Highlands broadband rollout reaches 5,000 more remote homes

The Scottish Government’s R100 programme confirms new fibre connections in Sutherland and Wester Ross.

Daily Alba · 11 October 2026 · 2 min read

Illustrative white cottages in a remote Highland glen. Illustrative image, not a photograph of the reported event.

More than 5,000 homes and businesses in some of Scotland’s most remote areas now have access to gigabit-capable broadband, according to the latest R100 programme update.

The Scottish Government said the new fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connections cover parts of Sutherland, Wester Ross and the Inner Hebrides. The R100 project aims to ensure every home and business in Scotland can access speeds of at least 30Mbps.

Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur said the rollout is essential for the economic future of rural communities, supporting remote working and local services. The government says the project remains on track for its next major milestone in early 2027.

More from Daily Alba

Illustrative university research campus at dusk

Scotland

Scottish campuses told to strengthen defences after MI5 spying alert

Tertiary education minister Alyn Smith has written to every further and higher education institution in Scotland telling them to tighten defences against foreign espionage, after MI5 publicly named a Chinese research body as a front for Beijing's intelligence service.

11 Oct 2026 · 4 min read

Millions face flood risk as new taskforce prepares for winter

Floods and Drought Minister Emma Hardy will convene more than 50 organisations on 14 October for the first meeting of a new taskforce designed to improve Britain's resilience to flooding and drought, as the Environment Agency warns 6.3 million homes and businesses in England remain at flood risk.

11 Oct 2026 · 4 min read

Housing

Dangerous mould: private renters move closer to strict repair deadlines

The government opened a consultation on 9 October on extending Awaab's Law, which sets legal deadlines for landlords to fix dangerous hazards such as damp and mould, from social housing to England's 11 million private renters and to licensed accommodation including temporary and supported housing.

11 Oct 2026 · 4 min read