Description of local environment

Air quality

There are no Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) which have been declared by the Highland Council within 300m of the schemes.

There are no air quality monitoring sites located within 10m of the schemes (Scottish Air Quality).

There are no registered sites on the Scottish Pollution Release Inventory (SPRI) within 10km of the schemes.

Baseline air quality for these schemes is primarily influenced by traffic along the A86 trunk road. Secondary releases are likely delivered by land management within the wider area.

Cultural heritage

The following cultural heritage features are recorded within 300m of the schemes (PastMap):

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach: Two features of lesser cultural significance (i.e. Historic Environment Record (HER) and National Record of the Historic Environment (NHRE) sites); the closest of which is NRHE/HER ‘Loch Laggan Longboats’ (ref. 24009), which lies approximately 130m south of the scheme extents, within Loch Laggan.
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge: Two features of lesser cultural significance; the closest of which is NRHE/HER ‘Moy Lodge Country House’ (ref. 82037), which lies approximately 88m east of the scheme extents.

There are no Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, Battlefields, World Heritage Sites, Garden and Designed Landscapes, or Listed Buildings within 300m of the schemes (PastMap).

The works are confined to the trunk road boundary. As such, construction of the A86 trunk road is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present within the area and as such ‘cultural heritage’ is scoped out and is not discussed further within this RoD.

Landscape and visual effects

The schemes do not fall within a National Park (NP) or a National Scenic Area (NSA) or any other site designated for its landscape character and visual effects (SiteLink).

The schemes are located on rural stretches of the A86, along the northern banks of Loch Laggan. The surrounding land is dominated by arable land; mixed woodland including forestry plantations; and freshwater habitat, with Loch Laggan providing a dominant landscape feature. The A86 trunk road is also a dominant landscape feature.

The schemes lie within the Landscape Character Type (LCT) ‘Broad Loch and Glen’ (LCT 235), which has the following key characteristics:

  • Very long, narrow, slightly curved loch, channelled between high mountains to the north-west and lower craggy hills to the south-east.
  • Mainly steep slopes on the north-west side, and some more gently sloping land on the south-east side, with flatter land occurring at the junction of occasional side tributaries on both sides of the loch.
  • A high proportion of tree cover, which is most extensive on the south-east side, consisting of stands of native woodland and forest cover on lower slopes close to the loch.
  • Distinct tiers of landcover on the north-west side, with low-lying stands of native woodlands, open areas of mainly heather and grassland landcover, rising to high alpine cover.
  • Areas of smaller scale managed fields and woodlands with buildings around estates, contrasting with the large scale of surrounding landcover patterns.
  • Strong contrast in land use between the opposite shores of the loch, related to the presence and busy nature of the trunk road on the north side, and the extent of forest cover on the south side.
  • Limited settlement of mainly traditional style buildings occurring on lower ground near the loch, usually associated with estates and often occurring where the intersection with a tributary glen creates an area of flatter ground or requires a bridging point.
  • Variety in texture, patterns and colour associated with the different landcover and varying openness and enclosure of landforms.
  • Views to distant, distinctive, landmark hills along the loch and in more open areas.
  • The dramatic combination of the loch, forests, woodlands and peaks with occasional estate buildings.

Land use within 300m of the schemes is classified as freshwater area (Loch Laggan), plantation, and rough grazing (HLA Map).

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

The A86 trunk road connects Spean Bridge and Kingussie. It commences at the A86 / A82 junction within Spean Bridge leading generally north-eastwards for 65 kilometres to its junction with the A9. The A86 is a single carriageway along its length.

Biodiversity

The schemes lie within 2km of the Creag Meagaidh Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (NatureScot Site Code 8235):

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach lies 1.2km south of the SAC at its closest point.
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge lies 650m south of the SAC at its closest point.

There is no ecological connectivity between the schemes and the qualifying features of the Creag Meagaidh SAC due to the distance, elevation and immobile nature of the designated features. Therefore, no further assessment was required in relation to this site.

The schemes also lie within 2km of the Creag Meagaidh Special Protection Area (SPA) (NatureScot Site Code 8487):

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach lies 1.6km southeast of the SPA at its closest point.
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge lies 1.5km south of the SPA at its closest point.

Due to the ecological connectivity between the schemes and the Creag Meagaidh SPA, a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken. Refer to the relevant assessment section below for details.

The schemes lie within 300m of the Creag Meagaidh Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (NatureScot Site Code: 457):

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach lies wholly within the SSSI.
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge lies 35m east of the SSSI.

The schemes lie within 300m of the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve (NNR) (NatureScot Site Code: 5021):

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach lies wholly within the NNR.
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge lies 35m east of the SSSI.

No other European sites (i.e. SPA, SAC, Ramsar sites) are located within 2km of the schemes. No other locally or national designated sites for biodiversity features are located within 300m of the schemes (SiteLink).

Numerous bird species were recorded on the National Biodiversity Network Atlas (NBN Atlas) within 2km of the scheme during the last ten-year period. Only records with attributions CC-BY, OGL and CC0 (open use) were included in the search criteria. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), all wild birds and their active nests are protected.

The NBN Atlas holds the following records of injurious weeds (as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) under the same criteria:

  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) holds no record of any invasive or injurious plants within 300m of the schemes.

Habitat surrounding the A86 carriageway is dominated by woodland consisting of coniferous plantation, and mixed woodland (with broad-leaved tree species and native pine species). Freshwater habitat provided by Loch Laggan lies 35m south of the A86 carriageway at its closest point.

There are areas of woodland listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory within 300m of the schemes:

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach: two areas are located within 300m of the scheme; the closest of which encompasses the northern section of scheme extent and is listed as ancient (of semi-natural origin).
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge: three areas are located within 300m of the scheme; the closest of which encompasses the northern end of the scheme and is listed as ancient (of semi-natural origin).

There are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) present within 300m of the schemes (Highland Tree Preservation Orders).

Geology and soils

The Rubha Na Magach, Laggan Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS) is located adjacent to the westbound carriageway of the A86 (SiteLink), this GCRS does not have a related geological SSSI.

There are no other GCRSs or SSSIs designated for geological features within 300m of the schemes (SiteLink).

Component soils throughout the schemes comprise of (Scotland’s Soils):

  • Peaty gleys with dystrophic semi-confined peat
  • Humus-iron podzols with mineral alluvial soils with peaty alluvial soils

Soils in the area around the schemes are comprised of the following Carbon and Peatland Map 2016 soil classes:

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach: ‘Class 5’. Soils are carbon-rich and deep peat with no peatland habitat recorded.
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge: ‘Class 0’. Soils are composed of mineral soils and peat is not typically found on such soils.

Bedrock geology within the schemes consists of Loch Laggan psammite formation – micaceous psammite (BGS Geology Viewer).

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

  • Hummocky (moundy) glacial deposits – diamicton, gravel, sand and silt
  • Till Devensian – diamicton
  • Alluvial fan deposits – gravel, sand, silt and clay

Material assets and waste

The resurfacing works are required to replace worn surface and general maintenance of the A86 trunk road. Materials used will consist of:

  • Asphaltic material (AC32/AC20/TS2010)
  • Bituminous emulsion bond coat
  • Milled in road studs
  • Thermoplastic road marking paint
  • Replacement bollards
  • Concrete (for base of bollards)

Wastes are anticipated to be removed planings from the surface course, which will be treated in line with the Scottish Environmental 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. Any ditching waste remaining on-site must follow SEPA’s LRWA 9, details of which will be listed below in the impacts and proposed mitigation section.

Coal tar has not been identified on site and there no site compound is required for these works. Storage of plant and equipment will be within TM on the A86 carriageway.

As the A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge scheme value is greater than £350,000 (approximately £825,676); a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required to be in place for works. There is no requirement for a SWMP for the other scheme.

Noise and vibration

For residential, community and commercial receptors refer to the ‘Population and Human Health’ section below.

The average day, evening and night time (LDEN) noise levels at the schemes range between 58-64dB (Scotland's Noise).

The schemes do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (Transportation Noise Action Plan 2024-2028).

Given the rural nature found within the schemes, it is considered likely that the baseline noise levels will be low, with noise mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A86 carriageway.

Population and human health

There are properties located within 300m of the schemes which are accessed via the A86:

  • A86 Rubha Na Magach: ‘Rubha Na Magach’ which is a holiday home located at the southern extent of the scheme, 13m from the A86 carriageway and afforded some screening from the A86 through a woodland belt.
  • A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge: ‘Moy Lodge’ which is located at the western end of the scheme, approximately 25m east of the A86 and screened by woodland.

There is one layby along the A86 within the schemes’ extents.

There are no bus stops, paved pedestrian footpaths or other public amenities within the scheme extent.

According to Scottish Road Works there are no other works scheduled within 300m of the scheme (Scottish Road Works).

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

Transport Scotland’s manual data counter (site name ATC01050) located along the A86 carriageway, 17.3km to 18.6km northeast from the schemes, recorded an annual daily total (ADT) of 2,003 motor vehicles in 2025, of which 20.1% were heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Traffic management will consist of daytime lane closure with convoy and two-way temporary traffic lights. Control of junctions where required.

Road drainage and the water environment

‘Upper Glen Coe’ (ID 150693) is a groundwater body, in the Scotland River basin district, which underlies the schemes. It was awarded an overall status of ‘good’ in 2024 by Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) (Water Classification Hub).

‘Loch Laggan’ (ID 100198), lies adjacent to the A86 carriageway for the full extent of the schemes at a distance of approximately 80m (A86 Rubha Na Magach) and 35m south (A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge) at its closest points. The water body was awarded an overall status of ‘good ecological potential’ in 2024 by SEPA under the WFD (Water Classification Hub).

‘River Spean – Loch Moy to Loch Laggan’ is a river in the River Lochy catchment of the Scotland river basin district and is located 155m south of A86 Rubha Na Magach to Moy Lodge scheme at is closest point. It was awarded an overall status of ‘moderate ecological potential’ in 2024 by SEPA under the WFD (Water Classification Hub).

Small unclassified surface waterbodies and/or culverted drainage channels lie within 300m of the schemes, some of which may be culverted under the A86 carriageway.

SEPA Flood Map has highlighted a medium risk of surface water and small watercourses flooding (i.e. a 0.5% chance of flooding each year) within the A86 carriageway at the scheme extent.

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).