Fragile Moray community could be decimated by "modern day Highland Clearances", residents fear
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RESIDENTS of a fragile Moray community fear the area will be decimated if further wind farm developments go ahead.
The Cabrach, located just a few miles south of Dufftown, is currently home to 77 turbines across two wind farms.
However, plans for further developments could see the area become home to the largest onshore wind park in the entire UK.
If that happens, some residents say they will leave the area completely.
Among them is Trevor Smith who moved to the area in 2023 from the Isle of Wight alongside his partner.
The pair left family and friends behind to move to what they thought was their dream home - a converted church nestled in the heart of the Cabrach.
But Mr Smith says that if he and his partner had known about further proposals for wind turbines in the area they would have moved elsewhere.
"We just fell in love with the Cabrach because everything was so quiet and peaceful," he said.
"When we had driven in to look at the house we had seen a bit of the Dorenell wind farm and in fairness you can't see any turbines from our home.
"But we had no inkling that there were further plans in the area and to be quite frank if we had known we wouldn't have moved here.
"They're not obvious from where we are at the moment but this third phase would put them right in our view.
"We're desperately hoping that doesn't go ahead but if they do go up in front of our home then we won't be staying."
Wind turbines cause a flickering effect known as "shadow flicker" and some residents have likened the noise they make to a "helicopter that never quite gets to you".
Some residents have also reported losing access to their water supply and have had to drill boreholes at their own expense to regain access.
But more serious concerns have been raised regarding a development which could be built on the only remaining wild land in the Cabrach.
Mr Smith said: "We've got a pair of golden eagles here and their hunting ground is right over where the third phase of wind turbines is likely to be scoped for.
"We've got Scottish wildcats around here, grey herons, all kinds of wildlife that could be impacted in a big way if all those turbines are here."
The Cabrach was once home to a population of over 1000 people. Today, that number stands at just 63.
Efforts to regenerate the once thriving community have been ongoing since 2013 with plans in place for a new distillery and discovery trail. Meanwhile, the Cabrach Picnic and Games were revived in 2022 having last been held in 1935.
It is hoped that the projects will transform the Cabrach into a thriving and sustainable community.
But there are fears that further wind farm developments threaten that goal.
Patti Nelson, who has lived in the Cabrach for 28 years and acted as the local community association's chairperson since 2011, said: "We don't have anything against wind farms. We know we need them.
"But we've got a new distillery opening this year and all of this is moving towards regeneration. Personally, I'm frightened this is being undermined.
"Who wants to live in an industrialised zone when most of us have moved here because of how rural and beautiful it is.
"If more and more turbines are built here then it will lead to the area being depopulated.
"It's like the modern day Highland Clearances but instead of being moved off the land for sheep, we're being moved off for wind turbines."
The Scottish Government says wind farms are necessary to protect the country's energy security.
The turbines in the Cabrach currently produce enough power for the equivalent of 133,000 homes - three times the number of homes in the entire Moray region.
But Ms Nelson says that the community feels it has "done its bit" after two independent reports found that the area has reached a "saturation point".
"I don't know what else we can do," she added.
"We've been asking for a sit down with ministers for months but we're told they can't do it because of ministerial code.
"All we can do now is keep the situation in the public eye but we need a pause."
Mr Smith added: "It's people versus money. Unfortunately money tends to win on most occasions.
"Hopefully, as a community, we can stop at least some of the developments."
