Oppose the MoD’s plans to buy Cape Wrath
I’M greatly concerned by the MoD’s attempts to purchase the 58 remaining acres of the Cape Wrath peninsula that they don’t already own. I fear that if they were successful access to the public would be greatly compromised and an iconic landmark would be lost.
I’m very much against any organisation, the MoD or anyone else, having a legal right to close down areas of wild land. Such a thing flies in the face of the access provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act.
With the question of an independence referendum on everyone’s lips, this is perhaps a good time to ask if this is another scenario of Westminster forcing a land grab on the Scottish people — particularly on a small and isolated community in the north of Scotland whose only income comes from a very short tourist season.
And for what reason? So the MoD can play some war games? If Westminster and the MoD get their way then precious jobs will be lost and one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks will become private.
Closures of the Cape Wrath Peninsula would affect walkers completing the Cape Wrath Trail, the newly opened Scottish National Trail and the many hundreds who walk between Sandwood Bay and Cape Wrath every year. In turn, the ferry and bus service that currently takes visitors to Cape Wrath lighthouse will become redundant as will John and Kay Ure, who operate the excellent Ozone Cafe at Cape Wrath. All this could have a devastating knock-on effect on tourism in the far north of Scotland in general.
I would call on everyone who has visited this amazing part of Scotland to oppose the MoD’s plans and support the Durness Community Council in their buy-out plans.
For more details check out http://www.developingdurness.org/Cape_Wrath.html