Conservation group the John Muir Trust has expressed disappointment in the vote of the Highland Council's South Planning Applications Committee to accept the Stronelairg wind development subject to conditions and called on the Scottish Government to make sure that a full public inquiry now takes place. “We are disappointed that the majority of councillors chose to ignore expert opinion from bodies which include Scottish Natural Heritage, the Cairngorms National Park, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the John Muir Trust,” said Helen McDade, the John Muir Trust Head of Policy. “But despite this setback, the fight to save the Monadhliath…

Danish businessman and conservationist, Anders Povlsen, has increased his holding of Scottish wild land by purchasing the 20,000 Gaick Estate in the Cairngorms. Mr Povlsen already owns the neighbouring Glenfeshie Estate and has pioneered a number of measures aimed at increasing the bio-diversity of the area, including efforts to re-generate the natural forest and reduce red deer numbers. The Gaick Estate was previously owned by the French designer-goods heir Xavier Louis Vuitton who has also recently sold the nearby Dalchully Estate at Laggan.  Whilst some of his land management ideas have proved controversial, Anders Povlsen has generally been seen as…