August 25, 2013
Scotland
Scotland
No turbines on my island!
The Sunday Post | 25 August 2013 |
Scots author Alexander McCall Smith has blasted wind farms – and vowed never to put them on his desert island getaway.
The best-selling author claims wind turbines ruin Scotland’s landscape and could spell disaster for tourism.
The mystery writer, best known for his series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, said he would never put them on the Hebridean islands he bought for a reported £300,000.
In June the 64-year-old, who was born in Zimbabwe, held off other fierce interest to buy the series of uninhibited islands called the Cairns of Coll.
The island chain consists of the 50- acre Eilean Mor – a collection of rugged islets and a two- storey detached house on the north-eastern point of the Island of Coll.
In a radio interview, the author said they would “certainly not” go on his new islands.
He said: “Large parts of Scotland are being destroyed by wind farms which completely blight the gorgeous landscape we have.
“Wind farms on islands destroy the seascape as well as the landscape. “These very large wind farms that are proposed are very destructive of natural beauty. “We can be cavalier about natural beauty but it’s against the tourist industry.”
Last week it was reported a UK Government row over wind farms is blocking a report that could provide official confirmation that the controversial turbines can harm rural areas.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/25/no-turbines-on-my-island/