Jewel in crown

The project, known as Flow to the Future, is a multi-partner undertaking by the Peatlands Partnership and has won overwhelming support from across Caithness and Sutherland.

While we acknowledge that there is some limited opposition to some elements of the project, the great majority of the responses we have received from our extensive public consultation, and a very well attended public meeting held in Strath Halladale, confirm the considerable local support for the project.

This is not surprising given the substantial benefits it will bring to both the environment, jobs and the local economy.

The greater part of the £9.6 million project budget will be spent on restoring deep blanket bog that was very badly damaged in the 1980s.

This will bring significant benefits in terms of carbon sequestration (which will mitigate against climate change) and wildlife.

The work will be carried out over several years and should benefit a range of local contractors bringing welcome employment benefits to an area badly in need of them.

The proposal to develop a new field study centre and an observatory will meet a demand from universities throughout the UK for research and monitoring facilities – a first for Europe. It will enable greater involvement from schools and volunteers, and provide visitors to the Flow Country with a marvellous platform from which to view, and better understand, this internationally important habitat.

It is no wonder that Sutherland councillor George Farlow hailed the project “absolutely splendid … really worthwhile and of great merit”, and that the planning application for these buildings received the unanimous and enthusiastic support of the planning committee of the Highland Council.

I can assure your readers that the Peatlands Partnership organisations (including RSPB Scotland) take their responsibilities to the environment extremely seriously.

So far as we are concerned the Flow Country is one of the  “jewels in the crown” of Scotland’s natural heritage.

We simply wish to ensure that this precious habitat is properly protected and restored and that the people of Scotland, and beyond, gain a lasting opportunity to see and appreciate this extraordinary landscape.

Stuart Housden

RSPB Scotland

Lochside View

Edinburgh

I was disappointed to read your rather one-sided article which described the proposals of the Peatlands Partnership for developments in the Flow Country.

I am the independent chair of the Peatlands Partnership which is developing the Flow to the Future project.

As part of this we are planning to build a field centre for volunteers and internationally important peatland research and monitoring.

Our plans have been developed over several years, and consulted upon extensively. Advice and expert contributions have been sought at every stage and we have amended our plans as a result of the feedback we have received.

Your readers of could be forgiven for believing there is widespread opposition in the area to our proposals.

However, earlier this month I chaired a meeting to update local residents about the project. The meeting, at the community hall in Strath Halladale, was attended by more than 60 local people; the overwhelming majority were behind the project.

Forsinard was once a centre of agricultural activity and we hope our project will go some way to restoring the level of activity and investment in the area.

This is a £9 million project in a remote area, with a lot of local support behind it.

It would be tragic indeed if a very few with access to the media were permitted to de-rail such a visionary and important project that will bring multiple benefits to this economically fragile area.

John Henderson

Peatlands Partnership