WWW.NTS.ORG.UK31?and townscapes, such as at Culzean and Culross.Our land and seascapes are currently undergoingsubstantial human changes, with developments infarming and land management, the deployment ofonshore and offshore wind turbines (and plans forwave and tidal renewable energy), and a drive toincrease forest cover. Scotland's landscapes are alsoaffected by smaller, incremental changes, such ashouse-building or the ongoing construction of roadsand tracks.Fifty years ago, Scotland faced similar challenges,with the introduction of large-scale hydroelectricschemes, new forestry plantations, and roadbuilding. Then, the Trust commissioned WilliamMurray, one of Scotland's leading mountaineers, tosurvey more than 50 of Scotland's landscapes. HisHighland Landscape: A Surveyhelped start the processof landscape protection that led to the designationof National Scenic Areas. Today, the Trust is revisiting these issues with aprogramme of research into how well our currentdevelopment controls take the conservation oflandscapes into account and how these could bestrengthened in the future. On the following pages we have assembled viewson some of our current landscape challenges - windfarms, hill tracks and developments in the NationalParks (in this case Loch Lomond and The Trossachs).Our research team would also like to hear from you. How well do you think Scotland's landscapesare being looked after? Do you have a favouritelandscape, and how has it developed over time?Please let us know by contacting me, DiarmidHearns, on landscape@nts.org.uk

32SUMMER 2012POLICY?WIND TURBINESFOR: Maitland Mackie, Chairman, Mackie's ofScotland, and Rector of Aberdeen UniversityMy parents used tobemoan the pylonsmarching across thecountryside. But they gotthem into perspective,and we must do the samewith turbines. We are at thebeginning of the end ofthe fossil fuel era.Dramatically rising energy costs will only stabilisewhen there is enough renewable energy coming onstream. The following points reflect five years ofexperience of investment by Mackies in 3MW ofwind power capacity, which now drives ourbusiness.Wind power has a proven track record. Efficientonshore turbines, at 6 per cent interest on theinvestment, are producing electricity for about 6pper kilowatt, similar to new fossil-fuelled powerstations. The running cost is less than half a penceper kilowatt.The incentivising subsidy for turbines of 1MW-plus is about 4p per KW. For solar panels it is up to43p per KW produced.Back-up power is needed to cover windless periods.But the industry is learning fast how to store surplusenergy produced during high winds. Demandmanagement and smart grids will help, too. Big, slow-moving turbines do not kill birds.Hundreds of thousands are killed every year on theroads, by cats and by flying into windows.Investment in offshore renewable energy iscrucial, but the cost per KW is twice that of onshorewind power. A thousand 3MW turbines,delivering 33 per cent of capacity, would add10 per cent to Scotland's generating capacity.Ten thousand would double it, delivering 100 percent renewable electric energy, and reducing carbonproduction by about 50 million tons. A friend said she did not want a turbine on thehill behind her house. "What about the pylons onit?" asked her husband. "What pylons?" sheresponded. We must get used to turbines, as my friend - andmy parents - did with pylons. AGAINST: Donald Trump, Chairman, The Trump OrganisationI have been honoured towork with the authoritiesin Scotland to achievewhat we set out to do -build the greatest golfcourse in the world. Myambition is now thatpeople from all over theworld will come and playmy course at the Menie Estate, spending theirmoney in Aberdeenshire and other parts of Scotland.Scottish tourism depends heavily on its landscape,with 92 per cent of visitors stating that scenery wasimportant in their choice of holiday destination, thenatural environment being important to 89 per centand 68 per cent saying they wanted a landscape freeof wind turbines.But the beauty of the landscape can't bequantified by facts or figures. Does anyone honestlybelieve that a wind farm landscape will stimulatetourism? It will completely end tourism in Scotland."Big, slow-moving turbines do not kill birds.Thousands are killed every year on the roads"PHOTOGRAPH: PRESS ASSOCIATION