Dear ............. ,

I am deciding how I will vote in the coming election and am writing to find out your views on the following matters, which are most important to my friends and myself.

Wild Life Crime

We continually read of poisoned birds of prey. What are your views on tougher penalties for perpetrators and also tougher penalties for the estates where they may work. It is a nonsense for estate owners to claim that they don't know that it's going on. They probably aren't involved but they could stop the poisoning if they wanted to.

Hill Tracks

Last year, Peter Peacock MSP and Sarah Boyack MSP promoted a petition and subsequent members' debate on the subject of control of hill tracks. The matter was debated and there is now public consultation on changes to the planning regime (General Permitted Development Order). I believe that we urgently need to stop the ongoing proliferation of hill tracks on our moorland and mountain areas. Where do you stand on this issue?

Protection of Wild Land

I believe that Scotland's wild land is unique; a priceless asset. It is a major draw for tourists, probably our major industry. Wild land is now under unprecedented pressure, often from short sighted economic developments, where a small short term gain is allowed to over-ride the long term disadvantage of reduced tourism and visitor income due to a degraded landscape. Local Athorities often, for many reasons, don't enforce the existing position with the powers that they have, being scared of appeal costs, wealthy and hence powerful landowners. Do you agree that wild land needs stronger legal protection and that local Authorities need pressure from Holyrood to fully enforce existing policies and legislation?

I look forward to receiving your reply.

Yours sincerely