By Andrew Welsh

A CRIEFF-based ornithologist yesterday claimed proposals for a wind farm at Abercairny pose a threat to rare birds.

Mr Bill Robertson, from Shielinghill Place, has written to the Scottish Executive objecting to Catamount Energy and Force 9 Energy's plans for a 24-turbine development on land either side of the A822.

In his letter, Mr Robertson introduces himself as a former Scottish Office civil servant who "played a minor part in measures that helped re-establish ospreys in Scotland".

He claims to have observed birds on a daily basis over a ten-year period when he was a resident in Glenalmond.

He points out the breeding season for ospreys runs from April to late August and any disturbance between such dates would constitute an offence.

On the prospect of development at Abercairny Estate, he writes: "This is not only a local issue - if the Sma' Glen is blighted, all Scotland loses something and whatever the formal constraints of the planning process, this will inevitably be seen as a test case.

"The practical effect of a go-ahead would be a green light to all other developers eyeing all other remote localities with sparse populations and vulnerable species.

"It is to be hoped also that the decision-makers would also take into account the fact that the Sma' Glen is a scenic asset for the whole of Scotland and, indeed, for visitors who use it as a gateway to the Highlands.

"In purely ornithological terms, the blighting of one breeding site might well cause wider damage by narrowing the population base and by reducing the possibility of out-breeding."

Mr Robertson also points out the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has encouraged its members to support its own renewable energy projects, suggesting the organisation has "an undeclared financial interest" in wind farm developments.

Meanwhile, the Sma' Glen Protection Group has also written to the Executive listing their objections to the wind farm proposals ahead of the closing date for representations tomorrow (Friday).

A group spokesperson said: "Our members are overwhelmed at the support they are continuing to receive both from the local community and visitors to the area and are convinced that the number of letters sent to the Executive will definitely exceed previous expectations.

"Petitions in local outlets have been so successful, with signatures nearing the one thousand mark, that it has been decided to leave them in place.

As the tourist season approaches, the group hopes to gather more signatures and bring even more pressure to bear on the planning authorities, both at the Scottish Executive and Perth and Kinross Council."

She added: "There are clear concerns in the wind industry about the number of applications being made, not all of which are appropriate. The feeling is the less appropriate ones are doing others harm."