Following yesterday’s post Spreading misinformation about Glen Feshie and access in the Cairngorms National Park I have been sent two photos.  The first (above), was sent from Roy Turnbull of the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group to illustrate his comment on my post:

“Not only is there now (of course) no restriction of access in Glenfeshie under Anders Povlsen ownership, but a great deal of effort has gone into improving the paths there. That’s quite a contrast to the situation in the 1990s, when the estate was managed as a traditional sporting estate and a notice stating “DEER CULLING KEEP TO THE RIVER FESHIE” greeted walkers thinking of heading to high ground.”

The second was taken yesterday and sent in response to Roy’s point about track construction by Dick Webster:

“I cycled up the Allt Chomhraig between Tromie and Feshie today-with another completely new track driven into this extensively peaty glen. If this and the other new tracks were for a wind farm what would be the reaction? I agree with this track construction project but………………………..”   

There is an extensive programme of track work at present being undertaken by the Glenfeshie estate and the finished product is to a high standard with very careful attention being paid to the impact on the landscape.    Dick acknowledges that, but the concern about this particular track is how does it fit with the policy imperative to conserve peat (to absorb carbon, reduce flooding etc)?  .

The work being funded by Anders Povslen in Glen Feshie has for over ten years been the stand-out re-wilding project in the Cairngorms National Park.  It provides a benchmark for other conservation owners and shows up the destructive land-management practices being undertaken on estates primarily managed for deer stalking or grouse shooting. Its of critical importance therefore that misinformation that serves to undermine or cast doubt on what is happening there is challenged and corrected, as I tried to do in yesterday’s post.

At the same time, however, no landowner should be beyond constructive criticism as Dick’s questions about the impact of Glenfeshie’s track construction through peatland shows.