This is a grievious loss. I have a particular affection for the Balmacaan - I've crossed the area on two Challenges, and have also visited many times outwith the event. On one occasion I spent a full day micro-navigating in minimal visibility - the simple joy of threading one's way through endless delights in a pristine environment. And once in late September on a day of mighty clear skies.

Until very recently the lands that we know and love were defined as "horrid wildernesses" And this, alas, is still the viewpoint of the vast majority.

I recognise Andrew's point that this forum is not the place for politics - and I would also posit that the overwhelming majority of opinion-makers and industrialists are entirely urban-based. With the exception of the John Muir Trust and the SMC, who have integrity and courage, we are up against an unholy grouping of right-wing landowners, naive soi-disant Fiends Of The Earth and (#shudders) accountants.

Lawyers amongst us will recall that the free access rights that are now are embedded in Scots legislation exempt access to construction sites.

I can understand this - frankly I'm not minded to wander around the new office park that's being put together down the road from me in Coldstream.

But I certainly take grave objection if, for example, a significant portion of The Umentionable Mountains or the Balmacaan are declared construction sites, and that I'm de facto denied access.

And this is the rub, que no? Not only is our landscape being vilified, but there is legislation in place that can deny us access even as the outrage is perpetrated.

Just to depress you further, it looks increasingly likely that the Nathro Hill wind farm (which is not on Nathro Hill at all but on the high ridge from Hill of Garbet to Peat Hill, between Glen Clova and Glen Lethnot) is about to be approved by the Scottish Government.


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The Mountaineering Council of Scotland, The John Muir Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage have all objected to this development of 17 turbines, each 440 feet high, strung along the ridge line for four miles.

These objections can be found
HERE, HERE, and HERE

But fingers in ears La La La Salmond, Ewing and the rest of the mad bunch are not listening.
Driving headlong into a legacy of destruction, devastation, and economic madness.
Luckily, I am English.
OK, maybe that is not so lucky either.

I've written up a comprehensive appraisal of the wind farm and hydro scheme situation in the Monadhliath Mountains and to the west of the Great Glen. It's not pretty, but you can be absolutely sure that it's coming our way.

You can find these maps by clicking

HERE