BIVVI TALK

Wind farms:

Dear Sir
I would like to add my voice to those of your readers who must be very concerned about future plans for wind farms. The highlands of Scotland are one of the finest and wildest mountain areas in Europe, still largely untouched by man's activities. The introduction of wind farms, transmission lines and access roads would be ruinous and very soon bitterly regretted. 300ft high structures built on hill tops would be visible for many miles and be disastrous to a region of outstanding beauty. Scotland has a very precious resource which must be preserved for future generations.

It is particularly disturbing that planning permission can be granted without proper advertisement, consultation and consideration.

Wind farms in the highlands do not make economic sense. Hugely subsidised by Government, potentially very bad for the tourist industry and will only ever produce a relatively small amount of energy a long way from where it is mainly required.

Increasing expert opinion is recommending the building of nuclear power stations which are now very efficient and being built worldwide. France produces 80% of its power through nuclear and exports large quantities to us via cross channel cables. The small amounts of waste can be buried safely in deep geological structures which have been stable for tens of millions of years. Why do we need to despoil our country with wind farms?

Alastair Craig

Doggy Matters:

Dear Editor
She rushed out of the farmhouse, ran across the lawn, sat on the map I had laid out and stared into my eyes. “I could take her with me” I said to the four girls who were about to start their DofE Expedition. “They're looking for a good home for her” was the response. After a few phone calls I went back to the farm to collect 'Jenny'. The last comment was that she always comes back and does not need a lead.

Six weeks later, camping near Ben Lawers and our first Munro was to be Meall nan Tarmachan. We set off following the usual route along the old quarry track. Jenny was excited by the new smells, but came back whenever called. Over the first top and up to the col, just below the 'big push'. The weather was good, south westerly winds and fine views.

Then it happened. First the scent of something really special and a glimpse of two hinds bounding off into the wind. Before I could react she was off. I ran after her shouting and whistling as loud as I could. After an hour fruitless circling I gave up with fears that she may get shot.I retraced my steps back towards the car. Was that a dot between two cars? It was not until I was off the road I was sure it was her, howling to the skies for being abandoned.

We repeated the attempt next day, this time with 20m of rope lead and it proved no hindrance. Using a “Flexi-25m Classic” attached to my sack belt we did three more Munros that week, with Jenny happily on a lead.

David Noble

Dear JRT
I was interested to read your letter in the recent 'Scottish Mountaineer'. It is such a pity you can not manage to get out on to the hills these days. I am a toy poodle with wee short legs and like you, I have done lots of Munros and Corbetts.

I even did the Aonach Eagach the other week. Actually, it was a bit humiliating at times, when I was shoved into a rucksack with just my head sticking out. I would have been so embarrassed if I had met a big dog that was managing the whole ridge without any help.

My mistress takes me walkies twice a day, even in bad weather, to keep me fit. Do you know that when I am walking past a house in the pouring rain, with a dog looking out of the window – I am told that “I am the lucky one out walkies”? I used to think that was true – but now that I am getting on a bit, I am not so sure. Hope to meet you in the Clachaig some time

Yours TROT

PS: my Mistress met a Jack Russell terrier on the Aonach Eagach ridge a couple of years ago – was it you?
PPS: I have a good photo of wearing my winter mountaineering gear

Cairngorm Issues:

Dear MCofS
The article on environmental commitment at CairnGorm Mountain Ltd by Cathy Mordaunt (Scottish Mountaineer December 2004) made for interesting reading, but does not really get to grips with the main issues.

Firstly, Cathy confuses best environmental practice as carried out by CairnGorm Ltd within the ski area with the responsibility for environmental protection in the greater mountain range. Surely it is the National Park who has responsibility for the latter. There is some overlap, but lets not confuse the two, when CairnGorm Ltd is a commercial operation with a large overdraft, which brings economic benefit to the area and should be allowed to operate (responsibly) on a sound commercial basis.

We cannot go back to a pre-ski era and despite a minority with alternative views its demise is unlikely and would not be welcomed by the new park authority, whose aim is to “promote sustainable economic and social development of the areas communities”. Further development within the ski area has to be accepted as long as it is carried out with the same care shown in the present development.

Secondly, Cathy's explanation of the new system of access was a good summary of the situation. However, the closed system at the Ptarmigan has to be questioned. To remind you: in summer it is completely closed and in winter only downhill skiers are allowed access to the ski area. Developers were obliged to adopt this system to gain Planning permission because of pressure from those who feared increased damage to the fragile mountain plateau.

Cathy says that the closed system is the result of “the few who chose to ignore the change in access, in particular those who have been used to the chairlift to access the plateau”. In winter, would ski tourers and a few winter mountaineers travelling over snow covered ground have any significant impact? In summer, surely people should be allowed to walk down the mountain and access to the summit not be ruled out? With suitable advice and monitoring?

It is the existence of the ski road that allows uncontrolled access for so many, that makes it hard to reconcile the need for a closed system. We seem to have a system based on the possible behaviour of a few at the top of the hill, but that encourages uncontrolled access at the road head. Surely the national park should be managed for all by educated co-operation not by restriction.

Cathy suggests the core of the range is protected to ensure that the relatively pristine environment is not damaged further. Wishful thinking! Crashed fighter jets caused massive damage, but it will always be people taking access that causes the most impact. The national Park designation will only encourage more, so protection measures will always be a damage limitation exercise. The paths network is being upgraded and well engineered but its when they end that damage begins.

As Cathy says “it will require everyone to accept responsibility for the damage they do”. This is not only people taking access (even those with Andy Nisbet's 'Winter Climbers Rights') but also the National Park Authority and SNH, who have a role to play in visitor management.

Alan Hunt.