The cost of a controversial power line from Beauly to Denny has almost doubled. The total cost of the controversial scheme, which will see 600 giant pylons erected along most of the 137 mile route, is now expected to be £600 million, almost double that of the estimated price of £331m. The power line is being constructed by Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power and consumers will pay for the increased cost. The BBC reports that the regulator Ofgem estimated it would add up to 10p to electricity bills for each UK household a year.

An RSPB study has shown that the Isle of Mull benefits by 5 million pounds a year from the re-introduction of the white-tailed eagle, or sea eagle. 1,200 visitors to the island were suveyed in 2010 and the findings suggest that tourism generated by the birds supports the equivalent of 110 full-time jobs. Almost a quarter of visitors said the eagles were an important factor in them choosing Mull as a destination. The results come at a time when crofting and farming communities have the chance to help sea eagles and their local communities by applying to join a new…

An area of the north west Highlands is the focus of what has been described as Scotland’s largest habitat conservation project. Landscape charity the John Muir Trust (JMT) is working with several landowners to protect and restore habitat across 172,973 acres (70,000 hectares). The project covers the Coigach and Assynt area north of Ullapool and wildcats, golden eagles, freshwater pearl mussels and the Scottish wood ant are some of the species that could benefit. The Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape is a partnership project between the John Muir Trust, Assynt Foundation, Culag Community Woodland Trust, Eisg Brachaid Estate, Tanera Mòr…