Description of local environment

Air quality

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

There are no air quality monitoring stations located within 10km of the proposed works (Scottish Air Quality).

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

Baseline air quality in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A889 trunk road. Secondary sources are derived from distillery operations and land management within the surrounding area.

Cultural heritage

Pastmap highlights multiple features of cultural heritage interest within 300m of the scheme. The following is a list of all designated features noted within 300m of the scheme.

Listed Building

  • Category B Dalwhinnie Distillery and Bonded Warehouse (ref: LB6898) lies approximately 245m south from the scheme.

There are no Scheduled Monuments, Garden & Designed Landscapes, Conservation Areas, Battlefields, or World Heritage Sites within 300m of the scheme.

Several records of lesser cultural heritage importance are noted on the National Records of the Historic Environment (NRHE) and Historic Environment Record (HER) databases within 300m of the scheme. The closest which is noted on the NRHE database lies approximately 250m southeast from the scheme – Dalwhinnie – Fort Augustus Military Road (ref: 368790).

The works are confined to the trunk road boundary. As such, construction of the A889 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 scheme is not located within a National Scenic Area (NSA) (SiteLink). However, the scheme does fall within the Cairngorms National Park (NatureScot Site code: 8623) which is designated for the following special general qualities,

  • Magnificent mountains towering over moorland, forest and strath.
  • Vastness of space, scale and height.
  • Strong juxtaposition of contrasting landscapes.
  • A landscape of layers, from inhabited strath to remote, uninhabited upland.
  • ‘The harmony of complicated curves’.
  • Landscapes both cultural and natural.

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) (LCT 126) within the scheme extent is recorded as ‘Upland Glen – Cairngorms’, which has the following key characteristics:

  • Strong evidence of glacial processes, including steepened sides and level floors, shattered rock faces on higher slopes, hummocks of resistant rock on some glen floors and terraces of glacial deposits at the edges of glen floors.
  • Often from arrival points into the Cairngorms National Park.
  • Size varies from large open passes to narrower, more secluded glens.
  • Enclosed predominantly by steep slopes.
  • Frequently differing land-use on one side of the glen to the other – linked to aspect.
  • Improved, grazed fields on glen floors and floodplains.
  • Mostly settled, some only sparsely, but often extensive evidence of past settlement, including prehistoric hut circles and associated field systems, pre-improvement townships, and seasonal shielings.
  • Some landmark historic buildings.
  • Access varies from narrow roads, estate and forestry tracks to main routes, but most have some form of road running through them.
  • Varied experience when passing through glens from open and expansive to sheltered and secluded.
  • Views to adjacent uplands; from which parts of the glens are visible and provide contrast.

Land use (HLAmap) within 300m of the scheme extent is classified as industrial or commercial area (distillery), plantation woodland and rough grazing.

The A889 carriageway is a prominent linear landscape feature. The road corridor, for example, has a distinct character shaped by fast-flowing traffic, road markings, safety barriers, signage, landscaping, etc. The scale of the carriageway detracts from the quality and character of the wider landscape.

The A889 Trunk Road, within the North West Network Management Contract (NMC), connects Dalwhinnie with Laggan Bridge, predominantly acting as a link between the A9 and A86 Trunk Roads. It commences at (but excludes) its junction with the A9 at Dalwhinnie leading generally northwards for 14 kilometres to (but excludes) its junction with A86 at Laggan Bridge. The A889 is a single carriageway along its length.

Biodiversity

The River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) lies approximately 340m east from the scheme extent (NatureScot Site Code: 8365).

Drumochter Hills SAC lies approximately 1.95km south from the scheme extent (NatureScot Site Code: 8243).

Drumochter Hills Special Protection Area (SPA) overlaps Drumochter Hills SAC and lies approximately 1.95km south from the scheme extent (NatureScot Site Code: 8491).

A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken to assess the ecological connectivity of the works on the qualifying features of each site. Refer to the Biodiversity Impacts and Mitigation section below.

No other locally or nationally designated sites with biodiversity features (such as, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Reserves (LNR) or National Nature Reserves (NNR)) are located within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

A search of the NBN Atlas identified the invasive native perennial plant rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) (as listed in the NMC) using the same search criteria.

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

Habitats surrounding the A889 carriageway at the scheme extent is dominated by heather moorlands, rough grassland and scrub with plantation woodlands (densely planted coniferous tree species) to the west of the scheme.

There are no areas of woodland listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory within 300m of the scheme (Ancient Woodland Inventory).

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

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

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRSs) or SSSIs designated for geology features within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

Bedrock geology (BGS Geology Viewer) within the scheme consists of:

  • Gaick Psammite Formation-Psammite.

Superficial deposits (BGS Geology Viewer) within the scheme consists of:

  • River Terrace Deposits (Undifferentiated)-Gravel, sand and clay.

Soils within the scheme are recorded as humus-iron podzols with mineral alluvial soils with peaty alluvial soils (Scotland's Soils).

Soils within the scheme extent are recorded as being of Carbon and Peatland ‘Class 0’, class is associated with mineral soil where peatland habitats are not typically found on such soils (Carbon and Peatland Map).

As a result of the works taking place strictly within the existing man-made footprint, it has been determined that the proposed project does not carry the potential to cause direct or indirect impact to geology or soils. As such, impact has been assessed as being ‘no change’ and has been scoped out of requiring further assessment.

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are necessary to resurface the worn carriageway, likely requiring binder inlay, 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 and will be managed in accordance with SEPA Position Statement WAS-G-DEF-07 (LRWA 3) and recycled in line with SEPA Guidance WAS-G-DEF-05 on End-of-Waste for Recycled Aggregates. The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring full compliance with these requirements.

It has not been confirmed if any coal tar is present. If present, any coal tar contaminated road planings will be classified as a Special Waste. Special waste consignment notes (SWCN) will be obtained from SEPA to allow the movement of the contaminated planings. Coal tar contaminated road planings will be transported by a registered waste carrier to an appropriate waste recovery facility, and SEPA will be notified prior to the Special Waste leaving site.

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

No site compound is required for these works. Storage of plant and equipment will be within the A889 carriageway.

Noise and vibration

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

A search of Scotland's Noise Map returned records for noise levels during the night (LNGT) within the A889 and its verges between 40 and 50dB.

The scheme does not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2024 – 2028.

Baseline noise levels are likely to be primarily influenced by traffic travelling along the A889 carriageway. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along the local road network, railway and rural activities associated with land management within the area.

Population and human health

The scheme traverses a significant rural area where properties are scarce. However, there is a cluster of approximately five residential properties within 300m of the scheme. The closest property is located approximately 175m southeast of the scheme, beyond the railway line. This property is afforded limited visual and acoustic screening from the A889 carriageway.

There are two gated access routes within the scheme extent. One leads to a property and the other is possibly forestry management access.

There are no laybys, pedestrian footpaths or bus stops within 300m of the scheme.

The highland mainline railway lies approximately 90m southeast from the scheme.

The Dalwhinnie Distillery lies approximately 245m south from the scheme.

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

The National Cycle Network (NCN) route 7 (OS Maps) is located approximately 50m east from the scheme.

One walking route listed on Core Paths Highland Council (Access to Caochan Wood ref: BS04.02) starts outwith the scheme extent (approximately 50m north) on a path accessed via the A889 carriageway. There are no walking routes listed on Walkhighlands within 300m of the scheme.

Transport Scotland’s manual data counter (Site name: ATC01167) located approximately 4km north from the scheme, recorded an annual daily total (ADT) of 1,206 motor vehicles in 2025, of which 8.7% were Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

TM will consist of two-way temporary traffic lights and convoy system.

Road drainage and the water environment

‘Strathnairn, Speyside and Cairngorms’ (ID 150709) and ‘Upper Spey Sand and Gravel’ (ID: 150814) are groundwater bodies, in the Scotland River basin district, which underlie the scheme. 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).

River Truim from source to Allt Cuaich confluence is a river (ID: 23638), forms part of the River Spey SAC within the River Spey catchment of the Scotland river basin district. It lies approximately 340m east from the 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 ‘moderate ecological potential’ in 2024 by SEPA (Water Classification Hub).

Small unclassified surface waterbodies and/or culverted drainage channels that flow below and within proximity of the A889 carriageway may be present within 300m of the scheme.

The scheme falls within an area of high to medium likelihood (10%-0.5% chance) of surface water and small watercourse flooding each year. Sections of the scheme also fall within a medium likelihood (0.5% chance) of river flooding each year. The scheme falls within an area that has no likelihood of coastal water 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).