IT IS one of the quietest corners of one of Scotland's most beautiful islands.
Crime is almost unknown in the village of Elgol on south-west Skye where most residents enjoy a lifestyle free of many of the other downsides of mainland, urban communities. Livings are made from the tourists who visit for the magnificent views of th
e Cuillins mountain range and the boat trips to view the abundant marine life.
But the peace has been shattered by the intrusion of sinister, 21st-century technology into the heart of the remote community.
Highland Council installed a £1,200 CCTV system last month on the village pier, along with prominent warning notices, after arguments among local boat owners about berthing rights.
Residents have now raised a petition for its removal, claiming the camera system invades their privacy, overlooks the village beach where children play and creates the perception among tourists that Elgol is a crime blackspot.
Most of the residents in the 100-strong village have now signed the petition to be presented to councillors later this year.
Among the organisers is Melanie McKinnon, who said the villagers objected to their children being constantly caught on camera.
"The beach is right next to the pier and it's the only beach in Elgol so children go to play there after they've been at school," she said. "Why should they be under 24-hour surveillance?"
It also gave the wrong impression to visitors, she added. "On the first day the camera went up 10 people went into the shop to ask about crime levels in Elgol.
"It's embarrassing. People are asking whether it's safe to leave their cars. There hasn't been crime here in the 10 years I have lived here."
The concerns were echoed by Hermione Lamond, who runs the shop. "We may be naive living here but CCTV cameras have an association with crime," she said. "You can appreciate how small we are and how remote we are and the quiet way of living we have here.
"There is no need for a CCTV camera whatsoever and it is a slight on our community which we don't like.
"The council says it was installed for harbour management purposes, that there were boats using the pier that should not have been. Yet we live here all the time and don't see them.
"The council also says the camera is trained on the pier and nowhere else but if that's the case it must have tunnel vision."
Former community councillor Christopher McKinnon said: "We never needed a CCTV camera in Elgol before and we don't need one now.
"We depend on tourism here and we don't need technology that suggests there is a problem here that requires constant surveillance. We don't want it and we want rid of it."
The camera was installed after a dispute between the boatmen who compete to take tourists on trips to view the imposing mountain chain, smaller islands and wildlife including whales, dolphins, basking sharks and golden eagles.
An insider, who did not wish to be named, said: "They were competing for business and certain boats were only allowed in at certain times. But there was a bit of sneaking in to pinch customers. There were complaints and I think the council put the camera in to try to put a stop to it."
The council says it has no intention of removing the camera. Neil Gillies, director of technical services, said there had been "some issues" last year involving various users of the jetty and the council had decided to set up the CCTV to try and improve the management of the facility.
"The CCTV is fixed and concentrates on the jetty and immediate area," he said. "No one is monitoring the CCTV. It is on a permanent recording system and would only be checked if the council had been notified of any incidents. No incidents have been reported since it was installed."
He added that the council was aware of a petition being organised, but to date it had not been received.
But the John Muir Trust, the conservation charity which owns the Strathaird crofting estate surrounding Elgol, said it fully supported the community's desire to have the camera removed.
Andrew Campbell, head of land management, said: "The pier is one of the most picturesque spots in Skye, with a world famous view of the Cullin mountains. As passionate defenders of wild land we are totally opposed to the intrusion of CCTV cameras and signs into one of the most remote parts of Scotland.
"It gives the impression to visitors that Elgol is some kind of high crime blackspot and nothing could be further from the truth. There was little consultation about putting the camera there and we fully support the efforts to get it removed."
The full article contains 821 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
