Parliament Workbench

Petition · PE01655 · Session 5

Scotland's National Scenic Areas

Closed Submitted 26 Apr 2017 Environment & Energy
Signatures
0
405 online signatures with a country
Comments
114
Considered
3 meetings
in the Official Report

What it asks

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the process for designation of National Scenic Areas (NSAs) and consider increasing the number of NSAs in Scotland to protect the natural landscape and support the tourism sector.

What the petitioner did first

I contacted the Scottish Government in December 2016.

Where it was considered

Official Report
  1. 14 Sep 2017
    Public Petitions Committee
    New Petitions
    1 mention
  2. 22 Mar 2018
    Public Petitions Committee
    Continued Petitions
    9 mentions
  3. 16 May 2018
    Local Government and Communities Committee
    Petition
    1 mention

Signatures by country

405 online signatures
  1. Scotland176 43.5%
  2. United Kingdom97 24%
  3. England60 14.8%
  4. United States13 3.2%
  5. Ireland11 2.7%
  6. Northern Ireland10 2.5%
  7. Germany8 2%
  8. Canada7 1.7%
  9. Wales6 1.5%
  10. France3 0.7%
  11. 9 other countries14 3.5%

Comments

114 comments, oldest first
114 comments · showing 1–50
  1. Ian Munn 27 Apr 2017
    All our scenic areas should be protected, especially from wind farms which blight the landscape!
  2. M.K. Styllinski 27 Apr 2017
    This is the most shameful exploitation of the Scottish Countryside by energy companies. The official data on the viability of wind farms in Scotland
    - both in terms of its effects on health and economics
    - is highly contestable.
  3. Iain H Scott 27 Apr 2017
    Please protect this beautiful country that we live in from further industrial wind developments especially in the Scottish Borders area who are seeking to make this most unspoilt and largely unknown part of the country into a national park.
  4. Alice McAvoy 27 Apr 2017
    Our beautiful landscapes are to often being destroyed with huge detrimental impacts on landscape and our wildlife and much of which is not fully understood.
  5. Joyce C Farquhar 27 Apr 2017
    Please stop desecrating our beautiful country.
  6. Jenny Scobie 27 Apr 2017
    Our environment is vitally important to us human beings.
  7. Douglas Moir 27 Apr 2017
    Our countryside was one of our greatest assets, yet politicians have seen fit to industrialise it with wind farms that provide intermittent energy and cannot be controlled to provide energy when it is most needed between the two daily periods of 'peak demand'. It is very sad that the 'people' are the one's who are fighting to protect our heritage.
  8. Geoff Moore 27 Apr 2017
    I was recently in Italy. Like us, they have national parks as the top landscape protection. Next down they have regional parks, equivalent I guess to Scottish NSAs. Most of the Italian area which I visited was a regional park and there are numerous large signs where you enter it to publicize it, whereas Scottish NSAs have little or no recognition on the ground. This should be addressed.
  9. Gillian Arnott 27 Apr 2017
    We need to protect Scotland's landscape and unique wildlife before it's too late
  10. Kim Terry 27 Apr 2017
    The landscapes of Scotland are being decimated with the onslaught of expensive and useless wind farms. When driving into Scotland from England on the M6 motorway you are now 'treated' to the sight of more ugly wind farms and the thought 'Welcome to Scotland' takes on a whole new meaning. The surrounding hills are becoming full of ugly turbines and the natural beauty of Scotland is rapidly disappearing. The SNP is guilty of ruining what was one of the most stunning countries in the world and they obviously don't appreciate what other people see in Scotland. Shame on them.
  11. George Herraghty 27 Apr 2017
    Biomass, biofuels and wind farms are destroying wildlife habitats at great speed, yet they do not produce any environmental benefits at all. They are remedies that are worse than the illness, and should be abandoned immediately.

    The World Council for Nature does not condone the destruction of nature in order to, supposedly, 'save the planet'. If indeed the planet is at risk, it is from the corrupt alliance of 'green' charlatans, subsidy-sucking speculators, and politicians. Together, they have created a monster which is causing more devastation worldwide than there has been in five thousand years of civilisation.
  12. S Atkins 27 Apr 2017
    Scotland is being ruined by this short sighted pursuit of wind energy which is ruining the landscape. The tourist industry will be decimated.
  13. Angela lamont 27 Apr 2017
    It is utterly disgraceful that our beautiful landscape is being defaced by The Scottish Government. What is wrong with you people.
  14. Lyndsey Ward 27 Apr 2017
    The industrialisation of some of our finest landscapes by industrial wind, pylons and substations is the most abhorrent destruction. Access tracks snake up hillsides and huge swathes of Scotland are now ruined. The cost to our environment, wildlife and rural people is immeasurable. The cost on our energy bills is a disgrace. With no proof wind will reduce emissions and the fact it can never give energy security it is astonishing that the destruction has been encouraged by the Scottish Government to the detriment of so much and so many.
  15. Hazel Apppleton 27 Apr 2017
    I am ashamed that this government has allowed our beautiful Scottish countryside to be industrialised by these monstrosities called wind turbines! It has to stop! It's shameful!
  16. John Jeremy McCall 28 Apr 2017
    This year will be first time in 10 years I'm not visiting the Highlands, because I am fed up with looking at wind turbines marring a once stunning landscape.
  17. Anthony Dalton 28 Apr 2017
    Loch Awe is unique in its landscape character & historical context. It is already ringed by several windfarms detrimental to the landscape & tourism.
    We destroy such unique areas at our peril
    - if more windfarms are built it will imperil that landscape, which is fully deserving of NSA protection.
  18. George Herraghty 28 Apr 2017
    Wind farms are now visible from more than 60% of Scotland!!!
  19. R.Connor 29 Apr 2017
    So much of Scotland's landscape is not designated as NSA, but is critical to our economy in attracting tourists. Why is the Government destroying this to line the pockets of Developers who are mostly based out of Scotland. Our land needs protection and the public needs a right to appeal what is ruining our landscape sanctioned by this Government to allow commercial gain in the guise of saving the planet.
  20. Bea Holden 30 Apr 2017
    It is imperative that other beautiful areas of Scotland are given this designation to protect them from inappropriate development. In particular in south west Scotland which has always appeared to be the forgotten part of Scotland but which has some stunning landscapes.
  21. Kevin Lawson 30 Apr 2017
    The best way to protect Scotlands scenic areas is to halt all further wind farm development
  22. Julie Petty 1 May 2017
    It is vitally important to protect an mantain areas such as loch awe.
  23. Christine Turner 2 May 2017
    Loch Awe is a place of natural beauty an d should be preserved as such.
  24. Vivien Gassert 2 May 2017
    The proliferation of wind farms is turning the country into an immense industrial factory. NSA's have to be increased to protect what countryside we have left. One only has to look at
    the staggering number of turbines from the Central Belt to the Borders to see the devastation of our countryside, fauna and flora.
  25. Peter Gray 2 May 2017
    Loch Awe's stunning natural scenery should be protected for now for current and future generations.
  26. Susie Barstow 2 May 2017
    Loch Awe is a unique and beautiful area that deserves special protection. Already the area has undergone change due to the building and ongoing maintenance of a number of windfarms, for example. Further windfarm or other large scale development should be discouraged in order to preserve the natural beauty and the wildlife of the area for future generations.
  27. Rhona Knox 2 May 2017
    It is very important to protect more of Scotlands beautiful and unique landscapes via expansion of the NSA designation scene. Loch Awe is a favourite place of mine and deserves to be officially deemed a NSA and protected accordingly.
  28. Cornelis van Rein 2 May 2017
    This is an area of truly outstanding natural beauty and a very rich history, a tourist attraction since the railways opened up. Preservation is of paramount importance for now and for posterity. Nature has provided a truly wonderful gift and it must be treated as such. Scotland must remain beautiful. The Loch Awe area is truly awesome.
  29. Bill Geake 2 May 2017
    There are many far less wonderful places that are also windy. Loch Awe is a hidden gem and must be protected.
  30. Brian Burnett 3 May 2017
    Loch awe is a gem and deserves special protection. I used to live close to the Lincolnshire Wolds that has ANOB status. If the Wolds are deserving of protection and I believe they are, then Loch Awe certainly is
  31. June Hall 4 May 2017
    No more turbines !!
  32. David O'Neill 7 May 2017
    It is impossible to deny that there are other worthy candidates for NSA status in Scotland. Lough Awe is a typical example of where there should not be obvious industrialisation. The introduction of movement to these otherwise still landscapes will also have far reaching negative impacts.
  33. Euan 8 May 2017
    I believe we should protect nature from all infrastructure projects.
  34. Karl Pipes 8 May 2017
    Awe means Ohh!, not Uggh!
    Protect our scenic areas Scottish Government, stop trashing them for the sake of blind dogma!
  35. Joanne 9 May 2017
    To prevent over development in the area
  36. Liz McIntosh 9 May 2017
    We need to protect our beautiful country
  37. Hae ok Lee 11 May 2017
    When I was visiting Loch Awe, I was mesmerised by the wonderful view of Loch Awe. The unspoiled scenery! Please preserve Loch Awe from wind turbines.
    I love Loch Obha , proud local people told me this is Loch Awe in Scottish Gaelic.
  38. Allan Trebble 11 May 2017
    this beautiful country should remain for all to enjoy.
  39. Lorraine McFee 11 May 2017
    To protect the beauty of our natural landscape and wildlife from unsightly development Loch Awe should be a designated NSA.
  40. helen murray 11 May 2017
    Happy to support this ....
  41. William Smith 11 May 2017
    Please leave the mountains and hills around Loch Awe as they are, no more wind farms, the area should be left unspoilt for future generations.
  42. John Mccomarck 11 May 2017
    People of the world stop voting for globalist or soon your environment and you will soon perish.
  43. John Miller. 11 May 2017
    Loch awe is the jewel in Argyll
  44. Nick Metcalfe 13 May 2017
    Scotland is one if not the most beautiful country in the world let's just leave it as it is
  45. Peter Leather 15 May 2017
    One of the most beautiful areas in Scotland should be protected for many generations to enjoy
  46. Elizabeth Brown 15 May 2017
    This beautiful area should be protected for the enjoyment of all
  47. Jamie Beamish 15 May 2017
    It would be unforgivable to put such bolts on this stunning landscape. When hydro would be a better energy option.
  48. Julie Beamish 15 May 2017
    I run a B&B on the side of Loch Awe and having canvassed views of visitors it is clear they see wind farms having a totally negative effect on the landscape.
  49. George Tait 17 May 2017
    Scotland needs more NSAs to assist our vital tourist industry. They help to highlight and protect unique areas like Loch Awe which is after all, the longest freshwater lake in Scotland
  50. James Mellor 18 May 2017
    This is an iconic area welcoming visitors and residents alike to Argyll and should not be spoiled!