We have a wonderful environment compared
to some places in the world. Even our social environment would be
the envy of many places that have long lost a sense of community identity:
if anybody runs Nairn down I always tell them that we are living in Disneyland
compared to many other parts of the world. You may have already seen
some of the pictures around the site of many of the wonders on our doorsteps.
There is a feeling among local people
that the local environment must be protected. A few years ago the
Highland Green Party did very well in the Regional elections and Scotland's
first Green Councillor was elected to the Altan ward in Nairn. Since
then the Green Party has declined, but the issues raised at the time are
still paramount in the public imagination - and local representatives have
to pay more than lip service to environmental issues. The old chestnut
of jobs versus environment often crops up but even large sections of industry
are aware that the Highland's 'clean' image both as an area - and as a
source of produce has to be maintained.
Having said that it isn't all smooth,
there are issues that need addressing, but there remains an active environmental
lobby whose advice is listened to, if not always heeded.`
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