Latest news with #HighlandsandIslandsNews
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial Skye powerline revamp approved
Controversial plans to upgrade 99 miles (160km) of overhead powerline in the Highlands have been approved by the Scottish government. SSEN Transmission said its line from Ardmore, near Portree on Skye, to Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness was reaching the end of its operational life. The £480m revamp includes burying nine miles (15km) of cable underground to avoid spoiling views of Skye's Cuillin mountains. Highland Council objected to the project in 2023 because of concerns about the impact on other landscapes, while campaigners said they were "deeply disappointed" it had now been given the go-ahead. SSEN Transmission said the green light from the Scottish government, known as Section 37 consent, was the last hurdle in the planning process for its Skye Reinforcement project. The existing power line was constructed in three sections between 1956 and 1989. SSEN Transmission said the new line would have greater capacity and could take power from new renewable projects. Managing director Rob McDonald said: "The Skye Reinforcement project is crucial to maintaining local network reliability and will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its energy security and clean power ambitions. "This project and our wider investment programme will also be a major driver of jobs and economic growth locally and across the north of Scotland, bringing substantial opportunities for communities and businesses." The Scottish government said the replacement would lead to an increase in renewable energy provision, and protect the security of electricity supply to about 32,000 homes and businesses. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds But Skye Wind Farm Information Group said Highland Council's opposition to the revamp should have triggered a public inquiry. Spokesman Dr Andrew Robinson said: "Instead, planning consent has been given and the council's objection ignored. "This is a failure of democracy." The group said the project would require new electricity towers, and two "giant" substations at Edinbane and Broadford on Skye. It said large camps to house construction workers would also be created near Broadford. Dr Robinson added: "Other options to build a smaller scale line, replacing the existing infrastructure and allowing some extra capacity for smaller-scale, community-owned wind farms were never properly considered." He said the group might look into seeking a judicial review, a legal process where a judge looks at a decision made by a public body. Highland Council said it would not be appropriate for it to comment. Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston accused the Scottish government of "riding roughshod" over local democracy to meet renewables targets. SSEN Transmission said new steel electricity towers would be needed on about 68 miles (110km) of the route between Fort Augustus and Edinbane. Wooden poles would carry the line from Edinbane to Ardmore. SSEN Transmission - which is responsible for the electricity network in the north of Scotland - said an overhead line at Kylerhea in Skye, to the mainland would be replaced and closely follow the route of the existing overhead line. Substations at Broadford and Edinbane in Skye would be replaced. The Cuillins are one of the best-known mountain landscapes in Scotland. Its Cuillin Ridge is described in climbing as one of Europe's best mountaineering routes. It is seven miles (11km) long and its summits include 11 Munros - which are peaks over 914m (3,000ft). Power line to be buried to avoid spoiling views Planned £400m power line upgrade moves forward SSEN Transmission
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Highland councillors back cruise ship levy powers
A proposal to give local authorities powers to charge a cruise ship levy has won support from Highland councillors. The Scottish government has been consulting on the plan, but the fine detail - such as how much would be charged and who would pay - has still to be agreed. In a report, Highland Council officers said tourism had seen "incredible growth" in the region but this had also created a wide range of pressures. Councillors on the economy and infrastructure committee agreed a cruise ship levy could provide additional funds to mitigate some of these impacts. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds Existing rates across European ports range from about €3 to €14 per passenger, which is about £2.50 to £12. A recent survey by the council suggested almost 70% of respondents believed that cruise ship passengers should have to pay a visitor levy. But Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon - which is one of Scotland's busiest cruise ship ports - has warned that a new tax could lead to some operators seeking alternative destinations. Highland Council said it would carry out further "extensive" analysis and public engagement if the Scottish government grants the proposed new powers. Cruise ship levy splits views in busy Highland port Cruise ship levy could raise £1m a year in Orkney
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Biker injured in weekend crash dies in hospital
A 67-year-old biker has died in hospital following a crash in the Highlands on Saturday morning. The man was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after the incident on the A862 near Beauly but died on Tuesday. The 47-year-old male driver of a black Mazda CX5 car involved in the collision was arrested. Police Scotland said he had been released pending further inquiries. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds The car driver and a second motorcyclist caught up in the crash were uninjured. Police Scotland has appealed for information. Sgt Calum MacAulay said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has died at this difficult time. "Inquiries are ongoing and we are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the crash, who has not already spoken to police, to contact us. "We also ask anyone driving in the area at the time with dashcam footage to come forward." How to contact Police Scotland
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Biker injured in weekend crash dies in hospital
A 67-year-old biker has died in hospital following a crash in the Highlands on Saturday morning. The man was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after the incident on the A862 near Beauly but died on Tuesday. The 47-year-old male driver of a black Mazda CX5 car involved in the collision was arrested. Police Scotland said he had been released pending further inquiries. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds The car driver and a second motorcyclist caught up in the crash were uninjured. Police Scotland has appealed for information. Sgt Calum MacAulay said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who has died at this difficult time. "Inquiries are ongoing and we are continuing to appeal to anyone who witnessed the crash, who has not already spoken to police, to contact us. "We also ask anyone driving in the area at the time with dashcam footage to come forward." How to contact Police Scotland
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tools dating back 11,000 years found on Skye
Archaeologists have discovered ancient tools which they believe show evidence of one of the earliest human populations yet known in Scotland. The stone tool heads are believed to be between 11,000 and 11,500 years old and date from a period known as the Late Upper Palaeolithic (LUP). The discovery was made an at undisclosed location on the island of Skye. Experts say the find means that the west coast now represents the largest concentration of evidence for human populations anywhere in Scotland. More stories from the Highlands and Islands News from the Highlands and Islands on BBC Sounds Karen Hardy, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, led a team of archaeologists and scientists which has published its findings in The Journal of Quaternary Science. She said: "This is a hugely significant discovery which offers a new perspective on the earliest human occupation yet known of north-west Scotland." During the LUP period when they tools are believed to have been made, much of western Scotland was buried under ice. Prof Hardy said groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers, most likely of the Ahrensburgian culture from northern Europe, would have crossed the Doggerland area now covered by the North Sea and established themselves on Skye. "The journey made by these pioneering people who left their lowland territories in mainland Europe to travel northwards into the unknown is the ultimate adventure story," she said. "As they journeyed northwards, most likely following animal herds, they eventually reached Scotland, where the western landscape was dramatically changing as glaciers melted and the land rebounded as it recovered from the weight of the ice. "A good example of the volatility they would have encountered can be found in Glen Roy, where the world-famous Parallel Roads provide physical testament to the huge landscape changes and cataclysmic floods that they would have encountered as they travelled across Scotland." Once they reached Skye, the early settlers crafted tools from stone found locally. Scientists believe they deliberately chose to base themselves close to coastal and river resources as well as natural materials like ochre, which was highly valued by ancient cultures.
