THE Picture of the Day showing a magnificent photograph of Arran was stunning (The Herald, September 22).
All the more sad then to read the front-page headline the same day revealing Alex Salmond's determination to ruin Scotland's unmatched views ("Revealed: Salmond's forest wind farm plans"). This he plans to do by stepping up his programme to build more massive industrial wind turbines on so many of our glorious hills and mountains.
Somehow it is all the more distressing because of the uselessness of these monstrosities.
They provide only a tiny proportion of our electricity, and then only intermittently, and have to be backed up by traditional coal and gas-fired power stations. The stop/go process means more CO2 than normal is produced by the back-up power stations, similar to a car changing gear all the time. The Scottish Government plans to create 100% of our electricity by renewables within a few years, with wind turbines the main source. The number of turbines that can be seen on our hills now is nothing compared to what there will be in just a few short years.
By then our electricity will be much more expensive than now because of the large payments made to the landowners and the power companies involved, many of them foreign.
The whole thing is a disaster in the making for Scotland, and those in government seem oblivious to the dangers. I advise everyone to enjoy the view now, because in a few years time, unless a miracle happens, it will be wrecked.
Ann Cowan,
The Old Inn,
Fowlis Wester,
Crieff.
The more opposition grows, the more determined Alex Salmond is to push ahead with the destruction of much of Scotland's scenery, at the same time making life miserable for increasing numbers of communities, over-riding their wishes, ignoring their concerns and over-ruling the processes of local democracy.
I suppose I should not be surprised the SNP, having adopted under the current leadership what is little more than a finance-based managerialist philosophy, demonstrates little understanding of the significance of the combined impact of our internationally appreciated mountain, moorland, sea and skyscapes.
To what end? The evidence of the cost-effectiveness of wind power in combating climate change has yet to be produced and objectively assessed, neither frequently disputed "facts" generated by the self interest of the subsidised wind-farm lobby nor ministerial soundbites being substitutes.
John Milne,
9 Ardgowan Drive,
Uddingston.
I greatly enjoyed the Picture of the Day by reader Karen Thomson (The Herald, September 22). However, she is mistaken in her statement that "the picture says everything about Scotland".
It says everything about how Scotland used to be. Where are the wind turbines, the approach roads, the overhead cables, the pylons? These are the reality of Scotland today. I hope readers enjoy what they see. It will not be there in three years' time.
W Alex McIntosh,
Nethermuir,
Upper Granco Street,
Dunning, Perthshire.
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