Let's hope an innovative solution can be found
SIR – My family have been regular visitors to the Kyle of Sutherland for over 25 years. While walking through the beautiful, but now woefully maintained forest walks above Carbisdale Castle, I could not help but reflect on the fate of this historic local landmark as recently covered by recent articles and letters in your paper.
In particular I have been struck by the somewhat covert nature of discussions between the current owners, the Forestry Commission Scotland and the prospective developer’s representatives and what seems to me, a lack of public consultation.
In this year that celebrates and commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, should we not remember the important role that the castle played in sheltering King Haakon VII of Norway and the generosity of Harold Salvesen in gifting the castle to the SYHA after the war?
In my view the contrast between this gesture of true altruism to benefit the greatest number and the current trend of maximising profit margins for the few could not be more marked.
Perhaps my cynicism is unfounded. There are many examples that philanthropy and the spirit of public service are alive and well in these Isles. But I do wonder how the former benefactor would have viewed the current situation.
Let us hope that a solution can be found that is truly innovative, democratic and will be wholeheartedly welcomed by the community.
Dr Andrew Norman
Paradise Farm
Upper Coxley
Wells
Somerset
You can’t put a price on community spirit
SIR – Many of us stand together in support of Strathy wind farm and we don’t all have a negative view of wind farms.
You should see and feel the energy of the people in the communities that SSE have helped so far and I and others feel that this is a win-win situation.
SSE has promised to restore far more peatland than required whilst producing greener energy and our communities will have security for 25 years.
If we do not invest in the facilities that keep people in the area, then we run the risk of having no community at all, We are the endangered species.
You can’t put a price on community spirit, but the money SSE brings, along with their promises to restore our peatlands, means there is a future in sight for our communities and a compromise for our countryside.
Emma Montgomery
Ar Dachaidh
Kirkton Farm
Melvich
