RESPONDING TO a public consultation on a planning application for the 25 turbine Crossburns Wind Farm in Highland Perthshire, the John Muir Trust has lodged an objection, warning that the scheme would "disfigure" one of Scotland's most popular walking trails.

West Coast energy has submitted a planning application for the site, which would sit across the Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy leg of the Rob Roy Way.

The JMT said that, if approved, the turbines would be visible for 20km of the 151km walk, affecting the sections between Glen Quaich and Urlar, and between Aberfeldy and Dunfallandy Hill.

Trust head of policy Helen McDade said "Rob Roy would be turning in his grave at the thought that the landscape he roamed and loved is now seen as ripe for exploitation by energy companies and landowners.

"Scotland's Great Trails are supposed to offer an escape from the modern world rather than a stroll through industrial parkland.

"Highland Perthshire is already making a major contribution to renewable energy targets through hydro schemes and wind farms. But we are concerned that we are now reaching tipping point," she said.

"These industrial developments are being driven by renewable energy subsidies with no regard for local communities, or our precious landscapes upon which much of the local tourism-based economy depends."

She pointed out that there were already two major wind farms "spread across the Highland Perthshire landscape" - Griffin and Calliachar - with 82 installed turbines visible from Schiehallion, which is owned and managed by the JMT.

If Crossburns and three other applications in the pipeline were to be approved, the number of turbines in that part of Highland Perthshire would rise to 136.