Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Viewpoint 22: Tomtain Hill
Figure Number: VP-22
Grid Reference NS 772 814 Elevation 438m AOD
Bearing 299º Direction of View: North east
LCT: Lowland Hills LCU: Kilsyth Hills
Distance to nearest
proposed turbine:
19.45km
Existing Cumulative
visibility:
Braes of Doune WF
Craigengelt WF
Earlsburn WF
Greendykeside WF
Location:
The viewpoint is taken from a foothill of Tomtain Hill. The viewpoint is situated 19.45km to the south west of the site at
an elevation of 438m AOD.
Context:
The route to Tomtain begins from the minor road which runs from Kilsyth to Carron Bridge. The small hamlet of Carron
Bridge lies at the east end of the Carron Valley Reservoir. On the road is the Tack Ma Doon pointed viewpoint at a
level of 322m AOD.
From the summit this is probably one of the best viewpoints in Scotland looking north to Perthshire, Callander, Stirling,
the Wallace Monument, West to Glasgow, the Isle of Arran, South to Coatbridge, the Borders area and East to
Grangemouth, Edinburgh the Forth Bridges and the Kingdom of Fife.
Receptor Type:
The Kilsyth Hills are an inhabited area but are excellent for hill walking. Kilsyth is one of only two official “Walkers
Welcome” towns in Scotland. Therefore this viewpoint represents mainly one of hill walkers’ interests.
Existing View:
It is an elevated, 280 degrees wide open panorama with an almost infinite horizon over the Lowland Valley Fringes’
gently rolling low hills in a north east direction. The ridges of the Upland Hills appear above the Lowland Fringe
landscape. The Ochil Hills rise on the horizon to the north east and the peaks of the Southern Highlands form the
horizon to the north above the Touch Hills. To the east the Pentland Hills are visible on the far horizon. Even the shape
of the Forth Bridge is distinguishable. The River Forth water appears above the urban sprawl of Falkirk and
Grangemouth. Longannet power Station stands out as a recognizable landmark beside the river.
To the south, the view stretches over the Lowland Plateaux where the urban sprawl of Cumbernauld is visible and two
turbines of Greendykeside rise above this relatively flat area.
The Denny Muir landform which is covered by the plantations dominates on the foreground of the view before
descending to the Carron Valley. The Loch Coulter Reservoir and Stirling’s Industrial Estate beyond it stand out on the
middle ground of the view. The distinctive shape of the Wallace Monument on the Abbey Craig is perceivable beyond
the Lewis Hill escarpment on the backcloth of the Ochil Hills.
The broad flat floodplain of the River Forth contrasts with the Ochil Hills beyond Denny Muir on the far middle ground
of the view. The settlements pattern is not clearly visible and the Alloa Works chimneys are not distinguishable in
locating the proposed wind energy development’s site.
The importance of the close visual interrelationship with neighbouring lowland areas, in connection with the adjoining
hill mass to the north; the open character and absence of settlement creates a refuge of remoteness in close proximity
to densely settled areas.
The visibility of the proposal site:
The proposal site is not visible from the viewpoint. The settlements pattern on the Lowland River Valley is not clearly
visible and therefore the approximate location of the proposed site is identified by Cowie Works chimneys.
Visual detractors:
Most of the visual detractors remain at a long distance and therefore they are barely perceptible in the view.
Craigengelt and Earlsburn wind energy developments are visible to the north of the viewpoint. Braes of Doune wind
energy development’s cluttered layout is in the view behind Craigengelt. Some blades of Earlsburn wind energy
development break the skyline, otherwise all turbines and blades are seen against the backdrop of Lowland and
Highland landforms.
Landscape Designations:
The viewpoint is within the AGLV Kilsyth Hills.
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 medium.
November 2010 Chapter 9 Page 59
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©