FERRET INVESTIGATION: Estate’s timber plans will harm ‘internationally important’ beauty spot

The Singing Sands, on the Ardnamurchan peninsula in the west Highlands, is a popular spot for locals and tourists which has been listed as one of Scotland’s best beaches.

But locals and NatureScot have warned against Ardnamurchan Estate’s plans to build a timber transfer area, forest track, bridge and floating steel pier to extract wood by ship from neighbouring Gorteneorn Forest. The 30,000 estate, which makes up much of the peninsula, is owned by Donald Houston, a wealthy businessman.

Its proposals could impact the Sound of Arisaig, a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC), NatureScot said. Local residents and a community council warned the works could ruin the scenic area – a popular spot for activities like walking, swimming, kayaking, sailing and scuba diving.

The project will make the beach harder to access, harm and deter wildlife with noise and vibrations, hit local businesses and ruin forest tracks with heavy trucks, they argue.

Investigation by Jamie Mann on The Ferret website