Protect the wildlife of Loch Ness and Loch Kemp

Loch Ness is one of the largest freshwater bodies in the UK, but despite its impressive scale, it is a sensitive ecosystem. An array of aquatic invertebrates inhabit the loch, from the shallow bays and inlets that are home to diverse communities, to the deeper waters where more specialised species live. Many birds and fish, including the Endangered Atlantic Salmon and Critically Endangered European Eel, rely on this abundance of invertebrates. Salmon migrate through the loch to the spawning grounds of their natal rivers, where they have a vital role in the life cycle of the Critically Endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera).  

Ness Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which includes the Easter Ness Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies on the eastern shore. This unbroken stretch of woodland has trees covered with mosses and lichen, thanks to its humid climate, with many species growing on wonderful old stands of Hazel and Birch. These woods are home to internationally important communities of lichen, including the second largest British population of Nevesia sampaiana, while these rich lichen assemblages in turn provide suitable habitat for invertebrates, such as the Nationally Rare and superbly camouflaged Lichen Running Spider (Philodromus margaritatus). All of this alongside Otters and Red Squirrels. 

However, much of this is threatened by Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH), a type of hydroelectric energy generation and storage. It requires two reservoirs to operate and the proposals here would flood Loch Kemp, a loch that sits in the hills above Loch Ness, so it can function as the upper reservoir and Loch Ness will be used as the lower reservoir. The ecology of Loch Kemp will be completely altered, and the entire 50 miles of Loch Ness shoreline will be subject to unnatural water fluctuations as water is moved between the two reservoirs. Invertebrates living in the shallow water of Loch Ness will lose their habitat as water recedes, with some species unable to tolerate or track the daily fluctuations. Meanwhile, the sensitive migration of Atlantic Salmon may be affected as the water pumping is mistaken for the flow of the River Ness and the delicate elver (young eels) might be drawn into the intake pipes.  

On land, the unbroken stretch of Ness Woods, the largest extent of ancient semi-natural woodland in the Great Glen will be cleaved in two to build the power station, access roads and other infrastructure. 

While we are supportive of renewable energy and recognise the key role it plays in addressing the nature and climate emergencies, it is vital to make sure that the right schemes go in the right places. A planning examination is imminent to gather more evidence on the proposals, and will be completed in spring 2026. The information will then be presented to Scottish Ministers for them to decide if this scheme will go ahead. 

Buglife is working with the Boleskine Biodiversity Group, British Lichen Society and Ness District Salmon Fisheries Board to protect the ecology of Loch Ness and nearby Loch Kemp.