Land Reform was introduced when a Scottish Parliament was formed in 1999.
This was followed by Laws that allowed
owners of large Highland estates to be stripped of their land and evicted.
This was followed by Laws that allowed
owners of large Highland estates to be stripped of their land and evicted.
Devolved Scottish Parliament.
I quote to you part of Donald Dewar's speech at the opening of the Scottish Parliament 1 July 1999:
"A Scottish Parliament. Not an end: A means to greater ends. And those too are part of our mace. Woven into its symbolic thistles are those four words: Wisdom. Justice. Compassion. Integrity."
Empty words that have failed to deliver.
I would like to remind the Scottish Parliament that they are a Devolved Parliament working under licence that can be revoked.
I quote to you part of Donald Dewar's speech at the opening of the Scottish Parliament 1 July 1999:
"A Scottish Parliament. Not an end: A means to greater ends. And those too are part of our mace. Woven into its symbolic thistles are those four words: Wisdom. Justice. Compassion. Integrity."
Empty words that have failed to deliver.
I would like to remind the Scottish Parliament that they are a Devolved Parliament working under licence that can be revoked.
ON SCOTLAND'S CONSCIENCE. A literary production from the combined efforts of Cunningham, Foxley, Hunter and Wilson. Kessock Books ISBN 978-8-9930296-5-3
The book seems to support spending Taxpayers money in pursuit of a Utopean fantasy.
A comment from an un-named Highland Regional Councillor sums it up... All that the HIDB has done is waste public money. But thank God that money is being wasted here.
The book seems to support spending Taxpayers money in pursuit of a Utopean fantasy.
A comment from an un-named Highland Regional Councillor sums it up... All that the HIDB has done is waste public money. But thank God that money is being wasted here.
The 1972 Laird of Knoydart.
In 1972 Knoydart Estate was bought by Major Nigel Chamberlayne-Macdonald who was a member of the Queens Household. Major Macdonald made a valiant attempt to restore the Estate's fortunes by building a fish farm, a venison processing plant and numerous other expensive improvements. Constructing the hydroelectric system fed by Loch Bhraomisaig on the slopes of Ben Buidhe was unbelievably complex and costly.
Major Macdonald cared deeply about the welfare of the people who lived in Knoydart and did everything he could to try and find a solution. After more than a decade of unrelenting losses the Estate had to be sold and more people drifted away.
Starting on page 63 of the book entitled "ON SCOTLAND'S CONSCIENCE" Knoydart appears again with details of the change of ownership that took place in 1999.
The back cover of the book states that it is a book that will have Scotland talking about where we are and where we should be going.
Consequently I would like to point out that it is easy to be a winner when there is no requirement to pay back the vast sums of money being used in setting up what is currently referred to as Land Reform.
Try competing on equal terms and see how far you get.
Rhodes and others involved in ripping off Knoydart were beneath contempt, but it could equally be said that Land Reform and some of the people behind it also give a lot of cause for concern.
In 1972 Knoydart Estate was bought by Major Nigel Chamberlayne-Macdonald who was a member of the Queens Household. Major Macdonald made a valiant attempt to restore the Estate's fortunes by building a fish farm, a venison processing plant and numerous other expensive improvements. Constructing the hydroelectric system fed by Loch Bhraomisaig on the slopes of Ben Buidhe was unbelievably complex and costly.
Major Macdonald cared deeply about the welfare of the people who lived in Knoydart and did everything he could to try and find a solution. After more than a decade of unrelenting losses the Estate had to be sold and more people drifted away.
Starting on page 63 of the book entitled "ON SCOTLAND'S CONSCIENCE" Knoydart appears again with details of the change of ownership that took place in 1999.
The back cover of the book states that it is a book that will have Scotland talking about where we are and where we should be going.
Consequently I would like to point out that it is easy to be a winner when there is no requirement to pay back the vast sums of money being used in setting up what is currently referred to as Land Reform.
Try competing on equal terms and see how far you get.
Rhodes and others involved in ripping off Knoydart were beneath contempt, but it could equally be said that Land Reform and some of the people behind it also give a lot of cause for concern.
Winners and Losers.
It is unbelievable that the British public are forced to support Scottish Land Reform.
Many people in Britain can barely pay their mortgage.
Many more will never own their own home.
Why should their taxes be used to purchase land from which they will never receive any benefit?
Who wanted Land Reform? It was dreamt up as a shortcut to personal profit by a small group of malcontents some 4 years after the government offered to transfer ownership of its crofting estates on Sky and Raasay.
In 1989 the then Conservative government offered to transfer ownership of its crofting estates on Sky and Raasay to the crofting communities living on these estates. The government's Sky and Raasay tenants rejected the offer of community ownership, which is hardly surprising considering that crofters have had a legal right to buy their crofts for 15 times the annual rent for decades.
Tenancy and security of tenure is protected by Laws going back more than 100 years.
Grant funding is paid regularly, even building a house is subject to a grant and topped up with a loan.
Don't take my word for it, ask the Scottish Land Court for a copy of the Crofters Holdings (Scotland) Act 1886
along with the 1890 Crofting Act and 1910 Crofting Reform Act that followed.
Why have there been so many unacceptable changes in the last 20 years?
A number of people think it started in 1999 when a Scottish Parliament was forced on us.
In all probability it likely began a long time before that in 1986.
In 1986 newly appointed Highland Regional Councillor Dr Michael Foxley became the chair of Highland Council's Land and Environment Committee. Dr Foxley was also the crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil.
The following data is a verbatim extract from the Council Minutes:
...................................................................................................................................................................
Lochaber District Council
Housing Committe 26th May 1992
63(a)-
2) HOUSING SITE AT ACHAPHUBUIL.
The Committee noted that the Council had purchased an area of land extending to 1.018 hectares at Achaphubuil in 1980 and the land had remained undeveloped.
The land was subject to an undefined right of grazings by the crofting tenant of no 2 Achaphubuil.
An application had been received from the crofting tenant to purchase the land for agricultural purposes.
The Committee recommended approval of the Director's reccomendation that the land be retained in the Council's ownership.
Lochaber District Council Minute
30th June 1992
(5) Housing Site at Achaphubuil (p 63 (a) para. 6 (2)
After hearing Councillor I. Thornber, the Council agreed to sell the area of land extending to 1.018 hectares to the crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil on District Valuer's terms and subject to the purchaser returning the land to the District Council if required by the Council for housing purposes and on District Valuer's terms.
....................................................................................................................................................................
In 1982 the inimitable crofting tenant of of No. 2 Achaphubuil had raised a Land Court Hearing over his alleged grazing rights and lost the case:
1982 SLCR73. Res Judicata. Application dismissed as incompetent.
The full details of this case can be obtained by using the Scottish Land Court web site.
It is neither complicated or expensive.
The crofting tenant of of No. 2 Achaphubuil made no mention of 1982 SLCR73 and did not use his name or declare that he was a Councillor when applying to purchase the Council land in 1992.
The application was lodged as being from a crofter with (alleged) grazing rights.
The Seven Principles of Public Life by the Nolan Committee are very clear regarding required standards.
A Conflict of Interest Situation existed that should have been flagged up and declared.
The secretive crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil was a Councillor from 1986 through to 2012.
At the time of lodging the application he was the chair of Highland Council's Land and Environment Committee and also led for the Council on Land Reform.
Throughout the application process the Applicant is referred to only as the "crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil". Nowhere does it disclose that the Applicant is a Councillor and chair of Highland Council's Land and Environment Committee.
The 1.018 hectare proposed building site was zoned for low cost public housing, but ended up being sold to the crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil for £200.
The Relevant Feu Disposition was duly recorded in the Registers of Scotland. General Register of Sasines.
County of Argyll. Fisch 469. Frame 32. Presented and Recorded on 15 Dec 1994.
Dr Michael Foxley, the "crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil" is an experienced career politician.
He currently receives large payments from each appointment listed below:
Chair, UHI FE Regional Board.
Chair, Highlands and Islands Regional Forestry Forum.
Board Member, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services.
Board Member, NHS Highland.
Board Member, Crown Estate Scotland.
Board Membership is extremely lucrative and does not require much effort or skill.
Appointments are awarded by the Scottish Government and is an example of yet another public body affording
ministers increased powers of patronage to appoint cronies.
Ministerial Appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
It is unbelievable that the British public are forced to support Scottish Land Reform.
Many people in Britain can barely pay their mortgage.
Many more will never own their own home.
Why should their taxes be used to purchase land from which they will never receive any benefit?
Who wanted Land Reform? It was dreamt up as a shortcut to personal profit by a small group of malcontents some 4 years after the government offered to transfer ownership of its crofting estates on Sky and Raasay.
In 1989 the then Conservative government offered to transfer ownership of its crofting estates on Sky and Raasay to the crofting communities living on these estates. The government's Sky and Raasay tenants rejected the offer of community ownership, which is hardly surprising considering that crofters have had a legal right to buy their crofts for 15 times the annual rent for decades.
Tenancy and security of tenure is protected by Laws going back more than 100 years.
Grant funding is paid regularly, even building a house is subject to a grant and topped up with a loan.
Don't take my word for it, ask the Scottish Land Court for a copy of the Crofters Holdings (Scotland) Act 1886
along with the 1890 Crofting Act and 1910 Crofting Reform Act that followed.
Why have there been so many unacceptable changes in the last 20 years?
A number of people think it started in 1999 when a Scottish Parliament was forced on us.
In all probability it likely began a long time before that in 1986.
In 1986 newly appointed Highland Regional Councillor Dr Michael Foxley became the chair of Highland Council's Land and Environment Committee. Dr Foxley was also the crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil.
The following data is a verbatim extract from the Council Minutes:
...................................................................................................................................................................
Lochaber District Council
Housing Committe 26th May 1992
63(a)-
2) HOUSING SITE AT ACHAPHUBUIL.
The Committee noted that the Council had purchased an area of land extending to 1.018 hectares at Achaphubuil in 1980 and the land had remained undeveloped.
The land was subject to an undefined right of grazings by the crofting tenant of no 2 Achaphubuil.
An application had been received from the crofting tenant to purchase the land for agricultural purposes.
The Committee recommended approval of the Director's reccomendation that the land be retained in the Council's ownership.
Lochaber District Council Minute
30th June 1992
(5) Housing Site at Achaphubuil (p 63 (a) para. 6 (2)
After hearing Councillor I. Thornber, the Council agreed to sell the area of land extending to 1.018 hectares to the crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil on District Valuer's terms and subject to the purchaser returning the land to the District Council if required by the Council for housing purposes and on District Valuer's terms.
....................................................................................................................................................................
In 1982 the inimitable crofting tenant of of No. 2 Achaphubuil had raised a Land Court Hearing over his alleged grazing rights and lost the case:
1982 SLCR73. Res Judicata. Application dismissed as incompetent.
The full details of this case can be obtained by using the Scottish Land Court web site.
It is neither complicated or expensive.
The crofting tenant of of No. 2 Achaphubuil made no mention of 1982 SLCR73 and did not use his name or declare that he was a Councillor when applying to purchase the Council land in 1992.
The application was lodged as being from a crofter with (alleged) grazing rights.
The Seven Principles of Public Life by the Nolan Committee are very clear regarding required standards.
A Conflict of Interest Situation existed that should have been flagged up and declared.
The secretive crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil was a Councillor from 1986 through to 2012.
At the time of lodging the application he was the chair of Highland Council's Land and Environment Committee and also led for the Council on Land Reform.
Throughout the application process the Applicant is referred to only as the "crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil". Nowhere does it disclose that the Applicant is a Councillor and chair of Highland Council's Land and Environment Committee.
The 1.018 hectare proposed building site was zoned for low cost public housing, but ended up being sold to the crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil for £200.
The Relevant Feu Disposition was duly recorded in the Registers of Scotland. General Register of Sasines.
County of Argyll. Fisch 469. Frame 32. Presented and Recorded on 15 Dec 1994.
Dr Michael Foxley, the "crofting tenant of No. 2 Achaphubuil" is an experienced career politician.
He currently receives large payments from each appointment listed below:
Chair, UHI FE Regional Board.
Chair, Highlands and Islands Regional Forestry Forum.
Board Member, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services.
Board Member, NHS Highland.
Board Member, Crown Estate Scotland.
Board Membership is extremely lucrative and does not require much effort or skill.
Appointments are awarded by the Scottish Government and is an example of yet another public body affording
ministers increased powers of patronage to appoint cronies.
Ministerial Appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
Tempus Fugit. Tempus tuum in terra carrum est et eum prudenter uti est.
Transparency and Accountability.
The Scottish Parliament seems to be run along the lines of a Third World Banana Republic.
Checks and balances appear to be virtually non-existant. When we had a British Parliament a proposed Act had to be checked and approved by the House of Lords, before it could be be accepted and become Law.
Anything frivolous or irrelevant was thrown out, and quite rightly so.
Should you think there is no cause for concern, have a look at what happens on failure to tug the forelock when commanded to do so:
Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
Public Standards Commissioner.
Complaint Number: LA/H/1086
Date case started: 05 Jan 2011
Decision issued: 29 March 2011
Locating all of the relevant details regarding LA/H/1086 is not complicated as it is a matter of Public Record
Transparency and Accountability.
The Scottish Parliament seems to be run along the lines of a Third World Banana Republic.
Checks and balances appear to be virtually non-existant. When we had a British Parliament a proposed Act had to be checked and approved by the House of Lords, before it could be be accepted and become Law.
Anything frivolous or irrelevant was thrown out, and quite rightly so.
Should you think there is no cause for concern, have a look at what happens on failure to tug the forelock when commanded to do so:
Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
Public Standards Commissioner.
Complaint Number: LA/H/1086
Date case started: 05 Jan 2011
Decision issued: 29 March 2011
Locating all of the relevant details regarding LA/H/1086 is not complicated as it is a matter of Public Record