Councillors oppose battery scheme near royal castle

Highland councillors have raised an objection to plans for a large battery energy storage system (BESS) near a castle that King Charles' grandmother saved from ruin.

Developer Simec Atlantis Energy (SAE) has proposed installing more than 300 batteries on a 25 acre (10 ha) site two miles (3km) from Castle of Mey, near Thurso in Caithness.

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who died in 2002, had the property restored in the 1950s and spent holidays there until October 2001. King Charles has been a frequent visitor to the castle over the years.

Among councillors' concerns are the storage scheme's impact on the castle and local tourism, including the North Coast 500 route.

During a debate on the proposal, Councillor Matthew Reiss said the scheme would be "right on the doorstep" of the castle and other tourist attractions.

Highland Council officers warned that the objection may not hold up when scrutinised by Scottish ministers.

The Scottish government's energy consents unit will make a final decision on the proposal.

The castle is the most northerly inhabited castle in Scotland and the property and its gardens are run as a visitor attraction in summer.

BESS facilities store excess energy generated by wind farms and release it back to the grid at periods of high demand.

SAE has said its 300MW scheme would have a minimal impact and would help in the provision of energy security.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Will Angus.