There are concerns for the historic site of the Battle of Sheriffmuir after moves were launched to retain temporary concrete and tarmac roads laid through the high moorland to enable contractors to work on a controversial powerline.
An “industrial-scale bridge” carrying one of the roads over the Wharry Burn, a key geographical feature in the 1715 battle, could also remain unless the moves are defeated.
The roads were laid during the huge project to erect the £680 million Beauly to Denny power line through some of Scotland’s most spectacular wilderness.
It was expected the tracks, put down for the construction phase, would be landscaped when work was finished.
Ristol Consulting, on behalf of the Kippendavie Group Trust, has applied for the retention of a track at Cauldhame, on the Sheriffmuir road above Dunblane to transport timber.
Objectors say it impinges on the historic site of the inconclusive battle, where more than 800 men died when government forces clashed with a much larger Jacobite force.
A spokesman for Ristol Consulting said: “This is required to support land use management purposes on the estate, particularly in relation to current forestry operations and a proposed woodland creation scheme.
“Land use management purposes includes facilitating public access to the land and Wharry Burn, which is an amenity of increasing use and interest to walkers and cyclists.”
But objectors say the area has “great historical significance”
Jeanne Sutherland, president of the Clan Sutherland Society in Scotland, said: “Items of historical interest may have already been destroyed by disturbance from contractors during the power line construction.
“It is vital that no further interference with the landscape should be considered.”
And the National Trust for Scotland’s head of policy, Diarmid Hearns, said: “The battlefield and the key landscape features that played a significant role in the battle should be protected to ensure current and future generations are able to interpret and understand the battle.
“We do not believe that retaining the haul road to enable timber extraction and woodland creation is compatible with such aims.”
Dunblane Community Council argues that the road is not suitable for transporting timber, anyway.
A further application to retain roads has been submitted by Inverdunning Ltd who say that doing so would help their farming operations.
Another farming partnership, J and J Lawrie, of Upper Whitestone Farm, wants to retain two 750m sections of the tracks, to make it easier for tractors.
Logie Community Council and anti-powerline group Stirling Before Pylons have objected, as has The Friends of The Ochils group.
An SP Energy Networks spokesman said: “All temporary tracks will be removed and the land reinstated, unless a landowner applies for, and succeeds in gaining, planning consent to retain a track.
“As it stands, we laid 17km of tracks for the project; 1.5km is currently subject to a landowner seeking planning consent. We expect the reinstatement work to be completed this year.”