A survey found that many charities hold substantial cash reserves, yet almost half lack confidence in their long-term financial stability. The findings point to a disconnect between balances held and the role those funds play in supporting sustainable operations.

While reserves remain a vital safety net, the research highlights an opportunity for charities to make their money work harder. By reviewing where cash is held and exploring more suitable savings options, charities could strengthen resilience without increasing risk or reducing accessibility.

Redwood Bank was named Best Charity Savings Provider at the MoneyComms Top Performers Awards 2026, alongside Best Notice Business Savings Provider, following the publication of its report, “How Smarter Saving Can Strengthen the UK Charity Sector”. The survey found that 69 per cent of UK charities hold over £50,000 in savings, with almost half (46 per cent) holding more than £100,000. When current accounts are included, 84 per cent hold more than £50,000 and 68.5 per cent hold over £100,000.

Despite these substantial balances, charities are under mounting pressure:

80 per cent reported rising day-to-day costs
73 per cent said they struggle to secure stable donations and funding
62 per cent have seen the value of donations decrease
Almost half (49 per cent) lack confidence in their long-term financial stability

One charity said, “We face increases in demand for our services at the same time as our donations are falling. That combination is unsustainable.”

The research also shows that while 81 per cent of charities review their savings at least annually, many still do not seek alternatives that could improve returns. More than half (56 per cent) do not hold a savings account with a second provider, choosing instead to keep their money in a current account, with over a third of these charities citing lack of awareness of the options available.

The survey highlighted what matters most when choosing a savings account. Alongside competitive interest rates (85 per cent), charities value accessibility and withdrawal terms (72 per cent), bank reputation (60 per cent), digital ease (56 per cent) and ethical or social values (51 per cent).

The findings have prompted the specialist bank to draft its first Redwood Research Report, “How Smarter Saving Can Strengthen the UK Charity Sector”, which sets out practical steps to help organisations make their reserves work harder.

Jessica Darrah, Senior Savings Product Manager at Redwood, said, “Charities are working tirelessly to support communities but are often doing so under financial strain and with limited options. Our research shows that while many have substantial reserves, these funds are not always working as hard as they could or should be. When every pound matters, smarter saving strategies could make a real difference to financial resilience.

“As a specialist business bank, we can provide personal service with consistently competitive savings rates. The Bank has been recognised as the Best Business Variable Rate Deposit Account Provider at the Moneyfacts Awards for seven consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to delivering value and clarity for customers.

“Unlike traditional high street banks, we can focus on understanding the specific needs of charities and smaller organisations. Our dedicated savings products and knowledgeable team aim to make saving simpler, more transparent and better suited to the realities of the sector.”

The Ardersier Port Community Benefit Fund is provided by Haventus and is administered by Foundation Scotland. The Fund provides £100,000 per year, rising in line with inflation, for a period of ten years, representing a commitment of more than £1 million to local communities over its lifetime.

The Fund supports charitable activity that enhances quality of life, promotes community spirit and contributes to vibrant, healthy and sustainable communities. It is open to groups and organisations working to benefit people in the community council areas of Ardersier and Petty, Cawdor, Croy and Culloden Moor, and West Nairn and Suburban.

The Fund operates two tiers of grant-making, small grants of between £200 and £1,000, which can be applied for at any time, and large grants of up to £10,000, which are open for applications four times each year. Full details of how to apply, eligibility criteria and guidance are available at:

https://redwoodbank.co.uk/savings/charity-savings-accounts

Nairn’s first Cold-Call Control Zone (CCCZ) has been launched at Lodgehill by Nairn West & Suburban CC (NWSCC).

The initiative is backed by Highland Council Trading Standards and Police Scotland to deter door-to-door callers and rogue traders operating in areas with higher numbers of elderly and vulnerable residents who may feel threatened by unwanted approaches.

There was strong support for setting up a CCCZ from respondents to a survey of residents in Fraser Park, Lodgehill Park and Woodville Gardens, which included examples of previous dubious cold-callers offering home and garden services. Financial support from the Nairnshire Ward Discretionary Fund and NWSCC has funded control zone street signs to be installed in the area and a residents’ pack containing a door sticker and information on dealing with and reporting cold-callers is being distributed to all homes.

Kevin Reid, Chair of NWSCC, said, “It was interesting to get feedback on the range of cold call activities in the Lodgehill area and so we are delighted to support the setting up of Nairn’s first Cold-Call Control Zone. We hope that any residents who may feel threatened by unknown callers will be less exposed to such approaches or will have the confidence from the materials supplied to ask them to leave or report them.”

As part of our ongoing coverage of infrastructure issues in Nairn, we want to keep local residents informed about developments taking place behind the scenes regarding the town’s sewage system.

Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE), which is leading work on the Community-Led Local Place Plan, has shared a detailed update outlining ongoing concerns and proposed alternatives to planned works by Scottish Water.

The update highlights long-standing issues with sewage overflows in parts of the town, particularly around the Merryton Bridge and Riverside areas, where untreated sewage has historically entered public spaces and the River Nairn during periods of heavy rainfall.

According to NICE, emergency maintenance carried out in October 2025 appears to have resolved these immediate issues, with no further incidents reported in recent months.

However, concerns remain over plans to install a new Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) at the Lochloy Junction on the A96. NICE argues that the proposed location could lead to significant disruption to traffic, local businesses, and daily life in the town.

The group has put forward an alternative proposal, suggesting the infrastructure could be located closer to the existing outfall point, reducing disruption while still meeting environmental requirements.

NICE also expressed concern that strict national deadlines for completing such projects may be limiting flexibility in finding solutions that better reflect local conditions.

Due to time constraints, we have not yet been able to seek comment from Scottish Water or the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as responses are received.

Your thoughts and responses to stories in The Nairnshire Community Newspaper. We welcome your letters on local issues, our reporting, or anything that matters to the Nairn community. Email editor@nairnshire.org with Letters to the Editor in the subject line.

Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Please include your name and area of residence.

Water infrastructure concerns in Nairn by Brian

Having followed recent coverage of water and drainage issues in Nairn, I welcome the focus on what is a long-standing and complex challenge for the town.

Problems relating to water supply, drainage, sewage, and flooding have been ongoing for many years and are closely tied to wider infrastructure concerns. These include the capacity of existing systems to cope with development, as well as increasing pressures linked to climate change, particularly in relation to flood prevention. There has been sustained engagement from local community groups over the years, raising concerns and submitting representations to relevant authorities and agencies. However, there remains a perception among some residents that these concerns have not always been fully addressed.

The current Scottish Water project to upgrade infrastructure in the Lochloy Road area is the latest development in a longer history of debate around planning, consultation, and delivery.

It is important that these issues are considered not only in terms of individual experiences, but also within the broader context of infrastructure planning, decision-making, and community engagement.

The awards reflect the breadth of need across the communities which the Fund serves, from youth wellbeing and outdoor learning to arts provision, heritage conservation and mental health support.

Awards are made by a local decision-making panel, drawn from the four community councils in the Fund area, Petty and Ardersier, Cawdor and West Nairnshire, Croy and Culloden Moor and Nairn West and Suburban. This locally led approach ensures that funding stays rooted in the needs and priorities of these communities.

The Nairn Community & Arts Centre received the largest award of £10,000 to help cover essential running costs including utilities, staffing, equipment maintenance and overheads, ensuring the Centre remains open, accessible and affordable for the community.

Bob Ferenth, Chair of Nairn Community & Arts Centre, said, “The funding from Haventus has been vital in helping to keep the Nairn Community & Arts Centre open, welcoming and accessible at a time when rising costs threaten its future.

“This support has helped ensure that over 50 community groups and 65,000 annual visitors continue to have a place to meet, connect and belong. Without this funding, many of these groups, particularly those supporting vulnerable people, would have faced increased costs or reduced services.

“For many individuals, the Centre is more than a building, it is a lifeline. Older people living alone, individuals with disabilities, carers and young people continue to find friendship, support and a sense of purpose within its walls. The grant has helped protect these connections, reducing isolation and strengthening the wellbeing and resilience of the community at a time when it is needed most.”

Growing2gether was awarded £8,576 to deliver its Nursery Mentoring programme, supporting disadvantaged young people in Nairn with a structured approach to building quality of life and wellbeing at an early stage.

Gavin Morgan, Co-CEO at Growing2gether, said, “We are delighted and grateful to the Haventus Ardersier Port Community Benefit Fund, which is enabling us to deliver our Nursery Mentoring programme, pairing teenagers from Nairn Academy with nursery/P1 children from Millbank Primary School.

“The teenagers gain valuable work experience, a sense of achievement and a positive growth mindset in their mentoring to children, as well as an SCQF qualification. The children gain a valuable mentor to support them.

“The programme helps improve mental health and wellbeing for young people and children who may not otherwise get this type of experience. A special thank you to both Nairn Academy and Millbank Primary School for their support of this programme, achieved through the Haventus Ardersier Port Community Benefit Fund.”

Blue Space Highland will receive £4,000 towards its Blue Start 2026 programme, funding and expanding a year of blue space, water-based activity alongside organisational development for referred participants, with a focus on health and wellbeing outcomes.

Nairn Academy Parent Council will receive £5,000 to contribute to the creation of A Quiet Space, a new memorial garden at Nairn Academy, featuring a wooden memorial and bespoke benching with planters, offering a reflective and social environment for young people, bereaved families and the wider community.

Finally, Nairn United Reformed Church was awarded £5,000 towards the replacement of three sets of leaded-style windows, restoring the building’s structural integrity, improving its energy efficiency and securing its continued use as both a place of worship and a community facility.

David Logie, Chief People Officer at Haventus, said, “We’re proud to support projects that make a real difference to people living within the local community. Through our Community Benefit Fund, we’re able to invest in initiatives that strengthen community connections, support local organisations and help create lasting benefits for the area.”

The Ardersier Port Community Benefit Fund is provided by Haventus and is administered by Foundation Scotland. The Fund provides £100,000 per year, rising in line with inflation, for a period of ten years, representing a commitment of more than £1 million to local communities over its lifetime.

The Fund supports charitable activity that enhances quality of life, promotes community spirit and contributes to vibrant, healthy and sustainable communities. It is open to groups and organisations working to benefit people in the community council areas of Ardersier and Petty, Cawdor, Croy and Culloden Moor, and West Nairn and Suburban.

The Fund operates two tiers of grant-making, small grants of between £200 and £1,000, which can be applied for at any time, and large grants of up to £10,000, which are open for applications four times each year. Full details of how to apply, eligibility criteria and guidance are available at:

www.foundationscotland.org.uk/haventus-ardersier-port-community-fund

The next Nairn Common Good Engagement Group is due to be held on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 and agenda items are now being invited.

Any properly constituted community group with an interest in Nairn’s Common Good can submit an item for consideration by the members. The discussion at the engagement group will inform the elected members at the next Area Committee.

The form for submission of proposed agenda items is available at: https://bit.ly/NCGEG-May2026

The deadline for submissions through the online form is 10 am on Thursday, 21 May 2026.

For the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election results, visit the official Highland Council website: https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/17237/scottish-parliament-election-2026-result-for-inverness-and-nairn

On Thursday, 7 May 2026, voters in Scotland will have the opportunity to vote for both local constituency MSPs and the political party or independent candidate for each region. For Nairnshire, this means voting in the local Inverness and Nairn constituency MSP election and the regional Highland election.

To vote in Scottish Parliament and council elections, you must live in Scotland and be either:

• a British citizen,

• an Irish citizen,

• a foreign national of another country who is permitted to enter or stay in the UK,

• registered to vote at an address in Scotland.

You must also be aged 16 on the day of the election. Young people can still register to vote up to two years in advance of an election (aged 14 or over for Scottish Parliament and council elections; aged 16 or over for UK Parliament elections), but must already be 16 years old by 7 May 2026 to be eligible for the upcoming elections.

If you have not registered to vote, you must apply by 5 pm on 20 April 2026 to be eligible.

Register to vote online at: https://gov.uk/register-to-vote

You will be asked for your National Insurance number when you register, but you can still register without one. Likewise, if you do not have a fixed or permanent address (e.g. homeless, a member of the Armed Forces, a Crown servant or British Council employee, or their spouse), you can still register.

If you are concerned about your details appearing on the electoral register for safety reasons (for yourself or for the safety of another person in your home), you can register to vote anonymously after providing evidence online.

For more information on alternative ways to vote, please see: https://www.mygov.scot/vote-elections-scotland/register-to-vote

If you have already received your polling card from the Electoral Registration Office (ERO), it will tell you when, where and how to vote. Remember to bring along a valid piece of identification, and please follow all official guidance given by the ERO and the Scottish Government if you intend to vote.

Voters who previously registered at their primary addresses will have already received their polling cards telling them where to find their nearest polling station, a local community hub where you can vote.

In Nairn and Cawdor, these stations are:

• MI18A – Seamans Hall, Nairn

• MI18B – Nairn Community & Arts Centre

• MI18C – Seamans Hall, Nairn

• MI18D – Dunbar Memorial Hall (High Street, Auldearn)

• MI18E – Nairn Community & Arts Centre

• MI18F – Nairn Community & Arts Centre

• MI18G – Fornighty Hall

• MI18H – Fornighty Hall

• MI18I – Cawdor Community Centre

For postal voters, please check your mail, as your postal voting letter may arrive in the near future. Applications for postal voting closed earlier in the year, so if you did not register, you may need to attend in person or vote in absentia.

If you are unable to vote yourself or cannot go to the polling station in person, you can get someone else to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy. You must return your application form by 5 pm, six working days before polling day; when changing or cancelling an existing postal, proxy or postal proxy vote, you must return your application form by 5 pm, 11 working days before polling day.

If you are not already registered to vote, you must apply to register before applying for a proxy vote. The deadline to register to vote is midnight, 12 working days before polling day.

Register to vote online at: https://gov.uk/register-to-vote

Find the application to vote by proxy at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-to-vote-by-proxy-at-a-particular-election-or-referendum

If you have a disability, you can take someone with you into the polling station to help you vote; the person helping you must be legally eligible to vote. Polling stations aim to meet accessibility needs as far as reasonably practicable; however, if you need additional support or reasonable adjustments not listed above, contact the election office before polling day.

Lastly, as a firm reminder for disabled readers and their families who wish to vote, the ERO guidelines state: “There are no legal barriers to prevent disabled people from voting, including voters with any learning disability or cognitive impairment.”

More information on voting if you have a disability: https://www.highland.gov.uk/elections-voting/voting-information/4

All information in this notice can be found on mygov.scot, gov.uk and the official UK Electoral Commission website.

Community leaders have for some time called for a ‘levelling-up’ of Highland Council funding for Nairn, but what is the level of disparity and what is being done about it? One of Nairn’s Community Councils has done extensive work to provide evidence for what is considered a deeply unfair allocation of Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund (CRF) funding across local areas, demonstrating that current methodologies used by the Council disadvantage the town compared to other areas in the region.

Set out in a detailed letter to local councillors, Nairn West & Suburban Community Council (NWSCC) calculated that the town receives the lowest per-head share of funding from the CRF among all local areas, due to funding methodology from two key sources within the fund, namely the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) and the Place Based Investment Fund (PBIF). The disparity in funding levels is stark. According to NWSCC figures from 2024, Nairnshire received £73,842 from the Community Regeneration Fund (approximately £5.70 per person), less than two-thirds of the next lowest-funded area and dramatically below some allocations elsewhere, where Sutherland received nearly ten times more per head (£659,200, equivalent to £52.10 per head).

Coastline formula under scrutiny

The most contentious issue is the method used to distribute the Highland CCF. CCF funding is generated from seabed commercial revenue from Crown Estate Scotland, and the Scottish Government distributes funds to regions based on the relative length of their coastlines. Highland Council receives a significant allocation on that basis (£2.9M in 2023). Highland councillors voted narrowly to replicate that same formula when dividing the CCF funds among its local areas. It is the only regional council to divide these funds in this manner. For Nairnshire, this has had significant consequences. Despite being a coastal area, its relatively short coastline, just 0.47% of the Highland total, resulted in an annual allocation of just over £10,517 from the distribution in 2023/24. In comparison, Sutherland and Caithness local areas, which have similar populations to Nairn, received vastly higher annual funding of over £600,000 and £350,000 respectively, due to their extensive coastlines.

NWSCC Chair Kevin Reid said, “The Council’s approach is fundamentally unfair because it prioritises geography over population. Large, sparsely populated coastal areas benefit disproportionately, while towns like Nairn, where a high proportion of residents live within easy reach of the coast, receive far less. The unfairness of the system is compounded by the knowledge that better-funded areas have struggled to spend their full allocations, carrying money forward into future years, underlining the flaws in the current system.”

“One town, one share” problem

The PBIF presents a different but equally significant challenge for Nairn. This funding stream from the Scottish Government is designed to tackle inequality and support inclusive economic development, with allocations based on population, number of towns, and levels of deprivation.

However, NWSCC has shown that the towns allocation formula disadvantages areas with a single large settlement. Nairnshire, with a population of around 10,000, is treated as having only one town (Cawdor and Auldearn are too small to be counted) and received a single allocation of roughly £20,000 for 2020/21, whereas Badenoch and Strathspey, which have a similar overall population spread across four smaller towns, receive several allocations, amounting to more than £80,000 under the same criteria. The City of Inverness was able to claim an allocation of over £180,000 from nine towns. Kevin Reid added, “The towns calculation for the PBIF is clearly inequitable, the needs of a single large town are not necessarily less than those of several smaller communities combined.”

Missing out on multiple fronts

Beyond the CRF allocation, NWSCC has highlighted a broader funding landscape in which Nairn frequently misses out on other streams of support. For example, Inverness benefits from city-specific funding such as Levelling-Up and City Deal initiatives, while smaller rural communities can access targeted schemes like the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund. Meanwhile, Nairn falls between these categories, too large for some programmes, yet not recognised as a city or major regional hub, leaving the town at a cumulative disadvantage, missing out across multiple funding channels while receiving relatively little from those it does qualify for.

Call for change

NWSCC has urged local councillors to challenge the current allocation methods, particularly the CCF. Highland Council is an outlier in its strict application of the coastline-based formula. All other Scottish local authorities have adopted more balanced approaches, with some distributing a significant portion of funds equally among coastal communities.

Nairnshire Local Area Committee Chair Cllr Michael Green has taken up the issue for Nairn through his role as Vice-Chair of the Council’s Economy & Infrastructure Committee, and some progress has been made in recent months.

The stakes are high for Nairn. Alastair Noble, Vice-Chair of NWSCC and Chair of Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE), said, “With the Nairnshire Local Place Plan formally adopted and numerous opportunities for significant local project investment identified, a more equitable share of funding could help improve critical areas such as town centre regeneration, public facilities, investment in tourism infrastructure and harbour development. The message from Nairn is clear, the current system is not working and change is needed to ensure the town is no longer left behind.”

As the May elections approach, there is further talk of independence for Scotland by the SNP. Regardless of an individual’s politics, such a vital step requires more than simplistic attention. This article raises aspects that have to be given deep analysis.

Rational decisions are based on a set of quantifiable decision criteria. These have yet to be generally accepted by the electorate and may be difficult to universally define. Thus, before looking at some key criteria necessary to make a rational decision on independence, there are some irrational and emotional elements to be analysed. These may completely override any decision based on rational analysis.

Some refer to these as the Braveheart syndrome, named after the film Braveheart. This piece of entertainment depicted Scotland being suppressed by Edward I, King of England, historically called ‘The Hammer of the Scots’, and his representatives of Norman origin. William Wallace, a Scottish patriot, rose and defeated Edward’s army and, for a while, governed Scotland until he was ultimately defeated. In 1314, Robert the Bruce defeated Edward I’s son at Bannockburn and gained independence for Scotland.

Wallace in this film was depicted as a clever but savage and unkempt figure, whilst true historians would have him as a lesser noble, knight of the shire, educated by the monks of Paisley Abbey. This idealistic, he-man figure in the film added to the drama and, with Wallace’s end by hanging, drawing and quartering, engendered an emotional element into current day politics.

In its mildest manifestation there seems now to be a greater dislike of the English as opposed to friendly rivalry that once existed after the Second World War. In these post-war years, for example, many from both sides of the border looked forward to the annual international football match between Scotland and England. Fans of each team enjoyed a visit north or south to see the game and enjoy meeting up with friends and relatives who lived in the respective countries. Subsequent to bad behaviour and likelihood of trouble this annual event has been abandoned.

(It is interesting to note that such behaviour and sentiments have not manifested themselves in the annual rugby union Six Nations tournament.)

It is vital that any real or imagined dislike of the English does not develop beyond friendly rivalry. I have come across some who claim to hate the English. This is a dangerous attitude in such a compact geographical area as the British Isles. What these people must remember is that this can be a two-way theme with dire consequences. One only needs to look at Ireland.

A number of issues and conclusions could be drawn from these contrasting scenarios but will not be explored here.

Before any decision is made there are some key issues about how an independent Scotland is to be managed. The following, in no particular order, indicate some of the many areas of current uncertainty. The questions and comments made are not based on as yet any detailed research but are based on personal thoughts.

Culture

Scotland has some distinctive cultural differences from the rest of the UK. Some of these are obvious; music, language, social, legal, church and education. Scotland has its own legal system (Scots law), and a distinctive number of Presbyterian churches dominated by the Church of Scotland.

Language imposes a few sub-cultures, one of which is a distinctive Gaelic language which few speak but is normal everyday language in some of the remoter parts and especially in the Celtic Outer Isles. There is a concerted effort to retain and increase the use of this language.

Elsewhere there are derivatives of old tongues from which our modern English was derived. These are Lallans and Doric, and must not be confused with dialect or the patois of Glasgow. The poet Hugh MacDiarmid wrote in Lallans and there are other poets and writers who were well versed in Doric.

What may encourage and aid demands for independence is the summation of many distinctive elements which give the lifestyle of Scots an outlook on life that is distinctive from the rest of the UK and in particular England.

It is worth noting that many Scots are annoyed when there is reference to ‘England, English’, when ‘Britain and British’, respectively, is the correct accolade. An increasing number of Scots thus feel that their country is being side-lined and hence would be better apart.

However, are the above sufficient reason to demand a break from the UK?

Politics

What will the political structure be after independence? Will the SNP remain as a party or will it dissolve and Scottish parties form or reform? If not, what is its manifesto for Scotland? Will it be left, centre or right wing?

In many developing countries and ex-colonies, the predominant independence party has not given up power, rather has strengthened it by less than democratic means. This is not to suggest that the SNP would do likewise but illustrates the necessity to clearly define the reformed political breakdown for the future.

There are some indications of republican sentiments and included here would be the role or otherwise of the aristocracy and position of the current royal family. Would an independent Scotland be a republic?

Would Scotland wish to be a member of the Commonwealth?

Law and Order

As stated above, Scotland has its own legal system and surely that would continue.

However, under the current devolved structure in the UK, law and order comes under the Scottish Parliament which has centralised the former regional police forces into one, Police Scotland, albeit for reasons of efficiency and reduction of costs. It does however raise a spectre of the police being centrally controlled and used to further a government’s control over the population.

Economy

The world-renowned Scottish traditional industries no longer exist, with the exception of distilling, fishing and agriculture. Many newer industries are not mass employers, as were the traditional industries of manufacturing, engineering, ship building, iron and steel and coal mining. Also, many smaller industries such as food processing, thread manufacturing, sewing machine manufacture and jute processing have died out or have been bought out and transferred abroad by international companies who have no traditional allegiance to Scotland.

Many of the newer industries demand a different worker base, one that is educated to a higher standard than that which was necessary in past decades. With its renowned universities, that should not be a problem in Scotland, but it does demand a different mindset from the population if an industrial, commercial and service spirit of enterprise is to be developed.

The oil industry offered hope in the short term but would be difficult to reconcile with the Scottish government policy of elimination of the use of fossil fuels. It is claimed that the natural weather elements of Scotland could make the country a source of renewable energy from wind, sea and sun. It should be noted that the majority of wind farms have involved imported equipment. Does this mean that Scottish firms are too expensive to compete in the open market or there is a lack of enterprise? If Scottish costs are too high it may require a reduction in manpower costs if Scottish industry is to develop, if not survive, in highly competitive global markets.

Food and drink, along with tourism, is a major source of income.

It has been suggested that water may become important as Scotland’s excess could be exported south to England.

Currency

In the UK the legal tender is the pound sterling. Scottish banks issue their own notes but are backed by the Bank of England. Some claim that for the early years Scotland would continue to use the pound sterling. But would the Bank of England continue to permit the Scottish banks to issue their own notes? This is crucial, for the base rate of the currency would be set by the Bank of England and not by any financial institution in an independent Scotland. Thus, Scotland’s economic well-being would not be under its control.

A new Scottish currency is possible, but how this would be received abroad is unknown. Joining the EU, as indicated by the SNP, would demand use of the euro.

Different taxation policies from England and Wales would determine investment in the country. It would also have an impact on the population of Scotland with indeterminate consequences on social service, health and other factors.

Different fiscal policies would demand customs barriers on the border.

Defence

Currently the SNP are against the location of a British nuclear submarine base in Scotland. It would appear that the SNP do not wish to have a nuclear deterrent but seemingly is not against NATO and its deterrent.

Scotland’s contribution to the defence of Europe has yet to be defined. Will Scotland only concern itself with the defence of its own shores? If so, what would it do if attacked or there were intrusions from a foreign power?

Scottish regiments have a proud history in the British army. A major question will be where such regiments would reside if Scotland becomes an independent nation. Members of Britain’s armed forces swear allegiance to the monarch. This could pose a personal dilemma to many.

Also, where would Scotland acquire weapons for defence and could it afford sufficient and keep up with technologies in a world where advances in technology are advancing rapidly?

Recently the world has changed with wars nearer Scotland than some years ago.

Conclusion

Should Scotland gain independence and become a separate country, the population may have to accept for many years some adverse conditions in the standard of living. As an independent nation there will be nobody to blame for any conceived injustices.

Other than a dislike of a Westminster government which could be replaced by democratic election, there appears to be no major factor for independence. There is no subjugation of Scots, unfair economic treatment or imposition of an alien culture and language.

Independence is not a soft option. As discussed above, there are many key policy decisions to be made before the country should be rushed into a referendum. There is also one matter seldom, if ever, raised; that of the position of Northern Ireland with its loyal British institutions.

Nairn Business Improvement District (BID) hosted the Taste of Nairn themed Business Breakfast at the Golf View Hotel and Spa. The venue is the event’s title sponsor.

Taste of Nairn is now in its sixth year and will take place from 8–10 May. The Saturday programme is created and developed by the Nairn BID team, with businesses across the town staging their own events over the course of the whole weekend to make up a jam-packed line-up.

Lucy Harding, manager of Nairn BID, said, “It was a well-attended event and it was great to see so many people keen to find out more about Taste of Nairn. One of the BID’s objectives is to bring three core events to the town each year which drive footfall from local residents and bring visitors into the town. Last year, Taste of Nairn attracted just under 10,000 people over the course of the weekend.”

Lucy added, “Nairn BID launched in 2018. We work with the local business community and our principal aim is to enhance Nairn’s reputation as a great place to visit, shop and maintain its status as a highly attractive place to do business.”

“To do this, we need to engage with our members and make sure we are meeting their needs and the business breakfasts, which we try to hold a few times a year, are one way that we do this.”

The next business breakfast is planned for 18 June and will take place as part of Scotland Loves Local Week, where businesses will be welcomed to the Bandstand Bar and Restaurant.

“This event will be a lot of fun,” said Lucy, “as we are going to ask the businesses that attend to take to the floor and talk about themselves and also recommend other local businesses that they use and work with.

“Championing the shop local message is really important and it is so easy to do in Nairn as we have such a great selection of businesses right on our doorstep. If every person in Scotland spent just £1 more a week with a local business instead of online, it would generate an additional £285 million for local economies each year.”

As well as the events, Nairn BID also lobbies on behalf of its members and has been prolific in speaking about the urgent need for the A96 bypass, regularly challenges Highland Council on street cleaning, works with local agencies on seagull management and shares as much relevant information as it can with its members when legislation changes happen such as the Short-Term Let Licensing, the proposed Visitor Levy Scheme and the upcoming Rates revaluation.

Businesses in Nairn town centre are getting a slice of the action in the run up to a three-day food and drink festival by taking part in a fun ice cream trail.

In the lead up to Taste of Nairn which will take place from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, people visiting the town centre are being encouraged to spot 12 model ice creams, left ‘melting’ in shop windows.

Each ice cream will represent a letter, and people are being tasked to collect all the letters and work out what the magic three words are.

All entries will be entered into a prize draw and two winners drawn at random will be announced on May 9.

Lucy Harding, manager of Nairn BID which organises the event, said: “We are looking forward to this exciting addition for Taste of Nairn and we thank all the businesses that are getting involved. We first tried this for Wheels of Nairn, another event we run, last September and it was very popular, so we decided to do it for Taste of Nairn as well.

“There are 12 ice creams displayed in different premises. To take part, people can pick up an entry form from various places in the town including the Nairn Community & Arts Centre and drop them back, ready for the winner to be announced at the event. The ice cream hunt will run until midday on Saturday, May 9 when all entry forms must be at the community centre.”

There will be a prize of a bottle of Brackla whisky for an adult winner and a Sprinkles voucher for a child winner.

Taste of Nairn is now in its sixth year and is supported by title sponsor the Golf View Hotel and Spa who are staging three events over the weekend including a six course, specially created, Taste of Nairn taster menu.

The event, which attracts thousands of visitors, incorporates two markets, food and drink demos, tastings, and a number of individual events at different venues across the town. There is also an interactive ‘taster’ room where people can take part in the omelette challenge, try their hand at cake decorating and become a chef for the day.

Taste of Nairn is also home to the World Tattie Scone Championships which is supported by Oakwood Cookery School.

“We are very excited about this sixth edition of Taste of Nairn. The town centre will be a hive of activity with stalls, live music and businesses creating market day offers and their own events. We are also so looking forward to having the World Tattie Scone Championships. Entrants are given the mashed potato and flour and all they need to do is bring along their own secret ingredient to create a world class tattie scone. It’s always a lot of fun and one of the highlights.”

To tuck into the full Taste of Nairn programme, visit: https://nairnconnects.com/taste-of-nairn-line-up-2/

The public outcry at the proposed Moray Firth FLOW-Park and the turnout at the public meeting last year demonstrated the strength of feeling Nairn residents have for the well-being of the community. When faced with serious threats such as the FLOW-Park, overdevelopment in the absence of a bypass, or lack of investment in local infrastructure, it is important that Nairn has formal bodies representing its interests, and it is more important than ever that Nairn’s Community Councils are fully operational and representing their constituents’ concerns in front of governing bodies and organisations.

Nairn West & Suburban Community Council (NWSCC) has been active over many years tackling significant local issues, ranging from planning to parking to pitches, and it has a formal consultee role on planning matters with the Highland Council. The CC is urgently seeking new members to be co-opted until the next elections in 2028. There are presently only five members from a maximum of eleven, and the CC risks having to cease operations if the membership numbers fall below four. There is no obligation to stand for election at the end of the co-option period, but a minimum of five members will be required after the next round of elections.

If you are interested in digging deeper into the big issues and opportunities for Nairn, to learn more about how local governance and planning works, and to get the opportunity for direct access to local government decision-makers, then you should join NWSCC. You must live in the area. The boundary map may be found at this link:

https://www.nwscc.org.uk/about

The CC meets ten times per year and agendas and minutes may be viewed on the website:

https://www.nwscc.org.uk/

Graham Stuart, NWSCC secretary, said, “I grew up in Nairn and returned almost five years ago after a long period away. I went along to an NWSCC meeting to see what the local issues were and, before I knew it, I was drawn in by the interesting topics and co-opted onto the council. I have learned a lot about the big issues facing our area and how our local system works, or does not. I have also learned from the experienced members of the CC, passing on their local expertise, and I feel good that I am doing something worthwhile for the town that gave me such a good start.”

If you are interested in discussing becoming a member of NWSCC, please contact the secretary at sec.nwscc@gmail.com.

For the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election results, visit the official Highland Council website: https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/17237/scottish-parliament-election-2026-result-for-inverness-and-nairn

These profiles are designed to give you a clear and consistent overview of candidates for Inverness & Nairn Constituency MSP and the Highland regional list, helping you compare priorities, perspectives, and experience. Taken together, this is about visibility. About understanding who is standing to represent you. About creating the conditions for informed choice. While the mechanics of elections are set by law and history, the outcome is shaped by people. By individuals taking a moment to consider, reflect, and decide. This is your space to do exactly that.

Neil Alexander

Liberal Democrat candidate focusing on healthcare, roads and local services

Neil Alexander is standing as the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Inverness and Nairn. The party announced his selection in May 2025, describing him as a video game designer, community campaigner and the party’s spokesperson for culture and sport. His official candidate page says he is standing to give local people “the strong voice they deserve” and highlights his focus on healthcare, education and infrastructure, including the A9 and A96.

What he stands for

Speaking in an interview with the Nairnshire Community Newspaper, Alexander set out priorities shaped by what he described as repeated concerns from local residents about healthcare, transport and the cost of living.

Healthcare

Healthcare sits at the centre of his campaign. In the interview, he spoke about pressures on Raigmore Hospital, concerns about capacity and waiting times, and the need for stronger local provision across the Highlands.

Roads and transport

Transport and infrastructure were also key themes. Alexander pointed to the Nairn bypass, the A96 and the wider condition of Highland roads, arguing that connectivity affects daily life, access to work and the long-term resilience of communities. His party has also publicly presented him as campaigning on A96 dualling and Highland road investment.

Housing and local growth

Housing was discussed in relation to both affordability and the pace of local development. In the interview, he linked new housing to the need for supporting infrastructure and services.

Cost of living and local services

Alexander also spoke about the rising cost of living and the strain on local services, including schools and healthcare, arguing that decisions made in Edinburgh have left Highland communities under pressure. His official candidate page makes similar points about healthcare under strain, roads “not fit for purpose” and families and businesses struggling to get a fair deal.

Context

Alexander is standing for a party that is not in government in Scotland. That means his campaign is shaped by opposition to the SNP’s record, particularly on healthcare and infrastructure, rather than by direct responsibility for current policy. The Scottish Liberal Democrats have presented Inverness and Nairn as a key target seat and have linked his candidacy to their wider Highland campaign.

Signal:

· Focus on healthcare access, including capacity and waiting times.

· Emphasis on roads and transport, including the A96 and local connectivity.

· Attention to cost of living and pressure on local services.

Context:

· Standing as part of an opposition party without direct control over policy

· Issues raised are central to national political debate

· Limited parliamentary track record as a new candidate

If he wins

If elected, Alexander would represent Inverness and Nairn as a constituency MSP, supporting constituents, raising local issues and contributing to legislation and scrutiny in the Scottish Parliament. As a Scottish Liberal Democrat, his influence on policy would depend on the party’s representation and role at Holyrood following the election.

Ariane Burgess

Green MSP focusing on climate, housing and community development

Ariane Burgess is a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands representing the Scottish Green Party. She was elected in 2021 and has a background in architecture, sustainability and community-led development.

Originally from New Zealand, Burgess has lived and worked in the Highlands for a number of years. Her work prior to entering politics included sustainable housing and community projects.

What she stands for

In public statements and parliamentary work, Burgess has focused on a number of areas linked to sustainability, housing and community development.

Housing and sustainable development

Housing has been a central theme in her work. Burgess has supported approaches to housing that focus on sustainability, energy efficiency and community-led development.

Climate and environment

Climate policy is a key priority. She has supported measures aimed at reducing emissions and increasing renewable energy, alongside protecting natural environments.

Community empowerment

She has highlighted the importance of community-led decision-making, particularly in rural areas, and has supported initiatives that give communities a greater role in shaping local development.

Transport and infrastructure

Transport has been discussed in relation to sustainability and access, including the role of public transport and active travel in rural areas.

Rural economy

Burgess has also addressed economic issues in the Highlands, including the balance between development, environmental protection and local benefit.

Context

Burgess represents the Scottish Green Party, which has previously worked in cooperation with the Scottish Government. The party’s priorities include climate policy, land reform and social justice.

As a regional MSP, her role includes representing a wider geographical area rather than a single constituency. Voters may therefore consider both her parliamentary record and her party’s policy platform.

The issues she focuses on, including climate policy and housing, are part of wider national and international policy debates.

Signal:

· Focus on sustainable housing and climate policy

· Background in architecture and community development

· Emphasis on community-led approaches

Context:

· Standing as part of a party with a specific focus on environmental policy

· Role as a regional MSP rather than a constituency representative

· Issues are part of broader national and global discussions

If she wins

If elected, Burgess would continue to serve as an MSP, representing constituents, contributing to legislation and participating in parliamentary scrutiny.

Her influence would depend on the Scottish Green Party’s representation and role in the Scottish Parliament.

Fred Campbell

Reform UK candidate standing in Inverness and Nairn

Fred Campbell is standing as the Reform UK candidate for Inverness and Nairn.

There is limited publicly available information about Campbell’s background compared to other candidates in this contest.

His candidacy represents Reform UK’s presence in the constituency.

What he stands for

Publicly available information about Campbell’s specific campaign priorities in Inverness and Nairn is limited.

As a Reform UK candidate, his campaign is likely to reflect broader party positions, which include:

Government and public spending

Reform UK has set out positions focused on reducing government spending and reforming public services.

Economic policy

The party has emphasised tax reduction and economic reform at a UK level.

Governance and policy reform

Reform UK has advocated for changes to political and governance structures.

Where specific local priorities have not been publicly detailed, voters may look to the party’s national platform for guidance.

Context

Campbell is standing for Reform UK, a party that does not currently hold representation in the Scottish Parliament.

As a result, the party’s influence in Scotland is limited compared to other parties in this contest. Voters may consider both the party’s national platform and the level of local detail available in assessing the candidacy.

Key takeaways

· Fred Campbell is the Reform UK candidate for Inverness and Nairn

· Limited information is available about his local campaign priorities

· His platform is likely to align with Reform UK’s national policies

· Reform UK does not currently have representation in the Scottish Parliament

· Voters may rely on party-level information in assessing the candidacy

Signal:

· Represents Reform UK in the constituency

· Associated with the party’s national policy platform

Context:

· Limited publicly available information about local priorities

· Party has no current representation in Scottish Parliament

· Influence would depend on electoral outcome

If he wins

If elected, Campbell would represent Inverness and Nairn as an MSP. His role would include constituency casework, participation in legislation and parliamentary scrutiny.

As a Reform UK representative, his influence would depend on the party’s presence in the Scottish Parliament.

Fergus Ewing

Independent candidate with long SNP record

Fergus Ewing is standing as an independent candidate for Inverness and Nairn after a long career with the Scottish National Party. He has served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 and held several ministerial roles, including Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy.

He is the son of Winnie Ewing, a prominent figure in Scottish politics. Over several decades, Fergus Ewing has been a well-known political figure in the Highlands and has represented the Inverness and Nairn area at Holyrood.

His decision to stand as an independent follows disagreements with the current direction of the SNP and its policies.

What he stands for

Speaking in an interview with the Nairnshire Community Newspaper, Ewing outlined priorities shaped by his experience in government and his work with local communities.

Healthcare and social care

Healthcare was a central theme. He spoke about pressures on hospitals, including delayed discharge and capacity, and highlighted the need for better coordination between hospitals, care homes and community support, with a focus on enabling people to return home safely.

Housing and demographic change

Housing was discussed in the context of an ageing population. Ewing pointed to the need for a wider range of homes, including accessible properties, and linked housing availability to broader social and economic factors.

Infrastructure and planning

He emphasised the importance of aligning housing growth with transport and infrastructure, and referred to earlier planning decisions which, in his view, could have improved current outcomes.

Local decision-making Ewing spoke about the role of local knowledge in shaping policy and expressed support for decision-making that reflects community needs. As an independent, he said he would raise issues without party constraints.

Public spending and policy impact

He also questioned how some policies translate into local outcomes, referring to instances where financial measures have not, in his view, led to direct improvements in services or infrastructure.

Context

Ewing was part of the Scottish Government during his time with the SNP, and many of the issues he raises, including healthcare, housing and infrastructure, developed during that period. Voters may consider both his record in government and his current position as an independent.

As an independent MSP, he would not be part of a party group. This allows flexibility in how he represents constituents and votes, but may limit influence over government policy and budgets compared to party-affiliated members.

Signal:

· Extensive experience in government and parliament

· Focus on healthcare coordination and housing provision

· Emphasis on local knowledge in decision-making

Context:

· Previously part of the government responsible for many of the issues raised

· Standing without party affiliation in a system structured around parties

· Influence would differ from that of party-backed candidates

If he wins

If elected, Ewing would represent Inverness and Nairn as an independent MSP. His role would include constituency casework, participation in legislation and parliamentary scrutiny. As an independent, he would not be part of a governing party and would operate on a case-by-case basis in parliamentary decisions.

Shaun Fraser

Labour candidate focusing on housing, the NHS and community benefit

Shaun Fraser is standing as the Scottish Labour candidate for Inverness and Nairn. Scottish Labour’s candidates page lists him as the party’s candidate for the constituency, and Labour campaign material also refers to “Labour Candidate Shaun Fraser.”

Fraser’s interview with the Nairnshire Community Newspaper draws heavily on his background in the Highlands, his work in homelessness prevention and his experience as an artist.

What he stands for

Speaking in an interview with the Nairnshire Community Newspaper, Fraser set out priorities shaped by housing, public services and what he described as the practical pressures facing communities in Inverness and Nairn.

Housing

Housing sits at the centre of his campaign. In the interview, Fraser drew on his past work in homelessness prevention and argued for more social and council housing, while also pointing to the impact of short-term lets, second homes and empty properties on local communities.

The NHS and local services

Healthcare and public services were another major theme. Fraser spoke about pressures on specialist services and raised concerns about services moving away from the Highlands. Labour campaign material associated with his candidacy also places strong emphasis on the NHS.

Education and school buildings

In the interview, he highlighted the physical condition of schools in the Highlands and linked this to wider questions about funding, planning and local growth.

Community benefit and renewables

Fraser also spoke about renewables and community ownership, arguing that energy development should bring stronger direct benefit to Highland communities.

Planning and local growth

The way Inverness and Nairn are expanding was another recurring point. He argued in the interview that housing growth should be matched by roads, schools, healthcare and other services.

Context

Fraser is standing for Scottish Labour, which is in opposition in the Scottish Parliament. That means his campaign is shaped by criticism of the SNP government’s record and by Labour’s argument that it would deliver a different approach to housing, education and public services.

Signal:

· Focus on housing, including social housing and the impact of second homes and short-term lets.

· Emphasis on the NHS and education, including access to care and school conditions.

· Interest in ensuring development, including renewables, brings local community benefit.

Context:

· Standing for Scottish Labour, with policies shaped at a national level.

· Labour is in opposition in the Scottish Parliament.

· Issues raised are long-standing and debated across parties.

If he wins

If elected, Fraser would represent Inverness and Nairn as a constituency MSP. As a Scottish Labour MSP, his role would include constituency casework, legislation and parliamentary scrutiny, with influence depending on Labour’s representation in Holyrood after the election.

Duncan Macpherson

Independent candidate focused on local decision-making and public services

Duncan Macpherson is standing as an independent candidate for Inverness and Nairn. He currently serves as a councillor on Highland Council and has been involved in local issues across the area for several years.

Macpherson is running without party affiliation and has stated that his campaign is centred on representing local concerns without being bound by a party structure.

His background includes work in business as well as public service, and he has been active in community and council matters in Inverness and the surrounding area.

What he stands for

Speaking to the Nairnshire Community Newspaper, Macpherson outlined priorities shaped by his experience as a councillor and his work with local communities.

Healthcare and social care

He highlighted pressures on hospitals, including delayed discharge and capacity, and called for better coordination between hospitals, care homes and community support. He emphasised helping people return home safely with the right care in place.

Housing and demographic change

Macpherson linked housing to an ageing population, pointing to the need for more accessible homes, including bungalows.

He also connected housing availability to wider issues such as family life and population trends.

Local planning and infrastructure

He raised concerns about how developments are planned, stressing the need for infrastructure, transport and services to keep pace, alongside effective use of developer contributions.

Local decision-making

Standing as an independent, he emphasised the value of local knowledge and said he would aim to contribute without party constraints.

Public spending and policy impact

He questioned how policies translate into local outcomes, citing examples where financial measures have not led to clear improvements in services or infrastructure.

Context

Macpherson is standing as an independent, meaning no party alignment. This allows flexibility in voting but limits influence over government policy. His councillor experience brings local insight, though MSPs operate nationally. The issues he raises, including healthcare, housing and infrastructure, are long-standing challenges across Scotland and remain widely debated.

Signal:

· Strong focus on healthcare coordination and community-based care

· Emphasis on housing suited to an ageing population

· Experience dealing with local planning and infrastructure issues

Context:

· Standing without party affiliation in a parliamentary system structured around parties

· Limited ability to directly influence national policy compared to party-backed candidates

· Issues raised are part of wider national discussions on public services and planning

If he wins

If elected, Macpherson would represent Inverness and Nairn as an independent MSP. His role would include constituency casework, participation in legislation and parliamentary scrutiny.

As an independent, he would not be part of a party group but would be able to vote on a case-by-case basis and raise issues on behalf of constituents.

Emma Roddick

Standing for Inverness and Nairn with SNP record and experience

Emma Roddick is standing as the Scottish National Party candidate for Inverness and Nairn. She has served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Highlands and Islands since 2021 and previously held the role of Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees.

Originally from the Highlands, Roddick previously served as a councillor in Inverness before entering the Scottish Parliament. She is seeking to move from a regional MSP position to representing the Inverness and Nairn constituency directly.

What she stands for

Speaking in an interview with the Nairnshire Community Newspaper, Roddick set out a group of priorities shaped both by her own experience and by the challenges she sees across the Highlands.

Housing

Sitting at the centre of her campaign. Roddick spoke about a period of homelessness earlier in her life and said that experience continues to shape how she approaches the issue today.

Cost of living and transport

These were described as closely linked, particularly in rural areas. In the interview, she pointed to the role transport plays in accessing work, education and essential services, and the added pressure of costs in the Highlands.

Healthcare access

Access to healthcare was another area she returned to, highlighting the difficulties of reaching services in rural communities. Improving coordination and making specialist care more accessible were identified as key challenges.

Public safety

She also spoke about violence against women and girls, describing it as an area where further work is needed, both in terms of legal protections and the support available.

Infrastructure

On infrastructure, Roddick expressed support for progress on the Nairn bypass. In the interview, she linked this not only to journey times, but also to safety, air quality and the overall functioning of the town.

Context

Roddick is standing as a candidate for the Scottish National Party, which has been in government in Scotland since 2007. Voters may therefore consider both her individual record and the wider performance of the Scottish Government. In the interview, she acknowledged that not all policies have been delivered as planned and referred to the National Care Service proposal as an example. She stated that governments should be assessed on how they respond to challenges as well as on outcomes. As a sitting MSP, her parliamentary record provides additional context for voters.

Signal:

· Clear focus on housing and rural access to services

· Existing parliamentary and ministerial experience

· Emphasis on practical local issues

Context:

· Standing as part of a government with long-term responsibility for devolved services

· Many of the issues raised are ongoing policy areas

· Voters may assess both individual and party record

If she wins

If elected, Roddick would represent Inverness and Nairn as a constituency MSP, supporting constituents, raising local issues and contributing to legislation and scrutiny. In her podcast interview and through her work as an MSP, she has focused on housing, access to services and public safety, areas she would be expected to continue if elected. As a member of the Scottish National Party, her influence would be shaped by the party’s position in Holyrood following the election

Ruraidh Stewart

Conservative candidate for Inverness and Nairn

Ruraidh Stewart is standing as the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party candidate for Inverness and Nairn.

Stewart represents the Scottish Conservatives in a constituency where infrastructure, public services and local economic conditions are central issues. His campaign focuses on how national policy decisions affect communities across the Highlands.

What he stands for

Speaking in an interview with the Nairnshire Community Newspaper, Stewart outlined priorities shaped by local concerns around infrastructure, public services and long-term planning.

Infrastructure and transport

Infrastructure was a recurring theme. Stewart spoke about the need for long-term planning around housing and transport, including concerns about road capacity and connectivity, and the impact of development without supporting infrastructure.

Housing and development

Housing was discussed in relation to both availability and planning. He highlighted the importance of aligning new developments, infrastructure, and services, including role of developer contributions.

Healthcare and social care

Healthcare was another focus. In the interview, Stewart referred to pressures on hospitals and the wider system, including delayed discharge and the availability of care in the community.

Local decision-making

He raised concerns about centralisation and spoke about the importance of local knowledge in shaping policy and service delivery.

Public spending and policy impact

Stewart also questioned how some policies translate into outcomes at a local level, including whether funding is being effectively directed towards services and infrastructure.

Context

Stewart’s priorities, including infrastructure planning, healthcare capacity and greater local decision-making, reflect areas where he has raised concerns about how current systems are working in practice. These issues sit within wider national debates about how services are delivered and how decisions are made across Scotland.

If elected, his ability to advance these priorities would depend on the balance of representation in the Scottish Parliament. As a Conservative MSP, his role would include contributing to debate, scrutiny and policy development, as well as raising constituency issues at a national level.

Signal:

· Focus on infrastructure and how development aligns with local services

· Attention to pressures on healthcare and service delivery

· Emphasis on the role of local decision-making

Context:

· Standing for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

· Issues raised are widely debated across Scotland

· Approach reflects priorities often associated with the party, including infrastructure, public services and local governance

If he wins

If elected, Stewart would represent Inverness and Nairn as a constituency MSP, supporting constituents and contributing to legislation and scrutiny.

In his interview, he emphasised how housing and infrastructure are planned and how development connects to local services, a focus likely to shape his approach in office.

Steve Skerrett

Advance UK candidate enters Inverness and Nairn race

It was late in the process when Steve Skerrett’s name entered the race.

He was announced as a candidate for Inverness and Nairn shortly before this edition of the Nairnshire Community Newspaper went to print, standing for Advance UK.

At the time of publication, limited verified information is available about his background and campaign priorities.

We have reached out to invite him to take part in our Stories from land to sea podcast interview series.

As more becomes clear, we will share updates on Substack and across our social media channels.

Advance UK

Advance UK is a UK political party founded in 2023, which sets out a platform focused on reforming how government operates, alongside changes to economic and public sector policy.

Based on its published material, the party places emphasis on reducing the size and cost of government, reforming taxation and public spending, and restructuring elements of public services. It also highlights changes to political and governance systems, including how decisions are made and how institutions operate.

Advance UK does not currently have representation in the Scottish Parliament and has a more limited electoral presence compared to established parties. Its policies are primarily communicated through its own platforms, and are less widely covered than those of larger parties.

A clearer picture of choice: what this election means for Inverness and Nairn

This special feature has brought together the voices, priorities and backgrounds of the candidates standing in the Scottish Parliamentary election for Inverness and Nairn.

Our aim has been simple: to present clear, factual information so that readers can form their own informed views.

Across interviews, public records and candidate materials, several themes have emerged consistently. Housing, healthcare, transport and the cost of living are at the centre of this election. While each candidate approaches these issues differently, there is broad agreement that they are shaping daily life across the Highlands.

Some candidates, including those currently serving as MSPs, bring experience of working within government and parliament. Others come from local government, professional backgrounds or community work, offering perspectives shaped outside Holyrood. There are also independent and smaller party candidates, whose campaigns often focus on local decision-making or specific policy changes.

This feature has also highlighted the different roles candidates may play if elected.

Those representing parties currently in government would contribute to shaping and delivering policy.

Opposition candidates would focus on scrutiny, debate and offering alternative approaches. Independent candidates may bring flexibility in how they represent constituents, though with different levels of influence within the parliamentary system.

Throughout, we have focused on what each candidate has said, both in our Stories from land to sea podcast interviews and in publicly available information.

Where details are limited, we have been clear about that.

Elections are, ultimately, about choice.

Not just between individuals, but between approaches to leadership, decision-making and the future direction of public services.

We hope this feature has helped to make those choices clearer.

For the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election results, visit the official Highland Council website: https://www.highland.gov.uk/news/article/17237/scottish-parliament-election-2026-result-for-inverness-and-nairn

The 2026 Scottish Parliament election offers voters across Scotland the opportunity to choose their representatives and shape decisions on key issues including health, education, housing and the economy. The Scottish Parliament election is not just a date in the calendar. It is a moment that reflects how the country has changed, what matters most to its people, and where it might go next.

The modern Scottish Parliament was established in 1999, following a referendum held in 1997 in which voters across Scotland backed the creation of a devolved legislature. Since then, elections have typically taken place every four to five years, choosing Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to represent constituencies and regions across the country.

These MSPs are responsible for decisions on a wide range of devolved matters. That includes health and social care, education, housing, transport, justice, and aspects of the economy. In other words, many of the services and systems that shape day-to-day life across Scotland.

The 2026 Scottish Parliament election continues that process. Voters will be asked to elect representatives using the Additional Member System, a form of proportional representation. Each person has two votes. One is for a constituency MSP, elected using the first-past-the-post system. The other is for a regional list, designed to ensure the overall make-up of the Parliament more closely reflects how people voted across Scotland.

It is a system built to balance local representation with proportional fairness. But beyond systems and structures, elections are also about people. They are about the individuals who choose to stand for public office. People who bring with them different experiences, priorities, and ideas about what should come next. Some will be familiar names. Others may be stepping forward for the first time. This special edition has been created to help you navigate that landscape. At The Nairnshire Community Newspaper, we believe access to clear, reliable information matters. Not to tell you what to think, or how to vote, but to ensure you have what you need to make your own decision.

We invited all candidates standing in this constituency to take part in a long-form interview. The aim was simple: to create space for more than headlines or sound-bites, and to hear directly from each candidate, in their own words, about what they stand for, what they prioritise, and how they see the future of the area. Those conversations are available to listen to on our podcast, Stories From Land to Sea, across all major streaming platforms.

You can find the direct links here:

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

• Amazon Music

• Podcast Addict

• Deezer

• Player FM

• Pocket Casts

They can also be found direct via our Linktree.

Alongside this, you will find written profiles of each candidate in the pages that follow. These are designed to give you a clear and consistent overview, helping you compare priorities, perspectives, and experience. Taken together, this is about visibility. About understanding who is standing to represent you. About creating the conditions for informed choice. While the mechanics of elections are set by law and history, the outcome is shaped by people. By individuals taking a moment to consider, reflect, and decide. This is your space to do exactly that.

Key Dates:

• Early April 2026. Formal notice of election is issued, marking the official start of the election period and confirming candidates.

• Mid–late April 2026. Election campaigns take place across Scotland, with candidates sharing priorities through events, media and local engagement.

• Mid–late April 2026. Deadline to register to vote, typically around 12 working days before polling day.

• Monday 21 April 2026 (5pm). Deadline to apply for a postal vote for the 7 May 2026 election.

• Monday 28 April 2026 (5pm). Deadline to apply for a proxy vote for the 7 May 2026 election.

• Thursday 7 May 2026. Polling day. Voting takes place across Scotland, with polling stations open from 7am to 10pm.

• 7–8 May 2026. Counting of votes and declaration of results for constituency and regional MSPs.

• May 2026 (following results). Formation of the next Scottish Government begins, with MSPs taking their seats in the Scottish Parliament.

Residents and community groups are raising questions about the future resilience of Nairn’s water and sewage systems as the town grows and climate pressures increase. Documents suggest some concerns have been known for years.

Sometimes the most important stories in a community are the ones happening underground.

Over the past several months, The Nairnshire Community Newspaper has been contacted by residents, community representatives and local stakeholders raising concerns about the condition, planning and future resilience of Nairn’s water and sewage infrastructure. The questions are not new. In fact, documents seen by this newspaper suggest that many of the issues now being discussed locally have been known about and debated for well over a decade.

At the centre of the current discussion is a proposal by Scottish Water to relocate and upgrade a Combined Sewer Overflow located beneath the junction of the A96 and Lochloy Road. According to Scottish Water, the upgrade is designed to prevent debris such as wet wipes and other materials from entering the River Nairn during storm conditions, while also installing monitoring equipment that would provide near real-time information on how the overflow performs.

The organisation says the project forms part of a wider programme aimed at improving urban waters and reducing pollution risks. Work is expected to take place no earlier than autumn this year, pending planning approval and the identification of a suitable construction compound.

While the proposal has been presented as an environmental improvement, some residents and community representatives say it also highlights a deeper question about the long-term resilience of the town’s water and sewage infrastructure and how planning decisions around it are being made.

Over recent months, a number of documents, letters and planning submissions have circulated locally raising concerns about the capacity of existing systems as Nairn continues to grow and climate pressures intensify.

In a letter sent earlier this year to the Chair of Scottish Water, the community organisation Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise outlined what it described as long-standing frustrations with infrastructure problems affecting the town. The letter notes that sewage overflows into the River Nairn and nearby beaches have been a recognised issue for more than fifteen years, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when combined sewer systems exceed capacity.

The letter also raises broader concerns about whether infrastructure planning is keeping pace with housing development and future growth along the A96 corridor.

These concerns are not limited to environmental impacts. Previous incidents in Nairn, including well-reported water supply problems affecting homes in the Lochloy area, have left some residents wary about whether existing infrastructure is keeping pace with development.

At the same time, planning documents associated with the Highland Local Development Plan process suggest that spare capacity in water and wastewater treatment systems across the region may be limited. In many cases, detailed capacity information is not easily accessible to the public, and operational limits within networks can be difficult to predict without complex modelling. For residents trying to understand the future of their town, this creates an uncomfortable gap between planning ambition and infrastructure certainty.

There is also a growing climate dimension to the discussion. Several national and regional flood-risk assessments have identified Nairn as particularly vulnerable to the combined impacts of coastal flooding, rising sea levels and increased rainfall events.

In practical terms, this means the town’s drainage and wastewater systems may face increasing pressure in the decades ahead.

Scottish Water maintains that its current proposal at Lochloy Road represents the best available engineering solution to reduce debris pollution during storm overflows. The organisation has said it will continue engaging with local stakeholders and plans to hold a public drop-in event later this year to explain the project and answer questions.

For many in the community, however, the conversation goes beyond a single over-flow chamber. It touches on a wider question about how infrastructure decisions are made, who has access to the information behind them, and how communities can meaningfully participate in shaping the systems that underpin everyday life.

Over the coming weeks, The Nairnshire Community Newspaper will continue examining the issues raised by residents, planning documents and technical reports. If you have experienced water supply problems, sewage overflows, or have views about how Nairn’s infrastructure is being planned for the years ahead, we would like to hear from you. Community knowledge often reveals details that do not appear in official reports, and your experiences can help us build a fuller picture of what is happening on the ground.

You can contact us at: hello@nairnshire.org

Please include “Water and Sewage Infrastructure” in the subject line. If you have relevant photographs, documents or other evidence connected to this issue, we would welcome those as well.

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Plans to renovate and redevelop Viewfield Stables in Nairn have taken a significant step forward after funding was approved by the Nairnshire Committee.

At a meeting on 9 February, councillors agreed to award £57,601.05 from the Community Regeneration Fund to support the first phase of work on the historic building, which is owned by the Nairn Common Good Fund.

The funding will help begin the transformation of the stables into a space capable of generating income and providing long-term benefits for the local community.

Chair of the Nairnshire Committee, Councillor Michael Green, said the investment marks an important first step in bringing the building back into active use.

“This award will take an initial step to- wards helping to transform the historic property into a vibrant space that will generate income and long-term future benefits for the local community,” he said.

The redevelopment plans include the creation of up to three small ground-floor units and a larger unit on the upper floor, offering flexible space for retail or other commercial uses.

Initial work funded through the grant will focus on essential repairs, including installing a new roof and carrying out repairs to the external walls, ensuring the building is wind and watertight and protecting the Common Good asset for the future.

The project aligns with priorities identified in the Our Nairnshire Local Place Plan, which aims to support community resilience, economic recovery and sustainable development across the area.

The Community Regeneration Fund brings together several Scottish Government funding streams, including the Highland Coastal Communities Fund and the Place Based Investment Programme, to support regeneration projects across the Highlands.

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When I arrived at the New Start Village on Carsegate Road in Inverness, James Dunbar, Chief Executive of New Start Highland, greeted me with a warm smile. We sat down for a chat at their newly opened café, The Yard, a bright, welcoming space already humming with life. The café is a passion project for James, serving locally roasted coffee while doubling as a training space for people building skills, confidence and experience. It felt, in every sense, very New Start.

As we talked, it quickly became clear why news of New Start Highland coming to Nairn has generated such interest. What began as a quiet whisper has turned into genuine excitement, much of it fuelled by a sense that this is something the town has been waiting for.

“There’s nothing like this in Nairn,” James said simply. “Why should Nairn be missed out?”

New Start Highland was founded 25 years ago to support people experiencing homelessness, but as new pressures emerged, rising living costs, mental health challenges and barriers to employment, its work evolved.

Today, New Start Highland supports people at many different stages of life, offering employability training, affordable furniture and household goods, bicycles, and practical, dignified support when it’s most needed.

“We’re still here to help people on their journey,” James told me. “What’s changed is the world.”

The planned Nairn operation reflects this same approach. At its heart will be a reuse shop offering good-quality, affordable furniture, clothing and household items.

“People need beds, tables, wardrobes,” James said. “Kids break beds. Families need replacements. And not everyone can afford everything new.” Some items will be carefully restored by skilled workshop teams, giving tired furniture a breath of life. Others will be simple, practical essentials. All will be affordable, and all will contribute to something much bigger.

James explained that repurposing is not just about saving money. It is also about the environment and keeping resources local. Over the years, New Start Highland has facilitated the reuse of more than 11,000 tonnes of furniture, saving many local people from needing to order new pieces and have them delivered long distances.

“Furniture isn’t light,” he said with a smile. “That’s a lot of lorries not going up and down the A9.”

But numbers only tell part of the story. The real impact of New Start Highland is found in people.

James spoke about a young man who arrived with little expectation placed on him throughout his life, no encouragement and no clear path. He worked hard, completed training, applied for a role within the organisation and earned it on merit. Today, he is a valued member of staff with ambitions to keep learning and working his way up to management.

Another story James shared involved a young woman who grew up without encouragement or stability. She struggled with confidence and resilience, but with the support of a trainer who took her under their wing, she learned how to prepare for interviews, how to get a job and how to keep one. Eventually, she moved on into employment elsewhere but returned months later, glowing with pride, to share news of her promotion.

“It’s the individuals who do the hard work,” James said. “We just provide the vehicle.”

The Nairn shop opening will create both paid roles and volunteering opportunities, initially focused on receiving donations, preparing items for sale and working in the shop. This is the first phase, with the emphasis on building something solid and rooted in the community.

Wherever possible, New Start Highland supports local businesses, keeping money circulating within Highland communities. The café where we contentedly sipped our cortados is part of Scotland’s first Training and Reuse Village, a space designed not just for trading, but for learning, connection and confidence-building.

Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be another ambitious year for New Start Highland. The charity is part of a new Highlands-wide partnership of eight organisations working together to support peo ple into employment, a first for the region. There are also plans to offer pop-up and concession spaces within the Training and Reuse Village, allowing other social enterprises to showcase and sell their products.

And for those considering working with New Start Highland, James put it plainly.

“If you want your work to be more than just a paycheque, if you want to feel challenged, motivated and part of something bigger, this could be the place for you.”

As New Start Highland prepares to open its doors in Nairn, the message is quiet but powerful. This is not just about shops or furniture. It is about people, dignity and possibility, and about offering a fresh start, exactly where it’s needed.

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New report highlights major economic and social benefits brought by Nairn Book and Arts Festival to local community.

The Nairn Book and Arts Festival has revealed the scale of its positive impact on Nairn and the wider Moray Firth area, with the publication of a new Economic and Social Impact (ESI) Report.

The independently commissioned report shows that during the 2024–25 Festival year alone, the Festival generated an estimated £221,438 of direct economic input into the local economy, alongside wide-ranging social, cultural and wellbeing benefits for people of all ages.

Founded in 2003, the Nairn Book and Arts Festival has grown into a cornerstone of cultural life in Nairnshire. During the 2025 Festival, which ran for nine days and delivered 91 events, 6,024 people attended, with audiences drawn from across the Highlands, Moray, the rest of Scotland, the wider UK and overseas.

Survey responses from 777 participants revealed that 98% rated events as excellent or very good, while over 90% said the Festival strengthened community spirit.

Professor Ronald Skeldon, Chair of the Nairn Book and Arts Festival, said, “This report paints a powerful picture of the many benefits—both tangible and intangible—that the Festival brings to Nairn. Alongside clear economic gains for local businesses, it demonstrates real social impact through improved wellbeing, community connection and opportunities for learning and volunteering. As we enter our 23rd year, we are proud of what the Festival contributes and excited to build on this success for the future.”

Economic impact

The Festival’s economic contribution is generated through a combination of direct spending, employment, visitor activity and strong local supply chains. In 2025, 2,437 tickets were sold, generating £33,992, alongside grant funding, sponsorship and fundraising income.

A strong commitment to buying locally saw £44,522 spent with local suppliers, with 98% of suppliers overall based in the Nairn and Inverness area. The Festival also employs three local part-time staff, whose spending contributes an estimated £18,810 to the area’s economy.

Visitor spending added further benefit, with surveys estimating £97,563 of additional non-ticket spend on food, drink, accommodation, retail and transport. Volunteer time and in-kind contributions, a hallmark of the Festival’s community roots, were valued at £58,343, based on 2,690 volunteer hours.

Tourism and Visitor Impact

The Festival also plays an important role in raising Nairn’s profile as a cultural destination. In 2025, over half of all attendees (53%) travelled from outside Nairn. Survey data showed that 12% of respondents stayed overnight in the town, directly supporting local accommodation providers, hospitality businesses and retailers. Beyond the economic benefit, the report highlights the positive social impact of welcoming new visitors to Nairn, bringing fresh audiences into shared community spaces and increasing pride in the town’s cultural offer. Many respondents noted that the Festival introduced them to Nairn for the first time, strengthening connections between residents and visitors and encouraging repeat visits beyond the Festival period.

Community, schools and wellbeing

The Festival’s outreach programme played a key role in ensuring inclusive access to arts and culture. In 2025, this included 17 artist and author visits to schools reaching over 500 schoolchildren and a new live music and storytelling production for children aged 5–7, engaging over 180 pupils from four local primary schools.

Creative sessions were also delivered in local care homes, receiving 100% positive feedback from residents and staff, including participants living with dementia and long-term health conditions.

To reduce financial barriers, the Festival offered £1 tickets for under-18s, free tickets for Young Scot cardholders and local students, and reduced-rate tickets for people in receipt of Universal Credit.

Supporting local artists and creativity

The Festival continues to invest directly in the local creative economy, paying over £15,000 to local artists and performers in 2025. A dedicated Festival Fringe enabled community groups to stage their own events, while musicians, writers, theatre-makers and students benefited from performance and professional development opportunities.

Volunteering

In addition to a year-round voluntary committee of 16 festival organisers, a pool of an additional 58 local volunteers also help before, during and after the festival itself. Many volunteers have a long-standing relationship with the Festival. Case studies from volunteers credited the festival for creating, among other benefits, an increased sense of self-worth, decreased loneliness and isolation, and supporting community integration and cohesion.

The report highlights the Festival’s wide-ranging social value, from increased well-being among audiences and volunteers to improved access through free and reduced-rate tickets for those who might otherwise be excluded. Benefits of its outreach work include connecting generations, bringing high-quality arts to schools, care homes and community settings, and creating opportunities to learn, participate and build confidence. By working with local artists, volunteers and partner organisations, the Festival strengthens community connections, supports local culture and helps sustain vital community spaces year-round.

A link to the full report can be found at: https://www.nairnfestival.co.uk/uploads/images/News/NBAF-Social-Impact-Report-2025.pdf

This year’s festival will run from Saturday 29 August – Sunday 6th September 2026.

For further information about the festival visit www.nairnfestival.co.uk.

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On the 6^th of November Highland Council held a special meeting to discuss the Home Office Plan to Accommodate Asylum Seekers at Cameron Barracks. Many members made a contribution including Provost Laurie Fraser.

He said, “These individuals are here to stay in the UK. Once their paper documentation is completed, they’ll probably bring their families in. So here is an opportunity for us to showcase the Highlands as a place to live. Put on a fleet of buses. I was wondering where we’d get the money for a fleet of buses. But Mr. Balance has said he can get from the Common Good Fund at Inverness, get the fleet of buses and drivers and bus them around the Highlands and show them the whole of the Highlands. Wick, Thurso, Fort William, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey. Show them it’s a great place to live. And some of them will actually probably return here and it’ll help repopulate the Caithness and Sutherland.

Vacancies exist in hospitality in Badenoch, Inverness, Nairn, Strathspey. I’m sure there’s work at the airport, the Port of Ardersier up in Alness, Nigg, Greenport. Fort William in the West Coast. Workers are required throughout the Highlands. We’ve got timber building, ports, hotels. Give them a packed lunch, bus them around, let them see what the Highlands have to offer them and the odds are they will probably come back too, some of them. Some of them will come back and settle here. Thank you.”

Following the meeting Highland Council sent a letter of concern to the Home Office regarding proposals to accommodate asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks. They said that Council Leader Raymond Bremner, Convenor Bill Lobban and Leader of the Opposition Alasdair Christie have written to the Home Secretary outlining concerns at proposals to accommodate 300 adult male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness. The letter follows a special Council meeting held on 6 November at which the issue was discussed and the Council agreed to raise concerns and seek further information.

The letter requests clarification on why Cameron Barracks was chosen and how the project will be managed to ensure no detrimental impact on local services. It also asks for risk and impact assessments to be shared and for confirmation of any funding arrangements. The authors raise concerns that the location is inappropriate for a large number of asylum seekers and suggest regular engagement with communities by the Home Office to address concerns, including a public meeting.

Cllr Raymond Bremner said, “While welcoming people in need and seeking safety, elected members last week raised a number of valid concerns about this proposal and the way it has been communicated. We have asked to meet with the Home Secretary to discuss these issues in more detail.”

The Highland Weigh began with a simple, personal choice: a bamboo toothbrush. That small switch prompted its founders to reflect on how challenging it was to shop sustainably in the Highlands. From that moment, a seed was planted for a new kind of space in Nairn - one that would make low-waste living easier, offer good and affordable food, and welcome people in with genuine warmth.

What started as an idea for a refillery soon grew into a vegetarian café and food hall. Over time, it became something even more special. Locals popped in for a refill and stayed for coffee. They returned for lunch, discovered new makers, lingered over conversations, and helped shape the atmosphere now so closely associated with The Highland Weigh.

Amanda MacArthur, Founder, explains how much the community has been part of the story: the familiar faces who arrive each morning for “the usual”, the customers who settle into their favourite seat, and the quiet rituals that give the space its homely rhythm. And yes, the famously popular sofa by the wood burner really does feel like Mayfair on the Monopoly board once winter arrives. Children play with the much-loved wooden farm, friends gather for Scrabble, and the cosy, lived-in feel comes directly from the people who spend time there.

This sense of shared purpose carried all the way to Glasgow, where both Amanda and Sean Johnston, Business & Marketing Manager, represented The Highland Weigh at the Social Enterprise Awards. Amanda describes the atmosphere as uplifting and full of energy, with organisations from across Scotland cheering one another on. When The Highland Weigh was announced as a winner, the moment was a blend of shock, pride and deep gratitude to the team and the Nairn community who made the achievement possible. The first thing they did was message the team back home, and a Christmas celebration is now planned, complete with something fizzy to mark the occasion.

Looking ahead, The Highland Weigh plans to keep building on what it does best: good food, a warm welcome and sustainable shopping that feels accessible to everyone. There are more events on the horizon, stronger partnerships to develop, and a commitment to supporting local suppliers. Their first impact report will be published in early 2026, and the team hopes the recent recognition will inspire even more people in Nairn to explore low-waste living.

At its heart, The Highland Weigh remains what it has always been: a place created with care, shaped by its community and grounded in the belief that small choices really can lead to meaningful change.

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It was a remarkable evening and, in terms of local protest and activism, an historic one. Never before has anything on this scale taken place simultaneously in two venues in our area.

MSP Tim Eagle had originally planned the meeting for Forres, but, as interest surged, it was moved to the Universal Hall at Findhorn. Eventually, a live link was added to the Nairn Community and Arts Centre to accommodate the growing numbers. On the evening of Tuesday 11th November 2025, it was standing room only in both locations, with close to 1,000 people eager to participate—an extraordinary turnout for a dreich November night at the early hour of 6pm, with many making a special effort to attend straight from work.

By then, local residents had moved beyond the initial shock at the scale and implications of the proposed Moray Firth FLOW-Park, thanks largely to research shared online—particularly via David Ross’s Facebook group “Stop the Moray Firth FLOW-Park”. Many were well-informed and ready with questions. MSP Eagle had invited submissions in advance and many locals responded.

Some questions were fielded by Crown Estate Scotland (CES), who attended despite Offshore Solutions Group Ltd (OSG) pulling out at the last minute, citing safety concerns. However, Tim Eagle said police would have been present. To many, this made OSG’s absence all the more puzzling. As CES could not speak on OSG’s behalf, many questions went unanswered.

The atmosphere was charged but respectful. Tim Eagle emphasised that OSG had a duty to respond to public concern and he would ensure they did. Concerns had focused on tourism, fishing and marine conservation. David Ross highlighted the proximity of protected areas, including the Moray Firth Special Area of Conservation and Culbin Sands SSSI. CES confirmed that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be required before any development could proceed.

The meeting also shed light on the Scottish Government’s process: it begins with CES granting a two-year “exclusivity deal” to survey the seabed. Only after that comes the EIA—the stage at which communities can formally participate. The two-hour session passed quickly, with final applause in Findhorn echoed in Nairn.

But beyond official channels, something else was stirring. As people left the venues, many spoke of organising, protesting and making the FLOW-Park proposal politically unviable. It’s already shaping up to be a local election issue, with the Scottish Government’s representatives likely to face mounting pressure.

As the Ship-to-Ship oil transfer protests of 2016 showed, official procedures matter—but so too does what communities do outside of them. Creative, collective action can be just as powerful. And on this night, that spirit was unmistakably alive.