The Gaels who named the places that we inhabit today were beautifully descriptive of the environment that we enjoy in the Highlands. Take for example, Cromarty, which means crooked bay, or, more intriguingly, Culbokie, which means the ghostly back-place. On a less sinister note, just down the road is Resolis which was originally Ruighsholais in Gaelic and has the wonderfully cheerful meaning ‘Slope of Light’. On Monday I discovered how accurate this description is when I attended a show at Resolis Primary School that was educational, entertaining and enriching.
The play, entitled the Big Bang Show, was performed by Resolis pupils with the help of Scottish Opera. As part of its Primary Schools Tour, Scottish Opera arrived in Resolis Primary only a few hours before the performance took place to coach the children. In that short time, costuming, choreographing and rehearsing all took place. For months before the children had been learning lines and, on Monday, Scottish Opera helped bring it all together so that the children could deliver a spectacular display to a full house of parents, friends and their local MSP.
Scottish Opera designed the show, and it was a whistle stop tour of the creation of the universe. The story line was an exploration of ‘energy’ and three groups of students represented renewables, fossil fuels and nuclear power. The groups battled it out to decide which one was the best source of energy before concluding that, unless we take proper responsibility for our use of energy and begin to care for the planet, the earth will be damaged beyond repair. This includes the natural heritage that we are so privileged to enjoy in the Highlands.
Bringing together the arts and sciences in this powerful way was strangely moving, as it was clear that the children enjoyed the performance, and believed in the message they were communicating. Shows, such as the Big Bang Show, undoubtedly play an enormous role in shaping young people in Primary and Secondary schools. It gives them confidence and self-belief; it builds their character and self-identity; it offers an avenue for fun and perseverance. This play, however, went further because it explored good citizenship and care for the environment. I have no doubt of the influence this show will have on the young people involved and how it will shape their attitude towards the environment in which we live. It certainly encouraged me to consider further how to preserve our earth so that it can be enjoyed by generations to come.
The land in which we live is no more important than the wildlife which shares it with us and on Tuesday I officially opened Tollie Red Kites, the red kite viewing centre on the Brahan Estate. Tollie Red Kites was established in 2012 as a partnership between RSPB Scotland and the Brahan Estate. The viewing facility is situated in a renovated farm building and aims to provide local people and visitors with the opportunity of seeing the birds close to hand. The birds are fed daily by a team of 20 local volunteers at lunchtime and this attracts them to Tollie. The facility is a great achievement because I am told that red kites were only reintroduced to the Black Isle in a project which began in 1989 and there are now approximately 60 pairs of red kites in the Black Isle and surrounding areas.
Environmental projects like Tollie Red Kites are beneficial not only because of their impact on the environment but also because of the economic benefits. Tollie Red Kites is now a key attraction on the Easter Ross Wildlife Trail, which is a self-guided trail developed by RSPB Scotland. The trail weaves its way through other RSPB locations, like the nature reserves at Fairy Glen and Nigg Bay, as well as other wildlife, historical and cultural sites in Ross-shire. This will doubtless bring in the tourists, which contributes to the local economy, while at the same time preserving the natural environmental. As they say, it’s a win win situation.
In Fortrose, the Black Isle Swimming Pool Foundation now has David Alston’s support which is excellent news. As candidates are elected and the Highland Council is established, I warmly encourage residents in the area to get behind councillors and the Foundation so that we can see the proposal for a pool become reality.
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