Alexander Burnett, Scottish Tory MSP for Aberdeenshire West, hit...

Alexander Burnett, Scottish Tory MSP for Aberdeenshire West, hit out at the government for causing "irreparable damage" to Scotland's "spectacular countryside at a rapid rate of knots."

He added: “It’s appalling that in the space of a year, more than £1 million trees have been chopped down without any community consent.

“The sheer size of these developments and the damage which is being caused are making many areas inhabitable for people. Having met residents whose communities have been tarnished and are now dominated by wind farms, I’ve heard first-hand how their lives have been impacted on an industrial scale.

“The Scottish Government cannot continue to knock down trees at this substantial level otherwise, not only will areas of historic importance be jeopardised, but both residents and tourists will abandon these once wonderful places.”