ScottishPower Renewables: MachairWind Farm – What Do We Need To Know?
MachairWind has been a local discussion point amongst the community for two years now, but the impact of this development is still not clear to most of the people living on Mull.
Iona Community Council (ICC) has spent weeks consulting the Iona community and gathering information and advice about the MachairWind development and its potential impacts. Their findings are presented in a Brief which you can read here: www.visitmullandiona.org/machairwind-brief-from-iona-community-council.
VMI has been working with ICC and now believes that much of what they highlight in their Brief is also relevant to Mull tourism.
Our major concerns are:
The scale of the MachairWind development is massive and very visible from land. It is located just under 13 miles off Iona and the Southwest of Mull. The field of turbines covers an area around 58% of the land mass of Mull and each turbine is higher than the Eiffel Tower. These will be clearly seen from Iona, Staffa, the Treshnish Isles, the Ross of Mull coastline, Loch na Keal, (A National Scenic Area) Treshnish Point and high areas on Mull from Ben More to Burg.
The scale of this development will change the character of the landscape of Mull and Iona
The unique selling point of our islands is their beautiful, wild, undeveloped landscapes and rare wildlife. This is the main reason why we enjoy living here and why people visit Mull and Iona. A massive wind farm will change that perception. We know that Iona and Staffa are a major draw for many of the visitors coming to Mull, who stay all over the island. There is a real danger that MachairWind will have a negative impact on our enjoyment and pride in our environment, as well as the visitor perception of Mull and Iona.
ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) do not plan to include impacts on Iona and Mull tourism in its socio-economic assessment. No impact studies have been done on potential harmful impacts to our island economies. An impact study is required to assess whether visitor numbers on Iona and Mull will drop due to the significant change in their landscapes and wildlife habitat, vital to their tourism.
What are the proposed benefits to Mull, Iona and Ulva from MachairWind? There may be economic benefits for some areas of Scotland, but these are unlikely for Mull and Iona, because of limitations, such as infrastructure. SPR has stated that it cannot give indication of any community benefits before the licence is granted. Is it fair that our outstanding scenery and unspoiled island environment will be sacrificed for no apparent benefit?
Where does the energy from Machair Wind go?
The energy will go to Wales, which is already an exporter of energy. Scotland generates more electricity than it consumes, currently paying windfarms to stop production. Our island communities are well known for supporting sustainability; but why did SPR choose a site, in such a special environment, which affects so many fragile communities, which do not benefit from the energy? The answer is that this location is more cost-effective than other locations.
When will SPR get the go-ahead for MachairWind?
SPR will submit MachairWind for a licence to the Scottish Government Marine Directorate in early May 2026, with 28 days afterwards for organisations and individuals to comment and make objections. It is vital that, like the Iona community, everyone on Mull is fully informed about this development, to be able to make their own judgement on impacts on our tourism industry and quality of life.
What should the community of Mull do? The people of Mull need to voice their opinions on MachairWind. Mull Community Council is the only statutory consultee on Mull on the MachairWind project, so it is vital that you write to them on your views: www.mull-community-council.co.uk/contact-members
VMI is linking in with the work done on Iona tourism and will be carrying out a survey with the Mull tourism sector, as well as gathering the views of visitors. Meanwhile if you have any comments or questions, VMI would be very pleased to receive them on admin@visitmullandiona.co.uk.
Read the Iona Community Council Brief
The ICC Brief contains detailed information on the impacts of MachairWind. www.visitmullandiona.org/machairwind-brief-from-iona-community-council