WIND energy firms were yesterday accused of trying to hoodwink locals by deliberately choosing obscure names for Highland windfarms.
German firm ABO Wind UK has made up a Gaelic name – Allt Carach – for its 25-turbine project near Beauly.
Protesters claim the name, which means “meandering burn” in Gaelic, is a ploy to try to fool locals and possible objectors over its true location.
But campaigners say the attempt has backfired as carach can also translate as “sly” or “deceitful”.
ABO Wind UK last night denied deception claims, insisting the name was chosen as a neutral moniker for a development that crosses three estates.
Meanwhile, two local businesses vowed to oppose the green energy scheme, at Kilmorack, fearing it would be a “disaster” for the economy.
Anti-windfarm protestor Lyndsey Ward said: “‘Allt Carach’ is not on any map and ABO admitted it was made up.
“It is unreasonable for ABO Wind to deliberately choose a name that is not instantly recognisable by the local population. This seems to be a favourite ploy by wind developers to perhaps reduce objections, as residents will have no idea if they will be impacted by a windfarm or not because the name is obscure.
“This windfarm should have been called something like Kilmorack Wind Farm, to flag up to locals they were threatened with yet another development.”
And she said it was not the first time a firm had used the ploy, as the same situation had arisen with the Druim Ba windfarm on the Blairmore Estate and the proposal for Clach Liath in the foothills of Ben Wyvis, both of which were rejected by Highland Council.
The Clach Liath windfarm was named after the local estate while Druim Ba after the local forest – but objectors claim these names are obscure, and not widely recognised in the communities.
The protester added: “ABO Wind has called this windfarm a name that means ‘deceive’, when in reality by doing so it is deliberately deceiving the local population by making the name obscure so as not to alert those who will be affected.”
Mrs Ward said her B&B at Kiltarlity would be “seriously affected” by the plans. Meanwhile, Mike Spencer-Nairn and his wife Pawana fear their business will also be hit.
They recently used a World War II Hurricane fighter to open luxury self-catering log cabin village Eagle Brae and fear the turbines will cripple the £4million tourism venture. Mr Spencer-Nairn said: “The superb view was the prime motivation for building Eagle Brae in this location. Every single one of the proposed ABO turbines above Erchless will not only be visible, they will be right in the middle of the main vista from Eagle Brae.
“This venture has taken eight years of planning and construction, costing more than £4million. A recent assessment revealed it could contribute more than £1million per year to the local economy.
“This proposed windfarm could destroy all of this hard work, tourists’ enjoyment of the area, and their contributions to our economy. It simply must be counter-productive for local planners, the local community and local government to back a project like Eagle Brae and then allow a windfarm to be built in this location.
“This windfarm could ruin Eagle Brae. I am horrified at this proposal and will vociferously oppose it every way possible.”
Warwick Lister-Kaye, manager of the Aigas Field Centre – which takes hundreds of students and wildlife experts every year – also pledged to fight the development, which would span the Farley, Erchless and Breakachy estates.
Mr Lister-Kaye said: “The Allt Carach windfarm would be highly visible from Aigas and a disaster for our business.
“Aigas is the biggest private employer in the area and has been contributing enormously to the local and Highland economy for over 36 years. This wind farm seriously threatens our visitor experience and local wildlife, including golden eagles.”
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