Salmond snub for Tom Weir’s widow in wind farm protest
AN ANTI-wind farm protest group has accused Alex Salmond of snubbing the widow of the Scottish walker and broadcaster Tom Weir.
Rhona Weir, a 94-year-old environmental campaigner, had wanted to present the First Minister with a petition with the signatures of 4,500 people who oppose the rapid spread of wind farms across the countryside.
Mrs Weir, whose late husband presented the STV programme Weir’s Way, will instead be met by Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse.
The petition, which has been signed by people from 43 different countries, calls on Mr Salmond to ‘stop the reckless siting of wind turbines in Scotland’s scenic landscapes’.
The organiser of the petition, Harley Keisch of American internet radio station Wind Wise Radio, has
‘Stop the reckless siting of turbines’
written to Mr Salmond twice inviting him to accept it from Mrs Weir in person at Eden Court in Inverness during the SNP’s conference, which starts tomorrow.
Graham Lang, chairman of Scotland Against Spin, a national alliance of anti-wind farm campaigners which is organising a protest in Inverness, said: ‘We are very disappointed the First Minister is snubbing Rhona Weir, a Scottish lady who commands enormous respect for her and her husband’s work in championing Scotland’s cherished landscapes.
‘Hundreds of people are travelling the length and breadth of the country to the march in Inverness, thousands from across the world have signed the petition, but Mr Salmond doesn’t seem to be able to spare five minutes to step outside the conference hall and find the good grace to accept their petition.’
An SNP spokesman said a reply had been sent by Mr Salmond’s office. He said: ‘The Minister for the Environment, Paul Wheelhouse, is happy to meet with the representatives of SAS this weekend.
‘Traditionally the First Minister visits the stalls of organisations attending SNP conference, which this year includes SAS.’
Organisers of the campaign have now written again to Mr Salmond, urging him to take the time to meet Mrs Weir and other protesters.
Pat Wells, convener of the Stop Highland Wind Farms group, said: ‘It demonstrates an arrogant disregard towards people around the world who love Scotland and do not want to see its landscapes industrialised by wind turbines. This is not the way to treat potential visitors to Scotland.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Wind farms and other forms of clean green energy create opportunities for communities across Scotland, enhance energy security and are already delivering jobs and investment and benefit to Scotland’s communities.
‘The majority of Scots support renewables and in particular onshore wind – 71 per cent of people in Scotland support wind power as part of our energy mix.’