Comments on: ScotWays enters the Furnace-Inveraray right of way issue – vote for your solution here http://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:34:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: jim reidhttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-280898 jim reid Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:22:38 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-280898 i am a diver and may i suggest a small toll to use the road(vehicles only ) as this will help to pay for surface maintance and /or a fee paying car park i am a diver and may i suggest a small toll to use the road(vehicles only ) as this will help to pay for surface maintance and /or a fee paying car park

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]]> By: Bob O'Donnellhttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-264240 Bob O'Donnell Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:14:48 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-264240 From reading the above comments it seems obvious that the issue is with the chaps who go up there to camp and fish. We have similar issues in Loch Earn with the addition of theft and jetskis to boot. As most of the members of the diving fraternity are members of some form of club, what if we provide the main clubs with a key for the barrier or provide a key locally with a visitors book? As a member of Central Scotland Divers, I know that anyone who spoiled the site for the other members would not be welcome back. I would expect this of every other responsible club. From reading the above comments it seems obvious that the issue is with the chaps who go up there to camp and fish. We have similar issues in Loch Earn with the addition of theft and jetskis to boot.

As most of the members of the diving fraternity are members of some form of club, what if we provide the main clubs with a key for the barrier or provide a key locally with a visitors book? As a member of Central Scotland Divers, I know that anyone who spoiled the site for the other members would not be welcome back. I would expect this of every other responsible club.

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]]> By: Dave Tomlinhttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-247033 Dave Tomlin Mon, 24 Jan 2011 07:39:22 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-247033 We went to Kenmore and Stallion rock quite regulary as they are some of the best shore dives close to Glasgow, it is a huge loss. We always made a point of ensuring that we left absolutley no litter, I get particularly fed up seeing all these beautiful Scottish areas with rubbish strewn about them, how do people not have room to take home what they took with them, but generally Kenmore and Stallion rock were not too bad especially compared to some other places where the anglers congregate. The worst offenders do appear to be the fishing community although a small minority divers do also need to take a little more care of their surroundings, the divers generally are there for the scenic beauty above and below water. We went to Kenmore and Stallion rock quite regulary as they are some of the best shore dives close to Glasgow, it is a huge loss. We always made a point of ensuring that we left absolutley no litter, I get particularly fed up seeing all these beautiful Scottish areas with rubbish strewn about them, how do people not have room to take home what they took with them, but generally Kenmore and Stallion rock were not too bad especially compared to some other places where the anglers congregate. The worst offenders do appear to be the fishing community although a small minority divers do also need to take a little more care of their surroundings, the divers generally are there for the scenic beauty above and below water.

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]]> By: Kevin Cross (Diver)http://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-182308 Kevin Cross (Diver) Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:59:29 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-182308 i have been diving on and off since 1980 since this time i have dived at what we called the cottages on various occasions when i first started diving there we and all divers had a very good rappore with the locals to the extent that they alowed us to drive our cars down to where there cottages are to put our kit closer to the shore to save carrying it down also during the sunnyer days we could sit on the grass and have our lunch and the locals would come out and chat with us about what we saw beneth the waves etc we alway cleared away and took away all our rubbish and have done this ever since. its just a shame that the diving crowd that are 99% respectable and 99% of the time take all of there rub with them have been penalised for the 1% and the sea anglers proberbly about 75% who seem to think its ok to leave there rubbish behind them or throw it into the sea. lets see some feed back from the people who are locking the gates or do you think you are above us ??? i have been diving on and off since 1980 since this time i have dived at what we called the cottages on various occasions when i first started diving there we and all divers had a very good rappore with the locals to the extent that they alowed us to drive our cars down to where there cottages are to put our kit closer to the shore to save carrying it down also during the sunnyer days we could sit on the grass and have our lunch and the locals would come out and chat with us about what we saw beneth the waves etc we alway cleared away and took away all our rubbish and have done this ever since. its just a shame that the diving crowd that are 99% respectable and 99% of the time take all of there rub with them have been penalised for the 1% and the sea anglers proberbly about 75% who seem to think its ok to leave there rubbish behind them or throw it into the sea.
lets see some feed back from the people who are locking the gates or do you think you are above us ???

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]]> By: paul longthornehttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-135023 paul longthorne Tue, 02 Nov 2010 23:55:40 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-135023 I live over the hills on South Loch Aweside and was in Furnace (visiting the dentist). The same problems occur there - its heavy drinking, rough camping, anglers from Glasgow that cause the problem. I have just moved to Loch Aweside and seen some terrible messes left by the loch even though bins are provided. I explored Furnace today while visiting the dentist - seemed like an ideal spot to rekindle my interest in sea fishing - now I've read this article I feel disappointed that I' won't be able to fish here. I don't fancy being the object of local hatred. I live over the hills on South Loch Aweside and was in Furnace (visiting the dentist). The same problems occur there – its heavy drinking, rough camping, anglers from Glasgow that cause the problem. I have just moved to Loch Aweside and seen some terrible messes left by the loch even though bins are provided. I explored Furnace today while visiting the dentist – seemed like an ideal spot to rekindle my interest in sea fishing – now I’ve read this article I feel disappointed that I’ won’t be able to fish here. I don’t fancy being the object of local hatred.

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]]> By: ian heggiehttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-130645 ian heggie Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:20:08 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-130645 having delivered to furnace quarry regularily and stayed many a night there i have witnessed for myself the mess left by anglers . i have sat and watched them drinking and littering the place up many a time . and they are not locals ....and have went out my way to pick the mess up and place it in a bin provided in the quarry which on numerous occasions has been set fire to again ... not locals ... having delivered to furnace quarry regularily and stayed many a night there i have witnessed for myself the mess left by anglers . i have sat and watched them drinking and littering the place up many a time . and they are not locals ….and have went out my way to pick the mess up and place it in a bin provided in the quarry which on numerous occasions has been set fire to again … not locals …

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]]> By: Steve Hickmanhttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-69777 Steve Hickman Sun, 13 Jun 2010 09:25:52 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-69777 Divers are acutely aware of litter, the bulk of it ends up in the loch despoiling the very sites we've travelled so far to visit. Strangely though, the site at Kenmore features domestic appliances that have been dumped into the loch, I wonder who by? We're also far more 'visible' than anglers, so people tend to 'see' divers more, then see litter and blame us. You only have to look at the problems with anglers camping and littering round Loch Lomond, where hardly anyone dives, to realise the true source of the problem. Mind you, I don't expect Argyll & Bute Council to do anything about it; Loch Fyne and Loch Long are some of the most popular areas for diving in Scotland and the local authority does nothing to promote diving tourism and the income it brings to the area. Hillwalkers get car parks, divers get abuse and roads blocked purposely to exclude them. Divers are acutely aware of litter, the bulk of it ends up in the loch despoiling the very sites we’ve travelled so far to visit. Strangely though, the site at Kenmore features domestic appliances that have been dumped into the loch, I wonder who by?

We’re also far more ‘visible’ than anglers, so people tend to ‘see’ divers more, then see litter and blame us.

You only have to look at the problems with anglers camping and littering round Loch Lomond, where hardly anyone dives, to realise the true source of the problem.

Mind you, I don’t expect Argyll & Bute Council to do anything about it; Loch Fyne and Loch Long are some of the most popular areas for diving in Scotland and the local authority does nothing to promote diving tourism and the income it brings to the area. Hillwalkers get car parks, divers get abuse and roads blocked purposely to exclude them.

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]]> By: David Hewitthttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-69752 David Hewitt Sun, 13 Jun 2010 07:56:56 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-69752 Think it shocking that in this day and age some pompus ass thinks they can lock gates and prevent right of access. We should be allowed to treat said pompus ass to the whiplashing from the days of old they seem to still be living in DD Think it shocking that in this day and age some pompus ass thinks they can lock gates and prevent right of access. We should be allowed to treat said pompus ass to the whiplashing from the days of old they seem to still be living in

DD

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]]> By: Robert Burgesshttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-32640 Robert Burgess Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:41:00 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-32640 Whilst litter is an offence and is a problem throughout Scotland. The action of littering by does not confer the right to prevent access along an established public right of way. Whilst litter is an offence and is a problem throughout Scotland. The action of littering by does not confer the right to prevent access along an established public right of way.

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]]> By: Steve Nicholsonhttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-32409 Steve Nicholson Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:57:25 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-32409 As a diver, who did most of his original training at Kenmore, it was always instilled into me that we should respect the privacy of the local residents and never leave anything behind. I have seen the disgusting mess frequently left at the Quarry pier, most of which tends to be beer cans and can categorically state that this would never be left by 99% of the divers I've met over the years. The very nature of our sport tends to make us more environmentally aware. I have never met a diver who took tins of beer to a dive site. Drinking before a dive is a definite no no in any case. Most of us enjoy a beer after diving but prefer to enjoy this in the comfort of the Furnace Inn or other local pubs, business which is being lost to the local community by preventing divers from accessing some of their favourite sites locally. There must surely be a way to resolve this amicably and allow divers to enjoy their sport, and contribute to the local economy, whilst ensuring the interests of the local residents are protected? As a diver, who did most of his original training at Kenmore, it was always instilled into me that we should respect the privacy of the local residents and never leave anything behind. I have seen the disgusting mess frequently left at the Quarry pier, most of which tends to be beer cans and can categorically state that this would never be left by 99% of the divers I’ve met over the years. The very nature of our sport tends to make us more environmentally aware.
I have never met a diver who took tins of beer to a dive site. Drinking before a dive is a definite no no in any case. Most of us enjoy a beer after diving but prefer to enjoy this in the comfort of the Furnace Inn or other local pubs, business which is being lost to the local community by preventing divers from accessing some of their favourite sites locally.
There must surely be a way to resolve this amicably and allow divers to enjoy their sport, and contribute to the local economy, whilst ensuring the interests of the local residents are protected?

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]]> By: John Nicolsonhttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-32394 John Nicolson Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:50:24 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-32394 I think its wrong to leave litter anywhere and participated in the cleanup three years ago. The road should be looked after by the Council, as its a right of access and has been used for 25 years that I know off and others longer than that. Don't let a few hooligans spoil it for everyone. I think its wrong to leave litter anywhere and participated in the cleanup three years ago. The road should be looked after by the Council, as its a right of access and has been used for 25 years that I know off and others longer than that. Don’t let a few hooligans spoil it for everyone.

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]]> By: Ian Robbhttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-6567 Ian Robb Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:13:42 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-6567 having stayed in the area previously i can see the argument from both sides, we actually stayed along the road in question and as is the case the minority spoilt it for the magority. i do feel sorry for the resident's as they put in a lot of effort to maintain the road to an acceptable standard with no support from the council or estate. the road is being used more and more and i feel it is time the council took this on and maintained it. having stayed in the area previously i can see the argument from both sides, we actually stayed along the road in question and as is the case the minority spoilt it for the magority. i do feel sorry for the resident’s as they put in a lot of effort to maintain the road to an acceptable standard with no support from the council or estate. the road is being used more and more and i feel it is time the council took this on and maintained it.

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]]> By: Robert Burgesshttp://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-1939 Robert Burgess Mon, 04 May 2009 19:08:08 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-1939 There can be no disputing the fact that this coast road has been a byway open to all traffic in living memory. Under Section 46 of the Countryside Scotland Act 1967 Protection and maintenance of rights of way paragraph (1) It shall be the duty of a local planning authority to assert, protect and keep open and free from obstruction or encroachment any public right of way which is wholly or partly within their area, and they may for these purposes institute and defend legal proceedings and generally take such steps as they may deem expedient. You all know full well if you or I had installed locked gates across a public right of way on land we owned, the local constabulary would have told us to refrain from such practices on threat of arrest for obstruction and breach of the peace and the local council would have been demanding we remove on threat of a civil action. This isn't you or I, its the Duke of Argylls estate. So much for equality under the law. It does beg the question to whom do you appeal to when its blatantly obvious that the council and the police will not uphold the law? There can be no disputing the fact that this coast road has been a byway open to all traffic in living memory.
Under Section 46 of the Countryside Scotland Act 1967 Protection and maintenance of rights of way paragraph (1) It shall be the duty of a local planning authority to assert, protect and keep open and free from obstruction or encroachment any public right of way which is wholly or partly within their area, and they may for these purposes institute and defend legal proceedings and generally take such steps as they may deem expedient.

You all know full well if you or I had installed locked gates across a public right of way on land we owned, the local constabulary would have told us to refrain from such practices on threat of arrest for obstruction and breach of the peace and the local council would have been demanding we remove on threat of a civil action. This isn’t you or I, its the Duke of Argylls estate. So much for equality under the law.
It does beg the question to whom do you appeal to when its blatantly obvious that the council and the police will not uphold the law?

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]]> By: emtm66http://forargyll.com/2009/01/scotways-takes-up-the-cause-of-the-divers-locked-out-of-the-furnace-coastal-track/#comment-710 emtm66 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:36:11 +0000 http://forargyll.com/?p=6853#comment-710 Being a resident in the area, I know only too well the mess left lying about. I would comment however, that the area at the quarry and slightly further on (towards Pennymore) is by far the worst, with litter,empty beer cans, tents, duvets, single socks, items of clothing, being just a few of the things I have seen personally (I've never really wanted to look to closely at 'poo' to be able to say for definate where it came from!!). The area beyond the barrier never seemed at all bad and that is why I can't understand why the barrier has been put where it is. I don't think Argyll Estates should have erected a barrier on the say so of a few people without consulting the majority. We all use the road, prams & bikes should not be excluded from this. The divers always seem to be decent people, I've met and talked to quite a few of them. They drive and therefore don't drink and so don't leave the litter or mess discussed in the article. I wouild say it is probably is the fishermen, in the main, who leave the mess and I think it's disgraceful. No-one seems to want to address this issue Being a resident in the area, I know only too well the mess left lying about. I would comment however, that the area at the quarry and slightly further on (towards Pennymore) is by far the worst, with litter,empty beer cans, tents, duvets, single socks, items of clothing, being just a few of the things I have seen personally (I’ve never really wanted to look to closely at ‘poo’ to be able to say for definate where it came from!!). The area beyond the barrier never seemed at all bad and that is why I can’t understand why the barrier has been put where it is.
I don’t think Argyll Estates should have erected a barrier on the say so of a few people without consulting the majority. We all use the road, prams & bikes should not be excluded from this.
The divers always seem to be decent people, I’ve met and talked to quite a few of them. They drive and therefore don’t drink and so don’t leave the litter or mess discussed in the article. I wouild say it is probably is the fishermen, in the main, who leave the mess and I think it’s disgraceful. No-one seems to want to address this issue

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