Loch Ness in the Highlands is arguably the most iconic loch in Scotland, known around the world for its beauty and legends, with its waters and surrounding habitats supporting a wealth of wildlife. However, the proposed Loch Kemp Pumped Storage Hydro development would see the destruction of ancient woodland and substantial impacts to the freshwater ecology of Loch Ness. Will you stand with us to protect Loch Ness?

Why is Loch Ness important?

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).

Freshwater Pearl Mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) (c) Sue Scott/SNH

Ness Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which includes the Easter Ness Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies on the eastern shore and is a unique ancient woodland where three different types of woodland habitat converge to support amazing biodiversity. 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. Internationally important communities of lichen are found here, including the second largest British population of Near Threatened Nevesia sampaiana, a species for which Scotland has a global responsibility. These rich lichen populations in turn provide suitable habitat for invertebrates, such as the Nationally Rare and superbly camouflaged Lichen Running Spider (Philodromus margaritatus), a species of priority for conservation in Scotland. Burns that flow through the wood provide hunting areas for Otter whilst above in the trees, Red Squirrels make their home.

Nevesia sampaiana (c) Neil A.Sanderson

Why is Loch Ness threatened?

Pumped Storage Hydro (PSH) is a type of hydroelectric energy generation and storage. It requires two reservoirs to operate. The Loch Kemp PSH development will 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. The impact of water fluctuations on invertebrates has not been assessed, but it will almost certainly lead to reduced diversity and abundance, which will have impacts across the loch, including for species such as Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon. In addition, the sensitive migration of Atlantic Salmon may be delayed as fish are drawn to the area where water is being pumped up to Loch Kemp, mistaking the flow for the River Ness, while delicate elver (young eels) might be drawn into the intake pipes.

Atlantic Salmon (c) Walter Baxter CC BY-SA2.0

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. NatureScot, the government’s advisor has agreed it will impact the integrity of the protected site. There would be permanent loss and fragmentation of woodland within the protected area, with over 900 trees felled, with consequences for all the associated wildlife dependent on this precious habitat. Further important woodland and moorland habitats outside the SAC will also be lost and fragmented, compounding the impacts on rare and threatened species and changing this unique landscape forever.

Ness Woods upland birch woodland (c) Neil Mackenzie, Boleskine Biodiversity Group

Concerningly, this is just one of four existing or proposed PSH schemes for Loch Ness- with no attempt to understand their cumulative impact on its aquatic ecology.

What are we trying to achieve?

Boleskine Biodiversity Group, British Lichen Society, Buglife and Plantlife Scotland are working together to try and protect the sensitive ecosystems of Loch Ness from this damaging development. 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. We are taking part in the inquiry and need to raise funds for legal advice to help our case. We have all objected to the application, concerned for the species and habitats in our specialist areas, but need vital legal support.

This is a complex process and we need expert advice to navigate the examination and ensure we present the best arguments possible. We want to highlight the critical lack of environmental information for the aquatic ecosystems of Loch Ness and Loch Kemp and that the assessment of impacts is completely inadequate for such an impactful scheme. We need to stand up for Ness Woods SAC, a site of international importance and its surrounding habitats, all of which have a vital role to play in nature recovery.

We want to raise £8,000 to contribute to the expert advice that will help us navigate the examination process, the planning system and legislation, to ensure our case has the best chance of success. Once the examination is completed, the decision will be in the hands of the Scottish Government and there will be no other opportunity to highlight the environmental damage this scheme would cause.

We want the Scottish Government to have the best information available, that makes it clear that there are critical impacts on both the aquatic and terrestrial environment of Loch Ness. We want an informed decision to be made that acknowledges what is at stake, from the permeant destruction of ancient habitats to changes to the entire shoreline of the iconic Loch Ness.