DOCSLIB.ORG

Torridonour Award-Winning Photojournalist Tom Langlands Takes in the Terrific Terrain of Torridon

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Torridonour Award-Winning Photojournalist Tom Langlands Takes in the Terrific Terrain of Torridon THE CELTIC TRAVELER TorridonOur award-winning photojournalist Tom Langlands takes in the terrific terrain of Torridon february 2018 celticlife.com 41 he village of Torridon - with its backdrop of towering moun- ulterior motive; the Admiralty saw an opportunity to establish a com- tains - lays at the foot of Glen Torridon, running from Kinlo- munity of strong, skilled sailors that could be used if necessary dur- Tchewe to Upper Loch Torridon in Scotland’s Wester Ross. The ing the Napoleonic Wars. Fortunately, Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo village derives its name from the 16,000-acre Torridon Estate within meant that these settlers were never called to arms, and Shieldaig con- which it lies. In more general terms, the name Torridon applies to the tinued to develop as a fishing community. Commercial herring fishing area around Upper Loch Torridon, stretching east to Kinlochewe and in these waters has long gone, though creel fishing for langoustines still west to Loch Shieldaig, and still further to Loch Torridon. It is one of supports a small number of remaining fishermen. The catches are sold the most dramatic landscapes in the whole of the United Kingdom. mostly to Spain to satisfy the Spanish demand for quality seafood. It is The mountain ranges of Beinn Eighe, Liathach, and Beinn Alligin to an important source of income for a fragile Highland economy. the north of Glen Torridon - along with the mountains of the Coulin Estate to the south - are among the oldest rock formations in Europe, Creel fishing from small boats is a hard and often and boast no fewer than nine Munros. These peaks - and their majestic mountain slopes with gorges and waterfalls plunging into the valleys, lonely existence. The waters here can be cruel, and rivers and lochs below - render this place wild, rugged and dramatic. there was sadness in the air during my visit as a local Torridon may be off the beaten track, but it is this remoteness - along fisherman had been lost at sea the previous week. with its geological grandeur - that renders it one of the most impres- sive, unspoiled and stunningly beautiful places in the Scottish High- Located just a few hundred metres offshore lay Shieldaig Island - lands. owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Its covering of Scots Pine In summer the climate is milder, roads get busy, and somehow trees is believed to have been imported from Speyside over a century the edges of wild places get smoothed. I wanted to experience Tor- ago to provide a source of wood for the poles used to support fishing ridon in winter, and so it was on a dark December afternoon that I nets. The island is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and has ventured into Glen Torridon, skirting the National Nature Reserve of become an important wildlife haven. Over several days I saw seals, Beinn Eighe at Kinlochewe. After ten miles (16km), the single-track otters, heron, kestrels, and mergansers. Even more exciting were the road discharged me along the southern side of the loch towards the white-tailed eagles that have set up home on the island, and I observed village of Shieldaig on the Applecross peninsula. Tigh en Leigh - a self- three of these magnificent birds soaring above the trees. One even catering house on the edge of Loch Shieldaig - was to be my home for swooped on the shoreline grabbing its lunch no more than 75 yards the next few days. (70m) from me! The location was picturesque, and the views stunning. Loch Shieldaig is the starting point for Torridon’s annual Celtman The following morning I walked the length of the village as it event, the Extreme Scottish Triathlon. And extreme it is! Celtman at- wrapped its way along the shoreline. Shieldaig’s name is derived from tracts over 1,000 competitors, representing over 50 nations. The race the Old Norse ‘Sild-vik’ - meaning ‘herring bay’ - but the village owes begins with a 2.1-mile (3.4km) swim in the open waters of the loch. It its existence to more recent times; in the early 1800s, Admiralty-as- used to be 2.4 miles (3.8km) but it was shortened after competitors sisted families willing to move to the area to pursue fishing for a living struggled with water temperatures of 50 - 55 degrees Fahrenheit (10 - 13 were given grants for boat and house building. There was, however, an degrees Celsius)! The second stage of the race is a 125-mile (202km) february 2018 celticlife.com 42 cycle on Highland roads, with ascents of over 6,550 feet (2000m). The hotel also operates the adjacent Torridon Inn, offering qual- The final stage of the event is a 26-mile (42km) run, encompassing ity pub food and a further 12 bedrooms. There is also a self-catering two Munros above Glen Torridon, before heading down to the finish boathouse on the edge of the loch, and plans for further expansion are line in the village of Torridon. As if all of that wasn’t hard enough you in the pipeline. The downside to such a remote location is that trade have to factor in the vagaries of Scottish weather and the impact of the is largely condensed into 7 months of the year but, as Aitchison notes, dreaded midge! As a disclaimer in the race manual states - “Celtman things are changing. “Inverness airport is now running regular flights isn’t for Softies!” to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. As Schiphol is a large hub for the wider world, we are experiencing an increase in foreign visitors Torridon may be a paradise for those who love the coming to the Highlands by air.” As well, the hotel participates in the annual Torridon Mountain and wild outdoors, but you don’t have to take it to the Sea Festival. This festival showcases everything that is unique about extreme. this place, providing visitors ample opportunity to explore mountains, sail the seas, watch the wildlife, photograph the landscape, and sample There are many leisurely walking routes, and I took one of these to locally-sourced food and fine ales. explore the shores of the loch away from the village. This area was af- Other visitors to The Torridon include competitors and their sup- fected badly by the Highland Clearances, and many of the bays around port crews during the Celtman event, as well as motoring enthusiasts the loch contain the remains of old stone cottages and the crumbling driving Scotland’s North Coast 500. This 500-mile (805km) route - ruins of long-forgotten communities. I scrambled down a steep em- dubbed Scotland’s Route 66 - starts in Inverness, heads west to the bankment to sit on the stone windowsill of an old ruin. The water was coast before turning north to follow the coastline around the top of choppy and the wind cold. When these houses were occupied there Scotland and back to Inverness. It encompasses some of the most were no roads over this rugged landscape; the sole means of travel stunning scenery the country has to offer, along with a plethora of his- were small fishing boats plying the waters for food. This is a harsh toric sites and interesting places. The Applecross peninsula and Glen environment, and I became all too aware of the fragility of life on the Torridon form part of the westerly section of the route, and contribute edge. in no small way to that experience. I called in at The Torridon Hotel and met with Ross Aitchison, the With the weather closing in I headed back to Shieldaig, tuning in to facilty’s Operations Manager. Originally constructed as a Victorian the forecast en-route. Storm Caroline was headed for the west coast, shooting lodge, The Torridon first opened its doors in 1887. Sitting in bringing in 70mph winds, followed by heavy snow and a hard freeze. I the drawing room with the ornate, ribbed ceiling - adorned with sym- would have loved to stay and photograph this landscape in the depths bols of the zodiac looking down on us - Aitchison gazed out over the of winter, but discretion being the better part of valour, I headed back loch towards the village of Torridon and the mountains beyond. “The through Glen Torridon as the first flurries of snow drifted across the location and scenery are stunning,” he noted. “At The Torridon we aim landscape. This was Scotland at its best; dramatic, beautiful and wild. to cater for a broad spectrum of visitors and their needs. In the main hotel we provide a luxury experience with 18 bedrooms and fine dining www.thetorridon.com including a whisky bar stocked with over 350 malts.” www.tomlanglandsphotography.com february 2018 celticlife.com 43.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • IN Tune with NATURE No Crop Marks
    Nàdar air ghleus – farpais sgrìobhaidh airson ceòl is òrain Inviting musicians of all genres to compose new music as part of a high-profile national composition and song writing project called In Tune with Nature. What is the competition? To celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, artists aged 16+ are invited to write new music inspired by one of ten National Nature Reserves (NNRs) across the country. What do I win? The entries will be judged by a panel of well-known and highly regarded musicians and industry professionals, including Julie Fowlis, Vic Galloway, Gill Maxwell and Karine Polwart, and chaired by Fiona Dalgetty. The 10 winning artists will each win a £500 cash prize as well as the opportunity to make a film on the NNR site which inspired their music. The winning artists will be paid for their time on site making the film. There will also be the opportunity to take part in live performances throughout the year. The NNRs include: Beinn Eighe (Ross-Shire), Caerlaverock (Dumfries), Creag Meagaidh (Lochaber), Forvie (North East), Isle of May (Firth of Forth), Loch Leven (Perthshire), Noss (Shetland Islands), Rum (Inner Hebrides), Tentsmuir (Fife) and Taynish (Argyll). To find out more visit nature.scot The new work should reflect the special qualities of the National Nature Reserves, all those selected having strong coastal or freshwater elements. New Gaelic songs are particularly encouraged in the Beinn Eighe and Creag Meagaidh areas and, similarly, songs written in Scots and regional dialects would be warmly received in other areas. Artists should aim to communicate the richness of Scotland’s nature and, through this, encourage new audiences to consider the actions they may take to protect it.
    [Show full text]
  • North Highlands North Highlands
    Squam Lakes Natural Science Center’s North Highlands Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness and Easter Ross June 14-27, 2019 Led by Iain MacLeod 2019 Itinerary Join native Scot Iain MacLeod for a very personal, small-group tour of Scotland’s Northern Highlands. We will focus on the regions known as Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness and Easter Ross. The hotels are chosen by Iain for their comfort, ambiance, hospitality, and excellent food. Iain personally arranges every detail—flights, meals, transportation and daily destinations. Note: This is a brand new itinerary, so we will be exploring this area together. June 14: Fly from Logan Airport, Boston to Scotland. I hope that we will be able to fly directly into Inverness and begin our trip from there. Whether we fly through London, Glasgow or Dublin will be determined later in 2018. June 15: Arrive in Inverness. We will load up the van and head west towards the spectacular west coast passing by Lochluichart, Achnasheen and Kinlochewe along the way. We will arrive in the late afternoon at the Sheildaig Lodge Hotel (http://www.shieldaiglodge.com/) which will be our base for four nights. June 16-18: We will explore Wester Ross. Highlights will include Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Inverewe Gardens, Loch Torridon and the Torridon Countryside Center. We’ll also take a boat trip out to the Summer Isles on Shearwater Summer Isle Cruises out of Ullapool. We’ll have several opportunities to see White-tailed Eagles, Golden Eagles, Black-throated Divers as well as Otters and Seals. June 19: We’ll head north along the west coast of Wester Ross and Sutherland past Loch Assynt and Ardvreck Castle, all the way up tp the north coast.
    [Show full text]
  • Scottish Journal of Geology
    Scottish Journal of Geology On the origin and stability of remanence and the magnetic fabric of the Torridonian Red Beds, NW Scotland T. H. Torsvik and B. A. Sturt Scottish Journal of Geology 1987; v. 23; p. 23-38 doi: 10.1144/sjg23010023 Email alerting click here to receive free e-mail alerts when service new articles cite this article Permission click here to seek permission to re-use all or request part of this article Subscribe click here to subscribe to Scottish Journal of Geology or the Lyell Collection Notes Downloaded by on January 24, 2012 © 1987 Scottish Journal of Geology On the origin and stability of remanence and the magnetic fabric of the Torridonian Red Beds, NW Scotland T. H. TORSVIK1 and B. A. STURT2 institute of Geophysics, University of Bergen, N-5014 Bergen-U, Norway 2Geological Survey of Norway, Leif Eirikssons vei 39, P.O. Box 3006, N-7001 Trondheim, Norway SYNOPSIS Primary (compactional) magnetic fabrics and multicomponent rem- anences are recognized in the Stoer and Torridon Groups. Low tempera- ture (LT) blocking remanences are randomized around 400-600°C and relate to a post-Torridonian magnetic overprint, possibly of early Mesozoic age. In the Stoer Group (and some Stoer boulders in the basal Torridon Group) LT remanences are partly or fully carried by magnetite (titanomagnetite). High temperature (HT) remanences are characterized by discrete unblocking above 600°C, having a specular haematite remanence carrier. Results of a conglomerate test of some Stoer boulders provides a positive stability test for HT remanences in the Torridon Group, and a convergence of evidence suggests that remanence acquisi- tion of both the Stoer and Torridon Groups was facilitated by both detrital and early diagenetic processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Wester Ross Ros An
    Scottish Natural Heritage Explore for a day Wester Ross Ros an lar Wester Ross has a landscape of incredible beauty and diversity Historically people have settled along the seaboard, sustaining fashioned by a fascinating geological history. Mountains of strange, themselves by combining cultivation and rearing livestock with spectacular shapes rise up from a coastline of diverse seascapes. harvesting produce from the sea. Crofting townships, with their Wave battered cliffs and crevices are tempered by sandy beaches small patch-work of in-bye (cultivated) fields running down to the or salt marsh estuaries; fjords reach inland several kilometres. sea can be found along the coast. The ever changing light on the Softening this rugged landscape are large inland fresh water lochs. landscape throughout the year makes it a place to visit all year The area boasts the accolade of two National Scenic Area (NSA) round. designations, the Assynt – Coigach NSA and Wester Ross NSA, and three National Nature Reserves; Knockan Crag, Corrieshalloch Symbol Key Gorge and Beinn Eighe. The North West Highland Geopark encompasses part of north Wester Ross. Parking Information Centre Gaelic dictionary Paths Disabled Access Gaelic Pronunciation English beinn bayn mountain gleann glyown glen Toilets Wildlife watching inbhir een-er mouth of a river achadh ach-ugh field mòr more big beag bake small Refreshments Picnic Area madainn mhath mat-in va good morning feasgar math fess-kur ma good afternoon mar sin leat mar shin laht goodbye Admission free unless otherwise stated. 1 11 Ullapool 4 Ullapul (meaning wool farm or Ulli’s farm) This picturesque village was founded in 1788 as a herring processing station by the British Fisheries Association.
    [Show full text]
  • Pib: a Memoir of Colin Pibworth
    FRANK CARD Pib: A Memoir of Colin Pibworth ike any other organisation, a mountain rescue team needs not only its Lcourageous innovators, like FIt Lt Des Graham', but equally those who, over the years, provide the structure with a focus and continuity. Whilst they do not necessarily achieve the commanding heights, their contribution is very often just as valuable. One such was Colin Pibworth ('Pib'), who died in 2001 after an extraordinarily long career in the RAF Mountain Rescue Service. In those thirty years he never got beyond the rank of corporal, though for several periods, as a team leader, he was made up to sergeant. But his influence was enormous. During my researches2 in 1992,JllY wife Jo and I visited the Mountain Rescue Team at RAF Valley. 'You must go and see Pib,' said one of the lads. By this time, I had certainly heard of Colin Pibworth, but had no idea where he could be found. But some of the team knew him, and visited him from time to time. We were directed from RAF Valley into the hills behind Caernarfon and up a steep narrow lane. Eventually we came to a tiny cottage, its roof bristling with CB aerials. A smiling man in his 60s met us at the door, cradling in his arms a cat called Tenzing. 'Why Tenzing?' I asked at some stage. 'Because he's a bit of a cloimber,' came the reply. Ask a silly question. There followed an enthralling hour or so ofstories ranging from blizzards and avalanches in the Highlands to Desert Rescue operations with the Sharjah and Masirah Mountain and Desert Rescue Teams (MDRTs).
    [Show full text]
  • Scottish Highlands Hillwalking
    SHHG-3 back cover-Q8__- 15/12/16 9:08 AM Page 1 TRAILBLAZER Scottish Highlands Hillwalking 60 DAY-WALKS – INCLUDES 90 DETAILED TRAIL MAPS – INCLUDES 90 DETAILED 60 DAY-WALKS 3 ScottishScottish HighlandsHighlands EDN ‘...the Trailblazer series stands head, shoulders, waist and ankles above the rest. They are particularly strong on mapping...’ HillwalkingHillwalking THE SUNDAY TIMES Scotland’s Highlands and Islands contain some of the GUIDEGUIDE finest mountain scenery in Europe and by far the best way to experience it is on foot 60 day-walks – includes 90 detailed trail maps o John PLANNING – PLACES TO STAY – PLACES TO EAT 60 day-walks – for all abilities. Graded Stornoway Durness O’Groats for difficulty, terrain and strenuousness. Selected from every corner of the region Kinlochewe JIMJIM MANTHORPEMANTHORPE and ranging from well-known peaks such Portree Inverness Grimsay as Ben Nevis and Cairn Gorm to lesser- Aberdeen Fort known hills such as Suilven and Clisham. William Braemar PitlochryPitlochry o 2-day and 3-day treks – some of the Glencoe Bridge Dundee walks have been linked to form multi-day 0 40km of Orchy 0 25 miles treks such as the Great Traverse. GlasgowGla sgow EDINBURGH o 90 walking maps with unique map- Ayr ping features – walking times, directions, tricky junctions, places to stay, places to 60 day-walks eat, points of interest. These are not gen- for all abilities. eral-purpose maps but fully edited maps Graded for difficulty, drawn by walkers for walkers. terrain and o Detailed public transport information strenuousness o 62 gateway towns and villages 90 walking maps Much more than just a walking guide, this book includes guides to 62 gateway towns 62 guides and villages: what to see, where to eat, to gateway towns where to stay; pubs, hotels, B&Bs, camp- sites, bunkhouses, bothies, hostels.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Kayaking View Trip Dates Introduction Course Book Now
    Sea Kayaking View Trip Dates Introduction Course Book Now Trip Grade: Green 1 Introduction Course Based in beautiful Torridon, this short break will equip you with the essential skills to get you started sea kayaking, while you enjoy paddling in fantastic locations. These sheltered stretches of water are the perfect place to learn the basics of sea kayaking and develop your skills further under the close eye of our highly-qualified sea kayak guide. Throughout the trip you will enjoy comfortable accommodation in a private bunkhouse located on the loch shore, with hot showers, a wood-burning stove and comfortable beds. Highlights • Learn essential sea kayaking skills while experiencing some of the best sea kayaking in Scotland • Develop your paddling techniques on beautiful Upper Loch Torridon and the local area • At the end of a day on the water, relax with a hot shower, fantastic food and a comfortable bed Book with confidence • We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 2 people have booked • Maximum of 8 places available per departure, 1 guide per 4 clients PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors. Planned Itinerary Day 1 | Welcome and Onto the Water Day 2 | Skills Session and Exploring Upper Loch Torridon Day 3 | Sea Kayaking in Torridon or Applecross Day 4 | Sea Kayaking Journey, Applecross Day 5 | Sea Kayaking Journey, Applecross Arrival Info • Your Guide will meet you at the centre of Inverness Railway Station by the fixed seating area • 10.30am on Day 1 of your trip Departure Info • You will be returned to Inverness Railway Station • 4:00pm on the final day of your trip PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.
    [Show full text]
  • Shieldaig Export Limited
    Moody Marine Ltd Loch Torridon Nephrops Creel Fishery Certification Report Moody Marine Ltd. May 2002 Ref: 011-008/V4 Author(s): Mrs E Mason, Professor R.J.A. Atkinson, Dr. A Hough, September, 2002 Certification Report for Loch Torridon Nephrops Creel Fishery Client: Shieldaig Export Limited Certification Body: Moody Marine Ltd. Client Contact: Mr. John MacGregor Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies Shieldaig Export Limited 2 Vanguard Way Rosebank Birkenhead Strathcarron Wirral Ross-shire CH41 9HX IV54 8XN Tel: +44 (0) 151 650 2275 Tel: Office +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) 151 650 2274 Tel: Evenings +44 (0) Fax: +44 (0) FN 07/019 Rev. 00 02/04/00 Page 1 Moody Marine Ltd Loch Torridon Nephrops Creel Fishery Certification Report CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 4 1.1 THE FISHERY PROPOSED FOR CERTIFICATION IS:........................................................... 4 1.2 ASSESSMENT AND REPORT STRUCTURE ....................................................................... 4 1.3 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THIS ASSESSMENT........................................................ 5 1.4 INFORMATION SOURCES USED...................................................................................... 8 1.5 BACKGROUND TO THE CREEL FISHERY....................................................................... 10 1.6 BACKGROUND TO THE TARGET SPECIES ..................................................................... 10 2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTEXT..............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Torridon House Estate, Achnasheen, Wester Ross Torridon House Estate Achnasheen, Wester Ross
    TORRIDON HOUSE ESTATE, ACHNASHEEN, WESTER ROSS TORRIDON HOUSE ESTATE ACHNASHEEN, WESTER ROSS Inverness 47 miles A magnificent Highland House in a spectacular loch side location. Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, library, study, gun room, kitchen, service quarters, staff flat, billiards room, master bedroom apartment, 17 bedrooms, playroom, nursery, 5 bathrooms, extensive basement and cellars. Estate buildings including: garages, workshop, general storage, game larder. Private hydro electric turbine 800m of direct loch frontage River Corrie with spectacular waterfall Dramatic mountain backdrop Salmon and sea trout fishing Beautiful garden with wooded grounds There includes an option to purchase a number of cottages, boat house and additional land as well as further fishing. In all about 54 acres Edinburgh office 22 Young Street Edinburgh EH2 4JB t 0131 344 0880 [email protected] SITUATION Torridon House Estate is situated amongst some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in Northern Europe. It lies on the northern shores of Upper Loch Torridon, a sea loch, and beneath the spectacular mountain ridges of Beinn Alligin (3,232ft) and Lianthach (3,456ft). The southerly views across the sea loch are truly magnificent, topped off with the 2,957ft peak of Beinn Damph. The nearest major town/city is Inverness, which lies about 47 miles to the east and which provides a full range of shops, services and amenities as well as an international airport and a mainline rail station. Torridon village is at the head of the loch about 1.5miles along the shore line and comprises a small crofting community at the end of one of the most beautiful west Highland passes from where there are breathtaking views over the loch to the Applecross Hills.
    [Show full text]
  • WESTER ROSS Wester Ross Ross Wester 212 © Lonelyplanet Walk Tooneofscotland’Sfinestcorries, Coire Mhicfhearchair
    © Lonely Planet 212 Wester Ross Wester Ross is heaven for hillwalkers: a remote and starkly beautiful part of the High- lands with lonely glens and lochs, an intricate coastline of rocky headlands and white-sand beaches, and some of the finest mountains in Scotland. If you are lucky with the weather, the clear air will provide rich colours and great views from the ridges and summits. In poor conditions the remoteness of the area makes walking a much more serious proposition. Whatever the weather, the walking can be difficult, so this is no place to begin learning mountain techniques. But if you are fit and well equipped, Wester Ross will be immensely rewarding – and addictive. The walks described here offer a tantalising taste of the area’s delights and challenges. An Teallach’s pinnacle-encrusted ridge is one of Scotland’s finest ridge walks, spiced with some scrambling. Proving that there’s much more to walking in Scotland than merely jumping out of the car (or bus) and charging up the nearest mountain, Beinn Dearg Mhór, in the heart of the Great Wilderness, makes an ideal weekend outing. This Great Wilderness – great by Scottish standards at least – is big enough to guarantee peace, even solitude, during a superb two-day traverse through glens cradling beautiful lochs. Slioch, a magnificent peak overlooking Loch Maree, offers a comparatively straightforward, immensely scenic ascent. In the renowned Torridon area, Beinn Alligin provides an exciting introduction to its consider- WESTER ROSS able challenges, epitomised in the awesome traverse of Liathach, a match for An Teallach in every way.
    [Show full text]
  • The Natural Heritage As an Economic Driver: Protected Areas Case Studies
    Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 368 The Natural Heritage as an Economic Driver: Protected Areas Case Studies COMMISSIONED REPORT Commissioned Report No. 368 The Natural Heritage as an Economic Driver: Protected Areas Case Studies For further information on this report please contact: Ralph Blaney Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House INVERNESS IV3 8NW Telephone: 01463-725 231 Email: [email protected] This report should be quoted as: Moffat Centre (2010). The Natural Heritage as an Economic Driver: Protected Areas Case Studies. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.368 (ROAME No. F05AC701). This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. © Scottish Natural Heritage 2010. COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary The Natural Heritage as an Economic Driver: Protected Areas Case Studies Commissioned Report No. 368 (ROAME No. F05AC701) Contractor: Moffat Centre Year of Publication: 2010 Background This research concerns itself with the impact protected areas have on the local business community, investigating economic contribution as well as exploring perceptions of the natural heritage. Four case study areas were chosen for investigation: Forvie national nature reserve (NNR), St Abb’s Head NNR, Beinn Eighe NNR, Loch Lomond NNR. Findings from different sources were triangulated to present an overall picture of the reserves’ relationships with local businesses: NNR visitor research, reserve expenditure, and local business surveys. Main findings The different NNRs have different relationships with local businesses.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape Character Assessment Ross
    Landscape Character Assessment 2019 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT ROSS & CROMARTY LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION AND INFLUENCES Landscape Evolution and Influences – Ross & Cromarty 1 Landscape Character Assessment 2019 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION page 3 2. PHYSICAL INFLUENCES page 4 3. HUMAN INFLUENCES page 13 4. CULTURAL INFLUENCES AND PERCEPTION page 31 Title Page Photographs, clockwise from top left: Beallach nam Ba, Pass of the Cattle, Applecross©NatureScot The view over Ullapool and Loch Broom from the road north. ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot Slioch ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot Rigs in the Cromarty Firth. ©Rachel Haines/NatureScot This document provides information on how the landscape of the local authority area has evolved. It complements the Landscape Character Type descriptions of the 2019 dataset. The original character assessment reports, part of a series of 30, mostly for a local authority area, included a “Background Chapter” on the formation of the landscape. These documents have been revised because feedback said they are useful, despite the fact that other sources of information are now readily available on the internet, unlike in the 1990’s when the first versions were produced. The content of the chapters varied considerably between the reports, and it has been restructured into a more standard format: Introduction, Physical Influences and Human Influences for all areas; and Cultural Influences sections for the majority. Some content variation still remains as the documents have been revised rather than rewritten, The information has been updated with input from the relevant Local Authorities. The historic and cultural aspects have been reviewed and updated by Historic Environment Scotland. Gaps in information have been filled where possible.
    [Show full text]