PRINCE CHARLES yesterday used a Perthshire conference to call for greater reliance on tidal and wave power.

In a message to the Sustaining Wild Land conference in Pitlochry, organised by the John Muir Trust, the prince spoke in glowing terms about the “infinite variety of landscapes and rich diversity of habitats” across the country.

He acknowledged that the damage being done to the planet through climate change needs to be addressed but all options need to be explored.

Speaking as patron of the trust in an area currently subject to a slew of wind farm proposals, he said, “Our cherished wild places are today important refuges for wildlife and give people the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of the natural world.

“Many of us in our busy modern-day lives need to find the time to refresh our minds and souls and to enjoy the life-enhancing qualities that wild land provides.

“One of the essential features of wild lands is their permanence and the sense of timelessness they evoke. So it is essential that we regard such places as more than a material resource for our use.”

“The John Muir Trust is now 21 years old—and in that period I have been patron for some time—but in that time it has made significant progress in managing wild land.”

He went on, “As we move into the 21st century, we face some serious and urgent environmental challenges—both in our global responsibilities and also to our local surroundings.

“This year has seen some of the worst flooding on record in the British Isles and one can’t help but sense that we are undermining nat-ure’s capacity to cope with the pressure which we are placing on her.

“In many parts of the world, governments and businesses are now working hard to reduce our impact on the global environment by seeking to increase the proportion of power generated from renewable resources.

“Together with promoting energy efficiency this is essential, but I believe that great increases in renewable energy can and must be achieved without threatening the unique qualities of our most highly valued wild landscapes. In this regard it must surely be sensible to pay greater attention to the potential of tidal and wave power generation in an island surrounded by such gifts from nature.”