Plans to expand a torpedo testing range in the west Highlands have prompted angry criticism from local politicians.
Highland SNP MSPs Dave Thompson and Rob Gibson have claimed that local fishing interests could be “swept aside by Westminster diktat” by the proposals between Applecross and Skye.
Submarine weapons systems are tested underwater at the sites off Kyle and in the Sound of Raasay.
Last week Philip Dunne, the minister for defence equipment, said the contractor firm which runs the site, QinetiQ, was planning to invest £22million in its research and testing facilities.
But the concerned SNP politicians have raised concerns that the size of the range in the Inner Sound between Applecross and Rona could be doubled which could have an impact on fishing.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) last night denied that a decision had already been taken and said they would begin a consultation with interested parties in the summer.
Mr Gibson, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, and Mr Thompson, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, have written a joint letter to the MoD seeking a meeting about the proposals.
Mr Gibson said: “Local static and mobile gear fishers in Wester Ross and around the Inner Sound are up in arms.
“There are channels of consultation that have been completely ignored by the MoD. We want a meeting on site in Shieldaig, Kyle of Lochalsh and Portree so that local fishers can quiz the defence minister. We have written to the MoD to seek this early meeting to open up a dialogue so that local fishing interests are not swept aside by Westminster diktat.”
Mr Thompson added, “A letter I received last November from the MoD suggested more investment in the range. It did not set out plans for the MoD to double the size of the exclusion area in the Inner Sound.
“This is an unwanted blow for fragile fishing jobs in areas that need every support and consultation.”
An MoD spokeswoman said: “It is absolutely not true to say that the MoD has already doubled the size of the protected areas of Raasay ranges. Consultation with local sea-users regarding the proposed expansion of the protected area is due to begin in June 2015 as part of the MOD Byelaw Review, led by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation, and no final decisions will be made before then.”