Improvements vital at entrance to town

Sir, The recent international appraisal from the Lonely Planet Guide regarding our beautiful, rugged West Highland Line, reminds us of the need for all community groups, local government and Holyrood ministers to take action to improve the arrival experience to our town.

Fort William, the capital town of Lochaber, attracts up to 500,000 visitors to an area rich in history, ancient and modern. It also requires much-needed infrastructure improvements to its coastal area, such as a cruise ship landing stage and improved shoreline amenities close to the West Highland Station, in the heart of the world famous Great Glen.

This investment would benefit the large area north to Loch Ness, west to the Road to the Isles and southwest to Glencoe and Oban, with an economic ripple effect to all tourist operators.

The tourism business is reported to be the largest industry in Scotland and growing annually, so it would seem the business case is undeniable.

N MacLean, Fort William.