My my my, what have we here? With the greatest of respect, are you suggesting, historic evidence aside, that the creator of this planet didn't ever impose trees some places on Orkney? Trees aren't a "new age" imposing concept, save and except for the toxic artificial ones made with oil from the sea off Orkney and elsewhere. They aren't a threatening foreign concept. I too am not a fan of hairclipped hedgrows that by design highlight extravagant entrances to modern-day castles flaunting unconscionable consumerism. However, on behalf of grouse, hares, songbirds, various bugs and other critters, those historic Orkney residents now reduced in numbers, it is fair for anyone on planet earth to look at this unique ecosystem and compare the current form against what was years ago. Not an unhealthy exercise. Look at how you oogle over the 3000 year old architecture. Well, landscape too is architecture and worth examining. Over here in gadget-guzzling America we haven't done that sort of evaluating enough, obviously. You know, your Orkney yesteryear theme is a great idea for Disneyland! Kind of an elaboration of their "Pirates of the Caribbean." I envision a brightly decorated honey coloured wooden vessel on an invisible track, traveling at 9.3 kph for 19 minutes on a circuitous route through stone crofts and bleating sheep, attacked occasionally by sword-wielding bearded Vikings, with screaming women with kicking feet, flopped over their broad shoulders, their blood curdling cries amplified in perfect digital stereo over speakers hidden from view by, oops, trees. And judging by the pumping of "Orkney, the Tourist Destination", if you aren't careful, you are small enough that you could become a theme park! Seems like it is close enough to the UK mainland that it becomes a smog-free affordable summertime retreat for city-weary Londoners who's overtaxed incomes don't stretch to the Yukon or south Africa. Think that's not a serious threat? Go to any of the islands in the world from Malaysia through the South Pacific and the islands England exploited such as Tortola the British Virgins, Jamaica,Turks and Cacos, Barbados and countless others. Islands are fragile, often complex but restricted (waste disposal, drinking water, fuel,vegetation) and individually unique. Single malt instead of rum. Oil instead of gold. That's why examining what was and comparing it to what is becomes valid and natural. The more natural islands are, the more unique in this exploited shrinking world. In this regard, Orkney has benefited from a situation where the current population is less than it was in 1750. Less people--less pressure. Magnificent. Unique. Breathtaking. A population in reverse. Time may well be nigh to prepare for post-oil Orkney. Don't see much in the way of significant cultural contributions to Orkney from those international corporate giants who vacuum the black gold from beneath your fish. (Over here, nowdays, huge percentages of resources go directly to the natives.) Course, the demands for deductible gratuitous expenditures have more political propellent on the U.K. mainland. That's where the numbers are, and the political benefits. So why contribute to Orkney in any long-term meaningful way if you aren't even asked? It would be of no benefit to mainland political forces and needed federal approvals, approvals to dig deeper and longer for more oil at more risk. Better the oil giant should build, with Orkney oil money, a football stadium in Manchester. I mean, did you ever ask yourself how politically impotent your elected representation of twenty five thousand shrinking fragmented islanders, unconnected by roads, must be in London or Edinburgh? Sortof like a British Newfoundland. They have oil beneath codfish as well. And their local input matters not one iota. But they get even provincial with tax laws, laid out before sea oil was discovered. They are on the edge of change that may not be good. Thing to do is slip around the Globe a few times and have a current-day peek. What they don't want you to see is seldom on the internet. Gota buy the ticket. Lots of chainsaws out there(Brasil, Peru, Canada). Lotsa future demand for oil (China). Lotsa traffic to Disneyworld! So what caught my attention? You say let the trees fall where they may? I say, let the trees grow where they once fell--even in Orkney! Hats off to the chap who responded that he is planting 25 hectares this spring in Orkney. That is a positive, admirable and unselfish move, and thank goodness likely representative of great, responsible Orkney stewardship. Stewardship essential for survival as a cultural pearl in an unspoiled natural setting. And he is paying the lot out of his own pocket. Bravo! Gee, it's friday:..........Have a nice weekend folks..........Stephen On Friday, November 21, 2003, at 06:40 AM, George Coghill wrote: > > My Dear Friends, > > Is there a movement afoot, led by some modern incarnation of Capability > Brown, to turn Orkney into a well-manicured new age conception of the > forest primeval, a manor park rather than one of the most naturally > beautiful landscapes on the planet? Sigurd, don't let them take my > rugged rocky silhouettes softened and given a barely tangible subtlety > by the heather and other shrubbage (not a word, I know, but I like it). > The odd tree or grove, tough survivors as were our Norse ancestors, are > admirable and beautiful, but the thought of disfiguring the openness of > the land with hedgerows and other major plantings makes me a touch > queasy. I smell a conspiracy, and I think Disney must be behind it, > turning Orkney into an American style theme park. Or perhaps a German > Uber-Konglomerate, to turn ancient Orca into Deutschneyland! > > Let the trees fall where they may. > > Your overseas cousin, > George Coghill > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >