Bute can be Britain’s first blue space claims scientist
5 July, 2012
The beautiful Isle of Bute has the potential to be designated as Britain’s first ‘blue space’ because of its healing properties, according to a top researcher.
Dr Ronan Foley of the Department of Geography, National University of Ireland, presented his findings to the Royal Geographical Society (with The Institute of British Geographers) Annual International Conference in Edinburgh.
He said: “There are thousands of acres of green spaces, but it’s time we started thinking of blue spaces – defined by blue sea and sky and fresh air - which have a therapeutic effect
“Bute is a healing island. Thousands of visitors from the west coast of Scotland have gone ‘doon the watter’ over the years for their health and well-being.”
Dr Foley pointed out that for more than 200 years Bute has been a setting for spas, sanatoriums, hydros, swimming pools and fresh air camps.
Visitors flocked to Bute from the late 18th century onwards. Right up until the 1970s children from tenements were sent to the island for health reasons, to exchange the grey of the city for blue sea and skies.
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