Cairndow looks like being only the second Argyll community successfully resisting what are perceived as unreliable sewage treatment installations by Scottish Water. The company has a record of unhappy communities across Argyll, with Inveraray’s tourism industry suffering badly from an persistent and unpleasant smell and other serious problems remaining unresolved. Campbeltown’s leaking system leaves the loch, in hot weather and with low water, described as nothing more than a sea of sewage. The local marina operator, as we reported earlier, is looking at having to put his business into limbo.

The community at Lochgair saw off the potential invasion with serious research proving that Scottish Water’s plans were bound to lead to sewage spillage into the bay there, flooding when the tides were higher than normal. Scottish Water retreated in the face of this informed stance.

Now Cairndow, at the head of Loch Fyne, has driven them back too. The community had been angered by a ‘consultation’ process which seemed to indicate that Scottish Water had set its mind on one specific solution unacceptable to Cairndow – the installation of a pumping station, waste water treatment tanks etc on the shore side of the village. It was only during the planning permission process, when Argyll and Bute Council asked for alterations to some elements of the plan affecting public roadways, that Scottish Water changed tack. SEPA’s Scottish Water Solutions, associated with the proposed project, withdrew their planning applications in May and decided that community members should be asked directly if they wanted to be connected to the new system.

Now Cairndow Community Council has been informed – by email from Jane McKenzie, Regional Community Manager for Scottish Water, that the project is not going ahead because of ‘lack of interest’ from local people. No surprises there.

The lesson from both Cairndow and Lochgair is instructive. Compliance is not necessary. A company with a long track record of problematic sewage system installations needs to go right back to the drawing board before it regains community trust in so crucial a service. What will Ardfern do?

Ardfern has now drawn the short straw with a planned £500,000 project to upgrade its water treatment works. The project is – ironically – described as likely to ‘boost the local economy which relies heavily on tourism’. This has all the promise of a long goodbye – or a short one – to the renowned yachting pursuits in Loch Craignish. Mind you, Ardfern will have the famously plain-speaking Princess Anne on their side. A member of Ardfern Yacht Cub, she is unlikely to be amused if her sailing can only be undertaken in protective clothing and a face mask. At least her presence in the Arras, so to speak, should guarantee Ardfern a more considered installation than has been imposed on other communities.