Seil Chat

Pentlandpirate wrote:Snoman. This is about the windfarm issue. I can see from above comments that the majority on this thread have talked themselves into being in favour of voting FOR the windfarm as the only course of action left to save them from the effects of perceived climate change.

Climate change and the planning application for Clachan Windfarm are completely unrelated - or should be. Unfortunately anti-wind objectors tend to clutch at any passing straw they feel might help their cause, and so many fall into the pit of climate change denial.

I know many people on the island - Mona for one - who are actively objecting to the windfarm but do not deny the reality of climate change. I also know a few who have changed their minds and will no longer object because they despise the willingness of the anti-wind movement to espouse climate change denial and any other flim-flam that they feel might support their cause.

Integrity in all things, especially protest!

Of course the two things are connected. The Scottish Government drive for low carbon energy sources, such as windfarms, is to cut down on CO2 emissions that are supposedly the cause of climate change. End of.

Pentlandpirate wrote:Of course the two things are connected. The Scottish Government drive for low carbon energy sources, such as windfarms, is to cut down on CO2 emissions that are supposedly the cause of climate change. End of.

I realise that Argyll and Bute planners may not be the sharpest knives in the drawer, but if you think that they are going to start rejecting planning applications because they have decided in their wisdom that global warming is a hoax then you really aren't living in the real world, or even the same solar system. If the planners reject the application then it will be on landscape and amenity grounds, not because they have decided that the world scientific community is part of a gigantic conspiracy.

AGREED!!!!! But only on that.

You once said,

The bird thing is another myth. You simply don't find piles of dead birds under wind turbines - unless the turbines are on a migratory route, and this is usually picked up at the scoping stage nowadays and kills a project instantly

Did this change your mind at all? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAAzBAr ... re=related

Pentlandpirate wrote: You once said,

The bird thing is another myth. You simply don't find piles of dead birds under wind turbines - unless the turbines are on a migratory route, and this is usually picked up at the scoping stage nowadays and kills a project instantly

Did this change your mind at all? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAAzBAr ... re=related

Wow - one dead bird. Yes, one dead bird. Not a pile of dead birds, not a dead bird under every turbine, one dead bird on youtube. Probably filmed at Altamount Pass, the least typical windfarm in the world in terms of bird deaths. And probably filmed by a patient photographer who waited days or weeks to get the footage.

Right, scrap all wind turbines immediately. And cars, and windows, and pylons, and cats - especially cats . . . . (50 million bird deaths a year)

I don't think that sort of statement will make you too popular in certain parts of the community (although the fishfarmers and game shooters may buy you a drink). Seil is heavily reliant on tourism. True, for some species that are plentiful, roadkill and death from other forms of human activity, don't have a great impact on population. But the guys at Sealife and Sea-fari depend on seeing a wide range of wildlife. You go out on one of their boats, and when the whales don't appear, and there are no porpoises, otters, basking sharks in sight, you see how grateful they are to spot a golden eagle (It's more impressive than a feral goat). These birds are not plentiful, and naturally soar on ridges in the sort of areas where wind turbines are positioned. You've seen the proof that turbines do kill these sort of birds. Just one dead eagle can be a significant part of a local population. What's good for the guys at Sealife and Sea-fari is good for Seil in terms of jobs and the residents of Seil and Easdale who appreciate the local flora and fauna.

Pentlandpirate wrote:I don't think that sort of statement will make you too popular in certain parts of the community . . . .

Given up denying climate change then have we?

Oh i have a particular view on cats and what the solution would be.
Ilove the way folk totally ignore the bleeding obvious so they can keep banging on supporting there flawed arguments.

Husker Doo wrote:Oh i have a particular view on cats and what the solution would be.

I have a particular view on people and what the solution would be. I think we should leave that particular argument there, don't you?

I`m sorry i may be wrong but Seil`s population doesn't rely on tourism to make a living Seafari only exists March - October and they don't rely on local people on the whole.Sea Life Adventures do not employ locals.There is now only one hotel on the island when there used to be three and god knows how long before that goes.
All the folk you meet during the mad rush on a weekday morning are not employed at the local pub or restaurant they're all heading to Oban to work where ever they can.Tourism is a weapon that we get hit on the head with year after year and its short hand for low part time wages certainly not enough to bring up a family.
But the folk who use the argument to fit the fight against renew-ables certainly on Seil anyway, are not in the employ of tourism no they seem to be doing OK

Husker: And you haven't seen a coach of tourists for how many months?

Nick: No. Just a pause for a breather in the heat of battle.

Pentlandpirate wrote:And you haven't seen a coach of tourists for how many months?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I can see - sometimes the T&T sells a couple of pots of tea and a scone, but apart from that Highland Arts is the only local business that benefits significantly from the Lochs & Glens juggernauts tearing up the road.

brodie wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10518796

Why don't you ask the folk on Tiree how many birds their community turbine - affectionately names Tilley - has killed since it was installed? That is an 800Kw Enercon machine very similar to the turbines chosen for Clachan.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I can see - sometimes the T&T sells a couple of pots of tea and a scone, but apart from that Highland Arts is the only local business that benefits significantly from the Lochs & Glens juggernauts tearing up the road

Nick you clearly take alot for granted and are blind to a steady stream of business to the area. But you're excused because you've probably never been a tourist to Seil. Have you any idea what tourists spend in the B&B's and holiday lets on the island, or in Balvicar Stores because they are self catering or on the ferries to Luing or Easdale, or on trips on Sealife or Seafari or in the TnT and other (admittedly too few) bars and restaurants) or at Highland arts? Stop and talk to people on the bridge and you will find visitors from all over the world arriving in cars. Bring a family of five to Seil for a holiday. It ain't cheap.

PS And isn't it nice to see a few more people joining in and putting their points across too.

Pentlandpirate wrote: Nick you clearly take alot for granted and are blind to a steady stream of business to the area.

No Pirate, I was responding to your point about the buses:

Pentlandpirate wrote:And you haven't seen a coach of tourists for how many months?

Day trippers in cars and holiday cottage renters bring money in, but the buses don't. You specifically mentioned the buses.

Pentlandpirate wrote: PS And isn't it nice to see a few more people joining in and putting their points across too.

Well I decided to stop because I don't feel comfortable with the rudeness and intolerance here of those who still believe in Global Warming. Anyone who is rude to me I don't bother about as a person and they have no chance of changing my mind by being rude. And I think its unfair that "NickB" also posts as "Herby Dice" (and "nobody" in the poetry section).
A question not related to Global Warming. Would Highland Arts (Seil's biggest employer) survive without the coaches?

mags
x

Maggie wrote: A question not related to Global Warming. Would Highland Arts (Seil's biggest employer) survive without the coaches?

I can assure you that I am not Herby Dice. The whole point of having a moderator separate from the Admin is to have some independent oversight.

Is Highland Arts 'Seil's biggest employer'? I find that unlikely, but leaving that aside, do you think that Lochs and Glens and Highland Heritage will stop coming to Seil if they have to drive past some wind turbines? Have they said so?

I can assure you that I am not Herby Dice

Yes, I have an uncomfortable feeling about that too Maggie.
And Peter Connolly