Scottish fishing at the start of the millennium: Towards sustainability under ecological and economic pressure

Development proposals in areas with renowned natural heritage frequently stir up environmental controversy. In recent years, the Scottish Highlands and Islands have seen two particularly high‐profile conflicts of this type: the proposals for an aggregates superquarry on Harris and for a funicular mountain railway in the Cairngorm ski area. The first was turned down, the second has gone ahead. These showdowns between development and conservation interests shared characteristics which typify environmental conflicts: tension between ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’, polarised viewpoints, contrasting interpretations of sustainable development, criticism of the planning system and disagreement over decision making procedures. This paper explores these themes through detailed considerations of the two specific debates and of the arguments that were fielded to support or oppose the projects.