On Saturday 14th June 2025, members of Ardross Community Council joined more than 50 other community councils at the Convention on the Impact on Communities of Major Energy Infrastructure in the Highland Council Area, held at Phipps Hall, Beauly.
The message was loud and clear: we are not against renewable energy, but we are against our communities being permanently damaged as a result of poor planning and disregard for local voices.
With standing room only, the convention brought together over 300 attendees — including members of the public and key Highland decision-makers — in an unprecedented show of solidarity. Together, we shared concerns about the totality of impacts from large-scale infrastructure such as pylon lines, substations, wind turbines, pumped hydro schemes, battery storage facilities, workers camps and the roads and cables that link them.
A Shared Call to Action
At the close of the convention, a joint statement of intent was issued — agreed by over fifty community councils, representing more than 72,000 residents within The Highland Council area.
This joint statement:
- Recognises the threat of climate change, but opposes the unjust and unnecessary industrialisation of the Highlands.
- Calls on elected officials to stand up for rural communities whose voices are consistently disregarded by national planning decisions.
- Demands a full planning inquiry into the cumulative impact of renewable energy infrastructure — rather than the current piecemeal approach.
- Requests an immediate pause on major developments until a national energy policy and economic impact assessment are in place. Tourism remains the backbone of our economy — and once our landscapes are lost, they are lost forever.
Ardross Speaks Out
Our own Ardross Community Council played a key role in the day. A heartfelt and powerful speech by Sheila Campbell-Lloyd brought home the reality our community is facing.
“The Ardross community are feeling overwhelmed. We currently have seven windfarm schemes in planning around our area — on top of the five already constructed or under construction. Add to this eight battery storage sites, a hydrogen plant and new transmission lines — all of this surrounding a small community of around 600 people.”
Sheila’s emotional words were met with applause, cheers and overwhelming support from fellow attendees. Her message struck a chord: our voices matter — and we will not be silenced.
It’s Not Just About the Environment — It’s About People
We support the transition to cleaner energy. But we cannot accept developments that devastate the communities they claim to serve. Our homes, our businesses, our health and wellbeing — our very way of life — are being put at risk by an avalanche of poorly coordinated projects.
Community benefit payments do not compensate for the actual, long-term losses we are facing — in property value, in visual amenity, and in peace of mind. If Highland Council and the Scottish Government cannot protect our communities, then they must admit that failure and begin meaningful compensation conversations.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS – OPEN DAY THIS SATURDAY
Ardross currently has 12 renewable energy projects in planning, including night-lit wind turbines on three sides of the glen.
To help us shape our response to the planning process, we invite all residents to attend our upcoming Open Day. This was due to take place on Saturday 21 June but has unfortunately been postponed. We hope to reschedule for mid to late July.
- See before-and-after photos
- View 3D visualisations of planned developments
- Learn about each project in detail
- Have your say — we want your feedback
This is your home. This is your landscape. This is your future.
Let’s make sure our community’s voice continues to be heard — clearly, calmly, and collectively.
#CommunityMatters
Ardross Community Council’s event is on the Community Events calendar which you can subscribe to, to automatically add events to your calendar.