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Highland Clearances
Category Archives: Economic development
Praise from Lincolnshire
“I would personally support any extension of the North Highland Way. Any provision of better hiking, cycling and horse riding on a dedicated trail is to be welcomed. It is an ambitious undertaking but none the less deserving because of that fact. Even the provision of distinct sections towards a larger trail would be welcome. There are definitely sections of Lincolnshire that would benefit from this project.” so says Pat O’Connor.
“We’ve been sold a false economy”
This was the cry in the John o Groats Journal this week (March 29 – 2 April 2024). Not so, says this ex project manager from financial services, and well known for her views on the lack of drive for sustainability, either economic or environmental, in the North of Scotland. Money has been wasted on projects such as the Sutherland Space Hub, on the Thurso Development Trust (the Socially Growing premises are, it would, appear, being cleared out.) There is not, and never has been, in Caithness, the notion of sustainability. Take Venture North for example. They do great work and at least they do work thanks to the direction of board members such as Andrew MacKay from the Caithness Collection. However, the group is still propped up by funding from Dounreay. Now we have Focus North propped up by funding from the NDA. These groups have no project focus on income, simply expenditure and lots of talking. For the developer of the North Highland Way, she has no time for talking shops. She attended meetings for many years and now there is no benefit. She can find out what she needs to know by Freedom of Information requests.
Meanwhile, she spreads her wings further south through Moray, Aberdeenshire and even to leafy Lincolnshire, where two local MPS have pledged their support for the Lincolnshire coast to be linked with the North Highland Way. A long shot, but they think it is worth a try. It would appear that people from Lincolnshire have vision. Mrs. Thatcher certainly did. Love her or hate her, she made an impact.
You can read more about it in Environmental News.. progress on the North Highland Way project, agricultural research and much more.
Foundation Scotland
First Foundation Scotland say they want inward investment, then they say they don’t. With HIE under investigation for breach of Ethical Standards and with the ICO, one wonders if anyone wants inward investment to the North of Scotland.
The Highland Clearances
This is the first time we have mentioned the Highland Clearances, but this blog is the start of it. It is what Scotland does with its money. Sets up non sustainable organisations, such as the Brough Bay Association, and gets public money to run it. Then it folds, and everyone is sad. Not in all cases, though of course.
The Dunnet Head Educational Trust ended up being sustainable.
Friends of the North Highland Way
The Friends of the North Highland Way is a group of people who really wanted the North Highland Way, a multi use route across the north of Scotland. This same group want to see NetZero, which is unlikely when Highlands and Islands Enterprise want everything free of charge.
The Battle for Brough Bay
Oh dear. Poor old Scotland.
The Battle for Brough Bay and other scribblings. Sorry, you have to pay.
Brough Bay 