Plans for a windfarm in the hills above a picturesque Highland village have been rejected by the Scottish Government.
The Beinn Mhor windfarm would have involved six turbines being built close to Tomich in Glen Affric.
The plans, pursued by wpd Beinn Mhor Ltd, had raised significant concern locally, with 1,200 individual objections lodged against the development.
The turbines would have been 392ft tall.
The John Muir Trust and Mountaineering Council of Scotland also voiced their opposition.
MCofS Chief Officer David Gibson said: “This is positive news for Scotland’s wild land.
“We welcome the reporter’s decision to dismiss the appeal and refuse planning permission, particularly his recognition that the safeguarding of wild land is a significant national objective.
“We are also pleased that he has accepted that this development would have had a serious adverse effect on the enjoyment of the wild land character of the area by recreational users.”
Helen McDade, head of policy for the John Muir Trust said: “We warmly welcome this decision, which is a victory not just for those local communities who have campaigned strongly against the proposal, but also those of us who believe Scotland’s wild land is a precious national asset worthy of protection.
“It is significant that a substantial section of the decision focuses on wild land protection.
“We would now urge the Scottish Government to move swiftly to reject three other outstanding applications for much larger developments on wild land areas at Sallachy and Glencassley in Sutherland, and at Allt Duine on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park.”