APRS – The Early Years

We are looking into APRS history in preparation for our centenary with help from two of our volunteers. Here are highlights taken from our annual reports up to 1954

With thanks to Nadir Junco, our Volunteer Archivist, and Isabella Park, our Volunteer Historian.

This document contains a list of important actions taken by the APRS each year. The information was gathered from Annual Reports and individual meeting minutes.

You can find all the annual reports in our archive

The 1920s

1926

On 19 December 1926 a letter from Frank Mears was published in the Scotsman about the need for a Scottish organisation equivalent to the newly founded CPRE.

1927

The Association for the Preservation of Scotland [APRS] was founded on July 4, 1927, with the goal of educating the public on the importance of preserving the Scottish countryside and promoting public policies which would ensure the conservation of Scotland’s natural beauty. 

1928 

no annual report

1929

The first annual report of the APRS was published. 

The APRS consulted with the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society and Scottish Scout troops to get the public engaged in small-scale tree planting. They commenced advocacy on the route of the new road through Glencoe and they started a campaign on the control of roadside advertising.

APRS saw ‘Regional and Town Planning’ as an important way forward for the protection of the countryside

“it is scarcely too much to say that in Regional Planning, wisely carried out, there lies the key to the main groundwork of Rural Preservation. The greater part of the country is as yet unspoilt, and the Association’s combined forces way well be directed towards a continued campaign to arrest haphazard growth and to strengthen the hands of Local Authorities by guiding public opinion.”

The main focus of 1929 was opposition to large-scale Hydro-electric developments in the Scottish Highlands, which the APRS deemed would deface the landscapes. 

“No effort has been spared to give expression to our fully considered opinion, both for the guidance of the public and as representations to Parliament. Incidentally, attention has been called to the remarkable Falls of Glomach (the highest falls in Great Britain), which are threatened with virtual obliteration in the plans of the Grampian Scheme. There is the less reason for such a vandalism, as the catchment area concerned appears to be immaterial to the success of this scheme as a whole.”

The 1930s

1930 

The APRS completed an inquiry into three proposed Highland Hydro-electric development schemes: the Grampian Scheme, the Galloway Scheme, and the West Highland scheme. The findings of this inquiry – that the schemes would be overly damaging to the natural landscape, would not contribute considerably to the local economy, and were not necessary – were published in the press and brought before Parliament. Because of this work, the two Highland schemes were rejected.

During a discussion on the potential creation of a Scottish National Park, members of the APRS raised the possibility of the foundation of a National Trust for Scotland.

“It is felt that, whereas the National Trust in England has its hands very full, and is by policy averse to commitments in Scotland, public benefactors in the North, who might be disposed to gift properties, either large or small, to the nation, have no body of public trustees to whom to resort.”

Multiple public outreach programmes were held – including photo exhibitions displaying Scottish landscapes, public lectures, and meetings with City Chambers officials – with the aim of getting the public interested in rural preservation.

APRS took steps in 1930 to constitute a Scottish National Trust (reported in APRS Annual Report 1931). They convened a provisional Council for the Trust in November 1930 from Members of APRS Council and others, including the two Vice Presidents, The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres and Sir John Stirling Maxwell.

In this Annual Report APRS laid out its balanced approach to development:

“While most of its work will at once command general approval, there are some problems with which it has inevitably been brought to touch which have in them controversial elements, and it is hoped that the line of action adopted in each case will convince the unbiased critic that it is sparing no pains to handle such problems in an even-handed way, so as to steer a middle course between undue interference with reasonable expansion on the one hand, and allowing the countryside to be spoiled through default of timely action on the other.

In pursuit of this policy, it has endeavoured to thresh out exhaustively every question, and to obtain the most up-to-date advice from approved experts at every step. Working on these lines, the Association has the full assurance that it will year by year enlist fuller support and sympathy, for it appeals directly to one of the passions implanted earliest in the human breast, the Love of Nature“

1931 

Two new branches of the APRS were formed in Stirlingshire and Galloway. 

One of the APRS’s main concerns in the 1930s was the modernisation of roads and bridges. 

“Bridge after bridge is being demolished… The bridges of Scotland from mediaeval times up to the advent of the railway, and even to a more recent date, bear the stamp of a noble character. From the rustic bridge that spans a burn, to the bold arch that strides a Highland gorge or the greater bridges that link the banks of our Lowland river and estuaries, are all notable for grace of form, and if built of masonry, as in old days was invariably the case, there was added to the quality of outline the charm of surface texture and the harmonising colours of stone.” 

Because of this fear for loss of character, the organisation consulted on a number of bridge and road work projects across Scotland. One of the most notable was the Glencoe portion of the Glasgow-Fort William road. APRS members worked to ensure as little damage was done to the glen as possible, and that rocks and masonry disguised some of the more violent damage done by blasting.

The National Trust for Scotland was constituted as an organisation independent from APRS.

1932

to be added (add start of campaign for advertising control)

1933

APRS celebrated the passing of the Town and Country Planning Act (1932) which gave greater legal powers for the planning of land outside of towns, thus making it easier to preserve the countryside.

There was some agitation by private landowners against the traditional Scottish right to roam, as increasing numbers of tourists damaged property. However, the APRS staunchly opposed anti-trespass laws:

“Another difficulty is that of mass trespass by charabanc crowds and by bands of cyclists, who may thoughtlessly damage property and interfere with growing crops, or disturb stock. Agriculturalists are now advocating the enforce- ment of strict trespass laws, and it will be a sorry day for Scotland if our time-honoured liberty of access to the country should be lost through the misbehaviour of a small minority of townspeople. It is to be noted that organisations like the Youth Hostels Association, the Federation of Ramblers, and similar bodies, have codes of good conduct which are observed, and their influence is salutary.”

Continuing earlier work, the APRS provided consultation services to other portions of Highland road work, including the Fort William – Inverness road and the Aberfoyle – Trossachs road. Part of this work regarded the sympathetic handling of incursion into the landscape, as well as planning for litter and potential damage from future tourists.

1934

To be added

1935

The APRS, working with the Fine Arts Commission, consulted on the Glenalbyn portion of the Inverness – Glasgow road. Members helped to coordinate tree planting, re-turfing, and stone facings to conceal extensive blasting and cutting work, and preserve the character of the landscape.

The APRS special committee on National Parks held an early survey on the issue of National Parks for Scotland. Over the course of several months, the committee laid out objectives, financial and administrative planning, and a list of powers provided by the Planning Act (1932) which could be used in planning a national park. 

“The Committee thinks in general that the objects of a National Park may be taken to be- 

• To secure an area remarkable for natural beauty, in which people of all classes may for all time, in freedom and by right, enjoy wild and romantic scenery.
• To provide for the reasonable preservation of flora and fauna in such an area.
• To preserve exceptionally picturesque areas from injury to their natural beauty.”

The report said, in regard to planning –

“In many respects the community is learning by mistakes, which were clearly foreseen and opposed by those whose special function it is to consider amenity. For example, the evil of “Ribbon” development, an obvious malaise, social, economic, and æsthetic, due largely to defective planning (or no planning at all), has reached such a pitch, especially in the South, as to warrant attention in the King’s Speech.”

1936

Continuing in their National Park planning from the previous year, the APRS worked with the Scottish Forestry commission to explore opportunities for a parcel of land put aside for a Park in Argyllshire.

The new Caledonian Power Bill, put forward by the British Oxygen Company, proposed two hydro-electric schemes at Glengarry and Glenmorriston. In response, the APRS wrote a letter to the Scottish Secretary of State outlining the negatives of this scheme, as well as lodging a petition with parliament. The bill was defeated in the House of Commons 18 March 1936 in a vote of 199 to 63. 

The APRS, National Trust for Scotland, and Royal Incorporation of Architects collaborated to preserve historic buildings in Scotland after the passing of the Housing Scotland Act (1935) led to fears of widespread demolition. One of the main objectives was to protect buildings in Old Town Stirling that were under threat. 

APRS published a booklet of photos called Scotland’s Heritage of Beauty as affected by Water Power Schemes as part of their campaign on Hydroelectric schemes.

APRS laid out, in the annual report, their general approach to development:

“while the policy of the association freely accepts the principle of change, it seeks, in the process, to preserve the face of Scotland in its natural beauty, and to maintain contact with tradition

It may be, indeed, that the scope and rapidity of modern development will prove overpowering, and it is certain that much which has characterised scotland in the past, and which still lingers today, will have disappeared within the next decade. nevertheless the endeavour must continue, as far as is practicable to protect both beauty of scene and the country’s inheritance handed down from an historic and dignified past.”

1937 

The APRS celebrated its 10 year anniversary on 4 July 1937. 

The Caledonian Power Scheme, which the APRS was instrumental in defeating in 1936, was once again brought before parliament. The APRS reiterated their disapproval for the scheme, and to back this up distributed copies of a photo-book they made, Scotland’s Heritage of Beauty as Affected by Water Power Schemes, to each member of parliament. The second iteration of the Caledonian Power Scheme was defeated in a vote of 180 to 144. 

The Scottish Advisory Committee on Rivers Pollution Prevention, formed in part by the APRS, published an important report which laid out necessary legal reforms for the amelioration of the pollution issues faced by Scottish rivers. 

1938

The Caledonian Power Scheme was brought before parliament a third time. After the defeat of the second bill, the government formed a committee to figure out where to build a calcium carbide plant for Scotland. Calcium carbide is necessary for munitions and steelmaking, and the government wanted a plant in Scotland to boost industry and save on imports of the compound. The Caledonian Power Scheme was defeated for a third time by a vote of 227 to 141.

APRS council member Lord Polwarth was involved with putting forward a bill regulating advertisements.

The Standing Joint Committee on Rivers Pollution Prevention in Scotland, which was formed in 1936 on the initiative of the APRS, published their complete memorandum on the river pollution issue. This memorandum included a proposal for the creation of river boards overseen by the central authority of the Scottish Secretary of State. The proposal was approved. 

1939 

The APRS committee on the Highlands and Islands of Scotland published their report on the developmental possibilities in the region, with the goal of regenerating living standards while preserving the landscape. The report stresses the importance of development that benefits the local people, including proposing the creation of small local hydro-electric plants to generate power for villages without requiring the large-scale blasting or construction of schemes such as the Caledonian Power Bill. The APRS directly opposed the exportation of Highland water power to the rest of the country, stating it should only be used to improve the lives of the locals.

“Almost every glen contains a river or burn which could operate a hydro-electric plant of small or moderate size. Such plants can be made almost automatic, and supervision and other running charges will be very low. If there is no need to extract all the possible power a small dam and reservoir and a short pipe line will suffice. The distribution line, being confined to one glen, will be inexpensive, thus permitting of the supply of power to the short and at moderate electrical pressure, and the whole equipment inhabitants at a low figure.”

and

“The provision of cheap power will definitely assist many industries. As mentioned above, several industries dealing with mineral products and timber should be restarted or established, and the power will help towards their success. The farming interest will absorb large quantities of pulverised limestone, both on existing farm land and in the reclamation of peat soils, and this product requires little more than power for quarrying and grinding. The home industries, such as textiles and possibly artistic metal- and wood-work, will be greatly helped by small amounts of power and by the provision of ample lighting during the winter time. Hence we urge that all exploitation of the water power should be prevented and that it should be used primarily as a means to a single end, that of promoting industries suitable to the area and increasing the amenities of life to the people.”

The APRS Committee on National Parks held several meetings over the year, during which they prepared recommendations for future parks and prepared a map of Scotland with certain locations marked as particularly desirable.

The 1940s

1940

The APRS created the River Pollution Enquiry Committee in June 1940 as part of their efforts to prevent further pollution of Scotland’s rivers. 

The APRS consulted for the Department of Health for Scotland to provide locations in the Scottish countryside that could be converted into wartime hospitals and evacuation centres in the event of increased air raids or a Nazi invasion of Britain. 

1941 

The APRS National Park committee and the Forestry committee merged. 

A letter detailing APRS opposition to the Glen Affric hydro-electric scheme was sent to Parliament, with the hope of halting progression until the end of the war. 

1942

The APRS and the Forestry department officially initiated the formation of the Standing Council for National Parks [SCNP]. In a meeting held on 13 June 1942, the representatives of the thirty participating societies in the SCNP adopted a constitution and appointed an executive committee. The meaning of SCNP changes over the years, from Standing Council for National Parks at its foundation to the Scottish Council for National Parks later on.

An APRS memorandum drawn up by Professor F. G. Baily on hydro-electric power was presented before and adopted by the Government Committee on Problems of Water-Power in Scotland. 

1943

A parliamentary committee led by Lord Cooper published a report on hydro-electric development which led to the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act of 1943. In response to this, the APRS drafted several amendments to the bill, some of which were accepted, with the aim of reining in the power of the hydro-electric board.

1944 

no report in files

1945

The APRS continued to propose amendments to the Hydro-electric Development (Scotland) Act of 1943. The APRS did not oppose all the proposed schemes in this act, and were ambivalent towards the Morar, Lochalsh, and Gairloch projects, as they were less invasive. However, they heavily opposed the Tummel-Garry scheme out of fear it would destroy the scenery and not benefit the local population. They reiterated their policy on the issue of hydro-electric projects with the following quote:

“Their attitude towards hydro-electric developments in the Highlands is not negative, but essentially constructive. . . . Their attitude towards developments which are undoubtedly beneficial to the district concerned or desirable from a national point of view is directed to ensuring that any harm done to scenery and other amenities is as small as possible. But they claim the right to examine the evidence brought forward in support of any scheme and to form an opinion on its merits.” 

The Caravan Club and Scottish Travel Association became affiliated with the APRS.

1946

The Scottish Secretary of State appointed a committee to consider the possibility of Scottish National Parks, which the APRS and nascent SCNP contributed to.

1947

The APRS consulted with the hydro-electric board on the Glen Affric scheme, providing some suggestions to lessen environmental damage, and were hopeful about the project going ahead.

“..the Council believes that the policy which it has all along pursued of not opposing Hydro-Electric Development, but of suggesting the best means whereby this can be carried out with the minimum spoilation of the countryside has, and will continue to bear fruit.“

1948

The Rivers Pollution Prevention Committee was reintroduced after halting work during wartime.

After the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1947 was passed, the APRS began drafting amendments regarding outdoor advertisement control which they submitted to the government. 

1949

The APRS began encouraging local authorities and county governments to take advantage of the new powers given to them by the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1947.

1950s Highlights

1950

The Forestry Commission met with the APRS to discuss the best ways in which the new powers granted by the Town and Country Planning Acts of 1947 and 1948 could be used to protect and schedule Scottish woodlands. The new laws could be used to prohibit felling in certain areas without special consent from the authorities, and removed the entitlement to compensation.

Work on river pollution prevention and amelioration continued, with most of the APRS’ efforts focused on the River Clyde and the River Tweed. Some progress was made, such as a new sewage scheme completed in Hawick which the APRS was involved in. 

1951

The new Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1948 came into effect in 1951 and the APRS started working with Scottish county authorities to designate areas of special control where outdoor advertisements were banned. Four counties – Inverness-shire, Perthshire, Dunbartonshire, and Dumfriesshire – marked their whole jurisdiction, excepting cities, as areas of special control. 

Work by the APRS River Pollution Prevention Committee sent to the Scottish Department of Health in 1950 was incorporated into a new bill: the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Scotland (no. 2) Bill, which was passed in August. This went alongside another bill, the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Protection (Scotland) Bill which protected salmon and brown trout populations and was passed in May.

1952 

1952 marked the 25th Anniversary of the APRS. In the annual report, some of the highlights listed included: their work in the creation of the National Trust and Scottish Council for National Parks, their efforts in the creation of the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act 1951, their efforts to curtail ugly advertisements in the countryside through the passing of the Town and Country Planning Act 1947, and their work both opposing and consulting on hydro-electric developments in the Scottish Highlands. 

The APRS used the Forest Act 1951 to help protect and preserve historic woodlands. One of the specific areas they helped to preserve was the Tobermory Woods, which were going to be felled for timber.

1953 

Members of the APRS consulted with the hydro-electric board on a number of schemes, including the Garry-Moriston transmission, the Breadalbane transmission, the Moriston project, the Fort Augustus–Glen Trium transmission, the Cowal project extension, and the Kilmelfort project. As evidence of this blooming relationship, several members were invited to the Duke of Edinburgh’s opening of the Glen Affric scheme, where he remarked how impressed he was by the efforts taken to preserve amenities and natural beauty.

As part of the lead up to Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, the APRS worked with tree planting groups across Scotland to plant flowering trees in commemoration.

1954 

APRS report into afforestation of slag heaps; APRS report to Minister of State on coasts of creating Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park; collaboration with Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes to increase bus routes in rural areas

An APRS report was drafted on the afforestation of slag heaps, with the goal of determining if areas despoiled by mining could be re-greened. This report was sent to several county councils, including the East Lothian council and Fife council, who expressed their interest and began experimental planning on old slag sites. 

The APRS and SCNP worked on estimating the cost of creating a Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and sent a report on to the Minister of State.

The Scottish Women’s Rural Institute collaborated with the APRS to request increased bus services in rural Scotland, which would improve the lives of people living in the countryside and allow them better access to the cities without needing a car.

Two years after APRS celebrated its 25th Anniversary (in 1952) APRS added ‘Founded in 1926’ to its logo, moving back its date of establishment by a year. ‘Founded in 1926’ remained on the logo until 1973. A letter to the Scotsman, written by Frank Mears in December 1926, which mooted the possibility of the establishment of an equivalent to CPRE seemed to become the moment they said APRS was established.

Lord Dundee, in his speech to the APRS AGM explained APRS’s aims in these terms:

“The object of the Association, Lord Dundee said, was not to protest against changes in the appearance of the country or even some measure of industrialisation, but rather to ensure that these changes which are inevitable or desirable should be carried out with good design, good taste, and with full regard for Scottish character and  Scottish tradition. The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and the Forestry Commission, he supposed, had come in for most criticism from lovers of rural Scotland, but they were doing work absolutely vital to the future prosperity of Scotland, and, if that work was carried out with imagination and care, it could make this country more beautiful.”

1957

“Foreign visitors to this country are amazed at the way litter is strewn about both in town and country. On the Continent this state of affairs is almost unknown. I was told recently by a visitor to the Scandinavian countries that the only anti-litter warning notice to be seen was printed in English! 

The suggested slogan for this year is- 

“TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME.”