Western Isles HVDC Link Project

Further to our previous update regarding the enabling works at Access Point 5 on the Beauly to Ruisaurie Road, the planned access point construction works have been postponed.

The works, which were due to begin on Monday 26 October 2026, will not take place at this time. A revised start date has not yet been confirmed.

We will provide a further update once a new date for the works has been agreed. Any significant changes will also be communicated, and the project website will continue to show the most up-to-date information.

If you have any questions, please contact the project team at LT14MainlandCable@sse.com

Further to our previous communication regarding the upcoming enabling works at Access Point 5 on the Beauly to Ruisaurie Road, there has been a change to the programme.

The access point construction works will now begin on Monday 26 October 2026, rather than Monday 19 October 2026 as previously advised.

The works are expected to take approximately 15 working days, with normal working hours of 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

All other information previously provided regarding the works and traffic management arrangements remains unchanged.

We will continue to keep local residents, businesses and road users informed of any further changes to the programme.

If you have any questions, please contact the project team at LT14MainlandCable@sse.com.

We will shortly begin enabling works at the proposed access point on the Beauly to Ruisaurie Road, near Ruisaurie, Beauly, to support the delivery of the Western Isles HVDC Link project.

Location: ///electrode.fastening.circling (see location map)

The works will be undertaken in two stages:

Stage 1 – Ground investigation works

Ground investigation (GI) works will be carried out to confirm ground conditions at the proposed access point location and inform the final construction programme.

Stage 2 – Access point construction

Following completion of the GI works, RJ McLeod will construct a new bell mouth access point adjacent to the public road.

The access point will provide safe access to the planned HVDC cable route corridor and support future construction activities associated with the project.

When will this take place?

Ground investigation works

• Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026
• Duration: 1 day
• Working hours: 7.30am to 6pm

Access point construction

• Anticipated start date: Monday 19 October 2026
• Duration: Approximately 15 working days
• Working hours: Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm

Works will be carried out continuously during the programme period.

Following completion of the GI works, the findings will be reviewed to confirm the final construction programme. While construction is currently expected to commence on 19 October 2026, the start date may be adjusted if additional preparation is required. Should the programme change, a further update will be provided.

What to expect

Ground investigation works

During the GI works, you may notice:

• A mini excavator and van/4x4 vehicle operating within the work area
• Delivery of plant and equipment
• Ground investigation and reinstatement activities
• Cones, barriers and signage where required

Access point construction

During access point construction, you may notice:

• Excavators, rollers and construction vehicles operating within the work area
• Delivery of plant, materials and aggregates to site
• Earthworks and excavation activities
• Installation of drainage measures to manage surface water
• GS6 goal posts
• Use of tower lights if required
• Site security measures including Heras fencing and barriers
• Surfacing works to tie the new access into the existing carriageway

Environmental mitigation measures will be implemented where required following Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) assessments.

Access and traffic

We are committed to maintaining access throughout the works wherever possible.

Ground investigation works

Traffic will continue to pass the work area.

Temporary Stop/Go traffic management may be required during:

• Delivery of plant and equipment
• Activities taking place adjacent to the carriageway

Delays are expected to be minimal and should not exceed 15 minutes.

Emergency service access will be maintained at all times and works will be suspended immediately if required to facilitate emergency access.

Access point construction

Traffic will continue to pass the work area wherever possible.

Temporary Stop/Go traffic management may be required during:

• Initial delivery of plant and materials
• Construction activities immediately adjacent to the carriageway
• Carriageway resurfacing works associated with the bell mouth tie-in

Existing passing places will be utilised to allow vehicles to pass safely in a controlled manner. Radio and visual communication systems will be used by site personnel to manage traffic movements safely.

Advance "Work Starts Here" signage will be installed approximately one week prior to construction commencing, with additional site signage in place throughout the programme.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities, landowners and road users.

To support this:

• Access will be maintained throughout the works wherever possible.
• Traffic management will only be used when necessary to ensure safety.
• Works are temporary and of relatively short duration.
• Warning signage and trained banksmen will be deployed to manage public safety.
• Environmental considerations will be incorporated into the construction methodology.

While there may be some temporary noise associated with the GI works and construction plant, these impacts will be localised and restricted to normal working hours.

Keeping in touch

We will continue to keep local residents, businesses and road users informed as the works progress. If there are any changes to the programme or traffic management arrangements, we will provide a further update.

If you have any questions, please contact the project team at LT14MainlandCable@sse.com.

As part of the ongoing ground investigations at the Lewis Hub site, contractors working on behalf of SSEN Transmission will be carrying out controlled trial blasting activities between 21 October and 27 November 2026

This update explains what activity includes when it is taking place, what residents and road users may notice, and how access and safety will be managed during short-duration traffic controls associated with blasting.

Why is this needed?

Further ground investigation works are needed to understand site conditions and support detailed project design.

What will be happening?

• The planned activity is trial blasting of rock as part of the ground investigations including processing and testing.
• There will be targeted drilling works taking place in preparation for the blasting works.
• Works will be delivered in phases rather than as a continuous single activity. This will be inclusive of 1 to 2 targeted blasts per week that will be confirmed 24 hours prior to taking place.
• Activity on site may include vehicle movements, rock drilling, temporary exclusion zone, rock testing, and site activity.
• Temporary safety measures will be used around the works area, including exclusion zones, fencing, signage, and managed short-term road closures where required.
• The activities are comparable to the on-going blasting works as part of the Arnish road upgrade, although the proposed trial blasts are on a smaller scale.
• All works will be carefully managed within the designated site area.

When the work takes place

Overall planned programme begins week commencing 19 October 2026 (no earlier than Wednesday 21 October), with completion no later than Friday 27 November 2026.

Working pattern involves phased activity, avoiding key dates where ship berthing is planned at Deep-Water Port.

Blasting activity may take place 10am-12pm, and 2-4pm (Monday - Friday), and 10am-1pm (Saturday).

What you may notice

• Brief periods of increased noise while work takes place.
• Construction vehicles and equipment operating within the works area
• Visible changes to rock surfaces as investigations progress.
• Temporary stockpiles of rock and soil during the works programme.
• A small increase in construction-related traffic.

Traffic management and access

Road closure on Arnish Road (without diversion) when required for blasting. This is static and short duration, typically 10-15 minutes (15-20 minutes maximum).

Potential short term closure of CnES Turbine access track (within the Creed Business Park), typically 10-15 minutes.

Maintaining access and safety

• Emergency access will be maintained through advance coordination with the emergency services and implementation of the Traffic Management Plan.
• Blasting will not commence if an emergency vehicle requires passage. The blast would be delayed until the vehicle had safely passed.
• The site supervisor and traffic management operatives will be in constant communication throughout the activity.
• Roads will be reopened as soon as the safety checks have been completed.
• Advance signage will be used to notify road users of any temporary road closures on Arnish Road.

Close to event confirmation (day before the works)

Although blasting activities are expected to take place between 22 October and 27 November 2026, the exact date and time cannot be confirmed at this stage. To ensure everyone has the most up-to-date information, key stakeholders will receive a further notification by email and/or telephone shortly before the blasting works commence. This notification will confirm:

• Date of blasting
• Expected time (e.g. blasting planned at 11am)
• Any safety considerations (e.g. keeping washing or pets indoors)

Keeping communities informed

The project team will provide advance notice of planned temporary road closures and blasting activity where required. The objective is to give stakeholders and road users clear information about the likely timing, expected duration and any access arrangements associated with the works. We will:

• Provide clear advance signage for temporary Arnish Road closures.
• Use direct stakeholder communication for affected parties where appropriate.
• Confirm completion of blasting and reopening of roads as soon as it is safe to do so.

These are temporary ground investigation works that will help inform the detailed design and construction of the project. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to residents, businesses, and road users.

If you have further questions, please feel free to get in touch via the project inbox LT14Lewishub@sse.com

SSEN Transmission is pleased to confirm that the current night-time culvert replacement works on the A832 in the Dundonnell area will be completed one day ahead of schedule.

The night-time closures will cease from 7am on Saturday 3 October 2026.

While the night-time road closures have now been completed, day time and night time single lane traffic management arrangements will continue as previously programmed to support the safe completion of the remaining works. Road users should continue to follow all temporary traffic management measures and allow additional time for journeys where required. The project team will continue to keep communities and road users informed of any future changes.

The culvert replacement programme forms part of the Western Isles HVDC Link project's early enabling works and is being undertaken to replace and upgrade existing culverts ahead of future underground cable installation activities. These works are an important step in preparing the route for future construction associated with the Western Isles HVDC Link project.

Thank You to the Community

We recognise that the overnight road closures, diversion routes and associated traffic management arrangements have caused disruption for residents, businesses, visitors, and those travelling through the area over the past six weeks.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to local communities, road users, emergency services, public transport operators, and local businesses for their patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout the works programme. Their support has helped enable the works to be completed safely and ahead of schedule, while successfully managing all emergency service access for the lifespan of the night time closure works.

We would also like to thank everyone who engaged with the project team through our community events, stakeholder communications, and direct correspondence throughout the works. The feedback received continues to play an important role in helping us plan and deliver future phases of the project.

Keeping You Informed

SSEN Transmission remains committed to keeping communities informed as the Western Isles HVDC Link project progresses. Any future works requiring traffic management or road restrictions will be communicated in advance through project communications, stakeholder distribution lists and the project webpage.

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact LT14MainlandCable@sse.com.

Planned for Thursday 1 October 2026

SSEN Transmission would like to advise local stakeholders of planned trial blasting activities at Rock Knoll 3 within the Lewis Hub site as part of the ongoing ground investigation programme supporting the detailed design and construction of the project. At what3words ///motorist.webcams.pulse

Planned Activity

A single controlled trial blast is currently planned to take place on Thursday 1 October 2026. The blast is expected to occur within a notification window of 2pm and 4pm, with the exact timing dependent on-site conditions and operational requirements.

The works will be undertaken within a controlled exclusion zone and in accordance with all relevant health, safety and environmental procedures.

Traffic Management

To ensure public and workforce safety during the blasting operation, a temporary closure of the Arnish Road will be required immediately prior to the blast being undertaken.

Key details include:

• One temporary road closure on the Arnish Road.
• Closure duration expected to be 10 to 15 minutes maximum.
• Traffic management personnel will be in place to manage access and minimise disruption.
• The road will be reopened as soon as post-blast inspections confirm it is safe to do so.

Keeping Communities Informed

Where necessary, updates will be provided directly to affected stakeholders through established communication channels.

We would like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their patience and cooperation while these important site investigations are undertaken.

For further information, please contact the project team via the Lewis Hub project mailbox LT14Lewishub@sse.com, project community liaison manager kevin.morrison@sse.com or your usual SSEN Transmission contact.

We want to keep communities across the Western Isles informed about our work and what it means for the islands. Our newsletter brings together the latest from SSEN Transmission including project updates, key milestones, local opportunities and community initiatives.

Updated Timings: Planned Trial Blast at Rock Knoll 6 (Lewis Hub)

Due to circumstances on site our planned single trial blast at Rock Knoll 6, due to take place today at location: What3Words ///above.headlight.pickles, has been delayed by approximately 1-2 hours.

The single trial blast is now planned to take place between 3-4pm.

We appreciate the late notice of this change, but this is required to maintain our strict health, safety and environmental requirements, and to ensure the safety of the workforce, local residents and the wider community.

For further information, please contact the project team via the project inbox LT14Lewishub@sse.com  or via the project community liaison manager kevin.morrison@sse.com

As part of ongoing construction activities for the Lewis Hub Project, a single trial rock blast is planned to take place on Arnish Moor at Rock Knoll 6 on Tuesday 22 September at approximately 2pm. What3Words ///above.headlight.pickles

The blast is being carefully planned and managed in accordance with strict health, safety and environmental requirements, with appropriate controls in place to ensure the safety of the workforce, local residents and the wider community.

What to Expect

Residents in the surrounding area may hear warning sirens before the blast takes place. These signals are a normal part of the blasting procedure and provide advance notice that the activity is about to occur.

Warning siren sequence:

• Three short blasts: 2 minutes before firing
• Two short blasts: 1 minute before firing
• One short blast: 10 seconds before firing

Following the blast, an all-clear signal of one long siren blast will be sounded.

Safety Advice

As a precaution, we recommend that local residents:

• Keep children indoors during the blast period.
• Keep pets indoors where possible.
• Be aware of the warning sirens and avoid approaching the work area.

Road Access

There will be no road closures associated with this activity, as there are no public roads located within the 200-metre blast exclusion zone.

Local Support

Although Macaulay Farm is located outside the designated exclusion zone, a member of the project team will be present at the farm during the blasting activity to provide information and address any questions or concerns that may arise.

Thank You

We appreciate the patience and understanding of the local community while these important construction activities are carried out. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption and ensure the works are completed safely.

For further information, please contact the project team via the project inbox LT14Lewishub@sse.com  or via the project community liaison manager kevin.morrison@sse.com

As part of the Western Isles HVDC Link project, we are sharing details of construction activities that are currently expected to begin at the Braemore compound location, (see location map), commencing Monday 21 September 2026. These works will involve the construction of a temporary compound and working area required to support future phases of the mainland cable route.

The site will be used as a temporary working area to support construction activity in this location.

When will this take place?

Braemore compound construction

• Start date: Monday 21 September 2026 
• Duration: Approximately 13 weeks
• Working hours:
• Monday: 8am to 6pm
• Tuesday to Thursday: 7am to 6pm
• Friday: 7am to 2pm

Works will be carried out continuously until completion. No weekend working is currently planned.

What to expect

During compound construction, you may notice general site preparation and construction activity, including:

• Construction vehicles, plant and material deliveries accessing the work area
• Groundworks, drainage and surfacing activity within the compound area
• Installation of fencing, welfare facilities and site signage

Environmental mitigation measures will be implemented where required following Environmental Clerk of Works assessments and will continue to be reviewed throughout the construction period.

Access and traffic

We are committed to maintaining access for local residents and visitors throughout the works.

Advance “works start here” signage will be installed approximately one week before works begin, with additional site signage in place throughout the programme.

No traffic management is currently planned as part of these works. If temporary measures are required for safety or operational reasons, these will be kept to the minimum necessary and clearly managed on site.

In the event of an emergency, works will be paused to allow safe passage.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities, road users and visitors to the area.

To support this:

• Banksmen and trained traffic management operatives will be present throughout the programme.
• Warning signage will be installed around the work area and removed once works are complete.
• Public access will be maintained wherever it is safe to do so.
• Works are temporary and are expected to be completed within approximately 13 weeks.

While there will be some temporary noise associated with construction plant, these impacts will be localised and limited to normal working hours.

If you have any questions, please contact lt14mainlandcable@sse.com

Updated Works Programme

As part of ongoing enabling works at Access Point 12, Balvraid, Muir of Ord, vegetation clearance activities have been extended to allow the contractor to complete the removal and management of branch and log material generated during the previous tree felling operations.

These works are required to prepare the site for the next phase of construction and to ensure the working area remains safe and accessible ahead of access point construction and Faebait compound development activities.

Stage 1 – Vegetation Clearance (Extended)

When will this take place?

• Dates: Wednesday 09 September to Friday 11 September 2026
• Working hours: 8:00am to 6:00pm
• Duration: Three days

What to expect

During these works, you may notice:

• An excavator operating within the work area to move branch and log material generated from previous felling activities.
• Banksmen in high-visibility clothing positioned around the site to help maintain public safety.
• Warning signage installed in and around the work area.
• Temporary traffic management when plant is operating adjacent to the roadside.
• Operators using Stop/Go boards to manage traffic movements safely where required.

The works are expected to result in only minor disruption to road users. Short delays may occasionally be experienced; however these are not expected to exceed 10 minutes.

Access for residents, businesses and emergency service vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Stage 2 – Access Point Construction (Change of Dates)

Due to the extension of the vegetation clearance works and ongoing construction activities associated with the Faebait compound, the previously communicated start date for Access Point 12 construction has been revised.

Updated programme

• New start date: Week commencing 21 September 2026
• Duration: Approximately 15 days
• Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm

RJ McLeod will construct a new bell mouth access point on the Forestry and Land Scotland side of the carriageway at Access Point 12. The access point will provide safe and efficient access to the future HVDC cable route corridor and support subsequent project activities.

What to expect during construction

During access point construction, you may notice:

• Excavators, rollers and construction vehicles operating within the work area.
• Delivery of plant, materials and aggregates to site.
• Earthworks and excavation activities.
• Installation of drainage measures to manage surface water.
• Surfacing works to tie the new access into the existing carriageway.

Temporary Stop/Go traffic management may be required during activities adjacent to the carriageway and during access tie-in works. Wherever possible, traffic will continue to pass through the area safely under the direction of trained traffic management operatives.

Keeping You Informed

We appreciate the patience and understanding of local residents, businesses and road users while these essential enabling works are completed.

The extension of the vegetation clearance programme will help ensure the site is appropriately prepared for the next phase of construction and will support the safe and efficient delivery of the Western Isles HVDC Link Project.

Further updates will be provided should there be any significant changes to the programme or traffic management arrangements.

As part of the ongoing ground investigations at the Lewis Hub site, contractors working on behalf of SSEN Transmission will be carrying out controlled trial blasting activities between 16 September and 09 October 2026.  

This update explains what activity is planned, what you may notice close to the site, and how access and safety will be managed during the short-duration traffic controls that may be required while these works are undertaken. 

Why is this needed? 

• Ground investigation works are needed to understand site conditions and support detailed project design. 

What will be happening? 

• The planned activity is trial blasting of rock as part of the ground investigations including processing and testing.  
• There will be targeted drilling works taking place in preparation for the blasting works. 
• Works will be delivered in phases rather than as a continuous single activity. This will be inclusive of 2 or 3 targeted blasts within the timescale provided. 
• Activity on site may include vehicle movements, rock drilling, temporary exclusion zone, rock testing, and site activity. 
• Temporary safety measures will be used around the works area, including exclusion zones, fencing, signage, and managed short-term road closures where required. 
• The activities are comparable to the on-going blasting works as part of the Arnish road upgrade, although the proposed trial blasts are on a smaller scale. 
• All works will be carefully managed within the designated site area. 

When the work takes place: 

What you may notice 

• Brief periods of increased noise close to the site while work takes place. 
• Construction vehicles and equipment operating within the works area 
• Visible changes to rock surfaces as investigations progress.   
• Temporary stockpiles of rock and soil during the works programme. 
• A small increase in construction-related traffic. 

Traffic management and access 

Maintaining access and safety 

• Emergency access will be maintained through advance coordination with the emergency services and implementation of the Traffic Management Plan.  
• Blasting will not commence if an emergency vehicle requires passage. The blast would be delayed until the vehicle had safely passed.  
• The site supervisor and traffic management operatives will be in constant communication throughout the activity.  
• Roads will be reopened as soon as the safety checks have been completed. 
• Advance signage will be used to notify road users of any temporary road closures on Arnish Road.  

Keeping communities informed  

The project team will provide advance notice of planned temporary road closures and blasting activity where required. The objective is to give stakeholders and road users clear information about the likely timing, expected duration and any access arrangements associated with the works. We will:

• Provide clear advance signage for temporary Arnish Road closures.  
• Use direct stakeholder communication for affected parties where appropriate.  
• Confirm completion of blasting and reopening of roads as soon as it is safe to do so. 

These are temporary ground investigation works that will help inform the detailed design and construction of the project. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to residents, businesses, and road users. 

If you have further questions, please feel free to get in touch via the project inbox LT14Lewishub@sse.com  or via the project community liaison manager kevin.morrison@sse.com  

As part of the Western Isles HVDC Link project, we are sharing details of construction activities that are currently expected to begin at the Faebait compound location (see location map), commencing 31 August. These works will involve the construction of a temporary compound and working area required to support future phases of the mainland cable route.

The compound will be located slightly west of Faebait Farm, several miles west of Muir of Ord, (What3Words:collision.nobody.surreal). The site is near to the planned cable route and will be used as a temporary working area to support construction activity in this location.

When will this take place?

• Start date: Monday 31 August 2026 
• Duration: Approximately 4 weeks
• Working hours: Monday to Friday: 7.30am to 6pm

Works will be carried out continuously until completion. No weekend working is currently planned.

What to expect

During compound construction, you may notice:

• Excavators, rollers and construction vehicles operating within the work area.
• Delivery of plant, materials and aggregates to site.
• Earthworks and excavation activities.
• Potential for installation of drainage measures to manage surface water.

Environmental mitigation measures will be implemented where required following Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) assessments.

Access and Traffic

We are committed to maintaining access for local residents, visitors and road users throughout the works.

• Traffic will continue to pass by work area throughout these works without any delay, all work is within landowner’s area and out of sight of road users.
• No traffic management will be required during these works.
• Carriage way will be swept when/if needed during the works.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities, road users and visitors to the area.

To support this:

• Banksmen and trained traffic management operatives will be present throughout the programme.
• Warning signage will be installed around the work area and removed once works are complete.
• Public access to road will be maintained at all times.
• Works are temporary in nature and are expected to be completed within approximately 4 weeks.

While there will be some temporary noise associated with construction plant, these impacts will be localised and limited to normal working hours.

If you have any questions, please contact lt14mainlandcable@sse.com

Ongoing construction works associated with the Western Isles HVDC Link Mainland Cable Project at West of Ruilick are due to have a minor extension to the programme, full details are set out below.

When will the works take place

The initial vegetation clearance works commenced on 29 July 2026 and have now been completed.

Construction of the new bell mouth access point is ongoing and is now expected to continue until Wednesday 26 August 2026, subject to weather and ground conditions. Working hours will typically be Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm. No weekend working is planned.

The programme has been extended slightly to allow the final stages of the access point construction and associated resurfacing works to be completed. Every effort will be made to complete the works safely and efficiently, with the aim of reducing the duration of activities in the area wherever possible.

What can residents expect

The works will involve:

• Final excavation and construction activities to create the new access point.
• Deliveries of plant, equipment and construction materials.
• Use of machinery including excavators, rollers and support vehicles.
• Carriageway resurfacing works associated with the access point connection to the existing road.
• Minor verge improvement works in the immediate vicinity of the access point.

Residents may notice an increase in construction traffic, plant movements and associated noise during working hours.

As part of the remaining works, we are also exploring opportunities to undertake minor verge improvements in the immediate vicinity of the access point while construction activities are taking place.

Traffic management

Short periods of stop/go traffic management may be required while the remaining works are completed, including during resurfacing activities associated with the new access point.

Traffic management arrangements are expected to remain in place until Wednesday 26 August 2026. Traffic management will only be implemented when required for safety and will be removed when not needed. Most of the works are expected to take place off-road once equipment is in position.

These works are being carried out under an approved Section 56 permission from The Highland Council, in line with the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. The Highland Council has also been consulted on the traffic management arrangements for the works.

Keeping in touch

We recognise that construction activity may cause some temporary inconvenience and would like to thank residents and road users for their patience while these works are carried out.

If you have any questions about the works, please contact the project team at:

Overview

SSEN Transmission's contractor will shortly begin de-stumping and vegetation removal works alongside sections of the public road in the Loch Glascarnoch area.

The works are required to facilitate future construction access for planned project activities. Existing tree stumps and vegetation will be removed within a defined corridor to enable safe access routes for construction vehicles and equipment.

When will the works take place?

Works are currently programmed to commence on Monday 24 August 2026 and are expected to continue for approximately four weeks, subject to weather and ground conditions.

The initial phase of activities will involve site establishment and de-stumping works. Traffic management is not currently anticipated during the first week of works and is expected to be introduced from the week commencing Monday 31 August 2026.

Working hours will be:

• Monday to Friday
• 8:00am to 5:00pm
• No weekend working is planned at this time

The works will be undertaken continuously until completion.

 What will people see?

Members of the public travelling through the area may see:

• Excavators operating adjacent to the roadside.
• Banksmen in high-visibility clothing managing safety around active work areas.
• Temporary warning signs alerting road users to construction activity.
• Welfare vehicles supporting the workforce.

The works involve removing stumps and vegetation using specialist drilling equipment. Material removed from the stumps will be deposited safely away from the road verge and work area.

Following completion, there will be minimal visual change, with only the required access corridor having been cleared.

Equipment on site

The works will typically require:

• Two excavator operators
• Excavators with specialist drilling equipment
• One welfare van
• Traffic management measures where required

 Traffic management and access

The majority of the works will be undertaken adjacent to the road and are being planned to minimise disruption to road users.

Works will commence on 24 August 2026. During the first week of activities, no traffic management is currently anticipated. Should traffic management be required, it is expected to be introduced from the week commencing 31 August 2026 as works progress through the area.

The project team will seek to minimise the use of traffic management wherever reasonably practicable. However, traffic management may be required at locations within the works area to maintain the safety of the workforce and road users. Requirements may change as works progress and in response to site, environmental or operational constraints.

Traffic management may include:

• Temporary lane closures where required for safety.
• Temporary lay-by closures while works are being carried out nearby.
• Warning signs and traffic management equipment in operation.

Where lay-by closures are required, the intention is to close only one lay-by at a time wherever reasonably practicable.

Should traffic management be required, any delays are expected to be limited and generally no longer than 10 minutes.

Any roadside traffic management would be located within the section of road shown on the accompanying map, between the two identified lay-bys. The exact location and duration of any traffic management would depend on the specific work activities being undertaken at the time and may be subject to change as works progress.

Impact on residents and road users

During the works, road users may notice:

• Construction plant operating alongside the road.
• Short-term temporary lane restrictions.
• Temporary closure of individual lay-bys.
• Increased contractor vehicle movements associated with the works.

Noise levels are expected to remain relatively low throughout the de-stumping activities.

Visual impacts will be limited and temporary, with the work focused on removing existing stumps and vegetation within a defined corridor.

Emergency access

Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times.

The works do not affect the road structure itself and are being undertaken adjacent to the carriageway. In the event of an emergency, work activities can be stopped immediately to allow safe and unrestricted passage.

Safety measures

The project team will implement a range of safety measures during the works, including:

• Clearly signed work areas.
• Temporary warning signage for road users.
• High-visibility banksmen positioned around active work fronts.
• Traffic management controls where necessary.
• Safe segregation of plant, workforce and members of the public.

All temporary traffic management and signage will be removed once the works have been completed.

Thank you

We would like to thank local residents and road users for their patience and understanding while these essential access works are undertaken. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption and complete the activities safely and efficiently.

For further information about the project, please visit our dedicated Western Isles HVDC Link project webpage or contact the Project Team via the LT14MainlandCable@sse.com inbox.

We are aware of a rock fall incident that took place on the A832 around 1pm today. SSE contractors were undertaking road resurfacing works roughly 500m away from the incident as part of our culvert replacement programme to facilitate the Western Isles HVDC Link. Our contractors immediately informed the Highland Council and a road closure was quickly put in place to protect the safety of motorists. Our contractors are currently providing support to the local authority to enable them to reopen the road as soon as possible.

The incident happened on a section of the route that our contractors are not completing works within at present, and we’ll be liaising with the Highland Council to seek to understand the circumstances of the incident and the implications for planned future works along the route.

The Highland Council will be leading on the re-opening of the road. Please seek out updates via the Highland Councils usual Traffic information routes.

What we’re doing

We will shortly begin enabling works at Access Point 12 (see map) to support the delivery of the Western Isles HVDC Link Project

The works will be undertaken in two stages:

Stage 1 – Vegetation Clearance

Prior to construction of the access point, vegetation clearance will be carried out, including tree felling, stump removal and vegetation clearance works at the location shown in the map provided and also found on What3Words location ///parkland.jotting.transmit.

The works are required to facilitate the construction of a new access point and will involve the removal of trees and vegetation within the designated working area. Stumps located within the footprint of the planned access point will also be removed to prepare the site for future construction activities.

These enabling works are an important step in providing safe access to the planned HVDC cable route corridor.

Stage 2 – Access Point Construction

Following completion of the vegetation clearance works, RJ McLeod will construct a new bell mouth access point on the FLS Forestry side of the of the single carriageway at Access Point 12, Balvraid, Muir of Ord.

The access point will provide safe access to the planned HVDC cable route corridor and will support future construction activities associated with the project.

Following these works there may be additional activity in the area to support the development of a small construction compound. More information will be shared on this in due course once the works programme is confirmed.

When will this take place?

Vegetation Clearance

• Start date: Monday 24 August 2026 
• Duration: Approximately 10 days
• Working hours:
• Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm

Access Point Construction

• Start date: Monday 7th September 2026 
• Duration: Approximately 10 days
• Working hours:
• Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm

Works will be carried out continuously until completion. No weekend working is currently planned.

What to expect

Vegetation Clearance

During these works, you may notice:

• Tree felling and vegetation clearance activities adjacent to the public road
• Chainsaw operators, wood chipping equipment and forestry plant working within the site area
• Use of a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP), excavator and telehandler fitted with a grapple saw
• Banksmen in high-visibility clothing managing safety around the work area
• Temporary traffic management and warning signage.

Log material will be retained on site where appropriate to create deadwood habitat piles, while branches and smaller vegetation will be chipped locally. Tree stumps within the footprint of the new access point will also be removed.

Following the works, road users will notice improved visibility along the roadside and the removal of trees within the future access point area.

Access Point Construction

 During access point construction, you may notice:

• Excavators, rollers and construction vehicles operating within the work area
• Delivery of plant, materials and aggregates to site
• Earthworks and excavation activities
• Installation of drainage measures to manage surface water
• Surfacing works to tie the new access into the existing carriageway

Environmental mitigation measures will be implemented where required following Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) assessments.

Access and Traffic

We are committed to maintaining access for local residents, visitors and road users throughout the works. More information on each stage is shown below:

Vegetation Clearance

Temporary Stop/Go traffic management will be in operation when tree felling activities or plant movements are taking place adjacent to the public road.

• Traffic management will be static and limited to the section of works immediately adjacent to the roadside.
• Short delays may be experienced while works are undertaken safely.
• Any delays are expected to be temporary and should not exceed 15 minutes.
• Access for residents and emergency service vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Access Point Construction

Traffic will continue to pass the work area wherever possible.

Temporary Stop/Go traffic management may be required during:

• Initial delivery of plant and materials
• Construction activities immediately adjacent to the carriageway
• Carriageway resurfacing works associated with the bell mouth tie-in

Existing passing places will be utilised to allow vehicles to pass safely in a controlled manner. Radio and visual communication systems will be used by site personnel to manage traffic movements safely.

Advance "Work Starts Here" signage will be installed approximately one week prior to works commencing, with additional site signage in place throughout the programme.

Where possible, works will be programmed to minimise the need to stop traffic.

In the event of an emergency, operations will be immediately suspended to allow safe passage.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities, road users and visitors to the area.

To support this:

• Traffic management will only be used where necessary to safely undertake works adjacent to the road.
• Banksmen and trained traffic management operatives will be present throughout the programme.
• Warning signage will be installed around the work area and removed once works are complete.
• Public access will be maintained wherever it is safe to do so.
• Works are temporary in nature and are expected to be completed within approximately 10 days.

While there will be some temporary noise associated with chainsaws, woodchippers and construction plant, these impacts will be localised and limited to normal working hours.

Working with the Local Community

We understand the importance of keeping local communities informed about project activity and thank road users and nearby residents for their patience while these essential works are carried out.

Updates will be provided if there are any significant changes to the programme or traffic management arrangements.

We will shortly undertake vegetation clearance works to maintain visibility splays and support the safe delivery of the Western Isles HVDC Link project.

What we’re doing

The works will involve the removal of roadside vegetation that has re-grown since initial clearance in earlier this year to improve visibility and facilitate access for future construction activities associated with the HVDC cable route corridor.

When will this take place?

• Date: 20 August 2026
• Duration: Approximately 1 day
• Working hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm

The works will be undertaken continuously and are expected to be completed within a single working day.

What to expect

During these works, you may notice:

• Vegetation clearance activity adjacent to the public road
• Chainsaw operators working within the site area
• Banksmen in high-visibility clothing managing safety around the work area
• Temporary warning signage positioned around the works
• A temporary lane closure to allow the works to be undertaken safely

Removed vegetation will be placed in managed piles away from the roadside verge.

Access and Traffic

We will work to maintain access for local residents, visitors and road users throughout the programme. A temporary single lane closure will be required where vegetation clearance is taking place adjacent to the roadside.

• Traffic management will remain static and confined to the immediate work area.
• Road users may experience short delays while passing through the traffic management system.
• Any delays are expected to be minimal (expected to be less than 5 minutes) and should not exceed 10 minutes.
• Access for residents and landowners will be maintained throughout the works.
• Emergency service access will remain available at all times.

Where possible, works will be planned to minimise disruption and avoid unnecessary delays. In the event of an emergency, operations will be suspended immediately to allow safe passage.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities and road users.

To support this:

• Traffic management will only be in place for the duration of the works.
• Banksmen and site personnel will monitor the work area to ensure public safety.
• Warning signage will be installed around the site and removed upon completion.
• Works are expected to be completed within a single day.
• Access to the surrounding area will be maintained throughout the programme.

While there will be some temporary noise associated with chainsaw operations, this will be localised and limited to normal working hours.

Working with the local community

We recognise the importance of keeping local communities informed about project activities and appreciate the patience of road users while these short-duration works are undertaken.

Updates will be provided should there be any changes to the planned programme. You can access all updates on the project web page Western Isles HVDC Link Project - SSEN Transmission.

Map Support

The map attached can be zoomed in and out of using the small icons that resemble magnifying glasses with small plus or minus’s shown on the lens. If you prefer, you can also use What3Words: ///health.ordeals.calculate to identify exact location, if this is preferable.

For any questions regarding these works, please contact the project team at lt14mainlandcable@sse.com.

In June this year, the Western Isles HVDC Link Project Team held community drop-in sessions in Aultbea and Dundonnell to share information about planned night-time road closure culvert replacement works in the Dundonnell area and answer questions from local residents and road users.

As these works are now due to begin, we wanted to provide a reminder of the upcoming traffic management arrangements and what local communities can expect.

The night-time road closure culvert replacement works will take place between 24 August and 4 October 2026 and are required to replace existing culverts ahead of future HVDC cable installation works associated with the Western Isles HVDC Link project.

Traffic management arrangements

To allow the works to be carried out safely, the A832 will be fully closed each night between 9pm and 7am throughout the programme.

A signed diversion route will be in place via Achnasheen and Garve during these overnight closures.

During daytime hours, the road will remain open under convoy-controlled traffic management through the work area. Advance warning signs and variable message signs (VMS) have been installed to help road users plan their journeys.

Access and emergency arrangements

Emergency access will be maintained at all times throughout the works using agreed emergency procedures and temporary crossing arrangements where required. Further detail of these arrangements can be found within the booklet.

What to expect

During the construction period, road users and nearby residents may notice:

• Excavation and construction activity within the work area
• Construction plant and equipment operating on site
• Some noise associated with excavation works and occasional rock breaking
• Daytime delays associated with convoy traffic management

We appreciate that these works may cause disruption and would like to thank local communities and road users for their continued patience while these essential improvements are carried out.

If you have any questions, please contact lt14mainlandcable@sse.com

As part of the ongoing construction of the temporary Black Bridge compound to support the Western Isles HVDC Link project, we would like to provide an update regarding the traffic management arrangements currently in place at the Black Bridge junction on the A835 (see location map).

Extension to Traffic Management Period

Construction of the compound is progressing well; however, due to delays within the supply chain, additional time is required to safely move construction vehicles and materials into the site.

As a result, the previously communicated traffic management period will need to be extended.

Three-way traffic control using temporary traffic lights and manual traffic management at the Black Bridge junction (see map) will now also be in place on:

• Wednesday 12 August to Friday 14 August
• Monday 17 August to Wednesday 19 August

These arrangements are in addition to the previously communicated dates (Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 August, and Monday 10 to Tuesday 11 Aug) and will continue to operate only when required to facilitate the safe movement of construction vehicles entering and exiting the compound.

Traffic Management Arrangements

There is no change to the operating hours of the traffic management. Measures will continue to:

• Operate only during construction working hours.
• Be manually controlled at all times.
• Be implemented only when required for the safe movement of construction traffic.
• Be removed during periods when there is no need for vehicle movements.
• Not operate overnight.

While some short delays may occur, every effort will be made to keep these to a minimum and maintain the safe flow of traffic through the area.

Maintaining Access

Maintaining access for local residents, businesses, landowners, visitors and emergency services remains a priority throughout the works. The project team and contractor will continue to coordinate deliveries carefully and use traffic management only where necessary to ensure safety at the junction.

We understand that additional traffic management can be inconvenient and appreciate the patience and understanding shown by the community while these works are completed. These additional arrangements will help ensure the compound can be safely established and continue to support future phases of the mainland cable works.

For any questions regarding these works, please contact the project team at lt14mainlandcable@sse.com.

As part of the Western Isles HVDC Link project, we would like to provide advance notice of construction activities that are currently expected to begin at the Black Bridge compound location, commencing 5 August 2026. These works will involve the construction of a temporary compound and working area required to support future phases of the mainland cable route.

The Black Bridge compound will be located just off the A835, in the area between the Glascarnoch Dam and Inchbae Lodge (What3Words: elevate.panther.plugs) (see location map). The site is close to the planned cable route and will be used as a temporary working area to support construction activity in this location.

Why are these works needed?

The Black Bridge compound will provide a safe and suitable working area for construction teams, equipment and materials associated with the delivery of the mainland cable route. The works will support a future Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) operation, a construction technique that allows the cable to be installed beneath existing infrastructure and watercourses while reducing the environmental impacts associated with traditional open-cut excavation methods.

What will the works involve?

Construction activities will include the creation of a temporary hardstanding area, access arrangements, drainage features and environmental protection measures within the designated construction area. These activities are necessary to prepare the site for future construction phases and to ensure work can be carried out safely and efficiently.

Works to construct the compound are currently expected to continue for approximately six to eight weeks and will generally take place during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm
• Saturday, 8am to 4pm

What can the community expect?

During the works, local residents and road users may notice increased construction activity within the compound area, including deliveries of materials, plant and equipment movements, and excavation works associated with the construction of the compound.

Some construction-related noise can be expected during normal working hours. The project team will work to minimise disruption wherever possible, and all activities will be carried out within the designated construction area.

Traffic management (TM) and access

To facilitate the safe entry and exit of construction vehicles, three-way traffic control will be in place at the Black Bridge road junction, operating using temporary traffic lights and controlled manually at all times (see TM map). This will only be in operation when needed for safe entry/exit of construction vehicles and will not be operational during nighttime hours (7pm to 7am).

• Initial TM Dates: Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 August, and Monday 10 to Tuesday 11 Aug (5 days). TM will be removed over the weekend (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August).
• Any further TM (should it be required) will be communicated with the public in advance of being put in place.

While some short delays may occur, these are expected to be minimal, and traffic will continue to be managed safely through the area.

The intention is to undertake these works without restricting access for local residents, businesses, landowners or emergency services. Access will continue to be maintained throughout the programme wherever possible.

We appreciate the community's patience and understanding while these works are carried out and will continue to provide updates as the programme progresses.

For any questions regarding these works, please contact the project team at lt14mainlandcable@sse.com

What work is taking place

From Wednesday 29 July 2026, our contractor, RJ McLeod, is expected to begin works to construct Access Point 9, which will provide access to the planned HVDC cable route corridor. The works involve the creation of a bell mouth access point adjacent to the existing road network. (see location map)

When will the works take place

The initial vegetation clearance works are currently expected to commence on 29 July 2026 and are anticipated to take approximately 3 days to complete, subject to weather and ground conditions. Working hours will typically be 8.00am to 6.00pm.

Following completion of the vegetation clearance works, construction of the new bell mouth access point is expected to commence the week commencing 10 August 2026 and will take approximately 10 days to complete. Working hours for the access point construction will typically be Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm.

What can residents expect

The works will involve:

• Excavation and construction activities to create the new access point.
• Deliveries of plant, equipment and construction materials.
• Use of machinery including excavators, rollers and support vehicles.
• Carriageway resurfacing works associated with the access point connection to the existing road.

Residents may notice an increase in construction traffic, plant movements and associated noise during working hours.

Traffic management

Short periods of stop/go traffic management may be required, mainly during the first few days while plant and equipment are moved safely into the field. Stop/go boards may also be used intermittently during works to connect the new access point to the existing road.

Traffic management will only be in place when needed for safety and will be removed when not required. Most of the works are expected to take place off-road once equipment is in position.

These works are being carried out under an approved Section 56 permission from The Highland Council, in line with the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. The Highland Council has also been consulted on the traffic management arrangements for the works.

Keeping in touch

We recognise that construction activity may cause some temporary inconvenience and would like to thank residents and road users for their patience while these works are carried out.

If you have any questions about the works, please contact the project team at:

Email: LT14MainlandCable@sse.com

What we’re doing

We will shortly begin construction of a temporary hardstanding area and compound to support delivery of the Western Isles HVDC Link project (see location map).

The works will involve the creation of a platform and hardstanding area that will provide access to the HVDC cable route corridor and support construction activities. The compound will accommodate contractor and project offices, welfare facilities, equipment storage and cable storage areas required during the construction phase.

These enabling works are an important step in preparing the site for ongoing project activities and will be delivered by SSEN Transmission and Highlands based principal contractor RJ McLeod.

When will this take place?

• Mobilisation start date: Monday 27 July 2026
• Construction start date: Monday 3 August 2026
• Duration: Approximately 12 weeks
• Working hours:
• Monday to Friday: 7.30am to 6.00pm
• Saturday: 8.00am to 4.00pm (only when absolutely necessary)

Works will be undertaken on a continuous basis throughout the programme.

What to expect

During these works, you may notice:

• Earthworks and excavation activities associated with platform construction
• Delivery of construction materials, including aggregates and stone
• Construction plant operating within the site, including excavators, dump trucks and rollers
• Formation of drainage features to manage surface water
• Establishment of temporary site facilities and compound infrastructure

The works will be contained within the designated construction area and will include environmental mitigation measures where required.

Access and traffic

We do not expect any disruption to local residents, pedestrians or road users as a result of these works.

• No traffic management is currently required for the construction activities.
• Existing access routes will be used for the delivery of plant, equipment and materials.
• Traffic flow for local residents and pedestrians will be maintained throughout the works.
• All vehicle parking, material storage and site activities will be contained within the designated compound area.
• Access will be maintained along Core Paths

Access for emergency services will be maintained at all times.

How we have adapted plans following community feedback

SSEN Transmission’s Western Isles HVDC Link Mainland Cable team has reviewed and adapted its temporary construction compound proposals at Kinellan following feedback from the local community, community councils and The Highland Council. The changes reflect the project team’s commitment to listening to local concerns and reducing disruption where reasonably practicable.

Following this feedback, SSEN Transmission and its contract partner RJ McLeod revised the planned compound location and strategy, which has resulted in changes to our planned works and construction approach.

Key changes include:

• Relocating the compound to a new site approximately 500m south-east of the originally proposed location following concerns raised by the local community. With the revised location approximately 850 metres from Loch Kinellan and associated breeding bird habitats.
• The new site compound benefits from improved natural screening, reducing the visibility of construction activities and associated infrastructure within the local landscape.
• The new location and natural screening help minimise artificial light impacts on nearby residents and the surrounding environment.
• Reducing construction traffic impacts by creating a new access arrangement that avoids the need for vehicles to use the full length of Kinnahaird Brae & reduces the amount of tree removal required to establish the compound and access route.
• Reducing the size of the Kinellan compound from the larger compound originally presented during early engagement events. The site is now planned to be less than 2 hectares in size.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities and the surrounding environment.

To support this:

• Construction activities will be contained within a defined working area.
• Existing access routes will be utilised wherever possible.
• Surface water management measures will be installed as part of the works.
• Environmental mitigation measures will be implemented where required throughout the programme.

While there will be increased construction activity and vehicle movements associated with the works, these will be carefully managed to minimise impacts on local residents and road users.

Keeping the community informed

We are committed to keeping communities informed as the project progresses. Any further updates will be published on the project web page Western Isles HVDC Link Project - SSEN Transmission as works progress.

Advance signage will be installed on the access road and nearby carriageway to make road users aware of the site entrance and ongoing construction activities.

If the level of impact to the public changes, this will be communicated directly and If there are any changes to the programme or level of activity, these will be communicated in advance. If you have any further questions, please get in touch via the community Liaison Manager email inbox at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

Supporting Scotland’s energy future

These works form part of SSEN Transmission's investment in strengthening the electricity network across the north of Scotland. The Western Isles HVDC Link will help connect renewable energy generation, increase network capacity and support Scotland and the UK's transition to a secure, low-carbon energy future.

What we’re doing

We will shortly begin enabling works at Access Point 11 (see map) to support the delivery of the Western Isles HVDC Link project.

The works will be undertaken in two stages:

Stage 1 – Vegetation Clearance

Prior to construction of the access point, a small amount of vegetation clearance will be carried out, including the felling of a single tree adjacent to the public road. The clearance is required to facilitate safe access and improve visibility for future construction activities.

Stage 2 – Access Point Construction

Following completion of the vegetation clearance works, RJ McLeod will construct a new bell mouth access point on the farmland side of the single carriageway at Access Point 11, Balvraid, Muir of Ord.

The access point will provide safe access to the planned HVDC cable route corridor and will support future construction activities associated with the project.

When will this take place?

Vegetation Clearance

• Date: 23 July 2026
• Duration: 1 day
• Working Hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm

Access Point Construction

• Start Date: Monday 27 July 2026
• Duration: Approximately 10 days
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:30am – 5:00pm

Works will be carried out continuously during the programme period.

What to expect

Vegetation Clearance

During the tree felling works, you may notice:

• Chainsaw operators and a woodchipper working adjacent to the roadside
• Banksmen in high-visibility clothing managing safety around the work area
• Temporary warning signage
• Short traffic delays under stop/go traffic management while felling operations are undertaken

Log material will be retained on site where appropriate to create deadwood habitat piles, while branches and smaller vegetation will be chipped locally.

Access Point Construction

During access point construction, you may notice:

• Excavators, rollers and construction vehicles operating within the work area
• Delivery of plant, materials and aggregates to site
• Earthworks and excavation activities
• Installation of drainage measures to manage surface water
• Surfacing works to tie the new access into the existing carriageway

Environmental mitigation measures will be implemented where required following Environmental Clerk of Works (ECoW) assessments.

Access and Traffic

We are committed to maintaining access throughout the works wherever possible, more information on each stage is shown below:

Vegetation Clearance

Temporary Stop/Go traffic management may be in place while the tree is being felled adjacent to the public road.

• Delays are expected to be minimal and should not exceed 15 minutes.
• Emergency service access will be maintained at all times.
• Works will be suspended immediately if required to facilitate emergency access.

Access Point Construction

Traffic will continue to pass the work area wherever possible.

Temporary Stop/Go traffic management may be required during:

• Initial delivery of plant and materials
• Construction activities immediately adjacent to the carriageway
• Carriageway resurfacing works associated with the bell mouth tie-in

Existing passing places will be utilised to allow vehicles to pass safely in a controlled manner. Radio and visual communication systems will be used by site personnel to manage traffic movements safely.

Advance "Work Starts Here" signage will be installed approximately one week prior to works commencing, with additional site signage in place throughout the programme.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities, landowners and road users.

To support this:

• Access will be maintained throughout the works wherever possible.
• Traffic management will only be used when necessary to ensure safety.
• Works are temporary and of relatively short duration.
• Warning signage and trained banksmen will be deployed to manage public safety.
• Environmental considerations will be incorporated into the construction methodology.

While there will be some temporary noise associated with tree felling and construction plant, these impacts will be localised and restricted to normal working hours.

Working with the Local Community

We are committed to keeping communities informed as the project progresses. Any further updates will be published here as works progress.

If the level of impact to the public changes, this will be communicated directly and If there are any changes to the programme or level of activity, these will be communicated in advance. If you have any further questions, please get in touch via the community Liaison Manager email inbox at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

What we’re doing

Following on from the access point works communicated previously (2 June 2026), we will shortly begin vegetation clearance works at Access Point 30 in the Garve area, on the U3131 to the south-east of Little Garve (see map) to support the ongoing delivery of the Western Isles HVDC Link project.

The works will involve the felling of a small number of trees and associated vegetation removal to improve visibility and facilitate safe access for future construction activities. These works are required to support access arrangements for the planned HVDC cable route corridor and are part of access point permitted development rights.

When will this take place?

• Start date: Week commencing 13 July 2026
• Duration: Approximately 2 days
• Working hours:
• Monday to Tuesday: 8:00am to 6:00pm

The works will be undertaken continuously until completed.

What to expect

During these works, you may notice:

• Tree felling activity adjacent to the public road and forest road
• Chainsaw operators and a woodchipper working within the site area
• Banksmen in high-visibility clothing managing safety around the work area
• Warning signage positioned around the site

Following the works, log material will be retained on site to create deadwood habitat piles where appropriate, while branch material will be chipped locally.

The principal visual change following completion of the works will be improved visibility around the access point and bell mouth entrance.

Access and traffic

We will aim to maintain access for all road users throughout the works.

• Traffic management will be limited to temporary Stop/Go controls where tree felling is taking place adjacent to the roadside.
• Traffic management will only be used where necessary to ensure public safety.
• The forest road and surrounding woodland area will remain open to members of the public.
• Access for residents, landowners and emergency services will be maintained at all times.

Where traffic management is required, delays are expected to be minimal and should not exceed 10 minutes.

In the event of an emergency, works will be immediately suspended to allow safe passage.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities, road users and visitors to the area.

To support this:

• Traffic management will only be implemented when tree felling activities are taking place close to the public road.
• Public access will remain available throughout the works.
• Warning signage will be installed around the work area and removed upon completion.
• Works are short in duration and are expected to be completed within two working days.

While there will be some temporary noise associated with chainsaws and woodchippers, these impacts will be localised and limited to the duration of the works.

Working with the local community

We are committed to keeping communities informed as the project progresses.

Any further updates will be published on this page as works progress. If the level of impact to the public changes, this will be communicated directly. If there are any changes to the programme or level of activity, these will be communicated in advance.

If you have any further questions, please get in touch via the Project email inbox at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

We appreciate the patience and cooperation of road users and visitors while these essential works are undertaken safely.

What we’re doing

We will shortly begin works to construct a new access point (Access point 8) for the Western Isles HVDC Link Mainland Cable. This will take place on Unclassified Road U1451 as shown in the image below as well as the site location.

This will involve creating a bell mouth access from the roadside to support future construction activity along the HVDC cable route corridor. These access points are required to enable safe and efficient access for construction vehicles and plant during the delivery of the project.

When will this take place?

• Start date: Monday 13 July 2026
• Duration: Approximately 10 days
• Working hours:
• Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 5:00pm

Works will be carried out continuously during this period.

What to expect

During these works, you may notice:

• Excavation and construction activity to form the new access point
• Delivery of plant, equipment, and construction materials
• Use of machinery including excavators and rollers
• Short periods of carriageway work during resurfacing

On the day of surfacing works, temporary passing arrangements may be required to maintain traffic flow.

Access and traffic

We will aim to maintain access for all road users throughout the works.

• Traffic will continue to pass the work area where possible
• Temporary Stop/Go traffic management may be in place during:
• Initial delivery of plant and materials
• Road resurfacing activities (approximately one day)
• Access for residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times

Advance signage will be installed in the week prior to works commencing, with additional signage in place during the works to ensure road users are aware. We have an approved Section 56 from The Highland Council for the works and that the council have been consulted on Traffic Managements arrangements.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities and road users.

• Works will be short-term (approximately 10 days)
• Traffic management will be used only where necessary
• Activities will be carefully coordinated to maintain traffic flow wherever possible
• All works will be contained within the immediate roadside working are

Working with the local community

We are committed to keeping communities informed as the project progresses.

Any further updates will be published here as works progress. If the level of impact to the public changes, this will be communicated directly. If there are any changes to the programme or level of activity, these will be communicated in advance.

If you have any further questions, please get in touch via the Project email inbox at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

Supporting Scotland’s energy future

These works form part of SSEN Transmission’s wider investment in strengthening the electricity network, helping to connect renewable energy and support the transition to a low-carbon future.

What we’re doing

We will shortly begin ground investigation works at the Lewis Hub site, Arnish Moor to support the ongoing development of the Western Isles HVDC Link project. These works are an important step in understanding ground conditions ahead of future construction activity. Information gathered will help inform detailed design and ensure the safe and efficient delivery of the project.

When will this take place?

• Start date: Wednesday 1 July 2026
• Duration: Approximately 12 weeks
• Working hours:
• Monday to Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
• No weekend working is planned

Works will be carried out on a continuous basis during this period.

What to expect

During these works, you may notice:

• Excavators and dump trucks operating adjacent to the Arnish road
• Movement of plant and materials within the working area
• Activity similar in nature to the ongoing Arnish road upgrade works

The works will remain localised and contained within the existing working boundary.

Access and traffic

We do not expect any disruption to access or traffic as a result of these works.

• No traffic management will be in place
• No restrictions are expected for local residents or road users
• All works will take place within the existing working area

Working with the local community

We are committed to keeping communities informed as the project progresses. Any further updates will be published on the project webpage as works progress. If the level of impact to the public changes, this will be communicated directly and If there are any changes to the programme or level of activity, these will be communicated in advance. If you have any further questions, please get in touch via the community Liaison Manager email inbox at kevin.morrison@sse.com

Supporting Scotland’s energy future

These works form part of SSEN Transmission’s wider investment in upgrading the electricity network, helping to connect renewable energy and support the transition to a low-carbon future.

We have today published a new economic report setting out the significant economic benefits associated with our planned £29bn investment in new and upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure across the north of Scotland.

The report, titled ‘Re‑energising the North: Transforming Scotland’, provides an update on our previously outlined economic analysis on plans to invest billions in mission-critical grid infrastructure, providing further insight into the scale of economic opportunity associated with the investment programme.

The report reaffirms our programme as one of the largest private infrastructure investments in Scotland’s history, with around £29bn of planned investment across the north of Scotland in the next five years, and it details the extent of the economic opportunity across the region.

Using advanced economic modelling to analyse the impact of clean power infrastructure investment, the report’s findings conclude that our investment: 

• Will support up to 10,000 jobs in the north of Scotland, and 24,000 across Scotland; 
• When added to investment by other transmission operators and investment in generation will add around £60bn to UK economic output - with the Scottish economy up to 3% larger over the long term; 
• Will deliver long-term improvements in productivity, wages and economic resilience, with employees moving into higher-value roles and key sectors expanding permanently; and 
• Will create unique opportunities for Scottish suppliers, businesses and communities across multiple sectors, including forestry, peatland restoration, aggregates and concrete too. 

The findings highlight the importance of ensuring that the benefits of investment are felt locally, with thousands of skilled jobs, increased supply chain activity, and investment flowing into communities across the north of Scotland.

Read the full News and Views article to find out more.

We will shortly begin work to construct a temporary working platform to support underground cable installation as part of the Western Isles HVDC Link project alongside the access track for the Loch Luichart Wind Farm.

This platform will enable the use of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), a specialist technique that allows us to install cables beneath roads, watercourses, and other features without the need for open trenching. This helps to reduce disruption and minimise environmental impact while safely routing the cables through more challenging ground conditions.

The works will involve:

• Preparing and excavating the site
• Constructing a stone platform (hard standing area)
• Managing and storing peat in line with environmental requirements
• Installing drainage to manage surface water

When will this take place?

• Start date: W/C 29 June 2026
• Duration: Approximately 6 to 8 weeks
• Working hours:
• Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 5:00pm
• Saturday working may be required if needed.

What to expect

During these works, you may notice:

• Construction plant and equipment operating within the site
• Delivery vehicles bringing materials to site
• Excavation and ground preparation activities

All construction activity will take place within a defined working area, with environmental protection measures in place throughout.

Access and traffic

We do not expect any disruption to traffic as a result of these works.

• No traffic management is planned
• Access along existing windfarm tracks and local routes will be maintained at all times
• All site traffic, parking and storage will be contained within the working area

Where required, signage will be in place to make road users aware of site access points and ongoing works.

How we are reducing impacts

We are committed to minimising disruption to local communities and the environment. To support this:

• Works will be contained within a clearly defined area
• Existing access routes will be used wherever possible
• Environmental controls, including peat management and drainage, will be implemented
• We will coordinate closely with windfarm operators and other local users to avoid conflicts with ongoing activities

Working with the local community

Any updates will be published on the project webpage as works progress. If the level of impact to the public changes, this will be communicated directly.

We will continue to keep the community informed as works progress and will provide updates where there are any changes to the programme or activity.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please get in touch via the LT14mainlandcable@sse.com email inbox.

The Western Isles HVDC Link Project Team would like to thank everyone who attended our community drop-in sessions in Aultbea and Dundonnell on Monday 8 June.

We appreciate you taking the time to meet with the project team, ask questions and share your views. Your feedback is important and helps inform how we plan and communicate upcoming works.

As discussed at the sessions, culvert works in the Dundonnell area have been rescheduled and are now planned to take place between 24 August to 4 October 2026.

Full road closures will be in place each night between 9pm and 7am during this period. Outwith these hours, traffic management will revert to single-lane operation. A signed diversion route will be in place via Achnasheen and Garve during the night-time closures.

The works include culvert upgrades alongside associated road safety, drainage and resurfacing improvements.

A detailed booklet is attached to this update, which provides a high-level overview of the works, why they are required, and what road users and local communities can expect. This includes confirmation that emergency access will be maintained at all times during the works. Further detail on emergency access arrangements is set out our recent booklet.

We recognise that these works may cause disruption and thank you in advance for your patience while they are carried out.

Please contact lt14mainlandcable@sse.com  if you have further questions in the meantime.

Access Point works (bell mouth creation/re-surfacing works) – 8 June planned for 4-6 weeks

Construction works to facilitate access to the WI HVDC Link Mainland Cable corridor, inclusive of tree felling, vegetation removal, bell mouth creation and resurfacing works are planned to being on the 8 June 2026. Works will take place in the Garve area, on the U3131 to the south-east of Little Garve (see map here).

Works are due to take place during daytime hours, Monday to Friday. During this period, there may be an increase in construction traffic on the U3131. Temporary traffic management may be required at certain stages of the works, using ‘Stop and Go’ boards to ensure the safety of road users and front-line workers. This may result in short delays.

Access for emergency services will be maintained throughout, and traffic management will only be used where necessary to support safe working.

We will aim to keep local residents informed and minimise disruption where possible. If you have any queries, please contact the project team on lt14mainlandcable@sse.com.

• Early works activities mark a key step forward in delivering the mainland cable section of Western Isles HVDC Link
• These include local track improvements and creation of temporary construction compounds to support underground cable installation

SSEN Transmission will begin early works to support installation of the mainland underground cable section of the Western Isles HVDC Link in the Highlands.

The works will begin on Monday 8 June, focusing on preparing the route between Dundonnell and Beauly ahead of main construction later this year. In the coming weeks, works taking place as part of permitted development activity will include access provision, improving local tracks to support cable installation, establishing temporary working compounds, and undertaking specific tree felling.

These works mark an important step in delivering the project, which will support local jobs and investment in the Highlands. The project forms part of SSEN Transmission’s wider programme to upgrade the electricity network to support new renewable energy generation, helping deliver Scotland and the UK’s clean power and energy security ambitions.

Minimising disruption and keeping communities informed

Early works will take place on smaller, unclassified roads and existing access routes, with work becoming more noticeable as the project develops. Where temporary traffic management or more localised activity is required, SSEN Transmission will seek to minimise impacts and provide advance notice wherever possible.

Communities, elected representatives, and stakeholders will be kept informed as the project progresses, with regular updates on the timing and location of works. As part of this, community liaison groups will be established for both the eastern and western sections of the cable route, providing a forum for direct engagement with the project team.

Supporting local jobs and long-term benefits

SSEN Transmission is committed to working with local businesses and communities to maximise the economic benefits of the project, supporting its aim to deliver £1.8bn of contracts for local companies through the Highland Social Value Charter. Early works will be carried out by Highlands-based contractor RJ McLeod who have expanded their local operations to support the project, working with the local supply chain and creating additional new roles within the business, including apprenticeship roles.

As part of the project, the company is also exploring opportunities to support community initiatives and deliver longer-term travel and transport benefits, such as improving access routes and creating new cycle paths along parts of the cable corridor.

Niall Macleod, Project Director for SSEN Transmission, said:

“These early works, taking place under permitted development, are an important early step in delivering the mainland underground cable section of the Western Isles HVDC Link.

“As we progress this work, we know how important it is to keep those who live and work along the route informed, while keeping disruption to a minimum. With this in mind, we will establish dedicated community liaison groups to provide a forum for meaningful engagement with the project team, helping people stay informed, ask questions, and share feedback.

“We are also pleased that this phase of the project will be delivered by local contractors, supporting jobs and economic activity in line with our commitment as the first organisation to sign the Highland Social Value Charter.

“We will continue to work closely with communities, The Highland Council and other stakeholders, providing regular updates as the programme develops.”

If you would like further information about the Western Isles HVDC Mainland Cable Project, please contact the project team at LT14Mainlandcable@sse.com.

The Western Isles HVDC Link Project Team would like to provide an update on planned night-time road closures linked to culvert works in the Dundonnell area.

We had previously planned & communicated that these works were expected to commence in June 2026. Following a review of the programme, the works have now been rescheduled to take place out with the height of the summer period and are now due to take place in late August 2026.

Ahead of the works, we will be providing further information & carrying out community drop-in sessions in June. By hosting these sessions, distributing information through maildrops, and utilising our electronic communication channels—including direct emails to community councils, project distribution lists, and updates on our website—we aim to keep residents and stakeholders fully informed about the upcoming works and the anticipated effects on road users. The date and locations for our community drop-in sessions are listed below, and this information will also be shared via maildrop to ensure everyone receives the details:

Monday 8 June 2026

4 – 6pm Aultbea Hall, Achnasheen, IV22 2JR

7 – 9pm Badcaul Church, Dundonnell, IV23 2QY

Additional information, including confirmed dates, timings and access arrangements for the works, will also be shared in the coming weeks. Please contact lt14mainlandcable@sse.com if you have further questions in the meantime.

SSEN Transmission is inviting local communities to help shape a new community benefit fund worth £1,060,000, linked to the delivery of the Lewis Hub project in the Western Isles. 

The Lewis Hub Local Fund is being developed for communities closest to the project and will support local projects and initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for the area. 

SSEN Transmission is keen for local people to play a central role in shaping how the funding is used and will host three events giving residents and organisations the opportunity to share their views. 

Communities living and working in the North Lochs, Stornoway and Laxdale community council areas are being encouraged to take part, particularly those located closest to the Lewis Hub project at Arnish Moor.  SSEN Transmission is also keen to hear from organisations that support communities in these areas.

Two in-person drop-in events will be held in May, as follows: 

• Monday 18 May, 3.30pm to 7pm, Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway
• Tuesday 19 May, 3pm to 7pm, North Lochs Community Centre

SSEN Transmission staff will deliver short presentations on the fund at 4pm and 6pm at both events, although attendees are welcome to drop in at any time. Refreshments will be available. 

An additional online session will take place on Monday 25 May, from 2pm to 3.30pm. Anyone wishing to attend can register in advance by clicking this link. 

For those unable to attend any of the events, an online survey will be available from 18 May, allowing people to learn more about the fund and share their views as to how the money should be used. Anyone wishing to take part in the survey should email SSEN Transmission’s Community Investment Team at community.benefit@sse.com 

The fund will become available later this year, once development of the Lewis Hub gets underway and after feedback from local communities has been used to set funding priorities.  

Linsay Chalmers is SSEN Transmission’s Community Investment Manager responsible for overseeing the fund.  She said: 

“The Lewis Hub Local Fund will deliver more than a million pounds for projects and initiatives that support local communities, but what really matters to us is that local people play a central role in shaping how that funding is used. 

“That is why we are holding a series of events to give communities a real say in where the money goes, supporting projects that not only make a difference today but continue to benefit the Western Isles for generations to come. 

“Through the Lewis Hub project, SSEN Transmission is committed to supporting long-term social and economic growth in the Western Isles and leaving a meaningful, lasting legacy for local communities.  The Lewis Hub Local Fund is a key part of that legacy, and builds on recent awards made through our separate Regional Community Benefit Fund, where projects in the Western Isles benefited from over £875,000 for local projects.

“We encourage local people to get involved in our upcoming events and help shape how the funding is used.”

RJM will shortly be carrying out essential service verification works within the local area. Following confirmation of the final plant requirements, the works are now expected to commence on 27 April 2026. These checks form part of routine pre‑construction activities to confirm the position and depth of existing underground utilities.

It has been confirmed that a small excavator is required for these works. There will be two to three operatives on site, along with a supervisor, at each location. Temporary stop and go boards will be used where required to safely manage traffic.

The works will take place at selected locations, which are shown on a map in the documents section on the project web page. The excavations are minor and controlled, and all areas will be fully reinstated once the works are complete.

This update has been issued following confirmation of final details with our contractors, to ensure that we are providing an accurate overview of the locations due to undergo these works. The dates below are indicative and may change slightly depending on how the works progress and on-site conditions.

Locations:

Garve

• Matheson Road, U3131: 28 to 29 April

Muir of Ord

• Corry Road, U2975: 7 to 13 May

Faebit

• U3006: 4 May
• Balvraid Road, U3013: 4 to 6 May

Marybank

• Mains of Fairburn Road, U3005: 30 April to 1 May

Beauly

• Altyre Road, U1480: 14 May
• C1104: 15 May

Any impact to residents or road users is expected to be minimal, and each location will typically be completed within a short period before the team moves on to the next site.

SSEN Transmission’s Western Isles Mainland Cable contractors will now commence culvert replacement works on Monday 20 April 2026 on the A832, approximately five miles south of Dundonnell. These works had previously been planned to start earlier this year but were slightly delayed and rescheduled.

Over the next two to three months, the team will focus on Culverts 5 to 10, as shown on the location map available in the Documents section. Each culvert is expected to take around four to six weeks to complete. Where feasible, work may take place on two culverts at the same time to support overall progress and help minimise the duration of disruption.

Traffic management will be required during these works, with the single‑lane works operating as follows:

Traffic management and speed restrictions

• A daytime single lane convoy system will operate during working hours, 7am -7pm, with operatives present on site.
• Outside of these working hours, temporary traffic lights will control traffic through the works area. Contact information will be displayed locally should there be any technical issues with the lights.
• A 10 mph speed restriction will be in effect through the immediate works area for the duration of the project.
• A 40 mph advisory speed restriction will be in operation between Fain Bridge and the Cadha Buidhe compound area, to help slow traffic on the approaches into and out of the traffic managed section.
• The traffic managed section will extend over approximately 500 metres at any one time.
• Vehicle delays are expected to be no more than 15 minutes and often less.
• One lane will remain open at all times to maintain access for emergency services.

We will continue to provide regular updates as the works progress, including information on future culvert locations as they come forward.

If you require additional information during these works, please contact the project team via the project email inbox: LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

In addition to the above works, we will shortly be sharing detailed communications regarding our night-time closures. This will be shared in the next two weeks.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while these works are carried out.

RJM will shortly be carrying out essential service verification works within the local area. These checks are part of routine pre‑construction activities to confirm the position and depth of existing underground utilities.

The works will involve two or three operatives undertaking small‑scale hand‑digging at selected locations, which are outlined on this map hosted on the project web page. These excavations are minor, controlled, and will be reinstated once complete.

We apologise for the late notice of this communication. This update was issued once final details had been confirmed with our contractors, to ensure we were providing an accurate representation of the locations due to undergo these works.

Garve

• Matheson Road
• U3131

Muir of Ord

• Corry Road- U2975

Faebit

• U3006
• Balvraid Road - U3013

Marybank

• Mains of Fairburn Road -U3005

Beauly

• Altyre Road – U1480
• C1104

There will be no traffic management required, and any impact to residents or road users is expected to be minimal. Each location will typically be completed within a short duration before the team moves to the next.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while these important checks are completed.

If you have further questions. Please contact the project team through our Project inbox on LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

SSEN Transmission’s Western Isles Mainland Cable contractors will commence culvert replacement works next week (week commencing 23 March 2026) on the A832, approximately five miles south of Dundonnell. Over the next two to three months, the team will focus on Culverts 5 through 10, as indicated in our recent map available in Documents. Each culvert is estimated to take four to six weeks to complete, but where feasible, the team will work on two culverts simultaneously to expedite progress.

For traffic management, the initial phase will utilise a single lane 24-hour convoy system. Traffic lights will be in place for the remainder of the works. As previously outlined, our single lane works will operate as follows:

• The traffic management area will cover roughly 500 meters at a time.
• We anticipate that delays will not exceed 15 minutes and expect actual wait times to be shorter.
• At all times, one lane will remain open to ensure access for emergency services.

We will further update, should there are any changes to the program. If you require further information during the single lane traffic management, please reach out via the project email inbox at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com.

Hand Pit Excavation Works – Rescheduled to Week Commencing 23rd March 2026

Last week’s update noted that Hand Pit works were planned for the week commencing 9 March 2026, but due to staff availability, these works were postponed. The new schedule sets these activities for the week commencing 23 March 2026. During this period, there may be traffic cones at the roadside, and two operatives will be excavating hand pits to locate and assess buried services. No further traffic management measures are anticipated at this stage.

We remain committed to minimising any inconvenience throughout these works.

We would like to notify the local community that bell mouth construction activities will soon begin at several points along the cable route. These works are essential to ensure safe and efficient access for upcoming project operations.

To minimise disruption, only traffic cones will be placed at the roadside; no additional traffic management measures are planned at this stage. We are committed to keeping any inconvenience to a minimum throughout the process.

The locations identified for these works are: APT9, APT10, APT8, APT13B, APT11, APT12, APT14, APT30, and APT31A.

At each site, two operatives will excavate hand pits to locate and assess buried services.

As the project progresses, we will provide ongoing updates to residents and road users. Your patience and cooperation during these essential works are greatly appreciated.

Image: Artist’s impression of Eriskay school redevelopment – among the projects to receive funding through SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund

Community organisations in the Western Isles are set to benefit from a significant funding boost as part of SSEN Transmission’s latest round of Regional Community Benefit Fund awards.

Of the £2.37 million awarded to organisations across the north of Scotland, more than £875,000 is being directed to island based projects, supporting efforts to tackle fuel poverty, protect heritage, and create new community facilities.

Local projects receiving support include:

Tighean Innse Gall - £393,883.35

Reducing fuel poverty in the Western Isles by researching local housing types and designing practical, tailored energy efficiency solutions for island homes.

Kirsty MacLeod, Energy Advice Manager for Tighean Innse Gall, said:

"We are delighted as a partnership to receive this funding from SSEN Transmission’s Community Benefit Fund. This support makes a truly transformative difference for our communities in the Outer Hebrides. It enables us to take meaningful action to reduce fuel poverty, support households struggling with high energy costs, and develop practical, affordable solutions that improve the energy efficiency of our unique island homes.

"With this funding, we can empower residents with clear guidance, deliver skilled local training, and strengthen the long-term resilience of our housing stock. This investment will not only help to ease fuel poverty now but also ensure that our housing becomes more energy efficient, resilient, and affordable in the long term."

Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh - £340,895

Redeveloping the historic former Eriskay school into a sustainable heritage centre and community hub – offering training and wellbeing programmes for communities across Uist, Barra and the wider Outer Hebrides.

Eriskay School Redevelopment Project Worker Sandra MacInnes said:

“We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund. This funding is transformational for Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh and for the people of Eriskay.

“It will allow us to progress the redevelopment of the former Eriskay School into Ionad Eilean na h-Òige, a heritage centre and sustainable community hub that will safeguard our island’s history while addressing social isolation and providing much-needed facilities for wellbeing, learning and connection.

“This investment will help create a lasting legacy for our community, supporting local skills, employment and resilience for generations to come.”

Islands Book Trust - £141,000

Creating a shared digital hub to expand skills, preserve island heritage and support volunteer-led heritage organisations across Scotland’s islands, from its base in Lewis. 

Ben Sheppard, Business and Systems Coordinator at the Islands Book Trust, said:

“We are grateful to SSEN Transmission for this significant investment in the Islands Book Trust.  This funding enables us to launch a shared Digital Hub and Scottish Islands Heritage & Skills Network, providing practical digital infrastructure, training, and structured support for heritage groups across Scotland’s islands.

“Over the next three years, we will relaunch our digital platform, establish Islands Voices as a video and audio archive, develop curriculum-linked Education Packs, and expand partnership working.  By strengthening organisational capacity to deliver this work effectively, we can ensure island heritage remains accessible, resilient, and led by the communities who create it. 

“Crucially, ownership and credit will remain with those communities, supporting long-term sustainability and visibility for Scotland’s island stories."

Over £100m expected for communities across the north of Scotland

This latest round of awards brings the total investment from the Regional Community Benefit Fund to more than £4 million since its launch last year.

These awards are among the first delivered as part of SSEN Transmission’s commitment to provide more than £100 million in community benefit across the north of Scotland, enabled by its investment in new electricity infrastructure that supports the country’s clean power and energy security ambitions. 

Funding will continue to be distributed through a series of regional and local funds linked to existing and proposed projects, ensuring positive impacts and a lasting legacy for local communities.

Independent Chair of the Regional Community Benefit Fund, Peter Peacock, said:

“We’re proud to support these outstanding organisations as they deliver real lasting benefits for communities. Each project reflects the hard work of those building strong, resilient places – whether through skills and employability, improving local facilities, or helping to tackle fuel poverty. 

“We had a high level of interest in the second round of the fund, with a very strong standard of applications, and our thanks go to all who applied. We now look forward to seeing the positive impact of this funding.”  

Gary Hughes, Economic Development Manager at SSEN Transmission, added:

“These awards show our commitment to ensuring that critical electricity infrastructure delivers real benefits for local communities, especially in remote and island areas. 

“Between our regional fund and the local funds we are creating, more than £100m will be made available for community benefit across the north of Scotland. 

“This is just one of the positive legacies our investment is delivering as we work to strengthen energy security and support the transition to clean power.”

The MV Arrow has been secured to provide dedicated logistics support for SSEN Transmission’s Lewis Hub and Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Link – strengthening project delivery while helping safeguard the existing Stornoway to Ullapool ferry service.

Securing a dedicated vessel to handle construction materials and project freight means project logistics can be managed independently, without disrupting existing public ferry operations.  

A release mechanism will allow the vessel to be used by others when not required by SSEN Transmission, boosting resilience across the islands’ essential ferry network, including during routine maintenance periods. 

SSEN Transmission’s principal contractor, Balfour Beatty, has secured the MV Arrow to support project logistics. The charter follows close collaboration with Stornoway Port, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Ullapool Harbour Trust, with additional support from Transport Scotland, CMAL, and CalMac – working together to identify freight solutions that avoid adding pressure to existing services.

SSEN Transmission and its supply chain partners are also working with Loganair on travel arrangements for non-island-based staff, with most travelling by air. Existing services will be used where capacity is available without disrupting local use, and charter flights will be considered if necessary to maintain capacity for the local community. 

Protecting essential island services has been central to planning for the Lewis Hub, and regular coordination meetings are taking place to protect services throughout project delivery. 

SSEN Transmission has also taken steps to avoid pressure on local housing and tourism, supporting new-build affordable housing near Stornoway Airport and the refurbishment of the Caledonian Hotel to host project personnel and leave a positive legacy. 

Sandy Mactaggart, Director of Offshore Delivery at SSEN Transmission, said:  

“Securing the MV Arrow gives us the confidence and operational capacity to deliver the Lewis Hub project without placing additional pressure on the ferry services island communities depend on. It forms a key part of our integrated logistics approach, providing the certainty and flexibility needed to move people and materials efficiently while safeguarding local transport networks.

“Crucially, the MV Arrow will be available to others when not required for our work, helping to protect the resilience of island ferry services. We will also continue to work with other parties to understand their requirements and consider these within our plans. 

“Our approach has been shaped through ongoing collaboration with key local organisations, agencies, and stakeholders, and we will continue to work closely with partners and the community to minimise impacts and support long-term benefits for the Western Isles.”  

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: 

“I am pleased that SSEN Transmission have confirmed the MV Arrow will be available to support lifeline ferry services as part of their logistics plans in delivering the Lewis Hub and Western Isles HVDC link. 

“This approach has been developed in close partnership with local organisations and stakeholders, including CalMac and CMAL, with a focus on minimising impact on the Stornoway to Ullapool route and ensuring that our lifeline ferry services remain resilient for those who rely on them.” 

CalMac CEO Duncan Mackison said:  

"We’re pleased to be supporting SSEN Transmission on making a success of this massive opportunity for the Western Isles. 
 
"The charter of MV Arrow protects lifeline ferry services, and we look forward to working with SSEN Transmission for the duration of this project on the vessel’s potential availability to maintain essential freight services when MV Loch Seaforth is in her annual overhaul." 

George Young, Director of Operations at Balfour Beatty, said:  

“By working closely with SSEN Transmission and local partners, we’ve taken a coordinated, long-term approach to logistics that protects essential island services while providing the flexibility and certainty needed to deliver this nationally significant project.” 

Kevin Hobbs, chief executive officer at CMAL, said:  

“We are pleased that the MV Arrow has been secured and will continue to work closely with SSEN Transmission regarding the Western Isles HVDC project.” 

We would like to inform members of the public that further ground investigation (GI) works are scheduled to take place during the week commencing February 23, 2026. These investigations are essential to inform the cable thermal resistivity design for our project.

In total, 50 locations have been identified along the project route, with the majority situated in the Dundonell area. The investigation works will involve one excavator and two operatives, who will be responsible for recording and sampling data at each site. Each trial pit is expected to take approximately one hour to complete.

In some locations, temporary traffic management measures will be in place, including the use of temporary traffic lights, to ensure safe offloading and unloading of equipment. We appreciate your cooperation and patience while these essential works are being carried out.

Maps showing the location of these works are available in Documents.

If you need any more information or have further questions, please contact the project team at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com.

Following the recent decision by the Highland Council’s South Planning Committee to refuse the proposed Fanellan project, we wanted to update you on key enabling and early construction activities that are continuing as part of the Western Isles HVDC link project.

Whilst we are naturally disappointed by the Committee’s decision, particularly given it was counter to the recommendation of the Council’s Planning team, we can confirm that we intend to appeal the decision to the Scottish Government’s Department for Planning and Environmental Appeals.

The Western Isles HVDC link is required to connect new onshore and offshore wind in and around the islands, unlocking the Western Isles vast renewable energy potential. The project - a key component of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 investment programme - is part of a wider upgrade of the electricity transmission system across Great Britain that is required to deliver energy security and clean power for current and future generations, contributing to UK and Scottish Government energy targets.

SSEN Transmission has a legal obligation to deliver these projects - as established by the energy regulator, Ofgem - in its electricity transmission licence.

The Western Isles HVDC link project consists of a new HVDC Converter Station and substation in Lewis, that will connect via an underground and subsea cable to a proposed new HVDC Converter Station and substation at Fanellan, near Beauly.

In November 2025, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar granted planning permission for the Lewis Hub, with a variation to the subsea cable Marine Licence granted by the Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate in December 2025.

The onshore land cable installation will be undertaken under Permitted Development rights, with all necessary consents, permits and statutory obligations in place for these works to progress. This includes planned culvert works in the Dundonnell area and the installation of temporary compounds along the cable route.

In Lewis, ecological surveys and other preparatory activities are ongoing, ahead of the planned commencement of main works, currently scheduled for Summer 2026.

At Fanellan, ongoing archaeological surveys will continue until their completion, which is expected in early summer, with work to progress the Black Bridge replacement also continuing, with the second Pre Application Consultation event expected in late spring 2026.  Progressing with both activities should not be considered as pre-empting the outcome of our appeal but rather, to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of this project should consent be granted.

 SSEN Transmission remains committed to working constructively and transparently with all stakeholders throughout the ongoing development and delivery of its Pathway to 2030 investment programme, with further updates to be provided as required.

What happens if Fanellan is not consented following appeal?

The Fanellan hub is a key component of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 investment programme.  It is part of a wider upgrade of the electricity transmission system across Great Britain that is required to deliver energy security and clean power for current and future generations, contributing to UK and Scottish Government 2030 energy targets.

This need for a new HVDC Converter Station and 400kV AC substation in the Beauly area has been independently established by the National Energy System Operator, approved by the energy regulator Ofgem, and endorsed by both the UK and Scottish Governments.

The Fanellan hub, which was subject to a robust site selection process and extensive public consultation and engagement, has been developed in line with all relevant policies and legislation, balancing community and environmental considerations with technical and economic factors. 

This is reflected by the Highland Council’s own Planning Officer’s recommendation that the application should be approved and that there were no Statutory Body objections to the application that were not addressed by way of proposed planning conditions.

We do not therefore consider that there is a sound basis in planning terms for the project to be refused and are confident that the Fanellan hub will secure consent following appeal.

However, in the event our appeal is unsuccessful and the decision to refuse consent is upheld, we will carefully consider our next steps.

If you would like to be kept up to date with project updates please contact  LT14mainlandcable@sse.com and ask to be added to our project distribution lists.

Following our previous update on 12 January 2026, in which we shared community feedback and SSEN Transmission’s decision to revise the planned location of the Kinellan Compound, we are pleased to provide further information on the new site and the upcoming activities required to establish it.

The revised site is located on a parcel of land positioned further from Kinellan Loch—approximately 850 metres from the loch and its associated breeding bird habitats. This location offers improved natural screening and will help reduce both visual impact and light pollution for the local community.

By relocating the compound, we will also significantly reduce the need for construction traffic to use the full length of the forestry track known locally as Kinnahaird Brae. A new access point will be created off the existing track, as shown in the attached map. This approach allows us to form the compound access with considerably less tree removal.

Over the next four weeks, work will begin around the access points and on the new site. The planned programme is as follows:

• Week commencing 9 February

  Tree removal will begin to create the access road. This will require single‑lane traffic management at the access point on the A834 for the duration of roadside felling. Additional road signage will then be installed to alert road users to the new access and the potential for turning vehicles.

• Week commencing 16 February

Construction of the access road into the field where the compound will be located.

• Week commencing 23 February

Delivery of welfare cabins to support the start of main construction activities, marking the beginning of earthworks.

The construction of the compound is expected to take three to four months in total.

If you have further questions. Please contact the project team through our Project inbox on LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

• Ecological surveys taking place this week mark start of early works activity at Arnish Moor site 
    
• Balfour Beatty submits application for temporary accommodation village at Willowgreen Road 

SSEN Transmission will begin early preparatory activities associated with its Lewis Hub project from this week. 

The activities are essential to ensure the safe and efficient progression of the development while minimising disruption to the local community.

The early works begin with ecological surveys to monitor nesting birds and other protected species. These surveys will continue throughout the project to ensure appropriate environmental safeguards are maintained.

Other activities that will take place in the coming weeks include:

• Installation of deer fencing around the proposed AC substation and converter station sites, creating a safe exclusion zone for ongoing survey work.

• Delivery of cabins to a temporary storage area. Subject to planning consent, these cabins will later be moved to a dedicated compound at Stornoway Deep Water Port, where they will support preparatory works and site operations once construction begins. 

• Removal of invasive plant species. 

Many of the activities will be undertaken by local contractors, supporting SSEN Transmission’s commitment to creating opportunities for businesses across the Western Isles and contributing to the local economy.

These preparatory works will inform the next stage of the consenting process, including applications for the approval of matters specified in planning conditions and the discharge of conditions attached to the planning permission in principle granted by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Meanwhile, principal contractor Balfour Beatty has submitted a planning application for a temporary workforce accommodation village in Stornoway to support construction of the Lewis Hub while protecting local housing, services, and the tourism economy. The proposed village, on part of the former Dormitory Site off Willowglen Road, would house up to 200 workers in modern modular, en‑suite units with on‑site catering, leisure and welfare facilities.

If approved, construction would begin in autumn 2026, with use planned from mid‑2027 to 2030. As part of its pledge to act as a good neighbour, Balfour Beatty will operate a clear worker code of conduct, 24/7 on‑site management, dedicated health services, recreation space, and opportunities for local businesses and training.

If you have further questions, please contact the project team on LT14lewishub@sse.com

Following feedback from the local community, our contract partners RJM have been working with SSEN Transmission to revise the planned site and have agreed to build the temporary compound on a new site to the east of the original location. Details and agreements are being finalised with landowners to secure the land, and further details will be shared as soon as possible.

It is anticipated advance works will start early February with main earthworks starting from mid to late February 2026. Any tree-felling work will be supported by banksmen to ensure safe access to core pathways will be maintained at all times.

If you have further questions. Please contact the project team through our Project inbox on LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

Unfortunately we have had to cancel this week’s events in Aultbea (Wednesday 7 January 2026), and in Badcaul (Thursday 8 January 2026). The decision has been taken due to the adverse weather. We understand that this news may be disappointing, but the safety of all attendees is our top priority.

As an update, the project team have produced an information brochure available in Documents. This includes an overview of culvert works, traffic management specifics and additional detail on emergency access procedures relating to the night-time closures later in the year. We kindly ask you to share this update and the attached brochure far and wide to ensure that everyone in our community is aware of the cancellations and the updated information provided. Your support in disseminating this information is greatly appreciated.

Vehicle management signs are due to deployed in strategic locations this week. Tree felling and destumping works will commence on 19 January 2026, with culvert replacement and temporary bypasses beginning shortly after.

We are planning to hold further events later in the year in the lead-up to the planned night-time closures in June/July 2026. We will provide more details on these events as soon as they are finalised.

We will be conducting a full mail drop ahead of any night works starting to ensure all local stakeholders are well-informed with sufficient notice. This will also include the phone number for facilitating emergency access during any night-time closure. Subject to Highland Council agreement, we are aiming to commence night-time working in June. We will confirm the times and duration as soon as we are able to.

As always, the project team can be contacted at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to seeing you at our future events.

Our contract partner RJ McLeod will be beginning our programme of early works to replace culverts in January 2026. This is in advance of the laying of our Western Isles HVDC mainland cable that is due to begin in the summer of 2027.

Below is information on what the community can expect to see between January and April in the Dundonnell area:

- Implementation of a small temporary storage and welfare base at Dundonnell (at Cadha Buidhe) from 19 January 2026 which will include a portakabin and material lay down area.

- Our traffic management programme will begin on the 19 January 2026 with single lane closures in place to allow for tree felling and bypass creation initially.

- Culvert replacement will begin on 9 February with two work squads working on two culverts at a time to minimise the area under single lane traffic management at any individual time.

We have listened intently as a project team over the past four months and have devised a programme to mitigate potential impacts on the community to the best of our ability. Further information on night-time working, including proposed emergency access arrangements, will be shared at our events in Aultbea and Badcaul on 7 and 8 January 2026 respectively.

If you have further questions, please contact the project team through our project inbox on LT14mainlandcable@sse.com

We are holding two stakeholder engagement events in January, following on from our previous meetings that took place in October 2025 regarding proposed road works on the A832 South of Dundonnell through to Fain Bridge.

These events will provide another opportunity to meet with the project team where we will share a further update on our early enabling works programme and what residents can expect to see on the road over the next few months. The information events will be held on:

Wednesday 7 January, 6–8pm, Aultbea Hall, Laide, Achnasheen, IV22 2JR

Thursday 8 January, 6–8pm,Badcaul Church, Dundonnell, IV23 2QY

The Project team will be in attendance to share updated information and be available to answer questions and discuss our proposals with community members in attendance.

Our contractor partners RJ Mcleod will be carrying out cable identification works along the proposed route for early culvert works, from Thursday (4 December) through to the end of next week (12 December). This will include using a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) and a single generator that works in unison with the CAT (signal generator) to aid detection and tracing of underground utilities.

This involves a small team walking the corridor, scanning and marking underground services on the ground, and in some locations digging a small hand-excavated pit to confirm the depth of services. All work will be carried out safely adjacent to the road, with no disruption to the public and the ground will be reinstated once investigations are complete.

SSEN Transmission will be conducting a short period of marine investigative works within Little Loch Broom, starting week commencing 1 December 2025 and lasting for approximately 1 to 2 weeks.

During this time a small jack up barge (JUB) will be present in locations nearer the easterly side of the loch to complete marine borehole works to establish rock head depths for the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Design.

Please contact the project team on LT14mainlandcable@sse.com if you have further queries related to the planned investigative works.

There will be a small team of Archaeologists on separate sites along the proposed route for the Western Isles HVDC Mainland cable from the 17 November for 2-3 weeks in total. These evaluations are taking place to ensure potential archaeological features are recorded and that recommendations can be made for mitigations in advance of planned development works.

The areas being evaluated along the planned route include sites in Achnaclerach, Urray/Wester Moy, Cnoc Croit na Maoile & Torrandhu Bridge.

If you have further queries please contact the project team via the lt14mainlandcable@sse.com project inbox.

SSEN Transmission is helping to deliver nearly 100 new homes for the Western Isles as part of its proposed Lewis Hub project, after committing multi-million-pound funding that will unlock a new housing development near Stornoway Airport.

The announcement has been marked by Deputy First Minster Kate Forbes, who visited the Stornoway Airport Housing Development at Branahuie today to meet representatives of the organisations involved, as well as local apprentices working at the site.

In a major boost for affordable housing provision in the Isle of Lewis, up to 94 new homes are planned for the development, after SSEN Transmission stepped in with significant funding for preparatory work that will enable proposals by local firm CalMax Construction to progress. The new homes are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The homes will initially accommodate workers involved in the construction of SSEN Transmission’s Lewis Hub project but will then be made available to the local community, with the majority to be delivered as affordable housing through a partnership between CalMax Construction and Tighean Innse Gall (TIG).

The remaining properties will be sold on the open market, helping to increase the availability of quality housing stock in Lewis, where new-build homes are currently in short supply.

The site at Branahuie is located adjacent to the airport road and has long been earmarked for housing, but a lack of investment has previously stalled development. The arrival of the proposed Lewis Hub project – a key component of the Western Isles HVDC Link – has now provided the catalyst for progress, as SSEN Transmission seeks to house its workforce responsible for constructing the HVDC converter station and AC substation during the project.

The initial funding will unlock the development and allow initial activities to progress, and SSEN Transmission intends to provide further significant, multi-million-pound funding for construction works.

The funding marks one of the first major agreements SSEN Transmission has reached with a housing developer under its housing strategy commitment to support the delivery of 1,000 new homes across the north of Scotland as a legacy of its workforce accommodation requirements. It also demonstrates the economic and social benefits the proposed Lewis Hub and associated connection projects will deliver, with the CalMax development creating and sustaining jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, while also delivering much-needed affordable housing.

There will be GI works taking place on the route for the planned Western Isles HVDC Mainland Cable Project for the next two weeks, starting on 3 November. For the first week (3 – 7 November), there will be a small team working on a borehole at the railway crossing around the area of Contin (Torrachilty) Woods and in the second week (10 – 14 November) the team will be working on a borehole North of the River Orrin (just east of the planned river crossing for the cable).

The GI works are required for HDD Drilling design purposes and will consist of one drilling machine, a low loader and a small team of workers.

If you have further queries please contact the project team via the lt14mainlandcable@sse.com project inbox.

Ahead of a series of stakeholder engagement events later this month, we wanted to provide an update and demonstrate how community feedback is helping to shape our proposed road works on the A832 South of Dundonnell through to Fain Bridge.

We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide their continued feedback to date, which has led to a series of revised proposals detailed below, including confirmation that there will now be no full daytime closures as part of the planned works

To recap, our initial proposal was to:

-             have a full daytime road closure, with daily access periods, through the winter season for a period of approximately six to eight months.

We asked for, and received considerable feedback from community councils, local politicians, and businesses, as well as other stakeholders.

Key feedback included:

-             Clear indication that daytime closures would cause extensive disruption to communities and services along the A832, that would be extremely difficult to mitigate.

-             Questioned the rationale behind the works being undertaken predominantly in the winter season.

-             Alternative solutions were suggested, such as completing culvert replacements under single lane closures, as well as night-time work programmes.

With this feedback considered in depth, we challenged our contractor to provide a revised programme.

In light of this, we are now able to confirm that:

-             There will be no full daytime closures as part of the planned works.

-             All daytime work will be completed under single lane closure with traffic management. We expect we will be doing at least 30 culverts under single-lane closure with traffic management.

-             Operation of full night-time closures for several weeks in summer 2026, are planned to allow for the remaining culvert replacement work that cannot be delivered without a full closure.

During this period, the previously proposed diversion via Gairloch will be in place.

Works Duration:

In ruling out full daytime closures, the culvert replacement work is now planned to start in January 2026 and will take until summer 2027.

While this will extend the work programme beyond its initial summer 2026 completion date, we believe our new proposals strike the best possible balance between minimising impacts on the local community, ensuring the safety of road users and our workforce, and delivering improvements to the road as a legacy of the project.

This does not include our ducting and trenching works, which are expected to take around 18 months from summer 2027 and will also be conducted under single lane closure with traffic management.

Further details will be shared at our upcoming events, where the project team will be available to discuss our proposals and answer questions. These will take place on:

Monday 27 October, 6–8pm, Aultbea Hall, Aultbea, Achnasheen, IV22 2HU

Tuesday 28 October, 6–8pm, Badcaul Church, Dundonnell, IV23 2QY

We encourage all members of the local community, and all interested parties to attend the events.

For any further queries please contact our dedicated inbox LT14MainlandCable@sse.com.

SSEN-Transmission will be carrying out Ground Investigation (GI) Works in the land along the A859 in proximity to the existing GSP Substation and Lochside Arena, Macaulay Farm and South of the Loch Cnoc a Choillich.

These are in relation to the AC Connection projects planned for the area as presented at the information event in Feb 2025 with a subsequent update planned for Nov 2025. Investigation works are required to determine the electrical and structural performance of the ground conditions for future incoming circuits and the GSP redevelopment.

For any enquiries regarding these GI works, please contact us via Kevin.Morrison@sse.com

We are holding a series of stakeholder engagement events in October, following feedback from the local communities most impacted by our initial plan regarding proposed road works on the A832 South of Dundonnell through to Fain Bridge.

• Monday 27 October, 6–8pm, Aultbea Hall, Aultbea, Achnasheen, IV22 2HU
• Tuesday 28 October, 6–8pm, Badcaul Church, Dundonnell, IV23 2QY

These events will provide an update on our early enabling works, where we will share detailed information on what steps we are taking to adjust the execution of the works to best minimise disruption to the local communities and stakeholders.

The project teams will be available to answer questions and discuss our proposals to which we are seeking and welcome feedback.

We encourage all members of the local community and all interested parties to attend the events.

We are proposing a temporary closure of a 5km stretch of the A832 near Dundonnell in two separate phases from late October to spring 2026, and welcome your feedback as we seek to minimise the impact of the temporary closure as far as reasonably possible.  

The temporary closure comes as part of permitted development activity in preparation for the installation of the underground cable section of the Western Isles HVDC Link Project, which is vital in helping achieve Scotland and the UK’s clean energy and energy security ambitions. It follows a decades-long campaign for a subsea connection from Lewis to the mainland, to unlock the vast renewable energy potential of the Western Isles.  

The proposed underground cable section from Dundonnell to Beauly has followed a detailed project development process, where SSEN Transmission has made every effort to mitigate the impact on local roads, redirecting the original planned route on this basis. As a result of these major revisions, the impact on the road network has been reduced by approximately 50km.   

The proposed temporary closure of the A832 is, however, unavoidable, and our contractor RJ McLeod has applied to The Highland Council for a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO) which would operate over two separate phases from late October to spring 2026. Phase one would be late October to mid-December, and phase two from January to March/April 2026. This would include amnesty periods during the days of operation, details of which are provided in the indicative timetable further below.

The affected area is illustrated here:

The reason for the closure  

Safety is our number one priority at SSEN Transmission, and the closure is required to protect the safety of both road users and our workforce as we upgrade or replace 37 culverts along the 5km section of the route. This will allow the cable installation to commence in mid-2026 where we expect a single-lane closure to be in place for the duration of the main works taking place along the A832.  

The works will also improve the roads for residents and motorists by: 

• providing extensive ditch clearing and removal of recent rock face slips 
• scaling of loose rock faces to prevent future slips that may block ditches 
• replacement of ageing culvert infrastructure which the council could only replace when they fail, and only via unplanned emergency closures

Indicative timetable of works  

Provided the TTRO is approved, phase one is expected to take place from late October until mid-December 2025. Phase two will begin after the new year and is expected to be complete by spring 2026. We will confirm this in writing to homes along the route in due course. 

RJ McLeod intends to adopt a fortnightly working pattern of ten days on, four days off. The daily works will be ongoing for around four hours at a time, with reopening times guided where possible by stakeholder feedback. During the four days off period, the road will re-open under a single-lane closure with traffic lights.  

Emergency vehicle access (including for the Mountain Rescue Team) will be maintained at all times as well as access for timetabled school transport and local bus services.  
 
A more detailed programme will be made available once the working pattern is confirmed. However, initial indications are that the road will be closed to traffic throughout the day from 7am to 9pm, with daily periods of access during the following busier periods: 

• 08:00 - 08.45 
• 12:30 - 13:30 
• 16:30 - 17:30 

The road will re-open overnight under a single-lane closure with traffic lights in operation.

How you can help shape our plans 

We are making every effort to minimise the impact of the temporary closure as far as reasonably possible, including ongoing liaison with local community councils and stakeholders to understand how it may impact them.          

As part of this, we are asking the public to submit feedback on the proposed closure times and access periods, as we seek to build a fuller picture of the needs of communities, organisations, and others who use the route. We ask that you contact us with any queries or feedback at LT14mainlandcable@sse.com.

On Thursday (11 September) from 5pm at Badcaul Church, people will also be able to speak in person to our project team and provide direct feedback.

We hope that you find this information helpful and encourage you to keep in touch with the latest developments by signing up to our project update list via the same email address listed above.

SSEN Transmission has started Ground Investigation works along the underground cable route for the Western Isles HVDC this week commencing 14th April 2025 for approximately 18 weeks along the Purple line on the map below. 

There will be between 3 to 4 squads working along the route at any one time and will adopt an initial shift pattern of a 5- day week with the potential to increase to a 12-day fortnight. The hours of work will fall between 08:00 -18:00.  

The duration of time at each location along the route will be dependent on how deep the trial pit/borehole is, but a rough estimation is between half a day for trial pits and up to two days for boreholes.  

Further information is available on this dedicated web page.

If you have any queries about this work, please do not hesitate to contact our Community Liaison Managers by phone or email. 

Yours faithfully 

Kevin Morrison                                          Sally Cooper 
Community Liaison Manager                      Community Liaison Manager 
Email: kevin.morrison@sse.com                 Email: sally.cooper@sse.com
Mob: 07586 237814                                  Mob: 07918 470281 

We are committed to supporting the communities in the north of Scotland where we operate, both now and in the future. As part of our ongoing efforts to make a difference and have a positive impact on local communities, we are proud to offer volunteering days to local groups and charities, particularly in the areas that host our electricity infrastructure or where our proposed projects are located. 

This month, we’re excited to announce the launch of our new Volunteering Webpage, designed to make it easier for local communities to request volunteering support from us. To request our help, simply complete the ‘Volunteering Nomination Form’ linked at the bottom of our new webpage. Please note, as our team works on a voluntary basis, it may take us some time to coordinate our people and match them with opportunities. We kindly ask for your patience as we work to keep up with volunteering demand.

Thank you for considering SSEN Transmission as a partner in your community efforts. Together, we can leave a positive, lasting legacy and help transform communities across the north of Scotland.

As part of the proposed Western Isles HVDC project SSEN Transmission are required to carry out further Ground Investigation (GI) and environmental survey works along the mainland cable route which will connect the proposed substation/converter station project on Lewis to the proposed substation/converter station project at Fanellan near Beauly. 

The GI work is due to start w/c 27th January off a section of the A832 near Dundonnell and is expected to take approximately 2 weeks.  Traffic management will be in place and there may be short delays to your journey. The works will involve the use of specialist plant and equipment to determine underlying ground conditions. Further ground investigations will be carried out on different sections of the route over the coming months.

We apologise for any inconvenience these may cause.

Please see the map below which shows the mainland cable route in green.

The environmental survey works are due to commence shortly and will involve non-intrusive visual inspection of the whole route by small teams of environmental specialists on foot. These works are expected to take 2 weeks.

If you have any queries about this work, please do not hesitate to contact the Community Liaison Managers for this project.

SSEN-Transmission would like to inform stakeholders that the site Geotechnical Investigation (GI) works on the Arnish Moor site has now been completed and the team is currently demobilising from the site.  

An assessment of the condition of the site will be undertaken by one of SSEN-Transmissions consultants and appropriate restoration works will be commissioned where necessary. Further investigation works are also currently being evaluated for the site. These are anticipated to take place in the spring of 2025.

We are pleased to be hosting a second public Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) event on our proposed new substation and converter station on Arnish Moor, following our initial event in September 2024 and feedback period which closed on the 17 October 2024. Any additional comments received following the second consultation event will be collected for the Pre-Application Consultation Report as well as those comments received at the first PAC event. The closing date for this feedback will be the 28 November 2024.

We are holding this event to present our proposed design for planning submission, following feedback received from the first PAC event and ongoing design developments. We will also present our responses to feedback received as part of the statutory consultation, which is required for major and national planning applications.

We invite all interested parties to attend, meet the team, and share your views. 

The event will be held on: 

Date: 14 November 2024  
Time: 3pm-7pm  
Venue: Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway, HS1 2EU

If you are unable to attend the public event all the material that will be on display will be available to be downloaded from the Documents section of the project webpage.
  
Please let us know if you require information in an adapted format such as paper copy, large print or braille and we will work with you to accommodate your preferences. We are happy to accommodate all reasonable requests for adapted communications. 

SSEN Transmission would like to inform the public that initial ground investigation works are being undertaken as part of the development of the proposed new Lewis Hub area for the Western Isles Converter station as shown on the map below. 

The works involve digging and drilling a series of trial pits and boreholes to obtain a detailed picture of ground conditions and geology. During the works, you may notice increased levels of traffic on the access tracks to the site, with some heavy plant and machinery being transported to and from the site at the start and end of the works.  

Overseeing the works are the SSEN Transmission project team, together with specialist supervision from ecologists and archaeologists who will ensure the works do not negatively impact local wildlife or archaeological assets (both known and unknown). The work will be undertaken during daylight hours and no work will take place on Sundays. The duration of the work will be approximately ten weeks. The works are due to commence during the week commencing Monday 02 September 2024. 

The project is in the early stages of development and the investigation works are a key part of this process. The results of these investigations will provide project teams with valuable information to help inform the site selection process. 

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience and if you require any further information, please contact the Western Isles Community Liaison Manager on kevin.morrison@sse.com or visit the Western Isles Connection Project webpage. 

We are pleased to be hosting the first of two rounds of statutory pre-application consultation events for our proposed new Lewis Hub 400kV Substation and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter station on Arnish Moor. The pre-application process is a key first step in the Town and Country planning process for national planning applications. 

At this event we will be sharing the new proposed site location, layout details and visualisations as well as information about the connections into the proposed Arnish Moor site. The project teams will be available to answer questions and discuss our proposals to which we are seeking and welcome feedback. 

We invite all interested parties to attend, meet the team, and share your views. 

The event will be held on:  

Date: 05 September 2024  
Time: 3pm-7pm  
Venue: Cabarfeidh Hotel, Stornoway HS1 2EU  

If you are unable to attend the public event all the material that will be on display can be downloaded here. 

Remediation works on the Creed North site are due to start towards the end of April, the duration of this work will be approximately 8-10 weeks weather dependent. 

Works are anticipated to commence on week commencing the 22/04/2024 and are expected to last until 28/06/2024, the team will mobilise from week commencing the 15/04/2024, and the team will use a compound area within the Breedon’s yard for the necessary site offices and storage. 

A brief overview of the works: 

The works will be delivered using a variety of techniques. The following points highlight some of the approaches to tackling different sections of the site: 

Flatter areas of the site with good turf availability – these areas would be shaped back to the original ground profile, utilising nearby available turf where possible. All turf borrow locations would be fully re-instated. 

Flatter areas of the site with poor turf availability – these areas would be treated similarly to above, however, we would either use a tracked dumper to import donor turf from further afield (say up to 40m away) or accept that is only limited returfing could be undertaken. If only limited turfing could be undertaken, we would checkerboard or spot turf the bare areas, recovery would be slower, but the area should recover over time. 

Steeper slopes – there are steeper areas with tracking lines up the hill from the hard standing by the river intake. This section of the project will require a higher level of intervention. One of the priorities here will be managing water and ensuring that pathways for water do not establish through the exposed peat, which is highly erodible. Works will be undertaken to cast water off the bare areas and away on to open ground.  

The area by the water intake on the river – this section of work requires careful planning to ensure there is no concentrated flow of silt-laden water reaching the watercourse. The main outcome will be to hold any run-off on the land and allow this to soak in. In addition, importing material to bring the level of the access road and hard standing up and “high and dry” of standing water may be beneficial. 

• SSEN Transmission confirm it is no longer progressing Creed North substation site

SSEN Transmission can confirm that its Western Isles HVDC Connector Project team are no longer actively progressing the Creed North site it previously consulted on for its proposed new HVDC Convertor Station and AC Substation, a key component for the Western Isles HVDC subsea link.

Following consultation on the proposed substation site last year, SSEN Transmission has received feedback from a range of local stakeholders, including the landowner, the Stornoway Trust; elected members; Marybank and Maryhill Community Association; the Stornoway Historical Society; the Stornoway Angling Association; local crofters and other local community interest groups and members.

SSEN Transmission welcomes the widespread support for the project need and in recognising the strength of feeling amongst the local community against the proposed siting of the substation at the Creed North location, SSEN Transmission is now actively exploring alternative sites.  This work is ongoing with an update on the extended site selection process expected in the coming weeks.

Colin Bell, Lead Project Manager, said:

“Following feedback from a range of individuals and groups we can confirm that we are no longer actively progressing our previously identified preferred convertor station and substation site at Creed North.7

“We would like to thank all stakeholders who kindly took the time to constructively provide their feedback and hope that our commitment to explore alternative sites helps address local concerns. 

“Work to identify an alternative potential site is ongoing and to help inform this site selection process, our teams will continue to balance key environmental, technical and construction constraints, whilst seeking to minimise and where possible mitigate community and landscape impacts.

“We remain fully committed to engaging constructively with all stakeholders and look forward to presenting an update on our site selection process for further public consultation in the coming months.”

Iain MacIver, Estate Factor at The Stornoway Trust, said:

“SSEN Transmission’s pledge to seek a more suitable location for the long-awaited convertor station is warmly welcomed and gratefully appreciated by the Trust. 

“Dependent on our Island’s renewable energy aspirations is the timely delivery of the key component on which the future of so many projects rely. 

We have announced our next steps for our Pathway to 2030 programme of projects. We would like to thank everyone who has engaged with our teams and kindly taken the time to respond to our consultations.
Full details of the announcement can be found here:
Next steps for Pathway to 2030

Pathway to 2030’ publication, the Electricity System Operator, National Grid ESO, has confirmed the requirement for a 1.8GW HVDC subsea link from the Western Isles to the north of Scotland mainland.  The new link, which has been identified as one of the key investments across GB that is required to meet 2030 offshore wind targets, marks a major step forward in unlocking the renewable energy potential of the Western Isles.

The 1.8GW link will be sufficient to accommodate all known onshore and offshore wind in and around the Western Isles, including the two ScotWind sites in closest proximity to the islands, with some additional capacity to support future renewable generation developments. This new link will therefore replace SSEN Transmission’s previous proposal for a 600MW HVDC subsea link.

Constructing a link of this scale will deliver a more economical solution that will minimise environmental impacts, as well as maximising the benefits for consumers, communities, and renewable generation developers.  This includes an expected significant reduction in Transmission Network Use of System Charges (TNUoS) for connecting renewable generation developers. This investment will also strengthen the security of supply for homes and businesses on the islands.

Given the extent of project development that has already been undertaken on connecting the Western Isles, the foundations are already in place to enable the timely delivery of this new project.  SSEN Transmission will now explore options to accelerate the development of the 1.8GW link in advance of its current 2030 delivery date.

SSEN Transmission has already commenced a programme of engagement with its contracted customers, its supply chain, and wider stakeholders, including the Western Isles Council, UK, and Scottish Governments and elected members, to help inform the accelerated development and timely delivery of the 1.8GW link. 

As part of this engagement, SSEN Transmission is working with Ofgem on the process for regulatory approvals for the 1.8GW link as part of the ‘Pathway to 2030’ network requirements set out by the ESO.