​Scotland's wildest areas threatened by three massive windfarm developments says trust

Conservation charity the John Muir Trust has written to energy minister Fergus Ewing urging him to refuse consent to three huge windfarms in official Scottish Government Wild Land Areas (SWAs).

Glencassley and Sallachy wind farms would both be sited on the west side of Loch Shin, within Wild Land Area 34.

The two developments would involve 45 turbines, each three times the height of the Skye Bridge, along with over 30km of new access tracks, and other infrastructure.

A third development, Allt Duine, would consist of a further 31 turbines, all located within Wild Area 20, which covers the scenic Monadhliath Mountains.

The letter, from trust chair Peter Pearson, points out that the Scottish Government has already rejected Glenmorie windfarm in Easter Ross on the grounds that it would have a detrimental impact on wild land

He states: “This refusal sent a strong message to developers that it is inappropriate to bring forward large-scale wind developments in areas now recognised in Scottish Planning Policy as nationally important for their wild land qualities.”

The letter goes on to ask the energy minister “to make the same decision and refuse consent for the Allt Duine, Glencassley and Sallachy wind farms, all of which impact significantly on Scotland’s flagship Wild Land Areas.”

Wild land areas are the most extensive areas of high wildness in the country, established by Scottish Natural Heritage.

They are identified as nationally important in Scottish planning policy but are not a statutory designation.