By Kevin Howett

The issue of the proliferation of wind farm applications continues with many more proposals being submitted than we can keep up with individually. Many concern areas of land that are not designated in any way for their special character or scenic quality, but would nonetheless have a major impact on the landscape of the countryside that many people enjoy, both local residents and tourists.

This was brought home to us in the office when a number of objections from local residents to two huge projects based on the hills of Highland Perthshire between Dunkeld and Amulree were copied to MCofS recently. One proposal is by I&H Brown at Calliachar for forty six 100m high turbines, whilst a nearby site in Griffin Forest will have eighty 122m high turbines, almost twice the height of the trees. The residents in Strathbraan and Glen Quaich are concerned about the scale of these proposals, their likely impact on the community and the wider area (for further information on this particular proposal email windfarminfo@ntlworld.com).

This has been quickly followed by a proposal by Catamount Energy and Force 9 Energy to erect 24 turbines of 104m height over 13 sq km on either side of the Sma Glen, north east of Crieff (the Abercairny Estate) a popular historical and tourist scenic spot. The developers here feel that the turbines will create a new point of interest on the A822 scenic tourist route! A Sma Glen Protection Group has been set up and although objections had to be made before 27th February you can find out more from the group by contacting sandy Black on 01764 681 730 or look at www.muthill.org.uk.

Clearly there is growing concern from the general public living in the countryside about wind farm issues, never mind from mountaineers. However, MCofS has initiated a short term project to keep track of applications from now until the end of June and to assess their effects on walking, climbing and mountaineering. We have taken on Keith Millar to coordinate any information over the next few months in order to prepare us for an informed discussion at our Annual Gathering on June 19th. Keith will also be establishing dedicated pages on this website to keep members informed of what is happening on this issue.

If you have information about wind farms (either proposed developments, deadlines for objections or accepted and planned developments) please send details to Keith. You can do this either via mail to the MCofS office or by email to info@mountaineering-scotland.org.uk.