The proposal has infuriated Professor Bellamy

TV campaigner David Bellamy and rugby player Kenny Logan have backed critics battling to halt the 400,000 volt power line.

The rugby star's family has owned a farm in the shadow of the national Wallace Monument for 100 years.

He said the towers will pass within less than half a mile of the memorial.

And world famous conservationist Bellamy demanded that the plug is pulled on the scheme.

Although Logan - married to TV sports presenter Gabby Logan - is most angry about the alleged health risk from the cable, he has another reason for wanting the scheme by energy giant Scottish and Southern Electric kicked into touch.

"It's where I proposed to Gabby in July 2000. And I wouldn't have done it if the pylons had been there," he said.

"It's something Gabby and I are very serious about. She feels the same as I do. We are determined to fight this all the way."

You can't put up a garden shed near there without planning permission, but the power company can do this Kenny Logan

A spokesman for the power giant hit back, insisting: "We are conducting an open, transparent and extensive consultation on the rebuilding of the line.

"As part of this consultation, we are very interested to hear from individuals, communities and organisations on any issue arising from the rebuild."

But Logan's wife Gabby, a former Olympic and Commonwealth Games gymnast, told BBC Online Scotland: "The power company is 10 years behind everybody else where the health issue is concerned.

"You can't definitely say this is safe. What the firm says is very vague. They are not interested in knowing the truth. They are not up to speed.

Kenny Logan has condemned the project

"Health is a massive part of all of our lives. We are told Scotland has one of the worst health records, then they want to put up these pylons. Somebody is dragging their heels."

World Cup 2003 hero Logan has been vocal in his opposition to the �200m proposed cable, intended to carry electricity from renewable sources, such as wind farms from Beauly in the Highlands, to Denny, near Falkirk.

He has quit the international game and two weeks ago moved back to Scotland after leaving Wasps for Glasgow.

His family's 260-acre farm near the village of Blairlogie, outside Stirling, nestles at the foot of the Ochil Hills and the Wallace Monument - in the heart of Braveheart country.

Furious that the proposed high voltage cable would pass less 200 yards from the family farmhouse, he said: "The pylons will go right across the skyline of the Wallace Monument.

"You can't put up a garden shed near there without planning permission, but the power company can do this. If I wanted to build a wind farm here, I would be told it detracted from the view of the Monument.

"The company has been almost dishonest. They don't care a monkey's what anybody thinks. But, as a professional sportsman, I believe the health risk is even more important than the environment.

"Stirling is a young city and the last thing residents, or visitors, want to look at is these pylons. The public don't need them, the landowners don't need them and I certainly don't need any compensation they may offer me."

How the hell can you run a supply grid on wind, which goes on and off? David Bellamy

Professor Bellamy, who has threatened to chain himself to a turbine in protest at wind power, said: "If they don't get permission for this line, which will go through some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, there will be no point in building any more wind farms.

"The plans should be scrapped. Wind farms are bloody useless. They produce a piddling amount of energy for the damage they cause."

The environmentalist added: "How the hell can you run a supply grid on wind, which goes on and off? The bloody things don't work.

"Germany is finding they are costing so much money, the economy is uncompetitive. People are not going to visit Scotland to look at wind turbines.

The star proposed to Gabby at the Wallace Monument

"This is the battle for Scotland. These things are high rise weapons of mass destruction."

The row has been sparked by the decision by Scottish Executive ministers to produce 40% of electricity from renewable sources, such as wind farms, by 2020 - twice the UK's target.

Prof Bellamy warned: "This is a target which is going to ruin a hell of a lot of property prices in Scotland, as well as incomes in the tourist industry."

Electricity chiefs have already drawn up a new plan for the 160-mile route of the pylons, which would not only run past the Wallace Monument, but also the historic sites of the battles of Sheriffmuir and Bannockburn.

Work on the controversial power line could start in 2005.

The company spokesman added: "When a planning application is submitted, it will be subject to the most detailed scrutiny, which we welcome.