Wind Turbines

There could hardly be a more appropriate place for wind turbines than Ardnamurchan, so it's not surprising that they're springing up along the peninsula. There are machines of around 5Kw already installed at Ardslignish, Glenborrodale, Resipole and Acharacle School, but at this, the most westerly and windiest end, we only have small machines at Achnaha, Branault and Swordle. That's about to change, with two 5Kw turbines at Kilchoan Community Centre and a big, 20Kw installation at Ardnamurchan Lighthouse.

The foundations being installed behind the Community Centre

Work has already begun on both sites, with the preparation of the foundations. At the Community Centre, the bolts to which the towers will be fixed have been set in concrete, while at the Lighthouse the pins have been drilled into solid rock. The contracts are due to be completed at both sites within three months.

In the past, the prospect of large wind farms covering large areas of our hills has been badly received by local people. These two projects, by contrast, seem to have attracted general support.

The machines being installed are all built by Westwind. They are Australian designed, and built in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. All this is part of Scotland's drive towards green energy. Both projects are supported by grants, through Lochaber LEADER and Community Energy Scotlan

It's good to feel that, whereas high winds in the past have sometimes cut the electricity supply - which comes all the way down the peninsula on overhead wires - in future they will be making energy for us.

Watch a Westwind 20Kw being installed here.