Developers have failed to get the go-ahead for a new windfarm near Loch Ness because of fears over the impact it would have on the landscape.
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing refused to give consent for 23 turbines to go up on the Blairmore Estate, near Drumnadrochit in the Highlands.
It is the ninth time since the SNP came to power in 2007 that the Scottish Government has turned down plans for an onshore windfarm.
Developer Sustainable Energy Limited had hoped to build a 69MW windfarm on the Blairmore Estate.
Highland Council had objected to the plans, arguing the development would have a major visual impact on communities in the area.
Mr Ewing has now agreed with the findings of the public inquiry reporter, that the number and height of the turbines would be out of scale with the surrounding area and would have a significant adverse impact on the landscape.
The energy minister was also concerned about the impact the noise from the turbines would have on nearby properties. He stressed that green energy projects must be the “right developments in the right places”.
“Scotland has enormous potential for renewable energy that is delivering jobs and investment across Scotland,” Mr Ewing said, “and I am determined to ensure communities all over Scotland reap the benefit from renewable energy but not at any cost, and we will ensure a balanced approach in taking forward this policy, as we have in the past and will in future.”
Since 2007, the SNP administration has given the green light to 32 onshore windfarms and one offshore windfarm, as well as 19 hydro electric projects and four wave and tidal power projects.
Nine applications have been turned down, all of which were onshore windfarms.
Ministers are now considering another 48 applications for onshore windfarms, as well as applications for five other energy projects.