Scotland is one of my favourite places. For walking, wildlife watching , photography and for for simply recharging the batteries, it is the place I go to reconnect with the natural world. It has some of Britain's wildest places, some of its rarest wildlife and most dramatic scenery, and as such should be a landscape to protect and cherish for future generations.
Whilst reading the Outdoor Photography facebook page last night I was saddened to discover the possible threat to Cape Wrath on the North West Coast. This iconic photographic location attracts visitors from all over the world and has recently been announced as the finish point for the newly formed Scottish National Trail. With its towering sea cliffs, abundance of seabirds, marine wildlife, historic lighthouse buildings, and iconic geographical location it is an area which should be preserved.
However with the land currently owned by the Northern lighthouse board up for sale the future of this area is under threat. The MOD have submitted an application to buy the site but if this fails they are threatening to step in and purchase the land for training purposes, increasing their live fire range and effectively closing the area to public access. The alternative to this is a proposed community buy out which would safeguard access for all and the future of this area. The decision is in the hands of the Scottish Government.
It seems crazy to me that this is happening, why does our government seem intent on destroying all our natural spaces or removing our right to access them. If we fail to let our children experience these places for themselves how can we expect them to care about the future of the countryside. After all you cannot love what you don't know. Access to natural spaces is important for us all; for our well being and and for the future conservation of our environment. We seem to hear on a daily basis the call for more housing, more roads, more wind farms; the ever increasing march of urbanisation. How is this sustainable and what message are we sending out to the younger generation - that natural spaces don't matter, that they are there to be used if we need them?
We need these places to be conserved and protected. We need to access them to learn from them, to admire them and to nurture a love for them in our children so that when we pass them on it will be to a generation that understands and cares.
More information about the sale of Cape Wrath can be found here
If you are interested in protecting our wild spaces please check out the John Muir Trust
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