Councillors oppose battery scheme near royal castle

Highland councillors have raised an objection to plans for a large battery energy storage system (BESS) near a castle that King Charles' grandmother saved from ruin.

Developer Simec Atlantis Energy (SAE) has proposed installing more than 300 batteries on a 25 acre (10 ha) site two miles (3km) from Castle of Mey, near Thurso in Caithness.

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who died in 2002, had the property restored in the 1950s and spent holidays there until October 2001. King Charles has been a frequent visitor to the castle over the years.

Among councillors' concerns are the storage scheme's impact on the castle and local tourism, including the North Coast 500 route.