by simon
A message from Adam and Tanya at the Dores Inn
Just a wee reminder that the OutDores Event will be held at The Dores Inn this Saturday 30th April from 12pm-10pm. Adam & Tanya have asked me to let you all know that if any resident (permanently living in the Village or immediate vicinity) wishes to attend – free wristbands can be collected from The Dores Inn on the day. Please ask to see Adam. Please note that this is an Over 18’s event only
by simon
Hallo all, Many of you will know I am not standing for re-election on May 5th.
This after 27 years as a Highland Councillor and 7 years as Leader. I expect to have severe if temporary withdrawal symptoms
I wanted to contact you and ask that you contact your community council colleagues and indeed your communities and tell l them that I have found it a real privilege to serve you all over that time. I can truly say I have never had a boring day.
Much of the work I have done with you has led to listening and action, but also often reflection and some astonishing progress.
Who would know that complaints about pot holes has led to the South Loch Ness roads investment plan and now a clear expectation that developers will be invest substantially in our roads.
I have always said that every community council has been different and you are often great fun. So much better than sitting at home and I have felt that we have developed genuine respect and friendship over the years. Covid broke our stride, but it is coming back.
So hail and farewell. Loch Ness is our family home and business so I will be around and I hope to see you soon
Oh yes do not forget to vote on May 5th
I have very clear views on who I would recommend to you so if you wish contact me for a conversation.
My personal e-mail after May 5th is [email protected] and my phone number 0781815689
All the very best
Margaret Davidson
Independent Councillor
Ward 12 Aird and Loch Ness
by simon
I’ve attached the latest update for the project. I will be forwarding this round to all the interested parties and stakeholders this afternoon.
As noted in the update, the SSEN consultation event is being hosted by them. As the network owner and licensed operator, once they have been contracted to provide a connection they very much take control of the process.
As per the brochure, they have noted 3 potential routes for the cable to Knocknagael, as well as options for extending the substation itself.
Of course, should there be any aspect of this, or the wider project itself, you would like to discuss further, please do give me a call.
Kind regards,
Ross McLaughlin
Technical Adviser
07861 667903
by simon
From this Friday (1 April 2022) people visiting the Highlands may have the chance to meet Highland Council’s Seasonal Outdoor Access Rangers who begin patrols and visitor engagement across Lochaber, Skye, Loch Ness, Wester Ross and the North West.
As visitor numbers increase throughout the Spring and Summer months, so will the number of Rangers who will be out-and-about on their patrols. Highland Council plans to build up to a team of at least seventeen Rangers by June, working through the high season and into early Autumn.
The Rangers will offer a friendly and welcoming approach to engaging with the public to inform and educate people about access rights, wild camping, overcrowding, parking – including overnight parking in motorhomes, littering, fires, damage to trees and outdoor toileting. They will also collect data on visitor numbers and capacity issues especially at popular sites.
Informal camping will be one aspect that the Rangers will be addressing this year and they will be advising people to adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which accepts only lightweight tents in small numbers for a very short time. There are certain places where it is not acceptable such as close to roads, buildings and enclosed fields. Sleeping in a vehicle, or very close to one is not considered as ‘wild camping’. If places become overwhelmed and show damage, then local restriction signs may be in place, please respect these signs as they aim to protect the area and allow camping in future years.
The Rangers will also be encouraging the safer use of camping stoves as opposed to open fires which can cause damage to the surroundings. Recent prolonged dry spells have created high fire risk conditions in many places and a number of places in Highland have seen fire damage this spring so the best rule of thumb is ‘If you can’t leave no trace, don’t start an open fire’.
The Rangers will also remind people to park considerately, take litter home and remove all human waste.
In between patrols the Rangers will liaise with communities and landowners when issues arise, working together on solutions. The Council also hopes to recruit some local volunteer Rangers to assist in busy periods.
Anyone interested in volunteering to work alongside the community Access Rangers in their area for the 2022 Spring/Summer season, can contact the team by email at [email protected] or by phoning the Senior Ranger on 07909 051223
To find out more information about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code click here .
The Highland Council’s website has a dedicated section on tourism, where there are useful guides and links for visiting the Highlands, including public amenities, walks, journey planners, motorhome and campervan guidance.
The Access Rangers will be supporting Location Action Plans (LAP’s) for three key tourist ‘hotspot’ destinations in:
The LAPs amalgamate stakeholders’ and community objectives and aim to improve and manage the visitor experience; highlight and detail unique challenges for individual areas; provide suggested actions, options, timescales and proposed multi-agency approaches.
The three plans are available here
by simon
We’re contacting you to inform you that SSEN Transmission are hosting a public consultation event to present our proposed options for the Red John Pump Storage Connection project.
The project includes the construction of two 275kV point of connections for the Red John Pumped Storage Scheme 450MW at the new Red John 275kV Switching Station. The Red John 275kV Switching Station consists of a new 4-bay 275kV GIS double busbar switching station complete with bus section and two bus couplers.
The Red John 275kV Switching Station will be connected to the existing Knocknagael 275kV Substation by approximately 9km of double circuit 275kV underground cable.
The project also includes enabling and wider works necessary to facilitate the connection of the Red John Pumped Storage Scheme onto the 275kV transmission network at the existing Knocknagael 275kV Substation.
The consultation event will take place on Thursday 28th April 2022 in the Lochardil House Hotel from 2-7pm
We would like to extend an invitation to local members of the community and all interested parties to attend an exhibition to discuss our plans with the project team and let us know your thoughts on our proposals.
If you have any questions about the event or require any support to attend, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Cheers.
Ryan Davidson
Community Liaison Manager
Ryan Davidson
Community Liaison Manager
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission
M: +44(0)7901133919
1 Waterloo St, Glasgow, G2 6AY
by simon