Regarding the Kintyre Way.
Have you been asked for your thoughts on this? Has there been any form of public discussion or debate? Do you think it is a good idea?
I get the impression that these are questions that have very carefully not been asked.
This may not be a terribly popular thing to say, but imagine the effect that the proposed 5,000 people a year will have, especially on the wilderness between Machrihanish and Southend. No extra toilets or facilities. Wild camping everywhere and all the human waste that it entails. That has started even now, as anyone who has visited the Galdrings last summer or even this week will know. And that is without publicity. That which is remote will no longer be so. Even if 95% of visitors behave responsibly, that still leaves hundreds of people who will not.
Yet there is no provision to clear up their damage and litter.
It also involves considerable danger. Large amounts of hazardous road walking - up the brae on this side of Saddell and right along the main road from Campbeltown to Machrihanish, to mention but two. Novice walkers, those who need waymarks to find a route, will have no concept of being caught out exposed on the Mull in a sudden mist or gale.
Yet there will be no rangers to assist them.
This is an ill conceived path, being pushed on us, farmers and public alike. Promoted by one enthusiastic Forestry Commission worker, whose job it is... but predominantly by a few recent incomers with tourist businesses well north of Campbeltown, who wish to sell Kintye for their own personal benefit; to quote their own words, as a “brand”.
I write not only as an incomer myself, albeit a few years ago now, but also as one whose wife runs a B&B and also as one of a family of walkers. We welcome visitors, but we would far rather lose any extra business and paths, than see Kintyre spoiled.
The land is available to all, now.
For a few vested outside interests to prostitute it for the sake of their own profit and in the process to kill the very soul that makes it so special...
I vote no, no Way.
Or, at least, I would have if I had been asked.