The proposal

Based upon our preliminary review of the planning application, the developers purpose to build a wind farm on the Hill of Nigg. It will have an output of up to 10MW, with five turbines, each with a height of 125 metres (410 feet) from base to blade tip.

It will, they say, provide electricity for around 7.500 homes, an unexplained increase over the 6,000 homes stated in previous publicity. The operating period is to be 25 years. The output will be supplied to the National Grid and will not be available for local consumption.

The site and location

The five turbines will be located on the northern part of the Hill of Nigg, near Rarichie. The base of the lowest turbine will be 160 metres above sea level, and the highest, 200 metres, giving a maximum height above sea level of 325 metres (about 1,000 feet!). The turbines will be within one mile of residential housing.

The effect upon our landscape

The generally flat surrounding country means that these turbines will be highly visible. They will dominate the skyline of settlements at the seaboard villages of Balintore, Hilton and Shandwick, and likewise at Chapelhill and Pitcalnie, Arabella and Fearn, as well as the view for locals and tourists approaching the Hill of Nigg from the A9 road. Imagine what length of shadow these large objects will cast over the area, especially in the winter months.