An Argyll village has voiced its outrage at proposals for 52 new pylons running through the local area.
The towers would serve an overhead line stretching eight miles between proposed new substation Creag Dhubh and the existing Dalmally substation by Loch Awe, near Oban.
Developer Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) said only nine of the 150ft pylons would be in village.
Residents say there are already 29 pylons there and have launched a campaign “No More Pylons in Dalmally”.
SSEN held a consultation event in Dalmally Community Centre yesterday, where a large turnout of villagers voiced their objections.
Ishbel Livingston, one of the organisers of the campaign, said the whole village is against it. Already 205 people have signed a petition against the plan and the population of Dalmally and Innishail is 550.
Mrs Livingston said: “They are saying they will look at putting the cable underground but they have all sorts of excuses but they have all sorts of excuses why they can’t do it.
“There are quite a few crofts in Stronmilchan that would have a pylon behind and a pylon in front of them.
“The beauty of this place is very important. We have got a huge amount of tourism that is going up all the time.
“Why would anyone in Dalmally want this? They are talking about putting 47 pylons from Claddich to Dalmally. We have already got 47 between Dalmally and Loch Awe.”
SSE said all pylons would be no closer than 328ft to properties.
A spokesman said: “As the owner of the electricity transmission network in Argyll, we are required by our regulatory licence to provide the capacity for new renewable generators to connect to our network whilst ensuring the ongoing security of electricity supply.
“Our proposals to reinforce the network in North Argyll, including proposed new network infrastructure between Dalmally and Creag Dhubh, have been developed based on a balance of environmental, technical and economic considerations. These plans are still at an early stage of development and, as a responsible developer, we are committed to working with the local community and other interested stakeholders through an open and comprehensive consultation process.
“It was encouraging to see the consultation event in Dalmally so well attended and I would like to reassure community members that their views or concerns will be considered seriously as part of the ongoing development of the project.”
More consultation events are taking place in neighbouring villages this week.
What do you think of the proposal? Locals give their view
John Kerr, 70, Glen Orchy, Dalmally, Secretary of Glenorchy and Innishail Community Council: “The community council is absolutely opposed to it.
“It doesn’t need to go through Dalmally. The main issues are the effect on the landscape, tourism, wildlife, crofting, property prices and health.”
Stephen Beesley, 65, Dalmally, retired: “I think it’s appalling. The only way to do it properly is to sink the cable.
“They are forming an industrial corridor. It’s a place of high historic value, high wildlife.
“There are not a lot of jobs you can do here and it will threaten those jobs.”
Inga MacGillivray, 48, Dalmally, accountant: “I am not impressed with the proposal at all. They won’t listen to the community.
“They consulted prior to this and the community made it quite clear they were not happy with the proposal. All they have done is move it further along a bit.”
Janet Buchanan, 71, Ardbreckcnish, by Dalmally, retired: “I am horrified. The line goes in front of Duncan Bhan’s monument at the top of the hill.
“It spoils the view from Kilchurn Castle. It is going to have an impact on anybody using the A85. This is an area which depends on tourism.”