PROTECT THE HEBRIDEAN HORIZON FROM THE MACHAIRWIND WIND FARM

A Summary of Objections

The public consultation period closed on 14th August 2026 — with an incredible 4,819 objections submitted to Marine Directorate through the public objection platform which was only open for 3 weeks, and over 10,000 signatures on the petition which is still live.

These representations combine with powerful, detailed and strongly evidenced objections from:

• Community councils across the islands
• The National Trust for Scotland
• The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust
• Specialist organisations including Scottish Environment LINK, and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation
• Artists, writers, ecologists, residents and many others who care deeply about this extraordinary place.

On 15th September 2026, the Planning, Protective Services & Licensing (PPSL) Committee of Argyll & Bute Council voted unanimously to object to the MachairWind proposal. 

Very importantly, Scotland’s statutory bodies responsible for advising on the historic and natural environment have also published powerful evidence about the adverse impacts of the proposal, including impacts of national importance:

• Historic Environment Scotland has formally objected to MachairWind, concluding that it would cause significant adverse harm to nationally important heritage assets of exceptional cultural significance.
• NatureScot has identified widespread significant adverse effects on nationally designated landscapes and distinctive coastal character and seascape up to 45 km from the proposal. It has also identified significant effects on wildlife and night time impacts. NatureScot concludes that these landscape and seascape effects cannot feasibly be overcome through further siting, design or mitigation.

The evidence in these objections is extraordinarily consistent. It confirms severe harm to nationally important landscapes, seascapes and heritage, alongside severe harm to protected wildlife, and risks to island communities that have not been assessed.

The scale and location of MachairWind are fundamental to the harm identified.

As the Councilstated in its objection: “Further mitigation measures are unlikely to reduce the widespread significant and adverse visual effects” across seascapes, landscapes and cultural heritage assets due to the “large-scale nature of the proposal in this highly sensitive location”, and the asserted national benefits have not been demonstrated to outweigh those effects.

VIEW THE MAIN OBJECTIONS HERE.

MachairWind: The Facts Behind the Proposal

For generations, Scotland’s west coast has been defined by vast seas, unspoilt island views, dark skies, wildlife and tranquillity — the very qualities that attract visitors and sustain our island economies.

That is now under threat from the proposed MachairWind development by Iberdrola — the energy giant which owns ScottishPower Renewables (SPR), with an industrial development on a scale never before seen in the Inner Hebrides.

The MachairWind proposal would cover 448 km² of sea, with at least 91 turbines standing up to 335 metres high, located within 6 miles of Colonsay, 10 miles of Islay, and 13 miles of Mull and Iona. To put this into perspective, each turbine would stand taller than the Eiffel Tower. Imagine 91 Eiffel Towers dominating your horizon.  More details of the development are available on our FAQ page.

This is not about energy generation.  Currently energy companies receive approximately £1.4 billion per year to turn off wind turbines in Scotland and crank up polluting gas power stations closer to major cities south of the border when the power produced by our wind farms cannot be transmitted by our failing grid. Island communities will not receive cheaper electricity, community benefits won’t be confirmed until after approval is given, livelihoods may be destroyed and the long-term visual impact will remain long after the profits have gone into the pockets of Iberdola’s shareholders.

Renewable energy matters. 

But fragile and unique communities matter too.

The money will not stay in the Hebrides.  The damage will.