Turbine tourism

There is a new report by Biggar Economics for Renewable UK and Department of Energy and Climate Change on the effects of wind energy. For 14 years I have had bed and breakfast visitors from all over the world appreciating our wonderful scenery but have watched overseas visitor numbers plummet since 2006. It seems I was worrying unnecessarily about the negative effects of wind turbines on tourism because instead of having these overseas visitors increasing Scotland’s wealth we have “onshore wind business tourism”.

I am not joking. That is what the report says. “Another impact wind farms have on tourism is through the spending of workers when they visit wind farms and are away from home.”

Have these workers been included in our tourism statistics? They are being paid from our electricity bills so there is hardly wealth creation there – just a redistribution.

No wonder Fergus Ewing is in charge of the joint department of Energy and Tourism if our accommodation is for wind farm workers spending our money.

Celia Hobbs

Peebles Road

Penicuik, Midlothian