A Perthshire beauty spot which was captured on canvas by the artist Millais could be damaged by a proposed hydro scheme, an objector has claimed.
Raymond Simpson, of White Cottage, Dunkeld, says that the application by Npower for a scheme on the river Braan could even rob the area of the rush of water which gave the spot its name by “taking the rumble out of Rumbling Bridge”.
He is keen that people are aware of the proposal and the possible impacts it might have. A similar application some years ago was eventually turned down after it went to a public inquiry.
Mr Simpson said: “I have looked at the new proposal and, although it is scaled down, it will still abstract water from the Braan above the swimming pools at Rumbling Bridge, thereby compromising this public amenity, adversely affecting water quality and taking the rumble out of Rumbling Bridge. The water will be abstracted from either just above the swimming pools or 300 yards upstream, where the river runs close to the road, and a weir will be constructed with ‘screens’ to prevent detritus and downstream migrating salmon smolts entering the tunnel taking water to the turbine.”
He said that he was concerned that anyone with an opinion on the latest proposal should know to make their views known to Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department by October 28.
“ Loss of cultural amenity is possibly the most important issue,” said Mr Simpson.
“The swimming pools above and immediately below Rumbling Bridge are extremely popular in the summer months, they even feature on the popular Outdoor Swimming website.
“The car park, constructed to serve the popularity of the pools, is often full at weekends.
“The 19th Century artist Millais painted the view upstream from Rumbling Bridge in an iconic image which has been used on local products and tourist pamphlets. This view would be diminished by the considerable loss of water passing under the bridge.
“In effect, the bridge would no longer ‘rumble’.”
Mr Simpson said that elements of the project would be visible from the bridge. He added he would also be objecting on other grounds, including the impact on downstream salmon smolt migration.
“This is a major issue as the Braan is stocked with salmon parr, which grow into smolts, which when they migrate to sea contribute to the improving runs of salmon in the Tay and can be seen attempting to leap the Hermitage falls before spawning in the lower Braan,” he said.
“Ironically, this stocking programme is to compensate for the loss of salmon spawning area as a result of the big hydro schemes on the Tummel, Garry and Tilt.”