11 Jun 2025
A pioneering conservation charity, which supports the need for sustainable energy, has formally objected to a major proposed windfarm development in the Scottish Borders.
The charity Restoring Upland Nature (RUN – formerly known as the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project) has raised concerns that proposals for the Scawd Law Wind Farm in the Moorfoot Hills present a high risk of habitat loss and collision, which could detrimentally impact on the still fragile golden eagle population in the area.
The groundbreaking team has now asked developers to conduct an urgent cumulative impact study, which also takes into account the growing, but still fragile, golden eagle population at a particularly critical time for their long-term sustainability in the south of Scotland.
Though wildlife campaigners have previously raised concerns about the risk wind turbines proposed to important bird species like golden eagles, the intervention of the widely respected and supported RUN marks a significant moment in local wind farm discussions, as the project team are the most experienced surveyors of this particular habitat.
The proposals come at a particularly crucial time for the local golden eagle population, as the establishment of good breeding territories and production of young birds is critical to the viability of this isolated population of golden eagles. The Moorfoot Hills, where Scawd Law Wind Farm is planned, are home to four distinct eagle territories, including one of the first settled breeding pairs in the project’s history, making it possibly the most important golden eagle territory in southern Scotland.
Dr Cat Barlow, CEO at Restoring Upland Nature (RUN), formerly Project Manager for the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, said: “Though we believe sustainable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis and protecting our natural world in the long term, after comparing proposals with the insights provided by our state-of-the art monitoring equipment and detailed field observations by our highly experienced staff, we do not believe Scawd Law in the Moorfoot Hills is the right place for a wind farm development.“The Additional Information Report (AIR) currently being used by the site’s developers is dated and substantially underestimates the impact on golden eagles at a particularly critical time for the local population. Breeding territories must remain undisturbed for long-term population sustainability, as golden eagles are highly sensitive to disturbance and tend avoid areas around wind turbines. The expansion of wind farms without rigorous, up-to-date environmental data risks pushing these birds out of the very landscapes they need to survive.
“The Southern Uplands are now under immense pressure from development, which reinforces the urgent need for an up-to-date cumulative impact assessment study for the region - looking at existing and proposed windfarm, forestry and other developments - to mitigate risks and ensure golden eagles continue to thrive in southern skies.”
RUN responded after reviewing plans for Scawd Law Wind Farm and conducting a detailed analysis of their state-of-the-art satellite tagging data alongside field observations by their groundbreaking team. Their insights provided evidence that habitat loss from the proposed development alone would be above the five per cent acceptable threshold and the risk of a collision is twice as high as the current proposal indicates given the increased population.
About the local golden eagle population
Though once abundant in southern skies, by early 2018 the golden eagle population had decreased to between two and four pairs across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Now thanks to the efforts of the RUN’s pioneering project team and support from a wide range of partners, the golden eagle population in the south of Scotland has more than tripled to the highest number recorded in the area for three centuries.
Estimated impact on golden eagle territory
Developer, Fred Olsen’s, Additional Information Report (AIR) relies on data that only accounts for eagle activity up to early 2024. It estimates minimal impact, claiming only a single eagle territory would be affected. But RUN’s recent tracking shows eagle presence has surged by 238% in the area, drastically altering the risk profile. Collision risk estimates based on older data are no longer valid and significantly understate the threat.
Scotland-wide impact
Across Scotland, evidence from conservationists shows that wind farm assessments are struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing dynamics of recovering wildlife populations – particularly species like golden eagles, which are only now returning to former ranges after years of absence. A cumulative impact assessment is vital to understanding the wider implications of wind farms.
As Scotland advances its renewable energy goals, conservationists are calling for a more holistic and responsible approach – one that safeguards not just the climate, but also the species that define the nation’s wild places.
Dr Barlow added: “We know that the drive for renewable energy comes from a position of caring for the environment. Indeed, it is key to reducing the carbon emissions which cause climate change - the greatest long-term threat to Scotland's wildlife. We are supportive of renewable energy developments in the right place, but it is crucial that the most up-to-date insights are used in the consideration of proposals to ensure wildlife and renewable energy can thrive together.
“As advised by NatureScot, planning decisions must always be informed by accurate, timely data, particularly when dealing with a species as vulnerable as the golden eagle. Gathering knowledge from satellite tags is one of the ways in which we can do this and further reinforces the importance of our work to monitor golden eagles in southern Scotland.
“We can use our unique insights to advise and support decision makers, so that developments do not harm golden eagles, habitats or their prey. Through our monitoring work and technology, we are uniquely placed to do this in the south of Scotland.”
Sparky wind farm collision
Last year a three-year-old golden eagle named Sparky died after colliding with a wind turbine in Dumfries and Galloway. He was locally fledged from a nest in the area covered by the RUN and was found 15 metres (49ft) from a turbine base at the Windy Rig.
The SSGEP, now RUN, has been instrumental in bolstering the golden eagle population in the region, increasing numbers to their highest in centuries. Their work includes translocating eagles, monitoring movements, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that wind farm developments consider eagle conservation.
(Image credit Ian Georgeson)