AS complaints about fish farms go some might say those responsible are away with the fairies.
But a group has claimed that the protection of the magical aquatic creatures was a valid reason for opposing plans for a new fish farm on the Isle of Skye.
And Highland Council planners have now blocked the 12 cage Organic Sea Harvest salmon farm.
A group calling themselves the Flodigarry Fairies warned the Asrai - which they say have been in the waters off the Isle of Skye, Scotland for over 1,000 years - could die.
They say the sprites are in “fear for their lives” claiming the cages could draw the fairies to the surface and they would melt, in opposing the farm off Skye’s north coast.
READ MORE: Over 70,000 salmon escape from Scottish fish farm
And they even warned that workers could be put in danger as the mischievous water spirits “lure them with promises of gold and jewels into the deepest part of the ocean”.
Images of the plans were submitted to the council
According to folklore the asrai is a type of aquatic fairy that lives in seas, lakes and lochs and is similar to the mermaid and nixie. They are sometimes described as timid and shy, standing between two and four feet tall, or may be depicted as tall and lithe.
Their oldest known appearance in print was the poem The Asrai by the Scottish poet, novelist and dramatist. Robert Williams Buchanan, first published in April 1872, and followed by a sequel A Changeling: A Legend of the Moonlight.
Buchanan described them as nature-loving spirits who could not bear sunlight and must stay underwater.
Signed “on behalf of the Flodigarry Fairies” by Friends of the Eilean Fhlòdaigearraidh Faeries, the letter said the Ashrai have been there for more than 1,000 years and begged Highland Council to refuse plans.
The letter said: "Ashrai live for hundreds of years and will come up to the surface of the water once each century to bathe in the moonlight which they use to help them grow.
READ MORE: One fish farm produces waste equivalent to 'all of Scotland's west coast towns'
"It is proven that the steel of the fish farm cages draws many Ashrai to the surface, with only one result: They melt."
It also warns that male fishermen working on the farm may be in danger as the fairies "will attempt to lure him with promises of gold and jewels into the deepest part of the ocean to drown or simply to trick him."
The letter also claims that seals which are living on the island are actually roanes, water elementals or mermen who take the form of seals - which could be in danger of being shot by salmon farmers.
Also mentioned are “magical misty” Skye’s links, including its Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle’s Fairy Flag and the Fairy Bridge.
Meanwhile, they also claim water spirits - called the Blue Men of the Minch - and water birds called broobries may also be in danger.
They also believe that the Blue Men of the Minch “will protect their gentler Flodigarry neighbours against any fish farm as they were there already in the beginning of time and they have always done so”.
It goes on: "The Blue Men of the Minch have predicted that there could be some severe stormy weather in the future but declined to explain further at this stage."
READ MORE: Concerns raised after 11,000 farmed salmon enter rivers in Argyll and Bute
But the objection has not been taken too seriously by Highland Council with some observers believing it is all just one big fairy story.
A council source said: "The fairies are not mentioned in the motion. Not mentioned as part of the debate. Not listed as an objector or mentioned in the report."
On a more serious note, complaints were lodged on the impact on local fishing and the fact that it could destroy the local area.
A joint objection from the Scottish Fishermen Federation, Scottish White Fish Producers Association and the Mallaig and North West Fishermen's Association said the worry remains for the "safety" of local fishermen. They also raised concerns about chemicals used in the salmon farming industry.
"Fishermen lose more and more grounds to fish farms," the group say. Fishermen can no longer fish these areas, which leads to more dangerous situations as they cannot take shelter in these safe spots anymore.
"Smaller vessels are often family-businesses. Being forced out of another area will cause loss of income and possibly fishermen going out of business."
Scottish National Heritage, meanwhile, said that the farm would have an impact on the coast nearby but it was for the council to decide whether any environmental effect would impact on local policies.
READ MORE: Concern for native fish in Loch Etive and River Awe after mass trout escape
Councillors on Highland Council refused the controversial proposals after a six hour debate.
Organic Sea Harvest were approached for comment.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel