Campaigners are worried about golden eagles flying into pylons

An application for the 36-turbine wind farm has been lodged with the Scottish Executive.

Campaigners including Dr David Bellamy said the development on the Dunmaglass Estate would "sell Scotland's heritage for a mess of wattage".

Renewable Energy Systems defended its plans and rejected wildlife concerns.

Environmentalists, local residents and wildlife campaigners say 11 golden eagles and a number of other species face death or disturbance if the wind farm at The Monadhliaths, south of Inverness, is built.

They have launched their own campaign group and are now calling for a public inquiry.

'Pristine wilderness'

Roy Dennis, an ornithologist who is advising the Stop Dunmaglass group, said the developer's own environmental impact statement indicated that there was a risk of golden eagles colliding with pylons.

He said: "Golden Eagles will die, of that I have no doubt.

"The developer's own environmental impact statement spells out the risks - it says there is a chance, in the worst case scenario of up to 11 golden eagle fatalities due to collision over a 25-year period.

"This power station will turn a pristine wilderness into an industrial site."

He added that other species such as red kites and wildcats could also be at risk.

Ray Hunter, of Renewable Energy Systems, defended the wind farm and said it was unlikely 11 golden eagles would be killed during the 25-year lifetime of the project.