The theme of the Highland Clearances continues

Thurso to John o Groats

This week in the John o Groats Journal, there were two articles of interest. More passengers are needed for the PSO. Friends of the North Highland Way can fix that, and have approached the airline direct. As Friends of the North Highland Way is administered from Lincolnshire now, and Eastern Airways are in Humberside, it will be interesting to get their response.

The second article was about another extension to the Dounreay decommissioning. This journalist heard on the grapevine that the Scottish Government wanted it closed down. Quite right too when they won’t help the community. Now we have our own visitor management system, so we will see what that brings. VisitScotland will be delighted.

Not only have we solved that, but also the problem of losing the John o Groats ferry. You will need to be a Friend of the North Highland Way to find out how.

Space travel

This journalist did some research into space travel and its impact on climate change. The Sutherland Space Hub is in the middle of the North Highland Way, which is somewhat of a concern. The Space Hub is being funded by millions of pounds, yet a terrestrial project gets nothing.

The Shetlanders have their space hub, as well as the Walkers are Welcome scheme. We are not sure why the far north has to be any different, so this journalist asked the UK Government in July 2023. Yesterday she had a response. The question was “While I am not anti-space travel, it has many advantages. However, the speed at which Highlands and Islands Enterprise are trying to develop it is of a great concern, while ignoring other markets.

Orbex are already trying to build the base without any access roads being put in and without consultation with The Highland Council. The newspaper reported about a month ago that the Land Reform Act 2016 would have a bye law put in, there is no evidence of this happening. I have requested information from HIE, but have been refused, so I have asked under FOI. They consider that it is the developers responsibility to restrict access during lift offs.

Meanwhile, they have developed a “space cluster”. Not happy with allowing windfarms all over Northern Scotland with no strategy, the community is now having these developments foisted upon them, while restricting other business. Orca Watch, a well established event in the north, is to be cancelled next year due to the problems with offshore wind at Dounreay. It would appear that Nature Scot did not know about this.” (sic… it is not cancelled)

The very succinct reply 

“Planning is a devolved matter, therefore the UK Space Agency cannot comment in detail on the subject. However, as part of planning processes, each of the spaceports under development in the UK is required to undertake extensive consultation with local communities. Orbex and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)’s plans are subject to these requirements, as is any other development. Further information can be found via the Highland Council website https://www.highland.gov.uk/

The Government has always been clear that UK spaceflight activities must not unduly impact on the environment. The overall environmental impact of launching from the UK was considered and approved by Parliament as part of the impact assessment that accompanies the Space Industry Regulations 2021. In addition, The Space Industry Act 2018 includes a requirement that applicants for a spaceport licence or a launch operator licence must submit an assessment of environmental effects alongside their application. This ensures that applicants consider the potential environmental effects (including potential pollution impacts) of their intended activities and, if necessary, take (or identify) proportionate steps to avoid, mitigate or offset these. If applicants cannot satisfy these requirements, they will not be granted a licence to launch from the UK regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).” However, the question about having a mixed economy was not responded to. So, ever thorough, this journalist asked that specific question.

Back to the North Highland Way and The Highland Clearances

Business in Northern Ireland

How not to invest in Northern Ireland or Scotland if you are a woman, educated and, worst of all, English.

This journalist has been looking at Twitter and reasons to invest in Northern Ireland. However, her experience is not so rosy. As in Scotland, the Irish “Government” only give grants to local people or big investors. There is nothing for the small and medium business person, except go on courses when they are already qualified. 

This journalist wondered if it was the same in Northern Ireland after she had been pilloried for trying to bring a major project, the North Highland Way, to Scotland. She found it was no different, except that the business adviser did actually know what he was doing. Having “invested” time again in Culturally Curious, she found that there was actually no money, only jobs for local businesses. Very disappointing.

So, she went to England. She is not expecting assistance there, as she is about to retire on the proceeds of the compensation from the court cases against Radius Housing Association.

Bullying is not what we expected

When we moved to the Highlands in 1999, my partner and we never expected what happened. We had both worked in the Middle East without any problems whatsoever, or anywhere else in the world we had lived, so it came as a shock.

1992 – North Highland Way mooted by the Caithness Waybaggers

2003 – 2008 – Caithness and Sutherland Walking Festival – No HIE input.

2008 – Mr. Black said he would support the North Highland Way, then reneged on the arrangement.

The same year, the Caithness Waybaggers handed over all information about the route to myself.

Lots of community support, web site (by me)

Mr. Black tried to get my vote annulled, and failed.  I still have the documentation.

2014 – HIE input to specification and liked the idea.

THC could not get a group together, but I did – a business group.  Mr. Black quashed it and NHI was launched, not including the North Highland Way. NC500 also launched, but refused assistance to the North Highland Way.  Why?

2016-2022 I was away from Caithness so nothing was done, although I did speak to two of your  advisors who did not even know what the North Highland Way is. SNP also phoned me.

2023 – Investigation in the practices of HIE to form full picture with the other public services.  HIE again refuse money.

I shall say this once and only once

1.  I respond only to the Customer Services in the future.

2.  If it is because I keep sending emails, it is because I get no response, especially from Eann Sinclair.

3.  HIE, especially said Area Manager, has discriminated against me, a major investor in the County, since I stepped into it in 1999 and has made it his business to thwart every single project I have put in front of him

4,  HIE has stolen my intellectual property on several occasions, and backed the NC500, who are now promoting walks, against the private / public sector project of the North Highland Way together with The Highland Council and Nature Scot. This goes against every environmental policy I can think of.  Driving round in cars, instead of using public transport.

5.  If it is “upsetting” for your staff, then I am sorry.  Can you imagine that you arrive in Scotland from the south, full of hope that you will make a difference with your qualifications and experience, and instead you are villified and ignored and worse still, discriminated against.

As mentioned, I note that HIE said they backed The North Highland Way in the attached document. Why the sudden change of heart?  It can only be because I am a woman, educated and well travelled.  That is discrimination, and I would advise Mr. Black and Mr. Sinclair to treat me with respect and fund the North Highland Way, or they may well find themselves in court.  I would also advise you to tell the  NC500 people, propped up with public money, to cease competing against my and The Highland Council’s project.

Coming Soon | Transition together (wordpress.com)