Nairn's "Hanging Gardens of Babylon"

There was considerable discussion at the River CC meeting earlier this week about the state of several buildings on the High Street and the Brae. Jeanne Tolmie remarked that there was a "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" appearance. You can see an example of what she is referring to in the image above. Members were worried about potential health and safety issues given the build-up of material in some of the rhone pipes. Tommy Hogg also stated that he believed a piece of a chimney had come down on the Brae recently.

It was also reported to the meeting that the Association of Nairn Businesses had been offered the use of a cherry-picker free of charge some years ago to rectify the situation but had backed out over the fear that there could be serious liability issues. Liz told the meeting: "I'm going to see if there is any enforcement or inspection that can be done by the Council."

Let's hope there is Liz. Perhaps the Council need to send someone up in a cherry-picker just to ascertain whether there is any risk to the public anywhere in the High Street environs and as Murd Dunbar pointed out too there is also a considerable bit of vegetation along the side of the old Community Centre rhones - that's one that could be cleaned up by the Council with no liability issues!