Dear All
We recently informed you of some worrying news about plans to develop infrastructure that would enable the logging of forests on the Morvern peninsula, which is on the west coast of Scotland. Morvern is in our original Wildcat Haven area and is an exceptionally important site for Scottish wildcats. It has a very low human population, and is one of the remotest areas of Scotland. The forests that are there are incredibly important habitat for the second most important population of wildcats (after the Clashindarroch). We know of at least 6 wildcats in this area and in fact we even used footage of wildcats on Morvern when we did a television piece with BBC breakfast news. Further, the Scottish government has also recognised Morvern as a Wildcat Priority Area.
Our legal team has been doing some investigatory work and we now have a clearer idea of what is planned. A floating jetty will be built to allow for the loading of logs and then a haulage road will be built from the coast to the forest. This infrastructure will allow for the intensification of logging and harvesting of major forests on Morvern. A major area of planned logging is on the Drimnin estate . The estate and surrounding area are known to have wildcats present.
So, we have the Clashindarroch which is threatened by a windfarm and logging and now we have the forests or Morvern threatened by a major infrastructure project to intensify logging. To be absolutely clear, Wildcat Haven is of course in favour of renewable energy projects and well planned, sustainable forestry schemes. However, these schemes should not be allowed to proceed if they are at the expense of the future survival of the critically endangered Scottish wildcat. Scotland is a big place and surely the government can fulfil its energy and forestry requirements in areas that don’t jeopardise its most iconic and unique animal.
As we learn more, we will be formulating a plan that will ensure the population of wildcats here is not threatened or damaged in any way. We will also be rigorously looking into the planning documents to ensure relevant legislation is being complied with.
The attached picture shows the road and the forest targeted for logging. It is one of the remotest forests in Scotland and it is no surprise that wildcats have found refuge there. We need to make sure that this refuge is not taken away from them.
We are currently talking to local residents and if there is anybody else in the local area who has any information about the scheme, then please do email us at admin@wildcathaven.co.uk
We will keep you posted on developments.
To find out more visit:
All the best
The Wildcat haven Team.