Benbecula and South Uist

QinetiQ is the largest public sector employer in the Outer Hebrides and employs people from across the three interlinked islands of North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist.  The islands contain a highly educated and dedicated workforce, with low levels of staff turnover, and one of the highest numbers of graduates per capita in the UK.  There is a strong sense of community, offering families the benefits of a safe and secure environment with access to one of the most spectacular natural environments in the world.  The Outer Hebrides have retained a unique Gaelic culture represented in language, song and the oral tradition.

With a total population of around 4,500, the proposals for the Hebrides Range will devastate the future viability of these communities, and the schools, businesses and facilities within them.

There will also be a devastating impact on the future of St Kilda, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK with dual World Heritage status due to its natural and cultural significance. The National Trust for Scotland have stated that Qintetiqs proposal for the Hebrides Range will have a severe impact on the future management of St Kilda, placing the environmental and cultural heritage of the islands at risk.