Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 6: Stirling Castle
Figure Number: VP-6
Grid Reference NS 791 941 Elevation 105m AOD
Bearing 107º Direction of View: south east
LCT: Lowland River Valley LCU: Carse of Forth
Distance to nearest
proposed turbine:
10.1km
Existing Cumulative
visibility:
Craigengelt WF
Earlsburn WF
Braes of Doune WF
Greendykeside
Location:
The viewpoint is taken from the summit of Stirling Craig on the entrance platform of Stirling Castle. The viewpoint is
situated 10km to the north west of the site at an elevation of 105m AOD.
Context:
The city of Stirling is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth. Positioned on the
main route into the Highlands from the south, Stirling occupies a strategic position at the point where the flatter, largely
undulating Scottish Lowlands meet the rugged slopes of the Highlands along the Highland Boundary Fault. The
starkness of this contrast is evidenced by the many hills and mountains of the lower Highlands such as Ben Vorlich
and Ben Ledi which can be seen to the northwest of the city. Just above Stirling the Allan Water comes in from
Dunblane and the river Teith enters the Forth from Callander and the Braes of Doune.
In contrast the Carse of Stirling, stretching to the west and east of the city, is one of the flattest and most agriculturally
productive expanses of land in the whole of Scotland.
Stirling stands on the Forth at the point where the river widens and becomes tidal.
Receptor Type:
This viewpoint is selected as being representative of local/international tourists and recreational users of the
landscape.
Existing View:
It is an elevated panorama with the Cleish Hills on the horizon. In the foreground lies Stirling’s Riverside development
on the loop of the River Forth. The Forth’s twists and loops are visible in the landscape. Stirling’s large Industrial Estate
is hidden behind the vegetation in this view. Otherwise it is clearly visible near to the River Forth.
Behind Stirling’s built up area a sprawl of large arable fields on the River Forth floodplain is visible on the middle
ground of the view. The shrub vegetation marks the river’s convolutions
This viewpoint is 55m lower than the Wallace Monument, therefore the Bonded Warehouses are no longer the main
feature in the view. Behind the Warehouses the ground rises from the Lowland River Valley to the Lowland Valley
Fringes (Devon-Forth LCA) up to a level of 62m AOD. Tullibody is clearly visible on the higher ground of the Devon
Valley fringe.
Alloa is distinguishable by the chimneys of Alloa Works adjacent to the River Forth. Behind Alloa the ground rises up to
110m AOD. The dark lines of the Forest Plantations mark the rolling low hills of the Lowland Valley fringes. This view
represents a visible change in the landscape character from the Lowland River Valley to the Uplands.
On right side of the view the Pentland Hills are visible on the horizon above the Slamannan Plateau.
The vertical features do not stand out in this elevated view. Most visible are the floodlights of the Forthbank Stadium.
The chimneys of Alloa Works and Longannet Power Station are visible. Grangemouth Oil Refinery on the backdrop of
the Slamannan Plateau is identifiable by the smoke from its chimneys.
The 380kV Forth Crossing crosses the River Forth close to Alloa, smaller pylons’ line crosses the river close to the
Bonded Warehouses and the third line of pylons is visible behind the Cambuskenneth Abbey running parallel with the
A91.
None of these vertical manmade features breaks the skyline other than the chimney of Longannet Power Station.
The left side of the view is dominated by the Ochil Hills. On the bottom of The River Devon valley the ‘Hillfoots’
settlements are visible.
The visibility of the proposal site:
The proposal site is not visible from the viewpoint. Its approximate location is identifiable by Alloa Works’ chimneys.
Visual detractors:
Bonded Warehouses, Longannet Power Station; Kincardine high block building, the 380kV Forth Crossing;
Grangemouth Oil Refinery chimneys, chimneys of Cowie and Alloa Works, lattice towers.
Landscape Designations:
Stirling Castle is a National Landmark
Viewpoint Sensitivity to the proposed wind energy development: :
The landscape sensitivity of this location is considered to be medium.
The visual sensitivity of this location is considered to be high.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 44
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©