The community group Stirling Before Pylons was constituted in December 2004 in response to the proposals by Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power to build a huge 400kV power line from Beauly to Denny. The power line would have an irrevocable impact on Scotland’s landscape and people. We are a large Stirling based community group with members from Braco to Denny whose main aim is to prevent the building of an extra high voltage overhead power line from Ullapool to Denny until all options have been fully explored. If built, this line would irrevocably damage Scotland and its people and, ironically, could impede effective renewable energy production for many years. We have successfully campaigned for a Public Inquiry which began in early 2007.

1. To question the need for the power line and seek alternatives including undergrounding.
2. To minimise the potential health impacts of any route on local people.
3. To minimise the impact of any route on the wellbeing, amenity and security of local communities.
4. To minimise the impact of any route on the landscape including the built and natural heritage.
5. To offer support for the protection of similar areas in other parts of Scotland.
6. To communicate as necessary with outside individuals and bodies in the furtherance of the said objectives.

The proposal by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) would march a line of massive pylons up to 65 metres high (the Wallace Monument is 67 metres) through some of the world’s finest landscapes and encourage the erection of wind factories which many energy experts now believe NOT to be the answer, on the scale planned, to an impending energy crisis.

SSE’s last proposed route for this power line, unbelievably, passes almost over the top of some houses to the east of Stirling, just a field from the Wallace Monument, and within 100 metres of many families. Health experts recommend 400 metres avoidance distance. We know of at least 1,100 letters of protest, from the Stirling area alone, sent to the power company in August 2004. The majority of these had health impacts as the major concern followed by the impacts on landscape, tourism, the economy, and many also questioned the underlying energy strategy. George Reid, MSP and Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament, said it is one of the largest issues ever raised with him in his five years at Holyrood.

Stirling Before Pylons is a member of The Renewable Energy Foundation (REF). The REF encourages the development of renewable energy and energy conservation whilst safeguarding the landscapes of the United Kingdom from unsustainable industrialisation. In pursuit of that goal, the foundation highlights the need for an overall energy policy that is balanced, ecologically sensitive and effective. We have strong links, and now friendships, with many like minded community groups along the entire length of the proposed power line.

We care about Scotland’s world class scenery. We care about the impending energy crisis and we care about the health of our communities. These are the reasons we ask you to join us in opposing this development as currently planned. The power company has now published it's proposed route and has submitted it to the Scottish Government. Fortunately there is still much we can all do to influence the final outcome.