High Pressure Drizzle
6th April 2017
(Above) In the Fannaichs today. Poor visibility on the summits due to hill fog associated with drizzly showers. And as a consequence, very little snow observed. The cloud was breaking on the more inland mountains, with drier and sunnier conditions further east. Unfortunately, with high pressure centred to the south and gradually drifting eastward, this is a typical weather pattern in the North West. Sgurr a’ Choarachain summit readings (776m) at 12pm – 3.5°C, 25mph, WSW. Little change forecast for tomorrow – perhaps less drizzle!
(Above)Â Drizzle on the more westerly Fannaichs, clearer to the east. Distances; A’ Chailleach (on the right) is 19km (11 mi) as the crow flies from Beinn Eighe.
(Above)Â Looking into Coire Ghranda of Beinn Dearg from the head of Loch Glascarnoch to the east.
(Above)Â A windfarm too far? This windfarm (actually it was erected in 2 stages and each is named separately – ‘Lochluichart’ and ‘Corriemoillie’) is sited in the foothills of the Fannaich mountains to the east of the Munro of An Coileachan. Planning was originally refused on the grounds that there were too many turbines for the landscape to support. So, what do ‘they’ do? Two separate smaller scale ‘farms’ (with applications far enough apart), although technically joined up! Some windfarms are inappropriately sited. This example is one of them in my opinion.
(Above)Â Thought I’d include some snow. The Fannaichs in February this year, above Loch Broom.
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David
6th April 2017 7:18 pm
Hi –
I regularly follow all the SAIS blogs, enjoying the changing scenery and weather, which you make available through the many excellent photographs.
I don’t often comment on the blogs, but I felt compelled to comment here. I absolutely agree with you concerning the hugely inappropriate location for this windfarm, and it is utterly disgraceful that planners agreed to these developments. It is also deeply depressing to realise the extent to which the Scottish landscape has been scarred by these monstrosities. What would John Muir think? Or Sir Hugh Munro?
You’ll have spotted you’ve hit a nerve with your photo of the windfarm…but then I don’t think I’m alone in my intense disgust at these objects polluting what is otherwise such a stunning landscape. I think ALL windfarms are inappropriately located, but what can we do as a collective to stop any further windfarm developments, especially in the Highlands?
Rant over.
Excellent reporting from you and the other SAIS guys in what I think has been a somewhat disappointing winter overall. And thanks very much for the efforts you go to, to ensure we’re safe in the hills.
David
torridonadmin
7th April 2017 1:40 pm
Hi David. Thanks for your kind thoughts and for your ‘rant’; I can feel your angst and I’m kind of pleased that you have had a relief! Don’t feel bad, this is what our blog is for – engagement. Until more people take a real interest in and a connection with our environment, similar developments will continue to occur. We must not sacrifice our landscape for so called ‘green energy’ production.