Political parties have been asked to commit to safeguard Scotland’s upland
landscapes.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has written to more than 250
prospective parliamentary candidates ahead of May’s Scottish elections.
It wants to see greater enforcement of legal powers to protect hills and
mountainous areas from development.
The MCofS has also called for guaranteed protection for areas designated as
wild land.
The council represents the interests of climbers and hillwalkers.
‘Take seriously’
It has campaigned against the proposed construction of large-scale wind
farms in parts of the Highlands.
Mike Watson, president of the MCofS, said: “Our world-renowned mountains
are cherished by hillwalkers, mountaineers and climbers from all parts of
Scotland and beyond, so their future should be a concern for every MSP,
regardless of where their constituency lies.”
“Scotland’s mountain landscapes are essential to our communities in so many
ways: recreation, tourism, employment, cultural identity, wildlife and
biodiversity, peat conservation and carbon storage, energy production,
water quality and flood mitigation to name but a few.”
He added: “Striking a balance between these is a challenge and an
opportunity that we need the Scottish government and parliament to take
seriously.”
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