Concern has been raised over the possible impact on wildlife if a proposed windfarm is developed near Huntly.

Swedish energy firm Vattenfall is behind plans for a 22-turbine windfarm at Clashindarroch Forest, between Dufftown and Rhynie.

The company, which is Europe's fifth largest generator of electricity, will provide information and details of the scheme tomorrow at an open day at Huntly.

Fears over the effect the development could have on wildlife, including birds and wildcats, have been voiced by local stalker and game processor Steve Wright.

He said: "Wildcats are in Clashindarroch and they are one of the most endangered species in the world.

"I am a stalker and I see them frequently and a development like this would put them under further threat because of noise disturbance.

"I don't know if the public is aware how threatened the wildcats are because there's an estimate of fewer than 500 at large in the world."

Mr Wright, of Loanend, Braes o' Gartly, said he feared noise generated from development of a windfarm and the ongoing turbine noise would also affect other birds and wildlife in the area.

He said he was also concerned that the scheme might cause environmental damage at Clashindarroch and have implications for tourism.

"The implications for tourism of our prized Cairngorm national park, surrounded by wind turbines around its periphery hardly bear thinking about," he said.

Mr Wright said a similar development would not be allowed in Sweden because of a threat to wolves, or in Denmark where large-scale windfarms are offshore only.

He said renewable energy should be sought and exploited in the right places but should not destroy "wild lands and heritage".

The proposals for Clashindarroch come after an earlier scheme for a 35-turbine development was rejected by the Scottish Government in 2007.

It was pursued by renewable energy developer Amec who sold its Amec Wind development business to Vattenfall last year.

The open day organised by Vattenfall tomorrow is from 2pm to 8pm at the Gordon Arms Hotel, Huntly.

The company said it was keen to involve local residents in the development proposals.