Over the past couple of weeks, a controversy has been raging in these islands over the recommendation for the St Kilda Centre to be sited at Mangurstadh, in Uig, Lewis. Two other locations in the Western Isles, Leverburgh (Harris) and Cleitreabhal (North Uist) are also in the running. Upon learning of the recommendation, those backing the bids by Leverburgh and Cleitreabhal suggested that the scoring criteria had been altered after the bids had been submitted. The consultants, hired to research and formulate the recommendation, have now recalculated their scorings on the three bids according to the first set of standards, which still show Mangurstadh to be the most suitable location.
I can only hope that this is the end of the controversy, but with so much at stake for the winning location, that hope could well be a vain one.
Its academic - there have to be two loosers whatever, and this being the Islands there will be political fall out whatever.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is that all three places are in desperate need of such a project. Personally I think Leverburgh is the most appropriate position in terms of location for people travelling the Hebrides, also St Kilda comes under the Harris Parish, and 85% of visitors to St Kilda depart from Leverburgh.
Is it known which bodies are backing the bids, Arnish ...?
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