Druids Concerned About View at Callanish
Saturday May 31, 2008
In Scotland, some Druids are worried about development. Not because they're opposed to progress, but because the installation of over fifty wind turbines could block the sight of the moon over the Callanish Stones, a neolithic stone monument.
According to the folklore of the area, this set of stones were placed so that they would tie in to the range of hills on the opposite side of the valley, called the Old Woman of the Moors. which resembles a reclining pregnant woman. On special lunar occasions -- once every 18.6 years -- the moon rises through the Old Woman's legs as though she is giving birth, and then sets between the Callanish Stones.
Beinn Mhor Power wants to erect a wind farm that contains some 53 turbines, and if given the go-ahead, this would be the first time a power source was permitted to be placed on one of Scotland's National Scenic Areas. Local Druids and Pagans aren't happy about this, and the John Muir Trust has publicly opposed placement of the turbines. Spokesmen for the trust have said they're "worried it could set a precedent for other wind farm applications on scenic areas, and Scottish Natural Heritage".
The next lunar event at Callanish is set to take place in 2024, so hopefully by then Beinn Mhor will have found another place to put their wind turbines. Granted, wind power is a great source of energy, but there's got to be some other place to put these.
According to the folklore of the area, this set of stones were placed so that they would tie in to the range of hills on the opposite side of the valley, called the Old Woman of the Moors. which resembles a reclining pregnant woman. On special lunar occasions -- once every 18.6 years -- the moon rises through the Old Woman's legs as though she is giving birth, and then sets between the Callanish Stones.
Beinn Mhor Power wants to erect a wind farm that contains some 53 turbines, and if given the go-ahead, this would be the first time a power source was permitted to be placed on one of Scotland's National Scenic Areas. Local Druids and Pagans aren't happy about this, and the John Muir Trust has publicly opposed placement of the turbines. Spokesmen for the trust have said they're "worried it could set a precedent for other wind farm applications on scenic areas, and Scottish Natural Heritage".
The next lunar event at Callanish is set to take place in 2024, so hopefully by then Beinn Mhor will have found another place to put their wind turbines. Granted, wind power is a great source of energy, but there's got to be some other place to put these.
Comments
Holy Crap! One would hope that others would have more respect for the ancient places of power. It would be dismaying if the Scottish government allows this to happen!
I hope they find somewhere else.