It seems that Scottish politicians are getting themselves in a bit of a flap over seagulls!

Indeed they have called for a Scotland-wide “SEAGULL SUMMIT” over fears that people may be at risk of losing their lives from attacks by “nuisance gulls”

Reports suggest that Scots are being left “scared, attacked and traumatised” after “aggressive” seagulls had attacked seven children in one month last year in Eyemouth, leaving one girl “with gashes to her scalp and blood running down her face”

The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachel Hamilton called for action on the “growing nuisance”, which she said posed a health and safety risk to residents.

The MSP criticised what she said was a lack of action from the Scottish government, telling MSPs that, “Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, tourists, and everybody who has anything to do along the harbour.”

She claimed that one business owner had described the situation as “people being scared, attacked and traumatised” whilst another MSP representing the Highlands and Islands had been told that many of his constituents had expressed fears of being dive-bombed if they left their homes, whilst others were reportedly suffering from mental health issues caused by a lack of sleep resulting from noisy gulls.

Claims have been made that the SNP’s quango organisation, NatureScot had “lost the plot” by suggesting that affected people should use umbrellas an/or dogs to protect themselves.

Meanwhile Jim Fairlie, the minister of Agriculture said he was powerless to get NatureScot to change the licensing system because it would leave the government open to judicial review.

Instead he suggested that people to stop feeding the birds, which he suggested was the primary cause of the problem in the first place!

Sticking to areas close to the sea, for her historical feature this week, Margaret Mills took us on a trip to Osea Island.

Now in case you don’t know, Osea Island, part of the parish of Heybridge, is located in the Blackwater Estuary and connected to the north bank of the river by a causeway that is covered at high water.

During the 16th century the island was a spot favoured by Londoners to shoot wildfowl although visitors might also return to London suffering from the Essex disease, known as ague.

The island was at one time owned by Frederick Charrington who although obviously connected with the brewery business for which his family was famous, used the location as a rehabilitation centre for victims of alcohol.

Later at the beginning of the 20th century, the island was also used for aviation tests.

You can listen again here to what Margaret told me today: –

I look forward to the pleasure of your company once again next week,
Scott