Gibson welcomes bogging great news for Flow Country

News release

Immediate release

07/07/10

'Bogging great news' is how Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson reacted to announcement that the Flow Country, once called the Amazon of the north, is to be submitted as one of the six Scottish bids for UNESCO world heritage status.

The blanket peat bog which is the largest in Europe (Measuring around 1500 square miles) stretches across Caithness and Sutherland will join the Forth Rail Bridge, Arbroath Abbey, Iron age settlements on Shetland, the buildings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and the town of St Andrews in an attempt to win the prestigious accolade of World Heritage Status.

Mr Gibson who has long championed the cause of the Flow Country says that World Heritage Status would make a positive difference to Caithness and Sutherland and the rest of the world.

"Whilst it may not have the architectural splendour of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh building or a Forth Rail Bridge, or the historical prowess of Arbroath Abbey, the Flow Country also deserves to be on this list and deserves World Heritage Status."

"The Flow Country is vitally important for the future of Europe and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere for environmental and bio diversity reasons. It has rightly been described as the Amazon of the North given its importance in locking away carbon. The Bog acts as a natural carbon sink which also supports a rich and diverse habitat."

"Greater recognition of the importance that the Flow Country will play in the future of the world, especially during the climate change era, is a must. World Heritage Status would bring this about. It would also heighten the status of both Caithness and Sutherland on the world stage. If it gets the go ahead then the Flow Country would sit on a list which include the Pyramids and the Great Wall of China, not bad going I'd say."

"The fact that it has made the short list is bogging great news should it achieve the ultimate goal of World Heritage Status would be bogging excellent news for Caithness, Sutherland, Scotland and the world."

ENDS