BARRHEAD residents have been protesting against wind turbines at the Scottish Parliament this week.

Communities Against Turbines Scotland (CATS) was hoping to highlight the damage wind turbines do to the landscape.

It coincided with American business tycoon Donald Trump's testimony to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee on Wednesday.

Mr Trump is furious over plans to build an off-shore windfarm just miles from site of his luxury golf resort in Aberdeenshire.

Some Barrhead residents are furious after the greenlight was given to build four 110m turbines at Uplawmoor.

It is predicted the work will cause widespead disruption across Barrhead as the towering structures are connected to the national grid.

Commenting on the protest, West of Scotland MSP Jackson Carlaw, said: "Today's march and rally illustrate the anger many Scots feel towards the unrestrained development of on-shore wind power and the perceived damage increasing numbers of people feel wind turbines are doing to our landscape. Many are now standing up to be counted, campaigning against an energy policy not grounded entirely in renewables rather than in fact.

"It is not just billionaire Americans who oppose this idiocy.

" The SNP need to be stop remorselessly pressing the case for an energy policy exclusively based on renewable technologies.

"Some such as carbon capture are yet to be proved. The SNP needs to recognize that Scotland should also embrace and invest in the latest nuclear power technologies if we are to secure both our energy needs and the preservation of our Scottish landscape. It is surely ironic that it is not nuclear power but renewable power that is transfiguring and destroying our landscape in a random and seemingly uncontrolled way.

"What started as the development of key strategic renewable wind farm projects is becoming a seeming free for all of individual small wind power developments. While not significant in themselves, the cumulative force of their physical presence is transforming our landscape unchecked and in an entirely unplanned way.

"We have a duty to the landscape, to tourism economy and to communities which must caution our support for each and every proposed development.

"Our renewable energy policy must protect Scotland's landscapes with just as much emphasis as Scotland's future energy needs."