ALLT DUINE: A WIND FARM TOO FAR
Public Inquiry about to commence
“This is the equivalent of building a Tesco in the Grand Canyon – you just wouldn’t
dream of it!”
After widespread opposition, the controversial Allt Duine wind farm proposal on the very edge of the Cairngorms
National Park will be examined at a public local inquiry commencing on Monday 22nd October for two weeks at
the Peregrine Suite, Macdonald Resort, Aviemore.
The inquiry will see the bulk of the objectors – the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Highland Council,
John Muir Trust, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society –
debate the merits of constructing a 31 turbine wind farm in the Monadhliath Mountains; an area of outstanding
wild land as yet largely untouched by human industrialisation.
The site lies just a few hundred metres from the Cairngorms National Park boundary, with the permanent access
and cabling route beginning within the National Park itself. The site reception and temporary construction
compound will also lie within the boundary of the National Park. The construction of approximately 7.5km of
access roads within the Park will have a significant effect on the landscape fabric of the Park (includes brand new
and significant enlargement of existing tracks). These tracks will be approximately 5m wide, with greater width at
passing places and the turns as they switchback their way up the steep slopes inside the National Park.
Outdoor author, photographer and former President of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, Chris Townsend,
will be giving evidence at the inquiry:
“This scheme is one of eleven wind farms planned for construction near or on the edge of the
National Park. If RWE are granted permission, the repercussions for wild land and the Scottish
landscape in general will be devastating. Wind farms are not the most attractive of things, so
they’re never going to be built without some controversy, but spoiling a landscape like Allt Duine
has to be a step too far. Once we have a wind farm on the boundary of a national park with
7.5km of access tracks in the park itself, what next? This is the equivalent of building a Tesco in
the Grand Canyon – you just wouldn’t dream of it!”
Renowned mountaineer, Cameron McNeish, who is also supporting the SMM campaign, commented:
“What we hope the inquiry will recognise is that to build this wind farm would be to sacrifice
one of the greatest things our country has to offer – our heritage – solely to meet the demands
of multi-national firms and land owners. We need to prioritise this area and protect the
mountains that provide many of its residents’ livelihoods.”
Following the construction of this wind farm, it is estimated that the equivalent of just six full-time jobs will be
created. As it stands, the majority of the area’s workforce operates within the tourism sector, with tourismrelated businesses accounting for about a third of the local economy. Once this development is complete,
however, far more than six jobs will be lost for those working in this industry, due to detrimental effects the 125m
high turbines will have on the Cairngorms National Park’s visual amenity. It is the natural beauty of this landscape
that brings tourists (including high net worth) individuals to the Highlands and keeps the area’s economy afloat.
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Speaking at the forthcoming public inquiry will be a representative of Kincraig Community Council, which, in spite
of the aforementioned, has pledged its support for the Allt Duine wind farm development. Given that they are
responsible for the welfare of an area so heavily reliant on tourism and the fact it has been recognised that the
presence of these turbines will reduce the area’s tourist appeal, many are surprised by their position.
The motivations of the host estates, who have no concern for climate change or the reduction of harmful
pollution, and who are set to benefit to the tune of about £40m, and the basis for the support of Kincraig
Community Council are matters that will be considered in detail at the forthcoming public inquiry.
Who opposes the application and why?
RWE Npower Renewables’ public consultation demonstrated that the vast majority of the public who submitted
views are against the plans, with 140 out of 163 concerned over the tourism and socio-economic issues that the
development will raise.

48% of representations felt the visual impact on wildness in the area was a concern.

38% felt that the change in landscape character would be an issue.

28% felt that leisure / recreation interests could be in jeopardy.

59/163 people felt that the planned site – given that is so close to the national park and will be seen from
neighbouring viewpoints – is a crucial issue.
The application is also opposed by three significant statutory consultees – the Scottish Environment Protection
Agency, Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and Highland Council – plus the John Muir Trust, the
Mountaineering Council of Scotland, Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society and, the Glenfeshie, Kinrara and
Pitmain estates. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has expressed considerable concerns (see below).
The widespread opposition is entirely directed to one aim, namely to protect the Monadhliath Mountains and the
Cairngorms National Park.
What is Scottish Natural Heritage’s position?
Scottish Natural Heritage do not object only because of operational protocols, although we contend that if the
application was not on the very edge of the National Park boundary, SNH would oppose the application too.
As the John Muir Trust state in their statement of case: “It is the opinion of the John Muir Trust that Scottish
Natural Heritage would have objected to this proposal had they been doing a combined assessment for the
Cairngorms National Park and the Monadhliath Search Area for Wild Land, given that this application would be, in
that instance, clearly of National Importance.”
As the SNH stated in a letter on 13 April 2011: “To avoid any doubt, the fact that we did not comment on impacts
on the National Park and NSA does not mean that we think they raise no natural heritage issues of national
importance. Rather, it means that we agreed with CNPA, as a sister national body, that they are better placed to
advise on them.”
Who supports the application?
The host estates – Balavil, Dunachton, Alvie and Dalraddy – and Kincraig Community Council.
What do you make of Kincraig Community Council’s support for the scheme?
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The motivations of the host estates, who have no concern for climate change or the reduction of harmful
pollution, and who are set to benefit to the tune of about £40m, and the basis for the support of Kincraig
Community Council are matters that will be considered in detail at the forthcoming public inquiry.
Have the host estates disclosed their true motivations?
Yes, quite openly. In their statement of case they disclosed they will derive an income of £40m between them
over 25 years, that “there is no guarantee that all of the rental and other net income to the 4 Estates will be spent
locally” and that the project will create “6 full time job equivalents.” (see question below)
“It is estimated that rental income received by the 4 Estates from the proposed wind farm is likely to be in the
region of £40 million over a period of 25 years.”
“This is based on 31 turbines of 3 MW capacity (93 MW total) at 32% efficiency. If the 31 turbines are 2.3 MW
capacity (71.3 MW total) at 25% efficiency the anticipated income will be in the region of £25.6 million.”
“...RWE Npower Renewables Ltd. [say] there will be additional income into the locality from the construction
activity which is envisaged to require around 100 jobs over an 18 to 24 month period... Over the 25 years of
operation there should be 6 full time job equivalents created by this project.”
It should be noted that i). the Estates have not presented any evidence on alternatives considered by them at any
stage; ii). wind farms generate very little permanent employment, unless one counts the turbine and blade
makers in other parts of the world. During construction, the balance of civils contracts can provide short-term,
local employment; iii). there is no indigenous large scale wind turbine or blade manufacturing plant in the UK.
How much revenue will the Allt Duine wind farm generate?
31 turbines x 3 MW x 8760 hours in a year = 814680 installed capacity x 25% (possibly lower) efficiency =
203670MWh/annum actual output x 25 years (life of wind farm) = 50,917,500MWh for the lifetime of the wind
farm x £100/MWh earnings = £509,175,000
In summary, at 25% effiecency, the wind farm would generate just over half a billion pounds.
This means that only 7% of the revenues goes to the host estates and 93% out of the UK to the German-owned
RWE Npower Renewables Ltd.
What do you think about the RWE community fund?
The community fund is not a determining issue in the public inquiry. What is it anyway? Compensation for
adverse effects and if so, how do they work out who should be compensated? Will the fund compensate
mountaineers and walkers whose enjoyment of the hills would be spoiled?
Any community benefit offered by RWE Npower Renewables – whether a community cash incentive or a financial
kick back to the landowner – has to be seen in the light of the medium-to-long term.
Recent research into tourism attitudes commissioned by the Highland Council and VisitScotland shows that
“unspoilt landscapes” – Allt Duine, the Monadhliath Mountains and the Cairngorms National Park – are by far the
most popular reason for visitors to come to the Highlands. No amount of short-termism will restore the beautiful
landscape once it has been industrialised.
How will this effect the Cairngorns National Park?
The site lies hundreds of metres from the Cairngorms National Park boundary, with the permanent access and
cabling route beginning within the National Park itself. The site reception and temporary construction compound
will also lie within the boundary of the National Park.
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The construction of approximately 7.5km of access roads within the Park will have a significant effect on the
landscape fabric of the Park (includes brand new and significant enlargement of existing tracks). These tracks will
be approximately 5m wide, with greater width at the turns as they switchback their way up the steep slopes
inside the National Park.
As the Park Authority stated in their statement of case: “While just outside the boundary, the turbines would be
highly visible from some of the most significant mountain summits in Scotland forming part of a mountain range
which is the only one in Scotland to lend its name to National Park status.”
“…the location of this windfarm would result in significant non-mitigable impacts on the landscape character and
visual amenity of the Park…”
“…Allt Duine would represent a step change in the cumulative effect of wind farms on the western and northern
sides of the National Park.”
“The decision… should take into account the reasons for designation of the Park, the adverse visual impacts of
such developments upon the Park and its special qualities, and the sensitivity of the landscape and the
surroundings of the Park to a development of this scale and proximity to the Park.”
“The CNPA Local Plan… Policy 6 (Landscape)… [makes it] clear that there will be a presumption against
development that does not complement and enhance the character of the Park. This policy applies directly to the
access track and associated infrastructure… construction of approximately 16km of access roads within the Park
resulting in a significant effect on the landscape fabric of the Park. The CNPA argues that this cannot conserve and
enhance the landscape of the Park.”
National Parks (Scotland Act) 2000 Section 2 designation assessment conditions: “…outstanding national
importance because of its national heritage or the combination of its natural and cultural heritage… that the area
has a distinctive character and a coherent identity… designating the area as a National Park would meet the
special needs of the area and would be the best means of ensuring that the National Park aims are collectively
achieved…”
“The whole of the Park has the same level of national importance by virtue of its designation as a National Park.”
For all media enquiries: please contact John Stevenson on 07824 621 756 or
savemonadhliathmountains@gmail.com
Notes to editor:
1. The SMM campaign believes the s.36 application should be turned down in order to:
Defend the setting of the Monadhliath Mountains and National Park for future generations – the
individual and cumulative impact of successive wind farms on the Monadliaths and the Park is
deeply worrying. Allt Duine is one of 11 developments (proposed or currently under construction)
on the edge of the National Park.
Protect local wildlife – in particular, the applicant’s own Environmental Statement shows direct
impacts on key bird species including European protected Golden Eagle pairs. The two Golden Eagle
home-ranges, Alvie and SP11, are both tree-nesting and represent 11% of this population in
Scotland. These key species must be protected.
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Safeguard jobs in tourism and recreational activities – the wind turbines will be visible from
summits inside the National Park, the Monadhliath Mountains, the Strathdearn Hills, the Meall A
Buachaille ridge, and Cromdale, Gaick, Dalnamein and the Atholl forest as well as from key paths
enjoyed by walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
Stem the continuing loss of Scotland’s dwindling wild land resources – the amount of Scotland
visually unaffected by built developments has decreased from 41% in 2002 to 28% in 2009, with
wind farms being the main contributor to this dramatic reduction.
Preserve priority habitats on the Scottish biodiversity list – these include blanket bog, wet heath,
dry heath and lichen-rich heaths that will be in the path of the proposed access tracks leading to the
wind farm site beginning with habitats in the National Park itself.
2. Who supports the Save Monadhliath Mountains campaign?
The SMM campaign represents the views of a wide range of people, including mountaineers, hill-walkers,
conservationists, tourism businesses, ornithologists and local communities.
Renowned mountaineer, writer and broadcaster, Cameron McNeish; outdoor author, photographer and
former President of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, Chris Townsend; Chief Officer of The
Mountaineering Council of Scotland, David Gibson , and Chief Executive of the John Muir Trust, Stuart Brooks,
are all backing the campaign, which in addition receives support from over 1,482 individuals and
organisations Scottish Campaign for National Parks, Scotland-Landscapes, Walk Highlands, UKHillwalking.com,
MyOutdoors.co.uk and key local estates are just a few examples of those backing the Save the Monadhliath
Mountains campaign.
3. A little about the Monadhliath Mountains
The Monadhliath Mountains are a range of mountains running in a northeast to southwest direction, the
mountains lie on the western side of Strathspey, to the West of the Cairngorms and to the South East of Loch
Ness. There are four Munros in the Monadhliath mountains, including Carn Dearg (945m), A’ Chailleach
(930m), Geal Charn (926m) and Carn Sguilan (920m). A’ Chailleach is in close proximity to the proposed
development, and locations near the summit will have line of sight to the wind-power stations. This summit is
part of a popular walking route for hill-walkers.
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