A wind turbine has just been installed to boost the green power at a Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) national nature reserve.
For the past few years, SNH have been using cattle to graze the dune grasslands in the field next to the visitor centre at the St Cyrus reserve.
The cattle have gone for the season - but when they return in spring they will have a new neighbour - a small, 18.5 metre high wind turbine.
The reserve office already has ground source heating; the new turbine will help reduce the reserve office’s carbon footprint even more.
Sheila Currie, SNH’s Greening Officer, said: “Across the country, we’ve reduced our organisation’s CO2 emissions by 35 per cent over the last five years.
“Adding a wind turbine at St Cyrus is part of our drive to cut carbon, as well as to save public funds.
“This small wind turbine will power the visitor centre and, as it’s in a field close to the visitor centre, it won’t detract from the stunning scenery at St Cyrus.
“We already have another small turbine at the Forvie reserve, north of Aberdeen.”
SNH is committed to reducing CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions by lowering emissions from our buildings, using less energy, and using more renewable energy.
The St Cyrus reserve is one of the most picturesque sections of coastline in north-east Scotland. It boasts the magnificent sandy sweep of Montrose Bay, towering volcanic cliffs, dunes, and a wildflower meadow that supports a number of rare plants and insects.
The cattle play a key role in conservation, as they help maintain species-rich dune grassland by keeping the height of grassland down and also by preventing scrub from encroaching.