Conservation charity John Muir Trust is to give evidence at a public local inquiry (PLI) into a proposed new wind farm development in the Highlands.

Developer RES is proposing to build 13 turbines inside Wild Land Area 19 (Braeroy-Glen Shirra – Creag Meagaidh). However, a PLI was triggered after the Highland Council objected to the planning application in December 2015.

Scottish Natural Heritage also opposed the Culachy wind farm scheme, pointing out that it would mean the loss of seven square kilometres of the Wild Land Area.

In addition, the organisation said the height of the turbines would "be out of scale with the landscape" as 12 of the 13 turbines would be almost 150 metres tall, among the highest anywhere in Scotland.

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Helen McDade, Head of Policy for the John Muir Trust, who will give evidence at the PLI, said a wind farm based at the site on the scale proposed by RES would "fundamentally change its character".

"The Corrieyairack Pass is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and is a popular route where families, mountain bikers and less experienced hillwalkers can get taste of wild Scotland," she said.

"A wind farm on the scale proposed by RES would fundamentally change its character, and further erode a major area of wild land to the south and east of Loch Ness which has been steadily industrialised in recent years. Wild land is recognised in Scotland's National Planning Framework as 'a nationally important asset'.

"The Trust supports the Government's aim of reducing carbon emissions by the most effective methods, and does not dispute the need for renewable energy projects. However, we do not believe that the Culachy windfarm is necessary to achieve these goals.

"Nor do we believe that this application is compatible with Scottish Planning Policy, which calls for wild land to be safeguarded against wind developments which significantly affect the character of the landscape."

The Culachy PLI is taking place at the Lovat Hotel, Fort Augustus between 25 – 28 April.

(LM)