Government urged to approve controversial Scottish golf course

After ‘calling in’ the planning application for a controversial golf course, the Scottish government has been urged to give it the green light.

Fergus Ewing, of the SNP, has joined Conservative, Labour and LibDem politicians in calling for approval of the course, which sits on a protected beach.

Plans to build Coul Links in Embo, north of Dornoch, were approved by the Highland Council in December before the plans were called in last week.

But developers Communities 4 Coul (C4C), have now won the backing of five Highland politicians, who have penned a joint letter to the government.

Signed by Tory MSPs Jamie Halcro Johnston and Edward Mountain, Labour’s Rhoda Grant and LibDem MP Jamie Stone, the letter highlighted the “significant economic and environmental benefits of the development, as well as the proven strong local support for it”.

Ewing said: “The community-driven plan will restore the dunes to their former glory.

“It has been supported by the local council and will transform the prospects for this part of the Highlands. It’s of national economic significance.

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“This is a totemic issue: will the Scottish Government throw its full support behind the ‘Highland David’ versus the wealthy metropolitan pressure groups’ ‘Goliath’?”

The man behind the plans is US billionaire Mike Keiser, who saw a previous application to build on Coul Links called in and rejected in 2020.

Part of C4C’s work would preserve parts of the area, while the firm argue an investment of £50 million on the development would create 400 full-time jobs and generate around £12 million for the economy each year.

Gordon Sutherland, C4C director, hit out at ‘members of wealthy national organisations’ who are plotting to prevent the golf course from being built.

He said the campaign, led by the ‘Conservation Coalition’, has “entirely misrepresented the facts of this development and ignored the proven views of the clear majority of local people”.

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“They have also shown no interest in doing anything positive to restore Coul Links,” added Sutherland.

“Five Highland politicians from different parties have very clearly and factually set out why they believe it is vital for ministers to look beyond serial misapprehensions repeatedly peddled by these bodies.

“We warmly welcome their support for our project, for our area and for its unique environment and hope ministers will heed the vitally important facts they have set out.”

The dune system at the hole 18-hole Coul Links forms part of the Loch Fleet Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Dornoch Firth and Loch Fleet Special Protection Area (SPA).

Under the international Convention on Wetlands, which was signed in 1971, it is also protected as a “Ramsar site”.

Meanwhile, Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands Ariane Burgess has blasted the plans for Coul Links, stating it is “a critically important site and should be celebrated and enhanced, not smothered with a golf course”.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.