The vandalism of our beauty spots continues. I refer to Stirling Council's decision to shun its planning department's advice and support a wind farm at Craigengelt. Its 410ft turbines should make a splendid backdrop to the massive pylons planned from Stirling to Denny.

Formerly known as the entrance to the Highlands, Stirling should in future be dubbed: "Gateway to the industrial belt."

I no longer walk the neighbouring Cringate Muir area. The turbine factory and massive road system makes the spot like a derelict shipyard. And the silence has gone.

As with thousands of others from the lowlands, I'll just have to burn more petrol to drive further north for hillwalking without wind farms anywhere in sight.

It is sad to witness Scotland becoming an energy colony for the south-east of England.