Campaigners opposed to plans for special conservation protection at the Sound of Barra are taking their protest to the Scottish Parliament.

Residents on Barra are worried about plans to designate the area as a special area of conservation (SAC).

Campaign group Shamed – Southern Hebrides Against Environmental Designations – will demonstrate outside Holyrood in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

The plans, by Scottish Natural Heritage, has received opposition from local residents and fishermen, all 31 councillors of Western Isles Council and more than 40 scientific bodies and personnel.

Angus Campbell, council convener, said the protest was a demonstration of the strength of feeling “to this unwanted and potentially economically devastating designation”.

He said: “It would appear that SNH have been highly selective and arbitrary in choosing the Sound of Barra.

“It is nothing short of scandalous that the views of our community, our economic representative bodies, and that of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar can be ignored and that these unwanted, unnecessary and highly-damaging designations can be foisted on our community against their express will.”

Protestors say that the proposed SAC would cover some of the Western Isles most productive shellfish grounds which provide long-term employment for the crews of more than 25 local fishing boats.

Four local companies, which employ a total of 60 people, are also dependent upon shellfish from the area.

S.TV, 2012