The Scottish Government has given final approval to a 17 turbine windfarm at Lochluichart between Achnasheen and Garve.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland was one of the bodies who objected to the proposal on the grounds that the turbines would be visible over a wide area and therefore spoil a wild but popular area and due to the likely adverse effects on wildlife, biodiversity, and the disturbance of large amounts of peat currently acting as a carbon store. The MCofS said in their submission that, “the proposed wind farm would be visible from a large number of hills, including the popular Munros of An Teallach, Beinn Dearg, Slioch, Beinn Eighe, Ben Wyvis and Sgurr Mor (Fannaichs), and a variety of other hills in the surrounding area. It would thus adversely impact on the views from a wide variety of hills that are popular with an increasing number of walkers and climbers, many of whom visit the area from outwith Scotland.”
Energy Minister Jim Mather, who also has responsibility for tourism, said the project would help Scotland meet renewable power targets. He commented that, “This is exactly the type of project we need to drive our renewables ambitions for Scotland.”