"Coriolis Energy and Irish utility firm, ESB, are looking to develop a wind farm project and plan to build 26 wind turbines on the Glendye estate, north of the village of Fettercairn and on the approach to the Cairn O’Mount and Clachnaben. The development partners are offering shared ownership; Community Benefit money; and claim accommodation providers, suppliers and contractors will benefit economically. To the contrary, local suppliers and contractors would benefit minimally. Wind farms require minimal labour and virtually all major components and materials are manufactured outside Scotland. Regarding the latter, the Aberdeen Local Development Plan (LDP), Clan Strachan Society, Clan Strachan Charitable Trust, the Save Clachnaben Opposition Group, and numerous mountaineering, hiking, and other organizations confirm the opposite. That is, tourism will no doubt be negatively impacted by an expansion of wind farms in the Lower Deeside, and in particular the Cairn O’Mount and Clachnaben areas. Although the Glendye Wind Farm developers offer ownership and Community Benefit funds, many believe this is negligible when compared to the significant negative economic impact to the hospitality sector of the local economy. Contrary to the environmental benefits proposed by the energy development group, the construction of wind turbines, their service roads, and grid connections will result in the irreparable destruction of peat lands that contribute significantly to the reduction of green house gases. According to WindAction.org, “When we build a wind farm on peat land it is self-defeating in terms of the environment.” Moreover, the developers fail to mention the blades of a turbine cover an area of 18,600 square meters—that's roughly two and a half football fields, and spin at a brisk 80 meters per second (180 MPH) at the tips. The combination of 26 wind turbines will have a devastating impact on wildlife, especially rare and endangered birds such as nearby nesting Golden Eagles and Red Kites that use the hill’s up-draughts as a soaring aid. The development group claims the wind turbines will have a minimal affect on the visual landscape. However, the wind turbines stand at a height of 150m (500 feet) high, or the equivalent of a 28-story office building. Multiply this by 26 wind turbines, and one quickly gets the impression Coriolis and ESB will be building the equivalent of downtown Glasgow on the Cairn O’Mount. Statements made by the developers that Glendye Wind Farm will be good for the environment and will have little to no impact on the visual landscape certainly appear biased and naïve. Many believe this is just the beginning. At least 100 wind turbines are necessary for a wind farm to be economically feasible for a commercial enterprise. A reasonable person can easily conclude that if Glendye Wind Farm is approved, the simple economics will result in an expansion of wind turbines across the Cairn O’Mount potentially an order of magnitude above what is currently being proposed. Perhaps most importantly, the landscape of the Cairn O’Mount and Lower Deeside is uniquely beautiful, spectacular, and unspoiled; which make it attractive to outdoorsmen, families, tourists, and of course those fortunate to call this area home. So, what its value? The simply answer is that the landscape is priceless. Please, email your opposition to the Glendye Wind Farm to [email protected]