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An ugly stain on our city: We must act now to stop the graffiti plague
Grafitti at the old Eastgate Hotel, which was hit by fire in 2013.
As a resident who chose to make Inverness my home, I have always been proud of our city’s character and natural beauty. Lately, however, a blight is spreading that threatens to undermine it all: the relentless proliferation of graffiti.
Walk down Holm Road and you will see the problem in its most advanced stage. The long wall there is no longer just a wall; it is a canvas of neglect, covered in multiple layers of tags and scribbles that have been left unattended for weeks, if not months.
This isn’t an isolated case. Look closer at the traffic signs and the telephone cabinets in the same area. They, too, are being steadily defaced, contributing to a growing sense that parts of our city are slipping into decay. But perhaps the most disheartening sight of all is seeing this vandalism creep into our children’s spaces.
In parks across the city, the colourful slides, swings, and climbing frames in our playgrounds – places meant for joy and play – are being marred by the same ugly scrawls. When our youngest citizens see that even their dedicated play areas are not respected or cared for, what message does that send about the value our community places on them?
I come from a country that lost this battle. A country where graffiti became so commonplace that it was accepted as an unchangeable part of the urban landscape. I have seen first-hand how this cycle works. In my previous role as an educational co-ordinator, tasked with tackling graffiti in schools, we learned a critical lesson: speed is everything. When graffiti is removed within 24-48 hours, it sends a powerful message that the community cares and vandalism will not be tolerated.
This proactive approach is the single most effective deterrent. Conversely, when it is left to fester, as it has on Holm Road, our signs, and now our playground equipment, it acts as a green light. It signals apathy and tells every passing vandal that no-one is watching, that no-one cares. This “open for business” sign encourages a daily accumulation of new damage.
This is more than just an aesthetic issue. It is a slow poison for community pride. A clean, well-kept environment fosters respect and a sense of shared ownership. A dirty, neglected one does the opposite. It kills local pride, encourages littering, and can become a catalyst for other antisocial behaviours.
If we don’t break this cycle now, we risk watching our beautiful Inverness become gradually uglier, run-down, and less proud. The question is not whether we can afford to act, but whether we can afford not to. We must call on our local council to take immediate action: prioritise the deep-cleaning of hotspot areas like the wall on Holm Road, all defaced street signs, furniture, and – most urgently – every single piece of graffiti on our public playground equipment.
Adopt a rapid-response strategy: implement and publicly promote a policy of swift graffiti removal, making it a core objective to erase new tags from all public property, including parks, within days, not weeks. This is not just a job for the council; it is a responsibility for all of us.
We must report graffiti when we see it and support a zero-tolerance approach. We chose to live here for the beauty and pride that Inverness offers. Let us not stand by and watch it be scribbled away, from our walls, our signs, and even from our children’s swings.
Eduardo Noga, Inverness
Asylum seekers deserve a traditional Scottish welcome
I am grateful to Val Sweeney for her words regarding the asylum seekers.
Since the announcement last week regarding the proposal to house 300 asylum seekers in Cameron Barracks, I have been impressed by the response from the majority of people who sympathise with those who seek refuge in another country, and their desire to support these individuals. However some people have tried to stir up a negative response, and I recall someone calling that we return to our traditional Scottish Christian values. I must say I agree with them.
What are Christian values? Well, we are not just asked, we are commanded to look after the stranger, the sick and the prisoner. There are no exceptions to that command. Loving our neighbour, and caring for those in need is fundamental to those Christian values which have shaped Scottish life.
In recent years, people from across the Highlands have supported those seeking refuge in our country, donating hats and warm clothes for those not used to our climate. We have shown true Highland hospitality to those in need. I encourage all in the Highlands to reject the negativity amplified on social media, and to give that traditional Scottish welcome to those who arrive in our community.
Rev James Bissett, Old High St Stephen’s Church
Call for Scottish Government to listen to communities
I’m glad to hear of Highland Council’s scathing objection to this pylon project [Spittal-Beauly].
SSEN Transmission repeatedly state they have held comprehensive public meetings with communities in respect of this line; what they don’t admit to is they held these meetings as a tick-box exercise; they did not and have not listened to communities, it’s time they were outed and I sincerely hope the Scottish Government take serious note as they too insist they listen to communities.
Linda Malcolm, Brora
Eager preparation for carol concert
There has been an exuberant kick-off to rehearsals for the annual Highland Hospitals Carol Concert in support of Young Lives vs Cancer.
Pamela McCulloch (conductor) and Alyn Ross (accompanist) were enthusiastically welcomed by the usual 60-plus strong choir of nurses and other medical and hospital staff, all ready to put everything into their musical preparations for another successful fundraiser for children with cancer and their families living in Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.
The chair of the choir committee, Jackie Nixon, welcomed all our choristers, noting that, thanks to them, over £7000 had been raised last year for children and young adults with cancer along with their families. We are now all looking forward to producing this year’s concert, set for 3pm on Sunday, December 7 at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness.
Valery Dean, Inverness
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