As an Irishman there’s a risk that what I’m about to say will result in an exclusion order placed on me the next time I try to return to the land where I was raised.

You see, whilst I consider Ireland beautiful - stunning, dramatic, mystical and breathtaking - my adopted homeland Scotland is even more gorgeous, more awe-inspiring.

Scotland’s landscape dares best the poetry of the glens, rivers, mountains and loughs that run from Antrim’s coast to the foot of Cork.

We Irish pride ourselves on the natural splendour of our island, so it’s quite the step for one of us to admit Scotland takes the prize.

I’ve lived here 30 years, however, so that cauterises my self-inflicted wound somewhat. In a way, I feel as Scottish as I do Irish.

It’s this love that’s grown in me towards the beauty of Scotland which makes me shake my head at the behaviour of the SNP government.

Right now, I’m mystified that the custodians of this country behave so carelessly towards our landscape.

Here’s two events which demand that you question whether our government ministers take the same pride in Scotland’s natural beauty as the rest of us.

Read more on the Loch Lomond Shores / Flamingoland saga:

First, there’s the go-ahead for Flamingo Land at Loch Lomond despite local opposition and concerns among experts. Then secondly, there’s the scrapping of plans for a new Scottish national park.

It does seem that beauty, landscape and the environment aren’t exactly top of the SNP’s priorities.

Let’s look at Flamingo Land........

© Herald Scotland