Funding will improve access for Skye hides
MORE visitors will now be able to enjoy the wildlife they can see from two hides at Kylerhea on Skye thanks to a £37,000 car park upgrade.
Forest Enterprise Scotland’s otter hide, and the smaller eagle hide, which is run in partnership with RSPB Scotland, are served by the same car park and, like many places on Skye, have struggled to cope with the number of visitors.
The upgrade means that the newly landscaped car park has doubled in size and can now accommodate 19 cars including two ‘blue badge’ spaces, making the hides much more accessible.
Additional picnic tables and upgraded signs have also been put in place.
Jack Mackay, visitor services manager for the FES team in the area, said: ‘The otter hide is a hugely popular spot all year round and we welcome hundreds of visitors every year, but when the eagle hide is also open in the summer things can get a bit hectic on a busy day.
‘There is a stunning array of wildlife to see – anything from golden eagles, white-tailed sea eagles, to seals and porpoises.
‘Extending the car parking facilities will certainly improve access and let more people enjoy this amazing site, especially less mobile visitors. The works will not only benefit visitors but, by helping to cut roadside parking, will also improve traffic flow for all road users.’
The otter hide is unstaffed and is open all year round, while the eagle hide is open in the summer months and is staffed by RSPB Scotland guides. Alison MacLennan, RSPB Scotland’s senior conservation officer on Skye, said: ‘Both of the hides are really popular in the summer months and parking has been a bit of a bug-bear, especially when the sun’s out and the visitors all come at once. It used to be quite frustrating for visitors.
‘Improving the car parking improves the access for visitors who will now be able to arrive in the best frame of mind to appreciate the superb wildlife spectacles that are a daily occurrence at Kylerhea.’
As well as giving visitors a fantastic opportunity to view the behaviour of animals and birds in the wild – particularly white-tailed sea eagles - the eagle hide staff also run activity days and guided evening walks in the summer.