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UHI Principal and Vice-chancellor Professor Tod Walker has apologised for apparently labelling some of the tuition provided through UHI as ‘vanity courses’. Many question the apparently disparaging criticism of some courses by the new Principal, and are asking whether Prof Walker’s views were known when he was appointed. Was he perhaps hired to oversee a fundamental overhaul of UHI courses?
Pictures of Taliban troops sporting abandoned American uniforms and American weapons must be among the most embarrassing images the US has ever had to endure. The thousands of people who are still in hiding, and in fear for their own and their families’ is reminiscent of the plight of the thousands of Highlanders evicted without compassion in the 19th century, many of whose ancestors across the world will be tuning in to the live streaming of the Royal National Mod next month.
A former teacher used to tell us “a good general never retreats – he always turns around and advances!” But the politics and armed services of civilised nations must be based on sound moral principles and where that fails, as when the UK abandons hundreds of former Afghan support staff and their families to potential barbaric Taliban vengeance, the self-respect of the nation suffers.
As an experienced traveller over my working life I have often criticised inconsiderate, impatient, and rude service at airports and other travel hubs. Following the lifting of Covid related restrictions it was a treat to travel south to celebrate a grandson’s birthday – and the very commendable standards of service which we experienced at Inverness Airport and on Easyjet made the journey particularly easy and memorable.
This week’s column takes a slightly humorous view of the problems caused by the holiday season influx of hire-car drivers to the Highlands and Islands. People who are frequently driving vehicles seriously beyond their experience or competence in relation to single track roads.
This week Allan supports the move for swimming to be taught in schools, hopefully preventing future tragic drownings, and he pays tribute to the redoubtable peripatetic PT teacher Mrs Maggie Weir who taught Skye primary children swimming using a portable canvas “pool” in the 1960s.
Devastating floods in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands are a stark reminder of the destructive power of water. Between vast areas of America aflame as a consequence of abnormal heat, and the European flood disaster, Glasgow’s November COP agenda is taking on a new urgency daily.
This week Allan comments on tourist traffic in Skye, congratulates music festival Blas on plans to commemorate 19th century Gaelic bard Mary MacPherson, champion of the
Land League crofting struggle of the late 19th century, and asks the whimsical question of what the bard would think of Skye and its tourism today.
One positive legacy of Covid which should remain and grow, is neighbourliness.
VisitScotland rightly recognises the unique added interest which Gaelic language and culture offers to both staycation and foreign visitors, so it was a disappointing missed opportunity for the industry and the language to see no reference to Gaelic in two otherwise nice marketing publications last week.
