Macbeth's Castle menaced by mammoth Wind Farm

Feb. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- The hill fort is mentioned in Shakespeare's play Macbeth - "Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him." - and is believed to be the site of a battle where Malcolm Canmore  defeated MacBeth in 1054.

Six massive wind turbines (132 metre tip height) are proposed for the initial development - these would be over twice the height of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh, bigger than Big Ben and out of all proportion to the surrounding landscape.  They will be visible from Birnam Wood and large parts of central eastern Scotland - the three witches never predicted this one!

The proponents of this proposed desecration of the historic landscape are Banks Renewables and the Bandirran Estate (whose London-based absentee owners do not live in Scotland and therefore will not have to hear or see these giant turbines).  Turbines of this size can be audible from up to 5 kilometres away.  The unspoilt views of  this historic landscape from Macbeth’s Castle, and from other parts of the Sidlaw range, will be blighted forever if Perth and Kinross Council, backed by the Scottish Government, give the go ahead.  It is estimated that, with subsidies, the turbines will gross around £168 million for the backers over a 25 year life span - little wonder then that they can offer local people financial incentives not to object, as has already been reported in a local newspaper.

This quaint and unspoilt part of Perthshire, gateway to the Scottish Highlands, has a thriving tourist industry which is now seriously threatened by this proposed industrialisation of an area rich in heritage, wildlife and unspoilt walks.  To stop this the ‘Save Our Sidlaws’ (SOS) Campaign is being run by the Braes of the Carse Conservation Group (BCCG) in conjunction with other local groups from the various local communities affected, both in Perthshire and across the River Tay in Fife.  For more information on the SOS campaign, and how you can help to stop this Wind Farm, go to http://www.braesofthecarse.org/bandirran-wind-farm or join us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSidlaws

ENDS

Background data on Dunsinane Hill Fort and the SOS Campaign follow.

ABOUT DUNSINANE HILL FORT

Dunsinane Hill is known as one of Perthshire's most charismatic hill forts.  It is bursting with history and atmosphere and makes for a superb short walk.

Dunsinane Hill is part of the Sidlaw range and rises to a height of 1,012 ft (308 m) several miles north east of Perth.  As the name suggests, Dunsinane (Dun being the Gaelic word for a fortress or castle) was the site of an Iron Age Hill fort and walkers approaching the summit walk over ramps and ditches constructed thousands of years ago to improve the defensive capability of the site.  These early military defences are most clearly seen when viewed from Black Hill, the next hill to the east and a great spot from which to marvel at the ingenuity of our forbearers.

In more recent times Dunsinane Hill Fort has become known locally as Macbeth's Castle, made famous in the 16th century by playwright William Shakespeare with these immortal lines from Macbeth.  "Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him."

Shakespeare researched his material carefully and on a clear day you can see the woods around Birnam from the top of Dunsinane.

Further information on Dunsinane Hill and other walks in the area is available from the Perth VisitScotland Information Centre.

ABOUT THE SAVE OUR SIDLAWS (SOS) CAMPAIGN

The Save Our Sidlaws (SOS) Campaign is organised by the Braes of the Carse Conservation Group (BCCG).  The BCCG, which represents the local communities and other interested parties, was formed to conserve the unique beauty and character of the Braes of the Carse, part of the Sidlaw Hills.  We wish to protect the heritage, environment and communities by sharing information on proposed developments and conservation matters.  We comment formally to Perth and Kinross Council on long term structure plans for the areas and on major or controversial developments.  Our Committee has representatives from each of the major hamlets/villages in the area.

The BCCG has developed links with other local groups such as Inchture Community Council, the Carse of Gowrie Group and the Historic Orchard Forum.

For more information on the SOS campaign and the BCCG visit http://www.braesofthecarse.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/SaveOurSidlaws