Nairn to feauture in BBC's My Kind of Town election special series.

Nairn to feature in BBC Scotland's "My Kind of Town" election specials. The programme will air this Sunday (2nd) on the BBC Scotland channel at 10.30pm and then again the following Wednesday (5th) at 8.30pm 

 

"Ian Hamilton and his guide dog Major are back on the road for a two-part election special.

The pair head on a journey across Scotland to find out the issues that matter to Scottish communities, as the country gets ready to go to the polls on 6 May."

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000vvqc

 

Swans and Waterfowl trust members and volunteers out yesterday doing some maintenance and litter picking etc down at Swan Island

Here's Joe with the crew that were out in yesterday's sunshine down at Swan Island.

click on image to enlarge

Anyone taken Joe's shovel by mistake?

Joe tells the Gurn: "Someone has taken my round mouthed shovel from beside the Swans Island. I use frequently for shoveling the river stones , repairing the mot area etc. I had it hidden just over the Bank close to the island . Have had that shovel for donkeys years, and it's the only tool fit for the job of shifting stones and gravel.

Whoever took it, if they would be good enough to return it, important for the upkeep of the island moat."

Greens call for Highland Council to follow Glasgow by divesting in fossil fuels

Ariane Burgess, the lead candidate for the Scottish Greens in Highland & Islands region has called for Highand Council to deliver real climate leadership by following Glasgow City Council in ending its pension funds investments in fossil fuels.

According to a recent report by Friends of the Earth Scotland and a coalition of environmental groups, Highland Council Pension Fund has £46,148,655 invested in fossil fuels.

Commenting, Ariane Burgess, who is the Scottish Greens’ lead candidate in the Highland and Islands region at the Holyrood election, said:
“Public money should be used for the public good. People in Highland don’t want to see these pension funds exacerbating the climate crisis, particularly when this money could be invested into socially responsible areas like green energy production, house building and public transport improvements.”

“If Glasgow can end its support then so can Highland. Divestment is only the first step to tackling the climate emergency. The Scottish Greens will invest in a green recovery from the pandemic that creates 100,000 jobs while reducing Scotland’s emissions. That’s why we’re asking people to vote like our future depends on it.”

 

Discretionary Grant Fund Scheme extended

The Highland Council has today (1 April 2021) reopened the Discretionary Grant fund to allow more businesses to apply to the scheme.

Having seen the number of applications received and the fact that extra money was made available to the Council the grant scheme can now support a wider range of businesses and offer a higher level of grant than originally anticipated.

Businesses now have until 5pm on Friday 9 April to apply for grant.

The Council’s Economy and Regeneration Manager Andy McCann explained: “When we first launched the grant scheme we were unsure how many businesses would apply so initially planned to award a grant of up to £2,000 to all qualifying businesses.

“Based on the number of applications and extra funding received we are now able to give grant to all eligible applicants of up to £4,000.”

“The grant scheme remains focused on supporting those businesses who have, for whatever reason, fallen through the funding gaps and who have experienced a reduction in trade. The extra funding available has allowed Highland Council to award grant to those businesses that have seen a reduction in trade of 10% or more due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

The Council urges all affected businesses to go to its website – www.highland.gov.uk/discretionarygrantscheme (external link) take 15 minutes to read the guidance and if they consider themselves to be eligible, to gather the bank and business evidence required and to apply using the online form.

Andy McCann added: “As this is now a larger grant scheme to administer, we ask that applicants bear with us as we process their applications and get payment out to them. We know how desperate businesses are for the funds and we will endeavour to get this money to eligible businesses as quickly as we can. Businesses can help us to do this by ensuring they get their application right first time and give us all the information we need.”

 

Beavers for Sandown and further rewilding exclusive

From our ecological correspondent:

Following his recent relocation from Norway to Inverness, self-proclaimed eco-warrior, Dr Olaf Lirop’s intention to reintroduce Beavers to the Highlands has created some controversy in Nairn. His project team has already set up a Crowdfunding page, SBANS – “Scottish Beavers at Nairn Sandown” – which has received substantial contributions from many locals. Known amongst his fellow eco-warriors as “Tumshy”, Dr Lirop believes that the beavers would soon establish a large pond in the centre of the south Sandown field which would encourage species diversity within the current, wetland habitat, and its currently very frail pool. 

Highland Natural Heritage welcomed the proposal as the first step in a programme to fully re-wild the neighbouring Delnies Woods. They hope that over the next few years a number of previously native species will be re-introduced, including Wild Boar in 2022, Lynx in 2023 and if approved, Wolves before the end of the decade. 

Nairn’s Lord Provost has some reservations about the scheme, but hopes that if it is given the green light, then it could provide a much-needed tourism boost for the town. Local farmers are less keen on Dr Lirop’s intentions, with the Scottish Farmers Union asking for a period of consultation before the 4 breeding pairs of Lynx are released in 2 years’ time.

Nairn West and Suburban Community Council will discuss the matter at their emergency meeting scheduled for this Thursday (1st April).