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Push for greater planning democracy in Highlands

Push for greater planning democracy in Highlands

At the 2nd CC convention in August, MSPs and MPs across the political spectrum agreed to push for a “much-needed” debate in Holyrood and Westminster about renewable energy in the Highlands. The second Community Councils Convention, held in Inverness, attracted more than 250 delegates, representing 60 community councils and about

Renewable energy and Crofting

Renewable energy and Crofting

You don’t have to venture far in the crofting counties before you spot wind turbines of all sorts of sizes. By its very nature, croft land is very rural and tends to occupy vast, hilly areas across the Highlands and Islands, making it prime territory for capturing our natural wind supply.

Understanding BESS

Understanding BESS

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) store electrical energy and release it when needed, playing a crucial role in modern energy infrastructure. They can eliminate constraint payments and help achieve net zero by avoiding the need to switch on gas plants. But with fast evolving technology and an ever increasing number

Faces and facial features

Faces and facial features

Gaelic, Norse, Brittonic? A look into the history  and origins of place names in and around our area Often Scottish Gaelic place names incorporate human body parts to describe landforms. Tòrr na Teangaidh situated a short distance east from Easter Achnachanat means ‘knoll of the tongue’. In the 1848-1852 OS

Kyle Chronicle #24

Kyle Chronicle #24

Staffa

Staffa

By Dave Goulder    Poised on the gunnel  using the tide swell till the first foot  fastens to basalt   and we are on our way.  Rain constant as we proceed  with each stride an adventure  as boots slip then grip the broken steps.  Hands seek a dripping rail –   an occasional feature

Is the current planning system for renewables sidelining communities?

Is the current planning system for renewables sidelining communities?

The growing amount, complexity, increasing fast pace of the process, and the way decisions on applications are reached - with some given the green light despite widespread local opposition - are some of the challenges faced by the local communities around the Kyle of Sutherland. “It seems [Scottish Ministers Alastair