help the staffing crisis-hit Highland hospitality industry recover from “a perfect storm”. He is demanding that the government help establish regional “hospitality academies” to woo young people into this vital part of the lucrative tourism sector. The University of the Highlands and Islands is said to … Continue reading ‘Academies’ plan for hospitality industry, served up with waffle and good intent

by Colin Campbell NICOLA Sturgeon has ruled out another lockdown despite the rising number of virus infections. At least she’s got something right. After 18 months maybe she’s finally become tired of issuing diktats over how we live every aspect of our daily lives. Or maybe even she realises that trying to reintroduce curbs and a new batch of restrictive rules and regulations would be … Continue reading ‘No lockdown’ Sturgeon finally listening rather than dictating

by Colin Campbell WHILE the Gathering Place fiasco remains a dominant issue at one prime point on the riverside, a mile-and-a-half downriver another potential object of criticism and controversy is taking shape. And it is massive. The new hotel being built on the site of former Inverness swimming baths at least has some obvious purpose, unlike the “unique wall artwork”. But how much approval it … Continue reading Off the scale: concerns over size and dominance of new riverside hotel

by Colin Campbell INVERNESS MP Drew Hendry features on his Twitter site a supermarket with gapingly empty shelves. This is to reinforce his claims of the supposedly disastrous consequences of Brexit. But where is the picture from? He doesn’t say. The only certainty is that it’s not from any supermarket in Inverness or anywhere else in his constituency. The only other certainty is that there … Continue reading Empty shelves, Brexit disaster! But sadly for fake news Hendry, not in Inverness

by Colin Campbell IT can be difficult for many folk of my generation to keep up with changing social attitudes in these ever changing times. Some of us, at the very least, are often left bewildered by what’s evolving around us. At the same time, we have to be aware of the risks posed by the SNP Government’s crackdown on so called “hate crimes”, which has … Continue reading SNP Government’s gender obsession brings a despairing start to the school year

by Colin Campbell AS Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced yet another push for indyref2 alongside her new Green partner in government, simpering little Patrick Harvie, other questions sprang to mind based on recent events. How did novice MSP Kate Forbes, who had worked for all of two years as a trainee accountant, become the SNP Scottish Government’s finance secretary aged 29? How did glorified ex-councillor Drew … Continue reading The fearful five who would be leaders of a ‘new Scotland’

by Colin Campbell THE Inverness Leisure Centre has returned to full normality – apart from the numbers of people going there. Parts of it, as one staff member said, are still “eerily quiet”. The centre fully reopened a week ago, with the biggest change for customers being the availability of changing rooms, showers and lockers, the end of the pre-booking system for activities other than … Continue reading Have many in Inverness lost the exercise habit during lockdown?

by Colin Campbell TWO Americans on holiday I met this week were bowled over by Inverness, and particularly “the jewel in the crown” riverside. They had already spent time in Edinburgh and Glasgow, time they considered wasted when compared to the Highland capital and the other parts of the Highlands they’d seen. Meeting Americans in Inverness? The city used to be flooded with them. Coach … Continue reading Young Yanks enjoy city to the full, but travel here still ‘a nightmare’

by Colin Campbell NICOLA Sturgeon said of the situation in Afghanistan: “What is happening in Afghanistan is a tragedy. The Afghan people have been shamefully abandoned and the implications, for women and girls especially, are horrifying. There are no easy answers but the world can’t just turn away and leave them to their fate.” Sturgeon’s helpless and hopeless few words were all she could have … Continue reading Tragic time when Sturgeon can only mumble helpless, hopeless words

by Colin Campbell MORE election material landed on my doormat for the Inverness West Highland Council by-election than for the last two parliamentary elections combined. That’s what happens when a poll is an actual contest rather than an inevitable coronation. In May, Fergus Ewing’s opponents for the Holyrood election didn’t put up much of a fight. They knew his victory was assured no matter what … Continue reading Lib Dems deny SNP propaganda machine the chance to go into overdrive