Beauly to Denny Power upgrade - Muthill and Tullibardine

Muthill and Tullibardine Community Council have created a film to try to get the Scottish Government to underground the part of the Beauly to Denny power upgrade that passes through this beautiful part of Perthshire. They say of their video, in Strathallan News, "It is crudely put together, but we needed to act fast, and this is a sign of our passion for protecting the community from the effects of these pylons".

I fully support them but we should all remember that undergrounded or not, in Perthshire or elsewhere along its route, this upgrade is being done to carry power from the uselessly inefficient wind power stations being built all over the Scottish hills.

Note: The video doesn't fit well into my blog-size but may do on others - if you can't read the complete email addresses at the end, just post a comment and I'll put them up.

Charities in wild landscape call

Another interesting development. See here and go to 'More news from around Scotland' at the bottom of the page - Highlands and Islands - although it concerns Northern Ireland and Wales also. Edited: now in 'Tayside and Central' not 'Highlands and Islands'

"Scottish hills offer an escape from money worries"

An article, which briefly outlines the views of the MCofS, can be found here

Still in the grip

Temperatures are still well below freezing here with minimums ranging from -15C to -10C over the last 4 nights. Snow still lies in the garden, but iron hard now. With bright blue skies and an Alpine calm, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Merry Christmas to all Followers

Thanks for your company during 2010.

Webcast

The Scots Language Centre have posted a webcast of Lynne reading her 2004 translation into Scots of Beatrix Potter's, 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'  - The Tale O Peter Kinnen. The reading is taken from the CD recorded by Lynne shortly after the book was published.

It is read quite slowly so those unfamiliar with Scots, but who have a copy of the original book, will be able to follow easily! It can be found here at Scots Language Centre, 4th tab on the picture. Click 'more'.

Dunmaglass update

Multi-millionairess Sigrid Rausing, who owns Coignafearn Estate in the Monadhliath mountains, is seeking a judicial review of Highland Regional Council's decision not to oppose the proposal for a 33 turbine wind farm on neighbouring Dunmaglass Estate. (see post 26 February this year). More than 1500 people and three community councils objected. (Source: Scottish Mountaineer)

The first hearing was scheduled for November although, as yet, I can't find any reports on the proceedings.

World Cup Decision

I'm not a football fan, but my commiserations to any readers of this blog south of the border who are!

It just won't stop

Two days ago and it hasn't really stopped snowing since!

The tracks continued to just beyond the bushes and skis might have been useful thereafter, although ours are narrow competition style (we've never skied competitively) so the benefit would have been marginal.

Anyway, we knew we had a driveway to clear so headed back just as the forecasted bitter east wind started to blow.

We cleared it again yesterday and I'm off to do likewise again. Almost 2ft of snow now in the garden.

If you read this Hugh, I hope you are surviving where you are!

Lendrick Hill

Here you are Martin. Maybe next year! Join you on the top if we are around.

Lendrick Hill 456m from Seamab Hill (taken January 2010)