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Wild Land News

Wild Land News is the magazine of the Scottish Wild Land Group.

No 71, Spring/Summer 2008

• COMMENT - Windfarm Expansion
• Off-site link: Land Reform: An agenda for the 2007-2001 Scottish Parliament - by Andy Wightman
• Potential carbon store losses resulting from windfarm development -
  Interesting findings emerged from one local campaigning group who have had peat analysed for its carbon content. The peat was over 80% moisture, but had a carbon content of 49%. What happens to this carbon when the peat is dug up for access roads, turbine bases and foundations?
• MoD objects to windfarms - The Ministry of Defence has objected to 13 windfarms across Scotland as well as 29 in England
• Wild Places: a winter's night - an extract from Robert Macfarlane's new book
• An experimental toilet for Corrour bothy by John Cant
• Snowie Case Dismissed
• Lewis Windfarm Rejected - The Scottish Government has rejected proposals for Europe's largest windfarm on the Isle of Lewis

No 70, Autumn 2007 Contents

• COMMENT - Scotland's New Government - Opportunity And Threat -
• Access Issues Hit The Courts
• Wild Places: Moor - an extract from Robert Macfarlane's new book
• Braes O' Doune - Returning to Scotland from Devon, David Jarman is appalled at the industrialisation of a familiar landscape
• Access Code Review
• AGM Report
• Scotland's living landscapes - places for people - September 2007 The Scottish Landscape Forum report review by Alistair Cant
• Letter to the Editor - Wild Wales - reply from Aneurin Phillips, Chief Executive, Snowdonia National Park Authority
• Letter to the Editor - Perils of the Gaelic - from Liz Patterson, Gargunnock, Stirling

No 69, Summer 2007 Contents

• Beauly-Denny Transmission Line inquiry ends - That Inquiry - the stifling of dissent?
• Perils of the Gaelic
• Across Scotland with Pylons - Chris Townsend walks from west to east and finds much that won't feature in the tourist brochures
• Wild Wales - As not protected by Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri - With National Park status seemingly unable to give assured protection to our Scottish landscapes, David Jarman goes south and crosses two borders to see how things are done in Wales.
• South Uist Buy-out - Danny Rafferty reports on the successful community purchase
• Forest restructuring above Loch Lomond - John Digney reports on a major forest restructuring project on the slopes of Ptarmigan Hill on the east side of Loch Lomond
• Assynt "Wind Croft" - John Digney reports on a controversial proposal for a small-scale windfarm near Lochinver that has caused divisions in the local community
• Letter to the Editor - John Allen complains about a new path on Ben Nevis
• AGM 2007 notice

No 68, Spring 2007 Contents

• Comment - Windfall gains
• LINK 'Everyone' campaign Alistair Cant
• Beauly - Denny Transmission Line - With the Public Inquiry now under way, SWLG David Jarman has submitted a 16,000 word precognition on behalf of the Beauly-Denny Landscape Group which comprises six national organisations.
• Landscape - Coming More Into Focus? - Alistair Cant reports on a significant initiative to put landscape protection on to the political map
• What do hillgoers think of renewables in the wilds? - A straw poll on Ben Wyvis by David Jarman
  'what would you think if there was a big wind farm out there, between us and the Fannaichs?' 'Well, it would bother me'. Nuff said.
• Forest Design - John Digney reports on further meetings with Lorne Forest District staff
• Gaia and the energy debate - With man-made climate change now officially acknowledged, Fiona Anderson examines the latest ideas of James Lovelock
• Book Review: Hostile Habitats, Scotland's mountain environments by David Jarman

No 67, Autumn 2006 Contents

• Comment
• AGM Report - Creag Meagaidh / Newtonmore - June 2006 Alistair Cant
• Hope for Control of Upland Tracks? - An Executive Review offers an opportunity to press for more regulation over the construction of these eyesores. Hamish Johnston reports.
• Common Land Issues
• Developments in Renewable Energy since March 2006 - Fiona Anderson reports
• On Diurnal Variations in the Remoteness and Tranquillity of the Highlands by David Jarman.
• New Era Of Cairngorm Ownership - Anne Macintyre
• SWLG in forestry consultations
• Abercairny windfarm proposal turned down - John Digney reports
• Update on Beauly - Denny Power Line - Anne Macintyre reports
• Letters to the Editor from Dr Mandy Meikle, Michelle Di-Duca and Richard Gilbert.

No 66, Spring 2006 Contents

• Comment - It's our landscape - and we're looking after it
• Rewilding our forests - part 2 - the south. David Jarman
• Plans for Stronger Landscape Protection - Alistair Cant
• AGM 2006 Notice - 17 June 2006, Newtonmore
• A Highland Members' Group? - SWLG member Hamish Johnston reflects on the inaugural meeting
• Native forest for Loch Katrine - John Digney reports on a woodland regeneration project at the heart of Scotland's first National Park.
• The Revenge of Gaia bodyswerves Scotland? by David Jarman.
• The Dissuaders - Another small-scale hydro scheme threatens the north-west. Alistair Cant reports.
• Update on power line upgrade - Anne Macintyre
• Five possible areas suggested for new Coastal & Marine National Parks - Alistair Cant
• Letter to the Editor from Dr. Lesley Evans.

No 65, Winter 2005/2006 Contents

• Comment - Future energy - choices or meltdown
• Rewilding our forests - Forestry policy is changing for the better. David Jarman considers the options for restructuring the plantations and suggests where they could be removed entirely.
• How about a Highland Members Group? - David Jarman
• A simple stroll on the wild side of Drumochter - David Jarman
• Bid to extend Cairngorms National Park - Alistair Cant
• Archipelago Forum - John Digney reports on a new initiative in the Staffa archipelago
• Highland Renewable Energy Strategy - Our politicians are failing to recognise the value of our landscapes in the drive towards energy generation. David Jarman reports.
• Wild land group uses email network for the first time - Alistair Cant

No 64: Autumn 2005 Contents

• Comment - A changing pattern of ownership
• Proposals for a National Marine Park - Alistair Cant
• Tracks in Glens - David Jarman
• One small gap for wild access - David Jarman reports on Ben Ledi - our first Annual Task
• AGM 2005 - Business Report
• Beauly - Denny Powerline - Davie Black of the Ramblers' Association, Scotland
• Wind Farms on Lewis - decision time - Alistair Cant
• Go Ahead for Glendoe Hydro Scheme - Anne Macintyre reports on a large-scale development in the Highlands
• Wildwood Management - Marina Llewellyn argues for the expansion of our scattered remnants
• Review of the Scottish Forestry Strategy
• Modernising the Planning System - Alistair Cant
• How wild was Knoydart? - David Jarman
• Letter to the Editor

No 63: Spring 2005 Contents

• Comment - Generation and Conservation
• The circuit of Stank Glen - being an account of desperate struggles, present and foreseen, to complete what was once and might yet be one of the best hill days in easy reach of the populace, including an ascent of Ben Ledi by its finest route, by David Jarman
• "Everyone" Campaign on Climate Change - Fiona Anderson reports on a Scottish Environment LINK initiative
• Woodlands and Wildness - Continuing the debate on re-afforestation, Dr. James Fenton reflects on the change to the Highland landscape.
• Large herbivores munching the uplands of Britain - David Jarman ruminates on the issues raised at a National Trust for Scotland conference
• Where wild land supporters live - SWLG members live broadly in proportion to the population of Scotland, in cities, suburbs, and countryside
• Statutory right of access now in force Alistair Cant lauds the long-awaited start of statutory access rights
• AGM 2005 notice

No 62: Winter 2004/2005 Contents

• Comment - A Landscape Forum?
• Windfarm bottleneck - by Davie Black Wildland Campaign Officer, Ramblers' Association Scotland
• Access Legislation - Alistair Cant
• John Muir Trust conference: Sustaining Wild Land - Fiona Anderson reports on a high-profile event
• The SWLG position on renewable energy in Scotland - Alistair Cant on a sugary tale that becomes a recipe for disaster
• How wild is Creag Meagaidh? - David Jarman
• Developments in Renewable Energy since March 2004 An update by Fiona Anderson
• A Celebration of Mountains - Irvine Butterfield reports on an exhibition in Blair Atholl last Autumn to raise the profile of the case for including highland Perthshire within the Cairngorms National Park

No 61: Autumn 2004 Contents

• Comment
• AGM Weekend At Glen Affric And Cannich - Alistair Cant
• Highlands in Top Ten.
• Forestry and Wild Land in Glen Affric - Malcolm Wield and Alan Stevenson set out some of the radical changes which have been and continue to be made in the practice of forestry as applied on the national forest estate by Forestry Commission Scotland. The article explains and illustrates these changes using Glen Affric as a case study, and sets out how wild land and wild woods are being managed on a significant scale in key places in Scotland.
• More Hills for Sale - Alistair Cant
• Lingarbay Superquarry Victory - Alistair Cant
• AGM Report
• Glen Affric: the Return of the Wild - Alan Watson Featherstone describes a major project to restore a forest ecosystem.
• Trees and wild land values in West Glen Affric: a personal view - Richard Tipping, Althea Davies & Eileen Tisdall, University of Stirling
• Wood Notes Wild - David Jarman

No 60: Spring 2004 Contents

• Comment - The wild land is full of noises.
• Managing Sustainable Mountain Development.
• Shieldaig hydro scheme refused.
• Deer cull in Glen Feshie - Anne Macintyre
• Scotland's future landscapes?. David Jarman reports on a LINK seminar
• Scottish Outdoor Access Code - Alistair Cant
• Developments in Renewable Energy since October 2003 - an update by Fiona Anderson and Anne Macintyre
• SWLG objection to new power lines across the Highlands

No 59: Winter 2003/2004 Contents

• Comment - Holyrood inquires into renewable energy.
• Harris Superquarry threat continues. Alistair Cant
• Peat & Global Warming. Dr. James Fenton warns against complacency when development, even in the name of renewable energy, threatens our precious peat reserves.
• Who owns Scotland?. A Caledonian Centre for Social Development project to identify who owns Scotland.
• Mountain access? Trust us!. David Jarman reports on an unwelcome intrusion
• Proposals for Renewable Energy Developments since June 2003. A rush to off-shore wind developments looks set to follow the on-shore wind farm revolution
• Shieldaig Hydro Scheme Update. An update on the proposed hydro scheme at Shieldaig

No 58: Autumn 2003 Contents

• Comment - A tale of two chiefs.
• Email Information Resource. Alistair Cant asks you to add your name to our action mailing list.
• Focus on Shieldaig. Wild Land Group members responded magnificently to the special mail-out to members on the issues of the proposed Shieldaig hydro scheme.
• Shieldaig Hydro Scheme. Division within Highland Council
• AGM Report, May 2003. A small but dedicated band of volunteers met in Fort Augustus for the May 2003 SWLG AGM weekend. Alistair Cant
• Annual Report 2002-03. One of our busiest years... Alistair Cant
• Cairngorms National Park back in Scottish Parliament's sights. Perthshire Alliance for the Real Cairngorms (PARC) steps up efforts to bring in missing Perthshire wilds. Report by Bill Wright.
• Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Glen Doe hydro electric scheme. Anne Macintyre reports on the largest hydro proposal in the Highlands for many years

No 57: Spring 2003 Contents

• Comment - another twist in the old development versus conservation arguments.
• Wind Farms - The Renewables Revolution. Fiona Anderson examines how we protect our wild heritage while meeting demand for cleaner energy generation
• Renewable Energy Schemes in Scotland. There are alternatives to hilltop windfarms. Fiona Anderson looks at the options currently available.
• A Wind Farm to Farr. Alistair Cant
• Annual Members' Meeting. 24th May 2003
• Everyone Campaign. Scotland's environmental groups campaigning together
• Implementing the Access Legislation.
• Key Strategic LINK Seminar.
• North Harris Buyout.
• Letter to the Editor.

No 56: Winter 2002/2003 Contents

• Comment - review of 2002.
• Policies for Scottish Wild Land. Fiona Anderson examines the policy papers on wild land produced by three major organisations.
• Progress on access. Alistair Cant reports on the land reform legislation.
• AGM Report - May 2002. A report of the visit to Schiehallion and the AGM at Dunkeld with a talk from Andy MacPherson
• In defence of outdoor writing. Chris Townsend responds to an article in "Scotland's Wild Land - What Future?"
• Wester Ross National Scenic Area. Alistair Cant reports on a pioneering project in the north-west
• Parliamentary Duty in the Cairngorms by Dave Morris Director, Ramblers' Association Scotland
• Major IYM conference - 'Nature and People'. Alistair Cant
• Attadale Bulldozed Track.

No 55: Spring 2002 Contents

• Comment - Focus on Access
  Fiona Anderson examines the changes to the Access section of the Land Reform Bill as a result of the public consultation process.
  Alistair Cant considers the Stage 1 Report on the Bill by the Justice 2 Committee.
• Uproar Over Lingerbay Upset
• Cairngorms - a better turning?  15 years after the Scottish Wild Land Group highlighted both the value and troubles of the landscape, Bill Wright warns that simple National Park designation will not answer all the ills identified over a decade and a half ago.
• SNH Considers Wild Land Policy.
• AGM 2002 Notice.
• Large-scale hydro development returning to the highlands? John Digney reports on a proposal for a £50m scheme for an undisclosed location

No 54: Winter 2001/2002 Contents

• Comment - Scotland as Europe's renewable energy capital?
• Deer Damage on National Nature Reserves
• Community Purchase Of Gigha
• International Year Of Mountains 2002 And The Scottish Wild Land Group. An overview by IYM's Scotland project officer, Andy Macpherson.
• Native Pinewoods Under Threat. A report by Gus Jones
• Superquarry News.
• John Muir and the National Parks Movement. As Scotland prepares to inaugurate its first National Park, Fiona Anderson looks at the work of the Scot who did so much for the conservation movement, but did it in America.
• Glen Feshie traded in Again. Anne Macintyre reports on the latest clandestine land sale.
• Access Bill Update Alistair Cant reports on the improvements to the Access section of the Land Reform Bill

No 53: Summer 2001 Contents

• Comment - Alterations to Proposed Access Legislation produce a Dog's Breakfast of a Bill
• AGM 2001 - Business Report
• Focus on National Parks - Extra funding for enlarged Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park - John Digney reports.
• Cairngorms National Park. Anne Macintyre highlights the key issues raised in the recent consultation paper.
• New Forum Launches IYM 2002 Project. Alistair Cant reports on an important Scottish initiative for next year's International Year of the Mountain.
• Foot and Mouth Disease, Access and the Land Reform Bill. Charles Wallis takes an overview of the epidemic and considers the implications in the light of the draft access legislation.
• Capturing the Will O' the Wisp: Defining Wild land in Scotland - Fiona Anderson summarises Dr Aitken's AGM talk.
• Letters to the Editor

No 52: Spring 2001 Contents

• Comment - Land Reform - The Draft Bill
• Hydro-Electric Schemes - Richard Gilbert reports on another major threat to Wester Ross.
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park - Fiona Anderson and John Digney examine the consultation document in preparation for the establishment of Scotland's first National Park.
• The Highest Ideals. Some people see land simply as a commodity which you buy. Alison Elliot looks at the deeper meaning of the environment and our complex relationship with it.
• Cairngorms National Park Consultation by Anne Macintyre
• Planning Controls for Telecoms Masts. Alistair Cant examines the Executive's proposals.
• AGM 2001 announcement

No 51: Autumn 2000 Contents

• Comment - Lingerbay Superquarry Refused
• Bulldozed Tracks - Our recent survey showed that the proliferation of bulldozed tracks is a priority concern among our members. Charles Wallis examines the very limited powers that currently exist to regulate their construction.
• Tilting at Windmills (and Dams) - Alistair Cant examines the new planning guidelines on renewables.
• Skye Blues: the seven challenging questions that need answers - Peter Gibb on ancient titles to land.
• Funicular in the Spotlight by Dave Morris, Ramblers' Association Scotland.
• An Teallach sold  John Digney.

No 50: Summer 2000 Contents

• Comment - Who "Owns" the Cuillin Hills
• More fencing for Glen Feshie  Anne Macintyre.
• National Parks in Scotland - At Last!  Half a century ago National Parks were introduced in England and Wales. With Scotland finally about to follow suit, Fiona Anderson chronicles the long struggle to establish them here.
• John Muir Trust buys Ben Nevis  Charles Wallis reports.
• Royal Assent for Feudal Legislation  John Digney.
• Members' Consultation  Anne Macintyre.
• AGM Report  Alistair Cant.

No 49: Spring 2000 Contents

• Comment - The end of the feudal system
• Timetable for National Park Legislation
• Return of the Forest  The Glen Finglas estate near the Trossachs was bought by the Woodland Trust in 1996. A programme of woodland regeneration could create the largest native broadleaf forest in Scotland.  Andrew Fairburn
• National Scenic Areas  Fiona Anderson reports on SNH's recommendations.
• Members Day/Weekend and AGM 2000 - May 13th/14th
• Members' Questionnaire
• Escape to the Hills  Cameron McNeish, well-known writer and broadcaster, reflects on the irresistible appeal of the Scottish mountains in winter.
• AGM Report - November 1999  Alistair Cant.

No 48: Autumn 1999 Contents

• Comment - The 1999 McEwen Lecture
• Cairngorm Funicular Railway  Dave Morris.
• The Route to Better Access  Alistair Cant examines the proposals for legislation.
• Not Wild About Transport  Nick Kempe looks at the way motorised transport has intruded into wild areas and left its mark.
• Land Reform White paper  Alistair Cant.
• The News from Knoydart  Dave Smith, resident of Knoydart and SWLG member looks at the future of the estate now that it is in the hands of the community.
• Letter to the Editor