The European Commission has been asked to intervene to stop proposals for five wind farms.

The planned developments at Dava Moor, near Grantown on Spey, would mean 130 turbines close to or on the northern boundary of the Cairngorms National Park.

Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson yesterday joined the RSPB and 50 other protesters, describing the plans as "environmental vandalism on a grand scale".

Mr Stevenson said: "This is the third time I have visited Dava and I believe the plans are a disgrace and amount to the rape of one of our most beautiful, remote Scottish wilderness areas. To allow the wanton destruction of the Scottish countryside in this way for the limited benefit of wind power and the enrichment of a handful of electricity companies and landowners is quite unacceptable.

"This is environmental vandalism on a grand scale. Cumulatively, the five wind farms will amount to one of the largest-scale wind power projects in Scotland if not Europe. Dava Moor is one of the great wilderness areas of Scotland, written about lyrically by famous authors such as Maurice Walsh.

"It is part of our rich landscape and cultural heritage, with Lochindorb Castle, a rare island fortress dating back to the 13th century, perched on an island in the middle of the loch. I have written to Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas asking him to launch a full investigation into several clear breaches of EU directives.

"We surely cannot allow this virgin wilderness to be raped and vandalised."

One of the developers is Glasgow-based Renewable Energy Systems (RES) who want to build a 15-turbine wind farm at Cairn Duhie.

The Herald contacted the company but nobody was available to comment last night.