Mountaineers object as ring of steel threatens southern Corbett

Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, a Corbett above the village of Carsphairn in the Galloway Highlands, is under a sustained assault by wind farm developers seeking to ring it with giant turbines.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland is urging people to speak out against a new application to the south of the hill and known as Longburn wind farm, which would ‘close the circle’ around the mountain.

David Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said: “In the northern view from Cairnsmore of Carsphairn there are no less than 181 turbines operational or consented and 75 in the planning process, none of which MCofS has objected to.

“Looking east, we have not objected to a wind farm 10km away, with 15 turbines nor to an extension application for a further 11 turbines. Also to the east, but only 2-6km away, there are two applications for 31 turbines, to which we have raised objections.

”Now a new application has been lodged for ten 134-metre turbines at Longburn to the south-east. We think enough is enough and we are calling on Dumfries and Galloway Council to refuse the application. We have not objected to many wind farms in this area because we recognise the need for low carbon electricity generation but, with the risk of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn being entirely encircled by a ring of steel, we are now fighting to save the iconic southward view across the Glenkens to the Rhinns of Kells.”

The MCofS has lodged an objection to the proposal and has urged others to do the same. Objections should be made before the end of July, to Dumfries and Galloway Council. The link to make an objection online is here. 

You can read the full MCofS objection here.