Communities4Coul

22/07/2026

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands-islands/7068429/coul-links-landowner-hits-back-over-latest-golf-course-jobs-claims/

Ed Abel Smith said if critics "can't understand basic economics" they may also be missing other benefits in the application.

16/07/2026

Another article on our survey - in the The Press and Journal

Good stuff from Gordon, but how do Not Coul think that invasives could be "easily managed" without a huge influx of cash, when NatureScot themselves have failed to halt their spread?? Also, we think they must have "misheard" at the Public Hearing, when C4C said that the new Golf Club would employ around 30 people directly, but that Prof. Bell's study found it would create around 400 FTE jobs in total, including those generated indirectly in hospitality and services. That still means they are real jobs!
Finally, why are they getting so exercised about this at all, if they are so convinced that the Coul site is about to be washed into the sea? (We're not, BTW).

A new ecological survey found invasive species are "spreading rapidly" which could see some habitats lost forever if nothing is done.

13/07/2026

It's great to see our new constituency MSP is actively backing our community planning application for Coul Links Golf Course. Thanks !

Study reveals limited impact of current NatureScot agreement as invasive species spike by 44 per cent.

09/07/2026

The Northern Times are running a piece about C4C's new "invasive species" Report for Coul Links.

A new ecological survey commissioned by Communities for Coul has found invasive species are spreading rapidly across Coul Links, with supporters of the proposed golf course arguing this strengthens the case for the development as a means of funding long-term habitat restoration.

Read more in the comments.

07/07/2026

Following the request from Scottish Ministers in March 2026, for more ecological information to assist their decision on the application for Coul Links Golf Course, as pertains to the protected "Ramsar" site, C4C commissioned new survey work on the Coul Links site from Dr Andy McMullen, Principal Botanist of Botanaeco. The new survey, which could not be undertaken until June, was submitted to Scottish Ministers last Friday/3rd July.
This survey has shown that the presence of invasive species at Coul Links has increased by 44% between 2021 and 2026. NatureScot’s “management plan”, which has been operating at Coul Links over these years has not halted the spread of invasive plants which outcompete the rarer and more delicate species for which Coul Links is protected, and it has failed to improve the site’s “unfavourable condition”.
Dr Andy McMullen of Botanaeco said: “If the current trajectory of invasive species spread continues unabated, the habitats will ultimately be dominated by a small number of invasive species. The rate of spread will increase exponentially.”
NatureScot have only been able to fund a very limited management programme at Coul Links, focusing on a few patches of gorse and birch, at an average cost of £20k per annum. By contrast, approval of the golf course would unlock £500,000 for each of the first two years (£1 million in total) for restoration of the whole Coul Links site, with further funding as required, over the lifetime of the golf course. This would be done with the oversight of NatureScot.
Gordon Sutherland of Communities for Coul said “This survey shows in the clearest terms that the status quo is not saving Coul Links. It is allowing this unique site to decline. To accept this is a decision to abandon hope. The only way to save Coul Links for future generations is to allow an environmentally friendly, world-class golf course there, which would provide the very significant funding for the major environmental programme required to restore and protect it.
“Quite apart from the ecological benefits this new golf course would bring, it would transform the economy of East Sutherland, creating up to 400 new jobs, many of them locally, and adding up to £12 million per year into the local economy, through increased visitor spend.”
The Dornoch Firth and Loch Fleet "Ramsar" site, an internationally protected wetland and coastal habitat area which includes Coul Links, extends to 6,513 hectares. The actual footprint of the proposed golf course within the protected area, amounts to 14.7 hectares, or 0.22% of the site. The extent of proposed physical change (limited to tees and greens) would be 1.5 hectares - 0.023% of the Ramsar.
The loss of this relatively tiny area should surely be weighed against the long-term, sustainable restoration of the whole Coul Links site?

28/05/2026

I'm desperate for my friends and other young families to stay in the Highlands - but I can't blame them for leaving. Read more: https://ebx.sh/GmqvMi

28/05/2026

Checkout today's P&J, with its double-page spread interview of Edward Abel Smith, Coul's landowner. Edward describes how it is the community which has kept him going through his 11 years of "limbo" working to get Coul Links Golf Course application approved.
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands-islands/7026435/owner-of-coul-links-on-11-year-wait-for-golf-course-decision/

18/05/2026

We recently learned, through a "Freedom of Information" request, that the Reporters from the November 2024 Public Hearing recommended in January 2026, that Scottish Ministers should refuse our application for Coul Links. We don't know why, and it's obviously very disappointing, BUT... In March '26, (2 months later), Scottish Ministers asked us to provide more, updated information on Baltic Rush and the Dune Heath at Coul, strongly suggesting they don't regard the Hearing Report & Recommendation as the final word...

Communities for Coul will be supplying Scottish Ministers with updated survey work in June, which we believe will back up our arguments.

And we are still IN IT TO WIN IT!

10/04/2026

As a local, Alex Banks really understands our frustration over the Coul Links delay.. Great piece.

Whether you're for or against the controversial golf course plans, I think you'll agree we should have an answer by now.

03/04/2026

16 DAYS TO GO......................
The story of the battle told in the majestic setting of Dornoch Cathedral. With local musicians representing the historic Clans of Mackay and Sutherland. With brand new music written especially for this event plus the old melodies and the Gaelic songs which reflected the times 280 years ago. Tickets available via our website. Under 18s go free.

Tickets at: www.dornochgatherings.com

This Is Dornoch Ruairidh Mackay April Louise Sutherland Rachel Campbell Lord-Lieutenant of Sutherland 280TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF LITTLEFERRY-TOLD THROUGH MUSIC AND STORY