Is this woodland really so valuable?
Sir – I have been a regular visitor to Sutherland for the past four decades and have stayed in and near Bonar Bridge.
It has been sad over that time to see a decline in the area, made worse some years ago by the re-routing of the A9 and more recently the loss of the youth hostel and the Falls of Shin visitor centre – indeed two of the hotels in which we stayed are now heading towards dereliction.
So what wonderful news when an anonymous purchaser appeared to be interested in the rapidly deteriorating Carbisdale Castle, with a return to prosperity for the area with local craftsmen needed to restore the building and then the possibility of up to 90 jobs.
But no!
Apparently the deal is dependent on the acquisition of 56 acres of woodland which represents just three per cent of the total forest area. It is owned by the Forestry Commission but the residents of Culrain are opposed to the sale. When I drive past Carbisdale, the forest seems to go on for ever, so what is so special about these few acres? Surely it is a small price to pay to set against the advantages that it would bring.
If the sale does not take place, the future for Carbisdale looks very bleak.
George Parker
Mastentop,
Stable Lane,
Findon,
Sussex
