2nd Community Council Convention on Major Energy Infrastructure

It’s a critical meeting between the Community Councils and TEN of our Highland MPs and MSPs to hear DIRECTLY from them what they have to say about the UNIFIED STATEMENT issued by the FIRST Convention in June at Beauly and to have a MUCH NEEDED public conversation about the impact of energy infrastructure on Highland communities.

Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, 12th August 2025, 1330hrs to 1530hrs. Doors open at 1300hrs.

It’s a public meeting so anyone can attend. However we need to firstly ensure sufficient seating for Community Council members so ask that Community Councils register their attendance by emailing Cameron.Kemp.kbcc@gmail.com AND secretary@ardross.org. We’d also be grateful if members of the public could also send an advance email, just so we have an idea of numbers but you are also welcome to come along without registering. If you have a specific expertise or represent a particular organisation, it would also be helpful for us to know in advance please.

It’s a statement which was put to a show of hands vote at the First Convention in June and is shown in this post. It calls for a PAUSE to major renewables applications, a pan Scotland Planning Inquiry Commission, an Economic Impact Assesment given that tourism is the backbone of our Highland Economy, a national energy strategy and that the concerns of this cohort of the Highlands be represented at Scottish and UK Gov levels.

It was a significant grassroots gathering, over FIFTY community Councils across Highland Council Area, collectively representing over 72,000 residents, a much needed public discussion about how they cope with major energy applications and what their concerns are about that. A TRANSCRIPT of that meeting is shown in photos. And the Convention Statements issued can be read here:

Like the first Convention, it is cohosted by SEVEN Community Councils and chaired by Councillor Helen Crawford of Aird and Loch Ness Ward. The co hosting Community Councils are Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Council, Kiltarlity Community Council, Kilmorack Community Hall, The Sleat Community Council, Strathnairn Community Council, Strathglass Community Council and Muir Of Ord Community Council. @Ardross Community Council is also providing administrative support for thus next convention.

Yes, you can because it’s a public meeting. We already have a number of community councils and members of the public joining from other parts of Scotland, such as Fife, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Borders etc.

We prefer attendance in person. However there will be an allocation to join online. Please email Cameron.Kemp.kbcc@gmail.com AND secretary@ardross.org to request online attendance and we’ll try our best to accommodate that.

I hope this helps.

Cllr Helen Crawford

Aird & Loch Ness Ward