Two items from the news today caught my eye: a resurgence in the number of migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Europe and the slack nature of the Scottish economy.
At our Bible Study the other evening we were discussing how we might respond to the refugee crisis. Someone came up with a suggestion that would address both issues: that two new towns of 100,000 residents each should be created in the northwest Highlands, which refugees from the Middle East and North Africa should be invited to occupy.
What a way to secure 200 years of land reform, re-populating the glens that were emptied by the Clearances with a new generation of migrants. The gentleman whose idea this was further remarked that, while their eviction can never be justified, many of the Highlanders who were forced out prospered in the nations which received them. Should we not expect that those whom we would welcome, might enjoy a similar renaissance to our mutual benefit?