The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has said it will fight proposals to construct a wind farm in Rannoch.

It has said the plans threaten the "iconic wild landscape" of the area and will ruin views from the mountains.

The Talladh-a-Bheithe wind farm, which would be located on an estate of the same to the north-east of Rannoch Moor, is being proposed within an area identified as being of "nationally important environmental interest" under Scottish Planning Policy, which, in turn, the MCofS says calls for "significant protection" from development for such areas.

It is now calling for Scottish Ministers to reject planning permission for the scheme.

Talladh-a-Bheithe Wind Farm Ltd has submitted plans to construct 24 wind turbines as well as the associated access tracks, buildings and infrastructure on an area of raised moorland between Loch Rannoch and Loch Ericht. If approved, MCofS has argued that the development would affect views from Schiehallion, the Ben Alder massif, the mountains above Glen Lyon and Loch Tay and the Drumochter Pass, as well as being visible from the main A82 on the far side of Rannoch Moor.

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David Gibson, MCofS Chief Officer, said: "We support the Scottish Government's drive to develop renewable energy in all its forms and have welcomed the new planning policy which aims to balance the need for renewable energy with significant protection for Wild Land. This proposal presents Ministers with the opportunity to prove they are serious about protecting our most precious wild landscapes.

"Schiehallion, Rannoch Moor and the route to Glencoe all have a very special place in people's hearts and in Scottish culture, and this proposal would affect an area which has a unique landscape character offering panoramic views over a fantastic area of wild land. It is a stunning landscape vista which is very sensitive to any form of intrusive human activity and an increasingly rare and valuable experience in Scotland.

"Any presumed benefit from this development would be far outweighed by the damage it would do to such a distinctive landscape which is vital not only to highland Perthshire's identity but also to Scotland's international image."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Talladh-a-Bheithe Wind Farm Ltd said: "Our proposals have developed throughout an extensive consultation process in response to community and statutory consultee feedback.

"We have worked hard with our team of technical experts over the last six years to develop a carefully balanced project and have sought to design the wind farm in a natural bowl of the estate – minimising views of the turbines from key areas around Loch Rannoch.

"Should our proposals be consented, they will make a valuable contribution towards Scottish and UK Government energy targets."

(JP/IT)