Former Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson joins the NatureScot board where she says she hopes 'to harness communities’ enthusiasm for and commitment to tackling climate change'
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The former political leader of Highland Council Margaret Davidson has joined NatureScot the body responsible for Scotland’s natural heritage.
NatureScot said Mrs Davidson brings 27 years of experience as a local councillor, including seven as leader of the local authority.
While a councillor particularly on planning committees she was known for her strong defence of areas like the Great Glen, where she lives.
She sought to bring a major pumped storage hydro scheme planned for the banks of Loch Ness to a public local inquiry instead of allowing it to pass without scrutiny.
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Mrs Davidson said: “Land reform and community ownership have been my incentive to get up in the morning for years.
“But now it’s time to focus on understanding and protecting biodiversity and to harness communities’ enthusiasm for and commitment to tackling climate change.”
NatureScot added: “She has worked alongside communities to deliver nature-based projects, including large landscape-based schemes to protect species and habitats.
“This has given her a first-hand understanding of the people and places affected by the challenges facing nature in Scotland and an appreciation of the will of people in communities to work together to make things better.”
“This has given her a first-hand understanding of the people and places affected by the challenges facing nature in Scotland and an appreciation of the will of people in communities to work together to make things better.”
