Cable work at Waternish paused to protect rare corncrake
Work on a major electricity cable project between Skye and South Uist has been temporarily paused after a rare protected bird was found nesting near the construction site.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution confirmed the schedule for the cable installation from Ardmore Bay has been amended to avoid disturbing breeding corncrakes, which are protected under wildlife legislation.
The company said the species was nesting close to the Ardmore site for the first time in many years, and that work would remain paused until the birds migrate.
Credit: Skye Birds
The subsea cable project is intended to improve the resilience of electricity supplies for communities across the islands.
Groups including the Waternish Wildlife Alliance have raised concerns that the cable route could damage a rare maerl bed in Ardmore Bay, a protected marine habitat. They have called for alternative routes to be considered and questioned whether enough environmental assessment has been carried out.
An SSEN Distribution spokesperson said: “The delivery of this project is essential to ensure greater security of the electricity supply for island communities.
“Prior to the statutory licences and permits being granted, our project underwent all of the necessary legal, regulatory and environmental planning processes, with environmental surveys carried out in 2024, 2025 and this year to support our submissions.
“We work closely with RSPB Scotland when our projects are progressing in the vicinity of known nesting sites, so as to avoid any adverse impacts on breeding birds.
“As a particular breed of protected birds is currently nesting close to our Ardmore site for the first time in many years, the project schedule has been amended accordingly until the birds migrate once more.”
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Glenelg ferry manager raises petition against ‘super pylon’ plan
The general manager of the Glenelg-Skye ferry has raised a petition against plans for 15 super pylons to be sited on the Kylerhea side of the crossing.
The petition has been raised by Jo Crawford is the general manager of the Isle of Sky Ferry Community Interest Company, which operates the famous turntable vessel.
In her petition, Ms Crawford argues that the historic crossing point of the ferry is under threat by the proposals which are part Scottish and Southern Electricity Network’s Skye reinforcement Plan.
As of Tuesday morning, the petition had attracted close to 800 signatures.
More than 600 Skye and Lochalsh residents impacted by water supply problems
Water supplies are restoring for around 300 customers in Kyle, Strome Ferry and surroundings areas following the removal of trapped air in the network.
Scottish Water said its teams have completed the works to remove trapped air which occurred following an initial fault at the Kyle Water Treatment Works on Sunday.
Customers may may experience no water supply, low / intermittent pressure or discoloured water while the water is being restored.
Scottish Water are due to provide a final update on the situation at 9am this morning.
Meanwhile, repairs to a burst water main at the Dunvegan Osedale water treatment works have also been completed.
The issue which occurred on Saturday around 3pm, left 320 resident in north Skye from Dunvegan to Portree with no water for almost two days.
Scottish Waters says its tankers may still be in the area to ensure levels are maintained following the interruption to supply.
Scottish Water said its wished to thanked customers across Skye and Lochalsh for their patience and understanding during the outage.
Perthshire pipe band to perform on Skye
Comrie Pipe Band will play at Talisker Distillery today as part of their two-day visit to Skye.
The band arrived on Monday and performed at the Woodend Road Co-op last night.
The Perthshire band are also scheduled to play alongside the Isle of Skye Pipe at 8pm tonight at Somerled Square in Portree.
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