More than two-thirds of mountaineers are put off by landscapes affected by windfarms, a new survey has revealed.
This has led the vast majority to say they would “change their behaviour” to avoid views of turbines, with many choosing ranges away from Scotland altogether.
A survey, by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, provides hard evidence that onshore windfarms can be damaging to aspects of Scottish tourism, despite claims to the contrary by the SNP.
Of the 1,000 asked, 68 per cent said parts of Scotland are now less appealing because of windfarms, while more than four-fifths said there must be protection for National Parks from development.
And 67 per cent said the ongoing building of more windfarms made Scotland a less appealing place.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said:
“This welcome piece of research adds substance to what many of us have feared.
“It’s clear that when you place huge, white constructions on previously unspoilt landscape, there is going to be an impact.
“Mountaineering is an important element of Scotland’s tourism trade, and this survey shows the march of turbines is having a negative impact on it.
“That is a ludicrously high price to pay for an energy source that is intermittent and unreliable.
“The SNP has completely neglected the views of communities on windfarms.
“Hopefully it will be more willing to take on board the concerns of this expert group.”