The visitor centre at ScottishPower Renewables' Whitelee Windfarm celebrated its 15th birthday with a visit from the MP for East Renfrewshire.

The centre, which opened in September 2009, has also surpassed its millionth visitor.

East Renfrewshire MP Blair McDougall, along with ScottishPower Renewables CEO Charlie Jordan, visited the centre on the site of the UK's largest onshore wind farm.

The windfarm is also celebrating having surpassed its millionth visitorThe visitor centre is also celebrating having surpassed its millionth visitor (Image: Supplied)

Mr McDougall said: “Whitelee is a shining example of how renewable energy can benefit both the environment and the community."

Mr Jordan added: “The Whitelee Visitor Centre has been a beacon of renewable energy generation, education, and community engagement for the past 15 years.

“It’s become a much-loved recreational space for so many and has been given the Green Flag Award for four years running – the only windfarm to receive the accolade."

Simon Beattie, visitor centre manager at Whitelee, said: “We’ve welcomed people of all ages and from all over the world to Whitelee Visitor Centre over the last 15 years.

"It’s a pleasure to offer visitors a little insight into the windfarm, to share more with them about renewables and the wider energy sector, and to inspire future generations with STEM learning and more.”

The centre, supported by Glasgow Science Centre and East Renfrewshire Council, hosts various events and activities throughout the year including an education programme for students from primary to university age.

The windfarm features 130km of trails and is enjoyed by walkers, cyclists, horse riders, and runners - and has become the home of trail running event Run the Blades.

There are also two full-time Countryside Rangers based at the windfarm, as part of the Whitelee Access Project – a partnership between the three local authorities across the windfarm; ScottishPower Renewables; Forestry and Land Scotland; and community representatives.

Their roles are supported via the Whitelee Community Benefit Fund, which has shared £17.5 million to date.

Peatland restoration and the BIOSCAN project are also ongoing at the farm.