Peatstack

The news that the SNP administration is to launch a study and pilot project for the introduction of road eqivalent tariff (RET) on the ferries to the Western Isles is possibly one of the most significant announcements for the economic future of these islands in many a long day.
Now, The Peatstack is by no means a supporter of the Nationalist cause, or the SNP as a political entity, so I'll leave the sadly inevitable political point-scoring to those who enjoy indulging in such stuff. This blog is to welcome the development, call for joined-up goverment, and to make some observations about the impact this could have on other pressing issues.
The facts and figures being promoted in support of RET suggest that hundreds of jobs could be created as a consequence of its introduction, along with a multi-million pound boost to the local economy.
Time for an anecdote - The Peatstack was on Skye last week, spending a delightful night en-route at the excellent Sligachen Hotel - with a special mention for the quality of its home-brewed beer! - and the almost surreal fact that seated at the bar was none other than Robbie The Pict. Robbie is a campaigner that this blogger greatly admires, and it was an almost Brigadoon-like moment to enter the hallowed halls of the Seamus's Bar and see the great man seated there! (Sorry for that digression within a digression.)
However, back to the primary digression...the campsite on the blar adjacent to the hotel not only housed the usual array of tents but a large number of motorhomes. In the days of yore when the island was dependent first on high ferry fares and then a toll bridge, this would not have happened. But today Skye is clearly a kind of destination point for those enjoying the open and free - road, and is evidence - surely - of the impact removing the bridge toll has had (can and will have) on the economy of Skye.
It can only be imagined what impact a drastic reduction in the cost of the ferry fare to Stornoway would have on the local economy and tourism business - espcially if coupled with the introduction of a faster boat.
But this potential benefit will only be realised if the vision of the SNP in making this move is matched by a similar vision in joined-up government. The economic benefits of RET will be great for local businesses, hopefully the local population (will our shops pass on the freight savings to their customers? Will the freight companies pass on the freight savings to their customers?), if we remove the profound threat to our tourism business that is the huge, wind-based power station planned for the westside of the island of Lewis.
Sure, RET will benefit the local population, but the economic boost - and jobs - associated with a rejuvenated tourism sector will only be realised if the planned string of mega-turbines is blocked by the SNP administration. Doubtless one or two geeks will travel to look at mile after of mile of wind turbine, but not many.
It is The Peatstack's assertion that in balance the better long-term economic plan for these islands resides with the mix of lowering the cost of living, having low ferry fares and a greater tourism sector (with the jobs these will generate), as opposed to the current 'only alternative' - an economy based on power generation.
This blogger is also concerned that the power generation economy is essentially an undynamic, passive economy based not on longterm job creation but knock-on benefits and profit-sharing from privately (and often foreign) owned companies who will have little other interest or investment in the social, community and cultural well-being of the land and people surrounding their power station. (Let's drop the absurd word 'farm' from this debate once and for all). The great advantage of tourism and culture-based economic investment is that it is likely to be a dynamic investment in terms of new small business creation, self-employment and sustainability geared around the vested and shared interest of the landscape, culture, language etc.
Of equal importance is the fact that ferry travel is by far the more environmentally acceptable mode of transport when compared with the plane. I'd say, if necessary, ditch the ADS in favour of the RET project and encourage more people to go by ferry and car. Yes, more traffic, driving to and fro' from Inverness etc., but that's better than the environmental dead-end of more and more, cheaper and cheaper, airfares.

A final query to 'jumblue from Taigh an Albhain ' and many thanks for your very entertaining comment to my last blog...A nuil a' bheil e' comasach toirt na taidhrichean a tha mun chuarit mo mheadhan gu Dennis Bhradhagair ?