Freedom of Information Request - SSSIs in Scotland
Date: 28 November 2024
Our ref: SIR177754/A4840146
Information Request – SSSIs in Scotland
Your Request
Part 1
The SSSI concerned is Strontian mines: https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/1501
Strontian mines are popular venues for geology-themed field trips, and collecting of mineral specimens commonly occurs during these trips. Here are examples of two recent field trips that have occurred at this SSSI, with dates and organisers:
Highland Geological Society, 8-11 June 2018
https://web-cdn.org/s/1458/file/field-trip-reports/strontian_june_2018_final-1.pdf
and
Dr. Linda Campbell, Dr. Oneta Wilson, Professor Alan Dyer and Professor Craig Williams (trip leaders), 29th June to 4th July 2015
https://euroclay2015.hutton.ac.uk/zeolite.html
My question is this: Did any of the organisers, or indeed anybody connected with either of those field trips, approach NatureScot prior to their visits for consent for mineral specimens to be collected at Strontian by the participants in those field trips?
Part 2
This concerns the following six SSSIs:
1. Boylestone quarry (also spelled Boyleston): https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/250
2. Talnotry mine: https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/1517
3. Bail Hill: https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8161
4. Strontian mines: https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/1501
5. Fountainhead (Hare Hill antimony mine, Knipe): https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/658
6. Ben More, Isle of Mull: https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/189
My question is this: Has any scientific researcher ever complained to NatureScot that their scientific research at any of these six SSSIs has been in any way compromised by the activities of mineral collectors at these SSSIs? If so please provide full details (name of the researcher, nature of their research, location, date, etc.).
Our Response
Following discussions with relevant colleagues we have no information to share in response to your questions. This means that EIRs Regulation 10(4)(a) (Information not held) applies to your request for the information.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
