27 May 2003

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is calling for a massive response to a current planning consultation to defeat, once and for all, proposals for a hydro-electric scheme in the heart of the Wester Ross National Scenic Area (NSA).

Proposals to develop a hydro-electric scheme in the Shieldaig Forest area of Wester Ross were vehemently opposed when they were previously put forward in 1996. That application led to a public inquiry in 1997, and the inquiry process went on until 2000, at which point, with the result of the inquiry expected within a week, the developer - Highland Light and Power (HLP) - withdrew its application and stopped the process dead in its tracks.

MCofS Access and Conservation Officer, Mike Dales, said:

"That inquiry would have cost between £500,000 and £1M of public money and yet HLP were able to veto the process when they feared it wasn't going their way. We argued at the time that HLP should be made to re-pay that money, but they didn't and they are now able to come back with another application and could potentially repeat the same despicable tactic.

The main reason for the MCofS's objection to this scheme is the impact it would have on one of Scotland's finest tracts of wild land. The four mountain lochs threatened by this scheme are surrounded by the great Torridonian Mountains of Beinn Alligin, Liathach, Beinn Dearg, Beinn Eighe, Beinn an Eoin and Baosbheinn. The MCofS is determined to protect these mountains, and Mike Dales goes on to say: “Most hillwalkers regard the Torridon Mountains amongst their favourites and will not allow this kind of damage to be inflicted on such a special part of Scotland. HLP can expect serious opposition to this scheme and will wish they had never picked on such a special area.”"

MCofS Vice-President, John Mackenzie, said:

"These mountains form the most spectacular landscape in the British Isles. The mixture of steep sided Torridonian giants like Liathach surrounded by remote lochan studded moorland in-between is unique, and provides the ingredients for the wild land experience that so many people, from all over the world, seek to enjoy. To do anything artificial to this landscape is nothing short of vandalism, and for such a paltry amount of energy this proposal should not even be considered as a viable proposition."

Indeed, an energy industry source recently commented:

"HLP have done more damage to our industry with their persistence in pursuing this scheme than any other single factor.”

“HLP are throwing bad money after good, and are like a gambler hooked on trying to win back what they've already lost. They lost the first public inquiry because their arguments weren't strong enough. They should accept that and find somewhere less controversial, because the opponents of this scheme will never give in."

In order to handle press enquiries more effectively than they did at the time of the previous public inquiry, HLP are now employing a PR company to carry out this function for them. Their consultants are from the PR company Weber Shandwick Worldwide, who are themselves no strangers to controversy as they are regularly caught out working for two sides of a debate at the same time. On this occasion they are singing the praises of clean green energy for HLP, whilst also working for British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL).

On a previous occasion Weber Shandwick were working for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Australia, whilst also carrying out some very dubious work for the Japanese Whaling Association. IFAW terminated their contract with Shandwicks when they found out about this connection with whaling, and the world's fourth largest PR Company was humiliated by the fall out from this PR disaster.

Mike Dales has said:

"It seems incredible that Highland Light and Power should turn to a company that is so entwined with the nuclear industry. Weber Shandwick aren't in this because of a belief in renewable energy, or a concern for the planet, they are in it to charge HLP for, as their website puts it, achieving desired client outcomes. What they will both find however, is that the opponents of this scheme have a much more passionate belief in their desired outcome of seeing these proposals thrown out and having this area properly protected.”"

Internet links to articles about the Weber Shandwick whaling story.

• www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2001Q1/shandwick.htm
• www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2001Q1/harpoon.html
• whale.wheelock.edu/archives/info00/0050.html

The MCofS will be keeping mountaineers informed of progress with their campaign against the Shieldaig hydro proposals via these pages.

Background:

introduction previous story Previous planning application for this scheme MCofS Comments on Renewable Energy