DonaldM Wrote:
growwild Wrote:
Time for land reform for the greater good...
It can't come soon enough and would help all the ski areas.
FWIW : members of the Fleming family still regularly at Glencoe. For the last 50 years they have been quietly supportive of the ski area (even i think putting money in on occasion). My understanding was that they are more than happy for Meall A Bhuiridh to be used for snowsports but preferred that the infrastructure wasn't visible from their shooting lodge at Inveroan at Loch Tulla (so a short poma below East Ridge *might* not be an issue).
It is a nice story that the original rent (10% of a lift pass sale) which was agreed in 1955 still stands to this day some 60 years later. The late John MacLennan had a great story about knocking on the giant wooden doors of the estate and asking for permission to build a ski tow in the Main Basin. Apparently the wealthy laird, one of the richest men in the UK, who virtually invented merchant banking, took a real shine to the rough clydesiders and invited them them for a whisky. The rest is history...
I agree with the general sentiment that land in Scotland should be for the "people". There is something wrong about a small minority owning so much of the land mass. However would make 2 comments
1) Shooting estates aren't the worst use of land. They have helped preserved Scotlands mountains in their wild + empty state?
2) We have some of the most liberal "right to roam" laws in Europe. Thanks to the MCofS access to wild places for walkers, bikers and skiers is virtually unrestricted.
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www.haggistrap.co.uk]
Edited 1 times. Last edit at 07.14hrs Tue 24 Feb 15 by Doug_Bryce.