Organisations ‘disappointed’ at hydro schemes

The John Muir Trust and Mountaineering Scotland have expressed disappointment at the decision to approve three run-of-the-river hydro schemes along Glen Etive, and warned that Scotland’s wild places are being diminished in pursuit of private profit.

Mountaineering Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to review a decision which will damage one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes.

The trust objected to just three of the seven applications in the glen because of their potential impact on a popular and accessible scenic landscape within a wild land area.

John Low, John Muir Trust policy officer, said: ‘We first of all want to commend Councillor Andrew Baxter for ensuring that the full Highland Council had an opportunity to examine these applications. We note that around one third of councillors opposed the decision.

‘The John Muir Trust took a measured approach when objecting to the proposals as we are very concerned at the continued diminishing of Scotland’s wild places at the hands of developers whose sole objective is private profit.

‘While we are disappointed at the blanket approval of all three schemes within the wild land area, we welcome the fact that the local community plans to monitor the developments to ensure they are properly restored after construction work.’

Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland, said: ‘This is a disappointing decision by The Highland Council. It brings into question the purpose and value of allocating special designations which are intended to help protect our finest landscapes. This was about the stewardship of a national asset and we hope this decision has not set a dangerous precedent.’