 Although it was expected, i was sickened when it was announced. It seems that little thought was given to the other options, such as a sub-sea line. This is a victory for greed and politicians agendas. I can't believe that folk like the Green Party, and Friends of the Earth supported this vandalism.
I'm convinced this is the thin end of the wedge, and a major threat to the few unspoilt places we have left. When this monstrosity is built, it will open the floodgates. Every hill will have an application to build a powerstation on it, wired into this new line.
Windpower is of limited use, and if grants weren't available, it would be interesting to see how many would get built. I was watching BBC News 24 yesterday, and during this cold spell, only 1% of power available in the country was wind powered. Although more power is needed right now, there has been little wind to power the wind powerstations!
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 Look on the bright side Mike - there will be access roads to the turbines on Cairn Toul, Ben Avon and Beinn a Bhuird - you'll be able to cycle in 
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I'm glad you've taken all those good photos, Kinley. They will be a reminder of how the hills used to look.
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Doesn't bear thinking about really
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The current wind powerstations are bad enough, but from what i've read, the existing powerline couldn't handle much more. Just wait till you see the stampede of new planning applications once this new line goes into action. The madness of the situation is that you need back-up for when the wind doesn't blow. Like the last 2 weeks. So what is the point of them? Also, i was reading that EU grants will be available to landowners who leave their land untouched. It seems that upland moorland and peatbog is a valuable carbon sink. As soon as you bulldoze tracks across your land, you aren't eligible for the grants. It's all about money.
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Have to agree with everything you have said here. I feel totally betrayed by this SNP govenment. What with the 'Trumpville golf course', these pylons, and no doubt the huge increase in the number of wind factories over the coming years, the SNP have really let Scotland down. How I do regret voting for them all my days. Never again.
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 "The madness of the situation is that you need back-up for when the wind doesn't blow" is there anything to say that windfarms replace power stations? or do they provide standby electricity? or do they provide "background" electricity? the beeb report says this new line replaces an existing line on the same route. or was that a bit of beeb fantasy - or indeed mine?
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The greatest thing we could do for the environment in Scotland is shoot all the deer and re-forest the whole place.
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The greatest thing we could do for the environment in Scotland is shoot all the deer and re-forest the whole place. We could train the deer to eat neds 
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The greatest thing we could do for the environment in Scotland is shoot all the deer and re-forest the whole place.
We could train the deer to eat neds
That's a great idea. Or just hunt the f'ng neds.
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 Parky Again wrote (see)
......the beeb report says this new line replaces an existing line on the same route. or was that a bit of beeb fantasy - or indeed mine? You're not imagining things Parky.
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Why everyone gets so upset about a few bits of wire when the whole landscape has been destroyed by hunters beats me.
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 Absolutely disgusted at the decision!!!!!! I voted SNP.......................they've let Scotland down! They will pay for it at the next election. Having said that, look at the alternatives! It leaves me despairing this nadir in the democratic process. Nor is it because I have a NIMBY mentality, I am willing to embrace a variety of ideas to reduce damage done to the environment but the amount of disingenuous 'spin' used to try to justify this decision is sickening. Snowie, I have to agree with you about how we have been betrayed by the SNP. This, after a promising and stimulating start to their time in government. They had really shaken things up in Scotland, which was quite refreshing after years of stagnation under Labour. NOW I CAN'T TRUST THEM! In previous posts I have avoided taking any political stance but they have 'sold out' to business interests. This is my country, to take care of for future generations, not to damage beyond repair. This was a short-sighted decision of monumental proportions. First Minister Alex Salmond you should be ashamed!!!!!
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mos. i see that that picture takes the full 60m pylons. however, the pylons, SOME OF WHICH MAY BE 60m, aren't all going to be that high. are they? where will the SOME OF WHICH MAY BE 60m be situated? my point? well, as exaggeration of the worst posiible scenario imaginable, like that picture, tends to get dragged out at things such as this to grossly misrepresent the reality with the usual monotony. and then wonder why objections aren't taken seriously... bluntly, to gain any credibility, at least with me and i suspect a great many other people (after all, we're the people you neeed to convince too), i assume that the opposing factions are now out busy photographing the whole line so that when the new one is completed comparative photos can be produced accompanied by a resounding told you so and which can be used as evidence in future campaigns to demonstrate that the opposition knows what it is talking about - but then the opposite possiblily even showing that the opposition are a bunch of scare mongering ignorant fools if that picture shown doesn't become reality. if the opposing concerns aren't proven then where do you go for the next protest when the credibility is already blown out of the water.
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Why everyone gets so upset about a few bits of wire when the whole landscape has been destroyed by hunters beats me. I bet you just chuck your empty bottle of Buckie into the grass when you finish it. After all, there is a load of empties lying there already. 
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Sorry Parky, i don't need to convince you. Unless you are a part of the Scottish government in disguise? This power line could have been a sub-sea one, but the cheapest option was taken. The power companies are calling the shots. What is the point in having National Parks and suchlike, if massive powerlines such as these can simply march straight through them?
The damage caused in the construction of this powerline, and the new sub-stations, is one issue. I fear it is the thin edge of a very large wedge. It is the almost evangelical zeal of the government about 'renewables' that has me really worried.
The existing powerline couldn't cope with the plans that the government have to make Scotland an exporter of 'renewable' energy. Who knows what the future holds, but the worst case scenario is a wind powerstation on every hill feeding into this new line. The landscape of Scotland could be vastly different at the start of the next decade.
I think this was the first big test of the SNP government regarding land issues. The Donald Trump 'golf course' isn't on the same scale, but a pattern is developing. When a choice between the environment and the interests of business compete, it's now clear what way the Scottish government leans.
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New Forth Crossing. Choice between an out of view, more environmentally and traffic friendly tunnel or the cheaper option, a new bridge. Guess which the SNP decided upon.
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At least this is a decision taken in Scotland by Scottish politicians. Imagine what would have happened if the same decision had been taken by the British government.  .
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Very true John. The decision makers can be held accountable at the next election. I've absolutely no idea who i can vote for now! I can see myself not voting for the first time ever.
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Unfortunately scottish politicians are people who would not make the grade as Westminister MPS and the least said about the latter the better.
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