The people of Harris are to ask Scottish ministers to designate their island the country�s third national park in an attempt to combat almost a century of chronic depopulation.
The people of Harris are to ask Scottish ministers to designate their island the country's third national park in an attempt to combat almost a century of chronic depopulation.
It could take more than two years to realise the plans after the islanders voted more than two to one in favour of the move. The community, which spent a decade agonising over whether Europe's largest coastal superquarry would herald a new economic dawn, now sees hope in conservation.
The long-held suspicion of environmental groups would appear to be waning. Some 732 voted in favour, 311 against and one spoilt paper, with 71.6% of those entitled to vote doing so.
The islanders voted for a park with "call-in powers" similar to the Cairngorms Park which leaves most of the planning function to the local authority, only calling in those planning applications which would affect the park. The full planning powers enjoyed by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Park were not considered appropriate.
The people of Harris want the park to be based on the boundaries of the parish of the island, which includes the islands of Scarp, Scalpay and Taransay and the outposts of St Kilda and Rockall. Historically it also embraced Berneray but that is now attached to North Uist by a causeway.
The vote followed a feasibility assessment commissioned by the isle of Harris national park study which concluded a national park would create almost 100 jobs, significantly increase tourism, give access to new funding and provide new opportunities to conserve the Gaelic culture, while not restricting crofting.
The report added: "The most pressing needs in Harris are to reverse population decline and improve its age structure. This will only be achieved by economic development that will provide employment for young people, allied to sufficient affordable housing development."
The population has been declining since 1921 and now stands at just 1800. Some 35% are aged 60 or over, primary school rolls have fallen from 179 in 1998 to 117 in 2007 and the secondary school's roll from 141 to 109.
Chairman of the isle of Harris national park study group, Calum MacKay, said yesterday: "I am delighted that the people of Harris have shown such a clear interest in this issue that they have turned out to vote in high numbers. "
The issue will now go to Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham who is likely to ask Scottish Natural Heritage to consult further before reporting to parliament. Her predecessor, Michael Russell, had said he would consider such a request if it had the support of the community."
There is little doubt that Harris boasts a natural heritage worthy of park designation, with the whole area already covered by landscape and environment designations, but with 1800 people it would be the least-populated of any UK national park.
John Murdo Morrison, the former proprietor of the Harris Hotel in Tarbert who is also a vice-lord lieutenant of the Western Isles, said: "Harris would be a great national park. We have everything here from climbing to marine activities. We have good schools and a crime-free society.
"The national park would offer new opportunities. It would increase tourism and related employment. It would persuade people to have more pride in the island environment and encourage their children to come back to Harris in the future."
