election day - voice for arranvoiceforarran.com/old_issues/printissue05.pdf · matter reserved to...

Voice for Arran 06/05/2010 Email comments to [email protected] Website www.voiceforarran.com Mail: Voice for Arran, Woodside Kildonan, Isle of Arran

Katy Clark ( Labour)

Gillian Cole‐Hamilton (Scottish Lib Dem)

Patrica Gibson ( SNP)

Philip Lardner ( Independant)

Louise Mcdaid ( Scottish Socialist Party)

Paint your own porcelain in Corrie’s bright new shop Corrie has a wonderful new attraction in the form of Island

Porcelain, run by Vivienne Coulthard, with help from her daughter Becky during breaks from her studies at Edinburgh School of Art. ‘We’ve been so lucky to move here!’ Vivienne says. Island Porcelain started in Lamlash and shifted to Duchess Court in Brodick, but Corrie, where Vivienne herself lives, seems its perfect home. Run by its previous owners, Marvin and Marion

Elliott, as an art gallery after the general store proved unsustainable, it will still have paintings and drawings for sale, as well as locally‐made jewellery, but the main focus will be on the wee figures of birds and seals and otters. Visitors can see them being made in the workshop adjacent to the show‐room, and can even decorate their own chosen models before they are glaze‐fired. The finished piece will be posted to its decorator in a couple of days. Children are welcome at all times to paint their own porcelain, and if their mums and dads don’t fancy that, tea, coffee, soft drinks and home baking will be available. If the weather is nice, it will be served on the patio outside. ‘Just nice home‐made cakes,’ Vivienne says cheerfully. ‘We’re calling it Tea by the Sea.’

Even talking to Vivienne cheers you up. ‘Just look at it,’ she says. ‘What a perfect view! Who couldn’t be happy here!’ She’ll be looking for people to help supply home baking, so if you are a dab hand with scones and cakes, it could be a handy part‐time job. The shop, workshop and Tea by the Sea will be open from 10‐5.00 daily, Monday to Saturday, and if there seem to be enough people interested, Vivienne may even open on Sundays as well during the summer. We wish her all the very best of luck in her new venture.

Comrades at the Corrie Film Club The Corrie Film Club this Sunday, 9th May, shows Comrades, Bill Douglas's epic 1987 film about the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Douglas began work on it in 1979 and pushed on through 8 years of the Thatcher era that saw the suppression of the unions and the putting down of the miners’ strike. Comrades tells the story of the six agricultural labourers who in 1834 were sentenced to transportation to Australia for the crime of joining a trade union. Hardly surprisingly, the government of the 1980s did not smile on such a work. The film received limited distribution and has only recently been reissued by the British Film Institute.

By 1834 trade unions had been legalised, so the Tolpuddle men were charged under an obscure law that forbade the administering of oaths. Douglas, well known for his films about

his 1940s upbringing in a Scottish mining village ‐ My Childhood, My Ain Folk and My Way Home – follows the Tolpuddle men from their Dorset countryside to the blinding sun of Australia, always with a

CHARITY STATUS - PENDING

Election Day No point in saying anything further now about the merits of the various candidates, whose photos appear here. Whichever party ends up in the hot seat of government is in for a very sticky time, as far as we can see, and a shared approach to the burden may be no bad thing ‐ as long as we’ve elected people who genuinely care about the communities they represent.

Issue 5 6 May 2010 online at www.voiceforarran.com


beautiful painterly quality. He ran out of funds and lost his original producer, Ismail Merchant, but kept doggedly on, and today his film stands as a classic essay on the deep divide between the lives of the rich and the poor. Influenced by his work with Joan Littlewood at her theatre in Stratford, Douglas used relatively unknown actors to play the parts of the martyrs and their friends, though he cast James Fox and Vanessa Redgrave as upper‐class characters.

Few people today are aware that the Tolpuddle Martyrs were eventually pardoned and granted free passage back to Britain as a result of the public outcry that their case caused. Some of them later emigrated to Canada in the 1840s – but this lies outwith the time‐scale of Comrades. Through its cinematic sweep and feeling for landscape, the film puts a telling finger on the helplessness of men to defend themselves against those who value money and power above the basic rights of human beings.

The showing starts in Corrie Hall at 8.00. No charge – all welcome.

Ian’s happy birthday Ian Buchanan, whose wife, Betty, started the Lochranza choir, celebrated his 70th birthday last week in a way that took him completely by surprise. The choir, well briefed before its

afternoon rehearsal, swerved unexpectedly from a Stamford motet to ‘Happy Birthday To You’, and a veritable banquet was revealed in the room adjoining the stage. What seemed to be the entire village of

Lochranza arrived as well, and the occasion turned into a great party. The picture was taken by Jennie Niall, to whom many thanks.

Historic clipper may be saved by John Kinsman, Marine Editor A campaign to save the world’s oldest passenger clipper ship from being broken up has been thrown a lifeline with the appointment of a firm of consultants, DTZ, to review options for the 145‐year‐old City of Adelaide, currently resting on a slipway in Irvine. The Sunderland‐built ship, which predates the Cutty Sark, carried people and wool between Australia and Britain on 28 round trips. Later know as the Carrick, she has been left to the elements for so long that she has been considered past repair, and could still face deconstruction, the process to be recorded for display in a museum. Campaigners have for several years been trying to raise funds to re‐float the vessel and send her either to Australia or back to Sunderland, but it has seemed at times a hopeless task. However, Culture minister Fiona Hyslop has announced that Historic Scotland has commissioned DTZ to review the A‐listed ship’s options. DTZ has appointed Sir Neil Cossons, ex‐director of the Marine Museum in Greenwich and a former chairman of English Heritage, to provide technical expertise. Sunderland campaigner and city councillor Peter Maddison, who hit the headlines last year by briefly ‘occupying’ the clipper, said, ‘Any lifeline thrown in the direction of our ship is

to be welcomed. No‐one in Scotland or England wants to live with the ignominy of standing by while the world’s last passenger

clipper ship is deliberately smashed up.’ He added, ‘We built the City of Adelaide in Sunderland in 1864 and we want her back home.’

Bomb dredged up by John Kinsman Marine Editor

A dredger working off Campbeltown Harbour picked up an explosive device in its nets on Sunday May 2nd. A Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Team from Faslane on the Clyde went to the scene and took the device out to sea, where they carried out a controlled explosion in about 30ft feet of water. They described the device as a piece of ‘historic ordnance’ and said there was no reason to suspect that it was alive.

Labour Cut Disabled Access Fund by 51% By Kenneth Gibson MSP Mr Gibson points out that disabled access to the rail network is a matter reserved to Westminster, as it sits within equalities legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act. The Access for All Small Schemes Fund improves access to the network for disabled people by increasing the number of stations that are step free and wheelchair accessible. UK Labour Ministers agreed to allocate 10.14% of the Fund to Scotland, as past of a programme scheduled to run for 15 years. However, this year’s funding has been slashed by the UK Labour Government, with the amount available for schemes in Scotland reduced by an extraordinary 51%. Said Mr Gibson: ‘It is unacceptable that UK Labour Government cuts are already falling on services for some of the most vulnerable members of society. Not content with recently setting impossible criteria for disabled people to access the Independent Living Fund from 01 May, in its dying days, this Labour Government has slashed funding by more than half on an excellent programme to improve access to the rail network for disabled people. ‘The work undertaken through the fund is of great value to disabled people and it is they who will be most affected by this decision. This cut must be suspended, so that the issue can be revisited after the UK election.’

Submarine’s loss remembered

by Fiona Laing, who also sent the picture On Saturday a party of over 50 people arrived aboard the SD Oronsay at Lochranza pier for the annual memorial service for the crew of HMS/m Vandal. The party consisted of members of the Submariners

Association, their families and friends, along with relatives of some of the 37 men who lost their lives when the submarine sank on 24th February 1943.


HMS/m Vandal was only completed on 20th February 1943 and was on the last day of her trials before entering service when she was lost. Her position on the seabed was unknown until 1995 when an expedition found her approximately 1 1/2 miles NW of Lochranza 100m/330ft down. It took them to the point on the sea immediately above where the submarine lies and a further commemoration took place.

Greens Reject Scaremongering by Bankers The Scottish Greens today condemned bankers' warnings about the consequences of a balanced Parliament. They point out that the majority of European countries use fairer electoral systems, and there is no evidence that coalition government leads to worse economic management.

Patrick Harvie MSP warned of further casino banking, and said the scaremongering about a balanced parliament was ‘frankly a pathetic attempt to intimidate the public, the very people who are already paying the price for a failure of historic proportion by the so‐called talent in the city. It's the norm in most European countries to have balanced parliaments, and for David Cameron's old school chums in the city to threaten to do even more damage to the economy if the public have the nerve to vote for what they believe in is simply disgraceful.’ He went on, ‘Every voter who remembers the contempt these selfish bankers showed for the public will refuse to be bullied by them now. It's time to tax the speculation they rely on, and to pull the plug on the casino banking model that got us into this mess. We won't see this country's building societies, co‐operatives or credit unions spending all night trying to undermine democracy, and the bankers should think twice before doing so in the wee small hours of Friday morning.’

LOCHRANZA HOSTEL RELAUNCH TO MARK NEW ERA FOR ARRAN TOURISM Photographs By Arran Photography Lochranza Youth Hostel celebrated its official opening in glorious sunshine last Thursday following a £0.5 million refurbishment.

SYHA Hostelling Scotland hosted the event, presenting the hostel’s new high quality environment to guests, while showcasing the best of Arran. The charity hopes the event will provide an opportunity to strengthen links with the island’s rich selection of tourism‐related businesses, spanning food production and distilleries, to artists and wildlife managers. The new look Lochranza Youth Hostel offers high quality, flexible and affordable accommodation to individuals, families and groups, making the perennially popular Isle of Arran more accessible than ever as a fantastic Scottish holiday. Its great even

for Arran's locals who can enjoy a night at the North end

Fully refurbished and redecorated inside and out, this beautiful building now offers a high quality environment designed to exceed the expectations of the modern traveller.

Following the investment in premium beds, en suite private rooms and superior kitchen and shower provisions, the new Lochranza Hostel presents a quality experience, while retaining its traditional charm.

Guests can also be assured ecologically sound measures have topped the list wherever possible, with the installation of rain water harvesting, heat pumps and energy efficient lighting, part funded by Community Energy Scotland and the Scottish Government CARES scheme. The hostel is also the first in Scotland to achieve Fair Trade status, selling exclusively Fair Trade teas and coffees to guests. Producers showcasing at the event included Arran Abstracts and Photovisions, Arran Aromatics, Arran Dairies, Arran Fair Trade, Arran Power & Sail, Arran Whisky, Arran Wildlife Festival, Flying Fever and Island Cheese.

Louise Nowell, Sales & Marketing Director for SYHA Hostelling Scotland, said: “Lochranza Youth Hostel has been a major investment for SYHA Hostelling Scotland, with stunning results.

“The Isle of Arran is a highly appealing destination, which is ripe with the opportunity to attract new markets as Scotland enters this crucial era of economic recovery.

“Arran is blessed with breathtaking surroundings, unspoilt nature, intriguing heritage sites, delicious local food and drink, and distinct and inspiring cultural and artistic talent. “These factors combine to offer an unforgettable travel experience for people from all walks of life, and we are thrilled to play a role in Arran tourism by providing superior hostel

accommodation for all.

“Sustainability has been an important factor throughout the refurbishment, resulting in a hostel which oozes traditional charm, but is sustainable, enduring and has a dramatically lowered carbon footprint. “With greater choice of accommodation types, all of a

higher quality, on offer, the new Lochranza Youth Hostel reflects our organization's aims to meet the needs of the modern traveler.

“Yet still, this beautiful hostel represents the original founding

values of SYHA which are as relevant today as they were in 1931; affordable travel; respect for Scotland’s environment; and a community atmosphere which is a unique and wonderful feature of hostelling culture.” SYHA Hostelling Scotland is a registered charity dedicated to providing low cost, quality accommodation across Scotland. The charity is committed to promoting the social, environmental and educational benefits of hostelling to all, from families to retired people, couples to groups of friends.

Jazz Café in Whiting Bay next Friday The Jazz Café Band is back from its expedition last month to Pirnmill (in fact, it got back the same night, in case this sounds too much like Scott of the Antarctic.) Their next gig will be in

New Wardens Angela and Steve with the Scottish tourist board four star status and Hostelling International awards

Local producers exhibiting at the Hostel

Official opening / unveiling of the plaque by SYHA Vice President Mrs. Judy Roxburgh


Whiting Bay Hall on Friday 14th May, 8.00 until 11.00‐ish or whenever the trombone player shows signs of turning into a pumpkin. He’s not much like one normally, honest, being quite skinny. A long and cheery evening costs you a mere £3 at the door. Bring your own bottle, and dance if the spirit (or lemonade) moves you.

Support for the Voice increasing There are now 40 people on the list of those who have expressed support and a willingness to help Voice for Arran become an even more useful online newspaper. Our aim is to provide extremely cheap advertising for all local businesses and groups, plus absolutely FREE editorial reporting on whatever events you put on. The paper itself is FREE, and if you need publicity, a very modest annual subscription brings you six FREE adverts plus unlimited FREE editorial cover for all your events.

To help the word get round that we are alive and flourishing, there’s an A4 Voice for Arran poster available. If you’d like to print one off to display in your village, drop an e‐mail to [email protected] and we’ll send it to you.

The next monthly meeting is 5.30 next Thursday, May 13th, in the Glencloy Suite, Auchrannie Spa. It’s open to everyone, and it won’t drag on, we promise! We aim to get the essentials done in no more than an hour. Do please come if you can.

Kildonan Store to close Many people living in the south end of Arran will be grieved to hear that the Kildonan Store is to close. Russell and Elspeth Cheshire, who have run the wonderfully well‐stocked village shop for 15 years, will be concentrating on their boat‐hire and B&B businesses. Elspeth said, ‘After 15 years, we’ve had enough.’ She was concerned that their regular customers would find the closure hard, but pointed out that ‘bring everything with you’ tourism, coupled with Arran residents who take the ferry across to Ardrossan in order to shop at Asda, make it increasingly difficult for small businesses to survive. ‘But,’ she said, ‘now the decision is made, maybe I’ll sleep better at night.’

Knotty problem on the String Motorists starting up Brodick hill from the pier are somewhat baffled by a large illuminated sign warning them of a major road closure ahead and the need to take an alternative route. The String road is at that point a long way behind them, on the far side of Brodick, running west across the island. Meanwhile, at the Brodick junction with the String road itself, there is no sign to tell you to make sure to turn right towards Corrie rather than go straight on. The orange sign some way before the junction is too early, and does not make the choice of road clear.

The handling of arrangements for this 8‐week closure has been, to say the least of it, tangled. News seeped out gradually, and even the unfortunate Cllr Margie Currie was in the dark about the start date until quite late in the day. Amid a torrent of questions and protests, amendments were made. There would be gates, with keys for priority vehicles, then there was a hasty assurance that convoy access would be available in the morning and evening. Trying to unpick this muddle has left everyone

irritated, even while recognising that repairs to the String are absolutely vital. By contrast, information from Argyll and Bute on their handling of regeneration work in Bowmore and Dunoon is rather impressive. The £1.2million plans have been publicised in detail, with an assurance that ‘The contractor will be consulting with the local business community over the next week regarding how best to keep any disruption to a minimum.’ We can’t guess how smoothly it will all turn out, but at least A&B have people who will talk to you. In fact, their Communications manager, Jo Smith, has just e‐mailed to say, ‘Please can you update your contact lists to include my mobile number if you have emergency queries out of hours?’ Fantastic. We’re dead envious. More A&B stuff follows. If NAC told us anything, we’d include their news, as well. But they don’t.

Tax rebate for insulation Argyll and Bute Council is offering all its residents, including those on islands as far away as Tiree, a one‐off £65 rebate on their council tax if they buy cavity wall or loft insulation from Scottish Gas. Other energy efficiency schemes are available and the council encourages householders to call the independent Energy Savings Scotland Advice Centre on 0800 512082.

New hide for birders If you are interesting in seeing wading birds in their natural habitat, then a visit to a newly‐opened hide at Broxwood, Sandbank, near Dunoon, is a ‘must’. The site looks right over

the flat lands and estuary at the head of the Holy Loch, and Argyll Forest Landscape Partnership saw its potential as a bird observation point some years ago. Sandbank Community Development Trust (SCDT) then pushed the project forward. Now, the new hide is accessed by a path which crosses two oak bridges, constructed by Ardentinny‐based wood carver Guy

Elder.

Argyll and Bute Council leased SCDT the land for just £1 a year. Councillor Bruce Marshall, who is also chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee, is delighted that the hide is now open. He said, 'I am confident that the new hide will give pleasure not just to existing enthusiasts, but to others who might be experiencing the rewards of bird watching for the first time.’ Then he went on to say, ‘Whilst the opening ceremony was taking place, a Shellduck – the largest duck which breeds in Britain after wintering on the continent – was preening itself on a grassy bank no more than 70 metres away. It’s a fantastic facility, and I congratulate all those who have worked so hard to see the project through to completion.’

An apology Last weeks’ letter called An Opportunity came from Joan Calder, whose name did not appear at the bottom. Joan also contributed the book review in the same edition. Many thanks to her for both of these, and we really are sorry about the gremlins

Young Arran Speakers Head for Stratford–upon–Avon by Heather Gough This Friday, four S3 students from Arran High School head for the national final of a public speaking competition – Youth

mailto:[email protected]�


Speaks – run by the Rotary Club of Great Britain. Representing Arran High School and Arran Rotary Club are Chris Jenks (main speaker), Catherine McEachern ( Proposer of the vote of thanks) and Katharine O’Donnelly (Chairperson), ably supported by team coach and supporter, Iona Flewitt. The subject which this talented team have chosen is The Afterlife and Chris, as main speaker, will regale his audience with anecdotes about Karma, Egyptology, re‐incarnation and ghosts – amongst other things! To have got this far is a real credit to these young people who have so far competed against 14 other teams in 3 preliminary rounds to get to the final. No matter what happens at Stratford these four young people are real winners and we are all very proud of them.

Man’s Body Found in Clyde by John Kinsman, Marine Editor The Strathclyde Police Underwater Unit Police recovered a body from the River Clyde near Old Kirkpatrick, Dumbartonshire, on Monday night May 3. They cannot yet confirm that the body may be that of a missing Gourock man, 38‐year‐old Conn Neilis, as the remains are still to be identified.

Mr Neilis, of Doune Gardens, Gourock, was last seen more than a month ago. His concerned family raised the alarm when he did not return after a night out with friends in Erskine on March 28. Despite an extensive search, police were unsuccessful in tracing him.

Inspector Brian Jeffery said: ‘We are following a positive line of inquiry. The family has been made aware of our enquiry and there are indications the body may be a long‐term missing person, but this has not been confirmed.’

Dish of the Week By Anne Adams

GINGERBREAD MEN To be politically correct, these should be called Gingerbread people! INGREDIENTS Makes 20‐25.

225g (½ lb or 1 cup) of Butter or Margarine. ½ cup+1tsp (75g) 3oz icing sugar, sifted. 2 cups (225g) 8oz self‐raising flour. 2 teaspoons ground ginger ½ teaspoon salt 75g/3oz medium oatmeal 5 drops of vanilla essence Glacé icing to decorate

Method 1.Cream the fat and gradually beat in the sugar 2 Sift together the flour, ginger and salt and add the creamed mixture with the oatmeal and vanilla essence 3. Mix to a stiff dough. Either mould into the shape of little men or roll out the dough and cut into shapes with a biscuit cutter. 4. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven (180c/350f,Gas mark 4) for about 20 minutes. 5 Cool on a wire rack, then pipe on faces, features and buttons with glacé icing,

Golf Thursday 29th April Senior medal box tees. 8 played 1st H.McArthur 80‐18‐62, 2nd Drew Crawford 83‐16‐67 Summer Cup 32 played 1st Mark Wren 72‐11‐61, 2nd Paul Jameson 75‐ 13‐62, 3rd Ian

Bremner 70‐7‐63 4th Neil Young 66‐3‐63 Scratch D.MacFarlane 65 8 magic 2's M.Wren, B.Hastings, G.Andrew, P.Jameson, N.Young, D.MacFarlane, D.Robertson & M.Evans. Friday 30th April Arran Grouse qualifier 10 played. 1st I.Bremner & A. Smith 76‐8.5‐67.5, 2nd Todd & Paul Jameson 81‐12‐69 Both will represent Lamlash on the final day 11th September 2010 Sunday 2nd May Bogey Competition 22 played. C.S.S. 64 1st Ian Bremner on +3, 2nd Norrie McIntyre on +2, 3rd Adam Burke on +1 2 magic 2's by Todd Jameson and Drew Wales. Fixtures: Every Thursday Senior and Summer Cup. arranging times with starter. Friday 7th May first round of A.G.A. Seniors Bowl @ Brodick Golf Club. Saturday 8th May Jamieson Cup + 1st round of championship qualifier 0930, 1300 and 1700 hrs Sunday 9th May A.G.A. Spring Handicap at Machrie Bay Lamlash Open 6th,7th,8th August. Times still available.

Letters Dear Patricia Gibson, BIODIVERSITY. 14.4.10. Having attended the Hustings meeting held in Brodick Hall, I have little or no comment other than to say I found the proceedings rather boring, acknowledging that you had no control over the questions raised by the floor. However I have just read the content of the email, which you sent to Mr Wood of Coast on the above date. HOW can any educated person or any political party for that matter claim that the SNP are champions of sustainable fishing? Enter the real world‐ the record of sustainable fishing around Scottish waters is abysmal. I have no knowledge of the claims you make about the North Sea but I question whether the facts relayed are accurate. I am very familiar with the true facts and situation of the Clyde, not just around the shores of Arran where I reside, but the entire reaches of the Clyde. The Clyde is the Newfoundland of Scotland, a direct result following the abolition of the 3‐mile limit in 1984, which enabled a fish breeding area to exist. Your party continues to support the CFA (Clyde Fishing Association) the SFF (Scottish Fishermen’s Federation) and give legal right for the continuance of bottom trawling for prawns, (which is the only commercial product left in the Clyde‐at the bottom of the food chain) and dredging for clams, which destroys and decimates the eco system of the seabed. There is plenty of evidence of young fish spawning but they never survive the 6 years of maturity to breed. The action of the by‐catch caused by the above mentioned practice, which aught to be banned in the Clyde estuary for a period of time to allow the fish stocks and nature to recover and many other areas surrounding the Scottish Islands. Your leader Alex Salmond at a public meeting in the Arran High School affirmed to a Director of COAST that if Richard Lochhead, Scottish Rural affairs and Environment minister had promised that the remainder of Lamlash Bay would become Scotland's first MPA (marine protected area) ‘it would in fact happen ‘


What’s on this week — from information sent to us.

DATE DAY TIME EVENT VENUE COST

6/05/2010 THUR

7/05/2010 FRID

8/05/2010 SAT

09/05/2010

SUN

Tide Time?

8pm

2‐4pm

Viking long ship Sailing/ email [email protected]

Corrie Film Club see www.arranart.com

Hospital Supporters League Plant Sale

Corrie Port

Corrie Hall

Lamlash Com. Theatre

Mem.

Donation

10/05/2010

MON

5.15PM

6.30pm

BREATH WALK

Table Tennis—everybody welcome

Tel 600307

Corrie Village Hall

11/05/2010 TUES

12/05/2010

WED

10‐11.30am

6.m

Yoga For Every body tel 600307

Viking Long ship Rowing everybody welcome

Kenneil Lamlash

Corrie Port

£5 for 6

Mem

13/05/2010 THURS Arran Wild Life Festival various events see www.arranwildlife festival.com Tel 07825644161

Letter cont. Another year has passed and all that has been achieved is the building of a giant brick wall with no political will to implement MPA’s. A marine proposal, supported by a wide range of the community and many academics, they are essential not only for Lamlash, but for many aspects of tourism on the Island of Arran and for the resurgence of Scottish fishing in general. As a further example from my own experience, when I was a young man I fished in Lamlash Bay from a rowing boat with the simplest of tackle, it took less than one hour to catch enough Haddock to feed a family for a week or more, returning Cod to the sea, they were not the fish of choice in the 60’s. At this present time if I went out in Lamlash Bay in a rowing boat I would have to spend all day‐I mean at least 8 hours and would be extremely lucky if I managed to land one small fish of any description. Remember that at one time Lamlash Bay used to be the location of the biggest fishing festival in Scotland attracting people from all parts of the U.K and further a field, the competitors landing not only a large selection of varieties, the weight was in tons of fish. For some time now a lot of effort by scientists & ecologists has been put in to identifying areas around the U.K, which are suitable to be managed as MPA’s. The English proposals are streets ahead of Scotland. The number of locations being identified in Scotland is still growing, if implemented I am of the opinion that the MPA’s will be almost impossible to manage or police. I humbly suggest to the SNP that it would be much better all round to rescind the decision of 1984 and re‐establish the 3‐mile limit, which would be much easier and less complicated to manage and police. At present we often witness fishing boats trawling within 30 yards of the beach and there is nothing we can legally do to stop them. Despite complaints received from the local community. In inclement weather conditions the Island shop shelves get sparse within a period of 3 days. Communities require becoming more self sufficient to sustain life. In the present climate the population need sustainable fish, agriculture and forestry resources – it is not rocket science. Yours truly, James Henderson.

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