Energy ministers Gillian Martin and Michael Shanks won’t attend Inverness meeting on Highland renewable projects but 10 other MPs and MSPs are expected
Neither the Scottish energy minister Gillian Martin nor her Westminster counterpart Michael Shanks will attend a major grass-roots gathering on renewable developments in the Highlands.
Organised by community councils, MSPs and MPs representing region were invited to attend following an earlier meeting in Beauly where hundreds came to voice their views.
A Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed that the SNP’s Ms Martin is “unable” to go. Labour’s energy minister Mr Shanks declined because “planning” is under the remit of the Scottish Government.
So far MPs Graham Leadbitter (SNP) and Liberal Democrats Angus MacDonald and Jamie Stone have agreed to come while Labour MSP Rhoda Grant proposed MP Torcuil Crichton in her absence.
MSPs who said they would turn up include the SNP’s Maree Todd and Emma Roddick and the Conservatives’ Edward Mountain, Tim Eagle, Douglas Ross, and Jamie Halcro Johnston.
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing has yet to confirm but told us he hopes to attend while Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP and Ariane Burgess MSP have given apologies.
The June meeting in Beauly was born of increasing frustration that locals have little impact on when and where renewable energy projects are developed.
Organised by the 53 community councils, who say they “represent a third of Highlanders”, more than 300 people attended voicing their concerns.
An agreed statement sought a pause on the “barrage of major energy infrastructure applications” which total 1300 in the Highland Council area.
They also demanded a pan-Scotland Planning Inquiry Commission and evidence of a National Energy Strategy from both the Scottish and British Governments.
Just Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Mr Stone and the candidate for the same Holyrood seat David Green were at the meeting in Beauly.
According to the chair, Councillor Helen Crawford, the absence of representatives accentuated the “powerlessness communities feel”.
She said: “Our MPs, MSPs and council leaders have a second chance to prove they care about Highland opinion with a second convention taking place on August 12, this time in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.
“We have invited not only our Highland MPs and MSPs but also Scottish Energy Minister Gillian Martin MSP and British energy minister Michael Shanks to a second convention.
“This is about local democracy, a wish to see representatives come together cross-party, and meet with the convention to explain their response to the statement made by the convention – it’s about having a much needed respectful conversation with these communities about what can be done to support them.
“As Chair, I will do all I can to ensure our elected representatives fully understand these community concerns. This is a significant representation of thousands of people across Highland and it is fair to expect our leaders to advocate for them at Scottish Government and UK Government level.”
Cameron Kemp, chair of Kirkhill and Bunchrew community council said: “We are not climate change deniers, we are reasonable people already going above and beyond for our communities, but we are saying enough is enough - we have more than done our bit for the planet.
“At the convention in June many spoke of their initial pride and support for the first set of wind turbines that they hosted in their area but they now are receiving so many more applications for turbines that are so big they require aviation lighting, with multiple battery storage units, acres of industrial substations and pylon lines and an understandable concern about an unjust and unnecessary industrialisation.
“So we are asking our political leaders to urgently support and protect these communities at national level. Many people are experiencing first hand community consultations that are in name only - local democracy is being overridden, with decisions made by Community Councils and Highland Council consistently disregarded by the Scottish Government. That needs to be addressed before it’s too late.”
Sheila Campbell-Lloyd of Ardross Community Council said: “We sincerely hope our MPs and MSPs will take the time to listen, to understand the strength of feeling on the ground, and to respond with thoughtful proposals.
“As we look ahead to the May 2026 elections, it’s important that elected representatives remain engaged and accountable. The cumulative impact of ongoing decisions is something that really needs to be considered.”