Latest news with #LochNess
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Controversial Skye to Fort Augustus powerline revamp approved
Controversial plans to upgrade 99 miles (160km) of overhead powerline in the Highlands have been approved by the Scottish 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 £480m revamp includes burying nine miles (15km) of cable underground to avoid spoiling views of Skye's Cuillin 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 Transmission said the new line would have greater capacity and could take power from new renewable 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. But Skye Wind Farm Information Group said Highland Council's opposition to the revamp should have triggered a public 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 said large camps to house construction workers would also be created near 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 Council said it would not be appropriate for it to 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 poles would carry the line from Edinbane to 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 at Broadford and Edinbane in Skye would be Cuillins are one of the best-known mountain landscapes in Cuillin Ridge is described in climbing as one of Europe's best mountaineering is seven miles (11km) long and its summits include 11 Munros - which are peaks over 914m (3,000ft).
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Scottish actress Simone Lahbib joins River City cast
Simone Lahbib, known for her roles in Bad Girls, Wire in the Blood, Loch Ness, has joined the BBC show as Vivienne 'Viv' Barton who is part of the formidable Foulkes gangster family. (Image: Image of Simone Lahbib, pictured by Jamie Simpson) Business owner Viv arrives in Shieldinch in the hope of reconciling with her son Tyler (Cameron Fulton), after walking out on her marriage to Harry Foulkes (Jim Sturgeon) and her family over two decades ago. Her surprise arrival shocks family friend Eddie Corrigan (Rob Jarvis), who reveals to Viv he thought she was dead – a lie Harry spun for decades. Stunned, Viv will reveal the shocking truth behind her decision to abandon her family - but will Tyler forgive her and how will Harry feel to see his wife back from the dead? Simone will make her debut at the end of June as part of the forthcoming new series. The actress' debut episode will air on BBC iPlayer on June 23 and June 25 on BBC Scotland. READ NEXT: Hit US rapper Nelly sends message to Glasgow fans ahead of OVO Hydro show (Image: Image of Simone Lahbib, pictured by Jamie Simpson) Speaking on her new role, Simone said: 'Viv is a wonderfully complex character. She'll do and say anything she needs to survive but surviving isn't enough for Viv…she has plans. 'Viv is desperate to reconnect with her son Tyler, played by the super talented Cameron Fulton and all the while avoid her ex-husband, gangster Harry Foulkes who is played by the lovely Jim Sturgeon. Unfortunately, the way she will go about things turns what is already a delicate, emotionally charged situation into a series of traumatic events. 'She's like the proverbial cat among the pigeons, a bull in a china shop, a tornado, causing devastation to everything and everyone in her path.' Simone went on to explain how returning to Scotland is the real perk of the job. She said: 'Working in Scotland for me always feels like coming home. It's literally the most perfect location for me - I get to stay with my parents between filming, so I spend time with all my family and even have my mum to go through my lines with me - she gets very into her roles! 'River City has a truly wonderful cast and crew. There's a real family feel on set which comes from working with good people. Everyone has made me feel so welcome from day one.' (Image: Image of Simone Lahbib, pictured by Jamie Simpson) Martin McCardie, BBC Studios executive producer, added: 'Everyone is thrilled to have Simone on board at River City. Her character Viv Barton is wonderfully complex and will make quite an impact on arrival. "She's a caring mum who desperately wants to make amends with her estranged son, Tyler but she also has her eye on the Foulkes family fortune and the power her ex-husband Harry has. "Viv doesn't care who will be collateral damage in her pursuit of these things…including her son. We're sure audiences will be enthralled by Viv Barton and the chaos she brings with her.' READ NEXT: Huge chain could open new store on Glasgow's Buchanan Street The news comes as BBC bosses announced plans to cancel the show next year, claiming viewing patterns had shifted. BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said: 'I didn't take this lightly and I did think about the consequences for cast, for crew, for people who are impacted by the decision, of course I did. 'However, we have to put our audience's needs first, and the audience for River City has declined significantly over the past five years.' Cast and crew, as well as the actors' union Equity, have already appeared before the committee to warn of the impact of the soap's cancellation.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What happens if someone finds the Loch Ness Monster?
People have been looking for Nessie for almost 100 years. Humps have been seen moving across Loch Ness, and strange sounds heard from beneath the surface - but no actual monster. A four-day "quest" - the latest in a long series of efforts to unravel the mystery - has been held this week. But what would happen if the Loch Ness Monster was found - besides, of course, creating a global sensation? The Nessie Contingency Plan sounds like it should be in an episode of TV sci-fi drama The X Files. But it is a set of guidelines written by Scotland's nature agency, NatureScot. A spokesperson told us: "The Nessie Contingency Plan was produced back in 2001, at a time when there was a lot of Nessie-hunting activity on the loch. "We were regularly being asked by the media and others what we would do if or when she, or he, was found. "The code of practice, which was partly serious and partly for a bit of fun, was drawn up to offer protection not just to the elusive monster, but to any new species found in the loch." The plan stipulates that a DNA sample should be taken from any new creature, and then it should be released back into the loch. The animal would also be afforded the same legal protection as Scotland's other native wildlife, such as wildcats and golden eagles. It means it would be illegal to kill, injure or capture the monster. The authorities have raised concerns for Nessie in the past. In 1938 a senior police officer warned the Scottish Office of a planned hunting expedition "determined to catch the monster dead or alive". The party claimed they were having a special harpoon gun made and were headed for the loch with 20 "experienced men". The legend of a monster dates back to the Middle Ages when Irish monk St Columba is said to have encountered a creature in the Ness, a river that flows from Loch Ness. The modern myth of Nessie began centuries later. In April 1933, hotel manageress Aldie Mackay told of seeing a whale-like creature and the loch's water "cascading and churning". The Inverness Courier newspaper reported the sighting and the editor at the time, Evan Barron, suggested the beast be described as a "monster". Sightings continue to be made in recent times, with the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register having received 1,161 reports since its launch in 1996. There were three last year and one report for 2025 so far, according to the register. This year's sighting described two humps moving across the loch. Over the years, the reports have included objects moving fast across the loch, and a creature with crocodile-like skin. There's a long list of people and attempts to find Nessie, or disprove existence of a monster. The Loch Ness Investigation Bureau carried out searches in the 1960s and 70s. In the late 1980s, Operation Deepscan saw more than 20 boats make a sonar sweep of the loch. Then there's Steve Feltham who has dedicated his life to solving the mystery of the Loch Ness Monster. He gave up his job and sold his home in Dorset to move to Dores on the shores of the loch in 1991. In 2019, a team of scientists who had visited the loch said giant eels could be behind sightings. The researchers from New Zealand catalogued all living species in the loch from DNA extracted from water samples. Following analysis, they ruled out the presence of large animals said to be behind reports of a monster - including a prehistoric plesiosaur or a wandering Greenland shark. Camera set up to catch Loch Ness Monster discovered Concerns over Loch Ness' falling water levels Two years ago, a search billed as the biggest Nessie hunt in more than 50 years saw volunteers help record natural - and any unusual - sights from vantage points on land. During The Quest, observers on a boat using acoustic equipment reported four unidentified "gloops" but then realised their recording device wasn't plugged in. The event, which involved searches on the loch and from shore, is being held for a third year. It started on Thursday and ends on Sunday. For those contingency planners at NatureScot the worry is something unpleasant might be uncovered in Loch Ness. "Sadly, when we find a new species in a loch it is often an invasive species which has been introduced that is expensive and challenging to deal with," said the spokesperson. "We ask people to take care not spread these non-native animals and plants into our waterways." Non-native freshwater species found in Scotland include American mink and North American signal crayfish. Eating native species and damaging habitats are among the risks they pose. The spokesperson added: "While the evidence for the existence of the Loch Ness Monster is questionable, the threat posed by climate change and biodiversity loss to all the plants and animals that live in our lochs is all too real." NatureScot
BBC News
25-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
What happens if someone finds the Loch Ness Monster?
People have been looking for Nessie for almost 100 have been seen moving across Loch Ness, and strange sounds heard from beneath the surface - but no actual monster.A four-day "quest" - the latest in a long series of efforts to unravel the mystery - has been held this what would happen if the Loch Ness Monster was found - besides, of course, creating a global sensation? The official plan The Nessie Contingency Plan sounds like it should be in an episode of TV sci-fi drama The X it is a set of guidelines written by Scotland's nature agency, NatureScot.A spokesperson told us: "The Nessie Contingency Plan was produced back in 2001, at a time when there was a lot of Nessie-hunting activity on the loch."We were regularly being asked by the media and others what we would do if or when she, or he, was found."The code of practice, which was partly serious and partly for a bit of fun, was drawn up to offer protection not just to the elusive monster, but to any new species found in the loch."The plan stipulates that a DNA sample should be taken from any new creature, and then it should be released back into the animal would also be afforded the same legal protection as Scotland's other native wildlife, such as wildcats and golden means it would be illegal to kill, injure or capture the monster. The authorities have raised concerns for Nessie in the 1938 a senior police officer warned the Scottish Office of a planned hunting expedition "determined to catch the monster dead or alive".The party claimed they were having a special harpoon gun made and were headed for the loch with 20 "experienced men". How many sightings of a 'monster'? The legend of a monster dates back to the Middle Ages when Irish monk St Columba is said to have encountered a creature in the Ness, a river that flows from Loch modern myth of Nessie began centuries April 1933, hotel manageress Aldie Mackay told of seeing a whale-like creature and the loch's water "cascading and churning".The Inverness Courier newspaper reported the sighting and the editor at the time, Evan Barron, suggested the beast be described as a "monster".Sightings continue to be made in recent times, with the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register having received 1,161 reports since its launch in were three last year and one report for 2025 so far, according to the year's sighting described two humps moving across the the years, the reports have included objects moving fast across the loch, and a creature with crocodile-like skin. Who's looking for Nessie? There's a long list of people and attempts to find Nessie, or disprove existence of a Loch Ness Investigation Bureau carried out searches in the 1960s and the late 1980s, Operation Deepscan saw more than 20 boats make a sonar sweep of the there's Steve Feltham who has dedicated his life to solving the mystery of the Loch Ness gave up his job and sold his home in Dorset to move to Dores on the shores of the loch in 2019, a team of scientists who had visited the loch said giant eels could be behind researchers from New Zealand catalogued all living species in the loch from DNA extracted from water analysis, they ruled out the presence of large animals said to be behind reports of a monster - including a prehistoric plesiosaur or a wandering Greenland shark. Two years ago, a search billed as the biggest Nessie hunt in more than 50 years saw volunteers help record natural - and any unusual - sights from vantage points on The Quest, observers on a boat using acoustic equipment reported four unidentified "gloops" but then realised their recording device wasn't plugged event, which involved searches on the loch and from shore, is being held for a third year. It started on Thursday and ends on Sunday. Would finding something be good news? For those contingency planners at NatureScot the worry is something unpleasant might be uncovered in Loch Ness."Sadly, when we find a new species in a loch it is often an invasive species which has been introduced that is expensive and challenging to deal with," said the spokesperson."We ask people to take care not spread these non-native animals and plants into our waterways."Non-native freshwater species found in Scotland include American mink and North American signal native species and damaging habitats are among the risks they spokesperson added: "While the evidence for the existence of the Loch Ness Monster is questionable, the threat posed by climate change and biodiversity loss to all the plants and animals that live in our lochs is all too real."
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Two castles and a prison on RIAS best buildings list
Eleven buildings have been named as winners of the annual Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) awards. The buildings include two restored castles, a road bridge, a whisky distillery and Scotland's newest prison and young offender 11 winners will now become the "longlist" for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland shortlist will be announced in July ahead of the winner being revealed in November. Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness, by Ptolemy Dean Architects The Category A-listed Aldourie Castle has been conserved and all the surrounding estate buildings restored as well as new ones added, including farm buildings, an energy centre, a boathouse and a pedestrian bridge. The judges admired how the project reconnected the disparate buildings to their romantic setting. Caoghan na Creige, Isle of Harris, by Izat Arundell The stone-clad building blends into the rugged Hebridean landscape, giving the home the appearance of a modern-day blackhouse. The judges described the project as a testament to what can be achieved through patience, skill and a profound respect for place. Ellengowan Regeneration, Dundee, by Collective Architecture Ellengowan Regeneration replaces 124 deteriorating flats with 130 affordable is a mix of housing including accessible flats, cottage flats, family terraced houses and a corner shop. The judges praised the project's inclusive approach which balances modern needs with heritage preservation. Fairburn Tower, Muir of Ord, Highland by Simpson & Brown Architects Built in the 16th Century and added to in the 17th, this remote Category A listed structure had fallen into a ruinous state. The judges described Fairburn Tower as an exemplar project, where restoration and reconstruction are beautifully accomplished, while also delivering characterful holiday accommodation. Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge, Gairnshiel, Aberdeenshire by Moxon Architects The Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge provides a new route over the River Gairn, eliminating the lengthy detours and delays caused by frequent structural damage to the 18th Century crossing as it was no longer suitable for modern-day traffic. The judges described the project as a fine example of how to integrate a modern vehicular bridge into a sensitive landscape. HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Stirling by Holmes Miller Architects The building is billed as a "fundamental rethinking of custodial environments in Scotland".It supports women in custody through spaces that are intended to promote dignity, equality and meaningful judges praised it as a model of how public buildings can be both operationally robust and deeply humane. Kinloch Lodge, Lairg, by GRAS Kinloch Lodge is a "light-touch" conservation project which aims to maintain the charming and idiosyncratic nature of the original mid-19th Century lodge and its said each has been lovingly, painstakingly and respectfully restored exactly as they were found, using traditional methods and judges said the architects' involvement is refreshingly understated and thoroughly respectful of the original buildings. The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh, by Sheppard Robson The building is described by RIAS as a new heart for the University of Edinburgh which unites teaching, learning and social spaces. The judges described the Nucleus Building as a deftly executed piece of civic architecture. Riverside Primary School, Perth, by Architype Riverside Primary School is the first Passivhaus-certified school in judges described it as an exemplary project, which will serve as an inspiring model for the design of schools in Scotland and across the UK. Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk, by MLA The Rosebank Distillery had been considered lost but it has been carefully jury was impressed by the design team, who navigated complex constraints including contamination, conservation, coal mining risk and listed structures. They said the retention and restoration of the chimney, lockkeeper's cottage and red-brick buildings reflect a commitment to memory and place. Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen, by Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design RIAS said this transformation of a long-neglected civic space reclaimed Union Terrace Gardens as Aberdeen's green heart. The judges praised the project as a benchmark in public-realm regeneration, demonstrating the power of sensitive, people-centred design to transform a city's sense of place.
