Richard Blair, son of author, George Orwell, is throwing his weight behind a protest against a new trout farm off the west coast of Jura, Scotland.
On the isolated Hebridean island on Jura, Scotland, where the visionary author, George Orwell penned the words “War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength” for the seminal book, Nineteen Eighty-Four, there is a storm brewing.
According to Press and Journal, the author’s adopted son, retired engineer Richard Blair, has spoken out against proposals by Kames Fish Farming to raise sea trout near to the author’s former home.
Sea trout
The author would escape to the remote Scottish island several times to write his final work. In January 1950 just months after Nineteen Eighty-Four was published to immediate critical and popular, the author died at just 46 years old after battling tuberculosis.
Today the son’s author feels threatened over initial proposals for the development of the industrial-sized fish farm outline plans for around a dozen cages, 328 feet in diameter, which will hold more than 600,000 fish.
Room 101
Talking to the publication, Mr Blair said: “The natural beauty of the west coast of Jura is beyond compare.
“There are no fish farms around Jura, and this one should be opposed. I would be unhappy if it gets planning permission. The industry has not quite got the public onside.”
Kames Fish Farming managing director Stuart Cannon said: “Our proposal is at an early stage.
“Following comments – some encouraging, some less so – and in light of further consultation with the community, stakeholders and regulators, we may make adjustments to the proposal.
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“We may carry out further surveys and, after extensive research and consultation, may or may not make a formal application to the regulators.”
Eric Arthur Blair, took the name George Orwell to avoid embarrassing his family by sleeping rough during research for The Road to Wigan Pier. The book shocked the country with its tales of poverty in Northern England.
He adopted Richard just six years earlier, who is now the patron of the Orwell Society.
