YOUR VIEWS: Readers on stories that have been making the headlines.
Cameron Barracks.
‘Let’s behave like human beings’
I read with great sadness (about people in Inverness wanting to “lock up” asylum seekers in the Cameron Barracks. This was in a meeting organised by MSP candidate Allan Duffy.
As an Alba Party member, Mr Duffy surely knows his Scottish history – and how, not so many generations ago, Highlanders were forced to flee their homes because of the political oppression of the Clearances. It happened here, in the Highlands!
Well, these asylum seekers are in just the same position – fleeing from places like Syria to Scotland just as so many of us fled from the Highlands to Canada or Australia. Traumatised and destitute, did we deserve to be locked away? Surely not. And neither do these people coming to Inverness. Mr Duffy could have made that point – but I fear he didn’t.
Let’s behave like human beings, with the common decency to give asylum seekers a good Highland welcome.
Knowing Mr Duffy’s views, my friends and I chose to boycott his event. But every time there has been a demo in town to support anti-migrant views, they have been greatly outnumbered by good-hearted people turning out to show their support for migrants. That’s because Inverness is fundamentally a kind and welcoming place! Long may it stay that way. Fear-mongering is cruel and dishonest. Inverness is better than that.
Ruth Dunster
Inverness
NatureScot headquarters were vandalised, apparently in connection to licensing of the Guga hunt. Picture: Federica Stefani.
NatureScot under pressure over Guga hunt
Calls to halt the authorisation of a historical bird hunt were continuing — following protests which have seen the NatureScot headquarters in Inverness vandalised twice since the start of the year. Campaigners want the agency to stop licensing the controversial Guga Hunt in the Western Isles.
“Aye, how many of those signing actually live on the Western Isles or for that matter have ever seen a gannet?” – Barra Maclean
“What difference would that make? Any civilised person can see it is barbaric.” – Chris Benwell
“It is a highly respected food source on the island, the fact is things die for people to eat meat. These are wild and sustainable, when numbers are low the hunt is stopped. If only all meat sources were respected as much and sustainable.” – Helen Grice
“Location is not an issue. Tesco and Co-op supply food in Stornoway, you don’t have to batter birds to death to feed anyone.” – Kim O’Brien
“What is the argument? If it’s not endangered, then surely eating wild meat is better than farmed? Regardless of tradition.” – Andy Fonzeca Oxbow
Debate is ongoing over possible reintroduction of European lynx to Scotland.
Lynx reintroduction events criticised
Representatives of gamekeepers and sheep farmers claimed that feedback forms on lynx reintroduction shared during a series of public sessions did not leave space for objections – and that the information presented was “heavily weighted” towards the pro-reintroduction arguments.
“The majority of Scots live in cities. The majority of Scots do not understand the balance required in a rural setting. As I’ve said before, Lynx are a large predator and would not think twice about killing a small dog for food, as I pointed out with the argument about them eating foxes. Someone said a dog and a fox are different animals; tell that to a hungry lynx.” – Jimmy Hendry
“Jimmy Hendry, I don’t live in a city. I live in one of the areas likely to be a candidate for reintroduction. I’m entirely in favour of this. There are significant benefits in terms of helping with deer control, forest regeneration and reduction in fox numbers. The evidence exists from studies elsewhere where lynx, farmers (and farmed animals) and humans (and their pets) coexist. Lynx are not ‘large predators’- they are meso predators; about the size of a Labrador.” – Andy Mac
“Not surprising to hear, especially when we know that they are hell bent on introducing them.” – Graeme Ross
“When a questionnaire is framed around ‘how’ rather than ‘whether’, the debate narrows before it even begins. That isn’t open consultation. It’s advocacy dressed up as listening. Repeated references to ‘respectful discussions’ and ‘genuine engagement’ don’t build trust if the structure itself excludes outright opposition. In fact, it does the opposite.” – Deirdre Falconer
“I’m sure the representatives of sheep farmers and gamekeepers would have given an unbiased representation themselves, right?” – Ryan Mackintosh
Gillian Martin.
Pause on renewable ‘not sustainable’
A temporary pause on renewable energy developments until an overarching national plan is in place is not a “sustainable position”. Gillian Martin, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, made the remark at a meeting with community council representatives in Holyrood this week, pointing out the number of jobs in the sector.
“It is when we as a country are over producing and paying constraint payments to so many. Stop constraint payments to new developments for a start; have battery storage in sensible places beside substations where the power is needed.” – James Macmillan
“Ms Martin only showed up for 29 minutes, people had been travelling for hours to be there. It was a 2twohour meeting arranged weeks ago. Everyone in the room wanted to know what Ms Martin went off to do, after claiming to advocate better engagement. Let’s hope she takes some positive tangible action.” – Sadie Michaela
“For once I agree with her.” – John Cuthbert
“Typical central belt Scottish Government point of view. ‘If Scottish Government policy disadvantages the North… well it doesn’t matter.’” – Charles Bannerman
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