Energy chiefs say the 200ft high poles carrying the power lines are needed to take windfarm energy from the Highlands to lucrative markets in England.

The plans by Scottish and Southern Energy, who last year posted £714million profits, would see pylons the size of the Scott Monument blotting the landscape.

Opponents claim the alternatives of burying the cables underground or even subsea have been dismissed because the price would more than double to around £700million David Black, of the Ramblers Association in Scotland, said regulators Ofgem had insisted on the cheapest option.

He said: "We're looking at 50 to 60 metre high pylons going through the Highlands.

"We don't believe this upgrading is necessary and believe they should be reducing the demand on the national grid rather than increasing capacity."

Peter Pearson, secretary of Stirling Before Pylons, said: "They have refused to consider going underground or subsea unless forced to by a public inquiry.

"If this goes ahead, the landscape fromtheramparts of Stirling Castle to the Wallace Monument will be completely devastated"The castle is the second biggest tourist attraction in Scotland. Would the same thing be allowed to happen in England?"

Highlands Tory MSP Jamie McGrigor said he was "horrified" by the scheme.

Local chief Simon Fraser, the 16th Lord Lovat, and his supermodel sister Honor have rallied clan members to fight the proposals. The proposed line of super-pylons will pass the clan's ancestral lands near Beauly.

But other environmental campaigners claim failing to build the power line could kill Scotland's renewable energy plans "stone dead".

Scottish Renewables, a forum representing160green businesses,described the link as "crucial".

Chief executive Maf Smith said: "We believe that Scottish and Southern Energy has put forward a robust proposal that minimises impact to an acceptable level."

But independent MSP Brian Monteith said: "Maf Smith clearly does not have a house under a pylon or children playing next to one.

"There is clear and unequivocal evidence that pylons are a danger to health."

The deadline for representations is Monday