INTERNATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP EXCHANGE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE 1996 UK EXCHANGE

The Machars, Scotland

Introduction

The Machars peninsula is located within the Dumfries and Galloway region of Southwest Scotland. The study are covers 190 square miles with a population of 7,000. The peninsula is mostly low, rolling farmland with small pockets of deciduous woodland, craggy hills and peat bogs. The region’s landscape and wildlife habitats are recognized for their special conservation value. The area is rich in archaeological remains and historic sites.

The Machars has the third highest unemployment rate in Scotland. Agriculture accounts for almost half the employment, with tourism supporting around 12%. Less than 10% of the land area is under commercial afforestation. The area’s once thriving harbors today serve as a base for only a small number of fishermen and the manufacturing sector is small. The area has been designated as objective 5B by the European Union.

Observations

The area has an abundance of natural resources and the agricultural industry is fertile ground for developing value-added products.

There are many opportunities for quiet recreation, sailing, shooting and fishing. There is great potential for painting, photography and film-making, and for activities such as bird-watching, nature photography and the development of educational activities for children.

The Machars has a number of historic buildings and gardens, towns and archaeological sites that offer great potential for adaptive re-use and interpretation of the area’s heritage. The coastline and harbors also potentially provide a wide range of opportunities for leisure, cargo handling, commercial fishing, and educational trips.

Co-operative effort needs to be focused on developing and promoting a recognizable identity. There is a need to develop a “sense of place.”

There are some existing facilities for tourist services and accommodations, but a wider range is required. There are opportunities to extend the season and there is a need for indoor activities to occupy visitors during bad weather. There are a limited number of shops that cater to tourists.

Drug and alcohol misuse, few sports facilities, unemployment and lack of social gathering places were cited as key issues among the young people. The involvement of young people in the sustainable development of the Machars is a key challenge.

A key constraint is the fragmentation among individuals, communities, and governing bodies, including lack of co-operation between central, regional and local groups. Local people feel they are being ignored by local government, with many feeling marginalised by the decision making process.

Key Issues

• To identify sustainable development opportunities with emphasis on the economy and tourism.
• The development and marketing of local tourism and visitor facilities.
• The utilization and development of the coast and harbors.
• To find ways to diversify and add value to local industries.
• To ensure involvement of youth under the age of 25 years.

Recommendations

Five strategic goals were recommended. 1) National and local government must become more sensitive to the needs of the Machars’ business community. 2) Governmental and community-based organizations must co-ordinate their planning activities as well as their implementation strategies. 3) The agricultural industry must diversify in order to remain viable. 4)The transportation network must be improved. 5)Telecommunications technology could be better utilized by all local industries.

Tourism development should be supported through general improvements to visitor services, products and facilities, and ways of extending the season by value-added breaks which should be investigated and promoted.

The development of local industry which adds value to local raw materials and produce should be encouraged. The potential for developing and branding local products with which to provide a competitive edge, at least locally, should be explores.

Farmers and landowners need assistance to keep abreast of developments in technology, agronomy, animal husbandry, alternative crops, food grading, and grants. Production of alternative and higher quality timber should also be encouraged. The development of mail-order and email-order as a method of promoting local specialties should be encouraged.

An old African folk tale say “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” This is as true in the Machars as it is anywhere. The team suggests “shadow” Youth Councils could be created that integrate with each of the five Community Councils and the Regional Council. The development of facilities and programs within the Community Centres should also be supported, and be largely created and managed by young people.

Local community involvement must be encouraged and facilitated by the relevant authorities. Goals should be agreed upon at the community level, and strategies for implementation amongst all sectors of the community be developed. This requires constant public involvement, a feeling for community spirit and collective will to achieve change. Progress should be recorded and reported back to the communities.

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©2002 Glynwood Center