Letters: Opposing turbines is not nimbyism

The term nimby was originally applied to those who construct government policies for others but fail to abide by the policy themselves. Currently nimby is incorrectly used for anyone who responsibly objects to the wanton destruction of their way of life, their environment, landscape and local wildlife against the ravages of avaricious turbine companies and greedy often absentee landowners.

None of these "nimbys" were ever asked whether they supported the seriously flawed energy policy that is leading to the mass destruction of Scotland's most valuable commodity - its unspoilt environment and tourist industry - by armies of monstrous turbines. It is this present government that are the real nimbys. If they wish to avoid that charge, lead by example. All of them should purchase and live in a house not more than 900 metres from a large wind farm.

Currently none of them do. There are plenty of such houses available at knockdown prices, owned by those who wish to but cannot escape their wretched existence. Nimbys and land-based turbines would vanish quickly enough if any members of our government had the moral gut to do it.

Professor Anthony Trewavas, Penicuik

I READ the article on "Nimbys wrecking green strategy" with interest as I fought in a local group alongside Karen Hamilton, representing Midlothian Council, to preserve the Pentland Hills from a wind farm of 14 turbines 100 metres high on Auchencorth Moss.

It seems remarkable to me that people from the past like John Muir, Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin who worked so hard to preserve beautiful countryside should be lauded, whilst people like me who are working to preserve beautiful areas from wind farms should be so reviled and called derogatory names like nimbys.

What is even more worrying is that developers show scant regard for Reporter's decisions and a new developer has put in an application for turbines 125 metres high three miles away from Auchencorth on the Peebles Road, south of Leadburn. We managed to preserve the Gateway to Midlothian with its stunning views only to have the Gateway to the Borders under threat.

Celia Hobbs, Penicuik