Kilmory community footpath given new look thanks to SSEN Transmission as new substation construction gets underway

Image: Argyll and Bute Council Deputy Provost Jan Brown breaks ground in a special ceremony to mark the start of construction at the new Craig Murrail Substation, north of Lochgilphead. Deputy Provost Brown was joined by Lochgilphead Community Council Convener Andy Buntin (second left) and members of SSEN Transmission’s project team. 

• First ground broken at new Craig Murrail Substation

A stretch of footpath almost one kilometre long in Kilmory near Lochgilphead has been upgraded by SSEN Transmission to help provide a safe new access for members of the community.

The project team had heard that the path was overgrown making it difficult for members of the local community to access, so teams set to work to clear away vegetation and widen the footpath using diggers and landscaping equipment.   Once cleared, the pathway was resurfaced to make for easier travel for walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists and horse riders. 

The path connects the Kilmory industrial estate into the nearby community woodland area and Duncholgan Community caravan park, providing a safe alternative to reaching the town rather than travelling along the A83.

Accommodation for workers involved in the Craig Murrail Substation project as well as the Crarae and An-Suide Substations will also be built in a nearby area, with the Kilmory path providing another safe access route to those looking to reach the town centre. 

Image: Visiting the upgraded Kilmory Woodland Path

The opening of the new path comes as another major milestone is reached in the development of the new Craig Murrail substation north of Lochgilphead, with a ceremonial turf-cutting to mark the start of full site mobilisation taking place in late November.

Members of the project team from SSEN Transmission and their principal contractor, Balfour Beatty, were joined by Lochgilphead Community Council Convener Andy Buntin and Deputy Provost of Argyll and Bute Council Jan Brown to officially mark the start of the project, which will be constructed over the coming years. 

Once complete, Craig Murrail Substation will form a key part of the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Reinforcement Project, which involves upgrading the capacity of the main transmission network across the region from 132 kV to 275 kV.  These upgrades are crucial in enabling the growth in renewable energy across Argyll and ensuring security of the electricity supply in the region. 
The new Craig Murrail Substation will connect into the new Inveraray to Crossaig overhead line, which energised in 2023.

Image: The Kilmory path has been cleared of vegetation and widened thanks to teams from SSEN Transmission

The Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Reinforcement Project is a key element of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme, a £20 billion investment that will support thousands of jobs and provide a major boost to local and national economies. These investments are a major upgrade of the network across the north of Scotland, enabling the connection and transportation of renewable energy to demand centres across the country and are part of a GB-wide renewal of the transmission network required to meet UK and Scottish Government clean power and energy security targets.

Martha Smart, SSEN Transmission Community Liaison Manager for Craig Murrail Substation said:
“As guests in the area it is really important that we give something back to the community in which we operate, and when Argyll and Bute Council and the local Community Council mentioned the Kilmory path was in need of upgrading we sprang in to action.  Thanks to Project Manager Jeff Forrester and the team we have been able to provide a safe access for the residents of Duncholgan Housing Association, as well as create a path which our teams will use in the future once the accommodation area is set up. 

“It was fantastic to welcome along representatives from the community to see for themselves the difference the teams have made to the footpath, and I’m so pleased we’ve been able to help. The upgraded path is already being put to good use by members of the community in the area which we’re thrilled we’ve been able to make a difference.”

Jan Brown, Deputy Provost of Argyll and Bute Council, said:
“It was really good to see the work being carried out between SSEN Transmission and Balfour Beatty in building a legacy of improvement works for the community to benefit from in years to come.

“I was particularly delighted to cut the first sod at the new substation site at Craig Murrail. It’s to be hoped that this substation will be a welcome addition to the infrastructure in Mid Argyll for years to come.”

Image: The Kilmory woodland path was overgrown and difficult to access before SSEN Transmission teams stepped in

Andy Buntin, Convener of Lochgilphead Community Council, said:
“It was great to be invited along to see the new Kilmory path upgrades and visit the new Craig Murrail Substation site last week, which really highlights the benefits that engaging with the community in this way can bring. 

“The team helped answer any questions I had about the project which allows me to pass on information to the wider community, which is very much appreciated, and I look forward to working with them as the project develops.”

Martha continued:
“Kicking off construction at Craig Murrail is a huge step forwards for the project, and we were delighted to have Andy Buntin from the Community Council and Deputy Lord Provost Jan Brown along to break ground for the first time at the site.

“We’ll continue to keep the local community, residents and stakeholders updated as the project progresses and look forward to continuing to work together.” 

To learn more about Craig Murrail Substation please visit SSEN Transmission’s website at: https://www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/project-map/craig-murrail-substation/