DOCSLIB.ORG

Existing Users and Management Initiatives Relevant to SEA 4

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Existing Users and Management Initiatives Relevant to SEA 4 Report to the Department of Trade and Industry Existing Users and Management Initiatives Relevant to SEA 4 Final Report September 2003 Prepared by Hartley Anderson Limited with Aberdeen Institute of Coastal Science and Management University of Aberdeen SEA 4 Users Report This page is intentionally blank Final Report September 2003 SEA 4 Users Report CONTENTS CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ i 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Coastal population...................................................................................... 3 1.3 Commercial fishing..................................................................................... 9 1.4 Fisheries for migratory species ............................................................... 17 1.5 Ports and Shipping ................................................................................... 21 1.6 Mariculture................................................................................................. 30 1.7 Oil and gas activity ................................................................................... 42 1.8 Renewable energy..................................................................................... 48 1.9 Military activity .......................................................................................... 52 1.10 Telecommunication cables ................................................................... 55 1.11 Aggregate extraction............................................................................. 57 1.12 Marine disposal...................................................................................... 59 1.13 Tourism and leisure............................................................................... 63 1.14 Coastal and marine archaeology.......................................................... 69 1.15 Locally important activities................................................................... 73 1.16 Overarching coastal and marine management initiatives.................. 75 References.............................................................................................................. 91 Appendix 1: Glossary and Abbreviations ....................................................... A1-1 September 2003 Final Report i SEA 4 Users Report This page is intentionally blank Final Report Page ii September 2003 SEA 4 Users Report 1.1 Introduction The SEA 4 area supports a range of different users and activities. The predominantly rural nature of much of the coast and unspoilt nature of the surrounding coastal waters has lead to the development of an important mariculture industry, especially in Shetland. The fishing industry, whilst in decline, still remains important, both culturally and economically. Similarly, the region has played a central role in the development of the North Sea oil and gas industry over the last 30 years. Tourism is increasingly important with many visitors attracted by the dramatic and spectacular coastal scenery of the area. This report will describe those industries and activities which utilise the SEA 4 area by examining the importance of the area to a variety of industries, the main management issues and initiatives which affect these industries and finally, the relevance of licensing of the SEA 4 area to these industries. This report presents an initial overview of the coastal population of SEA 4 which is followed by descriptions of existing users of the area, including: • Commercial fishing • Fisheries for migratory species • Ports and shipping • Mariculture • Oil and gas activity • Renewable energy • Military activity • Telecommunication cables • Aggregate extraction • Marine disposal sites • Tourism and leisure • Coastal and marine archaeology • Locally important activities The final section of this report, Overarching Coastal and Marine Management Initiatives describes those encompassing initiatives which manage or regulate a number of coastal and marine industries, as well as identifying future initiatives. September 2003 Page 1 Final Report SEA 4 Users Report This page is intentionally blank Final Report Page 2 September 2003 SEA 4 Users Report 1.2 Coastal population 1.2.1 Introduction The vast majority of the SEA 4 coastal region is rural in nature and population density is low with much of the population centred on a few relatively small settlements. In broad socio-economic terms, the SEA 4 area supports a higher proportion of self-employed people than the Scottish average. Fishing is a more important employer in Shetland and Orkney than in the rest of Scotland and agriculture is an important industry on Orkney. The proportion of people involved in skilled trades occupations is significantly higher within the SEA 4 area than in Scotland as a whole. Information relating to the demographics of the SEA 4 area comes largely from the results of the 2001 census which can be accessed through the Scotland's Census 2001 website (http://www.gro- scotland.gov.uk/grosweb/grosweb.nsf/pages/censushm). 1.2.2 Demographics and socio-economics Population The coastal region of SEA 4 does not support a large population; the combined population of Shetland, Orkney, and Caithness and Sutherland was only 60,000 people in 2000/2001 (Table 1.2.1). Since 1991, population migration has seen the populations of Shetland and Orkney decline, in contrast to the general situation in Scotland. The population density of the SEA 4 area is much lower than the general figure for Scotland. Table 1.2.1 – Population in the SEA 4 area Area Density Council area 1991 2001 % Change (km2) (persons/km2) Shetland 22,522 21,988 -2.37 1,466.5 15 Orkney 19,612 19,245 -1.87 990 19 Highland 204,004 208,914 2.41 25,659 8 Caithness and Sutherland1 - 18,3881 - 9421 191 Scotland 4,998,567 5,062,011 1.27 77,924.5 65 Note: 12000 figures (Source: Scottish Coastal Socio-Economic Scoping study (2002)) Coastal settlements The coasts of the SEA 4 region are generally rural in nature with a number of relatively small settlements (Table 1.2.2 and Figure 1.2.1). Of these, Lerwick is home to over 33% of the Shetland population. Similarly, Kirkwall is the major population centre on Orkney, supporting 31% of the islands’ population. Thurso is the largest settlement on the north coast of Scotland. Table 1.2.2 – Major settlements in the SEA 4 area SEA 4 region Settlement Population Shetland Lerwick 7,270 Scalloway 1,140 Sandwick 790 Orkney Kirkwall 6,130 Stromness 1,850 September 2003 Page 3 Final Report SEA 4 Users Report Table 1.2.2 – Major settlements in the SEA 4 area SEA 4 region Settlement Population North coast of Scotland Thurso 7,880 Figure 1.2.1 – Major settlements in the SEA 4 area Socio-economic profile Age structure The age structure of the population within the SEA 4 area is similar to Scotland as a whole (Table 1.2.3). Orkney and the Highlands have a smaller proportion of people aged between 16-30 and the average age of the population is slightly older than for either Shetland or Scotland as a whole. Final Report Page 4 September 2003 SEA 4 Users Report Table 1.2.3 – Age structure of the population in the SEA 4 area, 2001 Percentage of people aged Mean Council area Population 0-16 16-30 30-65 >65 age Shetland 21,988 21.9 18.1 48 14 38 Orkney 19,245 19.9 13.7 49.6 16.7 40 Highland 208,914 19.6 14.6 49.1 16.6 40 Scotland 5,062,011 19.2 17.5 47.4 15.9 38 Economic activity Table 1.2.4 describes the status of those people within the SEA 4 area who are economically active and inactive (refers to those who are retired, students, looking after home/family, permanently sick/disabled). It is clear that there are more self-employed people within the SEA 4 area than Scotland in general. Unemployment is slightly lower in both Shetland and Orkney and there are also fewer economically inactive people. Table 1.2.4 – Economic activity in the SEA 4 area, 2001 Percentage of economically active people aged 16-74 Employees SEA 4 All people Part- Full- Self- Un- Full-time Economically region aged 16-74 time time employed employed student inactive Shetland 15,698 15.1 45.1 10.6 2.4 1.9 24.9 Orkney 13,912 13.7 35.9 16.4 3 1.9 29.1 Highland 152,684 12.9 38.9 10.2 4.3 1.8 31.9 Scotland 3,731,079 11.1 40.3 6.6 4 3 35 Industry of employment In Shetland, the main sources of economic activity are from fisheries (capture and processing), aquaculture (combined fisheries and aquaculture industries valued at £139 million in 1999), and oil- related activities (worth £53.7 million in 1999). The three other key sectors in 1999 were tourism (£14.4 million), agriculture (£11.8 million) and knitwear (£4.9 million). The Orkney economy has had a traditional reliance on agriculture and fishing. However, over the last 20 years there has been a growth in employment in a number of economic sectors including manufacturing and tourism and more recently, food processing. In Caithness and Sutherland, tourism is an important industry, employing over 2,000 people (14% of all employment in the area). Other locally important industries include fishing, construction and the ongoing decommissioning programme for Dounreay. Table 1.2.5 highlights the main industries of employment in the SEA 4 area. It is clear that agriculture employment is more important on Orkney than in other areas of the SEA 4 region, as well as in Scotland. There is also a higher proportion of the working population employed in the fishing industry
Load more

Recommended publications
  • List of Lights Radio Aids and Fog Signals 2011
    PUB. 114 LIST OF LIGHTS RADIO AIDS AND FOG SIGNALS 2011 BRITISH ISLES, ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA IMPORTANT THIS PUBLICATION SHOULD BE CORRECTED EACH WEEK FROM THE NOTICE TO MARINERS Prepared and published by the NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Bethesda, MD © COPYRIGHT 2011 BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. NO COPYRIGHT CLAIMED UNDER TITLE 17 U.S.C. *7642014007536* NSN 7642014007536 NGA REF. NO. LLPUB114 LIST OF LIGHTS LIMITS NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY PREFACE The 2011 edition of Pub. 114, List of Lights, Radio Aids and Fog Signals for the British Isles, English Channel and North Sea, cancels the previous edition of Pub. 114. This edition contains information available to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) up to 2 April 2011, including Notice to Mariners No. 14 of 2011. A summary of corrections subsequent to the above date will be in Section II of the Notice to Mariners which announced the issuance of this publication. In the interval between new editions, corrective information affecting this publication will be published in the Notice to Mariners and must be applied in order to keep this publication current. Nothing in the manner of presentation of information in this publication or in the arrangement of material implies endorsement or acceptance by NGA in matters affecting the status and boundaries of States and Territories. RECORD OF CORRECTIONS PUBLISHED IN WEEKLY NOTICE TO MARINERS NOTICE TO MARINERS YEAR 2011 YEAR 2012 1........ 14........ 27........ 40........ 1........ 14........ 27........ 40........ 2........ 15........ 28........ 41........ 2........ 15........ 28........ 41........ 3........ 16........ 29........ 42........ 3........ 16........ 29........ 42........ 4.......
    [Show full text]
  • Shetland Mainland North (Potentially Vulnerable Area 04/01)
    Shetland Mainland North (Potentially Vulnerable Area 04/01) Local Plan District Local authority Main catchment Shetland Shetland Islands Council Shetland coastal Summary of flooding impacts Summary of flooding impacts flooding of Summary At risk of flooding • <10 residential properties • <10 non-residential properties • £47,000 Annual Average Damages (damages by flood source shown left) Summary of objectives to manage flooding Objectives have been set by SEPA and agreed with flood risk management authorities. These are the aims for managing local flood risk. The objectives have been grouped in three main ways: by reducing risk, avoiding increasing risk or accepting risk by maintaining current levels of management. Objectives Many organisations, such as Scottish Water and energy companies, actively maintain and manage their own assets including their risk from flooding. Where known, these actions are described here. Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland work with site owners to manage flooding where appropriate at designated environmental and/or cultural heritage sites. These actions are not detailed further in the Flood Risk Management Strategies. Summary of actions to manage flooding The actions below have been selected to manage flood risk. Flood Natural flood New flood Community Property level Site protection protection management warning flood action protection plans scheme/works works groups scheme Actions Flood Natural flood Maintain flood Awareness Surface water Emergency protection management warning raising plan/study plans/response study study Maintain flood Strategic Flood Planning Self help Maintenance protection mapping and forecasting policies scheme modelling Shetland Local Plan District Section 2 20 Shetland Mainland North (Potentially Vulnerable Area 04/01) Local Plan District Local authority Main catchment Shetland Shetland Islands Council Shetland coastal Background This Potentially Vulnerable Area is There are several communities located in the north of Mainland including Voe, Mossbank, Brae and Shetland (shown below).
    [Show full text]
  • Durham Research Online
    Durham Research Online Deposited in DRO: 07 April 2016 Version of attached le: Accepted Version Peer-review status of attached le: Peer-reviewed Citation for published item: Long, A.J. and Barlow, N.L.M. and Dawson, S. and Hill, J. and Innes, J.B. and Kelham, C. and Milne, F.D. and Dawson, A. (2016) 'Lateglacial and Holocene relative sea-level changes and rst evidence for the Storegga tsunami in Sutherland, Scotland.', Journal of quaternary science., 31 (3). pp. 239-255. Further information on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jqs.2862 Publisher's copyright statement: Copyright c 2016 The Authors. Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley Sons Ltd This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Additional information: Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. Durham University Library, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LY, United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0)191 334 3042 | Fax : +44 (0)191 334 2971 https://dro.dur.ac.uk Late Glacial and Holocene relative sea-level changes and first evidence for the Storegga tsunami in Sutherland, Scotland ANTONY J.
    [Show full text]
  • Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan Committee Version November, 2015
    Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan Committee Version November, 2015 Proposed CaSPlan The Highland Council Foreword Foreword Foreword to be added after PDI committee meeting The Highland Council Proposed CaSPlan About this Proposed Plan About this Proposed Plan The Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) is the second of three new area local development plans that, along with the Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HwLDP) and Supplementary Guidance, will form the Highland Council’s Development Plan that guides future development in Highland. The Plan covers the area shown on the Strategy Map on page 3). CaSPlan focuses on where development should and should not occur in the Caithness and Sutherland area over the next 10-20 years. Along the north coast the Pilot Marine Spatial Plan for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters will also influence what happens in the area. This Proposed Plan is the third stage in the plan preparation process. It has been approved by the Council as its settled view on where and how growth should be delivered in Caithness and Sutherland. However, it is a consultation document which means you can tell us what you think about it. It will be of particular interest to people who live, work or invest in the Caithness and Sutherland area. In preparing this Proposed Plan, the Highland Council have held various consultations. These included the development of a North Highland Onshore Vision to support growth of the marine renewables sector, Charrettes in Wick and Thurso to prepare whole-town visions and a Call for Sites and Ideas, all followed by a Main Issues Report and Additional Sites and Issues consultation.
    [Show full text]
  • Layout 1 Copy
    STACK ROCK 2020 An illustrated guide to sea stack climbing in the UK & Ireland - Old Harry - - Old Man of Stoer - - Am Buachaille - - The Maiden - - The Old Man of Hoy - - over 200 more - Edition I - version 1 - 13th March 1994. Web Edition - version 1 - December 1996. Web Edition - version 2 - January 1998. Edition 2 - version 3 - January 2002. Edition 3 - version 1 - May 2019. Edition 4 - version 1 - January 2020. Compiler Chris Mellor, 4 Barnfield Avenue, Shirley, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 8SE. Tel: 0208 662 1176 – E-mail: [email protected]. Send in amendments, corrections and queries by e-mail. ISBN - 1-899098-05-4 Acknowledgements Denis Crampton for enduring several discussions in which the concept of this book was developed. Also Duncan Hornby for information on Dorset’s Old Harry stacks and Mick Fowler for much help with some of his southern and northern stack attacks. Mike Vetterlein contributed indirectly as have Rick Cummins of Rock Addiction, Rab Anderson and Bruce Kerr. Andy Long from Lerwick, Shetland. has contributed directly with a lot of the hard information about Shetland. Thanks are also due to Margaret of the Alpine Club library for assistance in looking up old journals. In late 1996 Ben Linton, Ed Lynch-Bell and Ian Brodrick undertook the mammoth scanning and OCR exercise needed to transfer the paper text back into computer form after the original electronic version was lost in a disk crash. This was done in order to create a world-wide web version of the guide. Mike Caine of the Manx Fell and Rock Club then helped with route information from his Manx climbing web site.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic Analysis of Strathy North Wind Farm
    Economic Analysis of Strathy North Wind Farm A report to SSE Renewables January 2020 Contents 1. Executive Summary 1 2. Introduction 3 3. Economic Impact of Strathy North Wind Farm 6 4. Community Benefit 18 5. Appendix A – Consultations 23 6. Appendix B – Economic Impact Methodology 24 Economic Analysis of Strathy North Wind Farm 1. Executive Summary The development, construction and operation of Strathy North Wind Farm has generated substantial local and national impacts and will continue to do so throughout its operational lifetime and beyond. Strathy North Wind Farm, which is based in the north of Scotland, near Strathy in North Sutherland, was developed and built at a cost of £113 million (DEVEX/CAPEX). Operational expenditure (OPEX) and decommissioning costs over its 25-year lifetime are expected to be £121 million. The expected total expenditure (TOTEX) is £234 million. During the development and construction of Strathy North Wind Farm, it was estimated that companies and organisations in Scotland secured contracts worth £59.4 million. The area is expected to secure £100.6 million in OPEX contracts over the wind farm’s operational lifetime (£4.0 million annually). Overall the expenditure, including decommissioning, secured in Scotland is expected to be £165.0 million, or 73% of TOTEX. Highland is expected to secure £21.9 million in DEVEX/CAPEX contracts and £51.5 million in OPEX contracts (£2.1 million annually). Overall, Highland is expected to secure contracts worth £77.0 million, or 33% of TOTEX. Of this, £25.6 million, equivalent to 11% of TOTEX is expected to be secure in Caithness and North Sutherland.
    [Show full text]
  • Talking About Heritage
    Talking about heritage Draft guidance for consultation September 2020 1 Introduction Heritage is everywhere and it means different things to different people. This guide is all about exploring and talking about heritage, so we’ve included some of the things that people have said to us when we’ve asked them, ‘What’s your heritage?’ Heritage to me is everything in Scotland’s history. It’s not just buildings but everything that’s passed down like songs, stories, myths. Perthshire ‘What’s Your Heritage’ workshop. Your heritage might be the physical places that you know and love – your favourite music venue, your local park, a ruined castle you’ve explored, or the landscapes you picture when you think of home. Your heritage could also be your working life, the stories you were told as a child, the language you speak with your family, the music or traditions you remember from an important time in your life. Heritage can inspire different emotions, both positive and negative. It can be special to people for lots of different reasons. Here are a few: • It’s beautiful. • It’s what I think of when I picture home. • It’s part of who I am • I can feel the spirits, my history. • It’s where I walk my dog. • It’s an amazing insight into my past. • It’s my home town and it reminds me of my family. Heritage can help to us to feel connected. It might be to a community, a place, or a shared past. It reflects different viewpoints across cultures and generations and is key to local distinctiveness and identity.
    [Show full text]
  • Socio-Economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters
    RPA. Marine Scotland Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Volume 1: Main Text Report R.1905 September 2012 RPA. Marine Scotland Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Volume 2: Figures Report R.1905 September 2012 Marine Scotland Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Date: September 2012 Project Ref: R4032/3 Report No: R.1905 © ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd Version Details of Change Authorised By Date 1 Working Copy C E Brown 02.12.11 2 Final C E Brown 07.02.12 3 Final C E Brown 26.04.12 4 Final C E Brown 28.06.12 5 Final C E Brown 24.09.12 Document Authorisation Signature Date Project Manager: C E Brown Quality Manager: H Roberts Project Director: S C Hull ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd Quayside Suite, Medina Chambers Town Quay Tel: +44(0)23 8071 1840 SOUTHAMPTON Fax: +44(0)23 8071 1841 Hampshire Web: www.abpmer.co.uk SO14 2AQ Email: [email protected] ABPmer is certified by: All images copyright ABPmer apart from front cover (wave, anemone, bird) and policy & management (rockpool) Andy Pearson www.oceansedgephotography.co.uk Socio-economic Baseline Reviews for Offshore Renewables in Scottish Waters Summary ABP Marine Environmental Research Ltd (ABPmer) and RPA were commissioned by Marine Scotland to prepare a baseline socio-economic review to inform impact assessments of future sectoral plans for offshore wind and wave and tidal energy in Scottish Territorial Waters and waters offshore of Scotland (hereafter „Scottish Waters‟). This report provides a national overview of socio-economic activities together with regional baseline reviews covering the six Scottish Offshore Renewable Energy Regions (SORERs).
    [Show full text]
  • Out and About Around Shetland
    Out and About Shetland Areas to visit Some things to see and do Beaches to visit Best places to eat out The white wife, Hermaness, Norwick beach, Easting Unst and Yell Boat Haven, Bobby’s bus beach, West Sandwick Victoria’s Tea Room and LJ’s Diner shelter and Viking Longship and Breckon Sands Brae swimming pool, Voxter Beach at Lunna, Vidlin, Brae and trees, Wigwams, Ronas Hill, Frankie's, Hillswick Hotel, Mid Brae and Fethaland Beach, Back North Mainland Stones of Stofast, Bell Tower Busta House Sand at Lunna and Hams of Roe Kergord trees, Bonhoga Tresta Beach, Raewick Central and the Bonhoga, The Cake Fridge and Braewick Gallery, Michaels Wood, Da beach and Sandsound Westside Café Gairdins at Sand, Gruting beach The Steak House, Island Larder, Isleburgh, The Museum, Playpark, go The Noodle Bar, Peerie Shop Café, Shetland shopping, Aa Fired Up, Sands of Sound and Lerwick, and Lerwick Hotel, Magnos, Fjara, Mareel, Clickimin, Lerwick Bains beach Skippidock, The Dowry, The Fort Chippy, The Library and The Knab Great Wall, The Golden Coach and Saffron Scalloway pool, Hamnavoe Scalloway and lighthouse, Smuggler’s cave, Meal Beach and Minn Burra cake fridge, The Cornerstone and The Burra The Ootpost and Trondra Beach Haaf Farm Sumburgh Lighthouse, West Voe Beach, Jarlshof, Sandwick Leisure Mackenzie’s Farm shop, cake fridge at The South End Levenwick beach, St Centre, playpark and Red Sandwick playpark and Sumburgh Lighthouse Ninians Isle and Spiggie pool of Virkie https://www.shetland.org/visit for more things to see and do Things to do on
    [Show full text]
  • 37 Foinaven - Ben Hee Wild Land Area
    Description of Wild Land Area – 2017 37 Foinaven - Ben Hee Wild Land Area 1 Description of Wild Land Area – 2017 Context This large Wild Land Area (WLA) extends 569 km2 across north west Sutherland, extending from the peatlands of Crask in the south east to the mountain of Foinaven in the north west. The northern half of the WLA mainly comprises a complex range of high mountains in addition to a peninsula of lower hills extending towards Durness. In contrast, the southern half of the WLA includes extensive peatlands and the isolated mountain of Ben Hee. One of a cluster of seven WLAs in the north west of Scotland, flanked by main (predominantly single track) roads to the north, west and south, it is relatively distant from large population centres. The geology of the area has a strong influence on its character. Along the Moine Thrust Belt that passes through the north west, rocky mountains such as Foinaven and Arkle are highly distinctive with their bright white Cambrian quartzite and scree, with little vegetation. The geological importance of this area is recognised by its inclusion within the North West Highlands Geoparki. Land within the WLA is used mainly for deer stalking and fishing and, except for a few isolated estate lodges and farms, is uninhabited. Many people view the area from outside its edge as a visual backdrop, particularly when travelling along the A838 between Lairg and Laxford Bridge and Durness, and along the A836 between Lairg and Altnaharra, through Strath More, and around Loch Eriboll. The mountains within this WLA typically draw fewer hillwalkers than some other areas, partly due to the lack of Munros.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scottish Highlanders and the Land Laws: John Stuart Blackie
    The Scottish Highlanders and the Land Laws: An Historico-Economical Enquiry by John Stuart Blackie, F.R.S.E. Emeritus Professor of Greek in the University of Edinburgh London: Chapman and Hall Limited 1885 CHAPTER I. The Scottish Highlanders. “The Highlands of Scotland,” said that grand specimen of the Celto-Scandinavian race, the late Dr. Norman Macleod, “ like many greater things in the world, may be said to be well known, and yet unknown.”1 The Highlands indeed is a peculiar country, and the Highlanders, like the ancient Jews, a peculiar people; and like the Jews also in certain quarters a despised people, though we owe our religion to the Hebrews, and not the least part of our national glory arid European prestige to the Celts of the Scottish Highlands. This ignorance and misprision arose from several causes; primarily, and at first principally, from the remoteness of the situation in days when distances were not counted by steam, and when the country, now perhaps the most accessible of any mountainous district in Europe, was, like most parts of modern Greece, traversed only by rough pony-paths over the protruding bare bones of the mountain. In Dr. Johnson’s day, to have penetrated the Argyllshire Highlands as far west as the sacred settlement of St. Columba was accounted a notable adventure scarcely less worthy of record than the perilous passage of our great Scottish traveller Bruce from the Red Sea through the great Nubian Desert to the Nile; and the account of his visit to those unknown regions remains to this day a monument of his sturdy Saxon energy, likely to be read with increasing interest by a great army of summer perambulators long after his famous dictionary shall have been forgotten, or relegated as a curiosity to the back shelves of a philological library.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Protected Areas and Large-Scale Features. Position Paper
    Marine Protected Areas and Large-Scale Features. Position paper Summary This document considers the role of large-scale features in developing the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in Scotland’s seas. It describes each of the large-scale features, outlines the approach to their inclusion in the process, and considers the possible MPAs and MPA search locations which contain these features in relation to the evidence available. Five large-scale features are included on the list of MPA search features: seamounts; continental slope; shelf deeps; shelf banks and mounds; and fronts. These features have been included to represent areas of potential wider significance to the overall health and biodiversity of Scotland’s seas in the development of the MPA network. Specific examples of large-scale features have only been included in possible MPAs and MPA search locations where evidence is available to suggest that they contribute to ecosystem function, for instance in terms of playing a key supporting role within the site or more widely; or providing functional links within the site; or in supporting linkages within the network and wider seas. It is anticipated that MPAs may be able to provide direct protection for large-scale features through management of pressures that have implications for their extent, structure and distribution within the site and thereby their wider function. Draft conservation objectives are to ‘conserve’ the function of large scale features included as protected features. In total 13 areas (10 possible MPAs and 3 MPA search locations) have been identified for large-scale features, where evidence is available to suggest they play a role in supporting ecological function.
    [Show full text]