Author: Strathdearn (Page 1 of 94)

We are holding a community evening to discuss the plans for timber removal from Hazelbank Woodland.

This will be an opportunity to find out more about:

• The plans for timber removal
• When the work is expected to take place
• How the work will be carried out
• The potential impact on the local community
• Any questions, concerns or issues raised by local residents

We want to hear from the community and provide an opportunity for everyone to ask questions and discuss the plans.

Monday 9^th November 
7:00pm
Findhorn Room, The Hub

All members of the community are welcome to attend.

[Shared by SCC]

A screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing takes place at The Bike Shed, 23 Grant Street, Inverness, on Saturday 21st November.

The film presents expert evidence on the climate and nature crisis, examining potential risks including flooding, heatwaves, pressure on infrastructure and wider disruption.

The screening will be followed by a discussion, providing an opportunity to consider the issues raised and what they might mean for local communities.

Event details:

• Date: Saturday 21st November 2026
• Venue: The Bike Shed, 23 Grant Street, Inverness, IV3 8BN
• Doors open: 2.00pm (coffee and refreshments)
• Film starts: 2.30pm
• Discussion ends: 4.00pm

Recommended age 16+. No booking required.

Suggested donation: £5 / £3. Please bring cash.

Further information and film trailer: www.nebriefing.org

Strathdearn Community Council
Tuesday 10^th November 2026 @ 7.00pm in The Strathdearn

This meeting will also be available on MS Teams
Meeting ID: 313 399 275 144 748 6
Passcode: gx7t8yd6
Link to join meeting

NB: Meeting will be recorded to ensure the minutes are true and accurate

1. Apologies
2. Declarations of interest
3. Transport Scotland presentation
4. Minutes of the last meeting (read them here)
5. Financial report
6. Law and Order
7. Road Safety
8. Applications to the SCCT
9. Planning Matters
   • Windfarms and Community Benefit – SWIAG Update
   • Tree felling proposal- Tomatin Estate
10. Update from SCD
11. Correspondence
12. AOCB

Date of next meeting- Tuesday 8^th December at 7pm

A proud moment for SCD to be representing our community at the Scottish Land & Estates “Helping it Happen 2026” awards on 1st October as FINALISTS for the Rural Property Awards category ❤️🏡

It was lovely to see our affordable homes project receive such recognition after a long journey to deliver this much-needed community aspiration.

We were up against some fantastic competition, including MAKAR Homes and Kirk and Co. Well done to winners Penicuik House! 

#HiH2026 #ruralproperty

We are absolutely delighted to share that Strathdearn Community Developments has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Community Project Award category at the Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards 2026, sponsored by ScottishPower Renewables. 

This nomination is a fantastic recognition of the hard work, dedication and vision of everyone involved in our projects, and the positive impact they continue to have within our community. From volunteers and staff to partners and supporters, this achievement is one we can all be proud of.

Being named alongside some incredible projects from across Scotland is a huge honour, and we are thrilled that the efforts taking place here in Strathdearn are being recognised on a national stage.

A special thank you to Eneco UK for nominating us for this award and for their continued support of our community. We are incredibly grateful for the recognition and partnership that has helped us on this journey.

And of course, a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. This achievement belongs to our whole community, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for awards night! 🤞🏆

#SGEA2026

 #GreenEnergyAwards2026 #CommunityProject 

#ScottishRenewables #TeamStrathdearn

 💚💛

Gemma Corbett, ​Community Liaison Officer, Balfour Beatty, reminds us that overnight temporary traffic signals will be in place near Lynebeg on Wednesday and Thursday evening this week. Also that traffic will switch to the new northbound carriageway from Lynebeg on Friday morning. This marks a major milestone for the project.

Full details here:
https://strathdearn.org/2026/10/12/temp-traffic-lights-on-a9-at-lynebeg-wed-21-thu-22-oct/

[from SCC Chair]

The Community Council has received notice of proposed Tree Felling on Tomatin Estate. Please see maps and Tree Felling Permission Application as received.

I have contacted the Agent for more information but have not yet had a response. Whilst the application includes more detail on the felling, replanting and timescale, I’m sure the community will have further questions.

I believe that once submitted the Application will be put on a Public Register at Scottish Forestry (the Scottish Government Agency), and we will be able to comment formally at that point, but at the moment the Agent is asking for our initial comments – so please email  the Community Council at Strathdearncc@gmail.com with anything you wish to say.

Tree Felling Permission Application:

[sent to SCC for sharing]

Autumn has arrived across our local rivers and watersheds, and the Findhorn, Nairn & Lossie Rivers Trust has shared its latest news, projects and upcoming events.

Restoring woodland along the River Findhorn

In the headwaters of the River Findhorn and along important salmon spawning tributaries, the Trust is working with partners to restore and protect native riverside woodland.

As part of The River Within, its partnership with Chivas Brothers, 17 hectares of native trees have been planted along the River Findhorn. Work has also begun to protect an important area of ancient native woodland which was first identified nearly 30 years ago as a potential restoration area for spawning Atlantic salmon.

Restoring riverside woodland provides shade, helping to reduce the effects of warming temperatures on native species including Atlantic salmon.

The Trust has now produced a case study sharing what it has learnt through the partnership.

Read more about The River Within

What’s Your Water?

Throughout the summer, the Trust held community events in the River Lossie and River Nairn watersheds exploring the question“What’s your Water?”

The events encouraged people to consider how the stories of the places and waters around us shape our lives and our relationship with the wider watershed.

The project is continuing in the Findhorn watershed with a guided walk and printmaking event in Forres.

Find out more about What’s Your Water?

What lives in the River Nairn?

Thursday 29 October, 6pm–8pm
Highland Weigh, Nairn

Saturday 31 October, 10am–12.30pm
Nairn Riverside Park by Jubilee Bridge

Meet some of the freshwater invertebrates that live beneath the surface and discover how they can help us understand the health of our rivers and spot signs of trouble.

FNLRT ecologist Ollie will give a talk at the October Nairn Climate Café, followed two days later by a practical riverside invertebrate identification session.

The riverside session is free and drop-in, with no booking required.

More information about What lives in the River Nairn?

There is seagrass in Findhorn Bay

Wednesday 11 November, 6.30pm–8pm
Findhorn Village Centre

Thursday 12 November, 6.30pm–8pm
Dyke & District Village Hall

Seagrass is an important tidal and sub-tidal habitat. It absorbs carbon, supports biodiversity and can help protect coastlines from erosion.

Milo, the Trust’s Coastal Restoration Officer, will talk about this remarkable habitat, the Trust’s efforts to restore seagrass in Findhorn Bay and ways people can get involved.

The talks are free, but booking is requested so that the organisers know how many people to expect.

Find out more and book

In other news

The Trust was recently shortlisted for a Nature of Scotland Award for its work as part of The River Within Partnership. It has also welcomed members of the Environmental Funders Network to Logie Steading and held an evening of venison butchery and cookery at Fornighty Hall.

Our thanks to the Findhorn, Nairn & Lossie Rivers Trust for sharing its latest news from across the local watersheds.

Are you a student passionate about a career in renewable energy, or a business looking to upskill and reskill your team in sustainable energy? The Nadara Student Support Scheme 2026 – UK is here to help fund your journey (Nadara own Farr wind farm).

Nadara is offering financial support for individuals and local businesses committed to a sustainable future. In previous years, funding has covered essentials like travel, course materials, laptops, and accommodation.

Full details here:

EDIT: Gemma Corbett, ​Community Liaison Officer, Balfour Beatty, reminds us that overnight temporary traffic signals will be used on Wednesday and Thursday evening this week. Also that the traffic will switch to the new northbound carriageway from Lynebeg on Friday morning. This marks a major milestone for the project. Details below:

From Friday 23 October (weather dependent), northbound and southbound traffic will be transferred onto the new northbound carriageway for a section of the A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy works. Traffic will join the new carriageway just north of the existing Lynebeg access junction and remain on the new alignment until reaching the existing dual carriageway at Daviot.

These arrangements will remain in place until the new dual carriageway is fully operational.

To allow final preparation works to be carried out safely close to the A9 carriageway, temporary traffic signals and convoy working will be in place north of the Lynebeg junction from 19:00hrs on Wednesday 21 October until 06:00hrs on Thursday 22 October. These preparation works are required prior to transferring traffic onto the new northbound carriageway.

A second night of traffic management will be required from 19:00 hrs on Thursday 22 October until 06:00 hrs on Friday 23 October. During this time, two sets of temporary traffic signals and convoy working will be in operation on the A9. One will be located just north of the Lynebeg junction and the second will be approximately 3km further north at Daviot, near the northern end of the Tomatin to Moy project.

Road users will be stopped at the temporary traffic signals and guided through short lane closures by convoy before continuing their journey at the signed speed limit.

The maps below outline these changes. This change will have no impact on National Cycle Network Route 7, and pedestrian access route will remain in the same location however the pedestrian crossing point across the live carriageway will be adjusted slightly to reflect the new northbound carriageway location.  

Queries? Contact gemma.corbett@balfourbeatty.com