The Scottish Parliament's economy, energy and tourism committee this week called for a speedy approval of the Beauly to Denny line despite nearly 20,000 objections.

Now the Mountaineering Council of Scotland says the committee's stance "clearly ignores" the evidence provided to the long-running planning inquiry into the proposals.

Chris Townsend, president of the group which represents 10,500 hill walkers, climbers and mountaineers, said: "

The natural environment should not be sacrificed for energy transmission.

"The committee has not considered alternatives to the power line and assumes it is the only means of bringing power south, which is simply untrue."

A number of campaign groups have also attacked the committee's stance, but CBI Scotland welcomed support for the power line upgrade.

Developers say the upgrade is needed to carry renewable energy from schemes in the Highlands and Islands.

A report from the public inquiry is with Scottish ministers.