Beachd Ailein

We worry about the potential for damage to our delicate forest ecosystems and toss and turn at night about ancient Kilmartin Glen being permanently removed to extract sand and gravel (‘Row over Kilmartin Glen quarry extension’).

Yet the few of us who worry about Argyll’s future in the face of climatic uncertainty have little hope of real and lasting change in how agencies like Forestry and Land Scotland (FALS) ‘manage’ our environment.

FALS is about to begin forest removal in Knapdale as part of its Land Management Plan, including at Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and has submitted multiple planning applications for many kilometres of forest track to be built. I would urge people to go and look at some of the damage already inflicted to really appreciate the scale of ongoing ruination and to decide for themselves whether Forestry and Land Scotland really is competent to do this without a lasting contribution to landscape degradation.

I am not against forest management, but it must be done properly and with care. I don’t believe FALS will do either.

Nick MacIneskar, Tayvallich.

In these challenging times we should not turn on each other. I am sure Scottish Water can speak for themselves but they are ordinary workers trying to put food on the table for their families and are not operating outwith the protocols agreed by the Scottish Government.

The last time I looked, water was an essential service and, back in June, the Scottish Government worked very closely with the wider construction sector on protocols for getting construction and civil engineering projects back up and running.

While the Scottish Water project is a £2.7million investment to improve much-needed facilities, the article is silent on the £6.3million ACHA external wall insulation project on site in the town at the moment. This project is providing much-needed employment for 90 workers and I am sure businesses will know how much is being spent in the economy from accommodation, food, fuel and so much more. This project tackles the scandal of fuel poverty.

Covid-19 and irrational scaremongering should not get in the way of people’s and communities’ needs. The construction sector has gone through rigorous health and safety checks and protocols regarding Covid-19. The workers on the ACHA contract are largely operating externally in the open air but where, on occasion, access is required to a property, that is done in a co-ordinated and ailean@obantimes.co.uk

Chaidh a ràdh rium gun robh an colbh seo car dubhach air an t-seachdain seo chaidh, gabhadh mo leisgeul ma bha sibhse cuideachd den bheachd sin! Ged a tha iomadh dùbhlan agus ’s dòcha adhbhair iomagain san t-saoghal aig an dearbh àm chan eil teagamh nach e seo ràith fìor dheagh naidheachd a’ chreideimh Chrìosdail, agus cha bhiodh dùil ri dubhachas sam bith an lùib sin, am biodh? ’S iomadh facal a chaidh a sgrìobhadh air mar a tha ana-caitheamh ga dhèanamh air ciall agus teachdaireachd spioradail na Nollaige leis mar a tha saoghal coimearsalta a’ sìor ghreimeachadh air gus bathair de gach seòrsa a reic. Ann am beachd mhòran tha creideamh a’ chalpachais a’ dubhadh sàr sgeul dòchais àm na Nollaige agus iarrtasan Ràith an t-Subhachais a’ fàgail mhòran fo uallach agus ann am fiachan fad ùine às a dhèidh. Leis gum bheil a’ bhliadhna seo air a bhith cho tur neo-àbhaisteach thug mi sùil air ais air dè bh’ air m’ inntinn air an aon t-seachdain an-uiridh.

Aig co-labhairt eadar-nàiseanta anns an Spàin an uairsin bha luchd-iomairt dìon na h-àrainneachd a’ gearan gun robh iad sgìth de bheul-brèagha bho dhùthchannan an t-saoghail agus iad a’ guidhe ghnìomhan susbainteach gus bacadh fhaotainn air teasachadh na cruinne. Bha ceannard UEFA ag aideachadh gun robh gràin-cinnidh ann an saoghal spòrs bhall-coise a’ dol am meud. Agus bha eas-aonta mì-iomchaidh am measg cheannardan dhùthchannan NATO an dèidh seachdad bliadhna den bhuidheann, is cuid aca a’ call sealladh air prìomh

safe way. The Oban Times, in recent weeks, has quite rightly praised the town’s resilience and innovation in the face of Covid-19. We should not allow that good work to be undermined by trying to encourage turning on those who are simply trying to make a living for their families and supporting the town’s economy.

Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive, ACHA.

We know there are many people having a difficult time during this pandemic including those suffering from anxiety, fear, despair and depression. Might I suggest there is only one sure antidote to this situation and that is prayer – it can do wonders. The person who prays sincerely from the heart will encounter an inner peace, even joy. You chuimse sìth na buidhne. Bhuail e orm gum bheil an dleastanas sin aig NATO na sheòrsa de bhanachdach sìthe!

Cha robh dad togarrach anns na h-aithrisean sin, agus cha mhotha na sin a thachair gnìomhan sònraichte bhon uairsin a bheir misneachadh mhòr sam bith a thaobh dìon na h-àrainneachd, neo cur às do ghràin-cinnidh. Ged is dòcha gun do thachair adhartasan air choreigin bha a h-uile càil air fhalach fo sgàile a’ choròna-bhìorais fad faisg air naodh mìosan, agus sunnd is spiorad an t-sluaigh ga shìor mhùchadh. Ach abair deagh naidheachd a-nise is a’ chiad bhanachdach dearbhte agus lìbhrigeadh oirre a’ tòiseachadh, is co-dhiù aon tèile cha mhòr deiseil cuideachd! ’S e an cunnart a-nise gum bi daoine air am mealladh le misneachd agus gun trèig iad na modhan a thathas a’ moladh a dh’fheumar a chleachdadh airson deagh ùine fhathast. Mar sin tha faiceall chiallach deatamach, ach tha togail iongantach anns an deagh naidheachd seo dha mòr-shluagh an t-saoghail nach cualas a leithid theagamh bho nochd fios air crìoch an Dàrna Cogaidh bho chionn seachdad is còig bliadhna air ais! Ged a bhios dùbhlain romhainn fhathast tha sinn gun teagamh air gluasad gu ruige ràith ùr dòchais, agus gum meal ’s gun caith sinn uile sin!

The continuing Covid scourge had made the ‘festive season’ seem something of a misnomer until now, but news of progress with vaccines has brought a worldwide season of hope. May all best wishes for health be granted.

don’t have to be ‘religious’ or of a certain religion. We are all God’s children because He created each one of us individually and if anyone who seeks him sincerely in prayer, God will answer that person, who will experience ‘the peace that is beyond all human understanding’ which, of course, is God coming to live in their heart.

Even if you are a non-believer or doubt the existence of God, you can always say, ‘God if you are there please come and help me’. Give it a go and, of course, dipping into a bible will enrich your prayer enormously.

Calum MacFarlane-Barrow, Dalmally.

Unfortunately, Mr Adam’s research has failed him, The Oban Times, December 3. I am not