Dave Thompson MSP

I recently wrote to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, to urge him to issue an interim report on the first stages of investigations into raptor deaths around Conon Bridge. The communication was copied to Highlands and Islands, Chief Superintendent, Julian Innes, and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson.

This follows 22 birds of prey, including 16 red kites, being found dead in one small area around Conon Bridge in 2014. As yet, the culprit for these killings has not been brought to justice and the investigation remains on-going.

I do appreciate the need to await the full review into the investigation, especially as the case is live, and as such, we must be sensitive to the investigative process. However, I feel enough time has elapsed that the general public are owed an explanation of where the case is at, which is why I have requested an interim review to be issued by Police Scotland, so we can see how the process has been handled in the early stages.

I look forward to hearing back from the Chief Constable as soon as is practicably possible on what is an issue that still remains a concern to those in and around the Black Isle and beyond.

It was gratifying to attend a concert in September at St Andrews Church in Fortrose to raise money to aid the Syrian Refugee Crisis. The event was organised by Abigail Millar Todd (15) who organised the Black Isle Hears Syria concert.

I thoroughly enjoyed the concert and in particular, I would like to pay tribute to Abigail who organised the event and everyone else who gave up their time to make the evening such a roaring success.

The event itself raised £943 which is a fantastic sum and I am told that a kind soul has since donated more to take the tally to the benchmark figure of £1000.

The community spirit shown by the Black Isle community and St Andrews Church in hosting the concert is to be applauded and shows what can be achieved when we all put our shoulder to the wheel.

I was delighted that my proposal for a Cross Party Group (CPG) on Religious Freedom was approved by the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee to run in the Scottish Parliament.

The group will provide a forum for MSPs, enabling discussion and the widest possible engagement with the multi-faith community, locally, nationally, and internationally.

I look forward to working with and inviting the broadest range of religious groups and other interested societies, to ensure the widest possible representation, and I urge interested parties to keep their eyes on the Scottish Parliament website, where notice of future meetings will be advertised.

I recently backed the Scottish Government's calls for retailers to support local farmers and crofters during difficult economic times by sourcing Scottish products.

The Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, has already written to major high street coffee retailers urging them to commit to using Scottish milk and other produce as Scotland's agricultural sector copes with volatile global markets.

With farmers and crofters, not just in the Highlands, but all across Scotland going through tough times as a result of poor weather conditions and low prices, it is incumbent on all of us to do what we can to support them in their hour of need.

Scotland's food and drink sector enjoys an unparalleled reputation across the world and it's time that retailers here at home did their bit to ensure that this success filters down to local primary producers, helping to ensure a fairer deal for local farmers and crofters.

I recently attended the SNP Conference in Aberdeen. The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, used the conference as a launch pad for the SNP's Holyrood Election Campaign and did so with a record breaking number of attendees and delegates watching on.

The SNP are now a major political force, not just for Scottish but UK politics too. We must never be complacent or take voters for granted. We must continue to fight Austerity and the Tories at Westminster in a way they have not been accustomed to in recent years by other UK Parties and if we do that and continue to govern well in Holyrood, then I am confident that those who put faith in the SNP in May this year will do so again at the Scottish Elections in 2016.