Uisge Èireann | River Findhorn – publication & podcast launch
Thursday 13 March 2025, 6:30-8:30pm, Tastes of Tomatin Café
Help us celebrate the launch of Uisge Èireann | River Findhorn: place names, music, song and story from the upper catchment – a publication and accompanying podcast which documents the body of research collated and curated by Human Ecology Researchers in Residence, Raghnaid Sandilands and Mairi McFadyen.
The publication traces the course of the river from where it rises high in the hills of the Monadh Liath and down through Srath Èirinn (Strathdearn) to where the river’s flow is reigned at Na Srianabh (the Bridles), known locally as The Streens – setting out some of the rich social and ecological history to be found in local place names, poetry, story and song.
Held at the Tastes of Tomatin Cafe, this event is FREE for all to attend and features live music from Rachel Campbell and friends, as well as refreshments. Printed copies of the publication will also be available.
[Strathdearn Community Council are grateful for the community engagement so far received and have responded with the following clarifications]
Only one formal wind farm application so far has been submitted. The one for Balnespick.
People can submit their own personal views on the Balnespick application to the Energy Consents Unit by the end of March. Other applications will have their own closing date for representations to be submitted when they appear on the Energy Consents Web site.
Personal views on applications for wind farms of more than 50 megawatts (MW) installed capacity (all 6 planned for Strathdearn are over 50MW) should be made to the
Energy Consents Unit Scottish Government 5 Atlantic Quay 150 Broomielaw Glasgow G2 8LU
People may also wish to copy their personal representations to the Highland Council who will be responding as a statutory consultee.
Thank you for reading the report which carries a summary of information on each application.
The letters being sent to every household will explain that the Strathdearn Community Council intend to compile a ‘community response’ under key planning headings for each application to submit to the Energy Consents Unit and to the Highland Council.’
Strathdearn Community Council have prepared a letter which will be posted to all residents in the next week. It explains the next steps following today’s publication of the “Report Summarising the Six Major Wind Farm Developments Proposed for the Strathdearn Area.“
The letter is linked below in response to questions asked on social media:
Strathdearn Community Council is a statutory consultee (in Law) on all planning applications in our community area including wind farm developments. The Community Council’s role is to provide those making the decisions on applications (i.e. The Scottish Government) with an informed local view on the proposal. In order to assist our community in considering their views, a report has been completed summarising the six proposed wind farm developments, along with relevant planning policy and development impact, in one place. Further consultation and feedback will be gathered in the coming weeks. Please take time to read this report and contribute to this important process.
Notification of installation of major temporary traffic management on the A9 between Tomatin and Moy for A9 Dualling
As part of our ongoing commitment to engage with the local community, we are writing to advise you of plans to implement major traffic management on the A9 trunk road between Tomatin and Moy ahead of commencement of major construction work.
From Monday 10 March 2025, we will begin work to gradually install traffic management to narrow the running lanes.
A mandatory 40mph temporary speed limit restriction and overtaking restrictions that will be in force through the site area will also come into force on 10 March. These restrictions are expected to be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the new dual carriageway between Tomatin and Moy becomes operational in Spring 2028. Temporary average speed cameras will also be introduced to enforce the reduced speed limit.
Traffic management is a key part of constructing the dualling works safely and will help to ensure the safety of road users and our workforce.
As part of preparing to install the traffic management mentioned above, we will also be implementing the following temporary traffic management to allow us to safely install barriers and implement other changes such as narrowing lanes as follows:
Overnight speed restrictions and traffic signals from Monday 24 February 2025
Commencing on Monday 24 February 2025, overnight Temporary traffic signals and a temporary speed restriction of 30mph will be in place throughout the A9 through the single carriageway section between Tomatin and Moy for approximately two weeks. This is required to enable the final stages of preparatory works which includes tree felling and the construction of site accesses ahead of the implementation of the major traffic management and commencement of major construction works.
To minimise traffic disruption, working hours will be between 1930hrs and 0600hrs and the traffic signals will be in place each night from Sunday night to Saturday morning. Traffic flows will be continually monitored. There will be no works on Saturday nights.
Overnight Temporary traffic signals and convoy working from 10 March
Temporary traffic signals and convoy working will also be in place from 10 March for approximately 10 nightsbetween 1930 and 0600 from Sunday evening to Saturday morning, with no works on Saturday nights. These restrictions are required to enable the installation of temporary barriers to reduce lane width and create working space. An example of these narrowed lanes is shown in the diagram below.
Example lane narrows general arrangement
Pedestrian and emergency access will be maintained at all times and public transportation links will remain active along the route, with bus stops remaining in use both northbound and southbound at Tomatin Junction. Road users should note that during the operation of these measures, laybys between Tomatin and Moy will be closed to the public, with specific laybys being available to vehicles carrying large loads.
We recognise that these planned works may temporarily increase noise levels in the immediate surrounding area. To ensure disturbance is kept to a minimum, we will utilise best practice methods of working. For example, we will be using low noise reversing alarms on machinery and briefing staff on the importance of keeping noise levels to a minimum.
All works undertaken are subject to consultation with the Local Authority and the Local Authority Environmental Services before being implemented. As part of this process, we have provided justification to Local Authorities including details of the reasons for working at night, the timing of works and the measures we plan to take to minimise disturbance to neighbouring properties.
Meet the Contractor: Online
As part of our ‘Meet the Contractor’ engagement events, we are inviting those who were unable to attend our in-person event to view the exhibition materials online from 24 to 28 February and 3 to 7 March 2025. There will also be an opportunity to book an appointment to meet with key project staff members, a flyer is enclosed with further information.
For further information regarding traffic management and live traffic up-dates, please refer to the Traffic Scotland website www.trafficscotland.org and for further project updates, the A9 Dualling website at www.a9dualling.scot
If you have any enquiries regarding these works, you can contact the project’s Community Liaison Officer, Duncan Gardner. You can reach Duncan by email at A9T2M@balfourbeatty.com or by telephone on 0800 998 7573.
Please can you click on the below link and let us know if you are in favour of our potential project, we have identified within the Moy Subcommittee. https://forms.gle/FSyYg7UwepyNwQt28
Please see pictures below.
Responses to be in by Monday 3rd March 2025. Hard copies will also be available at The Strathdearn for completion.
Community Fun Run 10K / 5K in aid of The Gamekeepers Welfare Trust.
“All funds raised will support the gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies, and their dependents past and present”
We are going to be doing the same route as last year.
The 10K run will begin at The Strathdearn, and follow the road up to Balvraid Estate and back to The Strathdearn. This run is open to everyone from the IV13 area and surrounding areas.
We also have a 5K route where participants can run or walk, starting from The Strathdearn to the green tin church and back to The Strathdearn.
Registration begins from 10am at The Strathdearn with the run starting at 11am.
All participants will be provided with a T-shirt and running number. Hot and cold refreshments will be available back at The Strathdearn after you have completed your run/walk.
ENTRY FEE: Adults £10 and Children £5
Please find below the link that you can share to your friends and family for any sponsors – any donation would be much appreciated.
The month of April is packed full of amazing events at The Strathdearn.
🌲5th April – Hazelbank Woods Celebration
~Guided walks morning and afternoon (times TBC), ~Tomatin whisky coming along to do whisky tasting 6pm – 7pm, ~burgers and licensed bar available at Strathdearn and quiz night starts 7pm sharp.
To book a guided walk and secure space for the quiz night please email events@strathdearn.org
🐣12th April 2025 – Easter breakfast with Bunny
10am – 1pm
Free entry
Please book your space by emailing events@strathdearn.org
🌸26th April – Spring food, drink & craft market
11am – 3pm
Free entry
Book now to avoid disappointment all events above are free entry.
Many thanks to eveyone who attended our AGM on Tuesday evening and for everyone who sent a proxy to vote on their behalf. Your vote really did matter as you can see by clicking here for the breakdown of votes for the 5 resolutions.
We are pleased to announce all 5 resolutions passed with the required 75% vote or higher.
2025 Board Compositions
The directors on the SCD Board are:
Steven Knott – elected director James Duncan – elected director Duncan Bryden – elected director Graeme Ferguson – elected director George Macleod – elected director Barbara MacAskill – Community Council representative Frank Roden – Strathdearn Charitable Community Trust representative
The directors on the WRT Board are:
Sandra Edward Steven Knott Angus Macleod Elizabeth Campbell
Elizabeth Campbell and Barbara MacAskill will shortly stand down.
Visit Document Library if you are looking for any of the following: Newsletters; Minutes of meetings; Application forms; Accounts, projects and other info on SCD and SCCT.
We are excited to screen our 2-minute film showcasing our local attractions and The Strathdearn Complex. Journey from the wild high glens and their wonderful nature, along the River Findhorn, to the Tomatin Distillery on to Loch Moy and the excitement of the Moy Games.
Walk-through and aerial footage of The Strathdearn Hub
