A Shetland Diary Continued at a meeting of one of the subcommittees of the Shetland Amenity Trust, a body set up to carry out a wide range of conservation functions. We discuss the current work programme, which includes such things as new interpretative facilities, access and parking at a National Nature Reserve, an archaeological trail on the island of Papa Stour, restoration of eroded dunes at two beaches and environmental improvements in the villages of Scalloway and Hamnavoe. We also discuss a paper on woodlands policy. Woodlands policy? Well, yes: to the surprise of many visitors, there are many small plantations in the islands, the most spectacular being at Weisdale, where such novelties as copper beech, horse chestnut and monkey puzzle flourish alongside more common stalwarts like sycamore, willow and Japanese larch. There's a lot of interest in new planting, hence the need for a policy. A bit draughty tonight: force 11. I make sure everything in the garden is secure and put on a nice big fire. Wednesday * * * Not long after I get to work, the 'St. Clair', one of two car ferries that provide our link with Aberdeen, sails southwards past the window, leaving 15 hours late. A bad night indeed. Among today's correspondence, I see that the Shetland Civic Society is being revived; I send them a likely agenda item, a consultation paper we've just had about the listing of telephone kiosks. Wednesday afternoon is spent largely in a meeting with Comhairle nan Eilean, otherwise the Western Isles Islands Council, in which we exchange thoughts about the control of offshore salmon farming developments. Thanks to legislation we originally promoted with oil in mind, we have comprehensive control of any works out to the three-mile limit, whereas their powers extend to a more limited harbour area. It proves a very fascinating afternoon. Our salmon industry grossed around £12m last year; the product is excellent and we're exporting all over the world. On the whole, the industry has caused us a few of the environmental problems which One of the many pleasant surprises in the Shetland countryside is Kergord in Weisdale. About twelve acres of mixed woodland were planted here, mainly around 1918 but with later additions by the Forestry Commission and others. The huge sycamore, which dwarfs the B-listed Kergord House, is around one hundred years old. A wide range of deciduous and coniferous species is represented here and some trees reach 60- 70 feet, defying wind, salt spray and voracious sheep. have arisen elsewhere, but I see all the applications for new sites and comment where necessary. Thursday * * * A flat calm, with just a hint of frost, and a gorgeous orange sunrise on the way to work as the view opens up to the east. The fishing boats which crowded my view yesterday have vanished in the night. First thing, I learn of a meeting of the Traffic Management SubCommittee which is to discuss the possible introduction of disc parking, as used in North Yorkshire and Torshavn in the Faroes, among other places. This has grown out of a proposal I made in a draft of the waterfront study. Next, I try to clarify the funding for a project we hope to run on the island of Papa Stour during the summer; it's being done under the programme of Military Aid to the Civilian Community. Then there's an impromptu site meeting with an elderly lady who wants to repair her gable and can't agree details with her neighbour. Just before lunch, I attend a preview of the new Shetland Tourist video, which features Magnus Magnusson and which all present agree is very good. More grant enquiries in the afternoon, then I give some thought to this evening, when I'm on an environmental phone-in on Radio Shetland with representatives of various organisations. The discussion turns out to be a little lacklustre, with rather more emphasis on the negative end of conservation than I think is justified. Friday * * * Hints of winter, with a dusting of snow on our hills and a sprinkling of motorway closures on the Today programme. First, a particularly obscure SSSI notification: after twelve years, I thought I had a passing knowledge of most of our long coastline, but I concede defeat on 'Tonga Greff', 'Bluescudda Kame', 'Grunka Hellier', 'Mio Tong' and 'Whinna Geo', eventually pinning the site down by grid references in north-west Unst. Will Unst's considerable tourist potential be enhanced by the 11111111II1IH1 IIUIIIII1II11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 IIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIllIIIllIIIllII II Ii 5
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