Campaign launched to stop Kinlochbervie wind farm 'wrecking' landscape beside North Coast 500
Locals vow to protect “one of Scotland’s most treasured unspoilt landscapes” from 200m-high turbines
Developers planning a wind farm in the north west Highlands would be “wrecking the landscape”, according to opponents who have launched a campaign against 18 turbines whose blades would reach 200m (656ft) off the ground.
Keep Kinlochbervie Special is seeking to halt the proposed site beside the A838 section of the North Coast 500 tourist route close to the Sutherland village, which it described as “one of Scotland’s most treasured unspoilt landscapes”.
The campaign, which has attracted support from residents, community groups and local businesses, said the Galileo Empower scheme would be visible from 50 miles away and need at least 20 miles of pylons to connect it to the national grid.
It claimed the wind farm would only guarantee “a handful of long-term jobs” while “risking lasting damage to the very environment, industries and way of life that already sustain this community”.
The campaigners said the site was within a designated wild land area, with part of it was bordered by the Foinaven site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation.
Nature Scot has confirmed it is likely to object to the scheme if a planning application is submitted.
Kinlochbervie crofter Susan Black said: “This is totally the wrong place for a development on this scale.
“The turbines would be visible for miles around, including at night, as they will require aviation lighting.
“The most iconic view in Sutherland, of Foinaven, Arkle and Stack, will now have wind turbines and pylon lines right across it. People come from all over the world to look at this view. It is devastating.
“Kinlochbervie is known for its natural beauty and tranquillity. Wrecking the landscape would destroy the fragile economy and the sustainable tourism businesses that are just starting to gain a foothold here.
“People are horrified by this scheme and they feel their concerns have been totally ignored.”
Margaret Meek, secretary of the Kinlochbervie Community Company, accused the developers of poor communication.
She said: “The consultation events have been abysmal, with Galileo employees not able to answer the most basic questions.
“First, they claimed 12 jobs would be created locally, then they said those jobs would be ‘right across the Highlands’ – an area the size of Belgium. They don’t care at all about the local community.
“This is a massive industrial development that will totally change the landscape forever.”
Laura Petrie, senior project manager at Galileo Empower, said: “We are continuing to explore the possibility of developing an onshore wind farm on land owned by Kinlochbervie Estate and are still at the early stages of designing the best possible scheme.
“We have remained absolutely committed to being fully transparent with local residents about our plans from the outset of the project in late 2024.
“In addition to holding two rounds of public exhibitions in Kinlochbervie and Durness and one in Scourie, we have held a drop-in session, had a number one-to-one meetings with residents and attended community council meetings to give updates on the project and listen to the views of local people.
“The feedback we have received from the community is vitally important in helping us shape our plans."
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