Protect Scotland’s wild land – Herald (letters)

LAST year the Scottish Government made a great stride in protecting one, or
rather 42, of its greatest assets.

As part of its Planning Policy and the new National Planning Framework it
took on board Scottish Natural Heritage’s Wild Land Map. Yes, the map
should have included 43 areas but for a bit of jiggery-pokery just before
it was published, but it offers hope for areas from the Merrick in Galloway
to Ronas Hill and North Roe in the Shetlands.

I have a soft spot for one of the areas, Reay-Cassley (Area 34), especially
around the village of Inchnadamph. As a keen amateur botanist, and also
with an interest in geology, the area is a magnet. One of the very best
days I have spent in the British hills started in the village, from where
headed for the famous bone caves of Allt nan Uamh. Climbing up to the
Braebag ridge I looked back to take in the stunning view of Suilven. Along
the ridge, bathed in glorious sunshine, I stumbled across a patch of
cloudberry in flower, a rare treat. The way “home” was down the Trallgill
River with its caves, dry valley and springs, very unusual geology for the
Highlands. And towards the end of a brilliant day, a patch of mountain
avens, its arctic -alpine flowers tracking the sun.

But I have just found out that area 34 has at least two large wind farms
planned for it – Glencassley and Sallachy. These beg the question, of what
use is the Wild Land Map if it cannot protect this unique landscape from
creeping industrialisation? The Scottish Government, and in particular
Fergus Ewing, the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, now has an
important decision to make. In seeking to balance the nation’s need for
energy and protecting its best landscapes, he must keep Reay-Cassley (and
the other 41 Wild Lands) wind farm-free and look elsewhere for far less
damaging energy sources.

As an advanced technological society I am very aware that we do have large
energy demands, but we must also realise that once wild land is lost, it is
lost forever.

Peter Foulkes,
Swn yr Afon, Abercegir, Machynlleth, Powys, Wales.