Fearann
Eilean Iarmain on the Isle of Skye is winner of 2017 Golden Plover Award
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| (left to right) Adam Smith (GWCT Director Scotland), Simon Thorp (Heather Trust Director), Scott MacKenzie and Craig Jackson (FEI Gamekeepers) and Michael Yellowlees (Head of Rural Services, Lindsays) |
Golden Plover Award 2017 winners Fearann
Eilean Iarmain were celebrated at a special event laid on by Lindsays at the
Scottish Game Fair on Friday. The Skye estate saw off tough competition from
two other finalists to win the award, which is jointly run by The Heather Trust,
Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scotland.
The Golden Plover Award is held each year to
celebrate the very best of progressive, innovative upland management in
Scotland, with a particular emphasis on balance and integration. Now in its
fifth year, the Award was given a geographical theme in 2017, and applicants
were sought from across the north Highlands and West Coast, including the
Hebrides. There was a good level of interest from across the Gàidhealtachd, and the judges honed down the applicants to
a final shortlist of three, with site visits carried out earlier in June.
Ferrann
Eilean Iarmain (pronounced
“Ferran Ellen Ear-man”), extends through the parishes of Sleat and Strath in the southern part of Skye and is based
around a network of crofts, farms and hill ground with extensive areas of regenerated
and native woodland. It is home to a wide variety of birdlife including breeding
populations of hen harrier, greenshank, curlew, golden plover and white tailed as
well as golden eagles, and work is actively undertaken to promote the
conservation of many ground nesting bird species.
Tenant
farmers and crofters maintain numbers of hill sheep and conduct muirburn in a
co-operative arrangement designed to benefit all stakeholders. Cutting heather
has been put forward as an alternative to burning where appropriate,
particularly in the areas where blanket bog could be sensitive to burning. In
keeping with Sir Iain Noble’s vision when he arrived on Skye in 1972, Fearann
Eilean Iarmain is committed to supporting and growing the local economy and in
particular the Gaelic community through the provision of year round employment
and career opportunities as well as continuing Sir Iain’s projects to develop
affordable housing. A whisky company with international distribution, two small
hotels of character and an art gallery are also part of Fearann Eilean Iarmain,
with a new gin distillation project currently being developed, providing
further new jobs. Fearann Eilean Iarmain
continues with further business initiatives as well as developing a range of
sustainable enterprises, which balance and complement one another.
The competition was extremely close and both
runners-up were highly commended. Reay Forest in Sutherland is a traditional
deer stalking estate that has made major investments and progress in renewable
energy. The judges were impressed with the wealth of knowledge on the estate,
and were encouraged by future plans for peatland management being considered as
part of a Carbon Action Plan. Meanwhile, Ardnamurchan Estate on the West Coast
has established a reputation for innovative deer management, and has been
closely involved in the development of wildlife tourism in the area.
