Arran’s second home owners have rights to be on island

Sir,

I read with dismay 60 per cent of Arran residents surveyed recently were happy for the ban on second home owners coming to the island to continue for a further considerable period of time.

I am sure at least 90 per cent of the people surveyed are elderly and have no interest in the economy of the island, but are just happy to potter about on the island without a care.

Do the other residents of Arran not realise that without second home owners and holiday makers Arran could barely exist?

We, the second home owners, put a considerable amount into the economy of the island, supporting local services by paying rates, patronising businesses and restaurants, and possibly contributing more than many of the full-time locals.

Why is it that when the summer and holiday season is over and a great number of the second home owners go back to their mainland residences many shops, restaurants and cafes close for the winter?

It’s because the local population is too small and cannot, and will not, support these businesses.

If we, the second home owners, are not allowed on the island at off-peak times these shops, restaurants and cafes, who are closed now and cannot benefit from the summer trade, will remain closed for the remainder of the year and possibly never open again.

We, the second home owners, have as much interest in protecting the beauty, pleasures and tranquillity of Arran as locals do, so it is wrong they want to hibernate and exclude everyone from Arran as we have as much right to visit our homes as they have to live in theirs.

Yours, Jack Cowan, Catacol and Glasgow.