Scottish Elections: Ask Candidates About Wild Land

A recent spate of wind farm approvals and applications in the Highlands shows that wild land in Scotland is under an ever increasing threat. Scottish Natural Heritage says that the amount of wild land has dropped from 41% in 2002 to 28% in 2009. That’s 13% gone in 7 years and we’ve lost more since then. Have a look at the map of confirmed and proposed wind farms in the Monadh Liath area on Alan Sloman’s website to see just what is happening.

Many people feel helpless as wind farm after wind farm is granted permission, seemingly regardless of the damage to the landscape and to wildlife and even to tourism (you might expect those with no concern for mountains or nature to be at least interested in the money they can bring in but it seems not if there’s a wind farm to be built). However there is an opportunity now to let politicians know what you think at a time when they are concerned about people’s opinions as there’s an election coming up.

As part of its excellent Wild Land Campaign the John Muir Trust is running a campaign to Make Wild Land An Election Matter. On the campaign page there are templates for letters to candidates for those eligible to vote in the Scottish elections, letters to party leaders for those outside Scotland concerned about wild land and letters to candidates for those in England, Wales or Northern Ireland who have council elections in areas with wild land. For the Scottish elections there are also links to the main five parties’ lists of candidates with their constituencies. Most candidates have email addresses (or should have – not all the parties have their lists up at the time of writing).

Please send emails and letters to these politicians, let them know wild land matters.

The picture shows Beinn an Eoin in a still unspoilt part of the Highlands. Let’s keep it that way.