Highland Council has produced draft guidance designed to reduce light pollution, which could provide clearer views of the night sky for stargazers. Officials have also highlighted other potential benefits, including lower carbon emissions and reduced energy costs.
The guidance would support communities in establishing dark sky sites, which are locations with minimal light pollution. Builders of significant developments in or near these sites would need to conduct a lighting assessment to justify the necessity of exterior lights.
Councillors are scheduled to meet next week to consider approving the draft guidance. If approved, it would then be subject to public consultation before a final version is produced. The guidance could also become part of Highland Council's proposed Highland Local Development Plan, expected next year.
Officials stated in a report that the guidance would promote best practices for minimising exterior lighting, ensuring it is only used when necessary for safety and security. They noted environmental benefits from reduced emissions and less adverse impact on humans and wildlife, financial benefits from lower energy usage, and tourism benefits from enhancing visitors' enjoyment of the night sky.
The report also suggested planting trees and fencing as methods to reduce glare from outside lights. Officials acknowledged that some communities may prefer exterior lighting for safety reasons. The local authority has previously stated that the Highlands, with its large, sparsely populated areas, offers some of Europe's darkest skies for astronomy enthusiasts. In 2024, the Isle of Rum, within the Highland Council area, was designated Scotland's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International.