The actor who plays Jamie Fraser, the lead role in TV drama Outlander spoke to the National newspaper about how he feels about the rush to build hyperscale AI data centres in Scotland, showing his support for campaigners. “The rest of the world hears you” he said.
This story was initially in the National Heughan speaks out against AI data centre boom
and subsequently covered in:
East Lothian Courier, and many other local papers
In the interview Sam said:
“It’s a short sighted money-grab. Putting money in the pockets of large corporations and landowners and thinking nothing of the long-term effect to the countryside, water sources and communities that live there.
“These decisions are a huge mistake for Scotland.”
“Scotland attracts millions of visitors each year bringing in vast revenue, all drawn to the untouched and unspoilt landscape.
“The local communities are fighting to protect future generations, so that they will all be able to enjoy what Scotland has to offer whilst protecting public health from a multitude of proven and also as yet unknown illness, noise pollution, water pollution, toxic waste, increased utility costs and turning our beautiful nature spots into industrial wasteland.”
“Scotland has set a legally binding target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045,” Heughan said, arguing that the goal “to reduce emissions through key areas like home heating, transport, and renewable energy” is not compatible with the data centre rollout.
“The science and research behind the proposals have been rushed through by large corporations, not taking into account any long term or localised consequences. We must not allow outside corporations to exploit our green ambitions by proposing industrial-scale AI data centres beside residential homes, care homes and hospitals,”
“Larbert and the whole of Scotland deserves better care for the nation. We can’t allow big tech individuals or companies to profit while our communities are left to bear the generational consequences.”
He told The National that if he could send a message to the First Minister and the Scottish Government, it would be a warning that “this is short term gain for very few”.
“Scotland will lose the very thing that attracts people to its land.
“We have so much to offer, we should be encouraging development and business that works with communities and enhances our natural resources, rather than sell them off for a short term fix with long term detrimental affect.”
To the campaigners, he urged they continue to make “as much noise as possible. The rest of the world hears you.”
📸 Stewart Attwood