SIR, – Recent letters (the Press and Journal, August 30 and September 2) complaining about Scotland’s Housing Expo in Inverness are indicative of a wider problem in society, namely that there are some people who simply love to be outraged and take offence at the slightest issue. It gives them a warm feeling inside to see their names in print and believe that they really are making a legitimate point. Usually they aren't.
The Housing Expo was great. I went and thought it was well organised, thought-provoking and offered a vision of what some sustainable housing could be like in contrast to the faceless, dull development that is Milton of Leys.
But what do these complainers want, other than to complain that they want to drive everywhere, continue the same old cynical cycle of seeing fault everywhere and in general be a negative influence on society? Reject them and grasp the positive.
I cycled up to the Expo the other day and I have no plans to enter the Tour de France. It gave me personal satisfaction to get there under my own steam. I would politely suggest to people who complain about lack of parking at the Expo, the cost and the ambience that they need to get fit, get on their bikes and actually see a bit of the world.
Donald Morris,
Drumdevan Road,
Loch Ardail,
Inverness.
SIR, – I attended the Housing Expo in Inverness, at the beginning and end of August, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The young guides were well briefed and charming.
Having been involved professionally for over 30 years in domestic property, I found the designs stimulating and miles better than the traditional boxes being built over the dyke. Now, Inverness has a colony of houses which are distinctively Invernessian, unlike virtually all new private housing developments, which are bland and the same, regardless of their location.
They provided spacious living, good-sized garden plots and delightful views and many used exterior surfaces and treatments used widely in European areas wetter than ours.
The development is not the finished product – I don't think that was the intention – and anyone can find faults, but the same could be said of houses by Adam, Rennie Mackintosh and Lorimer.
I reckon that within a short period, the Expo site will be among the most desirable places to live in Inverness.
The only thing lacking is imagination in your critical correspondents.
Graeme McCormick,
Redhouse Cottage,
Arden,
Loch Lomond.
SIR, – While researching my family tree, I discovered that my grandmother Mary Helen Mills had seven siblings.
Her parents were Jessie and William Whyte, a potato merchant. They lived at 14 Lochalsh Road, Inverness, until their deaths in 1928 and 1920.
I am keen to know if I have any relatives living in the Highlands who would be their descendants.
The first child was William, who was born in 1877. He married Margaret Smith in 1906 and Johan Shaw in 1925, two years after Margaret’s death. He was a lorryman who lived at 3 Portland Place, Inverness, until he died in 1952.
Then there was Ann, born in 1878, who emigrated to Canada, I believe, and married Colin Lamb; Jessie, born 1880; John, born 1881; Elspeth Bella, born 1885; Christina, born 1892, and Alice, born 1897, who married Robert Morrison in 1919.
I would love to hear from anyone who recognises these people to help me learn more about my mother's family.
If anyone can help, I can be contacted at the address below.
Ann Robertson,
59 Buchan Drive,
Dunblane FK15 9HW.
SIR, – Your story (August 31) headed “Outrage as teachers urged to spend more time teaching" gave the misleading impression that teachers could spend 12 more hours each week teaching.
In primary schools, the McCrone deal gives teachers two-and-a-half hours each week of class contact reduction time. As the children are in school for 25 hours each week, primary teachers could spend only these two-and-a-half hours in teaching and not the 12 that the story misleadingly suggests.
Most teachers I know work a lot longer than their contractual hours day after day. We don't appear at 9am and disappear as soon as the children have gone home.
I could go on, but I just wanted to correct the unfortunate impression given by your story.
E. Mackenzie,
Duke Street,
Cromarty.
SIR, – I read with interest your piece (September 1) on the removal of Debra Storr as vice-chairwoman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee. I worked quite closely with Debra when I was parish minister at Belhelvie Parish Church. I found her to be an intelligent, positive, enthusiastic person, willing to address issues in a fair and balanced way.
It was to my regret some years later, after my retirement, that I found myself communicating with Debra and declaring that she had lost all credibility in my eyes because of her single-minded opposition to the Donald Trump project, regardless of what wider benefits such a project would bring to the area.
I also wrote to Michael Forbes, suggesting that if all the press comments said about him were true, in my eyes, he would be local zero rather than local hero. I wanted him to tidy up his farm (not to sell), which I, not Donald Trump, described as a midden.
I did not do this lightly as I was privileged to officiate at Michael’s father’s funeral (a very fine man).
Michael was not impressed. He thought I was angling for free membership of the Trump course. I am a fully paid-up member of the Newburgh-on-Ythan Golf Club, and very happy, with no need of such membership.
As for Debra Storr’s removal as vice-chairwoman, I am willing to guess there has been no witch-hunt.
Rev Dr Daniel Hawthorn,
Crimond Drive
Ellon.