Concern over lack of public toilets

RESIDENTS on Skye have raised concerns about a lack of public toilets on the island as tourists begin to arrive.

Morag MacLeod, who works at the petrol station in Uig, reported to the Lochaber

Times that the toilets in the village are closed, saying: ‘The public toilets are closed over the winter, but now there are barriers up and a sign that says no entry so you can’t get in to use them.

‘The barrier is just awful and it doesn’t cast a good impression of the island for visitors if there aren’t any toilets for them to use.’

Morag said this had led to an increase in the number of people coming into the petrol station, which is located next to the public toilets, asking to use the toilet.

‘This is an ongoing concern for residents in the village and something has to be done. Every second person in the station asks to use the toilet and I often feel quite embarrassed by it. It is a basic human right to be able to use the toilet so I allow people coming into the petrol station and asking to use them to do so.’

When asked about the situation the Highland Council said that the toilets on Uig are closed for repairs and will be open to the public as soon as possible.

CalMac, next door to the filling station in Uig, is currently allowing members of the public to use its toilet, with discussion ongoing between the ferry operator and the Highland Council about setting up a short-term ‘comfort scheme’ to reimburse CalMac for consumables used in the provision of the toilets.

With toilets in Kilmuir, 30 miles away, also closed there are growing concerns about what tourists will do during the busy summer months.

The Highland Council said it does not own the toilets in Kilmuir and could not comment on their opening times.