THE BANNED AREAS OF SCOTLAND
Sta,—One of the many points in the Report of the Economic Committee on the Highlands and Islands which has been shelved because of the war was the need to encourage tourist traffic and the necessity for setting up local Central Marketing Boards. It now seems that not only are the findings of the Report to be set aside indefinitely, but that the Highlands are to suffer further hardship because they have become by law a " banned area." If the " intolerable delay " and " foolish red tape " already mentioned in your issue of March 29th is not ended, many hotels, inns and private boarding houses will be ruined. I know of one hotel opened last year with high hopes. The bookings naturally failed last September, but promised well for this spring and summer until the news came of the " banned area." Since then both spring and summer bookings have been cancelled steadily. Incidentally, trade in the Low- lands of Scotland also suffers. A firm of engineers was asked to send someone to the Highlands immediately. A permit card could not be obtained in time and the work was lost.
Those who live in the West Highlands and Islands of Scot- land pay freight charges that are a virtual tax upon existence— surely it is not necessary to add to their burdens by dis- couraging visitors by needless delay and official red tape. From the Highlands and Islands of Scotland men have gone at the first call of war. It would be sad indeed if, because of otu neglect and lack of imagination, when peace comes the glens and straths were found to be empty and desolate—a breeding
place for sheep and cattle.—Yours, &C., HELEN MACLEAN. Edinburgh.
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