Alex MacLeod

Why cross out Scottish parliament. Is that not where Scottish ministers reside? Not being one who understands the running of business perhaps you can shed light on why, if they are a loss making company, their latest accounts submitted to Company House show:- Cash in Bank - £9,968,000. Liabilities - £5,481,000. Assets - £13,854,000 and Total Worth - £76,978,000. Doesnt seem like loss making to me.

So you dont think that maybe just maybe the voters in 2011 could have made their decision based on the successful previous four years of a minority government. One that chose to take its chance of running the country without coalition. No that would have been too sensible an action for those brain dead voters. my personal view is that many people are now seeing that right wing labour will not work for the majority of traditional socialist voters. Theres no more "I vote that way cos my daddy voted that way". People are taking an interest and basing their votes on the actions they see coming to fruition. Not on what they percieve as being best for the party. Polls tell us absolutely nothing because they dont reflect the true feeling. Nor do they cover a true cross section of the population.

Charles the Labour party had lost control of its car in 2007 before it actually crashed in 11 so I think most people were aware of what the outcome was going to be. The result of the 11 election put SNP 7 points clear of labour in the only accurate poll of the campaign. I love the way you use the journalists statistical methods to try and bolster your arguements. "22% of the Scottish electorate" looks bad in that context but when you put the "51% of the seats available and 44% of the actual vote" it looks so much better. Every day I read something new from the NO people and every day I reach the conclusion that they are helping the YES cause. Finally Charles, if your getting weary of the debate then why are you continually responding with such tripe as to make yourself come across as the less cerebrally aware and resentful type.

Think 6 points out of 9 makes this a decent week for us no? Ask me that question again after the next three games. Kingsmills I'm obviously a half full glass kinda girl whilst you're a glass half empty guy ha ha? Top 6 almost confirmed and agreed a big couple of weeks to come. Bring it on! Not quite girl. We need 4 wins and a draw to be sure of that.

Meanwhile theres a very important quarter final to contend at the weekend.

I dont think the few thousand gained from cup runs is going anywhere near the million you suggest westhill. Considering land costs and costs of providing 4G pitches with changing facilities etc I'd be inclined to guesstimate nearer £3m. I also think we'll be using training facilities at new campus when its completed.

Diageo could be a good shout but the name doesn't really sell whisky in the same way as well known brands would. Just a pity they dont own one of the local brands like Glenmorangie or Tomatin to give a name that is synonomis with the region.

What goes around comes around http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-26426971

Charles I wish you'd stop with the anglophobia bit. I happily guarantee that, if a poll was taken of already decided YES voters, few to none would be anglophobic. I have very good English friends and have no reason to fear any of them. I am, however, anti Westminster and fear that the workings of that establishment are going to end in catastrophe for both Scotland and England. Oh! and Charles, just like you, I am degree educated. Not some mickey mouse degree either I may add.

Good suggestion Alex but this company is owned entirely by the Scottish Government, so there is no chance of them giving over taxpayers money as sponsors. The company is owned by the Scottish Parliament but is run as a Private Ltd Company and I believe the taxpayers money that went into saving the company and the airports has been recovered long since. This company operates in the black and is making decent profits. Bearing in mind that advertising generates income I dont think the parliament would object to some of the profits being used for such purposes. Besides advertising budgets are tax deductable so it would mean a little less going to the UK treasury. The Scottish Parliament is a legislature. It doesn't "own" anything. IIRC, HIAL is a quango. Ok. but quangos dont exist in Scotland. If we want to be really pedantic then its owned by the people of Scotland and is run by a Chairman and board of directors who are all selected, for a fixed period, by the government representative of the day. Indeed Mr David Sutherland has had a spell, among many other, prominent local businessmen.

My totally honest opinion as a lover of folk music. I like the tune very much, though maybe the tempo could be upped a little. The lyrics are good as well but the chorus just spoils it. The song needs to be made a little more rousing. I think it needs a bit of a drum or bodhran beat and some base guitar added and the pipes toned down just a little. It also needs a chorus that stands out on its own with lyrics that are simple but stick in the head. Think of some of the classic folk songs. Kishorn Commando's, Northern Lights of Aberdeen, etc. Nobody knows the verses but everyone knows the chorus. Wynthang15 dont be downheartened by some of the comments. Not everyone is a lover of our traditional music but with a little more work your song could maybe win them over. Its a very good attempt but needs a bit of a tweek.

We cant even sell our current ground. We dont own it.

Sorry but why are people accepting this result like it doesn't matter. Yes it was at Parkhead against the champions elect but to accept a total grubbing without response is ridiculous. I wasn't at the game but I got a good account from my wife who was there, albeit in her role as a support worker and in the wrong area, and her words couldnt be repeated on here. She says we were totally outplayed and outmuscled. We had no fight just sat back and took it. Regardless whether we were going to get beat or not we should still have been doing a hell of a lot more to at least minimise the deficit. Those goals against could be the difference between europe and no europe. The league is the bread and butter, the cups are bonuses. If this game had been played before we knew our cup fate the thread would be full of anger.

If I were the decision maker I'd forego the carpark provision and encourage folks to travel by other means. On the same google maps as Forza used I have found a much better site. Theres a perfectly sized piece of wasteland in an area of the city that was the heartland, indeed the motherland, the holy grail, of Inverness football. The development of this site would, however, require some slight changes to the area. Changes like binning a few childrens amenities, a bowling club and possibly re-directing a section of the road that carries the name of the area because it cuts through the middle of my site. Plenty of streets to park in around the Kingsmills area as well.

Personally I think the club and CJT have done extremely well to secure 13 buses and two trains at relatively short notice. Companies like D&E will have the biggest portion of their fleet already earmarked months and possibly years in advance. They may hold a few for short notice hire but they certainly wouldn't want large numbers of coaches sitting in the pound not making money. On the point of subsidy I dont think we should expect any more from D&E than they already do for the club. On the point of availability os seats I'd reckon that, taking all seats available into account, there will be quite a few empty. Is there really such a difference between taking bus and taking train? I'd be happy with either. In fact I'd probably prefer the train. Get to Glasgow by whatever means and join the party. Wish I had the problem of working out how to get there. As it is I'll be working.

Does it really matter if home are built close to the battlefield? The battlefield area itself is protected under National Trust rules is it not. The city of Inverness is expanding. The population is rising. A balance has to be made on areas for building and areas of arable ground, natural woodland etc. I'm not exactly sure where these homes are being built but I'd think that the persons who overruled the council would have done a good deal of research before making the ruling. We all bemoan the fact that everything is in the central belt but if we want to encourage investment and infrastructure away from that area of Scotland then we must allow expansion of the city. Sadly too many Highland Councillors still live in the dark ages and make decisions based on how things were back then.

...................and not one thread to prelude this weeks vital league game. As I write United go back above us. Hope our players are not tied up in cup final hysterics and realise the importance of the league.

Considering the way out of town shopping centres are expanding and shopping malls like the Eastgate are filling up with empty units perhaps it would be frugal to demolish said mall and build our stadium there. Five minutes walk from Gellie, Innes, Social Club and a multitude of other pubs within one minutes walk. Short distance from train and bus stations for the out of townies. Maybe we could even do a deal with Morrisons. Move them to Longman and convert their store to an indoor sports facility and the carpark to 4G outdoor pitches. We could even save the Morrisons bakery for matchday steak slices and cumberland sausage rolls. Everyone happy?? Somehow I think there'd still be a moan or two.

Good suggestion Alex but this company is owned entirely by the Scottish Government, so there is no chance of them giving over taxpayers money as sponsors. The company is owned by the Scottish Parliament but is run as a Private Ltd Company and I believe the taxpayers money that went into saving the company and the airports has been recovered long since. This company operates in the black and is making decent profits. Bearing in mind that advertising generates income I dont think the parliament would object to some of the profits being used for such purposes. Besides advertising budgets are tax deductable so it would mean a little less going to the UK treasury.

I done my research and made sure the bank balance was good before typing.

HIAL.bmp

Because of the number of buses for both clubs and the need for the police to segregate fans its unlikely that they'll be parked up close to the stadium so its likely there'll be a bit of a walk. Those on the train can go on to Bellgrove but thats at least a twenty minute walk as well. I would suggest to the train travellers that they alight at Queen St head to Ingram St (opposite Ingram Hotel) and jump on a 43 or 64 which will take you to London Road or 61, 62 from Central station goes down Gallowgate Road. Buses take about half hour. A final choice is to just walk from the city centre. Have a refreshment or two at the Barrowlands on route. About 45 min walk. Also remember the train will be non stop except for single line passing so will be quicker than buses.

Because of the number of buses for both clubs and the need for the police to segregate fans its unlikely that they'll be parked up close to the stadium so its likely there'll be a bit of a walk. Those on the train can go on to Bellgrove but thats at least a twenty minute walk as well. I would suggest to the train travellers that they alight at Queen St head to Ingram St (opposite Ingram Hotel) and jump on a 43 or 64 which will take you to London Road or 61, 62 from Central station goes down Gallowgate Road. Buses take about half hour. A final choice is to just walk from the city centre. Have a refreshment or two at the Barrowlands on route. About 45 min walk.

Nah!! Wouldn't work....too similar to Oh Inverness is wonderful Oh Inverness is wonderful We have a bridge and a castle Oh Inverness is wonderful

If I was the one tasked with finding a new sponsor I'd be looking for someone who'd benefit from the additional exposure, especially if we get a crack in europe. One that springs to mind, that has had a reasonable upturn in business lately, is Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.