Granddaughter of aristocrat who brought wallabies to Inchconnachan ‘angry’ at new owners’ plans
THE granddaughter of a wildlifeloving aristocrat who introduced wallabies to an island in Loch Lomond has urged for new owner BBC presenter Kirsty Young to allow them to stay.
Broadcaster Kirsty Young and her husband Nick Jones are said to be supportive of moving the remaining wallabies off Inchconnachan Island, Loch Lomond, on the advice of conservationist Chris Packham.
The couple, who bought the island for £1.6 million last month, issued a statement through a representative, in response to concerns the wallabies were to be culled.
However, campaigners remain concerned about the marsupials and say they should be allowed to remain on the island.
A petition has been signed by more than 50,000 people.
Lucy Gore, the granddaughter of Lady Fiona Gore, Countess of Arran, who introduced the colony to the island in the 1940s, backed the campaign.
She said the family was “appalled” that the wallabies were under threat on the island, which has been in her family since the 14th century. She wrote: “I am one of the granddaughters of Fiona Arran, who regularly lived on Inchconnachan and put the wallabies on the island.
“She flew them by helicopter to the island and cared for them with so much love, wishing to give them the freedom of the island in a natural habitat.
“I am, as are my family, appalled and so angry that the new owners are so callously doing this.
“I have no words except an enormous amount of gratitude for those of you who are signing this, justice has to outweigh this horrific act.
“I agree that the sellers – we had nothing to do with the sale as it is a different part of the family – had a great responsibility to the wildlife on this island to deeply protect it.
“They have failed, be it an oversight or whatever it may be. Now this has to be made right.”
Fears the wallabies could be culled were prompted by a council document which states that the long-term plan for the island is to remove non-native flora and fauna.
A conservation group has also criticised plans by the new owners to build a two-storey timber lodge on the island, alongside a boathouse and jetty, amid fears that ancient woodland will be “gone forever”.
The Woodland Trust has written to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to argue that the project should be rejected.
George Anderson, of the trust, said: “Ancient woodland is an irreplaceable habitat.Once lost, it is gone forever. If ancient woodland isn’t safe here, then something is wrong.”
The trust said it was concerned about the direct loss of ancient woodland, noise and light pollution, and the threat to the long-term retention of surrounding trees.
Under the plans, 35 trees would be cut down.
The new owners say their goal is to create a “world-class and beautiful place for everybody to enjoy”.