Still no news to report on the anticipated planning application for the proposed Shieldaig hydro scheme, but an interesting article from the West Highland Free Press and Ross-shire Journal is worth reporting.

The article about the proposed hydro scheme includes quotes from the owner of the land on which the scheme would be developed. John Mackenzie (NOT the MCofS Vice President, but a totally different person) is quoted at the end of this article as saying:

Far too much attention is paid to the whingers and girners who come from other parts of Scotland on holiday. A great number of objections to our original scheme came from holidaymakers.

This comment sparked a number of responses to the letters pages of these newspapers, with the point being well made that tourist spending in remote areas like Wester Ross is vital to the economy and dependent on the landscape of the area being properly protected.

We believe that Mackenzie's statement has caused massive damage to the case being made by Highland Light and Power. To refer to visitors as whingers and girners, because we hold views on the area's protection demonstrates an extraordinary lack of understanding for the value of wild land and the rural economy on which many tourism businesses in north west Scotland depend. Has it not occurred to him that we visit Wester Ross for the wild land experience, rather than to look at concrete? Indeed, the stunning landscape is the reason many people choose to live there. It is time now for this wonderful remote area to be properly protected and for the threat of development to be eradicated once and for all.

HLP have been promoting details of their scheme through their website at www.highlandlightandpower.co.uk.
A local group now have their own website promoting an alternative view.
It can be found at www.lowimpact.demon.co.uk.
Another interesting article, 'Scotland as Europe's renewable energy capital?', putting the Shieldaig scheme in perspective, has been published in the Scottish Wild Land Group's latest magazine, and can be read on their website.

Background:

Previous planning application for this scheme MCofS Comments on Renewable Energy