Opening moment's of the testimonial match against Ross County for NCFC skipper Gregg Main

Details of the match here on the County site. 

Tribute band Noel Gallagher's High Flying Carpets at the Play House on Fridaty 27th July - Nairn County Ground Improvements Fundraiser

Here's the band performing



Tickets also available tomorrow at NCFC skipper Gregg Main's testimonial match against Ross County at Station Park tomorrow. Details here.

Fergus and Murd ramping it up at the Firhall Bridge

Fergus Ewing MSP made a visit to the Firhall Bridge today to discuss options for improving access at the crossing point of the popular riverside cirucular walk. Fergus spoke with Murd and others including reps from the Nairn Access Panel.

Parking charges for Nairn coming closer after another vote for them at Highland Council

"Car parking charges introduced across the Highlands" reads the Press and Journal in a report on events at Highland Council yesterday, more here.  

Below what Liz had to say as she spoke against parking charges yesterday.

Fergus to meet Murd at Firhall bridge this Friday (29th June) at 11 am

The Gurn understands that Fergus Ewing MSP is going to make a site visit to the Firhall Bridge to discuss accessibility issues with Murd Dunbar and other campaigners this Friday. Murd has been campaigning for several years for improved access at the Firhall Bridge. 

Last Wednesday Team Hamish, in outlining their proposals for the Links, town centre and Viewfield, included the long-term potential of an "accessible rainbow bridge" at Firhall. See the Team Hamish video and plans here on their website. 

If you would like to see improved access for all at the Firhall Bridge why not head up the river for a blether with Murd and Fergus at 11.00 am this Friday morning. 

The lack of Local Demorcracy in Nairn - what is wrong succinctly explained by the Nairnshire Telegraph

Cracking editorial in the Nairnshire these week "Out of the Bubble" which once again examines the running sore that is the democratic deficit in our community, the following paragraph hits the spot!

"The smaller numbers of councillors and officials has created a bubble effect. Don't talk to Joe Public because he's spouting poorly based opinion and it's a waste of time. Talk to a focus group or stakeholder if you must. But don't take them too seriously because, really, we're talking amongst ourselves, in our bubble where we hear the voices we know and like, talking reason we can understand."

Get yourself a copy in a newsagents near you to read the rest.

Team Hamish Vision for Nairn - Video and PDF document of potential designs

See them here on the Team Hamish website. 

Nairn River Community Council feeling rejected by Highland Council

More here.

Midsummer's Day 2018 - the day the Royal Bank of Scotland abandoned Nairn

Enthusiastic welcome for Team Hamish Vision for Nairn at packed meeting in Community and Arts Centre last night

Perhaps about 200 people backed into the ad hoc area that becomes a room behind the stage last night as Sam and Sue Hey presented their ideas for the Links, Viewfield and the town centre. A gathering that allowed many people to articulate their support for the ambitious project and to express their desire to see sensitive and positive development in Nairn and a lasting memorial and tribute to a wonderful boy. 

It was good to be in the presence of so many people that back a vision to see Nairn back on the map with a series of improvements that would roll out as time, money and permissions allowed. Nothing is set in stone and Team Hamish are looking for feedback on their plans - the presentation boards will  be available for view in the Community Centre from Saturday and at other points in the town.

It will all work within the framework of the consultation that will follow the Council's scoping exercise for the Links which will in itself give Team Hamish and any other interest groups and individuals such as the Harbour Working Group a chance for further input. 

Team Hamish see a remodelling of the town centre car park areas as a more welcoming area for people arriving in town and then trying to encourage people down to the Links via Viewfield, an area where more interesting features such as sculptures could be added. 

The putting green would be redesigned too with ampitheatre style seating on the slope that borders the road at the back of Marine Flats with the inclusion of multi-purpose Beach Hut structures that could be used for the like of Arts and Crafts activities. A new children's play area would be built in the scrubland further down towards the beach from that area with sensitive tree screening for Marine Cottages. There would be a water play feature in the area of the paddling pool that would be open all year. Dolphin viewing platforms and other features including an upgrade of many of the paths including interesting features at some of the junctions. The area for the plan is from the Swimming Pool to the Harbour.

For further details of where to see the plans and contribute your views keep an eye on the Team Hamish Facebook page here. 

Nairn River Community Council AGM and Ordinary meeting on Weds 20th June 2018 at Nairn Community Centre starting at 7 pm

More details and agenda here. 

Lost dog appears at Littlemill - now at Nairn police station

UPDATE
Great news (via Facebook)
Dog was returned to owner on Monday night. 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David tells the Gurn:

"This fella turned up at our house in Littlemill last night looking tired and hungry, we fed and watered him, he’s now at Nairn police station, we would have held him but we have 5 others" 

Anyone recognise this pooch?

Kingsteps planning application - the discussion at Highland Council

A planning application  for 115 homes to be built by Springfield development on Councillor Liz MacDonald's land at Kingsteps was put back for a site visit in August at yesterdays planning meeting at the Highland Council headquarters in Glenurquhart Road, Inverness. Here's how the discussion went.  There's a bit of mumbling at the start but they do eventually get going.

 

Kingsteps plans go to June 12 planning committee and are deferred for Lochloy 'site visit' on 8th August

More on Nairn River Community Council site. 

Kingsteps housing plans go to Planning Committee today 12th June

Coverage on the Press and Journal website this morning. Nairn housing plan comes under fire.

On their website Nairn River Community Council state:

"We have thus today along with 2 residents groups( Kingsteps Residents and Nairn Residents Concern Group), lodged a request for a pre determination hearing so that Nairn community can raise the above concerns directly with Planning committee members to ensure that their decision is properly informed."    More here.

The Highland Council South Planning Applications Committee starts at 10.30 and will be broadcast on their website here. 

Team Hamish 10 Mile and Fun Runs - 10th June 2018 Pictures

Individual images here Full screen slideshow here. 

Dry spell continues

The sun and drying wind took its toll on the Links yesterday. Larger image here. 

 Glorious weather but the Gurn understands that anglers are concerned for the health of the fish further up the river. The SEPA monitoring report for the River Nairn at Balnafoich shows a new record low for the time SEPA have been compiling records.  The Firhall monitoriing point shows a considerably low level too. 

Nairn through the Archives - Nairn Library Monday 11th June 6-7 pm

A last look inside the Windsor Hotel Nairn

Many thanks to the owner of the Windsor Hotel, Peter Gibson, for allowing the Gurn to have a wee photographic expedition into the property today. Great to have a blether with him too about the plans for the apartments and the town house which will use a lot of the structure of the original buildings that went to make up the hotel (a couple of images of the draft plans too). Good luck Peter with your project over the next 18 months or so. 

Individual images here

Highland Council Wi-fi in Nairn and Fort William Gurn spot the difference competition - compare the statements of the two area Chairs and list the differences - win a year's free subscription to the Gurn

Chair of the Lochaber Committee, Councillor Andrew Baxter said:

“This project is fantastic news for Fort William and I am sure it will be welcomed by everyone who lives here, as well as our many thousands of visitors.

“Digital connectivity is essential these days for daily life and the free access to WiFi will enable visitors and locals to make the most of local businesses by checking what’s on, where to visit in Lochaber, opening hours, accommodation and prices, as well as finding local job opportunities and keeping in touch with family and friends.

“High-Fi will be great for posting photos of the area on social media and helping to promote the town, and all this region offers, to the wider world. I hope to see lots of #High-Fi.”

Chair of the Nairn Committee, Councillor Tom Heggie said:

“This project is fantastic news for Nairn and I am sure it will be welcomed by everyone who lives here, as well as visitors. Digital connectivity is essential these days for daily life and the free access to WiFi will enable visitors and locals to make the most of local businesses by checking what’s on, where to visit, opening hours, accommodation and prices, as well as finding job opportunities and keeping in touch with family and friends.

“High-Fi will be great for posting photos of Nairn on social media and helping to promote the town, and all this region offers, to the wider world. I hope to see lots of #NairnHigh-Fi.”

See the press releases in full here and here.   We used the Nairn release too and an interesting comment in from one reader so far.

Here at the Gurn we think free wi-fi is a positive move but we have noticed that on some of the town's premier social media pages there is an overwhelming sense of folk being underwhelmed and complaining of other things that need doing. 

Windsor Hotel opens its doors tomorrow (Saturday 2nd June) 10 am - for sale of last of furniture, pictures, bars, bedding, kitchenware etc. Draft plans also on display - a chance for Nairn folk to visit a building that many of them will have happy memories of

The Windsor Hotel opens its doors again tomorrow for the sale of the last of the furniture, pictures, bars, bedding, kitchenware etc. A chance to head down memory lane tomorrow at the Windsor Hotel in Albert Street and have a look at the way things were. Many Gurnites will have happy memories of functions in that building over the years. 

You can also have a blether with the new owner Peter Gibson who will have draft plans on display showing how the hotel will be developed as sixteen apartments and a town house. 

Peter tells the Gurn that he has been away from Nairn for 26 years (20 of them overseas) and that when he came back to Nairn he decided he needed a wee project and along with his wife Raelene brought the hotel at auction. 

A lot of Gurnites will already know Peter, his mum, Betty,  was the former owner of Dallas the Jewellers. 

Please note access to parts of the hotel will be restricted as they are not safe for the public to enter. 

High-Fi for Nairn – Free WiFi is rolled out across 14 Highland towns

Free wifi goes live in Nairn

NAIRN now has access to free WiFi in and around the centre of the town thanks to a project led by the Highland Council and funded by the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.

The free WiFi, called “High-Fi”, is aimed at stimulating economic growth and will increase digital inclusion across the Highlands. Easy access to digital connectivity is seen as essential if the Highlands region is to be innovative and keep its competitive place in the tourism market.

Allied to this, WiFi also offers the opportunity to gather data to support tourism and the creation of a wireless infrastructure in a town centre allows smart traffic management technology to be utilised.

The first phase was a Pilot in part of Inverness City Centre which was later rolled out to the wider city in early 2017 as Phase 2. The 3rd Phase will see the roll-out of the free WiFi to 14 towns in Highland.

Nairn is among the first of the 14 towns to get free wifi. Additional towns to receive High-Fi during phase 3 of the project include Alness, Aviemore, Dingwall, Dornoch, Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus, Fort William, Invergordon, Nairn, Portree, Tain, Thurso, Ullapool and Wick.

The rollout for all14 towns will be completed by the late spring of 2018, and involves local communities, groups and businesses.

Chair of the Nairn Committee, Councillor Tom Heggie said:

“This project is fantastic news for Nairn and I am sure it will be welcomed by everyone who lives here, as well as visitors. Digital connectivity is essential these days for daily life and the free access to WiFi will enable visitors and locals to make the most of local businesses by checking what’s on, where to visit, opening hours, accommodation and prices, as well as finding job opportunities and keeping in touch with family and friends.

“High-Fi will be great for posting photos of Nairn on social media and helping to promote the town, and all this region offers, to the wider world. I hope to see lots of #NairnHigh-Fi.”

The City-Region Deal sets out the areas where the Scottish Government will commit investment of up to £135m and the UK Government will commit investment of up to £53.1m, which, together with £127m of further investment by the Council and partners, will deliver a step change in digital connectivity, digital healthcare, skills, innovation and infrastructure.

UK Government minister Lord Duncan said:

“Digital connectivity isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. The roll out of free Wi-Fi will help locals and businesses as well as making it easier for tourists visiting picturesque locations such as Nairn to share their experiences with people back home. I am pleased that the UK Government was able to directly support this essential project as part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal funding.”

https://www.highland.gov.uk/site/high-fi/index.html

How to use:

Turn on WiFi on your mobile phone or other device

For High-Fi it shows the town name first e.g. NAIRN_WiFi_Free (High-Fi)

Log-on with either your social media details or by entering your email address

Start enjoying the free WiFi!

For Inverness WiFi go to your wifi settings and select NESS_WiFi_Free