The MCofS campaigned against these two proposed hydro-electric schemes in the north west of Scotland. Over 200 walkers and climbers wrote objections to the proposed Loch a' Bhraoin scheme, which was subsequently withdrawn. Shortly after this victory, a proposal was made to dam 3 lochs in the Shieldaig Forest area to the south of Loch Maree. The MCofS mounted another campaign and generated in excess of 300 objections. The Shieldaig case went all the way to a public inquiry, which was held in September 1997, with the MCofS giving evidence. The Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporter was due to produce his final report in the summer of 2000, but news came through in May 2000 that the developer had withdrawn its application, thereby ensuring that the content of the final report never emerges.

The MCofS fear that Highland Light and Power (HLP), the company aiming to develop the Shieldaig scheme, will now try again to obtain planning permission for a slightly amended scheme. We believe that such an application is imminent, and a second application for another scheme on Loch na h-Oidhche could be submitted at around the same time. If such applications are submitted the MCofS will do all in its powers to protect this special area of wild land. Please keep an eye on this web-site for updates on this threat which must be done away with once and for all. If there is to be a consultation exercise we will inform mountaineers via our web-site and our members' newsletter - The Scottish Mountaineer.

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