A public local inquiry into a contentious windfarm in the shadow of Ben Wyvis starts today.
PI Renewables wants to build 14 turbines at Carn Gorm, on the southern slopes of the Ben Wvyis massif above Strathgarve Forest, about two miles north-east of Garve.
Highland Council refused permission for the scheme last year because of the impact on wild land.
More than 100 objections were also lodged, including criticism from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, the John Muir Trust, former sheriff principal for the north, Sir Stephen Young, and Earl of Cromartie, John Mackenzie, chief of the Clan Mackenzie.
But the renewables firm lodged an appeal and now a public local inquiry will start into the scheme at the Ben Wyvis Hotel in Strathpeffer.
The John Muir Trust will be among those giving evidence.
John Low, policy officer for the trust, said: “Highland Council did the right thing last year when it opposed this development. The potential impacts on wild land are significant, with eight of the 14 turbines and their associated roads and infrastructure sited within Wild Land Area 29.
“Unfortunately, the developer has refused to accept the decision and forced an expensive and time-consuming public local inquiry – a right that would not have been available to those opposing the scheme had the decision gone the other way.”
Some of the 377ft devices would be visible from significant areas of wild land and beyond.
The windfarm would also be visible from main roads and the railway line between Inverness and Kyle.
Mr Low added: “Many travellers on the road and rail routes are tourists who will be shocked to see this iconic landscape scarred by large-scale industrial development.
“Ultimately the decision will be taken by the Scottish Government, which has recently refused consent for three proposed wind farms on wild land. By rejecting Carn Gorm, and two others in the pipeline further north, the government can send a strong message to developers that our wild land is not a commodity to exploited.”