Draft dark skies guidance drawn up for the Highlands

In a report, officials said the proposed guidance would encourage best practice in terms of minimising exterior lighting to only what was necessary for safety and security.

They said: “There are environmental benefits in terms of reduced emissions and lower adverse impacts on humans and wildlife, financial benefits in reduced energy usage and bills, and tourism economy benefits in terms of retaining and enhancing visitors’ ability to enjoy the night sky.”

In the report, planting trees and fencing have been suggested report as ways of reducing the glare of outside lights.

Officials acknowledged that some communities would prefer to have exterior lighting for safety reasons.

The local authority has previously said the Highlands, which has large, sparsely populated areas, offered astronomy fans some of the darkest skies in Europe.

In 2024, the Isle of Rum, which is in the Highland Council area, was named Scotland’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the organisation DarkSky International.