Colcam

A nice wee squabble is starting in Inverness over housing developments near Culloden, supposed site of the famous battle in 1746. Panic has ensued at the thought of new houses being built anywhere near the place, in case the "atmosphere" is affected.

The National Trust for Scotland wants to buy surrounding land to fend off the threat from new homes, and are seeking planning permission from the Highland Council for a £7 million visitor center. The Trust have no budget for land purchase, but they plan an international appeal for the funds to set up a buffer zone.

An objection has been lodged from a neighbor worried about noise and development of the green belt. And the design of the new building - naturally.

Planning officials are recommending approval of the project, which has been developed by Tony Pollard, a minor TV "celebrity", and a bunch of historians. Museum designer Ralph Appelbaum, who did the US Holocaust Museum, is to create the exhibition space. The Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland has backed the plans.

Now, we all know that the '45 rebellion was all about Bonnie Prince Charlie taking exception to the Duke of Cumberland and HIS dodgy real estate plans, but starting it up again over a bit of bog that may or may not be the site of the original battle (nobody seems to know for sure) perfectly illustrates the mentality of the powers that be in this Godforsaken bad joke of a place.

In reality, this has more to do with money, and a bunch of modern day "Dukes" wanting to impose their grand ideas on the rest of us. Instead of a new visitor center at Culloden, let's have an enormous high rise car park with a park and ride bus service to somewhere worth visiting - like Glasgow, Edinburgh or Dundee, - whose Councils have made such a success of making their town centers into pleasant and interesting places to visit. ANYWHERE but Inverness and Fort William, both of which are.......

Unattractive, dull, uninteresting, dirty and completely lacking in charm or culture. The Councils responsible blatantly play on the fact that tourists will keep on coming because of the myth of the Loch Ness Monster, and make no effort to improve conditions whatsoever.


See all recent posts.