Divers, fishermen, wild swimmers and even a rock band have voiced their objections over proposals to bring “semi-closed” fish pens to the shores of Loch Linnhe.
The fightback is being spearheaded by Long Live Loch Linnhe, a group of concerned residents who have united in a bid to repel Loch Long Salmon’s proposal to build a floating closed containment salmon farm on the loch.
James Standley, a retired professional diver with 25 years’ experience, lives on the boundary of the proposed site and has raised concerns about the project’s impact on the loch’s wildlife and surrounding community.
“The damage this fish farm would have on the area would be irreversible,” he said.
“We only have one shot at protecting Scotland’s natural beauty, so to pave over it would be an act of vandalism.
“Coming from a background of diving, it is really worrying to think of the impact this could have on our wildlife.
“I’ve watched the volume of marine life diminish over the years and projects like this play a massive part in that.”
Angler David Gunn, who has fished the waters of the loch for 61 years, fears the proposed fish farm will all but end the wild Atlantic Salmon population in the area.
“Fish farms have had a huge impact on the declining numbers of wild salmon in our waters and it is a problem that has been exacerbated on the west coast of Scotland,” he said.
“This has always been a good area for wild salmon; there was even a surplus in Loch Linnhe. But since the advent of salmon farms, the wild salmon population has declined by 95 per cent and so many salmon in Loch Linnhe’s rivers are now extinct.”
The loch is also a popular wild swimming spot. Charlotte Parkin has been swimming in it for five years and feels a new farm would destroy the area’s natural beauty.
Charlotte said: “A huge number of people use the loch. It is not uncommon to have 30 people by the beach on a summer’s night enjoying the water. It’s incredibly valuable to the community.
“Fish farms have a major impact on the tranquillity of the loch. I have swum close to nearby fish farms and it completely spoils the serene experience.”
The fear of losing the loch’s sense of wilderness has even inspired the creation of a protest song by local band Rough Edges called ‘Loch Linnhe Blues’, now released across global streaming services.
Malcolm Knowlson, the band’s guitarist, said: “We came up with a riff and put some words to the song. Ee played it at the local village hall and it grew from there.
“What started as a laugh with the song seems to have captured the imagination of our community and we hope it will act as a voice on our feelings towards this fish farm proposal.”
Long Live Loch Linnhe will be launching a petition on the Scottish Parliament webpage to raise awareness and support for their concerns.
The Rough Edges’ song ‘Loch Linnhe Blues’ is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B3T6–Zzv4 and on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6VZciBR694oFBMma3GxIVe
For more information on Long Live Loch Linnhe visit: www.longlivelochlinnhe.org.uk
For information on the proposed salmon farm go to: https://lochlongsalmon.com