Skye hits back at claims it is ‘swamped’ with tourists
TOURISM businesses on the Isle of Skye have issued an unprecedented open letter to counter claims that the island has been swamped with visitors.
More than 150 firms signed the letter complaining about “sensationalist reporting” on the number of tourists to Skye’s most famous beauty spots.
Stories in recent years have suggested that sites including the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle, the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr are struggling to cope with the number of vehicles and tourists.
The letter outlines key infrastructure improvements in the past year and states that “Skye is well and truly open for business”.
The signatories include Isabella Macdonald of Kinloch Lodge, Macleod Estates, the Stein Inn, and popular attractions such as Dunvegan Castle.
Shirley Spear, owner of the celebrated Three Chimneys restaurant, and chairman of the Skyeconnect group, said she and her colleagues had worked tirelessly to dispel the myth that Skye is overrun with tourists.
Kate Forbes, the local SNP MSP, helped arrange the letter in response to stories that could “jeopardise the jobs, businesses and income of local people” that have “taken years to build up.”
Ms Forbes said: “I would hate for any potential visitors to choose not to visit Skye because of sensationalist stories… we’ve been working hard over the past year to improve the infrastructure and services to support locals and visitors alike…the answer isn’t to scare away visitors, it is to improve the area.”
In January, Ms Forbes criticised the American broadcaster CNN for listing Skye as one of a number of destinations travellers should avoid this year due to an expected “tourism backlash” among allegedly disgruntled local residents.