On 3rd September 2025, Vattenfall Wind Power submitted a request to the Scottish Ministers for a scoping opinion for the proposed Glenmarkie Wind Farm. The application, made under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, sets out plans for up to 65 turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 250 metres and a total capacity of 481 MW. The proposed site lies between the existing Stronelairg and Corriegarth wind farms, around 30km south of Inverness.
Transport Route Through Strathnairn
Although the turbines themselves would be located mainly within the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Council area, the main transport route for heavy construction traffic and turbine deliveries is expected to run through Strathnairn along the B851, before continuing on the B862.
This means residents in Strathnairn are likely to experience the effects of:
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Significant volumes of HGV and turbine component traffic using the B851.
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Potential road disruption, delays, and safety concerns during the construction period.
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Longer-term impacts on road condition and local travel if mitigation is not addressed.
Vattenfall has confirmed that Strathnairn Community Council is being consulted as a key stakeholder, alongside Stratherrick & Foyers and Strathdearn CCs. Other nearby councils, including Laggan, Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston, and Glenurquhart, will also be informed for awareness.
The Scoping Process
The request to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit (ECU) is part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. Scottish Ministers are required to consult with statutory bodies, local authorities, and affected community councils before issuing a formal scoping opinion under the Electricity Works (EIA) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.
The full scoping documents, including maps of the indicative turbine locations and transport details, can be viewed on the Energy Consents Unit website www.energyconsents.scot under project reference ECU00006252, and on Vattenfall’s project website.
Early Design Details
The early-stage design submitted by Vattenfall includes:
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65 turbines (layout shown in the Scoping Report)
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Rotor diameter: 170m
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Hub height: 165m
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Maximum tip height: 250m
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Installed capacity: up to 481 MW
Community Engagement and Benefits
Vattenfall has announced that it will hold a series of public exhibitions in the local area to present the proposals and gather feedback. They have also indicated a proposed community benefit package of up to £2.4 million per year (based on the current scoping design) if the wind farm is approved.
What This Means for Strathnairn
While the turbines themselves would not be located in Strathnairn, the B851 transport route places the community directly on the front line of the project’s construction impacts. The volume and size of vehicles required to deliver turbine components may raise issues around road safety, traffic management, and the condition of the B851.
The Community Council will continue to monitor this closely and ensure that the voices of Strathnairn residents are heard as the planning process develops.
