COMMENT
Happy New Year...
...and now the bad news
Another wind-factory application with a deadline that has been extended to near the end of January; too late for this issue of Scottish Mountaineer but still worth writing to object. This time it's in the heart of Ross and Cromarty, 43 turbines, 120m high situated between Loch Glascarnoch and Loch Luichart at GR NH32576788 with a generating capacity of a stated 129 MW. It will be clearly seen from every prominent hill coast to coast. The ground is part of the Lochluichart Estate and the scheme is under the auspices of LZN ltd and the plans can be viewed at the planning department at Dingwall, Lochluichart PO, Garve PO, The Scottish Executive Library, Saughton House, Edinburgh and of course Highland Council in Inverness. Perhaps not so convenient if you live anywhere else but for a mere £100 you can phone LZN and get the Environmental Statement or for a more modest £20 get it on CD at 01202 856800 and the best of luck. They make depressing reading with the landscape projections almost obscured by a mistiness that Landseer himself would be proud of.
Naturally this and the associated Corriemoilllie proposal (another clutch of turbines proposed near Achnasheen) will heavily rely on the projected pylon line from Ardmair to Beauly which in turn feeds into the Beauly to Denny line. I hope you have objected in the strongest possible terms to this as it has been on our website for some time. The Highlands are slowly and inexorably being turned into an industrialised unit for power that is variable at best and serves those living far away form the source. At hand it benefits the few to the prejudice of the many and most of all it is to the detriment of the Scottish Highlands which deserve better.
If you feel strongly about what appears to be inappropriate development happening to areas you care for, then object and get others who care for this land to object too. There are many proposed schemes waiting in the wings especially in areas not deemed to be of 'designated' importance. In themselves this may be true but the knock-on effect is that these areas are close to those that are and the visual intrusion will be ultimately vast.
The Country lacks an overall plan for renewables and so we are left with the option of fire fighting each and every one that are in areas of beauty. Never since the days of the projected hydro scheme on the Dubh loch in the heart of Letterewe has there been a need to be more vigilant and be more proactive in protecting an area of the World which is priceless. There are more efficient and less destructive ways of generating power than in industrialising the Highlands. The MCofS needs you and your support; if you are not a Member, then join us and if you are and haven't objected to these schemes then please do; every objection counts.
In the meantime, I hope you have all had a good New Year and Festive season and that this winter will bring plenty of opportunity to get on the hills.
John Mackenzie
(President)