Over 1700 struggling Highland households sought help from Energy Advice Scotland in the last year with the Highland Council area ranked fourth in Scotland
Hundreds of struggling households across the Highlands and Islands have sought help with energy issues over the past year, according to new figures.
Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national service energyadvice.scot, recorded more than 1700 gas and electricity-related complaints in the 12 months to April.
The Highland Council area ranked fourth in Scotland for the number of disputes, with 1,320 cases, narrowly behind Fife. Edinburgh and Glasgow saw the highest levels.
Advice Direct Scotland’s advisers also handled 231 cases in the Western Isles and saw significant demand in Shetland and Orkney.
Problems included bills, debts, and disconnections, as rising energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis put pressure on family budgets.
Since the start of 2025, there has also been a surge in inquiries about the looming mass switch-off of Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters.
One in 13 cases (7.5 per cent) of the country’s total 24,768 stemmed from the Highlands and Islands.
In the past year, the charity’s experts provided more than 350 pieces of general energy advice and addressed an additional 1,494 specific concerns across the region.
Billing issues were the most frequently reported problem, making up 37.8 per cent of all cases.
Issues with standard meters came next at 15 per cent, while smart meter problems accounted for 10.4 per cent. Debt and disconnections made up 5.4 per cent.
The findings come as households continue to battle higher bills, with regulator Ofgem recently hiking the energy price cap.
Concerns have also been raised about the imminent switch-off of the signal to RTS meters, which are still used by tens of thousands of people across Scotland.
The latest UK government figures show that around 139,000 devices in Scotland were still in use as of March 7, leaving many at risk of losing heating or hot water if they do not get them replaced before June 30.
Advice Direct Scotland is urging people to check their meters and contact suppliers now as part of a campaign. A countdown clock has been added to its website.
Anyone who has not received a letter or email should contact their supplier immediately.
Conor Forbes, director of policy with Advice Direct Scotland, said: “These figures show that the energy crisis is far from over and underscore the alarming scale of the cost-of-living crisis.
“As Scotland’s national energy advice service, we’ve seen significant demand from people across the Highlands and Islands seeking help with bills, debts, and disconnections.
“Since the start of the year, we’ve also seen increasing concerns about the looming switch-off of RTS meters.
“With the June 30 deadline approaching, it’s crucial that anyone still using these meters contacts their supplier to avoid losing heating or hot water.
“Despite the warmer weather, many people are still struggling financially, and assistance is just a phone call away.
“Our advisers can help with understanding energy bills, meter issues, and direct people to the support and benefits they’re entitled to.
“Anyone facing difficulties should visit www.energyadvice.scot or call 0808 196 8660.”
