SUBMISSION FROM NORMA AND PHILIP ITTMANN I am aware that my letter will not be regarded as evidence as I am neither a citizen of Scotland nor of the UK but please may I ask you to consider its contents? I have travelled across the length and breadth of Scotland, including Skye in my youth and in July 2005 to the Western Isles travelling by bus, train, ferry and car, passing through spectacular scenery which I shall never forget. In the process, I have come to love the highlands and islands of Scotland as if they were my own. However, a massive cloud hangs over Scotland at present, threatening to change its incredible beauty for ever and seriously threatening tourism in that region. If consented, the number of industrial wind farms proposed for the highlands and islands of Scotland would lead to a brutal violation of Scotland’s uniquely beautiful wilderness landscapes - supposedly for economic gain. The latest proposal by Mr John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, for additional offshore wind farm development along the coastline of the United Kingdom, including Scotland and its islands, would further ruin your amazing coastal views. I have some questions to put to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee: Has the proliferation of wind farms in Germany and Denmark managed to boost tourism in those regions by 50%? Have CO2 emissions in those regions dropped? Are wind farms safe for those who live and work in close proximity to the wind farms? Have turbines not been blown over, broken in half, blades broken and blown off in very strong winds? Surely, with the proliferation of intrusive wind farms in Europe, Scotland would stand out head and shoulders as a preferred holiday destination for those seeking the peace found in abundance in the unspoilt highlands and islands of Scotland? In this rushed, industrialised world people need somewhere to go to ‘get away from it all’ and experience the pristine open spaces which Scotland currently has to offer. Your tourism revenue stands a far better chance of gaining momentum if Scotland made the most of its natural beauty, with all the added bonuses of a healthy tourism sector. Reduced ferry fares to the islands would increase tourism in your more remote regions, bringing much needed income not only to residents in the accommodation sector but also to those who benefit from tourists favouring the outdoor pursuits available in your wilderness areas. Tourists also support local trade and industry thereby creating far more long term employment than any industrial wind farm could create. I am aware that a study was carried out by independent Napier University Business School and Pedersen Consulting, commissioned by HITRANS (Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership) to establish the benefits which an altered timetable and reduced ferry fares would have on economic, employment and social growth in the Western Isles. The results of this study were presented to the board of HITRANS in Barra on the 1st September 2006 and revealed that over 700 new jobs and £22.2 million a year could be injected into the local economy by making the changes they recommended in their report. It was also established that ferry fares to the Western isles are high compared with other subsidised routes and less frequent, thereby not conducive to tourism. By adopting the proposals in the study, the resultant benefits would enormously outweigh those outlined by wind farm development on the Isle of Lewis. The Western Isles would retain its remote and unspoilt beauty and furthermore attract tourism and trade to the region. Please find, at the end of this letter, the HITRANS report as published in allmediaSCOTLAND.com on http://www.allmediascotland.com/mediareleases/1051/island_economy_transformed_through_f are_reduction In closing, a friend of mine went to Scotland in August this year with a widely-travelled friend of hers from Germany. Her friend said he used to think that South Africa was the most beautiful country he had yet travelled to - until he visited Scotland! Please keep Scotland that way: the most beautiful country in the world? Mrs Norma Ittmann South Africa PLEASE FIND TWO INCLUSIONS: 1) MEDIA RELEASE ON HITRANS REPORT: http://www.allmediascotland.com/mediareleases/1051/island_economy_transformed_through_f are_reduction Island economy transformed through fare reduction Platform PR 12/09/2006 The economy of the Western Isles could be transformed through a reduction in fares and changes to the timetable, according to a study presented to HITRANS, the regional transport partnership. Over new 700 jobs and £22.2 million a year could be injected into the local economy according to the report presented to the board of HITRANS who met on Barra (Friday, September 1, 2006). If timetable and other service changes were made benefits could be even more substantial. The research concludes that an alternative fare structure could reduce the cost of fares, but the resulting increase in traffic would mean the existing subsidy would remain the same whilst the islands economy would receive a substantial boost. Chairman of HITRANS Charlie King commenting of the findings of the report says, “The study clearly demonstrates the Island economy could be transformed with a major increase in jobs. We welcome the findings of this independent report which demonstrates the need to reduce ferry fares and significantly alter the timetable which would stimulate economic and social growth not just on the islands but in the wider regional economy.” Continuing he says, “HITRANS have agreed to take forward the findings of the study we will continue to work with the Western Isles Council to argue the case for a radical change in the ferry operations in the Sounds of Harris, Barra and the Minch crossings and we will also consider the implications of these findings for other island groups in Argyll, Orkney and Shetland. Commissioned by HITRANS, the aims of the research were, to assess existing and alternative fare structures and their economic and social impact on the Western Isles. The study, was carried out by Napier University Business School and Pedersen Consulting. Fares to Harris, Barra and on the Minch crossing could be reduced by as much as 30%, according the report. Other findings include that costs of fares to the Western Isles are high in comparison with other subsidised routes, yet the frequency of ferries is low and the timing of crossings inconsistent. The study, entitled Western Isles Ferry Fares Mechanism by Napier University and Pedersen Consulting, is available on the HITRANS website at www.hitrans.org.uk More HITRANS (Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership) is a statutory body that works to pursue improvements to transport services and infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Its members and key partners are: Argyll and Bute Council; Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, The Highland Council; Moray Council; Orkney Islands Council; Highlands and Islands Enterprise; The Highlands and Islands Public Transport Forum and the Scottish Council Development and Industry. For further information please contact: Emer McCarry Platform PR Tel:01463 783018. Ends Contact: Emer McCarry Phone: 01643 783018 Fax: 01463 783584 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.platformpr.co.uk 2) LETTER TO STORNOWAY GAZETTE PUBLISHED 05 OCTOBER 2005: http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/letters-to-the-editor/Sense-of-mourning-for- beautiful.1211469.jp Sense of mourning for beautiful Lewis I would like, through the medium of your newspaper, to thank your readers for the wonderful holiday my son and I had touring the Western Isles, in July this year, from Barra, through to Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, Berneray, Harris and finally Lewis. The sights of your beautiful, uncluttered golden beaches, pristine coastal waters with islands in the distance, the tranquillity of your unspoilt landscapes coloured vividly with wild flowers, the ancient historical sights standing as a remembrance to those who lived on the islands a long time ago, the seals peacefully lazing on the rocks or swimming in the sea, will stay with us forever. Even the sheep on the side of the road were peaceful, only their long wool was ruffled when traffic passed them by. Everything was so peaceful and safe; it was balm to the soul. We would also like to thank all the owners of the following accommodations we stayed at for making our stays memorable and pleasant: Dunard Hostel in Castlebay (Barra), GHHT Howmore (South Uist), Taigh Mo Sheanair, Carnach (North Uist), GHHT Berneray, GHHT Rhenigadale(Harris), Bonaventure, Aird Uig (Lewis), GHHT Garenin (Lewis) and Ceol Na Mara B&B, Stornoway (Lewis). The facilities at the hostels were fantastic and we met the most interesting people staying there; the 5 star dinner and stay at Bonaventure was our 'special treat' and Ceol Na Mara in Stornoway was a home from home and the thought of the breakfasts still make our mouths water! Many thanks again to all you folks. The Hebridean Celtic Festival Team must also get a very special mention for introducing us to Celtic music. We are hooked and have listened to the CD's we brought back, virtually every day since our return to South Africa on the 26 July. The organisation of the festival was faultless, the beer excellent, the crowds well-behaved and the performers outstanding. What more can we say? Last but not least, we would like to thank Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries and Lewis Car Rental for comfortable, safe transportation to the islands, and around Lewis, respectively. But it is with very sad hearts that we say 'thank you'. I have been doing some research on the wind farms proposed for Lewis, via the internet, and the peace which came back with me from the Western Isles has left me completely and been replaced with a sense of mourning.