A BBC Scotland unit visited Bute on Tuesday (2nd February) to film a clip on the proposed community buy-out of Rhubodach forest for the morning, midday and evening news programmes on Monday 8th February. (This is in the Events Calendar as an aide memoire on the day).
The focus of the piece is the proposed buy out, led by the Bute Community Land Company and the community ballot that is currently taking place.
BCLC were interviewed on Tuesday by David Miller, BBC Scotland’s environment correspondent.
The unit filmed from a vantage point in the forest and Speedy McMillan and Bramble (his horse) upped the ante with a horse logging display.
On its way back from Rhubodach, the BBC team stopped off at the Port Bannatyne and filmed a discussion at the Golfers Bar between supporters and people in the bar. This included and interviews with two directors of Bute Community Land Company (BCLC) and David Kilpatrick from Bute’s innovative Bike Shed.
With good reason, BCLC sees the Rhubodach forest buy-out as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the island and are hoping that the island community will respond with a big YES vote for the opportunity to proceed with the process.
A first for Bute – the BBC are interested in the initiative for its own sake but also because this is the largest community ballot ever to take place in Scotland.
With the eyes of Scotland on the island’s community from Monday onwards, with this news coverage, Bute has the opportunity to display its energetic embrace of challenge to help itself and to inspire others.
This particular community ownership has the potential to bring significant investment to the island, with 95% funding available for a number of the initiatives embedded in it.
People struggling to see the bigger picture at the moment will be reassured by noting that the timber market is predicted to to see serious expansion, with biomass renewable energy plants and zero carbon initiatives creating a major continuing and sustainable demand.
As the commercial forest matures in 10-15yrs time, the community in Bute will be sitting on a bonfire of opportunity to benefit the entire island economy.
BCLC is hoping that all registered electoral voters on the island take this opportunity to vote and to vote YES. The apathetic may be influenced to vote by the news coverage on BBC Scotland and on BBC Scotland radio’s early morning show on Monday – with commentary from Gordon Bain – one of BCLC active members.
This is a vote for Bute’s future.
I would be surprised if the good people of Bute cannot see that there are splendid opportunities here to take on board something that could turn round the whole future of their Island -and in this case they would have a genuine stake in the ownership.
Rothesay has a lot going for it and with a little determination and commitment could have a lot more going for it. The rest of the island is a revelation.
Why are they so reticent?
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Colin…I do not know what makes you think that Bute folk are reticent about the buyout. Just because the local paper was able to find 2 locals to run down the project does means they speak for the majority of people, far from it. Indeed all their concerns have answered by the BCLC directors in both the local press and on the local radio.
Everyone I speak too can see the benefits this could bring to the island and I am sure it will get a hugh postive vote.
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Delighted to learn that you are confident of this, Mark, and I sincerely hope that you are right.Most Bute folk I know are positive and forward looking in their outlook.
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