Well, all 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament have now declared their results and as expected the Scottish National Party [SNP] have 'won', but crucially have lost their overall majority, with the principal gainers being the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party [SCUP], who succeeded even above their own expectations by pushing the Scottish Labour Party [SLP] decisively into third place.
In the 3 constituencies in the area, where the vote is 'first past the post', the results were as follows; the first shown below is the constituency in which I can vote and the other two are shown here for information:
Inverness and Nairn
- CADDICK, Carolyn Ann (SLD) - 4th (5,445 votes, 14.2%, +2.7%)
- EWING, Fergus Stewart (SNP) - 1st (18,505 votes, 48.3%, −3.2%)
- MOUNTAIN, Edward (SCUP) - 2nd (7,648 votes, 20.0%, +8.4%)
- STEWART, David (SLP) - 3rd (6,719 votes, 17.5%, −4.2%)
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
- FRANCHETTI, Leah Esther (SLP) - 4th (3,334 votes, 10.4%, −8.7%)
- MACKIE, Struan (SCUP) - 3rd (4,912 votes, 15.3%, +5.0%)
- ROSS, Gail Elizabeth (SNP) - 1st (13,937 votes, 43.3%, −5.1%)
- STONE, Jamie (SLD) - 2nd (10,024 votes, 31.1%, +8.8%)
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
- CAMPBELL, Ronnie (IND) - 5th (1,116 votes, 3.1%, +1.5%)
- FORBES, Kate (SNP) - 1st (17,362 votes, 47.6%, +1.4%)
- MACLEAN, Angela Margaret (SLD) - 2nd (8,319 votes, 22.8%, −7.7%)
- MUNRO, Robbie (SCUP) - 3rd (5,887 votes, 16.1%, +7.2%)
- STEWART, Linda (SLP) - 4th (3,821 votes, 10.5%, −2.4%)
Voting also took place in a regional 'List' system under a form of proportional representation, with the regional results where I live being:
Highlands and Islands Region (showing names only of those elected as 'List' MSPs - using the d'Hondt method of voting, the Additional Member System)
listed in alphabetic order by political party or individual name
Details of registered parties and party list candidates
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
"Ruth Davidson for a Strong Opposition"
(Douglas Ross, Edward Mountain, Donald Cameron)
- 3 seats, 44,693 votes, 21.8%, +10.1%
Scottish Green Party
"Re-elect John Finnie"
(John Finnie)
- 1 seat, 14,781 votes, 7.2%, +2.1%
Scottish Labour Party
"Choose kids, not cuts"
(Rhoda Grant, David Stewart)
- 2 seats, 22,894 votes, 11.2%, -3.3%
Scottish National Party (SNP)
"Nicola Sturgeon for First Minister"
(Maree Todd)
- 1 seat, 81,600 votes, 39.7%, −7.8%
RISE – Respect, Independence, Socialism and Environmentalism
"Scotland’s Left Alliance"
- 0 seats, 889 votes, 0.4%, +0.4%
Scottish Christian Party “Proclaiming Christ’s Lordship”
"Christians Together"
- 0 seats, 3,407 votes, 1.7%, −0.3%
Scottish Liberal Democrats
- 0 seats, 27,223 votes, 13.3%, +1.1
Solidarity - Scotland's Socialist Movement
"Tommy Sheridan - IndyRef2"
- 0 seats, 793 votes, 0.4%, +0.3%
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
"UKIP"
- 0 seats, 5,344 votes, 2.6%, +0.7%
Details of individual regional candidates
STOCKAN, James Wilson
Independent
- 0 seats, 3,689 votes, 1.8%, +1.8%
Turnout was 55.6%.
- full results for the Scottish Parliament election 2016 are in the BBC website here.
At a personal level, I am pleased that there are now 3 'List' MSPs representing the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party in the Highlands and Islands Region, out of 7, namely Douglas Ross, Edward Mountain and Donald Cameron - congratulations! This is an increase of 1. Other changes are that the Scottish National Party have reduced their 'List' representation from 3 to 1, with the Scottish Green Party gaining 1 seat (nb/ John Finnie was a 'List' MSP in the last parliament 2011-2016, but sat for the Scottish National Party for the period 2011-2012, then as an Indpendent for the period 2012-2016).
The only other comment I wish to make here is that whilst I am not a 'vindictive' person (I do not think), I am personally pleased and relieved that one particular person standing for the SNP as fourth on their 'List' for this area, namely Nairn councillor Liz MacDonald, was not elected; my blog article written during August 2014 (see here) explains why. In my view she has no place in public life; harsh I know, but there are certain kinds of behaviour which are completely unacceptable in a civilised society for an elected official.
Showing posts with label Highland Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Highland Games. Show all posts
Friday, 6 May 2016
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Nairn Highland Games - 18 August 2012
Below are a couple of brief video clips of the first march around the Games field by the Massed Pipe Bands, led by three local Olympic Torch-bearers from the recent London 2012 Olympic Games:
Part 1
Part 2
It was a lovely day in Nairn today. It started off with brilliant sunshine, but toward the end of the morning it dulled over for a while and there was a lengthy and quite heavy shower of rain, but this soon cleared and by the time most people began to arrive for the Games, both participants and spectators, the sky had cleared, the sun had reappeared and it turned into a lovely afternoon.
Below are a few of the photographs I took:
- both videos and all photographs were taken from my home, which overlooks the cricket field where the Games are held each year.
The website of Nairn Highland Games is here.
PS/ (Added at 19.35 BST 18AUG12) Because it turned out to be such a lovely afternoon, the large inflatable structure for the 'beer tent' (first photograph above) was taken down quite quickly and now lies rolled up in a corner (* & ** - see below). However, the bar and temporarily floored area which were within the structure, together with a group of trestle tables and chairs placed there for today are still in place and from my observations over the past couple of hours business appears to be very brink indeed, specially as it is such a lovely evening. A little further up the slopes surrounding the cricket field is another large group of people also enjoying the evening warmth and sunshine, many with drinks in their hands from the two hotels/inns close by on the other side of Marine Road. It is such a lovely evening here today - something that is specially to be welcomed, because our weather here tends to be somewhat fickle, even in what is 'high summer'.
PPS/ (added at 20.15 BST 18AUG12) I thought I would add that a Police van has appeared on the upper slopes, referred to above, a while back with video recording equipment on the roof as it does most years - however, and whilst I may personally regret the necessity for such 'surveillance' it is undoubtedly largely precautionary as my close-up observations of the scene (through my binoculars) show that the whole scene remains one of bucolic charm - people out on a lovely evening enjoying conversation with drinks in their hands within feet of the police van. It is really pleasant to be able to report just how lovely an evening this is and although I haven't spotted the police personnel in the crowds (they seem to be seated in the van - perhaps there are others in the back of the van, manning the recording equipment). No doubt in a while as night begins to fall - in about an hour or so from now - most of the 'punters' will drift away to continue their evening celebrations elsewhere. Of course the funfair, just beyond the Games field, will continue until midnight and as it is such a lovely evening I expect they will be kept quite busy for a few hours yet.
(*) (Sunday 19AUG2012 11.15 BST) I have read reports, all 'anonymous', indicating that the inflatable beer tent 'exploded' - if this is truly what happened then perhaps I'll read authoritative reports about it later, perhaps in the upcoming edition of The Nairnshire (local 'dead tree' media, with no on-line presence unfortunately) on Tuesday. Coincidentally I also read a remark elsewhere prior to the event which was: "I hope no one arrives with a sharp kilt pin!" so one must wonder if this or similar is what happened, but until the facts are known all this is mere speculation.
(**) Further news (Monday 20AUG2012 09.30 BST) Well, the 'disaster' of the exploding tent has made it into those two national 'journals of record', the Sun and the Daily Record, as well as the more local Press & Journal.
Part 2
It was a lovely day in Nairn today. It started off with brilliant sunshine, but toward the end of the morning it dulled over for a while and there was a lengthy and quite heavy shower of rain, but this soon cleared and by the time most people began to arrive for the Games, both participants and spectators, the sky had cleared, the sun had reappeared and it turned into a lovely afternoon.
Below are a few of the photographs I took:
135th Macallan Nairn Highland Games 18th August 2012 Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs. Bandstand with the innovation of a 'beer tent' behind and to the left  The Half-Marathon gets under way  Three Scottish Country Dancers (3f)  Three more Scottish Country Dancers (2f,1m)  Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs. |
The website of Nairn Highland Games is here.
PS/ (Added at 19.35 BST 18AUG12) Because it turned out to be such a lovely afternoon, the large inflatable structure for the 'beer tent' (first photograph above) was taken down quite quickly and now lies rolled up in a corner (* & ** - see below). However, the bar and temporarily floored area which were within the structure, together with a group of trestle tables and chairs placed there for today are still in place and from my observations over the past couple of hours business appears to be very brink indeed, specially as it is such a lovely evening. A little further up the slopes surrounding the cricket field is another large group of people also enjoying the evening warmth and sunshine, many with drinks in their hands from the two hotels/inns close by on the other side of Marine Road. It is such a lovely evening here today - something that is specially to be welcomed, because our weather here tends to be somewhat fickle, even in what is 'high summer'.
PPS/ (added at 20.15 BST 18AUG12) I thought I would add that a Police van has appeared on the upper slopes, referred to above, a while back with video recording equipment on the roof as it does most years - however, and whilst I may personally regret the necessity for such 'surveillance' it is undoubtedly largely precautionary as my close-up observations of the scene (through my binoculars) show that the whole scene remains one of bucolic charm - people out on a lovely evening enjoying conversation with drinks in their hands within feet of the police van. It is really pleasant to be able to report just how lovely an evening this is and although I haven't spotted the police personnel in the crowds (they seem to be seated in the van - perhaps there are others in the back of the van, manning the recording equipment). No doubt in a while as night begins to fall - in about an hour or so from now - most of the 'punters' will drift away to continue their evening celebrations elsewhere. Of course the funfair, just beyond the Games field, will continue until midnight and as it is such a lovely evening I expect they will be kept quite busy for a few hours yet.
(*) (Sunday 19AUG2012 11.15 BST) I have read reports, all 'anonymous', indicating that the inflatable beer tent 'exploded' - if this is truly what happened then perhaps I'll read authoritative reports about it later, perhaps in the upcoming edition of The Nairnshire (local 'dead tree' media, with no on-line presence unfortunately) on Tuesday. Coincidentally I also read a remark elsewhere prior to the event which was: "I hope no one arrives with a sharp kilt pin!" so one must wonder if this or similar is what happened, but until the facts are known all this is mere speculation.
(**) Further news (Monday 20AUG2012 09.30 BST) Well, the 'disaster' of the exploding tent has made it into those two national 'journals of record', the Sun and the Daily Record, as well as the more local Press & Journal.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Nairn Highland Games - 15 August 2009 (part 2)
I have been atrociously tardy in posting the second and final instalment of my small photographic record of last Saturday's Nairn Highland Games; it has been more or less ready to upload since early this morning, but I had other matters to attend to that needed to take precedence, so sorry about that.
As usual, by early evening on Saturday a lot of the temporary infrastructure (tents, marquees, fencing, etc.) had already disappeared and the field itself and surrounds looked pretty litter-free; extraordinary really, when one considers how many people were around the field for most of the afternoon (as noted by the Nairnshire in this week's edition it was very well attended and it was certainly one of the best attended Games in my nine years of living in Nairn). By Sunday lunchtime much of the funfair on the links had already left and the rest was mostly already loaded back onto their trucks and by Monday lunchtime all had gone.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Council employees were on site to dismantle all the other temporary infrastructure (e.g. the tall white flagpoles which surround the field, the stand, the country dancing platform) and all the porta-cabins had been removed. On Tuesday top-soil was brought in to fill the hole left after the sand had been removed from the long-jump pit and I've no doubt that tomorrow or the next day the new soil will be levelled-off and new turf added back, so that in a month or two this annual event will hardly be noticeable. All that will remain, for a few weeks, on the cricket field will be the lane and circuit markings. The logistical effort in putting all the infrastructure in place during the days preceding the Games and then removing it again so efficiently and speedily very shortly afterwards is no doubt considerable and I am full of admiration for those who organise it and those who carry it out.
Now, onto the remaining two brief videos and and a few of the photographs I took during Saturday afternoon. The videos show, respectively, a brief excerpt from one of the competitors in the piping competition followed by the final part of the march of the Isle of Skye Pipe Band, whilst the other shows three of the 'tug-of-war' rounds/sets (I don't know what the correct word is for this sport). The five photographs include three of various parts of the Scottish Country Dancing competition, one of the same solo piper who appeared in the first of the two video-clips and finally one of the Massed Pipe Bands preparing to commence their second circuit of the field during the afternoon. And the sun shone on the event - despite the weather forecast predicting it might be quite different; it's one of those occasions where I'm glad it was wrong! Incidentally I spent most of Sunday afternoon across at Rosemarkie on the Black Ise, where I was attending the annual Garden Party at the nursing home where my mother recently took up residence and was told that they had heavy rain on Saturday, so we in Nairn were very lucky with the weather we had just a relatively few miles away across the Moray Firth.
A piper and the Isle of Skye Pipe Band
Three rounds of the Tug-of-War competition
You can see the first part of my 2009 Games' report here.
As usual, by early evening on Saturday a lot of the temporary infrastructure (tents, marquees, fencing, etc.) had already disappeared and the field itself and surrounds looked pretty litter-free; extraordinary really, when one considers how many people were around the field for most of the afternoon (as noted by the Nairnshire in this week's edition it was very well attended and it was certainly one of the best attended Games in my nine years of living in Nairn). By Sunday lunchtime much of the funfair on the links had already left and the rest was mostly already loaded back onto their trucks and by Monday lunchtime all had gone.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Council employees were on site to dismantle all the other temporary infrastructure (e.g. the tall white flagpoles which surround the field, the stand, the country dancing platform) and all the porta-cabins had been removed. On Tuesday top-soil was brought in to fill the hole left after the sand had been removed from the long-jump pit and I've no doubt that tomorrow or the next day the new soil will be levelled-off and new turf added back, so that in a month or two this annual event will hardly be noticeable. All that will remain, for a few weeks, on the cricket field will be the lane and circuit markings. The logistical effort in putting all the infrastructure in place during the days preceding the Games and then removing it again so efficiently and speedily very shortly afterwards is no doubt considerable and I am full of admiration for those who organise it and those who carry it out.
Now, onto the remaining two brief videos and and a few of the photographs I took during Saturday afternoon. The videos show, respectively, a brief excerpt from one of the competitors in the piping competition followed by the final part of the march of the Isle of Skye Pipe Band, whilst the other shows three of the 'tug-of-war' rounds/sets (I don't know what the correct word is for this sport). The five photographs include three of various parts of the Scottish Country Dancing competition, one of the same solo piper who appeared in the first of the two video-clips and finally one of the Massed Pipe Bands preparing to commence their second circuit of the field during the afternoon. And the sun shone on the event - despite the weather forecast predicting it might be quite different; it's one of those occasions where I'm glad it was wrong! Incidentally I spent most of Sunday afternoon across at Rosemarkie on the Black Ise, where I was attending the annual Garden Party at the nursing home where my mother recently took up residence and was told that they had heavy rain on Saturday, so we in Nairn were very lucky with the weather we had just a relatively few miles away across the Moray Firth.
A piper and the Isle of Skye Pipe Band
Three rounds of the Tug-of-War competition
Nairn Highland Games - Saturday 15 August 2009 Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs, where you will also find detailed descriptions of each photograph.      Click here to see enlargements of all these photographs, where you will also find detailed descriptions of each photograph. |
You can see the first part of my 2009 Games' report here.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Nairn Highland Games - 15 August 2009 (part 1)
The weather here in Nairn yesterday was 'lousy', to put it briefly, and the forecast for today wasn't much better. However, although it was grey and generally 'dreich' in the early morning, by late morning it had begun to brighten up quite a lot and by early afternoon it was becoming sunny. Indeed it remained sunny (with very brief cloudy intervals) for the whole afternoon. So it was an excellent afternoon indeed - a little windy, but pleasantly warm nonetheless. Bizarrely, just after the Games finished, it became quite overcast for a brief period and there was even a little drizzle - so the Games were charmed.
During the afternoon I took quite a lot of photographs and videos, and in this first part I'm including four video-clips of the marvellous Massed Pipe Bands doing their stuff throughout the afternoon. The next part will come either tomorrow evening or on Monday (as I am out for most of tomorrow) when I shall include a couple of additional, much briefer, video-clips (of a piper competing in the pipe competition and three stages of the 'tug of war' competition), plus a number of photographs of the day's events.
I hope you enjoy these video-clips; the clarity isn't that great, I'm afraid, because I don't have a very sophisticated camera - on the other hand I do happen to benefit from a prime vantage point for viewing the Games so I hope that is some compensation. Enjoy!
The arrival of the Massed Pipe Bands
Massed Pipe Bands - First march around the field
Massed Pipe Bands - "Scotland the Brave"
Massed Pipe Bands - The Green Hills of Tyrol ("A Scottish Soldier")
NB/ (Added Tuesday 18AUG09 23.10 BST) You can see the second part of my 2009 Games' report here.
During the afternoon I took quite a lot of photographs and videos, and in this first part I'm including four video-clips of the marvellous Massed Pipe Bands doing their stuff throughout the afternoon. The next part will come either tomorrow evening or on Monday (as I am out for most of tomorrow) when I shall include a couple of additional, much briefer, video-clips (of a piper competing in the pipe competition and three stages of the 'tug of war' competition), plus a number of photographs of the day's events.
I hope you enjoy these video-clips; the clarity isn't that great, I'm afraid, because I don't have a very sophisticated camera - on the other hand I do happen to benefit from a prime vantage point for viewing the Games so I hope that is some compensation. Enjoy!
The arrival of the Massed Pipe Bands
Massed Pipe Bands - First march around the field
Massed Pipe Bands - "Scotland the Brave"
Massed Pipe Bands - The Green Hills of Tyrol ("A Scottish Soldier")
NB/ (Added Tuesday 18AUG09 23.10 BST) You can see the second part of my 2009 Games' report here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)