BIVVI TALK
Dear MCofS
We were very interested to read John & Helen Read’s letter (Sept.2004) in references to the “friendly” notices at the High Bridge of Ken.
The Society has been concerned about these notices for some time and has been in touch with officials of both Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Scottish Executive Environmental and Rural Affairs Dept. The latter take the view that none of the notices have any official status and, accordingly, the Executive is being misrepresented. However they do not appear to be planning to have the notices removed.
What seems likely is that resolution of the matter will have to await enactment of the new access rights established by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. I should add that the path in question, used it is believed by the public for many years for access to the Water of Ken, is not a right of way.
Tom Titterton, Secretary (ScotWays)
Wind Power Debate Continues
Dear MCofS
Not all Wind Power is Bad! Whitewave, the well known outdoor centre on the Isle of Skye recently launched its 6Kw wind turbine, helped by the children of Kilmuir Primary School. The school visited the 9M high turbine and after a talk about generators and the production of electricity, had a countdown to start the turbine. Whitewave is still connected to the grid, which provides electricity when more is required than the turbine generates, but the turbine feeds the grid when demand is low at the centre. Whitewave is thought to be one of the first outdoor centres in Scotland to use wind energy for the production of electricity, and hopes to example how small scale wind turbines can be appropriate in rural and scenic areas.
Anne Martin and John White, Linicro, Kilmuir, Isle of Skye
Dear MCofS
I would like to congratulate you on the MCofS Energy Statement in the last issue. It is a well thought out statement, of just the type we need. I would like, however, to make a technical point. Your list of types of renewable power include “hydrogen fuel cells”. I have to point out that electrolysed hydrogen is not a fuel in itself. Power has to be applied to crack the hydrogen from water in the first place. That power has to come from some other generator.
Where hydrogen does score is as a clean method of storing energy. Other methods would be pumped hydro, compressed air, compressed spring or batteries. Such storage will be necessary to even out the peaks and troughs of renewable generation.
Thanks for the work so far and good luck with the future campaign.
David Nichol
Dear Editor
Having attended the Wind Farm Debate following the AGM, I read with interest the report on the proceedings in Scottish Mountaineer 24. I believe I am the “members of the wind industry” referred to and being the only Industry Member present that made themselves known, I believe I have become pluralized. I must point out, however, I attended the debate as an active mountaineer and mountaineering instructor who is pro-wind and feels the MCofS Executive is not representing the views of the wider membership in this matter. Given that, at the end of the debate I offered Keith Miller my assistance in further developing the Energy Policy, I find the tone of the report rather less than charitable.
Prior to the debate I had requested that a member of the wind industry be invited to speak to dispel the myths peddled by Dave Bruce (speaker on behalf of Views of Scotland – an anti wind group) and Kevin Howett (in his articles in this publication). A representative of the Scottish Renewables Forum was willing to speak but was refused. The MCofS Executive was challenged on this matter but could not present a satisfactory reply. You cannot get away from the fact that there was no one on the panel speaking “for” wind farms at a wind farm debate!
The MCofS Executive is shielding us from the other side of the debate as far as I can see, preferring to impose their views on the membership. Is this why we elected them? We as the membership must do something about this. Let us start again and get it right. Global warming is a serious issue, a far greater threat to our wild land than wind farms, and the MCofS Executive is putting our wild land in jeopardy by running a misinformed anti wind campaign.
Mark Evans, Fort William
A response from the Editor:
To respond to some points made by Mark: The MCofS conducted the ‘For and Against’ debate at the 2003 AGM. The outcome was that we should do what our constitution demands and act in the best interests of ‘protecting the mountain environment’. There was no intention of repeating that particular debate (hence the reason the industry were not invited to speak in 2004), but to try and decide what was acceptable and unacceptable development. The article by Keith Millar has been commended as entirely factual and fair, even by members of the industry and our website information offers links to both sides of the debate.
MCofS as Governing Body?
Dear Editor
I note a response to my ‘Comment’ in issue 23 from Mr Findlay Swinton. In fact, the MCofS is indeed the NGB for our sport and has been so recognised by sportscotland since 1970. It is a term for all sports bodies that receive funding support from them.We are a mixture of an NGB, NGO and representative body depending on the issue involved.We certainly don't impose rules and regulations on others from on high - our government and the EU do that -but we do try to provide support, advice and training for members.The original aims of the MCofS continue to be rigorously upheld in addressing our member’s interests.
If Mr Swinton had attended the AGM Gathering, he would have heard that we have a surplus of around £9K or so, which is pretty inadequate to say the least, and I believe much of this is already spoken for in forthcoming expenses(see the article on page 50 of issue 23).In addition advisors emphasise that an organisation such as ours should carry cash funds of at least £40K.That being the minimum amount of redundancy cover we need as responsible employees.If we were in a position of surplus; all bequests gratefully received;I would hope we would use it for constructive long term value to members in fulfilling our corporate plan aims.
I don't read TAC, although I'm sure I would enjoy it.I'm told that Robin Campbell wrote an article referring obliquely to us [?] and expressing discontent.Well, I appreciate Mr Campbell is a well kent fellow in the world of Scottish mountaineering and I've run into him many times, but the Campbellesque rants I referred to involved that nationally famous fellow Alistair Campbell, who, at the time when I drafted my article was ranting effusively in a most disagreeable manner. I certainly would not suggest that Robin himself rants.I'm also mindful that he has expendedconsiderable energy on behalf of the MCofS in the past.
Mountaineering insurance is a complex business, and few companies are prepared to provide it unless it is at a high price. Anyone can reduce their car insurance by searching on the internet or by exchanging a beloved 5litre V8 monster for a tame little diesel. There are few companies familiar with tailoring cover to the needs of mountaineers and there is very little incentive for them to compete on costs.
Finally, in response to the last paragraph of Mr Swinton's letter I would comment that we are currently undertaking a full organisational audit, inclusive of the Exec spending a Sunday in December digesting it with experts, hoping we're not missing a snowy day in the hills.
Beryl Leatherland
Hi Readers
This year my partner will complete all the Munros and he usually takes our dog with him, I just wondered if there has been a dog which has already completed all the Munros and if so, when?
Audrey Wallace.
Do Ptarmigan Swim?
Dear MCofS
I have a fantastic wife, though more of her later. In October I was resting a rather weary body on the mountain rescue box at the foot of the Goat Track in Coire an t-Sneachda. A great opportunity to commune with The Creator about the beauty of His creation whilst waiting for a friend more advanced in years, to descend.
The state of reverence was intruded upon by the sound of a strong wind. Another similar sound and there was a large splash to my right. My immediate assumption was a large rock had fallen into the small lochan. However, the rock was floating and had started to move!
Please appreciate that the sun was well past its zenith. The rock climbed out of the water and closer inspection revealed it was a Ptarmigan. I tried to erase my immediate “It’ll never survive that: I wonder what it tastes like?” and replace it with a “don’t worry, I’m a trained first-aider” shout. I then dismissed the next thought, “I wonder if it would like a nip from the hip flask?” as ridiculous, as it was emptied at the final peak (I had to celebrate, its to do with the wife again).
I assumed, I hope correctly, that there was no dehydrated St Bernard in the rescue box for either humans or Ptarmigan.
What to do? Realising I was the only witness to an air accident I asked my now descended and more technologically advanced friend to photograph the scene. Close inspection does in fact show a fair number of feathers floating in the water and a Ptarmigan resting on the edge.
So, to answer my hypothesis: yes Ptarmigan do swim. However I would be very grateful if the very necessary debate over whether farmers should be allowed to keep sheep given that they are considerable health risk could be paused to allow you, or any reader, to tell if they have witnessed a similar experience.
My wife? Well the night before I’d been in Raigmore with child No1. The next morning she’s sending me to the hills, whilst nursing No1 and breast feeding No2. A grand way to spend our 5th wedding anniversary!
Yours Iain King
Rail Crossings
Dear MCofS
I am employed by Network Rail and thought that perhaps I could offer a few points. There are many crossings in the UK known as ‘accommodation crossings’ which allow farmers access to land cut off by the railway. Only the named person, or his representative, may use these crossings - they are not for public use. It is my understanding that these crossings will slowly disappear over the years as, when the named farmer passes away, the agreement to cross ends and the crossing is removed.
It is widely acknowledged that ‘level crossings’, for various reasons, are one of the most incident prone areas on the railway and that’s why Network Rail is committed to removing them. The cost of providing a footbridge or underpass is horrendous due to the health and safety legislation (over £50,000 for a basic footbridge). For a company which was formed because its predecessor was badly financially managed, you can see why access is limited.
On the subject of foot crossings: in many countries a simple crossing with basic instructions for use is deemed sufficient, especially on less well used rural lines. These are already widely used in this country for access to workplaces by trained rail staff. However, with our compensation culture, what manager is going to allow the installation of such a crossing, knowing that he could be jailed, sued or both if something was to happen? At Dalmally Station, at the end of the platform is just such a crossing, and right next to it is a sign saying passengers must not cross the line. As it is the only way to cross, how are passengers to get from one side to the other. Fly?
For safety only trained people wearing high visibility clothing are allowed access to the railway. If this as a necessary measure to prevent people being killed or injured, why is it unreasonable to keep untrained people away from an environment which may kill them?
So how do walkers and climbers get across the railway? The important term here is ‘across’. There are reports of people being killed or injured on the railway. Instead of selecting a safe point and crossing quickly, as you would with a road, many walk along the line, unaware of a trains speed, or the direction of approach (especially relevant in the Highlands where trains run over single lines in both directions). If we saw a person trying to walk along the middle of a motorway, facing away from traffic, we would be appalled but his is what happens regularly on the railways, and unlike cars, trains cannot steer, only brake (taking a long distance to do so).
I don’t see Network Rail installing many, if any, public crossings in the near future, so perhaps the MCofS could provide its members with guidelines on crossing safely, while working toward getting safe crossing points installed.
Name Withheld
Lost & Found:
A GPS and water bottle found on Beinn Eighe on the 8th of August. For return please phone 01540 661532 with description.
Lost Rock Boot: Red Chili, Torro rock boot (red and orange) lost on Buachaille Etive Mor, Glen Coe in August.
Please contact the MCofS Office.
