Traffic in some parts of Buchan ground to a halt yesterday as sections of turbine were transported to Hill of Skelmonae, near Auchnagatt.

Between now and December, turbines bound for Banff, Boyndie, St Fergus, Foveran, Cuminestown and Rothienorman will arrive at the Buchan port.

The first of the heavy loads was given an escort by Grampian Police yesterday. Another will leave today.

A spokesman said the loads would be picked up by officers at 10am at Peterhead harbour, then the convoy would travel along the A90 Peterhead bypass before turning left on to the A950 Peterhead to New Pitsligo road.

It will then continue through Longside and Mintlaw to the junction with the A981 Strichen to New Deer road.

There it will turn left and continue to the A948 New Deer to Auchnagatt road, where it will turn left and continue south to Auchnagatt.

On reaching Auchnagatt, it will turn right on to the unclassified Methlick road and continue to the wind farm site at Hill of Skelmonae.

The estimated arrival time at the site is 11.45am.

David Smith, of Cloffrickford Farm, was given planning permission for four turbines on Skelmonae Farm earlier this year.

He has since lodged plans to build four more turbines across four acres of land to the south-west of Auchnagatt.

The second scheme is facing opposition from defence bosses over fears it could interfere with crucial weather forecasting equipment nearby.

The Skelmonae windfarm, together with Mr Smith's other project will provide enough electricity to power more than 5,000 homes.