KlB students pupils in the cooking up a swing Page 4 storm Page 3

AND WEEKLY JOURNAL FOR SUTHERLAND AND THE NORTH

FOUNDED 1899 FRiDAY, MAY 13, 2016 www.northern-times.co.uk £1.20 subscription price: 75p INSIDE YOUR Strong support for Coul Links project and spin-offs it will generate for economy NORTHERN TIMES TEa-LigHTfUL! Clubs backing drive for new championship golf course By caroline McMorran “If they stay, they will return He said: “Mike Keiser, Bill Coore embo in line to benefit [email protected] and the economy of the area will and Ben Crenshaw are probably benefit. the number one hottest property A TINY Sutherland community stands to gain MANAGERS of north golf cours- Mr Warnock said that he and in the world at the moment as far should the Coul Links golf course get the go es have voiced their support for his business partner Mr Keiser had as golf design and golf develop- ahead. ambitious plans to build a new been extremely pleased at the re- ment are concerned. The seaside village of Embo is being offered a championship golf course in East sponse from the golf clubs. “For them to be involved in a new facility such as a park or recreation area. Sutherland. He said: “We are pleased these project in our area is massive.” Coul Links developers are currently negotiating And a suggestion that north important clubs are supportive of He added: “Everyone at is in with local farmer Jock Mackintosh to buy a piece Minister’s courses join forces with Coul Links, Coul Links and believe it will bring total agreement that if Coul Links of scrubland near to the village’s football pitch. Mad Hatter’s should it get the go-ahead, to mar- a huge economic contribution to goes ahead and if the opportunity Part of the ground would be incorporated into ket the area worldwide as a prime the area. We have begun a con- is there for us all to work together, the new course, which is earmarked to run tea party at golfing links destination, has also alistair risk – “transformational.” versation about how we all work then that would be brilliant.” alongside the Dornoch Firth at Loch Fleet, gained strong support. Courthouse into the Carnegie together but no commitment has But Mr Morrison warned that But developers Todd Warnock and Mike Keiser are offering to provide Embo with a new facility on ardgay. Brora Golf Club president Alistair Courthouse retail centre. yet been made.” people would also have to “up their the rest of the site. Risk this week hailed the proposed General manager at Royal game” in terms of providing better Page 11 He is also proprietor of Links Mr Warnock said: “The Abel Smith family, who new “world-class” course as hav- Hotel at Royal Dornoch where Dornoch Golf Club, Neil Hampton, facilities, accommodation and ex- own the land on which the golf course is to go, ing the potential to economically construction is being carried out said: “Royal Dornoch is supportive periences for visiting golfers. have insisted we make a contribution to the Embo transform East Sutherland. on a six-bedroom extension which of the Coul Links proposal and Peter Crome, of Skibo Castle, community and we fully agree.” He said: “This is something will open in spring 2017. wish the developers well.” said: “We support any develop- Embo resident Jim McGillivray, ward councillor that could attract thousands Mr Warnock has held talks over Alistair Risk said: “If Todd ment that is going to provide more for East Sutherland and Edderton, has been asked of additional golfing visitors to the past months with the manage- Warnock and Mike Keiser intend- jobs, a better experience for visi- to lead an Embo Working Group in order to gauge Sutherland. ment at six other courses – Brora, ed to build yet another golf course tors and help the area get on the local feeling on the issue. “It could potentially transform Golspie, Royal Dornoch, Skibo, at Embo I would object as we are tourist map.” Mr Warnock said: “We will meet in early June to not just the tourism market but the Tain and Castle Stuart (Inverness). well served for the local member- Castle Stuart general manager find out what the community input has been and local infrastructure and the East He said on Monday: “I have had ship and the existing golf market. Stuart McColm said: “Coul Links we will be excited to hear local people’s opinion.” Sutherland economy. It is great the opportunity to meet person- “But they are planning a world will be another feather in the Councillor McGillivray said the issue was set to news and we are 100 per cent be- ally with the leadership of six north class course designed and con- Highlands’ cap. The calibre of the be discussed in the first instance at the AGM of hind it.” todd Warnock and Mike Keiser clubs and we enjoyed a thorough structed by a world class team. It is people behind it means it will be a Embo Trust next Friday. at coul Links. The Coul Links project is being and candid conversation. great news.” great addition to the north.” He said: “There is an interesting discussion to advanced by American entrepre- develop a preliminary routing. “We talked about making the Golspie Golf Club committee n Todd Warnock has welcomed be had as to what people would like to see put in place. It is an opportunity for the village.” neur Todd Warnock and award- A number of environmental, sci- Highlands the most exciting links member James Yuill said: “I don’t British Airways’ new daily service Golf course developers intend to preserve winning golf course developer think for one second that we will linking Inverness with Heathrow. entific, transport and other studies golfing destination in the world. walking paths on the course and build two walking Mike Keiser. are currently under way. Public We talked about a shared vision of lose out if a new championship He said the link, which started bothies, one near Embo and the other near Coul dancing for joy An area with stunning views at consultation is to take place in the prosperity. course goes ahead at Coul Links. on Tuesday May 3, was a “tre- Farm. Loch Fleet on land owned by the autumn and it is hoped a planning “There is nowhere else in the It can only add to the potential for mendously exciting” step forward Mr Warnock said: “These will be small, Abel Smith family has been iden- application for Coul Links could be UK that has as many extraordinary us to get more people to come and which would make it easier for in- traditional bothies that would provide information Medals for tified as ideal. Leading golf course submitted as early as the first half links golf courses as closely situ- play at Golspie.” ternational travellers to access the on the walking trails, flora and fauna on the new architects, Texas-based Coore & of next year. ated as East Sutherland. Tain Golf Club professional Highlands. course along with its history. Brora street Crenshaw, have been asked to de- Mr Warnock flew back to “The golfing tourist will be Stuart Morrison said he did not He said: “It means I can play an “The walking paths will be clearly designated to sign the course. America this week but will return able to stay in the area and play think local residents yet realised early two-ball of golf at Dornoch make sure walkers know where the golfers are dancers. Bill Coore made his third visit to next month for the opening of a number of courses rather than just how highly regarded those in the morning but still catch the and golfers know where the walkers are so both Page 8 the area last month and spent eight another of his enterprises – the running up for a single round at involved in the Coul Links project mid-day flight and get to Chicago can live in harmony.” days walking the site in order to renovation of the historic Dornoch Royal Dornoch and departing. were in the golfing world. on the same day!” aLL cHangE Ross wants to see area reach its potential after election success GAIL Ross, the newly-elected MSP for has left a great legacy for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has us to build on and that is what I in- made history by becoming the first tend to do. woman to represent the area. “We had such a great time visiting New chairman She polled 13,937 votes on many different places in the constitu- for Lawson Thursday, 94 more than fellow SNP ency and I am under no illusions as to MSP Rob Gibson in 2011, although the vast area I now have to cover. friends’ group. the turnout was slightly higher this “There have been a lot of challeng- Page 11 year, 58.4 per cent compared to 52.1 es identified, many of them we have per cent five years ago. already spoken about in this paper The Lib Dems’ Jamie Stone came through the weekly questions, but Just Par-fect second with 10,024 votes, 57 per cent we also have many opportunities to up on Robbie Rowantree’s 6385 in grasp as well. 2011. “We have such a lot to offer – from Conservative Struan Mackie re- our innovative and warm people to flected the Tory’s surge in popular- our scenery and produce – and I aim ity, polling 4912 votes, an increase to see that everyone has the chance to of just under 68 per cent on Edward reach their potential. Mountain’s 2934 at the last Holyrood “I look forward to working with election. everyone, no matter their politi- The only candidate to reduce their cal persuasion to try and make this party’s vote was Leah Franchetti happen. The blaze in the Ben Blandy area, which began on tuesday night Picture: Mark Gilbert (Labour), polling 3334 compared to “The next five years will be hugely John Mackay’s 5438 in 2011. important to the development of the Gail Ross has indicated she will Gail ross retained the caithness, far north and I am more than ready sutherland and ross seat for the sNP. Bo honoured by Golspie now stand down as a coun- for the job.” Wildfire swiftly brought under control cillor for Wick. we will continue to try and reach as Mr Stone told us: “I much enjoyed golfers. A WILDFIRE on Sutherland’s north coast has been brought under control, according to firefighters. She told the NT after the win: many people as possible over the the election and I am pleased with The blaze broke out on Tuesday night in the Ben Blandy area, near Tongue. Flames quickly raced Page 5 “I’d like to thank all the people of term of the next parliament. the result. through around seven square kilometres of hillside. Caithness, Sutherland and Ross who “I would also like to thank my fel- “I came a very strong second and Scottish Fire and Rescue Services (SFRSA) said more than 20 firefighters had been deployed. turned out to vote last Thursday. low candidates for a campaign that I increased the number of Lib Dem 1 9 A spokesman described said the situation had been made more difficult because of the “sweltering “I have been elected to represent has been fought in the spirit of friend- votes by a whopping 57 per cent com- conditions.” everyone in this constituency and ship and what is best for the area, pared to the election five years ago. Temperatures earlier in the week reached around 20C in the area. that’s exactly what I intend to do. rather than opposition for opposi- “This puts us within striking- dis The fire had been reduced to about two square kilometres by yesterday morning but crews were It’s important that we empower tion’s sake. tance of taking both the Westminster remaining at the scene in order to dampen hot spots. people to think they can make a dif- “It’s a huge honour and a privilege and Holyrood seats next time The fire service said the incident had not posed a threat to property or livestock. 9 771362 911013 ference with their ballot paper and to be elected as the MSP for this area. round.”

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