Dark Skies: Reducing Light Pollution - Planning Guidance and Future Policy
Share your thoughts on Dark Skies
We are consulting on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across Highland, which will help protect the environment, support night sky tourism and human wellbeing.
The Guidance is intended to reduce existing and potential future light pollution across Highland via establishing and encouraging good practice, a supportive policy framework and the application of planning control to developments that are of a scale and/or location most likely to have harmful light pollution effects. Once implemented, this suite of measures should assist any Highland community wishing to pursue a Dark Sky area bid. Its intended audience is any individual, business or other organisation who/which has or intends to provide exterior artificial lighting within Highland.
The Guidance is not intended to apply to temporary (up to 28 days in any calendar year) lighting such as at Christmas or at outdoor events. Dark Sky status or designation/certification is bestowed by an international body subject to an application process and compliance with a range of criteria. Currently (September 2026) there is one designated Dark Sky area in Highland, The Isle of Rum. This Guidance will be applicable to any and all existing and future designated Dark Sky areas. A mapped list of Dark Sky areas is available via this website.
Phases
Reducing Light Pollution survey
Residents, communities, businesses and developers are being given the opportunity to help shape this guidance and future policy. The guidance encourages the use of outdoor lighting only where necessary and promotes designs that minimise harmful effects. It will also form the basis of a future policy within the new Highland Local Development Plan (HLDP) and support communities wishing to pursue Dark Sky area status. After the consultation period ends, responses will be reviewed and any proposed amendments will be brought to Members for consideration before the guidance is finalised.