[Uig Loch, Isle of Lewis: © Andrew Dunn, 2002, reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 1.0 License]

“Fàilte. Ciamar a tha sibh?” I am delighted to be able to report that the dreadful wind farm proposed* for the beautiful Isle of Lewis (Eilean Leòdhais) in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland has been refused by the Scottish Energy Minister (‘Lewis Wind Farm refused’, The Stornoway Gazette, April 21):

“Plans by Lewis Windpower for a wind farm at Barvas Moor in Lewis have been refused consent on the grounds of incompatibility with European law.

Ministers have concluded that the proposed 181 turbine Lewis Wind Farm would have a serious impact on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, which is designated under the EC Birds Directive and protected under the EC Habitats Directive.”

The Energy Minister, Jim Mather, is reported as concluding:

“I have considered this application very carefully. I have listened to representations from the applicant, taken the views of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and considered the 10,924 objections and 98 letters of support.

I visited Stornoway last month and heard at first hand a range of deeply held views. I have also taken ecological advice, and advice from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.

European legislation requires a specific procedure to be followed when proposals which could potentially affect Special Protection Areas come forward.

I considered all the relevant issues and concluded it would not be possible to approve this application.

The Lewis Wind Farm would have significant adverse impacts on the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area, which is designated due to its high value for rare and endangered birds.”

Genuine Ecological Concerns

Bravo, Minister! How encouraging to see some genuine ecological concerns winning out against the airy fairy consequences of ‘global warming’ hysteria. We have too few remaining wildernesses in the British Isles; they are good for our souls. The loss of Lewis would have been a tragedy. For once, I’m with the birds.

Time for an outburst [beautifully sung here by Hazel Whyte] of the famous Lewis Bridal Song [Original Gaelic by Johnny Bannerman (1935); English words by Hugh S. Roberton (1936, below)**; melody traditional]

“‘S i mo ghaol-sa Màiri Bhàn

Màiri bhòidheach sgeul mo dhain

Gaol mo chridh’-sa Màiri Bhàn

‘S tha mi ‘dol ‘ga pòsadh.”

“Slàn leibh. Tapadh leibh.”

[See: my earlier blog, ‘Iconic Lewis Saved From Wind Farm?’ (January 26); see also Scottish Government Press Release (April 21): ‘Decision on Lewis windfarm’]

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*Details of wind farm proposal: in October 2004, Lewis Windpower, a consortium of AMEC and British Energy, applied to construct and operate 234 wind turbines with a generating capacity of 702 Megawatts at Barvas Moor and other locations in north Lewis, on land owned by the Stornoway Trust and the Galson and Barvas Estates. In December 2006, Lewis Windpower amended this application, reducing the number of turbines to 181, and the generating capacity to 651 Megawatts.

**“Step we gaily, on we go

Heel for heel and toe for toe,

Arm in arm and row on row,

All for Mairi’s wedding.”