The Highland Council is cracking down on the unauthorised sale and development of small land plots across the region, with new legal action unfolding at a site near Spean Bridge.
In a recent public warning, the Council urged buyers to seek planning advice before purchasing small plots in areas like Achnabobane, Garve, Roy Bridge and Daviot, where land is often marketed with misleading claims about development potential.
Officials said many of these sites lack basic infrastructure and are in areas of environmental sensitivity, making planning permission highly unlikely.
Now, three men have been reported to the Procurator Fiscal following alleged damage to a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Achnabobane.
The site, near Fort William, is part of the nationally important Parallel Roads of Glen Roy SSSI, known for glacial sediment formations dating back to the last Ice Age.
According to Police Scotland and NatureScot, extensive groundworks were carried out without authorisation, including hardstanding construction and sediment removal, both requiring consent on protected land.
“This is an internationally renowned geological site,” said Constable Dan Sutherland of Police Scotland.
“Enquiries found large-scale operations to create hard standings had been carried out without the consent of NatureScot.”
He added:
“It is an offence for anyone to intentionally or recklessly damage protected natural features.”
If convicted, those responsible could face fines of up to £40,000.
The Highland Times understands that two of the men reported include Alistair Angus MacGregor and his son Ross Alexander MacGregor, long-time residents of Achnabobane.
In 2023, enforcement notices were issued at the same site requiring the removal of camping pods, caravans and unauthorised tracks, and for the land to be restored.
That order, supported by Police Scotland and NatureScot, came after repeated requests to cease development went unanswered.
A spokesperson for NatureScot confirmed no permissions were granted for the works and said the activity “risked undermining irreplaceable landforms.”
“Scotland’s SSSIs are protected for good reason,” the spokesperson said.
“Damage like this is not only illegal, it’s damaging to the legacy we leave future generations.”
According to Companies House records, Ross MacGregor has been involved in several land-sale companies, some connected to plots previously described by trading standards as “unbuildable” or “misrepresented.”
While no criminal convictions are currently tied to those dealings, the situation has prompted renewed scrutiny of speculative land sales in the Highlands.
In its earlier statement, The Highland Council said it would not hesitate to take enforcement action where needed, and warned that some buyers may be unaware of flood risks, poor access, or protected status.
Cllr Ken Gowans, chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“The Highland Council are very concerned about the continued marketing of small plots of land that are clearly unsuitable for development.
“We strongly urge anyone considering buying any land to seek professional planning advice before making a purchase, although this is particularly the case with such plots.
“These often raise serious planning concerns, including environmental damage, unsafe road access, and pollution risks.
“Planning permission is highly unlikely to be granted for development where that is the case.”
The Crown Office is now reviewing the Achnabobane case to determine whether criminal charges will be brought.
