Isle of Bute to become Britain’s first ‘Blue Space’?
5th July 2012
We’ve all heard of green spaces – lush landscapes and rolling hills – but blue spaces? Scientists think the Isle of Bute should be declared the British Isle’s first
Dr Ronan Foley of the Department of Geography at the National University of Ireland is behind the findings and thinks the Isle of Bute is the perfect place to recharge and ‘heal’.
Presenting to the Royal Geographical Society’s annual International Conference in Edinburgh on Tuesday he said: “There are thousands of acres of green spaces but it’s time we started thinking of blue spaces – defined by blue sea and sky and fresh air – which have a therapeutic effect.”
He continued: “Bute is a healing island. Thousands of visitors from the west coast of Scotland have gone ‘doon the watter’ over the years for their health and well-being.”
As well as having sublime landscapes, dense forest and idyllic little towns, the Isle of Bute is home to an abundance of wild swimming opportunities and beautiful beaches – hence Dr Foley’s emphasis on the island's ‘blue’ qualities. For over 200 years the island has been home to spas and fresh-air camps, and is a place many go to swap city life for an isolated and refreshing break.
Leo Plaster from VisitBute told Wanderlust: "We at VisitBute think the news is fantastic and definitely something that would bring more visitors to the island. Bute is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life."
What do you think: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Green Spaces, Blue Spaces... Are we labelling our countryside too much?
A small Scottish island not your idea of relaxing? Where do you think is the best place to recharge?
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