Coul Links

What’s the problem?

This site is of international importance for nature. Part of the proposed golf course is within the Loch Fleet Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the Dornoch Firth and Loch Fleet Special Protection Area.

This area is designated partly because of its fragile network of sand dunes and the birds that shelter on lochans between the ridges. The dunes at Coul Links are particularly unusual because they form a complete undisturbed system from foredune to slacks.

The site is noted for important protected birds including terns, geese and waders, and a rich variety of plants. SSSIs are special sites that are designated as protected areas for good reason, and this protected status must be maintained.

Find out more on our FAQs page.

In this section

Grass of Parnassus ©Mark Foxwell — Grass of Parnassus at Coul Links © Mark Foxwell

Campaign history

1985-2010 – Coul Links managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a wildlife reserve.
21 December 2015 – An outline planning application for a golf course at Coul Links was revealed to the public by the Highland Council.
22 August 2016 – The Trust publicly expresses its concerns over the golf course development. Read news story here.
29 September 2017 – A full planning application for the golf course was lodged with the Highland Council.
27 October 2017 – In line with our policy on the planning system the Trust objected to this proposal due to the negative impact that it will cause to a number of important protected areas. You can read our full objection to the development here, as well as our objection to a separate application for a reservoir on the site.
21 November 2017 – The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas objects to the development
24 November 2017 – Scottish Natural Heritage object to the planned golf course development. Read news story here.
12 December 2017 – The Scottish Environment Protection Agency object to the proposed golf course development. Read news story here.
22 December 2017 – Public consultation on the proposed golf course development closes. More than 1,000 objections were received.
18 April 2018 – Roseanna Cunningham MSP confirms that Scottish Government policy is to apply the same level of protection to Ramsar sites as that which is afforded to designated Natura sites. Read statement here.
5 June 2018 – Highland Council decided to defer their decision on the plans. Read news story here.
5 June 2018 – We sent a joint letter to the First Minister expressing our concern that the Highland Council had deferred their decision on the development. We also wrote to the Ramsar secretariat expressing our concern about the impact on internationally-designated wetland habitats.
20 June 2018 – Highland Council voted to approve the golf course development at Coul Links against the recommendations of their own officials. Read news story here.
24 August 2018 – Scottish Ministers decide to ‘call in’ plans for the golf course. Read news story here.
22 January 2019: In response to questions arising at the reporters’ preliminary hearing of Coul Links, the Scottish Government issues a planning note that reverses its 2018 commitments on the level of protection for Ramsar sites, without consultation. Read blog article here.
26 February 2019 – A public inquiry into the proposed golf course development began. Read news story here.
12-13 March 2019 – Our former Chief Executive, Jonny Hughes, provides evidence as part of a the lengthy public inquiry.
21 February 2020 – The Scottish Government announces that planning permission for a golf course at Coul Links has been refused. Read news story here.
January 2021 – A community led coalition announces plans to resurrect the original Coul Links golf course plan but now with the addition of a hotel.
April 2021 – The Trust, as part of the Save Coul Links Conservation Coalition, writes to the “Communities for Coul” group outlining our key concerns without prejudice to any representations we may make in relation to any future planning application.
July 2021 – An application for lodges and a reception building is lodged with Highland Council. The Trust writes to the Highland Council Planning Department to advise them that, whilst we had no specific concerns regarding the planning application for the lodges, the plans for the lodges and the future planned golf course must be viewed in conjunction to take account of cumulative impact.
April 2022 – The Trust issues an objection to the second application for a golf course at Coul Links at the scoping stage. This is due to our concerns over the impact of development on a heavily protected site for nature.
April 2023 – The Trust issues an objection to the second application for a golf course at Coul Links, as with the Scoping Stage response this was due to our concerns over the impact of development on a heavily protected site for nature.
December 2023 – Highland Councillors vote by 6 to 4 to accept the second application, despite recommendations against this from their own planning officials, objections from NatureScot and many others. The Conservation Coalition, which includes the Trust, issue a press release calling on Scottish Government to call in the application.
January/ February 2024 – The Highland Council notifies Ministers of the application (29/01/24). Ministers have 28 days from that date to respond. We have written to Ministers calling on them to call in the application.
February 2024 – Ministers call in the application (08/02/24), meaning they will make the final decision on whether the development can proceed.
May 2024 – Pre-enquiry meeting was held to organise the future enquiry, including points for discussion. The Conservation Coalition was represented by an Advocate who succeeded in getting a scheduled dedicated discussion on the ecology, including protected sites and rare and threaten species. Enquiry meeting anticipated for November 2024.
November 2024 – The Conservation Coalition participated in the public enquiry in Embo and accompanied site visits to Coul Links.
January 2025 – The public enquiry came to an end, with Scottish Government Reporters now preparing their recommendation for Scottish Ministers.