Castle owner in court bid on wind turbines

The owner of an A-listed Angus castle has gone to the Court of Session over a controversial windfarm.

Balintore Castle was built in 1860 at the behest of MP David Lyon, to a design by celebrated architect William Burn.

The baronial-style edifice fell into disrepair in the 1960s but is beginning to resemble its former self under the aegis of Dr David Johnston, who has described the castle’s restoration as his life’s work.

But Dr Johnston has launched a potentially costly appeal against the Scottish Government’s decision to allow two wind turbines at nearby Carrach Hill, in the belief that they will ruin views, including those from a belvedere, or grand viewing platform.

He has tabled a question in law as to whether government reporter Dan Jackman was negligent in failing to gather evidence during his site visit, highlighted by a previous reporter.

Dr Johnston describes the castle as Burn’s “baronial tour de force” and has received assistance from Angus Council to make the restoration possible.

He said: “The government reporter did not attempt to visit the viewing platform at the top of the great tower of Balintore Castle, which looks directly at the windfarm development site.

“Neither did the government reporter attempt to visit the principal rooms of the castle or the principal bedrooms which feature bay windows, which again look directly at the windfarm development.

“Indeed, the reporter’s document makes no reference whatsoever to any

The owner of Balintore Castle has gone to the Court of Session over a Scottish Government decision to allow two wind turbines at nearby Carrach Hill.