The Hidden Glasgow Forums

COUNCIL bosses have denied a disabled amateur photographer permission to take pictures in public parks.
Wheelchair-bound Alister Smith, of Kintore Towers, Whitlawburn, is a wildflower enthusiast and wanted to take pictures of blooms at Cambuslang Public Park.
However, the 54-year-old thought it best to seek permission from South Lanarkshire Council before attempting to snap the pictures.
Mr Smith, a former newsreader with BBC Scotland, thought obtaining permission would be a formality.

He was, therefore, stunned when he received a e-mail bluntly refusing the request.
Mr Smith said: “I decided to seek permission because 10 years ago a friend of mine, from Canada, was accosted by two rangers in Kelvingrove Park.
“They said he needed permission to take pictures.
“He told me about this so I decided to seek permission.
“I don’t want to go into the park and have park attendants coming up and thinking I’m a terrorist or a paedophile.
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“I sent the email last week and the reply was quite categorical: just a plain ‘no.’ I was shocked.
“George Orwell was spot on.”
Mr Smith also wrote to Scotrail and Network Rail who were happy to accommodate his wish to take pictures at any of their stations.
He also wrote to Glasgow City Council and was told to identify parts of any parks he wants to photograph, what he wants to photograph and when he intends to take the pictures.
Mr Smith said all he wanted to do in his local park was take pictures of greenery.
“(South Lanarkshire) council’s decision means I will have to travel further a field which, in a wheelchair, can be quite awkward,” he added.
“I want to take pictures of the wild flowers, trees and plants. I’m particularly interested in wildflowers.
“Before I go to Glasgow and before I travel on the train I have to give 24 hours notice to Scotrail. I can travel on the buses as well but from time to time you’ll get problems.”
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council said: “If a photographer takes a photograph of an individual that is the individual’s personal information and they must give consent to its use.
“It would be very difficult for the council to ensure that consent has been given therefore it opens the council to complaints and possible litigation.
“It is potentially an infringement of other people’s human rights as they have a right to privacy in their daily life and it is also a breach of the data protection act.”

HelenD wrote:Go careful when you get to SLC; they're paranoid and litigious. Fortunately, there's nothing worth photographing within their curtilege.

An Aberdeen man has admitted taking more than 70,000 photos of women walking past his flat.

Oil worker Andrew Lawrence, 45, admitted breach of the peace by taking the shots without their permission.