Beachd Ailein
I am responding Ardnamurchan access
Times of July 8.
For over two years, the estate has locked several deer gates, effectively closing two historical rights of way. One is from Acharacle to Glenborrodale and the other from Ockle on the North Ardnamurchan coast to Glenborrodale.
The locked gates are impossible to climb, are dangerous, potentially forcing walkers to return to the start of their long walk.
I have walked from Acharacle to Glenborrodale, for more than 50 years, with family and friends.
At Glenborrodale, there were two access points – the old tradesman’s entrance at the castle, through an area on which the estate has recently constructed a timber yard, which then branches to Ockle and Acharacle. The other starts at the farm cottages then rejoins the Glenborrodale to Acharacle route.
The estate owner simply has to allow one of these exits, both under his control, to be reopened and used.
The empty threat to close the distillery is unnecessary. Fassfern Estate welcomes walkers with a car park and signed walking paths, one of which passes between their workshop and their woodchip processing yard, a similar layout to Glenborrodale.
The estate has locked deer gates in the fences surrounding tax-funded forestry plantations, breaching conditions to provide ‘kissing gates’ to ensure access.
I would suggest that anyone wanting a break this summer should walk through the hills to Glenborrodale – you are entitled to remove any obstructions.
Dr Michael Foxley, Achaphubuil, Ardgour. to the articles on issues in the Lochaber
Sir,
Students and seasonal staff are being reminded by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check they are being paid the National Minimum Wage.
All workers, including temporary seasonal staff, are legally entitled to be paid the National Minimum Wage. Last year (2020-21) HMRC helped 155,000 workers across the UK to recover more than £16 million in pay which was due to them.
HMRC is reminding workers to check their hourly rate of pay and any deductions or unpaid ailean@obantimes.co.uk
Thoir spèis dhan mhuir, agus cuimhnich daonnan air cumhachd an uisge! B’ e sin comhairle a chuala mi tric nam òige, agus tha mi a’ creidsinn gun do dhrùidh sin na bu mhotha leis gun robh e tighinn bitheanta bho inbhich a thug ùine mhòr dem beatha aig muir. Far nach eil gainnead ann dheth faodar a bhith a’ dìochuimhneachadh gum bheil uisge na bhunait beatha air an t-saoghal is nach biomaid beò às aonais, is tha e doirbh dhuinne nach do dh’fhuiling mòr-thiormachd làn-bhuaidh tairt a thuigsinn. Ach a bharrachd air beatha a thoirt dhuinn tha cumhachd an uisge air a bhith na ghoireas luachmhor dhan chinne-daonna fad linntean, bhon a chaidh a chleachdadh an toiseach gus rothan mhuilnean a thionndadh chun an latha an-diugh far am bheil an aon neart a’ cruthachadh dealan dhuinn. Air taobh an iar na dùthcha, is mi a’ sgrìobhadh seo, tha mi a’ coimhead a-mach air latha glas le ciùrach uisge, agus mi ag èisteachd aithris air rèidio mu theas grèine feadh a’ mhòr-chuid eile de dh’Alba! Chan eil aimsir fhliuch na annas air an taobh an iar agus theagamh gur ann ri linn sin a tha muinntir na sgìre cho buailteach a bhith a’ gearan mun t-sìde. Ach ag èisteachd ri naidheachdan mun sgrios uabhasach a thug grad-thuiltean air pàirtean den Ghearmailt, a’ Bheilg, agus an Òlaind, theagamh nach bu chòir dhuinne a bhith cho deiseil gu bhith cràmhan.
Chaill mòran a h-uile càil a bh’ aca, chaill cuid am beatha! Ma bha riamh teagamh air
working time. The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently:
£8.91 - Age 23 or over (National Living Wage) £8.36 - Age 21 to 22
£6.56 - Age 18 to 20
£4.62 - Age under 18
£4.30 - Apprentice.
We want to ensure Scotland’s seasonal workers and students are being paid what they are entitled to and, as the economy re-opens, help employers if they are unsure of the rules.
Workers should check their hourly rate and look out for any deductions or unpaid working time which would reduce their pay. It could take them below the minimum wage.
HMRC investigates every complaint made cumhachd an uisge tha fianais dhòrainneach air bualadh air a’ chuid seo den Roinn Eòrpa le ceud gu leth air an dearbhadh marbh aig an ìre seo, agus ceudan eile air nach eil ròs fhathast. A rèir eòlaichean aimsire dh’adhbharaich gluasad neo-àbhaisteach anns an iarmailt gun do thuit dòrtadh uisge air an aon sgìre seo de thaobh an iar na h-Eòrpa fad uairean a thìde, chuir na h-aibhnichean thairis is sgaoil na tuiltean cho luath is nach robh ùine aig daoine deasachadh sam bith a dhèanamh ma choinneamh mòr-thubaist. Seallaidhean a tha cha mhòr do-chreidsinneach le bunaitean thogalaichean sgairteil air an sguabadh air falbh le cuideam shruthan fiadhaich uisge, agus gun ach càrn bhioran agus chlachan air fhàgail air làraich nan taighean. Far an robh bailtean beaga eireachdail air stèidheachadh thar linntean chan eil a-nise ach tobhtaichean air an tachdadh gun tròcair le eabar agus sprùilleach.
Chan iongnadh gum bheil ceannardan poilitigeach air a bhith ag ràdh gur e lèirsgrios a th’ air tighinn air na dùthchannan aca, agus cha mhotha na sin a tha e na annas gum bheilear a’ faighneachd an e blàthachadh na cruinne màthair-adhbhar na thachair. Eadar an sgrios mhillteach seo san Roinn-Eòrpa agus an teas mì-nàdarra a th’ air caoban mòra de thalamh ann an Ameireagaidh a chur nan smàl, saoilidh mi gum bheil clàr chuisean agus co-dhùnaidhean cho-labhairt COP ann an Glaschu san t-Samhain a’ fàs nas èiginniche gach latha thèid seachad.
about the minimum wage, so whether you are selling sun cream, giving a hotel room a clean or serving a strawberry smoothie, if you think you are being short-changed you should get in touch. Anyone not being paid what they are entitled to can complain online at www.gov.uk/ minimum-wage-complaint.
If they want to speak to someone, they should phone the Acas Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0300 123 1100, who may transfer the call to HMRC.
Employers can also contact the Acas Helpline for free help and advice or visit GOV.UK to find out more.
Steve Timewell, director, individuals and
small business compliance, HMRC.