University is great step forward for Highlands
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IT has been an eventful few weeks. I was lucky enough to be invited to the official launch of UHI – a really proud moment. We now have our own fully fledged university. The ceremony was lovely and the presentation of the mace from the sponsoring universities was very moving.
However, what is most important is that young people no longer have to move away from home to access higher education.
Those who chose not to leave can now access this on their own doorsteps. This is really a great step forward for the Highlands and Islands, and hopefully will provide many opportunities for the development of the area.
That was before the storms. I watched the TV coverage of Hurricane Irene in America and couldn’t help but wonder what they were complaining about when it was blowing a hooley here.
It was very worrying that we had flooding again and it’s still not autumn, far less winter!
A worrying time also for our lifeboats crews who often are called out in these conditions, and last week was no exception.
They are extremely brave but this must be very difficult for their families.
However, the job they do is crucial and we must always appreciate their work, and I’m sure the crew Thurso lifeboat went to help last week are also very thankful. When you see the life-saving work of people who come to our rescue we shouldn’t forget the work of the emergency services, and it was worrying to note that the road safety record in Caithness is very poor.
YOUNG people are being targeted for road safety campaigns, which is good – young people are best at spreading education and changing our culture – but everyone needs to play their own role in making sure that roads are safe, both by driving safely and also being considerate to other road users.
Slow-moving traffic can be really frustrating when you are stuck behind it and have somewhere to be.
I suppose the best thing is to make sure you leave enough time for your journey so that you are likely to be early rather than rushing.
I drive round the Highlands and Islands a lot and am almost always rushing.
Leaving time would be a good thing because we have lovely scenery and I always wish I had time to pull off the road and just spend some time looking at it – I very seldom get the chance.
A road accident can be a tragedy for those involved but it can also devastate many other lives, families and friends who lose loved ones.
They have to live with the effects of an accident that maybe could have been avoided if we would all just take a little more care.
Maybe think about it the next time you get behind the wheel – I’m going to try to.
