Meeting at Glenmore Lodge, mountaineers condemned proposals by Scottish and Southern Energy to erect 50 metre high pylons through the mountains from near Ullapool to Beauly and then by Fort Augustus to the central belt at Denny.

At its AGM on June 18th Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) members voted unanimously to support a motion urging the MCofS, its affiliated clubs and individual members to object to the proposed Ullapool to Beauly and Beauly to Denny pylons. Members also voted in favour of a second motion to express concern that the Government’s proposed new compulsory planning powers might be used to force through building pylons and wind farms in wild mountainous areas.

The two motions were raised on behalf of the Aberdeen based Cairngorm Club by the club’s President Ian Bryce.

Following the AGM, MCofS President, John Mackenzie, said:

“The MCofS Executive Committee welcomes the Cairngorm Club motions, because the proposed pylon line represents a monumental threat to Scotland’s mountain landscapes, and the AGM debate and subsequent vote gives us tremendous confidence that we have the support of our membership in opposing the proposed pylons.”

Access and Conservation Officer, Mike Dales, said:

“The proposed pylons are not just being opposed by the mountaineering community; they are stirring up vociferous opposition from local communities from Ullapool to Denny. If the developers and Scottish Executive insist on pushing ahead with this plan they can expect to face considerable opposition as the fight to protect our precious landscapes really hots up.”

Speaking after the Cairngorm Club motions had been passed at the AGM, Ian Bryce said:

“I welcome the decision. This pylon route does not make economic sense as the cost benefit to the economy of wild mountain scenery has not been considered. As a civil engineer I realise that compromise is sometimes needed, but these huge pylons, some 2 or 3 times higher than existing pylons, will spoil the landscape for tourists, mountaineers and locals. Access roads will be required for construction. It seems ironic that as the new outdoor access legislation has only just been introduced that the mountain landscape could be severely damaged. The pylons would be 50 metres high and run from Ardmair Bay (north of Ullapool) to Beauly and then to Denny. This route would affect Ben More Coigach, Ardmair Bay, Ullapool, Loch Broom, Beinn Dearg, the Fannichs, Fort Augustus to Errochty, the Corrieyarrick Pass and the Laggan Hills to name but a few. Our mountain scenery is too valuable to be spoilt to save Scottish and Southern Energy money. A concerted effort to oppose this pylon line is needed by all individuals and clubs who are concerned at the environmental impact of huge pylon lines on our mountains. I urge all concerned to write a short letter in their own words. They should ask their MSPs to object to the Minister regarding this proposed new 400 KV Pylon Line.”

The MCofS will be keeping mountaineers informed of progress with the pylons and wind factory issues via this website.

23 June 2005

previous responses from MCofS
Details of the proposals, including maps, are available on the Scottish and Southern Energy website.    (use the Site Map to navigate their site)