In reply to Graeme G:
Thanks Graeme and also thanks to the rest of you who have responded. I've been in touch with the others involved in 'tracking' tracks on behalf of Scottish Environment LINK and it's clear now that we were aware of these and that the tracks are linked to hydro. Someone may have objected/commented at the time.
One of the problems with hydro is that the tracks are often more visually intrusive than the other infrastructure. They are often over-engineered and then not narrowed, or poorly restored, after the work is completed despite planning conditions to do just that. Same applies to the upgrading of existing tracks for new hydro. Planning authorities simply don't have the resources to check what is actually happening on the ground, contractors want in and out asap and many landowners seem quite happy with scars that blight the landscape.
'Tracking' tracks continues across the Highlands and we have had some successes, particularly in respect of ensuring higher quality of work, but it can be pretty dispiriting. The latest is a flood of applications for digital communication masts in remoter areas with associated tracks. This is part of a government mandated plan to ensure the almost all Scotland is covered for mobiles (even areas where this is no human habitation!). Because of the 'lumpy' terrain in the west, more applications can be expected there. In the last month or so, North East Mountain Trust has commented on/objected to four applications in the greater Grampian area. It is fairly likely they will all go ahead but we hope our interventions will ensure that the tracks are constructed to a high standard and their visual intrusion is as limited a possible.
Thanks again.
George