Wind turbines riches are a con
Hebrides News, www.hebrides-news.com 18 February 2012
In response to Angus Macdonald’s abrupt letter I am compelled to respond.
It seems to me that the escalating enthusiasm for land based renewable energy debarcles has clouded the judgement of those that should know better.
Firstly we have a beautiful gift on which we live “the Western Isles.” To deface it is a crime, an unforgivable misjudged and ultimately misinformed crime. Land based windfarms are NOT the answer. That is a statement for another debate.
Tourism and in particular tourism for Great Bernera is enhanced by the beauty, history and mistery of the standing stones. I am in contact with a vast amount of tourists in Callanish and the next big attraction that they head for is Bernera, its beach at Bosta, the iron age house, the walk to Tobson, the walks and scenery on what can only be described as a jewel of the Outer Hebrides. If I were a resident of Great Bernera I would certainly have taken advantage of the opportunity presented by the tourists that arrive in March and do not leave the isles until October, I have in Callanish.
All along the West side of Lewis the tourists flock in their thousands, drawn in main by the Standing Stones, but that’s the point, while they are here we need and should offer MORE. They are hard working people like you and I. This is
generally their annual holiday and might I add not a particularly cheap one, so the more we offer the more will come and share for a short while the exquisite beauty, culture and community lifestyle that has disappeared from much of the British Isles.
Will they come when our fair isle is covered with Turbines? Will they stand in awe of The Lady of The Moor when she is covered in windmills? Will they flock to Great Bernera to hear the constant hum of turning blades. I think not.
As a closing thought, who will really benefit from having wind turbines surrounding us? Whose pockets will be lined “albeit short term” from marring our moors and hills with huge lumps of steel. As islanders we have been conned by many people who have made fantastical promises. Don’t be conned again. Trust me its another con around the corner but this one will not go away.
Calum Macleod
31 Callanish
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/18/wind-turbines-riches-are-a-con/