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.

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).