The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Community offers solution to Fairy Pools parking woes
Initiative: Plan to see 157 extra spaces for vehicles at Skye tourism hot spot
Traffic congestion at one of Skye’s most popular tourist attractions could be eased considerably if new plans are given the green light.
Every year thousands of visitors park their vehicles and set off to walk the mile and a half route to see the beautiful Fairy Pools at Glenbrittle on the island.
The present car park has just 30 spaces and, as a result, many vehicles are left at the roadside, which causes congestion and access difficulties for local residents.
But Minginish Community Council has submitted plans to Highland Council to extend the car park, which will provide an additional 157 spaces.
It is also wants to improve the road crossing, create places for picnics and interpretation boards and provide compost toilets at the site.
The extended car park would have a new lower access link and would be able to accommodate 137 cars as well as 20 minibuses and camper vans.
But in a consultation response, the local environmental health officer has expressed concern about the number of toilets required.
Coila Hunter said: “The size and number of composting toilets is my greatest concern with the development. They must be sufficient in size and number to be able to cope with the number of visitors. By my calculations, 137 car spaces and 20 minibus spaces could mean that more than 868 people could access the site at any one time, based on full car occupancy of four and 16 in each minibus.
“Research in the last decade has noted that commercially available composting toilets do not work particularly well in Scottish climates and therefore have to be closely managed.
“Also in the absence of a private water supply, it is recommended that an alcohol-based spray be provided in the absence of suitable handwashing facilities.”
Kate Forbes MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch said: “In light of the many concerns about the pressure of tourism on infrastructure and services, I’m pleased to see some progress on the Fairy Pools with the submission of a planning application to expand the car park.
“The increased traffic at the Fairy Pools has made it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for people living in Glenbrittle to go about their daily business.
“In fact, it’s even more critical when emergency services can’t get through the traffic jam.
“I have spoken at length with the community members behind this initiative and am doing all I can to support them at every stage.”