I am from Brora originally and, now resident in Aberdeenshire, my “home” will always be Brora and I have strong if perhaps conflicted feelings about this project.
Firstly, I have to say that concur with the purpose of the grid scheme and firmly believe that we should be pressing ahead to fully harness wind energy - as far as I can see there really is no viable alternative to this as the UK's contribution to the planet's urgently needed decarbonisation.
Climate change, sadly, is not a hoax and it will require every country to do its bit in order to limit the already considerable damage. However, I do feel very strongly indeed that in this case the details of the scheme should properly reflect other priorities as well. If cognizance is not made of these justifiable concerns (many based on the area's income from tourism) I think there is a grave risk that Strath Brora could become a very unwelcome "poster child" for heavy handed, destructive and alienating planning decisions - this would not help the general cause of wind energy in the UK.
The UK is still a relatively rich country and we should have the resources available to ensure that the lowest cost solution not always selected, as I suspect is the case here.
In my opinion the proposed crossing of Loch Brora will create an unacceptable level of damage to the visual environment, given that alternatives are available. I am also concerned about the visual intrusion to Glen Loth. I would prefer that the alternative routing close to the existing corridor of pylons that run down the east coast was used. The routing via Glen Loth / Strath Brora seems an egregious, tragic and avoidable harm to this unique and beautiful district.
