IT has some of Europe's finest mountain and coastal landscapes, rock formations that are among the oldest in Britain and archaeological remains said to date from Scotland's earliest pre- history.
But the fight is on for Scotland’s first geopark to keep the UNESCO accreditation it won in 2004, which is now threatened by a funding crisis. The community company which runs the North West Highlands Geopark, has launched a crowdfunding exercise to raise the £70,000 it will no longer get from the Scottish Government.
It needs the money to pay the three core staff who share two full-time equivalent jobs. The Rock Stop, in the old Unapool School near the Kylesku Bridge, is the geopark’s visitor centre and central hub.
George Farlow, the local councillor who chairs the geopark said it had been funded by the Scottish Government for three years. “In that time we were to become sustainable. But it is not possible for a social enterprise or a charity in a remote, sparsely populated fragile area like this where we only have one person per kilometre. There are not the people to support us.”
He said much of it was deemed to be wild land, so wind farms which could rise community benefit, weren't allowed. “But we also have huge areas of peat bog which contribute to the Scottish Government’s climate change agenda, and doesn’t attract community benefit either.”
He said the three women who work for the geopark have four children, in an area long faced with the threat of depopulation.
Stretching from Coigach in Wester Ross to Cape Wrath and Loch Eriboll in the north of Sutherland, the park embraces the iconic mountains of Suilven, Arkle and Stac Pollaidh; the pristine beaches of Sandwood and Balnakiel; and the cliffs at Cape Wrath, the Vikings' old turning point.
At 3,000 million years old, the rocks at the seashore are even older than the mountains.
Twenty eight years ago scientists concluded the discovery of 10,000-year-old reindeer antlers in one of the local caves, meant it had been used by post ice-age hunters, pointing to man existing in Scotland at least 2000 years earlier than had been thought.
Geoparks manage geological sites and landscapes, in order to tell their story and make them accessible to visitors. Scotland has two others in Shetland and Lochaber. They have same level of recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites like St Kilda and Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town.
Dr Beth Taylor, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said geoparks were areas of exceptional international geological significance: "The North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark is not only home to the oldest rocks and some of the most stunning scenery in the UK, it is also special because it is a community-led partnership that promotes natural and cultural heritage while supporting sustainable economic development.
"We strongly support the geopark's drive to find funding as this will not only help to protect this unique environment for future generations, but also support the staff and communities who use the site to boost local economic development and international earth science education."
A Scottish Government spokesman said the geopark had been awarded £248,000 since 2013. "The last award in 2015 was made on the basis that the geopark was working to become sustainable and financially viable and that further core funding should not be expected. Unfortunately, the geopark has not been successful in developing a sustainable financial model. We hope that the geopark will continue to work with partners and UNESCO while they pursue other funding avenues."
Gail Ross, SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, has lodged a motion at Holyrood supporting the crowdfunding effort. She fears it will lose its UNESCO status. She said:
“The work done by the North West Highland Geopark in promoting the unique geology in the North West Highlands, not only for local communities but also to visitors, is fantastic. However, they cannot continue to provide the services which they do without the money required to staff the park. Time is now running out for the future of the park."
To donate, please visit the Love The Geopark crowdfunding page HERE
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