There's nothing new about a whisky distillery on West Ardnamurchan - the local people have been distilling the stuff for generations. We know this from word-of-mouth, but there's also evidence in place names.The field shown in this picture, taken in yesterday's snow, is to the left of the road from Kilchoan to Portuairk, just after one passes the Fire Station. It lies in a wide hollow called Lag a Choire, the Still in the Corrie. It was a good place to have a clandestine still, as it was both secluded and offered a good lookout point for the Excise men.
With the temperature hovering just above zero and badly in need of a wee dram, we were checking it out yesterday and, sadly, there was no sign that of an illegal still.
Meanwhile, back in the modern world, the arguments over whether we should have a distillery at Glen Beg continue. I have been asked by proponents on both sides to air their views through The Diary so, in fairness, I'm carrying something from each. The first is an email from an Adelphi consultant to Michael MacGregor which straightens out the question of whether there are alternative sites for a distillery on West Ardnamurchan:
Dear Michael,
As consultant to the Adelphi Distillery Company, I was both surprised and concerned to read in the press your assertion that a consultant to Adephi (preumably myself, following our telephone conversations recently) had claimed that Glenbeg was not the preferred site for the distillery. I am sure that you will recall I mentioned that several possible locations had
been examined, both on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and Morven, adjacent to
Loch Sunart. Of these only Liddesdale would have been considered over the
Glenbeg site EXCEPT that a strategically important part of the site, i.e. the land occupied by Liddesdale House adjacent to the loch, was not in the ownership of Laudale Estates, which consequently excluded it from further consideration.
Therefore, my view, as clearly expressed to you, is that of all the potential locations earmarked for further detailed investigation only the Glenbeg site was suitable.
Yours truly, Ian Lambart
The second is a document from Maurice Hardy of Ultimate PR Ltd, which not only tackles the problems of siting a distillery at Glen Beg but also the whole way that this end of the peninsula could project itself. It's a long document, so it's offered as a download, which can be found by clicking here.
The public consultation closes tomorrow - not helped by the fact that Highland Council's website wasn't working yesterday afternoon.
Just a moment ...
ReplyDeleteBefore threatening to wreck our local environment, destroy our tranquility and damage our wildlife with their proposals, might it not have been tactful - or even just polite - of Ultimate PR(!) to have asked the opinion of people who live in and around Achateny and the north coast - and, of course, in Kilchoan?
And also perhaps to have looked at the tourism enterprises that already exist in the area?
Some of us rather like things here the way they are; but if there is to be change, let the proposals come from the community. Of course we need jobs, and some development must be allowed, but surely it should be done very sensitively? If not, we'd lose the unique qualities that make this place so special; as the saying goes, we'd be 'throwing the baby out with the bathwater'.
I must also say that I find what appears to be the assumption behind the title of the presentation 'Dawn Breaks on Ardnamurchan' more than a little insulting. Do the authors suppose that we out here in Ardnamurchan are living in some sort of pre-dawn, primitive age, only waiting for developers and Ultimate PR to come along and 'enlighten' us??
I understand why some people living close to Glenbeg might not want the distillery to be built there, and they have every right to make objections. But surely it can't be wise to suggest many other, much bigger and more damaging developments, just to take the heat off that project?
One final point, as the writer of the Kilchoan Diary has already noted, the West Ardnamurchan Community is not really split, as the Ultimate Publicity presentation appears to assume, over the issue of the distillery - whatever the newspapers say. Yes, there are people with reservations, myself included, but the democratic consensus, as expressed at open, public meetings of West Ardnamurchan Community Council, really does seem to be in favour of a distillery being built at Glenbeg.
And, to be blunt, even though, in an ideal world, I'd prefer Glenbeg to remain undeveloped, I'd much rather have one distillery at Glenbeg than the whole raft of wrecking developments that Ultimate PR seem to be suggesting.
It is interesting to note that Ian Lambart says in his e mail to Michael MacGregor 'that several possible locations had been examined'
DeleteWhen proposing a development of such size and significance in the area, would it not serve the interests of all stakeholders better if all possible sites (rather than just 'several') were examined.
It stands to reason, that if only several sites were examined, it very likely that the best of all possible sites, across the vastness of Ardnamurchan and Morven has not been chosen.
If a distillery is going to be built in Ardnamurchan in needs to be built in the right place. Absolutely no evidence produced to date has shown that Glenbeg is the best place.
It's a shame that the response to our proposal should come from someone called anonymous. Too busy having a rant to remember who you are? Stick your head above the parapet and have the courage of your convictions.
DeleteRead the document, which is intended as an analysis that could give some ideas, not as something set in stone to be implemented, and you'll see how it's all about using the distillery in a more viable location to increase visitor income without raising numbers - that's more money for locals in their economy but still with minimal impact.
It has been prepared as a series of thoughts and given to WACC and ATA to do with as they wish. No doubt anonymous can print it off and light his fire, although he seems hot enough already.
We are aware of access rights, but also that not every land owner wants people wandering about looking for things they could be guided to more easily. It's also not desirable to have people invading sensitive habitats when it's easier to show them what they seek and giving someone an income by doing it. Just look at the success of the wildlife tours on Mull.
The plan is all about integration of the various tourist facilities - everyone needs to earn a living and these were just ideas.
The title, by the way, was homage to "Night Falls on Ardnamurchan" but maybe it was too subtle for anonymous to appreciate. Maybe, having read our bit, he shoud read the book too, although it is a little longer - but far more enjoyable and likely to calm him down a bit!
I apologise if I was impolite. That was not my intention. I meant no personal criticism, but I did feel rather threatened by some of the contents of your presentation. (Hence the anonymity.) Sometimes, just maintaining the way of life we are so very fortunate to have here seems such a struggle.
DeleteThe West Ardnamurchan community is under a lot of pressure from external forces at the moment. In particular, as you have no doubt read in the Kilchoan Diary pages, our former excellent nurse-based medical services have been swept away, with (as yet) no safe alternative arranged.
A second recent threat has come from the CalMac proposal - also highlighted in the Kilchoan Diary - to make the Kilchoan-Tobermory ferry a passenger service only. That would devastate the tourist industry.
I'm afraid, therefore, that your presentation provoked a reaction of 'What, yet another threat?' - and not only from me.
These recent problems are also, I think, one of the reasons why the proposed distillery has been welcomed. It appears to many as a bright spot at a grim time, especially in terms of employment.
Mull is lovely, but it's very different from here. It's good to have places that are not all the same.
Yes, I have read 'Night Falls on Ardnamurchan' and
I did get your reference. But I still don't like to think that we are 'in the dark' here - except perhaps at night, when we and our visitors are privileged to see magnificent starry skies and the Northern Lights.
Again, please be assured that I intended no offence.
What a load of long winded twaddle from Ultimate PR
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone else has noted how Michael MacGregor is up in arms about the distillery spoiling the serene beauty of Glenmore and his precious Otter Lodge, but he seems to forget that before HE came to Glenmore it was a totally unspoilt area, none of the outlandish big green sheds he built one of which he uses as a large rather than small photographic industry, the large building complex at what is now Nadjura that he built, the three ugly holiday houses that sit above the road on the edge of the hill light up like high street supermarkets rather than holiday cottages and one of which can only be compared to the eagles nest in Austria. If any one has over developed an area its Michael MacGregor, so what will another set of buildings do to spoil an already spoilt area. Oh and also that in all the reports he says he lives there, no he doesnt. he lives in Glenborrodale quite a few miles distance from Glenmore!!!!!.
ReplyDeleteSomeone who likes a dram
Well said,bye the way the new round building is known locally as the Gasometer.
DeleteI have been coming up to this area on holiday for many years. I cannot believe, as grown-ups, how bitchy this has become (Google Eagle's Nest Austria, the link is abhorrent), and how so many want to destroy a very sensitive piece of land when, with all the space available, there are much better places. For such a small community I find it very sad. There are other unusual buildings on the peninsula that have not spoiled it but this is an out of character and out of scale development so let's have a bit of common sense and sympathy about where you want to put it. It's not fair on those who live there already, particularly the oldest resident at Glenbeg. There is also the serious impact on the very sensitve wildlife in and around the area but few people seem to care. Please please think long and hard at what you are wanting to do, especialy when there is an alternative to all off this, and perhaps you can all live alongside each other and heal the rifts.
DeleteAs for the comments about Ultimate PR we were just trying to give some more ideas so that all can be happy. Lets try to be nice about this.
I suspect Ultimate PRs Landrover safaris would do more to disturb the peace and tranquility sought by those who come here to walk and study wildlife than the distillery. I also fear he does not understand freedom of access legislation when he talks of keeping people away from parts the landowner would wish to keep private. Perhaps he would be better suggesting the Estate cooperates with Highland Council's Core Paths project and remove some of their 2m high locked gates. As the wood chipping facility has already been built behind Glenborrodale Castle surely the Glenbeg site will keep road travel to a minimum rather than transporting numerous loads to Kilchoan.
ReplyDeleteA quick look at the West Highlands and Island Local Plan might also be helpful. It's on the Highland Council website (www. highland.gov) and has quite a bit to say about protecting the natural environment:
Deletehttp://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/048CF9E9-A933-4476-8906-BA9407930619/0/WHILP_written_statement_REDUCED.pdf
NB the north coast of Ardnamurchan is part of a National Scenic Area.
I and my family have visited the Ardnamurchan pennisula for many years and the reason we do this is for the natural tourist attraction , the unspoilt and beautiful countryside .If we needed entertaining ie guided tours of a distillery we would go to Fort William.I understand that local work must be difficult but if this goes ahead,myself and many others i feel will look to other areas thus losing holiday and hotel trade.I hope the planners will see sense and send the weathly applicant packing
ReplyDeleteTut Tut, you only come here on holiday some of us actually live here and need to make a living if you dont like it then you know what to do.
DeleteHere is an interesting letter from a young scot to the planning department:
ReplyDelete"I have never written an email to any planning department but I feel so strongly in support of the application 12/00017/FUL (Distillery at Glenbeg, Ardnamurchan) that I felt I should write.
As a young person who has grown up in the highlands and wishes to live and work in the highlands this application excites me. Communities need people of all ages to be strong and nothing will keep people in an area like employment! It is all very well for people who have left the "rat race" for the peace and tranquility of the north-west of Scotland but there is no reason why industry and scenic beauty cannot work side-by-side.
It will not be polluting, it will attract people and create jobs. It brings great sadness to me that people are so opposed to any form of industry being built in scenic ares. It is incredible to think the highlands used to be a busy place, depopulation continues due to lack of opportunity, it is a very worrying trend indeed.
The Highlands needs jobs and young people, it is not a giant retirement home. As someone who is studying for an MSc in Brewing and Distilling and has worked in distilleries I know that Scotch whisky is an industry which we can all be proud of, and it continues to go from strength to strength. It brings people from all over the world to Scotland especially the highlands so why can't the distillery be another place to visit when people go to see the beauty of Ardnamurchan. This should be a thing to celebrate for the Ardnamurchan region and I know it has local support.
Look at what Talisker on Skye brings to the area, the distillery is down a single track road in the most scenic area of Skye. The distillery at Glebeg can be another gem on the whisky trail!
I support this proposal fully and want to add my name to the support.
Best regards,"
I have been asked to add this comment on behalf of Liz and Sandy MacDonald:
ReplyDelete"An interesting and controversial plannning decision from Argyll & Bute planning department has come to our attention. Ref 10/00536/PP. All information is available and can be verified through the planning department. Essentially , in late 2010, Mr and Mrs Macgregor of Michael Macgregor Photography, Glenborrodale, applied to demolish outbuildings and erect 5 luxury houses right next to a small-holding farm at Rahane near Helensburgh. The Environmental Health Officer recommended refusal, so did the Community Council, and 29 local objectors as well as the small-holders themselves, and planning was initially refused. However the Macgregors appealed and it went to a hearing, where astonishingly, and on the casting vote of the Chairman, the initial recommendation was overturned and permission was granted. Who knew?"
I'm confused. Is Mr Hardy's document produced on behalf of Adelphi, or something he knocked up off his own bat?
ReplyDeleteI was previously in favour of the distillery but, having worked in the business myself, become suspicious of any project that involves the services of a PR company.
Don't think Mr Hardy was supporting Adelphi with all that crap he wrote.
DeleteNo, you're right. I think I must have dozed off when he started going into the history of Mercedes Benz.
DeleteBut we know why that subject came up he was having a dig at the RCH group and we know who is connected to them.
DeleteComments are now closed on this post.
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