Description of local environment

Air quality

No Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) (Air Quality Management Areas) are located within 10km of the either scheme.

One air quality monitoring site is located within 10km of the schemes. ‘Strath Vaich’ lies approximately 5km north from the nearest scheme and, at the time of the search, air quality pollution levels were recorded as ‘low’ (Scottish Air Quality).

There are no air pollutant release sites registered on the Scottish Pollution Release Inventory (SPRI) located within 10km of either scheme (Scottish Pollution Release Inventory).

Due to the rural location of the schemes, air quality is likely good, with baseline air quality mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A835 trunk road. Secondary sources are likely derived from land management activities in the wider area.

Cultural heritage

There are no Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments, Garden & Designed Landscapes, Conservation Areas, Battlefields or World Heritage Sites found within 300m of either scheme (Pastmap).

Of lesser Cultural Heritage importance, a number of Historic Environment Records (HER) and National Records of the Historic Environment (NRHE) lie within 300m of both scheme extents. The nearest of these is HER and NRHE ‘Torrandhu Bridge’ which lies 30m east of the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extents.

As the works are restricted to the engineered ground of the A835 trunk road boundary and there are no Cultural Heritage features within the scheme extents, there is negligible potential for cultural heritage impacts as a result of the proposed works. Furthermore, construction of the A835 is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present within the area. Therefore this receptor is not considered further in this Record of Determination (RoD).

Landscape and visual effects

The schemes are not located within a National Park (NP), National Scenic Area (NSA) or any other site designated for its landscape character and quality (SiteLink).

The Landscape Character Type (LCT 330) within both scheme extents is recorded as ‘Rounded Hills and Moorland Slopes – Ross & Cromarty’, which has the following key characteristics:

  • Broad, rounded hills and upland moorlands with smooth, gentle slopes down to broad straths, creating an undulation skyline.
  • Occurs in a large tract which weaves around and between the adjoining Rounded Mountain Massif and Rugged Mountain Massif – Ross & Cromarty and unifies the mountain groups.
  • Large areas of uniform moorland vegetation with occasional surface detail of rivers, lochs, riparian woodland, woodland patches, and regenerating trees.
  • Large coniferous forests on accessible lower slopes.
  • Broad straths with natural, meandering rivers and occasionally highlighted by green, unenclosed, improved pastures and riparian trees.
  • Occasional major trunk roads curve through the lowest major straths, with very little associated service development.
  • Small groups of mainly traditional buildings around road junctions and at rail stations.
  • Man-made structures of pylons, wind farms, and reservoirs occur as occasional features within a large-scale landscape.
  • Many archaeological features on lower ground from prehistoric, medieval and later periods.
  • Large, remote interior areas of vast scale with wildness characteristics.

Land use (HLAmap) within 300m of both scheme extents is classified as a combination of reservoir (Loch Glascarnoch and Loch Droma), plantation woodland and rough grazing.

The land surrounding the trunk road throughout both scheme extents is classified as 6.3 – (‘Land capable of use as rough grazing with low quality plants’) (Scotland's Soils).

The A835 Trunk Road, within the North West Network Management Contract (NMC), including the A893, connects Tore with Ullapool. It commences at (but excludes) the A9 Tore Roundabout leading generally north-westwards for 80 kilometres to (but excludes) its junction with the ferry terminal at Ullapool. The A835 is a single carriageway along its length.

Biodiversity

The Beinn Dearg Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (NatureScot Site Code: 8198) lies adjacent to the A835 southbound (SB) carriageway within the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extent.

The Fannich Hills SAC (NatureScot Site Code: 8634) lies adjacent to the A835 northbound (NB) carriageway within the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extents.

There are no European sites located within 2km or with ecological connectivity to the A835 North of Glascarnoch Dam scheme extents.

A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken to assess the potential effects of the works on the qualifying features of the sites. Refer to the Biodiversity Impacts and Mitigation section below.

Beinn Dearg Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (NatureScot site code: 1699) overlaps the Beinn Dearg SAC boundary adjacent to the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extent.

Fannich Hills SSSI (NatureScot Site Code: 627) overlaps the Fannich Hills SAC boundary adjacent to the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extent.

No other locally or nationally designated sites with biodiversity features (such as Local Nature Reserves or National Nature Reserves) are located within 300m of either scheme (SiteLink).

Numerous records of bird species were also returned within 2km of the works under the same search criteria. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (WCA), all wild birds and their nests are protected.

A search of NBN Atlas identified one record of injurious plant species (as listed in the NMC) using the same search criteria:

  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)

A search of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) holds no records of invasive and injurious plant species (as listed in the NMC) within 300m of the scheme.

Habitat surrounding the A835 carriageway is dominated by rough grazing and plantation woodlands of densely planted coniferous tree species. Loch Glascarnoch and Loch Droma are prominent features of the landscape.

There are no ancient woodlands listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland) within 300m of the scheme.

According to the Highland Council there are no areas of trees or individual trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) located within 300m of the schemes (Highland Tree Preservation Orders).

As works are restricted to the A835 trunk road boundary, it is considered unlikely that any terrestrial mammal species of conservation importance are associated with permanent habitat or resting places within the area of likely construction disturbance. Therefore, a field survey has been ruled out, and a desktop study has been deemed sufficient for this assessment.

Geology and soils

Bedrock geology (BGS Geology Viewer) within the schemes consist of:

  • Vaich Pelite Formation-Garnet semipelite.
  • Crom Psammite Formation-Psammite.

Superficial deposits (BGS Geology Viewer) within the schemes consist of:

  • Glacial deposits-Diamicton, gravel, sand and silt.

Soils within the schemes are recorded as peaty gleyed podzols with dystrophic semi-confined peat with peaty gleys (Scotland's Soils).

Soils within the schemes are recorded as being of Carbon and Peatland ‘Class 1, Class 3 and Class 5’. ‘Class 1’ is associated with nationally important carbon-rich soils, deep peat and priority peatland habitat. Areas likely to be of high conservation value. ’Class 3’, class is associated with dominant vegetation cover and is not priority peatland habitat but is associated with wet and acidic type. Occasional peatland habitats can be found. Most soils are carbon-rich soils, with some areas of deep peat and ‘Class 5’, class is associated with soil information which takes precedence over vegetation data. No peatland habitat recorded. May also include areas of bare soil. Soils are carbon-rich and deep peat (Carbon and Peatland Map).

Beinn Dearg SSSI (NatureScot site code: 1699) overlaps the Beinn Dearg SAC boundary adjacent to the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extent. It is designated for the following geological features, with biological features listed in the Biodiversity section above:

  • Quaternary of Scotland

Fannich Hills SSSI (NatureScot Site Code: 627) overlaps the Fannich Hills SAC boundary adjacent to the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extent. It is designated for the following geological features, with biological features listed in the Biodiversity section above:

  • Moine
  • Quaternary of Scotland

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRSs) within 300m of either scheme (SiteLink).

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are necessary to replace the worn surface, some structural maintenance, and reinstation of road markings. Materials used will consist of:

  • Asphaltic material
  • Bituminous emulsion bond coat
  • Milled in road studs
  • Thermoplastic road marking paint

Wastes are anticipated to be removed planings from the surface course, which will be treated in line with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) Low Risk Waste Activity (LRWA) 3 and be recycled in line with SEPA’s WAS-G-DEF-05 Guidance for End-of-Waste for Recycled Aggregates. Coal tar has not been identified on site.

There is no requirement for a site compound. Storage of plant and equipment will be within the TM on the A835 carriageway.

The value of the schemes do not individually exceed £350,000; therefore, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required.

Noise and vibration

Works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan.

Scottish Noise Mapping indicates average noise levels during the day, evening and night (LDEN) ranges between 60 and 70dB within the A835 and its associated verges (Scotland's Noise Map).

Given the rural nature found within the scheme, it is considered likely that the baseline noise levels will be low, with noise mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A835.

Population and human health

There are no residential or commercial properties, bus stops or paved pedestrian footpaths located within 300m of both schemes. One access road lies within the scheme extent on the northbound side of the carriageway which leads to several wind turbines and one layby/parking area lies approximately 30m northwest beyond the Glascarnoch Dam scheme extent. Street access to the Loch Glascarnoch Weather Station is located within the area of the Loch Droma scheme, 130m north of the starting location.

There are no National Cycle Network (NCN) routes (OS Maps) listed on Core Paths in Highland Council or WalkHighlands within 300m of the scheme

Two walking routes are listed on WalkHighlands within 300m of the scheme extent. ‘Sgùrr Mòr and the eastern Fannichs’ begins 120m from the southern end of the scheme. It then follows a ridge to the south, moving away from the scheme for 15.5 miles. ‘Am Faochagach’ begins at the same location moving north away from the A835 for 8.75 miles.

Transport Scotland’s manual data counter (Site name JTC08230) located approximately 1.2km southeast from the A835 North of Glascarnoch Dam scheme, recorded an annual daily total (ADT) of 1,880 motor vehicle in 2025, of which 8.2% were Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

TM for both schemes will consist of a single lane closure with 10mph convoy during the hours 07:00 – 19:00.

According to Scottish Road Works there are no other works scheduled within 300m of the schemes for the planned duration.

Road drainage and the water environment

‘Northern Highlands’ (ID 150701) is a groundwater body, in the Scotland river basin district, which underlies the Glascarnoch scheme. It was awarded an overall status of ‘good’ in 2024 by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) (Water Classification Hub).

Loch Glascarnoch is a lake (ID: 100113), in the River Conon catchment of the Scotland river basin district. It lies approximately 65m north from the A835 North of Glascarnoch Dam scheme. The water body has been designated as a heavily modified water body on account of physical alterations that cannot be addressed without a significant impact on water storage for hydroelectricity generation. It was awarded an overall status of ‘poor ecological potential’ in 2024 by SEPA under the WFD (Water Classification Hub).

‘Northern Highlands’ (ID 150701) and ‘Wester Ross, Assynt and Kintail’ (ID: 150700) are groundwater bodies, in the Scotland River basin district, which underlie the schemes. Both were given an overall status of ‘good’ in 2024 by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) (Water Classification Hub).

The A835 carriageway within the scheme extent spans ‘Abhainn an Torrain Duibh’ (ID: 20189), which is a river, in the River Conon catchment of the Scotland river basin district. It was awarded an overall status of ‘poor’ in 2024 by SEPA under the WFD (Water Classification Hub).

‘Abhainn Droma’ is a river (ID: 20548), in the River Broom catchment of the Scotland river basin district. It flows directly into the unclassified waterbody Loch Droma which lies approximately 25m south from the A835 carriageway at the A835 Loch Droma Viewpoint scheme extent. The water body has been designated as a heavily modified water body on account of physical alterations that cannot be addressed without a significant impact on water storage for hydroelectricity generation. It was awarded an overall status of ‘good ecological potential’ in 2024 by SEPA under the WFD (Water Classification Hub).

Presence of unclassified surface waterbodies and/or culverted drainage may be present within 300m of the schemes.

The schemes fall within areas that have a medium to high likelihood of river and surface water and small watercourse flooding each year (i.e. a 0.5-10% chance of flooding each year (SEPA Flood Maps).

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘The Act’), and its subsequent amendment under the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, sets the framework for the Scottish Government to address climate change. The Act has an ambitious target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with any residual emissions balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is five years earlier than the rest of the UK due to the greater potential for carbon sequestration in Scotland.

The Act was amended to replace interim targets with carbon budgets. Carbon budgets are legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland over five-year periods. In line with the Act, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published advice on the level of Scotland’s four carbon budgets, covering the period 2026 to 2045, recommending what the Scottish Government sets its carbon budgets at for annual average levels of emissions. These recommendations are based on an ambitious but credible route to Net Zero for Scotland by 2045.

Emissions reductions from surface transport are the largest contribution to meeting the first two carbon budgets. The pathway for surface transport emission reduction is primarily driven by the uptake of electric vehicles, in addition to measures to enable a shift from car use to public transport and active travel, which all play a role in reducing emissions from fossil fuel cars. Ensuring efficiency of existing transport infrastructure and improving/providing new active travel facilities is therefore important to support these carbon reduction budgets.

Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland. In response to the climate emergency, Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to the above noted legally binding target of net-zero by 2045. Transport Scotland is committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network and this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport (Mission Zero for transport | Transport Scotland).