Skip to Content
Published: 17 Oct 2023

Shared Rural Network: wild places need you!

Help keep an eye on plans for improved network connectivity in Scotland to ensure it is delivered in a way which benefits communities and protects wild places like Glen Affric, pictured here. 

Glen Affric - scotlandbigpicture.com

We have significant concerns about the UK Government’s Shared Rural Network programme. We believe it could threaten wild places whilst failing to provide any meaningful benefits for rural communities or businesses.

Several organisations have signed up to our position statement. Written with Mountaineering Scotland, it sets out the issues we have identified with the programme and proposes policy solutions.

We need your help to ensure that improved network connectivity in rural Scotland is delivered in a way which benefits communities and businesses and protects our precious wild places. 

To understand the full impact of what is being proposed you can see a map of the 262 masts currently being proposed here.

How you can help

Below is a list of the SRN masts that have been proposed within Wild Land Areas across Scotland. If you have experience of any of the wild places where masts are being proposed your contribution would be invaluable.

From our experience, it seems that planning applications which receive public comments and objections are often withdrawn by the Operator.

All you need to do is:

  1. follow the link to the Planning Authority’s planning portal in the table;
  2. search for the planning application reference; and
  3. comment on the application.
Ref.

Description

Planning Authority

Planning Reference

Deadline

Status 

Trust action

1

Morvich

Highland Council

23/04108/FUL

23.10.23

Withdrawn

Objected

2

Attadale

Highland Council

23/04209/FUL 

26.10.23

Application

Objected

3

Glenfinnan

Highland Council

23/04626/FUL

24.10.23

Application

Withdrawn

4

Glen Affric

Highland Council

23/04722/FUL

24.10.23

Withdrawn

Objected 

5

Glen Lyon

Perth & Kinross

23/01634/PNT

3.11.23

Approved

6

Glenmoriston

Highland Council

23/04204/TPNO

25.10.23

Withdrawn

7

Lochailort

Highland Council

23/01466/TPNO

31.10.23

Withdrawn

8

Glen Affric (2)

Highland Council

23/04716/FUL

23.10.23

Withdrawn

Objected

9

Torridon

Highland Council

23/04138/FUL

23.11.23

Withdrawn

Objected

10

Glen Cannich 

Highland Council

23/04957/FUL 

7.12.23

Withdrawn

Objected

11

Rannoch 

Perth & Kinross

23/01656/PAT

13.12.23

Prior approval refused

Objected

12

Loch Ericht

Perth & Kinross

23/01775/PAT

4.12.23

Approved

 Objected

13

Loch Ericht (2)

Perth & Kinross

23/01778/PAT

4.12.23

Approved

 Objected

14

Loch Ericht(3)

Perth & Kinross

23/01781/PAT

4.12.23

Approved

 Objected

15

Roy Bridge (1)

Highland Council

23/05347/FUL

24.1.24

Application

 

16

Roy Bridge (2)

Highland Council

23/05323/FUL 

24.1.24

Application

 

17

Burnside 

Highland Council

24/00348/FUL

7.3.24

Application

 Objected

18

Kinlochleven

Highland Council

23/05603/FUL

11.3.24

Application

 

19

Glen Nevis

Highland Council

23/05688/FUL 

1.3.24

Application

 Objected

20

Water of Nevis

Highland Council

23/05699/FUL

1.3.24

Application

 Objected

21

Ghillies Bothy

Highland Council

23/05895/TPNO

1.3.24

Prior Notification

 

22

Millard Fersit 

Highland Council

23/05896/FUL

1.3.24

Application

 Objected

23

Ski Centre, Glencoe

Highland Council

24/00289/FUL

5.3.24

Application  

24

Station House,  Corrour

Highland Council

24/00172/TPNO 

4.3.24

Prior Notification

 Objected

25

Kinlochmore Cottage

Highland Council

23/06013/FUL

11.3.24

Application

 Objected

26

Corrour Lodge

Highland Council

24/00979/TPNO

12.4.24

Application

 Objected

27

Near Luibeilt

Highland Council

23/05706/FUL

28.4.24

Application

 Objected 

28

Glen Affric (3)

Highland Council

24/01181/FUL

23.4.24

Application

 Objected

29

Loch Affric

Highland Council

24/01186/FUL

29.4.24

Application

 Objected

30

Lochmore Lodge

Highland Council

24/01226/TPNO

25.4.24

Application

 Objected

31

Tigh Annag Glencalvie

Highland Council

24/01014/FUL

10.5.24

Application

 Objected

32

Allt Shallainn Hydro Scheme 

Perth & Kinross

24/00520/PNT

10.5.24

Application

 Objected 

33

Loch Cuaich

Highland Council

24/00760/FUL

9.5.24

Application

 

(Updated 9.5.24) 

In addition to the masts listed above, RSPB Scotland has brought to our attention two proposals for masts which, if they are constructed, will harm designated sites, wildlife, peaty soils and landscape. One is the consented mast at Forsinard (Highland Planning Application number, 22/03613/FUL). The other is a proposal for a mast at Ryvoan, Abernethy, which is not yet at planning application stage. 

The SRN developers have now agreed to notify us of proposed masts at pre-application stage to help us manage the tight deadlines for the applications. Please note that as these aren't full applications yet there is limited information available. 

Pre-application notifications

 Name

Location

 Planning Authority 

 Co-ordinates

Camusrory Estate

East of Camusrory, Coire na Cuairtich, Camusrory Estate, Loch Nevis

Highland Council 

 E:188486 N:797062

 Meoble Lodges

Meoble Lodges, Meoble, Meoble Estate, Morar, Mallaig

Highland Council 

 E:180138 N:788207

Sourlies Bothy

Mam na Cloich Airde, Glen Dessary Estate, Loch Nevis

Highland Council 

E: 88386 N:794930 

(Updated 10.4.24) 

UPDATE: Unfortunately, due to changes within the Trust, we are no longer able to continue monitoring mast applications and updating this webpage. We are grateful for all the support we received from members and supporters during the campaign.