‘We don’t want you’ visitors told
People from across the UK thinking of heading to Highland Perthshire to isolate have been told to stay away by worried locals.
The Aberfeldy Caravan Park had been open for the past fortnight, with some visitors returning, considering the Perthshire town a safer place to self-isolate than in cities.
But yesterday the park closed and management asked everyone already arrived to leave immediately.
Similar issues have been reported right across the Highland area.
It followed a weekend of wild exchanges on social media from locals fearful that outsiders would cost lives by bringing infection into the town.
One person on the Aberfeldy Community Noticeboard commented: “When things are ‘normal’, Aberfeldy welcomes holiday visitors with open arms.
“But this isn’t a normal situation. And the problem isn’t confined to Aberfeldy... it’s throughout the Highlands.
“People are not understanding the simple idea that even though they feel fine, they could still infect someone. The direction to stay home means just that.”
Another local added: “The fact is that people coming here from other parts of the country will make the odds of the virus coming here much greater.
“The campsite should never have been allowed to open and should be closed immediately, to lessen the odds.”
Victor Clements, chair of Aberfeldy Community Council, appealed to anyone heading that way: “This virus moves around with people, and many people will have this without realising it.
“For every one of us, the safest place to be is the place they know best and where they have family, friends and support structures.”
Aberfeldy Caravan Park is a business rented from the community council by Moness Resort.
John McKenzie, managing director of Moness Resort, told the PA that “following advice over the weekend”, the park had shut on Monday, March 23.
A sign had been placed on the reception office door, advising visitors must not enter and should go back home.
Mr McKenzie reported a number of people who had come to stay in their caravans were asked to leave and the remaining caravans were padlocked and would remain off-limits.
He said dog walkers could not be prevented from walking through the grounds.
Moness Resort, a luxury holiday village with 106 cottages with spa, bar and restaurant closed on Monday as well
The reception had been bombarded with enquiries from locals who wanted all holidaymakers turned away.
Carol Millar, reception supervisor at Moness Resort, said: “I have spent the whole weekend phoning my guests and rescheduling them for later on in the year, big shout out to them as they have all been lovely and understanding.”
Xander McDade, Highland ward councillor and trustee for the Cairngorms National Park, said: “People are understandably scared at the moment and many have chosen to try and take what they feel is the safest option of leaving the city and heading to the countryside.
“Over the past few days we have seen a huge surge across the Highlands and Islands of people coming in campervans and caravans looking to take refuge in our rural communities.
“This was felt particularly acutely communities in both the Cairngorm National Park and Highland Perthshire over the weekend. Whilst in normal times all visitors would receive the warmest of Highland welcomes, during this international health pandemic, our rural services and health provision simply cannot cope with a huge surge in demand.”