SSEN Transmission is inviting people living and working in and around Lairg and Rogart to help design a new South Loch Shin Local Fund, expected to be worth £1.62 million.

A public consultation launching this month will gather views on how the fund should operate for communities closest to new electricity transmission infrastructure at the southern end of Loch Shin. The fund is linked to the Lairg II Wind Farm and Chleansaid Wind Farm connections, including new substations and a new overhead line, and is due to open in 2027.

The company says it wants to co-develop the fund with local communities, ensuring residents can influence where support should be available and how it can deliver long-term benefits.

Three consultation sessions will be held: a drop-in at Rogart Village Hall, Rogart (IV28 3XJ) on Wednesday 18 November from 4pm to 6pm, with a presentation and Q&A at 5pm; a drop-in at Lairg Community Centre, Main Street, Lairg (IV27 4DD) on Thursday 19 November from 4pm to 7pm, with a presentation and Q&A at 5pm; and an online presentation and Q&A via Microsoft Teams on Monday 23 November from 7pm to 8pm. Members of the public can register for the online session via the local fund website.

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The consultation will ask for feedback on three areas: which communities should benefit; the local priorities funding should support; and how the fund should be structured, including how long it should run and the level of support available for community projects.

Linsay Chalmers, Community Fund Manager at SSEN Transmission, said: "This new £1.62 million fund represents a significant opportunity to deliver a lasting benefit for the communities closest to our infrastructure around the southern end of Loch Shin.

"Local people know their communities best, which is why we want them to be at the heart of shaping the fund. We want to hear what matters most to people in Lairg, Rogart and the surrounding area, from the types of projects they would like to see supported to where funding should be available. Both communities have recently consulted on their Local Place Plans, so we are excited to see how they would prioritise this significant new investment.

"I'd encourage as many people as possible to come along to one of our consultation events or complete our survey and help us make sure this funding delivers meaningful benefits for the area for years to come."

Those unable to attend the events can still take part. The consultation survey will be open from Monday 16 November until Monday 14 December. Anyone wishing to request a briefing document and survey can email [email protected].

The current expected lifetime value of the South Loch Shin Local Fund is £1.62 million, calculated in line with UK Government guidance on community funds for electricity transmission network infrastructure. The fund brings together community benefit associated with three elements of SSEN Transmission's investment in the area: the Lairg II Wind Farm Substation, the Chleansaid Wind Farm Substation, and the overhead line from the Chleansaid Wind Farm Substation to Dalchork Substation.

Alongside the South Loch Shin Local Fund, communities can also apply to SSEN Transmission's Regional Funds, which support larger-scale, strategic projects across the north of Scotland.