Tourism – it’s about finding the balance

Summer is here, and this year looks to be better than last year – at least weather-wise.

But while all this good weather does wonders for our tan, when temperatures soar, so do visitor numbers. You can’t blame people for wanting to visit our fantastic region. But while they are very welcome, they do bring their challenges.

Not least because of the extra traffic. Our infrastructure is just not up to the task.

We need better roads, and we need more car parks. The parking difficulties experienced on Skye, such as at the Fairy Pools, are well documented. But this week we highlight the issues at Glenfinnan.

More than 300,000 visitors now come to Glenfinnan each year to view the 21-arch viaduct that overlooks Loch Shiel – made famous by the ‘Harry Potter’ movies – and the Jacobite steam train as it makes its regular crossings over the imposing structure.

Coupled with people coming to view the nearby monument which honours fallen Jacobite clansmen, the situation has seen a desperate shortage of car parking.

Visitors on the clock to capture their Kodak moment are parking wherever they can find a space along this single-track road, and that includes abandoning campervans at busy junctions.

The local community is now taking the situation in hand and volunteers are being sought to help with a traffic survey which it is hoped will help secure funding for a new carpark with space for cars and motorhomes.

So if you can help with this, please do. It is vital everyone is kept safe while enjoying our wonderful scenery, and providing good parking facilities is a great start.