by Colin Campbell SOME small credit is due to Ian Blackford (and that’s not how articles here often begin). Yesterday the Ross MP said of Boris Johnson’s world-beating vaccine announcement: “This is wonderful news. If vaccines are delivered in the coming days as expected, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the first doses could be administered in Scotland on Tuesday. There is hope.” This Twitter … Continue reading THE BORDER IS WIDE OPEN NOW. Blackford says vaccine ‘is wonderful’ but some nationalists struggle sourly with the UK Government’s world-beating triumph

by Colin Campbell Four weeks ago Highland Tory MSP Edward Mountain called for the Armed Forces to be on standby to distribute the vaccine across the Highlands. At the time it seemed he was being premature with his “bring in the army” demand (see below). But it turns out the Mountain man had a clearer view of the overall scenario than most. He was spot … Continue reading Mountain man had clear view with his ‘bring in the army’ vaccine demand

by Colin Campbell INVERNESS MP Drew Hendry had the biggest day of his career yesterday when he was chosen by the SNP to be their media frontman across the TV and radio airwaves on the day of Nicola Sturgeon’s big conference speech, with the role of heralding Queen Nicola’s nationally broadcast address, previewing it and defending it. I’m not being deliberately unkind to the Inverness … Continue reading Big day for Drew Hendry all across the airwaves, enthusiastically talking drivel

by Colin Campbell MAYBE councillors missed the point. When thousands of people urged them to stop messing about with the Inverness riverside they were referring to plans to spend £300,000 on a concrete “artwork” monstrosity at a natural beauty spot, aided and abetted by widening a riverside footpath at a cost of thousands more for “social distancing”. They did NOT mean to abandon it altogether … Continue reading Gathering Place obsession, footpath widened by 18 inches for ‘social distancing’, while Infirmary bridge was left to rot

by Colin Campbell THE ugliest comment I came across while keeping an eye on the SNP’s “virtual” annual conference over the weekend came from nationalist MP and leading light Kenny Macaskill, who declared: “Britain has never been weaker, except perhaps in a time of war. This is the optimum time for Scotland to strike for its independence.” My reaction amid head-shaking disgust was that’s a … Continue reading ‘Britain has never been weaker, except in a time of war. This is the time to strike.’ Nationalist loathing of our country plumbs new depths

by Colin Campbell THE SNP/Nationalists intend to frame next May’s Holyrood poll as “the independence election”. Tory leader Douglas Ross said last week that he’s having none of it. And he’s quite right. They can “frame” it any way they like. They can frame it as the Roger Rabbit election if they want. It doesn’t matter. It will be just another poll to elect candidates … Continue reading Ewing: ‘Unless you want another referendum you must not vote for me.’ (What he should say, but never will)

by Colin Campbell THE “simple 10-acres crofter” has planted his foot in the manure yet again. The best the SNP can offer up at Westminster is a hapless clown who can’t even get his facts right on Twitter. He exposes the party that aspires to run “a free Scotland” to further derision and contempt. It’s beyond pathetic. If it wasn’t so serious it would be … Continue reading A beautiful photograph of the Highland sky at night, besmirched by Ian Blackford, a bully and a fool

by Colin Campbell HUGH Pennington, professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University, who has been the most reasoned and balanced contributor on the coronavirus debate, and on many lesser health issues before it, says news of the impending delivery of a vaccine is “welcome”. That measured response from the eminent professor may be considered by many as a considerable understatement. It feels more like vaccine salvation … Continue reading Many will be in no rush to take Christmas risks with vaccine salvation so tantalisingly close

by Colin Campbell PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has said he will consider bringing the Cabinet to Inverness next year to mark the centenary of a historic summit in the Highland capital. The trip would celebrate the 100th anniversary of David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Stanley Baldwin and their ministerial colleagues attending Inverness Town House in 1921 for the first-ever Cabinet meeting outside London or Chequers. … Continue reading A fitting way to mark a legendary Inverness anniversary

by Colin Campbell PLANS to make Covid-19 cycling and walking paths permanent in Inverness are being debated. And it’s a controversial issue that will not be easily resolved. Highland Council confirmed is examining ways of making at least some of the temporary “priority routes” permanent. The initial focus has been on Millburn Road and Academy Street, but a council spokeswoman said this could be subject … Continue reading Barriers are not the ramshackle mess they were before