Sutherland Estates Aclaim to have finally reached an agreement with wind farm developers Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) over the use of an alternative hill route via the existing Kilbraur wind farm and with access just south of Golspie.

Estates factor Chris Whealing has informed Golspie and Brora community councils of the breakthrough. In a letter dated 26th November, he stated: "My negotiations with representatives of Scottish and Southern Energy have continued and, I am happy to say, have reached a satisfactory conclusion.

"We have agreed the main terms for the largest wind farm traffic to use the estate tracks on Ben Bhraggie and Kilbraur. This should give SSE the opportunity of managing construction traffic so than none of its abnormally large vehicles need travel through the villages of Golspie and Brora."

But his letter has been given only a cautious welcome by campaigners against the use of the A9 for construction traffic.

Golspie resident Valerie Scott said: "The letter from Mr Whealing is quite clear. Sutherland Estates have reached an agreement and the way is now open for SSE to use the Kilbraur route.

"But we have heard nothing from SSE yet to say that this is their absolute intention and, at a meeting we had recently, representatives of the power company were wriggling like mad over the Kilbraur route. Until we hear for definite from SSE I am not standing down my army or taking down any of the posters that are up."

Golspie Community Council chairman Ian Miller said he did not wish to comment until he heard from SSE.

Brora Community Council chairman John McMorran said: "We have had a response from the land owners we approached to say they have reached agreement with SSE about how to proceed. It all sounds quite positive but the important thing is that it gets followed through."

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