Culloden Battlefield concerns voiced at latest consultations on Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) plans for super-pylon lines
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Threats to the sanctity of Culloden Battlefield and Inverness-shire's scenic beauty were among concerns voiced at a city consultation on £7 billion plans to upgrade electricity transmission infrastructure in the north of Scotland.
Members of the public attending the Kingsmills Hotel meeting on Wednesday gave a mixed reaction to a variety of local route options between Beauly and an area south of Nairn.
EXPLAINED: Why are Highland communities protesting about super-pylons?
But proximity to the protected National Trust for Scotland site of the last great battle on British soil and the potential for environmental “scarring” of the landscape were recurring themes among those who spoke outside the meeting.
Broader Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) proposals would see 400kV super-pylon lines run from Spittal in Caithness to Beauly and across to Peterhead.
Fanellan near Beauly would be the site of a giant new substation which local residents say would destroy the area’s beauty and rural character.
The plans have sparked outrage and bitter opposition within some Highland communities, with the group Communities B4 Power Companies leading protests.
There was a more muted response to the Inverness-shire proposals showcased at Wednesday's consultation which highlighted a variety of local route options.
The SSEN blueprints are part of the UK and Scottish Government’s Pathway to 2030 infrastructure proposals aimed at ensuring energy security by opening up new renewables potential to meet climate, de-carbonisation and net zero targets.
Almost all of those who spoke to the Courier outside the public meeting wished to remain anonymous.
One woman, who lives within the Culloden Battlefield conservation area, summed up the anxieties of a number of people at the meeting in raising concerns about the impact of super-pylons on nearby Culloden Battlefield.
She said: “My main question to SSEN’s staff was how were they going to protect the views around the battlefield.
“It is an internationally-recognised and renowned conservation area. In planning, they have been really strict about protecting the sanctity and atmosphere of the battlefield which, we must remember, is also a war grave.
“It is something the Scottish Government has kept a really close eye on. I suggested the route option nearest to the battlefield was not one they were going to get away with, but even the others nearby would affect the views if they took these huge pylons past there.
“I’m going to beg that they take some of them underground, at least for a few miles, because that is a view from the battlefield that tourists from all over the world come to see.
“When you stand there, you don’t look at the trees, you look at the hill.
“It is a beautiful view and to put giant pylons there would be a crying shame. To think they could put pylons the same size as those at Drumochter there is just unthinkable to me.”
A married couple, who raised concerns at the initial consultation last year, also voiced concerns over the potential impact on tourism and the natural environment.
One said: “We’re not so concerned about it from a personal point of view. It is not going to impact us where we live, as such.
“It is more about the general impact on tourism and scenery locally, not least the battlefield site.
“We promote the north and the Highlands as an area of outstanding natural beauty, which it is.
“People come from all over the world to visit and surely we don’t want them to arrive to see the landscape scarred by enormous pylons everywhere.
“We understand the needs of power supply, but we need more sensitivity to avoid scarring the landscape and damaging something that is quite unique.
“People really need to speak out now because, by the next stage after this, it might be too late.”
A young Inverness-shire farmer and landowner, who also runs an eco-tourism business, has been keen to take a non-confrontational stance with SSEN.
He said: “We've tried to get to as many of the consultations as we can and SSEN have been quite good in listening and keeping us informed.
“We’re concerned, mainly, by the visual impact. Beauly looks like it is going to become much more of a major hub for these lines to converge on.
“I do wonder if it is actually necessary at the moment. According to some research you read, we’re actually producing far more energy than we need. When you drive past wind farms, half the time they are actually turned off.
“So why are we building all of this infrastructure and why are so many new wind farms being erected? I’ve had no answers to those questions.
“We are very worried about the impact it will have on our business and on tourism considerations generally.
“It is a big Government infrastructure project and we know you are never going to be able to stop it completely, but we hope to do the best we can to minimise the effects.”
Not everyone came at the issue from a community-minded perspective
Another woman, who lives near Westhill, said: “My husband and I came along mainly just to see if any of the proposed lines ran near our own home. They don’t, so we’re not really concerned at all by what is being proposed."
Lesley Williams, secretary of Balloch Community Council, felt her main concerns had been addressed by speaking to SSEN staff.
She said: “It is not directly near where I live, but it is on the edge of our community council area.
“I would describe myself as interested more than concerned. I came with quite a few queries, all of which have been answered, and answered positively.
“One of the biggest concerns was the claim that there was no environmental survey done. I’ve been assured it has been done and it is ongoing.
“They are using as far as possible the routes of existing power lines. The height of the pylons is the same height as those being used elsewhere in the country already, from Beauly to Denny.
“I also got assurances about the distance of power lines from properties.
“Another concern was the claim that there hadn’t been adequate consultation or that SSEN weren’t listening, but they actually showed the results of their previous consultations.
“I left the meeting satisfied that a lot of my concerns had been answered but, as a community council, we will continue to monitor the proposals.”
