The owners of a world famous whisky brand are leading a major public meeting in Moray this evening against plans to site a 59 turbine wind farm in the heart of the whisky trail. 

The William Grant family are hosting the meeting at their Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown.

In contrast to the brand itself, the family who owns it tend to keep a low profile but now they are taking a stand against the wind farm plans.

Tourists have flocked to Moray's famous whisky trail for decades, but owners of the distillery fear visitor numbers could dry up if the plans for nearly 60 turbines get the go ahead on the nearby Glenfiddich estate which is owned by London financier Christopher Morran.

Now three major names in Moray are coming together to fight the proposals - a consortium of Glenfiddich distillery owners William Grant and Sons, Walkers Shortbread of Aberlour and the Grant’s of Glenfarclas whisky will host a public meeting tonight against the plans.

Grant Gordon of William Grant and Sons said: “We’ve done studies showing that tourists come to Speyside expecting these wild, open scenes and the glens where the distilleries are.

We want to maintain the beautiful landscape to ensure the continued presence of these important people, not just for our businesses but for all local businesses who benefit from tourism”.

Local campaigners say surveys show people will be put off visiting the area if the application is successful.

Andrew Cameron from SOS Moray said: “We’re not opposed to wind farms but the location this one is planned for is unspoiled, tranquil, highland beauty. It’s one of the places people come to see how Scotland used to be.

The wind turbines will be 126 metres tall – the biggest in Scotland – and when you put it on the top of a 700 metre tall hill, it’s going to sit like a big blot on the landscape”.

The Grant family motto is Stand Fast and they say that is exactly what they intend to do in the face of the wind farm plans.

In a statement tonight a spokesman for Infinergy, the firm behind the proposals said it had changed the plans to reflect local views in the past.

They added that a survey of 500 local residents showed 79% were in favour or neutral to the plans and if they got the go-ahead, a community fund would receive more than £350,000 a year.

The meeting tonight will hear from businesses but also tourism and wildlife experts in one big push ahead of Moray council’s meeting over the plans next month.

The final say so will lie with the Scottish Government and it is expected a decision will be made before the end of the year.