DOCSLIB.ORG

Renewables and Crofting: a Perspective on the Challenges for Developers

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Renewables and Crofting: a Perspective on the Challenges for Developers Briefing Paper: Renewable Energy Renewables and Crofting: A Perspective on the Challenges for Developers Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP - The Place for Practical Advice ClientCentric Service © Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP 2014 E: [email protected] W: www.wjm.co.uk Renewables and Crofting: A Perspective on the Challenges for Developers Crofting land is often ideally situated for renewable energy generation, in particular, small-scale wind. Developing on crofting land, though, adds an additional layer of complexity. With crofting experts in our Renewable Energy team, WJM can help you navigate through this additional layer. In this Briefing Paper we give you a general overview of this complex topic although, as you would expect us to say, if you have a particular issue or concern, please contact us. Summary o Statutory provisions relating to crofting law are generally politically motivated, overly complicated and may lack legal certainty. o Projects on croft land or common grazings require further action to comply with crofting legislation. o The route to compliance depends on the development’s size and scale. o The wishes of crofters, and other interested parties, may also affect the route to compliance. Wind Farm Development on Croft Land and Common Grazings As we said earlier, crofting land is often ideally situated for renewable energy developments yet there are issues that add layers of complexity to developing on such land. Like all specialist areas, crofting has its own particular language and you’ll find a glossary of crofting terms at the back of this Briefing Paper. We hope they will help de-mystify some of the language used. The words in the glossary are coloured brown at first time of use. Stage 1: Is it croft or common grazing land? This might seem a simple question but it is a key one. Long before the first documentation starts, it’s essential that you find out whether the land you are looking at is crofting or common grazing land. They may also have a plan of their land – somewhat surprisingly Crofting Commission records don’t usually include plans. Crofting or common grazing land is only found in the Crofting Counties, so if you’re outside them, it’s likely that the land is not a croft or common grazing. If you’re inside the Crofting Counties, the easiest way to find out is by asking the landowner or the occupier. If it is a croft or common grazing land, the chances are that they’ll know. The land’s status can be verified by consulting the Register of Crofts kept by the Crofting Commission. Stage 2: Can you use the land for renewable energy generation? Under crofting law, the crofter is required to use all croft land either to cultivate the croft or for some other “purposeful use”. Cultivation is self-explanatory. “Purposeful use” is defined as any other activity that would not adversely affect the croft, the public interest, the interests of the landlord (if any), and the use of the adjacent land. © Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP 2014 E: [email protected] W: www.wjm.co.uk Based on that definition, developing a renewable energy project could certainly be considered to be a purposeful use. However, the fact that the land is crofting land means you’ll need to take actions that wouldn’t be necessary if the land were not crofting land. Stage 3: What action do you need to take? The type of action you need to take hinges on whether the crofter is an owner or a tenant. A. If the Crofter owns the land Where a crofter owns his land there is, of course, no third party landowner. However, the land is still designated croft land and must be cultivated or put to a purposeful use by the crofter. If an Option and Lease were entered into, to give a developer rights in respect of a renewable energy development on the land, it would be the developer and not the crofter who was using the land for the purposeful use. This is not allowed under crofting law. To be allowed, either (a) the land will have to be de-crofted, or b) an application will have to be made to the Land Court, by both the developer and the crofter, for consent to develop the land under S19A of the 1993 Act in a Scheme of Development specific to that land. (a) How is land de-crofted? De-crofting applications are made to the Crofting Commission by the Crofter. Application forms are available from the Crofting Commission’s website. Currently it takes approximately 12-16 weeks for a decision on whether to approve an application to de-croft. Once a decision has been issued, there is a 42-day appeal period when any party “with an interest” can challenge the decision. Challenges may result in the Commission reversing their decision The definition of a person “with an interest” means there may be many people who are permitted to challenge an application. All the challenger has to do is demonstrate that de-crofting could have a detrimental effect on them. Accordingly, any challenger is likely to come from the local community. Regardless of challenges, the decision whether or not to de-croft rests with the Crofting Commission. If the application is successful, the land is taken entirely out of crofting law, which means the owner is now free to enter an agreement for a renewable energy project. (b) How do Schemes for Development work? Schemes for Development were intended to facilitate large scale developments but are increasingly used for smaller wind farms. Whereas Resumption is likely to be restricted to the footprint of the turbine(s) and supporting infrastructure, a Scheme for Development can cover larger areas such as a Wind Protection Zone or Habitat Management Area. The key piece of legislation is Section 19A of the 1993 Act. Under S19A, an application can be made by the crofter to the Land Court for consent to develop croft land or common grazing in accordance with a specific scheme attached to that particular application. © Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP 2014 E: [email protected] W: www.wjm.co.uk The Land Court will need detailed information on the proposed development to make an informed decision. A well prepared application supported by the community is likely to meet with the approval of the Land Court. A Scheme for Development does not require the support of all affected crofters only a majority. A copy of the application must also be sent to the Crofting Commission and, like applications for planning permission, will need to be made public. Within 28 days after the application has been made public, the Commission or any other interested party may submit written objections to the Land Court. In granting consent, the Land Court must be satisfied that: (1) The development is for a reasonable purpose, which includes energy generation; (2) To carry it out would not be unfair; (3) Fair recompense is to be provided to each member of the crofting community in the area affected by the development; and (4) The community would not be financially disadvantaged by the development proceeding under the S19A route, compared to any other route such as resumption or de-crofting. Any objectors would require to show that the proposed development does not fulfil the above criteria. The Land Court may choose to make their decisions on written submissions or they may call a hearing prior to making their decision. A degree of flexibility can be built into a S19A application but approval only approves the development exactly as detailed in the application. If material changes need to be made to the development an entirely fresh application may be required. Certain lenders have, in the past, expressed doubts about lending in a S19A situation. Whilst all developments are judged on their own merits, lenders have historically favoured de-crofting or resumption, as these remove the land entirely from the constrictions of crofting law. As S19A schemes have become more common, they have become more acceptable to lenders. S19A applications were originally introduced for larger developments involving numerous interested parties, rather than smaller projects involving only a developer and an owner-occupier. Nevertheless, a S19A application can be made for smaller projects with each application being considered by the Land Court on its own merits. © Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP 2014 E: [email protected] W: www.wjm.co.uk B. If the Crofter is a Tenant. If the crofter is a tenant, the developer needs to factor in the landowner and the crofting tenant. If the development affects only one croft and the tenant has the means and inclination to do so, the tenant crofter may choose to buy the croft from the landowner. This removes one party from the negotiations. If the Tenant is buying the Croft Under crofting law, all tenant crofters have a legal right to buy their croft. To reduce the length of this Briefing Paper, we have omitted details governing crofters’ right to buy but advice is available if required. Once the croft has been purchased, the now owner-occupier crofter can enter into a project with a developer as outlined in Section A of this Paper. If the landowner is still to be involved If a crofter does not intend to buy his croft, then the landowner is integral to the project. To take projects forward, an agreement must be reached between the landowner and the developer, which also takes account of the tenant crofter’s rights. De-crofting is not possible with a crofting tenant in occupation, however a S19A application can be made, as described above.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination
    Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination Anglophone Writing from 1600 to 1900 Silke Stroh northwestern university press evanston, illinois Northwestern University Press www .nupress.northwestern .edu Copyright © 2017 by Northwestern University Press. Published 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data are available from the Library of Congress. Except where otherwise noted, this book is licensed under a Creative Commons At- tribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. In all cases attribution should include the following information: Stroh, Silke. Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination: Anglophone Writing from 1600 to 1900. Evanston, Ill.: Northwestern University Press, 2017. For permissions beyond the scope of this license, visit www.nupress.northwestern.edu An electronic version of this book is freely available, thanks to the support of libraries working with Knowledge Unlatched. KU is a collaborative initiative designed to make high-quality books open access for the public good. More information about the initiative and links to the open-access version can be found at www.knowledgeunlatched.org Contents Acknowledgments vii Introduction 3 Chapter 1 The Modern Nation- State and Its Others: Civilizing Missions at Home and Abroad, ca. 1600 to 1800 33 Chapter 2 Anglophone Literature of Civilization and the Hybridized Gaelic Subject: Martin Martin’s Travel Writings 77 Chapter 3 The Reemergence of the Primitive Other? Noble Savagery and the Romantic Age 113 Chapter 4 From Flirtations with Romantic Otherness to a More Integrated National Synthesis: “Gentleman Savages” in Walter Scott’s Novel Waverley 141 Chapter 5 Of Celts and Teutons: Racial Biology and Anti- Gaelic Discourse, ca.
    [Show full text]
  • Place-Names of Inverness and Surrounding Area Ainmean-Àite Ann an Sgìre Prìomh Bhaile Na Gàidhealtachd
    Place-Names of Inverness and Surrounding Area Ainmean-àite ann an sgìre prìomh bhaile na Gàidhealtachd Roddy Maclean Place-Names of Inverness and Surrounding Area Ainmean-àite ann an sgìre prìomh bhaile na Gàidhealtachd Roddy Maclean Author: Roddy Maclean Photography: all images ©Roddy Maclean except cover photo ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot; p3 & p4 ©Somhairle MacDonald; p21 ©Calum Maclean. Maps: all maps reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland https://maps.nls.uk/ except back cover and inside back cover © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2021. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. Design and Layout: Big Apple Graphics Ltd. Print: J Thomson Colour Printers Ltd. © Roddy Maclean 2021. All rights reserved Gu Aonghas Seumas Moireasdan, le gràdh is gean The place-names highlighted in this book can be viewed on an interactive online map - https://tinyurl.com/ybp6fjco Many thanks to Audrey and Tom Daines for creating it. This book is free but we encourage you to give a donation to the conservation charity Trees for Life towards the development of Gaelic interpretation at their new Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Please visit the JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/trees-for-life ISBN 978-1-78391-957-4 Published by NatureScot www.nature.scot Tel: 01738 444177 Cover photograph: The mouth of the River Ness – which [email protected] gives the city its name – as seen from the air. Beyond are www.nature.scot Muirtown Basin, Craig Phadrig and the lands of the Aird. Central Inverness from the air, looking towards the Beauly Firth. Above the Ness Islands, looking south down the Great Glen.
    [Show full text]
  • Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race by Thomas William Rolleston
    The Project Gutenberg EBook of Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race by Thomas William Rolleston This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license Title: Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race Author: Thomas William Rolleston Release Date: October 16, 2010 [Ebook 34081] Language: English ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC RACE*** MYTHS & LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC RACE Queen Maev T. W. ROLLESTON MYTHS & LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC RACE CONSTABLE - LONDON [8] British edition published by Constable and Company Limited, London First published 1911 by George G. Harrap & Co., London [9] PREFACE The Past may be forgotten, but it never dies. The elements which in the most remote times have entered into a nation's composition endure through all its history, and help to mould that history, and to stamp the character and genius of the people. The examination, therefore, of these elements, and the recognition, as far as possible, of the part they have actually contributed to the warp and weft of a nation's life, must be a matter of no small interest and importance to those who realise that the present is the child of the past, and the future of the present; who will not regard themselves, their kinsfolk, and their fellow-citizens as mere transitory phantoms, hurrying from darkness into darkness, but who know that, in them, a vast historic stream of national life is passing from its distant and mysterious origin towards a future which is largely conditioned by all the past wanderings of that human stream, but which is also, in no small degree, what they, by their courage, their patriotism, their knowledge, and their understanding, choose to make it.
    [Show full text]
  • Gaelic Language Plan - Second Edition February 2018 to September 2022
    ‘Edinburgh is a city that develops and supports more fluent and confident Gaelic speakers, and promotes thriving Gaelic communities and cultures’. The City of Edinburgh Council DRAFT Gaelic Language Plan - Second Edition February 2018 to September 2022 Prepared under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 Final DRAFT for final public consultation and engagement – 2 October 2017 to 15 December 2017 Please find details of the consultation and engagement at: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/ 1 Foreword Councillor Lewis Ritchie – The City of Edinburgh Gaelic language and culture. We now have a new Gaelic medium Council Gaelic Champion education primary school, expanded Gaelic learning across our schools, and improved community relations with Gaelic communities. However, I recognise that the position of Gaelic in the city is extremely fragile. When a parent chooses to educate their child in Gaelic, they take a massive leap of faith in the Council. Consequently, we owe a Gaelic is an integral part of our shared heritage and national tremendous duty of care to these parents, and their children. identity, and is a unique and essential feature of Scotland’s rich Gaelic pupils have a right to demand the highest possible quality cultural tapestry. learning experience that any of their English language It is an aspect of our cultural life that simply must be protected. counterparts might receive in Edinburgh’s schools. We therefore Not for romantic or nostalgic reasons, but out of recognition that have a duty to ensure that they leave their time in school with a Gaelic remains a vital, visceral language that is constantly sense of achievement and attainment, and confidence and changing and evolving.
    [Show full text]
  • APPENDIX 3 SCHEDULE 4S Issue 1 Outer
    APPENDIX 3 SCHEDULE 4s Issue 1 Outer Hebrides Proposed Plan: General Plan Context Reporter: National Marine Plan referencing Development plan Policy cross referencing reference: Biodiversity Landscape Body or person(s) submitting a representation raising the issue (including reference number): Kate Dawson (001) Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (021) Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Trust) (030) Carloway Estate Trust (033) Bord na Gaidhlig (037) Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (036) Scottish Government (028) John Muir Trust (022) Scottish Natural Heritage (029) Provision of the Some general comments on the Plan content and Vision, development plan to policy cross referencing, reference to the National Marine which the issue Plan, and Landscape policy. relates: Planning authority’s summary of the representation(s): Plan – General Comments, Context and Vision The Carloway Estate Trust (033), seeks clearer link made in the documents to the anticipated increasing impact community ownership will have on environmental and economic sustainability. Bord Na Gaidhlig (037) acknowledge that the Plan ‘Context’ section recognises Gaelic but suggest this could be strengthened. The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (036) note that it would be helpful if the importance of marine fish farming were noted in the ‘Context’ section of the Plan. National Marine Plan referencing Scottish Government (028) and the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (036) seek that reference to the National Marine Plan is added, clarified or corrected in several places throughout the Plan to ensure due regard is given the National Marine Plan. Policy cross referencing The John Muir Trust (022) and Scottish Natural Heritage (029) have suggested a number of policy cross references between policies and within Plan policies.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Services Committee
    526 THE MORAY COUNCIL MINUTE OF MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2004 COUNCIL OFFICE, ELGIN PRESENT Councillors A.R. Wilson (Chairman), R.F. McIntosh (Vice-Chairman), J.C. Hogg (Vice-Chairman), A. Bisset, T.M. Bothwell, A.R. Burgess, R.J. Burns, A.E. Coutts, J.A. Divers, L. Gorn, J. Hamilton, R. Hossack, A. Keith, J.A. Leslie, S.D.I Longmore, G. McIntyre, J. MacKay, P.B. Paul, R. Sim, J. Stewart, A. Urquhart, W.P. Watt and I.R. Young APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors E. McGillivray and R.H. Shepherd. IN ATTENDANCE The Director of Environmental Services, the Head of Development Services, the Head of Direct Services, the Chief Finance Officer, the Acting Development Control Manager, the Planning and Development Manager, the Head of Estates Services, the Building Control Manager, A McEachan, Senior Solicitor (Commercial and Conveyancing) and the Senior Committee Services Officer, Clerk to the Meeting. 1. ORDER OF BUSINESS In terms of Standing Order 25 the meeting noted Item 5 (a) “Building Control Section – Impact on Increased Applications Upon Staff Resources” and Planning Application 04/01065/OUT, pages 37 – 46 of the Director’s Report on Planning applications, had been withdrawn from the Agenda. 2. DECLARATION OF GROUP DECISIONS In terms of Standing Order 20 the meeting noted that there were no declarations from group leaders or spokespersons in regard to any prior decisions taken on how members will vote on any item on the Agenda. 3. EXEMPT INFORMATION The Meeting
    [Show full text]
  • Reconstruction of a Gaelic World in the Work of Neil M. Gunn and Hugh Macdiarmid
    Paterson, Fiona E. (2020) ‘The Gael Will Come Again’: Reconstruction of a Gaelic world in the work of Neil M. Gunn and Hugh MacDiarmid. MPhil(R) thesis. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/81487/ Copyright and moral rights for this work are retained by the author A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge This work cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given Enlighten: Theses https://theses.gla.ac.uk/ [email protected] ‘The Gael Will Come Again’: Reconstruction of a Gaelic world in the work of Neil M. Gunn and Hugh MacDiarmid Fiona E. Paterson M.A. (Hons) Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Scottish Literature School of Critical Studies College of Arts University of Glasgow June 2020 Abstract Neil Gunn and Hugh MacDiarmid are popularly linked with regards to the Scottish Literary Renaissance, the nation’s contribution to international modernism, in which they were integral figures. Beyond that, they are broadly considered to have followed different creative paths, Gunn deemed the ‘Highland novelist’ and MacDiarmid the extremist political poet. This thesis presents the argument that whilst their methods and priorities often differed dramatically, the reconstruction of a Gaelic world - the ‘Gaelic Idea’ - was a focus in which the writers shared a similar degree of commitment and similar priorities.
    [Show full text]
  • Crofting Law Reform
    Crofting law reform Paper by Law Society of Scotland October 2020 Introduction The Law Society of Scotland is the professional body for over 12,000 Scottish solicitors. With our overarching objective of leading legal excellence, we strive to excel and to be a world-class professional body, understanding and serving the needs of our members and the public. We set and uphold standards to ensure the provision of excellent legal services and ensure the public can have confidence in Scotland’s solicitor profession. We have a statutory duty to work in the public interest, a duty which we are strongly committed to achieving through our work to promote a strong, varied and effective solicitor profession working in the interests of the public and protecting and promoting the rule of law. We seek to influence the creation of a fairer and more just society through our active engagement with the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments, Parliaments, wider stakeholders and our membership. Each year we undertake new proactive public policy projects to address areas of the law that have failed to meet the needs of our modern society and keep up with technological developments. This year, we have committed to consider the reform of aspects of crofting law. Project objective The objective of the project is to propose legislative change in relation to aspects of crofting law and to highlight the need for reform of the law in this area. Crofting law has developed over time in a piecemeal fashion. It is generally considered to be a complex and difficult area of the law, made particularly so by the combination of the law relating to property and that relating to landlord and tenant matters.
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Gaelic Language Plan 2020-2025
    DRAFT GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN 2020-2025 This plan has been prepared under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 Approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig (date to be inserted and BnG logo added once Plan is approved) Foreword As Chief Executive Officer of the Crofting Commission, I am pleased to introduce the third iteration of our organisations’ Gaelic Language Plan. As the public regulator of the unique crofting system, I want to ensure that our organisation is doing all it can to encourage and promote Gaelic’s place in Scottish life. The Gaelic language has helped to shape crofting over generations and shares with crofting a resilience that learns from the past while engaging with the future. The Crofting Commission has, of course, a statutory duty under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to play its part in promoting the language, but the unique link with crofting gives us an additional responsibility, as well as enthusiasm for this task. This Plan sets out a formal structure for our support of the Gaelic language, with new initiatives and clear targets, reflecting a strong commitment throughout the Commission to see Gaelic thrive. Since joining the Crofting Commission in 2016, I have very much enjoyed participating with staff in Gaelic Learning classes and welcome the inclusion of Gaelic language greetings at every Board meeting and our larger stakeholder meetings. The current Board is committed to supporting the Gaelic language in the Crofting Counties, and together we continue to make our materials and all engagement with customers accessible to Gaelic speakers. Bill Barron Chief Executive Crofting Commission (date to be inserted) CONTENTS SUMMARY ................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Crofts Leaflet
    Y T T N R E E M P T O R R A P P E Decrofting agricultural land is much more difficult, as D the applicant requires to show that there is no demand for croft land in the area. It is therefore quite common to have crofts where the croft house and garden is decrofted, but the agricultural land going with it remains crofted. This information contained in this leaflet is general advice only. It cannot be relied upon as a When a croft, or part of croft is decrofted the Crofters definite statement of the law and you should take Commission issue a Decrofting Direction, which specific legal advice on any particular situation. includes a plan showing which area has been decrofted. Further Information If you are interested in buying a croft property, you should always use a Solicitor (like Georgesons) familiar with the crofting legislation. Almost all of WHAT IS A CROFT? these are located in the crofting areas (Highlands and Islands) although there are a few specialists in some of the larger Glasgow or Edinburgh firms. For other information about becoming a crofter or crofts generally, you can contact the Crofters Commission, who have a wide range of leaflets available: The Crofters Commission Castle Wynd INVERNESS IV2 3EQ Tel: (01463) 663450 www.crofterscommission.org.uk 22 Bridge Street 19 Traill Street Wick Thurso Caithness KW1 4NG Caithness KW14 8EG A Large Print version of this leaflet Tel: (01955) 606060 Tel: (01847) 892225 is available on request Fax: (01955) 603016 Fax: (01847) 892235 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.georgesons.co.uk © 2012 Georgesons Rev.
    [Show full text]
  • Highland Archaeology Festival Fèis Arc-Eòlais Na Gàidhealtachd
    HAFbookletcover.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2019 16:02 Page 1 Events guide Iùl thachartasan Highland Archaeology Festival Fèis Arc-eòlais na Gàidhealtachd 28th Sept – 18th Oct 2019 Celebrating Archaeology, History and Heritage A’Comharrachadh Arc-eòlas, Eachdraidh is Dualchas 1 www.archaeologyreportsonline.com [email protected] Don’t let archaeology ĮŶĚƐƐƚĂLJďƵƌŝĞĚ͘ 'ĞƚƚŚĞŵƉƵďůŝƐŚĞĚʹ ŽƉĞŶ͕ĂĐĐĞƐƐŝďůĞĂŶĚŽŶůŝŶĞ͘ Photo © Marjorie Wilson © Marjorie Photo Welcome to Highland Archaeology Festival 2019 Fàilte gu Fèis Arc-eòlais na Gàidhealtachd 2019 The popularity of our annual Highland Archaeology Festival goes from strength to strength and I am pleased to introduce the programme for this year’s festival which showcases all of Highland’s historic environment from brochs to burials, barrages to battlefields. We aim to celebrate our shared history and archaeology and showcase the incredible heritage on our doorstep as well as the importance of protecting this for future generations. The educational and economic benefits that this can bring to communities cannot be overstated. New research is being carried out daily by both local groups and universities as well as in advance of construction. Highland Council is committed to letting everyone have access to the results of this work, either through our award-winning Historic Environment Record (HER) website or through our programme of events for the festival. This year provides a great illustration of the incredible archaeological sites that survive across Highland and the wealth of information that can be found there. Our two keynote talks illustrate this perfectly, highlighting the significance of Highland research to the wider, national picture. These lectures, held at the council chamber in Inverness, will cover the exceptional High Pasture Cave complex on Skye and the concentration of brochs within Caithness, showing how these sites have become a focus for community-centred research and identity.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Gaelic Origins of Place Names in Britain
    Guide to Gaelic origins of place names in Britain NOTE: This booklet is one of a series of 4 booklets which cover the language origins of place names in Britain for Gaelic, Scandinavian, Scots and Welsh. The booklets can be downloaded from the Ordnance Survey web site at http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk as PDF files. November 2005 The background to the creation of this guide Early in the 20th century, Ordnance Survey issued a small pamphlet, The most common Gaelic words used on the Ordnance Survey Maps, for use with the one-inch maps of Scotland. In 1935, the Board of Celtic Studies and the University of Wales compiled a similar booklet, The most common Welsh words used on the Ordnance Survey Maps, for use with maps of Wales. This was reprinted in 1949. Later it was decided to increase the scope of the Gaelic names pamphlet, so the Scottish Geographical Society undertook a complete recompilation and published an enlarged edition in 1951 which included a list of Scandinavian elements used in Scottish place names. In 1968, Ordnance Survey produced an A5 booklet, Place names on maps of Scotland and Wales, which combined revised versions of both earlier publications. The booklet underwent several reprints, with the last reprint published in 1995. In the booklet, Ordnance Survey thanked Dr W F H Nicolaisen of the University of Edinburgh's School of Scottish Studies for his advice on the Gaelic and Scandinavian elements, William Matheson, senior lecturer in the Department of Celtic Studies at the University of Edinburgh for the revised guide to Gaelic pronunciation, and the Board of Celtic Studies of the University of Wales for their help with the Welsh glossary.
    [Show full text]