SSEN Western Isles HVDC Link Information Event in Contin 4th December

Garve and District Community Council

Added at 12:03 on 10 December 2025

On Thursday evening, 4 December 2025, four GDCC Community Councillors attended an “information” event hosted by SSEN regarding their proposed Western Isles HVDC link, a development that would run through Strathgarve Wood and across fields used for year-round grazing. Despite the significance of the proposal, the session—fronted by five SSEN representatives—proved wholly shambolic and notably uninformative. Although the event drew a strong turnout, those hosting were unable to answer even the most basic questions from the community, an issue so marked that it was later reported in the national press. The attached article from the Sunday National reflects our experience accurately. During the session, we were invited by SSEN host Calum Murray to follow up in writing, only for our enquiry to be redirected to another host, Kevin Morrison, from whom no response has yet been received. A chaser email has now been sent to Mr Morrison, pasted below.

"Dear Kevin,
Following last Thursday night’s Western Isles HVDC Link information event at Contin Village Hall, it is fair to say that many attendees left with more questions than answers. The five representatives, including yourself, hosting the session appeared unable to provide clarity on a number of matters that the audience reasonably expected would form part of the basic knowledge for a project of this scale and significance.

Calum Murray asked that I email him to request the anticipated commencement date for works within the Strathgarve section of the route which he said would be in January 2026. We also require the proposed routing and traffic management plans, along with details of the size, type, and number of vehicles expected to operate in this area - including those used for felling and haulage. Given the impact this may have on our community, we again request this information urgently. Having done so, Calum sent my email to you, and we have had no reply!

We were advised that a full summary of all questions raised—particularly those that could not be answered on the night—would be compiled and circulated.
As per my email to Calum;- we requested that that as a matter of urgency. It has still not been received.

Please also provide without further delay;- a photograph of one of the cable-transporting vehicles that will be used.
My understanding from the event is that the cable drums are approximately 7m in diameter, hold over 900m of cable, and weigh around 50 tonnes.
Confirmation of these specifications would also be helpful. All of this was also requested in my email to Calum last week and has yet to be provided.

We look forward to your prompt response with the information we deem to be very basic - fundamental."

We will add an update when we hear more. 

An update recieved by email with partial information at 6.24pm today - 10th December. Read that here
See the cable drum transporter vehicle here https://bit.ly/CableDrumTransporter

A further update recieved by email with partial information recieved on Friday 12th December at 6.43pm Read that here
In respect of the size of the cable drums being used for this project;- is now clear in looking at the drawing provided, that despite the panel being asked during the Contin event - 
Q "What size is a cable drum, 6 feet, 20 feet?"
A "Cable drums are 7M in diameter and hold 920M of cable, they are large cable drums, there is no getting away from it they weigh 50 tonnes"
The diameter given was inaccurate, again demonstrating a low grasp of the facts from the panel assembled in Contin on 4th December.

In response -

"Thank you for the latest update as below.

However, this statement "As the survey results may include identification and location of Protected Species, we will not be able to share full details with you in the interests of protecting the species. The voluntary Environmental Appraisal (EA) is currently undergoing legal review" does not reflect residents in the area being able to reflect on their own local knowledge of species in the area - particularly in reference to Badgers, Red Squirrels and Pine Martin in the Strathgarve / Silverbridge section of the route;- which it was admitted to by the panel on the night is likely to be more accurate than any desk survey, previous study data and a few hours spent in the locality. 

We look forward to having the rest of the information in respect of the anticipated commencement date for works within the Strathgarve / Silverbridge section of the route as request on the night and in our email the following day.
We note you say below "For the avoidance of doubt, SSEN Transmission will not commence work on site until all necessary consents and permissions are in place." and  "We have requested from RTS (our principal forestry contractor) a section-by-section programme for felling around Strathgarve and will share in due course. Core paths within forestry areas will remain open during works, managed by banksmen where appropriate. "

Please keep us informed on this giving as much advance notice as is possible, "due course" is not helpful in setting expectation.
We requested traffic management plans for the same area - Strathgarve / Silverbridge section of the route by this we are referring to additional work traffic of all types using public roads in the area. 

We will add an update when we hear more.