Opponents say that the proposed plan for six giant turbines in Ardnamurchan, Morvern and Mull, will pave the way for one of the last genuine wildernesses in Europe to be peppered with 500 turbines taller than Big Ben across a 300-square mile area.

Conservationists argue that not only will it ruin the landscape, it will also pose a serious threat to endangered bird species. Hen harriers will be affected by the turbines and sea eagles and golden eagles could also be caught by the giant rotating blades.

Richard Saville-Smith, an accountant and resident of Morvern who is leading the opposition to the project, described the development as a "caricature" of what is happening in wind policy across Scotland.

He said: "The Scottish Executive is hell bent on developing wind farms across Scotland but they refuse to adopt a strategy. The result is that at the moment everything is getting done on the basis of private negotiations with large estate owners who see this as a unique opportunity to make some cash."

The proposal, estimated to cost up to GBP 500 million, has been lodged by Wind Energy Limited, a small London-based company, which has initially asked for planning permission to erect five masts to test the viability of wind power in the region.

Last year, Mark Shorrock, then chief executive of Wind Energy, told councillors in the Highlands that the company wanted to build 500 turbines each standing 350ft tall, with three 42-metre-long blades, standing in 300 tons of concrete and visible for more than 50 kilometres.

The resultant wind farm would generate 1,000 mega watts of energy almost twice as much as the next biggest planned wind farm in Barvas Moor, on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

So far local councillors have received more than 1,000 objections from residents who say they are not opposed to wind power per se but to the inappropriate industrial scale of the proposed development in an environmentally precious area. Mr Saville-Smith added: "Figures from the Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage show that there are already more than 3,000 giant turbines in Scotland's planning system, and altogether nearly 400 wind turbine developments in the planning system or under discussion.

"Companies aim to capitalise on the premium rates guaranteed by government incentives and penalties as it attempts to meet Scotland's renewable energy target of 18 per cent. This one development would be equivalent to more than 10 per cent of Scotland's total existing generating capacity."

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "We fully support the concept of wind energy and onshore wind farms. Planning guidelines have been devised to ensure that all proposals are subject to a thorough consultation process where views of local communities are taken into account.

"Additionally, all proposals must supply an environmental statement. Where consents are granted, companies often have to abide by a set of conditions as agreed with the planning authority."

Situated on the most westerly point of Scotland, Ardnamurchan has about 2,000 residents. It is a popular tourist destination favoured for its unpolluted, uncrowded and unhurried way of life.

It is also home to several species of birds of prey including osprey, red kites, merlins, kestrels and peregrine falcons which conservationists argue will be jeopardised by the development.

They will look to a recent landmark court ruling in Ireland where a planning application for a massive wind farm was thrown out to protect hen harriers. The presence of the bird, protected by EU and UK law, at Knockacummer, County Cork, was the sole reason for the refusal.

The decision was seen by the anti-wind farm lobby as a signal that the protection of wild birds must take precedence over plans for wind farms on Scottish hills.

Gillian Bishop, of the anti-wind farm campaign group Views of Scotland, said: "The Irish ruling will shake the confidence of all those who think wildlife has no bearing on wind farm plans."