South Kyle Wind Farm: Vattenfall family fun day a success

Organised by developer Vattenfall, the free family fun day marked the inauguration of the 50-turbine renewable energy project with bouncy castles, softplay, a climbing tower, crafts, stalls and live music, plus shuttle bus tours to the wind farm.

Hundreds attended (Image: Vattenfall)

South Kyle Wind Farm (Image: Vattenfall)

The wind farm will help in the production of Irn Bru, meaning that more than 200 cans of the popular Scottish drink were handed out, courtesy of suppliers, AG Barr.

An estimated £38 million community fund from the wind farm will support people in the nearby area over the course of 25 years.

A great day out. (Image: Vattenfall)

Piped into the day. (Image: Vattenfall)

This support will help people to take ownership of local buildings, develop tourism and recreation, and strengthen skills and resources to deliver a range of projects in the local community such as the purchase of a hotel and a bike track.

The community fun day followed the official inauguration of South Kyle Wind Farm by Vattenfall’s chief executive officer, Anna Borg, earlier last month, and three years after construction commenced on the project.

Irn Bru supplied for the day (Image: Vattenfall)

Vattenfall’s fun day for the South Kyle Wind Farm opening (Image: Cllr Drew Filson)

Project director for South Kyle Wind Farm, Paul Nickless, said: “Thank you to everyone who joined us at the fun day.

"We were blown away by the attendance, and delighted to see so many people not only from the Dalmellington area but also from further afield in Ayrshire and from Carsphairn and elsewhere in Dumfries and Galloway.

All sorts of fun. (Image: Vattenfall)

Hundreds attended. (Image: Cllr Drew Filson)

"I’d also like to thank our hosts at Doon Academy and Doon Valley Leisure Centre and to all the numerous organisations, vendors, suppliers, performers and local groups who took part and made the day so memorable.”

The fun day also displayed artwork by local children as part of a wind farm colouring-in competition. In all, 198 entries were received from Dalmellington, Patna and St Xavier’s Primary Schools plus Carsphairn’s Bairns Banter group.

Super Tattie. (Image: Cllr Drew Filson)

Cllr Filson with Carson, who created the mascot. (Image: Cllr Drew Filson)

Carol Kane, Vattenfall’s regional liaison officer for South West Scotland, added: “We absolutely loved all of the entries to our wind farm colouring in competition, and were really impressed by the creativity, colour and ideas the children came up with.

"Their display at the fun day brought lots of colour and smiles, so a big thank you from Vattenfall to all of the young people and schools who took part.”

Cllr Filson enjoying the day. (Image: Cllr Drew Filson)