A wolf. Alladale Estate intends to apply for a zoo licence for three of the animals. Photo: Frank Wouters ![[CC-2.0]](/lib/img/layout/cc-attr.gif)
An MSP has challenged a council to review a decision that could have dire consequences for Scottish outdoor access.
Rob Gibson said Highland Council’s granting of a dangerous wild animals licence to Paul Lister’s Alladale estate could put hillwalkers in jeopardy. The Scottish National Party member for the Highlands and Islands says he will raise the matter with the Scottish Government.
Highland Council’s licensing committee for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross yesterday granted a licence for Alladale Wilderness Reserve to keep elk and wild boar on the estate near Ardgay, on the boundary of Easter Ross and Sutherland.
The animals were first brought to the Highland estate in 2007 as part of a plan to re-establish species, such as wolves and bears, to the area – wild animals that have been extinct in Scotland for more than 250 years.
But the electrified fences around the compound where the animals are kept prevent walkers and climbers accessing wild land in the area and impede the route to mountains in the area, including the corbett Càrn Bàn.
MSP Rob Gibson
Mr Gibson has called for urgent clarification of the law of access and called the committee’s decision ‘unfortunate’.
“Since the licence for a fenced enclosure in 2007 the eccentric plans of Paul Lister were exposed in an embarrassing TV series,” he said. “This showed a millionaire lording it over his private mountain kingdom with scant regard to public access and long established customary rights.
“I am concerned that the Liberal Democrat-led Highland Council is allowing conflicting laws to clash. Which takes precedence?
“Do we have to bow to private whims and block access through wild country that could be a life and death issue for walkers in severe weather?
“I am astounded that the licensing board chair Councillor Alasdair Rhind showed scant regard for the physical dangers to walkers on the Alladale path. Access to the bulk of the estate is no excuse for blocking long used the Alladale path.
“I will raise the matter with the minster; meantime I hope to hear how Highland Council will review this unfortunate decision.”
The MSP has also written to LibDem leader of Highland Council Michael Foxley to seek clarification over the administration’s commitment to free access throughout the region.
Northcountryboy
04 February 2010It is worth noting that access through Alladale will still be possible with the addition of wire cutters to your kit list. If Lister seriously thinks that the outdoor coummunity will give up 150 years of hard won right to roam for his dodgy shenanigans he is howling at the moon.
I look forward to meeting his wee doggies though - can they outrun a bike?
Off to B&Q.for those wire cutters.........
Paul from Highland
29 June 2010I think the various arguments seem to miss an obvious point. A few walkers claim a right to wander where they please and a land owner would like to return valuable species that could be of great tourist value to an area.
Seriously, I'd rather see rare animals that ignorant walkers that's only concern seems to be their rights to generally get in the way.
Auld-Yin
29 July 2010I trust Northcountryboy is prepared to make good any damage resulting from 'wee doggies' and others coming out the way he went in.
~~~
I may not agree with all the mentioned animals, but it can be necessary to maintain an equilibrium.
Surely there's ample bleak country for all those who need it.
Has anyone got statistics about how many people go walking, how many sq. miles they cover and how many are available?
Shuggy
28 July 2011Paul from Highland, I'll ask you what I asked someone else on a similar site, are you a Scot, or were you educated there? I am and was, but now live in England. As I informed them, so I'll inform you. The laws of trespass are completely different in Scotland. I was taught this way back in the mid fifties at school. We, "few walkers" are not CLAIMING our right to wander, WE ALREADY HAVE IT!! This is as long as we do so responsibly. We showed this at the last foot and mouyh outbeak, when we stayed of the hills, moors and dales until it was over. Whilst the farmers were compensated in millions by us, the long suffering taxpayer, it was discovered that ALL the private industries in the countryside, b&b etc., lost many more millions than them, yet did not receive one penny!! The only value Paul Lister wants is visitors money. I could live with the wolves roaming FREELY, but I'm not a farmer!! Your second paragraph is really presumptuous, and arrogant!! Do you really think people will take you, like the first word of the paragraph, after reading the rest of it? Aye, righy!!