Concerns over impact of proposed Tormsdale wind farm on salmon in River Thurso

Salmon fishers on the River Thurso are on the warpath about a new wind farm being planned near several of its most popular beats.

Swedish utility Arise is facing a barrage of objections to the plans to add to the existing clusters of turbines on the Causewaymire.

Backed by Thurso River Ltd (TRL), nearly 50 anglers have registered their opposition to the 70 megawatt development at Tormsdale, eight kilometres south of Halkirk.

They fear the 12 turbines, standing nearly 150 metres high, would badly affect the fishing and the attraction of the isolated area.

The development is earmarked to go up on 536 hectares of moorland, peatland and grazings to the west of the A9, near several existing wind farms.

Arise maintains the scheme conforms with local and national planning policies and has no unacceptable environmental effects.

But TRL claims the company's environmental impact assessment is based on flawed studies and surveys.

TRL insists the fishing and spawning grounds on the river would be hit by shadow flicker from the turbine blades as well as vibrations, noise and pollution.

It notes that the plans show the blades of one turbine would, at times, be as little as 30 metres from the river.

It is also unhappy with plans to erect two temporary Bailey bridges over the river at Dalemore.

It concludes: "This would see a major industrial wind turbine development constructed and operated inappropriately close to the River Thurso."

TRL claims not enough consultation has been carried out by Arise about the scheme since it lodged its planning application in October.

Among the objectors is Jan Drummond, from Bankfoot in Perthshire, who has been fishing the Thurso for the past 10 years.

She states: "It's beyond any reasonable doubt that the proposal will have a massively negative impact on the area's eco-system and natural habitat.

"It will definitely impact the spawning grounds and I just find it incredible that a development like this is being planned.

"In view of the environmental sensitivities associated with the application, this proposal is totally unacceptable."

Veterinary surgeon Peter Hatherell, from Wiltshire, has made annual trips to the Thurso since 1987.

He said the turbines would blight the area and the river.

He said: "Two or three of the proposed turbines are so close to the river that it is impossible that they will not have an effect on migrating fish ascending the river to their spawning areas.

"The flashing shadows or reflections from the rotating blades are likely to be extremely disturbing to salmon, which are very sensitive to disturbance and also to vibrations through the ground."

Retired firefighter Peter Duncan, from Glasgow, warns the development will deter fishers from returning to fish the river.

Arthur Muirhead, from Lochwinnoch, describes the plans as 'perverse'.

He said: "There is a very great risk that the wind farm, as proposed, may well sound the death knell of the River Thurso as a salmon river, to the great detriment of the local economy.

"It is sad to think that this type of development could take place, with the same benefits to the country in general, without destroying a natural gem."

Caithness District Salmon Fishery Board has meanwhile detailed its concerns about the impact of the scheme on one of the most extensive, high-value and productive areas of the river. The stretch, it claims, is "possibly one of the most productive reaches of an Atlantic salmon river in western Europe".

Caithness West Community Council is concerned the turbines could damage what chair Jillian Bundy said is one of the finest salmon rivers in the world.

She said: "The river's salmon spawning grounds are crucial and of internationally recognised ecological importance and the proposed development area includes its best spawning areas.

"We believe that this development and associated construction activities and subsequent operations are likely to have a significant negative impact on the salmon's ability to spawn and thus to maintain a viable population."

This, she said, will translate into lost income and jobs from fishing for the area.

The community council also believes the wind farm would harm the river's Special Area of Conservation status, including what it claims could be a 'catastrophic' impact on a breeding area for hen harriers.

Anne Mackay, who lives with her partner at the Old Schoolhouse, Westerdale, is 'appalled and distraught' at the prospect of living beside another wind farm.

She said: "It is hugely important to me and my family that we are not swamped by turbines and our beloved landscape is not spoilt any further."

Other objectors include Caithness Bird Club and Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland.

Arise has defended the findings of its environmental impact assessment.

Because of the size of the wind farm, the planning application will be decided by Scottish ministers.

Lomond Energy is managing the Tormsdale project for Arise. Project manager Steve Macken said it is 'perplexed' by the backlash to the scheme.

He said: "We appreciate the sensitivity of the river, not just from an angling perspective but from the whole environmental perspective.

"This wind farm has protective measures to ensure that what we're designing and building will not have any adverse effects on this."

Mr Macken added: "There has been a wind farm on the Causewaymire for two decades and four others are either built or in the throes of going up.

"There's been no concerns raised about their actual or potential impact on the river.

"The Causewaymire wind farm hasn't had any impact whatsoever on the fishing or catches.

"We do take the fishing very seriously and there's absolutely zero evidence of any adverse effect."

Mr Macken said the biggest single threat to salmon fishing and ecosystems is climate change and wind farms are one of the solutions to helping move towards a net-zero carbon future.