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YOUR VIEWS: Readers on the stories making the headlines.
Housing plan has major traffic implications
The proposal to dump a 400 house development at Essich Road needs examined critically from several perspectives, and not the least with regard to the traffic implications.
Its proposed size would generate vast quantities of extra traffic, and I struggle to see how that would move in and out other than via the already ever more congested and obsolescent Southern Distributor Road (SDR), probably at the already frequently gridlocked Essich Roundabout.
This is just part of a seven mile arc of traffic chaos from the harbour via the Inshes roundabout, with its 15 minute three-quarter mile tailbacks, right through the SDR and West Link to Tomnahurich. The common factor here is long term development which exceeds the capacity of the road network to serve it.
What has been historically offloaded between The Fluke and Simpsons, across Inshes, is stupendous. And now, with a great deal in between, Tomnahurich, with its alarmingly unreliable two bridge system, is expected to accommodate traffic for everything from the Bught leisure areas to apparently eternal development at Craig Dunain.
But let’s return to the Essich section of this south Inverness problem where, especially at school times, extensive gridlock can already prevail anywhere between Holm Mains and Asda. Pedestrian underpasses at the Royal Academy and the Essich Roundabouts would help, but the fundamental issue is the one which affects the entire southern periphery of Inverness.
There seems to be some kind of death wish in terms of constant, almost hysterical development there, without regard for various necessary infrastructure provisions, and the traffic implications of simply dropping 400 houses at Essich therefore have to be a major consideration.
Charles Bannerman
Culduthel Mains Court
Inverness
Club night event is a big success
An inaugural nightclub event for young people with additional support needs has been described as ‘hugely successful’. Cantraybridge College students and other supported young people danced the night away at The Playhouse in Nairn.
“Our daughter went on her own, didn’t know a single person, and came home beaming and chatty. Superb initiative providing what neurotypical young adults take for granted.” – Lorna Ross
“This was an awesome night out, we are very much looking forward to the next one. How lovely to have a social evening for adults to relax and enjoy themselves in a safe space.” – Elisabeth Slaven
“It was a fabulous event, we took nine residents who thoroughly enjoyed the evening.” – Violet Ross
Inspection finds school in need of improvement
An inspection report of an Inverness specialist school has found it to be ‘weak’ in all key areas. The report echoes the concerns that parents of children at Drummond School have been sharing for years, including over insufficient staff numbers.
“My son attended Drummond School for nine years and I have high praise and commendation for the staff. If the school is classed as ‘weak’ in all areas, it is certainly not due to the staff commitment.” – Elsie M Normington
“My boys go to St Clements school, the staff are amazing and caring with all children who go there, sadly they haven’t got what they need but the community help out and they get to go to outdoor activities. I would imagine Drummond School would be similar, staff amazing and caring to all children. It’s difficult to meet all children’s needs if the Highland Council don’t help the schools.” – Lorraine Evans
“Drummond School was a life changer for my son when he went there. The staff were excellent and very caring.” – Graeme Gair
“It always comes down to staffing and resources. If they had the staff and resources the children and staff actually need, not what councils think they need, they wouldn’t be marked ‘weak’. There is nothing weak about these staff, pupils or families who need this school.” – Tracey Friel
Post delays impacting city businesses
“Real and tangible consequences” are befalling Inverness businesses because of repeated delays and non-delivery of urgent mail. That’s the warning of Inverness Business Improvement District after calling for Royal Mail bosses to engage with local companies to try to remedy the situation.
“I had virtually no post for weeks and then one big delivery, some of the mail was over three weeks old.” – Nigel Smith
“Maybe investigate the managers who prioritise parcels over mail, and that have made the duty sizes that big, posties can’t clear their frames.” – Euan Scott
“Totally agree – mail delivery seems to be, at best, once a week in my area. Today three letters all posted on different days by 1st class mail. No wonder people have no faith in 1st class mail.” – Liz Sutherland
“I received a letter today that was posted by the National Treatment Centre, which was typed on the 24th November 2025 and posted on the 25th November 2025. This was an important letter. It has taken virtually three months to arrive to my house today, 13th of February. I have lived in Inverness for 70 years and have never seen the postal service in such disarray. The time has come for this shocking service to be looked at seriously and sorted. Parcels are NOT the be all and end all of everything…Time to drastically improve the sub standard service we receive in Inverness and surrounding areas.” – Bonnie Sime
“I posted a small parcel for friend’s birthday – 1st class – Sat 27th Dec. Still not turned up. I’m assuming parcel opened and stolen.” – Tracey Hamilton
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