As constituents will know I have decided to stand down as your MSP at the next election in May 2016.
The National Executive of the party decided that where MSP’s were standing down there should be all female shortlists. I heartily approved of this decision. Since the Suffragettes won women the vote there has been much talk of equality but sadly our representatives at local and national level are still predominantly aged, and male. This must change as there are many highly capable women both young and old out there who will bring a fresh perspective to political decision making.
Therefore, it is with delight that Katie Forbes has been chosen as the SNP candidate to succeed me as the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch election hopeful for 2016. I am confident this bright local woman, who has among other skills fluent Gaelic, commercial training and a sharp mind, has all the tools to do a wonderful job for the constituency if she is elected next year.
I attended the Arisaig Highland Games, which was a great example on how to organise a successful event and I spoke with Joanne Matheson, the Secretary of “Made in Lochaber” about the promotion of Artists and Artisans and even managed to purchase myself a hand crafted stick.
Made in Lochaber is a group of food and craft producers living and working in the Lochaber area, their range of specialism going from freshly butchered venison and cured meats, smoked produce, jams and chutneys, to fine art, textiles, ceramics and woodwork, and much more besides.
It was particularly good to stop and chat with Joanne. I am a firm believer in buying local and do so when I can and I would encourage folk to do the same.
It was interesting to visit Drimsallie Hatchery, near Glenfinnan, which was set up 20 years ago to address the decline of wild salmon and sea trout in Lochaber. It is run by the River Lochy Association (the owning syndicate on the River Lochy) on a not for profit basis and currently attracts contributions from a wide range of stakeholders. The hatchery is managed by full time Fisheries Restoration Manager, Jon Gibb.
I was glad to meet Jon who informed me that Salmon of up to 22lbs have been recorded and this year has seen the best return of spring fish from the programme so far. Jon hopes to soon be working with Marine Scotland Science to formally monitor the project’s success. I wish the Hatchery and Jon in particular all the best for further improved rates of adult salmon and every success going forward.
It was good to see progress on the bridges along the A830 when I was driving on the road recently. The new Dearg Bridge in particular is already of significant benefit to the A830 and it marked the start of the major investment programme in bridges along this lifeline route, which I can testify is coming along very nicely indeed.
I have been away for a summer holiday and am now starting on a busy schedule of events and surgeries across the constituency. By the time you read this, I will have been at the Glenfinnan Highland Games on Saturday (15th Aug) and the Lochaber Agricultural Show on Saturday (22nd Aug).
I have also been hosting surgeries across the constituency and in Lochaber and the surrounding area these were held on the 15th August in Mallaig (community centre), the 20th of August in Fort William (service point), Caol (community centre), Spean (Spean bridge hotel) and then on the 21st of August in Ballachulish (village hall) and Glencoe (St Mary’s church hall).
I hope you have all managed or soon will manage some relaxation here or further afield and I wish you are blessed with better weather than we have been experiencing of late.
This website was established while I was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Promoted and published by Ian Anderson on behalf of Dave Thompson, both at Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch SNP, Thorfin House,
Bridgend Business Park, Dingwall IV15 9SL. Website designed and hosted by Craig Mackay Design