Drivers facing 80-mile diversion on North Coast 500 route as locals hit back

Drivers are facing an 80-mile diversion on a North Coast 500 route, with Highland residents launching a campaign against the plan.

Residents at Dundonnell have launched a petition against a renewable cable electricity upgrade which will cause disruption for months.

A major electricity upgrade in the north-west Highlands could see drivers facing an 80-mile road diversion over the winter months.

The plans, managed by SSEN Transmission, will bring a renewable energy cable from the Western Isles ashore at Dundonnell.

Residents have launched a petition against the closure, which covers part of the North Coast 500.

They say it will have a heavily detrimental impact on local services.

Part of the work will involve closing the A832 for 14 hours every day between 7am and 9pm in two blocks from October 27 to mid-December and then again from January to March 2026.

Niall Macleod, project director for SSEN Transmission, said: “We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide feedback to date, which we are actively considering.

“From the outset, we have been mindful of the impact on local road users and have rerouted the cable from the road wherever possible, reducing the length of road that would be affected by 50km.

“There are some areas where it is technically difficult to achieve this, particularly along the impacted section of the A832 where terrain, topography and space constraints are challenging.

“Nonetheless, we are actively seeking solutions in recognition of the level of disruption that people will experience, working with our contractors to review any potential changes that could minimise day-to-day impacts while allowing us to complete this work safely.”