Industrialisation of Scotland’s wild heartland must be put to an end

Read why John Muir Trust CEO David Balharry is calling for an alliance of existing groups to work together to deliver integrated planning and regulation for the protection of Scotland's wild places.

Our wild places are constantly changing. Since the glaciers retreated, they have been shaped by economics as highlighted in the famous play The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil. 

Today, the rate of change is unprecedented – in essence, we are seeing a gold rush, and many of our wild places are now being given over to industrial development.

It’s time for a pause, to review the cumulative impacts, so we can all understand the consequence of the current free-for-all on the Scottish landscape. As a nation, we deserve better, and so do the communities and wild places affected. 

TV documentaries regularly show us the scale of destruction human activities inflict on wild places across the world. These images are shocking and rightly provoke outrage. It is time to open our eyes to what is happening in our own country. 

As an example, one of our iconic landscapes in the northwest of Scotland is now the proposed site for wind turbines. Located beside Kinlochbervie, their shadow would be seen from Sandwood Bay to Quinag, changing forever an iconic landscape.

We are acutely aware that the communities in these areas need inward investment. They face declining populations, school closures and below-average incomes, and are in desperate need of jobs and investment. Wind farms offer these communities a carrot in the form of tiny percentages of their profit – is the legacy of irreparable damage they bring worth it?

Championing wild places

The John Muir Trust is sounding the alarm on the cumulative impact of these projects, their unprecedented pace and scale, and asking for the disjointed planning system to be reviewed. Sadly, the planning processes for energy generation and transmission have no strategic guidance or connection beyond the economic drivers. The impact on the landscape is clear for all to see, and the cost-to-benefit ratio for local communities is questionable. 

Formed more than 40 years ago to protect the wild qualities of the Knoydart peninsula from being destroyed, the Trust now advocates for areas throughout the UK where wild places, natural process and natural landscapes are valued for future generations. 

Our willingness and ability to protect these natural assets for future generations is under question. As a society, are we really destined to exploit for profit with no regard to the long-term impacts on our landscapes?

Speaking out

There's no denying we are living in a climate emergency but Scotland’s contribution to global emissions of carbon is low, our key contribution is leadership.

We are speaking out now because we believe that Scotland can lead the way in demonstrating how to protect its wild places for future generations and to decarbonise its economy. 

The impact of onshore wind farms, in less than 40 years, cannot be understated. There are now only three Munro summits left in Scotland from which you can experience a wild place and rugged landscape without seeing the creep of wind turbines, the scarring of vehicle access tracks and giant power lines. 

Collective action

The Trust seeks to bring together an alliance of existing groups – political parties from all sides, landowners, local councils and development trusts, environmental NGOs, community energy co-ops, crofters, and outdoor access groups – around a shared manifesto to deliver integrated planning and regulation for the protection of wild places, now and in future.

Our ambition is simple. Scotland’s wild places are irreplaceable, and we must protect what remains. This alliance will commit to finding ways to safeguard our best wild places from industrial-scale development that compromise the natural beauty, ecological integrity, and cultural heritage of these places.

We are calling for a “time out” to allow for the implementation of an integrated approach to planning and consent. Crucially, this must link energy generation and transmission with independent oversight.

Scotland at a crossroads

Scotland stands at a crossroads. The dual challenges of climate emergency and biodiversity loss require bold action – action that respects our landscapes and our identities. Wild places are the soul of nationhood, they are the engine room of ecological resilience and our tourism sector, and they are vital for carbon sequestration.

Scotland can show the world how to power a country without destroying its heritage – please join the fight to protect our wild places at johnmuirtrust.org

• This article first appeared in The National on 3 August 2025.